Hush！noexclaim—yet，justlymightstthoucall
Cursesuponhishead.—Iwashalfglad，
Butmypoormistresswentdistractandmad，
Whentheboartusk’dhim：soawaysheflew
ToJove’shighthrone，andbyherplainingsdrew
Immortaltear—dropsdownthethunderer’sbeard;
Whereon，itwasdecreedheshouldberear’d
Eachsummertimetolife.Lo！thisishe，
ThatsameAdonis，safeintheprivacy
Ofthisstillregionallhiswinter—sleep.
Aye，sleep;forwhenourlove—sickqueendidweep
Overhiswanedcorse，thetremulousshower
Heal’dupthewound，and，withabalmypower，
Medicineddeathtoalengtheneddrowsiness：
Thewhichshefillswithvisions，anddothdress
Inallthisquietluxury;andhathset
Usyoungimmortals，withoutanylet，
Towatchhisslumberthrough.’Tiswellnighpass’d，
Eventoamoment’sfillingup，andfast
Shescudswithsummerbreezes，topantthrough
Thefirstlongkiss，warmfirstling，torenew
Embower’dsportsinCytherea’sisle.
Look！howthosewingedlistenersallthiswhile
Standanxious：see！behold！\"—Thisclamantword
Brokethroughthecarefulsilence;fortheyheard
Arustlingnoiseofleaves，andoutthereflutter’d
Pigeonsanddoves：Adonissomethingmutter’d
Thewhileonehand，thaterstuponhisthigh
Laydormant，mov’dconvuls’dandgradually
Uptohisforehead.Thentherewasahum
Ofsuddenvoices，echoing，\"Come！come！
Arise！awake！Clearsummerhasforthwalk’d
Untotheclover—sward，andshehastalk’d
Fullsoothinglytoeverynestedfinch：
Rise，Cupids！orwe’llgivetheblue—bellpinch
Toyourdimpledarms.Oncemoresweetlifebegin！\"
Atthis，fromeverysidetheyhurriedin，
Rubbingtheirsleepyeyeswithlazywrists，
Anddoublingoverheadtheirlittlefists
Inbackwardyawns.Butallweresoonalive：
Forasdeliciouswinedoth，sparkling，dive
Innectar’dcloudsandcurlsthroughwaterfair，
Sofromthearbourroofdownswell’danair
Odorousandenlivening;makingall
Tolaugh，andplay，andsing，andloudlycall
Fortheirsweetqueen：whenlo！thewreathedgreen
Disparted，andfarupwardcouldbeseen
Blueheaven，andasilvercar，air—borne，
Whosesilentwheels，freshwetfromcloudsofmorn，
Spunoffadrizzlingdew，—whichfallingchill
OnsoftAdonis’shoulders，madehimstill
Nestleandturnuneasilyabout.
Soonwerethewhitedovesplain，withneckstretch’dout，
Andsilkentraceslighten’dindescent;
Andsoon，returningfromlove’sbanishment，
QueenVenusleaningdownwardopenarm’d：
Hershadowfelluponhisbreast，andcharm’d
Atumulttohisheart，andanewlife
Intohiseyes.Ah，miserablestrife，
Butforhercomforting！unhappysight，
Butmeetingherblueorbs！Who，whocanwrite
Ofthesefirstminutes？Theunchariestmuse
Toembracementswarmastheirsmakescoyexcuse.
Oithasruffledeveryspiritthere，
SavingLove’sself，whostandssuperbtoshare
Thegeneralgladness：awfullyhestands;
Asovereignquellisinhiswavinghands;
Nosightcanbearthelightningofhisbow;
Hisquiverismysterious，nonecanknow
Whatthemselvesthinkofit;fromforthhiseyes
Theredartsstrangelightofvariedhuesanddyes：
Ascowlissometimesonhisbrow，butwho
Lookfulluponitfeelanontheblue
Ofhisfaireyesrunliquidthroughtheirsouls.
Endymionfeelsit，andnomorecontrols
Theburningprayerwithinhim;so，bentlow，
Hehadbegunaplainingofhiswoe.
ButVenus，bendingforward，said：\"Mychild，
Favourthisgentleyouth;hisdaysarewild
Withlove—he—butalas！toowellIsee
Thouknow’stthedeepnessofhismisery.
Ah，smilenotso，myson：Itelltheetrue，
ThatwhenthroughheavyhoursIusedtorue
Theendlesssleepofthisnew—bornAdon’，
ThisstrangerayeIpitied.Forupon
AdrearymorningonceIfledaway
Intothebreezyclouds，toweepandpray
Forthismylove：forvexingMarshadteaz’d
Meeventotears：thence，whenalittleeas’d，
Down—looking，vacant，throughahazywood，
Isawthisyouthashedespairingstood：
Thosesamedarkcurlsblownvagrantinthewind;
Thosesamefullfringedlidsaconstantblind
Overhissulleneyes：Isawhimthrow
Himselfonwither’dleaves，evenasthough
Deathhadcomesudden;fornojothemov’d，
Yetmutter’dwildly.Icouldhearhelov’d
Somefairimmortal，andthathisembrace
Hadzonedherthroughthenight.Thereisnotrace
Ofthisinheaven：Ihavemark’deachcheek，
Andfinditisthevainestthingtoseek;
Andthatofallthings’tiskeptsecretest.
Endymion！onedaythouwiltbeblest：
Sostillobeytheguidinghandthatfends
Theesafelythroughthesewondersforsweetends.
’Tisaconcealmentneedfulinextreme;
AndifIguess’dnotso，thesunnybeam
Thoushouldstmountuptowithme.Nowadieu！
Heremustweleavethee.\"—Atthesewordsupflew
Theimpatientdoves，uprosethefloatingcar，
Upwentthehumcelestial.Highafar
TheLatmiansawthemminishintonaught;
And，whenallwereclearvanish’d，stillhecaught
Avividlightningfromthatdreadfulbow.
Whenallwasdarkened，withAEtneanthroe
Theearthclos’d—gaveasolitarymoan—
Andlefthimonceagainintwilightlone.
Hedidnotrave，hedidnotstareaghast，
Forallthosevisionswereo’ergone，andpast，
Andheinloneliness：hefeltassur’d
Ofhappytimes，whenallhehadendur’d
Wouldseemafeathertothemightyprize.
So，withunusualgladness，onhehies
Throughcaves，andpalacesofmottledore，
Golddome，andcrystalwall，andturquoisfloor，
Blackpolish’dporticosofawfulshade，
And，atthelast，adiamondbalustrade，
Leadingafarpastwildmagnificence，
Spiralthroughruggedestloopholes，andthence
Stretchingacrossavoid，thenguidingo’er
Enormouschasms，where，allfoamandroar，
Streamssubterraneanteazetheirgranitebeds;
Thenheighten’djustabovethesilveryheads
Ofathousandfountains，sothathecoulddash
Thewaterswithhisspear;butatthesplash，
Doneheedlessly，thosespoutingcolumnsrose
Suddenapoplar’sheight，and’gantoenclose
Hisdiamondpathwithfretwork，streaminground
Alive，anddazzlingcool，andwithasound，
Haply，likedolphintumults，whensweetshells
WelcomethefloatofThetis.Longhedwells
Onthisdelight;for，everyminute’sspace，
Thestreamswithchangedmagicinterlace：
Sometimeslikedelicatestlattices，
Cover’dwithcrystalvines;thenweepingtrees.
Movingaboutasinagentlewind，
Which，inawink，towaterygauzerefin’d，
Pour’dintoshapesofcurtain’dcanopies，
Spangled，andrichwithliquidbroideries
Offlowers，peacocks，swans，andnaiadsfair.
Swifterthanlightningwentthesewondersrare;
Andthenthewater，intostubbornstreams
Collecting，mimick’dthewroughtoakenbeams，
Pillars，andfrieze，andhighfantasticroof，
Ofthoseduskplacesintimesfaraloof
Cathedralscall’d.Hebadealothfarewell
TothesefountsProtean，passinggulph，anddell，
Andtorrent，andtenthousandjuttingshapes，
Halfseenthroughdeepestgloom，andgrieslygapes，
Blackeningoneveryside，andoverhead
AvaulteddomelikeHeaven’s，farbespread
Withstarlightgems：aye，allsohugeandstrange，
Thesolitaryfeltahurriedchange
Workingwithinhimintosomethingdreary，—
Vex’dlikeamorningeagle，lost，andweary，
Andpurblindamidfoggy，midnightwolds.
Butherevivesatonce：forwhobeholds
Newsuddenthings，norcastshismentalslough？
Forthfromaruggedarch，intheduskbelow，
CamemotherCybele！alone—alone—
Insombrechariot;darkfoldingsthrown
Abouthermajesty，andfrontdeath—pale，
Withturretscrown’d.Fourmanedlionshale
Thesluggishwheels;solemntheirtoothedmaws，
Theirsurlyeyesbrow—hidden，heavypaws
Uplifteddrowsily，andnervytails
Coweringtheirtawnybrushes.Silentsails
Thisshadowyqueenathwart，andfaintsaway
Inanothergloomyarch.
Whereforedelay，
Youngtraveller，insuchamournfulplace？
Artthouwayworn，orcanstnotfurthertrace
Thediamondpath？Anddoesitindeedend
Abruptinmiddleair？Yetearthwardbend
Thyforehead，andtoJupitercloud—borne
Callardently！Hewasindeedwayworn;
Abrupt，inmiddleair，hiswaywaslost;
Tocloud—borneJovehebowed，andtherecrost
Towardshimalargeeagle，’twixtwhosewings，
Withoutoneimpiousword，himselfheflings，
Committedtothedarknessandthegloom：
Down，down，uncertaintowhatpleasantdoom，
Swiftasafathomingplummetdownhefell
Throughunknownthings;tillexhaledasphodel，
Androse，withspicyfanningsinterbreath’d，
Cameswellingforthwherelittlecaveswerewreath’d
Sothickwithleavesandmosses，thattheyseem’d
Largehoney—combsofgreen，andfreshlyteem’d
Withairsdelicious.Inthegreenestnook
Theeaglelandedhim，andfarewelltook.
