 | Tiresias |  |
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BOOK II. TIRESIAS. SONG OF IMAGINATION
A mighty God, untouched of mortal pain,
I feel immortal youth within me glow;
And Time, my servitor, commands the Hours,
And their attendant powers
To sprinkle rarest beauty on my brow,
That wanes and blooms again
In splendour multitudinously bright,
Wonders of earth and air in circles of delight.
I feel immortal youth within me glow;
And Time, my servitor, commands the Hours,
And their attendant powers
To sprinkle rarest beauty on my brow,
That wanes and blooms again
In splendour multitudinously bright,
Wonders of earth and air in circles of delight.
Boreas I mark on yonder rolling world
Awake and goad old Ocean till he raves,
And climbs in maddened masses from the deep.
Deluded ships, asleep,
One moment crested quivering on the waves,
Are pitilessly hurled
Thro' dismal darkness, and stupendous roar,
And cast, unheeded wreckage, on some lonely shore.
Awake and goad old Ocean till he raves,
And climbs in maddened masses from the deep.
Deluded ships, asleep,
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Are pitilessly hurled
Thro' dismal darkness, and stupendous roar,
And cast, unheeded wreckage, on some lonely shore.
Anon the boisterous God assails a town,
Driving the altar-fires in deadly streams
That rush and burst against the palace walls,
And char the kingly halls!
While furnace-splendours mount in startling gleams,
And, opal-tinted, crown
The temple flaming high, ere, with a flash,
All drops a huddled ruin, loud groaning in the crash.
Driving the altar-fires in deadly streams
That rush and burst against the palace walls,
And char the kingly halls!
While furnace-splendours mount in startling gleams,
And, opal-tinted, crown
The temple flaming high, ere, with a flash,
All drops a huddled ruin, loud groaning in the crash.
Destruction forges sport for Gods at ease:
The rampant water, plunging leap of fire,
Welcome varieties that sate our gaze!
Unless attention strays
Where Fortune, promptly flattering our desire
For other sights to please,
Heaps up more treasure than our eyes may scan,
The plunder of all time encompassed in a span!
The rampant water, plunging leap of fire,
Welcome varieties that sate our gaze!
Unless attention strays
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For other sights to please,
Heaps up more treasure than our eyes may scan,
The plunder of all time encompassed in a span!
Alone. Unstirred by either hope or fear,
While past the teeming generations fly,
I will be God no more! Again I feel
Soft pity thro' me steal,
As mounts that shipwreck-yell of agony
From hopeless death so near,
And shrink in horror as that molten flood
Enwraps the shrivelled crowd while shrieking in their blood.
While past the teeming generations fly,
I will be God no more! Again I feel
Soft pity thro' me steal,
As mounts that shipwreck-yell of agony
From hopeless death so near,
And shrink in horror as that molten flood
Enwraps the shrivelled crowd while shrieking in their blood.
Now, as a king, I love my people well,
And morn by morn implore the Gods for grace
To lead them duly by continual care
To brightest issues, where
Contentment smiles a life-long resting-place,
And every one shall quell
The zest for vantage at another's cost,
That tells, tho' great the gain, of something greater lost.
And morn by morn implore the Gods for grace
To lead them duly by continual care
To brightest issues, where
Contentment smiles a life-long resting-place,
And every one shall quell
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That tells, tho' great the gain, of something greater lost.
Their sunny faces smile along the street;
And in my palaces I often list
Whisper of women, “Child, here comes the king!”
And one will boldly bring
Her curly-headed Eros to be kissed;
Or, worn-out warrior greet,
And I, remembering his strong days of yore,
Make smile his wrinkled cheeks in tears be-dabbled o'er.
And in my palaces I often list
Whisper of women, “Child, here comes the king!”
And one will boldly bring
Her curly-headed Eros to be kissed;
Or, worn-out warrior greet,
And I, remembering his strong days of yore,
Make smile his wrinkled cheeks in tears be-dabbled o'er.
Again I change, that I may feast on crime,
And breathe an evil king; but love my slaves
As stoat the rabbits, and a wolf his sheep.
I count before I sleep
How many vessels on the bounding waves
Support my state sublime;
And throb with joy that multitudes must strain,
Their utmost famished strength to swell my regal gain.
And breathe an evil king; but love my slaves
As stoat the rabbits, and a wolf his sheep.
I count before I sleep
How many vessels on the bounding waves
Support my state sublime;
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Their utmost famished strength to swell my regal gain.
I move in splendour; shrinking figures bend,
Awe-stricken by the glancing polished arms
Of my stern guard; when, should I haply spy
Among them standing by,
One of rare beauty in her maiden charms,
I smile, they apprehend;
And, loth or willing, she is haled away
To wonder, pretty trembler, what a king may say!
Awe-stricken by the glancing polished arms
Of my stern guard; when, should I haply spy
Among them standing by,
One of rare beauty in her maiden charms,
I smile, they apprehend;
And, loth or willing, she is haled away
To wonder, pretty trembler, what a king may say!
Man's blood alone; blood only can appease
My thirst for drinking to the depths of power.
I make selection from the rich I hate,
And prove by legal prate
They violated in some secret hour
Immutable decrees;
When swiftly executed judgments bring
The wealth and wished-for ease; sure proofs that I am king!
My thirst for drinking to the depths of power.
I make selection from the rich I hate,
And prove by legal prate
They violated in some secret hour
Immutable decrees;
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The wealth and wished-for ease; sure proofs that I am king!
Go, kings! I blaze a hero great in might,
And treasure gathered of unnumbered foes.
Astounded powers fall doting at my feet,
Whom graciously I greet,
And, as a gardener plucks a tended rose,
I take command by right;
Direct their marches on unconquered lands,
And, shouting, back return fresh banners in our hands!
And treasure gathered of unnumbered foes.
Astounded powers fall doting at my feet,
Whom graciously I greet,
And, as a gardener plucks a tended rose,
I take command by right;
Direct their marches on unconquered lands,
And, shouting, back return fresh banners in our hands!
Sweet is repose; and slumber yet more soft,
After the onslaught of an angry day;
But sweeter still the Dionysian cup,
When filled and bubbling up
Fuller than brim, till golden streamlets spray
The ruddy hand aloft
To hail the vineyard-toilers' noble craft,
And, deeply breathing, drink a vineyard at a draught!
After the onslaught of an angry day;
But sweeter still the Dionysian cup,
When filled and bubbling up
Fuller than brim, till golden streamlets spray
The ruddy hand aloft
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And, deeply breathing, drink a vineyard at a draught!
But what are shoutings of victorious strife,
Or golden bowls of red and golden wine,
If matched with throbbing of a woman's heart,
When eyelids brightly start,
And lips, divinely soft, own love divine;
Enrapturing our life,
To loftiest eminence of honour won,
The glory on our way outshining moon and sun!
Or golden bowls of red and golden wine,
If matched with throbbing of a woman's heart,
When eyelids brightly start,
And lips, divinely soft, own love divine;
Enrapturing our life,
To loftiest eminence of honour won,
The glory on our way outshining moon and sun!
Whatever dwells within created bounds
Am I, or have been, or I dream to be!
The sullen monster haunting river slime!
In laughing summer time,
Among the flowers the fair one fluttering free!
Or, where great ocean sounds,
The watchful seamew winging sapphire day
In ceaseless airy circles plaining for her prey!
Am I, or have been, or I dream to be!
The sullen monster haunting river slime!
In laughing summer time,
Among the flowers the fair one fluttering free!
Or, where great ocean sounds,
The watchful seamew winging sapphire day
In ceaseless airy circles plaining for her prey!
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Now, a male serpent, beauty's warmth I clasp
In coils so lovingly around her grace,
My tightened pressure stays her failing breath,
And hints approaching death;
Then, ere the blushing roses leave their place,
And she escape my grasp,
Storming, my rapture thro' her faintness burns
In maddened kisses hers with quickened breath returns.
In coils so lovingly around her grace,
My tightened pressure stays her failing breath,
And hints approaching death;
Then, ere the blushing roses leave their place,
And she escape my grasp,
Storming, my rapture thro' her faintness burns
In maddened kisses hers with quickened breath returns.
I am a Nymph; I love a God, and saw
Him kiss a river Naiad tenderly,
Smiling more brightly than the sun on snow.
I heard him whisper low
Unto her, shameless! Timid, meek, and shy,
And melting as the thaw,
When noontide-smitten over pasturing hills
The loosened snow slips down, flushed to a thousand rills.
Him kiss a river Naiad tenderly,
Smiling more brightly than the sun on snow.
I heard him whisper low
Unto her, shameless! Timid, meek, and shy,
And melting as the thaw,
When noontide-smitten over pasturing hills
The loosened snow slips down, flushed to a thousand rills.
I would have crouched at his immortal feet,
Writhing resplendent gleamings, fold on fold,
Around his shapely limbs in gradual slide,
His fast-united bride!
And quick in ecstasy had clenched mine hold,
Till both our bosoms beat
One measure, as I crushed his strength in mine,
When, tho' he moaned for pain, my triumph was divine.
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Around his shapely limbs in gradual slide,
His fast-united bride!
And quick in ecstasy had clenched mine hold,
Till both our bosoms beat
One measure, as I crushed his strength in mine,
When, tho' he moaned for pain, my triumph was divine.
