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THE EVE OF ST. AGNES (1896)
 
Illustrations of "The Eve of St. Agnes"
 
The Eve of St. Agnes (1885 Garrett)
 
Date: 1885

Title: 1) "Title Page"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. "Illuminated title page, initials and borders in gold and colors. 20 full-page and other illustrations with illuminated border around each... A beautiful edition of this beautiful poem. The illuminations on every page are in the highest style of art..." Joseph McDonough (Lit. Coll, Dec 1903 p. V). Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              VIII
    She danc'd along with vague, regardless eyes,
    Anxious her lips, her breathing quick and short:
    The hallow'd hour was near at hand: she sighs
    Amid the timbrels, and the throng'd resort
    Of whisperers in anger, or in sport;
    'Mid looks of love, defiance, hate, and scorn,
    Hoodwink'd with faery fancy; all amort,
    Save to St Agnes and her lambs unshorn,
And all the bliss to be before to-morrow morn.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", Title Page. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 2) "Contents Page"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              I
    St Agnes' Eve---Ah, bitter chill it was!
    The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;
    The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass,
    And silent was the flock in woolly fold:
    Numb were the Beadsman's fingers, while he told
    His rosary, and while his frosted breath,
    Like pious incense from a censer old,
    Seem'd taking flight for heaven, without a death,
Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", Contents page 7. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 3) "The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              I
    St Agnes' Eve---Ah, bitter chill it was!
    The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;
    The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass,
    And silent was the flock in woolly fold:
    Numb were the Beadsman's fingers, while he told
    His rosary, and while his frosted breath,
    Like pious incense from a censer old,
    Seem'd taking flight for heaven, without a death,
Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 9. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 4) "And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              II
    His prayer he saith, this patient, holy man;
    Then takes his lamp, and riseth from his knees,
    And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan,
    Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees:
    The sculptur'd dead, on each side, seem to freeze,
    Emprison'd in black, purgatorial rails:
    Knights, ladies, praying in dumb orat'ries,
    He passeth by; and his weak spirit fails
To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mails.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 11. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 5) "At length burst in the argent revelry"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              V
    At length burst in the argent revelry,
    With plume, tiara, and all rich array,
    Numerous as shadows haunting fairily
    The brain, new-stuff'd, in youth, with triumphs gay
    Of old romance. These let us wish away,
    And turn, sole-thoughted, to one lady there,
    Whose heart had brooded, all that wintry day,
    On love, and wing'd St Agnes' saintly care,
As she had heard old dames full rnany times declare.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 13. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

 

   
Date: 1885

Title: 6) "They told her how, upon St Agnes' Eve"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              VI
    They told her how, upon St Agnes' Eve,
    Young virgins might have visions of delight,
    And soft adorings from their loves receive
    Upon the honey'd middle of the night,
    If ceremonies due they did aright;
    As, supperless to bed they must retire,
    And couch supine their beauties, lily white;
    Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require
Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 14. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 7) "Her maiden eyes divine, fix'd on the floor"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              VII
    Full of this whim was thoughtful Madeline:
    The music, yearning like a God in pain,
    She scarcely heard: her maiden eyes divine,
    Fix'd on the floor, saw many a sweeping train
    Pass by---she heeded not at all: in vain
    Came many a tiptoe, amorous cavalier,
    And back retir'd; not cool'd by high disdain,
    But she saw not: her heart was otherwhere;
She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams, the sweetest of the year.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 15. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 8) "Meantime, across the moors, had come young Porphyro"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              IX
    So, purposing each moment to retire,
    She linger'd still. Meantime, across the moors,
    Had come young Porphyro, with heart on fire
    For Madeline. Beside the portal doors,
    Buttress'd from moonlight, stands he, and implores
    All saints to give him sight of Madeline,
    But for one moment in the tedious hours,
    That he might gaze and worship all unseen;
Perchance speak, kneel, touch, kiss---in sooth such things have been.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 17. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 9) "He startled her; but soon she knew his face"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XI
    Ah, happy chance! the aged creature came,
    Shuffling along with ivory-headed wand,
    To where he stood, hid from the torch's flame,
    Behind a broad hall-pillar, far beyond
    The sound of merriment and chorus bland.
    He startled her; but soon she knew his face,
    And grasp'd his fingers in her palsied hand,
    Saying, "Mercy, Porphyro! hie thee from this place;
"They are all here to-night, the whole blood-thirsty race!

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 19. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 10) "Which none but secret sisterhood may see"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XIII
    He follow'd through a lowly arched way,
    Brushing the cobwebs with his lofty plume,
    And as she mutter'd "Well-a---well-a-day!"
    He found him in a little moonlight room,
    Pale, lattic'd, chill, and silent as a tomb.
    "Now tell me where is Madeline", said he,
    "O tell me, Angela, by the holy loom
    Which none but secret sisterhood may see,
"When they St Agnes' wool are weaving piously."

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 21. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 11) "But let me laugh awhile, I've mickle time to grieve"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XIV
    "St Agnes! Ah! it is St Agnes' Eve---
    Yet men will murder upon holy days:
    Thou must hold water in a witch's sieve,
    And be liege-lord of all the Elves and Fays
    To venture so: it fills me with amaze
    To see thee, Porphyro!---St Agnes' Eve!
    God's help! my lady fair the conjuror plays
    This very night: good angels her deceive!
But let me laugh awhile, I've mickle time to grieve."

