Lament for Leontium

Nora Hopper Chesson

1871 to 1906

Poem Image

Alas! her lips were red: 
But roses blush instead. 

Her brows wore nobler white 
Than lilies do, to-night. 

Alas, what shall one say, 
Save that her eyes were gray 
Even as our skies to-day, 
Ai, ai, Leontium! 

And for her yellow hair 
Tall mullein blossoms there: 

And for her laughter clear 
The sea-wave shatters here. 

Down ways her feet have known 
Ways with weeds overgrown — 
Only the dust is blown — 
Ai, ai, Leontium!