The White Goddess
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:09 pm
The White Goddess: Robert Graves
IN DEDICATION
All saints revile her, and all sober men.
Ruled by the God Apollo's golden mean — In scorn of which I sailed to find her
In distant regions likeliest to hold her.
Whom I desired above all things to know, Sister of the mirage and echo.
It was a virtue not to stay,
To go my headstrong and heroic way.
Seeking her out at the volcano's head,
Among pack ice, or where the track had faded. Beyond the cavern of the seven sleepers:
Whose broad high brow was white as any leper's, Whose eyes were blue, with rowan-berry lips, With hair curled honey-coloured to white hips.
Green sap of Spring in the young wood a-stir Will celebrate the Mountain Mother,
And every song-bird shout awhile for her; But I am gifted, even in November
Rawest of seasons, with so huge a sense
Of her nakedly worn magnificence.
I forget cruelty and past betrayal,
Careless of where the next bright bolt may fall.
IN DEDICATION
All saints revile her, and all sober men.
Ruled by the God Apollo's golden mean — In scorn of which I sailed to find her
In distant regions likeliest to hold her.
Whom I desired above all things to know, Sister of the mirage and echo.
It was a virtue not to stay,
To go my headstrong and heroic way.
Seeking her out at the volcano's head,
Among pack ice, or where the track had faded. Beyond the cavern of the seven sleepers:
Whose broad high brow was white as any leper's, Whose eyes were blue, with rowan-berry lips, With hair curled honey-coloured to white hips.
Green sap of Spring in the young wood a-stir Will celebrate the Mountain Mother,
And every song-bird shout awhile for her; But I am gifted, even in November
Rawest of seasons, with so huge a sense
Of her nakedly worn magnificence.
I forget cruelty and past betrayal,
Careless of where the next bright bolt may fall.