Paul Verlaine

1844-1896 / France

Mandoline

The courtly serenaders,
The beauteous listeners,
Sit idling 'neath the branches
A balmy zephyr stirs.

It's Tircis and Aminta,
Clitandre,-ever there!-
Damis, of melting sonnets
To many a frosty fair.

Their trailing flowery dresses,
Their fine beflowered coats,
Their elegance and lightness,
And shadows blue,-all floats

And mingles,-circling, wreathing,
In moonlight opaline,
While through the zephyr's harping
Tinkles the mandoline.
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