第2章

Midwaytheroadofourlife’stermtheymet,Andoneanotherknewwithoutsurprise;

Norcaredthatbeautystoodinmutualeyes;

Norattheirtardymeetingnursedregret。

TothemitwasrevealedhowtheyhadfoundThekindrednatureandtheneededmind;

Thematebylongconspiracydesigned;

Theflowertoplantinsanctuaryground。

AvowedinvigilantsolicitudeForeither,whatmostlivedwithineachbreastTheyletbeseen:yeteveryhumantestDemandingrighteousnessapprovedthemgood。

Sheleanedonastrongarm,andlittlefearedAbandonmenttohelpifheavedorsankHerheartatintervalswhileLovelookedblank,Liferosierwereshebutlessrevered。

AnarmthatnevershookdidnotobscureHerwoman’sintuitionofthebliss—

Theirtempter’smomento’ertheblackabyss,Acrossthenarrowplank—hecouldabjure。

Thencameadaythatclippedforhimthethread,Andtheirfirsttouchoflips,ashelaycold,Wasallofearthlyintheirloveuntold,Beyondallearthlyknowntothemwhowed。

SohastherecomethegustatSouth—westflungBysuddenvoltonevesoffreezingmist,Whensistersnowflakesistersnowdropkissed,Andonepassedout,andonethebell—headhung。

Poem:SongInTheSonglessTheyhavenosong,thesedgesdry,Andstilltheysing。

Itiswithinmybreasttheysing,AsIpassby。

Withinmybreasttheytouchastring,Theywakeasigh。

Thereisbutsoundofsedgesdry;

Inmetheysing。

Poem:UnionInDisseveranceSunsetworntoitslastvermilionhe;

Shethatstaroverheadinslowdescent:

Thatwhitestarwiththefrontofangelshe;

HeundoneinhisraysofgloryspentHalo,fairasthebow—shotathisrise,Hecastsroundher,andknowshishourofrestIncomplete,werethelightforwhichhedies,Lesslikejoyofthedovethatwingstonest。

Lustrousmomently,nearonearthshesinks;

Life’sfullthroboverbreathlessandabased:

Yetstandthey,thoughimpalpablethelinks,One,moreonethanthebridallyembraced。

Poem:TheBurdenOfStrengthIfthatthouhastthegiftofstrength,thenknowThypartistoupliftthetroddenlow;

Elseinagiant’sgraspuntiltheendAhopelesswrestlershallthysoulcontend。

Poem:TheMainRegret[WrittenfortheCharingCrossAlbum]

I。

Seen,tooclearandhistoricwithinus,oursinsofomissionFrownwhentheAutumndaysstrikeusallruthlesslybare。

Theyofourmortaldiseasesfindneverhealingphysician;

Errorstheyofthesoul,pasttheonehopetorepair。

II。

Sunshinemightwehavebeenuntoseedundersoil,orhavescatteredSeedtoascendantsunsbrighterthananythatshone。

Eventhelimp—leggedbeggarasickdesperadohasflatteredBacktoahalf—sloughedlifecheeredbythemerehumantone。

Poem:AlternationBetweenthefountainandtherillIpassed,andsawthemightywillToleapatsky;thecarelessrun,Asearthwouldleadherlittleson。

Beneaththemthrobsanurgentwell,Thathereisplay,andthereiswar。

IknownotwhichhadmosttotellOfwhencewespringandwhatweare。

Poem:HawardenWhencomesthelighteddayformentoreadLife’smeaning,withtheworkbeforetheirhandsTillthisgoodgiftofbreathfromdebtisfreed,Earthwillnothearherchildren’swailfulbandsDeplorethechieftainfall’ninsobanddirge;

Northeylookwhereisdarkness,butonhigh。

Thesunthatdroppeddownourhorizon’sverge,Illumeshislaboursthroughthetravelledsky,Nowseeninsum,mostglorious;and’tisknownBywhatourwarriorwroughtweholdhimfast。

Asplendidimagebuiltofmanhasflown;

HisdeedsinspiredofGodoutstepaPast。

OursthegreatprivilegetohavehadoneAmonguswhocelestialtaskshasdone。

Poem:AtTheCloseToThee,dearGodofMercy,bothappeal,Whostraightwaysoundthecalltoarms。Thouknow’st;

Andthatblackspotineachembattledhost,Springoftheblood—stream,laterwiltreveal。

Nowisitredartilleryandwhitesteel;

Tillonadaywillringthevictor’sboast,That’tisThychosentowersuppermost,WhereThyrejectedgrovelsunderheel。

Soinalltimesofman’sdescentinsaneTobrute,didstrengthandcraftcombiningstrike,EvenasaGodofArmies,hisfellblow。

ButatthecloseheenteredThydomain,DearGodofMercy,andiflion—likeHetorethefall’n,theEternalwashisFoe。

Poem:ForestHistoryI。

Beneaththevansofdoomdidmenpassin。

Heroicwhocameout;forroundthemhungAwaveringphantom’sredvolcanotongue,Withleague—longlizardtailandfishyfin:

