University of Virginia Library


123

SONG.

1

Her sable tresses swelled more bright:
New beams her dark eyes flung:
Upon her purple vest the light
Changed, shifting with her song.
Her breath like flame, now went, now came:
Strange joy her pulses shook:
While face and form gleamed wild and warm,
Like a bather's from a brook.

2

She sang the Martyrs of the Faith!
As loud as Angel choirs
She sang the songs which they in death
Hurled, fire-like, through their fires!
But now more slow her murmurs flow:
Her smiles serenely play,
Like light on leaves a breath upheaves,
Upheaves to meet the day.