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第5章

  Andthenthebirdsthatusethevale,Broken—hearted,turnedthetaleIntosyllablesofsongAndchirpedithalfasummerlong:
  "Silvia,Silvia,BeourSongoncemore,Ourvalerevisit,Silvia,AndbeourSongoncemore:
  Forjoyliessleepinginthelute;
  Themerrypipe,thewoodlandflute,AndallthepleadingreedsaremuteThatbreathedtotheeofyore。
  "Silvia,Silvia,BeourMoonagain,
  Shineonourvalley,Silvia,AndbeourMoonagain:
  ThefluffyowlandnightingaleFlitsilentthroughthedarklingvale,OrutteronlywordsofwailFromthroatsallharshwithpain。
  "Silvia,Silvia,BeSpringtime,asofold;
  Comecladinlaughter,Silvia,OurSpringtime,asofold:
  ThewaitinglowlandsandthehillsAretremulouswithdaffodilsUnblown,untilthyfootstepthrillsTheirpromiseintogold。"
  And,musingonherhere,ItooMustwonderifitcanbetrueShedied,asothermortalsdo。
  Thethoughtwouldfithermore,tofeignThat,fulloflifeandunawareThatearthholdsaughtofgrieforstain,ThefairiesstoleandholdherwhereDeathentersnot,norstrifenorpain;——
  That,drowsingonsomebedofpansies,ByTitania’snecromanciesHersensesweretoslumberlulled,Deeplysunken,steepedanddulled,AndbywaftureofswiftpinionsShewasborneoutthroughearth’sportalsTothefairyqueen’sdominions,Tosomelandoftheimmortals。
  THEEXPLORERS
  ANDsomestillcry:"Whatistheuse?
  Theservicerendered?Whatthegain?
  Heroic,yes!——butinwhatcause?
  Havetheymadelessoneearth—bornepain?
  Broadenedtheboundedspirit’sscope?
  Ordiedtomakethedullworldhope?"
  MustmanstillbetheslaveofUse?——
  Butthesemen,carelessandelate,JoinbattlewithaburlyworldOrcometowrestlinggripswithfate,AndnotforanygoodnorgainNoranyfamethatmaybefall——
  But,thrillingintheclutchoflife,Heedtheloudchallengeandthecall;——
  Andgrowntosymbolsatthelast,StandinheroicsilhouetteAgainsthorizonsultimate,Astowersthatfrontlostseasareset;——
  Therecklessgesture,thestrongpose,Sharpbattle—cryflungbacktoEarth,Andbuoyanthumor,asagodMightsay:"Lo,heremyfeethavetrod!"——
  Thereliesthemeaningandtheworth!
  Theybringnogoldentreasurehome,Theywinnoacresfortheirclan,NordreamnordeedoftheirsshallmendTheillsofman’sbedeviledspan——
  Noraretheyskilledinsleightsofspeech,(Norovereager)tomakeplainTheusetheyserve,transcendinguse,——
  Thegainbeyondapparentgain!
  EARLYAUTUMN
  WITHhalf—heartedleviesoffrostthatmakeforay,retire,andrefrain——
  Ambiguousbuglesthatblowandthatfaltertosilenceagain——
  Withbannersofmistthatstillwaverabovethem,advanceandretreat,ThehostsoftheAutumnstillhideinthehills,foradoubtstaystheirfeet;——
  Butanon,withabarbaricsplendortodazzletheeyesthatbehold,Andregalinraimentofpurpleandumberandamberandgold,Andgirtwiththeglamorofconquestandscarvedwithredsymbolsofpride,Fromthehillsintheirmightandtheirmirthonthesteedsofthewindwilltheyride,TomakesportandmakespoiloftheSummer,whodwellsinadreamontheplain,Stilltentedinopulenteaseinthecampsofherindolenttrain。
  "TIMESTEALSFROMLOVE"
  TIMEstealsfromLoveallbutLove’swings;
  Andhowshouldaughtbutevilthings,Oranygoodbutdeath,befallHimthatisthralluntoTime’sthrall,SlavetothelesseroftheseKings?
  Oheartofyouththatwakesandsings!
  Ogoldenvowsandgoldenrings!
  LifemocksyouwiththetaleofallTimestealsfromLove!
  Orivenluteandwrithenstrings,Deadboughwheretonoblossomclings,Theglorywasephemeral!
  NormayourAutumngriefrecallThepassionoftheperishedSpringsTimestealsfromLove!
  THERONDEAU
  YOURrondeau’stalemuststillbelight——
  Nobugle—calltolife’ssternfight!
