第2章

Thesedragons(theirtails,youremark,Intobunchesofgillyflowersgrew),—

WhenNoahcameoutoftheark,Didtheselieinwaitforhiscrew?

Theysnorted,theysnapp’d,andtheyslew,Theyweremightyoffinandoffang,AndtheirportraitsCelestialsdrewInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。

Here’sapotwithacotinapark,Inaparkwherethepeach—blossomsblew,Wheretheloverselopedinthedark,Lived,died,andwerechangedintotwoBrightbirdsthateternallyflewThroughtheboughsofthemay,astheysang:

’TisatalewasundoubtedlytrueInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。

ENVOY。

Come,snarlatmyecstasies,do,Kindcritic,your\"tonguehasatang\"

But——asageneverheededashrewInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。

BALLADEOFDEADLADIES。

(AFTERVILLON。)

Nay,tellmenowinwhatstrangeairTheRomanFloradwellsto—day。

WhereArchippiadahides,andwhereBeautifulThaishaspassedaway?

WhenceanswersEcho,afield,astray,Bymereorstream,——around,below?

Loveliershethanawomanofclay;

Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?

WhereiswiseHeloise,thatcareBroughtonAbeilard,anddismay?

Allforherlovehefoundasnare,Amaimedpoormonkinordersgrey;

Andwhere’stheQueenwhowilledtoslayBuridan,thatinasackmustgoAfloatdownSeine,——aperilousway—

Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?

Where’sthatWhiteQueen,alilyrare,Withhersweetsong,theSiren’slay?

Where’sBerthaBroad—foot,Beatricefair?

AlysandErmengarde,wherearethey?

GoodJoan,whomEnglishdidbetrayInRouentown,andburnedher?No,MaidenandQueen,nomanmaysay;

Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?

ENVOY。

Prince,allthisweekthouneed’stnotpray,Noryetthisyearthethingtoknow。

Oneburdenanswers,everandaye,\"Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?\"

VILLON’SBALLADE

OFGOODCOUNSEL,TOHISFRIENDSOFEVILLIFE。

Nay,beyoupardonerorcheat,Orcoggerkeen,ormumpershy,You’llburnyourfingersatthefeat,Andhowllikeotherfolksthatfry。

Allevilfolksthatlovealie!

Andwheregoesgainthatgreedamasses,Bywile,andtrick,andthievery?

’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!

Rhyme,rail,dance,playthecymbalssweet,Withgame,andshame,andjollity,Gojiggingthroughthefieldandstreet,WithMYST’RYandMORALITY;

WingoldatGLEEK,——andthatwillfly,WhereallyougainatPASSAGEpasses,—

Andthat’s?YouknowaswellasI,’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!

Nay,forthfromallsuchfilthretreat,Godelveandditch,inwetordry,Turngroom,givehorseandmuletheirmeat,Ifyou’venoclerklyskilltoply;

You’llgainenough,withhusbandry,But——sowhempseedandsuchwildgrasses,Andwheregoesallyoutakethereby?—

’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!

ENVOY。

Yourclothes,yourhose,yourbroidery,Yourlinenthatthesnowsurpasses,Orerethey’reworn,off,offtheyfly,’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!

BALLADEOFTHEBOOKWORM。

FarinthePastIpeer,andseeAChildupontheNurseryfloor,AChildwithbooksuponhisknee,Whoasks,likeOliver,formore!

ThenumberofhisyearsisIV,AndyetinLettershathheskill,HowdeephedivesinFairy—lore!

TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!

OnegifttheFairiesgaveme:(ThreeTheycommonlybestowedofyore)

TheLoveofBooks,theGoldenKeyThatopenstheEnchantedDoor;

BehinditBLUEBEARDlurks,ando’erAndo’erdothJACKhisGiantskill,AndthereisallALADDIN’Sstore,—

TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!

Takeall,butleavemyBookstome!

TheseheavycreelsofoldweboreWefillnotnow,norwanderfree,Norweartheheartthatoncewewore;

NotnoweachRiverseemstopourHiswatersfromtheMuses’hill;

Thoughsomething’sgonefromstreamandshore,TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!

