Part 56 (1/2)

SONG

_Above the edge of dark appear the lances of the sun; Along the mountain-ridges clear his rosy heralds run; The vapours down the valley go Like broken armies, dark and low.

Look up, my heart, from every hill In folds of rose and daffodil The sunrise banners flow._

_O fly away on silent wing, ye boding owls of night!

O welcome little birds that sing the coming-in of light!

For new, and new, and ever-new, The golden bud within the blue; And every morning seems to say: ”There's something happy on the way, And G.o.d sends love to you!”_

NAAMAN: [Appearing at the entrance of his tent.]

O let me ever wake to music! For the soul Returns most gently then, and finds its way By the soft, winding clue of melody, Out of the dusky labyrinth of sleep, Into the light. My body feels the sun Though I behold naught that his rays reveal.

Come, thou who art my daydawn and my sight, Sweet eyes, come close, and make the sunrise mine!

RUAHMAH: [Coming near.]

A fairer day, dear lord, was never born In Paradise! The sapphire cup of heaven Is filled with golden wine: the earth, adorned With jewel-drops of dew, unveils her face A joyful bride, in welcome to her king.

And look! He leaps upon the Eastern hills All ruddy fire, and claims her with a kiss.

Yonder the snowy peaks of Hermon float Unmoving as a wind-dropt cloud. The gulf Of Jordan, filled with violet haze, conceals The river's winding trail with wreaths of mist.

Below us, marble-crowned Samaria thrones Upon her emerald hill amid the Vale Of Barley, while the plains to northward change Their colour like the s.h.i.+mmering necks of doves.

The lark springs up, with morning on her wings, To climb her singing stairway in the blue, And all the fields are sprinkled with her joy!

NAAMAN: Thy voice is magical: thy words are visions!

I must content myself with them, for now My only hope is lost: Samaria's King Rejects our monarch's message,--hast thou heard?

”Am I a G.o.d that I should cure a leper?”

He sends me home unhealed, with angry words, Back to Damascus and the lingering death.

RUAHMAH: What matter where he sends? No G.o.d is he To slay or make alive. Elisha bids You come to him at Dothan, there to learn There is a G.o.d in Israel.

NAAMAN: I fear That I am grown mistrustful of all G.o.ds; Their secret counsels are implacable.

RUAHMAH: Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness High over all.

NAAMAN: What knowest thou of Him?

RUAHMAH: Oh, I have heard,--the maid of Israel,-- Rememberest thou? She often said her G.o.d Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath, And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us Like as a father pitieth his children.

NAAMAN: If there were such a G.o.d, I'd wors.h.i.+p Him Forever!

RUAHMAH: Then make haste to hear the word His prophet promises to speak to thee!

Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt find Healing and peace. The light shall fill thine eyes.

Thou wilt not need my leading any more,-- Nor me,--for thou wilt see me, all unveiled,-- I tremble at the thought.

NAAMAN: Why, what is this?

Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine own?

RUAHMAH: [Turning to him and speaking in broken words.]

I am,--thy handmaid,--all and only thine,-- The very pulses of my heart are thine!