Contents:
GrassofParnassusDeedsofmen:
SeekersforacityThewhitepachaMidnight,January25,1886
Advance,AustraliaColonelBurnabyMelvilleandCoghillRhodocleia:
Torhodocleia—onhermelancholysingingAve:
ClevedonchurchTwilightonTweed*
Metempsychosis*
LostinHades*
Astarinthenight*
Asunsetonyarrow*
AnotherwayHesperothen:
TheseekersforPhaeaciaAsongofPhaeaciaThedeparturefromPhaeaciaAballadofdepartureTheyhearthesirensforthesecondtimeCirce’sIslerevisitedThelimitoflandsVerses:
MartialintownAprilonTweedTiredoftownsScythesongPenandinkAdreamThesingingroseAreviewinrhymeColinette*
AsunsetofWatteau*
Nightingaleweather*
Loveandwisdom*
Good—bye*
Anoldprayer*
AlabelleHelene*
SylvieetAurelie*
Alostpath*
TheshadeofHelen*
Sonnets:
SheHerodotusinEgyptGerarddeNerval*
Ronsard*
Love’smiracle*
Dreams*
Twosonnetsofthesirens*
Translations:
Hymntothewinds*
Moonlight*
Thegraveandtherose*
AvowtoheavenlyVenus*
Ofhislady’soldage*
Shadowsofhislady*
April*
Anoldtune*
Oldloves*
Aladyofhighdegree*
Iannoula*
Themilk—whitedoe*
HeliodoreTheprophetLaisClearistaThefisherman’stombOfhisdeathRhodopeToagirlTotheshipsAlateconvertThelimitoflifeToDanielElzevirThelastchanceToE。M。S。
Primadictamihi,summadicendaCamena。
Theyearswillpass,andheartswillrange,YOUconquerTime,andCare,andChange。
ThoughTimedothstilldelighttoshedThedustonmanyayoungerhead;
ThoughCare,oftcoming,haththeguileFromyoungerlipstostealthesmile;
ThoughChangemakesyoungerheartswaxcold,Andsellsnewlovesforlovesofold,Time,Change,norCare,hathlearnedtheartTofleckyourhair,tochillyourheart,Totouchyourtresseswiththesnow,Tomaryourmirthoflongago。
Change,Care,norTime,whilelifeendure,Shallspoilourancientfriendshipsure,Thelovewhichflowsfromsacredsprings,In’oldunhappyfar—offthings,’
Fromsympathiesingriefandjoy,Throughalltheyearsofmanandboy。
Therefore,toyou,therhymesIstrungWheneventhis’brindled’headwasyoungIbring,andlaterrhymesIbringThatflituponasweakawing,Butstillforyou,foryours,theysing!
ManyoftheversesandtranslationsinthisvolumewerepublishedfirstinBALLADSANDLYRICSOFOLDFRANCE(1872)。Thoughverysensiblethattheyhavethedemeritsofimitativeandevenofundergraduaterhyme,IprintthemagainbecausepeopleIlikehavelikedthem。Therestareofdifferentdates,andlack(thoughdoubtlesstheyneed)theexcuseofhavingbeenwritten,likesomeoftheearlierpieces,duringCollegeLectures。IwouldgladlyhaveaddedtothisvolumewhatothermoreorlessseriousrhymesI
havewritten,butcircumstancesoverwhichIhavenocontrolhaveboundthemupwithBALLADES,andothertoysofthatsort。
Itmaybeaswelltorepeatinprose,whathasalreadybeensaidinverse,thatGrassofParnassus,theprettyAutumnflower,growsinthemarshesatthefootoftheMuses’Hill,andotherhills,notatthetopbyanymeans。
SeveraloftheversionsfromtheGreekAnthologyhavebeenpublishedintheFORTNIGHTLYREVIEW,andthesonnetonColonelBurnabyappearedinPUNCH。These,withpiecesfromotherserials,arereprintedbythecourteouspermissionoftheEditors。
TheversesthatwerepublishedinBALLADESANDLYRICS,andinBALLADSANDVERSESVAIN(CharlesScribner’sSons,NewYork),aremarkedinthecontentswithanasterisk。
GRASSOFPARNASSUS。
PalestarthatbythelochsofGalloway,Inwetgreenplaces’twixtthedepthandheightDostkeepthinehourwhileAutumnebbsaway,Whennowthemoorshavedoffedtheheatherbright,GrassofParnassus,flowerofmydelight,Howgladlywiththeunpermittedbay—
Garlandsnotmine,andleavesthatnotdecay—
HowgladlywouldItwinetheeifImight!
Thebaysareoutofreach!ButfarbelowThepeaksforbiddenoftheMuses’Hill,GrassofParnassus,thyreturningsnowBetweenSeptemberandOctoberchillDothspeaktomeofAutumnslongago,Andthesekindfacesthatarewithmestill。
DEEDSOFMEN
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。ToColonelIanHamilton。
Toyou,whoknowthefaceofwar,You,thatforEnglandwanderfar,YouthathaveseentheGhazisflyFromEnglishladsnotsworntodie,Youthathavelainwhere,deadlychill,Themistcrepto’ertheShamefulHill,Youthathaveconquered,milebymile,ThecurrentsofunfriendlyNile,Andcheeredthemarch,andeasedthestrainWhenPoliticsmadevalourvain,Ian,toyou,frombanksofKen,WesendourlaysofEnglishmen!
