UntowhatawfulpowershallIcall？
Towhathighfane？—Ah！seeherhoveringfeet，
Morebluelyvein’d，moresoft，morewhitelysweet
Thanthoseofsea—bornVenus，whensherose
Fromouthercradleshell.Thewindout—blows
Herscarfintoaflutteringpavillion;
’Tisblue，andover—spangledwithamillion
Oflittleeyes，asthoughthouwerttoshed，
Overthedarkest，lushestblue—bellbed，
Handfulsofdaisies.\"—\"Endymion，howstrange！
Dreamwithindream！\"—\"Shetookanairyrange，
Andthen，towardsme，likeaverymaid，
Cameblushing，waning，willing，andafraid，
Andpress’dmebythehand：Ah！’twastoomuch;
MethoughtIfaintedatthecharmedtouch，
Yetheldmyrecollections，evenasone
Whodivesthreefathomswherethewatersrun
Gurglinginbedsofcoral：foranon，
Ifeltupmountedinthatregion
Wherefallingstarsdarttheirartilleryforth，
Andeaglesstrugglewiththebuffetingnorth
Thatbalancestheheavymeteor—stone;—
Felttoo，Iwasnotfearful，noralone，
Butlapp’dandlull’dalongthedangeroussky.
Soon，asitseem’d，weleftourjourneyinghigh，
Andstraightwayintofrightfuleddiesswoop’d;
Suchasayemusterwheregreytimehasscoop’d
Hugedensandcavernsinamountain’sside;
Therehollowsoundsarous’dme，andIsigh’d
Tofaintoncemorebylookingonmybliss—
Iwasdistracted;madlydidIkiss
Thewooingarmswhichheldme，anddidgive
Myeyesatoncetodeath：but’twastolive，
Totakeindraughtsoflifefromthegoldfount
Ofkindandpassionatelooks;tocount，andcount
Themoments，bysomegreedyhelpthatseem’d
Asecondself，thateachmightberedeem’d
Andplunder’dofitsloadofblessedness.
Ah，desperatemortal！Ie’endar’dtopress
Herverycheekagainstmycrownedlip，
And，atthatmoment，feltmybodydip
Intoawarmerair：amomentmore，
Ourfeetweresoftinflowers.Therewasstore
Ofnewestjoysuponthatalp.Sometimes
Ascentofviolets，andblossominglimes，
Loiter’daroundus;thenofhoneycells，
Madedelicatefromallwhite—flowerbells;
Andonce，abovetheedgesofournest，
Anarchfacepeep’d，—anOreadasIguess’d.
\"WhydidIdreamthatsleepo’er—power’dme
Inmidstofallthisheaven？Whynotsee，
Faroff，theshadowsofhispinionsdark，
Andstarethemfromme？Butno，likeaspark
Thatneedsmustdie，althoughitslittlebeam
Reflectsuponadiamond，mysweetdream
Fellintonothing—intostupidsleep.
Andsoitwas，untilagentlecreep，
Acarefulmovingcaughtmywakingears，
AndupIstarted：Ah！mysighs，mytears，
Myclenchedhands：—forlo！thepoppieshung
Dew—dabbledontheirstalks，theouzelsung
Aheavyditty，andthesullenday
HadchiddenheraldHesperusaway，
Withleadenlooks：thesolitarybreeze
Bluster’d，andslept，anditswildselfdidteaze
Withwaywardmelancholy;andIthought，
Markme，Peona！thatsometimesitbrought
Faintfare—thee—wells，andsigh—shrilledadieus！—
AwayIwander’d—allthepleasanthues
Ofheavenandearthhadfaded：deepestshades
Weredeepestdungeons;heathsandsunnyglades
Werefullofpestilentlight;ourtaintlessrills
Seem’dsooty，ando’er—spreadwithupturn’dgills
Ofdyingfish;thevermeilrosehadblown
Infrightfulscarlet，anditsthornsout—grown
Likespikedaloe.Ifaninnocentbird
Beforemyheedlessfootstepsstirr’d，andstirr’d
Inlittlejourneys，Ibeheldinit
Adisguis’ddemon，missionedtoknit
Mysoulwithunderdarkness;toentice
Mystumblingsdownsomemonstrousprecipice：
ThereforeIeagerfollowed，anddidcurse
Thedisappointment.Time，thatagednurse，
Rock’dmetopatience.Now，thankgentleheaven！
Thesethings，withalltheircomfortings，aregiven
Tomydown—sunkenhours，andwiththee，
Sweetsister，helptostemtheebbingsea
Ofwearylife.\"
Thusendedhe，andboth
Satsilent：forthemaidwasveryloth
Toanswer;feelingwellthatbreathedwords
Wouldallbelost，unheard，andvainasswords
Againsttheenchasedcrocodile，orleaps
Ofgrasshoppersagainstthesun.Sheweeps
Andwonders;strugglestodevisesomeblame;
Toputonsuchalookaswouldsay，Shame
Onthispoorweakness！but，forallherstrife，
Shecouldassoonhavecrush’dawaythelife
Fromasickdove.Atlength，tobreakthepause，
Shesaidwithtremblingchance：\"Isthisthecause？
Thisall？Yetitisstrange，andsad，alas！
Thatonewhothroughthismiddleearthshouldpass
Mostlikeasojourningdemi—god，andleave
Hisnameupontheharp—string，shouldachieve
