Leaps from breast of a coy maiden, a canopy pure; 20
There forgotten alas, mid vestments silky reposing,--
Soon as a mother's step starts her, it hurleth adown:
Straight to the ground, dash'd forth ungently, the gift shoots headlong;
She in tell-tale cheeks glows a disorderly shame.

LXVI.

He whose glance scann'd clearly the lights uncounted of ether,
Found when arises a star, sinks in his haven again,
How yon eclipsed sun glares luminous obscuration,
How in seasons due vanishes orb upon orb;
How 'neath Latmian heights fair Trivia stealthily banish'd 5
Falls, from her upward path lured by a lover awhile;
That same sage, that Conon, a lock of great Berenice
Saw me, in heavenly-bright deification afar
Lustrous, a gleaming glory; to gods full many devoted,
Whiles she her arms in prayer lifted, as ivory smooth; 10
In that glorious hour when, flush'd with a new hymeneal,
Hotly the King to deface outer Assyria sped,
Bearing ensigns sweet of that soft struggle a night brings,
When from a virgin's arms spoils he had happily won.

Stands it an edict true that brides hate Venus? or ever 15
Falsely the parents' joy dashes a showery tear,
When to the nuptial door they come in rainy beteeming?
Now to the Gods I swear, tears be hypocrisy then.
So mine own queen taught me in all her weary lamentings,
Whiles her bridegroom bold set to the battle a face. 20
What? for an husband lost thou weptst not gloomily lying?
Rather a brother dear, forced for a while to depart?
This, when love's sharp grief was gnawing inly to waste thee!
Ah poor wife! whose soul steep'd in unhappiness all,
Fell from reason away, nor abode thy senses! A nobler 25
Spirit had I erewhile known thee, a fiery child.

Pass'd that deed forgotten, a royal wooer had earn'd thee?
Deed that braver none ventureth ever again?
Yet what sorrow to lose thy lord, what murmur of anguish!
Jove, how rain'd those tears brush'd from a passionate eye! 30
Who is this could wean thee, a God so mighty, to falter?
May not a lover live from the beloved afar?
Then for a spouse so goodly, before each spirit of heaven,
Me thou vowd'st, with slain oxen, a vast hecatomb,