Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/231

 And wailed as though he had found her done to death And this grey hour had built to bury her The hollow twilight for a sepulchre.

But in my soul I saw as in a glass A pale and living body full of grace There lying, and over it the prophet's face Fixed; and the face was not of Tiresias, For such a starry fire was in his eyes As though their light it was that made the skies.

Such eyes should God's have been when very love Looked forth of them and set the sun aflame, And such his lips that called the light by name And bade the morning forth at sound thereof; His face was sad and masterful as fate, And like a star's his look compassionate.

Like a star's gazed on of sad eyes so long It seems to yearn with pity, and all its fire As a man's heart to tremble with desire And heave as though the light would bring forth song; Yet from his face flashed lightning on the land, And like the thunder-bearer's was his hand.

The steepness of strange stairs had tired his feet, And his lips yet seemed sick of that salt bread