University of Virginia Library

Near Dorian Knossus in the Cretan isle,
Ring'd by tall hills that kissed the trembling stars,
At day-dawn, or when solemn night fell round,
Lay, loveliest of all vales, the vale of Zeus.
Eastward it lay of that wild labyrinth
Which Dædalus, the lord of many arts,
Built for the pleasure of the island-king.
Here many a tree—dark cypress, silver-birch,
Cedar, or roofing elm, or arrowy palm—
Spired, or full-foliaged, spread; while shadowy gleams
Of liquid lustre played on flower or leaf
Of rose or laurel that grew nearer earth.

Here, where the odorous light with darkness mixed,
A dainty bower of draperied leaves was wrought
By wizard Nature, who with coloured moss
Had cushioned the grey roots of stately trees
That domed above; while young transparent grass
Beneath the boughs, down all that sylvan gloom
An emerald radiance threw, like that which falls
From glow-worm bowered in golden leaves, when night
Is windless, and no cloud is on the moon,
And every star is seen. A spot it was
To cool men's weary eyes with green delight,
And, ever fair, yet now at fairest seemed;
For two sweet sister Shapes, beauteous as Day
When Day is beauteous most, hand linked in hand.
Sate in the glimmering shade. One long long hour
Still as two marble queens that image life,
Each self-withdrawn into herself, had sate,
Silent mid silence; for not any sound,
Save song of lark, in all that vale was heard,
Till now the air sighed low with silver tones,
And silver tones thus grew to earnest speech:
“O Phædra! O my sister! when thy love
“Late asked what grief made sunless all my days,
“I turned, I pushed away that pleading hand,
“Unkind, ungracious, proud, yet not in vain
“I heard that eloquent voice flow murmuring on,
“Like some shy brook smothered in summer leaves,
“For thy dear words have loosed the frozen weight
“About my heart, and better thoughts revive
“With better feelings, and the old words come back.
“O Phædra, let me rest my throbbing head
“On thy dear shoulder; let me weep to thee,
“And sob out all my passion in thy arms.
“Men say that Sorrow will look beautiful
“If Love but clothe her as our sculptors clothe
“Those fair stone shapes that look like living men.”
She paus'd, and in her sister's folding arms
Wept, till from her thick kisses gathering strength,
She raised her head, and sighing, thus resumed:
“O Phædra! sister, I will tell thee all,
“All that befell, while thou four summers long
“With Glaucus, our prince-brother, in the South
“Didst make thy home, and evermore didst hear
“Faint echoes of a misreported tale;
“Wherewith, thy hand in mine, and with my face
“Half-hid on thy sweet breast, I, speaking here,
“Clear as when trumpets speak, will fill thy soul.
“Thro' Time's dim pathless world I travel back
“With thee, dear sister, to Life's golden dawn,
“And Hope's sweet spring. When but a child I loved
“This glorious earth, mother of all fair shapes,
“Woman and man, or bird and gentle beast,
“Or Faun and Nymph, that dwell in forests old,
“Or Oread, sleeping in some noontide glen.
“Tho' mid my happy mates, who sang and danced,
“First in the dance, first in the song was I,
“And emulating and outwearying all,
“Like some lone child that, on a holiday,
“Is lured by sudden gleam of rainbow wings,
“I chased the flying joys that settle not
“On any flower, but follow sun and breeze,
“Yet in my heart there beat a nobler life,
“And like a lyre my secret soul would thrill
“To the melodious touch of all fair things,
“And answer to their music, night and day,
“With delicate vibrating. But most at night,
“When, like some fair witch-queen, the moon o'erlooked
“The enchanted stars, it was my joy to climb
“The shadowy mountain, with its aëry peak
“Shining above the clouds, and stand alone
“With silence and the starry solitudes,
“Till in that solemn calm my dreaming soul
“Yearn'd like a god long exiled from the skies,
“And morn and eve, expectant of return.
“So passed life's spring, while in the golden sun
“Of prosperous fortune day by day I bloom'd,
“Most favour'd of the flowers whose leaves unfold
“In homes of kings; and all fair pieties,
“All gentle thoughts, that grow in gentle hearts,
“Budded in mine, when life was in the bud,
“And blossom'd when it blossom'd. Still I fear'd,
“Still lov'd the gods, who still bestowed on me,
“Awake or sleeping, tokens of their love.
“But once a dream—such dream come never more
“To me or any maid!—beside me stood
“And whispered, ‘Ariadne, loved of Zeus!
“Save, save from death the beautiful, the young,
“Whom Athens yearly sends to die in Crete.
“Save them, for thou canst save them.’ And I said
“‘How can a woman save them?’ And the voice
“Mysterious, inorganic, answered me:
“‘To-morrow will they come, the brave, the fair,
“The flower of Attic youth, and with them bring
“Theseus, the chief of men. To-morrow, then,
“When the first twittering birds sing in the dawn,
“Arise, and make thy way to where the shore
“Runs blooming to the sea. There is a slope
“Of emerald meadow-land that winds and dips
“Into the snow-white waves which break around,
“And marrying the grey rocks which fringe the shore,
“Forms with the rocks a still and windless bay.
“Around the slope, even to the water's edge,
“Vines garland their green arms, and all the sward
“Broider'd with crocus, and the silver bells
“Of lilies, mixing with their yellow bloom,
“Warms with its odorous breath the drowsy air.
“Thither, beloved of Zeus, of all the gods
“Beloved, go thou, and going, take with thee
“Thy father's sword, the Invincible, and take
“The mystic clue that thro' the million folds
“Of the blind labyrinth, creeping round and round,
“Pilots the unfailing steps of dauntless men;
“And when the silver-sounding trumpet calls,
“And when of all the strangers standing near
“Steps forth the tallest and the fairest too,
“Wait, thou, until he speak; then give the sword,
“The Invincible, and give the magic thread,
“And bid him go a saviour to the groves
“Unvisited by sun, or moon, or star,
“Where sits, more felt than seen, the monster Death—
“A formless shadow, and beside him crouch'd
“His minister, the unnatural Minotaur,
“That feeds on human flesh: so, bid him go,
“And clasp his hand and bless him as he goes;
“For the great gods that dwell in golden bowers
“Will bless thee, blessing Theseus, whom they send.’
“Thus spake the Dream, and as it came, it went,
“And Sleep the ambrosial held me till the morn
“Lifted one rosy finger in the sky,
“And colour'd all the earth; then o'er the hills
“And down the dales, and thro' the fields I flew,
“Following the impatient call of far-off waves,
“And joy and fear flew with me as I flew.