II。

OldEarth’soriginalDragon;thereretiredTohislastfastness;overthrownbyfew。

Himalaboriousthrustofroadwayslew。

Thenmantoplaydevorantstraightwasfired。

III。

MoreintimatebecametheforestfearWhilepillareddarknesshatchedmaliciouslifeAteitherelbow,wolforgnomeorknifeAndwaryslidtheglancefromeartoear。

IV。

Inchillness,likeacloudedlantern—ray,Theforest’sheartoffogonmossedmorass,Onpurplepoolandsilkycotton—grass,Revealedwhereluredtheswallowerbyway。

V。

Deadoutlook,flattenedbackwithhardreboundOffwallsofdistance,lefteachmountedheight。

Itseemedagianthag—fiend,churningspiteOfhumblehumanbeing,heldtheground。

VI。

Throughfriendlesswastes,throughtreacherouswoodland,slowThefeetsustainedbytrackoffeetpursuedPainedsteps,andfoundthecommonbrotherhoodBysignofHeavenindifferent,Naturefoe。

VII。

Anonamason’sworkamazedthesight,Andlong—frockedmen,calledBrothers,thereabode。

Theypointedup,bowedhead,anddugandsowed;

Whereofwasshelter,loaf,andwarmfirelight。

VIII。

Whatwordstheytaughtwerenailstoscratchthehead。

Benignantworksexplainedthechantingbrood。

Theirmonasterylitblacksolitude,Asonemightthinkastarthatheavenwardled。

IX。

Uproseafairernestforwearyfeet,Likesomegoldflowernightlyinwardcurled,Wheregentlemaidensfledaroaringworld,Orplayedwithit,andhadtheirwhiteretreat。

X。

Intobigbooksofmetalclaspstheypored。

Theygoverned,evenasmen;theywelcomedlays。

Thetreasureswomenarewhoseaimispraise,Wasshowninthem:theGardenhalfrestored。

XI。

Adelugebillowscouredthelandoffseas,Withwidenedjaws,andslaughterwasitsfoam。

Forfood,forclothing,ambush,refuge,home,Thelessersavageofferedbogsandtrees。

XII。

Whencereverenceroundgrey—hairedstorygrew:

AndinmostspotsofancienthorrorshoneAstemplesunderbeamsoftrialsbygone;

ForinthemsangbravetimeswithGodinview。

XIII。

Tillnowtrimhomesteadsborderedspacesgreen,Likenight’sfirstlittlestarsthroughclearingshowers。

Wasrumouredhowacastle’sfalcontowersThewildernesscommandedwithfiercemien。

XIV。

ThereinaseriousBaronstuckhislance;

ForminstrelsongsabeauteousDamewouldpout。

Gayknightsandsombre,felonordevout,Prickedonward,boundfortheirunsungromance。

XV。

ItmightbethattwoerrantlordsacrossTheblockofeachcameedged,andatsharpcryTheychargedforthwith,thebettermantotry。

Onerodehisway,onecouchedonquietmoss。

XVI。

Perchancealadysweet,whoselordlayslain,Therobbersintogruesomedurancedrew。

Swiftshouldherherocome,likelightning’sblue!

Sheprayedforhim,ascracklingdroughtforrain。

XVII。

Aswe,thateretheworstherherohaps,OfAngelsguided,nighthatloathlyden:

Atoadycavebesideanaguefen,Wherelongforlornthelonedogwhinesandyaps。

XVIII。

BydaylightnowtheforestfearcouldreadItself,andatnewwonderschucklingwent。

Straightfortheroebuck’sneckthebowmanspentAdartthatlaughedatdistanceandatspeed。

XIX。

Rightloudthebugle’shallalielateRangforthofmerrydinglesroundthetors;

Anddeftesthandwashefromforeignwars,Butsoonhehailedthehome—bredyeomanmate。

XX。

Beforetheblackbirdpeckedtheturftheywoke;

Atdawnthedeer’swetnostrilsblewtheirlast。

Toforest,hauntofrunsandprimerepast,Withpayingblows,theyokelstrainedhisyoke。

XXI。

Thecityurchinmoonedonforestair,Ongrassysweepsandflyingarrows,thickAsswallowso’ersmoothstreams,andsighedhimsickForthinkingthathisdearerhomewasthere。

XXII。

Familiar,stillunseized,theforestsprangAnold—worldecho,likenomortalthing。

Thehunter’shornmightwindajocundring,Butheldinearithadachillyclang。

XXIII。

Someshadowlurkedaloofofancienttime;

Somewarninghauntedanysoundprolonged,AsthoughtheleaguesofwoodlandheldthemwrongedTohearanaxeandseeatownshipclimb。

XXIV。

Theforest’serewhileemperorateveHadvoicewhenloweredheavensdrummedforgales。

Atmidnightasmallpeopledancedthedales,SothinthattheymightdwindlethroughasieveXXV。

Ringedmushroomstoldofthem,andintheirthroats,Oldwivesthatgatheredherbsandknewtoomuch。

Thepensionedforesterbesidehiscrutch,Struckshowersfromembersatthosebodefulnotes。

XXVI。

Camethentheone,allear,alleye,allheart;

Devourer,andinsensiblydevoured;

Inwhomthecityoverforestflowered,Theforestwreathedthecity’sdrama—mart。

XXVII。

TherefoundheinnewformthatDragonold,Fromtangledsolitudesexpelled;andtaughtHowblindlyeachitsantidotebesought;

