Bitter-Sweet: A Poem Part 13

Now, Joseph, you shall be good, And do as you'd be done by; We didn't mean to be rude When you fell and began to cry: We wanted to make you forget your pain; But it frets you, and we'll not laugh again.

_Joseph_.

Well, if you'll all sit still, And not be frisking about, Nor utter a whisper till You've heard my story out, I'll tell you a tale as weird As ever you heard in your lives, Of a man with a long blue beard, And the way he treated his wives.

_All_.

Oh, that will be nice!

We'll be still as mice.

_Joseph_.

[_Relates the old story of Blue Beard, and_ DAVID, _and_ RUTH _enter from the cellar unperceived_.]

Centuries since there flourished a man, (A cruel old Tartar as rich as the Khan), Whose castle was built on a splendid plan, With gardens and groves and plantations; But his s.h.a.ggy beard was as blue as the sky, And he lived alone, for his neighbors were shy.

And had heard hard stories, by the by, About his domestic relations.

Just on the opposite side of the plain A widow abode, with her daughters twain; And one of them--neither cross nor vain-- Was a beautiful little treasure; So he sent them an invitation to tea, And having a natural wish to see His wonderful castle and gardens, all three Said they'd do themselves the pleasure.

As soon as there happened a pleasant day, They dressed themselves in a sumptuous way, And rode to the castle as proud and gay As silks and jewels could make them; And they were received in the finest style, And saw everything that was worth their while, In the halls of Blue Beard's grand old pile, Where he was so kind as to take them.

The ladies were all enchanted quite; For they found old Blue Beard so polite That they did not suffer at all from fright, And frequently called thereafter; Then he offered to marry the younger one, And as she was willing the thing was done, And celebrated by all the ton With feasting and with laughter.

As kind a husband as ever was seen Was Blue Beard then, for a month, I ween; And she was as proud as any queen, And as happy as she could be, too; But her husband called her to him one day, And said, "My dear, I am going away; It will not be long that I shall stay; There is business for me to see to.

"The keys of my castle I leave with you; But if you value my love, be true, And forbear to enter the Chamber of Blue!

Farewell, Fatima! Remember!"

Fatima promised him; then she ran To visit the rooms with her sister Ann; But when she had finished the tour, she began To think about the Blue Chamber.

Well, the woman was curiously inclined, So she left her sister and prudence behind, (With a little excuse) and started to find The mystery forbidden.

She paused at the door;--all was still as night!

She opened it: then through the dim, blue light There blistered her vision the horrible sight That was in that chamber hidden.

The room was gloomy and damp and wide, And the floor was red with the b.l.o.o.d.y tide From headless women, laid side by side, The wives of her lord and master!

Frightened and fainting, she dropped the key, But seized it and lifted it quickly; then she Hurried as swiftly as she could flee From the scene of the disaster.

She tried to forget the terrible dead, But shrieked when she saw that the key was red, And sickened and shook with an awful dread When she heard Blue Beard was coming.

He did not appear to notice her pain; But he took his keys, and seeing the stain, He stopped in the middle of the refrain That he had been quietly humming.

"Mighty well, madam!" said he, "mighty well!

What does this little bloodstain tell?

You've broken your promise; prepare to dwell With the wives I've had before you!

You've broken your promise, and you shall die."

Then Fatima, supposing her death was nigh, Fell on her knees and began to cry, "Have mercy, I implore you!"

"No!" shouted Blue Beard, drawing his sword; "You shall die this very minute," he roared.

"Grant me time to prepare to meet my Lord,"

The terrified woman entreated.

"Only ten minutes," he roared again; And holding his watch by its great gold chain, He marked on the dial the fatal ten, And retired till they were completed.

"Sister, oh, sister, fly up to the tower!

Look for release from this murderer's power!

Our brothers should be here this very hour;-- Speak! Does there come a.s.sistance?"

"No. I see nothing but sheep on the hill."

"Look again, sister!" "I'm looking still, But naught can I see, whether good or ill, Save a flurry of dust in the distance."

"Time's up!" shouted Blue Beard, out from his room; "This moment shall witness your terrible doom, And give you a dwelling within the room Whose secrets you have invaded."

"Comes there no help for my terrible need?"

"There are hors.e.m.e.n twain riding hither with speed."

"Oh! tell them to ride very fast indeed, Or I must meet death unaided."

"Time's fully up! Now have done with your prayer,"

Shouted Blue Beard, swinging his sword on the stair; Then he entered, and grasping her beautiful hair, Swung his glittering weapon around him; But a loud knock rang at the castle gate, And Fatima was saved from her horrible fate, For, shocked with surprise, he paused too late; And then the two soldiers found him.

They were her brothers, and quick as they knew What the fiend was doing, their swords they drew, And attacked him fiercely, and ran him through, So that soon he was mortally wounded.

With a wild remorse was his conscience filled When he thought of the hapless wives he had killed; But quickly the last of his blood was spilled, And his dying groan was sounded.

As soon as Fatima recovered from fright, She embraced her brothers with great delight; And they were as glad and as grateful quite As she was glad and grateful.

Then they all went out from that scene of pain, And sought in quietude to regain Their minds, which had come to be quite insane, In a place so horrid and hateful.

'Twas a private funeral Blue Beard had; For the people knew he was very bad, And, though they said nothing, they all were glad For the fall of the evil-doer; But Fatima first ordered some graves to be made, And there the unfortunate ladies were laid, And after some painful months, with the aid Of her friends, her spirits came to her.

Then she cheered the hearts of the suffering poor, And an acre of land around each door And a cow and a couple of sheep, or more, To her tenantry she granted.

So all of them had enough to eat, And their love for her was so complete They would kiss the dust from her little feet, Or do anything she wanted.

_Samuel_.

Capital! Capital! Wasn't it good!

I should like to have been her brother; If I had been one, you may guess there would Have been little work for the other.

I'd have run him right through the heart, just so; And cut off his head at a single blow, And killed him so quickly he'd never know What it was that struck him, wouldn't I, Joe?

_Joseph_.

You are very brave with your bragging tongue; But if you had been there, you'd have sung A very different tune Poor Blue Beard! He would have been afraid Of a little boy with a penknife blade, Or a tiny pewter spoon!

_Samuel_.

It makes no difference what you say (Pretty little boy, afraid to play!) But it served him rightly any way, And gave him just his due.

And wasn't it good that his little wife Should live in his castle the rest of her life, And have all his money, too?

_Rebekah_.

I'm thinking of the ladies who Were lying in the Chamber Blue, With all their small necks cut in two.

I see them lying, half a score, In a long row upon the floor, Their cold, white bosoms marked with gore.

I know the sweet Fatima would Have put their heads on if she could; And made them live--she was so good;

And washed their faces at the sink; But Blue Beard was not sane, I think: I wonder if he did not drink!