Poems, 1899-1902 / George Cabot Lodge [electronic text]

V.

She turned the falling light to fire, Dull fire throughout her sombre hair; It seemed She phrased the world's desire, Desire that woke with fervent prayer Thrills of a secret wonder everywhere.

Her eyes caught splendours from the sun, Vague airs grew warm about her face, She saw the fire-stained ripples run And sing to sleep the smouldering space Of sunset and sink whispering on her trace.

Height over height the skies caught fire:— She watched the red contagion flow, The wide, wild wings of flame aspire Till heaven uplifted seemed to grow A huge, domed sapphire paved with crimson snow.

Her lips were still and marvellous, But, like a lute whose silence sings, Her hand fell warm in mine and thus Told me imperishable things: She held my senses as a perfume clings.

My mind was like an ancient town Of shadows carved in moonlight, there, Like dreams thro' latticed casements blown, The twilight of her endless hair Brought stately visions, sweet and sad and fair.

Along the towers and walls of thought They hung bright banners flown with song, The crooked, unlitten byways caught Their fires, and, as they passed along, My dull, wild heart woke strangely and was strong.

So fire fell back from sky to sky, Night deepened down the purple sea: She turned her solemn eyes and I, In wonder and in certainty, Still touched her hand and still it sung to me.