Redrosestocrownmeyourlover,AndIwalkedaureoledandapart。
Enslavedandencircled,Iboreit,Proudtokenofmygifttoyou。
Thepetalswanedpaler,andshriveled,Anddropped;andthethornsstartedthrough。
Bitterthornstoproclaimmeyourlover,Adiademwovenwithrue。
ToElizabethWardPerkinsDearBessie,wouldmytiredrhymeHadforcetorisefromapathy,AndshakingoffitslethargyRingword—toneslikeaChristmaschime。
Butinmysoul’shighbelfry,chillThebitterwindofdoubthasblown,Thesummerswallowsallhaveflown,Thebellsarefrost—bound,muteandstill。
UponthecrumblingboardsthesnowHasdrifteddeep,theclappershangPrismedwithicicles,theirclangUnheardsinceageslongago。
TheropeIpullisstiffandcold,MystrainingearsdetectnosoundExceptasigh,asroundandroundThewindrocksthroughthetimbersold。
Below,IknowthechurchisbrightWithhaloedtapers,warmwithprayer;
ButhereIonlyfeeltheairOficycenturiesofnight。
BeneathmyfeetthesnowislitAndgemmedwithcolours,red,andblue,Topaz,andgreen,wherelightfallsthroughThesaintsthatinthewindowssit。
Heredarknessseemsaspectredthing,Voicelessandhaunting,whilethestarsMockwithalightoflongdeadyearsTheacheofpresentsuffering。
Silentandwinter—killedIstand,Nocarolhymnsmydebttoyou;
Buttakethisfrozenthoughtinlieu,Andthawitsmusicinyourhand。
ThePromiseoftheMorningStarThoufatherofthechildrenofmybrainBytheeengenderedinmywillingheart,HowcanIthanktheeforthisgiftofartPouredoutsolavishly,andnotinvain。
Whatthoucreatednevermorecandie,ThyfructifyingpowerlivesinmeAndIconceive,knowingitisbythee,Dearotherparentofmypoetry!
ForIwasbutashadowwithaname,Perhapsbynowtheveryname’sforgot;
SostrangeisFatethatithasbeenmylotTolearnthroughtheethepresenceofthataimWhichevermoremustguideme。Allunknown,Bymeunguessed,bytheenotevendreamed,AtreehasblossomedinanightthatseemedOfstubborn,barrenwood。ForthouhastsownThisseedofbeautyinagroundoftruth。
HumblyIdedicatemyself,andyetItremblewithasuddenfeartosetNewmusicringingthroughmyfadingyouth。
J——K。HuysmansAflickeringglimmerthroughawindow—pane,Adimredglarethroughmudbespatteredglass,CleavingapathbetweenblownwallsofsleetAcrossunevenpavementssunkinslimeToscatterandthenquenchitselfinmist。
Andstruggling,slipping,oftenrudelyhurledAgainstthejuttingangleofawall,Andcursed,andreeledagainst,andflungasideBydrunkenbrawlersastheyshuffledpast,Amanwasgropingtowhatseemedalight。
HiseyelidsburntandquiveredwiththestrainOflooking,andagainsthistemplesbeatTheallenshrouding,suffocatingdark。
Hestumbled,lurched,andstruckagainstadoorThatopened,andahowlofobscenemirthGratedhissenses,wallowingonthefloorLaymen,anddogsandwomeninthedirt。
Hesickened,loathingit,andashegazedThecandleguttered,flared,andthenwentout。
ThroughtravailofignoblemidnightstreetsHecameatlasttoshelterinaporchWheregothicsaintsandwarriorsmadeashieldTocoverhim,andtorturedgargoylesspatOnelongcontinuousstreamofsilverrainThatclattereddownfrommyriadroofsandspiresIntoadarkness,loudwithrushingsoundOfwaterfalling,gurglingasitfell,Butalwaysthicklydark。ThenasheleanedUnconsciouswhere,thegreatoakdoorblewbackAndcasthim,bruisedanddripping,inthechurch。
HiseyesfromlongsojourninginthenightWereblindednowasbysomeglorioussun;
Heslowlycrawledtowardthealtarsteps。
Hecouldnotthink,forheavyinhisearsAnorganboomedmajesticharmonies;
Heonlyknewthatwhathesawwaslight!
