X.

They met again and oft! what time the Star Of Hesperus hung his rosy lamp on high; Love's earliest beacon, from our storms afar, Lit in the loneliest watch-tower of the sky, Perchance by souls that, ere this world was made, Were the first lovers the first stars survey'd. And Mystery o'er their twilight meeting threw The charm that nought like mystery doth bestow: Her name--her birth--her home he never knew; And she--_his_ love was all she sought to know. And when in anxious or in tender mood He pray'd her to disclose at least her name, A look from her the unwelcome prayer subdued So sad the cloud that o'er her features came: Her lip grew blanch'd, as with an ominous fear, And all her heart seem'd trembling in her tear. So worshipp'd he in silence and sweet wonder, Pleased to confide, contented not to know; And Hope, life's checkering moonlight, smiled asunder Doubts, which, like clouds, rise ever from below. And thus his love grew daily, and perchance Was all the stronger circled by romance. He found a name for her, if not her own, Haply as soft, and to her heart as dear-- "Zoe"--name stolen from the tuneful Greek, It meaneth 'life,' when common lips do speak-- And more on those that love;--sweet language known To lovers, sacred to themselves alone; Words, like Egyptian symbols, set apart For the mysterious Priesthood of the Heart.

Creep slowly on, O charm'd reluctant Time-- Rarely so hallow'd, Time, creep slowly on-- Ev'n I would linger in my truant rhyme, Nor tell too soon how soon those hours were gone. Flowers bloom again--leaves glad once more the tree-- Poor life, there comes no second Spring to thee!

[A] In the story of Cupid and Psyche, told in Apuleius, it is said that the lamp itself gladdened at the aspect of the god.--"Cujus aspectu lucernae quoque lumen _hilaratum_ increbuit."

[B] Galileo--according to the popular legend of Milton's visit to him.

PART THE SECOND.

"Protinus insoliti subierunt corda furores, Uror amans intus, flammaque totus eram. Interea misero quae jam mihi sola placebat Ablata est oculis non reditura meis."--MILT. ELEG. VII.