46. 
Like music of some minstrel heavenly gifted, 2125
To one whom fiends enthral, this voice to me;
Scarce did I wish her veil to be uplifted,
I was so calm and joyous.—­I could see
The platform where we stood, the statues three
Which kept their marble watch on that high shrine, 2130
The multitudes, the mountains, and the sea;
As when eclipse hath passed, things sudden shine
To men’s astonished eyes most clear and crystalline.

47. 
At first Laone spoke most tremulously: 
But soon her voice the calmness which it shed 2135
Gathered, and—­’Thou art whom I sought to see,
And thou art our first votary here,’ she said: 
’I had a dear friend once, but he is dead!—­
And of all those on the wide earth who breathe,
Thou dost resemble him alone—­I spread 2140
This veil between us two that thou beneath
Shouldst image one who may have been long lost in death.

48. 
’For this wilt thou not henceforth pardon me? 
Yes, but those joys which silence well requite
Forbid reply;—­why men have chosen me 2145
To be the Priestess of this holiest rite
I scarcely know, but that the floods of light
Which flow over the world, have borne me hither
To meet thee, long most dear; and now unite
Thine hand with mine, and may all comfort wither 2150
From both the hearts whose pulse in joy now beat together,

49. 
‘If our own will as others’ law we bind,
If the foul worship trampled here we fear;
If as ourselves we cease to love our kind!’—­
She paused, and pointed upwards—­sculptured there 2155
Three shapes around her ivory throne appear;
One was a Giant, like a child asleep
On a loose rock, whose grasp crushed, as it were
In dream, sceptres and crowns; and one did keep
Its watchful eyes in doubt whether to smile or weep; 2160

50. 
A Woman sitting on the sculptured disk
Of the broad earth, and feeding from one breast
A human babe and a young basilisk;
Her looks were sweet as Heaven’s when loveliest
In Autumn eves.  The third Image was dressed 2165
In white wings swift as clouds in winter skies;
Beneath his feet, ’mongst ghastliest forms, repressed
Lay Faith, an obscene worm, who sought to rise,
While calmly on the Sun he turned his diamond eyes.

51. 
Beside that Image then I sate, while she 2170
Stood, mid the throngs which ever ebbed and flowed,
Like light amid the shadows of the sea
Cast from one cloudless star, and on the crowd
That touch which none who feels forgets, bestowed;
And whilst the sun returned the steadfast gaze 2175