THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 
87 
Such rock-ruins people me tribes and nations, 
Kings and queens and princes as pure as 
dawning, 
Brave as day and true ;  and a happy people 
Lulled unto freedom ; 
 
Nations past the stormier times of tyrants, 
Past the sudden spark of a great rebellion, 
Past the iron gates that are thrust asunder 
Not without bloodshed : 
 
Past the rule of might and the rule of lying, 
Free from gold’s bad sceptre, and free to 
cherish 
Joys of life diviner than war and passion— 
Falsest of phantoms. 
 
Only now true love, like a sun of molten 
Glory, surging up from a sea of liquid 
Silver, golden, exquisite, overflowing, 
Soars into starland. 
 
Only now the rivalry equal, eager, 
Friendly, spurs the young to a mimic battle, 
Spurs the old to honour, and fame, and fortune, 
Ready to harvest.