And may I never know the wrong
Of cancelled memory of shed
Soft petals of the roses red-

If there should be a sound of song
Among the leaves when I am dead,
God grant I still may hear it sped.
John Drinkwater

RONDEL

The ways of Death are soothing and serene,

And all the words of Death are grave and sweet. From camp and church, the fireside and the street, She signs to come, and strife and song have been.

A summer night descending, cool and green

And dark, on daytime's dust and stress and heat, The ways of Death are soothing and serene,

And all the words of Death are grave and sweet.

O glad and sorrowful, with triumphant mien
And hopeful faces look upon and greet
This last of all your lovers, and to meet
Her kiss, the Comforter's, your spirit lean.
The ways of Death are soothing and serene.

...

W. E. Henley

RONDEAUS

THE RONDEAU

Your rondeau's tale must still be light-
No bugle-call to life's stern fight!
Rather a smiling interlude
Memorial to some transient mood

Of idle love and gala-night.

Its manner is the merest sleight
O' hand; yet therein dwells its might,
For if the heavier touch intrude
Your rondeau's stale.

Fragrant and fragile, fleet and bright,
And wing'd with whim, it gleams in flight
Like April blossoms wind-pursued
Down aisles of tangled underwood;—

Nor be too serious when you write

Your rondeau's tale.

Don Marquis

FANCIES IN FILIGREE

-Strambotti of ALESSANDRO DE MEDICI.

XXIV

"Guarda negli occhi la nostra regina"

My Lady's Eyes Remembrance bring Of lyttel Waves whose Wavering Beneathe ye roving Summer Breeze Makes scintillant hushed Summer Seas Whenas ye Sun is vanishing.