首页 >出版文学> D123>第2章

第2章

  XVII。
  Ineversawamoor,Ineversawthesea;
  YetknowIhowtheheatherlooks,Andwhatawavemustbe。
  IneverspokewithGod,Norvisitedinheaven;
  YetcertainamIofthespotAsifthechartweregiven。
  XVIII。
  PLAYMATES。
  GodpermitsindustriousangelsAfternoonstoplay。
  Imetone,——forgotmyschool-mates,All,forhim,straightway。
  GodcallshometheangelspromptlyAtthesettingsun;
  Imissedmine。Howdrearymarbles,AfterplayingCrown!
  XIX。
  Toknowjusthowhesufferedwouldbedear;
  ToknowifanyhumaneyeswerenearTowhomhecouldintrusthiswaveringgaze,UntilitsettledfirmonParadise。
  Toknowifhewaspatient,partcontent,Wasdyingashethought,ordifferent;
  Wasitapleasantdaytodie,Anddidthesunshinefacehisway?
  Whatwashisfurthestmind,ofhome,orGod,OrwhatthedistantsayAtnewsthatheceasedhumannatureOnsuchaday?
  Andwishes,hadheany?
  Justhissigh,accented,Hadbeenlegibletome。
  AndwasheconfidentuntilIllflutteredoutineverlastingwell?
  Andifhespoke,whatnamewasbest,Whatfirst,WhatonebrokeoffwithAtthedrowsiest?
  Washeafraid,ortranquil?
  MightheknowHowconsciousconsciousnesscouldgrow,Tilllovethatwas,andlovetooblesttobe,Meet——andthejunctionbeEternity?
  XX。
  Thelastnightthatshelived,Itwasacommonnight,Exceptthedying;thistousMadenaturedifferent。
  Wenoticedsmallestthings,——
  Thingsoverlookedbefore,BythisgreatlightuponourmindsItalicized,as’twere。
  ThatotherscouldexistWhileshemustfinishquite,AjealousyforheraroseSonearlyinfinite。
  Wewaitedwhileshepassed;
  Itwasanarrowtime,Toojostledwereoursoulstospeak,Atlengththenoticecame。
  Shementioned,andforgot;
  ThenlightlyasareedBenttothewater,shiveredscarce,Consented,andwasdead。
  Andwe,weplacedthehair,Anddrewtheheaderect;
  Andthenanawfulleisurewas,Ourfaithtoregulate。
  XXI。
  THEFIRSTLESSON。
  NotinthisworldtoseehisfaceSoundslong,untilIreadtheplaceWherethisissaidtobeButjusttheprimertoalifeUnopened,rare,upontheshelf,Claspedyettohimandme。
  Andyet,myprimersuitsmesoIwouldnotchooseabooktoknowThanthat,besweeterwise;
  Mightsomeoneelsesolearnedbe,AndleavemejustmyABC,Himselfcouldhavetheskies。
  XXII。
  ThebustleinahouseThemorningafterdeathIssolemnestofindustriesEnacteduponearth,——
  Thesweepinguptheheart,AndputtingloveawayWeshallnotwanttouseagainUntileternity。
  XXIII。
  Ireason,earthisshort,Andanguishabsolute,Andmanyhurt;
  Butwhatofthat?
  Ireason,wecoulddie:
  ThebestvitalityCannotexceldecay;
  Butwhatofthat?
  IreasonthatinheavenSomehow,itwillbeeven,Somenewequationgiven;
  Butwhatofthat?
  XXIV。
  Afraid?OfwhomamIafraid?
  Notdeath;forwhoishe?
  Theporterofmyfather’slodgeAsmuchabashethme。
  Oflife?’TwereoddIfearathingThatcomprehendethmeInoneormoreexistencesAtDeity’sdecree。
  Ofresurrection?IstheeastAfraidtotrustthemornWithherfastidiousforehead?
  Assoonimpeachmycrown!
  XXV。
  DYING。
  Thesunkeptsetting,settingstill;
  NohueofafternoonUponthevillageIperceived,——
  Fromhousetohouse’twasnoon。
  Theduskkeptdropping,droppingstill;
  Nodewuponthegrass,Butonlyonmyforeheadstopped,Andwanderedinmyface。
  Myfeetkeptdrowsing,drowsingstill,Myfingerswereawake;
  YetwhysolittlesoundmyselfUntomyseemingmake?
  HowwellIknewthelightbefore!
  Icouldnotseeitnow。
  ’Tisdying,Iamdoing;butI’mnotafraidtoknow。
  XXVI。
  TwoswimmerswrestledonthesparUntilthemorningsun,Whenoneturnedsmilingtotheland。
  OGod,theotherone!
  ThestrayshipspassingspiedafaceUponthewatersborne,Witheyesindeathstillbeggingraised,Andhandsbeseechingthrown。
  XXVII。
  THECHARIOT。
  BecauseIcouldnotstopforDeath,Hekindlystoppedforme;
  ThecarriageheldbutjustourselvesAndImmortality。
  Weslowlydrove,heknewnohaste,AndIhadputawayMylabor,andmyleisuretoo,Forhiscivility。
  Wepassedtheschoolwherechildrenplayed,Theirlessonsscarcelydone;
  Wepassedthefieldsofgazinggrain,Wepassedthesettingsun。
  WepausedbeforeahousethatseemedAswellingoftheground;
  Theroofwasscarcelyvisible,Thecornicebutamound。
  Sincethen’tiscenturies;buteachFeelsshorterthanthedayIfirstsurmisedthehorses’headsWeretowardeternity。
  XXVIII。
  ShewentasquietasthedewFromafamiliarflower。
  NotlikethedewdidshereturnAttheaccustomedhour!
  ShedroptassoftlyasastarFromoutmysummer’seve;
  LessskilfulthanLeverrierIt’ssorertobelieve!
  XXIX。
  RESURGAM。
  Atlasttobeidentified!
  Atlast,thelampsuponthyside,Therestoflifetosee!
  Pastmidnight,pastthemorningstar!
  Pastsunrise!Ah!whatleaguesthereareBetweenourfeetandday!
  XXX。
  Excepttoheaven,sheisnought;
  Exceptforangels,lone;
  Excepttosomewide-wanderingbee,Aflowersuperfluousblown;
  Exceptforwinds,provincial;
  Exceptbybutterflies,UnnoticedasasingledewThatontheacrelies。
  Thesmallesthousewifeinthegrass,Yettakeherfromthelawn,AndsomebodyhaslostthefaceThatmadeexistencehome!
