ROSA COELI 
9 
 
X 
Another time, through tides from chaos rolled 
I was upborne by this my scarabee 
With scales like plates of porphyry and gold 
And wings like flakes of the green light that pours 
Through the blue heart of the Hawaian sea. 
So to the hollow shores 
We came, and did behold a silver avenue 
That wound through cypress groves and woods of yew 
Unto the hills ;  hideous hyaenas laughed, 
Mean jackals snarled and screamed, and wild dogs bayed :   
Bayed at the waning moon that lapsed above 
Out of all light (had I not been in love, 
And drunken on the quintessential draught) 
So that the forest folk were sore afraid. 
But when I came upon the open space 
I might perceive my lady’s face, 
And knew she waned because that I was late. 
Twin hills like ivory glinted ;  on their slopes 
Blue rivers coursed, and many a nightingale 
Told all its tremulous tale 
To viewless dryads, or elate 
Trilled out its bleeding hopes 
Into the mist of light that hid (I know) 
Bassarids, Bassarids Dionysus-mad. 
Then, in that vision glad, 
I saw twin towers of crimson ruby rise 
Into the scented snow 
That fell like dew from the heart-hungry skies.