Avitor!
Myotherfailuresletmepass:
Thedireexplosions,and,alas!
ThefriendsIchokedwithnoxiousgas。
Avitor!
Forlo!IseeperfectedriseThevisionofmyboyisheyes,Themessengerofupperskies。
Avitor!
THEWILLOWS
(AFTEREDGARALLANPOE)
Theskiestheywereashenandsober,Thestreetstheyweredirtyanddrear;
ItwasnightinthemonthofOctober,Ofmymostimmemorialyear。
Liketheskies,Iwasperfectlysober,AsIstoppedatthemansionofShear,——
AttheNightingale,——perfectlysober,Andthewillowywoodlanddownhere。
Here,onceinanalleyTitanicOfTen-pins,Iroamedwithmysoul,——
OfTen-pins,withMary,mysoul;
Theyweredayswhenmyheartwasvolcanic,Andimpelledmetofrequentlyroll,Andmademeresistlesslyroll,Tillmyten-strikescreatedapanicIntherealmsoftheBorealpole,——
Tillmyten-strikescreatedapanicWiththemonkeyatopofhispole。
Irepeat,Iwasperfectlysober,Butmythoughtstheywerepalsiedandsear,——
Mythoughtsweredecidedlyqueer;
ForIknewnotthemonthwasOctober,AndImarkednotthenightoftheyear;
IforgotthatsweetmorceauofAuberThatthebandoftperformeddownhere,AndImixedthesweetmusicofAuberWiththeNightingale’smusicbyShear。
Andnowasthenightwassenescent,Andstar-dialspointedtomorn,Andcar-drivershintedofmorn,AttheendofthepathaliquescentAndbibulouslustrewasborn;
’Twasmadebythebar-keeperpresent,Whomixedaduplicatehorn,——
HistwohandsdescribingacrescentDistinctwithaduplicatehorn。
AndIsaid:\"Thislooksperfectlyregal,Forit’swarm,andIknowIfeeldry,——
IamconfidentthatIfeeldry。
Wehavecomepasttheemeuandeagle,Andwatchedthegaymonkeyonhigh;
Letusdrinktotheemeuandeagle,Totheswanandthemonkeyonhigh,——
Totheeagleandmonkeyonhigh;
Forthisbar-keeperwillnotinveigle,Bullyboywiththevitreouseye,——
Hesurelywouldneverinveigle,Sweetyouthwiththecrystallineeye。\"
ButMary,upliftingherfinger,Said:\"SadlythisbarImistrust,——
Ifearthatthisbardoesnottrust。
Oh,hasten!oh,letusnotlinger!
Oh,fly,——letusfly,——arewemust!\"
Interrorshecried,lettingsinkherParasoltillittrailedinthedust;
Inagonysobbed,lettingsinkherParasoltillittrailedinthedust,——
Tillitsorrowfullytrailedinthedust。
ThenIpacifiedMaryandkissedher,Andtemptedherintotheroom,Andconqueredherscruplesandgloom;
Andwepassedtotheendofthevista,Butwerestoppedbythewarningofdoom,——
Bysomewordsthatwerewarningofdoom。
AndIsaid,\"Whatiswritten,sweetsister,Attheoppositeendoftheroom?\"
Shesobbed,assheanswered,\"AllliquorsMustbepaidforereleavingtheroom。\"
Thenmyheartitgrewashenandsober,Asthestreetsweredesertedanddrear,Formypocketswereemptyanddrear;
AndIcried:\"ItwassurelyOctober,Onthisverynightoflastyear,ThatIjourneyed,Ijourneyeddownhere,——
ThatIbroughtafairmaidendownhere,Onthisnightofallnightsintheyear!
Ah!tomethatinscriptionisclear;
WellIknownow,I’mperfectlysober,Whynolongertheycreditmehere,——
WellIknownowthatmusicofAuber,AndthisNightingale,keptbyoneShear。\"
NORTHBEACH
(AFTERSPENSER)
Lo!wherethecastleofboldPfeifferthrowsItssullenshadowontherollingtide,——
Nomorethehomewherejoyandwealthrepose,Butnowwherewassailersincellsabide;
Seeyonlongquaythatstretchesfarandwide,WellknowntocitizensaswharfofMeiggs:
ThereeachsweetSabbathwalksinmaidenprideThepensiveMargaret,andbravePat,whoselegsEncasedinbroadclothoftkeeptimewithPeg’s。
Herecomethoftthetendernursery-maid,Whileinherearherlovehistaledothpour;
Meantimeherinfantdothherchargeevade,Andramblethsagelyonthesandyshore,Tilltheslysea-crab,lowinambushlaid,Seizethhislegandbitethhimfullsore。
Ahme!whatsoundstheshudderingechoesboreWhenhissmalltreblemixedwithOcean’sroar!
