Enamels and Cameos and Other Poems

On an ancient temple gleaming, Two great blocks of marble high Thrice a thousand years lay dreaming Dreams against an Attic sky.


Set within one silver whiteness, Two wave-tears for Venus shed, Two fair pearls of orient brightness, Through the waste of water sped.


In the Generalife's fresh closes, By a Moorish light illumed, Two delicious, tender roses By a fountain met and bloomed.


In the balm of May's bright weather, Where the domes of Venice rise, Lighted on Love's nest together Two pale doves from azure skies.


All things vanish into wonder, Marble, pearl, dove, rose on tree, Pearl shall melt and marble sunder, Flower shall fade and bird shall flee!


Not a smallest part but lowly Through the crucible must pass, Where all shapes are molten slowly In the universal mass.


Then as gradual Time discloses Marbles melt to whitest skin, Roses red to lips of roses, And anew the lives begin.


And again the doves are plighted In the hearts of lovers, while Ocean pearls are reunited, Set within a coral smile.


Thus affinity comes welling; By its beauty everywhere Soul a sister-soul foretelling, All awakened and aware.


Quickened by a zephyr sunny, Or a perfume, subtlewise, As the bee unto the honey, Atom unto atom flies.