University of Virginia Library


105

XVI. A SUNSET

I watched a sunset,—and I noted down
The cosmic river of colours as they came.
First golden splendour: then clear crimson flame:
Then one pale-blue pure sky-spot like a crown.
But the wind saw me writing with a frown
And drove new clouds across the heavens so fast
That new tints shone before I seized the last,—
Green, lemon-colour, lilac, purple-brown.
Half in despair I flung my “notes” aside,
And owned the cosmic spirit's superb excess.—
So, lady, having for a long year tried
Thee to describe, I feel defeat no less.
The cosmic spirit has set more beauty in thee
Even than in sunsets over windy sea.