When you sing, O lady mine,
I remember, long ago,
Philomela in the grove,
Singing of her plaintive love,
Had a voice as small and fine,
Sweet as your voice is and low.
And whoever heard her song
Bore it in his heart for long.
Lady, when you dance for me,
I remember, long ago,
Wanton Aphrodite gave
Red-leaved roses to the wave.
And the sea-nymphs danced for glee
With the petals to and fro.
When they wearied of their play
Drifting rose-leaves filled the bay.
When I hear you laugh, I think
And remember, long ago.
How from high Olympus’ mount
Fell the silver-shining fount
Giving youth to who would drink;
And the music of its flow
Echoes through the dreaming years
When my heart your laughter hears.
But you can be grave beside-
I remember, long ago,
Daphne, playing in the shade
With a little mortal maid,
Frighted her until she cried.
Tears proclaimed her bitter woe,
And the nymph, in tender-wise,
Bent and kissed them from her eyes.
(Ethel Clifford)
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Based on Topics: Love Poems, Cry Poems, Music Poems, Laughter Poems, Singing Poems, Boredom Poems, Dreaming PoemsBased on Keywords: sea-nymphs, rose-leaves, philomela, silver-shining