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} - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -<title>THE HIDDEN SERVANTS AND OTHER VERY OLD STORIES</title> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Francesca Alexander" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="47962" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Hidden Servants and Other Very Old Stories" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2015-01-12" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1900" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Hidden Servants and Other Very Old Stories" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.title" content="The Hidden Servants and Other Very Old Stories" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.source" content="/home/ajhaines/servants/servants.rst" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.language" content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.modified" content="2015-01-13T07:18:04.556769+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.rights" content="Public Domain in the USA." /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47962" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.creator" content="Francesca Alexander" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.created" content="2015-01-12" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> -<meta name="generator" content="Ebookmaker 0.4.0a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="the-hidden-servants-and-other-very-old-stories"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">THE HIDDEN SERVANTS AND OTHER VERY OLD STORIES</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> included with -this ebook or online at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>. If you -are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws -of the country where you are located before using this ebook.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: The Hidden Servants and Other Very Old Stories -<br /> -<br />Author: Francesca Alexander -<br /> -<br />Release Date: January 12, 2015 [EBook #47962] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE HIDDEN SERVANTS AND OTHER VERY OLD STORIES</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 85%" id="figure-21"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Marianna and her Vision by the Fire. From a drawing by the author" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Marianna and her Vision by the Fire. From a drawing by the author</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 54%" id="figure-22"> -<img class="align-center block center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Title page" src="images/img-title.jpg" /> -<div class="caption center centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Title page</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold xx-large">THE HIDDEN -<br />SERVANTS</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics x-large">and</em><span class="x-large"> OTHER VERY OLD STORIES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">Told Over Again By</em><span class="medium"> -<br />FRANCESCA ALEXANDER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">AUTHOR OF "THE STORY OF IDA," -<br />"ROADSIDE SONGS OF TUSCANY," Etc.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">LONDON</em><span class="medium"> * Published by DAVID NUTT -<br />at the Sign of the Phoenix, Long Acre * </span><em class="italics medium">1907</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Copyright, 1900, -<br />By LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">All Rights Reserved</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">University Press * John Wilson -<br />and Son * Cambridge, U.S.A.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="introduction"><span class="bold large">Introduction</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>To those who are fortunate enough to know -Miss Alexander's pen and pencil pictures of -Italian peasant life the very name of Francesca, -over which her early work was published, -carries with it an aroma as of those humbler graces -of her adopted people,—their sunny charity, -their native sense of the beautiful, their childlike -faith,—which touch the heart more intimately -than all their great achievements in History and -in Art. For those, however, to whom are yet -unknown her faithful transcripts in picture and -story from the lives of the people she loves, a -word of introduction has been asked; and it was -perhaps thought that the task might properly be -entrusted to one who had heard </span><em class="italics">The Hidden -Servants</em><span> and many another of these poems -from the lips of Francesca herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet, rightly considered, could any experience -have better served to banish from the mind such -irrelevant intruders as facts,—those literal facts -and data at least which the uninitiated might be -so mistaken as to desire, but which none who -knew Francesca's work could regard as of the -slightest consequence?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Imagine a quiet, green-latticed room in Venice -overlooking the Grand Canal whose waters -keep time in gently audible lappings to the lilt -of the verse,—that lilt that is apparent even in -the printed line, but which only a voice trained -to Italian cadences can perfectly give. Imagine -that voice half chanting, half reciting, these old, -old legends, and with an absolute sincerity of -conviction which stirs the mind of the listeners, -mere children of to-day though they be, to a -faith akin to that which conceived the tales. -Where is there place for facts in such a scene, -in such an experience? Or, if facts must be, -are not all that are requisite easily to be gleaned -from the poems themselves? Why state that -Francesca is the daughter of an American artist, -or that she has spent her life in Italy, when the -artist inheritance, the Italian atmosphere, breathes -in every poem our little book contains? Why -make mention even of Ruskin's enthusiastic -heralding of her work, when the very spirit of -it is so essentially that which the great idealist -was seeking all his life that he could scarcely -have failed to discover and applaud it had it been -ever so retiring, ever so hidden? Nor does it -matter that the Alexander home chances to be in -Florence rather than in Venice, since it is Italy -itself that lives in Francesca's work; nor that -she is Protestant rather than Catholic, when it -is religion pure and simple, unrestricted by any -creed, that makes vital each line she writes or -draws.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet of the poems, if not of the writer, there -remained still something to learn, and accordingly -a letter of inquiry was sent her; and her -own reply, written with no thought of publication, -is a better report than another could give. -This is what she says:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With regard to this present collection of -ballads, I can tell its history in a few words. -When I was a young girl many old and curious -books fell into my hands and became my favourite -reading (next to the Bible, and, perhaps, the -</span><em class="italics">Divina Commedia</em><span>), as I found in them the -strong faith and simple modes of thought which -were what I liked and wanted. Afterwards, in -my constant intercourse with the country people, -and especially with old people whom I always -loved, I heard a great many legends and -traditions, often beautiful, often instructive, and -which, as far as I knew, had never been written -down. I was always in request with children -for the stories which I knew and could tell, and, -as I found they liked these legends, I thought it -a pity they should be lost after I should have -passed away, and so I always meant to write -them down; all the more that I had felt the -need of such reading when I was a child myself. -But I never had time to write them as long as -my eyes permitted me to work at my drawing, -and afterwards, when I wanted to begin them, -I found myself unable to write at all for more -than a few minutes at once. Finally I thought -of turning the stories into rhyme and learning -them all by heart, so that I could write them -down little by little. I thought children would -not be very particular, if I could just make the -dear old stories vivid and comprehensible, which -I tried to do. If, as you kindly hope, they may -be good for older people as well, then it must be -that when the Lord took from me one faculty -He gave me another; which is in no way -impossible. And I think of the beautiful Italian -proverb: 'When God shuts a door He opens a -window.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After such an account of the origin and -growth of these poems no further comment -would seem fitting, unless it be that made by -Cardinal Manning when writing to Mr. Ruskin -in 1883 to thank him for a copy of Francesca's -</span><em class="italics">Story of Ida</em><span>. He writes:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is simply beautiful, like the </span><em class="italics">Fioretti di San -Francesco</em><span>. Such flowers can grow in one soil -alone. They can be found only in the Garden -of Faith, over which the world of light hangs -visibly, and is more intensely seen by the poor -and the pure in heart than by the rich, or the -learned, or the men of culture."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>ANNA FULLER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="preface"><span class="bold large">Preface</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold">THE OLD STORY-TELLER</span></p> -<div class="align-None container"> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In my upper chamber here,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Still I wait from year to year;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Wondering when the time will come</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">That the Lord will call me home.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All the rest have been removed,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Those I worked for, those I loved;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And, at times, there seems to be</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Little use on earth for me.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Still God keeps me—He knows why—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">When so many younger die!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From my window I look down</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">On the busy, bustling town.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">But beyond its noise and jar</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I can see the hills afar;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And above it, the blue sky,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And the white clouds sailing by;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And the sunbeams, as they shine</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">On a world that is not mine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Here I wait, while life shall last,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">An old relic of the past,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Feeling strange, and far away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From the people of to-day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Thankful for the memory dear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Of a morning, always near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Though long vanished, and so fair!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Dewy flowers and April air;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Thankful that the storms of noon</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Spent their force and died so soon;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Thankful, as their echoes cease,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">For this twilight hour of peace.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">But my life, to evening grown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Still has pleasures of its own.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Up my stairway, long and steep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Now and then the children creep;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Gather round me, where I sit</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All day long, and dream, and knit;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Fill my room with happy noise—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">May God bless them, girls and boys!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Then sweet eyes upon me shine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Dimpled hands are laid in mine;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And I never ask them why</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">They have sought to climb so high;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">For 'twere useless to enquire!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">'Tis a story they desire,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Taken from my ancient store,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">None the worse if heard before;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And they turn, with pleading looks,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">To my shelf of time-worn books,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Bound in parchment brown with age.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Little in them to engage</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Children's fancy, one would say!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Yet, when tired with noisy play,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Nothing pleases them so well</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">As the stories I can tell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From those pages, old and gray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">With their edges worn away;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Spelling queer, and Woodcut quaint.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Angel, demon, prince, and saint,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Much alike in face and air;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Houses tipping here and there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Lion, palm-tree, hermit's cell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And much more I need not tell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Then they all attentive wait,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">While the story I relate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And, before the half is told,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I forget that I am old!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">But one age there seems to be</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">For the little ones and me.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">What though all be new and strange,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Little children never change;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All is shifting day by day,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Worse or better, who can say?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Much we lose, and much we learn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">But the children still return,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">As the flowers do, every year;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Just as innocent and dear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">As those babes who first did meet</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">At our Heavenly Master's feet.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In His arms He took them all:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Oh, 'tis precious to recall—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Blessèd to believe it true—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">That what we love He loved too!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Since the time when life was new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All my long, long journey through,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I have story-teller been.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">When a child I did begin</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">To my playmates; later on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Other children, long since gone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Came to listen; and of some,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Still the children's children come!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Some, the dearest, took their flight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In the early morning light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">To the glory far away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Made for them and such as they.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I have lingered till the last;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All the busy hours are past;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Now my sun is in the west,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Slowly sinking down to rest</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Ere it wholly fades from view,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">One thing only I would do:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From my stories I would choose</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Those 't would grieve me most to lose.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And would tell them once again</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">For the children who remain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And for others, yet to be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Whom on earth I may not see.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Here, within this volume small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I have thought to write them all;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And to-day the work commence,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Trusting, ere God call me hence,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">I may see the whole complete.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">It will be a labour sweet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Calling back, in sunset glow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Happy hours of long ago.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#introduction">Introduction</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#preface">Preface</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-hidden-servants">The Hidden Servants</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-bag-of-sand">The Bag of Sand</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#il-crocifisso-della-providenza">Il Crocifisso della Providenza</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#angels-in-the-churchyard">Angels in the Churchyard</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-origin-of-the-indian-corn">The Origin of the Indian Corn</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-eldest-daughter-of-the-king">The Eldest Daughter of the King</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#bishop-troilus">Bishop Troilus</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-crosses-on-the-wall">The Crosses on the Wall</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#suora-marianna">Suora Marianna</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-lupins">The Lupins</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-silver-cross">The Silver Cross</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-tears-of-repentance">The Tears of Repentance</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-hidden-servants"><span class="bold x-large">The Hidden Servants -<br /></span><em class="bold italics x-large">AND OTHER POEMS</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">THE HIDDEN SERVANTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A sheltered nook on a mountain side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shut in, and guarded, and fortified</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By rocks that hardly a goat would climb,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All smoothed by tempest and bleached by time—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Such was the spot that the hermit chose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From youth to age, for his life's repose.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There had he lived for forty years,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Trying, with penance and prayers and tears,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To make his soul like a polished stone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In God's great temple; for this alone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the one dear wish that his soul possessed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And 't was little he cared for all the rest,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Nothing had changed since first he came;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sky and the mountain were all the same,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only a beech-tree, that there had grown</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ere ever he builded his cell of stone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had risen and spread to a stately grace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And its shifting shadow filled half the place.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Many a winter its storms had spent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Many a summer its sunshine lent</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the little cell, till it came to look</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like another rock in the peaceful nook.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Mosses and lichen had veiled the wall,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till it hardly seemed like a dwelling at all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a peaceful home when the days were soft,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And spring in her sweetness crept aloft</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the plains below where her work was done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the hills grew green in the warming sun.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in summer the cell of the hermit seemed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like part of that heaven of which he dreamed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the turf behind those walls of flint</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was sprinkled with flowers of rainbow tint;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And never a sound but the bees' low hum,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As over the blossoms they go and come;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or—when one listened—the fainter tones</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a spring that bubbled between the stones.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But dreary it was on a winter's night,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the snow fell heavy and soft and white.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And at times, when the morn was cold and keen,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The footprints of wolves at his door were seen.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But cold or hunger he hardly felt,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So near to heaven the good man dwelt;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And as for danger—why, death, to him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Meant only joining the Seraphim!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Poorly he lived, and hardly fared;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when the acorns and roots he shared</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With mole or squirrel, he asked no more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But thanked the Lord for such welcome store.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The richest feast he could ever know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was when the shepherds who dwelt below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose sheep in the mountain pastures fed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would bring him cheeses, or barley bread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or—after harvest—a bag of meal;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then they would all before him kneel,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On flowery turf or on moss-grown rocks,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To ask a blessing for them and their flocks,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And once or twice he had wandered out</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To preach in the country round about,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where unto many his words were blest;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then back he climbed to his quiet nest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By all in trouble his aid was sought;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And women their pining children brought,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a touch of his hand to ease their pain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his prayers to make them strong again.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And now one wish in his heart remained:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He longed to know what his soul had gained,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And how he had grown in the Master's grace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Since first he came to that lonely place.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>This wish was haunting him night and day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He never could drive the thought away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Until at length in the beech-tree's shade</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He knelt, and with all his soul he prayed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That God would grant him to know and see</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A man, if such in the world might be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose soul in the heavenly grace had grown</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the self-same measure as his own;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose treasure on the celestial shore</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could neither be less than his nor more.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He prayed with faith, and his prayer was heard;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He hardly came to the closing word</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Before he felt there was some one there!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He looked, and saw in the sun-lit air</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An angel, floating on wings of white;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor did he wonder at such a sight:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For angels often had come to cheer</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His soul, and he thought them always near.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Happy and humble, he bowed his head,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And listened, while thus the angel said:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Go to the nearest town, and there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To-morrow, will be in the market square</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A mountebank, playing his tricks for show:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He is the man thou hast prayed to know;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His soul, as seen by the light divine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is neither better nor worse than thine.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His treasure on the celestial shore</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is neither less than thine own nor more."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Next day, in the dim and early morn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By a slippery path that the sheep had worn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit went from his loved abode</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the farms below, and the beaten road.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The reapers, out in the field that day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who saw him passing, did often say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What a mournful look the old man had!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his very voice was changed and sad.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Troubled he was, and much perplexed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With endless doubting his mind was vexed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What—He? A mountebank? Both the same?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What could it mean to his soul but shame?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had his forty years been vainly spent?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then, alas! as he onward went,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There came an evil and bitter thought,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had he been serving the Lord for nought?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But in his fear he began to pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the black temptation passed away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Perhaps the mountebank yet might prove</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To have a soul in the Master's love.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He almost felt that it must be so,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In spite of a life that seemed so low.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Perhaps he was forced such life to take,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It might be, even for conscience' sake;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some cruel master the order gave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Perhaps, for scorn of a pious slave.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or, stay—there were saints in ancient days,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who had such terror of human praise</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That, but to gain the contempt they prized,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They did such things as are most despised;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Feigned even madness; and more than one,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Accused of sins he had never done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had willingly borne disgrace and blame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor said a word for his own good name!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In thoughts like these had the day gone by;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sun was now in the western sky:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The road, grown level and hot and wide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With dusty hedges on either side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had led him close to the city gate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where he must enter to learn his fate.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now fear did over his hope prevail:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He almost wished in his search to fail,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And find no mountebank there at all!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For then his vision he well might call</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A dream that came of its own accord,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Instead of a message from the Lord!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A few more minutes, and then he knew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That all which the angel said was true!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A mountebank, in the market square,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was making the people laugh and stare.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With antics more befitting an ape</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than any creature in human shape!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit took his place with the rest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not heeding the crowd that round him pressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And earnestly set his eyes to scan</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The face of the poor, unsaintly man.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Alas, there was little written there</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of inward peace or of answered prayer!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For all the paint, and the droll grimace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a haggard, anxious, weary face.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The mountebank saw, with vague surprise,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The patient, sorrowful, searching eyes,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose look, so solemn, and kindly too,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Seemed piercing all his disguises through.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They made him restless, he knew not why:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could not play; it was vain to try!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His face grew sober, his movements slow;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, soon as might be, he closed the show.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He saw that the hermit lingered on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When all the rest of the crowd were gone.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then over his gaudy clothes he drew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A ragged mantle of faded hue;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he himself was the first to speak:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Good Father, is it for me you seek?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"My son, I have sought you all the day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would you come with me a little way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Into some quiet corner near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where no one our words can overhear?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Not far away, in a lonely street,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By a garden wall they found a seat.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It now was late, and the sun had set,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though a golden glory lingered yet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the moon looked pale in it overhead.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They sat them down, and the hermit said:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"My son, to me was a vision sent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And as yet I know not what it meant;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But I think that you, and you alone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are able to make its meaning known.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Answer me then—I have great need—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And tell me, what is the life you lead?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"My life's a poor one, you may suppose!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I 've many troubles that no one knows;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For I have to keep a smiling face.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I wander, friendless, from place to place,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Risking my neck for a scanty gain;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But I must do it, and not complain.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I know, whatever may go amiss,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That I have deserved much worse than this."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>To the hermit this a meaning bore</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of deep humility, nothing more.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So, gaining courage, "But this," he said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Is not the life you have always led.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So much the vision to me revealed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I know there 's something you keep concealed."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The mountebank answered sadly: "Yes!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is true: you ask, and I must confess.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But keep my secret, good Father, pray;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or my life will not be safe for a day!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Alas, I have led a life of crime!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I 've been an evil man in my time.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I was a robber—I think you know—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till little more than a year ago;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One of a desperate, murderous band,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A curse and terror to all the land!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit's head sank down on his breast;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His trembling hands to his eyes he pressed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Has God rejected me?" then he moaned:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Are all my service and love disowned?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have I been blind, and my soul deceived?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The other, seeing the old man grieved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Said: "Father, why do you care so much</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For one not worthy your robe to touch?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The Lord is gracious, and if He will,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He can forgive and save me still.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And as for my wicked life, 't is I,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not you, who have reason to weep and sigh!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Your prayers may help me, and bring me peace."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit made him a sign to cease;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then raised his head, and began to speak,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With tears on his wrinkled, sun-browned cheek.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"If you could remember even one</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Good deed that you in your life have done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I need not go in despair away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Think well; and if you can find one, say!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Once," said the mountebank, "that was all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I did for the Lord a service small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And never yet have I told the tale!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But if you wish it, I will not fail.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A few of our men had gone one day—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was less for plunder, I think, than play—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To a certain convent, small and poor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where a dozen sisters lived secure</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For very poverty! dreaming not</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That any envied their humble lot.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There, finding the door was locked and barred,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They climbed the wall of a grass-grown yard.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some vines were planted along its side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their trailing branches left room to hide;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where, neither by pity moved nor shame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They crouched, till one of the sisters came</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To gather herbs for the noonday meal;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then out from under the leaves they steal!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So she was taken, poor soul, and bound,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And carried off to our camping ground.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A harmless creature, who knew no more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the world outside her convent door,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than you or I of the moon up there!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A shame, to take her in such a snare!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But, Father, I wished that I had been</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ten miles away, when they brought her in,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To hold for ransom; or if that failed—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, well, we knew when the pirates sailed!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We knew their captain, who paid us well,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And carried our prisoners off to sell.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They never beheld their country more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Being bought for slaves on a foreign shore.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But oh! 't was enough the tears to bring,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To see that innocent, frightened thing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Looking, half hopeful, from face to face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As if she thought, in that wicked place,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There might be one who would take her part!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She looked at me, and it stung my heart.