MISTRESS of gods and men! I have been thine From boy to man, and many a myrtle rod Have I made grow upon thy sacred sod, Nor ever have I pass'd thy white shafts nine Without some votive offering for the shrine, Carv'd beryl or chas'd bloodstone; -- aid me now, And I will live to fashion for thy brow Heart-breaking priceless things: oh, make her mine." Venus inclin'd her ear, and through the Stone Forthwith slid warmth like spring through sapling-stems, And lo, the eyelid stirr'd, beneath had grown The tremulous light of life, and all the hems Of her zon'd peplos shook. Upon his breast She sank, by two dread gifts at once oppress'd. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FISHERMAN IN SONGKHLA by KAREN SWENSON GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: OVER THE MACKINAC by KAREN SWENSON VETERAN SIRENS by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON ON READING 'VORTICIST POEM ON LOVE' by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TO BARON DE STONNE WITH AIKIN'S ESSAYS ON SONG-WRITING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |