ABookofPoems
TothememoryofWILLIAMEDWARDBUTLER
SeveralofthepoemsincludedinthisbookarereprintedfromAmericanperiodicals，asfollows：\"TheGiftofGod\"，\"OldKingCole\"，\"AnotherDarkLady\"，and\"TheUnforgiven\"；
\"Flammonde\"and\"ThePoorRelation\"；\"TheClingingVine\"；
\"ErosTurannos\"and\"Bokardo\"；\"TheVoiceofAge\"；\"Cassandra\"；
\"TheBurningBook\"；\"Theophilus\"；\"BenJonsonEntertainsaManfromStratford\"。
ContentsFlammondeTheGiftofGodTheClingingVineCassandraJohnGorhamStafford’sCabinHillcrestOldKingColeBenJonsonEntertainsaManfromStratfordErosTurannosOldTrailsTheUnforgivenTheophilusVeteranSirensSiegePerilousAnotherDarkLadyTheVoiceofAgeTheDarkHouseThePoorRelationTheBurningBookFragmentLisetteandEileenLlewellynandtheTreeBewickFinzerBokardoTheManagainsttheSky——————————————————————-
TheManagainsttheSky——————————————————————-
FlammondeThemanFlammonde，fromGodknowswhere，Withfirmaddressandforeignair，WithnewsofnationsinhistalkAndsomethingroyalinhiswalk，Withglintofironinhiseyes，Butneverdoubt，noryetsurprise，Appeared，andstayed，andheldhisheadAsonebykingsaccredited。
Erect，withhisalertreposeAbouthim，andabouthisclothes，HepicturedalltraditionhearsOfwhatweowetofiftyyears。
HiscleansingheritageoftasteParadedneitherwantnorwaste；
AndwhatheneededforhisfeeTolive，heborrowedgraciously。
Henevertolduswhathewas，Orwhatmischance，orothercause，HadbanishedhimfrombetterdaysToplaythePrinceofCastaways。
MeanwhileheplayedsurpassingwellApart，formost，unplayable；
Infine，onepauses，halfafraidTosayforcertainthatheplayed。
Forthat，onemayaswellforegoConvictionastoyesorno；
NorcanIsayjusthowintenseWouldthenhavebeenthedifferenceToseveral，who，havingstrivenInvaintogetwhathewasgiven，WouldseethestrangertakenonByfriendsnoteasytobewon。
Moreover，manyamalcontentHesoothedandfoundmunificent；
HiscourtesybeguiledandfoiledSuspicionthathisyearsweresoiled；
Hismiendistinguishedanycrowd，Hiscreditstrengthenedwhenhebowed；
Andwomen，youngandold，werefondOflookingatthemanFlammonde。
TherewasawomaninourtownOnwhomthefashionwastofrown；
ButwhileourtalkrenewedthetingeOfalong-fadedscarletfringe，ThemanFlammondesawnoneofthat，Andwhathesawwewonderedat——
Thatnoneofus，inherdistress，Couldhideorfindourlittleness。
TherewasaboythatallagreedHadshutwithinhimtherareseedOflearning。Wecouldunderstand，Butnoneofuscouldliftahand。
ThemanFlammondeappraisedtheyouth，Andtoldafewofusthetruth；
Andthereby，foralittlegold，Afloweredfuturewasunrolled。
ThereweretwocitizenswhofoughtForyearsandyears，andovernought；
Theymadelifeawkwardfortheirfriends，Andshortenedtheirowndividends。
ThemanFlammondesaidwhatwaswrongShouldbemaderight；norwasitlongBeforetheywereagaininline，Andhadeachotherintodine。
AndtheseImentionarebutfourOfmanyoutofmanymore。
Somuchforthem。Butwhatofhim——
Sofirmineverylookandlimb？
WhatsmallsatanicsortofkinkWasinhisbrain？WhatbrokenlinkWithheldhimfromthedestiniesThatcamesoneartobeinghis？
Whatwashe，whenwecametosiftHismeaning，andtonotethedriftOfincommunicablewaysThatmakeusponderwhilewepraise？
WhywasitthathischarmrevealedSomehowthesurfaceofashield？
Whatwasitthatwenevercaught？
Whatwashe，andwhatwashenot？
HowmuchitwasofhimwemetWecannoteverknow；noryetShallallhegaveusquiteatoneForwhatwashis，andhisalone；
Norneedwenow，sinceheknewbest，Nourishanethicalunrest：
RarelyatoncewillnaturegiveThepowertobeFlammondeandlive。
WecannotknowhowmuchwelearnFromthosewhoneverwillreturn，UntilaflashofunforeseenRemembrancefallsonwhathasbeen。
We’veeachadarkeninghilltoclimb；
Andthisiswhy，fromtimetotimeInTilburyTown，welookbeyondHorizonsforthemanFlammonde。
TheGiftofGodBlessedwithajoythatonlysheOfallaliveshalleverknow，ShewearsaproudhumilityForwhatitwasthatwilleditso，——
ThatherdegreeshouldbesogreatAmongthefavoredoftheLordThatshemayscarcelybeartheweightOfherbewilderingreward。
Asoneapart，immune，alone，Orfeaturedfortheshiningones，AndliketononethatshehasknownOfotherwomen’sothersons，——
Thefirmfruitionofherneed，Heshinesanointed；andheblursHervision，tillitseemsindeedAsacrilegetocallhimhers。
ShefearsalittleforsomuchOfwhatisbest，andhardlydaresTothinkofhimasonetotouchWithaches，indignities，andcares；
Sheseeshimratheratthegoal，Stillshining；andherdreamforetellsThepropershiningofasoulWherenothingordinarydwells。
