Studies from the Antique

II.

How far from llion, and how far from joy,

Captive Kassandra, wert thou, when in sight

Of conquering Greece thou satest on thy height

Of shame, — a waif from out the wreck of Troy!

Thine still the burning word, but slave's employ

Had from thy trembling lip effaced quite

The kisses of the god, and heaven's light

Now shone upon thee only to destroy.

For thee, sun-stricken one, th' abysmal sties

Of sin lay open as the secret grave, —

Things of which speech seemed madness, — while thy cries

On wronged Apollo lost the way to save;

Till at the last, the faith of upturned eyes

Brought him to right, as death to free the slave.