Theresupsto—nightonearthNomaddercrewofwastrelsthanThisfellowshipofmirth……
　　（Ofmirth……drink，fools！——norletitflagLestfromtheoutermistCreepinthatothercompanyUnbiddentothetryst。
　　We’regrownsofondofparadoxPerversenessholdsusthrall，SowhateachjesterlovesthebestHemocksthemostofall;
　　Butasthejestandlaughgoround，Eachinhisneighbor’seyesReads，whilehefloutshisheart’sdesire，Theknowledgethathelies。
　　NotoneofusbuthadsomepearlsAndflungthemtotheswine，Notoneofusbuthadsomegift——
　　Somesparkoffiredivine——
　　EachmighthavebeenGod’sministerInthetempleofsomeart——
　　EachfeelshisgiftpervertedmoveWormlikethroughhisdryheart。
　　IfGodcalledAzraeltoHimnowAndbadeDeathbendthebowAgainstthesaddestheartthatbeatsHereonthisearthbelow，NotanysobbingbreastwouldgainTheguerdonofthatbarb——
　　ThesaddestonesarethosethatwearThejester’smotleygarb。
　　Whoseshoutayeloudestrings，andwhoseThemaddestcranksandquips——
　　Whomintshissoultolaughter’scoinAndwastesitwithhislips——
　　HasgrowntoosadforsighsandseeksTocheathimselfwithmirth;
　　Wefoolsself—doomedtomotleyareTheweariestwightsonearth！
　　Butyet，foruswhosebrainsandheartsStroveayeinpathsperverse，DoomedstilltoknowthebetterthingsAndstilltodotheworse，——
　　WhatelseisthereremainsforusButmakeajestofcareAndsettheraftersringing，inOurTavernofDespair？
　　COLORSANDSURFACES
　　AGOLDENLAD
　　（D。V。M。）
　　"GoldenladsandlassesmustLikechimney—sweeperscometodust。"
　　——SHAKESPEARE。
　　Soyoung，butalreadythesplendorOfgeniusrobedhimabout——
　　Alreadythedangerous，tenderRegardofthegodsmarkedhimout——
　　（OnwhomtheburdenanddutyTheybind，athisearliestbreath，Ofshowingtheirowngravebeauty，Theyloveandtheycrownwithdeath。）
　　Wewereofoneblood，buttheoldenRaptpoetsspakeoutinhistone;
　　Wewereofoneblood，butthegoldenRathepromisewashis，hisalone。
　　AndeverhisgreateyeglistenedWithvisionsIcouldnotsee，EverhethrilledandlistenedTovoiceswithholdenfromme。
　　Younglordoftherealmsoffancy，ThebrightdreamsflockedtohiscallLikespritesthatthenecromancyOfaProsperoholdsinthrall——
　　Quickvisionsthatservedandattended，Elusiveandhoveringthings，WithaquiverofjoyinthesplendidWildsweepoftheirluminouswings;
　　Hedweltinanalienglamor，Hewroughtofitsgleamsacrown，——
　　Buttheworld，withitscrueltyandclamor，Brokehimandbeathimdown;
　　Sohepassed;hewasworn，hewasweary，Hewasslainatthetouchoflife;——
　　WithasmilethatwaswistfulandeerieHepassedfromthesenselessstrife;——
　　Soheceased（istheirhumorsatiric，Thesegodsthatmakeperfectandblight？）——
　　HeceasedlikeanexquisitelyricThatdiesonthebreastofnight。
　　THESAGEANDTHEWOMAN
　　’TWIXTancientBeershebaandDanAnothersuchacaravanDazedPalestinehadneverseenAsthatwhichboreSabea’squeenUpfromthefainandflamingSouthToslakeheryearningspirit’sdrouthAtwisdom’spools，withSolomon。
　　Withgiftsofscentedsandalwood，Andlabdanum，andcassia—bud，WithspicyspoilsofArabyAndcamel—loadsofivoryAndheavyclothsthatglancedandshoneWithinwroughtpearlandberyl—stoneShecame，aboldSabeangirl。
　　Anddidshefindhimgrave，orgay？
　　PerchancehispalacebreathedthatdayWithpsalterssoundingsolemnly——
　　Orcymbals’merrierminstrelsy——
　　PerchancetheweariedmonarchheardSomeloose—tonguedprophet’smeddlingword;——
　　Noneknows，noone——butSolomon！
　　Shelooked——witheynewhereinwereblentAllardorsoftheOrient;
　　Shespake——allmagicsoftheSouthWerecompassedinthewitch’smouth;——
　　HethoughtthescarletlipsofherMorepreciousthanEnGedi’smyrrh，ThelipsofthatSabeangirl;
　　Bymanyanamoroussuncaressed，FromliftedbrowtoamberbreastShegleamedinvividloveliness——
　　Andlitheasanyleopardess——
　　Andverily，oneblamestheenotIfthineownproverbswereforgot，OSolomon，wiseSolomon！
　　Shedancedforhim，andsurelysheLearntdancingfromsomemoonlitseaWhereelfinvaporsswirledandswayedWhilethewildpipesofwitchcraftplayedSuchclutchingmusic’twouldimpelAprophet’sselftodancetohell——
　　SospunthelightSabeangirl。
　　HesworeherlaughterhadtheliltOfchimingwatersthatarespiltInspraysofspurtedmelodyFromfountsofcarvenporphyry，AndinthebillowyturbulenceOfherduskhairdrownedsoulandsense——
　　Darktidesanddeep，OSolomon！
　　PerchanceuntoherdaybelongsHispoemcalledtheSongofSongs，EachlittlelyricintervalTimedtoherpulse’sriseandfall;——
　　OrwhenhecriedoutwearilyThatallthingsendinvanityDidhemeanthatSabeangirl？
　　Thebrightbarbaricopulence，Thesun—kistTemple，Kedar’stents，——
　　Howmanyacarelesscaravan’TwixtBeershebaandruinedDan，Withinthesefortycenturies，Hasflungtheirdusttomanyabreeze，WithdustthatwasKingSolomon！
　　Butstillthelessonholdsastrue，OKing，aswhenshelessonedyou:
　　ThatverywisemenarenotwiseUntiltheyreadinFolly’seyesThewisdomthatescapestheschools，ThatbidsthesagerevisehisrulesBylightofsomeSabeangirl！
　　NEWSFROMBABYLON
　　"Archaeologistshavediscoveredalove—letteramongtheruinsofBabylon。"——Newspaperreport。
　　Theworldhathjustonetaletotell，anditisveryold，Alittletale——asimpletale——atalethat’seasytold:
　　"TherewasayouthinBabylonwhogreatlylovedamaid！"
　　Theworldhathjustonesongtosing，butsingsitunafraid，Alittlesong——afoolishsong——theonlysongithath:
　　"TherewasayouthinAscalonwholovedagirlinGath！"
　　Homerclangedit，Omartwangedit，GreeceandPersiaknew！——
　　Nimrod’sreivers，Hiram’sweavers，Hindu，Kurd，andJew——
　　CrowningTyre，Troyafire，theyhavedreamedthedream;
　　Tiber—sideandNilus—tidebrightenedwiththegleam——
　　Oh，thesuing，sighing，wooing，sadandmerryhours，Blissestasted，kisseswasted，buildingBabel’stowers！
　　Heartswereaching，heartswerebreaking，lasheswetwithdew，WhentheshipstouchedthelipsofislandsSapphoknew;
　　Yearningbreastsandburningbreasts，coldatlast，arehidAmidthegloomsofcarventombsinKhufu’spyramid——
　　Thoughthesages，downtheages，smiletheircynicdoubt，Manandmaid，unafraid，puttheschoolstorout;
　　Seektochainloveandretainloveinthebondsofbreath，Vowtoholdlove，bindandfoldloveevenuntodeath！
　　ThedustoffortycenturieshasburiedBabylon，Andoutofallherloversdeadrisesonlyone;
　　Riseswithasongtosingandlaughterinhiseyes，Theoldsong——theonlysong——foralltherestarelies！
　　For，oh，theworldhasjustonedream，anditisveryold——
　　’Tisyouth’sdream——asillydream——butitisflushedwithgold！
　　ARHYMEOFTHEROADS
　　PEARL—SLASHEDandpurpleandcrimsonandfringedwithgraymistofthehills，Thepennonsofmorningadvancetothemusicofrock—frettedrills，Thedumbforestquickenstosong，andthelittlegustsshoutastheyflingAfloor—clothoforchardbloomdownfortheflash—
