She stood: he pass'd, shut up in mysteries, His mind wrapp'd like his mantle, while her eyes Follow'd his steps, and her neck regal white Turn'd-syllabling thus, " Ah, Lycius bright! And will you leave me on the hills alone? Lycius, look back! and be some pity shown." He did; not with cold wonder fearingly, But Orpheus-like at an Eurydice;
For so delicious were the words she sung
It seem'd he had loved them a whole summer long: And soon his eyes had drunk her beauty up, Leaving no drop in the bewildering cup. And still the cup was full,-while he, afraid Lest she should vanish ere his lip had paid Due adoration, thus began to adore;
Her sou look growing coy, she saw his chain so sure: Leave thee alone! Look back! Ah, Goddess, see Whether my eyes can ever turn from thee! For pity do not this sad heart belie- Even as thou vanishest so I shall die. Stay though a Naiad of the rivers, stay! To thy far wishes will thy streams obey:
Stay though the greenest woods be thy domain, Alone they can drink up the morning rain: Though a descended Pleiad, will not one Of thine harmonious sisters keep in tune
Thy spheres, and as thy silver proxy shine?
So sweetly to these ravish'd ears of mine
Any more subtle fluid in her veins Than throbbing blood, and that the self-same pains Inhabited her frail-strung heart as his
And next she wonder'd how his eyes could miss Her face so long in Corinth, where, she said, She dwelt but half retired, and there had led Days happy as the gold coin could invent Without the aid of love; yet in content Till she saw him, as once she pass'd him by, Where 'gainst a column he leant thoughtfully At Venus' temple porch, 'mid baskets heap'd Of amorous herbs and flowers, newly reap'd Late on that eve, as 't was the night before The Adonian feast; whereof she saw no more, But wept alone those days, for why should she adore Lycius from death awoke into amaze, To see her still, and singing so sweet lays; Then from amaze into delight he fell To hear her whisper woman's lore so well; And every word she spake enticed him on To unperplex'd delight and pleasure known. Let the mad poets say whate'er they please Of the sweets of Fairies, Peris, Goddesses, There is not such a treat among them all, Haunters of cavern, lake, and waterfall, As a real woman, lineal indeed
From Pyrrha's pebbles or old Adam's seed. Thus gentle Lamia judged, and judged aright,
Came thy sweet greeting, that if thou shouldst fade That Lycius could not love in half a fright,
Thy memory will waste me to a shade- For pity do not melt!"-" If I should stay," Said Lamia," here, upon this floor of clay, And pain my steps upon these flowers too rough, What canst thou say or do of charm enough To dull the nice remembrance of my home? Thou canst not ask me with thee here to roam Over these hills and vales, where no joy is,- Empty of immortality and bliss! Thou art a scholar, Lycius, and must know That finer spirits cannot breathe below
In human climes, and live: Alas! poor youth, What taste of purer air hast thou to soothe My essence? What serener palaces, Where I may all my many senses please, And by mysterious sleights a hundred thirsts appease? It cannot be-Adieu!" So said, she rose Tiptoe with white arms spread. He, sick to lose The amorous promise of her lone complain, Swoon'd murmuring of love, and pale with pain. The cruel lady, without any show Of sorrow for her tender favorite's woe, But rather, if her eyes could brighter be, With brighter eyes and slow amenity, Put her new lips to his, and gave afresh The life she had so tangled in her mesh: And as he from one trance was wakening
Into another, she began to sing,
Happy in beauty, life, and love, and every thing, A song of love, too sweet for earthly lyres, While, like held breath, the stars drew in their pant- ing fires.
And then she whisper'd in such trembling tone, As those who, safe together met alone
For the first time through many anguish'd days, Use other speech than looks; bidding him raise His drooping head, and clear his soul of doubt, For that she was a woman, and without
So threw the goddess off, and won his heart More pleasantly by playing woman's part, With no more awe than what her beauty gave That, while it smote, still guarantied to save. Lycius to all made eloquent reply, Marrying to every word a twin-born sigh; And last, pointing to Corinth, ask'd her sweet, If 't was too far that night for her soft feet. The way was short, for Lamia's eagerness Made, by a spell, the triple league decrease To a few paces; not at all surmised By blinded Lycius, so in her comprised They pass'd the city gates, he knew not how, So noiseless, and he never thought to know.
