The Brightness of Brightness

Brightness of Brightness came, in loneliness, advancing,
Crystal of Crystal her clear gray eyes were glancing,
Sweetness of Sweetness her soft words flowed, en- trancing,
Redness and Whiteness her cheek's fair form enhancing.

Cluster of Clusters, her hair descended flowing,
Swept o'er the flowers in showers of golden glowing;
Round her a raiment more pure than purest snowing,
Lofty her radiant race far beyond our knowing.

Lore of all Lores, she there swift to me imparted,
Lore of his sailing, from whom we long were parted;
Lore of their wailing, who to wreak his ruin started,
Lore not for song, but a trust for the true-hearted!

Thrills after thrills came as I drew nigh this Wonder,
Captor she captured, and bound my senses under;
When for His aid I cried, who ruleth thought and thunder,
Flashing she fled to the Peaks ot Luachra, yonder.

Throbbing I follow, o'er hollow, height, and river,
Through many unknown ways, where lone waters shiver,
Oped the Druid Fort, a passage free to give her,
Where, in its core of cores, me she did deliver.

Laughter, thereafter, broke forth in harsh derision,
Wizardry, Witchery, kept watch in sour suspicion,
Chaining they chained me, then showed her sad position,
Bound to a Clown, — the Maid of Maids elysian!

Forth rushed my words of wrath and indignation:
"Thine not to brook such base humiliation,
When the noblest knight of all the Scotic nation
Thrice sought to raise Thee to right royal station."

Hearing my voice she wept, noble sorrow showing,
Tears fell in silence, like bitter torrents flowing;
Guerdon she gave, as my guide through gloom, bestowing
Brightness of Brightness I'd seen, in loneliness, when going.