Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/185

 He also would be reconciled
 * To ease his torments long and stern.

Long years we waited for this hour—
 * If thou art willing, lo, we meet,

All three to-morrow, to make peace,
 * Before God’s holy mercy seat.”

The Domherr said, “Oh, wretched pair,
 * Most gladly I will join your hands;

Come but to-morrow, as you say,
 * And we will break the devil’s bands.”

The spirit faded from his sight—
 * New horror tilled his trembling fame.

What was this vision he had seen?
 * And would his kindred come again?

All day he fasted, thought and prayed,
 * And when the evening shadows came,

Built a high altar in his room,
 * And knelt in prayer before the same.

Wax candles burnt before the shrine,
 * And incense filled the heavy air,

When on the stroke of twelve o’clock,
 * Before him stood the troubled pair.

What will you?” asked the godly priest.
 * We seek forgiveness,” both they said;

And then our Domherr took their hands,
 * And joined them as when they were wed.

The room was filled with heavenly light
 * An unseen chorus sang God’s praise;

The Domherr and the wretched ones
 * Acknowledged now God’s wondrous ways;

By unknown hands were censers swung,
 * The room was filled with perfume sweet,

All three fell down upon their knees
 * In prayer before the mercy seat.

Angelic voices sang God’s praise,
 * So loud the castle rang with song.

The Domherr knelt before the shrine—
 * He never knew himself how long—

At length a voice broke on his ear,
 * The voice of one he knew so well.

Oh, blessed kinsman, in a year,
 * Thou too will come with us to dwell.