Poem: Charmides

I.

He was a Grecian lad, who coming home

With pulpy figs and wine from Sicily

Stood at his galley's prow, and let the foam

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Blow through his crisp brown curls unconsciously,

And holding wave and wind in boy's despite

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Peered from his dripping seat across the wet and stormy night.

Till with the dawn he saw a burnished spear

Like a thin thread of gold against the sky,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And hoisted sail, and strained the creaking gear,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And bade the pilot head her lustily

Against the nor'west gale, and all day long

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Held on his way, and marked the rowers' time with measured song.

And when the faint Corinthian hills were red

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Dropped anchor in a little sandy bay,

And with fresh boughs of olive crowned his head,

And brushed from cheek and throat the hoary spray,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And washed his limbs with oil, and from the hold

Brought out his linen tunic and his sandals brazen-soled,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And a rich robe stained with the fishers' juice

Which of some swarthy trader he had bought

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Upon the sunny quay at Syracuse,

And was with Tyrian broideries inwrought,

And by the questioning merchants made his way

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Up through the soft and silver woods, and when the labouring day

Had spun its tangled web of crimson cloud,

Clomb the high hill, and with swift silent feet

Crept to the fane unnoticed by the crowd

Of busy priests, and from some dark retreat

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Watched the young swains his frolic playmates bring

The firstling of their little flock, and the shy shepherd fling

The crackling salt upon the flame, or hang

上海龙凤shlf最新地址His studded crook against the temple wall

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To Her who keeps away the ravenous fang

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of the base wolf from homestead and from stall;

And then the clear-voiced maidens 'gan to sing,

And to the altar each man brought some goodly offering,

A beechen cup brimming with milky foam,

A fair cloth wrought with cunning imagery

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of hounds in chase, a waxen honey-comb

Dripping with oozy gold which scarce the bee

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Had ceased from building, a black skin of oil

Meet for the wrestlers, a great boar the fierce and white-tusked

spoil

Stolen from Artemis that jealous maid

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To please Athena, and the dappled hide

Of a tall stag who in some mountain glade

Had met the shaft; and then the herald cried,

And from the pillared precinct one by one

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Went the glad Greeks well pleased that they their simple vows had

done.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the old priest put out the waning fires

Save that one lamp whose restless ruby glowed

For ever in the cell, and the shrill lyres

Came fainter on the wind, as down the road

In joyous dance these country folk did pass,

And with stout hands the warder closed the gates of polished brass.

Long time he lay and hardly dared to breathe,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And heard the cadenced drip of spilt-out wine,

And the rose-petals falling from the wreath

As the night breezes wandered through the shrine,

And seemed to be in some entranced swoon

Till through the open roof above the full and brimming moon

Flooded with sheeny waves the marble floor,

When from his nook up leapt the venturous lad,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And flinging wide the cedar-carven door

Beheld an awful image saffron-clad

And armed for battle! the gaunt Griffin glared

From the huge helm, and the long lance of wreck and ruin flared

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Like a red rod of flame, stony and steeled

The Gorgon's head its leaden eyeballs rolled,

And writhed its snaky horrors through the shield,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And gaped aghast with bloodless lips and cold

In passion impotent, while with blind gaze

The blinking owl between the feet hooted in shrill amaze.

The lonely fisher as he trimmed his lamp

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Far out at sea off Sunium, or cast

The net for tunnies, heard a brazen tramp

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of horses smite the waves, and a wild blast

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Divide the folded curtains of the night,

And knelt upon the little poop, and prayed in holy fright.

And guilty lovers in their venery

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Forgat a little while their stolen sweets,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Deeming they heard dread Dian's bitter cry;

And the grim watchmen on their lofty seats

Ran to their shields in haste precipitate,

Or strained black-bearded throats across the dusky parapet.

For round the temple rolled the clang of arms,

And the twelve Gods leapt up in marble fear,

And the air quaked with dissonant alarums

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Till huge Poseidon shook his mighty spear,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And on the frieze the prancing horses neighed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the low tread of hurrying feet rang from the cavalcade.

Ready for death with parted lips he stood,

And well content at such a price to see

That calm wide brow, that terrible maidenhood,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The marvel of that pitiless chastity,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ah! well content indeed, for never wight

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Since Troy's young shepherd prince had seen so wonderful a sight.

