{ "id": "john-keats/lamia", "title": "Lamia", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "John Keats", "poet_slug": "john-keats", "language": "en", "book": "Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems", "book_slug": "lamia-isabella-the-eve-of-st-agnes-and-other-poems", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 1, "container": null, "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1820, "venue": "Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems (1820)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://archive.org/details/keatslamia" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/john-keats_poetry", "file": "poetry.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://archive.org/details/completepoetical01keat", "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005261190" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-12" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 708, "n_stanzas": 21, "n_parts": 2, "longest_line_chars": 63, "max_indent": 1 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [ { "ordinal": "I", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 0, 11 ] }, { "ordinal": "II", "title": null, "stanza_range": [ 11, 21 ] } ], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "Upon a time, before the faery broods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drove Nymph and Satyr from the prosperous woods,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before King Oberon’s bright diadem,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sceptre, and mantle, clasp’d with dewy gem,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Frighted away the Dryads and the Fauns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From rushes green, and brakes, and cowslipp’d lawns,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ever-smitten Hermes empty left", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His golden throne, bent warm on amorous theft;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From high Olympus had he stolen light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On this side of Jove’s clouds, to escape the sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of his great summer, and made retreat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into a forest on the shores of Crete.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For somewhere in that sacred island dwelt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A nymph, to whom all hoofed Satyrs knelt;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At whose white feet the languid Tritons poured", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pearls, while on land they wither’d and adored.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fast by the springs where she to bathe was wont,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in those meads where sometimes she might haunt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were strewn rich gifts, unknown to any Muse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though Fancy’s casket were unlock’d to choose.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ah, what a world of love was at her feet!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So Hermes thought, and a celestial heat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Burnt from his winged heels to either ear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That from a whiteness, as the lily clear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blush’d into roses ’mid his golden hair,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fallen in jealous curls about his shoulders bare.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "From vale to vale, from wood to wood, he flew,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Breathing upon the flowers his passion new,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wound with many a river to its head,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To find where this sweet nymph prepared her secret bed:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In vain; the sweet nymph might nowhere be found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And so he rested, on the lonely ground,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pensive, and full of painful jealousies", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the Wood Gods, and even the very trees.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There as he stood, he heard a mournful voice,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such as once heard, in gentle heart, destroys", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All pain but pity: thus the lone voice spake:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“When from this wreathed tomb shall I awake!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When move in a sweet body fit for life,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And love, and pleasure, and the ruddy strife", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of hearts and lips! Ah, miserable me!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The God, dove-footed, glided silently", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Round bush and tree, soft-brushing, in his speed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The taller grasses and full-flowering weed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until he found a palpitating snake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bright, and cirque-couchant in a dusky brake.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "She was a gordian shape of dazzling hue,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Vermilion-spotted, golden, green, and blue;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Striped like a zebra, freckled like a pard,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eyed like a peacock, and all crimson barr’d;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And full of silver moons, that, as she breathed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dissolved, or brighter shone, or interwreathed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their lustres with the gloomier tapestries⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So rainbow-sided, touch’d with miseries,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She seem’d, at once, some penanced lady elf,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some demon’s mistress, or the demon’s self.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon her crest she wore a wannish fire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sprinkled with stars, like Ariadne’s tiar:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her head was serpent, but ah, bitter-sweet!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She had a woman’s mouth with all its pearls complete:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And for her eyes⁠—what could such eyes do there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But weep, and weep, that they were born so fair?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As Proserpine still weeps for her Sicilian air.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her throat was serpent, but the words she spake", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came, as through bubbling honey, for Love’s sake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thus; while Hermes on his pinions lay,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like a stoop’d falcon ere he takes his prey:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Fair Hermes! crown’d with feathers, fluttering light,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "I had a splendid dream of thee last night:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I saw thee sitting, on a throne of gold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the Gods, upon Olympus old,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The only sad one; for thou didst not hear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The soft, lute-finger’d Muses chanting clear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor even Apollo when he sang alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deaf to his throbbing throat’s long, long melodious moan.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I dreamt I saw thee, robed in purple flakes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Break amorous through the clouds, as morning breaks,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, swiftly as a bright Phœbean dart,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Strike for the Cretan isle; and here thou art!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Too gentle Hermes, hast thou found the maid?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereat the star of Lethe not delay’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His rosy eloquence, and thus inquired:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Thou smooth-lipp’d serpent, surely high-inspired!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou beauteous wreath, with melancholy eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Possess whatever bliss thou canst devise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Telling me only where my nymph is fled,⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where she doth breathe!” “Bright planet, thou hast said,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Return’d the snake, “but seal with oaths, fair God!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I swear,” said Hermes, “by my serpent rod,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by thine eyes, and by thy starry crown!