Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900). Poems. 1881.

37. Theocritus: a Villanelle

O SINGER of Persephone!

In the dim meadows desolate

Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee

Where Amaryllis lies in state;

O Singer of Persephone!

Simætha calls on Hecate

And hears the wild dogs at the gate;

Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea

Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate:

O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry

Young Daphnis challenges his mate:

Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,

For thee the jocund shepherds wait,

O Singer of Persephone!

Dost thou remember Sicily?