ah flecks of whited clay,

great hero, vaunted lord—

ah petal, dust and wind-fall

on the ground—queen awaiting queen.

Better the weight, they tell,

the helmet's beaten shell,

Athene's riven steel,

caught over the white skull,

Athene sets to heal

the few who merit it.

[46]

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.

 Prev. P 68/71 next