首页 >出版文学> Michael, Brother of Jerry>第4章
  TheGrocery"Hullo,Alice!"
  "Hullo,Leon!"
  "Say,Alice,gi’meacoupleO’themtwoforfivecigars,Willyer?"
  "Where’syournickel?"
  "My!Ain’tyouclose!
  Can’ttrustafeller,canyer。"
  "Trustyou!WhyWhatyouowethisstoreWouldsetyouupinbusiness。
  Ican’tthinkwhyFather’lowsit。"
  "YerFather’sasightmoreneighbourlyThanyoube。That’safact。
  Besides,heknowsIgotavote。"
  "Avote!Oh,yes,yougotavote!
  Aloto’goodtheSenate’llbetoFatherWhenallhisbankaccountHasrunawayincredits。
  There’syourcigars,Ifyoucanrelishsmokin’
  Withallyouoweusstandin’。"
  "Idunnoasthatmakes’emtasteanydiff’rent。
  Youain’tfairtome,Alice,’deedyouain’t。
  Iworkwhenanythin’sdoin’。
  I’llgetacarpenterin’jobnextSummersure。
  Clevewastellin’meto-dayhe’dtakemeoncomeSpring。"
  "ComeSpring,andthisDecember!
  I’venopatiencewithyou,Leon,Shilly-shallyin’thewayyoudo。
  Here,liftoverthemcrateso’orangesIwanterfix’eminthewinder。"
  "Itrilesyer,don’tit,menothavin’work。
  Youpepperupaboutitsomethin’good。
  Youpickan’pick,andthatdon’thelpamite。
  Say,Alice,docomeinouto’thatwinder。
  Th’orangesc’nwait,An’Idon’tliketalkin’toyerback。"
  "Don’tyou!Well,you’dbettermakethebesto’whatyoucangit。
  Maybeyouwon’thavemybacktotalktosoon。
  Theylookgoodinpyramidswiththe’lectriclighton’em,Don’tthey?
  NowhandmethembananasAn’I’llstring’emrightacrost。"
  "Whatdoyermean’Boutmenothavin’youtotalkto?
  Areyerspringin’somethin’onme?"
  "Idon’tknow’boutspringin’
  WhenI’mtellin’yourightout。
  I’mgoin’away,that’sall。"
  "Where?Why?
  Whatyermean——goin’away?"
  "I’vetookaplaceDowntoBoston,inacandystoreFortheholidays。"
  "GoodLand,Alice,WhatintheHeavensfer!"
  "Toearnsomemoney,Andtogitawayfromhere,Iguess。"
  "Ain’tyerFathergotenough?
  Don’thegiveyerproperpocket-money?"
  "He’dhaveaplenty,ifyoufolkspaidhim。"
  "He’srichItellyer。
  Ineverfiguredhe’dbeclosewithyou。"
  "Oh,heain’t。Notclose。
  Thatain’twhy。
  ButImustgitawayfromhere。
  Imust!Imust!"
  "Yougotaloto’reasoninyerTo-night。
  Howlongd’youcal’lateYou’llbegone?"
  "Maybeforalways。"
  "Whatailsyer,Alice?
  Talkin’wildlikethat。
  Ain’tyouan’megoin’tobemarriedSomeday。"
  "Someday!Someday!
  Iguessthesun’llneverriseonsomeday。"
  "Sothat’sthetrouble。
  Sameoldstory。
  ’CauseIain’tgotthecashtosettlerightnow。
  YouknowIloveyer,An’I’llmarryyerassoonAsIc’nraisethemoney。"
  "You’vesaidthatanytimethesefiveyear,Butyoudon’tdonothin’。"
  "WotcouldIdo?
  Therain’tnoworkhereWinters。
  Notferacarpenter,therain’t。"
  "Iguessyouwarn’tbornacarpenter。
  Ther’sice-cuttin’aplenty。"
  "Igotadret’fultenderthroat;
  Dr。SmileshetoldmeImustn’treskice-cuttin’。"
  "Whyhaven’tyougonetoBoston,Andhuntedupajob?"
  "HaveyerforgotthetimeIwentexpressin’
  IntheAmericanoffice,downther?"
  "Andcomebacktwoweekslater!
  No,Iain’t。"
  "Youdidn’twantIshouldgithurted,Didyer?
  I’masighttoolightferallthatliftin’work。
  Mybackwascommencin’tostrain,as’twas。
  EfIwaslikeyerbrothernow,I’dha’be’ndowntothecitylongago。
  ButI’mtooclumsyferadancer。
  Iain’tgotArthur’sluck。"
  "Doyoucallitlucktobeadisgracetoyourfolks,Andgitlockedupinjail!"
  "Oh,comenow,Alice,`Disgrace’isamitestrong。
  Why,thejailwasajoke。
  Art’sallright。"
  "Allright!
  Allrighttodance,andsmirk,andlieForalivin’,AndthenintheendLeadasillygirltogiveyouWhatwarn’therstogiveBypretendin’you’dmarryher——
  Andsheapupil。"
  "He’dha’marriedherrightenough,Herfolkswasmillionaires。"
  "Yes,he’dha’marriedher!
  ThankGod,theysavedherthat。"
  "Art’safinefeller。
  IwishIhadhisluck。
  Swellin’roundinHart,Schaffner&Marxfancysuits,Andeatin’inrest’rants。
  Butsomebody’sgottosticktotheoldplace,ElseFoxfield’dhavetoshutupshop,Hey,Alice?"
  "Youadmirehim!
  YouadmireArthur!
  You’dbelikehimonlyyoucan’tdance。
  Oh,Shame!Shame!
  AndI’vebeenlikethatsillygirl。
  Fooledwithyourpromises,AndIgiveyouallIhad。
  Iknewit,oh,Iknewit,ButIwantedtogitaway’foreIprovedit。
  You’veshamedmethroughandthrough。
  Whycouldn’tyouholdyourtongue,Andsparedmeseein’youAsyoureallyare。"
  "WhattheDevil’stherow?
  IonlysaidArtwaslucky。
  Whatyouspitfirin’atmefer?
  Fergetit,Alice。
  We’vehadgoodtimes,ain’twe?
  I’llseeCleve’boutthatjobaginto-morrer,Andwe’llbemarried’forehayin’time。"
  "It’slikeyoutoremindmeo’hayin’time。
  I’vegoodcausetoloveit,ain’tI?
  Many’sthenightI’vehidmyfaceinthedarkToshutoutthinkin’!"
  "Why,thatain’tnothin’。
  Youain’tbe’nhalfsokindtomeAslotso’fellers’girls。
  Gi’meakiss,Dear,Andlet’smakeup。"
  "Makeup!
  Youpoorfool。
  DoyousupposeIcareatencentpieceForyounow。
  You’vekilledyourselfforme。
  Doneitouto’yourownmouth。
  You’vetookawaymyhome,Ihatethesighto’theplace。
  You’realloverit,Everystickan’stonemeansyou,An’Ihate’emall。"
  "Alice,Isay,Don’tgoonlikethat。
  Ican’tmarryyerBoardin’inoneroom,ButI’llseeCleveto-morrer,I’llmakehim————"
  "Oh,youfool!
  Youterriblefool!"
  "Alice,don’tgoyit,Waitaminit,I’llseeCleve————"
  "Youterriblefool!"
  "Alice,don’tgo。
  Alice————"(Doorslams)
  Number3ontheDocketThelawyer,areyou?
  Well!Iain’tgotnothin’tosay。
  Nothin’!
