Theseus and Ariadne
Thes. Nay, I have loved thee! Ari. Thou hast loved, didst say? Thes. I loved thee well at Crete. Ari. Lov’st me no more? Thes. Ah! who can hold the wave upon the shore? Ari. Thou, if thou wouldst; and, oh! is that the way Thou speak’st to me, who gave thee, on that day, My flower of life? Thes. My ship is ready—sail and oar!… Ari. Did I not save thee from the Minotaur,— And wilt thou leave me? Thes. Who can make love stay? … Wax is my heart and takes full easily The last print on ’t. Past love is past recall. Adieu!… Love has the helm—he guides, not we … Ari. Beloved Traitor! May thy black sail pall Deep in the brine, thee, and thy maidens all!… Ye gods! he leaves me and my babe to be!
Lloyd Mifflin’s other poems:
