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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
BEQUEST OF
Alice R. Hilgard
\/
BY SOPHIE JEWETT
GOD'S TROUBADOUR. The
Story
POEMS. Memorial
1
2 mo,
By
mail,
$137
mail,
$137
Edition
cloth.
By
THE PEARL
Student's Edition
I6mo,
Holiday Edition
1
THOMAS
cloth.
2 mo,
Y.
By
mail,
By
45
cents
mail,
$1.10
CROWELL &
CO.
cloth.
THE POEMS OF
SOPHIE JEWETT
MEMORIAL EDITION
THOMAS
NEW YORK
CROWELL &
Y.
PUBLISHERS
CO.
COPYRIGHT, 1910,
BY THOMAS
Y. CROWELL
&
Co.
THE UNIVERSITY
GIFT
BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION
poetry of Sophie Jewett is too wide
its
appeal to need interpretation
through biography; and one would turn in
vain to the poems for a story of her life.
Yet those who have felt the sway of her art
may well wish for a knowledge of her life
THE
in
New
York.
Among
the found-
days were
try of central
The
New
England
1R817612
[vi]
stock, descendants of Joseph Jewett who,
with two uncles, came to this country in
1638 and settled in Rowley, Massachusetts.
Her father, Dr. Charles Carroll Jewett, married
[vii]
as they
knew
it
circling
world and
old,
"when"
of
viii
holding up as a model to his little daughshe was gone, their lovely and gifted
young mother.
suits,
ters, after
after a few
weeks of
illness.
or
bent
together
over
books
in
[ix]
strange tongues, though ever ready to be lured
from the deep window seat to range the house
or to climb the church belfry. At home she
found delight in the poets, and essayists, and
historians of her father's library, old books
that stood on her shelves to the end. During
several years, in which she was not allowed to
poems
as
well
as
all
[x]
the last ten years enshrine the country which
she loved.
Chief of these prose writings is
in
book form
in
he
general
taught courses
[xi]
and detailed, and her passion for truth made
her insistent in her search for fact and inexorable in her demand for accuracy. Thus, she
would spend many hours of many days over
one line of a ballad in a forgotten dialect, and
would move heaven and earth to discover the
force of an obscure word-ending. In the study
of the poets of reflection, particularly those
of the nineteenth century, she discussed with
her students the great problems of thought
and
of
life,
structure
[xii]
Grail," with an Introduction that makes careful comparison of the modern poem with the
dialects.
Her poems came first as swift visions, fragmentary or complete. Sometimes, alas, the
vision vanished beyond recovery; sometimes
she caught it in its fulness and translated it
into winged words; more often, words or lines
or stanzas would be lacking, and she would
search for them through patient days or
months, never content with anything less
than the right phrase, word, or metre. Most
of her poems were written and re-written in
many versions, differing often very little except to her delicate ear and her keen sense.
A life so rich in interest, in feeling, and in friendwas of necessity creative, though her
academic occupations and responsibilities sometimes checked the outflow of her poetry. Inship
her lyrics,
"The
[xiv]
a volume dedicated to the beloved memory of
her brother-in-law, Dr. Henry Hastings Hunt.
She had before this published her poetry under
her mother's name, Ellen Burroughs, but "The
Pilgrim" appeared with her own name. Nine
years later, in 1905, a second collection was
made in the volume "Persephone and Other
Poems," issued by the Wellesley College Department of English Literature for the college
library fund.
whom
poem
as
"The Pilgrim"
reached the
let
is a true poet
her golden gift be lost."
[XV
impressive from
and contrast."
Her imagination
was at once "the bliss" and the torment of
detached,
sharply outlined,
loneliness
her "solitude."
With
human
[rvi]
the refrain of a Chaucerian ballade would come
lips, adding beauty to the world without
and within. And to vision and memory she
to her
Most
who
xvii
those
say
fancy saw her face" that sight and intimate
acquaintance would have brought no disillusion, and that the reality like the dream would
"set the heart aglow."
in
Sophie Jewett was, in truth, friend and comrade even more surely than poet and teacher.
Though delicately scrupulous never to disre-
North End
of Boston,
sin and sor-
row, everywhere.
xviii
She bore
[xix]
and her faith were indeed deeply rooted. Sine
non vivitur in amore, she quoted from
Thomas a Kempis, "and it is better, in spite
of the pain, so to live." None of the poems
more truly express her deepest self than the
poems of faith and of vision. For deeper than
her feeling of the beauty, the love, and the
dolore
misery of this world, underlying her experience of its separations, was her abiding consciousness
of
unbroken
communion and
of
CONTENTS
in
first
appeared in
"
Poems."
1889
Frontispiece
^v
BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION
I.
THE PILGRIM
The Century,
,11.
3
1894.
SONNETS:
THE SOLDIER*
FRIENDSHIP
The Century, 1890
SEPARATION
Scribner's Magazine,
10
II
1887
ABSENT*
THUS FAR
12
13
THOUGHTS
14
CHRISTMAS
The
St.
15
SIDNEY LANIER*
THAMYRIS**
IN VITA DI MADONNA
(From
16
17
LAURA
XXII
18
xxii
PAGE
PETITION
LIMITATIONS
19
20
To PAIN
To CATHERINE BRESHKOVSKY
21
22
RONDEAUS:
IF SPIRITS
WALK
25
26
27
28
MlGNONNE*
29
IV SONGS:
ARMISTICE
33
EVEN-SONG*
SONG:
THY FACE
HAVE SEEN
....
LONG
Scribner's Magazine,
39
Scribner's Magazine,
SONG IN SPRING**
SONG IN SUMMER**
WITH A DAFFODIL**
36
38
1887
A
A
34
35
41
42
43
44
45
47
1905
48
49
50
xxiii
PAGE
SONG: MY HEART
HIDDEN NEST
is
AS A STILL GRASS,
51
Rostand)
53
the Italian of
D'Annunzio)
55
of
Francis of Assisi)
58
the
Latin
........
of Jacopone da Todi)
52
60
61
OTHER LYRICS:
WHEN BEAUTY
DIES
65
THOUGH UNSEEN*
AWAKENED
67
68
DEFEATED
70
A DREAM
71
Scribner's Magazine,
1888
SLEEP*
SANGRAAL*
GABRIEL*
72
73
74
76
MIDWINTER
The Century, 1902
EASTER
77
IN THE DARK
VISION
BRIEF LIFE
78
79
80
OF TRANSIENT BEAUTY
Scribner's Magazine,
81
1910
xxiv
PAGE
82
POMPEII (Unfinished)
AN
EXILE'S
GARDEN
83
FROM OVER-SEA*
SUNSET ON THE CAMPAGNA**
84
86
88
VENICE IN APRIL*
IN UMBRIA**
91
94
WHITE HEAD
The New England Magazine, 1893
VESPERS
97
IN HARVEST**
99
BETRAYED
THE
100
FEBRUARY*
103
AT SEA
104
101
102
LAND-WIND*
105
106
108
no
DESTINY*
The Congregationalist, 1893
in
JOURNEY
The Cosmopolitan, 1891
GHOSTS*
113
ANSWERED
THE WATCHER AND THE WIND* ....
A SMILING DEMON OF NOTRE DAME*
PAN AND PSYCHE*
114
115
116
THE MADONNA
117
118
HOLY EARTH**
GREETING*
120
122
[xxv]
PAGE
COMMUNION*
ENTRE Nous*
124
125
126
INSCRIPTIONS:
I.
II.
IN A
IN A
"
SAPPHO " **
HEARTH-FIRE VERSE
128
129
FOR A BIRTHDAY
130
To
132
METEMPSYCHOSIS*
LETTER*
TO-DAY'S DAUGHTER.*
133
Graduating
Class
at
136
June, 1885
151
153
155
THE SHEPHERDS
161
TORAL
TRAGEDY
(From
the
167
Italian
179
THE PILGRIM
THE PILGRIM
"Such a palmer ne'er was scene,
Lesse Love himselfe had palmer beene."
NEVER TOO LATE.
PILGRIM
Pilgrim,
it
that band;
Grass and forest overgrow
Every path their footing wore.
Men are wise; they seek no more
Roads that lead to Holy Land.
Proud
his look, as
who
should say:
lies the
way.
[4]
Gentle pilgrim, of thy grace,
Leave thy quest, and bide with me.
Love
Low
One day
if
God
will
wet:
not yet.
Went
lip
scrip.
[5]
it must be;
and have thy will;
Take thy
staff,
watch thee
o'er the
hill.
SONNETS
THE SOLDIER
"Non
vi
si
PARADISO xxix.
91.
THENot
No
No
he.
life's
common
road a
little
space;
[10]
A FRIENDSHIP
fellowship of daily
SMALL
We hold
Diverging ways.
My
life is
commonplace
life's
know
sweet grace;
space,
world aglow.
Faith soars serener, haunting doubts shrink low,
Abashed before the sunshine of thy face.