Foreither’sbreaththeneedsofeithertold。

XXVIII。

Nowdeepinwoods,withsongnosermon’sdrone,Heshowedwhatcharmthehumanconcourseworks:

Amidthepressofmen,whatvirtuelurksWherebubblesacredwellsofwildnesslone。

XXIX。

Ourconquestthese:ifhaplyweretainThereverencethatne’erwilloverrunDueboundariesofrealmsfromNaturewon,Norletthepoet’saweinrapturewane。

Poem:AGardenIdylWithsagestcraftArachneworkedHerweb,andatacornerlurked,Awaitingwhatshouldplumphersoon,Tocaseitinthedeath—cocoon。

SagaciouslyherhomeshechoseForvisitsthatwouldneverclose;

Insidemychalet—porchherfeastPluckedallthewindsbutchillNorth—east。

Thefinishedstructure,baronbar,Hadsnatchedfromlighttoformastar,Andstruckonsight,whenquickwithdews,LikemusicoftheveryMuse。

Greatartistspassoursinglesense;

Wehearinseeing,strungtotense;

Thenhaplymarvel,groanmayhap,Tothinksuchbeautymeansatrap。

ButNature’sgenius,evenman’sAtbest,ispracticalinplans;

Subservienttotheneedythought,Howeverraretheweaponwrought。

AslongasNatureholdsitgoodTourgehercreatures’questforfoodWillbeautystampthejustintentOfweaponsuponservicebent。

ForbeautyisaflowerofrootsEmbeddedlowerthanourboots;

Outoftheprimalstratasprings,AndshowsforcrownofusefulthingsArachne’sdreamofpreytosizeAspired;soshecouldnighdespiseThepunyspecksthebreezesroundSupplied,andletthemshakeunwound;

Assuredofherfatflytocome;

Perhapsablue,thespider’splum;

Whotakesthefataloddsinfight,Andgivesrepastanappetite,Byplunging,whizzing,tillhiswingsArewebbed,andinthelistsheswings,Ashroudedlump,forhertoseeHerbanquetinhervictory。

Thismatronoftheunnumberedthreads,Onedayofdandelions’headsDistributingtheirgrayperruquesUpeverygust,IwatchedwithlooksDiscreetbesidethechalet—door;

Andgracefullyalightwindbore,Directuponmywebster’swall,Amonsterintheformofball;

Themildestcaptiveeversnared,Thatneitherstrugglednordespaired,Onhalfthenetinvadinghung,Andplainasinhermothertongue,Whilelowtheweavercursedherlures,Remarked,\"Youhaveme;Iamyours。\"

Thricemagnified,inphantomshape,Herdreamofsizeshesaw,agape。

Midwaythevastround—rayingbeardAdesiccatedmidgeappeared;

Whosebodyprickedthenameofmeal,Whosehairhadgrowthinearth’sunreal;

Provocativeofdreadandwrath,Contemptandhorror,inonefroth,Inextricable,insensible,Hispoisonpresencetherewoulddwell,Declaringhimherdreamfulfilled,Acatchtocomplimenttheskilled;

Andshereducedtobeakyskin,DisgracefulamongkithandkinAgainsthercorner,humpedandaged,Arachnewrinkled,pastenraged,Beyonddisgustorhopeinguile。

RidiculouslyvolatileHeseemedtoherlastsparkofmind;

AndthatinpallidashdeclinedBeneaththeblowbyknowledgedealt,WhereinthroughoutherframeshefeltThathe,thelightwind’slibertine,Withoutascoff,withoutagrin,Andmanneredlikethecourtlyfew,Whomerelydancedwhenlightwindsblew,Impervioustobeakandclaws,Tradition’sruinousWhitebeardwas;

Ofwhom,asactorsinoldscenes,Hadgrannamweaverswarnedtheirweans,Withword,thatlessthanfeather—weight,HesmotetheweblikeboltofFate。

Thismuteddrama,hourbyhour,Iwatchedamidaworldinflower,EreyetAutumnalthreadshadlaidTheirgray—blueo’erthegrass’sblade,Andstillalongthegarden—runTheblindwormstretchedhim,drunkofsun。

Arachnecrouchedunmoved;perchanceHervisitorperformedadance;

Shepuckeredthinner;hethesameAswhenonthatlightwindhecame。

NextdaywastoldwhatdeedsofnightWeredone;thewebhadvanishedquite;

Withitthestrangeopposingpair;

Andlistlesswavedonvacantair,Forheradieutoheart’scontent,Asolitaryfilament。

Poem:ForesightAndPatienceSprungofthefatherblood,themotherbrain,Aretheywhopointourpathwayandsustain。

Theyrarelymeet;onesoars,onewalksretired。

Whentheydomeet,itisourearthinspired。

ToseeLife’sformlessoffspringandsubdueDesireoftimesunripe,wehavethesetwo,Whoseunionisrightreason:jointheyhands,Theworldshallknowitselfandwhereitstands;

WhatcoweringangelandwhatuprightbeastMakeman,behold,norcountthelowtheleast,Norlessthestarshaverounditthanitsflowers。

Whenthesetwomeet,apointoftimeisours。

Asinalandofwaterfalls,thatflowSmoothfortheleapontheirgreatvoicebelow,Someeddiesnearthebrinkborneswiftalong,Willcapturehearingwiththeliquidsong,So,whiletheheadlongworld’simperiousforceResoundedunder,heardIthesediscourse。

Firstwords,wheredownmywoodlandwalksheled,ToherblindsisterPatience,Foresightsaid:

—Yourfaithinmeappals,toshakemyown,WhenstillIfindyouinthismirealone。

—ThefewstepstakenatafuneralpaceBymenhadslainmebutforthoseyoutrace。

—LookIonceback,abrokenpinionI:

Blackastherebelangelsrainedfromsky!

