Then gushed thrilling, purple blood over the fire;

And enamelled crab-apples that tricked with their fragrance

But were bitter to taste.

And there were spicy plums and ill-shaped quinces,

And long string beans floating in pans of clear water

Like slim, green fishes.

And there was fish itself,

Salted, silver herring from the city....

And you moved among these mysteries,

Absorbed and smiling and sure;