WHATTHEWOLFREALLYSAIDTOLITTLEREDRIDING-HOOD
Wonderingmaiden,sopuzzledandfair,Whydostthoumurmurandponderandstare?
\"Whyaremyeyelidssoopenandwild?\"
Onlythebettertoseewith,mychild!
OnlythebetterandclearertoviewCheeksthatarerosyandeyesthatareblue。
Dostthoustillwonder,andaskwhythesearmsFillthysoftbosomwithtenderalarms,Swayingsowickedly?AretheymisplacedClaspingorshieldingsomedelicatewaist?
HandswhosecoarsesinewsmayfillyouwithfearOnlythebetterprotectyou,mydear!
LittleRedRiding-Hood,wheninthestreet,WhydoIpressyoursmallhandwhenwemeet?
Why,whenyoutimidlyofferedyourcheek,WhydidIsigh,andwhydidn’tIspeak?
Why,well:yousee——ifthetruthmustappear——
I’mnotyourgrandmother,Riding-Hood,dear!
HALFANHOURBEFORESUPPER
\"Soshe’shere,yourunknownDulcinea,theladyyoumetonthetrain,Andyoureallybelieveshewouldknowyouifyouweretomeetheragain?\"
\"Ofcourse,\"hereplied,\"shewouldknowme;thereneverwaswomankindyetForgottheeffectsheinspired。Sheexcuses,butdoesnotforget。\"
\"Thenyoutoldheryourlove?\"askedtheelder。Theyoungerlookedupwithasmile:
\"Isatbyhersidehalfanhour——whatelsewasIdoingthewhile?
\"What,sitbythesideofawomanasfairasthesuninthesky,Andlooksomewhereelselestthedazzleflashbackfromyourowntohereye?
\"No,Iholdthatthespeechofthetonguebeasfrankandasboldasthelook,AndIheldupherselftoherself,——thatwasmorethanshegotfromherbook。\"
\"Youngblood!\"laughedtheelder;\"nodoubtyouarevoicingthemodeofTo-Day:
Butthenweoldfogiesatleastgavetheladysomechancefordelay。
\"There’smywife(youmustknow),——wefirstmetonthejourneyfromFlorencetoRome:
Ittookmethreeweekstodiscoverwhowassheandwherewasherhome;
\"Threemoretobedulypresented;threemoreereIsawheragain;
AndayeareremyromanceBEGANwhereyoursendedthatdayonthetrain。\"
\"Oh,thatwasthestyleofthestage-coach;wetravelto-daybyexpress;
Fortymilestothehour,\"heanswered,\"won’tadmitofapassionthat’sless。\"
\"Butwhatifyoumakeamistake?\"quoththeelder。Theyoungerhalfsighed。
\"Whathappenswhensignalsarewrongorswitchesmisplaced?\"hereplied。
\"Verywell,Imustbowtoyourwisdom,\"theelderreturned,\"butsubmitYourchancesofwinningthiswomanyourboldnesshasbetterednowhit。
\"Why,youdonotatbestknowhername。AndwhatifItryyouridealWithsomething,ifnotquitesofair,atleastmoreenregleandreal?
\"Letmefindyouapartner。Nay,come,Iinsist——youshallfollow——
thisway。
Mydear,willyounotaddyourgracetoentreatMr。Rapidtostay?
\"Mywife,Mr。Rapid——Eh,what!Why,he’sgone——yethesaidhewouldcome。
Howrude!Idon’twonder,mydear,youareproperlycrimsonanddumb!\"
WHATTHEBULLETSANG
OjoyofcreationTobe!
OrapturetoflyAndbefree!
Bethebattlelostorwon,Thoughitssmokeshallhidethesun,Ishallfindmylove,——theoneBornforme!
Ishallknowhimwherehestands,Allalone,WiththepowerinhishandsNoto’erthrown;
Ishallknowhimbyhisface,Byhisgodlikefrontandgrace;
Ishallholdhimforaspace,Allmyown!
Itishe——Omylove!
Sobold!
ItisI——allthyloveForetold!
ItisI。Olove!whatbliss!
Dostthouanswertomykiss?
Osweetheart!whatisthisLieththeresocold?
THEOLDCAMP-FIRE
Nowshifttheblanketpadbeforeyoursaddlebackyoufling,Anddrawyourcinchuptightertillthesweatdropsfromthering:
We’veadozenmilestocovererewereachthenextdivide。
Ourlimbsarestiffernowthanwhenwefirstsetouttoride,Andworse,thehorsesknowit,andfeeltheleg-griptire,Sinceinthedayswhen,longago,wesoughttheoldcamp-fire。
Yes,twentyyears!Lord!howwe’dscentitsincensedownthetrail,Throughbalmofbayandspiceofspruce,wheneyeandearwouldfail,Andwornandfaintfromuselessquestwecrept,likethis,torest,Or,flushedwithluckandyouthfulhope,werode,likethis,abreast。
Ay!straightenup,oldfriend,andletthemustangthinkhe’snigher,Throughlooserreinandstirrupstrain,thewelcomeoldcamp-fire。
Youknowtheshoutthatwouldringoutbeforeusdowntheglade,Andstartthebluejayslikeaflightofarrowsthroughtheshade,Andsiftthethinpineneedlesdownlikeslanting,shiningrain,Andsendthesquirrelsscamperingbacktotheirholesagain,Untilwesaw,blue-veiledanddim,orleapinglikedesire,Thatflameoftwentyyearsago,whichlittheoldcamp-fire。
AndthenthatrestonNature’sbreast,whentalkhaddropped,andslowThenightwindwentfromtreetotreewithchallengesoftandlow!
