Studies in Song by Algernon Charles Swinburne
page 16 of 101 (15%)
page 16 of 101 (15%)
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Leave Pan the pine-leaf of her change to wear;
And one in flowery coils Caught as in fiery toils Smite Calydon with mourning unaware; And where her low turf shrine Showed Modesty divine The fairest mother's daughter far more fair Hide on her breast the heavenly shame That kindled once with love should kindle Troy with flame. 19. Nor less the light of story than of song With graver glories girt his godlike head, Reverted alway from the temporal throng Of lives that live not toward the living dead. The shadows and the splendours of their throng Made bright and dark about his board and bed The lines of life and vision, sweet or strong With sound of lutes or trumpets blown, that led Forth of the ghostly gate Opening in spite of fate Shapes of majestic or tumultuous tread, Divine and direful things, These foul as priests or kings, Those fair as heaven or love or freedom, red With blood and green with palms and white With raiment woven of deeds divine and words of light. |
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