SEEKERSFORACITY。
"Believeme,ifthatblissful,thatbeautifulplace,weresetonahillvisibletoalltheworld,Ishouldlongagohavejourneyedthither……Butthenumberandvarietyoftheways!Foryouknow,THEREISBUTONEROADTHATLEADSTOCORINTH。"
HERMOTIMUS(MrPater’sVersion)。
"ThePoetsays,DEARCITYOFCECROPS,andwiltthounotsay,DEAR
CITYOFZEUS?"
M。ANTONINUS。
"ToCorinthleadsoneroad,"yousay:
IsthereaCorinth,oraway?
EachblandorblatantpreacherhathHispainfulorhisprimrosepath,AndnotasoulofalloftheseButknowsthecity’twixttheseas,HerfairunnumberedhomesandallHergleamingamethystinewall!
Blindaretheguideswhoknowtheway,Theguideswhowrite,andpreach,andpray,Iwatchtheirlives,andIdivineTheydiffernotfromyoursandmine!
Onemanweknew,andonlyone,Whoseseekingforacity’sdone,Forwhathegreatlysoughthefound,Acitygirtwithfirearound,AcityinanemptylandBetweenthewastesofskyandsand,Acityonariver—side,Wherebythefolkheloved,hedied。(1)
Alas!itisnotourstotreadThatpathwhereinhislifeheled,Notourshishearttodareandfeel,KeenasthefragrantSyriansteel;
Yetarewenotquitecity—less,Notwhollyleftinourdistress—
IsitnotsaidbyOneofold,"SheephaveIofanotherfold?"
Ah!faintofheart,andweakofwill,Forusthereisacitystill!
"DearcityofZeus,"theStoicsays,(2)
TheVoicefromRome’simperialdays,InTheemeetallthings,anddisperse,InThee,forThee,OUniverse!
Tomeall’sfruitthyseasonsbring,Alikethysummerandthyspring;
Thewindsthatwail,thesunsthatburn,FromTheeproceed,toTheereturn。
"DearcityofZeus,"shallWEnotsay,Hometowhichnonecanlosetheway!
Borninthatcity’sflamingbound,Wedonotfindher,butarefound。
WithinherwideandviewlesswallTheUniverseisgirdledall。
Alljoysandpains,allwealthanddearth,Allthingsthattravailontheearth,God’swilltheywork,ifGodtherebe,Ifnot,whatismylifetome?
Seekwenofurther,butabideWithinthiscitygreatandwide,Inherandforherliving,weHavenolessjoythantobefree;
NordeathnorgriefcanquiteappalThefolkthatdwellwithinherwall,Noraughtbutwithourwillbefall!
THEWHITEPACHA。
Vainisthedream!HoweverHopemayrave,Heperishedwiththefolkhecouldnotsave,Andthoughnonesurelytoldusheisdead,Andthoughperchanceanotherinhisstead,Another,notlessbrave,whenallwasdone,Hadfleduntothesouthwardandthesun,Hadurgedawaybyforce,orwonbyguileTostreamsremotestofthesecretNile,HadraisedanarmyoftheDesertmen,And,waitingforhishour,hadturnedagainAndfallenonthatFalseProphet,yetweknowGORDONisdead,andthesethingsarenotso!
Nay,notforEngland’scause,nortorestoreHertrampledflag—forhelovedHonourmore—
Nay,notforLife,Revenge,orVictory,Wouldhehavefled,whosehourhaddawnedtodie。
Hewillnotcomeagain,whate’erourneed,Hewillnotcome,whoishappy,beingfreedFromthedeathlyfleshandperishablethings,Andliesofstatesmenandrewardsofkings。
Nay,somewherebythesacredRiver’sshoreHesleepslikethosewhoshallreturnnomore,Nomorereturnforalltheprayersofmen—
ArthurandCharles—theynevercomeagain!
Theyshallnotwake,thoughfairthevisionseem:
Whate’ersickHopemaywhisper,vainthedream!
MIDNIGHT,JANUARY25,1886。
To—morrowisayearsinceGordondied!
Ayearagoto—night,theDesertstillCrouchedonthespring,andpantedforitsfillOflustandblood。Theiroldartstatesmenplied,Andpaltered,andevaded,anddenied;
Guiltlessasyet,exceptforfeeblewill,Andcravenheart,andcalculatedskillInlongdelays,oftheirgreathomicide。
Ayearagoto—night’twasnottoolate。
Thethoughtcomesthroughourmirth,again,again;
MethinksIhearthehaltingfootofFateApproachingandapproachingus;andthenComescackleoftheHouse,andtheDebate!
Enough;heisforgottenamongstmen。
ADVANCE,AUSTRALIA。
OntheofferofhelpfromtheAustraliansafterthefallofKhartoum。
SonsofthegiantOceanisleInsportourfriendlyfoesforlong,WellEnglandlovesyou,andwesmileWhenyououtmatchusmanyawhile,Sofleetyouare,sokeenandstrong。
You,likethatfairypeoplesetOfoldintheirenchantedseaFarofffrommen,mightwellforgetAneldernation’stoilandfret,Mightheednotaughtbutgameandglee。
ButwhatyourfatherswereyouareInlandsthefathersneverknew,’NeathskiesofaliensignandstarYourallytotheEnglishwar;
YourheartsareEnglish,kindandtrue。
Andnow,whenfirstonEnglandfallsTheshadowofadarkeningfate,YouheartheMotherereshecalls,Youleaveyourocean—girdledwalls,Andfaceherfoemeninthegate。
COLONELBURNABY。
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
ThouthatoneveryfieldofearthandskyDidsthuntforDeath,whoseemedtofleeandfear,HowgreatandgreatlyfallendostthoulieSlainintheDesertbysomewanderingspear:
’Nothere,alas!’mayEnglandsay,’nothereNorinthisquarrelwasitmeettodie,ButinthatdreadfulbattledrawingnighTothunderthroughtheAfghanpassessheer:
LikeAiasbytheshipsshouldstthouhavestood,Andinsomeglenhavestayedthestreamofflight,Thebulwarkofthypeopleandtheirshield,WhenIndusorwhenHelmundranwithblood,TillbackintotheNorthlandandtheNightThesmittenEaglesscatteredfromthefield。’
MELVILLEANDCOGHILL。
(Theplaceofthelittlehand。)
Dead,withtheireyestothefoe,Dead,withthefoeattheirfeet,UndertheskylaidlowTrulytheirslumberissweet,ThoughthewindfromtheCampoftheSlainMenblow,Andtherainonthewildernessbeat。
Dead,fortheychosetodieWhenthatwildracewasrun;
Dead,fortheywouldnotfly,Deemingtheirworkundone,Norcaredtolookonthefaceofthesky,Norlovedthelightofthesun。
Honourwegivethemandtears,Andtheflagtheydiedtosave,Rentfromtherainofthespears,Wetfromthewarandthewave,Shallwaftmen’sthoughtsthroughthedustoftheyears,Backtotheirlonelygrave!
RHODOCLEIA
TORHODOCLEIA—ONHERMELANCHOLYSINGING。
(RhodocleiawasbelovedbyRufinus,oneofthelatepoetsoftheGreekAnthology。)
Still,Rhodocleia,broodingonthedead,Stillsingingofthemeadsofasphodel,Landsdesolateofdelight?
Say,hastthoudreamedof,orremembered,Theshoreswhereshadowsdwell,Norknowthesun,norseethestarsofnight?
There,’midstthymusic,doththyspiritgazeAsagirlpinesforhome,Lookingalongthewaythatshehathcome,Sicktoreturn,andcountsthewearydays!
SowouldstthoufleeBacktothemultitudewhosedaysaredone,WouldsttastethefruitthatluredPersephone,Thesacramentofdeath;anddie,andbeNomoreinthewindandsun!
Thouhastnotdreamedit,butrememberedIknowthouhastbeenthere,HastseenthestatelydwellingsofthedeadRiseinthetwilightair,Andcrossedtheshadowybridgethespiritstread,Andclimbedthegoldenstair!
Nay,bythycloudyhairAndlipsthatweresofair,Sadlipsnowmindfulofsomeancientsmart,Andmelancholyeyes,thehauntofCare,Iknowtheewhothouart!
ThatRhodocleia,GloryoftheRose,OfHellas,ereherclose,ThatRhodocleiawho,whenallwasdoneThegoldentimeofGreece,andfallenhersun,Swayedherlastpoet’sheart。
Withrosesdidhewoothee,andwithsong,Withthineownrose,andwiththelilysweet,Thedark—eyedviolet,Garlandsofwind—flowerswet,Andfragrantlove—lampsthatthewholenightlongBurnedtillthedawnwasburningintheskies,PraisingTHYGOLDENEYES,ANDFEETMORESILVERYTHANTHETIS’FEET!
ButthoudidstdieandflitAmongthetribesoutworn,Theunavailingmyriadsofthepast:
Ofthebeheldthyfaceindreamsofmorn,And,waking,weptforit,Tillhisowntimecameatlast,Andthenhesoughttheeintheduskyland!
WidearethepopulousplacesofthedeadWheresoulsonearthoncewedMaynevermeet,noreachtakeother’shand,Eachfarfromtheotherfled!
Soallinvainhesoughtforthee,butthouDidstnevertasteoftheLethaeanstream,Northatforgetfulfruit,Themysticpom’granate;
ButfromtheMightyWardenfledst;andnow,ThefugitiveofFate,Thoufarestinourlifeasinadream,Stillwanderingwiththylute,Likethatsweetpaynimladyofoldsong,Whosangandwanderedlong,ForloveofherAucassin,seekinghim!
SowiththyminstrelsyThouroamest,dreamingofthecountrydim,Belowtheveiledsky!
Theredoththyloverdwell,Singing,andseekingstilltofindthyfaceInthatforgetfulplace:
Thoushaltnotmeethimhere,NottillthysingingclearThroughallthemurmurofthestreamsofhellWinstotheMaiden’sear!
Mayshe,perchance,havepityontheeandcallThineeagerspirittositbesideherfeet,PassingthroughoutthelongunechoinghallUptotheshadowythrone,Wherethelostloversoftheagesmeet;
Tillthenthouartalone!
