首页 >出版文学> A Dome of Many—Coloured Glass>第1章
  "Life,likeadomeofmany—colouredglass,StainsthewhiteradianceofEternity。"
  Shelley,"Adonais"。
  "Lesilenceestsigrandquemoncoeurenfrissonne,Seul,lebruitdemespassurlepaveresonne。"
  AlbertSamain。
  ContentsLyricalPoemsBeforetheAltarSuggestedbytheCoverofaVolumeofKeats’sPoemsApplesofHesperidesAzureandGoldPetalsVenetianGlassFatigueAJapaneseWood—CarvingALittleSongBehindaWallAWinterRideAColouredPrintbyShokeiSongTheFoolErrantTheGreenBowlHoraStellatrixFragmentLoonPointSummer"To—morrowtoFreshWoodsandPasturesNew"
  TheWayDiya{originaltitleisGreek,Delta—iota—psi—alpha}
  RoadsTeatroBambino。Dublin,N。H。
  TheRoadtoAvignonNewYorkatNightAFairyTaleCrownedToElizabethWardPerkinsThePromiseoftheMorningStarJ——K。HuysmansMarchEveningSonnetsLeisureOnCarpaccio’sPicture:TheDreamofSt。UrsulaTheMatrixMonadnockinEarlySpringTheLittleGardenToanEarlyDaffodilListeningTheLampofLifeHero—WorshipInDarknessBeforeDawnThePoetAtNightTheFruitGardenPathMirageToaFriendAFixedIdeaDreamsFrankincenseandMyrrhFromOneWhoStaysCrepusculeduMatinAftermathTheEndTheStarlingMarketDayEpitaphinaChurch—YardinCharleston,SouthCarolinaFrancisII,KingofNaplesToJohnKeatsTheBostonAthenaeumTheBostonAthenaeumVersesforChildrenSeaShellFringedGentiansThePaintedCeilingTheCrescentMoonClimbingTheTroutWindThePleiadesThanksareduetotheeditorofthe`AtlanticMonthly’,andtoMessrs。G。Schirmer,Inc。,fortheircourteouspermissiontoreprintcertainofthesepoemswhichhavebeencopyrightedbythem。
  [Allthesecopyrightsarenowexpired。]
  LyricalPoemsBeforetheAltarBeforetheAltar,bowed,hestandsWithemptyhands;
  UponitperfumedofferingsburnWreathingwithsmokethesacrificialurn。
  Notoneofallthesehashegiven,NoflameofhishasleapttoHeavenFiresouled,vermilion—hearted,Forked,anddarted,ConsumingwhatafewsparepenceHavecheaplybought,toflingfromhenceInidly—askedpetition。
  HissoleconditionLoveandpoverty。
  AndwhilethemoonSwingsslowacrossthesky,Athwartawavingpinetree,AndsoonTipsalltheneedlesthereWithsilversparkles,bitterlyHegazes,whilehissoulGrowshardwiththinkingofthepoornessofhisdole。
  "ShininganddistantGoddess,hearmyprayerWhereyouswiminthehighair!
  Withcharitylookdownonme,Underthistree,TendingthegiftsIhavenotbrought,TherareandgoodlythingsIhavenotsought。
  Instead,takefrommeallmylife!
  "UponthewingsOfshimmeringmoonbeamsIpackmypoet’sdreamsForyou。
  Mywearyingstrife,Mycourage,myloss,IntothenightItossForyou。
  GoldenDivinity,DeigntolookdownonmeWhosounworthilyOfferstoyou:
  Alllifehasknown,Seedswitheredunsown,Hopesturningquicktofears,Laughterwhichdiesintears。
  TheshreddedremnantofamanIsallthespanAndcompassofmyofferingtoyou。
  "Emptyandsilent,I
  Kneelbeforeyourpure,calmmajesty。
  Onthisstone,inthisurnIpourmyheartandwatchitburn,Myselfthesacrifice;butbeStillunmoved:Divinity。"
  Fromthealtar,bathedinmoonlight,Thesmokerosestraightinthequietnight。
  SuggestedbytheCoverofaVolumeofKeats’sPoemsWildlittlebird,whochosetheeforasignToputuponthecoverofthisbook?
  Whoheardtheesinginginthedistancedim,Thevague,fargreennessoftheenshroudingwood,WhenthedampfreshnessofthemorningearthWasfullofpungentsweetnessandthysong?
  Whofollowedovermossandtwistedroots,AndpushedthroughthewetleavesoftrailingvinesWhereslantingsunbeamsgleameduncertainly,Whileeverclearercamethedroppingnotes,Until,atlast,twowideningtrunksdisclosedTheesingingonasprayofbranchingbeech,Hidden,thenseen;andalwaysthatsamesongOfjoyfulsweetness,raptureincarnate,Filledthehushed,rustlingstillnessofthewood?
