Page:Sappho and the Vigil of Venus (1920).djvu/43

Rh O nay, they forgat it not, but they could not attain so high."

But she thinks of the fate, an evil thing,

That the years fast-fleeting to fair maids bring,

When the roses are faded, the gold turns grey,

And the smoothness is furrowed, as singeth the lay—

"As the hyacinth-flower on the mountain-side that the shepherds tread

Underfoot, and low on the earth its bloom dark-splendid is shed."

Lo, her hand into thine hath her father given,

And thou leadest her home 'neath the Star of Even;

To thy portal the bridal-train draws near,

And the Chant Processional rings out clear:

"Hail, Hesper, who bringest home all

That radiant Dawn scattered wide,

Bringest back unto fold and stall

The sheep and the goat, and thy call

Brings the child to the mother's side.

Let the rose-ringed Star of the Evenfall

Usher thee on, love's willing thrall,

Bride, garden of loves like roses blowing,

Bride, loveliest image of Paphos' Queen!

So pass to the bride-bower, pass within

To the nuptial couch, for the sweet bestowing

On the bridegroom, whose measure is overflowing,

Of the bliss, wherein honoured is Hera: 'tis owned

Of the Marriage-goddess, the silver-throned."