—Needsmustyoudrinkofmewhilehereyoulive,AndmakemerichinfeelingIcangive。

—AbraveTo—beisdawnuponmybrow:

YetmustIreadmysisterfortheHow。

MydaisybetterknowsherGodofbeamsThandothaneaglethattomounthimseems。

ShehaththesecretneverfieriestreachOfwingshallmastertillmenhearherteach。

—Likertheclodflakedbythedrivingplough,MysemblancewhenIhaveyounotasnow。

ThequietcreatureswhoescapemishapBearlikenesstopuregrowthsofthegreensap:

ApictureofthesettledpeacedesiredBycowardsshunningstrifeorstriverstired。

Ilistenattheirbreasts:istherenojarOfwrestlingsandofstranglings,deadtheyare,AndsuchapictureasthepiercingmindRanksbeneathvegetation。NotresignedAremytruepupilswhiletheworldisbrute。

Whatedictofthestrongerkeepsmemute,Strongerimpelsthemotionofmyheart。

IamnotResignation’scounterpart。

IfthatIteach,’tislittlethedryword,Content,buthowtosavourhopedeferred。

Wecomeofearth,andrichofearthmaybe;

Sooncarrionifveryeartharewe!

Thecoursingveins,theconstantbreath,theuseOfsleep,declarethatstrifeallowsshorttruce;

Unlessweclaspdecay,acceptdefeat,Andpassdespised;\"a—coldforlackofheat,\"

Likeothercorpses,butwithoutdeath’splea。

—Mysistercallsforbattle;isitshe?

—Ratheraworldofpressingmeninarms,Thanstagnant,wherethesensualpipercharmsEachdrowsymaladyandcoilingviceWithdreamsofeasewhereofthesoulpaysprice!

Nohomeishereforpeacewhileevilbreeds,Whileerrorgoverns,none;andmusttheseedsYousow,youthatforlonghavereapeddisdain,Liebarrenatthedoorwayofthebrain,Letstoutcontentiondrivedeepfurrows,bloodMoisten,andmakenewchannelsofitsflood!

—Mysoberlittlemaid,whenwemeetfirst,Drinksofmeeverwithaneagerthirst。

SocanInotofhertillcircumstanceDrugscravings。HereweseehowmenadvanceAdoubtfulfoot,butcircleifmuchstirred,Likedeadweedsonwhippedwaters。ShoutthewordPromptingtheirhungers,andtheygrandlymarch,Astoband—musicunderVictory’sarch。

Thuswasit,andthusisit;savethatthenThebeautyoffrankanimalshadmen。

—Observethem,anddownrearwardforaterm,Gazetotheprimaltwistingsoftheworm。

Thencelookthisway,acrossthefieldsthatshowMen’searlyformofspeechforYesandNo。

Mysisterabruisedinfant’sutterancehad;

Andissuingstronger,tomankind’twasmad。

IknewmyhomewhereIhadchoicetofeelThetoadbeneathaharroworaheel。

—SpeakofthisAge。

—WhenyouitshalldiscernBrightasyouare,tometheAgewillturn。

—Forneitherofushasitanycare;

ItslearningisthroughSciencetodespair。

—Despairliesdownandgrovels,grapplesnotWithevil,caststheburdenofitslot。

ThisAgeclimbsearth。

—Tochallengeheaven。

—NotlessThelowerdeeps。ItlaughsatHappiness!

ThatknowI,thoughtheechoesofitwail,Foronestepupwardonthecragsyouscale。

BraveistheAgewhereinthewordwillrust,Whichmeansoursoulasleeporbody’slust,Untilfromwarmthofmanybreasts,thatbeatAtemperatecommonmusic,sunlikeheatThehappinessnotpredatorysheds!

—ButyourfierceYesandNoofbuttingheads,NowragestooutdoahornyPast。

ShadesofawildDestroyeronthevastArethrownbyeverynovellightupraised。

Theworld’swholeroundsmokesominously,amazedAndtremblingasitspregnantAEtnaswells。

CombustiblesonhotcombustiblesRunpiling,foronesparktorollinfireThemountain—torrentofinfernalireAndleavethetrackofdevilswheremenbuilt。

Perceptiveofadoom,thesinner’sguiltConfessesinacryforhelpshrillloud,Ifdropsthechillnessofapassingcloud,Toconscience,reason,humanlove;invain:

Nonesavetheybutthesoulswhichthemcontain。

NoextramuralGod,theGodwithinAlonegivesaidtocitychargedwithsin。

Aworldthatforthespuroffoolandknave,Sweatsinitslaboratory,whatshallsave?

