Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/81

 When the old night’s womb is great With young stars passionate And fair new planets fiery-fresh from birth; And moon-white here, there hot like Mars, Souls that are worlds shine on thee, spirits that are stars.

Till the whole sky burns through With heaven’s own heart-deep hue, With passion-coloured glories of lit souls; And thine above all names Writ highest with lettering flames Lightens, and all the old starriest aureoles And all the old holiest memories wane, And the old names of love’s chosen, found in thy sight vain.

And crowned heads are discrowned, And stars sink without sound, And love’s self for thy love’s sake waxes pale Seeing from his storied skies In what new reverent wise Thee Rome’s most highest, her sovereign daughters, hail; Thee Portia, thee Veturia grey, Thee Arria, thee Cornelia, Roman more than they.