VOLUPTE by PIERRE CAMO

VOLUPTÉ

Woman of endless charm, whose youth is green
Forever, and gay,
In my heart you are shrined as mistress and queen,
Lovely Volupté.

All the savor is in you of passing things,
Of the breasting dawn,
Of roses, of kisses the zephyr brings,
Of a wave that is gone.

On you all the joy of our journey's quest
Has been bestowed;
Thrice happy he who finds your breast
As a known road.

Accept as offering these doves of snow,
Fruity delights,
A coral branch, a virgin candle's glow—
And guard my nights.

Cover my body with fragrance fresh
To quench the fires
Of evil urgings, and break the mesh
Of mad desires.

Teach me the enjoyment of all life's gifts
As an arbiter,
Of a fruit that ripens, of a rose that lifts,
Of the wind's stir.

Give me, to sing that beauteous Saracen maid
On whom my life is hung,
The heart of Racine, the lute that Solomon played—
Of the God's tongue.

Impassioned as the storied Shulamite,
Tender as may be
Noble Monima, Esther, virtue's light—
Hold her close to me;

Guide us with counsel comforting and sage—
Nor troubled breath,
To the ultimate port of serene old age
And goodly death.

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

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