Chapter XX: The Hidden Reverie

The life of plants, rising through dim sweet states, Cloisters the rich love-secret more and more, Gathers it jealously within the gates Of the hushed heart; but, mightier than before, The mystery prevails and overpowers Stem, leaf, and petal. So the passion lies In this tranced flowery being which is ours Like to a hidden wound; yet softly dyes With dolorous beauty all the stuff of life, Each dream and vision and desire subduing With muted pulses, that great counter-strife Of soul with its own rhythmic pangs imbuing. Deny it and disdain it. Lo! there beat Red stigmata in heart and hands and feet.