Itwasajasminebower，allbestrown
Withgoldenmoss.Hiseverysensehadgrown
Etherealforpleasure;’bovehishead
Flewadelighthalf—graspable;histread
WasHesperean;tohiscapableears
Silencewasmusicfromtheholyspheres;
Adewyluxurywasinhiseyes;
Thelittleflowersfelthispleasantsighs
Andstirr’dthemfaintly.Verdantcaveandcell
Hewander’dthrough，oftwonderingatsuchswell
Ofsuddenexaltation：but，\"Alas！\"
Saidhe，\"willallthisgushoffeelingpass
Awayinsolitude？Andmusttheywane，
Likemelodiesuponasandyplain，
Withoutanecho？ThenshallIbeleft
Sosad，somelancholy，sobereft！
YetstillIfeelimmortal！Omylove，
Mybreathoflife，whereartthou？Highabove，
Dancingbeforethemorninggatesofheaven？
Orkeepingwatchamongthosestarryseven，
OldAtlas’children？Artamaidofthewaters，
Oneofshell—windingTriton’sbright—hair’ddaughters？
Orart，impossible！anymphofDian’s，
Weavingacoronaloftenderscions
Forveryidleness？Where’erthouart，
Methinksitnowisatmywilltostart
Intothinearms;toscareAurora’strain，
Andsnatchtheefromthemorning;o’erthemain
Toscudlikeawildbird，andtaketheeoff
Fromthysea—foamycradle;ortodoff
Thyshepherdvest，andwootheemidfreshleaves.
No，no，tooeagerlymysouldeceives
Itspowerlessself：Iknowthiscannotbe.
Oletmethenbysomesweetdreamingflee
Toherentrancements：hither，Sleep，awhile！
Hither，mostgentleSleep！andsoothingfoil
Forsomefewhoursthecomingsolitude.\"
Thusspakehe，andthatmomentfeltendued
Withpowertodreamdeliciously;sowound
Throughadimpassage，searchingtillhefound
Thesmoothestmossybedanddeepest，where
Hethrewhimself，andjustintotheair
Stretchinghisindolentarms，hetook，Obliss！
Anakedwaist：\"FairCupid，whenceisthis？\"
Awell—knownvoicesigh’d，\"Sweetest，hereamI！\"
Atwhichsoftravishment，withdotingcry
Theytrembledtoeachother.—Helicon！
Ofountain’dhill！OldHomer’sHelicon！
Thatthouwouldstspoutalittlestreamleto’er
Thesesorrypages;thentheversewouldsoar
Andsingabovethisgentlepair，likelark
Overhisnestedyoung：butallisdark
Aroundthineagedtop，andthyclearfount
Exhalesinmiststoheaven.Aye，thecount
OfmightyPoetsismadeup;thescroll
IsfoldedbytheMuses;thebrightroll
IsinApollo’shand：ourdazedeyes
Haveseenanewtingeinthewesternskies：
Theworldhasdoneitsduty.Yet，ohyet，
Althoughthesunofpoesyisset，
Theseloversdidembrace，andwemustweep
Thatthereisnooldpowerlefttosteep
Aquillimmortalintheirjoyoustears.
Longtimeinsilencedidtheiranxiousfears
Questionthatthusitwas;longtimetheylay
Fondlingandkissingeverydoubtaway;
Longtimeeresoftcaressingsobsbegan
Tomellowintowords，andthenthereran
Twobubblingspringsoftalkfromtheirsweetlips.
\"OknownUnknown！fromwhommybeingsips
Suchdarlingessence，whereforemayInot
Beeverinthesearms？inthissweetspot
Pillowmychinforever？everpress
Thesetoyinghandsandkisstheirsmoothexcess？
Whynotforeverandforeverfeel
Thatbreathaboutmyeyes？Ah，thouwiltsteal
Awayfrommeagain，indeed，indeed—
Thouwiltbegoneaway，andwiltnotheed
Mylonelymadness.Speak，deliciousfair！
Is—isittobeso？No！Whowilldare
Toplucktheefromme？And，ofthineownwill，
FullwellIfeelthouwouldstnotleaveme.Still
Letmeentwinetheesurer，surer—now
Howcanwepart？Elysium！whoartthou？
Who，thatthoucanstnotbeforeverhere，
Orliftmewiththeetosomestarrysphere？
Enchantress！tellmebythissoftembrace，
Bythemostsoftcompletionofthyface，
Thoselips，Oslipperyblisses，twinklingeyes
Andbythesetenderest，milkysovereignties—
Thesetenderest，andbythenectar—wine，
Thepassion\"—\"Odov’dIdathedivine！
Endymion！dearest！Ah，unhappyme！
Hissoulwill’scapeus—Ofelicity！
Howhedoesloveme！Hispoortemplesbeat
Totheverytuneoflove—howsweet，sweet，sweet.
Revive，dearyouth，orIshallfaintanddie;
Revive，orthesesofthourswillhurryby
Intranceddulness;speak，andletthatspell
Affrightthislethargy！Icannotquell
Itsheavypressure，andwillpressatleast
Mylipstothine，thattheymayrichlyfeast
Untilwetastethelifeofloveagain.
