Clarel/Part 4/Canto 27

27. By Parapet
"Well may ye gaze! What's good to see Better than Adam's humanity When genial lodged! Such spell is given, It lured the staid grandees of heaven, Though biased in their souls divine Much to one side the feminine.-- He is the pleasantest small fellow!"

It was the early-rising priest, Who up there in the morning mellow Had followed Clarel: "Not the least Of pleasures here which I have known Is meeting with that laxer one. We talked below; but all the while My thoughts were wandering away, Though never once mine eyes did stray, He did so pleasingly beguile To keep them fixed upon his form:

Such harmony pervades his warm Soft outline.--Why now, what a stare Of incredulity you speak From eyes! But it was some such fair Young sinner in the time antique Suggested to the happy Greek His form of Bacchus--the sweet shape! Young Bacchus, mind ye, not the old: The Egyptian ere he crushed the grape.-- But--how? and home-sick are you? Come, What's in your thoughts, pray? Wherefore mum? So Derwent; though but ill he sped, Clarel declining to be led

Or cheered. Nor less in covert way That talk might have an after-sway Beyond the revery which ran Half-heeded now or dim: This man-- May Christian true such temper wish? His happiness seems paganish.