  XXXI。
  DeathisadialoguebetweenThespiritandthedust。
  "Dissolve,"saysDeath。TheSpirit,"Sir,Ihaveanothertrust。"
  Deathdoubtsit,arguesfromtheground。
  TheSpiritturnsaway,Justlayingoff,forevidence,Anovercoatofclay。
  XXXII。
  Itwastoolateforman,ButearlyyetforGod;
  Creationimpotenttohelp,Butprayerremainedourside。
  Howexcellenttheheaven,Whenearthcannotbehad;
  Howhospitable,then,thefaceOfouroldneighbor,God!
  XXXIII。
  ALONGTHEPOTOMAC。
  WhenIwassmall,awomandied。
  To-dayheronlyboyWentupfromthePotomac,Hisfaceallvictory,Tolookather;howslowlyTheseasonsmusthaveturnedTillbulletscliptanangle,Andhepassedquicklyround!
  IfprideshallbeinParadiseInevercandecide;
  Oftheirimperialconduct,Nopersontestified。
  Butproudinapparition,ThatwomanandherboyPassbackandforthbeforemybrain,Aseverinthesky。
  XXXIV。
  Thedaisyfollowssoftthesun,Andwhenhisgoldenwalkisdone,Sitsshylyathisfeet。
  He,waking,findstheflowernear。
  "Wherefore,marauder,artthouhere?"
  "Because,sir,loveissweet!"
  Wearetheflower,Thouthesun!
  Forgiveus,ifasdaysdecline,WenearerstealtoThee,——
  Enamouredofthepartingwest,Thepeace,theflight,theamethyst,Night’spossibility!
  XXXV。
  EMANCIPATION。
  Norackcantortureme,Mysoul’satlibertyBehindthismortalboneThereknitsabolderoneYoucannotprickwithsaw,Norrendwithscymitar。
  Twobodiesthereforebe;
  Bindone,andonewillflee。
  TheeagleofhisnestNoeasierdivestAndgainthesky,Thanmayestthou,ExceptthyselfmaybeThineenemy;
  Captivityisconsciousness,So’sliberty。
  XXXVI。
  LOST。
  Ilostaworldtheotherday。
  Hasanybodyfound?
  You’llknowitbytherowofstarsArounditsforeheadbound。
  Arichmanmightnotnoticeit;
  YettomyfrugaleyeOfmoreesteemthanducats。
  Oh,findit,sir,forme!
  XXXVII。
  IfIshouldn’tbealiveWhentherobinscome,GivetheoneinredcravatAmemorialcrumb。
  IfIcouldn’tthankyou,Beingjustasleep,YouwillknowI’mtryingWithmygranitelip!
  XXXVIII。
  Sleepissupposedtobe,Bysoulsofsanity,Theshuttingoftheeye。
  SleepisthestationgrandDownwhichoneitherhandThehostsofwitnessstand!
  Mornissupposedtobe,Bypeopleofdegree,Thebreakingoftheday。
  Morninghasnotoccurred!
  ThatshallaurorabeEastofeternity;
  Onewiththebannergay,Oneintheredarray,——
  Thatisthebreakofday。
  XXXIX。
  Ishallknowwhy,whentimeisover,AndIhaveceasedtowonderwhy;
  ChristwillexplaineachseparateanguishInthefairschoolroomofthesky。
  HewilltellmewhatPeterpromised,AndI,forwonderathiswoe,IshallforgetthedropofanguishThatscaldsmenow,thatscaldsmenow。
  XL。
  Ineverlostasmuchbuttwice,Andthatwasinthesod;
  TwicehaveIstoodabeggarBeforethedoorofGod!
  Angels,twicedescending,Reimbursedmystore。
  Burglar,banker,father,Iampooroncemore!
  EndofSeries1
  Poems[Series2]
  byEmilyDickinsonSeriesTwoEditedbytwoofherfriendsMABELLOOMISTODDandT。W。HIGGINSON
  PREFACE
  TheeagernesswithwhichthefirstvolumeofEmilyDickinson’spoemshasbeenreadshowsveryclearlythatallourallegedmodernartificialitydoesnotpreventapromptappreciationofthequalitiesofdirectnessandsimplicityinapproachingthegreatestthemes,——lifeandloveanddeath。That"irresistibleneedle-touch,"
  asoneofherbestcriticshascalledit,piercingatoncetheverycoreofathought,hasfoundaresponseaswideandsympatheticasithasbeenunexpectedeventothosewhoknewbesthercompellingpower。Thissecondvolume,whileopentothesamecriticismastoformwithitspredecessor,showsalsothesameshiningbeauties。
  AlthoughEmilyDickinsonhadbeeninthehabitofsendingoccasionalpoemstofriendsandcorrespondents,thefullextentofherwritingwasbynomeansimaginedbythem。Herfriend"H。H。"
  mustatleasthavesuspectedit,forinaletterdated5thSeptember,1884,shewrote:——
  MYDEARFRIEND,——Whatportfoliosfullofversesyoumusthave!Itisacruelwrongtoyour"dayandgeneration"thatyouwillnotgivethemlight。
  IfsuchathingshouldhappenasthatIshouldoutliveyou,Iwishyouwouldmakemeyourliterarylegateeandexecutor。Surelyafteryouarewhatiscalled"dead"youwillbewillingthatthepoorghostsyouhaveleftbehindshouldbecheeredandpleasedbyyourverses,willyounot?Yououghttobe。Idonotthinkwehavearighttowithholdfromtheworldawordorathoughtanymorethanadeedwhichmighthelpasinglesoul……
  Trulyyours,HELENJACKSON。
  The"portfolios"werefound,shortlyafterEmilyDickinson’sdeath,byhersisterandonlysurvivinghousemate。Mostofthepoemshadbeencarefullycopiedonsheetsofnote-paper,andtiedinlittlefascicules,eachofsixoreightsheets。Whilemanyofthembearevidenceofhavingbeenthrownoffatwhiteheat,stillmorehadreceivedthoughtfulrevision。Thereisthefrequentadditionofratherperplexingfoot-notes,affordinglargechoiceofwordsandphrases。Andinthecopieswhichshesenttofriends,sometimesoneform,sometimesanother,isfoundtohavebeenused。Withoutimportantexception,herfriendshavegenerouslyplacedatthedisposaloftheEditorsanypoemstheyhadreceivedfromher;andthesehavegiventheobviousadvantageofcomparisonamongseveralrenderingsofthesameverse。
  Towhatfurtherrigorouspruningherverseswouldhavebeensubjectedhadshepublishedthemherself,wecannotknow。Theyshouldberegardedinmanycasesasmerelythefirststrongandsuggestivesketchesofanartist,intendedtobeembodiedatsometimeinthefinishedpicture。
  EmilyDickinsonappearstohavewrittenherfirstpoemsinthewinterof1862。InalettertooneofthepresentEditorstheAprilfollowing,shesays,"Imadenoverse,butoneortwo,untilthiswinter。"
