首页 >出版文学> The Three Taverns>第1章
  ABookofPoemsToTHOMASSERGEANTPERRYandLILLACABOTPERRY
  ContentsTheValleyoftheShadowTheWanderingJewNeighborsTheMillTheDarkHillsTheThreeTavernsDemosI
  DemosII
  TheFlyingDutchmanTactOntheWayJohnBrownTheFalseGodsArchibald’sExampleLondonBridgeTaskerNorcrossASongatShannon’sSouvenirDiscoveryFirelightTheNewTenantsInferentialTheRatRaheltoVarnhagenNimmoPeaceonEarthLateSummerAnEvangelist’sWifeTheOldKing’sNewJesterLazarusSeveralpoemsincludedinthisbookappearedoriginallyinAmericanperiodicals,asfollows:TheThreeTaverns,LondonBridge,ASongatShannon’s,TheNewTenants,Discovery,JohnBrown;
  Archibald’sExample,TheValleyoftheShadow;Nimmo;TheWanderingJew,Souvenir;Neighbors,Tact;Demos;TheMill,AnEvangelist’sWife;
  Firelight;LateSummer;Inferential;TheFlyingDutchman;
  OntheWay,TheFalseGods;PeaceonEarth;TheOldKing’sNewJester。
  TheThreeTaverns——————————————————-
  TheValleyoftheShadowTherewerefacestorememberintheValleyoftheShadow,Therewerefacesunregarded,therewerefacestoforget;
  Therewerefiresofgriefandfearthatareafewforgottenashes,Thereweresparksofrecognitionthatarenotforgottenyet。
  Foratfirst,withanamazedandoverwhelmingindignationAtameasurelessmalfeasancethatobscurelywilleditthus,Theywerelostandunacquainted——tilltheyfoundthemselvesinothers,Whohadgropedastheyweregropingwheredimwayswereperilous。
  TherewerelivesthatwereasdarkasarethefearsandintuitionsOfachildwhoknowshimselfandisalonewithwhatheknows;
  Therewerepensionersofdreamsandthereweredebtorsofillusions,Alltofailbeforethetriumphofaweedthatonlygrows。
  Therewerethirstingheirsofgoldensievesthatheldnotwineorwater,Andhadnonamesintrafficormorevaluetherethantoys:
  TherewereblightedsonsofwonderintheValleyoftheShadow,Wheretheysufferedandstillwonderedwhytheirwondermadenonoise。
  Therewereslaveswhodraggedtheshacklesofaprecedentunbroken,Demonstratingthefulfilmentofunalterableschemes,Whichhadbeen,beforethecradle,Time’sinexorabletenantsOfwhatwerenowthedustyruinsoftheirfather’sdreams。
  Therewerethese,andthereweremanywhohadstumbleduptomanhood,Wheretheysawtoolatetheroadtheyshouldhavetakenlongago:
  TherewerethwartedclerksandfiddlersintheValleyoftheShadow,Thecommemorativewreckageofwhatothersdidnotknow。
  Andthereweredaughtersolderthanthemotherswhohadbornethem,Beingolderintheirwisdom,whichisolderthantheearth;
  Andtheyweregoingforwardonlyfartherintodarkness,Unrelievedasweretheblastingobligationsoftheirbirth;
  Andamongthem,givingalwayswhatwasnotfortheirpossession,Thereweremaidens,veryquiet,withnoquietintheireyes:
  ThereweredaughtersofthesilenceintheValleyoftheShadow,Eachanisolatediteminthefamilysacrifice。
  Therewerecreepersamongcatacombswheredullregretsweretorches,Givinglightenoughtoshowthemwhatwasthereupontheshelves——
  WheretherewasmoreforthemtoseethanpleasurewouldrememberOfsomethingthathadbeenaliveandoncehadbeenthemselves。
  Thereweresomewhostirredtheruinswithasolidimprecation,Whileasmanyfledrepentanceforthepromiseofdespair:
  ThereweredrinkersofwrongwatersintheValleyoftheShadow,Andallthesparklingwaysweredustthatoncehadledthemthere。
  ThereweresomewhoknewthestepsofAgeincrediblybesidethem,Andhisfingersuponshouldersthathadneverfeltthewheel;
  Andtheirlastofemptytrophieswasagildedcupofnothing,Whichacontemplatingvagabondwouldnothavecometosteal。
  Longandoftenhadtheyfiguredforalargervaluation,Butthesizeoftheiradditionwasthebalanceofadoubt:
  ThereweregentlemenofleisureintheValleyoftheShadow,Notalluredbyretrospection,disenchanted,andplayedout。
  AndamongthedarkendurancesofunavowedreprisalsThereweresilenteyesofenvythatsawlittlebutsawwell;
  Andoverbeauty’saftermathofhazardousambitionsThereweretearsforwhathadvanishedastheyvanishedwheretheyfell。
  Notassuredofwhatwastheirs,andalwayshungryforthenameless,ThereweresomewhoseonlypassionwasforTimewhomadethemcold:
