Jephthah and Other Mysteries

98 MYSTERIES, Our bodies met, and, meeting, did not touch But interpenetrated in the kiss. * * | * * # This writing is engraved on lamina Of silver, found by me, the trusted friend And loving servant of my lady and lord, In that abandoned chapel, late destroyed By Etna’s fury. Nothing else remained (Save in the ante-room the sword we knew So often flashing at the column-head) Within. I think my lord has written this. And for the child, whose rearing is my care, And in whose life is left my single hope, This writing shall conclude the book of song His father made in worship and true love Of his fair lady, and these songs shall be His hope, and his tradition, and his pride. Thus have I written for the sake of truth, And for his sake who bears his father’s sword— I pray God under my fond guardianship As worthily. Thus far, and so—the end: