by Mike Monroe
if thou live remembered not to be
die single and thine image dies with thee
then the eyes of both were opened
and they knew that they were naked
and in the shadows the howling of spectral hounds
a little pitted speck in garnered fruit
that rotting inward slowly moulders all
and straight the sun was flecked with bars
a dungeon horrible on all sides round
as one great furnace flamed
those who restrain desire do so because
theirs is weak enough to be restrained
and the restrainer or reason usurps its place
and governs the unwilling
and in the shadows the howling of spectral hounds
then the eyes of both were opened
and they knew that they were naked
if thou live remembered not to be
die single and thine image dies with thee
2.
she shone through her body visibly
a dancing shape
an image gay
to haunt
to startle
and waylay
and all that's best of dark and bright
meet in her aspect and her eyes
from whose presence the leaves dead are driven
like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing
all breathing human passion far above
that leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloyed
a burning forehead
and a parching tongue
what immortal hand or eye
could frame her airy beauty
she shone through her body visibly
a dancing shape
an image gay
to haunt
to startle
and waylay
but her beauty's sweeping glory
that blushed and bloomed
is just a dim-remembered story
of the old time entombed
3.
I sing of arms and the hero
destiny's exile
he was only a youth
ruddy and handsome in appearance
and his spirit suffered every adversity
to keep his life intact
as he fought
exulting in blood and victory
rushing into battle
and the gods came with him
he rode sublime on the wings of cherub
on the crystalline sky
in sapphire throned
he reverenced his conscience as his king
whose glory was redressing human wrong
and his spirit suffered every adversity
as he fought
exulting in blood and victory
he strode along the surf
crying his piercing cry
and rousing all mighty warriors
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