Tale of Archais

34 THE TALE OF ARCHAIS The warmer kisses of thy Archais.” She spake, and on his brow, betwixt her hands Pressed softly, as a maid in bridal bands, Kissed him, her first chaste kiss. Then Charicles Gave her due thanks, and bent his ear to seize Her further words. And she : “ Not many days Shall flame and flicker into darkened ways Before the wings of night, ere Hermes fly Hither, the messenger of Zeus. But I Bid thee remain beneath the temple gate While I consider our war on Fate. Till then, and I will tell thee everything That thou must do ; but now let song take wing Till the pale air swoon with the deep delight That makes cool noontide from the sultry night. What are your dreams, my maidens ? Your young dreams ? Are they of passion, or of rocks and streams, Of purple mountains, clad about with green, Or do their lamps grow dim in the unseen ? Sing to this hero ; sing, lure slumber to your queen.”