Cavalier

Slay fowl and beast; pluck clean the vine,
Prepare the feast and pearl the wine.
Bring on the best! Bring on the bard,
Bring on the rest. Let nought retard
Nor yet distress with putrid breath,
My new mistress, My Lady Death.

Credit

From Caroling Dusk (Harper & Brothers, 1927), edited by Countee Cullen. This poem is in the public domain.

Author

Bruce Nugent

Richard Bruce Nugent was a poet, playwright, short story writer, and painter during the Harlem Renaissance movement.

Date Published

01/01/1927