THE EVE OF ST. AGNES. I. ST. AGNES' Eve - Ah, bitter chill it was! The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass, Numb were the Beadsman's fingers, while he told 5 Seem'd taking flight for heaven, without a death, Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith. II. His prayer he saith, this patient, holy man; Then takes his lamp, and riseth from his knees, Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees: The sculptured dead, on each side, seem to freeze, To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mails. III. Northward he turneth through a little door, And scarce three steps, ere Music's golden tongue But no already had his deathbell rung; ΙΟ 15 20 The joys of all his life were said and sung: And all night kept awake, for sinners' sake to grieve. IV. 25 That ancient Beadsman heard the prelude soft; 30 The silver, snarling trumpets 'gan to chide : Were glowing to receive a thousand guests: Star'd, where upon their heads the cornice rests, With hair blown back, and wings put cross-wise on their breasts. V. At length burst in the argent revelry, With plume, tiara, and all rich array, Numerous as shadows haunting fairily The brain, new stuff'd, in youth, with triumphs gay And turn, sole-thoughted, to one Lady there, VI. They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve, 35 40 45 If ceremonies due they did aright; As, supperless to bed they must retire, And couch supine their beauties, lily white; Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire. VII. Full of this whim was thoughtful Madeline : But she saw not: her heart was otherwhere: She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams, the sweetest of the year. VIII. 50 55 60 She danc'd along with vague, regardless eyes, 65 The hallowed hour was near at hand: she sighs IX. So, purposing each moment to retire, 70 She linger'd still. Meantime, across the moors, 75 All saints to give him sight of Madeline, Perchance speak, kneel, touch, kiss― in sooth such things have been. X. He ventures in: let no buzzed whisper tell: Whose very dogs would execrations howl Him any mercy, in that mansion foul, Save one old beldame, weak in body and in soul. 80 85 90 XI. Ah, happy chance! the aged creature came, To where he stood, hid from the torch's flame, The sound of merriment and chorus bland: XII. "Get hence! get hence! there's dwarfish Hildebrand; 100 He had a fever late, and in the fit He cursed thee and thine, both house and land: Flit like a ghost away."-"Ah, Gossip dear, And tell me how -"Good Saints! not here, not here; Follow me, child, or else these stones will be thy bier." 105 XIII. He follow'd through a lowly arched way, ee Now tell me where is Madeline," said he, "O tell me, Angela, by the holy loom Which none but secret sisterhood may see, When they St. Agnes' wool are weaving piously." ee XIV. St. Agnes! Ah! it is St. Agnes' Eve — Yet men will murder upon holy days : IIO 115 Thou must hold water in a witch's sieve, 120 And be liege-lord of all the Elves and Fays, 125 But let me laugh awhile, I've mickle time to grieve." XV. Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon, 130 |