PoemsbyFrancisThompson
Contents:
DedicationLoveinDian’sLapBeforeHerPortraitinYouthToaPoetBreakingSilenceManusAnimamPinxitACarrier—SongScalaJacobiPortaqueEburneaGildedGoldHerPortraitMiscellaneousPoemsTotheDeadCardinalofWestminsterAFallenYewDream—TrystACorymbusforAutumnTheHoundofHeavenAJudgmentinHeavenPoemsonChildrenDaisyTheMakingofViolaToMyGodchildToPoppyToMonicaThoughtDyingDEDICATION——TOWILFRIDANDALICEMEYNELL
IftheroseinmeekdutyMaydedicatehumblyTohergrowerthebeautyWherewithsheiscomely;
IftheminetotheminerThejewelsthatpinedinit,EarthtodivinerThespringshedivinedinit;
Tothegrapesthewine—pitcherTheirjuicethatwascrushedinit,VioltoitswitcherThemusiclayhushedinit;
IfthelipsmaypayGladnessInlaughtersshewakened,AndthehearttoitssadnessWeepingunslakened,Ifthehidandsealedcoffer,Whosehavingnothisis,TotheloosersmayprofferTheirfinding——herethisis;
TheirlivesifallliversTotheLifeofallliving,—
Toyou,Odeargivers!
Igiveyourowngiving。
BEFOREHERPORTRAITINYOUTH
Aslovers,banishedfromtheirlady’sfaceAndhopelessofhergrace,Fashionaghostlysweetnessinitsplace,FondlyadoreSomestealth—woncastattireshewore,Akerchieforaglove:
Andatthelover’sbeckIntotheglovetherefleetsthehand,OratimpetuouscommandUpfromthekerchieffloatsthevirginneck:
SoI,inverylowliheadoflove,—
TooshylyreverencingToletonethought’slightfootfallsmoothTreadneartheliving,consecratedthing,—
Treasuremethycastyouth。
Thisoutwornvesture,tenantlessofthee,Hathyetmyknee,Forthat,withshowandsemblancefairOfthepastHerWhooncethebeautiful,discardedraimentbare,Itcheatethme。
AsgaletogaledriftsbreathOfblossoms’death,SodroppingdowntheyearsfromhourtohourThisdeadyouth’sscentiswaftedmeto—day:
Isit,andfromthefragrancedreamtheflower。
So,then,shelooked(Isay);
AndsoherfrontsunkdownHeavybeneaththepoet’sironcrown:
Onhermouthmusefulsweet—
(Evenasthetwinlipsmeet)
Didthoughtandsadnessgreet:
SighsInthosemournfuleyesSoputonvisibilities;
Asviewlessetherturns,indeepondeep,todyes。
Thus,longago,ShekepthermeditativepacesslowThroughmaidenmeads,withwavedshadowandgleamOflockshalf—liftedonthewindsofdream,Tillloveup—caughthertohischariot’sglow。
Yet,voluntary,happierProserpine!
ThisdroopingflowerofyouththoulettestfallI,faringinthecockshut—light,astray,Findonmy’latedway,Andstoop,andgatherformemorial,Andlayitonmybosom,andmakeitmine。
Tothis,thealloflovethestarsallowme,Idedicateandvowme。
IreachbackthroughthedaysAtrothedhandtothedeadthelasttrumpshallnotraise。
Thewater—wraiththatcriesFromthoseeternalsorrowsofthypicturedeyesEntwinesanddrawsmedowntheirsoundlessintricacies!
TOAPOETBREAKINGSILENCE
ToowearilyhadweandsongBeenlefttolookandlefttolong,Yea,songandwetolongandlook,SincethineacquaintedfeetforsookThemountainwheretheMuseshymnForSinaiandtheSeraphim。
Nowinboththemountains’shineDressthycountenance,twicedivine!
FromMosesandtheMusesdrawTheTablesofthydoubleLaw!
Hisrod—bornfountandCastalyLettheonerockbringforthforthee,RenewingsofromeitherspringThesongswhichboththycountriessing:
Orweshallfearlest,heavenedthuslong,Thoushould’stforgetthynativesong,AndmarthymortalmelodiesWithbrokenstammeroftheskies。
Ah!letthesweetbirdsoftheLordWithearth’swatersmakeaccord;
TeachhowthecrucifixmaybeCarvenfromthelaurel—tree,FruitoftheHesperidesBurnishtakeonEden—trees,TheMuses’sacredgrovebewetWiththereddewofOlivet,AndSappholayherburningbrowsInwhiteCecilia’slapofsnows!
ThychildhoodmusthavefeltthestingsOftoodivineo’ershadowings;
ItsodoroushearthavebeenablossomThatindarknessdidunbosom,Thosefire—fliesofGodtoinvite,Burningspirits,whichbynightBearupontheirladenwingTosuchheartsimpregnating。
Forflowersthatnight—wingsfertilizeMockdownthestars’unsteadyeyes,Andwithahappy,sleeplessglanceGazethemoonoutofcountenance。
Ithinkthygirlhood’swatchersmustHavetookthyfoldedsongsontrust,Andfeltthem,asonefeelsthestirOfstilllightningsinthehair,WhenconscioushushexpectsthecloudTospeakthegoldensecretloudWhichtacitairisprivyto;
Flaskedinthegrapethewinetheyknew,Erethypoet—mouthwasableForitsfirstyoungstarrybabble。
Keep’stthounotyetthatsubtlegrace?
Yea,inthissilentinterspace,GodsetsHispoemsinthyface!
Theloomwhichmortalverseaffords,Outofweakandmortalwords,Wovestthouthysinging—weedin,ToaruneofthyfarEden。
Vainarealldisguises!Ah,Heavenlyincognita!
ThymienbewrayeththroughthatwrongThegreatUranianHouseofSong!
AsthevintagesofearthTasteofthesunthatripedtheirbirth,WeknowwhatnevercadentSunThylampedclustersthrobbedupon,Whatplumedfeetthewinepresstrod;
ThywineisflavorousofGod。
Whateversinging—robethouwearHastheParadisalair;
AndsomegoldfeatherithaskeptShowswhatFlooritlatelyswept!
"MANUSANIMAMPINXIT"
Ladywhohold’stonmedominion!
Withinyourspirit’sarmsIstaymefastAgainstthefellImmitigateraveningofthegatesofhell;
Andclaimmyrightinyou,mosthardlywon,Ofchastefidelityuponthechaste:
Holdmeandholdbyme,lestbothshouldfall(Oinhighescaladehighcompanion!)
EveninthebreachofHeaven’sassaultedwall。
Liketoawind—sownsaplinggrowIfromTheclift,Sweet,ofyourskyward—jettingsoul,—
Shookbyallguststhatsweepit,overcomeByallitscloudsincumbent:ObetrueToyoursoul,dearest,asmylifetoyou!
Forifthatsoilgrowsterile,thenthewholeOfmemustshrivel,fromthetopmostshootOfclimbingpoesy,andmylife,killedthrough,Drydownandperishtothefoodlessroot。
SweetSummer!untoyouthisswallowdrew,Bysecretinstinctsinappeasable,Thatdiddirecthimwell,LuredfromhisgelidNorthwhichwroughthimwrong,Winteredofsunningsong;—
Byhappyinstinctsinappeasable,Ahyes!thatledhimwell,LuredtotheuntriedregionsandthenewClimesofauspiciousyou;
Totwitterthere,andinhissingingdwell。
Butah!ifyou,mySummer,shouldgrowwaste,Withgrievingskieso’ercast,ForsuchmigrationmypoorwingwasstrongButonce;ithasnopowertofareagainFortho’ertheheadsofmen,NorotherSummersforitsSanctuary:
Butfromyourmind’schilledskyItneedsmustdrop,andliewithstiffenedwingsAmongyoursoul’sforlornestthings;
Aspeckuponyourmemory,alack!
Adeadflyinadustywindow—crack。
OthereforeyouwhoareWhatwords,beingtosuchmysteriesAsraimenttothebodyis,Shouldratherhidethantell;
Chasteandintelligentiallove:
WhoseformisasagroveHushedwiththecooingofanunseendove;
WhosespirittomytouchthrillspurerfarThanisthetinglingofasilverbell;
WhosebodyotherladieswellmightbearAssoul,——yea,whichitprofanationwereForallbutyoutotakeasfleshlywoof,Beingspirittruestproof;
WhosespiritsureislinealtothatWhichsangMagnificat:
Chastest,sincesuchyouare,Takethiscurbedspiritofmine,Whichyourowneyesinvestwithlightdivine,ForloftyloveandhighauxiliarIndailyexaltempriseWhichoutsoarsmortaleyes;
Thissoulwhichonyoursoulislaid,Asmaid’sbreastagainstbreastofmaid;
BeholdinghowyourownIhaveengravedOnit,andwithwhatpurgingthoughtshavelavedThisloveofminefromallmortalityIndeedthecopyisapainfulone,Andwithlonglabourdone!
Oifyoudoubtthethingyouare,lady,Comethen,andlookinme;
Yourbeauty,Dian,dressandcontemplateWithinapooltoDianconsecrate!
Unveilthisspirit,lady,whenyouwill,Foruntoallbutyou’tisveiledstill:
Unveil,andfearlessgazethere,youalone,Andifyoulovetheimage——’tisyourown!
ACARRIERSONG
I。
Sinceyouhavewanedfromus,Fairestofwomen!
IamadarkenedcageSongcannothymnin。
Mysongshavefollowedyou,Likebirdsthesummer;
Ah!bringthembacktome,Swiftly,dearcomer!
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
II。
Wherewingstorustleuse,Butthispoortarrier—
Searchingmyspirit’seaves—
FindIforcarrier。
Ah!bringthembacktomeSwiftly,sweetcomer!
Swift,swift,andbringwithyouSong’sIndiansummer!
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
III。
Wheresoyourangelis,Myangelgoeth;
Iamleftguardianless,Paradiseknoweth!
IhavenoHeavenleftToweepmywrongsto;
Heaven,whenyouwentfromus;
Wentwithmysongstoo。
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
IV。
IhavenoangelsleftNow,Sweet,toprayto:
WhereyouhavemadeyourshrineTheyareawayto。
TheyhavestruckHeaven’stent,Andgonetocoveryou:
WheresoyoukeepyourstateHeavenispitchedoveryou!
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
V。
ShethatisHeaven’sQueenHertitleborrows,ForthatshepitifulBearethoursorrows。
Sothou,Reginami,Spesinfirmorum;
WithallourgrievingcrownedMaterdolorum!
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
VI。
Yet,enviouscoveterOfother’sgrieving!
Thislonelylongingyet’Scapethyourreaving。
Cruel!totakefromaSinnerhisHeaven!
ThinkyouwithcontritesmilesTobeforgiven?
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
VII。
Penitent!givemebackAngels,andHeaven;
Renderyourstolenself,Andbeforgiven!
HowfrontierHeavenfromyou?
Formysoulprays,Sweet,StilltoyourfaceinHeaven,Heaveninyourface,Sweet!
Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;
AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!
SCALAJACOBIPORTAQUEEBURNEA
HersoulfromearthtoHeavenlies,Liketheladderofthevision,WhereongoToandfro,Inascensionanddemission,Star—fleckedfeetofParadise。
Nowsheisdrawnupfromme,Allmyangels,wet—eyed,tristful,GazefromgreatHeaven’sgateLikepentchildren,verywistful,Thatbelowaplaymatesee。
Dream—dispensingfaceofhers!
IvoryportwhichlooseduponmeWings,Iwist,WhoseamethystTrepidationshaveforgoneme,—
Hesper’sfilmytraffickers!
GILDEDGOLD
Thoudosttorichattireagrace,Toletitdeckitselfwiththee,AndteachestpompstrangecunningwaysTobethoughtsimplicity。
Butlilies,stolenfromgrassymold,NomorecurledstateunfoldTranslatedtoavaseofgold;
InburningthronethoughtheykeepstillSerenitiesunthawedandchill。
Therefore,albeitthou’rtstatelyso,Instatelierstatethouus’dsttogo。
ThoughjewelsshouldphosphoricburnThroughthosenight—watersofthinehair,AflowerfromitstranslucidurnPouredsilverflamemorelunar—fair。
ThesefutiletrappingsbutrecallDegenerateworshipperswhofallInpurfledkirtleandbrocadeTo’parelthewhiteMother—Maid。
For,asherimagestoodarrayedInvestsofitsself—substancewroughtTomeasureofthesculptor’sthought—
Slurredbythoseaddedbraveries;
SoforthyspiritdiddeviseItsMakerseemlygarniture,Ofitsownessenceparcelpure,—
Fromgravesimplicitiesadress,Andreticentdemurenesses,Andloveencincturedwithreserve;
Whichthewovenvestureshouldsubserve。
ForoutwardrobesintheirostentsShouldshowthesoul’shabiliments。
ThereforeIsay,——Thou’rtfairevenso,ButbetterFairIusetoknow。
ThevioletwouldthyduskhairdeckWithgraceslikethineownunsought。
Ah!butsuchplacewoulddazeandwreckItssimple,lowlyrusticthought。
Forsoadvanced,dear,tothee,Itwouldunlearnhumility!
Yetdonot,withanalteredlook,Intheseweaknumbersreadrebuke;
WhicharebutjealouslesttoomuchGod’smaster—piecethoushouldstretouch。
Whereasweetnessiscomplete,Addnotsweetsuntothesweet!
Or,asthouwilt,forotherssoInunfamiliarrichnessgo;
ButkeepformineacquaintedeyesThefashionsofthyParadise。
HERPORTRAIT
Oh,buttheheavenlygrammardidIholdOfthathighspeechwhichangels’tonguesturngold!
Soshouldherdeathlessbeautytakenowrong,Praisedinherowngreatkindred’sfitandcognatetongue。
Orifthatlanguageyetwithusabode。
WhichAdaminthegardentalkedwithGod!
Butouruntemperedspeechdescends——poorheirs!
Grimyandrough—caststillfromBabel’sbricklayers:
Curseonthebrutishjargonweinherit,Strongbuttodamn,notmemorise,aspirit!
Acheek,alip,alimb,abosom,theyMovewithlighteaseinspeechofworking—day;
Andwomenwedousetopraiseevenso。
Butherethegatesweburst,andtothetemplego。
Theirpraisewereherdispraise;whodare,whodare,Adulatetheseraphimfortheirburninghair?
How,ifwiththemIdared,hereshouldIdareit?
Howpraisethewoman,whobutknowthespirit?
Howpraisethecolourofhereyes,uncaughtWhiletheywerecolouredwithhervaryingthoughtHowhermouth’sshape,whoonlyusetoknowWhattendershapeherspeechwillfititto?
Orherlips’redness,whentheirjoinedveilSong’sfervidhandhaspartedtillitworethempale?
IfIwouldpraisehersoul(temerariousif!),Allmustbemysteryandhieroglyph。
Heaven,whichnotoftisprodigalofitsmoreTosingers,intheirsongtoogreatbefore;
BywhichthehierarchoflargepoesyisRestrainedtohisoncesacredbenefice;
OnlyforherthesalutaryaweRelaxesandsterncanonofitslaw;
Toheraloneconcedespluralities,InheralonetoreconcileagreesTheMuse,theGraces,andtheCharities;
Toher,whocanthetrustsowellconductToheritgivestheuse,toustheusufruct。
WhatofthedearadministressthenmayIutter,thoughIspokeherowncarvedperfectway?
Whatofherdailygraciousconverseknown,WhoseheavenlydespotismmustneedsdethroneAndsubjugateallsweetnessbutitsown?
Deepinmyheartsubsidestheinfrequentword,Andtherediesslowlythrobbinglikeawoundedbird。
Whatofhersilence,thatoutsweetensspeech?
Whatofherthoughts,highmarksformineownthoughtstoreach?
Yet(Chaucer’santiquesentencesototurn),Mostgladlywillsheteach,andgladlylearn;
Andteachingher,byherenchantingart,Themasterthreefoldlearnsforallhecanimpart。
Nowallissaid,andallbeingsaid,——ayeme!
ThereyetremainsunsaidtheveryShe。
Nay,toconclude(sotoconcludeIdare),Ifofhervirtuesyouevadethesnare,Thenforherfaultsyou’llfallinlovewithher。
Alas,andIhavespokenofherMuse—
HerMuse,thatdiedwithherauroraldews!
Learn,thewisecherubimfromharpsofgoldSeduceatrepidatingmusicmanifold;
ButthesuperiorseraphimdoknowNoneothermusicbuttoflameandglow。
Soshefirstlightedonourfrostyearth,Asadmusician,ofcherubicbirth,Playingtoalienears——whichdidnotprizeTheuncomprehendedmusicoftheskies—
TheexiledairsofherfarParadise。
Butsoonfromherownharpingstakingfire,Inloveandlighthermelodiesexpire。
NowHeavenaffordsher,forhersilencedhymn,Adoubleportionoftheseraphim。
Attherichodoursfromherheartthatrise,MysoulremembersitslostParadise,AndantenatalgalesblowfromHeaven’sshoresofspice;
Igrowessentialall,uncloakingmeFromthisencumberingvirility,Andfeeltheprimalsexofheavenandpoetry:
Andpartingfromher,inmelingeronVaguesnatchesofUranianantiphon。
HowtothepettyprisoncouldsheshrinkOffemineity?——Nay,butIthinkInadearcourtesyherspiritwouldWomanassume,forgracetowomanhood。
Or,votaresstothevirginSanctitudeOfreticentwithdrawal’ssweet,courtedpale,Shetookthecloistralflesh,thesexualveil,Ofhersad,aboriginalsisterhood;
ThehabitofcloistralfleshwhichfoundingEveindued。
ThusdoIknowher:butforwhatmencallBeauty——thelovelinesscorporeal,ItsmostjustpraiseathingunproperwereTosingerortolistener,meorher。
ShewearsthatbodybutasoneinduesArobe,halfcareless,foritistheuse;
Althoughhersoulanditsofairagree,Wesuremay,unattaintofheresy,Conceititmightthesoul’sbegetterbe。
Theimmortalcouldweceasetocontemplate,Themortalpartsuggestsitseverytrait。
GodlaidHisfingersontheivoriesOfherpuremembersasonsmoothedkeys,Andthereout—breathedherspirit’sharmoniesI’llspeakalittleproudly:—IdisdainTocountthebeautyworthmywishorgaze,Whichthedulldailyfoolcancovetorobtain。
Idoconfessthefairnessofthespoil,Butfromsuchrivalryittakesasoil。
ForherI’llproudlierspeak:—howcoulditbeThatIshouldpraisethegildingonthepsaltery?
’Tisnotforhertoholdthatprizeaprize,Orpraisemuchpraise,thoughproudestinitswise,Towhichevenhopesofmerelywomenrise。
Suchstrifewouldtothevanquishedlaurelsyield,AgainstHERsufferedtohavelostafield。
Herselfmustwithherselfbesolecompeer,UnlessthepeopleofherdistantsphereSomegoldmigrationsendtomelodisetheyear。
Butfirstourheartsmustburninlargerguise,Toreformatetheuncharitableskies,Andsothedeathlessplumagetoacclimatise:
Sincethis,theirsolecongenerinourclime,Droopshersad,ruffledthoughtsforhalftheshiveringtime。
YetIhavefeltwhatterrorsmayconsortInwomen’scheeks,theGraces’softresort;
Myhandhathshookatgentlehands’access,Andtrembledatthewavingofatress;
Mybloodknownpanicfear,andfleddismayed,Whereladies’eyeshavesettheirambuscade。
TherustleofarobehathbeentomeTheveryrattleoflove’smusketry;
Althoughmyhearthathbeattheloudadvance,Ihaverecoiledbeforeachallengingglance,Provedgayalarmswherewarlikeribbonsdance。
Andfromitall,thisknowledgehaveIgot,—
Thewholethatothershave,islessthantheyhavenot;
Allwhichmakesotherwomennotedfair,Unnotedwouldremainandovershoneinher。
HowshouldIgaugewhatbeautyisherdole,Whocannotseehercountenanceforhersoul;
Asbirdsseenotthecasementforthesky?
Andas’tischecktheyproveitspresenceby,IknownotofherbodytillIfindMyflightdebarredtheheavenofhermind。
Hersisthefacewhenceallshouldcopiedbe,DidGodmakereplicasofsuchasshe;
Itspresencefeltbywhatitdoesabate,Becausethesoulshinesthroughtemperedandmitigate:
Where——asafigurelabouringatnightBesidethebodyofasplendidlight—
DarkTimeworkshiddenbyitsluminousness;
AndeverylinehelabourstoimpressTurnsaddedbeauty,liketheveinsthatrunAthwartaleafwhichhangsagainstthesun。
ThereregentMelancholywidecontrols;
ThereEarth—andHeaven—Loveplayforaureoles;
ThereSweetnessoutofSadnessbreaksatfits,Likebubblesondarkwater,orasflitsAsuddensilverfinthroughitsdeepinfinites;
ThereamorousThoughthassuckedpaleFancy’sbreath,AndTendernesssitslookingtowardthelandsofdeathThereFeelingstillsherbreathingwithherhand,AndDreamfromMelancholypartwreststhewandAndonthislady’sheart,lookedyousodeep,PoorPoetryhasrockedhimselftosleep:
UpontheheavyblossomofherlipsHangsthebeeMusing;nighherlidseclipseEachhalf—occultedstarbeneaththatlies;
Andinthecontemplationofthoseeyes,Passionlesspassion,wildtranquillities。
EPILOGUE——TOTHEPOET’SSITTER,WhereinheexcusethhimselfforthemannerofthePortrait。
Alas!nowwiltthouchide,andsay(Ideem),Myfigureddescanthidesthesimpletheme:
Orinanotherwisereproving,sayIillobservethineownhighreticentway。
Oh,pardon,thatItestifyoftheeWhatthoucouldstneverspeak,norothersbe!
