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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A LEGEND OF TOLEDO, by RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH Poet's Biography First Line: Far down below the christian captives pine Last Line: Is on the cross, salvation's blessed sign. Subject(s): Charity; Philanthropy | |||
FAR down below the Christian captives pine In dungeon depths, and whoso dares to bring Assuagements for their wounds, or food, or wine, Must brave the fiercest vengeance of the King. Richly is spread above the royal board, The palace windows blaze with festal light, And many a lady, many a Moorish lord, The morning's triumph celebrate at night. But could they all without remorse or fear Feast, as though on earth were to be found No hunger to appease, no want to cheer, No dark and hopeless places underground? Neither of knight nor captain is it told That he was shamed at heart to do this thing; One only was there, pitiful and bold A maiden, daughter of this impious King. Three times the beauteous messenger of grace She, passing to the dungeon from the hall, Shone like an angel in that gloomy place, And brought relief to some, and hope to all. But envious eyes were on her, and her sire, Upon her way, encountering unawares Her passing thither the fourth time, in ire Bids show what hidden in her lap she bears. Thus, willing to condemn her in the sight Of all, he spake: she tremblingly obeyed, When, if old legends speak the truth aright, Flowers filled her lap, those only it displayed: Roses and pinks and lilies there were found, Marvel to her and them who saw the same; All sweetest flowers that grow from earthly ground, But nothing that might bring rebuke or blame. Whatever is sown in lovethe lowliest deed Shall bloom and be a flower in Paradise; Yet springs not often from that precious seed Harvest so prompt as this before our eyes. But afterward how rescued from the court, And from a faith which cannot save or bless, To far-off hermitage she made resort, A saintly dweller in the wilderness, Her story, pictured on a cloister wall In old Toledo, gives us not to know: This only there appears, and this is all We need to ask, whether of weal or woe That unto her who was in mercy bold, Was given the knowledge of a faith divine; For there in death we see her, and her hold Is on the Cross, salvation's blessed sign. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW THE GREAT GUEST CAME by EDWIN MARKHAM CHARITY OVERCOMING ENVY by MARIANNE MOORE PASSING IT ON by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE THE IDEA OF SOUP by NORMAN DUBIE THE [EXCELLENT] BALLADE OF CHARITIE by THOMAS CHATTERTON SONG OF THREE SMILES by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN RECUERDO by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY KARMA by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON DIFFERENT MINDS by RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH |
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