One morn a Peri at the gate Of Eden stood, disconsolate; And as she listened to the Springs Of Life within, like music flowing, And caught the light upon her wings5 Through the half-open portal glowing, She wept to think her recreant race Should e'er have lost that glorious place! "How happy," exclaimed this child of air, "Are the holy spirits who wander there,10 'Mid flowers that never shall fade or fall; Though mine are the gardens of earth and sea, And the stars themselves have flowers for me, One blossom of Heaven out-blooms them all!"
The glorious Angel, who was keeping15 The Gates of Light, beheld her weeping; And, as he nearer drew and listened To her sad song, a tear-drop glistened Within his eyelids, like the spray From Eden's fountain, when it lies20 On the blue flower, which—Brahmins say— Blooms nowhere but in Paradise. "Nymph of a fair, but erring line!" Gently he said,—"One hope is thine. 'Tis written in the Book of Fate,25 The Peri yet may be forgiven Who brings to this Eternal Gate The Gift that is most dear to Heaven! Go, seek it, and redeem thy sin: 'Tis sweet to let the Pardoned in!"30
Downward the Peri turns her gaze, And, through the war-field's bloody haze, Beholds a youthful warrior stand Alone, beside his native river,— The red blade broken in his hand,35 And the last arrow in his quiver. "Live," said the conqueror, "live to share The trophies and the crowns I bear!" Silent that youthful warrior stood— Silent he pointed to the flood40 All crimson with his country's blood, Then sent his last remaining dart, For answer, to th' invader's heart.
False flew the shaft, though pointed well; The tyrant lived, the hero fell!45 Yet marked the Peri where he lay, And when the rush of war was past, Swiftly descending on a ray Of morning light, she caught the last, Last glorious drop his heart had shed,50 Before its free-born spirit fled!
"Be this," she cried, as she winged her flight, "My welcome gift at the Gates of Light." "Sweet," said the Angel, as she gave The gift into his radiant hand,55 "Sweet is our welcome of the brave Who die thus for their native land.— But see—alas!—the crystal bar Of Eden moves not—holier far Than e'en this drop the boon must be,60 That opes the Gates of Heaven for thee!"
But nought can charm the luckless Peri; Her soul is sad, her wings are weary. When, o'er the vale of Balbec winging Slowly, she sees a child at play,65 Among the rosy wild-flowers singing, As rosy and as wild as they; Chasing, with eager hands and eyes, The beautiful blue damsel-flies That fluttered round the jasmine stems,70 Like-wingèd flowers or flying gems: And, near the boy, who, tired with play, Now nestling 'mid the roses lay, She saw a wearied man dismount From his hot steed, and on the brink75 Of a small imaret's rustic fount Impatient fling him down to drink. Then swift his haggard brow he turned To the fair child, who fearless sat, Though never yet hath daybeam burned80 Upon a brow more fierce than that.
But hark! the vesper call to prayer, As slow the orb of daylight sets, Is rising sweetly on the air, From Syria's thousand minarets!85 The boy has started from the bed Of flowers, where he had laid his head, And down upon the fragrant sod Kneels, with his forehead to the south, Lisping th' eternal name of God90 From purity's own cherub mouth.
And how felt he, the wretched man, Reclining there—while memory ran O'er many a year of guilt and strife, Flew o'er the dark flood of his life,95 Nor found one sunny resting-place, Nor brought him back one branch of grace? "There was a time," he said, in mild, Heart-humbled tones, "thou blessed child! When, young and haply pure as thou,100 I looked and prayed like thee—but now—" He hung his head—each nobler aim, And hope, and feeling, which had slept From boyhood's hour, that instant came Fresh o'er him, and he wept—he wept!105
And now, behold him kneeling there By the child's side, in humble prayer, While the same sunbeam shines upon The guilty and the guiltless one, And hymns of joy proclaim through Heaven110 The triumph of a soul forgiven!
'Twas when the golden orb had set, While on their knees they lingered yet, There fell a light, more lovely far Than ever came from sun or star,115 Upon the tear that, warm and meek, Dewed that repentant sinner's cheek: To mortal eye that light might seem A northern flash or meteor beam— But well th' enraptured Peri knew120 'Twas a bright smile the Angel threw From Heaven's gate, to hail that tear— Her harbinger of glory near! "Joy, joy for ever! my task is done: The Gates are passed, and Heaven is won!"125
—Thomas Moore
Preparatory.—Divide this selection into four scenes, describing minutely each scene, and pointing out what part of the poem it covers. (Introduction, p. [10.])
What feelings are aroused by each scene?
Spirit, native, purity. (Appendix [A, 8.])
1-4. Give two examples of Grouping from these lines. Give numerous other examples throughout the selection, and show how Grouping affects the Inflection and Pause. (Introduction, pp. [10]-12.)
3-7. Read with a view to Perspective. Select other examples, noting especially ll. 17-22, 47-51, 72-77, and 112-117. (Introduction, p. [33].)
9. exclaimed this child of air. (Introduction, pp. [24] and [27].) Give other examples of direct discourse broken by narration.
54 and 56. Sweet ... Sweet. Which word is more emphatic? (Introduction, p. [31].) Compare l. 105.
84. With what should Is Rising be connected? How? Compare Upon the tear, l. 116.