PART VI.

So perished for their faith in Christ, This righteous couple; for their foes Beseeching pardon; blessing God That they were reckoned among those Worthy to die for Christ, whose place Is with the Holiest face to face.

Beside the pile stood Marien Weeping sad human tears, Yet strengthening, comforting the while, And soothing all their fears.

And as she spoke, her countenance With heavenly lustre beamed, And all around her youthful form Celestial beauty streamed.

Men looked on her with wondering awe, As on an angel’s face, And pity, and love, and sweet remorse, In every heart had place.

Throughout the city rang the tale Of this divinest child; And for her sake unto her faith Many were reconciled.

Unto the synod came these things; And “here let her be brought, To answer for herself,” they said, “And suffer as she ought.”

As Christ among the doctors stood, So she among these men, Stern, rugged-browed, and deeply versed In parchment and in pen; Meekly she stood; when they reviled, Reviling not again.

Yet with sweet words and argument, Rather of love than lore, She pleaded for the faith, as ne’er Pled youthful tongue before.

All were amazed who heard her words; And straightway spoke each one Unto his neighbor, “Through this child May mighty things be done!”

Then threatning words anon grew soft, “And thou with us shalt go,” They said, “and with the poor and vile, No longer suffer woe.

“Thou shalt be clothed in purple robes, In gold and linen fine; Shalt eat the daintiest food; shalt drink The spirit-gladdening wine.

“And with us in proud palaces, A crowned queen shalt be; Leave but these men, for they are poor, And can do nought for thee!

“Behold the stake at which they burn-- The iron rack behold-- Are these the men to make thee rich With silver and with gold.

“Come with us, glorious Marien, And in our places high, We will exalt thee as a queen, Will deck thee royally!”

“Nay,” said sweet Marien, “as a queen It is not I may bide; I am not won with power nor gold, Nor aught of human pride.

“Who clothes the lilies of the field, Will cloth me, even as they; Who hears the ravens when they cry, Will feed me day by day!”

But still the tempters kept with her; And “come away,” they said, And she unto a sumptous dome With royal pomp was led.

They showed her all that palace proud; They showed her store of gold; They told her of a hundred realms, And wealth a hundred-fold.

“And all this shall be thine,” they said, “All this be thine, and more, So thou wilt bind thyself to us, And leave the weak and poor!

“Thou that art weak and poor thyself, A crowned queen shalt be!” Said Marien, “In the wilderness The Tempter came, and he Offered to Jesus Christ such gifts As now ye offer me!”

Those rugged brows grew dark, “Come now With us,” they fiercely said, “And see what never daylight saw, The halls of dool and dread!”

Then unto chambers hidden, vast, Mysterious, far from view, They led her; there was set the rack, The knotted cord, the screw, And many a horrid instrument, Whose dark ensanguined hue Told of their purpose, “These,” said they, “Many strange wonders do!

“Look well; could’st thou endure these things? Strong men have died ere now Under their torment; men were they, A little child art thou!”

Then Marien meekly answered, “What God suffereth you to dare, He, to whom darkness is as light, Will strengthen me to bear!”

“Come onward yet,” they said; and down Damp, broken stairs they went; Down, down to hidden vaults of stone, Through vapours pestilent.

And then with sullen iron keys They opened doors of stone; And heavy chained captives there They showed her, one by one.

Old, white-haired men; men middle-aged, That had been strong of limb; But each, now pallid, hollow-eyed, Like spectres worn and dim.

And many, as the dull door oped, Ne’er lifted up the head;-- Heart-broken victims of long pain, Whose very hope was dead.

Others with feverish restlessness Sprang up, and with quick cry, That thrilled the hearer to the soul, Demanded liberty.

With bleeding heart went Marien on; And her conductors spake, “These are our victims; these await The rack, the cord, the stake.

“And as these are, so shalt thou be If thou our will gainsay; Accept our service, pride, and power; Or, on this very day, Racked, prisoned, poor, and miserable, Thou shalt be, even as they!”

Down on the floor sank Marien, And, “Oh, dear Lord!” she cried, “Assist thy poor and trembling one This awful hour to bide; Let me be strong to do thy will, Like him who bowed, and died!”

“They took her:--of that prison house The secrets who may say?-- Racked, fettered, captived, in their power, The gentle Marien lay; Captive within their torture-halls A long night and a day!