72
Orion.
[Book II.
Remained not long in their august repose,
But sank to ruins, and re-formed in likeness
Of monstrous beasts in lands and seas unknown.
These gradually dilating, limb from limb,
And head from bulk, were drawn apart, and floated
Hither and thither, till in ridges strewn,
Like to a rich and newly-furrowed field,
Then breaking into purple isles and spots,
Faded to faintness, and dissolved in air.
But sank to ruins, and re-formed in likeness
Of monstrous beasts in lands and seas unknown.
These gradually dilating, limb from limb,
And head from bulk, were drawn apart, and floated
Hither and thither, till in ridges strewn,
Like to a rich and newly-furrowed field,
Then breaking into purple isles and spots,
Faded to faintness, and dissolved in air.
One midnight dark a spirit electric came,
And shot an invisible arrow through the sky,
Which instantly the wide-spread moisture called
To congregate in heavy drops, that fell
As suddenly. Like armies, host on host,
Pouring upon the mountains, vales, and plains,
The showers clashed down. Each runnel and thin stream
A branching brook became, or flowing river;
Each once small river rolled a goodly flood
With laughing falls, and many a Naiad bright
And rush-crowned River-god, was newly born,
While all the land-veins with fresh spirit ran
In this quick season of Orion's life.
And shot an invisible arrow through the sky,
Which instantly the wide-spread moisture called
To congregate in heavy drops, that fell
As suddenly. Like armies, host on host,
Pouring upon the mountains, vales, and plains,
The showers clashed down. Each runnel and thin stream
A branching brook became, or flowing river;
Each once small river rolled a goodly flood
With laughing falls, and many a Naiad bright
And rush-crowned River-god, was newly born,
While all the land-veins with fresh spirit ran
In this quick season of Orion's life.
