THE CREATION OF LILITH

This happened in the Garden 
Ages on ages since, 
When noontide made a pleasant shade 
Of ilex, pear and quince.

The Gardener sat and pondered

Some beauty rarer still 
Than any he had wrought of earth 
And fashioned to his will.

"Now who will be her body?" 
"I," said the splendid rose,

"Colour, fire and fragrance, 
In imperial repose."

"Who will be her two eyes?"
"I," said the flag of blue,
"Sky and sea all shadowy

"Who will be, among you, 
The glory of her hair?" 
His glance went reaching through the noon; 
The marigold was there.

"Who will be her laughter, 

Her love-word and her sigh?" 
Among the whispering tree-tops 
A breath of wind said, "I."

"And whence will come her spirit?"
Answer there was none.