Poems (Scudder)/An Antique Earring
AN ANTIQUE EARRING
Look, here is an ancient earring In shape like a golden basket Crowded with poppies; the blossoms carved From scarlet and white cornelians The leaves are of emerald.
'Twas worn by a Greek hetaira In Athens—her cheeks were painted With white and scarlet, her golden hair Twined in a hundred ringlets Each stiffened with burnished wire.
Her eyes were as green as smaragd—They glittered and darkened with envy At talk of the great Aspasia Who was mistress to Pericles.