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THE FEAST OF VIOLETS.
105
Where Phœbus was present) was all a fair sight
Of iv'ry, and cushions of silk, bridal white:—
(More colours for these would flow in with the ball):
And betwixt the fair couches were services small
Of ices, and creams, and clear jellies smooth-soul'd,
The very tip-ends of refreshment and cold.
Of iv'ry, and cushions of silk, bridal white:—
(More colours for these would flow in with the ball):
And betwixt the fair couches were services small
Of ices, and creams, and clear jellies smooth-soul'd,
The very tip-ends of refreshment and cold.
Then the drawing-room—What, think ye, hung the walls there?
Cloth of gold? No, of sunbeams. 'Twas made of his hair.
The immense window-curtains, Calypso's own woollen,
Like clouds to the sunset, hung gorgeously sullen.
Cloth of gold? No, of sunbeams. 'Twas made of his hair.
The immense window-curtains, Calypso's own woollen,
Like clouds to the sunset, hung gorgeously sullen.
But as to the supper-room! O thou Aladdin,
Thy genii had found it a thing to go mad in;
Such wealth (which yet somehow fell soft on the eyes)
Branch'd it over with jewels of wonderful size,
All carv'd into fruit, thick and leafy, and all
Encrusting white marble, as vines do a wall.
The fruit, colour's minions, like ecstacy shone;
While the marble, most fair, and yet mellow of tone,
Came cooling the warmth, the rich masses between;
But the ceiling was one mighty sapphire serene,
From the centre of which, and their stamens of gold,
Lilies shed such a light, as 'twas peace to behold.
Thy genii had found it a thing to go mad in;
Such wealth (which yet somehow fell soft on the eyes)
Branch'd it over with jewels of wonderful size,
All carv'd into fruit, thick and leafy, and all
Encrusting white marble, as vines do a wall.
The fruit, colour's minions, like ecstacy shone;
While the marble, most fair, and yet mellow of tone,
Came cooling the warmth, the rich masses between;
But the ceiling was one mighty sapphire serene,
From the centre of which, and their stamens of gold,
Lilies shed such a light, as 'twas peace to behold.
And forth, from all sides, issued tap'stry and table,
And sopha, with pictures of loveliest fable,
And portraits, with eyes that seem'd happy to come,
Of wits and sweet women; and every room
Had music, unseen in it, waiting to play;
A note, now and then, would come chuckling away,
As though with its rapture it vainly was striving;—
And hark! the burst comes! the fair guests are arriving.
And sopha, with pictures of loveliest fable,
And portraits, with eyes that seem'd happy to come,
Of wits and sweet women; and every room
Had music, unseen in it, waiting to play;
A note, now and then, would come chuckling away,
As though with its rapture it vainly was striving;—
And hark! the burst comes! the fair guests are arriving.
