首页 >出版文学> Grass of Parnassus>第2章
  ASUNSETOFWATTEAU。
  LUI。
  Thesilksailfills,thesoftwindswake,Ariseandtempttheseas;
  OuroceanisthePalacelake,OurwavestheripplesthatwemakeAmongthemirroredtrees。
  ELLE。
  Nay,sweettheshore,andsweetthesong,Anddearthelanguiddream;
  ThemusicmingledalldaylongWithpacesofthedancingthrong,Andmurmurofthestream。
  Anhourago,anhourago,Werestedintheshade;
  Andnow,whyshouldweseektoknowWhatwaythewilfulwatersflow?
  Thereisnofairerglade。
  LUI。
  Nay,pleasureflits,andwemustsail,Andseekhimeverywhere;
  Perchanceinsunset’sgoldenpaleHelistenstothenightingale,Amidtheperfumedair。
  Come,hehasfled;youarenotyou,AndInomoreamI;
  DelightischangefulasthehueOfheaven,thatisnolongerblueInyondersunsetsky。
  ELLE。
  Nay,ifweseekweshallnotfind,Ifweknocknoneopeneth;
  Nay,see,thesunsetfadesbehindThemountains,andthecoldnightwindBlowsfromthehouseofDeath。
  NIGHTINGALEWEATHER。
  ’Serai—jenonnette,ouiounon?
  Semi—jenonnette?jecroisquenon。
  DerrierechezmonpereIlestunboistaillis,LerossignolychanteEtlejouretlanuit。
  IlchantepourlesfillesQuin’ontpasd’ami;
  Ilnechantpaspourmoi,J’enaiun,Dieumerci。’—OldFrenchI’llneverbeanun,Itrow,Whileapplebloomiswhiteassnow,Butfarmorefairtosee;
  I’llneverwearnun’sblackandwhiteWhilenightingalesmakesweetthenightWithintheappletree。
  Ah,listen!’tisthenightingale,Andinthewoodhemakeshiswail,Withintheappletree;
  HesingethofthesoredistressOfmanyladiesloverless;
  ThankGod,nosongforme。
  ForwhenthebroadMaymoonislow,AgoldfruitseenwhereblossomsblowIntheboughsoftheappletree,AstepIknowisatthegate;
  Ahlove,butitislongtowaitUntilnight’snoonbringthee!
  Betweenlark’ssongandnightingale’sAsilentspace,whiledawningpales,ThebirdsleavestillandfreeForwordsandkissesmusical,ForsilenceandforsighsthatfallInthedawn,’twixthimandme。
  LOVEANDWISDOM。
  ’WhenlastwegatheredrosesinthegardenIfoundmywits,buttrulyyoulostyours。’
  TheBrokenHeart。
  JulyandJunebroughtflowersandloveToyou,butIwouldnonethereof,WhoseheartkeptallthroughsummertimeAfloweroffrostandwinterrime。
  Yourswastruewisdom—wasitnot?
  Evenlove;butIhadcleanforgot,Tillseasonsofthefallingleaf,Allloves,butonethatturnedtogrief。
  AtlengthattouchofautumntideWhenrosesfell,andsummerdied,Allinadawningdeepwithdew,Loveflewtome,Lovefledfromyou。
  Therosesdroopedtheirwearyheads,Ispokeamongthegardenbeds;
  Youwouldnothear,youcouldnotknow,Summerandloveseemedlongago,Asfar,asfaint,asdimadream,Astothedeadthisworldmayseem。
  Ahsweet,inwinter’smiseries,Perchanceyoumayrememberthis,HowWisdomwasnotjustifiedInsummertimeorautumntide,Thoughforthisoncebelowthesun,WisdomandLoveweremadeatone;
  ButLovewasbitter—boughtenough,AndWisdomlightofwingasLove。
  GOOD—BYE。
  Kissme,andsaygood—bye;
  Good—bye,thereisnowordtosaybutthis,Noranylipsleftformylipstokiss,Noranytearstoshed,whenthesetearsdry;
  Kissme,andsay,good—bye。
  Farewell,beglad,forget;
  Thereisnoneedtosay’forget,’Iknow,Foryouthisyouth,andtimewillhaveitso,Andthoughyourlipsarepale,andyoureyeswet,Farewell,youmustforget。
  Youshallbringhomeyoursheaves,Many,andheavy,andwithblossomstwinedOfmemoriesthatgonotoutofmind;
  LetthisonesheafbetwinedwithpoppyleavesWhenyoubringhomeyoursheaves。
  Ingarneredlovesofthine,Theripegoodfruitofmanyheartsandyears,Somewhereletthislie,greyandsaltwithtears;
  Itgrewtooneartheseawind,andthebrineOflife,thisloveofmine。
  Thissheafwasspoiledinspring,Andover—longwasgreen,andearlysere,AndnevergatheredgoldinthelateyearFromautumnsuns,andmoonsofharvesting,Butfailedinfrostsofspring。
  Yetwasitthine,mysweet,Thislove,thoughweakasyoungcornwithered,Whereofnomanmaygatherandmakebread;
  Thine,thoughitneverknewthesummerheat;
  Forgetnotquite,mysweet。
  ANOLDPRAYER。
  [Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  Odyssey,XIII。
  Myprayeranoldprayerborroweth,Ofancientloveandmemory—
  ’Dothoufarewell,tillEldandDeath,Thatcometoallmen,cometothee。’
  Gentlyaswinter’searlybreath,Scarcefelt,whattimetheswallowsflee,TolandswhereofnomanknowethOfsummer,overlandandsea;
  Sowiththysoulmaysummerbe,Evenastheancientsingersaith,’Dothoufarewell,tillEldandDeath,Thatcometoallmen,cometothee。’
  ALABELLEHELENE。
  AfterRonsard。
  MorecloselythantheclingingvineAbouttheweddedtree,Claspthouthinearms,ah,mistressmine!
