Identifier: saul00brow (find matches)
Title: Saul
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Browning, Robert, 1812-1889 MacVannel, John Angus, 1871-1915
Subjects: Saul, King of Israel
Publisher: (New York) T.Y. Crowell & company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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ted the swathesOf his turban, and see — the huge sweat that his countenance bathes.He wipes off with the robe ; and he girds now his loins as of yore,And feels slow for the armlets of price, with the clasp set before.He is Saul, ye remember in glory, — ere error had bentThe broad brow from the daily communion ; and still, though much spent 31 Be the life and the bearing that front you, the same, God did choose,To receive what a man may waste, desecrate, never quite lose.So sank he along by the tent-prop till, stayed by the pileOf his armor and war-cloak and garments, he leaned there awhile.And sat out my singing, — one arm round the tent-prop, to raiseHis bent head, and the other hung slack — till I touched on the praiseI foresaw from all men in all time, to the man patient there ;And thus ended, the harp falling forward. Then first I was wareThat he sat, as I say, with my head just above his vast kneesWhich were thrust out on each side around me, like oak roots which please32
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To encircle a lamb when it slumbers. I looked up to knowIf the best I could do had brought solace: he spoke not, but slowLifted up the hand slack at his side, till he laid it with careSoft and grave, but in mild settled will, on my brow : through my hairThe large fingers were pushed, and he bent back my head, with kind power —All my face back, intent to peruse it, as men do a flower.Thus held he me there with his great eyes that scrutinized mine —And oh, all my heart how it loved him ! but where was the sign ?I yearned — Could I help thee, my father, in-venting a bliss,I would add, to that life of the past, both the future and this ; 33 I would give thee new life altogether, as good, ages hence,As this moment, — had love but the warrant, loves heart to dispense ! 34

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