But ere that going drear, one foot ashore, Theseus with his mild comrades hand in hand,-- The seven maids and boys to bondage sealed, Lifted his head, and met his father’s eyes, And out of morning ardor made this oath: ‘My people, stand not for our sakes in tears! No shape of ill shall daunt me; I will strike And overcome, Heaven’s favor for my shield. And when engirt with conquest I return (Or never else hies Theseus hitherward), That ye may read my heart while yet at sea, And know indeed that fate hath used me fair, That these your lambs I shepherd and lead home, Lo, I will set upon the central mast The sky-sail white! white to the hollowing breeze, White to that fierce and alien coast, and white To your espial, from the horizon’s brink Unto the moored fulfilment of your joy. Watch: you that keep your faith and love in me.’ And they believed and watched, albeit with dread, Steadfastly without plaint, to soothe the king, Who, taciturn and close-engarmented, From his nocturnal towered station leaned Pining against the unresponsive tide. And thro’ his brain, with hum processional, Wheeled memories of Theseus, deeds of Theseus, The race he won of yore, the song he sang; His truth, his eloquence, his April moods, And all his championship of trodden tribes, Since first he lit on Athens, like a star. For Ægeus, to the low-voiced Meta wed, Thereafter to Rhexenor’s daughter spouse, Childless, and by his brethren’s guile deposed, Led by a last mysterious oracle, Once, exiled, to Trœzene wandered down; And there, accorded Aphrodite’s grace, To whom the sacrificial smoke he raised, Atonement and conciliation sweet, Begot to Greece her hero; and straightway Bereavèd Æthra, of old Pelops’ race Forsook, by destined rumor summoned home. But with the auroral kiss of parting, he In the spring sunshine, on the mellow shore Laid his huge blade beneath a caverned rock, And both the jewelled sandals from his feet, With lofty exhortation: ‘Bid my son, When he, with strength inherited of mine Can heave this boulder, take the sword and shoon, And claim in Athens me his sire. Farewell!’ And Æthra bided, dreaming, at the court, Till from her knee laughed back her own blue eyes.