Tale of Archais

30 THE TALE OF ARCHAIS That the sea flashed with blasphemy, and loath Black thunder broke from out the shuddering deep. He swore again, and from its century’s sleep Earthquake arose, and rocked and raved and roared. He swore the third time. But that Heaven’s Lord Curbed their black wrath, the stars of Heaven’s vault Had rushed to ’whelm the sun with vehement assault. The heavens stood still, but o’er the quaking earth, That groaned and shrank with the untimely birth Of fury and freedom, Charicles strode on With fervid foot, to Aphrodite’s throne In seagirt Paphos, to exact her aid— The sun stood still, creation grew afraid At his firm step and mien erect and undismayed. Strident the godlike hero called aloud, Blaspheming, while that sombre bank of cloud