Oh, who am I who tower beside this goddess of the twilight air?

The burning doves fly from my heart and melt within her bosom there.

I know the sacrifice of old they offered to the mighty queen,

And this adoring love has brought us back the beauty that has been.

As to her worshippers she came descending from her glowing skies

So Aphrodite I have seen with shining eyes look through your eyes:

One gleam of the ancestral face which lighted up the dawn for me:

[15]

One fiery visitation of the love the gods desire in thee!

ILLUSION

What is the love of shadowy lips

That know not what they seek or press,

From whom the lure for ever slips

And fails their phantom tenderness?

The mystery and light of eyes

That near to mine grow dim and cold;

They move afar in ancient skies

Mid flame and mystic darkness rolled.

O, beauty, as thy heart o'erflows

In tender yielding unto me,

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