Lilith Part 1

Lilith.

by Ada Langworthy Collier.

PREFACE.

That Eve was Adam's second wife was a common Rabbinic speculation. Certain commentators on Genesis adopted this view, to account for the double account of the creation of woman, in the sacred text, first in Genesis i. 27, and second in Genesis xi. 18. And they say that Adam's first wife was named Lilith, but she was expelled from Eden, and after her expulsion Eve was created. Abraham Ecchelensis gives the following account of Lilith and her doings: "There are some who do not regard spectres as simple devils, but suppose them to be of a mixed nature-part demoniacal, part human, and to have had their origin from Lilith, Adam's first wife, by Eblis, prince of the devils. This fable has been transmitted to the Arabs, from Jewish sources, by some converts of Mohamet from Cabbalism and Rabbinism, who have transferred all the Jewish fooleries to the Arabs. They gave to Adam a wife formed of clay, along with Adam, and called her Lilith, resting on the Scripture: 'Male and female created He them.'"-_Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets.-Baring Gould._

Lilith or Lilis.-In the popular belief of the Hebrews, a female spectre in the shape of a finely dressed woman, who lies in wait for, and kills children. The old Rabbins turned Lilith into a wife of Adam, on whom he begat demons and who still has power to lie with men and kill children who are not protected by amulets with which the Jews of a yet later period supply themselves as a protection against her. Burton in his _Anatomy of Melancholy_ tells us: "The Talmudists say that Adam had a wife called Lilis, before he married Eve, and of her he begat nothing but devils."

A commentator on Skinner, quoted in the _Encyclopaedia Metropolitana_, says that the English word _Lullaby_ is derived from Lilla, abi (begone, Lilith)! In the demonology of the Middle Ages, Lilis was a famous witch, and is introduced as such in the Walpurgis night scene in Goethe's "Faust."-_Webster's Dictionary._

Our word _Lullaby_ is derived from two Arabic words which mean "Beware of Lilith!"-_Anon._

Lilith, the supposed wife of Adam, after she married Eblis, is said to have ruled over the city of Damascus.-_Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets.-Baring Gould._

From these few and meagre details of a fabled existence, which are all that the author has been able to collect from any source whatever, has sprung the following poem. The poet feels quite justified in dissenting from the statements made in the preceding extracts, and has not drawn Lilith as there represented-the bloodthirsty sovereign who ruled Damascus, the betrayer of men, the murderer of children. The Lilith of the poem is transferred to the more beautiful shadow-world. To that country which is the abode of poets themselves. And about her is wrapt the humanizing element still, and everywhere embodied in the sweetest word the human tongue can utter-_lullaby_. Some critics declare that true literary art inculcates a lofty lesson-has a high moral purpose.

If poets and their work must fall under this rigorous rule, then alas "Lilith" will knock at the door of public opinion with a trembling hand indeed. If the poem have either moral aim or lesson of any kind (which observe, gentle critic, it is by no means a.s.serted that it has), it is simply to show that the strongest intellectual powers contain no elements adverse to the highest and purest exercise of the affectional nature. That, in its true condition, the n.o.blest, the most cultured intellect, and the loveliest, sublimest moral and emotional qualities, together weave the web that clothes the world's great soul with imperishable beauty. The possessor of highest intellectual capacity will be also capable of highest developments in the latter qualities. The woman of true intellect is the woman of truest affection. For the rest let Lilith speak, whose life dropped unrecorded from the earliest world.

It is the poet's hope that the chords of the mother-heart universal will respond to the song of the childless one. That in the survival of that one word _lullaby_, may be revivified the pathetic figure of one whose home, whose hope, whose Eden pa.s.sed to another. Whose name living in the terrors of superst.i.tious peoples, now lingers in Earth's sweetest utterance. That Pagan Lilith, re-baptized in the pure waters of maternal love, shall breathe to heathen and Christian motherhood alike, that most sacred love of Earth still throbbing through its tender lullaby.

A. L. C.

TO VALERIA.

Broideries and ancient stuffs that some queen Wore; nor gems that warriors' hilts encrusted; Nor fresh from heroes' brows the laurels green; Nor bright sheaves by bards of eld entrusted To earth's great granaries-I bring not these.

Only thin, scattered blades from harvests gleaned Erewhile I plucked, may happen thee to please.

So poor indeed, those others had demeaned Themselves to cull; or from their strong, firm hands Down dropped about their feet with careless laugh, Too broken for home gathering, these strands, Or else more useless than the idle chaff.