Ready for death he stood, but lo! the air

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Grew silent, and the horses ceased to neigh,

And off his brow he tossed the clustering hair,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And from his limbs he throw the cloak away;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For whom would not such love make desperate?

And nigher came, and touched her throat, and with hands violate

Undid the cuirass, and the crocus gown,

And bared the breasts of polished ivory,

Till from the waist the peplos falling down

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Left visible the secret mystery

Which to no lover will Athena show,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The grand cool flanks, the crescent thighs, the bossy hills of

snow.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Those who have never known a lover's sin

Let them not read my ditty, it will be

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To their dull ears so musicless and thin

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That they will have no joy of it, but ye

To whose wan cheeks now creeps the lingering smile,

Ye who have learned who Eros is, - O listen yet awhile.

A little space he let his greedy eyes

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Rest on the burnished image, till mere sight

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Half swooned for surfeit of such luxuries,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And then his lips in hungering delight

Fed on her lips, and round the towered neck

上海龙凤shlf最新地址He flung his arms, nor cared at all his passion's will to check.

Never I ween did lover hold such tryst,

For all night long he murmured honeyed word,

And saw her sweet unravished limbs, and kissed

Her pale and argent body undisturbed,

And paddled with the polished throat, and pressed

上海龙凤shlf最新地址His hot and beating heart upon her chill and icy breast.

It was as if Numidian javelins

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Pierced through and through his wild and whirling brain,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And his nerves thrilled like throbbing violins

上海龙凤shlf最新地址In exquisite pulsation, and the pain

Was such sweet anguish that he never drew

上海龙凤shlf最新地址His lips from hers till overhead the lark of warning flew.

They who have never seen the daylight peer

Into a darkened room, and drawn the curtain,

And with dull eyes and wearied from some dear

And worshipped body risen, they for certain

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Will never know of what I try to sing,

How long the last kiss was, how fond and late his lingering.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The moon was girdled with a crystal rim,

The sign which shipmen say is ominous

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of wrath in heaven, the wan stars were dim,

And the low lightening east was tremulous

With the faint fluttering wings of flying dawn,

Ere from the silent sombre shrine his lover had withdrawn.

Down the steep rock with hurried feet and fast

Clomb the brave lad, and reached the cave of Pan,

And heard the goat-foot snoring as he passed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And leapt upon a grassy knoll and ran

Like a young fawn unto an olive wood

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Which in a shady valley by the well-built city stood;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And sought a little stream, which well he knew,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For oftentimes with boyish careless shout

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The green and crested grebe he would pursue,

Or snare in woven net the silver trout,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And down amid the startled reeds he lay

Panting in breathless sweet affright, and waited for the day.

On the green bank he lay, and let one hand

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Dip in the cool dark eddies listlessly,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And soon the breath of morning came and fanned

His hot flushed cheeks, or lifted wantonly

The tangled curls from off his forehead, while

上海龙凤shlf最新地址He on the running water gazed with strange and secret smile.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And soon the shepherd in rough woollen cloak

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With his long crook undid the wattled cotes,

And from the stack a thin blue wreath of smoke

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Curled through the air across the ripening oats,

And on the hill the yellow house-dog bayed

上海龙凤shlf最新地址As through the crisp and rustling fern the heavy cattle strayed.

And when the light-foot mower went afield

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Across the meadows laced with threaded dew,

And the sheep bleated on the misty weald,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And from its nest the waking corncrake flew,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Some woodmen saw him lying by the stream

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And marvelled much that any lad so beautiful could seem,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Nor deemed him born of mortals, and one said,

'It is young Hylas, that false runaway

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Who with a Naiad now would make his bed

Forgetting Herakles,' but others, 'Nay,

It is Narcissus, his own paramour,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Those are the fond and crimson lips no woman can allure.'

And when they nearer came a third one cried,

'It is young Dionysos who has hid

His spear and fawnskin by the river side

Weary of hunting with the Bassarid,

And wise indeed were we away to fly:

上海龙凤shlf最新地址They live not long who on the gods immortal come to spy.'

So turned they back, and feared to look behind,

And told the timid swain how they had seen

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Amid the reeds some woodland god reclined,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And no man dared to cross the open green,

And on that day no olive-tree was slain,

Nor rushes cut, but all deserted was the fair domain,

Save when the neat-herd's lad, his empty pail

Well slung upon his back, with leap and bound

Raced on the other side, and stopped to hail,

Hoping that he some comrade new had found,

And gat no answer, and then half afraid

Passed on his simple way, or down the still and silent glade

A little girl ran laughing from the farm,

Not thinking of love's secret mysteries,

And when she saw the white and gleaming arm

And all his manlihood, with longing eyes

Whose passion mocked her sweet virginity

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Watched him awhile, and then stole back sadly and wearily.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Far off he heard the city's hum and noise,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And now and then the shriller laughter where

The passionate purity of brown-limbed boys

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Wrestled or raced in the clear healthful air,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And now and then a little tinkling bell

As the shorn wether led the sheep down to the mossy well.

Through the grey willows danced the fretful gnat,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The grasshopper chirped idly from the tree,

In sleek and oily coat the water-rat

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Breasting the little ripples manfully

Made for the wild-duck's nest, from bough to bough

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hopped the shy finch, and the huge tortoise crept across the

slough.

On the faint wind floated the silky seeds

上海龙凤shlf最新地址As the bright scythe swept through the waving grass,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The ouzel-cock splashed circles in the reeds

And flecked with silver whorls the forest's glass,

Which scarce had caught again its imagery

Ere from its bed the dusky tench leapt at the dragon-fly.

But little care had he for any thing

Though up and down the beech the squirrel played,

And from the copse the linnet 'gan to sing

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To its brown mate its sweetest serenade;

Ah! little care indeed, for he had seen

The breasts of Pallas and the naked wonder of the Queen.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But when the herdsman called his straggling goats

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With whistling pipe across the rocky road,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the shard-beetle with its trumpet-notes

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Boomed through the darkening woods, and seemed to bode

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of coming storm, and the belated crane

Passed homeward like a shadow, and the dull big drops of rain

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Fell on the pattering fig-leaves, up he rose,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And from the gloomy forest went his way

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Past sombre homestead and wet orchard-close,

And came at last unto a little quay,

And called his mates aboard, and took his seat

On the high poop, and pushed from land, and loosed the dripping

sheet,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And steered across the bay, and when nine suns

Passed down the long and laddered way of gold,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And nine pale moons had breathed their orisons

To the chaste stars their confessors, or told

Their dearest secret to the downy moth

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That will not fly at noonday, through the foam and surging froth

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Came a great owl with yellow sulphurous eyes

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And lit upon the ship, whose timbers creaked

As though the lading of three argosies

Were in the hold, and flapped its wings and shrieked,

And darkness straightway stole across the deep,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Sheathed was Orion's sword, dread Mars himself fled down the steep,

And the moon hid behind a tawny mask

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of drifting cloud, and from the ocean's marge

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Rose the red plume, the huge and horned casque,

The seven-cubit spear, the brazen targe!

And clad in bright and burnished panoply

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Athena strode across the stretch of sick and shivering sea!

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To the dull sailors' sight her loosened looks

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Seemed like the jagged storm-rack, and her feet

Only the spume that floats on hidden rocks,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And, marking how the rising waters beat

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Against the rolling ship, the pilot cried

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To the young helmsman at the stern to luff to windward side

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But he, the overbold adulterer,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A dear profaner of great mysteries,

An ardent amorous idolater,

When he beheld those grand relentless eyes

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Laughed loud for joy, and crying out 'I come'

Leapt from the lofty poop into the chill and churning foam.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Then fell from the high heaven one bright star,

One dancer left the circling galaxy,

And back to Athens on her clattering car

In all the pride of venged divinity

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Pale Pallas swept with shrill and steely clank,

And a few gurgling bubbles rose where her boy lover sank.

And the mast shuddered as the gaunt owl flew

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With mocking hoots after the wrathful Queen,

And the old pilot bade the trembling crew

Hoist the big sail, and told how he had seen

Close to the stern a dim and giant form,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And like a dipping swallow the stout ship dashed through the storm.

And no man dared to speak of Charmides

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Deeming that he some evil thing had wrought,

And when they reached the strait Symplegades

They beached their galley on the shore, and sought

The toll-gate of the city hastily,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And in the market showed their brown and pictured pottery.

