第1章
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  IntroductionBALLADESINBLUECHINA。

  BalladeofTheocritusBalladeofCleopatra’sNeedleBalladeofRouletteBalladeofSleepBalladeoftheMidnightForestBalladeoftheTweedBalladeoftheBook—hunterBalladeoftheVoyagetoCytheraBalladeoftheSummerTermBalladeoftheMuseBalladeagainsttheJesuitsBalladeofDeadCitiesBalladeoftheRoyalGameofGolfDoubleBalladeofPrimitiveManBalladeofAutumnBalladeofTrueWisdomBalladeofWorldlyWealthBalladeofLifeBalladeofBlueChinaBalladeofDeadLadiesVillon’sBalladeofGoodCounselBalladeoftheBookwormValentineinformofBalladeBalladeofOldPlaysBalladeofhisBooksBalladeoftheDreamBalladeoftheSouthernCrossBalladeofAucassinBalladeAmoureuseBalladeofQueenAnneBalladeofBlindLoveBalladeofhisChoiceofaSepulchreDizainVERSESANDTRANSLATIONS。

  APortraitof1783

  TheMoon’sMinionInIthacaHomerTheBurialofMoliereBionSpringBeforetheSnowVillanelleNaturalTheologyTheOdysseyIdealTheFairy’sGiftBenedettaRamusPartantpourlaScribieSt。AndrewsBayWomanandtheWeed\"Rondeaux,BALLADES,Chansonsdizains,proposmenus,Comptemoyqu’ilssontdevenuz:

  Sefaictilplusriendenouveau?\"

  CLEMENTMAROT,DialoguededeuxAmoureux。

  \"Iloveaballadbuteventoowell;ifitbedolefulmatter,merrilysetdown,oraverypleasantthingindeed,andsunglamentably。\"

  AWinter’sTale,Activ。sc。3。

  INTRODUCTION

  Thirtyyearshavepassed,likeawatchinthenight,sincetheearlierofthetwosetsofversesherereprinted,BalladesinBlueChina,waspublished。Atfirsttherewerebuttwenty—twoBallades;

  tenmorewereaddedlater。Theyappearedinalittlewhitevellumwrapper,withalittleblueChinesesingercopiedfromaporcelainjar;andthefrontispiecewasalittledesignbyanetchernowfamous。

  Thirtyyearsagobluechinawasakindoffetishinsomecircles,aestheticcircles,ofwhichtheballadistwasnotamember。

  TheballadewasanoldFrenchformofverse,inFrancerevivedbyTheodoredeBanville,andrestoredtoanEnglandwhichhadlongforgottentheMiddleAges,bymyfriendsMr。AustinDobsonandMr。

  EdmundGosse。They,sofarasIcantrustmymemory,werethefirsttoreintroducethesepleasantoldFrenchnugae,whileananonymousauthorletlooseuponthetownawholewingedflockofballadesofamazingdexterity。ThisunknownballadistwasMr。Henley;perhapshewasthefirstEnglishmanwhoeverburstintoadoubleballade,andhistranslationsoftwoofVillon’sballadesintomodernthieves’slangweremarvelsofdexterity。Mr。Swinburnewroteaseriousballade,buttheform,Iventuretothink,isnot’whollyserious,’ofitsnature,inmoderndays;andhedidnotpersevere。

  Nordidthetasteforthesetrifleslongendure。Agoodballadeisalmostasrareasagoodsonnet,butamiddlingballadeisalmostaseasilywrittenasthemajorityofsonnets。Eitherformreadilybecomesmechanical,cheapandfacile。IhaveheardMr。GeorgeMeredithimproviseasonnet,aPetrarchiansonnet,obedienttotherules,withoutpenandpaper。Hespoke’andthenumberscame’;hesonnetedaseasilyasalivingpoet,inhisEtondays,improvisedLatinelegiacsandGreekhexameters。

  Thesonnetendures。Mr。HoraceHutchinsonwrotesomewhere:\"Whenyouhavereadasonnet,youfeelthatthoughtheredoesnotseemtobemuchofit,youhavedoneagooddeal,aswhenyouhaveeatenacoldhard—boiledegg。\"Stillpeoplekeeponwritingsonnets,becausethesonnetiswhollyserious。InanEnglishsonnetyoucannoteasilybeflippantofpen。Afewgreatpoetshavewrittenimmortalsonnets——amongthemareMilton,Wordsworth,andKeats。

  Thusthesonnetisathingwhicheverypoetthinksitworthwhiletotryat;likeFelixArvers,hemaybemadeimmortalbyasinglesonnet。EvenIhavewrittenonetoomany!Everyanthologistwantstoanthologiseit(TheOdyssey);itneverwasafavouriteofmyown,thoughithadthehonourtobekindlyspokenofbyMr。MatthewArnold。

  Ontheotherhand,nomansinceFrancoisVillonhasbeenimmortalisedbyasingleballade——Maisousontlesneigesd’antan?

