leonardcohenforum.com

Groan.

Don't tell me you think I'm another one of Critic2's alter-egos.

Cut me some slack here, mr. Internet Knight of Truth and Justice!
The e-Grail awaits....elsewhere.

Why should I think that, ProfX?

Then what is this "secret" you make reference to then, hmm?

A simple nosegay! was that much to ask?
(Winter still nagged. with scarce a bud yet showing.)
He loved her ill, if he resigned the task.
'Somewhere,' she cried, 'there must be blossom blowing.'
It seems my lady wept and the troll swore
By Heaven he hated tears: he'd cure her spleen --
Where she had begged one flower he'd shower her fourscore,
A bunch fit to amaze a China Queen.

Cold fog-drawn Lily, pale mist-magic Rose
He conjoured, and in a glassy cauldron set
With elvish unsubstantial Mignonette
And such vague bloom as wandering dreams enclose.
But she?
....Awed,
....Charmed to tears,
....Distracted,
.....Yet---
Even yet, perhaps, a trifle piqued -- who knows?

Courtesy of Robert Graves, 'The Troll's Nosegay.'