II.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But some good Triton-god had ruth, and bare

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The boy's drowned body back to Grecian land,

And mermaids combed his dank and dripping hair

And smoothed his brow, and loosed his clenching hand;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Some brought sweet spices from far Araby,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And others bade the halcyon sing her softest lullaby.

And when he neared his old Athenian home,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A mighty billow rose up suddenly

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Upon whose oily back the clotted foam

Lay diapered in some strange fantasy,

And clasping him unto its glassy breast

Swept landward, like a white-maned steed upon a venturous quest!

Now where Colonos leans unto the sea

There lies a long and level stretch of lawn;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The rabbit knows it, and the mountain bee

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For it deserts Hymettus, and the Faun

Is not afraid, for never through the day

Comes a cry ruder than the shout of shepherd lads at play.

But often from the thorny labyrinth

And tangled branches of the circling wood

The stealthy hunter sees young Hyacinth

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hurling the polished disk, and draws his hood

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Over his guilty gaze, and creeps away,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Nor dares to wind his horn, or - else at the first break of day

The Dryads come and throw the leathern ball

Along the reedy shore, and circumvent

Some goat-eared Pan to be their seneschal

For fear of bold Poseidon's ravishment,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And loose their girdles, with shy timorous eyes,

Lest from the surf his azure arms and purple beard should rise.

On this side and on that a rocky cave,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hung with the yellow-belled laburnum, stands

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Smooth is the beach, save where some ebbing wave

Leaves its faint outline etched upon the sands,

As though it feared to be too soon forgot

上海龙凤shlf最新地址By the green rush, its playfellow, - and yet, it is a spot

上海龙凤shlf最新地址So small, that the inconstant butterfly

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Could steal the hoarded money from each flower

Ere it was noon, and still not satisfy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Its over-greedy love, - within an hour

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A sailor boy, were he but rude enow

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To land and pluck a garland for his galley's painted prow,

Would almost leave the little meadow bare,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For it knows nothing of great pageantry,

Only a few narcissi here and there

Stand separate in sweet austerity,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Dotting the unmown grass with silver stars,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And here and there a daffodil waves tiny scimitars.

Hither the billow brought him, and was glad

Of such dear servitude, and where the land

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Was virgin of all waters laid the lad

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Upon the golden margent of the strand,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And like a lingering lover oft returned

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To kiss those pallid limbs which once with intense fire burned,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ere the wet seas had quenched that holocaust,

That self-fed flame, that passionate lustihead,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ere grisly death with chill and nipping frost

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Had withered up those lilies white and red

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Which, while the boy would through the forest range,

Answered each other in a sweet antiphonal counter-change.

And when at dawn the wood-nymphs, hand-in-hand,

Threaded the bosky dell, their satyr spied

The boy's pale body stretched upon the sand,

And feared Poseidon's treachery, and cried,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And like bright sunbeams flitting through a glade

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Each startled Dryad sought some safe and leafy ambuscade.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Save one white girl, who deemed it would not be

So dread a thing to feel a sea-god's arms

Crushing her breasts in amorous tyranny,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And longed to listen to those subtle charms

Insidious lovers weave when they would win

Some fenced fortress, and stole back again, nor thought it sin

To yield her treasure unto one so fair,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And lay beside him, thirsty with love's drouth,

Called him soft names, played with his tangled hair,

And with hot lips made havoc of his mouth

Afraid he might not wake, and then afraid

Lest he might wake too soon, fled back, and then, fond renegade,

Returned to fresh assault, and all day long

Sat at his side, and laughed at her new toy,

And held his hand, and sang her sweetest song,

Then frowned to see how froward was the boy

Who would not with her maidenhood entwine,

Nor knew that three days since his eyes had looked on Proserpine;

Nor knew what sacrilege his lips had done,

But said, 'He will awake, I know him well,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址He will awake at evening when the sun

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hangs his red shield on Corinth's citadel;

This sleep is but a cruel treachery

To make me love him more, and in some cavern of the sea

Deeper than ever falls the fisher's line

Already a huge Triton blows his horn,

And weaves a garland from the crystalline

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And drifting ocean-tendrils to adorn

The emerald pillars of our bridal bed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For sphered in foaming silver, and with coral crowned head,

We two will sit upon a throne of pearl,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And a blue wave will be our canopy,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And at our feet the water-snakes will curl

上海龙凤shlf最新地址In all their amethystine panoply

Of diamonded mail, and we will mark

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The mullets swimming by the mast of some storm-foundered bark,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Vermilion-finned with eyes of bossy gold

Like flakes of crimson light, and the great deep

His glassy-portaled chamber will unfold,

And we will see the painted dolphins sleep

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Cradled by murmuring halcyons on the rocks

Where Proteus in quaint suit of green pastures his monstrous

flocks.