  Thehandwritingwasatfirstsomewhatlikethedelicate,runningItalianhandofoureldergentlewomen;butassheadvancedinbreadthofthought,itgrewbolderandmoreabrupt,untilinherlatestyearseachletterstooddistinctandseparatefromitsfellows。Inmostofherpoems,particularlythelaterones,everythingbywayofpunctuationwasdiscarded,exceptnumerousdashes;andallimportantwordsbeganwithcapitals。Theeffectofapageofhermorerecentmanuscriptisexceedinglyquaintandstrong。Thefac-similegiveninthepresentvolumeisfromoneoftheearliertransitionperiods。Althoughthereisnowhereadate,thehandwritingmakesitpossibletoarrangethepoemswithgeneralchronologicaccuracy。
  Asarule,theverseswerewithouttitles;but"ACountryBurial,"
  "AThunder-Storm,""TheHumming-Bird,"andafewotherswerenamedbytheirauthor,frequentlyattheend,——sometimesonlyintheaccompanyingnote,ifsenttoafriend。
  Thevariationofreadings,withthefactthatsheoftenwroteinpencilandnotalwaysclearly,haveattimesthrownagooddealofresponsibilityuponherEditors。Butallinterferencenotabsolutelyinevitablehasbeenavoided。Theveryroughnessofherrenderingispartofherself,andnotlightlytobetouched;foritseemsinmanycasesthatsheintentionallyavoidedthesmootherandmoreusualrhymes。
  Likeimpressionistpictures,orWagner’sruggedmusic,theveryabsenceofconventionalformchallengesattention。InEmilyDickinson’sexactinghands,theespecial,intrinsicfitnessofaparticularorderofwordsmightnotbesacrificedtoanythingvirtuallyextrinsic;andherversesallshowastrangecadenceofinnerrhythmicalmusic。Linesarealwaysdaringlyconstructed,andthe"thought-rhyme"appearsfrequently,——appealing,indeed,toanunrecognizedsensemoreelusivethanhearing。
  EmilyDickinsonscrutinizedeverythingwithclear-eyedfrankness。
  Everysubjectwaspropergroundforlegitimatestudy,eventhesombrefactsofdeathandburial,andtheunknownlifebeyond。Shetouchesthesethemessometimeslightly,sometimesalmosthumorously,moreoftenwithweirdandpeculiarpower;butsheisneverbyanychancefrivolousortrivial。Andwhile,asonecritichassaid,shemayexhibittowardGod"anEmersonianself-possession,"
  itwasbecauseshelookeduponalllifewithacandorasunprejudicedasitisrare。
  Shehadtriedsocietyandtheworld,andfoundthemlacking。Shewasnotaninvalid,andshelivedinseclusionfromnolove-disappointment。Herlifewasthenormalblossomingofanatureintrospectivetoahighdegree,whosebestthoughtcouldnotexistinpretence。
  Storm,wind,thewildMarchsky,sunsetsanddawns;thebirdsandbees,butterfliesandflowersofhergarden,withafewtrustedhumanfriends,weresufficientcompanionship。Thecomingofthefirstrobinwasajubileebeyondcrowningofmonarchorbirthdayofpope;thefirstredleafhurryingthrough"thealteredair,"anepoch。Immortalitywascloseabouther;andwhilenevermorbidormelancholy,shelivedinitspresence。
  MABELLOOMISTODD。
  AMHERST,MASSACHUSETTS,August,I891。
  Mynosegaysareforcaptives;
  Dim,long-expectanteyes,Fingersdeniedtheplucking,Patienttillparadise,Tosuch,iftheyshouldwhisperOfmorningandthemoor,Theybearnoothererrand,AndI,nootherprayer。
  I。
  LIFE。
  I。
  I’mnobody!Whoareyou?
  Areyounobody,too?
  Thenthere’sapairofus——don’ttell!
  They’dbanishus,youknow。
  Howdrearytobesomebody!
  Howpublic,likeafrogTotellyournamethelivelongdayToanadmiringbog!
  II。
  IbringanunaccustomedwineTolipslongparching,nexttomine,Andsummonthemtodrink。
  Cracklingwithfever,theyessay;
  Iturnmybrimmingeyesaway,Andcomenexthourtolook。
  Thehandsstillhugthetardyglass;
  ThelipsIwouldhavecooled,alas!
  Aresosuperfluouscold,IwouldassoonattempttowarmThebosomswherethefrosthaslainAgesbeneaththemould。
  SomeotherthirstytheremaybeTowhomthiswouldhavepointedmeHaditremainedtospeak。
  AndsoIalwaysbearthecupIf,haply,minemaybethedropSomepilgrimthirsttoslake,——
  If,haply,anysaytome,"Untothelittle,untome,"
  WhenIatlastawake。
  III。
  Thenearestdreamrecedes,unrealized。
  TheheavenwechaseLiketheJunebeeBeforetheschool-boyInvitestherace;
  Stoopstoaneasyclover——
  Dips——evades——teases——deploys;
  ThentotheroyalcloudsLiftshislightpinnaceHeedlessoftheboyStaring,bewildered,atthemockingsky。
  Homesickforsteadfasthoney,Ah!thebeefliesnotThatbrewsthatrarevariety。
  IV。
  Weplayatpaste,Tillqualifiedforpearl,Thendropthepaste,Anddeemourselfafool。
  Theshapes,though,weresimilar,AndournewhandsLearnedgem-tacticsPractisingsands。
  V。
  IfoundthephrasetoeverythoughtIeverhad,butone;
  Andthatdefiesme,——asahandDidtrytochalkthesunToracesnurturedinthedark;——
  Howwouldyourownbegin?
  Canblazebedoneincochineal,Ornooninmazarin?
  VI。
  HOPE。
  HopeisthethingwithfeathersThatperchesinthesoul,Andsingsthetunewithoutthewords,Andneverstopsatall,Andsweetestinthegaleisheard;
  AndsoremustbethestormThatcouldabashthelittlebirdThatkeptsomanywarm。
  I’vehearditinthechillestland,Andonthestrangestsea;
  Yet,never,inextremity,Itaskedacrumbofme。
  VII。
  THEWHITEHEAT。
  Dareyouseeasoulatthewhiteheat?
  Thencrouchwithinthedoor。
  Redisthefire’scommontint;
  ButwhenthevividoreHassatedflame’sconditions,ItsquiveringsubstanceplaysWithoutacolorbutthelightOfunanointedblaze。
  Leastvillageboastsitsblacksmith,Whoseanvil’sevendinStandssymbolforthefinerforgeThatsoundlesstugswithin,RefiningtheseimpatientoresWithhammerandwithblaze,UntilthedesignatedlightRepudiatetheforge。
  VIII。
  TRIUMPHANT。
  Whoneverlost,areunpreparedAcoronettofind;
  Whoneverthirsted,flagonsAndcoolingtamarind。
  Whoneverclimbedthewearyleague——
  CansuchafootexploreThepurpleterritoriesOnPizarro’sshore?
