Youdidnotknowthetimehadcome，Youdidnotseethesuddenflower，NorknowthatinmyheartLove’sbirthWasreckonedfromthathour。
GramercyParkForW。P。
Thelittleparkwasfilledwithpeace，Thewalkswerecarpetedwithsnow，Buteveryirongatewaslocked。
Lestifweentered，peacewouldgo。
Wecircleditadozentimes，Thewindwasblowingfromthesea，IonlyfeltyourrestlesseyesWhoselovewaslikeacloakforme。
OhheavygatesthatfatehaslockedTobarthejoywemaynotwin，PeacewouldgooutforevermoreIfweshoulddaretoenterin。
IntheMetropolitanMuseumWithinthetinyPantheonWestoodtogethersilently，LeavingtherestlesscrowdawhileAsshipsfindshelterfromthesea。
TheancientcenturiescamebackTocoverusamoment’sspace，Andthro’thedomethelightwasgladBecauseitshoneuponyourface。
Ah，notfromRomebutfartherstill，Beyondsun—smittenSalamis，Themomenttookus，tillyoustoopedTofindthepresentwithakiss。
ConeyIslandWhydidyoubringmehere？
Thesandiswhitewithsnow，OverthewoodendomesThewintersea—windsblow——
Thereisnoshelternear，Come，letusgo。
WithfoamoficylaceTheseacreepsupthesand，ThewindislikeahandThatstrikesusintheface。
DoorsthatJuneseta—swingAreboltedlongago；
Wetrythemuselessly——
Alas，therecannotbeForusasecondspring；
Come，letusgo。
UnionSquareWiththemanIlovewholovesmenot，Iwalkedinthestreet—lamps’flare；
WewatchedtheworldgohomethatnightInafloodthroughUnionSquare。
IleanedtocatchthewordshesaidThatwerelightasasnowflakefalling；
AhwellthatheneverleanedtohearThewordsmyheartwascalling。
AndonwewalkedandonwewalkedPastthefierylightsofthepictureshows——
WherethegirlswiththirstyeyesgobyOntheerrandeachmanknows。
Andonwewalkedandonwewalked，Atthedooratlastwesaidgood—bye；
IknewbyhissmilehehadnotheardMyheart’sunutteredcry。
WiththemanIlovewholovesmenotIwalkedinthestreet—lamps’flare——
Butoh，thegirlswhocanaskforloveInthelightsofUnionSquare。
CentralParkatDuskBuildingsabovetheleaflesstreesLoomhighascastlesinadream，WhileonebyonethelampscomeoutTothreadthetwilightwithagleam。
Thereisnosignofleaforbud，Ahushisovereverything——
Silentaswomenwaitforlove，Theworldiswaitingforthespring。
YoungLoveI
Icannotheedthewordstheysay，Thelightsgrowfarawayanddim，AmidthelaughingmenandmaidsMyeyesunbiddenseekforhim。
IhopethatwhenhesmilesatmeHedoesnotguessmyjoyandpain，Forifhedid，heistookindToeverlookmywayagain。
II
IhaveasecretinmyheartNoearshaveeverheard，AndstillitsingstheredaybydayMostlikeacagedbird。
Andwhenitbeatsagainstthebars，Idonotsetitfree，ForIamhappiertoknowItonlysingsforme。
III
Iwrotehisnamealongthebeach，Ilovethelettersso。
Farupitseemedandoutofreach，Forstillthetidewaslow。
Butoh，theseacamecreepingup，Andwashedthenameaway，AndonthesandwhereithadbeenAbitofsea—grasslay。
Abitofsea—grassonthesand，Droppedfromamermaid’shair——
Ah，hadshecometokisshisnameAndleaveatokenthere？
IV
WhatamIthatheshouldloveme，Hewhostandssofaraboveme，WhatamI？
IamlikeacowslipturningTowardthesky，Whereaplanet’sgoldenburningBreaksthecowslip’sheartwithyearning，WhatamIthatheshouldloveme，WhatamI？
V
Odreamsthatflockaboutmysleep，Iprayyoubringmylovetome，AndletmethinkIhearhisvoiceAgainringfree。
Andifyoucaretopleasemewell，Andliveto—morrowinmymind，Lethimwhowassocoldbefore，To—nightseemkind。
