第8章

AndnowthesurfaceoftheirrollingbacksWasridgedwithfoam-toptfurrows，risinghighAnddashingwildly，liketofierysteeds，FreshfromtheThracianorThessalianplains，High-bloodedmaresjusttemperingtothebit，Whosemanesatfull-speedstreamuponthewinds，AndinwhosedelicatenostrilswhenthegustBreathesoftheirnateplains，theyrampandrear，Frothingthecurb，andboundingfromtheearth，AsthoughtheSun-god’schariotaloneWerefittofollowintheirflashingtrack。

AnonwithgatheringstaturetotheheightOfthosecolossalgiants，doomedlongsinceTotorturousgriefandpenance，thatassailedThesky-thronedcourtsofZeus，andclimbing，daredForonceinaworldtheOlympicwrath，andbravedTheelectricspiritwhichfromhisclenchinghandPiercesthedark-veinedearth，andwithatouchIsdeathtomortals，fearfullytheygrew!

AndwithlikepurposeofaudacityThreatenedTitanicfurytotheGod。

SuchwastheagitationoftheseaBeneathPoseidon’sthought-revolngbrows，Stormingforsignal。Butnosignalcame。

Andaswhenmen，whocongregatetohearSomeproclamationfromtheregalfount，WitheagerquestioningandanousphraseBetraytheexpectationoftheirhearts，Tillaftermanyhoursoffretfulsloth，Wearywithmuchdelay，theyholddiscourseInsullengroupsandcloudymasses，stirredWithrageirresoluteandwhisperingplot，Knownmorebyindicationthanbyword，AndunderstoodalonebythosewhosemindsParticipate；——evensotherestlesswavesBegantoloseallsenseofsertude，Andworkedwithrebelpassions，bursting，nowToright，andnowtoleft，butevermoreSubduedwithinfluence，andcontrolledwithdreadOfthatinolateAuthority。

Then，swiftlyashemused，theimpetuousGodSeizedonthepausingreins，hiscoursersplunged，Hisbrowsresumedthegrandeuroftheirire；

ThroughouthisvastdinitythedeepsConcurrentthrilledwithaction，andaway，Assweepsathunder-cloudacrosstheskyInharvest-time，preludedbydullblasts；

Orsomeblack-sagedwhirlwind，whosewidefoldsRush，wrestlingonwithall’twtheavenandearth，Darklinghehurried，andhisdistantvoice，Notsoftenedbydelay，washeardintonesDistinctlyterrible，stillfollowingupItsrapidutteranceoftremendouswrathWithhoarsereverberations；liketheroarOflionswhentheyhunger，andawakeThesullenechoesfromtheirforestsleep，TospeedtheravenousnoisefromhilltohillAndstartlectims；butmoreawful，He，Scuddingacrossthehillsthatriseandsink，Withfoam，andsplash，andcataractsofspray，Clothedinmajesticsplendour；girtaboutWithSea-godsandswiftcreaturesofthesea；

Theirbrinyeyesblindwiththeshoweringdrops；

Theirstormylocks，salttongues，andscalybacks，Queringinharmonywiththetempest，fierceAndeagerwithtempestuousdelight；-

HelikeamongrockabovethemallSolemnlytoweringwhilefitfulgleamsBrakefromhisdenseblackforehead，whichdisplay’dTheenduringchiefsastheirdistractedfleetsTossed，toilingwiththewaters，climbinghigh，Andplungingdownwardwithdeterminedbeaks，Inluridanguish；buttheCretankingAndallhiscrewwere’wareofunder-tides，Thatforthegroaningvesselmadeapath，OnwhichtheimpendingandprecipitouswavesFellnot，norsuck’dtotheirabysmalgorge。

O，happytheytofeelthemightyGod，Withouthiswhelmingpresencenear：tofeelSafetyandsweetrelieffromsuchdespair，AndgushingoftheirwearyhopesoncemoreWithintheirfondwarmhearts，tiredlimbs，andeyesHeavywithmuchfatigueandwantofsleep!

