84 WITH HERBS AND FLOWERS 



To-night, when down the marshes 

 The lilac half-lights fade, 



And on the rosy shore-line 

 No earthly spell is laid, 



I would be thy new lover, 

 With the dark life renewed 



By our great mother Tanis 

 And thy solicitude. 



Feel slowly change this vesture 

 Of mortal flesh and bone, 



Transformed by her soft witch-work 

 To one more like thine own. 



Become but as the rain-wind 



(Who am but dust indeed), 

 To slake thy velvet ardour 



And sooth thy darling need. 



To dream and waken with thee 



Under the night's blue sail, 

 As the wild odours freshen, 



Till the white stars grow pale. 



BLISS CARMAN. 



