 | The poems and prose writings of Sumner Lincoln Fairfield |  |
“Simple as Superstition's prostrate prayer!”
With blandishments, said Isis' haughty priest.
“Know'st thou not, loveliest! that holy men
Must never shame their gods by deeds unlike
Their sacred exploits? what were deathlessness
Without delight? eternity, without
The ecstacies of woman's winning smile?
Thy country's hoarest fathers, most for skill
In counsel, and unequal virtue famed,
In canon and enactment of old law,
Did consecrate corruption and commit
Captives to bondage of their tyrant's will,
And build proud temples for the haunt of shame.
We, then, are mimes of the Immortals, Love!
And why should the weak waiter on the rites
Of the Omnipotents refrain from joy?
Folly must feel our masterdom, when words,
Called oracles, are bought, but, in all else,
The priest was framed for pleasure—and thy smile,
Hebe of Beauty! from thy vassal here
Shall win a better augury than all
Campania's hecatombs!—Time wastes, my bliss!
Speak thou the oracle I shall repeat
Through Isis' marble lips!—the answer's thine!”
With blandishments, said Isis' haughty priest.
“Know'st thou not, loveliest! that holy men
Must never shame their gods by deeds unlike
Their sacred exploits? what were deathlessness
Without delight? eternity, without
The ecstacies of woman's winning smile?
Thy country's hoarest fathers, most for skill
In counsel, and unequal virtue famed,
In canon and enactment of old law,
Did consecrate corruption and commit
Captives to bondage of their tyrant's will,
And build proud temples for the haunt of shame.
We, then, are mimes of the Immortals, Love!
And why should the weak waiter on the rites
Of the Omnipotents refrain from joy?
Folly must feel our masterdom, when words,
Called oracles, are bought, but, in all else,
The priest was framed for pleasure—and thy smile,
Hebe of Beauty! from thy vassal here
Shall win a better augury than all
Campania's hecatombs!—Time wastes, my bliss!
Speak thou the oracle I shall repeat
Through Isis' marble lips!—the answer's thine!”
| The poems and prose writings of Sumner Lincoln Fairfield | |