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But I, with a hard, disdainful air,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Turned from her as one who did not care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I heard her sighing: she did not know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That her gentle look had hurt me so!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"That night they set me the watch to keep;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when the others were all asleep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I had been moving to and fro,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With branches keeping the fire aglow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I crept along to the woman's side,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She sat apart, and her arms were tied,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And said,—'t was only a whispered word;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We both were lost if the others heard,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'If you will trust me and with me come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I 'll bring you safe to your convent home.'</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She started, into my face she gazed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Said she, 'I'll trust you—the Lord be praised!'</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I very quickly the cords unbound.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She rose; I led her without a sound</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Between the rows of the sleeping men,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till we left the camp behind; and then</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I found my horse, that was tied near by.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The woman mounted, and she and I</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Set off in haste, through the midnight shade,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the wildest journey I ever made!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By wood and thicket the horse I led,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And over a torrent's stony bed,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For along the road I dared not go,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For fear that the others our flight should know,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And follow after; the woman prayed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I, quick and cautious, but not afraid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went first, with the stars for guide, until</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We saw the convent, high on a hill.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We reached the door as the east grew red.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'God will remember!' was all she said;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her face was full of a sweet content.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She knocked, they opened, and in she went.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The door was closed—she was safe at last!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I heard the bolt as they made it fast—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I in the twilight stood alone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the lightest heart I had ever known!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"So, Father, my robber days were o'er;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I could not be what I was before.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I wandered on with a thankful mind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For I left the old bad life behind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And tried, as I journeyed day by day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To gain my bread in an honest way.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But little work could I find to do;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And so, as some juggling tricks I knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I took this business which now you see:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is good enough for a man like me!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>While yet the story was going on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The cloud from the hermit's face had gone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And if his eyes in the moonlight shone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They glistened with thankful tears alone.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He listened in solemn awe until</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The mountebank's tale was done; and still,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some moments, he neither spoke nor stirred,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But silently pondered every word.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then humbly speaking, "The Lord," said he,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Has had great mercy on you and me!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And now, my son, I must tell you why</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I came to speak with you—know that I</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have tried with the Lord alone to dwell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For forty years, in my mountain cell;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In prayer and solitude, day and night,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have striven to keep my candle bright!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there, but yesterday, while I prayed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An angel came to my side, and said</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That I should seek you,—and told me where,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And should your life with my own compare;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For in God's service and love and grace</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Your soul with mine has an equal place,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We both alike have his mercy shared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The same reward is for both prepared.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I came; I sought you—and you know how</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I found you out in the square just now!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At which—may the Lord forgive my pride!—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At first I was poorly satisfied.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But now I have heard your story through—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What you in a single night could do!—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And know that this to the Lord appears</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Worth all my service of forty years;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I can but wonder, and thank His grace</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which raised us both to an equal place,"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But, Father, it never can be true!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What?—I by the side of a saint like you?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ah no! You never to me were sent.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was some one else whom the angel meant!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"No! Listen to me—'T was </span><em class="italics">you</em><span>, my son!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Our Master said that a service done</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To a child of His in time of need</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is done to Himself in very deed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And is with love by Himself received!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So do not think I have been deceived,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But keep those words on your heart engraved</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the humble woman whose life you saved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><em class="italics">God will remember</em><span>, and trust His care.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He will not forget you here nor there!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"O Father, Father! And can it be</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the Lord in heaven remembers me?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And yet I had felt it must be true,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the woman spoke as if she knew!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But when was ever such mercy shown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And is this the love He bears His own?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are these the blessings He holds in store?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, let me serve Him for evermore!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when, at the close of another day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit wearily made his way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Up the mountain path, from stone to stone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He did not climb to his cell alone.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The mountebank, still with wondering face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Came with him up to that peaceful place!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Together with thankful hearts they went,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thenceforth together their lives were spent.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, ere the summer had reached its close,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Another cell from the rocks arose;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The beech, in its strong and stately growth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Spread one green canopy over both.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On summer evenings, when shepherds guide</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their flocks to rest on the mountain side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They heard above, in the twilight calm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two voices, chanting the evening psalm;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And one was agèd, and one was young,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But never was hymn more sweetly sung!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In love and patience, by deed and word,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They helped each other to serve the Lord,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Together to pray, to learn, to teach,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till a deeper blessing fell on each.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their souls grew upward from day to day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he who farthest had gone astray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who, lowest fallen, had hardest striven,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who most had sinned and been most forgiven,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Erelong in the heavenly race outran</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The older, milder, and wiser man.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two years he dwelt with his agèd friend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then made a blessèd and peaceful end;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, when his penitent life was done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit wept as he would for a son!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Ten years had over the mountain passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Since that poor mountebank breathed his last,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Helped, to the end, by a woman's prayer,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ten years; and the hermit still was there.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Grown older, thinner, with shoulders bent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He seldom forth from his shelter went.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But those he had helped in former days</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With prayers and counsel, in thousand ways,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were mindful of him, and brought him all</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He needed now, for his wants were small.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And happy they were their best to give,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If only their mountain saint would live!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For in his living their lives were blest;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And if he longed for the perfect rest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Patient he was, and content to wait,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While God should please, at the heavenly gate.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Beautiful now his face had grown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the beauty was something not his own,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A solemn light from the blessèd land</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Within whose border he soon must stand.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Little he said, but his every word</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was saved and treasured by those who heard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To be a blessing in years to come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When he should be theirs no more; and some</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who brought their little to help his need,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went home with their souls enriched indeed!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>One autumn morning he sat alone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Outside his cell; and the warm sun shone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a friendly light on his silver hair,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the branches, smooth and almost bare,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the beech-tree, now, like him, grown old.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The night before had been sharp and cold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the frost was white on leaf and stem</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wherever the rocks still shaded them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But where the sunbeams had found their way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In glittering, crystal drops it lay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And fallen leaves at his feet were strewn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yellow and wet, over turf and stone.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He sat and dreamed, as the agèd do,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While, drifting backward, he lived anew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The years that never again should be.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A placid dream—for his soul was free</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From all the troubles of long ago,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The doubts, the conflict he used to know!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Doubts of himself, and a contest grim</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With evil spirits that strove for him.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now all was over; that troubled day</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was like a storm that had passed away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It seemed to him that his voyage was o'er;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His ship already had touched the shore.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet once he sighed; for he knew that he</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was not the man he had hoped to be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, looking back on his journey past,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He felt—what all of us feel at last!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his soul was moved to pray once more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The prayer he had made twelve years before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only to know, before he died,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If he were worthy to stand beside</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One of God's children, or great or small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who served Him truly; and that was all!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It was not long ere the angel came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who, gently calling the saint by name,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Said: "Come, for thou hast not far to go.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One step, and I to thine eyes will show</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The very dwelling that shelters now</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two souls as near to the Lord as thou!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit rose; and with reverent tread</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He followed on as the angel led.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where a single cleft the rocks between</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gave passage out of the valley green</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They passed, and stood in the pathway steep:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The rocks about them were sunken deep</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In fern, and bramble, and purple heath,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That sloped away to the woods beneath;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While far below, and on every side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were endless mountains, and forests wide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And scattered villages here and there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That all looked near in the clear, dry air.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And here a church, with its belfry tall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there a convent, whose massive wall</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Rose grave and stately above the trees.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit willingly looked at these;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For hope they gave him that now, at least,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some praying brother or toiling priest</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Might be his mate; but it was not so!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angel showed him, away below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A slope where a little mountain-farm</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Lay, all spread out in the sunshine warm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Along the side of a wooded hill.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It looked so peaceful and far and still!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when his eye on the farmhouse fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angel said: "It is there they dwell!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two women in heart and soul like thee.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Go, find them, Brother, and thou shalt see</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All that thou art in their lives displayed."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Before the hermit an answer made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angel back to the skies had flown;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He stood in the rocky path alone.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Along the broken and winding way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Between the heath and the boulders gray;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through lonely pastures that led him down</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To oaken woods in their autumn brown;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And o'er the stones of a rippling stream,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit passed, like one in a dream!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As though the vision, had made him strong:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He hardly knew that the way was long.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was almost noon when he came in sight</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the little farmhouse, low and white:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A sheltered lane by the orchard led,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where mountain ash, with its berries red,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Rose high above him; and brambles, grown</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All over the rough, low wall of stone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And tangled brier with thorny spray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And feathered clematis, edged the way.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then, turning shortly, a view he caught</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of both the women for whom he sought.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>One, spinning, sat by the open door;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her spindle danced on the worn stone floor.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The other, just from the forest come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had brought a bundle of branches home,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And spread them now in the sun to dry;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But both looked up as the saint drew nigh.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then, on a sudden, the spindle stopped,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The branches all on the grass were dropped.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He heard them joyfully both exclaim,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"The Saint! The hermit!" And forth they came</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To bid him welcome, and made request</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That he would enter their house to rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But when a blessing they both implored,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had not courage to speak the word.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The only blessing his lips let fall</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was this: "May the good Lord bless us all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And keep our hearts in His peace divine!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With hand uplifted, he made the sign,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then entered in (to their joy complete!)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And willingly took the offered seat.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And soon before him a meal was spread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of chestnuts, of goat's milk cheese, and bread;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While one with her pitcher went to bring</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some water fresh from the ice-cold spring.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He could not taste of the food prepared</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till he his errand to both declared.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Said he: "My friends, I have come to-day</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With something grave on my mind to say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And more to hear; and I pray you now</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To answer truly, and not allow</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A feeling, whether of pride or shame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or any shrinking from praise or blame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To change the answer you both may give,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of what you are and of how you live."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then she with distaff still at her side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of speech more ready, at once replied.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In years the elder, but not in face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She kept a little of youthful grace:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The dark eyes under her snow-white hair</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were keen and clear as the autumn air!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"We are but what we appear to be:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two toiling women, as you may see!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And neither so young nor strong as when</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In field and forest we helped the men.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We now have only the lesser care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To keep the house, and the meals prepare,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And other labours of small account,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet something worth in the week's amount.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But in our youth, and a lifetime through,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We laboured, much as the others do!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through storm and sunshine we still have tried</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To do our best by our husbands' side.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And keep their hearts and our own at rest</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When sickness came or when want oppressed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For even famine our house assailed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That year when the corn and chestnuts failed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And once—that winter ten years ago—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Our house was buried beneath the snow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And ere it melted and light returned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The very benches for warmth we burned!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor is there want, in our busy hive,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of children keeping the house alive:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For she has seven, and I have nine;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But three of hers and the first of mine</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are safe with Jesus,—more happy they!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two more have married and gone away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>My son's young wife, with her infant small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Make up the household—fourteen in all."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"In this," he said, "there is much to praise:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In humble service you pass your days,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And spend your life for your children's needs.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But tell me now of the pious deeds</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(For such there are) that you seek to hide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To me in a vision signified!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But, sir, we are just two poor old wives.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who never have done in all our lives</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A pious deed that was worth the name!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She said; and her white head drooped with shame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then said the other: "And yet, 't is true,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We help in all that our husbands do.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When twice a year they have killed a sheep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is only half for ourselves we keep;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Our poorer neighbours have all the rest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And this, I fear, is the very best</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We ever do!" "And," said he, "'t is well!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But think—is there nothing more to tell?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They both were silent a little space,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And each one questioned the other's face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till, doubtful, when she had thought awhile,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The elder said, with a modest smile:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"This summer have forty years gone by,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Since she—my sister-in-law—and I</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Together came in this house to dwell;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, Father, it is not much to tell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But in all these years, from first to last,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No angry word has between us passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor even a look that was less than kind.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And that is all I can call to mind."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Enough it was for the hermit's need!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He rose, like one from a burden freed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Thank God!" he said; "if indeed He sees</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>My soul as worthy and white as these!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And great the mercy He doth bestow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That I should His hidden servants know!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A sudden flash, as of heavenly light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then shone within him, and all was bright;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in a moment were things made clear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had vexed him many a weary year!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he, who had thought on earth to view</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>God's people only a scattered few,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Saw now, in spirit, an army great</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of hidden servants who on Him wait.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No saintly legends their names disclose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And no man living their number knows,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor can their service and place declare.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hidden servants are everywhere!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some are hated, despised, alone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some to even themselves unknown.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the Father's house has room for all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And never one from His hand can fall!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The one brave deed of a desperate man,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Grown hard in crime since his youth began,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who yet, for a helpless woman's sake,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had strength to rise, and his chain to break;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The holy sweetness that fills the heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of him who dwells from the world apart,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His life one dream of celestial things,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till almost heaven to earth he brings;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or yet the humble, unnoticed life</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of toiling mother and patient wife,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who, year on year, has had grace to bear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her changeless burden of daily care,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are all accepted with equal love,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And laid with treasures that wait above</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Until the day when we all believe</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That every man shall his deeds receive.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when, that evening, with weary feet</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hermit stood by his lone retreat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And watched awhile, with a tranquil gaze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The mountains soft in the sunset haze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And sleeping forest, and field below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He said, as he saw the star-like glow</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of lights in the cottage windows far,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"How many God's hidden servants are!"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-bag-of-sand"><span class="bold large">The Bag of Sand</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>THE BAG OF SAND was written by St. Heradius, -who visited, some time in the fifth century, the -hermit fathers of the desert and mountains, and collected -many interesting stories about them.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Bag of Sand</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container"> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In that land of desolation</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Where, mid dangers manifold,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Lost in heavenly contemplation,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Desert fathers dwelt of old,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Lay a field where grass was growing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Green beneath the palm-trees' shade;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And a spring, forever flowing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Life amid the stillness made.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">There a brotherhood, incited</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">By one hope and purpose high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Came to dwell in faith united,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Pray and labour, live and die.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Mighty was the love that bound them.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Each to each, in that wild land,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Where the desert closed around them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">One dead waste of rocks and sand,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Saving where, to rest their eyes on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">While they dreamed of hills divine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Blue, above the low horizon,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Stretched the mountains' wavy line.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">There could nought of earth remind them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Nor disturb their dreams and prayers;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">They had left the world behind them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Felt no more its joys and cares.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Far from all its weary bustle,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Will subdued, and mind at ease.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">They could hear the palm-trees rustle</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In the early morning breeze.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">When the bell, to prayer inviting.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From the low-built belfry rang,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">They could hear the birds uniting</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">With them while the psalms they sang.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From the earth their labour brought them</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">All they needed—scanty fare.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Life of toil and hardship taught them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Though at peace, the cross to bear.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">This is all their record: never</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Can we hope the rest to know!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Names and deeds are lost forever,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In the mist of long ago;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And of all that life angelic</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Neither shadow left, nor trace.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Save this tale,—a precious relic,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">In its wise and saintly grace!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">This, above the darkness lifted</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">By the truth that in it lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">On the sea of time has drifted,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">And is still our own to-day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Listen to it, it may teach us</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Wisdom, with its words of gold!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">Let this far-off blessing reach us</span></div> -<div class="line"><span class="italics">From the desert saints of old.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Underneath the vines they tended</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the garden air was sweet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the shadows, softly blended,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Made an ever cool retreat,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>These good brethren had assembled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On their abbot to attend;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All were sad, and many trembled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thinking how the day would end.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Of their little congregation</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One who long had faithful been,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had, beneath a sore temptation,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Fallen into grievous sin.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>What it was they have not told us,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But we know, whatever the blame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If God's hand should cease to hold us,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You or I might do the same.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And for judgment's wise completing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(Now the crime was certified),</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All were called in solemn meeting</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the sentence to decide.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Much in doubt, they craved assistance,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Sent to convents far away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Even to that fair blue distance</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where their eyes had loved to stray.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Fathers learnèd, fathers saintly,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Abbots used to think and rule,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gathered where the brook sang faintly</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the shadow, green and cool.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Oh the beauty that was wasted</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On that day, remembered oft!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh the sweetness, all untasted,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the morning, still and soft!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>At their feet the water glistened,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Birds were nesting overhead;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No one saw, and no one listened</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save to what the speakers said.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Long and sad was their debating,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Voices low and faces grave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While, the gloomy tale relating,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Each in turn his judgment gave.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Send him from you!" one was saying</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Calmly, as of reason sure;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"All are tainted by his staying,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Let men know your hands are pure!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"For the shame and sorrow brought you,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Let him be to all as dead!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Harm sufficient has he wrought you!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the abbot shook his head.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the sin which had undone him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For much evil brought about,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He would lay a burden on him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he could not cast him out!