Nohigherbardthansimplemaidenhood，
Singingalone，andfearfully，—howtheblood
Lefthisyoungcheek;andhowheusedtostray
Heknewnotwhere;andhowhewouldsay，nay，
Ifanysaid’twaslove：andyet’twaslove;
Whatcoulditbebutlove？Howaring—dove
Letfallasprigofyewtreeinhispath;
Andhowhedied：andthen，thatlovedothscathe
Thegentleheart，asnorthernblastsdoroses;
Andthentheballadofhissadlifecloses
Withsighs，andanalas！—Endymion！
Beratherinthetrumpet’smouth，—anon
Amongthewindsatlarge—thatallmayhearken！
Although，beforethecrystalheavensdarken，
Iwatchanddoteuponthesilverlakes
Pictur’dinwesterncloudiness，thattakes
Thesemblanceofgoldrocksandbrightgoldsands，
Islands，andcreeks，andamber—frettedstrands
Withhorsesprancingo’erthem，palaces
Andtowersofamethyst，—wouldIsoteaze
Mypleasantdays，becauseIcouldnotmount
Intothoseregions？TheMorpheanfount
Ofthatfineelementthatvisions，dreams，
Andfitfulwhimsofsleeparemadeof，streams
Intoitsairychannelswithsosubtle，
Sothinabreathing，notthespider’sshuttle，
Circledamilliontimeswithinthespace
Ofaswallow’snest—door，coulddelayatrace，
Atintingofitsquality：howlight
Mustdreamsthemselvesbe;seeingthey’remoreslight
Thanthemerenothingthatengendersthem！
Thenwhereforesullytheentrustedgem
Ofhighandnoblelifewiththoughtssosick？
Whypiercehigh—frontedhonourtothequick
Fornothingbutadream？\"Hereattheyouth
Look’dup：aconflictingofshameandruth
Wasinhisplaitedbrow：yet，hiseyelids
Widenedalittle，aswhenZephyrbids
Alittlebreezetocreepbetweenthefans
Ofcarelessbutterflies：amidhispains
Heseem’dtotasteadropofmanna—dew，
Fullpalatable;andacolourgrew
Uponhischeek，whilethushelifefulspake.
\"Peona！everhaveIlong’dtoslake
Mythirstfortheworld’spraises：nothingbase，
Nomerelyslumberousphantasm，couldunlace
Thestubborncanvasformyvoyageprepar’d—
Thoughnow’tistatter’d;leavingmybarkbar’d
Andsullenlydrifting：yetmyhigherhope
Isoftoowide，toorainbow—largeascope，
Tofretatmyriadsofearthlywrecks.
Whereinlieshappiness？Inthatwhichbecks
Ourreadymindstofellowshipdivine，
Afellowshipwithessence;tillweshine，
Fullalchemiz’d，andfreeofspace.Behold
Theclearreligionofheaven！Fold
Aroseleafroundthyfinger’staperness，
Andsoothethylips：hist，whentheairystress
Ofmusic’skissimpregnatesthefreewinds，
Andwithasympathetictouchunbinds
AEolianmagicfromtheirlucidwombs：
Thenoldsongswakenfromencloudedtombs;
Olddittiessighabovetheirfather’sgrave;
Ghostsofmelodiousprophecyingsrave
RoundeveryspotwheretrodApollo’sfoot;
Bronzeclarionsawake，andfaintlybruit，
Wherelongagoagiantbattlewas;
And，fromtheturf，alullabydothpass
IneveryplacewhereinfantOrpheusslept.
Feelwethesethings？—thatmomenthavewestept
Intoasortofoneness，andourstate
Islikeafloatingspirit’s.Butthereare
Richerentanglements，enthralmentsfar
Moreself—destroying，leading，bydegrees，
Tothechiefintensity：thecrownofthese
Ismadeofloveandfriendship，andsitshigh
Upontheforeheadofhumanity.
Allitsmoreponderousandbulkyworth
Isfriendship，whencethereeverissuesforth
Asteadysplendour;butatthetip—top，
Therehangsbyunseenfilm，anorbeddrop
Oflight，andthatislove：itsinfluence，
Throwninoureyes，gendersanovelsense，
Atwhichwestartandfret;tillintheend，
Meltingintoitsradiance，weblend，
Mingle，andsobecomeapartofit，—
Norwithaughtelsecanoursoulsinterknit
Sowingedly：whenwecombinetherewith，
Life’sselfisnourish’dbyitsproperpith，
Andwearenurturedlikeapelicanbrood.
Aye，sodeliciousistheunsatingfood，
Thatmen，whomighthavetower’dinthevan
Ofallthecongregatedworld，tofan
Andwinnowfromthecomingstepoftime
Allchaffofcustom，wipeawayallslime
Leftbymen—slugsandhumanserpentry，
Havebeencontenttoletoccasiondie，
Whilsttheydidsleepinlove’selysium.
And，truly，Iwouldratherbestruckdumb，
Thanspeakagainstthisardentlistlessness：
ForIhaveeverthoughtthatitmightbless
Theworldwithbenefitsunknowingly;
Asdoesthenightingale，upperchedhigh，
Andcloister’damongcoolandbunchedleaves—
Shesingsbuttoherlove，nore’erconceives
HowtiptoeNightholdsbackherdark—greyhood.