Welayonlazyelbowspropped,orstoodtostirtheflame,Tillupthesoaringredwood’sshaftourshadowsdancedandcame,Asiftodrawuswiththesparks,higho’eritsunseenspire,Tothefivestarsthatkepttheirwardabovetheoldcamp-fire,——
Thosepicketstarswhosetranquilwatchhalfsoothed,halfshamedoursleep。
Whatreckedwethenwhatbeastsormenaroundmightlurkorcreep?
Welayandheardwithlistlessearsthefar-offpanther’scry,Thenearcoyote’ssnarlingsnap,thegrizzly’sdeep-drawnsigh,Thebrownbear’sblunderinghumantread,thegraywolves’yelpingchoirBeyondthemagiccircledrawnaroundtheoldcamp-fire。
Andthenthatmorn!Wasevermornsofilledwithallthingsnew?
Thelightthatfellthroughlongbrownaislesfromoutthekindlingblue,Thecreakandyawnofstretchingboughs,thejay-bird’searlycall,Therat-tat-tatofwoodpeckerthatwakedthewoodlandhall,Thefainterstiroflowerlifeinfernandbrakeandbrier,TillflashingleapedthetorchofDayfromlastnight’soldcamp-fire!
Well,well!we’llseeitonceagain;weshouldbenearitnow;
It’sscarceamiletowherethetrailstrikesofftoskirttheslough,AndthenthediptoIndianSpring,thewoodedrise,and——strange!
Yethereshouldstandtheblastedpinethatmarkedourfartherrange;
Andhere——what’sthis?Araggedswabofrutsandstumpsandmire!
Surethisisnotthesacredgrovethathidtheoldcamp-fire!
Yethere’sthe\"blaze\"Icutmyself,andthere’sthestumblingledge,Withquartz\"outcrop\"thatlayatop,nowleveledtoitsedge,Andmoundsofmoss-grownstumpsbesidethewoodman’srottingchips,Andgashesinthehillside,thatgapewithdumbredlips。
Andyetabovetheshatteredwreckandruin,curlinghigher——
Ahyes!——stillliftsthesmokethatmarkedthewelcomeoldcamp-fire!
PerhapssomefriendoftwentyyearsstilllingerstheretoraiseTowearyheartsandtiredeyesthatbeaconofolddays。
Perhapsbutstay;’tisgone!andyetoncemoreitliftsasthoughTomeetourtardyblunderingsteps,andseemstoMOVE,andlo!
Whirlsbyusinarushofsound,——thevanishedfuneralpyreOfhopesandfearsthattwentyyearsburnedintheoldcamp-fire!
Forsee,beyondtheprospectspreads,withchimney,spire,androof,——
Twoironbandsacrossthetrailclanktoourmustang’shoof;
Abovethemleaptwoblackenedthreadsfromlimb-loppedtreetotree,Towherethewhitewashedstationspeedsitsmessagetothesea。
Reinin!Reinin!Thequestiso’er。ThegoalofourdesireIsbutthetrainwhosetrackhaslainacrosstheoldcamp-fire!
THESTATION-MASTEROFLONEPRAIRIE
Anemptybench,askyofgrayestetching,Abare,bleakshedinblackestsilhouette,Twelveyearsofplatform,andbeforethemstretchingTwelvemilesofprairieglimmeringthroughthewet。
North,south,east,west,——thesamedullgraypersistence,Thetatteredvaporsofavanishedtrain,Thenarrowingrailsthatmeettopiercethedistance,Orbreakthecolumnsofthefar-offrain。
Naughtbutmyself;norformnorfigurebreakingThelonghushedlevelandstarkshiningwaste;
Nothingthatmovestofillthevisionaching,Whenthelastshadowfledinsullenhaste。
Nothingbeyond。Ahyes!FromoutthestationAstiff,gauntfigurethrownagainstthesky,BeckoningmewithsomewoodensalutationCaughtfromhissignalsasthetrainflashedby;
YieldingmeplacebesidehimwithdumbgestureBornofthatreticenceofskyandair。
Wesitapart,yetwrappedinthatonevestureOfsilence,sadness,andunspokencare:
Eachfollowinghisownthought,——aroundusdarkeningTherain-washedboundariesandstretchingtrack,——
EachfollowingthosedimparallelsandhearkeningForlong-lostvoicesthatwillnotcomeback。
Until,unasked,——Iknewnotwhyorwherefore,——
Heyielded,bitbybit,hisdrearypast,LikegatheredcloudsthatseemedtothickenthereforSomedulldown-droppingoftheircareatlast。
Longhadhelivedthere。AsaboyhadstartedFromthestackedcorntheIndian’spaintedface;
Heardthewolves’howlthewearyingwastethatpartedHisfather’shutfromthelastcamping-place。
Naturehadmockedhim:thricehadclaimedthereaping,Withscytheoffire,oflandssheoncehadsown;
Sentthetornado,roundhishearthstoneheapingRafters,deadfacesthatwerelikehisown。
ThencametheWarTime。WhenitsshadowbeckonedHehadwalkeddumblywheretheflaghadledThroughswampandfen,——unknown,unpraised,unreckoned,——
Tofamine,fever,andaprisonbed。
Tillthestormpassed,andtheslowtidereturningCasthim,awreck,beneathhisnativesky;
Here,athiswatch,gavehimthechanceofearningScantmeanstolive——whowontherighttodie。
AllthisIheard——orseemedtohear——halfblendingWiththelowmurmurofthecomingbreeze,Thecallofsomelostbird,andtheunendingAndtirelesssobbingofthosegrassyseas。
UntilatlastthespellofdesolationBrokewithatremblingstarandfar-offcry。
Thecomingtrain!Iglancedaroundthestation,Allwasasemptyastheuppersky!
