Hadhethenwrong’daheartwheresorrowkept?
Hadhe,thoughblindlycontumelious,brought
Rheumtokindeyes,astingtohumanethought,
Convulsiontoamouthofmanyyears?
Hehadintruth;andhewasripefortears.
Thepenitentshowerfell,asdownheknelt
Beforethatcare—wornsage,whotremblingfelt
Abouthislargedarklocks,andfaulteringspake:
"Arise,goodyouth,forsacredPhoebus’sake!
Iknowthineinmostbosom,andIfeel
Averybrother’syearningfortheesteal
Intomineown:forwhy?thouopenest
Theprisongatesthathavesolongopprest
Mywearywatching.Thoughthouknow’stitnot,
Thouartcommission’dtothisfatedspot
Forgreatenfranchisement.Oweepnomore;
Iamafriendtolove,tolovesofyore:
Aye,hadstthouneverlov’danunknownpower,
Ihadbeengrievingatthisjoyoushour.
Butevennowmostmiserableold,
Isawthee,andmybloodnolongercold
Gavemightypulses:inthistotteringcase
Grewanewheart,whichatthismomentplays
Asdancinglyasthine.Benotafraid,
Forthoushalthearthissecretalldisplay’d,
Nowaswespeedtowardsourjoyoustask."
Sosaying,thisyoungsoulinage’smask
WentforwardwiththeCariansidebyside:
Resumingquicklythus:whileocean’stide
Hungswollenattheirbacks,andjewel’dsands
Tooksilentlytheirfoot—prints.
"Mysoulstands
Nowpastthemidwayfrommortality,
AndsoIcanpreparewithoutasigh
Totelltheebrieflyallmyjoyandpain.
Iwasafisheronce,uponthismain,
Andmyboatdanc’dineverycreekandbay;
Roughbillowsweremyhomebynightandday,—
Thesea—gullsnotmoreconstant;forIhad
Nohousingfromthestormandtempestsmad,
Buthollowrocks,—andtheywerepalaces
Ofsilenthappiness,ofslumberousease:
Longyearsofmiseryhavetoldmeso.
Aye,thusitwasonethousandyearsago.
Onethousandyears!—Isitthenpossible
Tolooksoplainlythroughthem?todispel
Athousandyearswithbackwardglancesublime?
Tobreatheawayas’twereallscummyslime
Fromoffacrystalpool,toseeitsdeep,
Andone’sownimagefromthebottompeep?
Yes:nowIamnolongerwretchedthrall,
Mylongcaptivityandmoaningsall
Arebutaslime,athin—pervadingscum,
ThewhichIbreatheaway,andthrongingcome
Likethingsofyesterdaymyyouthfulpleasures.
"Itouch’dnolute,Isangnot,trodnomeasures:
Iwasalonelyyouthondesertshores.
Mysportswerelonely,’midcontinuousroars,
Andcraggyisles,andsea—mew’splaintivecry
Plainingdiscrepantbetweenseaandsky.
Dolphinswerestillmyplaymates;shapesunseen
Wouldletmefeeltheirscalesofgoldandgreen,
Norbemydesolation;and,fulloft,
Whenadreadwaterspouthadrear’daloft
Itshungryhugeness,seemingreadyripe
Toburstwithhoarsestthunderings,andwipe
Mylifeawaylikeavastspongeoffate,
Somefriendlymonster,pityingmysadstate,
Hasdivedtoitsfoundations,gulph’ditdown,
Andleftmetossingsafely.Butthecrown
Ofallmylifewasutmostquietude:
MoredidIlovetolieincavernrude,
KeepinginwaitwholedaysforNeptune’svoice,
Andifitcameatlast,hark,andrejoice!
Thereblush’dnosummerevebutIwouldsteer
Myskiffalonggreenshelvingcoasts,tohear
Theshepherd’spipecomeclearfromaerysteep,
Mingledwithceaselessbleatingsofhissheep:
Andneverwasadayofsummershine,
ButIbehelditsbirthuponthebrine:
ForIwouldwatchallnighttoseeunfold
Heaven’sgates,andAEthonsnorthismorninggold
Wideo’ertheswellingstreams:andconstantly
Atbrimofday—tide,onsomegrassylea,
Mynetswouldbespreadout,andIatrest.
Thepoorfolkofthesea—countryIblest
Withdailyboonoffishmostdelicate:
Theyknewnotwhencethisbounty,andelate
Wouldstrewsweetflowersonasterilebeach.
"WhywasInotcontented?Whereforereach
Atthingswhich,butforthee,OLatmian!
Hadbeenmydrearydeath?Fool!Ibegan
Tofeeldistemper’dlongings:todesire
Theutmostprivilegethatocean’ssire
Couldgrantinbenediction:tobefree
Ofallhiskingdom.Longinmisery
Iwasted,ereinoneextremestfit
Iplung’dforlifeordeath.Tointerknit
One’ssenseswithsodenseabreathingstuff
Mightseemaworkofpain;sonotenough
CanIadmirehowcrystal—smoothitfelt,
Andbuoyantroundmylimbs.AtfirstIdwelt
Wholedaysanddaysinsheerastonishment;
Forgetfulutterlyofself—intent;
Movingbutwiththemightyebbandflow.
Then,likeanewfledg’dbirdthatfirstdothshow
Hisspreadedfeatherstothemorrowchill,
Itriedinfearthepinionsofmywill.