Justsomaylove，although’tisunderstood
Themerecomminglingofpassionatebreath，
Producemorethanoursearchingwitnesseth：
WhatIknownot：butwho，ofmen，cantell
Thatflowerswouldbloom，orthatgreenfruitwouldswell
Tomeltingpulp，thatfishwouldhavebrightmail，
Theearthitsdowerofriver，wood，andvale，
Themeadowsrunnels，runnelspebble—stones，
Theseeditsharvest，ortheluteitstones，
Tonesravishment，orravishmentitssweet，
Ifhumansoulsdidneverkissandgreet？
\"Now，ifthisearthlylovehaspowertomake
Men’sbeingmortal，immortal;toshake
Ambitionfromtheirmemories，andbrim
Theirmeasureofcontent：whatmerestwhim，
Seemsallthispoorendeavourafterfame，
Toone，whokeepswithinhisstedfastaim
Aloveimmortal，animmortaltoo.
Looknotsowilder’d;forthesethingsaretrue，
Andnevercanbebornofatomies
Thatbuzzaboutourslumbers，likebrain—flies，
Leavingusfancy—sick.No，no，I’msure，
Myrestlessspiritnevercouldendure
Tobroodsolongupononeluxury，
Unlessitdid，thoughfearfully，espy
Ahopebeyondtheshadowofadream.
Mysayingswillthelessobscuredseem，
WhenIhavetoldtheehowmywakingsight
Hasmademescruplewhetherthatsamenight
Waspass’dindreaming.Hearken，sweetPeona！
Beyondthematron—templeofLatona，
Whichweshouldseebutforthesedarkeningboughs，
Liesadeephollow，fromwhoseraggedbrows
Bushesandtreesdoleanallroundathwart
Andmeetsonearly，thatwithwingsoutraught，
Andspreadedtail，avulturecouldnotglide
Pastthem，buthemustbrushoneveryside.
Somemoulder’dstepsleadintothiscoolcell，
Farastheslabbedmarginofawell，
Whosepatientlevelpeepsitscrystaleye
Rightupward，throughthebushes，tothesky.
OfthaveIbroughttheeflowers，ontheirstalksset
Likevestalprimroses，butdarkvelvet
Edgesthemround，andtheyhavegoldenpits：
’TwasthereIgotthem，fromthegapsandslits
Inamossystone，thatsometimeswasmyseat，
Whenallabovewasfaintwithmid—dayheat.
Andthereinstrifenoburningthoughtstoheed，
I’dbubbleupthewaterthroughareed;
Soreachingbacktoboy—hood：makemeships
Ofmoultedfeathers，touchwood，alderchips，
Withleavesstuckinthem;andtheNeptunebe
Oftheirpettyocean.Oftener，heavily，
Whenlove—lornhourshadleftmelessachild，
Isatcontemplatingthefigureswild
Ofo’er—headcloudsmeltingthemirrorthrough.
Uponaday，whilethusIwatch’d，byflew
AcloudyCupid，withhisbowandquiver;
Soplainlycharacter’d，nobreezewouldshiver
Thehappychance：sohappy，Iwasfain
Tofollowitupontheopenplain，
And，therefore，wasjustgoing;when，behold！
Awonder，fairasanyIhavetold—
ThesamebrightfaceItastedinmysleep，
Smilingintheclearwell.Myheartdidleap
Throughthecooldepth.—Itmovedasiftoflee—
Istartedup，whenlo！refreshfully
Therecameuponmyfaceinplenteousshowers
Dew—drops，anddewybuds，andleaves，andflowers，
Wrappingallobjectsfrommysmotheredsight，
Bathingmyspiritinanewdelight.
Aye，suchabreathlesshoney—feelofbliss
Alonepreservedmefromthedrearabyss
Ofdeath，forthefairformhadgoneagain.
Pleasureisoftavisitant;butpain
Clingscruellytous，likethegnawingsloth
Onthedeer’stenderhaunches：late，andloth，
’Tisscar’dawaybyslowreturningpleasure.
Howsickening，howdarkthedreadfulleisure
Ofwearydays，madedeeperexquisite，
Byafore—knowledgeofunslumbrousnight！
Likesorrowcameuponme，heavierstill，
ThanwhenIwander’dfromthepoppyhill：
Andawholeageoflingeringmomentscrept
Sluggishlyby，eremorecontentmentswept
Awayatoncethedeadlyyellowspleen.
Yes，thricehaveIthisfairenchantmentseen;
Oncemorebeentorturedwithrenewedlife.
Whenlastthewintrygustsgaveoverstrife
Withtheconqueringsunofspring，andlefttheskies
Warmandserene，butyetwithmoistenedeyes
Inpityoftheshatter’dinfantbuds，—
Thattimethoudidstadorn，withamberstuds，
Myhuntingcap，becauseIlaugh’dandsmil’d，
Chattedwiththee，andmanydaysexil’d
Alltormentfrommybreast;—’twaseventhen，
Strayingabout，yet，coop’dupintheden
Ofhelplessdiscontent，—hurlingmylance
Fromplacetoplace，andfollowingatchance，
Atlast，byhap，throughsomeyoungtreesitstruck，
And，plashingamongbeddedpebbles，stuck
Inthemiddleofabrook，—whosesilverramble
Downtwentylittlefalls，throughreedsandbramble，
Tracingalong，itbroughtmetoacave，
Whenceitranbrightlyforth，andwhitedidlave
Thenethersidesofmossystonesandrock，—
’Mongwhichitgurgledblytheadieus，tomock
Itsownsweetgriefatparting.Overhead，
Hungalushscreenofdroopingweeds，andspread
Thick，astocurtainupsomewood—nymph’shome.
