Emmeline

By Robert James DeBurgh (Poet)

And what of her, the Fair Emmeline?
Oft hath she sung of Love, her eyes in rapturous light.
Oft hath she, like a Dove in rapturous flight
Soared as an Angel feminine :
Poured her sweet spirit in soundless song of melody.

Winging through the air, Oh Spirituous Joy!
Lighted her Beauteous form on her young boy.
Upon his shoulder, white as Cassian marble, rested she,
And let her Joy stream out in softling warble
On the ears of all heard and were not Coy.

Then to Celestial skies the notes ascend.
Touching t' invisible stars at Heav'ns end,
And boundless soundless Ecstasy rejoins the boy
Who in his Grove reclines enwrought with Joy.
Then up and thro' the vale his way will wend.

To homeward fires and jolly family
And Sleep. Ah Sleep! How much we owe to Thee.

(From "The Dove and Eagle" cycle)

Fez, Morocco, 1897

NOTE:
Reputed to have been written under the influence of Hashish, while serving a detention in a Moroccan prison. B. Svertlovich posited the theory that it was written in the aftermath of the Master's presumed arrest as set out in "Fardouly's Kebabs".
Svertlovich may be correct in his assumption that this Work follows almost directly on from "Fardouly's Kebabs" But we may never know for sure.....

It is also worth noting, that of the (supposed) "Dove and Eagle" cycle, this is the only piece Discovered to date....... Whether the rest of the "cycle" existed in fact or only in RJ de B's mind, remains to be seen.....
Then again, it is entirely possible that RJ de B thought the "Dove and Eagle Cycle" was a means of transport...

NOTES ON PROVENANCE:
It was thought at first that this Work was donated by HRH King Hasaan, but it was later established that the Donor was actually Hasaan King of the Old Kent Road "King's Fish and Chip Emporium", who was about to wrap a piece of Cod (battered) in it when his eye was caught by the date on the page....

How this Work came into Hasaan's possession remains a mystery. Any contributions toward solving this mystery will be greatly appreciated by the Lord High Most Important Chapter.