Classic Poem

A FRAGMENT

  Polydeuces .Such sudden leaving
Was beyond mortals.
  Helen .Haply 'twas a god.
  Polydeuces . Ha! up the slope thy god came puffing, heaving,
His wheels sank to the axle in the sod.
  Helen . O'ertake him, then, but summon him not back
In hope to save me. Bid him spread all sail
And steer for far Atlantis and the vale
Where parted spirits meet. Whirlwind and wrack,
Shipwreck and opening gulfs shall nought avail
To bar his voyage. All's a favoring gale
To such a magic port. I fly before
Upon the wings of Erebus, that bore
All hapless women hence.
  Polydeuces . What words are these,
Fair sister?
  Helen . Spirits of the Stygian flood
Float through my brain. My heart is dark with blood.
Listen. This house, these hills, these scented trees,
My husband, full of empty boasts and saws,
Castor, whose scorn and silent glances freeze
My very soul, our gods, our antique laws,
Yes, and thyself, whom all these baubles please,
I loathe, I loathe you all, I hate your ways,
Your voice, your thoughts, your censure, your applause.
Helen no longer will amuse your eyes—
For the last time behold her. Mark her well,
Peruse the painted counterfeit you prize,
Study the form. The soul, which you despise,
Escapes to curse you from the depths of hell.
Among the dead perchance are kindlier souls
That knew my longing. At my grief amazed
The shades will gather from the mists in shoals
To gaze upon me, not as you have gazed.
Their tears will drop into my parchèd heart,
I shall be pitied, who was only praised.
(Draws a dagger.)
  Polydeuces (seizing it) . Yield, Helen. 'Tis no weapon for thy hand.
When the inward god speaks riddles, man's tongue, freed,
Pours forth rash words he cannot understand.
But soon the spirit shifts its oracle
And passing from us leaves us poor indeed
If by some crime defiled. Endure the spell
Of passionate tears. Then fold thy hands resigned,
For madness mastered brings the sweeter mind.
No, Helen, never shall the impious edge
Of rusty human chisel, clumsy tool
Of folly, mar this bosom, beautiful
And stainless work of God. Thy privilege
Is not to wither but unscarred, unflecked,
To turn to marble at the perfect hour
And hallow earth for ever, once so decked.
  Helen . Ay, this I leave you, I bequeath you this,
Embalm thy treasure, earth, for worms devour,
But give me back what this has robbed me of,
A free unfettered soul, freedom to love,
To hate, to die. In hell's unplumbed abyss
I shall have room for breathing; yea, in death
I whom life stifled first shall relish breath.
  Polydeuces . Go in. The midnight dews have crazed thy brain,
Cover thy head, and sleep. I must renew
My search.
  Helen . Dear brother, be my refuge. Thee
I always loved.
  Polydeuces . Forgive. I must pursue
The stranger.
(Exit.)
  Helen. Then make haste, for night,
Mother of dreams, has swifter coursers far
Than Castor's, worthy of thy rival flight.
Run. Tell me whither sank that shooting star,
Bring me its ashes. I will mould that clay
Into some god to worship, when I pray
For all that cannot be.
(Enter Parts.)
  Paris .Hush, nothing fear.
Couldst thou believe me gone?
Hid in the leafage of the shelving shore
With outspread sail and oar
My men, my trusty ship, await thee near,
Afar my house, my throne.
Be mine, sweet Queen. Why stays thy body here,
Thy wingèd spirit flown?
  Helen .I dream, for I am blest.
Wrap me, fair night, in thine enchanted shroud.
Tread lightly, feet. Tongue, speak no word aloud,
Lest I wake too soon.
Who to far isles and perfect joys addressed.
Follow a godlike guest
Down the white vistas of this tardy moon.
No vow that erst I vowed
Makes my glad pulses shake,
But firm of foot and proud
I walk in freedom and embrace a boon
To mortals not allowed,
And of thy bounty, sweet illusion, take
The good none know who wake.
Lead, stranger, lead thy slave
Bought of her tyrants by one word of cheer
Over the dancing wave
Whither thou wilt. Though woman I am brave
For who hath suffered much need little fear.
 Paris .Hasten, enraptured Queen,
With blades suspended in the breathless air
Above the waters' sheen,
My comrades wait and bid our loves beware.
Driven by Phoebus to their windy lair
The stars do westward creep.
While yet thy guardians sleep
We will unloose our cables to the stream
And float as in a dream
Into the bosom of the rounded deep,
And to love's realms repair.
  Helen .Till I awake again,
Sparta, farewell. Farewell, till from this charm
Aroused to ancient pain
I feel thy cruel cincture bind my brain.
Mock not thy princes with a rash alarm
As were I fled indeed.
'Tis but my spirit that a moment freed
Visits its native seats.
A goddess, child to Zeus,
The mortal bonds of time may bind and loose.
O ye mad armies, folly-wafted fleets,
Pursue me not. Your queen
Dwells not in Troy, but tastes immortal sweets
Throned 'mid Olympus' beams.
Your clangor ruffles not her high retreats
Nor all your savage screams.
Not till ye cease from war
The ten years' rage and blinding madness o'er,
Will she revisit these Achaean hills
And with the balm of beauty heal once more
Your thought-begotten ills.