Poems (Scudder)/A "Nef" Jewel
A "NEF" JEWEL
Tell me, little golden ship, Upon what fantastic trip Have you sailed o'er seas unknown? Slender shallop of the moon Might be wrecked by such fierce gales As you've met with those wee sails Each of purply tinted shell And your hull built strong and well Gold and coral, lapis blue, Anchor one huge pearl that's too Heavy for a maid to wear As a pendant at her ear. In what tiny harbor far On the coast line of a star By what city small and bright With its wall of chrysolite And its spires all jewel wrought Have you lain—what cargo brought From your strange adventurings—All the wealth of elfin kings, Or such gold as long ago Fair-haired Jason sought. And oh, Pretty pirate, did you dare Battle with the fleets of air, Spoil them of their freight, and then Tempt the vast cloud seas again, Going boldly, all sails set? Some strange perfume haunts you yet, Sweet as though you had for pelf The Rose-Peri's lovely self— Scarcely sweeter did you rest On Dame Venus' foam-pale breast And ofttimes her winged son Leant his golden head thereon.