Ambergris

124 AMBERGRIS FROM ORPHEUS The Hours Darkness and daylight in divided measure Gather as petals of the sunflower, In many seasons seek the lotus-treasure, Following as dancing maidens, mute for pleasure, The fervent flying footsteps of the Hour. The sun looks over the memorial hills, The trampling of his horses heard as wind ; He leaps and turns, and all his fragrance fills The shade and silence ; all the rocks and rills Ring with the triumph of his steeds behind. The bright air winnowed by the plumeless leapers Laughs, and the low light pierces to the bed Where lovers linger, where the smiling sleepers Stir, and the herds unmindful of their keepers Low for pure love of morning’s dewy hand. The morning shakes its ocean-bathed tresses, The bright sun broadens over all the earth. The green leaves fall, fall into his caresses, And all the world’s heart leaps, again addresses Its life, and girds it in the golden girth. Then noon full-fashioned lies upon the steep. The large sun sighs and turns his bridle-rein, Thinks of the ocean, turns his heart to sleep, Laughing no longer, not yet prone to weep, Feeling the prelude of the coming pain. The hills and dales are dumb beneath the heat, And all the world lies tranced or mutely dreaming,