第2章

UntowhatawfulpowershallIcall？

Towhathighfane？—Ah！seeherhoveringfeet，

Morebluelyvein’d，moresoft，morewhitelysweet

Thanthoseofsea—bornVenus，whensherose

Fromouthercradleshell.Thewindout—blows

Herscarfintoaflutteringpavillion;

’Tisblue，andover—spangledwithamillion

Oflittleeyes，asthoughthouwerttoshed，

Overthedarkest，lushestblue—bellbed，

Handfulsofdaisies.\"—\"Endymion，howstrange！

Dreamwithindream！\"—\"Shetookanairyrange，

Andthen，towardsme，likeaverymaid，

Cameblushing，waning，willing，andafraid，

Andpress’dmebythehand：Ah！’twastoomuch;

MethoughtIfaintedatthecharmedtouch，

Yetheldmyrecollections，evenasone

Whodivesthreefathomswherethewatersrun

Gurglinginbedsofcoral：foranon，

Ifeltupmountedinthatregion

Wherefallingstarsdarttheirartilleryforth，

Andeaglesstrugglewiththebuffetingnorth

Thatbalancestheheavymeteor—stone;—

Felttoo，Iwasnotfearful，noralone，

Butlapp’dandlull’dalongthedangeroussky.

Soon，asitseem’d，weleftourjourneyinghigh，

Andstraightwayintofrightfuleddiesswoop’d;

Suchasayemusterwheregreytimehasscoop’d

Hugedensandcavernsinamountain’sside;

Therehollowsoundsarous’dme，andIsigh’d

Tofaintoncemorebylookingonmybliss—

Iwasdistracted;madlydidIkiss

Thewooingarmswhichheldme，anddidgive

Myeyesatoncetodeath：but’twastolive，

Totakeindraughtsoflifefromthegoldfount

Ofkindandpassionatelooks;tocount，andcount

Themoments，bysomegreedyhelpthatseem’d

Asecondself，thateachmightberedeem’d

Andplunder’dofitsloadofblessedness.

Ah，desperatemortal！Ie’endar’dtopress

Herverycheekagainstmycrownedlip，

And，atthatmoment，feltmybodydip

Intoawarmerair：amomentmore，

Ourfeetweresoftinflowers.Therewasstore

Ofnewestjoysuponthatalp.Sometimes

Ascentofviolets，andblossominglimes，

Loiter’daroundus;thenofhoneycells，

Madedelicatefromallwhite—flowerbells;

Andonce，abovetheedgesofournest，

Anarchfacepeep’d，—anOreadasIguess’d.

\"WhydidIdreamthatsleepo’er—power’dme

Inmidstofallthisheaven？Whynotsee，

Faroff，theshadowsofhispinionsdark，

Andstarethemfromme？Butno，likeaspark

Thatneedsmustdie，althoughitslittlebeam

Reflectsuponadiamond，mysweetdream

Fellintonothing—intostupidsleep.

Andsoitwas，untilagentlecreep，

Acarefulmovingcaughtmywakingears，

AndupIstarted：Ah！mysighs，mytears，

Myclenchedhands：—forlo！thepoppieshung

Dew—dabbledontheirstalks，theouzelsung

Aheavyditty，andthesullenday

HadchiddenheraldHesperusaway，

Withleadenlooks：thesolitarybreeze

Bluster’d，andslept，anditswildselfdidteaze

Withwaywardmelancholy;andIthought，

Markme，Peona！thatsometimesitbrought

Faintfare—thee—wells，andsigh—shrilledadieus！—

AwayIwander’d—allthepleasanthues

Ofheavenandearthhadfaded：deepestshades

Weredeepestdungeons;heathsandsunnyglades

Werefullofpestilentlight;ourtaintlessrills

Seem’dsooty，ando’er—spreadwithupturn’dgills

Ofdyingfish;thevermeilrosehadblown

Infrightfulscarlet，anditsthornsout—grown

Likespikedaloe.Ifaninnocentbird

Beforemyheedlessfootstepsstirr’d，andstirr’d

Inlittlejourneys，Ibeheldinit

Adisguis’ddemon，missionedtoknit

Mysoulwithunderdarkness;toentice

Mystumblingsdownsomemonstrousprecipice：

ThereforeIeagerfollowed，anddidcurse

Thedisappointment.Time，thatagednurse，

Rock’dmetopatience.Now，thankgentleheaven！

Thesethings，withalltheircomfortings，aregiven

Tomydown—sunkenhours，andwiththee，

Sweetsister，helptostemtheebbingsea

Ofwearylife.\"

Thusendedhe，andboth

Satsilent：forthemaidwasveryloth

Toanswer;feelingwellthatbreathedwords

Wouldallbelost，unheard，andvainasswords

Againsttheenchasedcrocodile，orleaps

Ofgrasshoppersagainstthesun.Sheweeps

Andwonders;strugglestodevisesomeblame;

Toputonsuchalookaswouldsay，Shame

Onthispoorweakness！but，forallherstrife，

Shecouldassoonhavecrush’dawaythelife

Fromasickdove.Atlength，tobreakthepause，

Shesaidwithtremblingchance：\"Isthisthecause？

Thisall？Yetitisstrange，andsad，alas！

Thatonewhothroughthismiddleearthshouldpass

Mostlikeasojourningdemi—god，andleave

Hisnameupontheharp—string，shouldachieve

Nohigherbardthansimplemaidenhood，

Singingalone，andfearfully，—howtheblood

Lefthisyoungcheek;andhowheusedtostray

Heknewnotwhere;andhowhewouldsay，nay，

Ifanysaid’twaslove：andyet’twaslove;

