SLUMBER-SONGS OF THE MADONNA

Dante saw the great white Rose

Half unclose;

Dante saw the golden bees

Gathering from its heart of gold

Sweets untold,

Love's most honeyed harmonies.

Dante saw the threefold bow

Strangely glow,

Saw the Rainbow Vision rise,

And the Flame that wore the crown

Bending down

O'er the flowers of Paradise.

Something yet remained, it seems;

In his dreams

Dante missed — as angels may

In their white and burning bliss —

Some small kiss

Mortals meet with every day.

Italy in splendour faints

‘ Neath her saints!

O, her great Madonnas, too,

Faces calm as any moon

Glows in June,

Hooded with the night's deep blue!

What remains? I pass and hear

Everywhere,

Ay, or see in silent eyes

Just the song she still would sing

Thus — a-swing

O'er the cradle where He lies.