Thesedragons(theirtails,youremark,Intobunchesofgillyflowersgrew),—
WhenNoahcameoutoftheark,Didtheselieinwaitforhiscrew?
Theysnorted,theysnapp’d,andtheyslew,Theyweremightyoffinandoffang,AndtheirportraitsCelestialsdrewInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。
Here’sapotwithacotinapark,Inaparkwherethepeach—blossomsblew,Wheretheloverselopedinthedark,Lived,died,andwerechangedintotwoBrightbirdsthateternallyflewThroughtheboughsofthemay,astheysang:
’TisatalewasundoubtedlytrueInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。
ENVOY。
Come,snarlatmyecstasies,do,Kindcritic,your\"tonguehasatang\"
But——asageneverheededashrewInthereignoftheEmperorHwang。
BALLADEOFDEADLADIES。
(AFTERVILLON。)
Nay,tellmenowinwhatstrangeairTheRomanFloradwellsto—day。
WhereArchippiadahides,andwhereBeautifulThaishaspassedaway?
WhenceanswersEcho,afield,astray,Bymereorstream,——around,below?
Loveliershethanawomanofclay;
Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?
WhereiswiseHeloise,thatcareBroughtonAbeilard,anddismay?
Allforherlovehefoundasnare,Amaimedpoormonkinordersgrey;
Andwhere’stheQueenwhowilledtoslayBuridan,thatinasackmustgoAfloatdownSeine,——aperilousway—
Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?
Where’sthatWhiteQueen,alilyrare,Withhersweetsong,theSiren’slay?
Where’sBerthaBroad—foot,Beatricefair?
AlysandErmengarde,wherearethey?
GoodJoan,whomEnglishdidbetrayInRouentown,andburnedher?No,MaidenandQueen,nomanmaysay;
Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?
ENVOY。
Prince,allthisweekthouneed’stnotpray,Noryetthisyearthethingtoknow。
Oneburdenanswers,everandaye,\"Nay,butwhereisthelastyear’ssnow?\"
VILLON’SBALLADE
OFGOODCOUNSEL,TOHISFRIENDSOFEVILLIFE。
Nay,beyoupardonerorcheat,Orcoggerkeen,ormumpershy,You’llburnyourfingersatthefeat,Andhowllikeotherfolksthatfry。
Allevilfolksthatlovealie!
Andwheregoesgainthatgreedamasses,Bywile,andtrick,andthievery?
’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!
Rhyme,rail,dance,playthecymbalssweet,Withgame,andshame,andjollity,Gojiggingthroughthefieldandstreet,WithMYST’RYandMORALITY;
WingoldatGLEEK,——andthatwillfly,WhereallyougainatPASSAGEpasses,—
Andthat’s?YouknowaswellasI,’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!
Nay,forthfromallsuchfilthretreat,Godelveandditch,inwetordry,Turngroom,givehorseandmuletheirmeat,Ifyou’venoclerklyskilltoply;
You’llgainenough,withhusbandry,But——sowhempseedandsuchwildgrasses,Andwheregoesallyoutakethereby?—
’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!
ENVOY。
Yourclothes,yourhose,yourbroidery,Yourlinenthatthesnowsurpasses,Orerethey’reworn,off,offtheyfly,’Tisalltotavernsandtolasses!
BALLADEOFTHEBOOKWORM。
FarinthePastIpeer,andseeAChildupontheNurseryfloor,AChildwithbooksuponhisknee,Whoasks,likeOliver,formore!
ThenumberofhisyearsisIV,AndyetinLettershathheskill,HowdeephedivesinFairy—lore!
TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!
OnegifttheFairiesgaveme:(ThreeTheycommonlybestowedofyore)
TheLoveofBooks,theGoldenKeyThatopenstheEnchantedDoor;
BehinditBLUEBEARDlurks,ando’erAndo’erdothJACKhisGiantskill,AndthereisallALADDIN’Sstore,—
TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!
Takeall,butleavemyBookstome!
TheseheavycreelsofoldweboreWefillnotnow,norwanderfree,Norweartheheartthatoncewewore;
NotnoweachRiverseemstopourHiswatersfromtheMuses’hill;
Thoughsomething’sgonefromstreamandshore,TheBooksIloved,Ilovethemstill!
