 | Claribel and Other Poems |  |
134
IPHIGENIA AT AULIS
I am Achilles. Thou wast hither brought
To be my wife, not for a sacrifice.
Greece and her kings may stand aside as nought
To what Thou art in my expectant eyes.
To be my wife, not for a sacrifice.
Greece and her kings may stand aside as nought
To what Thou art in my expectant eyes.
Or kings or gods. I too am heaven-born.
I trample on their auguries and needs.
Where the foreboding dares to front my scorn
Or break the promise from my heart proceeds?
I trample on their auguries and needs.
Where the foreboding dares to front my scorn
Or break the promise from my heart proceeds?
But thou, Belovéd! smilést down my wrath
So able to protect thee. Who should harm
Achilles' Bride?—Thou pointest to the path
Of sacrifice, yet leaning on my arm.
So able to protect thee. Who should harm
Achilles' Bride?—Thou pointest to the path
Of sacrifice, yet leaning on my arm.
There is no need of words; from me reply
As little requisite: Thy lightest hand
Guideth me, as the helm the ship; Thine eye
Doth more than all the Atridæ could command.
As little requisite: Thy lightest hand
Guideth me, as the helm the ship; Thine eye
Doth more than all the Atridæ could command.
Thou givést life and love for Greece and Right:
I will stand by thee lest thou shouldst be weak—
Not weak of soul.—I will but hold in sight
Thy marvelous beauty.—Here is She you seek.
I will stand by thee lest thou shouldst be weak—
Not weak of soul.—I will but hold in sight
Thy marvelous beauty.—Here is She you seek.
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