Lamia Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCBBDDEEFFGGHHIJBB FFKLMMNNOOPPBBBBQQRR SSTTQQ NNTTTTBBUUVVTTVVVQQW W TTTTVVXXBBTTTTTTBBTT TTYXZA2BBTTB2B2TTBBC 2C2D2D2VVXE2F2F2F2TT VVBBVVF2F2F2BBG2G2TT H2H2TTF2F2VVTTBBNN F2F2NNVVVF2F2BBNNBBN NNNVVNNVV NNVVBBI2I2NNNNBB NNVBVVF2F2J2J2NNNNN VBBBNNVVVF2F2F2F2NNB BBBK2K2NNVVVVVVVVL2L 2NNBBVVF2F2BBNNF2F2V BM2N2O2O2NNVVBBVVNNF 2F2F2F2F2F2NNNNP2P2Q 2Q2BBF2F2R2S2BBBBBF2 F2F2F2BBT2T2N2N2N2BB F2F2BBNNBBBBNNNNVBNN VVVBBVVF2F2BBVVNNNNN NU2U2VVNNBBNNVF2 VVNNBBNNBBNN VVF2F2NNBBNNNNNNBB VVF2F2NNF2F2F2F2F2F2 VVBBVVBB N NNNNNNF2F2BBVVVVV NNN2N2VVNNNNVVNNF2F2 F2F2NNVVVVBBF2F2N2N2 BBF2F2NNVVBBF2F2BBBB VVN2N2F2F2N2N2V2V2NN F2F2BBN2N2BBVVR2R2BB V2V2W2W2F2F2BBBBBBNN N2N2NN NNN2N2F2F2F2F2BBBBBB BBF2F2NNNNF2F2BBNNNN X2X2NNBBBBNN NNBBF2F2NNF2F2F2VVNN Y2Y2 BBNNN2N2NNF2F2 Z2Z2NNNNN2N2BBNNNNF2 F2NN NNNNNNN2N2 N2N2BBBBBBVVNNF2F2NN NNNNBB BBN2N2K2K2J2J2BBF2F2 BBF2F2NN BBN2N2BBVVNNA3B3BBNN NNBBBBBBBBNNVVN2N2F2 F2Z2Z2NNF2F2BBF2F2NN BBB3B3BBF2F2NNBBNNBB BBBBNNNNNNN

Part	A
	-
Upon a time before the faery broods	B
Drove Nymph and Satyr from the prosperous woods	B
Before King Oberon's bright diadem	C
Sceptre and mantle clasp'd with dewy gem	C
Frighted away the Dryads and the Fauns	B
From rushes green and brakes and cowslip'd lawns	B
The ever smitten Hermes empty left	D
His golden throne bent warm on amorous theft	D
From high Olympus had he stolen light	E
On this side of Jove's clouds to escape the sight	E
Of his great summoner and made retreat	F
Into a forest on the shores of Crete	F
For somewhere in that sacred island dwelt	G
A nymph to whom all hoofed Satyrs knelt	G
At whose white feet the languid Tritons poured	H
Pearls while on land they wither'd and adored	H
Fast by the springs where she to bathe was wont	I
And in those meads where sometime she might haunt	J
Were strewn rich gifts unknown to any Muse	B
Though Fancy's casket were unlock'd to choose	B
Ah what a world of love was at her feet	F
So Hermes thought and a celestial heat	F
Burnt from his winged heels to either ear	K
That from a whiteness as the lily clear	L
Blush'd into roses 'mid his golden hair	M
Fallen in jealous curls about his shoulders bare	M
From vale to vale from wood to wood he flew	N
Breathing upon the flowers his passion new	N
And wound with many a river to its head	O
To find where this sweet nymph prepar'd her secret bed	O
In vain the sweet nymph might nowhere be found	P
And so he rested on the lonely ground	P
Pensive and full of painful jealousies	B
Of the Wood Gods and even the very trees	B
There as he stood he heard a mournful voice	B
Such as once heard in gentle heart destroys	B
All pain but pity thus the lone voice spake	Q
When from this wreathed tomb shall I awake	Q
When move in a sweet body fit for life	R
And love and pleasure and the ruddy strife	R
Of hearts and lips Ah miserable me	S
The God dove footed glided silently	S
Round bush and tree soft brushing in his speed	T
The taller grasses and full flowering weed	T
Until he found a palpitating snake	Q
Bright and cirque couchant in a dusky brake	Q
	-
She was a gordian shape of dazzling hue	N
Vermilion spotted golden green and blue	N
Striped like a zebra freckled like a pard	T
Eyed like a peacock and all crimson barr'd	T
And full of silver moons that as she breathed	T
Dissolv'd or brighter shone or interwreathed	T
Their lustres with the gloomier tapestries	B
So rainbow sided touch'd with miseries	B
She seem'd at once some penanced lady elf	U
Some demon's mistress or the demon's self	U
Upon her crest she wore a wannish fire	V
Sprinkled with stars like Ariadne's tiar	V
Her head was serpent but ah bitter sweet	T
She had a woman's mouth with all its pearls complete	T
And for her eyes what could such eyes do there	V
But weep and weep that they were born so fair	V
As Proserpine still weeps for her Sicilian air	V
Her throat was serpent but the words she spake	Q
Came as through bubbling honey for Love's sake	Q
And thus while Hermes on his pinions lay	W
Like a stoop'd falcon ere he takes his prey	W
	-
Fair Hermes crown'd with feathers fluttering light	T
