The Last Ballad and Other Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... THE ORDEAL Exceedingly tame is the devil, with all his forks and flam ing stuff: To be conscious and not omnipotent is more than torture enough. Between the Golden City and the sea A damasked meadow lay, the saffron beach And silver loops of surge dissevering The violet water from the grass-green land. While yet the morning sun swung low in heaven, A crystal censer in a turquoise dome, Emanuel meted justice in the gate, Emanuel of the Golden City King. To him there came Sir Hilary; his wife, The comely Bertha; after them their sons And daughters grieving. Godfrey also came, Knight-errant of the Phoenix; from that quest Lately returned: guarded he was and bound. Justice, my lord and king! cried Hilary, With passion hoarse, and wanner than a flame That flickers in the sun. I saw them kiss: I saw her from her bosom take a ring And place it warm upon his finger. Here --He gave the King the ring-- an old worn hoop Of pale alloy, but clasping, doubt it not, A horde of sweet and shameful memories More dear to them than mines of virgin gold. Justice, my lord and king! Whom do you charge? Sir Godfrey and my wife. I saw them kiss; I saw her tearfully assign the ring Warm from her bosom to his lustful hand. For him the gallows and for her the stake! But if you saw this done, Sir Hilary, Why is her lover here alive to-day? I ran upon him in the garden-close When I espied them; but he beat me back. Hearing the clash of steel my folk rushed forth And fettered him. Vengeance miscarrying thus, Before the world the law shall have its way. The age is dissolute; the hearts of men Know every sin by rote; their starveling souls Are blind and lame: I publish my disgrace To warn the world. This woman is my wife; These well-grown youths; these budding...