In My Lady's Praise Being Poems, Old and New: Written to the Honour of Fanny, Lady Arnold and Now Collected for her Memory: By Sir Edwin Arnold |
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82
L.
[Ligure! the holy ‘Leshem,’ now I bring]
Ligure! the holy ‘Leshem,’ now I bring,
Judæa's Gem, Jacynthus styled of old:
Mark how the sunbeams flood with gold this thing,
And how its dark heart stains th' imparted gold!
Judæa's Gem, Jacynthus styled of old:
Mark how the sunbeams flood with gold this thing,
And how its dark heart stains th' imparted gold!
Jacynth, the stone which has a sister-flower;
The jewel wine-red, and the blossom, too:
These both were snow-white once, until the hour
When God Apollo Hyacinthus slew.
The jewel wine-red, and the blossom, too:
These both were snow-white once, until the hour
When God Apollo Hyacinthus slew.
Ever since then αι, αι is on the blossom
And αι, αι writ upon the stone as well;
And the life-blood from the Greek boy's hurt bosom
Mars both with blackness,—so old legends tell.
And αι, αι writ upon the stone as well;
And the life-blood from the Greek boy's hurt bosom
Mars both with blackness,—so old legends tell.
Ligures they wore, set in an iron torque
At Rome, on midnights, laying Lémurës
When May's Ides came, for then the Ghosts did walk;
Then were the Lemuralia. All the trees
At Rome, on midnights, laying Lémurës
When May's Ides came, for then the Ghosts did walk;
Then were the Lemuralia. All the trees
83
Drowsed in the Court; streets sleeping still—no sound!
Save if an owl screeched, or a town-dog bayed
Seeing the sheeted Shades pass o'er the ground
Tip-toe, a-glide, with eyes which made afraid.
Save if an owl screeched, or a town-dog bayed
Seeing the sheeted Shades pass o'er the ground
Tip-toe, a-glide, with eyes which made afraid.
But he would steal—the House-master—barefoot,
Softly, not speaking any word for dread;
Yet snapping oft his fingers, if some root
Of vine or fig tripped him, like some one dead
Softly, not speaking any word for dread;
Yet snapping oft his fingers, if some root
Of vine or fig tripped him, like some one dead
At devilish tricks. But, when—all mute—he came
Safe to the fountain, there he laved his face,
And hands; and rubbed the Ligure, whispering name
Of every restless Lar haunting the place.
Safe to the fountain, there he laved his face,
And hands; and rubbed the Ligure, whispering name
Of every restless Lar haunting the place.
Next in his mouth he put the nine beans black,
But must not glance behind, turning to go;
While, one by one, he flung them o'er his back,
Muttering “his fabis meam redimo
But must not glance behind, turning to go;
While, one by one, he flung them o'er his back,
Muttering “his fabis meam redimo
Domum!” “With these black beans I buy content.”
Ite, paterni Manes! “Good Souls, quit!”
Then, nine times beat a sheet of brass, and sent
The Ghosts to Hades, where their fellows flit.
Ite, paterni Manes! “Good Souls, quit!”
Then, nine times beat a sheet of brass, and sent
The Ghosts to Hades, where their fellows flit.
84
Poor Ghosts! Love would not fear! Love dreads not death,
Nor doom, nor darkness! See this Jacynth brought
From Hedjaz! On its gold a verse which saith
“With thee was well, Belovëd!”—and, inwrought
Nor doom, nor darkness! See this Jacynth brought
From Hedjaz! On its gold a verse which saith
“With thee was well, Belovëd!”—and, inwrought
The Cross of Christ with Islam's crescent moon!. . .
