So from under the blanket's rim I raised and showed him the other, As its ugly brother. He looked at each jagged wrist; And then he bent down and kissed You wonder now I don't mind · I hadn't a hand to offer. . . They tell me (you know I'm blind) 'T was Grand-père Joffre. 77 HOW OSWALD DINED WITH GOD 1 EDWIN MARKHAM Over Northumbria's lone, gray lands, Over the frozen marl,2 Went flying the fogs from the fens and sands, Frosty and stiff by the gray York wall 1. "Oswald, 'the most Christian King of the Northumbrians,' was born about 604 A. D., shortly after the time of King Arthur. The moral power that reached its height in King Alfred had its first dawn in the character of Oswald."-Edwin Markham. 2. Marl. Earth. 3. Yarrow. A plant of the aster family. Weary with weaving the battle-woof, Came the king and his thanes to the Hall: Feast-fires reddened the beams of the roof, Torch flames waved from the wall. Bright was the gold that the table bore, Laughing, the king took his seat at the board, Loud rose laughter and lusty cheer, 4 And gleemen sang loud in their throats, Telling of swords and the whistling spear, Till their red beards shook with the notes. 5 Varlets were bringing the smoking boar, Ladies were pouring the ale, When the watchman called from the great hall door: "O King, on the wind is a wail. "Feebly the host of the hungry poor Lift hands at the gate with a cry: Grizzled and gaunt they come over the moor, Blasted by earth and sky." "Ho!" cried the king to the thanes, "make speedCarry this food to the gates, Off with the boar and the cask of mead Leave but a ioaf on the plates." 4. Gleemen. Musicians. 5. Varlets. Attendants. Still came a cry from the hollow night: "King, this is one day's feast; But days are coming with famine and blight; Wolf winds howl from the east!" Hot from the king's heart leaped a deed, (Noble souls have a deathless need "Thanes, I swear by Godde's Bride Gold inside for the king!" Whirling his war-ax over his head, "Give them this for the morrow's meat, Then shall we feast in accord: Our half of the loaf will then be sweetSweet as the bread of the Lord!" 78 HOW THE GREAT GUEST CAME EDWIN MARKHAM I Before the Cathedral in grandeur rose, Went airily up to the clouds and fires; II Doubled all day on his busy bench, Let the work be sound, for the Lord will know." III Tall was the cobbler, and gray and thin, And a full moon shone where the hair had been. His eyes peered out, intent and afar, As looking beyond the things that are. He walked as one who is done with fear, Only the half of him cobbled the shoes: If his dream were truth or his truth were dream. IV It happened one day at the year's white end, But suddenly stopped as he twitched a twine: V His friends went home; and his face grew still The lighted face, the offered cup. He would wash the feet where the spikes had been; He would kiss the hands where the nails went in; |