4k. O O '' PS 3079 i .T5 Copy ® % ov n.B.n.TOLAND w» -■fW 5 .■.■C4*v;:\. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. %p ^xxnrW f u Shelf r^.2 7^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ii^mii f i". lllT.tl. NOV 16 1892 ) \v^a\ \ .3f WASHlH' T •^ i ^.!i. COPYRIGHT. 1892, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. Printed by J. B Lipfincott Company, Philadelphia, \ w*.' 0- 1 Y % ^rWllFT OF pRAWlH i^*%S Where stately palms and tropic plants unfurled" . Canto /., Stanza 2 Artist, H. R. Bloomer. 'Each year fruit-offerings by them were brought" . Canto I., Stanza j Artist, J. Alden Weir. 'One hundred Nereids on dolphins rode" . . Canto I, Stanza y Artist, F. S. Church. i/ / za 7 ^ A pious family protected, saved" .... Canto II., Stanza i Artist, Frederick Dielman. O'er sea and land in glorious array" . . . Canto 11, Stanza j Artist, Francis C. Jones. Enthroned in regal state the youthful queen". . Canto //, Stanza y Artist, A. F. Jaccaci. Atlina listened with a pleased surprise" . . . Canto II., Stanza 8 Artist, Herbert Denman. "All nature beamed with beauties unsurpassed" . Ca?tto III, Stanza i "^ Artist, A. F. Jaccaci. "Atlina with Diotheus rechned" .... Canto III., Stanza 4..:>;:- ::■:.,■ '-/^^ C^, ■ f / -■ . :V m. 1^ ^[,ji '.! ■■^\... Ages ago, Atlantis proudly swayed Her prehistoric glories, unsurpassed; The God Posei'don, regally arrayed. With trident sceptre, mystic marvels cast O'er that strange continent. His power supreme Enriched the earth with wondrous splendors grand, Enthroned to rule and realize the dream Of fabled mysteries o'er sea and land. So reigned this Neptune king with will profound As o'er a world. Virtues he there enshrined With wisdom, justice, truth, and laws renowned That eood-will meted unto all mankind. II- Transcendent beauties brightly beamed upon The fertile plain, fairest of all the world ; Near which a mount uprose above the lawn, Where stately palms and tropic plants unfurled 'Neath sunshine flooding its life-giving rays O'er budding blossoms, blooming everywhere. There fountains jetted iridescent sprays Near groves of stately trees, — exotics rare ; While streams meandered and fresh bubbling springs Of purest waters fertilized the sod, And breathing zephyrs wafted as with wings Sweet, odorous incense offered to their God. v^.'\.lb\. III. Upon this mount dwelt one primeval pair. Their only child, a daughter scarcely grown, In dawninor womanhood was wondrous fair. When her fond parents died, leaving alone This lovely orphan (Cleito was her name), Poseidon met her, pleased with her pure grace, He elevated to exalted fame One made by nature worthy of that place. His heart idealized this mortal love. Around her palace he alternately Drew two encircling zones, — of land above, — Grand terraces. Three smaller zones of sea Enclosed the citadel of destiny. IV. No man could enter that enchanted spot, — Himself a god, his wishes naught could mar ; All rarest treasures to the isle he brought That beamed in beauty like a brilliant star ; For in the rocks all precious gems were found ; With purest gold and silver, veins of ore There threaded through. The mount, within, around. With richest offering-s that nature bore. Three walls enclosed the isle : An outer wall Coated with brass; the next with tino'erlaid; The next of ori'chalch ; glowing through all Red lights that blazed warm flashes as they played. V. 'Tween citadel and palace stately stood A holy temple, in the centre, where Poseidon with his Cleito blessings wooed In bliss divine, the joys of life to share ; Each year fruit-offerings by them were brought From ten divisions of that wondrous isle As sacred sacrifice. On hallowed spot Poseidon's own fane stood in grandest style, — Barbaric splendor, stadium in length With half a stadium in width. Its height Proportionate, throughout of massive strength. Aglow with brilliant gems emitting light. VI. This edifice in silver was encased, With pinnacles bestudded, gleaming gold : An ivory roof within, its borders graced By royal decorations, sunbeam stoled. Shimmered forth from the pillars, walls, and floor Bedazzling rays of every precious gem That flashed with glowing lights the arches o'er, Poseidon's statue, crowned with diadem, In regal robes upon his chariot stood, With six winged horses, thus in state to guide His flying steed. Ruler divine, endued With power supreme o'er all things to preside. VII. One hundred Nereids on dolphins rode As if ambassadors from the deep sea ; Colossal golden statues brighdy glowed Around the altar of their deity ; Engraved on columned orichalch that stood Within the temple, holy laws were given To teach the right, commanding all things good Through virtue's path, to make this world like heaven. Outside the temple rose ten golden kings. Ten golden statues of their wives in state. With many tributes, sacred offerings, Impressive rites whence glories radiate. VIII. Thus many generations passed away Since God Poseidon's first-born