Butmenwhoplytheirwitsinsuchaschool,Mustpraythemercyoftheknaveandfool。

—MuchhaveIstudiedhardNecessity!

ToknowherWisdom’smother,andthatweMaydeemtheharshnessofherlatercriesInlabourasuregoadtoprickthewise,Ifmenamongthewarningswhichconvulse,Cangravelydreadwithoutthecraven’spulse。

LongeretherisingofthisAgeofours,TheknaveandfoolwerestampedasmonstrousPowers。

Ofhumanlustsandlassitudestheyspring,Andareaslastingastheparentthing。

Yetnumberinglocusthosts,benttheytodrill,Theymighto’ermatchandhavemankindatwill。

Beholdsucharmygathering:oursthespur,Noscatteredfoetoface,butLucifer。

NotfoolorknaveisnowtheenemyO’ershadowingmen,’tisFolly,Knavery!

Asea;norstaysthatseathebastionedbeach。

Nowmustthebrothersoulaliveineach,HistraitorousindividualdevildomHoldsubjectlestthegranddestructioncome。

DimlymenseeitmenacingapaceTooverthrow,perchanceuproottherace。

Within,without,theyareafieldoftares:

Fruitfullerforthemwhenthecontestsquares,Andwhereforewarriorservicetheymustyield,Shinesvisibleaslifeoneitherfield。

Thatismycomfort,followingshockonshock,Whichsetsfaithquakingontheirfirmestrock。

Sincewithhisweapons,allthearmsofNight,FrailmenhavechallengedLucifertofight,Havematchedinhostileranks,enrolled,erect,ThehumanandSatanicintellect,DeterminedfortheirusestocontrolWhatforcesontheearthandunderroll,Theirgraniterockrunsigneous;nowtheystandPledgedtotheheavensforsafetyoftheirland。

Theycannotlearnsavegrossly,grossthatare:

Throughfeartheylearnwhoseaidisgoodinwar。

—Mysister,asIreadtheminmyglass,Theirfieldoftarestheytakeforpasturegrass。

HowwakenthemthathavenotanybentSavebrowsing—theconcreteindifferent!

FriendLucifersuppliesthemsolidstuff:

Theyfearnotfortheracewhenfullthetrough。

Theyhavemuchfearofgivinguptheghost;

Andtheseareofmankindtheunnumberedhost。

—IfIcouldseewithyou,anddidnotfaintInbeatingwing,thefutureIwouldpaint。

Thosemassedindifferentswilllearntoquake:

Nowmeanwhileisanothermassawake,Oncedenserthanthegruntersofthesty。

IfIcouldseewithyou!CouldIbutfly!

—Thelengthofdaysthatyouwiththemhavehoused,Anoutcastelse,approvestheircauseespoused。

—Otrue,theyhaveacause,andwoeforus,Whilestilltheyhaveacausetoopiteous!

Yet,happyforuswhen,theircausedefined,Theywalknolongerwithastumblerblind,Andquickeninthevirtueoftheircause,Tothinkmeapoormoutherofoldsaws!

IwaittheissueofabattlingAge;

Thetoilerswithyour\"troughsters\"nowengage;

Instructingthemthroughtheiracutestsense,Howclosethedangersofindifference!

Alreadyhavemypeopleshowntheirworth,Morelovetheylight,whichfoldstheloveofEarth。

Thatlovetoloveoflabourleads:thenceloveOfhumankind—earth’sincenseflungabove。

—Admitsomeotherfeatures:Faithless,mean;

Encasedinmatter;vowedtoGodsobscene;

Contemptuousoftheimpalpable,itswellsOnDoubt;forpastimeswallowsmiracles;

AndifIbiditfacewhatIobserve,Declaresmehoodwinkedbymyopticnerve!

—Ofthasyourprophet,forrewardoftoil,Seennestsofseemingcockatricescoil:

DisownedthemastheunholiestofTime,Whichwerehisoffspring,bornofflameonslime。

Norhim,theirsire,haveknownthefilialfry:

AslittleasTime’searliestknewthesky。

PerchanceamongthemshootsalustrousflameAtintervals,inproofofwhomtheycame。

TostrengthenourfoundationsisthetaskOfthistoughAge;notinyourbeamstobask,Though,lightedbyyourbeams,downminingcavesTherockitblasts,thehoardedfoulnessbraves。

Mysisterseesnoroundbeyondhermood;

TohawkthisAgehasdressedherheadinhood。

Outofthecourseofancientrutsandgrooves,Itmoves:Omuchformetosayitmoves!