’Twasfreedom!andatonceIvisited
Theceaselesswondersofthisocean—bed.
Noneedtotelltheeofthem,forIsee
Thatthouhastbeenawitness—itmustbe—
FortheseIknowthoucanstnotfeeladrouth,
Bythemelancholycornersofthatmouth.
SoIwillinmystorystraightwaypass
Tomoreimmediatematter.Woe,alas!
Thatloveshouldbemybane!Ah,Scyllafair!
WhydidpoorGlaucusever—everdare
Tosuetheetohisheart?Kindstranger—youth!
Ilov’dhertotheverywhiteoftruth,
Andshewouldnotconceiveit.Timidthing!
Shefledmeswiftassea—birdonthewing,
Roundeveryisle,andpoint,andpromontory,
FromwherelargeHerculeswounduphisstory
FarasEgyptianNile.Mypassiongrew
Themore,themoreIsawherdaintyhue
Gleamdelicatelythroughtheazureclear:
Until’twastoofierceagonytobear;
Andinthatagony,acrossmygrief
Itflash’d,thatCircemightfindsomerelief—
Cruelenchantress!Soabovethewater
Irear’dmyhead,andlook’dforPhoebus’daughter,
AEaea’sislewaswonderingatthemoon:—
Itseem’dtowhirlaroundme,andaswoon
Leftmedead—driftingtothatfatalpower.
"WhenIawoke,’twasinatwilightbower;
Justwhenthelightofmorn,withhumofbees,
Stolethroughitsverdurousmattingoffreshtrees.
Howsweet,andsweeter!forIheardalyre,
Andoveritasighingvoiceexpire.
Itceased—Icaughtlightfootsteps;andanon
Thefairestfacethatmorne’erlook’dupon
Push’dthroughascreenofroses.StarryJove!
Withtears,andsmiles,andhoney—wordsshewove
Anetwhosethraldomwasmoreblissthanall
Therangeofflower’dElysium.Thusdidfall
Thedewofherrichspeech:’Ah!Artawake?
’Oletmeheartheespeak,forCupid’ssake!
’Iamsooppress’dwithjoy!Why,Ihaveshed
’Anurnoftears,asthoughthouwertcolddead;
’AndnowIfindtheeliving,Iwillpour
’Fromthesedevotedeyestheirsilverstore,
’Untilexhaustedofthelatestdrop,
’Soitwillpleasurethee,andforcetheestop
’Here,thatItoomaylive:butifbeyond
’Suchcoolandsorrowfulofferings,thouartfond
’Ofsoothingwarmth,ofdalliancesupreme;
’Ifthouartripetotastealonglovedream;
’Ifsmiles,ifdimples,tonguesforardourmute,
’Hanginthyvisionlikeatemptingfruit,
’Oletmepluckitforthee.’Thusshelink’d
Hercharmingsyllables,tillindistinct
Theirmusiccametomyo’er—sweeten’dsoul;
Andthenshehover’doverme,andstole
Sonear,thatifnonearerithadbeen
Thisfurrow’dvisagethouhadstneverseen.
"YoungmanofLatmos!thusparticular
AmI,thatthoumay’stplainlyseehowfar
Thisfiercetemptationwent:andthoumay’stnot
Exclaim,Howthen,wasScyllaquiteforgot?
"Whocouldresist?Whointhisuniverse?
Shedidsobreatheambrosia;soimmerse
Myfineexistenceinagoldenclime.
Shetookmelikeachildofsucklingtime,
Andcradledmeinroses.Thuscondemn’d,
Thecurrentofmyformerlifewasstemm’d,
Andtothisarbitraryqueenofsense
Ibow’datrancedvassal:norwouldthence
Havemov’d,eventhoughAmphion’sharphadwoo’d
MebacktoScyllao’erthebillowsrude.
ForasApolloeachevedothdevise
Anewapparelingforwesternskies;
Soeveryeve,nayeveryspendthrifthour
Shedbalmyconsciousnesswithinthatbower.
AndIwasfreeofhauntsumbrageous;
Couldwanderinthemazyforest—house
Ofsquirrels,foxesshy,andantler’ddeer,
Andbirdsfromcovertsinnermostanddrear
Warblingforveryjoymellifluoussorrow—
Tomenewborndelights!
"Nowletmeborrow,
Formomentsfew,atemperamentasstern
AsPluto’ssceptre,thatmywordsnotburn
Theseutteringlips,whileIincalmspeechtell
Howspeciousheavenwaschangedtorealhell.
"Onemornsheleftmesleeping:halfawake
Isoughtforhersmootharmsandlips,toslake
Mygreedythirstwithnectarouscamel—draughts;
Butshewasgone.Whereatthebarbedshafts
Ofdisappointmentstuckinmesosore,
ThatoutIranandsearch’dtheforesto’er.
Wanderingaboutinpineandcedargloom
Dampaweassail’dme;forthere’gantoboom
Asoundofmoan,anagonyofsound,
Sepulchralfromthedistanceallaround.
Thencameaconqueringearth—thunder,andrumbled
Thatfiercecomplaintosilence:whileIstumbled
Downaprecipitouspath,asifimpell’d.
Icametoadarkvalley.—Groaningsswell’d
Poisonousaboutmyears,andloudergrew,
ThenearerIapproach’daflame’sgauntblue,
Thatglar’dbeforemethroughathornybrake.
Thisfire,liketheeyeofgordiansnake,
Bewitch’dmetowards;andIsoonwasnear
Asighttoofearfulforthefeeloffear:
InthickethidIcurs’dthehaggardscene—
Thebanquetofmyarms,myarbourqueen,
Seateduponanuptornforestroot;
Andallaroundhershapes,wizardandbrute,
Laughing,andwailing,groveling,serpenting,
Showingtooth,tusk,andvenom—bag,andsting!
Osuchdeformities!OldCharon’sself,
Shouldhegiveupawhilehispennypelf,
Andtakeadream’mongrushesStygian,
Itcouldnotbesophantasied.Fierce,wan,
Andtyrannizingwasthelady’slook,
Asoverthemagnarledstaffsheshook.
Oft—timesuponthesuddenshelaugh’dout,
Andfromabasketemptiedtotherout
Clustersofgrapes,thewhichtheyraven’dquick
Androar’dformore;withmanyahungrylick
Abouttheirshaggyjaws.Avenging,slow,
Anonshetookabranchofmistletoe,
Andemptiedon’tablackdull—gurglingphial:
Groan’doneandall,asifsomepiercingtrial
Wassharpeningfortheirpitiablebones.
Sheliftedupthecharm:appealinggroans
Fromtheirpoorbreastswentsueingtoherear
Invain;remorselessasaninfant’sbier
Shewhisk’dagainsttheireyesthesootyoil.
Whereatwasheardanoiseofpainfultoil,
Increasinggradualtoatempestrage,
Shrieks,yells,andgroansoftorture—pilgrimage;
Untiltheirgrievedbodies’gantobloat
Andpufffromthetail’sendtostifledthroat:
Thenwasappallingsilence:thenasight
Morewilderingthanallthathoarseaffright;
Forthewholeherd,asbyawhirlwindwrithen,
WentthroughthedismalairlikeonehugePython
AntagonizingBoreas,—andsovanish’d.
Yettherewasnotabreathofwind:shebanish’d
Thesephantomswithanod.Lo!fromthedark
Camewaggishfauns,andnymphs,andsatyrsstark,
Withdancingandloudrevelry,—andwent
Swifterthancentaursafterrapinebent.—
Sighinganelephantappear’dandbow’d
Beforethefiercewitch,speakingthusaloud
Inhumanaccent:’Potentgoddess!chief
’Ofpainsresistless!makemybeingbrief,
’Orletmefromthisheavyprisonfly:
’Orgivemetotheair,orletmedie!
’Isuenotformyhappycrownagain;
’Isuenotformyphalanxontheplain;
’Isuenotformylone,mywidow’dwife;
’Isuenotformyruddydropsoflife,
’Mychildrenfair,mylovelygirlsandboys!
’Iwillforgetthem;Iwillpassthesejoys;
’Asknoughtsoheavenward,sotoo—toohigh:
’OnlyIpray,asfairestboon,todie,
’Orbedeliver’dfromthiscumbrousflesh,
’Fromthisgross,detestable,filthymesh,
’Andmerelygiventothecoldbleakair.
’Havemercy,Goddess!Circe,feelmyprayer!’
"Thatcurstmagician’snamefellicynumb
Uponmywildconjecturing:truthhadcome
Nakedandsabre—likeagainstmyheart.
Isawafurywhettingadeath—dart;
Andmyslainspirit,overwroughtwithfright,
Faintedawayinthatdarklairofnight.
Think,mydeliverer,howdesolate
Mywakingmusthavebeen!disgust,andhate,
Andterrorsmanifolddividedme
Aspoilamongstthem.Iprepar’dtoflee
Intothedungeoncoreofthatwildwood:
Ifledthreedays—whenlo!beforemestood
Glaringtheangrywitch.ODis,evennow,
Aclammydewisbeadingonmybrow,
Atmererememberingherpalelaugh,andcurse.
’Ha!ha!SirDainty!theremustbeanurse
’Madeofroseleavesandthistledown,express,
’Tocradletheemysweet,andlullthee:yes,
’Iamtooflinty—hardforthynicetouch:
’Mytenderestsqueezeisbutagiant’sclutch.
’So,fairy—thing,itshallhavelullabies
’Unheardofyet:anditshallstillitscries
’Uponsomebreastmorelilly—feminine.
’Oh,no—itshallnotpine,andpine,andpine
’Morethanonepretty,triflingthousandyears;
’Andthen’twerepity,butfate’sgentleshears
’Cutshortitsimmortality.Sea—flirt!
’Youngdoveofthewaters!trulyI’llnothurt
’Onehairofthine:seehowIweepandsigh,
’Thatourheart—brokenpartingissonigh.
’Andmustwepart?Ah,yes,itmustbeso.
’Yeterethouleavestmeinutterwoe,
’Letmesobovertheemylastadieus,
’Andspeakablessing:Markme!Thouhastthews
’Immortal,forthouartofheavenlyrace:
’Butsuchaloveismine,thathereIchace
’Eternallyawayfromtheeallbloom
’Ofyouth,anddestinetheetowardsatomb.
’Henceshaltthouquicklytothewateryvast;
’Andthere,eremanydaysbeoverpast,
’Disabledageshallseizethee;andeventhen
’Thoushaltnotgothewayofagedmen;
’Butliveandwither,crippleandstillbreathe
’Tenhundredyears:whichgone,Ithenbequeath
’Thyfragilebonestounknownburial.
