BALKIS was in her marble town, <br />And shadow over the world came down. <br />Whiteness of walls, towers and piers, <br />That all day dazzled eyes to tears, <br />Turned from being white-golden flame, <br />And like the deep-sea blue became. <br />Balkis into her garden went; <br />Her spirit was in discontent <br />Like a torch in restless air. <br />Joylessly she wandered there, <br />And saw her city's azure white <br />Lying under the great night, <br />Beautiful as the memory <br />Of a worshipping world would be <br />In the mind of a god, in the hour <br />When he must kill his outward power; <br />And, coming to a pool where trees <br />Grew in double greeneries, <br />Saw herself, as she went by <br />The water, walking beautifully, <br />And saw the stars shine in the glance <br />Of her eyes, and her own fair countenance <br />Passing, pale and wonderful, <br />Across the night that filled the pool. <br />And cruel was the grief that played <br />With the queen's spirit; and she said: <br />'What do I here, reigning alone? <br />For to be unloved is to be alone. <br />There is no man in all my land <br />Dare my longing understand; <br />The whole folk like a peasant bows <br />Lest its look should meet my brows <br />And be harmed by this beauty of mine. <br />I burn their brains as I were sign <br />Of God's beautiful anger sent <br />To master them with punishment <br />Of beauty that must pour distress <br />On hearts grown dark with ugliness. <br />But it is I am the punisht one. <br />Is there no man, is there none, <br />In whom my beauty will but move <br />The lust of a delighted love; <br />In whom some spirit of God so thrives <br />That we may wed our lonely lives. <br />Is there no man, is there none? '— <br />She said, 'I will go to Solomon.'<br /><br />Lascelles Abercrombie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-from-judith-3/