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Light flew his earnest words, among the blossoms blown.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then thus again the brilliance feminine:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Too frail of heart! for this lost nymph of thine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Free as the air, invisibly, she strays", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "About these thornless wilds; her pleasant days", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She tastes unseen; unseen her nimble feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Leave traces in the grass and flowers sweet;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From weary tendrils, and bow’d branches green,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She plucks the fruit unseen, she bathes unseen:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by my power is her beauty veil’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To keep it unaffronted, unassail’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By the love-glances of unlovely eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Satyrs, Fauns, and blear’d Silenus’ sighs.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pale grew her immortality, for woe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all these lovers, and she grieved so", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I took compassion on her, bade her steep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her hair in weïrd syrops, that would keep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her loveliness invisible, yet free", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To wander as she loves, in liberty.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou shalt behold her, Hermes, thou alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If thou wilt, as thou swearest, grant my boon!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then, once again, the charmed God began", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "An oath, and through the serpent’s ears it ran", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Warm, tremulous, devout, psalterian.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ravish’d she lifted her Circean head,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blush’d a live damask, and swift-lisping said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I was a woman, let me have once more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A woman’s shape, and charming as before.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I love a youth of Corinth⁠—O the bliss!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Give me my woman’s form, and place me where he is.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stoop, Hermes, let me breathe upon thy brow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thou shalt see thy sweet nymph even now.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The God on half-shut feathers sank serene,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She breathed upon his eyes, and swift was seen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of both the guarded nymph near-smiling on the green.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It was no dream; or say a dream it was,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Real are the dreams of Gods, and smoothly pass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their pleasures in a long immortal dream.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One warm, flush’d moment, hovering, it might seem", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dash’d by the wood-nymph’s beauty, so he burn’d;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then, lighting on the printless verdure, turn’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the swoon’d serpent, and with languid arm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Delicate, put to proof the lithe Caducean charm.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So done, upon the nymph his eyes he bent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full of adoring tears and blandishment,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And towards her stept: she, like a moon in wane,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Faded before him, cower’d, nor could restrain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her fearful sobs, self-folding like a flower", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That faints into itself at evening hour:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But the God fostering her chilled hand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She felt the warmth, her eyelids open’d bland,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, like new flowers at morning song of bees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bloom’d, and gave up her honey to the lees.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into the green-recessed woods they flew;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor grew they pale, as mortal lovers do.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Left to herself, the serpent now began", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "To change; her elfin blood in madness ran,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her mouth foam’d, and the grass, therewith besprent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wither’d at dew so sweet and virulent;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her eyes in torture fix’d, and anguish drear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hot, glazed, and wide, with lid-lashes all sear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flash’d phosphor and sharp sparks, without one cooling tear.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The colours all inflamed throughout her train,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She writhed about, convulsed with scarlet pain:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A deep volcanian yellow took the place", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all her milder-mooned body’s grace;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, as the lava ravishes the mead,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spoilt all her silver mail, and golden brede:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made gloom of all her frecklings, streaks and bars,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eclipsed her crescents, and lick’d up her stars:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So that, in moments few, she was undrest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all her sapphires, greens, and amethyst,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And rubious-argent: of all these bereft,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nothing but pain and ugliness were left.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Still shone her crown; that vanish’d, also she", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Melted and disappear’d as suddenly;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in the air, her new voice luting soft,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cried, “Lycius! gentle Lycius!”⁠—Borne aloft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With the bright mists about the mountains hoar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These words dissolved: Crete’s forests heard no more.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Whither fled Lamia, now a lady bright,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A full-born beauty new and exquisite?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She fled into that valley they pass o’er", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who go to Corinth from Cenchreas’ shore;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And rested at the foot of those wild hills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rugged founts of the Peræan rills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And of that other ridge whose barren back", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stretches, with all its mist and cloudy rack,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "South-westward to Cleone. There she stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "About a young bird’s flutter from a wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fair, on a sloping green of mossy tread,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By a clear pool, wherein she passioned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To see herself escaped from so sore ills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While her robes flaunted with the daffodils.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Ah, happy Lycius!⁠—for she was a maid", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "More beautiful than ever twisted braid,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or sigh’d, or blush’d, or on spring-flowered lea", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spread a green kirtle to the minstrelsy:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A virgin purest lipp’d, yet in the lore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of love deep learned to the red heart’s core:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not one hour old, yet of sciential brain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To unperplex bliss from its neighbour pain;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Define their pettish limits, and estrange", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their points of contact, and swift counterchange;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Intrigue with the specious chaos, and dispart", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Its most ambiguous atoms with sure art;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As though in Cupid’s college she had spent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet days a lovely graduate, still unshent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And kept his rosy terms in idle languishment.