After Seeing Pius IX
I saw his face to-day; he looks a chief Who fears not human rage, nor human guile1; Upon his cheeks the twilight2 of a grief, But in that grief the starlight of a smile. Deep, gentle eyes, with drooping3 lids that tell They are the homes where tears of sorrow dwell; A low voice —— strangely sweet —— whose very tone Tells how these lips speak oft with God alone. I kissed his hand, I fain would kiss his feet; "No, no," he said; and then, in accents sweet, His blessing4 fell upon my bended head. He bade me rise; a few more words he said, Then took me by the hand —— the while he smiled —— And, going, whispered: "Pray for me, my child."