Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEATH OF PRESTER JOHN, by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEATH OF PRESTER JOHN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When prester john was like to die, he called his priests and said
Last Line: "but ask him not -- ye may not ask! If he would live once more.'"
Alternate Author Name(s): Duclaux, Madame Emile; Darmesteter, Mary; Robinson, A. Mary F.
Subject(s): Prester John


(YASHT XXII.)

WHEN Prester John was like to die, he called his priests and said:
"O Mages, seers, and sorcerers, sayers of holy sooth,
Where's the soul of a faithful man when the body's cold and dead?
Where's the soul of a corpse on the bier?
Answer, and speak the truth."

The priests stood round the couch in rows beside the dying king,
"Will no one speak?" said Prester John, "Ye who have
time and breath?"
Is there not one of all my priests will answer me this thing:
Where's the soul of a faithful man on the first night after death?"

Then up and spake the oldest seer, and he was white as rime:
"Have I not fasted ninety years to see what none may see?
Between thy death and mine (he said) is but a little time,
And what I speak, O King, I speak for me no less than thee.

"When Death had loosed the soul of a man, it kneels upon the bier
Among the lights about the head, lighter and brighter than they,
And sings the lauds of God all night in a sweet voice and a clear,
And sings the lauds of God all night until the dawn of day.

"And when the watching soul hath waked until the morning rise,
A wind comes rushing with the dawn, a wind of youth and mirth;
And down the breeze a maiden moveth, flying Angelwise;
And deeper is the joy o' the soul than all the joy of earth.

"The maid shall take his hands in hers and 'Welcome,' shall she say,
'Behold thy Conscience! look at me! Thou art my master, thou!
For I was fair, but thou hast made me fairer than the day.
And I was bright; but turn, O Soul, and gaze upon me now!'

"Behold the Saints, in ranks of bliss, shall throng on either hand
And press to greet them amorously: 'Whence camest thou? and when?
Ah, say how fares the world of earth, the loving, sorrowing
land?
Art thou content with Heaven, O Soul, after the life of men?'

"But One shall speak: 'Be patient, Spirits! The will of God is best!
Respect the Soul, who, weary from the dolorous pass and sore,
Enjoys eternal bliss at last and enters into rest --
But ask him not -- ye may not ask! if he would live once more.'"





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