{
 "id": "oscar-wilde/charmides",
 "title": "Charmides",
 "poet": "Oscar Wilde",
 "poet_slug": "oscar-wilde",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Poems",
 "book_slug": "poems",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": 7,
 "container": null,
 "epigraph": null,
 "first_published": {
  "year": 1881,
  "venue": "Poems (1881)",
  "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.",
  "uncertain": false,
  "sources": [
   "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1057"
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   "https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wasted_Days_(from_a_Picture_Painted_by_Miss_V._T.)",
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  ],
  "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)"
 },
 "verification": {
  "level": "structural-only",
  "last_checked": "2026-08-12"
 },
 "stats": {
  "n_lines": 666,
  "n_stanzas": 111,
  "n_parts": 3,
  "longest_line_chars": 72,
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  {
   "ordinal": "I",
   "title": null,
   "stanza_range": [
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  {
   "ordinal": "II",
   "title": null,
   "stanza_range": [
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  },
  {
   "ordinal": "III",
   "title": null,
   "stanza_range": [
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 ],
 "stanzas": [
  [
   {
    "text": "He was a Grecian lad, who coming home",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With pulpy figs and wine from Sicily",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Stood at his galley’s prow, and let the foam",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Blow through his crisp brown curls unconsciously,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And holding wave and wind in boy’s despite",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Peered from his dripping seat across the wet and stormy night.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Till with the dawn he saw a burnished spear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like a thin thread of gold against the sky,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And hoisted sail, and strained the creaking gear,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bade the pilot head her lustily",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Against the nor’west gale, and all day long",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Held on his way, and marked the rowers’ time with measured song.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when the faint Corinthian hills were red",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dropped anchor in a little sandy bay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And with fresh boughs of olive crowned his head,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And brushed from cheek and throat the hoary spray,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And washed his limbs with oil, and from the hold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Brought out his linen tunic and his sandals brazen-soled,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And a rich robe stained with the fishes’ juice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which of some swarthy trader he had bought",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the sunny quay at Syracuse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And was with Tyrian broideries inwrought,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And by the questioning merchants made his way",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Up through the soft and silver woods, and when the labouring day",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Had spun its tangled web of crimson cloud,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Clomb the high hill, and with swift silent feet",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Crept to the fane unnoticed by the crowd",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of busy priests, and from some dark retreat",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Watched the young swains his frolic playmates bring",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The firstling of their little flock, and the shy shepherd fling",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The crackling salt upon the flame, or hang",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His studded crook against the temple wall",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To Her who keeps away the ravenous fang",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of the base wolf from homestead and from stall;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And then the clear-voiced maidens ’gan to sing,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And to the altar each man brought some goodly offering,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "A beechen cup brimming with milky foam,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A fair cloth wrought with cunning imagery",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of hounds in chase, a waxen honey-comb",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dripping with oozy gold which scarce the bee",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had ceased from building, a black skin of oil",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meet for the wrestlers, a great boar the fierce and white-tusked spoil",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Stolen from Artemis that jealous maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To please Athena, and the dappled hide",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of a tall stag who in some mountain glade",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had met the shaft; and then the herald cried,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the pillared precinct one by one",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Went the glad Greeks well pleased that they their simple vows had done.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And the old priest put out the waning fires",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Save that one lamp whose restless ruby glowed",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For ever in the cell, and the shrill lyres",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came fainter on the wind, as down the road",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In joyous dance these country folk did pass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And with stout hands the warder closed the gates of polished brass.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Long time he lay and hardly dared to breathe,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And heard the cadenced drip of spilt-out wine,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the rose-petals falling from the wreath",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As the night breezes wandered through the shrine,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And seemed to be in some entrancèd swoon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till through the open roof above the full and brimming moon",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Flooded with sheeny waves the marble floor,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When from his nook up leapt the venturous lad,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And flinging wide the cedar-carven door",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beheld an awful image saffron-clad",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And armed for battle! the gaunt Griffin glared",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the huge helm, and the long lance of wreck and ruin flared",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Like a red rod of flame, stony and steeled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Gorgon’s head its leaden eyeballs rolled,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And writhed its snaky horrors through the shield,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And gaped aghast with bloodless lips and cold",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In passion impotent, while with blind gaze",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The blinking owl between the feet hooted in shrill amaze.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The lonely fisher as he trimmed his lamp",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far out at sea off Sunium, or cast",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The net for tunnies, heard a brazen tramp",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of horses smite the waves, and a wild blast",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Divide the folded curtains of the night,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And knelt upon the little poop, and prayed in holy fright.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And guilty lovers in their venery",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forgat a little while their stolen sweets,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Deeming they heard dread Dian’s bitter cry;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the grim watchmen on their lofty seats",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ran to their shields in haste precipitate,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or strained black-bearded throats across the dusky parapet.