Collected Works (Vol. III)

LIBER TERTIUS VEL LABORIS 175 Of the tune that rejoices, The manifold measure Of feet tuned to voices Of terrible pleasure. We pass in our courses Above the grey treasure Of seas in Earth’s forces, Her girdle, her splendour. We bridle the horses Of sea as we lend her Tunes subtle and tender To sink in her sources. The air’s love? We rend her! We pass to the West, We sink on the breast Of the Ocean to rest. As I pass, as I madden In fury of flight, The sea’s billows gladden Invoking the light. The depths of her sadden Not seeing the sight Of the glorious one, Whose steed is the Sun, Whose journey is certain, Who speeds to the gate, The visible curtain Of visible fate. My soul takes no hurt in Their gloom: I await The portals to rise In the desolate skies, I trust to my song Irresistibly strong To sunder and shatter Those towers of matter. They rise! Oh! They rise, The terrible towers Of Hades: they lift Across the white skies Those terrible-cliffed Rocks, where the hours Beat vainly : where lies The horrible rift Of the earth’s green bowers Where the wan ships drift, And the sun’s rays shift, And the river runs Whose banks have no flowers, Whose waves have no suns. Sheer to the terror Of heaven, the walls Strike ; and the mirror Of water recalls No truth, but dim error. The soul of me falls Down to the glamour Of dream ; and fear Beats like a hammer. Ilere ! it is here! Lost are my friends ; The elements shrink Where the life-world ends On the icy brink Of the sunless river ; Inds, and for ever ! I pass to the portals Of death in my flight. I sound at the gates. I call the immortals Of death and of night. I call on the Fates By the summons of light. The gates are rended; The rocks divide ; My soul hath descended Abreast of the tide. I, single and splendid, Death have defied ! I pass by the terrible gates and the guardians dragon-eyed. I thunder adown The vast abyss. (The journey’s crown Is a woman’s kiss !), What terrors to master ! What fear and disaster To gain the renown And the fadeless bliss! I thunder aloud On the rocks as I fly, Borne on a cloud In the gloomy sky.