ENVOY。
Fate,thatartQueenbyshoreandsea,Webowsubmissivetothywill,Ahgrant,bysomebenigndecree,TheBooksIloved——tolovethemstill。
VALENTINEINFORMOFBALLADE。
Thesoftwindfromthesouthlandsped,Hesethisstrengthtoblow,FromforestswhereAdonisbled,Andlilyflowersa—row:
Hecrossedthestraitslikestreamsthatflow,Theoceandarkaswine,Tomytruelovetowhisperlow,TobeyourValentine。
TheSpringhalf—raisedherdrowsyhead,Besprentwithdriftedsnow,\"I’llsendanAprilday,\"shesaid,\"Tolandsofwintrywoe。\"
Hecame,——thewinter’soverthrowWithshowersthatsingandshine,Pieddaisiesroundyourpathtostrow,TobeyourValentine。
WheresandsofEgypt,swartandred,’NeathsunsEgyptianglow,Inplacesoftheprincelydead,BytheNile’soverflow,Theswallowpreenedherwingstogo,AndfortheNorthdidpine,Andfainwouldbravethefrostherfoe,TobeyourValentine。
ENVOY。
Spring,Swallow,SouthWind,evenso,Theirvariousvoicecombine;
ButthattheycraveonMEbestow,TobeyourValentine。
BALLADEOFOLDPLAYS。
(LesOEuvresdeMonsieurMoliere。AParis,chezLouysBillaine,alaPalme。M。D。C。LXVI。)
LACOUR。
WhentheseOldPlayswerenew,theKing,BesidetheCardinal’schair,Applauded,’midthecourtlyring,TheversesofMoliere;
Point—lacewasthentheonlywear,OldCorneillecametowoo,AndbrightDuParcwasyoungandfair,WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!
LACOMEDIE。
Howshrillthebutcher’scat—callsring,Howloudthelackeysswear!
Blackpipe—bowlsonthestagetheyfling,AtBrecourt,fumingthere!
ThePorter’sstabbed!aMousquetaireBreaksinwithnoisycrew—
’TwasallacommonplaceaffairWhentheseOldPlayswerenew!
LAVILLE。
WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!TheybringAhostofphantomsrare:
Oldjeststhatfloat,oldjibesthatsting,Oldfacespeakedwithcare:
Menage’ssmirk,deVise’sstare,ThetheftsofJeanRibou,——{4}
Ah,publisherswerehardtobearWhentheseOldPlayswerenew。
ENVOY。
Ghosts,atyourPoet’swordyedareTobreakDeath’sdungeonsthrough,Andfrisk,asinthatgoldenair,WhentheseOldPlayswerenew!
BALLADEOFHISBOOKS。
Herestandmybooks,lineuponlineTheyreachtheroof,androwbyrow,Theyspeakoffadedtastesofmine,AndthingsIdid,butdonot,know:
Oldschoolbooks,uselesslongago,OldLogics,wherethespirit,railedin,Couldscarcelyanswer\"yes\"or\"no\"—
ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!
Here’sVillon,inmoroccofine,(ThePoetstarved,inmudandsnow,)
Glatignydoesnotcravetodine,AndRene’stearsforgettoflow。
Andhere’saworkbyMrs。Crowe,Withhostsofghostsandbogiesjailedin;
Ah,allmyghostshavegonebelow—
ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!
He’stouched,thismouldyGreekdivine,ThePrincessD’Este’shandofsnow;
AndherethearmsofD’Hoymshine,Andthere’satear—bestainedRousseau:
Here’sCarlyleshrieking\"woeonwoe\"
(Thefirstedition,this,hewailedin);
Ioncebelievedinhim——butoh,ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!
ENVOY。
Prince,tastesmaydiffer;mineandthineQuiteotherbalancesarescaledin;
Mayyousucceed,thoughIrepine—
\"ThemanythingsI’vetriedandfailedin!\"
BALLADEOFTHEDREAM。
SwiftassoundofmusicfledWhennomoretheorgansighs,Spedasallolddaysaresped,Soyourlips,love,andyoureyes,Soyourgentle—voicedrepliesMineonehourinsleepthatseem,Riseandflitwhenslumberflies,Followingdarknesslikeadream!
Likethescentfromrosesred,Likethedawnfromgoldenskies,LikethesemblanceofthedeadFromthelivinglovethathies,LiketheshiftingshadethatliesOnthemoonlight—silveredstream,Soyourisewhendreamsarise,Followingdarknesslikeadream!
Couldsomespell,orsungorsaid,Couldsomekindlywitchandwise,LullforayethisdreamingheadInamistofmemories,IwouldlielikehimwholiesWherethelightsonLatmosgleam,—
Wakenot,findnotParadiseFollowingdarknesslikeadream!
