XXII. THE NUN OF NIDAROS. IN the convent of Drontheim, Alone in her chamber Knelt Astrid the Abbess, At midnight, adoring, Beseeching, entreating The Virgin and Mother. She heard in the silence The voice of a stranger It seemed as she listened, Of some one who answered, Beseeching, imploring, A cry from afar off She could not distinguish. The voice of Saint John, The beloved disciple, Who wandered and waited The Master's appearance, Alone in the darkness, Unsheltered and friendless. "It is accepted The angry defiance, The challenge of battle! It is accepted, But not with the weapons Of war that thou wieldest! "Cross against corslet, Love against hatred, Patience is powerful; He that o'ercometh Hath power o'er the nations! "As torrents in summer, Half dried in their channels, Suddenly rise, though the For rain has been falling Far off at their fountains; "So hearts that are fainting Grow full to o'erflowing, And they that behold it Marvel, and know not That God at their fountains Far off has been raining! "Stronger than steel Is the sword of the Spirit; Swifter than arrows The light of the truth is, "Thou art a phantom, Day dawns and thou art not! "The dawn is not distant, Nor is the night starless; Love is eternal! God is still God, and His faith shall not fail us; Christ is eternal!". INTERLUDE. A STRAIN of music closed the tale, "Thank God," the Theologian said, 簿 "The reign of violence is dead, Or dying surely from the world; While Love triumphant reigns instead, And in a brighter sky o'erhead His blessed banners are unfurled. And most of all thank God for this: ✓ The war and waste of clashing creeds Now end in words, and not in deeds, And no one suffers loss, or bleeds, |