PerchanceacanvassofthetownWouldfindhimfarfromflagsandshouts，AndleavehimonlytherenownOfmanysmilesandmanydoubts；
PerchancethecrudeandcommontongueWouldhavocstrangelywithhisworth；
Butshe，withinnocenceunwrung，Wouldreadhisnamearoundtheearth。
Andothers，knowinghowthisyouthWouldshine，iflovecouldmakehimgreat，WhencaughtandtorturedforthetruthWouldonlywritheandhesitate；
Whileshe，arrangingforhisdaysWhatcenturiescouldnotfulfill，Transmuteshimwithherfaithandpraise，Andhashimshiningwhereshewill。
Shecrownshimwithhergratefulness，Andsaysagainthatlifeisgood；
AndshouldthegiftofGodbelessInhimthaninhermotherhood，Hisfame，thoughvague，willnotbesmall，Asupwardthroughherdreamhefares，HalfcloudedwithacrimsonfallOfrosesthrownonmarblestairs。
TheClingingVine\"Becalm？AndwasIfrantic？
You’llhavemelaughingsoon。
I’mcalmasthisAtlantic，Andquietasthemoon；
ImayhavespokenfasterThanonce，inotherdays；
ForI’venomoreamaster，Andnow——`Becalm，’hesays。
\"Fearnot，fearnocommotion，——
I’llbeasrocksandsand；
ThemoonandstarsandoceanWillenvymycommand；
NocreaturecouldbestillerInanykindofplaceThanI……No，I’llnotkillher；
Herdeathisinherface。
\"Behappywhileshehasit，Forshe’llnothaveitlong；
Ayear，andthenyou’llpassit，Preparinganewsong。
AndI’mafoolforpratingOfwhatayearmaybring，WhenmorelikeherarewaitingFormorelikeyoutosing。
\"Youmockmewithdenial，Youmeantocallmehard？
YouseenoroomfortrialWhenallmydoorsarebarred？
Yousay，andyou’dsaydying，ThatIdreamwhatIknow；
Andsighing，anddenying，You’dholdmyhandandgo。
\"Youscowl——andIdon’twonder；
Ispoketoofastagain；
Butyou’llforgiveoneblunder，Foryouarelikemostmen：
Youare，——orsoyou’vetoldme，Somanymortaltimes，ThatheavenoughtnottoholdmeAccountableforcrimes。
\"Becalm？WasIunpleasant？
ThenI’llbemorediscreet，Andgrantyou，forthepresent，Thebalmofmydefeat：
Whatshe，withallherstriving，Couldnothavebroughtabout，You’vedone。YourowncontrivingHasputthelastlightout。
\"Ifshewerethewholestory，Ifworsewerenotbehind，I’dcreepwithyoutoglory，BelievingIwasblind；
I’dcreep，andgoonseemingTobewhatIdespise。
Youlaugh，andsayI’mdreaming，Andallyourlaughsarelies。
\"Arewomenmad？Afeware，Andifit’strueyousay——
Ifmostmenareasyouare——
We’llallbemadsomeday。
Becalm——andletmefinish；
There’smoreforyoutoknow。
I’lltalkwhileyoudiminish，Andlistenwhileyougrow。
\"TherewasamanwhomarriedBecausehecouldn’tsee；
AndallhisdayshecarriedThemarkofhisdegree。
Butyou——youcameclear-sighted，Andfoundtruthinmyeyes；
Andallmywrongsyou’verightedWithlies，andlies，andlies。
\"You’vekilledthelastassuranceThatoncewouldhavemestriveTorouseanoldenduranceThatisnomorealive。
ItmakestwopeoplechillyTosaywhatwehavesaid，Butyou——you’llnotbesillyAndwrangleforthedead。
\"Youdon’t？Youneverwrangle？
Whyscoldthen，——orcomplain？
MorewordswillonlymangleWhatyou’vealreadyslain。
Yourprideyoucan’tsurrender？
Myname——forthatyoufear？
Sincewhenweremensotender，Andhonorsosevere？
\"Nomore——I’llneverbearit。
I’mgoing。I’mlikeice。
Myburden？Youwouldshareit？
Forbidthesacrifice！
Forgetsoquaintanotion，Andletnomorebetold；
FormoonandstarsandoceanAndyouandIarecold。\"
CassandraIheardonewhosaid：\"Verily，WhatwordhaveIforchildrenhere？
YourDollarisyouronlyWord，Thewrathofityouronlyfear。
\"YoubuilditaltarstallenoughTomakeyousee，butyouareblind；
YoucannotleaveitlongenoughTolookbeforeyouorbehind。
\"WhenReasonbeckonsyoutopause，Youlaughandsaythatyouknowbest；
Butwhatitisyouknow，youkeepAsdarkasingotsinachest。
\"Youlaughandanswer，`Weareyoung；
Oleaveusnow，andletusgrow。’——
NotaskinghowmuchmoreofthisWillTimeendureorFatebestow。
\"BecauseafewcomplacentyearsHavemadeyourperilofyourpride，ThinkyouthatyouaretogoonForeverpamperedanduntried？
\"Whatlosteclipseofhistory，Whatbivouacofthemarchingstars，HasgiventhesignforyoutoseeMillenniumsandlastgreatwars？
\"WhatunrecordedoverthrowOfalltheworldhaseverknown，Oreverbeen，hasmadeitselfSoplaintoyou，andyoualone？
\"YourDollar，DoveandEaglemakeATrinitythatevenyouRatehigherthanyourateyourselves；
Itpays，itflatters，andit’snew。
\"AndthoughyourveryfleshandbloodBewhatyourEagleeatsanddrinks，You’llpraisehimforthebestofbirds，NotknowingwhattheEaglethinks。
\"Thepowerisyours，butnotthesight；
Youseenotuponwhatyoutread；
Youhavetheagesforyourguide，Butnotthewisdomtobeled。
\"ThinkyoutotreadforeverdownThemercilessoldverities？
AndareyounevertohaveeyesToseetheworldforwhatitis？
\"AreyoutopayforwhatyouhaveWithallyouare？\"——NootherwordWecaught，butwithalaughingcrowdMovedon。Noneheeded，andfewheard。
JohnGorham\"Tellmewhatyou’redoingoverhere，JohnGorham，Sighinghardandseemingtobesorrywhenyou’renot；
Makemelaughorletmegonow，forlongfacesinthemoonlightAreasignformetosayagainawordthatyouforgot。\"——
\"I’moverheretotellyouwhatthemoonalreadyMayhavesaidormaybeshoutedeversinceayearago；
I’moverheretotellyouwhatyouare，JaneWayland，Andtomakeyourathersorry，Ishouldsay，forbeingso。\"——
\"Tellmewhatyou’resayingtomenow，JohnGorham，Oryou’llneverseeasmuchofmeasribbonsanymore；
I’llvanishinasmanywaysasIhavetoesandfingers，Andyou’llnotfollowfarforonewhereflockshavebeenbefore。\"——
\"I’msorrynowyouneversawtheflocks，JaneWayland，Butyou’retheonetomakeofthemasmanyasyouneed。
Andthenaboutthevanishing。It’sIwhomeantovanish；
AndwhenI’mherenolongeryou’llbedonewithmeindeed。\"——
\"That’sawaytotellmewhatIam，JohnGorham！
HowamItoknowmyselfuntilImakeyousmile？
Trytolookasifthemoonweremakingfacesatyou，Andalittlemoreasifyoumeanttostayalittlewhile。\"——
\"Youarewhatitisthatoverrose-blowngardensMakesaprettyflutterforaseasoninthesun；
Youarewhatitisthatwithamouse，JaneWayland，Catcheshimandletshimgoandeatshimupforfun。\"——
\"SureInevertookyouforamouse，JohnGorham；
Allyousayiseasy，butsofarfrombeingtrueThatIwishyouwouldn’teverbeagaintheonetothinkso；
Foritisn’tcatsandbutterfliesthatIwouldbetoyou。\"——
\"Allyourlittleanimalsareinonepicture——
OneI’vehadbeforemesinceayearagoto-night；
Andthepicturewheretheylivewillbeofyou，JaneWayland，Tillyoufindawaytokillthemortokeepthemoutofsight。\"——
\"Won’tyoueverseemeasIam，JohnGorham，LeavingoutthefoolishnessandallInevermeant？
Somewhereinmethere’sawoman，ifyouknowthewaytofindher。
WillyoulikemeanybetterifIproveitandrepent？\"
\"IdoubtifIshalleverhavethetime，JaneWayland；
AndIdaresayallthismoonlightlyingroundusmightaswellFallfornothingontheshardsofbrokenurnsthatareforgotten，Asontwothathavenolongermuchofanythingtotell。\"
Stafford’sCabinOncetherewasacabinhere，andoncetherewasaman；
Andsomethinghappenedherebeforemymemorybegan。
TimehasmadethetwoofthemthefuelofoneflameAndallwehaveofthemisnowalegendandaname。
AllIhavetosayiswhatanoldmansaidtome，Andthatwouldseemtobeasmuchastherewilleverbe。
\"Fiftyyearsagoitwaswefounditwhereitsat。\"——
AndfortyyearsagoitwasoldArchibaldsaidthat。
\"Anappletreethat’syetalivesawsomething，Isuppose，Ofwhatitwasthathappenedthere，andwhatnomortalknows。
Someoneonthemountainheardfaroffamastershriek，Andthentherewasalightthatshowedthewayformentoseek。
\"Wefounditinthemorningwithanironbarbehind，Andtherewerechainsaroundit；butnosearchcouldeverfind，Eitherintheashesthatwereleft，oranywhere，AsigntotellofwhoorwhathadbeenwithStaffordthere。
\"Staffordwasalikelymanwithideasofhisown——
ThoughIcouldneverlikethekindthatlikestolivealone；
Andwhenyoumet，youfoundhiseyeswerealwaysonyourshoes，Asiftheydidthetalkingwhenheaskedyouforthenews。
\"That’sall，myson。WereItotalkforhalfahundredyearsI’dneverclearawayfromtherethecloudthatneverclears。
Weburiedwhatwasleftofit，——thebar，too，andthechains；
Andonlyfortheappletreethere’snothingthatremains。\"
FortyyearsagoitwasIheardtheoldmansay，\"That’sall，myson。\"——AndhereagainIfindtheplaceto-day，Desertedandtoldonlybythetreethatknowsthemost，Andovergrownwithgolden-rodasiftherewerenoghost。
Hillcrest（ToMrs。EdwardMacDowell）
NosoundofanystormthatshakesOldislandwallswitholderseasComesherewherenowSeptembermakesAnislandinaseaoftrees。
BetweenthesunlightandtheshadeAmanmaylearntillheforgetsTheroaringofaworldremade，Andallhisruinsandregrets；
AndifhestillremembersherePoorfightshemayhavewonorlost，——
IfheberiddenwiththefearOfwhatsomeotherfightmaycost，——
If，eagertoconfusetoosoon，Whathehasknownwithwhatmaybe，HereadsaplanetoutoftuneForcauseofhisjarredharmony，——
IfhereheventuretounrollHisindexofadagios，AndhebegiventoconsoleHumanitywithwhatheknows，——
HemaybycontemplationlearnAlittlemorethanwhatheknew，AndevenseegreatoaksreturnToacornsoutofwhichtheygrew。
