XVIII. Therefore no poet will ungently touch The water-lily, on whose eyelids dew Trembles like tears; but ever hold it such As human pain may wander through and through, Turning the pale leaf paler in its hueWherein life dwells, transfigured, not entomb'd, By magic spells. Alas! who ever knew Sorrow in all its shapes, leafy and plumed, Or in gross husks of brutes eternally inhumed? XIX. And now the winged song has scaled the height Of that dark dwelling, builded for despair, And soon a little casement flashing bright Widens self-open'd into the cool airThat music like a bird may enter there And soothe the captive in his stony cage; For there is nought of grief, or painful care, But plaintive song may happily engage From sense of its own ill, and tenderly assuage. XX. And forth into the light, small and remote, XXI. And while he listens, the mysterious song, Twines into passionate words that grieve along The secrets of true love,—that trembling reach Like blended streams that make one music as they run. XXII. "Ah! Love, my hope is swooning in my heart,Ay, sweet, my cage is strong and hung full highAlas! our lips are held so far apart, Thy words come faint, they have so far to fly!- XXIII. My marble keep! it is my marble tombNay, sweet! but thou hast there thy living breath— Aye to expend in sighs for this hard doom;— But I will come to thee and sing beneath, And nightly so beguile this serpent wreath ;Nay, I will find a path from these despairs. Ah, needs then thou must tread the back of death, Making his stony ribs thy stony stairs.Behold his ruby eye, how fearfully it glares!" XXIV. Full sudden at these words, the princely youth Leaps on the scaly back that slumbers, still Unconscious of his foot, yet not for ruth, But numb'd to dulness by the fairy skill Of that sweet music (all more wild and shrill For intense fear) that charm'd him as he layMeanwhile the lover nerves his desperate will, Held some short throbs by natural dismay, Then down, down the serpent-track begins his darksome way. XXV. Now dimly seen-now toiling out of sight, XXVL But nine times nine the serpent folds embrace So may all gentle Love ungentle Malice foil. XXVII. The song is hush'd, the charm is all complete, XXVIII. His jaws, wide yawning like the gates of Death, Wrought of the silver light-the fearful pair XXIX. Bending their course over the pale grey lake, The sanctuary ring-his sable mail Roll'd darkly through the flood, and writhed and made A shining track over the waters pale, Lash'd into boiling foam by his enormous tail. XXX. And so they sail'd into the distance dim, XXXI. Then came the Morn, and with her pearly showers Chasing the darksome shadows from the skies; And little birds were singing sweetly from each spray. |