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95
ÆNEAS TO DIDO.
I
I leave thee, but I love thee none the less,And this my love, self-wounded, smarts and stings.
Hail, Sorrow! like a goad thy bitterness
Shall drive me to great things.
II
For Love's sweet wine has lulled me overlong,Loosening my soul—woe's me! But now at length
Let it be mixed and made with scorn and wrong,
A bitter draught of strength.
III
I am athirst for such, having known of oldGreatness is suckled at the breasts of Pain.
But must—ah! must the sword of burning cold
Go through the hearts of twain?
96
IV
Hark! the winds call me—‘Lover, love, fly!We to thy true home will companion thee—
Divine untold-of realms, whereto the sky
Stoops down behind the sea.
V
‘Shake loose thy sails, and leave the land's delight,And we will sweep thee outward to thine home.
Drive through the wild green billows, and the white
Wild-driven smoke of foam!’
VI
Ev'n as the pale hag's muffled mutteringDraws down the moon from heaven, the spell of Fate
Draws me from thee. Our bonds in bursting string,
And all are violate!
VII
I am doomed, and called, and destined. Mine, mine ownDestiny calls; nor needs to call again.
Though late, I come; and may my pain atone
For sweet days spent in vain!
97
VIII
Oh, love, I seal our severing with this kiss.Thy lips were warm when thus I first waxed bold;
Not dew-damp, bloodless, miserable like this.
Oh, love, thy lips are cold!
IX
Farewell, thou sweet child of my great foe's wrath!Farewell, O pleading, beautiful sad face!
Thou wast the golden fruitage in my path,
Dropt to make vain my race.
X
I may not heed mine agony nor thine,O loved one, over-fair, and over-true!
Hail, painful Glory, making Pain divine!
Adieu, sweet love, adieu!
An. æt. 17.
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