The Soul of Osiris

78 THE SOUL OF OSIRIS. SYNTHESIS. HEN I think of the hundreds of women I have loved from time to time, White throats and living bosoms where a kiss might creep or climb, Smooth eyes and trembling fingers, faint lips or mur- derous hair, All tunes of love’s own music, most various and rare ; When I look back on life, as a mariner on the deep Sees, tranced, the white wake foaming, fancies the nereids weep ; As, on a mountain summit in the thunders and the snow, I look to the shimmering valley and weep : I loved you so ! For a moment cease the winds of God upon the reverent head ; I lose the life of the mountain, and my soul is with the dead ; Yet am I not unaware of the splendour of the height, Yet am I lapped in the glory of the Sun of Life and Light :— Even so my heart looks out from the harbour of God’s breast, Out from the shining stars where it entered into rest— W