They graze at night, the unicorns, upon the fresh-dewed grasses, Molten starlight flying as they toss their sapphire horns.
They step with light and dainty hoof below the stony passes, Shimmer under shadow where the nightingale mourns. The bright manes ripple over dapple flanks,
Quarter-moon racing past cloudy banks— Now on the warning wind of dawn they flee night’s crimson death;
They sleep in velvet forest shade; they spice it with their breath.
The castle queens it on her hill, the crown of pride and power, Turreted and traceried and carven like a gem,
With sunny court and golden hall, with wall and lordly tower
Rich-tapestried with vine and grape, with rose on thorny stem; Rubies, damask, pomanders and swords— Wild loves, black hates, delights of wine and words—
Let pipe and tabor play! and thus, hand
resting light on hand, With quicker-beating heart we’ll foot the skipping allemande.
There’s goodly trade in unicorns, in castles and their treasure. Dragons are much demanded, endless caverns, eagly crags,
There’s trade in rings of elven work, in songs of striding measure, Star-smiting curses, aye, and quests, and splendid thumping brags. Come buy, come choose your heart’s desire of these,
Fable and dream, wondrous commodities. Already yours, these unicorns, as aught you owned yestre’en,