  TherewerenumerousfairwomenintheValleyoftheShadow,Dreamingratherlessofheaventhanofhellwhentheywereold。
  Nowandthen,asiftoscornthecommontouchofcommonsorrow,Thereweresomewhogaveafewthedistantpityofasmile;
  Andanothercloakedasoulaswithanashofhumanembers,Havingcoveredthusatreasurethatwouldlasthimforawhile。
  Thereweremanybythepresenceofthemanydisaffected,Whoseexemptionwasincludedintheweightthatothersbore:
  TherewereseekersafterdarknessintheValleyoftheShadow,Andtheyaloneweretheretofindwhattheywerelookingfor。
  Sotheywere,andsotheyare;andastheycamearecomingothers,Andamongthemarethefearlessandthemeekandtheunborn;
  AndaquestionthathasheldusheretoforewithoutananswerMayabidewithoutanansweruntilallhaveceasedtomourn。
  Forthechildrenofthedarkaremoretonamethanarethewretched,Orthebroken,ortheweary,orthebaffled,ortheshamed:
  TherearebuildersofnewmansionsintheValleyoftheShadow,Andamongthemarethedyingandtheblindedandthemaimed。
  TheWanderingJewIsawbylookinginhiseyesThattheyrememberedeverything;
  AndthiswashowIcametoknowThathewashere,stillwandering。
  ForthoughthefigureandthesceneWerenevertobereconciled,IknewthemanasIhadknownHisimagewhenIwasachild。
  Withevidenceateveryturn,IshouldhavehelditsafetoguessThatallthenewnessofNewYorkHadnothingnewinloneliness;
  YetherewasonewhomightbeNoah,OrNathan,orAbimelech,OrLamech,outofageslost,——
  Or,morethanall,Melchizedek。
  Assuredthathewasnoneofthese,Igavethembacktheirnamesagain,ToscanoncemorethoseendlesseyesWhereallmyquestionsendedthen。
  IfoundinthemwhattheyrevealedThatIshallnotlivetoforget,AndwonderediftheyfoundinmineCompassionthatImightregret。
  Pity,Ilearned,wasnottheleastOftime’soffendingbenefitsThathadnowforsolongimpugnedTheconservationofhiswits:
  RatheritwasthatIshouldyield,Alone,thefealtythatpresentsThetributeofatemperedearToanuntemperedeloquence。
  BeforeIponderedlongenoughOnwhencehecameandwhohewas,ItrembledathisringingwealthOfmanifoldanathemas;
  Iwondered,whilehesearedtheworld,Whatnewdefectionailedtherace,AndifitmatteredhowremoteOurfatherswerefromsuchaplace。
  BeforetherewasanhourformeTocontemplatewithlessconcernThecrumblingrealmawaitingusThanhisthatwasbeyondreturn,AdawningonthedustofyearsHadshapedwithanelusivelightMiragesofrememberedscenesThatwerenolongerforthesight。
  FornowthegloomthathidthemanBecameadaylightonhiswrath,AndonewhereinmyfancyviewedNewlionsrampinginhispath。
  Theoldweredeadandhadnofangs,Whereforehelovedthem——seeingnotTheywerethesamethatintheirtimeHadeateneverythingtheycaught。
  TheworldaroundhimwasagiftOfanguishtohiseyesandears,AndonethathehadlongreviledAsfitfordevils,notforseers。
  Where,then,wasthereaplaceforhimThatonthisothersideofdeathSawnothinggood,ashehadseenNogoodcomeoutofNazareth?
  Yetheretherewasareticence,AndIbelievehisonlyone,ThathushedhimasifhebeheldAPresencethatwouldnotbegone。
  InsuchasilenceheconfessedHowmuchtherewastobedenied;
  Andhewouldlookatmeandlive,Asothersmighthavelookedanddied。
  AsifatlastheknewagainThathehadalwaysknown,hiseyesWereliketothoseofonewhogazedOnthoseofOnewhoneverdies。
  ForsuchamomentherevealedWhatlifehasinittobelost;
  AndIcouldaskifwhatIsaw,Beforemethere,wasmanorghost。
  HemayhavediedsomanytimesThatalltherewasofhimtoseeWaspride,thatkeptitselfaliveAstoorebellioustobefree;
  Hemayhavetold,whenmorethanonceHumilityseemedimminent,HowmanyalonelytimeinvainTheSecondComingcameandwent。
  WhetherhestilldefiesornotThefailureofanangrytaskThatrelegateshimoutoftimeTochaos,Icanonlyask。
  ButasIknewhim,sohewas;
  Andsomewhereamongmento-dayThoseold,unyieldingeyesmayflash,Andflinch——andlooktheotherway。
  NeighborsAsoftenaswethoughtofher,WethoughtofagraylifeThatmadeaquainteconomistOfawolf-hauntedwife;
  WemadethebestofallsheboreThatwasnotourstobear,AndhonoredherforwearingthingsThatwerenotthingstowear。
