The Star in the West

THE VIRGIN 85 the author of " Tannhäuser " or " Alice .” Neverthe less reproach followed , if shame did not , the celebra tion of love's mystic eucharist . Reproach rises , but falls enamoured to his kisses ; all is extremes , there is no heaviness , no deadness of sentiment , the smoke curls as high as the flashing flames , and tears wash out smiles , and blushing cheeks dry tears ; all is effluent glory , glorious as a Sun of gold lingering on the blushing bosom of Dawn : We lay in naked chastity , caressed Child - like or dreaming , till the dawn repressed Our sighs : that nuptial yet hath never ceased .? Still the future rises up before them , as a serpent , " prescience of next year ;" the Minotaur , “ prodigious offspring of the fatal graft ?” But the present is a sublime kiss , and the future as hollow as the emblem of two parted lips , “ while love was hovering and our lips were fain ? ” Soon the parting draws nigh , he attempts to detain her ; but he knows he must in evitably fail , as he knew his first kiss must inevitably lead to their great love and surrender . They spend the last melancholy day together : Strong kisses that had surfeited a score Of earthly bridals in an hour we squandered .? And at last : THE FIFTIETH DAY At noon she sailed for home , a weeping bride Widowed before the honeymoon was done . Always before the rising of the sun I swore to come in spirit to her side Alice , an Adultery , vol . ii, p . 79 . 2 Ibid . vol . ii, p . 84 .