TOLUCASTA
　　ColonelRichardLovelace，anenchantingpoet，ishardlyread，exceptfortwopoemswhichareasfamousasanyinourlanguage。
　　Perhapstherumourofhisconceitshasfrightenedhisreader。Itmustbegrantedtheyarenowandthendaunting；thereisapoemon"PrincessLouisaDrawing"whichisaverymaze；thelittlepathsofverseandfancyturninupononeanother，andtheturnsarepointedwithartificialshoutsofjoyandsurprise。But，again，whatareaderunusedtoacertainlivingsymbolismwillbeapttotakeforacarefulandcoldconceitis，intruth，arapture——nonegraver，nonemorefieryormoreluminous。Buteventonamethepoemwheretheseoccurmightbetodeliverdelicateandardentpoetryovertothegeneralsenseofhumour，whichonedistrusts。NorisLovelaceeasyreadingatanytime（thetwoorthreefamouspoemsexcepted）。
　　Theageheadornedlivedinconstantreadinessforthefiddler。
　　Eleveno’clockinthemorningwasasgoodanhourasanotherforadance，andpoetry，too，wasgaybetimes，butintricatewithfigures。Itistheveryorder，theperspective，asitwere，ofthemovementthatseemstobaffletheeye，butthegamewasafreeimpulse。Sincethefirstdaydancedwiththefirstnight，nodancingwasmorenatural——atleasttoadancerofgenius。True，thedancecouldbetyrannous。Itwasanimportunatefashion。WhentheBishopofHereford，compelledbyRobinHood，inmerryBarnsdale，dancedinhisboots（"andgladhecouldsogetaway"），hewashardlyinworseheartortrimthanaseventeenthcenturyauthorhereandtherewhoseoriginalseriousnessorwork—a—daypietywouldhavebeencontenttogoploddingflat—footorhalting，asthemusemightnaturallyinclinewithhim，butwhomthetune，thegrace，andgallantryofthetimebeckonedtotreadaperpetualmeasure。Lovelacewasadancerofgenius；nay，hedancedtoresthiswings，forhewaswinged，capandheel。Thefictionofflighthaslostitscharmlongsince。Modernartgrewtiredoftheidea，nowturnedtocommonplace，andpaintingtookleaveofthebuoyanturchins——naughtycherubandCupidtogether；buttheseventeenthcenturywasinlovewiththatoldfancy——moreinlove，perhaps，thananycenturyinthepast。Itslatepainters，whosehumanfigureshadnolackofweightuponthecomfortableground，yetkeptasenseofbuoyancyforthishoveringchildhood，andkepttheangelsandthelovesaloft，asthoughtheyshookatreetomakeaflockofbirdsflutterup。
　　FineisthefantasticandinfrequentlandscapeinLovelace’spoetry:
　　"Thisisthepalaceofthewood，Andcourto’theroyaloak，wherestoodThewholenobility。"
　　InmorethanoneplaceLucasta’s，orAmarantha’s，orLaura’shairissprinkledwithdeworrainalmostasfreshlyandwildlyasinWordsworth’sline。
　　Lovelace，wholovedfreedom，seemstobeenclosedinsonarrowabook；yetitisbuta"hermitage。"Toshakeoutthelightandspiritofitsleavesistogiveaglimpseoflibertynottohim，buttotheworld。
　　InToLucastaIhavebeenboldtoalter，attheclose，"you"to"thou。"Lovelacesenthisversesoutunrevised，andtheinconsistencyofpronounsiscommonwithhim，butnowhereelsesodistressingasinthisbriefandotherwiseperfectpoem。Thefaultiseasilysetright，anditseemsevenanunkindnessnottolendhimthisredress，offeredhimhereasanactofcomradeship。
　　LUCASTAPAYINGHEROBSEQUIES
　　ThaterrorsshouldaboundinthetextofLovelaceisthemorelamentablebecausehewasapttomakeaplayofphrasesthatdependupontheprecisionofacomma——nay，upontheprecisionofthevoiceinreading。LucastaPayingherObsequiesisapoemthatmakesakindofdaintyconfusionbetweenthetwovestals——thelivingandthedead；theyare"equalvirgins，"andyoumustassignthepronounscarefullytoeitherasyouread。This，readtwice，mustsurelybeplacedamongsttheloveliestofhislovelywritings。Itisajoytomeetsuchaphraseas"herbraveeyes。"
　　TOALTHEA，FROMPRISON
