Oracles

ANIMA LUNAE I23 Last, passing through the city wall, he came Out to the living flame Of lambent water and the carven quay, Stone, like embroidery ! All the dear beauty of art’s soul sublime He looked on the last time, And trod the figured steps, and found the ledge At the white water’s edge Where the king’s pinnace lodged ; but he put by That shell of ivory, And chose a pearl-inwoven canoe, whose prow Bore the moon’s own bright brow In grace of silver sculputred ; and therein He stepped ; and all the water thin Laughed to receive him ; now the city faded Little by little into many-shaded Clusters of colour. So his boat was drawn Subtly toward the dawn With little labour ; and the lake dropped down From the orb’s utter crown O’er the horizon ; and the narrowing sides Showed him the moving tides And pearling waters of a tinier stream Than in a maiden’s dream She laves her silken limbs in, and is glad. Then did indeed the fountains change their tune, Sliding from gold sun-clad To silver filigree wherethrough the moon Shines—for the subtle soul Of music takes on shape, and we compare