Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 47 Since Hell’s gates open, and close fast again Behind some servants of thy barren and vain Though queenliest shrine. I am of those Who hear their brazen clanging as they close Fastward on life, I wane to-night, wearied with endless strife, A lover always, never yet a wife, Lost in love’s woes. O bitter doom ! Fierce love flames up, then sinks in eddying gloom Across the waves Whose awful stillness are lovers’ graves, Who chant in fearful melody the staves Of bitter doom.— Not unperceived of Cypris did her song Die fitfully upon her tremulous tongue, Nor fell the melody on cruel ears : The bright-throat goddess sped through many spheres Of sight, beyond the world, and flamed across All space, on wings that not the albatross