Religion

Amestris

by Algernon Charles Swinburne 1837–1909

From Poems & Ballads (First Series)

Religion

I am the queen of Persians.
My breasts were lordlier than bright swans.
My body as amber fair and thin.
Strange flesh was given my lips for bread,
With poisonous hours my days were fed,
And my feet shod with adder-skin.
In Shushan toward Ecbatane
I wrought my joys with tears and pain,
My loves with blood and bitter sin.

MLA

Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “Amestris.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/558/.

Chicago

Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “Amestris.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/558/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Algernon Charles Swinburne