The Writings of Oscar Wilde/Volume 1/Chanson

A ring of gold and a milk-white dove


 * Are goodly gifts for thee,

And a hempen rope for your own love


 * To hang upon a tree.

For you a House of Ivory


 * (Roses are white in the rose-bower)!

A narrow bed for me to lie,


 * (White, oh white, is the hemlock flower)!

Myrtle and jessamine for you,


 * (O the red rose is fair to see)!

For me the cypress and the rue


 * (Fairest of all is rosemary)!

For you three lovers of your hand,


 * (Green grass where a man lies dead)!

For me three paces on the sand,


 * (Plant lilies at my head)!