Nor
To
Some
And
When towards it through the darkness Saturn swings,
Even
1888
so
my
[II]
SEPARATION
the Eastern shore the low waves creep,
ALONG
Making a ceaseless music on the sand,
A
The
thousand miles
afar, the
dream
but though the distance seem
[12]
ABSENT
MY
friend, I
I
When on
let it
March
30, 1889
[13]
THUS FAR
my
life
Or
I,
who
stand
On
One come
And
He
to
lift
1883
[Hi
THOUGHTS
morning brought a stranger to my door.
know not whence such feet as his may stray,
THE
From what
I
way.
my
did implore
I call
At noon
Of
His creeping,
house defiled.
bade
him straight
flung him scornful alms, I
To leave me. Swift he clutched my fee and smiled,
Yet went not forth, nor goes, despite my hate.
evil steps
my
CHRISTMAS
THE
The
Christmas
overhead;
angel-song
Nor
nor
fell silent
long ago;
Cry
And
seer,
silly
And
still
SIDNEY LANIER
DIED SEPTEMBER
7,
1881
it of bird?
faint-blown reed? or string that quivered
long?
haunting voice that woke into a song
THEOr
A
Sweet
We
as a child's
listened idly
till it
A
The
field
and wave;
We
We
THAMYRIS
And they took from him
his harping.
OF
Of
Of
ILIAD
his
forgo
II.
Of
passion, loss,
thrilled
Are keener
and play.
Though
stilled.
He
IN VITA DI
MADONNA LAURA:
XXII
field
ALONE
measure with reluctant steps and slow;
I
Or
strive
flight I find,
who
fain
to go,
shield
From
How
[19]
A PETITION
WE
am
Lord,
I will
I will
I will
If
Thou
bear
repeat;
my own
heart's
utmost pain;
Wilt give
To
content;
feet.
me
once, give
me though
in a
1896
dream,
[20]
LIMITATIONS
made man to be poet, priest and seer;
God sets no snare to wound the spirit's wing,
GOD
But
From every
Truth yet
[21]
TO PAIN
by the minutes
NOTNot by
back,
the days
Not by
And
yet,
lip,
[22]
TO CATHERINE BRESHKOVSKY
IN
THE
About
-
fell,
RONDEAUS
"IF SPIRITS
WALK"
spirits
of the dead
WINTER'S TALE.
spirits walk, Love, when the night climbs slow
slant footpath where we were wont to go,
The
IF
Be sure that I shall take the self-same way
To the hill-crest, and shoreward, down the gray,
Look
for
When
If spirits
walk.
But when,
And when
Keep the
25
know
[26]
SAW
And where
his
fair.
November
21, 1895
[2 7
fields,
the
happy
fields
that lay
We
When
fields
Alone
gray,
With eager
Across the
O
O
feet,
fields.
It wins
Across the
me
fields.
not to stray
[28]
SPEAK
your name
The year
is
And
hand;
low to God,
I
November
who
listens, Margaret,
speak your name.
20, 1892
[29J
MIGNONNE
FOURTEENTH CENTURY FORM
*
MIGNONNE,
caressing,
for
my
New
The moonlight
That
New
As
now
SONGS
ARMISTICE
water sings along our keel,
wind falls to a whispering
THEThe
I
breath;
look into your eyes and feel
No fear of life or death;
So near
The
We
Some magic
upon
still;
lip;
Love hath
Though
The
burned,
river floweth unconcerned.
We
pray the
Still float
Our
deceitfully
and
fair;
sweet abuse;
This hour we will not care,
Though just beyond to-morrow's gate,
its
33
[34]
EVEN-SONG
O
COME,
whiten,
Speak,
fear;
caresses,
long to hear.
[35]
SONG
HY
face in a dream.
Soft drifting before me as drifteth
leaf
on the stream
Thy voice
The song
Who heedeth
of his heart;
[36]
SONG
thou art winged and swift,
Yet stay with me evermore!"
And I guarded my house with bolt and bar
Lest Love fly forth at the door.
LOVE,
tireless
lull
arm
me
to sleep,
caressed;
And
As a chime rang
And
at
my
ear;
Covered
me
close
from
fear.
[37]
Was
A
I
[38]
SONG
COME
(O
True
Sail
Yet
home
at last.
haven,
Though
glad they
sail;
My
ship
(The
No
O Love,
lies
at the pier
's at turn);
tide
Though
May
1893
gale.
its
haven,
it sail far,
of curlew
and sea-raven
[39]
SONG
LAUGHTER
that ringeth
all
day long
As
eager, as
wayward and
sweet.
"I
shall
a storm within,
to sudden fears,
And eyes that know the use of tears
"Ah, cruel Love! to come and teach
[40]
Thou shalt not leave me so!"
She holds him fast with tears that burn.
"
Sweet Love, I pray thee to abide.
If thou walk constant at my side,
"Nay, nay!
No
SONG
mine, so passing fair,
'st thou roses for thy hair?
thou lilies for thy hand?
Would
LADY
Would 'st
Brow
of
lily, lip
of rose,
living knows!
one knelt beside thy feet,
Would 'st thou spurn, or love him, Sweet?
If
[42]
POEM
HAST
wave
sleeping,
sleeping,
By
leaf,
or pinion,
[43]
II
Empty
me
[44]
\ cup
Fis
As pink
And
And
of green,
a tiny tip
is a baby's lip,
as
And
that
But
sunshine's kiss,
is all.
rain-drops falling
coaxing winds
warm and
will
make
fast,
at last
[45]
A WINTER SONG
the roses are under the snow:
ALLOnly
the tips
brown
From wood-path
sounds, or
meadow white;
southward
flight,
Some
Has
left
songster kind
the sweetest of gifts behind :
Music that
ripples all
From my
day long
baby's mouth.
[46]
All the stars have faded
The
away;
may
look in vain
Under
In
me and
you,
my
baby's eyes.
[47]
TO A CHILD
leaves talked in the twilight, dear;
the tale they told:
THEHearken
How
in
some
far-off place
and year,
was a dreaming
forest tree,
You were
Who
How, when
When
stirred;
still,
on fear,
peace
You stayed one golden hour to fill
My dream with singing, dear.
fell
soft
To
shelter you,
my
bird.
[48]
A SONG IN SPRING
spring is in the air;
the earth is fair;
As of old
LISTEN,
wake,
Nay,
for
Love unsmiling
stands,
[49]^
A SONG IN SUMMER
were but the west wind,
would follow you;
Cross a hundred hills to find
Your world of green and blue;
I
IF
Stories old
finger
[50]
WITH A DAFFODIL
I
am
LADY,
Shivering
Yet
my crown of winter-gold
Poets loved and maidens wore
In days of yore.
Welcome,
Your
as of
Valentine.
February
14,
1900
an honored
line,
SONG
MY
heart
is
as a
still
grass-hidden nest;
is for the sky,
me and
rest,
[52]
APRIL
,
That erewhile
APRIL,
Cypris wore; and thy birth
Is so sweet that in heaven
T is
Hast beguiled
Those exiles fleet of wing,
Exiles long time afar,
Swallows that are
The messengers
faithful of spring.
[53]
RUDEL'S SONG
FROM THE FRENCH OF EDMOND ROSTAND
wander up and down,
A-singing through the town
chestnut, blond, or brown
MEN
Some
Sweetheart:
He
merits
Who
little
things
faithful sighs
and
sings
When
'
[54]
'Tis sweet with love to burn,
to love
Always
To
and yearn,
Her heart:
Love that may not attain,
Most noble when most vain!
And my Love shall remain
Apart.
dream
Let
me
bless
of her caress:
love
my
Afar!
November
22, 1905
Princess
[55]
LA SIRENETA'S SONG
5
WE
were seven
Seven, and
sisters.
all
were
fair.
We
We
Each
The
eldest
was
for spinning
[56]
The
And wanted
all.
We
Each
And
And
And
Making
And
[57]
And
And
the
Wept
i.)
sang,
[58]
we
ST.
FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Thee
praise
for
our
Brother Sun,
OLORD,
Who
brings us day,
who
brings us golden
light.
He
We
tells
us of
Thy
when
falls
the quiet
night,
Sister
far.
We
long
[59]
For our good friend, so merry and so bold,
Dear Brother Fire, beautiful and strong.
For our good Mother Earth, we praise
Thee, Lord;
We praise Thee,
fields afford;
tireless care.
who
live
plaint
All
Each one
Thy
who
Most High,
saint.
(Incomplete)
pity and
shall
be
[6o]
NATIVITY SONG
ADAPTED FROM THE LATIN OF JACOPONE
DA TODI
beautiful mother
is
bending
where her baby lies,
Helpless and frail, for her tending;
THELow
glorious eyes.
The mother
dear
Let
little
me make merry
with thee.
hour of danger,
my
King,
Wilt thou be strong for me?
in
All the
Then
"
Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee
King no
less of
And
singing sea;
[62]
Jesu! Jesu! most and least!
For the sweetness of thy birth
Every
little
tree,
Exceedingly."
December, 1904.
OTHER LYRICS
WHEN BEAUTY
change
DIES
fall in its
fated hour;
Or what
Yet, since
sight,
dear,
[66]
Man's age-long doubt
assails in
vain
of worlds
when beauty
skies,
dies.
