The Death Of Artemidora

Artemidora! Gods invisible, While thou art lying faint along the couch, Have tied the sandal to thy veined feet, And stand beside thee, ready to convey Thy weary steps where other rivers flow. Refreshing shades will waft thy weariness Away, and voices like thine own come nigh, Soliciting, nor vainly, thy embrace. Artemidora sighd, and would have pressd The hand now pressing hers, but was too weak. Fates shears were over her dark hair unseen While thus Elpenor spake: he lookd into Eyes that had given light and life erewhile To those above them, those now dim with tears And watchfulness. Again he spake of joy, Eternal. At that word, that sad word, joy, Faithful and fond her bosom heavd once more, Her head fell back: one sob, one loud deep sob Swelld through the darkend chamber; t was not hers: With her that old boat incorruptible, Unwearied, undiverted in its course, Had plashd the water up the farther strand.