第1章

Hedoesbutdragarumblingwain,Cheeredbythecoupledbellsofrhyme。\"

CoventryPatmoreToMyMotherGentlestofcritics,doesyourmemoryhold(Iknowitdoes)arecordofthedaysWhenI,aschoolboy,earnedyourgenerouspraiseForhaltingverseandstoriescrudelytold?

Overthesechildishscrawlstheyearshaverolled,Theymightnotknowtheworld\'sunfriendlygaze;

Butstillyoursmileshinesdownfamiliarways,Touchesmywordsandturnstheirdrosstogold。

Moredearto-daythaninthatvanishedtimeComesyournighpraisetomakemeproudandstrong。

InmypoornotesyouhearLove\'ssplendidchime,Sountoyoudoesthis,myworkbelong。

Take,then,alittlegiftoffragilerhyme:

Yourheartwillchangeittoauthenticsong。

ContentsTheTwelve-Forty-FivePenniesTreesStarsOldPoetsDelicatessenServantGirlandGrocer\'sBoyWealthMartinTheApartmentHouseAsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStarSt。LaurenceToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfMemorialDayTheRosaryVisionToCertainPoetsLove\'sLanternSt。AlexisFollyMadnessPoetsCitizenoftheWorldToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpringTheFourthShepherdEasterMountHouvenkopfTheHousewithNobodyinItDaveLillyAlarmClocksWaverleyTreesandOtherPoemsTheTwelve-Forty-Five(ForEdwardJ。Wheeler)

WithintheJerseyCityshedTheenginecoughsandshakesitshead,Thesmoke,aplumeofredandwhite,Wavesmadlyinthefaceofnight。

AndnowthegraveincuriousstarsGleamonthegroaninghurryingcars。

AgainstthekindandawfulreignOfdarkness,thisourangrytrain,Anoisylittlerebel,poutsItsbriefdefiance,flamesandshouts——

Andpasseson,andleavesnotrace。

Fordarknessholdsitsancientplace,Sereneandabsolute,thekingUnchanged,ofeverylivingthing。

ThehouseslieobscureandstillInRutherfordandCarltonHill。

OurlampsintensifythedarkOfslumberingPassaicPark。

AndquietholdsthewearyfeetThatdailytrampthroughProspectStreet。

WhatthoughweclangandclankandroarThroughallPassaic\'sstreets?NodoorWillopen,notaneyewillseeWhothisloudvagabondmaybe。

Uponmycrimsoncushionedseat,Inmanufacturedlightandheat,Ifeelunnaturalandmean。

Outsidethetownsarecoolandclean;

CurtainedawhilefromsoundandsightTheytakeGod\'sgraciousgiftofnight。

Thestarsarewatchfuloverthem。

OnCliftonasonBethlehemTheangels,leaningdownthesky,Shedpeaceandgentledreams。AndI——

Iride,IblasphemouslyrideThroughallthesilentcountryside。

Theengine\'sshriek,theheadlight\'sglare,Pollutethestillnocturnalair。

ThecottagesofLakeViewsighAndsleeping,frownaswepassby。

Why,evenstridentPatersonRestsquietlyasanynun。

HerfoolishwarringchildrenkeepThegratefularmisticeofsleep。

Forwhattremendouserrand\'ssakeArewesoblatantlyawake?

Whatprecioussecretisourfreight?

Whatkingmustbeabroadsolate?

PerhapsDeathroamsthehillsto-nightAndwerushforthtogivehimfight。

Orelse,perhaps,wespeedhiswayTosomeremoteunthinkingprey。

PerhapsawomanwrithesinpainAndlistens——listensforthetrain!

Thetrain,thatlikeanangelsings,Thetrain,withhealingonitswings。

Now\"Hawthorne!\"theconductorcries。

Myneighborstartsandrubshiseyes。

HehurriesyawningthroughthecarAndstepsoutwherethehousesare。

Thisisthereasonofourquest!

NotwantonlywebreaktherestOftownandvillage,nordoweLightlyprofanenight\'ssanctity。

WhatLovecommandsthetrainfulfills,AndbeautifuluponthehillsAretheseourfeetofburnishedsteel。

SubtlyandcertainlyIfeelThatGlenRockwelcomesustoherAndsilentRidgewoodseemstostirAndsmile,becausesheknowsthetrainHasbroughtherchildrenbackagain。

Wecarrypeoplehome——andsoGodspeedsus,wheresoe\'erwego。

Hohokus,Waldwick,AllendaleLiftsleepyheadstogiveushail。

InRamsey,Mahwah,SuffernstandHousesthatwistfullydemandAfather——son——somehumanthingThatthis,themidnighttrain,maybring。

ThetrainsthattravelinthedayTheyhurryfolkstoworkorplay。

ThemidnighttrainisslowandoldButofitletthisthingbetold,ToitshighhonorbeitsaidItcarriespeoplehometobed。

Mycottagelampshineswhiteandclear。

Godblessthetrainthatbroughtmehere。

PenniesAfewlong-hoardedpenniesinhishandBeholdhimstand;

AkiltedHedonist,perplexedandsad。

Thejoythatoncehehad,Thefirstdelightofownershipisfled。

Hebowshislittlehead。

Ah,cruelTime,tokillThatsplendidthrill!