  TherewasadistanceinherlookThatmadeuslookagain;
  Andifshesmiled,wemightbelieveThatwehadlookedinvain。
  Rarelyshecameinsideourdoors,Andhadnotlongtostay;
  Andwhensheleft,itseemedsomehowThatshewasfaraway。
  Atlast,whenwehadallforgotThatallisheretochange,AshadowonthecommonplaceWasforamomentstrange。
  Yettherewasnothingforsurprise,Normuchthatneedbetold:
  Love,withhisgiftofpain,hadgivenMorethanoneheartcouldhold。
  TheMillThemiller’swifehadwaitedlong,Theteawascold,thefirewasdead;
  AndtheremightyetbenothingwrongInhowhewentandwhathesaid:
  "Therearenomillersanymore,"
  Wasallthatshehadheardhimsay;
  AndhehadlingeredatthedoorSolongthatitseemedyesterday。
  SickwithafearthathadnoformSheknewthatshewasthereatlast;
  AndinthemilltherewasawarmAndmealyfragranceofthepast。
  WhatelsetherewaswouldonlyseemTosayagainwhathehadmeant;
  AndwhatwashangingfromabeamWouldnothaveheededwhereshewent。
  Andifshethoughtitfollowedher,ShemayhavereasonedinthedarkThatonewayofthefewtherewereWouldhideherandwouldleavenomark:
  Blackwater,smoothabovetheweirLikestarryvelvetinthenight,Thoughruffledonce,wouldsoonappearThesameasevertothesight。
  TheDarkHillsDarkhillsateveninginthewest,WheresunsethoverslikeasoundOfgoldenhornsthatsangtorestOldbonesofwarriorsunderground,FarnowfromallthebanneredwaysWhereflashthelegionsofthesun,Youfade——asifthelastofdaysWerefading,andallwarsweredone。
  TheThreeTavernsWhenthebrethrenheardofus,theycametomeetusasfarasAppiiForum,andTheThreeTaverns。
  (Acts28:15)
  Herodion,Apelles,Amplias,AndAndronicus?IsityouIsee——
  Atlast?AndisityounowthataregazingAsifindoubtofme?WasInotsayingThatIshouldcometoRome?Ididsaythat;
  AndIsaidfurthermorethatIshouldgoOnwestward,wherethegatewayoftheworldLetsinthecentralsea。Ididsaythat,ButIsayonly,now,thatIamPaul——
  AprisoneroftheLaw,andoftheLordAvoicemadefree。IftherebetimeenoughTolive,ImayhavemoretotellyouthenOfwesternmatters。IgonowtoRome,WhereCaesarwaitsforme,andIshallwait,AndCaesarknowshowlong。InCaesareaTherewasalegendofAgrippasayingInalightwaytoFestus,havingheardMydeposition,thatImightbefree,HadIstayedfreeofCaesar;butthewordOfGodwouldhaveitasyouseeitis——
  AndhereIam。ThecupthatIshalldrinkIsminetodrink——themomentortheplaceNotminetosay。IfitbenowinRome,BeitnowinRome;andifyourfaithexceedTheshadowcastofhope,saynotofmeToosurelyortoosoonthatyearsandshipwreck,AndallthemanydesertsIhavecrossedThatarenotnamedorregioned,haveundoneBeyondthebrevitiesofourmortalhealingThepartofmethatistheleastofme。
  YouseeanoldermanthanhewhofellPronetotheearthwhenhewasnighDamascus,Wherethegreatlightcamedown;yetIamheThatfell,andhethatsaw,andhethatheard。
  AndIamhere,atlast;andifatlastIgivemyselftomakeanothercrumbForthisperniciousfeastoftimeandmen——
  Well,IhaveseentoomuchoftimeandmenTofeartheraveningorthewrathofeither。
  Yes,itisPaulyousee——theSaulofTarsusThatwasafieryJew,andhadmenslainForsayingSomethingwasbeyondtheLaw,Andinourselves。IfedmysufferingsoulUpontheLawtillIwentfamishing,NotknowingthatIstarved。HowshouldIknow,Morethenthanany,thatthefoodIhad——
  Whatelseitmayhavebeen——wasnotforme?
  MyfathersandtheirfathersandtheirfathersHadfounditgood,andsaidtherewasnoother,AndIwasoftheline。WhenStephenfell,Amongthestonesthatcrushedhislifeaway,TherewasnoplacealivethatIcouldseeForsuchaman。WhyshouldamanbegivenTolivebeyondtheLaw?SoIsaidthen,Asmensaynowtome。HowthendoI
  Persistinliving?Isthatwhatyouask?
  Ifso,letmyappearancebeforyouNolivinganswer;forTimewritesofdeathOnmenbeforetheydie,andwhatyouseeIsnottheman。Themanthatyouseenot——
  Themanwithintheman——ismostalive;
  Thoughhatredwouldhaveended,longago,Thebaneofhisactivities。Ihavelived,BecausethefaithwithinmethatislifeEndurestolive,andshall,tillsoonorlate,Death,likeafriendunseen,shallsaytomeMytoilisoverandmyworkbegun。
  Howoften,andhowmanyatimeagain,HaveIsaidIshouldbewithyouinRome!
  Hewhoisalwayscomingnevercomes,Orcomestoolate,youmayhavetoldyourselves;
  AndImaytellyounowthatafterme,WhetherIstayforlittleorforlong,Thewolvesarecoming。Haveaneyeforthem,AndamorecarefulearfortheirconfusionThanyouneedhavemuchlongerforthesoundOfwhatItellyou——shouldIlivetosayMorethanIsaytoCaesar。WhatIknowIsdownforyoutoreadinwhatiswritten;
  AndifIcloudalittlewithmyownMortalitythegleamthatisimmortal,IdoitonlybecauseIamI——
  Beingonearthandofit,insofarAstimeflaysyettheremnant。Thisyouknow;
  AndifIstingmen,asIdosometimes,Withasharpwordthathurts,itisbecauseMan’shabitistofeelbeforehesees;
  AndIamofaracethatfeels。Moreover,TheworldishereforwhatisnotyethereFormorethanareafew;andeveninRome,WheremenaresoenamoredoftheCrossThatfamehasechoed,andincreasingly,ThemusicofyourloveandofyourfaithToforeignearsthatareasfarawayAsAntiochandHaran,yetIwonderHowmuchofloveyouknow,andifyourfaithBetheshutfruitofwords。Ifso,rememberWordsarebutshellsunfilled。JewshaveatleastALawtomakethemsorrytheywerebornIftheygolongwithoutit;andtheseGentiles,Forthefirsttimeinshriekinghistory,Haveloveandlawtogether,ifsotheywill,FortheirdefenseandtheirimmunityIntheselastdays。Rome,ifIknowthename,WillhaveanonacrownofthornsandfireMadereadyforthewreathingofnewmasters,Ofwhomweareappointed,youandI,——
  AndyouarestilltobewhenIamgone,ShouldIgopresently。Letthewordfall,Meanwhile,uponthedragon-riddenfieldOfcircumstance,eithertoliveordie;
  Concerningwhichthereisaparable,MadeeasyforthecomfortandattentionOfthosewhopreach,fearingtheypreachinvain。
  Youaretoplant,andthentoplantagainWhereyouhavegathered,gatheringasyougo;
  Foryouareinthefieldsthatareeternal,AndyouhavenottheburdenoftheLordUponyourmortalshoulders。WhatyouhaveIsalightyoke,madelighterbythewearing,TillitshallhavethewonderandtheweightOfaclearjewel,shiningwithalightWhereinthesunandallthefierystarsMaysoonbefading。WhenGamalielsaidThatiftheybeofmenthesethingsarenothing,ButiftheybeofGodtheyarefornoneTooverthrow,hespokeasagoodJew,AndonewhostayedaJew;andhesaidall。
  Andyouknow,bythetemperofyourfaith,HowfarthefireisinyouthatIfeltBeforeIknewDamascus。Awordhere,Orthere,ornotthere,ornotanywhere,IsnottheWordthatlivesandisthelife;
  Andyou,therefore,needwearynotyourselvesWithjealousachesofothers。IftheworldWerenotaworldofachesandinnovations,Attainmentwouldhavenomorejoyofit。
  Therewillbecreedsandschisms,creedsincreeds,Andschismsinschisms;myriadswillbedoneTodeathbecauseafarthinghastwosides,Andisatlastafarthing。Tellingyouthis,I,whobidmentolive,appealtoCaesar。
  OnceIhadsaidthewaysofGodweredark,MeaningbythatthedarkwaysoftheLaw。
  Suchisthegloryofourtribulations;
  FortheLawkillsthefleshthatkillstheLaw,Andwearethenalive。Wehaveeyesthen;
  AndwehavethentheCrossbetweentwoworlds——
  Toguideus,ortoblindusforatime,Tillwehaveeyesindeed。ThefirethatsmitesAfewonhighways,changingallatonce,Isnotforall。ThepowerthatholdstheworldAwayfromGodthatholdshimselfaway——
  FartherawaythanallyourworksandwordsAreliketoflywithoutthewingsoffaith——
  Wasnot,norevershallbe,asmallhazardEnliveningthewaysofeasyleisureOrthecoldroadofknowledge。WhenoureyesHavewisdom,weseemorethanweremember;
  AndtheoldworldofourcaptivitiesMaythenbecomeasmittenglimpseofruin,LikeonewherevanishedhewershavehadtheirdayOfwrathonLebanon。Beforewesee,Meanwhile,wesuffer;andIcometoyou,Atlast,throughmanystormsandthroughmuchnight。
  YetwhatsoeverIhaveundergone,Mykeepersinthisinstancearenothard。
  Butforthechanceofaningratitude,Imightindeedbecuriousoftheirmercy,AndfearfuloftheirleisurewhileIwait,AfewleaguesoutofRome。MengotoRome,Notalwaystoreturn——butnotthatnow。
  Meanwhile,IseemtothinkyoulookatmeWitheyesthatareatlastmorecredulousOfmyidentity。YouremarkinmeNosortofleapinggiant,thoughsomewordsOfminetoyoufromCorinthmayhaveleaptAlittlethroughyoureyesintoyoursoul。
  Itrusttheywerealive,andarealiveToday;fortherebenonethatshallinditeSomuchofnothingasthemanofwordsWhowritesintheLord’snameforhisname’ssakeAndhasnotinhisbloodthefireoftimeTowarmeternity。Letsuchaman——
  Ifoncethelightisinhimandendures——
  Contenthimselftobethegeneralman,SetfreetosiftthedecenciesandtherebyTolearn,excepthebeonesetasideForsorrow,moreofpleasurethanofpain;
  Thoughifhislightbenotthelightindeed,Butabriefshinethatneverreallywas,Andfails,leavinghimworsethanwherehewas,Thenshallhebeofallmendestitute。
