Black and abrupt, over the swimming dimness

Of coloured mist, and under the moving clouds,

Themselves appeared to move, stately and slow

As the moon moves, with an invisible pace,

Or darkling planets, quietly onward steal

Through their immense dominion.

There, far down,

A phantom sword, a search-beam of the sun,

Glanced upon purple pyramids, and set

One facet aflame in each, the rest in gloom;