The Snow Bride And Other Poems

ight weighty is to me this grievous ban, No love has shared with me my kingly couch, No love has twined her arms about my form Save in a dream, but dreams! ah, me! alas! Are too unreal to comfort my life's storm. The bridal songs I hear in happy Thrace As upwards soar they in the evening air; I watch from this my home the bridal-dance, And would myself to bridal-couch repair, Yet I remain unmated and unloved, For all my aims at love are baffled soon. Betimes I fear lest 'tis the Fates' decree That I shall live forever out of tune; But yesterday when I was wandering About the broad-spread plains of Athens old, Where snowy temples bask beneath the sun, And King Erechtheus sways his sceptre gold, I spied the maiden Orithyia. I know no poet who could paint her eyes, For they are bluer than the sapphire deep, And sunnier than all the Grecian skies. Her slender form is like the willow young Which overhangs a dark, unhampered pool. Her features are a study for my eyes, For they are chiseled with a perfect tool.' Half-hidden by her veil-like vesture pale, As sometimes is the moon with feathery mist, Her bosom with its apple-blossom tint Lies in its silken sheen by beauty kissed. But when I sought my Orithyia To come and cheer this distant mountain cave, To serve my bed and bear me children strong, That might become good warriors and brave, With gentle mien spake she these crystal words? ' Let but one str...