124 
AMBERGRIS 
 
 
 
 
FROM ORPHEUS 
 
The Hours 
 
Darkness and daylight in divided measure 
Gather as petals of the sunflower, 
In many seasons seek the lotus-treasure, 
Following as dancing maidens, mute for pleasure, 
The fervent flying footsteps of the Hour. 
 
The sun looks over the memorial hills, 
The trampling of his horses heard as wind ; 
He leaps and turns, and all his fragrance fills 
The shade and silence ;  all the rocks and rills 
Ring with the triumph of his steeds behind. 
 
The bright air winnowed by the plumeless leapers 
Laughs, and the low light pierces to the bed 
Where lovers linger, where the smiling sleepers 
Stir, and the herds unmindful of their keepers 
Low for pure love of morning’s dewy hand. 
 
The morning shakes its ocean-bathed tresses, 
The bright sun broadens over all the earth. 
The green leaves fall, fall into his caresses, 
And all the world’s heart leaps, again addresses 
Its life, and girds it in the golden girth. 
 
Then noon full-fashioned lies upon the steep. 
The large sun sighs and turns his bridle-rein, 
Thinks of the ocean, turns his heart to sleep, 
Laughing no longer, not yet prone to weep, 
Feeling the prelude of the coming pain. 
 
The hills and dales are dumb beneath the heat, 
And all the world lies tranced or mutely dreaming,