I rose－because He sank－1
I thought it would be opposite－
But when his power dropped－
My Soul grew straight.
I cheered my fainting Prince－5
I sang firm－even－Chants－
I helped his Film－with Hymn－
And when the Dews drew off 8
That held his Forehead stiff－
I met him－
Balm to Balm－
I told him Best－must pass 12
Through this low Arch of Flesh－
No Casque so brave
It spurn the Grave－
I told him Worlds I knew 16
Where Emperors grew－
Who recollected us
If we were true－
And so with Thews of Hymn－20
And Sinew from within－
And ways I knew not that I knew－till then－
I lifted Him－
I thought it would be opposite－
But when his power dropped－
My Soul grew straight.
I cheered my fainting Prince－5
I sang firm－even－Chants－
I helped his Film－with Hymn－
And when the Dews drew off 8
That held his Forehead stiff－
I met him－
Balm to Balm－
I told him Best－must pass 12
Through this low Arch of Flesh－
No Casque so brave
It spurn the Grave－
I told him Worlds I knew 16
Where Emperors grew－
Who recollected us
If we were true－
And so with Thews of Hymn－20
And Sinew from within－
And ways I knew not that I knew－till then－
I lifted Him－
(F.454/J.616)
[1] I, Him:: the adult cicada (Him) sunk inside its nymph; the nymph (I) rose for preparing to molt.
[3] power dropped:: pause of the molting seemed like losing power.
[7] Film:: the adult cicada's wing.
[11] Balm to Balm:: balm-cricket, or cicada. The cicada before and after its molt.
[13] Through, Flesh:: molting by breaking through the nymph's back.
[17] Emperors:: emperor butterflies.
[23] lifted:: its skin remained on surface with its shape intact, while the adult breaking from the skin looks like being lifted.