XXXII Ballades in Blue China [1885]

Transcribed from the 1885 Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
Friend , when you bear a care-dulled eye , And brow perplexed with things of weight , And fain would bid some charm untie The bonds that hold you all too strait , Behold a solace to your fate , Wrapped in this cover’s china blue ; These ballades fresh and delicate , This dainty troop of Thirty-two !
The mind , unwearied , longs to fly And commune with the wise and great ; But that same ether , rare and high , Which glorifies its worthy mate , To breath forspent is disparate : Laughing and light and airy-new These come to tickle the dull pate , This dainty troop of Thirty-two .
Most welcome then , when you and I , Forestalling days for mirth too late , To quips and cranks and fantasy Some choice half-hour dedicate , They weave their dance with measured rate Of rhymes enlinked in order due , Till frowns relax and cares abate , This dainty troop of Thirty-two .
Envoy.
Princes , of toys that please your state Quainter are surely none to view Than these which pass with tripping gait , This dainty troop of Thirty-two .
F. P.
A. LANG
XXXII Ballades in Blue China
LONDON KEGAN PAUL , TRENCH & CO MDCCCLXXXV
“ Rondeaux , Ballades, Chansons dizains , propos menus , Compte moy qu’ilz sont devenuz : Se faict il plus rien de nouveau ?”
Clement Marot, Dialogue de deux Amoureux .