Poem: Chanson

A ring of gold and a milk-white dove

Are goodly gifts for thee,

And a hempen rope for your own love

To hang upon a tree.

For you a House of Ivory,

( Roses are white in the rose-bower )!

A narrow bed for me to lie,

( White, O white, is the hemlock flower )!

Myrtle and jessamine for you,

( O the red rose is fair to see )!

For me the cypress and the rue,

( Finest of all is rosemary )!

For you three lovers of your hand,

( Green grass where a man lies dead )!

For me three paces on the sand,

( Plant lilies at my head )!