“And now the Sun, treading with radiant feet
“The flaming billows, held his golden head
“Aloft in heaven, and gods and men were glad;
“While flying past the portals of the Dawn
“The winged clouds that on the morning wait
“Paused in their flight and died for very love
“Of him and of his beauty. As I gazed,
“A feeling strong and sweet and most divine,
“Half awe, half love, came shadowing all my soul,
“Like some bright solemn cloud that darkens noon:
“And where I stood I worshipped. But, behold!
“While thus I gazed, a band of stranger youths,
“Gold-panoplied and bearing golden shields,
“Filled with a sudden splendour all the place,
“And sang aloud in presence of the Sun,
“Praising ‘Fair Phoebus, lord of light and life!
“That flames in gold round every mountain-head,
“And shines in sapphire thro' the sea and air,
“And colours fruit and flower and cloud and star—
“Lord of the silver bow and of the lyre,
“Of all harmonious, all prophetic sound,
“Apollo, Phoebus, lord of life and light.’
“But that high music ending, the sweet call
“Of silver trumpets, stirring kingly thoughts,
“Ran down the breeze, till all the listening hills
“That sentinelled the valley caught the sounds,
“And threw them murmuring back. But as I paused,
“The youths gold-clad and bearing golden shields
“Yet nearer drew, and fairest of them all—
“Fairest and tallest, he that in their midst
“Stood like a god—now like a god stepp'd forth,
“And I saw Theseus, and I heard him speak:
“‘O maiden! whether led by some strange chance,
“Or sent by choice celestial, favouring us,—
“A light to men in darkness thou art come!
“But what we are, and in what land were born,
“What service, what high purpose brings us here,
“Now learn, and learning, aid us. Our dear home,
“The sweetest in all Greece, lies far away
“Beyond the waters black with rainy winds,
“A still sweet sunny clime. Our little fleet,
“Survivor of all storms, which bravely bore
“The beat of buffeting winds and leaping waves,
“To waft us to our port, now sleeps below
“In glassy calm, and we her mariners
“Would parley with the king of this fair isle.
“Where dwells he, south or north? Of thy sweet grace
“Guide our blind steps to those thrice-famous halls
“Which Dædalus, the dread magician, built;
“Renown'd, throughout all Greece, in song or tale.
“O lady! do I ask too great a boon,
“That have but thanks for guerdon, and must need
“Grace for presuming?’ ‘Theseus,’ I replied,
“‘The gods that dwell in golden palaces
“So will, and I obey.’ What words were more,
“And how I gave the sword Invincible,
“And how I gave the mystic magic thread,
“I pass untold: I pass the glorious acts
“Of him who slew the unnatural Minotaur
“Untold, and all untold I pass, ah me!
“My patience and impatience, hopes and fears.
“They triumph'd, Theseus triumph'd, and at night
“For the young Grecian warriors wine was poured,
“And song and feast went round in echoing halls.
“So peace was made with Athens, and long days
“Dwelt Theseus with the king till he had seen
“Our Cretan cities, seen our temples, towers,
“Our fields and forests, and the lovely shapes
“Wrought by the pale magician Dædalus
“In marble, ivory, gold, or cedar-wood.

