The Rose of Dawn | Page 8

darker sin,--could frail love, tired?With passion, hope to bridge the perilous way??His brain cried, "No," his heart, "Ah, Gods, but yes?Or I shall die."
He laid a tender arm?About the shrinking child and drew her forth?Along the forest path. She did not hear?The morning birds who blithely welcomed day,?She did not see the dew upon the leaves,?Glamour of dawn, but dazed with love and pain,?Yielding to that she knew not, kept the way?Towards the forest pool.
It seemed to them,?Waiting the unutterable moment of their loss?Or utmost gain, as tho' the swinging earth?Was emptied of all life, the very air?Seemed hollow and unearthly, breathless pause?On a great brink. They reached the pool, and Taka?Gathered her senses till her eyes were clear?As shining wells of truth. She leaned no more?Helpless upon Malua, tho' his arm?Circled her still. Before them on the path,?Noble and dead, with mute hands pleading, eyes?Subtle with secrets of eternity,?Waited Uhila.
In a moment's space?Malua knew the utter pangs of death?Strong as his soul. And Taka must be free,?Free to decide between the mighty dead?And him, the weakest of all living men.?He spoke no word, the blood of youth once more?Fought with the skill, the power, the eloquence?Of great familiar age. If Taka drew?From out his arms and love a heart-beat's time,?She had decided, and Uhila won.?This the boy knew. Taka had seen him, Ah!?Her woman's heart in pity and distress?Shivered as tho' cold death had laid a hand?Upon her brow. Malua felt a hell?Deep as the world, and then--the sky, pale stars,?Rose dawn, unfathomed heaven rocked in his heart?With tumult of his glory. Taka turned,?Drew closer in his arm, and raising up?Her flowery face smiled in his eyes.
'Twas done--?Death, life and passionate passion burned away?In the white flame of love.
Uhila lay?Vanquished, forgotten. Turning to the sea,?Taka, Malua, children of the sun,?Went forth to meet the sunrise and the day.
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