LAODAMEIA. "WITH sacrifice, before the rising morn Restore him to my sight-great Jove, restore!" So speaking, and by fervent love endowed O terror! what hath she perceived ?—O joy! And a God leads him, wingèd Mercury! Mild Hermes spake-and touched her with his wand That calms all fear: "Such grace hath crowned thy prayer, Laodameia! that at Jove's command Thy husband walks the paths of upper air: He comes to tarry with thee three hours' space : N Forth sprang the impassioned Queen her Lord to clasp: But unsubstantial form eludes her grasp "Protesilaos, lo! thy guide is gone! "Great Jove, Laodameia! doth not leave And something also did my worth obtain ; "Thou knowest, the Delphic oracle foretold That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand 66 Supreme of heroes-bravest, noblest, best! Thy matchless courage I bewail no more, Which then, when tens of thousands were deprest Thou found'st-and I forgive thee-here thou art— “But thou, though capable of sternest deed, Wert kind as resolute, and good as brave; And he, whose power restores thee, hath decreed That thou should'st cheat the malice of the grave: Redundant are thy locks, thy lips as fair As when their breath enriched Thessalian air. "No Spectre greets me-no vain Shadow this; "This visage tells thee that my doom is past: "Be taught, O faithful consort, to control "Ah, wherefore?-Did not Hercules by force Given back to dwell on earth in vernal bloom? |