OF SIX MEDIEVAL WOMEN 



She it is who bears grief and love together. 

 In the morning in the dew is the most intimate 

 rapture which first penetrates the soul." 



Then speak her Chamberlains, which are the 

 five senses : " Lady, thou must adorn thyself. 

 We have heard a whisper that the Prince comes 

 to meet thee in the dew, and the sweet song of 

 the birds. Tarry not, Lady." 



So she puts on a shift of gentle humility, so 

 humble that nothing could be more so, and over 

 it a white robe of pure chastity, so pure that 

 she cannot endure thoughts, words, or desires 

 which might stain it. Then she wraps herself 

 in a cloak of holy desire, which she has wrought 

 in gold with all the virtues. So she goes into 

 the wood, which is the company of holy people. 

 The sweetest nightingales sing there, day and 

 night, of the right union with God. She tries 

 to join in the festal dance, that is, to imitate 

 the example of the elect. Then comes the 

 youth and says to her : " Thou shalt dance 

 merrily even as my Elect." And she answers : 

 " I cannot dance, Lord, if Thou dost not lead 

 me. If Thou wilt that I leap joyfully, Thou 

 must first Thyself sing. Then will I leap for 

 love, from love to knowledge, from knowledge 

 to fruition, from fruition to beyond all human 

 senses. There will I remain, and circle ever- 

 more." 1 



1 It may be recalled that Dante (Par. xxiv.) sees the Saints in 

 Paradise as circling lights from whence issues divine song, and 

 again (Par. xxv.) " wheeling round in such guise as their burning 

 love befitted." 



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