Part 6 (1/2)

You say, as I have often given tongue In praise of what another's said or sung, 'Twere politic to do the like by these; But have you known a dog to praise his fleas?

THE MASK

'Put off that mask of burning gold With emerald eyes.'

'O no, my dear, you make so bold To find if hearts be wild and wise, And yet not cold.'

'I would but find what's there to find, Love or deceit.'

'It was the mask engaged your mind, And after set your heart to beat, Not what's behind.'

'But lest you are my enemy, I must enquire.'

'O no, my dear, let all that be, What matter, so there is but fire In you, in me?'

UPON A HOUSE SHAKEN BY THE LAND AGITATION

How should the world be luckier if this house, Where pa.s.sion and precision have been one Time out of mind, became too ruinous To breed the lidless eye that loves the sun?

And the sweet laughing eagle thoughts that grow Where wings have memory of wings, and all That comes of the best knit to the best? Although Mean roof-trees were the st.u.r.dier for its fall, How should their luck run high enough to reach The gifts that govern men, and after these To gradual Time's last gift, a written speech Wrought of high laughter, loveliness and ease?

AT THE ABBEY THEATRE

(_Imitated from Ronsard_)

Dear Craoibhin Aoibhin, look into our case.

When we are high and airy hundreds say That if we hold that flight they'll leave the place, While those same hundreds mock another day Because we have made our art of common things, So bitterly, you'd dream they longed to look All their lives through into some drift of wings.

You've dandled them and fed them from the book And know them to the bone; impart to us-- We'll keep the secret--a new trick to please.

Is there a bridle for this Proteus That turns and changes like his draughty seas?

Or is there none, most popular of men, But when they mock us that we mock again?

THESE ARE THE CLOUDS