At Minas Basin and Other Poems — The War Hercules

THE WAR HERCULES.

Under Mount [OE]ta The blue Artemisium, Flanked about with huge crags, Stilled its wild winter drum,-- The sun turned aside, The sea nestled in calm, Zeus's wisdom of calm,-- Rude Hercules died!

A wine-glass of azure From the breast of the bay, Caught up by the sun, Smiled on by the sun,-- Hope's halcyon ray!

Kiss of love for a bride, Kiss of peace and of calm, Zeus's wisdom of calm,-- Wild Hercules died!

A nest and a home On the wintry sea, On the blue Artemise, In the rough country, Heaven set in the azure tide!

The sea nestled in calm, Zeus's wisdom of calm,-- Fierce Hercules died!

O halcyon of rest, Sweet azure of peace, Brood thy sky-tinted eggs, Fill the world with increase-- On the sea's bosom ride!

Now it nestles to calm, Zeus's wisdom of calm,-- Mad Hercules died!

_January, 1896. _ IN THE COOL OF THE DAY.