Richard Hovey, Laurana’s Song, for “A Lady of Venice,” for the picture by G. F. Watts, from The Bibelot, Volume X, Number IX,A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 20th century English literature, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot10HoveySong)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume X, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1904; p. 302.

302

LAURANA’S SONG.

(FOR “A LADY OF VENICE.”)

WHO’LL have the crumpled pieces of a heart?
Let him take mine!
Who’ll give his whole of passion for a part,
And call ’t divine?
Who’ll have the soiled remainder of desire!
Who’ll warm his fingers at a burnt-out fire?
Who’ll drink the lees of love and cast i’ the mire
The nobler wine?

Let him come here, and kiss me on the mouth,
And have his will!
Love dead and dry as summer in the South
Where winds are still
And all the leafage shrivels in the heat!
Let him come here and linger at my feet
Till he grow weary with the over-sweet,
And die, or kill.

IX. ALONG THE TRAIL: LYRICS BY RICHARD HOVEY.

LAURANA’S SONG.

(FOR “A LADY OF VENICE.”)

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