		Enjoy Free Classics
Site Map > Electronic Library > Oscar Wilde > Charmides and Other Poems > HOLY WEEK AT GENOA

Charmides and Other Poems

by Oscar Wilde

previous: ON THE MASSACRE OF THE CHRISTIANS IN BULGARIA

HOLY WEEK AT GENOA

I wandered through Scoglietto's far retreat,
The oranges on each o'erhanging spray
Burned as bright lamps of gold to shame the day;
Some startled bird with fluttering wings and fleet
Made snow of all the blossoms; at my feet
Like silver moons the pale narcissi lay:
And the curved waves that streaked the great green bay
Laughed i' the sun, and life seemed very sweet.
Outside the young boy-priest passed singing clear,
'Jesus the son of Mary has been slain,
O come and fill His sepulchre with flowers.'
Ah, God! Ah, God! those dear Hellenic hours
Had drowned all memory of Thy bitter pain,
The Cross, the Crown, the Soldiers and the Spear.

Turn to the next chapter: URBS SACRA AETERNA