Oracles

ODE TO VENUS CALLIPYGE 37 All on their sides are the wounds of lust Wet, from the home of their auburn hair Down to the feet that we find so fair ; Where the red sword has a secret thrust, Pain, and delight, and desire they share. Verily pain ! and thy daughters trust Thou canst bid roses spring out of dust. Mingle, ye children of such a queen, Mingle, and meet, and sow never a seed ! Mingle, and tingle, and kiss, and bleed With the blood of the life of the Lampsacene, With the teeth that know never a pitiful deed But fret and foam over with kisses obscene— Mingle and weep for what years have been. 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 !