A Christian maiden loved a Muslim youth,
And he loved her; oh, heart and soul, Majnûn
Loved Mariam the Nazarene. In sooth
A Christian maiden loved a Muslim youth,
And he loved her; oh, heart and soul, Majnûn
Loved Mariam the Nazarene. In sooth
One look wrought all! Young Majnûn did repair
Mosque-wards to pray; the loud-voiced Muazan
Stood white against the blue; in either ear
Pressing his thumb, and crying, “Ash'had-do-an
Mosque-wards to pray; the loud-voiced Muazan
Stood white against the blue; in either ear
Pressing his thumb, and crying, “Ash'had-do-an
La-illah'l-lul-la-ho!” “Ye Faithful! know
There is no God but God!” Hya ul-as-salaat
“Quicken your steps to pray!” As-sal-la-to
Khyrun min an-naum, “Better, Believers! that
There is no God but God!” Hya ul-as-salaat
“Quicken your steps to pray!” As-sal-la-to
Khyrun min an-naum, “Better, Believers! that
Ye pray than sleep!” This cry was in his ears,
The faith of Allah in his heart firm kept;
When Mariam passed—and glanced: and lo! the years
Found their crowned instant: Love, full-plumed, up leapt!
The faith of Allah in his heart firm kept;
When Mariam passed—and glanced: and lo! the years
Found their crowned instant: Love, full-plumed, up leapt!
85
Beautiful was she as upon its stalk
The tulip newly nodding; heavenly-sweet
The music of her voice; when she did walk
The glad grass seemed to kiss her light fine feet!
The tulip newly nodding; heavenly-sweet
The music of her voice; when she did walk
The glad grass seemed to kiss her light fine feet!
Face, from, as 'twere a Houri in the house;
Eyes so divinely lustrous that their splendour
Filled every heart with worship; and her brows
Drawn like black bows over the eyelids tender,
Eyes so divinely lustrous that their splendour
Filled every heart with worship; and her brows
Drawn like black bows over the eyelids tender,
And shadowy lashes; and her teeth of pearl
Between the rose-leaf lips; and rounded arms,
And high white bosoms! Such a Christian Girl
The Prophet had forgotten for her charms
Between the rose-leaf lips; and rounded arms,
And high white bosoms! Such a Christian Girl
The Prophet had forgotten for her charms
Amina and Khadidja! So they loved,
Body and soul and blood blended to one
In burning passion; and this passion proved
Sorrow, as always. Majnûn was Said's son
Body and soul and blood blended to one
In burning passion; and this passion proved
Sorrow, as always. Majnûn was Said's son
Sheykh of the Gate, a hot Believer: she
Sole child of Nicolas the Merchant. Never
Dared they to meet if night's complicity
Veiled not their trembling joys. Cruel ones ever
Sole child of Nicolas the Merchant. Never
Dared they to meet if night's complicity
Veiled not their trembling joys. Cruel ones ever
86
Watched them, incensed an Infidel's pale face
Should draw an Islamite with Sorcery;
Incensed a Maid of Christ should yield her place
'Mid saints, a Muslim's Light o' Love to be.
Should draw an Islamite with Sorcery;
Incensed a Maid of Christ should yield her place
'Mid saints, a Muslim's Light o' Love to be.
But, through the jealous lattice of her bower
Sometimes he took the comfort of her eyes
And by the lute's low voice, or some dropped flower
Knew it was well with her, or otherwise.
Sometimes he took the comfort of her eyes
And by the lute's low voice, or some dropped flower
Knew it was well with her, or otherwise.
For many waters shall not overflow,
Nor sharpened daggers daunt, nor angry faces
Affright, nor bitter doctrines check, nor woe
Change a true love, which in the holy places
Nor sharpened daggers daunt, nor angry faces
Affright, nor bitter doctrines check, nor woe
Change a true love, which in the holy places
Kneels nearest God. Yet, on our little star
Purged must it be by Sorrow's fellowship;
And pale the visages of lovers are
With earthly griefs, when happy lip meets lip
Purged must it be by Sorrow's fellowship;
And pale the visages of lovers are
With earthly griefs, when happy lip meets lip
In those Elysian meads where Death is dead.
