T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Eros
By Pierre Louÿs (18701925)(From Aphrodite. Translated by Mitchell S. Buck, 1913) |
DEEP in the lurking shadows of the woods, | |
Down vistas gold-flecked from the sunlight glare, | |
The Satyrs fast pursue the Oreads, | |
Clutching their virgin breasts and flying hair, | |
Bending their gleaming bodies, tense with fear, | 5 |
Swift backward on the damp moss. Half divine, | |
Writhing with pain … | |
O women! | |
On your soft lips, Eros cries | |
Desires and agonies. | 10 |
Eros! Eros!… | |
Cybele long pursues across the plains | |
The godlike Attis whom her love desires, | |
The fleeting Attis who her love disdains. | |
For Eros, like a cruel god, conspires | 15 |
To chill return where burning love aspires. | |
And, in despair, through Attis’ halting breath, | |
Cybele weaves of death … | |
Slaying with tortured cries, | |
Desires and agonies … | 20 |
Eros! Eros!… | |
Before the Goat-foot, over flowery meads, | |
Toward the watery tomb, frail Syrinx speeds, | |
Shuddering at Eros’ kiss upon her cheek— | |
Eros who, later, culls the trembling reeds, | 25 |
Caresses them and, living, makes them speak. | |
For he who conquers gods, who death disdains— | |
Pale Eros—reigns … | |
O women! | |
From a dead soul, Eros cries | 30 |
Desires and agonies. | |