Tale of Archais

32 THE TALE OF ARCHAIS Over the weary Charicles. Content With him she spake, and he, still buffeting The waves, looked never up, but with the swing Of strong fierce limbs, clove through the water gray. Hearing her voice, he answered, “ Ere the day Has fallen from his pinnacle must I Reach sea-girt Paphos, with a bitter cry To clasp the knees of Cytherea, and pray That she will aid me.” Then the billows lay Fondly quiescent while she answered him : “ Yea, are thine eyes with weeping grown so dim Thou canst not see who hovers over thee ? For I am she thou seekest. Come with me And tell me all thy grief ; thy prayer is heard Before thy spirit clothes in wintry word The fire it throbs with.” And her eager doves Waited. From seas grown calm the wanton loves Lifted the hero to the pearly car, Whose floor was azure and whose front a star Set in seven jewels girt with ivory. Then the light rein the goddess left to lie Unheeded, and the birds flew on apace,