The Lovers

(Rodin's 'The Kiss')

Paolo came across Francesca one day
as he led his war horse to a small bay
at a woodland lake not far from the town.
Seeing her bathing there at first gazed down.
She bade him turn his greedy eyes away
till she had dressed, but she asked him to stay.

When she was clothed, she looked in his face
saw how handsome he was, her heart did race.
Under his helm his hair reached his shoulder;
as he was family, she felt bolder.
His eyes flowed over her lovely attire
and his heart filled with a burning desire.

They read of Lancelot and his lover
in de Troyes' book from cover to cover.
Inflamed by his and Guinevere's love
each other was, now, all they could think of.
Though he was a noble and gallant knight
Francesca's features filled him with delight.

She should stay with her husband she explained;
'I'd like to meet you again' he exclaimed.
So, throwing to the winds all modesty
and righteous thoughts of proper chastity
the two agreed that they would meet once more
in the selfsame bower by the lake's shore.

One day the knight laid his armour aside
and took in his arms Gianciotto's bride.
They say that stolen fruit tastes much sweeter
his stolen kisses were a clear feature.
She, knowing she was being disloyal,
chased away thoughts that might make her recoil.

As around a tree trunk ivy entwines
so, their arms and hands and legs sought to bind
their bodies closer and their lips to make
passionate love, while their weak hearts did quake.
But her husband, now jealous to the core
found them and killed them - their love was no more.

But Rodin has immortalised their lust
in marble carving, she with naked bust.
And naked he too, legs, body and arms
curled sweetly together showing the charms
of illicit love that leads them to Hell
as Dante's 'Inferno' narrates so well.

                                      Michael Davidson
                                      November 2017 & October 2020