Maddalena's confession.
55
Where worldly guests held revel, to a cloister
Trod by pure visions and up-glancing prayers!
Trod by pure visions and up-glancing prayers!
There came release. 'Twas midnight, and I seemed
In dreams to kneel as kneels the Bride of Christ.
Yet, not Madonna, but my sister guided
The hand that placed the marriage ring on mine.
While yet I slept, a sound of many wings
Filled all the air, and at my ear a voice
Chanted a cradle-hymn. Then I awoke
And heard the echoes keep one lingering note!
In dreams to kneel as kneels the Bride of Christ.
Yet, not Madonna, but my sister guided
The hand that placed the marriage ring on mine.
While yet I slept, a sound of many wings
Filled all the air, and at my ear a voice
Chanted a cradle-hymn. Then I awoke
And heard the echoes keep one lingering note!
They told me 'twas a dream, but felt I not
The constant pressure of the bridal ring?
And knew I not, though dim to human eyes,
How bright 'twould shine hereafter? Up to God
I sped my fresh hopes, that, wing-wearied, turned
To earth's most blessed shelter. Priest, as pure
As Catherine, the first nun, I wedded Heaven!
The tresses they have shorn were ne'er unbound
By love's light hand; the beauty that I laid,
The constant pressure of the bridal ring?
And knew I not, though dim to human eyes,
How bright 'twould shine hereafter? Up to God
I sped my fresh hopes, that, wing-wearied, turned
To earth's most blessed shelter. Priest, as pure
As Catherine, the first nun, I wedded Heaven!
The tresses they have shorn were ne'er unbound
By love's light hand; the beauty that I laid,
