I hear an army charging upon the land, the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees: Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand, Disdaining the reins, with fluttering whips, the charioteers. They cry unto the night their battle-name: I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter. They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame, Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair: They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair? My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?
2. A Memory of the Players in a Mirror at Midnight They mouth love’s language. Gnash The thirteen teeth Your lean jaws grin with. Lash Your itch and quailing, nude greed of the flesh. Love’s breath in you is stale, worded or sung, As sour as cat’s breath, Harsh of tongue.
This grey that stares Lies not, stark skin and bone. Leave greasy lips their kissing. None Will choose her what you see to mouth upon. Dire hunger holds his hour. Pluck forth your heart, saltblood, a fruit of tears. Pluck and devour!
3.Nightpiece GAUNT in gloom The pale stars their torches, Enshrouded, wave. Ghost-fires from heaven’s far verges faint illume-- Arches on soaring arches-- Night’s sin-dark nave.
Seraphim The lost hosts awaken To service, till In moonless gloom each lapses, muted, dim, Raised when she has and shaken Her thurible.
And long and loud To night’s nave upsoaring, A star-knell tolls-- As the bleak incense surges, cloud on cloud, Voidward from the adoring Waste of souls.