Ambergris

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 :