And tremulous opal-hued anemones

Will wave their purple fringes where we tread

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Upon the mirrored floor, and argosies

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of fishes flecked with tawny scales will thread

The drifting cordage of the shattered wreck,

And honey-coloured amber beads our twining limbs will deck.'

But when that baffled Lord of War the Sun

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With gaudy pennon flying passed away

Into his brazen House, and one by one

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The little yellow stars began to stray

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Across the field of heaven, ah! then indeed

上海龙凤shlf最新地址She feared his lips upon her lips would never care to feed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And cried, 'Awake, already the pale moon

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Washes the trees with silver, and the wave

Creeps grey and chilly up this sandy dune,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The croaking frogs are out, and from the cave

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The nightjar shrieks, the fluttering bats repass,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the brown stoat with hollow flanks creeps through the dusky

grass.

Nay, though thou art a god, be not so coy,

For in yon stream there is a little reed

That often whispers how a lovely boy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Lay with her once upon a grassy mead,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Who when his cruel pleasure he had done

Spread wings of rustling gold and soared aloft into the sun.

Be not so coy, the laurel trembles still

With great Apollo's kisses, and the fir

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Whose clustering sisters fringe the seaward hill

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hath many a tale of that bold ravisher

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Whom men call Boreas, and I have seen

The mocking eyes of Hermes through the poplar's silvery sheen.

Even the jealous Naiads call me fair,

And every morn a young and ruddy swain

Woos me with apples and with locks of hair,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And seeks to soothe my virginal disdain

By all the gifts the gentle wood-nymphs love;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But yesterday he brought to me an iris-plumaged dove

With little crimson feet, which with its store

Of seven spotted eggs the cruel lad

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Had stolen from the lofty sycamore

上海龙凤shlf最新地址At daybreak, when her amorous comrade had

Flown off in search of berried juniper

Which most they love; the fretful wasp, that earliest vintager

Of the blue grapes, hath not persistency

上海龙凤shlf最新地址So constant as this simple shepherd-boy

For my poor lips, his joyous purity

And laughing sunny eyes might well decoy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A Dryad from her oath to Artemis;

For very beautiful is he, his mouth was made to kiss;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址His argent forehead, like a rising moon

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Over the dusky hills of meeting brows,

Is crescent shaped, the hot and Tyrian noon

Leads from the myrtle-grove no goodlier spouse

For Cytheraea, the first silky down

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Fringes his blushing cheeks, and his young limbs are strong and

brown;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And he is rich, and fat and fleecy herds

Of bleating sheep upon his meadows lie,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And many an earthen bowl of yellow curds

Is in his homestead for the thievish fly

To swim and drown in, the pink clover mead

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Keeps its sweet store for him, and he can pipe on oaten reed.

And yet I love him not; it was for thee

上海龙凤shlf最新地址I kept my love; I knew that thou would'st come

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To rid me of this pallid chastity,

Thou fairest flower of the flowerless foam

Of all the wide AEgean, brightest star

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of ocean's azure heavens where the mirrored planets are!

I knew that thou would'st come, for when at first

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The dry wood burgeoned, and the sap of spring

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Swelled in my green and tender bark or burst

To myriad multitudinous blossoming

Which mocked the midnight with its mimic moons

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That did not dread the dawn, and first the thrushes' rapturous

tunes

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Startled the squirrel from its granary,

And cuckoo flowers fringed the narrow lane,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Through my young leaves a sensuous ecstasy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Crept like new wine, and every mossy vein

Throbbed with the fitful pulse of amorous blood,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the wild winds of passion shook my slim stem's maidenhood.

