IX.

He knew the Hours: they were round him, laden with seed

Of hours bestrewn upon vapour, and one by one

They winged as ripened in fruit the burden decreed

For each to scatter; they flushed like the buds in sun,

Bequeathing seed to successive similar rings,

Their sisters, bearers to men of what men have earned:

He knew them, talked with the yet unreddened; the stings,

The sweets, they warmed at their bosoms divined, discerned.

X.