Poems — The Making of Viola
_The Father of Heaven_.
Spin, daughter Mary, spin, Twirl your wheel with silver din;
Spin, daughter Mary, spin, Spin a tress for Viola.
_Angels_.
Spin, Queen Mary, a Brown tress for Viola!
II.
_The Father of Heaven_.
Weave, hands angelical, Weave a woof of flesh to pall— Weave, hands angelical— Flesh to pall our Viola.
_Angels_.
Weave, singing brothers, a Velvet flesh for Viola!
III.
_The Father of Heaven_.
Scoop, young Jesus, for her eyes, Wood-browned pools of Paradise— Young Jesus, for the eyes, For the eyes of Viola.
_Angels_.
Tint, Prince Jesus, a Duskèd eye for Viola!
IV.
_The Father of Heaven_.
Cast a star therein to drown, Like a torch in cavern brown, Sink a burning star to drown Whelmed in eyes of Viola.
_Angels_.
Lave, Prince Jesus, a Star in eyes of Viola!
V.
_The Father of Heaven_.
Breathe, Lord Paraclete, To a bubbled crystal meet— Breathe, Lord Paraclete— Crystal soul for Viola.
_Angels_.
Breathe, Regal Spirit, a Flashing soul for Viola!
VI.
_The Father of Heaven_.
Child-angels, from your wings Fall the roseal hoverings, Child-angels, from your wings, On the cheeks of Viola.
_Angels_.
Linger, rosy reflex, a Quenchless stain, on Viola!
_All things being accomplished_, _saith the Father of Heaven_.
Bear her down, and bearing, sing, Bear her down on spyless wing, Bear her down, and bearing, sing, With a sound of viola.
_Angels_.
Music as her name is, a Sweet sound of Viola!
VIII.
Wheeling angels, past espial, Danced her down with sound of viol;
Wheeling angels, past espial, Descanting on “Viola.
” Angels.
Sing, in our footing, a Lovely lilt of “Viola!
” IX.
Baby smiled, mother wailed, Earthward while the sweetling sailed;
Mother smiled, baby wailed, When to earth came Viola.
And her elders shall say:— So soon have we taught you a Way to weep, poor Viola!
X.
Smile, sweet baby, smile, For you will have weeping-while;
Native in your Heaven is smile,— But your weeping, Viola?
Whence your smiles we know, but ah?
Whence your weeping, Viola?
— Our first gift to you is a Gift of tears, my Viola!
