Tale of Archais

62 THE TALE OF ARCHAIS Graven by Him with an eternal pen, The first law in the destiny of men : “ He whom Zeus wrongfully once injures may not be Hurt by his power again in the most small degree.” “ Thus, thy Archais ”—“ Mine ! ah nevermore ! ” “ Peace, doubter !—is made free from all the sore Oppressions of the past, nor may again Zeus lay on her the shadow of a pain.” “ But I, but I ”—“ Yea, verily, fear not But stratagem may lift thy bitter lot From thy worn shoulders. Thus for half the day Thou art as free as air, as woodland fay Treading the circle of unearthly green, By maiden eyes at summer midnight seen. These hours of freedom thy may’st use to free Love from his toils, and joy and goodly gree Shall be thy guerdon. Listen ! I have power To change thy semblance in thy happier hour ; Thou shall assume the countenance of Love’s Divinest maiden in the darkling groves Of Ida. There shall thou meet happily With Zeus himself. I leave the scheme to thee.”