  Howmanylegionsovercome?
  Theemperorwillsay。
  HowmanycolorstakenOnRevolutionDay?
  Howmanybulletsbearest?
  Theroyalscarhastthou?
  Angels,write"Promoted"
  Onthissoldier’sbrow!
  IX。
  THETEST。
  Icanwadegrief,Wholepoolsofit,——
  I’musedtothat。
  ButtheleastpushofjoyBreaksupmyfeet,AndItip——drunken。
  Letnopebblesmile,’Twasthenewliquor,——
  Thatwasall!
  Powerisonlypain,Stranded,throughdiscipline,Tillweightswillhang。
  Givebalmtogiants,Andthey’llwilt,likemen。
  GiveHimmaleh,——
  They’llcarryhim!
  X。
  ESCAPE。
  Ineverheartheword"escape"
  Withoutaquickerblood,Asuddenexpectation,Aflyingattitude。
  IneverhearofprisonsbroadBysoldiersbattereddown,ButItugchildishatmybars,——
  Onlytofailagain!
  XI。
  COMPENSATION。
  ForeachecstaticinstantWemustananguishpayInkeenandquiveringratioTotheecstasy。
  ForeachbelovedhourSharppittancesofyears,BittercontestedfarthingsAndcoffersheapedwithtears。
  XII。
  THEMARTYRS。
  ThroughthestraightpassofsufferingThemartyrseventrod,Theirfeetupontemptation,TheirfacesuponGod。
  Astately,shrivencompany;
  Convulsionplayinground,HarmlessasstreaksofmeteorUponaplanet’sbound。
  Theirfaiththeeverlastingtroth;
  Theirexpectationfair;
  TheneedletothenorthdegreeWadesso,throughpolarair。
  XIII。
  APRAYER。
  Imeanttohavebutmodestneeds,Suchascontent,andheaven;
  Withinmyincomethesecouldlie,AndlifeandIkeepeven。
  Butsincethelastincludedboth,ItwouldsufficemyprayerButjustforonetostipulate,Andgracewouldgrantthepair。
  Andso,uponthiswiseIprayed,——
  GreatSpirit,givetomeAheavennotsolargeasyours,Butlargeenoughforme。
  AsmilesuffusedJehovah’sface;
  Thecherubimwithdrew;
  Gravesaintsstoleouttolookatme,Andshowedtheirdimples,too。
  Ilefttheplacewithallmymight,——
  MyprayerawayIthrew;
  Thequietagespickeditup,AndJudgmenttwinkled,too,ThatonesohonestbeextantAstakethetalefortrueThat"Whatsoeveryoushallask,Itselfbegivenyou。"
  ButI,grownshrewder,scantheskiesWithasuspiciousair,——
  Aschildren,swindledforthefirst,Allswindlersbe,infer。
  XIV。
  ThethoughtbeneathsoslightafilmIsmoredistinctlyseen,——
  Aslacesjustrevealthesurge,OrmiststheApennine。
  XV。
  ThesouluntoitselfIsanimperialfriend,——
  OrthemostagonizingspyAnenemycouldsend。
  Secureagainstitsown,Notreasonitcanfear;
  Itselfitssovereign,ofitselfThesoulshouldstandinawe。
  XVI。
  SurgeonsmustbeverycarefulWhentheytaketheknife!
  UnderneaththeirfineincisionsStirstheculprit,——Life!
  XVII。
  THERAILWAYTRAIN。
  Iliketoseeitlapthemiles,Andlickthevalleysup,Andstoptofeeditselfattanks;
  Andthen,prodigious,stepAroundapileofmountains,And,supercilious,peerInshantiesbythesidesofroads;
  AndthenaquarrypareTofititssides,andcrawlbetween,ComplainingallthewhileInhorrid,hootingstanza;
  ThenchaseitselfdownhillAndneighlikeBoanerges;
  Then,punctualasastar,Stop——docileandomnipotent——
  Atitsownstabledoor。
  XVIII。
  THESHOW。
  Theshowisnottheshow,Buttheythatgo。
  MenagerietomeMyneighborbe。
  Fairplay——
  Bothwenttosee。
  XIX。
  DelightbecomespictorialWhenviewedthroughpain,——
  Morefair,becauseimpossibleThatanygain。
  ThemountainatagivendistanceInamberlies;
  Approached,theamberflitsalittle,——
  Andthat’stheskies!
  XX。
  Athoughtwentupmymindto-dayThatIhavehadbefore,Butdidnotfinish,——somewayback,Icouldnotfixtheyear,Norwhereitwent,norwhyitcameThesecondtimetome,Nordefinitelywhatitwas,HaveIthearttosay。
  Butsomewhereinmysoul,IknowI’vemetthethingbefore;
  Itjustremindedme——’twasall——
  Andcamemywaynomore。
  XXI。
  IsHeavenaphysician?
  TheysaythatHecanheal;
  ButmedicineposthumousIsunavailable。
  IsHeavenanexchequer?
  Theyspeakofwhatweowe;
  ButthatnegotiationI’mnotapartyto。
  XXII。
  THERETURN。
  ThoughIgethomehowlate,howlate!
  SoIgethome,’twillcompensate。
  BetterwillbetheecstasyThattheyhavedoneexpectingme,When,nightdescending,dumbanddark,Theyhearmyunexpectedknock。
  Transportingmustthemomentbe,Brewedfromdecadesofagony!
  Tothinkjusthowthefirewillburn,Justhowlong-cheatedeyeswillturnTowonderwhatmyselfwillsay,Andwhatitselfwillsaytome,Beguilesthecenturiesofway!
  XXIII。
  Apoortornheart,atatteredheart,Thatsatitdowntorest,NornoticedthattheebbingdayFlowedsilvertothewest,NornoticednightdidsoftdescendNorconstellationburn,IntentuponthevisionOflatitudesunknown。
  Theangels,happeningthatway,Thisdustyheartespied;
  TenderlytookitupfromtoilAndcarriedittoGod。
  There,——sandalsforthebarefoot;
  There,——gatheredfromthegales,DothebluehavensbythehandLeadthewanderingsails。
  XXIV。
  TOOMUCH。
  Ishouldhavebeentooglad,Isee,TooliftedforthescantdegreeOflife’spenuriousround;
  MylittlecircuitwouldhaveshamedThisnewcircumference,haveblamedThehomeliertimebehind。
  Ishouldhavebeentoosaved,Isee,Toorescued;feartoodimtomeThatIcouldspelltheprayerIknewsoperfectyesterday,——
  Thatscaldingone,"Sabachthani,"
  Recitedfluenthere。
  Earthwouldhavebeentoomuch,Isee,Andheavennotenoughforme;
  IshouldhavehadthejoyWithoutthefeartojustify,——
  ThepalmwithouttheCalvary;
  So,Saviour,crucify。
  Defeatwhetsvictory,theysay;
  ThereefsinoldGethsemaneEndeartheshorebeyond。
  ’Tisbeggarsbanquetsbestdefine;
  ’Tisthirstingvitalizeswine,——
  Faithfaintstounderstand。
  XXV。
  SHIPWRECK。
  Ittossedandtossed,——
  AlittlebrigIknew,——
  O’ertookbyblast,Itspunandspun,Andgropeddelirious,formorn。
  Itslippedandslipped,Asonethatdrunkenstepped;
  Itswhitefoottripped,Thendroppedfromsight。
  Ah,brig,good-nightTocrewandyou;
  Theocean’shearttoosmooth,tooblue,Tobreakforyou。
  XXVI。
  Victorycomeslate,AndisheldlowtofreezinglipsTooraptwithfrostTotakeit。
  Howsweetitwouldhavetasted,Justadrop!
