InHarbourTheWayoftheWindHadIWistRecollectionsTimeandLifeADialoguePlusUltraADeadFriendPastDaysAutumnandWinterTheDeathofRichardWagnerTwopreludesLohengrinTristanundIsoldeTheLuteandtheLyrePlusIntraChangeABaby\'sDeathOneofTwainDeathandBirthBirthandDeathBenedictionEtudeRealisteBabyhoodFirstFootstepsANinthBirthdayNotaChildToDoraDorianTheRoundelAtSeaWastedLoveBeforeSunsetASingingLessonFlower-piecesLoveLiesBleedingLoveinaMistThreefacesVentimigliaGenoaVeniceErosSorrowSleepOnanOldRoundelALandscapebyCourbetAFlower-piecebyFantinANight-piecebyMilletMarzoPazzoDeadLoveDiscordConcordMourningAperotosErosToCatullusInsularumOcelle\'
InSarkInGuernseyEnvoiDEDICATION
TOCHRISTINAG.ROSSETTI
Songslightasthesemaysound,thoughdeepandstrongTheheartspakethroughthem,scarceshouldhopetopleaseEarstunedtostrainsofloftierthoughtsthanthrongSongslightasthese.
Yetgracemaysettheirsometimedoubtatease,NorneedtheirtoorashreverencefeartowrongTheshrineitservesatandthehopeitsees.
ForchildlikelovesandlaughtersthenceprolongNotesthatbidenter,fearlessasthebreeze,Eventotheshrineofholiest-heartedsong,Songslightasthese.
INHARBOUR
I.
GoodnightandgoodbyetothelifewhosesignsdenoteusAsmournersclothedwithregretforthelifegoneby;
TothewatersofgloomwhencewindsofthedayspringfloatusGoodnightandgoodbye.
Atimeisformourning,aseasonforgrieftosigh;
Butwerewenotfoolsandblind,bydaytodevoteusAsthrallstothedarkness,unseenofthesundawn\'seye?
WehavedrunkenofLetheatlength,wehaveeatenoflotus;
Whathurtsitusherethatsorrowsarebornanddie?
WehavesaidtothedreamthatcaressedandthedreadthatsmoteusGoodnightandgoodbye.
II.
Outsideoftheportyearemooredin,lyingClosefromthewindandateasefromthetide,Whatsoundscomeswelling,whatnotesfalldyingOutside?
Theywillnotcease,theywillnotabide:
VoicesofpresageindarknesscryingPassandreturnandrelapseaside.
Yeseenot,buthearyenotwildwingsflyingTothefuturethatwakesfromthepastthatdied?
Isgriefstillsleeping,isjoynotsighingOutside?
THEWAYOFTHEWIND
Thewind\'swayinthedeepsky\'shollowNonemaymeasure,asnonecansayHowtheheartinhershowstheswallowThewind\'sway.
HopenorfearcanavailtostayWavesthatwhitenonwrecksthatwallow,Timesandseasonsthatwaneandslay.
Lifeandlove,tillthestrongnightswallowThoughtandhopeandtheredlastray,SwimthewatersofyearsthatfollowThewind\'sway.
\'HADIWIST\'
HadIwist,whenlifewaslikeawarmwindplayingLightandloudthroughsundawnandthedew\'sbrighttrust,Howthetimeshouldcomeforheartstosighinsaying\'HadIwist\'-
Surelynottheroses,laughingastheykissed,Notthelovelierlaughofseasinsunshineswaying,Shouldhaveluredmysoultolookthereonandlist.
NowthewindislikeasoulcastoutandprayingVainly,prayersthatpiercenotearswhenheartsresist:
Nowmineownsoulsighs,adriftaswindandstraying,\'HadIwist.\'
RECOLLECTIONS
I.
Yearsuponyears,asacourseofcloudsthatthickenThrongingthewaysofthewindthatshiftsandveers,Pass,andtheflamesofrememberedfiresrequickenYearsuponyears.