　　Thisisapoemthattakesthewindswithanansweringflight。
　　Shouldtheybe"birds"or"gods"thatwantonintheairinthefirstofthesegallantstanzas？BishopPercyshiedat"gods，"andwithadmirablejudgmentsuggested"birds，"anamendmentadoptedbythegreaternumberofsucceedingeditors，untiloneortwowishedfortheotherphraseagain，asanaudacityfitforLovelace。ButtheBishop’smisgivingwasafteralljustifiedbyoneoftheMss。
　　ofthepoem，inwhichthe"gods"provedtobe"birds"longbeforehechangedthem。Thereadermayask，whatistheretochoosebetweenbirdssodivineandgodssolight？Buttobeginwith"gods"wouldbetomakeananticlimaxoftheclose。Lovelaceledfrombirdsandfishestowinds，andfromwindstoangels。
　　"Whenlinnet—likeconfined"isanothermodernreading。"When，likecommittedlinnets，"dauntedtheeighteenthcentury。Nevertheless，itisrightseventeenthcentury，andisnowhappilyrestored；
　　happily，becauseLovelacewouldnothavetheword"confined"twiceinthislittlepoem。
　　AHORATIANODE
　　"Heearnedthegloriousname，"saysabiographerofAndrewMarvell（editinganissueofthatpoet’sworkswhichcertainlyhasitsfaults），"oftheBritishAristides。"Theportlydulnessofthemindthatcouldmakesuchaphrase，andhavingmade，awardit，isnot，infairness，toaffectareader’sthoughtofMarvellhimselfnorevenofhistime。Undercorrection，Ishouldthinkthattheawardwasnotmadeinhisownage；hedidbutliveontheeveofthedaythatcumbereditsmouthwithphrasesofsuchfoolishburdenandmadeliteraturestiffwiththem。AndrewMarvell’spoliticalrectitude，itistrue，seemstohavebeenofarobustiouskind；buthispoetry，atitsrarebest，hasa"wildcivility，"whichmightpuzzlethetriumphofhim，whoeverhewas，whomadeasuccessofthisphraseofthe"BritishAristides。"Nay，itisdifficultnottothinkthatMarvelltoo，whowas"ofmiddlingstature，roundish—
　　faced，cherry—cheeked，"ahealthyandactiveratherthanaspiritualAristides，mighthimselfhavebeensomewhattakenbysurpriseattheencountersofsosubtleamuse。He，asagarden—
　　poet，expectedtheaccustomedMusetolurkaboutthefountain—
　　heads，withinthecaves，andbythewalksandthestatuesofthegods，keepingthetrystofaseventeenthcenturyconventioninwhichtherewerecertainlynosurprises。Andforfearofthecommonplacesofthosevisits，Marvellsometimesoutdoesthewholecompanyofgarden—poetsinthedifficultlaboursofthefancy。Thereadertreadswithhima"maze"mostresolutelyintricate，andismorethanonceobligedtoturnback，havingbeentoomuchpuzzledonthewaytoasmall，visible，plain，andobviousgoalofthought。
　　AndyetthispoettwoorthreetimesdidmeetaMusehehadhardlylookedforamongthetroddenpaths；aspiritualcreaturehadbeenwaitingbehindalaureloranapple—tree。Youfindhimcomingawayfromsuchadivineambushawilderandasimplerman。Allhisgardenhadbeenmadereadyforpoetry，andpoetrywasindeedthere，butinunexpectedhidingandinastrangeform，lookingratherlikeafugitive，shyofthepoetwhowasconsciousofhavingherrulesbyheart，yetsweetlywillingtobeseen，forallherhaste。
　　Thepoliticalpoems，needlesstosay，haveanexcellenceofadifferentcharacterandahigherdegree。Theyhavesomuchauthenticdignitythat"thegloriousnameoftheBritishAristides"
　　reallyseemsdullerwhenitisconferredastheearningsoftheHoratianOdeuponCromwell’sReturnfromIrelandthanwhenitinappropriatelyclingstoAndrewMarvell，cherry—cheeked，caughtinthetendrilsofhisvinesandmelons。Heshallbe，therefore，theBritishAristidesinthosemomentsofmidsummersolitude；atleast，theheavyphraseshallthenhavethesmileitneversought。
　　TheSatiresare，ofcourse，outofreachfortheirinordinatelength。ThecelebratedSatireonHollandcertainlymakestheutmostofthefuntobeeasilyfoundinthephysicalfactsofthecountrywhosepeople"withmadlabourfishedthelandtoshore。"