Theninhistear-dimmedeyesNewlightsarise。

Hedropshistreasuredpenniesontheground,TheyrollandboundAndscattered,rest。

NowwithwhatzestHerunstofindhiserrantwealthagain!

SountomenDothGod,deprivingthatHemaybestow。

Fame,healthandmoneygo,Butthattheymay,newfound,benewlysweet。

Yea,atHisfeetSit,waitingus,totheirconcealmentbid,Allthey,ourlovers,whomHisLovehathhid。

Lo,comfortbloomsonpain,andpeaceonstrife,Andgainonloss。

WhatisthekeytoEverlastingLife?

Ablood-stainedCross。

Trees(ForMrs。HenryMillsAlden)

IthinkthatIshallneverseeApoemlovelyasatree。

AtreewhosehungrymouthisprestAgainsttheearth\'ssweetflowingbreast;

AtreethatlooksatGodallday,Andliftsherleafyarmstopray;

AtreethatmayinSummerwearAnestofrobinsinherhair;

Uponwhosebosomsnowhaslain;

Whointimatelyliveswithrain。

Poemsaremadebyfoolslikeme,ButonlyGodcanmakeatree。

Stars(FortheRev。JamesJ。Daly,S。J。)

Brightstars,yellowstars,flashingthroughtheair,AreyouerrantstrandsofLadyMary\'shair?

Assheslitsthecloudyveilandbendsdownthrough,Doyoufallacrosshercheeksandoverheaventoo?

Gaystars,littlestars,youarelittleeyes,Eyesofbabyangelsplayingintheskies。

NowandthenawingedchildturnshismerryfaceDowntowardthespinningworld——whatafunnyplace!

JesusChristcamefromtheCross(Christreceivemysoul!)

Ineachperfecthandandfoottherewasabloodyhole。

Fourgreatironspikestherewere,redandneverdry,MichaelpluckedthemfromtheCrossandsettheminthesky。

Christ\'sTroop,Mary\'sGuard,God\'sownmen,DrawyourswordsandstrikeatHellandstrikeagain。

Everysteel-bornsparkthatflieswhereGod\'sbattlesare,FlashespastthefaceofGod,andisastar。

OldPoets(ForRobertCortezHolliday)

IfIshouldliveinaforestAndsleepunderneathatree,NogroveofimpudentsaplingsWouldmakeahomeforme。

I\'dgowheretheoldoaksgather,Sereneandgoodandstrong,AndtheywouldnotsighandtrembleAndvexmewithasong。

ThepleasantestsortofpoetIsthepoetwho\'soldandwise,WithanoldwhitebeardandwrinklesAbouthiskindoldeyes。

FortheseyoungflippertigibbetsA-rhymingtheirhoursawayTheywon\'tbestilllikehonestmenAndlistentowhatyousay。

TheyoungpoetscreamsforeverAbouthissexandhissoul;

Buttheoldmanlistens,andsmokeshispipe,Andpolishesitsbowl。

ThereshouldbeaclubforpoetsWhohavecometoseventyyear。

TheyshouldsitinagreathalldrinkingRedwineandgoldenbeer。

Theywouldshuffleinofanevening,Eachonetohiscushionedseat,AndtherewouldbemellowtalkingAndsilencerichandsweet。

ThereisnopeacetobetakenWithpoetswhoareyoung,FortheyworryaboutthewarstobefoughtAndthesongsthatmustbesung。

Buttheoldmanknowsthathe\'sinhischairAndthatGod\'sonHisthroneinthesky。

SohesitsbythefireincomfortAndheletstheworldspinby。

DelicatessenWhyisthatwantongossipFameSodumbaboutthisman\'saffairs?

WhydowetitterathisnameWhocometobuyhiscuriouswares?

