Clouds Without Water

VI Yet we may hope; for this, and not from fear, We kept our counsel ; we may hope anon To turn the corner of the evil year And find a brave new springtide coming on. Meanwhile by stealth I may invoke your shade And clasp you to me, though it be a dream Or little more, a vision from the Maid~ That rules by Phlegethon's sepulchral streain. Nay ! it is more: by magic art compel (My soul!) my maiden’s body to appear Visible, tangible, enjoyable Even to the senses of the amorous seer, Whose demon ministers through the gulphs and glooms Convey his mistress 6n their meteor plumes. VIL? More, I will visit you, forlorn who lie Crying for lack of me; your very flesh Shall tingle with the touch of me as I Wrap you about with the ensorcelled mesh Of my fine body of fire: oh! you shall feel My kisses on your mouth like living coals, And piercing like an arrow of barbéd stecl The arcane caress that shall unite our souls. Till, when I see you next, I shall have doubt Whether your pallor be from love distressed Or from the exhaustion of the age-long bout Of love you had of me upon your breast Held hard all night, with mouths that never ceased To engorge love's single sacramental] feast.