第3章

Inalittlepeace,inalittlepeace,Likefiercebeaststhatacommonthirstmakesbrothers,Wedrawtogethertoonehiddarklake;

Inalittlepeace,inalittlepeace,WedrainwithallourburthensofdishonourIntothecleansingsandso’thethirstygrave。

Thefierypomps,braveexhalations,Andalltheglisteringshowso’theseemingworld,Whichthesightachesat,weunwinkingseeThroughthesmokedglassofDeath;Death,wherewith’sfinedThemuddywineoflife;thatearthdothpurgeOfherplethoraofman;Death,thatdothflushThecumberedguttersofhumanity;

Nothing,ofnothingking,withfrontuncrowned,Whosehandholdscrownets;playmateswarto’thestrong;

TenebrousmoonthatfluxandrefluencedrawsOfthehigh—tidedman;skull—hous—edaspThatstingstheheelofkings;trueFountofYouth,Wherehethatdipsisdeathless;being’sdrone—pipe;

Whosenostrilturnstoblighttheshrivelledstars,Andthicksthelustybreathingofthesun;

PontificalDeath,thatdoththecrevassebridgeTothesteepandtrifidGod;onemortalbirthThatbrokerisofimmortality。

Underthisdreadfulbrotheruterine,Thiskinsmanfeared,Tellus,beholdmecome,Thysonstern—nursed;whomortal—motherlike,Toturnthyweanlings’mouthaverse,embitter’stThineover—childedbreast。Now,mortal—sonlike,Ithouhastsuckled,Mother,IatlastShallsustenantbetothee。HereIuntrammel,HereIpluckloosethebody’scerementing,Andbreakthetomboflife;hereIshakeoffTheburo’theworld,man’scongregationshun,AndtotheantiqueorderofthedeadItakethetonguelessvows:mycellissetHereinthybosom;mylittletroubleisendedInalittlepeace。

MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。

’EXOREINFANTIUM’。

LittleJesus,wastThoushyOnce,andjustsosmallasI?

AndwhatdiditfeelliketobeOutofHeaven,andjustlikeme?

DidstThousometimesthinkofTHERE,Andaskwherealltheangelswere?

IshouldthinkthatIwouldcryFormyhouseallmadeofsky;

Iwouldlookabouttheair,Andwonderwheremyangelswere;

Andatwaking’twoulddistressme——

Notanangeltheretodressme!

HadstThoueveranytoys,Likeuslittlegirlsandboys?

AnddidstThouplayinHeavenwithallTheangelsthatwerenottootall,Withstarsformarbles?DidthethingsPlayCanyouseeme?throughtheirwings?

AnddidThyMotherletTheespoilThyrobes,withplayingonOURsoil?

HownicetohavethemalwaysnewInHeaven,because’twasquitecleanblue!

DidstThoukneelatnighttopray,AnddidstThoujoinThyhands,thisway?

Anddidtheytiresometimes,beingyoung,Andmaketheprayerseemverylong?

AnddostThoulikeitbest,thatweShouldjoinourhandstopraytoThee?

Iusedtothink,beforeIknew,Theprayernotsaidunlesswedo。

AnddidThyMotheratthenightKissThee,andfoldtheclothesinright?

AnddidstThoufeelquitegoodinbed,Kissed,andsweet,andthyprayerssaid?

ThoucanstnothaveforgottenallThatitfeelsliketobesmall:

AndThouknow’stIcannotprayToTheeinmyfather’sway——

WhenThouwastsolittle,say,CouldstThoutalkThyFather’sway?——

So,alittleChild,comedownAndhearachild’stonguelikeThyown;

Takemebythehandandwalk,Andlistentomybaby—talk。

ToThyFathershowmyprayer(Hewilllook,Thouartsofair),Andsay:’OFather,I,ThySon,Bringtheprayerofalittleone。’

AndHewillsmile,thatchildren’stongueHasnotchangedsinceThouwastyoung!

AQUESTION。

Obirdwithheartofwassail,ThattosstheBacchicbranch,Andslipyourshakenmusic,Anelfinavalanche;

Cometellme,Otellme,Mypoetoftheblue!

What’sYOURthoughtofme,Sweet?——

Here’sMYthoughtofyou。

Asmallthing,aweething,Abrownfleckofnought;

WithwingingandsingingThatwhocouldhavethought?

Asmallthing,aweething,Abrownamazewithal,ThatflyapitchmoreazureBecauseyou’resosmall。

Bird,I’masmallthing——

Myangeldescries;

WithwingingandsingingThatwhocouldsurmise?

Ah,smallthings,ah,weethings,Arethepoetsall,Whosetour’sthemoreazureBecausethey’resosmall。

TheangelshangwatchingThetinymen—things:—

’Thedearspeckofflesh,see,Withsuchdaringwings!

’Come,tellus,Otellus,Thoustrangemortality!

What’sTHYthoughtofus,Dear?——

Here’sOURthoughtofthee。’

’Alack!youtallangels,Ican’tthinksohigh!

Ican’tthinkwhatitfeelslikeNottobeI。’

Cometellme,Otellme,Mypoetoftheblue!

What’sYOURthoughtofme,Sweet?——

Here’sMYthoughtofyou。

FIELD—FLOWER。

APhantasy。

GodtookafitofParadise—wind,Aslipofcoeruleweather,AthoughtassimpleasHimself,Andravelledthemtogether。

UntoHiseyesHehelditthere,ToteachitgazingdebonairWithmemoryofwhat,perdie,AGod’syounginnocenceswere。

Hisfingerspusheditthroughthesod——

ItcameupredolentofGod,GarrulousoftheeyesofGodToallthebreezesnearit;

MusicalofthemouthofGodToallhadeyestohearit;

MysticalwiththemirthofGod,Thatglow—likedidensphereit。

And——’Babble!babble!babble!’said;

’I’lltellthewholeworldoneday!’

Therewasnoblossomhalfsoglad,SincesunofChrist’sfirstSunday。

Apoettookaflawofpain,Ahapofskieypleasure,Athoughthadinhiscradlelain,Andmingledtheminmeasure。

Thatchrismhelaiduponhiseyes,Andlips,andheart,foreuphrasies,Thathemightsee,feel,sing,perdie,Thesimplethingsthatarethewise。

Besidetheflowerheheldhisways,Andleanedhimtoitgazeforgaze——

Hetookitsmeaning,gazeforgaze,Asbabylooksonbaby;

Itsmeaningpassedintohisgaze,Nativeasmeaningmaybe;

HerosewithallhisshininggazeAschildren’seyesatplaybe。

And——’Babble!babble!babble!’said;

’I’lltellthewholeworldoneday!’

