RONDEAU—IN LOVE’S DISPORT

IN love’s disport, gay bubbles blown,

On summer’s winds, light-freighted, flown;—

A child intent upon delight

The painted spheres would keep in sight—

Dissolved too soon in worlds unknown.

Lo! from the furnace mouth hath grown

Fair shapes, as frail, with jewelled zone

Clear globes which fate might read aright

In love’s disport.

O frail as fair! Though in the white

Of flameful heat with force to fight,

Art thou by careless hands cast down

Or killed—when frozen hearts disown

The children born of love of light

In love’s disport.