Collected Works (Vol. III)

170 ORPHEUS Of music’s spell that binds me, as in Panic Dance to some grasp unthinkable, Titanic, Unto the words fresh flowers that distil Uttermost fragrance in the mind and will, The unsuspected blossom |! What is the change—new birth of spring- time kisses Alone in all these water-wildernesses? What change? what loveliness ! Comes this to all? I heard my sisters crying No tale like this—O ! were I only lying Asleep amid the ferns, my soul would weep Over and over in its endless sleep ; ** Ves, love!” and ‘‘ yes!” and ‘‘ yes!” So by some spell divinely drawn She came to me across the dawn, With open arms to me ; and sobbed ‘Ves, love!’ and ‘‘ Yes, love!” throbbed The giant glory at my heart! And I? I drew away, apart, Lest by mere chance to me she came. But curling as a wind-blown flame She turned, she found me. As the dew Melts in the lake’s dissolving blue So to my arms she came. And now, Now, now I hold her ! Broke the brow Of all wide heaven in thunder! Hear Tremendous vortices of fear Swirl in the ether. What new terror Darkens the blue pool’s silver mirror ? How bursts the mountain-chasm asunder? Whose voice reverberates in thunder Muttering what curse? The sun dissolves In anguish ; the mad moon revolves Like a wild thing about its cage ; The stars are shaken in the rage Of—who but Zeus? Before our gaze, (My love’s in shuddering amaze, Of birth deceived and death forlorn, And mine in anger, ay ! and scorn !) He stood--the mighty One! So earth And heaven proclaimed that fearful birth: So they grew silent lest he curse. Dead silence hushed the universe 3 O how And then in clear calm tones he spoke: ‘Fools! who have meddled, and awoke The inmost forces of the world ! One lightning from my hand had hurled Both to annihilation’s brink. What foolish goddess bade ye think Ye thus could play with thunder, roll Your wheels upon the world, control The stately being of a soul? Just am IT ever! Therefore know The unrevengeful law of woe That ye invoke. Thou seekest life, Child of my water! Thou a wife, Child of my sun! Draw living breath, Maiden, and gain the guerdon—death ! Thou take the wife, and risk the fate ‘Eons could hardly culminate To lose thy soul! Not two but one Are ye. Together, as the stone, The oak, the river, or the sea, Mere elements of mine be ye, Or both resolve the dreadful life, And take death’s prize! Take thou the wife, Thou, who didst know. Her ignorance Resolve itself upon a chance ! She shall decide the double fate. Be still, my child, and meditate! This is an hour in heaven.” He ceased And I was silent. She released Her soul from that tremendous birth Of fear in gentle-minded mirth. ‘* Great Sir!” she cried, ‘‘ the choice is made ! An hour ago I was afraid, Knew nothing, and loved not. But I Know now not this you say—to die. Some doubtful change! An hour ago I wasanymph. I did not know This change: but now for death or life I care not. Am I not his wife? I love him. Now I would not leave That joy once tasted ; shall not grieve If even that should ever cease, So great a pleasure (and a peace !) I have therein. And by the sense Of love’s intuitive influence I know he wills me to remain Woman.” ‘‘ How frivolous and vain,