Therewasnopoethalfsoglad,SincemangrewGodthatSunday。

THECLOUD’SSWAN—SONG。

Thereisaparableinthepathlesscloud,There’sprophecyinheaven,——theydidnotlie,TheChaldeeshepherds;seal—edfromtheproud,Tocheertheweightedheartthatmatestheseeingeye。

Alonelyman,oppressedwithlonelyills,Andallthegloryfallenfrommysong,HeredoIwalkamongthewindyhills,ThewindandIkeepbothonemonotoningtongue。

LikegreycloudsonebyonemysongsupsoarOvermysoul’scoldpeaks;andonebyoneTheyloosetheirlittlerain,andarenomore;

Andwhetherwellorill,totellmethereisnone。

For’tisanalientongue,ofalienthings,Fromallmen’scare,howmiserablyapart!

Evenmyfriendssay:’Ofwhatisthishesings?’

Andbarrenismysong,andbarrenismyheart。

Forwhocanwork,unwittinghiswork’sworth?

Better,meseems,toknowtheworkfornaught,Turnmysickcoursebacktothekindlyearth,Andleavetoamplerplumesthejettingtopsofthought。

Andvisitations,thatdooftenuse,Remote,unhappy,inauspicioussenseOfdoom,andpoetswidowedoftheirmuse,Andwhatdark’gan,darkended,inmedidcommence。

Ithoughtofspiritwrongedbymortalills,Andmyfleshrottingonmyfate’sdullstake;

Andhowself—scorn—edtheythebountyfillsOfothers,andthebread,evenoftheirdearest,take。

IthoughtofKeats,thatdiedinperfecttime,Inpredeceaseofhisjust—sickeningsong;

Ofhimthatset,wraptinhisradiantrhyme,Sunlikeinsea。Lifelongerhadbeenlifetoolong。

ButI,exanimateofquickPoesy,——

Othen,nomorebutevenasoullesscorse!

Nay,myDelightdiesnot;’tisIshouldbeHerdead,astringlessharponwhichshehadnoforce。

OfmywildlotIthought;fromplacetoplace,Apollo’ssong—bowedScythian,Igoon;

Makinginallmyhome,withpliantways,But,providentofchange,puttingforthrootinnone。

Now,withstarvedbrain,sickbody,patiencegalledWithfardelseventowincing;fromfairskyFellsuddenlittlerain,scarcetobecalledAshower,whichoftheinstantwasgonewhollyby。

WhatcloudthusdiedIsawnot;heavenwasfair。

Methinksmyangelpluckedmylocks:IbowedMyspirit,shamed;andlookingintheair:—

’Evenso,’Isaid,’evenso,mybrotherthegoodCloud?’

Itwasapilgrimofthefieldsofair,Itshomewasallwheresthewindleftitrest,Andinalittleforthagaindidfare,Andinallplaceswasastrangerandaguest。

Itharkedallbreathsofheaven,anddidobeyWithsweetpeacetheiruncomprehendedwills;

Itknewtheeyesofstarswhichmadenostay,Andwiththethunderwalkeduponthelonelyhills。

Andfromthesubjectearthitseemedtoscorn,ItdrewthesustenancewherebyitgrewPerfectinbosomforthemarriedMorn,Andofhislifeandlightfullasamaidkissednew。

Itsalsodarknessofthefacewithdrawn,Andthelongwaitingforthelittlelight,Solonginlifesolittle。LikeafawnItfledwithtempestbreathinghardatheelofflight;

AndhavingknownfullEast,didnotdisdainTositinshadowandobliviouscold,Savewhatalllossdothofitslossretain,Andwhohathheldhathsomewhatthathestillmusthold。

Rightpoet!whothyrightnesstoapprove,Havingallliberty,didstkeepallmeasure,Andwithafirmamentforranging,moveButattheheavens’uncomprehendedpleasure。

Withamplitudeunchecked,howsweetlythouDidstweartheancientcustomoftheskies,Andyokeofusedprescription;andthencehowFindgayvarietynolicensecoulddevise!

AswethequestedbeautiesbetterwitOftheonegroveourownthanforestsgreat,Restraint,bythedelightedsearchofit,Turnstorightscope。ForlovelymovingintricateIsputtofairdevisinginthecurbOforderedlimit;andall—changefulHermesIsTerminusaswell。YetweperturbOursoulsforlatitude,whosestrengthinboundandtermis。

HowfaramIfromheavenlyliberty,Thatplayatpolicywithchangeandfate,Whoshouldmysoulfromforeignbroilskeepfree,Inthefast—guardedfrontiersofitssinglestate!

CouldIfacefirmtheIs,andwithTo—beTrustHeaven;toHeavencommitthedeed,anddo;

Inpowercontained,calmininfirmity,Andfitmyselftochangewithvirtueevernew;

Thouhadstnotshamedme,cousinofthesky,Thouwanderingkinsman,thatdidstsweetlyliveUnnoted,andunnotedsweetlydie,WeepingmoregracioussongthananyIcanweave;

Whichthesegross—tissuedwordsdosorelywrong。

Thouhasttaughtmeonpowerlessnessapower;

Tomakesongwaitonlife,notlifeonsong;

Toholdsweetnottoosweet,andbreadforbreadthoughsour;

Bylawtowander,tobestrictlyfree。

Withtearsascendedfromtheheart’ssadsea,Ah,suchasilversongtoDeathcouldI

Sing,Painwouldlist,forgettingPaintobe,AndDeathwouldtarrymarvelling,andforgettodie!

TOTHESINKINGSUN。

Howgraciouslythouwear’sttheyokeOfusethatdoesnotfail!

Thegrasses,likeananchoredsmoke,Rideinthebendinggale;

Thisknollissnowedwithblosmymanna,Andfire—droptasaseraph’smail。

HereeveryevethoustretchestoutUntarnishablewing,Andmarvellouslybring’staboutNewlyanoldenthing;

Noreverthroughlike—orderedheavenMoveslargelythygraveprogressing。

HereeveryevethougoestdownBehindtheself—samehill,Norevertwicealikego’stdownBehindtheself—samehill;

Norlike—waysisoneflame—soppedflowerPossessedwithglorypastitswill。

Nottwicealike!Iamnotblind,Mysightislivetosee;

AndyetIdocomplainofthyWearyvariety。

OSun!Iasktheelessormore,Changenotatall,orutterly!

