Orpheus

SUMMER Full is the joy of Maidenhood made strong, Too proud to bend to swift Apollo’s kiss ; Rejoicing in its splendour, and the throng Of gaunt hounds leashless before Artemis. In strange exulting bliss The maiden stands, full-grown, with bounding breasts Bared to the noon, and narrow Keen eyes, that glance, dim fires that veil their crests To flame along the arrow Aimed at some gallant of ten tines perched high Branching against the sky His cedar-spreading horns: erect she stands, Holding in glimmering hands A silver bow across the shining weather, While, bound in pearl-wrought bands, . Her bright hairstreams; shedraws the quivering feather Back to the small ear curved: with golden zone Gathering her limbs she stands alone Like a young antelope poised upon a spire of stone. What tender lightning flashes in the bosom Heaving with vigour of young life? What storm Gathers across the brow’s broad lotus-blossom? What sudden passion fills the fragrant form With subtle streams of warm Blood tingling to the finger-tips of rose? Swiftly the maiden closes The lustre of her look: disdainful glows The fire of wreathing roses 78