  ItoldtheperliceIhadn’tnothin’。
  Theyknow’drealwell’twasme。
  Therwarn’tnosupposin’,Ketchin’meinthewoodsastheydid,An’meinmyhousedress。
  Folksdon’twalkmilesan’milesInthedriftedsnow,Withnohatnorwrapon’emEfeverythin’sallright,Iguess。
  Allright?Ha!Ha!Ha!
  Nothin’warn’trightwithme。
  Neverwas。
  Oh,Lord!WhydidIdoit?
  Whyain’tityesterday,andEdhereagin?
  Many’sthetimeI’vesetupwithhimnightsWhenhehadcramps,orrheumatizm,orsomethin’。
  Iusedternursehimsame’sefhewasababy。
  Iwouldn’thurthim,Ilovehim!
  Don’tyoudaretosayIkilledhim。’Twarn’tme!
  Somethin’gotaholto’me。Icouldn’thelpit。
  Oh,whatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!
  Yes,Sir。
  No,Sir。
  Ibegyourpardon,I——I——
  Oh,I’mawickedwoman!
  An’I’mdesolate,desolate!
  Whywarn’tIstruckdeadorparalyzedAforemyhandsdoneit。
  Oh,myGod,whatshallIdo!
  No,Sir,therain’tnoextenuatin’circumstances,An’Idon’twantnone。
  Iwantabolto’lightnin’
  Tostrikemedeadrightnow!
  Oh,I’lltellyer。
  Butitwon’tmakenodiff’rence。
  Nothin’will。
  Yes,Ikilledhim。
  Whydoyermakemesayit?
  It’scruel!Cruel!
  Ikilledhimbecauseo’th’silence。
  Thelong,longsilence,Thatwatchedallaroundme,Andhewouldn’tbreakit。
  Itriedtomakehim,Timean’agin,Buthewasterribletaciturn,Edwas。
  Heneverspoke’ceptwhenhehadto,An’thenhe’donlysay"yes"and"no"。
  Youcan’tevenguesswhatthatsilencewas。
  I’dhearitwhisperin’inmyears,An’Igotfrightened,’twassothick,An’al’ayscomin’back。
  EfEdwouldha’talkedsometimesItwouldha’drivenitaway;
  Butheneverwould。
  Hedidn’thearitsameasIdid。
  Yousee,Sir,Ourfarmwasoff’nthemainroad,Andsetawaybackunderthemountain;
  Andthevillagewassevenmileoff,Measurin’afteryou’dgotouto’ourlane。
  Wedidn’thavenohiredman,’Ceptinhayin’time;
  An’Dane’splace,Thatwasthenearest,Wasclearway’tothersidethemountain。
  TheyusedMarleypost-officeAn’ourswasBenton。
  Therwasacart-tracktookyertoDane’sinSummer,An’itwarn’tabovetwomilethatway,Butitwarn’tneverbrokeoutWinters。
  IusedtodreadtheWinters。
  Seem’sefIcouldn’tabeartoseethegolden-rodbloomin’;
  Winter’dcomesoquickafterthat。
  Youdon’tknowwhatsnow’slikewhenyerwithitDayinan’dayout。
  Edwouldbeoutalldayloggin’,An’IsetathomeandlookatthesnowLayin’overeverythin’;
  It’uddazzlemeblind,Tillitwarn’twhiteanymore,butblackasink。
  Thenthequiet’udcommencerushin’pastmyearsTillImostwentmadlistenin’toit。
  Many’sthetimeI’vedroppedapanonthefloorJesttohearitclatter。
  Iwasmostfranticwhendinner-timecomeAn’Edwasbackfromthewoods。
  I’dha’givemysoultohearhimspeak。
  Buthe’dneversayawordtillIaskedhimDidheliketheraisedbiscuitsorwhatever,An’thensometimeshe’djestnodhisanswer。
  Thenhe’dgooutagin,An’I’dwatchhimfromthekitchinwinder。
  Itseemedthewoodscomemarchin’outtomeethimAn’thetrees’udpressroundhiman’hustlehim。
  IgotsoIwasscaredo’th’trees。
  Ithoughttheycomenearer,Everydayalittlenearer,Closin’uproundthehouse。
  Ineverwentint’th’woodsWinters,ThoughinSummerIliked’emwellenough。
  Itwarn’tsobadwhenmylittleboywaswithus。
  Heusedtogosleddin’andskatin’,An’everydayhisfatherfetchedhimtoschoolinthepungAn’broughthimbackagin。
  Wescrapedan’scrapedferNeddy,Wewantedhimtohaveaeducation。
  WesenthimtoHighSchool,An’thenhewentuptoBostontoTechnology。
  Hewasaminin’engineer,An’doin’realwell,Acredittohisbringin’up。
  Buthisveryfirstpositiontherwasanexplosioninthemine。
  AndI’mglad!I’mglad!
  Heain’theretoseemenow。
  Neddy!Neddy!
  I’myourmotherstill,Neddy。
  Don’tturnfrommelikethat。
  Ican’tabearit。Ican’t!Ican’t!
  Whatdidyousay?
  Oh,yes,Sir。
  I’mhere。
  I’mverysorry,Idon’tknowwhatI’msayin’。
  No,Sir,NottillafterNeddydied。
  ’TwasthenextWinterthesilencecome,Idon’tremembernoticin’itafore。
  Thatwasfiveyearago,An’it’sbeengittin’worsean’worse。
  IaskedEdtoputinatelephone。
  IthoughtefIfeltthewhisperin’comin’onIcouldringupsomeo’th’folks。
  ButEdwouldn’thearofit。
  Hesaidwe’dpaidsomuchforNeddyWecouldn’thardlygitalongas’twas。
  An’heneverunderstoodmewantin’totalk。
  Well,thisyearwasworse’nalltheothers;
  Wehadaterriblespello’stormyweather,An’thesnowlaysothickYoucouldn’tseethefenceseven。
  Outo’doorswasasflatasthepalmo’myhand,Therwarn’tahumporahollerFerasyoucouldsee。
  ItwassoquietThesnappin’o’thebranchesbackinthewood-lotSoundedlikepistolshots。
  EdwasoutalldaySameasusual。
  An’itseemedhetalkedless’never。
  Hedidn’tevensay`Good-mornin’’,onceortwice,An’jestnoddedorshookhisheadwhenIaskedhimthings。
  OnMondayhesaidhe’dgottogoovertoBentonFersomeoats。
  I’doughterha’gonewithhim,But’twaswashin’dayAn’Iwasafearedthefineweather’dbreak,An’Icouldn’tdomydryin’。
  AllmylifeI’ddonemyworkpunctual,An’Icouldn’tfixmyconscienceTogojunketin’onawashin’-day。
  Ican’ttellyouwhatthatdaywastome。
  Itdraggedan’dragged,Fertherwarn’tnoEdterbreakitinthemiddleFerdinner。
  EverytimeIstoppedstirrin’thewaterIheerdthewhisperin’allaboutme。
  Istoppedoftener’nIshouldToseeef’twasstillther,An’ital’ayswas。
  An’gittin’louderItseemedterme。
  OnceIthrewupthewindertofeelthewind。
  Thatseemedmostalivesomehow。
  Butthewoodslookedsokindofmenacin’
  IcloseditquickAn’startedtomangle’shard’sIcould,Thesqueakin’wascomfortin’。
  Well,Edcomehome’boutfour。
  Iseenhimdowntheroad,An’Irunoutthroughtheshedinterth’barnTomeethimquicker。
  Iholleredout,`Hullo!’