AVE。
’OurFaithandTrothAlltimeandspacecontroulesAbovethehighestspherewemeetUnseen,unknowne,andgreetasAngelsgreet’
Col,RichardLovelace。1649
CLEVEDONCHURCH。
[InmemoriamH。B。]
WestwardIwatchthelowgreenhillsofWales,Thelowskysilvergrey,TheturbidChannelwiththewanderingsailsMoansthroughthewinterday。
ThereisnocolourbutoneashenlightOntowerandlonelytree,ThelittlechurchuponthewindyheightIsgreyasskyorsea。
ButtherehathhethatwokethesleeplessLoveSleptthroughthesefiftyyears,ThereisthegravethathasbeenweptaboveWithmorethanmortaltears。
AndfarbelowIheartheChannelsweepAndallhiswavescomplain,AsHallam’sdirgethroughalltheyearsmustkeepItsmonotoneofpain。
*****
Greysky,brownwaters,asabirdthatflies,MyheartflitsforthfromtheseBacktothewinterroseofnorthernskies,Backtothenorthernseas。
Andlo,thelongwavesoftheoceanbeatBelowtheminstergrey,Cavernsandchapelswornofsaintlyfeet,Andkneesofthemthatpray。
AndIremembermehowtwainwereoneBesidethatoceandim,IcounttheyearspassedoversincethesunThatlightsmelookedonhim,Anddreamingofthevoicethat,saveinsleep,Shallgreetmenotagain,Far,farbelowIheartheChannelsweepAndallhiswavescomplain。
TWILIGHTONTWEED。
Threecrestsagainstthesaffronsky,Beyondthepurpleplain,ThekindrememberedmelodyOfTweedoncemoreagain。
Wanwaterfromtheborderhills,Dearvoicefromtheoldyears,Thydistantmusiclullsandstills,Andmovestoquiettears。
LikealovedghostthyfabledfloodFleetsthroughtheduskyland;
WhereScott,comehometodie,hasstood,Myfeetreturningstand。
Amistofmemorybroodsandfloats,TheBorderwatersflow;
Theairisfullofballadnotes,Borneoutoflongago。
Oldsongsthatsungthemselvestome,Sweetthroughaboy’sdaydream,Whiletroutbelowtheblossom’dtreePlashedinthegoldensteam。
*****
Twilight,andTweed,andEildonHill,Fairandtoofairyoube;
YoutellmethatthevoiceisstillThatshouldhavewelcomedme。
1870。
METEMPSYCHOSIS。
Ishallnotseethee,nay,butIshallknowPerchance,thegreyeyesinanother’seyes,ShallguessthycurlsingraciouslocksthatflowOnpurestbrows,yea,andtheswiftsurmiseShallfollowandtrack,andfindtheeindisguiseOfallsadthings,andfair,wheresunsetsglow,Whenthroughthescentofheather,faintandlow,Theweakwindwhisperstothedaythatdies。
Fromallsweetart,andoutofalloldrhyme,Thineeyesandlipsarelightandsongtome;
Theshadowsofthebeautyofalltime,Insongorstoryarebutshapesofthee;
Alas,theshadowyshapes!ah,sweetmydear,Shalllifeordeathbringallthybeingnear?
LOSTINHADES。
Idreamedthatsomewhereintheshadowyplace,GriefoffarewellunspokenwasforgotInwelcome,andregretrememberednot;
AndhopelessprayeraccomplishedturnedtopraiseOnlipsthathadbeensonglessmanydays;
Hopehadnomoretohopefor,anddesireAnddreadwereoverpast,inwhiteattireNewbornwewalkedamongthenewworld’sways。
ThenfromthepressofshadesaspiritthrewTowardsmesuchapplesasthesegardensbear;
Andturning,Iwas’wareofher,andknewAndfollowedherfleetvoiceandflyinghair,—
Followed,andfoundhernot,andseekingyouIfoundyounever,dearest,anywhere。
ASTARINTHENIGHT。
TheperfectpiteousbeautyofthyfaceIslikeastarthedawningdrivesaway;
MineeyesmayneverseeinthebrightdayThypallidhalo,thysupernalgrace;
ButinthenightfromforththesilentplaceThoucomest,dimindreams,asdothastrayStarofthestarryflockthatinthegreyIsseen,andlost,andseenamoment’sspace。
Andastheearthatnightturnstoastar,Lovedlongago,anddearerthanthesun,Sointhespiritualplaceafar,Atnightoursoulsaremingledandmadeone,Andwaittillonenightfall,andonedawnrise,Thatbringsnonoontoosplendidforyoureyes。
ASUNSETONYARROW。
Thewindandthedayhadlivedtogether,Theydiedtogether,andfarawaySpokefarewellinthesultryweather,Outofthesunset,overtheheather,Thedyingwindandthedyingday。
Farinthesouth,thesummerlevinFlushed,aflameinthegreysoftair:
Weseemedtolookonthehillsofheaven;
Yousawwithin,buttome’twasgivenToseeyourface,asanangel’s,there。
Neveragain,ahsurelyneverShallwewaitandwatch,whereofoldwestood,Thelowgood—nightofthehillandtheriver,Thefaintlightfade,andthewanstarsquiver,Twaingrownoneinthesolitude。
ANOTHERWAY。
Cometomeinmydreams,andthen,Onesaith,Ishallbewellagain,ForthenthenightwillmorethanpayThehopelesslongingoftheday。
Nay,comenotTHOUindreams,mysweet,Withshadowyrobes,andsilentfeet,Andwiththevoice,andwiththeeyesThatgreetmeinasoftsurprise。
Lastnight,lastnight,indreamswemet,Andhow,to—day,shallIforget,Orhow,remembering,restrainMineincommunicablepain?