  Andherewerenotanissueformuchink,Ormuchoffendingfactionamongscribes。
  TheKingdomiswithinus,wearetold;
  AndwhenIsaytoyouthatwepossessitInsuchameasureasfaithmakesitours,Isayitwithasinner’sprivilegeOfhavingseenandheard,andseenagain,Afteradarkness;andifIaffirmTothelasthourthatfaithaffordsaloneTheKingdomentranceandanentertainment,IdonotseemyselfasonewhosaysTomanthatheshallsitwithfoldedhandsAgainsttheComing。IfIbeanything,Imoveadrivenagentamongmykind,EstablishingbythefaithofAbraham,Andbythegraceoftheirnecessities,TheclamoringwordthatisthewordoflifeNearerthanheretoforetothesolutionOftheirtomb-servingdoubts。IfIhaveloosedAshaftoflanguagethathasflownsometimesAlittlehigherthantheheartsandheadsOfnature’sminions,itwillyetbeheard,Likeanewsongthatwaitsfordistantears。
  IcannotbethemanthatIamnot;
  AndwhileIownthatearthismyaffliction,Iamamanofearth,whosaysnotallToallalike。Thatwereimpossible,EvenasitweresothatHeshouldplantAlargergardenfirst。ButyoutodayAreforthelargersowing;andyourseed,Alittlemixed,willhave,asHeforesaw,Theforeignharvestofawidergrowth,Andonewithoutanend。Manythereare,Andaretobe,thatshallpartakeofit,ThoughnonemayshareitwithanunderstandingThatisnothisalone。Weareallalone;
  Andyetweareallparcelledofoneorder——
  Jew,Gentile,orbarbarianinthedarkOfwildernessesthatarenotsomuchAsnamesyetinabook。Andtherearemany,FindingatlastthatwordsarenottheWord,Andfindingonlythat,willflourishaloft,LikeheadsofcapturedPhariseesonpikes,Ourcontradictionsanddiscrepancies;
  AndtherearemanymorewillhangthemselvesUpontheletter,seeingnotintheWordThefriendofallwhofail,andintheirfaithAswordofexcellencetocutthemdown。
  Aslongasthereareglassesthataredark——
  Andtherearemany——weseedarklythroughthem;
  AllwhichhaveIconcededandsetdownInwordsthathavenoshadow。WhatisdarkIsdark,andwemaynotsayotherwise;
  YetwhatmaybeasdarkasalostfireForoneofus,maystillbeforanotherAcominggleamacrossthegulfofages,Andawayhomefromshipwrecktotheshore;
  Andso,throughpangsandillsanddesperations,Theremaybelightforall。Thereshallbelight。
  Asmuchasthat,youknow。YoucannotsayThiswomanorthatmanwillbethenextOnwhomitfalls;youarenothereforthat。
  YourministrationistobeforothersThefiringofarushthatmayforthemBesoonthefireitself。ThefewatfirstArefightingforthemultitudeatlast;
  ThereforerememberwhatGamalielsaidBeforeyou,whenthesickwerelyingdownInstreetsallnightforPeter’spassingshadow。
  Fight,andsaywhatyoufeel;saymorethanwords。
  GivementoknowthateventheirdaysofearthTocomearemorethanagesthataregone。
  Saywhatyoufeel,whileyouhavetimetosayit。
  Eternitywillanswerforitself,Withoutyourintercession;yetthewayFormanyisalongone,andasdark,Meanwhile,asdreamsofhell。SeenotyourtoilToomuch,andifIbeawayfromyou,Thinkofmeasabrothertoyourselves,Ofmanyblemishes。Bewareofstoics,Andgiveyourlefthandtogrammarians;
  Andwhenyouseem,asmanyatimeyoumay,Tohavenootherfriendthanhope,rememberThatyouarenotthefirst,oryetthelast。
  Thebestoflife,untilweseebeyondTheshadowsofourselves(andtheyarelessThaneventheblindestofindignanteyesWouldhavethem)isinwhatwedonotknow。
  Make,then,forallyourfearsaplacetosleepWithallyourfadedsins;northinkyourselvesEgregiousandaloneforyourdefectsOfyouthandyesterday。Iwasyoungonce;
  Andthere’saquestionifyouplayedthefoolWithamorefervidandinherentzealThanIhaveinmystorytoremember,Orgaveyourneckstofolly’sconqueringfoot,Orflungyourselveswithanunstudiedaim,LessfrequentlythanI。Nevermindthat。
  Man’slittlehouseofdayswillholdenough,Sometimes,tomakehimwishitwerenothis,Butitwillnotholdall。ThingsthataredeadArebestwithoutit,andtheyowntheirdeathByvirtueoftheirdying。Letthemgo,——
  Butthinkyounottheworldisashesyet,Andyouhaveallthefire。TheworldishereToday,anditmaynotbegonetomorrow;
  Fortherearemillions,andtheremaybemore,TomakeinturnavariousestimationOfitsoldillsandashes,andthetrapsOfitsapparentwrath。ManywithearsThathearnotyet,shallhaveearsgiventothem,Andthentheyshallhearstrangely。ManywitheyesThatareincredulousoftheMysteryShallyetbedriventofeel,andthentoreadWherelanguagehasanendandisaveil,Notwovenofourwords。ManythathateTheirkindaresoontoknowthatwithoutloveTheirfaithisbuttheperjurednameofnothing。
