356
JOAN OF ARC.
"Maid," the Spirit cried,
"Here, robed in shadows, dwells Futurity.
There is no eye hath seen her secret form,
For round the Mother of Time, unpierced mists
Aye hover. Would'st thou read the book of Fate, 785
Enter."
The Damsel for a moment paus'd,
Then to the Angel spake: "All-gracious Heaven!
Benignant in withholding, hath denied
To man that knowledge. I, in faith assur'd,
That he, my heavenly Father, for the best 790
Ordaineth all things, in that faith remain
Contented."
"Well and wisely hast thou said,"
So Theodore replied; and as he spake,
Seizing her hand (for Spirits have such power
That there they are where they but wish to be, 800
Swift as the thought that guides them) in a vale
They stood; a fairer spot industrious Man
Made never, tho' in climes where Nature pours
"Here, robed in shadows, dwells Futurity.
There is no eye hath seen her secret form,
For round the Mother of Time, unpierced mists
Aye hover. Would'st thou read the book of Fate, 785
Enter."
The Damsel for a moment paus'd,
Then to the Angel spake: "All-gracious Heaven!
Benignant in withholding, hath denied
To man that knowledge. I, in faith assur'd,
That he, my heavenly Father, for the best 790
Ordaineth all things, in that faith remain
Contented."
"Well and wisely hast thou said,"
So Theodore replied; and as he spake,
Seizing her hand (for Spirits have such power
That there they are where they but wish to be, 800
Swift as the thought that guides them) in a vale
They stood; a fairer spot industrious Man
Made never, tho' in climes where Nature pours
Profuse