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Why this fair creature chose so fairily", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "By the wayside to linger, we shall see;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But first ’tis fit to tell how she could muse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And dream, when in the serpent prison-house,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all she list, strange or magnificent:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How, ever, where she will’d, her spirit went;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether to faint Elysium, or where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down through tress-lifting waves the Nereids fair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wind into Thetis’ bower by many a pearly stair;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or where God Bacchus drains his cups divine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stretch’d out, at ease, beneath a glutinous pine;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or where in Pluto’s gardens palatine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mulciber’s columns gleam in far piazzian line.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And sometimes into cities she would send", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her dream, with feast and rioting to blend;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And once, while among mortals dreaming thus,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She saw the young Corinthian Lycius", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Charioting foremost in the envious race,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like a young Jove with calm uneager face,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fell into a swooning love of him.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now on the moth-time of that evening dim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He would return that way, as well she knew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To Corinth from the shore; for freshly blew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The eastern soft wind, and his galley now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grated the quay-stones with her brazen prow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In port Cenchreas, from Egina isle", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fresh anchor’d; whither he had been awhile", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To sacrifice to Jove, whose temple there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Waits with high marble doors for blood and incense rare.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Jove heard his vows, and better’d his desire;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For by some freakful chance he made retire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From his companions, and set forth to walk,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perhaps grown wearied of their Corinth talk:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Over the solitary hills he fared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thoughtless at first, but ere eve’s star appear’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His phantasy was lost, where reason fades,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the calm’d twilight of Platonic shades.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lamia beheld him coming, near, more near⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Close to her passing, in indifference drear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His silent sandals swept the mossy green;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So neighbour’d to him, and yet so unseen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She stood: he pass’d, shut up in mysteries,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His mind wrapp’d like his mantle, while her eyes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Follow’d his steps, and her neck regal white", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turn’d⁠—syllabling thus, “Ah, Lycius bright!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And will you leave me on the hills alone?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius, look back! and be some pity shown.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He did; not with cold wonder fearingly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But Orpheus-like at an Eurydice;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For so delicious were the words she sung,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It seem’d he had loved them a whole summer long:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And soon his eyes had drunk her beauty up,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Leaving no drop in the bewildering cup,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And still the cup was full,⁠—while he, afraid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest she should vanish ere his lips had paid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Due adoration, thus began to adore;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her soft look growing coy, she saw his chain so sure:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Leave thee alone! Look back! Ah, Goddess, see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether my eyes can ever turn from thee!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For pity do not this sad heart belie⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Even as thou vanishest so I shall die.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stay! though a Naiad of the rivers, stay!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thy far wishes will thy streams obey:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stay! though the greenest woods be thy domain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Alone they can drink up the morning rain:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though a descended Pleiad, will not one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thine harmonious sisters keep in tune", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy spheres, and as thy silver proxy shine?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So sweetly to these ravish’d ears of mine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came thy sweet greeting, that if thou shouldst fade,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy memory will waste me to a shade:⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For pity do not melt!”⁠—“If I should stay,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Said Lamia, “here, upon this floor of clay,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And pain my steps upon these flowers too rough,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What canst thou say or do of charm enough", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To dull the nice remembrance of my home?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou canst not ask me with thee here to roam", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Over these hills and vales, where no joy is,⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Empty of immortality and bliss!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou art a scholar, Lycius, and must know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That finer spirits cannot breathe below", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In human climes, and live: Alas! poor youth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What taste of purer air hast thou to soothe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My essence? What serener palaces,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where I may all my many senses please,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And by mysterious sleights a hundred thirsts appease?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It cannot be⁠—Adieu!” So said, she rose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tiptoe with white arms spread. He, sick to lose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The amorous promise of her lone complain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Swoon’d murmuring of love, and pale with pain.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The cruel lady, without any show", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sorrow for her tender favourite’s woe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But rather, if her eyes could brighter be,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With brighter eyes and slow amenity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Put her new lips to his, and gave afresh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The life she had so tangled in her mesh:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And as he from one trance was weakening", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into another, she began to sing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Happy in beauty, life, and love, and every thing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A song of love, too sweet for earthly lyres,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While, like held breath, the stars drew in their panting fires.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And then she whisper’d in such trembling tone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As those who, safe together met alone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For the first time through many anguish’d days,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Use other speech than looks; bidding him raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His drooping head, and clear his soul of doubt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For that she was a woman, and without", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Any more subtle fluid in her veins", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than throbbing blood, and that the self-same pains", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inhabited her frail-strung heart as his.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And next she wonder’d how his eyes could miss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her face so long in Corinth, where, she said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She dwelt but half retired, and there had led", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Days happy as the gold coin could invent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without the aid of love; yet in content", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till she saw him, as once she pass’d him by,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where ’gainst a column he leant thoughtfully", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At Venus’ temple porch, ’mid baskets heap’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of amorous herbs and flowers, newly reap’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Late on that eve, as ’twas the night before", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Adonian feast; whereof she saw no more,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But wept alone those days, for why should she adore?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius from death awoke into amaze,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To see her still, and singing so sweet lays;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then from amaze into delight he fell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To hear her whisper woman’s lore so well;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And every word she spake enticed him on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To unperplex’d delight and pleasure known.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let the mad poets say whate’er they please", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the sweets of Fairies, Peris, Goddesses,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There is not such a treat among them all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Haunters of cavern, lake, and waterfall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As a real woman, lineal indeed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Pyrrha’s pebbles or old Adam’s seed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus gentle Lamia judged, and judged aright,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That Lycius could not love in half a fright,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So threw the goddess off, and won his heart", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More pleasantly by playing woman’s part,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With no more awe than what her beauty gave,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That, while it smote, still guaranteed to save.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius to all made eloquent reply,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Marrying to every word a twin-born sigh:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And last, pointing to Corinth, ask’d her sweet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If ’twas too far that night for her soft feet.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The way was short, for Lamia’s eagerness", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made, by a spell, the triple league decrease", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To a few paces; not at all surmised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By blinded Lycius, so in her comprised:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They pass’d the city gates, he knew not how,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So noiseless, and he never thought to know.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "As men talk in a dream, so Corinth all,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Throughout her palaces imperial,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all her populous streets and temples lewd,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mutter’d, like tempest in the distance brew’d,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the wide-spreaded night above her towers.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Men, women, rich and poor, in the cool hours,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shuffled their sandals o’er the pavement white,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Companion’d or alone; while many a light", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flared, here and there, from wealthy festivals,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And threw their moving shadows on the walls,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or found them cluster’d in the corniced shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of some arch’d temple door, or dusky colonnade.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Muffling his face, of greeting friends in fear,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Her fingers he press’d hard, as one came near", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With curl’d gray beard, sharp eyes, and smooth bald crown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Slow-stepp’d, and robed in philosophic gown:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius shrank closer, as they met and past,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into his mantle, adding wings to haste,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While hurried Lamia trembled: “Ah,” said he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why do you shudder, love, so ruefully?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why does your tender palm dissolve in dew?”⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I’m wearied,” said fair Lamia: “tell me who", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is that old man? I cannot bring to mind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His features:⁠—Lycius! wherefore did you blind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yourself from his quick eyes?” Lycius replied,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“ ’Tis Apollonius sage, my trusty guide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And good instructor; but to-night he seems", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ghost of folly haunting my sweet dreams.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "While yet he spake they had arrived before", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "A pillar’d porch, with lofty portal door,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where hung a silver lamp, whose phosphor glow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reflected in the slabbed steps below,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mild as a star in water; for so new", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And so unsullied was the marble hue,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So through the crystal polish, liquid fine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ran the dark veins, that none but feet divine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Could e’er have touch’d there. Sounds Æolian", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Breathed from the hinges, as the ample span", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of the wide doors disclosed a place unknown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some time to any, but those two alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And a few Persian mutes, who that same year", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were seen about the markets: none knew where", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They could inhabit; the most curious", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were foil’d, who watch’d to trace them to their house:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And but the flitter-winged verse must tell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For truth’s sake, what woe afterwards befell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twould humour many a heart to leave them thus,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shut from the busy world of more incredulous.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Love in a hut, with water and a crust,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is⁠—Love, forgive us!