4 
THE SOUL OF OSIRIS. 
 
 
 
 
THE ALTAR OF ARTEMIS. 
 
 
HERE, in the coppice, oak and pine 
 And mystic yew and elm are found, 
Sweeping the skies, that grow divine 
 With the dark wind’s despairing sound, 
 The wind that roars from the profound, 
And smites the mountain-tops, and calls 
Mute spirits to black festivals, 
 And feasts in valleys iron-bound, 
 Desolate crags, and barren ground ;— 
There in the strong storm-shaken grove 
Swings the pale censer-fire for love. 
 
The foursquare altar, rightly hewn, 
 And overlaid with beaten gold, 
Stands in the gloom ;  the stealthy tune 
 Of singing maidens overbold 
 Desires mad mysteries untold, 
With strange eyes kindling, as the fleet 
Implacable untiring feet 
 Weave mystic figures manifold 
 That draw down angels to behold 
The moving music, and the fire 
Of their intolerable desire. 
 
  W