ENVOY。
Sleep,thatgiv’stwhatLifedenies,Shadowybountiesandsupreme,BringthedearestfacethatfliesFollowingdarknesslikeadream!
BALLADEOFTHESOUTHERNCROSS。
Fairislandsofthesilverfleece,Hoardsofunsunned,uncountedgold,WhosehavensarethehauntsofPeace,Whoseboysareinourquarrelbold;
OURboltisshot,ourtaleistold,Ourshipofstateinstormsmaytoss,Butyeareyoungifweareold,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!
Ay,WEmustdwindleanddecrease,Suchfatestheruthlessyearsunfold;
Andyetweshallnotwhollycease,Weshallnotperishunconsoled;
Nay,stillshallFreedomkeepherholdWithinthesea’sinviolatefosse,AndboasthersonsofEnglishmould,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!
Allempirestumble——RomeandGreece—
Theirswordsarerust,theiraltarscold!
Forus,theChildrenoftheSeas,Whoruledwhere’erthewaveshaverolled,Forus,inFortune’sbooksenscrolled,Ireadnorunesofhopelessloss;
Nor——whileYElast——ourknellistolled,YeIslandsoftheSouthernCross!
ENVOY。
Britannia,whenthyhearth’sa—cold,Wheno’erthygravehasgrownthemoss,StillRuleAustraliashallbetrolledInIslandsoftheSouthernCross!
BALLADEOFAUCASSIN
WheresmooththesouthernwatersrunByrustlingleaguesofpoplarsgrey,Beneathaveiledsoftsouthernsun,Wewanderedoutofyesterday,WentmayingthroughthatancientMayWhosefallenflowersarefragrantyet,AndloiteredbythefountainsprayWithAucassinandNicolette。
Thegrass—grownpathsaretrodofnoneWherethroughthewoodstheywentastray。
Thespider’straceriesarespunAcrossthedarklingforestway。
Therecomenoknightsthatridetoslay,Nopilgrimsthroughthegrasseswet,NoshepherdladsthatsangtheirsayWithAucassinandNicolette!
’TwasherebyNicolettebegunHerbowerofboughsandgrassesgay;
’Scapedfromthecellofmarbledun’Twasheretheloverfoundthefay,Ah,loversfond!ah,foolishplay!
HowhardwefindittoforgetWhofainwoulddwellwiththemasthey,WithAucassinandNicolette。
ENVOY。
Prince,’tisamelancholylay!
Foryouth,forlovewebothregret。
Howfairtheyseem,howfaraway,WithAucassinandNicolette!
BALLADEAMOUREUSE。
AFTERFROISSART。
NotJasonnorMedeawise,Icravetosee,norwinmuchlore,NorlisttoOrpheus’minstrelsies;
NorHer’cleswouldIsee,thato’erThewideworldroamedfromshoretoshore;
Nor,bySt。James,Penelope,—
NorpureLucrece,suchwrongthatbore:
ToseemyLovesufficesme!
VirgilandCato,nomanviesWiththeminwealthofclerklystore;
Iwouldnotseethemwithmineeyes;
Norhimthatsailed,sanssailnoroar,Acrossthebarrenseaandhoar,Andallforloveofhisladye;
Norpearlnorsapphiretakesmemore:
ToseemyLovesufficesme!
IheednotPegasus,thatfliesAsswiftasshaftsthebowmenpour;
NorfamedPygmalion’sartifice,Whereofthelikewasne’erbefore;
NorOleus,thatdrankofyoreThesaltwaveofthewholegreatsea:
Why?dostthouask?’TisasIswore—
ToseemyLovesufficesme!
BALLADEOFQUEENANNE。
ThemodishAirs,TheTanseyBrew,TheSWAINSandFAIRS
IncurtainedPew;
NymphsKNELLERdrew,BooksBENTLEYread,—
Whoknowsthem,who?
QUEENANNEisdead!
WebuyherChairs,HerChinablue,Herred—brickSquaresWebuildanew;
Butah!werue,Whenallissaid,Thetaleo’er—true,QUEENANNEisdead!
NowBULLSandBEARS,ArufflingCrew,WithStocksandShares,WithTurkandJew,GobubblingthroughTheTownill—bred:
TheWorld’saskew,QUEENANNEisdead!
ENVOY。
Friend,praisethenew;
Theoldisfled:
VivatFROU—FROU!
QUEENANNEisdead!