Hardbytherestandsanancienthostelrie,Andatitssideagarden,wherethebear,Thestealthycatamount,andcoonagreeToworkdeceitonallwhogatherthere;
AndwhenAugusta——thatunconsciousfair——
WithnutsandapplespliethBruinfree,Lo!thegreenparrotclawethherbackhair,AndthegraymonkeygrabbethfruitsthatsheOnhergaybonnetwears,andlaughethloudinglee!
THELOSTTAILSOFMILETUS
HighontheThracianhills,halfhidinthebillowsofclover,Thyme,andtheasphodelblooms,andlulledbyPactolianstreamlet,SheofMiletuslay,andbesideheranagedsatyrScratchedhisearwithhishoof,andplayfullymumbledhischestnuts。
VainlytheMaenidandtheBassaridgamboledabouther,Thefree-eyedBacchantesang,andPan——therenowned,theaccomplished——Executedhisdifficultsolo。Invainweretheirgambolsanddances;
Higho’ertheThracianhillsrosethevoiceoftheshepherdess,wailing:
\"Ai!forthefleecyflocks,themeek-nosed,thepassionlessfaces;
Ai!forthetallow-scented,thestraight-tailed,thehigh-stepping;
Ai!forthetimidglance,whichisthatwhichtherustic,sagacious,Appliestohimwholovesbutmaynotdeclarehispassion!\"
HerthenZeusansweredslow:\"Odaughterofsongandsorrow,Haplesstenderofsheep,arisefromthylonglamentation!
Sincethoucanstnottrustfate,norbehaveasbecomesaGreekmaiden,Lookandbeholdthysheep。\"Andlo!theyreturnedtohertailless!
THERITUALIST
(BYACOMMUNICANTOF\"ST。JAMES’S\")
Hewore,Ithink,achasuble,thedaywhenfirstwemet;
Astoleandsnowyalblikewise,——Irecollectityet。
Hecalledme\"daughter,\"asheraisedhisjeweledhandtobless;
Andthen,inthrillingundertones,heasked,\"WouldIconfess?\"
Omotherdear!blamenotyourchild,ifthenonbendedkneesIdropped,andthoughtofAbelard,andalsoEloise;
Orwhen,besidethealtarhigh,hebowedbeforethepyx,Ienviedthatseraphickisshegavethecrucifix。
Thecruelworldmaythinkitwrong,perhapsmaydeemmeweak,And,speakingofthatsaintedman,maycallhisconduct\"cheek;\"
And,likethatwickedbarristerwhomCousinHarryquotes,Maytermhismixedchalice\"grog,\"hisvestments\"petticoats;\"
But,whatsoe’ertheydoorsay,I’llbuildaChristian’shopeOnincenseandonaltar-lights,onchasubleandcope。
Letothersprove,byprecedent,thefaiththattheyprofess:
\"Hiscan’tbewrong\"that’ssymbolizedbysuchbecomingdress。
AMORALVINDICATOR
IfMr。Jones,LycurgusB。,Hadonepeculiarquality,’TwashissevereadvocacyOfconjugalfidelity。
Hisviewsofheavenwereveryfree;
HisviewsoflifewerepainfullyRidiculous;butferventlyHedweltonmarriagesanctity。
Hefrequentlywentonaspree;
Butinhiswildestrevelry,OnthisespecialsubjectheBetrayednoambiguity。
AndthoughattimesLycurgusB。
DidlayhishandsnotlovinglyUponhiswife,thesanctityOfwedlockwashisguaranty。
ButMrs。JonesdeclinedtoseeAffairsinthesamelightashe,AndquietlygotadecreeDivorcingherfromthatL。B。
AndwhatdidJones,LycurgusB。,Withhisknownidiosyncrasy?
Hesmiled,——abittersmiletosee,——
AnddrewtheweaponofBowie。
HedidwhatSicklesdidtoKey,——
WhatColeonHiscockwrought,didhe;
Infact,onpersonstwenty-threeHeprovedthemarriagesanctity。
Thecounselorwhotookthefee,Thewitnessesandreferee,Thejudgewhograntedthedecree,Diedinthatwholesalebutchery。
AndthenwhenJones,LycurgusB。,HadwipedtheweaponofBowie,TwelvejurymendidinstantlyAcquitandsetLycurgusfree。
CALIFORNIAMADRIGAL
(ONTHEAPPROACHOFSPRING)
Oh,come,mybeloved,fromthywinterabode,FromthyhomeontheYuba,thyranchoverflowed;
Forthewatershavefallen,thewinterhasfled,Andtheriveroncemorehasreturnedtoitsbed。
Oh,markhowthespringinitsbeautyisnear!
