上海龙凤shlf最新地址Poem: Charmides

I.

He was a Grecian lad, who coming home

With pulpy figs and wine from Sicily

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

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,

And bade the pilot head her lustily

Against the nor'west gale, and all day long

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,

And washed his limbs with oil, and from the hold

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Brought out his linen tunic and his sandals brazen-soled,

And a rich robe stained with the fishers' juice

Which of some swarthy trader he had bought

Upon the sunny quay at Syracuse,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Had spun its tangled web of crimson cloud,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Clomb the high hill, and with swift silent feet

Crept to the fane unnoticed by the crowd

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of busy priests, and from some dark retreat

Watched the young swains his frolic playmates bring

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

To Her who keeps away the ravenous fang

Of the base wolf from homestead and from stall;

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And to the altar each man brought some goodly offering,

A beechen cup brimming with milky foam,

A fair cloth wrought with cunning imagery

Of hounds in chase, a waxen honey-comb

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Went the glad Greeks well pleased that they their simple vows had

done.

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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Long time he lay and hardly dared to breathe,

And heard the cadenced drip of spilt-out wine,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the rose-petals falling from the wreath

上海龙凤shlf最新地址As the night breezes wandered through the shrine,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And seemed to be in some entranced swoon

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Till through the open roof above the full and brimming moon

Flooded with sheeny waves the marble floor,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址When from his nook up leapt the venturous lad,

And flinging wide the cedar-carven door

Beheld an awful image saffron-clad

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And writhed its snaky horrors through the shield,

And gaped aghast with bloodless lips and cold

上海龙凤shlf最新地址In passion impotent, while with blind gaze

The blinking owl between the feet hooted in shrill amaze.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The lonely fisher as he trimmed his lamp

Far out at sea off Sunium, or cast

The net for tunnies, heard a brazen tramp

Of horses smite the waves, and a wild blast

Divide the folded curtains of the night,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

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,

The marvel of that pitiless chastity,

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

Since Troy's young shepherd prince had seen so wonderful a sight.

Ready for death he stood, but lo! the air

Grew silent, and the horses ceased to neigh,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And off his brow he tossed the clustering hair,

And from his limbs he throw the cloak away;

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And bared the breasts of polished ivory,

Till from the waist the peplos falling down

Left visible the secret mystery

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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.

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To whose wan cheeks now creeps the lingering smile,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ye who have learned who Eros is, - O listen yet awhile.

A little space he let his greedy eyes

Rest on the burnished image, till mere sight

Half swooned for surfeit of such luxuries,

And then his lips in hungering delight

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Fed on her lips, and round the towered neck

He flung his arms, nor cared at all his passion's will to check.

Never I ween did lover hold such tryst,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For all night long he murmured honeyed word,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And saw her sweet unravished limbs, and kissed

Her pale and argent body undisturbed,

And paddled with the polished throat, and pressed

His hot and beating heart upon her chill and icy breast.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址It was as if Numidian javelins

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

In exquisite pulsation, and the pain

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Was such sweet anguish that he never drew

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And with dull eyes and wearied from some dear

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And worshipped body risen, they for certain

Will never know of what I try to sing,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址How long the last kiss was, how fond and late his lingering.

The moon was girdled with a crystal rim,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址With the faint fluttering wings of flying dawn,

Ere from the silent sombre shrine his lover had withdrawn.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Down the steep rock with hurried feet and fast

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And heard the goat-foot snoring as he passed,

And leapt upon a grassy knoll and ran

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Like a young fawn unto an olive wood

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,

For oftentimes with boyish careless shout

The green and crested grebe he would pursue,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Or snare in woven net the silver trout,

And down amid the startled reeds he lay

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址On the green bank he lay, and let one hand

Dip in the cool dark eddies listlessly,

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.

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And on the hill the yellow house-dog bayed

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,

And from its nest the waking corncrake flew,

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,

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,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Weary of hunting with the Bassarid,

And wise indeed were we away to fly:

They live not long who on the gods immortal come to spy.'

上海龙凤shlf最新地址So turned they back, and feared to look behind,

And told the timid swain how they had seen

Amid the reeds some woodland god reclined,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址A little girl ran laughing from the farm,

Not thinking of love's secret mysteries,

And when she saw the white and gleaming arm

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And all his manlihood, with longing eyes

Whose passion mocked her sweet virginity

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,

And now and then the shriller laughter where

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The passionate purity of brown-limbed boys

Wrestled or raced in the clear healthful air,

And now and then a little tinkling bell

上海龙凤shlf最新地址As the shorn wether led the sheep down to the mossy well.

