23. The Symbol Seduces

George William Russell

THERE in her old-world garden smiles
A symbol of the world’s desire,
Striving with quaint and lovely wiles
To bind to earth the soul of fire.


And while I sit and listen there,
The robe of Beauty falls away
From universal things to where
Its image dazzles for a day.


Away! the great life calls; I leave
For Beauty, Beauty’s rarest flower;
For Truth, the lips that ne’er deceive;
For Love, I leave Love’s haunted bower.

Next 10 Poems

• George William Russell : 24. Rest
• George William Russell : 25. Pity
• George William Russell : 26. The City
• George William Russell : 27. Dust
• George William Russell : 28. The Virgin Mother
• George William Russell : 29. Dana
• George William Russell : 3. By The Margin Of The Great Deep
• George William Russell : 30. The Earth Breath
• George William Russell : 31. Alter Ego
• George William Russell : 32. Natural Magic

Previous 10 Poems

• George William Russell : 22. Waiting
• George William Russell : 21. The Dawn Of Darkness
• George William Russell : 20. The Place Of Rest
• George William Russell : 2. Awakening
• George William Russell : 19. Desire
• George William Russell : 18. Frolic
• George William Russell : 173. Epilogue
• George William Russell : 172. Reconciliation
• George William Russell : 171. Content
• George William Russell : 170. Unity