Naughtbutmyself;norformnorfigurewakingThelonghushedlevelandstarkshiningwaste;
Naughtbutmyself,thatcry,andthedullshakingOfwheelandaxle,stoppedinbreathlesshaste!
\"Now,then——looksharp!Eh,what?TheStation-Master?
THAR’SNONE!Westoppedhereofourownaccord。
Themangotkilledinthatdown-traindisasterThistimelastevening。Rightthere!Allaboard!\"
THEMISSIONBELLSOFMONTEREY
Obellsthatrang,ObellsthatsangAbovethemartyrs’wilderness,Tillfromthatreddenedcoast-linesprangTheGospelseedtocheerandbless,Whatareyourgarneredsheavesto-day?
OMissionbells!Eleisonbells!
OMissionbellsofMonterey!
Obellsthatcrash,ObellsthatclashAbovethechimney-crowdedplain,Onwallandtoweryourvoicesdash,Butneverwiththeoldrefrain;
Inmartandtemplegoneastray!
Yedanglebells!Yejanglebells!
YewranglebellsofMonterey!
Obellsthatdie,sofar,sonigh,Comebackoncemoreacrossthesea;
Notwiththezealot’sfuriouscry,Notwiththecreed’sausterity;
ComewithHislovealonetostay,OMissionbells!Eleisonbells!
OMissionbellsofMonterey!
NOTE。ThispoemwassettomusicbyMonsieurCharlesGounod。
\"CROTALUS\"
(RATTLESNAKEBAR,SIERRAS)
Nolifeinearth,orair,orsky;
Thesunbeams,brokensilently,Onthebaredrocksaroundmelie,——
Coldrockswithhalf-warmedlichensscarred,Andscalesofmoss;andscarceayardAway,onelongstrip,yellow-barred。
Lostinacleft!’TisbutastrideToreachit,thrustitsrootsaside,Andliftitonthystickastride!
Yetstay!Thatmomentisthygrace!
Forroundthee,thrillingairandspace,Achatteringterrorfillstheplace!
AsoundasofdrybonesthatstirInthedeadValley!ByyonfirThelocuststopsitsnoondaywhir!
Thewildbirdhears;smotewiththesound,Asifbybulletbroughttoground,Onbrokenwing,dips,wheelinground!
Thehare,transfixed,withtremblinglip,Halts,breathless,onpulsatinghip,Andpalsiedtread,andheelsthatslip。
Enough,oldfriend!——’tisthou。ForgetMyheedlessfoot,norlongerfretThepeacewiththygrimcastanet!
Iknowthee!Yes!ThoumaystforegoThatliftedcrest;themeasuredblowBeyondwhichthypridescornstogo,Oryetretract!FormenospellLightsthoseslitorbs,where,somethink,dwellMachicolatedfiresofhell!
Ionlyknowtheehumble,bold,Haughty,withmiseriesuntold,AndtheoldCursethatlefttheecold,Anddrovetheeevertothesun,Onblisteringrocks;normadetheeshunOurcabin’shearth,whendaywasdone,Andthespentasheswarmedtheebest;
Weknewthee,——silent,joylessguestOfourrudeingle。E’enthyquestOftheraremilk-bowlseemedtobeNaughtbutabrother’spoverty,AndSpartantastethatkepttheefreeFromlustandrapine。Thou!whosefameSearchestthegrasswithtongueofflame,Makingallcreaturesseemthygame;
Whenthewholewoodsbeforetheerun,Askedbut——whenallwassaidanddone——
Tolie,untrodden,inthesun!
ONWILLIAMFRANCISBARTLETT
DEADATPITTSFIELD,MASS。,1876
OpoorRomancer——thouwhoseprintedpage,Filledwithrudespeechandruderformsofstrife,WasgiventoheroesinwhosevulgarrageNotraceappearsofgentlerwaysandlife!——
ThouwhowastwontofcommonerclaytobuildSomeroughAchillesorsomeAjaxtall;
ThouwhosefreebrushtoooftwaswonttogildSomesinglevirtuetillitdazzledall;——
WhatrighthastthoubesidethislaureledbierWhereonallmanhoodlies——whereonthewreathOfHarvardrests,theciviccrown,andhereThestarryflag,andswordandjeweledsheath?
Seestthouthesehatchments?KnowestthouthisbloodNourishedtheheroesofColonialdays——
Senttothedimandsavage-hauntedwoodThosesad-eyedPuritanswithhymnsofpraise?
Lookroundthee!Everywhereisclassicground。
ThereGreylockrears。Besideyonsilver\"Bowl\"
GreatHawthornedwelt,andinitsmirrorfoundThosequaint,strangeshapesthatfilledhispoet’ssoul。
Stillsilent,Stranger?ThouwhonowandthenTouchedthetoocredulousearwithpathos,canstnotspeak?
Hastlostthyreadyskilloftongueandpen?
What,Jester!Tearsuponthatpaintedcheek?
Pardon,goodfriends!IamnotheretomarHislaureledwreathswiththispoortinseledcrown——
Thismanwhotaughtmehow’twasbetterfarTobethepoemthantowriteitdown。
Ibringnolesson。WellhaveotherspreachedThisswordthatdealtfullmanyagallantblow;
IcomeoncemoretotouchthehandthatreachedItsknightlygauntlettothevanquishedfoe。
OpaleAristocrat,thatliestthere,Socold,sosilent!CouldstthounotingraceHavebornewithusstilllonger,andsospareThescornweseeinthatproud,placidface?
\"Hailandfarewell!\"SotheproudRomancriedO’erhisdeadhero。\"Hail,\"butnot\"farewell。\"
Witheachhighthoughtthouwalkestsidebyside;
Wefeelthee,touchthee,knowwhowroughtthespell!
THEBIRDSOFCIRENCESTER
DidIevertellyou,mydears,thewayThatthebirdsofCisseter——\"Cisseter!\"eh?
Well\"Ciren-cester\"——oneOUGHTtosay,From\"Castra,\"or\"Caster,\"
AsyourLatinmasterWillfurtherexplaintoyousomeday;
Thougheventhewisesterr,AndShakespearewrites\"Ci-cester,\"
WhileeveryvisitorWhodoesn’tsay\"Cissiter\"
Isin\"Ciren-cester\"consideredastray。
AhundredmilesfromLondontown——
WheretherivergoescurvingandbroadeningdownFromtree-toptospire,andspiretomast,TillittumblesoutrightintheChannelatlast——
AhundredmilesfromthatflatforeshoreThattheDanesandtheNorthmenhauntnomore——
There’salittlecupintheCotswoldhillsWhichaspringinameadowbubblesandfills,Spannedbyaheron’swing——crossedbyastride——
Calmanduntroubledbydreamsofpride,GuiltlessofFameorambition’saims,ThatisthesourceofthelordlyThames!
RemarkhereagainthatcustomcontemnsBoth\"Tames\"andThames——youmustSAY\"Tems!\"
ButWHY?nomatter!——fromthemyoucanseeCirencester’stallspiresloomupo’erthelea。
A。D。FiveHundredandFifty-two,TheSaxoninvaders——aterriblecrew——
HadforcedthelinesoftheBritonsthrough;
AndCirencester,halfmudandthatch,Dryandcrispasatindermatch,Wasfiercelybeleagueredbyfoes,who’dcatchAtanydevicethatcouldharryandroutThefolkthatsoboldlywereholdingout。
Forthestreetsofthetown——asyou’llseeto-day——
WeretwistedandcurvedinacuriouswayThatkepttheinvadersstillatbay;
AndthelongestboltthataSaxondrewWasstoppedereadozenofyardsitflew,Byaturninthestreet,andalawsotrueThateventheserobbers——ofalllawsscorners!——
Knewyoucouldn’tshootarrowsAROUNDstreetcorners。
Sotheysatthemdownonalittleknoll,AndeachmanscratchedhisSaxonpoll,Andstaredatthesky,where,clearandhigh,Thebirdsofthatsummerwentsingingby,Asif,inhisglee,eachmotleyjesterWeremockingthefoesofCirencester,TillthejeeringcrowandthesaucylinnetSeemedalltobesaying:\"Ah!you’renotinit!\"
Higho’ertheirheadsthemavisflew,Andthe\"ouzel-cocksoblackofhue;\"
Andthe\"throstle,\"withhis\"notesotrue\"
(YourememberwhatShakespearesays——HEknew);
Andthesoaringlark,thatkeptdroppingthroughLikeabucketspillinginwellsofblue;
Andthemerlin——seenonheraldicpanes——
WithlegsasvagueastheQueenofSpain’s;
AndthedashingswiftthatwouldricochetFromthetuftsofgrassesbeforethem,yet——
LikeboldAntaeus——wouldeachtimebringNewlifefromtheearth,barelytouchedbyhiswing;
AndtheswallowandmartletthatalwaysknewThestraightestwayhome。HereaSaxonchurldrewHisbreath——tappedhisforehead——anideahadgotthrough!
Sotheybroughtthemsomenets,whichstraightwaytheyfilledWiththeswallowsandmartlets——thesweetbirdswhobuildInthehousesofman——allthatinnocentguildWhosingattheirlaboroneavesandinthatch——
AndtheystuckontheirfeathersarudelightedmatchMadeofresinandtow。ThentheyletthemallgoTobefree!Asachild-likediversion?Ah,no!
ToworkCirencester’sredruinandwoe。
Forstraighttoeachnesttheyflew,inwildquestOftheirhomesandtheirfledgelings——thattheylovedthebest;
AndstraighterthanarrowofSaxone’erspedTheyshoto’erthecurvingstreets,highoverhead,Bringingfireandterrortorooftreeandbed,Tillthetownbrokeinflame,wherevertheycame,TotheBriton’sredruin——theSaxon’sredshame!
