Part 26

Fury on it! have its debt! Thunder on the Hill accurst, Golgotha, be ye! and sweat Blood, and thirst the Passion’s thirst. Red of heat and white of heat, Champ it like fierce teeth that eat.

XIII

Strike it as the ages crush Towers! for while a shape is seen I am rivalled. Quench its blush, Devil! But it crowns me Queen, Red of heat, as none before, White of heat, the circlet wore.

XIV

Lowly I will be, and quail, Crawling, with a beggar’s hand: On my breast the branded Nail, On my head the iron band. Red of heat, are none so base! White of heat, none know such grace!

In their heaven the sainted hosts, Robed in violet unflecked, Gaze on humankind as ghosts: I draw down a ray direct. Red of heat, across my brow, White of heat, I touch Him now.

XVI

Robed in violet, robed in gold, Robed in pearl, they make our dawn. What am I to them? Behold What ye are to me, and fawn. Red of heat, be humble, ye! White of heat, O teach it me!

XVII

Martyrs! hungry peaks in air, Rent with lightnings, clad with snow, Crowned with stars! you strip me bare, Pierce me, shame me, stretch me low, Red of heat, but it may be, White of heat, some envy me!

XVIII

O poor enviers! God’s own gifts Have a devil for the weak. Yea, the very force that lifts Finds the vessel’s secret leak. Red of heat, I rise o’er all: White of heat, I faint, I fall.

XIX

Those old Martyrs sloughed their pride, Taking humbleness like mirth. I am to His Glory tied, I that witness Him on earth! Red of heat, my pride of dust, White of heat, feeds fire in trust.

Kindle me to constant fire, Lest the nail be but a nail! Give me wings of great desire, Lest I look within, and fail! Red of heat, the furnace light, White of heat, fix on my sight.

XXI

Never for the Chosen peace! Know, by me tormented know, Never shall the wrestling cease Till with our outlasting Foe, Red of heat to white of heat, Roll we to the Godhead’s feet! Beat, beat! white of heat, Red of heat, beat, beat!

A PREACHING FROM A SPANISH BALLAD

LADIES who in chains of wedlock Chafe at an unequal yoke, Not to nightingales give hearing; Better this, the raven’s croak.

Down the Prado strolled my seigneur, Arm at lordly bow on hip, Fingers trimming his moustachios, Eyes for pirate fellowship.

III

Home sat she that owned him master; Like the flower bent to ground Rain-surcharged and sun-forsaken; Heedless of her hair unbound.

Sudden at her feet a lover Palpitating knelt and wooed; Seemed a very gift from heaven To the starved of common food.

Love me? she his vows repeated: Fiery vows oft sung and thrummed: Wondered, as on earth a stranger; Thirsted, trusted, and succumbed.

O beloved youth! my lover! Mine! my lover! take my life Wholly: thine in soul and body, By this oath of more than wife!

VII

Know me for no helpless woman; Nay, nor coward, though I sink Awed beside thee, like an infant Learning shame ere it can think.

VIII