The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-14
DELIvERANCE.

There was a sound of revery and mrth,
The banquet-hall was thronged with armed men;
And song and laugh and merry jest went round,
Glass cashed with glass and shouts rang out again
And there were women in this b0iSterous throng
With lying hair and loosely streaming gown,
Who chased each other in the may dance,
Or crowned their heroes with fowry crown.
Women who long ago had lost the name
or women. True, some beautiful, but all
Lost to the worlds respect. Though brazen-faced
They sang and danced, deighting in their fall
Lounging back in a large chair of oak,
Attended on each side by amorous dame,
The chief safe He was known in all the land
AS one of cruel deedS and blacklist fame.
Slowly he looked around the noisy board,
His rowing glance searched each face in the throng
Seeking for some remIsSness he could blame,
Some unprotected person he could wrong.
Then suddenly his restless gauces ceased,
And rested with a cruel smile on one
Who sat apart from all the noisy crowd,
And looked with frightened eyes on what was DONE
slender maid was she with sweet, pale face,
Robcd in nuns black veil and flowing gown
With tight-clasped hands and shortened breaths of
fear,
And prayerful lips and modest eyes cast down.
sister stolen from her peaceful home,
Where naught but love and holy quiet dwet,
BY yonder savage knight, whose cruel eye
Had seen her beauty and no pity felt.
But threat and bride and violence were in vain,
They turned to steel the maidens gentle heart;
She looked with horror on the giddy dance,
She would do naught but weep and sit apart.
The chief rose IN his place and struck the board
With heavy hand, while all the noise was still,
And men and women harked with bated breath
To hear their master speak and learn his VIII.
Bring hither yonder maid who sits apartw
He cried; while, pale and wan with fear.
The unhappy maid was seized and pushed along
BY jeering women to their masters chair.
- And how is this ?" he said with menace stern,
" Why sit you here clothed in that poor array?
And why do you not sing and join the dance?
Is this the way that you my laws obey
of with that gloomy gown and dismal face!
Dance, sing, SMILE laugh Thy youth Will soon be
past.
Thy beauty was not made to shine unseen,
Re merry While you may. Death comes at last
To all, my pretty maid, and deaths the end.
Hove thee, girl, say 1t not in jest.
Come, kiss me- do my will, all will be well,
If not" his cruel glances said the rest.
The maiden's face grew paler yet but still
She did not shrink nor tater, but replied
III accents low but firm, "0h wicked one.
Thy Will Is uaught to me; and though my side
Your lances pierce, 1 will not stoOp to sin.
L trust in Christ and heaven Do thy will;
l fear thee not. and pain will soon be DER.
Though bitter be my cup I'll drink its fill;
But be IKE thee, VIII not Hear me now:
Destroy my body, thou canstHQt my soul;
1t has home which thou canst not m0lest,=
peaceful refuge beyond thy control"
Ere she had ceased the angry chief arose
And cried with passion hoarse: you'll not obey!
Ho seize herr east her in the lowest cell
Spare not the torture; viii have my way,
Unquest1oned, although heaven Itself forbid.
WHAT thus defy me? She shall see that
Am master mere, aud we shall ses-ha ha!
II heaven itself has any rescue night"
But here he paused, for through the vaulted hall
There rang strain OF music strange and swee.:
First low and tender, then resounding loud
Like sounds the angels sing their Lord to greet
All noise hushed, and every eye turned
To the huge door from whence the music came.
The ruHian chief sank back into his chair,
And all his boisterous followers did the same.
The hall was still as death; within the door
There stood youth, arrayed IN light like
OF the celestial hosts, with golden hair
That streamed beneath his cap bright as the sum-
In one hand was silver bow, with which
He drew the music from the violin
Which rested on his breast. His presence breathed
OF peace aud strength, OF love unknown to SIM
Slow he advanced, and still the music rang
Sweeter and wilder through the silent hall.
All gazed at him amazed, and dared not stir,
For some superior strength held them in thrall:
And still the youth moved and reached the maid
And took her hand and without speaking led
Her 10 the open door; then turning. looked
With sad, sweet eyes upon the chief and said:
"oh, thou, whose soul by blacklist sin Is soiled
Think'st thou TO touch maid In heavens carel
Thy courage, true, is strong in wicked deeds,
But to defy thy God thou must not dare.
Oh, wicked one! Oh erring sisters, dear
Though thou hast fallen deep in CULTS of sin
The door Of heaven is open; still thou hast
Only to ask and he Will let you in.
y urn from thy crooked ways while there Is time
Ere yet Deaths hand gives to thy soul release;
And now go to take my sister home.
Unto you all and with you always, peacer ~
He paused. Before the brightness of his smile
And the sweet mildness of his beaming eye
Ali heads were bowed; though strong in sin they
were
Seized with trembling awe, they knew not why.
\ hen fell chill upon the wondering throng
Like that that fills the earth when sinks the sun;
Aud when AT last they raised their heads and looked
a a NJ mai vvar
BEATRICE Is. DE LUNA