“But say, at that feast hath the poor man place? Is reverence there for the old head hoar? For the cripple that never might join the race? For the maimed that fought, and can fight no more?”
“Reverence is there for the poor and meek; And the great King kisses the worn, pale cheek; And the King’s Son waits on the pilgrim guest; And the Queen takes the little blind child to her breast: There with a crown is the just man crowned; But the false and the vengeful are branded and bound In knots of serpents, and flung without pity From the bastions and walls of the saintly City.”
Then the eyes of the Maidens grew dark, as though That judgment of God had before them passed: And the two sweet faces grew dim with woe; But the rose and the radiance returned at last.
“Are gardens there? Are there streams like ours? Is God white-headed, or youthful and strong? Hang there the rainbows o’er happy bowers? Are there sun and moon and the thrush’s song?”
“They have gardens there without noise or strife, And there is the Tree of immortal Life: Four rivers circle that blissful bound; And Spirits float o’er it, and Spirits go round: There, set in the midst, is the golden throne; And the Maker of all things sits thereon: A rainbow o’er-hangs him; and lo! therein The beams are His Holy Ones washed from sin.”
As he spake, the hearts of the Maids beat time To music in heaven of peace and love; And the deeper sense of that lore sublime Came out from within them, and down from above; By degrees came down; by degrees came out: Who loveth, and hopeth, not long shall doubt.
“Who is your God? Is love on His brow? Oh how shall we love Him and find Him? How?” The pure cheek flamed like the dawn-touched dew: There was silence: then Patrick began anew. “The princes who ride in your father’s train Have courted your love, but sued in vain;— Look up, O Maidens; make answer free: What boon desire you, and what would you be?”
“Pure we would be as yon wreath of foam, Or the ripple which now yon sunbeams smite: And joy we would have, and a songful home; And one to rule us, and Love’s delight.”
“In love God fashioned whatever is, The hills, and the seas, and the skiey fires; For love He made them, and endless blis Sustains, enkindles, uplifts, inspires: That God is Father, and Son, and Spirit; And the true and spotless His peace inherit: And God made man, with his great sad heart, That hungers when held from God apart. Your sire is a King on earth: but I Would mate you to One who is Lord on high: There bride is maid: and her joy shall stand, For the King’s Son hath laid on her head His hand.” As he spake, the eyes of that lovely twain Grew large with a tearful but glorious light, Like skies of summer late cleared by rain, When the full-orbed moon will be soon in sight.