ASUNSETOFWATTEAU。
LUI。
Thesilksailfills,thesoftwindswake,Ariseandtempttheseas;
OuroceanisthePalacelake,OurwavestheripplesthatwemakeAmongthemirroredtrees。
ELLE。
Nay,sweettheshore,andsweetthesong,Anddearthelanguiddream;
ThemusicmingledalldaylongWithpacesofthedancingthrong,Andmurmurofthestream。
Anhourago,anhourago,Werestedintheshade;
Andnow,whyshouldweseektoknowWhatwaythewilfulwatersflow?
Thereisnofairerglade。
LUI。
Nay,pleasureflits,andwemustsail,Andseekhimeverywhere;
Perchanceinsunset’sgoldenpaleHelistenstothenightingale,Amidtheperfumedair。
Come,hehasfled;youarenotyou,AndInomoreamI;
DelightischangefulasthehueOfheaven,thatisnolongerblueInyondersunsetsky。
ELLE。
Nay,ifweseekweshallnotfind,Ifweknocknoneopeneth;
Nay,see,thesunsetfadesbehindThemountains,andthecoldnightwindBlowsfromthehouseofDeath。
NIGHTINGALEWEATHER。
’Serai—jenonnette,ouiounon?
Semi—jenonnette?jecroisquenon。
DerrierechezmonpereIlestunboistaillis,LerossignolychanteEtlejouretlanuit。
IlchantepourlesfillesQuin’ontpasd’ami;
Ilnechantpaspourmoi,J’enaiun,Dieumerci。’—OldFrenchI’llneverbeanun,Itrow,Whileapplebloomiswhiteassnow,Butfarmorefairtosee;
I’llneverwearnun’sblackandwhiteWhilenightingalesmakesweetthenightWithintheappletree。
Ah,listen!’tisthenightingale,Andinthewoodhemakeshiswail,Withintheappletree;
HesingethofthesoredistressOfmanyladiesloverless;
ThankGod,nosongforme。
ForwhenthebroadMaymoonislow,AgoldfruitseenwhereblossomsblowIntheboughsoftheappletree,AstepIknowisatthegate;
Ahlove,butitislongtowaitUntilnight’snoonbringthee!
Betweenlark’ssongandnightingale’sAsilentspace,whiledawningpales,ThebirdsleavestillandfreeForwordsandkissesmusical,ForsilenceandforsighsthatfallInthedawn,’twixthimandme。
LOVEANDWISDOM。
’WhenlastwegatheredrosesinthegardenIfoundmywits,buttrulyyoulostyours。’
TheBrokenHeart。
JulyandJunebroughtflowersandloveToyou,butIwouldnonethereof,WhoseheartkeptallthroughsummertimeAfloweroffrostandwinterrime。
Yourswastruewisdom—wasitnot?
Evenlove;butIhadcleanforgot,Tillseasonsofthefallingleaf,Allloves,butonethatturnedtogrief。
AtlengthattouchofautumntideWhenrosesfell,andsummerdied,Allinadawningdeepwithdew,Loveflewtome,Lovefledfromyou。
Therosesdroopedtheirwearyheads,Ispokeamongthegardenbeds;
Youwouldnothear,youcouldnotknow,Summerandloveseemedlongago,Asfar,asfaint,asdimadream,Astothedeadthisworldmayseem。
Ahsweet,inwinter’smiseries,Perchanceyoumayrememberthis,HowWisdomwasnotjustifiedInsummertimeorautumntide,Thoughforthisoncebelowthesun,WisdomandLoveweremadeatone;
ButLovewasbitter—boughtenough,AndWisdomlightofwingasLove。
GOOD—BYE。
Kissme,andsaygood—bye;
Good—bye,thereisnowordtosaybutthis,Noranylipsleftformylipstokiss,Noranytearstoshed,whenthesetearsdry;
Kissme,andsay,good—bye。
Farewell,beglad,forget;
Thereisnoneedtosay’forget,’Iknow,Foryouthisyouth,andtimewillhaveitso,Andthoughyourlipsarepale,andyoureyeswet,Farewell,youmustforget。
Youshallbringhomeyoursheaves,Many,andheavy,andwithblossomstwinedOfmemoriesthatgonotoutofmind;
LetthisonesheafbetwinedwithpoppyleavesWhenyoubringhomeyoursheaves。
Ingarneredlovesofthine,Theripegoodfruitofmanyheartsandyears,Somewhereletthislie,greyandsaltwithtears;
Itgrewtooneartheseawind,andthebrineOflife,thisloveofmine。
Thissheafwasspoiledinspring,Andover—longwasgreen,andearlysere,AndnevergatheredgoldinthelateyearFromautumnsuns,andmoonsofharvesting,Butfailedinfrostsofspring。
Yetwasitthine,mysweet,Thislove,thoughweakasyoungcornwithered,Whereofnomanmaygatherandmakebread;
Thine,thoughitneverknewthesummerheat;
Forgetnotquite,mysweet。
ANOLDPRAYER。
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
Odyssey,XIII。
Myprayeranoldprayerborroweth,Ofancientloveandmemory—
’Dothoufarewell,tillEldandDeath,Thatcometoallmen,cometothee。’
Gentlyaswinter’searlybreath,Scarcefelt,whattimetheswallowsflee,TolandswhereofnomanknowethOfsummer,overlandandsea;
Sowiththysoulmaysummerbe,Evenastheancientsingersaith,’Dothoufarewell,tillEldandDeath,Thatcometoallmen,cometothee。’
ALABELLEHELENE。
AfterRonsard。
MorecloselythantheclingingvineAbouttheweddedtree,Claspthouthinearms,ah,mistressmine!