BALLADEOFBLINDLOVE。
(AFTERLYONNETDECOISMES。)
Whohavelovedandceasedtolove,forgetThatevertheylovedintheirlives,theysay;
Onlyrememberthefeverandfret,AndthepainofLove,thatwasallhispay;
AllthedelightofhimpassesawayFromheartsthathoped,andfromlipsthatmet—
ToolatedidIloveyou,mylove,andyetIshallneverforgettillmydyingday。
Toolatewerewe’wareofthesecretnetThatmeshesthefeetintheflowersthatstray;
Therewerewetakenandsnared,Lisette,InthedungeonofLaFausseAmistie;
Helpwastherenoneinthewideworld’sfray,Joywastherenoneinthegiftandthedebt;
Toolateweknewit,toolongregret—
Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!
Wemustliveourlives,thoughthesunbeset,Mustmeetinthemasquewherepartsweplay,MustcrossinthemazeofLife’sminuet;
Ouryeaisyea,andournayisnay:
ButwhilesnowsofwinterorflowersofMayArethesadyear’sshroudorcoronet,Intheseasonofroseorofviolet,Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!
ENVOY。
Queen,whentheclayismycoverlet,WhenIamdead,andwhenyouaregrey,Vow,wherethegrassofthegraveiswet,\"Ishallneverforgettillmydyingday!\"
BALLADEOFHISCHOICEOFASEPULCHRE。
HereI’dcomewhenweariest!
HerethebreastOftheWindburg’stuftedoverDeepwithbracken;herehiscrestTakesthewest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover。
Silentherearelarkandplover;
InthecoverDeepbelowthecushatbestLoveshismate,andcroonsaboveherO’ertheirnest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover。
Bringmehere,Life’stired—outguest,TotheblestBedthatwaitsthewearyrover,Hereshouldfailurebeconfessed;
Endsmyquest,Wherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover!
ENVOY。
Friend,orstrangerkind,orlover,Ah,fulfilalastbehest,LetmerestWherethewide—wingedhawkdothhover!
DIZAIN。
As,tothepipe,withrhythmicfeetInwindingsofsomeold—worlddance,Thesmilingcouplescrossandmeet,Joinhands,andtheninlineadvance,So,tothesefairoldtunesofFrance,Throughalltheirmazeofto—and—fro,Thelight—heelednumberslaughinggo,Retreat,return,anderetheyflee,Onemomentpauseinpantingrow,Andseemtosay——Vosplaudite!
A。D。
ORONTE——Cenesontpointdecesgrandsverspompeux,Maisdepetitsvers!
\"LeMisanthrope,\"Actei。,Sc。2。
APORTRAITOF1783。
YourhairandchinarelikethehairAndchinBurne—Jones’sladieswear;
YouwereunfashionablyfairIn’83;
Andsadyouwerewhengirlsaregay,YoureadabookaboutLevraiMeritedel’homme,aloneinMay。
WhatCANitbe,Levraimeritedel’homme?Notgold,Nottitlesthatareboughtandsold,Notwitthatflashesandiscold,ButVirtuemerely!
InstructedbyJean—JacquesRousseau(AndJean—Jacques,surely,oughttoknow),Youbadethecrowdoffoplingsgo,Youglancedseverely,DreamingbeneaththespreadingshadeOf’thatvasthattheGracesmade;’{5}
SoRougetsang——whileyetheplayedWithcourtlyrhyme,AndhymnedgreatDoisi’sredperruque,AndNice’seyes,andZulme’slook,Anddeadcanaries,ereheshookThesultrytimeWithstrainslikethunder。LoudandlowMethinksIhearthemurmurgrow,ThetrampofmenthatcomeandgoWithfireandsword。
Theywaragainstthequickanddead,Theirflyingfeetaredashedwithred,AstheirsthevintagingthattreadBeforetheLord。
Oheadunfashionablyfair,Whatendwasthine,forallthycare?
Weonlyseetheedreamingthere:
WecannotseeThebreakingofthyvision,whenTheRightsofManwerelordsofmen,WhenvirtuewonherownagainIn’93。
THEMOON’SMINION。
(FROMTHEPROSEOFC。BAUDELAIRE。)
Thineeyesarelikethesea,mydear,Thewand’ringwaters,greenandgrey;
Thineeyesarewonderfulandclear,Anddeep,anddeadly,evenasthey;
ThespiritofthechangefulseaInformsthineeyesatnightandnoon,Sheswaysthetides,andtheheartofthee,Themystic,sad,capriciousMoon!