Hereisashopofwonderment。

Fromeverylandhascomeaprize;

RichspicesfromtheOrient,AndfruitthatknewItalianskies,AndfigsthatripenedbytheseaInSmyrna,nutsfromhotBrazil,StrangepungentmeatsfromGermany,AndcurrantsfromaGrecianhill。

HeisthelordofgoodlythingsThatmakethepoorman\'stablegay,YetofhisworthnominstrelsingsAndonhistombthereisnobay。

Perhapshelivesanddiesunpraised,Thistraffickerinhumblesweets,BecausehislittleshopsareraisedBythousandsinthecitystreets。

Yetstarsingreaternumbersshine,Andvioletsinmillionsgrow,AndtheyinmanyagoldenlineAresung,aseverychildmustknow。

PerhapsFamethinkshisworriedeyes,Hiswrinkled,shrewd,patheticface,Hisshop,andallhesellsandbuysAredesperatelycommonplace。

Well,itistruehehasnoswordTodangleathisbootedknees。

Heleansacrossaslabofboard,Anddrawshisknifeandslicescheese。

Heneverheardofchivalry,Helongsfornoheroictimes;

Hethinksofpickles,olives,tea,Anddollars,nickles,centsanddimes。

Hisworldhasnarrowwalls,itseems;

Bycountersishissoulconfined;

Hiswaresareallhishopesanddreams,Theyarethefabricofhismind。

Yet——inaroomabovethestoreThereisawoman——andachildPatteredjustnowacrossthefloor;

Theshopmanlookedathimandsmiled。

For,oncehethrilledwithhighromanceAndtunedtolovehiseagervoice。

LikeanycavalierofFranceHewooedthemaidenofhischoice。

AndnowdeepinhiswearyheartAresacredflamesthatwhitelyburn。

HehasofHeaven\'sgraceapartWholoves,whoisbelovedinturn。

Andwhenthelongday\'sworkisdone,(Howslowtheleadenminutesran!)

Home,withhiswifeandlittleson,Heisnohuckster,butaman!

Andtherearethosewhograsphishand,Whodrinkwithhimandwishhimwell。

OinnodrearandlonelylandShallhewhohonorsfriendshipdwell。

Andinhislittleshop,whoknowsWhatbittergamesofwarareplayed?

Why,dailyoneachcornergrowsAfoetorobhimofhistrade。

Hefights,andforhisfireside\'ssake;

Hefightsforclothingandforbread:

ThelancesofhisfoemenmakeAsteelyhaloroundhishead。

Hedeckshiswindowartfully,Hehagglesoverpaltrysums。

InthisstrangefieldhiswarmustbeAndbysuchblowshistriumphcomes。

WhatifnotrumpetsoundstocallHisarmedlegionstohisside?

Whatif,tonoancestralhallHecomesinallavictor\'spride?

Thesceneshallneverfitthedeed。

Grotesquelywonderscometopass。

ThefoolshallmountanArabsteedAndJesusrideuponanass。

ThismanhashomeandchildandwifeAndbattlesetforeveryday。

ThismanhasGodandloveandlife;

Thesestand,allelseshallpassaway。

OCarpenterofNazareth,Whosemotherwasavillagemaid,Shallwe,Thychildren,blowourbreathInscornonanyhumbletrade?

HavepityonourfoolishnessAndgiveuseyes,thatwemayseeBeneaththeshopman\'sclumsydressThesplendorofhumanity!

ServantGirlandGrocer\'sBoyHerlips\'remarkwas:\"Oh,youkid!\"

Hersoulspokethus(Iknowitdid):

\"Okingofrealmsofendlessjoy,Myown,mygoldengrocer\'sboy,IamaprincessforcedtodwellWithinalonelykitchencell,WhileyougodashingthroughthelandWithlovelinessoneveryhand。

YourwhistlestrikesmyeagerearsLikemusicofthechoiringspheres。

ThemightyearthgrowsfaintandreelsBeneathyourthunderingwagonwheels。

Howkeenly,perilouslysweetToclinguponthatswayingseat!

HowhappyshewhobyyoursideMaysharethesplendorsofthatride!

Ah,ifyouwillnottakemyhandAndbearmeoffacrosstheland,Then,travellerfromArcady,Remainawhileandcomfortme。

WhatothermaidencanyoufindSoyounganddelicateandkind?\"

Herlips\'remarkwas:\"Oh,youkid!\"

Hersoulspokethus(Iknowitdid)。

Wealth(ForAline)

Fromwhatoldballad,orfromwhatrichframeDidyoudescendtoglorifytheearth?

WasitfromChaucer\'ssingingbookyoucame?

OrdidWatteau\'ssmallbrushesgiveyoubirth?