  Abouttheheartofme。
  Orseemtosleep,andstoopyourfaceSoftonmysleepingeyes,Breatheinyourlife,yourheart,yourgrace,Throughme,inkissingwise。
  Bowdown,bowdownyourface,Ipray,Tome,thatswoontodeath,Breathebackthelifeyoukissedaway,Breathebackyourkissingbreath。
  SobyyoureyesIswearandsay,Mymightyoathandsure,FromyourkindarmsnomaidenmayMylovingheartallure。
  I’llbearyouryoke,that’slightenough,AndtotheElysianplain,Whenwearedeadoflove,mylove,Oneboatshallbearustwain。
  They’llflockaroundyou,fleetandfair,Alltruelovesthathavebeen,Andyouofalltheshadowsthere,Shallbetheshadowqueen。
  Ah,shadow—lovesandshadow—lips!
  Ah,while’tiscalledto—day,Loveme,mylove,forsummerslips,AndAugustebbsaway。
  SYLVIEETAURELIE。
  InmemoryofGerardDeNerval。
  Twolovestherewere,andonewasbornBetweenthesunsetandtherain;
  Hersingingvoicewentthroughthecorn,Herdancewaswoven’neaththethorn,Ongrassthefallenblossomsstain;
  Andsunsmayset,andmoonsmaywane,Butthislovecomesnomoreagain。
  Thereweretwolovesandonemadewhite,Thysinginglips,andgoldenhair;
  Bornofthecity’smireandlight,Theshameandsplendourofthenight,Shetrappedandfledtheeunaware;
  NotthroughthelamplightandtherainShaltthoubeholdthisloveagain。
  Goforthandseek,bywoodandhill,Thineancientloveofdawnanddew;
  Therecomesnovoicefrommereorrill,Herdanceisover,fallenstillTheballadburdensthatsheknew:
  Andthoumustwaitforherinvain,Tillyearsbringbackthyyouthagain。
  Thatotherlove,afield,afarFledthelightlove,withlighterfeet。
  Nay,thoughthouseekwheregravesteadsare,Andflitindreamsfromstartostar,Thatdeadloveshaltthounevermeet,TillthroughbleakdawnandblowingrainThysoulshallfindhersoulagain。
  ALOSTPATH。
  Plotinus,theGreekphilosopher,hadacertainpropermodeofecstasy,whereby,asPorphyrysaith,hissoul,becomingfreefromthedeathlyflesh,wasmadeonewiththeSpiritthatisintheworld。
  Alas,thepathislost,wecannotleaveOurbright,ourcloudedlife,andpassawayAsthroughstrewnclouds,thatstainthequieteve,Toheightsremoterofthepurerday。
  Thesoulmaynot,returningwhenceshecame,BatheherselfdeepinBeing,andforgetThejoysthatfever,andthecaresthatfret,MadeoncemoreonewiththeeternalflameThatbreathesinallthingsevermorethesame。
  Shewouldbeyoungagain,thusdrinkingdeepOfheroldlife;andthishasbeen,mensay,Butthisweknownot,whohaveonlysleepTosootheus,sleepmoreterriblethanday,Wheredeaddelights,andfairlostfacesstray,Tomakeuswearyatourwakening;
  AndofthatlonglostpathtotheDivineWedream,assomeGreekshepherderstmightsing,Halfcredulous,ofeasyProserpine,Andofthelandsthatlie’beneaththeday’sdecline。’
  THESHADEOFHELEN。
  SomesaythatHelenwentnevertoTroy,butabodeinEgypt;forthegods,havingmadeinhersemblanceawomanoutofcloudsandshadows,sentthesametobewifetoParis。ForthisshadowthentheGreeksandTrojanssleweachother。
  Whyfromthequiethollowsofthehills,Andextrememeetingplaceoflightandshade,Whereinsoftrainsfellslowly,andbecameCloudsamongsisterclouds,wherefairspentbeamsAnddyinggloriesofthesunwoulddwell,WhyhavetheywhomIknownot,normayknow,Strangehands,unseenandruthless,fashionedme,Andbornemefromthesilentshadowyhills,Hither,tonoiseandglowofalienlife,Toharshandclamorousswords,andsoundofwar?
