Classic Poem

Villanelle

Sweet my Lady, dry your eyes!
Tho' now I seem to serve you ill
My kingdom in the future lies.

Let evil stars in evil skies
Combine our happiness to kill —
Sweet my Lady, dry your eyes!

My heart is set on high emprise,
And there are ways to fortune still:
My kingdom in the future lies.

Some day with golden, glad surprise
The fairy heart of you I'll thrill:
Sweet my Lady, dry your eyes!

Then from this dingy life you'll rise
To a palace on a hill:
My kingdom in the future lies.

I fight a dragon for that prize:
I'll break the dragon's head, I will!
Sweet my Lady, dry your eyes —
Our kingdom in the future lies!