"Thy folded mantle wraps thee warm, "As o'er thy sweet unconscious face I think, didst thou but know thy fate, "Yet, dear one, sleep, and sleep, ye winds That vex the restless brine When shall these eyes, my babe, be sealed As peacefully as thine!" FROM THE SPANISH OF VILLEGAS. 'Tis sweet, in the green Spring, To gaze upon the wakening fields around; Birds in the thicket sing, Winds whisper, waters prattle from the ground; A thousand odours rise, Breathed up from blossoms of a thousand dyes. Shadowy, and close, and cool, The pine and poplar keep their quiet nook; For ever fresh and full, Shines, at their feet, the thirst-inviting brook; Spread for a place of banquets and of dreams. Thou, who alone art fair, And whom alone I love, art far away. Unless thy smile be there, It makes me sad to see the earth so gay; Of leaves, and flowers, and zephyrs go again. MARY MAGDALEN. FROM THE SPANISH OF BARTOLOME LEONARDO DE ARGENSOLA. BLESSED, yet sinful one, and broken-hearted! Thou weepest days of innocence departed; The greatest of thy follies is forgiven, Even for the least of all the tears that shine On that pale cheek of thine.. Thou didst kneel down, to Him who came from heaven, It is not much that to the fragrant blossom The ragged brier should change; the bitter fir Distil Arabian myrrh! Nor that, upon the wintry desert's bosom, The harvest should rise plenteous, and the swain Bear home the abundant grain. But come and see the bleak and barren mountains Thick to their tops with roses: come and see Leaves on the dry dead tree: The perished plant, set out by living fountains, Grows fruitful, and its beauteous branches rise, For ever, towards the skies. THE LIFE OF THE BLESSED. FROM THE SPANISH OF LUIS PONCE DE LEON. REGION of life and light! Land of the good whose earthly toils are o'er! Thy vernal beauty, fertile shore, There, without crook or sling, Walks the good shepherd; blossoms white and red Round his meek temples cling; And to sweet pastures led, His own loved flock beneath his eye is fed. He guides, and near him they Follow delighted, for he makes them go Where dwells eternal May, And heavenly roses blow, Deathless, and gathered but again to grow. He leads them to the height Named of the infinite and long-sought Good, And fountains of delight; |