THE TALE OF ARCHAIS 
75 
Thus that most reverend sound through all the 
vale 
Pealed in low cadences that rise and fail, 
And all the augurs promise happy days, 
And all the men for Archais have praise, 
And all maids’ eyes are fixed on Charicles. 
Then, to the tune of musical slow seas, 
The wind began to murmur on the mead, 
And he, unconscious, drew his eager reed 
From the loose tunic ;  now they seat themselves 
On moss worn smooth by feet of many elves 
Dancing at midnight through them, and their 
voice 
Bids all the woodland echoes to rejoice 
Because the lovers are made one at last. 
And Charicles began to play ;  they cast 
Tunic and snood and sandal, and began 
To foot a happy measure for a span, 
While still Archais at his feet would sit, 
Gaze in his eyes, by love and triumph lit, 
And listen to the music.  And the fire 
Of his light reed so kindled her desire 
That she with new glad confidence would quire 
A new song exquisite, whose tender tune 
Was nurtured at the bosom of the moon