University of Virginia Library

XVIII.

“By Woden wild! well have we sped!
“And every oath to boot!”—he said;—
“How glorious rose the blaze on high,
“Kindling th' undulating sky!
“And with what frantic fury, did
“Her doating Lord, the flames amid,
“Encounter me! yet, with one breath,
“I chained his powers as still as death;
“But when I had secured his wife,
“Gave him again his reckless life,
“And dared him to all future strife—
“Poor soul! her ashy lips and cheek,
“The horrors of the night bespeak,
“And Fear's chill hand hath lain such hold,
“That e'en her heart is still and cold.
“But ere long shall her azure eyes
“Rival the bright and morning skies;
“Perhaps, shall languish in their tears,
“While flow diffus'd her golden hairs,
“And to her native loveliness,
“Be added that of sweet distress.
“Her form will swell upon my sight,
“Renewed in undulating light;
“And, rich with dew, her blue eyes roll,
“The liquid lustres of the soul!
“While Beauty sits sublime and high,
“Upon a throne of ivory;
“And words as music sweet, yet strong,
“Upbraid my crimes, and causeless wrong;—
“These hands, as lillies white, and soft,
“Sore-wrung, and madly clasp'd aloft,
“Sorrow to feign, on Heaven to call,
“Where laugh the Gods to see her fall—
“'Till done enough to humour pride,
“And make false shew of hate beside,
“After her hour, she yields her heart,
“And wonders at her former part.”