NothingsoexquisiteasthatslighthandCouldRaphaelorLeonardotrace。

NorcouldthepoetsknowinFairylandThechangingwonderofyourlyricface。

Iwouldpossessahostoflovelythings,ButIampoorandsuchjoysmaynotbe。

SoGodwholiftsthepoorandhumbleskingsSentlovelinessitselftodwellwithme。

MartinWhenIamtiredofearnestmen,Intenseandkeenandsharpandclever,PursuingfamewithbrushorpenOrcountingmetaldisksforever,ThenfromthehallsofShadowlandBeyondthetracklesspurpleseaOldMartin\'sghostcomesbacktostandBesidemydeskandtalktome。

StillonhisdelicatepalefaceAquizzicalthinsmileisshowing,Hischeeksarewrinkledlikefinelace,Hiskindblueeyesaregayandglowing。

Hewearsabrilliant-huedcravat,Asuittomatchhissoftgreyhair,Arakishstick,aknowinghat,Amannerblitheanddebonair。

HowgoodthathewhoalwaysknewThatbeinglovelywasaduty,ShouldhavegoldhallstowanderthroughAndshouldhimselfinhabitbeauty。

HowlikehisoldunselfishwayToleavethosehallsofsplendidmirthAndcomfortthosecondemnedtostayUponthedullandsombreearth。

Somepeopleask:\"WhatcruelchanceMadeMartin\'slifesosadastory?\"

Martin?Why,heexhaledromance,Andworeanovercoatofglory。

Afleckofsunlightinthestreet,Ahorse,abook,agirlwhosmiled,SuchvisionsmadeeachmomentsweetForthisreceptiveancientchild。

BecauseitwasoldMartin\'slotTobe,notmake,adecoration,Shallwethenscornhim,havingnotHisgeniusofappreciation?

Richjoyandlovehegotandgave;

Hisheartwasmerryashisdress;

PilelaurelwreathsuponhisgraveWhodidnotgain,butwas,success!

TheApartmentHouseSevereagainstthepleasantarcofskyThegreatstoneboxiscruellydisplayed。

Thestreetbecomesmoredrearyfromitsshade,Andvagrantbreezestouchitswallsanddie。

Heresullenconvictsintheirchainsmightlie,Orslavestoildumblyatsomedrearytrade。

HowworsethanfollyistheirlabormadeWhoclefttherocksthatthismightriseonhigh!

Yet,asIlook,Iseeawoman\'sfaceGleamfromawindowfarabovethestreet。

Thisisahouseofhomes,asacredplace,Byhumanpassionmadedivinelysweet。

HowallthebuildingthrillswithsuddengraceBeneaththemagicofLove\'sgoldenfeet!

AsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStar(ForAline)

NowbywhatwhimofwantonchanceDoradianteyesknowsombredays?

AndfeetthatshodinlightshoulddanceWalkwearyandlaboriousways?

ButraysfromHeaven,whiteandwhole,Maypenetratethegloomofearth;

Andtearsbutnourish,inyoursoul,Thegloryofcelestialmirth。

Thedartsoftoilandsorrow,sentAgainstyourpeacefulbeauty,areAsfoolishandasimpotentAswindsthatblowagainstastar。

St。LaurenceWithinthebrokenVaticanThemurderedPopeislyingdead。

ThesoldiersofValerianTheirevilhandsarewetandred。

Unarmed,unmoved,St。Laurencewaits,Hiscassockishisonlymail。

ThetroopsofHellhaveburstthegates,ButChristisLord,Heshallprevail。

Theyhaveencompassedhimwithsteel,Theyspituponhisgentleface,Hesmilesandbleeds,norwillrevealTheChurch\'shiddentreasure-place。

Ah,faithfulsteward,worthyknight,Wellhastthoudone。Beholdthyfee!

SincethouhastfoughtthegoodlyfightAmartyr\'sdeathisfixedforthee。

St。Laurence,prayforustobearThefaithwhichglorifiesthyname。

St。Laurence,prayforustoshareThewoundsofLove\'sconsumingflame。

ToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfWhenyouhadplayedwithlifeaspaceAndmadeitdrinkandlustandsing,YouflungitbackintoGod\'sfaceAndthoughtyoudidanoblething。

\"Lo,Ihavelivedandloved,\"yousaid,\"Andsungtofoolstoodulltohearme。

NowforacoolandgrassybedWithvioletsinblossomnearme。\"

Well,restisgoodforwearyfeet,Althoughtheyranfornogreatprize;

Andvioletsareverysweet,Althoughtheirrootsareinyoureyes。

ButharktowhattheearthwormssayWhosharewithyouyourmuddyhaven:

\"Thefightwason——youranaway。

Youareacowardandacraven。

\"Therugisruinedwhereyoubled;

Itwasadirtywaytodie!

ToputabulletthroughyourheadAndmakeasillywomancry!

YoucouldnotvexthemerrystarsNormakethemheedyou,deadorliving。

NotallyourpunyangermarsGod\'sirresistibleforgiving。

\"Yes,Godforgivesandmenforget,Andyou\'reforgivenandforgotten。

YoumightbegailysinningyetAndquickandfreshinsteadofrotten。

AndwhenyouthinkofloveandfameAndallthatmighthavecometopass,Thendon\'tyoufeelalittleshame?

