Naked they came to that smooth-swarded bower, And at their feet the crocus brake like fire, Violet, amaracus, and asphodel, Lotos and lilies and a wind arose : And overhead the wandering ivy and vine, This way and that, in many a wild festoon Ran riot, garlanding the gnarled boughs With bunch and berry and flower thro' and thro'. "O mother Ida, harken ere I die. On the tree-tops a crested peacock lit, And o'er him flow'd a golden cloud, and lean'd Then first I heard the voice of her, to whom Unquestion'd, overflowing revenue Wherewith to embellish state, from many a vale And river-sunder'd champaign cloth'd with corn, Or labour'd mines undrainable of ore. Honour,' she said, 'and homage, tax and toll, "O mother Ida, harken ere I die. Still she spake on and still she spake of power, 'Which in all action is the end of all ; Power fitted to the season; wisdom-bred And throned of wisdom-from all neighbour crowns Alliance and allegiance, till thy hand Fail from the sceptre-staff. Such boon from me, From me, Heaven's Queen, Paris, to thee king-born, A shepherd all thy life but yet king-born, Should come most welcome, seeing men, in power Only, are likest gods, who have attain'd Rest in a happy place and quiet seats Above the thunder, with undying bliss "Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die. She ceased, and Paris held the costly fruit Out at arm's-length, so much the thought of power Somewhat apart, her clear and bared limbs "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, "Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die. Sequel of guerdon could not alter me To fairer. Judge thou me by what I am, So shalt thou find me fairest. From her v Ambrosial If gazing on divinity disrobed Thy mortal eyes are frail to judge of fair, Unbiass'd by self-profit, oh! rest thee sure Commeasure perfect freedom.' She sp "Here she ceased, But w And And Paris ponder'd, and I cried 'O Paris, "O mother Ida, many-fountain'd Ida, Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die. Idalian Aphrodite beautiful, Fresh as the foam, new-bath'd in Paphian wells, With rosy slender fingers backward drew From her warm brows and bosom her deep hair And shoulder: from the violets her light foot "Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die. And I beheld great Here's angry eyes, And I was left alone within the bower And from that time to this I am alone, ; 'Yet, mother Ida, harken ere I die. Fairest-why fairest wife? am I not fair? |