  Tospeakinanydetailaboutthesepoorballadeswouldbetoinditeapartofanautobiography。Lookingbackatthelittlebook,’whatmemoriesitstirs’inonetowhom’Fatehasdonethiswrong,ThatIshouldwritetoomuchandlivetoolong。’

  TheBalladeoftheTweed,andtheRhymesalaMode,werededicatedtothedearestofkinsmen,acricketerandangler。TheBalladeofRoulettewasinscribedtoR。R。,agallantveteranoftheIndianMutiny,aleaderofLightHorse,whosefatherwasafriendofSirWalterScott。HewashimselfaBorderer,inwhosedefeatsonthegreenfieldofRouletteIoftenshared,long,longago。

  Somanyhavegone’intotheworldoflight’thatitisahappinesstothinkofhimtowhomTheBalladeofGolfwasdedicated,andtorememberthatheisstillcapableofscoringhisdoublecenturyatcricket,andofliftingtheballhighoverthetreesbeyondtheboundariesofagreatcricket—field。PerhapsMr。LeslieBalfour—

  Melvillewillpardonmeformentioninghisname,linkedasitiswithsomanycommonmemories。’Oneistakenandanotherleft。’

  AdifferentsortofmemoryattachesitselftoABalladeofDeadCities。ItwaswritteninaTheocriteanamoebeanway,incompetitionwithMr。EdmundGosse;heneednotbeashamedofthecircumstance,foranothershepherd,whowasumpire,awardedtheprize(twokidsjustseveredfromtheirdams)tohisvictoriousmuse。

  TheBalladeoftheMidnightForest,theBalladeoftheHuntressArtemis,wastranslatedfromTheodoredeBanville,whosebeautifulpoemcamesoneartheGreek,thatwhenthelateProvostofOrieltranslatedapartofitsEnglishshadowintoGreekhexameters,youmightsuppose,asyouread,thattheywerepartofalostHomericHymn。

  Ineverwroteadoubleballade,andstanzasfourandfiveoftheDoubleBalladeofPrimitiveManwerecontributedbythelearneddoyenofAnthropology,Mr。E。B。Tylor,authorofPrimitiveCulture。

  Atoutseigneurtouthonneur!

  InBalladeofhisChoiceofaSepulchre,theWindburgisahillinTeviotdale。APortraitof1783waswrittenonaFrenchengravingafterMorland,andBenedettaRamuswasaddressedtoamezzotint(anartist’sproof,’veryrare’)。ItisafterRomneyandis’MyBeauty,’asCharlesLambsaid(once,unluckily,toaScot)ofanengraving,afterLionardo,ofsomefairdeadlady。

  Thesonnet,NaturalTheology,isthegermofwhattheauthorhassincewritten,inTheMakingofReligion,onthelongneglectedfactthatmanyofthelowestsavagesknownsharethebeliefinabenevolentAllFatherandJudgeofmen。

  ConcerningversesinRhymesalaMode,visitorstoSt。AndrewsmaybewarnednottovisitSt。Leonard’sChapel,describedinthesecondstanzaofAlmaeMatres。Inthewriter’syouth,andeveninmiddleage,HeloiteredidlywherethetallFresh—buddedmountain—ashesblowWithinitsdesecratedwall。

  Theoncebeautifulruinscarpetedwithgrassandwildflowershavebeendoublydesecratedbypersons,academicpersons,havingauthorityandaplentifullackoftaste。Theslimmountain—ashes,fairastheyoungpalm—treethatOdysseussawbesidetheshrineofApolloinDelos,havebeencutdownbytheacademicpersonstowhompowerisgiven。Thegrassandflowershavebeenrootedup。Hideouslittlewoodenfencesenclosethegraveslabs:aroofofamassivekindhasbeendumpeddownontheoldwalls,andthewindows,oncesogracefulintheirairylines,havebeenglazedinahorriblemanner,whiletheuglyirongateprecludesentrancetoashrinewhichisnowablackanddismaldungeon。

