Maddalena's confession.
47
My father greeted him; my mother gave
Her white hand freely, while her laughter mixed
With their gay talk; and I, a space apart,
Smiled him glad welcome, with my every pulse
Answering the cordial music of his voice.
Oh, he was changed! I dared no longer chide
If his bold mirth trod heedlessly too close
To holy things. I stood with eyes abased;
Rebuke awed into silence. He had sprung
Suddenly to full manhood. In his words
There was an athlete's sinew, though they played
With great things carelessly, as a fresh wind
Provokes the sea to laughter, and his pride
Ever seemed well placed, like a castle set
Upon a mountain. All my womanhood
Did homage to his strength. The life that coiled
Lazily at my heart, leapt through my veins
With crest uplift, if mid the halls I heard
His footfall ring. Oh, father, when he left,
Gone was the smile from sweet St. Catherine's lip!
And the grave saints frowned on me; and my thoughts,
Shapen to prayer, put on unholy guise,
Her white hand freely, while her laughter mixed
With their gay talk; and I, a space apart,
Smiled him glad welcome, with my every pulse
Answering the cordial music of his voice.
Oh, he was changed! I dared no longer chide
If his bold mirth trod heedlessly too close
To holy things. I stood with eyes abased;
Rebuke awed into silence. He had sprung
Suddenly to full manhood. In his words
There was an athlete's sinew, though they played
With great things carelessly, as a fresh wind
Provokes the sea to laughter, and his pride
Ever seemed well placed, like a castle set
Upon a mountain. All my womanhood
Did homage to his strength. The life that coiled
Lazily at my heart, leapt through my veins
With crest uplift, if mid the halls I heard
His footfall ring. Oh, father, when he left,
Gone was the smile from sweet St. Catherine's lip!
And the grave saints frowned on me; and my thoughts,
Shapen to prayer, put on unholy guise,
