Canto II.]
Orion.
117
So far as individual life and purpose feels,
Of human labour,—both its hand and heart—
Came crowding on his mind. Nor less his eye
Earth's loveliness perceived; nor less his thoughts
Of Eos, who in all his fresh designs,
Feelings, and wishes, shared, and urged him on
With constant impulse, hidden in sweet smiles,
And perfect love that thinks not of itself;—
Conscious, contented, sphered beyond fresh hopes.
Earth was their child; and constant morn their home.
Of human labour,—both its hand and heart—
Came crowding on his mind. Nor less his eye
Earth's loveliness perceived; nor less his thoughts
Of Eos, who in all his fresh designs,
Feelings, and wishes, shared, and urged him on
With constant impulse, hidden in sweet smiles,
And perfect love that thinks not of itself;—
Conscious, contented, sphered beyond fresh hopes.
Earth was their child; and constant morn their home.
Three things Orion contemplated oft:
The first, his gratitude to Artemis
Inspired; its general service and import
To human happiness, a duty made.
Her temple in Delos darkened to the east
With towering trees, amidst whose hollowed roots
Dwelt poisonous Harpies. These to dislodge, destroy,
And hew the trees down, that the morning light,
Followed by radiant warmth, might penetrate .
Its depths, even to the temple's central shrine,
He purposed. Thus would Eos give her love
To Artemis, and all be reconciled.
The first, his gratitude to Artemis
Inspired; its general service and import
To human happiness, a duty made.
Her temple in Delos darkened to the east
With towering trees, amidst whose hollowed roots
Dwelt poisonous Harpies. These to dislodge, destroy,
And hew the trees down, that the morning light,
Followed by radiant warmth, might penetrate .
Its depths, even to the temple's central shrine,
He purposed. Thus would Eos give her love
To Artemis, and all be reconciled.
