Venus─the yellow star of Love─is gone.
From the soft silver beauty of the West
Where like a jewel on a lovely breast
She shone resplendent, she has now withdrawn;
She has passed on to ravish the pale dawn.
But since her brilliance has the evening blessed,
The earth with dreariness is now oppressed.
After her splendor others seem but wan.
So, Dearest, since thy love’s impassioned fire
Was kindled in my being’s inmost shrine,
And all my trembling rapture and desire
Went up to God as incense pure and fine─
Naught could have power to quicken or inspire
If love’s bright star in splendor should decline.
“The Yellow Star of Love” as it appears in Higginson’s The Vanishing Race (1911).