VI
Ipluckedadaisyinthefields，AndtherebeneaththesunIletitssilverpetalsfallOneafterone。
Isaid，\"Helovesme，lovesmenot，\"
Andoh，myheartbeatfast，Theflowerwaskind，itletmesay\"Helovesme，\"last。
Ikissedthelittleleaflessstem，Butoh，mypoorheartknewThewordstheflowerhadsaidtome，Theywerenottrue。
VII
Isentmylovealetter，Andifhelovesmenot，HeshallnotfindmyloveforhimInanylineordot。
Butifhelovesmetruly，He’llfindithiddendeep，Asdawngleamsredthro’chillycloudsToeyesawakedfromsleep。
VIII
Theworldiscoldandgrayandwet，AndIamheavy—hearted，yetWhenIamhomeandlooktoseeTheplacemyletterswaitforme，IfIshouldfindONEletterthere，IthinkIshouldnotgreatlycareIfitwererainyorwerefair，ForalltheworldwouldsuddenlySeemlikeafestivaltome。
IX
Ihidthreewordswithinmyheart，Thatlongedtoflytohim，Atdawntheywokemewithastart，Theysangtilldaywasdim。
AndnowatlastIletthemfly，Aslittlebirdsshoulddo，Andhewillknowthefirstis\"I\"，Theothers\"Love\"and\"You\"。
X
Acrossthetwilight’svioletHiscurtainedwindowglimmersgold；
OhhappylightthatroundmyloveCanfold。
Ohhappybookwithinhishand，Ohhappypageheglorifies，OhhappylittlewordbeneathHiseyes。
Butoh，thricehappy，happyI
Wholovehimmorethansongscantell，ForintheheavenofhisheartIdwell。
SonnetsandLyricsPrimaveraMiaAskingswhoseetheirlittlelife—daypass，Takeofftheheavyermineandthecrown，Sohadthetreesthatautumn—timelaiddownTheirgoldengarmentsonthefadedgrass，WhenI，whowatchedtheseasonsintheglassOfmineownthoughts，sawalltheautumn’sbrownLeapintolifeanddonasunnygownOfleafagesuchashappyAprilhas。
Greatspringcamesingingupwardfromthesouth；
Forinmyheart，farcarriedonthewind，Yourwordslikewingedseedstookrootandgrew，Andalltheworldcaughtmusicfromyourmouth；
Isawthelightasonewhohadbeenblind，Andknewmysunandsongandspringwereyou。
Soul’sBirthWhenyouwereborn，beloved，wasyoursoulNewmadebyGodtomatchyourbody’sflower，AndweretheybothatonesameprecioushourSentforthfromheavenasaperfectwhole？
Orhadyoursoulsincedimcreationburned，Astarinsomestillregionofthesky，Thatleapingearthward，leftitsplaceonhighAndtoyourlittlenew—bornbodyyearned？
NowordscantellinwhatcelestialhourGodmadeyoursoulandgaveitmortalbirth，NorinthedisarrayofallthestarsIsanyplacesosweetthatsuchaflowerMightlingerthereuntilthro’heaven’sbars，ItheardGod’svoicethatbadeitdowntoearth。
LoveandDeathShallwe，too，riseforgetfulfromoursleep，AndshallmysoulthatlieswithinyourhandRemembernothing，astheblowingsandForgetsthepalmwherelongblueshadowscreepWhenwindsalongthedarkeneddesertsweep？
Orwoulditstillremember，tho’itspannedAthousandheavens，whiletheplanetsfannedThevacantetherwiththeirvoicesdeep？
Soulofmysoul，nowordshallbeforgot，Noryetalone，beloved，shallweseeThedesolationofextinguishedsuns，Norfearthevoidwherethro’ourplanetruns，ForstilltogethershallwegoandnotFareforthalonetofronteternity。
FortheAnniversaryofJohnKeats’Death（February23，1821）
AtmidnightwhenthemoonlitcypresstreesHavewovenroundhisgraveamagicshade，Stillweepingtheunfinishedhymnhemade，TheremovesfreshMaialikeamorningbreezeBlownoverjonquilbedswhenwarmrainscease。
