The Poetical Works Of Robert Bridges Part 27

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From either ear, ring'd to its pierced lobe A triple jewel hung, with gold enchas't; And o'er her b.r.e.a.s.t.s her wide ambrosial robe With many a s.h.i.+ning golden clasp was brac't; The flowering on its smooth embroider'd lawn Gather'd to colour where the zone was drawn In fringe of golden ta.s.sels at her waist.

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Her curling hair with plaited braid and brail, Pendant or loop'd about her head divine, Lay hidden half beneath a golden veil, Bright as the rippling ocean in suns.h.i.+ne: And on the ground, flas.h.i.+ng whene'er she stept, Beneath her feet the dazzling lightnings lept From the gold network of her sandals fine.

26

Thus Hera stood in royal guise bedeckt Before poor Psyche on the stair that knelt, Whose new-nursed hope at that display was checkt And all her happier thoughts gan fade and melt.

She saw no kindness in such haughty mien, And venturing not to look upon the queen, Bow'd down in woe to hear her sentence dealt.

27

And thus the G.o.ddess spake, 'In vain thou suest, Most miserable Psyche; though my heart Be full of hate for her whose hate thou ruest, And pride and pity move me to thy part: Yet not till Zeus make known his will, coud I, Least of the blameless G.o.ds that dwell on high, a.s.sist thee, wert thou worthier than thou art.

28

'But know if Eros love thee, that thy hopes Should rest on him; and I would bid thee go Where in his mother's house apart he mopes Grieving for loss of thee in secret woe: For should he take thee back, there is no power In earth or heaven will hurt thee from that hour, Nay, not if Zeus himself should prove thy foe.'

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Thus saying she was gone, and Psyche now Surprised by comfort rose and went her way, Resolved in heart, and only wondering how 'Twas possible to come where Eros lay; Since that her feet, however she might roam, Coud never travel to the heavenly home Of Love, beyond the bounds of mortal day:

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Yet must she come to him. And now 'twas proved How that to Lovers, as is told in song, Seeking the way no place is far removed; Nor is there any obstacle so strong, Nor bar so fix'd that it can hinder them: And how to reach heaven's gate by stratagem Vex'd not the venturous heart of Psyche long.

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To face her enemy might well avail: Wherefore to Cypris' shrine her steps she bent, Hoping the G.o.ddess in her hate might hale Her body to the skies for punishment, Whate'er to be; yet now her fiercest wrath Seem'd happiest fortune, seeing 'twas the path Whereby alone unto her love she went.

NOVEMBER

1

But Aphrodite to the house of Zeus Being bound, bade beckon out her milkwhite steeds, Four doves, that ready to her royal use In golden cages stood and peck'd the seeds: Best of the nimble air's high-sailing folk That wore with pride the marking of her yoke, And cooed in envy of her gentle needs.

2

These drew in turn her chariot, when in state Along the heaven with all her train she fared; And oft in journeying to the skiey gate Of Zeus's palace high their flight had dared, Which darkest vapour and thick glooms enshroud Above all else in the perpetual cloud, Wherethro' to mount again they stood prepared,

3

Sleeking their feathers, by her s.h.i.+ning car; The same Hephaestos wrought for her, when he, Bruised in his hideous fall from heaven afar, Was nursed by Thetis, and Eurynome, The daughter of the ever-refluent main; With whom he dwelt till he grew sound again, Down in a hollow cave beside the sea:

4

And them for kindness done was prompt to serve, Forging them brooches rich in make and mode, Earrings, and supple chains of jointed curve, And other trinkets, while he there abode: And none of G.o.ds or men knew of his home, But they two only; and the salt sea-foam To and fro past his cavern ever flow'd.

5

'Twas then he wrought this work within the cave, Emboss'd with rich design, a mooned car; And when return'd to heaven to Venus gave, In form imagined like her crescent star; Which circling nearest earth, maketh at night To wakeful mortal men shadow and light Alone of all the stars in heaven that are.

6

Two slender wheels it had, with fretted tires Of biting adamant, to take firm hold Of cloud or ether; and their whirling fires Threw off the air in halo where they roll'd: And either nave that round the axle turn'd A ruby was, whose steady crimson burn'd Betwixt the twin speed-mingling fans of gold.

7

Thereon the naked G.o.ddess mounting, shook The reins; whereat the doves their wings outspread, And rising high their flight to heaven they took: And all the birds, that in those courts were bred, Of her broad eaves the nested families, Sparrows and swallows, join'd their companies Awhile and twitter'd to her overhead.

8

But onward she with fading tracks of flame Sped swiftly, till she reacht her journey's end: And when within the house of Zeus she came, She pray'd the Sire of Heaven that he would lend Hermes, the Argus-slayer, for her hest; And he being granted her at her request, She went forthwith to seek him and to send.

9

Who happ'd within the palace then to wait Upon the almighty pleasure; and her tale Was quickly told, and he made answer straight That he would find the truant without fail; Asking the G.o.ddess by what signs her slave Might best be known, and what the price she gave For capture, or admitted for the bail.

10

All which he took his silver stile to write In letters large upon a waxed board; Her age and name, her colour, face and height, Her home, and parentage, and the reward: And then read o'er as 'twas to be proclaim'd.

And she took oath to give the price she named, Without demur, when Psyche was restored.

11

Then on his head he closely set his cap With eared wings erect, and o'er his knee He cross'd each foot in turn to prove the strap That bound his winged sandals, and shook free His chlamys, and gat up, and in his hand Taking his fair white-ribbon'd herald's wand, Lept forth on air, accoutred cap-a-pe.