Cosmo De' Medici An Historical Tragedy: And Other Poems: By Richard Hengist Horne |
 |
|
THE WATER-FLY AND THE JELLY-FISH.
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | Cosmo De' Medici |  |
147
THE WATER-FLY AND THE JELLY-FISH.
Inscribed to Professor Owen.
Bright in silver glancings—o'er the sunny sea-shore,
Skimming fast I flew, midst pools in rocky rings;
Playing through the sea-weeds—dancing with their shadows,
Proud of my wings!
Skimming fast I flew, midst pools in rocky rings;
Playing through the sea-weeds—dancing with their shadows,
Proud of my wings!
Gaily my image woo'd me to the water,
Close, ah, too closely,—dazzling my eyes—
Dipping down, I'm seiz'd! by something slimy, floating
In pale opal dyes!
Close, ah, too closely,—dazzling my eyes—
Dipping down, I'm seiz'd! by something slimy, floating
In pale opal dyes!
Now, I am crush'd within a freezing silence!—
Gazing up to Heaven, thro' pale transparent walls:
Moveless, while I feel my gleaming gelid prison
Joys in my thralls!
Gazing up to Heaven, thro' pale transparent walls:
Moveless, while I feel my gleaming gelid prison
Joys in my thralls!
Slowly, ah me! my delicate structure's failing!—
Melting, absorb'd within this idle mass:
Sunny-life, farewell!—thy liquid rays still smiling,
Quiver—and pass!
Melting, absorb'd within this idle mass:
Sunny-life, farewell!—thy liquid rays still smiling,
Quiver—and pass!
| Cosmo De' Medici | |