Friendship
For your sovereign sake, my friend,
All my lovers are estranged,
Shadovy lovers without end;
But last night they were avenged.
On the middle of the night
One by one I saw them rise,
Passing in the ghostly light.
Silent, with averted eyes.
First, my master from the South
With the laurels round his brow,
And the bitter-smiling mouth,
Left me—without smiling now.
Then came one long used to rule
All I was, or did, or had—
Plato, that I read at school
Till my playmates called me mad.
Maiden saints as pure as pearls,
Beautiful, divine, austere;
Sweeter-voiced Æolian girls.
Left their friend of many a year.
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