　　TheSatireon"Flecno"makestheutmostofanotherjokeweknowof—
　　—thatoffamine。Flecno，itwillberemembered，wasapoet，andpoor；butthejokeofhisbadverseswashardlyneeded，sofinedoesMarvellfindthatofhishunger。PerhapsthereisnoageofEnglishsatirethatdoesnotgiveforththesoundofthatlaughterunknowntosavages——thatcravenlaughter。
　　THEPICTUREOFT。C。INAPROSPECTOFFLOWERS
　　Thepresenceofafurtiveironyofthesweetestkindisthesuresignofthevisitofthatunlooked—formuse。WithallspiritandsubtletydoesMarvellpretendtoofferthelittlegirlT。C。（thefuture"virtuousenemyofman"）theprophetichomageofthehabitualpoets。ThepoemcloseswithanimpassionedtendernessnottobefoundelsewhereinMarvell。
　　THEDEFINITIONOFLOVE
　　ThenoblephraseoftheHoratianOdeisnotrecoveredagain，highorlow，throughoutMarvell’sbook，itweexceptonesinglesplendidandsurpassingpassagefromTheDefinitionofLove—
　　"MagnanimousdespairaloneCouldshowmesodivineathing。"
　　CHILDHOOD
　　Oneofourtruepoets，andthefirstwholookedatnaturewiththefullspiritualintellect，HenryVaughanwasknowntofewbutstudentsuntilMr。E。K。Chambersgaveushisexcellentedition。
　　ThetenderwitandgraveplayofHerbert，Crashaw’slovelyrapture，areallunlikethismeditationofasoulcondemnedandbanishedintolife。Vaughan’simaginationsuddenlyopensanewwindowtowardstheeast。Theageseemstochangewithhim，anditisoneofthemostincredibleofallfactsthatthereshouldbemorethanacentury——andsuchacentury！——fromhimtoWordsworth。Thepassingoftimebetweenthemisstrangeenough，butthepassingofPope，Prior，andGray——oftheworld，theworld，whetherreasonableorflippantorrhetorical——ismorestrange。Vaughan’sphraseanddictionseemtocarrythelight。Ilvoussemblequecettefemmedegagedelalumiereenmarchant？Vousl’aimez！saysMariusinLesMiserables（Iquotefrommemory），anditseemstobebyasenseoflightthatweknowthemusewearetolove。
　　SCOTTISHBALLADS
　　Itwasnoeasymattertochooseagroupofrepresentativeballadsfromamongsomanyalmostequallyfineandequallydamagedwiththinplaces。Finally，itseemedbesttotake，fromamongthefinest，thosethathadpassagesofgenius——alinehereandthereofsurpassingimaginationandpoetry——rareineventhebestfolk—
　　songs。Suchpassagesdonotoccurbutinballadsthatarethroughoutonthelevelofthehighestoftheirkind。"Nonebutmyfoetobemyguide"sodistinguishesHelenofKirconnell；theexquisitestanzaaboutthehatsofbirk，TheWifeofUsher’sWell；
　　itsvariedrefrain，TheDowieDensofYarrow；thestanzaspokenbyMargaretaskingforroominthegrave，SweetWilliamandMargaret；
　　andanumberofpassages，SirPatrickSpens，suchasthatbeginning，"Isawthenewmoonlateyestreen，"thestanzabeginning"Olaith，laithwereourgudeScotslords，"andalmostallthestanzasfollowing。ALykeWakeDirgeisofsurpassingqualitythroughout。IamsorrytohavenoroomforJamieson’sversionofFairAnnie，forEdomo’Gordon，forTheDaemonLover，forEdward，Edward，andfortheScottisheditionofTheBattleofOtterbourne。
　　MRS。ANNEKILLIGREW
　　Thismostmajesticode——oneofthefewgreatestofitskind——isamodelofnoblerhythmandespeciallyofcadence。Toprintitwholewouldbeimpossible，andoneoftheveryfewexcisionsinthisbookismadeinthemidstofit。Dryden，soadultandsofarfromsimplicity，bearshimselflikeachildwho，havingsaidsomethingfine，capsitwithsomethingfoolish。ThesuppressedpartoftheodeissillywithasillinesswhichDryden’sagechosetododderinwhenitwould。Thedeplorable"rattlingbones"oftheclosingsectionhasatouchofit。
　　SONG，FROMABDELAZAR