  RatherasmilinginterludeMemorialtosometransientmoodOfidleloveandgala—night。
  ItsmanneristhemerestsleightO’hand;yetthereindwellsitsmight,ForiftheheaviertouchintrudeYourrondeau’sstale。
  Fragrantandfragile,fleetandbright,Andwing’dwithwhim,itgleamsinflightLikeAprilblossomswind—pursuedDownaislesoftangledunderwood;——
  NorbetooseriouswhenyouwriteYourrondeau’stail!
  VISITORS
  THEYhauntme,theyteasemewithhintedWithheldrevelations,ThesongsthatImaynotutter;
  Theyleadme,theyflatter,theywoome。
  Ifollow,Ifollow,IsnatchAttheveilsoftheirsecretsinvain——
  Forlo!theyhaveleftmeandvanished,ThesongsthatIcannotsing。
  TherearevisionselusivethatcomeWithaquiverandshimmerofwings;——
  Shapesshadowsandshapes,andthemurmurOfvoices;——
  Shapes,thatoutofthetwilightLeap,andwithgestureappealingSeemtodeliveramessage,Andaregone’twixtabreathandabreath;——
  ShapesthatraceinwiththewavesMovingsilverlyunderthemoon,AndaregoneeretheybreakintofoamontherocksAndrecede;——
  BreathingsoflovefrominvisibleFlutes,BlownsomewhereoutinthetenderDusk,ThatdieonthebosomofSilence;——
  Formless,Andfleeterthanthought,Vaguerthanthoughtoremotion,Whatarethesevisitors?
  OutofthevastandunchartedRealmsthatencirclethevisibleworld,Withaglimmeroflightontheirpinions,Theyrush……
  Theywaver,theyvanish,Leavingmestirredwithadreamoftheultimatebeauty,Asenseoftheultimatemusic,Inevershallcapture;——
  TheyareBeauty,FormlessandtremulousBeauty,Beautyunborn;
  BeautyasyetunappareledInthought;
  Beautythathesitates,Falters,Withdrawsfromthevergeofbirth,Flutters,Retreatsfromtheportalsoflife;——
  OBeautyforeveruncaptured!
  OsongsthatInevershallsing!
  THEPARTING
  WEhavecome"theprimroseway,"
  Folly,thouandI!
  SuchaglamorandagraceEverglimmeredonthyface,EversuchawitcheryLitthelaughingeyesofthee,CouldafoollikemewithstandFolly’sfeastandbeckoninghand?
  Drinking,howthylips’caressSpicedthecupofwaywardness!
  Sowecame"theprimroseway,"
  Folly,thouandI!
  Butnow,Folly,wemustpart,Folly,thouandI!
  ShallonelookwithmirthortearsBackonallhiswastedyears,Purposesdissolvedinwine,Pearlsflungtotheheedlessswine?——
  Idledaysandnightsofmirth,Weretheypleasuresnothingworth?
  Well,there’snogainsayingweSquanderedyouthrightmerrily!
  Butnow,Folly,wemustpart,Folly,thouandI!
  ANOPENFIRE
  THESElogswithdramaandwithdreamarerife,ForalltheirgoldenSummersandgreenSpringsThroughleafandroottheysuckedtheforest’slife,Drankinitssecret,deep,essentialthings,Itsmidwoodmoods,itsmysticrunes,Itsbreathinghushesstirredoffaerywings,ItsAugustnightsandAprilnoons;
  ThegarneredfervorsofforgottenJunesFlareforthagainandwasteaway;
  AndinthesapthatleapsandsingsWehearagainthechantthecricketflingsAcrossthehawthorn—scenteddusksofMay。
  REALITIES
  REALITIES
  WEaredeceivedbytheshadow,weseenotthesubstanceofthings。
  Forthehillsarelesssolidthanthought;anddeedsarebutvapors;andfleshIsamistthrownoffandresumedbythesoul,asaworldbyagod。
  Backofthetransientappearancedwellsininef—
  fablecalmTheutterreality,ultimatetruth;thisseemsandthatis。
  THESTRUGGLE
  IHAVEbeendowninadarkvalley;
  Ihavebeengropingthroughadeepgorge;
  Farabove,thelipsofitwererimmedwithmoon—
  light,AndhereandtherethelightlayonthedrippingrocksSothatitseemedtheydrippedwithmoonlight,notwithwater;
  Sodeepitwas,thatnarrowgashamongthehills,ThatthosegreatpineswhichfringeditsedgeSeemedtomenolargerthanupthrustfingersSilhouettedagainstthesky;
