Together had he left his mother fair And his twin-sister sleeping in their bower, Full ankle-deep in lilies of the vale. The nightingale had ceas'd, and a few stars Were lingering in the heavens, while the thrush Throughout all the isle There was no covert, no retired cave 35 40 While from beneath some cumbrous boughs hard by 45 With solemn step an awful Goddess came, And there was purport in her looks for him, 50 Or hath that antique mien and robed form Mov'd in these vales invisible till now? Sure I have heard those vestments sweeping o'er In cool mid-forest. Surely I have trac'd 55 The rustle of those ample skirts about Lift up their heads, as still the whisper pass'd. And their eternal calm, and all that face, 60 Or I have dream'd."-"Yes," said the supreme shape, "Thou hast dream'd of me; and awaking up Didst find a lyre all golden by thy side, Whose strings touch'd by thy fingers, all the vast Unwearied ear of the whole universe Listen'd in pain and pleasure at the birth Of such new tuneful wonder. Is 't not strange That thou shouldst weep, so gifted? Tell me, youth, When thou dost shed a tear explain thy griefs To one who in this lonely isle hath been The watcher of thy sleep and hours of life, Of loveliness new born." - Apollo then, Thus answer'd, while his white melodious throat "Mnemosyne ! Thy name is on my tongue, I know not how ; I strive to search wherefore I am so sad, There is the sun, the sun! 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 And stars by thousands! Point me out the way And make its silvery splendour pant with bliss. I have heard the cloudy thunder: Where is power? Makes this alarum in the elements, While I here idle listen on the shores Mute thou remainest Mute! yet I can read Names, deeds, gray legends, dire events, rebellions, 115 Creations and destroyings, all at once And so become immortal." Thus the God, 120 Soon wild commotions shook him, and made flush 125 Most like the struggle at the gate of death; Or liker still to one who should take leave Of pale immortal death, and with a pang As hot as death's is chill, with fierce convulse Die into life so young Apollo anguish'd; 130 His very hair, his golden tresses famed Kept undulation round his eager neck. During the pain Mnemosyne upheld At length 135 and lo! from all his limbs LAMIA. PART I. UPON a time, before the fairy broods Drove Nymph and Satyr from the prosperous woods, Before King Oberon's bright diadem, Sceptre, and mantle, clasp'd with dewy gem, Frighted away the Dryads and the Fauns 5 From rushes green, and brakes, and cowslipped lawns, The ever-smitten Hermes empty left His golden throne, bent warm on amorous theft: From high Olympus had he stolen light, On this side of Jove's clouds, to escape the sight IO Of his great summoner, and made retreat Into a forest on the shores of Crete. For somewhere in that sacred island dwelt 15 20 25 |