The Hours of Fiammetta

The Hours of Fiammetta is a collection of poems by Rachel Annand Taylor. Taylor was a Scottish lyricist, prominent in the Celtic Revival, and later a biographer and literary commentator. Excerpt: "Ah! Since from subtle silk of agony

Our veils of lamentable flesh are spun,

Since Time in spoiling violates, and we

In that strait Pass of Pangs may be undone,

Since the mere natural flower and withering

Of these our bodies terribly distil

Strange poisons, since an alien Lust may fling

On any autumn day some torch to fill

Our pale Pavilion of dreaming lavenders

With frenzy, till it is a Tower of Flame

Wherein the soul shrieks burning, since the myrrhs

And music of our beauty are mixed with shame

Inextricable,—some drug of poppies give

This bitter ecstasy whereby we live!"