Page:Poems Whitney.djvu/90

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
84
the cenci's dream.
But round thee at darkest, some pure-eyed intelligence waited,
And anguished to show thee one glimpse of the Highest's arcana.
And if, overwrought and o'ermaddened, thou bad'st erred and stumbled,
The Blessed himself would have hastened to lift and forgive thee.
But listen, and know what great joy may be thine in the future!"

O Rocco, thou see'st how my face is all kindled at thine!

"This flower, which thy sweet body crushes, wherewithal too, I mantle
And hide thee from trouble, is only the mortal foreshadow
Of beds of unperishing sweet and contentment, which yonder