THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 
63 
The flash of her desire within his brain 
Came as a meteor through the wildered train 
Of solemn spheres of night’s majestic court. 
He kissed the extended hand, and lastly sought 
A blessing from the kindly Queen of Love. 
Then, smiling, she was bountiful thereof, 
And bade him haste away, when at the gate— 
Twin witch-oaks that presided o’er the state 
Of that detested realm—he felt a change, 
Half pleasant, only beyond wonder strange, 
A change as from a joy to a delight, 
As from broad sunshine to the fall of night, 
As from strong action to endurance strong, 
As from desire to the power to long, 
From man to woman with a strange swift 
motion, 
Like tide and ebb upon a summer ocean. 
Thus he went forth a girl ;  his steps he presses 
Through sickly wastes and burning wildernesses 
To the lascivious shade of Ida’s deep recesses