I am that Helen, that very Helen 
Of Leda, born in the days of old: 
Men's hearts were as inns that I might dwell in: 
Houseless I wander to-night, and cold. 

Because man loved me, no God takes pity: 
My ghost goes wailing where I was Queen! 
Alas! my chamber in Troy's tall city, 
My golden couches, my hangings green! 

Wasted with fire are the halls they built me, 
And sown with salt are the streets I trod, 
Where flowers they scattered and spices spilt me- 
Alas, that Zeus is a jealous God! 

Softly I went on my sandals golden j 
Of love and pleasure I took my fill; 
With Paris' kisses my lids were holden, 
Nor guessed I, when life went at my will, 
That the Fates behind me went softlier still. 

Star Crossed Lovers

In fair Verona where we lay our scene,
Two households, alike in dignity,
A tale of love, forbidden and unseen,
A tragedy that ends in agony.

Oh, Romeo, oh Juliet,
Two hearts entwined by fate's cruel jest.
In love so deep, in death they met,
Their spirits soar, forever blest.

Young Juliet, a Capulet so fair,
Her beauty like the dawn's first light.
Sweet Romeo, a Montague so rare,
Both met beneath the moonlit night.

On Juliet’s balcony, their love was sworn,
With whispered vows beneath the starry skies.
Their future bright, yet filled with feuding's scorn,
A love that fate would later compromise.

Tybalt's wrath did spill dear Mercutio's blood,
Which stirred in Romeo vengeful fire.
With deadly steel he wrought his mournful flood,
And thus was banished from his heart's desire.

The Nurse, she knew of Juliet’s hidden plight,
A confidante in love’s forbidden scheme.
She helped the lovers in their secret flight,
And stood beside them in their fervent dream.

Good Friar Lawrence, wise and kindly soul,
In secret wed the star-crossed pair.
With hope to mend the feud's dark, bitter toll,
Yet fate decreed their love's despair.

Juliet took the potion, cold and deep,
From the apothecary’s secret store.
She feigned her death, in timeless, death-like sleep,
To be with Romeo evermore.

Romeo, hearing of her deathly plight,
Did buy a poison, swift and strong.
He kissed her lips beneath the pallid light,
And drank the draught that ended wrong.

Juliet woke to find her love was gone,
His lifeless form, her heart did break.
She took his dagger, with the coming dawn,
And with one thrust, her own life she did take.

Thus ends the tale of lovers' mournful plight,
A story told for ages hence.
In shadows deep or morning's golden light,
Their love remains, intense, immense.