  Buthedidn’tsaynothin’,HejestdroverightinAn’climbedouto’th’sleighAn’commencedunharnessin’。
  Iaskedhimaheapo’questions;
  Whohe’dseedAn’whathe’ddone。
  Onceinawhilehe’dnodorshake,Butmosto’th’timehedidn’tdonothin’。
  ’Twasgittin’darkthen,An’Iwasinastate,WiththelonelinessAn’Edpayin’noattentionLikesomethin’warn’tlivin’。
  Allofasuddenitcome,Idon’tknowwhat,ButIjestcouldn’tstandnomore。
  Itdidn’tseem’sthoughthatwasEd,An’itdidn’tseemasthoughIwasme。
  Ihadtobreakawayoutsomehow,Somethin’wasclosin’inAn’Iwasstiflin’。
  Ed’sloggin’axewasther,An’Itookit。
  Oh,myGod!
  Ican’tseenothin’elseaforemeallthetime。
  Irunoutinterth’woods,Seemedaseftheywaspullin’me;
  An’allthetimeIwaswadin’throughthesnowIseedEdinfrontofmeWhereI’dlaidhim。
  An’Iseehimnow。
  There!There!
  Whatyouholdin’mefer?
  IwanttergotoEd,He’sbleedin’。
  Stopholdin’me。
  Igottogo。
  I’mcomin’,Ed。
  I’llbetherinaminit。
  Oh,I’msotired!
  (Faints)
  ClocksTickaCenturyNightmare:ATaleforanAutumnEveningAfteraPrintbyGeorgeCruikshankItwasagustynight,Withthewindbooming,andswooping,Loopingroundcorners,Slidingoverthecobble-stones,Whippingandveering,AndcareeringovertheroofsLikeathousandclatteringhorses。
  Mr。Sprugginshadbeendininginthecity,Mr。Sprugginswasnonetoosteadyinhisgait,AndthewindplayedballwithMr。SprugginsAndlaughedasitwhistledpasthim。
  Itrolledhimalongthestreet,Withhislittlefeetpit-a-pattingontheflagsofthesidewalk,Andhismufflerandhiscoat-tailsblownstraightoutbehindhim。
  Itbumpedhimagainstarearailings,Andchuckledinhisearwhenhesaid"Ouch!"
  SometimesitliftedhimclearoffhislittlepattingfeetAndborehimintriumphoverthreegreyflagstonesandaquarter。
  Themoondodgedinandoutofclouds,winking。
  ItwasallveryunpleasantforMr。Spruggins,AndwhenthewindflunghimhardagainsthisownfrontdoorItwasarelief,Althoughthebreathwasquiteknockedoutofhim。
  Thegas-lampinfrontofthehouseflaredup,Andthekeyholewasasbigasabarndoor;
  Thegas-lampflickeredawaytoasputteringbluestar,Andthekeyholewentoutwithit。
  Suchastabbing,andjabbing,Andsticking,andpicking,Andpoking,andpushing,andpryingWiththatkey;
  AndthereisnodenyingthatMr。Sprugginsrappedoutanoathortwo,Rub-a-dub-dubbingthemouttoarealsnare-drumroll。
  Butthedooropenedatlast,AndMr。SprugginsblewthroughitintohisownhallAndslammedthedoortosohardThattheknockerbangedfivetimesbeforeitstopped。
  Mr。Sprugginsstruckalightandlitacandle,Andallthetimethemoonwinkedathimthroughthewindow。
  "Whycouldn’tyoufindthekeyhole,Spruggins?"
  Tauntedthewind。
  "Icanfindthekeyhole。"
  Andthewind,thinasawire,DartedinandseizedthecandleflameAndknockeditovertoonesideAndpummelleditdown——down——down——!
  ButMr。Sprugginsheldthecandlesoclosethatitsingedhischin,Andranandstumbledupthestairsinasurprisinglyagilemanner,Forthewindthroughthekeyholekeptsaying,"Spruggins!Spruggins!"
  behindhim。
  Thefireinhisbedroomburnedbrightly。
  TheroomwithitscrimsonbedandwindowcurtainsWasasredandglowingasacarbuncle。
  Itwasstillandwarm。
  Therewasnowindhere,forthewindowswerefastened;
  Andnomoon,Forthecurtainsweredrawn。
  ThecandleflamestooduplikeapointedpearInawidebrassdish。
  Mr。Sprugginssighedwithcontent;
  Hewassafeathome。
  Thefireglowed——redandyellowrosesIntheblackbasketofthegrate——
  AndthebedwithitscrimsonhangingsSeemedagreatpeony,Wideopenandplacid。
  Mr。Sprugginsslippedoffhistop-coatandhismuffler。
  Heslippedoffhisbottle-greencoatAndhisfloweredwaistcoat。
  Heputonaflanneldressing-gown,Andtiedapeakednight-capunderhischin。
  HewoundhislargegoldwatchAndplaceditunderhispillow。
  Thenhetiptoedovertothewindowandpulledbackthecurtain。
  Therewasthemoondodginginandoutoftheclouds;
  Butbehindhimwashisquietcandle。
  Therewasthewindwhiskingalongthestreet。
  Thewindowrattled,butitwasfastened。
  Didthewindsay,"Spruggins"?
  AllMr。Sprugginsheardwas"S-s-s-s-s——"
  Dyingawaydownthestreet。
  Hedroppedthecurtainandgotintobed。
  Marthahadbeeninthelastthingwiththewarming-pan;
  Thebedwaswarm,AndMr。Sprugginssankintofeathers,Withthefamiliartickingofhiswatchjustunderhishead。
  Mr。Sprugginsdozed。
  Hehadforgottentoputoutthecandle,Butitdidnotmakemuchdifferenceasthefirewassobright……
  Toobright!
  Theredandyellowrosesprickedhiseyelids,Theyscorchedhimbacktoconsciousness。
  Hetriedtoshifthisposition;
  Hecouldnotmove。
  Somethingweighedhimdown,Hecouldnotbreathe。
  Hewasgasping,Pinneddownandsuffocating。
  Heopenedhiseyes。
  Thecurtainsofthewindowwereflungback,Thefireandthecandlewereout,Andtheroomwasfilledwithgreenmoonlight。
  Andpressedagainstthewindow-paneWasawide,roundface,Winking——winking——
  Solemnlydroppingoneeyelidaftertheother。
  Tick——tock——wentthewatchunderhispillow,Wink——wink——wentthefaceatthewindow。
  Itwasnotthefireroseswhichhadprickedhim,Itwasthewinkingeyes。
  Mr。Sprugginstriedtobounceup;
  Hecouldnot,because——
  HisheartflappedupintohismouthAndfellbackdead。
  Onhischestwasafatpinkpig,OnthepigablackamoorWithatenpoundweightforacap。
  Hismustachioskeptcurlingupanddownlikeangrysnakes,Andhiseyesrolledroundandround,Withthepupilscomingintosight,anddisappearing,Andappearingagainontheotherside。
  Theholstersathissaddle-bowweretwoportbottles,Andacurvedtable-knifehungathisbeltforascimitar,Whileaforkandakegofspiritswerestrappedtothesaddlebehind。
  Hedughisspursintothepig,Whichtrampledandsnorted,AndstampeditsclovenfeetdeeperintoMr。Spruggins。
  Thenthegreenlightonthefloorbegantoundulate。
  Itheavedandhollowed,Itroselikeatide,Sea-green,FullofclawsandscalesAndwriggles。
  Theairabovehisbedbegantomove;
  ItweighedoverhimInamassofdraggledfeathers。
  Notoneliftedtostirtheair。
  TheydroopedanddrippedWithasmellofportwineandbrandy,Closingdown,slowly,Tricklingdropsonthebed-quilt。
  Suddenlythewindowfellinwithagreatscatterofglass,Andthemoonburstintotheroom,Sizzling——"S-s-s-s-s——Spruggins!Spruggins!"
