Contents:
MomentsofVisionTheVoiceofThings"Whybeatpains?"
"Wesatatthewindow"
AfternoonServiceatMellstockAttheWicket—gateInaMuseumApostrophetoanOldPsalmTuneAttheWord"Farewell"
FirstSightofHerandAfterTheRivalHeredity"Youwerethesortthatmenforget"
She,I,andTheyNearLanivet,1872
JoysofMemoryTotheMoonCopyingArchitectureinanOldMinsterToShakespeareQuidhicagis?
OnaMidsummerEveTimingHerBeforeKnowledgeTheBlindedBird"Thewindblewwords"
TheFadedFaceTheRiddleTheDuelAtMayfairLodgingsTomyFather’sViolinTheStatueofLibertyTheBackgroundandtheFigureTheChangeSittingontheBridgeTheYoungChurchwarden"Itravelasaphantomnow"
LinestoaMovementinMozart’sE—flatSymphony"Intheseventies"
ThePedigreeThisHeart。AWoman’sDreamWheretheylivedTheOccultationLifelaughsOnwardThePeace—offering"Somethingtapped"
TheWoundAMerrymakinginQuestion"Isaidandsangherexcellence"
AJanuaryNight。1879
AKissTheAnnouncementTheOxenTheTressesThePhotographOnaHeathAnAnniversary"BytheRunicStone"
ThePinkFrockTransformationsInherPrecinctsTheLastSignalTheHouseofSilenceGreatThingsTheChimesTheFigureintheScene"WhydidIsketch"
ConjectureTheBlowLovetheMonopolistAtMiddle—fieldGateinFebruaryTheYouthwhocarriedaLightTheHeadabovetheFogOverlookingtheRiverStourTheMusicalBoxOnSturminsterFoot—bridgeRoyalSponsorsOldFurnitureAThoughtinTwoMoodsTheLastPerformance"Youonthetower"
TheInterloperLogsontheHearthTheSunshadeTheAgeingHouseTheCagedGoldfinchAtMadameTussaud’sinVictorianYearsTheBalletTheFiveStudentsTheWind’sProphecyDuringWindandRainHeprefersherEarthlyTheDollsMollygoneABackwardSpringLookingAcrossAtaSeasideTownin1869
TheGlimpseThePedestrian"Who’sinthenextroom?"
AtaCountryFairTheMemorialBrass:186—
HerLove—birdsPayingCallsTheUpperBirch—Leaves"Itneverlookslikesummer"
EverythingcomesTheManwithaPastHefearshisGoodFortuneHewondersaboutHimselfJubilateHerevisitshisFirstSchool"Ithought,myheart"
FragmentMidnightontheGreatWesternHoneymoonTimeatanInnTheRobin"IroseandwenttoRou’tortown"
TheNettlesInaWaiting—roomTheClock—winderOldExcursionsTheMaskedFaceInaWhisperingGalleryTheSomethingthatsavedHimTheEnemy’sPortraitImaginingsOntheDoorstepSignsandTokensPathsofFormerTimeTheClockoftheYearsAtthePianoTheShadowontheStoneIntheGardenTheTreeandtheLadyAnUpbraidingTheYoungGlass—stainerLookingataPictureonanAnniversaryTheChoirmaster’sBurialTheManwhoforgotWhiledrawinginaChurchyard"ForLifeIhadnevercaredgreatly"
POEMSOFWARANDPATRIOTISM:
"Menwhomarchaway"(SongoftheSoldiers)
HisCountryEnglandtoGermanyin1914
OntheBelgianExpatriationAnAppealtoAmericaonbehalfoftheBelgianDestituteThePityofItInTimeofWarsandTumultsInTimeof"theBreakingofnations"
CryoftheHomelessBeforeMarchingandAfter"Oftenwhenwarring"
ThenandNowACalltoNationalServiceTheDeadandtheLivingOneANewYear’sEveinWarTime"Imetaman"
"Ilookedupfrommywriting"
FINALE:
TheComingoftheEndAfterwardsMOMENTSOFVISION
ThatmirrorWhichmakesofmenatransparency,WhoholdsthatmirrorAndbidsussuchabreast—barespectacleseeOfyouandme?
ThatmirrorWhosemagicpenetrateslikeadart,WholiftsthatmirrorAndthrowsourmindbackonus,andourheart,Untilwestart?
ThatmirrorWorkswellinthesenighthoursofache;
WhyinthatmirrorAretinctsweneverseeourselvesoncetakeWhentheworldisawake?
ThatmirrorCantesteachmortalwhenunaware;
Yea,thatstrangemirrorMaycatchhislastthoughts,wholelifefoulorfair,Glassingit——where?
THEVOICEOFTHINGS
FortyAugusts——aye,andseveralmore——ago,WhenIpacedtheheadlandsloosedfromdullemploy,Thewaveshuzza’dlikeamultitudebelowIntheswayofanall—includingjoyWithoutcloy。
BlanklyIwalkedthereadoubledecadeafter,Whenthwartshadflungtheirtoilsinfrontofme,AndIheardthewaterswagginginalongironiclaughterAtthelotofmen,andallthevapouryThingsthatbe。
WheelingchangehassetmeagainstandingwhereOnceIheardthewaveshuzzaatLammas—tide;
Buttheysupplicatenow——likeacongregationthereWhomurmurtheConfession——Ioutside,Prayerdenied。
"WHYBEATPAINS?"
(Wooer’sSong)
WhybeatpainsthatIshouldknowYousoughtnotme?
Dobreezes,then,makefeaturesglowSorosily?
Come,thelitportisatourback,Andthetumblingsea;
ElsewherethelamplessuphilltrackTouncertainty!
Oshouldnotwetwowaifsjoinhands?
