by William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)

I found that ivory image there
Language: English 
I found that ivory image there
Dancing with her chosen youth,
But when he wound her coal-black hair
As though to strangle her, no scream
Or bodily movement did I dare,
Eyes under eyelids did so gleam;
Love is like the lion's tooth.

When She, and though some said she played
I said that she had danced heart's truth,
Drew a knife to strike him dead,
I could but leave him to his fate;
For no matter what is said
They had all that had their hate;
Love is like the lion's tooth.

Did he die or did she die?
Seemed to die or died they both?
God be with the times when I
Cared not a thraneen for what chanced
So that I had the limbs to try
Such a dance as there was danced -
Love is like the lion's tooth.

About the headline (FAQ)

First published in London Mercury, November 1930

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-01-03
Line count: 21
Word count: 142