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第5章

  Inthesilenceofthecampbeforethefight,Whenit’sgoodtomakeyourwillandsayyourprayer,Youcanhearmy~strumpty—tumpty~overnightExplainingtentoonewasalwaysfair。
  I’mtheProphetoftheUtterlyAbsurd,OfthePatentlyImpossibleandVain——
  AndwhentheThingthatCouldn’thasoccurred,Givemetimetochangemylegandgoagain。
  Withmy"~Tumpa—tumpa—tumpa—tum—patump!~"
  Inthedesertwherethedung—fedcamp—smokecurledTherewasnevervoicebeforeustillIledourlonelychorus,I——thewar—drumoftheWhiteManroundtheworld!
  BythebitterroadtheYoungerSonmusttread,Erehewintohearthandsaddleofhisown,——
  ’Midtheriotoftheshearersattheshed,Inthesilenceoftheherder’shutalone——
  Inthetwilight,onabucketupsidedown,Hearmebabblewhattheweakestwon’tconfess——
  IamMemoryandTorment——IamTown!
  Iamallthateverwentwitheveningdress!
  Withmy"~Tunk—atunka—tunka—tunka—tunk!~"
  [Sothelights——theLondonLights——grownearandplain!]
  SoIrowel’emafreshtowardstheDevilandtheFlesh,TillIbringmybrokenrankershomeagain。
  Indesireofmanymarvelsoversea,Wherethenew—raisedtropiccitysweatsandroars,IhavesailedwithYoungUlyssesfromthequayTilltheanchorrumbleddownonstrangershores。
  Heisbloodedtotheopenandthesky,Heistakeninasnarethatshallnotfail,Heshallhearmesingingstrongly,tillhedie,Liketheshoutingofabackstayinagale。
  Withmy"~Hya!Heeya!Heeya!Hullah!Haul!~"
  [Othegreenthatthundersaftalongthedeck!]
  Areyousicko’townsandmen?Youmustsignandsailagain,Forit’s"JohnnyBowlegs,packyourkitandtrek!"
  Throughthegorgethatgivesthestarsatnoon—dayclear——
  Upthepassthatpacksthescudbeneathourwheel——
  Roundthebluffthatsinksherthousandfathomsheer——
  Downthevalleywithourgutteringbrakesasqueal:
  Wherethetrestlegroansandquiversinthesnow,Wherethemany—sheddedlevelsloopandtwine,SoIleadmyrecklesschildrenfrombelowTillwesingtheSongofRolandtothepine。
  Withmy"~Tinka—tinka—tinka—tinka—tink!~"
  [Andtheaxehasclearedthemountain,croupandcrest!]
  Soweridetheironstallionsdowntodrink,Throughtheca]~nonstothewatersoftheWest!
  Andthetunesthatmeansomuchtoyoualone——
  Commontunesthatmakeyouchokeandblowyournose,Vulgartunesthatbringthelaughthatbringsthegroan——
  Icanripyourveryheartstringsoutwiththose;
  Withthefeasting,andthefolly,andthefun——
  Andthelying,andthelusting,andthedrink,Andthemerryplaythatdropsyou,whenyou’redone,Tothethoughtsthatburnlikeironsifyouthink。
  Withmy"~Plunka—lunka—lunka—lunka—lunk!~"
  Here’satrifleonaccountofpleasurepast,ErethewitthatmadeyouwingivesyoueyestoseeyoursinAndtheheavierrepentanceatthelast!
  Lettheorganmoanhersorrowtotheroof——
  IhavetoldthenakedstarstheGriefofMan!
  Letthetrumpetssnarethefoemantotheproof——
  IhaveknownDefeat,andmockeditasweran!
  MybrayyemaynotalternormistakeWhenIstandtojeerthefattedSoulofThings,ButtheSongofLostEndeavourthatImake,Isithiddeninthetwangingofthestrings?
  Withmy"~Ta—ra—rara—rara—ra—ra—rrrp!~"
  [Isitnaughttoyouthathearandpassmeby?]
  Buttheword——thewordismine,whentheordermovesthelineAndthelean,lockedranksgoroaringdowntodie。
  OfthedrivendustofspeechImakeaflameAndascourgeofbrokenwithesthatmenletfall:
  ForthewordsthathadnohonourtillIcame——
  Lo!Iraisethemintohonouroverall!
  BythewisdomofthecenturiesIspeak——
  TothetuneofyestermornIsetthetruth——
  I,thejoyoflifeunquestioned——I,theGreek——
  I,theeverlastingWonderSongofYouth!
  Withmy"~Tinka—tinka—tinka—tinka—tink!~"
  [Whatd’yelack,mynoblemasters?Whatd’yelack?]
  SoIdrawtheworldtogetherlinkbylink:
  Yea,fromDelosuptoLimerickandback!
  THELINERSHE’SALADY
  TheLinershe’salady,an’sheneverlooksnor’eeds——
  TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband,an’’egives’erallsheneeds;
  But,oh,thelittlecargo—boats,thatsailthewetseasroun’,They’rejustthesameasyouan’mea—plyin’upan’down!
  Plyin’upan’down,Jenny,’angin’roundtheYard,AllthewaybyFrattontramdowntoPortsmouth’Ard;
  Anythin’forbusiness,an’we’regrowin’old——
  Plyin’upan’down,Jenny,waitin’inthecold!
  TheLinershe’saladybythepaintupon’erface,An’ifshemeetsanaccidenttheycountitsoredisgrace:
  TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband,and’e’salways’andyby,But,oh,thelittlecargo—boats!they’vegottoloadordie。
  TheLinershe’salady,and’errouteiscutan’dried;
  TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband,an’’ealwayskeepsbeside;
  But,oh,thelittlecargo—boatsthat’aven’tanyman,They’vegottodotheirbusinessfirst,andmakethemosttheycan!
  TheLinershe’salady,andifawarshouldcome,TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband,and’e’dbid’erstayathome;
  But,oh,thelittlecargo—boatsthatfillwitheverytide!
  ’E’d’avetoupan’fightforthem,fortheyareEngland’spride。
  TheLinershe’salady,butifshewasn’tmade,Therestillwouldbethecargo—boatsfor’omean’foreigntrade。
  TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband,butifwewasn’t’ere,’Ewouldn’thavetofightatallfor’omean’friendssodear。
  ’Omean’friendssodear,Jenny,’angin’roundtheYard,AllthewaybyFrattontramdowntoPortsmouth’Ard;
  Anythin’forbusiness,an’we’regrowin’old——
  ’Omean’friendssodear,Jenny,waitin’inthecold!