⁠—cinders, ashes, dust;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Love in a palace is perhaps at last", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More grievous torment than a hermit’s fast:⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That is a doubtful tale from faery land,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hard for the non-elect to understand.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had Lycius lived to hand his story down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He might have given the moral a fresh frown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or clench’d it quite: but too short was their bliss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To breed distrust and hate, that make the soft voice hiss.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Besides, there, nightly, with terrific glare,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Love, jealous grown of so complete a pair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hover’d and buzz’d his wings, with fearful roar,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Above the lintel of their chamber door,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And down the passage cast a glow upon the floor.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "For all this came a ruin: side by side", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "They were enthroned, in the even tide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon a couch, near to a curtaining", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose airy texture, from a golden string,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Floated into the room, and let appear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unveil’d the summer heaven, blue and clear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Betwixt two marble shafts:⁠—there they reposed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where use had made it sweet, with eyelids closed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving a tithe which love still open kept,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That they might see each other while they almost slept;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When from the slope side of a suburb hill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deafening the swallow’s twitter, came a thrill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of trumpets⁠—Lycius started⁠—the sounds fled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But left a thought, a buzzing in his head.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For the first time, since first he harbour’d in", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That purple-lined palace of sweet sin,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His spirit pass’d beyond its golden bourn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into the noisy world almost forsworn.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The lady, ever watchful, penetrant,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw this with pain, so arguing a want", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of something more, more than her empery", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of joys; and she began to moan and sigh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because he mused beyond her, knowing well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That but a moment’s thought is passion’s passing bell.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why do you sigh, fair creature?” whisper’d he:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why do you think?” return’d she tenderly:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“You have deserted me;⁠—where am I now?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not in your heart while care weighs on your brow:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No, no, you have dismiss’d me; and I go", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From your breast houseless: aye, it must be so.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He answer’d, bending to her open eyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where he was mirror’d small in paradise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“My silver planet, both of eve and morn!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why will you plead yourself so sad forlorn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While I am striving how to fill my heart", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With deeper crimson, and a double smart?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How to entangle, trammel up and snare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Your soul in mine, and labyrinth you there,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like the hid scent in an unbudded rose?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aye, a sweet kiss⁠—you see your mighty woes.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My thoughts! shall I unveil them? Listen then!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What mortal hath a prize, that other men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May be confounded and abash’d withal,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But lets it sometimes pace abroad majestical,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And triumph, as in thee I should rejoice", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amid the hoarse alarm of Corinth’s voice.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let my foes choke, and my friends shout afar,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "While through the thronged streets your bridal car", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wheels round its dazzling spokes.”⁠—The lady’s cheek", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Trembled; she nothing said, but, pale and meek,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arose and knelt before him, wept a rain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of sorrows at his words; at last with pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To change his purpose. He thereat was stung,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Perverse, with stronger fancy to reclaim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her wild and timid nature to his aim;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Besides, for all his love, in self despite,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against his better self, he took delight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Luxurious in her sorrows, soft and new.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His passion, cruel grown, took on a hue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fierce and sanguineous as ’twas possible", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In one whose brow had no dark veins to swell.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fine was the mitigated fury, like", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Apollo’s presence when in act to strike", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The serpent⁠—Ha! the serpent! certes, she", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was none. She burnt, she loved the tyranny,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, all subdued, consented to the hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When to the bridal he should lead his paramour.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whispering in midnight silence, said the youth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Sure some sweet name thou hast, though, by my truth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have not ask’d it, ever thinking thee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not mortal, but of heavenly progeny,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As still I do. Hast any mortal name,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fit appellation for this dazzling frame?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or friends or kinsfolk on the citied earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To share our marriage feast and nuptial mirth?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I have no friends,” said Lamia, “no, not one;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My presence in wide Corinth hardly known:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My parents’ bones are in their dusty urns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sepulchred, where no kindled incense burns,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seeing all their luckless race are dead, save me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And I neglect the holy rite for thee.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Even as you list invite your many guests;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But if, as now it seems, your vision rests", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With any pleasure on me, do not bid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Old Apollonius⁠—from him keep me hid.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius, perplex’d at words so blind and blank,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made close inquiry; from whose touch she shrank,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Feigning a sleep; and he to the dull shade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of deep sleep in a moment was betray’d.