[6?]
THOUGH UNSEEN
the dwelling-place of the
Dead
FROM
Holy
Love, it is far
that glad, great star
shining hath hidden thee!
To
Whose
"Neither
in star
Her voice
had been,
"The dwelling-place of the Holy Dead,
Nor dreamer nor saint hath seen."
as
it
oft
Now
earth
is
earth,
Low
at
my
9,
1894
[68]
AWAKENED
PRAYED
come,
To shimmering
heights of amethyst
A bright path
Far
off I
The
led;
saw through
silver
mist
blessed dead.
And
[69]
No
less for
me
all
Paradise
thorn,
They opened
fell;
wide,
not
tell,
DEFEATED
WHEN
is lost,
the last
sword broken;
When
from the
lie
field
sleeping,
come
creeping,
of
palm to
bring you,
battle-song to sing
you,
Love, in
my
A DREAM
night, what time dreams wander
east and west,
What time a dream may linger, I lay dead,
LAST
With flare
With weight
And
they,
who
noiseless
my head,
my breast;
came to watch my
rest,
One
sighed
to go
to-day;"
fiercely life
free
her
with death
spirit,
sorrow-
shriven!"
One
said
"The
play;"
And
one,
who bent
Whispered "Dear
had forgiven."
love,
would that we
[72]
SLEEP
gray-eyed
DEARcome
Angel,
wilt
thou
to-night?
And
And
all
things ?
[73]
SANGRAAL
the wine of death he found
TASTING
sweet;
it
the more;
he touched the hand that held the cup,
if he saw the Christ look down on him,
if
drink to
[74]
GABRIEL
"That annunciation named death."
"T KNOW
JL
As
gold
bear?
Not
in
disguise
The
O Angel,
linger,
Almost
The
speak to
angel's robe; I
cast
me who
know
pray!"
let slip
[75]
Shadow about me; yet he smiled and
passed,
of
That word
God
When morning
a-quiver on his
lip.
whom
held dear;
The
grace,
The word
1895
[76
MIDWINTER
I
night
ALLWild
tangle
And shadowy
Dream-led
dreamed of
by the
roses,
sea,
garden closes.
met with thee.
Abide to
The world
heal, to save!
[77]
EASTER
NO
fear of death, or
life,
again shall
pass
these
quivering fields of April grass,
Along
under
Where,
quiet, ever holier skies
[78]
IN
THE DARK
ERD,
human hands
know
Reach through
me go,
Hold me as
if
my
fallen
most
low;
Since,
my
spent courage
lies
Stricken
beneath
disastrous,
quivering
skies,
human
eyes;
Thou
wilt avail
1907
me
[79]
9
VISION
WHEN
earth,
and
sea,
fair
And my own
Seemed part
world-mood serene
A fear,
Because
Of haggard
Was
grass
my
sin;
Did
[8o]
BRIEF LIFE
HE
of
dawn, when
He went when
made
Its
a white
Did he dream a
wistful
dream
in
some
call,
follow
of earth
on the
child
and
way?
made
mor-
It*]
OF TRANSIENT BEAUTY
and flower of grass
and flower of flame
ROSE-FLOWER
Drift to the Beauty whence their beauty
came;
Fainter are they, more brief, than this June
Yet
wind,
for the impalpable grace they leave
behind
The
years
June
may
24, 1909
[82]
POMPEII
death and time and silence softly
wrought.
Beauty, effacing horror, healing pain,
OF
fills
the
plain,
Where broken
lulls
each ques-
empty
shrine have
caught
Wan
And
That
and bought.
(Unfinished)
and
feasted, sold
[83]
AN
LIVE
GARDEN
in the heart of a
garden
about;
.the east and west, and the south and
With
To
EXILE'S
cypresses
all
north,
Straight
out.
Yet,
the garden,
think,
[84]
FROM OVER-SEA
TO
Italy
how comes
the spring?
Here
stirs
no
life
of
I see
the
Through
mists of
swim
memory
bright yet
dim
[8 5
Of
distance, light
In Italy.
hill,
at our will
[86]
THE
The
hour,
sea and the
Dome
shine through
wavering gold;
Here, where stood temple and palace and
tower,
Shadows and
grass
lie
Hiding mute
lips
complaint;
Mother of all, is
That covers
it
so
scorn or forgiving
tenderly sinner
and
saint?
of pity;
lies
more
light
than a
[8 7
Rome was
city,
Not
these,
this.
Of youth
for
newborn.
1901
is
[88]
VENICE IN APRIL: A
GONDOLA
MEMORY
motionless lying
at
bow
And you
Silent
to mine replying,
We
had floated
Where,
safe
idle-oared, content
wall.
we
lay
On
Tossed
[89]
Sound
Sounds to stay
in one's ears
and haunt
The
We
sail
that flew
we longed
to follow,
we two!
its close,
a passing rower,
[90]
We
his
gleaming oar,
The Campanile's
slender height
You may
carry
A picture,
o'er,
sea
And
To
see the
glow of that
warm
rose light,
To
*
crescent
sail.
moon,
IN
UMBRIA
UNDER
And
Among gaunt
On the hot
I
The
birds,
Say that
awake and
fall.
them
stay!
call!
[92]
Would
learn
"The Lark's"
divine "Sun-
Song,"
And how
And
"
saint-hood
we
forget;
in
sold,
prayer,
for pain;
[93]
Thou dost not answer. Down the track
Where now I thought thy feet must pass,
With patient
Ass."
The
turned to gray;
"Be
To-morrow joy
"The
hear not
all
And
1901
streets of
Nazareth.
[94]
WHITE HEAD
on the northern water,
The
The
giant
sails
And
lies in rest.
lip,
The
He marks
I,
[95]
"What" of thy past unmeasured?
And what of the peoples gone?
"What was
How
Out
of
bowed thee?
lips utter,
What
The
I feel
space.
Mocked by
Of
a laggard brier-rose;
[96]
Mocked
to his face
from seaward
By
By
life
Ephemeral and
Ah
blest.
if
He rests on
And I on
[97]
VESPERS
robins call
THE"Come
me
sweet and
shrill:
The
The shadows slip down sure and still,
But in our meadow wide and wet
There
's
half an
yield
Who
gain
An
The
One
And many
And many
Where
after one
[98]
Is
With
strive :
its
With myriad
The
And
June's troubadours
all
round
me
sing.
veil
And
like a
whisper twilight
falls.
[99]
HARVEST
IN
MOWN
meadows
wheat;
the hay
New-cut and curing
I linger, for
is
sweet,
in the sun.
air,
quivering, yields
motion to the
Where not
fields
And
And
yet
know
1903
lies,
THE
sky-line,
And break
sand,
For
How
when brave
lips
make no moan,
How
Life
can torture,
befriend
When Love
Who
entreats
feared no
him hasten,
human
even
anguish that
be,
I,
may
[101]
IN APRIL
day the grass made my feet glad;
watched the bright life thrill
To each leaf-tip and flower-lip;
Swift winds that swept the hill,
In garden nook light lingering, shook
ALL
I
The budding
daffodil.
near,
[102]
WHERE
And
all
the
trees
bear golden
flowers,
the birds are white;
all
talk,
wandered
But when
it
all
long.
Whispered of
I
day
things;
soft-foot night,
crept
1901
103
FEBRUARY
night
ESTAnd
though
were bare,
And winds were
As
if
Were moved
to dim remembering.
To-day no promise haunts the air;
I find but snow and silence where
Last night
104]
AT SEA
many
SOThe
westward
plain
of
shoreless,
homeless sea;
So
many
The
gull,
So
many
days!
Yet there
shall
come a
day
And
sleep
among
the cradling
hills
of
home.
A LAND-WIND
my
THEBut
is
cheek,
still;
With chattering
A land-wind
snarls
on the
cliff's
sheer edge,
And
cowers whimperingly.
In the sultry
wood
lies
a restless hush,
Not
a twitter falls
And
[io6]
THEThey
And
swirl
the sea on
cliff
listened,
Be named
For, crew
by crew
in his rages,
They
fleet sailed
are cunning in
know
When
107]
sea
Are a
And
moan;
In vigil unavailing
The women
They
sit like
stone.
When
sorrow
The
last,
And
With
pitiful lips
and
fingers
[io8]
still
and strong;
The
bird
is
song.
What though
Weary
Weary
Weary
at last of
all
things fair;
of soaring everywhere;
of heaven, and earth, and air;
109]
Dreameth the
My love
is
heart
Thy
Wave and
iSSi
the river
is
still
and strong;
ripple,
flits
along
with joyous song.
[no]
'
DESTINY
NOISOME
thing
covert path,
that
crawls
by
No
Yet once
it
brown
grass
The
Making
it
it
quivered
air.
By
wings.
[Ill]
A JOURNEY
the Day when Night lay dead,
She turned not back to kiss his cheek,
UPROSE
she cried,
"is
mine!
