Page:Florence Earle Coates Poems 1898 73.jpg

 HYLAS

the woodland spring he came

For water welling fresh and sweet;

An eager purpose winged his feet

And set his heart aflame.

But musing on Alcmene's son—

Reviewing, emulous, each prize

By the godlike hero won,

A-sudden, with surprise,

He heard soft voices call upon his name:

"Hylas, Hylas, stay and listen!

Though but a moment, bright dreamer, delay!

Pleasure greets thee,

Youth entreats thee,—

From their enchantments, ah, turn not away!

Where the eddies dimpling glisten,

To the love-lorn naiads listen!

Let not carping care destroy

Life's jocund prime with counsels cold,—

From happy youth the gods withhold

The sordid gifts that they employ

To plague the old!

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