’Ah！impiousmortal，whitherdoIroam？’
SaidI，lowvoic’d：’Ah，whither！’Tisthegrot
’OfProserpine，whenHell，obscureandhot，
’Dothherresign;andwherehertenderhands
’Shedabbles，onthecoolandsluicysands：
’Or’tisthecellofEcho，whereshesits，
’Andbabblesthoroughsilence，tillherwits
’Aregoneintendermadness，andanon，
’Faintsintosleep，withmanyadyingtone
’Ofsadness.Othatshewouldtakemyvows，
’Andbreathethemsighinglyamongtheboughs，
’Tosuehergentleearsforwhosefairhead，
’Daily，Iplucksweetfloweretsfromtheirbed，
’Andweavethemdyingly—sendhoney—whispers
’Roundeveryleaf，thatallthosegentlelispers
’Maysighmyloveuntoherpitying！
’OcharitableEcho！hear，andsing
’Thisdittytoher！—tellher’—soIstay’d
Myfoolishtongue，andlistening，halfafraid，
Stoodstupefiedwithmyownemptyfolly，
Andblushingforthefreaksofmelancholy.
Salttearswerecoming，whenIheardmyname
Mostfondlylipp’d，andthentheseaccentscame：
’Endymion！thecaveissecreter
’ThantheIsleofDelos.Echohenceshallstir
’Nosighsbutsigh—warmkisses，orlightnoise
’Ofthycombinghand，thewhileittravellingcloys
’Andtremblesthroughmylabyrinthinehair.’
Atthatoppress’dIhurriedin.—Ah！where
Arethoseswiftmoments？Whitheraretheyfled？
I’llsmilenomore，Peona;norwillwed
Sorrowthewaytodeath;butpatiently
Bearupagainstit：sofarewell，sadsigh;
Andcomeinsteaddemurestmeditation，
Tooccupymewholly，andtofashion
Mypilgrimagefortheworld’sduskybrink.
NomorewillIcountover，linkbylink，
Mychainofgrief：nolongerstrivetofind
Ahalf—forgetfulnessinmountainwind
Blusteringaboutmyears：aye，thoushaltsee，
Dearestofsisters，whatmylifeshallbe;
Whatacalmroundofhoursshallmakemydays.
Thereisapalyflameofhopethatplays
Where’erIlook：butyet，I’llsay’tisnaught—
AndhereIbiditdie.HavenotIcaught，
Already，amorehealthycountenance？
Bythisthesunissetting;wemaychance
Meetsomeofournear—dwellerswithmycar.\"
Thissaid，herose，faint—smilinglikeastar
Throughautumnmists，andtookPeona’shand：
Theysteptintotheboat，andlaunch’dfromland.
BOOKII.
Osovereignpoweroflove！Ogrief！Obalm！
Allrecords，savingthine，comecool，andcalm，
Andshadowy，throughthemistofpassedyears：
Forothers，goodorbad，hatredandtears
Havebecomeindolent;buttouchingthine，
Onesighdothecho，onepoorsobdothpine，
Onekissbringshoney—dewfromburieddays.
ThewoesofTroy，towerssmotheringo’ertheirblaze，
Stiff—holdenshields，far—piercingspears，keenblades，
Struggling，andblood，andshrieks—alldimlyfades
Intosomebackwardcornerofthebrain：
Yet，inourverysouls，wefeelamain
ThecloseofTroilusandCressidsweet.
Hence，pageanthistory！hence，gildedcheat！
Swartplanetintheuniverseofdeeds！
Widesea，thatonecontinuousmurmurbreeds
Alongthepebbledshoreofmemory！
Manyoldrotten—timber’dboatstherebe
Uponthyvaporousbosom，magnified
Togoodlyvessels;manyasailofpride，
Andgoldenkeel’d，isleftunlaunch’danddry.
Butwhereforethis？Whatcare，thoughowldidfly
AboutthegreatAthenianadmiral’smast？
Whatcare，thoughstridingAlexanderpast
TheInduswithhisMacedoniannumbers？
ThougholdUlyssestorturedfromhisslumbers
ThegluttedCyclops，whatcare？—Julietleaning
Amidherwindow—flowers，—sighing，—weaning
Tenderlyherfancyfromitsmaidensnow，
Dothmoreavailthanthese：thesilverflow
OfHero’stears，theswoonofImogen，
FairPastorellainthebandit’sden，
Arethingstobroodonwithmoreardency
Thanthedeath—dayofempires.Fearfully
Mustsuchconvictioncomeuponhishead，
Who，thusfar，discontent，hasdaredtotread，
Withoutonemuse’ssmile，orkindbehest，
Thepathofloveandpoesy.Butrest，
Inchaffingrestlessness，isyetmoredrear
Thantobecrush’d，instrivingtouprear
Love’sstandardonthebattlementsofsong.
Sooncemoredaysandnightsaidmealong，
Likelegion’dsoldiers.