ENVOY。

Fate,thatartQueenbyshoreandsea,Webowsubmissivetothywill,Ahgrant,bysomebenigndecree,TheBooksIloved——tolovethemstill。

VALENTINEINFORMOFBALLADE。

Thesoftwindfromthesouthlandsped,Hesethisstrengthtoblow,FromforestswhereAdonisbled,Andlilyflowersa—row:

Hecrossedthestraitslikestreamsthatflow,Theoceandarkaswine,Tomytruelovetowhisperlow,TobeyourValentine。

TheSpringhalf—raisedherdrowsyhead,Besprentwithdriftedsnow,\"I’llsendanAprilday,\"shesaid,\"Tolandsofwintrywoe。\"

Hecame,——thewinter’soverthrowWithshowersthatsingandshine,Pieddaisiesroundyourpathtostrow,TobeyourValentine。

WheresandsofEgypt,swartandred,’NeathsunsEgyptianglow,Inplacesoftheprincelydead,BytheNile’soverflow,Theswallowpreenedherwingstogo,AndfortheNorthdidpine,Andfainwouldbravethefrostherfoe,TobeyourValentine。

ENVOY。

Spring,Swallow,SouthWind,evenso,Theirvariousvoicecombine;

ButthattheycraveonMEbestow,TobeyourValentine。

BALLADEOFOLDPLAYS。

(LesOEuvresdeMonsieurMoliere。AParis,chezLouysBillaine,alaPalme。M。D。C。LXVI。)

LACOUR。

WhentheseOldPlayswerenew,theKing,BesidetheCardinal’schair,Applauded,’midthecourtlyring,TheversesofMoliere;

Point—lacewasthentheonlywear,OldCorneillecametowoo,AndbrightDuParcwasyoungandfair,WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!

LACOMEDIE。

Howshrillthebutcher’scat—callsring,Howloudthelackeysswear!

Blackpipe—bowlsonthestagetheyfling,AtBrecourt,fumingthere!

ThePorter’sstabbed!aMousquetaireBreaksinwithnoisycrew—

’TwasallacommonplaceaffairWhentheseOldPlayswerenew!

LAVILLE。

WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!TheybringAhostofphantomsrare:

Oldjeststhatfloat,oldjibesthatsting,Oldfacespeakedwithcare:

Menage’ssmirk,deVise’sstare,ThetheftsofJeanRibou,——{4}

Ah,publisherswerehardtobearWhentheseOldPlayswerenew。

ENVOY。

Ghosts,atyourPoet’swordyedareTobreakDeath’sdungeonsthrough,Andfrisk,asinthatgoldenair,WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!

BALLADEOFHISBOOKS。

Herestandmybooks,lineuponlineTheyreachtheroof,androwbyrow,Theyspeakoffadedtastesofmine,AndthingsIdid,butdonot,know:

Oldschoolbooks,uselesslongago,OldLogics,wherethespirit,railedin,Couldscarcelyanswer\"yes\"or\"no\"—

ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!

Here’sVillon,inmoroccofine,(ThePoetstarved,inmudandsnow,)

Glatignydoesnotcravetodine,AndRene’stearsforgettoflow。

Andhere’saworkbyMrs。Crowe,Withhostsofghostsandbogiesjailedin;

Ah,allmyghostshavegonebelow—

ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!

He’stouched,thismouldyGreekdivine,ThePrincessD’Este’shandofsnow;

AndherethearmsofD’Hoymshine,Andthere’satear—bestainedRousseau:

Here’sCarlyleshrieking\"woeonwoe\"

(Thefirstedition,this,hewailedin);

Ioncebelievedinhim——butoh,ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!

ENVOY。

Prince,tastesmaydiffer;mineandthineQuiteotherbalancesarescaledin;

Mayyousucceed,thoughIrepine—

\"ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!\"

BALLADEOFTHEDREAM。

SwiftassoundofmusicfledWhennomoretheorgansighs,Spedasallolddaysaresped,Soyourlips,love,andyoureyes,Soyourgentle—voicedrepliesMineonehourinsleepthatseem,Riseandflitwhenslumberflies,Followingdarknesslikeadream!

Likethescentfromrosesred,Likethedawnfromgoldenskies,LikethesemblanceofthedeadFromthelivinglovethathies,LiketheshiftingshadethatliesOnthemoonlight—silveredstream,Soyourisewhendreamsarise,Followingdarknesslikeadream!

Couldsomespell,orsungorsaid,Couldsomekindlywitchandwise,LullforayethisdreamingheadInamistofmemories,IwouldlielikehimwholiesWherethelightsonLatmosgleam,—

Wakenot,findnotParadiseFollowingdarknesslikeadream!

ENVOY。

Sleep,thatgiv’stwhatLifedenies,Shadowybountiesandsupreme,BringthedearestfacethatfliesFollowingdarknesslikeadream!

BALLADEOFTHESOUTHERNCROSS。

Fairislandsofthesilverfleece,Hoardsofunsunned,uncountedgold,WhosehavensarethehauntsofPeace,Whoseboysareinourquarrelbold;

OURboltisshot,ourtaleistold,Ourshipofstateinstormsmaytoss,Butyeareyoungifweareold,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!

Ay,WEmustdwindleanddecrease,Suchfatestheruthlessyearsunfold;

Andyetweshallnotwhollycease,Weshallnotperishunconsoled;

Nay,stillshallFreedomkeepherholdWithinthesea’sinviolatefosse,AndboasthersonsofEnglishmould,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!

Allempirestumble——RomeandGreece—

Theirswordsarerust,theiraltarscold!

Forus,theChildrenoftheSeas,Whoruledwhere’erthewaveshaverolled,Forus,inFortune’sbooksenscrolled,Ireadnorunesofhopelessloss;

Nor——whileYElast——ourknellistolled,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!

ENVOY。

Britannia,whenthyhearth’sa—cold,Wheno’erthygravehasgrownthemoss,StillRuleAustraliashallbetrolledInIslandsoftheSouthernCross!

BALLADEOFAUCASSIN

WheresmooththesouthernwatersrunByrustlingleaguesofpoplarsgrey,Beneathaveiledsoftsouthernsun,Wewanderedoutofyesterday,WentmayingthroughthatancientMayWhosefallenflowersarefragrantyet,AndloiteredbythefountainsprayWithAucassinandNicolette。

Thegrass—grownpathsaretrodofnoneWherethroughthewoodstheywentastray。

Thespider’straceriesarespunAcrossthedarklingforestway。

Therecomenoknightsthatridetoslay,Nopilgrimsthroughthegrasseswet,NoshepherdladsthatsangtheirsayWithAucassinandNicolette!

’TwasherebyNicolettebegunHerbowerofboughsandgrassesgay;

’Scapedfromthecellofmarbledun’Twasheretheloverfoundthefay,Ah,loversfond!ah,foolishplay!

HowhardwefindittoforgetWhofainwoulddwellwiththemasthey,WithAucassinandNicolette。

ENVOY。

Prince,’tisamelancholylay!

Foryouth,forlovewebothregret。

Howfairtheyseem,howfaraway,WithAucassinandNicolette!

BALLADEAMOUREUSE。

AFTERFROISSART。

NotJasonnorMedeawise,Icravetosee,norwinmuchlore,NorlisttoOrpheus’minstrelsies;

NorHer’cleswouldIsee,thato’erThewideworldroamedfromshoretoshore;

Nor,bySt。James,Penelope,—

NorpureLucrece,suchwrongthatbore:

ToseemyLovesufficesme!

VirgilandCato,nomanviesWiththeminwealthofclerklystore;

Iwouldnotseethemwithmineeyes;

Norhimthatsailed,sanssailnoroar,Acrossthebarrenseaandhoar,Andallforloveofhisladye;

Norpearlnorsapphiretakesmemore:

ToseemyLovesufficesme!

IheednotPegasus,thatfliesAsswiftasshaftsthebowmenpour;

NorfamedPygmalion’sartifice,Whereofthelikewasne’erbefore;

NorOleus,thatdrankofyoreThesaltwaveofthewholegreatsea:

Why?dostthouask?’TisasIswore—

ToseemyLovesufficesme!

BALLADEOFQUEENANNE。

ThemodishAirs,TheTanseyBrew,TheSWAINSandFAIRS

IncurtainedPew;

NymphsKNELLERdrew,BooksBENTLEYread,—

Whoknowsthem,who?

QUEENANNEisdead!

WebuyherChairs,HerChinablue,Herred—brickSquaresWebuildanew;

Butah!werue,Whenallissaid,Thetaleo’er—true,QUEENANNEisdead!

NowBULLSandBEARS,ArufflingCrew,WithStocksandShares,WithTurkandJew,GobubblingthroughTheTownill—bred:

TheWorld’saskew,QUEENANNEisdead!

ENVOY。

Friend,praisethenew;

Theoldisfled:

VivatFROU—FROU!

QUEENANNEisdead!

