Collected Works (Vol. II)

THE ARGONAUTS 108 Here is the charm, the life-assuaging potion, —sy. : Here is a better home for thee than Greece! Come, lover, to my deep, soft, sleepy breast! Here is thy rest ! O mortal, sad is life! But in my kisses Thou may’st forget its fever-parched thirst. Age, death, and sorrow fade in slender blisses : My swoon of love drinks up the draught accurst. And all thy seasons grow as sweet as this is, One constant summer in sleep’s bosom nursed. All storm and sunlight, star and season, cease, Ilere is thy peace. © mortal, sad is Jove! But my dominion Extends beyond love’s ultimate abode. Eternity itself is but a minion, Lighting my way on the untravelled road. Gods shelter ’neath one shadow of my pinion. Thou only tread the path none else hath trode ! Come, lover, in my breast all blooms above, Here is thy love! MEDEA. My poet, now! The one song in the world! ORPHEUS. Above us on the mast is spread The splendour of the fleece ! Before us, Argive maidens tread The glowing isles of Greece ! Behind us, fear and toil are dead: Below, the breakers cease ! The Holy Light is on my head— My very name is Peace ! The water’s music moves; and swings The sea’s eternal breast. The wind above us whistles, rings, And wafts‘us to the West. — Greece lures us on with beckonings And sighs of slumber blest. I am not counted with the kings— My very name is Rest! Medea shoots her sweetest glance And Jason bends above— Young virgins in Iolchus dance, Ifearing the news thereof. The heroes—see their glad advance! Hath Greece not maids enough? ‘I lie in love’s ecstatic trance. My very name is Love ! LIGIA. Come over the water, love, to me! Come over the little space ! Come over, my lover, and thou shalt see The beauty of my face! Come over the water ! I will be A bride and a queen and a lover to thee ! Come over the water, love, and lie! All day and all night to kiss ! Come over, my lover, an hour to die In the language-baffling bliss ! Come over the water! Must I sigh? Thy lover and bride and queen am [! Come over the water, love, and bide An hour in my swift caress ! So short is the space, and so smooth the tide— More smooth is my loveliness ! Come over the water, love, to my side! I am thy lover and queen and bride ! MEDEA. Sing, poet, ere the rash fool leap ! JASON. | Ah, Zeus!