What！dostthoumove？dostkiss？Obliss！Opain！
Ilovethee，youth，morethanIcanconceive;
Andsolongabsencefromtheedothbereave
Mysoulofanyrest：yetmustIhence：
Yet，canInottostarryeminence
Upliftthee;norforveryshamecanown
Myselftothee：Ah，dearest，donotgroan
Orthouwiltforcemefromthissecrecy，
AndImustblushinheaven.OthatI
Haddone’talready;thatthedreadfulsmiles
Atmylostbrightness，myimpassion’dwiles，
HadwanedfromOlympus’solemnheight，
AndfromallseriousGods;thatourdelight
Wasquiteforgotten，saveofusalone！
Andwhereforesoashamed？’Tisbuttoatone
Forendlesspleasure，bysomecowardblushes：
YetmustIbeacoward！—Horrorrushes
Toopalpablebeforeme—thesadlook
OfJove—Minerva’sstart—nobosomshook
Withaweofpurity—noCupidpinion
Inreverencevailed—mycrystallinedominion
Halflost，andalloldhymnsmadenullity！
Butwhatisthistolove？OIcouldfly
Withtheeintothekenofheavenlypowers，
Sothouwouldstthus，formanysequenthours，
Pressmesosweetly.NowIswearatonce
ThatIamwise，thatPallasisadunce—
Perhapsherlovelikemineisbutunknown—
OIdothinkthatIhavebeenalone
Inchastity：yes，Pallashasbeensighing，
Whileeveryevesawmemyhairuptying
Withfingerscoolasaspenleaves.Sweetlove，
Iwasasvagueassolitarydove，
Norknewthatnestswerebuilt.Nowasoftkiss—
Aye，bythatkiss，Ivowanendlessbliss，
Animmortalityofpassion’sthine：
ErelongIwillexalttheetotheshine
Ofheavenambrosial;andwewillshade
Ourselveswholesummersbyariverglade;
AndIwilltelltheestoriesofthesky，
Andbreathetheewhispersofitsminstrelsy.
Myhappylovewilloverwingallbounds！
Oletmemeltintothee;letthesounds
Ofourclosevoicesmarryattheirbirth;
Letusentwinehoveringly—Odearth
Ofhumanwords！roughnessofmortalspeech！
LispingsempyreanwillIsometimeteach
Thinehoniedtongue—lute—breathings，whichIgasp
Tohavetheeunderstand，nowwhileIclasp
Theethus，andweepforfondness—Iampain’d，
Endymion：woe！woe！isgriefcontain’d
Intheverydeepsofpleasure，mysolelife？\"—
Hereat，withmanysobs，hergentlestrife
Meltedintoalanguor.Hereturn’d
Entrancedvowsandtears.
Yewhohaveyearn’d
Withtoomuchpassion，willherestayandpity，
Forthemeresakeoftruth;as’tisaditty
Notofthesedays，butlongago’twastold
Byacavernwinduntoaforestold;
Andthentheforesttolditinadream
Toasleepinglake，whosecoolandlevelgleam
Apoetcaughtashewasjourneying
ToPhoebus’shrine;andinithedidfling
Hiswearylimbs，bathinganhour’sspace，
Andafter，straightinthatinspiredplace
Hesangthestoryupintotheair，
Givingituniversalfreedom.There
Hasitbeeneversoundingforthoseears
Whosetipsareglowinghot.Thelegendcheers
Yoncentinelstars;andhewholistenstoit
Mustsurelybeself—doom’dorhewillrueit：
Forquenchlessburningscomeupontheheart，
Madefiercerbyafearlestanypart
Shouldbeengulphedintheeddyingwind.
Asmuchashereispenn’ddothalwaysfind
Arestingplace，thusmuchcomesclearandplain;
Anonthestrangevoiceisuponthewane—
And’tisbutecho’dfromdepartingsound，
Thatthefairvisitantatlastunwound
Hergentlelimbs，andlefttheyouthasleep.—
Thusthetraditionofthegustydeep.
Nowturnwetoourformerchroniclers.—
Endymionawoke，thatgriefofhers
Sweetpainingonhisear：hesicklyguess’d
Howlonehewasoncemore，andsadlypress’d
Hisemptyarmstogether，hunghishead，
Andmostforlornuponthatwidow’dbed
Satsilently.Love’smadnesshehadknown：
Oftenwithmorethantorturedlion’sgroan
Moaningshadburstfromhim;butnowthatrage
Hadpass’daway：nolongerdidhewage
Arough—voic’dwaragainstthedoomingstars.
