Silverpoints — Les Demoiselles de Sauve

LES DEMOISELLES DE SAUVE

TO S.

A.

S.

ALICE, PRINCESSE DE MONACO

Beautiful ladies through the orchard pass;

Bend under crutched-up branches, forked and low;

Trailing their samet palls o'er dew-drenched grass.

Pale blossoms, looking on proud Jacqueline, Blush to the colour of her finger tips, And rosy knuckles, laced with yellow lace.

High-crested Berthe discerns, with slant, clinched eyes, Amid the leaves pink faces of the skies;

She locks her plaintive hands Sainte-Margot-wise.

Ysabeau follows last, with languorous pace;

Presses, voluptuous, to her bursting lips.

With backward stoop, a bunch of eglantine.

Courtly ladies through the orchard pass;

Bow low, as in lords' halls; and springtime grass Tangles a snare to catch the tapering toe.

HEART'S DEMESNE