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第6章

  IV。
  Sittingbymyside,Atmyfeet,SohebreathedbutairIbreathed,Satisfied!
  I,too,atlove'sbrimTouchedthesweet:
  IwoulddieifdeathbequeathedSweettohim。
  V。
  ``Speak,Ilovetheebest!''
  Heexclaimed:
  ``Letthylovemyownforetell!''
  Iconfessed:
  ``Claspmyheartonthine``Nowunblamed,``Sinceuponthysoulaswell``Hangethmine!''
  VI。
  Wasitwrongtoown,Beingtruth?
  WhyshouldallthegivingproveHisalone?
  Ihadwealthandease,Beauty,youth:
  Sincemylovergavemelove,Igavethese。
  VII。
  ThatwasallImeant,——Tobejust,AndthepassionIhadraised,Tocontent。
  SincehechosetochangeGoldfordust,IfIgavehimwhathepraisedWasitstrange?
  VIII。
  Wouldhelovedmeyet,Onandon,WhileIfoundsomewayundreamed——Paidmydebt!
  Gavemorelifeandmore,Till,allgone,Heshouldsmile``Sheneverseemed``Minebefore。
  IX。
  ``What,shefeltthewhile,``MustIthink?
  ``Love'ssodifferentwithusmen!''
  Heshouldsmile:
  ``Dyingformysake——
  ``Whiteandpink!
  ``Can'twetouchthesebubblesthen``Buttheybreak?''
  X。
  Dear,thepangisbrief,Dothypart,Havethypleasure!HowperplexedGrowsbelief!
  Well,thiscoldclayclodWasman'sheart:
  Crumbleit,andwhatcomesnext?
  IsitGod?
  WOMENANDROSES。
  I。
  Idreamofared-rosetree。
  AndwhichofitsrosesthreeIsthedearestrosetome?
  II。
  Roundandround,likeadanceofsnowInadazzlingdrift,asitsguardians,goFloatingthewomenfadedforages,Sculpturedinstone,onthepoet'spages。
  Thenfollowwomenfreshandgay,Livingandlovingandlovedto-day。
  Last,intherear,fleethemultitudeofmaidens,Beautiesyetunborn。Andall,toonecadence,Theycircletheirroseonmyrosetree。
  III。
  Dearrose,thytermisreached,Thyleafhangslooseandbleached:
  Beespassitunimpeached。
  IV。
  Staythen,stoop,sinceIcannotclimb,You,greatshapesoftheantiquetime!
  HowshallIfixyou,fireyou,freezeyou,Breakmyheartatyourfeettopleaseyou?
  Oh,topossessandbepossessed!
  Heartsthatbeat'neatheachpallidbreast!
  Oncebutoflove,thepoesy,thepassion,Drinkbutonceanddie!——Invain,thesamefashion,Theycircletheirroseonmyrosetree。
  V。
  Dearrose,thyjoy'sundimmed,Thycupisruby-rimmed,Thycup'sheartnectar-brimmed。
  VI。
  Deep,asdropsfromastatue'splinthThebeesuckedinbythehyacinth,SowillIburymewhileburning,Quenchlikehimataplungemyyearning,Eyesinyoureyes,lipsonyourlips!
  Foldmefastwherethecinctureslips,Prisonallmysoulineternitiesofpleasure,Girdlemeforonce!Butno——theoldmeasure,Theycircletheirroseonmyrosetree。
  VII。
  Dearrosewithoutathorn,Thybud'sthebabeunborn:
  Firststreakofanewmorn。
  VIII。
  Wings,lendwingsforthecold,theclear!
  Whatisfarconquerswhatisnear。
  Roseswillbloomnorwantbeholders,Sprungfromthedustwhereourfleshmoulders。
  Whatshallarrivewiththecycle'schange?
  Anovelgraceandabeautystrange。
  IwillmakeanEve,betheartistthatbeganher,Shapedhertohismind!——Alas!inlikemannerTheycircletheirroseonmyrosetree。
  BEFORE。
  I。
  Letthemfightitout,friend!thingshavegonetoofar。
  Godmustjudgethecouple:leavethemastheyare——Whicheverone'stheguiltless,tohisglory,Andwhicheveronetheguilt'swith,tomystory!
  II。
  Why,youwouldnotbidmen,sunkinsuchaslough,Strikenoarmoutfurther,stickandstinkasnow,Leavingrightandwrongtosettletheembroilment,Heavenwithsnakyhell,intortureandentoilment?