HebowedhimselfbeforeacrossofflameAndshuthiseyesinfearlestitshouldfade。
MarchEveningBluethroughthewindowburnsthetwilight;
Heavy,throughtrees,blowsthewarmsouthwind。
Glistening,againstthechill,grayskylight,Wet,blackbranchesarebarredandentwined。
Soddenandspongy,thescarce—greengrassplotDentsintopoolswhereafoothasbeen。
Puddlesliespiltintheroadamass,notOfwater,butsteel,withitscold,hardsheen。
Faintfadesthefireonthehearth,itsembersScatteringwideatastrongergust。
Above,theoldweathercockgroans,butremembersCreaking,toturn,initscenturiedrust。
Dying,forlorn,indrearysorrow,Wrappingthemistsroundherwitheringform,Daysinksdown;andindarknessto—morrowTravailstobirthinthewombofthestorm。
SonnetsLeisureLeisure,thougoddessofabygoneage,WhenhourswerelonganddayssufficedtoholdWide—eyeddelightsandpleasuresuncontrolledByshorteningmoments,whennogauntpresageOfundoneduties,modernheritage,Hauntedourhappyminds;mustthouwithholdThypresencefromthisover—busyworld,AndbearingsilencewiththeedisengageOurtwinedfortunes?DeepsofunhewnwoodsAlonecancherishthee,alonepossessThyquiet,teemingvigor。Thisourcrime:
Nottohaveworshipped,marredbyalienmoodsThatsoleconditionofallloveliness,Thedreaminglapseofslow,unmeasuredtime。
OnCarpaccio’sPicture:TheDreamofSt。UrsulaSwept,clean,andstill,acrossthepolishedfloorFromsomeunshutteredcasement,hidfromsight,Thelevelsunshineslants,itsgreaterlightQuenchingthelittlelampwhichpallid,poor,Flickering,unreplenished,atthedoorHasstrivenagainstdarknessthelongnight。
Dawnfillstheroom,andpenetrating,bright,Thesilentsunbeamsthroughthewindowpour。
Andsheliessleeping,ignorantofFate,Enmeshedinlistlessdreams,hersoulnotyetRipenedtobearthepurportofthisday。
Themorningbreezescarcestirsthecoverlet,Ashadowfallsacrossthesunlight;wait!
Alarkissingingashefliesaway。
TheMatrixGoadedandharassedinthefactoryThattearsourlifeupintobitsofdaysTickedoffuponaclockwhichneverstays,ShreddingourportionofEternity,Webreakawayatlast,andstealthekeyWhichhidesaworldemptyofhours;waysOfspaceunroll,andHeavenoverlaysTheleafy,sun—litearthofFantasy。
Beyondtheilexshadowglaresthesun,Scorchingagainsttheblueflameofthesky。
Brownlily—padslieheavyandsupineWithinagranitebasin,underoneThebronze—goldglimmerofacarp;andI
Reachoutmyhandandpluckanectarine。
MonadnockinEarlySpringCloud—toppedandsplendid,dominatingallThelittlelesserhillswhichcompassthee,Thoustandest,brightwithApril’sbuoyancy,YetholdingWinterinsomeshadedwallOfstern,steeprock;andstartledbythecallOfSpring,thytreesflushwithexpectancyAndcastacloudofcrimson,silently,AbovethysnowycreviceswherefallPaleshrivelledoakleaves,whilethesnowbeneathMeltsattheirphantomtouch。AnotheryearIsquickwithimport。Sucheachyearhasbeen。
Unmovedthouwatchestall,andallbequeathSomejeweltothydiademofpower,Thoupledgeofgreatermajestyunseen。
TheLittleGardenAlittlegardenonableakhillsideWheredeeptheheavy,dazzlingmountainsnowLiesfarintothespring。Thesun’spaleglowIsscarcelyabletomeltpatcheswideAboutthesinglerosebush。AlldeniedOfnature’stenderministries。Butno,——
Forwonder—workingfaithhasmadeitblowWithflowersmanyhuedandstarry—eyed。
Heresleepsthesunlong,idlesummerhours;
HerebutterfliesandbeesfarefartoroveAmidthecrumpledleavesofpoppyflowers;
Herefouro’clocks,tothepassionatenightaboveFlingwhiffsofperfume,likepaleincenseshowers。
Alittlegarden,lovedwithagreatlove!
ToanEarlyDaffodilThouyellowtrumpeteroflaggardSpring!
ThouheraldofrichSummer’smyriadflowers!
TheclimbingsunwithnewrecoveredpowersDoeswarmtheeintobeing,throughtheringOfrich,brownearthhewoosthee,makestheeflingThygreenshootsup,inheritingthedowersOfbendingskyandsudden,sweepingshowers,TillripeandblossomingthouartathingTomakeallnatureglad,thouartsogay;
Tofillthelonelywithajoyuntold;
Noddingateverygustofwindto—day,To—morrowjewelledwithraindrops。AlwaysboldTostanderect,fullinthedazzlingplayOfApril’ssun,forthouhastcaughthisgold。
Listening’Tisyouthatarethemusic,notyoursong。
Thesongisbutadoorwhich,openingwide,Letsforththepent—upmelodyinside,Yourspirit’sharmony,whichclearandstrongSingsbutofyou。ThroughoutyourwholelifelongYoursongs,yourthoughts,yourdoings,eachdivideThisperfectbeauty;waveswithinatide,Orsinglenotesamidagloriousthrong。
Thesongofearthhasmanydifferentchords;
OceanhasmanymoodsandmanytonesYetalwaysocean。InthedampSpringwoodsThepaintedtrilliumsmiles,whilecrisppineconesAutumnalonecanripen。SoisthisOnemusicwithathousandcadences。
TheLampofLifeAlwayswearefollowingalight,Alwaysthelightrecedes;withgropinghandsWestretchtowardthisglory,whilethelandsWejourneythrougharehiddenfromoursightDimandmysterious,foldeddeepinnight,Wecarenot,allourutmostneeddemandsIsbutthelight,thelight!SostillitstandsSurelyourownifweexertourmight。
Fool!Nevercan’stthougraspthisfleetinggleam,Itsglowingflamewoulddieifitwerecaught,ItsvalueisthatitdothalwaysseemButjustalittlefartheron。Distraught,Butlightedeveronward,wearebroughtUponourwayunknowing,inadream。
Hero—WorshipAfaceseenpassinginacrowdedstreet,Avoiceheardsingingmusic,largeandfree;
Andfromthatmomentlifeischanged,andweBecomeofmoreheroictemper,meetTofreelyaskandgive,amancompleteRadiantbecauseoffaith,wedaretobeWhatNaturemeantus。BraveidolatryWhichcanconceiveahero!Nodeceit,Noknowledgetaughtbyunrelentingyears,Canquenchthisfierce,untamabledesire。
WeknowthatwhatwelongforonceachievedWillceasetosatisfy。Bestillourfears;
Ifwhatweworshipfailus,stillthefireBurnson,anditismuchtohavebelieved。
InDarknessMustallofworthbetravailledfor,andthoseLife’sbrighteststarsrisefromatroubledsea?
MustyearsgobyinsaduncertaintyLeavingusdoubtingwhosetheconqueringblows,AreweorFatethevictors?TimewhichshowsAllinnermeaningswillreveal,butweShallneverknowtheupshot。OurstobeWastedwithlonging,shatteredinthethroes,Theagoniesofsplendiddreams,whichdayDimsfromourvision,buteachnightbringsback;
Westrivetoholdtheirgrandeur,andessayTobethethingwedream。SuddenwelackTheflashofinsight,lifegrowsdrearandgray,Andhourfollowshour,nerveless,slack。
BeforeDawnLife!Austerearbiterofeachman’sfate,BywhomhelearnsthatNature’ssteadfastlawsAreasdecreesimmutable;OpauseYourevenforwardmarch!NotyettoolateTeachmetheneededlesson,whentowaitInactiveasashipwhennowinddrawsTostretchtheloosenedcordage。OneimploresThyclemency,whosewilfulnessinnateHasgoneuncurbedandroughshodwhiletheyearsHavelengthenedintodecades;nowdistressedHeknowsnorulebywhichtomoveorstay,AndteasedwithrestlessnessanddesperatefearsHedaresnotwatchinsilencethywisewayBringingaboutresultsnonecouldhaveguessed。
ThePoetWhatinstinctforcesmantojourneyon,Urgedbyalongingblindbutdominant!
Nothingheseescanholdhim,nothingdauntHisneverfailingeagerness。ThesunSettinginsplendoureverynighthaswonHisvassalage;thosetowersflamboyantOfairycloudlandpalacesnowhauntHisdaylightwanderings。ForeverdoneWithsimplejoysandquiethappinessHeguardsthevisionofthesunsetsky;
ThoughfaintwithwearinesshemustpossessSomefragmentofthesunset’smajesty;
Hespurnslife’shumanfriendshipstoprofessLife’slonelinessofdreamingecstasy。
AtNightThewindissingingthroughthetreesto—night,Adeep—voicedsongofrushingcadencesAndcrashingintervals。NosummerbreezeIsthis,thoughhotJulyisatitsheight,Goneishergentlermusic;withdelightShelistenstothisboomingliketheseas,Theseelemental,loudnecessitiesWhichcalltohertoanswertheirswiftmight。
Abovethetossingtreesshinesdownastar,Quietlybright;thiswild,tumultuousjoyQuickensnordimsitssplendour。Andmymind,OStar!isfilledwithyourwhitelight,fromfar,SosuffermethisonenighttoenjoyThefreedomoftheonwardsweepingwind。
TheFruitGardenPathThepathrunsstraightbetweenthefloweringrows,Amoonlitpath,hemmedinbybedsofbloom,WherephloxandmarigoldsdisputeforroomWithtall,reddahliasandthebriarrose。
’TisrecklessprodigalitywhichthrowsIntothenightthesewaftsofrichperfumeWhichsweepacrossthegardenlikeaplume。
Overthetreesasinglebrightstarglows。
Deargardenofmychildhood,heremyyearsHaverunawaylikelittlegrainsofsand;
Themomentsofmylife,itshopesandfearsHaveallfoundutterancehere,wherenowIstand;
Myeyesachewiththeweightofunshedtears,Youaremyhome,doyounotunderstand?
MirageHowisitthat,beinggone,youfillmydays,Andallthelongnightsaremadegladbythee?
Nolonelinessisthis,normisery,ButgreatcontentthattheseshouldbethewaysWherebytheFancy,dreamingasshestrays,Makesbrightandpresentwhatshewouldwouldbe。
AndwhoshallsayiftherealityIsnotwithdreamssopregnant。FordelaysAndhindrancesmaybarthewished—forend;
AthousandmisconceptionsmaypreventOursoulsfromcomingnearenoughtoblend;
Letmebutthinkwehavethesameintent,Thateachoneneedstocalltheother,"friend!"
Itmaybevainillusion。I’mcontent。
ToaFriendIaskbutonethingofyou,onlyone,Thatalwaysyouwillbemydreamofyou;
ThatnevershallIwaketofinduntrueAllthisIhavebelievedandrestedon,Forevervanished,likeavisiongoneOutintothenight。Alas,howfewTherearewhostrikeinusachordweknewExisted,butsoseldomhearditstoneWetrembleatthehalf—forgottensound。
TheworldisfullofrudeawakeningsAndheaven—borncastlesshatteredtotheground,YetstillourhumanlongingvainlyclingsToabeliefinbeautythroughallwrongs。
Ostayyourhand,andleavemyheartitssongs!
AFixedIdeaWhattorturelurkswithinasinglethoughtWhengrowntooconstant,andhoweverkind,Howeverwelcomestill,thewearymindAcheswithitspresence。DullremembrancetaughtRemembersonunceasingly;unsoughtTheolddelightiswithusbuttofindThatallrecurringjoyispainrefined,Becomeahabit,andwestruggle,caught。
Youlieuponmyheartasonanest,Foldedinpeace,foryoucanneverknowHowcrushedIamwithhavingyouatrestHeavyuponmylife。IloveyousoYoubindmyfreedomfromitsrightfulquest。
Inmercyliftyourdroopingwingsandgo。
DreamsIdonotcaretotalktoyoualthoughYourspeechevokesathousandsympathies,Andallmybeing’ssilentharmoniesWaketremblingintomusic。WhenyougoItisasifsomesudden,dreadfulblowHadseveredallthestringswithsavageease。
No,donottalk;butletusratherseizeThisintimategiftofsilencewhichweknow。
Othersmayguessyourthoughtsfromwhatyousay,Asstormsareguessedfromcloudswheredarknessbroods。
TometheveryessenceofthedayRevealsitsinnerpurposeanditsmoods;
AspoplarsfeeltherainandthenstraightwayReversetheirleavesandshimmerthroughthewoods。
FrankincenseandMyrrhMyheartistunedtosorrow,andthestringsVibratemostreadilytominorchords,Searchingandsad;mymindisstuffedwithwordsWhichvoicethepassionandtheacheofthings:
IllusionsbeatingwiththeirbaffledwingsAgainstthewallsofcircumstance,andhoardsOftorndesires,brokenjoys;recordsOfallabruisedlife’smaimedimaginings。
Nowyouarecome!YoutremblelikeastarPoisedwhere,behindearth’srim,thesunhasset。
Yourvoicehassungacrossmyheart,butnumbAndmute,Ihavenotonestoanswer。FarWithinIkneelbeforeyou,speechlessyet,Andlifeablazewithbeauty,Iamdumb。
FromOneWhoStaysHowemptyseemsthetownnowyouaregone!
Awildernessofsadstreets,wheregauntwallsHidenothingtodesire;sunshinefallsEery,distorted,asitlonghadshoneOnwhite,deadfacestombedinhallsofstone。
Thewhirofmotors,strickenthroughwithcallsOfplayingboys,floatsupatintervals;
Butallthesenoisesblurtoonelongmoan。
Whatquestisworthpursuing?AndhowstrangeThatothermenstillgoaccustomedways!
