Part III.
Midnight set in . . . The Heavens are gay
With the glory of stars brightly strewn,
Like sheep straggling home at the close of a day,
Their shepherd, the glistening moon.
Midnight set in . . . a night holy, supreme,
Christmas night peaceful and still;
Across the white snow fresh footprints gleam,
Marking a trail toward the lake ’neath the hill.
One girl is kneeling where the ice shows a break,
Impatient, the other stands by.
“Hannah dear, Hannah, for our friendship’s sake
Tell me what meets your eye.”
“I see a cottage, as yet hazy and far,
It looks like my Václav’s home . . .
The vision grows brighter . . . the door stands ajar,
Now I see a man’s shadowy form.
He is wearing a coat of dark green cloth,
His hat’s to one side . . . Now I see,
On the hat are the flowers I myself had bought
Good God! It is Václav! . . It’s he!
She leaps to her feet, heart wildly athrill,
The waiting girl kneels in her place.
Good luck dear Marie! Tell me, if you will,
What future you shall face.”
“I see something there . . . so faint in the haze.
A flickering ray that streams
Out of the mist . . . Red lights are ablaze . . .
I have entered a church, it seems.
All is somber and black, pierced with flashes of white,
It dawns upon me . . . It is clear!
The white are the maids . . . and the vapory light . . .
My God! A cross and a bier.”
33