Nay,wherethylandandpeopleare,Dwellthouremote,apart,afar,NorminglewiththeshapesthatsweepThemelancholywaysofSleep。
Butif,perchance,theshadowsbreak,Ifdreamsdepart,andmenawake,Iffacetofaceatlengthwesee,Bethinethevoicetowelcomeme。
HESPEROTHEN
BytheexampleofcertainGrecianmariners,who,beingsafelyreturnedfromthewaraboutTroy,leaveyetagaintheiroldlandsandgods,seekingtheyknownotwhat,andchoosingneithertoabideinthefairPhaeacianisland,nortodwellanddiewiththeSirens,atlengthendmiserablyinadesertcountrybythesea,issetforththeVANITYOFMELANCHOLY。AndbythelandofPhaeaciaistobeunderstoodtheplaceofArtandoffairPleasures;andbyCirce’sIsle,theplaceofbodilydelights,whereofmen,fallingaweary,attaintoEld,andtothedarknessofthatage。WhichthingMasterFrancoysRabelaisfeigned,underthesimilitudeoftheIsleoftheMacraeones。
THESEEKERSFORPHAEACIA。
Thereisalandintheremotestday,Wherethesoftnightisborn,andsunsetdies;
Theeasternshoreseesfainttidesfadeaway,Thatwashthelandswherelaughter,tears,andsighsMakelife,—thelandsbelowtheblueofcommonskies。
Butinthewestisamysterioussea,(Whatsailshaveseenit,orwhatshipmenknown?)
WithcoastsenchantedwheretheSirensbe,WithislandswhereaGoddesswalksalone,Andinthecedartreesthemagicwindsmakemoan。
Eastwardthehumancaresofhouseandhome,Cities,andships,andunknowngods,andloves;
Westward,strangemaidensfairerthanthefoam,Andlawlesslivesofmen,andhauntedgroves,Whereinagodmaydwell,andwheretheDryadroves。
ThegodsarecarelessofthedaysanddeathOftoilsomemen,beyondthewesternseas;
Thegodsareheedlessoftheirpainfulbreath,Andlovethemnot,fortheyarenotasthese;
Butinthegoldenwesttheyliveandlieatease。
YetthePhaeacianswelltheylove,wholiveAtthelight’slimit,passingcarelesshours,Mostlikethegods;andtheyhavegiftstogive,Evenwine,andfountainsmusical,andflowers,Andsong,andiftheywill,swiftships,andmagicpowers。
Itisaquietmidland;inthecoolOfthetwilightcomesthegod,thoughnomanprayed,TowatchthemaidsandyoungmenbeautifulDance,andtheyseehim,andarenotafraid,Fortheyareneatofkintogods,andundismayed。
Ah,wouldthebrightredprowsmightbringusnighThedreamyislesthattheImmortalskeep!
Butwithamisttheyhidethemwondrously,Andfarthepathanddimtowheretheysleep,—
Theloved,theshadowylands,alongtheshadowydeep。
ASONGOFPHAEACIA。
Thelanguidsunset,motherofroses,Lingers,alightonthemagicseas,Thewidefireflames,asafloweruncloses,Heavywithodour,andloosetothebreeze。
Theredroseclouds,withoutlaworleader,Gatherandfloatintheairyplain;
Thenightingalesingstothedewycedar,Thecedarscattershisscenttothemain。
Thestrangeflowers’perfumeturnstosinging,Heardafarovermoonlitseas:
TheSiren’ssong,grownfaintinwinging,Fallsinscentonthecedartrees。
Aswaifsblownoutofthesunset,flying,Purple,androsy,andgrey,thebirdsBrightentheairwiththeirwings;theircryingWakensamomentthewearyherds。
Butterfliesflitfromthefairygarden,Livingblossomsofflyingflowers;
Neverthenightswithwinterharden,Normoonswaxkeeninthislandofours。
Greatfruits,fragrant,greenandgolden,Gleaminthegreen,anddroopandfall;
Blossom,andbud,andflowerunfolden,Swing,andclingtothegardenwall。
Deepinthewoodsastwilightdarkens,Gladesareredwiththescentedfire;
Farinthedellsthewhitemaidhearkens,Songandsighoftheheart’sdesire。
Ah,andasmoonlightfadesinmorning,Maiden’ssonginthematingrey,Faintsasthefirstbird’snote,awarning,Wakesandwailstothenew—bornday。
ThewakingsongandthedyingmeasureMeet,andthewaxingandwaninglightMeet,andfaintwiththehoursofpleasure,Theroseoftheseaandtheskyiswhite。
THEDEPARTUREFROMPHAEACIA。
ThePhaeacians。
Whyfromthedreamymeadows,Morefairthananydream,WhyseekyefortheshadowsBeyondtheoceanstream?
Throughstraitsofstormandperil,Throughfirthsunsailedbefore,Whymakeyouforthesterile,ThedarkKimmerianshore?