AbouthisAEthiopHighlandsNileisNile,Thoughnotthestreamofthepaternalsmile:

Andwherehistideofnourishmenthedrives,AnAbyssinianwantonnessrevives。

Calmashislotus—leafto—dayheswims;

Heistheyellowcrops,theroundedlimbs,ThePastyetflowing,thefairtimethatfills;

Breathofallmouthsandgristofmanymills。

To—morrow,warningnonewithtempest—showers,HeisthevastInsensatewhodevoursHisgoldenpromiseoverleaguesofseed,Thensitsinasmoothlakeuponthedeed。

Theraceswhichonbarbarousforcebegin,Inheritonwardoftheirorigin,AndcancelledblessingswillthecurrentlengthRevealtilltheyknowneedofshapingstrength。

’TisnotinmentorecognizetheneedBeforetheyclashinhosts,inhoststheybleed。

Thenmaysharpsufferingtheirnaturegrind;

OfrabblepassionsgrowthechieftainMind。

YetmarkwherestillbroadNileboaststhousandsfed,Fortensupthesafemountainsathishead。

Fewwouldbefed,notfarhiscourseprolong,Saveforthetroublousbloodwhichmakeshimstrong。

—Thatringsoftruth!Moredoyourpeoplethrive;

YourManyaremoremerrilyaliveThanerewhilewhenIgloriedinthepageOfradiantsingerandanointedsage。

Greecewasmylamp:burntoutforlackofoil;

Rome,PythonRome,preyofitsrobberspoil!

AllstructuresbuiltuponanarrowspaceMustfall,fromhavingnotyourhostsforbase。

Othricemustonebeyou,toseethemshiftAlongtheirdesertflats,heredash,theredrift;

Withfaith,thatofprivationsandspiltblood,ComesReasonarmedtoclearorbanktheflood!

Andthricemustonebeyou,towaitreleaseFromduressintheswampoftheirincrease。

Atwhichoppressivescene,beyondarrest,Adarknessnotwithstarsofheavendressed,Philosophersbehold;despondingview。

YourManynourished,starvedmybrilliantfew;

Thenflingingheels,ascharioteersthereins,DivedownthefumyAEtnaoftheirbrains。

Belatedvesselsonarisingsea,Theyseem:theypass!

—ButnotPhilosophy!

—Ay,bewefaithfultoourselves:despiseNoughtbutthecowardinus!ThatwayliesThewisdommakingpassagethroughourslough。

AmInotheard,myheadtoEarthshallbow;

Likeher,shallwaittosee,andseeingwait。

PhilosophyisLife’sonematchforFate。

ThatphotosphereofourhighfountainOne,Ourspirit’sLordandReason’sfosteringsun,Philosophy,shalllightusintheshade,Warminthefrost,makeGoodouraimandaid。

Companionedbythesweetest,ayrenewed,Unconquerable,whoseaimforaidisGood!

AdvantagetotheMany:thatwenameGod’svoice;havetherethesuretyinouraim。

ThisthoughtuntomysisterdoIowe,Andironyandsatireoffmethrow。

Theycrackachildishwhip,drivepunyherds,Wherenumberscravetheirsustenanceinwords。

Nowlettheperilsthicken:clearerseen,YourChieftainMindmountsoverthemserene。

WhoneveryetofscatteredlampswasbornTospeedaworld,amarchingworldtowarn,ButsunwardfromthevividManysprings,Countsconquestbutastep,andthroughdisastersings。

FragmentsoftheIliadinEnglishHexameterVersePoem:TheInvectiveOfAchilles[Iliad,B。I。V。149]

\"Heighme!brazenoffront,thougluttonforplunder,howcanone,Servantheretothymandates,heedtheeamongourAchaians,Eitherthemissionhieonorstoutlydofightwiththefoemen?

I,nothitherIfaredonaccountofthespear—armedTrojans,Pledgedtothecombat;theyuntomehaveinnowiseaharmdone;

Neverhavethey,ofatruth,comeliftingmyhorsesoroxen;

Neverindeep—soiledPhthia,thenurserofheroes,myharvestsRavaged,they;forbetweenusisnumberedfullmanyadarksomeMountain,ay,therewithtoothestretchofthewindysea—waters。

Ohugelyshameless!theedidwefollowtoheartenthee,justicePluckfromtheDardansforhim,Menelaos,theetoo,thoudog—eyed!

Whereoflittlethythoughtis,noughtwhateverthoureckest。

Worse,itisthouwhosethreat’tistoravishmyprizefromme,portionWonwithmuchlabour,thewhichmygiftfromthesonsofAchaia。

Never,insooth,haveIknownmyprizeequalthinewhenAchaiansGavesomeflourishingpopulousTrojantownuptopillage。

Nay,sure,minewerethehandsdidmostinthestormofthecombat,Yetwhencameperadventureshareofthebootyamongstus,Biggertotheewenttheprize,whileIsomesmallblessedthingboreOfftotheships,myshareofrewardformytoilinthebloodshed!

SonowgoItoPhthia,forbetterbymuchitbeseemsmeHomewardgowithmybeakedshipsnow,andIholdnotinprospect,Ibeingoutraged,thoumaystgatherhereplunderandwealth—store。\"

Poem:TheInvectiveofAchilles—V。225。

\"Bibberbesotted,withscowlofacur,havingheartofadeer,thou!

