A Villanelle


    By Oscar Wilde


    O singer of Persephone!


    In the dim meadows desolate


    Dost thou remember Sicily?


    Still through the ivy flits the bee


    Where Amaryllis lies in state;


    O Singer of Persephone!


    Simaetha calls on Hecate


    And hears the wild dogs at the gate;


    Dost thou remember Sicily?


    Still by the light and laughing sea


    Poor Polypheme bem.o.a.ns his fate;


    O Singer of Persephone!


    And still in boyish rivalry


    Young Daphnis challenges his mate;


    Dost thou remember Sicily?


    Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,


    For thee the jocund shepherds wait;


    O Singer of Persephone!


    Dost thou remember Sicily?