Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
[Deirioessa Kadyx]Maurice Baring (18741945)
S
We thought she did not hear our happy strings;
Stars diadem’d her hair in misty rings,
And all too late we knew those stars were tears.
Without she was a temple of pure snow,
Within were piteous flames of sacrifice;
And underneath the dazzling mask of ice
A heart of swiftest fire was dying slow.
Stiff silver petals over secret gold,
Shielded her passion and remain’d afar
From pity. Cast red roses on the pyre!
She that was snow shall rise to Heaven as fire
In the still glory of the morning star.