18. She listen'd-stately, yet dismay'd; And dimly conscious of some change That made the whispering place seem strange And awful, far from human aid; And as the moaning Stream grew near, And whirl'd unto her with eddies clear, She saw my shadow in his waves and shrank away in fear. 19.. "Small River, flowing with summer sound, Strong River, solemn Ades' slave, Flow unto her with gentle wave, And make an isle, and hem her round." Felt backward to that cave of earth Where, troubled with my crimson eyes, he shudder'd into birth. 20. Him saw she trembling; but unseen, Round creeping roots of underwood, My servant slid with stealthy tide : Then like a fountain bubbled up and foam'd on either side. 21. And shrinking back she gazed in fear On his wild hair, and lo, an isle Around whose brim waves rose the while She cried, "O mother Ceres, hear!" Then sprang she wildly to and fro, Wilder than rain and white as snow. "O honour'd River, grasp thy prize, and to the footstool flow!" 22. One swift sun-beam with sickly flare On white arms waving high did gleam, What time she shriek'd, and the strong Stream Leapt up and grasp'd her by the hair. And all was dark. With wild heads bow'd The forests murmur'd, and black cloud Split speumy on the mountain tops with fire and portent loud! 23. Then all was still as the Abyss, Save for the dark and bubbling water, And the far voice. "Bear Ceres' daughter Unto the kingly feet of Dis!" Wherefore I rose upon my throne, And smote my kingdom's roof of stone; Earth moan'd to her deep fiery roots-Hell answer'd with a groan. 24. When swiftly waving sulphurous wings To listen. I, afar, could hear My god-like eyes with flash of flame Peer'd up the chasm. As if in shame Of his slave-deed, darkly and slow, my trembling servant came. 25. The gentleness of summer light, This Stream, my honour'd slave, possessed: And the meek lamps that sweeten night, Had made his heart too mild to bear And slow sad solemn pace, a load so violet-eyed and 22. One swift sun-beam with sickly flare On white arms waving high did gleam, What time she shriek'd, and the strong Stream Leapt up and grasp'd her by the hair. And all was dark. With wild heads bow'd The forests murmur'd, and black cloud Split speumy on the mountain tops with fire and portent loud! 23. Then all was still as the Abyss, Save for the dark and bubbling water, And the far voice. "Bear Ceres' daughter Unto the kingly feet of Dis!" Wherefore I rose upon my throne, And smote my kingdom's roof of stone; Earth moan'd to her deep fiery roots-Hell answer'd with a groan. |