THE CORONATION OF INEZ DE CASTRO. 19 But a peal of lordly music Shook e'en the dust below, When the burning gold of the diadem And from the encircling band Stepp'd prince and chief, 'midst the hush profound, With homage to her hand. Why pass'd a faint, cold shuddering Over each martial frame, As one by one, to touch that hand, Death! death! canst thou be lovely Is not each pulse of the quick high breast —It was a strange and fearful sight, The glorious robes, and the blaze of light, And beside her stood in silence King Pedro, with a jealous eye, But on the face he looked not, Which once his star had been; To every form his glance was turn'd, Though something, won from the grave's embrace, Alas! the crown, the sceptre, The treasures of the earth, And the priceless love that pour'd those gifts, The rites are closed:-bear back the dead Lay down again the royal head, There is music on the midnight- As the mourners through the sounding aisle In dark procession go; And the ring of state, and the starry crown, And all the rich array, Are borne to the house of silence down, With her, that queen of clay! ITALIAN GIRL'S HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. And tearlessly and firmly King Pedro led the train; But his face was wrapt in his folding robe, Who call'd thee strong as Death, O Love? 21 ITALIAN GIRL'S HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. + "O sanctissima, O purissima! Mater amata, intemerata, Ora, ora pro nobis." In the deep hour of dreams, Sicilian Mariner's Hymn. Through the dark woods, and past the moaning sea, And by the star-light gleams, Mother of sorrows! lo, I come to thee! Unto thy shrine I bear Night-blowing flowers, like my own heart, to lie All, all unfolded there, For thou, that once did'st move, In thy still beauty, through an early home, The fear of woman's soul;-to thee I come! Many, and sad, and deep, Were the thoughts folded in thy silent breast; Thou, too, could'st watch and weep Hear, gentlest mother! hear a heart oppress'd! There is a wandering bark Bearing one from me o'er the restless wave: His course ;-be with him, holiest, guide and save! My soul is on that way; My thoughts are travellers o'er the waters dim; I walk, o'ershadow'd by vain dreams of him. Aid him and me, too, aid! Oh! 'tis not well, this earthly love's excess! On thy weak child is laid The burden of too deep a tenderness. Too much o'er him is pour'd My being's hope-scarce leaving Heaven a part; Too fearfully adored, Oh! make not him the chastener of my heart! I tremble with a sense Of grief to be ;-I hear a warning low Sweet mother! call me hence! This wild idolatry must end in woe. The troubled joy of life, Love's lightning happiness, my soul hath known; And, worn with feverish strife, Would fold its wings; take back, take back thine own! TO A DEPARTED SPIRIT. Hark! how the wind swept by! The tempest's voice comes rolling o'er the waveHope of the sailor's eye, 23 And maiden's heart, blest mother, guide and save! TO A DEPARTED SPIRIT. FROM the bright stars, or from the viewless air, Answer me, answer me! Have we not communed here of life and death? To melt away, like song from festal bowers? Answer, oh! answer me! Thine eye's last light was mine-the soul that shone Intensely, mournfully, through gathering hazeDid'st thou bear with thee to the shore unknown, Nought of what lived in that long, earnest gaze! Hear, hear, and answer me! Thy voice-its low, soft, fervent, farewell tone Thrill'd through the tempest of the parting strife, Like a faint breeze :-oh! from that music flown, Send back one sound, if love's be quenchless life, But once, oh! answer me! |