Maddalena's confession.
49
I stood within St. Peter's,
And heard the Miserere. Through the twilight
Burned thirteen starry tapers. One by one,
Amid the chanting of the Lamentations,
These vanished, till the last and brightest, Christ,
Sank into darkness. With that Hope's extinction,
Like a retreating wave, the chant withdrew
Beneath the cave-like shadows. Rippling echoes
Tracked it to silence. Father, on my lips
The stillness pressed as a remorseless hand!
Above, the gray-winged twilight, like a moth
Clung to the arches. I did strive to pray,
And through my soul the slow-paced, cloistered thoughts
Trod, saying "Miserere!" Deep the pause
That from the shores of that hushed music stretched
Like a black-throated chasm. I grew sick
Hearing the echoes sound it! While I gasped,
As 'twere a bird borne over an abyss
On one bruised wing, athwart the chapel roof
Fluttered a voice so sad, my panting heart
Breathed in one gush of tears. I doubt not, Priest!
White angels standing in God's presence then
And heard the Miserere. Through the twilight
Burned thirteen starry tapers. One by one,
Amid the chanting of the Lamentations,
These vanished, till the last and brightest, Christ,
Sank into darkness. With that Hope's extinction,
Like a retreating wave, the chant withdrew
Beneath the cave-like shadows. Rippling echoes
Tracked it to silence. Father, on my lips
The stillness pressed as a remorseless hand!
Above, the gray-winged twilight, like a moth
Clung to the arches. I did strive to pray,
And through my soul the slow-paced, cloistered thoughts
Trod, saying "Miserere!" Deep the pause
That from the shores of that hushed music stretched
Like a black-throated chasm. I grew sick
Hearing the echoes sound it! While I gasped,
As 'twere a bird borne over an abyss
On one bruised wing, athwart the chapel roof
Fluttered a voice so sad, my panting heart
Breathed in one gush of tears. I doubt not, Priest!
White angels standing in God's presence then