Yetthey’reallgonetogether!To-dayyou’lldigupFrom\"mound\"orfrom\"barrow\"somearroworcup。
Theirfameisforgotten——theirstoryisended——
’Neaththefeetoftheracetheyhavemixedwithandblended。
Butthebirdsareunchanged——theouzel-cocksings,Stillgoldonhiscrestandstillblackonhiswings;
Andthelarkchantsonhigh,ashemountstothesky,Stillbrowninhiscoatandstilldiminhiseye;
WhiletheswallowormartletisstillafreenesterIntheeavesandtheroofsofthrice-builtCirencester。
LINESTOAPORTRAIT,BYASUPERIORPERSON
WhenIboughtyouforasong,Yearsago——Lordknowshowlong!——
Iwasstruck——Imaybewrong——
Byyourfeatures,And——asomethinginyourairThatIcouldn’tquitecompareTomyotherplainorfairFellowcreatures。
Inyoursimple,ovalframeYouwerenotwellknowntofame,Buttome——’twasallthesame——
Whoe’erdrewyou;
ForyourfaceIcan’tforget,ThoughIoftentimesregretThat,somehow,IneveryetSawquitethroughyou。
Yeteachmorning,whenIrise,Igofirsttogreetyoureyes;
And,inturn,YOUscrutinizeMypresentment。
Andwhenshadesofeveningfall,Asyouhanguponmywall,You’rethelastthingIrecallWithcontentment。
Itisweakness,yetIknowThatIneverturnedtogoAnywhere,forwealorwoe,ButIlingeredForoneparting,thrillingflashFromyoureyes,togivethatdashTothecurlofmymustache,ThatIfingered。
Iftosomeyoumayseemplain,AndwhenpeopleglanceagainWhereyouhang,theirlipsrefrain。
Fromconfession;
Yettheyturninstealthaside,AndInote,theytrytohideHowmuchtheyaresatisfiedInexpression。
OtherfacesIhaveseen;
Otherformshavecomebetween;
OtherthingsIhave,Iween,Doneanddaredfor!
ButOURtiestheycannotsever,And,thoughIshouldsayitnever,You’retheonlyoneIeverReallycaredfor!
Andyou’llstillbehangingthereWhenwe’reboththeworseforwear,Andthesilver’sonmyhairAndoffyourbacking;
YetmyfaithshallneverpassInmydearoldshaving-glass,Tillmyfaceandyours,alas!
Botharelacking!
HERLASTLETTER
BEINGAREPLYTO\"HISANSWER\"
June4th!Doyouknowwhatthatdatemeans?
June4th!Bythisairandthesepines!
Well,——onlyyouknowhowIhatescenes,——
Thesemightbemyverylastlines!
Forperhaps,sir,you’llkindlyremember——
IfsomeOTHERthingsyou’veforgot——
Thatyoulastwrotethe4thofDECEMBER,——
JustsixmonthsagoI——fromthisspot;
Fromthisspot,thatyousaidwas\"thefairestForoncebeingheldinmythought。\"
Now,reallyIcallthatthebarestOf——well,Iwon’tsaywhatIought!
ForhereIambackfrommy\"riches,\"
My\"triumphs,\"my\"tours,\"andallthat;
AndYOU’REnottobefoundintheditchesOrtemplesofPovertyFlat!
FromPariswewentfortheseasonToLondon,whenpawired,\"Stop。\"
Mamasays\"hisHEALTH\"wasthereason。
(I’veheardthatsomethingstooka\"drop。\")
ButshesaidifmypatienceI’dsummonIcouldgobackwithhimtotheFlat——
PerhapsIwasthinkingofsomeoneWhoofme——well——wasnotthinkingTHAT!
OfcourseyouwillSAYthatI\"neverRepliedtotheletteryouwrote。\"
Thatisjustlikeaman!But,however,Ireadit——orhowcouldIquote?
Andastothestoriesyou’veheard(No,Don’ttellmeyouhaven’t——Iknow!),You’llnotbelieveoneblessedword,Joe;
Butjustwhencetheycame,letthemgo!
AndtheycamefromSadeLotskiofYolo,WhosefathersoldclothesontheBar——
YoucalledhimJob-lotski,youknow,Joe,AndtheboyssaidHERvaluewaspar。
Well,wemetherinParis——justflaringWithdiamonds,andlostinahatAndsheaskedme\"howJosephwasfaringInhislove-suitonPovertyFlat!\"
Shethoughtitwouldshameme!ImetherWithalook,Joe,thatmadehereyesdrop;
AndIsaidthatyour\"love-suitfaredbetterThananysuitoutofTHEIRshop!\"
AndIdidn’tblushTHEN——asI’mdoingTofindmyselfhere,allalone,Andleft,Joe,todoallthe\"sueing\"
Toaloverthat’scertainlyflown。
Inthisbrand-newhotel,called\"TheLily\"
(Iwonderwhogaveitthatname?)
Ireallyamfeelingquitesilly,TothinkIwasoncecalledthesame;
AndIstarefromitswindows,andfancyI’mlabeledtoeachpasser-by。
Ah!goneistheoldnecromancy,Fornothingseemsrighttomyeye。
OnthathilltherearestoresthatIknewnot;
There’sastreet——whereIoncelostmyway;
Andthecopsewhereyouoncetiedmyshoe-knotIsshamelesslyopenasday!
Andthatbankbythespring——Ioncedrankthere,AndyoucalledtheplaceEden,youknow;
NowI’mbanishedlikeEve——thoughthebankthereIsbelongingto\"AdamsandCo。\"
There’stherustleofsilkonthesidewalk;
Justnowtherepassedbyatallhat;
Butthere’sgloominthis\"boom\"andthiswildtalkOfthe\"future\"ofPovertyFlat。
There’sadecorouschillintheair,Joe,Whereonceweweresimpleandfree;
AndIhearthey’vebeenmakingamayor,Joe,OfthemanwhoshotSandyMcGee。
Butthere’sstillthe\"lap,lap\"oftheriver;
There’sthesongofthepines,deepandlow。
(HowmylongingforthemmademequiverIntheparkthattheycallFontainebleau!)