  MULHOLLAND’SCONTRACT
  Thefearwasonthecattle,forthegalewasonthesea,An’thepensbrokeuponthelowerdeckan’letthecreaturesfree——
  An’thelightswentoutonthelowerdeck,an’noonenearbutme。
  Ihadbeensingin’tothemtokeep’emquietthere,Forthelowerdeckisthedangerousest,requirin’constantcare,An’givetomeasthestrongestman,thoughusedtodrinkandswear。
  Iseemychancewascertainofbein’hornedortrod,Forthelowerdeckwaspackedwithsteersthicker’npeasinapod,An’morepensbrokeateveryroll——soImadeaContractwithGod。
  An’bythetermsoftheContract,asIhavereadthesame,IfHegotmetoportaliveIwouldexaltHisName,An’praiseHisHolyMajestytillfurtherorderscame。
  Hesavedmefromthecattlean’Hesavedmefromthesea,Fortheyfoundme’tweentwodrowndedoneswheretherollhadlandedme——
  An’afour—inchcrackontopofmyhead,ascrazyascouldbe。
  Butthatweredonebyastanchion,an’notbyabullockatall,An’Ilaystillforsevenweeksconvalessingofthefall,An’readin’theshinyScripturetextsintheSeaman’sHospital。
  An’IspoketoGodofourContract,an’Hesaystomyprayer:
  "IneverputsonMyministersnomorethantheycanbear。
  Sobackyougotothecattle—boatsan’preachMyGospelthere。
  "Forhumanlifeischancyatanykindoftrade,Butmostofall,aswellyouknow,whenthesteersaremad—afraid;
  Soyougobacktothecattle—boatsan’preach’emasI’vesaid。
  "Theymustquitdrinkin’an’swearin’,theymustn’tknifeonablow,Theymustquitgamblin’theirwages,andyoumustpreachitso;
  FornowthoseboatsaremorelikeHellthananythingelseIknow。"
  Ididn’twanttodoit,forIknewwhatIshouldget,An’IwantedtopreachReligion,handsomean’outofthewet,ButtheWordoftheLordwerelainonme,an’IdonewhatIwasset。
  Ihavebeensmitan’bruis]\ed,aswarnedwouldbethecase,An’turnedmycheektothesmiterexactlyasScripturesays;
  Butfollowingthat,Iknockedhimdownan’ledhimuptoGrace。
  An’wehavepreachingonSundayswhenevertheseaiscalm,An’Iusenoknifeorpistolan’Inevertakenoharm,FortheLordabidethbackofmetoguidemyfightingarm。
  An’Isignforfour—pound—tenamonthandsavethemoneyclear,An’Iaminchargeofthelowerdeck,an’Ineverloseasteer;
  An’IbelieveinAlmightyGodan’preachHisGospelhere。
  TheskipperssayI’mcrazy,butIcanprove’emwrong,ForIaminchargeofthelowerdeckwithallthatdothbelong——
  ~Whichtheywouldnotgivetoalunatic,andthecompetitionsostrong!~
  ANCHORSONG
  Heh!Walkherround。Heave,ahheavehershortagain!
  Over,snatchherover,there,andholdheronthepawl。
  Looseallsail,andbraceyouryardsbackandfull——
  Readyjibtopayheroffandheaveshortall!
  Well,ahfareyouwell;wecanstaynomorewithyou,mylove——
  Down,setdownyourliquorandyourgirlfromoffyourknee;
  Forthewindhascometosay:
  "Youmusttakemewhileyoumay,Ifyou’dgotoMotherCarey(WalkherdowntoMotherCarey!),Oh,we’reboundtoMotherCareywhereshefeedsherchicksatsea!"
  Heh!Walkherround。Break,ahbreakitouto’that!
  Breakourstarboard—bowerout,apeak,awash,andclear。
  Port——portshecasts,withtheharbour—mudbeneathherfoot,Andthat’sthelasto’bottomweshallseethisyear!
  Well,ahfareyouwell,forwe’vegottotakeheroutagain——
  Takeheroutinballast,ridinglightandcargo—free。
  Andit’stimetoclearandquitWhenthehawsergripsthebitt,Sowe’llpayyouwiththeforesheetandapromisefromthesea!
  Heh!Tallyon。Aftandwalkawaywithher!
  Handsometothecathead,now;Otallyonthefall!
  Stop,seizeandfish,andeasyonthedavit—guy。
  Up,welluptheflukeofher,andinboardhaul!
  Well,ahfareyouwell,fortheChannelwind’stookholdofus,Chokingdownourvoicesaswesnatchthegasketsfree。
  Andit’sblowingupfornight,Andshe’sdroppingLightonLight,Andshe’ssnortingunderbonnetsforabreathofopensea,Wheel,fullandby;butshe’llsmellherroadaloneto—night。
  Sicksheisandharbour—sick——Osicktocleartheland!
  RolldowntoBrestwiththeoldRedEnsignoverus——
  Carryonandthrashheroutwithallshe’llstand!
  Well,ahfareyouwell,andit’sUshantslamsthedooronus,Whirlinglikeawindmillthroughthedirtyscudtolee:
  Tillthelast,lastflickergoesFromthetumblingwater—rows,Andwe’reofftoMotherCarey(WalkherdowntoMotherCarey!),Oh,we’reboundforMotherCareywhereshefeedsherchicksatsea!
  THELOSTLEGION
  There’saLegionthatneverwas’listed,Thatcarriesnocoloursorcrest,But,splitinathousanddetachments,Isbreakingtheroadfortherest。
  Ourfatherstheyleftustheirblessing——
  Theytaughtus,andgroomedus,andcrammed;
  Butwe’veshakentheClubsandtheMessesTogoandfindoutandbedamned(Dearboys!),Togoandgetshotandbedamned。
  Sosomeofuschivytheslaver,Andsomeofuscherishtheblack,AndsomeofushuntontheOilCoast,Andsomeon——theWallabytrack:
  AndsomeofusdrifttoSarawak,AndsomeofusdriftupTheFly,Andsomeshareourtuckerwithtigers,AndsomewiththegentleMasai(Dearboys!),TaketeawiththegiddyMasai。
  We’vepaintedTheIslandsvermilion,We’vepearledonhalf—sharesintheBay,We’veshoutedonseven—ouncenuggets,We’vestarvedonaSeedeeboy’spay;
  We’velaughedattheworldaswefoundit——
  Itswomenandcitiesandmen——
  FromSayyidBurgashinatantrumTothesmoke—reddenedeyesofLoben(Dearboys!),We’vealittleaccountwithLoben。
  Theendso’theEarthwereourportion,Theoceanatlargewasourshare。
  TherewasneveraskirmishtowindwardButtheLeaderlessLegionwasthere:
  Yes,somehowandsomewhereandalwaysWewerefirstwhenthetroublebegan,Fromalottery—rowinManila,ToanI。D。B。raceonthePan(Dearboys!),WiththeMountedPoliceonthePan。
  WepreachinadvanceoftheArmy,WeskirmishaheadoftheChurch,WithneveragunboattohelpusWhenwe’rescupperedandleftinthelurch。
  Butweknowasthecartridgesfinish,Andwe’refiledonourlastlittleshelves,ThattheLegionthatneverwas’listedWillsendusasgoodasourselves(Goodmen!),Fivehundredasgoodasourselves。
  Thenahealth(wemustdrinkitinwhispers)
  Toourwhollyunauthorisedhorde——
  Tothelineofourdustyforeloopers,TheGentlemenRoversabroad——
  Yes,ahealthtoourselveserewescatter,Forthesteamerwon’twaitforthetrain,AndtheLegionthatneverwas’listedGoesbackintoquartersagain!
  ’Regards!
  Goesbackundercanvasagain。
  Hurrah!
  Theswagandthebillyagain。
  Here’show!
  Thetrailandthepackhorseagain。
  Salue!
