A mystic world mantled in white simarre Arachne-spun with argent woof; her wede Starred with strange crystals wrought from frozen spar, Sprent with pearl frost-flowers; girt with diamond brede, Rubied with berries red as drops of blood, Befringed with gelid, many-irised gems; Broidered with lace weft of an elfin brood— Hoar filagree to deck her garment hems. Sheer slanting down the sky an opal light Pierces the snow-blur's veil of wannish gray, With amethystine, gold or beryl ray. Along the West the transient sunset gleam— An ardor brief! Crimson on crimson grows Till all the waning sky, incarnadine, Glows like blown petals of a shattered rose. |