　　ing，quickfeetoftheSpring。
　　Totheroad，gipsy—heart，thouandI！’Tisthemadpiper，Spring，whoisleading;
　　’Tisthepulseofhispipingthatthrobsthroughthebrain，irresistiblypleading;
　　Full—blossomed，deep—bosomed，fainwoman，light—
　　footed，lute—throatedandfleet，WehavedrunkofthewineofthisWanderer’ssong;
　　letusfollowhisfeet！
　　LikeraveledredgirdlesflungdownbysomehoidenishgoddessinmirthThetangledroadsreachfromrimuntoutter—
　　mostrimoftheearth——
　　Wewillweaveofthesestrandsastrongnet，wewillsnarethebrightwingsofdelight，——
　　Wewillmakeofthesestringsasweetlutethatwillshamethelowwind—harpsofnight。
　　Theclamoroftonguesandtheclangoroftradesinthepeevishpackedstreet，Thearrogant，janglingNothings，withiterant，dis—
　　sonantbeat，Theclattering，senselessendeavorwithdrossofmeregoldforitsgoal，Thesehavesickenedthesensesandweariedthebrainandstraitenedthesoul。
　　"Comeforthandbecleansedofthefollyofstrifeforthingsworthlessofstrife，ComeforthandgainlifeandgraspGodbyfore—
　　goinggainsworthlessoflife"——
　　Itwasthusspakethewizardwildwood，low—
　　voicedtothehearkeningheart，Itwasthussangthejovialhills，andtheharpersunborepart。
　　Owoman，whosebloodasmybloodwiththefireoftheSpringisaflame，Wedidwell，whentheredroadscalled，thatweheededthecallandcame——
　　Cameforthtothesweetwisesilencewheresoulmayspeaksoothuntosoul，Vine—wreathedandvagabondLove，withthegoalofNowhereforourgoal！
　　Whatplanet—crownedDuskthatwandersthesteepsofourfirmamentthereHathgemsthatmaymatchwiththedew—opalsmeshedinthineopulenthair？
　　Whatwind—witchthatskimsthecurledbillowswithfeettheyarefaintocaressHathsandalssowing’dasthineartwithagod—
　　likecarelessness？
　　Anddarewenotdreamthisisheaven？——towan—
　　derthuson，everon。
　　Throughthehush—heavyvalleysofspace，uptheflushingredslopesofthedawn？——
　　Fornonethatseeksrestshallfindresttillheceasethhisstrivingforrest，Andthegainofthequestisthejoyoftheroadthatallurestothequest。
　　THELANDOFYESTERDAY
　　ANDIwouldseekthecountrytownAmidgreenmeadowsnestleddownIfIcouldonlyfindthewayBacktotheLandofYesterday！
　　HowIwouldthrustthemilesaside，Rushupthequietlane，andthen，Justwhereherroseslaughedinpride，Findheramongtheflowersagain。
　　I’dslipinsilentlyandwaitUntilshesawmebythegate，Andthen……readthroughabluroftearsQuickpardonfortheselfishyears。
　　Thistime，thistime，IwouldnotwaitForthatbriefwirethatsaid，Toolate！——
　　IfIcouldonlyfindthewayIntotheLandofYesterday。
　　IwonderifherrosesyetLiftuptheirheadsandlaughwithpride，AndifherphloxandmignonetteHavehearttoblossombytheirside;
　　IwonderifthedearoldlaneStillchirpswithrobinsafterrain，AndifthebirdsandbandedbeesStillrobherearlycherry—trees……
　　Iwonder，ifIwenttherenow，Howeverythingwouldseem，andhow——
　　Butno！notnow;thereisnowayBacktotheLandofYesterday。
　　OCTOBER
　　CEASEtocallhimsadandsober，Merriestofmonths，October！
　　Patronoftheburstingbins，Revelerinwaysideinns，IcannowherefindatraceOfthepensiveinhisface;
　　Thereismingledwitandfolly，ButthemadcaplacksthegraceOfathoughtfulmelancholy。
　　Spendthriftoftheseasons’gold，HowheflingsandscattersoutTreasurefilchedfromsummer—time！——