Andstoopingwhereherpoet’sheadislaid，SeleneweepswhileallthetidesarestayedAndswayingseasaredarkenedintopeace。
ButtheywhowakethemeadowsandthetidesHaveheartstookindtobidhimwakefromsleepWhomurmurssometimeswhenhisdreamsaredeep，StartlingtheQuietLandwhereheabides，Andcharmingstill，sad—eyedPersephoneWithvisionsofthesunnyearthandsea。
Silence（ToEleonoraDuse）
Weareanhungeredaftersolitude，Deepstillnesspureofanyspeechorsound，Softquiethoveringoverpoolsprofound，Thesilencesthatonthedesertbrood，Aboveawindlesshushofemptyseas，Thebroadunfurlingbannersofthedawn，AfaeryforestwheretheresleepsaFaun；
Oursoulsarefainofsolitudeslikethese。
Owomanwhodivinedourweariness，Andsetthecrownofsilenceonyourart，Fromwhatundreamed—ofdepthwithinyourheartHaveyousentforththehushthatmakesusfreeTohearaninstant，highaboveearth’sstress，Thesilentmusicofinfinity？
TheReturnIturnedthekeyandopenedwidethedoorToentermydesertedroomagain，Wherethro’thelonghotmonthsthedusthadlain。
WasitnotlonelywhenacrossthefloorNostepwasheard，nosuddensongthatboreMywholeheartupwardwithajoyouspain？
WerenotthepicturesandthevolumesfainTohavemewiththemalwaysasbefore？
ButGiorgione’sVenusdidnotdeignToliftherlids，nordidthesubtlesmileOfMonaLisadeepen。MadeleineStillweptagainstthegloryofherhair，Nordidtheloversparttheirlipsthewhile，ButkissedunheedingthatIwatchedthemthere。
FearIamafraid，ohIamsoafraid！
Thecoldblackfearisclutchingmeto—nightAslongagowhentheywouldtakethelightAndleavethelittlechildwhowouldhaveprayed，Frozenandsleeplessatthethoughtofdeath。
Myheartthatbeatstoofastwillresttoosoon；
Ishallnotknowifitbenightornoon，——
YetshallIstruggleinthedarkforbreath？
WillnoonefighttheTerrorformysake，Theheavydarknessthatnodawnwillbreak？
Howcantheyleavemeinthatdarkalone，Wholovedthejoyoflightandwarmthsomuch，Andthrilledsowiththesenseofsoundandtouch，——
Howcantheyshutmeunderneathastone？
AnadyomeneThewide，brighttempleoftheworldIfound，AndenteredfromthedizzyinfiniteThatImightkneelandworshiptheeinit；
LeavingthesingingstarstheirceaselessroundOfsilvermusicsoundonorbedsound，Formeasuredspaceswheretheshrinesarelit，AndmenwithwisdomorwithlittlewitImplorethegodsthatmercymayabound。
Ah，Aphrodite，wasitnotfromtheeMysummonscameacrosstheendlessspaces？
MotherofLove，turnnotthyfacefrommeNowthatIseekfortheeinhumanfaces；
AnswermyprayerorsetmyspiritfreeAgaintodriftalongthestarryplaces。
GalahadintheCastleoftheMaidens（TothemaidenwiththehiddenfaceinAbbey’spainting）
TheothermaidensraisedtheireyestohimWhostumbledinbeforethemwhenthefightHadlefthimvictor，withavictor’sright。
Ithinkhiseyeswithquickhottearsgrewdim；
Hescarcelysawherswayingwhiteandslim，Andtremblingslightly，dreamingofhismight，Norknewhetouchedherhand，asstrangelylightAsawanwraith’sbesideariver’srim。
TheothermaidensraisedtheireyestoseeAndonlyshehashidherfaceaway，AndyetIweenshelovedhimmorethanthey，Andveryfairlyfashionedwasherface。
YetforLove’sshameandsweethumility，Shedarednotmeethimwiththeirqueenlikegrace。
ToanAeolianHarpThewindshavegrownarticulateinthee，AndvoicedagainthewailofancientwoeThatsmoteuponthewindsoflongago：
