The Stars in the Pool: A Prose Poem for Lovers

There Came a Radiance And there came a radiance, growing ever brighter, until Wur, the Old Gray Woman of Shadows, might not stay, but fled away before that which was more shining than the noonday sun. And Roseheart was ware of a presence she might not see for the brightness.

Then spake Senta, the Radiant One, the Voice of Vision, unto the maid Roseheart, full gently, yet in the manner of one who may not be gainsaid: "Roseheart, beloved of Flame, who shall be called Giver of Dreams, lift up thy heart. Well hast thou learned the lore of sorrow that Wur hath taught thee, and these things it is needful that The Coming of Senta thou shouldst know. But too much hast thou made thyself one with sorrow, to the end that it hath grown dear to thee. This thing may not be. Pity that seeketh not itself makes pure the heart of man, but pity of thyself for thine own woe is another matter, whereto thou must look else will thy sorrow destroy thee. Thou shalt arise, therefore, and go unto thy father Telwyn the King, and thy mother, the Queen Ellaline. Sore have been their hearts that thou wert in grief. It should be thy task rather, to bring them joy who are stricken in years.

"But since joy is not made of Vision and Dreams nought, and since there is now in thee sorrow alone, I say unto thee, go thy ways among the people of thy father the King, and of thy grief make garments of joy to cover the nakedness of the poor withal. Take to them that are sick the flowers of thy kindness, that shall be as the snowdrops blossoming under the mantle of the winter of thy grief. Look into the eyes of the old and find patience, and into the hearts of the children and find hope. Tend thou the bed of pain, and ease the woe of the sons of men in such measure as thou mayest. Therewith shall all things befall thee as the Lord God desireth. Unto me, Senta, it is vouchsafed to give thee vision, and a dream, even as I gave these things unto Flame, thy beloved. Sleep."

And Roseheart laid her down in the deep sleep as of a rosebud in the sun at mid-day, when life in a great tide flows and greatens, to the end that the rose may be full-blown. And the dream of Roseheart was on this wise: There was a woman in shining garments, fashioned full seemly of white silk that flowed and clung, revealing gracious lines of her form who walked stately-wise, with little children about her knees. Her form was radiance, and her eyes were stars. And The Starry-eyed in the fashion of her seeming, and in the faces of the children, was somewhat as it were a thing known and not known. Then beheld Roseheart the seeming of Flame, her beloved, looking in joy and reverence upon this woman whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars.

And Senta the Radiant One said unto Roseheart: "Behold and see if this be not she whom thou didst look upon at the last in the eyes of Flame whom thou lovest." And it was so, and Roseheart marveled.

Whereafter Senta bade her awake, and she awoke and pondered The Heart of the Maid these things what they might mean. And in the heart of the maid there grew and strengthened the desire and the will to be as that woman of her dream, whose beauty was as music under the moon, and in all reverence beloved of her troth-plight, Flame. Thus are women ever, in their deep need to be in all ways that they may, the desired of their lord.

VII

Roseheart Gives Greeting WHEN all things had become clear to Roseheart she arose swiftly, and went unto Telwyn the King, and the Queen her mother. And upon her face was a shining which was the shining of her soul. And she said unto them, "I give you greeting, my father and my mother."

And looking upon her they were glad exceedingly, and exchanged looks the one with the other, for that the face of The Going of Wur Roseheart was no longer gray with grief.

First answered Ellaline, saying, "Greeting to thee, my daughter. Where now is Wur, that thou hast the look of happiness?"

Sudden wonder made wide the eyes of Roseheart. "In good sooth I know not," she answered. "I have not seen her at all any more since the coming of the Shining One."

Telwyn the King leaned him forward in eagerness, asking, "The Shining One? What meanest thou?"

Into the face of Roseheart came the far, wondering look of children, Roseheart, Her Task but in her heart was a song. "I know not," she made answer, "unless it was an angel of the Lord God, to shew me the things that I must do, and that which I must become." Herewith the voice of the maid grew wondrous sweet. "Of my garment of sorrow must I make raiment of joy to cover the nakedness of the poor. To the sick must I take the flowers of kindness that are now as snowdrops blossoming under the mantle of the winter of grief. I am to look into the eyes of the old and find patience, and into the hearts of children and find hope. And I am to tend the bed of pain, and ease the suffering of the sons of men in Telwyn Perceiveth such measure as I may, that all things may befall me as the Lord God desireth."

