Lark’s Song

That child who from Diana’s thought is born
A huntress swift, who doth the world adorn
With strength and passion worthy of the Green
May wax, and one day rise to be a queen.

That child who in the eye of Phoebus grows
Of visage fair, that none would dare oppose
May in her hand hold light and glory too,
And to the Light hold sternly staunch and true.

That child who with the face of Venus smiles,
Will bear a heart of mischief and of wiles,
And may in time love’s faithful bonds fulfil
While bending lesser hearts unto her will.

That child who with Athena’s grace doth move
May to all eyes her worldly wisdom prove
And make right wise and fulsome use thereof
To measure all who seek to win her love.

That child who with grim Circe’s tongue foretells
Enmeshing faithful hearts within her spells
By dint of sly mendacity and guile,
All innocence and virtue may defile.

That child who by her cunning doth connive
May by fair Tyche’s fortune wax and thrive
And come in time to sit upon a throne;
Or fail and fall, forsaken and alone.

That child may choose to hark to glory’s call
And shine in splendour, loved by one and all;
Or cleave to darkness, hated and reviled:
Chance crafts the fate of every fate-touched child.

D. Alexander Neill