I had a splendid dream of thee last night	T
I saw thee sitting on a throne of gold	T
Among the Gods upon Olympus old	T
The only sad one for thou didst not hear	V
The soft lute finger'd Muses chaunting clear	V
Nor even Apollo when he sang alone	X
Deaf to his throbbing throat's long long melodious moan	X
I dreamt I saw thee robed in purple flakes	B
Break amorous through the clouds as morning breaks	B
And swiftly as a bright Phoebean dart	T
Strike for the Cretan isle and here thou art	T
Too gentle Hermes hast thou found the maid	T
Whereat the star of Lethe not delay'd	T
His rosy eloquence and thus inquired	T
Thou smooth lipp'd serpent surely high inspired	T
Thou beauteous wreath with melancholy eyes	B
Possess whatever bliss thou canst devise	B
Telling me only where my nymph is fled	T
Where she doth breathe Bright planet thou hast said	T
Return'd the snake but seal with oaths fair God	T
I swear said Hermes by my serpent rod	T
And by thine eyes and by thy starry crown	Y
Light flew his earnest words among the blossoms blown	X
Then thus again the brilliance feminine	Z
Too frail of heart for this lost nymph of thine	A2
Free as the air invisibly she strays	B
About these thornless wilds her pleasant days	B
She tastes unseen unseen her nimble feet	T
Leave traces in the grass and flowers sweet	T
From weary tendrils and bow'd branches green	B2
She plucks the fruit unseen she bathes unseen	B2
And by my power is her beauty veil'd	T
To keep it unaffronted unassail'd	T
By the love glances of unlovely eyes	B
Of Satyrs Fauns and blear'd Silenus' sighs	B
Pale grew her immortality for woe	C2
Of all these lovers and she grieved so	C2
I took compassion on her bade her steep	D2
Her hair in weird syrops that would keep	D2
Her loveliness invisible yet free	V
To wander as she loves in liberty	V
Thou shalt behold her Hermes thou alone	X
If thou wilt as thou swearest grant my boon	E2
Then once again the charmed God began	F2
An oath and through the serpent's ears it ran	F2
Warm tremulous devout psalterian	F2
Ravish'd she lifted her Circean head	T
Blush'd a live damask and swift lisping said	T
I was a woman let me have once more	V
A woman's shape and charming as before	V
I love a youth of Corinth O the bliss	B
Give me my woman's form and place me where he is	B
Stoop Hermes let me breathe upon thy brow	V
And thou shalt see thy sweet nymph even now	V
The God on half shut feathers sank serene	F2
She breath'd upon his eyes and swift was seen	F2
Of both the guarded nymph near smiling on the green	F2
It was no dream or say a dream it was	B
Real are the dreams of Gods and smoothly pass	B
Their pleasures in a long immortal dream	G2
One warm flush'd moment hovering it might seem	G2
Dash'd by the wood nymph's beauty so he burn'd	T
Then lighting on the printless verdure turn'd	T
To the swoon'd serpent and with languid arm	H2
Delicate put to proof the lythe Caducean charm	H2
So done upon the nymph his eyes he bent	T
Full of adoring tears and blandishment	T
And towards her stept she like a moon in wane	F2
Faded before him cower'd nor could restrain	F2
Her fearful sobs self folding like a flower	V
That faints into itself at evening hour	V
But the God fostering her chilled hand	T
She felt the warmth her eyelids open'd bland	T
And like new flowers at morning song of bees	B
Bloom'd and gave up her honey to the lees	B
Into the green recessed woods they flew	N
Nor grew they pale as mortal lovers do	N
	-
Left to herself the serpent now began	F2
To change her elfin blood in madness ran	F2
Her mouth foam'd and the grass therewith besprent	N
Wither'd at dew so sweet and virulent	N
Her eyes in torture fix'd and anguish drear	V
Hot glaz'd and wide with lid lashes all sear	V
Flash'd phosphor and sharp sparks without one cooling tear	V
The colours all inflam'd throughout her train	F2
She writh'd about convuls'd with scarlet pain	F2
A deep volcanian yellow took the place	B
Of all her milder mooned body's grace	B
And as the lava ravishes the mead	N
Spoilt all her silver mail and golden brede	N
Made gloom of all her frecklings streaks and bars	B