Ogivemeunprevisionednew,Orgivetochangereprieve!

Fornewinmeisoldentoo,ThatIforsamenessgrieve。

Oflowers!Ograsses!bebutonceThegrassandflowerofyester—eve!

WonderandsadnessarethelotOfchange:thouyield’stmineeyesGriefofvicissitude,butnotItspenetrantsurprise。

ImmutabilitymutableBurthensmyspiritandtheskies。

Oalteredjoy,alljoyedofyore,Ploddinginunconnedways!

Ogriefgrievedout,andyetoncemoreAdull,new,staledamaze!

Idream,andallwasdreamedbefore,OrdreamIso?thedreamersays。

GRIEF’SHARMONICS。

Atevening,whenthelankandrigidtrees,Tothemereformsoftheirsweetday—selvesdrying,Onheaven’sblankleafseempressedandflatten—ed;

Orrather,tomysombrethoughtsreplying,Ofplumesfunerealthethineffigies;

Thathourwhenallolddeadthingsseemmostdead,Andtheirdeathinstantmostandmostundying,Thatthefleshachesatthem;therestirredinmeThebabeofanunborncalamity,Ereitsduetimetobedeliver—ed。

Deadsorrowandsorrowunbornsoblenttheirpain,Thatwhichmorepresentwaswerehardlysaid,ButbothmoreNOWthananyNowcanbe。

Mysoullikesackclothdidherbodyrend,AndthuswithHeavencontend:—

’Letpassthechaliceofthiscomingdread,Orthatfore—drainedObidmenotre—drain!’

SohaveIasked,whoknowmyaskingvain,Woeagainstwoeinantiphonsetover,Thatgrief’ssoultransmigrates,andlivesagain,Andinnewpangoldpang’sincarnated。

MEMORATMEMORIA。

Comeyoulivingordeadtome,outofthesiltofthePast,Withthesweetofthepiteousfirst,andtheshameoftheshamefullast?

ComewithyourdearanddreadfulfacethroughthepassesofSleep,Theterriblemask,andthefaceitmasked——thefaceyoudidnotkeep?

Youareneithertwonorone——Iwouldyouwereoneortwo,ForyourawfulselfisembalmedinthefragrantselfIknew:

AndAbovemayken,andBeneathmayken,whatImeanbythesewordsofwhirl,Butbymysleepthatsleepethnot,——OShadowofaGirl!——

NoughtherebutIandmydreamsshallknowthesecretofthisthing:—

ForeverthesongsIsingaresadwiththesongsIneversing,Sadaresungsongs,buthowmoresadthesongswedarenotsing!

Ah,theillthatwedointenderness,andthehatefulhorroroflove!

IthassentmoresoulstotheunslakedPitthaniteverwilldrawabove。

Idamnedyou,girl,withmypity,whohadbetterbyfarbeenthwart,Anddraveyouhardonthetracktohell,becauseIwasgentleofheart。

Ishallhavenocomfortnowinscent,noeaseindew,forthis;

Ishallbeafraidofdaffodils,androse—budsareamiss;

Youhavemadeathingofinnocenceasshamefulasasin,Ishallneverfeelagirl’ssoftarmswithouthorroroftheskin。

Mychild!whatwasitthatIsowed,thatIsoillshouldreap?

Youhavedonethistome。AndI,whatItoyou?——ItlieswithSleep。

JULYFUGITIVE。

CanyoutellmewherehashidherPrettyMaidJuly?

IwouldswearonedayagoShepassedby,IwouldswearthatIdoknowTheblueblissofhereye:

’Tarry,maid,maid,’Ibidher;

Butshehastenedby。

Doyouknowwhereshehashidher,MaidJuly?

YetintruthitneedsmustbeTheflightofherisold;

Yetintruthitneedsmustbe,Forhernest,theearth,iscold。

Nomoreinthepool—edEvenWadeherrosyfeet,Dawn—flakesnomoreplashfromthemTopoppies’midthewheat。

Shehasmuddiedtheday’soozesWithherpetulantfeet;

Scaredthecloudsthatfloated,Assea—birdstheywere,SlowonthecoeruleLullsoftheair,LulledontheluminousLevelsofair:

ShehaschiddeninapetAllherstarsfromher;

NowtheywanderlooseandsighThroughtheturbidblue,Nowtheywander,weep,andcry——

Yea,andItoo——

’Whereareyou,sweetJuly,Whereareyou?’

Whohathbeheldherfootprints,Orthepathwayshegoes?

Tellme,wind,tellme,wheat,Whichofyouknows?

SleepssheswathedintheflushedArcticNightoftherose?

OrlieherlimbslikeAlp—glowOnthelily’ssnows?

Gales,thatareall—visitant,Findtherunaway;

Andforhimwhofindethher(Idochargeyousay)

IwillthrowlargesseofbroomOfthissummer’smintage,Iwillbroachahoney—bagOfthebee’sbestvintage。

Breezes,wheat,flowerssweet,Noneofthemknows!

HowthenshallwelureherbackFromthewayshegoes?

Foritwereashamefulthing,SawwenotthiscomerEreAutumncampuponthefieldsRedwithroutofSummer。

Whenthebirdquitsthecage,Wesetthecageoutside,Withseedandwithwater,Andthedoorwide,HaplywemaywinitsoBacktoabide。

HanghercageofearthoutO’erHeaven’ssunwardwall,Itsfourgatesopen,windsinwatchByrein—edcarsatall;

RelumeinhanginghedgerowsTherain—quenchedblossom,AndrosessobtheirtearsoutOnthegale’swarmheavingbosom;

ShaketheliliestilltheirscentOver—driptheirrims;

ThatourrunawaymayseeWedoknowherwhims:

SleekthetumbledwatersoutForhertravelledlimbs;

Strewandsmoothebluenightthereon,Therewill——Onotdoubther!——

Thelovelysleepyladylie,Withallherstarsabouther!

TOASNOW—FLAKE。

Whatheartcouldhavethoughtyou?——

Pastourdevisal(Ofiligreepetal!)

