LDV103

22 POÉTESSES SYMPHONIQUES Andromeda (Augusta Holmès) The Oracle has spoken. The royal victim, White-skinned Andromeda, chained to the briny rock By the cruel hands of the sea nymphs, Is sacrificed to the monster of the abyss. In the shadows, the black waves rise up, furious, And the pure-hearted maiden, mingling her wild cry With the howls of Poseidon, king of the tempest, Weeps for her beautiful life, cursing the gods. Behind her closed eyelids, where the dread dream takes shape, She sees the wrath of Hera, the birth Of the dragon which the sea spews forth – glaucous, foaming at the maw, Its gigantic approach terrifying the shore. Woman, lift up your eyes! Out of the deep azure, From above, from afar off, from the starry night, A radiant light speeds to earth, Swift as an arrow shot from a sure bow. Nearer! Nearer! Spraying sparks, The star plunges through the clouds! O vision Glorious and terrible! O fulguration! Sword flashes! Joyous cries! Flapping wings! Helmeted in gold, armoured with splendour, brandishing The sword of Pallas and riding upon Pegasus, Before the maiden, her eyes rolling in ecstasy, Perseus the liberator descends, dazzling!