Page:Sappho and the Vigil of Venus (1920).djvu/50

This page has been validated.
30
THE VIGIL OF VENUS.

Tear the veil from blushes hid by swathings red that round them flamed.
Tomorn who ne'er hath loved shall love, and who hath loved shall love tomorn.


8

Lo, the Goddess bids the maidens through her myrtle thicket go:
Handed pass they, boy and damsel; yet ye may not, must not trow
That, if still his shafts he beareth, Love is keeping holiday:—
Maidens, on! Love's holiday is this; his shafts are cast away!
Tomorn who ne'er hath loved shall love, and who hath loved shall love tomorn.


9

Venus bade him fare unweaponed, naked forth she bade him fare,
That with bow nor shaft nor torch he might do mischief anywhere.
Yet, ah yet, beware, ye maidens, for that Love is fair to see!
Weaponless and naked Cupid may be, yet the same is he.
Tomorn who ne'er hath loved shall love, and who hath loved shall love tomorn.