Through the grey willows danced the fretful gnat,

The grasshopper chirped idly from the tree,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Hopped the shy finch, and the huge tortoise crept across the

slough.

On the faint wind floated the silky seeds

As the bright scythe swept through the waving grass,

The ouzel-cock splashed circles in the reeds

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But little care had he for any thing

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Though up and down the beech the squirrel played,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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.

But when the herdsman called his straggling goats

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

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

Of coming storm, and the belated crane

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

Fell on the pattering fig-leaves, up he rose,

And from the gloomy forest went his way

Past sombre homestead and wet orchard-close,

And came at last unto a little quay,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And called his mates aboard, and took his seat

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

sheet,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Rose the red plume, the huge and horned casque,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The seven-cubit spear, the brazen targe!

And clad in bright and burnished panoply

Athena strode across the stretch of sick and shivering sea!

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,

And, marking how the rising waters beat

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,

A dear profaner of great mysteries,

An ardent amorous idolater,

When he beheld those grand relentless eyes

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

Pale Pallas swept with shrill and steely clank,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And a few gurgling bubbles rose where her boy lover sank.

And the mast shuddered as the gaunt owl flew

With mocking hoots after the wrathful Queen,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And the old pilot bade the trembling crew

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Hoist the big sail, and told how he had seen

Close to the stern a dim and giant form,

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And when they reached the strait Symplegades

They beached their galley on the shore, and sought

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The toll-gate of the city hastily,

And in the market showed their brown and pictured pottery.

II.

But some good Triton-god had ruth, and bare

The boy's drowned body back to Grecian land,

And mermaids combed his dank and dripping hair

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And when he neared his old Athenian home,

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址There lies a long and level stretch of lawn;

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Comes a cry ruder than the shout of shepherd lads at play.

But often from the thorny labyrinth

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And tangled branches of the circling wood

The stealthy hunter sees young Hyacinth

Hurling the polished disk, and draws his hood

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Along the reedy shore, and circumvent

Some goat-eared Pan to be their seneschal

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For fear of bold Poseidon's ravishment,

And loose their girdles, with shy timorous eyes,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址On this side and on that a rocky cave,

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

By the green rush, its playfellow, - and yet, it is a spot

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

Its over-greedy love, - within an hour

A sailor boy, were he but rude enow

To land and pluck a garland for his galley's painted prow,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Would almost leave the little meadow bare,

For it knows nothing of great pageantry,

Only a few narcissi here and there

Stand separate in sweet austerity,

Dotting the unmown grass with silver stars,

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

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

To kiss those pallid limbs which once with intense fire burned,

Ere the wet seas had quenched that holocaust,

That self-fed flame, that passionate lustihead,

Ere grisly death with chill and nipping frost

Had withered up those lilies white and red

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And feared Poseidon's treachery, and cried,

And like bright sunbeams flitting through a glade

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,

And longed to listen to those subtle charms

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Insidious lovers weave when they would win

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Some fenced fortress, and stole back again, nor thought it sin

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To yield her treasure unto one so fair,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Who would not with her maidenhood entwine,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Nor knew what sacrilege his lips had done,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But said, 'He will awake, I know him well,

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

And drifting ocean-tendrils to adorn

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The emerald pillars of our bridal bed,

For sphered in foaming silver, and with coral crowned head,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址We two will sit upon a throne of pearl,

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

In all their amethystine panoply

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Of diamonded mail, and we will mark

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Like flakes of crimson light, and the great deep

His glassy-portaled chamber will unfold,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And we will see the painted dolphins sleep

Cradled by murmuring halcyons on the rocks

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Where Proteus in quaint suit of green pastures his monstrous

flocks.

And tremulous opal-hued anemones

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The drifting cordage of the shattered wreck,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And honey-coloured amber beads our twining limbs will deck.'

上海龙凤shlf最新地址But when that baffled Lord of War the Sun

With gaudy pennon flying passed away

Into his brazen House, and one by one

The little yellow stars began to stray

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

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

Washes the trees with silver, and the wave

Creeps grey and chilly up this sandy dune,

The croaking frogs are out, and from the cave

The nightjar shrieks, the fluttering bats repass,

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

Lay with her once upon a grassy mead,

Who when his cruel pleasure he had done

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Whose clustering sisters fringe the seaward hill

Hath many a tale of that bold ravisher

Whom men call Boreas, and I have seen

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The mocking eyes of Hermes through the poplar's silvery sheen.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Even the jealous Naiads call me fair,

And every morn a young and ruddy swain

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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;

