Page:Poems, Meynell, 1921.djvu/32

 "SŒUR MONIQUE"

A Rondeau by Couperin

UIET form of silent nun, What has given you to my inward eyes? What has marked you, unknown one, In the throngs of centuries That mine ears do listen through? This old master's melody That expresses you, This admired simplicity, Tender, with a serious wit, And two words, the name of it, "Sœur Monique."

And if sad the music is, It is sad with mysteries Of a small immortal thing That the passing ages sing,— Simple music making mirth Of the dying and the birth Of the people of the earth.

No, not sad; we are beguiled, Sad with living as we are; Ours the sorrow, outpouring Sad self on a selfless thing, As our eyes and hearts are mild With our sympathy for Spring, 24