  Onespeaksuntomewordsthatwouldbesweet,Madeharsh,madekeenwithlovethatknowsmenot,Andsomestrangeforce,withinmeoraround,Makesanswer,kissforkiss,andsighforsigh,AndsomewherethereisfeverinthehallsThattroublesme,fornosuchtroublecameTovexthecoolfarhollowsofthehills。
  Thefoolishfolkcrowdroundme,andtheycry,Thathouse,andwife,andlands,andallTroytown,Arelittletolose,iftheymaykeepmehere,Andseemeflit,apaleandsilentshade,Amongthestreetsbereft,andhelplessshrines。
  Atotherhoursanotherlifeseemsmine,Whereonegreatriverrunsunswollenofrain,Bypyramidsofunrememberedkings,AndhomesofmenobedienttotheDead。
  TheredarkandquietfacescomeandgoAroundme,thenagaintheshriekofarms,AndalltheturmoiloftheIlianmen。
  Whatarethey?evenshadowssuchasI。
  Whatmakethey?Eventhis—thesportofgods—
  Thesportofgods,howeverfreetheyseem。
  Ah,wouldthegamewereended,andthelight,Theblindinglight,andalltoomightysuns,Withdrawn,andIoncemorewithsistershades,Unloved,forgotten,mingledwiththemist,Dweltinthehollowsoftheshadowyhills。
  SONNETS
  SHE。
  ToH。R。H。
  Notinthewastebeyondtheswampsandsand,Thefever—hauntedforestandlagoon,MysteriousKorthywallsforsakenstand,Thylonelytowersbeneaththelonelymoon,NottheredothAyeshalinger,runebyruneSpellingstrangescripturesofapeoplebanned。
  Theworldisdisenchanted;oversoonShallEuropesendherspiesthroughalltheland。
  Nay,notinKor,butinwhateverspot,Intownorfield,orbytheinsatiatesea,Menbroodonburiedloves,andunforgot,Orbreakthemselvesonsomedivinedecree,Orwouldo’erleapthelimitsoftheirlot,There,inthetombsanddeathless,dwellethSHE!
  HERODOTUSINEGYPT。
  Heleftthelandofyouth,helefttheyoung,ThesmilinggodsofGreece;hepassedtheisleWhereJasonloitered,andwhereSapphosung,Hesoughtthesecret—fountedwaveofNile,Andoftheiroldworld,deadawearywhile,Heardthepriestsmurmurintheirmystictongue,Andthroughthefaneswentvoyaging,amongDarktribesthatworshippedCatandCrocodile。
  HelearnedthetalesofdeathDivineandbirth,StrangelovesofHawkandSerpent,SkyandEarth,Themarriage,andtheslayingoftheSun。
  Theshrinesofgodsandbeastshewanderedthrough,Andmockednotattheirgodhead,forheknewBehindallcreedstheSpiritthatisOne。
  GERARDDENERVAL。
  Ofallthatwerethyprisons—ah,untamed,Ah,lightandsacredsoul!—noneholdstheenow;
  Nowall,nobar,nobodyofflesh,butthouArtfreeandhappyinthelandsunnamed,Withinwhosegates,onwearywingsandmaimed,Thoustillwould’stbearthatmysticgoldenboughTheSibyldothtosingingmenallow,Yetthyreportfolkheedednot,butblamed。
  Andtheywouldsmileandwonder,seeingwhereThoustood’st,towatchlightleaves,orclouds,orwind,Dreamilymurmuringaballadair,CaughtfromtheValoispeasants;dostthoufindAnewlifegladderthantheoldtimeswere,AlovemorefairthanSylvie,andaskind?
