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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FETE by SAMUEL FOSTER DAMON

First Line: UNDER A CRYSTAL MOON THE PEACOCK SHAWLS
Last Line: WHO HID IT, AS THOUGH THE YELLOW FRUIT WERE GOLD.
Subject(s): GIRLS;

Under a crystal moon the peacock shawls
Revolve and circle. Lanterns of painted silk
Swing above a seller of perfumed dolls.

Girls, whose hair is dressed like sailing swans,
Bear baskets of yellow apples, jars of milk,
Which they exchange for tarnished coins of bronze;

While near at hand, singers with cherry-wreaths
Make music that is cool in throat and mouth,
An echo of the wind that scarcely breathes.
I saw one girl, suddenly growing bold,
Bite her apple and pass it to a youth
Who hid it, as though the yellow fruit were gold.



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