  III。
  Who'stheculpritofthem?HowmustheconceiveGod——thequeenhecapsto,laughinginhissleeve,``'Tisbutdecenttoprofessoneselfbeneathher:
  ``Still,onemustnotbetoomuchinearnest,either!''
  IV。
  Bettersinthewholesin,surethatGodobserves;
  Thengolivehislifeout!Lifewilltryhisnerves,Whenthesky,whichnoticedall,makesnodisclosure,Andtheearthkeepsupherterriblecomposure。
  V。
  Lethimpaceatpleasure,pastthewallsofrose,Plucktheirfruitswhengrape-treesgrazehimashegoes!
  Forhe'ginstoguessthepurposeofthegarden,Withtheslymutething,besidethere,forawarden。
  VI。
  What'stheleopard-dog-thing,constantathisside,Aleerandlieineveryeyeofitsobsequioushide?
  Whenwillcomeanendtoallthemockobeisance,Andthepriceappearthatpaysforthemisfeasance?
  VII。
  Somuchfortheculprit。Who'sthemartyredman?
  Lethimbearonestrokemore,forbesurehecan!
  Hethatstrovethusevil'slumpwithgoodtoleaven,Lethimgivehisbloodatlastandgethisheaven!
  VIII。
  Allornothing,stakeit!TrustsheGodorno?
  Thusfarandnofarther?farther?beitso!
  Now,enoughofyourchicaneofprudentpauses,Sageprovisos,sub-intentsandsaving-clauses!
  IX。
  Ah,``forgive''youbidhim?WhileGod'schampionlives,Wrongshallberesisted:dead,why,heforgives。
  Butyoumustnotendmyfriendereyoubeginhim;
  Evilstandsnotcrownedonearth,whilebreathisinhim。
  X。
  Oncemore——Willthewronger,atthislastofall,Daretosay,``Ididwrong,''risinginhisfall?
  No?——Letgothen!Boththefighterstotheirplaces!
  WhileIcountthree,stepyoubackasmanypaces!
  AFTER。
  Takethecloakfromhisface,andatfirstLetthecorpsedoitsworst!
  Howheliesinhisrightsofaman!
  Deathhasdonealldeathcan。
  And,absorbedinthenewlifeheleads,Herecksnot,heheedsNorhiswrongnormyvengeance;bothstrikeOnhissensesalike,AndarelostinthesolemnandstrangeSurpriseofthechange。
  Ha,whatavailsdeathtoeraseHisoffence,mydisgrace?
  IwouldwewereboysasofoldInthefield,bythefold:
  Hisoutrage,God'spatience,man'sscornWeresoeasilyborne!
  Istandherenow,heliesinhisplace:
  Covertheface!
  THEGUARDIAN-ANGEL。
  APICTUREATFANO。
  I。
  DearandgreatAngel,wouldstthouonlyleaveThatchild,whenthouhastdonewithhim,forme!
  Letmesitallthedayhere,thatwheneveShallfindperformedthyspecialministry,Andtimecomefordeparture,thou,suspendingThyflight,maystseeanotherchildfortending,Anotherstill,toquietandretrieve。
  II。
  ThenIshallfeeltheesteponestep,nomore,Fromwherethoustandestnow,towhereIgaze,——Andsuddenlymyheadiscoveredo'erWiththosewings,whiteabovethechildwhopraysNowonthattomb——andIshallfeeltheeguardingMe,outofalltheworld;forme,discardingYonheaventhyhome,thatwaitsandopesitsdoor。
  III。
  IwouldnotlookupthitherpastthyheadBecausethedooropes,likethatchild,Iknow,ForIshouldhavethygraciousfaceinstead,ThoubirdofGod!AndwiltthoubendmelowLikehim,andlay,likehis,myhandstogether,Andliftthemuptopray,andgentlytetherMe,asthylambthere,withthygarment'sspread?
  IV。
  Ifthiswasevergranted,IwouldrestMybeadbeneaththine,whilethyhealinghandsClose-coveredbothmyeyesbesidethybreast,Pressingthebrain,whichtoomuchthoughtexpands,Backtoitspropersizeagain,andsmoothingDistortiondowntilleverynervehadsoothing,Andalllayquiet,happyandsuppressed。
  V。
  Howsoonallworldlywrongwouldberepaired!
