2 THE OLDEST STORY

He was a king in Argos, She was a queen in Tyre, And they went astray from the jogtrot way, In quest of the heart’s desire. They had pillaged, in royal fashion, Rare raiments and spiceries From the marts of Argos, to furnish them cargoes For traffic in far-off seas; And before them bright waters parted, And the wind was fair. Because Love leads us—they spoke, light-hearted,— Who is lord over man-made laws. The High Gods noted them, idly Lolling in Paradise, And remarked they were erring widely From rules the High Gods devise. But the Most High Gods were wise, And conceded:—They are not as We Whom no follies beguile; let them go for a while. Yet presently all men must see They attain not to where their desire is, Lest laxity lose Us men’s love. —Thus Wotan ordained, or Osiris, Or Shiva, or Dagon, or Jove. —We must think of Our pontiffs in Argos And praiseworthy prebends in Tyre, Who would suffer dismay did the parish essay To win to man’s heart’s desire. So these two fared ever westward— Elate, and in love with life— Amid wide reprehension; for histories mention These were not husband and wife Who fared westward, ever westward. —Beyond the Hesperides, Where the slow long stroke of their gilt oars broke The lisping of virgin seas, They viewed the ends of the earth, Where the Singing Maidens are Enthroned above death and birth: And they still fared ever westward— Elate, and alone, and afar From the yelpings of little people,— For they viewed the ends of the earth. Then the Gods gave word: and Their thunders stirred To requite, and to silence mirth; And that roving vessel was shattered As a handful of shaken dust Ere twice They thundered. All peoples wondered, And cried:—Lo, the Gods are just, And, look you, abated no tittle Of punishment due these twain. Even though They slumbered a little, We knew They would waken again: And, whether it was Bubastis, Or Milcom, or Artemis Or Baäl, or Zeus, interrupted this cruise, We knew it would end in this When he was a king in Argos, And she was a queen in Tyre, And they went astray from the jogtrot way, In quest of the heart’s desire. THE OLD SONOROUS NAMES OF THESE THAT FARED BEYOND THE HESPERIDES IN QUEST OF REST AND JOY AND EASE, LONG SINCE WERE MOCKED AT; AND WERE HISSED TO SEEK, THEY SOUGHT,—AND VIEWED, AND MISSED. BUT LIFE REMAINS LIFE’S PLAGIARIST.