’Adieu,sweetlove,adieu!’—Asshotstarsfall,
ShefledereIcouldgroanformercy.Stung
Andpoison’dwasmyspirit:despairsung
Awar—songofdefiance’gainstallhell.
Ahandwasatmyshouldertocompel
Mysullensteps;another’foremyeyes
Movedonwithpointedfinger.Inthisguise
Enforced,atthelastbyocean’sfoam
Ifoundme;bymyfresh,mynativehome.
Itstemperingcoolness,tomylifeakin,
CamesalutaryasIwadedin;
And,withablindvoluptuousrage,Igave
Battletotheswollenbillow—ridge,anddrave
Largefrothbeforeme,whilethereyetremain’d
Halestrength,norfrommybonesallmarrowdrain’d.
"Younglover,Imustweep—suchhellishspite
Withdrycheekwhocantell?Whilethusmymight
Provinguponthiselement,dismay’d,
Uponadeadthing’sfacemyhandIlaid;
Ilook’d—’twasScylla!Cursed,cursedCirce!
Ovulture—witch,hastneverheardofmercy?
Couldnotthyharshestvengeancebecontent,
Butthoumustnipthistenderinnocent
BecauseIlov’dher?—Cold,Ocoldindeed
Wereherfairlimbs,andlikeacommonweed
Thesea—swelltookherhair.Deadasshewas
Iclungaboutherwaist,norceas’dtopass
Fleetasanarrowthroughunfathom’dbrine,
Untilthereshoneafabriccrystalline,
Ribb’dandinlaidwithcoral,pebble,andpearl.
HeadlongIdarted;atoneeagerswirl
Gain’ditsbrightportal,enter’d,andbehold!
’Twasvast,anddesolate,andicy—cold;
Andallaround—Butwhereforethistothee
Whoinfewminutesmorethyselfshaltsee?—
IleftpoorScyllainanicheandfled.
Myfever’dparchingsup,myscathingdread
Metpalsyhalfway:soontheselimbsbecame
Gaunt,wither’d,sapless,feeble,cramp’d,andlame.
"Nowletmepassacruel,cruelspace,
Withoutonehope,withoutonefaintesttrace
Ofmitigation,orredeemingbubble
Ofcolour’dphantasy;forIfear’twouldtrouble
Thybraintolossofreason:andnexttell
Howarestoringchancecamedowntoquell
Onehalfofthewitchinme.
"Onaday,
Sittinguponarockabovethespray,
Isawgrowupfromthehorizon’sbrink
Agallantvessel:soonsheseem’dtosink
Awayfrommeagain,asthoughhercourse
Hadbeenresum’dinspiteofhinderingforce—
Sovanish’d:andnotlong,beforearose
Darkclouds,andmutteringofwindsmorose.
OldAEoluswouldstiflehismadspleen,
Butcouldnot:thereforeallthebillowsgreen
Toss’dupthesilverspumeagainsttheclouds.
Thetempestcame:Isawthatvessel’sshrouds
Inperilousbustle;whileuponthedeck
Stoodtremblingcreatures.Ibeheldthewreck;
Thefinalgulphing;thepoorstrugglingsouls:
Iheardtheircriesamidloudthunder—rolls.
Otheyhadallbeensav’dbutcrazedeld
Annull’dmyvigorouscravings:andthusquell’d
Andcurb’d,thinkon’t,OLatmian!didIsit
Writhingwithpity,andacursingfit
Againstthathell—bornCirce.Thecrewhadgone,
Byoneandone,topaleoblivion;
AndIwasgazingonthesurgesprone,
Withmanyascaldingtearandmanyagroan,
Whenatmyfeetemerg’danoldman’shand,
Graspingthisscroll,andthissameslenderwand.
Ikneltwithpain—reach’doutmyhand—hadgrasp’d
Thesetreasures—touch’dtheknuckles—theyunclasp’d—
Icaughtafinger:butthedownwardweight
O’erpoweredme—itsank.Then’ganabate
Thestorm,andthroughchillaguishgloomoutburst
Thecomfortablesun.Iwasathirst
Tosearchthebook,andinthewarmingair
Parteditsdrippingleaveswitheagercare.
Strangemattersdidittreatof,anddrewon
Mysoulpageafterpage,tillwell—nighwon
Intoforgetfulness;when,stupefied,
Ireadthesewords,andreadagain,andtried
Myeyesagainsttheheavens,andreadagain.
Owhataloadofmiseryandpain
EachAtlas—lineboreoff!—ashineofhope
Camegoldaroundme,cheeringmetocope
Strenuouswithhellishtyranny.Attend!
Forthouhastbroughttheirpromisetoanend.
"Inthewideseatherelivesaforlornwretch,
Doom’dwithenfeebledcarcasetooutstretch
Hisloath’dexistencethroughtencenturies,
Andthentodiealone.Whocandevise
Atotalopposition?Noone.So
Onemilliontimesoceanmustebbandflow,
Andheoppressed.Yetheshallnotdie,
Thesethingsaccomplish’d:—Ifheutterly
Scansallthedepthsofmagic,andexpounds
Themeaningsofallmotions,shapesandsounds;
Ifheexploresallformsandsubstances
Straighthomewardtotheirsymbol—essences;
Heshallnotdie.Moreover,andinchief,
Hemustpursuethistaskofjoyandgrief
Mostpiously;—allloverstempest—tost,
Andinthesavageoverwhelminglost,
Heshalldepositsidebyside,until
Time’screepingshallthedrearyspacefulfil:
Whichdone,andalltheselaboursripened,
Ayouth,byheavenlypowerlov’dandled,
Shallstandbeforehim;whomheshalldirect
Howtoconsummateall.Theyouthelect
Mustdothething,orbothwillbedestroy’d."—
"Then,"criedtheyoungEndymion,overjoy’d,
"Wearetwinbrothersinthisdestiny!
