Canto III.]
Orion.
83
Chosen; and from the palace now depart
In brazen chariots, richly armed, ten chiefs.
"Watch well your moment!"—lastly spake the king;
"Slay not outright—but make his future life
A blot—a blank!" They bent their high-plumed helms,
And through the gates in thunder whirled away.
In brazen chariots, richly armed, ten chiefs.
"Watch well your moment!"—lastly spake the king;
"Slay not outright—but make his future life
A blot—a blank!" They bent their high-plumed helms,
And through the gates in thunder whirled away.
Beyond the cedar forest lay the cliffs
That overhung the beach, but midway swept
Fair swelling lands, some green with brightest grass,
Some golden in the sun. Mute was the scene,
And moveless. Not a breeze came o'er the edge
Of the high-heaving fields and fallow lands;
Only the zephyrs at long intervals
Drew a deep sigh, as of some blissful thought,
Then swooned to silence. Not a bird was seen,
Nor heard: all marbly gleamed the steadfast sky.
Hither Orion slowly walked alone,
And passing round between two swelling slopes
Of green and golden light, beheld afar
The broad grey horizontal wall o' the dead-calm sea.
That overhung the beach, but midway swept
Fair swelling lands, some green with brightest grass,
Some golden in the sun. Mute was the scene,
And moveless. Not a breeze came o'er the edge
Of the high-heaving fields and fallow lands;
Only the zephyrs at long intervals
Drew a deep sigh, as of some blissful thought,
Then swooned to silence. Not a bird was seen,
Nor heard: all marbly gleamed the steadfast sky.
Hither Orion slowly walked alone,
And passing round between two swelling slopes
Of green and golden light, beheld afar
The broad grey horizontal wall o' the dead-calm sea.
O'ersteeped in bliss; prone on its ebbing tide;
With hope's completeness vaguely sorrowful,
With hope's completeness vaguely sorrowful,