[112]
sweet," she said, and passed,
Exulting still, down the sheer slope
"Ah,
it is
Of afternoon.
Went with
Upon the
Of
Her heart
her, dauntless,
of
till,
hope
at last,
He kissed
He bowed
"How could
1889
in his
mantle gray;
the quivering
lids
that slept;
his silver
she know,
my love, my Day?"
["3]
GHOSTS
SLEPT
For
in
last night
woke and
my
sleep it seemed,
Close by
Walked
still
have
and dreamed,
cried,
my
side,
died.
Of
old
who
With
With laughing
fled so fast,
life a-thrill,
lips
and
will.
And bade
name
her stay;
Softly she turned and smiled and went her
way.
[114]
ANSWERED
MARVEL
how youth
could be bold
to say:
JL
To
my
heart
Gladly, in
prayer.
WILD
thou
In pity
For
am
my
at
casement,
be
still!
let
me
sleep;
is shrill;
We
For night
is
over sad.
THE WIND
Nay listen,
listen
for rest;
Those
I
whom
rock drowned
And
rock
men
in
may
sleep:
[n6]
DAME
as are the quiet skies
He watches where
QUIET
of glory or disgrace
done;
He
feels
He
smiles
tears,
[H7]
(A PAINTING
SIR
EDWARD BURNE-JONES)
So led thee to a
SWEET
to grief
Only
What
Thy beauty?
sterile land,
and fear at
last?
stranger this
Hides
Though
Thy
know
it fair.
Low human
[n8]
THE MADONNA
THE
years
may
Her
warm
with mother-love
blessedness, and from her eyes
Looks the mute, questioning surprise
Of one who hears a voice above
lips are
And
Life's voices,
And
his
brush,
Left earth's loud praise for heaven's kind
hush,
[H9]
Yet mothers kneel before thee
Uplifting
happy
still
With
Void
120
HOLY EARTH
ALICE GORDON GULICK
Buried in
BLEAK
dead,
Where
Madrid
exile, heretic,
is
and felon
lie:
is
said,
Above
The
wind, complaining,
may
it
good
not break
their rest,
But the
is
the spot,
[121]
Who
whom
earth forgot.
sings
rest,
in their sleep.
122]
A GREETING
MY
vexed,
Of waning afternoon.
Its glory all
While yet
around
me
lay,
paced in discontent;
When, suddenly, from far away,
It thrilled
my heart,
it
stayed
my
feet,
And
I
straight I
fair;
123]
COMMUNION
DUSK
of a lowering evening,
And an
Warm,
[125]
ENTRE NOUS
with you of foolish things and
1TALK
wise,
Of
and
aims,
Yet
all
An
names.
Ah! what
Were
aims,
underlies,
[126]
INSCRIPTIONS
IN
I.
were you
in a
garden
old,
Who
face
I.
place
NEED
By
Page
know that
The smile
And
Age-smitten forest
sings.
127
No
poet
may
forget;
And
So, leaf
Was
lovelier
[128]
of
all roses.
MELEAGER.
full-hearted as of old
When
ROSES,
Meleager garlanded
Blossom and bough of poets dead,
Lie here, and with them, daintily,
Unfaded,
And
years,
Careless
when some
star disappears.
[129]
A HEARTH-FIRE VERSE
DIM, drowned
world, where,
dull
and cold,
men
Earth
and women groped of old;
live coal
spirit's
need,
13,
1904
[130]
FOR A BIRTHDAY
CORNELIA FRANCES BATES, AET.
79
Weary
Not
Not
Maiden
Grown
by
star;
If their poets I
might bring,
Skilled to touch the harp and
sing,
Lady,
of golden days;
Blithe and sweet their song should be,
Song of her who graciously
7,
1905
[132]
TO
mia! if in truth
Raphael from heaven's palaces
'^ Our
*Jl/TADONNA
grown
As
The motherhood
in
taint
METEMPSYCHOSIS
WATCH
thy
face,
Sweetheart, with
half belief
grief.
flesh straight-
But
Again
Where
watch by mystic
taper-light,
while;
weary
[134]
murmured passion of her prayer,
Imploring heaven for boon of sacrifice;
I read behind the rapture of her eyes
look which thou didst teach me unaware.
hear the
The
now
so
faint,
field
and
me
with
brook;
Thy
face
is
turned,
full
fronting
look
Worn
decree,
spirit,
see
years,
art I
may
not bid
thee stay;
thee whatsoever chartless
I bless
Thou
goest,
fears.
God-impelled.
way
have
no
[135]
I
Thou
dise;
Thou
and
Far
off,
shall
be
light
[136]
A LETTER
last light falls across
THE
your pic-
tured face
How
red soever?
my
spirit's
eyes,
Forgive
me
"There
is
part
if
I tell
no power
myself in vain:
in this wide world to
t 137 ]
Our
souls.
pain,
For love
am
like
sight;
I
My
Hath put my
Yet
if
my
side,
No
I
vision,
self
indeed,
brought
My
heart's desire.
need
Expression for one eager waiting thought,
Not one of all the words I have to say.
I should but lean my cheek upon your
And
hand,
hold you
mute, childish
way,
[138]
But not to-night,
Sit silently,
The
and
be patient, Sweet,
have its will.
I will
let life
all is
still,
little
summer song
nights when winds lay
You knew
in quiet
furled.
I
while,
19,
1888
TO-DAY'S
DAUGHTER
OVERY
fair
to-day,
One
Thou
wise World-mother!
it
was long to
wait
in
For
this
Who
thily,
fearless
must
Face the great days to
be.
IV
Naught
is
alert, intent;
A skilful hand
On
1 141
And
least.
Who
And
appear,
stand out in this latter sunshine,
clear
Yet
more
dear,
When
twilight
slow and
still
creeps near,
And
moon
lies
asleep
On its
spent,
lips
have
kissed
VIII
Wide
years
And
again;
voices sadly
cadenced
to
young
ears,
And
gentleness;
smiles that half conceal and half
confess
^
Some unforgotten
pain.
IX
And one
ring,
Saith,
"From thy
gods avert
life,
Sweet,
may
the
A Roman
strange gift
woman's
dare to bring,
strength,
who
will
not spare
quivering death-wound at the heart
to wear,
And
say
it
Her
XI
As
starlight comes
of space,
Thy
soul,
144]
XII
Antigone, what
To
feel
woman
against her
thine?
as a
command
XIII
To
With
ways
Where women's
children's cries;
curses
sound,
and
[145]
Her
Her
love
shall
words
And
cleanse,
shall burn,
wasted,
piteous
her righteous
baby-lips
shall
learn
eyes.
xv
Shadow
shall shrink,
her;
And love shall touch her
life
for
like a
caress;
who hath
for joy,
for sin's
need,
for pain,
stain
Unending tenderness.
XVI
Around
her
closes,
quivering
and
tense,
Life's
narrow
circle of perplexities;
The clamoring
Yet
through crowd
Serene, as one
who
ring loud
Who
climbs
life's
tardy tread,
his
feet,
final
height
Forever
The
lingering light.
falls,
where
latest
[147]
every word;
It quivered with ecstatic melody;
It laughed as sunshine laughs upon the sea;
It
None
[148]
His golden song.
mote,
He
all
re-
name
In God's ear only; but one sobbing note
I49J
SIDNEY LANIER
"Let
my name
the music
is
to his wife).
shone afar
And fast he
No way too
followed
He
back;
Their breath was hot upon his fevered
cheek;
He
blood;
at last, and yet, they were too
fell
late,
For folded
close in his
The
Upon
was impotent to
his forehead,
His Love,
his
blessed,
And on
1884
Master's peace.
AMA
little
child-cries
half-fledged sparrow
wings
tries
The God-wide
have win-
flies
nowed,
For shame beneath the hedges.
This I know
When in a certain book to-night I read
How a true poet pleads Call him not dead,
Who, straying through the fields of Para:
dise,
Sudden
my own
eyes
filled
and
my
heart
said:
[152]
And
spirit's
brotherhood
New Day)
Turn
on thee and
say:
c
world hath
Thy young
and good,
And
way.'
When
skies,
Above
all
wrong and
failure, it
may
be
They
done,
[153]
TO A DEAD POET
serene,
the
Roman
UNCHANGED,
sky
Watches where Shelley's ashes lie;
About his grave slow ivy creeps,
On stone and wall and cypress sleeps
The
And, somewhere,
On
With blood
of her
Tumultuous
To
far,
read the
sublime presage!
fallen, fold
away
of yesterday;
[154]
These many years the joyous sea
Encircles reborn Italy,
But thy
clear
How
To-day,
like
peasants
terrified,
Even
life,
in sacrifice,
as of old.
Thy
southern skies
Know
The
grief
January
and glory of
23, 1905
this thing!
[i55]
GOD
sat in
were
God
heaven when
all
the harps
still;
God's voice
stream
"
I
I
I
in
heaven was
like a
mourning
God
Go
Gabriel,
me
seek
And
"
Made
joy in heaven.
II
The
heaven,
And
all
still
lute;
because
God
spoke.
