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。