From the Hymns. TO THE MOON. HEAVENLY Selene! goddess queen! that shedd'st abroad the light! Bull-horned moon! air-habiting! thou wanderer through the night! Moon, bearer of the nightly torch! thou star-encircled maid! Female, at once, and male the same; still fresh, and still decay'd! Thou! that in thy steeds delightest, as they whirl thee through the sky! Clothed in brightness! mighty mother of the rapid years that fly! Fruit-dispenser! amber-visaged! melancholy, yet serene ! All-beholding! sleep-enamour'd! still with trooping planets seen! Quiet-loving! who in pleasaunce, and in plenty takest delight! Joy-diffusing! fruit-maturing! sparkling ornament of night! Swiftly-pacing! ample-vested! star-bright! all-divining maid! Come benignant! come spontaneous! with thy starry sheen array'd! Sweetly-shining! save us, virgin! give thy holy suppliants aid! FROM THE ORPHIC REMAINS. I. ONE self-existent lives: created things Arise from him; and he is all in all. He, and no other. Open to thy sight Were all the chain of things, could'st thou behold The Godhead, ere as yet he step'd on earth. His footsteps, and his mighty hand of power. Who rules the breathing winds, that sweep around Of the deep, watery element; and shows Forth, from on high, the glittering strength of flame. Sits, on a throne of gold: the round earth lies To th' uttermost bounds of ocean, and the root Are wrought by him. First, midst, and last, he holds Forth from the cradling waters, speaks: who took Other to speak, were impious. Every limb I tremble, and my spirit quakes within. II. JOVE is the first and last; who th' infant thunder hurl'd; Jove is the head and midst; the framer of the world, Jove is a male; a nymph of bloom immortal, Jove: Jove is the base of earth, and starry Heaven above. Jove is the breath of all; the force of quenchless flame; His regal body grasps the vast material round; There fire, earth, air, and wave, and day, and night are found; Wisdom, first maker, there, and joy-prolific Love; III. HEAR me, thou! for ever whirling round the rolling Heavens on high! Thy far-travelling orb of splendour, midst the whirlpools of the sky! Hear, effulgent Jove, and Bacchus! father both of earth and sea! Sun all-various! golden beaming! all things teeming out of thee! |