Once, in Times Long Ago

Once, in times long ago, in ages of eld,
Over bright realms, the fairest man e'er beheld,

(These in Rome lay) a King of fame ruled in state,
Prosperous, glad, of joy and fortune innate;

He, a King, high of rank, of auspicious part,
Fair of face, fair of nature, and fair of heart;

All his actions on justice sure did recline,
All his beauty and spirit perfect did shine;

Pure of mind, debonair, in council aright,
Heart-rejoicing, and graceful, the soul making bright,

He, a glorious, stately, most noble King,
Thus 'twas they named him, all his subjects: — King Spring.

Through the stream of his justice the earth blossomed fair,
Like to Eden the world through his mercy's air:

With benignity, grace, and kindness imbued,
With discretion and faultless justice endued:

All around spread his sway like the wind that blows,
Everywhere swept his law like the flood that flows;

Fair his equity e'en as the breeze of dawn,
Making earth's face a verdant, fresh-blooming lawn.

'Midst of his blest dominions none uttered wail,
Save it were 'mongst the flowers the sad nightingale;

'Gainst his neighbour did no one the dagger bare,
Save the fresh blooming lily within the parterre;

To his neighbour did no one anguish impart,
Saving the thorn to the nightingale's heart;

From his neighbour did no one the diadem seize,
The tulip's crown only, was stol'n by the breeze.

Herbs, in mighty array, were spread o'er the ground,
Forming a host without limit or bound;

Leaves and fruits did these bear in numbers untold,
Even more than the leaves that the trees unfold.

'Midst of the mead narcissus-eyed guards did stand,
Sentries, gold-uskufed, a numberless band;

Tulip-like, ruby-beakered and ruby-crowned,
Many cup-bearers lovely did him surround;

Guards, like the lily, a thousand he had,
All of these sabre-wearing and armour-clad;

Like the cypress, uprearing proudly the head,
Many warriors valiant his banners spread;

Like the thorn, sharp-featured, wielding the dart,
His were spearsmen who'd pierce the dread lion's heart;

Many couriers his, like the zephyr in speed,
Like the crown-snatching life was each one indeed.

In the heaven of might, a Star bright he beamed;
In the casket of state, a Gem fair he gleamed.

'Midst his life's garden only one rose had blown,
One divine gift to him from God's lofty throne;

Him a daughter had granted the mercy divine,
Who in earth's garden, like the rose, fair did shine;

Though yet but a rosebud, her name was Rose —
In the parterre of grace a rosebud arose!

Many rosebuds, a thousand rosebuds most fair,
Heart-contracted, did envy her mouth in despair;

Ne'er a rival to her in beauty was found,
In her love was the world secure captive bound.