Fashionedsopurely,Fragilely,surely,FromwhatParadisalImaginelessmetal,Toocostlyforcost?

Whohammeredyou,wroughtyou,Fromargentinevapour?——

’Godwasmyshaper。

Passingsurmisal,Hehammered,Hewroughtme,Fromcurledsilvervapour,TolustofHismind:—

Thoucould’stnothavethoughtme!

Sopurely,sopalely,Tinily,surely,Mightily,frailly,Insculpedandembossed,WithHishammerofwind,AndHisgraveroffrost。’

NOCTURN。

Iwalk,Ionly,NotIonlywake;

Nothingis,thissweetnight,ButdothcouchandwakeForitslove’ssake;

Everything,thissweetnight,Coucheswithitsmate。

Forwhombutforthestealthy—visitantsunIsthenakedmoonTremulousandelate?

TheheavenhaththeearthItsownandallapart;

Thehush—edpoolholdethAstartoitsheart。

Youmaythinktherosesleepeth,Butthoughshefoldedis,Thewinddoubtshersleeping;

Notalltherosesleeps,ButsmilesinhersweetheartForcraftybliss。

Thewindliethwiththerose,Andwhenhestirs,shestirsinherrepose:

Thewindhaththerose,Andtheroseherkiss。

Ah,mouthofme!

IsitthenthatthisSeemethmuchtothee?——

Iwanderonly。

Therosehathherkiss。

AMAYBURDEN。

Throughmeadow—waysasIdidtread,Thecorngrewingreatlustihead,Andhey!thebeechesburgeon—ed。

ByGodd—esfay,byGodd—esfay!

Itisthemonth,thejollymonth,ItisthejollymonthofMay。

Godripethewinesandcorn,IsayAndwenchesforthemarriage—day,Andboystoteachlove’scomelyplay。

ByGodd—esfay,byGodd—esfay!

Itisthemonth,thejollymonth,ItisthejollymonthofMay。

AsIwentdownbylaneandlea,Thedaisiesreddenedso,pardie!

’Blushets!’Isaid,’Iwelldosee,ByGodd—esfay,byGodd—esfay!

Thethingyethinkofinthismonth,Heigho!thisjollymonthofMay。’

AsdownIwentbyryeandoats,Theblossomssmeltofkisses;throatsOfbirdsturnedkissesintonotes;

ByGodd—esfay,byGodd—esfay!

Thekissitisagrowingflower,Itrow,thisjollymonthofMay!

Godsendamouthtoeverykiss,SeeingtheblossomofthisblissBygatheringdothgrow,certes!

ByGodd—esfay,byGodd—esfay!

Thybrow—garlandpushedallaslantTells——butItellnot,wantonMay!

NOTE。ThefirsttwostanzasarefromaFrenchoriginal——Ihaveforgottenwhat。

ADEADASTRONOMER。

(FatherPerry,S。J。)

Starryamorist,starwardgone,Thouart——whatthoudidstgazeupon!

Passedthroughthygoldengarden’sbars,ThouseesttheGardeneroftheStars。

She,aboutwhosemoon—edbrowsSevenstarsmakesevenglows,Sevenlightsforsevenwoes;

She,likethineownGalaxy,Alllustresinonepurity:—

Whatsaid’stthou,Astronomer,Whenthoudid’stdiscoverHER?

Whenthyhanditstubeletfall,Thoufound’stthefairestStarofall!

’CHOSEVUE’。

Ametricalcaprice。

Upsherose,fairdaughter——wellshewasgracedAsacloudhergoing,steptfromherchair,Asasummer—softcloud,inhergoingpaced,Downdroppedherriband—band,andallherwavinghairShooklikeloosenedmusiccadenttoherwaist;——

Lapsinglikemusic,waveryaswater,Slidtoherwaist。

’WHERETOARTTHOUCOME?’

’Friend,wheretoartthoucome?’ThusVerity;

Ofeachthattotheworld’ssadOlivetComeswithnomultitude,butalonebynight,Litwiththeonetorchofhisliftedsoul,Seekingherthathemaylayhandsonher;

Thus:andwaitsanswerfromthemouthofdeed。

Truthisamaid,whommenwoodiversely;

This,asaspouse;that,asalight—o’—love,Toknow,andhavingknown,tomakehisbrag。

Butwoetohimthattakestheimmortalkiss,Andnotestatesherinhishousinglife,Motherofallhisseed!Sohebetrays,NotTruth,theunbetrayable,buthimself:

Andwithhiskiss’sratedtraitor—craft,TheHaceldamaofaplotofdaysHebuys,toconsummatehisJudasryThereinwithJudas’guerdonofdespair。

HEAVENANDHELL。

’Tissaidtherewerenothoughtofhell,Savehellweretaught;thatthereshouldbeAHeavenforall’sself—credible。

Notsothethingappearstome。

’TisHeaventhatliesbeyondoursights,Andhelltoopossiblethatproves;

ForallcanfeeltheGodthatsmites,Butah,howfewtheGodthatloves!

TOACHILD。

WhenasmylifeshalltimewithfuneraltreadTheheavydeath—drumofthebeatenhours,Following,solemourner,mineownmanhooddead,Poorforgotcorse,wherenotamaidstrowsflowers;

WhenIyouloveamnomoreIyoulove,Butgowithunsubservientfeet,beholdYourdearfacethroughchangedeyes,allgrimchangeprove;——

Anewman,mock—edwithmisnameofold;

WhenshamedLovekeephisruinedlodging,elf!

When,cerementedinmoulderingmemory,Myselfishears—edunderneathmyself,AndIambutthemonumentofme:—

Otothattombbetenderthen,whichbearsOnlythenameofhimitsepulchres!