Whatcoulditbebutlove？Howaring—dove

Letfallasprigofyewtreeinhispath;

Andhowhedied：andthen，thatlovedothscathe

Thegentleheart，asnorthernblastsdoroses;

Andthentheballadofhissadlifecloses

Withsighs，andanalas！—Endymion！

Beratherinthetrumpet’smouth，—anon

Amongthewindsatlarge—thatallmayhearken！

Although，beforethecrystalheavensdarken，

Iwatchanddoteuponthesilverlakes

Pictur’dinwesterncloudiness，thattakes

Thesemblanceofgoldrocksandbrightgoldsands，

Islands，andcreeks，andamber—frettedstrands

Withhorsesprancingo’erthem，palaces

Andtowersofamethyst，—wouldIsoteaze

Mypleasantdays，becauseIcouldnotmount

Intothoseregions？TheMorpheanfount

Ofthatfineelementthatvisions，dreams，

Andfitfulwhimsofsleeparemadeof，streams

Intoitsairychannelswithsosubtle，

Sothinabreathing，notthespider’sshuttle，

Circledamilliontimeswithinthespace

Ofaswallow’snest—door，coulddelayatrace，

Atintingofitsquality：howlight

Mustdreamsthemselvesbe;seeingthey’remoreslight

Thanthemerenothingthatengendersthem！

Thenwhereforesullytheentrustedgem

Ofhighandnoblelifewiththoughtssosick？

Whypiercehigh—frontedhonourtothequick

Fornothingbutadream？\"Hereattheyouth

Look’dup：aconflictingofshameandruth

Wasinhisplaitedbrow：yet，hiseyelids

Widenedalittle，aswhenZephyrbids

Alittlebreezetocreepbetweenthefans

Ofcarelessbutterflies：amidhispains

Heseem’dtotasteadropofmanna—dew，

Fullpalatable;andacolourgrew

Uponhischeek，whilethushelifefulspake.

\"Peona！everhaveIlong’dtoslake

Mythirstfortheworld’spraises：nothingbase，

Nomerelyslumberousphantasm，couldunlace

Thestubborncanvasformyvoyageprepar’d—

Thoughnow’tistatter’d;leavingmybarkbar’d

Andsullenlydrifting：yetmyhigherhope

Isoftoowide，toorainbow—largeascope，

Tofretatmyriadsofearthlywrecks.

Whereinlieshappiness？Inthatwhichbecks

Ourreadymindstofellowshipdivine，

Afellowshipwithessence;tillweshine，

Fullalchemiz’d，andfreeofspace.Behold

Theclearreligionofheaven！Fold

Aroseleafroundthyfinger’staperness，

Andsoothethylips：hist，whentheairystress

Ofmusic’skissimpregnatesthefreewinds，

Andwithasympathetictouchunbinds

AEolianmagicfromtheirlucidwombs：

Thenoldsongswakenfromencloudedtombs;

Olddittiessighabovetheirfather’sgrave;

Ghostsofmelodiousprophecyingsrave

RoundeveryspotwheretrodApollo’sfoot;

Bronzeclarionsawake，andfaintlybruit，

Wherelongagoagiantbattlewas;

And，fromtheturf，alullabydothpass

IneveryplacewhereinfantOrpheusslept.

Feelwethesethings？—thatmomenthavewestept

Intoasortofoneness，andourstate

Islikeafloatingspirit’s.Butthereare

Richerentanglements，enthralmentsfar

Moreself—destroying，leading，bydegrees，

Tothechiefintensity：thecrownofthese

Ismadeofloveandfriendship，andsitshigh

Upontheforeheadofhumanity.

Allitsmoreponderousandbulkyworth

Isfriendship，whencethereeverissuesforth

Asteadysplendour;butatthetip—top，

Therehangsbyunseenfilm，anorbeddrop

Oflight，andthatislove：itsinfluence，

Throwninoureyes，gendersanovelsense，

Atwhichwestartandfret;tillintheend，

Meltingintoitsradiance，weblend，

Mingle，andsobecomeapartofit，—

Norwithaughtelsecanoursoulsinterknit

Sowingedly：whenwecombinetherewith，

Life’sselfisnourish’dbyitsproperpith，

Andwearenurturedlikeapelicanbrood.

Aye，sodeliciousistheunsatingfood，

Thatmen，whomighthavetower’dinthevan

Ofallthecongregatedworld，tofan

Andwinnowfromthecomingstepoftime

Allchaffofcustom，wipeawayallslime

Leftbymen—slugsandhumanserpentry，

Havebeencontenttoletoccasiondie，

Whilsttheydidsleepinlove’selysium.

And，truly，Iwouldratherbestruckdumb，

Thanspeakagainstthisardentlistlessness：

ForIhaveeverthoughtthatitmightbless

Theworldwithbenefitsunknowingly;

Asdoesthenightingale，upperchedhigh，

Andcloister’damongcoolandbunchedleaves—

Shesingsbuttoherlove，nore’erconceives

HowtiptoeNightholdsbackherdark—greyhood.