  Itrolledtowardhim,Agreenballofflame,Withtwoeyesinthecenter,Aredeyeandayelloweye,Droppingtheirlidsslowly,Oneaftertheother。
  Mr。Sprugginstriedtoscream,ButtheblackamoorLeaptoffhispigWithacry,Drewhisscimitar,AndplungeditintoMr。Spruggins’smouth。
  Mr。SprugginsgotupinthecolddawnAndremadethefire。
  ThenhecreptbacktobedBythelightwhichseepedinunderthewindowcurtains,Andlaythere,shivering,WhilethebellsofSt。GeorgetheMartyrchimedthequarterafterseven。
  ThePaperWindmillThelittleboypressedhisfaceagainstthewindow-paneandlookedoutatthebrightsunshinymorning。Thecobble-stonesofthesquareglistenedlikemica。Inthetrees,abreezedancedandpranced,andshookdropsofsunlightlikefallinggoldencoinsintothebrownwaterofthecanal。Downstreamslowlydriftedalongstringofgalliotspiledwithcrimsoncheeses。Thelittleboythoughttheylookedasiftheywereroc’seggs,blocksofbigrubyeggs。Hesaid,"Oh!"withdelight,andpressedagainstthewindowwithallhismight。
  Thegoldencockonthetopofthe`Stadhuis’gleamed。Hisbeakwasopenlikeapairofscissorsandanarrowpieceofblueskywaswedgedinit。
  "Cock-a-doodle-do,"criedthelittleboy。"Can’tyouhearmethroughthewindow,GoldCocky?Cock-a-doodle-do!Youshouldcrowwhenyouseetheeggsofyourcousin,thegreatroc。"Butthegoldencockstoodstockstill,withhisfinetailblowinginthewind。
  Hecouldnotunderstandthelittleboy,forhesaid"Cocorico"
  whenhesaidanything。Buthewashungintheairtoswing,nottosing。
  HiseyesglitteredtothebrightWestwind,andthecrimsoncheesesdriftedawaydownthecanal。
  Itwasverydullthereinthebigroom。Outsideinthesquare,thewindwasplayingtagwithsomefallenleaves。Amanpassed,withadogcartbesidehimfullofsmart,newmilkcans。Theyrattledoutagaytune:
  "Tiddity-tum-ti-ti。Havesomemilkforyourtea。Creamforyourcoffeetodrinkto-night,thick,andsmooth,andsweet,andwhite,"
  andtheman’ssabotsbeatanaccompaniment:"Plop!trop!milkforyourtea。
  Plop!trop!drinkitto-night。"Itwasverypleasantoutthere,butitwaslonelyhereinthebigroom。Thelittleboygulpedatatear。
  Itwasqueerhowdullallhistoyswere。Theyweresostill。
  Nothingwasstillinthesquare。Ifhetookhiseyesawayamomentithadchanged。Themilkmanhaddisappearedroundthecorner,therewasonlyanoldwomanwithabasketofgreenstuffonherhead,pickingherwayovertheshinystones。Butthewindpulledtheleavesinthebasketthiswayandthat,anddisplayedthemtobeautifuladvantage。
  Thesunpattedthemcondescendinglyontheirflatsurfaces,andtheyseemedsprinkledwithsilver。Thelittleboysighedashelookedathisdisorderedtoysonthefloor。Theyweremotionless,andtheircoloursweredull。
  Thedarkwainscotingabsorbedthesun。Therewasnoneleftfortoys。
  Thesquarewasquiteemptynow。Onlythewindranroundandroundit,spinning。Awayoverinthecornerwhereastreetopenedintothesquare,thewindhadstopped。Stoppedrunning,thatis,foritneverstoppedspinning。Itwhirred,andwhirled,andgyrated,andturned。
  Itburnedlikeagreatcolouredsun。Ithummed,andbuzzed,andsparked,anddarted。Therewereflashesofblue,andlongsmearinglinesofsaffron,andquickjabsofgreen。Andoveritallwasasheenlikeamyriadcutdiamonds。Roundandrounditwent,thehugewind-wheel,andthelittleboy’sheadreeledwithwatchingit。Thewholesquarewasfilledwithitsrays,blazingandleapingroundafteroneanother,fasterandfaster。Thelittleboycouldnotspeak,hecouldonlygaze,staringinamaze。
  Thewind-wheelwascomingdownthesquare。Nearerandneareritcame,agreatdiskofspinningflame。Itwasoppositethewindownow,andthelittleboycouldseeitplainly,butitwassomethingmorethanthewindwhichhesaw。Amanwascarryingahugefan-shapedframeonhisshoulder,andstuckinitweremanylittlepaintedpaperwindmills,eachonescurryingroundinthebreeze。Theywerebrightandbeautiful,andthesightwasonetopleaseanybody,andhowmuchmorealittleboywhohadonlystupid,motionlesstoystoenjoy。
  Thelittleboyclappedhishands,andhiseyesdancedandwhizzed,forthecirclingwindmillsmadehimdizzy。Closerandclosercamethewindmillman,andhelduphisbigfantothelittleboyinthewindowoftheAmbassador’shouse。Onlyapaneofglassbetweentheboyandthewindmills。Theyslidroundbeforehiseyesinrapidlyrevolvingsplendour。Therewerewheelsandwheelsofcolours——
  big,little,thick,thin——alloneclear,perfectspin。Thewindmillvendordippedandraisedthemagain,andthelittleboy’sfacewasgluedtothewindow-pane。Oh!Whataglorious,wonderfulplaything!
  Ringsandringsofwindycolouralwaysmoving!Howhadanyoneeverpreferredthoseothertoyswhichneverstirred。"Nursie,comequickly。Look!
  Iwantawindmill。See!Itisneverstill。Youwillbuymeone,won’tyou?
