ROSA IGNOTA
Descent! Descent! Ah! I am fallen far
Under the low, bright star
That led me on, a dreamer, to the veil
That parted, and left pale
The dark beyond ; for there was nothing there—
Nothing! A shell! A husk
Born of the dusk
In the afterglow of passion, wild and fair
I saw it. Yea!
I had been stolen away,
A changeling bodily; my soul was thrust
To moulder with the dust :
I was the love that dies,
And I had slain the lover
With song.
Ah! Night! discover
Her of the wanton eyes
That fled before me
So long,
And scattered o'er me
Alas! the star-dust that should blind mine eyes,
And hide me from the skies.
Is love so strong?
So weak the lover?
Yea, night shall yet discover
My song, my veiléd song.
153