Iamalone,YouwouldenrichmemorethanlandsBybeingmyown。
Yet,thoughthisfacilemomentflies,Closeisyourtone,Andereto—morrow’sdewfalldriesIploughtheunknown。
"WESATATTHEWINDOW"
(Bournemouth,1875)
Wesatatthewindowlookingout,AndtheraincamedownlikesilkenstringsThatSwithin’sday。EachgutterandspoutBabbleduncheckedinthebusywayOfwitlessthings:
Nothingtoread,nothingtoseeSeemedinthatroomforherandmeOnSwithin’sday。
Wewereirkedbythescene,byourownselves;yes,ForIdidnotknow,nordidsheinferHowmuchtherewastoreadandguessByherinme,andtoseeandcrownBymeinher。
Wastedweretwosoulsintheirprime,Andgreatwasthewaste,thatJulytimeWhentheraincamedown。
AFTERNOONSERVICEATMELLSTOCK
(Circa1850)
OnafternoonsofdrowsycalmWestoodinthepanelledpew,Singingone—voicedaTate—and—BradypsalmTothetuneof"CambridgeNew。"
Wewatchedtheelms,wewatchedtherooks,Thecloudsuponthebreeze,Betweenthewhilesofglancingatourbooks,Andswayinglikethetrees。
Somindlesswerethoseoutpourings!—
ThoughIamnotawareThatIhavegainedbysubtlethoughtonthingsSincewestoodpsalmingthere。
ATTHEWICKET—GATE
Therefloatedthesoundsofchurch—chiming,Butnoonewasnigh,Tilltherecame,asabreakintheloneness,Herfather,she,I。
Andweslowlymovedontothewicket,Anddownlookingstood,Tillanonpeoplepassed,andamidthemWepartedforgood。
Greater,wiser,mayparttherethanwethreeWhopartedtherethen,ButneverwillFatescolder—featuredHoldswaythereagain。
OfthechurchgoersthroughthestillmeadowsNosingleoneknewWhataplaywasplayedundertheireyesthereAsthencewewithdrew。
INAMUSEUM
I
Here’sthemouldofamusicalbirdlongpassedfromlight,Whichovertheearthbeforemancamewaswinging;
There’sacontraltovoiceIheardlastnight,Thatlodgesinmestillwithitssweetsinging。
II
SuchadreamisTimethatthecooofthisancientbirdHasperishednot,butisblent,orwillbeblendingMidvisionlesswildsofspacewiththevoicethatIheard,Inthefull—fuguedsongoftheuniverseunending。
EXETER。
APOSTROPHETOANOLDPSALMTUNE
Imetyoufirst——ah,whendidIfirstmeetyou?
WhenIwasfullofwonder,andinnocent,Standingmeek—eyedwiththoseofchoricbent,WhiledimmingdaygrewdimmerInthepulpit—glimmer。
MuchriperinyearsImetyou——inatempleWheresummersunsetstreameduponourshapes,Andyouspreadovermelikeagauzethatdrapes,Andflappedfromfloortorafters,Sweetasangels’laughters。
ButyouhadbeenstrippedofsomeofyouroldvestureByMonk,oranother。Nowyouworenofrill,Andatfirstyoustartledme。ButIknewyoustill,ThoughImissedtheminim’swaver,Andthedottedquaver。
Igrewaccustomedtoyouthus。AndyouhailedmeThroughonewhoevokedyouoften。ThenatlastYourraiserwasborneoff,andImournedyouhadpassedFrommylifewithyourlateoutsetter;
TillIsaid,"’Tisbetter!"
Butyouwaylaidme。Iroseandwentasaghostgoes,Andsaid,eyes—full"I’llneverhearitagain!
ItisovermuchforscathedandmemoriedmenWhensittingamongstrangepeopleUndertheirsteeple。"
Now,anewstirreroftonescallsyouupbeforemeAndwakesyourspeech,assheofEndordid(WhensoughtbySaulwho,indisguiseshid,Felldownontheearthtohearit)
Samuel’sspirit。
So,yourquiredoraclesbeattilltheymakemetrembleAsIdiscernyourmienintheoldattire,HereintheseturmoiledyearsofbelligerentfireLivingstillon——andonward,maybe,TillDoom’sgreatdaybe!
Sunday,August13,1916。
ATTHEWORD"FAREWELL"
ShelookedlikeabirdfromacloudOntheclammylawn,Movingalone,bare—browedInthedimofdawn。
ThecandlesalightintheroomFormypartingmealMadeallthingswithoutdoorsloomStrange,ghostly,unreal。
Thehouritselfwasaghost,AnditseemedtomethenAsofchancesthechancefurthermostIshouldseeheragain。
IbeheldnotwhereallwassofleetThataPlanofthepastWhichhadruledusfrombirthtimetomeetWasinworkingatlast:
NopreludedidIthereperceiveToadramaatall,OrforeshadowwhatfortunemightweaveFrombeginningssosmall;
ButIroseasifquickedbyaspurIwasboundtoobey,AndsteppedthroughthecasementtoherStillaloneinthegray。
"Iamleavingyou……Farewell!"Isaid,AsIfollowedheronByanalleybareboughsoverspread;
"Isoonmustbegone!"
EventhenthescalemighthavebeenturnedAgainstlovebyafeather,—ButcrimsononecheekofhersburnedWhenwecameintogether。
FIRSTSIGHTOFHERANDAFTER
AdayisdrawingtoitsfallIhadnotdreamedtosee;
ThefirstofmanytoenthrallMyspirit,willitbe?
OristhisevetheendofallSuchnewdelightforme?
Ijourneyhome:thepatterngrowsOfmoonshadesontheway:
"Soonthefirstquarter,Isuppose,"
Sky—glancingtravellerssay;
Irealizethatit,forthose,Hasbeenacommonday。
THERIVAL
Ideterminedtofindoutwhoseitwas—
Theportraithelookedatso,andsighed;
BitterlyhaveIruedmymeannessAndweptforitsincehedied!
Isearchedhisdeskwhenhewasaway,Andtherewasthelikeness——yes,myown!
TakenwhenIwastheseason’sfairest,Andtime—linesallunknown。
Ismiledatmyimage,andputitback,Andhewentoncherishingit,untilIwaschafedthathelovednotthemethenliving,Butthatpastwomanstill。
Well,suchwasmyjealousyatlast,Idestroyedthatfaceoftheformerme;
CouldyoueverhavedreamedtheheartofwomanWouldworksofoolishly!
HEREDITY
Iamthefamilyface;
Fleshperishes,Iliveon,ProjectingtraitandtraceThroughtimetotimesanon,AndleapingfromplacetoplaceOveroblivion。
Theyears—heiredfeaturethatcanIncurveandvoiceandeyeDespisethehumanspanOfdurance——thatisI;
Theeternalthinginman,Thatheedsnocalltodie。
"YOUWERETHESORTTHATMENFORGET"
Youwerethesortthatmenforget;
ThoughI——notyet!—
Perhapsnotever。YourslightedweaknessAddstothestrengthofmyregret!
You’dnottheart——youneverhadForgoodorbad—
Tomakemenseehowsweetyourmeaning,Which,visible,hadcharmedthemglad。
Youwould,bywordsineptletfall,Offendthemall,EveniftheysawyourwarmdevotionWouldholdyourlife’sbloodattheircall。
YoulackedtheeyetounderstandThosefriendsoffhandWhosemodewascrude,thoughwhosedimpurportOutpricedthecourtesiesofthebland。
IamnowtheonlybeingwhoRemembersyouItmaybe。WhatawastethatNatureGrudgedsoulsodeartheartitsdue!
SHE,I,ANDTHEY
Iwassitting,Shewasknitting,Andtheportraitsofourfore—folkhungaround;
Whentherestruckonusasigh;
"Ah——whatisthat?"saidI:
"Wasitnotyou?"saidshe。"Asighdidsound。"
Ihadnotbreathedit,Northenight—windheavedit,Andhowitcametouswecouldnotguess;
AndwelookedupateachfaceFramedandglazedthereinitsplace,Stillhearkening;butthenceforthwassilentness。
Halfindreaming,"Thenitsmeaning,"
Saidwe,"mustbesurelythis;thattheyrepineThatweshouldbethelastOfstocksonceunsurpassed,Andunabletokeepuptheirsturdyline。"
1916。
NEARLANIVET,1872
Therewasastuntedhandpostjustonthecrest,Onlyafewfeethigh:
Shewastired,andwestoppedinthetwilight—timeforherrest,Atthecrosswaysclosethereby。
Sheleantback,beingsoweary,againstitsstem,Andlaidherarmsonitsown,Eachopenpalmstretchedouttoeachendofthem,Hersadfacesidewaysthrown。
Herwhite—clothedformatthisdim—litceaseofdayMadeherlookasonecrucifiedInmygazeatherfromthemidstofthedustyway,Andhurriedly"Don’t,"Icried。
Idonotthinksheheard。Loosingthenceshesaid,Asshesteppedforthreadytogo,"Iamrestednow。——Somethingstrangecameintomyhead;
IwishIhadnotleantso!"
AndwordlesswemovedonwarddownfromthehillInthewestcloud’smurkedobscure,AndlookingbackwecouldseethehandpoststillInthesolitudeofthemoor。
"Itstruckhertoo,"Ithought,forasifafraidSheheavilybreathedaswetrailed;
Tillshesaid,"Ididnotthinkhow’twouldlookintheshade,WhenIleanttherelikeonenailed。"
I,lightly:"There’snothinginit。ForYOU,anyhow!"
——"OIknowthereisnot,"saidshe……
"YetIwonder……Ifnooneisbodilycrucifiednow,Inspiritonemaybe!"
Andwedraggedonandon,whileweseemedtoseeIntherunningofTime’sfarglassHercrucified,asshehadwonderedifshemightbeSomeday。——Alas,alas!
JOYSOFMEMORY
Whenthespringcomesround,andacertaindayLooksoutfromthebrumebytheeasterncopsetreesAndsays,Remember,Ibeginagain,asifitwerenew,AdayoflikedateIoncelivedthrough,Whilingithourbyhouraway;
SoshallIdotillmyDecember,Whenspringcomesround。
ItakemyholidaythenandmyrestAwayfromthedunlifehereaboutme,Oldhoursre—greetingWiththequietsensethatbringtheymustSuchthrobsasatfirst,tillIhousewithdust,AndinthenumbnessmyheartsomezestForthingsthatwere,bepastrepeatingWhenspringcomesround。
TOTHEMOON
"Whathaveyoulookedat,Moon,Inyourtime,Nowlongpastyourprime?"
"O,Ihavelookedat,oftenlookedatSweet,sublime,Sorethings,shudderful,nightandnoonInmytime。"
"Whathaveyoumusedon,Moon,Inyourday,Soaloof,sofaraway?"
"O,Ihavemusedon,oftenmusedonGrowth,decay,Nationsalive,dead,mad,aswoon,Inmyday!"
"Haveyoumuchwondered,Moon,Onyourrounds,Self—wrapt,beyondEarth’sbounds?"
"Yea,Ihavewondered,oftenwonderedAtthesoundsReachingmeofthehumantuneOnmyrounds。"
"Whatdoyouthinkofit,Moon,Asyougo?
IsLifemuch,orno?"
"O,Ithinkofit,oftenthinkofitAsashowGodoughtsurelytoshutupsoon,AsIgo。"
COPYINGARCHITECTUREINANOLDMINSTER
(Wimborne)
HowsmartlythequartersofthehourmarchbyThatthejack—o’—clockneverforgets;
Ding—dong;andbeforeIhavetracedacusp’seye,Orgotthetruetwistoftheogeeover,Adoubleding—dongricochetts。
JustsodidheclangherebeforeIcame,AndsowillheclangwhenI’mgoneThroughtheMinster’scavernoushollows——thesameTaleofhoursnevermoretobewillhedeliverTothespeechlessmidnightanddawn!
Igrowtoconceiveitacalltoghosts,Whosemouldliesbelowandaround。
Yes;thenext"Come,come,"drawsthemoutfromtheirposts,Andtheygather,andoneshadeappears,andanother,Astheeve—dampscreepfromtheground。
See——aCourtenaystandsbyhisquatre—foiledtomb,AndaDukeandhisDuchessnear;
AndoneSirEdmundincolumnedgloom,AndaSaxonkingbythepresbyterychamber;
Andshapesunknownintherear。
MaybetheyhavemetforaparleonsomeplanTobetterail—strickenmankind;
Icatchtheircheepings,thoughthinnerthanTheoverheadcreakofapassager’spinionWhenleavinglandbehind。
Orperhapstheyspeaktotheyetunborn,AndcautionthemnottocomeToaworldsoancientandtrouble—torn,Offoiledintents,vainlovingkindness,Andardourschilledandnumb。
TheywastetofogasIstirandstand,Andmovefromthearchedrecess,Andpickupthedrawingthatslippedfrommyhand,AndfeelforthepencilIdroppedinthecrannyInamoment’sforgetfulness。
TOSHAKESPEARE
AFTERTHREEHUNDREDYEARS
BrightbafflingSoul,leastcapturableofthemes,Thou,whodisplay’dstalifeofcommon—place,LeavingnointimatewordorpersonaltraceOfhighdesignoutsidetheartistryOfthypenneddreams,Stillshaltremainatheartunreadeternally。
Throughhumanorbitsthydiscourseto—day,Despitethyformalpilgrimage,throbsonInharmoniesthatcowOblivion,And,likethewind,withall—uncaredeffectMaintainaswayNotfore—desired,intracksunchosenandunchecked。
Andyet,atthylastbreath,withmindlessnoteTheboroughclocksbutsamelytonguedthehour,TheAvonjustasalwaysglassedthetower,Thyagewaspublishedonthypassing—bellButindueroteWithotherdwellers’deathsaccordedalikeknell。
Andatthestrokessometownsman(met,maybe,Andthereonqueriedbysomesquire’sgooddameDrivinginshopward)mayhavegiventhyname,With,"Yes,aworthymanandwell—to—do;
Though,asforme,Iknewhimbutbyjustaneighbour’snod,’tistrue。
"I’faith,fewknewhimmuchhere,savebyword,Hehavingelsewhereledhisbusierlife;
Thoughtobesureheleftwithushiswife。"
——"Ah,oneofthetradesmen’ssons,Inowrecall……
Witty,I’veheard……
Wedidnotknowhim……Well,good—day。Deathcomestoall。"
So,likeastrangebrightbirdwesometimesfindTominglewiththebarn—doorbroodawhile,Thenvanishfromtheirhomelydomicile—
Intoman’spoesy,wewotnotwhence,Flewthystrangemind,Lodgedtherearadiantguest,andspedforeverthence。
1916。
QUIDHICAGIS?
I
WhenIweeklyknewAnancientpew,AndmurmuredthereTheformsofprayerAndthanksandpraiseIntheancientways,AndheardreadoutDuringAugustdroughtThatchapterfromKingsHarvest—timebrings;
—Howtheprophet,brokenBygriefsunspoken,WentheavilyawayTofastandtopray,And,whilewaitingtodie,TheLordpassedby,AndawhirlwindandfireDrewnigherandnigher,AndasmallvoiceanonBadehimupandbegone,—
IdidnotapprehendAsIsattotheendAndwatchedforhersmileAcrossthesunnedaisle,ThatthistaleofaseerWhichcameonceayearMight,whensandswereheaping,Belikeasweatcreeping,OrinanydegreeBearonheroronme!
II
Whenlater,bychanceOfcircumstance,ItbefelmetoreadOnahotafternoonAtthelecternthereTheselfsamewordsAsthelessondecreed,TothegatheredfewFromthehamletsnear—
FolkofflocksandherdsSittinghalfaswoon,WholistenedtheretoAswomenandmenNotovermuchConcernedatsuch—
So,likethemthen,IdidnotseeWhatdroughtmightbeWithme,withher,AstheKalendarMovedon,andTimeDevouredourprime。
III
Butnow,atlast,Whenourgloryhaspassed,AndthereisnosmileFromherintheaisle,ButwhereitonceshoneAmarble,mensay,WithhernamethereonIsdiscernedto—day;
AndspiritlessInthewildernessIshrinkfromsightAnddesirethenight,(Though,asinoldwise,Imightstillarise,Goforth,andstandAndprophesyintheland),IfeeltheshakeOfwindandearthquake,AndconsumingfireNigherandnigher,Andthevoicecatchclear,"Whatdoestthouhere?"
TheSpectator1916。DuringtheWar。
ONAMIDSUMMEREVE
Iidlycutaparsleystalk,Andblewthereintowardsthemoon;
IhadnotthoughtwhatghostswouldwalkWithshiveringfootstepstomytune。
Iwent,andknelt,andscoopedmyhandAsiftodrink,intothebrook,AndafaintfigureseemedtostandAboveme,withthebygonelook。
Ilippedroughrhymesofchance,notchoice,Ithoughtnotwhatmywordsmightbe;
TherecameintomyearavoiceThatturnedatendererverseforme。
TIMINGHER
(Writtentoanoldfolk—tune)
Lalage’scoming:
Whereisshenow,O?
Turningtobow,O,Andsmile,isshe,Justatparting,Parting,parting,AssheisstartingTocometome?
Whereisshenow,O,Now,andnow,O,Shadowingabough,O,OfhedgeortreeAssheisrushing,Rushing,rushing,GossamersbrushingTocometome?
Lalage’scoming;
Whereisshenow,O;
Climbingthebrow,O,OfhillsIsee?
Yes,sheisnearing,Nearing,nearing,WeatherunfearingTocometome。
Nearisshenow,O,Now,andnow,O;
Milktherichcow,O,Forwardthetea;
Shakethedownbedforher,Linensheetsspreadforher,DraperoundtheheadforherComingtome。
Lalage’scoming,She’snearernow,O,Endanyhow,O,To—day’shusbandry!
Wouldagiltchairweremine,Slippersofvairweremine,BrushesforhairweremineOfivory!
Whatwillshethink,O,Shewho’ssocomely,ViewinghowhomelyAsortarewe!
Nothingresplendent,Nopromptattendant,NotonedependentPertainingtome!
Lalage’scoming;
Whereisshenow,O?
FainI’davow,O,FullhonestlyNoughthere’senoughforher,Allistooroughforher,EvenmyloveforherPoorindegree。
She’snearernow,O,Stillnearernow,O,She’tis,Ivow,O,Passingthelea。
Rushdowntomeetherthere,Calloutandgreetherthere,NeverasweeterthereCrossedtome!
Lalage’scome;aye,Comeisshenow,O!……
DoesHeavenallow,O,Ameetingtobe?
Yes,sheisherenow,Herenow,herenow,Nothingtofearnow,Here’sLalage!
BEFOREKNOWLEDGE
WhenIwalkedroselesstracksandwide,Eredawnedyourdateformeetingme,OwhydidyounotcryHallooAcrossthestretchbetween,andsay:
"Wemove,whileyearsasyetdivide,Onclosinglineswhich——thoughitbeYouknowmenotnorIknowyou—
Willintersectandjoinsomeday!"
