Thou comfortest as music does, and wine,

And grief dies smothered in thy purple fold.

Let one greater than I, Kiss, and more bold,

Rear thee a classic, monumental line.

Humble Parisian bard, this infantile

Bouquet of rhymes I tender half in fear. . . .

Be gracious, and in guerdon, on the dear

Red lips of One I know, a light and smile!

Paul Verlaine.

SUR L’HERBE