170
ORPHEUS
Of music’s spell that binds me, as in Panic
Dance to some grasp unthinkable, Titanic,
Unto the words fresh flowers that distil
Uttermost fragrance in the mind and will,
The unsuspected blossom |!
What is the change—new birth of spring-
time kisses
Alone in all these water-wildernesses?
What change? what loveliness !
Comes this to all? I heard my sisters crying
No tale like this—O ! were I only lying
Asleep amid the ferns, my soul would weep
Over and over in its endless sleep ;
** Ves, love!” and ‘‘ yes!” and ‘‘ yes!”
So by some spell divinely drawn
She came to me across the dawn,
With open arms to me ; and sobbed
‘Ves, love!’ and ‘‘ Yes, love!”
throbbed
The giant glory at my heart!
And I? I drew away, apart,
Lest by mere chance to me she came.
But curling as a wind-blown flame
She turned, she found me. As the dew
Melts in the lake’s dissolving blue
So to my arms she came. And now,
Now, now I hold her !
Broke the brow
Of all wide heaven in thunder! Hear
Tremendous vortices of fear
Swirl in the ether. What new terror
Darkens the blue pool’s silver mirror ?
How bursts the mountain-chasm asunder?
Whose voice reverberates in thunder
Muttering what curse? The sun dissolves
In anguish ; the mad moon revolves
Like a wild thing about its cage ;
The stars are shaken in the rage
Of—who but Zeus? Before our gaze,
(My love’s in shuddering amaze,
Of birth deceived and death forlorn,
And mine in anger, ay ! and scorn !)
He stood--the mighty One! So earth
And heaven proclaimed that fearful birth:
So they grew silent lest he curse.
Dead silence hushed the universe 3
O how
And then in clear calm tones he spoke:
‘Fools! who have meddled, and awoke
The inmost forces of the world !
One lightning from my hand had hurled
Both to annihilation’s brink.
What foolish goddess bade ye think
Ye thus could play with thunder, roll
Your wheels upon the world, control
The stately being of a soul?
Just am IT ever! Therefore know
The unrevengeful law of woe
That ye invoke. Thou seekest life,
Child of my water! Thou a wife,
Child of my sun! Draw living breath,
Maiden, and gain the guerdon—death !
Thou take the wife, and risk the fate
‘Eons could hardly culminate
To lose thy soul! Not two but one
Are ye. Together, as the stone,
The oak, the river, or the sea,
Mere elements of mine be ye,
Or both resolve the dreadful life,
And take death’s prize! Take thou the
wife,
Thou, who didst know. Her ignorance
Resolve itself upon a chance !
She shall decide the double fate.
Be still, my child, and meditate!
This is an hour in heaven.” He ceased
And I was silent. She released
Her soul from that tremendous birth
Of fear in gentle-minded mirth.
‘* Great Sir!” she cried, ‘‘ the choice is made !
An hour ago I was afraid,
Knew nothing, and loved not. But I
Know now not this you say—to die.
Some doubtful change! An hour ago
I wasanymph. I did not know
This change: but now for death or life
I care not. Am I not his wife?
I love him. Now I would not leave
That joy once tasted ; shall not grieve
If even that should ever cease,
So great a pleasure (and a peace !)
I have therein. And by the sense
Of love’s intuitive influence
I know he wills me to remain
Woman.” ‘‘ How frivolous and vain,