  WasGodsoeconomical?
  Histable’sspreadtoohighforusUnlesswedineontip-toe。
  Crumbsfitsuchlittlemouths,Cherriessuitrobins;
  Theeagle’sgoldenbreakfastStranglesthem。
  Godkeepshisoathtosparrows,WhooflittleloveKnowhowtostarve!
  XXVII。
  ENOUGH。
  Godgavealoaftoeverybird,Butjustacrumbtome;
  Idarenoteatit,thoughIstarve,——
  MypoignantluxuryToownit,touchit,provethefeatThatmadethepelletmine,——
  ToohappyinmysparrowchanceForamplercoveting。
  Itmightbefamineallaround,Icouldnotmissanear,Suchplentysmilesuponmyboard,Mygarnershowssofair。
  Iwonderhowtherichmayfeel,——
  AnIndiaman——anEarl?
  IdeemthatIwithbutacrumbAmsovereignofthemall。
  XXVIII。
  ExperimenttomeIseveryoneImeet。
  Ifitcontainakernel?
  ThefigureofanutPresentsuponatree,Equallyplausibly;
  Butmeatwithinisrequisite,Tosquirrelsandtome。
  XXIX。
  MYCOUNTRY’SWARDROBE。
  Mycountryneednotchangehergown,HertriplesuitassweetAswhen’twascutatLexington,Andfirstpronounced"afit。"
  GreatBritaindisapproves"thestars;"
  Disparagementdiscreet,——
  There’ssomethingintheirattitudeThattauntsherbayonet。
  XXX。
  FaithisafineinventionForgentlemenwhosee;
  ButmicroscopesareprudentInanemergency!
  XXXI。
  Excepttheheavenhadcomesonear,Soseemedtochoosemydoor,Thedistancewouldnothauntmeso;
  Ihadnothopedbefore。
  ButjusttohearthegracedepartIneverthoughttosee,Afflictsmewithadoubleloss;
  ’Tislost,andlosttome。
  XXXII。
  PortraitsaretodailyfacesAsaneveningwestToafine,pedanticsunshineInasatinvest。
  XXXIII。
  THEDUEL。
  Itookmypowerinmyhand。
  Andwentagainsttheworld;
  ’TwasnotsomuchasDavidhad,ButIwastwiceasbold。
  Iaimedmypebble,butmyselfWasalltheonethatfell。
  WasitGoliathwastoolarge,OronlyItoosmall?
  XXXIV。
  AshadyfriendfortorriddaysIseasiertofindThanoneofhighertemperatureForfrigidhourofmind。
  ThevanealittletotheeastScaresmuslinsoulsaway;
  IfbroadclothbreastsarefirmerThanthoseoforgandy,Whoistoblame?Theweaver?
  Ah!thebewilderingthread!
  ThetapestriesofparadiseSonotelesslyaremade!
  XXXV。
  THEGOAL。
  EachlifeconvergestosomecentreExpressedorstill;
  ExistsineveryhumannatureAgoal,Admittedscarcelytoitself,itmaybe,ToofairForcredibility’stemerityTodare。
  Adoredwithcaution,asabrittleheaven,ToreachWerehopelessastherainbow’sraimentTotouch,Yetperseveredtoward,surerforthedistance;
  HowhighUntothesaints’slowdiligenceThesky!
  Ungained,itmaybe,byalife’slowventure,Butthen,EternityenablestheendeavoringAgain。
  XXXVI。
  SIGHT。
  BeforeIgotmyeyeputout,IlikedaswelltoseeAsothercreaturesthathaveeyes,Andknownootherway。
  Butwereittoldtome,to-day,ThatImighthavetheskyFormine,ItellyouthatmyheartWouldsplit,forsizeofme。
  Themeadowsmine,themountainsmine,——
  Allforests,stintlessstars,AsmuchofnoonasIcouldtakeBetweenmyfiniteeyes。
  Themotionsofthedippingbirds,Thelightning’sjointedroad,ForminetolookatwhenIliked,——
  Thenewswouldstrikemedead!
  Sosafer,guess,withjustmysoulUponthewindow-paneWhereothercreaturesputtheireyes,Incautiousofthesun。
  XXXVII。
  TalkwithprudencetoabeggarOf’Potosi’andthemines!
  ReverentlytothehungryOfyourviandsandyourwines!
  Cautious,hinttoanycaptiveYouhavepassedenfranchisedfeet!
  AnecdotesofairindungeonsHavesometimesproveddeadlysweet!
  XXXVIII。
  THEPREACHER。
  Hepreachedupon"breadth"tillitarguedhimnarrow,——
  Thebroadaretoobroadtodefine;
  Andof"truth"untilitproclaimedhimaliar,——
  Thetruthneverflauntedasign。
  SimplicityfledfromhiscounterfeitpresenceAsgoldthepyriteswouldshun。
  WhatconfusionwouldcovertheinnocentJesusTomeetsoenabledaman!
  XXXIX。
  Goodnight!whichputthecandleout?
  Ajealouszephyr,notadoubt。
  Ah!friend,youlittleknewHowlongatthatcelestialwickTheangelslaboreddiligent;
  Extinguished,now,foryou!
  ItmighthavebeenthelighthousesparkSomesailor,rowinginthedark,Hadimportunedtosee!
  ItmighthavebeenthewaninglampThatlitthedrummerfromthecampTopurerreveille!
