 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
THE LEGEND OF SAINT LONGINUS.
ARGUMENT.
The soldier who pierced with his spear the sacred side of our Divine Lord was, according to an ancient tradition, no other than that Centurion who afterwards made confession, ‘This was the Son of God.’ He fled to Cæsarea, in Cappadocia, where, abiding in penitence, he drew many to the Faith. The persecution under Nero reaching Cæsarea, Saint Longinus again makes confession of Christ. The Roman præfect condemns him to death, and is immediately struck blind; but Longinus promises to pray for him when with Christ. He keeps that promise, and not only the sinner's bodily eyes are restored to him, but the eyes of his spirit are opened also.
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The legend saith that when on Calvary
Christ, God and Man, for man's redemption died,
That soldier who transpierced His Heart was he
Who later, conscience-smit, in anguish cried,
When earthquake split the rocks and o'er the sod
Darkness made way, ‘This was the Son of God.’
Christ, God and Man, for man's redemption died,
That soldier who transpierced His Heart was he
Who later, conscience-smit, in anguish cried,
When earthquake split the rocks and o'er the sod
Darkness made way, ‘This was the Son of God.’
It saith that at the instant of his crime
Blindness from God on that Centurion fell;
That on his knees he sank and knelt long time;
That cure there came to him by miracle:
That with that blood which stained his spear, in awe
Taught from above, he touched his eyes and saw.
Blindness from God on that Centurion fell;
That on his knees he sank and knelt long time;
That cure there came to him by miracle:
That with that blood which stained his spear, in awe
Taught from above, he touched his eyes and saw.
‘Sinners shall look on Him they crucified’—
The legend saith his eyes, thus opened, turned
Straight to that wound purpling the Saviour's side;
That more than eyes can see his heart discerned;
That, ranged so late with sinners—with the worst—
That soldier made of Christ confession first.
The legend saith his eyes, thus opened, turned
Straight to that wound purpling the Saviour's side;
That more than eyes can see his heart discerned;
That, ranged so late with sinners—with the worst—
That soldier made of Christ confession first.
He rose; in wrath he cast that spear away:
Foot-bare he fled to Cappadocia's shore;
There dwelt at Cæsarea: day by day
He wept; ere passed a year his head was hoar:
There thirty years he lived, and by his word
And by his life drew many to his Lord.
Foot-bare he fled to Cappadocia's shore;
There dwelt at Cæsarea: day by day
He wept; ere passed a year his head was hoar:
There thirty years he lived, and by his word
And by his life drew many to his Lord.
For evermore he preached to man and maid,
‘Cling to the Cross! That Cross retrieveth all;
Raised on His Cross, Christ for His murderers prayed:
He prayed for me, the last and least of all.’
And still to Christ he sued: ‘Since Thou for me
Didst pray in death, grant me to die for Thee!’
‘Cling to the Cross! That Cross retrieveth all;
Raised on His Cross, Christ for His murderers prayed:
He prayed for me, the last and least of all.’
And still to Christ he sued: ‘Since Thou for me
Didst pray in death, grant me to die for Thee!’
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Nero ruled Rome: for sport that Rome he fired,
Then from a tower, while up the smoke-wreaths curled,
Sang to his lyre, and feigned himself inspired;
Next day, to shield a hated head, he hurled
Abroad that charge, ‘The Christians' Crime,’ and dyed
With innocent blood the ruins far and wide.
Then from a tower, while up the smoke-wreaths curled,
Sang to his lyre, and feigned himself inspired;
Next day, to shield a hated head, he hurled
Abroad that charge, ‘The Christians' Crime,’ and dyed
With innocent blood the ruins far and wide.
At last to Cæsarea reached that cry:
‘If any scorn upon our gods to call,
Why cumbereth he earth's pavement? Let him die!’
Longinus entered first the Judgment Hall:
There sat the Roman præfect, robed and crowned;
Twelve statued gods were ranged that court around.
‘If any scorn upon our gods to call,
Why cumbereth he earth's pavement? Let him die!’
Longinus entered first the Judgment Hall:
There sat the Roman præfect, robed and crowned;
Twelve statued gods were ranged that court around.
Thereof the lower half that hour was thronged
By men in Cæsarea one time great
And wealthy still; to them her lands belonged,
And they to Rome, their army, and their state:
Rome had required their presence there that day:
They loved her not, yet dared not disobey.
