Page:Howells, Stops of Various Quills, 1895 059.jpg

 Howells, Stops of Various Quills, 1895 059 large a.jpg

LOOKED and saw a splendid pageantry

Of beautiful women and of lordly men,

Taking their pleasure in a flowery plain,

Where poppies and the red anemone,

And many another leaf of cramoisy,

Flickered about their feet, and gave their stain

To heels of iron or satin, and the grain

Of silken garments floating far and free,

As in the dance they wove themselves, or strayed

By twos together, or lightly smiled and bowed,

Or curtseyed to each other, or else played

At games of mirth and pastime, unafraid

In their delight; and all so high and proud

They seemed scarce of the earth whereon they trod.