  Iwantthatsilverone,withthebigringofblue。"
  Soaservantwassenttobuythatone:silver,ringedwithblue,andsmartlyittwirledaboutintheservant’shandsashestoodamomenttopaythevendor。Thenheenteredthehouse,andinanotherminutehewasstandinginthenurserydoor,withsomecrumpledpaperontheendofastickwhichheheldouttothelittleboy。"ButIwantedawindmillwhichwentround,"criedthelittleboy。"Thatistheoneyouaskedfor,MasterCharles,"Nursiewasabitimpatient,shehadmendingtodo。
  "See,itissilver,andhereistheblue。""Butitisonlyabluestreak,"
  sobbedthelittleboy。"Iwantedabluering,andthissilverdoesn’tsparkle。""Well,MasterCharles,thatiswhatyouwanted,nowrunawayandplaywithit,forIamverybusy。"
  Thelittleboyhidhistearsagainstthefriendlywindow-pane。Onthefloorlaythemotionless,crumpledbitofpaperontheendofitsstick。
  Butfarawayacrossthesquarewasthewindmillvendor,withhisbigwheelofwhirringsplendour。Itspunroundinablazelikeawhirlingrainbow,andthesungleameduponit,andthewindwhippedit,untilitseemedamazeofspatteringdiamonds。"Cocorico!"crowedthegoldencockonthetopofthe`Stadhuis’。"Thatissomethingworthcrowingfor。"
  Butthelittleboydidnothearhim,hewassobbingoverthecrumpledbitofpaperonthefloor。
  TheRedLacquerMusic-StandAmusic-standofcrimsonlacquer,longsincebroughtInsomefastclipper-shipfromChina,quaintlywroughtWithbossedandcarvenflowersandfruitsinblackeninggold,TheslendershaftalltwinedaboutandthicklyscrolledWithvineleavesandyoungtwistedtendrils,whirling,curling,Flingingtheirnewshootsoverthefourwings,andswirlingOutonthethreewidefeetingoldenlumpsandstreams;
  Petalsandapplesinhighrelief,andwheretheseamsArewornwithhandling,throughthepolishedcrimsonsheen,Longstreaksofblack,theunderlacquer,shineoutclean。
  Fourdesks,adjustable,tosuittheheightsofplayersSittingtoviolsorstandinguptosing,fourlayersOfmusictoserveeveryinstrument,arethere,Andontheapexalargeflat-toppedgoldenpear。
  Itburnsinredandyellow,dusty,smoulderinglights,Whenthesunflarestheoldbarn-chamberwithitsflightsAndskipsuponthecrystalknobsofdimsideboards,Leglessandmouldy,andhops,glinttoglint,onhoardsOfscythes,andspades,anddinner-horns,sotheoldtoolsArelittlecandlesthrowingbrightnessroundinpools。
  WithOrientalsplendour,redandgold,thedustCoveringitsflameslikesmokeandthinningasagustOfbrightersunshinemakesthecoloursleapandrange,Thestrangeoldmusic-standseemstostrikeoutandchange;
  Tostrokeandtearthedarknesswithsharpgoldenclaws;
  Todartaforked,vermiliontonguefromopenjaws;
  Topuffoutbittersmokewhichchokesthesun;andfadeBacktoastill,faintoutlineobliterateinshade。
  Creepinguptheladderintotheloft,theBoyStandswatching,verystill,pricklyandhotwithjoy。
  Heseesthedustysun-moteslitbystreaksofred,Heseesitsplitandstream,andallabouthisheadSpikesandspearsofgoldarelicking,pricking,flicking,Scratchingagainstthewallsandfurniture,andnickingThedarknessintosparks,chippingawaythegloom。
  TheBoy’snosesmartswiththepungenceintheroom。
  ThewindpushesanelmbranchfrombeforethedoorAndthesunwidensoutallalongthefloor,Fillingthebarn-chamberwithwhite,straightforwardlight,Sonotoneblurredoutlinecanteasethemindtofright。
  "OAllyeWorksoftheLord,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OlettheEarthBlesstheLord;Yea,letitPraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OyeMountainsandHills,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OAllyeGreenThingsupontheEarth,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。"
  TheBoywillpraisehisGodonanaltarbuildedfair,WillheapitwiththeWorksoftheLord。Inthemorningair,Spicesshallburnonit,andbytheirpalesmokecurled,LikeshootsofalltheGreenThings,theGodofthisbrightWorldShallseetheBoy’sdesiretopayhisdebtofpraise。
  TheBoyturnsroundabout,seekingwithcarefulgazeAnaltarmeetandworthy,buteachtableandchairHassomedefect,eachpieceisneedingsomerepairToperfectit;thechairshavebrokenlegsandbacks,Thetablesareuneven,andeveryhighboylacksAhandleoradrawer,thedesksarebruisedandworn,Andevenawidesofahasitscaneseattorn。
  OnlyinthegloomfarinthecornerthereThelacquermusic-standiselegantandrare,Clearandslimofline,withitsfourwingsoutspread,Thesoundofoldquartets,atenuous,faintthread,Hangingandfloatingoverit,itstandssupreme——
  Black,andgold,andcrimson,inonetwistedscheme!
  Acandleonthebookcasefeelsadraughtandwavers,Stipplingthewhite-washedwallswithdancingshadesandquavers。
  Abed-post,growncolossal,jigsabouttheceiling,Andshadows,strangelyaltered,stainthewalls,revealingEagles,andrabbits,andweirdfacespulledawry,Andhandswhichfetchandcarrythingsincessantly。
  UndertheEasternwindow,wherethemorningsunMusttouchit,standsthemusic-stand,andoneachoneOfitsbroadplatformsisapyramidofstones,Andmetals,anddriedflowers,andpineandhemlockcones,Anoriole’snestwiththefoureggsneatlyblown,Therattleofarattlesnake,andthreelargebrownButternutsuncracked,sixbutterfliesimpaledWithagreenlunamoth,asnake-skinfreshlyscaled,Somesunflowerseeds,wampum,andabloody-toothshell,Abluejayfeather,alltogetherpiledpell-mellThestandwillholdnomore。TheBoywithhummingheadLooksonceagain,blowsoutthelight,andcreepstobed。
  TheBoykeepssolemnvigil,whileoutsidethewindBlowsgustilyandclear,andslapsagainsttheblind。
  Hehardlytriestosleep,sosharphisecstasyItburnshissoultoemptiness,andsetsitfreeForadorationonly,forworship。Dedicate,Hisunsheathedsoulisnakedinitsnovitiate。
  Thehoursstrikebelowfromtheclockonthestair。
  TheBoyisawhiteflamesuspiringinprayer。
  Morningwillbringthesun,theGoldenEyeofHimWhosesplendourmustbeveiledbystarrycherubim,WhoseFeetshimmerlikecrystalinthestreetsofHeaven。
  Likeanopenrosethesunwillstandupeven,Frontingthewindow-sill,andwhenthecasementglowsRose-redwiththenew-blownmorning,thenthefirewhichflowsFromthesunwillfalluponthealtarandigniteThespices,andhissacrificewillburninperfumedlight。
  Overthemusic-standtheghostsofsoundswillswim,`Violsd’amore’and`hautbois’accordedtoahymn。
  TheBoywillseethefaintestbreathofangels’wingsFanningthesmoke,andvoiceswillflowerthroughthestrings。
  Hedaresnofarthervision,andwithscaldingeyesWaitsuponthedaylightandhisgreatemprise。
  Thecold,greylightofdawnwaswhiteningthewallWhentheBoy,fine-drawnbysleeplessness,startedhisritual。
  Hewashed,allshiveringandpointedlikeaflame。
  Hethrewtheshuttersopen,andinthewindow-frameThemorningglimmeredlikeatarnishedVeniceglass。
  HetookhisChinesepastillesandputtheminamassUponthemantelpiecetillhecouldseekaplateWorthytoholdthemburning。Alas!HehadbeenlateInthinkingofthisneed,andnowhecouldnotfindPlatterorsaucerrareenoughtoeasehismind。