Howthefencesandtulesoncemorereappear!
HowsoftliesthemudonthebanksofyonsloughBytheholeintheleveethewatersbrokethrough!
Allnature,dearChloris,isbloomingtogreetTheglanceofyoureyeandthetreadofyourfeet;
Forthetrailsareallopen,theroadsareallfree,Andthehighwayman’swhistleisheardonthelea。
Againswingsthelashonthehighmountaintrail,Andthepipeofthepackerisscentingthegale;
Theoathandthejestringinghigho’ertheplain,Wherethesmutisnotalwaysconfinedtothegrain。
Oncemoreglaresthesunlightonawningandroof,Oncemoretheredclay’spulverizedbythehoof,Oncemorethedustpowdersthe\"outsides\"withred,Oncemoreatthestationthewhiskeyisspread。
Thenflywithme,love,erethesummer’sbegun,Andthemercurymountstoonehundredandone;
Erethegrassnowsogreenshallbewitheredandsear,Inthespringthatobtainsbutonemonthintheyear。
WHATTHEENGINESSAID
(OPENINGOFTHEPACIFICRAILROAD)
WhatwasittheEnginessaid,Pilotstouching,——headtoheadFacingonthesingletrack,Halfaworldbehindeachback?
ThisiswhattheEnginessaid,Unreportedandunread。
Withaprefatoryscreech,InafloridWesternspeech,SaidtheEnginefromtheWEST:
\"IamfromSierra’screst;
Andifaltitude’satest,Why,Ireckon,it’sconfessedThatI’vedonemylevelbest。\"
SaidtheEnginefromtheEAST:
\"Theywhoworkbesttalktheleast。
S’poseyouwhistledownyourbrakes;
Whatyou’vedoneisnogreatshakes,Prettyfair,——butletourmeetingBeadifferentkindofgreeting。
Letthesefolkswithchampagnestuffing,NottheirEngines,dothePUFFING。
\"Listen!WhereAtlanticbeatsShoresofsnowandsummerheats;
WheretheIndianautumnskiesPaintthewoodswithwampumdyes,——
Ihavechasedtheflyingsun,Seeingallhelookedupon,Blessingallthathehasblessed,NursinginmyironbreastAllhisvivifyingheat,Allhiscloudsaboutmycrest;
AndbeforemyflyingfeetEveryshadowmustretreat。\"
SaidtheWesternEngine,\"Phew!\"
Andalong,lowwhistleblew。
\"Come,now,reallythat’stheoddestTalkforonesoverymodest。
YoubragofyourEast!YOUdo?
Why,IbringtheEasttoYOU!
AlltheOrient,allCathay,Findthroughmetheshortestway;
AndthesunyoufollowhereRisesinmyhemisphere。
Really,——ifonemustberude,——
Length,myfriend,ain’tlongitude。\"
SaidtheUnion:\"Don’treflect,orI’llrunoversomeDirector。\"
SaidtheCentral:\"I’mPacific;
But,whenriled,I’mquiteterrific。
Yetto-dayweshallnotquarrel,Justtoshowthesefolksthismoral,HowtwoEngines——intheirvision——
Oncehavemetwithoutcollision。\"
ThatiswhattheEnginessaid,Unreportedandunread;
Spokenslightlythroughthenose,Withawhistleattheclose。
THELEGENDSOFTHERHINE
Beetlingwallswithivygrown,Frowningheightsofmossystone;
Turret,withitsflauntingflagFlungfrombattlementedcrag;
Dungeon-keepandfortaliceLookingdownaprecipiceO’erthedarklyglancingwaveBytheLurline-hauntedcave;
Robberhauntandmaidenbower,HomeofLoveandCrimeandPower,——
That’sthescenery,infine,OftheLegendsoftheRhine。
Oneboldbaron,double-dyedBigamistandparricide,And,asmostthestoriesrun,PartneroftheEvilOne;
Injuredinnocenceinwhite,Fairbutidioticquite,Wringingofherlilyhands;
ValorfreshfromPaynimlands,Abbotruddy,hermitpale,Minstrelfraughtwithmanyatale,——
AretheactorsthatcombineIntheLegendsoftheRhine。
Bell-mouthedflagonsroundaboard;
Suitsofarmor,shield,andsword;
