Picture Show (Sassoon collection)/To Leonide Massine

by Siegfried Sassoon

TO LEONIDE MASSINE

IN 'CLEOPATRA'

 

O beauty doomed and perfect for an hour,Leaping along the verge of death and night,You show me dauntless Youth that went to fightFour long years past, discovering pride and power.

You die but in our dreams, who watch you fallKnowing that to-morrow you will dance again.But not to ebbing music were they slainWho sleep in ruined graves, beyond recall;Who, following phantom-glory, friend and foe,Into the darkness that was War must go;Blind; banished from desire.O mortal heartBe still; you have drained the cup; you have played your part.