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.”