Serpent, away! Relax thy gorgeous wiles,
Nor prey on unsuspecting innocence.
Now would I woo disdainful quietude,
That face-averting prude,
Who truest lover ever shuns, or hence
Mocks him with fleeting smiles!
But, scorned, I doubt her countenance, and range
Free as the wind of heaven in never-ceasing change.
Nor prey on unsuspecting innocence.
Now would I woo disdainful quietude,
That face-averting prude,
Who truest lover ever shuns, or hence
Mocks him with fleeting smiles!
But, scorned, I doubt her countenance, and range
Free as the wind of heaven in never-ceasing change.
Then come, O joyous Freedom! Fold thy wings,
To lay thy face on this too-happy breast,
`That I may lull thee mine with tenderest song
As quietly along
We glide together where the molten West,
Wealth-overburdened, flings
Largess of burnished gold my wavelets leap
And catch to drop again down wasteful in the deep.
To lay thy face on this too-happy breast,
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As quietly along
We glide together where the molten West,
Wealth-overburdened, flings
Largess of burnished gold my wavelets leap
And catch to drop again down wasteful in the deep.
For now a River pleasantly I pause
Awhile within a deep pellucid pool,
Whereon a sunlight-star flickers and burns,
Or, vanishing, returns,
To flash aslant and gild green sedges cool
In momentary flaws.
Then murmuring on between my banks I slide
Greeting the stately rushes ranked on either side.
Awhile within a deep pellucid pool,
Whereon a sunlight-star flickers and burns,
Or, vanishing, returns,
To flash aslant and gild green sedges cool
In momentary flaws.
Then murmuring on between my banks I slide
Greeting the stately rushes ranked on either side.
Aglow, illuminating meadow green,
Naked as new-born, wind-tossed flowers, are thronged
Loveliest of frolic maidens chattering loud,
In youthful beauty proud;
Who, by delay, thro' golden warmth prolonged,
Are favourably seen
As they, each other pushing, laugh and urge
To the first plunge while lingering on the grassy verge;
Naked as new-born, wind-tossed flowers, are thronged
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In youthful beauty proud;
Who, by delay, thro' golden warmth prolonged,
Are favourably seen
As they, each other pushing, laugh and urge
To the first plunge while lingering on the grassy verge;
Till, in my waters plunging, one and all
Tingle my very depths. I clasp, surround
Their shapely forms, round throats to dainty feet,
With hold so closely sweet,
I know a lover's transport never found
But sweets transitional
Compared with my delight, while in mine arms
Their every grace enjoyed of all their varied charms.
Tingle my very depths. I clasp, surround
Their shapely forms, round throats to dainty feet,
With hold so closely sweet,
I know a lover's transport never found
But sweets transitional
Compared with my delight, while in mine arms
Their every grace enjoyed of all their varied charms.
My tide must flow, or lingering still would I
Enjoy their beauty, ere the beauties don
Their daily garments and deflower the light.
While some blushed rosy bright,
Or golden-tinted, or tall lilies shone,
Some gleamed like ivory;
And others had in smouldering summer grown
Brown as autumnal tones when nuts come pattering down.
Enjoy their beauty, ere the beauties don
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While some blushed rosy bright,
Or golden-tinted, or tall lilies shone,
Some gleamed like ivory;
And others had in smouldering summer grown
Brown as autumnal tones when nuts come pattering down.
Broadly and strong I run my destined course,
Thro' wooded gloom where prowling creatures roar;
Crags, vast and lofty, eagles only scale,
And weaker pinions fail;
I near at length the ocean's sounding shore
Where, wrathful billows hoarse,
Frothed by vain howling would devour the land,
But shriek and fall abashed with frantic stones and sand.
Thro' wooded gloom where prowling creatures roar;
Crags, vast and lofty, eagles only scale,
And weaker pinions fail;
I near at length the ocean's sounding shore
Where, wrathful billows hoarse,
Frothed by vain howling would devour the land,
But shriek and fall abashed with frantic stones and sand.
Thro' the mad waters rushing, mine compact,
Maintain their penetrating underflow
And sound the solemn dells of mystery.
Meanwhile in dreams I lie
Uniting languidly with brine below,
My very being slacked
And drifted thro' a wilderness of caves;
But with the morn I wake and dance on sunlit waves!
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And sound the solemn dells of mystery.
Meanwhile in dreams I lie
Uniting languidly with brine below,
My very being slacked
And drifted thro' a wilderness of caves;
But with the morn I wake and dance on sunlit waves!
I rise, I quiver, I exhale in clouds!
Our bright ascension silvering woos the sun,
And trembles into vagueness at his gaze.
His ardent scorching rays,
And unendurably keen darts to shun,
We huddle close in crowds
And bid the winds, our coursers, speed to land,
Our cheeks, back-turned aglow, touched by his farewell hand.
Our bright ascension silvering woos the sun,
And trembles into vagueness at his gaze.
His ardent scorching rays,
And unendurably keen darts to shun,
We huddle close in crowds
And bid the winds, our coursers, speed to land,
Our cheeks, back-turned aglow, touched by his farewell hand.
Transcending fertile valleys in my flight;
And over woodland heights to wind-swept plain,
Where men and beasts uncounted plod and toil
To overcome the soil,
With scythe and plough; their daily needs to gain,
Wage life-long stubborn fight;
There hang I resting spread abroad in one
Far-reaching veil of mist between the earth and sun.
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Where men and beasts uncounted plod and toil
To overcome the soil,
With scythe and plough; their daily needs to gain,
Wage life-long stubborn fight;
There hang I resting spread abroad in one
Far-reaching veil of mist between the earth and sun.
The march of thunder-tempest rolling nigh
Precipitates me shattering to the ground
A drenching downpour, for a moment hushed
And lost in yielding dust
That chokes each gurgling crevice, muttering sound
As tho' complainingly,
The soaking wet, they longed for oft in vain,
Now, like an angry God, o'erwhelms them with disdain.
Precipitates me shattering to the ground
A drenching downpour, for a moment hushed
And lost in yielding dust
That chokes each gurgling crevice, muttering sound
As tho' complainingly,
The soaking wet, they longed for oft in vain,
Now, like an angry God, o'erwhelms them with disdain.
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Glazed by mysterious moonshine in the night,
My waters sob for joy thro' every slope,
But linger on the level stretching wide
Till from the sheer cragside
They rush, as compassing divinest hope,
And dash in mad delight
Commingling with the mountain-torrents' force
That plunges mightily along its rocky course.
My waters sob for joy thro' every slope,
But linger on the level stretching wide
Till from the sheer cragside
They rush, as compassing divinest hope,
And dash in mad delight
Commingling with the mountain-torrents' force
That plunges mightily along its rocky course.
The heavens are bare. I am a myriad rills,
Rillets, and streamlets hastening all adown:
I fall in evedrops on the shepherd's brow
When forth he ventures slow,
Hoping perchance, untended and alone,
His sheep among the hills
Had taken shelter in an ancient cave
Deep-clefted in the rock, their timid lives to save.
Rillets, and streamlets hastening all adown:
I fall in evedrops on the shepherd's brow
When forth he ventures slow,
Hoping perchance, untended and alone,
His sheep among the hills
Had taken shelter in an ancient cave
Deep-clefted in the rock, their timid lives to save.
By countless tributary courses fed
My waters wash the rushes shoulder-high,
And bend their graceful heads where wavelets surge
Lapping the sodden verge.
Down my loved channel yet again might I,
By other fancies led,
Watch other pictures as their beauties gleam
Bright from my peopled banks and glorify my stream.
My waters wash the rushes shoulder-high,
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Lapping the sodden verge.
Down my loved channel yet again might I,
By other fancies led,
Watch other pictures as their beauties gleam
Bright from my peopled banks and glorify my stream.
But farewell river! Once again with men!
My dimpled fingers on my mother pressed,
I drain the primal nourishment of strength
A satisfying length.
Crooning old tunes she fondles me to rest
In gentle slumber, when
She fondly smiles to watch me dream and smile,
And oft down her fair cheeks are trickling tears the while.
My dimpled fingers on my mother pressed,
I drain the primal nourishment of strength
A satisfying length.
Crooning old tunes she fondles me to rest
In gentle slumber, when
She fondly smiles to watch me dream and smile,
And oft down her fair cheeks are trickling tears the while.
Anon her hest, or terrifying threat,
Promise of apples or a longed-for toy,
Proscribes the fishpool, and forbids the trees
That I can climb with ease;
And every gambol I would fain enjoy,
By her concern is met
With kisses undesired, and shown, if done,
As some unheard-of wickedness that shames the sun.
Promise of apples or a longed-for toy,
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That I can climb with ease;
And every gambol I would fain enjoy,
By her concern is met
With kisses undesired, and shown, if done,
As some unheard-of wickedness that shames the sun.
But O the rapture when my father cries
“Boy, take my shortest bow and hunt with me!”
I am another than myself; my pride
Bounds in a bolder stride;
My beard is curling! I already see
Strong men, without surprise,
With bluff familiarity demand
That I should leave my home to join their hunter band!
“Boy, take my shortest bow and hunt with me!”