There’sthesnow-peakthatlookedonourdances,Andblushedwhenthemorningsaid,\"Go!\"
There’salotthatremainswhichonefancies——
Butsomehowthere’sneveraJoe!
Perhaps,onthewhole,itisbetter,Foryoumighthavebeenchangedliketherest;
Thoughit’sstrangethatI’mtrustingthisletterTopapa,justtohaveitaddressed。
Hethinkshemayfindyou,andreallySeemskindernowI’mallalone。
Youmighthavebeenhere,Joe,ifmerelyToLOOKwhatI’mwillingtoOWN。
Well,well!that’sallpast;sogood-night,Joe;
Good-nighttotheriverandFlat;
Good-nighttowhat’swrongandwhat’sright,Joe;
Good-nighttothepast,andallthat——
ToHarrison’sbarn,anditsdancers;
Tothemoon,andthewhitepeakofsnow;
Andgood-nighttothecanyonthatanswersMy\"Joe!\"withitsechoof\"No!\"
P。S。
I’vejustgotyournote。Youdeceiver!
Howdaredyou——howCOULDyou?Oh,Joe!
TothinkI’vebeenkeptabelieverInthingsthatweresixmonthsago!
Andit’sYOU’VEbuiltthishouse,andthebank,too,Andthemills,andthestores,andallthat!
AndforeverythingchangedImustthankYOU,Whohave\"struckit\"onPovertyFlat!
Howdaredyougetrich——yougreatstupid!——
Likepapa,andsomementhatIknow,InsteadofjusttrustingtoCupidAndtomeforyourmoney?Ah,Joe!
Justtothinkyousentneveraword,dear,Tillyouwrotetopapaforconsent!
NowIknowwhytheyhadmetransferredhere,And\"thehealthofpapa\"——whatTHATmeant!
NowIknowwhytheycallthis\"TheLily;\"
WhythemanwhoshotSandyMcGeeYoumademayor!’Twasbecause——oh,yousilly!——
Heonce\"wentdownthemiddle\"withme!
I’vebeenfooledtothetopofmybenthere,Socome,andaskpardon——youknowThatyou’vestillgottogetMYconsent,dear!
Andjustthinkwhatthatechosaid——Joe!
V。PARODIES
BEFORETHECURTAIN
Behindthefootlightshangstherustybaize,AtrifleshabbyintheupturnedblazeOfflaringgasandcuriouseyesthatgaze。
Thestage,methinks,perhapsisnonetoowide,AndhardlyfitforroyalRichard’sstride,OrFalstaff’sbulk,orDenmark’syouthfulpride。
Ah,well!nopassionwalksitshumbleboards;
O’eritnokingnorvaliantHectorlords:
Thesimplestskillisallitsspaceaffords。
Thesongandjest,thedanceandtriflingplay,Thelocalhitatfolliesoftheday,Thetricktopassanidlehouraway,——
ForthesenotrumpetsthatannouncetheMoor,Noblastthatmakesthehero’swelcomesure,——
Asinglefiddleintheoverture!
TOTHEPLIOCENESKULL*
(AGEOLOGICALADDRESS)
\"Speak,Oman,lessrecent!Fragmentaryfossil!
Primalpioneerofplioceneformation,HidinlowestdriftsbelowtheearlieststratumOfvolcanictufa!
\"Olderthanthebeasts,theoldestPalaeotherium;
Olderthanthetrees,theoldestCryptogami;
Olderthanthehills,thoseinfantileeruptionsOfearth’sepidermis!
\"Eo——Mio——Plio——whatsoe’erthe’cene’wasThatthosevacantsocketsfilledwithaweandwonder,——
WhethershoresDevonianorSilurianbeaches,——
Tellusthystrangestory!
\"OrhastheprofessorslightlyantedatedBysomethousandyearsthyadventonthisplanet,Givingtheeanairthat’ssomewhatbetterfittedForcold-bloodedcreatures?
\"WertthoutruespectatorofthatmightyforestWhenabovethyheadthestatelySigillariaReareditscolumnedtrunksinthatremoteanddistantCarboniferousepoch?
\"Tellusofthatscene,——thedimandwaterywoodland,Songless,silent,hushed,withneverbirdorinsect,Veiledwithspreadingfrondsandscreenedwithtallclubmosses,Lycopodiacea,——
\"WhenbesidetheewalkedthesolemnPlesiosaurus,AndaroundtheecreptthefestiveIchthyosaurus,WhilefromtimetotimeabovetheeflewandcircledCheerfulPterodactyls。
\"Tellusofthyfood,——thosehalf-marinerefections,CrinoidsontheshellandBrachipodsaunaturel,——
CuttlefishtowhichthepieuvreofVictorHugoSeemsaperiwinkle。
\"Speak,thouawfulvestigeoftheearth’screation,Solitaryfragmentofremainsorganic!
