THE LOVER

I rooted silver stars from heaven in showers,

Rived adamant to show an azure gap,

Captured the very Psyche in my cap,

Filched from the sack of Time six diamond hours.

Hyperborean in my crown of flowers

I ran and leapt the cliff of thunderclap

Plunging through green sea-light where bronze fronds wrap

Crumbling pearl palaces and coral bowers.

Now — “Could I move, all humankind would pant

Even to think such effort! Could my songs

Cry out, dusked heaven would shudder at my wrongs!”

I moaned, and then looked flushed and palpitant

On Love's rapt face, that frenzied flagellant

Wielding with zeal the welting golden thongs.