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "For round the temple rolled the clang of arms,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the twelve Gods leapt up in marble fear,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the air quaked with dissonant alarums",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till huge Poseidon shook his mighty spear,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on the frieze the prancing horses neighed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the low tread of hurrying feet rang from the cavalcade.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Ready for death with parted lips he stood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And well content at such a price to see",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That calm wide brow, that terrible maidenhood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The marvel of that pitiless chastity,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ah! well content indeed, for never wight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Since Troy’s young shepherd prince had seen so wonderful a sight.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Ready for death he stood, but lo! the air",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grew silent, and the horses ceased to neigh,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And off his brow he tossed the clustering hair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from his limbs he throw the cloak away;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For whom would not such love make desperate?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And nigher came, and touched her throat, and with hands violate",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Undid the cuirass, and the crocus gown,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bared the breasts of polished ivory,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Till from the waist the peplos falling down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Left visible the secret mystery",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which to no lover will Athena show,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The grand cool flanks, the crescent thighs, the bossy hills of snow.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Those who have never known a lover’s sin",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Let them not read my ditty, it will be",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To their dull ears so musicless and thin",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That they will have no joy of it, but ye",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To whose wan cheeks now creeps the lingering smile,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ye who have learned who Eros is⁠—O listen yet awhile.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "A little space he let his greedy eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rest on the burnished image, till mere sight",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Half swooned for surfeit of such luxuries,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And then his lips in hungering delight",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Fed on her lips, and round the towered neck",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He flung his arms, nor cared at all his passion’s will to check.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Never I ween did lover hold such tryst,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For all night long he murmured honeyed word,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And saw her sweet unravished limbs, and kissed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her pale and argent body undisturbed,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And paddled with the polished throat, and pressed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His hot and beating heart upon her chill and icy breast.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "It was as if Numidian javelins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pierced through and through his wild and whirling brain,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And his nerves thrilled like throbbing violins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In exquisite pulsation, and the pain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Was such sweet anguish that he never drew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His lips from hers till overhead the lark of warning flew.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "They who have never seen the daylight peer",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into a darkened room, and drawn the curtain,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And with dull eyes and wearied from some dear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And worshipped body risen, they for certain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Will never know of what I try to sing,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How long the last kiss was, how fond and late his lingering.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The moon was girdled with a crystal rim,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The sign which shipmen say is ominous",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of wrath in heaven, the wan stars were dim,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the low lightening east was tremulous",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With the faint fluttering wings of flying dawn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere from the silent sombre shrine this lover had withdrawn.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Down the steep rock with hurried feet and fast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Clomb the brave lad, and reached the cave of Pan,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And heard the goat-foot snoring as he passed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And leapt upon a grassy knoll and ran",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Like a young fawn unto an olive wood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which in a shady valley by the well-built city stood.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And sought a little stream, which well he knew,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For oftentimes with boyish careless shout",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The green and crested grebe he would pursue,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or snare in woven net the silver trout,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And down amid the startled reeds he lay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Panting in breathless sweet affright, and waited for the day.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "On the green bank he lay, and let one hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dip in the cool dark eddies listlessly,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And soon the breath of morning came and fanned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His hot flushed cheeks, or lifted wantonly",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The tangled curls from off his forehead, while",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He on the running water gazed with strange and secret smile.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And soon the shepherd in rough woollen cloak",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With his long crook undid the wattled cotes,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the stack a thin blue wreath of smoke",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Curled through the air across the ripening oats,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on the hill the yellow house-dog bayed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As through the crisp and rustling fern the heavy cattle strayed.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when the light-foot mower went afield",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Across the meadows laced with threaded dew,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the sheep bleated on the misty weald,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from its nest the waking corncrake flew,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Some woodmen saw him lying by the stream",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And marvelled much that any lad so beautiful could seem,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Nor deemed him born of mortals, and one said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“It is young Hylas, that false runaway",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Who with a Naiad now would make his bed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forgetting Herakles,” but others, “Nay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "It is Narcissus, his own paramour,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Those are the fond and crimson lips no woman can allure.