Pictures in Rhyme/Under the Snowy Steppes
UNDER THE SNOWY STEPPES
She ruled a wide domain; and he
Her steward's son, but just set free
On life, and breathing of passion ever,
Till under the snowy steppes, adown the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
He found a sepulchre.
She loved, and let her fancy range;
Such woman's love— the love of change,
Tired ere well begun, and constant never.
Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is a sepulchre.
She gazed upon that boyish face,
Ensnared him with voluptuous grace,
Bound body and soul her prisoner. Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is his sepulchre.
Her woven meshes interlaced
His being; clasped, in sin embraced,
He yielded him, willing idolater.
Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is his sepulchre.
Her love burnt bright till, gorged, o'er-fed—
Love born of lust is soonest dead!—
To loose his bonds was her endeavour.
Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is his sepulchre.
His love consumed his inmost soul,
Resistless, passed beyond control;
From his love with life he could not sever. Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is his sepulchre.
He urged his love with passionate force;
She offered gold, and said, 'One course
Is open: depart, and see me never.'
Under the snowy steppes, down the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,
Is his sepulchre.
Then laughed. That laugh, hell-echoed, stirred
His bosom's core. She pass'd. He heard
That laugh ring on in his ears for ever;
Till under the snowy steppes, adown the silent river,
Where the dark pines gather, where their dark plumes quiver,