University of Virginia Library

II

Through halls of columned scarlet,
Like some dark queen, the Dusk
Trails skirts of myrrh and musk,

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Hung in each ear, a starlet
Gleams,—gems the clouds' gaunt Jinn
Guard; and, beneath her chin,
The moon, an opal tusk.
There lies a ghostly glory
Upon the sea and sand;
A gleam, as of a hand,
Stretched from the realms of story,
Of rosy golden ray;
Pointing the world the way
To some far Fairyland.
As fades the west's vermilion
Above the distant coasts,
The stars come out in hosts;
Within the night's pavilion,
As flower speaks to flower,
Dim hour calls to hour,
Pale with the past's sweet ghosts.