Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/88

 The green-gray mists were gathering away In distant hollows underneath the sun Behind the round sea; and upon that day The work of all the world-making was done.

The world beheld, and hailed her, form and face; The ocean spray, the sunlight, the pure blue Of heaven beheld and wondered at her grace; And God looked out of heaven and wondered too.

And ere a man could see her with desire, Himself looked on her so, and loved her first, And came upon her in a mist, like fire, And of her beauty quenched his god-like thirst.

He touched her wholly with his naked soul, At once sufficing all the new-made sense For ever: so the Giver Himself stole The gift, and left indeed no recompense.

All lavishly at first He did entreat His leman; yea, the world of things create He rolled like any jewel at her feet, And of her changeful whim He made a fate.