For Esther was a woman most complete

Blazoned and tinctured, this with saffron flamesEnshrining fancy, that with opalineRays of mad hopes, half sunlight, half moonshine,This last with the sole gold of passionate blamesEnjoyed and harvested and made divineBy Love’s long memory far outlasting Fame’s.–Leave it untouched, the rose–sweet manuscript.Youth lies asleep in it, its spellbound knight.Turn not the leaves lest he should…

Without their limbs, their senses, maimed or deaf.We even shall forget love, and shall thriveAnd prosper and grow fat upon our grief.You are consoled already more than half,And wear your sorrow lightly. I will boastNo longer the refusal of reliefThan as a decent mourner of hopes crossed.We yet shall laugh, and laughter is more loudWhen…

I was kneeling there, while Esther kissed my faceAnd dried and comforted my tears. O vainAnd happy tears! O griefs thrice comforted!I trembled, but not with fear. If I was dumb,‘Twas not for lack of speech where all was said.My doubts were ended and my fears o’ercome,And joy had triumphed. Life has given me muchAnd…

Swings, roundabouts, and shows, the Champions Seven,Dramas of battles and the deaths of kings,The whole Place d’Armes grown white as if with snow,With canvas booths arrayed in triple lines,And jugglers, lions, snakes from Mexico,Dancers on tight ropes, clowns and columbines.I went among them all with grave intent,I, too, to find it may be some delight.I…

For thou hast rifled many a proud foolOf all his passions, hoarded by a ruleOf stern economy. Him, yet a boy,Harsh wisdom governed. Others turned to toyWith lusty passion. He was chaste and coolAs a young Dorian in Lycurgus’ school.Ah me, that thou such souls shouldst dare annoy.Thus did he gather him a store of…

Thou, methinks, shalt firstly beA blue flower with nodding bellsIn the hollow of a tree.When the wind blows wantonly,Thou shalt ever shake thy headAt the idle tale he tells.But at evening from the clover,When the world is all abed,And the noisy day is over,And the birds have gone to rest,In the darkness will I hoverTill…