Orpheus

And all my being was enwrapped, A bridegroom’s in a bride's. Deep in the hollow of the place A starry bed I saw, Gemmed with strange stones in many a space Of godlike rune and law. Such fancies as the fiery face Of living Art might draw. But rising up I lift my head Beyond the ripples clean : My arms with spray dew-diamonded Stretched love-wise to my queen That danced upon the light, and shed Her own sweet light between. But never a mortal joy might know, Hold never a mortal lover! Whose limbs like moonshine glint and glow, Throb, palpitate, and hover :— Pale sunrise woven with the snow Athwart a larchen cover! So danced she in the rainbow mist, A fairy frail and chaste, By moon caressed, by sunlight kissed, A guerdon vain and waste ; And the misery of her thankless tryst Stole on me as she paced. 138