ThecriesofTrojanwomenastheyflee，ThequiveringmoanofpaleAndromache，Nowliftedloudwithpainandnowbroughtlow。
Itisthesoulofsorrowthatweknow，Asinashellthesoulofallthesea。
Sosometimesinthecompassofasong，Unknowntohimwhosings，thro’lipsthatlive，Thevoicelessdeadoflong—forgottenlandsProclaimtoustheirheavinessandwrongInsweepingsadnessofthewindsthatgiveThystringsnorestfromwearilesswildhands。
ToErinnaWasTimenotharshtoyou，orwashekind，OpaleErinnaoftheperfectlyre，ThathehasleftnowordofsingingfireWherebyyouwakedthedreamingLesbianwind，Andkindlednightalongthelyricshore？
OgirlwhoselipsEratostoopedtokiss，DoyougosorrowingbecauseofthisInfieldswherepoetssingforevermore？
OrareyougladandisitbesttobeAsilentmusicmenhaveneverheard，Adreaminalloursoulsthatwemaysay：
\"Hervoicehadalltheraptureofthesea，AndalltheclearcoolquiverofabirdDeepinaforestatthebreakofday\"？
ToCleis\"Ihaveafairdaughterwithaformlikeagoldenflower，Cleis，thebeloved。\"
Sapphicfragment。
Whentheduskwaswetwithdew，Cleis，didthemusesnineListeninasilentlineWhileyourmothersangtoyou？
DidtheyweepordidtheysmileWhenshecroonedtostillyourcries，She，amuseinhumanguise，Whoforsookherlyreawhile？
Didyoufeelherwildheartbeat？
DidthewarmthofallthesunThro’yourlittlebodyrunWhenshekissedyourhandsandfeet？
Didyourfingers，babywise，Touchherfaceandtouchherhair，Didyouthinkyourmotherfair，Couldyoubearherburningeyes？
ArethesongsthatsoothedyourfearsVanishedlikeavanishedflame，SavethelinewhereshinesyournameStarlikedownthegrayingyears？
Cleisspeaksnowordtome，ForthelandwhereshehasgoneLiethmuteatduskanddawnLikeawindlesstidelesssea。
ParisinSpringThecity’salla—shiningBeneathaficklesun，Agayyoungwind’sa—blowing，Thelittleshowerisdone。
Buttherain—dropsstillareclingingAndfallingonebyone——
Ohit’sParis，it’sParis，Andspring—timehasbegun。
IknowtheBoisistwinklingInasortofhazysheen，AnddowntheChampsthegrayoldarchStandscoldandstillbetween。
ButthewalkisfleckedwithsunlightWherethegreatacaciaslean，Ohit’sParis，it’sParis，Andtheleavesaregrowinggreen。
Thesun’sgonein，thesparkle’sdead，Therefallsadashofrain，ButwhowouldcarewhensuchanairComesblowinguptheSeine？
AndstillNinettesitssewingBesideherwindow—pane，Whenit’sParis，it’sParis，Andspring—time’scomeagain。
MadeirafromtheSeaOutofthedelicatedreamofthedistanceanemeraldemergesVeiledinthevioletfoldsoftheairofthesea；
Softlythedreamgrowsawakening——shimmeringwhiteofacity，Splashesofcrimson，thegaybougainvillea，thepalms。
Highintheinfiniteblueofitsheavenaquietcloudlingers，Lostandforgottenofwindsthathavefallenasleep，FallenasleeptothetuneofaPortuguesesonginagarden。
CityVignettesI
DawnThegreenishskyglowsupinmistyreds，Thepurpleshadowsturntobrickandstone，Thedreamswearthin，menturnupontheirbeds，Andhearthemilk—cartjanglebyalone。
II
DuskThecity’sstreet，aroaringblackenedstreamWalledinbygranite，thro’whosethousandeyesAthousandyellowlightsbegintogleam，Andoverallthepaleuntroubledskies。
III
RainatNightThestreet—lampsshineinayellowlineDownthesplashy，gleamingstreet，AndtherainisheardnowloudnowblurredBythetreadofhomingfeet。
BytheSeaBesideanebbingnorthernseaWhilestarsawakenonebyone，Wewalktogether，Iandhe。