Kerchiefwithitsbloodystain;
Ghostsoftheuntimelyslain;
Thunder-clapandclankingchain;
Headsman’sblockandshiningaxe;
Thumb-screw,crucifixes,racks;
Midnight-tollingchapelbell,Heardacrossthegloomyfell,——
TheseandotherpleasantfactsArethepropertiesthatshineIntheLegendsoftheRhine。
Maledictions,whisperedvowsUnderneaththelindenboughs;
Murder,bigamy,andtheft;
Travelersofgoodsbereft;
Rapine,pillage,arson,spoil,——
Everythingbuthonesttoil,ArethedeedsthatbestdefineEveryLegendoftheRhine。
ThatVirtuealwaysmeetsreward,Butquickerwhenitwearsasword;
ThatProvidencehasspecialcareOfgallantknightandladyfair;
Thatvillains,asathingofcourse,Arealwayshauntedbyremorse,——
Isthemoral,Iopine,OftheLegendsoftheRhine。
SONGSWITHOUTSENSE
FORTHEPARLORANDPIANO
I。THEPERSONIFIEDSENTIMENTAL
Affection’scharmnolongergildsTheidoloftheshrine;
ButcoldOblivionseekstofillRegret’sambrosialwine。
ThoughFriendship’sofferingburiedlies’NeathcoldAversion’ssnow,RegardandFaithwilleverbloomPerpetuallybelow。
Iseetheewhirlinmarblehalls,InPleasure’sgiddytrain;
Remorseisneveronthatbrow,NorSorrow’smarkofpain。
Deceithasmarkedtheeforherown;
Inconstancythesame;
AndRuinwildlyshedsitsgleamAthwartthypathofshame。
II。THEHOMELYPATHETIC
Thedewsareheavyonmybrow;
Mybreathcomeshardandlow;
Yet,motherdear,grantonerequest,Beforeyourboymustgo。
Oh!liftmeeremyspiritsinks,Anderemysensesfail,Placemeoncemore,Omotherdear,Astridetheoldfence-rail。
Theoldfence-rail,theoldfence-rail!
Howofttheseyouthfullegs,WithAlice’andBenBolt’s,werehungAcrossthosewoodenpegs!
’TwastherethenauseatingsmokeOfmyfirstpipearose:
Omotherdear,theseagoniesArefarlesskeenthanthose。
Iknowwhereliesthehazeldell,WheresimpleNelliesleeps;
IknowthecotofNettieMoore,Andwherethewillowweeps。
Iknowthebrooksideandthemill,ButalltheirpathosfailsBesidethedayswhenonceIsatAstridetheoldfence-rails。
III。SWISSAIR
I’magaytra,la,la,Withmyfal,lal,la,la,Andmybright——
Andmylight——
Tra,la,le。[Repeat。]
Thenlaugh,ha,ha,ha,Andring,ting,ling,ling,Andsingfal,la,la,La,la,le。[Repeat。]
VI。LITTLEPOSTERITY
MASTERJOHNNY’SNEXT-DOORNEIGHBOR
ItwasspringthefirsttimethatIsawher,forherpapaandmammamovedinNextdoor,justasskatingwasover,andmarblesabouttobegin;
Forthefenceinourbackyardwasbroken,andIsaw,asIpeepedthroughtheslat,Therewere\"Johnny-jump-ups\"allaroundher,andIknewitwasspringjustbythat。
Ineverknewwhethershesawme,forshedidn’tsaynothingtome,But\"Ma!here’saslatinthefencebroke,andtheboythatisnextdoorcansee。\"
ButthenextdayIclimbedonourwood-shed,asyouknowMammasaysI’vearight,Andshecallsout,\"Well,peekin’ismanners!\"andIansweredher,\"Sassisperlite!\"
ButIwasn’tabitmad,no,Papa,andtoproveit,theverynextday,WhensheranpastourfenceinthemorningIhappenedtogetinherway,——
ForyouknowIam\"chunked\"andclumsy,asshesaysareallboysofmysize,——
Andshenearlyupsetme,shedid,Pa,andlaughedtilltearscameinhereyes。
Andthenwewerefriendsfromthatmoment,forIknewthatshetoldKittySage,——
Andshewasn’tagirlthatwouldflatter——\"thatshethoughtIwastallformyage。\"
AndIgaveherfourapplesthatevening,andtookhertorideonmysled,And——\"WhatamItellingyouthisfor?\"Why,Papa,myneighborisDEAD!