No，hehadfelttoomuchforsuchharshjars：
ThelyreofhissoulAEoliantun’d
Forgotallviolence，andbutcommun’d
Withmelancholythought：Ohehadswoon’d
Drunkenfrompleasure’snipple;andhislove
Henceforthwasdove—like.—Lothwashetomove
Fromtheimprintedcouch，andwhenhedid，
’Twaswithslow，languidpaces，andfacehid
Inmufflinghands.Sotemper’d，outhestray’d
Halfseeingvisionsthatmighthavedismay’d
Alecto’sserpents;ravishmentsmorekeen
ThanHermes’pipe，whenanxioushedidlean
Overeclipsingeyes：andatthelast
Itwasasoundinggrotto，vaulted，vast，
O’erstuddedwithathousand，thousandpearls，
Andcrimsonmouthedshellswithstubborncurls，
Ofeveryshapeandsize，eventothebulk
Inwhichwhalesarbourclose，tobroodandsulk
Againstanendlessstorm.Moreovertoo，
Fish—semblances，ofgreenandazurehue，
Readytosnorttheirstreams.Inthiscoolwonder
Endymionsatdown，and’gantoponder
Onallhislife：hisyouth，uptotheday
When’midacclaim，andfeasts，andgarlandsgay，
Hesteptuponhisshepherdthrone：thelook
Ofhiswhitepalaceinwildforestnook，
Andalltherevelshehadlordedthere：
Eachtendermaidenwhomheoncethoughtfair，
Witheveryfriendandfellow—woodlander—
Pass’dlikeadreambeforehim.Thenthespur
Oftheoldbardstomightydeeds：hisplans
Tonursethegoldenage’mongshepherdclans：
Thatwondrousnight：thegreatPan—festival：
Hissister’ssorrow;andhiswanderingsall，
Untilintotheearth’sdeepmawherush’d：
Thenallitsburiedmagic，tillitflush’d
Highwithexcessivelove.\"Andnow，\"thoughthe，
\"HowlongmustIremaininjeopardy
Ofblankamazementsthatamazenomore？
NowIhavetastedhersweetsoultothecore
Allotherdepthsareshallow：essences，
Oncespiritual，arelikemuddylees，
Meantbuttofertilizemyearthlyroot，
Andmakemybranchesliftagoldenfruit
Intothebloomofheaven：otherlight，
Thoughitbequickandsharpenoughtoblight
TheOlympianeagle’svision，isdark，
Darkastheparentageofchaos.Hark！
Mysilentthoughtsareechoingfromtheseshells;
Ortheyarebuttheghosts，thedyingswells
Ofnoisesfaraway？—list！\"—Hereupon
Hekeptananxiousear.Thehummingtone
Camelouder，andbehold，thereashelay，
Oneithersideoutgush’d，withmistyspray，
Acopiousspring;andbothtogetherdash’d
Swift，mad，fantasticroundtherocksandlash’d
Amongtheconchsandshellsoftheloftygrot，
Leavingatricklingdew.Atlasttheyshot
Downfromtheceiling’sheight，pouringanoise
Asofsomebreathlessracerswhosehopespoize
Uponthelastfewsteps，andwithspentforce
Alongthegroundtheytookawindingcourse.
Endymionfollow’d—foritseem’dthatone
Everpursued，theotherstrovetoshun—
Follow’dtheirlanguidmazes，tillwellnigh
Hehadleftthinkingofthemystery，—
Andwasnowraptintenderhoverings
Overthevanish’dbliss.Ah！whatisitsings
Hisdreamaway？Whatmelodiesarethese？
Theysoundasthroughthewhisperingoftrees，
Notnativeinsuchbarrenvaults.Giveear！
\"OArethusa，peerlessnymph！whyfear
Suchtendernessasmine？GreatDian，why，
Whydidstthouhearherprayer？OthatI
Wereripplingroundherdaintyfairnessnow，
Circlingaboutherwaist，andstrivinghow
Toenticehertoadive！thenstealingin
Betweenherlusciouslipsandeyelidsthin.
Othathershininghairwasinthesun，
AndIdistillingfromitthencetorun
Inamorousrilletsdownhershrinkingform！
Tolingeronherlillyshoulders，warm
Betweenherkissingbreasts，andeverycharm
Touchraptur’d！—SeehowpainfullyIflow：
Fairmaid，bepitifultomygreatwoe.
Stay，staythywearycourse，andletmelead，
Ahappywooer，totheflowerymead
Whereallthatbeautysnar’dme.\"—\"Cruelgod，
Desist！ormyoffendedmistress’nod
Willstagnateallthyfountains：—teazemenot
Withsyrenwords—Ah，haveIreallygot
Suchpowertomaddenthee？Andisittrue—
Away，away，orIshalldearlyrue
Myverythoughts：inmercythenaway，
KindestAlpheus，forshouldIobey
Myowndearwill，’twouldbeadeadlybane.
O，Oread—Queen！wouldthatthouhadstapain
Likethisofmine，thenwouldIfearlessturn
Andbeacriminal.Alas，Iburn，
Ishudder—gentleriver，gettheehence.
Alpheus！thouenchanter！everysense
Ofminewasoncemadeperfectinthesewoods.
Freshbreezes，bowerylawns，andinnocentfloods，
Ripefruits，andlonelycouch，contentmentgave;
ButeversinceIheedlesslydidlave
Inthydeceitfulstream，apantingglow
Grewstrongwithinme：whereforeservemeso，
Andcallitlove？Alas，’twascruelty.
NotoncemoredidIclosemyhappyeye
Amidthethrushes’song.Away！Avaunt！
O’twasacruelthing.\"—\"Nowthoudosttaunt
Sosoftly，Arethusa，thatIthink
Ifthouwastplayingonmyshadybrink，
Thouwouldstbatheonceagain.Innocentmaid！
Stiflethineheartnomore;norbeafraid
Ofangrypowers：therearedeities
Willshadeuswiththeirwings.Thosefitfulsighs
’Tisalmostdeathtohear：Oletmepour
Adewybalmuponthem！—fearnomore，
SweetArethusa！Dian’sselfmustfeel
Sometimetheseverypangs.Dearmaiden，steal
Blushingintomysoul，andletusfly
Thesedrearycavernsfortheopensky.
Iwilldelighttheeallmywindingcourse，
Fromthegreenseauptomyhiddensource
AboutArcadianforests;andwillshow
Thechannelswheremycoolestwatersflow
Throughmossyrocks;where，’midexuberantgreen，
Iroaminpleasantdarkness，moreunseen
ThanSaturninhisexile;whereIbrim
Roundfloweryislands，andtakethenceaskim
Ofmealysweets，whichmyriadsofbees
Buzzfromtheirhoney’dwings：andthoushouldstplease
Thyselftochoosetherichest，wherewemight
Beincense—pillow’deverysummernight.