  XL。
  WhenIhopedIfeared,SinceIhopedIdared;
  EverywherealoneAsachurchremain;
  Spectrecannotharm,Serpentcannotcharm;
  Hedeposesdoom,Whohathsufferedhim。
  XLI。
  DEED。
  Adeedknocksfirstatthought,Andthenitknocksatwill。
  Thatisthemanufacturingspot,Andwillathomeandwell。
  Itthengoesoutanact,OrisentombedsostillThatonlytotheearofGodItsdoomisaudible。
  XLII。
  TIME’SLESSON。
  Mineenemyisgrowingold,——
  Ihaveatlastrevenge。
  Thepalateofthehatedeparts;
  Ifanywouldavenge,——
  Lethimbequick,theviandflits,Itisafadedmeat。
  Angerassoonasfedisdead;
  ’Tisstarvingmakesitfat。
  XLIII。
  REMORSE。
  Remorseismemoryawake,Hercompaniesastir,——
  ApresenceofdepartedactsAtwindowandatdoor。
  It’spastsetdownbeforethesoul,Andlightedwithamatch,PerusaltofacilitateOfitscondenseddespatch。
  Remorseiscureless,——thediseaseNotevenGodcanheal;
  For’tishisinstitution,——
  Thecomplementofhell。
  XLIV。
  THESHELTER。
  Thebodygrowsoutside,——
  Themoreconvenientway,——
  Thatifthespiritliketohide,ItstemplestandsalwayAjar,secure,inviting;
  ItneverdidbetrayThesoulthataskeditsshelterIntimidhonesty。
  XLV。
  UnduesignificanceastarvingmanattachesTofoodFaroff;hesighs,andthereforehopeless,Andthereforegood。
  Partaken,itrelievesindeed,butprovesusThatspicesflyInthereceipt。ItwasthedistanceWassavory。
  XLVI。
  Heartnotsoheavyasmine,Wendinglatehome,AsitpassedmywindowWhistleditselfatune,——
  Acarelesssnatch,aballad,Adittyofthestreet;
  YettomyirritatedearAnanodynesosweet,Itwasasifabobolink,Saunteringthisway,Carolledandmusedandcarolled,Thenbubbledslowaway。
  ItwasasifachirpingbrookUponatoilsomewaySetbleedingfeettominuetsWithouttheknowingwhy。
  To-morrow,nightwillcomeagain,Weary,perhaps,andsore。
  Ah,bugle,bymywindow,Iprayyoustrolloncemore!
  XLVII。
  Imanytimesthoughtpeacehadcome,Whenpeacewasfaraway;
  AswreckedmendeemtheysightthelandAtcentreofthesea,Andstruggleslacker,buttoprove,AshopelesslyasI,HowmanythefictitiousshoresBeforetheharborlie。
  XLVIII。
  UntomybookssogoodtoturnFarendsoftireddays;
  Ithalfendearstheabstinence,Andpainismissedinpraise。
  AsflavorscheerretardedguestsWithbanquetingstobe,SospicesstimulatethetimeTillmysmalllibrary。
  Itmaybewildernesswithout,Farfeetoffailingmen,Butholidayexcludesthenight,Anditisbellswithin。
  Ithankthesekinsmenoftheshelf;
  TheircountenancesblandEnamourinprospective,Andsatisfy,obtained。
  XLIX。
  Thismerithaththeworst,——
  Itcannotbeagain。
  WhenFatehathtauntedlastAndthrownherfurtheststone,Themaimedmaypauseandbreathe,Andglancesecurelyround。
  ThedeerinvitesnolongerThaniteludesthehound。
  L。
  HUNGER。
  Ihadbeenhungryalltheyears;
  Mynoonhadcome,todine;
  I,trembling,drewthetablenear,Andtouchedthecuriouswine。
  ’TwasthisontablesIhadseen,Whenturning,hungry,lone,Ilookedinwindows,forthewealthIcouldnothopetoown。
  Ididnotknowtheamplebread,’TwassounlikethecrumbThebirdsandIhadoftensharedInNature’sdining-room。
  Theplentyhurtme,’twassonew,——
  Myselffeltillandodd,AsberryofamountainbushTransplantedtotheroad。
  NorwasIhungry;soIfoundThathungerwasawayOfpersonsoutsidewindows,Theenteringtakesaway。
  LI。
  Igaineditso,Byclimbingslow,BycatchingatthetwigsthatgrowBetweentheblissandme。
  Ithungsohigh,AswelltheskyAttemptbystrategy。
  IsaidIgainedit,——
  Thiswasall。
  Look,howIclutchit,Lestitfall,AndIapaupergo;
  Unfittedbyaninstant’sgraceForthecontentedbeggar’sfaceIworeanhourago。
  LII。
  Tolearnthetransportbythepain,Asblindmenlearnthesun;
  Todieofthirst,suspectingThatbrooksinmeadowsrun;
  Tostaythehomesick,homesickfeetUponaforeignshoreHauntedbynativelands,thewhile,Andblue,belovedair——
  Thisisthesovereignanguish,This,thesignalwoe!
  ThesearethepatientlaureatesWhosevoices,trainedbelow,Ascendinceaselesscarol,Inaudible,indeed,Tous,thedullerscholarsOfthemysteriousbard!
  LIII。
  RETURNING。
  Iyearshadbeenfromhome,Andnow,beforethedoor,Idarednotopen,lestafaceIneversawbeforeStarevacantintomineAndaskmybusinessthere。
  Mybusiness,——justalifeIleft,Wassuchstilldwellingthere?
  Ifumbledatmynerve,Iscannedthewindowsnear;
  Thesilencelikeanoceanrolled,Andbrokeagainstmyear。
  IlaughedawoodenlaughThatIcouldfearadoor,Whodangerandthedeadhadfaced,Butneverquakedbefore。
  IfittedtothelatchMyhand,withtremblingcare,Lestbacktheawfuldoorshouldspring,Andleavemestandingthere。
  ImovedmyfingersoffAscautiouslyasglass,Andheldmyears,andlikeathiefFledgaspingfromthehouse。
  LIV。
  PRAYER。
  PrayeristhelittleimplementThroughwhichmenreachWherepresenceisdeniedthem。
  TheyflingtheirspeechBymeansofitinGod’sear;
  IfthenHehear,ThissumstheapparatusComprisedinprayer。
  LV。
  IknowthatheexistsSomewhere,insilence。
  HehashidhisrarelifeFromourgrosseyes。
  ’Tisaninstant’splay,’Tisafondambush,JusttomakeblissEarnherownsurprise!
  ButshouldtheplayProvepiercingearnest,ShouldthegleeglazeIndeath’sstiffstare,WouldnotthefunLooktooexpensive?
  WouldnotthejestHavecrawledtoofar?
  LVI。
  MELODIESUNHEARD。
  Musicianswrestleeverywhere:
  Allday,amongthecrowdedair,Ihearthesilverstrife;
  And——wakinglongbeforethedawn——
  SuchtransportbreaksuponthetownIthinkitthat"newlife!"
  Itisnotbird,ithasnonest;
  Norband,inbrassandscarletdressed,Nortambourine,norman;
  Itisnothymnfrompulpitread,——
  ThemorningstarsthetrebleledOntime’sfirstafternoon!
  Somesayitisthespheresatplay!
  SomesaythatbrightmajorityOfvanisheddamesandmen!
