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. 
 
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