Complete poetical works of John Hay / [by John Hay] ; with an introd. by Clarence L. Hay [electronic text]

HELEN'S STAR STONE

THERE was a red star stone, old poets feign, Hung on the neck of Helen, the most fair Of women, the world's wonder; gathering there, Dripped ever one bright drop of blood; like rain That ere it fails blows into mist again. The crimson gout melted to roseate air, And that divine white bosom, proudly bare, Of all the woe it cost bore never a stain. So you, serene and beauteous lady, rove 'Mid throngs of luckless ones who gaze and die. And not a tremor of heartbreak, not a sigh Nor strangling sob of strong men whelmed in love Avails your calm heart by one beat to move Or dims the cloudless heaven of your eye.