The Secret Rose

    offersaglimpseofallyeatsstyles--beginningwithhisyouthfulromanticidealismandendingwithhismoreoutspoken,sardonictreatmentofsexuality.contents:tothesecretrosethecrucifixionoftheoutcastoutoftherosethewisdomofthekingtheheartofthespringthecurseofthefiresandoftheshadowstheoldmenofthetwilightwherethereisnothing,thereisgodofcostellotheproud,ofoonathedaughterofdermott,andofthebittertongue.far-off,mostsecret,andinviolaterose,enfoldmeinmyhourofhours;wherethosewhosoughttheeintheholysepulchre,orinthewine-vat,dwellbeyondthestirandtumultofdefeateddreams;anddeepamongpaleeyelids,heavywiththesleepmenhavenamedbeauty.thygreatleavesenfoldtheancientbeards,thehelmsofrubyandgoldofthecrownedmagi;andthekingwhoseeyessawthepiercedhandsandroodofelderriseindruidvapourandmakethetorchesdim;tillvainfrenzyawokeandhedied;andhimwhometfandwalkingamongflamingdewbyagreyshorewherethewindneverblew,andlosttheworldandemerforakiss;andhimwhodrovethegodsoutoftheirliss,andtillahundredmomshadfloweredredfeasted,andweptthebarrowsofhisdead;andtheprouddreamingkingwhoflungthecrownandsorrowaway,andcallingbardandclowndweltamongwine-stainedwanderersindeepwoods:andhimwhosoldtillage,andhouse,andgoods,andsoughtthroughlandsandislandsnumberlessyears,untilhefound,withlaughterandwithtears,awomanofsoshininglovelinessthatmenthreshedcornatmidnightbyatress,alittlestolentress.i,too,awaitthehourofthygreatwindofloveandhate.whenshallthestarsbeblownaboutthesky,likethesparksblownoutofasmithy,anddie?surelythinehourhascome,thygreatwindblows,far-off,mostsecret,andinviolaterose?