BALLADEOFBLINDLOVE。

(AFTERLYONNETDECOISMES。)

Whohavelovedandceasedtolove,forgetThatevertheylovedintheirlives,theysay;

Onlyrememberthefeverandfret,AndthepainofLove,thatwasallhispay;

AllthedelightofhimpassesawayFromheartsthathoped,andfromlipsthatmet—

ToolatedidIloveyou,mylove,andyetIshallneverforgettillmydyingday。

Toolatewerewe’wareofthesecretnetThatmeshesthefeetintheflowersthatstray;

Therewerewetakenandsnared,Lisette,InthedungeonofLaFausseAmistie;

Helpwastherenoneinthewideworld’sfray,Joywastherenoneinthegiftandthedebt;

Toolateweknewit,toolongregret—

Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!

Wemustliveourlives,thoughthesunbeset,Mustmeetinthemasquewherepartsweplay,MustcrossinthemazeofLife’sminuet;

Ouryeaisyea,andournayisnay:

ButwhilesnowsofwinterorflowersofMayArethesadyear’sshroudorcoronet,Intheseasonofroseorofviolet,Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!

ENVOY。

Queen,whentheclayismycoverlet,WhenIamdead,andwhenyouaregrey,Vow,wherethegrassofthegraveiswet,\"Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!\"

BALLADEOFHISCHOICEOFASEPULCHRE。

HereI’dcomewhenweariest!

HerethebreastOftheWindburg’stuftedoverDeepwithbracken;herehiscrestTakesthewest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover。

Silentherearelarkandplover;

InthecoverDeepbelowthecushatbestLoveshismate,andcroonsaboveherO’ertheirnest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover。

Bringmehere,Life’stired—outguest,TotheblestBedthatwaitsthewearyrover,Hereshouldfailurebeconfessed;

Endsmyquest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover!

ENVOY。

Friend,orstrangerkind,orlover,Ah,fulfilalastbehest,LetmerestWherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover!

DIZAIN。

As,tothepipe,withrhythmicfeetInwindingsofsomeold—worlddance,Thesmilingcouplescrossandmeet,Joinhands,andtheninlineadvance,So,tothesefairoldtunesofFrance,Throughalltheirmazeofto—and—fro,Thelight—heelednumberslaughinggo,Retreat,return,anderetheyflee,Onemomentpauseinpantingrow,Andseemtosay——Vosplaudite!

A。D。

ORONTE——Cenesontpointdecesgrandsverspompeux,Maisdepetitsvers!

\"LeMisanthrope,\"Actei。,Sc。2。

APORTRAITOF1783。

YourhairandchinarelikethehairAndchinBurne—Jones’sladieswear;

YouwereunfashionablyfairIn’83;

Andsadyouwerewhengirlsaregay,YoureadabookaboutLevraiMeritedel’homme,aloneinMay。

WhatCANitbe,Levraimeritedel’homme?Notgold,Nottitlesthatareboughtandsold,Notwitthatflashesandiscold,ButVirtuemerely!

InstructedbyJean—JacquesRousseau(AndJean—Jacques,surely,oughttoknow),Youbadethecrowdoffoplingsgo,Youglancedseverely,DreamingbeneaththespreadingshadeOf’thatvasthattheGracesmade;’{5}

SoRougetsang——whileyetheplayedWithcourtlyrhyme,AndhymnedgreatDoisi’sredperruque,AndNice’seyes,andZulme’slook,Anddeadcanaries,ereheshookThesultrytimeWithstrainslikethunder。LoudandlowMethinksIhearthemurmurgrow,ThetrampofmenthatcomeandgoWithfireandsword。

Theywaragainstthequickanddead,Theirflyingfeetaredashedwithred,AstheirsthevintagingthattreadBeforetheLord。

Oheadunfashionablyfair,Whatendwasthine,forallthycare?

Weonlyseetheedreamingthere:

WecannotseeThebreakingofthyvision,whenTheRightsofManwerelordsofmen,WhenvirtuewonherownagainIn’93。

THEMOON’SMINION。

(FROMTHEPROSEOFC。BAUDELAIRE。)

Thineeyesarelikethesea,mydear,Thewand’ringwaters,greenandgrey;

Thineeyesarewonderfulandclear,Anddeep,anddeadly,evenasthey;

ThespiritofthechangefulseaInformsthineeyesatnightandnoon,Sheswaysthetides,andtheheartofthee,Themystic,sad,capriciousMoon!

TheMooncamedowntheshiningstairOfcloudsthatfleckthesummersky,Shekissedthee,saying,\"Child,befair,Andmaddenmen’shearts,evenasI;

Thoushaltloveallthingsstrangeandsweet,Thatknowmeandareknownofme;

Theloverthoushaltnevermeet,Thelandwherethoushaltneverbe!\"

Sheheldtheeinherchillembrace,Shekissedtheewithcoldlipsdivine,Sheleftherpalloronthyface,Thatmysticivoryfaceofthine;

AndnowIsitbesidethyfeet,Andallmyheartisfarfromthee,DreamingofherIshallnotmeet,AndofthelandIshallnotsee!