Anddon\'tyouthinkyouwereanass?\"

MemorialDay\"Dulceetdecorumest\"

Thebugleechoesshrillandsweet,Butnotofwaritsingsto-day。

TheroadisrhythmicwiththefeetOfmen-at-armswhocometopray。

TherosesblossomwhiteandredOntombswherewearysoldierslie;

FlagswaveabovethehonoreddeadAndmartialmusiccleavesthesky。

Abovetheirwreath-strewngraveswekneel,Theykeptthefaithandfoughtthefight。

ThroughflyingleadandcrimsonsteelTheyplungedforFreedomandtheRight。

Maywe,theirgratefulchildren,learnTheirstrength,wholiebeneaththissod,WhowentthroughfireanddeathtoearnAtlasttheaccoladeofGod。

InshiningrankonrankarrayedTheymarch,thelegionsoftheLord;

HeistheirCaptainunafraid,ThePrinceofPeace……Whobroughtasword。

TheRosaryNotonthelute,norharpofmanystringsShallallmenpraisetheMasterofallsong。

Ourlifeisbrief,onesaith,andartislong;

Andskilledmustbethelaureatesofkings。

Silent,Olipsthatutterfoolishthings!

Rest,awkwardfingersstrikingallnoteswrong!

Howfromyourtoilshallissue,whiteandstrong,MusiclikethatGod\'schosenpoetsings?

Thereisoneharpthatanyhandcanplay,Andfromitsstringswhatharmoniesarise!

Thereisonesongthatanymouthcansay,——

Asongthatlingerswhenallsingingdies。

WhenontheirbeadsourMother\'schildrenprayImmortalmusiccharmsthegratefulskies。

Vision(ForAline)

Homer,theytellus,wasblindandcouldnotseethebeautifulfacesLookingupintohisownandreflectingthejoyofhisdream,YetdidheseemGiftedwitheyesthatcouldfollowthegodstotheirholiestplaces。

Ihavenovisionofgods,notofEroswithlove-arrowsladen,JupiterthunderingdeathorofJunohiswhite-breastedqueen,YethaveIseenAllofthejoyoftheworldintheinnocentheartofamaiden。

ToCertainPoetsNowistherhymer\'shonesttradeAthingforscornfullaughtermade。

Themerchant\'ssneer,theclerk\'sdisdain,Thesearetheburdenofourpain。

Becauseofyoudidthisbefall,Youbroughtthisshameuponusall。

YoulittlepoetsmincingthereWithwomen\'sheartsandwomen\'shair!

HowsickDanChaucer\'sghostmustbeTohearyoulispof\"Poesie\"!

Aheavy-handedblow,Ithink,Wouldmakeyourveinsdripscentedink。

YoustrutandsmirkyourlittlewhileSomildly,delicatelyvile!

YourtinyvoicesmockGod\'swrath,YousnailsthatcrawlalongHispath!

Why,whathasGodormantodoWithwet,amorphousthingslikeyou?

Thisthingaloneyouhaveachieved:

Becauseofyou,itisbelievedThatallwhoearntheirbreadbyrhymeArelikeyourselves,exudingslime。

Oh,ceasetowrite,forveryshame,Ereallmenspituponourname!

Takeupyourneedles,dropyourpen,Andleavethepoet\'scrafttomen!

Love\'sLantern(ForAline)

BecausetheroadwassteepandlongAndthroughadarkandlonelyland,GodsetuponmylipsasongAndputalanterninmyhand。

ThroughmilesonwearymilesofnightThatstretchrelentlessinmywayMylanternburnssereneandwhite,Anunexhaustedcupofday。

Ogoldenlightsandlightslikewine,Howdimyourboastedsplendorsare。

Beholdthislittlelampofmine;

Itismorestarlikethanastar!

St。AlexisPatronofBeggarsWewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。

Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis\'care,TheVagabondofGod。

TheygavehimahomeinpurpleRomeAndaprincessforhisbride,ButherowedawayonhisweddingdayDowntheTiber\'srushingtide。

AndhecametolandontheAsianstrandWheretheheathenpeopledwell;

AsabeggarhestrayedandhepreachedandprayedAndhesavedtheirsoulsfromhell。

BowedwithyearsandpainhecamebackagainTohisfather\'sdwellingplace。

Therewasnonetoseewhothistrampmightbe,Fortheyknewnothisbeardedface。

Buthisfathersaid,\"GivehimdrinkandbreadAndacouchunderneaththestair。\"

SoAlexiscrepttohisholeandslept。

Buthemightnotlingerthere。

Forwhennightcamedownontheseven-hilledtown,Andtheemperorhurriedin,Saying,\"Lo,IhearthatasaintisnearWhowillcleanseusofoursin,\"

Thentheylookedinvainwherethesainthadlain,Forhissoulhadfledafar,FromhisfleshlyhomehehadgonetoroamWherethegold-pavedhighwaysare。

WewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。

Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis\'care,TheVagabondofGod!