Eclips'd her crescents and lick'd up her stars	B
So that in moments few she was undrest	N
Of all her sapphires greens and amethyst	N
And rubious argent of all these bereft	N
Nothing but pain and ugliness were left	N
Still shone her crown that vanish'd also she	V
Melted and disappear'd as suddenly	V
And in the air her new voice luting soft	N
Cried Lycius gentle Lycius Borne aloft	N
With the bright mists about the mountains hoar	V
These words dissolv'd Crete's forests heard no more	V
	-
Whither fled Lamia now a lady bright	N
A full born beauty new and exquisite	N
She fled into that valley they pass o'er	V
Who go to Corinth from Cenchreas' shore	V
And rested at the foot of those wild hills	B
The rugged founts of the Peraean rills	B
And of that other ridge whose barren back	I2
Stretches with all its mist and cloudy rack	I2
South westward to Cleone There she stood	N
About a young bird's flutter from a wood	N
Fair on a sloping green of mossy tread	N
By a clear pool wherein she passioned	N
To see herself escap'd from so sore ills	B
While her robes flaunted with the daffodils	B
	-
Ah happy Lycius for she was a maid	N
More beautiful than ever twisted braid	N
Or sigh'd or blush'd or on spring flowered lea	V
Spread a green kirtle to the minstrelsy	B
A virgin purest lipp'd yet in the lore	V
Of love deep learned to the red heart's core	V
Not one hour old yet of sciential brain	F2
To unperplex bliss from its neighbour pain	F2
Define their pettish limits and estrange	J2
Their points of contact and swift counterchange	J2
Intrigue with the specious chaos and dispart	N
Its most ambiguous atoms with sure art	N
As though in Cupid's college she had spent	N
Sweet days a lovely graduate still unshent	N
And kept his rosy terms in idle languishment	N
	-
Why this fair creature chose so fairily	V
By the wayside to linger we shall see	B
But first 'Tis fit to tell how she could muse	B
And dream when in the serpent prison house	B
Of all she list strange or magnificent	N
How ever where she will'd her spirit went	N
Whether to faint Elysium or where	V
Down through tress lifting waves the Nereids fair	V
Wind into Thetis' bower by many a pearly stair	V
Or where God Bacchus drains his cups divine	F2
Stretch'd out at ease beneath a glutinous pine	F2
Or where in Pluto's gardens palatine	F2
Mulciber's columns gleam in far piazzian line	F2
And sometimes into cities she would send	N
Her dream with feast and rioting to blend	N
And once while among mortals dreaming thus	B
She saw the young Corinthian Lycius	B
Charioting foremost in the envious race	B
Like a young Jove with calm uneager face	B
And fell into a swooning love of him	K2
Now on the moth time of that evening dim	K2
He would return that way as well she knew	N
To Corinth from the shore for freshly blew	N
The eastern soft wind and his galley now	V
Grated the quaystones with her brazen prow	V
In port Cenchreas from Egina isle	V
Fresh anchor'd whither he had been awhile	V
To sacrifice to Jove whose temple there	V
Waits with high marble doors for blood and incense rare	V
Jove heard his vows and better'd his desire	V
For by some freakful chance he made retire	V
From his companions and set forth to walk	L2
Perhaps grown wearied of their Corinth talk	L2
Over the solitary hills he fared	N
Thoughtless at first but ere eve's star appeared	N
His phantasy was lost where reason fades	B
In the calm'd twilight of Platonic shades	B
Lamia beheld him coming near more near	V
Close to her passing in indifference drear	V
His silent sandals swept the mossy green	F2
So neighbour'd to him and yet so unseen	F2
She stood he pass'd shut up in mysteries	B
His mind wrapp'd like his mantle while her eyes	B
Follow'd his steps and her neck regal white	N
Turn'd syllabling thus Ah Lycius bright	N
And will you leave me on the hills alone	F2
Lycius look back and be some pity shown	F2
He did not with cold wonder fearingly	V
But Orpheus like at an Eurydice	B
For so delicious were the words she sung	M2
It seem'd he had lov'd them a whole summer long	N2
And soon his eyes had drunk her beauty up	O2
Leaving no drop in the bewildering cup	O2
