第1章

CONTENTS

I。THEVAGABOND—GivetomethelifeIloveII。YOUTHANDLOVE:I。—OnceonlybythegardengateIII。YOUTHANDLOVE:II。—TotheheartofyouththeworldisahighwaysideIV。Indreams,unhappy,IbeholdyoustandV。SherestedbytheBrokenBrookVI。TheinfiniteshiningheavensVII。PlainastheglisteringplanetsshineVIII。Toyou,letsnowsandrosesIX。LetBeautyawakeinthemornfrombeautifuldreamsX。IknownothowitiswithyouXI。IwillmakeyoubroochesandtoysforyourdelightXII。WEHAVELOVEDOFYORE—BerriedbrakeandreedyislandXIII。MATTERTRIUMPHANS—Sonofmywoman’sbody,yougo,tothedrumandfifeXIV。BrightistheringofwordsXV。Inthehighlands,inthecountryplacesXVI。Homenomorehometome,withermustIwander?

XVII。WINTER—Inrigoroushours,whendowntheironlaneXVIII。ThestormyeveningclosesnowinvainXIX。TODR。HAKE—InthebelovedhourthatushersdayXX。TO—IknewtheestrongandquietlikethehillsXXI。Themorningdrum—callonmyeagerearXXII。IhavetrodtheupwardanddownwardslopeXXIII。HehearswithgladdenedheartthethunderXXIV。Farewell,fairdayandfadinglight!

XXV。IFTHISWEREFAITH—God,ifthiswereenoughXXVI。MYWIFE—Trusty,dusky,vivid,trueXXVII。TOTHEMUSE—Resigntherhapsody,thedreamXXVIII。TOANISLANDPRINCESS—Sincelongago,achildathomeXXIX。TOKALAKAUA—TheSliverShip,myKing—thatwashernameXXX。TOPRINCESSKAIULANI—ForthformherlandtomineshegoesXXXI。TOMOTHERMARYANNE—ToseetheinfinitepityofthisplaceXXXII。INMEMORIAME。H。—IknewasilverheadwasbrightbeyondcompareXXXIII。TOMYWIFE—LongmustelapseereyoubeholdagainXXXIV。TOMYOLDFAMILIARS—Doyouremember—canwee’erforget?

XXXV。Thetropicsvanish,andmeseemsthatI

XXXVI。TOS。C。—IheardthepulseofthebesiegingseaXXXVII。THEHOUSEOFTEMBINOKA—Letus,whopartlikebrothers,partlikebardsXXXVIII。THEWOODMAN—Inallthegrove,notstreamnorbirdXXXIX。TROPICRAIN—Asthesinglepangoftheblow,whenthemetalismingledwellXL。ANENDOFTRAVEL—LetnowyoursoulinthissubstantialworldXLI。WeuncommiseratepassintothenightXLII。SingmeasongofaladthatisgoneXLIII。TOS。R。CROCKETT—Blowsthewindto—day,andthesunandrainareflyingXLIV。EVENSONG—TheembersofthedayareredI—THEVAGABOND(ToanairofSchubert)

GIVEtomethelifeIlove,Letthelavegobyme,GivethejollyheavenaboveAndthebywaynighme。

Bedinthebushwithstarstosee,BreadIdipintheriver—

There’sthelifeforamanlikeme,There’sthelifeforever。

Lettheblowfallsoonorlate,Letwhatwillbeo’erme;

GivethefaceofeartharoundAndtheroadbeforeme。

WealthIseeknot,hopenorlove,Norafriendtoknowme;

AllIseek,theheavenaboveAndtheroadbelowme。

OrletautumnfallonmeWhereafieldIlinger,Silencingthebirdontree,Bitingthebluefinger。

Whiteasmealthefrostyfield—

Warmthefiresidehaven—

NottoautumnwillIyield,Nottowintereven!