Folly(ForA。K。K。)

WhatdistantmountainsthrillandglowBeneathourLadyFolly\'stread?

Whyhassheleftus,wiseinwoe,Shrewd,practical,uncomforted?

Wecannotloveordreamorsing,Wearetoocynicaltopray,ThereisnojoyinanythingSinceLadyFollywentaway。

Manyaknightandgentlemaid,Whosegloryshinesfromyearsgoneby,ThroughignorancewasunafraidAndasafoolknewhowtodie。

SaintFollyrodebesideJehanneAndbroketheranksofHellwithher,AndFolly\'ssmileshonebrightlyonChrist\'splaything,BrotherJuniper。

OurmindsaretroubledanddefiledBystudyinawearyschool。

Oforthefollyofthechild!

Thereadycourageofthefool!

Lord,crushourknowledgeutterlyAndmakeushumble,simplemen;

Andcleansedofwisdom,letusseeOurLadyFolly\'sfaceagain。

Madness(ForSaraTeasdale)

Thelonelyfarm,thecrowdedstreet,Thepalaceandtheslum,GivewelcometomysilentfeetAs,bearinggifts,Icome。

Lastnightabeggarcrouchedalone,Araggedhelplessthing;

Isethimonamoonbeamthrone——

Todayheisaking。

LastnightakinginorbandcrownHeldcourtwithsplendidcheer;

TodayhetearshispurplegownAndmoansandshrieksinfear。

Notironbars,norflashingspears,Notland,norsky,norsea,Norlove\'sartilleryoftearsCankeepmineownfromme。

Serene,unchanging,everfair,IsmilewithsecretmirthAndinanetofmineownhairIswingthecaptiveearth。

PoetsVainisthechimingofforgottenbellsThatthewindswaysabovearuinedshrine。

VainerhisvoiceinwhomnolongerdwellsHungerthatcravesimmortalBreadandWine。

LightsongswebreathethatperishwithourbreathOutofourlipsthathavenotkissedtherod。

Theyshallnotlivewhohavenottasteddeath。

TheyonlysingwhoarestruckdumbbyGod。

CitizenoftheWorldNolongerofHimbeitsaid\"HehathnoplacetolayHishead。\"

IneverylandaconstantlampFlamesbyHissmallandmightycamp。

ThereisnostrangeanddistantplaceThatisnotgladdenedbyHisface。

AndeverynationkneelstohailTheSplendourshiningthroughItsveil。

Cloisteredbesidetheshoutingstreet,Silent,HecallsmetoHisfeet。

ImprisonedforHisloveofmeHemakesmyspiritgreatlyfree。

AndthroughmylipsthatutteredsinTheKingofGloryentersin。

ToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpring(ForKenton)

AnironhandhasstilledthethroatsThatthrobbedwithloudandrhythmicgleeAnddammedthefloodofsilvernotesThatdrenchedtheworldinmelody。

TheblosmyappleboughsareyearningFortheirwildchoristers\'returning,Butnoswiftwingsflashthroughthetree。

Yethatweregladandfleetandstrong,ShallSilencetakeyouinhernet?

AndshallDeathquellthatradiantsongWhoseechothrillsthemeadowyet?

BurstthefrailwebaboutyouclingingAndcharmDeath\'scruelheartwithsingingTillwithstrangetearshiseyesarewet。

ThescentedmorningoftheyearIsoldandstalenowyearegone。

NofriendlysongsthechildrenhearAmongthebushesonthelawn。

Whenbabieswanderouta-MayingWillye,theirbards,afarbestraying?

Unhymnedbyyou,whatisthedawn?

Nay,sinceyelovedyecannotdie。

Abovethestarsissetyournest。

ThroughHeaven\'sfieldsyesingandflyAndinthetreesofHeavenrest。

AndlittlechildrenintheirdreamingShallseeyoursoftblackplumagegleamingAndsmile,byyourclearmusicblest。

TheFourthShepherd(ForThomasWalsh)

I

OnnightslikethisthehuddledsheepArelikewhitecloudsuponthegrass,AndmerryherdsmenguardtheirsleepAndchatandwatchthebigstarspass。

ItisapleasantthingtolieUponthemeadowonthehillWithkindlyfellowshipnearbyOfsheepandmenofgentlewill。

IleanuponmybrokencrookAnddreamofsheepandgrassandmen——

OshamefuleyesthatcannotlookOnanyhonestthingagain!