Doffallsadfears，thouwhitedeliciousness，
Andletusbethuscomforted;unless
Thoucouldstrejoicetoseemyhopelessstream
HurrydistractedfromSol’stemperatebeam，
Andpourtodeathalongsomehungrysands.\"—
\"WhatcanIdo，Alpheus？Dianstands
Severebeforeme：persecutingfate！
UnhappyArethusa！thouwastlate
Ahuntressfreein\"—Atthis，suddenfell
Thosetwosadstreamsadownafearfuldell.
TheLatmianlisten’d，butheheardnomore，
Saveecho，faintrepeatingo’erando’er
ThenameofArethusa.Ontheverge
Ofthatdarkgulphhewept，andsaid：\"Iurge
Thee，gentleGoddessofmypilgrimage，
Byoureternalhopes，tosoothe，toassuage，
Ifthouartpowerful，theselovers’pains;
Andmakethemhappyinsomehappyplains.\"
Heturn’d—therewasawhelmingsound—hestept，
Therewasacoolerlight;andsohekept
Towardsitbyasandypath，andlo！
Moresuddenlythandothamomentgo，
Thevisionsoftheearthweregoneandfled—
Hesawthegiantseaabovehishead.
BOOKIII.
Therearewholordito’ertheirfellow—men
Withmostprevailingtinsel：whounpen
Theirbaaingvanities，tobrowseaway
Thecomfortablegreenandjuicyhay
Fromhumanpastures;or，Otorturingfact！
Who，throughanidiotblink，willseeunpack’d
Fire—brandedfoxestosearupandsinge
Ourgoldandripe—ear’dhopes.Withnotonetinge
Ofsanctuarysplendour，notasight
Abletofaceanowl’s，theystillaredight
Bytheblear—eyednationsinempurpledvests，
Andcrowns，andturbans.Withunladenbreasts，
Saveofblownself—applause，theyproudlymount
Totheirspirit’sperch，theirbeing’shighaccount，
Theirtiptopnothings，theirdullskies，theirthrones—
Amidthefierceintoxicatingtones
Oftrumpets，shoutings，andbelabour’ddrums，
Andsuddencannon.Ah！howallthishums，
Inwakefulears，likeuproarpastandgone—
LikethundercloudsthatspaketoBabylon，
AndsetthoseoldChaldeanstotheirtasks.—
Arethenregalitiesallgildedmasks？
No，therearethronedseatsunscalable
Butbyapatientwing，aconstantspell，
Orbyetherealthingsthat，unconfin’d，
Canmakealadderoftheeternalwind，
Andpoizeaboutincloudythunder—tents
Towatchtheabysm—birthofelements.
Aye，’bovethewitheringofold—lipp’dFate
AthousandPowerskeepreligiousstate，
Inwater，fieryrealm，andairybourne;
And，silentasaconsecratedurn，
Holdspherysessionsforaseasondue.
Yetfewofthesefarmajesties，ah，few！
Havebaredtheiroperationstothisglobe—
Few，whowithgorgeouspageantryenrobe
Ourpieceofheaven—whosebenevolence
ShakeshandwithourownCeres;everysense
Fillingwithspiritualsweetstoplenitude，
Asbeesgorgefulltheircells.And，bythefeud
’TwixtNothingandCreation，Ihereswear，
EterneApollo！thatthySisterfair
Isofallthesethegentlier—mightiest.
Whenthygoldbreathismistinginthewest，
Sheunobservedstealsuntoherthrone，
Andthereshesitsmostmeekandmostalone;
Asifshehadnotpompsubservient;
Asifthineeye，highPoet！wasnotbent
TowardsherwiththeMusesinthineheart;
Asiftheministringstarskeptnotapart，
Waitingforsilver—footedmessages.
OMoon！theoldestshades’mongoldesttrees
Feelpalpitationswhenthoulookestin：
OMoon！oldboughslispforthaholierdin
Thewhiletheyfeelthineairyfellowship.
Thoudostblesseverywhere，withsilverlip
Kissingdeadthingstolife.Thesleepingkine，
Couch’dinthybrightness，dreamoffieldsdivine：
Innumerablemountainsrise，andrise，
Ambitiousforthehallowingofthineeyes;
Andyetthybenedictionpassethnot
Oneobscurehiding—place，onelittlespot
Wherepleasuremaybesent：thenestedwren
Hasthyfairfacewithinitstranquilken，
Andfrombeneathashelteringivyleaf
Takesglimpsesofthee;thouartarelief
Tothepoorpatientoyster，whereitsleeps
Withinitspearlyhouse.—Themightydeeps，
Themonstrousseaisthine—themyriadsea！
OMoon！far—spoomingOceanbowstothee，
AndTellusfeelshisforehead’scumbrousload.
