Oracles

ANIMA LUNAE II9 Or moonlight seen through trees—so came the lashes Over—and strong sight flashes !) Travelled in thought to life, and in its gleam Saw but a doubtful dream. His was a city crescent-shaped whose wall Was brass and iron : in the thrall Of the superb concave Lay orbed a waveless wave. Four moons of liquid light revolved and threw Their silvery fountains forth, whose fruitful dew Turned all the plain to one enamelled vale Green as the serpent’s glory, and—how still !— To where the distant hill Shaped like an Oread’s breast arose beyond, Across the starless pond Silent and sleeping—O the waters wan That seem the soul of man !— Suddenly darkness strikes the horizon round With an abyss profound That blots the half-moon ere the sun be set. A mountain of pure jet Rears its sheer bulk to heaven ; and no snows Tinge evening with rose. No blaze of noon invades those rocks of night, Nor moon’s benignant might. And looking downward he beheld his folk Bound in no tyrant’s yoke ; Knowing no God, nor fearing any man ; Life’s enviable span