Into the face of Telwyn there came a tenderness like that of women, and in his voice were the tears a man may not suffer in his eyes. "Great is the joy in my heart," he said, "for that thou art indeed become a woman. And well I wot that the Lord God is with thee, that thou knowest these things of wisdom."

And Ellaline, looking into the face of her daughter, drew her to her heart, and spake on this wise: "Deep grief has it been to me that in thy pain I might not The Queen Speaketh help thee, but must leave thee to the care of Wur, that woman of sorrow. Nathless have I prayed for thee without ceasing. Blessed be the name of the Lord God that He hath found the Way for thee."

Now on the morrow when Telwyn the King went among his people, to see that all was well, and nought amiss that might be set right, he put Roseheart his daughter upon a white palfrey; and himself upon a mighty red horse, led her whithersoever he went, that she might see all things in the wisdom and tenderness newly come to her. And from his deep eyes like the caverns of the sky, he watched her, Telwyn and Roseheart as pity grew in her, and knowledge, and quick device of succor. Daylong they rode, at the noontide having bite and sup with a woodcutter and his wife, newly blessed with a fine man child. And Roseheart, taking the child in her arms, laughed and wept that he was so small and sweet, and for that he clung to her, and turned to her breast. And when the shadows grew long, and they set their faces toward the castle, the maid was sore weary, but she knew it not, for the pity in her, and the thought of all awry in the world that must be set right.

And it befell that she dreamed that night of a babe that lay Roseheart Steadfast upon her breast, and so sweet it was, that she woke weeping for very joy.

Thereafter daily the maid went forth with the King her father, or at whiles with the Queen her mother, whenas she was wont to say unto Telwyn with sweet gravity, "This is a matter for women, of which thou knowest nought."

And the King smiled in his beard at the woman-ways of her. But hours there were when that Roseheart was a-weary, and an-hungered for Flame, her troth-plight lord. Yet always, remembering her dream, she arose from grief, and with the Her Need and Desire trouble of others, and what she might do for them, filled the emptiness of her heart. And so great was her need and desire to become as the woman of the great dream, that slowly as a slender moon fills with silver, or a rosebud greatens to fullness, did Roseheart the maid grow in fashion and seeming and good sooth toward the very truth of her desire, to be as that woman whose form was radiance and whose eyes were stars.

VIII

Thrice Bloomed the Rose THRICE the snowdrops came and went, thrice bloomed the rose; thrice the harvest ripened to the scythe, and winter flushed to spring, and Flame, son of Lokus, was not yet come from overseas to claim his promise of his troth-plight maiden.

Long had he wandered from land to land, seeking ever the shape of his dream. Ever he made forms of beauty with his hands, whatsoever he saw, and Flame Journeyeth men marveled thereat, so cunning-true they were, and skillful. And everywhere was he tempted with all manner of lures to flesh and spirit that he forsake his dream and take his ease and pleasure like other men, but he would not. And it befell that on a day when he was riding through the forest, he came upon a carle that beat a woman, his wife. And Flame was wroth with the carle, and fell upon him in fury, that so he should misuse the strength that God had given him. And the anger of Flame was as the strength of ten men, but when he had the throat of the man in his fingers, and would have slain him, all suddenly his He Groweth in Strength anger was not. And in good pity of the fellow that he was yet in youth, he loosed him, and admonished him, and went his ways. And the strength of the man that he had spared to God's good life was added to his own strength.

And with his good strength of the body was come strength of his soul also. Wherefore, when in his wanderings he came upon a fair land wherein was much kindness, and after a while that land, which had an aged king, was threatened by savage men from wild forest land beyond, he girded on his sword and led the people in war that they might put to confusion He Serveth Need the savage men who sought to slay them, and take their fat lands, and the homes where they were born. And when their enemies were driven out, the old King embraced with tears him who had risked his life for them, and besought him, saying, "Flame, son of Lokus, what wouldst thou? Whatsoever thou ask, that will I give thee." And Flame, with a look of far horizons in his eyes that were like the sea, answered him on this wise: "God be gracious to thee for thy kindness, but it is I who am in thy debt, for that I have learned the sweetness of giving myself wholly, even unto death, if need be, that innocent folk should He Fareth On not suffer, nor evil prevail. I am a selfish man, thinking little enough of other folk, as I go my way dreaming, and that now I have seen somewhat other than that is a mercy of the Lord God."