  IthathavedonesomehatinginmytimeSeenownotimeforhate;Ithathaveleft,FadingbehindmelikefamiliarlightsThataretoshinenomoreformyreturning,Home,friends,andhonors,——IthathavelostallelseForwisdom,andthewealthofit,saynowToyouthatoutofwisdomhascomelove,ThatmeasuresandisofitselfthemeasureOfworksandhopeandfaith。YourlongesthoursArenotsolongthatyoumaytorturethemAndharassnotyourselves;andthelastdaysAreonthewaythatyouprepareforthem,Andwaspreparedforyou,hereinaworldWhereyouhavesinnedandsuffered,strivenandseen。
  IfyoubenotsohotforcountingthemBeforetheycomethatyouconsumeyourselves,Peacemayattendyouallintheselastdays——
  Andme,aswellasyou。Yes,eveninRome。
  Well,Ihavetalkedandrested,thoughIfearMyresthasnotbeenyours;inwhichevent,ForgiveonewhoisonlysevenleaguesFromCaesar。WhenItoldyouIshouldcome,IdidnotseemyselfthecriminalYoucontemplate,forseeingbeyondtheLawThatwhichtheLawsawnot。Butthis,indeed,Wasgoodofyou,andIshallnotforget;
  No,IshallnotforgetyoucamesofarTomeetamansodangerous。Well,farewell。
  TheycometotellmeIamgoingnow——
  Withthem。Ihopethatweshallmeetagain,ButnonemaysaywhatheshallfindinRome。
  DemosI
  AllyouthatareenamoredofmynameAndleastintentonwhatmostIrequire,Beware;formydesignandyourdesire,Deplorably,arenotasyetthesame。
  Beware,Isay,thefailureandtheshameOflosingthatforwhichyounowaspireSoblindly,andofhazardingentireThegiftthatIwasbringingwhenIcame。
  GiveasIwill,IcannotgiveyousightWherebytoseethatwithyoutherearesomeToleadyou,andbeled。ButtheyaredumbBeforethewranglingandtheshrilldelightOfyourdeliverancethathasnotcome,Andshallnot,ifIfailyou——asImight。
  DemosII
  SolittlehaveyouseenofwhatawaitsYourfeveredglimpseofademocracyConfusedandfoiledwithanequalityNotequaltotheenvyitcreates,ThatyouseenothownearyouarethegatesOfanoldkingwholistensfearfullyToyouthatareoutsideandaretobeThenoisylordsofimminentestates。
  RatherbethenyourprayerthatyoushallhaveYourkingdomundishonored。Havingall,Seenotthegreatamongyouforthesmall,Butheartheirsilence;forthefewshallsaveThemany,orthemanyaretofall——
  Stilltobewranglinginanoisygrave。
  TheFlyingDutchmanUnyieldingintheprideofhisdefiance,Afloatwithnonetoserveortocommand,Lordofhimselfatlast,andallbyScience,HeseekstheVanishedLand。
  Alone,bytheonelightofhisonethought,Hesteerstofindtheshorefromwhichwecame,——
  FearlessofinwhatcoilhemaybecaughtOnseasthathavenoname。
  Intothenighthesails;andafternightThereisadawning,thoughtherebenosun;
  Wherefore,withnothingbuthimselfinsight,Unsighted,hesailson。
  AtlastthereisaliftingofthecloudBetweenthefloodbeforehimandthesky;
  Andthen——thoughhemaycursethePoweraloudThathasnopowertodie——
  HesteershimselfawayfromwhatishauntedBytheoldghostofwhathasbeenbefore,——
  Abandoning,asalways,andundaunted,Onefog-walledislandmore。
  TactObservantofthewayshetoldSomuchofwhatwastrue,NovanitycouldlongwithholdRegardthatwasherdue:
  Shesparedhimthefamiliarguile,Soeasilyachieved,ThatonlymadeamantosmileAndlefthimundeceived。
  AwarethatallimaginingOfmorethanwhatshemeantWouldurgeanendofeverything,Hestayed;andwhenhewent,TheypartedwithamerrywordThatwastohimaslightAsanythatwaseverheardUponastarrynight。
  Shesmiledalittle,knowingwellThathewouldnotremarkTheruinsofadaythatfellAroundherinthedark:
  Hesawnoruinsanywhere,NorfanciedtherewerescarsOnanyonewholingeredthere,Alonebelowthestars。
  OntheWay(Philadelphia,1794)
  Note。——ThefollowingimaginarydialoguebetweenAlexanderHamiltonandAaronBurr,whichisnotbaseduponanyspecificincidentinAmericanhistory,maybesupposedtohaveoccurredafewmonthsprevioustoHamilton’sretirementfromWashington’sCabinetin1795
  andafewyearsbeforethepoliticalingenuitiesofBurr——
  whohasbeencharacterized,withoutmuchexaggeration,astheinventorofAmericanpolitics——begantobeconspicuouslyformidabletotheFederalists。TheseactivitiesonthepartofBurrresulted,asthereaderwillremember,intheBurr-JeffersontieforthePresidencyin1800,andfinallyintheBurr-HamiltonduelatWeehawkenin1804。
  BURR
  Hamilton,ifheridesyoudown,rememberThatIwasheretospeak,andsotosaveYourfabricfromcatastrophe。That’sgood;
  ForIperceivethatyouobservehimalso。
  APresident,a-ridingofhishorse,MaydustaGeneralandbeforgiven;
  Butwhybedusted——whenwe’reallalike,Allequal,andallhappy。Herehecomes——
  Andtherehegoes。Andwe,byyournewpatent,Wouldseemtobetwokingsherebythewayside,WithourtwohatsofftohisExcellency。
  WhynothisMajesty,anddonewithit?
