Life of Life
LIFE of Life! thy lips enkindleWith their love the breath between them;And thy smiles before they dwindleMake the cold air fire; then screen themIn those looks, where whoso gazesFaints, entangled in their mazes.
Child of Light! thy limbs are burningThro’ the vest which seeks to hide them;As the radiant lines of morningThro’ the clouds ere they divide them;And this atmosphere divinestShrouds thee wheresoe’er thou shinest.
Fair are others; none beholds thee,But thy voice sounds low and tenderLike the fairest, for it folds theeFrom the sight, that liquid splendour,And all feel, yet see thee never,As I feel now, lost for ever!
Lamp of Earth! where’er thou movestIts dim shapes are clad with brightness,And the souls of whom thou lovestWalk upon the winds with lightness,Till they fail, as I am failing,Dizzy, lost, yet unbewailing!