"And I myself will teach to him, The songs I sing here; which his voice And find some knowledge at each pause, (Ah sweet! Just now, in that bird's song, Strove not her accents there Fain to be hearkened? When those bells Possessed the midday air, Was she not stepping to my side Down all the trembling stair?) "We two," she said, "will seek the groves Where the Lady Mary is, With her five handmaidens, whose names Are five sweet symphonies, Cecily, Gertrude, Magdalen, Margaret, and Rosalys. "Circlewise sit they, with bound locks Into the fine cloth white like flame To fashion the birth-robes for them "He shall fear, haply, and be dumb; Then I will lay my cheek To his, and tell about our love, Not once abashed or weak; "Herself shall bring us, hand in hand, "There will I ask of Christ the Lord Thus much for him and me: Only to live as once on earth At peace, only to be, As then awhile, forever now Together, I and he." She gazed, and listened, and then said, Less sad of speech than mild, "All this is when he comes." She ceased. The light thrilled past her, Filled with angels in strong level lapse. (I saw her smile.) But soon their flight in distant spheres ; Was vague And then she laid her arms along The golden barriers, And laid her face between her hands, And wept. (I heard her tears.) |