Justsomaylove，although’tisunderstood

Themerecomminglingofpassionatebreath，

Producemorethanoursearchingwitnesseth：

WhatIknownot：butwho，ofmen，cantell

Thatflowerswouldbloom，orthatgreenfruitwouldswell

Tomeltingpulp，thatfishwouldhavebrightmail，

Theearthitsdowerofriver，wood，andvale，

Themeadowsrunnels，runnelspebble—stones，

Theseeditsharvest，ortheluteitstones，

Tonesravishment，orravishmentitssweet，

Ifhumansoulsdidneverkissandgreet？

\"Now，ifthisearthlylovehaspowertomake

Men’sbeingmortal，immortal;toshake

Ambitionfromtheirmemories，andbrim

Theirmeasureofcontent：whatmerestwhim，

Seemsallthispoorendeavourafterfame，

Toone，whokeepswithinhisstedfastaim

Aloveimmortal，animmortaltoo.

Looknotsowilder’d;forthesethingsaretrue，

Andnevercanbebornofatomies

Thatbuzzaboutourslumbers，likebrain—flies，

Leavingusfancy—sick.No，no，I’msure，

Myrestlessspiritnevercouldendure

Tobroodsolongupononeluxury，

Unlessitdid，thoughfearfully，espy

Ahopebeyondtheshadowofadream.

Mysayingswillthelessobscuredseem，

WhenIhavetoldtheehowmywakingsight

Hasmademescruplewhetherthatsamenight

Waspass’dindreaming.Hearken，sweetPeona！

Beyondthematron—templeofLatona，

Whichweshouldseebutforthesedarkeningboughs，

Liesadeephollow，fromwhoseraggedbrows

Bushesandtreesdoleanallroundathwart

Andmeetsonearly，thatwithwingsoutraught，

Andspreadedtail，avulturecouldnotglide

Pastthem，buthemustbrushoneveryside.

Somemoulder’dstepsleadintothiscoolcell，

Farastheslabbedmarginofawell，

Whosepatientlevelpeepsitscrystaleye

Rightupward，throughthebushes，tothesky.

OfthaveIbroughttheeflowers，ontheirstalksset

Likevestalprimroses，butdarkvelvet

Edgesthemround，andtheyhavegoldenpits：

’TwasthereIgotthem，fromthegapsandslits

Inamossystone，thatsometimeswasmyseat，

Whenallabovewasfaintwithmid—dayheat.

Andthereinstrifenoburningthoughtstoheed，

I’dbubbleupthewaterthroughareed;

Soreachingbacktoboy—hood：makemeships

Ofmoultedfeathers，touchwood，alderchips，

Withleavesstuckinthem;andtheNeptunebe

Oftheirpettyocean.Oftener，heavily，

Whenlove—lornhourshadleftmelessachild，

Isatcontemplatingthefigureswild

Ofo’er—headcloudsmeltingthemirrorthrough.

Uponaday，whilethusIwatch’d，byflew

AcloudyCupid，withhisbowandquiver;

Soplainlycharacter’d，nobreezewouldshiver

Thehappychance：sohappy，Iwasfain

Tofollowitupontheopenplain，

And，therefore，wasjustgoing;when，behold！

Awonder，fairasanyIhavetold—

ThesamebrightfaceItastedinmysleep，

Smilingintheclearwell.Myheartdidleap

Throughthecooldepth.—Itmovedasiftoflee—

Istartedup，whenlo！refreshfully

Therecameuponmyfaceinplenteousshowers

Dew—drops，anddewybuds，andleaves，andflowers，

Wrappingallobjectsfrommysmotheredsight，

Bathingmyspiritinanewdelight.

Aye，suchabreathlesshoney—feelofbliss

Alonepreservedmefromthedrearabyss

Ofdeath，forthefairformhadgoneagain.

Pleasureisoftavisitant;butpain

Clingscruellytous，likethegnawingsloth

Onthedeer’stenderhaunches：late，andloth，

’Tisscar’dawaybyslowreturningpleasure.

Howsickening，howdarkthedreadfulleisure

Ofwearydays，madedeeperexquisite，

Byafore—knowledgeofunslumbrousnight！

Likesorrowcameuponme，heavierstill，

ThanwhenIwander’dfromthepoppyhill：

Andawholeageoflingeringmomentscrept

Sluggishlyby，eremorecontentmentswept

Awayatoncethedeadlyyellowspleen.

Yes，thricehaveIthisfairenchantmentseen;

Oncemorebeentorturedwithrenewedlife.

Whenlastthewintrygustsgaveoverstrife

Withtheconqueringsunofspring，andlefttheskies

Warmandserene，butyetwithmoistenedeyes

Inpityoftheshatter’dinfantbuds，—

Thattimethoudidstadorn，withamberstuds，

Myhuntingcap，becauseIlaugh’dandsmil’d，

Chattedwiththee，andmanydaysexil’d

Alltormentfrommybreast;—’twaseventhen，

Strayingabout，yet，coop’dupintheden

Ofhelplessdiscontent，—hurlingmylance

Fromplacetoplace，andfollowingatchance，

Atlast，byhap，throughsomeyoungtreesitstruck，

And，plashingamongbeddedpebbles，stuck

Inthemiddleofabrook，—whosesilverramble

Downtwentylittlefalls，throughreedsandbramble，

Tracingalong，itbroughtmetoacave，

Whenceitranbrightlyforth，andwhitedidlave

Thenethersidesofmossystonesandrock，—

’Mongwhichitgurgledblytheadieus，tomock

Itsownsweetgriefatparting.Overhead，

Hungalushscreenofdroopingweeds，andspread

Thick，astocurtainupsomewood—nymph’shome.