I am another than myself; my pride
Bounds in a bolder stride;
My beard is curling! I already see
Strong men, without surprise,
With bluff familiarity demand
That I should leave my home to join their hunter band!
There lies a hollow in the hills, where sound,
However sweetly trilled, would stir the calm
And silent noon, and come unbidden there
To wake the sleeping air:
And worship, breathing an unspoken psalm,
Absorbed in gazing round
The domed refulgence of a summer day,
Would hoard the glory time could never take away.
However sweetly trilled, would stir the calm
And silent noon, and come unbidden there
To wake the sleeping air:
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Absorbed in gazing round
The domed refulgence of a summer day,
Would hoard the glory time could never take away.
The solemn splendour, when at eve I roam
A lonely way above our purple vale,
Wraps me in curious musing how the Fates
Control the course of states;
Until perplexed assumptions halt and fail,
When, bending footsteps home
At close of day, in the sad light of stars
I feel their tender beauty shine reproach on mortal jars!
A lonely way above our purple vale,
Wraps me in curious musing how the Fates
Control the course of states;
Until perplexed assumptions halt and fail,
When, bending footsteps home
At close of day, in the sad light of stars
I feel their tender beauty shine reproach on mortal jars!
I love the young Dione, and, alas,
I cannot say she loves! Where might I find
One whose well-studied comeliness could vie
With her simplicity?
Gracious is she to me; low-voiced, and kind;
And flowery summer grass,
Beloved of all, grows not more innocent
Of lofty downcast looks where cold disdain is meant!
I cannot say she loves! Where might I find
One whose well-studied comeliness could vie
With her simplicity?
Gracious is she to me; low-voiced, and kind;
And flowery summer grass,
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Of lofty downcast looks where cold disdain is meant!
I hold her unresisting hand in mine,
Lingering in hope a maiden dawn will rise,
To show the folded flower has raised its head
And blossomed rosy red.
Ah no! yet lily pure her cheeks! Her eyes
In steady candour shine,
Tho' my warm kisses tremble on her mouth,
Sweeter than jasmine bloom, or roses of the South!
Lingering in hope a maiden dawn will rise,
To show the folded flower has raised its head
And blossomed rosy red.
Ah no! yet lily pure her cheeks! Her eyes
In steady candour shine,
Tho' my warm kisses tremble on her mouth,
Sweeter than jasmine bloom, or roses of the South!
Playing I sit where shadows interlace,
And time the pauses of my oaten stem
In varying measure, as the song she sings
Melodiously rings
And quivers; when, like an engraven gem
She stands in clear-cut grace,
Against the calm of an inviolate sky,
Whom thus to see again I feel that I could die!
And time the pauses of my oaten stem
In varying measure, as the song she sings
Melodiously rings
And quivers; when, like an engraven gem
She stands in clear-cut grace,
Against the calm of an inviolate sky,
Whom thus to see again I feel that I could die!
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Her hands against an oak, that overspread
A quiet water, I behold her lean
To watch her pictured self. “No form divine
Could be compared with thine,
Save that, Dione, there beneath thee seen!”
She sidewise lifts her head;
But ah, the rippling laughter is but play
Of freely flowing streamlets glittering and away!
A quiet water, I behold her lean
To watch her pictured self. “No form divine
Could be compared with thine,
Save that, Dione, there beneath thee seen!”
She sidewise lifts her head;
But ah, the rippling laughter is but play
Of freely flowing streamlets glittering and away!
How can I win Dione? Hear my prayer
Ye powers above, ye wise ones of the earth!
So nearly mine she seems; yet shines on high
Cold as the morning sky!
What can I do to win her? What of worth?
For grimly would I dare
Encounter foulest dragon her to please;
A monster huge as any slain by Heracles!
Ye powers above, ye wise ones of the earth!
So nearly mine she seems; yet shines on high
Cold as the morning sky!
What can I do to win her? What of worth?
For grimly would I dare
Encounter foulest dragon her to please;
A monster huge as any slain by Heracles!
She still withholds her love against my sighs,
A love whereon I brood as birds at rest!
My arms entwining her perfected shape,
She does not me escape,
But drops her own arms folded on my breast,
Looking with tender eyes;
But in their droop burns no bright answering fire,
No liquid flash or sparkle soothing my desire!
A love whereon I brood as birds at rest!
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She does not me escape,
But drops her own arms folded on my breast,
Looking with tender eyes;
But in their droop burns no bright answering fire,
No liquid flash or sparkle soothing my desire!
Once on a day we two together sped
Across the coppice outskirt where a wood
Bore heavy crops of wild autumnal fruit;
Both diligent and mute,
We brimmed our baskets full of forest food;
When ceasing toil, I said
‘Behold yon sapphire mountains drowned in crowds
Of mimic mountains floating upward clouds on clouds!’
Across the coppice outskirt where a wood
Bore heavy crops of wild autumnal fruit;
Both diligent and mute,
We brimmed our baskets full of forest food;
When ceasing toil, I said
‘Behold yon sapphire mountains drowned in crowds
Of mimic mountains floating upward clouds on clouds!’
And while I spake a cold damp gust of wind
Smote us with passing chill; and whence it came
Was dim and darkened, and I knew the sign.
“A storm, Dione mine,
Comes fast upon us filled with flood and flame;
And scant the time to find
A shelter for our lives!” I found a knoll
Thick grown with saplings, ere we heard the thunder roll,
Smote us with passing chill; and whence it came
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“A storm, Dione mine,
Comes fast upon us filled with flood and flame;
And scant the time to find
A shelter for our lives!” I found a knoll
Thick grown with saplings, ere we heard the thunder roll,
And felt a few sharp drops. Then, bending low
Some young trees, twisting their lithe branches tight,
I bound them fast in withes Dione made
With serviceable aid;
Then promptly drew my sharpened blade to fight
Our danger. At each blow
A graceful sapling fell; and as they fell
She bore and piled them close around our hasty cell.
Some young trees, twisting their lithe branches tight,
I bound them fast in withes Dione made
With serviceable aid;
Then promptly drew my sharpened blade to fight
Our danger. At each blow
A graceful sapling fell; and as they fell
She bore and piled them close around our hasty cell.
No king, to save his kingdom, could have hewn
His foes more stoutly than I felled my friends!
But hints, unneeded, urge the need of haste,
For thundering up the waste
The storm rolls nearer, and the forest bends
Like windy grass in June;
Hither and thither wild gleams hunt the plain,
And swirls between long moanings bright-teethed hissing rain.
His foes more stoutly than I felled my friends!
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For thundering up the waste
The storm rolls nearer, and the forest bends
Like windy grass in June;
Hither and thither wild gleams hunt the plain,
And swirls between long moanings bright-teethed hissing rain.
Tree-tops I interlaced, and forced their stocks,
As if for growing, in the solid ground;
Then bent them down aslant against the stress,
That now began to press
And charge with fierce assault our little mound,
Where held the hut, as rocks
Whereon the waves run free and burst in foam;
The tempest tight'ning more our tree-protected home.
As if for growing, in the solid ground;
Then bent them down aslant against the stress,
That now began to press
And charge with fierce assault our little mound,
Where held the hut, as rocks
Whereon the waves run free and burst in foam;
The tempest tight'ning more our tree-protected home.
Scarce had Dione cowered beneath the leaves,
Before the distance vanished in a glare.
With roar stupendous full the horror burst,
As tho' the earth accurst,
Were being shattered into blackened air!
Reverberating heaves
Of weightier thundering threatened instant doom,
And intermingled lightnings fiercely lit the gloom.
Before the distance vanished in a glare.
With roar stupendous full the horror burst,
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Were being shattered into blackened air!
Reverberating heaves
Of weightier thundering threatened instant doom,
And intermingled lightnings fiercely lit the gloom.
Safe in close shelter at Dione's feet,
Her terror so exultingly I cheered
By proud recital how we beat the foe,
She could but smile. When lo,
Past flew a meteor, with a flaming beard
Of swift sulphureous heat;
And struck afar one solitary oak,
That, in a blinding instant, flashed to fiery smoke!
Her terror so exultingly I cheered
By proud recital how we beat the foe,
She could but smile. When lo,
Past flew a meteor, with a flaming beard
Of swift sulphureous heat;
And struck afar one solitary oak,
That, in a blinding instant, flashed to fiery smoke!
A staring desolation splintered lay
That ancient oak, whose branches overspread
The water where sometime Dione leant
To watch her picture, bent
Answering her gaze; before she raised her head
A merry sidewise way,
Laughing to naught my laudatory words,
As any brooklet might the singing of the birds.
That ancient oak, whose branches overspread
The water where sometime Dione leant
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Answering her gaze; before she raised her head
A merry sidewise way,
Laughing to naught my laudatory words,
As any brooklet might the singing of the birds.
“Behold Dione, thine own honoured oak
Thy both hands pressed, when looking down below
The beauty of thy smiling face to see!
Then let me, loved one, be
Thy sure support; ah, let me, dearest, know
At length I have awoke
Thy sleeping love, that has slept overlong,
Tho' summon'd to my joy in many a sorrowing song!”
Thy both hands pressed, when looking down below
The beauty of thy smiling face to see!
Then let me, loved one, be
Thy sure support; ah, let me, dearest, know
At length I have awoke
Thy sleeping love, that has slept overlong,
Tho' summon'd to my joy in many a sorrowing song!”
