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The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson

by Ernest Dowson

34 of 90 · Contents · Download EPUB

Villanelle of His Lady’s Treasures

I took her dainty eyes, as well
    As silken tendrils of her hair:
  And so I made a Villanelle!

I took her voice, a silver bell,
    As clear as song, as soft as prayer;
  I took her dainty eyes as well.

It may be, said I, who can tell,
    These things shall be my less despair?
  And so I made a Villanelle!

I took her whiteness virginal
     And from her cheek two roses rare:
  I took her dainty eyes as well.

I said: “It may be possible
    Her image from my heart to tear!”
  And so I made a Villanelle.

I stole her laugh, most musical:
    I wrought it in with artful care;
  I took her dainty eyes as well;
  And so I made a Villanelle.

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