MOONGLADE A NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF The Martyrdom of an Empress OFFICIER DE L’ORDRE DE L’INSTRUCTION PUBLIQUE DE FRANCE HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS NEW YORK AND LONDON MCMXV Books by The Author of “THE MARTYRDOM OF AN EMPRESS” MOONGLADE. Illustrated. Post 8vo. A DOFFED CORONET. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. THE CRADLE OF THE ROSE. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. EMERALD AND ERMINE. Crown 8vo. GRAY MIST. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. THE KEYSTONE OF EMPIRE. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. SNOW-FIRE. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. THE TRIBULATIONS OF A PRINCESS. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. THE TRIDENT AND THE NET. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. THE MARTYRDOM OF AN EMPRESS. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY HARPER & BROTHERS PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PUBLISHED FEBRUARY, 1915 C-P TO A WITH EVERLASTING THOUGHTS MOONGLADE Moonglade upon the waters whitely lying; Though the wind, shouting from the western verge, Herdeth the huddled cloud-rack, flying--flying-- Glory still re-emergent, rift-descrying, Spanneth the somber surge. Moonglade, O Moonglade, heavenly calm and still, Throned on the tossing manes unbroke to thill, I know, beholding thee, The storm will pass, and night upon the sea! Moonglade the dark lanes of the forest keeping, Soundless and silent, hearken as ye list; Lakes of bejewelled vapor lowly sleeping, And the long grasses from the surface peeping Levelled of silver mist. Moonglade, O Moonglade, that your Fates fulfil, In your black forest-prison sweetly still, I know, beholding thee, Lights of the lost world, Faith and Purity! Moonglade, empearled of flame unearthly, lying Over the crystal plains of snow and light, While the lost wind, of naked cold a-crying, Shudders beneath the half-shut stars espying Down from the steely night. Moonglade, O Moonglade, heavenly calm and still, Moulding to beauty bitterness and ill, I know, beholding thee, Yet is there strength, and truth and constancy! Moonglade, a pale and forthright splendor, deeping The mountain shadows on the river-flow, Across the sullen flood’s resistless creeping-- Across the years, the wreckage and the weeping, You stand, so let them go! Moonglade, O Moonglade, that my heart doth fill, Causeway to Avalon unchanging still, I know that pass by thee, The “bowery hollows, crowned with summer sea”! _1914._ M. M. MOONGLADE CHAPTER I The Sphinx, prophetically sung By Fable old, and ever young, Is Beauty perilous, that stands With eagle wings and taloned hands. “Mademoiselle Seton is requested to come down to the parlor.”