294 POPULAR TALES OF FLOWERS 
fall in deeper masses, the forest assumed a more savage 
look, which was heightened by the noise of some deadly- 
tusked boar as he went snorting and thundering through 
the thicket; the growl of the tiger was also heard at inter- 
vals, as he retreated farther into the deepening darkness 
of the dingles, mistaking the blaze of sunset for some 
devouring fire. 
But the eyes of Venus saw only the pale face of her 
lover — she felt only his chilly and stiffened hand sink 
colder and deeper into the warm heart on which she 
pressed it, and over which her tears fell, slower or faster, 
just as the mournful gusts of her sorrow arose or subsided, 
and sent the blinding rain from the blue-veined lids that 
overhung her clouded eyes; for never had her immortal 
heart before been swollen by such an overflowing torrent 
of grief. But the warmth of her kisses, which would 
almost have awakened life in a statue of marble, fell 
upon lips now cold as a wintry grave ; and her sighs, 
which came sweeter than the morning air when it first 
arises from its sleep amongst the roses, stirred not one of 
the clotted ringlets which softened into the yielding white- 
ness of her heavenly bosom. 
She looked upon his lips, and they were pale ; 
She took him by the hand, and that was cold ; 
She whispered in his ears a heavy tale, 
As if they heard the woful words she feoldd' 
She would have given her immortality but to have heard 
those lips murmur and complain, as they had done a few 
hours before — to have seen those eyes again burning with 
disdain as they flashed back indignantly the warm ad- 
vances of her love. She pictured him as he had that 
very morning stood, in all the pride of youthful manliness 
and beauty, when he looked down, blushing and abashed, 
as he held his boar-spear in his hand, when she threw 
the studded bridle over her own rounded and naloed arm, 
and the proud courser pricked up his ears with delight, 
and shook his braided mane, while his long tail streamed 
out like a banner, and his proud eye dilated, and his 
broad nostrils expanded, as he went trampling haughtily 
©n, proud to be led by the Queen of Beauty and of I.ove. 