By men in Cæsarea one time great
And wealthy still; to them her lands belonged,
And they to Rome, their army, and their state:
Rome had required their presence there that day:
They loved her not, yet dared not disobey.
Lightly that præfect spake: ‘More serious task
Than that of scourging fools, good friends, is mine:
Longinus, speak: thou wear'st, I think, no mask,
Rome's soldier once; her gods, remain they thine?’
He answered: ‘Mine they were that day gone by:
My Christ forgave my sin; for His am I.’
Than that of scourging fools, good friends, is mine:
Longinus, speak: thou wear'st, I think, no mask,
Rome's soldier once; her gods, remain they thine?’
He answered: ‘Mine they were that day gone by:
My Christ forgave my sin; for His am I.’
Then fell on all a great astonishment:
Across that præfect's face there passed a leer;
Far back upon his gilded throne he leant,
Then thus: ‘What further witness need we here?
Yon man has courage: what he lacks is sense:
Death by the axe! Ho, Lictors, take him hence!’
Across that præfect's face there passed a leer;
Far back upon his gilded throne he leant,
Then thus: ‘What further witness need we here?
Yon man has courage: what he lacks is sense:
Death by the axe! Ho, Lictors, take him hence!’
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Of various minds that throng till then had stood:
Most part were zealous for the pagan rites;
Whilst others shrank from shedding brothers' blood
For themes which, shrouded on the cloudy heights
Of thought—for so they deemed—had never once
To questioner given oracular response.
Most part were zealous for the pagan rites;
Whilst others shrank from shedding brothers' blood
For themes which, shrouded on the cloudy heights
Of thought—for so they deemed—had never once
To questioner given oracular response.
But when her voice was heard whose voice was one,
Whose Law o'er-ruled all laws, whose Will unflawed
Spake to all lands, ‘Do this,’ and it was done,
There came to them a change: not only awed,
But with a servile rapture filled, aside
They cast all doubts: ‘Death by the axe!’ they cried.
Whose Law o'er-ruled all laws, whose Will unflawed
Spake to all lands, ‘Do this,’ and it was done,
There came to them a change: not only awed,
But with a servile rapture filled, aside
They cast all doubts: ‘Death by the axe!’ they cried.
Sadly the præfect of the Lictor band
Approached to lead the sentenced to his death:
Calmly Longinus drew from out his hand
The axe; he spake, yet scarce above his breath:
‘I die: 'tis well; but first I will to show
If these be gods ye worship—ay or no.’
Approached to lead the sentenced to his death:
Calmly Longinus drew from out his hand
The axe; he spake, yet scarce above his breath:
‘I die: 'tis well; but first I will to show
If these be gods ye worship—ay or no.’
Forward he stepp'd; sudden up-heaved on high,
Facing that statued Jove, his battle-axe,
And smote. From each stone idol rang a cry
Piteous and shrill. Then, frail as shapes of wax,
Those twelve strong gods fell shivered to the ground:
The men who saw it stared in panic round.
Facing that statued Jove, his battle-axe,
And smote. From each stone idol rang a cry
Piteous and shrill. Then, frail as shapes of wax,
Those twelve strong gods fell shivered to the ground:
The men who saw it stared in panic round.
Their panic changed to anger. Where was now
That fixed resolve and single, theirs so late,
To stand with Rome close bound by will and vow?
A single moment can precipitate
A thousand jarring motions into one:
A thread gives way: their unity is gone.
That fixed resolve and single, theirs so late,
To stand with Rome close bound by will and vow?
A single moment can precipitate
A thousand jarring motions into one:
A thread gives way: their unity is gone.
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That anger changed to madness: fury fell
On those who thronged that hall, both guard and guest:
Each smote at each: that hall seemed changed to hell;
Its inmates into men by fiends possessed:
One only in the midst serene and high
Stood up unmoved; that man condemned to die.
On those who thronged that hall, both guard and guest:
Each smote at each: that hall seemed changed to hell;
Its inmates into men by fiends possessed:
One only in the midst serene and high
Stood up unmoved; that man condemned to die.
Unmoved he stands; who is it before him kneels
Forth lifting, like some drowner in the wave,
Hands ineffectual, agonized appeals,
To him, the sole, who, if he wills, can save?
That præfect on the sudden stricken blind!