Surelythethoughtinaman\'shearthopesorfearsNowthatforgetfulnessneedsmustherehavestrickenAnguish,andsweetenedthesealed-upspringsoftears.
Ah,butthestrengthofregretsthatstrainandsicken,Yearningforlovethattheveilofdeathendears,Slackensnotwingforthewingsofyearsthatquicken-
Yearsuponyears.
II.
Yearsuponyears,andtheflameoflove\'shighaltarTremblesandsinks,andthesenseoflisteningearsHeedsnotthesoundthatitheardoflove\'sblithepsalterYearsuponyears.
Onlythesenseofaheartthathearkenshears,Louderthandreamsthatassailanddoubtsthatpalter,Sorrowthatsleptandthatwakeseresundawnpeers.
Wakes,thattheheartmaybehold,andyetnotfalter,Facesofchildrenasstarsunknownof,spheresSeenbutoflove,thatenduresthoughallthingsalter,Yearsuponyears.
III.
Yearsuponyears,asawatchbynightthatpasses,Pass,andthelightoftheireyesisfirethatsearsSlowlythehopesofthefruitthatlifeamassesYearsuponyears.
PaleastheglimmerofstarsonmoorlandmeresLightentheshadowsreverberatefromtheglassesHeldintheirhandsastheypassamongtheirpeers.
Lightsthatareshadows,asghostsongraveyardgrasses,Movingonpathsthatthemoonofmemorycheers,ShewbutasmistsovercloudymountainpassesYearsuponyears.
TIMEANDLIFE
I.
Time,thynameissorrow,saysthestrickenHeartoflife,laidwastewithwastingflameErethechangeofthingsandthoughtsrequicken,Time,thyname.
Girtaboutwithshadow,blindandlame,GhostsofthingsthatsmiteandthoughtsthatsickenHuntandhoundtheedowntodeathandshame.
EyesofhourswhosepaceshaltorquickenReadinbloodredlinesoflossandblame,Writwherecloudanddarknessrounditthicken,Time,thyname.
II.
Nay,butrestisbornofmeforhealing,-Somighthaplytime,withvoicereprest,Speak:isgriefthelastgiftofmydealing?
Nay,butrest.
Alltheworldiswearied,eastandwest,Tiredwithtoiltowatchtheslowsunwheeling,Twelveloudhoursoflife\'slaboriousquest.
Eyesforspentwithvigil,faintandreeling,Findatlastmycomfort,andareblest,Notwithrapturouslightoflife\'srevealing-
Nay,butrest.
ADIALOGUE
I.
Death,ifthouwilt,fainwouldIpleadwiththee:
Canstthounotspare,ofallourhopeshavebuilt,Oneshelterwhereourspiritsfainwouldbe,Death,ifthouwilt?
Nodomewithsunsanddewsimpearledandgilt,Imperial:butsomeroofofwildwoodtree,Toomeanforsceptre\'sheftorswordblade\'shilt.
Somelowsweetroofwherelovemightlive,setfreeFromchangeandfearanddreamsofgrieforguilt;
Canstthounotleavelifeeventhusmuchtosee,Death,ifthouwilt?
II.
Man,whatartthoutospeakandpleadwithme?
Whatknowestthouofmyworkings,whereandhowWhatthingsIfashion?Nay,beholdandsee,Man,whatartthou?
Thyfruitsoflife,andblossomsofthybough,Whataretheybutmyseedlings?EarthandseaBearnoughtbutwhenIbreatheonitmustbow.
Bowthoutoodownbeforeme:thoughthoubeGreat,alltheprideshallfadefromoffthybrow,WhenTimeandstrongOblivionaskofthee,Man,whatartthou?
III.
Death,ifthoubeorbenot,aswassaid,Immortal;ifthoumakeusnought,orweSurvive:thypowerismadebutofourdread,Death,ifthoube.
Thymightismadeoutofourfearofthee:
Whofearstheenot,hathpluckedfromoffthineheadThecrownofcloudthatdarkensearthandsea.
Earth,sea,andsky,asrainorvapourshed,Shallvanish;alltheshowsofthemshallflee:
Thenshallweknowfullsurely,quickordead,Death,ifthoube.
PLUSULTRA
FarbeyondthesunriseandthesunsetrisesHeaven,withworldsonworldsthatlightenandrespond:
Thoughtcanseenotthencethegoalofhope\'ssurmisesFarbeyond.
NightanddayhavemadeaneverlastingbondEachwitheachtohideinyetmoredeepdisguisesTruth,tillsoulsofmenthatthirstfortruthdespond.
Allthatmaninprideofspiritslightsorprizes,Allthedreamsthatmakehimfearful,fain,orfond,Fadeatforethought\'stouchoflife\'sunknownsurprisesFarbeyond.
ADEADFRIEND
I.
Gone,Ogentleheartandtrue,Friendofhopesforegone,HopesandhopefuldayswithyouGone?
DaysofoldthatshoneSawwhatnoneshallseeanew,Whenwegazedthereon.
Soulasclearassunlitdew,Whysosoonpasson,ForthfromallwelovedandknewGone?
II.
Friendofmanyaseasonfled,WhatmaysorrowsendTowardtheenowfromlipsthatsaid\'Friend\'?
SighsandsongstoblendPraisewithpainuncomfortedThoughthepraiseascend?
Darknesshidesnodearerhead:
WhyshoulddarknessendDaysosoon,OdearanddeadFriend?
III.
Dearindeath,thouhastthypartYetinlife,tocheerHeartsthatheldthygentleheartDear.
TimeandchancemaysearHopewithgrief,anddeathmaypartHandfromhand\'sclasphere:
Memory,blindwithtearsthatstart,SeesthrougheverytearAllthatmadethee,asthouart,Dear.
IV.
Trueandtender,single-souled,WhatshouldmemorydoWeepingo\'erthetrustweholdTrue?
Knownandlovedoffew,Butofthese,thoughsmalltheirfold,Lovedhowwellwereyou!
Change,thatmakesofnewthingsold,Leavesoneoldthingnew;
Lovewhichpromisedtruth,andtoldTrue.
V.
Kindasheaven,whileearth\'scontrolStillhadleavetobindThee,thyheartwastowardman\'swholeKind.
TheenoshadowsblindNow:thechangeofhoursthatrollLeavesthysleepbehind.
Love,thathearsthydeath-belltollYet,maycalltomindScarceasoulasthysweetsoulKind.
VI.
Howshouldlife,Ofriend,forgetDeath,whoseguestartthou?
Faithrespondstolove\'sregret,How?
Still,forusthatbowSorrowing,still,thoughlifebeset,Shinesthybrightmildbrow.
Yea,thoughdeathandthoubemet,LovemayfindtheenowStill,albeitweknownotyetHow.
VII.
Pastasmusicfades,thatshoneWhileitslifemightlast;
Asasong-bird\'sshadowflownPast!
Death\'sreverberateblastNowformusic\'slordhasblownWhomthyloveheldfast.
Deadthyking,andvoidhisthrone:
YetforgriefatlastLovemakesmusicofhisownPast.
PASTDAYS
I.
Deadandgone,thedayswehadtogether,Shadow-strickenallthelightsthatshoneRoundthem,flownasfliestheblownfoam\'sfeather,Deadandgone.
Wherewewent,wetwain,intimeforegone,Forthbylandandsea,andcarednotwhether,IfIgoagain,Igoalone.
BoundamIwithtimeaswithatether;
Theeperchancedeathleadsenfranchisedon,Farfromdeathlikelifeandchangefulweather,Deadandgone.
II.
Abovetheseaandsea-washedtownwedwelt,Wetwaintogether,twobriefsummers,freeFromheedofhoursaslightascloudsthatmeltAbovethesea.
Freefromallheedofaughtatallwerewe,SavechanceofchangethatcloudsorsunbeamsdealtAndgleamofheaventowindwardortolee.