Yet(forthebookisnotmoreinnocentOfwhatthegazer’seyesmakessointent),Shewillbutsmile,perhaps,thatIfindmyfairSufficingscopeinsuchstraitthemeasher。
"Birdofthesun!thestars’wildhoney—bee!
Isyourgoldbrowsingdonesothoroughly?
Orsinksasingedwingtonarrownestinme?"
(Thusshemightsay:fornotthislowlyveinOut—deprecatesherdeprecatingstrain。)
Oh,youmistake,dearlady,quite;norknowEtherwasstrictasyou,itsloftinessaslow!
TheheavensdonotadvancetheirmajestyOvertheirmarge;beyondhisemperyTheensignsofthewindarenotunfurled,Hisreignishoopedinbythepaleo’theworld。
’Tisnotthecontinent,butthecontained,Thatpleasauncemakesorprison,looseorchained。
Toomuchalikeorlittlecaptivesme,Foralloppressioniscaptivity。
Whatgrowethtoitsheightdemandsnohigher;
Thelimitlimitsnot,butthedesire。
Givebutmyspirititsdesiredscope,—
Agiantinapismire,Inotgrope;
Denyit,——andanant,withonmybackAfirmament,theskieyvaultwillcrack。
OurmindsmaketheirownTermini,norcallTheissuingcircumscriptionsgreatorsmall;
SohighconstructingNaturelessonstousall:
WhoopticsgivesaccommodatetoseeYourcountenancelargeaslooksthesuntobe,Anddistantgreatnesslessthannearhumanity。
We,therefore,withasureinstinctivemind,AnequalspaciousnessofbondagefindInconfinesfarornear,ofairorourownkind。
Ourlooksandlongings,whichaffrontthestars,Mostrichlybruisedagainsttheirgoldenbars,Delightedcaptivesoftheirflamingspears,FindarestraintrestrainlesswhichappearsAsthatis,andsosimplynatural,Inyou;——thefairdetentionfreedomcall,Andoverscrollwithfanciesthelovedprison—wall。
Suchsweetcaptivity,andonlysuch,Inyou,asinthosegoldenbars,wetouch!
OurgazesforsufficinglimitsknowThefirmamentabove,yourfacebelow;
Ourlongingsarecontentedwiththeskies,Contentedwiththeheaven,andyoureyes。
Myrestlesswings,thatbeatthewholeworldthrough,Flagontheconfinesofthesunandyou;
Andfindthehumanpaleremoterofthetwo。
TOTHEDEADCARDINALOFWESTMINSTER
IwillnotperturbateThyParadisalstateWithpraiseOfthydeaddays;
Tothenew—heavenedsay,—
"Spirit,thouwertfineclay:"
Thisdo,Thypraisewhoknew。
ThereforemyspiritclingsHeaven’sporterbythewings,AndholdsItsgatedgoldsApart,withtheetopressAprivatebusiness;—
Whence,Deignmeaudience。
Anchorite,whodidstdwellWithalltheworldforcellMysoulRoundmedothrollAsequestrationbare。
Toofaralikewewere,ToofarDissimilar。
ForitsburningfruitageI
Doclimbthetreeo’thesky;
DoprizeSomehumaneyes。
YOUsmelttheHeaven—blossoms,AndallthesweetembosomsThedearUranianyear。
ThoseEyesmyweakgazeshuns,WhichtothesunsareSuns。
DidNotaffrayyourlid。
Thecarpetwasletdown(Withgoldenmouldingsstrown)
ForyouOftheangels’blue。
ButI,ex—Paradised,TheshoulderofyourChristFindhighToleanthereby。
Soflapsmyhelplesssail,Bellyingwithneithergale,OfHeavenNorOrcuseven。
LifeisacoquetryOfDeath,whichweariesme,ToosureOftheamour;
Atiring—roomwhereI
Death’sdiversgarmentstry,TillfitSomefashionsit。
ItseemethmetoomuchIdorehearseforsuchAmeanAndsinglescene。
Thesandyglasshencebear—
Antiqueremembrancer;
MyveinsDospareitspains。
WithsecretsympathyMythoughtsrepeatinmeInfirmTheturno’thewormBeneathmyappointedsod:
Thegraveisinmyblood;
IshakeTowindsthattakeItsgrassesbythetop;
TherainsthereonthatdropPerturbWithdripacerbMysubtlyansweringsoul;
ThefeetacrossitsknollDojarMefromafar。
Assapforetastesthespring;
AsEarthereblossomingThrillsWithfardaffodils,AndfeelsherbreastturnsweetWiththeunconceivedwheat;
SodothMyfleshforeloatheTheabhorredspringofDis,WithseethingpresciencesAffirmThepreparateworm。
IhavenothoughtthatI,WhenatthelastIdie,ShallreachTogainyourspeech。
Butyou,shouldthatbeso,Mayverywell,Iknow,MaywellTomeinhellWithrecognisingeyesLookfromyourParadise—
"GodblessThyhopelessness!"
Call,holysoul,OcallThehostsangelical,Andsay,—
"See,faraway"LiesoneIsawonearth;
OnestrickenfromhisbirthWithcurseOfdestinateverse。
"WhatplacedothHeyeserveForsuchsadspiritreserve,—
Given,IndarklieuofHeaven,"TheimpitiableDaemon,Beauty,toadoreanddreamon,TobePerpetually"Hers,butsheneverhis?
Hereapethmiseries,ForeknowsHiswageswoes;
"Helivesdetacheddays;
Heservethnotforpraise;
ForgoldHeisnotsold;
"Deafishetoworld’stongue;
HescornethforhissongTheloudShoutsofthecrowd;
"Heaskethnotworld’seyes;
Nottoworld’searshecries;
Saith,——’TheseShut,ifyeplease;’
"Hemeasurethworld’spleasure,World’seaseasSaintsmightmeasure;
ForhireJustloveentire"Heasks,notgrudgingpain;
Andknowshisaskingvain,Andcries—
’Love!Love!’anddies;
"Inguerdonoflongduty,UnownedbyLoveorBeauty;
Andgoes—
Tell,tell,whoknows!
"AliensfromHeaven’sworth,Finebeastswhonosei’theearth,DothereRewardprepare。
"ButareHISgreatdesiresFoodbutfornetherfires?
Ahme,Amystery!
"Canitbehisalone,Tofindwhenallisknown,ThatwhatHesolelysought"Islost,andtheretolostAllthatitsseekingcost?
ThatheMustfinally,"Throughsacrificialtears,Andanchoreticyears,TrystWiththesensualist?"
Soask;andiftheytellThesecretterrible,Goodfriend,IpraytheesendSomehighgoldembassageToteachmyunripeage。
Tell!
Lestmyfeetwalkhell。
AFALLENYEW
Itseemedcorrivaloftheworld’sgreatprime,Madetoun—edgethescytheofTime,Andlastwithstateliestrhyme。
NotenderDryadeverdidindueThatrigidchitonofroughyew,Tofretherwhitefleshthrough:
ButsomegodliketothosegrimAsgardlords,WhowalkthefablesofthehordesFromScandinavianfjords,Upheaveditsstubborngirth,andraisedunriven,Againstthewhirl—blastandthelevin,DefiantarmstoHeaven。
Whendoompuffedoutthestars,wemighthavesaid,Itwoulddeclineitsheavyhead,Andseetheworldtobed。
Forthisfirmyewdidfromthevassalleas,Andrainandair,itstributaries,Itsrevenuesincrease,Andlevyimpostonthegoldensun,Taketheblindyearsastheymightrun,Andnofateseekorshun。
Butnowouryewisstrook,isfallen——yeaHackedlikedullwoodofeverydayTothisandthat,mensay。
Never!—ToHades’shadowyshipyardsgone,DimbargeofDis,downAcheronItdrops,orLethewan。
Stirredbyitsfall——poordestinedbarkofDis!—
AlongmysoulabruitthereisOfechoingimages,Reverberationsofmortality:
Speltbackwardfromitsdeath,tomeItslifereadssaddenedly。
Itsbreastwashollowedasthetoothofeld;
Andboys,theircreepingunbeheld,Alaughingmomentdwelled。
Yetthey,withinitsveryheartsocrept,ReachednottheheartthatcouragekeptWithwindsandyearsbeswept。
AndinitsboughsdidcloseandkindlynestThebirds,astheywithinitsbreast,Byallitsleavescaressed。
ButbirdnorchildmighttouchbyanyartEachother’sorthetree’shidheart,AwholeGod’sbreadthapart;
ThebreadthofGod,hebreadthofdeathandlife!
