Collected Works (Vol. III)

LIBER PRIMUS VEL CARMINUM 13! EPODE CALLIOPE As the tides invisible of ocean, Sweeping under the dark star-gemmed sea ; As the frail Caduceus’ serpent-motion Moves the deep waves of eternity ; As the star-space lingers and moves on ; As the comet flashes and is gone; As the light, the music, and the thunder Of moving worlds retire ; As the hoarse sounds of the heaven wonder When Zeus flings forth his fire ; As the clang of swords in battle ; As the low of home-driven cattle ; As the wail of mothers children-losing ; As the clamorous cries of darkening death ; As the joy-gasp of love’s chosen choosing ; _As the babe’s first voluntary breath ; As the storm and tempest fallen at even ; As the crack and hissing of the levin ; As the soft sough of tree-boughs wind-shaken ; As the fearful cry of souls in hell, When past death: and blinder life they waken, Seeing Styx before their vision swell, When the bands of earth are broken As the spirit’s spell is spoken On the vast and barren places Where the unburied wander still ; As the laughter of young faces ; As the Word that is the will ; As the life of wells and fountains, Of the old deep-seated mountains ; As the forest’s desolate sighing; As the moaning of the earth Where her seeds are black and dying ; As the earthquake’s sudden birth ; As the vast volcano rending Its own breasts ; as music blending With young maiden’s loving laughter, With the joy of fatherhood, With the cry of Mcenads after Sacrifice by well or wood ; As the grave religious throng Moving silently along, Leading heifers, snowy-footed, Into glades and sacred groves, Where the altar-stone is suited To commemorate the Loves ; As the choir’s most seemly chanting ; As the women’s whispers haunting Silent woods, or chaster spaces, Where the river’s water wends ; As the sound, when the white faces Burn from space, and all earth end. Inthe presence of the Gods; These and all their periods ; These, and all that of them is, I bestow on thee, and this Also, mine eternal kiss ! In one melody of bliss These and thou and I will mingle, Till all Nature’s pulses tingle, Hear and follow and obey thee, Thee, the lyrist; thee, the lyre ! These shall hear and not gainsay thee, Follow in the extreme desire, Mingling, tingling, mixed with thee Even to all Eternity. These, and all that of them is, Take from Calliope in this Single-hearted, many mouthéd, kiss. ORPIHIEUS, SEATED UPON OLYM.- PUS, TUNES HIS LYRE. ORPHEUS. First word of my song, First tune of my lyre, Muse, loved of me long, Be near and inspire! Bright heart! Mother strong! Sweet sense of desire ! Be near as I lift the first notes impassioned of fervour and fire! Not ever before Since Nature began Hath one cloven her core, Found the soul of her span ; No son that she bore Her spirit might scan ; But I, being born beyond Nature, have known her and yet am a man.