  Wedonotknowwhatbirdthouart。PerhapsThatfairybird,fabledinislandtale,Whoneversingsbutonce,andthenhissongIsofsuchfearfulbeautythathediesFromsheerexuberanceofmelody。
  Forthistheytookthee,littlebird,forthisTheycapturedthee,tiltingamongtheleaves,Andstampedtheeforasymbolonthisbook。
  Foritcontainsasongsurpassingthine,Richer,moresweet,morepoignant。AndthepoetWhofeltthisburningbeauty,andwhoseheartWasfullofloveliestthings,sangallheknewAlittlewhile,andthenhedied;toofrailTobearthisuntamed,passionateburstofsong。
  ApplesofHesperidesGlintinggoldenthroughthetrees,ApplesofHesperides!
  Throughthemoon—piercedwarpofnightShootpaleshaftsofyellowlight,SwayingtothekissingbreezeSwingsthetreasure,golden—gleaming,ApplesofHesperides!
  Farandloftyyettheyglimmer,ApplesofHesperides!
  Blindedbytheirradiantshimmer,Pushingforwardjustforthese;
  Dew—besprinkled,bramble—marred,Poordupedmortal,travel—scarred,AlwaysthinkingsoontoseizeAndpossessthegolden—glisteningApplesofHesperides!
  Orbed,andglittering,andpendent,ApplesofHesperides!
  Notonemissing,stilltranscendent,Clusteringlikeaswarmofbees。
  Yieldingtonoman’sdesire,Glowingwithasaffronfire,Splendid,unassailed,thegoldenApplesofHesperides!
  AzureandGoldAprilhadcoveredthehillsWithflickeringyellowsandreds,ThesparkleandcoolnessofsnowWasblownfromthemountainbeds。
  Acrossadeep—sunkenstreamThepinkofblossomingtrees,AndfromwindlessapplebloomsThehummingofmanybees。
  TheairwasofroseandgoldArabesquedwiththesongofbirdsWho,swingingunseenunderleaves,Mademusicmoreeagerthanwords。
  Ofasudden,aslanttheroad,Abrightnesstodazzleandstun,Aglintofthebluestblue,Aflashfromasapphiresun。
  Blue—birdssoblue,’twasadream,Animpossible,unconceivedhue,ThehighskyofsummerdroppeddownSomerapturousoceantowoo。
  Suchacolour,suchinfinitelight!
  Theheartofafabulousgem,Many—faceted,brilliantandrare。
  CentreStoneoftheearth’sdiadem!……
  CentreStoneoftheCrownoftheWorld,"Sincerity"gravedonyouryouth!
  Andyoureyesholdtheblue—birdflash,Thesapphireshaft,whichistruth。
  PetalsLifeisastreamOnwhichwestrewPetalbypetaltheflowerofourheart;
  Theendlostindream,Theyfloatpastourview,Weonlywatchtheirglad,earlystart。
  Freightedwithhope,Crimsonedwithjoy,Wescattertheleavesofouropeningrose;
  Theirwideningscope,Theirdistantemploy,Wenevershallknow。AndthestreamasitflowsSweepsthemaway,EachoneisgoneEverbeyondintoinfiniteways。
  WealonestayWhileyearshurryon,Theflowerfaredforth,thoughitsfragrancestillstays。
  VenetianGlassAsonewhosailsuponawide,blueseaFaroutofsightofland,hismindintentUponthesailingofhislittleboat,Ontighteningropesandshapingfairhiscourse,Hearssuddenly,acrosstherestlesssea,Therhythmicstrikingofsometoweredclock,Andwakesfromthoughtlessidlenesstotime:
  Time,theslowpulsewhichbeatseternity!
  SothroughthevacancyofbusylifeAtintervalsyoucrossmypathandbringThedeepsolemnityofpassingyears。
  ForyouIhaveshedbittertears,foryouIhaverelinquishedthatforwhichmyheartCriedoutinselfishlonging。Andto—nightHavingjustleftyou,Icansay:"’Tiswell。
  ThankGodthatIhaveknownasoulsotrue,Sonoblyjust,soworthytobeloved!"
  FatigueStupefymyhearttoeveryday’smonotony,Sealupmyeyes,Iwouldnotlooksofar,Chastenmystepstopeacefulregularity,BowdownmyheadlestIbeholdastar。
  Fillmydayswithwork,athousandcalmnecessitiesLeavingnomomenttoconsecratetohope,GirdlemythoughtswithinthedullcircumferencesOffactswhichformtheactualinoneshorthour’sscope。
  Givemedreamlesssleep,andloosenight’spoweroverme,Shutmyearstosoundsonlytumultuousthen,BidFancyslumber,andstealawayitspotency,OrNaturewakesandstrivestoliveagain。
  Leteachdaypass,wellorderedinitsusefulness,Unlitbysunshine,unscarredbystorm;
  Dowermewithstrengthandcurballfoolisheagerness——
  Thelawexactsobedience。Instruct,Iwillconform。
  AJapaneseWood—CarvingHighupabovetheopen,welcomingdoorIthangs,apieceofwoodwithcoloursdim。
  Once,longago,itwasawavingtreeAndknewthesunandshadowthroughtheleavesOfforesttrees,inathickeasternwood。
  Thewintersnowshadbentitsbranchesdown,Thespringhadswelleditsbudswithcomingflowers,Summerhadrunlikefirethroughitsveins,Whileautumnpelteditwithchestnutburrs,Andstrewedtheleafygroundwithacorncups。
  DarkmidnightstormshadroaredandcrashedamongItsbranches,breakinghereandtherealimb;
  ButeverynowandthenbroadsunlitdaysLovinglylingered,caughtamongtheleaves。
  Yes,ithadknownallthis,andyettousItdoesnotspeakofmossyforestways,Ofwhisperingpinetreesortheshimmeringbirch;
  Butofquickwinds,andthesalt,stingingsea!
