RODIN

III

SYRINX AND PAN

Published in the Weekly Critical Review

Paris, France

4 June 1903

(page 6)

Syrinx is caught upon the Arcadian field.

The god’s grip huddles her girl breasts; his grim

And gnarled lips grin forth the soul of him.

The imprint of his bestial heart is sealed

And stamped armorial on her virgin shield,

Fame’s argent heraldry despoiled: grows dim

For her the universe; supple and slim

She slides in vain. She loathes him—and doth yield.

Shame, sorrow, these be sire and dam of song.

Fatality, O Nature is thy name.

Along the accursed river, stagnant shame,

Eddying woe, from rape and godly wrong,

Springs the immortal reed; the mortal’s cry

Rises, an angry anthem, to the sky.