  \"Oh,bethatroofasleadtoleadAbovethedullRestorer’shead,AMinstrel’smalisonissaid!\"

  NotesexplanatoryareaddedtotheRhymes,andtheirinformation,howevervaluable,neednothereberepeated。

  ABALLADEOFXXXIIBALLADES。

  Friend,whenyoubearacare—dulledeye,Andbrowperplexedwiththingsofweight,AndfainwouldbidsomecharmuntieThebondsthatholdyoualltoostrait,Beholdasolacetoyourfate,Wrappedinthiscover’schinablue;

  Theseballadesfreshanddelicate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two!

  Themind,unwearied,longstoflyAndcommunewiththewiseandgreat;

  Butthatsameether,rareandhigh,Whichglorifiesitsworthymate,Tobreathforspentisdisparate:

  Laughingandlightandairy—newThesecometoticklethedullpate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。

  Mostwelcomethen,whenyouandI,Forestallingdaysformirthtoolate,ToquipsandcranksandfantasySomechoicehalf—hourdedicate,TheyweavetheirdancewithmeasuredrateOfrhymesenlinkedinorderdue,Tillfrownsrelaxandcaresabate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。

  ENVOY。

  Princes,oftoysthatpleaseyourstateQuainteraresurelynonetoviewThanthesewhichpasswithtrippinggait,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。

  F。P。

  TO

  AUSTINDOBSON。

  UnLivreestunamiquichange——quelquefois。

  1880。

  1888

  BALLADETOTHEOCRITUS,INWINTER。

  [Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]

  Id。viii。56。

  Ah!leavethesmoke,thewealth,theroarOfLondon,andthebustlingstreet,Forstill,bytheSicilianshore,ThemurmuroftheMuseissweet。

  Still,still,thesunsofsummergreetThemountain—graveofHelike,AndshepherdsstilltheirsongsrepeatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea。

  WhatthoughtheyworshipPannomore,Thatguardedoncetheshepherd’sseat,Theychatteroftheirrusticlore,Theywatchthewindamongthewheat:

  Cicalaschirp,theyounglambsbleat,Wherewhisperspinetocypresstree;

  TheycountthewavesthatidlybeatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea。

  Theocritus!thoucanstrestoreThepleasantyears,andover—fleet;

  Withtheeweliveasmenofyore,Werestwhererunningwatersmeet:

  AndthenweturnunwillingfeetAndseektheworld——somustitbe—

  WEmaynotlingerintheheatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea!

  ENVOY。

  Master,——whenrain,andsnow,andsleetAndnorthernwindsarewild,totheeWecome,werestinthyretreat,WherebreakstheblueSiciliansea!

  BALLADEOFCLEOPATRA’SNEEDLE。

  YegiantshadesofRAandTUM,YeghostsofgodsEgyptian,IfmurmursofourplanetcomeToexilesintheprecinctswanWhere,fetishorOlympian,Tohelporharmnomoreyelist,Lookdown,iflookyemay,andscanThismonumentinLondonmist!

  Behold,thehieroglyphsaredumbThatoncewerereadofhimthatranWhenseistron,cymbal,trump,anddrumWildmusicoftheBullbegan;

  WhenthroughthechantingpriestlyclanWalk’dRamses,andthehighsunkiss’dThisstone,withblessingscoredandban—

  ThismonumentinLondonmist。

  Thestoneenduresthoughgodsbenumb;

  Thoughhumaneffort,plot,andplanBesifted,drifted,likethesumOfsandsinwastesArabian。

  Whatkingmaydeemhimmorethanman,WhatpriestsaysFaithcanTimeresistWhileTHISendurestomarktheirspan—

  ThismonumentinLondonmist?

  ENVOY。

  Prince,thestone’sshadeonyourdivanFalls;itislongerthanyewist:

  Itpreaches,asTime’sgnomoncan,ThismonumentinLondonmist!