Nevertojointothywarriorsarmedforthepressoftheconflict,NeverforambushforthwiththeprinceliestsonsofAchaiaDaredthysoul,fortotheethatthingwouldhavelookedasadeath—stroke。

Sooth,moreeasyitseems,downthelengthenedarrayofAchaians,Snatchattheprizeoftheonewhosevoicehasbeenliftedagainstthee。

Raveningkingofthefolk,forthatthouhastthyruleoverabjects;

Else,sonofAtreus,nowwerethisoutrageonmethylastone。

Nay,butItellthee,andIdoswearabigoathonitlikewise:

Yea,bythesceptrehere,anditsurelybearsbranchesandleaf—

budsNeveragain,sincefirstitwasloppedfromitstrunkonthemountains,Nomoresprouting;forrounditallcleanhasthesharpmetalclippedoffLeavesandthebark;ay,verifynowdothesonsofAchaia,GuardianhandsofthecounselsofZeus,pronouncingthejudgement,Holditaloft;sonowuntotheeshalltheoathhaveitsportent;

LoudwillthecryforAchillesburstfromthesonsofAchaiaThroughoutthearmy,andthouchafepowerless,thoughinananguish,Howtogivesuccourwhenvastcropsdownunderman—slayingHectorTumbleexpiring;andthoudeepintheeshalttearatthyheart—

strings,Rage—wrung,thou,thatinnoughtthoudidsthonourtheflowerofAchaians。\"

Poem:MarshallingOfTheAchaians[Iliad,B。IIV。455]

Likeasaterriblefirefeedsfastonaforestenormous,Uponamountainheight,andtheblazeofitradiatesroundfar,SoonthebrightblestarmsofthehostintheirmarchdidthesplendourGleamwideroundthroughthecircleofairrightuptothesky—

vault。

They,now,aswhenswarmthickintheairmultitudinouswingedflocks,Beitofgeeseorofcranesorthelong—neckedtroopsofthewild—

swans,OffthatAsianmead,bytheflowofthewatersofKaistros;

Hitherandyonflythey,andrejoicinginprideoftheirpinions,Clamour,shapedtotheirranks,andthemeadallaboutthemresoundeth;

SothosenumeroustribesfromtheirshipsandtheirshelteringspouredforthOnthatplainofScamander,andhorriblerumbledbeneaththemEarthtothequick—pacedfeetofthemenandthetrampofthehorse—hooves。

Stoppedtheythenonthefair—flower’dfieldofScamander,theirthousandsManyasleavesandtheblossomsbornoftheflowerfulseason。

Evenascountlesshot—pressedfliesintheirmultitudestraverse,Cloudsofthem,undersomeherdsman’swonning,wherethenarethemilk—pailsAlso,fulloftheirmilk,inthebountifulseasonofspring—time;

Evensothicklythelong—hairedsonsofAchaiatheplainheld,PromptforthedashattheTrojanhost,withthepassiontocrushthem。

Those,likewise,asthegoatherds,eyeingtheirvastflocksofgoats,knowEasilyonefromtheotherwhenallgetmixedo’erthepasture,Sodidthechieftainsrankthemherethereintheirplacesforonslaught,Hardonthepushofthefray;andamongthemKingAgamemnon,He,forhiseyesandhishead,aswhenZeusglowsgladinhisthunder,HewiththegirdleofAres,hewiththebreastofPoseidon。

Poem:AgamemnonInTheFight[Iliad,B。XI。V。148]

These,then,heleft,andawaywhererankswerenowclashingthethickest,Onwardrushed,andwithhimrushedallofthebright—greavedAchaians。

Footthenfootmenslew,thatwereflyingfromdirefulcompulsion,Horseatthehorsemen(upfromoffunderthemmountedthedust—

cloud,Upofftheplain,raisedupcloud—thickbythethunderinghorse—

hooves)

Hewedwiththesword’ssharpedge;andsomeanwhileLordAgamemnonFollowed,chasingandslaughteringaye,on—urgeingtheArgives。

Now,aswhenfirevoraciouscatchestheunclippedwood—land,Thiswaybearsitandthatthegreatwhirlofthewind,andthescrubwoodStretchesuptorn,flungforwardalengthbythefire’sfuryrageing,SobeneathAtreidesAgamemnonheadsofthescatteredTrojansfell;andinnumbersamanythehorses,neck—stiffened,Rattledtheirvacantcarsdowntheroadwaygapsofthewar—field,Missingtheblamelesscharioteers,but,forthese,theywereoutstretchedFlatuponearth,fardearertovulturesthantotheirhome—mates。

Poem:ParisAndDiomedes[Iliad;B。XIV。378]

Sohe,withaclearshoutoflaughter,Forthofhisambushleapt,andhevauntedhim,utteringthiswise:

\"Hitthouart!notinvainflewtheshaft;howbyrightsithadpiercedtheeIntotheundermostgut,therewithtohaverivedtheeoflife—

breath!

FollowingthathadtheTrojanspluckedanewbreathfromtheirdirest,Theyallfrightedofthee,asthegoatsbleatinflightfromalion。\"

ThenuntohimuntroubledmadeanswerstoutDiomedes:

\"Bow—puller,jiber,thybowforthyglorying,spyeratvirgins!

Ifthatthoudared’stfacemehereoutintheopenwithweapons,Nothingthenwouldavailtheethybowandthythickshotofarrows。

Nowthouplumesttheevainlybecauseofagrazeofmyfootsole;

ReckIaswerethatstrokefromawomanorsomepettishinfant。

Ayefliesbluntedthedartofthemanthat’semasculate,noughtworth!

