Poems by George Meredith Volume I Part 6

Down from Pindus bright Peneus Tells its muse-melodious source; Sacred is its fountained birthplace, And the Orient floods its course.

Many a morn the sunny darling Saw the rising chariot-rays, From the winding river-reaches, Mellowing in amber haze.

Thro' the flaming mountain gorges Lo, the River leaps the plain; Like a wild G.o.d-stridden courser, Tossing high its foamy mane.

Then he swims thro' laurelled sunlight, Full of all sensations sweet, Misty with his morning incense, To the mirrored maiden's feet!

Wet and bright the dinting pebbles Shine where oft she paused and stood; All her dreamy warmth revolving, While the chilly waters wooed.

Like to rosy-born Aurora, Glowing freshly into view, When her doubtful foot she ventures On the first cold morning blue.

White as that Thessalian lily, Fairest Tempe's fairest flower, Lo, the tall Peneian virgin Stands beneath her bathing bower.

There the laurell'd wreaths o'erarching Crown'd the dainty shuddering maid; There the dark prophetic laurel Kiss'd her with its sister shade.

There the young green glistening leaflets Hush'd with love their breezy peal; There the little opening flowerets Blush'd beneath her vermeil heel!

There among the conscious arbours Sounds of soft tumultuous wail, Mysteries of love, melodious, Came upon the lyric gale!

Breathings of a deep enchantment, Effluence of immortal grace, Flitted round her faltering footstep, Spread a balm about her face!

Witless of the enamour'd presence, Like a dreamy lotus bud From its drowsy stem down-drooping, Gazed she in the glowing flood.

Softly sweet with fluttering presage, Felt she that ethereal sense, Drinking charms of love delirious, Reaping bliss of love intense!

All the air was thrill'd with sunrise, Birds made music of her name, And the G.o.d-impregnate water Claspt her image ere she came.

Richer for that glance unconscious!

Dearer for that soft dismay!

And the sudden self-possession!

And the smile as bright as day!

Plunging 'mid her scattered tresses, With her blue invoking eyes; See her like a star descending!

Like a rosebud see her rise!

Like a rosebud in the morning Dashing off its jewell'd dews, Ere unfolding all its fragrance It is gathered by the muse!

Beauteous in the foamy laughter Bubbling round her shrinking waist, Lo! from locks and lips and eyelids Rain the glittering pearl-drops chaste!

And about the maiden rapture Still the ruddy ripples play'd, Ebbing round in startled circlets When her arms began to wade;

Flowing in like tides attracted To the glowing crescent shine!

Clasping her ambrosial whiteness Like an Autumn-tinted vine!

Sinking low with love's emotion!

Levying with look and tone All love's rosy arts to mimic Cytherea's magic zone!

Trembling up with adoration To the crimson daisy tip Budding from the snowy bosom - Fainter than the rose-red lip!

Rising in a storm of wavelets, That for shelter, feigning fright, Prest to those twin-heaving havens, Harbour'd there beneath her light;

Gleaming in a whirl of eddies Round her lucid throat and neck; Eddying in a gleam of dimples Up against her bloomy cheek;

Bribing all the breezy water With rich warmth, the nymph to keep In a self-imprison'd plaisance, Tempting her from deep to deep.

Till at last delirious pa.s.sion Thrill'd the G.o.d to wild excess, And the fervour of a moment Made divinity confess;

And he stood in all his glory!

But so radiant, being near, That her eyes were frozen on him In a fascinated fear!

All with orient splendour shining, All with roseate birth aglow, Gleam'd the golden G.o.d before her, With his golden crescent bow.

Soon the dazzled light subsided, And he seem'd a beauteous youth, Form'd to gain the maiden's murmurs, And to pledge the vows of truth.

Ah! that thus he had continued!

O, that such for her had been!

Graceful with all G.o.dlike beauty, But so humanly serene!

Cheeks, and mouth, and mellow ringlets, Bounteous as the mid-day beam; Pleading looks and wistful tremour, Tender as a maiden's dream!

Palms that like a bird's throbb'd bosom Palpitate with eagerness, Lips, the bridals of the roses, Dewy sweet from the caress!

Lips and limbs, and eyes and ringlets, Swaying, praying to one prayer, Like a lyre, swept by a spirit, In the still, enraptur'd air.

Like a lyre in some far valley, Uttering ravishments divine!

All its strings to viewless fingers Yearning, modulations fine!

Yearning with melodious fervour!

Like a beauteous maiden flower, When the young beloved three paces Hovers from the bridal bower.

Throbbing thro' the dawning stillness!

As a heart within a breast, When the young beloved is stepping Radiant to the nuptial nest.

O for Daphne! gentle Daphne Ever warmer by degrees Whispers full of hopes and visions Throng her ears like honey bees!

Never yet was lonely blossom Woo'd with such delicious voice!

Never since hath mortal maiden Dwelt on such celestial choice!

Love-suffused she quivers, falters - Falters, sighs, but never speaks, All her rosy blood up-gushing Overflows her ripe young cheeks.

Blushing, sweet with virgin blushes, All her loveliness a-flame, Stands she in the orient waters, Stricken o'er with speechless shame!

Ah! but lovelier, ever lovelier, As more deep the colour glows, And the honey-laden lily Changes to the fragrant rose.

While the G.o.d with meek embraces, Whispering all his sacred charms, Softly folds her, gently holds her, In his white encircling arms!

But, O Dian! veil not wholly Thy pale crescent from the morn!

Vanish not, O virgin G.o.ddess, With that look of pallid scorn!