But I have garnered them. Yet, lest they seem Unworthy, and so shame Love's offering, Amid the loose-bound sheaf stray flowers gleam.

And fairer seeming make the gift I bring, Lilies blood-red, that lit the waving field, And now are knotted through the golden grain.

Thou wilt not scorn the tribute I now yield, Nor even deem the foolish flowers vain.

So take it, and if still too slight, too small It seem, think 'tis a bloom that grew anear, In other Springtime, the old garden wall.

(That pale blue flower you will remember, dear.

The heedless world, unseeing, pa.s.sed it by, And left it to the bee and you.) Then say, "Because the hands that tended it are nigh No more, and little feet are gone away That round it trampled down the beaded gra.s.s, Sweeter to me it is than musky spray Of Southland; and dearer than days that pa.s.s In other summer-tides." This simple song Read so, dear heart; Nay, rather white-souled one, Think 'tis an olden echo, wandered long From a low bed where 'neath the westering sun You sang. And if your lone heart ever said "Lo, she is gone, and cannot more be mine,"

Say now, "She is not changed-she is not wed,- She never left her cradle bed. Still shine The pillows with the print of her wee head."

So, mother-heart, this song, where through still rings The strain you sang above my baby bed, I bring. An idle gift mayhap, that clings About old days forgotten long, and dead.

This loitering tale, Valeria, take.

Perchance 'tis sad, and hath not any mirth, Yet love thou it, for the weak singer's sake, And hold it dear, though yet is little worth, This tale of Elder-world: of earth's first prime, Of years that in their grave so long have lain, To-day's dull ear, through poets' tuneful rhyme No echo hears, nor mocking friar's strain.

_July_ 17, 1884.

LILITH.

BOOK I.

Pure as an angel's dream shone Paradise.

Blue mountains hemmed it round; and airy sighs Of rippling waters haunted it. Dim glades, And wayward paths o'erflecked with shimmering shades, And tangled dells, and wilding pleasances, Hung moist with odors strange from scented trees.

Sweet sounds o'erbrimmed the place; and rare perfumes, Faint as far sunshine, fell 'mong verdant glooms.

In that fair land, all hues, all leaf.a.ge green Wrapt flawless days in endless summer-sheen.

Bright eyes, the violet waking, lifted up Where bent the lily her deep, fragrant cup; And folded buds, 'gainst many a leafy spray- The wild-woods' voiceless nuns-knelt down to pray.

There roses, deep in greenest mosses swathed, Kept happy tryst with tropic blooms, sun-bathed.

No sounds of sadness surged through listening trees: The waters babbled low; the errant bees Made answer, murmurous; nor paled the hue The jonquils wore; nor chill the wild breath grew Of daisies cl.u.s.tered white in dewy croft; Nor fell the ta.s.seled plumes as satin soft Upon the broad-leaved corn. Sweet all the day O'erflowed with music every woodland way; And sweet the jargonings of nested bird, When light the listless wind the forest stirred.

Straight as the shaft that 'gainst the morning sun The slender palm uprears, the Fairest one- The first of womankind-sweet Lilith-stood, A gracious shape that glorified the wood.

About her rounded shoulders warm and bare, Like netted sunshine fell her l.u.s.trous hair; The rosy flush of young pomegranate bells Dawned on her cheeks; and blue as in lone dells Sleep the Forget-me-nots, her eyes. With bent Brows, sullen-creased, swart Adam gazed intent Upon a leopard, crouched low in its place Beneath his feet. Not once in Lilith's face He looked, nor sought her wistful, downcast eyes With shifting shadows dusk, and strange surprise.

"O, Love," she said, "no more let us contend!

So sweet is life, anger, methinks, should end.

In this, our garden bright, why dost thou claim Ever the highest place, the n.o.blest name?

Freely to both our Lord gave self-same sway O'er living things. Love, thou art gone astray!

Twin-born, of equal stature, kindred soul Are we; like dowed with strength. Yon stars that roll Their course above, down-looking on my face, See yours as fair; in neither aught that's base.

Thy wife, not handmaid I, yet thou dost say, 'I first in Eden rule.' Thou, then, hast sway.

Must I, my Adam, mutely follow thee?

Run at thy bidding, crouch beside thy knee?

Lift up (when thou dost bid me) timid eyes?

Not so will Lilith dwell in Paradise."

"Mine own," Adam made answer soft, "'twere best Thou didst forget such ills in noontide rest.

Content I wake, the keeper of the place.

