 | Love-Songs |  |
23
II. A BRIDAL-CHANT.
Over the hills and far away, right into the home of the summer,Hand in hand together they go, towards the region of sunset;
She, fair as a daughter of Eve; he, bright as a beam of Apollo,
Straight, upright as a rod, not bent and bowed together,
Like to the careworn men who within this fortunate island
Toil and moil for a crust, and exist, and dream they are living.
Fair as the sons of Greece who beneath the unspeakable ether
Wrought, and fought with the gods, the givers of might to mortals,
Givers of might and of manhood, and lust of doing and daring;
Givers of strength in the struggle, and endless perseverance.
Fair as Psyche is fair, bright, beautiful, gift of the goddess
(She who rewards the brave with ecstasy not to be uttered),
Sweet as Venus herself, was the Bride who blossomed before him.
| Love-Songs | |