Isn’t gold heavy, though!—

We shall rust airily!

Heavenly metal!

Years upon years!

NOVEMBER PROTHALAMION

Rubicund Autumn, red as a cardinal, clasps his hands in the wine-chill air,

Shaking down gold from the tattered leafiness, waving his torch till the sky’s aflare,

Stars that sparkle like steel in a swordhilt burn the black water of night’s lagoons,

Out in the frost-rimed waste of the corn-field are yellow pumpkins bigger than moons!

Pilfer the nightingale’s throat, my jackdaw Muse of the rebel and dark pretends,