  RONSARD。
  Master,Iseetheewiththelocksofgrey,CrownedbytheMuseswiththelaurel—wreath;
  Iseetheroseshidingunderneath,Cassandra’sgift;shewaslessdearthanthey。
  Thou,Master,firsthastrousedthelyriclay,Thesleepingsongthatthedeadyearsbequeath,HastsungthineanswertothelaysthatbreatheThroughages,andthroughagesfaraway。
  AndthouhastheardthepulseofPindarbeat,KnownHoracebythefountBandusian!
  Theirdeathlesslinethylivingstrainsrepeat,Butah,thyvoiceissad,thyroseswan,Butah,thyhoneyisnothoney—sweet,ThybeeshavefedonyewsSardinian!
  LOVE’SMIRACLE。
  Withotherhelplessfolkaboutthegate,ThegatecalledBeautiful,withwearyeyesThattakenopleasureinthesummerskies,Norallthingsthatarefairest,doesshewait;
  Sobleakatime,sosadachangelessfateMakesherwithdullexperienceearlywise,Andinthedawningandthesunset,sighsThatallhathbeen,andshallbe,desolate。
  Ah,ifLovecomenotsoon,andbidherlive,Andknowherselfthefairestoffairthings,Ah,ifhehavenohealinggifttogive,Warmfromhisbreast,andholyfromhiswings,OrifatleastLove’sshadowinpassingbyTouchnotandhealher,surelyshemustdie。
  DREAMS。
  Hespakenottruth,howeverwise,whosaidThathappy,andthathaplessmeninsleepHaveequalfortune,fallenfromcareasdeepAscountless,careless,racesofthedead。
  Notso,foralienpathsofdreamswetread,AndonebeholdsthefacesthathesighsInvaintobringbeforehisdayliteyes,Andwaking,heremembersonhisbed;
  AndonewithfaintingheartandfeeblehandFightsadimbattleinadoubtfullandWherestrengthandcouragewereofnoavail;
  AndoneisborneonfairybreezesfarTothebrightharboursofagoldenstarDownfragrantfleetingwatersrosypale。
  TWOSONNETSOFTHESIRENS。
  ’LesSirenesestoienttantintimesamiesetfidellescompagnesdeProserpine,qu’ellesestoienttoujoursensemble。Esmuesdujustedeuldelapertedeleurcherecompagne,etenuyeesjusquesaudesepoir,elless’arresterentelamerSicilienne,ouparleurschantsellesattiroientlesnavigans,maisl’uniquefindelavoluptedeleurmusiqueestlaMort。’
  PontusDeTyard,1570
  TheSirensonceweremaidensinnocentThatthroughthewater—meadswithProserpinePluckednofire—heartedflowers,butwerecontentCoolfritillariesandflag—flowerstotwine,Withlilieswovenandwithwetwoodbine;
  TilloncetheysoughtthebrightAEtnaeanflowers,AndtheirgladmistressfledfromsummerhoursWithHades,farfromolive,corn,andvine。
  AndtheyhavesoughtherallthewideworldthroughTillmanyyears,andwisdom,andmuchwrongHavefilledandchangedtheirsong,ando’ertheblueRingsdeadlysweetthemagicofthesong,AndwhosohearsmustlistentillhedieFaronthefloweryshoresofSicily。
  Soisitwiththissingingartofours,Thatoncewithmaidswentmaidenlike,andplayedWithwovendancesinthepoplar—shade,Andallhersongwasbutoflady’sbowersAndthereturningswallows,andspringflowers,Tillforthtoseekashadow—queenshestrayed,Ashadowyland;andnowhathoverweighedHersingingchapletwiththesnowandshowers。
  Yes,fairwell—waterforthebitterbrineSheleft,andbythemarginoflife’sseaSings,andhersongisfullofthesea’smoan,Andwildwithdread,andloveofProserpine;
  Andwhosooncehaslistenedtoher,heHiswholelifelongisslavetoheralone。
  TRANSLATIONS
  HYMNTOTHEWINDS,THEWINDSAREINVOKEDBYTHEWINNOWERS
  OFCORN。
  DuBellay,1550。
  Toyou,troopsofleet,Thatwithwingedwanderingfeet,Throughthewideworldpass,AndwithsoftmurmuringTossthegreenshadesofspringInwoodsandgrass,LilyandvioletIgive,andblossomswet,Rosesanddew;
  Thisbranchofblushingroses,Whosefreshbuduncloses,Wind—flowerstoo。
  Ah,winnowwithsweetbreath,Winnowtheholtandheath,Roundthisretreat;
  WhereallthegoldenmomWefanthegoldo’thecorn,Inthesun’sheat。
  MOONLIGHT。
  JacquesTahureau。
  ThehighMidnightwasgarlandingherheadWithmanyashiningstarinshiningskies,And,ofhergrace,aslumberonmineeyes,And,aftersorrow,quietnesswasshed。
  FarindimfieldscicalasjargonedAthinshrillclamourofcomplaintsandcries;
  Andallthewoodswerepallid,instrangewise,Withpallorofthesadmoonoverspread。
  Thencamemyladytothatlonelyplace,And,fromherpalfreystooping,didembraceAndhanguponmyneck,andkissedmeover;
  Whereforethedayisfarlessdearthannight,Andsweeteristheshadowthanthelight,Sincenighthasmademesuchahappylover。
  THEGRAVEANDTHEROSE。
  VictorHugo。
  TheGravesaidtotheRose,’Whatofthedewsofmorn,Love’sflower,whatendistheirs?’
