And, subtler than the Sphinx,
The ineffable iynx
Heralds thy splendour swooning into sense,
When from the bluest bowers
And greenest-hearted hours
Of Heaven thou smilest toward earth, a miracle of
flowers!
Down to the loveless sea
Where lay Persephone
Violate, where the shade of earth is black,
Crystalline out of space
Flames the immortal face!
The glory of the comet-tailéd track
Blinds all black earth with tears.
Silence awakes and hears
The music of thy moving come over the starry
spheres.
Wrapped in rose, green and gold,
Blues many and manifold,
A cloud of incense hides thy splendour of light;
Hides from the prayer’s distress
Thy loftier loveliness
Till thy veil’s glory shrouds the earth from night ;
And silence speaks indeed,
Seeing the subtler speed
Of its own thought than speech of the Pandean reed!
There no voice may be heard !
No place for any word !
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