Prayersdidnotlack；likemountainspringstheycame，Aftertheearthhasdrunkthedrenchingrains，Andthrowsherfresh-bornjetsintothesunWithjoyoussparkles；——forthereneedednotEdencemoresereneofinstantgrace，Immortalmercy!andthesensewhichfollowsDineinterposition，whentheshockOfdangerhathbeenthwartedbytheGods，sibly，andthroughsupplicationdeep，-

Roseinthem，chieflyintheroyalmindOfhimwhoseintercedingvowhadsaved。

Tearsfromthatgreatheroicsoulsprangup；

Notpainfulasingrief，norsmartingkeenWithshameofweeping；butcalm，fresh，andsweet；

Suchasinloftyspiritsrise，andwedThenatureofthewomantotheman；

AsightmostlovelytotheGods!TheyfellLikeshowersofstarlightfromhissteadfasteyes，Asevertowardstheprowhegazed，normovedOnemuscle，withfirmlipsandlevellids，Motionless；whilethewindssanginhisears，AndtookthelengthofhisbrownhairinstreamsBehindhim。Thusthehourspassed，andtheoarsPliedwithoutpause，andnothingbutthesoundOfthedullrowlocksandstillwaterysough，Faroff，thecarnageofthestorm，washeard。

Fornothingspakethemarinersintheirtoil，Andallthecaptainsofthewarweredumb：

Toomuchoppressedwithwonder，toomuchthrilledBytheirgreatchieftain’ssilence，todisturbSuchmeditationwithpoorhumanspeech。

MeantimethemoonthroughslipsofdringcloudCameforth，andglancedathwarttheseasapathOfduskysplendour，liketheHadeanbrows，WhenwithElysianpassiontheybeholdPersephone’scomplacenthuelesscheeks。

Soongatheringstrengthandlustre，asashipThatswimsintosomeblueandopenbayWithbrightfull-bosomedsails，theradiantcarOfArtemisadvanced，andonthewavesSparkledlikearrowsfromhersilverbowThekeennessofherpureandtendergaze。

Then，slowly，onebyonethechiefssoughtrest；

Thewatchesbeingset，andmentorelieveTherowersatmidseason。FairitwasToseethemastheylay!Someuptheprow，Someroundthehelm，inopen-handedsleep；

Withcasquesunloosed，andbucklersputaside；

Thetenyears’taleofwarupontheircheeks，Whereclungthesaltwetlocks，andontheirbreastsBeards，thethickgrowthofmanyaproudcampaign；

Andontheirbrowsthebrightinsiblecrownctoryshedsfromherownradiantform，Aso’erherfavourites’headsshesingsandsoars。

Butdreamscamenotsocalmly；asaroundTurbulentshoreswildwavesandswampingsurfPrevail，whileseaward，onthetranquildeeps，Reignplacidsurfacesandsolemnpeace，So，fromthetroubledstrandsofmemory，theyLaunchedandweretossed，longeretheyfoundthetidesThatleadtothegentlebosomsofpurerest。

AndliketoonewhofromaghostlywatchInalonehousewheremurderhathbeendone，Andsecretolations，palewithstealthEmerges，staggeringonthefirstchillgustWherewiththemorninggreetshim，feelingnotItsbalmyfreshnessonhisbloodlesscheek，-

Butswifttohidehismidnightfaceafar，’Mongsttheoldwoodsandtimid-glancingflowersHastens，tillonthefreshrengbreastsOftenderDryadsfoldedheforgetsThepallidwitnessofthosenamelessthings，Inrenovatedsenseslapt，andjoinsThefull，keenjoyanceoftheday，sotheyFromsightsandsoundsofbattlesmearedwithblood，AndshriekingsoulsonAcheron’sbleaktides，Andwailofexecratingkindred，slidIntoobliousslumberandasenseOfsatiatedeliciousnesscomplete。

Leavethem，OMuse，inthatsohappysleep!

Leavethemtoreaptheharvestoftheirtoil，Whilefastinmoonlightthegladvesselglides，Asifinstinctetoitsforesthome。

OMuse，thatinallsorrowsandalljoys，Rapturousblissandsufferingdine，Dwellestwithequalfervour，inthecalmOfthyserenephilosophy，albeitThygentlenatureisofjoyalone，Andlovesthepipingsofthehappyfields，BetterthanallthegreatparadeandpompWhichformsthetrainofheroesandofkings，Andsows，toofrequently，thetragicseedsThatchokewithsobsthysinging，——turnawayThylustrouseyesbacktotheoath-boundman!

Forasashepherdstandsabovehisflock，Theloftyfigureofthekingisseen，Standingabovehiswarriorsastheysleep：

Andstillasfromarockgreywatersgush，Whilestilltherockispassionlessanddark，Normovesonefeatureofitsgiantface，Thetearsfallfromhiseyes，andhestirsnot。

AndO，brightMuse!forgetnotthoutofoldInthypropheticsympathythethoughtOfhimwhosedestinyhashearditsdoom：

TheSacrificethro’whomtheshipissaved。

HaplythatSacrificeissleepingnow，Anddreamsofgladtomorrows。Haplynow，Hishopesarekeenest，andhisferventbloodRichestwithyouth，andlove，andfondregard!