As men talk in a dream, so Corinth all, Throughout her palaces imperial, And all her populous streets and temples lewd, Mutter'd, like tempest in the distance brew'd, To the wide-spreaded night above her towers. Men, women, rich and poor, in the cool hours, Shuffled their sandals o'er the pavement white, Companion'd or alone; while many a light Flared, here and there, from wealthy festivals, And threw their moving shadows on the walls, Or found them cluster'd in the corniced shade Of some arch'd temple door, or dusky colonnade
Muffling his face, of greeting friends in fear, Her fingers he press'd hard, as one came near With curl'd gray beard, sharp eyes, and smooth bald
Slow-stepp'd, and robed in philosophic gown: Lycius shrank closer, as they met and past, Into his mantle, adding wings to haste,
While hurried Lamia trembled: "Ah," said he, Why do you shudder, love, so ruefully? Why does your tender palm dissolve in dew?”— "I'm wearied," said fair Lamia: "tell me who Is that old man? I cannot bring to mind His features: Lycius! wherefore did you blind Yourself from his quick eyes?" Lycius replied. " "Tis Apollonius sage, my trusty guide And good instructor; but to-night he seems The ghost of folly haunting my sweet dreams."
While yet he spake they had arrived before A pillar'd porch, with lofty portal door, Where hung a silver lamp, whose phosphor glow Reflected in the slabbed steps below, Mild as a star in water; for so new, And so unsullied was the marble hue, So through the crystal polish, liquid fine, Ran the dark veins, that none but feet divine Could e'er have touch'd there. Sounds Eolian Breathed from the hinges, as the ample span Of the wide doors disclosed a place unknown Some time to any, but those two alone, And a few Persian mutes, who that same year Were seen about the markets: none knew where They could inhabit; the most curious
For the first time, since first he harbor'd in That purple-lined palace of sweet sin, His spirit pass'd beyond its golden bourn Into the noisy world almost fors worn. The lady, ever watchful, penetrant, Saw this with pain, so arguing a want Of something more, more than her empery Of joys; and she began to moan and sigh Because he mused beyond her, knowing well That but a moment's thought is passion's passing-bell 'Why do you sigh, fair creature?" whisper'd he:
Why do you think?" return'd she tenderly.
You have deserted me; where am I now?
Not in your heart while care weighs on your brow: No, no, you have dismiss'd me; and 1 go From your breast houseless: ay, it must be so" He answer'd, bending to her open eyes, Where he was mirror'd small in paradise, 'My silver planet, both of eve and morn! Why will you plead yourself so sad forlorn, While I am striving how to fill my heart With deeper crimson, and a double smart? How to entangle, trammel up and snare Your soul in mine, and labyrinth you there, Like the hid scent in an unbudded rose? Ay, a sweet kiss-you see your mighty woes.
Were foil'd, who watch'd to trace them to their house: My thoughts! shall I unveil them? Listen then! And but the flitter-winged verse must tell, For truth's sake, what woe afterwards befell,
"T would humor many a heart to leave them thus, Shut from the busy world of more incredulous.
LOVE in a hut, with water and a crust, Is-Love, forgive us!-cinders, ashes, dust; Love in a palace is perhaps at last
More grievous torment than a hermit's fast:- That is a doubtful tale from fairy-land, Hard for the non-elect to understand. Had Lycius lived to hand his story down, He might have given the moral a fresh frown, Or clench'd it quite: but too short was their bliss To breed distrust and hate, that make the soft voice hiss.
Besides, there, nightly, with terrific glare, Love, jealous grown of so complete a pair, Hover'd and buzz'd his wings, with fearful roar, Above the lintel of their chamber-door,
And down the passage cast a glow upon the floor.