God's voice in heaven was like the wistful sea
"My
world,
God's
ear.'
I stood
And where
[157]
"I learned no theme of honor and great
death;
Lord, strong folk trample weak folk for
bright gold,
wept.
I mightnotmake thee music of men's deeds,
But
my
make,
God is love,
Since
And
went
gladly,
still,
Men
Crying:
'Thou
fool!
We
sell
love
for
bright gold!'
Then, Lord,
my
my
hand.
under
[158]
The
lute
my
heart
'
Said:
Yonder men
church.
And
'That
priest
bright gold,
That kneeling
is
prince
gold,
And
poor
Then
dumb.
"I might not make thee music of men's
prayers,
Behold!
my
is
broken, and
my
heart."
God's voice
"Arise,
1
lute
my
in
singer,
[159]
The
singer stood
heaven
in
"O
I
me some
Find
simple
country on
thy
earth,
Where
may
heal
my
heart,
and mend
my
lute,
And
And
flowers,
sing to thee of clouds
seas;
And when
May
hearts."
And now
all
heaven grew
fairer, for
God
smiled.
God
my
Find him
my
green,
[i6o]
That he may
mend
his
lute.
And
sing to
me
of birds
me
of clouds
flowers,
And
sing to
seas,
And went
their
way.
Then
all
the seven-
stringed harps
Made
joy in heaven.
in
in
still.
God
the earth;
The angels stood with finger upon lip;
Only the stars were singing as at first.
God's voice
in
heaven was
like the
wind
in
June:
"I hear
my
Listen, he makes
1902
THE SHEPHERDS
THE SHEPHERDS
First Shepherd, a youth:
I
saw a wonder
Out
as I
came along:
song.
I
do not know
if
stars in
heaven have
wings;
But
look,
and
listen!
there
it
soars
and
sings.
My
is
strong.
The Angel:
I
no
fear:
The Saviour
is
come
near.
child
Who
is
them
Who
are
King
is
most poor.
here!
The King!
The
[i6 4
First Shepherd:
Where is
way?
his palace?
Can we
Second Shepherd:
We have had kings enough.
go pay
More taxes to a new one?
find the
Must we
The Angel:
The
The Angel:
Good-will, good-will and peace to
earth!
Born
all
the
Is holy.
to reign.
[165]
Third Shepherd:
When
harvests
fail,
and
all
the sheep
are dead,
To
us
who watch
beside an
empty bed?
First Shepherd:
I
think that
of
Love
is
grown,
And
hearts of
men
own,
He who
share;
There
will
fire
to
spare;
love,
yet
sit
and
feast
alone?
Second Shepherd:
[i66]
First Shepherd:
I see a
They
hundred white
circle
stars drifting
down;
Chorus of Angels:
Glory to God!
be.
Good-will to
men
shall
SIR
He saw
fall
Rode by
and Galahad
in shining mail;
glad,
He
lies,
not,
[I 7 0]
His wont by day to carp and fret,
At night to dance and sing.
The
foot
He
and
fist
of rude Sir
Kay
gate,
late,
shivering,
To
find the
Holy Grail?
set,
Yet
ice
in his breast;
On
to quest
He saw them
The
ride,
saw
like a star
face of Galahad.
And Dagonet
And
lo! a
Borne on
'Twas
soft-drifting wings ;
gentler than
Queen Guinevere's,
Believe,
"Thou
But Dagonet
What may
Low
The sweet
"Thy
voice
cursing
Dagonet;
filled
lips I
do
the air:
forget,
Or
way,
spring laid
[173]
At hermitage and
He
castle gate
asked, alway in vain:
Now
once
it
chanced that
Along a riverside,
Till, where a chestnut
his
path ran
He saw
And
close
wood began,
In eyes that
set,
And
came
The dwarf
He
Sir
He had
Swift as
it
"My
Since
He
He
He
"Thou
prayed:
Be
cried
cross,
And
in the
little child.
lay,
Dagonet
fell
on
his knee;
"He
was
to me,
for him.
[i 7 6]
When
and
Sir
Knight,
alight
tree
and ground
To
But
fare
upon
his quest.
Sir
fast while
cool,
fool,
Rode back
something in the
rider's eyes
court;
One
slow,
still
morn
of
summer's prime,
Sir
Each
told of travail
And how
Till,
when
his
and
defeat,
Sir
Galahad,
tell
Quest:
[178]
For Galahad brave eyes were wet,
(UNFINISHED)
di
Rob, Candia
Teodula
di
di Cinzio,
La
Cinerella,
Felavia
Bova,
Sesara,
Monica
della
Cogna, Anna
La Catalana
delle
Tre
Mila
di
Femo
Codra.
di Nerfa,
lenne
dell'
Demoniac Boy.
The Crowd.
Chorus of Kinsfolk, Chorus of Reapers, Chorus of Mourners.
SCENE
The Country
of the Abruzzi,
many
years ago.
ACT
house.
is stretched
ers;
end by a pitch-
fork
wax
chimney with a
and
an ancient kneading-trough,
181
on which
is
[182]
carved an image of Our Lady.
There is a
jug of water and a table. From the ceiling
hangs by cords a long shelf laden with
Two
cheeses.
the floor
feet from
the great door,
buckwheat
to
SCENE
fit,
songs of birds.
Splendore
What
Favetta
Our
little sister,
Splendore
newest, nearest!
Ornella, singing
I would be wearing,
Giovanni's feast a-faring.
Green, for by a sweet green way
Only green
To San
One came
to
woo me on
a day.
Here
is
And
the
Here
little silver
stomacher;
is
And
The necklace a hundred corals
That thy new mother gives to
Ornella, singing
long,
thee!
What
Splendore
Our
little sister,
Ornella
Here
newest, nearest
are necklace
bride,
and earrings
for the
[i8 4
And
Now
The
Splendore:
come soon;
All the folk, they come a-bringing
Baskets of the ripe spring wheat,
All the kinsfolk will
And thou
Ornella
The
How
To
find
Fresh
where
filberts
little filberts
grow,
and pistachio.
What
But he
's
up when dawn
is
breaking,
well.
little
with her.
and
[185]
The
three sisters:
Aligi!
Aligi! art
thou here?
Splendore:
Would'st thou
With the
Splendore:
Thy father in the fields
is
reaping,
The
sickle
whose
toil is
never stayed.
Favetta:
Splendore:
And a yearling
lamb they
killed
last
night,
He
[i86]
Favetta:
And
is
set aside
head
To
see, in a platter of
How
his
blood
is
bright gold,
bubbling red.
Favetta:
eyes.
"Once
had three
olive-trees,
And now
My
Ornella:
little
Him
sisters
SCENE 2
From
the
little
Candia
door
enters
their
mother,
della Leonessa.
Candia:
chatterers three,
Ah,
little crickets,
One
Burst
Now
To waken
those
who
But the
said.
Aligi!
Aligi!
O my
son!
[i88]
The door opens and
the
gravely saluting.
Aligi:
And
On
May
The
cross
sisters
up
the
door.
themselves
and gathering
as if under a spell.
Candia:
Flesh of
With
this
bread that
wheat,
is
made
of finest
[i8 9
Made
in the
old
my
birth,
Moulded
I
I
May
guide thy
and
so,
this,
that
And
Oh,
may
Christ
may
speak
to
thee,
and
me down and
of Christ;
slept,
and dreamed
190
me and
Christ spoke to
said:
"Be
not
afraid."
spoke:
"Be
sure,"
said,
"Without the
lie;"
He
said:
"An
evil
die."
And
you,
me my
fate,
pillow she
may
sleep ;
may
dish.
I
mother!
sheep
must go back
to
my
Candia:
Rise up,
rise
up,
my
son, strange
words
are these!
The son
rises, dazed.
Aligi:
Where
is
my father that I
see
him not?
Candia:
Down
in the wheat-field
vesters,
was
My
so little that I
first
communion.
his thigh.
The
first
vein,
time that
struck, I cut a
192
The
With
is.
My
fresh
father
said:
And
crook,
be a shepherd on the mountainside."
And
all
that he
commanded
has been
done.
Candia:
My
my
son,
son,
what
is
it
pains thee
thus?
He may
abide,
When
hear
far or near.
193]
Aligi:
Back
to the
mountain
must be return-
ing.
my
shep-
herd's crook
it all.
the crook
from a corner
Candia:
spicy garden
herbs.
Aligi,
I
look,
And
And
194]
And
And
for each
one
flower,
this is the sun,
have made a
and
little
moon;
the stole, and this the sacrament;
San Biagio's tower.
This
is
And
This
is
But who
door?
Candia:
Aligi,
Aligi,
why
wilt thou
make me
weep ?
Aligi:
And
there,
foot,
There
is
sheep ;
all
are
there.
must go
to the
He
and bows
Candia:
And Hope,
Aligi,
her?
Aligi:
wild clamor
mother,
loud?
is
heard far
who
is
to know,
verily.
off.
Candia:
It
is
God
And may
from blood!
Aligi:
Against the
sill,
sods,
And
And
all
the lime of
all
the furnaces,
footprint
above,
heap Maiella there with
pile
And
all
its
snows.
