Page:Collected poems Robinson, Edwin Arlington.djvu/550



And I shall hear him if he stirs or whispers.

Go!—or I'll scream and bring all Bethany

To come and make him speak. Make him say once

That he is glad, and God may say the rest.

Though He say I shall sleep, and sleep for ever,

I shall not care for that... Go!"


 * Mary, moving

Almost as if an angry child had pushed her,

Went forward a few steps; and having waited

As long as Martha's eyes would look at hers,

Went forward a few more, and a few more;

And so, until she came to Lazarus,

Who crouched with his face hidden in his hands,

Like one that had no face. Before she spoke,

Feeling her sister's eyes that were behind her

As if the door where Martha stood were now

As far from her as Egypt, Mary turned

Once more to see that she was there. Then, softly,

Fearing him not so much as wondering

What his first word might be, said, "Lazarus,

Forgive us if we seemed afraid of you;"

And having spoken, pitied her poor speech

That had so little seeming gladness in it,

So little comfort, and so little love.

There was no sign from him that he had heard,

Or that he knew that she was there, or cared

Whether she spoke to him again or died

There at his feet. "We love you, Lazarus,

And we are not afraid. The Master said

We need not be afraid. Will you not say

To me that you are glad? Look, Lazarus!

Look at my face, and see me. This is Mary."