Orpheus

For never her lips should be caressed By love’s exulting stings, Whose starry shape shone in the west, Held of the glimmering wings. Her shadowy soul perceived the jest Of man and mortal things. And there I vowed a solemn oath To Aphrodite fair, Sealing that sacramental troth With a long curl of hair, And the strange prayer’s reiterant growth Sent shining through the air. (Invoking Aphrodtte) Daughter of Glory, child Of Earth’s Dione mild By the Father of all, the A‘gis-bearing King! Spouse, daughter, mother of God, Queen of the blest abode In Cyprus’ splendour singly glittering. Sweet sister unto me, I cry aloud to thee ! I laugh upon thee laughing, O dew caught up from sea! Drawn by sharp sparrow and dove And swan’s wide plumes of love, And all the swallow’s swifter vehemence, 139