Tellthewondroussecretofthypastexistence,——
Speak!thouoldestprimate!\"
EvenasIgazed,athrillofthemaxilla,Andalateralmovementofthecondyloidprocess,Withpost-pliocenesoundsofhealthymastication,Groundtheteethtogether。
Andfromthatimperfectdentalexhibition,Stainedwithexpressjuicesoftheweednicotian,Camethesehollowaccents,blentwithsoftermurmursOfexpectoration:
\"WhichmynameisBowers,andmycrustwasbustedFallingdownashaftinCalaverasCounty;
ButI’dtakeitkindlyifyou’dsendthepiecesHometooldMissouri!\"
*Seenotesatend。
THEBALLADOFMR。COOKE
LEGENDOFTHECLIFFHOUSE,SANFRANCISCO)
WherethesturdyoceanbreezeDrivesthesprayofroaringseas,ThattheCliffHousebalconiesOverlook:
There,inspiteofrainthatbalked,Withhissandalsdulychalked,Onceuponatight-ropewalkedMr。Cooke。
Butthejester’slightsomemien,Andhisspanglesandhissheen,AllhadvanishedwhenthesceneHeforsook。
Yetinsomedelusivehope,Insomevaguedesiretocope,ONEstillcametoviewtheropeWalkedbyCooke。
AmidBeauty’sbrightarray,Onthatstrangeeventfulday,Partlyhiddenfromthespray,Inanook,StoodFlorindaVeredeVere;
Who,withwind-disheveledhair,Andarapt,distractedair,GazedonCooke。
Thensheturned,andquicklycriedToherloveratherside,WhileherformwithloveandprideWildlyshook:
\"CliffordSnook!oh,hearmenow!
HereIbreakeachplightedvow;
There’sbutonetowhomIbow,Andthat’sCooke!\"
Haughtilythatyoungmanspoke:
\"Idescendfromnoblefolk;
’SevenOaks,’andthen’Se’nnoak,’
Lastly’Snook,’
IsthewaymynameItrace。
ShallayouthofnobleraceInaffairsoflovegiveplaceToaCooke?\"
\"CliffordSnook,IknowthyclaimTothatlineageandname,AndIthinkI’vereadthesameInHorneTooke;
ButIswear,byalldivine,Never,never,tobethine,TillthoucanstuponyonlineWalklikeCooke。\"
ThoughtothatgymnasticfeatHenoclosermightcompeteThantostrikeaBALANCE-sheetInabook;
YetthenceforwardfromthatdayHehisfigurewoulddisplayInsomewildathleticway,AfterCooke。
Onsomehouseholdeminence,Onaclothes-lineorafence,Overditches,drains,andthenceO’erabrook,He,byhighambitionled,Everwalkedandbalanced,Tillthepeople,wondering,said,\"HowlikeCooke!\"
Stepbystepdidheproceed,Nervedbyvalor,notbygreed,AndatlastthecrowningdeedUndertook。
Mistywasthemidnightair,Andthecliffwasbleakandbare,Whenhecametodoanddare,JustlikeCooke。
Throughthedarkness,o’ertheflow,Stretchedthelinewhereheshouldgo,StraightacrossasfliesthecrowOrtherook。
Onewildglancearoundhecast;
Thenhefacedtheoceanblast,AndhestrodethecablelastTouchedbyCooke。
Vainlyroaredtheangryseas,Vainlyblewtheoceanbreeze;
But,alas!thewalker’skneesHadacrook;
AndbeforehereachedtherockDidtheybothtogetherknock,Andhestumbledwithashock——
UnlikeCooke!
Downwarddroppinginthedark,Likeanarrowtoitsmark,Orafish-polewhenasharkBitesthehook,Droppedthepolehecouldnotsave,Droppedthewalker,andthewaveSwiftengulfedtherivalbraveOfJ。Cooke!
CamearoaracrosstheseaOfsea-lionsintheirglee,InatongueremarkablyLikeChinook;
Andthemaddenedsea-gullseemedStilltoutter,ashescreamed,\"PerishthusthewretchwhodeemedHimselfCooke!\"
ButonmistymoonlitnightsComesaskeletonintights,WalksoncemorethegiddyheightsHemistook;
Andunseentomortaleyes,Purgedofgrosserearthlyties,NowatlastinspiritguiseOutdoesCooke。
StillthesturdyoceanbreezeSweepsthesprayofroaringseas,WheretheCliffHousebalconiesOverlook;
Andthemaidensintheirprime,Readingofthismournfulrhyme,Weepwhere,intheoldentime,WalkedJ。Cooke。
THEBALLADOFTHEEMEU
Oh,say,haveyouseenattheWillowssogreen——
Socharmingandrurallytrue——
Asingularbird,withamannerabsurd,WhichtheycalltheAustralianEmeu?
HaveyouEverseenthisAustralianEmeu?
Ittrotsallaroundwithitsheadontheground,Orerectsitquiteoutofyourview;
Andtheladiesallcry,whenitsfiguretheyspy,\"Oh!whatasweetprettyEmeu!
Oh!doJustlookatthatlovelyEmeu!\"
Onedaytothisspot,whentheweatherwashot,CameMatildaHortenseFortescue;
Andbesidehertherecameayouthofhighname,——
AugustusFlorellMontague:
ThetwoBothlovedthatwild,foreignEmeu。
Withtwoloavesofbreadthentheyfedit,insteadOfthefleshofthewhiteCockatoo,WhichoncewasitsfoodinthatwildneighborhoodWhererangesthesweetKangaroo,ThattooIsgameforthefamousEmeu!
Oldsawsandgimletsbutitsappetitewhets,Liketheworld-famousbarkofPeru;
There’snothingsohardthatthebirdwilldiscard,AndnothingitstastewilleschewThatyouCangivethatlong-leggedEmeu!