Hemay，ifhebutlistenwell，Throughtwilightandthesilencehere，BetoldwhattherearenonemaytellTovanity’simpatientear；
AndhemayneverdareagainSaywhatawaitshim，orbesureWhatsunlitlabyrinthofpainHemaynotenterandendure。
Whoknowsto-dayfromyesterdayMaylearntocountnothingtoostrange：
LovebuildsofwhatTimetakesaway，TillDeathitselfislessthanChange。
WhoseesenoughinhisduressMaygoasfarasdreamshavegone；
WhoseesalittlemaydolessThanmanywhoareblindhavedone；
WhoseesunchastenedherethesoulTriumphanthasnoothersightThanhasachildwhoseesthewholeWorldradiantwithhisowndelight。
FarjourneysandhardwanderingAwaithiminwhosecrudesurmisePeace，likeamask，hideseverythingThatisandhasbeenfromhiseyes；
Andallhiswisdomisunfound，OrlikeawebthaterrorweavesOnairyloomsthathaveasoundNoloudernowthanfallingleaves。
OldKingColeInTilburyTowndidOldKingColeAwiseoldageanticipate，Desiring，withhispipeandbowl，NoKhan’sextravagantestate。
Nocrownannoyedhishonesthead，Nofiddlersthreewerecalledorneeded；
FortwodisastrousheirsinsteadMademusicmorethaneverthreedid。
BereftofherwithwhomhislifeWasharmonywithoutaflaw，Hetooknootherforawife，Norsighedforanythathesaw；
Andifhedoubtedhistwosons，Andheirs，AlexisandEvander，HemighthavebeenasdoubtfulonceOfRobertBurnsandAlexander。
Alexis，inhisearlyyouth，Begantosteal——fromoldandyoung。
LikewiseEvander，andthetruthWaslikeabadtasteonhistongue。
Bornthievesandliars，theiraffairSeemedonlytobetarredwithevil——
ThemostinsufferablepairOfscampsthatevercheeredthedevil。
Theworldwenton，theirfamewenton，Andtheywenton——frombadtoworse；
Till，goadedhotwithnothingdone，Andeachaccoutredwithacurse，ThefriendsofOldKingCole，bytwos，Andfours，andsevens，andelevens，PronouncedunalterableviewsOfdoingsthatwerenotofheaven’s。
AndhavinglearnedagainwherebyTheirbalefulzealhadcomeabout，KingColemetmanyawrathfuleyeSokindlythatitswrathwentout——
Orpartlyout。Saywhattheywould，Heseemedthemoretocourttheircandor；
ButnevertoldwhatkindofgoodWasinAlexisandEvander。
AndOldKingCole，withmanyapuffThathaloedhisurbanity，Wouldsmoketillhehadsmokedenough，Andlistenmostattentively。
HebeamedaswithaninwardlightThathadtheLord’sassuranceinit；
Andonceamanwasthereallnight，Expectingsomethingeveryminute。
Butwhetherfromtoolittlethought，Ortoomuchfealtytothebowl，AdimrewardwasallhegotForsittingupwithOldKingCole。
\"Thoughmine，\"thefathermusedaloud，\"ArenotthesonsIwouldhavechosen，ShallI，lessevillyendowed，Bytheirinfirmitybefrozen？
\"They’llhaveabadend，I’llagree，ButIwasneverborntogroan；
ForIcanseewhatIcansee，AndI’maccordinglyalone。
Withopenheartandopendoor，Ilovemyfriends，Ilikemyneighbors；
ButifItrytotellyoumore，Yourdoubtswillovermatchmylabors。
\"Thispipewouldnevermakemecalm，Thisbowlmygriefwouldneverdrown。
ForgrieflikeminethereisnobalmInGilead，orinTilburyTown。
AndifIseewhatIcansee，Iknownotanywaytoblindit；
NormoreifanywaymaybeForyoutogropeorflytofindit。
\"Theremayberoomforruinyet，Andashesforawastedlove；
Or，likeOnewhomyoumayforget，Imayhavemeatyouknownotof。
AndifI’dratherlivethanweepMeanwhile，doyoufindthatsurprising？
Why，blessmysoul，theman’sasleep！
That’sgood。Thesunwillsoonberising。\"
BenJonsonEntertainsaManfromStratfordYouareafriendthen，asImakeitout，OfourmanShakespeare，whoaloneofusWillputanass’sheadinFairylandAshewouldaddashillingtomoreshillings，Allmostharmonious，——andoutofhisMiraculousinviolableincreaseFillsIlion，Rome，oranytownyoulikeOfoldentimewithtimelessEnglishmen；
AndImustwonderwhatyouthinkofhim——
AllyoudowntherewhereyoursmallAvonflowsByStratford，andwhereyou’reanAlderman。
Some，foraguess，wouldhavehimridingbackTobeafarrierthere，orsayadyer；
Ormaybeoneofyouradeptsurveyors；
Orlikeenoughthewizardofalltanners。
Notyou——nofearofthat；forIdiscernInyouakindlingoftheflamethatsaves——
Thenimbleelement，thetruephlogiston；
Iseeit，andwastoldofit，moreover，Byourdiscriminatefriendhimself，noother。
Hadyoubeenoneofthesadaverage，Ashewouldhaveit，——meaning，asItakeit，ThesinewandthesolventofourIsland，You’dnotbebuyingbeerforthisTerpander’sApprovedandestimatedfriendBenJonson；
He’dneverfoistitasapartofhisContingententertainmentofatownsmanWhilehegoesoffrehearsing，ashemust，IfheshalleverbetheDukeofStratford。
Andmywordsarenoshadowonyourtown——
Farfromit；foronetown’saslikeanotherAsallareunlikeLondon。Oh，heknowsit，——
