Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/91

Rh Firm was his step ; no superfluity Of indolent flesh impeded this man s strength. Slender and supple every perfect limb, Beautiful with the glory of a man. No weapons bare he, neither shield : his hands Folded upon his breast, his movements free Of all incumbrance. When his mighty strides Had brought him nigh the waiting one, he paused: &quot; Whose palace this ? and who art thou, grim shade? &quot; &quot; The palace of the King of Thessaly, And my name is not strange unto thine ears ; For who hath told men that I wait for them, The one sure thing on earth? Yet all they know, Unasking and yet answered. I am Death, The only secret that the gods reveal. But who art thou who darest question me ? &quot; &quot; Alcides; and that thing I dare not do Hath found no name. Whom here awaitest thou?&quot; &quot;Alcestis, Queen of Thessaly,—a queen Who wooed me as the bridegroom woos the bride, For her life sacrificed will save her lord Admetus, as the Fates decreed. I wait Impatient, eager; and I enter soon, With darkening wing, invisible, a god, And kiss her lips, and kiss her throbbing heart,