  Anartistonce,withpatient,carefulknife,Hadfashioneditliketotheuntamedsea。
  Herewavesuprearthemselves,theirtopsblownbackBythegay,sunnywind,whichwhipstheblueAndbreaksitintogleamsandsparksoflight。
  AmongtheflashingwavesaretwowhitebirdsWhichswoop,andsoar,andscreamforveryjoyAtthewildsport。Nowdivingquicklyin,Questingsomeglisteningfish。Nowflyingup,Theirdrippingfeathersshininginthesun,Whilethewetdropslikelittleglintsoflight,Fallpatteringbackwardtotheparentsea。
  Glidingalongthegreenandfoam—fleckedhollows,Orskimmingsomewhitecrestabouttobreak,ThespiritsoftheskydeigningtostoopAndplaywithoceaninasummermood。
  Hangingabovethehigh,wideopendoor,Itbringstousinquiet,firelitroom,Thefreedomoftheearth’svastsolitudes,Whereheaping,sunnywavestumbleandroll,Andseabirdsscreaminwantonhappiness。
  ALittleSongWhenyou,myDear,areaway,away,Howwearilygoesthecreepingday。
  Ayeardragsaftermorning,andnightStartsanotheryearofcandlelight。
  OPausingSunandLingeringMoon!
  Grantme,Ibegofyou,thisboon。
  WhirlroundtheearthasneversunHashisdiurnaljourneyrun。
  And,Moon,slippasttheladdersofairInasingleflash,whileyourstreaminghairCatchesthestarsandpullsthemdownToshineonsomeslumberingChinesetown。
  OKindlySun!UnderstandingMoon!
  Bringeveningtocrowdthefootstepsofnoon。
  ButwhenthatlongawaiteddayHangsripeintheheavens,yourvoyagingstay。
  Bemorning,OSun!withthelarkinsong,Beafternoonforageslong。
  And,Moon,letyouandyourlesserlightsWatchoveracenturyofnights。
  BehindaWallIownasolaceshutwithinmyheart,AgardenfullofmanyaquaintdelightAndwarmwithdrowsy,poppiedsunshine;bright,FlamingwithliliesoutofwhosecupsdartShiningthingsWithpowderedwings。
  Hereterracesinkstoterrace,arborscloseTheendsofdreamingpaths;awantonwindJostlesthehalf—ripepears,andthen,unkind,Tumblesa—slumberinapillarrose,WithcontentGrownindolent。
  Bynightmygardeniso’erhungwithgemsFixedinanonyxsetting。FirefliesFlickertheirlanternsinmydazzledeyes。
  InserriedrowsIguessthestraight,stiffstemsOfhollyhocksAgainsttherocks。
  Sofarandstillitisthat,listening,Iheartheflowerstalkinginthedawn;
  Andwhereasunkenbasincutsthelawn,Cincturedwithiris,paleandglistening,ThesuddenswishOfawakingfish。
  AWinterRideWhoshalldeclarethejoyoftherunning!
  Whoshalltellofthepleasuresofflight!
  Springingandspurningthetuftsofwildheather,Sweeping,wide—winged,throughthebluedomeoflight。
  Everythingmortalhasmomentsimmortal,SwiftandGod—gifted,immeasurablybright。
  Sowiththestretchofthewhiteroadbeforeme,Shiningsnowcrystalsrainbowedbythesun,Fieldsthatarewhite,stainedwithlong,cool,blueshadows,Strongwiththestrengthofmyhorseaswerun。
  Joyinthetouchofthewindandthesunlight!
  Joy!WiththevigorousearthIamone。
  AColouredPrintbyShokeiItwindsalongthefaceofacliffThispathwhichIlongtoexplore,Andoveritdashesawaterfall,AndtheairisfulloftheroarAndthethunderousvoiceofwaterswhichsweepInasilvertorrentoversomesteep。
  ItclearsthepathwithamightyboundAndtumblesbelowandaway,AndthetreesandthebusheswhichgrowintherocksArewetwithitsjewelledspray;
  Theairismistyandheavywithsound,Andsmall,wetwildflowersstartheground。
  Oh!Thedampnessisverygoodtosmell,Andthepathissofttotread,Andbeyondthefallitwindsupandon,WhilelittlestreamletsthreadTheirownmeanderingwaydownthehillEachsingingitsownlittlesong,untilIforgetthat’tisonlyapicturedpath,AndIhearthewaterandwind,Andlookthroughthemist,andstrainmyeyesToseewhatthereisbehind;
  Foritmustleadtoahappyland,Thislittlepathbyawaterfallspanned。
  SongOh!TobeaflowerNoddinginthesun,Bending,thenupspringingAsthebreezesrun;
  HoldingupAscent—brimmedcup,Fullofsummer’sfragrancetothesummersun。
  Oh!TobeabutterflyStill,uponaflower,Winkingwithitspaintedwings,Happyinthehour。
  BlossomsholdMinesofgoldDeepwithinthefarthestheartofeachchalicedflower。
  Oh!TobeacloudBlowingthroughtheblue,Shadowingthemountains,RushingloudlythroughValleysdeepWheretorrentskeepAlwaystheirplungingthunderandtheirmistyarchofblue。
  Oh!TobeawaveSplinteringonthesand,Drawingback,butleavingLingeringlytheland。
  RainbowlightFlashesbrightTellingtalesofcoralcaveshalfhidinyellowsand。
  Soontheydie,theflowers;
  Insectsliveaday;
  Cloudsdissolveinshowers;
  OnlywavesatplayLastforever。
  ShallendeavorMakeaseaofpurposemightierthanwedreamto—day?
  TheFoolErrantTheFoolErrantsatbythehighwayoflifeAndhisgazewanderedupandhisgazewandereddown,Avigorousyouth,butwithnowishtowalk,Yethislongingwasgreatforthedistanttown。
  HewhistledalittlefrivoloustuneWhichhefelttobepulsingwithecstasy,Forhethoughtthatsuccessalwaysfolloweddesire,Suchaverysuperlativefoolwashe。
  Amaidencamebyonanamblingmule,Hergownwasrose—redandherkerchiefblue,Onherlapshecarriedabasketofeggs。
  Thoughtthefool,"Thereiscertainlyroomfortwo。"
  SohejauntilyswaggeredtowardsthemaidAndputouthishandtothebridle—rein。
  "Myprettygirl,"quoththefool,"takemeup,FortoridewithyoutothetownIamfain。"
  ButthemaidenstruckathisupraisedarmAndpeltedhimhotlywitheggs,ascore。
  Themule,lashedintoafury,ran;
  Thefoolwentbacktohisstoneandswore。
  ThenoutofthecloudofsettlingdustTheburlyformofanabbotappeared,Readinghisofficeherodetothetown。
  Andthefoolgotup,forhisheartwascheered。
  Hestoodinthemidstofthelong,whiteroadAndsweptoffhiscaptillittouchedtheground。
  "Ah,ReverentSir,wellmet,"saidthefool,"Aworthiertransportneverwasfound。
  "Iprayyouallowmetomountwithyou,Yourpalfreyseemsbothsturdyandyoung。"
  TheabbotlookedupfromtheholybookAndcriedoutinanger,"Holdyourtongue!
  "HowdareyouobstructtheKing’shighroad,Yousaucyvarlet,getoutofmyway。"
  ThenhegavethefoolacutwithhiswhipAndleavinghimsmarting,herodeaway。
  Thefoolwasangry,thefoolwassore,Andhecursedthefollyofmonksandmaids。
  "IfIcouldbutmeetwithaman,"sighedthefool,"Forawomanfears,andafriarupbraids。"
  ThenhesawaflashingofdistantsteelAndtheclankingofharnessgreetedhisears,Anduptheroadjourneyedknights—at—arms,Withwavingplumesandglitteringspears。
  Thefooltooknoticeandslowlyarose,Notquitesosurewashisfoolishheart。
  IfpriestsandwomenwouldnoneofhimWasitlikelyaknightwouldtakehispart?
  Theysangastheyrode,theselustyboys,Whenonechancedtoturntowardthehighway’sside,"There’sasorryfigureoffun,"jestedhe,"Well,Sirrah!moveback,thereisscarceroomtoride。"
  "GoodSirs,KindSirs,"beggedthecrestfallenfool,"Iprayofyourcourtesyspeechwithyou,I’mforyondertown,andhavenohorsetoride,Haveyouneverachargerwillcarrytwo?"
  Thenthecompanyhaltedandlaughedoutloud。
  "Wassucharequestevermadetoaknight?"
  "Andwhereareyourlegs,"askedone,"ifyoustart,Youmaybeinsidethetowngatesto—night。"
  "’Tisalazyfellow,lethimalone,They’venoroominthetownforsuchidlersashe。"
  Butonebentfromhissaddleandsaid,"Myman,Artthounotashamedtobegcharity!