  Thehousewasnotastir,andhedarednotgodownIntothebarn-chamber,lestsomedoorshouldbeblownAndslambeforethedraughthemadeashewentout。
  Thelightwasgrowingyellower,andstillhelookedabout。
  AflashofalmostcrimsonfromthegildedpearUponthemusic-stand,startledhimwaitingthere。
  Thesunwouldriseandhewouldmeetitunprepared,Labelledafoolinhavingmissedwhathehaddared。
  Heranacrosstheroom,tookhispastillesandlaidThemontheflat-toppedpear,mostcarefullydisplayedTolightwithease,thenstoodalittletooneside,Focussedaburning-glassandpainstakinglytriedToholditangledsothebunchedandprismedraysShouldleapuponeachotherandspringintoablaze。
  Sharpasawheelingedgeofdisked,carnationflame,Gem-hardandcuttingupward,slowlytheroundsuncame。
  Thearrowedfirecaughttheburning-glassandglanced,Splittoamultitudeofpointedspears,andlanced,Adeeper,hotterflame,ittooktheincensepileWhichwelcomeditandbrokeintoalittlesmileOfyellowflamelets,creeping,crackling,thrustingup,Agolden,red-slashedlilyinalacquercup。
  "OyeFireandHeat,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OyeWinterandSummer,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OyeNightsandDays,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。
  OyeLightningsandClouds,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。"
  Amomentsoithung,wide-curved,bright-petalled,seemingAchalicefoamedwithsunrise。TheBoywokefromhisdreaming。
  Aspikeofflamehadcaughtthecardofbutterflies,Theoriole’snesttookfire,soonallfourgalleriesWherehehadspreadhistreasureswerebecomeonetongueOfgleaming,brutalfire。TheBoyinstantlyswungHispitcheroffthewash-standandturneditupsidedown。
  Theflamesdroopedbackandsizzled,andallhissensesgrownAcutebyfear,theBoygrabbedthequiltfromhisbedAndflungitoverall,andthenwithachingheadHewatchedtheearlysunshineglintontheremainsOfhisholyoffering。ThelacquerstandhadstainsUglyandcharredallover,andwherethegoldenpearHadbeen,adeep,blackholegapedmiserably。HisdearTreasureswerepuffsofashes;onlythestoneswerethere,Winkinginthebrightness。
  TheclockuponthestairStruckfive,andinthekitchensomeoneshookagrate。
  TheBoybegantodress,foritwasgettinglate。
  SpringDayBathThedayisfresh-washedandfair,andthereisasmelloftulipsandnarcissusintheair。
  Thesunshinepoursinatthebath-roomwindowandboresthroughthewaterinthebath-tubinlathesandplanesofgreenish-white。Itcleavesthewaterintoflawslikeajewel,andcracksittobrightlight。
  Littlespotsofsunshinelieonthesurfaceofthewateranddance,dance,andtheirreflectionswobbledeliciouslyovertheceiling;astirofmyfingersetsthemwhirring,reeling。Imoveafoot,andtheplanesoflightinthewaterjar。Iliebackandlaugh,andletthegreen-whitewater,thesun-flawedberylwater,flowoverme。Thedayisalmosttoobrighttobear,thegreenwatercoversmefromthetoobrightday。
  Iwillliehereawhileandplaywiththewaterandthesunspots。
  Theskyisblueandhigh。Acrowflapsbythewindow,andthereisawhiffoftulipsandnarcissusintheair。
  BreakfastTableInthefresh-washedsunlight,thebreakfasttableisdeckedandwhite。
  Itoffersitselfinflatsurrender,tenderingtastes,andsmells,andcolours,andmetals,andgrains,andthewhiteclothfallsoveritsside,drapedandwide。Wheelsofwhiteglitterinthesilvercoffee-pot,hotandspinninglikecatherine-wheels,theywhirl,andtwirl——andmyeyesbegintosmart,thelittlewhite,dazzlingwheelsprickthemlikedarts。
  Placidandpeaceful,therollsofbreadspreadthemselvesinthesuntobask。
  Astackofbutter-pats,pyramidal,shoutorangethroughthewhite,scream,flutter,call:"Yellow!Yellow!Yellow!"Coffeesteamrisesinastream,cloudsthesilvertea-servicewithmist,andtwistsupintothesunlight,revolved,involuted,suspiringhigherandhigher,flutinginathinspiralupthehighbluesky。Acrowfliesbyandcroaksatthecoffeesteam。
  Thedayisnewandfairwithgoodsmellsintheair。
  WalkOverthestreetthewhitecloudsmeet,andsheerawaywithouttouching。
  Onthesidewalks,boysareplayingmarbles。Glassmarbles,withamberandbluehearts,rolltogetherandpartwithasweetclashingnoise。Theboysstrikethemwithblackandredstripedagates。
  Theglassmarblesspitcrimsonwhentheyarehit,andslipintotheguttersunderrushingbrownwater。Ismelltulipsandnarcissusintheair,buttherearenoflowersanywhere,onlywhitedustwhippingupthestreet,andagirlwithagaySpringhatandblowingskirts。Thedustandthewindflirtatheranklesandherneat,high-heeledpatentleathershoes。Tap,tap,thelittleheelspatthepavement,andthewindrustlesamongtheflowersonherhat。
  Awater-cartcrawlsslowlyontheothersideoftheway。Itisgreenandgaywithnewpaint,andrumblescontentedly,sprinklingclearwateroverthewhitedust。Clearzigzaggingwater,whichsmellsoftulipsandnarcissus。
  Thethickeningbranchesmakeapink`grisaille’againstthebluesky。
  Whoop!Thecloudsgodashingateachotherandsheerawayjustintime。
  Whoop!Andaman’shatcareersdownthestreetinfrontofthewhitedust,leapsintothebranchesofatree,veersawayandtrundlesaheadofthewind,jarringthesunlightintospokesofrose-colourandgreen。
  Amotor-carcutsaswathethroughthebrightair,sharp-beaked,irresistible,shoutingtothewindtomakeway。Aglareofdustandsunshinetossestogetherbehindit,andsettlesdown。Theskyisquietandhigh,andthemorningisfairwithfresh-washedair。
  MiddayandAfternoonSwirlofcrowdedstreets。Shockandrecoiloftraffic。Thestock-stillbrickfacadeofanoldchurch,againstwhichthewavesofpeoplelurchandwithdraw。Flareofsunshinedownside-streets。Eddiesoflightinthewindowsofchemists’shops,withtheirblue,gold,purplejars,dartingcoloursfarintothecrowd。Loudbangsandtremors,murmuringsoutofhighwindows,whirringofmachinebelts,blurringofhorsesandmotors。Aquickspinandshudderofbrakesonanelectriccar,andthejarofachurch-bellknockingagainstthemetalblueofthesky。Iamapieceofthetown,abitofblowndust,thrustalongwiththecrowd。Proudtofeelthepavementunderme,reelingwithfeet。Feettripping,skipping,lagging,dragging,ploddingdoggedly,orspringingupandadvancingonfirmelasticinsteps。
  Aboyissellingpapers,Ismellthemcleanandnewfromthepress。
  Theyarefreshliketheair,andpungentastulipsandnarcissus。
  Theblueskypalestolemon,andgreattonguesofgoldblindtheshop-windows,puttingouttheircontentsinafloodofflame。
  NightandSleepThedaytakeshereaseinslipperedyellow。Electricsignsgleamoutalongtheshopfronts,followingeachother。Theygrow,andgrow,andblowintopatternsoffire-flowersastheskyfades。Tradesscreaminspotsoflightattheunrufflednight。Twinkle,jab,snap,thatmeansanewplay;andovertheway:plop,drop,quiver,isthesidelongsliverofawatchmaker’ssignwithitslengthonanotherstreet。
  Agiganticmugofbeereffervescestotheatmosphereoveratallbuilding,buttheskyishighandhasherownstars,whyshouldsheheedours?