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "It was the custom then to bring away", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "The bride from home at blushing shut of day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Veil’d, in a chariot, heralded along", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By strewn flowers, torches, and a marriage song,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With other pageants: but this fair unknown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had not a friend. So being left alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Lycius was gone to summon all his kin,)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And knowing surely she could never win", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His foolish heart from its mad pompousness,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She set herself, high-thoughted, how to dress", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The misery in fit magnificence.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She did so, but ’tis doubtful how and whence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came, and who were her subtle servitors.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "About the halls, and to and from the doors,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There was a noise of wings, till in short space", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The glowing banquet-room shone with wide-arched grace.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A haunting music, sole perhaps and lone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Supportress of the faery-roof, made moan", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Throughout, as fearful the whole charm might fade.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fresh carved cedar, mimicking a glade", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of palm and plantain, met from either side,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High in the midst, in honour of the bride:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two palms and then two plantains, and so on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From either side their stems branch’d one to one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All down the aisled place; and beneath all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There ran a stream of lamps straight on from wall to wall.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So canopied, lay an untasted feast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Teeming with odours. Lamia, regal drest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Silently paced about, and as she went,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In pale contented sort of discontent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mission’d her viewless servants to enrich", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fretted splendour of each nook and niche.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Between the tree-stems, marbled plain at first,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came jasper panels; then, anon, there burst", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forth creeping imagery of slighter trees,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with the larger wove in small intricacies.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Approving all, she faded at self-will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And shut the chamber up, close, hush’d and still,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Complete and ready for the revels rude,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When dreadful guests would come to spoil her solitude.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The day appear’d, and all the gossip rout.", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "O senseless Lycius! Madman! wherefore flout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The silent-blessing fate, warm cloister’d hours,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And show to common eyes these secret bowers?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The herd approach’d; each guest, with busy brain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arriving at the portal, gazed amain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And enter’d marvelling: for they knew the street,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Remember’d it from childhood all complete", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Without a gap, yet ne’er before had seen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That royal porch, that high-built fair demesne;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So in they hurried all, mazed, curious and keen:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save one, who look’d thereon with eye severe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with calm-planted steps walk’d in austere:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twas Apollonius: something too he laugh’d,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As though some knotty problem, that had daft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His patient thought, had now begun to thaw,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And solve and melt:⁠—’twas just as he foresaw.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He met within the murmurous vestibule", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "His young disciple. “ ’Tis no common rule,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius,” said he, “for uninvited guest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To force himself upon you, and infest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With an unbidden presence the bright throng", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of younger friends; yet must I do this wrong,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And you forgive me.” Lycius blush’d, and led", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The old man through the inner doors broadspread;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With reconciling words and courteous mien", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turning into sweet milk the sophist’s spleen.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Of wealthy lustre was the banquet-room,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Fill’d with pervading brilliance and perfume:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before each lucid panel fuming stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A censer fed with myrrh and spiced wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each by a sacred tripod held aloft,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose slender feet wide-swerved upon the soft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wool-woofed carpets: fifty wreaths of smoke", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From fifty censers their light voyage took", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To the high roof, still mimick’d as they rose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Along the mirror’d walls by twin-clouds odorous.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Twelve sphered tables, by silk seats inspher’d,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High as the level of a man’s breast rear’d", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On libbard’s paws, upheld the heavy gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of cups and goblets, and the store thrice told", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Ceres’ horn, and, in huge vessels, wine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came from the gloomy tun with merry shine.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus loaded with a feast the tables stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each shrining in the midst the image of a God.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "When in an antechamber every guest", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Had felt the cold full sponge to pleasure press’d,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By ministering slaves, upon his hands and feet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fragrant oils with ceremony meet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pour’d on his hair, they all moved to the feast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In white robes, and themselves in order placed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Around the silken couches, wondering", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whence all this mighty cost and blaze of wealth could spring.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Soft went the music the soft air along,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "While fluent Greek a vowel’d under-song", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kept up among the guests, discoursing low", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At first, for scarcely was the wine at flow;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But when the happy vintage touch’d their brains,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Louder they talk, and louder come the strains", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of powerful instruments:⁠—the gorgeous dyes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The space, the splendour of the draperies,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The roof of awful richness, nectarous cheer,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beautiful slaves, and Lamia’s self, appear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now, when the wine has done its rosy deed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And every soul from human trammels freed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more so strange; for merry wine, sweet wine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Will make Elysian shades not too fair, too divine.