endless existence in which no life was, yoked to one whose youth was immortal, whose beauty was everlasting?
Then did she turn to Idas, who stood as one who awaits the judgment of the judge in whose hands lies the power of meting out life or death. Thus she spoke:
"But if I live with Idas, then we two
"On the low earth shall prosper hand in hand
"In odours of the open field, and live
"In peaceful noises of the farm, and watch
"The pastoral fields burned by the setting sun.
"And he shall give me passionate children, not
"Some radiant god that will despise me quite.
"But clambering limbs and little hearts that err.
"…So shall we live.
"And though the first sweet sting of love be past.
"The sweet that almost venom is; though youth.
"With tender and extravagant delight.
"The first and secret kiss by twilight hedge.
"The insane farewell repeated o'er and o'er.
"Pass off; there shall succeed a faithful peace;
"Beautiful friendship tried by sun and wind,
"Durable from the daily dust of life."
The sun-god frowned as her words fell from her lips. Even now, as she looked at him, he held out his arms. Surely she only played with this poor mortal youth. To him she must come, this rose who could own no lesser god than the sun-god himself.
But Marpessa spoke on:
"And thou beautiful god, in that far time.
"When in thy setting sweet thou gazest down
"On his grey head, wilt thou remember then
"That once I pleased thee, that I once was young?"
So did her voice cease, and on the earth fell sudden darkness. For to Apollo had come the shame of love
