The Poetical Works of John Payne Definitive Edition in Two Volumes |
 |
| I. |
|
|
| I. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
LAUTREC. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| II. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
|
|
|
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
 | The Poetical Works of John Payne |  |
245
LAUTREC.
“Vocantur mortui vampiræ in quibus, aut lunæ luminis crescentis
receptione,
aut quæcunque aliæ influentiae potentiâ diabolicæ, infusa sit vita
impia nocturnaque,
vi cujus sepulcrum frangunt, Dianâque fulgente per terram errantes, sanguine
dormientium horridè pascuntur. Fertur etiam nonnunquam ita trucidatos
vampiras ipsos vicissim factos esse.—
P. van Tonynck, Infernalia. 1533.
THE moon comes strangely late to-night,
And yet meseems the dusk has laid
On all its woven hands of shade;
Spent is the tall wan altar-light
And the last vesper-prayer is pray'd.
And yet meseems the dusk has laid
On all its woven hands of shade;
Spent is the tall wan altar-light
And the last vesper-prayer is pray'd.
The last chimes of the vesper bell
Along the sighing wind have died;
And as it were a shadowtide
Rolled upward from the gates of Hell,
The stern gloom surges far and wide.
Along the sighing wind have died;
And as it were a shadowtide
Rolled upward from the gates of Hell,
The stern gloom surges far and wide.
I lie close shut within my bier;
And yet, despite the graven stone,
I feel the spells the night has strown,
The spells of sorcery and fear,
Unto me through the air sink down:
And yet, despite the graven stone,
I feel the spells the night has strown,
The spells of sorcery and fear,
Unto me through the air sink down:
The many-mingling influences;
The viewless throb of awful mights;
The flutter of the grey-wing'd sprights;
A press of shadowy semblances;
The dreadful things that fly by nights.
The viewless throb of awful mights;
The flutter of the grey-wing'd sprights;
A press of shadowy semblances;
The dreadful things that fly by nights.
I feel the spells of Fate and Fear
That hold the empire of the dark:
Like unseen birds their flight I mark
Athwart the teeming air and hear
The ghosts rush past me, as I hark.
That hold the empire of the dark:
Like unseen birds their flight I mark
Athwart the teeming air and hear
The ghosts rush past me, as I hark.
246
Lo! there the charm fled through the night
That sets the witch's black soul free
To revel over earth and sea,
Whilst the reft corpse lies stark and white:
And still the grave grips hold on me.
That sets the witch's black soul free
To revel over earth and sea,
Whilst the reft corpse lies stark and white:
And still the grave grips hold on me.
Ah! there again the hot thrill swept
Across the dusk brown-breasted air.
I know it: see, the graves gape bare,
Answering; and one by one, upleapt,
The hell-hounds startle from their lair.
Across the dusk brown-breasted air.
I know it: see, the graves gape bare,
Answering; and one by one, upleapt,
The hell-hounds startle from their lair.
A flash as of a dead man's eyes,
Blue as the fires that streak the storm!
And from their dwelling with the worm,
See where the restless spirits rise,
Each like a vapour in man's form.
Blue as the fires that streak the storm!
And from their dwelling with the worm,
See where the restless spirits rise,
Each like a vapour in man's form.
The signs begin to thicken fast:
A noise of horns, as if there blew
The clarions of all storms that brew
Within the world-womb for the blast
That bids the earth and sea renew:
A noise of horns, as if there blew
The clarions of all storms that brew
Within the world-womb for the blast
That bids the earth and sea renew:
And to that call the shapes rouse forth
That make night weird with wailing ghosts
Of frightful beasts, whose flame-breathed hosts
East unto West and South to North
Laid waste of old the night's grey coasts;
That make night weird with wailing ghosts
Of frightful beasts, whose flame-breathed hosts
East unto West and South to North
Laid waste of old the night's grey coasts;
Until the Christ-god came to bear
Back with his smile the age's gloom,
And withered back into their doom,
They died: yet, wraiths of what they were,
Still in the night they cheat the tomb
Back with his smile the age's gloom,
And withered back into their doom,
They died: yet, wraiths of what they were,
Still in the night they cheat the tomb
247
And wander over hill and dale,
An awful host, invisible:
But he, who fares by wood and dell,
Hears their wings rustle and their wail
Shrills through him like a wind of hell.
An awful host, invisible:
But he, who fares by wood and dell,
Hears their wings rustle and their wail
Shrills through him like a wind of hell.
I know them all, ghost, witch and beast;
I hear them hurtle through the gloom;
The glad ghosts scatter from their room;
The ghouls fare forth unto the feast:
Still I lie fast within the tomb.
I hear them hurtle through the gloom;
The glad ghosts scatter from their room;
The ghouls fare forth unto the feast:
Still I lie fast within the tomb.
For lo! the Queen of my desire,—
The dreadful Lady of the Night,
That fills my veins with wine of light,
Sacring me with her cold white fire, —
Sleeps yet cloud-hidden from my sight.
The dreadful Lady of the Night,
That fills my veins with wine of light,
Sacring me with her cold white fire, —
Sleeps yet cloud-hidden from my sight.
And here I lie, wrapt in my shroud,
Moveless and cold upon the bier;
And all my rage of wish and fear
Unto the hush I cry aloud,
In tones that only sprites may hear.
Moveless and cold upon the bier;
And all my rage of wish and fear
Unto the hush I cry aloud,
In tones that only sprites may hear.
And in the fever of my mood,
The passion of the days of yore
Swims like a mist of flame before
My haggard eyes, — a mist of blood,
A meteor-play of tears and gore.
The passion of the days of yore
Swims like a mist of flame before
My haggard eyes, — a mist of blood,
A meteor-play of tears and gore.
And one white face, mark'd out in lines
And silver characters of fire,
Flames like a phantom of desire
Against my sight; and through the pines
The night-wind, screaming nigh and nigher,
And silver characters of fire,
Flames like a phantom of desire
Against my sight; and through the pines
The night-wind, screaming nigh and nigher,
248
Is as a well remember'd voice,
That once to me was honey-sweet
As that the white soul waits to greet,
When heaven's sight bids the eye rejoice,
Opening upon the golden street.
That once to me was honey-sweet
As that the white soul waits to greet,
When heaven's sight bids the eye rejoice,
Opening upon the golden street.
Ay, once that visage was to me
As Christ's face seen upon the rim
Of heaven, betwixt the cherubim;
That voice was as the melody
Of angels calling, through the dim
As Christ's face seen upon the rim
Of heaven, betwixt the cherubim;
That voice was as the melody
Of angels calling, through the dim
Hush'd heart of Death, to him who lies
And waits the coming of the feet
Of that white angel stern and sweet,
That gives the keys of Paradise
Or opens up Hell's sulphur-seat.
