Jewelled offering bring I none, <br />Jade or pearl or precious stone, <br />Urn of crystal, bale of spice, <br />Unguent culled in Paradise, <br />Dye how deep of rainbow hue, <br />Dust of gold from Cambalu, <br />Ivory throne with sandal--wood <br />Inlaid all and scented ood, <br />Tent of silk whose tapestries <br />Tell of tears in ladies' eyes, <br />Heavenly tears, 'neath moon and star, <br />Hopes that were and joys that are, <br />Ambient ever in love's soul <br />Armed with might and near the goal. <br />Nought, alas, of these I bring. <br />Necklace, chain, nor nuptial ring. <br />No bold bridegroom I, to be <br />Nerved to dreams of chivalry, <br />Expedited at your word <br />Earth's whole realm to win by sword, <br />Daring all things, briar and brake, <br />Dole and Death for your dear sake, <br />Onward, upward, heavenward borne, <br />(O thou rose without a thorn!) <br />Rivalry in deeds to show, <br />Rodomont or Romeo. <br /> <br />Out, alas! Such love for us <br />Outlawed is and vanitous. <br />Time can touch it not nor cure. <br />'Tis an ill we must endure, <br />Howsoever long our days, <br />Howsoever rich in praise. <br />Even in Heaven we may not win <br />Ear for this too sweet a sin, <br />And no angel voice shall say, <br />``Ask it, souls, and have your way.'' <br />Be consoled then if I make <br />But this rhyme for birthday's sake, <br />Leaving love gifts all aside <br />Light to him shall call you bride, <br />Unacknowledged and untold, <br />Useless as Utopian gold. <br />Nonsense rhymes! Ah me, such sense <br />Nesting bird to nestling lends, <br />Trills of pale parental hue <br />Tragic only because true.<br /><br />Wilfrid Scawen Blunt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jewelled-offering/
