Ambergris

128 AMBERGRIS Exulting also, now the sun is faded, With joy of her supreme fertility And glowing masteries Of autumn summer-shaded, The golden fruit of all the blossoming sky. And now the watcher to the bright breasts blind Loses the seemly shape, the loud swift song ; Now the moon falls, and all the gold is gone, And round the storm-caught shape hard gusts of wind Blow, and her leaves are torn, a flying throng Of orange and purple and red ; the sombre sun Shines darkly in her breast But wakes no joy therein, And all his kisses sharp and keen Bring only now desire of rest, Not their old rapture : the warm violet eyes Melt into sweet hot tears ; subtler the sighs Are interfused of death ; The brave bright looks grow duller, And fear is mingled with love’s ecstasies Again, and all her breath Fails, and the shape and colour Fade, fail, are lost in the sepulchral sea’s.