Catullian Hendecasyllables

Hear, my beloved, an old Milesian story!-- High, and embosom’d in congregated laurels, Glimmer’d a temple upon a breezy headland; In the dim distance amid the skiey billows Rose a fair island; the god of flocks had blest it. From the far shores of the bleat-resounding island Oft by the moonlight a little boat came floating, Came to the sea-cave beneath the breezy headland, Where amid myrtles a pathway stole in mazes Up to the groves of the high embosom’d temple. There in a thicket of dedicated roses, Oft did a priestess, as lovely as a vision, Pouring her soul to the son of Cytherea, Pray him to hover around the slight canoe-boat, And with invisible pilotage to guide it Over the dusk wave, until the nightly sailor Shivering with ecstasy sank upon her bosom.

? 1799.

TO ----

I mix in life, and labour to seem free, With common persons pleased and common things, While every thought and action tends to thee, And every impulse from thy influence springs.

? 1796.

EPITAPH ON A BAD MAN

Under this stone does Walter Harcourt lie, Who valued nought that God or man could give; He lived as if he never thought to die; He died as if he dared not hope to live!

1801.