　　Itisafutilething——andthecauseofatrainoffutilities——tohail"style"asthoughitwereaseparablequalityinliterature，anditisnotinthatillusionthatthestyleoftheopeningofAphraBehn’sresoundingsongistobepraised。ButitISthestyle——implyingtherecklessandmajesticheart——thatfirsttakesthereaderofthesegreatverses。
　　HYMN（Thespaciousfirmamentonhigh）
　　WhetherAddisonwrotethewholeofthisornot，——anditseemsthattheinspiredpassagesarenoneofhis——itistomeapoemofgenius，magicalinspiteofthelimiteddiction。
　　ELEGYTOTHEMEMORYOFANUNFORTUNATELADY
　　Alsoinspiteoflimiteddiction——thesignofthoughtclosingin，asitdidfastcloseinduringthoseyears——arePope’stendernessandpassioncommunicatedinthisbeautifulelegy。Itwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythatallhispassion，allhistenderness，andcertainlyallhismystery，areinthefewlinesattheopeningandclose。TheEpistleofEloisais（artisticallyspeaking）butacounterfeit。YetPope’sElegybeginsbystealingandtranslatingintothefalseeleganceofalteredtastethatlovelyandpoeticopeningofBenJonson’s—
　　"Whatbeckoningghost，besprentwithAprildew，Hailsmesosolemnlytoyonderyew？"
　　Allthegravity，allthesweetness，onemightfear，mustbelostinsuchachangeasPopemakes—
　　"WhatbeckoningghostalongthemoonlightshadeInvitesmysteps，andpointstoyonderglade？"
　　Yettheyarenotlost。Pope’saweandardourareauthentic，andtheyprevail；thesucceedingcouplet——inimitablymodulated，andoftragicdignity——proves，withoutdelay，thequalityofthepoem。
　　Thepovertyandcoldnessofthepassage（towardstheend），inwhichtherosesandtheangelsaresomewhattriviallysung，cannotmarsoveritableanutterance。ThefourfinalcoupletsaretheverygloryoftheEnglishcouplet。
　　LINEONRECEIVINGHISMOTHER’SPICTURE
　　Cowper，again，bytheverydirectnessofhumanfeelingmakeshisnarrowingEnglishameansofabsolutelydirectcommunication。Ofallhisworks（andthisismyownmereandunsharedopinion）thissingleonedeservesimmortality。
　　LIFE
　　Thisfragment（theonlyfragment，properlysocalled，inthepresentcollection）sopleasedWordsworththathewishedhehadwrittenthelines。Theyareverygentlytouched。
　　THELANDOFDREAMS
　　WhenBlakewritesofsleepanddreamshewritesundertheveryinfluenceofthehoursofsleep——withawakingconsciousnessofthewilderemotionofthedream。Corotpaintedso，whenatsummerdawnhewentoutandsawlandscapeinthehoursofsleep。
　　SURPRISEDBYJOY
　　ItisnotnecessarytowritenotesonWordsworth’ssonnets——thegreatestsonnetsinourliterature；butitwouldbewelltowarneditorshowtheyprintthisonesonnet；"Iwishedtosharethetransport"isbynomeansanuncommonreading。IntothehistoryofthevariantIhavenotlooked。Itisenoughthatallthesuddenness，alltheclashandrecoiloftheseimpassionedlinesarelostbythat"wished"intheplaceof"turned。"Thelosswouldbethelesstolerableinasmuchasperhapsonlyhereandinthatheart—movingpoem，’Tissaidthatsomehavediedforlove，isWordsworthtobeconfessedasanimpassionedpoet。
　　STEPPINGWESTWARD
　　Thisandtheprecedingtwoexquisitepoemsofsympathyarefarmorejustified，morerecollectedandsincerethanisthatmoremonumentalcomposition，thefamouspoemofsympathy，HartleapWell。
　　Themostbeautifulstanzasofthispoemlast—namedaresorebukedbythetruthsofnaturethattheymusteverstandasobstaclestothestraightforwardviewofsensitiveeyesuponthenaturalworld。
　　Wordsworthshowsustheruinsofanaspen—wood，ablightedhollow，adrearyplaceforlornbecauseaninnocentcreature，hunted，hadtherebrokenitsheartinaleapfromtherocksabove；grasswouldnotgrow，norshadelingerthere—
　　"ThisbeastnotunobservedbyNaturefell，Hisdeathwasmournedbysympathydivine。"