So, on this parted pair, and on their city
Fell evil times; the Plague, with footsteps red
Strode through the Land, slaying—sans pause or pity—
So, on this parted pair, and on their city
Fell evil times; the Plague, with footsteps red
Strode through the Land, slaying—sans pause or pity—
87
Wife, husband, youth and age. A strong man stood
One moment whole,—the next, there crept a thrill,
Like the cold breath of Azrael, through his blood;
His eyes dimmed, breath came quick, body grew chill
One moment whole,—the next, there crept a thrill,
Like the cold breath of Azrael, through his blood;
His eyes dimmed, breath came quick, body grew chill
Spasms rent his frame; his poisoned flesh waxed white
With blotches; soon he sank in mortal pain;
Save where, after deep trance, Nature's kind might
Flung the taint forth:—then quick he rose again.
With blotches; soon he sank in mortal pain;
Save where, after deep trance, Nature's kind might
Flung the taint forth:—then quick he rose again.
Thus, on the self-same day, the Pestilence
Smote these fair lovers, fated bitterly.
Sighed Majnûn, 'mid his friends: “Now go I hence,
Never again my Lady's face to see!
Smote these fair lovers, fated bitterly.
Sighed Majnûn, 'mid his friends: “Now go I hence,
Never again my Lady's face to see!
Never again in this world! Nay—and worse!
Never in that beyond; for she will be
Where Christians are. Sing not another verse
Of the Death-Sura! Pray no prayers for me
Never in that beyond; for she will be
Where Christians are. Sing not another verse
Of the Death-Sura! Pray no prayers for me
To Allah! If a Mussulman I die
I shall gain Paradise, but not with her;
Christ! take me where she goes! Lord Isa, I
Am Nazarene, as Mariam!” The stir
I shall gain Paradise, but not with her;
Christ! take me where she goes! Lord Isa, I
Am Nazarene, as Mariam!” The stir
88
Of Mollahs rending robes, and curses bitter
Of angry kin, his earnest accents drown;
In a waste place the bearers of his litter
Unburied flung that outcast's body down.
Of angry kin, his earnest accents drown;
In a waste place the bearers of his litter
Unburied flung that outcast's body down.
But while for Mariam's sake Majnûn foreswore
Friends, Faith, and Paradise, his lady lay
Sick as to death—not knowing how they bore
Her chosen forth—and all that piteous day
Friends, Faith, and Paradise, his lady lay
Sick as to death—not knowing how they bore
Her chosen forth—and all that piteous day
“Majnûn!” she sighed, “Oh, Majnûn, Pearl of Lovers!
Death cometh, and we shall not meet again!
Nevermore, my Soul's Life! the black grave covers
Thy poor white Dove, whose feathers thou wert fain
Death cometh, and we shall not meet again!
Nevermore, my Soul's Life! the black grave covers
Thy poor white Dove, whose feathers thou wert fain
“Ofttimes to smooth and kiss; and,—woe is me!—
Whither I go there canst thou never come;
For thou art of the Prophet's tribes; and we
Another people, with another home
Whither I go there canst thou never come;
For thou art of the Prophet's tribes; and we
Another people, with another home
“Beyond this world. But, see now, Jesu tender!
In all thy Father's Houses which would give
Rest to my soul? what untold joy and splendour
Could comfort Mariam, if she might not live
In all thy Father's Houses which would give
Rest to my soul? what untold joy and splendour
Could comfort Mariam, if she might not live
89
“Forever, and forever, and forever
With Majnûn, be that Heaven, or be it Hell?
If he may come where Thou art never—never—
Oh, Christ, my Lord! then let me go to dwell
With Majnûn, be that Heaven, or be it Hell?
If he may come where Thou art never—never—
Oh, Christ, my Lord! then let me go to dwell
“In what place for his peace Allah is keeping!”
