CORONATION OF INEZ DE CASTRO. The living cheek!-Oh! it was not vain, Joy for the freed One!-she might not stay 29 A dove, with no home for its broken wing, THE CORONATION OF INEZ DE CASTRO. Tableau, où l'Amour fait alliance avec la Tombe: union redoutable de la mort et de la vie! Madame de Stael. THERE was music on the midnight;– From a royal fane it roll'd, And a mighty bell, each pause between, Strange was their mingling in the sky, It hush'd the listener's breath; For the music spoke of triumph high, There was hurrying through the midnight A sound of many feet: But they fell with a muffled fearfulness, And softer, fainter, grew their tread, As it near'd the minster-gate, Whence a broad and solemn light was shed From a scene of royal state. Full glow'd the strong red radiance, For something lay 'midst their fretted gold, And within that rich pavilion, Seem'd with no pulse beneath to thrill, So stone-like was its rest! But a peal of lordly music Shook e'en the dust below, When the burning gold of the diadem 31 CORONATION OF INEZ DE CASTRO. Stept 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, Was not the settled aspect fair? Death! Death! canst thou be lovely Is not each pulse of the quick high breast -It was a strange and fearful sight, The crown upon that head, The glorious robes, and the blaze of light, And beside her stood in silence And white lips rigidly compress'd, But on the face he look'd not, Which once his star had been; To every form his glance was turn'd, Though something, won from the grave's embrace, Of her beauty still was there, Its hues were all of that shadowy place, 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, Dust with the dust to sleep! There is music on the midnight A requiem sad and slow, As the mourners through the sounding aisle 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! And tearlessly and firmly King Pedro led the train, But his face was wrapt in his folding robe, 'Tis hush'd at last the tomb above, Hymns die, and steps depart: Who call'd thee strong as death, O Love? Mightier thou wast and art. HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. 33 ITALIAN GIRL'S HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. O sanctissima, o purissima! Dulcis Virgo Maria, Ora, ora pro nobis! Sicilian Mariner's Hymn. In the deep hour of dreams, 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, Beneath the meekness of thy pitying eye. For thou, that once didst 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; Hear, gentlest mother! hear a heart oppress'd! There is a wandering bark Bearing one from me o'er the restless waves; His course;-be with him, Holiest, guide and save! |