The Three Hills, and Other Poems
Herself her mighty tale doth kill, That all things change yet nothing changes, That all things move yet all are still. I cannot sink, I cannot climb, Now that I see my ancient dwelling, The central orb untouched of time, And taste a peace all bliss excelling. Now I have broken Beauty's wall, Now that my kindred world I hold, I care not though the cities fall And the green earth go cold. THE THREE HILLS There were three hills that stood alone With woods about their feet. They dreamed quiet when the sun shone And whispered when the rain beat. They wore all three their coronals Till men with houses came And scored their heads with pits and walls And thought the hills were tame. Red and white when day shines bright They hide the green for miles, Where are the old hills gone? At night The moon looks down and smiles. She sees the captors small and weak, She knows the prisoners strong, She hears the patient hills that speak: "Brothers, it is not long;  "Brothers, we stood when they were not Ten thousand summers past. Brothers, when they are clean forgot We shall outlive the last;  "One shall die and one shall flee With terror in his train, And earth shall eat the stones, and we Shall be alone again."     A CHANT Gently the petals fall as the tree gently sways That has known many springs and many petals fall Year after year to strew the green deserted ways And the statue and the pond and the low, broken wall. Faded is the memory of old things done, Peace floats on the ruins of ancient festival; They lie and forget in the warmth of the sun, And a sky silver-blue arches over all. O softly, O tenderly, the heart now stirs With desires faint and formless; and, seeking not, I find Quiet thoughts that flash like azure king-fishers Across the luminous tranquil mirror of the mind. ARTEMIS ALTERA O full of candour and compassion, Whom love and worship both would praise, Love cannot frame nor worship fashion The image of your fearless ways! How show your noble brow's dark pallor, Your chivalrous casque of ebon hair, Your eyes' bright strength, your lips' soft valour, Your supple shoulders and hands that dare? Our souls when naïvely you examine, Your sword of innocence, flaming, huge, Sweeps over us, and there is famine Within the ports of subterfuge. You hate contempt and love not laughter; With your sharp spear of virgin will You harry the wicked strong; but after, O huntress who could never kill, Should they be trodden down or pierced, Swift, swift, you fly with burning cheek To place your beauty's shield reversed Above the vile defenceless weak! STARLIGHT Last night I lay in an open field And looked at the stars with lips sealed; No noise moved the windless air, And I looked at the stars with steady stare. There were some that 
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