  Thetrekandthelaageragain。
  THESEA—WIFE
  TheredwellsawifebytheNorthernGate,Andawealthywifeisshe;
  Shebreedsabreedo’rovin’menAndcaststhemoversea。
  Andsomearedrownedindeepwater,Andsomeinsighto’shore,AndwordgoesbacktothewearywifeAndevershesendsmore。
  Forsincethatwifehadgateorgear,Orhearthorgarthorbield,Shewilledhersonstothewhiteharvest,Andthatisabitteryield。
  Shewillshersonstothewetploughing,Toridethehorseoftree,AndsynehersonscomebackagainFar—spentfromoutthesea。
  Thegoodwife’ssonscomehomeagainWithlittleintotheirhands,Buttheloreofmenthatha’dealtwithmenInthenewandnakedlands;
  Butthefaithofmenthatha’brotheredmenBymorethaneasybreath,Andtheeyeso’menthatha’readwi’menIntheopenbooksofdeath。
  Richarethey,richinwondersseen,Butpoorinthegoodso’men;
  Sowhattheyha’gotbytheskino’theirteethTheysellfortheirteethagain。
  ForwhethertheylosetothenakedlifeOrwintotheirhearts’desire,TheytellitalltothewearywifeThatnodsbesidethefire。
  HerhearthiswidetoeverywindThatmakesthewhiteashspin;
  Andtideandtideand’tweenthetidesHersonsgooutandin;
  (OutwithgreatmirththatdodesireHazardoftracklessways,InwithcontenttowaittheirwatchAndwarmbeforetheblaze);
  Andsomereturnbyfailinglight,Andsomeinwakingdream,ForshehearstheheelsofthedrippingghostsThatridetheroughroof—beam。
  Home,theycomehomefromalltheports,Thelivingandthedead;
  Thegoodwife’ssonscomehomeagainForherblessingontheirhead!
  HYMNBEFOREACTION
  Theearthisfullofanger,Theseasaredarkwithwrath,TheNationsintheirharnessGoupagainstourpath:
  Ereyetweloosethelegions——
  Ereyetwedrawtheblade,JehovahoftheThunders,LordGodofBattles,aid!
  Highlustandfrowardbearing,Proudheart,rebelliousbrow——
  Deafearandsouluncaring,WeseekThymercynow!
  ThesinnerthatforsworeThee,ThefoolthatpassedTheeby,OurtimesareknownbeforeThee——
  Lord,grantusstrengthtodie!
  ForthosewhokneelbesideusAtaltarsnotThineown,Wholackthelightsthatguideus,Lord,lettheirfaithatone。
  Ifwrongwedidtocallthem,Byhonourboundtheycame;
  LetnotThyWrathbefallthem,Butdealtoustheblame。
  Frompanic,pride,andterror,Revengethatknowsnorein,Lighthasteandlawlesserror,Protectusyetagain。
  CloakThouourundeserving,Makefirmtheshudderingbreath,InsilenceandunswervingTotasteThylesserdeath!
  Ah,Marypiercedwithsorrow,Remember,reachandsaveThesoulthatcomesto—morrowBeforetheGodthatgave!
  Sinceeachwasbornofwoman,Foreachatutterneed——
  Truecomradeandtruefoeman——
  Madonna,intercede!
  E’ennowtheirvanguardgathers,E’ennowwefacethefray——
  AsThoudidsthelpourfathers,HelpThouourhostto—day!
  Fulfilledofsignsandwonders,Inlife,indeathmadeclear——
  JehovahoftheThunders,LordGodofBattles,hear!
  TOTHETRUEROMANCE
  Thyfaceisfarfromthisourwar,Ourcallandcounter—cry,IshallnotfindTheequickandkind,NorknowTheetillIdie,EnoughformeindreamstoseeAndtouchThygarments’hem:
  ThyfeethavetrodsoneartoGodImaynotfollowthem。
  ThroughwantonnessifmenprofessTheywearyofThyparts,E’enletthemdieatblasphemyAndperishwiththeirarts;
  Butwethatlove,butwethatproveThineexcellenceaugust,WhileweadorediscovermoreTheeperfect,wise,andjust。
  SincespokenwordMan’sSpiritstirredBeyondhisbelly—need,WhatisisThineoffairdesignInthoughtandcraftanddeed;
  Eachstrokearightoftoilandfight,Thatwasandthatshallbe,Andhopetoohigh,whereforewedie,HasbirthandworthinThee。
  WhoholdsbyTheehathHeaveninfeeTogildhisdrossthereby,AndknowledgesurethatheendureAchilduntilhedie——
  Fortomakeplainthatman’sdisdainIsbutnewBeauty’sbirth——
  FortopossessinlonelinessThejoyofalltheearth。
  AsThoudidstteachallloversspeechAndLifeallmystery,SoshaltThourulebyeveryschoolTillloveandlongingdie,WhowastoryettheLightswereset,AwhisperintheVoid,WhoshaltbesungthroughplanetsyoungWhenthisiscleandestroyed。
  Beyondtheboundsourstaringrounds,Acrossthepressingdark,ThechildrenwiseofouterskiesLookhitherwardandmarkAlightthatshifts,aglarethatdrifts,Rekindlingthusandthus,Notallforlorn,forThouhastborneStrangetalestothemofus。
  TimehathnotidebutmustabideTheservantofThywill;
  Tidehathnotime,fortoThyrhymeTherangingstarsstandstill——
  Regentofspheresthatlockourfears,Ourhopesinvisible,Oh’twascertesatThydecreesWefashionedHeavenandHell!
  PureWisdomhathnocertainpathThatlacksthymorning—eyne,AndcaptainsboldbyTheecontrolledMostliketoGodsdesign;
  ThouarttheVoicetokinglyboysToliftthemthroughthefight,AndComfortressofUnsuccess,Togivethedeadgood—night——
  Aveiltodraw’twixtGodHisLawAndMan’sinfirmity,AshadowkindtodumbandblindTheshambleswherewedie;
  Aruletotrickth’arithmeticToobaseofleaguingodds——
  Thespuroftrust,thecurboflust,ThouhandmaidoftheGods!
  OCharity,allpatientlyAbidingwrackandscaith!
  OFaith,thatmeetstenthousandcheatsYetdropsnojotoffaith!
  DevilandbruteThoudosttransmuteTohigher,lordliershow,WhoartinsooththatlovelyTruthThecarelessangelsknow!
  Thyfaceisfarfromthisourwar,Ourcallandcounter—cry,ImaynotfindTheequickandkind,NorknowTheetillIdie。
  YetmayIlookwithheartunshookOnblowbroughthomeormissed——
  YetmayIhearwithequalearTheclarionsdowntheList;
  YetsetmylanceabovemischanceAndridethebarriere——
  Oh,hitormiss,howlittle’tis,MyLadyisnotthere!
  THEFLOWERS
  Toourprivatetaste,thereisalwayssomethingalittleexotic,almostartificial,insongswhich,underanEnglishaspectanddress,areyetsomanifestlytheproductofotherskies。Theyaffectusliketranslations;theveryfaunaandfloraarealien,remote;
  thedog’s—toothvioletisbutanillsubstitutefortheratheprimrose,norcanweeverbelievethatthewood—robinsingsassweetlyinAprilastheEnglishthrush。——THEATHEN]AEUM。
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  KentandSurreymay——
  VioletsoftheUndercliffWetwithChannelspray;
  CowslipsfromaDevoncombe——
  Midlandfurzeafire——
  BuymyEnglishposiesAndI’llsellyourheart’sdesire!
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  YouthatscorntheMay,Won’tyougreetafriendfromhomeHalftheworldaway?
  Greenagainstthedraggleddrift,Faintandfrailandfirst——
  BuymyNorthernblood—rootAndI’llknowwhereyouwerenursed:
  Robindownthelogging—roadwhistles,"Cometome!"