Therenobrightstreamsareflowing,Theredayandnightareone,Noharvesttime,nosowing,Nosightofanysun;
Nosoundofsongortabor,Nodanceshallgreetyouthere;
NonoiseofmortallabourBreaksontheblindchillair。
Areoursnothappyplaces,Wheregodswithmortalstrod?
SawnotoursiresthefacesOfmanyapresentgod?
TheSeekers。
Nay,nownogodcomeshither,Inshapethatmenmaysee;
Theyfareweknownotwhither,Weknownotwhattheybe。
Yea,thoughthesunsetlingersFarinyourfairyglades,Thoughyoursthesweetestsingers,Thoughyoursthekindestmaids,Yetherebethetrueshadows,Hereinthedoubtfullight;
AmidthedreamymeadowsNoshadowhauntsthenight。
Weseekacitysplendid,Withlightbeyondthesun;
Orlandswheredreamsareended,Andworksanddaysaredone。
ABALLADOFDEPARTURE。(3)
Fairwhitebird,whatsongartthousingingInwintryweatheroflandso’ersea?
Dearwhitebird,whatwayartthouwinging,Wherenograssgrows,andnogreentree?
Ilookedatthefar—offfieldsandgrey,Theregrewnotreebutthecypresstree,ThatbearssadfruitswiththeflowersofMay,Andwhosolooksonit,woeishe。
AndwhosoeatsofthefruitthereofHasnomoresorrow,andnomorelove;
Andwhosetsthesameinhisgardenstead,Inalittlespaceheiswasteanddead。
THEYHEARTHESIRENSFORTHESECONDTIME。
Thewearysailsamomentslept,Theoarsweresilentforaspace,AspastHesperianshoresweswept,ThatwereasarememberedfaceSeenafterlapseofhopelessyears,InHades,whentheshadowsmeet,Dimthroughthemistofmanytears,Andstrange,andthoughashadow,sweet。
Soseemedthehalf—rememberedshore,Thatslumbered,mirroredintheblue,Withhavenswherewetouchedofyore,Andportsthatoverwellweknew。
ThenbrokethecalmbeforeabreezeThatsoughtthesecretofthewest;
AndlistlessallweswepttheseasTowardstheIslandsoftheBlest。
BesideagoldensandedbayWesawtheSirens,veryfairThefloweryhillwhereontheylay,Theflowerssetupontheirhair。
Theiroldsweetsongcamedownthewind,Rememberedmusicwaxingstrong,—
Ahnownoneedofcordstobind,NoneedhadweofOrphicsong。
ItoncehadseemedalittlethingTolayourlivesdownattheirfeet,Thatdyingwemighthearthemsing,Anddyingseetheirfacessweet;
Butnow,weglanced,andpassingby,Nocarehadwetotarrylong;
Fainthope,andrest,andmemoryWeremorethananySiren’ssong。
CIRCE’SISLEREVISITED。
Ah,Circe,Circe!inthewoodwecried;
Ah,Circe,Circe!butnovoicereplied;
Novoicefrombowerso’ergrownandruinousAsfallenrocksuponthemountainside。
Therewasnosoundofsingingintheair;
Fadedorfledthemaidensthatwerefair,Nomoreforsorroworjoywereseenofus,Nolightoflaughingeyes,orfloatinghair。
Theperfume,andthemusic,andtheflameHadpassedaway;thememoryofshameAloneabode,andstingsoffaintdesire,Andpulsesofvaguequietwentandcame。
Ah,Circe!inthysadchangedfairyplace,Ourdeadyouthcameandlookedonusaspace,Withdroopingwings,andeyesoffadedfire。
Andwastedhairaboutawearyface。
WhyhadweeversoughtthemagicisleThatseemedsohappyinthedayserewhile?
Whydidweeverleaveit,wherewemetAworldofhappywondersinonesmile?
BacktothewestwardandthewaninglightWeturned,wefled;thesolitudeofnightWasbetterthantheinfiniteregret,Infallenplacesofourdeaddelight。
THELIMITOFLANDS。
BetweenthecirclingoceanseaAndthepoplarsofPersephoneThereliesastripofbarrensand,Fleckedwiththesea’slastspray,andstrownWithwasteleavesofthepoplars,blownFromgardensoftheshadowland。
WithaltarsofoldsacrificeTheshoreisset,inmournfulwiseThemistsupontheoceanbrood;
BetweenthewaterandtheairThecloudsarebornthatfloatandfareBetweenthewaterandthewood。
UponthegreyseaneversailOfmortalspassedwithinourhail,Wherethelastweakwavesfaintandflow;
WeheardwithinthepoplarpaleThemurmurofadoubtfulwailOfvoiceslovedsolongago。
Wescarcehadcaretodieorlive,Wehadnohoneycaketogive,Nowineofsacrificetoshed;
Thereliesnonewpathoversea,Andnowweknowhowfainttheybe,Thefeastsandvoicesofthedead。
Ah,flowersanddance!ah,sunandsnow!