Down with a drench the rain like mountain streams
Dashed on our refuge, fluttering from the sides;
Sluiced to an island shrank our little knoll;
We saw the waters roll.
And saw the vapours pass with giant strides,
Where transitory gleams
In cold dull sadness broke the vaulted air
That showed the land, rain-covered, lit with sullen glare.
Dashed on our refuge, fluttering from the sides;
Sluiced to an island shrank our little knoll;
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And saw the vapours pass with giant strides,
Where transitory gleams
In cold dull sadness broke the vaulted air
That showed the land, rain-covered, lit with sullen glare.
Dione clung to me; her maiden heart
Beat like a fluttered bird's. I held her fast,
She dropped her trustful face upon my breast,
And closed her eyes in rest.
“Ah, could this bliss for ever, ever last!”
I sighed: when, wide astart,
Her eyes were fire; she gazed into mine eyes
Liquid with passionate light that stormed me with surprise.
Beat like a fluttered bird's. I held her fast,
She dropped her trustful face upon my breast,
And closed her eyes in rest.
“Ah, could this bliss for ever, ever last!”
I sighed: when, wide astart,
Her eyes were fire; she gazed into mine eyes
Liquid with passionate light that stormed me with surprise.
“Thou canst not ask me what I will not grant,
For I am thine, O love, as thou art mine;
My love has ripened in the lightning fire,
And all thou wouldst desire
Bows to thy feet, as to a sacred shrine;
And should'st thou, dear Love, want
My breast for shield against a fatal dart,
Then smiling would I welcome death into my heart!
For I am thine, O love, as thou art mine;
My love has ripened in the lightning fire,
And all thou wouldst desire
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And should'st thou, dear Love, want
My breast for shield against a fatal dart,
Then smiling would I welcome death into my heart!
“I cleave to thee O loved one, true and strong;
And tender as a summer dawn when dews
Soften the full-blown rose! My heart being thine,
As thine so dearly mine.
Should'st thou now ask of me ‘Why then refuse
What was my due so long?’
I would reply ‘It was not I, not I
Could give its sweetness to the apple hanging high!
And tender as a summer dawn when dews
Soften the full-blown rose! My heart being thine,
As thine so dearly mine.
Should'st thou now ask of me ‘Why then refuse
What was my due so long?’
I would reply ‘It was not I, not I
Could give its sweetness to the apple hanging high!
“‘For apples born of blossom on the bough
Swell day by day and wane not in the night,
But ripen not for longing. As the sun
Doth glowing courses run,
By showers increased, by sunshine burnished bright
They blush in beauty; now
Fragrant and ripe, unneeding hasty clutch,
But mellowed sweet and soft are taken with a touch!’”
Swell day by day and wane not in the night,
But ripen not for longing. As the sun
Doth glowing courses run,
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They blush in beauty; now
Fragrant and ripe, unneeding hasty clutch,
But mellowed sweet and soft are taken with a touch!’”
“O more than music are thy words to me!
And should they warble nought then nought were well,
And gracious songs that still should make me glad!
O my Dione, sad
Had been my fate hadst thou lacked grace to tell
The love I failed to see,
And why so long in sorrow doomed to wait
The melody of triumph that sings my happy fate!
And should they warble nought then nought were well,
And gracious songs that still should make me glad!
O my Dione, sad
Had been my fate hadst thou lacked grace to tell
The love I failed to see,
And why so long in sorrow doomed to wait
The melody of triumph that sings my happy fate!
“Like coupled birds together, wing to wing,
Breathing the incense of the flowers below,
Now will we watch the shining clouds on high
Unite the earth and sky.
While songs of rapture shall the vale o'erflow,
And make the woodland ring,
Telling a wonder that outshines the sun,
Two lovers warmed by love inseparably one!”
Breathing the incense of the flowers below,
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Unite the earth and sky.
While songs of rapture shall the vale o'erflow,
And make the woodland ring,
Telling a wonder that outshines the sun,
Two lovers warmed by love inseparably one!”
What fired the rapture of my tremulous kiss;
Or, when warm kisses faltering ceased in sighs,
Cheek fast to cheek, inspired the murmurous moan
For deeper joys unknown;
But joy exhaustless that I saw arise,
So rich in promise, this
Blessed hour but played a prelude to the song
That my delight would hear full-voiced my whole life-long!
Or, when warm kisses faltering ceased in sighs,
Cheek fast to cheek, inspired the murmurous moan
For deeper joys unknown;
But joy exhaustless that I saw arise,
So rich in promise, this
Blessed hour but played a prelude to the song
That my delight would hear full-voiced my whole life-long!
Absorbed, remembering olden days gone by,
We shaped futurity as both desired;
Then, as from far-off dreams awoke, amazed
To see, as forth we gazed,
Where soaring slow a wide-winged falcon gyred
A pure transparent sky,
And eyed, where dusky on the cloudless West
A line of following fowls beat homeward to their rest.
We shaped futurity as both desired;
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To see, as forth we gazed,
Where soaring slow a wide-winged falcon gyred
A pure transparent sky,
And eyed, where dusky on the cloudless West
A line of following fowls beat homeward to their rest.
The world awake in lustre laughed and shone;
And brilliant topaz every growth bestrung.
In sudden lusty simultaneous voice
All singing throats rejoice;
For overhead no more the falcon swung,
To fatter regions gone;
While balmy lispings in cool silence cease,
As sweets on sweetness passing pause to whisper ‘peace.’
And brilliant topaz every growth bestrung.
In sudden lusty simultaneous voice
All singing throats rejoice;
For overhead no more the falcon swung,
To fatter regions gone;
While balmy lispings in cool silence cease,
As sweets on sweetness passing pause to whisper ‘peace.’
Unwillingly we left our cherished nest,
Where love was kindled in Dione's heart,
And mine augmented in Dione's flame.
But nimblest words are lame,
And fail or stumble when they would impart
How deeply we were blessed;
How vast and wondrous lay the world around
As lingering home we paced its glory on the ground!
Where love was kindled in Dione's heart,
And mine augmented in Dione's flame.
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And fail or stumble when they would impart
How deeply we were blessed;
How vast and wondrous lay the world around
As lingering home we paced its glory on the ground!
In fire and tempest was Dione won.
But had Dione, issuing from the morn,
Stepped from Aurora's golden chariot, where
I stood expectant, there
In soft commingled sweetness newly born
Of blossoms breathing sun,
Exhaling odour and collected dew,
Her advent had not shone more wonderful and true.
But had Dione, issuing from the morn,
Stepped from Aurora's golden chariot, where
I stood expectant, there
In soft commingled sweetness newly born
Of blossoms breathing sun,
Exhaling odour and collected dew,
Her advent had not shone more wonderful and true.
Thus I Dione won. Recasting o'er
My life of labour, mixed in battle grim
With cruel foes; I feel my wedded time
Has been one lengthened prime
Of ample measure rising to the brim,
O'er-lapping either shore;
By many a freshet fed, by many a rill
Thro' misty upland drawn from many a trickling hill.
My life of labour, mixed in battle grim
With cruel foes; I feel my wedded time
Has been one lengthened prime
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O'er-lapping either shore;
By many a freshet fed, by many a rill
Thro' misty upland drawn from many a trickling hill.
Our sons are stalwart; daughters tall and fair;
And all brisk harvesters of ripened corn.
Sons, subtle in pursuit and certain, bring
Abundant offering
Of slaughtered creatures in the forest born.
Our toil their sisters share,
And deftly weave the spun wool-yarn, inwrought
To varied comely garments prankt with graceful thought.
And all brisk harvesters of ripened corn.
Sons, subtle in pursuit and certain, bring
Abundant offering
Of slaughtered creatures in the forest born.
Our toil their sisters share,
And deftly weave the spun wool-yarn, inwrought
To varied comely garments prankt with graceful thought.
After the garnering, when prudence sleeps
One-eyed, and breaks in boundless merriment;
Gaily our shepherd lads and hinds advance
With vineyard girls, and dance
In nimble intricate confusion blent,
That even footfall keeps
To clash of cymbals and the screaming pipe;
Sly kisses meanwhile snatched from willing lips and ripe.
One-eyed, and breaks in boundless merriment;
Gaily our shepherd lads and hinds advance
With vineyard girls, and dance
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That even footfall keeps
To clash of cymbals and the screaming pipe;
Sly kisses meanwhile snatched from willing lips and ripe.
The dances ended, thronging round the feast,
All to the gracious Gods libation pour;
Demeter first, great Dionysus next;
But any make pretext
To fill their bowls to fullness running o'er;
Then, filled with flesh of beast,
And garrulous with vintage, man and maid
Wander away to boast and carol in the shade.
All to the gracious Gods libation pour;
Demeter first, great Dionysus next;
But any make pretext
To fill their bowls to fullness running o'er;
Then, filled with flesh of beast,
And garrulous with vintage, man and maid
Wander away to boast and carol in the shade.
Dione's stately daughters, young and tall,
And graceful as the slenderest grass that bends
An airy head in bloom, are ever seen
Of less majestic mien
Than her, for when with them Dione wends
She beams above them all,
As morning on a bed of daffodils
When first her mighty rays throw lustre on the hills.
