The Convergence of the Twain

(Lines on the loss of the "Titanic")

I 

            In a solitude of the sea 

            Deep from human vanity, 

And the Pride of Life that planned her, stilly couches she. 

II 

            Steel chambers, late the pyres 

            Of her salamandrine fires, 

Cold currents thrid, and turn to rhythmic tidal lyres. 

III 

            Over the mirrors meant 

            To glass the opulent 

The sea-worm crawls — grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent. 

IV 

            Jewels in joy designed 

            To ravish the sensuous mind 

Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind. 

V 

            Dim moon-eyed fishes near 

            Gaze at the gilded gear 

And query: "What does this vaingloriousness down here?" ... 

VI 

            Well: while was fashioning 

            This creature of cleaving wing, 

The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything 

VII 

            Prepared a sinister mate 

            For her — so gaily great — 

A Shape of Ice, for the time far and dissociate. 

VIII 

            And as the smart ship grew 

            In stature, grace, and hue, 

In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too. 

IX 

            Alien they seemed to be; 

            No mortal eye could see 

The intimate welding of their later history, 

X 

            Or sign that they were bent 

            By paths coincident 

On being anon twin halves of one august event, 

XI 

            Till the Spinner of the Years 

            Said "Now!" And each one hears, 

And consummation comes, and jars two hemispheres.

-o0o-