’Ah！impiousmortal，whitherdoIroam？’

SaidI，lowvoic’d：’Ah，whither！’Tisthegrot

’OfProserpine，whenHell，obscureandhot，

’Dothherresign;andwherehertenderhands

’Shedabbles，onthecoolandsluicysands：

’Or’tisthecellofEcho，whereshesits，

’Andbabblesthoroughsilence，tillherwits

’Aregoneintendermadness，andanon，

’Faintsintosleep，withmanyadyingtone

’Ofsadness.Othatshewouldtakemyvows，

’Andbreathethemsighinglyamongtheboughs，

’Tosuehergentleearsforwhosefairhead，

’Daily，Iplucksweetfloweretsfromtheirbed，

’Andweavethemdyingly—sendhoney—whispers

’Roundeveryleaf，thatallthosegentlelispers

’Maysighmyloveuntoherpitying！

’OcharitableEcho！hear，andsing

’Thisdittytoher！—tellher’—soIstay’d

Myfoolishtongue，andlistening，halfafraid，

Stoodstupefiedwithmyownemptyfolly，

Andblushingforthefreaksofmelancholy.

Salttearswerecoming，whenIheardmyname

Mostfondlylipp’d，andthentheseaccentscame：

’Endymion！thecaveissecreter

’ThantheIsleofDelos.Echohenceshallstir

’Nosighsbutsigh—warmkisses，orlightnoise

’Ofthycombinghand，thewhileittravellingcloys

’Andtremblesthroughmylabyrinthinehair.’

Atthatoppress’dIhurriedin.—Ah！where

Arethoseswiftmoments？Whitheraretheyfled？

I’llsmilenomore，Peona;norwillwed

Sorrowthewaytodeath;butpatiently

Bearupagainstit：sofarewell，sadsigh;

Andcomeinsteaddemurestmeditation，

Tooccupymewholly，andtofashion

Mypilgrimagefortheworld’sduskybrink.

NomorewillIcountover，linkbylink，

Mychainofgrief：nolongerstrivetofind

Ahalf—forgetfulnessinmountainwind

Blusteringaboutmyears：aye，thoushaltsee，

Dearestofsisters，whatmylifeshallbe;

Whatacalmroundofhoursshallmakemydays.

Thereisapalyflameofhopethatplays

Where’erIlook：butyet，I’llsay’tisnaught—

AndhereIbiditdie.HavenotIcaught，

Already，amorehealthycountenance？

Bythisthesunissetting;wemaychance

Meetsomeofournear—dwellerswithmycar.\"

Thissaid，herose，faint—smilinglikeastar

Throughautumnmists，andtookPeona’shand：

Theysteptintotheboat，andlaunch’dfromland.

BOOKII.

Osovereignpoweroflove！Ogrief！Obalm！

Allrecords，savingthine，comecool，andcalm，

Andshadowy，throughthemistofpassedyears：

Forothers，goodorbad，hatredandtears

Havebecomeindolent;buttouchingthine，

Onesighdothecho，onepoorsobdothpine，

Onekissbringshoney—dewfromburieddays.

ThewoesofTroy，towerssmotheringo’ertheirblaze，

Stiff—holdenshields，far—piercingspears，keenblades，

Struggling，andblood，andshrieks—alldimlyfades

Intosomebackwardcornerofthebrain：

Yet，inourverysouls，wefeelamain

ThecloseofTroilusandCressidsweet.

Hence，pageanthistory！hence，gildedcheat！

Swartplanetintheuniverseofdeeds！

Widesea，thatonecontinuousmurmurbreeds

Alongthepebbledshoreofmemory！

Manyoldrotten—timber’dboatstherebe

Uponthyvaporousbosom，magnified

Togoodlyvessels;manyasailofpride，

Andgoldenkeel’d，isleftunlaunch’danddry.

Butwhereforethis？Whatcare，thoughowldidfly

AboutthegreatAthenianadmiral’smast？

Whatcare，thoughstridingAlexanderpast

TheInduswithhisMacedoniannumbers？

ThougholdUlyssestorturedfromhisslumbers

ThegluttedCyclops，whatcare？—Julietleaning

Amidherwindow—flowers，—sighing，—weaning

Tenderlyherfancyfromitsmaidensnow，

Dothmoreavailthanthese：thesilverflow

OfHero’stears，theswoonofImogen，

FairPastorellainthebandit’sden，

Arethingstobroodonwithmoreardency

Thanthedeath—dayofempires.Fearfully

Mustsuchconvictioncomeuponhishead，

Who，thusfar，discontent，hasdaredtotread，

Withoutonemuse’ssmile，orkindbehest，

Thepathofloveandpoesy.Butrest，

Inchaffingrestlessness，isyetmoredrear

Thantobecrush’d，instrivingtouprear

Love’sstandardonthebattlementsofsong.

Sooncemoredaysandnightsaidmealong，

Likelegion’dsoldiers.

