Page:Orion, an epic poem - Horne (1843, 3rd edition).djvu/80

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74
Orion.
[Book II.
And willingly he knew; and whither fled,
He knew. But how recover, or revenge
The loss?—new dangers, outrage, how avert?
Infuriate were his people at the deed,
For by the giants many had been slain,
Ere they had won their prize. 'Gainst Merope,
Some spake aloud; against Orion, all,—
Save the bald sage, who said "'T was natural."
"Natural!" they cried, "O wretch!" The sage was stoned.

Within his cave, in his accustomed place,
With passive dignity that ever holds
Unwise activity in check and awe—
And active wisdom where the will's not strong—
Sat Akinetos, listening to the tale
Thus by Rhexergon told; Biastor leaning
Against a rock, with folded arms, the while.

"We from our trance with aching brows awoke
Staring, and on our elbows raised, with chins
Set in our hands, collected our mazed minds.
We both had dreamed one dream. In Chios' walls
A feast we held in honour of the king,
Encolyon, newly chosen—as we thought—