Graffiti d'Italia/Europa

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4404014Graffiti d'Italia — EuropaWilliam Wetmore Story

EUROPA.

A PICTURE BY PAUL VERONESE.


Zephyr is wandering here with gentle sound
The first fresh fragrance of the spring to seek;
The milk-white steer, whose budding horns are crowned
With flowery garlands, kneeling on the ground
Receives his burden fair, and turns his sleek
Mild head around, her sandalled foot to lick;
Luxuriant, joyous, fresh, with roses bound
About her sunny head, and on her cheek
The glow of morn, Europa mounts the steer.
One handmaid clasps her girdle, and one calls
The hovering loves to bring their garlands near.
From her full breast the loosened drapery falls,
As borne by Love o'er slope and lea she goes,
Glad with exuberant life—fresh as a new-blown rose.