GothicLoverDream

Hedged round about with woodbine and red rose,

Within the flicker of a white-thorn shade

In gentle sleep he found the maiden laid

One hand that held a book had fallen away

Across her body, and the other lay

Upon a marble fountain's plashing rim,

Among whose broken waves the fish showed dim,

But yet its wide-flung spray now woke her not,

Because the summer day at noon was hot,

And all sweet sounds and scents were lulling her.

So soon the rustle of his wings 'gan stir

Her looser folds of raiment, and the hair

Spread wide upon the grass and daisies fair,

As Love cast down his eyes with a half smile

Godlike and cruel; that faded in a while,

And long he stood above her hidden eyes

With red lips parted in a god's surprise.

Then very Love knelt down beside the maid

And on her breast a hand unfelt he laid,

And drew the gown from off her dainty feet,

And set his fair cheek to her shoulder sweet,

And kissed her lips that knew of no love yet,

And wondered if his heart would e'er forget

The perfect arm that o'er her body lay.

But now by chance a damsel came that way,

One of her ladies, and saw not the god,

Yet on his shafts cast down had well-nigh trod

In wakening Psyche, who rose up in haste

And girded up her gown about her waist,

And with that maid went drowsily away.

From place to place Love followed her that day

And ever fairer to his eyes she grew,

So that at last when from her bower he flew,

And underneath his feet the moonlit sea

Went shepherding his waves disorderly,

He swore that of all gods and men, no one

Should hold her in his arms but he alone;

That she should dwell with him in glorious wise

Like to a goddess in some paradise;

Yea, he would get from Father Jove this grace

That she should never die, but her sweet face

And wonderful fair body should endure

Till the foundations of the mountains sure

Were molten in the sea; so utterly

Did he forget his mother's cruelty.