　　NeverrufflingsquireofoldBetterlovedatavernboutWhenPrinceHalwasinhisprime。
　　Doubletslashedwithgoldandgreen;
　　Cloakofcrimson;changefulsheen，Ofthedewsthatgemhisbreast;
　　Frostylaceabouthisthroat;
　　ScarletplumesthatflauntandfloatBackwardinagayunrest——
　　Where’sanothergallantdrestWithsuchtricksygaiety，Suchunlessonedvanity？
　　WithhisamberafternoonsAndhispendantpoets’moons——
　　WithhistwilightsdashedwithroseFromthered—lippedafterglows——
　　WithhisvocalairsatdawnBreathinghintsofHelicon——
　　BacchanalianbeesthatsipWherehiscider—pressesdrip——
　　WiththewindingofthehornWherehishuntsmenmeetthemorn——
　　WithhiseverypipingbreezeShakingfromfamiliartreesApplesofHesperides——
　　Withthechuckle，chirp，andtrillOfhisjollybrooksthatspillMirthintangledmadrigalsDownpebble—dappledwaterfalls——
　　（BrooksthatlaughandmakeescapeThroughwildarborswherethegrapePurpleswithapromiseofRacyvintagerareaslove）——
　　Withhismerry，wantonair，MirthandvanityandfollyWhyshouldhebemadetobearBurdenofsomemelancholySongthatswoonsandsinkswithcare？
　　Ceasetocallhimsadorsober，——
　　He’sajollydog，October！
　　CHANTOFTHECHANGINGHOURS
　　THEHourspassedby，afleet，confusedcrowd;
　　Withwaftureofblowngarmentsbrightasfire，Light，lightoffootandlaughing，morning—browed，AndwheretheytrodthejonquilandthebriarThrilledintojocundlife，thedreamingdellsWakedtoamorricechimeofjostledbells;——
　　Theydanced！theydanced！topipingsuchasflingsThegarneredmusicofamillionSpringsIntoonesingle，keenerecstasy;——
　　Onepausedandshoutedtomyquestionings:
　　"Lo，IamYouth;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　TheHourspassedby;theypaced，greatlordsandproud，Crownedonwithsunlight，robedinrichattire;
　　Beforetheirconqueringwordthebrutedeedbowed，AndArielfanciesservedtheirlargedesire;
　　Theyspake，androusedthemusedsoulthatdwellsIndust，or，smiling，shapednewheavensandhells，Dethronedoldgodsandmadeblindbeggarskings:
　　"Andwhatartthou，"Icriedtoone，"thatbringsHismistress，forabrooch，theGalaxy？"——
　　"IamtheplumedThoughtthatsoarsandsings:
　　Lo，IamSong;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　TheHourspassedby，withveiledeyesendowedOfdream，andpartedlipsthatscarcesuspire，Tobreathingduskandarrowymoonlightvowed，Southwindandshadowygroveandmurmuringlyre;——
　　Swayingtheymoved，asdrows’dofwizardspellsOrtranc’dwithsightofrecentmiracles，Andyettheytrembled，downtheirfoldedwingsQuiveredthehintofsweetwithholdenthings，Ah，bitter—sweetintheirintensity！
　　Onepausedandsaiduntomywonderings:
　　"Lo，IamLove;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　TheHourspassedby，throughhuddledcitiesloudWithwitlesshateandstalewithstinkingmire:
　　SocowledmonksmightmarchwithbierandshroudDownstreetsplague—spottedtowardsomecleans—
　　ingpyre;——
　　Yet，lo！strangeliliesbloomedinlightlesscells，AndpassionatespiritsbursttheirclayeyshellsAndsangthestrickenhopethatbleedsandclings:
　　Earth’sbruisedheartbeatinthethrobbingstrings，Andjoystillstruggledthroughthethrenody！
　　OnesternHoursaiduntomymarvelings:
　　"Lo，IamLife;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　TheHourspassedby，thestumblinghoursandcowed，Uncertain，pronetotearsandchildishire，——