And waits the coming of the feet
Of that white angel stern and sweet,
That gives the keys of Paradise
Or opens up Hell's sulphur-seat.
There was great love betwixt us twain:
The memory of the time we kiss'd
In passionate innocence, nor wist
Of any harm, will never wane,
Maugre this bloody moonshot mist.
The memory of the time we kiss'd
In passionate innocence, nor wist
Of any harm, will never wane,
Maugre this bloody moonshot mist.
Despite this trance of tears and blood,
Remember it for aye shall I;
And the warm lovelight in his eye,
When for my answering kiss he sued,
Will haunt my curst eternity.
Remember it for aye shall I;
And the warm lovelight in his eye,
When for my answering kiss he sued,
Will haunt my curst eternity.
Yea, though the fathomless abyss
Of doom lie gaped our souls between,
His soul, that walks in Heaven's sheen,
Shall burn for ever with that kiss,
Though Hell flame 'twixt us for a screen.
Of doom lie gaped our souls between,
His soul, that walks in Heaven's sheen,
Shall burn for ever with that kiss,
Though Hell flame 'twixt us for a screen.
249
Yea, even midst the blaze of stars,
That light the golden city's air,
My face shall stand out weird and fair;
My voice shall reach him through Hell's bars,
Across the din of harps and prayer.
That light the golden city's air,
My face shall stand out weird and fair;
My voice shall reach him through Hell's bars,
Across the din of harps and prayer.
I was the daughter of a king;
And he a simple knight that bent
His knee before my sire and went
About the world, adventuring
In battle and in tournament.
And he a simple knight that bent
His knee before my sire and went
About the world, adventuring
In battle and in tournament.
A simple knight he was: but none
In all the land was fair to see
Or glorious in fight as he:
There was no man beneath the sun
Could match with him in chivalry.
In all the land was fair to see
Or glorious in fight as he:
There was no man beneath the sun
Could match with him in chivalry.
(Woe's me, how fierce the anguish is
Of memory and how the blue
Of his two eyes, soft shining through
The year-mists, like twin stars of bliss,
Prevails my passion to renew!
Of memory and how the blue
Of his two eyes, soft shining through
The year-mists, like twin stars of bliss,
Prevails my passion to renew!
Those star-soft eyes! And too the red
Of his clear lips, that on mine eyes
Did shed the dews of Paradise
In kisses, such as stir the dead
And bid the shrouded ghost arise!)
Of his clear lips, that on mine eyes
Did shed the dews of Paradise
In kisses, such as stir the dead
And bid the shrouded ghost arise!)
I do remember how he told
Me first the love he bore to me:
It was one summer, when the bee
Humm'd through a burning mist of gold
And fruit flamed on the orange tree.
Me first the love he bore to me:
It was one summer, when the bee
Humm'd through a burning mist of gold
And fruit flamed on the orange tree.
250
The day had been a day made bright
With many a noble deed of arms:
All day the trumpet's shrill alarms
Rang through the golden summer-light;
And the hush'd noontide's drowsy charms
With many a noble deed of arms:
All day the trumpet's shrill alarms
Rang through the golden summer-light;
And the hush'd noontide's drowsy charms
Of sun and shade were cleft and stirr'd
With grinding shock of shield and spear;
And from the banner'd gallery-tier
I looked upon the lists and heard
The sword-play ring out loud and clear.
With grinding shock of shield and spear;
And from the banner'd gallery-tier
I looked upon the lists and heard
The sword-play ring out loud and clear.
Queen of the tourney was I set
And watch'd the harness'd spearmen dash
Athwart the mellay and the flash
Of helmets, as the fair knights met
And the spears shiver'd in the crash.
And watch'd the harness'd spearmen dash
Athwart the mellay and the flash
Of helmets, as the fair knights met
And the spears shiver'd in the crash.
Full many a deed of arms was done
And many a mighty man that day
Rode, meteor-like, through the array:
But over all the mellay shone
One knight's white plume; and through the fray
And many a mighty man that day
Rode, meteor-like, through the array:
But over all the mellay shone
One knight's white plume; and through the fray
Rose Lautrec's war-cry, as he clave
The throng of riders and the sweep
Of his broad falchion did reap
The mail-clad knights, as some stout knave
Shears through the corn-sheaves tall and deep.
The throng of riders and the sweep
Of his broad falchion did reap
The mail-clad knights, as some stout knave
Shears through the corn-sheaves tall and deep.
So all day long he rode the press
And all day long his stout arm held
The lists, until the curfew knell'd
And down behind the Western ness
The gold sun cover'd up his shield.
And all day long his stout arm held
The lists, until the curfew knell'd
And down behind the Western ness
The gold sun cover'd up his shield.
251
Wherefore the prize to him was given
Of that day's tourney, for that he
Unconquer'd and unfalteringly
Against the press of knights had striven,
Until the sunset kiss'd the sea.
Of that day's tourney, for that he
Unconquer'd and unfalteringly
Against the press of knights had striven,
Until the sunset kiss'd the sea.
I set the prize upon his brow—
A wreath of laurel, fairly chased
In gold and with rich emeralds graced—
And as he louted him full low,
Whilst on his uncasqued front I placed
A wreath of laurel, fairly chased
In gold and with rich emeralds graced—
And as he louted him full low,
Whilst on his uncasqued front I placed
The jewelled cirque, his eyes met mine
And from their velvet deeps there shone
So clear a fire into mine own,
That thence my warm soul drank like wine
An ecstasy till then unknown.
And from their velvet deeps there shone
So clear a fire into mine own,
That thence my warm soul drank like wine
An ecstasy till then unknown.
The evening came, a night of stars;
And from the hall, where torches stood
And lit the banquet,—in my mood
Of new sweet thought,—I raised the bars
And wander'd out into the wood.
And from the hall, where torches stood
And lit the banquet,—in my mood
Of new sweet thought,—I raised the bars
And wander'd out into the wood.
There was the evening wind at play
Betwixt the tall stems of the treen;
And in the tender twilight sheen
The summer sweetness died away
And fainted in that heart of green.
Betwixt the tall stems of the treen;
And in the tender twilight sheen
The summer sweetness died away
And fainted in that heart of green.
Alone I went,—yet not alone;
For sweet thoughts held me company
And new strange impulses did flee
Through every vein; the clear stars shone,
As though the heavens loved with me.
For sweet thoughts held me company
And new strange impulses did flee
Through every vein; the clear stars shone,
As though the heavens loved with me.
