Victoria Mary Sackville-West

We came as strangers, came to learn and look, To hear their music, drink the wine they gave. Now let us hence again; the happy brook Shall quench our thirst, our music be the wave. Come! they are feasting, let us steal away. Beyond the doors the night awaits us, sweet. To-morrow we shall see the break of day, And goat-herds' pipes shall lead our roaming feet. TO EVE IN TEARS YOU laughed, and all the fountains of the East Leapt up to Heaven with their diamond rain To hang in light, and when your laughter ceased Dropped shivered arrows to the ground again. You laughed, and from the belfries of the earth The music rippled like a shaken pool; And listless banners at the breeze of mirth Were stirred in harbours suddenly made cool. You wept, and all the music of the air -As when a hand is laid upon a bell- Was stilled, and Dryads of the tossing hair Crept back abashed within the secret dell.