C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Canticle of the Shining Ones

A Tribute to English Women, from ‘The Nolan’

“NOTHING I envy, Jove, from this thy sky,”

Spake Neptune thus, and raised his lofty crest.

“God of the waves,” said Jove, “thy pride runs high;

What more wouldst add to own thy stern behest?”

“Thou,” spake the god, “dost rule the fiery span,

The circling spheres, the glittering shafts of day;

Greater am I, who in the realm of man

Rule Thames, with all his Nymphs in fair array.

“In this my breast I hold the fruitful land,

The vasty reaches of the trembling sea;

And what in night’s bright dome, or day’s, shall stand

Before these radiant maids who dwell with me?”

“Not thine,” said Jove, “god of the watery mount,

To exceed my lot; but thou my lot shalt share:

Thy heavenly maids among my stars I’ll count,

And thou shalt own the stars beyond compare!”