HERMES。

Soothsay。Behold,withrodtwy—serpented,Hermestheprophet,twininginonepowerThewomanwiththeman。UponhisheadThecloudycap,wherewithhehathindowerThecloud’sownvirtue——changeandcounterchange,Toshowinlight,andtowithdrawinpall,Asmortaleyesbestbear。HislineagestrangeFromZeus,Truth’ssire,andmaidenMay——theall—

IllusiveNature。HisfledgedfeetdeclareThat’tisthenetherselftransdeified,Andthethrice—furnacedpassions,whichdobearThepoetOlympusward。InhimalliedBothparentsclasp;andfromthewombofNatureSternTruthtakesfleshinshowsoflovelyfeature。

HOUSEOFBONDAGE。

I

WhenIperceiveLove’sheavenlyreapingstillRegardperforcetheclouds’vicissitude,Thatthefixedspiritlovesnotwhenitwill,Butcravesitsseasonsoftheflawfulblood;

WhenIperceivethatthehighpoetdothOftvoicelessstraybeneaththeuninfluentstars,ThatevenUraniaofherkissisloath,AndSong’sbravewingsfretontheirsensualbars;

WhenIperceivedthefullest—sail—edspriteLagatmostneedupontheleth—edseas,Theprovidentcaptainshipoftvoidedquite,Andlam—edliedeep—draughtedargosies;

Iscornmyself,thatputforsuchstrangetoysThewitofmantopurposesofboys。

II

Thespirit’sarksealedwithalittleclay,WasoldereMemphisgrewamemory;{2}

ThehandpontificaltobreakawayThatsealwhatshallsurrender?NottheseaWhichdidenglutgreatEgyptandhiswar,Norallthedesert—drown—edsepulchres。

Love’sfeetarestainedwithclayandtravel—sore,AnddustyareSong’slucentwingandhairs。

OLove,thatmustdocourtesytodecay,Eathastybreadstandingwithloinsup—girt,Howshallthissteadthyfeetfortheirsoreway?

Ah,Song,whatbriefembracesbalmthyhurt!

HadJacob’stoilfullguerdon,castinghisTwice—sevenheapedyearstoburninRachel’skiss?

{2}TheArkoftheEgyptiantemplewassealedwithclay,whichthePontiff—kingbrokewhenheenteredtheinnershrinetoofferworship。

THEHEART。

TwoSonnets。

(TomyCritic,whohadobjectedtothephrase——’Theheart’sburningfloors。’)

I

Theheartyouholdtoosmallandlocalthing,Suchspacioustermsofedificetobear。

Andyet,sincePoesyfirstshookoutherwing,ThemightyLovehasbeenimpalacedthere;

Thathasshegivenhimashiswidedemesne,Andforhissceptreampleempery;

AgainstitsdoortoknockhasBeautybeenContent;ithasitspurplecanopyAdaisforthesovereignladyspreadOfmanyalover,whotheheavenwouldthinkToolowanawningforhersacredhead。

Theworld,fromstartosea,castdownitsbrink——

Yetshallthatchasm,tillHeWhothesedidbuildAnawfulCurtiusmakeHim,yawnunfilled。

II

Onothing,inthiscorporalearthofman,ThattotheimminentheavenofhishighsoulRespondswithcolourandwithshadow,canLackcorrelatedgreatness。IfthescrollWherethoughtsliefastinspellofhieroglyphBemightythroughitsmightyhabitants;

IfGodbeinHisName;gravepotenceifThesoundsunbindofhieraticchants;

All’svastthatvastnessmeans。Nay,IaffirmNatureiswholeinherleastthingsexprest,NorknowwewithwhatscopeGodbuildstheworm。

Ourtownsarecopiedfragmentsfromourbreast;

Andallman’sBabylonsstrivebuttoimpartThegrandeursofhisBabylonianheart。

ASUNSET。

FromHugo’s’Feuillesd’Automne’。

Ilovetheevenings,passionlessandfair,Ilovetheevens,Whetheroldmanor—frontstheirraywithgoldenfulgenceleavens,Innumerousleafagebosomedclose;

Whetherthemistinreefsoffireextenditsreachessheer,OrahundredsunbeamssplinterinanazureatmosphereOncloudyarchipelagos。

Ohgazeyeonthefirmament!ahundredcloudsinmotion,Up—piledintheimmensesublimebeneaththewinds’commotion,Theirunimaginedshapesaccord:

Undertheirwavesatintervalsflamesapalelevinthrough,AsifsomegiantoftheairamidthevapoursdrewAsuddenelementalsword。

Thesunatbaywithsplendidthrustsstillkeepsthesullenfold;

Andmomentlyatdistancesets,asacupolaofgold,Thethatchedroofofacota—glance;

Orontheblurredhorizonsjoinshisbattlewiththehaze;

Orpoolsthegloomingfieldsaboutwithinter—isolateblazeGreatmovelessmeresofradiance。

Thenmarkyouhowtherehangsathwartthefirmament’sswepttrackYonderamightycrocodilewithvastirradiantback,Atriplerowofpointedteeth?

Underitsburnishedbellyslipsarayofeventide,TheflickeringsofahundredglowingcloudsitstenebroussideWithscalesofgoldenmailensheathe。

Thenmountsapalace,thentheairvibrates——thevisionflees。

Confoundedtoitsbase,thefearfulcloudyedificeRuinsimmenseinmoundedwrack:

Afarthefragmentsstrewthesky,andeachenvermeiledconeHangeth,peakdownward,overhead,likemountainsoverthrownWhentheearthquakeheavesitshugyback。

Thesevapourswiththeirleaden,golden,iron,bronz—edglows,Wherethehurricane,thewaterspout,thunder,andhellrepose,Mutteringhoarsedreamsofdestinedharms,’TisGodwhohangstheirmultitudeamidtheskieydeep,Asawarriorthatsuspendethfromtheroof—treeofhiskeepHisdreadfulandresoundingarms!

Allvanishes!Thesun,fromtopmostheavenprecipitated,LiketoaglobeofironwhichistossedbackfieryredIntothefurnacestirredtofume,Shockingthecloudysurges,plashedfromitsimpetuousire,EventothezenithspatterethinafleckingscudoffireThevaporousandinflam—edspume。

Ocontemplatetheheavens!whenasthevein—drawndaydiespale,Ineveryseason,everyplace,gazethroughtheireveryveil,Withlovethathasnotspeechforneed;

Beneaththeirsolemnbeautyisamysteryinfinite:

Ifwinterhuethemlikeapall;orifthesummernightFantasythemwithstarrybrede。

HEARDONTHEMOUNTAIN。

FromHugo’s’Feuillesd’Automne’。

Haveyousometimes,calm,silent,letyourtreadaspirantriseUptothemountain’ssummit,inthepresenceoftheskies?

Was’tonthebordersoftheSouth?orontheBretagnecoast?

AndatthebasisofthemounthadyoutheOceantossed?