  Ileavethecitywithspeed。Wheelswhirltotakemebacktomytreesandmyquietness。Thebreezewhichblowswithmeisfresh-washedandclean,ithascomebutrecentlyfromthehighsky。Therearenoflowersinbloomyet,buttheearthofmygardensmellsoftulipsandnarcissus。
  Myroomistranquilandfriendly。OutofthewindowIcanseethedistantcity,abandoftwinklinggems,littleflower-headswithnostems。
  Icannotseethebeer-glass,northelettersoftherestaurantsandshopsIpassed,nowthesignsblurandalltogethermakethecity,glowingonanightoffineweather,likeagardenstirringandblowingfortheSpring。
  Thenightisfresh-washedandfairandthereisawhiffofflowersintheair。
  Wrapmeclose,sheetsoflavender。Pouryourblueandpurpledreamsintomyears。Thebreezewhispersattheshuttersandmuttersqueertalesofolddays,andcobbledstreets,andyouthsleapingtheirhorsesdownmarblestairways。Palebluelavender,youarethecolouroftheskywhenitisfresh-washedandfair……Ismellthestars……theyareliketulipsandnarcissus……Ismellthemintheair。
  TheDinner-PartyFish"So……"theysaid,Withtheirwine-glassesdelicatelypoised,Mockingatthethingtheycannotunderstand。
  "So……"theysaidagain,Amusedandinsolent。
  Thesilveronthetableglittered,AndtheredwineintheglassesSeemedthebloodIhadwastedInafoolishcause。
  GameThegentlemanwiththegrey-and-blackwhiskersSneeredlanguidlyoverhisquail。
  Thenmyheartflewupandlaboured,AndIburstfrommyownholdingAndhurledmyselfforward。
  WithstraightblowsIbeatuponhim,Furiously,withred-hotanger,Ithrustagainsthim。
  Butmyweaponslitheredoverhispolishedsurface,AndIrecoileduponmyself,Panting。
  Drawing-RoomInadressallsoftnessandhalf-tones,Indolentandhalf-reclined,Shelayuponacouch,Withthefirelightreflectedinherjewels。
  Buthereyeshadnoreflection,Theyswaminagreysmoke,Thesmokeofsmoulderingashes,Thesmokeofhercinderedheart。
  CoffeeTheysatinacirclewiththeircoffee-cups。
  Onedroppedinalumpofsugar,Onestirredwithaspoon。
  IsawthemasacircleofghostsSippingblacknessoutofbeautifulchina,AndmildlyprotestingagainstmycoarsenessInbeingalive。
  TalkTheytookdeadmen’ssoulsAndpinnedthemontheirbreastsforornament;
  Theircuff-linksandtiarasWeregemsdugfromagrave;
  Theywereghoulsbatteningonexhumedthoughts;
  AndItookagreenliqueurfromaservantSothathemightcomenearmeAndgivemethecomfortofalivingthing。
  ElevenO’ClockThefrontdoorwashardandheavy,Itshutbehindmeonthehouseofghosts。
  IflattenedmyfeetonthepavementTofeelitsolidunderme;
  IranmyhandalongtherailingsAndshookthem,AndpressedtheirpointedbarsIntomypalms。
  Thehurtofitreassuredme,AndIdiditagainandagainUntiltheywerebruised。
  WhenIwokeinthenightIlaughedtofindthemaching,Foronlylivingfleshcansuffer。
  Stravinsky’sThreePieces"Grotesques",forStringQuartetFirstMovementThin-voiced,nasalpipesDrawingsoundoutandoutUntilitisascreechingthread,Sharpandcutting,sharpandcutting,Ithurts。
  Whee-e-e!
  Bump!Bump!Tong-ti-bump!
  Therearedrumshere,Banging,Andwoodenshoesbeatingtheround,greystonesOfthemarket-place。
  Whee-e-e!
  Sabotsslappingtheworn,oldstones,Andashakingandcrackingofdancingbones;
  Clumsyandhardtheyare,Anduneven,LosinghalfabeatBecausethestonesareslippery。
  Bump-e-ty-tong!Whee-e-e!Tong!
  ThethinSpringleavesShaketothebangingofshoes。
  Shoesbeat,slap,Shuffle,rap,Andthenasalpipessquealwiththeirpigs’voices,Littlepigs’voicesWeavingamongthedancers,AfinewhitethreadLinkingupthedancers。
  Bang!Bump!Tong!
  Petticoats,Stockings,Sabots,Deliriumflappingitsthigh-bones;
  Red,blue,yellow,Drunkennesssteamingincolours;
  Red,yellow,blue,Coloursandfleshweavingtogether,Inandout,withthedance,Coarsestuffsandhotfleshweavingtogether。
  Pigs’crieswhiteandtenuous,Whiteandpainful,Whiteand——
  Bump!
  Tong!
  SecondMovementPaleviolinmusicwhiffsacrossthemoon,Apalesmokeofviolinmusicblowsoverthemoon,Cherrypetalsfallandflutter,AndthewhitePierrot,Wreathedinthesmokeoftheviolins,Splashedwithcherrypetalsfalling,falling,ClawsagraveforhimselfinthefreshearthWithhisfinger-nails。
  ThirdMovementAnorgangrowlsintheheavyroof-groinsofachurch,Itwheezesandcoughs。
  Thenaveisbluewithincense,Writhing,twisting,Snakingovertheheadsofthechantingpriests。
  `Requiemaeternamdonaei,Domine’;
  ThepriestswhinetheirbastardLatinAndthecensersswingandclick。
  ThepriestswalkendlesslyRoundandround,DroningtheirLatinOffthekey。
  Theorgancrashesoutinaflaringchord,Andthepriestshitchtheirchantuphalfatone。
  `Diesilla,diesirae,Calamitatisetmiseriae,Diesmagnaetamaravalde。’
  Awindrattlestheleadedwindows。
  Thelittlepear-shapedcandleflamesleapandflutter,`Diesilla,diesirae;’
  Theswayingsmokedriftsoverthealtar,`Calamitatisetmiseriae;’
  Theshufflingpriestssprinkleholywater,`Diesmagnaetamaravalde;’
  AndthereisastarkstillnessinthemidstofthemStretcheduponabier。
  Hisearsarestonetotheorgan,Hiseyesareflinttothecandles,Hisbodyisicetothewater。
  Chant,priests,Whine,shuffle,genuflect,HewillalwaysbeasrigidasheisnowUntilhecrumblesawayinadustheap。
  `Lacrymosadiesilla,QuaresurgetexfavillaJudicandushomoreus。’
  Abovethegreypillarstheroofisindarkness。
  TownsinColourI
  RedSlippersRedslippersinashop-window,andoutsideinthestreet,flawsofgrey,windysleet!
  Behindthepolishedglass,theslippershanginlongthreadsofred,festooningfromtheceilinglikestalactitesofblood,floodingtheeyesofpassers-bywithdrippingcolour,jammingtheircrimsonreflectionsagainstthewindowsofcabsandtram-cars,screamingtheirclaretandsalmonintotheteethofthesleet,ploppingtheirlittleroundmaroonlightsuponthetopsofumbrellas。
  Therowofwhite,sparklingshopfrontsisgashedandbleeding,itbleedsredslippers。Theyspoutundertheelectriclight,fluidandfluctuating,ahotrain——andfreezeagaintoredslippers,myriadlymultipliedinthemirrorsideofthewindow。
  Theybalanceuponarchedinstepslikespringingbridgesofcrimsonlacquer;
  theyswingupovercurvedheelslikewhirlingtanagerssuckedinawind-pocket;theyflattenout,heelless,likeJulyponds,flaredandburnishedbyredrockets。
  Snap,snap,theyarecracker-sparksofscarletinthewhite,monotonousblockofshops。
  Theyplungetheclangourofbillionsofvermiliontrumpetsintothecrowdoutside,andechoinfaintroseoverthepavement。
  Peoplehurryby,fortheseareonlyshoes,andinawindow,fartherdown,isabiglotusbudofcardboardwhosepetalsopeneveryfewminutesandrevealawaxdoll,withstaringbeadeyesandflaxenhair,lollingawkwardlyinitsflowerchair。
  Onehasoftenseenshoes,butwhoeversawacardboardlotusbudbefore?
