Rosalind
by Brian Hayes
Published 25 July 2008
This morning I’m about to get on the T and go to Cambridge City Hall for a significant personal event. I’d like to celebrate the occasion with a few lines of verse by the great mathematician (and lesser poet) James Joseph Sylvester. (A tip of the top hat to Jerry Alexanderson for bringing Sylvester’s versifying to my attention.)
Fairest, O ! of lily-kind,
Perfect pearl and priceless find !
Pure as poet’s milk-white hind,
Spirit ! from all dross refined,
Hearts to ravish Heav’n-designed ;
Fresh as rills that sparkling wind
On their way the sea to find,
[O'er smooth pebble-bed patíned.]
Dew-drop ! on which sun hath shined,
Shedding glamour undefined,
And a light that doth remind
of the cloudless heav’n behind.
Whose light laugh, like bells sweet-chimed,
[Or hushed trill of bow refined
Touched with fingers taper-tined,]
Piercing feeling’s inmost rind,
Tone-spray tossing on the wind
Leaves no smart unmedicined.
With fond folly all untined,
To each duteous law resigned ;
(Round her finger she can wind
All to obey her disinclined :
Who so wilful or so blind
To say nay to Rosalind !)
Responses from readers:
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Publication history
First publication: 25 July 2008
Converted to Eleventy framework: 22 April 2025
Congratulations, and many happies to you both.
We feel delighted that you tied the knot. All the best on your wedding.
Stephan and Doro
Congratulations!
Maria, Sebas and Bianca
Read what you will of love’s sweet haze,
A more apt couple ne’er did phrase
The courtly vow that ends one phase
And starts a string of happy days.
Brian,
I sent you an ordinary, tedious e-mail earlier, but …
My note was of a mundane kind
Compared to peerless Rosalind.
And we’re just fine, if you’re inclined,
To postpone e-mail’s daily grind,
While infinitely more refined
And merry matters fill your mind.
For letters soon enough you’ll find
the time. For now: Get wined and dined.
Cheers!
Paul
Congrats to both! I expect details later, though am keeping my mouth shut for now!
Thanks to all for the kind words.
Joy to learn, long ere Sylvester,
the mathopoetic muse doth still… pester? fester?
Anyway, thanks again.
May you spend many happy years together!