THE
MOTHER'S TRAGEDY
155
Not unfamiliar, through exulting gates—
Lift up your heads,” I hear the angels ery 3
** Be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors.
A child-heart seeks the Lover of the Child!”
O meek and holy Jesus, hath Thy heart
Yearned unto me, Thy maiden? For I knew
\ bliss so pregnant with the unforeseen
As brought me to the very feet of Christ,
Weeping. Tow clouded that mysterious
Passion! I fell a-weeping in my bed,
Forgetting, or not knowing. For a fire
Too perfect for my sinful soul to touch
Gathered me closely in itself, to hide
Its utter glory from me. Now I feel
Swift troubled tremblings in myself: T seck
Again those visionary skies. Alas!
That angel chorus swells another note
I cannot understand.
CORA.
I am so moved,
I cannot find it in my heart to say
The words I purposed. Let my folly pass
As an old worldly woman’s talk.
MADELINE,
Ono!
You bear the sainted frayrance of your love
Higher than even my dreams. In earthly
life
You are not earthly. I have often thought
The Virgin has some special care for you,
And given of her beauty and her peace
A special dower. Your thoughts are ever
pure ;
Your soul in sweet communion with God !
Why, you are crying?
CORA.
You say this to me?
O could you look within a magic glass,
Holding my hand, such sights would come
to you
Beyond your knowledge—ay, beyond belief!
I am no saintly virgin wrapped in prayer,
Nor is my life one river of clear water
Drawn from the wells of God. You foolish
child !
My love for you you cannot understand,
Nor the low motive—you have shown it me—
Of this beginning of our talk.
MADELINE,
Say on!
CORA (meaniigly).
Much less you understand the love I bear
To Ulric!
MADELINE gzves a latile cry.
Ileart of Christ ! it cannot be !
Cora.
No, child; I tricked you.
out?
Is your secret
MADELINE.
I am dismayed at my discovery.
(Slow/y.) Inever guessed my own poor silli-
ness
Until that moment when you frightened me.
CORA.
And now you know how dear he is to you!
Come, child, I love you both. Your happi-
ness
Is my life’s purpose. I have seen the truth
Of this in you ; it comes to every one.
I know that he is half in love with you.
Look once again as you did look just now,
And he would die for you. O foolish girl!
[MADELINE weeps quzetly for a little,
CORA caressing her.
MADELINE.
Please let me go: you are too kind to me!