T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
New Year’s Night
By D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930)(From Look! We Have Come Through! 1918) |
NOW you are mine, to-night at last I say it; | |
| You’re a dove I have bought for sacrifice, | |
| And to-night I slay it. | |
| Here in my arms my naked sacrifice! | |
| Death, do you hear, in my arms I am bringing | 5 |
| My offering, bought at great price. | |
| She’s a silvery dove worth more than all I’ve got. | |
| Now I offer her up to the ancient, inexorable God, | |
| Who knows me not. | |
| Look, she’s a wonderful dove, without blemish or spot! | 10 |
| I sacrifice all in her, my last of the world, | |
| Pride, strength, all the lot. | |
| All, all on the altar! And death swooping down | |
| Like a falcon. ’Tis God has taken the victim; | |
| I have won my renown. | 15 |