By John Davidson
275
In winter-time when Lent drew nigh,
And hill and plain were wrapped in snow,
She watched beneath the frosty sky
The nearest city nightly glow.
And hill and plain were wrapped in snow,
She watched beneath the frosty sky
The nearest city nightly glow.
Like peals of airy bells outworn
Faint laughter died above her head
In gusts of broken music borne:
"They keep the Carnival," she said.
Faint laughter died above her head
In gusts of broken music borne:
"They keep the Carnival," she said.
Her hungry heart devoured the town:
"Heaven save me by a miracle!
Unless God sends an angel down,
Thither I go though it were Hell."
"Heaven save me by a miracle!
Unless God sends an angel down,
Thither I go though it were Hell."
She dug her nails deep in her breast,
Sobbed, shrieked, and straight withdrew the bar:
A fledgling flying from the nest,
A pale moth rushing to a star.
Sobbed, shrieked, and straight withdrew the bar:
A fledgling flying from the nest,
A pale moth rushing to a star.
Fillet and veil in strips she tore;
Her golden tresses floated wide;
The ring and bracelet that she wore
As Christ's betrothed, she cast aside.
Her golden tresses floated wide;
The ring and bracelet that she wore
As Christ's betrothed, she cast aside.
"Life's dearest meaning I shall probe;
Lo! I shall taste of love at last!
Away!" She doffed her outer robe,
And sent it sailing down the blast.
Lo! I shall taste of love at last!
Away!" She doffed her outer robe,
And sent it sailing down the blast.
Her
