White Stains

ODE TO VENUS CALLIPYGE 61 Never a son nor a daughter grow From your waste limbs, lest the goddess weep ; Fill up the ranks from the babes that sleep Far in the arms of a god of snow. Conquer the world, that her throne may keep More of its pride, and its secret woe Flow through all earth as the rivers flow. Which of the gods is like thee, our queen ? Venus Callipyge, nameless, nude, Thou with the knowledge of all indued Secrets of life and the dreams that mean Loves that are not, as are mortals’, hued All rose and lily, but linger unseen Passion-flowers purpled, garlands of green ! Who like thyself shall command our ways ? Who has such pleasures and pains for hire ? Who can awake such a mortal fire In the veins of a man, that deathly days Have robbed of the masteries of desire ? Who can give garlands of fadeless bays Unto the sorrow and pain we praise ?