penetre Dans un antre sauvage et de tous ignore, Grotte creusee aux
flancs de ces Alpes sublimes, Ou l'aigle fait son aire au-dessus des
abimes. Il offrit cet asile, et des le lendemain Tous deux, pour l'y
guider, nous etions en chemin. Le soir du second jour nous touchames sa
base: La, tombant a genoux dans une sainte extase, Elle pria long-temps,
puis vers l'antre inconnu, Denouant se chaussure, elle marcha pied nu.
Nos prieres, nos cris resterent sans reponses: Au milieu des cailloux,
des epines, des ronces, Nous la vimes monter, un baton a la main, Et ce
n'est qu'arrivee au terme du chemin, Qu'enfin elle tomba sans force et
sans haleine....

JUNIA.--Comment la nommait-on, ma fille?

STELLA.-- Madeleine.

Walking, says Stella, by the sea-shore, "A bark drew near, that had nor
sail nor oar; two women and two men the vessel bore: each of that crew,
'twas wondrous to behold, wore round his head a ring of blazing gold;
from which such radiance glittered all around, that I was fain to look
towards the ground. And when once more I raised my frightened eyne,
before me stood the travellers divine; their rank, the glorious lot that
each befell, at better season, mother, will I tell. Of this anon:
the time will come when thou shalt learn to worship as I worship now.
Suffice it, that from Syria's land they came; an edict from their
country banished them. Fierce, angry men had seized upon the four, and
launched them in that vessel from the shore. They launched these victims
on the waters rude; nor rudder gave to steer, nor bread for food. As the
doomed vessel cleaves the stormy main, that pious crew uplifts a sacred
strain; the angry waves are silent as it sings; the storm, awe-stricken,
folds its quivering wings. A purer sun appears the heavens to light, and
wraps the little bark in radiance bright.

"JUNIA.--Sure, 'twas a prodigy.

"STELLA.--A miracle. Spontaneous from their hands the fetters fell. The
salt sea-wave grew fresh, and, twice a day, manna (like that which on
the desert lay) covered the bark and fed them on their way. Thus, hither
led, at heaven's divine behest, I saw them land--

"JUNIA.--My daughter, tell the rest.

"STELLA.--Three of the four, our mansion left at dawn. One, Martha, took
the road to Tarascon; Lazarus and Maximin to Massily; but one remained
(the fairest of the three), who asked us, if i' the woods or mountains
near, there chanced to be some cavern lone and drear; where she might
hide,