Page:Sappho and the Vigil of Venus (1920).djvu/29

Rh A river whose banks were bright with the sheen

Of flame-like flowers whose cups of gold

Dew-brimmed flashed out of the shimmering green.

And there unto Niobe Leto told

The tale of a bridal of long agone

Ere Hera was throned, when as yet was none

Crowned Heaven's Queen.

She told how Zeus had led her, his bride,

To a palace Olympian of stately pride,

Told of the spousal feast divine

Whereat the bowl of ambrosia-wine

Was mingled, and Hermes' self brimmed up

For God and Goddess the blessing-cup;

And hands celestial upheld on high

Each golden chalice, and pealed the cry

From celestial lips—"May happiness

Bridegroom and bride with all good bless!"

And they summoned to meet in the dancing-ring

The feet that flash and the lips that sing—

"Come, Graces roseate-armed, draw near!

O daughters of Zeus, at his bridal appear,

Ye bright-haired Muses, acclaim him here!"

Then garlands of soft-petalled flowers did they twine,

Those Graces, with lovely hands divine.

So with pleachèd wreaths they softly bound

The Muses' necks, and their own heads crowned.

And she told how the glorious dance-array

Would in wildering circles swing and sway,

Even as when in the latter day