Abouttheheartofme。
Orseemtosleep,andstoopyourfaceSoftonmysleepingeyes,Breatheinyourlife,yourheart,yourgrace,Throughme,inkissingwise。
Bowdown,bowdownyourface,Ipray,Tome,thatswoontodeath,Breathebackthelifeyoukissedaway,Breathebackyourkissingbreath。
SobyyoureyesIswearandsay,Mymightyoathandsure,FromyourkindarmsnomaidenmayMylovingheartallure。
I’llbearyouryoke,that’slightenough,AndtotheElysianplain,Whenwearedeadoflove,mylove,Oneboatshallbearustwain。
They’llflockaroundyou,fleetandfair,Alltruelovesthathavebeen,Andyouofalltheshadowsthere,Shallbetheshadowqueen。
Ah,shadow—lovesandshadow—lips!
Ah,while’tiscalledto—day,Loveme,mylove,forsummerslips,AndAugustebbsaway。
SYLVIEETAURELIE。
InmemoryofGerardDeNerval。
Twolovestherewere,andonewasbornBetweenthesunsetandtherain;
Hersingingvoicewentthroughthecorn,Herdancewaswoven’neaththethorn,Ongrassthefallenblossomsstain;
Andsunsmayset,andmoonsmaywane,Butthislovecomesnomoreagain。
Thereweretwolovesandonemadewhite,Thysinginglips,andgoldenhair;
Bornofthecity’smireandlight,Theshameandsplendourofthenight,Shetrappedandfledtheeunaware;
NotthroughthelamplightandtherainShaltthoubeholdthisloveagain。
Goforthandseek,bywoodandhill,Thineancientloveofdawnanddew;
Therecomesnovoicefrommereorrill,Herdanceisover,fallenstillTheballadburdensthatsheknew:
Andthoumustwaitforherinvain,Tillyearsbringbackthyyouthagain。
Thatotherlove,afield,afarFledthelightlove,withlighterfeet。
Nay,thoughthouseekwheregravesteadsare,Andflitindreamsfromstartostar,Thatdeadloveshaltthounevermeet,TillthroughbleakdawnandblowingrainThysoulshallfindhersoulagain。
ALOSTPATH。
Plotinus,theGreekphilosopher,hadacertainpropermodeofecstasy,whereby,asPorphyrysaith,hissoul,becomingfreefromthedeathlyflesh,wasmadeonewiththeSpiritthatisintheworld。
Alas,thepathislost,wecannotleaveOurbright,ourcloudedlife,andpassawayAsthroughstrewnclouds,thatstainthequieteve,Toheightsremoterofthepurerday。
Thesoulmaynot,returningwhenceshecame,BatheherselfdeepinBeing,andforgetThejoysthatfever,andthecaresthatfret,MadeoncemoreonewiththeeternalflameThatbreathesinallthingsevermorethesame。
Shewouldbeyoungagain,thusdrinkingdeepOfheroldlife;andthishasbeen,mensay,Butthisweknownot,whohaveonlysleepTosootheus,sleepmoreterriblethanday,Wheredeaddelights,andfairlostfacesstray,Tomakeuswearyatourwakening;
AndofthatlonglostpathtotheDivineWedream,assomeGreekshepherderstmightsing,Halfcredulous,ofeasyProserpine,Andofthelandsthatlie’beneaththeday’sdecline。’
THESHADEOFHELEN。
SomesaythatHelenwentnevertoTroy,butabodeinEgypt;forthegods,havingmadeinhersemblanceawomanoutofcloudsandshadows,sentthesametobewifetoParis。ForthisshadowthentheGreeksandTrojanssleweachother。
Whyfromthequiethollowsofthehills,Andextrememeetingplaceoflightandshade,Whereinsoftrainsfellslowly,andbecameCloudsamongsisterclouds,wherefairspentbeamsAnddyinggloriesofthesunwoulddwell,WhyhavetheywhomIknownot,normayknow,Strangehands,unseenandruthless,fashionedme,Andbornemefromthesilentshadowyhills,Hither,tonoiseandglowofalienlife,Toharshandclamorousswords,andsoundofwar?
