Page:Collected poems vol 1 de la mare.djvu/156

 EEP in a forest where the kestrel screamed,
 * Beside a lake of water, clear as glass,

The time-worn windows of a stone house gleamed Named only "Alas."

Yet happy as the wild birds in the glades
 * Of that green forest, thridding the still air

With low continued heedless serenades, Its heedless people were.

The throbbing chords of violin and lute,
 * The lustre of lean tapers in dark eyes,

Fair colours, beauteous flowers, faint-bloomed fruit Made earth seem Paradise

To them that dwelt within this lonely house:
 * Like children of the gods in lasting peace,

They ate, sang, danced, as if each day's carouse Need never pause, nor cease.

Some to the hunt would wend, with hound and horn,
 * And clash of silver, beauty, bravery, pride,

Heeding not one who on white horse upborne With soundless hoofs did ride.