THE DANCE. I. You remember down at Florence our Cascine, Where the people on the feast-days walk and drive, And, through the trees, long-drawn in many a green way, O'er-roofing hum and murmur like a hive, II. You remember the piazzone there, the stand-place Of carriages a-brim with Florence Beauties, Who lean and melt to music as the band plays, Or smile and chat with some one who a-foot is, Or on horseback, in observance of male duties? III. 'Tis so pretty, in the afternoons of summer, So many gracious faces brought together! Call it rout, or call it concert, they have come here, IV. While the flower-girls offer nosegays (because they too Go with other sweets) at every carriage-door; Here, by shake of a white finger, signed away to Some next buyer, who sits buying score on score, Piling roses upon roses evermore. V. And last season, when the French camp had its station In the meadow-ground, things quickened and grew gayer Through the mingling of the liberating nation With this people; groups of Frenchmen everywhere, Strolling, gazing, judging lightly..'who was fair.' VI. Then the noblest lady present took upon her To speak nobly from her carriage for the rest; 'Pray these officers from France to do us honour By dancing with us straightway.'-The request Was gravely apprehended as addressed. VII. 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 over skied 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, 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 O generous Deed, heroic Deed, IV. Then sovereigns, statesmen, north and south, Rose up in wrath and fear, And cried, protesting by one mouth, 'What monster have we here? V. 'And if sincere, the heavier blow For where's our blessed 'status quo,' And civilize despair?' VI. Some muttered that the great Deed meant A great pretext to sin; And others, the pretext, so lent, Was heinous (to begin). Volcanic terms of 'great' and 'just?' VII. A great Deed in this world of ours? It threatens plainly the great Powers; A just Deed in the world?-call out The national defences. |