Say,Iintreatthee,whatachievementhigh
Is,inthisrestlessworld,formereserv’d.
What!iffromtheemywanderingfeethadswerv’d,
Hadwebothperish’d?"—"Look!"thesagereplied,
"Dostthounotmarkagleamingthroughthetide,
Ofdiversebrilliances?’tistheedifice
Itoldtheeof,wherelovelyScyllalies;
AndwhereIhaveenshrinedpiously
Alllovers,whomfellstormshavedoom’dtodie
Throughoutmybondage."Thusdiscoursing,on
Theywenttillunobscur’dtheporchesshone;
Whichhurryinglytheygain’d,andenter’dstraight.
SureneversincekingNeptuneheldhisstate
Wasseensuchwonderunderneaththestars.
TurntosomelevelplainwherehaughtyMars
Haslegion’dallhisbattle;andbehold
Howeverysoldier,withfirmfoot,dothhold
Hisevenbreast:see,manysteeledsquares,
Andrigidranksofiron—whencewhodares
Onestep?Imaginefurther,linebyline,
Thesewarriorthousandsonthefieldsupine:—
Sointhatcrystalplace,insilentrows,
Poorloverslayatrestfromjoysandwoes.—
Thestrangerfromthemountains,breathless,trac’d
Suchthousandsofshuteyesinorderplac’d;
Suchrangesofwhitefeet,andpatientlips
Allruddy,—forheredeathnoblossomnips.
Hemark’dtheirbrowsandforeheads;sawtheirhair
Putsleeklyononesidewithnicestcare;
Andeachone’sgentlewrists,withreverence,
Putcross—wisetoitsheart.
"Letuscommence,"
Whisper’dtheguide,stutteringwithjoy,"evennow."
Hespake,and,tremblinglikeanaspen—bough,
Begantotearhisscrollinpiecessmall,
Utteringthewhilesomemumblingsfuneral.
Hetoreitintopiecessmallassnow
Thatdriftsunfeather’dwhenbleaknorthernsblow;
Andhavingdoneit,tookhisdarkbluecloak
AndbounditroundEndymion:thenstruck
Hiswandagainsttheemptyairtimesnine.—
"Whatmorethereistodo,youngman,isthine:
Butfirstalittlepatience;firstundo
Thistangledthread,andwindittoaclue.
Ah,gentle!’tisasweakasspider’sskein;
Andshouldstthoubreakit—What,isitdonesoclean?
Apowerovershadowsthee!O,brave!
Thespiteofhellistumblingtoitsgrave.
Hereisashell;’tispearlyblanktome,
Normark’dwithanysignorcharactery—
Canstthoureadaught?Oreadforpity’ssake!
Olympus!wearesafe!Now,Carian,break
Thiswandagainstyonlyreonthepedestal."
’Twasdone:andstraightwithsuddenswellandfall
Sweetmusicbreath’dhersoulaway,andsigh’d
Alullabytosilence.—"Youth!nowstrew
Thesemincedleavesonme,andpassingthrough
Thosefilesofdead,scatterthesamearound,
Andthouwiltseetheissue."—’Midthesound
Offlutesandviols,ravishinghisheart,
EndymionfromGlaucusstoodapart,
Andscatter’dinhisfacesomefragmentslight.
Howlightning—swiftthechange!ayouthfulwight
Smilingbeneathacoraldiadem,
Out—sparklingsuddenlikeanupturn’dgem,
Appear’d,and,steppingtoabeauteouscorse,
Kneel’ddownbesideit,andwithtenderestforce
Press’ditscoldhand,andwept,—andScyllasigh’d!
Endymion,withquickhand,thecharmapplied—
Thenympharose:heleftthemtotheirjoy,
Andonwardwentuponhishighemploy,
Showeringthosepowerfulfragmentsonthedead.
And,ashepass’d,eachliftedupitshead,
AsdothafloweratApollo’stouch.
Deathfeltittohisinwards:’twastoomuch:
Deathfellaweepinginhischarnel—house.
TheLatmianpersever’dalong,andthus
Allwerere—animated.Therearose
Anoiseofharmony,pulsesandthroes
Ofgladnessintheair—whilemany,who
Haddiedinmutualarmsdevoutandtrue,
Sprangtoeachothermadly;andtherest
Feltahighcertaintyofbeingblest.
Theygaz’duponEndymion.Enchantment
Grewdrunken,andwouldhaveitsheadandbent.
Delicioussymphonies,likeairyflowers,
Budded,andswell’d,and,full—blown,shedfullshowers
Oflight,soft,unseenleavesofsoundsdivine.
Thetwodelivererstastedapurewine
Ofhappiness,fromfairy—pressooz’dout.
Speechlesstheyeyedeachother,andabout
Thefairassemblywander’dtoandfro,
Distractedwiththerichestoverflow
Ofjoythateverpour’dfromheaven.
—"Away!"
Shoutedthenewborngod;"Follow,andpay
OurpietytoNeptunussupreme!"—
ThenScylla,blushingsweetlyfromherdream,
Theyledonfirst,benttohermeeksurprise,
Throughportalcolumnsofagiantsize,
Intothevaulted,boundlessemerald.