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Soon was God Bacchus at meridian height;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flush’d were their cheeks, and bright eyes double bright:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Garlands of every green, and every scent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From vales deflower’d, or forest-trees branch-rent,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In baskets of bright osier’d gold were brought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High as the handles heap’d, to suit the thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of every guest: that each, as he did please,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Might fancy-fit his brows, silk-pillow’d at his ease.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "What wreath for Lamia? What for Lycius?", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "What for the sage, old Apollonius?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon her aching forehead be there hung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The leaves of willow and of adder’s tongue;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And for the youth, quick, let us strip for him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The thyrsus, that his watching eyes may swim", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into forgetfulness; and, for the sage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let spear-grass and the spiteful thistle wage", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "War on his temples. Do not all charms fly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At the mere touch of cold philosophy?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There was an awful rainbow once in heaven:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We know her woof, her texture; she is given", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the dull catalogue of common things.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Philosophy will clip an Angel’s wings,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Conquer all mysteries by rule and line,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Empty the haunted air, and gnomed mine⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The tender-person’d Lamia melt into a shade.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "By her glad Lycius sitting, in chief place,", "indent": 1 }, { "text": "Scarce saw in all the room another face,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till, checking his love trance, a cup he took", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full brimm’d, and opposite sent forth a look", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Cross the broad table, to beseech a glance", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From his old teacher’s wrinkled countenance,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And pledge him. The bald-head philosopher", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had fix’d his eye, without a twinkle or stir,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Full on the alarmed beauty of the bride,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brow-beating her fair form, and troubling her sweet pride.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lycius then press’d her hand, with devout touch,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As pale it lay upon the rosy couch:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twas icy, and the cold ran through his veins;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then sudden it grew hot, and all the pains", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of an unnatural heat shot to his heart.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lamia, what means this? Wherefore dost thou start?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Know’st thou that man?” Poor Lamia answer’d not.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He gazed into her eyes, and not a jot", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Own’d they the lovelorn piteous appeal:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "More, more he gazed: his human senses reel:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some hungry spell that loveliness absorbs;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There was no recognition in those orbs:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lamia!” he cried⁠—and no soft-toned reply.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The many heard, and the loud revelry", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grew hush: the stately music no more breathes;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The myrtle sicken’d in a thousand wreaths.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By faint degrees, voice, lute, and pleasure ceased", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A deadly silence step by step increased,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Until it seem’d a horrid presence there,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And not a man but felt the terror in his hair.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lamia!” he shriek’d; and nothing but the shriek", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With its sad echo did the silence break.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Begone, foul dream!” he cried, gazing again", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the bride’s face, where now no azure vein", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wander’d on fair-spaced temples; no soft bloom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Misted the cheek; no passion to illume", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The deep-recessed vision:⁠—all was blight;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lamia, no longer fair, there sat a deadly white.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Shut, shut those juggling eyes, thou ruthless man!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Turn them aside, wretch! or the righteous ban", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all the Gods, whose dreadful images", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Here represent their shadowy presences,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May pierce them on the sudden with the thorn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of painful blindness; leaving thee forlorn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In trembling dotage to the feeblest fright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of conscience, for their long-offended might,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For all thine impious proud-heart sophistries,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unlawful magic, and enticing lies.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Corinthians! look upon that gray-beard wretch!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mark how, possess’d, his lashless eyelids stretch", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Around his demon eyes! Corinthians, see!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My sweet bride withers at their potency.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fool!” said the sophist, in an under-tone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gruff with contempt; which a death-nighing moan", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From Lycius answer’d, as heart-struck and lost,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He sank supine beside the aching ghost.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fool! Fool!” repeated he, while his eyes still", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Relented not, nor moved; “from every ill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of life have I preserved thee to this day,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And shall I see thee made a serpent’s prey?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then Lamia breathed death breath; the sophist’s eye,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like a sharp spear, went through her utterly,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Keen, cruel, perceant, stinging: she, as well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As her weak hand could any meaning tell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Motion’d him to be silent; vainly so,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He look’d and look’d again a level⁠—No!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“A serpent!” echoed he; no sooner said,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than with a frightful scream she vanished:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Lycius’ arms were empty of delight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As were his limbs of life, from that same night.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the high couch he lay!⁠—his friends came round⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Supported him⁠—no pulse or breath they found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, in its marriage robe, the heavy body wound.", "indent": 0 } ] ] }