  BALLADEOFROULETTE。

  TOR。R。

  Thislife——onewasthinkingto—day,Inthemidstofamedleyoffancies—

  Isagame,andtheboardwhereweplayGreenearthwithherpoppiesandpansies。

  Letmanquebefadedromances,Bepasseremorseandregret;

  Heartsdancewiththewheelasitdances—

  ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette。

  TheloverwillstakeashemayHisheartonhisPeggiesandNancies;

  Thegirlhasherbeautytolay;

  Thesainthashisprayersandhistrances;

  ThepoetbetsendlessexpansesInDreamland;thescamphashisdebt:

  Howtheygazeatthewheelasitglances—

  ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette!

  TheKaiserwillstakehisarrayOfsabres,ofKrupps,andoflances;

  AnEnglishmanpuntswithhispay,AndglorythejetonofFranceis;

  Yourartists,orWhistlersorVances,Havevoicesorcolourstobet;

  Willyoumoanthatitsmotionaskanceis—

  ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette?

  ENVOY。

  Theprizethatthepleasureenhances?

  Theprizeis——atlasttoforgetThechanges,thechops,andthechances—

  ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette。

  BALLADEOFSLEEP。

  Thehoursarepassingslow,IheartheirwearytreadClangfromthetower,andgoBacktotheirkinsfolkdead。

  Sleep!death’stwinbrotherdread!

  Whydostthouscornmeso?

  Thewind’svoiceoverheadLongwakefulhereIknow,AndmusicfromthesteepWherewatersfallandflow。

  Wiltthounothearsue,Sleep?

  AllsoundsthatmightbestowRestonthefever’dbed,Allslumb’roussoundsandlowAremingledhereandwed,Andbringnodrowsihed。

  ShydreamsflittoandfroWithshadowyhairdispread;

  Withwistfuleyesthatglow,Andsilentrobesthatsweep。

  Thouwiltnothearme;no?

  Wiltthounothearme,Sleep?

  WhatcausehastthoutoshowOfsacrificeunsped?

  OfallthyslavesbelowImosthavelabouredWithservicesungandsaid;

  Havecull’dsuchbudsasblow,Softpoppieswhiteandred,Wherethystillgardensgrow,AndLethe’swatersweep。

  Why,then,artthoumyfoe?

  Wiltthounothearme,Sleep?

  ENVOY。

  Prince,erethedarkbeshredBygoldenshafts,erenowAndlongtheshadowscreep:

  Lordofthewandoflead,Soft—footedasthesnow,Wiltthounothearme,Sleep!

  BALLADEOFTHEMIDNIGHTFOREST。

  AFTERTHEODOREDEBANVILLE。

  Stillsingthemockingfairies,asofold,Beneaththeshadeofthornandholly—tree;

  Thewestwindbreathesuponthem,pureandcold,AndwolvesstilldreadDianaroamingfreeInsecretwoodlandwithhercompany。

  ’Tisthoughtthepeasants’hovelsknowherriteWhennowthewoldsarebathedinsilverlight,Andfirstthemoonrisebreakstheduskygrey,Thendownthedells,withblownsofthairandbright,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。

  Withwater—weedstwinedintheirlocksofgoldThestrangecoldforest—fairiesdanceinglee,Sylphsover—timorousandover—boldHauntthedarkhollowswherethedwarfmaybe,Thewildreddwarf,thenixies’enemy;

  Then’midtheirmirth,andlaughter,andaffright,ThesuddenGoddessenters,tallandwhite,Withonelongsighforsummerspass’daway;

  TheswiftfeetteartheivynetsoutrightAndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。

  Shegleanshersilvantrophies;downthewoldShehearsthesobbingofthestagsthatfleeMixedwiththemusicofthehuntingroll’d,Butherdelightisallinarchery,AndnaughtofruthandpitywottethsheMorethanherhoundsthatfollowontheflight;

  ThegoddessdrawsagoldenbowofmightAndthicksherainsthegentleshaftsthatslay。

  Shetosseslooseherlocksuponthenight,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。

  ENVOY。

  Prince,letusleavethedin,thedust,thespite,Thegloomandglareoftowns,theplague,theblight:

  AmidtheforestleavesandfountainsprayThereisthemystichomeofourdelight,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。

  BALLADEOFTHETWEED。

  (LOWLANDSCOTCH。)

  TOT。W。LANG。

  TheferoxrinsinroughLochAwe,Awearycryfraeonytoun;

  TheSpey,thatloupso’erlinnandfa’,Theypraisea’itherstreamsaboon;

  Theyboasttheirbraeso’bonnyDoon:

  GieMEtoheartheringingreel,Whereshilfassing,andcushatscroonByfairTweed—side,atAshiesteel!

  There’sEttrick,Meggat,Ail,anda’,WheretroutswimthickinMayandJune;

  Ye’llseethemtakeinshowerso’snawSomeblinking,cauldrifeAprilnoon:

  Raxowerthepalmerandmarch—broun,Andsynewe’llshowabonnycreel,Inspringorsimmer,lateorsoon,ByfairTweed—side,atAshiesteel!

  There’smonyawater,greatorsma’,Gaessinginginhissillertune,Throughglenandheugh,andhopeandshaw,Beneaththesun—lichtorthemoon:

  Butsetusinourfishing—shoonBetweentheCaddon—burnandPeel,Andsynewe’llcrosstheheatherbrounByfairTweed—sideatAshiesteel!

  ENVOY。

  Deiltakethedirty,tradingloonWadgarthewaterca’hiswheel,AnddrifthisdyesandpoisonsdounByfairTweed—sideatAshiesteel!

  BALLADEOFTHEBOOK—HUNTER。

  IntorridheatsoflateJuly,InMarch,beneaththebitterbise,Hebook—huntswhiletheloungersfly,—

  Hebook—hunts,thoughDecemberfreeze;

  Inbreechesbaggyattheknees,Andheedlessofthepublicjeers,Forthese,forthese,hehoardshisfees,—

  Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs。

  Nodismalstallescapeshiseye,Heturnso’ertomesoflowdegrees,Theresoiledromanticistsmaylie,OrRestorationcomedies;

  EachtractthatfluttersinthebreezeForhimischargedwithhopesandfears,InmouldynovelsfancyseesAldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs。

  Withrestlesseyesthatpeerandspy,Sadeyesthatheednotskiesnortrees,Indismalnookshelovestopry,WhosemottoevermoreisSpes!

  Butah!thefabledtreasureflees;

  Grownrarerwiththefleetingyears,Inrichmen’sshelvestheytaketheirease,—

  Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs!

  ENVOY。

  Prince,allthethingsthatteaseandplease,—

  Fame,hope,wealth,kisses,cheers,andtears,Whataretheybutsuchtoysasthese—

  Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs?

  BALLADEOFTHEVOYAGETOCYTHERA。

  AFTERTHEODOREDEBANVILLE。

  IknowCytheralongisdesolate;

  Iknowthewindshavestripp’dthegardensgreen。

  Alas,myfriends!beneaththefiercesun’sweightAbarrenreeflieswhereLove’sflowershavebeen,Noreverloveronthatcoastisseen!

  Sobeit,butweseekafabledshore,Tolullourvaguedesireswithmysticlore,TowanderwhereLove’slabyrinthsbeguile;

  Thereletusland,theredreamforevermore:

  \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle。\"

  Theseamaybeoursepulchre。IfFate,Iftempestswreaktheirwrathonus,sereneWewatchtheboltofheaven,andscornthehateOfangrygodsthatsmiteusintheirspleen。

  PerchancethejealousmistsarebutthescreenThatveilsthefairycoastwewouldexplore。

  Come,thoughtheseabevex’d,andbreakersroar,Come,fortheairofthisoldworldisvile,Hastewe,andtoil,andfaintnotattheoar;

  \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle。\"

  GreyserpentstrailintemplesdesecrateWhereCyprissmiled,thegoldenmaid,thequeen,Andruinedisthepalaceofourstate;

  ButhappyLovesflitroundthemast,andkeenTheshrillwindsingsthesilkencordsbetween。

  Heroesarewe,withweariedheartsandsore,Whoseflowerisfadedandwhoselocksarehoar,Yethaste,lightskiffs,wheremyrtlethicketssmile;

  Love’spantherssleep’midroses,asofyore:

  \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle!\"

  ENVOY。

  Sadeyes!thebluesealaughs,asheretofore。

  Ah,singingbirdsyourhappymusicpour!

  Ah,poets,leavethesordidearthawhile;

  Flittotheseancientgodswestilladore:

  \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle!\"

  BALLADEOFTHESUMMERTERM。

  (BeingaPetition,intheformofaBallade,prayingtheUniversityCommissionerstosparetheSummerTerm。)

  WhenLentandResponsionsareended,WhenMaywithfritillarieswaits,Whentheflowerofthechestnutissplendid,Whendragsareatallofthegates(Thosedragsthephilosopher\"slates\"

  Withascornthatistrulysublime),{1}

  LifewinsfromthegraspoftheFatesSweethoursandthefleetestoftime!

