 | Areytos or songs and ballads of the South |  |
VI.
“If Rome must perish, as the Gods decree,
Let the Gods work her overthrow!” quoth he;
If Carthage be the care of Heaven, let Heaven
See to her safety! Wherefore is it given
That I, to sacrifice of my young delights,
Home, love, and safety, should ascend these heights,
That grow before me ever as I rise,
Until the mountain crags shut out the skies,
Or show the sun at rest upon their peaks?
'Tis not for such as this my spirit seeks,
And wherefore am I chosen for the toil?
My soul delights not in the strife and spoil:
Would cherish peaceful sports—would lie at ease,
Where idle sails disport on summer seas,
And flowers of pleasant odor court the breeze;
And Love and Beauty, to the mock of care,
Join evermore in pleasures, sweet as rare,
And Hope itself folds up the satisfied wing,
While Fancy, witless, with no farther guest,
Lapsing in dream, beside the wizard-spring,
Needs never farther seeking to be bless'd!
Let the Gods work her overthrow!” quoth he;
If Carthage be the care of Heaven, let Heaven
See to her safety! Wherefore is it given
That I, to sacrifice of my young delights,
Home, love, and safety, should ascend these heights,
That grow before me ever as I rise,
Until the mountain crags shut out the skies,
Or show the sun at rest upon their peaks?
'Tis not for such as this my spirit seeks,
And wherefore am I chosen for the toil?
My soul delights not in the strife and spoil:
Would cherish peaceful sports—would lie at ease,
Where idle sails disport on summer seas,
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And Love and Beauty, to the mock of care,
Join evermore in pleasures, sweet as rare,
And Hope itself folds up the satisfied wing,
While Fancy, witless, with no farther guest,
Lapsing in dream, beside the wizard-spring,
Needs never farther seeking to be bless'd!
Ah! the dear glimpses now that memory bears
Of the well-satisfied heart in boyhood's years—
Its smiles, and songs, and sports—its very tears—
That woo me back to wildering stream and grove,
Where Rapture, panting, sits with flowing locks,
While, eager, with delight, the impetuous Love
Bounds in pursuit adown the headlong rocks,
Sings bounding, and with purple, flowery twines,
Makes fast the glowing captive 'mongst the vines.
Of the well-satisfied heart in boyhood's years—
Its smiles, and songs, and sports—its very tears—
That woo me back to wildering stream and grove,
Where Rapture, panting, sits with flowing locks,
While, eager, with delight, the impetuous Love
Bounds in pursuit adown the headlong rocks,
Sings bounding, and with purple, flowery twines,
Makes fast the glowing captive 'mongst the vines.
Ah! wherefore to the loss of these delights,
Pursue this toil, along these perilous heights,
While Bliss entreats me to the shade, and Life,
Assured of every rapture, free from strife,
Makes pictures from possessions, and so moves
Hope with enjoyment, that no more he roves,
But in the lap of Rapture feels content,
In very slumber finding ravishment?
Pursue this toil, along these perilous heights,
While Bliss entreats me to the shade, and Life,
Assured of every rapture, free from strife,
Makes pictures from possessions, and so moves
Hope with enjoyment, that no more he roves,
But in the lap of Rapture feels content,
In very slumber finding ravishment?
| Areytos or songs and ballads of the South | |