Themes and Variations/Song of the Blind Guest
SONG OF THE BLIND GUEST.
Long years agone, bright Phaeton sought, but vainly,
To drive the winged horses of the sky.
Great Zeus smote the hand which thus profanely
Wrought on our earth-fields drought and misery.
To drive the winged horses of the sky.
Great Zeus smote the hand which thus profanely
Wrought on our earth-fields drought and misery.
But here a mortal takes a magic token
And on the shining coursers lays his rein,
Patient they stand, those milk-white steeds unbroken,
Or fleetly bear along his burdened train.
And on the shining coursers lays his rein,
Patient they stand, those milk-white steeds unbroken,
Or fleetly bear along his burdened train.
The sunbeams from serene Apollo’s stable
Lead us across the iron-ribbed lea.
Speak in their ears! They thrill the singing cable,
Or pace the unquiet causeway of the sea.
Lead us across the iron-ribbed lea.
Speak in their ears! They thrill the singing cable,
Or pace the unquiet causeway of the sea.
Though now ye enter not my darksome prison,
To visit one who sits so lonely there,
I still can feel, bright spirits, ye have risen,
And touch the out-streaming meshes of your hair.
To visit one who sits so lonely there,
I still can feel, bright spirits, ye have risen,
And touch the out-streaming meshes of your hair.