ThenwellIhadborneEachscrapingthorn;
Butthewintersfroze,Andgrewnorose;
NobridgebestrodeThegapatall;
Noshapeyoushowed,AndIheardnocall!
THEBLINDEDBIRD
Sozestfullycanstthousing?
Andallthisindignity,WithGod’sconsent,onthee!
Blindedereyeta—wingBythered—hotneedlethou,IstandandwonderhowSozestfullythoucanstsing!
Resentingnotsuchwrong,Thygrievouspainforgot,Eternaldarkthylot,Gropingthywholelifelong;
Afterthatstaboffire;
Enjailedinpitilesswire;
Resentingnotsuchwrong!
Whohathcharity?Thisbird。
Whosufferethlongandiskind,Isnotprovoked,thoughblindAndaliveensepulchred?
Whohopeth,endurethallthings?
Whothinkethnoevil,butsings?
Whoisdivine?Thisbird。
"THEWINDBLEWWORDS"
Thewindblewwordsalongtheskies,AndtheseitblewtomeThroughthewidedusk:"Liftupyoureyes,Beholdthistroubledtree,Complainingasitswaysandplies;
Itisalimbofthee。
"Yea,too,thecreaturesshelteringround—
Dumbfigures,wildandtame,Yea,too,thyfellowswhoabound—
EitherofspeechthesameOrfarandstrange——black,dwarfed,andbrowned,Theyarestuffofthyownframe。"
ImovedoninasurgingaweOfinarticulatenessAtthepatheticMeIsawInallhishugedistress,Makingself—slaughterofthelawTokill,break,orsuppress。
THEFADEDFACE
HowwasthisIdidnotseeSuchalookasherewasshownEreitswomanhoodhadblownPastitsfirstfelicity?—
ThatIdidnotknowyouyoung,FadedFace,Knowyouyoung!
WhydidTimesoillbesteadThatIheardnovoiceofyoursHailfromoutthecurvedcontoursOfthoselipswhenrosyred;
Weetednotthesongstheysung,FadedFace,Songstheysung!
Bytheseblanchings,bloomsofold,Andtherelicsofyourvoice—
LeavingsrareofrichandchoiceFromyourearlytoneandmould—
Letmemourn,——aye,sorrow—wrung,FadedFace,Sorrow—wrung!
THERIDDLE
I
StretchingeyeswestOverthesea,Windfoulorfair,AlwaysstoodsheProspect—impressed;
SolelyoutthereDidhergazerest,NeverelsewhereSeemedcharmtobe。
II
AlwayseyeseastPondersshenow—
Asindevotion—
HillsofblankbrowWherenowavesplough。
NevertheleastRoomforemotionDrawnfromtheoceanDoessheallow。
THEDUEL
"Iamheretotime,yousee;
Thegladeiswell—screened——eh?——againstalarm;
FitplacetovindicatebymyarmThehonourofmyspotlesswife,WhoscornsyourlibeluponherlifeInboastingintimacy!
"’Allhush—offeringsyou’llspurn,Myhusband。Twomustcome;oneonlygo,’
Shesaid。’Thathe’llbeyouIknow;
TofaithlikeoursHeavenwillbejust,AndIshallabideinfullesttrustYourspeedygladreturn。’"
"Good。HereamalsoI;
Andwe’llproceedwithoutmorewasteofwordsTowarmyourcockpit。OftheswordsTakeyouyourchoice。IshalltherebyFeelthatonmenoblamecanlie,WhateverFateaccords。"
Sostrippedtheythere,andfought,Andtheswordsclickedandscraped,andtheonsetssped;
Tillthehusbandfell;andhisshirtwasredWithstreamsfromhisheart’shotcistern。NoughtCouldsavehimnow;andtheother,wroughtMaybetopity,said:
"Whydidyouurgeonthis?
Yourwifeassuredyou;and’thadbetterbeenThatyouhadletthingspass,sereneInconfidenceoflong—triedbliss,HoldingtherecouldbenoughtamissInwhatmywordsmightmean。"
Then,seeingnorruthnorrageCouldmovehisfoemanmore——nowDeath’sdeafthrall—
Hewipedhissteel,and,withacallLiketurtledovetodove,swiftbrokeIntothecopse,whereunderanoakHishorsecropt,heldbyapage。
"All’sover,Sweet,"hecriedTothewife,thusguised;fortheyoungpagewasshe。
"’Tisaswehopedandsaid’twouldbe。
Heneverguessed……WemountandrideTowhereourlovecanreignuneyed。
He’sclay,andwearefree。"
ATMAYFAIRLODGINGS
HowcouldIbeaware,TheoppositewindoweyeingAsIlaylistlessthere,ThatthroughitsblindswasdyingOneIhadratedrareBeforeIhadsetmesighingForanothermorefair?
Hadthehouse—frontbeenglass,Myvisionunobscuring,CouldaughthavecometopassMorehappiness—insuringToher,lovedasalassWhenspouseless,all—alluring?
Ireckonnot,alas!
So,thesquarewindowstood,Steadilynight—longshiningInmycloseneighbourhood,WholookedforthundiviningThatsoonwouldgoforgoodOnethereinpainreclining,Unpardoned,unadieu’d。
SilentlyscreenedfromviewHertragedywasendingThatneednothavecomedueHadshebeenlessunbending。
Hownear,nearwerewetwoAtthatlastvitalrending,—
Andneitherofusknew!