Youdon’thearonehalfIamsaying,——Ireallydothinkit’stoobad!
Why,youmighthaveseencrapeonherdoor-knob,andnoticedto-dayI’vebeensad。
Andthey’vegotheracoffinofrosewood,andtheysaytheyhavedressedherinwhite,AndI’veneveroncelookedthroughthefence,Pa,sinceshedied——atelevenlastnight。
AndMasaysit’sdecentandproper,asIwasherneighborandfriend,ThatIshouldgotheretothefuneral,andshethinksthatYOUoughttoattend;
ButIamsoclumsyandawkward,IknowIshallbeintheway,Andsupposetheyshouldspeaktome,Papa,Iwouldn’tknowjustwhattosay。
SoIthinkIwillgetupquiteearly,——IknowIsleeplate,butIknowI’llbesuretowakeupifourBridgetpullsthestringthatI’lltietomytoe;
AndI’llcrawlthroughthefence,andI’llgatherthe\"Johnny-jump-ups\"
astheygrewRoundherfeetthefirstdaythatIsawher,and,Papa,I’llgivethemtoyou。
Foryou’reabigman,and,youknow,Pa,cancomeandgojustwhereyouchoose,Andyou’lltaketheflowersintoher,andsurelythey’llneverrefuse;
But,Papa,don’tSAYthey’refromJohnny;THEYwon’tunderstand,don’tyousee?
Butjustlaythemdownonherbosom,and,Papa,SHE’LLknowthey’refromMe。
MISSEDITH’SMODESTREQUEST
MyPapaknowsyou,andhesaysyou’reamanwhomakesreadingforbooks;
ButIneverreadnothingyouwrote,nordidPapa,——Iknowbyhislooks。
SoIguessyou’relikemewhenItalk,andItalk,andItalkalltheday,Andtheyonlysay,\"Dostopthatchild!\"or,\"Nurse,takeMissEdithaway。\"
ButPapasaidifIwasgoodIcouldaskyou——alonebymyself——
Ifyouwouldn’twritemeabooklikethatlittleoneupontheshelf。
Idon’tmeanthepictures,ofcourse,fortomakeTHEMyou’vegottobesmartButthereadingthatrunsallaroundthem,youknow,——justtheeasiestpart。
Youneedn’tmindwhatit’sabout,fornoonewillseeitbutme,AndJane,——that’smynurse,——andJohn,——he’sthecoachman,——justonlyusthree。
You’retowriteofabadlittlegirl,thatwaswickedandboldandallthat;
Andthenyou’retowrite,ifyouplease,somethinggood——verygood——
ofacat!
Thiscat,shewasvirtuousandmeek,andkindtoherparents,andmild,Andcarefulandneatinherways,thoughhermistresswassuchabadchild;
Andhoursshewouldsitandwouldgazewhenhermistress——that’sme——
wassobad,Andblink,justasifshewouldsay,\"Oh,Edith!youmakemyheartsad。\"
Andyet,youwouldscarcelybelieveit,thatbeautiful,angeliccatWasblamedbytheservantsforstealingwhatever,theysaid,she’dgetat。
AndwhenJohndrankmymilk,——don’tyoutellme!Iknowjustthewayitwasdone,——
Theysaid’twasthecat,——andshesittingandwashingherfaceinthesun!
AndthentherewasDick,mycanary。WhenIleftitscageopenoneday,Theyallmadebelievethatsheateit,thoughIknowthatthebirdflewaway。
Andwhy?Justbecauseshewasplayingwithafeathershefoundonthefloor。
Asifcatscouldn’tplaywithafeatherwithoutpeoplethinking’twasmore!
Why,oncewewererompingtogether,whenIknockeddownavasefromtheshelf,Thatcatwasasgrievedanddistressedasifshehaddoneitherself;
Andshewalkedawaysadlyandhidherself,andnevercameoutuntiltea,——
Sotheysay,fortheysentMEtobed,andshenevercameeventome。
Nomatterwhateverhappened,itwaslaidatthedoorofthatcat。
Why,oncewhenItoremyapron,——shewaswrappedinit,andIcalled\"Rat!\"——
Why,theyblamedthatonHER。Ishallnever——no,nottomydyingday——
ForgetthepainedlookthatshegavemewhentheyslappedMEandtookmeaway。
Ofcourse,youknowjustwhatcomesnext,whenachildisaslovelyasthat:
Shewastedquiteslowlyaway;itwasgoodnesswaskillingthatcat。
Iknowitwasnothingsheate,forhertastewasexceedinglynice;
ButtheysaidshestoleBobby’sicecream,andcaughtabadcoldfromtheice。
Andyou’llpromisetomakemeabooklikethatlittleoneupontheshelf,Andyou’llcallher\"Naomi,\"becauseit’sanamethatshejustgaveherself;
Forshe’dscratchatmydoorinthemorning,andwheneverI’dcallout,\"Who’sthere?\"
Shewouldanswer,\"Naomi!Naomi!\"likeaChristian,Ivowanddeclare。
Andyou’llputmeandherinabook。Andmind,you’retosayIwasbad;
AndImighthavebeenbadderthanthatbutfortheexampleIhad。
Andyou’llsaythatshewasaMaltese,and——what’sthatyouasked?