Brain—sickshepherdprince，

Whatpromisehastthoufaithfulguardedsince

Thedayofsacrifice？Or，havenewsorrows

Comewiththeconstantdawnuponthymorrows？

Alas！’tishisoldgrief.Formanydays，

Hashebeenwanderinginuncertainways：

Throughwilderness，andwoodsofmossedoaks;

Countinghiswoe—wornminutes，bythestrokes

Ofthelonewoodcutter;andlisteningstill，

Hourafterhour，toeachlush—leav’drill.

Nowheissittingbyashadyspring，

Andelbow—deepwithfeverousfingering

Stemstheupburstingcold：awildrosetree

Pavillionshiminbloom，andhedothsee

Abudwhichsnareshisfancy：lo！butnow

Heplucksit，dipsitsstalkinthewater：how！

Itswells，itbuds，itflowersbeneathhissight;

And，inthemiddle，thereissoftlypight

Agoldenbutterfly;uponwhosewings

Theremustbesurelycharacter’dstrangethings，

Forwithwideeyehewonders，andsmilesoft.

Lightlythislittleheraldflewaloft，

Follow’dbygladEndymion’sclaspedhands：

Onwarditflies.Fromlanguor’ssullenbands

Hislimbsareloos’d，andeager，onhehies

Dazzledtotraceitinthesunnyskies.

Itseem’dheflew，thewaysoeasywas;

Andlikeanew—bornspiritdidhepass

Throughthegreeneveningquietinthesun，

O’ermanyaheath，throughmanyawoodlanddun，

Throughburiedpaths，wheresleepytwilightdreams

Thesummertimeaway.Onetrackunseams

Awoodedcleft，and，faraway，theblue

Ofoceanfadesuponhim;then，anew，

Hesinksadownasolitaryglen，

Wheretherewasneversoundofmortalmen，

Saving，perhaps，somesnow—lightcadences

Meltingtosilence，whenuponthebreeze

Someholybarkletforthananthemsweet，

TocheeritselftoDelphi.Stillhisfeet

Wentswiftbeneaththemerry—wingedguide，

Untilitreach’dasplashingfountain’sside

That，nearacavern’smouth，foreverpour’d

Untothetemperateair：thenhighitsoar’d，

And，downward，suddenlybegantodip，

Asif，athirstwithsomuchtoil，’twouldsip

Thecrystalspout—head：soitdid，withtouch

Mostdelicate，asthoughafraidtosmutch

Evenwithmealygoldthewatersclear.

But，atthatverytouch，todisappear

Sofairy—quick，wasstrange！Bewildered，

Endymionsoughtaround，andshookeachbed

Ofcovertflowersinvain;andthenheflung

Himselfalongthegrass.Whatgentletongue，

Whatwhispererdisturb’dhisgloomyrest？

Itwasanymphuprisentothebreast

Inthefountain’spebblymargin，andshestood

’Monglillies，liketheyoungestofthebrood.

Tohimherdrippinghandshesoftlykist，

Andanxiouslybegantoplaitandtwist

Herringletsroundherfingers，saying：\"Youth！

Toolong，alas，hastthoustarv’dontheruth，

Thebitternessoflove：toolongindeed，

Seeingthouartsogentle.CouldIweed

Thysoulofcare，byheavens，Iwouldoffer

Allthebrightrichesofmycrystalcoffer

ToAmphitrite;allmyclear—eyedfish，

Golden，orrainbow—sided，orpurplish，

Vermilion—tail’d，orfinn’dwithsilverygauze;

Yea，ormyveinedpebble—floor，thatdraws

Avirginlighttothedeep;mygrotto—sands

Tawnyandgold，ooz’dslowlyfromfarlands

Bymydiligentsprings;mylevellillies，shells，

Mycharmingrod，mypotentriverspells;

Yes，everything，eventothepearlycup

Meandergaveme，—forIbubbledup

Tofaintingcreaturesinadesertwild.

Butwoeisme，Iambutasachild

Togladdenthee;andallIdaretosay，

Is，thatIpitythee;thatonthisday

I’vebeenthyguide;thatthoumustwanderfar

Inotherregions，pastthescantybar

Tomortalsteps，beforethoucanstbeta’en

Fromeverywastingsigh，fromeverypain，

Intothegentlebosomofthylove.

Whyitisthus，oneknowsinheavenabove：

But，apoorNaiad，Iguessnot.Farewell！

Ihaveadittyformyhollowcell.\"

Hereat，shevanishedfromEndymion’sgaze，

Whobroodedo’erthewaterinamaze：

Thedashingfountpour’don，andwhereitspool

Lay，halfasleep，ingrassandrushescool，

Quickwaterfliesandgnatsweresportingstill，

Andfishweredimpling，asifgoodnorill

Hadfallenoutthathour.Thewanderer，

Holdinghisforehead，tokeepoffthebur

Ofsmotheringfancies，patientlysatdown;

And，whilebeneaththeevening’ssleepyfrown

Glow—wormsbegantotrimtheirstarrylamps，

Thusbreath’dhetohimself：\"Whosoencamps

Totakeafanciedcityofdelight，

Owhatawretchishe！andwhen’tishis，

Afterlongtoilandtravelling，tomiss

Thekernelofhishopes，howmorethanvile：

Yet，forhimthere’srefreshmentevenintoil;

Anothercitydothhesetabout，

Freefromthesmallestpebble—headofdoubt

Thathewillseizeontricklinghoney—combs;

Alas，hefindsthemdry;andthenhefoams，

Andonwardtoanothercityspeeds.