And graceful as the slenderest grass that bends
An airy head in bloom, are ever seen
Of less majestic mien
Than her, for when with them Dione wends
She beams above them all,
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When first her mighty rays throw lustre on the hills.
Dione's gentle greatness I alone
Duly can sing, and pluck the quivering chords
That kindle listeners in united strain
To shout and shout again,
With ringing voices and exulting words,
Till thrilling pulses own
No lovelier presence, and no loftier worth
Have ever beamed in such immortal light on earth!
Duly can sing, and pluck the quivering chords
That kindle listeners in united strain
To shout and shout again,
With ringing voices and exulting words,
Till thrilling pulses own
No lovelier presence, and no loftier worth
Have ever beamed in such immortal light on earth!
Not till this beating heart lies still and cold
Shall I cease singing of Dione's care
When 'mid remorseless slaughter on the hills,
Where crimson ran the rills,
And arrow flights bore darkness thro' the air,
Where, thronging overbold,
Strove ruthless hordes to reach our peaceful plain,
There, pierced by grisly wounds, I fell among the slain:
Shall I cease singing of Dione's care
When 'mid remorseless slaughter on the hills,
Where crimson ran the rills,
And arrow flights bore darkness thro' the air,
Where, thronging overbold,
Strove ruthless hordes to reach our peaceful plain,
There, pierced by grisly wounds, I fell among the slain:
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They brought me dying home, or thought me dead,
Their haste not knowing ashy swoon from death,
And at Dione's feet me lifeless laid.
Dione, firm and staid,
Heard not their argument, but held her breath
And laid her anxious head
Fast listening to my heart. At length a sound
Murmured “He lives, my Ares, lift him from the ground!”
Their haste not knowing ashy swoon from death,
And at Dione's feet me lifeless laid.
Dione, firm and staid,
Heard not their argument, but held her breath
And laid her anxious head
Fast listening to my heart. At length a sound
Murmured “He lives, my Ares, lift him from the ground!”
Tho' scarcely heedful, dearly well I know
How lightly, airily her equal hands
Passed over cleansing my deep wounds, and pressed
Them closely to arrest
The danger threatening; and with softened bands,
Staunched strait the vital flow,
And swathed my mangled form; then softly smoothed
My forehead till I passive sank in slumber soothed.
How lightly, airily her equal hands
Passed over cleansing my deep wounds, and pressed
Them closely to arrest
The danger threatening; and with softened bands,
Staunched strait the vital flow,
And swathed my mangled form; then softly smoothed
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So steadfastly she nursed me, all my pain
Was poorest payment for the secret force
Of rare and hitherto untested worth
My deep distress brought forth,
Continuous and unresting. In due course
It dawned upon my brain,
Her love heroically stifled grief
Through my long helpless state to give me full relief!
Was poorest payment for the secret force
Of rare and hitherto untested worth
My deep distress brought forth,
Continuous and unresting. In due course
It dawned upon my brain,
Her love heroically stifled grief
Through my long helpless state to give me full relief!
For, bravely fighting by my side, he fell,
Our eldest born, her darling, her delight.
His savage slaughterer, and every son
Who fought beside him, one
By one I slew, each in his manhood's might.
Strange to both feel and tell,
But, as they dropt, each at a single blow,
I thought of that great day, when saplings I laid low
Our eldest born, her darling, her delight.
His savage slaughterer, and every son
Who fought beside him, one
By one I slew, each in his manhood's might.
Strange to both feel and tell,
But, as they dropt, each at a single blow,
I thought of that great day, when saplings I laid low
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As the great storm approached. When all were slain,
Chieftain and kin alike; turning my glance
To gaze an instant on my son in death,
I scarcely drew a breath
Ere my quick foes took vantage of their chance,
And where my son was lain
Their barbarous weapons gashed my limbs and breast,
And falling by the boy I lay like one at rest.
Chieftain and kin alike; turning my glance
To gaze an instant on my son in death,
I scarcely drew a breath
Ere my quick foes took vantage of their chance,
And where my son was lain
Their barbarous weapons gashed my limbs and breast,
And falling by the boy I lay like one at rest.
Then like a whirlwind raged my people's wrath;
And flashed their falchions like the driven hail
Battering down summer's herbage into waste,
In vehement fierce haste,
Borne by the summertide's tempestuous gale,
Till, like to swathes of math,
In ranks their hordes lay tumbled cold and still,
And our men triumphed, shouting victory on the hill.
And flashed their falchions like the driven hail
Battering down summer's herbage into waste,
In vehement fierce haste,
Borne by the summertide's tempestuous gale,
Till, like to swathes of math,
In ranks their hordes lay tumbled cold and still,
And our men triumphed, shouting victory on the hill.
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Half conscious, unresisting, as in dreams,
A wasted remnant from the strife I lay,
Till Time, unheeded with Dione near,
Made glimmering hope appear
To gild my dull stagnation day by day;
And as milk, quiet, creams
Its virtue on the surface, so my strength
Rose outward from within and healed my wounds at length.
A wasted remnant from the strife I lay,
Till Time, unheeded with Dione near,
Made glimmering hope appear
To gild my dull stagnation day by day;
And as milk, quiet, creams
Its virtue on the surface, so my strength
Rose outward from within and healed my wounds at length.
Noiseless herself she kept all sound aloof,
Save that bright music sung outside our walls;
Her constant tendance and the household calm
Were to my spirit balm,
And gave me quietude to hear those calls,
'Twixt neighbouring boughs and roof,
The little twitterers to each other made
While darting to and fro from sunlight into shade.
Save that bright music sung outside our walls;
Her constant tendance and the household calm
Were to my spirit balm,
And gave me quietude to hear those calls,
'Twixt neighbouring boughs and roof,
The little twitterers to each other made
While darting to and fro from sunlight into shade.
Urged by her fond desire, Dione thought
My strength returning one bright summer morn,
And led me faltering to the outside air.
Amazement filled me where
Hope's widest vision shining newly born,
With primal glory fraught,
Flashed in wild splendour thro' the earth and sky!
While beat the viewless wings of zephyrs passing by!
My strength returning one bright summer morn,
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Amazement filled me where
Hope's widest vision shining newly born,
With primal glory fraught,
Flashed in wild splendour thro' the earth and sky!
While beat the viewless wings of zephyrs passing by!
She dared not weep for our beloved boy,
Never again, ah, never to be seen
Radiant with features deepened by the sun;
The daily labour done,
Forward, with folded arms on knees, to lean
Describing in his joy,
Some merry jesting, or an awkward wile
Of shepherd wit, he told to make his parents smile!
Never again, ah, never to be seen
Radiant with features deepened by the sun;
The daily labour done,
Forward, with folded arms on knees, to lean
Describing in his joy,
Some merry jesting, or an awkward wile
Of shepherd wit, he told to make his parents smile!
But when at length my strength returned, and I
Was mine own self again; when I could bend
My stoutest bow, and hurl my weightiest spear,
And on her lay no fear
My health might once more fail; this was the end.
In one long painful cry
She threw herself upon me, and she sobbed
And moaned, accusing fate of what she had been robbed.
Was mine own self again; when I could bend
My stoutest bow, and hurl my weightiest spear,
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My health might once more fail; this was the end.
In one long painful cry
She threw herself upon me, and she sobbed
And moaned, accusing fate of what she had been robbed.
Of never-ending sorrow in the blank
Where beauty beamed so bountiful and fair!
Of gaps in daily life where never more
Can time the lost restore.
Of steady misery whose Gorgon stare
From places foul and rank,
With ever-present, ever-watchful eyes,
Now lowered a constant dread, an ever-fixed surprise.
Where beauty beamed so bountiful and fair!
Of gaps in daily life where never more
Can time the lost restore.
Of steady misery whose Gorgon stare
From places foul and rank,
With ever-present, ever-watchful eyes,
Now lowered a constant dread, an ever-fixed surprise.
As lapsing time advanced Dione's grief
From anguish softened tenderly in pride,
And sang the morning stars as heretofore!
She loving, evermore
Wandered away at quiet eventide,
Where, for our heart's relief,
Our people raised a mound to bear his fame;
Their simple way to grace and consecrate his name.
From anguish softened tenderly in pride,
And sang the morning stars as heretofore!
She loving, evermore
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Where, for our heart's relief,
Our people raised a mound to bear his fame;
Their simple way to grace and consecrate his name.
Every sweet plant and flower of special hue,
His favourites there enriched his honoured grave.
In odorous profusion trail and twine
Bright blossoms argentine
Whose hearts are golden; rosy flashes lave
In sunset fire; and blue
Stars there are drinking heaven the whole day long,
And lulled to evening slumber by the linnet's song.
His favourites there enriched his honoured grave.
In odorous profusion trail and twine
Bright blossoms argentine
Whose hearts are golden; rosy flashes lave
In sunset fire; and blue
Stars there are drinking heaven the whole day long,
And lulled to evening slumber by the linnet's song.
In sacred hours we loiter by him there,
And feel his presence not so far away
When brought before us in the stories told
Telling his ways of old,
His forest wanderings by the light of day;
How, when the moon shone bare
And changed the stream to silver, he would stride
Along its craggy banks to watch the flowing tide.
