As tide-stricken sea-cliffs to tremble
Thy strings, as the wind-shaken pine!
Let these and their fruits and the soul of their
being be mine, very mine!
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,
29