  Whenwicketsarebowl’danddefended,WhenIsisisgladwith\"theEights,\"

  Whenmusicandsunsetareblended,WhenYouthandthesummeraremates,WhenFreshmenareheedlessof\"Greats,\"

  Andwhennote—booksarecover’dwithrhyme,Ah,thesearethehoursthatonerates—

  Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime!

  WhenthebrowoftheDeanisunbendedAtluncheonsandmildtete—a—tetes,WhentheTutor’sinlove,noroffendedByblundersintensesordates;

  WhenbouquetsarepurchasedofBates,Whenthebellsintheirmelodychime,WhenunheededtheLecturerprates—

  Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime!

  ENVOY。

  ReformersofSchoolsandofStates,Ismirthsotremendousacrime?

  Ah!sparewhatgrimpedantryhates—

  Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime!

  BALLADEOFTHEMUSE

  Quemtu,Melpomene,semel。

  Themanwhomonce,Melpomene,Thoulook’stonwithbenignantsight,ShallneverattheIsthmusbeAboxereminentinfight,NorfaresheforemostintheflightOfGreciancarstovictory,NorgoeswithDelianlaurelsdight,Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene!

  NothimtheCapitolshallsee,Aswhohathcrush’dthethreatsandmightOfmonarchs,marchtriumphantly;

  ButFameshallcrownhim,inhisrightOfalltheRomanlyrethatsmiteThefirst;sowoodsofTivoliProclaimhim,soherwatersbright,Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene!

  ThesonsofqueenlyRomecountME,Metoo,withthemwhosechantsdelight,—

  Thepoets’kindlycompany;

  Nowbrokenisthetoothofspite,Butthou,thattemperestarightThegoldenlyre,all,alltotheeHeowes——life,fame,andfortune’sheight—

  Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene!

  ENVOY。

  Queen,thattomutelipscould’stuniteThewildswan’sdyingmelody!

  Thygifts,ah!howshallherequite—

  Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene?

  BALLADEAGAINSTTHEJESUITS。

  AFTERLAFONTAINE。

  RomedoesrightwelltocensureallthevainTalkofJansenius,andofthemwhopreachThatearthlyjoysaredamnable!’TisplainWeneednotchargeatHeavenasatabreach;

  No,ambleon!We’llgainit,oneandall;

  Thenarrowpath’sadreamfantastical,AndArnauld’squitesuperfluouslydrivenMirthfromtheworld。We’llscaletheheavenlywall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven!

  HedoesnotholdamanmaywellbeslainWhovexeswithunseasonablespeech,YouMAYdomurderforfiveducatsgain,NOTforapin,aribbon,orapeach;

  Heventures(mostconsistently)toteachThattherearecertaincasesthatbefallWhenperjuryneednogoodmanappal,Andlifeoflove(hesays)maykeepaleaven。

  Sure,hearingthis,agratefulworldwillbawl,\"Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven!\"

  \"ForGod’ssakereadmesomewhatinthestrainOfhismostcheeringvolumes,Ibeseech!\"

  WhyshouldInamethemall?amightytrain—

  Somany,nonemayknowthenameofeach。

  Maketheseyourcompasstotheheavenlybeach,Theseonlyinyourlibraryinstal:

  BurnPascalandhisfellows,greatandsmall,DoltsthatinvainwithEscobarhavestriven;

  Itellyou,andthecommonvoicedothcall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven!

  ENVOY。

  SATAN,thatpridedidhurrytothyfall,Thouporterofthegriminfernalhall—

  Thoukeeperofthecourtsofsoulsunshriven!

  Toshunthyshafts,to’scapethyhellishthrall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven!

  BALLADEOFDEADCITIES。

  TOE。W。GOSSE。

  ThedustofCarthageandthedustOfBabelonthedesertwold,ThelovesofCorinth,andthelust,Orchomenosincreasedwithgold;

  ThetownofJason,over—bold,AndCherson,smitteninherprime—

  Whataretheybutadreamhalf—told?

  Wherearethecitiesofoldtime?

  Intownsthatwereakingdom’strust,IndimAtlanticforests’fold,Themarblewastethtoacrust,Thegranitecrumblesintomould;

  O’erthese——leftnamelessfromofold—

  AsoverShinar’sbrickandslime,Onevastforgetfulnessisroll’d—

  Wherearethecitiesofoldtime?