Andthere’stheStratfordinhim；hedeniesit，Andthere’stheShakespeareinhim。So，Godhelphim！
ItellhimheneedsGreek；butneitherGodNorGreekwillhelphim。Nothingwillhelpthatman。
Youseethefateshavegivenhimsomuch，Hemusthaveallorperish，——orlookoutOfLondon，whereheseestoomanylords；
They’repartofhalfwhatailshim：IsupposeThere’snothingfoulerdownamongthedemonsThanwhatitishefeelswhenheremembersThedustandsweatandointmentofhiscallingWithhislordslookingonandlaughingathim。
Kingasheis，hecan’tbekingdefacto，Andthat’saswell，becausehewouldn’tlikeit；
He’dframealowerratingofmenthenThanhehasnow；andafterthatwouldcomeAnabdicationoranapoplexy。
Hecan’tbeking，notevenkingofStratford，——
Thoughhalftheworld，ifnotthewholeofit，MaycrownhimwithacrownthatfitsnokingSaveLordApollo’shomesickemissary：
NotthereonAvon，oronanystreamWhereNaiadsandtheirwhitearmsarenomore，Shallhefindhomeagain。It’salltoobad。
Butthere’sacomfort，forhe’llhavethatHouse——
Thebestyoueversaw；andhe’llbethereAnon，asyou’reanAlderman。GoodGod！
Hemakesmelieawakeo’nightsandlaugh。
Andyouhaveknownhimfromhisorigin，Youtellme；andamostuncommonurchinHemusthavebeentothefewseeingones——
Atrifleterrifying，Idaresay，Discoveringaworldwithhisman’seyes，Quiteasanotherladmightseesomefinches，Ifhelookedhardandhadaneyefornature。
Butthisonehadhiseyesandtheirforetelling，Andhehadyoutofarewith，andwhatelse？
Hemusthavehadafatherandamother——
InfactI’veheardhimsayso——andadog，Asaboyshould，Iventure；andthedog，Mostlikely，wastheonlymanwhoknewhim。
Adog，forallIknow，iswhatheneedsAsmuchasanythingrighthereto-day，Tocounselhimabouthisdisillusions，Oldaches，andparturitionsofwhat’scoming，——
Adogoforders，anemeritus，Towaghistailathimwhenhecomeshome，AndthentoputhispawsuponhiskneesAndsay，\"ForGod’ssake，what’sitallabout？\"
Idon’tknowwhetherheneedsadogornot——
Orwhatheneeds。ItellhimheneedsGreek；
I’lltalkofrulesandAristotlewithhim，Andifhistongue’sathomehe’llsaytothat，\"IhaveyourwordthatAristotleknows，AndyouminethatIdon’tknowAristotle。\"
He’sallatoddswithalltheunities，Andwhat’syetworse，itdoesn’tseemtomatter；
HetreadsalongthroughTime’soldwildernessAsifthetrampofallthecenturiesHadleftnoroads——andtherearenone，forhim；
Hedoesn’tseethem，evenwiththoseeyes，——
Andthat’sapity，orIsayitis。
Accordinglywehavehimaswehavehim——
Goinghisway，thewaythathegoesbest，ApleasantanimalwithnogreatnoiseOrnonsenseanywheretosethimoff——
SaveonlydiversandinclementdevilsHavemadeoflatehishearttheirdwellingplace。
AflamehalfreadytoflyoutsometimesAtsomeannoyancemaybefannedupinhim，Butsoonitfalls，andwhenitfallsgoesout；
HeknowshowlittleroomthereisinthereForcrudeandfutileanimosities，Andhowmuchforthejoyofbeingwhole，Andhowmuchforlongsorrowandoldpain。
OnoursidetherearesomewhomaybegivenTogrowoldwonderingwhathethinksofusAndsomeaboveus，whoare，inhiseyes，Abovehimself，——andthat’squiterightandEnglish。
Yetherewesmile，ordisappointthegodsWhomadeitso：thegodshavealwayseyesToseemenscratch；andtheyseeonedownhereWhoitches，manor-bittentothebone，Albeitheknowshimself——yes，yes，heknows——
ThelordofmorethanEnglandandofmoreThanalltheseasofEnglandinalltimeShalleverwash。D’yewonderthatIlaugh？
Heseesme，andhedoesn’tseemtocare；
Andwhythedevilshouldhe？Ican’ttellyou。
I’llmeethimoutaloneofabrightSunday，Trim，ratherspruce，andquitethegentleman。
\"Whatho，mylord！\"sayI。Hedoesn’thearme；
WhereforeIhavetopauseandlookathim。
He’snotenormous，butonelooksathim。
Alittleontheroundifyouinsist，Fornow，Godsavethemark，he’sgrowingold；
He’sfiveandforty，andtohearhimtalkThesedaysyou’dcallhimeighty；thenyou’daddMoreyearstothat。He’soldenoughtobeThefatherofaworld，andsoheis。
\"Ben，you’reascholar，what’sthetimeofday？\"
Sayshe；andthereshinesoutofhimagainAnagedlightthathasnoageorstation——
Themysterythat’shis——amischievousHalf-madserenitythatlaughsatfameForbeingwonsoeasy，andatfriendsWholaughathimforwhathewantsthemost，AndforhisdukedomdowninWarwickshire；——
Bywhichyouseewe’reallalittlejealous……
PoorGreene！IfearthecolorofhisnameWasevenasthatofhisascendingsoul；
Andhewasonewheretherearemanyothers，——
Somescriveningtotheendagainsttheirfate，Theirpuppetsallininkandalltodiethere；
AndsomewithhandsthatoncewouldshadeaneyeThatscannedEuripidesandAeschylusWillreachbythistimeforapot-housemopToslushtheirfirstandlastofroyalties。
