EVERYONE SANG

But now through friendly seas they softly run,
Painted the mid-sea blue or shore-sea green.
Still patterned with the vine and grapes in gold.

But I have seen,

Pointing her shapely shadows from the dawn

And image tumbled on a rose-swept bay,

A drowsy ship of some yet older day ;

And, wonder's breath indrawn,

Thought I—who knows—who knows—but in that

same

(Fished up beyond Aeaea, patched up new 10

—Stern painted brighter blue—)
That talkative, bald-headed seaman came
(Twelve patient comrades sweating at the oar)
From Troy's doom-crimson shore,
And with great lies about his wooden horse
Set the crew laughing, and forgot his course.

It was so old a ship—who knows, who knows ?
—And yet so beautiful, I watched in vain
To see the mast burst open with a rose,
And the whole deck put on its leaves again. 20

JAMES ELROY FLECKER

EVERYONE SANG
EVERYONE suddenly burst out singing ;
And I wa&afilled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields ; on ; on ; and
out of sight.