Fragments Written for Hellas

Fairest of the Destinies, Disarray thy dazzling eyes: Keener far thy lightnings are Than the winged thou bearest, And the smile thou wearest Wraps thee as a star Is wrapped in light. Could Arethuse to her forsaken urn From Alpheus and the bitter Doris run, Or could the morning shafts of purest light Again into the quivers of the Sun Be gathered--could one thought from its wild flight Return into the temple of the brain Without a change, without a stain,-- Could aught that is, ever again Be what it once has ceased to be, Greece might again be free!…