Gladlife,sadlifewedidforegoTodreamofquietnessandrest;
Ah,wouldthefleetsweetrosesherePouredlightandperfumethroughthedrearPaleyear,andwanlandofthewest。
Sadyouth,thatletthespringgobyBecausethespringisswifttofly,Sadyouth,thatfearedtomournorlove,Beholdhowsadderfaristhis,Toknowthatrestisnowisebliss,Anddarknessistheendthereof。
VERSES
MARTIALINTOWN。
Lastnight,withinthestiflingtrain,Litbythefoggylampo’erhead,SickofthesadLastNews,IreadVerseofthatjoyouschildofSpain,WhodweltwhenRomewaswaxingcold,WithintheRomandinandsmoke。
Andlikemyhearttometheyspoke,Theseaccentsofhisheartofold:—
"Brother,hadwebuttimetolive,Andfleetthecarelesshourstogether,WithallthatleisurehastogiveOfperfectlifeandpeacefulweather,"TheRichMan’shalls,theanxiousfaces,ThewearyForum,courts,andcasesShouldknowusnot;butquietnooks,Butsummershadebyfieldandwell,Butcountyrides,andtalkofbooks,Athome,withthese,wefainwoulddwell!
"Nowneitherlives,butdaybydaySeesthesunswastinginthewest,Andfeelstheirflight,anddothdelayToleadthelifehelovethbest。"
Sofromthycityprisonbroke,Martial,thywailforlifemisspent,Andso,throughLondon’snoiseandsmokeMyheartrepliestothelament。
FordearasTaguswithhisgold,AndswifterSalo,weretothee,SodeartomethewoodsthatfoldThestreamsthatcircleFernielea!
APRILONTWEED。
AsbirdsarefaintobuildtheirnestThefirstsoftsunnyday,SolongingwakensinmybreastAmonthbeforetheMay,WhennowthewindisfromtheWest,AndWintermeltsaway。
ThesnowliesyetonEildonHill,Butsoftthebreezesblow。
Ifmeltingsnowsthewatersfill,Wenothingheedthesnow,Butwemustupandtakeourwill,—
Afishingwillwego!
Belowthebranchesbrownandbare,Beneaththeprimroselea,Thetroutlieswaitingforhisfare,Ahungrytroutishe;
He’shooked,andspringsandsplashesthereLikesalmonfromthesea!
Oh,Apriltide’sapleasanttide,Howevertimesmayfall,AndsweettowelcomeSpring,theBride,Youhearthemaviscall;
Butalladownthewater—sideTheSpring’smostfairofall。
TIREDOFTOWNS。
’WhenwespoketoheroftheNewJerusalem,shesaidshewouldrathergotoacountryplaceinHeaven。’
LettersfromtheBlackCountry。
I’mwearyoftowns,itseemsa’mostapityWedidn’tstopdowni’thecountryandclem,AndyousaythatI’mboundforanothercity,Forthestreetso’theNewJerusalem。
AndthestreetsareneverlikeSheffield,here,Northesmokedon’tclinglikeasmuttoTHEM;
Butthewatero’lifeflowscoolandclearThroughthestreetso’theNewJerusalem。
Andthehouses,yousay,areofjaspercut,Andthegatesaregaudywi’goldandgem;
Butthere’stimesIcouldwishasthegateswasshut—
Thegateso’theNewJerusalem。
ForIcomefromacountrythat’sover—builtWi’streetsthatstifle,andwallsthathem,Andthegorseonacommon’sworthallthegiltAndthegoldofyourNewJerusalem。
AndIhopethatthey’llbringme,inParadise,Togreenlanesleafywi’boughandstem—
Toacountryplaceinthelando’theskies,AndnottotheNewJerusalem。
SCYTHESONG。
Mowers,wearyandbrown,andblithe,Whatisthewordmethinksyeknow,Endlessover—wordthattheScytheSingstothebladesofthegrassbelow?
Scythesthatswinginthegrassandclover,Something,still,theysayastheypass;
Whatisthewordthat,overandover,SingstheScythetotheflowersandgrass?
HUSH,AHHUSH,theScythesaresaying,HUSH,ANDHEEDNOT,ANDFALLASLEEP;
HUSH,theysaytothegrassesswaying,HUSH,theysingtothecloverdeep!
HUSH—’tisthelullabyTimeissinging—
HUSH,ANDHEEDNOT,FORALLTHINGSPASS,HUSH,AHHUSH!andtheScythesareswingingOvertheclover,overthegrass!
PENANDINK。
Yewanderersthatweremysires,Whoreadmen’sfortunesinthehand,WhovoyagedwithyoursmithyfiresFromwastetowasteacrosstheland,WhydidyouleaveforgarthandtownYourlifebyheathandriver’sbrink,WhylayyourgipsyfreedomdownAnddoomyourchildtoPenandInk?
Youweariedofthewild—woodmealThatcrowned,orfailedtocrown,theday;
ToohonestortootametostealYoubrokeintothebeatenway;
Pliedloomorawllikeothermen,Andlearnedtolovetheguineas’chink—
Oh,recreantsires,whodoomedmethenToearnsofew—withPenandInk!
