Translated by W. J. Robertson BENEDICTION When, by the sovran will of Powers Eternal, The poet passed into this weary world, His mother, filled with fears and doubts infernal, Clenching her hands towards Heaven these curses hurled. --"Why rather did I not within me treasure "A knot of serpents than this thing of scorn? "Accursed be the night of fleeting pleasure "Whence in my womb this chastisement was borne! "Since thou hast chosen me to be the woman "Whose loathsome fruitfulness her husband shames, "Who may not cast aside this birth inhuman, "As one that flings love-tokens to the flames, "The hatred that on me thy vengeance launches "On this thwart creature I will pour in flood: "So twist the sapling that its withered branches "Shall never once put forth a cankered bud!" Regorging thus the venom of her malice, And misconceiving thy decrees sublime, In deep Gehenna's gulf she fills the chalice Of torments destined to maternal crime. Yet, safely sheltered by his viewless angel, The Childe forsaken revels in the Sun; And all his food and drink is an evangel Of nectared sweets, sent by the Heavenly One. He communes with the clouds, knows the wind's voices, And on his pilgrimage enchanted sings; Seeing how like the wild bird he rejoices The hovering Spirit weeps and folds his wings. All those he fain would love shrink back in terror, Or, boldened by his fearlessness elate, Seek to seduce him into sin and error, And flesh on him the fierceness of their hate. In bread and wine, wherewith his soul is nourished, They mix their ashes and foul spume impure; Lying they cast aside the things he cherished, And curse the chance that made his steps their lure. His spouse goes crying in the public places: "Since he doth choose my beauty to adore, "Aping those ancient idols Time defaces "I would regild my glory as of yore. "Nard, balm and myrrh shall tempt till he desires me "With blandishments, with dainties and with wine, "Laughing if in a heart that so admires me "I may usurp the sovranty divine! "Until aweary of love's impious orgies, "Fastening on him my fingers firm and frail, "These claws, keen as the harpy's when she gorges, "Shall in the secret of his heart prevail. "Then, thrilled and trembling like a young bird captured, "The bleeding heart shall from his breast be torn; "To glut his maw my wanton hound, enraptured, "Shall see me fling it to the earth in scorn." Heavenward, where he beholds a throne resplendent, The poet lifts his hands, devout and proud, And the vast lightnings of a soul transcendent Veil from his gaze awhile the furious crowd:--