Ebony and Crystal/Eidolon

by Clark Ashton Smith

EIDOLON

Chryselephantine, clear as carven flame,Before my gaze, thy soul's eidolon stands,As on the threshold of the frozen landsA frozen sun forevermore the same.

All passion that the passive marbles makeImperishable in their shining sleep,Is thine; and all the wan despairs that weepWith tears of ice and crystal, cannot break

The heart, which, like a ruby white and rare,In thy deep breast impenetrably gleams.***More beautiful than any sphynx, and fair

As Aphrodite dead, thine image seems—Guarding forever, in its golden eyes,The treasure of intagliate memories.