20
Orion.
[Book I.
Pressed cross-wise on the breast, waiting the sign;—
Attendant round a pale gold chariot moved:
By two large-antlered milk-white stags 't was drawn,
Their sleek hides 'neath the fine dews quivering,
In delicate delight. Above them rose
The fair-haired Goddess, onward softly gliding,
As though erect she stood on wafted clouds.
She smiled not; but the crescent on her brow
Gleamed with a tender light. He knew 't was love.
Attendant round a pale gold chariot moved:
By two large-antlered milk-white stags 't was drawn,
Their sleek hides 'neath the fine dews quivering,
In delicate delight. Above them rose
The fair-haired Goddess, onward softly gliding,
As though erect she stood on wafted clouds.
She smiled not; but the crescent on her brow
Gleamed with a tender light. He knew 't was love.
Giddy with happiness Orion's spirit
Now danced in air;—his heart tumultuous beat
Too high a measure and too wild, to taste
The fullness that he dreamed encompassed him,
But he could not encompass, nor scarce dare
Clearly to recognize. And Artemis smiled
Upon him with a radiance silver sweet,
And o'er his forehead oft her hand she waved,
Till visions of the purity of love
Above him floated, and his being filled.
Now danced in air;—his heart tumultuous beat
Too high a measure and too wild, to taste
The fullness that he dreamed encompassed him,
But he could not encompass, nor scarce dare
Clearly to recognize. And Artemis smiled
Upon him with a radiance silver sweet,
And o'er his forehead oft her hand she waved,
Till visions of the purity of love
Above him floated, and his being filled.
Language of Gods she taught him; and displayed,
Far as 't was fitting, and from all gross acts
Refined, their several wondrous histories:
Far as 't was fitting, and from all gross acts
Refined, their several wondrous histories:
