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。