“But spring came, and the lilac-blossoms fell
“In the long grass and on the brimming lake,
“And to the days and to the hours, deep hid
“Amid the clustering leaves of dying May,
“I told my fancies, wild and passionate,
“From dawn until the latter shadows came:
“And when the moon above the mountain top
“Hung like a silver shield, I linger'd still,
“While in the solemn hush and dream of night
“My soul would travel, cloth'd with starry thoughts,
“Thro' trackless paths in gleaming worlds remote.
“One fatal day, when all the winds were still,
“I sat alone among the fading flowers,
“Lost in the dim fair lands of rapturous thought,
“When a swift noise, a noise of pattering leaves
“And shivering branches, broke my vision'd calm,
“And as a child awakes, so wakened I,
“All glad and wondering, for the parted boughs
“Disclosed a regal shape, most like that God
“Who from the conflict with the giant snake
“Returned victorious, and from tranquil eyes
“Look'd endless triumph, while a silent scorn
“Lay beautiful upon his smiling lip.
“—O Theseus! O fair Theseus! false and fair! —
“He with the step and front of Phœbus mov'd,
“He mov'd, he stood by me, he clasp'd my hand,
“He uttered words that were like burning fire,
“For they were words of love. O, love, love, love!
“Why didst thou pass into my brain, why glide,
“So like a liquid flame, thro' heart and soul,
“For sweet and subtle ruin, till I felt
“That without love there was no life for me,
“No beauty, no delight, no universe!
“How Theseus from that day was dear to me
“As light to dying men, how destin'd hours
“Brought bridal joy, and how, like some fair star,
“The sweetest of all babes that e'er was born
“Smiled, lying on my heart, what need to say?
“O sister, I am nearly blind with grief;
“Let me, I pray thee, make an end of it.

“One morn, when a wild wind was in the trees,
“And the white clouds sail'd fast, I, wandering lone,
“As was my use, stood near the accustomed bay,
“Where the fair swanlike ships were wont to lie.
“I looked; I saw them not; I looked again;
“I climbed a rock, and o'er the unfeeling sea
“And the deaf heaven did send imploring eyes,
“And spread my arms for some receding sail,
“In vain, in vain! Then from the rock I rushed
“Back to the palace, calling him aloud;
“But only mocking echoes answered me
“With Theseus! Theseus! till men came and told
“That he had fled with all his swanlike ships,
“Had left me and Urania his fair child.”

She ended here: with sweet and solemn voice,
And sweeter because solemn, Phædra said:
‘Take heart, my sister, let the Present go,
“And to the Future, as to some new star,
“Look boldly, trusting the majestic Gods.
“Great hopes are thine, and this chief hope of all—
“Urania, thy sweet child, the child of him
“Thy Theseus, fair if false, and how beloved!—
“But see, the day stands midway in the heaven,
“And in the gorges of the slumbering hills
“Noon pours her purple light, and drooping flowers
“Dwarf their fine shadows on the scattered stones.
“No more of talk; but while the intruding sun
“Dries the last dew-drop trembling on the grass,
“Seek we the ivied cave which westward lies,
“Deepest and coolest, in our sylvan realm;
“There will I weave a garland for thy brow,
“Or woo thee to some balmy sleep, or chant
“Fragments of music, sweet but sorrowful.”

