Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VILLONAUD FOR THIS YULE by EZRA POUND

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: TOWARDS THE NOEL THAT MORTE SAISON
Last Line: WINING THE GHOSTS OF YESTER-YEAR.

Towards the Noel that morte saison
(@3Christ make the shepherds' homage dear!@1)
Then when the grey wolves everychone
Drink of the winds their chill small-beer
And lap o' the snows food's gueredon
Then makyth my heart his yule-tide cheer
(Skoal! with the dregs if the clear be gone!)
Wining the ghosts of yester-year.

Ask ye what ghosts I dream upon?
(@3What of the magians' scented gear?@1)
The ghosts of dead loves everyone
That make the stark winds reek with fear
Lest love return with the foison sun
And slay the memories that me cheer
(Such as I drink to mine fashion)
Wining the ghosts of yester-year.

Where are the joys my heart had won?
(@3Saturn and Mars to Zeus drawn near!@1)
Where are the lips mine lay upon,
Aye! where are the glances feat and clear
That bade my heart his valour don?
I skoal to the eyes as grey-blown mere
(Who knows whose was that paragon?)
Wining the ghosts of yester-year.

Prince: ask me not what I have done
Nor what God hath that can me cheer
But ye ask first where the winds are gone
Wining the ghosts of yester-year.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net