Singingandcullingfloweretafterfloweret,

Withwhichherpathwaywasallpaintedover.

"Ah, beauteouslady, whoinraysoflove

Dostwarmthyself, ifImaytrusttolooks,

Whichtheheart'switnessesarewonttobe,

Maythedesirecomeuntotheetodraw

Mateldagatheringflowers

Neartothisriver'sbank," Isaidtoher,

"SomuchthatImighthearwhatthouartsinging.

Thoumakestmerememberwhereandwhat

Proserpinathatmomentwaswhenlost

Hermotherher, andsheherselftheSpring."

Asturnsherself, withfeettogetherpressed

Andtotheground, aladywhoisdancing,

Andhardlyputsonefootbeforetheother,

Onthevermilionandtheyellowflowerets

Sheturnedtowardsme, notinotherwise

Thanmaidenwhohermodesteyescastsdown;

Andmyentreatiesmadetobecontent,

Sonearapproaching, thatthedulcetsound

Cameuntometogetherwithitsmeaning

Assoonasshewaswherethegrassesare.

Bathedbythewatersofthebeauteousriver,

Tolifthereyesshegrantedmetheboon.

Idonotthinkthereshonesogreatalight

UnderthelidsofVenus, whentransfixed

Byherownson, beyondhisusualcustom!

Erectupontheotherbankshesmiled,

Bearingfullmanycoloursinherhands,

Whichthathighlandproduceswithoutseed.

Apartthreepacesdidtherivermakeus;

ButHellespont, whereXerxespassedacross,

(Acurbstilltoallhumanarrogance,)

MorehatredfromLeanderdidnotsuffer

ForrollingbetweenSestosandAbydos,

Thanthatfromme, becauseitopednotthen.

"Yearenew-comers; andbecauseIsmile,"

Beganshe, "peradventure, inthisplace

Electtohumannatureforitsnest,

Someapprehensionkeepsyoumarvelling;