　　ThewaveringhoursthatdriftlikeanycloudAtwhimofwindsorfortunateordire，——
　　Thefeebleshapesthatanychanceexpells;
　　Theirwisdomuseless，lackingthebloodthatswellsThetensedvein:thehot，swifttidethatstingsWithlife。Ah，wise！butnakedtotheslingsOffate，andplaguedofyouthfulmemory！
　　Acrackedvoicebrokeuponmypityings:
　　"Lo，IamAge;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　Ah，Youth！wedalliedbythebabblingwellsWhereAprilallherlyricsecrettells;——
　　Ah，Song！wespedourboldimaginingsAsfarasyonredplanet’striplerings;——
　　OLife！OLove！Ifollowed，followedthee！
　　Therewaitsonewordtoendmyjourneyings:
　　"Lo，IamDeath;Ibidtheefollowme！"
　　DREAMSANDDUST
　　SELVES
　　MydustinruinedBabylonIsblownalongthelevelplain，AndsongsofmineatdawnhavesoaredAbovetheblueSicilianmain。
　　Weareourselves，andnotourselves……
　　ForeverthwartingprideandwillSomeforebear’spassionleapsfromdeathToclaimavitallicensestill。
　　Ancestralluststhatslewanddied，Resurgent，swelleachlivingvein;
　　Olddoubtsandfaiths，newpanoplied，Disputethemasteryofthebrain。
　　TheloveoflibertythatflamesFromwrittenruneandstrickenreedShookthehotheartsofswordsmensiresAtMarathonandRunnymede。
　　Whatarethesethingswecallour"selves"？……
　　HaveInotshouted，sobbed，anddiedInthebrightsurfofspearsthatbrokeWhereGreecerolledbackthePersiantide？
　　ArewewhobreathemorequickthantheyWhosebonesaredustwithinthetomb？
　　Nay，asIwrite，whatgrayoldghostsMurmurandmockmefromthegloom……
　　Theycall……acrossstrangeseastheycall，Strangeseas，andhauntedcoastsoftime……
　　TheystartlemewithwordlesssongsTowhichtheSphinxhathknowntherhyme。
　　Ourheartsswellbigwithdeadmen’shates，Oureyesstinghotwithdeadmen’stears;
　　Weareourselves，butnotourselves，Bornheirs，butserfs，toalltheyears！
　　IrodewithNimrod……stroveatTroy……
　　AslaveIstoodinCrowningTyre，AqueenlookedonmeandIlovedAnddiedtocompassmydesire。
　　THEWAGES
　　EARTHlovestogibbero’erherdross，Hergoldensouls，towaste;
　　Thecupshefillsforhergod—menIsabittercuptotaste。
　　WhoseesthegyvesthatbindmankindAndstrivestostrikethemoffShallgainthehissinghateoffools，Thorns，andtheingrate’sscoff。
　　Whostormsthemoss—grownwallsofeldAndbeatssomefalsehooddownShallpassthepallidgatesofdeathSanslaurel，loveorcrown;
　　ForhimwhofainwouldteachtheworldTheworldholdshateinfee——
　　ForSocrates，thehemlockcup;
　　ForChrist，Gethsemane。
　　INMARS，WHATAVATAR？
　　"InVishnu—land，whatavatar？"
　　——BROWNING。
　　PERCHANCEthedyinggodsofEarthAredestinedtoanotherbirth，Andworn—outcreedsregaintheirworthInthekindlyairofotherstars——
　　WhatlordsoflifeandlightholdswayInthemyriadworldsoftheMilkyWay？
　　WhatavatarsinMars？
　　WhatAphroditesfromtheseasThatlaptheplungingPleiadesArisetospreadafarThedreamthatwasthesoulofGreece？
　　InMars，whatavatar？
　　WhichhundredmoonsarewanwithloveFordullEndymions？
　　WhichhundredmoonshangtrancedaboveAudaciousAjalons？
　　WhatHolyGraillureserrantspaleThroughthewastesofyonderstar？
　　WhatfablesswaytheMilkyWay？
　　InMars，whatavatar？
　　WhenmorningskimswithcrimsonwingsAcrossthemeresofMercury，WhatdreamingMemnonwakesandsingsOfmiraclesonMercury？
　　WhatChrists，whatavatars，ClaimMars？
