Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.

Villanelle of City and Country

Zoë Akins

BENEATH the arches of the leaves I lie,

And watch the Lovers wander—Song and Spring—

But oh, the towers set in Gotham’s sky!

A great triangle shaft uplifts on high

Its columned shrine wherein the presses sing;

Beneath the arches of the leaves I lie.

With flocks of clouds the Shepherd-wind goes by,

White poppies ’mid the waving grasses swing—

But oh, the towers set in Gotham’s sky!

As to a fairy castle we draw nigh

When home the ferries bear us, marvelling;

Beneath the arches of the leaves I lie.

Across the empty fields the trumpets die

That meadow larks unto the morning fling—

But oh, the towers set in Gotham’s sky!

Far off I hear the city’s aching cry,

Where Life and Death are Lovers, wandering;

Beneath the arches of the leaves I lie,

But oh, the towers set in Gotham’s sky!