Rich opal domes were seen, on high upheld By jasper pillars, letting through their shafts A blush of coral. Copious wonder-draughts Each gazer drank; and deeper drank more near: For what poor mortals fragment up, as mere As marble was there lavish, to the vast Of one fair palace, that far, far surpass'd, Even for common bulk, those olden three, Memphis, and Babylon, and Nineveh.
As large, as bright, as colour'd as the bow Of Iris, when unfading it doth show Beyond a silvery shower, was the arch Through which this Paphian army took its march Into the outer courts of Neptune's state: Whence could be seen, direct, a golden gate, To which the leaders sped; but not half raught Ere it burst open swift as fairy thought,
And made those dazzled thousands veil their eyes Like callow eagles at the first sunrise. Soon with an eagle nativeness their gaze Ripe from hue-golden swoons took all the blaze, And then, behold! large Neptune on his throne Of emerald deep: yet not exalt alone;
At his right hand stood winged Love, and on His left sat smiling Beauty's paragon.
Far as the mariner on highest mast Can see all round upon the calmed vast, So wide was Neptune's hall: and as the blue Doth vault the waters, so the waters drew Their doming curtains, high, magnificent,
Awed from the throne aloof: - and when storm-rent
Disclosed the thunder-gloomings in Jove's air; But soothed as now, flash'd sudden everywhere, Noiseless, sub-marine cloudlets, glittering Death to a human eye: for there did spring From natural west, and east, and south, and north, A light as of four sunsets, blazing forth A gold-green zenith 'bove the Sea-God's head. Of lucid depth the floor, and far outspread As breezeless lake, on which the slim canoe Of feather'd Indian darts about, as through The delicatest air: air verily,
But for the portraiture of clouds and sky:
This palace floor breath-air,- but for the amaze Of deep-seen wonders motionless, and blaze Of the dome pomp, reflected in extremes, Globing a golden sphere.
Till Triton blew his horn. The palace rang; The Nereids danced; the Syrens faintly sang; And the great Sea-King bow'd his dripping head. Then Love took wing, and from his pinions shed On all the multitude a nectarous dew. The ooze-born Goddess beckoned and drew Fair Scylla and her guides to conference; And when they reach'd the throned eminence She kiss'd the sea-nymph's cheek, who sat her down. A toying with the doves. Then, "Mighty crown And sceptre of this kingdom!" Venus said, "Thy vows were on a time to Nais paid: Behold!"-Two copious tear-drops instant fell From the God's large eyes; he smiled delectable, And over Glaucus held his blessing hands.-
"Endymion! Ah! still wandering in the bands Of love? Now this is cruel. Since the hour I meet thee in earth's bosom, all my power Have I put forth to serve thee. What, not yet Escaped from dull mortality's harsh net?
A little patience, youth! 'twill not be long, Or I am skilless quite an idle tongue, A humid eye, and steps luxurious,
Where these are new and strange, are ominous. Ay, I have seen these signs in one of heaven, When others were all blind; and were I given To utter secrets, haply I might say
Some pleasant words: but Love will have his day. So wait awhile expectant. Pr'ythee soon, Even in the passing of thine honey-moon, Visit my Cytherea thou wilt find Cupid well-natured, my Adonis kind;
And pray persuade with thee-Ah, I have done, All blisses be upon thee, my sweet son!"- Thus the fair Goddess: while Endymion Knelt to receive those accents halcyon.
Meantime, a glorious revelry began
Before the Water-Monarch. Nectar ran In courteous fountains to all cups outreach'd; And plunder'd vines, teeming exhaustless, pleach'd New growth about each shell and pendent lyre; The which, in entangling for their fire, Pull'd down fresh foliage and coverture For dainty toy. Cupid, empire-sure,
Flutter'd and laugh'd, and oft-times through the
Made a delighted way. Then dance, and song,
And garlanding, grew wild; and pleasure reign'd. In harmless tendril they each other chain'd, And strove who should be smother'd deepest in Fresh crush of leaves.
O, 'tis a very sin For one so weak to venture his poor verse In such a place as this. O do not curse, High Muses! let him hurry to the ending.
All suddenly were silent. A soft blending Of dulcet instruments came charmingly; And then a hymn.
66 King of the stormy sea!
Brother of Jove, and co-inheritor
Of elements! Eternally before
Thee the waves awful bow. Fast, stubborn rock,
At thy fear'd trident shrinking, doth unlock
Its deep foundations, hissing into foam.
All mountain-rivers lost, in the wide home Of thy capacious bosom ever flow. Thou frownest, and old Æolus thy foe Skulks to his cavern, 'mid the gruff complaint Of all his rebel tempests. Dark clouds faint When, from thy diadem, a silver gleam Slants over blue dominion. Thy bright team Gulfs in the morning light, and scuds along To bring thee nearer to that golden song Apollo singeth, while his chariot
Waits at the doors of heaven. Thou art not For scenes like this: an empire stern hast thou; And it hath furrow'd that large front: yet now, As newly come of heaven, dost thou sit
To blend and interknit
Subdued majesty with this glad time. O shell-born King sublime!
We lay our hearts before thee evermore We sing, and we adore!
Be tender of your strings, ye soothing lutes; Nor be the trumpet heard! O vain, O vain! Not flowers budding in an April rain, Nor breath of sleeping dove, nor river's flow- No, nor the Æolian twang of Love's own bow, Can mingle music fit for the soft ear
Yet deign, white Queen of Beauty, thy fair eyes On our souls' sacrifice.
"Bright-winged Child! Who has another care when thou hast smiled? Unfortunates on earth, we see at last All death-shadows, and glooms that overcast Our spirits, fann'd away by thy light pinions. O sweetest essence! sweetest of all minions! God of warm pulses, and dishevell'd hair, And panting bosoms bare!
Dear unseen light in darkness! eclipser Of light in light! delicious poisoner! Thy venom'd goblet will we quaff until We fill-we fill!
And by thy Mother's lips"
For clamour, when the golden palace-door Open'd again, and from without, in shone
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