‘Is faithful now—the story of the feast;
And Agathon and Diotima seemed
From death and dark forgetfulness released…’
FRAGMENT 3.
And when the old man saw that on the green
Leaves of his opening … a blight had lighted _230
He said: ‘My friend, one grief alone can wean
A gentle mind from all that once delighted:—
Thou lovest, and thy secret heart is laden
With feelings which should not be unrequited.’ _235
And Athanase … then smiled, as one o’erladen
With iron chains might smile to talk (?) of bands
Twined round her lover’s neck by some blithe maiden,
And said…
FRAGMENT 4.
’Twas at the season when the Earth upsprings _240
From slumber, as a sphered angel’s child,
Shadowing its eyes with green and golden wings,
Stands up before its mother bright and mild,
Of whose soft voice the air expectant seems—
So stood before the sun, which shone and smiled _245
To see it rise thus joyous from its dreams,
The fresh and radiant Earth. The hoary grove
Waxed green—and flowers burst forth like starry beams;—
The grass in the warm sun did start and move,
And sea-buds burst under the waves serene:— _250
How many a one, though none be near to love,