Theocritus

Oscar Wilde

A VILLANELLE.

                  O SINGER of Persephone!
                    In the dim meadows desolate
                  Dost thou remember Sicily?

                  Still through the ivy flits the bee
                    Where Amaryllis lies in state;
                  O Singer of Persephone!

                  Simtha calls on Hecate
                    And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
                  Dost thou remember Sicily?

                  Still by the light and laughing sea                 10
                    Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate:
                  O Singer of Persephone!

                  And still in boyish rivalry
                    Young Daphnis challenges his mate:
                  Dost thou remember Sicily?

                  Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
                    For thee the jocund shepherds wait,
                  O Singer of Persephone!
                  Dost thou remember Sicily?

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