279. Sibylline

THERE is a glory in the apple boughs

Of silver moonlight; like a torch of myrrh,

Burning upon an altar of sweet vows,

Dropped from the hand of some wan worshipper:

And there is life among the apple blooms

Of whisp’ring winds; as if a god addressed

The flamen from the sanctuary glooms

With secrets of the bourne that hope hath guessed,

Saying: ‘Behold! a darkness which illumes,

A waking which is rest.’

There is a blackness in the apple trees

Of tempest; like the ashes of an urn

Hurt hands have gathered upon blistered knees,

With salt of tears, out of the flames that burn:

And there is death among the blooms, that fill

The night with breathless scent,—as when, above

The priest, the vision of his faith doth will

Forth from his soul the beautiful form thereof,—

Saying: ‘Behold! a silence never still;

The other form of love.’