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

Had stolen from the lofty sycamore

At daybreak, when her amorous comrade had

Flown off in search of berried juniper

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Which most they love; the fretful wasp, that earliest vintager

Of the blue grapes, hath not persistency

So constant as this simple shepherd-boy

For my poor lips, his joyous purity

And laughing sunny eyes might well decoy

A Dryad from her oath to Artemis;

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

And many an earthen bowl of yellow curds

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Is in his homestead for the thievish fly

上海龙凤shlf最新地址To swim and drown in, the pink clover mead

Keeps its sweet store for him, and he can pipe on oaten reed.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And yet I love him not; it was for thee

I kept my love; I knew that thou would'st come

To rid me of this pallid chastity,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Thou fairest flower of the flowerless foam

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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!

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And cuckoo flowers fringed the narrow lane,

Through my young leaves a sensuous ecstasy

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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The trooping fawns at evening came and laid

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

On a thin twig which hardly bare the weight of such delight.

I was the Attic shepherd's trysting place,

Beneath my shadow Amaryllis lay,

And round my trunk would laughing Daphnis chase

The timorous girl, till tired out with play

She felt his hot breath stir her tangled hair,

And turned, and looked, and fled no more from such delightful

snare.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Then come away unto my ambuscade

Where clustering woodbine weaves a canopy

For amorous pleasaunce, and the rustling shade

Of Paphian myrtles seems to sanctify

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The dearest rites of love; there in the cool

And green recesses of its farthest depth there is pool,

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Steered by a dragon-fly, - be not afraid

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,

Strays often there at eve, and I have seen

The moon strip off her misty vestiture

For young Endymion's eyes; be not afraid,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址The panther feet of Dian never tread that secret glade.

Nay if thou will'st, back to the beating brine,

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

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And draw the feathered notch against her breast,

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

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Shook, and the leaves divided, and the air

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Grew conscious of a god, and the grey seas

Crawled backward, and a long and dismal blare

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Blew from some tasselled horn, a sleuth-hound bayed,

And like a flame a barbed reed flew whizzing down the glade.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And where the little flowers of her breast

Just brake into their milky blossoming,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址This murderous paramour, this unbidden guest,

Pierced and struck deep in horrid chambering,

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,

Sobbing for incomplete virginity,

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

And all the pain of things unsatisfied,

And the bright drops of crimson youth crept down her throbbing

side.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Ah! pitiful it was to hear her moan,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And very pitiful to see her die

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,

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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址On team of silver doves and gilded wain

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址From mortal ken between the mountains and the morning star,

And when low down she spied the hapless pair,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址As though it were a viol, hastily

She bade her pigeons fold each straining plume,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And dropt to earth, and reached the strand, and saw their dolorous

doom.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址For as a gardener turning back his head

To catch the last notes of the linnet, mows

With careless scythe too near some flower bed,

And cuts the thorny pillar of the rose,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Have lured the lady-bird with yellow brede

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And made the gaudy moth forget its pride,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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;

Or as a schoolboy tired of his book

Flings himself down upon the reedy grass

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Whose bitter hand hath wrought this cruelty,

Or else that mightier maid whose care it is

To guard her strong and stainless majesty

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址In the great golden waggon tenderly

(Her white throat whiter than a moony pearl

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Where the wide stair of orbed marble dips

Its snows into the sea, her fluttering soul

Just shook the trembling petals of her lips

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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,

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

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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Nor failed they to obey her hest, and ere

The morning bee had stung the daffodil

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

And roused the ouzel, or the lizard crept

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

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址That she whose beauty made Death amorous

Should beg a guerdon from her pallid Lord,

And let Desire pass across dread Charon's icy ford.

III

In melancholy moonless Acheron,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Farm for the goodly earth and joyous day

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Where no spring ever buds, nor ripening sun

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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Strewed the dull waters of the dusky stream,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And watched the white stars founder, and the land was like a dream,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

Stole into his, and warm lips timidly

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Brushed his pale cheeks, and breathed their secret forth into a

sigh.

Then turned he round his weary eyes and saw,

And ever nigher still their faces came,

And nigher ever did their young mouths draw

上海龙凤shlf最新地址Until they seemed one perfect rose of flame,

And longing arms around her neck he cast,

And felt her throbbing bosom, and his breath came hot and fast,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And all his hoarded sweets were hers to kiss,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And all her maidenhood was his to slay,

上海龙凤shlf最新地址And limb to limb in long and rapturous bliss

Their passion waxed and waned, - O why essay

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.

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

One scorching harvest from those fields of flame

Where passion walks with naked unshod feet

上海龙凤shlf最新地址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

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.