Lettheblowfallsoonorlate,Letwhatwillbeo’erme;

Givethefaceofeartharound,Andtheroadbeforeme。

WealthIasknot,hopenorlove,Norafriendtoknowme;

AllIask,theheavenaboveAndtheroadbelowme。

II—YOUTHANDLOVE—I

ONCEonlybythegardengateOurlipswejoinedandparted。

ImustfulfilanemptyfateAndtraveltheuncharted。

Hailandfarewell!Imustarise,Leaveherethefattedcattle,AndpaintonforeignlandsandskiesMyOdysseyofbattle。

TheuntentedKosmosmyabode,Ipass,awilfulstranger:

MymistressstilltheopenroadAndthebrighteyesofdanger。

Comeillorwell,thecross,thecrown,Therainboworthethunder,IflingmysoulandbodydownForGodtoploughthemunder。

III—YOUTHANDLOVE—II

Totheheartofyouththeworldisahighwayside。

Passingforever,hefares;andoneitherhand,Deepinthegardensgoldenpavilionshide,Nestleinorchardbloom,andfaronthelevellandCallhimwithlightedlampintheeventide。

Thickasthestarsatnightwhenthemoonisdown,Pleasuresassailhim。HetohisnoblerfateFares;andbutwavesahandashepasseson,Criesbutawaysidewordtoheratthegardengate,Singsbutaboyishstaveandhisfaceisgone。

IV

INdreams,unhappy,IbeholdyoustandAsheretofore:

TheunrememberedtokensinyourhandAvailnomore。

Nomorethemorningglow,nomorethegrace,Enshrines,endears。

ColdbeatsthelightoftimeuponyourfaceAndshowsyourtears。

Hecameandwent。PerchanceyouweptawhileAndthenforgot。

Ahme!buthethatleftyouwithasmileForgetsyounot。

V

SHErestedbytheBrokenBrook,ShedrankofWearyWell,Shemovedbeyondmylingeringlook,Ah,whithernonecantell!

Shecame,shewent。Inotherlands,Perchanceinfairerskies,Herhandsshallclingwithotherhands,Hereyestoothereyes。

Shevanished。Inthesoundingtown,Willsheremembertoo?

WillsherecalltheeyesofbrownAsIrecalltheblue?

VI

THEinfiniteshiningheavensRoseandIsawinthenightUncountableangelstarsShoweringsorrowandlight。

Isawthemdistantasheaven,Dumbandshininganddead,AndtheidlestarsofthenightWeredearertomethanbread。

NightafternightinmysorrowThestarsstoodoverthesea,Tilllo!IlookedintheduskAndastarhadcomedowntome。

VII

PLAINastheglisteringplanetsshineWhenwindshavecleanedtheskies,Herloveappeared,appealedformine,Andwantonedinhereyes。

ClearastheshiningtapersburnedOnCytherea’sshrine,Thosebrimming,lustrousbeautiesturned,Andcalledandconqueredmine。

Thebeacon—lampthatHerolitNofairershoneonsea,Noplainliersummonedwillandwit,Thanhersencouragedme。

Ithrilledtofeelherinfluencenear,Istruckmyflagatsight。

HerstarrysilencesmotemyearLikesuddendrumsatnight。

Iranas,atthecannon’sroar,Thetroopstherampartsman—

AsintheholyhouseofyoreThewillingEliran。

Here,lady,lo!thatservantstandsYoupickedfrompassingmen,AndshouldyouneednorheartnorhandsHebowsandgoesagain。

VIII

TOyou,letsnowandrosesAndgoldenlocksbelong。

Thesearetheworld’senslavers,Letthesedelightthethrong。

ForherofduskierlustreWhosefavourstillIwear,Thesnowbeinherkirtle,Therosebeinherhair!

ThehueofhighlandriversCareering,fullandcool,Fromsableontogolden,Fromrapidontopool—

Thehueofheather—honey,Thehueofhoney—bees,Shalltingehergoldenshoulder,Shallgildhertawnyknees。

IX

LETBeautyawakeinthemornfrombeautifuldreams,Beautyawakefromrest!

LetBeautyawakeForBeauty’ssakeInthehourwhenthebirdsawakeinthebrakeAndthestarsarebrightinthewest!

LetBeautyawakeintheevefromtheslumberofday,Awakeinthecrimsoneve!

Intheday’sduskendWhentheshadesascend,LetherwaketothekissofatenderfriendTorenderagainandreceive!

