Villanelle of His Lady’s Treasures
 
I took her dainty eyes, as well
   As silken tendrils of her hair:
And so I made a Villanelle!
 
I took her voice, a silver bell,
   As clear as song, as soft as prayer;
I took her dainty eyes as well.
 
It may be, said I, who can tell,
   These things shall be my less despair?
And so I made a Villanelle!
 
I took her whiteness virginal
   And from her cheek two roses rare:
I took her dainty eyes as well.
 
I said: “It may be possible
   Her image from my heart to tear!”
And so I made a Villanelle.
 
I stole her laugh, most musical:
   I wrought it in with artful care;
I took her dainty eyes as well;
And so I made a Villanelle.


Webpage © 2002 ELC
Lane Core Jr. (lane@elcore.net)
http://poetry.elcore.net/CatholicPoets/Dowson/Dowson30.html
Created November 12, 2002; not revised.