WINDSOR-FOREST.
17
It chanc'd, as eager of thc chace the maid
Beyond the forest's verdant limits stray'd,
Pan saw and lov'd, and burning with desire
Pursu'd her flight, her flight encreas'd his fire.
Not half so swift the trembling Doves can fly,
When the fierce Eagle cleaves the liquid sky;
Not half so swiftly the fierce Eagle moves,
When thro' the clouds, he drives the trembling Doves;
As from the God she flew with furious pace,
Or as the God, more furious, urg'd the chace.
Now fainting, sinking, pale, the nymph appears;
Now close behind his sounding steps, she hears;
And now his shadow reach'd her as she run,
(His shadow lengthen'd by the setting Sun)
And now his shorter breath, with sultry air,
Pants on her neck, and fans her parting hair.
Beyond the forest's verdant limits stray'd,
Pan saw and lov'd, and burning with desire
Pursu'd her flight, her flight encreas'd his fire.
Not half so swift the trembling Doves can fly,
When the fierce Eagle cleaves the liquid sky;
Not half so swiftly the fierce Eagle moves,
When thro' the clouds, he drives the trembling Doves;
As from the God she flew with furious pace,
Or as the God, more furious, urg'd the chace.
Now fainting, sinking, pale, the nymph appears;
Now close behind his sounding steps, she hears;
And now his shadow reach'd her as she run,
(His shadow lengthen'd by the setting Sun)
And now his shorter breath, with sultry air,
Pants on her neck, and fans her parting hair.
B
In