  Andatitstopthevalewasstrait,AndtherayswereslantAndreachedbutpartwaydownthesides;
  Icouldnotseethemoonitself;
  Iwalkedthroughdarkness,andthevalley’sedgeSeemedalmostlevelwiththestars,Thestarsthatwerelikefirefliesinthelittletrees。
  Itwasthemidnightofdefeat;
  IfeltthatIhadfailed;
  Iwasmockedofthegods;
  Therewasnowayoutofthatgorge;
  ThepathslednowhitherAndIcouldnotremembertheirbeginnings;
  Iwasdoomedtowanderevermore,Thirsty,withthesoundofmockingwatersinmineears,Groping,withgleamsofuselesslightSplashedinironicbeautyontherocksabove。
  AndsoIwhined。
  Andthendespairflashedintorage;
  Ileapterect,andcried:
  "CouldIbutgraspmylifeassculptorsgrasptheclayAndkneadandthrustitintoshapeagain!——
  IfallthescornofHeavenwerebutthrownIntothefocusofsomecreatureIcouldclutch!——
  IfsomethingtangiblewerebutvouchsafedmeBythecold,fargods!——
  IftheybutsentaReasonforthefailureofmylifeI’danswerit;
  IftheybutsentaFiend,I’dconquerit!——
  ButIreachout,andgrasptheair,Irage,andthebruterockechoesmywordsinmockery——
  Howcanonefighttheslidingmoonlightonthecliffs?
  Yougods,cowardgods,Comedown,Ichallengeyou!——
  Youwhosetsnareswithrosesandwithpassion,Youwhomakefleshbeautifulanddamnmenthroughtheflesh,Youwhoplumpthepurplegrapeandthenputpoisoninthecup,YouwhoputserpentsinyourEdens,Youwhogavemedelightofmysensesandbrokemeforit,Youwhohavemingleddeathwithbeauty,Youwhohaveputintomybloodtheimpulsesforwhichyoucursedme,Youwhopermittedmybrainthedoubtswhereforeyoudamnme,Behold,Idoubtyou,gods,nolonger,butdefy!——
  Iperishhere?
  ThenIwillbeslainofagod!
  Youwhohavewrappedmeinthescornofyoursilence,Thedivinityinthissamedustyouflout
  i>Flamesthroughthedust,Anddares,Andflingsyoubackyourscorn,——
  Come,facetoface,andslaymeifyouwill,Butnotuntilyou’vefelttheweightOfallbetrickedhumanity’scontemptInoneboldblow!——
  SpeakforthaReason,andIwillanswerit,Yes,toyourfacesIwillanswerit;
  ComegarmentedinfleshandIwillfightwithyou,Yes,inyourfaceswillIsmiteyou,gods;
  CowardgodsandtrickstersthatsettrapsInparadise!——
  FargodsthathedgeyourselvesaboutwithsilenceAndwithdistance;
  ThatmockmenfromtheunscalableescarpmentsofyourHeavens。"
  ThusIraved,beingmad。
  IhadnosoonerfinishedspeakingthanIfeltThedarknessflutteredbyapproachingfeet,Andthesilencewasburnedthroughbytremblingflamesofsound,AndIwas’warethatSomethingstoodbyme。
  AndwithashoutIleaptandgraspedthatBeing,AndtheThinggraspedme。
  Wecametowrestlinggrips,Andbackandforthweswayed,Handseekingthroat,andcrook’dkneeseekingToencrookunwaryleg,Andspreadtoesgraspingtheunevenground;
  Thestrainedbreastmusclescrackedandcreaked,Thesweatraninmyeyes,Theplaguedbreathsobbedandwhistledthroughmythroat,Itastedblood,andstrangled,butstillstruggledon——
  Thestarsabovemedancedinswarmslikeyellowbees,Theshakenmoonlightwrithedupontherocks;——
  ButatthelastIfelthisbreathingweakergrow,Thetenselimbsgrowlesstense,AndwithaburstingcryIbenthisheadrightback,Back,back,untilIheardhisneckbonessnap;
  Hisspinecrunchedinmygrip;
  IflunghimtotheearthandkneltuponhisbreastAndlistenedtilltheflutteringpulsewasstilled。
  Man,god,ordevil,Ihadwrenchedthelifefromhim!
  Andlo!——evenashediedThemoonlightfailedabovethevale,——
  Andsomehow,sure,Iknownowhow!——
  BetweentheriftedrocksthegreatSunstruckAfingerdownthecliff,andthatredbeamLaysharpacrossthefaceofhimthatIhadslain;
  AndinthatlightIreadtheanswerofthesilentgodsUntomycursed—outprayer,Forhethatlayuponthegroundwas——I!
