THE ISLES OF THE BLESSED.

_Pindar_, _Fr._, 106, 107 (95): B. 4, 129–130, 109 (97): B. 4, 132.

NOW the light of the sun, in the night of the Earth, on the souls of

the True

Shines, and their city is girt with the meadow where reigneth the

rose;

And deep is the shade of the woods, and the wind that flits o’er them

and through

Sings of the sea, and is sweet from the isles where the

frankincense blows:

Green is their garden and orchard, with rare fruits golden it glows,

And the souls of the Blessed are glad in the pleasures on Earth

that they knew,

And in chariots these have delight, and in dice and in minstrelsy

those,

And the savour of sacrifice clings to the altars and rises anew.

But the Souls that Persephone cleanses from ancient pollution and

stain,

These at the end of the age, be they prince, be they singer, or

seer;

These to the world shall be born as of old, shall be sages again;

These of their hands shall be hardy, shall live, and shall die, and

shall hear

Thanks of the people, and songs of the minstrels that praise them

amain,

And their glory shall dwell in the land where they dwelt, while

year calls unto year!

Ballades & Rhymes from Ballades in Blue China and Rhymes a la Mode · 第 172 / 190 题