May the Maiden

Song for “The Jacquerie”
by Sidney Lanier

May the maiden,
Violet-laden,
Out of the violet sea,
Comes and hovers,
Over lovers,
Over thee, Marie, and me,
Over me and thee.

Day the stately,
Sunken lately,
Into the violet sea,
Backward hovers,
Over lovers,
Over thee, Marie, and me,
Over me and thee.

Night the holy,
Sailing slowly,
Over the violet sea,
Stars uncovers,
Over lovers,
Stars for thee, Marie, and me,
Stars for me and thee.