 | Imaginary Sonnets |  |
I.
Thou shinest on me like the single star
That brightens in the pearly purple dusk,
When dreamy eve has scent of forest musk,
And faintly gleams the moon's pale scimitar.
That brightens in the pearly purple dusk,
When dreamy eve has scent of forest musk,
And faintly gleams the moon's pale scimitar.
The world's exulting beauties, near and far,
By thee are crones, their cheek a wrinkled husk.
Oh! thou whose breast is flame-lit Libyan tusk,
Whose eyes once kindled heaven-scaling war,
By thee are crones, their cheek a wrinkled husk.
Oh! thou whose breast is flame-lit Libyan tusk,
Whose eyes once kindled heaven-scaling war,
Off with this pedant's robe, this dull base garb,
That I may break a lance against the world,
Thou Queen of Queens of Beauty, in thy name;
That I may break a lance against the world,
Thou Queen of Queens of Beauty, in thy name;
And on a steel-clad steed, a fiery barb,
Win Helen's smile as each proud knight I've hurled
Writhes in his armour in the dust and shame.
Win Helen's smile as each proud knight I've hurled
Writhes in his armour in the dust and shame.
| Imaginary Sonnets | |