And though the people clamoured that he should stay with them, he went his way, and came into a new land, and dwelt there for a time. And being comely, with grace and courtliness in his mien, and the beauty of the sea in his eyes, when he looked eagerly into the faces of women, seeking his dream, many were sick with love of him. And they made devices that he should tarry Of Black Words with them, some in innocence and good faith, as a maid may, and some fawning, and whispering black words to the youth and heat of his blood.

Of these last there came betimes a witch-woman, who discerning with cunning the eyes of Flame that they were like the sea, made herself as a moon-woman, that he should follow her. And Flame, looking upon her, whose face was as silver, felt somewhat surge within him answering her desire. And the woman glided before him until they were come into the desert.

And when the moon-woman moved not so swiftly, but lingered, The Moon-Woman and Flame would have touched her, she laughed, and would and would not, and reaching for her, he stumbled, and fell upon the ground, yet held her fast. And the night was black upon them.

When the early morning was come, Flame turned him from the moon-woman exulting that now at last he had drunk of the cup, desire whereof had tormented him. But as he turned, some way off in brightness stood Senta the Radiant One. And she drew near, and spake not, but shed her light, without pity, upon the moon-woman. And Flame saw that she was not beautiful, but a hag, and The Face of Leprosy her face of silver the face of leprosy, white and horrible, and as old as the world. And he looked about him, and saw in the desert the bones of men. Then did he cry out in fear, "I am in the place of the dead!"

And he rose up swiftly and fled away till he was come to the edge of the desert, and thence into a gentle land, of murmuring streams, and trees on the which was fruit of divers kinds, and good to the taste. And after that Flame had drunk of the waters, and eaten of the fruit, the Lord God was pitiful of his shame and weariness, and he slept.

Sleeping, once more he dreamed Cometh the Dream of that woman of radiance, starry-eyed. But whereas aforetime he might not see the fashion of her face, it was now revealed to him in the seeming of his troth-plight maiden, glorified. Now was the rose full blown, the child become a woman, in strength, and tenderness, and wisdom, and her beauty was as music under the moon. Then unto him in his dream spake the Voice of Vision on this wise: "Now that thou hast proved thyself in turning thee from the place of the dead, shalt thou have fullness of life, withal. Thou hast looked upon death in battle, and feared not, for that thou sawest therein that life which The Voice of Vision is greater than thine own life; and thou hast looked upon that life which is sin, and hast seen therein the death of the spirit. Wherefore arise, and go straightway to claim the maiden Roseheart for thy wife, that the true life of body and spirit may be fulfilled unto thee. And whatsoever thou fashionest with thy hands, that shalt thou fashion also with thy heart and soul, in the light of the vision the Lord God hath given thee. Arise."

With a great cry of joy he awoke, and strength was fulfilled to him as it had been a fountain, ever leaping and ever renewed. Wherewith straightway Strength Fulfilled he arose, and girt up his mantle for the journey, that swift might be the way of his going.

IX

Flame Returneth UNTO the days of three moons he journeyed, over land and sea, and at last he was come into the country of Telwyn, wherein were peace, and good harvest, and labour for all that would. And while he was yet some way off, upon a hill, he saw that the people were gathered together in a great meadow, and there rose to him on the wind a great song of joy that they were singing. The People at Games And drawing near he saw that some of the people were playing at games in the meadow, quoits and bowls, and other games of skill of divers kinds, with trials of strength and daring for the eager blood of youth. And there were horses a-many, and on them men laughing and jesting, and there were women and children, some hundreds, clad in fluttering garments of all the colours of joy.

