 | Callirrhoë |  |
48
Scene IV.
—Nephele's Home. Callirrhoë with Nephele's body.Callirrhoë.
How different from that fair Bacchic sleep
From which thou once did'st wake, my Nephele,
This hideous lifelessness! Ye gods! instead
Of the bright laughter of the dreaming lips
A grin is on the sharp, shrunk mouth; the cheek,
Moist with the balmy warmth of its own blush,
Now glistens beaded with a chilly sweat.
Once in delirium, when her speech came thick
As blood-clot through the edges of a wound,
Some memory of dewy morning-hills
I caught in her hot voice.
From which thou once did'st wake, my Nephele,
This hideous lifelessness! Ye gods! instead
Of the bright laughter of the dreaming lips
A grin is on the sharp, shrunk mouth; the cheek,
Moist with the balmy warmth of its own blush,
Now glistens beaded with a chilly sweat.
Once in delirium, when her speech came thick
As blood-clot through the edges of a wound,
Some memory of dewy morning-hills
I caught in her hot voice.
Oh, I must hide thee, bury thee; but first
My lips shall touch the cheek that lies against
My white robe like a tawny withered rose.
She'd cry to think my lips
Loathed her that once delighted in her mouth.
There, there!
[kisses the corpse]
Love and the vultures are the only things
Death cannot sicken. All are gone from her;
Her parents, sisters; and Emathion
Came not to comfort her. What could it be
Delayed him? Now I need his help. But first
I will wind round thee my long veil; he ne'er
Shall see thee thus.
My lips shall touch the cheek that lies against
My white robe like a tawny withered rose.
She'd cry to think my lips
Loathed her that once delighted in her mouth.
There, there!
[kisses the corpse]
Love and the vultures are the only things
Death cannot sicken. All are gone from her;
Her parents, sisters; and Emathion
Came not to comfort her. What could it be
Delayed him? Now I need his help. But first
I will wind round thee my long veil; he ne'er
Shall see thee thus.
[Enter Demophile.
49
Oh, home, Callirrhoë;
Thy father sickens; he may now be dead.
[Exeunt hurriedly.
| Callirrhoë | |