She ceased, and like twin stars the sisters rose,
And where tall flowers were mixed with blooming grass,
Hand linked in hand, they passed, and in the depth
Of that delightful forest disappeared.
But Theseus sailed before the vassal winds,
And with him sailed the Powers that order life
And shape it to their ends. So piloted,
He saw once more his Athens, his beloved,
The lady city of the violet crown.
There called to kingship by the conquering Fates,
And by great deeds that lighted all his days,
He clasped the sceptre, swaying mighty men.

So throned in Athens let the hero rule,
And order all to one imperial end,
Prosperous in arms, in laws, in arts of peace,
And loved alike by mortals and by gods.
Yet shall the soldier-blood within his heart
Flow faster when he hears of martial deeds,
Nor will he always rest as cowards do,
Who shun the battle that brings manhood out,
With might and right. But in the after years
When gray old men sit round and tell their sons
How Theseus governed for the common weal,
No less with burning words will they rehearse
How Theseus for the common weal did fight
In Epidaurus and by Corinth's Strait;
Or where, at Megara, that threadlike path
O'erhung the waves, or where Poseidon's son
Fell in Eleusis. Many a tongue will tell
How Theseus slew the huge Palontides,
When the great King of Athens knew his son,
And saved him, doomed to death; and some will tell
How once, long long ago, from Pelion's heights,
Where the tall pines touch heaven, the Centaurs came,
And to the marriage of Ixion's son
The Lapithæ were bid, and noble men,
Whom godlike deeds made equal to the gods,
Accompanied; old Nestor, still renowned
For fitting to wise words his wiser thoughts,
Left his beloved sands, and Theseus came
To Athens, where the sword in myrtle shines,
And many more, great kings but all are dead!
So will the old men say, and gently sigh,
Then pause, and then with sighs begin again:
“But now the feast was served with goodly store
“Of viands, such as none but princes use,
“And goblets, massy with thick-crusted gold,
“Were drained of the voluptuous juice of grapes,
“And songs were lifted up with glad acclaim
“In praise of that fair bride, who, modest, still
“Sate mid the jovial feasters, near her lord.
“At length Eurytion, whom the circling wine
“Made dizzy with swift joy, half furious rose
“And said, ‘Peirithous! keep your blushing bride
“With a strong hand, or I shall bear her off.’
“But ere he came, Peirithous struck him down.
“Himself in turn struck down, for Centaurs thronged
“Around the fallen Centaur, raising him,
“And mid the Lapithæ Peirithous rose.
“Then clamour eddied thro' the echoing halls,
“And tables fell and golden flagons spilt
“The ruddy wine, and maids with yellow locks,
“Scarce veiling snowy limbs for quick surprise,
“Were struck to earth, and thro' the rushing strife
“The shrieks of women gathering round the bride
“Mixt with the drunken shouts of desperate men;
“While clashing of broad shields and ringing spears,
“And the cross-lightning of conflicting swords
“Thundered and shone; and heavy goblets smote
“Uncovered temples, and on helmets rung;
“And some fell back and yet retreating fought,
“Foot pressed to foot, and eye still fixing eye.
“But Theseus near his friend Peirithous stood,
“Protecting him; and when some Centaur vast
“Made rash approach, he slew him with his spear.
“So Theseus and Peirithous, side by side,
“True, tender, fought; till round them ample space
“Was cleared, and Theseus in the dizzy fight
“Beheld the mad Eurytion dealing death.
“Then, lifting up his spear, the Attic chief
“Few steps retired, and running, as men run
“For crowning action, hurled it; and a cry
“As of some beast in pain, his triumph told.
“So all left fighting, and the Centaurs closed
“About their prostrate lord, who howling lay
“Disabled; but on shield to shield conjoined
“They laid him, and so bore him from the feast.
“But Theseus stood rejoicing with his friends,
“Who praised him as we praise him.” So one day
Old sires will tell their grandsons, handing down
Heroic men, the royal blood of Time.