"Deepen, you dreams of the sleepers,

Veil you, O fire of the moon.

Darken, you silver of stars,

Sleep, for the gods come soon.

"Sleep, for the gods who sleep not

Pass on the midnight's breath;

Mystical, magical, secret,

Sleep, for to wake is death."

And after singing came the dance; the brown

Lithe women decked with bright fantastic hues

Wavered into the circle of the light.

Kneeling, they wove their spells. As gracious flowers

Swayed by the winds of evening, they were blown

By breezes of desire. The eye was filled

With luxury of soft motion and the sound

Of soft monotonous chanting charmed the ear.

41

Then in their midst came Taka, and she stood,

Waiting the signal. Slow she raised her arms,

Slow as tho' ages hung upon her hands

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