　　Andthesignsofthatsympathyarecruellyassertedtobethesearidwoodlandruins——cruelly，becausethecommonsightofthedayblossomingovertheagoniesofanimalsandbirdsismadelesstolerablebysuchfictions。Wehavetoshutourearstothebenignbeautyofthisstanzaespecially—
　　"TheBeingthatisinthecloudsandair，Thatisinthegreenleavesamongthegroves，MaintainsadeepandreverentialcareFortheunoffendingcreaturewhomHeloves。"
　　Wemustshutourearsbecausethepoetoffersus，asaproofofthat"reverentialcare，"thevisiblealterationofnatureatthesceneofsuffering——analterationweareobligedtodispensewitheverydaywepassinthewoods。WearetemptedtoaskwhetherWordsworthhimselfbelievedinasympathyheasksus——uponsuchgrounds！——tobelievein？Didhethinkhisfaithtobeworthyofnomorethanafictitioussignorafalseproof？
　　TochoosefromWordsworthistodrawcloseanetwithverylargemeshes——sothatthelovelythingsthatescapemustdoubtlesscausethereadertoprotest；butthepoemsgatheredherearenotonlysupremelybeautifulbutexceedinglyWordsworthian。
　　YOUTHANDAGE
　　ClosetothemarvellousKublaKhan——apoemthatwreststhesecretofdreamsandbringsittothelightofverse——IplaceYouthandAgeasthebestspecimenofColeridge’spoetrythatisquiteundelirious——tomymindtheonlyfinespecimen。Idonotratehisundeliriouspoemshighly，andeventhis，charmingandnimbleasitis，seemstomeratherleaninthoughtandimage。Thetendernessofsomeoftheimagescomestoaratherlamentableclose；thelikenessto"somepoornigh—relatedguest"withthethreelinesthatfollowistoosqualidforpoetry，orprose，orthought。
　　THERIMEOFTHEANCIENTMARINER
　　Thispoemissurelymorefullofacertainqualityofextremepoetry——thesimplest"flowerofthemind，"themostsinglemagic——
　　thananyotherinourlanguage。Butthereadermustbepermittedtocallthestorysilly。
　　Page265（ArethoseherribsthroughwhichtheSun）
　　Coleridgeusedthesun，moon，andstarsasagreatdreamusesthemwhenthesleepingimaginationisobscurelythreatenedwithillness。
　　AllthroughTheAncientMarinerweseethemlikeapparitions。ItisapitythathefollowedthepranksalsoofadreamwhenheimpossiblyplacedastarWITHINthetipofthecrescent。
　　Page266（Ifeerthee，ancientMariner！）
　　Thelikenessof"theribbedseasand"issaidtobetheonepassageactuallycomposedbyWordsworth，——whoaccordingtothefirstplanshouldhavewrittenTheAncientMarinerwithColeridge——"andperhapsthemostbeautifulpassageinthepoem，"addsonecriticafteranother。Itisnomorethanagoodlikeness，andhasnothingwhateveroftheindescribableColeridgequality。
　　Coleridgereveals，throughoutthispoem，anexaltationofthesenses，whichisthemostpoeticalthingthatcanbefallasimplepoet。Itisnecessaryonlytorefer，forsight，tothestanzaon"themovingMoon"atthebottomofpage267；forhearing，tothesupernaturalstanzasonpage271；and，fortouch，totheline—
　　"Andstillmybodydrank。"
　　ROSEAYLMER
　　Neverwasahumannamemoreexquisitelysungthanintheseperfectstanzas。
　　THEISLESOFGREECE
　　Onereallyfineandpoeticstanza——ofcourse，thethird；threestanzasthataregoodeloquence——thefourth，fifth，andseventh；
　　andonethatisafairbitofargument——thetenth——maytogetherperhapscarrytherest。
　　HELLAS
　　TheprofounderspiritofShelley’spoemyetleavesitacarelesspieceofworkincomparisonwithByron’s。Thetwofalserhymesattheoutsetmaynotbeofgreatimportance，butthereissomethingannoyinginthedissyllabicrhymesofthesecondstanza。
　　Dissyllabicrhymesarebeautifulandenrichingwhentheyfallintherightplace；thatis，wherethereisapauseforthesecondlittlesyllabletostand。Forexample，theycouldnotbebetterplacedthantheywouldhavebeenattheendoftheshorterlinesofthissamestanza，wheretheywouldhavedroppedintoapartofthepause。Anothersinofsheerheedlessness——thelapseofgrammarinTheSkylark，atthetopofpage296（Withthyclearkeenjoyance）——