His victim thus made answer meek and kind:
Forth lifting, like some drowner in the wave,
Hands ineffectual, agonized appeals,
To him, the sole, who, if he wills, can save?
That præfect on the sudden stricken blind!
His victim thus made answer meek and kind:
‘I blame thee not; according to thy light
Thou madest decree: by law thy word must stand.
Fear nothing! God will give thee back thy sight;
Let two young children take thee by the hand,
And be to thee as eyes, and with soft tread
On draw thee to my tomb when I am dead.
Thou madest decree: by law thy word must stand.
Fear nothing! God will give thee back thy sight;
Let two young children take thee by the hand,
And be to thee as eyes, and with soft tread
On draw thee to my tomb when I am dead.
‘There kneel, and register thy vow; and I,
If God gives grace, will prop with mine thy prayer;
For though, ere regioned yet in yonder sky,
Christians plead well, they plead more strongly there
Where He Who grants each prayer that prayer inspires,
The nearer nurslings of His heavenly fires.’
If God gives grace, will prop with mine thy prayer;
For though, ere regioned yet in yonder sky,
Christians plead well, they plead more strongly there
Where He Who grants each prayer that prayer inspires,
The nearer nurslings of His heavenly fires.’
Next, turning to that raging host, he raised
His hand, and made the Venerable Sign:
And straight the tempest ceased. They stood amazed;
Then, drawing to the sentenced, knelt in line;
And thus he spake, as one who speaks with power:
‘Spirits impure, where dwelt ye till this hour?’
His hand, and made the Venerable Sign:
And straight the tempest ceased. They stood amazed;
Then, drawing to the sentenced, knelt in line;
And thus he spake, as one who speaks with power:
‘Spirits impure, where dwelt ye till this hour?’
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Then came an answer: ‘There where Christ is not,
Where no man makes His Sign, or names His Name,
We dwell; but most in idols deftly wrought:
In them our palace-fortresses we claim;
In yon poor wrecks for ages we had rest,
Houseless through thee this hour, and dispossessed.’
Where no man makes His Sign, or names His Name,
We dwell; but most in idols deftly wrought:
In them our palace-fortresses we claim;
In yon poor wrecks for ages we had rest,
Houseless through thee this hour, and dispossessed.’
To whom the Conqueror: ‘Think not that for long
Ye shall retain man's godlike race your thrall;
For Christ Who drave you forth so oft is strong,
And strong the house of them on Him who call.’
He spake; then passed, with lictors girt around,
To that fair hill-side named the ‘Martyrs' Mound.’
Ye shall retain man's godlike race your thrall;
For Christ Who drave you forth so oft is strong,
And strong the house of them on Him who call.’
He spake; then passed, with lictors girt around,
To that fair hill-side named the ‘Martyrs' Mound.’
Softly it rose, half-girdled by a wood,
Open elsewhere to every wind that blew,
And violet-scented. On its summit stood
A company of grave-stones—some were new—
Grav'n with dear names of those in days gone by
Who died in Christ, rejoicing thus to die.
Open elsewhere to every wind that blew,
And violet-scented. On its summit stood
A company of grave-stones—some were new—
Grav'n with dear names of those in days gone by
Who died in Christ, rejoicing thus to die.
In those old days the name of ‘Holy Rest’
That hill sustained: but when the Roman sword
Went forth 'gainst all who Christ their God confessed,
The ‘Martyrs' Mound’ they named it, to record
That laureled band which braved an empire's frown:
Of these Longinus wore the earliest crown.
That hill sustained: but when the Roman sword
Went forth 'gainst all who Christ their God confessed,
The ‘Martyrs' Mound’ they named it, to record
That laureled band which braved an empire's frown:
Of these Longinus wore the earliest crown.
They read the process: he no word thereof
Noted: in heart he stood on Calvary;
Looked up again upon that Lord of Love;
Followed the Eternal Victim's wandering eye;
Saw it once more upon him fix. It said:
‘Centurion, fear not; I for thee have prayed.’
Noted: in heart he stood on Calvary;
Looked up again upon that Lord of Love;
Followed the Eternal Victim's wandering eye;
Saw it once more upon him fix. It said:
‘Centurion, fear not; I for thee have prayed.’