For all this came a ruin: side by side They were enthroned, in the eventide, Upon a couch, near to a curtaining Whose airy texture, from a golden string, Floated into the room, and let appear
Unveil'd the summer heaven, blue and clear, Betwixt two marble shafts :-there they reposed, Where use had made it sweet, with eyelids closed, Saving a tythe which love still open kept,
What mortal hath a prize, that other men May be confounded and abash'd withal, But lets it sometimes pace abroad majestical, And triumph, as in thee I should rejoice Amid the hoarse alarm of Corinth's voice. Let my foes choke, and my friends shout afar, While through the thronged streets your bridal car Wheels round its dazzling spokes."-The lady's chees Trembled; she nothing said, but, pale and meek, Arose and knelt before him, wept rain Of sorrows at his words; at last with pain Beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung, To change his purpose. He thereat, was stung, Perverse, with stronger fancy to reclaim Her wild and timid nature to his aim; Besides, for all his love, in self-despite, Against his better self, he took delight Luxurious in her sorrows, soft and new His passion, cruel grown, took on a hue Fierce and sanguineous as 'twas possible In one whose brow had no dark veins to swell Fine was the mitigated fury, like Apollo's presence when in act to strike The serpent-Ha, the serpent! certes, she Was none. She burnt, she loved the tyranny, And, all-subdued, consented to the hour
When to the bridal he should lead his paramour. Whispering in midnight silence, said the youth, Sure some sweet name thou hast, though, by my
I have not ask'd it, ever thinking thee Not mortal, but of heavenly progeny, As still I do. Hast any mortal name, Fit appellation for this dazzling frame?
That they might see each other while they almost Or friends or kinsfolk on the citied earth,
When from the slope side of a suburb hill, Deafening the swallow's twitter, came a thrill Of trumpets-Lycius started-the sounds fled, But left a thought, a buzzing in his head.
To share our marriage-feast and nuptial mirth?” "I have no friends," said Lamia, "no, not one; My presence in wide Corinth hardly known. My parents' bones are in their dusty urns Sepulchred, where no kindled incense burns,
Seeing all their luckless race are dead, save me, And I neglect the holy rite for thee. Even as you list invite your many guests: But if, as now it seems, your vision rests With any pleasure on me, do not bid Old Apollonius-from him keep me hid." Lycius, perplex'd at words so blind and blank, Made close inquiry; from whose touch she shrank, Feigning a sleep; and he to the dull shade Of deep sleep in a moment was betray'd.
It was the custom then to bring away The bride from home at blushing shut of day, Veil'd, in a chariot, heralded along
By strewn flowers, torches, and a marriage song, With other pageants; but this fair unknown Had not a friend. So being left alone (Lycius was gone to summon all his kin), And knowing surely she could never win His foolish heart from its mad pompousness, She set herself, high-thoughted, how to dress The misery in fit magnificence.
She did so, but 'tis doubtful how and whence Came, and who were her subtle servitors. About the halls, and to and from the doors, There was a noise of wings, till in short space The glowing banquet-room shone with wide-arched
A haunting music, sole perhaps and lone Supportress of the fairy-roof, made moan
"Twas Apollonius: something too he laugh'd, As though some knotty problem, that had daft His patient thought, had now begun to thaw, And solve and melt: 'twas just as he foresaw.
He met within the murmurous vestibule His young disciple. ""Tis no common rule, Lycius," said he, “for uninvited guest To force himself upon you, and infest With an unbidden presence the bright throng Of younger friends; yet must I do this wrong, And you forgive me." Lycius blush'd, and led The old man through the inner doors broad spread, With reconciling words and courteous mien Turning into sweet milk the sophist's spleen.
