SHE loved not the walk to and fro before the loom Nor the delight of feasting with her companions Who kept the house: But with javelins of brass and a sword She fought and slew wild beasts, And gave great peace and quiet To her father's herds: niggard was she, Letting her sweet bedfellow, @3Sleep@1, brush her eyes but briefly, towards the dawn. The God of the Broad Quiver found her: Whilst she was wrestling once Alone with a strong lion, without her spears, Far-shooting Apollo came on her. Thereat with a shout He called Cheiron out of his dwelling, 'Leave your dread cave, son of Philyra, and be amazed At the courage and great strength of a woman. Look what a fight she makes, her head unflinching, Her maiden spirit high Above the struggle: Fear makes no winter in her heart. What mortal begot her? From what stock was she torn To dwell in the folds of the shadowy hills, and sound Her unplumbed depths of valour? Were it no sin to lay my mighty hand on her And take the delicious pasture of her love?' -- With softened eyes, the huge Centaur Dewily laughed: swift and wise was his answer: 'They are secret keys With which Persuasion knows how to unlock The sanctuaries of love, Phoibos: Gods and men are alike Shy of it being said, when first they come To some sweet maidenhead. So you, whom untruth may not touch, Were led in the honey-sweetness of your mood To speak with guile. You ask of what race the girl is -- You, Sire, you know The appointed end of all, and all paths: How many leaves in April the earth puts forth, How many grains of sand In the sea and in the rivers Are troubled by the waves and the swirling winds, And what shall be, and whence it shall come, You see with clear eyes. If I must match my own wisdom with that, I will speak: -- You came to this glade to wed her, And you will carry her over the sea To the chosen garden of God. You will make her there a Queen of Cities, Gathering an island people To a hill amidst a plain: but now Among wide meadows the Lady @3Libya@1 Shall welcome her, your glorious bride, In gold palaces gladly. She shall give her at once, that she may dwell beside her, A portion of land To yield her fruit of all that grows, And wild beasts shall be found there. |