  "Thouartwellsetup,andthylegsarestrong,Butitmuchmisgivesmelestthou’rtafool;
  Forbeggarsgetonlyabeggar’scrust,Wisemenarerearedinadifferentschool。"
  Thentheyclatteredawayinthedustandthewind,Andthefoolslunkbacktohislonelystone;
  HebegantoseethatthemanwhoasksMustlikewisegiveandnotaskalone。
  Purpletree—shadowscreptovertheroad,Thelevelsunflunganorangelight,Andthefoollaidhisheadonthehard,graystoneAndweptasherealizedadvancingnight。
  Agreat,roundmoonroseoverahillAndthesteadywindblewyetmorecool;
  Andcrouchedonastoneawayfarersobbed,Foratlastheknewhewasonlyafool。
  TheGreenBowlThislittlebowlislikeamossypoolInaSpringwood,wheredogtoothvioletsgrowNoddinginchequeredsunshineofthetrees;
  Aquietplace,still,withthesoundofbirds,Where,thoughunseen,isheardtheendlesssongAndmurmuroftheneverrestingsea。
  ’Twaswinter,Roger,whenyoumadethiscup,ButcomingSpringguidedyoureagerhandAndroundtheedgeyoufashionedyounggreenleaves,AproperchalicemadetoholdtheshyAndlittleflowersofthewoods。AndhereTheywillforgettheirsaduprooting,lostInpleasurethatthiscircleofbrightleavesShouldbetheirsetting;oncemoretheywilldreamTheyhearwindswanderingthroughloftytreesAndseethesunsmilingbetweentheleaves。
  HoraStellatrixThestarshangthickintheappletree,Thesouthwindsmellsofthepungentsea,Goldtulipcupsareheavywithdew。
  Thenight’sforyou,Sweetheart,foryou!
  Starfirerainsfromthevaultedblue。
  Listen!Thedancingofunseenleaves。
  Adrowsyswallowstirsintheeaves。
  Onlyamaidenissorrowing。
  ’Tisnightandspring,Sweetheart,andspring!
  Starfirelightsyourheart’sblossoming。
  Intheintimatedarkthere’sneveranear,Thoughthetulipsstandontiptoetohear,Sogive;ripefruitmustshrivelorfall。
  Asyouaremine,Sweetheart,giveall!
  Starfiresparkles,yourcoronal。
  FragmentWhatispoetry?IsitamosaicOfcolouredstoneswhichcuriouslyarewroughtIntoapattern?Ratherglassthat’staughtBypatientlaboranyhuetotakeAndglowingwithasumptuoussplendor,makeBeautyathingofawe;wheresunbeamscaught,TransmutedfallinsheafsofrainbowsfraughtWithstoriedmeaningforreligion’ssake。
  LoonPointSoftlythewaterripplesAgainstthecanoe’scurvingside,SoftlythebirchtreesrustleFlingingoverusbrancheswide。
  SoftlythemoonglintsandglistensAsthewatertakesandleaves,LikegoldenearsofcornWhichfallfromloose—boundsheaves,Orlikethesnow—whitepetalsWhichdropfromanoverblownrose,WhenSummerripenstoAutumnAndthefreightedyearmustclose。
  Fromtheshorecomethescentsofagarden,AndbetweenagapinthetreesAproudwhitestatueglimmersIncold,disdainfulease。
  Thechildofasouthernpeople,Thethoughtofanalienrace,Whatdoessheinthispale,northerngarden,Howreconcileitwithhergrace?
  ButthemooninherwaywardbeautyIseverandalwaysthesame,AslovelyaswhenuponLatmosShewatchedtillEndymioncame。
  ThroughthewaterthemoonwritesherlegendsInlight,onthesmooth,wetsand;
  Theyendureforamoment,andvanish,Andnoonemayunderstand。
  AllroundusthesecretofNatureIstellingitselftooursight,WemayguessathermeaningbutneverCanknowthefullmysteryofnight。
  Butherpowerofenchantmentisonus,Webowtothespellwhichsheweaves,MadeupofthemurmurofwavesAndthemanifoldwhisperofleaves。
  SummerSomementherearewhofindinnatureallTheirinspiration,hersthesympathyWhichspursthemontoanygreatendeavor,Tothemthefieldsandwoodsareclosestfriends,Andtheyholddearcommunionwiththehills;
  Thevoiceofwaterssoothesthemwithitsfall,Andthegreatwindsbringhealingintheirsound。
  TothemacityisaprisonhouseWherepentuphumanforceslabourandstrive,Wherebeautydwellsnot,drivenforthbyman;
  ButwhereinwintertheymustliveuntilSummergivesbackthespacesofthehills。
  Tomeitisnotso。IlovetheearthAndallthegiftsofhersolavishhand:
  Sunshineandflowers,riversandrushingwinds,Thickbranchesswayinginawinterstorm,Andmoonlightplayinginaboat’swidewake;
  Butmorethanthese,andmuch,ah,howmuchmore,Ilovetheveryhumanheartofman。
  Abovemespreadsthehot,bluemid—daysky,FardownthehillsideliesthesleepinglakeLazilyreflectingbackthesun,AndscarcelyruffledbythelittlebreezeWhichwandersidlythroughthenoddingferns。
  Thebluecrestofthedistantmountain,topsThegreencrestofthehillonwhichIsit;
  Anditissummer,glorious,deep—tonedsummer,Theverycrownofnature’schangingyearWhenallhersurginglifeisatitsfull。
  Tomealoneitisatimeofpause,Avoidandsilentspacebetweentwoworlds,Wheninspirationlags,andfeelingsleeps,Gatheringstrengthforeffortsyettocome。
  Forlifealoneiscreatoroflife,AndclosestcontactwiththehumanworldIslikealanternshininginthenightTolightmetoaknowledgeofmyself。
  IlovethevividlifeofwintermonthsInconstantintercoursewithhumanminds,WheneverynewexperienceisgainAndonallsideswefeelthegreatworld’sheart;
  Thepulseandthroboflifewhichmakesusmen!