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Ah! then well knew he that Christ's potent word,
His prayer, though spoken by the eye alone,
The hour he spake it had in heaven been heard,
Likewise another, later prayer—his own—
Rushed on his memory back: ‘Since Thou for me
Didst pray in death, grant me to die for Thee.’
His prayer, though spoken by the eye alone,
The hour he spake it had in heaven been heard,
Likewise another, later prayer—his own—
Rushed on his memory back: ‘Since Thou for me
Didst pray in death, grant me to die for Thee.’
They read the sentence: straight there fell such grace
On that Centurion from the Crucified,
Such splendour from the Eternal Father's Face,
That well he knew—the moment ere he died—
Those proud ones, late from demon bond set free
Through prayer of his, Christ's servants soon would be.
On that Centurion from the Crucified,
Such splendour from the Eternal Father's Face,
That well he knew—the moment ere he died—
Those proud ones, late from demon bond set free
Through prayer of his, Christ's servants soon would be.
When the third morn, brightening the horizon's bound,
Touched first the snow-white portals of that tomb
New raised upon the holy ‘Martyrs' Mound,’
A stately man drew near it. Twilight gloom
Between him and its bosky bases lay;
But on its height the grave-stones laughed in day.
Touched first the snow-white portals of that tomb
New raised upon the holy ‘Martyrs' Mound,’
A stately man drew near it. Twilight gloom
Between him and its bosky bases lay;
But on its height the grave-stones laughed in day.
Why should a man so stalwart pace so slowly?
Why should a port stamped by habitual pride
Sustain the shadow of a grace so lowly?
What boys are those his doubtful steps who guide?
Each clasps a hand—a little lags behind,
Though zealous, shy. The man they lead is blind.
Why should a port stamped by habitual pride
Sustain the shadow of a grace so lowly?
What boys are those his doubtful steps who guide?
Each clasps a hand—a little lags behind,
Though zealous, shy. The man they lead is blind.
Is this the man on whom, but three days since,
All Cæsarea hung for life or death,
In name a præfect, yet in power a prince?
Whence came the change? Alas, how slight a breath
Can shake the light leaf from the autumnal tree!
When summer flushed his veins how firm was he!
All Cæsarea hung for life or death,
In name a præfect, yet in power a prince?
Whence came the change? Alas, how slight a breath
Can shake the light leaf from the autumnal tree!
When summer flushed his veins how firm was he!
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Before that tomb the vanquished Strong One knelt;
Down on that grave his head discrowned he laid;
With each blind hand its lintels cold he felt;
He raised his sightless eyes: to God he prayed:
At idol shrines he made that hour no plaint:
To God he prayed; to God and to His Saint.
Down on that grave his head discrowned he laid;
With each blind hand its lintels cold he felt;
He raised his sightless eyes: to God he prayed:
At idol shrines he made that hour no plaint:
To God he prayed; to God and to His Saint.
In heaven God's Saints fix still their eyes on God;
Yet, as a man beside a lake's clear mirror
Notes well the trees behind him sway and nod
In that still glass reflected without error
So, in the mirror of God's knowledge high,
His Saints the things of earth in part descry.
Yet, as a man beside a lake's clear mirror
Notes well the trees behind him sway and nod
In that still glass reflected without error
So, in the mirror of God's knowledge high,
His Saints the things of earth in part descry.
Longinus from the haven of his rest
Descried that suppliant bent and with him prayed
While prayed with both the synod of the Blest;
Since God, sole source of Love and loving aid,
Wills that His creatures, each to each, should bear
His gifts; and what He gives concedes to prayer;
Descried that suppliant bent and with him prayed
While prayed with both the synod of the Blest;
Since God, sole source of Love and loving aid,
Wills that His creatures, each to each, should bear
His gifts; and what He gives concedes to prayer;
That so in heaven and here on earth alike
All creatures may be links in one great chain
Down which His gifts, innocuous lightnings, strike
From loftiest to the least. Unmeasured gain
Is this, since thus God's creatures, each and all,
One temple grow through love reciprocal.
All creatures may be links in one great chain
Down which His gifts, innocuous lightnings, strike
From loftiest to the least. Unmeasured gain
Is this, since thus God's creatures, each and all,
One temple grow through love reciprocal.
A sinful soul is ofttimes not so far
From God and aid divine as men suppose:
The sea-rim brightens though unrisen the star;
In him a star of hope thus gradual rose:
He mused: ‘The Christian's God may help me yet!
