... She gave not me, but made a breathing image Of the light air of heaven and gave that To royal Priam's son! And yet he thought That he had me—a vain imagining!... Euripides, Helen, 33-36. Helen am I! In the Sun's fountain Have I taken birth! I am the Sun-god's golden dream, And unto him I go! Not about me, but about Mine image, which the gods Had wrought, life's perfect counterfeit, Recklessly gods and heroes Plunged into war and war's destruction! For the Cimmerian Enchanter carried far away As his own mate my shade Thrice-beautiful, that rose to life From Night's embrace in an Enchanted land and hour. I am The bride intangible, Inviolable, beyond all reach! Helen am I!
|
|