She loves vines, olives, orchards, ' the rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and peas,' But for the idle flowers she hath little care ; She will resign them willingly. And think not, Thou wise Athena, I shall go unhonour'd. Or rank a meaner goddess unto man. His spirit setteth beauty before wisdom, 220 Pleasures above necessities, and thus He ever adoreth flowers. Nor this I guess AVhere rich men only and superfluous kings Around their palaces reform the land To terraces and level lawns, whereon Appointed slaves are told, to tend and feed Lilies and roses and all rarest plants Fetch'd from all lands ; that theythese lordly men -'Twixt flaunting avenues and wafted odours May pace in indolence : this is their bliss; 230 This first they do : and after, it may be. Within their garden set their academe : -But in the poorest villages, around The meanest cottage, where no other solace Comforts the eye, some simple gaiety Of flowers in tended garden is seen ; some pinks. Tulips, or crocuses that edge the path ; Where oft at eve the grateful labourer Sits in his jasmin'd porch, and takes the sun : And even the children, that half-naked go, 240 Have posies in their hands, and of themselves Will choose a queen in whom to honour Spring, Dancing before her garlanded with may. How was she stolen from your distracted eyes ? Ch. There, where thou standest now, stood she companion'd By wise Athena and bright Artemis. AVe in flower-gathering dance and idle song AVere wander'd off apart ; we fear'd no wrong. DeiM. Li heav'n I heard her cry : ye nothing heard ? Ch. We heard no cry -How coudst thou hear in heaven ?. Ask us not 6f her :we have nought to tell. -Dem. I seek not knowledge of you, for I know. Ch. Thou knowest? Ah, mighty Queen, deign then to tell If thou hast found her. Tell u-stell ustell ! 391 Dem. Oh, there are calls that love can hear, That strike not on the outward ear. None heard save I : but with a dart Of lightning-pain it pierc'd my heart, ( 63 ) ' But if,' she cried, ' thou smite her as I bid, Soon shall our glory of this affront be rid. And she and all her likes for ever shamed. ' Make her to love the loathliest, basest wretch, Deform'd in body, and of moonstruck mind, A hideous brute and vicious, born to fetch Anger from dogs and cursing from the blind. And let her passion for the monster be As shameless and detestable as he Is most extreme and vile of humankind.' (94) March Which Solid, when he agreed, she spake no more, But left him to his task, and took her way Beside the ripples of the shell-strewn shore. The southward stretching margin of a bay, Whose sandy curves she pass'd, and taking stand Upon its taper horn of furthest land, Lookt left and right to rise and set of day. 24 Fair was the sight ; for now, though full an hour The sun had sunk, she saw the evening light In shifting colour to the zenith tower. And grow more gorgeous ever and more bright. Bathed in the warm and comfortable glow. The fair delighted queen forgot her woe. And watch'd the unwonted pageant of the night. 25 Broad and ...
