T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

Watteau Panels

By Royall Henderson Snow (b. 1898)


(From The Pagan, 1920) I A melody with sombre chords PIERROT draws aside the willows
As a curtain,
And naïve Columbine steps through.
In the moonlight—
Like the twinkling of silver minnows	5
The gurgling brook winks at Pierrot.
He had come there before.

II Danse Macabre From a hidden orchestra
Drifts in blurred melody the valse hesitation
A dancer presses his partner’s hand	10
Commandingly.

III Acquiescence “No,” whispers the woman
And turns her head
So that the moonlight falls on her bare throat.