TheNormandownswithbrightgreywavesforbeltWeremoreforusthaninlandwaysmightbe;
AclearersenseofnearerheavenwasfeltAbovethesea.
III.
Cliffsanddownsandheadlandswhichtheforward-hastingFlightofdawnandeveempurplesandembrowns,Wingsofwildsea-windsandstormyseasonswastingCliffsanddowns,These,orevermanwas,were:thesameskyfrowns,Laughs,andlightens,asbeforehissoul,forecastingTimestobe,conceivedsuchhopesastimediscrowns.
Thesewelovedofold:butnowformetheblastingBreathofdeathmakesdullthebrightsmallseawardtowns,ClotheswithhumanchangetheseallbuteverlastingCliffsanddowns.
AUTUMNANDWINTER
I.
ThreemonthsbadewaneandwaxthewinteringmoonBetweentwodatesofdeath,whilemenwerefainYetofthelivinglightthatalltoosoonThreemonthsbadewane.
Coldautumn,wanwithwrathofwindandrain,SawpassasoulsweetasthesovereigntuneThatdeathsmotesilentwhenhesmoteagain.
Firstwentmyfriend,inlife\'smidlightofnoon,Wholovedthelordofmusic:thenthestrainWhenceearthwaskindledlikeasheaveninJuneThreemonthsbadewane.
II.
Aheraldsoulbeforeitsmaster\'sflyingTouchedbysomefewmoonsfirstthedarklinggoalWhereshadesroseuptogreettheshade,espyingAheraldsoul;
Shadesofdeadlordsofmusic,whocontrolMenlivingbythemightofmenundying,Withstrengthofstrainsthatmakedelightofdole.
Thedeepdensedustondeath\'sdimthresholdlyingTrembledwithsenseofkindlingsoundthatstoleThroughdarkness,andthenightgaveear,descryingAheraldsoul.
III.
Onewentbefore,oneafter,butsofastTheyseemgonehencetogether,fromtheshoreWhencewenowgaze:yeterethemightierpassedOnewentbefore;
Onewhosewholeheartoflove,beingsetofyoreOnthathighjoywhichmusiclendsus,castLightroundhimforthofmusic\'sradiantstore.
Thenwent,whileearthonwinterglaredaghast,Themortalgodheworshipped,throughthedoorWherethroughsolate,hislovertothelast,Onewentbefore.
IV.
AstarhadsetanhourbeforethesunSankfromtheskieswherethroughhisheart\'spulseyetThrillsaudibly:butfewtookheed,ornone,Astarhadset.
Allheavenringsback,sonorouswithregret,Thedeepdirgeofthesunset:howshouldoneSoftstarbemissedinalltheconcoursemet?
But,Osweetsingleheartwhoseworkisdone,Whosesongsaresilent,howshouldIforgetThaterethesunset\'sfierygoalwaswonAstarhadset?
THEDEATHOFRICHARDWAGNER
I.
Mourningonearth,aswhendarkhoursdescend,Wide-wingedwithplagues,fromheaven;whenhopeandmirthWane,andnolipsrebukeorreprehendMourningonearth.
Thesoulwhereinhersongsofdeathandbirth,Darknessandlight,werewonttosoundandblend,Nowsilent,leavesthewholeworldlessinworth.
Windsthatmakemoanandtriumph,skiesthatbend,Thunders,andsoundoftidesingulfandfirth,Spakethroughhisspiritofspeech,whosedeathshouldsendMourningonearth.
II.
Theworld\'sgreatheart,whenceallthingsstrangeandrareTakeformandsound,thateachinseparatepartMaybearitsburdeninalltunedthoughtsthatshareTheworld\'sgreatheart-
Thefountainforces,whencelikesteedsthatstartLeapforththepowersofearthandfireandair,Seasthatrevolveandriversthatdepart-
Spake,andwereturnedtosong:yea,alltheywere,Withalltheirworks,foundinhismasteringartSpeechasofpowerswhoseutteredwordlaidbareTheworld\'sgreatheart.