Butthisishumanlife：thewar，thedeeds，

Thedisappointment，theanxiety，

Imagination’sstruggles，farandnigh，

Allhuman;bearinginthemselvesthisgood，

Thattheyarestilltheair，thesubtlefood，

Tomakeusfeelexistence，andtoshow

Howquietdeathis.Wheresoilismengrow，

Whethertoweedsorflowers;butforme，

Thereisnodepthtostrikein：Icansee

Naughtearthlyworthmycompassing;sostand

Uponamisty，juttingheadofland—

Alone？No，no;andbytheOrpheanlute，

WhenmadEurydiceislisteningto’t;

I’dratherstanduponthismistypeak，

Withnotathingtosighfor，ortoseek，

Butthesoftshadowofmythrice—seenlove，

Thanbe—Icarenotwhat.Omeekestdove

Ofheaven！OCynthia，ten—timesbrightandfair！

Fromthybluethrone，nowfillingalltheair，

Glancebutonelittlebeamoftemper’dlight

Intomybosom，thatthedreadfulmight

Andtyrannyoflovebesomewhatscar’d！

Yetdonotso，sweetqueen;onetormentspar’d，

Wouldgiveapangtojealousmisery，

Worsethanthetorment’sself：butrathertie

Largewingsuponmyshoulders，andpointout

Mylove’sfardwelling.Thoughtheplayfulrout

OfCupidsshunthee，toodivineartthou，

Tookeeninbeauty，forthysilverprow

Nottohavedipp’dinlove’smostgentlestream.

Obepropitious，norseverelydeem

Mymadnessimpious;for，byallthestars

Thattendthybidding，Idothinkthebars

Thatkeptmyspiritinareburst—thatI

Amsailingwiththeethroughthedizzysky！

Howbeautifulthouart！Theworldhowdeep！

Howtremulous—dazzlinglythewheelssweep

Aroundtheiraxle！Thenthesegleamingreins，

Howlithe！Whenthisthychariotattains

Itsairygoal，haplysomebowerveils

Thosetwilighteyes？Thoseeyes！—myspiritfails—

Deargoddess，help！orthewide—gapingair

Willgulphme—help！\"—Atthiswithmadden’dstare，

Andliftedhands，andtremblinglipshestood;

LikeoldDeucalionmountain’do’ertheflood，

OrblindOrionhungryforthemorn.

And，butfromthedeepcaverntherewasborne

Avoice，hehadbeenfrozetosenselessstone;

Norsighofhis，norplaint，norpassion’dmoan

Hadmorebeenheard.Thusswell’ditforth：\"Descend，

Youngmountaineer！descendwherealleysbend

Intothesparryhollowsoftheworld！

Ofthastthouseenboltsofthethunderhurl’d

Asfromthythreshold;daybydayhastbeen

Alittlelowerthanthechillysheen

Oficypinnacles，anddipp’dstthinearms

Intothedeadeningetherthatstillcharms

Theirmarblebeing：now，asdeepprofound

Asthosearehigh，descend！Hene’eriscrown’d

Withimmortality，whofearstofollow

Whereairyvoiceslead：sothroughthehollow，

Thesilentmysteriesofearth，descend！\"

Heheardbutthelastwords，norcouldcontend

Onemomentinreflection：forhefled

Intothefearfuldeep，tohidehishead

Fromtheclearmoon，thetrees，andcomingmadness.

’Twasfartoostrange，andwonderfulforsadness;

Sharpening，bydegrees，hisappetite

Todiveintothedeepest.Dark，norlight，

Theregion;norbright，norsombrewholly，

Butmingledup;agleamingmelancholy;

Aduskyempireanditsdiadems;

Onefainteternaleventideofgems.

Aye，millionssparkledonaveinofgold，

Alongwhosetracktheprincequickfootstepstold，

Withallitslinesabruptandangular：

Out—shootingsometimes，likeameteor—star，

Throughavastantre;thenthemetalwoof，

LikeVulcan’srainbow，withsomemonstrousroof

Curveshugely：now，farinthedeepabyss，

Itseemsanangrylightning，anddothhiss

Fancyintobelief：anonitleads

Throughwindingpassages，wheresamenessbreeds

Vexingconceptionsofsomesuddenchange;

Whethertosilvergrots，orgiantrange

Ofsapphirecolumns，orfantasticbridge

Athwartafloodofcrystal.Onaridge

Nowfarethhe，thato’erthevastbeneath

Towerslikeanocean—cliff，andwhenceheseeth

Ahundredwaterfalls，whosevoicescome

Butasthemurmuringsurge.Chillyandnumb

Hisbosomgrew，whenfirsthe，faraway

Descriedanorbeddiamond，settofray

Olddarknessfromhisthrone：’twaslikethesun

Upriseno’erchaos：andwithsuchastun

Cametheamazement，that，absorb’dinit，

Hesawnotfiercerwonders—pastthewit

Ofanyspirittotell，butoneofthose

Who，whenthisplanet’sspheringtimedothclose，

Willbeitshighremembrancers：whothey？

Themightyoneswhohavemadeeternalday

ForGreeceandEngland.Whileastonishment

Withdeep—drawnsighswasquieting，hewent

Intoamarblegallery，passingthrough

Amimictemple，socompleteandtrue

Insacredcustom，thathewellnighfear’d

Tosearchitinwards;whencefaroffappear’d，

Throughalongpillar’dvista，afairshrine，

Andjustbeyond，onlighttiptoedivine，

Aquiver’dDian.Steppingawfully，

Theyouthapproach’d;oftturninghisveil’deye

Downsidelongaisles，andintonichesold.

