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.