reigned as king. His wise descendants aided the display Of peerless pageantry the years could bring. Supremacy to Atlas' line was shown, With binding rule on all the kings impressed ; No wars to join against each other's throne, But render aid, if enemies oppressed ; Vast multitudes inhabited the land, Thousands of chariots for war arrayed. Twelve hundred ships awaited their command. With officers and honors grand displayed. IX. While god-like nature lasted in that race To laws divine obedience was given, With true devotion to their gods in grace As children taught inheritance of heaven ; The Gold and Silver Ages having passed, Then Bronze Age followed, scattering the seed Of discord, avarice, with sins o'ercast, Admixture more of human, selfish greed. Lost were the virtues of Poseidon's reign. Then Zeus, the God of gods, with will supreme, Called all the gods, his mandate to make plain, To judge with justice, and lost rights redeem. \iy/i J^ ■ ■■Vif r^iiiizis^ : '^/i "^/L-'i i'lf ^ - ^fSi lii j yuliPlttliSfclMiMMi^HBa^ No archives chronicle the God's decree , '"'U- That doomed Atlantis to its sudden fate, By tempest torn and sunk beneath the sea, Their mortal sins to thus obliterate ; One portion of the land eruptions cleft Just as it stood, with sacred temples, throne, And royal palace, all that had been left Of grandest continent the world had known. A pious family protected, saved With their attendants faithful cast away, On this wrecked isle the many dang-ers braved By guardian care, on that eventful day. II. While these were offering orisons that morn, Fierce, warring elements in fury hurled The earth, that lifted, trembled, then was torn Asunder from that cursed and sinking world. Prostrate before the altar they remained, Until was heard a voice from one unseen, "Thy godliness and virtues pure have gained Pardon for thee and thine. As shall be seen From guardian care, all good will emulate, This holy isle for thee is saved and blessed, Thy heirs shall reign as kings, and reinstate Poseidon's line, as God Zeus thinketh best." III. This godly family had one fair child, A daughter, beaming love and fond delight And wondrous beauty as she sweetly smiled, While shimmered o'er her brow soft halos bright, Through airy tresses, like warm rays of gold, That flowed in careless waves around her form. Her large blue eyes would evening's shade enfold, Her cheeks, the sea-shell's tint, with blushes warm. No fairer mortal maiden ere was seen ; Her charms of manner bore a winsome way. Crowned was she on the Floating Isle as queen O'er sea and land in glorious array. IV. Her palace pearled with golden settings rare, Its temples blending treasures of all climes ; Her bowers were draped with climbing flowers fair O'er gleaming domes that measured music's chimes ; Her Nereid attendants served with love ; They hovered near the Floating Isle with pride On dolphins, their devotion thus to prove. Played timbrels, dancing on the rippling tide ; Her parents in their temple offered praise, Gave thanks to Zeus with offerings and prayer ; They taught Atlina's life pure, holy ways To thus repay the gods for guardian care. V. Atlina just attained her womanhood, With voice Hke angel's voice, soft, low, and sweet And speaking glances. Thoughts were understood Ere spoken, if the listener chanced to meet Their trusting light from soul of purity. Last heiress of lost kings was she, this isle, Her only heritage, World of the Sea, That meted glorious destiny ! Meanwhile Her subjects wished their lovely queen to wed A god-like king. They made their wishes known, And often to the subject pleading led That heirs of Atlas' line might grace her throne. VI. With joy the Nereids appeared one morn Arrayed in mantles of fair sprays of mist, Their ruddy shoulders lightly to adorn. Atlina's hand devotedly they kissed, And signalled galleys, coming near the shore Upon the ocean's brightly beaming breast So near the isle, a voice in clear command Cried, " Lower sails ! Drop anchor! Here we rest! This is the world we've sought so long- in vain. How wondrous beautiful, this heavenly sphere, Deus has our labors blessed ! 'Tis glory's gain ; This blissful haven offers royal cheer." VII. Enthroned in regal state the youthful queen Awaited the approach of strangers grand, Enrobed most gorgeously, as if to wean Her thoughts from all except a queen's command ; Yet flitting blushes warmed the cold repose Of stately dignity. Her scarf confined By opal stars, their tints like fair rainbows That shimmered halos, happiness enshrined ; As come the heralds, with their god-like king, He knelt before her, conquered. Beauty's power Enhanced the scene. The sprites were welcoming With timbrel shells and song, that happy hour. ^:4*^^ 1^, SONG. I, Ripple, Dipple ! Sever Waves with rhapsody ! Lightly, Sprightly Ever, Laugh in gladsome glee ! II. Meeting, Greeting, Meekly, Heroes of the Deep ! Suing, Wooing Sweetly, Joys within their keep. Waving, Laving, Brightly, Kindest welcome