Ihatetheirinterestinthethingstheydo。
Aspectre—horderepeatingwithoutchangeAnoldroutine。AloneIknowthedaysArestill—born,andtheworldstopped,lackingyou。
CrepusculeduMatinAllnightIwrestledwithamemoryWhichknockedinsurgentatthegatesofthought。
ThecrumbledwreckofyearsbehindhaswroughtItsdisillusion;nowIonlycryForpeace,forpowertoforgetthelieWhichhopetoolonghaswhispered。SoIsoughtThesleepwhichwouldnotcome,andnightwasfraughtWitholdemotionsweepingsilently。
Iheardyourvoiceagain,andknewthethingsWhichyouhadpromisedprovedanemptyvaunt。
Ifeltyourclinginghandswhilenight’sbroadwingsCherishedourloveindarkness。FromthelawnAsudden,quiveringbirdnote,likeataunt。
Myarmsheldnothingbuttheemptydawn。
AftermathIlearnttowritetoyouinhappierdays,AndeveryletterwasapieceIchippedFromoffmyheart,afragmentnewlyclippedFromthemosaicoflife;itsbluesandgrays,Itsthrobbingreds,Igavetoearnyourpraise。
TomakeapavementforyourfeetIstrippedMysoulforyoutowalkupon,andslippedBeneathyourstepstosoftenallyourways。
ButnowmylettersarelikeblossomspaleWestrewuponagravewithhopelesstears。
Iasknorecompense,IshallnotfailAlthoughyoudonotheed;thelong,sadyearsStillpass,andstillIscatterflowersfrail,Andwhisperwordsoflovewhichnoonehears。
TheEndThroughouttheechoingchambersofmybrainIhearyourwordsinmournfulcadencetollLikesomeslowpassing—bellwhichwarnsthesoulOfsunderingdarkness。Unrelenting,fainTobatterdownresistance,fallagainStrokeafterstroke,insistentdiastole,Thebitterblowsoftruth,untilthewholeIshammeredintofactmadestrangelyplain。
WhereshallIlookforcomfort?Nottoyou。
Ourworldsaredrawnapart,ourspirit’ssunsDivided,andthelightofmineburntdim。
NowinthehauntedtwilightImustdoYourwill。Igraspthecupwhichover—runs,AndwithmytremblinglipsItouchtherim。
TheStarling"`Ican’tgetout’,saidthestarling。"
Sterne’s`SentimentalJourney’。
ForevertheimpenetrablewallOfselfconfinesmypoorrebellioussoul,IneverseethetoweringwhitecloudsrollBeforeasturdywind,savethroughthesmallBarredwindowofmyjail。IliveathrallWithallmyouterlifeaclipped,squarehole,Rectangular;afractionofascrollUnwoundandwindinglikeaworstedball。
MythoughtsaregrownuneageranddepressedThroughbeingalwaysmine,myfancy’swingsAremoultedandthefeathersblownaway。
Iwearyfordesiresneverguessed,Foralienpassions,strangeimaginings,Tobesomeotherpersonforaday。
MarketDayWhite,glitteringsunlightfillsthemarketsquare,Spottedandspriggedwithshadows。DoublerowsOfbarteringboothsspreadouttheirtemptingshowsOfglobedandgoldenfruit,themorningairSmellssweetwithripeness,onthepavementthereAwickerbasketgapesandoverflowsSpillingoutcool,blueplums。Themarketglows,Andflaunts,andclattersinitsbusycare。
AstatelyminsteratthenorthernsideLiftsitstwinspirestothedistantsky,Pinnacled,carvedandbuttressed;throughthewideArcheddoorwaypealsanorgan,suddenly——
Crashing,triumphantinitspregnanttide,Quenchingthesquareinvibrantharmony。
EpitaphinaChurch—YardinCharleston,SouthCarolinaGEORGEAUGUSTUSCLOUGH
ANATIVEOFLIVERPOOL,DIEDSUDDENLYOF"STRANGER’SFEVER"
NOV’R5th1843
AGED22
Hediedof"Stranger’sFever"whenhisyouthHadscarcelymeltedintomanhood,soThechiselledlegendruns;abrother’swoeLaidbareforepitaph。ThesavageruthOfasunny,bright,butalienland,uncouthWithcruelcaressingdealtamortalblow,AndbythissummerseawhereflowersgrowIntropicsplendor,witnesstothetruthOfineradicableracehelies。
Thelawofdutyurgedthatheshouldroam,ShouldsailfromfogandchillyairstoskiesClearwithdeceitfulwelcome。HehadcomeWithproudresolve,butstillhislonelyeyesAchedwithfatigueatneverseeinghome。
FrancisII,KingofNaplesWrittenafterreadingTrevelyan’s"GaribaldiandthemakingofItaly"
Poorfoolishmonarch,vacillating,vain,Decayingvictimofaraceofkings,SwiftDestinyshookoutherpurplewingsAndcaughthimintheirshadow;notagainCouldfurtiveplottingsmearanotherstainAcrosshistarnishedhonour。SmoulderingsOfsacrificialfiresbursttheirringsAndblottedoutinsmokehislostdomain。
Bereftofcourtiers,onlywithhisqueen,Fromemptypalacedowntoemptyquay。
Nochallengescreamedfromhostilecarabine。
Asinglevesselwaited,shadowy;
AllnightsheploughedhersolitarywayBeneaththestars,andthroughatranquilsea。
ToJohnKeatsGreatmaster!Boyish,sympatheticman!
