And through the threads of it the sun lost gold,
And fell all pale upon her throat and breast
With play of lights and tracings manifold:
But the whole heaven shone full upon the rest.
Her curvéd shapes of shoulder and of limb,
Wrought fairly round or dwindling delicate,
Were carven in some substance made to dim
With whiteness all things carven or create.
And every sort of fairness that was yet
In work of man or God was perfected
Upon that work her bosom, where were set
In snows two wondrous jewelries of red.
The sun and sea made haloes of a light
Most soft and glimmering, and wreathed her close
Round all her wondrous shapes, and kept her bright
In a fair mystery of pearl and rose.
The waves fell fawning all about her there
Down to her ancles; then, with kissing sweet,
Slackened and waned away in love and fear
From the bright presence of her new-formed feet.
Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/87
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