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when they nearer came a third one cried,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“It is young Dionysos who has hid",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His spear and fawnskin by the river side",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Weary of hunting with the Bassarid,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And wise indeed were we away to fly,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They live not long who on the gods immortal come to spy.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So turned they back, and feared to look behind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And told the timid swain how they had seen",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Amid the reeds some woodland God reclined,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And no man dared to cross the open green,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on that day no olive-tree was slain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor rushes cut, but all deserted was the fair domain,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Save when the neat-herd’s lad, his empty pail",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Well slung upon his back, with leap and bound",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Raced on the other side, and stopped to hail,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hoping that he some comrade new had found,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And gat no answer, and then half afraid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Passed on his simple way, or down the still and silent glade",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "A little girl ran laughing from the farm,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not thinking of love’s secret mysteries,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And when she saw the white and gleaming arm",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all his manlihood, with longing eyes",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose passion mocked her sweet virginity",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Watched him awhile, and then stole back sadly and wearily.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Far off he heard the city’s hum and noise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now and then the shriller laughter where",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The passionate purity of brown-limbed boys",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wrestled or raced in the clear healthful air,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And now and then a little tinkling bell",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As the shorn wether led the sheep down to the mossy well.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Through the grey willows danced the fretful gnat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The grasshopper chirped idly from the tree,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In sleek and oily coat the water-rat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Breasting the little ripples manfully",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Made for the wild-duck’s nest, from bough to bough",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hopped the shy finch, and the huge tortoise crept across the slough.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "On the faint wind floated the silky seeds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As the bright scythe swept through the waving grass,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The ousel-cock splashed circles in the reeds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And flecked with silver whorls the forest’s glass,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which scarce had caught again its imagery",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere from its bed the dusky tench leapt at the dragon-fly.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But little care had he for any thing",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though up and down the beech the squirrel played,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the copse the linnet ’gan to sing",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To its brown mate its sweetest serenade;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ah! little care indeed, for he had seen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The breasts of Pallas and the naked wonder of the Queen.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when the herdsman called his straggling goats",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With whistling pipe across the rocky road,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the shard-beetle with its trumpet-notes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Boomed through the darkening woods, and seemed to bode",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of coming storm, and the belated crane",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Passed homeward like a shadow, and the dull big drops of rain",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Fell on the pattering fig-leaves, up he rose,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the gloomy forest went his way",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Past sombre homestead and wet orchard-close,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And came at last unto a little quay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And called his mates aboard, and took his seat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On the high poop, and pushed from land, and loosed the dripping sheet,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And steered across the bay, and when nine suns",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Passed down the long and laddered way of gold,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And nine pale moons had breathed their orisons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To the chaste stars their confessors, or told",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Their dearest secret to the downy moth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That will not fly at noonday, through the foam and surging froth",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Came a great owl with yellow sulphurous eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lit upon the ship, whose timbers creaked",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As though the lading of three argosies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Were in the hold, and flapped its wings and shrieked,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And darkness straightway stole across the deep,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sheathed was Orion’s sword, dread Mars himself fled down the steep,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And the moon hid behind a tawny mask",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of drifting cloud, and from the ocean’s marge",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Rose the red plume, the huge and hornèd casque,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The seven-cubit spear, the brazen targe!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And clad in bright and burnished panoply",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Athena strode across the stretch of sick and shivering sea!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To the dull sailors’ sight her loosened looks",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seemed like the jagged storm-rack, and her feet",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Only the spume that floats on hidden rocks,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, marking how the rising waters beat",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Against the rolling ship, the pilot cried",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To the young helmsman at the stern to luff to windward side.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But he, the overbold adulterer,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A dear profaner of great mysteries,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "An ardent amorous idolater,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When he beheld those grand relentless eyes",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Laughed loud for joy, and crying out “I come”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leapt from the lofty poop into the chill and churning foam.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then fell from the high heaven one bright star,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One dancer left the circling galaxy,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And back to Athens on her clattering car",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In all the pride of venged divinity",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Pale Pallas swept with shrill and steely clank,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And a few gurgling bubbles rose where her boy lover sank.