Edward Robeson Taylor

1838 - 1923 / Springfield, Illinois

Theseus and Ariadne

Within the labyrinth's depths the Minotaur,
Slain by the sword she gave, lay stark and dead,
And with his finger following her thread
He issued forth to see the heavens once more.
Then Theseus swiftly from the hated shore
With Ariadne on his bosom fled,
Still hearing, as toward Naxos on they sped,
King Minos' cries above the ocean's roar.
Deep-nested in love's softest down they lay
When she to him: 'Through me alone thy way
To century-sounding fame has now been won;
And yet I fear;- Oh, swear we shall not part!'-
'By Aphrodite do I swear, sweetheart!' ...
Then rose portentous cloud and hid the sun.
587 Total read