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1865–1914

SERENADE.

Madison Julius Cawein

By the burnished laurel line Glimmering flows the singing stream; Oily eddies crease and shine O'er white pebbles, white as cream.

Richest roses bud or die All about the splendid park; Fountains glass a wily eye Where the fawns browse in the dark.

Amber-belted through the night Floats the alabaster moon, Stooping o'er th’ acacia white Where my mandolin I tune.

By the twinkling mere I sing Where lake lilies stretch pale eyes, And a bulbul there doth fling Music at the moon who flies.

With a broken syrinx there, From enameled beds of buds, Rises Pan in hoof and hair — Moonlight his dim sculpture floods.

The pale jessamines have felt The large passion of her gaze; See! they part — their glories melt Round her in a starry haze.

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SERENADE. · Madison Julius Cawein · Poetry Cove