Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
The PhoenixArthur Christopher Benson (18621925)
The pilgrims track the Phoenix flown,
By gems he strew’d in waste and wood,
And jewell’d plumes at random thrown.
They stand beside the fruitful pyre,
Where breaking bright with sanguine light
The impulsive bird forgets his sire.
Like bag of Tyrian murex spilt,
The claw, the jowl of the flying fowl
Are with the glorious anguish gilt.
Those pilgrim men, on profit bent,
Drop hands and eyes and merchandise,
And are with gazing most content.