Orpheus

And then the maiden smoothed her tresses, And led him to the river, Caught him and kissed with young caresses, And then—her cruel smiles quiver! Beneath the waves his life represses For ever and for ever! I knew the danger of the deed The while enrapt, I gladdened. My eyes upon the dancer feed As one by daylight saddened After long night whose slumbers bleed, By dreams deceived and maddened ! It might be—the delusive dance, The shadowy form I saw, Apollo’s misty quivering lance Thrown to elude God’s law ; It might be—doth the maid advance, Evanish, or withdraw? So stung by certainty’s mistrust, Or tranced in dream of sin, Or blinded by some Panic dust, By Dionysian din — Deafened, arose the laughing lust To fling my body in! I stood upon the rock, and cried, And held my body high 136