280
FROM HOUSE TO HOME.
Then marked I how a chain sustained her form,
A chain of living links not made nor riven:
It stretched sheer up through lightning, wind and storm,
And anchored fast in heaven.
A chain of living links not made nor riven:
It stretched sheer up through lightning, wind and storm,
And anchored fast in heaven.
One cried: "How long? yet founded on the Rock
She shall do battle, suffer, and attain."—
One answered: "Faith quakes in the tempest shock:
Strengthen her soul again."
She shall do battle, suffer, and attain."—
One answered: "Faith quakes in the tempest shock:
Strengthen her soul again."
I saw a cup sent down and come to her
Brimfull of loathing and of bitterness:
She drank with livid lips that seemed to stir
The depth, not make it less.
Brimfull of loathing and of bitterness:
She drank with livid lips that seemed to stir
The depth, not make it less.
But as she drank I spied a hand distil
New wine and virgin honey; making it
First bitter-sweet, then sweet indeed, until
She tasted only sweet.
New wine and virgin honey; making it
First bitter-sweet, then sweet indeed, until
She tasted only sweet.
Her lips and cheeks waxed rosy-fresh and young;
Drinking she sang: "My soul shall nothing want;"
And drank anew: while soft a song was sung,
A mystical slow chant.
Drinking she sang: "My soul shall nothing want;"
And drank anew: while soft a song was sung,
A mystical slow chant.
One cried: "The wounds are faithful of a friend:
The wilderness shall blossom as a rose."—
One answered:"Rend the veil, declare the end,
Strengthen her ere she goes."
The wilderness shall blossom as a rose."—
One answered:"Rend the veil, declare the end,
Strengthen her ere she goes."