  Springhasfoundthemaple—grove,thesapisrunningfree;
  AllthewindsofCanadacalltheploughing—rain。
  Taketheflowerandturnthehour,andkissyourloveagain!
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  Here’stomatchyourneed——
  Buyatuftofroyalheath,BuyabunchofweedWhiteassandofMuysenbergSpunbeforethegale——
  BuymyheathandliliesAndI’lltellyouwhenceyouhail!
  UnderhotConstantiabroadthevineyardslie——
  Thronedandthornedtheachingbergpropsthespecklesssky——
  SlowbelowtheWynbergfirstrailsthetiltedwain——
  Taketheflowerandturnthehour,andkissyourloveagain!
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  Youthatwillnotturn——
  Buymyhot—woodclematis,Buyafrondo’fernGatheredwheretheErskineleapsDowntheroadtoLorne——
  BuymyChristmascreeperAndI’llsaywhereyouwereborn!
  WestawayfromMelbournedustholidaysbegin——
  TheythatmockatParadisewooatCoraLynn——
  ThroughthegreatSouthOtwaygumssingsthegreatSouthMain——
  Taketheflowerandturnthehour,andkissyourloveagain!
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  Here’syourchoiceunsold!
  Buyablood—redmyrtle—bloom,Buythekowhai’sgoldFlungforgiftonTaupo’sface,Signthatspringiscome——
  BuymyclingingmyrtleAndI’llgiveyoubackyourhome!
  Broombehindthewindytown;polleno’thepine——
  Bell—birdintheleafydeepwherethe~ratas~twine——
  Fernabovethesaddle—bow,flaxupontheplain——
  Taketheflowerandturnthehour,andkissyourloveagain!
  BuymyEnglishposies!
  YethathaveyourownBuythemforabrother’ssakeOverseas,alone。
  WeedyetrampleunderfootFloodshisheartabrim——
  Birdyeneverheeded,Oh,shecallshisdeadtohim!
  FarandfarourhomesaresetroundtheSevenSeas;
  Woeforusifweforget,wethatholdbythese!
  Untoeachhismother—beach,bloomandbirdandland——
  MastersoftheSevenSeas,oh,loveandunderstand。
  THELASTRHYMEOFTRUETHOMAS
  TheKinghascalledforpriestandcup,TheKinghastakenspurandbladeTodubTrueThomasabeltedknight,Andallforthesakeo’thesongshemade。
  Theyhavesoughthimhigh,theyhavesoughthimlow,Theyhavesoughthimoverdownandlea;
  Theyhavefoundhimbythemilk—whitethornThatguardsthegateso’Faerie。
  ’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove,TheireyeswereheldthattheymightnotseeThekinethatgrazedbeneaththeknowes,Oh,theyweretheQueenso’Faerie!
  "Nowceaseyoursong,"theKinghesaid,"Oh,ceaseyoursongandgetyoudightTovowyourvowandwatchyourarms,ForIwilldubyouabeltedknight。
  "ForIwillgiveyouahorseo’pride,Wi’blazonandspurandpageandsquire;
  Wi’keepandtailandseizinandlaw,Andlandtoholdatyourdesire。"
  TrueThomassmiledabovehisharp,Andturnedhisfacetothenakedsky,Where,blownbeforethewastrelwind,Thethistle—downshefloatedby。
  "Iha’vowedmyvowinanotherplace,Andbitteroathitwasonme,Iha’watchedmyarmsthelee—longnight,Wherefive—scorefightingmenwouldflee。
  "Mylanceistippedo’thehammeredflame,Myshieldisbeato’themoonlightcold;
  AndIwonmyspursintheMiddleWorld,Athousandfathombeneaththemould。
  "AndwhatshouldImakewi’ahorseo’pride,AndwhatshouldImakewi’aswordsobrown,Butspilltheringso’theGentleFolkAndflytemykinintheFairyTown?
  "AndwhatshouldImakewi’blazonandbelt,Wi’keepandtailandseizinandfee,AndwhatshouldIdowi’pageandsquireThatamakinginmyowncountrie?
  "ForIsendeastandIsendwest,AndIsendfarasmywillmayflee,Bydawnandduskandthedrinkingrain,AndsynemySendingsreturntome。
  "Theycomewi’newsofthegroanin’earth,Theycomewi’newso’theroarin’sea,Wi’wordofSpiritandGhostandFlesh,Andman,that’smazedamongthethree。"
  TheKinghebithisnetherlip,Andsmotehishanduponhisknee:
  "Bythefaitho’mysoul,TrueThomas,"hesaid,"Yewastenowitincourtesie!
  "AsIdesire,untomypride,CanImakeEarlsbythreeandthree,TorunbeforeandridebehindAndservethesonso’mybody。"
  "AndwhatcareIforyourrow—footearls,Orallthesonso’yourbody?
  BeforetheywintothePrideo’Name,Itrowtheyallaskleaveo’me。
  "ForImakeHonourwi’mucklemouth,AsImakeShamewi’mincin’feet,Tosingwi’thepriestsatthemarket—cross,Orrunwi’thedogsinthenakedstreet。
  "Andsometheygivemethegoodredgold,Andsometheygivemethewhitemoney,Andsometheygivemeaclouto’meal,Fortheybepeopleo’lowdegree。
  "AndthesongIsingforthecountedgoldThesameIsingforthewhitemoney,ButbestIsingfortheclouto’mealThatsimplepeoplegivenme。"
  TheKingcastdownasilvergroat,Asilvergroato’Scotsmoney,"IfIcomewi’apoorman’sdole,"hesaid,"TrueThomas,willyeharptome?"
  "WhenasIharptothechildrensmall,Theypressmecloseoneitherhand。
  Andwhoareyou,"TrueThomassaid,"Thatyoushouldridewhiletheymuststand?
  "Lightdown,lightdownfromyourhorseo’pride,Itrowyetalktooloudandhie,AndIwillmakeyouatripleword,Andsyne,ifyedare,yeshall’nobleme。"
  Hehaslighteddownfromhishorseo’pride,Andsethisbackagainstthestone。
  "Nowguardyouwell,"TrueThomassaid,"EreIraxyourheartfromyourbreast—bone!"
  TrueThomasplayeduponhisharp,Thefairyharpthatcouldnalee,AndthefirstleastwordtheproudKingheard,Itharpitthesalttearouto’hisee。
  "Oh,IseethelovethatIlostlongsyne,ItouchthehopethatImaynotsee,AndallthatIdido’hiddenshame,Likelittlesnakestheyhissatme。
  "Thesunislostatnoon——atnoon!
  Thedreado’doomhasgrippitme。
  TrueThomas,hidemeunderyourcloak,Godwot,I’mlittlefittodee!"
  ’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove——
  ’Twasopenfieldandrunningflood——
  Where,hotonheathanddikeandwall,Thehighsunwarmedtheadder’sbrood。
  "Liedown,liedown,"TrueThomassaid。
  "TheGodshalljudgewhenallisdone。
  ButIwillbringyouabetterwordAndliftthecloudthatIlaidon。"
  TrueThomasplayeduponhisharp,Thatbirledandbrattledtohishand,AndthenextleastwordTrueThomasmade,ItgarredtheKingtakehorseandbrand。
  "Oh,Ihearthetreado’thefightingmen,Iseethesunonsplentandspear。
  ImarkthearrowoutenthefernThatfliessolowandsingssoclear!
  "Advancemystandardstothatwar,Andbidmygoodknightsprickandride;
  ThegledshallwatchasfierceafightAse’erwasfoughtontheBorderside!"
  ’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove,’Twasnoddinggrassandnakedsky,Where,ringingupthewastrelwind,Theeyasstoopeduponthepie。
  TrueThomassighedabovehisharp,Andturnedthesongonthemidmoststring;
  AndthelastleastwordTrueThomasmade,HeharpithisdeadyouthbacktotheKing。
  "NowIamprince,andIdowellTolovemylovewithoutenfear;
  Towalkwi’maninfellowship,Andbreathemyhorsebehindthedeer。
  "Myhoundstheybayuntothedeath,Thebuckhascouchedbeyondtheburn,MyloveshewaitsatherwindowTowashmyhandswhenIreturn。
  "ForthatIliveamIcontent(Oh!Ihaveseenmytruelove’seyes)
  Tostandwi’AdaminEden—glade,Andruninthewoodso’Paradise!"
  ’Twasnakedskyandnoddinggrass,’Twasrunningfloodandwastrelwind,Where,checkedagainsttheopenpass,Thereddeerbelledtocallthehind。
  TrueThomaslaidhisharpaway,Andloutedlowatthesaddle—side;
  Hehastakenstirrupandhaudenrein,AndsettheKingonhishorseo’pride。
  "Sleepyeorwake,"TrueThomassaid,"Thatsitsostill,thatmusesolong;
  Sleepyeorwake?——tillthelattersleepItrowye’llnotforgetmysong。
  "Iha’harpitashadowouto’thesunTostandbeforeyourfaceandcry;
  Iha’armedtheearthbeneathyourheel,AndoveryourheadIha’duskedthesky。
  "Iha’harpityeuptothethroneo’God,Iha’harpityourmidmostsoulinthree;
  Iha’harpityedowntotheHingeso’Hell,And——ye——would——make——aKnighto’me!"
  INTHENEOLITHICAGE
  IntheNeolithicAgesavagewarfaredidIwageForfoodandfameandwoollyhorses’pelt;
  Iwassingertomyclaninthatdim,redDawnofMan,AndIsangofallwefoughtandfearedandfelt。
  Yea,IsangasnowIsing,whenthePrehistoricspringMadethepiledBiscayanice—packsplitandshove;
  Andthetrollandgnomeanddwerg,andtheGodsofCliffandBergWereaboutmeandbeneathmeandabove。
  Butarival,ofSolutr]/e,toldthetribemystylewas~outr]/e~——
  ’Neathatomahawkofdioritehefell。
  AndIleftmyviewsonArt,barbedandtanged,belowtheheartOfamammothisticetcheratGrenelle。
  ThenIstrippedthem,scalpfromskull,andmyhuntingdogsfedfull,AndtheirteethIthreadedneatlyonathong;
  AndIwipedmymouthandsaid,"Itiswellthattheyaredead,ForIknowmyworkisrightandtheirswaswrong。"
  ButmyTotemsawtheshame;fromhisridgepoleshrinehecame,Andhetoldmeinavisionofthenight:——
  "Therearenineandsixtywaysofconstructingtriballays,Andeverysingleoneofthemisright!"……
  ThenthesilencecloseduponmetillTheyputnewclothingonmeOfwhiter,weakerfleshandbonemorefrail;
  AndIsteppedbeneathTime’sfinger,onceagainatribalsinger[AndaminorpoetcertifiedbyTr——ll]。
  Stilltheyskirmishtoandfro,menmymessmatesonthesnow,Whenweheadedofftheaurochsturnforturn;
  WhentherichAllobrogensesneverkeptamanuenses,AndouronlyplotswerepiledinlakesatBerne。
  StillaculturedChristianageseesusscuffle,squeak,andrage,Stillwepinchandslapandjabber,scratchanddirk;
  Stillweletourbusinessslide——aswedroppedthehalf—dressedhide——
  Toshowafellow—savagehowtowork。
  Stilltheworldiswondrouslarge,——sevenseasfrommargetomarge,——
  Anditholdsavastofvariouskindsofman;
  AndthewildestdreamsofKewarethefactsofKhatmandhu,AndthecrimesofClaphamchasteinMartaban。
  Here’smywisdomforyouruse,asIlearneditwhenthemooseAndthereindeerroaredwhereParisroarsto—night:——
  Therearenineandsixtywaysofconstructingtriballays,And——every——single——one——of——them——is——right!
  THESTORYOFUNG
  Once,onaglitteringice—field,agesandagesago,Ung,amakerofpictures,fashionedanimageofsnow。
  Fashionedtheformofatribesman——gailyhewhistledandsung,Workingthesnowwithhisfingers。~ReadyetheStoryofUng!~
  Pleasedwashistribewiththatimage——cameintheirhundredstoscan——
  Handledit,smeltit,andgrunted:"Verily,thisisaman!
  Thusdowecarryourlances——thusisawar—beltslung。
  Lo!itisevenasweare。GloryandhonourtoUng!"
  Laterhepicturedanaurochs——laterhepicturedabear——
  Picturedthesabre—toothtigerdraggingamantohislair——
  Picturedthemountainousmammoth,hairy,abhorrent,alone——
  Outofthelovethatheborethem,scribingthemclearlyonbone。
  Swiftcamethetribetobeholdthem,peeringandpushingandstill——
  Menoftheberg—batteredbeaches,menoftheboulder—hatchedhill——
  Huntersandfishersandtrappers,presentlywhisperinglow:
  "Yea,theyarelike——anditmaybe——ButhowdoesthePicture—manknow?"
  "Ung——hathhesleptwiththeAurochs——watchedwheretheMastodonroam?
  SpokeontheicewiththeBow—head——followedtheSabre—toothhome?
  Nay!Thesearetoysofhisfancy!Ifhehavecheatedusso,Howistheretruthinhisimage——themanthathefashionedofsnow?"
  Wrothwasthatmakerofpictures——hotlyheansweredthecall:
  "Huntersandfishersandtrappers,childrenandfoolsareyeall!
  Lookatthebeastswhenyehuntthem!"Swiftfromthetumulthebroke,Rantothecaveofhisfatherandtoldhimtheshamethattheyspoke。
  AndthefatherofUnggaveanswer,thatwasoldandwiseinthecraft,Makerofpicturesaforetime,heleanedonhislanceandlaughed:
  "Iftheycouldseeasthouseesttheywoulddowhatthouhastdone,Andeachmanwouldmakehimapicture,and——whatwouldbecomeofmyson?
  "Therewouldbenopeltsofthereindeer,flungdownatthycaveforagift,NordoleoftheoilytimberthatcomesontheBalticdrift;
  Nostoreofwell—drilledneedles,norouchesofamberpale;
  Nonew—cuttonguesofthebison,normeatofthestrandedwhale。
  "~Thou~hastnottoiledatthefishingwhenthesoddentrammelsfreeze,Norworkedthewar—boatsoutwardthroughtherushoftherock—stakedseas,Yettheybringtheefishandplunder——fullmealandaneasybed——
  Andallforthesakeofthypictures。"AndUnghelddownhishead。
  "~Thou~hastnotstoodtotheAurochswhentheredsnowreeksofthefight;
  Menhavenotimeatthehoughingtocounthiscurlsaright。
  AndtheheartofthehairyMammoth,thousayest,theydonotsee,Yettheysaveitwholefromthebeachesandbroilthebestforthee。
  "Andnowdotheypresstothypictures,withopenedmouthandeye,Andalittlegiftinthedoorway,andthepraisenogiftcanbuy:
  But——suretheyhavedoubtedthypictures,andthatisagrievousstain——
  Sonthatcanseesoclearly,returnthemtheirgiftsagain!"
