XIX. She spake in language whose strange melody But to the snake those accents sweet were known, Through the green shadows of the waves that meet XX. Then on the sands the Woman sate again, And wept and clasped her hands, and all between, Of her melodious voice and eloquent mien; And she unveiled her bosom, and the green And glancing shadows of the sea did play O'er its marmoreal depth :-one moment seen, Her voice, and, coiled in rest, in her embrace it lay. XXI. Then she arose, and smiled on me with eyes Serene yet sorrowing, like that planet fair, While yet the day-light lingereth in the skies Which cleaves with arrowy beams the dark-red air, And said: To grieve is wise, but the despair Was weak and vain which led thee here from sleep: This shalt thou know, and more, if thou dost dare With me and with this Serpent, o'er the deep, A voyage divine and strange, companionship to keep. XXII. Her voice was like the wildest, saddest tone, I wept. Shall this fair woman all alone Over the sea with that fierce Serpent go? How soon he may devour his feeble prey? Such were my thoughts, when the tide 'gan to flow; And that strange boat, like the moon's shade did sway Amid reflected stars that in the waters lay. XXIII. A boat of rare device, which had no sail But its own curved prow of thin moonstone, To catch those gentlest winds which are not known A vast and dim expanse, as o'er the waves we go. XXIV. And as we sailed, a strange and awful tale That Woman told, like such mysterious dream And, ere her lips could move, made the air eloquent. XXV. Speak not to me, but hear! much shalt thou learn, Know then, that from the depth of ages old Two Powers o'er mortal things dominion hold, Twin Genii, equal Gods-when life and thought XXVI. The earliest dweller of the world alone Stood on the verge of chaos: Lo! afar O'er the wide wild abyss two meteors shone, Sprung from the depth of its tempestuous jar: A blood-red Comet and the Morning Star That fair star fell, he turned and shed his brother's blood. XXVII. Thus evil triumphed, and the Spirit of Evil, One Power of many shapes which none may know, In victory, reigning o'er a world of woe, For the new race of man went to and fro, Famished and homeless, loathed and loathing, wild, He changed from starry shape, beauteous and mild, XXVIII. The darkness lingering o'er the dawn of things, Cursed, and blasphemed him as he past; for none As King, and Lord, and God, the conquering Fiend did own XXIX. The Fiend, whose name was Legion; Death, Decay. Numerous as leaves that strew the autumnal gale; XXX. His spirit is their power, and they his slaves In air, in light, and thought, and language dwell; In all resorts of men-invisible; But when, in ebon mirror, Nightmare fell, Black winged demon forms-whom, from the hell, XXXI. In the world's youth his empire was as firm XXXII. Then Greece arose, and to its bards and sages, Steeping their hearts in the divinest flame Which thy breath kindled, Power of holiest name! Upon the combat shone-a light to save, Like Paradise spread forth beyond the shadowy grave. XXXIII. Such is this conflict-when mankind doth strive With its oppressors in a strife of blood, Or when free thoughts, like lightnings, are alive; And in each bosom of the multitude Justice and truth, with custom's hydra brood, Wage silent war;-when priests and kings dissemble When round pure hearts, a host of hopes assemble, The Snake and Eagle meet-the world's foundations tremble! XXXIV. Thou hast beheld that fight-when to thy home List, stranger, list! mine is a human form, Like that thou wearest-touch me-shrink not now! XXXVI. Woe could not be mine own, since far from men By the sea-shore, in a deep mountain glen; For peace, and clasped my hands aloft in ecstasy. XXXVII. These were forebodings of my fate.-Before XXXVIII. Thus the dark tale which history doth unfold, Of human thoughts-mine shook beneath the wide emotion. XXXIX. When first the living blood through all these veins I saw, and started from my cottage hearth; XL. Deep slumber fell on me ;-my dreams were fire, My tranquil soul, its depths with light did cover, [were Shone through the woodbine wreaths which round my casement XLI. 'Twas like an eye which seemed to smile on me. I watched till, by the sun made pale, it sank Under the billows of the heaving sea; But from its beams deep love my spirit drank, And to my brain the boundless world now shrank Into one thought-one image-yea, for ever! Even like the day's-spring, poured on vapours dank, The beams of that one star did shoot and quiver Through my benighted mind-and were extinguished never. XLII. The day past thus: at night, methought in dream A shape of speechless beauty did appear; It stood like light on a careering stream Of golden clouds which shook the atmosphere; A winged youth, his radiant brow did wear The Morning Star: a wild dissolving bliss Over my frame he breathed, approaching near, And bent his eyes of kindling tenderness Near mine, and on my lips impressed a lingering kiss, XLIII. And said: A Spirit loves thee, mortal maiden, How wilt thou prove thy worth? Then joy and sleep |