Oracles

THE TRIADS OF DESPAIR I I LIE in liquid moonlight poured from the exalted orb. Orion waves his jewelled sword ; the tingling waves absorb Into their lustre as they move the light of all the sky. I am so faint for utter love I sigh and long to die. Far on the misty ocean’s verge flares out the Southern Cross, And the long billows on the marge of coral idly toss, This night of nights ! The stars disdain a lustre dusk or dim. Twin love-birds on the land complain, a wistful happy hymn. I turn my face toward the main : I laugh and dive and swim. Now fronts me foaming all the light of surf-bound waters pent ; Now from the black breast of the night the Southern Cross is rent. I top the mighty wall of fears ; the dark wave rolls below. A tall swift ship on wings appears, a cataract of snow Plunging before the white east wind ; she meets the eager sea As forest green by thunder thinned meets fire’s emblazonry. 129