  Thelapseofages,andtherust,Thefire,thefrost,thewaterscold,Effacetheevilandthejust;

  FromThebes,thatEriphylesold,Todrown’dCaer—Is,whosesweetbellstoll’dBeneaththewaveadreamychimeThatecho’dfromthemountain—hold,—

  \"Wherearethecitiesofoldtime?\"

  ENVOY。

  Prince,allthytownsandcitiesmustDecayasthese,tillalltheircrime,Andmirth,andwealth,andtoilarethrustWherearethecitiesofoldtime。

  BALLADEOFTHEROYALGAMEOFGOLF。

  (EASTFIFESHIRE。)

  Thereareladdieswilldriveyeaba’

  Totheburnfraethefarthermosttee,Butyemaunathinkdrivingisa’,Yemayheelher,andsendherajee,Yemaylandinthesandorthesea;

  Andye’redune,sir,ye’renoworthapreen,Tak’thewordthatanauldman’llgie,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen!

  Theauldfolkarecrouse,andtheycrawThattheirputtingispawkyandslee;

  Inabunkerthey’renaegudeava’,Buttogirn,andtogarthesandflee。

  Andalassiecanputt——onyshe,—

  BesheMaggy,orBessie,orJean,Butacleek—shot’sthebillyforme,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen!

  Ihaeplay’dinthefrostandthethaw,Ihaeplay’dsincetheyearthirty—three,Ihaeplay’dintherainandthesnaw,AndItrustImayplaytillIdee;

  AndItellyethetruthandnaelee,ForIspeako’thethingIhaeseen—

  TomMorris,Iken,willagree—

  Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen!

  ENVOY。

  Prince,faithyou’reimprovingawee,And,Lord,man,theytellmeyou’rekeen;

  Tak’thebesto’advicethatcanbe,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen!

  DOUBLEBALLADEOFPRIMITIVEMAN。

  TOJ。A。FARRER。

  Helivedinacavebytheseas,Heliveduponoystersandfoes,Buthislistofforbiddendegrees,Anextensivemoralityshows;

  GeologicalevidencegoesToprovehehadneverapan,Butheshavedwithashellwhenhechose,—

  ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan。

  Heworshipp’dtherainandthebreeze,Heworshipp’dtheriverthatflows,AndtheDawn,andtheMoon,andthetrees,Andbogies,andserpents,andcrows;

  HeburiedhisdeadwiththeirtoesTucked—up,anoriginalplan,Tilltheirkneescamerightundertheirnose,—

  ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan。

  Hiscommunalwives,athisease,Hewouldcurbwithoccasionalblows;

  OrhisStatehadaqueen,likethebees(Asanotherphilosophertrows):

  Whenhespoke,itwasneverinprose,Buthesanginastrainthatwouldscan,For(todoubtit,perchance,weremorose)

  ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan!

  Onthecoaststhatincessantlyfreeze,Withhisstones,andhisbones,andhisbows;

  Onluxurianttropicalleas,Wherethesummereternallyglows,Heisfound,andhishabitsdisclose(Lettheologysaywhatshecan)

  Thathelivedinthelong,longagos,’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan!

  FromastatuslikethatoftheCrees,Oursociety’sfabricarose,—

  Develop’d,evolved,ifyouplease,Butdeludedchronologistschose,InafanciedaccordancewithMoses,4000B。C。forthespanWhenherushedontheworldanditswoes,—

  ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan!

  Butthemildanthropologist,——HE’S

  NotRECENTinclinedtosupposeFlintsPalaeolithiclikethese,Quaternarybonessuchasthose!

  InRhinoceros,MammothandCo。’s,Firstepoch,theHumanbegan,Theologiansalltoexpose,—

  ’TistheMISSIONofPrimitiveMan。

  ENVOY。

  MAX,proudlyyourAryanspose,Buttheirrigstheyundoubtedlyran,For,aseveryDarwinianknows,’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan!{2}

  BALLADEOFAUTUMN。

  Webuiltacastleintheair,Insummerweather,youandI,Thewindandsunwereinyourhair,—

  Goldhairagainstasapphiresky:

  WhenAutumncame,withleavesthatflyBeforethestorm,acrosstheplain,Youfledfromme,withscarceasigh—

  MyLovereturnsnomoreagain!