HewoosmewithaneasygraceThatproveshimonlyhalfsincere；
Alightsmileflickersonhisface。
Tohimlove—makingisanart，Andasaflutistplaysaflute，SodoesheplayuponhisheartAmusicvariedtohiswhim。
Hehasnouseforloveofmine，Hewouldnothavemeanswerhim。
TohidemyeyeswithinthenightIwatchthechangefullighthousegleamAlternatelywithredandwhite。
Mylaughtersmitesuponmyears，SoonewhocriesandwakesfromsleepKnowsnotitishimselfhehears。
WhatifmyvoiceshouldlethimknowThemockingwordswereallasham，Andlipsthatlaughcouldtrembleso？
WhatifIlostthepowertolie，AndheshouldonlyhearhisnameInonelow，brokencry？
OntheDeathofSwinburneHetrodtheearthbutyesterday，Andnowhetreadsthestars。
HeleftusintheApriltimeHepraisedsoofteninhisrhyme，Heleftthesingingandthelyreandwenthisway。
Hedrewnewmusicfromourtongue，Amusicsubtlywrought，Andmouldedwordstohisdesire，Aswinddothmouldawaveoffire；
Fromstrangelyfashionedharpsslowgoldentoneshewrung。
IthinkthesingingunderstandsThathewhosangisstill，AndIseultcriesthatheisdead，——
DoesnotDoloresbowherheadAndFragolettaweepandwringherlittlehands？
NewsingingnowthesingerhearsTolyreandluteandharp；
Catulluswaitstowelcomehim，Andthro’thetwilightsweetanddim，Sappho’sforgottensongsarefallingonhisears。
TrioletsI
Lovelookedbackashetookhisflight，Andlo，hiseyeswerefilledwithtears。
WasitforloveoflostdelightLovelookedbackashetookhisflight？
OnlyIknowwhiledaygrewnight，Turningstilltothevanishedyears，Lovelookedbackashetookhisflight，Andlo，hiseyeswerefilledwithtears。
II
（Writteninacopyof\"LaVitaNuova\"。ForM。C。S。）
IfyouwereLadyBeatriceAndItheFlorentine，I’dneverwastemytimelikethis——
IfyouwereLadyBeatriceI’dwooandthendemandakiss，NorweeplikeDantehere，Iween，IfyouwereLadyBeatriceAndItheFlorentine。
III
（Writteninacopyof\"ThePoemsofSappho\"。）
BeyondthedimHesperides，ThegirlwhosangthemlongagoCouldneverdreamthatoverseas，BeyondthedimHesperides，Thewindwouldblowsuchsongsasthese——
Iwondernowifshecanknow，BeyondthedimHesperides，Thegirlwhosangthemlongago？
IV
DeadleavesuponthestreamAnddeadleavesontheair——
AllofmylosthopesseemDeadleavesuponthestream；
Iwatchtheminadream，GoingIknownotwhere，DeadleavesuponthestreamAnddeadleavesontheair。
VoxCorporisThebeasttothebeastiscalling，Andthesoulbendsdowntowait；
Likethestealthylordofthejungle，Thewhitemancallshismate。
Thebeasttothebeastiscalling，Theyrushthroughthetwilightsweet，Butthesoulisawaryhunter，Hewillnotletthemmeet。
ABalladofTwoKnightsTwoknightsrodeforthatearlydawnA—seekingmaidstowed，Saidone，\"Myladymustbefair，Withgoldhaironherhead。\"
Thenspaketheotherknight—at—arms：
\"Icarenotforherface，ButsheIlovemustbeadoveForpurityandgrace。\"
AndeachknightblewuponhishornAndwenthisseparateway，Andeachknightfoundalady—loveBeforethefallofday。
ButshewasbrownwhoshouldhavehadTheshiningyellowhair——
IweentheknightsforgottheirwordsOrelsetheyceasedtocare。
ForhewhowantedpurityBroughthomeawantonwild，AndwheneachsawtheotherknightIweenthateachknightsmiled。
ChristmasCarolThekingstheycamefromoutthesouth，Alldressedinerminefine，TheyboreHimgoldandchrysoprase，Andgiftsofpreciouswine。
