Down from Pindus bright Peneus Tells its muse-melodious source; Sacred is its fountained birthplace, And the Orient floods its course.
Many a morn the sunny darling Saw the rising chariot-rays, From the winding river-reaches, Mellowing in amber haze.
Thro’ the flaming mountain gorges Lo, the River leaps the plain; Like a wild god-stridden courser, Tossing high its foamy mane.
Then he swims thro’ laurelled sunlight, Full of all sensations sweet, Misty with his morning incense, To the mirrored maiden’s feet!
Wet and bright the dinting pebbles Shine where oft she paused and stood; All her dreamy warmth revolving, While the chilly waters wooed.
Like to rosy-born Aurora, Glowing freshly into view, When her doubtful foot she ventures On the first cold morning blue.
White as that Thessalian lily, Fairest Tempe’s fairest flower, Lo, the tall Peneïan virgin Stands beneath her bathing bower.
There the laurell’d wreaths o’erarching Crown’d the dainty shuddering maid; There the dark prophetic laurel Kiss’d her with its sister shade.
There the young green glistening leaflets Hush’d with love their breezy peal; There the little opening flowerets Blush’d beneath her vermeil heel!
There among the conscious arbours Sounds of soft tumultuous wail, Mysteries of love, melodious, Came upon the lyric gale!
Breathings of a deep enchantment, Effluence of immortal grace, Flitted round her faltering footstep, Spread a balm about her face!
Witless of the enamour’d presence, Like a dreamy lotus bud From its drowsy stem down-drooping, Gazed she in the glowing flood.
Softly sweet with fluttering presage, Felt she that ethereal sense, Drinking charms of love delirious, Reaping bliss of love intense!
All the air was thrill’d with sunrise, Birds made music of her name, And the god-impregnate water Claspt her image ere she came.
Richer for that glance unconscious! Dearer for that soft dismay! And the sudden self-possession! And the smile as bright as day!
Plunging ’mid her scattered tresses, With her blue invoking eyes; See her like a star descending! Like a rosebud see her rise!
Like a rosebud in the morning Dashing off its jewell’d dews, Ere unfolding all its fragrance It is gathered by the muse!
Beauteous in the foamy laughter Bubbling round her shrinking waist, Lo! from locks and lips and eyelids Rain the glittering pearl-drops chaste!