第39章

Reversed，eachheadateither’sflank，theystood。

WhereattheGoddess，inadimremorse，Laidhandonthem，andsmacked；andhertouchpricked。

Neighingwithin，ateither’sflanktheylicked；

Playedonamoment’sforceAtcourtship，witheringtothecrazynod。

Thenodwasthatwegatherforconsent；

Andmournfullyamidthegroupadame，Interpretingthethinginnaturemeant，Herhandsheldoutlikebearersoftheflame，Andnoddedforthenegatesideways。

KeenatherMistressglancedIambe：raysFromtheGreatMothercame：

Herlipswereopenedwide；thecursewasrent。

Shelaughed：sinceourfirstharvestingheardnoneLikethunderofthesongofheart：herface，Thedreadfuldarkness，shooktomountedsun，Andpealonpealacrossthehillsheldchase。

Shelaughedherselftowater；laughedtofire；

LaughedthetorrentiallaughofdamandsireFullofthemarrowyrace。

Herlaughter，Gods!wasfleshonskeleton。

Thevalleypeoplehuddled，broke，afraid，Assured，andtakinglightningintheveins，Theypuffed，theyleaped，linkedhands，togetherswayed，UnwittinghappinesstillgoldenrainsOftearsinlaughter，laughterweeping，smoteKnowledgeofmilkymercyfromthatthroatPouringtohealtheirpains：

Andoneboldyouthsetmouthatashymaid。

IambeclappedtoseethekindlylustsInspirethevalleypeople，stillonseas，Likepoplar-topsrelievedfromstressofgusts，Withraptureintheirwonderment；butthese，Lowhomagebeingrendered，rantoplough，Fedbythelaugh，asbythemothercowCalvesattheteatstheytease：

Soondrovetheythroughtheyieldingfurrow-crusts。

Uprosethebladeingreen，theleafinred，Thetreeofwaterandthetreeofwood：

AndsoonamongthebranchesoverheadGavebeautyjuicyissuesweetforfood。

OLaughter!beautyplumpedandlovehadbirth。

Laughter!OthoureverofsickEarth!

Goodforthespirit，goodForbody，thou!tobothartwineandbread!

Theshepherd，withhiseyeonhazySouth，Hastoldofrainuponthefallofday。

ButpromiseistherenoneforSusan’sdrouth，Thathewillcome，whokeepsindrydelay。

Thefreshestofthellagethreeyearsgone，Shehangsasthewhitefield-rosehangsshort-led；

AndsheandEarthareoneInwitheringunreved。

Rain!Othegladrefresherofthegrain!

Andwelcomewaterspouts，hadwesweetrain!

Ah，whatisMarriage，sayseachpoutingmaid，WhenshewhoweddedwiththesoldierhidesAthomeasgoodaswidowedintheshade，Alighthousetothegirlsthatwouldbebrides：

Nordarestogealadanogle，norTodreamofdancing，butmusthangandmoan，Herhusbandinthewar，Andshetoliealone。

Rain!Othegladrefresherofthegrain!

Andwelcomewaterspouts，hadwesweetrain!

Theyhavenotknown；theyarenotinthestream；

Lightastheflyingseed-ballistheirplay，Thesillymaids!andhappysoulstheyseem；

YetGriefwouldnotchangefateswithsuchasthey。

TheyhavenotstrucktherootswhichmeetthefiresBeneath，andbindusfastwithEarth，toknowThestrengthofherdesires，Thesternnessofherwoe。

Rain!Othegladrefresherofthegrain!

Andwelcomewaterspouts，hadwesweetrain!

Now，shepherd，seethyword，wherewithoutshowerAborderlesslowblottingWestwardspreads。

Thehall-clockholdsthevalleyo