T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Eros
By Pierre Louÿs (1870–1925)(From Aphrodite. Translated by Mitchell S. Buck, 1913) |
DEEP in the lurking shadows of the woods, | |
| Down vistas gold-flecked from the sunlight glare, | |
| The Satyrs fast pursue the Oreads, | |
| Clutching their virgin breasts and flying hair, | |
| Bending their gleaming bodies, tense with fear, | 5 |
| Swift backward on the damp moss. Half divine, | |
| Writhing with pain … | |
| O women! | |
| On your soft lips, Eros cries | |
| Desires and agonies. | 10 |
| Eros! Eros!… | |
| Cybele long pursues across the plains | |
| The godlike Attis whom her love desires, | |
| The fleeting Attis who her love disdains. | |
| For Eros, like a cruel god, conspires | 15 |
| To chill return where burning love aspires. | |
| And, in despair, through Attis’ halting breath, | |
| Cybele weaves of death … | |
| Slaying with tortured cries, | |
| Desires and agonies … | 20 |
| Eros! Eros!… | |
| Before the Goat-foot, over flowery meads, | |
| Toward the watery tomb, frail Syrinx speeds, | |
| Shuddering at Eros’ kiss upon her cheek— | |
| Eros who, later, culls the trembling reeds, | 25 |
| Caresses them and, living, makes them speak. | |
| For he who conquers gods, who death disdains— | |
| Pale Eros—reigns … | |
| O women! | |
| From a dead soul, Eros cries | 30 |
| Desires and agonies. | |