Helen Redeemed and Other Poems Part 9

SITYS

And when he slew Menoikios' son, Sister, what then?

PASIPHa.s.sA

My cheek was wan For lack of kissing--so I blew On slumbering lids to draw anew The eyes of him who had loved me well, But now was faint.

CHTHONOe

O Kypris, tell The deeds of men, not lovers!

RHODOPE

Here Came one all palsied in his fear, Chattering and white, to Paris abed, Flusht in his sleep--told Hector dead, Dead and dishonoured, while he slept.

He sighed and turned. But Helen wept.

GORGO

Not I. I turned and felt warm draught Of breath upon my cheek, and laught Softly, and snuggling, slept.

CHTHONOe

Fie, fie!

G.o.ddess, drugged in thy dreams we lie, Logs, not women, logs in the sun!

SITYS

Thou art sated. So fretteth One, The very fount of Love's sweet well, The chord of Love made visible, Sickened of her own loveliness, Haggard as hawk too long in jess, Aching for flight.

MYRTILLA

Recall the bout When Paris armed him and went out Into the lists, and all men thronged To see----

SITYS

Lord Paris and him he wronged Fight for her, who should have her! We stood Upon the walls, and she with her hood Close to her cheek. But I saw the flicker In her blue eyes!

PASIPHa.s.sA

But I was quicker, And saw the man she looked upon, And after what her blue eyes shone Like cya.n.u.s in morning light.

GORGO

Husband and lover she saw fight, Man to man, with death between.

RHODOPE

Hatred coucht, as long and lean As a lone wolf, on her man's crest--

PASIPHa.s.sA

And bit the Trojan!

CHTHONOe

Thine was the rest, G.o.ddess! And Helen lit the fire, With her disdain, of his desire.

MYRTILLA

Her eyes burned like the frosty stars Of winter midnight.

PASIPHa.s.sA

His the scars!

Bitten in his wax-pale cheek.

CHTHONOe

Nay, in his heart----

SITYS

Nay, in his bleak And writhen smile you see it!

GORGO

Nay!

In his sick soul.

RHODOPE