The trooping fawns at evening came and laid

Their cool black noses on my lowest boughs,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And on my topmost branch the blackbird made

A little nest of grasses for his spouse,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And now and then a twittering wren would light

上海龙凤shlf最新地址On a thin twig which hardly bare the weight of such delight.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址I was the Attic shepherd's trysting place,

Beneath my shadow Amaryllis lay,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And round my trunk would laughing Daphnis chase

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The timorous girl, till tired out with play

She felt his hot breath stir her tangled hair,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And turned, and looked, and fled no more from such delightful

snare.

Then come away unto my ambuscade

Where clustering woodbine weaves a canopy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For amorous pleasaunce, and the rustling shade

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of Paphian myrtles seems to sanctify

The dearest rites of love; there in the cool

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And green recesses of its farthest depth there is pool,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The ouzel's haunt, the wild bee's pasturage,

For round its rim great creamy lilies float

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Through their flat leaves in verdant anchorage,

Each cup a white-sailed golden-laden boat

Steered by a dragon-fly, - be not afraid

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To leave this wan and wave-kissed shore, surely the place was made

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For lovers such as we; the Cyprian Queen,

One arm around her boyish paramour,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Strays often there at eve, and I have seen

The moon strip off her misty vestiture

For young Endymion's eyes; be not afraid,

The panther feet of Dian never tread that secret glade.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Nay if thou will'st, back to the beating brine,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Back to the boisterous billow let us go,

And walk all day beneath the hyaline

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Huge vault of Neptune's watery portico,

And watch the purple monsters of the deep

Sport in ungainly play, and from his lair keen Xiphias leap.

For if my mistress find me lying here

上海龙凤shlf最新地址She will not ruth or gentle pity show,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But lay her boar-spear down, and with austere

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Relentless fingers string the cornel bow,

And draw the feathered notch against her breast,

And loose the arched cord; aye, even now upon the quest

上海龙凤shlf最新地址I hear her hurrying feet, - awake, awake,

Thou laggard in love's battle! once at least

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Let me drink deep of passion's wine, and slake

上海龙凤shlf最新地址My parched being with the nectarous feast

Which even gods affect!  O come, Love, come,

Still we have time to reach the cavern of thine azure home.'

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Scarce had she spoken when the shuddering trees

Shook, and the leaves divided, and the air

Grew conscious of a god, and the grey seas

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Crawled backward, and a long and dismal blare

Blew from some tasselled horn, a sleuth-hound bayed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And like a flame a barbed reed flew whizzing down the glade.

And where the little flowers of her breast

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Just brake into their milky blossoming,

This murderous paramour, this unbidden guest,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Pierced and struck deep in horrid chambering,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And ploughed a bloody furrow with its dart,

And dug a long red road, and cleft with winged death her heart.

Sobbing her life out with a bitter cry

On the boy's body fell the Dryad maid,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Sobbing for incomplete virginity,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And raptures unenjoyed, and pleasures dead,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And all the pain of things unsatisfied,

And the bright drops of crimson youth crept down her throbbing

side.

Ah! pitiful it was to hear her moan,

And very pitiful to see her die

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ere she had yielded up her sweets, or known

The joy of passion, that dread mystery

Which not to know is not to live at all,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And yet to know is to be held in death's most deadly thrall.

But as it hapt the Queen of Cythere,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Who with Adonis all night long had lain

Within some shepherd's hut in Arcady,

On team of silver doves and gilded wain

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Was journeying Paphos-ward, high up afar

From mortal ken between the mountains and the morning star,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And when low down she spied the hapless pair,

And heard the Oread's faint despairing cry,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Whose cadence seemed to play upon the air

As though it were a viol, hastily

上海龙凤shlf最新地址She bade her pigeons fold each straining plume,

And dropt to earth, and reached the strand, and saw their dolorous

doom.

For as a gardener turning back his head

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To catch the last notes of the linnet, mows

With careless scythe too near some flower bed,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And cuts the thorny pillar of the rose,

And with the flower's loosened loneliness

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Strews the brown mould; or as some shepherd lad in wantonness

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Driving his little flock along the mead

Treads down two daffodils, which side by aide

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Have lured the lady-bird with yellow brede

And made the gaudy moth forget its pride,

Treads down their brimming golden chalices

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Under light feet which were not made for such rude ravages;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Or as a schoolboy tired of his book

Flings himself down upon the reedy grass

And plucks two water-lilies from the brook,

And for a time forgets the hour glass,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Then wearies of their sweets, and goes his way,

And lets the hot sun kill them, even go these lovers lay.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And Venus cried, 'It is dread Artemis

Whose bitter hand hath wrought this cruelty,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Or else that mightier maid whose care it is

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To guard her strong and stainless majesty

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Upon the hill Athenian, - alas!

