Singingandcullingfloweretafterfloweret,
Withwhichherpathwaywasallpaintedover.
"Ah, beauteouslady, whoinraysoflove
Dostwarmthyself, ifImaytrusttolooks,
Whichtheheart'switnessesarewonttobe,
Maythedesirecomeuntotheetodraw
Mateldagatheringflowers
Neartothisriver'sbank," Isaidtoher,
"SomuchthatImighthearwhatthouartsinging.
Thoumakestmerememberwhereandwhat
Proserpinathatmomentwaswhenlost
Hermotherher, andsheherselftheSpring."
Asturnsherself, withfeettogetherpressed
Andtotheground, aladywhoisdancing,
Andhardlyputsonefootbeforetheother,
Onthevermilionandtheyellowflowerets
Sheturnedtowardsme, notinotherwise
Thanmaidenwhohermodesteyescastsdown;
Andmyentreatiesmadetobecontent,
Sonearapproaching, thatthedulcetsound
Cameuntometogetherwithitsmeaning
Assoonasshewaswherethegrassesare.
Bathedbythewatersofthebeauteousriver,
Tolifthereyesshegrantedmetheboon.
Idonotthinkthereshonesogreatalight
UnderthelidsofVenus, whentransfixed
Byherownson, beyondhisusualcustom!
Erectupontheotherbankshesmiled,
Bearingfullmanycoloursinherhands,
Whichthathighlandproduceswithoutseed.
Apartthreepacesdidtherivermakeus;
ButHellespont, whereXerxespassedacross,
(Acurbstilltoallhumanarrogance,)
MorehatredfromLeanderdidnotsuffer
ForrollingbetweenSestosandAbydos,
Thanthatfromme, becauseitopednotthen.
"Yearenew-comers; andbecauseIsmile,"
Beganshe, "peradventure, inthisplace
Electtohumannatureforitsnest,
Someapprehensionkeepsyoumarvelling;