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>All night long the distant howling,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he waked, of beasts of prey,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Made him think of demons prowling,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Come to snatch that soul away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Said another: "I would rather</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That his shame by all were seen.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Do not spare him, O my Father;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Let the blow be swift and keen!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Let not justice be evaded!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Keep him, bound to labour hard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With you, but apart degraded,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And from speech with all debarred!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>This the abbot not refusing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only wondered, while he thought,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was there no one feared the losing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a soul the Lord had bought?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>One, more thoughtless, recommended</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That in prison closely pent</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He should stay till life was ended!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But to this would none consent.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In the cell where first they closed him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shrinking back, as best he might,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From a window that exposed him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Sometimes to a passer's sight,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He, the black offender, waited,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From them parted since his fall:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Once beloved, now scorned and hated</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By himself, he thought by all!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Nothing asking, nothing pleading,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Speechless, tearless, in despair;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But, like one in pain exceeding,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Moving ever here and there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Little did his fate alarm him:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What had he to fear or shun?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What could others do to harm him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>More than he himself had done?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But without were minds divided,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the morning wore away;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Noon had come, and undecided</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still the heavy question lay.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Though they looked so stern and fearless,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some with sinking hearts had come,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Hearts that wept when eyes were tearless,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Pleaded when the lips were dumb.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>One who had that morning seen him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Seeking from their gaze to hide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Tried from heavy doom to screen him;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his reasons were denied.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He of other days was thinking,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Happy days, and still so near!—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When that brother, shamed and shrinking,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had to all their souls been dear.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Others tried their hearts to harden,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Felt their pity to be sin;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Silent, prayed the Lord to pardon</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Kinder thoughts that rose within.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Some proposed and some objected,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While, the long debate to end,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One old Father they expected,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And on him would all depend.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He—their honoured, best adviser—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Dwelt in desert cave retired;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Older than the rest, and wiser:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Many thought his words inspired;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Said he knew what passed within them</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When by sin or doubt assailed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>True it is, his words could win them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Often, when all else had failed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He would find what all were seeking,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Justice pure, and judgment right!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still the abbot, seldom speaking,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Pale and sober, prayed for light.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Light was sent! For, toiling slowly</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O'er the sun-baked desert road,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Came that Father, wise and holy,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Bent beneath a weary load!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Scarce his failing limbs sustained him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the burden sorely pressed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Many times, as though it pained him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would he stand to breathe and rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>One who watched for his arriving,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went and told them he was near.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Up they rose, and ceased their striving,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In their joy such news to hear!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then they all went forth and met him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By their reverent love compelled:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nevermore could one forget him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who that day his face beheld!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Wasted, worn, yet strong to aid them;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Peaceful, though by conflict tried;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shining with a light that made them</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Feel the Lord was by his side!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But it grieved their souls to see him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By that burden bowed and strained!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Many stretched their hands to free him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wondering what the sack contained.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Why this burden?" one addressed him;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"All unfit for arms like thine!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He, while yet the weight oppressed him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Answered: "These are sins of mine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I must bear them all, my brother,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ever with me while I go</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On my way to judge another!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>These have made my journey slow."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then the abbot, growing bolder,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Raised the load with trembling hand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the Father's bended shoulder;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Looked—and found it filled with sand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Of them all, there was not any</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But was silent for a while;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the best had sins as many</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the sand-grains in that pile!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then they heard the abbot saying,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"God alone must judge us all!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a burden, heavy weighing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Seemed from every heart to fall.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Awed and hushed, but no more keeping</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Pity crushed, or love restrained,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some were smiling, some were weeping;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of their striving what remained?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Many bowed in veneration;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Others all in haste to go</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a word of consolation</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To their brother fallen low.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Hope they brought, and gentler feeling,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To his torn, despairing breast,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And that evening found him kneeling</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the chapel with the rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>None arose to judge or sentence:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He whose sin they most deplored,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his long and sad repentance,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was with charity restored.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="il-crocifisso-della-providenza"><span class="bold large">Il Crocifisso della Providenza</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The crucifix about which this story is told is still -to be seen in the church of the Carmine, where it -is kept in the Corsini chapel; and it is always shown to -the public on the first of May, when also (as the ballad -relates) a </span><em class="italics">festa</em><span> is held in the house once occupied by -the three sisters, in the Via dell' Orto.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The house seems to have been little changed since -they lived there; it now bears the number 10, and is -easily recognized by a niche in the wall, containing a -representation of the crucifix, and the chest piled with -loaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From time immemorial, a lamp burns every night -before this little shrine: the oil is provided by the poor -women of the vicinity (and they are very poor indeed), -each one laying by a few </span><em class="italics">centesimi</em><span> every week for the -purpose.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">Il Crocifisso della Providenza</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The streets of Florence are fair to see,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With palace and church and tower,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there the mighty of earth have dwelt,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the whole world feels their power.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And many come from the East and West</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To gaze on its beauty rare;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To stand where the wise and great have stood,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For their presence is ever there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But they never think of the narrow streets</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the poor of the city dwell;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Those humble houses, so bare and plain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have tales of their own to tell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There's one by the San Frediano gate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not far from the city wall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some Latin words on its front engraved</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The memory still recall</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Of one, a beggar, to all unknown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who knocked at the door one day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of what a blessing he left behind</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That morn when he went his way,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It happened hundreds of years ago,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But they tell the story still;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So listen now to the legend old,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And smile at it if you will.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But if you smile, be it not in scorn;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The tale which I now relate</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Has lightened many a heavy heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By the San Frediano gate.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Long since, they say, in that ancient house</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were orphan maidens three,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in the chamber above the door,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose window you still may see,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They worked and prayed, by the world unseen;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And ever, the long day through,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The needles stitched, and the spindle twirled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the knitted garment grew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So young, and one of them yet a child,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With never an earthly friend;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They prayed each day for the daily bread</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which they knew the Lord would send.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And toiling cheerfully, lived content,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor ever of want complained,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But freely shared with the needy poor</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The little their labour gained.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But evil days to the sisters came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their faith was sorely tried:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A merchant, one of the first in town,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That winter had failed and died.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And many debts had he left behind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their work was all unpaid;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he it was who had bought and sold</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The delicate wares they made.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They prayed for help, and they sought for work;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But awhile they sought in vain.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They pledged the ring that their father wore,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their mother's golden chain.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then work they found, but for neighbours poor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some of them could not pay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was well for them that the spring began,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the cold had passed away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And one by one, as the days went on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were the household treasures sold,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The copper pitcher, the brazen lamp,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the nut-wood table old,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The pot of pinks from the window-sill—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But when they had sold them all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An ancient crucifix, carved in wood,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still hung on the whitewashed wall</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Above the chest where the loaves were kept;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Such blessing its presence shed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It seemed to them like a living friend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And not like an image dead!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In all their troubles, in all their joys,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That crucifix bore a part;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Above all comfort, or wealth, or gain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was dear to the sisters' heart!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>As babes, before they could understand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or ever a prayer repeat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Each day their father had held them up,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While they kissed the carven feet.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So April came, and so April went;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they lived, the Lord knows how!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The elder sister had saved and spared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the chest was empty now.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>That very evening she broke in halves,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And gave to the younger two,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One piece of bread—'t was the last they had;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was nothing more to do,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Unless, unless—and she looked at them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then at the image dear:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She touched it once; but her hand drew back</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a guilty, shrinking fear.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Her sisters saw, and they started up,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they said in haste, "Not so!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Take back the bread, if there be no more;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The crucifix must not go!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And she took courage, and kissed them both,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And smiled, though her eyes were wet;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then looked again at the face beloved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And said, "He will help us yet!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They rose next day with the early dawn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their hearts were almost light!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The young need little to make them glad,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the day was fair and bright.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And pleasant 't is to behold the sun,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though his rosy-tinted ray</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could only shine on the moss-grown tiles</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the roof across the way.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And the air was sweet in the narrow street</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the swallows toss and glide;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a perfume came on the morning breeze</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the hills on every side,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A perfume faint from the woods afar,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From blossoming fields of corn;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And bells already their chimes began,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For this was a sacred morn.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The Carmine church is near at hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the sisters thither hied;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was there they had knelt in happy days</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By the dear dead mother's side.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then home, through the gay and festive street,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till they reached the chamber bare:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The time had come for the morning meal,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And alas, no bread was there!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The elder girl on her sisters looked,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her face grew white with pain.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then said the one who was next in age,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Let us ask the Lord again!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So down they knelt on the red-tiled floor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the elder bowed her head,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And said aloud, while the others joined,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The prayer for their daily bread.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And then, with a tempest in her heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That she could no more withstand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With her arm around the younger girl,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the other by the hand,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She pleaded, raising her tearful face</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the dying face above,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For those she loved in their helpless state</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With more than a sister's love.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"O blessed Jesus! O Lord divine!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have pity, we wait for Thee!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Look down—Thou seest our empty chest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thou knowest how poor we be!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Oh, send some bread to my sisters dear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the cornfields all are Thine!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I 'd rather lie in my grave to-day</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than to see these children pine!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Thou knowest, Lord, I have done my best;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But my hands have failed at length:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A mother's burden is on me laid</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With only a maiden's strength.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Come, help me! Look at these orphan girls!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, save them from want and woe!—"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her praying ceased, for they heard a sound,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A knock at the door below.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They rose, and all to the window went:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A beggar was at the door,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A poor, pale stranger, with staff in hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who had never come before.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The Month of Mary was coming in;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And many were on their way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To ask for alms in the Virgin's name</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On that beautiful first of May.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"My little sisters," the beggar said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(And bowed to the maidens three,)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I pray you spare from your table spread</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A morsel of bread for me!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I come from far, and I 've far to go;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I 've eaten nought to-day!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The elder wept, but she answered not;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the second turned away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The younger looked with her innocent eyes</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the beggar's pleading face:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"And if we could, we would give you food;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But we 're in as hard a case!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"We finished yesterday all we had—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The half of a loaf, no more!—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We just were asking the Lord for bread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When we heard you at the door."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Go, look in the chest, my little maid;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You 'll find there is bread to spare!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Alas, we have looked so many times,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And never a crust is there!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Look once again, for the love of Him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose image I see within:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He never has failed to help His own,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And He will not now begin."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So only lest it should seem unkind</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To refuse the small request,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The elder girl with a patient smile</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went back to the empty chest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She looked—and down on her knees she fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a cry of glad surprise:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The others turned, and their breath stood still,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They could scarce believe their eyes!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was full! And the loaves were piled so high</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They could close the lid no more.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their tears fell faster for joy that day</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than they fell for grief before!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But in the midst of their thankful praise</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They thought of the starving man:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The little one seized the topmost loaf,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And back to the window ran.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She looked, she called him—he was not there!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They sought him, but all in vain:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He passed away from their sight that day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he came no more again.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So ends the story; but ever since</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That crucifix bears the name</span></div> -<div class="line"><em class="italics">La Providenza</em><span>; and even now</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The house has a sacred fame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And many kneel where the sisters knelt</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Each year on the first of May;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the floor is all bestrewn with flowers,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And leaves of the scented bay.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The humble room is with roses decked.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And bright with the candles' glow;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And smoke of incense, and sound of psalm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Float over the street below.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A woman agèd and silver-haired</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Once told me, with solemn thrill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How she herself had beheld the chest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which stands in the chamber still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>I asked her: "Who was that beggarman?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An angel, do you suppose?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A saint from heaven?" Her face grew grave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she answered me, "Who knows?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And then, with voice to a whisper dropped,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With an awed, mysterious air,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Some think," she said, "'t was the Lord Himself</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who came at the maiden's prayer."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="angels-in-the-churchyard"><span class="bold large">Angels in the Churchyard</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The story of the "Angels in the Churchyard" was -told me by Signore Bortolo Zanchetta of Bassano, -who said that he read it in an old book, but he had -lost the book, and could not even remember its name.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">Angels in the Churchyard</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A saint there was, long time ago,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And all in vain I tried</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His name to learn, or whence he came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or how or where he died.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For he from whom the tale I heard</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could tell me nothing more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save only that within him dwelt</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of love an endless store.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And in the churchyard once he passed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A summer night in prayer,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For pity of the nameless dead</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who lie forgotten there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He knew not when the sun went down,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So earnestly he prayed!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He knew not when the twilight glow</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was lost in deepening shade.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when the fair, round moon arose</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Behind the wooded hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She looked across the churchyard wall,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And found him praying still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But when the night was far along,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when the moon was high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When all the village lights were out,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And closed was every eye,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>When low above the sleeping dead</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The folded daisies slept,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he alone his patient watch</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Until the morning kept,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Came angels through the churchyard gate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But in no heavenly guise;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So unadorned, he little thought</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They came from Paradise!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The moon lit up their robes of white;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No other glory shone.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He watched them, as they paused before</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One sunken, moss-grown stone,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And thrice their silver censers swung,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As at some saintly shrine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But never incense burnt on earth</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had perfume so divine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Between the graves they glided on:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Toward a cross they turned—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A wooden cross that bore no name—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there the incense burned.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A fading garland on it hung,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of wild flowers simply twined;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whoever lay in that poor grave</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had left some love behind.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But next they sought a dreary place</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Against the northern wall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could not see if mound were there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The nettles grew so tall!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And on to others, three or four,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their noiseless steps they bent:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where'er they stayed, the incense rose;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then, as they came, they went.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But often to that churchyard green</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did he at night repair;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And ever, when the hour returned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angels all were there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He thought them only white-robed priests;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And much he wondered why</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Each night at certain graves they stayed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While others they passed by.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Till, after waiting, wondering long,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One night he forward pressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And spoke with one who walked apart,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A step behind the rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was starlight now; the moon had waned:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He hardly saw the face</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of him he talked with; but he felt</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Great peace was in the place.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Of God's own saints," the angel said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"A few lie buried here;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And He so loves them that to Him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their very dust is dear!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"So, while their souls with perfect peace</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are in His presence blest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He will not that these humble graves</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Should all unhonoured rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Each night from heaven He sends us down.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where'er His flowers are sown—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>These bodies that shall one day rise,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All glorious like His own!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The saint was silent, for his lips</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could find no word to say:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He stood entranced, and like to one</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose soul is far away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>At length he roused; the stars were dim,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The night had half withdrawn:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A light was in the eastern sky,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The clear pale light of dawn.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then came a freshening in the air,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A twitter in the trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A ripple in the dewy grass</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That felt the early breeze;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And sounded from the tower above</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sweet-toned, ancient bell;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While bright and busy over all</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The summer morning fell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The daisies opened; happy birds</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Sang in the sunshine free.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The dead alone are sleeping now;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their morning is to be.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-origin-of-the-indian-corn"><span class="bold large">The Origin of the Indian Corn</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>This story was told me by the Contessa Vittoria -Percoto Antonini of Palmanuova, who said that -she heard it in her youth at a </span><em class="italics">Fila</em><span>, which is a sort of -social gathering held in the winter evenings by the -</span><em class="italics">contadini</em><span> in that part of the country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The winter is cold, and these </span><em class="italics">contadini</em><span>, who are very -poor and can ill afford the wood for a fire, meet in the -cattle-shed, where the breath of cows and oxen warms -the air a little.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They often say, "It is the way that the Gesù -Bambino was warmed!" A lantern hangs from one -of the beams overhead, and by its dim light the women -spin or knit. All talk together, and (as the Contessa -Vittoria expresses it) "the boys make themselves -agreeable to the girls, very much as though it were a party -of ladies and gentlemen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And from time to time the elder people entertain the -company with stories, of which this is a pretty fair -specimen.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Origin of the Indian Corn</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A Legend of Friuli</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In the far Italian border land,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With its rolling hills and mountains grand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the Alps of Carnia rising near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the snow lies more than half the year;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With crags where the clinging fir-trees grow</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Above the chestnuts and vines below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the weary, changing world remote,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There age on age doth a legend float.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The young have learnt it from agèd men;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It never was written yet with pen.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It seems at first, when they tell it o'er,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A childish fancy, and nothing more;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And bearing the impress, deep indeed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the hard and struggling lives they lead:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A thing to smile at, and then forget,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Scarce worthy a passing thought—and yet</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The simple tale may a lesson teach</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If only one can its meaning reach!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like one of their living, hill-side springs,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That shows the image of common things;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So he who looks on its surface sees</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The bending flowers, the arching trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sun, the shadow, the rocks, the sky,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The busy birds that go flitting by,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While deep below is the endless wealth</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of water, given for life and health.