Foliage: Various Poems

AN EARLY LOVE

     Ah, sweet young blood, that makes the heart
       So full of joy, and light,
     That dying children dance with it
       From early morn till night.

     My dreams were blossoms, hers the fruit,
       She was my dearest care;
     With gentle hand, and for it, I
       Made playthings of her hair.

     I made my fingers rings of gold,
       And bangles for my wrist;
     You should have felt the soft, warm thing
       I made to glove my fist.

     And she should have a crown, I swore,
       With only gold enough
     To keep together stones more rich
       Than that fine metal stuff.

     Her golden hair gave me more joy
       Than Jason's heart could hold,

       He has the Fleece of Gold!