  ThewindylightsofAutumnflare:

  Iwatchthemoonlitsailsgoby;

  Imarvelhowmentoilandfare,Thewearybusinessthattheyply!

  Theirvoyagingisvanity,Andfairygoldisalltheirgain,Andallthewindsofwintercry,\"MyLovereturnsnomoreagain!\"

  Here,inmycastleofDespair,Isitalonewithmemory;

  Thewind—fedwolfhaslefthislair,Tokeeptheoutcastcompany。

  Thebroodingowlhehootshardby,Thehareshallkindleonthyhearth—stane,TheRhymer’ssoothestprophecy,——{3}

  MyLovereturnsnomoreagain!

  ENVOY。

  Lady,myhomeuntilIdieIshere,whereyouthandhopewereslain:

  Theyflit,theghostsofourJuly,MyLovereturnsnomoreagain!

  BALLADEOFTRUEWISDOM。

  Whileothersareaskingforbeautyorfame,Orprayingtoknowthatforwhichtheyshouldpray,OrcourtingQueenVenus,thataffabledame,OrchasingtheMusesthewearyandgrey,Thesagehasfoundoutamoreexcellentway—

  ToPanandtoPallashisincenseheshowers,Andhishumblepetitionputsupdaybyday,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。

  InventorsmaybowtotheGodthatislame,Andcravefromthefireonhisstithyaray;

  PhilosopherskneeltotheGodwithoutname,LikethepeopleofAthens,agnosticsarethey;

  ThehunterafawntoDianawillslay,ThemaidenwildroseswillwreathefortheHours;

  Butthewisemanwillask,erelibationhepay,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。

  Oh!grantmealifewithoutpleasureorblame(AsmortalscountpleasurewhorushthroughtheirdayWithaspeedtowhichthatofthetempestistame)!

  Ograntmeahousebythebeachofabay,Wherethewavescanbesurlyinwinter,andplayWiththesea—weedinsummer,yebountifulpowers!

  AndI’dleaveallthehurry,thenoise,andthefray,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。

  ENVOY。

  Gods,grantorwithholdit;your\"yea\"andyour\"nay\"

  Areimmutable,heedlessofoutcryofours:

  ButlifeISworthliving,andherewewouldstayForahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。

  BALLADEOFWORLDLYWEALTH。

  (OLDFRENCH。)

  Moneytakethtownandwall,Fortandrampwithoutablow;

  Moneymovesthemerchantsall,Whilethetidesshallebbandflow;

  MoneymakethEvilshowLiketheGood,andTruthlikelies:

  Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。

  Moneymakethfestival,Wineshebuys,andbedscanstrow;

  Roundthenecksofcaptainstall,Moneywinsthemchainstothrow,Marchessoldierstoandfro,Gainethladieswithsweeteyes:

  Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。

  Moneywinsthepriesthisstall;

  Moneymitresbuys,Itrow,RedhatsfortheCardinal,Abbeysforthenovicelow;

  Moneymakethsinassnow,Placeofpenitencesupplies:

  Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。

  BALLADEOFLIFE。

  \"’Deadandgone,’——asorryburdenoftheBalladofLife。\"

  Death’sJestBook。

  Say,fairmaids,mayingIngardensgreen,Indeepdellsstraying,WhatendhathbeenTwoMaysbetweenOftheflowersthatshoneAndyourownsweetqueen—

  \"Theyaredeadandgone!\"

  Say,gravepriests,prayingInduleandteen,FromcellsdecayingWhathaveyeseenOftheproudandmean,OfJudasandJohn,Ofthefoulandclean?—

  \"Theyaredeadandgone!\"

  Say,kings,arrayingLoudwarstowin,OfyourmanslayingWhatgainyeglean?

  \"Theyarefierceandkeen,Buttheyfallanon,Ontheswordthatlean,—

  Theyaredeadandgone!\"

  ENVOY。

  Throughthemadworld’sscene,Wearedriftingon,Tothistune,Iween,\"Theyaredeadandgone!\"

  BALLADEOFBLUECHINA。

  There’sajoywithoutcankerorcark,There’sapleasureeternallynew,’TistogloatontheglazeandthemarkOfchinathat’sancientandblue;

  Unchipp’dallthecenturiesthroughIthaspass’d,sincethechimeofitrang,Andtheyfashion’dit,figureandhue,InthereignoftheEmperorHwang。

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