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。