Classic Poem

I've learned, in dream or legend dark,
That all love-letters purged with fire,
Drawn in one constellated spark,
To heaven aspire.

To-night there streams across the sky
An unfamiliar reef of stars;
Are those the letters you and I
Thrust through the bars?

In tears of joy they once were read,
In tears of suffering slowly burned;
And now to stars hung overhead
Can each be turned?

O leaves too warm to be discreet,
O panting words that throbbed too loud
With starry laughter now you meet
Behind a cloud!

You watch us sleeping all night long,
Until gray morning bids you fade;
You charge us, with your choral song,
Be undismayed!

Alas! the Magians knew your names,
Ye ancient lamps of amber light;
'Tis vanity of passion claims
So rare delight.

We might as well lay claim to Mars! —
And yet — I surely understand
That softest yellow flashing star's
Italian hand?