'Twas thus I cried in terror sore. Two stepped them forth and drew anigh
Bearing a rope. They muttered o'er, "Perish the Evil Eye!"
Back to the threshold straight I sprang, mine arms thrown out across that door,
Within, my mother softly sang a homely tune of yore.
Bearing a rope. They muttered o'er, "Perish the Evil Eye!"
Back to the threshold straight I sprang, mine arms thrown out across that door,
Within, my mother softly sang a homely tune of yore.
The hazel rods were torn aside, and hands unpitying fell on mine,
"Now God above!" I madly cried, "A sign! send down a sign!"
And if the woe of one maid's cry pierced to high Heaven, 'tis God who knows!
A crash of thunder smote the sky, and lo, a mighty storm arose,
"Now God above!" I madly cried, "A sign! send down a sign!"
And if the woe of one maid's cry pierced to high Heaven, 'tis God who knows!
A crash of thunder smote the sky, and lo, a mighty storm arose,
Furious and frenzied, lashed and tore the smitten branches to the ground,
The faces turned unto that door grew ashen at the awful sound,
A writhing tongue of livid flame, a cry that rent the fiery cloud,
A roar, a mighty crash there came, then darkness in a smoking shroud.
The faces turned unto that door grew ashen at the awful sound,
A writhing tongue of livid flame, a cry that rent the fiery cloud,
A roar, a mighty crash there came, then darkness in a smoking shroud.
And lo, my mother at my side. . . . "My child, if any wander near
Bid them within, from wind and tide, we have no cause to fear.
For One alone the sky enfolds, and One alone the sea and land,
The fury of the storm He holds within the hollow of His hand!" . . .
Bid them within, from wind and tide, we have no cause to fear.
For One alone the sky enfolds, and One alone the sea and land,
The fury of the storm He holds within the hollow of His hand!" . . .
··········
63
