The White Crusade—Italy 1860. “ And the earth helped the woman.” — . Long, long the foot of pride Trode down the human heart from hour tohour With iron heel, and ever on the side Of tyrants there was power. Till seventy summers back, A Cry went up by night to God for food ; A raven’s cry, a lion’s, on the track Of rapine and of blood ; And Freedom at the sound Stirred where she lay within her grave fordead, And rose up from the earth, and gazed around Like one disquieted. As one that hath been dead Four days, she rose up from her grave, shewoke Bound round with grave-clothes, hands, andfeet, and head ; Yet when she rose she spoke : Like Lazarus from the tomb She rose, and stood upright ; like him awhile She walked with men, yet on her cheek no bloom, And on her lip no smile. As one that sleeping, shakes Beneath a ghastly slumber coil, will seem To wake at dead of night, yet only wakes Into a fearful dream. She woke into a world Of wreck and ruin ; winds and waves thatroared, Men’s hearts that failed, and goodliest treasureshurled To monsters overboard. They called her, but she shrank ; She stretched her hands to bless, and, lo ! astain Of blood upon each palm ! She groaned, andsank Into her grave again. Yet ’mid the tumult fierce That gathered as she fell, was faintly heard From fainting lips—a blessing or a curse— And yet a treasured word ; And still from land to land A whisper grew, and still a murmur sped By look, by sign, by pressure of the hand, “ The maiden is not dead,” And some would watch for hours Beside her tomb, -until they seemed to hear Beneath the winter’s ice, the summer’s flowers A breathing low and clear. The nations spake : “ But who Shall roll away this heavy stone by day And night, close sealed and watched ?”came, and lo ! The stone was rolled away ! And clothed in raiment white From head to feet, was seated on the stone A Shining Form, that earth had given to light Without a travail-groan. No blood on brow or palm, Or on her robe, but in her steadfast eye, And on her lips, a summons clear and calm : “ Who loves, knows how to die.” She hath a smile for foes, A smile for friends ; and yet her breast isbare, And bare her feet, and on the way she goes Lies the red burning share. She wakes, perchance to show Of wounds received in houses of her friends,—to weep, Like Rachel, o’er her sons brought forth in woe, Yet nevermore to sleep ! D. * * *