INITHACA。

\"AndnowamIgreatlyrepentingthateverIleftmylifewiththee,andtheimmortalitythoudidstpromiseme。\"——LetterofOdysseustoCalypso。LucianiVeraHistoria。

’TisthoughtOdysseuswhenthestrifewaso’erWithallthewavesandwars,awearywhile,Grewrestlessinhisdisenchantedisle,Andstillwouldwatchthesunset,fromtheshore,Godownthewaysofgold,andevermoreHissadheartfollowedafter,mileonmile,BacktotheGoddessofthemagicwile,Calypso,andthelovethatwasofyore。

Thoutoo,thyhavengained,mustturntheeyetTolookacrossthesadandstormyspace,Yearsofayouthasbitterasthesea,Ah,withaheavyheart,andeyelidswet,Because,withinafairforsakenplaceThelifethatmighthavebeenislosttothee。

HOMER。

Homer,thysongmenlikentotheseaWithallthenotesofmusicinitstone,WithtidesthatwashthedimdominionOfHades,andlightwavesthatlaughingleeAroundtheislesenchanted;nay,tomeThyverseseemsastheRiverofsourceunknownThatglassesEgypt’stemplesoverthrownInhissky—nurturedstream,eternally。

NowiserwethanmenofheretoforeTofindthysacredfountainsguardedfast;

Enough,thyfloodmakesgreenourhumanshore,AsNilusEgypt,rollingdownhisvastHisfertileflood,thatmurmursevermoreOfgodsdethroned,andempiresinthepast。

THEBURIALOFMOLIERE。

(AFTERJ。TRUFFIER。)

Dead——heisdead!TherougehasleftatraceOnthatthincheekwhereshone,perchance,atear,EvenwhilethepeoplelaughedthatheldhimdearButyesterday。Hedied,——andnotingrace,Andmanyablack—robedcaitiffstartsapaceToslanderhimwhoseTartuffemadethemfear,Andgoldmustwinapassageforhisbier,Andbribethecrowdthatguardshisresting—place。

Ah,Moliere,forthatlasttimeofall,Man’shatredbrokeuponthee,andwentby,Anddidbutmakemorefairthyfuneral。

Thoughinthedarktheyhidtheestealthily,Thycoffinhadthecopeofnightforpall,Fortorch,thestarsalongthewindysky!

BION。

ThewailofMoschusonthemountainscryingTheMusesheard,andloveditlongago;

Theyheardthehollowsofthehillsreplying,Theyheardtheweepingwater’soverflow;

Theywingedthesacredstrain——thesongundying,Thesongthatallabouttheworldmustgo,—

Whenpoetsforapoetdeadaresighing,Theminstrelsforaminstrelfriendlaidlow。

Anddirgetodirgethatanswers,andtheweepingForAdonaisbythesummersea,TheplaintsforLycidas,andThyrsis(sleepingFarfrom’theforestgroundcalledThessaly’),Theseholdthymemory,Bion,intheirkeeping,Andarebutechoesofthemoanforthee。

SPRING。

(AFTERMELEAGER。)

Nowthebrightcrocusflames,andnowTheslimnarcissustakestherain,And,strayingo’erthemountain’sbrow,Thedaffodiliesbudagain。

ThethousandblossomswaxandwaneOnwold,andheath,andfragrantbough,Butfairerthantheflowersartthou,Thananygrowthofhillorplain。

Yegardens,castyourleafycrown,ThatmyLove’sfeetmaytreaditdown,Likeliliesontheliliesset:

MyLove,whoselipsaresofterfarThandrowsypoppypetalsare,Andsweeterthantheviolet!

BEFORETHESNOW。

(AFTERALBERTGLATIGNY。)

Thewinterisuponus,notthesnow,Thehillsareetchedonthehorizonbare,Theskiesareirongrey,abitterair,Themeagrecloudletsshuddertoandfro。

Oneyellowleafthelistlesswinddothblow,Likesomestrangebutterfly,unclassedandrare。

Yourfootstepsringinfrozenalleys,whereTheblacktreesseemtoshiverasyougo。

Beyondliechurchandsteeple,withtheiroldAndrustyvanesthatrattleastheyveer,Asharpergustwouldshakethemfromtheirhold,Yetupthatpath,insummeroftheyear,AndpastthatmelancholypilewestrolledTopluckwildstrawberries,withmerrycheer。

VILLANELLE。

TOLUCIA。

ApolloleftthegoldenMuseAndshepherdedamortal’ssheep,TheocritusofSyracuse!

