European Elegies/Summer/To Isabel
77.TO ISABEL
Ah, golden-haired young Isabel, I miss
Thy cheek's red rose, the apple of thy kiss,
And thy soft, seraph mouth that used to greet
My homeward steps with music passing sweet.
Thy cheek's red rose, the apple of thy kiss,
And thy soft, seraph mouth that used to greet
My homeward steps with music passing sweet.
Thy mien was ever womanly and pure;
Like blushing fruit thy countenance demure;
Thine eyes, calm pools of peace and gentleness;
All sweet humility thy shy address.
Like blushing fruit thy countenance demure;
Thine eyes, calm pools of peace and gentleness;
All sweet humility thy shy address.
Thy likeness was the swan upon the lin,
Like swan's-down the white softness of thy skin,
Thy breasts like snowy castles on a lea,
Thy throat the sun, thy flesh fair ivory.
Like swan's-down the white softness of thy skin,
Thy breasts like snowy castles on a lea,
Thy throat the sun, thy flesh fair ivory.
The yellow ringlets of thy braided hair
Were coiled and filleted with gracious care,
Plaited with ravishing yet simple art
Like strains of music to enchant my heart.
Were coiled and filleted with gracious care,
Plaited with ravishing yet simple art
Like strains of music to enchant my heart.
From the Gaelic of Duncan MacIntyre.