For we somehow were party to
The issue of their enterprise;
Confounded in their overthrow,
Triumphant in their victories.
The alternation of each flame
—Thinning here—swelling there—
Compell’d our souls into the same
Compass,—ampler or narrower.
We knew that when those luminous spires
Hung upwards, pacified, and tranc’d,
Pois’d betwixt all and no desires,
Beyond their accidents advanc’d,—
We, their adepts, might acquiesce:
The promised consummation
Would drown our wills in its excess,
And mingle both our souls in one.
When suddenly a permanence,
—A flutter of wings before rest—
Drew down to those flame-forms: our sense
Was steeped in it, folded, caress’d....
A casual devastating gust
(The jolt, the sickening recoil!)
Our universe in chaos thrust;
And, not content to spoil
Our husbanded endeavour, threw
A mocking, flickering light,
Devour’d by shadows, on us two:
The talk became more bright.
We entered into it with zest;
Question, reply; question, reply:
And lookers-on were much impressed
By our inane garrulity.