Howshallsheknowtheworshipwewoulddoher？
Thewallsarehigh，andsheisveryfar。
Howshallthewoman’smessagereachuntoherAbovethetumultofthepackedbazaar？
FreewindofMarch，againstthelatticeblowing，Bearthouourthanks，lestshedepartunknowing。
Goforthacrossthefieldswemaynotroamin，Goforthbeyondthetreesthatrimthecity，Towhatsoe’erfairplaceshehathherhomein，Whodowereduswithwalthofloveandpity。
Outofourshadowpass，andseekhersinging——
“IhavenogiftsbutLovealoneforbringing。”
Saythatwebeafeeblefolkwhogreether，Butoldingrief，andverywiseintears；
Saythatwe，beingdesolate，entreatherThatsheforgetusnotinafteryears；
Forwehaveseenthelight，anditweregrievousTodimthatdawningifourladyleaveus。
BylifethatebbedwithnonetostanchthefailingByLove’ssadharvestgarneredinthespring，WhenLoveinignoranceweptunavailingO’eryoungbudsdeadbeforetheirblossoming；
Byallthegreyowlwatched，thepalemoonviewed，Inpastgrimyears，declareourgratitude！
ByhandsupliftedtotheGodsthatheardnot，Byfitsthatfoundnofavorintheirsight，Byfacesbentabovethebabethatstirrednot，Bynamelesshorrorsofthestiflingnight；
Byillsforedone，bypeacehertoilsdiscover，BidEarthbegoodbeneathandHeavenaboveher！
IfshehavesentherservantsinourpainIfshehavefoughtwithDeathanddulledhissword；
Ifshehavegivenbackoursickagain。
Andtothebreastthewaklinglipsrestored，Isitalittlethingthatshehaswrought？
ThenLifeandDeathandMotherhoodbenought。
Goforth，Owind，ourmessageonthywings，Andtheyshallheartheepassandbidtheespeed，Inreed-roofedhut，orwhite-walledhomeofkings，Whohavebeenhelpenbytherintheirneed。
Allspringshallgivetheefragrance，andthewheatShallbeatasselledfloorclothtothyfeet。
Haste，forourheartsarewiththee，takenorest！
Loud-voicedambassador，fromseatoseaProclaimtheblessing，mainfold，confessed。
Ofthoseindarknessbyherhandsetfree。
Thenverysoftlytoherpresencemove，Andwhisper：“Lady，lo，theyknowandlove！”
ABALLADOFJAKKOHILL
Onemomentbidthehorseswait，Sincetiffinisnotlaidtillthree，BelowtheupwardpathandstraightYouclimbedayearagowithme。
LovecameuponussuddenlyAndloosed——anidlehourtokill——
Aheadless，armlessarmoryThatsmoteusbothonJakkoHill。
AhHeaven！wewouldwaitandwaitThroughTimeandtoEternity！
AhHeaven！wecouldconquerFateWithmorethanGodlikeconstancyIcutthedateuponatree——
Herestandtheclumsyfiguresstill：
DampwiththemistofJakkoHill。
Whatcameofhighresolveandgreat，AnduntilDeathfidelity！
Whosehorseiswaitingatyourgate？
Whose’rickshaw-wheelsrideoverme？
NoSaint’s，Iswear；and——letmeseeTo-nightwhatnamesyourprogrammefill
Wedriftasundermerrily，AsdriftsthemistonJakkoHill。
Princess，beholdourancientstateHascleandeparted；andwesee’TwasIdlenesswetookforFateThatboundlightbondsonyouandme。
Amen！HereendsthecomedyWhereitbeganinallgoodwill；
SinceLoveandLeavetogetherfleeAsdrivenmistonJakkoHill！
THEPLEAOFTHESIMLADANCERS
Toolate，alas！thesongToremedythewrong；——
Theroomsaretakenfromus，sweptandgarnishedfortheirfate。
Butthesetear-besprinkledpagesShallattesttofutureagesThatwecriedagainstthecrimeofit——
toolate，alas！toolate！
“Whathaveweeverdonetobearthisgrudge？”
WastherenoroomsaveonlyinBenmoreFordocket，duftar，andforofficedrudge，Thatyouusurpoursmoothestdancingfloor？