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In homely form is the lesson taught;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But worthy still of a reverent thought.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So listen, think; if you have a mind</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To seek, and the hidden treasure find:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For Truth, most precious and fair, doth dwell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the crystal depth of this mountain well.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And this is the story, often told</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the winter evenings long and cold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the low-roofed, dimly lighted shed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the breath of oxen serves instead</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a blazing hearth to warm the place:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A smile of peace is on every face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And hearts are light, and they often say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Our Lord was warmed in the self-same way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That night when He on the earth was born!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the shed no longer seems forlorn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For it makes them feel Him near at hand:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they the better can understand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How by His pity and timely aid</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The beautiful Indian corn was made.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was in the days when He dwelt below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Before 't was given to man to know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or who He was or from whence He came;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the world had hardly heard His name!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He journeyed over the country roads,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He taught the poor, and He eased their loads.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had no dwelling wherein to rest</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the one or two who loved Him best,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And once in seeking a friendly door</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They came to a farmer's threshing-floor.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hot July had but just begun;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The road lay white in the blinding sun;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The air was heavy with odours sweet;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sky was pale, as if faint with heat.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Two weary men and two women pale</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were threshing, each with a heavy flail,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A mile away you could hear the sound</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In measured cadence along the ground.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then, moved with pity at such a sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It pleased Him to make their burden light.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At first He prayed them to pause and rest;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They only smiled at the strange request,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And laboured on till He spoke again:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Fear not, Myself I will thresh the grain!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>At sound of His holy voice, they knew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That what He said He would surely do!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He bade them bring Him a burning brand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, though they little could understand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The brand was brought, and they saw Him bend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And touch the corn with the lighted end.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then swiftly, as by a tempest blown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The straw to the farther side was thrown;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The wheaten kernels, all clear and bright,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Lay piled on high—'t was a pleasant sight!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Another and smaller heap contained</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The chaff, and whatever else remained.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was threshed and winnowed, and all in one;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The work of days in a moment done!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The happy threshers, with one accord,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gave thanks and praise to the blessèd Lord;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And grateful tears at His feet were shed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Meanwhile the news through the village spread;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For more than one had been near, and seen</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The miracle of the wheat made clean.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From field and garden and cottage door,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The people flocked to the threshing-floor.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then came a time of such joy supreme</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As never had been in thought or dream.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For when they looked on the clean-threshed wheat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And heard the threshers their tale repeat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And knew that He had this wonder done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They knelt and worshipped Him, every one!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, think how happy they were and blest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who might awhile in His presence rest!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Think what it would be for you or me</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That voice to hear and that face to see!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The children run to Him where He stands,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And cling with their little sunbrowned hands</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To His garment; and the parents feel</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their burden lightened while yet they kneel.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Thank God, who spared us!" the agèd say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"To look on Thy blessèd face to-day!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sick are healed, and the weak made strong,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And hearts consoled that had suffered long:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A sound of gladness, of praise and prayer,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Floats far away on the summer air.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Amid such transports of young and old,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How was it that one could still be cold?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A certain widow whom all confessed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To be the bravest, perhaps the best,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Among the women the place contained—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Why was it that she aloof remained?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Handsome and stately, and strong of arm</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To guard her fatherless babes from harm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With five little hungry mouths to fill;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For them she laboured with might and will!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But, proud of spirit, she could not bear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That other hearts should her burden share.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of soul too high for an evil deed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She scorned the others, but helped their need.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In wit and wisdom the rest excelled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And yet their kindness too oft repelled;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Accepted nothing, though free to give,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And almost rather had ceased to live</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than share the loaf from a neighbour's shelf.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, proud of her very pride itself!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She nursed it, cherished it, thought it grand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To guide unaided her house and land,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And thanked the Lord, when she knelt to pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That never one in the place could say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I help the widow!" And now she stood</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Apart from the kneeling multitude,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And half impatient and half amused,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She smiled at the simple words they used,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of praise and wonder, and thought how she</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could never so weak and childish be!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For her 't was a proud and happy day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For rest and plenty before her lay:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Herself had sown and herself had reaped;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And now the beautiful sheaves lay heaped,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not far away, by her open door;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her heart rejoiced in the ample store!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A neighbour saw her, and called her name:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Come near! perhaps He will do the same</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For thee, and thy summer's work complete;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I know that thou hast not threshed thy wheat!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She tossed her head with a smile of pride:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I never yet, since my husband died,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Asked help or favour of any one!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Besides, I saw how the thing was done.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I can do it as well as He;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He need not turn from His way for me!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She looked on the awed, adoring crowd,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In scorn a moment; then laughed aloud,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To see the horror among them spread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At sound of the evil words she said.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Our Lord's disciples, though saints they were,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had no good wishes that day for her!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Indeed, their patience was greatly tried</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To see Him slighted and thrust aside.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One even whispered, "Hast Thou not heard?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But He said never an angry word!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One look of pity He on her cast,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then turned, and forth from the village passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Along the lane where the grass was brown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And birds were plucking the thistle-down,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till under the olives' silver screen</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He turned aside, and no more was seen.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And now the widow of heart so proud</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would show to the grave, indignant crowd</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her greater wisdom; with this intent</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She calmly in to her fireside went;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some coals she brought in an iron pan—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"If one can do it, another can!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She said; and then with a careless smile</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She touched the coals to her golden pile.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A flash, a crackle, a blinding blaze</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of flame, that struggles, and soars, and sways,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And sinks a moment, and soars again—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That was the end of the widow's grain!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A few short moments, and nought remained</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of all that her loving toil had gained</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But blackened tinder, and embers red,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the sullen smoke-cloud overhead!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Her friends and neighbours, I fear, meanwhile</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were far less minded to weep than smile;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And hardly one was with pity moved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the woman was not greatly loved.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And all were angry, as well as grieved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To think of the slight our Lord received,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>After his wonderful goodness shown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when He had made their cares His own!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The boys were ready to dance and shout,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At seeing the red sparks blown about;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The maidens whispered and laughed aside;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their parents talked on the sin of pride.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To help or comfort her, no one planned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Except the poorest of all the band;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An agèd woman, who near her came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And drew her back from the scorching flame.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Poor soul!" she said, "thou hast children five!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I have none in the world alive.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Keep up thy heart! I am well content</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To share with thee what the Lord has sent.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I just have gathered my harvest store,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when 't is gone, He will send us more!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In vain they spoke to her, ill or good;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She neither listened nor understood.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She minded not if they frowned or smiled;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her face was white, and her eyes were wild,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As, lost in horror, she stood and gazed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To see the corn by her labour raised,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their store of food for the coming year,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Consume before her and disappear!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then came the cry of a little child,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From sleep awakened, in terror wild.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That cry brought life to her fainting heart;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She turned around with a sudden start,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And said, in a husky voice and low,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Which way did that Blessèd Stranger go?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A storm of voices around her rose;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The woman's purpose they all oppose.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Which way?</em><span>" they angrily say; "but how?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wilt thou have courage to seek him now?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And after thy shameful words to-day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is He to stop for thee on His way?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is He to come when He hears thy call?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But, woman, hast thou no shame at all?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Nay, go not near Him!" another said:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"That man has power to strike thee dead,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And thou hast angered Him! Let Him go—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thy pride has ruined thee; be it so!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Though none to help her a hand would lend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That gray-haired woman was still her friend;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She could not speak, for her voice was drowned</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In such a tumult of angry sound.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She only made with her wrinkled hand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A sign the widow could understand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And quick as thought, and before they knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Away on her wild pursuit she flew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Our Blessèd Lord, with His followers few,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had journeyed on for a mile or two,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When, on the brow of a rocky hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The others noticed that He stood still</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And looked behind Him; they did the same.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A woman running toward them came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Running and stumbling, and falling oft,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And throwing wildly her arms aloft,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As if entreating them still to stay</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till she could finish the toilsome way!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They looked; and pity their souls possessed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At first in seeing her thus distressed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But when they knew her, their hearts grew hard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor would they longer her prayers regard.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Good Lord, that woman it is," they say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Who scorned and slighted Thee so to-day.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She knows her folly, perhaps, too late;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her, most surely, we should not wait!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"She needs me now!" was His sole reply;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And still He waited—they wondered why!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Down in the dust at His feet she fell:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her doleful story she could not tell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For speech had failed, and she vainly tried:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But, stretching her helpless hands, she cried</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(With lips that hardly the words could form,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They trembled so with the inward storm),</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Good Lord, have patience, and pity take</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On me, for the innocent children's sake!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then from her eyes began to pour</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A flood of tears, and she said no more.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She dropped her head on her heaving breast;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But He in His wisdom knew the rest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when He looked on her, bowed and crushed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her pride all broken, her boasting hushed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Take heart!" He said: "I will give thee more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And better grain than thou hadst before."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The day was drawing toward a close,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sky was clear in its deep repose;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sun, just sinking away from sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had touched with a solemn crimson light</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The smoky column that, dark and thin,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still rose where the widow's sheaves had been.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The neighbours lingered, or came and went</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To look, and talk of the day's event.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, smiling grimly the wreck to view,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some said: "The widow has had her due!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But more of them shook their heads and sighed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To think of the bitter fruits of pride.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And one old woman looked down the lane,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And wished the widow would come again!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The five poor little ones sat forlorn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Beside the blackened and wasted corn;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And ate the bread that the neighbours brought:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For them, at least, there was pitying thought.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No sin of theirs, if the corn was burned!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then it was that the Lord returned.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Returned, as ever, to save and bless!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And while the people around Him press,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The widow kneels and the children weep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He lays His hand on the smouldering heap.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His touch has the evil work undone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in the light of the setting sun</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The corn returned where the ashes lay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But not as it was at noon that day.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To twice their size had the kernels grown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And each with a burning lustre shone.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For, since that grain through the fire has passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T will bear its colour until the last!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A few, in seeing the store increased</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of her who seemed to deserve it least,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Began to murmur; and yet, maybe,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Themselves were more in the wrong than she!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With all her folly, with all her sin—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For all her ignorant pride had been</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Far more, alas, than her reason strong,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She never did Him that grievous wrong</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of thinking He could refuse the prayer</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of one who sought Him in her despair;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or that her sin, were it twice as great,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could close His heart to her woful state;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or lie so heavily on her soul</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But what His love could outweigh the whole!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But most rejoiced in the happy sight</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of evil conquered and wrong made right.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And so from ruin and wreck was born</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The beautiful, flame-hued Indian corn!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-eldest-daughter-of-the-king"><span class="bold large">The Eldest Daughter of the King</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The two stories of the Patriarch, St. John of -Alexandria, which are especially interesting, as being -without doubt true in all their principal facts, are taken -from a short account of that wonderful man, written -by St. Leontius, Bishop of Napolis, in Cyprus, who -visited Alexandria after the Patriarch's death, and -wrote in great part from the dictation of the Patriarch's -servant, by name Zaccarias, himself a man of saintly -character. The stories must have been written by -St. Leontius not long after 620, when the Patriarch died.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Eldest Daughter of the King</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Saint John of Alexandria—blessèd name,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Recalling ever holy thought and deed!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O heart forever warm with heavenly flame!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O hand forever full for others' need!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Blessèd and blessing thousands! Since his day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Twelve hundred years, and more, have come and gone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their beauty dead, their glory passed away:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But in our loving thought he still lives on.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Of all who ever walked on earthly sod,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(Though many loved and saintly names there be,)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I know not if another ever trod</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>More closely in his Master's steps than he!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>To comfort all who suffer,—this alone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His soul desired; for this he prayed and strove</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With heart unchanging; and for him were none</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Too high for pity, nor too low for love.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And often was he rich, and often poor;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For God upon him had great wealth bestowed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which endless store of blessing did procure</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To souls that fainted with their weary load.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Nor could he e'er from sorrow turn away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor from a brother's need his hand withhold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But when his all was spent, men used to say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The good Lord gave him back a hundredfold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Enough there was, and ever more to spare,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though help abundant came at every call.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When prudent friends had prayed him to forbear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He only said, "God has enough for all."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Till, for their souls' content, he told the truth,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He being now a grey-haired agèd man,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The holy vision that had blessed his youth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And changed, of all his life, the course and plan.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"A boy I was, and in my father's home</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I slept; 't was night, and I was all alone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When to my side I felt a presence come;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A hand awakened me that touched my own.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I saw the chamber all ablaze with light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there, before me, stood a lady fair,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With olive crowned, and clad in raiment bright,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Such as, I think, the saints in Heaven may wear.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Hers was no earthly beauty, but a grace</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Most sweet and solemn that no words can reach;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I looked awhile in her celestial face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then addressed her, but with timid speech:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"'Who art thou, O my lady, that dost bring</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Such glory in the night?' Then answered she:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'I am the eldest daughter of the King,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And more than all my sisters, he loves me.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"'For me He left His glory: it was I</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who led Him on along the thorny road,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To suffer, and for others' sin to die;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For me He shared thy sorrow, bore thy load.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"'Take me for thy companion: I will be</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thy friend as I was His, and by the hand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Will lead thee where at evening thou shalt see</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The emperor's face, and in his presence stand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"While yet the voice was sounding in my ear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The vision ceased; I saw the light no more:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The moon was shining through the window near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And all the house was silent as before.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And, waiting till I saw the dawn ascend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I lay and mused upon this wondrous thing;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And tried, with my child's mind, to comprehend</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who was the eldest daughter of the King,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I prayed, I pondered long in vain; until</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A light from Heaven was on my spirit shed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And not by wisdom, nor by earthly skill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I knew the meaning of the words she said.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"When Christ our blessèd Lord to earth came down,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And gave His life for lost and thankless men,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And changed His glory for a thorny crown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was Mercy led and did constrain Him then.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Ah, woe to us, if Mercy had not been</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His eldest daughter, and His guide that day!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then had we died, and perished in our sin,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Unpitied, unforgiven, cast away."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Such was the Patriarch's story, and we know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That Mercy in his heart her dwelling made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As in no other; and his life below</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was Mercy, in a thousand forms displayed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when the summons came that comes to all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As on a journey distant far he went;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he, rejoicing, heard the heavenly call,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>This token to the stricken church was sent.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A humble convent had his bounty shared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From Alexandria some few miles away:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there, where he for rest had oft repaired,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An agèd brother sick and dying lay.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For years infirm and helpless had he lain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But strong in faith, and happy in God's will,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through all the weary days and nights of pain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His only work to suffer and lie still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They two were friends, the Patriarch and he,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For oft the busy saint had loved to turn</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From care and work, that peaceful face to see,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And from those patient lips some lesson learn.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And now as he lay dying, glad to go,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet thinking, maybe, of his absent friend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To him was granted in a dream to know,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of that most holy life, the blessèd end.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For, sleeping, he beheld in vision clear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That sombre palace by the poor beloved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the good Patriarch, year after year,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had all their burdens lightened or removed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And down the stairway moved a long array</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of priests and others; slowly did they tread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A grave procession, as on festal day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he, the Patriarch, was at their head.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The loved companions of his toil were there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who helped him long to labour and endure,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who knelt beside him in the church at prayer,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or bore his secret bounty to the poor.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They passed the door where none had knocked in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They crossed the courtyard with its well of stone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But at the outer gate did all remain</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With saddened look, while he went forth alone.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And now the vision changed, he walked no more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The city street that knew his step so well,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But trod a pleasant path, unknown before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through a fair land, where peace did ever dwell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There rose the emperor's palace on a hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O'erlooking all the country, where it lay</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Spread out beneath it, beautiful and still,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In all the sweetness of an April day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Grand was that mansion, stately to behold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To tell its beauty words can ne'er begin,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The thousand columns, and the domes of gold,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And shining all as from a light within.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He neared the palace—of their own accord</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The lofty gates before him open swing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in the glory, as it outward poured,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Came forth the eldest daughter of the King,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Came as he saw her on that far-off night</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which star-like through his life's long journey shone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wearing her olive crown, her robe of light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And came to meet him, where he walked alone,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He bowed and knelt before her, for he knew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That presence which had blessed him long before;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While from her folded mantle forth she drew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A crown of olive, like the one she wore,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And placed it on the saintly silvered head;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then took his hand. He rose; nor did they wait:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The dreamer watched them as they onward sped,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till, hand in hand, they entered through the gate.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And then, as light concealed them, he awoke,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And to the brethren, gathered in his cell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In tearful silence listening while he spoke,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He did the story of his vision tell,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And bade them note what hour the dream was sent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which some with anxious hearts made haste to do;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then waited, fearing what the vision meant;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till time had shown them all they feared was true.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For when the dreaded tidings came at last,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They knew that on that very hour and day</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their much-loved father from this life had passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his own isle of Cyprus, far away.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="bishop-troilus"><span class="bold large">Bishop Troilus</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">Bishop Troilus</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE MANSION IN HEAVEN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In pomp and state, with following great, the Bishop Troilus came</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the town of Alexandria, which knew him long by fame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To see the holy Patriarch, who had been his friend of old,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To hear his words of wisdom, and his saintly life behold.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In youth their paths together lay, and both with one accord</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had chosen then the better part, and thought to serve the Lord;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For half a century now and more had each one gone his way.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The Patriarch nearer was to God, far nearer than that day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his soul was like a garden where the flowers that then were sown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With care and patient tending, had to perfect beauty grown.