Volume IV Part 14 (2/2)

Unheard of the pretence is: It threatens plainly the great Powers; Is fatal in all senses.

A just Deed in the world?--call out The rifles! be not slack about The national defences.

VIII.

And many murmured, ”From this source What red blood must be poured!”

And some rejoined, ”'T is even worse; What red tape is ignored!”

All cursed the Doer for an evil Called here, enlarging on the Devil,-- There, monkeying the Lord!

IX.

Some said it could not be explained, Some, could not be excused; And others, ”Leave it unrestrained, Gehenna's self is loosed.”

And all cried ”Crush it, maim it, gag it!

Set dog-toothed lies to tear it ragged, Truncated and traduced!”

X.

But HE stood sad before the sun (The peoples felt their fate).

”The world is many,--I am one; My great Deed was too great.

G.o.d's fruit of justice ripens slow: Men's souls are narrow; let them grow.

My brothers, we must wait.”

XI.

The tale is ended, child of mine, Turned graver at my knee.

They say your eyes, my Florentine, Are English: it may be.

And yet I've marked as blue a pair Following the doves across the square At Venice by the sea.

XII.

Ah child! ah child! I cannot say A word more. You conceive The reason now, why just to-day We see our Florence grieve.

Ah child, look up into the sky!

In this low world, where great Deeds die, What matter if we live?

A COURT LADY.

I.

Her hair was tawny with gold, her eyes with purple were dark, Her cheeks' pale opal burnt with a red and restless spark.

II.

Never was lady of Milan n.o.bler in name and in race; Never was lady of Italy fairer to see in the face.

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