Cynthia！whereartthounow？Whatfarabode
Ofgreenorsilverybowerdothenshrine
Suchutmostbeauty？Alas，thoudostpine
Foroneassorrowful：thycheekispale
Foronewhosecheekispale：thoudostbewail
Histears，whoweepsforthee.Wheredostthousigh？
Ah！surelythatlightpeepsfromVesper’seye，
Orwhatathingislove！’TisShe，butlo！
Howchang’d，howfullofache，howgoneinwoe！
Shediesatthethinnestcloud;herloveliness
IswanonNeptune’sblue：yetthere’sastress
Oflove—spangles，justoffyoncapeoftrees，
Dancinguponthewaves，asiftoplease
Thecurlyfoamwithamorousinfluence.
O，notsoidle：fordown—glancingthence
Shefathomseddies，andrunswildabout
O’erwhelmingwater—courses;scaringout
Thethornysharksfromhiding—holes，andfright’ning
Theirsavageeyeswithunaccustom’dlightning.
Wherewillthesplendourbecontenttoreach？
Olove！howpotenthastthoubeentoteach
Strangejourneyings！Whereverbeautydwells，
Ingulphoraerie，mountainsordeepdells，
Inlight，ingloom，instarorblazingsun，
Thoupointestouttheway，andstraight’tiswon.
Amidhistoilthougav’stLeanderbreath;
ThouleddestOrpheusthroughthegleamsofdeath;
ThoumadestPlutobearthinelement;
Andnow，OwingedChieftain！thouhastsent
Amoon—beamtothedeep，deepwater—world，
TofindEndymion.
Ongoldsandimpearl’d
Withlillyshells，andpebblesmilkywhite，
PoorCynthiagreetedhim，andsooth’dherlight
Againsthispallidface：hefeltthecharm
Tobreathlessness，andsuddenlyawarm
Ofhisheart’sblood：’twasverysweet;hestay’d
Hiswanderingsteps，andhalf—entrancedlaid
Hisheaduponatuftofstragglingweeds，
Totastethegentlemoon，andfresheningbeads，
Lash’dfromthecrystalroofbyfishes’tails.
Andsohekept，untiltherosyveils
Mantlingtheeast，byAurora’speeringhand
Wereliftedfromthewater’sbreast，andfann’d
Intosweetair;andsober’dmorningcame
Meeklythroughbillows：—whenliketaper—flame
Leftsuddenbyadallyingbreathofair，
Heroseinsilence，andoncemore’ganfare
Alonghisfatedway.
Farhadheroam’d，
Withnothingsavethehollowvast，thatfoam’d，
Above，around，andathisfeet;savethings
MoredeadthanMorpheus’imaginings：
Oldrustedanchors，helmets，breast—plateslarge
Ofgonesea—warriors;brazenbeaksandtarge;
Ruddersthatforahundredyearshadlost
Theswayofhumanhand;goldvaseemboss’d
Withlong—forgottenstory，andwherein
Norevellerhadeverdipp’dachin
ButthoseofSaturn’svintage;moulderingscrolls，
Writinthetongueofheaven，bythosesouls
Whofirstwereontheearth;andsculpturesrude
Inponderousstone，developingthemood
OfancientNox;—thenskeletonsofman，
Ofbeast，behemoth，andleviathan，
Andelephant，andeagle，andhugejaw
Ofnamelessmonster.Acoldleadenawe
Thesesecretsstruckintohim;andunless
Dianhadchacedawaythatheaviness，
Hemighthavedied：butnow，withcheeredfeel，
Heonwardkept;wooingthesethoughtstosteal
Aboutthelabyrinthinhissouloflove.
\"Whatisthereinthee，Moon！thatthoushouldstmove
Myheartsopotently？Whenyetachild
Iofthavedriedmytearswhenthouhastsmil’d.
Thouseem’dstmysister：handinhandwewent
Fromevetomornacrossthefirmament.
NoappleswouldIgatherfromthetree，
Tillthouhadstcool’dtheircheeksdeliciously：
Notumblingwatereverspakeromance，
Butwhenmyeyeswiththinethereoncoulddance：
Nowoodsweregreenenough，nobowerdivine，
Untilthouliftedstupthineeyelidsfine：
Insowingtimene’erwouldIdibbletake，
Ordropaseed，tillthouwastwideawake;
And，inthesummertideofblossoming，
Noonebuttheehathheardmeblithlysing
Andmeshmydewyflowersallthenight.
Nomelodywaslikeapassingspright
Ifitwentnottosolemnizethyreign.
Yes，inmyboyhood，everyjoyandpain
Bytheewerefashion’dtotheself—sameend;
AndasIgrewinyears，stilldidstthoublend
Withallmyardours：thouwastthedeepglen;
Thouwastthemountain—top—thesage’spen—
Thepoet’sharp—thevoiceoffriends—thesun;
Thouwasttheriver—thouwastglorywon;
Thouwastmyclarion’sblast—thouwastmysteed—
Mygobletfullofwine—mytopmostdeed：—
Thouwastthecharmofwomen，lovelyMoon！
Owhatawildandharmonizedtune
Myspiritstruckfromallthebeautiful！
OnsomebrightessencecouldIlean，andlull
Myselftoimmortality：Iprest
Nature’ssoftpillowinawakefulrest.
But，gentleOrb！therecameanearerbliss—
Mystrangelovecame—Felicity’sabyss！
Shecame，andthoudidstfade，andfadeaway—
Yetnotentirely;no，thystarrysway
Hasbeenanunder—passiontothishour.