　　willremindthereaderofthespecialhabitualerrorofDrummondofHawthornden。
　　THEWANINGMOON
　　InthesefewlinestheShelleyspiritseemstobemoreintensethaninanyotherpassageasbrief。
　　ODETOTHEWESTWIND
　　Thismagnificentpoemissurelythegreatestofagreatposeswritings，andoneofthemostsplendidpoemsonnatureandonpoetryinaliteratureresoundingwithodesontheseenormousthemes。
　　THEINVITATION
　　Noneedtopointtoapoemthatsoshinesasdoesthislucentverse。
　　LABELLEDAMESANSMERCI
　　Keatsisherethemagicalpoet，asheistheintellectualpoetinthegreatsonnetfollowing；anditishispossessionorpromiseofbothimaginationsthatproveshimgreaterthanColeridge。InhisdaytheyseemtohavefoundColeridgetobeathinkerinhispoetry。Tomeheseemstohavehadnothingbutsenses，magic，andsimplicity，andthesehehadtotheutmostyetknowntoman。Keatswastohavebeenagreatintellectualpoet，besidesallthatinfacthewas。
　　ODETOANIGHTINGALE
　　OfthefiveodesofKeats，theNightingaleisperhapsthemostperfect，andcertainlythemostimaginative。ButtheGrecianUrnisthefinest，eventhoughithasfancyratherthanimagination，forneverwasfancymoreexquisite。Themostconspicuousidea——theemptyingofthetownbecauseitsfolkareawayatplayinthetaleoftheantiqueurn——ismerelyafancy，andamostanticfancy——aprank；itisanironyofman，arallyingofart，amockeryoftime，aburlesqueofpoetry，divinewithtenderness。Thesixlinesinwhichthisfancysportsareamongsttheloveliestinallliterature:the"littletown，"the"peacefulcitadel，"——wereeversimpleadjectivesmorehappy？ButJohnKeats’sfinalmoralhereisundeniablyafailure；itsayssomuchandmeanssolittle。TheOdetoAutumnisanexteriorode，andnotinsohigharank，butlovelyandperfect。ThePsycheIlovetheleast，becauseitsfancyisratherweakanditssentimenteffusive。IthasatouchofthedeadlysicklinessofEndymion。NonethelessdoesitremainjustwithinthegroupofthereallyfineodesofEnglishpoets。TheeloquentMelancholymorenarrowlyescapesexclusionfromthatgroup。
　　EndofProjectGutenbergEtextofFloweroftheMind，byAliceMeynellMorebelow……
　　LATERPOEMS
　　Contents:
　　TheShepherdess"IamtheWay"
　　Via，etVeritas，etVitaWhywiltThouChide？
　　TheLadyPovertyTheFoldCradle—songatTwilightTheRoaringFrostParentageTheModernMotherWestWindinWinterNovemberBlueChimesUntousaSonisgivenADeadHarvestTheTwoPoetsAPoet’sWifeVenerationofImagesAtNightTHESHEPHERDESS
　　Shewalks——theladyofmydelight—
　　Ashepherdessofsheep。
　　Herflocksarethoughts。Shekeepsthemwhite；
　　Sheguardsthemfromthesteep。
　　Shefeedsthemonthefragrantheight，Andfoldstheminforsleep。
　　Sheroamsmaternalhillsandbright，Darkvalleyssafeanddeep。
　　IntothattenderbreastatnightThechasteststarsmaypeep。
　　Shewalks——theladyofmydelight—
　　Ashepherdessofsheep。
　　Sheholdsherlittlethoughtsinsight，Thoughgaytheyrunandleap。
　　Sheissocircumspectandright；
　　Shehashersoultokeep。
　　Shewalks——theladyofmydelight—
　　Ashepherdessofsheep。
　　"IAMTHEWAY"
　　ThouarttheWay。
　　HadstThoubeennothingbutthegoal，IcannotsayIfThouhadstevermetmysoul。
　　Icannotsee—
　　I，childofprocess——ifthereliesAnendforme，Fullofrepose，fullofreplies。
　　I’llnotreproachThewaythatgoes，myfeetthatstir。
　　Access，approach，ArtThou，time，way，andwayfarer。
　　VIA，ETVERITAS，ETVITA
　　"YouneverattainedtoHim？""IftoattainBetoabide，thenthatmaybe。"
　　"Endlesstheway，followedwithhowmuchpain！"
　　"ThewaywasHe。"
　　"WHYWILTTHOUCHIDE？"
　　Whywiltthouchide，Whohastattainedtobedenied？
　　Ohlearn，aboveAllpriceismyrefusal，Love。
　　MysacredNayWasnevercheapenedbytheway。
　　ThysinglesorrowcrownstheelordOfanunpurchasableword。
　　Ohstrong，Ohpure！
　　AsYeamakeshappierlovessecure，IvowtheethisUniquerejectionofakiss。
　　IguardfortheeThisjealoussadmonopoly。
　　Isealthishonourthine。NonedareHopeforapartinthydespair。
　　THELADYPOVERTY
　　TheLadyPovertywasfair:
　　Butshehaslostherlooksoflate，Withchangeoftimesandchangeofair。
　　Ahslattern，sheneglectsherhair，Hergown，hershoes。ShekeepsnostateAsoncewhenherpurefeetwerebare。
　　Or——almostworse，ifworsecanbe—
　　Shescoldsinparlours；dustsandtrims，Watchesandcounts。Oh，isthissheWhomFrancismet，whosestepwasfree，WhowithObediencecarolledhymns，InUmbriawalkedwithChastity？
　　Whereisherladyhood？Nothere，Notamongmodernkindsofmen；
　　Butinthestonyfields，whereclearThroughthethintreestheskiesappear；
　　Indelicatesparesoilandfen，Andslenderlandscapeandaustere。
　　THEFOLD
　　BEHOLD，Thetimeisnow！Bringback，bringbackThyflocksoffancies，wildofwhim。
　　Ohleadthemfromthemountain—track—
　　Thyfrolicthoughtsuntold。
　　Ohbringthemin——thefieldsgrowdim—
　　Andletmebethefold。
　　Behold，Thetimeisnow！Callin，OcallThyposturingkissesgoneastrayForscatteredsweets。GatherthemallToshelterfromthecold。
　　Throngthemtogether，closeandgay，Andletmebethefold！
　　CRADLE—SONGATTWILIGHT
　　Thechildnotyetislulledtorest。
　　Tooyounganurse，theslenderNightSolaxlyholdshimtoherbreastThatthrobswithflight。
　　Heplayswithherandwillnotsleep。
　　Forotherplayfellowsshesighs；
　　AnunmaternalfondnesskeepHeralieneyes。
　　THEROARINGFROST
　　AflockofwindscamewingingfromtheNorth，StrongbirdswithfightingpinionsdrivingforthWitharesoundingcall！
　　Wherewilltheyclosetheirwingsandceasetheircries—
　　Betweenwhatwarmingseasandconqueringskies—
　　Andfold，andfall？
　　PARENTAGE
　　"WhenAugustusCaesarlegislatedagainsttheunmarriedcitizensofRome，hedeclaredthemtobe，insomesort，slayersofthepeople。"
　　Ahno，notthese！
　　These，whowerechildless，arenottheywhogaveSomanydeaduntothejourneyingwave，Thehelplessnurslingsofthecradlingseas；
　　NottheywhodoomedbyinfallibledecreesUnnumberedmantotheinnumerablegrave。
　　ButthosewhoslayArefathers。Theirsarearmies。Deathistheirs，Thedeathofinnocencesanddespairs；
　　Thedyingofthegoldenandthegrey。
　　Thesentence，whenthesespeakit，hasnoNay。
　　Andshewhoslaysisshewhobears，whobears。
　　THEMODERNMOTHER
　　OhwhatakissWithfilialpassionoverchargedisthis！
　　TothismisgivingbreastThechildruns，asachildne’errantorestUponthelightheartandtheunoppressed。
　　Unhoped，unsought！
　　Alittletenderness，thismotherthoughtTheutmostofhermeedShelookedforgratitude；contentindeedWiththusmuchthathernineyears’lovehadbought。
　　Nay，evenwithless。
　　Thismother，giveroflife，death，peace，distress，Desiredah！notsomuchThanksasforgiveness；andthepassingtouchExpected，andtheslight，thebriefcaress。
　　OhfiliallightStronginthesechildisheyes，thesenew，thesebrightIntelligiblestars！TheirraysAreneartheconstantearth，guidesinthemaze，Natural，true，keeninthisduskofdays。
　　WESTWINDINWINTER
　　Anotherdayawakes。Andwho—
　　Changingtheworld——isthis？
　　Hecomesatwhiles，theWinterthrough，WestWind！IwouldnotmissHissuddentryst:thelong，thenewSurprisesofhiskiss。
　　Vigilant，ImakehastetocloseWithhimwhocomesmyway。
　　Igotomeethimashegoes；
　　Iknowhisnote，hislay，Hiscolourandhismorningrose；
　　AndIconfesshisday。
　　Mywindowwaits；atdawnIharkHiscall；atmornImeetHishastearoundthetossingparkAnddownthesoftenedstreet；
　　Thegentlerlightishis；thedark，Thegrey——heturnsitsweet。
