O music locked amid the stones, Beside the--amid the--
Read on--and thou hast told me day by day Thou couldst not read.
I read from hearing thee from day to day Repeat the verses.
[_She takes the paper and holds it in her hands on her breast, and reads without looking at it._]
_O music locked amid the stones, My love hath spoken like to thee,_
Pia, think you--Pia, do you not hear The mowers and the reapers in the fields Singing the evening song, and the twilight pipes? The twilight is the hour when hearts break! How many lonely twilights will there be Ere God will spare me?
[_LISETTA turns her face to the window by the bed. PIA strokes her hand and sings softly:_]
_Firefly, firefly, come from the shadows--_
There!--he is coming now, I hear his steps Upon the gravel road. Good-night, sweet child, I'll get me home.
[_PIA slips away. GUIDO enters softly. The twilight is gone and the moon falls through the window over the bed. The hill outside is bright with moonlight._]
Guido! Ah, I have need of naught, Guido. Thou needst not leave yet the pleasant air.
Lisetta, my love, I have been long from thee.
Let not that trouble thee, my needs are few, And Pia is most kind.
My love, I have been long from thee, but now I will not leave thee any more. Oh, God, Let these kisses tell my heart to her.
Guido, my love, perhaps I dream of thee! Perhaps God sends a dream to solace me.
Along the stream I went and where it crossed Bevagna road--where the chestnut grows, thou knowest-- Lisetta, I saw him.
Aye, him. There had he stopped to rest, being spent; And round him came the birds, beating their wings Upon his cloak and lighting on his arm. I saw him smile on them and heard him speak! "My brother birds, little brothers, ye should love God Who gave you your wings and your bright songs and spread The soft air for you." He stroked their necks And blessed them. And then I saw his eyes. "Father," I cried, "speak thou to me, I faint Beside my way!"
"Thou art as one that lieth at the gate Of Paradise and entereth not. For God Hath given thee thy soul for its own life, And not for glory among men."
Lisetta, from his kind eyes I drank, and knew How God had magnified my soul through him, And sent me peace. And I returned to thee; For here in thee have I my glory.