252
And as I wander'd, lo! there came
A far soft sound of nearing feet
Along the woodways still and sweet.
Hope soar'd within me like a flame
And my thought bounded out to meet
A far soft sound of nearing feet
Along the woodways still and sweet.
Hope soar'd within me like a flame
And my thought bounded out to meet
His step that came along the glade:
For it was Lautrec, who like me
Had stolen forth from revelry,
To seek the friendly forest shade
And have his thought for company.
For it was Lautrec, who like me
Had stolen forth from revelry,
To seek the friendly forest shade
And have his thought for company.
A burning blush rose to my cheek;
Mine eyes sank to the earth for fear,
As though my shy sight could not bear
The glory of his gaze: too weak
My sense seem'd for the awful cheer
Mine eyes sank to the earth for fear,
As though my shy sight could not bear
The glory of his gaze: too weak
My sense seem'd for the awful cheer
Of his bright visage. But he bent
His knee before me on the grass,
And as his eyes met mine (alas!
How full of sweets and dreariment
The memory is) the fire did pass
His knee before me on the grass,
And as his eyes met mine (alas!
How full of sweets and dreariment
The memory is) the fire did pass
Of mutual love betwixt us twain;
Then, with a sob of fear and bliss,
Swooning, I sank in an abyss
Of senselessness, until again
He roused me with a burning kiss.
Then, with a sob of fear and bliss,
Swooning, I sank in an abyss
Of senselessness, until again
He roused me with a burning kiss.
How long embraced we sat, the while
The hours fled past, I cannot tell:
We took no thought of time. The spell
Of the first love did sense beguile
And made the world invisible.
The hours fled past, I cannot tell:
We took no thought of time. The spell
Of the first love did sense beguile
And made the world invisible.
253
At last the white moon lifted up
The screen of clouds; and through the veil
Of linkèd leafage, pure and pale,
She pour'd out from her argent cup
Sapphires and pearl on hill and vale.
The screen of clouds; and through the veil
Of linkèd leafage, pure and pale,
She pour'd out from her argent cup
Sapphires and pearl on hill and vale.
Then, with a sigh, from our embrace
We ceased; and in the path that led
Homeward we went, with eyes that fed
On eyes and hands that did enlace,
Like doves within one nest-place laid.
We ceased; and in the path that led
Homeward we went, with eyes that fed
On eyes and hands that did enlace,
Like doves within one nest-place laid.
That night I slept not; for the bliss
Of that new sweetness fill'd my brain
With some strange ecstasy of pain;
The splendid passion of his kiss
Burnt on my lips and would not wane.
Of that new sweetness fill'd my brain
With some strange ecstasy of pain;
The splendid passion of his kiss
Burnt on my lips and would not wane.
Thence, day by day, we met: and none
Gave heed unto the chain of gold
That link'd our lives. Our hearts grew cold
To all else breathed beneath the sun:
We loved as gods in days of old.
Gave heed unto the chain of gold
That link'd our lives. Our hearts grew cold
To all else breathed beneath the sun:
We loved as gods in days of old.
But one day came into the land
An ancient man, who for a sword
The carven cross of Christ the Lord
Did bear within his palsied hand.
Upon the wondering folk he pour'd
An ancient man, who for a sword
The carven cross of Christ the Lord
Did bear within his palsied hand.
Upon the wondering folk he pour'd
The sorcery of his speech and bade
All Christians harness them, to save
From Paynim hands the blessed grave
Wherein the Son of God was laid.
And as they hearken'd, like a wave,
All Christians harness them, to save
From Paynim hands the blessed grave
Wherein the Son of God was laid.
And as they hearken'd, like a wave,
254
The wonder of his words did course
Through every heart and every brain.
The whole land flock'd to him amain;
And every warrior sprang to horse,
And old men gripp'd their swords again.
Through every heart and every brain.
The whole land flock'd to him amain;
And every warrior sprang to horse,
And old men gripp'd their swords again.
Then, as a tide, all men, whose arm
Could wield a blade, rose up and bent
Their way towards the Orient;
And he, whose speech had wrought the charm,
Singing, before the great host went.
Could wield a blade, rose up and bent
Their way towards the Orient;
And he, whose speech had wrought the charm,
Singing, before the great host went.
And with the others, Lautrec took
His arms and rode unto the affray.
One kiss: from out the dense array
He turn'd and gave me one last look;
And the crowd carried him away.
His arms and rode unto the affray.
One kiss: from out the dense array
He turn'd and gave me one last look;
And the crowd carried him away.
The weary days went on and on,
Dull with the tremor of dismay.
At length, one dreary winter day,
The news came that the host had won
Jerusalem, whereas there lay
Dull with the tremor of dismay.
At length, one dreary winter day,
The news came that the host had won
Jerusalem, whereas there lay
The holy tombplace of the Lord:
But many a valiant knight was laid
Low underneath the olives' shade,
Where like a sea the blood had pour'd
Of Turk and Christian, and there sway'd
But many a valiant knight was laid
Low underneath the olives' shade,
Where like a sea the blood had pour'd
Of Turk and Christian, and there sway'd
The tide of battle doubtfully
Full many a day; for stout and brave
The Paynims were; and the cold grave
Took many a tall knight for his fee,
And many an one a captive slave
Full many a day; for stout and brave
The Paynims were; and the cold grave
Took many a tall knight for his fee,
And many an one a captive slave
255
Among the Infidels was led.
And with the rest a slave or slain
Was Lautrec. Often and amain
His war-cry rang, until his head
Went down; and none saw him again.
And with the rest a slave or slain
Was Lautrec. Often and amain
His war-cry rang, until his head
Went down; and none saw him again.
The cruel news seem'd meaningless
To me at first; my dazèd thought
Could not conceive the woe it brought:
But soon the full stern consciousness
Within my brain to pain was wrought.
To me at first; my dazèd thought
Could not conceive the woe it brought:
But soon the full stern consciousness
Within my brain to pain was wrought.
Like some curst drug, the full despair
Of love laid waste and life grown death
Coursed through each vein: the very breath
Of life seem'd burnt out of my air,
And hope lay down to die with faith.
Of love laid waste and life grown death
Coursed through each vein: the very breath
Of life seem'd burnt out of my air,
And hope lay down to die with faith.
The careless gossip of the court,
The foolish wonder of the folk,
That knew not what a thunderstroke
Had stunn'd me, of my mind fell short;
For in that moment my heart broke.
The foolish wonder of the folk,
That knew not what a thunderstroke
Had stunn'd me, of my mind fell short;
For in that moment my heart broke.
