Of those who hurried to the city-gate. Echion he found there, with naked arm Swart-hair'd, strong-sinew'd, and his eyes intent Upon the place where first the axe should fall: He held it upright. "There are bees about, Or wasps, or hornets," said the cautious eld, "Look sharp, O son of Thallinos!" The youth Inclin'd his ear, afar, and warily, And cavern'd in his hand. He heard a buzz At first, and then the sound grew soft and clear, And then divided into what seem'd tune, And there were words upon it, plaintive words. He turn'd, and said, "Echion! do not strike That tree it must be hollow; for some That sad old man!" said she. The old man went Without a warning from his master's son, Glad to escape, for sorely he now fear'd, And the axe shone behind him in their eyes. Hamad. And wouldst thou too shed the most innocent Of blood? No vow demands it; no god wills The oak to bleed. Rhaicos. Who art thou? whence? why here? And whither wouldst thou go? Among the rob'd In white or saffron, or the hue that most Like moss to stones adhering, leaves to trees, Yet lets thy bosom rise and fall in turn, As, touch'd by zephyrs, fall and rise the boughs Of graceful platan by the river-side ? Hamad. Lovest thou well thy father's house? The bark; the tree may hold its place awhile. Hamad. Awhile? thy father numbers then my days? Rhaicos. Are there no others where the moss beneath Is quite as tufty? Who would send thee forth Or ask thee why thou tarriest? Is thy flock The sun, the dew. Why should the beautiful (And thou art beautiful) disturb the source Whence springs all beauty? Hast thou never heard Of Hamadryads? Rhaicos. Heard of them I have: Tell me some tale about them. May I sit Beside thy feet? Art thou not tired? The herbs Are very soft; I will not come too nigh; Do but sit there, nor tremble so, nor doubt. Stay, stay an instant : let me first explore If any acorn of last year be left Within it; thy thin robe too ill protects Thy dainty limbs against the harm one small Acorn may do. Here 's none. Another day Trust me; till then let me sit opposite. Hamad. I seat me; be thou seated, and content. Rhaicos. O sight for gods! ye men below! adore The Aphrodite ! Is she there below? The Hellespont, and brought his kindred 'Tis said that laughs were heard within the wood : But who should hear them? and whose laughs? and why? Savory was the smell and long past noon, Thallinos in thy house; for marjoram, Basil and mint, and thyme and rosemary, Were sprinkled on the kid's well roasted length, Awaiting Rhaicos. Home he came at last, Not hungry, but pretending hunger keen, With head and eyes just o'er the maple plate. "Thou see'st but badly, coming from the sull, "Come back!" and twin'd her fingers in the hem Above his shoulder. Then she led his steps To a cool rill that ran o'er level sand Through lentisk and through oleander; there Bath'd she his feet, lifting them on her lap When bath'd, and drying them in both her hands. He dar'd complain; for those who most are lov'd Most dare it; but not harsh was his complaint. "O thou inconstant !" said he, "if stern law Bind thee, or will, stronger than sternest law, O, let me know henceforward when to hope The fruit of love that grows for me but here." Down fell the languid brow, both hands fell❘ down, A shriek was carried to the ancient hall Nor word nor whisper sooth'd his ear, nor sound Even of insect wing; but loud laments The woodmen and the shepherds one long year Heard day and night; for Rhaicos would not quit The solitary place, but moan'd and died. Hence milk and honey wonder not, O guest, To find set duly on the hollow stone. THE DEATH OF ARTEMIDORA “ARTEMIDORA! Gods invisible, Then becomes worst; what loveliest, most deform'd. The heart is hardest in the softest climes, Of God. Awake, ye nations! spring to life! FROM "GEBIR" TAMAR AND THE NYMPH "'T WAS evening, though not sunset, and the tide, Level with these green meadows, seem'd yet higher : 'Twas pleasant, and I loosen'd from my neck The pipe you gave me, and began to play. O that I ne'er had learn'd the tuneful art! It always brings us enemies or love. I, sitting still, survey'd it with my pipe By him who to befriend his steed's dim sight Ever resemble those? Even her attire |