NowIbegintofeelthineorbypower
Iscomingfreshuponme：Obekind，
Keepbackthineinfluence，anddonotblind
Mysovereignvision.—Dearestlove，forgive
ThatIcanthinkawayfromtheeandlive！—
Pardonme，airyplanet，thatIprize
Onethoughtbeyondthineargentluxuries！
Howfarbeyond！\"Atthisasurpris’dstart
Frostedthespringingverdureofhisheart;
Forashelifteduphiseyestoswear
Howhisowngoddesswaspastallthingsfair，
Hesawfarintheconcavegreenofthesea
Anoldmansittingcalmandpeacefully.
Uponaweededrockthisoldmansat，
Andhiswhitehairwasawful，andamat
Ofweedswerecoldbeneathhiscoldthinfeet;
And，ampleasthelargestwinding—sheet，
Acloakofbluewrapp’duphisagedbones，
O’erwroughtwithsymbolsbythedeepestgroans
Ofambitiousmagic：everyocean—form
Waswoveninwithblackdistinctness;storm，
Andcalm，andwhispering，andhideousroar，
Quicksand，andwhirlpool，anddesertedshore，
Wereemblem’dinthewoof;witheveryshape
Thatskims，ordives，orsleeps，’twixtcapeandcape.
Thegulphingwhalewaslikeadotinthespell，
Yetlookuponit，and’twouldsizeandswell
Toitshugeself;andtheminutestfish
Wouldpasstheveryhardestgazer’swish，
Andshowhislittleeye’sanatomy.
Thentherewaspictur’dtheregality
OfNeptune;andtheseanymphsroundhisstate，
Inbeauteousvassalage，lookupandwait.
Besidethisoldmanlayapearlywand，
Andinhislapabook，thewhichheconn’d
Sostedfastly，thatthenewdenizen
Hadtimetokeephiminamazedken，
Tomarktheseshadowings，andstandinawe.
Theoldmanrais’dhishoaryheadandsaw
Thewilder’dstranger—seemingnottosee，
Hisfeaturesweresolifeless.Suddenly
Hewokeasfromatrance;hissnow—whitebrows
Wentarchingup，andliketwomagicploughs
Furrow’ddeepwrinklesinhisforeheadlarge，
Whichkeptasfixedlyasrockymarge，
Tillroundhiswither’dlipshadgoneasmile.
Thenupherose，likeonewhosetedioustoil
Hadwatch’dforyearsinforlornhermitage，
Whohadnotfrommid—lifetoutmostage
Eas’dinoneaccenthiso’er—burden’dsoul，
Eventothetrees.Herose：hegrasp’dhisstole，
Withconvuls’dclencheswavingitabroad，
Andinavoiceofsolemnjoy，thataw’d
Echointooblivion，hesaid：—
\"Thouarttheman！NowshallIlaymyhead
Inpeaceuponmywaterypillow：now
Sleepwillcomesmoothlytomywearybrow.
OJove！Ishallbeyoungagain，beyoung！
Oshell—borneNeptune，Iampierc’dandstung
Withnew—bornlife！WhatshallIdo？Wherego，
WhenIhavecastthisserpent—skinofwoe？—
I’llswimtothesyrens，andonemomentlisten
Theirmelodies，andseetheirlonghairglisten;
Anonuponthatgiant’sarmI’llbe，
ThatwrithesabouttherootsofSicily：
TonorthernseasI’llinatwinklingsail，
Andmountuponthesnortingsofawhale
Tosomeblackcloud;thencedownI’llmadlysweep
Onforkedlightning，tothedeepestdeep，
WherethroughsomesuckingpoolIwillbehurl’d
Withrapturetotheothersideoftheworld！
O，Iamfullofgladness！Sistersthree，
Ibowfullheartedtoyourolddecree！
Yes，everygodbethank’d，andpowerbenign，
ForInomoreshallwither，droop，andpine.
Thouarttheman！\"Endymionstartedback
Dismay’d;and，likeawretchfromwhomtherack
Tortureshotbreath，andspeechofagony，
Mutter’d：\"WhatlonelydeathamItodie
Inthiscoldregion？Willheletmefreeze，
Andfloatmybrittlelimbso’erpolarseas？
Orwillhetouchmewithhissearinghand，
Andleaveablackmemorialonthesand？
Ortearmepiece—mealwithabonysaw，
Andkeepmeasachosenfoodtodraw
Hismagianfishthroughhatedfireandflame？
Omiseryofhell！resistless，tame，
AmItobeburntup？No，Iwillshout，
Untilthegodsthroughheaven’sbluelookout！—
OTartarus！butsomefewdaysagone
Hersoftarmswereentwiningme，andon
HervoiceIhunglikefruitamonggreenleaves：
Herlipswereallmyown，and—ah，ripesheaves
Ofhappiness！yeonthestubbledroop，
Butnevermaybegarner’d.Imuststoop
Myhead，andkissdeath’sfoot.Love！love，farewell！
Istherenohopefromthee？Thishorridspell
Wouldmeltatthysweetbreath.—ByDian’shind
Feedingfromherwhitefingers，onthewind
Iseethystreaminghair！andnow，byPan，
Icarenotforthisoldmysteriousman！\"
Hespake，andwalkingtothatagedform，
Look’dhighdefiance.Lo！hisheart’ganwarm
Withpity，forthegrey—hair’dcreaturewept.