Flaming June

by Sir Frederic Leighton

____________

Another Way of Love

June was not over

Though past the fall,

And the best of her roses

Had yet to blow,

When a man I know

(But shall not discover,

Since ears are dull,

And time discloses),

Turned him and said with a man's true air,

Half sighting a smile in a yawn, as 'twere, --

"If I tire of your June, will she greatly care?"

Well, dear, in-doors with you!

True! Serene deadness

Tries a man's temper.

What's in the blossom

June wears on her bosom?

Can it clear scores with you?

Sweetness and redness.

_Eadem semper!_

Go, let me care for it greatly or slightly!

If June mend her bower now,

your hand left unsightly

By plucking the roses, --

my June will do rightly.

And after, for pastime,

If June be refulgent

With flowers in completeness,

All petals, no prickles,

Delicious as trickles

Of wine poured at mass-time, --

And choose One indulgent

To redness and sweetness:

Or if, with experience of man and of spider,

June use my June-lightning, the strong insect-ridder,

And stop the fresh film-work, --

why, June will consider.

-Robert Browning