WHAT do you sell, O ye merchants? Richly your wares are displayed. @3Turbans of crimson and silver, Tunics of purple brocade, Mirrors with panels of amber, Daggers with handles of jade@1. What do you weigh, O ye vendors? @3Saffron and lentil and rice@1. What do you grind, O ye maidens? @3Sandalwood, henna, and spice@1. What do you call, O ye pedlars? @3Chessmen and ivory dice@1. What do you make, O ye goldsmiths? @3Wristlet and anklet and ring, Bells for the feet of blue pigeons, Frail as a dragon-fly's wing, Girdles of gold for the dancers, Scabbards of gold for the king@1. What do you cry, O ye fruitmen? @3Citron, pomegranate, and plum@1. What do you play, O musicians? @3Cithar, sarangi, and drum@1. What do you chant, O magicians? @3Spells for the æons to come@1. What do you weave, O ye flower-girls With tassels of azure and red? @3Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom, Chaplets to garland his bed, Sheets of white blossoms new-gathered To perfume the sleep of the dead@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CAMELOPARD by HILAIRE BELLOC CONTRA MORTEM: THE BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH MY HUT; AFTER TRAN QUANG KHAI by HAYDEN CARRUTH COMPANIONS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TEARS AND KISSES by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |