ODE TO VENUS CALLIPYGE 
61 
Never a son nor a daughter grow  
From your waste limbs, lest the goddess weep ; 
Fill up the ranks from the babes that sleep 
Far in the arms of a god of snow. 
Conquer the world, that her throne may keep 
More of its pride, and its secret woe 
Flow through all earth as the rivers flow. 
 
Which of the gods is like thee, our queen ? 
Venus Callipyge, nameless, nude, 
Thou with the knowledge of all indued 
Secrets of life and the dreams that mean 
Loves that are not, as are mortals’, hued 
All rose and lily, but linger unseen 
Passion-flowers purpled, garlands of green ! 
 
Who like thyself shall command our ways ? 
Who has such pleasures and pains for hire ? 
Who can awake such a mortal fire 
In the veins of a man, that deathly days 
Have robbed of the masteries of desire ? 
Who can give garlands of fadeless bays 
Unto the sorrow and pain we praise ?