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And Troilus? ... In the world's esteem he stood as high, or higher;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His piety did all men praise, his eloquence admire;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had fiery words to thrill them, he had flowery words to please,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when he preached on festal days, the people swarmed like bees;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From altar steps to open door there was hardly room to stand.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And 't was not the sermon only, but his presence was so grand;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his grave and agèd beauty, with his form erect and tall,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With saintly face and silver hair, he won the hearts of all.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When through the city he returned, so lofty and serene,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A train of priests attended him, all with obsequious mien;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And children followed open-eyed, and gentle ladies bent</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From balcony and window high to see him as he went.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Indeed he was a stately sight in silken raiment clad,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The ring he wore was valued more than aught the Patriarch had;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the cross upon his bosom, that the people wondering viewed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gave back the sunshine, when he walked, from jewels many-hued.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And men said his life was blameless, but it still must be confessed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though the saints were glad to own him, yet the sinners loved him best.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was rich, and he was famous, and, as all his life had shown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was great in worldly wisdom, and the world will love its own.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But while saints and shiners praised him, there was one who did not praise,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But whose eyes forever watched him with a sad and anxious gaze;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the Patriarch, simple-hearted, was not dazzled like the rest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he knew the deadly passion that the Bishop's soul possessed,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, more deadly than another, for it lay so still and cold,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like a serpent coiled within him,—'twas the growing love of gold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It had choked away his pleasure, it had eaten up his peace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As with every year that left him he had seen his wealth increase,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till his heart grew dry and withered in the smoke of worldly care;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But it dulled him with its poison, and he knew not it was there.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, the Patriarch longed to see him from such cruel bondage free,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he pleaded hard for Troilus every night on bended knee;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For there yet was time to save him, so he hoped and so believed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the days and weeks were passing, and no answer he received.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But with praying he grew bolder, and to combat he began,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he left his door one morning with a wise and hopeful plan;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said in solemn murmur, as he walked along the way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I must go and fight with Satan for my brother's soul to-day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He is cruel, he is cunning, but his arts will be in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The strongest net he ever wove will never bear the strain</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of seeing and of hearing what each day I hear and see,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the Lord has saved my brother if he will but come with me."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It was in the early morning, long before the noise and heat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the life was just beginning in the shady city street,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When he saw a church door open, and he turned and entered in.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I will ask the Lord to help me in this work that I begin."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were some who entered near him, and he saw they came in haste,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Toiling men and burdened women, who had little time to waste;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But they stole some precious minutes in that church to kneel and pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To refresh their souls and cheer them for the labours of the day;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they gathered close around him on the pavement, for they felt</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That their prayers would rise the higher if their father with them knelt.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then he said to them: "My children, you must help me now indeed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For my heart and soul are troubled for a friend in sorest need;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He is low with mortal sickness, but no earthly skill can cure.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Pray the Lord to show His mercy to the poorest of the poor."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So they knelt and prayed together, till the morning sun was high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the Patriarch's heart was kindled, and the time went quickly by.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Troilus too had risen early, and had said his morning prayers,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he said them somewhat coldly, being filled with other cares.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At that moment he was thinking, while he counted up his store,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Upon certain silver goblets he had seen the day before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which a silversmith had brought him, and had hoped that he would buy.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They were nobly wrought and chiselled, and the price indeed was high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he thought upon his table they would look exceeding fine</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When his friends, the rich and noble, should come in with him to dine;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then how all of them would envy, and the thought his spirit cheered,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When a gentle knock aroused him, and the Patriarch appeared.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Very bright his eyes were shining, and his face was all aglow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his voice was strange and solemn, when he told him, "I must go</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the hospital, my brother, and I came here on my way;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If we both could go together, it would be a happy day.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There I find my greatest blessing, every morning fresh and new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But far greater, but far sweeter could I share it once with you."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How the heart of Troilus softened, as those eyes upon him shone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At their look of earnest pleading, at the tremor in the tone!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Strange it was that look could melt him and that voice could change him so,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Calling back to life, a moment, what had withered long ago,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some old good that stirred within him, often spurned and thrust aside.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the flowers the Lord had planted, though they dwindled, had not died;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was poor in heavenly treasure, but he loved the Patriarch still.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I will come," he answered quickly; "you may lead me where you will."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were looks and tones of wonder in the hospital that day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the rows of low white couches where the sick and dying lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As, with all his train about him, in his splendour and his pride,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On he walked, the Bishop Troilus, by the simple Patriarch's side.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But erelong the two were parted, for as Troilus looked around,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He recoiled in shrinking horror from each doleful sight and sound;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While the Patriarch loved to linger for a while by every bed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his strong arms ever ready to sustain a drooping head;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Happy in each humble service, and forgetting all his state,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he thanked the Lord who sent him on these stricken ones to wait.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How the pale sad faces brightened into smiles as he drew near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And what loving words were murmured, faintly murmured in his ear!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Does he well," said Bishop Troilus, as he saw him turn and go</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From one bedside to another, "does he well to stoop so low?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet had Troilus only known it, they were not the poor alone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whom his brother served that morning, but their Master and his own.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was one but just recovered, light of heart, though poor and weak,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a journey long before him, going forth his home to seek,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Far away among the mountains where his wife and children stayed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the Patriarch's love had found him ere the stranger sought his aid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Giving money for the journey, giving blessèd words of cheer.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then he turned, for time was pressing, and a sadder face lay near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Worn by months of pain and languor; he was young, had once been strong,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was fading now, but slowly, and perhaps would suffer long,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the hundred wants of sickness who can know that has not proved?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had wearied all about him, but the Patriarch's heart was moved;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So he heard the long complaining to which no one else gave heed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then he left him, soothed and peaceful, with enough for all his need.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So with one and with another for a moment he would stay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At each bed he left a blessing, and a blessing brought away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till his purse grew light and empty, as had happened oft before;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though he turned it up and shook it, there was not one penny more.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he turned and sought for Troilus, who that moment, as it chanced,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a look subdued and solemn, stood and gazed, like one entranced,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the strange, unearthly beauty, on the light of perfect peace</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In a woman's face before him; she was nearing her release,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a glory rested on her from the opening door above;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet one shadow marred its splendour when she looked with anxious love</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On a little maid, her daughter, with a pretty, careworn face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who had brought two younger children, waiting now for her embrace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wondering why she did not give it, why so deadly still she lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For they knew not, though she knew it, she would not live out the day.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Said the Patriarch: "Brother Troilus, have you nothing you could give</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To this woman and her children, for she has not long to live?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I see her mind is troubled, and I think, before they part,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had she something she could leave them, it would ease her burdened heart;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For myself, I freely promise I will make these babes my care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But to-day my purse is empty, so I pray you not to spare."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Oh! alas, poor Bishop Troilus! how this pleading broke the spell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the woman's look had woven, and how low his spirit fell!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he dearly loved his money, with a passion deep and blind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As a scholar loves his learning, or a saint his peace of mind.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the eyes of all were on him at that moment, and he knew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was in hopeful expectation of what such a saint would do;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were many who had entered from the busy street to gaze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He would not be shamed before them, they should still have cause to praise;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his purse would have to open, so he turned and waved his hand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the priest who always bore it, with a gesture of command.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For this woman for her daughter and the two poor babes," said he,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Lay down thirty golden pieces in the Patriarch's hand for me."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were none who had not heard him, for his voice was loud and clear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a low, admiring murmur rose from all the couches near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While the Patriarch stood rejoicing in the deed his friend had done;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By himself he judged another, and he thought the victory won.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For one moment Bishop Troilus feels his narrow heart expand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the maiden thanks him weeping, and the children kiss his hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the mother, just departing, from the pillow where she lies,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Turns one happy smile upon him, with a blessing in her eyes.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But alas! on home returning, when the sacrifice was made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the Patriarch's holy presence was no longer there to aid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He did much bewail his money; half in anger, half in pain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To have parted in a moment with what took so long to gain.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his heart was in a turmoil, and a pain was in his head,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till the raging turned to fever, and he threw him on his bed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In a storm of angry passion that no reason could control;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For to him to part with money was like parting with his soul.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he said no word to any of this rage and inward strife,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the priests who waited on him were in terror for his life,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And as nothing made him better, they took counsel, and agreed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the Patriarch, and he only, was the man to meet their need;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So they sent and humbly prayed him if to come he would be pleased,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his friend the Bishop Troilus was with sudden illness seized.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In his chamber lay the Bishop, sick in body, sick in mind;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the Patriarch, wise in spirit, had his malady divined.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So he came and sat beside him, patient still, but pale with grief,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he made one last endeavour for that troubled soul's relief.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his friend was sore and angry, and his words he would not hear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the presence now disturbed him that had lately been so dear.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he lay with face averted, till he heard the Patriarch say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I have brought you back the money that you gave away to-day."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then indeed he started wildly, and his eyes he opened wide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he turned and faced his brother with a joy he could not hide;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For with sudden hope he trembled, and it paled his fevered cheek;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the Patriarch's heart was sinking, but he still went on to speak:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"When I asked your help this morning, I had nothing of my own,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So I left to you the blessing which had else been mine alone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For those three dear orphan children I had gladly done the whole,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So their mother up in heaven might be praying for my soul.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I now have come to ask you if this grace you will resign,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Will you take again the money, and let your good deed be mine?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet I pray you to consider, ere you grant it or refuse,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What a great and heavenly treasure I shall win and you will lose;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For indeed I would not wrong you, though to me the gain be great.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So then do not answer rashly,—there is time, we both can wait,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And 't were well to think a little on the words our Master said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How He left the poor behind, that we might serve them in His stead;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And whatever help we grant them, be it great or be it small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To our blessèd Lord we give it, to our Lord, who gave us all."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then made answer Bishop Troilus, "As for what you now propose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If it please you I am ready, and the bargain we can close.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There are many kinds of service, and each needful in its way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I think the Lord has set me in His church to preach and pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And to save the souls that perish, and to teach men how to live,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While your own vocation, brother, is with open hand to give.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Let not one defraud the other, take your part and leave me mine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For however we may divide it, all the service is divine.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Let us feed God's flock together, for His needy children care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I the souls, and you the bodies, so the burden we may share."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Then so be it," said the other, but his voice was low and grave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he prayed to God in silence for the soul he could not save.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"We must write it all in order, we must sign and seal it too,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So that mine may be the blessing, while the gold remains with you."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So they wrote a contract solemn, to which each one signed his name,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In which he, the Bishop Troilus, did relinquish every claim</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To whatever reward or merit his one pious deed had earned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Since the thirty golden pieces to his hand had been returned.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then the Patriarch counted slowly all the pieces, one by one,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the open hand of Troilus, and his last attempt was done.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All had failed, and heavy-hearted from that chamber forth he went,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While his friend lay still and smiling in the fullness of content;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the fever now had left him, and 't was sweet to lie and rest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With no more a thorn to vex him in his smooth, untroubled breast.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a dreamy satisfaction he was thinking all the while</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How those pretty shining pieces would increase the golden pile</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In that chest of hoarded treasure that already held so much;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he laid his hand upon them with a fond caressing touch.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his thoughts began to wander, and his eyes were closing soon,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the drowsy heat and stillness of the summer afternoon.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then a dream was sent to bless him, as in quiet sleep he lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And it bore him in a vision to the country far away;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he saw the holy city, where the saints and angels dwell;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of its glory, of its beauty, mortal tongue can never tell.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were palm-trees growing stately by the water, crystal clear;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was music ever swelling, sometimes far and sometimes near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As it rose in mystic cadence from the hearts that overflowed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the joy that reigns forever in their beautiful abode.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the people of that city whom he met along the way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the shining golden pavement, oh, how full of peace were they!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he thought some heavenly vision shone forever in their sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he looked where they were gazing, but he only saw the light</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As it flooded all with glory, and the air it seemed to fill;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he saw not what they looked on, for his eyes were mortal still.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now among those lighted faces there were some he knew before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the poor to whom so often he had closed his heart and door;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Such as in the heavenly city he had little thought to find,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the sad and sick and needy had been never to his mind:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the rich were not so many, yet a few of these beside,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who by deeds of love and mercy had their Master glorified.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in perfect health and beauty, among all that bright array,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the woman he saw dying in the hospital that day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>All along the road he travelled, to the left and to the right,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Rose the palaces they dwelt in, each a mansion of delight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But all varying in their beauty, far away as eye could reach,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a name in golden letters, high above the door of each.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And sweet faces smiled upon him, from the windows here and there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gentle faces free forever from the shade of earthly care;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he heard the happy voices of the children as they played</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the fair and peaceful gardens, where the roses never fade;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the things he left behind him seemed so very poor and small,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That he wondered, in that glory, why men cared for them at all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But oh, wonder of all wonders, when he saw a name that shone</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O'er a high and arching doorway, yes, a name that was his own!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could it be his eyes deceived him? No, he read it o'er and o'er;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"This," it said, "of Bishop Troilus is the home forevermore."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh the beauty of that palace, with such light and splendour filled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That he thought the clouds of sunset had been hewn its walls to gild;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the golden door stood open, he could catch a glimpse within</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the vast illumined chambers where no foot had ever been.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could only gaze bewildered, for the wonder was too great,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the joy so poured upon him he could hardly bear the weight.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then he took one step toward it, but a servant of the King</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who from far-off earth that morning had returned on busy wing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And was bearing gifts and tokens from the scattered church below,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Came and passed and stood before him, in the courtyard's golden glow.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he turned to his companions, for a few had gathered near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his words fell hard and heavy on the Bishop's listening ear,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"We must cancel that inscription from the stone, and write thereon</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That Troilus hath this palace sold unto the Patriarch John,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And that thirty golden pieces were the price that he received."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Up then started Bishop Troilus, for his soul was sorely grieved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he tried to speak, but could not, and awoke in his dismay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his hand upon the money close beside him where he lay.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now the long bright day was over; as he saw the sun descend,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Weary day," the Patriarch thought it; he was glad to see it end.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was walking in his garden where the freshening shadows lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the flowers that drooped at noontime stood erect in beauty gay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But their brightness could not cheer him, and he bent his head and sighed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he thought, with wondering sadness, that the Lord his prayer denied,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he heard a step behind him, and he looked; but who was there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wild of look, like one who struggled with a pain he could not bear?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could it be the stately Bishop? Yes, but oh, how changed to see!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said with tears and trembling, "O my brother, pray for me!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How the Patriarch's heart rebounded from the weight that on it pressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At the change so deep and sudden, in those broken words expressed!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How his cheek grew red with gladness, how it smoothed his troubled brow!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"God forgive me if I doubted, all my prayers are answered now."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Come," he said, "my brother Troilus, sit beside me, tell me all;"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he led him, pale and helpless, to a seat beside the wall.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And there Troilus, clinging closely to that strong and helpful hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Trusting in the heart that loved him and his thoughts could understand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Told the story of his vision to his awed and listening friend,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All that dream of light and glory, with its sad, unlooked-for end:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his voice, which trembled ever, wellnigh failed him when he told</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the horror of that waking, with his hand upon the gold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When his eyes, long blind, were opened, and he saw the wreck within,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And one fearful moment, showed him what his wasted life had been.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Now," he said, "my courage fails me when I think to mend my ways.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I have wasted all God gave me,—mind, and strength, and length of days,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the gold I gave my soul for pulls me downward with its weight;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Help me if you can, oh, help me! Say it is not yet too late."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he looked with eyes beseeching at the Patriarch, who replied</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a smile that fell like sunshine on the faint heart by his side,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"What! too late for God's forgiveness, when He calls you to repent?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was to save you, not to lose you, that the blessèd dream was sent;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is His help, not mine, my brother, you are needing, and you know,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If we ask it, He will give it, for Himself has told us so.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the prodigal returning shall be welcomed all the more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If the years were long and many since he left his Father's door."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"But," said Troilus, "I am agèd, and my manhood's strength is past;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>After such a life ungodly, can I hope for grace at last?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Never fear," the Patriarch answered, "there is joy in heaven to-day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they ask not in their gladness if your hair be black or gray."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So then Troilus gathered courage, and that night, by deed and word,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gave himself and all his substance to the service of the Lord;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet in his own strength mistrusting, he implored his friend anew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his daily prayer to aid him, and he promised so to do.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the thirty golden pieces he returned to him again,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, and other thirty with them, for the change was not in vain,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he left the past behind him, and a better life began;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From that evening in the garden he became another man.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was no more train about him when he walked the city through,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the priests who once attended now had better work to do;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the ladies cared no longer from their balconies to lean,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When of worldly pomp and splendour there was nothing to be seen.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the cross of many jewels on his bosom shone no more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Having gone on works of mercy to increase his heavenly store.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the poor and needy sought him; he was now their faithful friend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they knew, whatever befell them, on his love they might depend.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So his closing days were happy, after years of sordid care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For no gain can bring contentment till the poor have had their share;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he lightened many a burden, and he righted many a wrong,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the wealth became a blessing that had been a curse so long;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his secret hoard was scattered, and men said that he died poor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he found great wealth in heaven at the end, we may be sure.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-crosses-on-the-wall"><span class="bold large">The Crosses on the Wall</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>This beautiful legend has for me a most peculiar -interest, owing to the circumstances under which I -first heard it. It was taught to me by a very dear -young friend whom I had known and loved from his -infancy,—Piero, the only surviving child of Count -Giuseppe Pasolini Zanelli of Faenza. It was only last -October—eight months ago—and we were all staying -together in the home of his beloved and still beautiful -grandmother, at Bassano, in the Veneto. It was the -last evening that we expected to pass together, and -Pierino (we had never been able to give up calling him -by that childish diminutive) brought a book with him, -a collection of popular legends compiled by De Gubernatis, -and said that he had a story to read us. It was -"The Crosses on the Wall," and it has always seemed -to me as though he read it on that particular evening -to prepare us for what was to come. For some months -he had been not quite so strong as usual, yet no one -felt any particular apprehension, until on the -twenty-eighth of November he died, almost without warning. -He was twenty-two years old, of a very beautiful -character,—so good that we ought to have known he -was not for us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With him two great and ancient families come to an -end,—the Pasolini-Zanelli of Faenza, and the -Baroni-Semitecolo of Bassano: these last are the only -descendants of that Semitecolo who worked in mosaic at -Torcello.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Crosses on the Wall</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A Legend of Primiero</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Come, children, listen to what I tell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For my words are wise to-day:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From Primiero among the hills</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the legend brought away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And Primiero among the hills</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is a little world apart,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where is much to love and much to learn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If you have a willing heart.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It lies on high, like a stranded ship,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the parted wave of time;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not far from the troubled world we know,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the way is hard to climb.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the mountains rise and close it in,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With their walls of green and gray;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With crag and forest and smooth-worn cliff,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the clouds alone can stray.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when a house they have builded there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If a blessing they would win,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Above the door do they write a prayer,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That Christ may dwell therein.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And I think, throughout the ancient town,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On its steep ascending road,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In many a heart, in many a home,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Has He taken His abode.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when a burden is hard to bear—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And such burdens come to all—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They tell the story I 'm telling now,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the crosses on the wall.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T is a pearl of wisdom, gathered far</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the dim and distant past;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But ever needed, but ever new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As long as the world shall last.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For never has been since earth was made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And surely shall never be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A man so happy or wise or great,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He might from the cross be free.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The tale it is of a widow poor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And by trouble sorely pressed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of how, through sorrow and many tears,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At the end her soul was blest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She had not been always poor and sad,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her early years were bright,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a happy home, and with parents kind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And herself their hearts' delight!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A mother's darling, a father's pride,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She was fair in form and face;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A sunny creature, a joy to all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her sweet and winning grace.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then, early married to one she loved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had still been shielded well;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her he laboured, for her he thought,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And on her no burden fell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She worked, indeed; but what work was hers</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the short and happy hours?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To pluck the fruit from her orchard trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or to tend the garden flowers;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>To sit and spin, and to sing the while</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In her porch with roses gay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To spread the table with plenty piled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And to watch the children play.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Their home was a little nest of peace;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a mile beyond the town,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In that sheltered valley, green with woods,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the river murmurs down.