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And the mast shuddered as the gaunt owl flew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With mocking hoots after the wrathful Queen,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the old pilot bade the trembling crew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hoist the big sail, and told how he had seen",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Close to the stern a dim and giant form,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And like a dipping swallow the stout ship dashed through the storm.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And no man dared to speak of Charmides",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deeming that he some evil thing had wrought,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And when they reached the strait Symplegades",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They beached their galley on the shore, and sought",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The toll-gate of the city hastily,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in the market showed their brown and pictured pottery.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But some good Triton-god had ruth, and bare",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The boy’s drowned body back to Grecian land,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And mermaids combed his dank and dripping hair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And smoothed his brow, and loosed his clenching hand;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Some brought sweet spices from far Araby,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And others bade the halcyon sing her softest lullaby.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when he neared his old Athenian home,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A mighty billow rose up suddenly",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon whose oily back the clotted foam",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay diapered in some strange fantasy,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And clasping him unto its glassy breast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Swept landward, like a white-maned steed upon a venturous quest!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Now where Colonos leans unto the sea",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There lies a long and level stretch of lawn,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The rabbit knows it, and the mountain bee",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For it deserts Hymettus, and the Faun",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Is not afraid, for never through the day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Comes a cry ruder than the shout of shepherd lads at play.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But often from the thorny labyrinth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And tangled branches of the circling wood",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The stealthy hunter sees young Hyacinth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hurling the polished disk, and draws his hood",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Over his guilty gaze, and creeps away,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor dares to wind his horn, or⁠—else at the first break of day",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The Dryads come and throw the leathern ball",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Along the reedy shore, and circumvent",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Some goat-eared Pan to be their seneschal",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For fear of bold Poseidon’s ravishment,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And loose their girdles, with shy timorous eyes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest from the surf his azure arms and purple beard should rise.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "On this side and on that a rocky cave,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hung with the yellow-belled laburnum, stands,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Smooth is the beach, save where some ebbing wave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leaves its faint outline etched upon the sands,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As though it feared to be too soon forgot",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By the green rush, its playfellow⁠—and yet, it is a spot",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So small, that the inconstant butterfly",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Could steal the hoarded money from each flower",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere it was noon, and still not satisfy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Its over-greedy love⁠—within an hour",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A sailor boy, were he but rude enow",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To land and pluck a garland for his galley’s painted prow,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Would almost leave the little meadow bare,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For it knows nothing of great pageantry,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Only a few narcissi here and there",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stand separate in sweet austerity,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Dotting the unmown grass with silver stars,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And here and there a daffodil waves tiny scimitars.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Hither the billow brought him, and was glad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of such dear servitude, and where the land",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Was virgin of all waters laid the lad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the golden margent of the strand,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And like a lingering lover oft returned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To kiss those pallid limbs which once with intense fire burned,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Ere the wet seas had quenched that holocaust,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That self-fed flame, that passionate lustihead,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere grisly death with chill and nipping frost",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had withered up those lilies white and red",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which, while the boy would through the forest range,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Answered each other in a sweet antiphonal counter-change.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when at dawn the wood-nymphs, hand-in-hand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Threaded the bosky dell, their satyr spied",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The boy’s pale body stretched upon the sand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And feared Poseidon’s treachery, and cried,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And like bright sunbeams flitting through a glade",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Each startled Dryad sought some safe and leafy ambuscade.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Save one white girl, who deemed it would not be",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So dread a thing to feel a sea-god’s arms",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Crushing her breasts in amorous tyranny,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And longed to listen to those subtle charms",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Insidious lovers weave when they would win",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some fencèd fortress, and stole back again, nor thought it sin",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To yield her treasure unto one so fair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lay beside him, thirsty with love’s drouth,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Called him soft names, played with his tangled hair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And with hot lips made havoc of his mouth",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Afraid he might not wake, and then afraid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest he might wake too soon, fled back, and then, fond renegade,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Returned to fresh assault, and all day long",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sat at his side, and laughed at her new toy,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And held his hand, and sang her sweetest song,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then frowned to see how froward was the boy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Who would not with her maidenhood entwine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor knew that three days since his eyes had looked on Proserpine,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Nor knew what sacrilege his lips had done,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But said, “He will