Alcestis : a Fragment.
—Then, as I passed1
From that dim wood, and faced the bright’ning East2
Rose-red with morn, I heard a clear voice sing3
Of a life’s goal won through the gate of death,4
And saw one by a stream whose plashing waves5
Made music to her singing, as they washed6
The low, green banks, and touched the meadow-grass7
With a new brightness. In her faithful eyes8
Shone a great love, and something more than love—9
The look of one whose soul’s clear vision saw10
Life’s highest end, and her unswerving will11
Passed to it dauntless, recking naught of pain,12
Naught ev’n of death, so she might win that end.13
Then, as I looked, she turned, and with a voice14
Whose music seemed the echo of that song,15
She asked me, ‘ Stranger, hast thou heard my name ?16
I am Alcestis, neither wise nor great,17
If greatness be aught other than the meed18
Of faithful duty, for I hold her highest19
Who, being a wife, lives in no narrow round20
Of self and pleasure, but with larger soul21
Enfolds her husband’s life, and counts it still22
The best part of her own. I was a queen,23
Blest with all royal wealth, but chiefly blest24
In my great love ; for love is woman’s wealth25
Peasant or queen, enriching all her life26
With golden thoughts and deeds. What marvel, then,27
The choice being mine, that I should choose to die ?28
Sweet was my life, but sweeter far to know29
My love had saved my husband. Ah ! the days,30
The blissful days at Pheræ ! One long dream31
Of love and joy, till duty’s sterner voice32
Broke the sweet spell, and called me to my doom.33
Yet think not, friend, I murmur that ’twas mine34
To know the highest life ; for this is highest,35
To love not self, but others ; by this law36
To live love-loyal, and, if need be, die.’37
She ceased, and left me musing ; for I knew38
Mine eyes had seen the loveliest form of life,39
God’s sweetest gift—the noble woman-soul,40
Faithful and free, fulfilling, uncompelled,41
The highest law of being.42