[39]

and into that noon-heat

grown drab and stale,

suddenly wind and thunder and swift rain,

till the scarlet flower is wrecked

in the slash of the white hail.

The poppy that my heart was,

formed to blind all mortals,

made to strike and gather hearts

like flame upon an altar,

fades and shrinks, a red leaf

drenched and torn in the cold rain.

[40]

[40]

SHE CONTRASTS WITH HERSELF HIPPOLYTA

Can flame beget white steel—

ah no, it could not take

within my reins its shelter;

steel must seek steel,

or hate make out of joy

 Prev. P 58/71 next