  IthinkhowIshouldviewtheearthandskiesAndsea,whenonceagainmybrowwasbaredAfterthyhealing,withsuchdifferenteyes。
  Oworld,asGodhasmadeit!Allisbeauty:
  Andknowingthis,islove,andloveisduty。
  Whatfurthermaybesoughtforordeclared?
  VI。
  GuercinodrewthisangelIsawteach(Alfred,dearfriend!)——thatlittlechildtopray,Holdingthelittlehandsup,eachtoeachPressedgently,——withhisownheadturnedawayOvertheearthwheresomuchlaybeforehimOfworktodo,thoughheavenwasopeningo'erhim,AndhewasleftatFanobythebeach。
  VII。
  WewereatFano,andthreetimeswewentTositandseehiminhischapelthere,Anddrinkhisbeautytooursoul'scontent——Myangelwithmetoo:andsinceIcareFordearGuercino'sfame(towhichinpowerAndglorycomesthispictureforadower,Fraughtwithapathossomagnificent)——
  VIII。
  AndsincehedidnotworkthusearnestlyAtalltimes,andhaselseenduredsomewrong——
  Itookonethoughthispicturestruckfromme,Andspreaditout,translatingittosong。
  Myloveishere。Whereareyou,dearoldfriend?
  HowrollstheWairoaatyourworld'sfarend?
  ThisisAncona,yonderisthesea。
  MEMORABILIA。
  I。
  Ah,didyouonceseeShelleyplain,AnddidhestopandspeaktoyouAnddidyouspeaktohimagain?
  Howstrangeitseemsandnew!
  II。
  Butyouwerelivingbeforethat,Andalsoyouarelivingafter;
  AndthememoryIstartedat——
  Mystartingmovesyourlaughter。
  III。
  Icrossedamoor,withanameofitsownAndacertainuseintheworldnodoubt,Yetahand's-breadthofitshinesalone'Midtheblankmilesroundabout:
  IV。
  ForthereIpickedupontheheatherAndthereIputinsidemybreastAmoultedfeather,aneagle-feather!
  Well,Iforgettherest。
  POPULARITY。
  I。
  Standstill,truepoetthatyouare!
  Iknowyou;letmetryanddrawyou。
  Somenightyou'llfailus:whenafarYourise,rememberonemansawyou,Knewyou,andnamedastar!
  II。
  Mystar,God'sglow-worm!WhyextendThatlovinghandofhiswhichleadsyouYetlocksyousafefromendtoendOfthisdarkworld,unlessheneedsyou,justsavesyourlighttospend?
  III。
  Hisclenchedhandshalluncloseatlast,Iknow,andletoutallthebeauty:
  Mypoetholdsthefuturefast,Acceptsthecomingages'duty,Theirpresentforthispast。
  IV。
  Thatday,theearth'sfeast-master'sbrowShallclear,toGodthechaliceraising;
  ``Othersgivebestatfirst,butthou``Foreverset'stourtablepraising,``Keep'stthegoodwinetillnow!''
  V。
  Meantime,I'lldrawyouasyoustand,Withfewornonetowatchandwonder:
  I'llsay——afisher,onthesandByTyretheold,withocean-plunder,Anetful,broughttoland。
  VI。
  WhohasnotheardhowTyrianshellsEnclosedtheblue,thatdyeofdyesWhereofonedropworkedmiracles,AndcolouredlikeAstarte'seyesRawsilkthemerchantsells?
  VII。
  AndeachbystanderofthemallCouldcriticize,andquotetraditionHowdepthsofbluesublimedsomepall——Togetwhich,prickedaking'sambitionWorthsceptre,crownandball。
  VIII。
  Yetthere'sthedye,inthatroughmesh,Theseahasonlyjusto'erwhispered!
  Livewhelks,eachlip'sbearddrippingfresh,Asiftheystillthewater'slispheardThroughfoamtherock-weedsthresh。
  IX。
  EnoughtofurnishSolomonSuchhangingsforhiscedar-house,That,whengold-robedhetookthethroneInthatabyssofblue,theSpouseMightswearhispresenceshoneX。
  Mostlikethecentre-spikeofgoldWhichburnsdeepintheblue-bell'swomb,Whattime,withardoursmanifold,Thebeegoessingingtohergroom,Drunkenandoverbold。
  XI。
  Mereconchs!notfitforwarporwoof!
