Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/61


 * Such as cast a sickly blight
 * On all shapes of life and light.

Yea, panting and pursued and stung and driven,
 * The soul of Man flies on in deep distress,
 * As once across the world's harsh wilderness

Latona fled, chased by the Queen of heaven;
 * Flying across the homeless Universe
 * From the inveterate stroke of Juno's curse;

On whom even mother earth closed all her portals,
 * Refusing shelter in her cooing bowers,
 * Or rest upon her velvet couch of flowers,

To the most weary of all weary mortals.
 * Within whose earth-encumbered form,
 * Like two fair stars entwined in storm,
 * Or wings astir within the worm,
 * Feeling out for light and air,
 * Struggled that celestial pair,
 * Phœbus of unerring bow,
 * And chaste Dian fair as snow.

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