There was never a Queen like Balkis,
From here to the wide world's end;
But Balkis talked to a butterfly

As you would talk to a friend.

There was never a King like Solomon,
Not since the world began;
But Solomon talked to a butterfly

As a man would talk to a man.

She was Queen of Sabæa

And he was Asia's Lord

But they both of 'em talked to butterflies

When they took their walks abroad!

The Butterfly That Stamped.

THE LOOKING-GLASS

(A Country Dance)

QUEEN Bess was Harry's daughter. Stand forward

partners all!

In ruff and stomacher and gown

She danced King Philip down-a, down, And left her shoe to show 'twas true— (The very tune I'm playing you)

In Norgem at Brickwall!1

The Queen was in her chamber, and she was middling old,
Her petticoat was satin, and her stomacher was gold.
Backward and forward and sideways did she pass,
Making up her mind to face the cruel looking-glass.
The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass
As comely or as kindly or as young as what she was!

Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now hand your partners all!

'A pair of Queen Elizabeth's shoes are still at Brickwall House, Northiam, Sussex.

The Queen was in her chamber, a-combing of her hair. There came Queen Mary's spirit and It stood behind her chair,

Singing "Backward and forward and sideways may you pass,
But I will stand behind you till you face the looking-glass.
The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass
As lovely or unlucky or as lonely as I was!"

Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now turn your partners all!

The Queen was in her chamber, a-weeping very sore, There came Lord Leicester's spirit and It scratched upon the door,

Singing "Backward and forward and sideways may you pass,
But I will walk beside you till you face the looking-glass.
The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass,
As hard and unforgiving or as wicked as you was!"

Queen Bess was Harry's daughter. Now kiss your partners

all!

The Queen was in her chamber, her sins were on her head.
She looked the spirits up and down and statelily she said:-
"Backward and forward and sideways though I've been,
Yet I am Harry's daughter and I am England's Queen!"
And she faced the looking-glass (and whatever else there was)
And she saw her day was over and she saw her beauty pass
In the cruel looking-glass, that can always hurt a lass
More hard than any ghost there is or any man there was!

THE QUEEN'S MEN

VALOUR and Innocence

Have latterly gone hence.

To certain death by certain shame attended.

Envy-ah! even to tears!

The fortune of their years

Which, though so few, yet so divinely ended.

Scarce had they lifted up

Life's full and fiery cup,

Than they had set it down untouched before them.

Before their day arose

They beckoned it to close

Close in confusion and destruction o'er them.

They did not stay to ask

What prize should crown their task

Well sure that prize was such as no man strives for;

But passed into eclipse,

Her kiss upon their lips

Even Belphoebe's, whom they gave their lives for!

THE CITY OF SLEEP

OVER

VER the edge of the purple down,
Where the single lamplight gleams,

Know ye the road to the Merciful Town
That is hard by the Sea of Dreams-
Where the poor may lay their wrongs away,
And the sick may forget to weep?
But we pity us! Oh, pity us!

We wakeful; ah, pity us!—

We must go back with Policeman Day-
Back from the City of Sleep!

Weary they turn from the scroll and crown,

Fetter and prayer and plough

They that go up to the Merciful Town,
For her gates are closing now.

It is their right in the Baths of Night
Body and soul to steep,

But we-pity us! ah, pity us!

We wakeful; oh, pity us!—

We must go back with Policeman Day-
Back from the City of Sleep!

Over the edge of the purple down,
Ere the tender dreams begin,

Look-we may look-at the Merciful Town,

But we may not enter in! Outcasts all, from her guarded wall

Back to our watch we creep:

We—pity us! ah, pity us!

We wakeful; oh, pity us!—

We that go back with Policeman Day--
Back from the City of Sleep!

"HELEN ALL ALONE"

THERE was darkness under Heaven
For an hour's space-

Darkness that we knew was given
Us for special grace.

Sun and moon and stars were hid,
God had left His Throne,

When Helen came to me, she did,
Helen all alone!

Side by side (because our fate
Damned us ere our birth)
We stole out of Limbo Gate

Looking for the Earth.

Hand in pulling hand amid

Fear no dreams have known, Helen ran with me, she did, Helen all alone!

When the Horror passing speech
Hunted us along,

Each laid hold on each, and each
Found the other strong.
In the teeth of Things forbid
And Reason overthrown,
Helen stood by me, she did,
Helen all alone!

When, at last, we heard those Fires

Dull and die away,

When, at last, our linked desires
Dragged us up to day;

When, at last, our souls were rid
Of what that Night had shown,
Helen passed from me, she did,
Helen all alone!

Let her go and find a mate,
As I will find a bride,
Knowing naught of Limbo Gate
Or Who are penned inside.
There is knowledge God forbid
More than one should own.
So Helen went from me, she did,
Oh my soul, be glad she did!
Helen all alone!