And those around her bed chided the Maid,
Deeming she raved; but dreamlike, as if sleeping,
Soft went she on, and this in whispers said:
And those around her bed chided the Maid,
Deeming she raved; but dreamlike, as if sleeping,
Soft went she on, and this in whispers said:
“Dear God, forgive! if pardon for such sin
Hath been or can be; still, I cannot take
A path beyond the tomb he walks not in,
A heaven he will not share. Therefore, I make
Hath been or can be; still, I cannot take
A path beyond the tomb he walks not in,
A heaven he will not share. Therefore, I make
“Sad choice, but settled:—letting go Thy love
Ah, gentle Christ! lest I lose his, and sit
Amid Thine angels in the bliss above
Winning Thy blessëd peace, and hating it
Ah, gentle Christ! lest I lose his, and sit
Amid Thine angels in the bliss above
Winning Thy blessëd peace, and hating it
“For lack of Majnûn. Is it Heaven's command
None shall attain it, save at thy fair feet?
Then he will not attain! But I must stand
Beside Majnûn before the judgment-seat!
None shall attain it, save at thy fair feet?
Then he will not attain! But I must stand
Beside Majnûn before the judgment-seat!
90
“Oh, any Death save parting! any doom
Except what sunders us! Forgive, dread Lord!
Friends, is it evening? round me swims the room!
Listen! bury sad Mariam in the yard
Except what sunders us! Forgive, dread Lord!
Friends, is it evening? round me swims the room!
Listen! bury sad Mariam in the yard
“Where lie the Muslims of our quarter. Yea!
I bid ye list—I, who was Nazarene
All my true maiden years, die here to-day
A Mussulmanî! What his faith hath been
I bid ye list—I, who was Nazarene
All my true maiden years, die here to-day
A Mussulmanî! What his faith hath been
“That same is mine! hear me! I testify
There is no God but Allah, and—” They smote
The little trembling lips, and drove that cry
Of tender heresy back in her throat,
There is no God but Allah, and—” They smote
The little trembling lips, and drove that cry
Of tender heresy back in her throat,
Whose milky beauty throbbed—and hushed. And, then,
Scorning the renegade, they tore the Cross
From her cold breast, and bade the “bearing-men”
In that waste spot her shamëd body toss
Scorning the renegade, they tore the Cross
From her cold breast, and bade the “bearing-men”
In that waste spot her shamëd body toss
Where Majnûn's lay. So, thus it was beheld,
When the Moon rose upon the dismal plain,
The jackals, prowling 'mid the corpses, yelled
And fled, to see a dead man rise again;
When the Moon rose upon the dismal plain,
The jackals, prowling 'mid the corpses, yelled
And fled, to see a dead man rise again;
91
For Majnûn rose, healed by his trance; and spied
Death-pale, yet breathing, moving, beautiful,
Mariam his lady, Mariam at his side;
Mariam! and life not finished!—Dutiful
Death-pale, yet breathing, moving, beautiful,
Mariam his lady, Mariam at his side;
Mariam! and life not finished!—Dutiful
With tenderest lips he touched her face, her head;
Warmed with his breast her bosom; chafed her feet
Full-softly, like two fair white birds, half-dead;
And spake her name, murmuring such love-words sweet
Warmed with his breast her bosom; chafed her feet
Full-softly, like two fair white birds, half-dead;
And spake her name, murmuring such love-words sweet
That through the numbed sense to the drowsy heart
Stole their awakening music, and she lifted
Her silken lids,—and gazed—and with glad start
Flew to his neck. Oh, when were lovers gifted
Stole their awakening music, and she lifted
Her silken lids,—and gazed—and with glad start
Flew to his neck. Oh, when were lovers gifted
With such a splendid moment? For some space
Hung they together, feedling life with kisses,—
Each kiss a cordial—then they left that place
With faint rejoicing steps. And what long blisses
Hung they together, feedling life with kisses,—
Each kiss a cordial—then they left that place
With faint rejoicing steps. And what long blisses
Were theirs for many years verse cannot tell.
Dear! do you like my Jacynth for its story?
Yet, where, at Death. those loving souls did dwell
Who knows? God's many names may have one glory!
Dear! do you like my Jacynth for its story?
Yet, where, at Death. those loving souls did dwell
Who knows? God's many names may have one glory!
| In My Lady's Praise | |