Whereithathfallenthetreemustlie。
’TisoverlateforMEtoroam,YetthecagedbirdwhohearsthecryOfhiswildfellowsfleetinghome,Mayfeelnosharperpangthanmine,Whoseemtohear,whene’erIthink,Spateinthestream,andwindinpine,CallmetoquitdullPenandInk。
Forthenthespiritwandering,Thatsleptwithintheblood,awakes;
ForthenthesummerandthespringIfainwouldmeetbystreamsandlakes;
Butah,myBirthrightlongissold,Butcustomchainsme,linkonlink,AndImustgetme,asofold,Backtomytools,toPenandInk。
ADREAM。
Whywillyouhauntmysleep?
Youknowitmaynotbe,Thegraveiswideanddeep,Thatsundersyouandme;
InbitterdreamswereapThesorrowwehavesown,AndIwouldIwereasleep,Forgottenandalone!
Weknewanddidnotknow,Wesawanddidnotsee,ThenetsthatlongagoFatewoveforyouandme;
ThecruelnetsthatkeepThebirdsthatsobandmoan,AndIwouldwewereasleep,Forgottenandalone!
THESINGINGROSE。
’LaRosequichanteetl’herbequiegare。’
WhiteRoseonthegreygardenwall,Wherenownonight—windwhispereth,Calltothefar—offflowers,andcallWithmurmuredbreathandmusicalTillalltheRoseshear,andallSingtomyLovewhattheWhiteRosesaith。
WhiteRoseonthegreygardenwallThatlongagowesung!
AgainyoucomeatSummer’scall,—
AgainbeneathmywindowsallWithtrellisedflowersishung,WithclustersoftheroseswhiteLikefragrantstarsinagreennight。
OncemoreIhearthesistertowersEachuntoeachreply,Thebloomisonthoselimesofours,Theweakwindshakesthebloominshowers,Snowfromacloudlesssky;
ThereisnochangethishappydayWithintheCollegeGardensgrey!
St。Mary’s,Merton,Magdalen—stillTheirsweetbellschimeandswing,Theoldyearsanswerthem,andthrillAwintryheartagainstitswillWithmemoriesoftheSpring—
ThatSpringwesoughtthegardensthroughForflowerswhichne’eringardensgrew!
Forwe,besideournurse’sknee,InfairytaleshadheardOfthatstrangeRosewhichblossomsfreeOnboughsofanenchantedtree,Andsingslikeanybird!
AndoftheweedbesidethewayThatleadethlovers’stepsastray!
InvainwesoughttheSingingRoseWhereofoldlegendstell,Alas,wefounditnotmidthoseWithinthegreyoldCollegeclose,Thatbudded,flowered,andfell,—
Wefoundthatherbcalled’Wandering’
Andmeetnomore,nomoreinSpring!
Yes,unawarestheunhappygrassThatleadethstepsastray,Wetrod,andsoitcametopassThatnevermorewetwain,alas,Shallwalktheself—sameway。
Andeachmustdeem,thoughneitherknows,ThatNEITHERfoundtheSingingRose!
AREVIEWINRHYME。
AlittleofHorace,alittleofPrior,AsketchofaMilkmaid,alayoftheSquire—
These,theseare’ondraught’’AttheSignoftheLyre!’
AchildinBlueRibbonsthatsingstoherself,AtalkoftheBooksontheSheratonshelf,AswordoftheStuarts,awigoftheGuelph,ALAI,aPANTOUM,aBALLADE,aRONDEAU,ApastelbyGreuze,andasketchbyMoreau,Andthechimesoftherhymesthatsingsweetastheygo,Afan,andafolio,aringlet,aglove,’NeathadancebyLaguerreontheceilingabove,Andadreamofthedayswhenthebardwasinlove,Ascentofdeadroses,aglanceatapun,Atossofoldpowder,aglintofthesun,TheymeetinthevolumethatDobsonhasdone!
Ifthere’smorethattheheartofamancandesire,Hemaysearch,inhisSwinburne,forfuryandfire;
Ifhe’swise—he’llalight’AttheSignoftheLyre!’
COLINETTE。
ForasketchbyMr。G。Leslie,R。A。
Franceyourcountry,asweknow;
Roomenoughforguessingyet,Whatlipsnoworlongago,Kissedandnamedyou—Colinette。
Inwhatfieldsfromseatosea,Bywhatstreamyourhomewasset,LoireorSeinewasgladofthee,MarneorRhone,OColinette?
Didyoustandwithmaidensten,Fairermaidswereneverseen,WhentheyoungkingandhismenPassedamongtheorchardsgreen?
Nay,oldballadshaveanoteMournful,wewouldfainforget;
NosuchsadoldairshouldfloatRoundyouryoungbrows,Colinette。
Say,didRonsardsingtoyou,Shepherdess,tolullhispain,WhenthecourtwentwanderingthroughRosepleasancesofTouraine?
RonsardandhisfamousRoseLongaredustthebreezesfret;
You,withinthegardenclose,Youareblooming,Colinette。
HaveIseenyouproudandgay,Withapatchedandperfumedbeau,Dancingthroughthesummerday,MistysummerofWatteau?
Nay,sosweetamaidasyouNeverwalkedaminuetWiththesplendidcourtlycrew;
Nay,forgiveme,Colinette。
NotfromGreuze’scanvasesDoyoucastaglance,asmile;
Youarenotasoneofthese,Yoursisbeautywithoutguile。
RoundyourmaidenbrowsandhairMaidenhoodandChildhoodmetCrownandkissyou,sweetandfair,Newart’sblossom,Colinette。