Brain—sickshepherdprince，
Whatpromisehastthoufaithfulguardedsince
Thedayofsacrifice？Or，havenewsorrows
Comewiththeconstantdawnuponthymorrows？
Alas！’tishisoldgrief.Formanydays，
Hashebeenwanderinginuncertainways：
Throughwilderness，andwoodsofmossedoaks;
Countinghiswoe—wornminutes，bythestrokes
Ofthelonewoodcutter;andlisteningstill，
Hourafterhour，toeachlush—leav’drill.
Nowheissittingbyashadyspring，
Andelbow—deepwithfeverousfingering
Stemstheupburstingcold：awildrosetree
Pavillionshiminbloom，andhedothsee
Abudwhichsnareshisfancy：lo！butnow
Heplucksit，dipsitsstalkinthewater：how！
Itswells，itbuds，itflowersbeneathhissight;
And，inthemiddle，thereissoftlypight
Agoldenbutterfly;uponwhosewings
Theremustbesurelycharacter’dstrangethings，
Forwithwideeyehewonders，andsmilesoft.
Lightlythislittleheraldflewaloft，
Follow’dbygladEndymion’sclaspedhands：
Onwarditflies.Fromlanguor’ssullenbands
Hislimbsareloos’d，andeager，onhehies
Dazzledtotraceitinthesunnyskies.
Itseem’dheflew，thewaysoeasywas;
Andlikeanew—bornspiritdidhepass
Throughthegreeneveningquietinthesun，
O’ermanyaheath，throughmanyawoodlanddun，
Throughburiedpaths，wheresleepytwilightdreams
Thesummertimeaway.Onetrackunseams
Awoodedcleft，and，faraway，theblue
Ofoceanfadesuponhim;then，anew，
Hesinksadownasolitaryglen，
Wheretherewasneversoundofmortalmen，
Saving，perhaps，somesnow—lightcadences
Meltingtosilence，whenuponthebreeze
Someholybarkletforthananthemsweet，
TocheeritselftoDelphi.Stillhisfeet
Wentswiftbeneaththemerry—wingedguide，
Untilitreach’dasplashingfountain’sside
That，nearacavern’smouth，foreverpour’d
Untothetemperateair：thenhighitsoar’d，
And，downward，suddenlybegantodip，
Asif，athirstwithsomuchtoil，’twouldsip
Thecrystalspout—head：soitdid，withtouch
Mostdelicate，asthoughafraidtosmutch
Evenwithmealygoldthewatersclear.
But，atthatverytouch，todisappear
Sofairy—quick，wasstrange！Bewildered，
Endymionsoughtaround，andshookeachbed
Ofcovertflowersinvain;andthenheflung
Himselfalongthegrass.Whatgentletongue，
Whatwhispererdisturb’dhisgloomyrest？
Itwasanymphuprisentothebreast
Inthefountain’spebblymargin，andshestood
’Monglillies，liketheyoungestofthebrood.
Tohimherdrippinghandshesoftlykist，
Andanxiouslybegantoplaitandtwist
Herringletsroundherfingers，saying：\"Youth！
Toolong，alas，hastthoustarv’dontheruth，
Thebitternessoflove：toolongindeed，
Seeingthouartsogentle.CouldIweed
Thysoulofcare，byheavens，Iwouldoffer
Allthebrightrichesofmycrystalcoffer
ToAmphitrite;allmyclear—eyedfish，
Golden，orrainbow—sided，orpurplish，
Vermilion—tail’d，orfinn’dwithsilverygauze;
Yea，ormyveinedpebble—floor，thatdraws
Avirginlighttothedeep;mygrotto—sands
Tawnyandgold，ooz’dslowlyfromfarlands
Bymydiligentsprings;mylevellillies，shells，
Mycharmingrod，mypotentriverspells;
Yes，everything，eventothepearlycup
Meandergaveme，—forIbubbledup
Tofaintingcreaturesinadesertwild.
Butwoeisme，Iambutasachild
Togladdenthee;andallIdaretosay，
Is，thatIpitythee;thatonthisday
I’vebeenthyguide;thatthoumustwanderfar
Inotherregions，pastthescantybar
Tomortalsteps，beforethoucanstbeta’en
Fromeverywastingsigh，fromeverypain，
Intothegentlebosomofthylove.
Whyitisthus，oneknowsinheavenabove：
But，apoorNaiad，Iguessnot.Farewell！
Ihaveadittyformyhollowcell.\"
Hereat，shevanishedfromEndymion’sgaze，
Whobroodedo’erthewaterinamaze：
Thedashingfountpour’don，andwhereitspool
Lay，halfasleep，ingrassandrushescool，
Quickwaterfliesandgnatsweresportingstill，
Andfishweredimpling，asifgoodnorill
Hadfallenoutthathour.Thewanderer，
Holdinghisforehead，tokeepoffthebur
Ofsmotheringfancies，patientlysatdown;
And，whilebeneaththeevening’ssleepyfrown
Glow—wormsbegantotrimtheirstarrylamps，
Thusbreath’dhetohimself：\"Whosoencamps
Totakeafanciedcityofdelight，
Owhatawretchishe！andwhen’tishis，
Afterlongtoilandtravelling，tomiss
Thekernelofhishopes，howmorethanvile：
Yet，forhimthere’srefreshmentevenintoil;
Anothercitydothhesetabout，
Freefromthesmallestpebble—headofdoubt
Thathewillseizeontricklinghoney—combs;
Alas，hefindsthemdry;andthenhefoams，
Andonwardtoanothercityspeeds.
