Lxxxix

I smoked. The webs o' the weed, With many a break i' the mesh, were floating to re-form Cupola-wise above: chased thither by soft warm Inflow of air without; since I--of mind to muse, to clench The gain of soul and body, got by their noonday drench In sun and sea--had flung both frames o' the window wide, To soak my body still and let soul soar beside. In came the country sounds and sights and smells--that fine Sharp needle in the nose from our fermenting wine! In came a dragon-fly with whir and stir, then out, Off and away: in came,--kept coming, rather,--pout Succeeding smile, and take-away still close on give,-- One loose long creeper-branch, tremblingly sensitive To risks, which blooms and leaves,--each leaf tongue-broad, each bloom Midfinger-deep,--must run by prying in the room Of one who loves and grasps and spoils and speculates. All so far plain enough to sight and sense: but, weights, Measures and numbers,--ah, could one apply such test To other visitants that came at no request Of who kept open house,--to fancies manifold From this four-cornered world, the memories new and old, The antenatal prime experience--what know I?-- The initiatory love preparing us to die-- Such were a crowd to count, a sight to see, a prize To turn to profit, were but fleshly ears and eyes Able to cope with those o' the spirit!