Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 11 The maiden’s face was lucent ; like a rose Amid the nebulous cluster of pale gold That twined in marvellous love-locks manifold Around her brow ; Men’s lusts and women’s woes Had not drawn nigh to dim those luminous eyes Full of strange longings, dreams not under- stood, Nor drawn around them th’ amethystine hood That life’s dark pencil drawn, and in no wise Was the soft bloom departed from the cheek, Clear, more of rose than of ivory. Nor had Shame And Lust made rich and full and ripe and red The dainty child-lips, nor made fierce and sleek The subtle smile that flickered as a flame About her lips and lightly came and fled.