Butthisishumanlife：thewar，thedeeds，
Thedisappointment，theanxiety，
Imagination’sstruggles，farandnigh，
Allhuman;bearinginthemselvesthisgood，
Thattheyarestilltheair，thesubtlefood，
Tomakeusfeelexistence，andtoshow
Howquietdeathis.Wheresoilismengrow，
Whethertoweedsorflowers;butforme，
Thereisnodepthtostrikein：Icansee
Naughtearthlyworthmycompassing;sostand
Uponamisty，juttingheadofland—
Alone？No，no;andbytheOrpheanlute，
WhenmadEurydiceislisteningto’t;
I’dratherstanduponthismistypeak，
Withnotathingtosighfor，ortoseek，
Butthesoftshadowofmythrice—seenlove，
Thanbe—Icarenotwhat.Omeekestdove
Ofheaven！OCynthia，ten—timesbrightandfair！
Fromthybluethrone，nowfillingalltheair，
Glancebutonelittlebeamoftemper’dlight
Intomybosom，thatthedreadfulmight
Andtyrannyoflovebesomewhatscar’d！
Yetdonotso，sweetqueen;onetormentspar’d，
Wouldgiveapangtojealousmisery，
Worsethanthetorment’sself：butrathertie
Largewingsuponmyshoulders，andpointout
Mylove’sfardwelling.Thoughtheplayfulrout
OfCupidsshunthee，toodivineartthou，
Tookeeninbeauty，forthysilverprow
Nottohavedipp’dinlove’smostgentlestream.
Obepropitious，norseverelydeem
Mymadnessimpious;for，byallthestars
Thattendthybidding，Idothinkthebars
Thatkeptmyspiritinareburst—thatI
Amsailingwiththeethroughthedizzysky！
Howbeautifulthouart！Theworldhowdeep！
Howtremulous—dazzlinglythewheelssweep
Aroundtheiraxle！Thenthesegleamingreins，
Howlithe！Whenthisthychariotattains
Itsairygoal，haplysomebowerveils
Thosetwilighteyes？Thoseeyes！—myspiritfails—
Deargoddess，help！orthewide—gapingair
Willgulphme—help！\"—Atthiswithmadden’dstare，
Andliftedhands，andtremblinglipshestood;
LikeoldDeucalionmountain’do’ertheflood，
OrblindOrionhungryforthemorn.
And，butfromthedeepcaverntherewasborne
Avoice，hehadbeenfrozetosenselessstone;
Norsighofhis，norplaint，norpassion’dmoan
Hadmorebeenheard.Thusswell’ditforth：\"Descend，
Youngmountaineer！descendwherealleysbend
Intothesparryhollowsoftheworld！
Ofthastthouseenboltsofthethunderhurl’d
Asfromthythreshold;daybydayhastbeen
Alittlelowerthanthechillysheen
Oficypinnacles，anddipp’dstthinearms
Intothedeadeningetherthatstillcharms
Theirmarblebeing：now，asdeepprofound
Asthosearehigh，descend！Hene’eriscrown’d
Withimmortality，whofearstofollow
Whereairyvoiceslead：sothroughthehollow，
Thesilentmysteriesofearth，descend！\"
Heheardbutthelastwords，norcouldcontend
Onemomentinreflection：forhefled
Intothefearfuldeep，tohidehishead
Fromtheclearmoon，thetrees，andcomingmadness.
’Twasfartoostrange，andwonderfulforsadness;
Sharpening，bydegrees，hisappetite
Todiveintothedeepest.Dark，norlight，
Theregion;norbright，norsombrewholly，
Butmingledup;agleamingmelancholy;
Aduskyempireanditsdiadems;
Onefainteternaleventideofgems.
Aye，millionssparkledonaveinofgold，
Alongwhosetracktheprincequickfootstepstold，
Withallitslinesabruptandangular：
Out—shootingsometimes，likeameteor—star，
Throughavastantre;thenthemetalwoof，
LikeVulcan’srainbow，withsomemonstrousroof
Curveshugely：now，farinthedeepabyss，
Itseemsanangrylightning，anddothhiss
Fancyintobelief：anonitleads
Throughwindingpassages，wheresamenessbreeds
Vexingconceptionsofsomesuddenchange;
Whethertosilvergrots，orgiantrange
Ofsapphirecolumns，orfantasticbridge
Athwartafloodofcrystal.Onaridge
Nowfarethhe，thato’erthevastbeneath
Towerslikeanocean—cliff，andwhenceheseeth
Ahundredwaterfalls，whosevoicescome
Butasthemurmuringsurge.Chillyandnumb
Hisbosomgrew，whenfirsthe，faraway
Descriedanorbeddiamond，settofray
Olddarknessfromhisthrone：’twaslikethesun
Upriseno’erchaos：andwithsuchastun
Cametheamazement，that，absorb’dinit，
Hesawnotfiercerwonders—pastthewit
Ofanyspirittotell，butoneofthose
Who，whenthisplanet’sspheringtimedothclose，
Willbeitshighremembrancers：whothey？
Themightyoneswhohavemadeeternalday
ForGreeceandEngland.Whileastonishment
Withdeep—drawnsighswasquieting，hewent
Intoamarblegallery，passingthrough
Amimictemple，socompleteandtrue
Insacredcustom，thathewellnighfear’d
Tosearchitinwards;whencefaroffappear’d，
Throughalongpillar’dvista，afairshrine，
Andjustbeyond，onlighttiptoedivine，
Aquiver’dDian.Steppingawfully，
Theyouthapproach’d;oftturninghisveil’deye
Downsidelongaisles，andintonichesold.
