100 THE KINGFISHER. Now I will call to thee, dearest, from cliffs that o'ershadow the bay, And tell thee what thou didst forego when a god gave thee right of the air, Sped thee on wings and sent thee, a herald of seasons most fair! Far hence is the land of our sires, that laughs with green fields all the year: There shepherds are hardy, and foresters light with the bow and the spear; Harvestmen reap and bind, slow breasting the goldenripe flood; Youth chants the burden for Linus, when presses are shedding his blood. I was the king of all these, and a prince in the battles of men; The day-star of empire that set in my fall arose not again. In the night, and afar from all coasts where a beacon gives joy to the crew, The break-faith sea and the sharp-fanged rocks that are hidden from view Close on their prey with hoarse bayings, there reft were mine eyes of the light, But thy name, Alcyone, flew from my lips, with the breath taking flight! Long didst thou sit in the haven, awaiting the dawn of my fleet, Imploring the sea and the spirits that track it with murmurous feet, THE KINGFISHER. 101 And oft wouldst thou question the traders that came with the purples of Tyre: A god raised thee up, when thou leap'dst to thy death through grief and desire! Thou wast a queen, and thy handmaidens wrought thee rich veils in their looms, Curtained thy chamber with crimson, and strewed it with odorous blooms. In the fountain that freshened thy garden warbled a nereid choir, And music attended thee waking, soft hauntings of flute and of lyre. Thou wast the queen of all these, of love, of laughter and song. Be glad in the summer thou makest, and memory do thee no wrong! MARSYAS. A STRAYING flock, a mountain fold; A challenged god to contest come, a satyr overbold! The light leaves sighed, the waters ran; With shaggy lip and cheek of tan, With easy breath and jocund heart the tuneful strife began. His gloating eye, bent down the while, Saw not Apollo's fateful smile, Saw not, from every forest aisle, The shy and curious sylvans move in swift but noiseless file. For each clear strain was drink and food The dryad full-discovered stood; The fleeting water-spirit stayed, and backward pushed her hood. MARSYAS. And then were all consenting, save Across the strings he sudden drave 103 A flood of all-melodious sound,— tumultuous wave on wave! And as the throbbing strings he smote, Song rippled from his full white throat: From cloudland bank and gulf remote The shining ones in rapt delight were seen to glide or float. That sovran sound the hills salute; That sovran sound brooks no dispute; It drowns the flute, poor woodland flute, That soon between the god's strong hands lies broken, vauntless, mute. The strife now ended, in amaze Doth trembling Marsyas start and gaze; Him, there amidst the mountain ways, With his far-flashing golden bow, the wroth Apollo flays. Beneath the cavern's jagged eaves The hapless child of Pan he leaves, While his warm heart, outplucked, still heaves; Ah, what avails it him his name to spring and river cleaves ! 104 MARSYAS. Remember Marsyas, and beware! The Kings of Song, - they long forbear; While we, forgetful-fond, release thin reed-notes on the air. But they, at last, uprise in ire: Remember Marsyas!-lo, in shame our pride and vaunt expire! |