History is but the shadow of their shame, A BRIDAL SONG I THE golden gates of sleep unbar Where strength and beauty, met together, Kindle their image like a star In a sea of glassy weather! Let eyes not see their own delight; II Fairies, sprites, and angels, keep her! A Bridal Song. Published by Mrs. Shelley, 1824. O joy! O fear! what will be done EPITHALAMIUM NIGHT, with all thine eyes look down! When ever smiled the inconstant moon Hence, coy hour! and quench thy light, Hence, swift hour! and thy loved flight BOYS O joy! O fear! what may be done In the absence of the sun? Come along! The golden gates of sleep unbar! When strength and beauty meet together, Kindles their image like a star In a sea of glassy weather. Hence, coy hour! and quench thy light, Lest eyes see their own delight! Hence, swift hour! and thy loved flight Oft renew. GIRLS O joy! O fear! what may be done In the absence of the sun? Come along! Epithalamium. Published by Medwin, Life of Shelley, 1847. Fairies! sprites! and angels keep her! Hence, swift hour! and quench thy light, BOYS AND GIRLS O joy! O fear! what will be done In the absence of the sun? Come along! ANOTHER VERSION BOYS SING NIGHT! with all thine eyes look down! Haste, coy hour! and quench all light, Haste, swift hour! and thy loved flight GIRLS SING Fairies, sprites, and angels, keep her! O joy! O fear! there is not one Another Version. Published by Rossetti, 1870. In the absence of the sun : BOYS Oh, linger long, thou envious eastern lamp In the damp Caves of the deep! GIRLS Nay, return, Vesper! urge thy lazy car! The gates of Sleep! CHORUS The golden gate of Sleep unbar, When Strength and Beauty, met together, Kindle their image, like a star In a sea of glassy weather. May the purple mist of love Round them rise, and with them move, Nourishing each tender gem Which, like flowers, will burst from them. As the fruit is to the tree May their children ever be ! EVENING PONTE AL MARE, PISA I THE sun is set; the swallows are asleep; The slow soft toads out of damp corners creep, And evening's breath, wandering here and there Over the quivering surface of the stream, Wakes not one ripple from its summer dream. II There is no dew on the dry grass to-night, And in the inconstant motion of the breeze III Within the surface of the fleeting river It trembles, but it never fades away; Go to the You, being changed, will find it then as now. IV The chasm in which the sun has sunk is shut By darkest barriers of enormous cloud, Like mountain over mountain huddled but Growing and moving upwards in a crowd, And over it a space of watery blue, Which the keen evening star is shining through. i. 6 summer, Mrs. Shelley, 18392 || silent, Mrs. Shelley, 1824. iv. 2 enormous, Mrs. Shelley, 1824 || cinereous, Boscombe MS. |