68 
AMBERGRIS 
 
 
 
 
FROM ALICE :  AN ADULTERY 
 
Margaret 
 
The moon spans Heaven’s architrave ; 
Stars in the deep are set ; 
Written in gold on the day’s grave, 
“ To love, and to forget ; ” 
And sea-winds whisper o’er the wave 
The name of Margaret. 
 
A heart of gold, a flower of white, 
A blushing flame of snow, 
She moves like latticed moons of light— 
And O !  her voice is low, 
Shell murmurs borne to Amphitrite, 
Exulting as they go. 
 
Her stature waves, as if a flower 
Forgot the evening breeze, 
But heard the charioted hour 
Sweep from the father seas, 
And kept sweet time within her bower, 
And hushed mild melodies. 
 
So grave and delicate and tall— 
Shall laughter never sweep 
Like a moss-guarded waterfall 
Across her ivory sleep ? 
A tender laugh most musical ? 
A sigh serenely deep ? 
 
She laughs in wordless swift desire 
A soft Thalassian tune ; 
Her eyelids glimmer with the fire 
That animates the moon :