There where the deep blue into sand doth fade

And the long wave rolls in, a bar of jade,

Sent him a portent in that sea-blue bird

Swifter than light, the halcyon; and men heard

The trumpet of his praise: "Shaker of Earth,

Hail to thee! Now I fare to death in mirth,

As to a banquet!"

So when day was come

Lightly arose the prince to meet his doom,

And kissed Briseïs where she lay abed

[6]

And never more by hers might rest his head:

"Farewell, my dear, farewell, my joy," said he;

"Farewell to all delights 'twixt thee and me!

For now I take a road whose harsh alarms

Forbid so sweet a burden to my arms."

Then his clean limbs his weeping squires bedight

In all the mail Hephaistos served his might

Withal, of breastplate shining like the sun

Upon flood-water, three-topped helm whereon

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