In midmost Ind, beside Hydaspes cool,
There stood, or hover’d, tremulous in the air,
A faery city, ‘neath the potent rule
Of Emperor Elfinan ; fam’d ev’rywhere
For love of mortal women, maidens fair.
Whose lips were solid, whose soft hands were made
Of a fit mould and beauty, ripe and rare,
To pamper his slight wooing, warm yet staid:
He loved girls smooth as shades, but hated a mere shade.