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 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. Or I have dream'd."-"Yes," said the supreme shape, And their eternal calm, and all that face, ee 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 60 Unwearied ear of the whole universe Listen'd in pain and pleasure at the birth 65 Of such new tuneful wonder. Is 't not strange That thou shouldst weep, so gifted? Tell me, youth, 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! 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 Tell me why thus I rave, about these groves! Mute! yet I can read A wondrous lesson in thy silent face : Knowledge enormous makes a God of me. Names, deeds, gray legends, dire events, rebellions, Majesties, sovran voices, agonies, Creations and destroyings, all at once Pour into the wide hollows of my brain, 100 105 110 115 I 20 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. 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 From rushes green, and brakes, and cowslipped lawns, 5 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 1Ο 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 |