Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Arthur Christopher Benson. b. 1862859. The Phoenix
BY feathers green, across Casbeen | |
The pilgrims track the Phoenix flown, | |
By gems he strew’d in waste and wood, | |
And jewell’d plumes at random thrown. | |
Till wandering far, by moon and star, | 5 |
They stand beside the fruitful pyre, | |
Where breaking bright with sanguine light | |
The impulsive bird forgets his sire. | |
Those ashes shine like ruby wine, | |
Like bag of Tyrian murex spilt, | 10 |
The claw, the jowl of the flying fowl | |
Are with the glorious anguish gilt. | |
So rare the light, so rich the sight, | |
Those pilgrim men, on profit bent, | |
Drop hands and eyes and merchandise, | 15 |
And are with gazing most content. |