Lightly in the azure air
  Soars a cloud, emerging free
Like a virgin from the fair
  Blue sea;

Or an Aphrodite sweet,
  Floating upright and empearled
In the shell, about its feet
  Foam-curled.

Undulating overhead,
  How its changing body glows!
On its shoulder dawn hath spread
  A rose.

Marble, snow, blend amorously
  In that form by sunlight kissed —
Slumbering Antiope
  Of mist!

Sailing unto distant goal,
  Over Alps and Apennines,
Sister of the woman-soul,
  It shines;

Till my heart flies forth at last
  On the wings of passion warm,
And I yearn to gather fast
  Its form.

Reason saith : “Mere vapour thing!
  Bursting bubble! Yet, we deem,
Holds this wind-distorted ring
  Our dream.”

Faith declareth: “Beauty seen,
  Like a cloud, is but a thought,
Or a breath, that, having been,
  Is naught.

“Have thy vision. Build it proud.
  Let thy soul be full thereof.
Love a woman — love a cloud —
  But love!”