| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | The Phoenix | | By Arthur Christopher Benson (1862–1925) |
| | I 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | | | | |
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