***

Once as a too, too lissome
Maiden was plucking a blossom . . .

Artemis made the pledge no god can break:
‘Upon my head and all that I hold dear,
I shall remain a maid, a mountaineer
Hunting on summits – grant this for my sake.’

The Father of the Blessed gave the nod – yes;
And all the gods pronounced her Frontier Goddess
And Slayer of Stags, and Eros never crosses
Her path . . .