awake, I know him well,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He will awake at evening when the sun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hangs his red shield on Corinth’s citadel,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "This sleep is but a cruel treachery",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make me love him more, and in some cavern of the sea",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Deeper than ever falls the fisher’s line",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Already a huge Triton blows his horn,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And weaves a garland from the crystalline",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And drifting ocean-tendrils to adorn",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The emerald pillars of our bridal bed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For sphered in foaming silver, and with coral-crownèd head,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "We two will sit upon a throne of pearl,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And a blue wave will be our canopy,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And at our feet the water-snakes will curl",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In all their amethystine panoply",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of diamonded mail, and we will mark",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The mullets swimming by the mast of some storm-foundered bark,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Vermilion-finned with eyes of bossy gold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like flakes of crimson light, and the great deep",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His glassy-portaled chamber will unfold,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And we will see the painted dolphins sleep",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Cradled by murmuring halcyons on the rocks",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where Proteus in quaint suit of green pastures his monstrous flocks.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And tremulous opal-hued anemones",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will wave their purple fringes where we tread",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the mirrored floor, and argosies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of fishes flecked with tawny scales will thread",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The drifting cordage of the shattered wreck,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And honey-coloured amber beads our twining limbs will deck.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when that baffled Lord of War the Sun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With gaudy pennon flying passed away",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Into his brazen House, and one by one",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The little yellow stars began to stray",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Across the field of heaven, ah! then indeed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She feared his lips upon her lips would never care to feed,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And cried, “Awake, already the pale moon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Washes the trees with silver, and the wave",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Creeps grey and chilly up this sandy dune,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The croaking frogs are out, and from the cave",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The nightjar shrieks, the fluttering bats repass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the brown stoat with hollow flanks creeps through the dusky grass.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Nay, though thou art a God, be not so coy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For in yon stream there is a little reed",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That often whispers how a lovely boy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay with her once upon a grassy mead,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Who when his cruel pleasure he had done",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Spread wings of rustling gold and soared aloft into the sun.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Be not so coy, the laurel trembles still",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With great Apollo’s kisses, and the fir",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose clustering sisters fringe the seaward hill",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hath many a tale of that bold ravisher",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whom men call Boreas, and I have seen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The mocking eyes of Hermes through the poplar’s silvery sheen.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Even the jealous Naiads call me fair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And every morn a young and ruddy swain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Woos me with apples and with locks of hair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And seeks to soothe my virginal disdain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "By all the gifts the gentle wood-nymphs love;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But yesterday he brought to me an iris-plumaged dove",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "With little crimson feet, which with its store",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of seven spotted eggs the cruel lad",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had stolen from the lofty sycamore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At daybreak, when her amorous comrade had",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flown off in search of berried juniper",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which most they love; the fretful wasp, that earliest vintager",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Of the blue grapes, hath not persistency",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So constant as this simple shepherd-boy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For my poor lips, his joyous purity",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And laughing sunny eyes might well decoy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A Dryad from her oath to Artemis;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For very beautiful is he, his mouth was made to kiss,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "His argent forehead, like a rising moon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Over the dusky hills of meeting brows,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Is crescent shaped, the hot and Tyrian noon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leads from the myrtle-grove no goodlier spouse",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For Cytheraea, the first silky down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fringes his blushing cheeks, and his young limbs are strong and brown:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And he is rich, and fat and fleecy herds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of bleating sheep upon his meadows lie,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And many an earthen bowl of yellow curds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is in his homestead for the thievish fly",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To swim and drown in, the pink clover mead",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Keeps its sweet store for him, and he can pipe on oaten reed.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And yet I love him not, it was for thee",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I kept my love, I knew that thou would’st come",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To rid me of this pallid chastity;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou fairest flower of the flowerless foam",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all the wide Aegean, brightest star",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of ocean’s azure heavens where the mirrored planets are!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I knew that thou would’st come, for when at first",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The dry wood burgeoned, and the sap of spring",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Swelled in my green and tender bark or burst",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To myriad multitudinous blossoming",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which mocked the midnight with its mimic moons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That did not dread the dawn, and first the thrushes’ rapturous tunes",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Startled the squirrel from its granary,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And cuckoo flowers fringed the narrow lane,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Through my young leaves a sensuous ecstasy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Crept like new wine, and every mossy vein",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Throbbed with the fitful pulse of amorous blood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the wild winds of passion shook my slim stem’s maidenhood.