Roundhimthecircleofaffectionsblooms，Andinsomehappynestofhomeheles，Onenameoftutteringindelightedears，Mother!atwhichtheheartofmenarekinWithreverenceandyearning。Haply，too，Thatothername，twinholy，twinrevered，HewhispersoftentothepassingwindsThatblowtowardtheAsiaticcoasts；

ForCretehassentherbravesttothewar，Andmultitudespressedforwardtothatrank，Menwithsadweepingwesandlittleones。

Thatothername——OFather!whoartthou，Thusdoomedtolosethestarofthylastdays？

Itmaybethesoleflowerofthylife，Andthatofallwhonowlookuptothee!

OFather，Father!untotheeevennowFatecries；thefuturewithimploringvoiceCries’Saveme，’’Saveme，’thoughthouhearestnot。

AndOthouSacrifice，foredoomedbyZeus；

EvennowthedarkinexorabledeedIsdealingitsrelentlessstroke，andvainAreprayers，andtears，andstruggles，anddespair!

Themother’stears，thenation’sstormfulgrief，Thepeople’sindignationandrevenge!

Vainthelastchildlikepleadingvoiceforlife，Thequickresolve，theyoungheroicbrow，Solike，solike，andvainlybeautiful!

Oh!whosoe’eryearetheMusesaysnot，Andseesnot，buttheGodslookdownonboth。

OnyonderhillssofttwilightdwellsAndHesperburnswheresunsetdies，MoistandchillthewoodlandsmellsFromthefern-coveredhollowsuprise；

Darknessdropsnotfromtheskies，Butshadowsofdarknessareflungo’erthevaleFromtheboughsofthechestnut，theoak，andtheelm，WhilenightinyonlinesofeasternpinesPreservesaloneherinolaterealmAgainstthetwilightpale。

Say，thensay，whatisthisday，Thatitlingersthuswithhalf-closedeyes，WhenthesunsetisquenchedandtheorientrayOftheroseatemoondothrise，Likeamidnightsuno’ertheskies!

’Tisthelongest，thelongestofallthegladyear，Thelongestinlifeandthefairestinhue，Whendayandnight，inbridallight，Mingletheirbeingsbeneaththesweetblue，Andblessthebalmyair!

UpwardtothisstarryheightTheculminatingseasonsrolled；

Ononeslopegreenwithspringdelight，Theotherwithharvestgold，AndtreasuresofAutumnuntold：

AndonthishighestthroneofthemidsummernowThewaningbutdeathlessdaydothdream，Witharapturousgrace，astho’fromthefaceOftheunveiledinfinity，lo，afarbeamHadfall’nonherdim-flushedbrow!

Prolong，prolongthattideofsong，Oleafynightingaleandthrush!

Still，earnest-throatedblackcap，throngThewoodswiththatemulousgushOfnotesintumultuousrush。

Yesummersouls，raiseuponevoice!

Acharmisafloatallovertheland；

TheripeyeardothfalltotheSpiritofall，Whoblessesitwithoutstretchedhand；

Yesummersouls，rejoice!

Merrily’midthefadedleaves，ORobinofthebrightredbreast!

CheerilyovertheAutumneaves，Thynoteisheard，bonnybird；

Senttocheerus，andkindlyendearusTowhatwouldbeasorrowfultimeWithouttheeinthewelteringclime：

Merryartthouintheboughsofthelime，Whilethyfadelesswaistcoatglowsonthybreast，InAutumn’sreddestlerydrest。

Amerrysong，acheerysong!

Intheboughsabove，ontheswardbelow，Chirpingandsingingtheledaylong，Whilethemapleingriefshedsitsfieryleaf，Andallthetreeswaning，withbittercomplaining，Chestnut，andelm，andsycamore，Catchthewildgustintheirarms，androarLiketheseaonastormyshore，Tillwailfullytheyletitgo，Andweepthemselvesnakedandwearywithwoe。

Merrily，cheerily，joyouslystillPoursoutthecrimson-crestedtide。

Thesetoftheseasonburnsbrightonthehill，Wherethefoliagedeadfallsyellowandred，Picturingvainly，butforetellingplainlyThewealthofcottagewarmththatcomesWhenthefrostgleamsandthebloodnumbs，Andthen，bonnyRobin，I’llspreadtheeoutcrumbsInmygardenporchforthyredbreastpride，Thesongandtheensignofdearfireside。