Patrick Condon's Vision

THE evening was waning: long, long I stood pondering
Nigh a green wood on my desolate lot.
The setting sun's glory then set me a-wondering,
And the deep tone of the stream in the grot.
The birds on the boughs were melodiously singing, too,
Even though the night was advancing apace;
Voices of fox-hunters, — voices were ringing too,
And deep-mouthed hounds followed up the long chase.

Nut-trees around me grew beauteous and flourishing —
Of the ripe fruit I partook without fear —
Sweet was their flavour, — sweet, healthful, and nourishing-
Honey I too found — the best of good cheer!

When, lo! I beheld a fair maiden draw near to me;
The noblest of maidens in figure and mind —
One who hath been, and will ever be dear to me —
Lovely and mild above all of her kind!

Long were her locks, hanging down in rich tresses all —
Golden and plaited, luxuriant and curled;
Her eyes shone like stars of that Heaven which blesses all:
Swan-white was her bosom, the pride of the world.

Her marvellous face like the rose and the lily shone;
Pearl-like her teeth were as ever were seen;
In her calm beauty she proudly, yet stilly shone —
Meek as a vestal, yet grand as a Queen.

Long-time I gazed on her, keenly and silently —
Who might she be, this young damsel sublime?
Had she been chased from a foreign land violently?

Had she come hither to wile away time?
Was she Calypso? I questioned her pleasantly —
Ceres, or Hecate the bright undeliled?
Thetis, who sank the stout vessels incessantly?

Bateia the tender, or Hebe the mild?

"None of all those whom you name" — she replied to me:
"One broken-hearted by strangers am I;
But the day draweth near when the rights now denied to me
All shall flame forth like the stars in the sky.
Yet twenty -five years and you'll witness my gloriousness:
Doubt me not, friend, for in GOD is my trust;
And they who exult in their barren victoriousness
Suddenly, soon, shall go down to the dust!"