\"Isshedead?\"
Why,please,sir,THEREAIN’TANYCAT!You’retomakeoneupoutofyourhead!
MISSEDITHMAKESITPLEASANTFORBROTHERJACK
\"Crying!\"OfcourseIamcrying,andIguessyouwouldbecrying,too,Ifpeopleweretellingsuchstoriesastheytellaboutme,aboutYOU。
Ohyes,youcanlaughifyouwantto,andsmokeasyoudidn’tcarehow,Andgetyourbrainssoftenedlikeuncle’s。Dr。Jonessaysyou’regettin’itnow。
Whydon’tyousay\"Stop!\"toMissIlsey?ShecriestwiceasmuchasIdo,Andshe’solderandcriesjustfrommeanness,——foraribbonoranythingnew。
Masaysit’sher\"sensitivenature。\"Ohmy!No,Isha’n’tstopmytalk!
AndIdon’twantnoapplesnorcandy,andIdon’twanttogotakeawalk!
Iknowwhyyou’remad!Yes,Ido,now!YouthinkthatMissIlseylikesYOU,AndI’veheardherREPEATEDLYcallyouthebold-facestboythatsheknew;
Andshe’d\"liketoknowwhereyoulearntmanners。\"Ohyes!Kickthetable,——that’sright!
Spilltheinkonmydress,andgothenroundtellingMathatIlooklikeafright!
Whatstories?Pretendyoudon’tknowthatthey’resayingIbrokeoffthematchTwixtoldMoney-grubberandMary,bysayingshecalledhim\"Crosspatch,\"
WhentheonlyallusionImadehimaboutsisterMarywas,sheCaredmoreforhiscashthanhistemper,andyouknow,Jack,yousaidthattome。
Andit’strue!Butit’sME,andI’mscolded,andPasaysifIkeeponImightByandbygetmynameinthepapers!Whocares?Why,’twasonlylastnightIwasreadinghowPaandthesheriffweresellingsomelots,andit’splainIfit’sawfultobeinthepapers,why,Papawouldgoandcomplain。
Youthinkitain’ttrueaboutIlsey?Well,IguessIknowgirls,andIsayThere’snothingIseeaboutIlseytoshowshelikesyou,anyway!
IknowwhatitmeanswhenagirlwhohascalledhercatafteroneboyGoesandchangesitsnametoanother’s。Andshe’sdoneit——andI
wishyoujoy!
MISSEDITHMAKESANOTHERFRIEND
Oh,you’rethegirllivesonthecorner?Comein——ifyouwantto——
comequick!
There’snoonebutmeinthehouse,andthecook——butshe’sonlyastick。
Don’ttrythefrontway,butcomeoverthefence——throughthewindow——that’show。
Don’tmindthebigdog——hewon’tbiteyou——justseehimobeyme!
there,now!
What’syourname?MaryEllen?Howfunny!Mine’sEdith——it’snicer,yousee;
Butyoursdoesforyou,foryou’replainer,thoughmaybeyou’regooderthanme;
ForJacksaysI’msometimesadevil,butJack,ofallfolks,needn’ttalk,ForIdon’tcalltheseamstressanangeltillMasaysthepoorthingmust\"walk。\"
Comein!It’squitedarkintheparlor,forsisterwillkeeptheblindsdown,Foryouknowhercomplexionissallowlikeyours,butsheisn’tasbrown;
ThoughJacksaysthatisn’tthereasonshelikestositherewithJimMoore。
Doyouthinkthathemeantthatshekissedhim?Wouldyou——ifyourlipswasn’tsore?
Ifyoulike,youcantryourpiano。’Tain’tours。AmanleftithereTorentbythemonth,althoughMasayshehasn’tbeenpaidforayear。
Sisterplays——oh,suchfinevariations!——why,IonceheardagentlemansayThatshedidn’tmindTHATforthemusic——infact,itwasjustinherway!