Poordevils！andtheyallplaytohishand；
ForsoitwasinAthensandoldRome。
Butthat’snothereorthere；I’vewanderedoff。
Greenedoesit，orI’mcareful。Where’sthatboy？
Yes，he’llgobacktoStratford。Andwe’llmisshim？
Dearsir，there’llbenoLondonherewithouthim。
We’llallberiding，oneofthesefinedays，Downtheretoseehim——andhiswifewon’tlikeus；
Andthenwe’llthinkofwhatheneversaidOfwomen——which，iftakenallinallWithwhathedidsay，wouldbuymanyhorses。
Thoughnowadayshe’snotsomuchforwomen：
\"Sofewofthem，\"hesays，\"areworththeguessing。\"
Butthere’saworkatworkwhenhesaysthat，AndwhilehesaysitonefeelsintheairAdealofcircumambienthocus-pocus。
They’vehadhimdancingtillhistoesweretender，Andhecanfeel’emnow，comechillyrains。
There’snolongcryforgoingintoit，However，andwedon’tknowmuchaboutit。
TheFittonthingwasworstofall，Ifancy；
AndyouinStratford，likemosthereinLondon，Havemorenowinthe`Sonnets’thanyoupaidfor；
He’sputhertherewithallherpoisonon，TomakeasingingfictionofashadowThat’sinhislifeafact，andalwayswillbe。
Butshe’snocareofours，thoughTime，Ifear，WillhaveamorereverberantadoAboutherthanaboutanotheroneWhoseemstohavedecoyedhim，marriedhim，AndsenthimscuttlingonhiswaytoLondon，——
Withmuchalreadylearned，andmoretolearn，Andmoretofollow。Lord！howIseehimnow，Pretending，maybetrying，tobelikeus。
Whateverhemayhavemeant，weneverhadhim；
Hefailedus，orescaped，orwhatyouwill，——
Andtherewasthatabouthim（Godknowswhat，——
We’dflayedanotherhadhetrieditonus）
ThatmadeasmanyofusashadwitsMorefondofallhiseasydistancesThanoneanother’snoiseandclap-your-shoulder。
Butthinkyounot，myfriend，he’dnevertalk！
Talk？Hewaseldritchatit；andwelistened——
TherebyacquiringmuchweknewbeforeAboutourselves，andhithertohadheldIrrelevant，ornotprimetothepurpose。
Andthereweresome，ofcourse，andtherebenow，DisorderedandreducedamazedlyToresignationbythemysticsealOfyoungfinalitythegodshadlaidOneverythingthatmadehimayoungdemon；
AndoneortwoshotlooksathimalreadyAshehadbeentheirexecutioner；
Andonceortwicehewas，notknowingit，——
Orknowing，beingsorryforpoorclayAndsayingnothing……Yet，forallhisengines，You’llmeetathousandofanafternoonWhostrutandsunthemselvesandseearound’emAworldmadeoutofmorethathasareasonThanhis，Iswear，thatheseeshereto-day；
ThoughhemayscarcelygiveaFoolanexitButwemarkhowheseesineverythingAlawthat，givenwefloutitoncetoooften，Bringsfireandirondownonournakedheads。
Tomeitlooksasifthepowerthatmadehim，Forfearofgivingallthingstoonecreature，Leftoutthefirst，——faith，innocence，illusion，Whatever’tisthatkeepsusouto’Bedlam，——
Andthereby，forhistooconsumingvision，Empoweredhimoutofnature；thoughtoseehim，You’dneverguesswhat’sgoingoninsidehim。
He’llbreakoutsomedaylikeakegofaleWithtoomuchindependentfrenzyinit；
Andallforcellaringwhatheknowswon’tkeep，Andwhathe’dbestforget——butthathecan’t。
You’llhaveit，andhavemorethanI’mforetelling；
Andthere’llbesucharoaringattheGlobeAsneverstunnedthebleedinggladiators。
He’llhavetochangethecolorofitshairAbit，fornowhecallsitCleopatra。
BlackhairwouldneverdoforCleopatra。
ButyouandIarenotyettwooldwomen，Andyou’reamanofoffice。WhathedoesIsmoretoyouthanhowitishedoesit，——
Andthat’swhattheLordGodhasnevertoldhim。
Theyworktogether，andtheDevilhelps’em；
Theydoitofamorning，orifnot，Theydoitofanight；inwhicheventHe’speevishofamorning。Heseemsold；
He’snottheproperstomachorthesleep——
Andthey’retwosovranagentstoconservehimAgainstthefieryartthathasnomercyButwhat’sinthatprodigiousgrandnewHouse。
IgathersomethinghappeninginhisboyhoodFulfilledhimwithaboy’sdeterminationTomakeallStratford’wareofhim。Well，well，Ihopeatlasthe’llhavehisjoyofit，Andallhispigsandsheepandbellowingbeeves，Andfrogsandowlsandunicorns，moreover，Belessthanhelltohisattendantears。
Oh，pastadoubtwe’llallgodowntoseehim。
Hemaybewise。WithLondontwodaysoff，Downtheresomewindofheavenmayyetrevivehim；
Butthere’snoquickeningbreathfromanywhereShallmakeofhimagainthepoisedyoungfaunFromWarwickshire，who’dmade，itseems，alreadyAlegendofhimselfbeforeIcameToblinkbeforethelastofhisfirstlightning。
Whatevertherebe，they’llbenomoreofthat；
ThecomingonofhisoldmonsterTimeHasmadehimastillman；andhehasdreamsWerefairtothinkononce，andallfoundhollow。