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The trooping fawns at evening came and laid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their cool black noses on my lowest boughs,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on my topmost branch the blackbird made",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A little nest of grasses for his spouse,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And now and then a twittering wren would light",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On a thin twig which hardly bare the weight of such delight.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I was the Attic shepherd’s trysting place,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beneath my shadow Amaryllis lay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And round my trunk would laughing Daphnis chase",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The timorous girl, till tired out with play",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She felt his hot breath stir her tangled hair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And turned, and looked, and fled no more from such delightful snare.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then come away unto my ambuscade",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where clustering woodbine weaves a canopy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For amorous pleasaunce, and the rustling shade",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Paphian myrtles seems to sanctify",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The dearest rites of love; there in the cool",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And green recesses of its farthest depth there is a pool,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The ouzel’s haunt, the wild bee’s pasturage,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For round its rim great creamy lilies float",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Through their flat leaves in verdant anchorage,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Each cup a white-sailed golden-laden boat",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Steered by a dragon-fly⁠—be not afraid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To leave this wan and wave-kissed shore, surely the place was made",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "For lovers such as we; the Cyprian Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One arm around her boyish paramour,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Strays often there at eve, and I have seen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The moon strip off her misty vestiture",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For young Endymion’s eyes; be not afraid,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The panther feet of Dian never tread that secret glade.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Nay if thou will’st, back to the beating brine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Back to the boisterous billow let us go,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And walk all day beneath the hyaline",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Huge vault of Neptune’s watery portico,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And watch the purple monsters of the deep",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sport in ungainly play, and from his lair keen Xiphias leap.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "For if my mistress find me lying here",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She will not ruth or gentle pity show,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But lay her boar-spear down, and with austere",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Relentless fingers string the cornel bow,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And draw the feathered notch against her breast,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And loose the archèd cord; aye, even now upon the quest",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I hear her hurrying feet⁠—awake, awake,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou laggard in love’s battle! once at least",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Let me drink deep of passion’s wine, and slake",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My parchèd being with the nectarous feast",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which even gods affect! O come, Love, come,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Still we have time to reach the cavern of thine azure home.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Scarce had she spoken when the shuddering trees",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shook, and the leaves divided, and the air",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Grew conscious of a God, and the grey seas",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Crawled backward, and a long and dismal blare",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Blew from some tasselled horn, a sleuth-hound bayed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And like a flame a barbèd reed flew whizzing down the glade.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And where the little flowers of her breast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just brake into their milky blossoming,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "This murderous paramour, this unbidden guest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pierced and struck deep in horrid chambering,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And ploughed a bloody furrow with its dart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And dug a long red road, and cleft with wingèd death her heart.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Sobbing her life out with a bitter cry",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On the boy’s body fell the Dryad maid,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Sobbing for incomplete virginity,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And raptures unenjoyed, and pleasures dead,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the pain of things unsatisfied,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the bright drops of crimson youth crept down her throbbing side.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Ah! pitiful it was to hear her moan,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And very pitiful to see her die",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ere she had yielded up her sweets, or known",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The joy of passion, that dread mystery",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which not to know is not to live at all,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And yet to know is to be held in death’s most deadly thrall.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But as it hapt the Queen of Cythere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who with Adonis all night long had lain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Within some shepherd’s hut in Arcady,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On team of silver doves and gilded wain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Was journeying Paphos-ward, high up afar",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From mortal ken between the mountains and the morning star,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when low down she spied the hapless pair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And heard the Oread’s faint despairing cry,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose cadence seemed to play upon the air",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As though it were a viol, hastily",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She bade her pigeons fold each straining plume,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And dropt to earth, and reached the strand, and saw their dolorous doom.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "For as a gardener turning back his head",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To catch the last notes of the linnet, mows",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With careless scythe too near some flower bed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And cuts the thorny pillar of the rose,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And with the flower’s loosened loneliness",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Strews the brown mould; or as some shepherd lad in wantonness",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Driving his little flock along the mead",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Treads down two daffodils, which side by aide",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Have lured the lady-bird with yellow brede",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And made the gaudy moth forget its pride,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Treads down their brimming golden chalices",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Under light feet which were not made for such rude ravages,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Or as a schoolboy tired of his book",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Flings himself down upon the reedy grass",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And plucks two water-lilies from the brook,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And for a time forgets the hour glass,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Then wearies of their sweets, and goes his way,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lets the hot sun kill them, even so these lovers lay.