In the midst of the throng there sat upon a dais a woman in shining raiment of cloth of silver, broidered with roses that had caught their colour from the rose tint of her face. And her hair of spun gold was The Day of Joy bound with a silver fillet, fashioned in all delicacy, and colored to the semblance of the roses that were in the pattern thereof, with leaves cunningly wrought of green gold. Standing beside her was a young page clad in crimson who carried a tray whereon were ribbands of bright colours, the which the Princess Roseheart, for she it was in the shining raiment, did upon those who were victors in the games and contests.

Great was the pride of the people that the Princess had come amongst them in their merrymaking. Long had she been with them in sorrow and The Morning of Life service, but not before this day in the joy of the morning of life, and they deemed it of good augury for her happiness.

Now when Flame, yet some way off, saw that the woman in shining raiment was the beloved of his soul, Roseheart, his heart leapt within him, and there was upon his limbs the speed of light. But betimes it came to him that travel was upon his garments, and that it were not fit he should dishonour his troth-plight maiden by coming before her eyes in aught unworthy. Wherefore he turned him aside from the meadow, and made such haste Cometh Flame as he might toward the castle midmost of the forest.

When he was come thither, he found therein only a few old serving men and women, for that all others were making holiday in the meadow, the King, Telwyn, and the Queen Ellaline, as well as the humblest folk in the castle.

And Flame got him right speedily to the great room that had been for his sleeping aforetime. There, as of old, was a great chest wherein were the garments he had brought with him from his home, the isle of sea-surge and fire-bloom. Therefrom he chose raiment of Sea-Surge and Fire-Bloom rich silk wherein leapt and flickered all colours as of driftwood burning—copper, and blue, and green, and rose, and violet—with a broidered cloak of velvet like clear flame. And he did on a sword the hilt whereof was wrought in divers hues of pure gold.

And when all was done, and in the wont of youth he looked upon his likeness in a mirror of silver that was there, he laughed in his heart for that he was young and comely, and for that he was now returned to the home of his heart.

Then with all speed he betook him thence to the great meadow. The Silken Tent And when he was come thither, he saw that a little way off at the edge of the forest was a silken tent that was like a purple iris, so beautiful it was, and that thereunder were King Telwyn and Queen Ellaline, looking upon the pleasure of their people.

And Flame saw that whereas the Princess Roseheart had been in the midst of the crowd when first he had seen her, she was now with her father and mother, the King and Queen, under the canopy, that had been set in a mossy glade flecked with sunlight and shadow, and glad with delicate flowers. The maid stood at the Of Queen Ellaline side of the Queen her mother talking shiningly of all that had befallen that morning. And the Queen Ellaline, most fair indeed to look upon, in thin silk of silver-grey, wherethrough showed under-silks of blue and violet, smiled happily at the life and eagerness of the maid her daughter.

And when the people saw that Flame, the son of Lokus, was come once more, from overseas, to claim his troth-plight, the Princess Roseheart, they pressed upon him clamouring, glad with great joy that the youth was grown a man, in full stature of strength and bravery. And Flame returned Of Greetings their greetings in all courtesy and kindness, but ever his eyes turned whither his heart drave, toward the tent like an iris, whereunder, like one dreaming, stood the woman of his heart and his dream, now motionless, with her soul in her eyes.

And when King Telwyn made sure that the figure of flickering beauty that burned its way through the crowd of the people was Flame, son of Lokus, and none other, his heart was as a harp, swept with chords of joy and questioning, of fear, and a nameless pain that now mayhap he must give his little maid, that was as the remembered joy of his youth, to the clasp A Silver Trumpet Singing of a man, in whom should be her life thenceforward. But the heart of Queen Ellaline was as a silver trumpet singing, that the maid her daughter was now to live the life of a woman, giving her life to a man, that it should be greatened unto her, and to the world.

X

The Humility of Pride NOW when Flame was come before the King and Queen and the Princess Roseheart, he was filled with the humility of those who have great pride, insomuch that he fell upon his knees before them to beg that which aforetime he had asked as in the ignorance of a child. But ere he could speak, King Telwyn put forth his hand and raised him, saying, "Flame, son of Lokus, thou art a thousand times welcome. Hearty greeting The Return In Honourwe give thee, in good faith that thou hast returned in honour."