Of equal stature? Yea! Of self-same grace?

Nay, Love; recall those lately vanished eves, When we together plucked the plantain leaves; Yon leopard lowly stretched at my command Its lazy length beneath my soothing hand.

At thee she snarled, disdaining half, to sheathe 'Neath thy soft pleading eyes her milk-white teeth.

Oft, Love, in other times, in sheltered nook, We scattered pearly millet by the brook.

Lo thine lay barren in the sand. Quick mine Upspringing sifts o'er pale blooms odors fine: Hateful thy chidings grow; each breeze doth bring Ever thy plaints-thy fretful murmuring.

These many days I weary of thy sighs; Know, Lilith, I alone rule Paradise."

Thereat he rose, and quick at every stride The fawning leopard gambolled at his side.

So fell the first dark shadow of Earth's strife.

With coming evil all the winds were rife.

Lone lay the land with sense of dull loss paled.

The days grew sick at heart; the sunshine failed; And falling waters breathed in silvery moan A hidden ail to starlit dells alone- As sometimes you have seen, 'neath household eaves, 'Mong scents of Springtime, in the budded leaves, The swallows circling blithe, with slant brown wing, Home-flying fleet, with tender chattering, And all the place o'errun with nested love- So have you come, when leaves hung crisp above The silent door. Yet not again, I ween, Those shining wings, cleaving the air, have seen Nor heard the gladsome swallows twittering there- Only the empty nests, low-hung and bare, Spake of the scattered brood.-So lonely were To Lilith grown her once loved haunts. Nor fair The starlit nights, slow-dropping fragrant dew, Nor the dim groves when dawn came shifting through.

Far 'mong the hills the wood-doves' moan she heard, Or in some nearer copse, a startled bird; Or the white moonshine 'mong green boughs o'erhead Wrought her full heart to tears. "Sweet peace," she said, "Alas-lies slain!"

With musing worn, she brake At last her silence, and to Adam spake: "Beyond these walls I know not what may be- Islands low-fringed, or bare; or tranquil sea, s.p.a.ces unpeopled, wastes of burning sands, Green-wooded belts, enclasping summer lands, Or realms of dusky pines, or wolds of snow, Or jagged ice-peaks wrapt in purple glow, Or shadowy oceans lapped in fadeless sheen- Yet there were Paradise, were Lilith queen.

To dally with my lord I was not meant; To soothe his idle whims, above him bent, Warm in my milk-white arms, lull his repose, Nor deep in subtle kisses drown his woes.

Wherefore, since here no more dwells love, I fly To seek my home in other lands. For why Should Lilith wait since Adam's empty state More dear he holds than Lilith desolate?"

But answer soft made Adam at the word, For faint his dying love, yet coldly stirred Its ashen cerements: "Nay, love, our home Within these garden walls lies safe. Wouldst roam Without? Sweet peace, by loss, wilt thou restore One little loss, or miss it evermore?"

"In goodly Eden, Adam, safely bide, But I, for peace, nor love, nor life," she cried, "Submit to thee. Unto our Lord I own Allegiance true; my homage his alone.

Oft have I watched the mists athwart yon peaks, Pursuing oft past coves and winding creeks, Have thought to touch their shining veil outspread, In happy days ere Love, alas, was dead; So now, farewell! Ere the new day shall break Adown their gleaming track, my way I take."

She turned; but ere the gate that looked without She reached, one fleeting moment paused in doubt Upon a river's brink. In one swift glance All coming time she saw. A weird romance Wherein she traced great peoples yet unborn, New springing cycles, strange lands cleft with tarn Or pleasant vale, and green plains stretching far, And quiet bays, and many a shingly bar, And troubled seas, with bitter perils past, And elfin shapes that jeering flitted fast With scornful faces, leering lips that smiled, Or bursts of laughter through that vision wild.

Uncertain, then, she stood, half loth to turn.

"Against yon deepening sky, how dimly burn The stars, new-lit. Dear home, thou art so fair!"

She fondly sighed.

Then sudden she was 'ware The angel near her paused, whose watchful care Guards Eden's peaceful bounds. Serene, his air So tender-sweet, so pure the gentle face, She scarce dared look upon its subtle grace.

Sad were his eyes; his words, rebuking, fell Soft as the moonshine clear, in sleeping dell.

"My sister, go not hence, lest these gates bar Lilith forever out. From peace afar, Anger and pride shall lead through distant ways Thy feet reluctant, in the evil days.

All is decreed. At yonder southern gate Behold! waits even now my princely mate.