A gentle sadness best becomes
The features of the perfect Muse:
The shock of laughter but benumbs
The lips that crave immortal dews.
...
Tho Fate, for quiet prayer, might grant me all,
Little I ask beside the lasting grace
And benediction of thy dear embrace —
...
Like some regret that, half-forgot,
Gropes into memory,
Here in a shadow-chosen spot
Thy music steals to me.
...
When I contemplate this mine urgent race
And see what paths its tireless feet have worn,
In silence and essential night forlorn,
...
Soon come the winter days, when white Altair
Spreads wings above the sunset. Soon the snow,
A fleeting seed the twilight heavens sow,
...
Tell me, O Night! what horses hale the moon!
Those of the sun rear now on Syria's day,
But here the steeds of Artemis delay
...
I saw the Lesbian Sappho bowed in light
Before the sapphire altar of the sea—
Song-swept, a lyre on which in threnody
...
Beyond the purple bay
The drowsy winds awaken to delay.
Spring, a world-spirit, dips
In pure turquoise her lips
...
No cloud is on the heavens, and on the sea
No sail: the immortal, solemn ocean lies
Unbroken sapphire to the walling skies-
...
Without, the battlements of sunset shine,
'Mid domes the sea-winds rear and overwhelm.
Into a crystal cup the dusky wine
I pour, and, musing at so rich a shrine,
...