Mars
Poems — Volume I
IN the blue, cloudless heavenA single star,Lone torch and lamp of even,Burning afar;
Not with the radiance tenderOf other stars,But with insistent splendor,—Celestial Mars!
Above the summits hoaryOf ancient hills,It yet pours out a gloryOn lakes and rills,
As when Selene passesAcross the nightAnd her fair image glasses,Leaving its light.
Strange planet! Thou dost awe me,As by a spell;Thou dost uplift and draw meWhere thou dost dwell!
Thy mysteries to captureLet others guess;Mine—mine to feel with raptureThy beauteousness.