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And she never dreamed of change to come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(Though a change must all expect,)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till the blow, like lightning, on her fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her happy life was wrecked.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But who could have thought the man would die?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were few so strong as he!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From his forest work they bore him home,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Struck dead by a falling tree.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A petted child, and a wife beloved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had hardly sorrow known,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till the strong, brave man was borne away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she faced the world alone.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Alone, with a babe too young to speak,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And with other children five:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Oh, why," she asked, "are the strong removed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the feeble left alive?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But where is the good of asking</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When our helpers disappear?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That question never was answered yet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And it never will be, here.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There was little time to sit and weep;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She must rise, and bear the strain;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Alone she stood, with the home to keep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the children's bread to gain.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The best of herself had gone with him;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had no more faith nor trust:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She could not bow to the Lord's decree,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For she felt it all unjust.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The good Lord cares for a widow's need,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But on Him she did not call.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She laboured hard, and she fought with fate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they lived—but that was all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She fought her battle with fate, and failed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As many have failed before;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If against the thorns we push and press,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They will only prick the more.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She could not bear with the children now,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she called them rude and wild;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Forgetting quite, in her sullen grief,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That she had been once a child.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, wild they were; and like all wild things</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They were light and swift and strong;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her poor, sick spirit turned away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the gay, unruly throng.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They swam the river, they climbed the trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They were full of life and play;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But oft, when their mother's voice they heard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They hid from her sight away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They did not love her, and that she knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And of that she oft complained;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But not by threats nor by angry words</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could the children's love be gained.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Respect and honour we may command;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They will come at duty's call:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But love, the beautiful thornless rose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Grows wild, when it grows at all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And she grew bitter, as time went on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Grew bitter and hard and sore.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till one day she cried in her despair,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I can bear my life no more!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Look down from Heaven, good Lord, and see</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And pity my cruel fate!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, come, and in mercy take away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>My burden, for 't is too great!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"My heart is breaking with all its load,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I feel my life decline;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Never I think did the woman live</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who has borne a cross like mine!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>To her cry for help an answer came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And solemn it was, and strange!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a silence deep around her fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the place seemed all to change.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She stood in a sad and sombre room,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where from ceiling down to floor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Along the wall and on every side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were crosses—nothing more.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were crosses old, and crosses new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were crosses large and small;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in their midst there was One who stood</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the Master of them all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Before His presence her eyes dropped low,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her wild complaining died;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For she knew the cross that He had borne</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was greater than all beside.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And He bade her choose, and take away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From among the many there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Another cross, in exchange for hers,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That she found too great to bear.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She looked for those that were least in size,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she quickly lifted one;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But oh, 't was heavy, and pained her more</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than her own had ever done!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She laid it back with a trembling hand—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"And whose cross is that?" she cried;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For heavier 't is than even mine!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a solemn voice replied:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"That cross belongs to a maiden young,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But of youth she little knows;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the days to her are days of pain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the night brings scant repose.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"A helpless, suffering, useless thing!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her pain will never cease,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till death in pity will come one day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her troubles end in peace.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She never has walked the pleasant fields,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor has sat beneath the trees;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The hospital wall that shuts her in</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Is the only world she sees.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She has no mother, she has no home,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And in strangers' hands she lies;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With none to care for her while she lives,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor weep for her when she dies."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But why is the cross so small, my Lord,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And why does her heart not break?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"She counts it little," the answer came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For she bears it for my sake."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The widow blushed with a sudden shame;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To her eyes the tears arose:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She dried them soon, and again she turned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And another cross she chose.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It fell from her hand against the wall,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she let it there remain:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"That cross shall never be mine," she said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Though I take my own again!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And whose is this that I cannot hold?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For it seems to burn my hand!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And never, I think, was heart so strong</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That could such a weight withstand."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"The cross it is of a gentle wife,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she wears it all unseen;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With early sorrow her hair is white,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But she keeps a smile serene.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She gave her heart to an evil man,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she thought him good and true;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And long she trusted and long believed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But at last the truth she knew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She knows that his soul is stained with crime,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the worst she still conceals;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Abuse and terror her sole reward,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the Lord knows what she feels!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She cannot leave him, for love dies hard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her children bear his name;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But she prays for grace, to keep and guard</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their innocent lives from shame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She trembles oft when his step she hears</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On a lonely winter night;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she hides her frightened babes afar</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From their cruel father's sight.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And she dares not even hope for death,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though his hand might set her free:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T were well for her in the grave to rest;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But where would the children be?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The widow shuddered, her face grew pale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she no more turned to look:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She reached her hand to the wall near by,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a cross by chance she took.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was not so large as the first had been,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But it seemed a fearful weight!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"And whose am I holding now?" she asked,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For it did not look so great.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"A mother's cross is the one you bear,"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So the voice in answer said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"And she once had children six like you;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But her children all are dead.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"She has all besides that earth can give;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She has friends and wealth to spare,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And house and land—but she counts them not,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the children are not there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Time passes slowly, and she grows old;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But she may not yet depart.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In lonely splendour she counts the years,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With an empty, hungry heart.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And she knows by whom the cross was sent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she tries her head to bow;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But six green mounds by the churchyard wall</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are the most she cares for now."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The widow thought of her own wild brood,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she felt a creeping chill:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, "Oh, give me back my cross!" she said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I will keep and bear it still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Forgive me, Lord" (and with that she knelt,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And for very shame she wept).</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I know my sin, that I could not bow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor Thy holy will accept.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Oh, give me patience, for life is hard;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the daily strength I need!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And by Thy grace I will try to bear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The burden for me decreed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I'll change my ways with the children now,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though they give me added cares.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Poor babes! I know, if they love me not,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the blame is mine, not theirs!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She kept her word as the weeks went on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she fought with fate no more:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was now with a patient, humble heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That her daily cross she bore.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The children wondered to see her change</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So greatly in look and speech!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She met them now with a smile so kind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a gentle word for each.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And soon they learned, from her altered ways,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What her words had vainly taught;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Their love, that long she had claimed in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Came back to her all unsought.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were merry shouts and dancing feet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the mother came in sight;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were little arms around her thrown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were eyes with joy alight.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>With love for teacher, they learned to help,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was work for fingers small:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her heart grew soft like the earth in spring,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she thanked the Lord for all!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Her girls so pretty, her boys so brave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And so helpful all and kind!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She wondered often, and thought with shame</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of how she had once repined.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For in their presence she oft forgot</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Her burden of want and care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Forgot her trouble—forgot, almost,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That she had a cross to bear!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="suora-marianna"><span class="bold large">Suora Marianna</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">Suora Marianna</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Little children, will you listen to a simple tale of mine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That I learned at San Marcello, in the Tuscan Apennine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From an agèd, saintly woman, gone to heaven long ago?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It has helped me on my journey, and as yet you cannot know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Half the wisdom stored within it, nor the comfort it can give;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But still, try and not forget it! You will need it if you live,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some day, when life is waning and your hands begin to tire,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You will think of Marianna, and her vision by the fire.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In a convent, old and quiet, near a little country town,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On a chestnut-shaded hillside, to the river sloping down,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Dwelt a few of those good sisters who go out among the poor,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who must labour late and early, and much weariness endure;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the one who did in patience and in all good works excel</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the Sister Marianna, she whose story now I tell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She was ever kind and willing, for each heavy task prepared:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No one ever thought to spare her, and herself she never spared.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All unpraised and all unnoticed, bearing burdens not her own,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet she lived as rich and happy as a queen upon her throne!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She was rich, though few would think it; for God gave her grace to choose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not the world's deceitful riches, but the wealth one cannot lose.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There are many heap up treasure, but it is not every one</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who will take his treasure with him when his earthly life is done.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Was she beautiful? I know not. She had eyes of peaceful light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her face looked sweet and blooming in its frame of linen white.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the sick and heavy-hearted she was pleasant to behold,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she seemed a heavenly vision to the feeble and the old.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She was happy when she wandered up the wandering mountain road,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Bearing food and warmth and blessing to some desolate abode,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though the ice-cold winds were blowing and her woman's strength was tried;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For she knew who walked there with her, in her heart and by her side.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She was happy—oh, so happy!—in her little whitewashed cell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Looking out among the branches, where they gave her leave to dwell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In her scanty hours of leisure; for there, looking from the wall,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were the dear and holy faces that she loved the best of all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was an old and faded picture, poorly painted at the best,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of Our Lord, the Holy Infant, in His Mother's arms at rest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But her faith and loving fancy had a glory to it lent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the faces that she saw there were not what the artist meant</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the wooden shelf before it she would often-times adorn</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the buttercup and bluebell, and the wild rose from the thorn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which she gathered, when returning, while the morning dew was bright,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From some home, remote and lonely, where she watched the sick by night.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So her life was full of sunshine, for in toiling for the Lord</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had found the hidden sweetness that in common things lies stored:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He has strewn the earth with flowers, and each eye their brightness sees;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But He filled their cups with honey, for His humble working bees.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But there came a time—poor sister!—when her rosy cheek grew pale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her eyes, with all their sunlight, seemed to smile as through a veil;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her step was weak and heavy, as she trod the steep ascent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where through weeks of wintry weather to her loving work she went.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a foot-path, lone and narrow, winding up among the trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And 't was hard to trace in winter, when the slippery ground would freeze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the snow fall thick above it, hiding every sign and mark;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But she went that way so often she could climb it in the dark!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was to nurse a poor young mother, by fierce malady assailed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That she made the daily journey, and she never once had failed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now the short sharp days were over, and the spring had just begun;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Every morn the light came sooner, and more strength was in the sun.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>All around the grass was springing, and its tender verdure spread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Mid the empty burrs of chestnuts, and the old leaves, brown and dead,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Low and small, but creeping, creeping till it almost touched the edge</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the daily lessening snow-drifts, under rock or thorny hedge.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the wreck of last year's autumn life awakened, strong and new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the buds were crowding upward, though as yet the flowers were few.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Many nights had she been watching, and with little rest by day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her heart was in the chamber where that helpless woman lay;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There the flame of life she cherished, when it almost ceased to burn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Praying God to help and keep them till the husband should return.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was the old and common story, such as all of us can hear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If we care to, in the mountains, every day throughout the year!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She who languished, weak and wasting, in the garret chamber there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had been once as strong and happy as the wild birds in the air.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had been a country beauty, for the boys to serenade;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the poets sang about her, in the simple rhymes they made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And with glowing words compared her to the lilies as they grew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or to stars, or budding roses, as their manner is to do.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then the man who played at weddings with his ancient violin,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his sad, impassioned singing, had contrived her heart to win;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And one brilliant April morning he had brought her home, a bride,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To his farm and low-built cottage on the mountain's terraced side.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a poor, rough home to look at, and from neighbours far away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But with love and health and music there was much to make it gay.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They were happy, careless people, and they thought not to complain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though the door were cracked and broken, or the roof let in the rain:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They could pile the fire with branches, while the winter storms swept by;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the rest, their life was mostly out beneath the open sky.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Time had come, and brought its changes,—sunshine first, and then the shade,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Frost untimely, chestnuts blighted. Sickness came, and debts were made;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Fields were sold, alas, to pay them; yet their troubles did not cease,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the poor man's heart was troubled thus to see his land decrease!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Fields were gone, and bread was wanting, for there now were children small;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Much he loved them, much he laboured—but he could not feed them all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So he left them, heavy-hearted, and his fortune went to try</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the low Maremma country, where men gain or where they die,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With its soft and treacherous beauty, with its fever-laden air;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But as yet the fever spared him, and they hoped it yet would spare.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a long and cruel winter in the home he left behind:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Lonely felt the house without him, and the young wife moped and pined:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still her children's love sustained her, till this sickness laid her low;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When good Sister Marianna came to nurse her, as you know.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Week on week had hope been waning, as more feeble still she grew:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Marianna tried, but vainly, every simple cure she knew.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then the doctor gave up hoping, and his long attendance ceased:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"I can do no more," he told her; "you had better call the priest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To her husband I have written; he will have the news to-day:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If he cares again to see her, he had best be on his way!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now the priest has done his office; at the open door he stands,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he says to Marianna: "I can leave her in your hands,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I have other work that calls me; if to-night she chance to die,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You can say the prayers, good sister, for her soul as well as I."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So they left her, all unaided, in the house forlorn and sad,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still to watch and think and labour with what failing strength she had.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was none to share her burden, none to speak to, none to see—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save a helpful boy of seven, and a restless one of three,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their little dark-eyed sister (she was five, and came between),</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a baby, born that winter, which the father had not seen.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Two days more! Her friend lay sleeping, and she watched beside the bed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In her arms she rocked the baby, while the Latin prayers she said,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Prayers to help a soul departing;—yet she never quite despaired!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Might not yet the Lord have pity, and that mother's life be spared?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was so hard to see her going—such a mother, kind and dear!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was ne'er another like her in the country, far or near!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(So thought Sister Marianna.) Yet to murmur were a sin.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But her tears kept rising, rising, though she tried to hold them in,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till one fell and lay there shining, on the head that she caressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Small and pretty, dark and downy, lying warm against her breast,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She was silent; something moved her that had neither place nor part</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the grave and stately cadence of the prayers she knew by heart.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then she spoke, with eyes dilated, with her soul in every word,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As to one she saw before her—"Thou hast been a child, my Lord!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thou hast lain as small and speechless as this infant on my knees;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thou hast stretched toward Thy Mother little helpless hands like these:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thou hast known the wants of children, then— Oh, listen to my plea,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For one moment, Lord, remember what Thy Mother was to Thee!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Think, when all was dark around Thee how her love did Thee enfold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How she tended, how she watched Thee; how she wrapped Thee from the cold!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How her gentle heart was beating, on that night of tears and strife,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the cruel guards pursued Thee, when King Herod sought Thy life!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How her arms enclosed and hid Thee, through that midnight journey wild!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, for love of Thine own Mother, save the mother of this child!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now she paused and waited breathless; for she seemed to know and feel</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the Lord was there, and listened to her passionate appeal.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then she bowed her head, all trembling; but a light was in her eye,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her soul had heard the answer: that young mother would not die!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, the prayer of faith had saved her! And a change began that day:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When she woke her breath was easy, and the pain had passed away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So the day that dawned so sadly had a bright and hopeful close,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a solemn, sweet thanksgiving from the sister's heart arose.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now the night had closed around them, and a lonesome night it seemed!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the sky was black and starless, and for hours the rain had streamed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the wind and rain together made a wild and mournful din,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As they beat on door and window, madly struggling to come in.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Marianna, faint and weary with the strain of many days,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the broad stone hearth was kneeling, while she set the fire ablaze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the poor lone soul she cared for would, ere morning, need to eat.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Now, God help me," said the sister, "this night's labour to complete!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a meal she knew would please her, which she lovingly prepared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of that best and chosen portion, from the convent table spared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which she brought, as was her habit, with much other needed store,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the worn old willow basket, standing near her on the floor.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>On her work was much depending, so she planned to do her best;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she set the earthen pitcher on the coals as in a nest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the embers laid around it; then she thought again, and cast</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the pile a few gray ashes, that it might not boil too fast.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the touch of sleep was on her, she was dreaming while she planned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the wooden spoon kept falling from her limp and listless hand.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then she roused her, struggling bravely with this languor, which she viewed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As a snare, a sore temptation, to be fought with and subdued.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But another fear assailed her—what if she should faint or fall?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And to-night the storm-swept cottage seems so far away from all!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How the fitful wind is moaning! And between the gusts that blow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She can hear the torrent roaring, in the deep ravine below.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And her head is aching strangely, as it never did before:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Good Lord, help me!" she is saying: "this can last but little more!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O my blessèd Lord and Master, only help me through the night—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only keep my eyes from closing till they see the morning light!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For that mother and that baby do so weak and helpless lie,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And with only me to serve them,—if I leave them, they may die!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She is better—yes, I know it, but a touch may turn the scale.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I can send for help to-morrow, but to-night I must not fail!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was in vain; for sleep had conquered, and the words she tried to say</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>First became a drowsy murmur, then grew faint and died away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she slept as sleep the weary, heedless how the night went on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With her pitcher all untended, with her labour all undone;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the wall her head reclining, in the chimney's empty space,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While the firelight flared and flickered on her pale and peaceful face.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was her humble prayer unanswered? Oh, the Lord has many a way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That His children little think of, to send answers when they pray!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was long she sat there sleeping—do you think her work was spoiled?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No, the fir-wood fire kept burning, and the pitcher gently boiled:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ne'er a taint of smoke had touched it, nor one precious drop been spilt;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When she moved and looked around her, with a sudden sense of guilt.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But her eyes, when first they opened, saw a vision, strange and sweet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a little Child was standing on the hearth-stone at her feet.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And He seemed no earthly infant, for His robe was like the snow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a glory shone about Him that was not the firelight glow.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And Himself her work was doing! For He kept the fire alive,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And He watched the earthen pitcher, that no danger might arrive</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the simple meal, now ready, with the coals around it piled;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then He turned His face toward her, and she knew the Holy Child.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was her Lord who stood before her! And she did not shrink nor start—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was more of joy than wonder in her all-believing heart.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When her willing hands were weary, when her patient eyes were closed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had finished all she failed in, He had watched while she reposed.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Do you ask of His appearance? Human words are weak and cold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is enough to say she knew Him—that is all she ever told.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yes, as you and I will know Him when that happy day shall come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When, if we on earth have loved Him, He will bid us welcome home!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But with that one look He left her, and the vision all had passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(Though the peace it left within her to her dying hour would last!)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Storm had ceased, and wind was silent, there was no more sound of rain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the morning star was shining through the window's broken pane.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Later, when the sun was rising, Marianna looked to see,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>O'er the stretch of rain-washed country, what the day was like to be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While the door she softly opened, letting in the morning breeze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As it shook the drops by thousands from the wet and shining trees.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she saw the sky like crystal, for the clouds had rolled away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though they lay along the valleys, in their folds of misty grey,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or to mountain sides were clinging, tattered relics of the storm.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And among the trees below her she could see a moving form;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was the husband home returning, yes, thank God! he came at last:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was no one else would hasten up that mountain road so fast.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now the drooping boughs concealed him, now he came in sight again;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All night long had he been walking in the darkness, in the rain;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the miles of ghostly forest, through the villages asleep,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had borne his burden bravely, till he reached that hillside steep;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And as yet he seemed not weary, for his springing step was light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But his face looked worn and haggard with the anguish of the night.