Then spake Flame on this wise: "Greeting from the heart I give thee. Meseems my heart will burst with the fullness of my joy that I am come once more to the home of my love, to look upon her beauty, and to give into her keeping all that I have, and all that I am, for she is the soul of my soul."

Then, bethinking himself that he must remember in courtesy to put before his own desires that which was due to others, he made obeisance to the Queen, Ellaline, who greeted The Eagerness of Flame him with kindness, asking him whether he had had food and drink since his journey.

"Nay," he said, "how should that have been, when I was so much more an-hungered to see quickly the face of my beloved?" And he turned him to his love, Roseheart, standing very still, with her soul in her eyes.

With quick woman-wit then did Queen Ellaline motion the serving men that they should draw the curtains of the tent, themselves standing without. And the King and Queen withdrew also, that the lovers might be alone. Whereupon Roseheart, The Woman of Stars her silver cloak falling from her, stood forth to Flame as that woman whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars, she that was clad in shining raiment, fashioned full seemly of white silk that flowed and clung, revealing gracious lines of her form, who walked stately-wise, with little children about her knees.

And upon the sight of Flame was a mist, and when it had passed and he looked again, the little children were not as they were living, but like wraiths of divers colours, making as it were a rainbow in the midst whereof stood one still a maid. And Flame fell upon Flame Falleth Upon His Knees his knees, and called upon her name. And she set her two hands upon his head, and lifting it gently, looked down into his soul. And when they had come to understanding on this wise, she gave her hands into his, and lifted him up. And he drew her to his heart, and kissed her on the mouth, whereat she was all a woman, and clung to him, saying with little broken cries, "It hath been so lonely without thee—I love thee so!"

Remembering the pain and struggle of his quest, Flame cried out, "Wherefore did I go from thee?" Yet even as he spake, right well he knew how The Finding it had been needful that all things should have befallen them as they had done.

Then did the face of Roseheart grow wistful-sweet, and she asked, "The woman of thy dream—didst thou find her?" And Flame answered, "Aye, I have found her. Dost thou not know? Thou thyself art that radiant woman, starry-eyed. I know not what hath befallen thee, save that the starry heavens, that look upon all things, have made thine eyes their dwelling-place."

Whereupon Roseheart, his beloved, chided him on this wise, with a laughter that was of the Beyond Self soul, and naught unkind in it: "My happiness is so deep, I needs must laugh at thee. Meseems the truth is that aforetime thou sawest only thyself in mine eyes, and that now thou hast learned to look beyond thyself. And thus it hath been with me also. Once I saw not anything but myself in thine eyes, but now therein I see ships and far countries, and the forms of beauty that thou hast dreamed, and those which thou shalt create in the years to come. When first I saw in thine eyes that woman of thy dream, of whom thou hadst spoken, sorrow and humility were heavy upon me, for that I understood not why there should be aught The Remembered Vision in thine eyes but thy love, Roseheart. But there came a time—" She was silent for a moment that she might hear the music of the remembered vision. "Have I grown like her—in good sooth?" she whispered.

"Thou art she," answered Flame, "the soul of my soul."

"And what of thee?" whispered Roseheart. "What hast thou learned of life in thy far countries?"

Whereupon he answered, as the Voice of Vision had told him, "I have looked upon death for right's sake, and seen therein the life greater than mine own life; and I have The Feast is Spread looked upon the life which is sin and have seen therein the death of the spirit. I have much to tell thee, for that there must be nought but truth between us."

Then did King Telwyn himself draw the curtains of the tent and look within, smiling. "Flame, son of Lokus, the feast is spread for thee, though well I wot thou knowest not if thou art hungry. But time and enough will there be for talk with thy speech-friend and troth-plight maiden, when thou hast eaten thy meat, and refreshed thee from thy journey. Wherefore come now, the both of you, and shew yourselves unto the people, that all may rejoice."

Feasting and Laughter Thereupon did Flame, son of Lokus, lead forth his troth-plight maiden Roseheart, to a great table that had been spread under the trees, with a silken cloth, and great dishes of silver and gold, whereon were roast flesh, and new bread, and green things steaming and savoury, and fruits of divers sorts, good to the taste and beautiful. And there were flagons of wine, crimson, and of the colour of corn, and of brown like the leaves of autumn.