Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
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THE MESSENGER. |
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 | Life and Phantasy |  |
54
THE MESSENGER.
A messenger, that stood beside my bed,
In words of clear and cruel import said
(And yet methought the tone was less unkind),
“I bring thee pain of body and of mind.
In words of clear and cruel import said
(And yet methought the tone was less unkind),
“I bring thee pain of body and of mind.
“Each gift of each must pay a toll to me;
Nor flight, nor force, nor suit can set thee free;
Until my brother come, I say not when:
Affliction is my name, unloved of men.”
Nor flight, nor force, nor suit can set thee free;
Until my brother come, I say not when:
Affliction is my name, unloved of men.”
I swoon'd, then, bursting up in talk deranged,
Shatter'd to tears; while he stood by unchanged.
I held my peace, my heart with courage burn'd,
And to his cold touch one faint sigh return'd.
Shatter'd to tears; while he stood by unchanged.
I held my peace, my heart with courage burn'd,
And to his cold touch one faint sigh return'd.
Undreamt-of wings he lifted: “For a while
I vanish. Never be afraid to smile
Lest I waylay thee: curse me not; nay, love;
That I may bring thee tidings from above.”
I vanish. Never be afraid to smile
Lest I waylay thee: curse me not; nay, love;
That I may bring thee tidings from above.”
And often since, by day or night, descends
The face obdurate; now almost a friend's.
O! quite to Faith; but Frailty's lips not dare
The word. To both this angel taught a pray'r.
The face obdurate; now almost a friend's.
O! quite to Faith; but Frailty's lips not dare
The word. To both this angel taught a pray'r.
“Lord God, thy servant, wounded and bereft,
Feels Thee upon his right hand and his left;
Hath joy in grief, and still by losing gains;—
All this is gone, yet all myself remains.”
Feels Thee upon his right hand and his left;
Hath joy in grief, and still by losing gains;—
All this is gone, yet all myself remains.”
| Life and Phantasy | |