ON ANOTHER PART OF THE COVERLET.

But fro' the further side came flitting bright-faced Iacchus

Girded by Satyr-crew and Nysa-rearèd Sileni

Burning wi' love unto thee (Ariadne!) and greeting thy presence.

Who flocking eager to fray did rave with infuriate spirit,

"Evoë" phrensying loud, with heads at "Evoë" rolling. 255

Brandisht some of the maids their thyrsi sheathèd of spear-point,

Some snatcht limbs and joints of sturlings rended to pieces,

These girt necks and waists with writhing bodies of vipers,

Those wi' the gear enwombed in crates dark orgies ordainèd -

Orgies that ears prophane must vainly lust for o'er hearing - 260

Others with palms on high smote hurried strokes on the cymbal,

Or from the polisht brass woke thin-toned tinkling music,

While from the many there boomed and blared hoarse blast of the

horn-trump,

And with its horrid skirl loud shrilled the barbarous bag-pipe,

Showing such varied forms, that richly-decorate couch-cloth 265

Folded in strait embrace the bedding drapery-veilèd.

This when the Théssalan youths had eyed with eager inspection

Fulfilled, place they began to provide for venerate Godheads,

Even as Zephyrus' breath, seas couching placid at dawn-tide,

Roughens, then stings and spurs the wavelets slantingly fretted - 270

Rising Aurora the while 'neath Sol the wanderer's threshold -

Tardy at first they flow by the clement breathing of breezes

Urgèd, and echo the shores with soft-toned ripples of laughter,

But as the winds wax high so waves wax higher and higher,

Flashing and floating afar to outswim morn's purpurine splendours - 275

So did the crowd fare forth, the royal vestibule leaving,

And to their house each wight with vaguing paces departed.

After their wending, the first, foremost from Pelion's summit,

Chiron came to the front with woodland presents surchargèd:

Whatso of blooms and flowers bring forth Thessalian uplands 280

Mighty with mountain crests, whate'er of riverine lea flowers

Reareth Favonius' air, bud-breeding, tepidly breathing,

All in his hands brought he, unseparate in woven garlands,

Whereat laughèd the house as soothed by pleasure of perfume.

Presently Péneus appears, deserting verdurous Tempe - 285

Tempe girt by her belts of greenwood ever impending,

Left for the Mamonides with frequent dances to worship -

Nor is he empty of hand, for bears he tallest of beeches

Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately,

Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister 290

Fire-slain Phaëton left, and not without cypresses airy.

These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding,

So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure.

Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus,

Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in bygones. 295

Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member,

Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rock-tor.

Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,

Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,

Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus: 300

For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,

Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.

When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,

Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.

But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance 305

Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.

Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments

Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;

Snowy the fillets that bound heads agèd by many a year-tide,

And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing. 310

Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothèd a distaff,

Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers

Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball

Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;

Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the

fore-teeth, 315

While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting,

Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn.

Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake

Lay in the trusty guard of wickers woven in withies.

Always a-carding the wool, with clear-toned voices resounding 320

Told they such lots as these in song divinely directed,

Chaunts which none after-time shall 'stablish falsehood-convicted.