  TillcunningcometopoundandsqueezeAndclarify,——refinetoproofTheliquorfilteredbydegrees,Whiletheworldstandsaloof。
  XII。
  Andthere'stheextract,flaskedandfine,Andpricedandsaleableatlast!
  AndHobbs,Nobbs,StokesandNokescombineTopaintthefuturefromthepast,Putblueintotheirline。
  XIII。
  Hobbshintsblue,——Straightheturtleeats:
  Nobbsprintsblue,——claretcrownshiscup:
  NokesoutdaresStokesinazurefeats,——
  Bothgorge。Whofishedthemurexup?
  WhatporridgehadJohnKeats?
  1TheSyrianVenus。
  2MolluscsfromwhichthefamousTyrianpurpledyewasobtained。
  MASTERHUGUESOFSAXE-GOTHA。
  [Animaginarycomposer。]
  I。
  Hist,butaword,fairandsoft!
  Forthandbejudged,MasterHugues!
  AnswerthequestionI'veputyousooft:
  Whatdoyoumeanbyyourmountainousfugues?
  See,we'realoneintheloft,——
  II。
  I,thepoororganisthere,Hugues,thecomposerofnote,Deadthough,anddonewith,thismanyayear:
  Let'shaveacolloquy,somethingtoquote,Maketheworldprickupitsear!
  III。
  See,thechurchemptiesapace:
  Fasttheyextinguishthelights。
  Hallothere,sacristan!Fiveminutes'grace!
  Here'sacrankpedalwantssettingtorights,Baulksoneofholdingthebase。
  IV。
  See,ourhugehouseofthesounds,Hushingitshundredsatonce,Bidsthelastloitererbacktohisbounds!
  Oyoumaychallengethem,notaresponseGetthechurch-saintsontheirrounds!
  V。
  (Saintsgotheirrounds,whoshalldoubt?——
  March,withthemoontoadmire,Upnave,downchancel,turntranseptabout,Superviseallbetwixtpavementandspire,Putratsandmicetotherout——
  VI。
  AloysandJurienandJust——
  Orderthingsbacktotheirplace,Haveasharpeyelestthecandlesticksrust,Rubthechurch-plate,darnthesacrament-lace,Clearthedesk-velvetofdust。)
  VII。
  Here'syourbook,youngerfolksshelve!
  PlayedInotoff-handandrunningly,Justnow,yourmasterpiece,hardnumbertwelve?
  Here'swhatshouldstrike,couldonehandleitcunningly:
  HeIptheaxe,giveitahelve!
  VIII。
  PageafterpageasIplayed,Everybar'srest,whereonewipesSweatfromone'sbrow,Ilookedupandsurveyed,O'ermythreeclaviersyonforestofpipesWhenceyoustillpeepedintheshade。
  IX。
  Sureyouwerewishfultospeak?
  You,withbrowruledlikeascore,Yes,andeyesburiedinpitsoneachcheek,Liketwogreatbreves,astheywrotethemofyore,Eachsidethatbar,yourstraightbeak!
  X。
  Sureyousaid——``Good,themerenotes!
  ``Still,couldstthoutakemyintent,``KnowwhatprocuredmeourCompany'svotes——
  ``Amasterwerelaudedandsciolistsshent,``Partedthesheepfromthegoats!''
  XI。
  Wellthen,speakup,neverflinch!
  Quick,eremycandle'sasnuff——Burnt,doyousee?toitsuttermostinch——
  _I_believeinyou,butthat'snotenough:
  Givemyconvictionaclinch!
  XII。
  Firstyoudeliveryourphrase——Nothingpropound,thatIsee,Fitinitselfformuchblameormuchpraise——
  Answerednoless,wherenoanswerneedsbe:
  OffstarttheTwoontheirways。
  XIII。
  StraightmustaThirdinterpose,Volunteerneedlesslyhelp;
  InstrikesaFourth,aFifththrustsinhisnose,Sothecry'sopen,thekennel'sa-yelp,Argument'shottotheclose。
  XIV。
  Onedissertates,heiscandid;
  Twomustdiscept,——hasdistinguished;
  Threehelpsthecouple,ifeveryetmandid;
  Fourprotests;Fivemakesadartatthethingwished:
  BacktoOne,goesthecasebandied。
  XV。
  OnesayshissaywithadifferenceMoreofexpounding,explaining!
