 | Studies of Sensation and Event |  |
146
A PAGAN'S DRINKING CHAUNT.
Like the bright white arm of a young god, thrown
To the hem of a struggling maiden's gown;
The torrent leaps on the kegs of stone,
That held this wine in the dark gulf down;
Deep five fathoms it lay in the cold;
The afternoon summer heats heavily weigh;
This wine is awaiting in flagons of gold,
On the side of the hill that looks over the bay.
To the hem of a struggling maiden's gown;
The torrent leaps on the kegs of stone,
That held this wine in the dark gulf down;
Deep five fathoms it lay in the cold;
The afternoon summer heats heavily weigh;
This wine is awaiting in flagons of gold,
On the side of the hill that looks over the bay.
There, a bower of vines for each one bends,
Under the terracing cedar trees;
Where, shut from the presence of foes or friends,
He may quaff and couch in lonely ease;
The sunshine slants past the dark green cave;
In the sunshine, the galleys before him will drowse;
And the roar of the town, like a far-travelled wave,
Will faintly flow in to his calm carouse.
Under the terracing cedar trees;
Where, shut from the presence of foes or friends,
He may quaff and couch in lonely ease;
The sunshine slants past the dark green cave;
In the sunshine, the galleys before him will drowse;
147
Will faintly flow in to his calm carouse.
No restless womanhood frets the bower,
Exacting, and fawning, and vain, and shy;
But a beautiful boy shall attend the hour,
And silently low in the entrance lie;
As he silently reads the scrolls that tell,
The Cyprian's loves, and the maiden's dreams,
His limbs will twine, and his lips will swell,
And his eyes dilate with amorous schemes.
Exacting, and fawning, and vain, and shy;
But a beautiful boy shall attend the hour,
And silently low in the entrance lie;
As he silently reads the scrolls that tell,
The Cyprian's loves, and the maiden's dreams,
His limbs will twine, and his lips will swell,
And his eyes dilate with amorous schemes.
And his yearning limbs, and his sultry mouth,
Will recall to the drinker his own youth's prime;
When there seemed crowding round him from east, west, and south,
Countless sleek limbs of women with capturing mime;
And he'll mourn for youth; and he'll deem more dear
This cool bright wine;—to our bowers, away!
And nothing will witness the sigh, or the tear,
On the side of the hill that looks over the bay.
Will recall to the drinker his own youth's prime;
When there seemed crowding round him from east, west, and south,
Countless sleek limbs of women with capturing mime;
And he'll mourn for youth; and he'll deem more dear
This cool bright wine;—to our bowers, away!
And nothing will witness the sigh, or the tear,
On the side of the hill that looks over the bay.
| Studies of Sensation and Event | |