Mustbabusdotheirworkonpolishedteak？
Areball-roomsfittestfortheinkyouspill？
Wastherenoothercheaperhousetoseek？
YoumighthaveleftthemallatStrawberryHill。
Weneverharmedyou！Innocentourguise，Daintyourshiningfeet，ourvoiceslow；
Andwerevolvedtodiversmelodies，Andwewerehappybutayearago。
To-night，themoonthatwatchedourlightsomewiles——
Thatbeameduponusthroughthedeodars——
Iswanwithgazingonofficialfiles，Anddesecratingdesksdisgustthestars。
Nay！bythememoryoftunefulnights——
Nay！bythewitcheryofflyingfeet——
Nay！bytheglamourofforedonedelights——
Byallthingsmerry，musical，andmeet——
Bywinethatsparkled，andbysparklingeyes——
Bywailingwaltz——byrecklessgallop’sstrain——
Bydimverandasandbysoftreplies，Giveusourravishedball-roombackagain！
Or——hearkentothecursewelayonyou！
Theghostsofwaltzesshallperplexyourbrain，AndmurmursofpastmerrimentpursueYour’wilderedclerksthattheyinditeinvain；
AndwhenyoucountyourpoorProvincialmillions，TheonlyfiguresthatyourpenshallframeShallbethefiguresofdear，dearcotillionsDancedoutintumultlongbeforeyoucame。
Yea！“SeeSaw“shallupsetyourestimates，“DreamFaces“shallyourheavyheadsbemuse，Becauseyourhand，unheeding，desecratesOurtemple；fitforhigher，worthieruse。
Andallthelongverandas，eloquentWithechoesofascoreofSimlayears，Shallplagueyouwithunbiddensentiment——
Babblingofkisses，laughter，love，andtears。
Soshallyoumazedamidoldmemoriesstand，Soshallyoutoil，andshallaccomplishnought，AndeverinyourearsaphantomBandShallblareawaythestaidofficialthought。
Wherefore——anderethisawfulcursehespoken，Castoutyourswarthysacrilegioustrain，Andgive——eredancingceaseandheartsbebroken——
Giveusourravishedball-roombackagain！
THEBALLADOFFISHER’SBOARDING-HOUSE
Thatnight，whenthroughthemooring-chainsThewide-eyedcorpserolledfree，ToblunderdownbyGardenReachAndrotatKedgeree，ThetaletheHughlitoldtheshoalTheleanshoaltoldtome。
’TwasFultahFisher’sboarding-house，Wheresailor-menreside，AndthereweremenofalltheportsFromMississiptoClyde，Andregallytheyspatandsmoked，Andfearsomelytheylied。
TheyliedaboutthepurpleSeaThatgavethemscantybread，TheyliedabouttheEarthbeneath，TheHeavensoverhead，FortheyhadlookedtoooftenonBlackrumwhenthatwasred。
Theytoldtheirtalesofwreckandwrong，Ofshameandlustandfraud，TheybackedtheirtougheststatementswithTheBrimstoneoftheLord，AndcracklingoathswenttoandfroAcrossthefist-bangedboard。
AndtherewasHanstheblue-eyedDane，Bull-throated，bareofarm，WhocarriedonhishairychestThemaidUltruda’scharm——
ThelittlesilvercrucifixThatkeepsamanfromharm。
AndtherewasJakeWithouth-the-Ears，AndPambatheMalay，AndCarboyGintheGuineacook，AndLuzfromVigoBay，AndHonestJackwhosoldthemslopsAndharvestedtheirpay。
AndtherewasSalemHardieker，AleanBostonianhe——
Russ，German，English，Halfbreed，Finn，Yank，Dane，andPortuguee，AtFultahFisher’sboarding-houseTherestedfromthesea。
NowAnneofAustriasharedtheirdrinks，Collingaknewherfame，FromTarnauinGaliciaToJuanBazaarshecame，ToeatthebreadofinfamyAndtakethewageofshame。
Sheheldadozenmentoheel——