Theshepherdscamefromoutthenorth，Theircoatswerebrownandold，TheybroughtHimlittlenew—bornlambs——
Theyhadnotanygold。
Thewise—mencamefromouttheeast，Andtheywerewrappedinwhite；
ThestarthatledthemallthewayDidglorifythenight。
Theangelscamefromheavenhigh，Andtheywerecladwithwings；
Andlo，theybroughtajoyfulsongThehostofheavensings。
Thekingstheyknockeduponthedoor，Thewise—menenteredin，TheshepherdsfollowedafterthemTohearthesongbegin。
AndMaryheldthelittlechildAndsatupontheground；
Shelookedup，shelookeddown，Shelookedallaround。
Theangelssangthro’allthenightUntiltherisingsun，ButlittleJesusfellasleepBeforethesongwasdone。
TheFaeryForestThefaeryforestglimmeredBeneathanivorymoon，ThesilvergrassesshimmeredAgainstafaerytune。
BeneaththesilkensilenceThecrystalbranchesslept，Anddreamingthro’thedew—fallThecoldwhiteblossomswept。
AFantasyHervoiceislikeclearwaterThatdripsuponastoneInforestsfarandsilentWhereQuietplaysalone。
HerthoughtsarelikethelotusAbloombysacredstreamsBeneaththetemplearchesWhereQuietsitsanddreams。
HerkissesaretherosesThatglowwhileduskisdeepInPersiangardenclosesWhereQuietfallsasleep。
AMinuetofMozart’sAcrossthedimlylightedroomTheviolindrewweftsofsound，AirilytheywoveandwoundAndglimmeredgoldagainstthegloom。
Iwatchedthemusicturntolight，Butatthepausingofthebow，ThewebwasbrokenandtheglowWasdrownedwithinthewaveofnight。
TwilightDreamilyovertheroofsThecoldspringrainisfalling，OutinthelonelytreeAbirdiscalling，calling。
SlowlyovertheearthThewingsofnightarefalling；
MyheartlikethebirdinthetreeIscalling，calling，calling。
ThePrayerMyansweredprayercameuptome，Andinthesilencethusspakehe：
\"Oyouwhoprayedformetocome，Yourgreetingisbutcoldanddumb。\"
Myheartmadeanswer：\"Youarefair，ButIhaveprayedtoolongtocare。
Whycameyounotwhenallwasnew，AndIhaddiedforjoyofyou。\"
TwoSongsforaChildI
Grandfather’sLoveTheysaidhesenthislovetome，Theywouldn’tputitinmyhand，AndwhenIaskedthemwhereitwasTheysaidIcouldn’tunderstand。
Ithoughttheymusthavehiddenit，Ihuntedforitalltheday，AndwhenItoldthemsoatnightTheysmiledandturnedtheirheadsaway。
Theysaythatloveissomethingkind，ThatIcanneverseeortouch。
Iwishhe’dsentmesomethingelse，Ilikehiscough—dropstwiceasmuch。
II
TheKindMoonIthinkthemoonisverykindTotakesuchtroublejustforme。
HecamealongwithmefromhomeTokeepmecompany。
HewentasfastasIcouldrun；
Iwonderhowhecrossedthesky？
I’msurehehasn’tlegsandfeetOranywingstofly。
Yethereheisabovetheirroof；
Perhapshethinksitisn’trightFormetogosofaralone，Tho’mothersaidImight。
OntheTowerUndertheleafofmanyaFableliestheTruthforthosewholookforit。
Jami。
OntheTower（Aplayinoneact。）
TheKnight。
TheLady。
Voicesofmenandwomenonthegroundatthefootofthetower。
ThevoiceoftheKnight’sPage。
Thetopofahighbattlementedtowerofacastle。Astoneledge，whichservesasaseat，extendspartwayaroundtheparapet。
Smallcloudsfloatbyinthebluesky，andoccasionallyaswallowpasses。
EntranceR。fromanunseenstairwaywhichissupposedtoextendaroundtheoutsideofthetower。
TheLady（unseen）。
Ohdonotclimbsofast，forIamfaintWithlookingdownthetowertowheretheearthLiesdreaminginthesun。Ifeartofall。
TheKnight（unseen）。