  "To—morrowtoFreshWoodsandPasturesNew"
  Asforamomenthestands,inhardymasculinebeauty,Poisedonthefircrestedrock,overthepoolwhichbelowhimGleamsinthewaveringsunlight,waitingtheshockofhisplunging。
  SoforamomentIstand,myfeetplantedfirminthepresent,Eagerlyscanningthefuturewhichissosoontopossessme。
  TheWayAtfirstamerethreadofafootpathhalfblottedoutbythegrassesSweepingtriumphantacrossit,itwoundbetweenhedgesofrosesWhoseblossomswerepoisedaboveleavesaspondliliesfloatonthewater,Whilehiddenbybloominahawthornabirdfilledthemorningwithsinging。
  Itwidenedahighway,majestic,stretchingevertodistanthorizons,Whereshadowsoftree—brancheswavered,vagueoutlinesinvadedbysunshine;
  Nosoundbutthewindasitwhisperedthesecretsofearthtotheflowers,Andthehumoftheyellowbees,honey—ladenanddustywithpollen。
  AndSummersaid,"Come,followonward,withnothoughtsavethelongingtowander,Thewind,andthebees,andtheflowers,allsingingthegreatsongofNature,Areminstrelsofchangeandofpromise,theyheraldthejoyoftheFuture。"
  Laterthesolitudevanished,confusedanddistractedtheroadWheremanywereseekingandjostling。Leftbehindwerethetreesandtheflowers,Thehalf—realizedbeautyofquiet,thesacredunconsciouscommuning。
  Andnowheiscometoariver,alineofgray,sullenwater,Notblueandsplashing,butdark,rollingsomberlyontotheocean。
  Butonthefarsideisacitywhosewindowsflamegoldinthesunset。
  Itliesfairandshiningbeforehim,agemsetbetwixtskyandwater,Andspanningtheriverabridge,frailpromisetolongingdesire,Flungbymaninhisinfinitecourage,acrossthesternforceofthewater;
  Andhelooksattheriverandfears,thebridgeissoslight,yetheventuresHislifetoitsfragilekeeping,ifitfailsthewaveswillengulfhim。
  OArches!bestrongtoupholdhim,andbearhimacrosstothecity,Thebeautifulcitywhosespiresstillglowwiththefiresofsunset!
  Diya{originaltitleisGreek,Delta—iota—psi—alpha}
  Look,Dear,howbrightthemoonlightisto—night!
  SeewhereitcaststheshadowofthattreeFaroutuponthegrass。AndeverygustOflightnightwindcomesladenwiththescentOfopeningflowerswhichneverbloombyday:
  Night—scentedstocks,andfour—o’clocks,andthatPaleyellowdisk,uprearedonitstallstalk,Theeveningprimrose,comradeofthestars。
  ItseemsasthoughthegardenwhichyouloveWerelikeaswingingcenser,itsincenseFloatingbeforeusasareverentactTosanctifyandblessournightoflove。
  Tellmeoncemoreyouloveme,that’tisyouYes,reallyyou,Itouch,so,withmyhand;
  AndtellmeitisbyyourownfreewillThatyouarehere,andthatyouliketobeJusthere,withme,underthissailingpine。
  IneedtohearitoftenformyheartDoubtsnaturally,andfindsithardtotrust。
  Ah,Dearest,youaregoodtolovemeso,AndyetIwouldnothaveitgoodness,ratherExcessofselfishnessinyoutoneedMethroughandthrough,asflowersneedthesun。
  IwondercanitreallybethatyouAndIareherealone,andthatthenightIsfullofhours,andalltheworldasleep,Andnonecancalltoyoutocomeaway;
  ForyouhavegivenallyourselftomeMakingmegentlebyyourwillingness。
  Hasyourlifetoobeenwaitingforthistime,Notonlyminethesharpnessofthisjoy?
  DearHeart,Iloveyou,worshipyouasthoughIwereapriestbeforeaholyshrine。
  I’mgladthatyouarebeautiful,althoughWereyounotlovelystillIneedsmustlove;
  Butyouareallthings,itmusthavebeensoForotherwiseitwerenotyou。Come,close;
  WhenyouareinthecircleofmyarmFaithgrowsamountainandItakemystandUponitsutmosttop。Yes,yes,oncemoreKissme,andletmefeelyouverynearWantingmewholly,evenasIwantyou。
  Haveyearsbehindbeendark?WillthosetocomeBringunguessedsorrowsintoourtwolives?
  Whatdoesitmatter,wehavehadto—night!
  To—nightwillmakeusstrong,forwebelieveEachintheother,thisisasacrament。
  Beloved,isittrue?