OnbloodyfeetIclambereddownAndfledthewagesofmysin,Iamtheleavingsofthetown,Andmeanlyserveitsmeanestinn。

Itrampthecourtyardstonesingrief,Whilesleeptakesmanandbeasttoher。

Andeverycloudiscalling\"Thief!\"

Andeverystarcalls\"Murderer!\"

II

ThehandofGodissureandstrong,NorshallamanforeverfleeThebitterpunishmentofwrong。

ThewrathofGodisoverme!

WithashenbreadandwineoftearsShallIbesolacedinmypain。

IwearthroughblackandendlessyearsUponmybrowthemarkofCain。

III

Poorvagabond,sooldandmild,Willtheynotkeephimforanight?

AndShe,awomangreatwithchild,Sofrailandpitifulandwhite。

Goodpeople,sincethetaverndoorIsshuttoyou,comehereinstead。

See,IhavecleansedmystablefloorAndpiledfreshhaytomakeabed。

Hereissomemilkandoatencake。

Liedownandsleepandrestyoufair,Norfear,Osimplefolk,totakeThebountyofachildofcare。

IV

Onnightslikethisthehuddledsheep——

Ineversawanightsofair。

Howhugetheskyis,andhowdeep!

Andhowtheplanetsflashandglare!

AtdawnbesidemydrowsyflockWhatwingedmusicIhaveheard!

ButnowthecloudswithsingingrockAsiftheskywereturningbird。

OblindingLight,OblindingLight!

Burnthroughmyheartwithsweetestpain。

OflamingSong,mostloudlybright,Consumeawaymydeadlystain!

V

Thestableglowsagainstthesky,Andwhoarethesethatthrongtheway?

MythreeoldcomradeshastenbyAndshiningangelskneelandpray。

Thedoorswingswide——Icannotgo——

ImustandyetIdarenotsee。

Lord,whoamIthatIshouldknow——

Lord,God,bemercifultome!

VI

OWhiteness,whiterthanthefleeceOfnew-washedsheeponAprilsod!

OBreathofLife,OPrinceofPeace,OLambofGod,OLambofGod!

EasterTheairislikeabutterflyWithfrailbluewings。

ThehappyearthlooksattheskyAndsings。

MountHouvenkopfSerenehestands,withmistserenelycrowned,Anddrawsacloakoftreesabouthisbreast。

ThethunderroarsbutcannotbreakhisrestAndfromhisruggedfacethetempestsbound。

Hedoesnotheedtheangrylightning\'swound,Theragingblizzardishisharmlessguest,AndhumanlifeisbutapassingjestTohimwhoseesTimespintheyearsaround。

Butfragilesouls,inskyeyreachesfindHighvantage-pointsandviewhimfromafar。

Howlowheseemstotheascendedmind,Howbriefheseemswhereallthingsendlessare;

ThislittleplaymateofthemightywindThisyoungcompanionofanancientstar。

TheHousewithNobodyinItWheneverIwalktoSuffernalongtheErietrackIgobyapooroldfarmhousewithitsshinglesbrokenandblack。

IsupposeI\'vepasseditahundredtimes,butIalwaysstopforaminuteAndlookatthehouse,thetragichouse,thehousewithnobodyinit。

Ineverhaveseenahauntedhouse,butIheartherearesuchthings;

Thattheyholdthetalkofspirits,theirmirthandsorrowings。

Iknowthishouseisn\'thaunted,andIwishitwere,Ido;

Foritwouldn\'tbesolonelyifithadaghostortwo。

ThishouseontheroadtoSuffernneedsadozenpanesofglass,Andsomebodyoughttoweedthewalkandtakeascythetothegrass。

Itneedsnewpaintandshingles,andthevinesshouldbetrimmedandtied;

Butwhatitneedsthemostofallissomepeoplelivinginside。

IfIhadalotofmoneyandallmydebtswerepaidI\'dputagangofmentoworkwithbrushandsawandspade。

I\'dbuythatplaceandfixitupthewayitusedtobeAndI\'dfindsomepeoplewhowantedahomeandgiveittothemfree。

Now,anewhousestandingempty,withstaringwindowanddoor,Looksidle,perhaps,andfoolish,likeahatonitsblockinthestore。

Butthere\'snothingmournfulaboutit;itcannotbesadandloneForthelackofsomethingwithinitthatithasneverknown。

Butahousethathasdonewhatahouseshoulddo,ahousethathasshelteredlife,Thathasputitslovingwoodenarmsaroundamanandhiswife,Ahousethathasechoedababy\'slaughandhelduphisstumblingfeet,Isthesaddestsight,whenit\'sleftalone,thateveryoureyescouldmeet。

SowheneverIgotoSuffernalongtheErietrackInevergobytheemptyhousewithoutstoppingandlookingback,Yetithurtsmetolookatthecrumblingroofandtheshuttersfallenapart,ForIcan\'thelpthinkingthepooroldhouseisahousewithabrokenheart。

