Oracles

ANIMA LUNAE I2I With gold hair curling like the spring sun’s gold, And blue eyes where stars lurked for happiness, And lithe with all a young fawn’s loveliness. Such are the dwellers of the fire that fold Fine wings in wanton ecstasy, and sleep Where the thin tongues of glory leap Up from the brazen hold And far majestic keep Of Djinn, the Lord of elemental light. But he beheld some sight Beyond that city’s joy : his gentle word The old king gently heard. (This king was Zôhra’s father) “ Lord and king Of love’s own city, give me leave to wing A fervid flight to yonder hills of night. Not that my soul is weary of the light And lordship of thy presence : but in tender dream I saw myself on the still stream Where the lake goes toward the mountain wall. These little lives and loves ephemeral Seemed in that dream still sweet : yet even now I turned the shallop’s prow With gathering joy toward the lampless mountains. I heard the four bright fountains Gathering joy of music—verily I cannot understand How this can be, Yet—I would travel to that land.” So all they kissed him—and the boy was gone. But when the full moon shone