Eurydice.

By Sophie M. (Almon) Hensley

Oh come, Eurydice! The Stygian deeps are past Well-nigh; the light dawns fast. Oh come, Eurydice! The gods have heard my song! My love's despairing cry Filled hell with melody, - And the gods heard my song. I knew no life but thee; Persephone was moved; She, too, hath lived, hath loved; She saw I lived for thee. I may not look on thee, Such was the gods' decree; - Till sun and earth we see No kiss, no smile for thee! The way is rough, is hard; I cannot hear thy feet Swift following; speak, my Sweet, - Is the way rough and hard? "Oh come, Eurydice!" I turn: "our woe is o'er, I will not lose thee more!" I cry: "Eurydice!" O father Hermes, help! I see her fade away Back from the dawning ray; Dear Father Hermes, help! One swift look, - all is lost! Wild heaven-arousing cries Pierce to the dull dead skies; My heaven, my all is lost! The unrelenting gods Refuse me. "No," say they, "Thy chance is thrown away." Fierce unrelenting gods! The sky is blue no more, The spring-tide airs are bleak, I find not her I seek, The earth is fair no more! I loathe all earth, all life! These Thracian women gaze And whispering, go their ways, Seeing I loathe my life. Only my song remains. I may not cease to sing, Though hot tears start and sting, The song that still remains, Even - "Come Eurydice!" The sea rolls on in pain, Echoing the note again: "Lost, lost Eurydice!" And still the sea moves on, The woods give back the thrill "Eurydice!" and still The quiet sea moves on. The years, Eurydice, The long unquiet years Heed not or sighs or tears, Oh Heart, Eurydice!