第25章

’Twastheseasonwhenwintertide，Inthehigherrock-hollowsupdrawn，Leavesmeadowstobud，andhespied，Bylightthrowingshallowshade，Betweenthebeamandthegloom，SicilianEnna，whoseMaidSuchaspectwearsinherbloomUnderneathsincetheCharioteerOfDarknesswhirledheraway，Onareapedafternoonoftheyear，Nighthepoppy-droopofDay。

Oandnakedofher，alldust，ThemajesticMotherandNurse，RingingcriestotheGod，theJust，Curledthelandwiththeblightofhercurse：

RecollectedofthisgladisleStillquaking。Butnowmorefair，AndmomentlyfrayingthewhileTheveiloftheshadowsthere，SoftEnnathatprostrategriefSangthrough，andrevealedroundthenes，Bronze-orange，thecrispyoungleaf，Thewheat-bladestrippinginlines，AhueunilluminedbysunOftheflowersfloodinggrassasfromfounts：

AllthepenetrabledunOfthemornereshemounts。

NorhadsaffronandsapphireandredWavedalofttotheirsistersbelow，Whengapedbytherock-channelheadOfthelake，black，acaveatoneblow，Reverberantovertheplain：

AsoundoftfearfullyswungForthecomingofwrathfulrain：

Andforth，likethedragon-tongueOfafirebeatenflatbythegale，Butmoreasthesmoketobehold，Achariotburst。ThenawailQueredhighofthelovethatwouldfoldBlissimmeasurable，biggerthanheart，ThoughaGod’s：andthewheelswerestayed，AndtheteamofthechariotswartRearedinmarble，thes，dismayed，LikehoofsthatbynightplashingseaCurveandrampfromthevastswan-wave：

For，lo，theGreatMother，She!

AndCallistesgazed，hegaveHiseyeballsuptothesight：

TheembraceoftheTwain，ofwhomTomenaretheirday，theirnight，Mellowfruitsandtheshearingtomb：

OurLadyoftheSheavesAndtheLilyofHades，theSweetOfEnna：hesawthroughleavesTheMotherandDaughtermeet。

Theystoodbythechariot-wheel，Embraced，verytall，mostlikeFellowpoplars，wind-taken，thatreelDowntheirsheringcolumnsandstrikeHeadtohead，crossingthroats：andapart，Forthefeastofthelook，theydrew，WhichDarknessnolongercouldthwart；

Andtheybroketogetheranew，Exultingtotears，flowerandbud。

ButthemateoftheRaylesswasgrave：

ShesmiledlikeSleeponitsflood，Thatwashesofallwecrave：

LikethetranceofeyesawakeAndthespiritenshrouded，shecastThewanunderworldonthelake。

Theywereso，andtheypassed。

Hetellsit，whoknewthelawUponmortals：hestoodaleDeclaringthatthishesaw：

Hecouldsee，andsurve。

NowtheyouthwasnotwareofthebeamsWiththegrassesintertwined，Foreachthingseen，asindreams，Camesteppingtorearthroughhismind，TillitstruckhisrememberedprayerTobewitnessofthiswhichhadflownLikeasmokemeltedthinnerthanair，Thatthevacancydothdisown。

Andewingamaiden，hethoughtItmightnowbemorn，andafarWithinhimthememorywroughtOfasomethingthatslippedfromthecarWhenthose，theaugust，movedby：

Perchanceascarf，andperchanceThismaiden。Shedidnotfly，Norstartedathisadvance：

Shelooked，aswheninfinitethirstPantspausingtoblessthesprings，Refreshed，unsated。ThenfirstHetrembledwithaweofthethingsHehadseen；andhedidtransfer，Dininganddoubtinginturn，Hisreverenceuntoher；

Noraskedwhathecrouchedtolearn：

Thewhenceofher，whither，andwhyHerpresencethere，andhername，Herparentage：underwhichskyHerbirth，andhowhithershecame，Soyoung，argin，alone，Unfriended，hangnofear，AsOreadshave；nomoan，Likethelostuponearth；notear；

Notasignofthetorchintheblood，ThoughherstaturehadreachedtheheightWhenmantlesatenderrudInmaidsthatofyouthshavesight，Ifmaidsofourseedtheybe：

Forhesaid：Agladsionartthou!

Andsheansweredhim：Thoutome!

Asmenutteravow。

Thensaidshe，quickasthecriesOftherainycranes：Light!light!

AndHeliosroseinhereyes，Thatwerefullasthedew-ballsbright，RelucenttohimasdewsUnshaded。Breathing，shesentHervoicetotheGodoftheMuse，Andalongthevaleit