Leanonme，love，mylove，andlooknotdown。
L。
Callmenot\"love\"，callmeyourconqueredfoe，Thatnow，sinceyouhavebattereddownhergates，GivesyouthekeysthatlockthehighesttowerAndmountswithyoutoproveherhomagetrue；
OhbidmegonofartherlestIfall，Myfoothasslippedupontherain—wornstones，Whyarethestairssonarrowandsosteep？
Letusgoback，mylord。
K。
Areyouafraid，Whoweresodauntlesstillthewallsgaveway？
Courage，mysweet。IwouldthatIcouldclimbAthousandtimesbywind—sweptstairslikethese，Thatleadsoneartoheaven。
L。
Sir，youmay，Youareaknightandveryvalorous；
Iamawoman。IshallnevercomeThiswaybutonce。
（TheKnightandtheLadyappearonthetopofthetower。）
K。
Kissmeatlast，mylove。
L。
Oh，mysweetlord，Iamtootiredtokiss。
Lookhowtheearthislikeanemerald，Withriversveinedandflawedwithfallowfields。
K。（Liftingherveil）
ThenIkissyou，athousandthousandkissesForallthedaysereIhadwontoyouBeyondthewallsandgatesyoubarredsoclose。
Callmeatlastyourlove，yourcastle’slord。
L。（Afterapause）
Iloveyou。
（Shekisseshim。Herveilblowsawaylikeawhitebutterflyovertheparapet。Faintcriesandlaughterfrommenandwomenunderthetower。）
MenandWomen。
Theveil，thelady’sveil！
（Theknighttakestheladyinhisarms。）
L。
Mylord，IprayyouloosemefromyourarmsLestthatmypeopleseehowmuchwelove。
K。
Maytheynotseeus？Allofthemhaveloved。
L。
Butyouhavebeenanenemy，mylord，Withwallsbetweenusandwithmoss—grownmoats，NowonasuddenmustIkissyourmouth？
IwhowastaughtbeforeIlearnedtospeakThatallmyhousewashostileuntoyours，NowcanIputmyheadagainstyourbreastHereinthesightofallwhochoosetocome？
K。
ArewenotpastthecaringfortheireyesAndnearertotheheaventhantoearth？
Lookupandsee。
L。
Ionlyseeyourface。
（Shetoucheshishairwithherhands。Murmuringunderthetower。）
K。
Whycamewehereinallthenoon—daylightWithonlydartingswallowsoverusTomakeaspeckofdarknessonthesun？
Letusgodownwherewallswillshutusround。
Yourcastlehasahundredquiethalls，Ahundredchambers，wheretheshadowslieOnthingsputby，forgottenlongago。
ForgottenluteswithstringsthatTimehasslackened，Wetwoshalldrawthemcloseandbidthemsing——
Forgottengames，forgottenbooksstillopenWhereyouhadlaidthembyatvesper—time，Andyourembroidery，whereonhalf—workedWeepsAmorwoundedbyarose’sthorn。
ShallInotseetheroominwhichyouslept，Palpitantstillandbreathingofyourthoughts，WheremaidendreamsadownthewaysofsleepSweptnoiselesslywithdamoselsandknightsTotourneyswherethetrumpetmadenosound，Blowashemight，thescarlettrumpeter，AndwerethedreamsnotsometimesbrimmedwithtearsThatwakedyouwhenthenightwasloneliest？
WillyounotbringmetoyouroratoryWhereprayersaroselikelittlebirdssetfreeStillupward，upwardwithoutsoundofflight？
ShallInotfindyourturretstowardthenorth，Whereyoudefiedwhitewinterarmedforwar；
YoursoutherncasementswherethesunblowsinBetweentheleaf—bentboughsthewindhaslifted？
Shallwenotseethesunrisetowardtheeast，WatchdawnbydawntheroseofdayunfoldingItsgolden—heartedbeautysovereignly；
Andtowardthewestlookquietlyatevening？
ShallInotseealltheseandallyourtreasures？
IncarvencoffershiddeninthedarkHaveyounotlaidasapphirelitwithflameAndamethystssetroundwithdeep—wroughtgold，Perhapsaruby？
L。
AllmygemsareyoursAndallmychamberscurtainedfromthesun。
Mylordshallseethemall，intime，intime。
（Thesunbeginstosink。）
K。
ShallInotseethemnow？To—day，to—night？
L。
HowcouldIshowyouinoneday，mylord，Mycastleandmytreasuresandmytower？
LetallthedaystocomesufficeforthisSinceallthepastdaysmadethemwhattheyare。
Youwillnotbeimpatient，mysweetlord。
Someofthehallshavelongbeenlockedandbarred，AndsomehavesecretdoorsandhardtofindTillsuddenlyyoutouchthemunawares，Anddownasablewayrunssilverlight。
Wetwowillsearchtogetherforthekeys，Butnotto—day。Letussithereto—day，Sinceallisyoursandalwayswillbeyours。
（Thestarsappearfaintlyonebyone。）
K。（Afterapause。）
Igrowalittledrowsywiththedusk。
L。（Singing。）
Therewasamanthatlovedamaid，（Sleepandtakeyourrest）
Overherlipshiskisswaslaid，Overherheart，hisbreast。
（Theknightsleeps。）
Allofhisvowsweresweettohear，Sweetwashiskisstotake；
Whywasherbreastsoquicktofear，Whywasherheart，tobreak？
Whywasthemansogladtowoo？
（Sleepandtakeyourrest）
Whywerethemaiden’swordssofew————
（Sheseesthatheisasleep，andslippingoffherlongcloak—likeoutergarment，shepillowshisheaduponitagainsttheparapet，andhalfkneelingathisfeetshesingsverysoftly：）
Iloveyou，Iloveyou，Iloveyou，Iamthefloweratyourfeet，Thebirdsandthestarsareaboveyou，Myplaceismoresweet。
Thebirdsandthestarsareaboveyou，Theyenvytheflowerinthegrass，ForI，onlyI，whileIloveyouCandieasyoupass。
（Lightcloudsveilthestars，growingdenserconstantly。
Thecastlebellringsforvespers，andrising，theladymovestoacorneroftheparapetandkneelsthere。）
L。
AveMaria！gratiaplena，Dominus————
VoiceofthePage（fromthefootofthetower。）
Mylord，mylord，theycallforyouatcourt！
（Theknightwakes。Itisnowquitedark。）
Thereisatourneytoward；yourenemyHaschallengedyou。Mylord，makehastetocome！
（Theknightrisesandgropeshiswaytowardthestairs。）
K。
Iwillmakehaste。Awaitmewhereyouare。
（Tohimself。）
Therewasaladyonthistowerwithme————
（Heglancesaroundhurriedlybutdoesnotseeherinthedarkness。）
Page。
Mylordhasfartoridebeforethedawn！
K。（Tohimself。）
WhyshouldItarry？
（Tothepage。）
Bringmyhorseandshield！
（Hedescends。Asthenoiseofhisfootfallonthestairsdiesaway，theladygropestowardthestairway，thenturnssuddenly，andgoingtotheledgewheretheyhavesat，shethrowsherselfovertheparapet。）
CURTAIN。
[EndofHelenofTroyAndOtherPoems。]
SaraTeasdaleSaraTeasdalewasborninSt。Louis，Missouri，wheresheattendedaschoolthatwasfoundedbythegrandfatherofanothergreatpoetfromSt。Louis——
T。S。Eliot。ShelaterassociatedherselfmorewithNewYorkCity。
Herfirstbookofpoemswas\"SonnetstoDuse\"（1907），but\"HelenofTroy\"（1911）wasthetruelaunchofhercareer，followedby\"RiverstotheSea\"（1915），\"LoveSongs\"（1917），\"FlameandShadow\"（1920）andmore。Herfinalvolume，\"StrangeVictory\"，isconsideredbymanytobepredictiveofhersuicide。
ItisinterestingtonotethatinTeasdale’sCollectedWorks，abouthalfofthepoemsinthisvolume——somemorejustlythanothers——
havebeenexcluded，andmostoftheresthavebeenslightlychanged。
Mostofthepoemsfromthisvolumewhichwereselectedtobeincludedin\"LoveSongs\"alsohadsomeminorchanges。Thiseditionpreservestheoriginalreadings，buttheyarenottobeconsideredauthoritative。