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And Venus cried, “It is dread Artemis",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose bitter hand hath wrought this cruelty,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Or else that mightier maid whose care it is",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To guard her strong and stainless majesty",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the hill Athenian⁠—alas!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That they who loved so well unloved into Death’s house should pass.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So with soft hands she laid the boy and girl",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the great golden wagon tenderly,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her white throat whiter than a moony pearl",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just threaded with a blue vein’s tapestry",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had not yet ceased to throb, and still her breast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Swayed like a wind-stirred lily in ambiguous unrest.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And then each pigeon spread its milky van,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The bright car soared into the dawning sky,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And like a cloud the aerial caravan",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Passed over the Aegean silently,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Till the faint air was troubled with the song",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the wan mouths that call on bleeding Thammuz all night long.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when the doves had reached their wonted goal",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where the wide stair of orbèd marble dips",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Its snows into the sea, her fluttering soul",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just shook the trembling petals of her lips",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And passed into the void, and Venus knew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That one fair maid the less would walk amid her retinue,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And bade her servants carve a cedar chest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With all the wonder of this history,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Within whose scented womb their limbs should rest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where olive-trees make tender the blue sky",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "On the low hills of Paphos, and the faun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pipes in the noonday, and the nightingale sings on till dawn.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Nor failed they to obey her hest, and ere",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The morning bee had stung the daffodil",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With tiny fretful spear, or from its lair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The waking stag had leapt across the rill",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And roused the ouzel, or the lizard crept",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Athwart the sunny rock, beneath the grass their bodies slept.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And when day brake, within that silver shrine",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fed by the flames of cressets tremulous,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Queen Venus knelt and prayed to Proserpine",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That she whose beauty made Death amorous",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Should beg a guerdon from her pallid Lord,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And let Desire pass across dread Charon’s icy ford.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "In melancholy moonless Acheron,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Farm for the goodly earth and joyous day,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Where no spring ever buds, nor ripening sun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Weighs down the apple trees, nor flowery May",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Chequers with chestnut blooms the grassy floor,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where thrushes never sing, and piping linnets mate no more,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "There by a dim and dark Lethaean well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Young Charmides was lying; wearily",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He plucked the blossoms from the asphodel,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And with its little rifled treasury",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Strewed the dull waters of the dusky stream,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And watched the white stars founder, and the land was like a dream,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "When as he gazed into the watery glass",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And through his brown hair’s curly tangles scanned",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His own wan face, a shadow seemed to pass",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Across the mirror, and a little hand",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Stole into his, and warm lips timidly",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Brushed his pale cheeks, and breathed their secret forth into a sigh.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then turned he round his weary eyes and saw,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ever nigher still their faces came,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And nigher ever did their young mouths draw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Until they seemed one perfect rose of flame,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And longing arms around her neck he cast,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And felt her throbbing bosom, and his breath came hot and fast,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And all his hoarded sweets were hers to kiss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all her maidenhood was his to slay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And limb to limb in long and rapturous bliss",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their passion waxed and waned⁠—O why essay",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To pipe again of love, too venturous reed!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Enough, enough that Eros laughed upon that flowerless mead.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Too venturous poesy, O why essay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To pipe again of passion! fold thy wings",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "O’er daring Icarus and bid thy lay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sleep hidden in the lyre’s silent strings",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Till thou hast found the old Castalian rill,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or from the Lesbian waters plucked drowned Sappho’s golden quill!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Enough, enough that he whose life had been",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A fiery pulse of sin, a splendid shame,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Could in the loveless land of Hades glean",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One scorching harvest from those fields of flame",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Where passion walks with naked unshod feet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And is not wounded⁠—ah! enough that once their lips could meet",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "In that wild throb when all existences",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seemed narrowed to one single ecstasy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which dies through its own sweetness and the stress",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of too much pleasure, ere Persephone",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had bade them serve her by the ebon throne",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of the pale God who in the fields of Enna loosed her zone.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}