Versos English Robert Nichols DANAE

English poem

DANAE

by (1893–1944)

Listen in the reader

"What with clangour, clangour of iron din, Do they beat till daylight ring? What heat, that I see the night air spin, And sparks dance over the scaffolding?

"The birds have flown because of their strife Hammering difficult metal; Their reek has taken my roses' life, Dripping white petal on petal.

"What glows gold taller than earthly tree In that maze of mast on mast Of the scaffolding? What can it be They build so secret and fast?"