Onespeaksuntomewordsthatwouldbesweet,Madeharsh,madekeenwithlovethatknowsmenot,Andsomestrangeforce,withinmeoraround,Makesanswer,kissforkiss,andsighforsigh,AndsomewherethereisfeverinthehallsThattroublesme,fornosuchtroublecameTovexthecoolfarhollowsofthehills。
Thefoolishfolkcrowdroundme,andtheycry,Thathouse,andwife,andlands,andallTroytown,Arelittletolose,iftheymaykeepmehere,Andseemeflit,apaleandsilentshade,Amongthestreetsbereft,andhelplessshrines。
Atotherhoursanotherlifeseemsmine,Whereonegreatriverrunsunswollenofrain,Bypyramidsofunrememberedkings,AndhomesofmenobedienttotheDead。
TheredarkandquietfacescomeandgoAroundme,thenagaintheshriekofarms,AndalltheturmoiloftheIlianmen。
Whatarethey?evenshadowssuchasI。
Whatmakethey?Eventhis—thesportofgods—
Thesportofgods,howeverfreetheyseem。
Ah,wouldthegamewereended,andthelight,Theblindinglight,andalltoomightysuns,Withdrawn,andIoncemorewithsistershades,Unloved,forgotten,mingledwiththemist,Dweltinthehollowsoftheshadowyhills。
SONNETS
SHE。
ToH。R。H。
Notinthewastebeyondtheswampsandsand,Thefever—hauntedforestandlagoon,MysteriousKorthywallsforsakenstand,Thylonelytowersbeneaththelonelymoon,NottheredothAyeshalinger,runebyruneSpellingstrangescripturesofapeoplebanned。
Theworldisdisenchanted;oversoonShallEuropesendherspiesthroughalltheland。
Nay,notinKor,butinwhateverspot,Intownorfield,orbytheinsatiatesea,Menbroodonburiedloves,andunforgot,Orbreakthemselvesonsomedivinedecree,Orwouldo’erleapthelimitsoftheirlot,There,inthetombsanddeathless,dwellethSHE!
HERODOTUSINEGYPT。
Heleftthelandofyouth,helefttheyoung,ThesmilinggodsofGreece;hepassedtheisleWhereJasonloitered,andwhereSapphosung,Hesoughtthesecret—fountedwaveofNile,Andoftheiroldworld,deadawearywhile,Heardthepriestsmurmurintheirmystictongue,Andthroughthefaneswentvoyaging,amongDarktribesthatworshippedCatandCrocodile。
HelearnedthetalesofdeathDivineandbirth,StrangelovesofHawkandSerpent,SkyandEarth,Themarriage,andtheslayingoftheSun。
Theshrinesofgodsandbeastshewanderedthrough,Andmockednotattheirgodhead,forheknewBehindallcreedstheSpiritthatisOne。
GERARDDENERVAL。
Ofallthatwerethyprisons—ah,untamed,Ah,lightandsacredsoul!—noneholdstheenow;
Nowall,nobar,nobodyofflesh,butthouArtfreeandhappyinthelandsunnamed,Withinwhosegates,onwearywingsandmaimed,Thoustillwould’stbearthatmysticgoldenboughTheSibyldothtosingingmenallow,Yetthyreportfolkheedednot,butblamed。
Andtheywouldsmileandwonder,seeingwhereThoustood’st,towatchlightleaves,orclouds,orwind,Dreamilymurmuringaballadair,CaughtfromtheValoispeasants;dostthoufindAnewlifegladderthantheoldtimeswere,AlovemorefairthanSylvie,andaskind?