  Allnowiswrangle,abuse,andvociferance;
  Nowthere'satruce,all'ssubdued,self-restraining:
  Five,though,standsoutallthestifferhence。
  XVI。
  Oneisincisive,corrosive:
  Tworetorts,nettled,curt,crepitant;
  Threemakesrejoinder,expansive,explosive;
  Fouroverbearsthemall,stridentandstrepitant,Five……ODanaides,OSieve!
  XVII。
  Now,theyplyaxesandcrowbars;
  Now,theyprickpinsatatissueFineasaskeinofthecasuistEscobar's
  Workedontheboneofalie。Towhatissue?
  WhereisourgainattheTwo-bars?
  XVIII。
  _Estfuga,volviturrota。_
  Onwedrift:whereloomsthedimport?
  One,Two,Three,Four,Five,contributetheirquota;
  Somethingisgained,ifonecaughtbuttheimport——
  Showitus,HuguesofSaxe-Gotha!
  XIX。
  Whatwithaffirming,denying,Holding,risposting,subjoining,All'slike……it'slike……foraninstanceI'mtrying……
  There!Seeourroof,itsgiltmouldingandgroiningUnderthosespider-webslying!
  XX。
  Soyourfuguebroadensandthickens,Greatensanddeepensandlengthens,Tillweexclaim——``Butwhere'smusic,thedickens?
  ``Blotyethegold,whileyourspider-webstrengthens``——Blackedtothestoutestoftickens?''
  XXI。
  Iforman'seffortamzealous:
  Provemesuchcensureunfounded!
  Seemsitsurprisingalovergrowsjealous——
  Hopes'twasforsomething,hisorgan-pipessounded,Tiringthreeboysatthebellows?
  XXII。
  IsityourmoralofLife?
  Suchaweb,simpleandsubtle,Weaveweonearthhereinimpotentstrife,Backwardandforwardeachthrowinghisshuttle,Deathendingallwithaknife?
  XXIII。
  Overourheadstruthandnature——
  Stillourlife'szigzagsanddodges,Insandouts,weavinganewlegislature——
  God'sgoldjustshiningitslastwherethatlodges,Palledbeneathman'susurpature。
  XXIV。
  Soweo'ershroudstarsandroses,Cherubandtrophyandgarland;
  NothingsgrowsomethingwhichquietlyclosesHeaven'searnesteye:notaglimpseofthefarlandGetsthroughourcommentsandglozes。
  XXV。
  Ahbuttraditions,inventions,(Sayweandmakeupavisage)
  Somanymenwithsuchvariousintentions,Downthepastages,mustknowmorethanthisage!
  Leavewethewebitsdimensions!
  XXVI。
  WhothinksHugueswroteforthedeaf,Provedameremountaininlabour?
  Bettersubmit;tryagain;what'stheclef?
  'Faith,'tisnotrifleforpipeandfortabor——
  Fourflats,theminorinF。
  XXVII。
  Friend,yourfuguetaxesthefingerLearningitonce,whowouldloseit?
  Yetallthewhileamisgivingwilllinger,Truth'sgoldeno'erusalthoughwerefuseit——
  Nature,thro'cobwebswestringher。
  XXVIII。
  Hugues!Iadvise_MePn_
  (CounterpointglareslikeaGorgon)
  BidOne,Two,Three,Four,Five,clearthearena!
  Saytheword,straightIunstopthefull-organ,Blareoutthe_modePalestrina。_
  XXIX。
  Whileintheroof,ifI'mrightthere,……Loyou,thewickinthesocket!
  Hallo,yousacristan,showusalightthere!
  Downitdips,gonelikearocket。
  What,youwant,doyou,tocomeunawares,Sweepingthechurchupforfirstmorning-prayers,AndfindapoordevilhasendedhiscaresAtthefootofyourrotten-rungedrat-riddledstairs?
  DoIcarrythemooninmypocket?
  1Afugueisashortmelody。
  2Keyboardoforgan。
  3Anoteinmusic。
  4ThedaughtersofDanaus,condemnedtopourwaterintoasieve。
  5TheSpanishcasuist,soseverelymauledbyPascal。
  6Aquickreturninfencing。
  7Acloselywovenfabric。
  8_GiovanniP。daPalestrina_,celebratedmusician(1524-1594)。