  RoadsIknowacountrylacedwithroads,Theyjointhehillsandtheyspanthebrooks,Theyweavelikeashuttlebetweenbroadfields,Andslidediscreetlythroughhiddennooks。
  TheyarecanopiedlikeaPersiandomeAndcarpetedwithorientdyes。
  Theyaremyriad—voiced,andmusical,Andscentedwithhappiestmemories。
  OWindingroadsthatIknowsowell,Everytwistandturn,everyhollowandhill!
  TheyaresetinmyhearttoapulsingtuneGayasahoney—beehumminginJune。
  ’Tistherhythmicbeatofahorse’sfeetAndthepatteringpawsofasheep—dogbitch;
  ’Tisthecreakingtrees,andthesingingbreeze,Andtherustleofleavesintheroad—sideditch。
  AcowinameadowshakesherbellAndthenotescutsharpthroughtheautumnair,EachchatteringbrookbearsafleetofleavesTheircargotherainbow,andjustnowwhereThesunsplashedbrightontheroadaheadAstartledrabbitquiveredandfled。
  OUphillroadsandroadsthatdipdown!
  Youcurlyoursun—spatteredlengthalong,AndyourmarchisbeatenintoasongBythesoftlyringinghoofsofahorseAndthepantingbreathofthedogsIlove。
  ThepageantofAutumnfollowsitscourseAndtheblueskyofAutumnlaughsabove。
  Andthesongandthecountrybecomeasone,Iseeitasmusic,Ihearitaslight;
  Prismaticandshimmering,tremblingtotone,Thelandofdesire,mysoul’sdelight。
  AndalwaysitbeatsinmylisteningearsWiththegentlethudofahorse’sstride,Withtheswift—fallingstepsofmanydogs,Following,followingatmyside。
  ORoadsthatjourneytofairyland!
  Radianthighwayswhosevistasgleam,Leadingmeon,undercrimsonleaves,TotheopalinegatesoftheCastlesofDream。
  TeatroBambino。Dublin,N。H。
  Howstillitis!SunshineitselfherefallsInquietshaftsoflightthroughthehightreesWhich,arching,makearoofabovethewallsChangingfromsuntoshadowaseachbreezeLingersamoment,charmedbythestrangesightOfanItaliantheatre,storied,seerOfvagueromance,andtime’slonghistory;
  Wheretiersofgrass—grownseatssprinkledwithwhite,Sweet—scentedclover,formabrokensphereGroupedroundthestageinhushedexpectancy。
  Whatsoundisthatwhichechoesthroughthewood?
  Isitthereedynoteofanoatenpipe?
  PerchanceaminutemorewillseethebroodOftheshaggyforestgod,andonhislipWillresttherushesheiswonttoplay。
  HistraininwovenbasketsbearripefruitAndweaveadancewithropesofgrayacorns,SolighttheirtouchthegrassesscarcelyswayAstheythemeasuretreadtotheliltingflute。
  Alas!’tisonlyFancythusadorns。
  Aclouddriftsidlyovertheshiningsun。
  Howdampitseems,howsilent,still,andstrange!
  Surely’twasheresometragedywasdone,Andherethechorussangeachcomingchange?
  Surethisisdeepinsomesweet,southernwood,Thesearenotpines,butcypresstallanddark;
  Thatisnothrushwhichsingssorapturously,ButthenightingaleinhismostpassionatemoodBurstinghislittleheartwithanguish。Hark!
  Thetreadofsandalledfeetcomesnoiselessly。
  Thesilencealmostisasound,anddreamsTakeonthesemblancesoffinitethings;
  SopotentisthespellthatwhatbutseemsElsewhere,isliftedhereonFancy’swings。
  Thelittlewoodlandtheatreseemstowait,Alltremulouswithhopeandwistfuljoy,Forsomethingthatissuretocomeatlast,Somedeepemotion,satisfying,great。
  Itgrowsalivingpresence,boldandshy,Cradlingthefutureinagloriouspast。
  TheRoadtoAvignonAMinstrelstandsonamarblestair,Blownbythebrightwind,debonair;
  Belowliesthesea,asapphirefloor,AboveontheterraceaturretdoorFramesalady,listlessandwan,Butfairfortheeyetorestupon。
  Theminstrelplucksathissilverstrings,Andlookinguptothelady,sings:——
  DowntheroadtoAvignon,Thelong,longroadtoAvignon,AcrossthebridgetoAvignon,Onemorninginthespring。
  TheoctagontowercastsashadeCoolandgraylikeacutlassblade;
  Insun—bakedvinesthecicalasspin,Thelittlegreenlizardsrunoutandin。
  Asaildipsovertheocean’srim,Andbubblesrisetothefountain’sbrim。
  Theminstreltoucheshissilverstrings,Andgazinguptothelady,sings:——
  DowntheroadtoAvignon,Thelong,longroadtoAvignon,AcrossthebridgetoAvignon,Onemorninginthespring。
  Slowlyshewalkstothebalustrade,IdlynoteshowtheblossomsfadeInthesun’scaress;thencrosseswhereTheshadowsheltersacarvenchair。
  Withinitscurve,supineshelies,Andwearilycloseshertiredeyes。
  Theminstrelbeseecheshissilverstrings,Andholdingtheladyspellbound,sings:——
  DowntheroadtoAvignon,Thelong,longroadtoAvignon,AcrossthebridgetoAvignon,Onemorninginthespring。
  Cloudssailoverthedistanttrees,Petalsareshakendownbythebreeze,Theyfallontheterracetileslikesnow;
  Thesighingofwavessounds,farbelow。
  Ahumming—birdkissesthelipsofaroseThenladenwithhoneyandlovehegoes。
  Theminstrelwooswithhissilverstrings,Andclimbinguptothelady,sings:——
  DowntheroadtoAvignon,Thelong,longroadtoAvignon,AcrossthebridgetoAvignon,Onemorninginthespring。
  Stepbystep,andhecomestoher,Fearfullestshesuddenlystir。
  Sunshineandsilence,andeachtoeach,Theluteandhissingingtheironlyspeech;
  Heleansaboveher,hereyesunclose,Thehumming—birdentersanotherrose。
  Theminstrelhusheshissilverstrings。
  Hark!Thebeatingofhumming—birds’wings!