RONSARD。
Master,Iseetheewiththelocksofgrey,CrownedbytheMuseswiththelaurel—wreath;
Iseetheroseshidingunderneath,Cassandra’sgift;shewaslessdearthanthey。
Thou,Master,firsthastrousedthelyriclay,Thesleepingsongthatthedeadyearsbequeath,HastsungthineanswertothelaysthatbreatheThroughages,andthroughagesfaraway。
AndthouhastheardthepulseofPindarbeat,KnownHoracebythefountBandusian!
Theirdeathlesslinethylivingstrainsrepeat,Butah,thyvoiceissad,thyroseswan,Butah,thyhoneyisnothoney—sweet,ThybeeshavefedonyewsSardinian!
LOVE’SMIRACLE。
Withotherhelplessfolkaboutthegate,ThegatecalledBeautiful,withwearyeyesThattakenopleasureinthesummerskies,Norallthingsthatarefairest,doesshewait;
Sobleakatime,sosadachangelessfateMakesherwithdullexperienceearlywise,Andinthedawningandthesunset,sighsThatallhathbeen,andshallbe,desolate。
Ah,ifLovecomenotsoon,andbidherlive,Andknowherselfthefairestoffairthings,Ah,ifhehavenohealinggifttogive,Warmfromhisbreast,andholyfromhiswings,OrifatleastLove’sshadowinpassingbyTouchnotandhealher,surelyshemustdie。
DREAMS。
Hespakenottruth,howeverwise,whosaidThathappy,andthathaplessmeninsleepHaveequalfortune,fallenfromcareasdeepAscountless,careless,racesofthedead。
Notso,foralienpathsofdreamswetread,AndonebeholdsthefacesthathesighsInvaintobringbeforehisdayliteyes,Andwaking,heremembersonhisbed;
AndonewithfaintingheartandfeeblehandFightsadimbattleinadoubtfullandWherestrengthandcouragewereofnoavail;
AndoneisborneonfairybreezesfarTothebrightharboursofagoldenstarDownfragrantfleetingwatersrosypale。
TWOSONNETSOFTHESIRENS。
’LesSirenesestoienttantintimesamiesetfidellescompagnesdeProserpine,qu’ellesestoienttoujoursensemble。Esmuesdujustedeuldelapertedeleurcherecompagne,etenuyeesjusquesaudesepoir,elless’arresterentelamerSicilienne,ouparleurschantsellesattiroientlesnavigans,maisl’uniquefindelavoluptedeleurmusiqueestlaMort。’
PontusDeTyard,1570
TheSirensonceweremaidensinnocentThatthroughthewater—meadswithProserpinePluckednofire—heartedflowers,butwerecontentCoolfritillariesandflag—flowerstotwine,Withlilieswovenandwithwetwoodbine;
TilloncetheysoughtthebrightAEtnaeanflowers,AndtheirgladmistressfledfromsummerhoursWithHades,farfromolive,corn,andvine。
AndtheyhavesoughtherallthewideworldthroughTillmanyyears,andwisdom,andmuchwrongHavefilledandchangedtheirsong,ando’ertheblueRingsdeadlysweetthemagicofthesong,AndwhosohearsmustlistentillhedieFaronthefloweryshoresofSicily。
Soisitwiththissingingartofours,Thatoncewithmaidswentmaidenlike,andplayedWithwovendancesinthepoplar—shade,Andallhersongwasbutoflady’sbowersAndthereturningswallows,andspringflowers,Tillforthtoseekashadow—queenshestrayed,Ashadowyland;andnowhathoverweighedHersingingchapletwiththesnowandshowers。
Yes,fairwell—waterforthebitterbrineSheleft,andbythemarginoflife’sseaSings,andhersongisfullofthesea’smoan,Andwildwithdread,andloveofProserpine;
Andwhosooncehaslistenedtoher,heHiswholelifelongisslavetoheralone。
TRANSLATIONS
HYMNTOTHEWINDS,THEWINDSAREINVOKEDBYTHEWINNOWERS
OFCORN。
DuBellay,1550。
Toyou,troopsofleet,Thatwithwingedwanderingfeet,Throughthewideworldpass,AndwithsoftmurmuringTossthegreenshadesofspringInwoodsandgrass,LilyandvioletIgive,andblossomswet,Rosesanddew;
Thisbranchofblushingroses,Whosefreshbuduncloses,Wind—flowerstoo。
Ah,winnowwithsweetbreath,Winnowtheholtandheath,Roundthisretreat;
WhereallthegoldenmomWefanthegoldo’thecorn,Inthesun’sheat。
MOONLIGHT。
JacquesTahureau。
ThehighMidnightwasgarlandingherheadWithmanyashiningstarinshiningskies,And,ofhergrace,aslumberonmineeyes,And,aftersorrow,quietnesswasshed。
FarindimfieldscicalasjargonedAthinshrillclamourofcomplaintsandcries;
Andallthewoodswerepallid,instrangewise,Withpallorofthesadmoonoverspread。
Thencamemyladytothatlonelyplace,And,fromherpalfreystooping,didembraceAndhanguponmyneck,andkissedmeover;
Whereforethedayisfarlessdearthannight,Andsweeteristheshadowthanthelight,Sincenighthasmademesuchahappylover。
THEGRAVEANDTHEROSE。
VictorHugo。
TheGravesaidtotheRose,’Whatofthedewsofmorn,Love’sflower,whatendistheirs?’
