Studies from the Antique

KASSANDRA.

I.

Virgin of Troy, the days were well with thee

When, wandering singing by the singing streams

Of Ilion, thou beheld'st the golden gleams

Of the bold sun that might not facèd be

Come murmuring to thy feet caressingly;

But best that day when, steeped in noontide dreams,

The young Apollo wrapped thee in his beams,

And quenched his love in thine as in a sea!

And later, in thy tower 'twas sweet to teach

The loveless night the joys high day had known;

To dream, to wake, — and find thy love impeach

Late sleep with kisses, and thy spirit flown

To his, and at the ivoried gates of speech

Breaking in words as burning as his own.