STILL LIFE
Pale globes of fragrant ripeness, amber grapes And purple, on a silver dish; a glass Of wine, in which light glows, and fires to pass Staining the damask, and in dance escapes; Two Venice goblets wrought in graceful shapes; A bowl of velvet pansies, wherein mass Blues, mauves, and purples; plumes of meadow-grass; And one ripe pomegranate, that splits and gapes, Protruding ruby seeds: a feast for eyes Better than all those topaz, beryl fruits Aladdin saw and coveted: these call, To minds contented and in leisure wise, Visions of blossoming boughs, and mossy roots, And peaches ripening on a sunny wall.
BLODEUWEDD
Math, upon a summer day, Gathered blossoms of the May; Cherry-blossom, too, which fell On the surface of a well; Silver froth, and foam of flowers, Golden rays on drifting showers; Dew, and frost, and flames of fire, And he fashioned his desire: Made a woman, slim and fair, Blodeuwedd of the lovely hair.
Blodeuwedd of the shining face Ranged the forest, with the grace Of a forest-thing, as wild, Wilful as a wanton child. How could men withhold their eyes From her? She was light, the skies, Dawn, and dew to them. It seemed, Looking at her, that they dreamed All the joys of heaven had been Hidden her twin breasts between, Bound upon her tranquil brows That were white as winter snows, Hidden in her curving lips, Folded round her flowing hips. Yea! for them she seemed to shine With a beauty all divine.
Blodeuwedd of the little ears Had, alas! no gift of tears, Had no heart at all to love, Knew not what deep sorrows move Through the dim ways of our heart, Knew of mortal grief no part. She, like sunlight through the rain, Drifted through our world of pain, Fed her joy with myriad kisses, Stolen pleasures, honeyed blisses; Then danced on her wanton way Like a gleam of gold through gray. Men fell, knowing they would fall, For Math gave no heart at all.
Blodeuwedd, I have made in thee Of my love's deep sorcery, Even as Math made the gay Heartless one from flowers of May, Foam, and frost, and shining dew, Shall I find a heart in you?