Oracles

ODE TO SAPPHO [This and the following poems up to page 60 are from “ Green Alps.”—R. P. L.]. O LESBIAN maiden ! O plumèd and snowlike in glory of whiteness ! O mystical brightness With love-lyrics laden ! Joy’s fulness is fainting for passion and sorrow. To-night melts divine to the dawn of to-morrow, O Lesbian maiden ! The flame-tongue of passion Is lambent and strong ; In mystical fashion Sucks sweetness from shade, As the voice of thy song In the halls of the dead, Breaking fitful and wild, Weird waking the slumber of Venus, the sleep of her child, O Lesbian maiden ! Thy tongue reaches red On that pillar of might ! Flaming gold from thy head Is a garland of light On the forehead of night, 2I