The Winged Beetle

8 ROSA COELI And even did confirm the Bible tale By playing Jonah to your Jonah’s whale. So, to the stars ! VIII A poet is at ease In all such voyages : Why, as a boy, I steered Up to the Scorpion and tweaked his tail, Plucked foolish Capricornus by the beard And kissed the Blessed Damozel that leaned upon the golden rail, Drank from the glad rim of the grail Or soothed the squally Twins (for they could weep !) And while I smiled “ In Heaven how safe I am ! ” Found myself in my little bed asleep Having been butted thither by the Ram. IX But in the dream of you, my starry sweet, It is my earth I lose six times in seven. I have the Freedom of the City of Heaven ; But strange (though fair) are all the stars I meet. The dull familiar and the homely drear Are lost for ever. Being asleep, I fear. Wake ! Let me cut the cable of my mind ! My harbour lies before, and not behind. Dreams are all lies ; those jetty shadows lie When the full moon doth crown the midnight sky ; But shadows image truth, and dreams come true, For when I wake my arms are full of you.