Classic Poem

SOON as EURIDYCE resign'd her breath,
Soon as her soul had left her pallid breast;
Unhappy ORPHEUS, sorrowing for her death,
In mournful accents, thus, the gods address'd.

" Pity, ah! pity my unhappy fate!
" Ye gods, who over mortal men preside;
" Restore! restore, my ever charming mate,
" Nor let my supplications be deny'd.

" But, if with cruel eyes, ye ORPHEUS see,
" Nor give me back to earth my beauteous fair;
" I'll go to her , tho' she can't come to me,
" I'll go to her , and she'll assuage my care.

To Tartarus , then, the lovingspouse retir'd,
Where by the pow'r of Music he obtain'd,
Of dauntless PLUTO, what he most desir'd;
His Wife no longer was by Styx restrain'd.

But, first the god, this fatal bargain made,
Ne'er to look back t'wards Tartarus [gloomy coast];
If this was not comply'd with, [PLUTO said]
His well-lov'd spouse should be for ever lost.

And now, t'wards earth they joyful bend their way,
Each happy, having conquer'd ev'ry care;
And now, they thought they saw the light of day,
And now, the spouse address'd his smiling fair.

" Welcome, O welcome! to my arms again,
" EURIDYCE, the joy of all my life;
" Farewell for ever, ev'ry kind of pain,
" I've got again my long regretted Wife .

He turns around to clasp her in his arms,
But ah! EURIDYCE again is fled;
What anguish now his tender breast alarms,
What cares corroding burst around his head.

At first confounded, sighing deep he stood,
Nor could his heaving bosom utter more;
'Till tears succeeded in a copious flood,
And, then his hair with frantic hands he tore.

" Was it for this! for this! alas! [he cry'd]
" That I so many threat'ning dangers brav'd!
" Better by far had PLUTO me deny'd,
" Than I t'have lost thee just when thou wert sav'd!

" No more, shall I behold that blooming face!
" O thou who wert my joy, my greatest pride;
" But now, I'll follow thee , with eager pace,
" My fleeting life's now short " — he said — and died.

There came a poor soul to my door;
I knew her vile as well as poor;
But there was something in her air
Disarmed and won me, unaware.

A wailing soul looked out from eyes
Born blind to all sweet sanctities, —
As if life's husks even to her
Too meagre, poor and bitter were;

As if despite her wretchedness
And wrongs, she asked not for redress,
So much as pity, guidance, light,
A chance to grope her way aright,

If haply even for her might shine
Some glimmering of a light divine,
Some faint, heaven-lighted, faltering ray
Slow-leading to a brighter day.

I saw the hunger in her face,
And loathing in my soul gave place
To instant, yearning love, akin
To his who said, " You without sin, —

If such there be, — the first stone cast! "
And, all my weakness overpast,
Obedient to the heavenly word,
My oil and wine I freely poured.

I housed her, fed her, clothed her, brought
Garments that my own hands had wrought;
Till, 'neath my ministries, she grew
Transfigured to my pitying view.

In her poor form I but descried
A little one for whom Christ died,
And Mercy infinite stole in,
With her white hand and hid the sin;

Or, rather, held it to my view
And bade me look as angels do, —
Joying o'er one who finds the way
More than o'er crowds who never stray.

So, mingling with her tears my own,
We knelt before one common throne
And, " God be merciful to me,
A sinner! " was her only plea.

Thus clinging to his garment's hem
Who came to pity, not condemn,
He bade her sobs convulsive cease,
And whispered, " Daughter, go in peace. "

Oh sweet and gracious sacrament
Of love! I blessed her as she went,
And felt new life within me stir
Because of that new-given to her!