Sonett-Forum

TO A GREEK GIRL ON THE SEA SHORE

There are no heathen gods to play the rogue
With wandering maidens, as in olden time ;
W' hose wild Olympian hearts were all agog
To choose their victim, and inflict their crime :
Thou hast been gathering flowers, a fragrant store,
But no grim Dis has seiz'd thee for his bride ;
And though thou rovest on this houseless shore
No horned Zeus betrays thee to the tide.
Olympus is gone by ; but thou art there.
The ward of truer heavens, all pure and sweet :
No lust nor guile thy lonely path shall meet :
The Father's Self, Who made thee good and fair,
And pours His gentle waves about thy feet,
Upholds thy virgin footsteps everywhere.