Last night I lay asleep and dreamt
I found myself in the seventh heaven
and all around the gods were stood
Apollo in their midst
Apollo he did speak to me
- make one wish and it shall be granted thee
Do you wish for wealth or power
for wisdom or for health
to be surrounded by fine maids ?
Whate'er it is you wish you shall receive -
- I do not wish for health or wealth -
thus to the gods I spoke
-I've but one wish and this it is
That the laugh may always be on my side -
The gods they would not could not speak
but soon the silence broke
Apollo first and then the rest
the gods they laughed and laughed out long and loud
the gods they laughed and did not speak
so then I did awake
Now I know that the gods have taste
for most unsuitable it would have been
if the gods had gravely told me
- Thy wish it is granted -
© GERALD ENGLAND
Composed: Glasgow, 1st January 1966
Publications
1969 Tait's Quarterly (UK)
1991 Poesie (India)
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