And ever nearer to the scarlet slash 
I clomb, where the strange perfumes struck me like 
a lash 
And the dread fires scorched up my life. 
There, O insufferable delight 
I mock with the weak word of wife, 
I was sucked down into the crater rim, 
Into the crimson damask dim 
Candescent cave of night— 
O then I mock myself with words ! 
They are like cardinal-coloured birds 
And honey-coloured doves : 
Yet one thing mortal serves to name another 
As mortal as itself. 
Why must our deathless loves 
Be stained by the black-hearted mother 
That called things by dead names ? 
The sunny elf 
Language shall play with the ethereal flames 
But never dare approach 
The central and volcanic fire, 
The inmost Force, nor, like a glittering army 
Send forth its scouts to encroach 
Upon our citadel desire. 
Ay !  though these flaming sentences 
Eat like strong acid in my vitals, char me, 
Blast me like lightning, smash me like black seas 
Towering above the lofty ship 
Whose masts did menace to the skies, 
12