And the Cydonian bow (which thou shalt see) Won in my race last Spring from Eutychos. Hamad. Bethink thee what it is to leave a home Thou never yet hast left, one night, one day. If there be one on earth whom we may love It shows such kindness-if 'twere possible Rhaicos. My father wants The bark; the tree may hold its place awhile. Hamad. Awhile? thy father numbers then my days? Rhaicos. Are there no others where the moss beneath Is quite as tufty? Who would send thee forth Hamad. I have no flock: I kill Whence springs all beauty. Hast thou never heard Rhaicos. Heard of them I have: Tell me some tale about them. May I sit Beside thy feet? Art thou not tired? The herbs Do but sit there, nor tremble so, nor doubt. Stay, stay an instant : let me first explore If any acorn of last year be left Within it; thy thin robe too ill protects Thy dainty limbs against the harm one small Trust me; till then let me sit opposite. Hamad. I seat me; be thou seated, and content. Or sits she here before me? as she sate Before the shepherd on those heights that shade The Hellespont, and brought his kindred woe. Hamad. Reverence the higher Powers; nor deem amiss Of her who pleads to thee, and would repayAsk not how much-but very much. Rise not. No, Rhaicos, no! Without the nuptial vow Of mortal maids shall ever taste thy kiss, Then take thou mine; then take it, not before. Rhaicos. Hearken, all Gods above! O Aphrodite, O Herè, let my vow be ratified! But wilt thou come into my father's house? Hamad. Nay: and of mine I cannot give thee part. Rhaicos. Where is it? Hamad. In this oak. Rhaicos. Ay; now begins The tale of Hamadryad: tell it through. My tree; and promise him, as well thou may'st, Why fallest thou upon thy face? Some thorn May scratch it, rash young man! Rise up; for shame! Rhaicos. For shame I cannot rise. O pity me! I dare not sue for love-but do not hate! Let me once more behold thee-not once more (And whence enjoy it else the Gods above?) Hamad. ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY I strove with none, for none was worth my strife, I warmed both hands before the fire of life, THOMAS CAMPBELL. 1777-1844 THE PARROT The deep affections of the breast, By human hearts. A parrot from the Spanish Main, Full young, and early caged, came o'er With bright wings, to the bleak domain Of Mulla's shore. To spicy groves where he had won His plumage of resplendent hue, For these he changed the smoke of turf, But petted in our climate cold He lived and chatter'd many a day; At last, when blind and seeming dumb, He scolded, laugh'd, and spoke no more, A Spanish stranger chanced to come To Mulla's shore; He hail'd the bird in Spanish speech, JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT. 1784-1859 CAPTAIN SWORD Captain Sword got up one day, Over the hills to march away, Over the hills and through the towns, They heard him coming across the downs, Stepping in music and thunder sweet, Which his drums sent before him into the street, And lo! 'twas a beautiful sight in the sun; And the flag full of honour as though it could feel, And then came his horse, a clustering sound, Glossy black steeds, and riders tall Rank after rank, each looking like all; 'Midst moving repose and a threatening calm, And ever and anon the kettledrums beat, |