  ’Andwhatofsoulsoutworn,OfthemwhereondothcloseThetomb’smouthunawares?’
  TheRosesaidtotheGrave。
  TheRosesaid,’IntheshadeFromthedawn’stearsismadeAperfumefaintandstrange,Amberandhoneysweet。’
  ’AndallthespiritsfleetDosufferasky—change,Morestrangelythanthedew,ToGod’sownangelsnew,’
  TheGravesaidtotheRose。
  AVOWTOHEAVENLYVENUS。
  DuBellay。
  Wethatwithlikeheartslove,weloverstwain,Newweddedinthevillagebythyfane,Ladyofallchastelove,totheeitisWebringtheseamaranths,thesewhitelilies,Asign,andsacrifice;mayLove,wepray,Likeamaranthineflowers,feelnodecay;
  Likethesecoolliliesmayourlovesremain,Perfectandpure,andknownotanystain;
  Andbeourhearts,fromthisthyholyhour,Boundeachtoeach,likeflowertoweddedflower。
  OFHISLADY’SOLDAGE。
  Ronsard。
  Whenyouareveryold,ateveningYou’llsitandspinbesidethefire,andsay,Hummingmysongs,’Ahwell,ahwell—a—day!
  WhenIwasyoung,ofmedidRonsardsing。’
  Noneofyourmaidensthatdothhearthething,Albeitwithherwearytaskforedone,Butwakensatmyname,andcallsyouoneBlest,tobeheldinlongremembering。
  Ishallbelowbeneaththeearth,andlaidOnsleep,aphantominthemyrtleshade,Whileyoubesidethefire,agrandamegrey,Mylove,yourpride,rememberandregret;
  Ah,loveme,love!wemaybehappyyet,Andgatherroses,while’tiscalledto—day。
  SHADOWSOFHISLADY。
  JacquesTahureau。
  WithinthesandofwhatfarriverliesThegoldthatgleamsintressesofmyLove?
  WhathighestcircleoftheHeavensaboveIsjewelledwithsuchstarsasarehereyes?
  AndwhereistherichseawhosecoralviesWithherredlips,thatcannotkissenough?
  Whatdawn—litgardenknewtherose,whereofThefledsoullivesinhercheeks’rosyguise?
  WhatParianmarblethatisloveliestCanmatchthewhitenessofherbrowandbreast?
  WhendrewshebreathfromtheSabaeanglade?
  Ohhappyrockandriver,skyandsea,Gardens,andgladesSabaean,allthatbeThefar—offsplendidsemblanceofmymaid!
