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AN ITALIAN SONNET-SEQUENCE: 6 by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT

First Line: AS A DARK HEATHEN, LORD OF CAPTIVE KNIGHTS
Last Line: IN ENDLESS REVEL THROUGH THE FAIRY NIGHT.
Subject(s): LOVE;

As a dark heathen, lord of captive knights,
Scowls jealous-eyed fretting lest they break free
And wreaks his hate in constant cruelty,
But spares their lives that ranson rich requites:
And when day's woes are drowned in starry nights
And their swart captor sleepeth stupidly,
Those knights, chain harnessed, wake to liberty
And tell strange tales till dawn their prison lights:
So tyrant mind permits of thee no thought,
Famishes heart, laughs at a time for love,
But teaches every hour the world's rough might.
At last when sleep steals reason's keys, gold-wrought,
And locks him safe, in dreams of thee I rove
In endless revel through the fairy night.



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