pygmalion.
17
O'er all the form a flush of rose-light passed,
Along the limbs the azure arteries throbbed,
A golden lustre settled on the head,
And gleamed amid the mazes of the hair;
The rounded cheek grew vivid with a blush,
Ambrosial breathings cleft the curvèd lips,
And softly through the arched nostril stole;
Slow rose the silken-fringèd lids, and eyes
Like violets wet with dew drank in the light!
Along the limbs the azure arteries throbbed,
A golden lustre settled on the head,
And gleamed amid the mazes of the hair;
The rounded cheek grew vivid with a blush,
Ambrosial breathings cleft the curvèd lips,
And softly through the arched nostril stole;
Slow rose the silken-fringèd lids, and eyes
Like violets wet with dew drank in the light!
Moveless she stood, until her wandering glance
Upon the rapt face of the sculptor fell;
Bewildered and abashed, it sank beneath
The burning gaze of his adoring eyes.
And then there ran through all her trembling frame
A strange, sweet thrill of blissful consciousness,
Life's wildest joy, in one delicious tide,
Poured through the channels of her new-born heart,
And love's first sigh rose quivering from her breast.
Upon the rapt face of the sculptor fell;
Bewildered and abashed, it sank beneath
The burning gaze of his adoring eyes.
And then there ran through all her trembling frame
A strange, sweet thrill of blissful consciousness,
Life's wildest joy, in one delicious tide,
Poured through the channels of her new-born heart,
And love's first sigh rose quivering from her breast.
She turned, and, smiling, bent her toward the youth,
And blushed love's dawn upon him as he knelt.
He rose, sprang forward with a passionate cry,
And joyously outstretched his waiting arms;—
And blushed love's dawn upon him as he knelt.
He rose, sprang forward with a passionate cry,
And joyously outstretched his waiting arms;—