Some sinew crack'd within my brain
And life was turn'd to death for me:
A vault of iron seem'd to be
Closed round me and I strove in vain
Athwart the gloom to hear and see.
And life was turn'd to death for me:
A vault of iron seem'd to be
Closed round me and I strove in vain
Athwart the gloom to hear and see.
How long in death in life I lay,
I know not; for all sense was dead
And no thought throbb'd in heart or head;
But all the stress of night and day
Unheeded o'er my slumber sped.
I know not; for all sense was dead
And no thought throbb'd in heart or head;
But all the stress of night and day
Unheeded o'er my slumber sped.
256
At last some glimmer of new sense
Began to gather in my breast:
Like birds returning to their nest,
Thought struggled through the sheer suspense
That had my hand and heart opprest.
Began to gather in my breast:
Like birds returning to their nest,
Thought struggled through the sheer suspense
That had my hand and heart opprest.
Then gradually the chains of sleep
Relax'd their iron hold of me;
And as they fell and left me free,
As 'twere from out some darkling deep
Arose the wraiths of memory.
Relax'd their iron hold of me;
And as they fell and left me free,
As 'twere from out some darkling deep
Arose the wraiths of memory.
Remembrance rose in me again,
But strangely veil'd and blunted so,
I felt no sting of mortal woe
Nor any anguish of past pain;
My life to me was as a show
But strangely veil'd and blunted so,
I felt no sting of mortal woe
Nor any anguish of past pain;
My life to me was as a show
Of spectral shapes, whereon I gazed
With idle eyes and knew it not:
The ancient anguish was forgot
And all the passion, that had blazed
In me, extinguish'd every jot.
With idle eyes and knew it not:
The ancient anguish was forgot
And all the passion, that had blazed
In me, extinguish'd every jot.
For all to me was but a theme
For vague and aimless wondering:
My thought chased memory with dull wing
Along the mazes of a dream
Nor could it once to parley bring.
For vague and aimless wondering:
My thought chased memory with dull wing
Along the mazes of a dream
Nor could it once to parley bring.
But, as I lay and ponder'd o'er
The germs of thought confusedly,
Hearing and sight came back to me
By slow degrees, as from the shore
Of some innavigable sea;
The germs of thought confusedly,
Hearing and sight came back to me
By slow degrees, as from the shore
Of some innavigable sea;
257
And I was 'ware that I was laid,
Corpselike, upon a gilded bier,
Midmost a chapel. Far and near,
Tall candles stood around and ray'd
Out dimly through the darkness sheer,
Corpselike, upon a gilded bier,
Midmost a chapel. Far and near,
Tall candles stood around and ray'd
Out dimly through the darkness sheer,
Like ghosts upon whose brow there shines
The phosphorescence of the dead;
And over all the walls were spread
Hangings of sable, with the signs
Of death in silver broiderèd.
The phosphorescence of the dead;
And over all the walls were spread
Hangings of sable, with the signs
Of death in silver broiderèd.
My hands were cross'd upon my breast
And over me, to left and right,
Were lilies scatter'd, gold and white:
Upon my lids some cold thing prest
And yet meseem'd I had my sight.
And over me, to left and right,
Were lilies scatter'd, gold and white:
Upon my lids some cold thing prest
And yet meseem'd I had my sight.
The church was void, save for the flame
And the still forms around that stood,
Shapes carven out of stone and wood,
Martyr and saint and halidame
And Christ that hung upon the Rood.
And the still forms around that stood,
Shapes carven out of stone and wood,
Martyr and saint and halidame
And Christ that hung upon the Rood.
And I lay speechless and alone,
Nor could avail to lift my head
Nor loose my hands: a weight of lead
Relentless chain'd me to the stone
And something told me I was dead.
Nor could avail to lift my head
Nor loose my hands: a weight of lead
Relentless chain'd me to the stone
And something told me I was dead.
And yet the knowledge brought no pain
Unto my thought, that floated free
Upon death's dim and stirless sea;
But, as some faint and vague refrain,
It murmur'd in the ear of me.
Unto my thought, that floated free
Upon death's dim and stirless sea;
But, as some faint and vague refrain,
It murmur'd in the ear of me.
258
A dull and meaningless content
Folded my spirit: in the haze
Of the unfathomable ways,
I knew not even what death meant;
I had no thought of worlds or days.
Folded my spirit: in the haze
Of the unfathomable ways,
I knew not even what death meant;
I had no thought of worlds or days.
There as I lay, one after one,
The torches waned and flicker'd out;
The shadows troop'd, a motley rout,
Across the walls; then all was done
And darkness compass'd me about.
The torches waned and flicker'd out;
The shadows troop'd, a motley rout,
Across the walls; then all was done
And darkness compass'd me about.
Before my face the chapel wall
Was pierced with one great graven eye
Of window, wherethorough the sky
Show'd like a purple-colour'd pall,
Strewn o'er the earth come near to die.
Was pierced with one great graven eye
Of window, wherethorough the sky
Show'd like a purple-colour'd pall,
Strewn o'er the earth come near to die.
There was no radiance in the night,
Save of stars scatter'd far and few,
That on the mournful heaven drew
A tracery of silver light,
Like tears upon a veil of blue.
Save of stars scatter'd far and few,
That on the mournful heaven drew
A tracery of silver light,
Like tears upon a veil of blue.
No other light was there; and yet
A presage waver'd in the air:
It seem'd as if on heaven's stair
Spirits stood waiting, star-beset,
For some weird wonder to draw near.
A presage waver'd in the air:
It seem'd as if on heaven's stair
Spirits stood waiting, star-beset,
For some weird wonder to draw near.
Withal, as there I lay a-swoon,
All gradually the air wax'd white
With some strange pallor of affright
And through the heavens the witch-pale moon
Slid slowly up into the night.
All gradually the air wax'd white
With some strange pallor of affright
And through the heavens the witch-pale moon
Slid slowly up into the night.
259
And suddenly my stone-cold feet
Throbb'd with strange burnings, as it were
A hand of flame o'er them did fare;
Tongues of thin fire began to fleet
Along my limbs and I was ware
Throbb'd with strange burnings, as it were
A hand of flame o'er them did fare;
Tongues of thin fire began to fleet
Along my limbs and I was ware
Of one long spear of silver light,
That stole across the glass and smote
My feet and through my body shot
Darts in hell-flame burnt fierce and white:
And still I lay and startled not.
That stole across the glass and smote
My feet and through my body shot
Darts in hell-flame burnt fierce and white:
And still I lay and startled not.
Then suddenly another ray
Slid from the shield of fire, that stood
In heaven, ruddy even as blood,
And glared on me, — and took its way,
Unhinder'd of the carven Rood,
Slid from the shield of fire, that stood
In heaven, ruddy even as blood,
And glared on me, — and took its way,
Unhinder'd of the carven Rood,
Straight to my heart and thence did creep
Up to my face and on mine eyes
Play'd with fork'd tongues of fire, snakewise;
And then yet other rays did leap
All over me. I strove to rise,
Up to my face and on mine eyes
Play'd with fork'd tongues of fire, snakewise;
And then yet other rays did leap
All over me. I strove to rise,
But could not; for methought the moon
Bound me with many a silver chain.
My heartstrings throbb'd with shrillest pain;
And in the passion of my swoon,
It seem'd as if through every vein
Bound me with many a silver chain.
My heartstrings throbb'd with shrillest pain;
And in the passion of my swoon,
It seem'd as if through every vein
Torrents of fire ran shrivelling
And burnt the old life out of me:
Old thoughts and instincts seem'd to be
Chased from me, with remembering;
And in their stead, a surging sea
And burnt the old life out of me:
Old thoughts and instincts seem'd to be
Chased from me, with remembering;
And in their stead, a surging sea
260
Of instincts new and new desire
Swell'd up in me: through heart and brain
A spasm of ecstatic pain
Pass'd. In that baptism of fire,
Death died, and I was born again;
Swell'd up in me: through heart and brain
A spasm of ecstatic pain
Pass'd. In that baptism of fire,
Death died, and I was born again;
But not to any human birth.
The fierce desires in me that rose
Were not of kith or kin with those
That stir in men that walk the earth,
Nor such as soul in heaven knows.
The fierce desires in me that rose
Were not of kith or kin with those
That stir in men that walk the earth,
Nor such as soul in heaven knows.
My thoughts were such as have their room
In fiendis' brain, that surge and swell
In their curst thought for aye that dwell
In flames of everlasting doom;
My heart throbb'd with the hopes of hell.
In fiendis' brain, that surge and swell
In their curst thought for aye that dwell
In flames of everlasting doom;
My heart throbb'd with the hopes of hell.
A passion of strange hunger burn'd
Within my entrails and indeed
My heart, methought, did burn and bleed
With longings tiger-like; I yearn'd
Upon some fearful thing to feed.
Within my entrails and indeed
My heart, methought, did burn and bleed
With longings tiger-like; I yearn'd
Upon some fearful thing to feed.
What I knew not as yet: but soon,
As fiercelier through heart and core
The unrelenting rays did pour
The philtres of the magic moon,
The uninforméd passion tore
As fiercelier through heart and core
The unrelenting rays did pour
The philtres of the magic moon,
The uninforméd passion tore
Its veils of doubt. — Before my sight
A kirkyard opened, where the dead
Lay with white faces, overshed
With ghostly silver of moon-light,
And from their veins the blood ran red
A kirkyard opened, where the dead
Lay with white faces, overshed
With ghostly silver of moon-light,
And from their veins the blood ran red
261
And stain'd the grass with stream on stream.
Then, for the vision, my tense will
Strain'd out to reach that awful rill
And kneeling 'neath that ghastly gleam,
Of human blood to drink its fill:
Then, for the vision, my tense will
Strain'd out to reach that awful rill
And kneeling 'neath that ghastly gleam,
Of human blood to drink its fill:
But could not; for my hands were bound.
And as I look'd and burnt with rage
My hellish hunger to assuage,
From out the heap of dead there wound
A snake-like thread and on the page
And as I look'd and burnt with rage
My hellish hunger to assuage,
From out the heap of dead there wound
A snake-like thread and on the page
Of moonlit stone strange signs did write
In characters of awful red;
Spells such as wake the sheeted dead
And draw the thunder through the night.
And as I look'd thereon, I read,
In characters of awful red;
Spells such as wake the sheeted dead
And draw the thunder through the night.
And as I look'd thereon, I read,
But knew not what the import, save
That it was borne into my thought,
(How I knew not) the charm was wrought
To draw new victims to the grave,
Each with the other's heart's blood bought.
That it was borne into my thought,
(How I knew not) the charm was wrought
To draw new victims to the grave,
Each with the other's heart's blood bought.
Still the moon sear'd me with her sight;
And still I strove in vain to stir;
And sterner aye and fiercelier
Desire burnt in me; till the night
Waned, and the spell waned, too, with her.
And still I strove in vain to stir;
And sterner aye and fiercelier
Desire burnt in me; till the night
Waned, and the spell waned, too, with her.
Then, as the earliest morning grey
Began to glimmer in the East,
The moon waxed paler and there ceased
Her fiery hands from me. Then day;
And mine eyes left their bloody feast.
Began to glimmer in the East,
The moon waxed paler and there ceased
Her fiery hands from me. Then day;
And mine eyes left their bloody feast.
262
Sleep fell on me again, such sleep
As lies upon the damnèd dead,
Who dream of horror and of dread,
What while the demons vigil keep
Till Doomsday thunder o'er their head.
As lies upon the damnèd dead,
Who dream of horror and of dread,
What while the demons vigil keep
Till Doomsday thunder o'er their head.
But gradually, within my dream,
Another dream was born in me:
Methought God's sunshine set me free
From doom of dark and it did seem
One knelt anigh on bended knee
Another dream was born in me:
Methought God's sunshine set me free
From doom of dark and it did seem
One knelt anigh on bended knee
And gazed full sadly on my face,
With eyes star-soft, eyes that I knew,
Brimmed with full peace of heaven's hue;
Wherein big tears did stand and chase
Each other from their deeps of blue.
With eyes star-soft, eyes that I knew,
Brimmed with full peace of heaven's hue;
Wherein big tears did stand and chase
Each other from their deeps of blue.
Some angel of the dead delight
Surely it was: yet could not I
Recall its name. Then drawing nigh,
It bent above my cheek death-white
Its breast that heaved with many a sigh.
Surely it was: yet could not I
Recall its name. Then drawing nigh,
It bent above my cheek death-white
Its breast that heaved with many a sigh.
And yet 'twas but a dream, methought.
But as the face drew near to mine,
A glow as of enchanted wine
Slid through my veins: the red lips sought
My brow and settled on my eyne:
But as the face drew near to mine,
A glow as of enchanted wine
Slid through my veins: the red lips sought
My brow and settled on my eyne:
Then on my lips like balm of fire
Descended.—Life leapt up in me
To that hot chrism: suddenly
My heart-strings sounded like a lyre
With music of a living glee.
Descended.—Life leapt up in me
To that hot chrism: suddenly
My heart-strings sounded like a lyre
With music of a living glee.