WhoseorbedandripenedgeniuslightlyhungFromlife’sslim,twistedtendrilandthereswungIncrimson—spheredcompleteness;guardianOfcrystalportalsthroughwhoseopeningsfanThespicedwindswhichblewwhenearthwasyoung,Scatteringwreathsofstars,asJoveonceflungAgoldenshowerfromheightscerulean。
Crumbledbeforethymajestywebow。
Forgetthyempurpledstate,thypanoplyOfgreatness,andbemercifulandnear;
AyouthwhotrudgedthehighroadwetreadnowSingingthemilesbehindhim;somayweFaintthrobbingsofthymusicoverhear。
TheBostonAthenaeumTheBostonAthenaeumThoudearandwell—lovedhauntofhappyhours,Howofteninsomedistantgallery,Gainedbyalittlepainfulspiralstair,FarfromthehallsandcorridorswherethrongThecrowdofcasualreaders,haveIpassedLong,peacefulhoursseatedonthefloorOfsomeretirednook,alllinedwithbooks,Wherereverieandquietreignsupreme!
Above,below,oneveryside,highshelvedFromcarelessgraspoftransientinterest,Standbookswecanbutdimlysee,theircharmMuchgreaterthattheirtitlesareunread;
WhileonalevelwiththedustyfloorOthersarerangedinorderlyconfusion,AndwemuststoopinpainfulposturewhileWereadtheirnamesandlearntheirhistories。
ThelittlegallerywindsroundaboutThemiddleofamostsecludedroom,Midwaybetweentheceilingandthefloor。
Atypeofthosehighthoughts,whichwhilewereadHoverbetweentheearthandfurthestheavenAsfancywills,leavingtheprintedpage;
Forbooksbutgivethetheme,ourheartstherest,EnrichingsimplewordswithunguessedharmonyAndovertonesofthoughtweonlyknow。
Andaswesitlonghoursquietly,Readingattimes,andattimessimplydreaming,Theveryroomitselfbecomesafriend,Theconfidantofintimatehopesandfears;
Aplacewhereareengenderedpleasantthoughts,AndpossibilitiesbeforeunguessedCometofruitionbornofsympathy。
AndasinsomegaygardenstretcheduponAgenialsouthernslope,warmedbythesun,TheflowersgivetheirfragrancejoyouslyTothecaressingtouchofthehotnoon;
SobooksgiveuptheallofwhattheymeanOnlyinacongenialatmosphere,Onlywhentouchedbyreverenthands,andreadBythosewholoveandfeelaswellasthink。
Forbooksaremorethanbooks,theyarethelife,Theveryheartandcoreofagespast,Thereasonwhymenlived,andworked,anddied,Theessenceandquintessenceoftheirlives。
Andwemayknowthembetter,anddivineTheinnermotiveswhencetheiractionssprang,FarbetterthanthemenwhoonlyknewTheirbodilypresence,thesoulforeverhidFromthosewithnoabilitytosee。
TheywaitherequietlyforustocomeAndfindthemout,andknowthemforourfriends;
Thesemenwhotoiledandwroteonlyforthis,ToleavebehindsuchmodicumoftruthAseachperceivedandeachalonecouldtell。
SilentlywaitingthatfromtimetotimeItmaybegiventhemtoilluminateDulldailyfactswithpristineradianceForsomelong—waited—foraffinityWholingersyetinthedeepwomboftime。
TheshiftingsunpiercestheyounggreenleavesOfelmtrees,newlycomingintobud,AndsplashesonthefloorandonthebooksThroughold,high,roundedwindows,dimwithage。
Thenoisycity—soundsofmodernlifeFloatsoftenedtousacrosstheoldgraveyard。
Theroomisfilledwithawarm,mellowlight,Nogarishcoloursjaronourcontent,Thebooksupontheshelvesareoldandworn。
’TwasnobelatedeffortnorattemptTokeepabreastwitholdaswellasnewThatplacedthemhere,trickedinamodernguise,Easilygot,andheldinlightesteem。
Ourfathers’fathers,slowlyandcarefullyGatheredthem,onebyone,whentheywerenewAndadelightedworldreceivedtheirthoughtsHungrily;whilewebutlovethemore,Becausetheyaresooldandgrownsodear!