Candia:
My son, what
is it
stirring in
thy heart?
have no fear.
Art thou awake?
Look
at the cross of
wax,
For
it
And
hinge.
is
197
my
son,
That
there
it
may
pass,
may
give a pleasant
gift.
Why
dost
thou
ask?
Thou knowest
mother,
have
hundred
slept seven
years,
My cradle,
mother,
am come
remember
not.
Candia:
What
is
the
matter,
son?
Are
thy
words mad?
And
by
[198]
So
that
thy
thought?
Mary,
feeling
overbears
me
thy
peace!
SCENE
The
sisters
bride
of
enters,
Aligi and
accompanied by the
is welcomed by his
from
their
home.
the last
199]
SCENE 4
The kinswomen come in, bearing on their
heads baskets of grain trimmed with ribbons.
Upon the grain in each basket lies a loaf of
bread and in each loaf a flower is thrust.
The women enter one by one with rural cere-
down
monies,
They
calling
scatter
little
and bridegroom.
bride
bell
is
ringing.
"Help for
People of God,
SCENE
The
haste
and
woman
and
thorns,
like
hunted animal.
She
wine,
are
after
her like
mad
dogs.
The
2OO
The
brings her a bowl of wine and water.
uproar without grows louder and nearer;
door.
They use
and
evil
words
at
which
the sisters
He
bewitched, forgetting
veil.
Then he
to
stares
drop
her as if
at
the
end of
the
Mila
His
Suddenly Aligi
falls
weeping.
[201
He
him and
to
the offending
hand with a
coal
from
the fire.
on
selves
head
bound
up.
to the
Mila
veils
herself
202
ACT
II
Through the
mouth are seen green pastures,
snowy peaks, wandering clouds. There are
cave's great
and wine
wallets
There
is
and other
and near by finished objects:
instruments,
distaffs,
spindles,
ladles,
spoons,
mortars
sticks.
There
is
An
and with
the
olive-oil
is
lamp
Our Lady in a hollow
of the rock as in
a niche.
shepherd's pipe hangs near.
Sheep bells are heard in the silence of the
of
mountain.
It
is
in early autumn.
late
afternoon of a day
[203
SCENE
Malde,
treasure-seeker,
and Anna
the old
Onna,
their
the
rags,
Cosma,
the
are
opposite him,
looking at
Mila
di Codra sits
him.
Mila:
If
[20 4
to
pick
up shavings and
splinters.
Aligi:
Mila,
this, too,
is
wood
of the
walnut
tree.
Will
it
again?
Will
it
again ?
Mila:
"But cover
Mila,
let
still,
[205
him,
carving
For,
do not use
my
soul held in
my
tools,
I
my
hand.
What
What
Mila:
I
And
them,
with each one a
little
of
grain
incense.
Aligi, hasten, hasten, for
The
time passes,
Half-full already
is
leave,
And
whither
go?
Where he
will
may
for
my love, my shepherd,
take his
way
let
there be
meadows
And
springs of water,
wind,
And
let
him think
night!
of
me when
it
grows
[206]
Aligi:
Rome
will travel.
He
go where they go by all the roads,
Leading his flock toward Rome, toward
will
Rome
the Great,
That he may
get
Vicar,
Not
But
shepherds.
to Apulia this year will he journey,
to Our Lady of the Schiavonia
And
wood,
with them he
will
send two
little
candles,
sinner,
And
when
it
shall
be
finished,
it.
[207
Mila:
hidden
In the block, and
bound
In the wood, and
still
two
its
feet are
fast
out
And
still its
fingers,
Thou
didst
linger
making the
long
Angel's wings
Feather by feather, but
it
cannot
fly.
Aligi:
will aid
me,
Mila.
The
histories that
make our
carts so gay.
little
lamb
at the Badia,
leaf
To put upon
throat.
[208]
Mila:
is
not think-
ing,
And
Cosma
off
is
heard
the
skill.
and moans.
holy
chant
of
Far
the
pilgrimage.
Cosma
company
is dreaming, and
he dreams?
of pil-
grims,
Who are crossing over the mountain to
go down,
Perhaps, to Santa Maria della Potenza,
Aligi, toward thy land, thy land they go;
thine own house there where
thy mother dwells;
Perhaps they will pass by at little dis-
Toward
tance,
[20 9
And
and Ornella,
Perhaps, and they
will
them
say:
singing,
"Listen,
these pilgrims
And
us!"
Aligi
is
Why
most
I will
it
where
hurts?
roadway,
Mila, and beg the crucifer to carry
message
I
what
shall
say?
Mila:
Say to him:
If
Biagio,
[210]
Through the countryside that they
call
Acquanova,
Ask
woman
wilt
drink,
have more.
and it may be
Halt there, and
With
And
descend,
blessing once
again
In peace, before he needs must go away;
And he assures thee that he now is free
From
anger,
And
To
his
[211]
Aligi:
Upon thy
soul
den wind,
wind of fear.
is
And thy
voice
is
sud-
grown
faint
lying message to
my
mother's house?
Mila:
In truth, in truth, in very truth I speak,
brother, brother mine, dear to thy
sister,
thee.
212
The
For
Jorio's daughter,
come
and so
let it be.
Aligi:
And
thou go?
Mila:
I will
go where they go by
all
the roads.
then, Mila,
come with
Aligi:
me
We
Rome.
Mila:
No,
no, I
Aligi turns
to the
old
woman, who
sleeps.
Aligi:
there!
Wake
up! Get
[213
That
again.
Mila:
Do
live
heel,
Aligi, I shall
not gather up
my
heart.
Aligi:
To my own
Daughter
Mila di Codra, mine by sacrament.
Mila:
Aligi, Aligi, shall I again pass
And
man
over
cross of
wax
ing head;
the man's son spoke there and said
to him:
is
unjust, thou
mayst not
And
The
But
Cosma
stirs,
Aligi:
by the hand?
Cosmo,, shrieking:
No, do not
do not
loose him!
let
him go!
SCENE 2
The saint opens his arms,
from
lifting his
face
his hands.
Mila:
rises.
Aligi:
What
speak!
O Cosma?
Cosma,
Cosma:
Horrible things came to me in my sleep.
I dare not tell what I have seen.
I saw
saw,
But
let
me
Of God,
Now,
Aligi:
Cosma, thou
many years
hast bathed thyself with water
from the snow,
Thou
Thou
in
my
cave,
Upon my
sheepfells that
clean
night-
[216]
Thou
sleep,
Now
I will
Cosma:
does hear.
Cosma:
And do
rise
up and
rest
on
Aligi:
Cosma, Cosma,
this
is
holy truth:
[2I 7
From
Leading
my
flock,
came back
to
Christi.
When
sheepfold,
Down to my house I
my
days.
And
in
my
my
mother
Who
me:
said to
give thee
bride." And
"My
dear son,
I will
always
I
"
'T
is
well,
my
son, this
is
thy bride."
They made
the kinsfolk
bride to our
house.
And
was
like
man on
the farther
shore
Of a stream, who
beyond
lie
I2l8]
The
think
fall
on me,
heart?
slept seven
hundred
years.
On Monday
it
was
when we
late
arose.
My
And
her.
Then our
kin
Came
bringing baskets
filled
with wheat
for us.
see,
This
woman
upon
trembling
all
from head to
foot.
The
[219]
The
And
of us,
dogs!
help.
And none
stir,
And
battered
is
by those
dogs,
And
woman
With
And
the pack.
And
all
she,
by the
close
sorrowful,
hearth,
may
not slaughter
her.
Then
I,
myself, I seize
there,
My
own
heart
when
't is
And
she cries
My
weep.
as
if I
dragged
And my
sisters
And
220
eyes,
I see, I see
Saint,
on me,
It weeps, and does not speak.
I kneel.
1
And
then
My
hearth
burning
coal.
self!"
The woman
cries.
And
to me.
Cosma,
snow
Thou
thou
saint,
with water of
dawn
after
dawn;
And
thou, old
herbs
That
heal
all
woman, canst
evils
known
tell all
the
to Christian
flesh,
And
dost
lie
[221
At
know,
deep they are buried in the mountain, deep
And now I will ask of you, of you who
hear
And
The
things that
come from
far,
and
far
away,
What
voice was
it,
dis-
tances,
"How
if
thou
thyself,
up
silently.
Anna Onna:
There
is
glaspi,
red
herb
that they
call
And
And
another,
222
white,
and
it
is
called
egusa,
the one grows and the other, far
apart,
roots beneath the ground they
find each other,
But the
Under the
twine
And
And
flower,
each
seven years.
this also is written in the books,
Cosma knows the power of the Lord.
Aligi:
listen,
Cosma, that
forgetful sleep,
it sent
my
bed?
it
was that
closed
The door of
The Angel
word
Upon
the
lip
made an
eternal bond.
[223
my wife
there
by the
sign
Of the good
and of
the flower?
Cosma:
Shepherd
And
God.
I left for
That
dawn
I
And
sun.
