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.