108
THE LOWEST ROOM.
"So yesterday I read the acts
Of Hector and each clangorous king
With wrathful great Æacides:—
Old Homer leaves a sting."
Of Hector and each clangorous king
With wrathful great Æacides:—
Old Homer leaves a sting."
The comely face looked up again,
The deft hand lingered on the thread:
"Sweet, tell me what is Homer's sting,
Old Homer's sting?" she said.
The deft hand lingered on the thread:
"Sweet, tell me what is Homer's sting,
Old Homer's sting?" she said.
"He stirs my sluggish pulse like wine,
He melts me like the wind of spice,
Strong as strong Ajax' red right hand,
And grand like Juno's eyes.
He melts me like the wind of spice,
Strong as strong Ajax' red right hand,
And grand like Juno's eyes.
"I cannot melt the sons of men,
I cannot fire and tempest-toss:—
Besides, those days were golden days,
Whilst these are days of dross."
I cannot fire and tempest-toss:—
Besides, those days were golden days,
Whilst these are days of dross."
She laughed a feminine low laugh,
Yet did not stay her dexterous hand:
"Now tell me of those days," she said,
"When time ran golden sand."
Yet did not stay her dexterous hand:
"Now tell me of those days," she said,
"When time ran golden sand."
"Then men were men of might and right,
Sheer might, at least, and weighty swords;
Then men in open blood and fire
Bore witness to their words,
Sheer might, at least, and weighty swords;
Then men in open blood and fire
Bore witness to their words,
