Song Meaning
This passage paints a picture of a spiritual transformation, where the physical self has been shed. The "look and likeness caught from earth" and "accident of kin and birth" are gone, leaving no trace on the face. What remains is a pure, singular essence, a spirit that is entirely her own.
The central tension lies in the contrast between the departed physical form and the luminous spirit that now shines through. The "rifted stone" suggests a tomb or a place of emergence, from which this pure self is revealed. It's a moment of profound unveiling, where the individual is defined solely by their inner being.
The most striking craft element is the insistent repetition of "She, she herself, and only she." This emphasizes the absolute singularity and self-possession of the spirit. The phrase "Shone through her body visibly" creates a powerful image of the internal becoming external, the spiritual made manifest in a way that is undeniable and radiant.