ORION.
Canto the Second.
The Sun-god's tresses o'er the whirling reins
That scarcely ruled the swift-ascending steeds,
Fell, like a golden, torrent, while his head,
Answering his goddess sister's brief request,
Smiling he bowed,—and the clouds closed behind
His blazing wheels. Four of those giant's sires
Were gods, who with their earth-born sons might hold
Communion; wherefore Artemis, alone,
Deemed not her power sufficed for safe revenge;
Of which now sure, her course to earth she bent.
That scarcely ruled the swift-ascending steeds,
Fell, like a golden, torrent, while his head,
Answering his goddess sister's brief request,
Smiling he bowed,—and the clouds closed behind
His blazing wheels. Four of those giant's sires
Were gods, who with their earth-born sons might hold
Communion; wherefore Artemis, alone,
Deemed not her power sufficed for safe revenge;
Of which now sure, her course to earth she bent.
The night-work done, his friends Orion left
Their further preparations to complete,
Their further preparations to complete,
