University of Virginia Library

PAS D'EXTASE.

Like those sweet Cydonian Suckets
Hebe brings in crystal Buckets
To the Gods in Heaven above,
When they drink, forever quaffing
Fiery draughts of living wine—
Sometimes shouting, sometimes laughing
With the heavenly bliss divine;
Was my soul made drunk with gladness—
Rapt with most exultant madness—
Joy so sweet it turned to wo—
Drinking down thy songs of sweetness
From thy heart's divine completeness,
As if Heaven should overflow;
Like the Angel's heavenly laughter
Which the Gods go sighing after—
Such as Gods alone can know;
Or the rapture of deep anguish
Of some saintly soul when dying,
On his death-bed left to languish—
Unto God forever crying—
When, amid his desolation,
Comes the news of his salvation,
And his soul ascends up flying
Into Heaven with exultation—
Like the Angels on the Ladder
Up from Bethel-plain at even;
So my soul clomb gladder, gladder,
On the rounds of song to Heaven—
Piled in incense from thy bosom,
Like the odor, late at even,
From some Eden fresh in blossom,
When the world looks white as Heaven!