  SomethinkitserviceintheplaceWherewe,withlate,celestialface,PleaseGod,shallascertain!
  LVII。
  CALLEDBACK。
  JustlostwhenIwassaved!
  Justfelttheworldgoby!
  Justgirtmefortheonsetwitheternity,Whenbreathblewback,AndontheothersideIheardrecedethedisappointedtide!
  Therefore,asonereturned,Ifeel,Oddsecretsofthelinetotell!
  Somesailor,skirtingforeignshores,SomepalereporterfromtheawfuldoorsBeforetheseal!
  Nexttime,tostay!
  Nexttime,thethingstoseeByearunheard,Unscrutinizedbyeye。
  Nexttime,totarry,Whiletheagessteal,——
  Slowtrampthecenturies,Andthecycleswheel。
  II。
  LOVE。
  I。
  CHOICE。
  OfallthesoulsthatstandcreateIhaveelectedone。
  Whensensefromspiritfilesaway,Andsubterfugeisdone;
  WhenthatwhichisandthatwhichwasApart,intrinsic,stand,AndthisbrieftragedyoffleshIsshiftedlikeasand;
  WhenfiguresshowtheirroyalfrontAndmistsarecarvedaway,——
  BeholdtheatomIpreferredToallthelistsofclay!
  II。
  Ihavenolifebutthis,Toleadithere;
  Noranydeath,butlestDispelledfromthere;
  Nortietoearthstocome,Noractionnew,Exceptthroughthisextent,Therealmofyou。
  III。
  Yourrichestaughtmepoverty。
  MyselfamillionnaireInlittlewealths,——asgirlscouldboast,——
  TillbroadasBuenosAyre,YoudriftedyourdominionsAdifferentPeru;
  AndIesteemedallpoverty,Forlife’sestatewithyou。
  OfminesIlittleknow,myself,Butjustthenamesofgems,——
  Thecolorsofthecommonest;
  AndscarceofdiademsSomuchthat,didImeetthequeen,HergloryIshouldknow:
  Butthismustbeadifferentwealth,Tomissitbeggarsso。
  I’msure’tisIndiaalldayTothosewholookonyouWithoutastint,withoutablame,——
  MightIbutbetheJew!
  I’msureitisGolconda,Beyondmypowertodeem,——
  Tohaveasmileformineeachday,Howbetterthanagem!
  Atleast,itsolacestoknowThatthereexistsagold,AlthoughIproveitjustintimeItsdistancetobehold!
  It’sfar,fartreasuretosurmise,AndestimatethepearlThatslippedmysimplefingersthroughWhilejustagirlatschool!
  IV。
  THECONTRACT。
  Igavemyselftohim,Andtookhimselfforpay。
  ThesolemncontractofalifeWasratifiedthisway。
  Thewealthmightdisappoint,MyselfapoorerproveThanthisgreatpurchasersuspect,ThedailyownofLoveDepreciatethevision;
  But,tillthemerchantbuy,Stillfable,intheislesofspice,Thesubtlecargoeslie。
  Atleast,’tismutualrisk,——
  Somefounditmutualgain;
  SweetdebtofLife,——eachnighttoowe,Insolvent,everynoon。
  V。
  THELETTER。
  "GOINGtohim!Happyletter!Tellhim——
  TellhimthepageIdidn’twrite;
  TellhimIonlysaidthesyntax,Andlefttheverbandthepronounout。
  Tellhimjusthowthefingershurried,Thenhowtheywaded,slow,slow,slow;
  Andthenyouwishedyouhadeyesinyourpages,Soyoucouldseewhatmovedthemso。
  "Tellhimitwasn’tapractisedwriter,Youguessed,fromthewaythesentencetoiled;
  Youcouldhearthebodicetug,behindyou,Asifitheldbutthemightofachild;
  Youalmostpitiedit,you,itworkedso。
  Tellhim——No,youmayquibblethere,Foritwouldsplithishearttoknowit,AndthenyouandIweresilenter。
  "Tellhimnightfinishedbeforewefinished,Andtheoldclockkeptneighing’day!’
  Andyougotsleepyandbeggedtobeended——
  Whatcouldithinderso,tosay?
  Tellhimjusthowshesealedyou,cautious,ButifheaskwhereyouarehidUntilto-morrow,——happyletter!
  Gesture,coquette,andshakeyourhead!"
  VI。
  ThewayIreadaletter’sthis:
  ’TisfirstIlockthedoor,Andpushitwithmyfingersnext,Fortransportitbesure。
  AndthenIgothefurthestoffTocounteractaknock;
  ThendrawmylittleletterforthAndsoftlypickitslock。
  Then,glancingnarrowatthewall,Andnarrowatthefloor,ForfirmconvictionofamouseNotexorcisedbefore,PerusehowinfiniteIamTo——noonethatyouknow!
  Andsighforlackofheaven,——butnotTheheaventhecreedsbestow。
  VII。
  Wildnights!Wildnights!
  WereIwiththee,WildnightsshouldbeOurluxury!
  FutilethewindsToaheartinport,——
  Donewiththecompass,Donewiththechart。
  RowinginEden!
  Ah!thesea!
  MightIbutmoorTo-nightinthee!
  VIII。
  ATHOME。
  Thenightwaswide,andfurnishedscantWithbutasinglestar,ThatoftenasaclouditmetBlewoutitselfforfear。
  Thewindpursuedthelittlebush,AnddroveawaytheleavesNovemberleft;thenclamberedupAndfrettedintheeaves。
  Nosquirrelwentabroad;
  Adog’sbelatedfeetLikeintermittentplushwereheardAdowntheemptystreet。
  Tofeelifblindsbefast,AndclosertothefireHerlittlerocking-chairtodraw,Andshiverforthepoor,Thehousewife’sgentletask。
  "Howpleasanter,"saidsheUntothesofaopposite,"ThesleetthanMay——nothee!"
  IX。
  POSSESSION。
  DidtheharebellloosehergirdleTotheloverbee,WouldthebeetheharebellhallowMuchasformerly?
  Didtheparadise,persuaded,Yieldhermoatofpearl,WouldtheEdenbeanEden,Ortheearlanearl?
  X。
  AcharminvestsafaceImperfectlybeheld,——
  TheladydarenotliftherveilForfearitbedispelled。
  Butpeersbeyondhermesh,Andwishes,anddenies,——
  LestinterviewannulawantThatimagesatisfies。
  XI。
  THELOVERS。
  Therosedidcaperonhercheek,Herbodiceroseandfell,Herprettyspeech,likedrunkenmen,Didstaggerpitiful。
  Herfingersfumbledatherwork,——
  Herneedlewouldnotgo;
  WhatailedsosmartalittlemaidItpuzzledmetoknow,TilloppositeIspiedacheekThatboreanotherrose;
  Justopposite,anotherspeechThatlikethedrunkardgoes;
  Avestthat,likethebodice,dancedTotheimmortaltune,——
  TillthosetwotroubledlittleclocksTickedsoftlyintoone。
  XII。
  InlandsIneversaw,theysay,ImmortalAlpslookdown,Whosebonnetstouchthefirmament,Whosesandalstouchthetown,——
  MeekatwhoseeverlastingfeetAmyriaddaisiesplay。
  Which,sir,areyou,andwhichamI,UponanAugustday?
