likenesses of beast and bird! p. 18LES ROSES DE SÂDI p. 18 This morning I vowed I would bring thee my Roses, They were thrust in the band that my bodice encloses, But the breast-knots were broken, the Roses went free. The breast-knots were broken; the Roses together Floated forth on the wings of the wind and the weather, And they drifted afar down the streams of the sea. This And the sea was as red as when sunset uncloses, But my raiment is sweet from the scent of the Roses, Thou shalt know, Love, how fragrant a memory can be. p. 19THE HAUNTED TOWER p. 19 SUGGESTED BY A POEM OF THÉOPHILE GAUTIER SUGGESTED BY A POEM OF THÉOPHILE GAUTIER In front he saw the donjon tall Deep in the woods, and stayed to scan The guards that slept along the wall, Or dozed upon the bartizan. He marked the drowsy flag that hung Unwaved by wind, unfrayed by shower, He listened to the birds that sung Go forth and win the haunted tower! The tangled brake made way for him, The twisted brambles bent aside; And lo, he pierced the forest dim, And lo, he won the fairy bride! For he was young, but ah! we find, All we, whose beards are flecked with grey, Our fairy castle’s far behind, We watch it from the darkling way: p. 20’Twas ours, that palace, in our youth, We revelled there in happy cheer: Who scarce dare visit now in sooth, Le Vieux Château de Souvenir! For not the boughs of forest green Begird that castle far away, There is a mist where we have been That weeps about it, cold and grey. And if we seek to travel back ’Tis through a thicket dim and sere, With many a grave beside the track, And many a haunting form of fear. Dead leaves are wet among the moss, With weed and thistle overgrown— A ruined barge within the fosse, A castle built of crumbling stone! The drawbridge drops from rusty chains, There comes no challenge from the hold; No squire, nor dame, nor knight remains, Of all who dwelt with us of old. And there is silence in the hall No sound of songs, no ray of fire; p. 21But gloom where all was glad, and
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