’Andwhatofsoulsoutworn,OfthemwhereondothcloseThetomb’smouthunawares?’
TheRosesaidtotheGrave。
TheRosesaid,’IntheshadeFromthedawn’stearsismadeAperfumefaintandstrange,Amberandhoneysweet。’
’AndallthespiritsfleetDosufferasky—change,Morestrangelythanthedew,ToGod’sownangelsnew,’
TheGravesaidtotheRose。
AVOWTOHEAVENLYVENUS。
DuBellay。
Wethatwithlikeheartslove,weloverstwain,Newweddedinthevillagebythyfane,Ladyofallchastelove,totheeitisWebringtheseamaranths,thesewhitelilies,Asign,andsacrifice;mayLove,wepray,Likeamaranthineflowers,feelnodecay;
Likethesecoolliliesmayourlovesremain,Perfectandpure,andknownotanystain;
Andbeourhearts,fromthisthyholyhour,Boundeachtoeach,likeflowertoweddedflower。
OFHISLADY’SOLDAGE。
Ronsard。
Whenyouareveryold,ateveningYou’llsitandspinbesidethefire,andsay,Hummingmysongs,’Ahwell,ahwell—a—day!
WhenIwasyoung,ofmedidRonsardsing。’
Noneofyourmaidensthatdothhearthething,Albeitwithherwearytaskforedone,Butwakensatmyname,andcallsyouoneBlest,tobeheldinlongremembering。
Ishallbelowbeneaththeearth,andlaidOnsleep,aphantominthemyrtleshade,Whileyoubesidethefire,agrandamegrey,Mylove,yourpride,rememberandregret;
Ah,loveme,love!wemaybehappyyet,Andgatherroses,while’tiscalledto—day。
SHADOWSOFHISLADY。
JacquesTahureau。
WithinthesandofwhatfarriverliesThegoldthatgleamsintressesofmyLove?
WhathighestcircleoftheHeavensaboveIsjewelledwithsuchstarsasarehereyes?
AndwhereistherichseawhosecoralviesWithherredlips,thatcannotkissenough?
Whatdawn—litgardenknewtherose,whereofThefledsoullivesinhercheeks’rosyguise?
WhatParianmarblethatisloveliestCanmatchthewhitenessofherbrowandbreast?
WhendrewshebreathfromtheSabaeanglade?
Ohhappyrockandriver,skyandsea,Gardens,andgladesSabaean,allthatbeThefar—offsplendidsemblanceofmymaid!
APRIL。
RemyBelleau,1560。
April,prideofwoodlandways,Ofgladdays,April,bringinghopeofprime,TotheyoungflowersthatbeneathTheirbudsheathAreguardedintheirtendertime;
April,prideoffieldsthatbeGreenandfree,Thatinfashiongladandgay,Studwithflowersredandblue,Everyhue,Theirjewelledspringarray;
April,prideofmurmuringWindsofspring,Thatbeneaththewinnowedair,TrapwithsubtlenetsandsweetFlora’sfeet,Flora’sfeet,thefleetandfair;
April,bythyhandcaressed,Fromherbreast,NaturescatterseverywhereHandfulsofallsweetperfumes,Budsandblooms,Makingfainttheearthandair。
April,joyofthegreenhours,ClotheswithflowersOverallherlocksofgoldMysweetLady;andherbreastWiththeblestBudsofsummermanifold。
April,withthygraciouswiles,Likethesmiles,SmilesofVenus;andthybreathLikeherbreath,thegods’delight,(FromtheirheightTheytakethehappyairbeneath;)
Itisthouthat,ofthygrace,FromtheirplaceInthefar—offislesdostbringSwallowsoverearthandsea,GladtobeMessengersofthee,andSpring。
Daffodilandeglantine,Andwoodbine,Lily,violet,androsePlentifulinAprilfair,Totheair,Theirprettypetalstounclose。
Nightingalesyenowmayhear,Piercingclear,Singinginthedeepestshade;
ManyandmanyababblednoteChimeandfloat,Woodlandmusicthroughtheglade。
April,alltowelcomethee,SpringsetsfreeAncientflames,andwithlowbreathWakestheashesgreyandoldThatthecoldChilledwithinourheartstodeath。
ThoubeholdestinthewarmHours,theswarmOfthethievishbees,thatfliesEvermorefrombloomtobloomForperfume,Hidawayintinythighs。
HercoolshadowsMaycanboast,FruitsalmostRipe,andgiftsoffertiledew,Manna—sweetandhoney—sweet,ThatcompleteHerflowergarlandfreshandnew。
Nay,butIwillgivemypraiseTothesedays,NamedwiththegladnameofHer(4)
Thatfromoutthefoamo’theseaCametobeSuddenlightonearthandair。
ANOLDTUNE。
GerardDeNerval。
ThereisanairforwhichIwoulddisownMozart’s,Rossini’s,Weber’smelodies,—
Asweetsadairthatlanguishesandsighs,Andkeepsitssecretcharmformealone。
Whene’erIhearthatmusicvagueandold,Twohundredyearsaremistthatrollsaway;
ThethirteenthLouisreigns,andIbeholdAgreenlandgoldeninthedyingday。
Anoldredcastle,strongwithstonytowers,Thewindowsgaywithmany—colouredglass;
Wideplains,andriversflowingamongflowers,Thatbathethecastlebasementastheypass。
Inantiqueweed,withdarkeyesandgoldhair,Aladylooksforthfromherwindowhigh;
ItmaybethatIknewandfoundherfair,Insomeforgottenlife,longtimegoneby。
OLDLOVES。
HenriMurger。
Louise,haveyouforgottenyetThecornerofthefloweryland,Theancientgardenwherewemet,Myhandthattrembledinyourhand?
Ourlipsfoundwordsscarcesweetenough,Aslowbeneaththewillow—treesWesat;haveyouforgotten,love?
Doyouremember,loveLouise?
Marie,haveyouforgottenyetThelovingbarterthatwemade?
Theringswechanged,thesunsthatset,Thewoodsfulfilledwithsunandshade?
ThefountainsthatweremusicalBymanyanancienttrystingtree—
Marie,haveyouforgottenall?
Doyouremember,loveMarie?
Christine,doyourememberyetYourroomwithscentsandrosesgay?
Mygarret—nearthesky’twasset—
TheAprilhours,thenightsofMay?
Theclearcalmnights—thestarsaboveThatwhisperedtheywerefairestseenThroughnocloud—veil?Remember,love!
Doyouremember,loveChristine?
Louiseisdead,and,well—a—day!
Marieasadderpathhasta’en;
AndpaleChristinehaspassedawayInsouthernsunstobloomagain。
Alas!foroneandallofus—
Marie,Louise,Christineforget;
Ourbowerofloveisruinous,AndIalonerememberyet。
ALADYOFHIGHDEGREE。
Ibepareldmostofprise,Irideafterthewildfee。
WillyethatIshouldsingOftheloveofagoodlything,Wasnovilein’smay?
’Tisallofaknightsofree,Undertheolivetree,Singingthislay。
Herweedwasofsamitefine,Hermantleofwhiteermine,Greensilkherhose;
Hershoonwithsilvergay,HersandalsflowersofMay,Lacedsmallandclose。
Herbeltwasoffreshspringbuds,Setwithgoldclaspsandstuds,Finelinenhershift;
Herpurseitwasoflove,Herchainwastheflowerthereof,AndLove’sgift。
Uponamulesherode,Thesellewasofbrentgold,Thebitsofsilvermade;
ThreeredrosetreestherewereThatovershadowedher,Forasunshade。
Sheridingonaday,Knightsmetherbytheway,Theydidhergrace:
’Fairlady,whencebeye?’
