“In Love’s Disport.”
In love’s disport, gay bubbles blown
On summer winds light-freighted flown:
A child intent upon delight
The painted spheres would keep in sight,
Dissolved too soon in worlds unknown.
Lo! from the furnace mouth hath grown
Fair shapes, as frail; with jewelled zone,
Clear globes where fate may read aright
In love’s disport.
O frail as fair! though in the white
Of flameful heat with force to fight,
Art thou by careless hands cast down
Or killed, when frozen hearts disown
The children born of love and light
In love’s disport.
Walter Crane.