The Vigil of Venus and Other Poems by "Q" by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
page 64 of 90 (71%)
page 64 of 90 (71%)
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Down in the street the last late hansoms go
Still westward, but with backward eyes of red The harlot shuffles to her lonely bed; The tall policeman pauses but to throw A flash into the empty portico; Then he too passes, and his lonely tread Links all the long-drawn gas-lights on a thread And ties them to one planet swinging low. O Hesperus! O happy star! to bend O'er Helen's bosom in the trancèd west-- To watch the hours heave by upon her breast And at her parted lip for dreams attend: If dawn defraud thee, how shall I be deem'd. Who house within that bosom, and am dreamed? CHANT ROYAL OF HIGH VIRTUE Who lives in suit of armour pent And hides himself behind a wall, For him is not the great event, The garland nor the Capitol. And is God's guerdon less than they? Nay, moral man, I tell thee Nay: Nor shall the flaming forts be won By sneaking negatives alone, |
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