Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SISTER MARIE; A LEGEND OF TYROL, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: I through the valley of klausen went Last Line: "ah! Pity me, dear lord,"" it sighed." Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement Subject(s): Brooks; Death; Legends; Nuns; Prayer; War; Streams; Creeks; Dead, The | ||||||||
I THROUGH the valley of Klausen went By a little stream, and heard it sigh, Down by its bed I crouched and bent A listening ear as it hurried by. "Lord, have mercy," it murmured low, "Sainted Mother, oh, pray for me!" I laid my hand in the water's flow "Say, little stream, what your troubles be." "Virgin Mary, for my soul pray, Lord, have pity," it sighed again, I through the valley did wend my way, Heard it singing the odd refrain. The stream stole by, "O Christ, on me "Take mercy, Lord, a soul afraid." I looked around and there did see No thing to feara peasant maid. "A fair good-day," she shyly smiled; "A fair good-day to you," said I, "And can you tell me why, sweet child, So loud with prayer the stream goes by." "'Tis Sister Marie's voice, they say, (God give her soul for ever rest), Who in yon convent walls did pray As Christ's pure bride she dreamt her blest. "But came at last a bitter day When out of France flew flame and strife, To still the singing birds and lay Shamed flowers in the red stream of life. "And ruthless soldiers climbed the hill, Broke through the convent walls and ran Mad through the house to spoil and fill The home that God's pure peace began. "Before the Saviour's Cross she knelt The fairest nun in all the place, Bowed down until her shoulders felt Rough hands to turn her hidden face. "She screamed, and up the marble stair Flew like a creature of the wood, And as the hunters on the hare They turnedthe chase was in their blood. "Their shouts came to her like the call Of baying hounds upon her track, The turret roof she reachedthe wall No hiding thereno going back. "Loud came the soldiers, but she prayed No mercy from her fellows there; Death was more kindshe stood and swayed On the high wall above the glen. "A moment falteredthen she sprang To the sweet air and God's embrace, And where she fell, the little stream Flowed soft across her dying face. "So on the wall a cross is made Lest we forget for her to pray, For in God's sight she is afraid Who took her own sweet life away." She pointed where upon the hill There frowned the old grey convent wall, And there I saw half pictured still, A holy cross rise red and tall. Down on her knees the fair child bent, "And pity her, dear Lord," she cried On through the vale the strange stream went, "Ah! pity me, dear Lord," it sighed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND THE WIND ON THE HILLS by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER |
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