X

IKNOWnothowitiswithyou—

Ilovethefirstandlast,Thewholefieldofthepresentview,Thewholeflowofthepast。

Onetittleofthethingsthatare,NoryoushouldchangenorI—

Onepebbleinourpath—onestarInallourheavenofsky。

Ourlives,andeverydayandhour,Onesymphonyappear:

Oneroad,onegarden—everyflowerAndeverybrambledear。

XI

IWILLmakeyoubroochesandtoysforyourdelightOfbird—songatmorningandstar—shineatnight。

IwillmakeapalacefitforyouandmeOfgreendaysinforestsandbluedaysatsea。

Iwillmakemykitchen,andyoushallkeepyourroom,Wherewhiteflowstheriverandbrightblowsthebroom,AndyoushallwashyourlinenandkeepyourbodywhiteInrainfallatmorninganddewfallatnight。

Andthisshallbeformusicwhennooneelseisnear,Thefinesongforsinging,theraresongtohear!

ThatonlyIremember,thatonlyyouadmire,Ofthebroadroadthatstretchesandtheroadsidefire。

XII—WEHAVELOVEDOFYORE(ToanairofDiabelli)

BERRIEDbrakeandreedyisland,Heavenbelow,andonlyheavenabove,Throughthesky’sinvertedazureSoftlyswamtheboatthatboreourlove。

Brightwereyoureyesastheday;

Brightranthestream,Brighthungtheskyabove。

DaysofApril,airsofEden,Howtheglorydiedthroughgoldenhours,Andtheshiningmoonarising,Howtheboatdrewhomewardfilledwithflowers!

Brightwereyoureyesinthenight:

Wehavelived,mylove—

O,wehaveloved,mylove。

Frosthasboundourflowingriver,Snowhaswhitenedallourislandbrake,AndbesidethewinterfagotJoanandDarbydozeanddreamandwake。

Still,intheriverofdreamsSwimstheboatoflove—

Hark!chimesthefallingoar!

AndagaininwinterevensWhenonfirelightdreamingfancyfeeds,InthoseearsofagedloversLove’sownriverwarblesinthereeds。

Lovestillthepast,Omylove!

Wehavelivedofyore,O,wehavelovedofyore。

XIII—MATERTRIUMPHANS

SONofmywoman’sbody,yougo,tothedrumandfife,Totastethecolourofloveandtheothersideoflife—

Fromoutofthedaintytherude,thestrongfromoutofthefrail,Eternallythroughtheagesfromthefemalecomesthemale。

Thetenfingersandtoes,andtheshell—likenailoneach,Theeyesblindasgemsandthetongueattemptingspeech;

Impotenthandsinmybosom,andyettheyshallwieldthesword!

Druggedwithslumberandmilk,youwaitthedayoftheLord。

Infantbridegroom,uncrownedking,unanointedpriest,Soldier,lover,explorer,Iseeyounuzzlethebreast。

Youthatgropeinmybosomshallloadtheladieswithrings,You,thatcameforththroughthedoors,shallburstthedoorsofkings。

XIV

BRIGHTistheringofwordsWhentherightmanringsthem,FairthefallofsongsWhenthesingersingsthem。

Stilltheyarecarolledandsaid—

Onwingstheyarecarried—

AfterthesingerisdeadAndthemakerburied。

LowasthesingerliesInthefieldofheather,SongsofhisfashionbringTheswainstogether。

AndwhenthewestisredWiththesunsetembers,TheloverlingersandsingsAndthemaidremembers。

XV

INthehighlands,inthecountryplaces,Wheretheoldplainmenhaverosyfaces,AndtheyoungfairmaidensQuieteyes;

Whereessentialsilencecheersandblesses,Andforeverinthehill—recessesHermorelovelymusicBroodsanddies。

OtomountagainwhereerstIhaunted;

Wheretheoldredhillsarebird—enchanted,AndthelowgreenmeadowsBrightwithsward;

Andwhenevendies,themillion—tinted,Andthenighthascome,andplanetsglinted,Lo,thevalleyhollowLamp—bestarred!

Otodream,OtoawakeandwanderThere,andwithdelighttotakeandrender,Throughthetranceofsilence,Quietbreath;

Lo!forthere,amongtheflowersandgrasses,Onlythemightiermovementsoundsandpasses;

Onlywindsandrivers,Lifeanddeath。

XVI(TothetuneofWanderingWillie)

HOMEnomorehometome,whithermustIwander?

Hungermydriver,IgowhereImust。

Coldblowsthewinterwindoverhillandheather;

Thickdrivestherain,andmyroofisinthedust。

Lovedofwisemenwastheshadeofmyroof—tree。

Thetruewordofwelcomewasspokeninthedoor—

Deardaysofold,withthefacesinthefirelight,Kindfolksofold,youcomeagainnomore。

Homewashomethen,mydear,fullofkindlyfaces,Homewashomethen,mydear,happyforthechild。

Fireandthewindowsbrightglitteredonthemoorland;

Song,tunefulsong,builtapalaceinthewild。

Now,whendaydawnsonthebrowofthemoorland,Lonestandsthehouse,andthechimney—stoneiscold。

Loneletitstand,nowthefriendsarealldeparted,Thekindhearts,thetruehearts,thatlovedtheplaceofold。

Springshallcome,comeagain,callingupthemoorfowl,Springshallbringthesunandrain,bringthebeesandflowers;

Redshalltheheatherbloomoverhillandvalley,Softflowthestreamthroughtheeven—flowinghours;

Fairthedayshineasitshoneonmychildhood—

Fairshinethedayonthehousewithopendoor;

Birdscomeandcrythereandtwitterinthechimney—

ButIgoforeverandcomeagainnomore。

XVII—WINTER

INrigoroushours,whendowntheironlaneTheredbreastlooksinvainForhipsandhaws,Lo,shiningflowersuponmywindow—paneThesilverpencilofthewinterdraws。

WhenallthesnowyhillAndthebarewoodsarestill;

Whensnipesaresilentinthefrozenbogs,Andallthegardengarthiswhelmedinmire,Lo,bythehearth,thelaughterofthelogs—

Morefairthanroses,lo,theflowersoffire!

SaranacLake。

XVIII

THEstormyeveningclosesnowinvain,Loudwailsthewindandbeatsthedrivingrain,WhilehereinshelteredhouseWithfire—ypaintedwalls,Ihearthewindabroad,Iharkthecallingsqualls—

’Blow,blow,’Icry,’youburstyourcheeksinvain!

Blow,blow,’Icry,’myloveishomeagain!’

YonshipyouchaseperchancebutyesternightBorestillthepreciousfreightofmydelight,ThathereinshelteredhouseWithfire—ypaintedwalls,Nowhearsthewindabroad,Nowharksthecallingsqualls。

’Blow,blow,’Icry,’invainyourousethesea,Myrescuedsailorsharesthefirewithme!’

XIX—TODR。HAKE(OnreceivingaCopyofVerses)

INthebelovedhourthatushersday,Inthepuredew,underthebreakinggrey,Onebird,ereyetthewoodlandquiresawake,Withbriefreveillesummonsallthebrake:

Chirp,chirp,itgoes;norwaitsananswerlong;

Andthatsmallsignalfillsthegrovewithsong。

ThusonmypipeIbreathedastrainortwo;

Itscarcewasmusic,but’twasallIknew。

Itwasnotmusic,forIlackedtheart,Yetwhatbutfrozenmusicfilledmyheart?

Chirp,chirp,Iwent,norhopedanoblerstrain;

ButHeavendecreedIshouldnotpipeinvain,For,lo!notfarfromthere,insecretdale,Allsilent,satanancientnightingale。

Mysparrownotesheheard;thereatawoke;

Andwithatideofsonghissilencebroke。

XX—TO—

IKNEWtheestrongandquietlikethehills;

Iknewtheeapttopity,bravetoendure,InpeaceorwaraRomanfullequipt;

AndjustIknewthee,likethefabledkingsWhobytheloudsea—shoregavejudgmentforth,Fromdawntoeve,beardedandfewofwords。

What,what,wasItohonourthee?Achild;

Ayouthinardourbutachildinstrength,Whoaftervirtue’sgoldenchariot—wheelsRunseverpanting,norattainsthegoal。

SothoughtI,andwassorrowfulatheart。

SincethenmystepshavevisitedthatfloodAlongwhoseshorethenumerousfootfallscease,Thevoicesandthetearsoflifeexpire。

Thithertheprintsgodown,thehero’swayTrodlargeuponthesand,thetremblingmaid’s:

Nimrodthatwoundhistrumpetinthewood,Andthepoor,dreamingchild,hunterofflowers,Thatherehishuntingcloseswiththegreat:

Sooneandallgodown,noraughtreturns。

Forthee,forus,thesacredriverwaits,Forme,theunworthy,thee,theperfectfriend;

ThereBlamedesists,therehisunfalteringdogsHefromthechaserecalls,andhomewardrides;

YetPraiseandLovepassoverandgoin。

Sowhen,besidethatmargin,IdiscardMymorethanmortalweakness,andwiththeeThroughthatstilllandunfearingIadvance:

IfthenatallwekeepthetouchofjoyThoushaltrejoicetofindmealtered—I,OFelix,tobeholdtheestillunchanged。

XXI

THEmorningdrum—callonmyeagerearThrillsunforgottenyet;themorningdewLiesyetundriedalongmyfieldofnoon。

ButnowIpauseatwhilesinwhatIdo,Andcountthebell,andtremblelestIhear(Myworkuntrimmed)thesunsetguntoosoon。

XXII

IHAVEtrodtheupwardandthedownwardslope;

Ihaveenduredanddoneindaysbefore;

Ihavelongedforall,andbidfarewelltohope;

AndIhavelivedandloved,andclosedthedoor。

XXIII

HEhearswithgladdenedheartthethunderPeal,andlovesthefallingdew;

Heknowstheearthaboveandunder—

Sitsandiscontenttoview。

Hesitsbesidethedyingember,Godforhopeandmanforfriend,Contenttosee,gladtoremember,Expectantofthecertainend。

XXIV

FAREWELL,fairdayandfadinglight!

Theclay—bornhere,withwestwardsight,Marksthehugesunnowdownwardsoar。

Farewell。Wetwainshallmeetnomore。

Farewell。IwatchwithburstingsighMylatecontemnedoccasiondie。

Ilingeruselessinmytent:

Farewell,fairday,sofoullyspent!

Farewell,fairday。IfanyGodAtallconsiderthispoorclod,HewhothefairoccasionsentPreparedandplacedtheimpediment。

Lethimdivinervengeancetake—

Givemetosleep,givemetowakeGirdedandshod,andbidmeplayTheherointhecomingday!

XXV—IFTHISWEREFAITH

GOD,ifthiswereenough,ThatIseethingsbaretothebuffAnduptothebuttocksinmire;

ThatIasknorhopenorhire,Nutinthehusk,Nordawnbeyondthedusk,Norlifebeyonddeath:

God,ifthiswerefaith?

HavingfeltthywindinmyfaceSpitsorrowanddisgrace,HavingseenthineevildoomInGolgothaandKhartoum,Andthebrutes,theworkofthinehands,FillwithinjusticelandsAndstainwithbloodthesea:

IfstillinmyveinsthegleeOftheblacknightandthesunAndthelostbattle,run:

If,anadept,TheiniquitouslistsIstillacceptWithjoy,andjoytoendureandbewithstood,Andstilltobattleandperishforadreamofgood:

God,ifthatwereenough?

Iftofeel,intheinkoftheslough,Andthesinkofthemire,VeinsofgloryandfireRunthroughandtranspierceandtranspire,Andasecretpurposeofgloryineverypart,Andtheansweringgloryofbattlefillmyheart;

TothrillwiththejoyofgirdedmenTogoonforeverandfailandgoonagain,Andbemauledtotheearthandarise,Andcontendfortheshadeofawordandathingnotseenwiththeeyes:

WiththehalfofabrokenhopeforapillowatnightThatsomehowtherightistherightAndthesmoothshallbloomfromtherough:

Lord,ifthatwereenough?