TheMooncamedowntheshiningstairOfcloudsthatfleckthesummersky,Shekissedthee,saying,\"Child,befair,Andmaddenmen’shearts,evenasI;
Thoushaltloveallthingsstrangeandsweet,Thatknowmeandareknownofme;
Theloverthoushaltnevermeet,Thelandwherethoushaltneverbe!\"
Sheheldtheeinherchillembrace,Shekissedtheewithcoldlipsdivine,Sheleftherpalloronthyface,Thatmysticivoryfaceofthine;
AndnowIsitbesidethyfeet,Andallmyheartisfarfromthee,DreamingofherIshallnotmeet,AndofthelandIshallnotsee!
INITHACA。
\"AndnowamIgreatlyrepentingthateverIleftmylifewiththee,andtheimmortalitythoudidstpromiseme。\"——LetterofOdysseustoCalypso。LucianiVeraHistoria。
’TisthoughtOdysseuswhenthestrifewaso’erWithallthewavesandwars,awearywhile,Grewrestlessinhisdisenchantedisle,Andstillwouldwatchthesunset,fromtheshore,Godownthewaysofgold,andevermoreHissadheartfollowedafter,mileonmile,BacktotheGoddessofthemagicwile,Calypso,andthelovethatwasofyore。
Thoutoo,thyhavengained,mustturntheeyetTolookacrossthesadandstormyspace,Yearsofayouthasbitterasthesea,Ah,withaheavyheart,andeyelidswet,Because,withinafairforsakenplaceThelifethatmighthavebeenislosttothee。
HOMER。
Homer,thysongmenlikentotheseaWithallthenotesofmusicinitstone,WithtidesthatwashthedimdominionOfHades,andlightwavesthatlaughingleeAroundtheislesenchanted;nay,tomeThyverseseemsastheRiverofsourceunknownThatglassesEgypt’stemplesoverthrownInhissky—nurturedstream,eternally。
NowiserwethanmenofheretoforeTofindthysacredfountainsguardedfast;
Enough,thyfloodmakesgreenourhumanshore,AsNilusEgypt,rollingdownhisvastHisfertileflood,thatmurmursevermoreOfgodsdethroned,andempiresinthepast。
THEBURIALOFMOLIERE。
(AFTERJ。TRUFFIER。)
Dead——heisdead!TherougehasleftatraceOnthatthincheekwhereshone,perchance,atear,EvenwhilethepeoplelaughedthatheldhimdearButyesterday。Hedied,——andnotingrace,Andmanyablack—robedcaitiffstartsapaceToslanderhimwhoseTartuffemadethemfear,Andgoldmustwinapassageforhisbier,Andbribethecrowdthatguardshisresting—place。
Ah,Moliere,forthatlasttimeofall,Man’shatredbrokeuponthee,andwentby,Anddidbutmakemorefairthyfuneral。
Thoughinthedarktheyhidtheestealthily,Thycoffinhadthecopeofnightforpall,Fortorch,thestarsalongthewindysky!
BION。
ThewailofMoschusonthemountainscryingTheMusesheard,andloveditlongago;
Theyheardthehollowsofthehillsreplying,Theyheardtheweepingwater’soverflow;
Theywingedthesacredstrain——thesongundying,Thesongthatallabouttheworldmustgo,—
Whenpoetsforapoetdeadaresighing,Theminstrelsforaminstrelfriendlaidlow。
Anddirgetodirgethatanswers,andtheweepingForAdonaisbythesummersea,TheplaintsforLycidas,andThyrsis(sleepingFarfrom’theforestgroundcalledThessaly’),Theseholdthymemory,Bion,intheirkeeping,Andarebutechoesofthemoanforthee。
SPRING。
(AFTERMELEAGER。)
Nowthebrightcrocusflames,andnowTheslimnarcissustakestherain,And,strayingo’erthemountain’sbrow,Thedaffodiliesbudagain。
ThethousandblossomswaxandwaneOnwold,andheath,andfragrantbough,Butfairerthantheflowersartthou,Thananygrowthofhillorplain。
Yegardens,castyourleafycrown,ThatmyLove’sfeetmaytreaditdown,Likeliliesontheliliesset:
MyLove,whoselipsaresofterfarThandrowsypoppypetalsare,Andsweeterthantheviolet!
BEFORETHESNOW。
(AFTERALBERTGLATIGNY。)
Thewinterisuponus,notthesnow,Thehillsareetchedonthehorizonbare,Theskiesareirongrey,abitterair,Themeagrecloudletsshuddertoandfro。
Oneyellowleafthelistlesswinddothblow,Likesomestrangebutterfly,unclassedandrare。
Yourfootstepsringinfrozenalleys,whereTheblacktreesseemtoshiverasyougo。
Beyondliechurchandsteeple,withtheiroldAndrustyvanesthatrattleastheyveer,Asharpergustwouldshakethemfromtheirhold,Yetupthatpath,insummeroftheyear,AndpastthatmelancholypilewestrolledTopluckwildstrawberries,withmerrycheer。
VILLANELLE。
TOLUCIA。
ApolloleftthegoldenMuseAndshepherdedamortal’ssheep,TheocritusofSyracuse!