Joyousallfollow’dastheleadercall’d,
Downmarblesteps;pouringaseasily
Ashour—glasssand,—andfast,asyoumightsee
Swallowsobeyingthesouthsummer’scall,
Orswansuponagentlewaterfall.
Thuswentthatbeautifulmultitude,norfar,
Erefromamongsomerocksofglitteringspar,
Justwithinken,theysawdescendingthick
Anothermultitude.Whereatmorequick
Movedeitherhost.Onawidesandtheymet,
Andofthosenumberseveryeyewaswet;
Foreachtheiroldlovefound.Amurmuringrose,
Likewhatwasneverheardinallthethroes
Ofwindandwaters:’tispasthumanwit
Totell;’tisdizzinesstothinkofit.
Thismightyconsummationmade,thehost
Mov’donformanyaleague;andgain’d,andlost
Hugesea—marks;vanwardswellinginarray,
Andfromthereardiminishingaway,—
Tillafaintdawnsurpris’dthem.Glaucuscried,
"Behold!behold,thepalaceofhispride!
GodNeptune’spalaces!"Withnoiseincreas’d,
Theyshoulder’dontowardsthatbrighteningeast.
Ateveryonwardstepprouddomesarose
Inprospect,—diamondgleams,andgoldenglows
Ofamber’gainsttheirfaceslevelling.
Joyous,andmanyastheleavesinspring,
Stillonward;stillthesplendourgradualswell’d.
Richopaldomeswereseen,onhighupheld
Byjasperpillars,lettingthroughtheirshafts
Ablushofcoral.Copiouswonder—draughts
Eachgazerdrank;anddeeperdrankmorenear.
Forwhatpoormortalsfragmentup,asmere
Asmarblewastherelavish,tothevast
Ofonefairpalace,thatfarfarsurpass’d,
Evenforcommonbulk,thoseoldenthree,
Memphis,andBabylon,andNineveh.
Aslarge,asbright,ascolour’dasthebow
OfIris,whenunfadingitdothshow
Beyondasilveryshower,wasthearch
ThroughwhichthisPaphianarmytookitsmarch,
IntotheoutercourtsofNeptune’sstate:
Whencecouldbeseen,direct,agoldengate,
Towhichtheleaderssped;butnothalfraught
Ereitburstopenswiftasfairythought,
Andmadethosedazzledthousandsveiltheireyes
Likecalloweaglesatthefirstsunrise.
Soonwithaneaglenativenesstheirgaze
Ripefromhue—goldenswoonstookalltheblaze,
Andthen,behold!largeNeptuneonhisthrone
Ofemeralddeep:yetnotexaltalone;
AthisrighthandstoodwingedLove,andon
HisleftsatsmilingBeauty’sparagon.
Farasthemarineronhighestmast
Canseeallrounduponthecalmedvast,
SowidewasNeptune’shall:andastheblue
Dothvaultthewaters,sothewatersdrew
Theirdomingcurtains,high,magnificent,
Aw’dfromthethronealoof;—andwhenstorm—rent
Disclos’dthethunder—gloomingsinJove’sair;
Butsooth’dasnow,flash’dsuddeneverywhere,
Noiseless,sub—marinecloudlets,glittering
Deathtoahumaneye:fortheredidspring
Fromnaturalwest,andeast,andsouth,andnorth,
Alightasoffoursunsets,blazingforth
Agold—greenzenith’bovetheSea—God’shead.
Ofluciddepththefloor,andfaroutspread
Asbreezelesslake,onwhichtheslimcanoe
Offeather’dIndiandartsabout,asthrough
Thedelicatestair:airverily,
Butfortheportraitureofcloudsandsky:
Thispalacefloorbreath—air,—butfortheamaze
Ofdeep—seenwondersmotionless,—andblaze
Ofthedomepomp,reflectedinextremes,
Globingagoldensphere.
Theystoodindreams
TillTritonblewhishorn.Thepalacerang;
TheNereidsdanc’d;theSyrensfaintlysang;
AndthegreatSea—Kingbow’dhisdrippinghead.
ThenLovetookwing,andfromhispinionsshed
Onallthemultitudeanectarousdew.
Theooze—bornGoddessbeckonedanddrew
FairScyllaandherguidestoconference;
Andwhentheyreach’dthethronedeminence
Shekistthesea—nymph’scheek,—whosatherdown
Atoyingwiththedoves.Then,—"Mightycrown
Andsceptreofthiskingdom!"Venussaid,
"ThyvowswereonatimetoNaispaid:
Behold!"—Twocopioustear—dropsinstantfell
FromtheGod’slargeeyes;hesmil’ddelectable,
AndoverGlaucusheldhisblessinghands.—
"Endymion!Ah!stillwanderinginthebands
Oflove?Nowthisiscruel.Sincethehour
Imettheeinearth’sbosom,allmypower
HaveIputforthtoservethee.What,notyet
Escap’dfromdullmortality’sharshnet?
Alittlepatience,youth!’twillnotbelong,
OrIamskillessquite:anidletongue,
Ahumideye,andstepsluxurious,
Wherethesearenewandstrange,areominous.
Aye,Ihaveseenthesesignsinoneofheaven,
Whenotherswereallblind:andwereIgiven
Touttersecrets,haplyImightsay
Somepleasantwords:—butLovewillhavehisday.
