Seumas O’Sullivan

SPLENDID and terrible your love.

The searing pinions of its flight

Flamed but a moment’s space above

The place where ancient memories keep

Their quiet; and the dreaming deep

Moved inly with a troubled light,

And that old passion woke and stirred

Out of its sleep.

Splendid and terrible your love.

I hold it to me like a flame;

I hold it like a flame above

The empty anguish of my breast.

There let it stay, there let it rest—

Deep in the heart whereto it came

Of old as some wind-wearied bird

Drops to its nest.