Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Aubrey De Vere. 18141902732. Serenade
SOFTLY, O midnight Hours! | |
Move softly o’er the bowers | |
Where lies in happy sleep a girl so fair! | |
For ye have power, men say, | |
Our hearts in sleep to sway, | 5 |
And cage cold fancies in a moonlight snare. | |
Round ivory neck and arm | |
Enclasp a separate charm; | |
Hang o’er her poised, but breathe nor sigh nor prayer: | |
Silently ye may smile, | 10 |
But hold your breath the while, | |
And let the wind sweep back your cloudy hair! | |
Bend down your glittering urns, | |
Ere yet the dawn returns, | |
And star with dew the lawn her feet shall tread; | 15 |
Upon the air rain balm, | |
Bid all the woods be calm, | |
Ambrosial dreams with healthful slumbers wed; | |
That so the Maiden may | |
With smiles your care repay, | 20 |
When from her couch she lifts her golden head; | |
Waking with earliest birds, | |
Ere yet the misty herds | |
Leave warm ‘mid the gray grass their dusky bed. |