263
The spell slid off from heart and brain;
The seal that lay upon my sight
Relax'd and to the morning white
My glad eyes open'd once again:
And as they drank the golden light,
The seal that lay upon my sight
Relax'd and to the morning white
My glad eyes open'd once again:
And as they drank the golden light,
Through painted pane and oriel shed,
Dazzled at first and seeing none
For the new splendours of the sun,
A great shout hurtled through my head,
As of a people, all as one,
Dazzled at first and seeing none
For the new splendours of the sun,
A great shout hurtled through my head,
As of a people, all as one,
Rejoicing in some wondrous grace.
Then, looking round, I saw a crowd
Of folk black-robed, but radiant-brow'd,
That through the chapel's resonant space
Clamour'd in triumph, long and loud.
Then, looking round, I saw a crowd
Of folk black-robed, but radiant-brow'd,
That through the chapel's resonant space
Clamour'd in triumph, long and loud.
But who knelt weeping by my bier?
Weeping for joy?—A war-worn knight,
Bronzed with the Orient heaven's light:
Eyes blue as heaven, when June shines sheer,
And hair that glitter'd, burning bright
Weeping for joy?—A war-worn knight,
Bronzed with the Orient heaven's light:
Eyes blue as heaven, when June shines sheer,
And hair that glitter'd, burning bright
As sheaves of summer. At his view,
Thought seized me and remembering.
Lost love came back on memory's wing:
For well of old that face I knew,
Those eyes and hair, that, ring on ring,
Thought seized me and remembering.
Lost love came back on memory's wing:
For well of old that face I knew,
Those eyes and hair, that, ring on ring,
Like twining tendrils of the vine,
Curl'd to his shoulders. Open-eyed,
I gazed upon him, stupefied
With joy and wonderment divine;
Then suddenly “Lautrec!” I cried
Curl'd to his shoulders. Open-eyed,
I gazed upon him, stupefied
With joy and wonderment divine;
Then suddenly “Lautrec!” I cried
264
(For it was he, indeed,) and threw
My arms about his neck.—The array
Of folk and all the light of day
Faded, for, with that rapture new,
Sense fail'd me and I swoon'd away.
My arms about his neck.—The array
Of folk and all the light of day
Faded, for, with that rapture new,
Sense fail'd me and I swoon'd away.
But, through the swoon, I felt his eyes
Summon my soul back from the deep
Of death; my spirit sprang to steep
In that dear dream of Paradise
And in his arms I fell asleep.
Summon my soul back from the deep
Of death; my spirit sprang to steep
In that dear dream of Paradise
And in his arms I fell asleep.
The days are blank for me that past
Until the day when we were wed.
Like as the lightning's lurid red
Blots out the lamplight, so the blast
Of hellish doom, that on my head
Until the day when we were wed.
Like as the lightning's lurid red
Blots out the lamplight, so the blast
Of hellish doom, that on my head
Fell in that night of fate and fear,
Effaced the golden memories
Of days that lapsed like summer seas
Under the blue of heaven clear,
Blown over of the fragrant breeze.
Effaced the golden memories
Of days that lapsed like summer seas
Under the blue of heaven clear,
Blown over of the fragrant breeze.
But oh! with what a charact'ry
Of burning memories, despair,
Link'd with remorse, has stamp'd for e'er
That night's long horror upon me!
When, with my foot on heaven's stair,
Of burning memories, despair,
Link'd with remorse, has stamp'd for e'er
That night's long horror upon me!
When, with my foot on heaven's stair,
Hell hurled me down the deeps of doom.
There lives no snake in nether fire
So merciless as waste desire;
No demon in hell's lurid gloom
As memory is half so dire.
There lives no snake in nether fire
So merciless as waste desire;
No demon in hell's lurid gloom
As memory is half so dire.
265
Our wedding-day had come and sped,
Through happy gold of summertide,
To eve: and now the night spread wide
Her cloak of purple round the bed
Where Love and I lay side by side.
Through happy gold of summertide,
To eve: and now the night spread wide
Her cloak of purple round the bed
Where Love and I lay side by side.
The lisp of lute-strings smitten soft,
Hymning the golden allegresse
Of wedded love, the silver stress
Of choral songs—that soar'd aloft
Till all the air was one caress
Hymning the golden allegresse
Of wedded love, the silver stress
Of choral songs—that soar'd aloft
Till all the air was one caress
Of silken sound—had died away.
A spell of silence held the night,
Broken of nothing save the light
Rustle of leaves and breeze at play
And drip of dews from heaven's height.
A spell of silence held the night,
Broken of nothing save the light
Rustle of leaves and breeze at play
And drip of dews from heaven's height.
The nightingale upon the tree
Did with her summer-sacring note
Hallow our happiness. By rote
All that Love knows of sweet did she
Pour hourlong from her honey'd throat.
Did with her summer-sacring note
Hallow our happiness. By rote
All that Love knows of sweet did she
Pour hourlong from her honey'd throat.
The kisses of the summer air,
Laden with spiceries of Ind,
Came floating on the flower-breathed wind:
Through the wide casement, free and fair,
The summer night upon us shined.
Laden with spiceries of Ind,
Came floating on the flower-breathed wind:
Through the wide casement, free and fair,
The summer night upon us shined.
And in the perfect peace of sound,
The running ripples of the stream
Like harpings afar off did seem
To bear the bird-songs, as it wound
Along the meadows, all agleam
The running ripples of the stream
Like harpings afar off did seem
To bear the bird-songs, as it wound
Along the meadows, all agleam
266
With diamonds of the dreaming stars,
That glitter'd, jewell'd in the blue
Of that sweet night of summer new:
There look'd no light from heaven's bars,
Save their soft cressets flickering through.
That glitter'd, jewell'd in the blue
Of that sweet night of summer new:
There look'd no light from heaven's bars,
Save their soft cressets flickering through.
The passion of the first delight
Of lives new-knit had swoon'd away,
And languid with Love's passion-play,
Deep in a dream of life and light,
Asleep beside me Lautrec lay.
Of lives new-knit had swoon'd away,
And languid with Love's passion-play,
Deep in a dream of life and light,
Asleep beside me Lautrec lay.
But I, for rapture of new bliss,
Cared not to sink into the deep
Delicious lap of that sweet sleep
That follows Love, lest I should miss
Some ecstasy or leave to reap
Cared not to sink into the deep
Delicious lap of that sweet sleep
That follows Love, lest I should miss
Some ecstasy or leave to reap
Some delicate delights of thought,
That spring like flower-flakes of the May
From Love fulfilled and fade away,
As blossoms of the sea-foam wrought,
That melt into the sunny spray.