Sowaitawhileexpectant.Pr’ytheesoon,
Eveninthepassingofthinehoney—moon,
VisitthoumyCythera:thouwiltfind
Cupidwell—natured,myAdoniskind;
Andpraypersuadewiththee—Ah,Ihavedone,
Allblissesbeuponthee,mysweetson!"—
Thusthefairgoddess:WhileEndymion
Knelttoreceivethoseaccentshalcyon.
Meantimeagloriousrevelrybegan
BeforetheWater—Monarch.Nectarran
Incourteousfountainstoallcupsoutreach’d;
Andplunder’dvines,teemingexhaustless,pleach’d
Newgrowthabouteachshellandpendentlyre;
Thewhich,indisentanglingfortheirfire,
Pull’ddownfreshfoliageandcoverture
Fordaintytoying.Cupid,empire—sure,
Flutter’dandlaugh’d,andoft—timesthroughthethrong
Madeadelightfulway.Thendance,andsong,
Andgarlandinggrewwild;andpleasurereign’d.
Inharmlesstendriltheyeachotherchain’d,
Andstrovewhoshouldbesmother’ddeepestin
Freshcrushofleaves.
O’tisaverysin
Foronesoweaktoventurehispoorverse
Insuchaplaceasthis.Odonotcurse,
HighMuses!lethimhurrytotheending.
Allsuddenlyweresilent.Asoftblending
Ofdulcetinstrumentscamecharmingly;
Andthenahymn.
"Kingofthestormysea!
BrotherofJove,andco—inheritor
Ofelements!Eternallybefore
Theethewavesawfulbow.Fast,stubbornrock,
Atthyfear’dtridentshrinking,dothunlock
Itsdeepfoundations,hissingintofoam.
Allmountain—rivers,lostinthewidehome
Ofthycapaciousbosom,everflow.
Thoufrownest,andoldAEeolusthyfoe
Skulkstohiscavern,’midthegruffcomplaint
Ofallhisrebeltempests.Darkcloudsfaint
When,fromthydiadem,asilvergleam
Slantsoverbluedominion.Thybrightteam
Gulphsinthemorninglight,andscudsalong
Tobringtheenearertothatgoldensong
Apollosingeth,whilehischariot
Waitsatthedoorsofheaven.Thouartnot
Forsceneslikethis:anempiresternhastthou;
Andithathfurrow’dthatlargefront:yetnow,
Asnewlycomeofheaven,dostthousit
Toblendandinterknit
Subduedmajestywiththisgladtime.
Oshell—borneKingsublime!
Welayourheartsbeforetheeevermore—
Wesing,andweadore!
"Breathesoftly,flutes;
Betenderofyourstrings,yesoothinglutes;
Norbethetrumpetheard!Ovain,Ovain;
NotflowersbuddinginanAprilrain,
Norbreathofsleepingdove,norriver’sflow,—
No,northeAEoliantwangofLove’sownbow,
Canminglemusicfitforthesoftear
OfgoddessCytherea!
Yetdeign,whiteQueenofBeauty,thyfaireyes
Onoursouls’sacrifice.
"Bright—wingedChild!
Whohasanothercarewhenthouhastsmil’d?
Unfortunatesonearth,weseeatlast
Alldeath—shadows,andgloomsthatovercast
Ourspirits,fann’dawaybythylightpinions.
Osweetestessence!sweetestofallminions!
Godofwarmpulses,anddishevell’dhair,
Andpantingbosomsbare!
Dearunseenlightindarkness!eclipser
Oflightinlight!deliciouspoisoner!
Thyvenom’dgobletwillwequaffuntil
Wefill—wefill!
AndbythyMother’slips—"
Washeardnomore
Forclamour,whenthegoldenpalacedoor
Openedagain,andfromwithout,inshone
Anewmagnificence.Onoozythrone
Smooth—movingcameOceanustheold,
Totakealatestglimpseathissheep—fold,
Beforehewentintohisquietcave
Tomuseforever—Thenalucidwave,
Scoop’dfromitstremblingsistersofmid—sea,
Afloat,andpillowingupthemajesty
OfDoris,andtheAEgeanseer,herspouse—
Next,onadolphin,cladinlaurelboughs,
ThebanAmphionleaningonhislute:
Hisfingerswentacrossit—Allweremute
TogazeonAmphitrite,queenofpearls,
AndThetispearlytoo.—
Thepalacewhirls
AroundgiddyEndymion;seeinghe
Wastherefarstrayedfrommortality.
Hecouldnotbearit—shuthiseyesinvain;
Imaginationgaveadizzierpain.
"OIshalldie!sweetVenus,bemystay!
Whereismylovelymistress?Well—away!
Idie—Ihearhervoice—Ifeelmywing—"
AtNeptune’sfeethesank.Asuddenring
OfNereidswereabouthim,inkindstrife
Tousherbackhisspiritintolife:
Butstillheslept.Atlasttheyinterwove
Theircradlingarms,andpurpos’dtoconvey
Towardsacrystalbowerfaraway.
Lo!whileslowcarriedthroughthepityingcrowd,
Tohisinwardsensesthesewordsspakealoud;
Writteninstar—lightonthedarkabove:
DearestEndymion!myentirelove!
HowhaveIdweltinfearoffate:’tisdone—
Immortalblissformetoohastthouwon.