bring Proving, Loving, Rightly, Welcome to our king. VIII. Atlina listened with a pleased surprise To courtly compliments, profusely paid, Awaking glances, beamed from dreamy eyes, O'er dimpling smiles where flitting blushes played; While spake Diotheus fond words of praise : He thanked the gods who his adventures blessed, That from a sinking world the isle released, And guided him to this fair land of rest To realize a love, his heart to feast : " My ships lie waiting for my precious prize To bear in triumph to my favored throne, My kingdom waits, where dips the eastern skies, A goddess queen, for every virtue known." M IX. At once she sought the temple to confide Her new found happiness. With fond caress She coyly knelt her father's knee beside, With warmest blushes new life to confess ; He answered rising, with uplifted hand : " Obedience is due the gods' decree ! Thy duty, child, must follow their command, Their sacred will thus metes thy destiny." The mother's arms enclasped her daughter's waist, " Child of our love ! thanks to the gods divine Who taught thee love with true devotion graced, Our happiness reflects this joy ot thine." 'fe^ ^ i^jl *!$• All nature beamed with beauties unsurpassed, The sun in glory showered dazzHng- rays And banished shadows ; not a cloud o'ercast That nuptial morn, hailed with exalted praise. Awaking zephyrs trilled a flitdng breeze ; Sweet carols sang wild birds in gladsome glee ; Cohans were sighing through the trees With joy and sadness, varied melody. The Floadng Isle, nesded its border bowers Of tropic plants, wafting perfumes full sweet, From coundess cups of all its precious flowers Which incense offered, odorous, replete. ''^:ML§'1 ■*±X^ _.:,-i. II. Directed by the gods, Diotheus left Aurosa Greece (his kingdom) — journeyed o'er The inland seas, seeking that portion cleft From doomed Atlantis. Near southwestern shore Of broad Atlantic main, he found the isle, Its goddess queen, to grace his Grecian throne, Won by her loveliness. Sweet was her smile With happiness, to him before unknown. Atlina donned the graceful Grecian gown. Pure as the pearling dew born of the air : Her every wish with joy the king to crown, Through life his love to keep and ever share. III. Lifted were anchors, sails unfurled, outspread, The fleet unmoored, ready to sail away, When fond attendants stately measures led: An invocation to the God of day. ^^ I m Ipr ™fi w"-' Thou God ! The sun ! O hght of hght! Thou glorious one ! O radiance bright, Divine ! Guard with thy care With wisdom, might, Our queen, to share What seemeth right As thine. O glorious Sun ! From care released, Their voyage when done May joyous feast Extend ! Welcome with bliss ! In the far east, Sweeter than this, All pleasures feast And bend. IV. Atlina with Diotheus reclined 'Neath gleaming canopy of threaded gold, Begemmed with crest of double crowns, entwined That fond predictions for their future told. The god-like king, of stately presence grand, His massive brow alight with new-found bliss, Was hero of victorious command ; But conquered worlds could not compare with this. His classic features, perfectly were lined ; His earnest eyes of evening's darkest shade, His beard and raven locks flowed, waved, entwined And shimmered raven lights, where sunbeams strayed. ^ ^^l --"'■«'/ V. Then floated banners, with a loud acclaim Of oarsmen measuring each deep-drawn stroke, While tearful voices sighed Atlina's name Amid the pageantry, farewells awoke. Thus glided they o'er ocean's throbbing breast, The groom and bride guarded from every ill. When Floating Isle receded on the west, Atlina's heart was pained with saddened thrill ; Diotheus fond words repressed to wean Her heart from yearning thoughts with better cheer ; Such silent sympathy impressed his queen With warmer aratitude to one most dear. VI. While lingering rays, reflected from sunbeams, Bedecked the ocean's slowly-throbbing breast, Its waves aglow, were rippling brightest gleams, Ere evening shadows wooed the day to rest. In mantled mist, the scenes dissolved away With anofel voices chantant on the air ; The mighty deep intoned its plashing spray, While guardian dolphins hovered near with care. The nautilus its stately measures bore Like royal page — and glided gracefully Beside the galleys, dipped the waters o'er In unison with songs of air and sea. VII. The day was blushing, as approaching night Unfurled its glowing colors in the west, When lo ! a mirage, framed with ruby light, Of Floating Isle in tropic beauties dressed Above the low horizon lifted there, With halos, lingering rays of setting sun : Its sacred temples pictured in air That mystic hour when day its course hath run, "See!" cried Diotheus, "my dreams unfold; This scene the gods predicted unto me : ' Thou shalt Atlina's Floating Isle behold Uplifted to the skies, 'tis God's decree.' " i ^> TT fe ■Jl <* ■" -x^»" . -.it.^^^ ?«^4J t--l:w .'/^/x ■■-■/vc:-^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 871 742 6