  AndUnglookeddownathisdeerskins——theirbroadshell—tasselledbands——
  AndUngdrewdownwardhismittenandlookedathisnakedhands;
  Andheglovedhimselfanddeparted,andheheardhisfather,behind:
  "Sonthatcanseesoclearly,rejoicethatthytribeisblind!"
  Straightontheglitteringice—field,bythecavesofthelostDordogne,Ung,amakerofpictures,felltohisscribingonboneEventomammotheditions。Gailyhewhistledandsung,Blessinghistribefortheirblindness。~HeedyetheStoryofUng!~
  THETHREE—DECKER
  "~Thethree—volumenovelisextinct。~"
  Fullthirtyfootshetoweredfromwaterlinetorail。
  Itcostawatchtosteerher,andaweektoshortensail;
  But,spiteallmodernnotions,Ifoundherfirstandbest——
  TheonlycertainpacketfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
  Fairheldthebreezebehindus——’twaswarmwithlovers’prayers。
  We’dstolenwillsforballastandacrewofmissingheirs。
  TheyshippedasAbleBastardstilltheWickedNurseconfessed,Andtheyworkedtheoldthree—deckertotheIslandsoftheBlest。
  Bywaysnogazecouldfollow,acourseunspoiledofCook,PerFancy,fleetestinman,ourtitledberthswetookWithmaidsofmatchlessbeautyandparentageunguessed,AndaChurchofEnglandparsonfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
  Weaskednosocialquestions——wepumpednohiddenshame——
  WenevertalkedobstetricswhentheLittleStrangercame:
  WelefttheLordinHeaven,weleftthefiendsinHell。
  Weweren’texactlyYussufs,but——Zuleikadidn’ttell。
  Nomoraldoubtassailedus,sowhentheportweneared,Thevillainhadhisfloggingatthegangway,andwecheered。
  ’Twasfiddleintheforc’s’le——’twasgarlandsonthemast,Foreveryonegotmarried,andIwentashoreatlast。
  Ileft’emallincouplesa—kissingonthedecks。
  Ilefttheloverslovingandtheparentssigningcheques。
  InendlessEnglishcomfortbycounty—folkcaressed,Ilefttheoldthree—deckerattheIslandsoftheBlest!
  Thatrouteisbarredtosteamers:you’llneverliftagainOurpurple—paintedheadlandsorthelordlykeepsofSpain。
  They’rejustbeyondyourskyline,howe’ersofaryoucruiseInaram—you—damn—youlinerwithabraceofbuckingscrews。
  Swingroundyourachingsearch—light——’twillshownohaven’speace。
  Ay,blowyourshriekingsirenstothedeaf,gray—beardedseas!
  Boomoutthedrippingoil—bagstoskinthedeep’sunrest——
  Andyouaren’toneknotthenearertotheIslandsoftheBlest!
  Butwhenyou’rethreshing,crippled,withbrokenbridgeandrail,Atadrogueofdeadconvictionstoholdyouheadtogale,CalmastheFlyingDutchman,fromtrucktotaffraildressed,You’llseetheoldthree—deckerfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
  You’llseehertieringcanvasinsheetedsilverspread;
  You’llhearthelong—drawnthunder’neathherleapingfigure—head;
  Whilefar,sofaraboveyou,hertallpoop—lanternsshineUnvexedbywindorweatherlikethecandlesroundashrine!
  Hulldown——hulldownandunder——shedwindlestoaspeck,Withnoiseofpleasantmusicanddancingonherdeck。
  All’swell——all’swellaboardher——she’sleftyoufarbehind,Withascentofold—worldrosesthroughthefogthattiesyoublind。
  Hercrewarebabesormadmen?Herportisalltomake?
  You’remannedbyTruthandScience,andyousteamforsteaming’ssake?
  Well,tinkerupyourengines——youknowyourbusinessbest——
  ~She~’stakingtiredpeopletotheIslandsoftheBlest!
  ANAMERICAN
  TheAmericanSpiritspeaks:
  "IftheLedStrikercallitastrike,Orthepaperscallitawar,TheyknownotmuchwhatIamlike,Norwhatheis,myAvatar。"
  Throughmanyroads,bymepossessed,Heshamblesforthincosmicguise;
  HeistheJesterandtheJest,AndhetheTexthimselfapplies。
  TheCeltisinhisheartandhand,TheGaulisinhisbrainandnerve;
  Where,cosmopolitanlyplanned,HeguardstheRedskin’sdryreserve。
  HiseasyunswepthearthhelendsFromLabradortoGuadeloupe;
  Till,elbowedoutbyslovenfriends,Hecamps,atsufferance,onthestoop。
  Calm—eyedhescoffsatswordandcrown,Orpanic—blindedstabsandslays:
  Blatanthebidstheworldbowdown,Orcringingbegsacrustofpraise;
  Or,sombre—drunk,atmineandmart,HedubshisdrearybrethrenKings。
  Hishandsareblackwithblood——hisheartLeaps,asababe’s,atlittlethings。
  But,throughtheshiftofmoodandmood,Mineancienthumoursaveshimwhole——
  ThecynicdevilinhisbloodThatbidshimmockhishurryingsoul;
  ThatbidshimflouttheLawhemakes,ThatbidshimmaketheLawheflouts,Till,dazedbymanydoubts,hewakesThedrumminggunsthat——havenodoubts;
  Thatcheckshimfoolish——hotandfond,Thatchucklesthroughhisdeepestire,ThatgildsthesloughofhisdespondButdimsthegoalofhisdesire;
  Inopportune,shrill—accented,TheacridAsiaticmirthThatleaveshim,careless’midhisdead,Thescandaloftheelderearth。
  Howshallheclearhimself,howreachYourbarorweigheddefenceprefer?
  AbrotherhedgedwithalienspeechAndlackingallinterpreter。
  Whichknowledgevexeshimaspace;
  ButwhileReproofaroundhimrings,HeturnsakeenuntroubledfaceHome,totheinstantneedofthings。
  Enslaved,illogical,elate,Hegreetsth’embarrassedGods,norfearsToshaketheironhandofFateOrmatchwithDestinyforbeers。
  Lo,imperturbableherules,Unkempt,disreputable,vast——
  And,intheteethofalltheschools,I——Ishallsavehimatthelast!
  THE"MARYGLOSTER"
  I’vepaidforyoursickestfancies;I’vehumouredyourcrackedestwhim——
  Dick,it’syourdaddy,dying;you’vegottolistentohim!
  Goodforafortnight,amI?Thedoctortoldyou?Helied。
  Ishallgounderbymorning,and——Putthatnurseoutside。
  ’Neverseendeathyet,Dickie?Well,nowisyourtimetolearn,Andyou’llwishyouheldmyrecordbeforeitcomestoyourturn。
  NotcountingtheLineandtheFoundry,theyardsandthevillage,too,I’vemademyselfandamillion;butI’mdamnedifImadeyou。
  Masterattwo—and—twenty,andmarriedattwenty—three——
  Tenthousandmenonthepay—roll,andfortyfreightersatsea!
  Fiftyyearsbetween’em,andeveryyearofitfight,AndnowI’mSirAnthonyGloster,dying,abaronite:
  ForIlunchedwithhisRoyal’Ighness——whatwasitthepapersa—had?
  "Notleastofourmerchant—princes。"Dickie,that’sme,yourdad!
  ~I~didn’tbeginwithaskings。~I~tookmyjobandIstuck;
  AndItookthechancestheywouldn’t,an’nowthey’recallingitluck。
  Lord,whatboatsI’vehandled——rottenandleakyandold!
  Ran’em,or——openedthebilge—cock,preciselyasIwastold。
  Grubthat’udbindyoucrazy,andcrewsthat’udturnyougrey,Andabigfatlumpofinsurancetocovertheriskontheway。
  Theotherstheydursn’tdoit;theysaidtheyvaluedtheirlife(They’veservedmesinceasskippers)。~I~went,andItookmywife。
  OvertheworldIdrove’em,marriedattwenty—three,Andyourmothersavingthemoneyandmakingamanofme。
  ~I~wascontenttobemaster,butshesaidtherewasbetterbehind;
  ShetookthechancesIwouldn’t,andIfollowedyourmotherblind。
  Sheeggedmetoborrowthemoney,an’shehelpedmetocleartheloan,Whenweboughthalfsharesinacheap’unandhoistedaflagofourown。
  Patchingandcoalingoncredit,andlivingtheLordknewhow,WestartedtheRedOxfreighters——we’veeight—and—thirtynow。
  Andthosewerethedaysofclippers,andthefreightswereclipper—freights,Andweknewweweremakingourfortune,butshediedinMacassarStraits——
  BytheLittlePaternosters,asyoucometotheUnionBank——
  Andwedroppedherinfourteenfathom;Iprickeditoffwhereshesank。
  Ownerswewere,fullowners,andtheboatwaschristenedforher,Andshediedinthe~MaryGloster~。Myheart,howyoungwewere!
  SoIwentonaspreeroundJavaandwell—nighranherashore,ButyourmothercameandwarnedmeandIwouldn’tliquornomore:
  StrictIstucktomybusiness,afraidtostoporI’dthink,Savingthemoney(shewarnedme),andlettingtheothermendrink。
  AndImetM’CulloughinLondon(I’dturnedfive’undredthen),And’tweenuswestartedtheFoundry——threeforgesandtwentymen:
  Cheaprepairsforthecheap’uns。Itpaid,andthebusinessgrew,ForIboughtmeasteam—lathepatent,andthatwasagoldminetoo。
  "Cheapertobuild’emthanbuy’em,"~I~said,butM’Culloughheshied,AndwewastedayearintalkingbeforewemovedtotheClyde。
  AndtheLineswereallbeginning,andweallofusstartedfair,Buildingourengineslikehousesandstayingtheboilerssquare。
  ButM’Cullough’ewantedcabinswithmarbleandmapleandall,AndBrusselsan’Utrechtvelvet,andbathsandaSocialHall,Andpipesforclosetsallover,andcuttingtheframestoolight,ButM’CulloughhediedintheSixties,and——Well,I’mdyingto—night……
  Iknew——~I~knewwhatwascoming,whenwebidonthe~Byfleet~’skeel——
  Theypiddledandpiffledwithiron:I’dgivenmyordersforsteel!
  Steelandthefirstexpansions。Itpaid,Itellyou,itpaid,Whenwecamewithournine—knotfreightersandcollaredthelong—runtrade!
  AndtheyaskedmehowIdidit,andIgave’emtheScripturetext,"Youkeepyourlightsoshiningalittleinfronto’thenext!"
  Theycopiedalltheycouldfollow,buttheycouldn’tcopymymind,AndIleft’emsweatingandstealingayearandahalfbehind。
  Thencamethearmour—contracts,butthatwasM’Cullough’sside;
  HewasalwaysbestintheFoundry,butbetter,perhaps,hedied。
  Iwentthroughhisprivatepapers;thenoteswasplainerthanprint;
  AndI’mnofooltofinishifaman’llgivemeahint。
  (Irememberhiswidowwasangry。)SoIsawwhatthedrawingsmeant,AndIstartedthesix—inchrollers,anditpaidmesixtypercent——
  Sixtypercent~with~failures,andmorethantwicewecoulddo,Andaquarter—milliontocredit,andIsaveditallforyou!
  Ithought——itdoesn’tmatter——youseemedtofavouryourma,Butyou’renearerfortythanthirty,andIknowthekindyouare。
  Harreran’TrinityCollege!Ioughttoha’sentyoutosea——
  ButIstoodyouaneducation,an’whathaveyoudoneforme?
  ThethingsIknewwasproperyouwouldn’tthankmetogive,AndthethingsIknewwasrottenyousaidwasthewaytolive。
  Foryoumuddledwithbooksandpictures,an’chinaan’etchin’san’fans,Andyourroomsatcollegewasbeastly——morelikeawhore’sthanaman’s——
  Tillyoumarriedthatthin—flankedwoman,aswhiteandasstaleasabone,An’shegaveyouyoursocialnonsense;butwhere’sthatkido’yourown?
  I’veseenyourcarriagesblockingthehalfo’theCromwellRoad,Butneverthedoctor’sbroughamtohelpthemissusunload。
  (Sothereisn’tevenagrandchild,an’theGlosterfamily’sdone。)
  Notlikeyourmother,sheisn’t。~She~carriedherfreighteachrun。
  Buttheydied,theporelittlebeggars!Atseashehad’em——theydied。
  Onlyyou,an’youstoodit;youhaven’tstoodmuchbeside。
  Weak,aliar,andidle,andmeanasacollier’swhelpNosingforscrapsinthegalley。Nohelp——mysonwasnohelp!
  Sohegetsthree’undredthousand,intrustandtheinterestpaid。
  Iwouldn’tgiveityou,Dickie——yousee,Imadeitintrade。
  You’resavedfromsoilingyourfingers,andifyouhavenochild,Itallcomesbacktothebusiness。Gad,won’tyourwifebewild!
  ’Callsandcallsinhercarriage,her’andkerchiefupto’ereye:
  "Daddy!deardaddy’sdyin’!"anddoingherbesttocry。
  Grateful?Oh,yes,I’mgrateful,butkeepherawayfromhere。
  Yourmother’udneverha’stood’er,and,anyhow,womenarequeer……
  There’swomenwillsayI’vemarriedasecondtime。
  Notquite!ButgiveporeAggieahundred,andtellheryourlawyers’llfight。
  Shewasthebesto’theboiling——you’llmeetherbeforeitends;
  I’minforarowwiththemother——I’llleaveyousettlemyfriends:
  Foramanhemustgowithawoman,whichwomendon’tunderstand——
  Orthesortthatsaytheycanseeittheyaren’tthemarryingbrand。
  ButIwantedtospeako’yourmotherthat’sLadyGlosterstill——
  I’mgoingtoupandseeher,withoutit’shurtingthewill。
  Here!Takeyourhandoffthebell—pull。Fivethousand’swaitingforyou,Ifyou’llonlylistenaminute,anddoasIbidyoudo。
  They’lltrytoprovemecrazy,and,ifyoubungle,theycan;
  AndI’veonlyyoutotrustto!(OGod,whyain’theaman?)
