SAINT BRANDAN. AINT Brandan sails the northern main; SA The brotherhoods of saints are glad. He greets them once, he sails again. So late! such storms! The Saint is mad! He heard across the howling seas Chime convent bells on wintry nights, Twinkle the monastery lights; But north, still north, Saint Brandan steered; And now no bells, no convents more! The hurtling Polar lights are neared, The sea without a human shore. At last (it was the Christmas night, Stars shone after a day of storm) — He sees float past an iceberg white, That furtive mien, that scowling eye, Of hair that red and tufted fell It is O, where shall Brandan fly? The traitor Judas, out of hell! -- Palsied with terror Brandan sate; "One moment wait, thou holy man! On earth my crime, my death, they knew; My name is under all men's ban; Ah, tell them of my respite too! "Tell them, one blessed Christmas night (It was the first after I came, Breathing self-murder, frenzy, spite, To rue my guilt in endless flame) — "I felt, as I in torment lay 'Mid the souls plagued by heavenly power, An angel touch mine arm, and say: Go hence, and cool thyself an hour! "Ah, whence this mercy, Lord?' I said. The Leper recollect, said he, Who asked the passers-by for aid, In Joppa, and thy charity. "Then I remembered how I went, "And in the street a Leper sate, "He gazed upon me as I passed, "O Brandan, think what grace divine, What blessing must true goodness shower, If semblance of it faint, like mine, Hath such inestimable power! "Well-fed, well-clothed, well-friended, I "That germ of kindness, in the womb "Once every year, when carols wake, On earth, the Christmas night's repose, Arising from the sinners' lake, I journey to these healing snows. "I stanch with ice my burning breast, Tears started to Saint Brandan's eyes; When he looked up tenantless lies The iceberg in the frosty air! |