And still the cup was full while he afraid	N
Lest she should vanish ere his lip had paid	N
Due adoration thus began to adore	V
Her soft look growing coy she saw his chain so sure	V
Leave thee alone Look back Ah Goddess see	B
Whether my eyes can ever turn from thee	B
For pity do not this sad heart belie	V
Even as thou vanishest so I shall die	V
Stay though a Naiad of the rivers stay	N
To thy far wishes will thy streams obey	N
Stay though the greenest woods be thy domain	F2
Alone they can drink up the morning rain	F2
Though a descended Pleiad will not one	F2
Of thine harmonious sisters keep in tune	F2
Thy spheres and as thy silver proxy shine	F2
So sweetly to these ravish'd ears of mine	F2
Came thy sweet greeting that if thou shouldst fade	N
Thy memory will waste me to a shade	N
For pity do not melt If I should stay	N
Said Lamia here upon this floor of clay	N
And pain my steps upon these flowers too rough	P2
What canst thou say or do of charm enough	P2
To dull the nice remembrance of my home	Q2
Thou canst not ask me with thee here to roam	Q2
Over these hills and vales where no joy is	B
Empty of immortality and bliss	B
Thou art a scholar Lycius and must know	F2
That finer spirits cannot breathe below	F2
In human climes and live Alas poor youth	R2
What taste of purer air hast thou to soothe	S2
My essence What serener palaces	B
Where I may all my many senses please	B
And by mysterious sleights a hundred thirsts appease	B
It cannot be Adieu So said she rose	B
Tiptoe with white arms spread He sick to lose	B
The amorous promise of her lone complain	F2
Swoon'd murmuring of love and pale with pain	F2
The cruel lady without any show	F2
Of sorrow for her tender favourite's woe	F2
But rather if her eyes could brighter be	B
With brighter eyes and slow amenity	B
Put her new lips to his and gave afresh	T2
The life she had so tangled in her mesh	T2
And as he from one trance was wakening	N2
Into another she began to sing	N2
Happy in beauty life and love and every thing	N2
A song of love too sweet for earthly lyres	B
While like held breath the stars drew in their panting fires	B
And then she whisper'd in such trembling tone	F2
As those who safe together met alone	F2
For the first time through many anguish'd days	B
Use other speech than looks bidding him raise	B
His drooping head and clear his soul of doubt	N
For that she was a woman and without	N
Any more subtle fluid in her veins	B
Than throbbing blood and that the self same pains	B
Inhabited her frail strung heart as his	B
And next she wonder'd how his eyes could miss	B
Her face so long in Corinth where she said	N
She dwelt but half retir'd and there had led	N
Days happy as the gold coin could invent	N
Without the aid of love yet in content	N
Till she saw him as once she pass'd him by	V
Where 'gainst a column he leant thoughtfully	B
At Venus' temple porch 'mid baskets heap'd	N
Of amorous herbs and flowers newly reap'd	N
Late on that eve as 'Twas the night before	V
The Adonian feast whereof she saw no more	V
But wept alone those days for why should she adore	V
Lycius from death awoke into amaze	B
To see her still and singing so sweet lays	B
Then from amaze into delight he fell	V
To hear her whisper woman's lore so well	V
And every word she spake entic'd him on	F2
To unperplex'd delight and pleasure known	F2
Let the mad poets say whate'er they please	B
Of the sweets of Fairies Peris Goddesses	B
There is not such a treat among them all	V
Haunters of cavern lake and waterfall	V
As a real woman lineal indeed	N
From Pyrrha's pebbles or old Adam's seed	N
Thus gentle Lamia judg'd and judg'd aright	N
That Lycius could not love in half a fright	N
So threw the goddess off and won his heart	N
More pleasantly by playing woman's part	N
With no more awe than what her beauty gave	U2
That while it smote still guaranteed to save	U2
Lycius to all made eloquent reply	V
Marrying to every word a twinborn sigh	V
And last pointing to Corinth ask'd her sweet	N
If 'Twas too far that night for her soft feet	N
The way was short for Lamia's eagerness	B
Made by a spell the triple league decrease	B