  APRIL。
  RemyBelleau,1560。
  April,prideofwoodlandways,Ofgladdays,April,bringinghopeofprime,TotheyoungflowersthatbeneathTheirbudsheathAreguardedintheirtendertime;
  April,prideoffieldsthatbeGreenandfree,Thatinfashiongladandgay,Studwithflowersredandblue,Everyhue,Theirjewelledspringarray;
  April,prideofmurmuringWindsofspring,Thatbeneaththewinnowedair,TrapwithsubtlenetsandsweetFlora’sfeet,Flora’sfeet,thefleetandfair;
  April,bythyhandcaressed,Fromherbreast,NaturescatterseverywhereHandfulsofallsweetperfumes,Budsandblooms,Makingfainttheearthandair。
  April,joyofthegreenhours,ClotheswithflowersOverallherlocksofgoldMysweetLady;andherbreastWiththeblestBudsofsummermanifold。
  April,withthygraciouswiles,Likethesmiles,SmilesofVenus;andthybreathLikeherbreath,thegods’delight,(FromtheirheightTheytakethehappyairbeneath;)
  Itisthouthat,ofthygrace,FromtheirplaceInthefar—offislesdostbringSwallowsoverearthandsea,GladtobeMessengersofthee,andSpring。
  Daffodilandeglantine,Andwoodbine,Lily,violet,androsePlentifulinAprilfair,Totheair,Theirprettypetalstounclose。
  Nightingalesyenowmayhear,Piercingclear,Singinginthedeepestshade;
  ManyandmanyababblednoteChimeandfloat,Woodlandmusicthroughtheglade。
  April,alltowelcomethee,SpringsetsfreeAncientflames,andwithlowbreathWakestheashesgreyandoldThatthecoldChilledwithinourheartstodeath。
  ThoubeholdestinthewarmHours,theswarmOfthethievishbees,thatfliesEvermorefrombloomtobloomForperfume,Hidawayintinythighs。
  HercoolshadowsMaycanboast,FruitsalmostRipe,andgiftsoffertiledew,Manna—sweetandhoney—sweet,ThatcompleteHerflowergarlandfreshandnew。
  Nay,butIwillgivemypraiseTothesedays,NamedwiththegladnameofHer(4)
  Thatfromoutthefoamo’theseaCametobeSuddenlightonearthandair。
  ANOLDTUNE。
  GerardDeNerval。
  ThereisanairforwhichIwoulddisownMozart’s,Rossini’s,Weber’smelodies,—
  Asweetsadairthatlanguishesandsighs,Andkeepsitssecretcharmformealone。
  Whene’erIhearthatmusicvagueandold,Twohundredyearsaremistthatrollsaway;
  ThethirteenthLouisreigns,andIbeholdAgreenlandgoldeninthedyingday。
  Anoldredcastle,strongwithstonytowers,Thewindowsgaywithmany—colouredglass;
  Wideplains,andriversflowingamongflowers,Thatbathethecastlebasementastheypass。
  Inantiqueweed,withdarkeyesandgoldhair,Aladylooksforthfromherwindowhigh;
  ItmaybethatIknewandfoundherfair,Insomeforgottenlife,longtimegoneby。
  OLDLOVES。
  HenriMurger。
  Louise,haveyouforgottenyetThecornerofthefloweryland,Theancientgardenwherewemet,Myhandthattrembledinyourhand?
  Ourlipsfoundwordsscarcesweetenough,Aslowbeneaththewillow—treesWesat;haveyouforgotten,love?
  Doyouremember,loveLouise?
  Marie,haveyouforgottenyetThelovingbarterthatwemade?
  Theringswechanged,thesunsthatset,Thewoodsfulfilledwithsunandshade?
  ThefountainsthatweremusicalBymanyanancienttrystingtree—
  Marie,haveyouforgottenall?
  Doyouremember,loveMarie?
  Christine,doyourememberyetYourroomwithscentsandrosesgay?
  Mygarret—nearthesky’twasset—
  TheAprilhours,thenightsofMay?
  Theclearcalmnights—thestarsaboveThatwhisperedtheywerefairestseenThroughnocloud—veil?Remember,love!
  Doyouremember,loveChristine?
  Louiseisdead,and,well—a—day!
  Marieasadderpathhasta’en;
  AndpaleChristinehaspassedawayInsouthernsunstobloomagain。
  Alas!foroneandallofus—
  Marie,Louise,Christineforget;
  Ourbowerofloveisruinous,AndIalonerememberyet。
  ALADYOFHIGHDEGREE。
  Ibepareldmostofprise,Irideafterthewildfee。
  WillyethatIshouldsingOftheloveofagoodlything,Wasnovilein’smay?
  ’Tisallofaknightsofree,Undertheolivetree,Singingthislay。
  Herweedwasofsamitefine,Hermantleofwhiteermine,Greensilkherhose;
  Hershoonwithsilvergay,HersandalsflowersofMay,Lacedsmallandclose。
  Herbeltwasoffreshspringbuds,Setwithgoldclaspsandstuds,Finelinenhershift;
  Herpurseitwasoflove,Herchainwastheflowerthereof,AndLove’sgift。
  Uponamulesherode,Thesellewasofbrentgold,Thebitsofsilvermade;
  ThreeredrosetreestherewereThatovershadowedher,Forasunshade。
  Sheridingonaday,Knightsmetherbytheway,Theydidhergrace:
  ’Fairlady,whencebeye?’
