The Goddess in the Wood



In a flowered dell the Lady Venus stood,
 Amazed with sorrow.  Down the morning one
 Far golden horn in the gold of trees and sun
Rang out; and held; and died. . . .  She thought the wood
Grew quieter.  Wing, and leaf, and pool of light
 Forgot to dance.  Dumb lay the unfalling stream;
 Life one eternal instant rose in dream
Clear out of time, poised on a golden height. . . .

Till a swift terror broke the abrupt hour.
The gold waves purled amidst the green above her;
 And a bird sang.  With one sharp-taken breath,
By sunlit branches and unshaken flower,
The immortal limbs flashed to the human lover,
 And the immortal eyes to look on death.