TOMYFATHER’SVIOLIN
DoeshewantyoudownthereIntheNetherGloomswhereThehoursmaybeadraggingloaduponhim,AshehearstheaxlegrindRoundandroundOfthegreatworld,intheblindStillprofoundOfthenight—time?HemightlivenatthesoundOfyourstring,revealingyouhadnotforgonehim。
Inthegallerywestthenave,Butafewyardsfromhisgrave,Didyou,tuckedbeneathhischin,tohisbowingGuidethehomelyharmonyOfthequireWhoforlongyearsstrenuously—
Sonandsire—
CaughtthestrainsthatathisfingeringloworhigherFromyourfourthinthreadsandeff—holescameoutflowing。
And,too,whatmerrytunesHewouldbowatnightsornoonsThatchancedtofindhimbenttoluteameasure,WhenhemadeyouspeakhisheartAsindream,Withoutbookormusic—chart,OnsomethemeElusiveasajack—o’—lanthorn’sgleam,Andthepsalmofdutyshelvedfortrillofpleasure。
Well,youcannot,alas,ThebarrieroverpassThatscreenshiminthoseMournfulMeadshereunder,WherenofiddlingcanbeheardInthegladesOfsilentness,nobirdThrillstheshades;
Wherenoviolistouchedforsongsorserenades,Nobowingwakesacongregation’swonder。
Hemustdowithoutyounow,StiryounomoreanyhowToyearningconcordstaughtyouinyourglory;
While,yourstringsatangledwreck,Oncesmartdrawn,Tenworm—woundsinyourneck,PurflingswanWithdust—hoar,herealoneIsadlyconYourpresentdumbness,shapeyouroldenstory。
1916。
THESTATUEOFLIBERTY
ThisstatueofLiberty,busyman,Hereerectinthecitysquare,Ihavewatchedwhileyourscrubbings,thisearlymorning,Strangelywistful,Andhalftristful,Haveturnedherfromfoultofair;
Withyourbucketofwater,andmop,andbrush,BringingheroutofthegrimeThathassmearedherduringthesmokesofwinterWithsuchglumnessInherdumbness,Andagedherbeforehertime。
Youhavewashedherdownwithmotherlycare—
Head,shoulders,arm,andfoot,Totheveryhemoftherobesthatdrapeher—
AllexpertlyAndalertly,Tillalongstream,blackwithsoot,Flowsoverthepavementtotheroad,Andhershapeloomspureassnow:
IreadyouarehiredbytheCityguardians—
Maybeyearly,Oroncemerely—
Totreatthestatuesso?
"Oh,I’mnothiredbytheCouncilmenTocleansethestatueshere。
Idothisoneasaself—willedduty,Notaspaidto,Oratallmadeto,Butbecausethedoingisdear。"
Ah,thenIhailyoubrotherandfriend!
Liberty’sknightdivine。
Whatyouhavedonewouldhavebeenmydoing,Yea,mostverily,Well,andthoroughly,Hadbutyourcouragebeenmine!
"OhIcarenotforLiberty’smould,Libertycharmsnotme;
What’sFreedombutanidler’svision,Vain,pernicious,Oftenvicious,Ofthingsthatcannotbe!
"Memoryitisthatbringsmetothis—
Ofadaughter——myonesweetown。
Shegrewafamouscarver’smodel,OneofthefairestAndoftherarest:—
Shesatforthefigureasshown。
"Butalas,shediedinthisdistantplaceBeforeIwaswarnedtobetakeMyselftoherside!……Andinloveofmydarling,Inloveofthefameofher,Andthegoodnameofher,Idothisforhersake。"
AnswerIgavenot。OfthatformThecarverwasIathisside;
Hischild,mymodel,heldsosaintly,Grandinfeature,Grossinnature,Inthedensofvicehaddied。
THEBACKGROUNDANDTHEFIGURE
(Lover’sDitty)
Ithinkoftheslopewheretherabbitsfed,Oftheperiwinks’rockworklair,Ofthefuchsiasringingtheirbellsofred—
Andthesomethingelseseenthere。
Betweenthebloomswherethesodbaskedbright,Bythebobbingfuchsiatrees,Wasanotherandyetmoreeyesomesight—
Thesightthatrichenedthese。
Ishallseekthosebeautiesinthespring,Whenthedaysarefitandfair,ButonlyasfoilstotheonemorethingThatalsowillflowerthere!
THECHANGE
Outofthepastthererisesaweek—
WhoshallreadtheyearsO!—
OutofthepastthererisesaweekEnringedwithapurplezone。
OutofthepastthererisesaweekWhenthoughtswerestrungtoothicktospeak,Andthemagicofitslineamentsremainswithmealone。
Inthatweektherewasheardasinging—
Whoshallspelltheyears,theyears!—
Inthatweektherewasheardasinging,Andthewhiteowlwonderedwhy。
Inthatweek,yea,avoicewasringing,AndforthfromthecasementwerecandlesflingingRadiancethatfellonthedeodarandlitupthepaththereby。
Couldthatsonghaveamockingnote?—
WhoshallunrolltheyearsO!—
CouldthatsonghaveamockingnoteTothewhiteowl’ssenseasitfell?
CouldthatsonghaveamockingnoteAsittrilledoutwarmfromthesinger’sthroat,Andwhowasthemockerandwhothemockedwhentwofeltallwaswell?
Inatedioustramplingcrowdyetlater—
Whoshallbaretheyears,theyears!—
Inatedioustramplingcrowdyetlater,Whensilverysingingsweredumb;
Inacrowduncaringwhattimemightfateher,MidmurksofnightIstoodtoawaither,Andthetwangingofironwheelsgaveoutthesignalthatshewascome。
Shesaidwithatravel—tiredsmile—
WhoshalllifttheyearsO!—
Shesaidwithatravel—tiredsmile,Halfscaredbyscenesostrange;
Shesaid,outwornbymileonmile,Theblurredlampswanningherfacethewhile,"OLove,Iamhere;Iamwithyou!"……Ah,thatthereshouldhavecomeachange!
Othedoombysomeonespoken—
Whoshallunsealtheyears,theyears!—
Othedoomthatgavenotoken,Whennothingofbalesawwe:
Othedoombysomeonespoken,Otheheartbysomeonebroken,Theheartwhosesweetreverberancesarealltimeleavestome。
Jan。—Feb。1913。
SITTINGONTHEBRIDGE
(Echoofanoldsong)
SittingonthebridgePastthebarracks,townandridge,AtoncethespiritseizedusTosingasongthatpleasedus—
As"TheFifth"weremuchinrumour;
Itwas"WhilstI’minthehumour,Takeme,Paddy,willyounow?"
Andalancersoondrewnigh,AndhisRoyalIrisheyeSaid,"Willing,faith,amI,O,totakeyouanyhow,dears,Totakeyouanyhow。"
But,lo!——dadwalkingby,Cried,"What,youlightheels!Fie!
IsthisthewayyouroamAndmockthesunsetgleam?"
Andhemarchedusstraightwayhome,Thoughwesaid,"Weareonly,daddy,Singing,’Willyoutakeme,Paddy?’"