  ’Franceitismycountrie,Icomeofahighrace。
  ’Mysireisthenightingale,Thatsings,makinghiswail,Inthewildwood,clear;
  Themermaidismothertome,Thatsingsinthesaltsea,Intheoceanmere。’
  ’Yecomeofarightgoodrace,Andarebornofahighplace,Andofhighdegree;
  WouldtoGodthatyewereGivenuntome,beingfair,Myladyandlovetobe。’
  IANNOULA。
  Romaicfolk—song。
  AllthemaidensweremerryandwedAlltoloverssofairtosee;
  TheloverItooktomybridalbedHeisnotlongforloveandme。
  Ispoketohimandhenothingsaid,Igavehimbreadofthewheatsofine;
  Hedidnoteatofthebridalbread,Hedidnotdrinkofthebridalwine。
  Imadehimabedwassoftanddeep,Imadehimabedtosleepwithme;
  ’Lookonmeoncebeforeyousleep,Andlookontheflowerofmyfairbody。
  ’FlowersofApril,andfreshMay—dew,DewofAprilandbudsofMay;
  Twowhiteblossomsthatbudforyou,Budsthatblossombeforetheday。’
  THEMILK—WHITEDOE。
  FrenchVolks—Lied。
  ItwasamotherandamaidThatwalkedthewoodsamong,Andstillthemaidwentslowandsad,Andstillthemothersung。
  ’Whatailsyou,daughterMargaret?
  Whygoyoupaleandwan?
  Isitforacastofbitterlove,Orforafalseleman?’
  ’ItisnotforafalseloverThatIgosadtosee;
  ButitisforawearylifeBeneaththegreenwoodtree。
  ’ForeverinthegooddaylightAmaidenmayIgo,ButalwaysontheninthmidnightIchangetoamilk—whitedoe。
  ’TheyhuntmethroughthegreenforestWithhoundsandhuntingmen;
  AndeveritismyfairbrotherThatissofierceandkeen。’
  *****
  ’Good—morrow,mother。’’Good—morrow,son;
  Whereareyourhoundssogood?’
  ’Oh,theyarehuntingawhitedoeWithinthegladgreenwood。
  ’Andthreetimeshavetheyhuntedher,Andthriceshe’swonaway;
  ThefourthtimethattheyfollowherThatwhitedoetheyshallslay。’
  *****
  Thenoutandspoketheforester,Ashecamefromthewood,’NowneversawImaid’sgoldhairAmongthewilddeer’sblood。
  ’AndIhavehuntedthewilddeerIneastlandsandinwest;
  AndneversawIwhitedoeyetThathadamaiden’sbreast。’
  Thenupandspakeherfairbrother,Betweenthewineandbread:
  ’BeholdIhadbutonesister,AndIhavebeenherdead。
  ’ButyemustburymysweetsisterWithastoneatherfootandherhead,AndyemustcoverherfairbodyWiththewhiterosesandred。
  ’AndImustouttothegreenwood,Theroofshallnevershelterme;
  AndIshalllieforsevenlongyearsOnthegrassbelowthehawthorntree。’
  HELIODORE。
  (Meleager。)
  Pourwine,andcryagain,again,again!
  TOHELIODORE!
  AndminglethesweetwordyecallinvainWiththatyepour!
  AndbringtomeherwreathofyesterdayThat’sdankwithmyrrh;
  HESTERNAEROSAE,ahmyfriends,buttheyRememberher!
  Lothekindroses,lovedoflovers,weepAswhorepine,ForifonanybreasttheyseehersleepItisnotmine!
  THEPROPHET。
  (Antiphilus。)
  IknewitinyourchildishgraceThedawningofDesire,’Wholives,’Isaid,’willseethatfaceSetalltheworldonfire!’
  Theymocked;butTimehasbroughttopassThesayingover—true;
  Prophetandmartyrnow,alas,IburnforTruth,—andyou!
  LAIS。
  (Pompeius。)
  Laisthatbloomedforalltheworld’sdelight,Crownedwithalllovelilies,thefairanddear,Sleepsthepredestinedsleep,norknowstheflightOfHelios,thegold—reinedcharioteer:
  Revel,andkiss,andlove,andhate,oneNightDarkens,thatneverlampofLovemaycheer!
  CLEARISTA。
  (Meleager。)
  ForDeath,notforLove,hastthouLoosenedthyzone!
  Flutesfilledthybowerbutnow,Morningbringsmoan!
  MaidsroundthybridalbedHushedareingloom,TorchestoLovethatledLighttothetomb!
  THEFISHERMAN’STOMB。
  (LeonidasofTarentum。)
  TheristheOld,thewavesthatharvestedMorekeenthanbirdsthatlabourinthesea,Withspearandnet,byshoreandrockybed,Notwiththewell—mannedgalleylabouredhe;
  Himnotthestarofstorms,norsuddensweepOfwindwithallhisyearshathsmittenandbent,Butinhishutofreedshefellasleep,Asfadesalampwhenalltheoilisspent:
  Thistombnorwifenorchildrenraised,butweHisfellow—toilers,fishersofthesea。
  OFHISDEATH。
  (Meleager。)
  AhLove,myMaster,hearmeswearByallthelocksofTimo’shair,ByDemo,andthatfragrantspellWherewithherbodydothenchantSuchdreamsasdrowsylovershaunt,ByIlias’mirthdelectable。
  AndbythelampthatshedshislightOnloveandloversallthenight,Bythose,ahLove,IswearthatthouHastleftmebutonebreath,andnowUponmylipsitfluttereth,YetTHISI’llyield,mylatestbreath,Eventhis,ohLove,fortheetoDeath!
