Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 13 Makes to conceal the fading of the stars : Chance bowed herself across the sunny bars, And watched where through the silence of the lawn Came Charicles, the darling of the dawn, Slowly, and to his steps took little heed ; He came towards the pool, his god-wrought reed Shrilling dim visions of things glorious, And saw the maiden, that disported thus, And worshipped. Then in doubt he stood, grown white And wonderful, with passion’s perfect might Firing his veins and tingling in his brain, He stood and whitened, and waxed red again. His oat unheeded glanced beneath the wave, His eyes grew bright and burning, his lips clave— A sudden cry broke from him ; from the height His swift young body, like a ray of light, Divides the air, a moment, and the pool Flings up the spray like dew, divinely cool : A moment, and he flashed towards her side And caught her trembling, as a tender bride At the first kiss ; he caught her, and compelled Her answer, in his arms securely held. And she no word might say, her red lips quailed,