'Theocritus: a Villanelle' by Oscar Wilde (1881)

Theocritus: a Villanelle

Oscar Wilde (1881)

O Singer of Persephone! In the dim meadows desolate Dost thou remember Sicily? Still through the ivy flits the bee Where Amaryllis lies in state; O Singer of Persephone! Simætha calls on Hecate And hears the wild dogs at the gate; Dost thou remember Sicily? Still by the light and laughing sea Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate: O Singer of Persephone! And still in boyish rivalry Young Daphnis challenges his mate: Dost thou remember Sicily? Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee, For thee the jocund shepherds wait, O Singer of Persephone! Dost thou remember Sicily?


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