And
Of the Beheaded.
fold,
Then
sought
my
Took up again
224]
my
pasturing and
my
pain.
And
And
it seemed always
that my sleep
endured,
that my flock was feeding on my
life.
first,
And
then
herself
stone.
stone,
At
rise,
because
Her
feet
were wounded.
Then
she said
"Aligi,
Nor
souls.
day,
ever after.
I tell
[225
Cosma:
Shepherd
Aligi, truly
mark,
The
Thou
hast removed
that consecrated
stone.
And what
shall
come
to thee
if
thy lamp
is
like
fail?
The
water;
And yet the honest
deep
Aligi:
I
pray to
The
God
Dost thou
hand
I
see
what
do?
wood
With
At
Then,
soul in
It
was
intend
it.
my flock to Rome,
[226]
And
And
Who
moun-
tain-side.
I
am
And
may
Back
go
bond,
And
that I
may
woman,
The
stranger
no sound.
And now
tell,
O Cosma,
be granted me?
Cosma:
Now
all
the pathways of a
man seem
straight
To
the
man; but
hearts.
it is
[227]
walls, high walls are built around
the City,
It has great gates of iron, and all about
High
Shepherd
A voice
O
Aligi.
outside, shrieking:
Cosma, Cosma,
Come
forth!
SCENE
Aligi:
I follow, for I
did not
tell
thee
all.
Mila:
Aligi, true
Go to the
And pray
home.
[228]
The saint goes away across the pastures.
Now and then is heard the singing of
the pilgrims.
And
my
should
have
A good
To
Aligi, I
And harm
my
feet
know
the
road.
The
parting hour
is
come
for Jorio's
daughter.
The
parting hour
is
come.
So
let it be.
Aligi:
I
know
not, thou
that comes.
Fill
oil.
There
still is
oil
And
In the skin.
wait while
go to the
pilgrims,
For now
say.
know
right well
what
I will
[229
He
turns
to go.
dismay,
calls
him
back.
Mila:
My brother, Aligi,
give thy
hand
to me.
Aligi:
is
away.
Mila:
may
kiss
it,
dear.
It
the one
is
spring
granted
to
my
thirst.
Aligi,
drawing near:
This
is
wrong.
Mila:
I
Whom
stone
[230]
Aligi:
Upon thy
doth linger
While thou dost speak, and yet
not
it
does
fall.
Mila:
Aligi,
listen!
silence.
They
We
we
With the
are alone.
Aligi:
now
as
on that
first
even-
ing
all
were bleeding.
Mila:
And
Who
who
knelt
Battista
[231
Mila, there
is
me
As
sad,
in
flocks,
And
Mila:
To walk
the shore,
I
this
might be
my
fate.
Aligi:
O my beloved!
Long
is
strong.
Mila:
Would
ing
Aligi,
[232]
Aligi:
Upon
gentians,
And
little starfish
down upon
the sands.
Mila:
Aligi, I
In thy footsteps,
Aligi:
Think
when night
shall fall!
more,
And
let
me watch
watch.
Aligi:
Mila, the
[233]
With thee
salt,
And
I will
board
Even
me thy hands
Mila:
thou
white
art
Where
is
it
gone
The blood
last
drop ?
Aligi:
He
hand
to
her as one
staggers.
They
their knees
Mila:
Have
pity
upon
us,
who
upon
Holy Virgin!
[234]
Aligi:
Have
There
is
pity
upon
us,
O Jesus
Christ!
a great silence.
The keeper
run,
turns
back at
the
woman who
Lest
more,
[235]
And wait for me, I will be back by night.
And do not be afraid. God pardon us;
Because we tremble, Mary pardons us.
up the lamp, and pray to her
Fill
for
grace.
He
Mila:
Virgin, holy Virgin, grant this grace,
I may stay with face upon the
That
ground,
Grown
may
be found
here, dead,
By
those
it us.
We
lips
(thou art
thyself
Our
1
witness).
sinned.
With our
lips
we never
of gentleness;
[236]
was a trampled pool, too much, too
much,
Have I been shamed under the eyes of
Heaven.
And who shall take from out my memory,
Mother, that shame of mine, save it be
I
thou ?
I
Mother,
born,
And
it,
faithful Virgin,
thou.
And
all
fills
my
veins,
It
comes from
far
Comes from
far it comes,
me now!)
my
inno-
cence
Of
far-off childhood;
see.
lips
Mother),
We sinned not with our lips,
our lips.
And if I tremble, 't is because
not with
I
bring
[237]
The trembling
in
my
past.
Here with
my
now
fingers
I close
my
eyes.
The trembling
not be
She
feel
My
grows.
heart will
still.
rises impetuously.
me
see, 'tis
going
out.
She runs
hangs from a
murmured
Ave
prayer.
Maria!
tecum
gratia
plena,
Dominus
[238]
She
it
in her hands,
Three
empty!
empty,
drops,
blessed Virgin!
They
shall
be
holy
for
my
extreme
unction,
Two
for
my
my
mouth,
And
all
But,
if I
What
shall I say to
him?
What
shall
say?
Before he sees me, he will surely see
Oh, Mother,
if
even
love
Might not
What
mine ?
the skin yet again, searches
about in a hamper, turning the jugs
upside down, all the time murmuring
She presses
a prayer.
[239]
O make
it
burn,
Madre intemerata!
still, while we might say
In her
Madre
di Misericordia!
She
a shadow.
woman,
Stay,
For
and
perceives
cries out:
stay,
and
may God
Woman, stay!
it may be that God
bless thee!
here.
What
thou
Give
Hast
oil?
Then
spindles,
dis-
taffs, all!
must have
Lest
it
[240]
The
woman
Mila
Oh,
sets
it
on the ground.
di Codra.
blessed
blessed,
God
one!
will
repay
This deed of thine in heaven and on
the earth!
Thou
hast
it,
hast
Thou
it!
art clothed
in black,
will
grant to
thee
To
see
again
the
dear
face
of
thy
dead,
Because of
me.
this that
Oh,
am
out!
lost!
am
lost!
It
is
to
gone
[2 4 I]
The flask slips from her hands and is
shattered on the earth.
She stands motionfor some minutes, spell-bound by the
The veiled woman bends
horror of the omen.
less
down with a
oil,
touches
hand and
crosses herself.
SCENE 4
Mila looks at the woman with quiet sadness,
and her desperate resignation makes
her voice dull and slow.
Mila:
Thy
charity avails
The
oil is spilled,
An
evil fate
is
me what
Tell
me
Christ.
not.
the flask
fallen
is
shattered.
on me.
These
things
all
his
own hand.
are new.
Now
[242]
The Veiled One, with trembling
voice:
For thee
Mila:
Ornella! Ornella,
thou!
it is
am
am
Mila:
In humbleness
I kiss
to
the feet
me
so I
might
pity, first,
[243]
Ornella:
If I was first to pity thee,
For that I have done great penance
Mila di Codra. I speak truth,
My penance is not ended yet.
since,
Mila:
sweet voice trembles while thou
Thy
speak'st.
knife that trembles in the
The
Makes
far
more pain,
so
wound
much more
pain!
Ah,
little girl,
Ornella:
Why
Oh, who
is
dead ?
Perhaps, perhaps,
Thou
it is
Ornella:
[244]
Mila:
God
I
sees my heart.
No, I have feared,
have had terrors here within.
But
own
soul!
Ornella:
No
there has
come
sorrier
poisoned autumn;
saddest leap-year could not be.
Oh, when I shut the door, to save
Thy life, I brought black ruin down
bitter,
The
On my own
head.
To us for pity!
And thou did'st
ask of
me my name,
[245]
in my house;
cursed and driven out,
And
And
am
So that
vile creature
Huddled
might remain
And
"
your
knives
And
tear
Mila
di
me
into bits."
Codra,
is
And
this,
thy gratitude.
Mila:
right, oh, it is right that thou
Should'st strike me, it is right that
'T
is
thou
To
in
the
block,
And
I, I
will
not speak.
[2 4 6]
Ornella:
Mila,
Thy
And
now
it
seems to
wear,
I could touch
me
as
if
reaching out to
thee
My hand of faith.
How
is it
Such
evil
on God's people?
Did'st thou see
fall
a-
trembling.
Her parched
And
skin
scarcely
covers her
dry bones,
her poor gums look whiter
in her
mouth
Than
first
On
rain
And when
the
fell
see,
now
she
will go;
When
down and
Ah, but
die."
He
His
[247
of his
is
grown
infected,
help
us!)
His head
And
all
is
as
if
burned by a black
fire.
phemies
Enough
And we
How
chatter!
What
has come
upon thee?
Mila:
So, always, at the sinking of the sun
This
is
the hour
when
fires
are lighted
up.
But speak
pity.
on, speak to
me now
without
[248]
Ornella:
came home,
And
And
all
Mila:
is
thou sure
he at the
fold?
sure, Ornella?
[249]
Ornella:
I
since,
nor
know
came up here
Surely that he
to
the
mountain.
At Gionco he had business, as I know;
Perhaps he will not come. Don't be afraid,
But, oh, do listen to me. For the sake
evil spell.
Mila:
I
am
Me, woman
of
ill-life,
me
magician's
The
A little
me
But
I,
[250]
I will
Of
not speak.
sister I
(And
if I
May my
the
By
me by
me down
And
name only
the hair
Ornella:
Almighty God!
Thou
hast wrought a
miracle!
Mila:
This
This
is
is
my
Child,
love.
I
say no more.
Her
Ere thou
did'st
her way;
was departing,
come
to call
it,
innocent!
of Aligi,
[251]
SCENE 6
ila di
old
Codra
woman, and
looks at the
man who
tall
escapes.
Lazaro di Roio:
He
He
of blood
was drawn
On
He
[252]
Not
My
woman,
And now
A cord of hemp
And one
I also
of rushes.
Mila remains
have,
God be
praised!
Mila
Or
di
Now
To
There
No
move
bell to
keep thee
safe.
Besides, I
Ve two
[253]
Yet, none the
'T
is
And
Mila:
What
me?
Thou
dost come,
Though
I shall
Put me
With the
And
down
ass,
The
say: "Here
Sorceress!"
And
let
is
To draw my
fire.
[254]
Lazaro, at the first suggestion, gathers up
the sack of simples and scrutinizes it.
He
throws
it
disgust.
Lazaro:
Thou
for
who knows
how?
I
But
He makes
He
and
there
[255]
Mila :
Don't touch me! Let me go!
son
Thy
is
for shame!
behind thee, there!
there,
SCENE 7
Aligi appears on the threshold.
Seeing his
father he loses every trace of color.
and son
Father
Lazaro:
Who
is it?
Who
is
it?
Aligi?
Aligi:
As whey when
it
terrified.
Aligi:
What, Father,
is
thy
will to
Lazaro:
My
will to
Of me
is
do?
To
ask
do?
[2 5 6]
But
I will tell
thee that
want
I will settle
Aligi:
this.
Lazaro:
Now
for
thy very
life
obey!
Aligi:
Thou
But
woman
leave this
to herself;
Leave
Do
Lazaro:
Now God
has
made
whom
thou speakest?
Dost thou not see (thine eyes were shut),
Is it
a saint of
[257
thy sheep
Should see her they would butt at her.
Dost thou dare bid me not offend her!
if
Aligi:
If
before
If before
My
God
man
father, I
it
He
lied
now
in
thy throat.
himself
woman,
takes a
jew
Lazaro:
What
May
thy tongue
wither!
And do
Aligi:
My father,
God
be our judge;
But this poor creature to thy rage
I will not leave, I cannot
While
let
I live.
Let
God
be judge.
Lazaro:
'T
is
who am thy
Am I to thee,
judge.
Now who
Aligi:
Thou
art
my
father, dear to
me.
Lazaro:
am
Thou
In
my
art
stall;
[259]
To
The
Aligi:
to
contain his
on
the shoulder.
Lazaro:
Down,
get thee
down
down!
Aligi falls on his knees.
Aligi:
see me
here I kneel
Before thee, kneel, and kiss the earth.
And in the name of the living God
My father,
And
true,
by
my
first cry,
then when
[260]
was born to thee and thou didst take
in your hands and lifted me,
Ere I was wrapped in swaddling bands,
Up toward the Holy Face of Christ,
I
Me
Do
To
I
the
pray thee
That
sees
in the block!
Lazaro:
Go
And
He
strikes
him
Aligi
Aligi:
Now may
Me
right;
Father,
but
I will
I,
not
lift
my
hand.
[26l]
Lazaro:
Accursed!
He
to
sudden jerk.
Aligi:
That
That
touch not
my
father, no!
to the
threshold calling.
Lazaro:
Look
at
him
In his face.
there.
There
is
no blood
[262]
Femo, thou hast the
cord.
bind
So,
him.
*******
Now
bind him
fast,
Aligi:
know
I remember
thee.
was a little child
I used to go and gather olives
In thy field, Jenne dell' Eta.
Yes, I remember. Do not, Jenne,
Do not abuse and shame me so!
Jenne,
How when
try to
His
is
Mila:
Aligi, Aligi, God will help!
not despair.
God will avenge!
Do
[26 3
But while
Have
my
am
Aligi, I
heart
is left
am
thine,
have
faith!
to me,
thine!
faith!
For aid
will
come.
Take
May God
heart, Aligi.
SCENE
Mila remains with
strained
to
and ear
eyes fixed,
help thee!
In
Far
cave, slyly.
off is
valley.
Lazaro:
So,
Am master here.
And now
here, inside,
'T
is
Here
fear,
Not have
Upon the
[26 4
Is well to do,
What
art
Mila,
is
rich!
thou looking
at,
expecting?
Mila:
I
No
She watches in
appear
the
one comes.
save her.
to
to
deceive the
Lazaro:
Thou
Don't
fear.
Mila:
di Roio, I am thinking.
think what thou didst promise me.
Lazaro
I
I think.
be sure?
Lazaro:
I will
keep
my word.
God
will
prosper me.
Come
here.
Mila:
*******
And Candia
And thy
della Leonessa?
[26 5
Lazaro:
Come
here.
Here,
look here:
I
Ve twenty
ducats sewed up
Sewed in this
them?
safe.
skin.
There, hark!
them
ring?
of pure silver.
Mila:
I
want
To
I
'11
to see
them
first.
want
Lazaro:
stare at?
tain
Thou
me
here.
Thou
He
think'st to keep
the
shadow, and
me
The
dallying so.
woman
flees into
walnut block.
Mila:
alone!
No! No!
[266]
Don't touch me!
comes!
Thy
daughter comes!
Ornella comes.
No! No!
Ornella!
to resist
Ornella, help!
upon
fixed.
He
He
sees
where the
walnut block,
the hatchet
brandishes
blind with
it,
horror.
Aligi
Let her
He
go, quick,
upon thy
life!
Ornella arrives;
Ornella
I let
cry.
him
go!
I let
him
go!
AngeVs
[26 7
ACT
III
At the back an
great threshing floor.
old oak, behind it the open country bounded
by mountains, the river between. At the
left,
and
straw-rick.
SCENE
godmother.
tree,
the death
[268]
what
coming.
being led
pardon
to
before he dies,
him, as
and
that she
the funeral
drum
is heard.
Femo
tells
how
spot of blood
upon
it.
and approaches
the door.
SCENE
The mother wanders in her mind, confusing her sorrows with those of the Blessed
The frightened women kneel in
Virgin.
prayer.
The daughters
mother back.
[26 9
is
is
coming, Aligi
forgiveness
and
to
coming now
to
ask thy
is
saved."
crowd of people,
all
the
countryside,
mourning,
tell
Lazaro,
SCENE
They
close.
set
it
down.
and
others
in a cloth.
wrapped
The crowd
presses
[270]
The
chorus
terrible ^death
mourners
of
Aligi,
of
laments
now
so
the
near, the
hand, the cord, the sack. lona announces the condemnation of Aligi, and tells
cut-off
Candia
that she
the
to
cup
may
lift
the veil
and hold
bitter.
Aligi falls at her
call
her mother, he
he
no
longer
feet:
may
will not drink her cup, for his death is no
more painful than he deserves. The crowd
death will be so
looks pityingly upon the mother, grown whitehaired in two nights. Aligi addresses his
sisters: he must not speak their names nor
call
them
drive
sisters
him away
any more.
like
a dog.
They ought
He
to
has two
pastures,
and
the
to
his heart,
shed.
Aligi
speaks
to
Vienda,
"virgin
and
[271
Let her
"
place.
LAST SCENE
Mila
di
She
crowd.
Aligi
is
she has
many
bewitched him.
evils
upon them
as the
woman
The Saint of
heart,
and has
the
[272]
the innocent.
tells
to witness.
"Do
not listen
When
misleading you.
to her.
all of
you
She
is
cried out
of God."
Mila
replies:
"0
youth so credulous
was
and
'Twas a
apostate.
wicked,
a false
dark hut,
"
Let
innocent.
her
Take
him go free"
Ornella.
Aligi is
Let
bonds, lona.
The crowd takes up the cry
alone,
off his
[273]
"
and adds:
the
To
the
witch,
"
flames with
Mila
daughter of Jorio."
the
to
flame
me:
Aligi,
heard,
who
believed,
wicked angel,
the
it is
if
he
the
who
let
them cut
the
Ornella
light of God illumined those eyes.
cries: "Mila, Mila, it is the mixed wine,
the
cup of comfort
that his
mother gave
wildly on
curse her,
cry:
him"
more
not, thou
still
Thon
shouldest
must not"
The
Aligi falls in his mother's arms.
on
black
veil
the
are
thongs
put upon Mila,
her head; the black standard is raised once
more, and she is led away. Ornella calls to
[274]
her:
kiss
"Mila, Mila,
my
sister
in Christ,
And Mila,
as they go"
midst of the mocking throng, is
thy feet
from
heard:
the
"
The flame
beautiful."
is beautiful, the
flame
is
YC158993