HeknowshowmuchofwhatmenpaintthemselvesWouldblisterinthelightofwhattheyare；
HeseeshowmuchofwhatwasgreatnowsharesAneminencetransformedandordinary；
HeknowstoomuchofwhattheworldhashushedInothers，tobeloudnowforhimself；
HeknowsnowatwhatheightlowenemiesMayreachhisheart，andhighfriendslethimfall；
ButwhatnotevensuchashemayknowBedevilshimtheworst：hislarkmaysingAtheaven’sgatehowhewill，andforaslongAsjoymaylisten；butHEseesnogate，SaveonewhereatthespentclaywaitsalittleBeforethechurchyardhasit，andtheworm。
Notlongago，lateinanafternoon，IcameonhimunseendownLambethway，AndonmylifeIwasafear’dofhim：
HegloomedandmumbledlikeasoulfromTophet，Hishandsbehindhimandhisheadbentsolemn。
\"Whatisitnow，\"saidI，——\"anotherwoman？\"
Thatmadehimsorryforme，andhesmiled。
\"No，Ben，\"hemused；\"it’sNothing。It’sallNothing。
Wecome，wego；andwhenwe’redone，we’redone；
Spidersandflies——we’remostlyoneort’other——
Wecome，wego；andwhenwe’redone，we’redone。\"
\"ByGod，yousingthatsongasifyouknewit！\"
SaidI，bywayofcheeringhim；\"whatailsye？\"
\"IthinkImusthavecomedownheretothink，\"
Sayshetothat，andpullshislittlebeard；
\"Yourflywillserveaswellasanybody，Andwhat’shishour？Heflies，andflies，andflies，Andinhisfly’smindhasabraveappearance；
Andthenyourspidergetshiminhernet，Andeatshimout，andhangshimuptodry。
That’sNature，thekindmotherofusall。
Andthenyourslatternhousemaidswingsherbroom，Andwhere’syourspider？Andthat’sNature，also。
It’sNature，andit’sNothing。It’sallNothing。
It’sallaworldwherebugsandemperorsGosingularlybacktothesamedust，Eachinhistime；andtheold，orderedstarsThatsangtogether，Ben，willsingthesameOldstaveto-morrow。\"
Whenhetalkslikethat，There’snothingforahumanmantodoButleadhimtosomegratefulnooklikethisWherewebenow，andtheretomakehimdrink。
He’lldrink，forloveofme，andthenbesick；
Asadsignalwaysinamanofparts，Andalwaysveryominous。ThegreatShouldbeaslargeinliquorasinlove，——
Andourgreatfriendisnotsolargeineither：
Onedisaffectshim，andtheotherfailshim；
Whatsohedrinksthathasananticinit，He’swonderingwhat’stopayinhisinsides；
AndwhilehiseyesareontheCyprianHe’sfribblingallthetimewiththatdamnedHouse。
Welaughhereathisthrift，butafterallItmaybethriftthatsaveshimfromthedevil；
Godgaveit，anyhow，——andwe’llsupposeHeknewthecompoundofhishandiwork。
To-daythecloudsarewithhim，butanonHe’lloutof’emenoughtoshakethetreeOflifeitselfandbringdownfruitunheard-of，——
And，throwinginthebruisedandwholetogether，Prepareawinetomakeusdrunkwithwonder；
Andifhelive，there’llbeasunsetspellThrownoverhimasoveraglassedlakeThatyesterdaywasallablackwildwater。
Godsendhelivetogiveus，ifnomore，Whatnow’sa-rampageinhim，andexhibit，Withadecenthalf-allegiancetotheagesAnearnestofatleastacasualeyeTurnedonceonwhatheowestoGutenberg，AndtothefealtyofmorecenturiesThanareasyetapictureinourvision。
\"There’stimeenough，——I’lldoitwhenI’mold，Andwe’reimmortalmen，\"hesaystothat；
Andthenhesaystome，\"Ben，what’s`immortal’？
ThinkyoubyanyforceofordinationItmaybenothingofasortmorenoisyThanasmalloblivionofcomponentashesThatofadream-addictedworldwasonceAmovingatomymuchlikeyourfriendhere？\"
Nothingwillhelpthatman。Tomakehimlaugh，Isaidthenhewasamadmountebank，——
AndbytheLordInearermadehimcry。
Icouldhaveeataneftthen，onmyknees，Tail，claws，andallofhim；forIhadstungThekingofmen，whohadnostingforme，AndIhadhurthiminhismemories；
AndIsaynow，asIshallsayagain，Ilovethemanthissideidolatry。
He’lldoitwhenhe’sold，hesays。Iwonder。
Hemaynotbesoancientasallthat。
Forsuchashe，thethingthatistodoWilldoitself，——butthere’sareckoning；
Thesessionsthatarenowtoomuchhisown，Theroilinginwardofastilledoutside，Thechurningoutofallthoseblood-fedlines，Thenightsofmanyschemesandlittlesleep，Thefullbrainhammeredhotwithtoomuchthinking，Thevexedheartover-wornwithtoomuchaching，——
ThiswearyjanglingofconjoinedaffairsMadeoutofelementsthathavenoend，Andallconfusedatonce，Iunderstand，Isnotwhatmakesamantoliveforever。
Ono，notnow！He’llnotbegoingnow：
There’llbetimeyetforGodknowswhatexplosionsBeforehegoes。He’llstayawhile。Justwait：
JustwaitayearortwoforCleopatra，Forshe’stobeabalsamandacomfort；
Andthat’snotallajapeofminenow，either。
ForgrantedoncetheoldwayofApolloSingsinaman，hemaythen，ifhe’sable，StrikeunafraidwhateverstringshewillUponthelastandwildestofnewlyres；