　　THEGOD—MAKER，MAN
　　NEVERMORE
　　ShalltheshepherdsofArcadyfollowPan’smoodsashelollsbytheshoreOfthemere，orlieshidinthehollow;
　　NevermoreShalltheystartatthesoundofhisreed—fashionedflute;
　　FallenmuteArethestringsofApollo，Hislyreandhislute;
　　AndthelipsoftheMemnonsaremuteEvermore;
　　AndthegodsoftheNorth，——aretheydeadorforgetful，OurOdinandBaldurandThor？
　　Aretheydrunk，orgrownwearyofworshipandfretful，OurOdinandBaldurandThor？
　　AndintowhatnighthavetheOrientdietiesstrayed？
　　SwartgodsoftheNile，indusksplendorsarrayed，BroodingIsisandsomberOsiris，Youweregoneerethefragilepapyrus，（Thatbraggedyoueternal！）decayed。
　　TheavatarsButilluminetheirlimitedevensAndvanishlikeplungingstars;
　　TheyarefixedinthewhirlingheavensNofirmerthanfallingstars;
　　Brieflordsofthechangingsoul，theypassLikeabreathfromthefaceofaglass，Orablossomofsummerblownshallop—likeoverThecloverAndtossedtidesofgrass。
　　SinktosilencethepsalmsandthepaeansTheshibbolethsshift，andthefaiths，AndthetemplesthatchallengedtheaeonsAretenantedonlybywraiths;
　　Swoontosilencethecymbalsandpsalters，Theworshipsgrowsenselessandstrange，Andthemockersask，"Wherebethyaltars？"
　　Crying，"Nothingischangeless——butChange！"
　　Yes，nothingseemschangeless，butChange。
　　Andyet，throughthecreed—wreckingyears，Onestoryforeverappears;
　　ThetaleofaCitySupernal——
　　ThewhisperofSomethingeternal——
　　Apassion，ahope，andavisionThatpeoplesthesilencewithPowers;
　　AfableofmeadowsElysianWhereTimeentersnotwithhisHours;——
　　Manifoldarethetale’svariations，Raceandclimeevertintingthedreams，Yetitsessence，throughendlessmutations，Immutablegleams。
　　Deathless，thoughgodheadsbedying，Survivingthecreedsthatexpire，Illogical，reason—defying，Livesthatpassionate，primaldesire;
　　Insistent，persistent，foreverMancriestothesilences，Never
　　ShallDeathreignthelordofthesoul，Shallthedustbetheultimategoal——
　　IwillstormtheblackbastionsofNight！
　　Iwilltreadwheremyvisionhastrod，Iwillsetinthedarknessalight，Inthevastness，agod！"
　　AstheforeheadofMangrowsbroader，sodohiscreeds;
　　Andhisgodstheyareshapedinhisimage，andmirrorhisneeds;
　　Andheclothesthemwiththundersandbeauty，heclothesthemwithmusicandfire;
　　Seeingnot，ashebowsbytheiraltars，thatheworshipshisowndesire;
　　Andmixedwithhistrustthereisterror，andmixedwithhismadnessisruth，Andeverymangrovelsinerror，yeteverymanglimpsesatruth。
　　Forallofthecreedsarefalse，andallofthecreedsaretrue;
　　Andlowattheshrineswheremybrothersbow，therewillIbow，too;
　　Fornoformofagod，andnofashionManhasmadeinhisdesperatepassionButisworthysomeworshipofmine;——
　　Nottoohotwithagrossbelief，Noryettoocoldwithpride，Iwillbowmedownwheremybrothersbow，Humble——butopen—eyed！
　　UNREST
　　AFIERCEunrestseethesatthecoreOfallexistingthings:
　　ItwastheeagerwishtosoarThatgavethegodstheirwings。
　　Fromwhatflatwastesofcosmicslime，Andstungbywhatquickfire，Sunwardtherestlessracesclimb！——
　　Menrisenoutofmire！
　　TherethrobsthroughalltheworldsthatareThisheart—beathotandstrong，Andshakensystems，starbystar，Awakeandglowinsong。
　　ButfortheurgeofthisunrestThesejoyousspheresweremute;
　　ButfortherebelinhisbreastHadmanremainedabrute。