Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 33 Until the glint and glory of the place Grew o’er the blue dim line of ocean. It was a temple never built of man, Being of marble white, and all unhewn, Above a cliff, about whose base were strewn Boulders of amethyst or malachite. Save these the cliffs rose sheer, a dazzling white, Six hundred feet from ocean ; so divine Was the tall precipice, that from the shrine A child might fling a stone and splash it in the brine. Within whose silver courts and lily bowers The Queen of Love led Charicles ; white flowers Blushed everywhere to scarlet, as her feet, Themselves more white, did touch them. On a seat, White with strewn rose, and leaves of silver birch Remote from courts profane, and vulgar search, They rested, till the hero’s tale was told. Then Aphrodite loosed a snake of gold From her arm’s whiteness, and upon his wrist Clasped it. Its glittering eyes of amethyst Fascinate him. “ Even so,” the goddess cried, “ I will bind on thy arm the serpent bride Free from her fate, and promise by this kiss