Ain’tIfunny?Andyetit’sthequeerestofallthat,whateverI
say,Onehalfofthefolksdiea-laughing,andtherest,theyalllookt’otherway。
Andsomesay,\"Thatchild!\"Dotheyeversaythattosuchpeopleasyou?
Thoughmaybeyou’renaturallysilly,andthatmakesyoureyessoaskew。
Nowstop——don’tyoudaretobecrying!Justassureasyoulive,ifyoudo,I’llcallinmybigdogtobiteyou,andI’llmakemyPapakillyou,too!
Andthenwhere’llyoube?Soplaypretty。There’smydoll,andanicepieceofcake。
Youdon’twantit——youthinkitispoison!ThenI’LLeatit,dear,justforyoursake!
WHATMISSEDITHSAWFROMHERWINDOW
Ourwindow’snotmuch,thoughitfrontsonthestreet;
There’saflyinthepanethatgetsnothin’toeat;
Butit’scurioushowpeoplethinkit’satreatForMEtolookoutofthewindow!
Why,whencompanycomes,andthey’reallspeakinglow,Withtheirchairsdrawntogether,thensomeonesays,\"Oh!
Edithdear!——that’sagoodchild——nowrun,love,andgoAndamuseyourselfthereatthewindow!\"
OrBob——that’smybrother——comesinwithhischum,Andtheywhisperandchuckle,thesamewordswillcome。
Andit’s\"Edith,lookhere!Oh,Isay!whatarumLotofthingsyoucanseefromthatwindow!\"
Andyet,asItoldyou,there’sonlythatflyBuzzingroundinthepane,andabitofbluesky,Andthegirlintheoppositewindow,thatI
LookatwhenSHElooksfromHERwindow。
Andyet,I’vebeenthinkingI’dsoliketoseeIfwhatgoesonbehindHER,goesonbehindME!
Andthen,goodnessgracious!whatfunitwouldbeForusBOTHaswesitbyourwindow!
Howwe’dknowwhentheparcelswerehidinadrawer,Orthingstakenoutthatoneneverseesmore;
Whatpeoplecomeinandgooutofthedoor,Thatweneverseefromthewindow!
AndthatnightwhenthestrangercamehomewithourJaneImightSEEwhatIHEARDthen,thatsoundedsoplain——
LikewhenmywetfingersIrubonthepane(Whichtheywon’tletMEdoonmywindow)。
AndI’dknowwhypapashutthedoorwithaslam,Andsaidsomethingfunnythatsoundedlike\"jam,\"
Andthen\"Edith——whereareyou?\"Isaid,\"HereIam。\"
\"Ah,that’sright,dear,lookoutofthewindow!\"
TheysaywhenI’mgrownupthesethingswillappearMoreplainthantheydowhenIlookatthemhere,ButIthinkIseesomethingsuncommonlyclear,AsIsitandlookdownfromthewindow。
Whatthings?Oh,thethingsthatImakeup,youknow,OutofstoriesI’veread——andtheyallpassbelow。
AliBaba,theFortyThieves,allinarow,Goby,asIlookfrommywindow。
That’sonlyatchurchtime;otherdaysthere’snocrowd。
Don’tlaugh!Seethatbigmanwholookedupandbowed?
That’sourbutcher——IcallhimtheSultanMahoudWhenhenodstomehereatthewindow!
AndTHATman——he’sourneighbor——justgoneforarideHasthreewivesinthechurchyardthatliesidebyside。
SoIcallhim\"Bluebeard\"insearchofhisbride,WhileI’mSisterAnneatthewindow。
AndwhatdoIcallyou?Well,here’swhatIDO:
Whenmysisterexpectsyou,sheputsmehere,too;
ButIwaittillyouenter,toseeifit’syou,Andthen——IjustOPENthewindow!
\"Dearchild!\"Yes,that’sme!Oh,youaskwhatthat’sfor?
Well,Papasaysyou’re\"Poverty’sself,\"andwhat’smore,Iopenthewindow,whenYOU’REatthedoor,ToseeLoveflyoutofthewindow!\"
ONTHELANDING
(ANIDYLOFTHEBALUSTERS)
BOBBY,aetat。31/2。JOHNNY,aetat。41/2。
BOBBY
Doyouknowwhythey’veputusinthatbackroom,Upintheattic,closeagainstthesky,Andmadebelieveournursery’sacloak-room?
Doyouknowwhy?
