Classic Poem

I

Once again I see it, touch it,
Fatal cup with many a name;
Make it mine and madly clutch it,
Drink its blasting draught of flame!

Cup of grief and cup of woe,
Cup of ancient woman-wine:
Victor in my overthrow —
It is mine!

Awful burning lips of Thais,
Kiss me back Persepolis!
Break my heart — I'm Menelaus!
Make me Paris with a kiss!

Smiling Thing with painted heart,
Canker at the soul of Peace,
Thou hast wakened by thine art
All the wanton flutes of Greece!

Lest I kill thee in my fury
Let the heaped white wonders speak:
Awe me as the ancient jury —
Phryne, make me weak!

Asker, Taker, Devil-Woman,
Hiss the hellish wish again!
Death fleshed out to mask as human,
Dancer for the heads of men!

Honied Wooer, Victor-Slayer,
Sing me drowsy, take my sword!
I am paid. O sweet Betrayer
Awful as a battle-horde!

Ancient wine of gloom and glory
Wets thy warm, red, wooing lips:
All the scarlet Queens of Story
Touch me through thy finger-tips.

II

Nay! In gentler, sweeter fashion
How thy warm soul blossoms up!
Martyr to the deathless Passion,
Quaffer of the Iseult-cup!

Thou wert heart-sick Sappho, burning
Downward to the mourning sea.
Thou didst soothe the Master, yearning
For the hills of Galilee.

Thou the hopeful heart of sorrow
Singing through the gloom of years;
Light of every black to-morrow,
Wise with yesterdays of tears.

Thou the doomed eternal Maiden,
Wailing by the windless sea.
Thou art Mary, sorrow-laden —
Pray for me!

Pale night-weeper at the cross,
Death for thee hath not sufficed;
Trusting through the gloom of loss,
Thou didst view the risen Christ.

Burden-bearer, Beauty-maker,
Sacred Fountain of my life;
Mighty Giver, meagre Taker —
Mother, Sister, Wife!

O, at last, my heart's Desire,
Build the dream that shall endure!
Fair white Urn of Sacred Fire,
Burn me pure!

Cup of sweet felicity,
Cup of ancient woman-wine!
Vanquished in my victory —
It is mine!