首页 >出版文学> A Dome of Many—Coloured Glass>第2章
  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!