That spring like flower-flakes of the May
From Love fulfilled and fade away,
As blossoms of the sea-foam wrought,
That melt into the sunny spray.
My eyes stir'd not from Lautrec's face,
That lay upturn'd toward mine own,
As 'twere some sculptured saint of stone.
With memories of the last embrace
His rose-red mouth and forehead shone.
That lay upturn'd toward mine own,
As 'twere some sculptured saint of stone.
With memories of the last embrace
His rose-red mouth and forehead shone.
How fair he seem'd to me! So fair,
As I bent over him and fed
My thirsty sight on him, the dread
Of some vague misery somewhere,
Envying our fortune, in my head
As I bent over him and fed
My thirsty sight on him, the dread
Of some vague misery somewhere,
Envying our fortune, in my head
267
Rose like the tremulous faint fear,
That in full tide of August sun
Across the scented air doth run,
Foreboding thunders drawing near
And levins ere the day be done.
That in full tide of August sun
Across the scented air doth run,
Foreboding thunders drawing near
And levins ere the day be done.
And more especially my sight
Sate on the glory of his throat:
With fondling fingers did I note
The part where it was left milkwhite
And that whereon the full sun smote
Sate on the glory of his throat:
With fondling fingers did I note
The part where it was left milkwhite
And that whereon the full sun smote
And burnt its pallor golden brown.
Then, as my toying hand withdrew
The coverlet of gold and blue
From off his breast and creeping down,
Did nestle in his bosom true,
Then, as my toying hand withdrew
The coverlet of gold and blue
From off his breast and creeping down,
Did nestle in his bosom true,
I saw—whereas the royal line
Of his fair throat met with the snow
Of the broad breast and curving slow,
Blended—a crescent purpurine,
That on the milky flesh did glow,
Of his fair throat met with the snow
Of the broad breast and curving slow,
Blended—a crescent purpurine,
That on the milky flesh did glow,
Like angry birth of harvest moon:
'Twas where some cruel sword had let
Well nigh the life out. But I set
My lips unto it, half a-swoon
For thinking of the cruel fret
'Twas where some cruel sword had let
Well nigh the life out. But I set
My lips unto it, half a-swoon
For thinking of the cruel fret
Of pain that there had throbb'd whilere.
And as I kiss'd the scarce heal'd scar,
A dim foreboding, faint and far,
Rose through my rapture, seeing there
The image of the midnight star.
And as I kiss'd the scarce heal'd scar,
A dim foreboding, faint and far,
Rose through my rapture, seeing there
The image of the midnight star.
268
A presage faint and far it was:
For no remembrance woke in me
Of that long blank of agony:
But vague thoughts over me did pass
Of doom, as on some summer sea
For no remembrance woke in me
Of that long blank of agony:
But vague thoughts over me did pass
Of doom, as on some summer sea
A swell of distant tempest heaves,
Whilst yet the azure of the sky
Shines fleckless and the sea-flowers lie
Slumbering within their folded leaves;
And yet afar the storm draws nigh.
Whilst yet the azure of the sky
Shines fleckless and the sea-flowers lie
Slumbering within their folded leaves;
And yet afar the storm draws nigh.
The omens grew; and as I lay,
Meseem'd a change took everything:
The nightingale had ceased to sing;
The face of night grew cold and grey
And many a night-bird on shrill wing
Meseem'd a change took everything:
The nightingale had ceased to sing;
The face of night grew cold and grey
And many a night-bird on shrill wing
Swept past the casement, with strange cries
That froze the heart in me for fear.
Across the heavens blue and clear
A veil of mist-wreaths seem'd to rise
And blot the stars with darkness sheer.
That froze the heart in me for fear.
Across the heavens blue and clear
A veil of mist-wreaths seem'd to rise
And blot the stars with darkness sheer.
'Twas as the weaving, still and slow,
But sure as death, of some dire spell,
That over heaven and earth should swell
And gather, till all things below
Should grovel in the grasp of Hell.
But sure as death, of some dire spell,
That over heaven and earth should swell
And gather, till all things below
Should grovel in the grasp of Hell.
The spell wax'd aye; and suddenly,
Across my stupor, I was ware
Of some new horror in the air;
The dusk was sunder'd and a sea
Of light pour'd through it everywhere.
Across my stupor, I was ware
Of some new horror in the air;
The dusk was sunder'd and a sea
Of light pour'd through it everywhere.
269
A ghastly mimicry of noon
Flooded the sky: and full in sight,
As 'twere a shield of blood-red light,
The lurid visage of the moon
Leapt out into the affrighted night.
Flooded the sky: and full in sight,
As 'twere a shield of blood-red light,
The lurid visage of the moon
Leapt out into the affrighted night.
A shriek of horror in my throat
Rose; but no sound to my lips came.
I strove to hide me from the flame
Of the curst star, that seem'd to gloat
Upon the prey it came to claim.
Rose; but no sound to my lips came.
I strove to hide me from the flame
Of the curst star, that seem'd to gloat
Upon the prey it came to claim.
But on my hands a weight of lead
Press'd and my limbs refused to stir.
Then, one by one, athwart the air,
The moon put forth her hands of dread,
Snake-like, and bound me fast to her.
Press'd and my limbs refused to stir.
Then, one by one, athwart the air,
The moon put forth her hands of dread,
Snake-like, and bound me fast to her.
A flood of fire blasted my brain:
Unceasingly the fiery dew
Of that stern spell rush'd ravening through
Conduit and artery and vein,
Till once again in me there grew
Unceasingly the fiery dew
Of that stern spell rush'd ravening through
Conduit and artery and vein,
Till once again in me there grew
An awful birth of doom, that drove
Thought from me of all things that were
And all life has of pure and fair,
Effaced all memories of Love,
Hope and compassion and despair,
Thought from me of all things that were
And all life has of pure and fair,
Effaced all memories of Love,
Hope and compassion and despair,
And fill'd me with a ghastly glee,
A fierce and fiendish gladsomeness,
That, in the hideous caress
Of the moon waxing momently,
Swell'd up to madness. Then the stress
A fierce and fiendish gladsomeness,
That, in the hideous caress
Of the moon waxing momently,
Swell'd up to madness. Then the stress
270
Of that hell's hunger I had known
First in the chapel through my brain
Struck like a levin. Once again
I saw the kirkyard corpse-bestrown,
With red blood running from each vein:
First in the chapel through my brain
Struck like a levin. Once again
I saw the kirkyard corpse-bestrown,
With red blood running from each vein:
And with the vision, my desire
Soar'd into fury of foul lust
For blood, it seem'd as if I must
Assuage, although into hell-fire
For ever after I were thrust.
