Eros, from rest in isles far-famed, <br />With rising Anthesterion rose, <br />And all Hellenic heights acclaimed <br /> Eros. <br /> <br />The sea one pearl, the shore one rose, <br />All round him all the flower-month flamed <br />And lightened, laughing off repose. <br /> <br />Earth's heart, sublime and unashamed, <br />Knew, even perchance as man's heart knows, <br />The thirst of all men's nature named <br /> Eros. <br /> <br />II. <br /> <br />Eros, a fire of heart untamed, <br />A light of spirit in sense that glows, <br />Flamed heavenward still ere earth defamed <br /> Eros. <br /> <br />Nor fear nor shame durst curb or close <br />His golden godhead, marred and maimed, <br />Fast round with bonds that burnt and froze. <br /> <br />Ere evil faith struck blind and lamed <br />Love, pure as fire or flowers or snows, <br />Earth hailed as blameless and unblamed <br /> Eros. <br /> <br />III. <br /> <br />Eros, with shafts by thousands aimed <br />At laughing lovers round in rows, <br />Fades from their sight whose tongues proclaimed <br /> Eros. <br /> <br />But higher than transient shapes or shows <br />The light of love in life inflamed <br />Springs, toward no goal that these disclose. <br /> <br />Above those heavens which passion claimed <br />Shines, veiled by change that ebbs and flows, <br />The soul in all things born or framed, <br /> Eros.<br /><br />Algernon Charles Swinburne<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eros-3/