DaveLillyThere\'sabrookonthesideofGreylockthatusedtobefulloftrout,Butthere\'snothingtherenowbutminnows;theysayitisallfishedout。

IfishedtheremanyaSummerdaysometwentyyearsago,AndIneverquitwithoutgettingamessofadozenorso。

Therewasaman,DaveLilly,wholivedontheNorthAdamsroad,Andhespentallhistimefishing,whilehisneighborsreapedandsowed。

HewastheluckiestfishermanintheBerkshirehills,Ithink。

Andwhenhedidn\'tgofishinghe\'dsitinthetavernanddrink。

Well,Daveisdeadandburiedandnobodycaresverymuch;

TheyhavenouseinGreylockfordrunkardsandloafersandsuch。

ButIalwayslikedDaveLilly,hewaspleasantasyoucouldwish;

Hewasshiftlessandgood-for-nothing,buthecertainlycouldfish。

TheothernightIwaswalkingupthehillfromWilliamstownAndIcametothebrookImentioned,andIstoppedonthebridgeandsatdown。

IlookedattheblackenedwaterwithitslittleflecksofwhiteAndIhearditrippleandwhisperinthestilloftheSummernight。

AndafterI\'dbeenthereaminuteitseemedtomeIcouldfeelThepresenceofsomeonenearme,andIheardthehumofareel。

Andthewaterwaschurnedandbroken,andsomethingwasbroughttolandByatwistandflirtofashadowyrodinadeftandshadowyhand。

Iscrambleddowntothebrooksideandhuntedallabout;

Therewasn\'tasignofafisherman;therewasn\'tasignofatrout。

ButIheardsomebodychucklebehindthehollowoakAndIgotawhiffoftobaccolikeLillyusedtosmoke。

It\'sfifteenyears,theytellme,sinceanyonefishedthatbrook;

Andthere\'snothinginitbutminnowsthatnibblethebaitoffyourhook。

ButbeforethesunhasrisenandafterthemoonhassetIknowthatit\'sfullofghostlytroutforLilly\'sghosttoget。

IguessI\'llgotothetavernandgetabottleofryeAndleaveitdownbythehollowoak,whereLilly\'sghostwentby。

ImeanttogouponthehillsideandtrytofindhisgraveAndputsomeflowersonit——butthiswillbebetterforDave。

AlarmClocksWhenDawnstridesouttowakeadewyfarmAcrossgreenfieldsandyellowhillsofhayThelittletwitteringbirdslaughinhiswayAndpoisetriumphantonhisshiningarm。

HebearsaswordofflamebutnottoharmThewakenedlifethatfeelshisquickeningswayAndbarnyardvoicesshrilling\"Itisday!\"

Takebyhisgraceanewandaliencharm。

Butinthecity,likeawoundedthingThatlimpstocoverfromtheangrychase,Hestealsdownstreetswheresicklyarc-lightssing,Andwanlymockhisyoungandshamefulface;

AndtinygongswithcruelfervorringInmanyahighanddrearysleepingplace。

Waverley1814-1914

When,onanovel\'snewlyprintedpageWefindamaudlineulogyofsin,Andreadofwaysthatharlotswanderin,Andofsicksoulsthatwritheinhelplessrage;

OrwhenRomance,bespectacledandsage,TapsonherdeskandbidstheclassbeginTocontheproblemsthathavealwaysbeenPerplexedmankind\'sunhappyheritage;

TheninwhatrobesofhonorhabitedThelaureledwizardoftheNorthappears!

WhoraisedPrinceCharlie\'scohortsfromthedead,MadeRose\'smirthandFlora\'snobletears,AndformedthatshininglegionatwhoseheadRidesWaverley,triumphanto\'ertheyears!

[EndofTreesandOtherPoems。]

Thefollowingbiographicalinformationistakenfromthe1917editionofJessieB。Rittenhouse\'santhologyofModernVerse。

Kilmer,Joyce。BornatNewBrunswick,NewJersey,December6,1886,andgraduatedatColumbiaUniversityin1908。AfterashortperiodofteachinghebecameassociatedwithFunkandWagnallsCompany,whereheremainedfrom1909to1912,whenheassumedthepositionofliteraryeditorof\"TheChurchman\"。In1913Mr。Kilmerbecameamemberofthestaffofthe\"NewYorkTimes\",apositionwhichhestilloccupies。Hisvolumesofpoetryare:\"ASummerofLove\",1911,and\"Trees,andOtherPoems\",1914。

KilmerdiedinFrancein1918,andalsopublishedanothervolume,\"MainStreetandOtherPoems\",1917,aswellasindividualpoems,essays,etc。