Tomockthegiantswainthatwoo’sThesea—nymphinthesunnydeep,ApolloleftthegoldenMuse。

Afieldhedrovehislambsandewes,WhereMilonandwhereBattusreap,TheocritusofSyracuse!

Towatchthytunny—fisherscruiseBelowthedimSiciliansteepApolloleftthegoldenMuse。

Yetwaindidloiterinthedews,Yeslepttheswain’sunfever’dsleep,TheocritusofSyracuse!

ThatTimemighthalfwithHISconfuseThysongs,——likehis,thatlaughandleap,—

TheocritusofSyracuse,ApolloleftthegoldenMuse!

NATURALTHEOLOGY。

[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]OD。III。47。

\"OnceCAGNwaslikeafather,kindandgood,ButHewasspoiledbyfightingmanythings;

Hewarsuponthelionsinthewood,AndbreakstheThunder—bird’stremendouswings;

ButstillwecrytoHim,——’Wearethybrood—

OCagn,bemerciful!’andusHebringsToherdsofelands,andgreatstoreoffood,Andinthedesertopenswater—springs。\"

SoQing,KingNqsha’sBushmanhunter,spoke,Besidethecamp—fire,bythefountainfair,Whenallwereweary,andsoftcloudsofsmokeWerefading,fragrant,inthetwilitair:

Andsuddenlyineachman’shearttherewokeApang,asacredmemoryofprayer。

THEODYSSEY。

AsonethatforawearyspacehaslainLulledbythesongofCirceandherwineIngardensnearthepaleofProserpine,WherethatAEaeanisleforgetsthemain,Andonlythelowlutesoflovecomplain,Andonlyshadowsofwanloverspine,AssuchanoneweregladtoknowthebrineSaltonhislips,andthelargeairagain,—

Sogladly,fromthesongsofmodernspeechMenturn,andseethestars,andfeelthefreeShrillwindbeyondthecloseofheavyflowers,Andthroughthemusicofthelanguidhours,TheyhearlikeoceanonawesternbeachThesurgeandthunderoftheOdyssey。

IDEAL。

Suggestedbyafemaleheadinwax,ofunknowndate,butsupposedtobeeitherofthebestGreekage,oraworkofRaphaelorLeonardo。

ItisnowintheLilleMuseum。

Ah,mysticchildofBeauty,namelessmaid,Datelessandfatherless,howlongago,AGreek,withsomeraresadnessoverweighed,Shapedthee,perchance,andquiteforgothiswoe!

OrRaphaelthysweetnessdidbestow,Whilemagicalhisfingerso’ertheestrayed,OrthatgreatpupiltaughtofVerrocchioRedeemedthystillperfectionfromtheshadeThathidesallfairthingslost,andthingsunborn,Whereonehasfledfromme,thatworethygrace,Andthatgravetendernessofthineawhile;

Nay,stillindreamsIseeher,butherfaceIspale,iswastedwithatouchofscorn,AndonlyonthylipsIfindhersmile。

THEFAIRY’SGIFT。

\"Takeshortviews。\"——SYDNEYSMITH。

TheFaysthattomychrist’ningcame(Forcometheydid,mynursestaughtme),Theydidnotbringmewealthorfame,’Tisverylittlethattheybroughtme。

Butone,thecrossestofthecrew,Theuglyoldone,uninvited,Said,\"IshallbeavengedonYOU,Mychild;youshallgrowupshort—sighted!\"

WithmagicjuicesdidshelaveMineeyes,andwroughtherwickedpleasure。

Well,ofallgiftstheFairiesgave,HERSisthepresentthatItreasure!

Theborewhomothersfearandflee,Idonotfear,Idonotfleehim;

Ipasshimcalmascalmcanbe;

Idonotcut——Idonotseehim!

Andwithmyfeebleeyesanddim,WhereYOUseepatchyfieldsandfences,FormethemistsofTurnerswim—

MY\"azuredistance\"sooncommences!

Nay,asIblinkaboutthestreetsOfthisbefoggedandmirycity,Why,almosteverygirlonemeetsSeemspreternaturallypretty!

