'Twas carven by enchantment
From white chalcedony
Upon a silver pillar
And, wrought most cunningly
From white chalcedony
Upon a silver pillar
And, wrought most cunningly
Around its rim the symbols
Of Night's twelve hours are set—
The first an evening primrose,
The next a violet.
Of Night's twelve hours are set—
The first an evening primrose,
The next a violet.
The third, a drowsy marigold,
The fourth a heartsease dear,
A heliotrope, a guelder rose
And jasmine next appear.
The fourth a heartsease dear,
A heliotrope, a guelder rose
And jasmine next appear.
The Sleep-God's waxen poppy,
And ghostly asphodel,
A creamy-leaved magnolia,
A delicate harebell.
And ghostly asphodel,
A creamy-leaved magnolia,
A delicate harebell.
—While for that wistful hour
That by the dawn is kissed
A morning-glory opens
Her eye of amethyst.
That by the dawn is kissed
A morning-glory opens
Her eye of amethyst.
And thus, my fair Moon-Dial
Till rising of the sun
Points with a phantom finger
The hours every one.
Till rising of the sun
Points with a phantom finger
The hours every one.
But she for whom I wrought it
Alas, will never stray
Beyond her virgin bower
From dawn till break of day.
Alas, will never stray
Beyond her virgin bower
From dawn till break of day.
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