18
Orion.
[Book I.
In this companionship Orion's bent
Of nature had not merged; his working spirit
Sought from the fallen trunks and rocks to frame
Rude image of his fancies, till at length
He won Hephæaestos' love, from whom he learnt
The god's own solid art. But this attained,
And proved by mastery, a restless dream
Dawned on his soul which he desired to shape,
Yet knew not how, nor saw its like around,
But vaguely felt at times, and thought he saw
In shadows. Wherefore through the forest depths,
Through vales and over hills, a hunter fleet
He chased his unknown hopes; and when the stag,
Or goat, or ounce, he overtook and seized,
Ever he set them free, and e'en the bear
And raging boar his spear refrained to strike,
Save by its shadow, as they roaring fled.
The bodily thing became to him as nought
When gained; nor satisfied with efforts passed.
Of nature had not merged; his working spirit
Sought from the fallen trunks and rocks to frame
Rude image of his fancies, till at length
He won Hephæaestos' love, from whom he learnt
The god's own solid art. But this attained,
And proved by mastery, a restless dream
Dawned on his soul which he desired to shape,
Yet knew not how, nor saw its like around,
But vaguely felt at times, and thought he saw
In shadows. Wherefore through the forest depths,
Through vales and over hills, a hunter fleet
He chased his unknown hopes; and when the stag,
Or goat, or ounce, he overtook and seized,
Ever he set them free, and e'en the bear
And raging boar his spear refrained to strike,
Save by its shadow, as they roaring fled.
The bodily thing became to him as nought
When gained; nor satisfied with efforts passed.
Now from a Goddess did he quickly learn
The mystery of his mood, and saw how vain
His early life had been, and felt new roots
Quicken within him, branches new that sprung
The mystery of his mood, and saw how vain
His early life had been, and felt new roots
Quicken within him, branches new that sprung
