Poem for Laure Hayman
[10 May 1889]
Beneath the shadows where lilac weeps
Consoled by furtive sunshine
By a brook laureled in a halo
Here is Laure!Queen of tresses like the sun
The splendour of stars gilds you
And pearls from Baltimore
And your blood with fawning equals
Laure!Neck as slender as a Moorish column
Pale breasts graced by a rose
Hatching in its snow, to the sun
Sumptuous and rosy address
Of Laure!Indeed the Eros that colours you
Is a huntsman without equal
Who in this world of sleep
Pursues us. I will be dead to wakefulness.My glorious spirit will no more see the dawn
But a god has sent you; killer of men, I adore you!
I have woven you this diadem: that it may laurel you,
Laure!