Tomockthegiantswainthatwoo’sThesea—nymphinthesunnydeep,ApolloleftthegoldenMuse。
Afieldhedrovehislambsandewes,WhereMilonandwhereBattusreap,TheocritusofSyracuse!
Towatchthytunny—fisherscruiseBelowthedimSiciliansteepApolloleftthegoldenMuse。
Yetwaindidloiterinthedews,Yeslepttheswain’sunfever’dsleep,TheocritusofSyracuse!
ThatTimemighthalfwithHISconfuseThysongs,——likehis,thatlaughandleap,—
TheocritusofSyracuse,ApolloleftthegoldenMuse!
NATURALTHEOLOGY。
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]OD。III。47。
\"OnceCAGNwaslikeafather,kindandgood,ButHewasspoiledbyfightingmanythings;
Hewarsuponthelionsinthewood,AndbreakstheThunder—bird’stremendouswings;
ButstillwecrytoHim,——’Wearethybrood—
OCagn,bemerciful!’andusHebringsToherdsofelands,andgreatstoreoffood,Andinthedesertopenswater—springs。\"
SoQing,KingNqsha’sBushmanhunter,spoke,Besidethecamp—fire,bythefountainfair,Whenallwereweary,andsoftcloudsofsmokeWerefading,fragrant,inthetwilitair:
Andsuddenlyineachman’shearttherewokeApang,asacredmemoryofprayer。
THEODYSSEY。
AsonethatforawearyspacehaslainLulledbythesongofCirceandherwineIngardensnearthepaleofProserpine,WherethatAEaeanisleforgetsthemain,Andonlythelowlutesoflovecomplain,Andonlyshadowsofwanloverspine,AssuchanoneweregladtoknowthebrineSaltonhislips,andthelargeairagain,—
Sogladly,fromthesongsofmodernspeechMenturn,andseethestars,andfeelthefreeShrillwindbeyondthecloseofheavyflowers,Andthroughthemusicofthelanguidhours,TheyhearlikeoceanonawesternbeachThesurgeandthunderoftheOdyssey。
IDEAL。
Suggestedbyafemaleheadinwax,ofunknowndate,butsupposedtobeeitherofthebestGreekage,oraworkofRaphaelorLeonardo。
ItisnowintheLilleMuseum。
Ah,mysticchildofBeauty,namelessmaid,Datelessandfatherless,howlongago,AGreek,withsomeraresadnessoverweighed,Shapedthee,perchance,andquiteforgothiswoe!
OrRaphaelthysweetnessdidbestow,Whilemagicalhisfingerso’ertheestrayed,OrthatgreatpupiltaughtofVerrocchioRedeemedthystillperfectionfromtheshadeThathidesallfairthingslost,andthingsunborn,Whereonehasfledfromme,thatworethygrace,Andthatgravetendernessofthineawhile;
Nay,stillindreamsIseeher,butherfaceIspale,iswastedwithatouchofscorn,AndonlyonthylipsIfindhersmile。
THEFAIRY’SGIFT。
\"Takeshortviews。\"——SYDNEYSMITH。
TheFaysthattomychrist’ningcame(Forcometheydid,mynursestaughtme),Theydidnotbringmewealthorfame,’Tisverylittlethattheybroughtme。
Butone,thecrossestofthecrew,Theuglyoldone,uninvited,Said,\"IshallbeavengedonYOU,Mychild;youshallgrowupshort—sighted!\"
WithmagicjuicesdidshelaveMineeyes,andwroughtherwickedpleasure。
Well,ofallgiftstheFairiesgave,HERSisthepresentthatItreasure!
Theborewhomothersfearandflee,Idonotfear,Idonotfleehim;
Ipasshimcalmascalmcanbe;
Idonotcut——Idonotseehim!
Andwithmyfeebleeyesanddim,WhereYOUseepatchyfieldsandfences,FormethemistsofTurnerswim—
MY\"azuredistance\"sooncommences!
Nay,asIblinkaboutthestreetsOfthisbefoggedandmirycity,Why,almosteverygirlonemeetsSeemspreternaturallypretty!
