GOLDEN WINGS MIDWAYS of a wallèd garden, Many scarlet bricks there were On the bricks the green moss grew, Deep green water fill'd the moat, Of carven wood, with hangings green Across the moat the fresh west wind The way the heavy aspens bent The painted drawbridge over it Went up and down with gilded chains, 'Twas pleasant in the summer rains Within the bridge-house there to sit. There were five swans that ne'er did eat The water-weeds, for ladies came Each day, and young knights did the same, And gave them cakes and bread for meat. They had a house of painted wood, Drawn from men's bodies by sword-blows, The banners seem'd quite full of ease, Who walked in that garden there? Big Sir Gervaise, the good knight, Mary, Constance fille de fay, Whosoever wander'd there, Each wore a garland on the head, Little joy she had of it, Of the raiment white and red, Or the garland on her head, She had none with whom to sit In the carven boat at noon; Many times in the long day Miles and Giles and Gervaise passed, Holding each some white hand fast, Every time they heard her say: Summer cometh to an end, Undern cometh after noon; Golden wings will be here soon, What if I some token send? Wherefore that night within the hall, She sat before the sight of all. Stoop'd down a little she sat there, With neck stretch'd out and chin thrown up, One hand around a golden cup; And strangely with her fingers fair She beat some tune upon the gold; Sung: 'Arthur, who will never die, And when the song was ended, she Right so within her own chamber Her breath in quick gasps; till she knew That no man follow'd after her. She took the garland from her head, She laid the gown of white and red; And she took off her scarlet shoon, And bared her feet; still more and more Her sweet face redden'd; evermore She murmur'd: 'He will be here soon; Truly he cannot fail to know My tender body waits him here; And if he knows, I have no fear For poor Jehane du Castel beau.' She took a sword within her hand, Whose hilts were silver, and she sung A long way over the moonlit land: Gold wings across the sea! The water slips, The red-bill'd moorhen dips. Sweet kisses on red lips; Alas! the red rust grips, Are not my blue eyes sweet? White swans on the green moat, O gold wings, Listen how gold hair sings, I sit on a purple bed, Outside, the wall is red, Thereby the apple hangs, And the wasp, caught by the fangs, |