Longinus promised: he will not forget.’
From God and aid divine as men suppose:
The sea-rim brightens though unrisen the star;
In him a star of hope thus gradual rose:
He mused: ‘The Christian's God may help me yet!
Longinus promised: he will not forget.’
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Strong in that hope the blind man raised his eyes—
O wondrous change! Where lately all was black
Flashed the clear wave and laughed the purple skies:
The sun had risen: the night, a cloudy wrack,
Fled like some demon host repulsed with scorn;
And as a pardoned Spirit rejoiced the morn.
O wondrous change! Where lately all was black
Flashed the clear wave and laughed the purple skies:
The sun had risen: the night, a cloudy wrack,
Fled like some demon host repulsed with scorn;
And as a pardoned Spirit rejoiced the morn.
But he, that man late blind, the child of Rome,
What heart was his? That world, his own once more,
Seemed less the earth we tread, our ancient home,
Than pledge of worlds to be! That sword, of yore
Barrier 'twixt man and Eden, was withdrawn:
Beyond there lay some new Creation's dawn.
What heart was his? That world, his own once more,
Seemed less the earth we tread, our ancient home,
Than pledge of worlds to be! That sword, of yore
Barrier 'twixt man and Eden, was withdrawn:
Beyond there lay some new Creation's dawn.
Old songs he heard, sung by his Hebrew nurse:
‘God stands around our Salem like the hills:
His light is Truth: He made the Universe:
Like the sea-chambers are His oracles:
Who shall ascend His Holy Mountain? They
Whose eye is single; undefiled their way.’
‘God stands around our Salem like the hills:
His light is Truth: He made the Universe:
Like the sea-chambers are His oracles:
Who shall ascend His Holy Mountain? They
Whose eye is single; undefiled their way.’
On that vivific Vision long he gazed;
Then, shivering, sank upon his face, with eyes
That sought once more the darkness, splendour-dazed,
Still as some creature bound for sacrifice.
Wondering those children stood. He rose at last
And spake: ‘A Task is mine. The Past is past.’
Then, shivering, sank upon his face, with eyes
That sought once more the darkness, splendour-dazed,
Still as some creature bound for sacrifice.
Wondering those children stood. He rose at last
And spake: ‘A Task is mine. The Past is past.’
To Cæsarea straight his steps he turned:
Near it a throng came forth to greet him! They
Who sinned like him that sin to expiate burned:
The madness of a life-time, not a day
That hour had left them! To themselves restored
Self they renounced, and found, instead, their Lord.
Near it a throng came forth to greet him! They
Who sinned like him that sin to expiate burned:
The madness of a life-time, not a day
That hour had left them! To themselves restored
Self they renounced, and found, instead, their Lord.
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They stood with countenance glad, yet wonder-stricken,
Like face of one who some great sight hath seen
And still, with heart whose pulses ever quicken,
Seeing no more, fronts the remembered sheen.
Silent they stood, their eager eyes wide bent
On him, with hands forth held in wonderment.
Like face of one who some great sight hath seen
And still, with heart whose pulses ever quicken,
Seeing no more, fronts the remembered sheen.
Silent they stood, their eager eyes wide bent
On him, with hands forth held in wonderment.
With him returned they to their ancient city:
A light till then unseen upon it shone;
Christ they confessed: they sought nor praise nor pity:
Sharp was the conflict; the reward soon won:
The ‘Martyrs' Mound’ holds still their hallowed dust:
Their spirits abide with Him in Whom they placed their trust.
A light till then unseen upon it shone;
Christ they confessed: they sought nor praise nor pity:
Sharp was the conflict; the reward soon won:
The ‘Martyrs' Mound’ holds still their hallowed dust:
Their spirits abide with Him in Whom they placed their trust.
Farewell, Longinus! Thou one hour didst seem
Of all mankind, save one, unhappy most,
Yet lived'st, to vanquish fiends, from death redeem
Not one poor sinner but a sinful host;
Pray well for men sin-tempted to despair:
Lift up thy spear and chase the fiends their Souls that scare!
Of all mankind, save one, unhappy most,
Yet lived'st, to vanquish fiends, from death redeem
Not one poor sinner but a sinful host;
Pray well for men sin-tempted to despair:
Lift up thy spear and chase the fiends their Souls that scare!
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |