"Has promised this, and may do more. Thou hast not many moons to wait until The bees have done their best; if then there come Nor wax nor honey, let the tree be hewn." "Zeus hath bestow'd on thee a prudent mind,” Said the glad sire: but look thou often there, And gather all the honey thou canst find Rhaicos went daily; but the nymph as oft, Invisible. To play at love, she knew, Stopping its breathings when it breathes most soft, Is sweeter than to play on any pipe. Cooling the pulses of her purple veins, And when her absence brought them out, they pleased. Even among the fondest of them all, What mortal or immortal maid is more Content with giving happiness than pain? One day he was returning from the wood Despondently. She pitied him, and said "Come back!" and twined her fingers in the hem Above his shoulder. Then she led his steps To a cool rill that ran o'er level sand Through lentisk and through oleander, there Bathed she his feet, lifting them on her lap When bathed, and drying them in both her hands. He dared complain; for those who most are loved Most dare it; but not harsh was his complaint. "O thou inconstant!" said he, "if stern law Bind thee, or will, stronger than sternest law [hope O, let me know henceforward when to Triumphant sat old Thallinos; the Was puzzled, vexed, discomfited. traught. A buzz was at his ear: up wer! hand, And it was heard no longer. They bee Return'd, (but not until the morn s bright) And found the Hamadryad with r head Upon her aching wrist, and showele wing Half-broken off, the other's me marr'd, And there were bruises which nor could see Saving a Hamadryad's. At this sight Down fell the languid brow, both har. fell down, A shriek was carried to the ancient Of Thallinos: he heard it not: hiss Heard it, and ran forthwith into the Even of insect wing; but loud lane's The woodmen and the shepherds long year Heard day and night; for Rhaicos not quit The solitary place, but moan'd and L Hence milk and honey wonder not. O guest, To find set duly on the hollow stone. 1846 ACON AND RHODOPÉ ; OR, INCON STANCY (A Sequel) THE Year's twelve daughters hal i turn gone by, Of measured pace though varying mi all twelve, Some froward, some sedater, 80 adorn'd For festival, some reckless of attire. The snow had left the mountain-t fresh flowers Had withered in the meadow; fig and prune Where those whom death alone could sever, died." He started up: the moss whereon he slept Was dried and withered: deadlier paleness spread Over his cheek; he sickened: and the sire Had land enough; it held his only son. 1847. MENELAUS AND HELEN AT TROY After the fall of Troy. Helen is pursued by Menelaus up the steps of the palace: an old attendant deprecates and intercepts his vengeance. Menelaus. Out of my way! Off! or my sword may smite thee Heedless of venerable age. And thou Fugitive! stop. Stand, traitress, on that stair Thou mountest not another, by the gods! Now take the death thou meritest, the death Zeus who presides o'er hospitality. And every other who abandons thee mour Of what all other women hate, of cowards, Turn, lest this hand wrench back thy head, and toss It and its odors to the dust and flames. Helen. Welcome, the death thou promisest! Not fear But shame, obedience, duty, make me Who wails not on this day—its lastthe day Thou and thy crimes darken with dead on dead. Helen. Spare! spare! O let the last that falls be me, There are but young and old. There are but guilty Where thou art, and the sword strikes Menelaus. none amiss. Thou shalt not see her even there. The slave On earth shall scorn thee, and the damn'd below. Helen. Delay not either fate. If death is mercy, Send me among the captives; so that Zeus May see his offspring led in chains away, And thy hard brother, pointing with his sword [shore, At the last wretch that crouches on the Cry, "She alone shall never sail for Greece!" Menelaus. Hast thou more words? Her voice is musical As the young maids who sing to Artemis: How glossy is that yellow braid my grasp Seiz'd and let loose! Ah! can then years have past |