Thetimeslippedawayinthisinnocentplay,WhenupjumpedtheboldMontague:
\"Where’sthatspecimenpinthatIgaylydidwinInraffle,andgaveuntoyou,Fortescue?\"
NowordspoketheguiltyEmeu!
\"Quick!tellmehisnamewhomthougavestthatsame,ErethesehandsinthybloodIimbrue!\"
\"Nay,dearest,\"shecried,assheclungtohisside,\"I’minnocentasthatEmeu!\"
\"Adieu!\"
Hereplied,\"MissM。H。Fortescue!\"
Downshedroppedathisfeet,allaswhiteasasheet,Aswildlyhefledfromherview;
Hethought’twashersin,——forheknewnotthepinHadbeengobbledupbytheEmeu;
AllthroughThevoracityofthatEmeu!
MRS。JUDGEJENKINS
(BEINGTHEONLYGENUINESEQUELTO\"MAUDMULLER\"
MaudMullerallthatsummerdayRakedthemeadowsweetwithhay;
Yet,lookingdownthedistantlane,ShehopedtheJudgewouldcomeagain。
Butwhenhecame,withsmileandbow,Maudonlyblushed,andstammered,\"Ha-ow?\"
Andspokeofher\"pa,\"andwonderedwhetherHe’dgiveconsenttheyshouldwedtogether。
OldMullerburstintears,andthenBeggedthattheJudgewouldlendhim\"ten;\"
Fortradewasdull,andwageslow,Andthe\"craps,\"thisyear,weresomewhatslow。
Anderethelanguidsummerdied,SweetMaudbecametheJudge’sbride。
Butonthedaythattheyweremated,Maud’sbrotherBobwasintoxicated;
AndMaud’srelations,twelveinall,WereverydrunkattheJudge’shall。
Andwhenthesummercameagain,Theyoungbrideborehimbabiestwain;
AndtheJudgewasblest,butthoughtitstrangeThatbearingchildrenmadesuchachange;
ForMaudgrewbroadandredandstout,AndthewaistthathisarmonceclaspedaboutWasmorethanhenowcouldspan;andheSighedashepondered,ruefully,HowthatwhichinMaudwasnativegraceInMrs。Jenkinswasoutofplace;
Andthoughtofthetwins,andwishedthattheyLookedlesslikethemenwhorakedthehayOnMuller’sfarm,anddreamedwithpainOfthedayhewandereddownthelane。
Andlookingdownthatdrearytrack,Hehalfregrettedthathecameback;
For,hadhewaited,hemighthavewedSomemaidenfairandthoroughbred;
Fortherebewomenfairasshe,Whoseverbsandnounsdomoreagree。
Alasformaiden!alasforjudge!
Andthesentimental,——that’sone-half\"fudge;\"
ForMaudsoonthoughttheJudgeabore,Withallhislearningandallhislore;
AndtheJudgewouldhavebarteredMaud’sfairfaceFormorerefinementandsocialgrace。
If,ofallwordsoftongueandpen,Thesaddestare,\"Itmighthavebeen,\"
Moresadarethesewedailysee:
\"Itis,buthadn’toughttobe。\"
AGEOLOGICALMADRIGAL
Ihavefoundoutagiftformyfair;
Iknowwherethefossilsabound,WherethefootprintsofAvesdeclareThebirdsthatoncewalkedontheground。
Oh,come,and——intechnicalspeech——
We’llwalkthisDevonianshore,OronsomeSilurianbeachWe’llwander,mylove,evermore。
IwillshowtheethesinuoustrackBytheslow-movingAnnelidmade,OrtheTrilobitethat,fartherback,IntheoldPotsdamsandstonewaslaid;
Thoushaltsee,inhisJurassictomb,ThePlesiosaurusembalmed;
InhisOoliticprimeandhisbloom,Iguanodonsafeandunharmed。
Youwished——Irememberitwell,AndIlovedyouthemoreforthatwish——
ForaperfectcystedianshellAndaWHOLEholocephalicfish。
Andoh,ifEarth’sstratacontainsInitslowestSiluriandrift,OrpalaeozoicremainsThesame,’tisyourlover’sfreegift!
Thencome,love,andneversaynay,Butcalmallyourmaidenlyfears;
We’llnote,love,inonesummer’sdayTherecordofmillionsofyears;
AndthoughtheDarwinianplanYoursensitivefeelingsmayshock,We’llfindthebeginningofman,Ourfossilancestors,inrock!
AVITOR
(ANAERIALRETROSPECT)
Whatwasitfilledmyyouthfuldreams,InplaceofGreekorLatinthemes,Orbeauty’swild,bewilderingbeams?
Avitor!
WhatvisionsandcelestialscenesIfilledwithaerialmachines,Montgolfier’sandMr。Green’s!
Avitor!
Whatfairytalesseemedthingsofcourse!
TherocthatbroughtSindbadacross,TheCalendar’sownwingedhorse!
Avitor!
HowmanythingsItookforfacts,——
Icarusandhisconductlax,Andhowhesealedhisfatewithwax!
Avitor!
ThefirstballoonsIsoughttosail,Soap-bubblesfair,butalltoofrail,Orkites,——buttherebyhangsatail。
Avitor!
WhatmademelaunchfromattictallAkittenandaparasol,Andwatchtheirbitter,frightfulfall?
Avitor!
WhatyouthfuldreamsofhighrenownBademeinflatetheparson’sgown,Thatwentnotup,noryetcamedown?
Avitor!
MyfirstascentImaynottell;
EnoughtoknowthatinthatwellMyfirsthighaspirationsfell。