This is a collection of poems by W. B. Yeats, including 'Song of the Faeries' and 'Love and Death'. The verses explore themes of faerie lore, love, death, and nature with lyrical musicality. It is worth listening for its evocative imagery and rhythmic language.
Song of the Faeries A man has a hope for heaven, But soulless a faery dies, As a leaf that is old, and withered and cold When the wint’ry vapours rise. Soon shall our wings be stilled, And our laughter over and done, So let us dance where the yellow lance Of the barley shoots in the sun. So let us dance on the fringed waves, And shout at the wisest owls In their downy caps, and startle the naps Of the dreaming water-fowls. And fight for the black sloe-berries, For soulless a faery dies, As a leaf that is old, and withered and cold When the wintry vapours rise.
Love and Death Behold the flashing waters, A cloven, dancing jet, That from the milk-white marble For ever foam and fret; Far off in drowsy valleys Where the meadow-saffrons blow, The feet of summer dabble In their coiling calm and slow. The banks are worn for ever By a people sadly gay: A Titan, with loud laughter, Made them of fire and clay. Go ask the springing flowers, And the flowing air above, What are the twin-born waters, And they’ll answer Death and Love. With wreaths of withered flowers Two lonely spirits wait,
With wreaths of withered flowers, ’Fore paradise’s gate. They may not pass the portal, Poor earth-enkindled pair, Though sad is many a spirit Το pass and leave them there Still staring at their flowers, That dull and faded are. If one should rise beside thee, The other is not far. Go ask the youngest angel, She will say with bated breath, By the door of Mary’s garden Are the spirits Love and Death.
Readnara
