7 DECEMBER 1934, Page 13

The Singing Head and the Lady HE had famished in

a wilderness,

Braved lions for my sake, And all men lie that say that I Bade that swordsman take His head from off his body And set it on a stake.

He swore to sing my beauty Though death itself forbade, They lie that say in mockery Of all that lovers said,

Or in mere woman's cruelty, I bade them fetch his head.

O what innkeeper's daughter Shared the Byzantine crown I Girls that have governed cities, Or burned great cities down, Have bedded with their fancy-man Whether a king or clown ; Gave their bodies, emptied purses For praise of clown or king, Gave all the love that women know I O they had their fling But never stood before a stake And heard the dead lips sing.

W. B. YEATS.