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 22. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 12 & 13) "Ah! why wilt thou affright a feeble soul?"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XVIII
    "Ah! why wilt thou affright a feeble soul?
    A poor, weak, palsy-stricken, churchyard thing,
    Whose passing-bell may ere the midnight toll;
    Whose prayers for thee, each morn and evening,
    Were never miss'd." Thus plaining, doth she bring
    A gentler speech from burning Porphyro;
    So woeful, and of such deep sorrowing,
    That Angela gives promise she will do
Whatever he shall wish, betide her weal or woe.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 25. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 14) "When Madeline, St Agnes' charmed maid"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXII
    Her falt'ring hand upon the balustrade,
    Old Angela was feeling for the stair,
    When Madeline, St Agnes' charmed maid,
    Rose, like a mission'd spirit, unaware:
    With silver taper's light, and pious care,
    She turn'd, and down the aged gossip led
    To a safe level matting.  Now prepare,
    Young Porphyro, for gazing on that bed;
She comes, she comes again, like dove fray'd and fled.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 27. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 15) "As down she knelt for heaven's grace and boon"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXV
    Full on this casement shone the wintry moon,
    And threw warm gules on Madeline's fair breast,
    As down she knelt for heaven's grace and boon;
    Rose-bloom fell on her hands, together prest,
    And on her silver cross soft amethyst,
    And on her hair a glory, like a saint:
    She seem'd a splendid angel, newly drest,
    Save wings, for heaven:---Porphyro grew faint:
She knelt, so pure a thing, so free from mortal taint. 

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 29. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 16) "Clasp'd like a missal where swart Paynims pray"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXVII
    Soon, trembling in her soft and chilly nest,
    In sort of wakeful swoon, perplex'd she lay,
    Until the poppied warmth of sleep oppress'd
    Her soothed limbs, and soul fatigued away;
    Flown, like a thought, until the morrow-day;
    Blissfully haven'd both from joy and pain;
    Clasp'd like a missal where swart Paynims pray;
    Blinded alike from sunshine and from rain,
As though a rose should shut, and be a bud again.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 31. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 17) "Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd from Fez"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXX
    And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep,
    In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd,
    While he from forth the closet brought a heap
    Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd
    With jellies soother than the creamy curd,
    And lucent syrops, tinct with cinnamon;
    Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd
    From Fez; and spiced dainties, every one,
From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 32. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 18) "And spiced dainties, every one, from silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXX
    And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep,
    In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd,
    While he from forth the closet brought a heap
    Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd
    With jellies soother than the creamy curd,
    And lucent syrops, tinct with cinnamon;
    Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd
    From Fez; and spiced dainties, every one,
From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 33. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 19) "He play'd an ancient ditty, long since mute"
Title: 20) "These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXXIII
    Awakening up, he took her hollow lute,---
    Tumultuous,---and, in chords that tenderest be,
    He play'd an ancient ditty, long since mute,
    In Provence call'd, "La belle dame sans mercy:"
    Close to her ear touching the melody:---
    Wherewith disturb'd, she utter'd a soft moan:
    He ceased---she panted quick---and suddenly
    Her blue affrayed eyes wide open shone:
Upon his knees he sank, pale as smooth-sculptured stone.

                              XXXI
    These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand
    On golden dishes and in baskets bright
    Of wreathed silver: sumptuous they stand
    In the retired quiet of the night,
    Filling the chilly room with perfume light.---
    "And now, my love, my seraph fair, awake!
    Thou art my heaven, and I thine eremite:
    Open thine eyes, for meek St Agnes' sake,
Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache."

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 35. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 21) "Her eyes were open, but she still beheld"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXXIV
    Her eyes were open, but she still beheld,
    Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep:
    There was a painful change, that nigh expell'd
    The blisses of her dream so pure and deep,
    At which fair Madeline began to weep,
    And moan forth witless words with many a sigh;
    While still her gaze on Porphyro would keep;
    Who knelt, with joined hands and piteous eye,
Fearing to move or speak, she look'd so dreamingly.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 37. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 22) "Her eyes were open, but she still beheld"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XXXVI
    Beyond a mortal man impassion'd far
    At these voluptuous accents, he arose,
    Ethereal, flush'd, and like a throbbing star
    Seen mid the sapphire heaven's deep repose
    Into her dream he melted, as the rose
    Blendeth its odour with the violet,---
    Solution sweet: meantime the frost-wind blows
    Like Love's alarum pattering the sharp sleet
Against the window-panes; St Agnes' moon hath set

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 39. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 23) "Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XL
    She hurried at his words, beset with fears,
    For there were sleeping dragons all around,
    At glaring watch, perhaps, with ready spears---
    Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found.---
    In all the house was heard no human sound.
    A chain-droop'd lamp was flickering by each door;
    The arras, rich with horseman, hawk, and hound,
    Flutter'd in the besieging wind's uproar;
And the long carpets rose along the gusty floor.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 41. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 24) "By one, and one, the bolts fill easy slide"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XLI
    They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall;
    Like phantoms, to the iron porch, they glide;
    Where lay the Porter, in uneasy sprawl,
    With a huge empty flagon by his side:
    The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide,
    But his sagacious eye an inmate owns:
    By one, and one, the bolts fill easy slide:---
    The chains lie silent on the footworn stones,---
The key turns, and the door upon its hinges groans.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 42. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
Date: 1885

Title: 25) "Tailpiece"

Artist: Edmund H. Garrett

Description: Edmund Henry Garrett (1853–1929) was an American illustrator, bookplate maker, author and respected painter. He was a prolific illustrator of many books and publications. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was published with twenty-five Illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. U.S.A.

                              XLII
    And they are gone: ay, ages long ago
    These lovers fled away into the storm.
    That night the Baron dreamt of many a woe,
    And all his warrior-guests, with shade and form
    Of witch, and demon, and large coffin-worm,
    Were long be-nightmar'd. Angela the old
    Died palsy-twitch'd, with meagre face deform;
    The Beadsman, after thousand aves told,
For aye unsought for slept among his ashes cold.

(Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", page 42. Published by University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.

   
 
 

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