Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEFERRED by JAMES BINNEY

First Line: THE KNIGHTS OF OLD ARE LONG SINCE DEAD
Last Line: TO DRINK THE TEARS OF MAN.
Subject(s): GRIEF; OLD AGE; TEARS; SORROW; SADNESS;
The knights of old are long since dead—
What can I bring you, little man?
The dancers' feet are shod with lead
And silent are the pipes of Pan.
Silent are the pipes of Pan
And weeping, oh, and weeping, oh!
The waiting elves in misery go
To drink the tears of man.

Pale ashes are the gypsy coals
Faint traceries of fire
Where once the substance leaped and twirled
Into a nice desire.
And silent are the pipes of Pan
And weeping, oh, and weeping, oh!
The waiting elves in misery go
To drink the tears of man.

Endymion kissed has lost his voice
The passion of his song
Is not of youth; alas, that he
With death convenes too long.
And weeping, oh, and weeping, oh!
The waiting elves in misery go
To drink the tears of man.



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