Durrell, Lawrence

Britian, (1912-1990)

You’re Bringing Out the Swine in Me

  1. (Ulysses)
  2. You’re bringing out the swine in me
  3. By giving too much wine to me
  4. Though all your promises sound fine to me
  5.  
  6. But Circe, I simply gotta go.
  7.  
  8. (Circe)
  9. O won’t you stay and dine with me
  10. O honey stay in line with me
  11. Let’s drink our nectar in close harmony
  12.  
  13. Don’t ever let me go.
  14.  
  15. (Ulysses)
  16. You’re bringing out the swine in me
  17. And though you seem divine baby
  18. And all alone and fancy free
  19.  
  20. Circe, I simply gotta go.
  21.  
  22. (Circe)
  23. What’s eatin’ of you, hairy man?
  24. Come on take your pleasure while you can
  25. Come on and act the gentleman
  26.  
  27. Honey, don’t ever let me go.
  28.  
  29. (Ulysses)
  30. I must admit you pack a punch
  31. Your kisses baby, are the crunch
  32. It’s clear we won’t get up for lunch
  33.  
  34. Circe, I simply can’t say no.

© Lawrence Durrell. Ulysses come back: outline-sketch of a musical based upon the last three love-affairs of Ulysses the Greek adventurer. London: Turret Books, (1970).

Why Wait?

  1. Primaeval Camargue horses under sail,
  2. Stealthy as wishes or as secret agents
  3. Curve under Roman monuments, vibrate,
  4. Appropriate to sky as water, sympathetic
  5. As ruins which insist in their serenity
  6. All time could be compressed
  7. Into one pellet of ample duration because
  8. The first step towards creation is to lose
  9. Complete confidence in oneself and sort of die.
  10. I know… I see you smile. Accelerate loving.
  11. Remit the old codger’s deathbed flutter. Try!
  12.  
  13. Somehow copy the sweet conduct of these
  14. Young olives in the spring mistral a-quiver
  15. Silverside up with such panache and
  16. Colloquial astonishment in sunset poses.
  17. Join the great coven of real lovers, the
  18. Conspiracy of lovemates forged in debonnaire
  19. Realized couples like perfected machines
  20. Guided by love-placebos from the wise
  21. Only realize! Go on! Be wise!
  22. Yes but how?
  23. They are caressed by oncoming night
  24. With all their nightingales in lovely voice.
  25. And this surperb Roman lady asleep
  26. Has the whole pedigree of pure happiness
  27. Deltcate as young olives, their pigments,
  28. Loose-leaf in slumber in her smiles.
  29. One becomes sorry to become so soon
  30. Just luggage left like lumber,
  31. lust after-thoughts of inexcusable grace
  32. Posted up by a’ love-god’s outlandish looks,
  33. A love-seraphic smiling face.
  34. Did not the proverb say explicitly
  35. “Never try to whitewash a silk elephant”?
  36. And (beyond all where or why):
  37. “In yoga harness a whole reality with one soft sigh.”
  38. A vessel in full sail
  39. With a weird mystical rig
  40. Will tell you once and for all
  41. What the Greek proverb says is true:
  42. “Happiness is just a little scented pig.”
  43. It’s not enough but if will have to do.

© Lawrence Durrell. Caesar’s vast ghost: aspects of Provence. London: Faber and Faber (1990.).

About the Poet

Lawrence Durrell (1912-1990) was a novelist, poet, translator, travel writer, and dramatist. Born in India to British parents, Durrell lived in and celebrated the Mediterranean world. He is best known for the novels that comprise The Alexandria Quartet. [DES-11/10]

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