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now his limbs began to tremble, and he walked with laboured breath,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he saw his home before him, should he find there life or death?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How his heart grew faint within him as he neared the wished-for place!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One step more, his feet had gained it, they were standing face to face.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"God has helped us!" was her answer to the question in his eye;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her smile of comfort told him that the danger had gone by.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It was morning now, fair morning! and the broken sunlight fell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the boughs that crossed above her, where the buds began to swell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As adown the sloping pathway, that her feet so oft had pressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went the Sister Marianna to her convent home to rest.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was spring that breathed around her, for the winter strove no more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the snowdrifts all had vanished with the rain the night before.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now a bee would flit beside her, as she lightly moved along;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or a bird among the branches tried a few low notes of song.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But her heart had music sweeter than the bird-notes in her ears!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She was leaving joy behind her in that home of many tears:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Hope was there, and health returning; there were happy voice and smile,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the father at his coming had brought plenty for a while.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she knew with whom she left them, for herself His care had proved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When her mortal eyes were opened, and she saw the face she loved,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On that night of storm and trouble, when to help her He had come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As He helped His own dear Mother in their humble earthly home.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>As she went the day grew warmer; sweeter came the wild bird's call;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then, what made her start and linger? 'T was a perfume, that was all:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Faint, but yet enough to tell her that the violets were in bloom;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she turned aside to seek them, for that picture in her room.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-lupins"><span class="bold large">The Lupins</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The simple story of "The Lupins" is very -commonly known among the country people, who -often quote it as a remedy for discontent.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Lupins</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a day in late November,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the fruits were gathered in;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Day to dream in, and remember</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All the beauty that had been.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Peacefully the year was dying;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Soft the air, and deep the blue;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Brown and bare the fields were lying,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the summer harvest grew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Autumn flowers had bloomed and seeded;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet a few of humblest kind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Waiting till they most were needed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Brought the pleasant days to mind.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Here and there a red-tipped daisy</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still its small bright face would show;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While above the distance hazy</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Rose the mountains, white with snow.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>With a light subdued and tender,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shone the sun on vale and hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the faded autumn splendour</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Left a sober sweetness still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>By a road that wandered, winding,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Far among the hills away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Walked a man, despondent, finding</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Little comfort in the day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Pale of tint and fine of feature,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Formed with less of strength than grace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Seldom went a sadder creature,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Seeking work from place to place.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He from noble race descended,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Heir to wealth and honoured name,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who had oft the poor befriended</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When about his door they came,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>By a brother's evil doing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had to poverty been brought:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now his listless way pursuing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ever on the past he thought.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He, to hope no longer clinging,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Drifted, led he knew not where,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By a sound of far-off singing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Floating in the dreamy air,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Many voices sweetly blending,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Sounding o'er the hills remote,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Every verse the same, and ending</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In one plaintive, long-drawn note.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Olive gatherers, I know them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Singing songs from tree to tree;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If the road will lead me to them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There are food and work for me."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He a humble meal was making,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he warmed him in the sun;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From his pocket slowly taking</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yellow lupins, one by one.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Most forlorn he felt and lonely,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he ate them on the way;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For those lupins, and they only,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were his food for all the day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Since to shame his brother brought him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Want had often pressed him sore;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet misfortune never brought him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Quite so low as this before!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"If my lot be hard and painful,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There 's one comfort still for me;"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(Said he, with a smile disdainful,)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Poorer, I can never be.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"There's no lower step to stand on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No more burning shame to feel:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not a crust to lay my hand on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only lupins for a meal!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He could see the laden table</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where his parents used to dine:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Well for them who were not able</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then the future to divine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Oh, but he was glad God took them</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ere they saw him fall so low:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How their cherished hope forsook them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They had never lived to know.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I, so dearly loved and cared for,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I, on whom such hopes were built,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whom such blessings were prepared for—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ruined by a brother's guilt!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now he wrung his hands despairing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Stamped his foot upon the ground;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Bitter thoughts his heart were tearing,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When he heard a footstep sound.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he started, sobered quickly,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Took an attitude sedate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With that terror, faint and sickly,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which he often felt of late.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>What if some old friend should find him?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he turned, the story tells,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he saw a man behind him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Picking up the lupin shells;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Picking up the shells and eating</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What the other cast away.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now abashed, their eyes were meeting:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a beggar, worn and gray,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Hollow-eyed and thin and wasted;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By his look you might suppose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had ne'er a morsel tasted</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Since the sun that morning rose.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Stood the younger man astonished,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And no more bewailed his fate;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Only bowed his head, admonished</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By the sight of want so great.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then he said: "Come here, my brother,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the lupins we will share;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Maybe, if we help each other,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>God will have us in His care."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Thank the Lord! and you, kind master!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>May He help you in your need;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save your soul from all disaster</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And remember your good deed!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Said the beggar, smiling brightly.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the other thus replied,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Now content, and walking lightly</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By his poorer neighbour's side,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Friend, you have a blessing brought me.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I thank you in my turn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a lesson you have taught me</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which I needed much to learn.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And henceforth will I endeavour</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not to pine for fortune high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But remember there is ever</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Some one lower down than I.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But alas, when I was younger,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Wealth and honoured state were mine;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shame, my friend, is worse than hunger:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T is for this that I repine."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then the beggar rose up stately,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Looked the other in the face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Saying (for he wondered greatly),</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Poverty is no disgrace;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"For our Lord, I think, was poorer</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Once than you or even I,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And His poor of Heaven are surer</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Than the rich who pass them by."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So the two went on together,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Casting on the Lord their care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Happy in the balmy weather,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Happy in their simple fare.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now an ancient olive o'er them</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Threw its slender lines of shade,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Bending low its boughs before them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Silver-leafed that cannot fade;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Bearing fruit in winter season,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still through every change the same:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Tree of peace—they had good reason</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who have called it by that name!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And with that the story leaves them;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You can end it as you please:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gain that cheers, or loss that grieves them,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Life of toil, or life of ease.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Did some fortune unexpected</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Give to one his wealth again?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or did both, forlorn, neglected,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>End their days in want and pain?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Many years have they been dwelling</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where such trifles of the way</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Are not counted worth the telling!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Both are with the Lord to-day.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He in whom their souls confided</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did for both a home prepare;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet that humble meal divided</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Gives a blessing even there.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-silver-cross"><span class="bold large">The Silver Cross</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The story of "St. Caterina of Siena and her Silver -Cross" is one of her many visions, recorded by -her confessor.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Silver Cross</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Through the streets of old Siena, at the dawning of the day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Went the holy Caterina, as the bells began to sound;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the light of peace celestial in her eyes of olive gray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For her soul was with the angels, while her feet were on the ground.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She was fair as any lily, with as delicate a grace;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the air of early morning had just tinged her cheek with rose:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet one hardly thought of beauty in that pale, illumined face,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the souls in trouble turned to, finding comfort and repose.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And the men their heads uncovered, though they dared not speak her praise,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When they saw her like a vision down the row street descend;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they wondered what she looked at, with that far-off dreamy gaze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While her lips were often moving, as though talking to a friend.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There were few abroad so early, and she scarcely heard a sound,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save the cooing of the pigeons, as about her feet they strayed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or the bell that sweetly called her to the church where she was bound;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While the palaces around her stood in silence and in shade.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And the towers built for warfare rose about her, dark and proud,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But their summits caught a glory, as the morning onward came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the summer sky beyond them was alight with fleecy cloud,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the gray of dawn was changing, first to rose and then to flame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>By a shrine of the Madonna, at a corner where she passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Stood a stranger leaning on it, as though weary and forlorn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a bundle slung behind him and a cloak about him cast;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he shivered in the freshness of the pleasant summer morn.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Said the stranger, "Will you help me?" and she looked on him and knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By his hand that trembled feebly as he held it out for aid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By his eyes that were so heavy, and his lips of ashen hue,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the terrible Maremma had its curse upon him laid.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So she listened to his story, that was pitiful to hear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a widowed mother waiting on the mountain for her son;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>How to help her he had laboured till the summer time drew near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And of how the fever took him just before his work was done.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He was young and he was hopeful, and the smile began to come</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his eyes, as though they thanked her for the pity she bestowed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said: "I shall recover if I reach my mountain home,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And if some good Christian people will but help me on the road.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"For I go to Casentino, where the air is pure and fine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But my strength too often fails me, and the place is far away;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So I pray you give me something, for a little bread and wine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That I may not set out fasting on my weary walk to-day."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then a certain faint confusion with her pity seemed to blend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her face, so sweet and saintly, showed the shadow of a cloud,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As she said: "I am no lady, though you call me so, my friend,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But a poor Domenicana who to poverty am vowed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I can give a prayer to help you on your journey, nothing more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For these garments I am wearing are the sisterhood's, not mine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the very bread they gave me when I left the convent door</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To a beggar by the wayside I this morning did consign.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I would give you all you ask for if I had it to command."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then she sighed and would have left him, but the stranger made her stay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he held her by the mantle, with his cold and wasted hand:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For the love of Christ, my lady, do not send me thus away!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He had used the name unthinking, but it moved her none the less,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she turned again toward him, with a softened, solemn air,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While her hand began to wander up and down her simple dress,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As though vaguely it were seeking for some trifle she could spare.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then the rosary she lifted that was hanging at her waist,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And its silver cross unfastened, which was small and very old,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the edges worn and rounded and the image half effaced,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet she loved it more than lady ever loved a cross of gold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It had been her life companion, in the tempest, in the calm;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She had held it to her bosom when she prayed with troubled mind;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she kissed it very gently, as she laid it in his palm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For the love of Christ, then, take it; 'tis the only thing I find."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So he thanked her and departed, and she thought of him no more,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Save to ask the Lord to help him, when that day in church she prayed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the cross of Caterina on his heart the stranger wore,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And her presence unforgotten like a blessing with him stayed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now the city life is stirring, and the streets are in the sun,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the bells ring out their music o'er the busy town again,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the people slowly scatter from the church where Mass is done;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the blessèd Caterina in her seat did still remain.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the sleep divine was on her, which so often to her came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When of mortal life the shadow from around her seemed to fall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she looked on things celestial with her happy soul aflame:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But that day the dream that held her was the sweetest of them all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the Lord appeared in glory, and he seemed to her to stand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In a chamber filled with treasures such as eye had never seen;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a cross of wondrous beauty He was holding in His hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Set with every stone most precious and with pearls of light serene.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And He told her that those treasures were the presents He received</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the souls on earth who love Him, and are seeking Him to please.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were they deeds of noble service? that was what she first believed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And she thought, "What happy people who can bring Him gifts like these!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For herself could offer nothing, and she sighed to think how far</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the best she ever gave him were the gems in that bright store.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But He held the cross toward her, that was shining like a star,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And He bade her look and tell Him had she seen it e'er before.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"No," she answered humbly, "never did my eyes the like behold."</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But a flood of sudden sweetness came upon her like a wave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For she saw among the jewels and the work of beaten gold</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the little Cross of Silver that for love of Christ she gave.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And I think her dream that morning was a message from above,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That a proof of deepest meaning we might learn and understand,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though our very best be worthless that we give for Jesus' love,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It will change and turn to glory when He takes it in His hand.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-tears-of-repentance"><span class="bold large">The Tears of Repentance</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>THE TEARS OF REPENTANCE I found in a -book called </span><em class="italics">Maraviglie di Dio ne' Suoi Santi</em><span>, by the -Jesuit Father, Padre Carlo Gregorio Rosignoli, printed -at Bologna in 1696. He says it was written originally -by Theophilus Raynaudus.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">The Tears of Repentance</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics medium">PART FIRST</em></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE MOUNTAIN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A wild, sad story I tell to-day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And I pray you to listen all!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>You cannot think how my heart is moved</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the legend I recall,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The legend that made me weep so oft,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When I was a child like you!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I tell it now, in my life's decline,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And it brings the tears anew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>It came to us down through ages long;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For this story had its scene</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the far-away, gorgeous, stormy days</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the empire Byzantine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And it tells of a famous mountain chief,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A terrible, fierce brigand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who ravaged the country, far and wide,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At the head of an armèd band.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So hard of heart was this evil man</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That he spared not young nor old:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He killed and plundered, and burned and spoiled,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his maddening thirst for gold;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Would come with a swoop on a merchant troop,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That peacefully went its way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the counted gains of a journey long</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were scattered in one short day!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He knew no pity, he owned no law,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor human, nor yet divine;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would take the gold from a Prince's chest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or the lamp from a wayside shrine.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In hidden valley, in wild ravine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On desolate, heath-grown hill,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He buried his treasure away from sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And most of it lies there still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And none were free in that land to dwell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Except they a tribute paid;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the robber chief, who was more than king,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had this burden on them laid.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>If any dared to resist the claim,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was met with vengeance dire;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His lands were wasted before the dawn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his harvest burned with fire.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And some day maybe himself was slain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And left in the road to lie;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To fill with terror the quaking heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the next who journeyed by.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And many fled to the towns afar,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And their fields were left untilled;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While want and trouble and trembling fear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had the stricken country filled.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>High up on a mountain's pathless side</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had the robber made his den,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In a rocky cave, where he reigned supreme</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Over twenty lawless men.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A price had long on his head been set,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But for that he little cared;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For few were they who could climb the way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And fewer were those who dared.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For those who hunted him long before</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had a fearful story brought:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They were not men on the mountain side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But demons who with them fought!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For horrible forms arose, they said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As if from the earth they grew;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And rolled down rocks from the cliffs above</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On any who might pursue.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>From town to town and from land to land,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had his evil fame been spread;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And voices lowered and lips grew grave</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the hated name they said.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The people's heart had grown faint with fear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they thought no hope remained;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But hope again on their vision dawned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the Emperor's ear they gained.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Mauritius reigned o'er the nations then;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was great in warlike fame,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he was not one to shrink or quake</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At a mountain bandit's name.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He sent a band of a hundred strong</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the troubled land's release,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To kill the man and his bloody crew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And to give the country peace.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For what was a robber chief to him?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had conquered mighty kings;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He gave the order, and then 't was done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he thought of other things.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But few, alas, of that troop returned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they told a ghostly tale;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And women wept, and the strongest men,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As they heard, grew mute and pale.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Those soldiers oft in the war had been,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they counted danger light;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From mortal foe had they never turned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But with demons who could fight?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The Emperor silent was and grave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his thoughts were deep and wise;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He saw that the robber chief was one</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whom he could not well despise.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There might be reason in what they said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the demons gave him aid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And earthly weapon would ne'er be found</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That could make such foes afraid.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But yet they will flee from sacred things,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the martyred saints, he knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Have holy virtue, that to them clings,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That can all their spells undo.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But how could such weapon reach the soul</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That for years had owned their sway?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A question grave that he pondered long;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But at length he found a way.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A reliquary he made prepare;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was all of finest gold:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For as monarch might with monarch treat,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He would serve this bandit bold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The gold was his, but the work he gave</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the skilled and patient hand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of an artist monk, who counted then</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the first in all the land.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Now see him close to his labour bent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In a cell remote and high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where all he saw of the world without</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was a square of roof and sky.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A holy man was this artist monk,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And for gain he did not ask,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If only the Lord his work would bless,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his heart was in the task.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And day by day from his touch came forth</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The image of holy things;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The cross was there, and the clustered vine,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the dove with outspread wings,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The dove that bore in her golden beak</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The olive in sign of peace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And still, as he wrought, his hand kept time</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the prayer that would not cease!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For pity stirred in him when he thought</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of that dark and stormy breast,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So hard, so hopeless, from God so far,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the little shrine would rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And perhaps if angels were looking on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>(And I doubt not some were there!)</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They saw that the work was sown with pearls,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And each pearl a burning prayer.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So weeks went on, and the shrine was done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And within it, sealed and closed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were holy relics of martyred saints</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who near in the church reposed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And trusted messengers bore it forth</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the distant mountain land;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With such a weapon they need not fear;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They could meet the famed brigand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was winter now on the mountain-side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the way was long and hard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the faithful envoys upward toiled</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In their bandit escort's guard,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Toiled up to a grove of ancient firs,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For that was the place designed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where, after parley and long delay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had the meeting been combined.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No sound but their feet that crushed the snow,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the world looked sad and dead;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They thought of lives on the mountain lost,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And it was not much they said.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The sun, as it shone with slanting ray</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the stripped and silent trees,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could melt but little the clinging ice</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Which to-night again would freeze.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They reached the grove, and the chief was there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like a king in savage state;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Erect and fearless, above them all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While his men around him wait.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He stood before them like what he was,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A terrible beast of prey;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But even tigers have something grand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he looked as grand as they.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But, oh, the look that he on them turned!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was fearful to behold;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It chilled their hearts, but they did not shrink,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For their faith had made them bold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And looking straight in those gloomy eyes,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With their hard and cruel glare,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"We come," said one, "in the Emperor's name,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And from him a token bear."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then said the chief, with a mocking smile,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"And what may my Lord command?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And made a sign with his evil eye,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the men on guard to stand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No faith had he in a tale so wild,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he somewhat feared a snare;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There might be others in hiding near,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he did not greatly care.