82 
AT KIEL 
 
AT KIEL 
 
Oh, the white flame of limbs in dusky air, 
The furnace of thy great grey eyes on me 
Turned till I shudder.  Darkness on the sea, 
And wan ghost-lights are flickering everywhere 
So that the world is ghastly.  But within 
Where we two cling together, and hot kisses 
Stray to and fro amid the wildernesses 
Of swart curled locks !  I deem it a sweet sin, 
So sweet that fires of hell have no more power 
On body and soul to quench the lustrous flame 
Of that desire that burns between us twain. 
What is Eternity, seeing we hold this hour 
For all the lusts and luxuries of shame ? 
Heaven is well lost for this surpassing gain.