Nucleolus

I looked from Mount Derision at
Two ivory thrones that were in space,
Whereon a man and woman sat,
The very parallels of grace,
Not lovelier had ever been
By mortal seen.

Then one unto the other said,
Tell me the secret hidden well
Which you have never uttered,
And I to you again will tell
My guarded thought, and we will know
Each other so.

Then he — When those who pray beside
My holy altars do not bear
A gift to me I turn aside
And do not listen to the prayer,
But whoso brings a gift will see
The proof of me.

And she — When on a festal day
The youths kneel down before my shrine
I think, if he or he might lay
His ruddy cheek to mine
And comfort my sick soul I'd lay
My crown away.

The Hill of Vision [1912]