 | Silenus |  |
Ofttimes beside a solitary pool
She looked down laughing to her face within,
Wondering what passages of grace it bore
Beyond the grace of other forest nymphs
That won her Demigod to gaze entranced!
She looked down laughing to her face within,
Wondering what passages of grace it bore
Beyond the grace of other forest nymphs
That won her Demigod to gaze entranced!
3
One summer noon in idle bliss she lay
Fingered by slender grass, and flower-bekissed,
Her glances wandering daintily adown
Those undulating beauties half concealed,
He ever likened unto all things fair!
Pleased with his similes, she stretched her limbs
Their utmost gleaming length, and moving tossed
Aside her garment that her beauty lay
Open and perfect to the wistful wind.
Fingered by slender grass, and flower-bekissed,
Her glances wandering daintily adown
Those undulating beauties half concealed,
He ever likened unto all things fair!
Pleased with his similes, she stretched her limbs
Their utmost gleaming length, and moving tossed
Aside her garment that her beauty lay
Open and perfect to the wistful wind.
Enfolded arms behind her resting head
Eyes half-way closed, she dreamed of gladness past
And joy to come, when she should hold her Love
Safe in her arms, and lose him nevermore.
Tho' fair the dream she felt her will enthralled,
And some uncertain fear of danger nigh
That hovered thro' the changes of her bliss.
With all too broad a gaze shone the bright day;
From overhanging branches little birds
Pried curiously; and hovering butterflies,
Familiarly descending on her charms,
Outspread their glimmering splendours; while the spell
Held her fast bound as Cepheus' chain held fast
Andromeda's white beauty, whereon glared
Poseidon's dreadful monster of the sea.
Thus tranced she lay in durance, till a flush
Of twittering birds, dived in the neighbouring shade,
And in the leaves a rustling near, unlike
The peaceable soft wind, lifted her gaze
Where stared two brilliant goat-eyes; cheeks agrin,
Ruddy and strained; and long white clashing teeth!
Eyes half-way closed, she dreamed of gladness past
And joy to come, when she should hold her Love
Safe in her arms, and lose him nevermore.
Tho' fair the dream she felt her will enthralled,
And some uncertain fear of danger nigh
That hovered thro' the changes of her bliss.
With all too broad a gaze shone the bright day;
From overhanging branches little birds
Pried curiously; and hovering butterflies,
4
Outspread their glimmering splendours; while the spell
Held her fast bound as Cepheus' chain held fast
Andromeda's white beauty, whereon glared
Poseidon's dreadful monster of the sea.
Thus tranced she lay in durance, till a flush
Of twittering birds, dived in the neighbouring shade,
And in the leaves a rustling near, unlike
The peaceable soft wind, lifted her gaze
Where stared two brilliant goat-eyes; cheeks agrin,
Ruddy and strained; and long white clashing teeth!
| Silenus | |