| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
| |
| Arthur Christopher Benson. b. 1862 |
| |
| 859. The Phoenix |
| |
| BY feathers green, across Casbeen | |
| The pilgrims track the Phoenix flown, | |
| By gems he strew'd in waste and wood, | |
| And jewell'd plumes at random thrown. | |
| |
| Till wandering far, by moon and star, | 5 |
| They stand beside the fruitful pyre, | |
| Where breaking bright with sanguine light | |
| The impulsive bird forgets his sire. | |
| |
| Those ashes shine like ruby wine, | |
| Like bag of Tyrian murex spilt, | 10 |
| The claw, the jowl of the flying fowl | |
| Are with the glorious anguish gilt. | |
| |
| So rare the light, so rich the sight, | |
| Those pilgrim men, on profit bent, | |
| Drop hands and eyes and merchandise, | 15 |
| And are with gazing most content. | |
|
|
