Poems (Taylor)/The Daughter of Herodias
THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS
The Daughter of Herodias, She danced before the king:That rain of ecstasy she wasWhose silver and fantastic feet Flash down the ways of Spring.
The Daughter of Herodias, Magician loveliest!What music clave unto her,—asA star within her love-locks sweet, A heart upon her breast!
The Daughter of Herodias, Like waves before the moon,Like ringing rimes a dreamer hasLured to a lay of lover-folk, Swayed softly to the tune.
The Daughter of Herodias, She danced in gold and redUpon the floors of chrysophras:—The light of flaming cities broke Behind her sumptuous head.
The Daughter of Herodias, Resplendent, unappalled,Wove such a spell, it came to passShe drew the soul down sounding seas Of pearl and emerald.
O Daughter of Herodias, What horror of the deep,What slime of impure things!—Alas!What loathing loathed captivities In that abysmal sleep!