Frank Lloyd Wright

THE EVE OF ST. AGNES (1896)

Illustrations of "The Eve of St. Agnes"

Harper’s Magazine January 1880

	Date: January 1880 Title: 1) "Numb were the beadsman's fingers while he told." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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". Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, New York.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 2) "And silent was the flock in woolly fold." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 162, New York.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 3) "Northward he turneth through a little door." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. III Northward he turneth through a little door, And scarce three steps, ere Music's golden tongue Flatter'd to tears this aged man and poor; But no---already had his deathbell rung The joys of all his life were said and sung: His was harsh penance on St. Agnes' Eve: Another way he went, and soon among Rough ashes sat he for his soul's reprieve, And all night kept awake, for sinners' sake to grieve. (Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 163, New York.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 4) "Her maiden eyes divine, fix'd on the floor, saw many a sweeping train." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 164, New York. (Left) Reproduced in "Eve of St. Agnes and Other Poems". Published by The Gold Medal Library. London, New York, Calcutta.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 5) "Meantime, across the moors, had come young Porphyro." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 165, New York. (Left) Reproduced in "Eve of St. Agnes and Other Poems". Published by The Gold Medal Library. London, New York, Calcutta.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 6) "Ah, happy chance! The aged creature came." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 167, New York.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 7) "Through many a dusky gallery, they gain the maiden's chamber." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. XXI So saying, she hobbled off with busy fear. The lover's endless minutes slowly pass'd; The Dame return'd, and whisper'd in his ear To follow her; with aged eyes aghast From fright of dim espial. Safe at last Through many a dusky gallery, they gain The maiden's chamber, silken, hush'd and chaste; Where Porphyro took covert, pleas'd amain. His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brain. (Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 169, New York.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 8) "Pensive awhile she dreams awake." Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. XXVI Anon his heart revives: her vespers done, Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she frees; Unclasps her warmed jewels one by one; Loosens her fragrant bodice; by degrees Her rich attire creeps rustling to her knees: Half-hidden, like a mermaid in sea-weed, Pensive awhile she dreams awake, and sees, In fancy, fair St Agnes in her bed, But dares not look behind, or all the charm is fled. (Left) Reproduced in "The Eve of St. Agnes", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 171, New York. (Left) Reproduced in "Eve of St. Agnes and Other Poems". Published by The Gold Medal Library. London, New York, Calcutta.

	Date: January 1880 Title: 9) "They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall" Artist: Edwin Austin Abbey Description: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852 - 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, and painter. He produced numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines like Harper's and Scribner's Magazine. "The Eve of St. Agnes" was the first article published in this issue. Includes nine illustrations by E. A. Abbey. No where in this issue does Harper's credit the authors or illustrators for any of the article printed. Each Illustration was signed E. A. Abbey. 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", Published by Harper’s Magazine, January 1880, page 173, New York. (Left) Reproduced in "Eve of St. Agnes and Other Poems". Published by The Gold Medal Library. London, New York, Calcutta.

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