\"Tryspectacles,\"one’sfriendsintone;

\"You’llseetheworldcorrectlythroughthem。\"

ButIhavevisionsofmyown,AndnotforworldswouldIundothem。

BENEDETTARAMUS。

AFTERROMNEY。

MysteriousBenedetta!whoThatReynoldsorthatRomneydrewWaseverhalfsofairasyou,Orissowellforgot?

Theseeyesofmelancholybrown,Thesewovenlocks,ashadowycrown,Mustsurelyhavebewitchedthetown;

Yetyou’rerememberednot。

Throughallthatprattleofyourage,ThroughloreoffribbleandofsageI’veread,andchieflyWalpole’spage,Whereinarebeautiesfamous;

I’vehauntedball,androut,andsale;

I’veheardofDevonshireandThrale,AndalltheGunnings’wondroustale,ButnothingofMissRamus。

Andyetonmanyalatticepane’FairBenedetta,’scrawledinvainBylovers’diamonds,mustremainTotellusyouwerecruel。{6}

Butwho,ofallthatsighedandswore—

Wits,poets,courtiersbythescore—

DidwinandonhisbosomworeThishardandlovelyjewel?

Why,dilettanterecordssayAnAlderman,whocamethatway,Woo’dyouandmadeyouLadyDay;

Youcrownedhiscivicflame。

ItsuitsamelancholysongTothinkyourhearthadsufferedwrong,AndthatyoulivednotverylongTobeaCitydame!

PerchanceyouwereaMourningBride,AndconsciousofaheartthatdiedWithonewhofellbyRodney’ssideInblood—stainedSpanishbays。

Perchance’twasnosuchthing,andyouDwelthappywithyourknightandtrue,And,likeAurora,watchedacrewOfrosylittleDays!

Oh,lovelyfaceandinnocent!

Whateverwayyourfortuneswent,AndiftoearthyourlifewaslentForlittlespaceorlong,InyourkindeyesweseemtoseeWhatWomanatherbestmaybe,AndoffertoyourmemoryAnunavailingsong!

PARTANTPOURLASCRIBIE。

[Scribie,onthenorth—eastlittoralofBohemia,isthelandofstageconventions。Itisnamedafterthediscoverer,M。Scribe。]

ApleasantlandisScribie,whereThelightcomesmostlyfrombelow,AndseemsasortofsymbolrareOfthingsatlarge,andhowtheygo,InroomswheredoorsareeverywhereAndcupboardsshelterfriendorfoe。

ThisisarealmwherepeopletellEachother,whentheychancetomeet,Ofthingsthatlongagobefell—

AnddomostsolemnlyrepeatSecretstheybothknowverywell,Aloud,andinthepublicstreet!

Alandwhereloversgoinfours,Masterandmistress,manandmaid;

WherepeoplelistenatthedoorsOr’neathatable’sfriendlyshade,AndcomicIrishmeninscoresRoamo’erthescenesallundismayed:

AlandwhereVirtueindistressOwesmuchtounclesindisguise;

WhereBritishsailorsfranklyblessTheirlimbs,theirtimbers,andtheireyes;

Andwherethevillaindothconfess,Conveniently,beforehedies!

Alandofloversfalseandgay;

Alandwherepeopledreada\"curse;\"

Alandoflettersgoneastray,Orintercepted,whichisworse;

Whereweddingsfalsefondmaidsbetray,Andallthebabesarechangedatnurse。

Oh,happyland,wherethingscomeright!

Weoftheworldwherethingsgoill;

Whereloverslove,butdon’tunite;

WherenoonefindstheMissingWill—

Dominionoftheheart’sdelight,Scribie,we’veloved,andlovetheestill!

ST。ANDREW’SBAY。

NIGHT。

Ah,listenthroughthemusic,fromtheshore,The\"melancholylong—withdrawingroar\";

BeneaththeMinster,andthewindycaves,ThewideNorthOcean,marshallinghiswavesEvensoforlorn——inworldsbeyondourken—

Maysightheseasthatarenotheardofmen;

Evensoforlorn,propheticofman’sfate,Soundedthecoldsea—wavedisconsolate,WhennonebutGodmighthearthebodingtone,AsGodshallhearthelonglamentalone,Whenallisdone,whenallthetaleistold,Andthegraysea—waveechoesasofold!

MORNING。

ThiswastheburdenoftheNight,Thesayingofthesea,Butlo!thehourshavebroughtthelight,Thelaughterofthewaves,theflightOfdippingsea—birds,foamywhite,Thataresogladtobe!

