Jephthah and Other Mysteries

MYSTERIES : The sand along the glittering shore Is all of diamond ; rivers pour Unceasing floods of light along, Whose virtue is so bitter strong That he who bathes within them straight Rises an angel to the gate Of heaven and enters as a king. Birds people it on varied wing Of rainbow, fishes gold and fine Dart like bright stars through fount and brine, And all the sea about our wake Foams with the silver water-snake. There is a palace veiled in mist, A single magic amethyst Built it; the incense burns alway; So the light steam upon it lay. There thou art dwelling. I am ware The music of thine eyes and hair Calls to the wind to chase our ship Faster toward ; the waters slip Smoothly and swift beneath the keel. The pulses of the vessel feel I draw toward thee ; now the sails Hang id‘y, for the golden gales Drop as the vessel grates the sand. Come, thou true love, and hold my hand. I tremble (for my love) to land. I feel thy arms around me steal; Thy breath upon my cheeks I feel; Thy lips draw out to mine: the breath