OCR Text |
Show TI1K BATI1EK- Xarllla. Warm from her waist her girdle she unwound un-wound And cast It down on the insensate turf. The copse and cave and deep secluded vale She scrutinized with keen, though timid And stood with ear intent to catch each stir Of leaf or twig, or birdllng rustling there. Her startled heart heat quick even to hear The wild bee woo the blossom with a hymn, Or hidden insect break its lance of sound Against the obdurate silence. Then she smiled, At her own fears amused: and knew herself dod's only Image by that hidden pool. Then from its band her wondrous hair she loosed Hair gutting like spun glass, and bright as though Shot full of golden arrows, Down below Her supplo waist the soft uud shimmering coils Rolled in their bright abundance; goldener Than was the golden wonder Jason sought. Her fair hands then, like white- doves iu a net, A moment fluttered 'mid the shining threads, As with a dexterous touch she higher laid The gleaming tresses on her shapely head, Beyond the reach of rudely amorous waves. Then from her throat her light robe she unclasped un-clasped And dropped It downward, with & blush that rose The higher as the garment lower fell. Then she cast oft the sandals from her feet. And paused upon tho brink of that blue lake A sight too fair for either gods or men-All men-All lOve untempted in her I'aradlse. The waters Into which her young eyes looked (lave backed her image with so true a truth. She blushed to look; but, blushing, looked again, As maidens to their mirrors oft return, With bashful boldness, oncsagaiu to gaze Upon the crystal page that renders back Themselves unto themselves, until their eyes Confess their love for their own loveliness. Her rounded cheeks, la each of which has grown With sudden blossoming a fresh red rose, She hid an instant with her dimpled hands, Then met her pink palms up above her head, And whelmed her white shape in the wooing wave |