The moon has risen from her cloudy bed,

And soared serenely into cloudless blue,

White as a lily in a haze of dew,

Pale lady, to the Summer Darkness wed—

She leaves her nuptial couch, by breezes spread,

And seeks her virgin solitude anew;

While all the being of the Dark thrills through

With memories, the while her stately head

She lifts above him to the purer height,

Nor heeds the restless anguish of desire

With which he seeks to turn to living fire

The icy splendour of her luring light.

She drifts, and smiles into his ardent eyes,

With cold disdain, and smiling still denies.