Arisethen!forthehen—doveshallnothatch
Herreadyeggs,beforeI’llkissingsnatch
Theeintoendlessheaven.Awake!awake!
Theyouthatoncearose:aplacidlake
Camequiettohiseyes;andforestgreen,
Coolerthanallthewondershehadseen,
Lull’dwithitssimplesonghisflutteringbreast.
Howhappyonceagainingrassynest!
BOOKIV.
Museofmynativeland!loftiestMuse!
Ofirst—bornonthemountains!bythehues
Ofheavenonthespiritualairbegot:
Longdidstthousitaloneinnortherngrot,
WhileyetourEnglandwasawolfishden;
Beforeourforestsheardthetalkofmen;
BeforethefirstofDruidswasachild;—
Longdidstthousitamidourregionswild
Raptinadeeppropheticsolitude.
Therecameaneasternvoiceofsolemnmood
Yetwastthoupatient.ThensangforththeNine,
Apollo’sgarland:—yetdidstthoudivine
Suchhome—bredglory,thattheycry’dinvain,
"Comehither,SisteroftheIsland!"Plain
SpakefairAusonia;andoncemoreshespake
Ahighersummons:—stilldidstthoubetake
Theetothynativehopes.Othouhastwon
Afullaccomplishment!Thethingisdone,
Whichundone,theseourlatterdayshadrisen
Onbarrensouls.GreatMuse,thouknow’stwhatprison,
Offleshandbone,curbs,andconfines,andfrets
Ourspirit’swings:despondencybesets
Ourpillows;andthefreshto—morrowmorn
Seemstogiveforthitslightinveryscorn
Ofourdull,uninspired,snail—pacedlives.
LonghaveIsaid,howhappyhewhoshrives
Tothee!ButthenIthoughtonpoetsgone,
Andcouldnotpray:—norcouldInow—soon
Imovetotheendinlowlinessofheart.—
"Ah,woeisme!thatIshouldfondlypart
Frommydearnativeland!Ah,foolishmaid!
Gladwasthehour,when,withthee,myriadsbade
AdieutoGangesandtheirpleasantfields!
Toonesofriendlesstheclearfreshetyields
Abittercoolness;theripegrapeissour:
YetIwouldhave,greatgods!butoneshorthour
Ofnativeair—letmebutdieathome."
Endymiontoheaven’sairydome
Wasofferingupahecatombofvows,
Whenthesewordsreach’dhim.Whereuponhebows
Hisheadthroughthorny—greenentanglement
Ofunderwood,andtothesoundisbent,
Anxiousashindtowardsherhiddenfawn.
"Isnooneneartohelpme?Nofairdawn
Oflifefromcharitablevoice?Nosweetsaying
Tosetmydullandsadden’dspiritplaying?
Nohandtotoywithmine?Nolipssosweet
ThatImayworshipthem?Noeyelidsmeet
Totwinkleonmybosom?Noonedies
Beforeme,tillfromtheseenslavingeyes
Redemptionsparkles!—Iamsadandlost."
Thou,Carianlord,hadstbetterhavebeentost
Intoawhirlpool.Vanishintoair,
Warmmountaineer!forcanstthouonlybear
Awoman’ssighaloneandindistress?
Seenothercharms!IsPhoebepassionless?
Phoebeisfairerfar—Ogazenomore:—
Yetifthouwiltbeholdallbeauty’sstore,
Beholdherpantingintheforestgrass!
Donotthosecurlsofglossyjetsurpass
Fortendernessthearmssoidlylain
Amongstthem?Feelestnotakindredpain,
Toseesuchlovelyeyesinswimmingsearch
Aftersomewarmdelight,thatseemstoperch
Dovelikeinthedimcelllyingbeyond
Theirupperlids?—Hist!
"OforHermes’wand,
Totouchthisflowerintohumanshape!
ThatwoodlandHyacinthuscouldescape
Fromhisgreenprison,andherekneelingdown
Callmehisqueen,hissecondlife’sfaircrown!
Ahme,howIcouldlove!—Mysouldothmelt
Fortheunhappyyouth—Love!Ihavefelt
Sofaintakindness,suchameeksurrender
Towhatmyownfullthoughtshadmadetootender,
Thatbutfortearsmylifehadfledaway!—
Yedeafandsenselessminutesoftheday,
Andthou,oldforest,holdyethisfortrue,
Thereisnolightning,noauthenticdew
Butintheeyeoflove:there’snotasound,
Melodioushowsoever,canconfound
Theheavensandearthinonetosuchadeath
Asdoththevoiceoflove:there’snotabreath
Willminglekindlywiththemeadowair,
Tillithaspantedround,andstolenashare
Ofpassionfromtheheart!"—
Uponabough
Heleant,wretched.Hesurelycannotnow
Thirstforanotherlove:Oimpious,
Thathecaneverdreamuponitthus!—
Thoughthe,"WhyamInotasarethedead,
SincetoawoelikethisIhavebeenled
Throughthedarkearth,andthroughthewondroussea?
Goddess!Ilovetheenottheless:fromthee
ByJuno’ssmileIturnnot—no,no,no—
Whilethegreatwatersareatebbandflow.—
Ihaveatriplesoul!Ofondpretence—
Forboth,forbothmyloveissoimmense,
Ifeelmyheartiscutforthemintwain."
Andsohegroan’d,asonebybeautyslain.
Thelady’sheartbeatquick,andhecouldsee
Hergentlebosomheavetumultuously.