THE HOLY VIRGIN IN h.e.l.l

The chariot moves, drawn by wings Of Cherub Spirits, on!

In h.e.l.l, the Holy Virgin gleams!

"Mercy, O sunlike Lady!"

The d.a.m.ned cry and beat their b.r.e.a.s.t.s Amidst the flames that burn, Fed by the great abyss. Among them, A sudden proud complaint Is heard: "A worshipper was I Of the great Sun; was this A cause for night to fetter me?

Tell me, O sunlike Lady!

The light of life I sucked, did that Become the h.e.l.l's embrace And Satan's kiss for me?"

SUNRISE

The white swans gently drag their boats Of ivory; bright beams Glimmer as through a veil of agate; And coral-wrought, the crowns Shine on fair locks like amber gleaming.

A pearl lake dreamlike lives With water lilies studded.

Azure-browed Fairies revelling Quaff wine of honey gold; And mighty riders steal away With brides thrice-beautiful.

But thou, an archer mightier, Risest unmaking all The mult.i.tudes of binding charms With the one charm of light, O G.o.d of wing-sped chariot!

DOUBLE SONG

The lithesome maiden stood thrice-fair, Her eyes like gems agleam!

"I pour the crimson wine of love In empty cups of gold!"

--"Maiden, I am the nestless bird; Flowery boughs bar not My way. Bound for bright suns magnetic, I sail through darkness blind.

Seer am I and worshipper Of all that is and lives!

I am the harp of thousand strings Of countless sounds!"

--"Thou blind!

Seest thou not within mine eyes The magnetism and glory Of all the suns?"

THE SUN-BORN

On great Olympus, a feast of joy!

The G.o.ds divide the earth; The light-bestower is away; Forgotten he will be.

And the light-giver came and nodded To the blue sea; and lo, The sea was rent with fruitful heave!

And the Sun's island rose With a thousand beauties crowned; And makers lived upon the island, Beings above all men; And they made statues masterful, All beautiful like G.o.ds And living as immortals live!

ON THE HEIGHTS OF PARADISE

The little house I built for thee To dwell therein, enchanter, Even that--to my care-bent grief-- Becomes a heavy grave.

Yet, little soul of lily whiteness, Spare me thy sad complaint; For on the heights of paradise, I wander longing and I search. I search and wait for it.

And on the crossroads wide Of the suns, I shall find a house Snow-white that even eagles High-flying never face; a house That Visions great alone May touch. Therein I shall enthrone thee!

THE STRANGER

When first the vaulting palm-leaves spread Their shelter over thee, The golden Cyclads danced about With merry shouts and laughter.

But now,--O nakedness of plains And mountains! Withering Of green leaves everywhere! Thorns suck The green blood of the vines!

No April looked on thee again; And on the desert land, The wars of elements and beasts Rage furious. But thee The snow-white swans bring back no more; Thou art for ever guest At the Hyperboreans' feast.

AN ORPHIC HYMN

Far from the footpaths of the thoughtless, An Orphic priest and bard, I bring to light again a hymn Of a thrice-ancient cult.

For until now my thought flowed on, A river under earth.

Amidst men's tumult my lyre's rhythm, A sudden wonder rose.

At night I start, at night I climb The mountain difficult; I wish alone and first to greet Light Apollonian While among mortal men below Darkness and sleep shall reign.

THE POET

Sun made the lily white, The glory of the flowery earth; Sun made the swan, which is The lily of a life white-winged; The eagle, whom he lures Spell-bound to his great heights, And the gold shimmer of the moon, The lovers' loving comrade.

And then he dreamed a creature fuller Of lilies, eagles, swans, and shimmers, And made the poet. He Alone beholds thee face to face, O G.o.d; and he alone, Reaching into thy heart, reveals To us thy mysteries.

KRISHNA'S WORDS

I am the light within the sun, The flush within the fire; And on the page of the sacred book, I am the mystic word.

The men of mighty deeds call me Glory; the wise men, wisdom.

Of things existing and of truth, I am the fountain head!

I am the life of all that is!

Beings and pearls are bound Together with one thread; and that, Is I! Maya alone, The sorceress, behind me follows Beguiling me. But I Battle with her to victory!