And feel his presence not so far away
When brought before us in the stories told
Telling his ways of old,
His forest wanderings by the light of day;
How, when the moon shone bare
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Along its craggy banks to watch the flowing tide.
Our youngest boy touching responsive strings,
Can strike the lyre in concert with his lay.
Too young to wield the sword, on battle fields
He stands behind our shields,
And safely there his nimble fingers play
A deathly tune that rings
In dreadful shrieks throughout the maddened strife,
For every loosened twang sings to a foeman's life.
Can strike the lyre in concert with his lay.
Too young to wield the sword, on battle fields
He stands behind our shields,
And safely there his nimble fingers play
A deathly tune that rings
In dreadful shrieks throughout the maddened strife,
For every loosened twang sings to a foeman's life.
Tuning, he gazed as one who saw the dead.
Our daughters and their brethren resting near;
Dione with her hand in mine apart.
But ere he tried his art
He craved of all there an indulgent ear,
“If it should chance,” he said,
His “words should falter with the weighty theme
Of his great brother lost who vanished like a dream.”
Our daughters and their brethren resting near;
Dione with her hand in mine apart.
But ere he tried his art
He craved of all there an indulgent ear,
“If it should chance,” he said,
His “words should falter with the weighty theme
Of his great brother lost who vanished like a dream.”
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“His eyes were like a falcon's in the field
Burning above his shield;
No dove who softly coos
Bowing to wife he woos,
When shining iris-bosomed in the sun,
Tenderer than our loved one!
Burning above his shield;
No dove who softly coos
Bowing to wife he woos,
When shining iris-bosomed in the sun,
Tenderer than our loved one!
Impetuous and vehement in fight;
Impetuous and vehement in fight;
He thought no more of flight
From arrows than from rain
That beats a thirsting plain
And soaks the herbage to their famished roots
And cheers the languid shoots!
Impetuous and vehement in fight;
He thought no more of flight
From arrows than from rain
That beats a thirsting plain
And soaks the herbage to their famished roots
And cheers the languid shoots!
He the grim mountain king assailed and fought,
And into measure brought
His youthful with his foe's
War-hardened strength, that rose
To fullest fury as he struck the blow
That laid our dearest low!
And into measure brought
His youthful with his foe's
War-hardened strength, that rose
To fullest fury as he struck the blow
That laid our dearest low!
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He should have shunned the king and faced the brood,
When there his father stood
So near! For he alone
Could hew the giant down.
Not dauntless cubs, but full-grown lions pull
To earth the mighty bull!
When there his father stood
So near! For he alone
Could hew the giant down.
Not dauntless cubs, but full-grown lions pull
To earth the mighty bull!
But when our dear one's bones in dust were laid,
With him went every shade
Who paid the debt of fate,
And entered Hades' gate:
Where now they pay the ghostly homage due
To him their leader slew.
With him went every shade
Who paid the debt of fate,
And entered Hades' gate:
Where now they pay the ghostly homage due
To him their leader slew.
But ghostly fealty can please no more
On Lethe's sullen shore,
If ancient love remain
And he desire again,
In blank despair, the faces loved of old
He may once more behold!
On Lethe's sullen shore,
If ancient love remain
And he desire again,
In blank despair, the faces loved of old
He may once more behold!
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But if the dead, by sight to us unknown,
Can range the earthly zone;
Our loved one's vision bright
Would watch the sacred light
That beams from all now gathered here to praise
His deeds in mortal days.
Can range the earthly zone;
Our loved one's vision bright
Would watch the sacred light
That beams from all now gathered here to praise
His deeds in mortal days.
Too mortal then, alas! immortal now,
With glory on his brow
That will not pass or fade
With memory into shade!
But glory ripening with our ripened years,
And nourished by our tears!
With glory on his brow
That will not pass or fade
With memory into shade!
But glory ripening with our ripened years,
And nourished by our tears!
Lyres yet unfashioned shall grow dark with time,
Ere cease the golden rhyme
To ring the rapid pace
At which he ran the race;
Ere struck down bleeding by his father's side
And passing in his pride.
Ere cease the golden rhyme
To ring the rapid pace
At which he ran the race;
Ere struck down bleeding by his father's side
And passing in his pride.
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The drifting showers leave token o'er his bones;
And, as some creature moans
About the wilderness,
Seeking in dire distress
Her vanished mate; so sorrowing, moan and sigh
The winds that travel by.”
And, as some creature moans
About the wilderness,
Seeking in dire distress
Her vanished mate; so sorrowing, moan and sigh
The winds that travel by.”
Our eyes were full, the singer's music done!
Dione calmly folded him in arms
That might be Hera's for their grace and size.
Kissing his mouth and eyes,
She soothed his cheeks, and told him her alarms;
And bitter sorrows shone
Away in time remote, so lone and far,
They lay beyond her now in beauty like a star.
Dione calmly folded him in arms
That might be Hera's for their grace and size.
Kissing his mouth and eyes,
She soothed his cheeks, and told him her alarms;
And bitter sorrows shone
Away in time remote, so lone and far,
They lay beyond her now in beauty like a star.
The moons and seasons flourish, change and wane;
And duties ever following duties fast
Bear us along resistless to the close,
No mortal ever knows,
Till in an instant, lo, his life is past;
And he no longer fain
To seek the blessing he could never find,
Or shun the plague of ills that prey on human kind!
And duties ever following duties fast
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No mortal ever knows,
Till in an instant, lo, his life is past;
And he no longer fain
To seek the blessing he could never find,
Or shun the plague of ills that prey on human kind!
Our daughters now have left the parent stem,
And dwell in wedlock with their chosen lords;
Our sons have likewise homes apart and live
Blessed with all toil can give
In compensating grace. Their kingly swords
Maintain the diadem
Of gracious rule and plenty where they dwell:
Joy to their father's pride, as sign he taught them well!
And dwell in wedlock with their chosen lords;
Our sons have likewise homes apart and live
Blessed with all toil can give
In compensating grace. Their kingly swords
Maintain the diadem
Of gracious rule and plenty where they dwell:
Joy to their father's pride, as sign he taught them well!
Our youngest son who bends the dreaded bow,
Yet animates the house that hailed his birth.
“Leave me one apple hanging on the bough;”
Dione asked; “for now
The rest are sped, wide-sprinkled o'er the earth;
My firstborn lying low,
Rathe smitten in the morning of his prime;
Leave me the latest darling in my waning time!”
Yet animates the house that hailed his birth.
“Leave me one apple hanging on the bough;”
Dione asked; “for now
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My firstborn lying low,
Rathe smitten in the morning of his prime;
Leave me the latest darling in my waning time!”
His children's laughter is our daily joy:
Their imitative ways our constant pride;
They know so little, yet they look so wise!
With what a grand surprise,
At perilous favour asked, perforce denied,
Gazes the pouting boy
Who would be man, and scorns the reason why
He must not bend the bow and let the arrows fly!
Their imitative ways our constant pride;
They know so little, yet they look so wise!
With what a grand surprise,
At perilous favour asked, perforce denied,
Gazes the pouting boy
Who would be man, and scorns the reason why
He must not bend the bow and let the arrows fly!
Sweet the soft pressure of their finger tips
On aged cheeks, when they would coax from age
Some boon, erewhile withholden, by strong wiles
Of pretty pleading smiles;
Neck bound by arms that will not disengage;
Warm, kissing, flower-bud lips;
When yielding, half-reluctant, comes a gust
Of potent argument, “We must! We must! We must!”
On aged cheeks, when they would coax from age
Some boon, erewhile withholden, by strong wiles
Of pretty pleading smiles;
Neck bound by arms that will not disengage;
Warm, kissing, flower-bud lips;
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Of potent argument, “We must! We must! We must!”
Sweet when their little ways have gone awry,
To wind them gently from their sidelong course
By plain example shown, and lure of praise.
How proudly every phrase
Significant of growth and watchful force
Enriches memory!
And pride to know two generations wear
Abundance on their boughs when now our own are bare.
To wind them gently from their sidelong course
By plain example shown, and lure of praise.
How proudly every phrase
Significant of growth and watchful force
Enriches memory!
And pride to know two generations wear
Abundance on their boughs when now our own are bare.
So many battles have we fought, our foes
Are beaten back; such numbers have we slain,
Their weakened tribes, grown weary of the sport
Against themselves, resort
To other outlets on some other plain,
Where they adventure blows
In hope of better welcome than they found
When we on them bestowed their fortunes underground.
Are beaten back; such numbers have we slain,
Their weakened tribes, grown weary of the sport
Against themselves, resort
To other outlets on some other plain,
Where they adventure blows
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When we on them bestowed their fortunes underground.
Therefore our waning days are days of peace,
And plenty beyond need. How gladly we,
When toil releasing them our children come,
Behold them enter home!
With talk of crops, and what we know to be
Assurance of increase,
We quicken maxims by familiar jests,
And edge our saws with laughter, sacrificing rest.
And plenty beyond need. How gladly we,
When toil releasing them our children come,
Behold them enter home!
With talk of crops, and what we know to be
Assurance of increase,
We quicken maxims by familiar jests,
And edge our saws with laughter, sacrificing rest.
When all are gone, how like a long-past dream!