To a few paces not at all surmised	N
By blinded Lycius so in her comprized	N
They pass'd the city gates he knew not how	V
So noiseless and he never thought to know	F2
	-
As men talk in a dream so Corinth all	V
Throughout her palaces imperial	V
And all her populous streets and temples lewd	N
Mutter'd like tempest in the distance brew'd	N
To the wide spreaded night above her towers	B
Men women rich and poor in the cool hours	B
Shuffled their sandals o'er the pavement white	N
Companion'd or alone while many a light	N
Flared here and there from wealthy festivals	B
And threw their moving shadows on the walls	B
Or found them cluster'd in the corniced shade	N
Of some arch'd temple door or dusky colonnade	N
	-
Muffling his face of greeting friends in fear	V
Her fingers he press'd hard as one came near	V
With curl'd gray beard sharp eyes and smooth bald crown	F2
Slow stepp'd and robed in philosophic gown	F2
Lycius shrank closer as they met and past	N
Into his mantle adding wings to haste	N
While hurried Lamia trembled Ah said he	B
Why do you shudder love so ruefully	B
Why does your tender palm dissolve in dew	N
I'm wearied said fair Lamia tell me who	N
Is that old man I cannot bring to mind	N
His features Lycius wherefore did you blind	N
Yourself from his quick eyes Lycius replied	N
'Tis Apollonius sage my trusty guide	N
And good instructor but to night he seems	B
The ghost of folly haunting my sweet dreams	B
	-
While yet he spake they had arrived before	V
A pillar'd porch with lofty portal door	V
Where hung a silver lamp whose phosphor glow	F2
Reflected in the slabbed steps below	F2
Mild as a star in water for so new	N
And so unsullied was the marble hue	N
So through the crystal polish liquid fine	F2
Ran the dark veins that none but feet divine	F2
Could e'er have touch'd there Sounds Aeolian	F2
Breath'd from the hinges as the ample span	F2
Of the wide doors disclos'd a place unknown	F2
Some time to any but those two alone	F2
And a few Persian mutes who that same year	V
Were seen about the markets none knew where	V
They could inhabit the most curious	B
Were foil'd who watch'd to trace them to their house	B
And but the flitter winged verse must tell	V
For truth's sake what woe afterwards befel	V
'Twould humour many a heart to leave them thus	B
Shut from the busy world of more incredulous	B
	-
Part	N
	-
Love in a hut with water and a crust	N
Is Love forgive us cinders ashes dust	N
Love in a palace is perhaps at last	N
More grievous torment than a hermit's fast	N
That is a doubtful tale from faery land	N
Hard for the non elect to understand	N
Had Lycius liv'd to hand his story down	F2
He might have given the moral a fresh frown	F2
Or clench'd it quite but too short was their bliss	B
To breed distrust and hate that make the soft voice hiss	B
Besides there nightly with terrific glare	V
Love jealous grown of so complete a pair	V
Hover'd and buzz'd his wings with fearful roar	V
Above the lintel of their chamber door	V
And down the passage cast a glow upon the floor	V
	-
For all this came a ruin side by side	N
They were enthroned in the even tide	N
Upon a couch near to a curtaining	N2
Whose airy texture from a golden string	N2
Floated into the room and let appear	V
Unveil'd the summer heaven blue and clear	V
Betwixt two marble shafts there they reposed	N
Where use had made it sweet with eyelids closed	N
Saving a tythe which love still open kept	N
That they might see each other while they almost slept	N
When from the slope side of a suburb hill	V
Deafening the swallow's twitter came a thrill	V
Of trumpets Lycius started the sounds fled	N
But left a thought a buzzing in his head	N
For the first time since first he harbour'd in	F2
That purple lined palace of sweet sin	F2
His spirit pass'd beyond its golden bourn	F2
Into the noisy world almost forsworn	F2
The lady ever watchful penetrant	N
Saw this with pain so arguing a want	N
Of something more more than her empery	V
Of joys and she began to moan and sigh	V
Because he mused beyond her knowing well	V
That but a moment's thought is passion's passing bell	V
Why do you sigh fair creature whisper'd he	B
Why do you think return'd she tenderly	B
You have deserted me where am I now	F2
Not in your heart while care weighs on your brow	F2
No no you have dismiss'd me and I go	N2
From your breast houseless ay it must be so	N2
He answer'd bending to her open eyes	B
Where he was mirror'd small in paradise	B
My silver planet both of eve and morn	F2
Why will you plead yourself so sad forlorn	F2
While I am striving how to fill my heart	N
With deeper crimson and a double smart	N
How to entangle trammel up and snare	V
Your soul in mine and labyrinth you there	V
Like the hid scent in an unbudded rose	B
Ay a sweet kiss you see your mighty woes	B
My thoughts shall I unveil them Listen then	F2
What mortal hath a prize that other men	F2
May be confounded and abash'd withal	B
But lets it sometimes pace abroad majestical	B
And triumph as in thee I should rejoice	B
Amid the hoarse alarm of Corinth's voice	B
Let my foes choke and my friends shout afar	V
While through the thronged streets your bridal car	V
Wheels round its dazzling spokes The lady's cheek	N2
Trembled she nothing said but pale and meek	N2
Arose and knelt before him wept a rain	F2
Of sorrows at his words at last with pain	F2
Beseeching him the while his hand she wrung	N2
To change his purpose He thereat was stung	N2
Perverse with stronger fancy to reclaim	V2
Her wild and timid nature to his aim	V2
Besides for all his love in self despite	N
Against his better self he took delight	N
Luxurious in her sorrows soft and new	F2
His passion cruel grown took on a hue	F2
Fierce and sanguineous as 'twas possible	B
In one whose brow had no dark veins to swell	B
Fine was the mitigated fury like	N2
Apollo's presence when in act to strike	N2
The serpent Ha the serpent certes she	B
Was none She burnt she lov'd the tyranny	B
And all subdued consented to the hour	V
When to the bridal he should lead his paramour	V
Whispering in midnight silence said the youth	R2
Sure some sweet name thou hast though by my truth	R2
I have not ask'd it ever thinking thee	B
Not mortal but of heavenly progeny	B
As still I do Hast any mortal name	V2
Fit appellation for this dazzling frame	V2
Or friends or kinsfolk on the citied earth	W2
To share our marriage feast and nuptial mirth	W2
I have no friends said Lamia no not one	F2
My presence in wide Corinth hardly known	F2
My parents' bones are in their dusty urns	B
Sepulchred where no kindled incense burns	B
Seeing all their luckless race are dead save me	B
And I neglect the holy rite for thee	B
Even as you list invite your many guests	B
But if as now it seems your vision rests	B
With any pleasure on me do not bid	N
Old Apollonius from him keep me hid	N
Lycius perplex'd at words so blind and blank	N2
Made close inquiry from whose touch she shrank	N2
Feigning a sleep and he to the dull shade	N
Of deep sleep in a moment was betray'd	N
	-
It was the custom then to bring away	N
The bride from home at blushing shut of day	N
Veil'd in a chariot heralded along	N2
By strewn flowers torches and a marriage song	N2
With other pageants but this fair unknown	F2
Had not a friend So being left alone	F2
Lycius was gone to summon all his kin	F2
And knowing surely she could never win	F2
His foolish heart from its mad pompousness	B
She set herself high thoughted how to dress	B
The misery in fit magnificence	B
She did so but 'Tis doubtful how and whence	B
Came and who were her subtle servitors	B
About the halls and to and from the doors	B
There was a noise of wings till in short space	B
The glowing banquet room shone with wide arched grace	B
A haunting music sole perhaps and lone	F2
Supportress of the faery roof made moan	F2
Throughout as fearful the whole charm might fade	N
Fresh carved cedar mimicking a glade	N
Of palm and plantain met from either side	N
High in the midst in honour of the bride	N
Two palms and then two plantains and so on	F2
From either side their stems branch'd one to one	F2
All down the aisled place and beneath all	B
There ran a stream of lamps straight on from wall to wall	B
So canopied lay an untasted feast	N
Teeming with odours Lamia regal drest	N
Silently paced about and as she went	N
In pale contented sort of discontent	N
Mission'd her viewless servants to enrich	X2
The fretted splendour of each nook and niche	X2
Between the tree stems marbled plain at first	N
Came jasper pannels then anon there burst	N
Forth creeping imagery of slighter trees	B
And with the larger wove in small intricacies	B
Approving all she faded at self will	B
And shut the chamber up close hush'd and still	B
Complete and ready for the revels rude	N
When dreadful guests would come to spoil her solitude	N
	-
The day appear'd and all the gossip rout	N
O senseless Lycius Madman wherefore flout	N
The silent blessing fate warm cloister'd hours	B
And show to common eyes these secret bowers	B
The herd approach'd each guest with busy brain	F2
Arriving at the portal gaz'd amain	F2
And enter'd marveling for they knew the street	N
Remember'd it from childhood all complete	N
Without a gap yet ne'er before had seen	F2
That royal porch that high built fair demesne	F2
So in they hurried all maz'd curious and keen	F2
Save one who look'd thereon with eye severe	V
And with calm planted steps walk'd in austere	V
'Twas Apollonius something too he laugh'd	N
As though some knotty problem that had daft	N
His patient thought had now begun to thaw	Y2
And solve and melt 'twas just as he foresaw	Y2
	-
He met within the murmurous vestibule	B
His young disciple 'Tis no common rule	B
Lycius said he for uninvited guest	N
To force himself upon you and infest	N
With an unbidden presence the bright throng	N2
Of younger friends yet must I do this wrong	N2
And you forgive me Lycius blush'd and led	N
The old man through the inner doors broad spread	N
With reconciling words and courteous mien	F2
Turning into sweet milk the sophist's spleen	F2
	-
Of wealthy lustre was the banquet room	Z2
Fill'd with pervading brilliance and perfume	Z2
Before each lucid pannel fuming stood	N
A censer fed with myrrh and spiced wood	N
Each by a sacred tripod held aloft	N
Whose slender feet wide swerv'd upon the soft	N
Wool woofed carpets fifty wreaths of smoke	N2
From fifty censers their light voyage took	N2
To the high roof still mimick'd as they rose	B
Along the mirror'd walls by twin clouds odorous	B
Twelve sphered tables by silk seats insphered	N
High as the level of a man's breast rear'd	N
On libbard's paws upheld the heavy gold	N
Of cups and goblets and the store thrice told	N
Of Ceres' horn and in huge vessels wine	F2
Come from the gloomy tun with merry shine	F2
Thus loaded with a feast the tables stood	N
Each shrining in the midst the image of a God	N
	-
When in an antichamber every guest	N
Had felt the cold full sponge to pleasure press'd	N
By minist'ring slaves upon his hands and feet	N
And fragrant oils with ceremony meet	N
Pour'd on his hair they all mov'd to the feast	N
In white robes and themselves in order placed	N
Around the silken couches wondering	N2
Whence all this mighty cost and blaze of wealth could spring	N2
	-
Soft went the music the soft air along	N2
While fluent Greek a vowel'd undersong	N2
Kept up among the guests discoursing low	B
At first for scarcely was the wine at flow	B
But when the happy vintage touch'd their brains	B
Louder they talk and louder come the strains	B
Of powerful instruments the gorgeous dyes	B
The space the splendour of the draperies	B
The roof of awful richness nectarous cheer	V
Beautiful slaves and Lamia's self appear	V
Now when the wine has done its rosy deed	N
And every soul from human trammels freed	N
No more so strange for merry wine sweet wine	F2
Will make Elysian shades not too fair too divine	F2
Soon was God Bacchus at meridian height	N
Flush'd were their cheeks and bright eyes double bright	N
Garlands of every green and every scent	N
From vales deflower'd or forest trees branch rent	N
In baskets of bright osier'd gold were brought	N
High as the handles heap'd to suit the thought	N
Of every guest that each as he did please	B
Might fancy fit his brows silk pillow'd at his ease	B
	-
What wreath for Lamia What for Lycius	B
