Canto I.]
Orion.
99
Entered her heart; nor settled there, but coursed
Through all her veins in anguish. Her despair
Was boundless, many days, until her strength
Worn with much misery and the need of sleep,
Gave way, and slumber opened 'neath her soul,
Like an abyss. The deed, beyond recall,
Was done. She woke, and thought on this with grief.
The cruel separation, and the loss
Of sight, had been completed. Nothing now
Of passion past remained but memory,
Which soon grew painful; and her thoughts oft turned
For some relief, to listen to the songs
That minstrels sung, sent by the youthful king
Of Syros, rich in pastures and in corn.
Beardless he was, dwarf-shaped, and delicate,
Freckled and moled, with saffron tresses fair;
Yet were his minstrels touched with secret fires,
And beauty was the theme of all their lays.
Of her they sung—sole object of desire—
And with rare presents the pale king preferred
His suit for Merope. Her sire approved;—
Invited him;—he came;—and Merope
With him departed in a high-beaked ship;
And as it sped along, she closely pressed
The rich globes of her bosom on the side
Through all her veins in anguish. Her despair
Was boundless, many days, until her strength
Worn with much misery and the need of sleep,
Gave way, and slumber opened 'neath her soul,
Like an abyss. The deed, beyond recall,
Was done. She woke, and thought on this with grief.
The cruel separation, and the loss
Of sight, had been completed. Nothing now
Of passion past remained but memory,
Which soon grew painful; and her thoughts oft turned
For some relief, to listen to the songs
That minstrels sung, sent by the youthful king
Of Syros, rich in pastures and in corn.
Beardless he was, dwarf-shaped, and delicate,
Freckled and moled, with saffron tresses fair;
Yet were his minstrels touched with secret fires,
And beauty was the theme of all their lays.
Of her they sung—sole object of desire—
And with rare presents the pale king preferred
His suit for Merope. Her sire approved;—
Invited him;—he came;—and Merope
With him departed in a high-beaked ship;
And as it sped along, she closely pressed
The rich globes of her bosom on the side
