Tale of Archais

THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 69 Of all fair Ida, thou hast sealed my bliss ! ” Then with one long intense unpitying kiss Pressed on her bosom, he arose and swore By heaven and earth and all the seas that roar And stars that sing, by rivers and fresh flood, By his own essence, by his body and blood, To lay his godhead down, till night drew nigh, To be a mortal till the vesper cry Of dying breezes. So the morning past And found them linked inexorably fast Each in the other’s arms. Their lips are wed To drink the breezes from the fountain-head Of lovers’ breath. Now Zeus half rises up, Sips once again from that moon-curvéd cup, And, in his passion gazing on the flower, Darker and riper for Love’s perfect hour, His clear voice through the silent atmosphere Burst rich and musical upon her ear. SONG OF ZEUS O rosy star Within thy sky of ebony shot through With hints of blue More golden and more far