Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/117



Afloat, and pillowing up the majesty Of Doris, and the Ægean seer, her spouse— Next, on a dolphin, clad in laurel boughs, Theban Amphion leaning on his lute: His fingers went across it—All were mute To gaze on Amphitrite, queen of pearls, And Thetis pearly too.—


 * The palace whirls

Around giddy Endymion; seeing he Was there far strayed from mortality. He could not bear it—shut his eyes in vain; Imagination gave a dizzier pain. "O I shall die! sweet Venus, be my stay! Where is my lovely mistress? Well-away! I die—I hear her voice—I feel my wing—" At Neptune's feet he sank. A sudden ring Of Nereids were about him, in kind strife To usher back his spirit into life: But still he slept. At last they interwove Their cradling arms, and purposed to convey Towards a crystal bower far away.
 * Lo! while slow carried through the pitying crowd,

To his inward senses these words spake aloud; Written in star-light on the dark above: "Dearest Endymion! my entire love! How have I dwelt in fear of fate; 'tis done— Immortal bliss for me too hast thou won. Arise then! for the hen-dove shall not hatch Her ready eggs, before I'll kissing snatch Thee into endless heaven. Awake! awake!"