  Iunderstoodthelessonthen;
  Itwasmyselfthatlaytheredead;
  Yes,IhadslainmySelf。
  THEREBEL
  NodoubttheorderedworldsspeedonWithpurposeintheirwings;
  NodoubttheorderedsongsaresweetEachworthyangelsings;
  AnddoubtlessitiswisetoheedTheorderedwordsofKings;
  ButhowtheheartleapsuptogreetTheheadlong,rebelflight,WhenassomerecklessmeteorBlazesacrossthenight!
  Somecomet——Byron——Lucifer——
  HasdaredtoBe,andfight!
  NodoubtbutitissafetodwellWhereordereddutiesare;
  NodoubtthecherubsearntheirwageWhowindeachtickingstar;
  Nodoubtthesystemisquiteright!——
  Sane,ordered,regular;
  ButhowtherebelfiresthesoulWhodaresthestronggods’ire!
  EachByron!——Shelley!——Lucifer!——
  AndalltheoutcastchoirThatchantwhensomePrometheusLeapsuptostealJove’sfire!
  THECHILDANDTHEMILL
  BETTERapauper,penniless,asleeponthekindlysod——
  Betteragipsy,houseless,butneartotheheartofGod,Thatbeatsforearsnotdulledbytheclankingwheelsofcare——
  Betterstarvationandfreedom,hopeandthegoodfreshairThandeathtotheSomethinginhimthatwasborntolaughanddream,Thatwaskintotheidleliliesandtheripplesofthestream。
  Foroutofthedreamsofchildhood,thatcarelesscomeandgo,Theboygainsstrength,unknowing,thattheManwillproveandknow。
  Butthesefoolswiththeirliesandtheirdollars,theirmillsandtheirbloodyhands,Whomakeagodofawheel,whoworshiptheirwhirringbands,Theyareflingingthelifeofapeople,raw,tothebrutemachines。
  Dull—eyed,weary,andold——oldinhisearlyteens——
  Stuntedandstupidandtwisted,marredinthemillsofgrief,CanyourfactoriesfashionaManofthisthing——
  aManandaChief?
  Dumbistheheartofhimnow,atthetimewhenhisheartshouldsing——
  Wastersofbodyandbrain,whatracewillthefuturebring?
  Whatofthenation’snervewhenasswiftcrisescome?
  Whatofthebrawnthatshouldheavethegunsonthebeckofthedrum?
  Thievesofbodyandsoul,whocanneitherthinknorfeel,Swine—eyedpriestsoflittlefalsegodsofgoldandsteel,Bowtoyourobscenealtars,worshipyourloudmillsthen!
  FeedtoMolochandBaalthebrawnandbrainsofmen——
  ButsilentandwatchfulandhiddenforeveroverallThemastersbroodofthoseMillsthat"grindexceedingsmall。"
  AnditneedsnooccultartnormagictoforeshowThatapeoplewhosowdefeattheywillreapthethingtheysow。
  "SICTRANSITGLORIAMUNDI"
  CONQUERORSleonine,lordly,Princesandvauntingkings,Yearedrunkwiththesoundofyourbraggarttrumps——
  Butlo!yearelittlethings!
  Earth……itischarnelwithmonarchs!
  AndthepuffsofdustthatstartWhereyourwarsteedsstampwiththeirringinghoofsWereeachsomewarrior’sheart。
  Peoplesimperial,mighty,Masterful,challengingfate,Thetreadofyourcohortsshakesthehills——
  Butlo!yearenotgreat!
  Nationsthatswarmandmurmur,Yearemothsthatflutterandclimb——
  Yearewhirlinggnats,yeareswirlingbees,Tossedinthewindsoftime!
  Earththatisflushedwithglory,Amarvelousworldyeare!
  Butlo!inthemidstofamillionstarsYeareonlyonepalestar!
  Abreathstirsthedarkabysses……
  ThedeepsbelowthedeepAretroubledandvexed……andathousandworldsFalloneternalsleep!
  THECOMRADE
  I
  HATHnotmanathisnoblestAnairofsomethingmorethanman?——
  Ahintofgraceimmortal,BornofhisgreatlydaringtoassistthegodsInconqueringtheseshaggywastes,Thesedesertworlds,Andplantinglifeandorderinthesestars?——
  SoWomanatherbest:
  HereyesarebrightwithvisionsandwithdreamsThattriumphovertime;
  Herplumedthought,wingforwing,ismatewithhis。
  II
  Theworldrollsonfromdreamtodream,And’neaththevastimpersonalrevengesofitsgoing,CrushedfoolsthatcrieddefeatLiedeadamidthedusttheyprophesied——
  Yedoubtersofman’slargerdestiny,Yethatdespair,Lookbackwarddownthevistaedyears,Andallisbattle——andallvictory!
  Manfought,tobeaman!
  Throughpainfulcenturiestheslowbeastfought,Blindedandbaffled,foughttogainhissoul;——
  Wild,hairy,shag,andfearedofshadows,YetthecloudsMadehimstrangesignalsthathepuzzledo’er;——
  Beast,child,andape,Andyetthewindsharpedtohim,andtheseaRolledinuponhisconsciousnessItstidesofwonderandromance;——
  Uncouthandcakedwithmire,Andyetthestarssaidsomethingtohim,andthesunDeclareditselfagod;——
  ThelaggingcyclesturnedatlastThepicturesintothought,Thoughtfloweredinsoul;——
  But,oh,themyriadwearyyearsEreCalibanwasShakespeare’sselfAndDarwin’sapehadDarwin’sbrain!——
  Thebattling,battling,andthesteepascent,Thefighttoholdthelittlegained,Theloss,thedoubt,theshakenheart,Thestubborn,gropingslowrecovery!——
  Butlookingbackwardtowardthedimbeginnings,Youthatdespair,Hathhenotclimbedandconquered?
  Lookbackwardandall’sVictory!
  Whatcowardlooksforwardandforeseesdefeat?
  III
  Whoclimbedbesidehim,andwhofoughtAndsufferedandwasglad?
  Isshealesserthingthanhe,Whostainedtheslopeswithbloodyfeet,orstoodBesidehimonsomehard—woneminenceofhopeExultingasthebolddawnsweptAharperhandalongtheringinghills?
  Fleshofhisflesh,andofhissoulthesoul,Hathshenotfought,hathshenotclimbed?
  Andhowisshealesserthing?——
  Nay,ifsheeverwas’Twaswethatmadeherso,whocalledherqueenButkeptherslave。
  IV
  Hadshenotcourageforthefight?
  Hathshenotcouragefortheyearstocome?
  Hathshenotcouragewhodescendsalone——
  (Howpitifullyalone,exceptforLove!)
  Whereman’sthoughtevenfaltersthatwouldfollow,Intotheshadowyabyss(ThroughvastandmurmurouscavernsdarkwithcrowdingdreadAndterriblewithhoveringwings),TobattletherewithDeath?——tobattleTherewithDeath,andwrestfromhim,OConquerorandMother,Life!
  V
  Hathshetoolongdweltdream—boundintheworldoflove,Unconsciousofthesternerthroes,Themoreaustere,impersonal,widefaith,TheurgethatdrivesChriststothecrossNotfortheloveofonebeloved,Butfortheloveofall?
  Ifso,shewakes!
  Wakesanddemandsashareinallman’sbolderdestinies,Thehigh,audaciousventuresofthesoulThatthinkstoscalethebastionedslopesAndstrikestarkChaosfromhisthrone。
  Westillstandinthedawnoftime。
  Notmeanlyletusstandnorshakenwithlowdoubts!
  FortherebeyondthevergeandmarginofgraycloudThefuturethrillswithpromiseAndtheskiesaretremulouswithgoldenlight;——
  Shetoowouldsharethosevictories,Comrade,andmorethancomrade;——
  Newtimes,newneedsconfrontusnow;
  WemustevolvenewpowersTobattlewith;——
  Wemustgoforwardnowtogether,Orperchancewefail!
  ENVOI
  ALITTLEWHILE
  Alittlewhilethetearsandlaughter,Thewillowandtherose——
  Alittlewhile,andwhatcomesafterNomanknows。
  Anhourtosing,toloveandlinger……
  ThenlutanistandluteWillfallonsilence,songandsingerBothbemute。
  Ourgodsfromourdesireswefashion……
  Exaltourbaffledlives,AnddreamtheirvitalbloomandpassionStillsurvives;
  Butwhenwe’redonewithmirthandweeping,Withmyrtle,rue,androse,ShallDeathtakeLifeintohiskeeping?……
  Nomanknows。
  Whathearthathnot,throughtwilightplaces,SoughtforitsdeadagainTogildwithlovetheirpallidfaces?……
  Soughtinvain!……
  StillmountstheDreamonshiningpinion……
  Stillbroodsthedulldistrust……
  Whichshallhaveultimatedominion,Dream,ordust?
  Alittlewhilewithgriefandlaughter,Andthenthedaywillclose;
  Theshadowsgather……whatcomesafterNomanknows!