Richspoilofwarwashers，Inhoseandgownandringandchain，Fromtwentymariners，And，byPortLaw，thatweek，mencalledherSalemHardieker’s。
Butseamenlearnt——whatlandsmenknow——
ThatneithergiftsnorgainCanholdawinkingLighto’LoveOrFancy’sflightrestrain，WhenAnneofAustriarolledhereyesOnHanstheblue-eyedDane。
SinceLifeisstrife，andstrifemeansknife，FromHowrahtotheBay，AndhemaydiebeforethedawnWholiquoredouttheday，InFultahFisher’sboarding-houseWewoowhileyetwemay。
ButcoldwasHanstheblue-eyedDane，Bull-throated，bareofarm，AndlaughtershookthechestbeneathThemaidUltruda’scharm——
ThelittlesilvercrucifixThatkeepsamanfromharm。
“YouspeaktoSalemHardieker；
“Youwashisgirl，Iknow。
“Ishipmineselfsto-morrow，see，“UndroundtheSkawwego，“South，downtheCattegat，byHjelm，“ToBesserinSaro。”
Whenloverejectedturnstohate，Allillbetidetheman。
“YouspeaktoSalemHardieker“——
Shespokeaswomancan。
Ascream——asob——“Hecalledme——names！”
Andthenthefraybegan。
AnoathfromSalemHardieker，Ashriekuponthestairs，Adanceofshadowsonthewall，Aknife-thrustunawares——
AndHanscamedown，ascattledrop，Acrossthebrokenchairs。
*
InAnneofAustria’stremblinghandsThewearyheadfelllow：——
“Ishipmineselfsto-morrow，straight“ForBesserinSaro；
“UndthereUltrudacomestome“AtEaster，undIgo“South，downtheCattegat——What’shere？
“There——are——no——lights——toguide！”
Themutterceased，thespiritpassed，AndAnneofAustriacriedInFultahFisher’sboarding-houseWhenHansthemightydied。
ThusslewtheyHanstheblue-eyedDane，Bull-throated，bareofarm，ButAnneofAustrialootedfirstThemaidUltruda’scharm——
ThelittlesilvercrucifixThatkeepsamanfromharm。
ASTHEBELLCLINKS
AsIlefttheHallsatLumley，rosethevisionofacomelyMaidlastseasonworshippeddumbly，watchedwithfervorfromafar；
AndIwonderedidly，blindly，ifthemaidwouldgreetmekindly。
Thatwasall——therestwassettledbytheclinkingtonga-bar。
Yea，mylifeandherswerecoupledbythetongacoupling-bar。
Formymistymeditation，atthesecondchangin-station，Sufferedsuddendislocation，fledbeforethetunelessjarOfaWagnerobbligato，scherzo，doublehandstaccato，Playedoneitherpony’ssaddlebytheclackingtonga-bar——
Playedwithhumanspeech，Ifancied，bythejigging，joltingbar。
“Shewassweet。”thoughtI，“lastseason，but’tweresurelywildunreasonSuchtinyhopetofreezeonaswasofferedbymyStar，Whenshewhispered，somethingsadly：’I——wefeelyourgoingbadly！’“
“Andyouletthechanceescapeyou？”rappedtherattlingtonga-bar。
“Whatachanceandwhatanidiot！”clickedthevicioustonga-bar。
Heartofman——oh，heartofputty！HadIgonebyKakahutti，OntheoldHill-roadandrutty，Ihad’scapedthatfatalcar。
Buthisfortuneeachmustbideby，soIwatchedthemilestonesslideby，To“YoucallonHerto-morrow！”——fuguewithcymbalsbythebar——
YoumustcallonHerto-morrow！”——post-horngallopbythebar。
Yetafurtherstagemygoalon——wewerewhirlingdowntoSolon，Withadoublelurchandrollon，bestfootforemost，ganzundgar——
“Shewasverysweet。”Ihinted“Ifakisshadbeenimprinted？”——
“’Wouldha’savedaworldoftrouble！”clashedthebusytonga-bar。
“’Beenacceptedorrejected！”bangedandclangedthetonga-bar。
Thenanotionwildanddaring，’spitetheincometax’sparing，Andahastythoughtofsharing——lessthanmanyincomesare，Mademeputaquestionprivate，youcanguesswhatIwoulddriveat。