Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/1132

 HILAIRE BELLOC

Let them that guard the horned Moon By my bedside their memories croon. So shall I have new dreams and blest In my brief rest.

Fold thy great wings about my face, Hide day-dawn from my resting-place, And cheat me with thy false delight, Most Holy Night.

WILLIAM HENRY DA VIES

92 6 The Kmgfisher

IT was the Rainbow gave thee birth, And left thee all her lovely hues, And, as her mother's name was Tears,

So runs it in my blood to choose For haunts the lonely pools, and keep In company with trees that weep.

Go you and, with such glorious hues

Live with proud peacocks in green parks;

On lawns as smooth as shining glass, Let every feather show its marks;

Get thee on boughs and clap thy wings

Before the windows of proud kings.

Nay, lovely Bird, thou art not vain;

Thou hast no proud, ambitious mind, I also love a quiet place

That J s green, away from all mankind; A lonely pool, and let a tree Sigh with her bosom over me.

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