“I am a priest! I see the function here;
“I thought the other way self-sacrifice:
“This is the true, seals up the perfect sum. (1020)
“I pay it, sit down, silently obey.”
I sat stone-still, let time run over me.
The sun slanted into my room, had reached
The west. I opened book,—Aquinas blazed
With one black name only on the white page.
I looked up, saw the sunset: vespers rang:
“She counts the minutes till I keep my word
“And come say all is ready. I am a priest
“Duty to God is duty to her: I think (1030)
“God, who created her, will save her too
“Some new way, by one miracle the more,
“Without me. Then, prayer may avail perhaps.”
I went to my own place i’ the Pieve, read
The office: I was back at home again
Sitting i’ the dark. “Could she but know—but know
“That, were there good in this distinct from God’s,
“Really good as it reached her, though procured
“By a sin of mine,—I should sin: God forgives.
“She knows it is no fear withholds me: fear? (1040)
“Of what? Suspense here is the terrible thing.
“If she should, as she counts the minutes, come
“On the fantastic notion that I fear
“The world now, fear the Archbishop, fear perhaps
“Count Guido, he who, having forged the lies,
“May wait the work, attend the effect,—I fear
“The sword of Guido! Let God see to that—
“Hating lies, let not her believe a lie!”
“Tie down my foolish thoughts. Thank God so far! (1050)
“I have saved her from a scandal, stopped the tongues
“Had broken else into a cackle and hiss
“Around the noble name. Duty is still
“Wisdom: I have been wise.” So the day wore.
“I must not blink the priest’s peculiar part,
“Nor shrink to counsel, comfort: priest and friend—
“How do we discontinue to be friends?
“I will go minister, advise her seek
“Help at the source,—above all, not despair: (1060)
“There may be other happier help at hand.
“I hope it,—wherefore then neglect to say?”
Over the terrace, looked at me, then spoke:
“Why is it you have suffered me to stay
“Breaking my heart two days more than was need?
“Why delay help, your own heart yearns to give?
“You are again here, in the self-same mind,
“I see here, steadfast in the face of you,—
“You grudge to do no one thing that I ask. (1070)
“Why then is nothing done? You know my need.
“Still, through God’s pity on me, there is time
“And one day more: shall I be saved or no?”
I answered—“Lady, waste no thought, no word
“Even to forgive me! Care for what I care—
“Only! Now follow me as I were fate!
“Leave this house in the dark to-morrow night,
“Just before daybreak:—there’s new moon this eve—
“It sets, and then begins the solid black.
“Descend, proceed to the Torrione, step (1080)
“Over the low dilapidated wall,
“Take San Clemente, there’s no other gate
“Unguarded at the hour: some paces thence
“An inn stands; cross to it; I shall be there.”
“But I shall find it. Go now!”
Took rapidly the route myself prescribed,
Stopped at Torrione, climbed the ruined place,
Proved that the gate was practicable, reached (1090)
The inn, no eye, despite the dark, could miss,
Knocked there and entered, made the host secure:
“With Caponsacchi it is ask and have;
“I know my betters. Are you bound for Rome?
“I get swift horse and trusty man,” said he.
In my own house for the last time: there lay
The broad pale opened Summa. “Shut his book,
“There’s other showing! ’Twas a Thomas too
“Obtained,—more favoured than his namesake here,— (1100)
“A gift, tied faith fast, foiled the tug of doubt,—
“Our Lady’s girdle; down he saw it drop
“As she ascended into heaven, they say:
“He kept that safe and bade all doubt adieu.
“I too have seen a lady and hold a grace.”
Presently came my servant. “Sir, this eve—
“Do you forget?” I started.—“How forget?
“What is it you know?”—“With due submission, Sir,
“This being last Monday in the month but one (1110)
“And a vigil, since to-morrow is Saint George,
“And feast day, and moreover
| Previous chapter/page | Back | Home | Email this | Search | Discuss | Bookmark | Next chapter/page |