Page:Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems (IA tristramoflyonesswinrich).pdf/99

 Within the chamber, heavy-eyed: and there Gleamed the white hands and glowed the glimmering hair That might but move his memory more of one more fair, More fair than all this beauty: but in sooth So fair she too shone in her flower of youth That scarcely might man’s heart hold fast its truth, Though strong, who gazed upon her: for her eyes Were emerald-soft as evening-coloured skies, And a smile in them like the light therein Slept, or shone out in joy that knew not sin, Clear as a child’s own laughter: and her mouth, Albeit no rose full-hearted from the south And passion-coloured for the perfect kiss That signs the soul for love and stamps it his, Was soft and bright as any bud new-blown; And through her cheek the gentler lifebloom shone Of mild wild roses nigh the northward sea. So in her bride-bed lay the bride: and he Drew nigh, and all the high sad heart in him Yearned on her, seeing the twilight meek and dim Through all the soft alcove tremblingly lit With hovering silver, as a heart in it Beating, that burned from one deep lamp above, Fainter than fire of torches, as the love Within him fainter than a bridegroom’s fire, No marriage-torch red with the heart’s desire, But silver-soft, a flameless light that glowed Starlike along night’s dark and starry road