  Theflawsofgrey,windysleetbeatontheshop-windowwherethereareonlyredslippers。
  II
  Thompson’sLunchRoom——GrandCentralStationStudyinWhitesWax-white——
  Floor,ceiling,walls。
  IvoryshadowsOverthepavementPolishedtocreamsurfacesByconstantsweeping。
  ThebigroomiscolouredlikethepetalsOfagreatmagnolia,AndhasapatinaOfflowerbloomWhichmakesitshinedimlyUndertheelectriclamps。
  ChairsarerangedinrowsLikesepiaseedsWaitingfulfilment。
  Thechalk-whitespotofacook’scapMovesunglossilyagainstthevaguelybrightwall——
  Dullchalk-whitestrikingtheretinalikeablowThroughthewaveringuncertaintyofsteam。
  Vitreous-whiteofglasseswithgreenreflections,Ice-greencarboys,shifting——greener,bluer——withthejarofmovingwater。
  Jaggedgreen-whitebowlsofpressedglassRearingsnow-peaksofchippedsugarAbovethelighthouse-shapedcastorsOfgreypepperandgrey-whitesalt。
  Grey-whiteplacards:"OysterStew,CornbeefHash,Frankfurters":
  Marbleslabsveinedwithwordsinmeanderinglines。
  DroppingonthewhitecounterlikehornnotesThroughawebofviolins,Theflatyellowlightsoforanges,Thecube-redsplashesofapples,Inhighplated`epergnes’。
  Theelectricclockjerkseveryhalf-minute:
  "Coming!——Past!"
  "Threebeef-steaksandachicken-pie,"
  Bawledthroughaslidewhiletheclockjerksheavily。
  Amancarriesachinamugofcoffeetoadistantchair。
  TworicepuddingsandasalmonsaladArepushedoverthecounter;
  Theunfulfilledchairsopentoreceivethem。
  Aspoonfallsuponthefloorwiththeimpactofmetalstrikingstone,AndthesoundthrowsacrosstheroomSharp,invisiblezigzagsOfsilver。
  III
  AnOperaHouseWithinthegoldsquareoftheprosceniumarch,Acurtainoforangevelvethangsinstifffolds,Itstasselsjarringslightlywhensomeonecrossesthestagebehind。
  Goldcarvingedgesthebalconies,Rimstheboxes,Runsupanddownflutedpillars。
  Littleknife-stabsofgoldShineoutwheneveraboxdoorisopened。
  GoldclustersFlashinsoftexplosionsOnthebluedarkness,Suckbacktoapoint,Anddisappear。
  HoopsofgoldCirclenecks,wrists,fingers,Pierceears,PoiseonheadsAndflyupabovethemincolouredsparkles。
  Gold!
  Gold!
  Theoperahouseisatreasure-boxofgold。
  Goldinabroadsmearacrosstheorchestrapit:
  Goldofhorns,trumpets,tubas;
  Gold——spun-gold,twittering-gold,snapping-goldOfharps。
  Theconductorraiseshisbaton,ThebrassblaresoutCrass,crude,Parvenu,fat,powerful,Golden。
  Richasthefat,clappinghandsintheboxes。
  Cymbals,gigantic,coin-shaped,Crash。
  TheorangecurtainpartsAndtheprima-donnastepsforward。
  Onenote,Adrop:transparent,iridescent,Agoldbubble,Itfloats……floats……
  AndburstsagainstthelipsofabankpresidentInthegrandtier。
  IV
  AfternoonRaininStateStreetCross-hatchingsofrainagainstgreywalls,SlantlinesofblackrainInfrontoftheupanddown,wetstonesidesofbuildings。
  Below,Greasy,shiny,black,horizontal,Thestreet。
  Andoverit,umbrellas,BlackpolisheddotsStrucktowhiteAninstant,StreamintwoflatlinesSlippingpasteachotherwiththesmoothnessofoil。
  Likeafour-sidedwedgeTheCustomHouseTowerPokesatthelow,flatsky,Pushingitfartherandfartherup,Liftingitawayfromthehouse-tops,Liftingitinonepieceasthoughitwereasheetoftin,Withtheleverofitsapex。
  Thecross-hatchingsofraincuttheTowerobliquely,Scratchinglinesofblackwireacrossit,MutilatingitsperpendiculargreysurfaceWiththesharpprecisionoftools。
  Thecityisrigidwithstraightlinesandangles,Achequeredtableofblacksandgreys。
  OblongblocksofflatnessCrawlbywithlow-gearedengines,AndpasstoshortuprightsquaresShrinkingwithdistance。
  Asteamerinthebasinblowsitswhistle,Andthesoundshootsacrosstherainhatchings,Anarrow,levelbarofsteel。
  HardcubesoflemonSuperimposethemselvesuponthefrontsofbuildingsAsthewindowslightup。
  ButthelemoncubesareedgedwithanglesUponwhichtheycannotimpinge。
  Up,straight,down,straight——square。
  Crumpledgrey-whitepapersBlowalongtheside-walks,Contorted,horrible,Withoutcurves。
  Ahorsestepsinapuddle,Andwhite,glaringwaterspurtsupInstiff,outflaringlines,Liketherattlingstemsofreeds。
  Thecityisheraldicwithangles,AsombreescutcheonofargentandsableAndcountercolouredbendsofrainHungoverafour-squarecivilization。
  Whenastreetlampcomesout,IgazeatitforfullythirtysecondsTorestmybrainwiththesuffusing,roundbrillianceofitsglobe。
  V
  AnAquariumStreaksofgreenandyellowiridescence,Silvershiftings,Ringsveeringoutofrings,Silver——gold——
  Grey-greenopaquenessslidingdown,WithsharpwhitebubblesShootinganddancing,Flingingquicklyoutward。
  Nosingthebubbles,Swallowingthem,Fish。
  Blueshadowsagainstsilver-saffronwater,ThelightripplingoverthemInsteel-brighttremors。
  OutspreadtranslucentfinsFlute,fold,andrelapse;
  ThethreadedlightprintsthroughthemonthepebblesInscarcelytarnishedtwinklings。
  Curvingofspottedspines,Slowup-shifts,Lazyconvolutions:
  ThenasuddenswiftstraighteningAnddartingbelow:
  ObliquegreyshadowsAthwartapalecasement。
  Ropedandcurled,Greenman-eatingeelsSlumberinundulaterhythms,Withcrestslaidhorizontalontheirbacks。
  Barredfish,Stripedfish,Unevendisksoffish,Slip,slide,whirl,turn,Andnevertouch。
  Metallicbluefish,WithfinswideandyellowandswayingLikeOrientalfans,HoldthesunintheirbelliesAndglowwithlight:
  Bluebrilliancecutbyblackbars。
  Anoblongpaneofstraw-colouredshimmer,Acrossit,inatangent,Asmearofrose,black,silver。
  Shorttwistsandupstartings,Rose-black,inasettingofbubbles:
  SunshineplayingbetweenredandblackflowersOnablueandgoldlawn。
  Shadowsandpolishedsurfaces,Facetsofmauveandpurple,Aconstantmodulationofvalues。
  Shaft-shaped,Withgreenbeadeyes;
  Thick-nosed,Heliotrope-coloured;
  Swiftspotsofchrysoliteandcoral;
  Inthemidstofgreen,pearl,amethystirradiations。
  Outside,Awillow-treeflickersWithlittlewhitejerks,AndlongbluewavesRisesteadilybeyondtheouterislands。