  ForgivemeifIshookyourmeditation,ButyouthatweldourcreditshouldhaveeyesToseewhat’scoming。Burymefirstif-I-do。
  HAMILTON
  There’salwaysinsomepocketofyourbrainAcareforme;whereforemygratitudeForyourattentioniscommensurateWithyourconcern。Yes,Burr,wearetwokings;
  Weareasroyalastwoditch-diggers;
  Butowemenotyoursceptre。ThesearethedaysWhenfirstafewseemall;butifwelive,WemayagainbeseentobethefewThatwehavealwaysbeen。ThesearethedaysWhenmenforgetthestars,andareforgotten。
  BURR
  Butwhyforgetthem?They’rethesamethatwinkedUpontheworldwhenAlcibiadesCutoffhisdog’stailtoinducedistinction。
  Therearedogsyet,andAlcibiadesIsnotforgotten。
  HAMILTON
  Yes,therearedogsenough,Godknows;andIcanheartheminmydreams。
  BURR
  Neveradoubt。ButwhatyouhearthemostIsyournewmusic,somethingoutoftuneWithyourintention。HowinthenameofCain,Iseemtohearyouask,arementodance,Whenallmenaremusicians。Tellmethat,Ihearyousaying,andI’lltellyouthenameOfSamson’smother。ButwhyshroudyourselfBeforethecoffincomes?Forallyouknow,ThetreethatistofallforyourlasthouseIsnowasapling。YoumayhavetowaitSolongastobesorry;thoughIdoubtit,ForyouarenotathomeinyournewEdenWherechillywhispersofalikelyfrostAccumulatealreadyintheair。
  Ithinkatouchofermine,Hamilton,WouldbeforyouinyourautumnalmoodApleasantsortofwarmthalongtheshoulders。
  HAMILTON
  Ifsoitisyouthink,youmayaswellGiveoverthinking。Wearedonewithermine。
  WhatIfearmostisnotthemultitude,ButthosewhoaretoloopitwithastringThathasoneendinFranceandoneendhere。
  I’mnotsofortifiedwithobservationThatIcouldswearthatmorethanhalfascoreAmonguswhoseelightningseethatruinIsnottheworkofthunder。SincetheworldWasordered,therewasneveralongpauseForcautionbetweendoingandundoing。
  BURR
  Goon,sir;myattentionisatrapSetforthecatchingofallcomplimentsToMonticello,andallelseabroadThathasanameoranidentity。
  HAMILTON
  Ileavetoyouthenames——therearetoomany;
  Yetonethereistosiftandholdapart,AsnowIsee。TherecomesatlastaglimmerThatisnotalwaysclouded,ortoolate。
  ButIwasnearandyoung,andhadthereinsToplaywithwhilehemannedateamsorawThatonlyGodknowswheretheendhadbeenOfallthatridingwithoutWashington。
  Therewasanationinthemanwhopassedus,Iftherewasnotaworld。ImayhavedrivenSincethensomerestivehorses,andalone,Andthroughasplashingofabundantmud;
  ButhewhomadethedustthatsetsyouonTocoughing,madetheroad。Nowitseemsdry,Andinameasuresafe。
  BURR
  Here’sanewtuneFromHamilton。Hasyourcautionallatonce,Andovernight,growntillitwrecksthecradle?
  IhaveforgottenwhatmyfathersaidWhenIwasborn,butthere’sarustlingofitAmongmymemories,anditmakesanoiseAboutasloudasallthatIhaveheldAndfondledheretoforeofyoursamecaution。
  Butthat’saffairs,notfeelings。IfourfriendsGuessedhalfwesayofthem,ourenemiesWoulditchinourfriends’jackets。Howsoever,Theworldisofasuddenonitshead,Andallarespilled——unlessyouclingaloneWithWashington。AskAdamsaboutthat。
  HAMILTON
  We’llnotaskAdamsaboutanything。
  WefishforlizardswhenwechoosetoaskForwhatweknowalreadyisnotcoming,Andwemusteattheanswer。Where’stheuseOfaskingwhenthismansayseverything,Withallhistonguesofsilence?
  BURR
  Idaresay。
  Idaresay,butIwon’t。OneofthosetonguesI’llborrowforthenonce。He’llnevermissit。
  WemeanhisWesternMajesty,KingGeorge。
  HAMILTON
  Imeanthemanwhorodebyonhishorse。
  I’llbegofyouthemeedofyourindulgenceIfIshouldsaythisplanetmayhavedoneAdealofwearywhirlingwhenatlast,Ifever,TimeshallaggregateagainAmajestylikehisthathasnoname。
  BURR
  ThenyouconcedehisMajesty?That’sgood,Andwhatofyours?Herearetwomajesties。
  FavortheLeftalittle,Hamilton,Oryou’llbeflounderingintheditchthatwaitsForriderswhoforgetwheretheyareriding。
  IfweandFrance,asyouanticipate,Musteateachother,whatCaesar,ifnotyourself,Doyouseeforthemasterofthefeast?
  TheremaybeaplacewaitingonyourheadForlaurelthickasNero’s。Youdon’tknow。
  Ihavenotcrossedyourglory,thoughImightIfIsawthronesatauction。
  HAMILTON
  Yes,youmight。
  Ifwarisontheway,Ishallbe——here;
  AndI’venovisionofyourdistantheels。
  BURR
  IseethatIshalltakeaninferenceTobedwithmeto-nighttokeepmewarm。
  Ithankyou,Hamilton,andIapproveYourfealtytotheaggregatedgreatnessOfhimyouleanonwhileheleansonyou。
  HAMILTON
  ThiseasyphrasingisagameofyoursThatyoumaywintolose。Ibegyourpardon,ButyouthathavethesightwillnotemployThewilltoseewithit。Ifyoudidso,TheremightbefewerditchesdugforothersInyourperspective;andtheremightbefewerContemporarymotesofprejudiceBetweenyouandthemanwhomadethedust。
  Callhimageniusoragentleman,Aprophetorabuilder,orwhatnot,Butholdyourdispositionoffthebalance,Andweighhiminthelight。Once(IbelieveItellyounothingnewtoyoursurmise,Ortothetonguesoftownsandvillages)
  Inourishedwithanadolescentfancy——