Otherwisehits,forthflyingfromme,andbutstrikesittheslightest,Mykeenshaft,anditnumbersamanofthedeadfallenstraightway。

Torn,troth,thenarethecheeksofthewifeofthatmanfallenslaughtered,Orphanshisbabes,fullsurelyhereddenstheearthwithhisblood—

drops,Rotting,roundhimthebirds,morenumeroustheythanthewomen。\"

Poem:HypnosOnIda[Iliad,B。XIV。V。283]

Theythentofountain—abundantIda,motherofwildbeasts,Came,andtheyfirstleftoceantofareovermainlandatLektos,Whereunderneathoftheirfeetwavedloftiestgrowthsofthewoodland。

TherehungHypnosfast,erethevisionofZeuswasobservant,Mounteduponatallpine—tree,tallestofpinesthatonIdaLustilyspringoffsoilfortheshootupaloftintoaether。

Theredidhesitwell—cloakedbythewide—branchedpineforconcealment,Thatloudbird,inhisformlike,thatperchedhighupinthemountains,ChalkisisnamedbytheGods,butofmortalsknownasKymindis。

Poem:ClashInArmsOfTheAchaiansAndTrojans[Iliad,B。XIV。V。394]

Notthesea—wavesobellowsabroadwhenitburstsuponshingle,Whippedfromthesea’sdeepsupbytheterribleblastoftheNorthwind;

Nay,norisevertheroarofthefiercefire’srushsoarousing,Downalongmountain—glades,whenitsurgestokindleawoodland;

Nay,norsotonantthundersthestressofthegaleintheoak—

trees’

Foliage—tresseshigh,whenitragestoraveingitsutmost;

AsrosethenstupendoustheTrojan’scryandAchaians’,Dreadupshoutingasonewhentogethertheyclashedintheconflict。

Poem:TheHorsesOfAchilles[Iliad,B。XVII。V。426]

SonowthehorsesofAiakides,offwideofthewar—ground,Wept,sincefirsttheywerewareoftheircharioteeroverthrownthere,Castdownlowinthewhirlofthedustunderman—slayingHector。

Sooth,meanwhile,thendidAutomedon,bravesonofDiores,Oft,ontheonehand,urgethemwithflicksoftheswiftwhip,andoft,too,Coaxentreatingly,hurriedly;whilesdidheangrilythreaten。

Vainly,forthesewouldnottotheships,totheHellespontspacious,Backwardturn,norbewhippedtothebattleamongtheAchaians。

Nay,asapillarremainsimmovable,fixedonthetombstone,Haply,ofsomedeadmanoritmaybeawomanthere—under;

Evenlikehardstoodtheythereattachedtothegloriouswar—car,Earthwardbowedwiththeirheads;andofthemsolamentingincessantRanthehotteardropsdownwardontotheearthfromtheireyelids,Mourningtheircharioteer;alltheirlustrousmanesdusty—clotted,Rightsideandleftoftheyoke—ringtossed,tothebreadthoftheyoke—bow。

NowwhentheissueofKronosbeheldthatsorrow,hisheadshookPityingthemfortheirgrief,thesewordsthenhespakeinhisbosom;

\"Why,yehapless,gavewetoPeleusyou,toamortalMaster;yethatareagelessboth,yebothofyoudeathless!

Wasitthatyeamongmenmostwretchedshouldcometohaveheart—

grief?

’Tismosttrue,thantheraceofthesemenistherewretchedernowhereAughtoverearth’srangefoundthatisgiftedwithbreathandhasmovement。\"

Poem:TheMaresOfTheCamargue[FromtheMIREIOofMistral]

Ahundredmares,allwhite!theirmanesLikemace—reedofthemarshyplainsThick—tufted,wavy,freeo’theshears:

AndwhenthefierysquadronrearsBurstingatspeed,eachmaneappearsEvenasthewhitescarfofafayFloatingupontheirnecksalongtheheavensaway。

Oraceofhumankind,takeshame!

Forneveryetahandcouldtame,NorbitterspurthatripstheflankssubdueThemaresoftheCamargue。Ihaveknown,Bytreasonsnared,somecaptivesshown;

ExpatriatefromtheirnativeRhone,Ledoff,theirsalinepasturesfarfromview:

Andonaday,withpromptrebound,Theyhaveflungtheirriderstotheground,Andatasinglegallop,scouringfree,Wide—nostril’dtothewind,twicetenOflongmarsh—leaguesdevour’d,andthen,BacktotheVacaresagain,AftertenyearsofslaveryjusttobreathesaltseaForofthissavageraceunbent,Theoceanistheelement。

OfoldescapedfromNeptune’scar,fullsure,Stillwiththewhitefoamfleck’darethey,Andwhentheseapuffsblackfromgrey,Andshipspartcables,loudlyneighThestallionsofCamargue,alljoyfulintheroar;

AndkeenasawhiptheylashandcrackTheirtailsthatdragthedust,andbackScratchuptheearth,andfeel,enteringtheirflesh,wherehe,TheGod,drivesdeephistridentteeth,Whoinonehorror,above,beneath,Bidsstormandwaterydelugeseethe,Andshatterstotheirdepthstheabyssesofthesea。

Cant。iv。