The Mother’s Tragedy

76 MADONNA OF THE GOLDEN EYES Did a breath of wind disturb the lazy day ? Did a soul of fear flit phantom-wise across ? Suddenly we clasped and clave as spirit unto clay; Suddenly love swooped to us as swoops the albatross. O Madonna of the Golden Eyes! Did thy husband’s venom breathe on the trembling scale ? Did that voice corrupting cry across the midnight air ? What decided? Gabriel may spin the foolish tale. What decided ? We were lovers—who should care ? O Madonna of the Golden Eyes! How we clave together! How we strained caresses! How the swooning limbs sank fainting on the sward! For the fiery dart raged fiercer; in excesses Long restrained, it cried, “ Behold! I am the Lord!” O Madonna of the Golden Eyes! Yes, we sat with modest eyes and murmuring lips Downcast at the table, while the husband drank his wine. So thy sly, slow hand stretched furtively; there slips Deadly in his throat the poison draught divine! O Madonna of the Golden Eyes! Then we left his carcase with the stealthy tread Reverent, in presence of the silent place; Then you burned, afire, caught up the ghastly head, Looked like Hell right into it, and spat upon the face! O Madonna of the Golden Eyes!