Thebacksoftarnishedgold,thefadedboards,Theslightlyyellowingpage,thestrangeoldtype,Allspeakthefashionofanotherage;
ThethoughtspeculiartothemanwhowroteArrayedingarbpeculiartothetime;
AsthoughtheidiomofamanwerecaughtImprisonedintheidiomofarace。
Anothingtruly,yetalinkthatbindsAllagestotheirowninheritance,Andstretchingbackward,dimanddimmerstill,Islostinaremoteantiquity。
Grapesdonotcomeofthornsnorfigsofthistles,Andevenagreatpoet’sdivinestthoughtIscolouredbytheworldheknowsandsees。
Thelittleintimatethingsofeveryday,Thetrivialnothingsthatwethinknotof,Thesegotomakeapartofeachman’slife;
AsmuchapartasdothelargerthoughtsHetakesaccountof。Nay,thelittlethingsOfdailylifeitiswhichmold,andshape,Andmakehimaptfornobledeedsandtrue。
Andaswereadsomemuch—lovedmasterpiece,Readitaslongagotheauthorread,WitheyesthatbrimmedwithtearsashesawThemessagehebelievedinstampedintypeInviolablefortheslow—comingyears;
Weknowacertainsubtlesympathy,Weseemtoclasphishandacrossthepast,Hiswordsbecomerelatedtothetime,HeisatonewithhisowngloriouscreedAndallthatinhisworldwasdaredanddone。
Thelong,still,fruitfulhoursslipawaySheddingtheirinfluencesastheypass;
WeknowourselvestherichertohavesatUponthisdustyflooranddreamedourdreams。
Nootherplacetouswerequitethesame,Nootherdreamssopotentintheircharm,Forthisisours!EverytwistandturnOfeverynarrowstairisknownandloved;
Eachnookandcrannyisourveryown;
Thedear,old,sleepyplaceisfullofspellsForus,byrightoflonginheritance。
ThebuildingsimplybodiesforthathoughtPeculiarlyinherenttotherace。
Andwe,descendantsofthateldertime,HavelearnttolovetheveryforminwhichThethoughthasbeenembodiedtoouryears。
Andherewefeelthatwearenotalone,Wetooareonewithourownrichestpast;
Andherethatveiled,buteversmoulderingfireOfrace,whichrarelyseenyetneverdies,Springsupafreshandwarmsuswithitsheat。
Andmusttheytakeawaythistreasurehouse,Toussofullofthoughtsandmemories;
ToalltheworldbesideadismalplaceLackinginallthismodernagerequiresTotemptalongtheunfamiliarpathsAndleafylanesofoldtimeliteratures?
IttakessometimeformossandvinestogrowAndwarmlycovergauntandchillstonewallsOfstatelybuildingsfromthecoldNorthWind。
Thelichenofaffectiontakesaslong,Orlonger,ereitlovinglyenfoldsAplacewhichsincewithoutitwerebereft,Allstriptandbare,shornofitschiefestgrace。
ForwhattouswerehallsandcorridorsHoweverlargeandfitting,ifwepartWiththiswhichisourbirthright;ifweloseAsentimentprofound,unsoundable,WhichTime’sslowripeningalonecanmake,Andman’sblindfoolishnesssoquicklymar。
VersesforChildrenSeaShellSeaShell,SeaShell,Singmeasong,OPlease!
Asongofships,andsailormen,Andparrots,andtropicaltrees,OfislandslostintheSpanishMainWhichnomanevermayfindagain,Offishesandcoralsunderthewaves,Andseahorsesstabledingreatgreencaves。
SeaShell,SeaShell,Singofthethingsyouknowsowell。
FringedGentiansNearwhereIlivethereisalakeAsblueasbluecanbe,windsmakeItdanceastheygoblowingby。
Ithinkitcurtseystothesky。
It’sjustalakeoflovelyflowersAndmyMammasaystheyareours;
ButtheyarenotlikethosewegrowTobeourveryown,youknow。
Wehaveasplendidgarden,thereArelotsofflowerseverywhere;
Roses,andpinks,andfouro’clocksAndhollyhocks,andeveningstocks。
Mammaletsuspickthem,butneverMustwepickanygentians——ever!