Andwhen，morenearagainstthemarblecold
Hehadtouch’dhisforehead，hebegantothread
Allcourtsandpassages，wheresilencedead
Rous’dbyhiswhisperingfootstepsmurmuredfaint：
Andlonghetravers’dtoandfro，toacquaint
Himselfwitheverymystery，andawe;
Till，weary，hesatdownbeforethemaw
Ofawideoutlet，fathomlessanddim，
Towilduncertaintyandshadowsgrim.
There，whennewwondersceas’dtofloatbefore，
Andthoughtsofselfcameon，howcrudeandsore
Thejourneyhomewardtohabitualself
Amad—pursuingofthefog—bornelf，
Whoseflittinglantern，throughrudenettle—briar，
Cheatsusintoaswamp，intoafire，
Intothebosomofahatedthing.
Whatmiserymostdrowninglydothsing
InloneEndymion’sear，nowhehasraught
Thegoalofconsciousness？Ah，’tisthethought，
Thedeadlyfeelofsolitude：forlo！
Hecannotseetheheavens，northeflow
Ofrivers，norhill—flowersrunningwild
Inpinkandpurplechequer，nor，up—pil’d，
Thecloudyrackslowjourneyinginthewest，
Likeherdedelephants;norfelt，norprest
Coolgrass，nortastedthefreshslumberousair;
Butfarfromsuchcompanionshiptowear
Anunknowntime，surcharg’dwithgrief，away，
Wasnowhislot.Andmusthepatientstay，
Tracingfantasticfigureswithhisspear？
\"No！\"exclaim’dhe，\"whyshouldItarryhere？\"
No！loudlyechoedtimesinnumerable.
Atwhichhestraightwaystarted，and’gantell
Hispacesbackintothetemple’schief;
Warmingandglowingstronginthebelief
OfhelpfromDian：sothatwhenagain
Hecaughtherairyform，thusdidheplain，
Movingmorenearthewhile：\"OHaunterchaste
Ofriversides，andwoods，andheathywaste，
Wherewiththysilverbowandarrowskeen
Artthounowforested？OwoodlandQueen，
Whatsmoothestairthysmootherforeheadwoos？
Wheredostthoulistentothewidehalloos
Ofthydispartednymphs？Throughwhatdarktree
Glimmersthycrescent？Wheresoe’eritbe，
’Tisinthebreathofheaven：thoudosttaste
Freedomasnonecantasteit，nordostwaste
Thylovelinessindismalelements;
But，findinginourgreenearthsweetcontents，
Therelivestblissfully.Ah，iftothee
ItfeelsElysian，howrichtome，
Anexil’dmortal，soundsitspleasantname！
Withinmybreasttherelivesachokingflame—
Oletmecool’tthezephyr—boughsamong！
Ahomewardfeverparchesupmytongue—
Oletmeslakeitattherunningsprings！
Uponmyearanoisynothingrings—
Oletmeoncemorehearthelinnet’snote！
Beforemineeyesthickfilmsandshadowsfloat—
Oletme’nointthemwiththeheaven’slight！
Dostthounowlavethyfeetandankleswhite？
Othinkhowsweettomethefresheningsluice！
Dostthounowpleasethythirstwithberry—juice？
Othinkhowthisdrypalatewouldrejoice！
Ifinsoftslumberthoudosthearmyvoice，
OthinkhowIshouldloveabedofflowers！—
Younggoddess！letmeseemynativebowers！
Delivermefromthisrapaciousdeep！\"
Thusendingloudly，ashewouldo’erleap
Hisdestiny，alerthestood：butwhen
Obstinatesilencecameheavilyagain，
Feelingaboutforitsoldcouchofspace
Andairycradle，lowlybow’dhisface
Desponding，o’erthemarblefloor’scoldthrill.
But’twasnotlong;for，sweeterthantherill
Toitsoldchannel，oraswollentide
Tomarginsallows，weretheleaveshespied，
Andflowers，andwreaths，andreadymyrtlecrowns
Upheapingthroughtheslab：refreshmentdrowns
Itself，andstrivesitsowndelightstohide—
Norinonespotalone;thefloralpride
Inalongwhisperingbirthenchantedgrew
Beforehisfootsteps;aswhenheav’danew
Oldoceanrollsalengthenedwavetotheshore，
Downwhosegreenbacktheshort—liv’dfoam，allhoar，
Burstsgradual，withawaywardindolence.
Increasingstillinheart，andpleasantsense，
Uponhisfairyjourneyonhehastes;
Soanxiousfortheend，hescarcelywastes
Onemomentwithhishandamongthesweets：
Onwardhegoes—hestops—hisbosombeats
Asplainlyinhisear，asthefaintcharm
Ofwhichthethrobswereborn.Thisstillalarm，
Thissleepymusic，forc’dhimwalktiptoe：
Foritcamemoresoftlythantheeastcouldblow
Arion’smagictotheAtlanticisles;
Orthanthewest，madejealousbythesmiles
Ofthron’dApollo，couldbreathebackthelyre
ToseasIonianandTyrian.