　　Sotoo，sotoo，doIconfessMypoetwhenhesings。
　　HerushesonmymortalguessWithhisimmortalthings。
　　Ifeel，Iknowhim。OnIpress—
　　Hefindsme’twixthiswings。
　　NOVEMBERBLUE
　　Thecolouroftheelectriclightshasastrangeeffectingivingacomplementarytinttotheairintheearlyevening。——ESSAYON
　　LONDON。
　　O，Heavenlycolour！LondontownHasblurreditfromherskies；
　　Andhoodedinanearthlybrown，Unheaven’dthecitylies。
　　Nolongerstandard—likethishueAbovethebroadroadflies；
　　NordoesthenarrowstreettheblueWear，slenderpennon—wise。
　　ButwhenthegoldandsilverlampsColourtheLondondew，And，mistedbythewinterdamps，Theshopsshinebrightanew—
　　Bluecomestoearth，itwalksthestreet，Itdyesthewideairthrough；
　　Amimicskyabouttheirfeet，Thethronggocrownedwithblue。
　　CHIMES
　　Brief，onaflyingnight，Fromtheshakentower，Aflockofbellstakeflight，Andgowiththehour。
　　Likebirdsfromthecotetothegales，Abrupt——Ohark！
　　Afleetofbellssetsails，Andgotothedark。
　　Suddenthecoldairsswing。
　　Alone，aloud，AverseofbellstakeswingAndflieswiththecloud。
　　UNTOUSASONISGIVEN
　　Given，notlent，Andnotwithdrawn——oncesent—
　　ThisInfantofmankind，thisOne，IsstillthelittlewelcomeSon。
　　Neweveryyear，New—bornandnewlydear，Hecomeswithtidingsandasong，Theageslong，theageslong。
　　EvenasthecoldKeenwintergrowsnotold；
　　Aschildhoodissofresh，foreseen，Andspringinthefamiliargreen；
　　SuddenassweetCometheexpectedfeet。
　　Alljoyisyoung，andnewallart，AndHe，too，Whomwehavebyheart。
　　ADEADHARVEST[INKENSINGTONGARDENS]
　　AlongthegracelessgrassoftownTheyraketherowsofredandbrown，Deadleaves，unliketherowsofhay，Delicate，neithergoldnorgrey，Rakedlongagoandfaraway。
　　Anarrowsilenceinthepark；
　　Betweenthelightsanarrowdark。
　　Onestreetrollsonthenorth，andone，Muffled，uponthesouthdothrun。
　　Amidthemisttheworkisdone。
　　Afutilecrop；foritthefireSmoulders，and，forastack，apyre。
　　Sogothetown’slivesonthebreeze，Evenasthesheddingsofthetrees；
　　Bosomnorbarnisfilledwiththese。
　　THETWOPOETS
　　WhoseisthespeechThatmovesthevoicesofthislonelybeech？
　　OutofthelongWestdidthiswildwindcome—
　　Ohstrongandsilent！Andthetreewasdumb，Readyanddumb，untilThedumbgalestruckitonthedarkenedhill。
　　Twomemories，Twopowers，twopromises，twosilencesClosedinthiscry，closedinthesethousandleavesArticulate。ThissuddenhourretrievesThepurposeofthepast，Separate，apart——embraced，embracedatlast。
　　"Whoseistheword？
　　IsitIthatspake？Isitthou？IsitIthatheard？"
　　"Thineearthwassolitary；yetIfoundthee！"
　　"Thyskywaspathless，butIcaught，Iboundthee，Thouvisitantdivine。"
　　"OthoumyVoice，thewordwasthine。"
　　"Wasthine。"
　　APOET’SWIFE
　　Isawatractofoceanlockedin—landWithinafield’sembrace—
　　Theverysea！AfaritfledthestrandAndgavetheseasonschase，Andmetthenightalone，thetempestspanned，Sawsunrisefacetoface。
　　OPoet，morethanocean，lonelier！
　　IninaccessiblerestAndstormremote，thou，seaofthoughts，doststir，Scatteredthrougheasttowest，—
　　Now，whilethouclosestwiththekissofherWholockstheetoherbreast。
　　VENERATIONOFIMAGES
　　Thouman，first—comer，whosewidearmsentreat，Gather，clasp，welcome，bind，Lack，orremember！whosewarmpulsesbeatWithloveofthineownkind；
　　Unliftedforablessingonyonsea，Unshrinedonthishigh—way，Oflesh，Ogrief，thoutooshalthaveourknee，Thouroodofeveryday！
　　ATNIGHT
　　Home，homefromthehorizonfarandclear，Hitherthesoftwingssweep；
　　FlocksofthememoriesofthedaydrawnearThedovecotedoorsofsleep。
　　OwhicharetheythatcomethroughsweetestlightOfallthesehomingbirds？
　　Whichwiththestraightestandtheswiftestflight？
　　Yourwordstome，yourwords！