  DowntheroadtoAvignon,Thelong,longroadtoAvignon,AcrossthebridgetoAvignon,Onemorninginthespring。
  NewYorkatNightAnearhorizonwhosesharpjagsCutbrutallyintoaskyOfleadenheaviness,andcragsOfhouseslifttheirmasonryUglyandfoul,andchimneyslieAndsnort,outlinedagainstthegrayOflowhungcloud。IhearthesighThegoadedcitygives,notdayNornightcaneaseherheart,heranguishedlaboursstay。
  Below,straightstreets,monotonous,Fromnorthandsouth,fromeastandwest,Stretchglittering;andluminousAbove,onetowertopstherestAndholdsaloftman’sconstantquest:
  Time!JoylessemblemofthegreedOfmillions,robberofthebestWhichearthcangive,thevulgarcreedHasseareduponthenightitsflamingruthlessscreed。
  ONight!WhosesoothingpresencebringsThequietshiningofthestars。
  ONight!WhosecloakofdarknessclingsSointimatelyclosethatscarsArehidfromourowneyes。BeggarsByday,ourwealthishavingnightToburnoursoulsbeforealtarsDimandtree—shadowed,wherethelightIsshedfromayoungmoon,mysteriouslybright。
  Whereartthouhiding,wherethypeace?
  Thisisthehour,butthouartnot。
  Willwakingtumultnevercease?
  Hastthouthyvotaryforgot?
  Natureforsakesthisman—begotAndfesteringwilderness,andnowThelongstillhoursarehere,nojotOfdearcommuningdoIknow;
  Insteadtheglaring,man—filledcitygroansbelow!
  AFairyTaleOnwinternightsbesidethenurseryfireWereadthefairytale,whileglowingcoalsBuildeditspictures。TherebeforeoureyesWesawthevaultedhalloftraceriedstoneUprearitself,thedistantceilinghungWithpendentstalactiteslikefrozenvines;
  Andallalongthewallsatintervals,Curledupwardsintopillars,rosesclimbed,Andrampedandwereconfined,andclusteredleavesDividedwheretherepeeredalaughingface。
  Thefoliageseemedtorustleinthewind,Asilentmurmur,carvedinstill,graystone。
  HighpointedwindowspiercedthesouthernwallWhenceproudescutcheonsflungprismaticfiresTostainthetessellatedmarblefloorWithpoolsofred,andquiveringgreen,andblue;
  Andintheshadebeyondthefurtherdoor,ItssobersquaresofblackandwhitewerehidBeneatharestless,shuffling,wide—eyedmobOflackeysandretainerscometoviewTheChristening。
  Asuddenblareoftrumpets,andthethrongAbouttheentrancepartedastheguestsFiledsinglyinwithrareandpreciousgifts。
  Oureagerfanciesnotedalltheybrought,Theglorious,unattainabledelights!
  ButalwaystherewasoneunbiddenguestWhocursedthechildandleftitbitterness。
  Thefirefallsasunder,allischanged,Iamnomoreachild,andwhatIseeIsnotafairytale,butlife,mylife。
  Thegiftsarethere,themanypleasantthings:
  Health,wealth,long—settledfriendships,withanameWhichhonorsallwhobearit,andthepowerOfmakingwordsobedient。Thisismuch;
  Butovershadowingallisstillthecurse,ThatnevershallIbefulfilledbylove!
  AlongtheparchinghighroadoftheworldNoothersoulshallbearminecompany。
  AlwaysshallIbeteasedwithsemblances,Withcruelimpostures,whichItrustawhileThendashtopieces,asacarelessboyFlingsakaleidoscope,whichshatteringStrewsallthegroundaboutwithcolouredsherds。
  SoIbeholdmyvisionsonthegroundNolongerradiant,anignobleheapOfbroken,dustyglass。Andso,unlit,Evenbyhopeorfaith,mydraggingstepsForcemeforeverthroughthepassingdays。
  CrownedYoucametomebearingbrightroses,Redlikethewineofyourheart;
  YoutwistedthemintoagarlandTosetmeasidefromthemart。