Orpheus

In her bright cheeks: she darts away to find Like some uncovered hind Shade in the forest from the stag’s pursuit, Ere the sun’s passion shoot His ray, strange deeps unknown and feared to uncover. But now the ancient root Of some wise oak betrays her to her lover: She stumbles and falls prone: the forest noon Guesses life’s law ; all nature’s tune Tells that the hour is come when May must grow to June. -Then in the broad glare of the careless sun Apollo’s light is on her and within ; His shafts of glory pierce her one by one; His kisses darken, shivering and keen, Swift glories cold and clean Of that chaste bridal, and the earth gets gladness, Till the last winter’s traces Fall from the spring’s last cold wind—shining sadness !— And from the frail new faces Blushing through moss; and all the world is light With the unsufferably bright Full joy and guerdon of that sunny season By Love's sweet trap of treason. , So the bright girl is now a woman brighter ; And childhood sees a reason Beneath the strong stroke of the goodly smiter For all the past: and love at last is hers. No more the bosom’s pride demurs While in her womb the first faint pulse of motherhood soft stirs. 79