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.”