He is come to her eyes, eyes so bright and so blue! His colours are dull to their quick-sparkling hue, In vain he retouches, her eyes sparkle more, He yielded, alas! for the truth must be told, Now Satan exults in his vengeance complete, With repentance, his only companion, he lies, On a sudden he saw the old serpent arise, But my tender heart it is easy to move, That picture, be just! the resemblance improve, Overjoyed, the conditions so easy he hears, At morn he arises, composes his look, The people beheld him, the culprit they took, They open the dungeon, behold in his place, He smirks and he smiles, and he leers with a grace, That the painter might catch all the charms of his face, Then vanished in lightning away. Quoth the painter, I trust you'll suspect me no more, But I'll alter the picture above the church door, ST. JUAN GUALBERTO. I. THE work is done, the fabric is complete; Must toil for many a league and many an hour. II. Long were the tale that told Moscera's pride, III. Yet while the fane rose slowly from the ground, The passing pilgrim at Moscera found; And often there the mendicant was seen IV. Now all is perfect, and from every side When on the sabbath day his eyes behold V. So chanced it that Gualberto pass'd that way, VI. Him, musing as he stood, Rodulfo saw, And forth he came to greet the holy guest; For he was known as one who held the law Of Benedict, and each severe behest So duly kept with such religious care, That Heaven had oft vouchsafed its wonders to his prayer. VII. "Good brother, welcome!" thus Rodulfo cries, 66 In sooth it glads me to behold you here; It is Gualberto! and mine aged eyes Did not deceive me: yet full many a year Has slipt away since last you bade farewell To me your host and my uncomfortable cell. VIII. ""Twas but a sorry welcome then you found, brother, pass with me the new Moscera's gate." IX. So spake the cheerful abbot, but no smile "Moscera better pleased me then, than now! A palace this, befitting kingly pride! Will holiness, my friend, in palace pomp abide ?" X. "Ay," cries Rodulfo, "'tis a goodly place! When earthly kings in seats of grandeur dwell, Where art exhausted decks the sumptuous hall, Can poor and sordid huts beseem the Lord of all ?" XI. 66 And ye have rear'd these stately towers on high To serve your God ?" the monk severe replied. "It rose from zeal and earnest piety, And prompted by no worldly thoughts beside? XII. "Rodulfo! whilst this haughty building rose, Still was the pilgrim welcome at your door? Did charity relieve the orphans' woes? Clothed ye the naked? did feed the poor? ye He who with alms most succours the distrest, Proud abbot, know, he serves his heavenly Father best. XIII. "Did they in sumptuous palaces go dwell Who first abandoned all to serve the Lord? Their place of worship was the desert cell, Wild fruits and berries spread their frugal board, And if a brook, like this, ran murmuring by, They blest their gracious God, and thought it luxury." XIV. Then anger darkened in Rodulfo's face, "Enough of preaching," sharply he replied, "Thou art grown envious;-'tis a common case, Humility is made the cloak of pride. Proud of our home's magnificence are we, But thou art far more proud in rags and beggary." XV. With that Gualberto cried in fervent tone, Long as beside its walls the eternal stream shall flow." XVI. "But, Lord, if vain and worldly-minded men Have wasted here the wealth which thou hast lent, To pamper worldly pride; frown on it then! Soon be thy vengeance manifestly sent, Let yonder brook that flows so calm beside, Now from its base sweep down the unholy house of pride!” XVII. He said and lo! the brook no longer flows; XVIII. It falls, the mountain bulk, with thunder sound! Its lofty tower now rushes to the ground, Prone lie its columns now, its high arched walls, Earth shakes beneath the onward-rolling tide, That from its base swept down the unholy house of pride |