And buried too, himself gorged to the full,

He slept with breath oppressed and unstrung claw.

Oh marvel passing strange which next I saw :

In sleep he dwindled to the common size,

And all the empire faded from his coat.
Then from far off a wingèd vessel came,

Swift as a swallow, subtle as a flame:

I know not what it bore of freight or host,
But white it was as an avenging ghost.

It levelled strong Euphrates in its course;
Supreme yet weightless as an idle mote

It seemed to tame the waters without force
Till not a murmur swelled or billow beat:

Lo, as the purple shadow swept the sands,
The prudent crocodile rose on his feet
And shed appropriate tears and wrung his hands.

What can it mean? you ask. I answer not For meaning, but myself must echo, What?

And tell it as I saw it on the spot.

SONG.

Oh roses for the flush of youth,

And laurel for the perfect prime;

But pluck an ivy branch for me

Grown old before my time.

Oh violets for the grave of youth,

And bay for those dead in their prime;

Give me the withered leaves I chose

Before in the old time.

F

GHOST.

Come with me, fair and false,

To our home, come home.

It is my voice that calls:

Once thou wast not afraid

When I woo'd, and said,

'Come, our nest is newly made '—

Now cross the tossing foam.

bride.

Hold me one moment longer,

He taunts me with the past,

His clutch is waxing stronger,

Hold me fast, hold me fast.

He draws me from thy heart,

And I cannot withhold:

He bids my spirit depart

With him into the cold:—

Oh bitter vows of old!

BRIDEGROOM.

Lean on me, hide thine eyes:

Only ourselves, earth and skies,

Are present here: be wise.

ghost.

Lean on me, come away,

I will guide and steady:

Come, for I will not stay:

Come, for house and bed are ready.

Ah, sure bed and house,

For better and worse, for life and death:

Goal won with shortened breath:

Come, crown our vows.

bride.

One moment, one more word,

While my heart beats still,

While my breath is stirred

By my fainting will.