\"Tryspectacles,\"one’sfriendsintone;
\"You’llseetheworldcorrectlythroughthem。\"
ButIhavevisionsofmyown,AndnotforworldswouldIundothem。
BENEDETTARAMUS。
AFTERROMNEY。
MysteriousBenedetta!whoThatReynoldsorthatRomneydrewWaseverhalfsofairasyou,Orissowellforgot?
Theseeyesofmelancholybrown,Thesewovenlocks,ashadowycrown,Mustsurelyhavebewitchedthetown;
Yetyou’rerememberednot。
Throughallthatprattleofyourage,ThroughloreoffribbleandofsageI’veread,andchieflyWalpole’spage,Whereinarebeautiesfamous;
I’vehauntedball,androut,andsale;
I’veheardofDevonshireandThrale,AndalltheGunnings’wondroustale,ButnothingofMissRamus。
Andyetonmanyalatticepane’FairBenedetta,’scrawledinvainBylovers’diamonds,mustremainTotellusyouwerecruel。{6}
Butwho,ofallthatsighedandswore—
Wits,poets,courtiersbythescore—
DidwinandonhisbosomworeThishardandlovelyjewel?
Why,dilettanterecordssayAnAlderman,whocamethatway,Woo’dyouandmadeyouLadyDay;
Youcrownedhiscivicflame。
ItsuitsamelancholysongTothinkyourhearthadsufferedwrong,AndthatyoulivednotverylongTobeaCitydame!
PerchanceyouwereaMourningBride,AndconsciousofaheartthatdiedWithonewhofellbyRodney’ssideInblood—stainedSpanishbays。
Perchance’twasnosuchthing,andyouDwelthappywithyourknightandtrue,And,likeAurora,watchedacrewOfrosylittleDays!
Oh,lovelyfaceandinnocent!
Whateverwayyourfortuneswent,AndiftoearthyourlifewaslentForlittlespaceorlong,InyourkindeyesweseemtoseeWhatWomanatherbestmaybe,AndoffertoyourmemoryAnunavailingsong!
PARTANTPOURLASCRIBIE。
[Scribie,onthenorth—eastlittoralofBohemia,isthelandofstageconventions。Itisnamedafterthediscoverer,M。Scribe。]
ApleasantlandisScribie,whereThelightcomesmostlyfrombelow,AndseemsasortofsymbolrareOfthingsatlarge,andhowtheygo,InroomswheredoorsareeverywhereAndcupboardsshelterfriendorfoe。
ThisisarealmwherepeopletellEachother,whentheychancetomeet,Ofthingsthatlongagobefell—
AnddomostsolemnlyrepeatSecretstheybothknowverywell,Aloud,andinthepublicstreet!
Alandwhereloversgoinfours,Masterandmistress,manandmaid;
WherepeoplelistenatthedoorsOr’neathatable’sfriendlyshade,AndcomicIrishmeninscoresRoamo’erthescenesallundismayed:
AlandwhereVirtueindistressOwesmuchtounclesindisguise;
WhereBritishsailorsfranklyblessTheirlimbs,theirtimbers,andtheireyes;
Andwherethevillaindothconfess,Conveniently,beforehedies!
Alandofloversfalseandgay;
Alandwherepeopledreada\"curse;\"
Alandoflettersgoneastray,Orintercepted,whichisworse;
Whereweddingsfalsefondmaidsbetray,Andallthebabesarechangedatnurse。
Oh,happyland,wherethingscomeright!
Weoftheworldwherethingsgoill;
Whereloverslove,butdon’tunite;
WherenoonefindstheMissingWill—
Dominionoftheheart’sdelight,Scribie,we’veloved,andlovetheestill!
ST。ANDREW’SBAY。
NIGHT。
Ah,listenthroughthemusic,fromtheshore,The\"melancholylong—withdrawingroar\";
BeneaththeMinster,andthewindycaves,ThewideNorthOcean,marshallinghiswavesEvensoforlorn——inworldsbeyondourken—
Maysightheseasthatarenotheardofmen;
Evensoforlorn,propheticofman’sfate,Soundedthecoldsea—wavedisconsolate,WhennonebutGodmighthearthebodingtone,AsGodshallhearthelonglamentalone,Whenallisdone,whenallthetaleistold,Andthegraysea—waveechoesasofold!
MORNING。
ThiswastheburdenoftheNight,Thesayingofthesea,Butlo!thehourshavebroughtthelight,Thelaughterofthewaves,theflightOfdippingsea—birds,foamywhite,Thataresogladtobe!
