SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY

Orpheus.

Nigh the vine-covered hillocks green,
In days agone, have I not seen

The brown-clad maidens amorous, 335

Below the long rose-trellised house,
Dance to the querulous pipe and shrill,
When the grey shadow of the hill
Was lengthening at the end of day ?

Not shadowy or pale were they, 340

But limbed like those who 'twixt the trees,
Follow the swift of Goddesses,
Sunburnt they are somewhat, indeed,
To where the rough brown woolen weed
Is drawn across their bosoms sweet, 345

Or cast from off their dancing feet ;
But yet the stars, the moonlight grey,
The water wan, the dawn of day,
Can see their bodies fair and white

As Hers, who once, for man's delight, 350

Before the world grew hard and old,
Came o'er the bitter sea and cold ;
And surely those that met me there,
Her handmaidens and subjects were;

And shame-faced, half-repressed desire 355*

Had lit their glorious eyes with fire,
That maddens eager hearts of men.
O would that I were with them when
The risen moon is gathering light,

And yellow from the homestead white 360

The windows gleam; but verily
This waits us o'er a little sea.

328