Fromthedepthsofthesea,fromthewellspringsofearth,fromthewastesofthemidmostnight,Fromthefountainsofdarknessandtempestandthunder,fromheightswherethesoulwouldbe,Thespellofthemageofmusicevokedtheirsense,asanunknownlightFromthedepthsofthesea.
Asavisionofheavenfromthehollowsofocean,thatnonebutagodmightsee,Roseoutofthesilenceofthingsunknownofapresence,aform,amight,AndweheardasaprophetthathearsGod\'smessageagainsthim,andmaynotflee.
Eyemightnotendureit,butearandheartwitharaptureofdarkdelight,Withaterrorandwonderwhosecorewasjoy,andapassionofthoughtsetfree,FeltinlytherisingofdoomdivineasasundawnrisentosightFromthedepthsofthesea.
TWOPRELUDES
I.
LOHENGRIN
Love,outofthedepthofthings,Asadewfallfeltfromabove,FromtheheavenwhenceonlyspringsLove,Love,heardfromtheheightsthereof,Thecloudsandthewatersprings,Drawscloseasthecloudsremove.
Andthesoulinitspeaksandsings,Aswansweet-souledasadove,AnechothatonlyringsLove.
II.
TRISTANUNDISOLDE
Fate,outofthedeepsea\'sgloom,Whenaman\'sheart\'spridegrowsgreat,AndnoughtseemsnowtoforedoomFate,Fate,ladenwithfearsinwait,Drawsclosethroughthecloudsthatloom,Tillthesoulsee,alltoolate,Moredarkthanadeadworld\'stomb,Morehighthanthesheerdawn\'sgate,Moredeepthanthewidesea\'swomb,Fate.
THELUTEANDTHELYRE
Deepdesire,thatpiercesheartandspirittotheroot,Findsreluctantvoiceinversethatyearnslikesoaringfire,TakesexultantvoicewhenmusicholdsinhighpursuitDeepdesire.
Keenasburnsthepassionoftherosewhosebudsrespire,Strongasgrowstheyearningoftheblossomtowardthefruit,Soundsthesecrethalfunspokenerethedeeptonestire.
Slowsubsidestherapturethatpossessedlove\'sflower-softlute,Slowthepalpitationofthetriumphofthelyre:
Stillthesoulfeelsburn,aflameunslakedthoughthesebemute,Deepdesire.
PLUSINTRA
I.
Soulwithinsense,immeasurable,obscure,Insepulchredanddeathless,throughthedenseDeepelementsmayscarcebefeltaspureSoulwithinsense.
Fromdepthandheightbymeasurersleftimmense,Throughsoundandshapeandcolour,comestheunsureVagueutterance,fitfulwithsupremesuspense.
Allthatmaypass,andallthatmustendure,Songspeaksnot,paintingshewsnot:moreintenseAndkeenthanthese,artwakeswithmusic\'slureSoulwithinsense.
CHANGE
Butnowlife\'sfacebeholdenSeemedbrightasheaven\'sbarebrowWithhopeofgiftswithholdenButnow.
Fromtime\'sfull-floweringboughEachbudspakebloomtoemboldenLove\'sheart,andsealhisvow.
Joy\'seyesgrewdeepwitholdenDreams,bornhewistnothow;
Thought\'smeanestgarbwasgolden;
Butnow!
ABABY\'SDEATH
I.
AlittlesoulscarcefledgedforearthTakeswingwithheavenagainforgoalEvenwhilewehailedasfreshfrombirthAlittlesoul.
Ourthoughtsringsadasbellsthattoll,Notknowingbeyondthisblindworld\'sgirthWhatthingsarewritinheaven\'sfullscroll.
Ourfruitfulnessistherebutdearth,Andallthingsheldintime\'scontrolSeemthere,perchance,illdreams,notworthAlittlesoul.
II.
