Poems (Hooper)/The Fifth Act of "The Huguenots"
THE FIFTH ACT OF "THE HUGUENOTS."VALENTINE TO RAOUL.
Thou hast spurned the life I proffer, and I go to death with thee;
Thou my faith hast long forsaken—to thy God I bend my knee.
I will show thee in this moment how a woman's heart can love;
And the faith this night hath given, I this night in heav'n will prove.
Thou my faith hast long forsaken—to thy God I bend my knee.
I will show thee in this moment how a woman's heart can love;
And the faith this night hath given, I this night in heav'n will prove.
For a little space the crimson tide of slaughter ebbs away;
Thine in love, and thine in faith, by thy side I kneel to pray;
Faithful friend and noble soldier, bless thy children ere they die—
Ere tread the gory pathway spread before us to the sky.
Thine in love, and thine in faith, by thy side I kneel to pray;
Faithful friend and noble soldier, bless thy children ere they die—
Ere tread the gory pathway spread before us to the sky.
Clasp me closer, O beloved! Fold my throbbing heart to thine;
See along the lurid city how our wedding torches shine;
And the anthems of our bridal cleave the midnight's shuddering breath:
Lo, the priest waits to unite us—that pale priest whose name is Death!
See along the lurid city how our wedding torches shine;
And the anthems of our bridal cleave the midnight's shuddering breath:
Lo, the priest waits to unite us—that pale priest whose name is Death!
Ay, behold my second bridal—it is fairer than the first;
Then my soul with bitter mem'ries and with yearnings wild was curst.
Sweeter far the murderous midnight and the martyr's couch of pain
Than the barges' silken glories gliding down the smiling Seine.
Then my soul with bitter mem'ries and with yearnings wild was curst.
Sweeter far the murderous midnight and the martyr's couch of pain
Than the barges' silken glories gliding down the smiling Seine.
Better far the martyr's glory and the grave's triumphant rest,
Better thus to pass to heaven with my head upon thy breast,
Than to tread Life's thorny mazes with toil-worn and weary feet,
Than to mask my life-long loneliness in glittering deceit.
Better thus to pass to heaven with my head upon thy breast,
Than to tread Life's thorny mazes with toil-worn and weary feet,
Than to mask my life-long loneliness in glittering deceit.
See the torches shine advancing, flashing down the narrow street;
Nearer shout the murderous voices, nearer come the hurrying feet.
Closer, closer clasp me, Raoul; lay my head upon thy breast;
Never more on earth we'll sever—Death is with us—Death and rest!
Nearer shout the murderous voices, nearer come the hurrying feet.
Closer, closer clasp me, Raoul; lay my head upon thy breast;
Never more on earth we'll sever—Death is with us—Death and rest!