 | Forest Notes |  |
70
ON A RENAISSANCE MANTELPIECE
A beetling mantelpiece of carven stone
With doves and cupids and the tendrilled vine
Sculptured of old; where mighty logs of pine
Yield ruddy flames, while outer tempests moan;
An ample hearth, where, in the days long gone
Warrior and bard and dame of royal line
Drank the mulled ale or poured the scalded wine
And told old saws of forests wild and lone.
With doves and cupids and the tendrilled vine
Sculptured of old; where mighty logs of pine
Yield ruddy flames, while outer tempests moan;
An ample hearth, where, in the days long gone
Warrior and bard and dame of royal line
Drank the mulled ale or poured the scalded wine
And told old saws of forests wild and lone.
O sweet, I crave such shelter from the storm,
Such cheering warmth, such comfortable cup
Beneath the ample mantel of thy love.
There would I sit, where all is bright and warm
And watch the dancing flame, which, leaping up,
Will glow on the carved tendril and the dove.
Such cheering warmth, such comfortable cup
Beneath the ample mantel of thy love.
There would I sit, where all is bright and warm
And watch the dancing flame, which, leaping up,
Will glow on the carved tendril and the dove.
E.
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