By seas Ægean, griev'd remembrance heals
As she thy joyance feels;
And far below the merry-twinkling waves,
Bright Thetis breathes thy praise in orient caves.
And here, in this delightful wood,
Where saucy elves and winsome fairies bide,
We, also, would draw near thee, Solitude,
And lay our cares aside:
Draw near thee, nymph demure, and drain,
From flowery cups that know no touch profane,
The dews, delicious brimming;
Recline where poppies, purple-hued,
Droop low in lovely lassitude,
While belted bees in amorous mood
O'er thymy beds are swimming,
Or, musing 'neath some drowsy hemlock, gain
The sweet Morphæan anodyne for pain.
Long, long ago, to such seclusion,
Filled with accusing shame and grieved confusion,
Life's noontide dark, its promise dead,
The youthful Daphnis fled.
Child of the God, how could he brook
That curious eyes should gaping look
Upon the sightless face,
Where, deeply written, burned his deep disgrace?
Fearful of wrongs he could not see,
He brought his bruisèd heart to thee.