And oft I wonder whether living things
Are living things beheld, or fancies thrown
From out ourselves alone:
For clear, remote, on visionary wings,
Bright beings often beam
In fuller splendour than the loved ones by,
However warm and rich the sunbeams on them lie!
And oft I wonder whether living things
Are living things beheld, or fancies thrown
From out ourselves alone:
For clear, remote, on visionary wings,
Bright beings often beam
In fuller splendour than the loved ones by,
However warm and rich the sunbeams on them lie!
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Yet more than ever is Dione dear!
And as, both hands out-stretching, one when blind
Walks bent with timid knees to feel his way
In the fair light of day;
So forward wend my thoughts whene'er I find
Dione wanting near!
But often, back to youth, my memory strays
To woo Dione in unwilling maiden days.
And as, both hands out-stretching, one when blind
Walks bent with timid knees to feel his way
In the fair light of day;
So forward wend my thoughts whene'er I find
Dione wanting near!
But often, back to youth, my memory strays
To woo Dione in unwilling maiden days.
Again I see her laving at the spring,
And, bright in sparkling drops, she smiles and asks
If like a Naiad she should sink and dream,
Within the flowing stream,
And float and drown where the sweet lily basks
In many a silvery ring
Would he her faithful lover then bewail
Her loss, lamenting to the large-eyed nightingale?
And, bright in sparkling drops, she smiles and asks
If like a Naiad she should sink and dream,
Within the flowing stream,
And float and drown where the sweet lily basks
In many a silvery ring
Would he her faithful lover then bewail
Her loss, lamenting to the large-eyed nightingale?
Within the cavern of an ancient tree
I saw her beauty gleaming in the shade
So perfect, that when loftily she spoke
“I, Dryad of this oak,
Command this mighty king that awes the glade,
Kneel therefore, worship me!”
My native reverence the charge obeyed,
And humbly at her feet for gracious favour prayed.
I saw her beauty gleaming in the shade
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“I, Dryad of this oak,
Command this mighty king that awes the glade,
Kneel therefore, worship me!”
My native reverence the charge obeyed,
And humbly at her feet for gracious favour prayed.
I watch Dione's stately footfalls now;
The great Olympian calm that dignifies
Each movement, and I wonder if 'tis she
Whom, with lighted eyes, I see
Capturing the swift fawn as it wildly flies!
Yes, I remember how
Forward she sprang and clasped its eager neck;
Then tamed it to obey her smile and lightest beck!
The great Olympian calm that dignifies
Each movement, and I wonder if 'tis she
Whom, with lighted eyes, I see
Capturing the swift fawn as it wildly flies!
Yes, I remember how
Forward she sprang and clasped its eager neck;
Then tamed it to obey her smile and lightest beck!
But whether calm in tender grace as now,
Or wild and laughter-loving as of yore,
She ever seems to me a perfect flower
Seen at its sweetest hour!
Her affluent delights enrich with more
Than kingdoms could endow;
And I, her lord, the guardian of her fate,
Enjoy Elysian bliss ere entering the gate.
Or wild and laughter-loving as of yore,
She ever seems to me a perfect flower
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Her affluent delights enrich with more
Than kingdoms could endow;
And I, her lord, the guardian of her fate,
Enjoy Elysian bliss ere entering the gate.
I waver towards my setting. Well-loved friends
Come oftener than their wont, and soon askance
Talking of chill and damp, will deftly turn
Their questions how to learn
If sudden changes touch my health perchance.
Their tranquil language lends
Considerate gentleness to all they say;
Or they in silence linger, wondering why they stay!
Come oftener than their wont, and soon askance
Talking of chill and damp, will deftly turn
Their questions how to learn
If sudden changes touch my health perchance.
Their tranquil language lends
Considerate gentleness to all they say;
Or they in silence linger, wondering why they stay!
Around my shoulders and my slackened knees
They wrap soft folds when rawness threatens chill
From winds or rainy flaws. I sit and dream
Of old delights that seem
Like some afar-off battle on the hill,
To one who only sees
The striving figures flicker without sound;
And yet they nearer seem than all beheld around.
They wrap soft folds when rawness threatens chill
From winds or rainy flaws. I sit and dream
Of old delights that seem
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To one who only sees
The striving figures flicker without sound;
And yet they nearer seem than all beheld around.
Between the lapses of my dreams I hear
Myself addressed by voices of our home,
That sound as spoken from a land unknown.
And sometimes odours blown
Fresh and delightful from the garden come,
When instantly appear
The flowers of childhood in celestial light;
And I there hesitate between the gold and white!
Myself addressed by voices of our home,
That sound as spoken from a land unknown.
And sometimes odours blown
Fresh and delightful from the garden come,
When instantly appear
The flowers of childhood in celestial light;
And I there hesitate between the gold and white!
Outside our walls I sometimes pause and lean
Upon my staff, and think the monstrous sphinx,
With mystic riddles rambling thro' her thought,
Indeed had wonders wrought,
Had she connected the mysterious links
Of now and what has been;
Shown us the boy a man of ancient years,
The man again a boy, fame ringing in his ears!
Upon my staff, and think the monstrous sphinx,
With mystic riddles rambling thro' her thought,
Indeed had wonders wrought,
Had she connected the mysterious links
Of now and what has been;
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The man again a boy, fame ringing in his ears!
When strength I see confederate with guile
Seize and make prey of helpless innocence;
When brutal wrong wreaks vengence on the right;
Such deeds swim past my sight
As primal born antagonisms, whence
Issue the groan and smile;
A seesaw balance of content and strife,
The common lot we share with all of mortal life!
Seize and make prey of helpless innocence;
When brutal wrong wreaks vengence on the right;
Such deeds swim past my sight
As primal born antagonisms, whence
Issue the groan and smile;
A seesaw balance of content and strife,
The common lot we share with all of mortal life!
weeter than triumph over beaten foes,
Plenty in store, or comfort round the hearth,
Are peace, and undisturbed tranquility.
Oft creeps the feeling nigh
Only adown low in the silent earth
Can we escape the woes
That hard beset us from our earliest breath,
And wage unceasing wars that end not till our death.
Plenty in store, or comfort round the hearth,
Are peace, and undisturbed tranquility.
Oft creeps the feeling nigh
Only adown low in the silent earth
Can we escape the woes
That hard beset us from our earliest breath,
And wage unceasing wars that end not till our death.
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Sitting alone where our dear first-born lies,
I heard a murmur when the sun went down
Whisper dark meanings as it shivered by,
With languid moan and sigh,
Calling those joys our loved one might have known
Impossibilities!
Questioning whither had flown that fiery zeal!
What could the heat inspire! and after, what anneal!
I heard a murmur when the sun went down
Whisper dark meanings as it shivered by,
With languid moan and sigh,
Calling those joys our loved one might have known
Impossibilities!
Questioning whither had flown that fiery zeal!
What could the heat inspire! and after, what anneal!
Well I recall that cry, “Hail, hail, a son!”
For strange emotion wrapped me as in flame:
And when our first-born in these arms I took
Strange bliss throughout me shook;
And scarcely nearer rapture thrilled my frame,
When I Dione won,
Than when, a gift divine, against my heart
The new-born wonder lay in which we both had part.
For strange emotion wrapped me as in flame:
And when our first-born in these arms I took
Strange bliss throughout me shook;
And scarcely nearer rapture thrilled my frame,
When I Dione won,
Than when, a gift divine, against my heart
The new-born wonder lay in which we both had part.
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Merciful tears can sooth me never more;
Too dry with age and weary worn-out days;
Or, weeping, I should see his youthful prime
Falling in flowery time,
And I fast by unable then to raise
My blade to cleave the boar
Whose dreadful tusk ripped out the life I gave,
Until too late, alas; alas, too late to save!
Too dry with age and weary worn-out days;
Or, weeping, I should see his youthful prime
Falling in flowery time,
And I fast by unable then to raise
My blade to cleave the boar
Whose dreadful tusk ripped out the life I gave,
Until too late, alas; alas, too late to save!
But in the wind I heard my first-born cry;
And in my heart I felt his voice appeal!
Impetuous as of old, when he would bend
More forward to attend
My legends, and I saw the interest steal
In his unwavering eye;
While on his face, whatever I might say,
As in a mirror, I could see the story play.
And in my heart I felt his voice appeal!
Impetuous as of old, when he would bend
More forward to attend
My legends, and I saw the interest steal
In his unwavering eye;
While on his face, whatever I might say,
As in a mirror, I could see the story play.
I now feel ever near, and, since that hour,
Nearer to him than unto either child
Of later birth, borne by the wings of force
Beyond mine outspent course.
In quietude, by tranquil hope beguiled,
I contemplate their power
As toil and turmoil of an eager chase;
A trouble to behold, a weariness to trace!
Nearer to him than unto either child
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Beyond mine outspent course.
In quietude, by tranquil hope beguiled,
I contemplate their power
As toil and turmoil of an eager chase;
A trouble to behold, a weariness to trace!
My sight tho' waning sees uncertain shapes
Moving mute-footed o'er my chamber floor,
Where muffled voices answer questions strange
Of “shortened breath,” and “change.”
Then thro' the stillness breaks a mellowed roar!
Darkness suddenly gapes,
And sucks me down unfathomably deep,
When I know nothing more than sinking into sleep!
