Pursue thee with their deadly aim! O matchless perfidy! portentous lust Of monstrous crime ! that horror-striking blade, Shuddered the walls the marble city wept – Of spirit too capacious to require That Destiny her course should change; too just 115 That wretched boon, days lengthened by mistrust. 120 1814. THE SWAN ON LOCARNO. (ORIGINALLY THE OPENING STANZA OF DION.) FAIR is the Swan, whose majesty, prevailing He leaves behind a moon-illumined wake: 5 An arch thrown back between luxuriant wings Of whitest garniture, like fir-tree boughs Vanish inverted hill, and shadowy wood, Showering down a silver light, From heaven, upon her chosen Favourite! 1816. ODE TO LYCORIS. MAY, 1817. I. AN age hath been when Earth was proud To be sustained; and Mortals bowed Who then, if Dian's crescent gleamed, And smooths her liquid breast to show บก IO 15 White as the pair that slid along the plains II. In youth we love the darksome lawn Then, Twilight is preferred to Dawn, Sad fancies do we then affect, In luxury of disrespect To our own prodigal excess Of too familiar happiness. Thee, thee my life's celestial sign !) Be ours to welcome it; 20 25 30 Seem to recall the Deity Of youth into the breast: May pensive Autumn ne'er present Still, as we nearer draw to life's dark goal, 1817. 50 Who would check the happy feeling Yet at this impressive season, And, while shades to shades succeeding Last forerunner of "Good night!" 20 25 30 35 40 |