Canto II.]
Orion.
67
Less faithful, true, and honest, than the dog;
But hypocritical, which beasts are not,
Save in the fables which men make for them!
Into myself will I henceforth retire,
And find the world I dreamed of when a child.
Nor this alone; but worlds of higher mould
And loftier attributes shall roll before
My constant contemplation, in the cave
Of Akinetos, whom at times I'll seek,
And emulate his wisdom; ever right
In never moving, more than absolute need.
Thus shall I find my solace in disdain
Of earth's inhabitants, whom through city and field
I've found sheer clay, save in the visions bright,
Of Goddess, and of Nymph,———O Merope!
And where art thou, while idly thus I rave?
Runs there no hope—no fever through thy veins,
Like that which leaps and courses round my heart?
Shall I resign thee, passion-perfect maid,
Who in mortality's most finished work
Rank'st highest—and lov'st me, even as I love?
Rather possess thee with a ten-fold stress
Of love ungovernable, being denied?
'Gainst fraud what should I cast down in reply?—
But hypocritical, which beasts are not,
Save in the fables which men make for them!
Into myself will I henceforth retire,
And find the world I dreamed of when a child.
Nor this alone; but worlds of higher mould
And loftier attributes shall roll before
My constant contemplation, in the cave
Of Akinetos, whom at times I'll seek,
And emulate his wisdom; ever right
In never moving, more than absolute need.
Thus shall I find my solace in disdain
Of earth's inhabitants, whom through city and field
I've found sheer clay, save in the visions bright,
Of Goddess, and of Nymph,———O Merope!
And where art thou, while idly thus I rave?
Runs there no hope—no fever through thy veins,
Like that which leaps and courses round my heart?
Shall I resign thee, passion-perfect maid,
Who in mortality's most finished work
Rank'st highest—and lov'st me, even as I love?
Rather possess thee with a ten-fold stress
Of love ungovernable, being denied?
'Gainst fraud what should I cast down in reply?—
