10
Orion.
[Book I.
And lofty coignes, or sat and downward gazed
On those who strode below and gazed above—
I filled it; in the centre framed a hall:
Central in that, a throne; and for the light,
Forged mighty hammers that should rise and fall
On slanted rocks of granite and of flint,
Worked by a torrent, for whose passage down
A chasm I hewed. And here the God could take,
Midst showery sparks and swathes of broad gold fire,
His lone repose, lulled by the sounds he loved;
Or, casting back the hammer-heads till they choked
The water's course, enjoy, if so he wished,
Midnight tremendous, silence, and iron sleep."
On those who strode below and gazed above—
I filled it; in the centre framed a hall:
Central in that, a throne; and for the light,
Forged mighty hammers that should rise and fall
On slanted rocks of granite and of flint,
Worked by a torrent, for whose passage down
A chasm I hewed. And here the God could take,
Midst showery sparks and swathes of broad gold fire,
His lone repose, lulled by the sounds he loved;
Or, casting back the hammer-heads till they choked
The water's course, enjoy, if so he wished,
Midnight tremendous, silence, and iron sleep."
Thus in rough phrase, and with no other grace
Than forthright truth, Orion told his tale;
Then smiling looked around upon the Nymphs,
Till all their bright eyes glowed and turned aside;
And then he gazed down at the couchant hounds,
Whose eyes and ears grew interrogative,
For well the fleet-heeled robber they all knew.
Than forthright truth, Orion told his tale;
Then smiling looked around upon the Nymphs,
Till all their bright eyes glowed and turned aside;
And then he gazed down at the couchant hounds,
Whose eyes and ears grew interrogative,
For well the fleet-heeled robber they all knew.
Now spake an Ocean-nymph with sea-green eyes:
"Goddess, he hath not told thee all; his skill
And strength, unaided—singing as he wrought—
"Goddess, he hath not told thee all; his skill
And strength, unaided—singing as he wrought—
