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