Large froth before me, while there yet Of mitigation, or redeeming bubble Headlong I darted; at one eager swirl 630 Gain'd its bright portal, enter'd, and behold! 'T was vast, and desolate, and icy-cold; And all around But wherefore this to thee O they had all been saved but crazed eld Annull'd my vigorous cravings; and thus quell'd And curb'd, think on 't, O Latmian! did I sit Who in few minutes more thyself shalt Writhing with pity, and a cursing fit see? I left poor Scylla in a niche and fled. My fever'd parchings up, my scathing dread Met palsy half way: soon these limbs be came Against that hell-born Circe. The crew had gone, By one and one, to pale oblivion; Gaunt, wither'd, sapless, feeble, cramp'd, When at my feet emerged an old man's and lame. Now let me pass a cruel, cruel space, Without one hope, without one faintest -had grasp'd My soul page after page, till well nigh Had we both perish'd?'- 'Look!' the sage replied, Dost thou not mark a gleaming through the tide, Of divers brilliances? 't is the edifice My eyes against the heavens, and read I told thee of, where lovely Scylla lies; 720 One million times ocean must ebb and flow, If he explores all forms and substances And where I have enshrined piously All lovers, whom fell storms have doom'd to die Throughout my bondage.' Thus discoursing, on They went till unobscured the porches shone; Which hurryingly they gain'd, and enter'd straight. Sure never since king Neptune held his state Was seen such wonder underneath the stars. Turn to some level plain where haughty Mars Has legion'd all his battle; and behold How every soldier, with firm foot, doth hold 730 He mark'd their brows and foreheads; saw Put sleekly on one side with nicest care; ence, Put cross-wise to its heart. 'Let us commence,' Whisper'd the guide, stuttering with joy, ' even now.' And thou wilt see the issue.' 'Mid the Of flutes and viols, ravishing his heart, How lightning-swift the change! a youth- He spake, and, trembling like an aspen- Smiling beneath a coral diadem, And having done it, took his dark blue Endymion, with quick hand, the charm ap cloak And bound it round Endymion: then struck His wand against the empty air times nine. 'What more there is to do, young man, is But first a little patience; first undo plied The nymph arose: he left them to their joy, And, as he pass'd, each lifted up its head, 790 Death fell a-weeping in his charnel-house. The Latmian persevered along, and thus All were reanimated. There arose A noise of harmony, pulses and throes Of gladness in the air while many, who Had died in mutual arms devout and true, Sprang to each other madly; and the rest Felt a high certainty of being blest. Olympus! we are safe! Now, Carian, They gazed upon Endymion. Enchant A power overshadows thee! Oh, brave! break ment This wand against yon lyre on the pedes- Grew drunken, and would have its head tal.' 'T was done: and straight with sudden swell and fall and bent. Delicious symphonies, like airy flowers, full showers |