SONGS OF FANCY: II

By Victoria Sackville West

SING of enchanted palaces

In Tripoli, in Tripoli,

Above the sighing and the surge

Of the moaning sea, of the slothful sea;

Of palaces upon the verge

Of the sleepy sea, of the sleepy sea.

Sing of enchanted palaces

In Venice by the broad lagoons

Of long ago, of long ago,

Where cupolas like cuspèd moons

In waters dim reflected glow,

And ghosts of stately frigatoons

In dusky waters come and go.

Sing of enchanted palaces

In cities set by gilded seas,

Slenderly mimicked in the waves

The lace of spires and balconies,

The oriels and the architraves,

— Dreams! dreams! where lead such dreams as these?