Odidheeverlive，thatlonelyman，
Wholov’d—andmusicslewnot？’Tisthepest
Oflove，thatfairestjoysgivemostunrest;
Thatthingsofdelicateandtenderestworth
Areswallow’dall，andmadeaseareddearth，
Byoneconsumingflame：itdothimmerse
Andsuffocatetrueblessingsinacurse.
Half—happy，bycomparisonofbliss，
Ismiserable.’Twasevensowiththis
Dew—droppingmelody，intheCarian’sear;
Firstheaven，thenhell，andthenforgottenclear，
Vanish’dinelementalpassion.
Anddownsomeswartabysmhehadgone，
Hadnotaheavenlyguidebenignantled
Towherethickmyrtlebranches，’gainsthishead
Brushing，awakened：thenthesoundsagain
Wentnoiselessasapassingnoontiderain
Overabower，wherelittlespacehestood;
Forasthesunsetpeepsintoawood
Sosawhepantinglight，andtowardsitwent
Throughwindingalleys;andlo，wonderment！
Uponsoftverduresaw，onehere，onethere，
Cupidsaslumberingontheirpinionsfair.
Afterathousandmazesovergone，
Atlast，withsuddenstep，hecameupon
Achamber，myrtlewall’d，emboweredhigh，
Fulloflight，incense，tenderminstrelsy，
Andmoreofbeautifulandstrangebeside：
Foronasilkencouchofrosypride，
Inmidstofall，therelayasleepingyouth
Offondestbeauty;fonder，infairsooth，
Thansighscouldfathom，orcontentmentreach：
Andcoverlidsgold—tintedlikethepeach，
OrripeOctober’sfadedmarigolds，
Fellsleekabouthiminathousandfolds—
NothidingupanApolloniancurve
Ofneckandshoulder，northetentingswerve
Ofkneefromknee，noranklespointinglight;
Butrather，givingthemtothefilledsight
Officiously.Sidewayhisfacerepos’d
Ononewhitearm，andtenderlyunclos’d，
Bytenderestpressure，afaintdamaskmouth
Toslumberypout;justasthemorningsouth
Dispartsadew—lipp’drose.Abovehishead，
Fourlillystalksdidtheirwhitehonourswed
Tomakeacoronal;androundhimgrew
Alltendrilsgreen，ofeverybloomandhue，
Togetherintertwin’dandtrammel’dfresh：
Thevineofglossysprout;theivymesh，
ShadingitsEthiopberries;andwoodbine，
Ofvelvetleavesandbugle—bloomsdivine;
Convolvulusinstreakedvasesflush;
Thecreeper，mellowingforanautumnblush;
Andvirgin’sbower，trailingairily;
Withothersofthesisterhood.Hardby，
StoodsereneCupidswatchingsilently.
One，kneelingtoalyre，touch’dthestrings，
Mufflingtodeaththepathoswithhiswings;
And，everandanon，uprosetolook
Attheyouth’sslumber;whileanothertook
Awillow—bough，distillingodorousdew，
Andshookitonhishair;anotherflew
Inthroughthewovenroof，andfluttering—wise
Rain’dvioletsuponhissleepingeyes.
Attheseenchantments，andyetmanymore，
ThebreathlessLatmianwonder’do’erando’er;
Until，impatientinembarrassment，
Heforthrightpass’d，andlightlytreadingwent
Tothatsamefeather’dlyrist，whostraightway，
Smiling，thuswhisper’d：\"Thoughfromupperday
Thouartawanderer，andthypresencehere
Mightseemunholy，beofhappycheer！
For’tisthenicesttouchofhumanhonour，
Whensomeetherealandhigh—favouringdonor
Presentsimmortalbowerstomortalsense;
Asnow’tisdonetothee，Endymion.Hence
WasIinnowisestartled.Sorecline
Upontheselivingflowers.Hereiswine，
Alivewithsparkles—never，Iaver，
SinceAriadnewasavintager，
Socoolapurple：tastethesejuicypears，
SentmebysadVertumnus，whenhisfears
WerehighaboutPomona：hereiscream，
Deepeningtorichnessfromasnowygleam;
SweeterthanthatnurseAmaltheaskimm’d
FortheboyJupiter：andhere，undimm’d
Byanytouch，abunchofbloomingplums
Readytomeltbetweenaninfant’sgums：
Andhereismannapick’dfromSyriantrees，
Instarlight，bythethreeHesperides.
Feaston，andmeanwhileIwilllettheeknow
Ofallthesethingsaroundus.\"Hedidso，
Stillbroodingo’erthecadenceofhislyre;
Andthus：\"Ineednotanyhearingtire
Bytellinghowthesea—borngoddesspin’d
Foramortalyouth，andhowshestrovetobind
Himallinalluntoherdotingself.
Whowouldnotbesoprison’d？but，fondelf，
Hewascontenttoletheramorousplea
Faintthroughhiscarelessarms;contenttosee
Anunseiz’dheavendyingathisfeet;
Content，Ofool！tomakeacoldretreat，
Whenonthepleasantgrasssuchlove，lovelorn，
Laysorrowing;wheneverytearwasborn
Ofdiversepassion;whenherlipsandeyes
Wereclos’dinsullenmoisture，andquicksighs
Camevex’dandpettishthroughhernostrilssmall.