What for the sage old Apollonius	B
Upon her aching forehead be there hung	N2
The leaves of willow and of adder's tongue	N2
And for the youth quick let us strip for him	K2
The thyrsus that his watching eyes may swim	K2
Into forgetfulness and for the sage	J2
Let spear grass and the spiteful thistle wage	J2
War on his temples Do not all charms fly	B
At the mere touch of cold philosophy	B
There was an awful rainbow once in heaven	F2
We know her woof her texture she is given	F2
In the dull catalogue of common things	B
Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings	B
Conquer all mysteries by rule and line	F2
Empty the haunted air and gnomed mine	F2
Unweave a rainbow as it erewhile made	N
The tender person'd Lamia melt into a shade	N
	-
By her glad Lycius sitting in chief place	B
Scarce saw in all the room another face	B
Till checking his love trance a cup he took	N2
Full brimm'd and opposite sent forth a look	N2
'Cross the broad table to beseech a glance	B
From his old teacher's wrinkled countenance	B
And pledge him The bald head philosopher	V
Had fix'd his eye without a twinkle or stir	V
Full on the alarmed beauty of the bride	N
Brow beating her fair form and troubling her sweet pride	N
Lycius then press'd her hand with devout touch	A3
As pale it lay upon the rosy couch	B3
'Twas icy and the cold ran through his veins	B
Then sudden it grew hot and all the pains	B
Of an unnatural heat shot to his heart	N
Lamia what means this Wherefore dost thou start	N
Know'st thou that man Poor Lamia answer'd not	N
He gaz'd into her eyes and not a jot	N
Own'd they the lovelorn piteous appeal	B
More more he gaz'd his human senses reel	B
Some hungry spell that loveliness absorbs	B
There was no recognition in those orbs	B
Lamia he cried and no soft toned reply	B
The many heard and the loud revelry	B
Grew hush the stately music no more breathes	B
The myrtle sicken'd in a thousand wreaths	B
By faint degrees voice lute and pleasure ceased	N
A deadly silence step by step increased	N
Until it seem'd a horrid presence there	V
And not a man but felt the terror in his hair	V
Lamia he shriek'd and nothing but the shriek	N2
With its sad echo did the silence break	N2
Begone foul dream he cried gazing again	F2
In the bride's face where now no azure vein	F2
Wander'd on fair spaced temples no soft bloom	Z2
Misted the cheek no passion to illume	Z2
The deep recessed vision all was blight	N
Lamia no longer fair there sat a deadly white	N
Shut shut those juggling eyes thou ruthless man	F2
Turn them aside wretch or the righteous ban	F2
Of all the Gods whose dreadful images	B
Here represent their shadowy presences	B
May pierce them on the sudden with the thorn	F2
Of painful blindness leaving thee forlorn	F2
In trembling dotage to the feeblest fright	N
Of conscience for their long offended might	N
For all thine impious proud heart sophistries	B
Unlawful magic and enticing lies	B
Corinthians look upon that gray beard wretch	B3
Mark how possess'd his lashless eyelids stretch	B3
Around his demon eyes Corinthians see	B
My sweet bride withers at their potency	B
Fool said the sophist in an under tone	F2
Gruff with contempt which a death nighing moan	F2
From Lycius answer'd as heart struck and lost	N
He sank supine beside the aching ghost	N
Fool Fool repeated he while his eyes still	B
Relented not nor mov'd from every ill	B
Of life have I preserv'd thee to this day	N
And shall I see thee made a serpent's prey	N
Then Lamia breath'd death breath the sophist's eye	B
Like a sharp spear went through her utterly	B
Keen cruel perceant stinging she as well	B
As her weak hand could any meaning tell	B
Motion'd him to be silent vainly so	B
He look'd and look'd again a level No	B
A Serpent echoed he no sooner said	N
Than with a frightful scream she vanished	N
And Lycius' arms were empty of delight	N
As were his limbs of life from that same night	N
On the high couch he lay his friends came round	N
Supported him no pulse or breath they found	N
And in its marriage robe the heavy body wound	N

John Keats

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