\"Forget!\"thehappycreaturescry,\"ForgetNight’smonotone,Withusbegladinseaandsky,Thedaysarethine,thedaysthatfly,ThedaysGodgivestoknowhimby,AndnottheNightalone!\"

WOMANANDTHEWEED。

(FOUNDEDONANEWZEALANDMYTH。)

IntheMorningofTime,whenhisfortunesbegan,Howbleak,howun—Greek,wastheNatureofMan!

Fromhiswigwam,ifeverheventuredtoroam,Therewasnobodywaitingtowelcomehimhome;

FortheManhadbeenmade,butthewomanhadNOT,AndEarthwasahighlydetestablespot。

Manhatedhisneighbours;theymetandtheyscowled,Theydidnotconversebuttheystruggledandhowled,ForManhadnotact——hewouldne’ertakeahint,Andhisnotionshebackedwithahatchetofflint。

SoManwasalone,andhewishedhecouldseeOntheEarthsomeonelikehim,butfairerthanhe,Withlocksliketheredgold,asmilelikethesun,Towelcomehimbackwhenhishuntingwasdone。

Andhesighedforavoicethatshouldanswerhimstill,LiketheaffableEchoheheardonthehill:

Thatshouldanswerhimsoftlyandalwaysagree,ANDOH,Manreflected,HOWNICEITWOULDBE!

SoheprayedtotheGods,andtheystoopedtohisprayer,AndtheyspoketotheSunonhiswaythroughtheair,AndhemarriedtheEchoonefortunatemorn,AndWoman,theirbeautifuldaughter,wasborn!

ThedaughterofSunshineandEchoshecameWithavoicelikeasong,withafacelikeaflame;

Withafacelikeaflame,andavoicelikeasong,AndhappywasMan,butitwasnotforlong!

Forweather’sapainfullychangeablething,NotalwaysthechildoftheEchowouldsing;

AndthefaceoftheSunmaybehiddenwithmist,Andhischildcanbeterriblycrossifshelist。

AndunfortunateManhadtolearnwithsurpriseThatafrown’snotpeculiartomasculineeyes;

Thatthesweetestofvoicescanscoldandcansneer,Andcannotbeanswered——likemen——withaspear。

SoManwentandcalledtotheGodsinhiswoe,Andtheyansweredhim——\"Sir,youwouldneedshaveitso:

Andthethingmustgoonasthethinghasbegun,She’simmortal——yourchildoftheEchoandSun。

Butwe’llsendyouanother,andfairerisshe,Thismaidenwithlocksthatareflowingandfree。

Thismaidensogentle,sokind,andsofair,Withaflowerlikeastarinthenightofherhair。

Withhereyeslikethesmokethatismistyandblue,Withherheartthatisheavenly,andtender,andtrue。

Shewilldieinthenight,butnoneedyoushouldmourn,YoushallburyherbodyandthenceshallbebornAweedthatisgreen,thatisfragrantandfair,Withaflowerlikethestarinthenightofherhair。

AndtheleavesmustyeburntilltheyoffertoyouSoftsmoke,likehereyesthataremistyandblue。

\"Andthesmokeshallyebreatheandnomoreshallyefret,ButthechildoftheEchoandSunshallforget:

Shallforgetallthetroubleandtormentshebrings,Shallbethinkyeofnonebutdelectablethings;

Andthesoundofthewarswithyourbrethrenshallcease,Whileyesmokebythecamp—firethegreatpipeofpeace。\"

SothelaststateofManwasbynomeanstheworst,Thesecondgiftsoftenedthestingofthefirst。

NorthechildoftheEchoandSundothheheedWhenhedreamswiththeMaidthatwaschangedtotheweed;

ThoughtheEchobesilent,theSuninamist,TheMaidisthefairestthateverwaskissed。

Andwhentempestsareoverandendedtherain,AndthechildoftheSunshineissunnyagain,Hecomesback,gladatheart,andagainisatoneWiththechangeablechildoftheEchoandSun。

Footnotes:

{1}Cf。\"SuggestionsforAcademicReorganization。\"

{2}ThelastthreestanzasarebyaneminentAnthropologist。

{3}ThomasofErcildoune。

{4}Aknavishpublisher。

{5}Vousyverrez,belleJulie,QuecechapeautoutmaltraiteFut,dansuninstantdefolie,ParlesGracesmemeinvente。

’AJulie。’EssaisenProseetenVers,parJosephLisle;Paris。

An。V。delaRepublique。

{6}\"IhavebrokenmanyapaneofglassmarkedCruelParthenissa,\"

saystheauntofSophiaWesterninTomJones。