II

Because this curse is on the dawn, to yield

her secrecy distill’d of nuptial tears,

and day dismantles, casual, nor reveres

whate’er august our brooding dream’d reveal’d;

because that night to whom we next appeal’d,

no more gestation of inviolate spheres,

shameless, is mimic of the day, nor fears

the scant occurrence of her stars repeal’d:

Therefore, if never in some awful heart

a gather’d peace, impregnable, apart,

cherish us in that shrine of steadfast fire,

be these alone our care, excluding hence

some form undesecrate of all desire,

the wings of silence, adamantine, dense.