Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/106

Though I could hold him fast with heavy chains,
Bound in perpetual imprisonment.
Tell me my vision was a baseless dream;
See, I am kneeling, and I kiss thy hands,—
In pity, look on me, before thy word
Condemns me to immortal misery! "
As he looked down, the infernal influence
Worked on his soul again ; for she was fair
Beyond imagination, and her brow
Seemed luminous with high self-sacrifice.
He bent and kissed her head, warm, shining, soft,
With its close-curling gold, and love revived.
But ere he spoke, he heard the distant sound
Of one sweet, smitten lyre, and a gleam
Of violent anger flashed across the face
Upraised to his in feigned simplicity
And singleness of purpose. Then he sprang,
Well-nigh a god himself, with sudden strength
To vanquish and resist, beyond her reach,
Crying, " My old Muse calls me, and I hear !
Thy fateful vision is no baseless dream ;
I will be gone from this accursed hall ! "
Then she, too, rose, dilating over him,
And sullen clouds veiled all her rosy limbs,
Unto her girdle, and her head appeared
Refulgent, and her voice rang wrathf Lilly :
" Have I cajoled and flattered thee till now,
To lose thee thus ! How wilt thou make escape ?
Once being mine, thou art forever mine :
Yea, not my lo,ve, but my poor slave and fool."