——Well,weneversawfromthenIfwesangthereanywhen,Thesoldierdearagain,Exceptatnightindream—time,Exceptatnightindream。
Perhapsthatsoldier’sfightingInalandthat’sfaraway,OrhemaybeidlyplightingSomeforeignhussygay;
OrperhapshisbonesarewhitingInthewindtotheirdecay!……
Ah!——doeshemindhimhowThegirlshesawthatdayOnthebridge,weresittingsingingAtthetimeofcurfew—ringing,"Takeme,Paddy;willyounow,dear?
Paddy,willyounow?"
GREY’SBRIDGE。
THEYOUNGCHURCHWARDEN
Whenhelitthecandlesthere,Andthelightfellonhishand,AndittrembledashescannedHerandme,hisvanquishedairHintedthathisdreamwasdone,AndIsawhehadbegunTounderstand。
WhenLove’sviolwasunstrung,SoreIwishedthehandthatshookHadbeenminethatsharedherbookWhilethateveninghymnwassung,Histhevictor’s,ashelitCandleswherehehadbiddenussitWithvanquishedlook。
Nowherdustlieslistlessthere,Hisafarfromtendinghand,Whatavailsthevictoryscanned?
Doeshesmilefromupperair:
"Ah,myfriend,yourdreamisdone;
And’tisYOUwhohavebegunTounderstand!
"ITRAVELASAPHANTOMNOW"
Itravelasaphantomnow,ForpeopledonotwishtoseeInfleshandbloodsobareaboughAsNaturemakesofme。
AndthusIvisitbodilessStrangegloomyhouseholdsoftenatodds,AndwonderifMan’sconsciousnessWasamistakeofGod’s。
AndnextImeetyou,andIpause,Andthinkthatifmistakeitwere,Assomehavesaid,OthenitwasOnethatIwellcanbear!
1915。
LINES
TOAMOVEMENTINMOZART’SE—FLATSYMPHONY
ShowmeagainthetimeWhenintheJunetide’sprimeWeflewbymeadsandmountainsnortherly!—
Yea,tosuchfreshness,fairness,fulness,fineness,freeness,Lovelureslifeon。
ShowmeagainthedayWhenfromthesandybayWelookedtogetheruponthepesteredsea!—
Yea,tosuchsurging,swaying,sighing,swelling,shrinking,Lovelureslifeon。
ShowmeagainthehourWhenbythepinnacledtowerWeeyedeachotherandfearedfuturity!—
Yea,tosuchbodings,broodings,beatings,blanchings,blessings,Lovelureslifeon。
Showmeagainjustthis:
ThemomentofthatkissAwayfromtheprancingfolk,bythestrawberry—tree!—
Yea,tosuchrashness,ratheness,rareness,ripeness,richness,Lovelureslifeon。
BegunNovember1898。
"INTHESEVENTIES"
"Quiderideturabamicosuosicutego。"——JOB。
IntheseventiesIwasbearinginmybreast,Pennedtight,CertainstarrythoughtsthatthrewamagiclightOntheworktimesandthesoundlesshoursofrestIntheseventies;aye,IboretheminmybreastPennedtight。
Intheseventieswhenmyneighbours——evenmyfriend—
Sawmepass,Headswereshaken,andIheardthewords,"Alas,Forhisonwardyearsandnameunlesshemend!"
Intheseventies,whenmyneighboursandmyfriendSawmepass。
IntheseventiesthosewhometmedidnotknowOfthevisionThatimmunedmefromthechillingsofmis—prisionAndthedampsthatchokedmygoingstoandfroIntheseventies;yea,thosenoddersdidnotknowOfthevision。
Intheseventiesnoughtcoulddarkenordestroyit,Lockedinme,Thoughasdelicateaslamp—worm’slucency;
NeithermistnormurkcouldweakenoralloyitIntheseventies!——couldnotdarkenordestroyit,Lockedinme。
THEPEDIGREE
I
IbentinthedeepofnightOverapedigreethechroniclergaveAsmine;andasIbentthere,half—unrobed,Theuncurtainedpanesofmywindow—squareletinthewaterylightOfthemooninitsoldage:
Andgreen—rheumedcloudswerehurryingpastwheremuteandcolditglobedLikeadriftingdolphin’seyeseenthroughalappingwave。
II
So,scanningmysire—sowntree,Andthehieroglyphsofthisspousetiedtothat,Withoffspringmappedbelowinlineage,Tillthetanglestroubledme,ThebranchesseemedtotwistintoasearedandcynicfaceWhichwinkedandtokenedtowardsthewindowlikeaMageEnchantingmetogazeagainthereat。
III
Itwasamirrornow,AndinitalongperspectiveIcouldtraceOfmybegetters,dwindlingbackwardeachpasteachAllwiththekindredlook,WhosenameshadsincebeeninkeddownintheirplaceOntherecorder’sbook,Generationandgenerationofmymien,andbuild,andbrow。
IV
AndthendidIdivineThateveryheaveandcoilandmoveImadeWithinmybrain,andinmymoodandspeech,WasintheglassportrayedAslongforestalledbytheirsomakingit;
Thefirstofthem,theprimestfuglemenofmyline,Beingfoggedinfarantiquenesspastsurmiseandreason’sreach。
V
SaidIthen,sunkintone,"Iammerestmimickerandcounterfeit!—
Thoughthinking,IAMI
ANDWHATIDOIDOMYSELFALONE。"
——ThecynictwistofthepagethereatunknitBacktoitsnormalfigure,havingwroughtitspurportwry,TheMage’smirrorleftthewindow—square,Andthestainedmoonanddriftretooktheirplacesthere。
1916。
THISHEART
AWOMAN’SDREAM
Atmidnight,intheroomwherehelaydeadWhominhislifeIhadneverclearlyread,IthoughtifIcouldpeerintothatcitadelHisheart,IshouldatlastknowfullandwellWhatheretohadbeenknowntohimalone,Despiteourlongsit—outofyearsforeflown,"Andif,"Isaid,"Idothisforhismemory’ssake,Itwouldnotwoundhim,evenifhecouldwake。"
SoIbentoverhim。HeseemedtosmileWithacalmconfidencethewholelongwhileThatI,withdrawinghisheart,helditand,bitbybit,Perusedtheunguessedthingsfoundwrittenonit。
ItwasinscribedlikeaterrestrialsphereWithquaintvermiculationscloseandclear—
Hisgraving。HadIknown,wouldIhaveriskedthestrokeItsreadingbrought,andmyownheartnighbroke!
