 | Poems and Translations |  |
58
THE LAW OF CHANGE.
They know not Love who love to range:
As who would sip from wine to wine
Loses all taste in his exchange,
And sups at length with Circe's swine.
As who would sip from wine to wine
Loses all taste in his exchange,
And sups at length with Circe's swine.
Love's self comprised the world at first;
But, grown monotonous, Desire
(With itch of restlessness accurst)
Began the outer world to admire.
But, grown monotonous, Desire
(With itch of restlessness accurst)
Began the outer world to admire.
Might I but Cleopatra know—
Whose varied charms no use could stale:
So, sounding love from high to low,
From low to high, complete the scale.
Whose varied charms no use could stale:
So, sounding love from high to low,
From low to high, complete the scale.
Yet, Helen! I would meet thy smiles,
And clasp Aspasia to my heart;
Then Sappho's frenzy, Lais' wiles,
Experience, proving every part.
And clasp Aspasia to my heart;
Then Sappho's frenzy, Lais' wiles,
Experience, proving every part.
59
Fool! Change itself content debars:
In seeking all thou hast not One.
Who shuts out light, to see the stars,
May see them, but has lost the sun.
In seeking all thou hast not One.
Who shuts out light, to see the stars,
May see them, but has lost the sun.
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