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。