FRANGIPANNI
Reading edition
Untwine those ringlets! Ev'ry dainty clasp That shines like twisted sunlight in my eye Is but the coiling of the jewelled asp That smiles to see men die.
Oh, cobra-curlèd! Fierce-fanged fair one! Draw Night's curtain o'er the landscape of thy hair! I yield! I kneel! I own, I bless thy law That dooms me to despair.
I mark the crimson ruby of thy lips, I feel the witching weirdness of thy breath! I droop! I sink into my soul's eclipse,— I fall in love with death!
And yet, vouchsafe a moment! I would gaze Once more into those sweetly-murderous eyes, Soft glimmering athwart the pearly haze That smites to dusk the skies.
Hast thou no pity? Must I darkly tread The unknown paths that lead me wide from thee? Hast thou no garland for this aching head That soon so low must be?
No sound? No sigh? No smile? Is all forgot? Then spin my shroud out of that golden skein Thou callst thy tresses! I shall stay thee not— My struggles were but vain!
But shall I see thee far beyond the sun, When the new dawn lights Empyrean scenes? What matters now? I know the poem's done, And wonder what the dickens it all means!
Anonymous.