Moving mute-footed o'er my chamber floor,
Where muffled voices answer questions strange
Of “shortened breath,” and “change.”
Then thro' the stillness breaks a mellowed roar!
Darkness suddenly gapes,
And sucks me down unfathomably deep,
When I know nothing more than sinking into sleep!
Awakening in glory newly born,
I would have darted toward some glorious star;
But memory gently hinting of the past,
Reluctantly I cast
My glances downward on the earth afar,
And saw the golden morn
Gilding the silent tenement of clay
Whereby my life performed the part I had to play.
I would have darted toward some glorious star;
But memory gently hinting of the past,
Reluctantly I cast
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And saw the golden morn
Gilding the silent tenement of clay
Whereby my life performed the part I had to play.
There lay my form as happily at rest;
Calmly triumphant, unassailable!
Dione there kissing the cheeks and brow;
The lips that smile not now;
Holding the hand, whose clasp she knew so well,
Her head falls on the breast.
Sorrow alone is her's; and heavy moan
Against malignant Fate she never may condone.
Calmly triumphant, unassailable!
Dione there kissing the cheeks and brow;
The lips that smile not now;
Holding the hand, whose clasp she knew so well,
Her head falls on the breast.
Sorrow alone is her's; and heavy moan
Against malignant Fate she never may condone.
The mourners now march slowly to the place
Prepared for burial rites: our dismal claim
On those we love. Bearing the sacred bier,
First those of mine most near,
Fast followed by all offspring of my name,
And others of my race;
Dione's kinsmen next. A rugged band
Stride the tall shepherds from the uplands crook in hand.
Prepared for burial rites: our dismal claim
On those we love. Bearing the sacred bier,
First those of mine most near,
Fast followed by all offspring of my name,
And others of my race;
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Stride the tall shepherds from the uplands crook in hand.
With grass-bound sickles trudge the husbandmen,
And foresters, their axes glittering; throng
The vineyard toilers, man and girl, in pairs,
And each a thyrsis bears;
Bluff metal-men, the mixed array prolong,
Nursing their hammers; then
Their workmen, ranking by my children's years,
And last appear a crowd with brightly shining spears.
And foresters, their axes glittering; throng
The vineyard toilers, man and girl, in pairs,
And each a thyrsis bears;
Bluff metal-men, the mixed array prolong,
Nursing their hammers; then
Their workmen, ranking by my children's years,
And last appear a crowd with brightly shining spears.
In reverence kneel the solemn multitude.
Like summer wind that ruffles summer's leaf
And stirs the ocean, heave their breasts around,
When slowly in the ground
They lay the armed form of their vanished Chief:
For, ancient custom rude
Decrees that he, who as a conqueror died,
Shall keep his bow and spear for ever by his side;
Like summer wind that ruffles summer's leaf
And stirs the ocean, heave their breasts around,
When slowly in the ground
They lay the armed form of their vanished Chief:
For, ancient custom rude
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Shall keep his bow and spear for ever by his side;
His strongest bow his hands alone could hold
And bend with ease, with many a chosen shaft;
His weightiest spear, and balanced falchion blade
Are duly by him laid;
His leathern belt, inwrought with subtlest craft,
Buckled and bossed with gold;
Then spread they over arms, broad chest, and face
A wolf-hound's skin, an ancient favourite in the chase.
And bend with ease, with many a chosen shaft;
His weightiest spear, and balanced falchion blade
Are duly by him laid;
His leathern belt, inwrought with subtlest craft,
Buckled and bossed with gold;
Then spread they over arms, broad chest, and face
A wolf-hound's skin, an ancient favourite in the chase.
Then past he in a twinkle from their gaze,
In clouds of glorious dust, that sunlit, spread
Upward to nothing in the trembling blue,
As those appointed threw
The covering earth upon the mighty dead,
Whereon their love will raise,
Beside his first-born slain, another mound
That following ages may his echoing praise resound.
In clouds of glorious dust, that sunlit, spread
Upward to nothing in the trembling blue,
As those appointed threw
The covering earth upon the mighty dead,
Whereon their love will raise,
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That following ages may his echoing praise resound.
But when the dreaded archer with his lyre,
Stood sad and lingering by his father's bones,
Then, as expectant of some hoped event
All eyes on him were bent.
And when the prelude rose in ringing tones,
Fulfilling their desire
To laud their chief for ever fled away,
All sank upon the ground to list the singer's lay.
Stood sad and lingering by his father's bones,
Then, as expectant of some hoped event
All eyes on him were bent.
And when the prelude rose in ringing tones,
Fulfilling their desire
To laud their chief for ever fled away,
All sank upon the ground to list the singer's lay.
“Death alone, no mortal foe
Has struck the mightiest of our people low.
Tho' ruthless foes that feat had often tried,
So surely did his might bring down their vaunting pride.
Has struck the mightiest of our people low.
Tho' ruthless foes that feat had often tried,
So surely did his might bring down their vaunting pride.
He left us, but has left a store
Of splendid memories whereupon we pore
With warmly-cherished grief and throbbing breast,
The glory he achieved ere yet he sank in rest.
Of splendid memories whereupon we pore
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The glory he achieved ere yet he sank in rest.
Whose cleanly tilth enriched the plain
With constant crops of such abundant grain;
Such loaded clusters of the tempting grape;
Whose numerous herds so throve and moved in goodly shape!
With constant crops of such abundant grain;
Such loaded clusters of the tempting grape;
Whose numerous herds so throve and moved in goodly shape!
“His happy flocks, the signs of peace,
Clad in the downiest and whitest fleece,
Would lift their homely heads and cease to graze
To bleat a clamorous choral welcome in his praise!
Clad in the downiest and whitest fleece,
Would lift their homely heads and cease to graze
To bleat a clamorous choral welcome in his praise!
Herdsmen, and toilers on the land,
Walked with the stride of men used to command,
Whose lives accordant with their leader's will
Ran singing on as sings a pleasant inland rill.
Walked with the stride of men used to command,
Whose lives accordant with their leader's will
Ran singing on as sings a pleasant inland rill.
Their children, nestling in the grass,
Would lie in ambush where he wont to pass,
And rush upon him with a storm of flowers
That burst about his head in gold and azure showers.
Would lie in ambush where he wont to pass,
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That burst about his head in gold and azure showers.
What man has known a stauncher friend,
To weight his purposes, or rights defend,
Than he whose welcome as the midday shone,
When summer sapphire smiles and every cloudlet's gone.
To weight his purposes, or rights defend,
Than he whose welcome as the midday shone,
When summer sapphire smiles and every cloudlet's gone.
When swept a din adown the vale
That chilled our women's hearts and turned them pale;
When mountain marchers made their barbarous clang,
And dreadful echoes thro' the rocky passes rang;
That chilled our women's hearts and turned them pale;
When mountain marchers made their barbarous clang,
And dreadful echoes thro' the rocky passes rang;
“All ye who knew him best can say
How in his lion might he marched away
To dash the savage danger, and restrain
Their hordes from making way within our peaceful plain.
How in his lion might he marched away
To dash the savage danger, and restrain
Their hordes from making way within our peaceful plain.
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He met them and he beat them back
In ceaseless slaughter up their mountain track;
For those who stood and fought were smit and slain;
The rest in terror fled, or hope of future gain.
In ceaseless slaughter up their mountain track;
For those who stood and fought were smit and slain;
The rest in terror fled, or hope of future gain.
Thus fell their chieftains time on time,
Till frequent carnage swept away their prime;
Whose wan successors lived in cautious dread
Of one who had the boldest blood among them shed.
Till frequent carnage swept away their prime;
Whose wan successors lived in cautious dread
Of one who had the boldest blood among them shed.
Therefore in peace and wholesome ease
We laugh and labour when and how we please;
We watch our children grow to man and maid,
And, nimble-footed, dance at even in the shade.
We laugh and labour when and how we please;
We watch our children grow to man and maid,
And, nimble-footed, dance at even in the shade.
United let us sing and praise
The greatness of our Chief who fought to raise
His people from the gnaw of constant care,
To smiling plenty now, and future prospectsfair!”
The greatness of our Chief who fought to raise
His people from the gnaw of constant care,
To smiling plenty now, and future prospectsfair!”
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Dione in her sorrow weeps alone;
Wandering enthralled along the golden past,
She dreams the melodies of days to come,
That never could be dumb!
But wakens into consciousness aghast,
When some familiar tone
Displays her garden desolate with blight,
The chambers of her mansion emptied of delight.
Wandering enthralled along the golden past,
She dreams the melodies of days to come,
That never could be dumb!
But wakens into consciousness aghast,
When some familiar tone
Displays her garden desolate with blight,
The chambers of her mansion emptied of delight.
O great eternal Gods, for ever just!
I supplicate for grace with lowly breath,
Let now your gaze, in tender fall divine,
Bend once again to mine;
Bring my Dione from the chance of death,
The drift of fleeting dust;
Bring her immortal with her mortal charms,
O place her once again within these longing arms!
I supplicate for grace with lowly breath,
Let now your gaze, in tender fall divine,
Bend once again to mine;
Bring my Dione from the chance of death,
The drift of fleeting dust;
Bring her immortal with her mortal charms,
O place her once again within these longing arms!
| Tiresias | |