Ambergris

AMBERGRIS 85 FROM THE ARGONAUTS At Prome When the chill of earth black-breasted is uplifted at the glance Of the red sun million-crested, and the forest blos- soms dance With the light that stirs and lustres of the dawn, and with the bloom Of the wind’s cheek as it clusters from the hidden valley’s gloom : Then I walk in woodland spaces, musing on the solemn ways Of the immemorial places shut behind the starry rays ; Of the East and all its splendour, of the West and all its peace ; And the stubborn lights grow tender, and the hard sounds hush and cease. In the wheel of heaven revolving, mysteries of death and birth, In the womb of time dissolving, shape anew a heaven and earth Ever changing, ever growing, ever dwindling, ever dear, Ever worth the passion glowing to distil a doubtful tear. These are with me, these are of me, these approve me, these obey, Choose me, move me, fear me, love me, master of the night and day. These are real, these illusion : I am of them, false or frail, True or lasting, all is fusion in the spirit’s shadow- veil,