NIGHT IN THE VALLEY 
 
 
I LAY within the forest’s virgin womb 
Tranced in the sweetness, nuptial, indolent, 
Of the faint breeze and tropical perfume, 
And all the music far lone waters lent 
Unto the masses of magnolia bloom, 
Tall scarlet lilies, and the golden scent 
Shed by strange clusters of more pallid flowers, 
And purple lustre strewn amid the twilight bowers. 
 
Far, far the pastureless, the unquiet sea 
Moaned ; far the stately pyramid of cold 
Shrouding the stars, arose :  sweet witchery 
That brought them in the drowsing eye, to fold 
The picture in :  with wingèd imagery 
That Hermes gathers with that floral gold 
Whose triple flower or flame or pinioned light 
Lends life to death, and love and colour unto light. 
 
How flames that scarlet stronger than Apollo, 
Too swift and warm to know itself a bird ! 
How the light winds and waves of moonlight follow, 
Shot from the West, cadence of Daylight’s word ! 
 
 
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