XXVI—MYWIFE

TRUSTY,dusky,vivid,true,Witheyesofgoldandbramble—dew,Steel—trueandblade—straight,ThegreatartificerMademymate。

Honour,anger,valour,fire;

Alovethatlifecouldnevertire,Deathquenchorevilstir,ThemightymasterGavetoher。

Teacher,tender,comrade,wife,Afellow—farertruethroughlife,Heart—wholeandsoul—freeTheaugustfatherGavetome。

XXVII—TOTHEMUSE

RESIGNtherhapsody,thedream,Tomenoflargerreach;

Beoursthequestofaplaintheme,Thepietyofspeech。

AsmonkishscribesfrommorningbreakToiledtillthecloseoflight,NorthoughtadaytoolongtomakeOnelineorletterbright:

Wealsowithanardentmind,Time,wealth,andfameforgot,OurgloryinourpatiencefindAndskim,andskimthepot:

Tilllast,whenroundthehousewehearTheevensongofbirds,OnecornerofblueheavenappearInourclearwellofwords。

Leave,leaveitthen,museofmyheart!

Sansfinishandsansframe,LeaveunadornedbyneedlessartThepictureasitcame。

XXVIII—TOANISLANDPRINCESS

SINCElongago,achildathome,Ireadandlongedtoriseandroam,Where’erIwent,whate’erIwilled,Onepromisedlandmyfancyfilled。

HencethelongroadsmyhomeImade;

Tossedmuchinships;haveoftenlaidBelowtheuncurtainedskymyhead,Rain—delugedandwind—buffeted:

AndmanyathousandhillsIcrossedAndcornersturned—Love’slabourlost,Till,Lady,toyourisleofsunIcame,nothoping;and,likeoneSnatchedoutofblindness,rubbedmyeyes,Andhailedmypromisedlandwithcries。

Yes,Lady,hereIwasatlast;

HerefoundIallIhadforecast:

ThelongrollofthesapphireseaThatkeepstheland’svirginity;

ThestalwartgiantsofthewoodLadenwithtoysandflowersandfood;

ThepreciousforestpouringoutTocompassthewholetownabout;

Thetownitselfwithstreetsoflawn,Lovedofthemoon,blessedbythedawn,WherethebrownchildrenallthedayKeepupaceaselessnoiseofplay,Playinthesun,playintherain,Noreverquarrelorcomplain;—

Andlateatnight,inthewoodsoffruit,Hark!doyouhearthepassingflute?

Ithrewonelooktoeitherhand,AndknewIwasinFairyland。

AndyetonepointofbeingsoIlacked。For,Lady(asyouknow),Whoeverbyhismightofhand,WonentranceintoFairyland,FoundalwayswithadmiringeyesAFairyprincesskindandwise。

ItwasnotlongIwaited;soonUponmythreshold,inbroadnoon,Graciousandhelpful,wiseandgood,TheFairyPrincessMoestood。

Tantira,Tahiti,Nov。5,1888。

XXIX—TOKALAKAUA(WithapresentofaPearl)

THESilverShip,myKing—thatwashernameInthebrightislandswhenceyourfatherscame—

TheSilverShip,atrestfromwindsandtides,Belowyourpalaceinyourharbourrides:

Andtheseafarers,sittingsafeonshore,Likeeagermerchantscounttheirtreasureso’er。

Onegifttheyfind,onestrangeandlovelything,Nowdoublyprecioussinceitpleasedaking。

Theright,myliege,isancientasthelyreForbardstogivetokingswhatkingsadmire。

’TisminetoofferforApollo’ssake;

Andsincethegiftisfitting,yourstotake。

TogoldenhandsthegoldenpearlIbring:

Theoceanjeweltotheislandking。

Honolulu,Feb。3,1889。

XXX—TOPRINCESSKAIULANI

[WritteninApriltoKaiulaniintheAprilofherage;andatWaikiki,withineasywalkofKaiulani’sbanyan!Whenshecomestomylandandherfather’s,andtherainbeatsuponthewindow(asIfearitwill),letherlookatthispage;itwillbelikeaweedgatheredandpressedathome;andshewillrememberherownislands,andtheshadowofthemightytree;andshewillhearthepeacocksscreamingintheduskandthewindblowinginthepalms;andshewillthinkofherfathersittingtherealone。—R。L。S。]

FORTHfromherlandtomineshegoes,Theislandmaid,theislandrose,Lightofheartandbrightofface:

Thedaughterofadoublerace。