And the men of France, bareheaded, bowing lowly, Led out each a proud signora to the space Which the startled crowd had rounded for them--slowly, Just a touch of still emotion in his face, Not presuming, through the symbol, on the grace. VIII. There was silence in the people: some lips trembled, But none jested. Broke the music, at a glance: And the daughters of our princes, thus assembled, Stepped the measure with the gallant sons of France, Hush! it might have been a Mass, and not a dance. IX. And they danced there till the blue that overskied us Swooned with passion, though the footing seemed sedate; And the mountains, heaving mighty hearts beside us, Sighed a rapture in a shadow, to dilate, And touch the holy stone where Dante sate. X. Then the sons of France, bareheaded, lowly bowing, Led the ladies back where kinsmen of the south Stood, received them; till, with burst of overflowing Feeling--husbands, brothers, Florence's male youth, Turned, and kissed the martial strangers mouth to mouth. XI. And a cry went up, a cry from all that people! --You have heard a people cheering, you suppose, For the Member, mayor ... with chorus from the steeple? This was different: scarce as loud, perhaps (who knows?), For we saw wet eyes around us ere the close. XII. And we felt as if a nation, too long borne in By hard wrongers,--comprehending in such attitude That God had spoken somewhere since the morning, That men were somehow brothers, by no platitude,-- Cried exultant in great wonder and free gratitude. A TALE OF VILLAFRANCA. TOLD IN TUSCANY. I. My little son, my Florentine, Sit down beside my knee, And I will tell you why the sign Of joy which flushed our Italy Has faded since but yesternight; And why your Florence of delight Is mourning as you see. II. A great man (who was crowned one day) Imagined a great Deed: He shaped it out of cloud and clay, He touched it finely till the seed Possessed the flower: from heart and brain He fed it with large thoughts humane, To help a people's need. III. He brought it out into the sun-- They blessed it to his face: "O great pure Deed, that hast undone So many bad and base! O generous Deed, heroic Deed, Come forth, be perfected, succeed, Deliver by God's grace." IV. Then sovereigns, statesmen, north and south, Rose up in wrath and fear, And cried, protesting by one mouth, "What monster have we here? A great Deed at this hour of day? A great just Deed--and not for pay? Absurd,--or insincere." V. "And if sincere, the heavier blow In that case we shall bear, For where's our blessed 'status quo,' Our holy treaties, where,-- Our rights to sell a race, or buy, Protect and pillage, occupy, And civilize despair?" VI.