III.— LAKE LEMAN

By Frank Oliver Call

Like the High Priest of Jehovah

The lake, for the Festival of Beauty

Puts upon its blue garment

A gorgeous jewelled breast-plate bordered with gold.

Behind the cloudy pillar glows a fire;

My eyes can scarcely bear its glory,

As it burns crimson and scarlet

On jasper and flame-colored sard,

On ruby, red as sunset flame,

And topaz shot with golden lights.

Like the eternal fire of distant stars —

Blue, green and white,

Gleam diamond, emerald, sapphire,

Jacinth and beryl,

Onyx and green-banded agate,

And amethyst purple as wild iris-flowers.

Morning and evening

On the day of the great Festival

The High Priest of Beauty wears his jewelled breastplate,

And the chosen people, blinded by its glory,

Bow down and worship.