Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 67 Of long delight, and so with gentle kiss Touched the maid’s cheek, and broke her dream of bliss. And she, more startled than the yearling fawn As the rude sun breaks golden out of dawn, One swift sharp beam of glory, leapt aside And made as if to flee, but vainly plied Her tender feet amid the tangled flowers. For Zeus, enraptured, put forth all his powers, And caught her panting, timid, tremulous. And he with open lips voluptuous Closed her sweet mouth with kisses, and so pressed Her sobbing bosom with a manlier breast That she was silent ; next, with sudden force, Implacable, unshamed, without remorse, Would urge his further suit, but so she strove That even the power of Zeus, made weak for love, Found its last limit, and, releasing her, Prayed for her grace, a raptured worshipper, Where but a moment earlier had he striven A sacrilegious robber. And all heaven Seemed open to his eyes as she looked down Into their love, half smiling, with a frown Coquetting with her forehead. Then a change,