Of wealthy lustre was the banquet-room, Fill'd with pervading brilliance and perfume: Before each lucid panel fuming stood
A censer fed with myrrh and spiced wood, Each by a sacred tripod held aloft, Whose slender feet wide-swerved upon the soft Wool-woofed carpets: fifty wreaths of smoke From fifty censers their light voyage took To the high roof, still mimick'd as they rose Along the mirror'd walls by twin-clouds odorous. Twelve sphered tables, by silk seats insphered, High as the level of a man's breast rear'd On libbard's paws, upheld the heavy gold Of cups and goblets, and the store thrice told
Throughout, as fearful the whole charm might fade. Of Ceres' horn, and, in huge vessels, wine
Fresh carved cedar, mimicking a glade Of palm and plantain, met from either side, High in the midst, in honor of the bride:
Two palms and then two plantains, and so on, From either side their stems branch'd one to one All down the aisled palace; and beneath all
Came from the gloomy tun with merry shine. Thus loaded with a feast, the tables stood, Each shrining in the midst the image of a God.
When in an antechamber every guest
There ran a stream of lamps straight on from wall Had felt the cold full sponge to pleasure press'd,
So canopied, lay an untasted feast Teeming with odors. Lamia, regal drest, Silently paced about, and as she went, In pale contented sort of discontent, Mission'd her viewless servants to enrich The fretted splendor of each nook and niche. Between the tree-stems, marbled plain at first, Came jasper panels; then, anon, there burst Forth creeping imagery of slighter trees, And with the larger wove in small intricacies. Approving all, she faded at self-will,
And shut the chamber up, close, hush'd and still, Complete and ready for the revels rude,
By minist'ring slaves, upon his hands and feet, And fragrant oils with ceremony meet Pour'd on his hair, they all moved to the feast In white robes, and themselves in order placed Around the silken couches, wondering Whence all this mighty cost and blaze of wealth could spring.
Soft went the music that soft air along, While fluent Greek a vowell'd under-song Kept up among the guests discoursing low At first, for scarcely was the wine at flow; But when the happy vintage touch'd their brains, Louder they talk, and louder come the strains
When dreaded guests would come to spoil her solitude. Of powerful instruments:-the gorgeous dyes,
The day appear'd, and all the gossip rout. O senseless Lycius! Madman! wherefore flout The suent-blessing fate, warm cloister'd hours, And show to common eyes these secret bowers? The herd approach'd; each guest, with busy brain, Arriving at the portal, gazed amain,
And enter'd marvelling: for they knew the street, Remember'd it from childhood all complete Without a gap, yet ne'er before had seen That royal porch, that high-built fair demesne ; So in they hurried all, mazed, curious and keen: Save one, who look'd thereon with eye severe, And with calm-planted steps walk'd in austere ;
The space, the splendor of the draperies, The roof of awful richness, nectarous cheer, Beautiful slaves, and Lamia's self, appear, Now, when the wine has done its rosy deed, And every soul from human trammels freed, No more so strange for merry wine, sweet wine Will make Elysian shades not too fair, too divine. Soon was God Bacchus at meridian height; Flush'd were their cheeks, and bright eyes doubl bright:
Garlands of every green, and every scent From vales deflower'd, or forest trees, branch-rent In baskets of bright osier'd gold were brought High as the handles heap'd, to suit the thought
Of every guest; that each, as he did please, Might fancy-fit his brows, silk-pillow'd at his ease.
What wreath for Lamia? What for Lycius? What for the sage, old Apollonius? Upon her aching forehead be there hung The leaves of willow and of adder's tongue; And for the youth, quick, let us strip for him The thyrsus, that his watching eyes may swim Into forgetfulness; and, for the sage, Let spear-grass and the spiteful thistle wage War on his temples. Do not all charms fly At the mere touch of cold philosophy?
There was an awful rainbow once in heaven: We know her woof, her texture; she is given In the dull catalogue of common things. Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings, Conquer all mysteries by rule and line, Empty the haunted air, and gnomed mine- Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made The tender-person'd Lamia melt into a shade.
