Poems (Scudder)/Deirdre
DEIRDRE
A yearning wonder in the wind that kissed
The shyly nodding sprays of blackthorn blossom,
And terror in the sudden clinging mist
A veil close drawn to hide a panting bosom.
The plaintive crooning of the foamless water
Grew to a voice that faintly sobbing cried
"Naois brought the King of Scotland's daughter
A white doe with her fawnling by her side."
The low hills dappled mauve and dun and gold
Deepened to violet, to crimson pale
As though they knew her passing once again—
That Rose of Sorrow, sweetest Rose of Old.
And then beyond all suns I heard a wail,
A cry of anguish for one lately slain.
The shyly nodding sprays of blackthorn blossom,
And terror in the sudden clinging mist
A veil close drawn to hide a panting bosom.
The plaintive crooning of the foamless water
Grew to a voice that faintly sobbing cried
"Naois brought the King of Scotland's daughter
A white doe with her fawnling by her side."
The low hills dappled mauve and dun and gold
Deepened to violet, to crimson pale
As though they knew her passing once again—
That Rose of Sorrow, sweetest Rose of Old.
And then beyond all suns I heard a wail,
A cry of anguish for one lately slain.