ForifwecarriedthemawayThey’ddieofhomesicknessthatday。
ThePaintedCeilingMyGrandpapalivesinawonderfulhouseWithagreatmanywindowsanddoors,Therearestairsthatgoup,andstairsthatgodown,Andsuchbeautiful,slipperyfloors。
Butofalloftherooms,evenmother’sandmine,Andthebookroom,andparlourandall,Ilikethegreendining—roomsomuchthebestBecauseofitsceilingandwall。
RightoveryourheadisafunnyroundholeWithapplesandpearsfallingthrough;
There’sabigbunchofgrapesallpurplyandsweet,Andmelonsandpineapplestoo。
Theytumbleandtumble,butnevercomedownThoughI’vestoodunderneathalongwhileWithmymouthopenwide,forIalwayshavehopedJustacherrywoulddropfromthepile。
NomatterhowearlyIruntheretolookIthasalwaysbeguntofallthrough;
AndonenightwhenatbedtimeIcreptintosee,Itwasfallingbycandle—lighttoo。
Iamsuretheyaremagicalfruits,andeachoneMakesyouhearthings,orseethings,orgoForeverinvisible;butit’snouse,AndofcourseIshalljustneverknow。
Fortheladder’stooheavytolift,andthechairsArenotnearlysotallasIneed。
I’vegivenuphope,andIfeelIshalldieWithouthavingaccomplishedthedeed。
It’salittlebitsad,whenyouseemverynearToadventuresandthingsofthatsort,Whichnearlybegin,andthendon’t;andyouknowItisonlybecauseyouareshort。
TheCrescentMoonSlippingsoftlythroughtheskyLittlehorned,happymoon,Canyouhearmeupsohigh?
Willyoucomedownsoon?
Onmynurserywindow—sillWillyoustayyoursteadyflight?
AndthenfloatawaywithmeThroughthesummernight?
Brushingovertopsoftrees,Playinghideandseekwithstars,PeepingupthroughshinycloudsAtJupiterorMars。
IshallfillmylapwithrosesGatheredinthemilkyway,Alltocarryhometomother。
Oh!whatwillshesay!
Littlerocking,sailingmoon,Doyouhearmeshout——Ahoy!
Justalittlenearer,moon,Topleasealittleboy。
ClimbingHighupintheappletreeclimbingIgo,Withtheskyaboveme,theearthbelow。
EachbranchisthestepofawonderfulstairWhichleadstothetownIseeshiningupthere。
Climbing,climbing,higherandhigher,ThebranchesblowandIseeaspire,Thegleamofaturret,theglintofadome,Allsparklingandbright,likewhiteseafoam。
Onandon,fromboughtobough,Theleavesarethick,butIpushmywaythrough;
Before,Ihavealwayshadtostop,Butto—dayIamsureIshallreachthetop。
Todaytotheendofthemarvelousstair,Wherethoseglitteringpinaclesflashintheair!
Climbing,climbing,higherIgo,Withtheskycloseaboveme,theearthfarbelow。
TheTroutNaughtylittlespeckledtrout,Can’tIcoaxyoutocomeout?
IsitsuchgreatfuntoplayInthewatereveryday?
DoyoupulltheNaiads’hairHidingintheliliesthere?
Doyouhuntforfishes’eggs,Orwatchtadpolesgrowtheirlegs?
DothelittletroutshaveschoolInsomedeepsun—glintedpool,AndinrecessplayattagRoundthatbedofpurpleflag?
Ihavetriedsohardtocatchyou,HoursandhoursI’vesattowatchyou;
Butyouneverwillcomeout,Naughtylittlespeckledtrout!
WindHeshoutsinthesailsoftheshipsatsea,Hestealsthedownfromthehoneybee,Hemakestheforesttreesrustleandsing,Hetwirlsmykitetillitbreaksitsstring。
Laughing,dancing,sunnywind,Whistling,howling,rainywind,North,South,EastandWest,EachisthewindIlikethebest。
Hecallsupthefogandhidesthehills,Hewhirlsthewingsofthegreatwindmills,TheweathercockslovehimandturntodiscoverHiswhereabouts——buthe’sgone,therover!
Laughing,dancing,sunnywind,Whistling,howling,rainywind,North,South,EastandWest,EachisthewindIlikethebest。
Thepinetreestosshimtheirconeswithglee,Theflowersbendlowincourtesy,Eachwaveflingsupashowerofpearls,Theflaginfrontoftheschoolunfurls。
Laughing,dancing,sunnywind,Whistling,howling,rainywind,North,South,EastandWest,EachisthewindIlikethebest。
ThePleiadesBydayyoucannotseetheskyForitisupsoveryhigh。
Youlookandlook,butit’ssoblueThatyoucanneverseerightthrough。
Butwhennightcomesitisquiteplain,Andallthestarsarethereagain。
Theyseemjustlikeoldfriendstome,I’veknownthemallmylifeyousee。
Thereisthedipperfirst,andthereIsCassiopeiainherchair,Orion’sbelt,theMilkyWay,AndlotsIknowbutcannotsay。
Onegrouplookslikeaswarmofbees,Papasaysthey’rethePleiades;
ButIthinktheymustbethetoyOfsomenicelittleangelboy。
Perhapshisjackstoneswhichto—dayHehasforgottoputaway,AndleftthemlyingontheskyWherehewillfindthembyeandbye。
Iwishhe’dcomeandplaywithme。
We’dhavesuchfun,foritwouldbeAmostunusualthingforboysTofeelthattheyhadstarsfortoys!