Andwhen，morenearagainstthemarblecold

Hehadtouch’dhisforehead，hebegantothread

Allcourtsandpassages，wheresilencedead

Rous’dbyhiswhisperingfootstepsmurmuredfaint：

Andlonghetravers’dtoandfro，toacquaint

Himselfwitheverymystery，andawe;

Till，weary，hesatdownbeforethemaw

Ofawideoutlet，fathomlessanddim，

Towilduncertaintyandshadowsgrim.

There，whennewwondersceas’dtofloatbefore，

Andthoughtsofselfcameon，howcrudeandsore

Thejourneyhomewardtohabitualself

Amad—pursuingofthefog—bornelf，

Whoseflittinglantern，throughrudenettle—briar，

Cheatsusintoaswamp，intoafire，

Intothebosomofahatedthing.

Whatmiserymostdrowninglydothsing

InloneEndymion’sear，nowhehasraught

Thegoalofconsciousness？Ah，’tisthethought，

Thedeadlyfeelofsolitude：forlo！

Hecannotseetheheavens，northeflow

Ofrivers，norhill—flowersrunningwild

Inpinkandpurplechequer，nor，up—pil’d，

Thecloudyrackslowjourneyinginthewest，

Likeherdedelephants;norfelt，norprest

Coolgrass，nortastedthefreshslumberousair;

Butfarfromsuchcompanionshiptowear

Anunknowntime，surcharg’dwithgrief，away，

Wasnowhislot.Andmusthepatientstay，

Tracingfantasticfigureswithhisspear？

\"No！\"exclaim’dhe，\"whyshouldItarryhere？\"

No！loudlyechoedtimesinnumerable.

Atwhichhestraightwaystarted，and’gantell

Hispacesbackintothetemple’schief;

Warmingandglowingstronginthebelief

OfhelpfromDian：sothatwhenagain

Hecaughtherairyform，thusdidheplain，

Movingmorenearthewhile：\"OHaunterchaste

Ofriversides，andwoods，andheathywaste，

Wherewiththysilverbowandarrowskeen

Artthounowforested？OwoodlandQueen，

Whatsmoothestairthysmootherforeheadwoos？

Wheredostthoulistentothewidehalloos

Ofthydispartednymphs？Throughwhatdarktree

Glimmersthycrescent？Wheresoe’eritbe，

’Tisinthebreathofheaven：thoudosttaste

Freedomasnonecantasteit，nordostwaste

Thylovelinessindismalelements;

But，findinginourgreenearthsweetcontents，

Therelivestblissfully.Ah，iftothee

ItfeelsElysian，howrichtome，

Anexil’dmortal，soundsitspleasantname！

Withinmybreasttherelivesachokingflame—

Oletmecool’tthezephyr—boughsamong！

Ahomewardfeverparchesupmytongue—

Oletmeslakeitattherunningsprings！

Uponmyearanoisynothingrings—

Oletmeoncemorehearthelinnet’snote！

Beforemineeyesthickfilmsandshadowsfloat—

Oletme’nointthemwiththeheaven’slight！

Dostthounowlavethyfeetandankleswhite？

Othinkhowsweettomethefresheningsluice！

Dostthounowpleasethythirstwithberry—juice？

Othinkhowthisdrypalatewouldrejoice！

Ifinsoftslumberthoudosthearmyvoice，

OthinkhowIshouldloveabedofflowers！—

Younggoddess！letmeseemynativebowers！

Delivermefromthisrapaciousdeep！\"

Thusendingloudly，ashewouldo’erleap

Hisdestiny，alerthestood：butwhen

Obstinatesilencecameheavilyagain，

Feelingaboutforitsoldcouchofspace

Andairycradle，lowlybow’dhisface

Desponding，o’erthemarblefloor’scoldthrill.

But’twasnotlong;for，sweeterthantherill

Toitsoldchannel，oraswollentide

Tomarginsallows，weretheleaveshespied，

Andflowers，andwreaths，andreadymyrtlecrowns

Upheapingthroughtheslab：refreshmentdrowns

Itself，andstrivesitsowndelightstohide—

Norinonespotalone;thefloralpride

Inalongwhisperingbirthenchantedgrew

Beforehisfootsteps;aswhenheav’danew

Oldoceanrollsalengthenedwavetotheshore，

Downwhosegreenbacktheshort—liv’dfoam，allhoar，

Burstsgradual，withawaywardindolence.

Increasingstillinheart，andpleasantsense，

Uponhisfairyjourneyonhehastes;

Soanxiousfortheend，hescarcelywastes

Onemomentwithhishandamongthesweets：

Onwardhegoes—hestops—hisbosombeats

Asplainlyinhisear，asthefaintcharm

Ofwhichthethrobswereborn.Thisstillalarm，

Thissleepymusic，forc’dhimwalktiptoe：

Foritcamemoresoftlythantheeastcouldblow

Arion’smagictotheAtlanticisles;

Orthanthewest，madejealousbythesmiles

Ofthron’dApollo，couldbreathebackthelyre

ToseasIonianandTyrian.

