_Yet even then, what help, should he not turn and note the height of forehead and the mark of conquest, draw near and try the helmet; to left--reset the crown Athene weighted down, or break with a light touch mayhap the steel set to protect; to slay or heal._
_A treacherous god, they say, yet who would wait to test justice or worth or right, when through a fetid night is wafted faint and nearer-- then straight as point of steel to one who courts swift death, scent of Hesperidean orange-spray._
White, O white face-- from disenchanted days wither alike dark rose and fiery bays: no gift within our hands, nor strength to praise, only defeat and silence; though we lift hands, disenchanted, of small strength, nor raise branch of the laurel or the light of torch, but fold the garment on the riven locks, yet hear, all-merciful, and touch the fore-head, dim, unlit of pride and thought, Mistress--be near! Give back the glamour to our will, the thought; give back the tool, the chisel; once we wrought things not unworthy, sandal and steel-clasp; silver and steel, the coat with white leaf-pattern at the arm and throat: silver and metal, hammered for the ridge of shield and helmet-rim; white silver with the dark hammered in, belt, staff and magic spear-shaft with the gilt spark at the point and hilt.
_Printed in England at the Pelican Press, 2 Carmelite Street, London, E.C._
+--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Notes | | | | Page 42: though amended to through ("through fire I see | | it, ...") | | | | Hyphenation has generally been standardized. However, when a | | word appears hyphenated and unhyphenated an equal number of | | times, both versions have been retained (forehead/ | | fore-head). | +--------------------------------------------------------------+
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hymen, by Hilda Doolittle