JOHNNY
NomoreIdon’t,norwhythatSammy’smother,WhatMathinkshorrid,’causehebungedmyeye,Eatsanicecream,downthere,likeanyother!
Nomoredon’tI!
BOBBY
DoyouknowwhyNursesaysitisn’tmannersForyouandmetoaskfolkstwiceforpie,Andnoonehitsthatmanwithtwobananas?
Doyouknowwhy?
JOHNNY
NomoreIdon’t,norwhythatgirl,whosedressisOffofhershoulders,don’tcatchcoldanddie,WhenyouandmegetscroupwhenWEundresses!
Nomoredon’tI!
BOBBY
Perhapssheain’tasgoodasyouandIis,AndGoddon’twantherupthereinthesky,Andletsherlive——tocomeinjustwhenpieis——
Perhapsthat’swhy!
JOHNNY
Doyouknowwhythatmanthat’sgotacroppedheadRubbeditjustnowasifhefeltafly?
Coulditbe,Bobby,somethingthatIdropded?
Andisthatwhy?
BOBBY
Goodboysbehaves,andsotheydon’tgetscolded,Nordrophotmilkonfolksastheypassby。
JOHNNY(piously)
MarbleswouldbounceonMr。Jones’baldhead——
ButIsha’n’ttry!
BOBBY
DoyouknowwhyAuntJaneisalwayssnarlingAtyouandmebecausewetellsalie,Andshedon’tslapthatmanthatcalledherdarling?
Doyouknowwhy?
JOHNNY
NomoreIdon’t,norwhythatmanwithMammaJustkissedherhand。
BOBBY
Shehurtit——andthat’swhy;
Hemadeitwell,theverywaythatMammaDoesdotoI。
JOHNNY
Ifeelsosleepy……WasthatPapakissedus?
Whatmadehimsigh,andlookuptothesky?
BOBBY
Weweren’tdownstairs,andheandGodhadmissedus,Andthatwaswhy!
NOTES
THELOSTGALLEON。Asthecustomonwhichthecentralincidentofthislegendisbasedmaynotbefamiliartoallreaders,Iwillrepeatherethatitisthehabitofnavigatorstodropadayfromtheircalendarincrossingwesterlythe180thdegreeoflongitudeofGreenwich,addingadayincomingeast;andthattheideaofthelostgalleonhadanoriginasprosaicasthelogofthefirstChinaMailSteamerfromSanFrancisco。Theexplanationofthecustomanditsastronomicalrelationsbelongsrathertotheusualtext-booksthantopoeticalnarration。IfanyreaderthinksIhaveoverdrawnthecreduloussuperstitionsoftheancientnavigators,IreferhimtotheveraciousstatementsofMaldonado,DeFonte,thelatervoyagesofLaPerouseandAnson,andthechartsof1640。InthechartsofthatdaySpanishnavigatorsreckonedlongitudeE。360
degreesfromthemeridianoftheIsleofFerro。Forthesakeofperspicuitybeforeamodernaudience,themorerecentmeridianofMadridwassubstituted。ThecustomofdroppingadayatsomearbitrarypointincrossingthePacificwesterly,Ineednotsay,remainsunaffectedbyanychangeofmeridian。Iknownotifanygalleonwaseverreallymissing。FortwohundredandfiftyyearsanannualtripwasmadebetweenAcapulcoandManila。Itmaybesomesatisfactiontothemoreseverelypracticalofmyreaderstoknowthat,accordingtothebeststatisticsofinsurance,thelossduringthatperiodwouldbeexactlythreevesselsandsixhundredthsofavessel,whichwouldcertainlyjustifymeinthissummarydispositionofONE。
THEPLIOCENESKULL。ThisextraordinaryfossilisinthepossessionofProf。JosiahD。Whitney,oftheStateGeologicalSurveyofCalifornia。Thepoemwasbasedonthefollowingparagraphfromthedailypressof1868:\"AhumanskullhasbeenfoundinCalifornia,intheplioceneformation。ThisskullistheremnantnotonlyoftheearliestpioneerofthisState,buttheoldestknownhumanbeing……
Theskullwasfoundinashaft150feetdeep,twomilesfromAngelsinCalaverasCounty,byaminernamedJamesWatson,whogaveittoMr。Scribner,amerchant,whogaveittoDr。Jones,whosentittotheStateGeologicalSurvey……ThepublishedvolumeoftheStateSurveyoftheGeologyofCaliforniastatesthatmanexistedherecontemporaneouslywiththemastodon,butthisfossilprovesthathewasherebeforethemastodonwasknowntoexist。\"