IV
1. Ocrystal heart! I the Serpent clasp Thee; I drive home
mine head into the central core of Thee, O God my beloved.
2. Even as on the resounding wind-swept heights of
Mitylene some god-like woman casts aside the lyre, and with
her locks aflame as an aureole, plunges into the wet heart of
the creation, so I,O Lord my God!
3. There is a beauty unspeakable in this heart of corrup-
tion, where the flowers are aflame.
4. Ah me! but the thirst of Thy joy parches up this throat,
so that I cannot sing.
5. I will make me a little boat of my tongue, and explore
the unknown rivers. It may be that the everlasting salt
may turn to sweetness, and that my life may be no longer
athirst.
6. O ye that drink of the brine of your desire, ye are nigh
to madness! Your torture increaseth as ye drink, yet still
ye drink. Come up through the creeks to the fresh water;
I shall be waiting for you with my kisses.
7. As the bezoar-stone that is found in the belly of the
cow, so is my lover among lovers.
8. Ohoney boy! Bring me Thy cool limbs hither! Let
us sit awhile in the orchard, until the sun go down! Let us
feast on the cool grass! Bring wine, ye slaves, that the
cheeks of my boy may flush red.
g. In the garden of immortal kisses, O thou brilliant One,
shine forth! Make Thy mouth an opium-poppy, that one
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