Clouds Without Water

VI As when the living eyes of man behold The embalmed seductions of a queen of Khem Wrapped with much spice and linen and red gold And guardian gods on every side of them ; Yet inasmuch as life is life, they shrink, Shrivel and waste to ashes as men gaze : So doth the world grow giddy at the brink Of these unfathomable eyes, that blaze Swifter and deadlier than storms or snakes. Then — o what wonder, as I strain afar The basilisk flame ! — what breathless wonder wakes That I behold unsinged a silver star ! O joy! O terror! O! — O can it be There is a thing that is, apart from me? -- 88 -— VII I travelled; so the star. We neared; we saw Each other, knew each other; in your face Mine equal self with majesty and awe Abode; and thus we stayed for a great space. What was the manner of our countenance? I saw you seated, as a great lost God With blasphemy exulting in your glance And horror at your lips ; my soul was shod With glory, and your body bathed in glory, So that from out the uttermost abyss The very darkness churned itself to hoary And phosphor foam of agony and bliss. The authentic seal of our majestic might Stamped on the light in light the light of light. —— 8) —