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