Classic Poem

Now was the hour that hath the softest spell,
To turn the sailor's heart on homeward way,
When he that morn hath bade his friends farewell;
And on the pilgrim saddest thoughts doth lay
Of love, whene'er he heareth from afar
The bell that seems to weep the dying day.
Then I began to have no further care
Of hearing, as I look'd with eager eye
At one who raised his hands as if in prayer;
Fixing his gaze upon the orient sky,
As saying unto God: " For aught but thee
I have no thought. " And then his voice on high
He lifted up in softest melody,
Singing " Te lucis ante , " in a strain
So sweet, it was bewilderment to me.
And all the rest, with pure and humble mien,
Still follow'd him throughout the holy hymn,
Raising their eyes unto the starry train.
Now, reader, see that well thou mark my theme,
Because so fine and subtle is the veil,
That, sooth to say, the vision is not dim.
The while this noble army did not fail
All silently to gaze toward the sky,
With look of expectation meek and pale,
From heaven I saw two holy angels fly;
By each of them a flaming sword was worn,
But pointless were those weapons from on high.
Green as the summer leaflets newly born
Their garments were, that, struck by emerald wings,
Waved in a track of verdure all unshorn.
The one unto the height above us springs;
The other floated swiftly through the air,
Unto the rampart that the vale enrings.
I saw the gleaming of their golden hair;
But on their brows such glory did abide,
My mortal vision might not linger there.
" Know, both those angels come from Mary's side, "
Sordello said, " and they the valley hold
Safe from the snake that hither soon will glide.
And I who knew not where I might behold
The serpent, turn'd me to my faithful friend;
For terror chill'd my blood with shuddering cold.
And thus Sordello: " Now let us descend
Among the shadows of the royal dead;
To you they will a gracious welcome lend. "
Only three steps, methought, I downward sped,
And in the valley was to me reveal'd
One, whom desire to look on me had led.
The gloom of evening all the air had fill'd;
Yet not so dark but 'twixt his eyes and mine
Was seen what at the first had been conceal'd.
And each toward the other did incline:
Gentle Judge Nino, I rejoiced for thee
That the accursid fate was none of thine!
Nor were there wanting words of courtesy;
And then he ask'd: " How long a time has fled
Since thou hast come across the distant sea? "
I answer'd: " Through the chambers of the dead,
This morn I came, yet breathing earthly life,
Though seeking the unearthly am I led. "
And as they listen'd to my answer brief,
He and Sordello started, even as one
Whose mind with sudden questioning is rife.
To Virgil then drew near the Mantuan;
The other turn'd, and cried: " Up, Conrad, rise!
And see what by the grace of God is done. "
And then to me: " By the great debt that lies
On thee, of thanks to Him who thus doth hide
His secret springs of action from our eyes,
When thou shalt be beyond the waters wide,
Bid my Joanna that her prayers may soar
There where the guiltless ne'er in vain have cried.
I think her mother loves me now no more,
Since she has laid aside her mourning veil;
The which perchance she would that still she wore.
In her it may be seen how soon doth fail
The faith of woman when the life is fled,
And the dead love is a forgotten tale.
For her, in sooth, Gallura's bird hath made
A statelier show above her sepulchre,
Than Milan's snake, which shall be o'er her laid. "
He spake, and on his forehead did he bear
The aspect and the seal of righteous wrath,
As in due measure gentlest hearts may wear.
My eyes still wander'd on the heavenward path,
Even where the starry orbs most slowly turn,
As near its pole the wheel least motion hath.
Then Virgil thus: " My son, what wouldst thou learn? "
And I to him: " At those three stars I gaze,
With whose resplendence all the sky doth burn. "
He answer'd: " These have risen to fill the place
Of the four radiant planets thou hast seen,
Shedding this morn the glory of their rays. "
Even as he spake, Sordell, with anxious mien,
Drew him unto himself and said, " Behold!
There comes our wicked enemy, I ween. "
And where no circling rocks the vale enfold
A snake was gliding, clad in glistening mail,
Perchance like him who tempted Eve, of old.
Among the flowers there came the evil trail,
And as it turn'd, its tongue it darted, even
As doth a beast that licks itself. To tell
How moved the pinions of the birds of heaven,
I have no power: I did but see they flew,
Cleaving the air; to me no more was given.
The rushing of those wings of emerald hue
Startled the serpent, and he swiftly fled;
Back to their posts the angels turn'd anew.
The Shade who at Judge Nino's call had sped,
Throughout the combat ever fixidly
Upon my form his eager gaze had stay'd.
" If for the lamp that leads thee thus on high,
Thou in thy will such oil wouldst find, as well
May guide thee to the heights of azure sky, "
Thus he began; " if thou of those who dwell
In Valdimagra hear'st true words of fame,
To me, who there was great, thy knowledge tell.
For Conrad Malaspina was my name;
I was the younger of that ancient band;
And here I love my friends with purer flame. "
I answer'd: " Never yet within your land
Was I; but where, in sooth, are any found,
Who know you not, throughout all Europe's strand?
The glory that your noble house hath crown'd,
Such fame doth give its lords and their domain,
He who ne'er yet was there, your praise may sound.
And as I would my journey's scope attain,
I swear your honour'd race still bears the prize
Of wealth, and power, and deeds of valorous men.
On them such grace of Art and Nature lies,
They, though a wicked Head the world doth twist
To sin, alone the evil path despise. "
" Not seven times shall the sun have gone to rest, "
Thus did he answer, " in the bed which now
The Ram hath wholly cover'd and possest,
Till thy opinion, erst so courteous, grow
Fixed in thy brain, with stronger fastenings stay'd,
Than the report of other men may show;
If in its onward course God's will be not delay'd. "