Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 73 Freedom regained, more manly grows the brow ; He is again the free, the bold, the lover ! Far o’er the green his new-starred eyes discover A kirtle glancing in the breeze, a foot That lightly dances, though the skies be mute Of music. Forth she flies, the distant dove, And calls the woodland birds to sing of love ; Forth leaps the stag and calls his mates ; the stream Flashes a silver sunbeam, a gold gleam Of leaping laughter, that the fish may know The goodly tidings ; all the woodlands glow With olive and pure silver and red gold, And all sweet nature’s marvels manifold Combine together in the twilight dim To harmonize in the thalamic hymn. HYMN O Lord our God ! O woodland king! O thou most dreadful God ! Who chasest thieves and smitest with thy rod, That fearful rod, too sharp, too strong For thy weak worshippers to bear !