  Surelyforgivabletoyou,myfriend——
  AninnocentandamiableconvictionThatIwas,bythegraceofhonestfortune,Asaviorathiselbowthroughthewar,WhereImighthaveobserved,morethanIdid,Patienceandwholesomepassion。Iwasthere,AndforsuchhonorIgavenothingworseThansomeadviceatwhichhemayhavesmiled。
  Imusthavegivenamodicumbesides,OrtheroughintervalbetweenthosedaysAndthesewouldneverhavemadeformemyfriends,Orenemies。Ishouldbesomethingsomewhere——
  Isaynotwhat——butIshouldnotbehereIfhehadnotbeenthere。Possibly,too,Youmightnot——orthatQuakerwithhiscane。
  BURR
  Possibly,too,Ishould。WhentheAlmightyRidesawhitehorse,Ifancyweshallknowit。
  HAMILTON
  Itwasaman,Burr,thatwasinmymind;
  Nogod,orghost,ordemon——onlyaman:
  AmanwhoseoccupationistheneedOfthosewhowouldnotfeelitifitbitthem;
  AndonewhoshapesanagewhileheenduresThepinpricksofinferiorities;
  Acautiousman,becauseheisbutone;
  Alonelyman,becauseheisathousand。
  NomarvelyouareslowtofindinhimThegeniusthatisonesparkorisnothing:
  HisgeniusisaflamethathemustholdSofarabovethecommonheadsofmenThattheymayviewhimonlythroughthemistOftheirdefect,andwonderwhatheis。
  ItseemstomethemysterythatisinhimThatmakeshimonlymoretomeamanThananyotherIhaveeverknown。
  BURR
  Igrantyouthathisworshipisaman。
  I’mnotsomuchathomewithmysteries,Maybe,asyou——soleavehimwithhisfire:
  GodknowsthatIshallneverputitout。
  HehasnotmadeacrippleofhimselfInhispursuitofme,thoughIhaveheardHiscondescensionhonorsmewithparts。
  Partsmakeawhole,ifwe’veenoughofthem;
  AndonceIfiguredasufficiencyTobeatleastanatomintheannalsOfyourrepublic。ButImusthaveerred。
  HAMILTON
  YousmileasifyourspiritlivedateaseWitherror。Ishouldnothavenameditso,Failingassentfromyou;nor,ifIdid,ShouldIbesocomplacentinmyskillTocombthetangledlanguageofthepeopleAstobesureofanythinginthesedays。
  Putthatmuchinaccountwithmodesty。
  BURR
  WhatinthenameofAhab,Hamilton,Haveyou,inthelastregionofyourdreaming,Todowith"people"?YoumaybethedevilInyourdead-reckoningofwhatreefsandshoalsArewaitingontheprogressofourshipUnlessyousteerit,butyou’llfinditirksomeAlonethereinthestern;andsomewarmdayThere’llbeaninlandmusicintherigging,Andafterwardsondeck。I’mnotaffinedOrfavoredovermuchatMonticello,Butthere’samightyswarmingofnewbeesAboutthepremises,andallhavewings。
  Ifyouhearsomethingbuzzingbeforelong,Bethoughtfulhowyoustrike,rememberingalsoTherewasafellowNabothhadavineyard,AndAhabcuthishairoffandwentsoftly。
  HAMILTON
  Idon’trememberthathecuthishairoff。
  BURR
  SomehowIratherfancythathedid。
  Ifso,it’sintheBook;andifnotso,Hedidtherest,anddidithandsomely。
  HAMILTON
  CommendyourselftoAhabandhiswaysIftheyinveigleyoutoemulation;
  Butwhere,ifImayaskit,areyoutendingWithyourinvidiouswieldingoftheScriptures?
  YoucalltomindaneminentarchangelWhofelltomakehimfamous。WouldyoufallSofarashe,tobesofarremembered?
  BURR
  BeforeIfallorrise,oramanangel,IshallacquaintmyselfalittlefurtherWithournewland’snewlanguage,whichisnot——
  Peacetoyourdreams——anidiomtoyourliking。
  I’mwonderingifamanmayalwaysknowHowoldamanmaybeatthirty-seven;
  IwonderlikewiseifaprettiertimeCouldbedecreedforagoodmantovanishThanaboutnowforyou,beforeyoufade,AndevenyourfriendsareseeingthatyouhavehadYourcuptoofullforlongermortaltriumph。
  Well,youhavehadenough,andhadityoung;
  AndtheoldwineisnearertotheleesThanyouaretotheworkthatyouaredoing。
  HAMILTON
  WhendoesthisphilologicalexcursionIntonewlandsandlanguagesbegin?
  BURR
  Anon——thatis,already。OnlyFortuneGavemethisafternoonthebenefactionOfyourblueback,whichIforlovepursued,Andinpursuingmayhavesavedyourlife——
  Alsotheworldapoundingpieceofnews:
  HamiltonbitesthedustofWashington,Orratherofhishorse。Foryoualone,Orforyourfame,I’dwishitmighthavebeenso。
  HAMILTON
  NoteverymanamongushasafriendSojealousfortheother’sfame。HowlongAreyoutodiagnosethedoubtfulcaseOfDemos——andwhatfor?HaveyouaswordForsomenewDamocles?Ifit’sforme,Ihavelostallofficialappetite,Andshallhavefaded,afterJanuary,Intothelaw。I’mgoingtoNewYork。
  BURR
  Nomatterwhereyouare,oneofthesedaysIshallcomebacktoyouandtellyousomething。
  ThisDemos,Ihaveheard,hasinhiswristApulsethatnotwodoctorshaveasyetCountedandfoundthesame,andinhismouthAtonguethathasthelikealacrityForsayingornotforsayingwhatmostitisThatpullulatesinhisignoblemind。
  OneofthesedaysIshallappearagain,Totellyoumoreofhimandhisopinions;
  Ishallnotbesolongoutofyoursight,Ortakemyselfsofar,thatImaynot,LikeAlcibiades,comebackagain。
  HewentawaytoPhrygia,andfaredill。
  HAMILTON
  There’sanexampleinThemistocles:
  HewentawaytoPersia,andfaredwell。
  BURR
  So?MustIgosofar?Andifso,whyso?
  Ihadnotplanneditso。IsthistheroadItake?Ifso,farewell。