Noroutofhisnewmagic，thoughithymnTheshrieksofdungeonedhell，shallhecreateAmadnessoragloomtoshutquiteoutAcleavingdaylight，andalastgreatcalmTriumphantovershipwreckandallstorms。
HemighthavegivenAristotlecreeps，Butsurelywouldhavegivenhimhis`katharsis’。
He’llnotbegoingyet。There’stoomuchyetUnsungwithintheman。Butwhenhegoes，I’dstakeyecoino’therealmhisonlycareForaphantomworldhesoundedandfoundwantingWillbeaportionhere，aportionthere，OfthisorthatthingorsomeotherthingThathasapatentandintrinsicalEquivalenceinthoseegregiousshillings。
Andyetheknows，Godhelphim！Tellme，now，IfevertherewasanythingletlooseOnearthbygodsordevilsheretoforeLikethismad，careful，proud，indifferentShakespeare！
Wherewasit，ifiteverwas？Byheaven，’TwasneveryetinRhodesorPergamon——
InThebesorNineveh，athinglikethis！
NothinglikethiswaseveroutofEngland；
Andthatheknows。Iwonderifhecares。
Perhapshedoes……OLord，thatHouseinStratford！
ErosTurannosShefearshim，andwillalwaysaskWhatfatedhertochoosehim；
ShemeetsinhisengagingmaskAllreasonstorefusehim；
ButwhatshemeetsandwhatshefearsArelessthanarethedownwardyears，DrawnslowlytothefoamlessweirsOfage，wereshetolosehim。
BetweenablurredsagacityThatoncehadpowertosoundhim，AndLove，thatwillnotlethimbeTheJudasthatshefoundhim，Herprideassuagesheralmost，Asifitwerealonethecost。——
Heseesthathewillnotbelost，Andwaitsandlooksaroundhim。
AsenseofoceanandoldtreesEnvelopsandallureshim；
Tradition，touchingallhesees，Beguilesandreassureshim；
AndallherdoubtsofwhathesaysAredimmedofwhatsheknowsofdays——
TillevenprejudicedelaysAndfades，andshesecureshim。
ThefallingleafinauguratesThereignofherconfusion；
ThepoundingwavereverberatesThedirgeofherillusion；
Andhome，wherepassionlivedanddied，Becomesaplacewhereshecanhide，WhileallthetownandharborsideVibratewithherseclusion。
Wetellyou，tappingonourbrows，Thestoryasitshouldbe，——
AsifthestoryofahouseWeretold，orevercouldbe；
We’llhavenokindlyveilbetweenHervisionsandthosewehaveseen，——
Asifweguessedwhathershavebeen，Orwhattheyareorwouldbe。
Meanwhilewedonoharm；fortheyThatwithagodhavestriven，Nothearingmuchofwhatwesay，Takewhatthegodhasgiven；
Thoughlikewavesbreakingitmaybe，Orlikeachangedfamiliartree，OrlikeastairwaytotheseaWheredowntheblindaredriven。
OldTrails（WashingtonSquare）
Imethim，asonemeetsaghostortwo，BetweenthegrayArchandtheoldHotel。
\"KingSolomonwasright，there’snothingnew，\"
Saidhe。\"Beholdaruinwhomeantwell。\"
Heledmedownfamiliarstepsagain，Appealingly，andsetmeinachair。
\"Mydreamshaveallcometruetoothermen，\"
Saidhe；\"Godlives，however，andwhycare？
\"Anhouramongtheghostswilldonoharm。\"
Helaughed，andsomethinggladwithinmesank。
Imayhaveeyedhimwithafaintalarm，Fornowhislaughwaslostinwhathedrank。
\"Theychillthingsherewithicefromhell，\"hesaid；
\"Imighthaveknownit。\"AndhemadeafaceThatshowedagainhowmuchofhimwasdead，Andhowmuchwasaliveandoutofplace，Andoutofreach。HeknewaswellasI
ThatallthewordsofwisemenwhoareskilledInusingthemarenotmuchtodefyWhatcomeswhenmemorymeetstheunfulfilled。
WhatevilandinfirmperversityHadbeenatworkwithhimtobringhimback？
Neveramongtheghosts，assuredly，Wouldheoriginateanewattack；
Neveramongtheghosts，oranywhere，Tillwhatwasdeadofhimwasputaway，WouldheattaintohisoffendedshareOfhonoramongothersofhisday。
\"Youponderlikeanowl，\"hesaidatlast；
\"Youalwaysdid，andhereyouhaveacause。
ForI’maconfirmationofthepast，Avengeance，andafloweringofwhatwas。
\"Sorry？Ofcourseyouare，thoughyoucompress，Withevenyourmostimpenetrablefears，AplacidandaproperconsciousnessOfanxiousangelsovermyarrears。
\"IseethemthereagainstmeinabookAslargeashope，ininkthatshinesbynight。
ForsureIsee；butnowI’dratherlookAtyou，andyouarenotapleasantsight。
\"Forbear，forgive。Tenyearsareonmysoul，Andonmyconscience。I’veanincubus：
Myonedistinction，andaparloustollToglory；buthopelivesonclamorous。
\"’Twashope，thoughheavenIgrantyouknowsofwhat——
Thekindthatblinksandriseswhenitfalls，Whetheritseesareasonwhyornot——
ThatheardBroadway’shard-throatedsiren-calls；
\"’TwashopethatbroughtmethroughDecemberstorms，ToshoresagainwhereI’llnothavetobeAlonelymanwithonlyforeignwormsTocheerhiminhislastobscurity。
\"ButwhatitwasthathurriedmedownhereTobeamongtheghosts，Ileavetoyou。