Odidheeverlive，thatlonelyman，

Wholov’d—andmusicslewnot？’Tisthepest

Oflove，thatfairestjoysgivemostunrest;

Thatthingsofdelicateandtenderestworth

Areswallow’dall，andmadeaseareddearth，

Byoneconsumingflame：itdothimmerse

Andsuffocatetrueblessingsinacurse.

Half—happy，bycomparisonofbliss，

Ismiserable.’Twasevensowiththis

Dew—droppingmelody，intheCarian’sear;

Firstheaven，thenhell，andthenforgottenclear，

Vanish’dinelementalpassion.

Anddownsomeswartabysmhehadgone，

Hadnotaheavenlyguidebenignantled

Towherethickmyrtlebranches，’gainsthishead

Brushing，awakened：thenthesoundsagain

Wentnoiselessasapassingnoontiderain

Overabower，wherelittlespacehestood;

Forasthesunsetpeepsintoawood

Sosawhepantinglight，andtowardsitwent

Throughwindingalleys;andlo，wonderment！

Uponsoftverduresaw，onehere，onethere，

Cupidsaslumberingontheirpinionsfair.

Afterathousandmazesovergone，

Atlast，withsuddenstep，hecameupon

Achamber，myrtlewall’d，emboweredhigh，

Fulloflight，incense，tenderminstrelsy，

Andmoreofbeautifulandstrangebeside：

Foronasilkencouchofrosypride，

Inmidstofall，therelayasleepingyouth

Offondestbeauty;fonder，infairsooth，

Thansighscouldfathom，orcontentmentreach：

Andcoverlidsgold—tintedlikethepeach，

OrripeOctober’sfadedmarigolds，

Fellsleekabouthiminathousandfolds—

NothidingupanApolloniancurve

Ofneckandshoulder，northetentingswerve

Ofkneefromknee，noranklespointinglight;

Butrather，givingthemtothefilledsight

Officiously.Sidewayhisfacerepos’d

Ononewhitearm，andtenderlyunclos’d，

Bytenderestpressure，afaintdamaskmouth

Toslumberypout;justasthemorningsouth

Dispartsadew—lipp’drose.Abovehishead，

Fourlillystalksdidtheirwhitehonourswed

Tomakeacoronal;androundhimgrew

Alltendrilsgreen，ofeverybloomandhue，

Togetherintertwin’dandtrammel’dfresh：

Thevineofglossysprout;theivymesh，

ShadingitsEthiopberries;andwoodbine，

Ofvelvetleavesandbugle—bloomsdivine;

Convolvulusinstreakedvasesflush;

Thecreeper，mellowingforanautumnblush;

Andvirgin’sbower，trailingairily;

Withothersofthesisterhood.Hardby，

StoodsereneCupidswatchingsilently.

One，kneelingtoalyre，touch’dthestrings，

Mufflingtodeaththepathoswithhiswings;

And，everandanon，uprosetolook

Attheyouth’sslumber;whileanothertook

Awillow—bough，distillingodorousdew，

Andshookitonhishair;anotherflew

Inthroughthewovenroof，andfluttering—wise

Rain’dvioletsuponhissleepingeyes.

Attheseenchantments，andyetmanymore，

ThebreathlessLatmianwonder’do’erando’er;

Until，impatientinembarrassment，

Heforthrightpass’d，andlightlytreadingwent

Tothatsamefeather’dlyrist，whostraightway，

Smiling，thuswhisper’d：\"Thoughfromupperday

Thouartawanderer，andthypresencehere

Mightseemunholy，beofhappycheer！

For’tisthenicesttouchofhumanhonour，

Whensomeetherealandhigh—favouringdonor

Presentsimmortalbowerstomortalsense;

Asnow’tisdonetothee，Endymion.Hence

WasIinnowisestartled.Sorecline

Upontheselivingflowers.Hereiswine，

Alivewithsparkles—never，Iaver，

SinceAriadnewasavintager，

Socoolapurple：tastethesejuicypears，

SentmebysadVertumnus，whenhisfears

WerehighaboutPomona：hereiscream，

Deepeningtorichnessfromasnowygleam;

SweeterthanthatnurseAmaltheaskimm’d

FortheboyJupiter：andhere，undimm’d

Byanytouch，abunchofbloomingplums

Readytomeltbetweenaninfant’sgums：

Andhereismannapick’dfromSyriantrees，

Instarlight，bythethreeHesperides.

Feaston，andmeanwhileIwilllettheeknow

Ofallthesethingsaroundus.\"Hedidso，

Stillbroodingo’erthecadenceofhislyre;

Andthus：\"Ineednotanyhearingtire

Bytellinghowthesea—borngoddesspin’d

Foramortalyouth，andhowshestrovetobind

Himallinalluntoherdotingself.

Whowouldnotbesoprison’d？but，fondelf，

Hewascontenttoletheramorousplea

Faintthroughhiscarelessarms;contenttosee

Anunseiz’dheavendyingathisfeet;

Content，Ofool！tomakeacoldretreat，

Whenonthepleasantgrasssuchlove，lovelorn，

Laysorrowing;wheneverytearwasborn

Ofdiversepassion;whenherlipsandeyes

Wereclos’dinsullenmoisture，andquicksighs

Camevex’dandpettishthroughhernostrilssmall.