Yes,thereatlast,eyesopened,didIseeHiswholesinceresymmetrichistory;
Therewerehistruth,hissimplesinglemindedness,Strained,maybe,bytime’sstorms,buttherenoless。
TherewerethedailydeedsfromsuntosunInblindness,butgoodfaith,thathehaddone;
Therewereregrets,atinstanceswhereinheswerved(Asheconceived)fromcherishingsIhaddeserved。
Therewereoldhoursallfigureddownasbliss—
Thosespentwithme——(howlittlehadIthoughtthis!)
Therethosewhen,atmyabsence,whetherhesleptorwaked,(ThoughIknewnot’twasso!)hisspiritached。
Therethatwhenweweresevered,howdaydulledTilltimejoinedusanew,waschronicled:
AndargumentsandbattlingsindefenceofmeThatheartrecordedclearlyandruddily。
Iputitback,andlefthimashelayWhilepiercedthemorningpinkandthenthegrayIntoeachdrearyroomandcorridoraround,WhereIshallwait,buthisstepwillnotsound。
WHERETHEYLIVED
DishevelledleavescreepdownUponthatbankto—day,Somegreen,someyellow,andsomepalebrown;
Thewetbentsbobandsway;
TheoncewarmslipperyturfissoddenWherewelaughinglysatorlay。
Thesummerhouseisgone,Leavingaweedyspace;
ThebushesthatveileditoncehavegrownGaunttreesthatinterlace,ThroughwhoselanklimbsIseetooclearlyThenakednessoftheplace。
Andwherewerehillsofblue,Blinddriftsofvapourblow,Andthenamesofformerdwellersfew,Ifany,peopleknow,Andinsteadofavoicethatcalled,"Comein,Dears,"
Timecalls,"Passbelow!"
THEOCCULTATION
Whenthecloudshutdownonthemorningshine,Anddarkenedthesun,Isaid,"SoendedthatjoyofmineYearsbackbegun。"
ButdaycontinueditslustrousrollInupperair;
AnddidmylateirradiatesoulLiveonsomewhere?
LIFELAUGHSONWARD
RamblingIlookedforanoldabodeWhere,yearsback,onehadlivedIknew;
Itssiteadwellingdulyshowed,Butitwasnew。
Iwentwhere,notsolongago,Thesodhadriventwobreastsasunder;
Daisiesthrovegailythere,asthoughNogravewereunder。
IwalkedalongaterracewhereLoudchildrengambolledinthesun;
ThefigurethathadoncesatthereWasmissedbynone。
Lifelaughedandmovedonunsubdued,IsawthatOldsuccumbedtoYoung:
’Twaswell。MytooregretfulmoodDiedonmytongue。
THEPEACE—OFFERING
Itwasbutalittlething,YetIknewitmeanttomeEasefromwhathadgivenastingTotheverybirdsingingLatterly。
ButIwouldnotwelcomeit;
AndforallIthendeclinedOtheregrettingsinfiniteWhenthenight—processionsflitThroughthemind!
"SOMETHINGTAPPED"
SomethingtappedonthepaneofmyroomWhentherewasneveratraceOfwindorrain,andIsawinthegloomMywearyBeloved’sface。
"OIamtiredofwaiting,"shesaid,"Night,morn,noon,afternoon;
Socolditisinmylonelybed,AndIthoughtyouwouldjoinmesoon!"
Iroseandnearedthewindow—glass,Butvanishedthencehadshe:
Onlyapallidmoth,alas,Tappedatthepaneforme。
August1913。
THEWOUND
Iclimbedtothecrest,And,fog—festooned,ThesunlaywestLikeacrimsonwound:
LikethatwoundofmineOfwhichnoneknew,ForI’dgivennosignThatitpiercedmethrough。
AMERRYMAKINGINQUESTION
"Iwillgetanewstringformyfiddle,Andcalltotheneighbourstocome,AndpartnersshalldancedownthemiddleUntiltheoldpewter—wareshum:
Andwe’llsipthemead,cyder,andrum!"
Fromthenightcametheoddestofanswers:
Ahollowwind,likeabassoon,Andheadstonesallrangedupasdancers,Andcypressesdroningacroon,Andgurgoylesthatmouthedtothetune。
"ISAIDANDSANGHEREXCELLENCE"
(FickleLover’sSong)
Isaidandsangherexcellence:
Theycalleditlaudundue。
(Haveyourway,myheart,O!)
YetwhatwashomagefaraboveTheplaindesertsofmyoldenLoveProvedverityofmynew。
"Shemovesasylphinpicture—land,Wherenothingfroststheair:"
(Haveyourway,myheart,O!)
"ToallwingedpipersoverheadSheisknownbyshapeandsong,"Isaid,Consciousoflicencethere。
IsangofherinadimoldhallDream—builttoofancifully,(Haveyourway,myheart,O!)
Butlo,theripemonthschancedtoleadMyfeettosuchahallindeed,WherestoodtheveryShe。
Strange,startling,wasitthentolearnIhadglanceddownunborntime,(Haveyourway,myheart,O!)
Andprophesied,wherebyIknewThatwhichtheyearshadplannedtodoInwarrantyofmyrhyme。
BYRUSHY—POND。
AJANUARYNIGHT
(1879)
Therainsmitesmoreandmore,Theeastwindsnarlsandsneezes;
ThroughthejointsofthequiveringdoorThewaterwheezes。
Thetipofeachivy—shootWrithesonitsneighbour’sface;
ThereissomehiddreadafootThatwecannottrace。
IsitthespiritastrayOfthemanatthehousebelowWhosecoffintheytookinto—day?
Wedonotknow。
AKISS
Byawallthestrangernowcallshis,Wasbornofoldaparticularkiss,Withoutforethoughtinitsgenesis;
Whichinatricetookwingontheair。
Andwherethatspotisnothingshows:
Thereivycalmlygrows,AndnooneknowsWhatabirthwasthere!
Thatkissisgonewherenonecantell—
Noteventhosewhofeltitsspell:
Itcannothavedied;thatknowwewell。