42
Orion.
[Book II.
Who oft ran down the stag; when, by some chance,
He pleaseth Artemis, and in her train,
All his high worth resigning, and his friends,
Dwindles to suit her fancy, and becomes
A giant of lost mind." Encolyon thrust
His heavy heel into the soil, and spake
With serious gesture. "Ever Orion sought
Some new device, some hateful onward deed
Through strange ways hurrying, scorning wise delay.
A victim fell he soon to Artemis
And her cold spells, for of his Ocean-sire
Orion's soul hath many a headlong tide.
But most of all her gleamy illusions fell
Upon his mind, which soon became a maze
For ghostly wanderings, and wild echoes heard
Through mists; and none could comprehend his speech."
He pleaseth Artemis, and in her train,
All his high worth resigning, and his friends,
Dwindles to suit her fancy, and becomes
A giant of lost mind." Encolyon thrust
His heavy heel into the soil, and spake
With serious gesture. "Ever Orion sought
Some new device, some hateful onward deed
Through strange ways hurrying, scorning wise delay.
A victim fell he soon to Artemis
And her cold spells, for of his Ocean-sire
Orion's soul hath many a headlong tide.
But most of all her gleamy illusions fell
Upon his mind, which soon became a maze
For ghostly wanderings, and wild echoes heard
Through mists; and none could comprehend his speech."
"Methought the orgie had recalled his sense,
So fairly he bespake us to the mirth;
So full and giant-like was his disport
Throughout the night," Autarces now rejoined.
Encolyon raised one hand:—"That orgie's waste
Of energies," he murmured, "and the hours
Far better given to rest, I much deplore.
So fairly he bespake us to the mirth;
So full and giant-like was his disport
Throughout the night," Autarces now rejoined.
Encolyon raised one hand:—"That orgie's waste
Of energies," he murmured, "and the hours
Far better given to rest, I much deplore.