  RHODOPE。
  (Rufinus。)
  ThouhastHera’seyes,thouhastPallas’hands,AndthefeetoftheQueenoftheyellowsands,ThouhastbeautifulAphrodite’sbreast,Thouartmadeofeachgoddess’sloveliest!
  Happyishewhoseesthyface,Happywhohearsthywordsofgrace,Andhethatshallkisstheeishalfdivine,Butagodwhoshallwinthatheartofthine!
  TOAGIRL。
  (Asclepiades。)
  Believeme,love,itisnotgoodTohoardamortalmaidenhood;
  InHadesthouwiltneverfind,Maiden,alovertothymind;
  Love’sfortheliving!presentlyAshesanddustindeatharewe!
  TOTHESHIPS。
  (Meleager。)
  Ogentleshipsthatskimtheseas,AndcleavethestraitwhereHellefell,CatchinyoursailstheNorthernbreeze,AndspeedtoCos,whereshedothdwell,MyLove,andseeyougreetherwell!
  Andifshelooksacrosstheblue,Speak,gentleships,andtellhertrue,’Hecomes,forLovehathbroughthimback,Nosailor,onthelandwardtack。’
  Ifthus,ohgentleships,yedo,Thenmayyewinthefairestgales,Andswifterspeedacrosstheblue,WhileZeusbreathesfriendlyonyoursails。
  ALATECONVERT。
  (PaulusSilentiarius。)
  IthatinyouthhadneverbeenTheservantofthePaphianQueen,IthatinyouthhadneverfeltTheshaftsofErospierceandmelt,Cypris!inlaterage,halfgrey,IbowthenecktoTHEEto—day。
  Pallas,thatwasmylady,thouDostmoretriumphantvanquishnow,Thanwhenthougained’st,overseas,TheappleoftheHesperides。
  THELIMITOFLIFE。
  Thirty—sixisthetermthattheprophetsassign,Andthestudentsofstarstotheyearsthataremine;
  Nay,letthirtysuffice,forthemanwhohathpassedThirtyyearsisaNestor,andHEdiedatlast!
  TODANIELELZEVIR。
  (FromtheLatinofMenage。)
  WhatdoIsee!OhgodsdivineAndgoddesses,—thisBookofmine,—
  Thischildofmanyhopesandfears,—
  IspublishedbytheElzevirs!
  OhperfectPublisherscomplete!
  Ohdaintyvolume,newandneat!
  ThePaperdothoutshinethesnow,ThePrintisblackerthanthecrow,TheTitle—Page,withcrimsonbright,Thevellumcoversmoothandwhite,Allsortsofreadersdoinvite,Ay,andwillkeepthemreadingstill,Againsttheirwill,orwiththeirwill!
  ThuswhatofgracetheRhymesmaylackThePublisherhasgiventhemback,AsMillinersadornthefairWhosecharmsaresomethingskimpandspare。
  OhDULCEDECUS,Elzevirs!
  Theprideofdeadanddawningyears,HowcanapoetbestrepayThedebtheowesyourHouseto—day?
  Maythisroundworld,whileaughtendures,Applaud,andbuy,thesebooksofyours!
  Maypurchasersincessantpop,MyElzevirs,withinyourshop,Andlearnedbardssalute,withcheers,ThevolumesoftheElzevirs,Tillyourrenownfillsearthandsky,TillmenforgettheStephani,AndallthatAlduswrought,andallTurnebussoldinshoporstall,WhilestillmayFate’s(andBinders’)shearsRespect,andspare,theElzevirs!
  THELASTCHANCE。
  Withinthestreams,Pausaniassaith,ThatdownCocytusvalleyflow,GirdlingthegreydomainofDeath,Thespectralfishescomeandgo;
  Theghostsoftroutflittoandfro。
  Persephone,fulfilmywish,AndgrantthatintheshadesbelowMyghostmaylandtheghostsoffish。
  [Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  L。C。
  Footnotes:
  (1)January26,1885。
  (2)M。Antoninusiv23。
  (3)FromtheRomaic。
  (4)Aphrodite—Avril。