ThelittlefeetthatnevertrodEarth,neverstrayedinfieldorstreet,WhathandleadsupwardbacktoGodThelittlefeet?
AroseinJune\'smosthoniedheat,Whenlifemakeskeenthekindlingsod,Wasnotsosoftandwarmandsweet.
Theirpilgrimage\'speriodAfewswiftmoonshaveseencompleteSincemother\'shandsfirstclaspedandshodThelittlefeet.
III.
ThelittlehandsthatneversoughtEarth\'sprizes,worthlessallassands,Whatgifthasdeath,God\'sservant,broughtThelittlehands?
Weask:butlove\'sselfsilentstands,Love,thatlendseyesandwingstothoughtTosearchwheredeath\'sdimheavenexpands.
Erethis,perchance,thoughloveknownought,Flowersfillthem,growninlovelierlands,WherehandsofguidingangelscaughtThelittlehands.
IV.
ThelittleeyesthatneverknewLightotherthanofdawningskies,WhatnewlifenowlightsupanewThelittleeyes?
WhoknowsbutontheirsleepmayriseSuchlightasneverheavenletthroughTolightenearthfromParadise?
Nostorm,weknow,maychangetheblueSoftheaventhathaplydeathdescriesNotears,liketheseinours,bedewThelittleeyes.
V.
Waslifesostrange,sosadthesky,Sostraitthewideworld\'srange,HewouldnotstaytowonderwhyWaslifesostrange?
Wasearth\'sfairhouseajoylessgrangeBesidethathouseonhighWhenceTimethatborehimfailedtoestrange?
ThathereatoncehissoulputbyAllgiftsoftimeandchange,Andleftusheavierheartstosigh\'Waslifesostrange?\'
VI.
Angelbynamelovecalledhim,seeingsofairThesweetsmallframe;
Meettobecalled,ifeverman\'schildwere,Angelbyname.
Rose-brightandwarmfromheaven\'sownhearthecame,AndmightnotbearThecloudthatcoversearth\'swanfacewithshame.
HislittlelightoflifewasalltoorareAndsoftaflame:
HeavenyearnedforhimtillangelshailedhimthereAngelbyname.
VII.
ThesongthatsmileduponhisbirthdayhereWeepsonthegravethatholdshimundefiledWhoselossmakesbittererthanasoundlesstearThesongthatsmiled.
HisnamecrownedoncethemightiesteverstyledSovereignofarts,andangel:fateandfearKnewthentheirmaster,andwerereconciled.
ButwesawbornbeneathsometenderersphereMichael,anangelandalittlechild,WhoselossbowsdowntoweepuponhisbierThesongthatsmiled.
ONEOFTWAIN
I.
Oneoftwain,twin-bornwithflowersthatwaken,Nowhathpassedfromsenseofsunandrain:
Windfromofftheflower-crownedbranchhathshakenOneoftwain.
Onetwinflowermustpass,andoneremain:
One,thewordsaidsoothly,shallbetaken,Andanotherleft:candeathrefrain?
Twoyearssincewaslove\'slightsongmistaken,Blessingthenbothblossoms,halfinvain?
NightoutspeedinglighthathovertakenOneoftwain.
II.
Nightandlight?Othouofheartunwary,Love,whatknowestthouhereatallaright,Lured,abused,misledasmenbyfairyNightandlight?
Haply,wherethineeyesbeholdbutnight,Softaso\'erherbabethesmileofMaryLightbreaksflowerwiseintonew-bornsight.
Whatthoughnightoflighttotheebechary?
Whatthoughstarsofhopelikeflowerstakeflight?
Seestthouallthingshere,whereallseevaryNightandlight?
DEATHANDBIRTH
Deathandbirthshoulddwellnotneartogether:
Wealthkeepshousenot,evenforshame,withdearth:
FatedothilltolinkinonebrieftetherDeathandbirth.
Harshtheyokethatbindsthem,strangethegirthSeemsthatgirdsthemeachwitheach:yetwhetherDeathbebest,whoknows,orlifeonearth?