Soar'd into fury of foul lust
For blood, it seem'd as if I must
Assuage, although into hell-fire
For ever after I were thrust.
The thought of love was burnt away
By that foul passion and forgot.
Fiercelier and faster the moon shot
Upon me ray on lurid ray,
Until (but how meknoweth not),
By that foul passion and forgot.
Fiercelier and faster the moon shot
Upon me ray on lurid ray,
Until (but how meknoweth not),
All suddenly, my parch'd lips clave
To Lautrec's throat and in the scar,
That did its fair perfection mar,
So fiercely delved, that like a wave
The bright blood spouted, fast and far,
To Lautrec's throat and in the scar,
That did its fair perfection mar,
So fiercely delved, that like a wave
The bright blood spouted, fast and far,
An arch of crimson.—Still he slept;
For over all the night were strewn
The curst enchantments of the moon:
And as the hot blood through me swept,
My sense shook off its leaden swoon
For over all the night were strewn
The curst enchantments of the moon:
And as the hot blood through me swept,
My sense shook off its leaden swoon
And with parch'd throat I drank my fill
Of that fell stream. Then, as I stay'd
My awful hunger, undismay'd,
There rose within me higher still
That horrid gladness and there play'd
Of that fell stream. Then, as I stay'd
My awful hunger, undismay'd,
There rose within me higher still
That horrid gladness and there play'd
271
Full streams of fire through every vein.
The darkling majesty of Hell
Within my breast did surge and swell:
The infernal rapture brimm'd my brain
With ecstasy ineffable.
The darkling majesty of Hell
Within my breast did surge and swell:
The infernal rapture brimm'd my brain
With ecstasy ineffable.
Each limb and nerve seem'd born anew
And every separate faculty
Retemper'd in that fiery sea:
In baptism of blood there grew
Another heart and soul in me:
And every separate faculty
Retemper'd in that fiery sea:
In baptism of blood there grew
Another heart and soul in me:
The heart and spirit of a fiend,
That in all things which live and are
Seeks but God's handiwork to mar.
At dugs of death my soul was yean'd
Anew, beneath the midnight star.
That in all things which live and are
Seeks but God's handiwork to mar.
At dugs of death my soul was yean'd
Anew, beneath the midnight star.
I trod in thought the flaming shore
Of that unfathomable sea,
Wherein both damn'd and demons be;
Stood, crown'd with fire, upon Hell's floor
And strain'd exultant eyes to see
Of that unfathomable sea,
Wherein both damn'd and demons be;
Stood, crown'd with fire, upon Hell's floor
And strain'd exultant eyes to see
The damn'd folk writhing in the gloom;
Whilst, all around me, from the throng
Arose the immeasurable song
Of fiends exulting in their doom,
With hideous hymnings, loud and long.
Whilst, all around me, from the throng
Arose the immeasurable song
Of fiends exulting in their doom,
With hideous hymnings, loud and long.
Still the moon glared on me; and still,
O'ermastered of the fatal ray,
With lips that drain'd his life away,
Of Lautrec's blood I drank my fill;
And still immovable he lay.
O'ermastered of the fatal ray,
With lips that drain'd his life away,
Of Lautrec's blood I drank my fill;
And still immovable he lay.
272
But life ebb'd fast from him the while:
His face put on a livid hue
And the moon, falling on him, drew
His features to a seeming smile,
Dreadful with death that pierced it through.
His face put on a livid hue
And the moon, falling on him, drew
His features to a seeming smile,
Dreadful with death that pierced it through.
Yet I at that unholy feast
Lay, with tranced sense that heeded not
The ghastly tremors which denote
Death's drawing nigh, — till the moon ceased
And faded from me, mote by mote.
Lay, with tranced sense that heeded not
The ghastly tremors which denote
Death's drawing nigh, — till the moon ceased
And faded from me, mote by mote.
The vanward banners of the dawn
Dappled the Eastward. In the sky
A thin grey line of light grew high;
And gradually all the dark was drawn
Together, as the stars did die
Dappled the Eastward. In the sky
A thin grey line of light grew high;
And gradually all the dark was drawn
Together, as the stars did die
And night left heaven to the day.
Then, as on me the earliest stroke
Of sun athwart the casement broke,
The hellish sorcery drew away
From off my spirit and I woke
Then, as on me the earliest stroke
Of sun athwart the casement broke,
The hellish sorcery drew away
From off my spirit and I woke
Unto my doom: and as my sight
Drank in that scene of death and dread
And the corpse lying on the bed,
Life faded out from me forthright
And dead I lay by Lautrec dead.
Drank in that scene of death and dread
And the corpse lying on the bed,
Life faded out from me forthright
And dead I lay by Lautrec dead.
No more I knew, until the moon
Roused me once more within the bier.
Since then, each night, when she shines clear,
My body from the chill corpse-swoon
Startles and in the moonlight sheer,
Roused me once more within the bier.
Since then, each night, when she shines clear,
My body from the chill corpse-swoon
Startles and in the moonlight sheer,
273
Across the sleeping earth I go,
Seeking anew to sate my thirst
Upon fresh victims, as at first:
So, till the Judgment-trumpets blow,
To roam the night I am accurst.
Seeking anew to sate my thirst
Upon fresh victims, as at first:
So, till the Judgment-trumpets blow,
To roam the night I am accurst.
But lo! the shimmer in the sky!
She comes, the Queen of night and hell!
The grave-grip looses me; the spell
Of death is slackening. Full and high
She grows. Ah, there her first rays fell
She comes, the Queen of night and hell!
The grave-grip looses me; the spell
Of death is slackening. Full and high
She grows. Ah, there her first rays fell
Across the painted window-pane!
And see, her stern face surges slow
And fills the chapel with its glow:
Onward it creeps, onward amain,
Till on my tomb its full tides flow.
And see, her stern face surges slow
And fills the chapel with its glow:
Onward it creeps, onward amain,
Till on my tomb its full tides flow.
Ah, there at last full on mine eyes
The thaumaturgic splendours shone,
Across the crannies of the stone!
All hail, my mistress! I arise
And in my grave-clothes stand alone.
The thaumaturgic splendours shone,
Across the crannies of the stone!
All hail, my mistress! I arise
And in my grave-clothes stand alone.
Then, as the white hermetic fire
Streams in my veins, portal and wall
Before my rushing footsteps fall
And ravening with red desire,
I scatter death in hut and hall.
Streams in my veins, portal and wall
Before my rushing footsteps fall
And ravening with red desire,
I scatter death in hut and hall.
| The Poetical Works of John Payne | |