Explore "Loveliness" by Madison Cawein on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
/ I. When I fare forth to kiss the eyes of Spring, / On ways, which arch gold sunbeams and pearl buds / Embraced, two whispers we search -- wandering / By goblin forests and by girlish floods / Deep in the hermit-holy solitudes -- / For stalwart Dryads romping in a ring; / Firm limbs an oak-bark-brown, and hair -- wild woods / Have perfumed -- loops of radiance; and they, / Most coyly pleasant, as we linger by, / Pout dimpled cheeks, more rose than rosiest sky, / Honeyed; and us good-hearted laughter fling / Like far-out reefs that flute melodious spray.
/ II. Then we surprise each Naiad ere she slips -- / Nude at her toilette -- in her fountain's glass, / With damp locks dewy, and large godlike hips / Cool-glittering; but discovered, when -- alas! / From green, indented moss and plushy grass, -- / Her great eyes' pansy-black reproaching, -- dips / She white the cloven waters ere we pass: / And a broad, orbing ripple makes to hide / From our desirous gaze provoked what path / She gleaming took; what haunt she bashful hath / In minnowy freshness, where her murmurous lips / Bubbling make merry 'neath the rocky tide.