The Mother’s Tragedy

78 MADONNA OF THE GOLDEN EYES Beast! I am damned in Hell for the kisses we sucked from death! Now remorse is yours, and love is fallen in dust— I shall seek Him again for its sacramental breath ! Yes, fear the gold that glitters from these eyes!” She took a dagger, and I could not stir. She pierced my silent fascinated breast. She held me with the deadly look of her. I cried to Mary in the House of Rest: ‘““O Madonna of the Virgin eyes!” I pierced him to the very soul: I took His whole life’s love to me before he died: Mad kisses mingled that enduring look Of death-caught passion: in his death he cried, “‘O Madonna of the Golden Eyes!”