Collected Works (Vol. I)

SUCCUBUS 45 SUCCUBUS.! WuHo is Love, that he should find me as I strive, Pale and weary, dumb and blind, where curses thrive, Fold my sleep within his wings, and lead my dreams Through a land of pleasant things, of woods and streams, Bind my slumber with a chain of pure delight, Though the canker of it stain at death of night, Fill with passion and distaste and wakened pleasure All the moments run to waste that else were treasure ? Who is Love ? a fury red with all men’s blood On his cruel altars shed, a deadly flood ? Or a veiléd vision black with shame and fear, Whose most loathliest attack at night is near, When the gates of spirit tense with angel’s tread Close, and all the gates of sense swing wide instead, When the will of men is sleeping, and when the mind Hears no sobs of spirits weeping above the . wind, All the subtle paths are clear for wicked breath, And no angel warns the eur that this is death ? Is this fiend the Love that came when youth rose up Purple with its holy flame, and flower-fair cup, Gave me of his burning wine to fire my heart, Filled me with desires divine toward my art? Is he then the Love who robs me of my aim, Doubts me if my heart still throbs with that cold flame, 1 The Succubus, and its male counterpart the Incubus, bulk Jargely in medizeval litera- ture and philosophy. The poem explains itself, Calm and eager purpose yet to reach the goal That high hopes have sternly set before my soul, To know, will, dare for man’s sake if man may, Grasp the secret of the plans that rule the way Of stars and suns, that shape the tiniest blade Of grass whose frailties ‘scape the passing maid, Whose light foot brushes fern and moss? But Love Comes a thief to men who turn toward things above To set snares, by night, and makes afraid The spirit’s holy might with one slight maid Visioned and unsubsisting save in foreign thought, To its own strength a slave by witchcraft brought ! This is not Love but Lust, not Life but Death is found :— All the halls of sense with strife cry and re- sound. The Brain awakes in wrath; behold! the foemen flee, All the earth is clad with gold, and all the Sea $ Driven back the demons yield, falter and cease ; For a little while the shield of sleep is peace. Clear and bright the lamp burns ; clean and sharp the sword,! While I watch their paths between before the Lord. A RONDEL. REsT, like a star at sea Thrice loved, thrice blest, Burns. Will there come to me Rest? 1 Common magical implements. The lamp signifies Illumination and the sword Will.