Collected Works (Vol. III)

SONNETS AND QUATORZAINS LA CRUCHE CASSEE. THE waterpot is broken at the well. Forth rush the waters, bubbling from the brim, Curling and coiling round the riven rim, Lost beyond hope; and she, her sighs up- swell, And sorrow shakes her: shame’s oblivious hell Burns round her body: in her eyes there swim Tears of deep joy, deep anguish ; love’s first hymn Is choral in her ear’s young miracle. She knows the utmost now; what waters white She held from heaven’s crystal fountains ; flight Of what celestial birds struck down :—Ah me! What god or demigod hath struck remorse Into that close-crouched, cold, and desolate corse, Wailing her violate virginity? LA TENTATION DE SAINT- ANTOINE. In mystic dolour wrapt, the ascetic turns His vague untutored thought to love, and sees Himself exalted at the amber knees Of God the Father : his bowed forehead burns With chastity’s white star: no spirit yearns More keenly from the abyss; yet, God! are these Subtle star-sparks of spirit chastity’s? These deep-set shiverings saint nor sage discerns ? Laughter and love are over him, entice His life to sweeter scent of sacrifice. She knows God’s will, not he! Her ardour licks Flowers from the dust. of breath, Dost rot in worship at the shrine of death! O mystic rapture of the crucifix | O fool! that, heavy EVE. THE serpent glimmered through the primal tree, Full in the gladness of the afterglow ; Its royal head warred ever to and fro, Seeking the knowledge of the doom to be. Eve, in the naked love and liberty She had not bartered yet, moved sad and slow, Serene toward the sunset, murmuring low The tyrant’s curse, the hideous decree. Then she, instructed by the Saviour Snake, Saw once clear Truth and gave her life, and love, And peace, and favour of the fiend above, For Knowledge, Knowledge pure for Know- ledge’ sake. | The full moon rose. dumb the first woman’s shame, martyrdom. Creation’s voice was For strength, FEMMES DAMNEES. Kiss me, O sister, kiss me down to death! The purple of the passionate hour is flaked With notes of gold: there swim desires un- slaked, Impossible raptures of expostulate breath. The marble heaves with longing; hungereth The mouth half-open for the unawaked Mouth of the baby blossom, where there ached Never till now the parched sweet song that saith: ‘‘Ah! through the grace of languor and the glow Of form steals sunset flaming on the snow! Darkness shall follow as love wakeneth In moonlight, and the flower, chaste love, now bloom First in the bosom, after in the tomb— Kiss me, O sister, kiss me down to death!”