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then forth came he who the relics bore,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a prudent man and brave,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And into the hand that all men feared,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He the holy token gave.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"This gift to you has the Emperor sent,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In token of his good will,"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He said; and at first the fierce brigand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Stood in wonder, hushed and still.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>What felt he then as that holy thing</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his guilty hand he took?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What changed his face for a moment's time</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To an almost human look?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There lay the shrine in his open palm.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet he thought it could not be:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"For me?" he asked, but his voice was strange.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And again he said, "for me?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Three times the messenger told his tale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said 't was all he knew;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The bandit looked at the wondrous work,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he could not doubt 't was true.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So over his neck the chain he hung,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The shrine on his bosom lay</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With all its wealth of a thousand prayers;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they were not cast away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Day followed day in the bandit's cave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And a restless man was he;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A heart so hard and so proud as his</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With the saints could ill agree.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The holy relics that on it lay</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did a strange confusion make;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In all that most he had loved before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could no more pleasure take.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A charm there was in the golden shrine</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That had all his soul possessed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He sat and looked at each sacred sign</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a dreamy sense of rest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was not the gold that could soothe him thus,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And 't was not the work so fine:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was the holy soul of the artist monk,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For it lived in every line.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Like one who sleeps when the day begins,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And, before his slumbers end,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The morning light and the morning sounds</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his dreaming fancies blend;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So now and then would his heart be stirred</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By a feeling strange and new,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And thoughts he never had known before</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his mind unconscious grew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Till on a sudden his blinding pride,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like a bubble, failed and broke;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With eyes wide open, the guilty man</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From his life-long dream awoke.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>From graves forgotten his crimes came forth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his face they seemed to stare:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To all one day will such waking come;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>God grant it be here, not there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then wild remorse on his heart took hold,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And beneath its burning sting</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He shrank from himself as one might shrink</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From a venomous, hateful thing.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For scenes of blood from the years gone by</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Forever before him came;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He closed his eyes, and his face he hid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he saw them just the same.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And in the horror he dared not pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he felt his soul accurst,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he feared to live, and he feared to die,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he knew not which was worst.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Yet far on high, and beyond his reach,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could see a vision dim,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A far-off glory of peace and love;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he felt 't was not for him.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Awhile his trouble he hid from all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his will was iron strong,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But never was man, since man was made,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who could bear such torment long,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A strange, sick longing was growing up</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his spirit, day by day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A longing for what he most had feared,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To let justice have her way;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Until the will to a purpose grew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the Emperor's feet to fly,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To own his sin without prayer or plea,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then give up all and die.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And so one night, without sound or word,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Away in the dark he stole,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And all that he took for his journey long</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was the weight of a burdened soul.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They waited long in that den of crime,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But they saw their chief no more;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or dead or living, they found him not,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though they searched the mountain o'er.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And in the country, so long oppressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When his sudden flight was known,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They spoke of a wild and fearful night,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When the fiends had claimed their own.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And soon the tale to a legend turned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And men trembling used to tell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of how they carried him, body and soul,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the place where demons dwell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>His men, so bold, were in mortal fear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of what might themselves befall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So some in a convent refuge sought,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the rest were scattered all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And no one climbed to their empty cave,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For 't was called a haunted place,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though soon the summer had swept away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of its horror every trace,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And mountain strawberries nestled low,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And delicate harebells hung,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In beauty meek, from its broken arch,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the swallows reared their young.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But where had he gone, that man of woe?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had he found the rest he sought?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In haste he went, but with noiseless tread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As his bandit life had taught.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And going downward he met the spring,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With its mingled sun and showers;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But storms of winter he bore within,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he did not see the flowers.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And how did he live from day to day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the ceaseless strain endure?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Kind hearts there are that can feel for all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the poor will help the poor.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In frightened pity, a shepherd girl,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As she fled o'er the daisied grass,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would let the bread from her apron fall</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the turf where he should pass;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Or workmen, eating their noonday meal</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On a bank beside the way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Would give him food, but with outstretched arm,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And they asked him not to stay.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He went like a shadow taken shape</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From some vague and awful dream,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And word of comfort for him was none,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In his misery so extreme.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Alas, from himself he could not flee,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though he tried, poor haunted man;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he reached the city beside the sea,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the Holy Week began.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">PART SECOND</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was Sunday morn, and a hundred bells</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With their sweet and saintly sound</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were calling the people in to prayer</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the pleasant hills around,—</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The morn when strivings should end in peace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And each wrong forgotten be,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That Holy Week may its blessing shed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Upon souls from discord free.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The streets were bright with a moving throng,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And before the palace gate,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With eager eyes and in garments gay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did a crowd expectant wait.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For the Emperor goes in solemn state,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With his court, like all the rest,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To the church with many lamps ablaze,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where to-day the palms are blest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And stately ladies and timid girls,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In their modest plain attire,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From curtained windows are looking down,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the shifting scene admire.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They come, they come, from the cool deep shade</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the courtyard's marble arch,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The nobles all in their rich array,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the guards with sounding march.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And stay, the square is as still as death,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the Emperor passes now;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The girls at the window hold their breath,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the people bend and bow.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But who is this that among them moves</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With that quick and stately pace?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What see they all in his rigid look,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That they shrink and give him place?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Too late the guards would have barred the way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he darted swiftly by,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As hunted creatures, when hard beset,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To man in their terror fly.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And sinking low at the feet of him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had come so far to see,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He waited silent with folded hands,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Nor asked what his fate should be.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Who are you, come in such deep distress,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And what is the grace you seek?"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The Emperor's voice was grave and kind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the stranger tried to speak.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The golden casket he raised in sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While he bent his eyes for shame;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then said he, "I am that wicked man,"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he told the dreaded name.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A shudder fell upon all who heard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the people nearer drew;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From mouth to mouth, in a whisper low,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The name of the bandit flew.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>While he, uplifting those woful eyes,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the boldness of despair,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With ne'er a thought of the crowd who heard,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His errand did thus declare:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I come not here to confess my sins,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For you know them all too well;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>My crimes are many and black and great,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They are more than tongue can tell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But here at your feet my life I lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I have nothing else to give;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So now, if it please you, speak the word,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For I am not fit to live."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The words came straight from his broken heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In such sad and simple style,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the Emperor's firm, proud lips were moved</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To a somewhat softened smile.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For his warlike spirit felt the charm</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of that savage strength and grace,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the strange fierce beauty that lingered still</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the dark and troubled face.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>So grand of form and so lithe of limb,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And still in his manhood's prime,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T would be a pity for one like him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To perish before his time.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And 't was well to see him kneeling there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whose terror had filled the land,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like a captive tiger, caught and tamed</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>By his own imperial hand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Arise," he said, "you have nought to fear,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Take comfort and go your way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And may God in heaven my sins forgive,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As I pardon yours to-day."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A murmur rose from the crowded square,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At the sound of words like these;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For some rejoiced in the mercy shown,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And others it did not please.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Some thanked the Lord for the pardoned man,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some were to scorn inclined;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And motherly women wiped their eyes,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the women's hearts are kind.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"God bless our Emperor," many said;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But others began to frown.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And asked, "Will he turn this wild brigand</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Adrift in our peaceful town?"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No word of thanks did the bandit say,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But he raised one shining fold</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the robe imperial, trailing low</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With its weight of gems and gold.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The border first to his lips he pressed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then to his heavy heart;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then rose and waited with bended head,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till he saw them all depart.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No eye had he for the gorgeous train,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As along the square it passed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>One stately presence was all he knew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he watched it till the last.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A heavy sigh, and he turned away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But with slow and weary tread;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No rest as yet on the earth for him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Not even among the dead.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He lived, and he bore his burden still,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the dumb despair had ceased:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That word of mercy had brought a change,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he now had tears, at least;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He now could pray, though it brought not light,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he seemed to ask in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his prayer had more of tears than words,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But it helped him bear the pain.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And oft in church did they see him kneel</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In some corner all alone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And weep till the great hot drops would fall</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the floor of varied stone.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And children clung to their mothers' hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When they saw that vision wild,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That haggard face, and that wasting form,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And those lips that never smiled.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But grief was wearing his life away,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And for him perhaps 't was well;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was not long on the city street</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That his saddening shadow fell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A fever slowly within him burned,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till the springs of life were dry,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And glad he was when they laid him down</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On a hospital bed to die.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>His heart was broken, his strength was gone,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had no more wish to live;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He almost hoped that the Lord on high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Like the Emperor, might forgive;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>That somewhere down in the peaceful earth</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He should find a refuge yet,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>A place to rest and his eyes to close,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the woful past forget.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He could not lie where the others lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For such gloom around him spread,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That soon in a chamber far away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Had they set his friendless bed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was there he suffered and wept and prayed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the eyes of all concealed:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Alas! but it takes a weary time</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For a life like his to yield.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The grand old hospital where he died</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was beneath the watchful care</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a certain doctor, famed afar</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his skill and learning rare.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But more than learning and more than skill</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was his heart, so large and kind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That knew the trouble and felt the needs</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of the sick who near him pined.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>With conscience pure had he served the Lord</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From youth till his hair was grey,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet only pity he felt, not scorn,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the many feet that stray.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In troubled scenes had his life been passed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He was used to woe and sin,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And when men suffered he did not ask</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>If their lives had blameless been.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>His part was but to relieve their pain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he helped and soothed and cheered;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But most he cared for the stricken man</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whom the others shunned and feared.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Each art to save him he tried in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And it could but useless prove,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For the poisoned thorn that pierced his heart</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Could no earthly hand remove,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>When hope had failed, he would kneel and pray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And his heart with tears outpour,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That God in mercy would comfort send</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To that soul in torment sore.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And though the burden he might not lift,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He could help its weight to bear;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He talked of mercy, of peace to come,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he bade him not despair.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And so, on the last sad night of all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was the brave, good doctor came</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To watch alone by the bandit's side,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When he died of grief and shame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The spring to summer was wearing on,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was the fairest night in May,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When sleep to those eyes in mercy came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the deadly strain gave way.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No candle burned, for the moon was full,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the peaceful splendour fell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Through the open window, lighting all:</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It was like a kind farewell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And scents from the garden floated in,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the silent fireflies came,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And breathed and vanished, and breathed again,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With their soft mysterious flame.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The doctor watched with a heavy heart,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>His head on his hand was bowed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He thought how many his prayers had been,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But they could not lift the cloud.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was over now, there was nothing left</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For his pitying love to do;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The worn-out body would rest at last,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the guilty soul,—who knew?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>No more to do but to watch and wait</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till the failing breath should cease;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He longed, as the counted minutes flew,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For one parting smile of peace.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He looked: a handkerchief veiled the eyes,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For they wept until the end,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And sadly still on the wasted cheek</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did a few slow drops descend.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The peace that oft to the dying comes</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was to him as yet denied,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No sunset clear after stormy day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And no brightening ere he died.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Alas! he will go away to-night,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And without one hopeful sign,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Away from pity, away from care,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And from such poor help as mine!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The doctor sighed, but he hoped as well,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he said, "It cannot be</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the Lord, who died for all, will have</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>No mercy for such as he."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was then that sleep on the doctor fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And before him stood revealed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In dreaming vision, a wondrous sight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From his waking eyes concealed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>For other watchers were in the room,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he knew the ghastly throng</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of demon spirits, the very same</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whom the man had served so long.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And two were leaning across the bed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And another pressed behind,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And some in the shadow waiting stood,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a chain his soul to bind.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But angels watched by the bedside too;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a strange and solemn scene,—</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angels here and the demons there,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the dying man between.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The angels looked with a troubled gaze</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the face consumed with grief,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And over the pillow bent and swayed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As in haste to bring relief.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And one on the bowed and burdened head</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did a hand in blessing lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said, "Poor soul, come home with us.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where the tears are wiped away."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Not so," cried one of the demon troop,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"He is black with every sin;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And you may not touch our lawful prey</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That we laboured years to win.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"We bought his soul, and the price we paid,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And our part has well been done;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We helped him ever from crime to crime,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till his buried wealth was won;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And we almost thought him one of us,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He had so well learned our ways;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So go, for we do but seek our own,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And be done with these delays."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The angel said, "He has wept his sin,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As none ever wept before,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Has mourned till his very life gave way,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And what could a man do more?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"And our Blessèd Lord, who pities all,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the sins of all has borne,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Will never His mercy turn away</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From a heart so bruised and torn."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"But how? and shall mercy be for him</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who has mercy never shown?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Can his sorrow bring the dead to life,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or can tears for blood atone?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Is he to rest with the angels now,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Has he done with tears and pain?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To-morrow morn he will wish he lay</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On the hospital bed again;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"There is somewhat more to weep for down</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the place where he must stay!"</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The demon looked at his fiendish mates;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he laughed, and so did they.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And they gathered close, like hungry wolves,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In their haste to rend and tear;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But they could not touch the helpless head</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>While that strong white hand was there.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then out of the shadow one came forth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>'T was a demon great and tall;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>An iron balance he held on high,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As he stood before them all.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And fiercely he to the angels called,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"Do you dare to claim him still?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then come, for the scales are in my hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>We will weigh the good and ill."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And into the nearest scale he threw,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As he spoke, a parchment roll,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With on it a note of every sin</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That had stained the parting soul.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'T was closely written, without, within,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the balance downward flew</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And struck the ground with a blow, as though</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It would break the pavement through.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"He is ours forever," the demons said,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>"If justice the world controls;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For sins so heavy do on him lie,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They would sink a hundred souls!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Come, hasten, angels, the time is short,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And words are of no avail;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Come, bring the note of your friend's good deeds,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>To lay in the empty scale."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The angels searched, but they searched in vain,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There was no good deed to bring;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In all that ever that hand had done,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They could find no worthy thing.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A taunting shout from the demons broke,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And each hard malignant face</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With joy and triumph was all aflame;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the angels held their place,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Though dimness fell like a passing cloud</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>On their pure and holy light;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And if ever angel eyes have tears,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>There were some in theirs that night.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But he who had been the first to speak,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a glimmering hope possessed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Still sought some good that would turn the scale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Though it seemed a useless quest.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He saw the handkerchief where it lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he raised it off the bed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>All wet and clinging, and steeped in tears</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the dying eyes had shed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He turned around, but his face was pale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the last poor chance he tried;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He laid it down in the empty scale,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he said, "Let God decide!"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>When, lo! it fell till it touched the earth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the demons stood dismayed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>It seemed so little and light a thing,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But it all his sins outweighed.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But who shall ever the anger tell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of that black and hateful band,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>When most in triumph they felt secure,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The prey had escaped their hand.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They stood one moment in speechless rage,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And then, with a fearful sound</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of shrieks and curses and rattling chains,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They vanished beneath the ground.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then holy peace on the chamber fell,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Till it flooded all the air;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The angels praised and they thanked the Lord,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Who so late had heard their prayer.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And their clouded glory shone again,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>With a clear celestial ray,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>As the trembling soul, which that moment passed,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>They bore in their arms away.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then through the room, as they took their flight,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did a flood of music stream,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>So loud, so sweet, and so close at hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That it waked him from his dream.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He looked around; there was nothing stirred</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In the empty, moonlit room,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Where a faint, sweet odour filled the air</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the orange-trees in bloom.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And the notes divine he had thought to hear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Were only the liquid flow</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of a nightingale's song, that came up clear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the garden just below.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Then up from his seat the doctor rose,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he stood beside the bed;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He knew, when he touched the quiet hand,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>That the poor brigand was dead.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The handkerchief on the pillow lay,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But its weary use was o'er,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And he raised it, heavy and wet with tears,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>From the eyes that could weep no more.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE HIDDEN SERVANTS AND OTHER VERY OLD STORIES</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span 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