’Franceitismycountrie,Icomeofahighrace。
’Mysireisthenightingale,Thatsings,makinghiswail,Inthewildwood,clear;
Themermaidismothertome,Thatsingsinthesaltsea,Intheoceanmere。’
’Yecomeofarightgoodrace,Andarebornofahighplace,Andofhighdegree;
WouldtoGodthatyewereGivenuntome,beingfair,Myladyandlovetobe。’
IANNOULA。
Romaicfolk—song。
AllthemaidensweremerryandwedAlltoloverssofairtosee;
TheloverItooktomybridalbedHeisnotlongforloveandme。
Ispoketohimandhenothingsaid,Igavehimbreadofthewheatsofine;
Hedidnoteatofthebridalbread,Hedidnotdrinkofthebridalwine。
Imadehimabedwassoftanddeep,Imadehimabedtosleepwithme;
’Lookonmeoncebeforeyousleep,Andlookontheflowerofmyfairbody。
’FlowersofApril,andfreshMay—dew,DewofAprilandbudsofMay;
Twowhiteblossomsthatbudforyou,Budsthatblossombeforetheday。’
THEMILK—WHITEDOE。
FrenchVolks—Lied。
ItwasamotherandamaidThatwalkedthewoodsamong,Andstillthemaidwentslowandsad,Andstillthemothersung。
’Whatailsyou,daughterMargaret?
Whygoyoupaleandwan?
Isitforacastofbitterlove,Orforafalseleman?’
’ItisnotforafalseloverThatIgosadtosee;
ButitisforawearylifeBeneaththegreenwoodtree。
’ForeverinthegooddaylightAmaidenmayIgo,ButalwaysontheninthmidnightIchangetoamilk—whitedoe。
’TheyhuntmethroughthegreenforestWithhoundsandhuntingmen;
AndeveritismyfairbrotherThatissofierceandkeen。’
*****
’Good—morrow,mother。’’Good—morrow,son;
Whereareyourhoundssogood?’
’Oh,theyarehuntingawhitedoeWithinthegladgreenwood。
’Andthreetimeshavetheyhuntedher,Andthriceshe’swonaway;
ThefourthtimethattheyfollowherThatwhitedoetheyshallslay。’
*****
Thenoutandspoketheforester,Ashecamefromthewood,’NowneversawImaid’sgoldhairAmongthewilddeer’sblood。
’AndIhavehuntedthewilddeerIneastlandsandinwest;
AndneversawIwhitedoeyetThathadamaiden’sbreast。’
Thenupandspakeherfairbrother,Betweenthewineandbread:
’BeholdIhadbutonesister,AndIhavebeenherdead。
’ButyemustburymysweetsisterWithastoneatherfootandherhead,AndyemustcoverherfairbodyWiththewhiterosesandred。
’AndImustouttothegreenwood,Theroofshallnevershelterme;
AndIshalllieforsevenlongyearsOnthegrassbelowthehawthorntree。’
HELIODORE。
(Meleager。)
Pourwine,andcryagain,again,again!
TOHELIODORE!
AndminglethesweetwordyecallinvainWiththatyepour!
AndbringtomeherwreathofyesterdayThat’sdankwithmyrrh;
HESTERNAEROSAE,ahmyfriends,buttheyRememberher!
Lothekindroses,lovedoflovers,weepAswhorepine,ForifonanybreasttheyseehersleepItisnotmine!
THEPROPHET。
(Antiphilus。)
IknewitinyourchildishgraceThedawningofDesire,’Wholives,’Isaid,’willseethatfaceSetalltheworldonfire!’
Theymocked;butTimehasbroughttopassThesayingover—true;
Prophetandmartyrnow,alas,IburnforTruth,—andyou!
LAIS。
(Pompeius。)
Laisthatbloomedforalltheworld’sdelight,Crownedwithalllovelilies,thefairanddear,Sleepsthepredestinedsleep,norknowstheflightOfHelios,thegold—reinedcharioteer:
Revel,andkiss,andlove,andhate,oneNightDarkens,thatneverlampofLovemaycheer!
CLEARISTA。
(Meleager。)
ForDeath,notforLove,hastthouLoosenedthyzone!
Flutesfilledthybowerbutnow,Morningbringsmoan!
MaidsroundthybridalbedHushedareingloom,TorchestoLovethatledLighttothetomb!
THEFISHERMAN’STOMB。
(LeonidasofTarentum。)
TheristheOld,thewavesthatharvestedMorekeenthanbirdsthatlabourinthesea,Withspearandnet,byshoreandrockybed,Notwiththewell—mannedgalleylabouredhe;
Himnotthestarofstorms,norsuddensweepOfwindwithallhisyearshathsmittenandbent,Butinhishutofreedshefellasleep,Asfadesalampwhenalltheoilisspent:
Thistombnorwifenorchildrenraised,butweHisfellow—toilers,fishersofthesea。
OFHISDEATH。
(Meleager。)
AhLove,myMaster,hearmeswearByallthelocksofTimo’shair,ByDemo,andthatfragrantspellWherewithherbodydothenchantSuchdreamsasdrowsylovershaunt,ByIlias’mirthdelectable。
AndbythelampthatshedshislightOnloveandloversallthenight,Bythose,ahLove,IswearthatthouHastleftmebutonebreath,andnowUponmylipsitfluttereth,YetTHISI’llyield,mylatestbreath,Eventhis,ohLove,fortheetoDeath!
