ONE yellow star, the largest and the last Of all the lovely night, was fading slow (As fades a happy moment in the past) Out of the changing east, when, yet aglow With dreams her looks made magical, from sleep I waked; and oped the lattice. Like a rose All the red-opening morning 'gan disclose A ripened light upon the distant steep. A bell was chiming through the crystal air From the high convent-church upon the hill. The folk were loitering by to matin prayer. The church-bell called me out, and seemed to fill The air with little hopes. I reached the door Before the chanted hymn began to rise, And float its liquid Latin melodies O'er pious groups about the marble floor. Breathless, I slid among the kneeling folk. A little bell went tinkling through the pause Of inward prayer. Then forth the low chant broke Among the glooming aisles, that through a gauze Of sunlight glimmered. Thickly throbbed my blood. I saw, dark-tressed in the rose-lit shade, Many a little dusk Italian maid, Kneeling with fervent face close where I stood. The morning, all a misty splendor, shook Deep in the mighty window's flamelit webs. It touched the crowned Apostle with his hook, And brightened where the sea of jasper ebbs About those Saints' white feet that stand serene Each with his legend, each in his own hue Attired: some beryl-golden: sapphire blue Some: and some ruby-red: some emerald-green. Wherefrom, in rainbow-wreaths, the rich light rolled About the snowy altar, sparkling clean. The organ groaned and pined, then, growing bold, Revelled the cherubs' golden wings atween. And in the light, beneath the music, kneeled (As pale as some stone Virgin bending solemn Out of the red gleam of a granite column) Irene with claspt hands and cold lips sealed. As one who, pausing on some mountain-height, Above the breeze that breaks o'er vineyard walls, Leans to the impulse of a wild delight, Bows earthward, feels the hills bow too, and falls -- I dropt beside her. Feeling seemed to expand And close: a mist of music filled the air: And, when it ceased in heaven, I was aware That, through a rapture, I had toucht her hand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LEONARDO'S 'MONNA LISA' by EDWARD DOWDEN MUSKETAQUID by RALPH WALDO EMERSON DISCONTENTS IN DEVON by ROBERT HERRICK A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 1. 1887 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN THE MAIDEN CITY by CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH TONNA THE BATTLE AUTUMN OF 1862 by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |