Helen of Troy by Andrew Lang
page 32 of 130 (24%)
page 32 of 130 (24%)
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XX. "The race of Gods, for like the sons of men We Gods have but our season, and go by; And Cronos pass'd, and Uranus, and then Shall Zeus and all his children utterly Pass, and new Gods be born, and reign, and die, - But thee shall lovers worship evermore What Gods soe'er usurp the changeful sky, Or flit to the irremeable shore. XXI. "Now sleep and dream not, sleep the long day through, And the brief watches of the summer night, And then go forth amid the flowers and dew, Where the red rose of Dawn outburns the white. Then shalt thou learn my mercy and my might Between the drowsy lily and the rose; There shalt thou spell the meaning of delight, And know such gladness as a Goddess knows!" XXII. Then Sleep came floating from the Lemnian isle, And over Helen crush'd his poppy crown, Her soft lids waver'd for a little while, Then on her carven bed she laid her down, And Sleep, the comforter of king and clown, |
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