Cast on sleep there came to me Three Urgandas; and the sea In lost lands of Briogne Sounded moaning, moaning:
Cloudy clad in awful white; And each face a lucid light Rayed and blossomed out of night,— And a wind was groaning.
In my sleep I saw them rest, Each a long hand at her breast, A soft flame that lulls the West;— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Hair like hoarded ingots rolled Down white shoulders glossy gold, Streaks of molten moonlight cold,— And a wind was groaning.
Rosy‘ round each high brow bent Four-fold starry gold that sent Barbs of fire redolent;— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
‘ Neath their burning crowns their eyes Burned like southern stars the skies Rock in shattered storm that flies,— And a wind was groaning.
Wisdom's eyes of lurid dark; And each red mouth like a spark Flashed and laughed off care and cark,— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Mouths for song and lips to kiss; Lips for hate and mouths to hiss; Lips that fashioned hell or bliss,— And the wind was groaning.
Tall as stately virgins dead, Tapers lit at feet and head, ‘ Round whom Latin prayers are said,— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Or as vampire women, who, Buried beauties, rise and woo Youths whose blood they suck like dew,— And a wind was groaning.
Then the west one said to me: “Thou hast slept thus holily While seven sands ran secretly.” — And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
“Earth hath served thee like a slave, Serving us who found thee brave, Fearless of or life or grave.” — And a wind was groaning.
“Know!” — she smote my brow; a pain, Riddling arrows, rent my brain, Ceased and earth fell, some vast strain;— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Then I understood all thought; What was life the spirit fraught; Love and hate; how worlds were wrought:— And a wind was groaning.
Then the east one said to me: “Thou hast wandered wearily By what mist-enveloped sea!” — And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
“Know the things thou hast not seen; Life and law, and love and teen; Things that be and have not been.” — And the wind was groaning.
“See!” her voice sung like a lyre Throbs of thunderous desire; Then the iron sight like fire — And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Burst; the inner eyelids, which Husked clairvoyance, with a twitch Rose — and I with light was rich;— And a wind was groaning.
Then I saw the eyes of Sleep; Nerves of Life and veins that leap; Laws of entity; the deep:— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
Orbs and eons; springs of Power; Circumstance — blown like a flower;— Time — the second of an hour:— And the wind was groaning.
To the central third one's full Balanced being beautiful Heart, to hearken, made a lull,— And the sea was moaning, moaning;—
As she sternly stooped to me: “Thou dost know and thou canst see; What thou art arise and be!” — And the wind was groaning.
To my mouth hot lips she pressed; And my famished soul, thrice blessed, Quaffed her radiance and caressed:— And vague seas were moaning, moaning:—
Mounted; star-vibrating fled; Soared to love, with her who said: “Thou dost live and thou art dead.” — Far off winds were groaning.
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