Verse > Anthologies > Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. > A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895
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Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908).  A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895.  1895.
 
The Roundel
 
Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909)
 
 
A ROUNDEL is wrought as a ring or a sphere,
With craft of delight and with cunning of sound unsought,
That the heart of the hearer may smile if to pleasure his ear
    A roundel is wrought.
 
Its jewel of music is carven of all or of aught—        5
Love, laughter or mourning, remembrance of rapture or fear—
That fancy may fashion to hang in the ear of thought.
 
As a bird’s quick song runs round, and the hearts in us hear
Pause answer to pause, and again the same strain caught,
So moves the device whence, round as a pearl or tear,        10
    A roundel is wrought.
 

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