I lure thee above where the destinies bar My plumes their full play Till a ruddier ray 70 75 Past every church that saints and saves; Than my pale one announce there is with- By Lido's wet accursed graves, 110 115 Dip your arm o'er the boat-side, elbow deep, As I do, thus: were death so unlike sleep, Caught this way? Death's to fear from flame or steel, Or poison, doubtless; but from water feel! Go find the bottom! Would you stay me? There! 120 Now pluck a great blade of that ribbon grass To plait in where the foolish jewel was I flung away: since you have praised my hair, 'Tis proper to be choice in what I wear. 140 145 Ah, the autumn day I, passing, saw you overhead! First, out a cloud of curtain blew, Then a sweet cry, and last came you To catch your lory that must needs Escape just then, of all times then, To peck a tall plant's fleecy seeds, And make me happiest of men. I scarce could breathe to see you reach So far back o'er the balcony To catch him ere he climbed too high Above you in the Smyrna peach That quick the round smooth cord of gold, This coiled hair on your head, unrolled, 150 Fell down you like a gorgeous snake The Roman girls were wont, of old, When Rome there was, for coolness' sake To let lie curling o'er their bosoms. Dear lory, may his beak retain Ever its delicate rose stain As if the wounded lotos-blossoms Had marked their thief to know again! Stay longer yet, for others' sake Than mine! do? 155 What should your chamber - With all its rarities that ache 160 Who brought against their will together 165 These objects, and, while day lasts, weave Around them such a magic tether 175 Breathes slumberously, as if some elf To that prim saint by Haste-thee-Luke! She speaks: 180 185 190 195 200 |