THE GIFT OF GRAPES.
201
"But fairer fruit glads now his eyes:
He feasts to-day in paradise."
He feasts to-day in paradise."
On each a longing silence fell.
"Brother, they tempt our souls to hell!"
"Brother, they tempt our souls to hell!"
Cried one. The other: "Ay, how weak
Our flesh Strange that so long we seek
Our flesh Strange that so long we seek
"In vain to dull its carnal sense.
Brother, we 'll bear these clusters hence.
Brother, we 'll bear these clusters hence.
"That aged hermit, in the cave,
Perchance these grapes his life might save.
Perchance these grapes his life might save.
"Thou knowest, but yesterday 't was said
He starves; eats neither pulse nor bread."
He starves; eats neither pulse nor bread."
Slow braiding baskets, in his door
The aged hermit sat, his store
The aged hermit sat, his store
Of rushes and his water-jar
In reach. He heard their steps afar,
In reach. He heard their steps afar,
And, as they nearer drew, up-raised
His well-nigh sightless eyes, and gazed
His well-nigh sightless eyes, and gazed
Bewilderedly. "Eat, father, eat!"
The brothers cried, and at his feet,
The brothers cried, and at his feet,
Rev'rent, the purple clusters laid.
Trembling, but stern, the right hand made
Trembling, but stern, the right hand made
