I think the golden net that April brought From some warm world his wavering soul had caught; For, sunk in vague sweet longing, did he go 20 Which at the first of folk were wellnigh bare; But pressing on, and going more hastily, Men hurrying too he 'gan at last to see. Betwixt the trees with doubtful steps and Following the last of these, he still pressed slow. on, 50 Until an open space he came unto, Where wreaths of fame had oft been lost and won, For feats of strength folk there were wont to do. And now our hunter looked for something Now for the barefoot milking-maidens And there two runners did the sign abide, lowed; While from the freshness of his blue abode, Glad his death-bearing arrows to forget, 41 The broad sun blazed, nor scattered plagues as yet. Foot set to foot,-a young man slim and fair, Crisp-haired, well-knit, with firm limbs often tried In places where no man his strength may spare; Dainty his thin coat was, and on his hair 75 But on this day with whom shall he contend? A maid stood by him like Diana clad So was the pageant ended, and all folk For now the shrill bats were upon the And soon dark night would slay the evening, Of fluttering raiment, and thereat afeard 140 And with the last of all the hunter went, Who, wondering at the strange sight he had seen, Prayed an old man to tell him what it meant, Nor otherwhere since that day doth she dwell, Sending too many a noble soul to hell.What! thine eyes glisten? what then, thinkest thou Both why the vanquished man so slain Her shining head unto the yoke to bow? 175 had been, "Come back, and I myself will pray for And at my door lay down thy luckless Come back, nor give thy beauty to the And if no other can be dear to thee, 320 tomb." How should he listen to her earnest speech, Words such as he not once or twice had said At least as now, yet is the world full wide, And bliss in seeming hopeless hearts may hide: "But if thou losest life, then all is lost." Unto himself, whose meaning scarce could "Nay, King," Milanion said, "thy words |