by Ezra Pound (1885 - 1972)
Four and forty lovers had Agathas in the...
Language: English
Agathas Four and forty lovers had Agathas in the old days, All of whom she refused; And now she turns to me seeking love, And her hair also is turning. Young Lady I have fed your lar with poppies, I have adored you for three full years; And now you grumble because your dress does not fit And because I happen to say so. Lesbia Illa Memnon, Memnon, that lady Who used to walk about amongst us With such gracious uncertainty, Is now wedded To a British householder. Lugete, Veneres! Lugete, Cupidinesque! Passing Flawless as Aphrodite, Thoroughly beautiful, Brainless, The faint odor of your patchouli, Faint, almost, as the lines of cruelty about your chin, Assails me, and concerns me almost as little.
About the headline (FAQ)
First published in Poetry, August 1914Authorship:
- by Ezra Pound (1885 - 1972), "Ladies" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by David Leo Diamond (1915 - 2005), "Four Ladies", published 1966. [high voice and piano] [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-07-21
Line count: 24
Word count: 123