首页 >出版文学> Grass of Parnassus>第1章
  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。