 | Mansoul or The Riddle of the World |  |
The Sister-Muses' garden, hence begins:
Which planted fór delight have théir own hands;
With laurel-rose, the long caved brinks beside,
In purple ranks, and midst clear pebble streams.
Which planted fór delight have théir own hands;
With laurel-rose, the long caved brinks beside,
In purple ranks, and midst clear pebble streams.
I ascending forth, came tó a deep swart pool,
Like liquid flint; which pártly a mirror sheen,
Is else a swimming nap of gracious lilies:
Whose buds and chalice-blosms, so purely white,
Be faeries' drinking-cups: o'er whose broad leaves,
Trip dainty water-fowl, on slender feet.
Like liquid flint; which pártly a mirror sheen,
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Whose buds and chalice-blosms, so purely white,
Be faeries' drinking-cups: o'er whose broad leaves,
Trip dainty water-fowl, on slender feet.
For faeries' gentle Nation wont to send
Thereto, a yearly solemn embassade;
In kirtles new and sheen. (Well be those shaped;
And stitcht of their deft hands, of the Spring leaves.)
Thereto, a yearly solemn embassade;
In kirtles new and sheen. (Well be those shaped;
And stitcht of their deft hands, of the Spring leaves.)
They, due obeissance to the Muses made;
With sidelong timid looks, do humbly entreat;
Embraced their divine knees: If any untaught
Or fay or heedless elf, by foot or voice;
Have, ín late Moons, únwittingly transgressed
Their sacred precincts, pardon. And renew
Their vows to observe the goddess-sisters hests.
With sidelong timid looks, do humbly entreat;
Embraced their divine knees: If any untaught
Or fay or heedless elf, by foot or voice;
Have, ín late Moons, únwittingly transgressed
Their sacred precincts, pardon. And renew
Their vows to observe the goddess-sisters hests.
The Muses set, of theír ambrosial fruits,
Before the little folk, náming them guests:
Ask of their wélfare and bid them rest and eat.
Before the little folk, náming them guests:
Ask of their wélfare and bid them rest and eat.
| Mansoul or The Riddle of the World | |