Fair as the maiden ere by dark Fate drawn,
She saw the wide earth yawn
Before the thunderous horses, and the strong
Arm of Aïdes crushed her gathered flowers;
So fresh, so fair, amid her storied seas,
She who remains through changes æon-long
A greater Helen wooed with sword and song,
Of mightier victors bride and battle prize,
Lay lapped in peace, when swift from Hades driven,
Upward the death-king came; the earth was riven,