  XIII。
  Themoonisdistantfromthesea,AndyetwithamberhandsSheleadshim,docileasaboy,Alongappointedsands。
  Henevermissesadegree;
  Obedienttohereye,Hecomesjustsofartowardthetown,Justsofargoesaway。
  Oh,Signor,thinetheamberhand,Andminethedistantsea,——
  ObedienttotheleastcommandThineeyesimposeonme。
  XIV。
  Heputthebeltaroundmylife,——
  Iheardthebucklesnap,Andturnedaway,imperial,MylifetimefoldingupDeliberate,asadukewoulddoAkingdom’stitle-deed,——
  Henceforthadedicatedsort,Amemberofthecloud。
  Yetnottoofartocomeatcall,AnddothelittletoilsThatmakethecircuitoftherest,AnddealoccasionalsmilesTolivesthatstooptonoticemineAndkindlyaskitin,——
  Whoseinvitation,knewyounotForwhomImustdecline?
  XV。
  THELOSTJEWEL。
  IheldajewelinmyfingersAndwenttosleep。
  Thedaywaswarm,andwindswereprosy;
  Isaid:"’Twillkeep。"
  Iwokeandchidmyhonestfingers,——
  Thegemwasgone;
  AndnowanamethystremembranceIsallIown。
  XVI。
  WhatifIsayIshallnotwait?
  WhatifIburstthefleshlygateAndpass,escaped,tothee?
  WhatifIfilethismortaloff,Seewhereithurtme,——that’senough,——
  Andwadeinliberty?
  Theycannottakeusanymore,——
  Dungeonsmaycall,andgunsimplore;
  Unmeaningnow,tome,Aslaughterwasanhourago,Orlaces,oratravellingshow,Orwhodiedyesterday!
  III。
  NATURE。
  I。
  MOTHERNATURE。
  Nature,thegentlestmother,Impatientofnochild,Thefeeblestorthewaywardest,——
  HeradmonitionmildInforestandthehillBytravellerisheard,RestrainingrampantsquirrelOrtooimpetuousbird。
  Howfairherconversation,Asummerafternoon,——
  Herhousehold,herassembly;
  AndwhenthesungoesdownHervoiceamongtheaislesIncitesthetimidprayerOftheminutestcricket,Themostunworthyflower。
  WhenallthechildrensleepSheturnsaslongawayAswillsufficetolightherlamps;
  Then,bendingfromtheskyWithinfiniteaffectionAndinfinitercare,Hergoldenfingeronherlip,Willssilenceeverywhere。
  II。
  OUTOFTHEMORNING。
  Willtherereallybeamorning?
  Istheresuchathingasday?
  CouldIseeitfromthemountainsIfIwereastallasthey?
  Hasitfeetlikewater-lilies?
  Hasitfeatherslikeabird?
  IsitbroughtfromfamouscountriesOfwhichIhaveneverheard?
  Oh,somescholar!Oh,somesailor!
  Oh,somewisemanfromtheskies!
  PleasetotellalittlepilgrimWheretheplacecalledmorninglies!
  III。
  Athalf-pastthreeasinglebirdUntoasilentskyPropoundedbutasingletermOfcautiousmelody。
  Athalf-pastfour,experimentHadsubjugatedtest,Andlo!hersilverprincipleSupplantedalltherest。
  Athalf-pastseven,elementNorimplementwasseen,Andplacewaswherethepresencewas,Circumferencebetween。
  IV。
  DAY’SPARLOR。
  Thedaycameslow,tillfiveo’clock,ThensprangbeforethehillsLikehinderedrubies,orthelightAsuddenmusketspills。
  Thepurplecouldnotkeeptheeast,Thesunriseshookfromfold,Likebreadthsoftopaz,packedanight,Theladyjustunrolled。
  Thehappywindstheirtimbrelstook;
  Thebirds,indocilerows,Arrangedthemselvesaroundtheirprince(Thewindisprinceofthose)。
  TheorchardsparkledlikeaJew,——
  Howmighty’twas,tostayAguestinthisstupendousplace,Theparloroftheday!
  V。
  THESUN’SWOOING。
  Thesunjusttouchedthemorning;
  Themorning,happything,Supposedthathehadcometodwell,Andlifewouldbeallspring。
  Shefeltherselfsupremer,——
  Araised,etherealthing;
  Henceforthforherwhatholiday!
  Meanwhile,herwheelingkingTrailedslowalongtheorchardsHishaughty,spangledhems,Leavinganewnecessity,——
  Thewantofdiadems!
  Themorningfluttered,staggered,Feltfeeblyforhercrown,——
  HerunanointedforeheadHenceforthheronlyone。
  VI。
  THEROBIN。
  TherobinistheoneThatinterruptsthemornWithhurried,few,expressreportsWhenMarchisscarcelyon。
  TherobinistheoneThatoverflowsthenoonWithhercherubicquantity,AnAprilbutbegun。
  TherobinistheoneThatspeechlessfromhernestSubmitsthathomeandcertaintyAndsanctityarebest。
  VII。
  THEBUTTERFLY’SDAY。
  FromcocoonforthabutterflyAsladyfromherdoorEmerged——asummerafternoon——
  Repairingeverywhere,Withoutdesign,thatIcouldtrace,ExcepttostrayabroadOnmiscellaneousenterpriseThecloversunderstood。
  HerprettyparasolwasseenContractinginafieldWheremenmadehay,thenstrugglinghardWithanopposingcloud,Whereparties,phantomasherself,ToNowhereseemedtogoInpurposelesscircumference,As’twereatropicshow。
  Andnotwithstandingbeethatworked,Andflowerthatzealousblew,ThisaudienceofidlenessDisdainedthem,fromthesky,Tillsundowncrept,asteadytide,Andmenthatmadethehay,Andafternoon,andbutterfly,Extinguishedinitssea。
  VIII。
  THEBLUEBIRD。
  Beforeyouthoughtofspring,Exceptasasurmise,Yousee,Godblesshissuddenness,AfellowintheskiesOfindependenthues,Alittleweather-worn,InspiritinghabilimentsOfindigoandbrown。
  Withspecimensofsong,Asifforyoutochoose,Discretionintheinterval,WithgaydelayshegoesTosomesuperiortreeWithoutasingleleaf,AndshoutsforjoytonobodyButhisseraphicself!