Evenso,evenso,inundreamedstrifeWithpulselessLaw,thewife,—
Thesweetestwifeonsweetestmarriage—day,—
Theirsoulsatgrappleinmid—way,Sweettohersweetmaysay:
"Itakeyoutomyinmostheart,mytrue!"
Ah,fool!butthereisoneheartyouShallnevertakehimto!
Theholdthatfallsnotwhenthetownisgot,Theheart’sheart,whoseimmuredplotHathkeysyourselfkeepnot!
Itsportsyoucannotburst——youarewithstood—
ForhimthattoyourlisteningbloodSendspreceptsashewould。
ItsgatesaredeaftoLove,highsummoner;
Yea,Love’sgreatwarrantrunsnotthere:
Youareyourprisoner。
YourselfarewithyourselfthesoleconsortressInthatunleaguerablefortress;
ItknowsyounotforportressItskeysareatthecincturehungofGod;
ItsgatesaretrepidanttoHisnod;
ByHimitsfloorsaretrod。
AndifHisfeetshallrockthosefloorsinwrath,OrblestaspersionsleekHispath,Isonlychoiceithath。
Yea,inthatultimateheart’soccultabodeTolieasinanoublietteofGod,Orasaboweruntrod,BuiltbyasecretLoverforHisSpouse;—
Solechoiceisthisyourlifeallows,Sadtree,whoseperishingboughsSofewbirdshouse!
DREAM—TRYST
ThebreathsofkissingnightanddayWeremingledintheeasternHeaven:
ThrobbingwithunheardmelodyShookLyraallitsstar—chordseven:
Whenduskshrunkcold,andlighttrodshy,Anddawn’sgreyeyesweretroubledgrey;
Andsoulswentpalelyupthesky,AndminetoLucide。
TherewasnochangeinhersweeteyesSincelastIsawthosesweeteyesshine;
TherewasnochangeinherdeepheartSincelastthatdeepheartknockedatmine。
Hereyeswereclear,hereyeswereHope’s,WhereindidevercomeandgoThesparkleofthefountain—dropsFromhersweetsoulbelow。
ThechambersinthehouseofdreamsArefedwithsodivineanair,ThatTime’shoarwingsgrowyoungtherein,Andtheywhowalktherearemostfair。
Ijoyedforme,Ijoyedforher,WhowiththePastmeetgirtabout:
Whereourlastkissstillwarmstheair,Norcanhereyesgoout。
ACORYMBUSFORAUTUMN
Hearkenmychant,’tisAsaBacchante’s,Agrape—spurt,avine—splash,atossedtress,flownvaunt’tis!
Suffermysinging,GipsyofSeasons,erethougowinging;
EreWinterthrowsHisslakingsnowsInthyfeasting—flagon’simpurpurateglows!
Thesoppedsun——toperaseverdrankhard—
Staresfoolish,hazed,Rubicund,dazed,TottywiththineOctobertankard。
Tannedmaiden!withcheekslikeapplesrusset,Andbreastabrownagaricfaint—flushingattip,Andamouthtooredforthemoontobussit,Buthercheekunvowitsvestalship;
ThymistsenclipHersteel—clearcircuitilluminous,UntilitcrustRubiginousWiththegloriousgulesofaglowingrust。
Farothersawwe,otherindeed,Thecrescentmoon,intheMay—daysdead,FlyupwithitsslenderwhitewingsspreadOutofitsnestinthesea’swavedmead!
Howaretheveinsofthee,Autumn,laden?
Umberedjuices,AndpulpedoozesPappyoutofthecherry—bruises,Froththeveinsofthee,wild,wildmaiden!
WithhairthatmustersInglobedclusters,Intumblingclusters,likeswarthygrapes,Roundthybrowandthineearso’ershaden;
Withtheburningdarknessofeyeslikepansies,LikevelvetpansiesWherethroughescapesThesplendidmightofthyconflagratefancies;
Withrobegold—tawnynothidingtheshapesOfthefeetwhereuntoitfallethdown,Thynakedfeetunsandalled;
Withrobegold—tawnythatdoesnotveilFeetwheretheredIsmeshedinthebrown,LikearubiedsuninaVenice—sail。
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