By her glad Lycius sitting, in chief place, Searce saw in all the room another face, Till checking his love trance, a cup he took Full-brimm'd, and opposite sent forth a look 'Cross the broad table, to beseech a glance From his old teacher's wrinkled countenance, And pledge him. The bald-head philosopher Had fix'd his eye, without a twinkle or stir Full on the alarmed beauty of the bride, Browbeating her fair form, and troubling her sweet pride.
Lycius then press'd her hand, with devout touch, As pale it lay upon the rosy couch:
'Twas icy, and the cold ran through his veins; Then sudden it grew hot, and all the pains Of an unnatural heat shot to his heart. "Lamia, what means this? Wherefore dost thou start? Know'st thou that man?" Poor Lamia answer'd not. He gazed into her eyes, and not a jot Own'd they the lovelorn piteous appeal: More, more he gazed his human senses reel : Some angry spell that loveliness absorbs; There was no recognition in those orbs. "Lamia!" he cried-and no soft-toned reply. The many heard, and the loud revelry Grew hush; the stately music no more breathes; The myrtle sicken'd in a thousand wreaths. By faint degrees, voice, lute, and pleasure ceased; A deadly silence step by step increased, Until it seem'd a horrid presence there, And not a man but felt the terror in his hair. Lamia!" he shriek'd: and nothing but the shriek With its sad echo did the silence break. "Begone, foul dream!" he cried, gazing again In the bride's face, where now no azure vein 42
Wander'd on fair-spaced temples; no soft bloom Misted the cheek; no passion to illume The deep-recessed vision:-all was blight; Lamia, no longer fair, there sat a deadly white. "Shut, shut those juggling eyes, thou ruthless man! Turn them aside, wretch! or the righteous ban Of all the Gods, whose dreadful images Here represent their shadowy presences, May pierce them on the sudden with the thorn Of painful blindness; leaving thee forlorn, In trembling dotage to the feeblest fright Of conscience, for their long-offended might, For all thine impious proud-heart sophistries, Unlawful magic, and enticing lies. Corinthians! look upon that gray-beard wretch! Mark how, possess'd, his lashless eyelids stretch Around his demon eyes! Corinthians, see! My sweet bride withers at their potency." Fool!" said the sophist, in an under-tone
Gruff with contempt; which a death-nighing moan From Lycius answer'd, as heart-struck and lost, He sank supine beside the aching ghost. "Fool! Fool!" repeated he, while his eyes still Relented not, nor moved;" from every ill Of life.have I preserved thee to this day, And shall I see thee made a serpent's prey?" Then Lamia breathed death-breath; the sophist's eye, Like a sharp spear, went through her utterly, Keen, cruel, perceant, stinging: she, as well As her weak hand could any meaning tell, Motion'd him to be silent; vainly so,
He look'd and look'd again a level-No!
*Philostratus, in his fourth book de Vita Apollonii, omit, of one Menippus Lycius, a young man twenty-five hath a memorable instance in this kind, which I may not years of age. that going betwixt Cenchreas and Corinth, met such a phantasm in the habit of a fair gentlewoman, which taking him by the hand, carried him home to her house, in the suburbs of Corinth, and told him she was a Phoenician by birth, and if he would tarry with her, he should hear her sing and play, and drink such wine as never any drank, and no man should molest him; but she, being fair and lovely, would die with him, that was fair and lovely to behold. The young man, a philosopher, otherwise staid and discreet, able to moderate his passions, though not this of love, tarried with her a while to his great content, and at last married her, to whose wedding, amongst other guests, came Apollonius; who, by some probable conjectures, found her out to be a serpent, a Jamia; and that all her furniture was, like Tantalus' gold, described by Homer, no substance but mere illusions. When she saw herself descried, she wept, and desired Apollonius to be silent, but he would not be moved, and thereupon she, plate, house, and all that was in it, van. ished in an instant: many thousands took notice of this fact, for it was done in the midst of Greece."-BURTON'S | Anatomy of Melancholy, Part 3, Sect. 2, Memb. I, Subs. I. 571
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