Andthere,leanedo’erthewaveando’ertheimmeasurableness,Calm,silent,haveyouharkenedwhatitsays?Lo,whatitsays!

Onedayatleast,whereonmythought,enlicens—edtomuse,Haddroopeditswingabovethebeach—edmargentoftheooze,And,plungingfromthemountainheightintotheimmensity,Beheldupononesidetheland,ontheothersidethesea。

Iharkened,comprehended,——never,asfromthoseabysses,No,neverissuedfromamouth,normovedanear,suchvoiceasthisis!

Asounditwas,atoutset,vast,immeasurable,confused,Vaguerthanisthewindamongthetuftedtreeseffused,Fullofmagnificentaccords,suavemurmurs,sweetasisTheevensong,andmightyastheshockofpanopliesWhenthehoarsemeleeinitsarmstheclosingsquadronsgrips,Andpants,infuriousbreathings,fromtheclarions’brazenlips。

Unutterabletheharmony,unsearchableitsdeep,Whosefluidundulationsroundtheworldagirdlekeep,Andthroughthevastyheavens,whichbyitssurgesarewashedyoung,Itsinfinitevolutionsroll,enlargingastheythrong,Eventotheprofoundarcane,whoseultimatechasmssombreItsshatteredfloodenglutwithtime,withspaceandformandnumber。

Liketoanotheratmospherewiththino’erflowingrobe,Thehymneternalcoversalltheinundatedglobe:

Andtheworld,swathedaboutwiththisinvesturingsymphony,Evenasittrepidatesintheair,sotrepidatesintheharmony。

Andpensive,Iattendedtheethereallutany,Lostwithinthiscontainingvoiceasifwithinthesea。

SoonIdistinguished,yetastonewhichveilsconfuseandsmother,Amidthisvoicetwovoices,onecommingledwiththeother,Whichdidfromoffthelandandseaseventotheheavensaspire;

Chantingtheuniversalchantinsimultaneousquire。

AndIdistinguishedthemamidthatdeepandrumoroussound,Aswhobeholdstwocurrentsthwartamidthefluctuousprofound。

Theonewasofthewaters;abe—radianthymnalspeech!

Thatwasthevoiceo’thesurges,astheyparleyedeachwitheach。

Theother,whicharosefromourabodeterranean,Wassorrowful;andthat,alack!themurmurwasofman;

Andinthismightyquire,whosechantingsdayandnightresound,Everywavehaditsutterance,andeverymanhissound。

Now,themagnificentOcean,asIsaid,unbanneringAvoiceofjoy,avoiceofpeace,didneverstinttosing,MostlikeinSion’stemplestoapsalterypsaltering,Andtocreation’sbeautyrearedthegreatlaudsofhissong。

Uponthegale,uponthesquall,hisclamourbornealongUnpausinglyarosetoGodinmoretriumphalswell;

Andeveryoneamonghiswaves,thatGodalonecanquell,Whentheotherofitssongmadeend,intothesingingpressed。

LikethatmajesticlionwhereofDanielwastheguest,AtintervalstheOceanhistremendousmurmurawed;

AndI,t’wardwherethesunsetfiresfellshaggilyandbroad,Underhisgoldenmane,methought,thatIsawpassthehandofGod。

Meanwhile,andsidebysidewiththataugustfan—faronnade,Theothervoice,likethesuddenscreamofadestrieraffrayed,Likeaninfernaldoorthatgratesajaritsrustythroat,Liketoabowofironthatgnarlsuponanironrote,Grinded;andtears,andshriekings,theanathema,thelewdtaunt,Refusalofviaticum,refusalofthefont,Andclamour,andmalediction,anddreadblasphemy,amongThathurtlingcrowdofrumourfromthediversehumantongue,Wentbyaswhobeholdeth,whenthevalleysthickt’wardnight,Thelongdriftsofthebirdsofduskpass,blackeningflightonflight。

Whatwasthissoundwhosethousandechoesvibratedunsleeping?

Alas!thesoundwasearth’sandman’s,forearthandmanwereweeping。

Brothers!ofthesetwovoices,strangemostunimaginably,Unceasinglyregenerated,dyingunceasingly,Harken—edoftheEternalthroughoutHisEternity,Theonevoiceuttereth:NATURE!andtheothervoice:HUMANITY!

ThenIalitinreverie;formyministeringspriteAlack!hadneveryetdeployedapinionofanamplerflight,Noreverhadmyshadowenduredsolargeadaytoburn:

AndlongIresteddreaming,contemplatingturnbyturnNowthatabyssobscurewhichlurkedbeneaththewater’sroll,Andnowthatotheruntemptableabysswhichopenedinmysoul。

AndImadequestionofme,towhatissuesarewehere,Whithershouldtendthethwartingthreadsofallthisravelledgear;

Whatdoththesoul;tobeorliveifbetterworthitis;

AndwhytheLord,Who,only,readswithinthatbookofHis,InfatalhymenealshatheternallyentwinedThevintage—chantofnaturewiththedirgingcryofhumankind?

(Themetreofthesecondofthesetwotranslationsisanexperiment。

Thesplendidfourteen—syllablemetreofChapmanIhavetreatedafterthemannerofDrydenianrhymingheroics;withtheoccasionaltriplet,andeventheoccasionalAlexandrine,representedbyalineofeightaccents——atreatmentwhichcanwellextend,Ibelieve,themajesticresourcesofthemetre。)

ULTIMA。

LOVE’SALMSMANPLAINETHHISFARE。

Oyou,love’smendicancywhonevertried,Howlittleofyouralmsmanmeyouknow!

Yourlittlelanguidhandinmineyouslide,Liketoachildsays——’Kissmeandletmego!’

Andnightforthisisfrettedwithmytears,WhileI:—’HowsoonthisheavenlyneckdothtireBendingtomefromitstranstellarspheres!’

Ah,heartallkneadedoutofhoneyandfire!

Whoboundtheetoabodynothingworth,Andshamedtheemuchwithanunlovelysoul,ThatthemoststrainedestcharityofearthDistastethsoontorenderbackthewholeOfthineinflam—edsweetsandgentilesse!

Whereat,likeanunpasturedTitan,thouGnaw’stonthyselfforfamine’sbitterness,Andleap’stagainstthychain。SweetLady,howLittlealinkingofthehandtoyou!

ThoughIshouldtouchyourscarelessforayear,NotoneblueveinwouldliedivinelierblueUponyourfragiletemple,tounsphereTheseraphimforkisses!NotonecurveOfyoursadmouthwoulddroopmoresadandsweet。

Butlittlefoodlove’sbeggarsneedsmustserve,Thateyeyourplenteousgracesfromthestreet。

Ahand—claspImustfeedonforanight,Anoon,althoughtheuntastedfeastyoulay,Tomockme,ofyourbeauty。ThatyoumightBeloverforonespace,andmakeessayWhat’tistopassunsupperedtoyourcouch,Keepfastfromloveallday;andsobetaughtThefaminewhichthesecravinglinesavouch!

Ah!miserofgoodthingsthatcosttheenaught,Howknow’stthoupoormen’shunger?——Misery!

WhenIgodolelessandunfedbythee!

AHOLOCAUST。

’Nomaneverattainedsupremeknowledge,unlesshishearthadbeentornupbytheroots。’

WhenIpresagethetimeshallcome——yea,nowPerchanceiscome,whenyoushallfailfromme,Becausethemightyspirit,towhomyouvowFaithofkingeniusunrebukably,Scourgesmysloth,andfromyoursidedismissedHenceforththissadandmost,mostlonelysoulMust,marchingfatallythroughpainandmist,TheGod—bidlevyofitspowersenrol;

WhenIpresagethatnoneshallhearthevoiceFromthegreatMountthatclangsmyordainedadvance,ThatsullenenvybadethechurlishchoiceYourselfshallsay,andturnyouralteredglance;

OGod!ThouknowestifthisheartoffleshQuiverslikebrokenentrails,whenthewheelRollethsomedoginmiddlestreet,orfreshFruitwhenyetearitbleedingfromthepeel;

IfmysoulcriestheuncomprehendedcryWhentheredagonyoozedonOlivet!

Yetnotforthis,acaitiff,falterI,BelovedwhomImustlose,northenceregretThedoubly—vouchedandtwinallegianceowedToyouinHeaven,andHeaveninyou,Lady。

Howcouldyouhope,loosedealerwithmyGod,ThatIshouldkeepforyoumyfealty?

Forstill’tisthus:—becauseIamsotrue,MyFair,toHeaven,Iamsotruetoyou!

BENEATHAPHOTOGRAPH。

Phoebus,whotaughtmeartdivine,HeretriedhishandwhereIdidmine;

AndhiswhitefingersinthisfaceSetmyFair’ssigh—suggestinggrace。

Osweetnesspastprofaningguess,Grievouswithitsownexquisiteness!

Vesper—likeface,itsshadowsbrightWithmeaningsofsequesteredlight;

DroopedwithshamefastsanctitiesShepurelyfearseyescannotmiss,YetwouldblushtoknowsheIS。

Ah,whocanviewwithpassionlessglanceThistear—compellingcountenance!

HehascozenedittotellAlmostitsownmiracle。

YetI,all—viewingthoughhebe,Methinkssawfurtherherethanhe;

And,Mastergay!IswearIdrewSomethingthebetterofthetwo!

AFTERHERGOING。

Theafter—even!Ah,didIwalk,Indeed,inheroreven?

FornothingofmeoraroundButabsentShedidleaven,Feltinmybodyasitssoul,Andinmysoulitsheaven。

’Ahme!myveryfleshturnssoul,Essenced,’Isighed,’withbliss!’

Andtheblackbirdheldhislutany,Allfragrant—throughwithbliss;

AndallthingsstilledwereasamaidSweetwithasinglekiss。

Forgriefofperfectfairness,eveCouldnothingdobutsmile;

Thetimewasfartooperfectfair,Beingbutforawhile;

Andah,inme,toohappygriefBlindedherselfwithsmile!

ThesunsetatitsradiantheartHadsomewhatunconfest:

Thebirdwasloathofspeech,itssongHalf—refluentonitsbreast,AndmademelodioustoyingswithAnoteortwoatbest。

Andshewasgone,mysole,myFair,Ah,solemyFair,wasgone!

Methinks,throughouttheworld’twererightIhadbeensadalone;

Andyet,suchsweetinallthings’heart,Andsuchsweetinmyown!

MYLADYTHETYRANNESS。

MesinceyourfairambitionbowsFeodarytothosegraciousbrows,IsnothingminewillnotconfessYoursovransweetrapaciousness?

Thoughusetothewhiteyokeinures,Half—petulantisYourlovingrebelforsomewhathis,Notyours,mylove,notyours!

Beholdmyskies,whichmakewithmeOnepassionatetranquillity!

Wrapthyselfinthemasarobe,Shesharesthemnot;theirazuresprobe,Nocounteringwingsthyflightendures。

Nay,theydostoleMelikeanauraofhersoul。

Iyieldthem,love,foryours!

Butminethesehillsandfields,whichputNotonthesanctityofherfoot。

Faroff,mydear,faroffthesweetGravepianissimoofyourfeet!

Myearth,perchance,yourswayabjures?——

YourabsencebroodsO’erall,asubtlerpresence。Woods,Fields,hills,allyours,allyours!

Naythen,Isaid,Ihavemythought,Whichneverwoman’sreachingraught;

Beingstrongbeyondawoman’smight,Andhighbeyondawoman’sheight,Shapedtomyshapeinallcontours。——

Ilooked,andknewNothoughtbutyouweregardento。

Allyours,mylove,allyours!

Meseemethstill,Ihavemylife;

All—clementHeritsresolutestrifeEvades;contained,relinquishingHermitigatingeyes;athingWhichthewholegirthofGodsecures。

Ah,fool,pause!pause!

Ihadnolife,untilitwasAllyours,mylove,allyours!

Yet,sternpossession!Ihavemydeath,Soleyieldingupofmysolebreath;

WhichallwithinmyselfIdie,AllinmyselfmustcrythecryWhichthedeafbody’swallimmures。——

ThoughtfashionethMydeathwithouther。——Ah,evendeathAllyours,mylove,allyours!

Death,then,hehers。Ihavemyheaven,Forwhichnoarmofhershasstriven;

WhichsolitaryImustchoose,Andsolitarywinorlose。——

Ah,butnotheavenmyownendures!

