The Witch-Maid, and Other Verses/The Closed Door
THE CLOSED DOOR
As we crossed Alcántara
With the Tagus falling,
I was 'ware there came a voice
At my shoulder calling.
As we climbed the steep red path
Red as smouldering ember—
"You, you know this well," it said,
"Do you not remember?"
Up the narrow cobbled streets
Still it followed after,
Whispering deeds that we had shared
With a fierce low laughter.
"Here you stabbed him and he fell
With his sword a-clatter—
Life for life—you paid your debt—
That was no great matter."
Through the Gate that Wamba built
Still the voice pursuing
Softly called, "We know it all,
All that you are doing.
Every stone you're treading now
You have known aforetime,
You have seen these grim red walls
In the stress of wartime.
"You remember? Down this lane
You would often swagger
With your comrades of the mask,
Cloak and sword and dagger.
At that window high she stood,
Some dear dead Dolores…
You've forgotten—and so soon?
—There are other stories…."
By the white Church of the Kings,
By the proud red towers,
Thronging round about me came
Ghosts of long-dead hours;
Ghosts of many a blazing June,
Many a keen December—
"Thus and thus and thus we did.
Do you not remember?"
Toledo, Span.