  There’ssomewastemoneyonmarbles,thesameasM’Culloughtried——
  Marblesandmausoleums——butIcallthatsinfulpride。
  There’ssomeshipbodiesforburial——we’vecarried’em,solderedandpacked;
  Downintheirwillstheywroteit,andnobodycalled~them~cracked。
  Butme——I’vetoomuchmoney,andpeoplemight……Allmyfault:
  Itcomeo’hopingforgrandsonsandbuyingthatWokin’vault。
  I’msicko’the’oledam’business;I’mgoingbackwhereIcame。
  Dick,you’rethesono’mybody,andyou’lltakechargeo’thesame!
  Iwanttoliebyyourmother,tenthousandmileaway,Andthey’llwanttosendmetoWoking;andthat’swhereyou’llearnyourpay。
  I’vethoughtitoutonthequiet,thesameasitoughttobedone——
  Quiet,anddecent,andproper——an’here’syourorders,myson。
  YouknowtheLine?Youdon’t,though。YouwritetotheBoard,andtellYourfather’sdeathhasupsetyouan’you’regoin’tocruiseforaspell,An’you’dlikethe~MaryGloster~——I’veheldherreadyforthis——
  They’llputherinworkingorderandyou’lltakeheroutassheis。
  Yes,itwasmoneyidlewhenIpatchedherandputheraside(ThankGod,Icanpayformyfancies!)——theboatwhereyourmotherdied,BytheLittlePaternosters,asyoucometotheUnionBank,Wedroppedher——IthinkItoldyou——andIprickeditoffwhereshesank——
  [’Tinyshelookedonthegrating——thatoily,treaclysea——]
  ’HundredandeighteenEast,remember,andSouthjustthree。
  Easybearingstocarry——threeSouth——threetothedot;
  ButIgaveM’Andrewacopyincaseofdying——ornot。
  Andsoyou’llwritetoM’Andrew,he’sChiefoftheMaoriLine;
  They’llgivehimleave,ifyouask’emandsayit’sbusinesso’mine。
  IbuiltthreeboatsfortheMaoris,an’verywellpleasedtheywere,An’I’veknownMacsincetheFifties,andMacknewme——andher。
  AfterthefirststrokewarnedmeIsenthimthemoneytokeepAgainstthetimeyou’dclaimit,committin’yourdadtothedeep;
  Foryouarethesono’mybody,andMacwasmyoldestfriend,I’veneverasked’imtodinner,buthe’llseeitouttotheend。
  Stiff—neckedGlasgowbeggar,I’veheardhe’sprayedformysoul,Buthecouldn’tlieifyoupaidhim,andhe’dstarvebeforehestole!
  He’lltakethe~Mary~inballast——you’llfindheralivelyship;
  Andyou’lltakeSirAnthonyGloster,thatgoeson’iswedding—trip,Lashedinourolddeck—cabinwithallthreeport—holeswide,Thekicko’thescrewbeneathhimandtheroundblueseasoutside!
  SirAnthonyGloster’scarriage——our’ouse—flagflyin’free——
  Tenthousandmenonthepay—rollandfortyfreightersatsea!
  Hemadehimselfandamillion,butthisworldisafleetin’show,Andhe’llgotothewifeof’isbosomthesameasheoughttogo——
  BytheheelofthePaternosters——thereisn’tachancetomistake——
  AndMac’llpayyouthemoneyassoonasthebubblesbreak!
  Fivethousandforsixweeks’cruising,thestaunchestfreighterafloat,AndMache’llgiveyouyourbonustheminuteI’mouto’theboat!
  He’lltakeyouroundtoMacassar,andyou’llcomebackalone;
  HeknowswhatIwanto’the~Mary~……I’lldowhatIpleasewithmyown。
  Yourmother’udcallitwasteful,butI’veseven—and—thirtymore;
  I’llcomeinmyprivatecarriageandbiditwaitatthedoor……
  Formyson’ewasneveracredit:’emuddledwithbooksandart,And’elivedonSirAnthony’smoneyand’ebrokeSirAnthony’sheart。
  Thereisn’tevenagrandchild,andtheGlosterfamily’sdone——
  Theonlyoneyouleftme,Omother,theonlyone!
  HarrerandTrinityCollege——meslavin’earlyan’late——
  An’hethinksI’mdyingcrazy,andyou’reinMacassarStrait!
  Flesho’myflesh,mydearie,foreveran’everamen,Thatfirststrokecomeforawarning;Ioughttoha’gonetoyouthen,But——cheaprepairsforacheap’un——thedoctorssaidI’ddo:
  Mary,whydidn’t~you~warnme?I’veallusheededtoyou,Excep’——Iknow——aboutwomen;butyouareaspiritnow;
  An’,wife,theywasonlywomen,andIwasaman。That’show。
  An’aman’emustgowithawoman,asyoucouldnotunderstand;
  ButInevertalked’emsecrets。Ipaid’emouto’hand。
  ThankGawd,Icanpayformyfancies!Nowwhat’sfivethousandtome,ForaberthoffthePaternostersinthehavenwhereIwouldbe?
  ~I~believeintheResurrection,ifIreadmyBibleplain,ButIwouldn’ttrust’ematWokin’;we’resaferatseaagain。
  Fortheheartitshallgowiththetreasure——godowntotheseainships。
  I’msickofthehiredwomen——I’llkissmygirlonherlips!
  I’llbecontentwithmyfountain,I’lldrinkfrommyownwell,Andthewifeofmyyouthshallcharmme——an’therestcangotoHell!
  (Dickie,~he~will,that’scertain。)I’lllieinourstandin’—bed,An’Mac’lltakeherinballast——an’shetrimsbestbythehead……
  Downbytheheadan’sinkin’,herfiresaredrawnandcold,Andthewater’ssplashin’hollowontheskinoftheemptyhold——
  Churningan’chokingandchuckling,quietandscummyanddark——
  Fulltoherlowerhatchesandrisin’steady。Hark!
  Thatwastheafter—bulkhead……She’sfloodedfromstemtostern……
  Neverseendeathyet,Dickie?……Well,nowisyourtimetolearn!
  SESTINAOFTHETRAMP—ROYAL
  Speakin’ingeneral,I’avetried’emall,The’appyroadsthattakeyouo’ertheworld。
  Speakin’ingeneral,I’avefoundthemgoodForsuchascannotuseonebedtoolong,Butmustget’ence,thesameasI’avedone,An’goobservin’matterstilltheydie。
  Whatdoitmatterwhereor’owwedie,Solongaswe’veour’ealthtowatchitall——
  Thedifferentwaysthatdifferentthingsaredone,An’menan’womenlovin’inthisworld——
  Takin’ourchancesastheycomealong,An’whentheyain’t,pretendin’theyaregood?
  Incashorcredit——no,itaren’tnogood;
  You’aveto’avethe’abitoryou’ddie,Unlessyoulivedyourlifebutonedaylong,Nordidn’tprophesynorfretatall,Butdrewyourtuckersome’owfromtheworld,An’neverbotheredwhatyoumightha’done。
  But,Gawd,whatthingsaretheyI’aven’tdone?
  I’veturnedmy’andtomost,an’turneditgood,Invarioussituationsroundtheworld——
  For’imthatdothnotworkmustsurelydie;
  Butthat’snoreasonmanshouldlabourall’Islifeononesameshift;life’snonesolong。
  Therefore,fromjobtojobI’vemovedalong。