ImustperforceTasteyou,mystream,inGodyoursource,——

Sosteepmyheaveninyours。

AtlastIsaid——IhavemyGod,Whodothdesireme,thoughaclod,AndfromHisliberalHeavenshallHeBarinminearmsHisprivacy。

HimselfformineHimselfassures。——

NoneshalldenyGodtobemine,butHeandI

Allyours,mylove,allyours!

IhavenofearatalllestI

Withoutherdrawfelicity。

GodforHisHeavenwillnotforegoHerwhomIfoundsuchheavenbelow,AndshewilltrainHimtoherlures。

Nought,lady,IloveInyoubutmoreislovedabove;

Whatmademe,makesHimyours。

’I,thysoughtown,amIforgot?’

Ha,thou?——thouliest,Iseektheenot。

Whywhat,thoupaintedparrot,Fame,WhathaveItaughttheebuthername?

Hear,thouslaveFame,whileTimeendures,Igiveherthee;

Pagehertriumphalname!——Lady,Takeher,thethrallisyours。

UNTOTHISLAST。

Aboy’syoungfancytakethloveMostsimply,withtherindthereof;

Aboy’syoungfancytastethmoreTherind,thanthedeificcore。

Ah,Sweet!tocastawaytheslipsOfunessentialrind,andlipsFixontheimmortalcore,iswell;

Butheard’stthoueveranytellOfsuchafoolwouldtakeforfoodAspectandscent,howevergood,OfsweetestcoreLove’sorchardsgrow?

Shouldsuchaphantastpleasehimso,LovewhereLove’sreverentselfdeniesLovetofeed,butwithhiseyes,Allthesavour,allthetouch,Another’s——wasthereeversuch?

Suchwerefool,iffooltherebe;

SuchfoolwasI,andwasforthee!

ButifthetouchandsavourtooOfthisfruit——say,Sweet,ofyou——

YouuntoanothergiveForsacrosanctprerogative,YetevenscentandaspectwereSomeelectedSecond’sshare;

Andone,gonemad,shouldrestcontentWithmemoryofshowandscent;

Wouldnotthyselfvow,iftheresighSuchafool——say,Sweet,asI——

TreblefrenzyitmustbeStilltolove,andtolovethee?

YethadItorn(manknowethnot,NorscarcetheunweepingangelswotOfsuchdreadtaskthelightestpart)

Herfingersfromaboutmyheart。

Heart,didwenotthinkthatsheHadsurceasedhertyranny?

Heart,webounded,andwerefree!

Osacrilegiousfreedom!——TillShecame,andtaughtmyapostatewillThewinnowedsweetmirthcannotguessAndtear—finedpeaceofhopefulness;

Looked,spake,simplytouched,andwent。

Nowoldpainisfreshcontent,Provedcontentisunprovedpain。

Pangsfore—tempted,whichinvainI,faithless,havedenied,nowbudTountemptedfragranceandthemoodOfcontriteheavenliness;alldaysJoyaffrightsmeinmyways;

ExtremitiesofolddelightAfflictmewithnewexquisiteVirginpiercingsofsurprise,——

Stungbythosewildbrownbees,hereyes!

ULTIMUM。

Nowintheselastspentdrops,slow,slowershed,Lovedies,Lovedies,Lovedies——ah,Loveisdead!

SadLoveinlife,soreLoveinagony,PaleLoveindeath;whileallhisoffspringsongs,Likechildren,versednotindeath’schillywrongs,Abouthimflit,frightedtoseehimlieSostill,whodidnotknowthatLovecoulddie。

Oneliftshiswing,wheredullsthevermeilallLikeclottingblood,andshrinkstofinditcold,AndwhensheseesitslapseandnervelessfallClaspsherfans,whilehersobsoozethroughthewebb—edgold。

Thereatallweeptogether,andtheirtearsMakelightslikeshiveredmoonlightonlongwaters。

Havepeace,Opiteousdaughters!

Heshallnotwakemorethroughthemortalyears,Norcomfortcometomysoulwidow—ed,Norbreathtoyourwildwings;forLoveisdead!

Islew,thatmoanforhim:heliftedmeAbovemyself,andthatImightnotbeLessthanmyself,needwasthatheshoulddie;

SinceLovethatfirstdidwing,nowcloggedmefromthesky。

YetloftyLovebeingdeadthuspassethbase——

Thereisasoulofnoblenesswhichstays,Thespectreoftherose:becomforted,Songs,forthedustthatdimshissacredhead!

ThedaysdrawontoodarkforSongorLove;

Opeace,mysongs,norstiryeanywing!

Forlo,thethunderhushingallthegrove,AnddidLovelive,notevenLovecouldsing。

And,Lady,thusIdaretosay,Notallwithyouispassedaway!

Foryourlovetaughtmethis:—’tisLove’struepraiseTobe,notstaff,butwritofworthydays;

AndthathighworthinloveunfortunateShouldstillremainitlearnedinloveelate。

Beyondyourstar,still,stillthestarsarebright;

Beyondyourhighness,stillIfollowheight;

SoleIgoforth,yetstilltomysadview,Beyondyourtrueness,Lady,Truthstandstrue。

Thiswisdomsingsmysongwithlastfirmbreath,CaughtfromthetwistedloreofLoveandDeath,ThestrangeinwovenharmonythatwakesFromPallas’strayinglockstwinedwithheraegis—snakes。

’Onhimtheunpetitionedheavensdescend,Whoheavenonearthproposesnotforend;

TheperilousandcelestialexcessTakingwithpeace,lackingwiththankfulness。

Blissinextremebefitstheenot,untilThou’rtnotextremeinbliss;beequalstill:

SweetstobegrantedthinkthyselfunmeetTillthouhavelearnedtoholdsweetnottoosweet。’

ThisthingnotfarishefromwiseinartWhoteacheth;norwhodoth,fromwiseinheart。

ENVOY。

Go,songs,forendedisourbrief,sweetplay;

Go,childrenofswiftjoyandtardysorrow:

Andsomearesung,andthatwasyesterday,Andsomeunsung,andthatmaybeto—morrow。

Goforth;andifitbeo’erstonyway,Oldjoycanlendwhatnewergriefmustborrow:

Anditwassweet,andthatwasyesterday,Andsweetissweet,thoughpurchas—edwithsorrow。

Go,songs,andcomenotbackfromyourfarway:

Andifmenaskyouwhyyesmileandsorrow,Tellthemyegrieve,foryourheartsknowTo—day,Tellthemyesmile,foryoureyesknowTo—morrow。