\"Forget!\"thehappycreaturescry,\"ForgetNight’smonotone,Withusbegladinseaandsky,Thedaysarethine,thedaysthatfly,ThedaysGodgivestoknowhimby,AndnottheNightalone!\"
WOMANANDTHEWEED。
(FOUNDEDONANEWZEALANDMYTH。)
IntheMorningofTime,whenhisfortunesbegan,Howbleak,howun—Greek,wastheNatureofMan!
Fromhiswigwam,ifeverheventuredtoroam,Therewasnobodywaitingtowelcomehimhome;
FortheManhadbeenmade,butthewomanhadNOT,AndEarthwasahighlydetestablespot。
Manhatedhisneighbours;theymetandtheyscowled,Theydidnotconversebuttheystruggledandhowled,ForManhadnotact——hewouldne’ertakeahint,Andhisnotionshebackedwithahatchetofflint。
SoManwasalone,andhewishedhecouldseeOntheEarthsomeonelikehim,butfairerthanhe,Withlocksliketheredgold,asmilelikethesun,Towelcomehimbackwhenhishuntingwasdone。
Andhesighedforavoicethatshouldanswerhimstill,LiketheaffableEchoheheardonthehill:
Thatshouldanswerhimsoftlyandalwaysagree,ANDOH,Manreflected,HOWNICEITWOULDBE!
SoheprayedtotheGods,andtheystoopedtohisprayer,AndtheyspoketotheSunonhiswaythroughtheair,AndhemarriedtheEchoonefortunatemorn,AndWoman,theirbeautifuldaughter,wasborn!
ThedaughterofSunshineandEchoshecameWithavoicelikeasong,withafacelikeaflame;
Withafacelikeaflame,andavoicelikeasong,AndhappywasMan,butitwasnotforlong!
Forweather’sapainfullychangeablething,NotalwaysthechildoftheEchowouldsing;
AndthefaceoftheSunmaybehiddenwithmist,Andhischildcanbeterriblycrossifshelist。
AndunfortunateManhadtolearnwithsurpriseThatafrown’snotpeculiartomasculineeyes;
Thatthesweetestofvoicescanscoldandcansneer,Andcannotbeanswered——likemen——withaspear。
SoManwentandcalledtotheGodsinhiswoe,Andtheyansweredhim——\"Sir,youwouldneedshaveitso:
Andthethingmustgoonasthethinghasbegun,She’simmortal——yourchildoftheEchoandSun。
Butwe’llsendyouanother,andfairerisshe,Thismaidenwithlocksthatareflowingandfree。
Thismaidensogentle,sokind,andsofair,Withaflowerlikeastarinthenightofherhair。
Withhereyeslikethesmokethatismistyandblue,Withherheartthatisheavenly,andtender,andtrue。
Shewilldieinthenight,butnoneedyoushouldmourn,YoushallburyherbodyandthenceshallbebornAweedthatisgreen,thatisfragrantandfair,Withaflowerlikethestarinthenightofherhair。
AndtheleavesmustyeburntilltheyoffertoyouSoftsmoke,likehereyesthataremistyandblue。
\"Andthesmokeshallyebreatheandnomoreshallyefret,ButthechildoftheEchoandSunshallforget:
Shallforgetallthetroubleandtormentshebrings,Shallbethinkyeofnonebutdelectablethings;
Andthesoundofthewarswithyourbrethrenshallcease,Whileyesmokebythecamp—firethegreatpipeofpeace。\"
SothelaststateofManwasbynomeanstheworst,Thesecondgiftsoftenedthestingofthefirst。
NorthechildoftheEchoandSundothheheedWhenhedreamswiththeMaidthatwaschangedtotheweed;
ThoughtheEchobesilent,theSuninamist,TheMaidisthefairestthateverwaskissed。
Andwhentempestsareoverandendedtherain,AndthechildoftheSunshineissunnyagain,Hecomesback,gladatheart,andagainisatoneWiththechangeablechildoftheEchoandSun。
Footnotes:
{1}Cf。\"SuggestionsforAcademicReorganization。\"
{2}ThelastthreestanzasarebyaneminentAnthropologist。
{3}ThomasofErcildoune。
{4}Aknavishpublisher。
{5}Vousyverrez,belleJulie,QuecechapeautoutmaltraiteFut,dansuninstantdefolie,ParlesGracesmemeinvente。
’AJulie。’EssaisenProseetenVers,parJosephLisle;Paris。
An。V。delaRepublique。
{6}\"IhavebrokenmanyapaneofglassmarkedCruelParthenissa,\"
saystheauntofSophiaWesterninTomJones。