Transcribed from the 1885 Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. edition,
A BALLADE OF XXXII BALLADES.
Friend, when you bear a care-dulledeye,
And brow perplexed with things of weight,
And fain would bid some charm untie
The bonds that hold you all too strait,
Behold a solace to your fate,
Wrapped in this cover’s china blue;
These ballades fresh and delicate,
This dainty troop of Thirty-two!
The mind, unwearied, longs tofly
And commune with the wise and great;
But that same ether, rare and high,
Which glorifies its worthy mate,
To breath forspent is disparate:
Laughing and light and airy-new
These come to tickle the dull pate,
This dainty troop of Thirty-two.
p.iiMost welcome then, when you and I,
Forestalling days for mirth too late,
To quips and cranks and fantasy
Some choice half-hour dedicate,
They weave their dance with measured rate
Of rhymes enlinked in order due,
Till frowns relax and cares abate,
This dainty troop of Thirty-two.
Envoy.
Princes, of toys that please yourstate
Quainter are surely none to view
Than these which pass with tripping gait,
This dainty troop of Thirty-two.
F. P.
p.iiiXXXII BALLADES IN BLUE CHINA
XXXII Ballades
in Blue China
Tout |
| Soullas |
LONDON
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO
MDCCCLXXXV
p.vi“Rondeaux, Ballades,
Chansons dizains, propos menus,
Compte moy qu’ilz sont devenuz:
Se faict il plus rien de nouveau?”
Clement Marot,
Dialogue de deux Amoureux.
“I love a ballad but even too well; if it bedoleful matter, merrily set down, or a very pleasant thingindeed, and sung lamentably.”
A Winter’s Tale, Activ. sc. 3.