And when the woman heard, in wondering wise,
She whispered, “They are speaking
of my Lord.”
And straightway swept across the open skies
Multitudes like to these. They took
the word,
That flock of Angels, “He shall come again,
My Lord, my Lord!” they sang, “and He
shall reign!”
Then they, drawn up into the blue o’er-head,
Right happy, shining ones, made haste
to flee;
And those before her one to other said,
“Behold He stands aneath yon almond-tree.”
This when the woman heard, she fain had gazed,
But paused for reverence, and bowed down amazed.
After she looked, for this her dream was deep;
She looked, and there was nought beneath
the tree;
Yet did her love and longing overleap
The fear of Angels, awful though they
be,
And she passed out between the blessed things,
And brushed her mortal weeds against their wings.
O, all the happy world was in its best,
The trees were covered thick with buds
and flowers,
And these were dropping honey; for the rest,
Sweetly the birds were piping in their
bowers;
Across the grass did groups of Angels go,
And Saints in pairs were walking to and fro.
Then did she pass toward the almond-tree,
And none she saw beneath it: yet
each Saint
Upon his coming meekly bent the knee,
And all their glory as they gazed waxed
faint.
And then a ’lighting Angel neared the place,
And folded his fair wings before his face.
She also knelt, and spread her aged hands
As feeling for the sacred human feet;
She said, “Mine eyes are held, but if He stands
Anear, I will not let Him hence retreat
Except He bless me.” Then, O sweet!
O fair!
Some words were spoken, but she knew not where.
She knew not if beneath the boughs they woke,
Or dropt upon her from the realms above;
“What wilt thou, woman?” in the dream
He spoke,
“Thy sorrow moveth Me, thyself I
love;
Long have I counted up thy mournful years,
Once I did weep to wipe away thy tears.”
She said: “My one Redeemer, only blest,
I know Thy voice, and from my yearning
heart
Draw out my deep desire, my great request,
My prayer, that I might enter where Thou
art.
Call me, O call from this world troublesome,
And let me see Thy face.” He answered,
“Come.”
Here is the ending of the second dream.
It is a frosty morning, keen and cold,
Fast locked are silent mere and frozen stream,
And snow lies sparkling on the desert
wold;
With savory morning meats they spread the board,
But Justice Wilvermore will walk abroad.
“Bring me my cloak,” quoth he, as one
in haste.
“Before you breakfast, sir?”
his man replies.
“Ay,” quoth he quickly, and he will not
taste
Of aught before him, but in urgent wise
As he would fain some carking care allay,
Across the frozen field he takes his way.