Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

He had left her, -peradventure, when my footstep proved my coming,

But for her, she half arose, then sat - grew scarlet and grew pale: Oh she trembled!-'tis so always with a worldly man or woman In the presence of true spirits,-what else can they do but quail?

Oh, she fluttered like a tame bird, in among its forest brothers Far too strong for it! then drooping, bowed her face upon her hands,

And I spake out wildly, fiercely, brutal truths of her and others! I, she planted in the desert, swathed her, windlike, with my sands.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

With such wrong and woe exhausted - what I suffered and occasioned,

As a wild horse through a city runs

with lightning in his eyes, And then dashing at a church's cold

and passive wall, impassioned, Strikes the death into his burning brain, and blindly drops and dies,

So I fell, struck down before her! Do you blame me friend, for weakness?

'Twas my strength of passion slew me!-fell before her like a stone:

Fast the dreadful world rolled from me, on its roaring wheels of blackness!

When the light came I was lying in this chamber- and alone.

[blocks in formation]

But for me,

you now are conscious

why, my friend, I write this letter,

How my life is read all backward, and the charm of life undone!

I shall leave her house at dawn; -I would to-night, if I were bet

ter:And I charge my soul to hold my

body strengthened for the sun.

When the sun has dyed the oriel, I depart with no last gazes, No weak moanings- -one word only left in writing for her hands, Out of reach of all derision, and some unavailing praises, To make front against this anguish in the far and foreign lands.

Blame me not, I would not squander

life in grief;-I am abstemious: I but nurse my spirit's falcon, that its wings may soar again:

There's no room for tears of weakness in the blind eyes of a Phemius:

Into work the poet kneads them,and he does not die till then.

CONCLUSION.

Bertram finished the last pages, while along the silence ever Still in hot and heavy splashes, fell the tears on every leaf: Having ended, he leans backward in

his chair, with lips that quiver From the deep unspoken, ay, and deep unwritten thoughts of grief.

Soh! how still the lady standeth! 'tis a dream!-a dream of mercies!

'Twixt the purple lattice-curtains, how she standeth still and pale!

'Tis a vision, sure, of mercies, sent to soften his self-curses Sent to sweep a patient quiet o'er the tossing of his wail.

"Eyes," he said, "now throbbing through me! are ye eyes that did undo me?

Shining eyes, like antique jewels set in Parian statue-stone! Underneath that calm white forehead, are ye ever burning torrid

O'er the desolate sand-desert of my heart and life undone ?"

With a murmurous stir uncertain, in the air, the purple curtain Swelleth in and swelleth out around her motionless pale brows; While the gliding of the river sends a rippling noise forever Through the open casement whitened by the moonlight's slant repose.

Said he- "Vision of a lady! stand there silent, stand there steady! Now I see it plainly, plainly; now I cannot hope or doubt — There, the brows of mild repression, - there, the lips of silent passion, Curved like an archer's bow to send the bitter arrows out."

[blocks in formation]

Ever, evermore the while in slow silence she kept smiling, While the silver tears ran faster down the blushing of her cheeks; Then with both her hands enfolding both of his, she softly told him, "Bertram, if I say I love thee,

'tis the vision only speaks."

Softened, quickened to adore her, on his knee he fell before her, And she whispered low in triumph, "It shall be as I have sworn! Very rich he is in virtues, — very noble-noble, certes;

15

And I shall not blush in knowing that men call him lowly born!' MRS. BROWNING.

[blocks in formation]

"Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die.

He prest the blossom of his lips to mine,

And added, 'This was cast upon the board,

When all the full-faced presence of the Gods

Ranged in the halls of Peleus; whereupon

Rose feud, with question unto whom 'twere due:

But light-foot Iris brought it yestereve,

Delivering, that to me, by common voice,

Elected umpire, Heré comes to-day, Pallas and Aphrodité, claiming each This meed of fairest. Thou, within the cave

Behind yon whispering tuft of oldest pine.

Mayst well behold them unbeheld, unheard

Hear all, and see thy Paris judge of Gods.'

"Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die.

It was the deep midnoon: one silvery

cloud

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Fail from the sceptre-staff. Such boon from me,

From me, Heaven's Queen, Paris, to thee king-born,

A shepherd all thy life, but yet kingborn,

Should come most welcome, sceing men, in power,

Only, are likest gods, who have attained

Rest in a happy place and quiet seats Above the thunder, with undying bliss

In knowledge of their own supremacy.'

"Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die. She ceased, and Paris held the costly fruit

Out at arm's-length, so much the thought of power Flattered his spirit; but Pallas where she stood

Somewhat apart, her clear and bared limbs

O'erthwarted with the brazenheaded spear

Upon her pearly shoulder leaning cold,

The while, above, her full and earnest eye

Over her snow-cold breast and angry cheek

Kept watch, waiting decision, made reply.

"Self-reverence, self-knowledge,

self-control,

These three alone lead life to sovereign power.

Yet not for power (power of herself Would come uncalled for), but to live by law,

Acting the law we live by without fear;

And, because right is right, to follow right

Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence.'

"Dear mother Ida, harken ere I

die.

Again she said: 'I woo thee not with gifts.

Sequel of guerdon could not alter me To fairer. Judge thou me by what I am,

So shalt thou find me fairest.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »