African American Poetry (1870-1928): A Digital Anthology

Richard Bruce Nugent, "Cavalier" (1927)

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.


Published in Caroling Dusk, 1927