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“Theocritus” by Oscar Wilde 🇮🇪 (16 Oct 1854 – 30 Nov 1900)
A Villanelle
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O singer of Persephone!
In the dim meadows desolate
Dost thou remember Sicily?
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Still through the ivy flits the bee
Where Amaryllis lies in state;
O Singer of Persephone!
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Simætha calls on Hecate
And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?
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Still by the light and laughing sea
Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate;
O Singer of Persephone!
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And still in boyish rivalry
Young Daphnis challenges his mate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?
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Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
For thee the jocund shepherds wait;
O Singer of Persephone!
Dost thou remember Sicily?