RHODOPE。
(Rufinus。)
ThouhastHera’seyes,thouhastPallas’hands,AndthefeetoftheQueenoftheyellowsands,ThouhastbeautifulAphrodite’sbreast,Thouartmadeofeachgoddess’sloveliest!
Happyishewhoseesthyface,Happywhohearsthywordsofgrace,Andhethatshallkisstheeishalfdivine,Butagodwhoshallwinthatheartofthine!
TOAGIRL。
(Asclepiades。)
Believeme,love,itisnotgoodTohoardamortalmaidenhood;
InHadesthouwiltneverfind,Maiden,alovertothymind;
Love’sfortheliving!presentlyAshesanddustindeatharewe!
TOTHESHIPS。
(Meleager。)
Ogentleshipsthatskimtheseas,AndcleavethestraitwhereHellefell,CatchinyoursailstheNorthernbreeze,AndspeedtoCos,whereshedothdwell,MyLove,andseeyougreetherwell!
Andifshelooksacrosstheblue,Speak,gentleships,andtellhertrue,’Hecomes,forLovehathbroughthimback,Nosailor,onthelandwardtack。’
Ifthus,ohgentleships,yedo,Thenmayyewinthefairestgales,Andswifterspeedacrosstheblue,WhileZeusbreathesfriendlyonyoursails。
ALATECONVERT。
(PaulusSilentiarius。)
IthatinyouthhadneverbeenTheservantofthePaphianQueen,IthatinyouthhadneverfeltTheshaftsofErospierceandmelt,Cypris!inlaterage,halfgrey,IbowthenecktoTHEEto—day。
Pallas,thatwasmylady,thouDostmoretriumphantvanquishnow,Thanwhenthougained’st,overseas,TheappleoftheHesperides。
THELIMITOFLIFE。
Thirty—sixisthetermthattheprophetsassign,Andthestudentsofstarstotheyearsthataremine;
Nay,letthirtysuffice,forthemanwhohathpassedThirtyyearsisaNestor,andHEdiedatlast!
TODANIELELZEVIR。
(FromtheLatinofMenage。)
WhatdoIsee!OhgodsdivineAndgoddesses,—thisBookofmine,—
Thischildofmanyhopesandfears,—
IspublishedbytheElzevirs!
OhperfectPublisherscomplete!
Ohdaintyvolume,newandneat!
ThePaperdothoutshinethesnow,ThePrintisblackerthanthecrow,TheTitle—Page,withcrimsonbright,Thevellumcoversmoothandwhite,Allsortsofreadersdoinvite,Ay,andwillkeepthemreadingstill,Againsttheirwill,orwiththeirwill!
ThuswhatofgracetheRhymesmaylackThePublisherhasgiventhemback,AsMillinersadornthefairWhosecharmsaresomethingskimpandspare。
OhDULCEDECUS,Elzevirs!
Theprideofdeadanddawningyears,HowcanapoetbestrepayThedebtheowesyourHouseto—day?
Maythisroundworld,whileaughtendures,Applaud,andbuy,thesebooksofyours!
Maypurchasersincessantpop,MyElzevirs,withinyourshop,Andlearnedbardssalute,withcheers,ThevolumesoftheElzevirs,Tillyourrenownfillsearthandsky,TillmenforgettheStephani,AndallthatAlduswrought,andallTurnebussoldinshoporstall,WhilestillmayFate’s(andBinders’)shearsRespect,andspare,theElzevirs!
THELASTCHANCE。
Withinthestreams,Pausaniassaith,ThatdownCocytusvalleyflow,GirdlingthegreydomainofDeath,Thespectralfishescomeandgo;
Theghostsoftroutflittoandfro。
Persephone,fulfilmywish,AndgrantthatintheshadesbelowMyghostmaylandtheghostsoffish。
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
L。C。
Footnotes:
(1)January26,1885。
(2)M。Antoninusiv23。
(3)FromtheRomaic。
(4)Aphrodite—Avril。