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That they who loved so well unloved into Death's house should

pass.'

So with soft hands she laid the boy and girl

In the great golden waggon tenderly

(Her white throat whiter than a moony pearl

Just threaded with a blue vein's tapestry

Had not yet ceased to throb, and still her breast

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Swayed like a wind-stirred lily in ambiguous unrest)

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And then each pigeon spread its milky van,

The bright car soared into the dawning sky,

And like a cloud the aerial caravan

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Passed over the AEgean silently,

Till the faint air was troubled with the song

From the wan mouths that call on bleeding Thammuz all night long.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But when the doves had reached their wonted goal

Where the wide stair of orbed marble dips

Its snows into the sea, her fluttering soul

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Just shook the trembling petals of her lips

And passed into the void, and Venus knew

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That one fair maid the less would walk amid her retinue,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And bade her servants carve a cedar chest

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With all the wonder of this history,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Within whose scented womb their limbs should rest

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Where olive-trees make tender the blue sky

On the low hills of Paphos, and the Faun

Pipes in the noonday, and the nightingale sings on till dawn.

Nor failed they to obey her hest, and ere

The morning bee had stung the daffodil

With tiny fretful spear, or from its lair

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The waking stag had leapt across the rill

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And roused the ouzel, or the lizard crept

Athwart the sunny rock, beneath the grass their bodies slept.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And when day brake, within that silver shrine

Fed by the flames of cressets tremulous,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Queen Venus knelt and prayed to Proserpine

That she whose beauty made Death amorous

Should beg a guerdon from her pallid Lord,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And let Desire pass across dread Charon's icy ford.

III

In melancholy moonless Acheron,

Farm for the goodly earth and joyous day

Where no spring ever buds, nor ripening sun

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Weighs down the apple trees, nor flowery May

Chequers with chestnut blooms the grassy floor,

Where thrushes never sing, and piping linnets mate no more,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址There by a dim and dark Lethaean well

Young Charmides was lying; wearily

上海龙凤shlf最新地址He plucked the blossoms from the asphodel,

And with its little rifled treasury

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Strewed the dull waters of the dusky stream,

And watched the white stars founder, and the land was like a dream,

When as he gazed into the watery glass

And through his brown hair's curly tangles scanned

His own wan face, a shadow seemed to pass

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Across the mirror, and a little hand

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Stole into his, and warm lips timidly

Brushed his pale cheeks, and breathed their secret forth into a

sigh.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Then turned he round his weary eyes and saw,

And ever nigher still their faces came,

And nigher ever did their young mouths draw

Until they seemed one perfect rose of flame,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And longing arms around her neck he cast,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And felt her throbbing bosom, and his breath came hot and fast,

And all his hoarded sweets were hers to kiss,

And all her maidenhood was his to slay,

And limb to limb in long and rapturous bliss

Their passion waxed and waned, - O why essay

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To pipe again of love, too venturous reed!

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Enough, enough that Eros laughed upon that flowerless mead.

Too venturous poesy, O why essay

To pipe again of passion! fold thy wings

上海龙凤shlf最新地址O'er daring Icarus and bid thy lay

Sleep hidden in the lyre's silent strings

Till thou hast found the old Castalian rill,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Or from the Lesbian waters plucked drowned Sappho's golden quid!

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Enough, enough that he whose life had been

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A fiery pulse of sin, a splendid shame,

Could in the loveless land of Hades glean

上海龙凤shlf最新地址One scorching harvest from those fields of flame

Where passion walks with naked unshod feet

And is not wounded, - ah! enough that once their lips could meet

In that wild throb when all existences

Seemed narrowed to one single ecstasy

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Which dies through its own sweetness and the stress

Of too much pleasure, ere Persephone

Had bade them serve her by the ebon throne

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of the pale God who in the fields of Enna loosed her zone.