Nature

The Nuptials of Attila: XIX

by George Meredith 1828–1909

From Poems — Volume 2

Nature

Nigh upon the fiery noon,
Out of ranks a roaring burst.
’Ware white women like the moon!
They are poison: they have thirst
First for love, and next for rule.
Jealous of the army, she?
Ho, the little wanton fool!
We were his before she squealed
Blind for mother’s milk, and heeled
Kicking on her mother’s knee.
His in life and death are we:
She but one flower of a field.
We have given him bliss tenfold
In an hour to match her night:
Attila, my Attila!
Still her arms the master hold,
As on wounds the scarf winds tight.

MLA

Meredith, George. “The Nuptials of Attila: XIX.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/meredith/152/.

Chicago

Meredith, George. “The Nuptials of Attila: XIX.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/meredith/152/.

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