第2章
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  Page:80

  BILLYVICKERS

  NOsongisthisofleafandbird,Andgraciouswatersflowing;

  I’msickatheart,forIhaveheardBigBillyVickers``blowing’’。

  He’dnevertakealeadingplaceInchamberslegislative:

  Thisboobywiththevacantface—

  Thishoddy—doddynative!

  Indeed,I’mforcedtosayaside,Toyou,Oreader,solely,HeonlywantsthehornsandhideTobeabullockwholly。

  Page:81

  But,likeallnoodles,heisvain;

  Andwhenhistongueiswagging,IfeelinclinedtocopyCain,And``drop’’himforhisbragging。

  He,beingBush—bred,stands,ofcourse,Sixfeethisdirtysocksin;

  HislingoisconfinedtohorseAndplough,andpigandoxen。

  Twoyearsagohe’dlesstosayWithinhislittlecircuit;

  Butnowhehas,besidesadray,Ateamoftwelvetoworkit。

  NowonderisitthathefeelsInclinedtoclackandrattleAbouthisbullocksandhiswheels—

  Heownsadozencattle。

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  Inshort,tobeexactandblunt,InhisownestimationHe’s``outandout’’theheadandfrontTop—sawyerofcreation!

  For,markme,hecan``sitabuck’’

  Forhoursandhourstogether;

  AndneverhorsehashadtheluckTopitchhimfromtheleather。

  Ifeverheshouldhavea``spill’’

  Uponthegrassorgravel,Besureofthis,thesaddlewillWithBillyVickerstravel。

  AtpunchingoxenyoumayguessThere’snothingoutcan``camp’’him:

  Hehas,infact,theslouchanddressWhichbullock—driverstamphim。

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  Idonotmeantogiveoffence,ButIhavevainlystrivenToferretoutthedifference’Twixtdriverandthedriven。

  Ofcourse,thestatementshereinmadeIneveryotherstanzaAreBilly’sown;andI’mafraidThey’restarkextravaganza。

  IfeelconstrainedtotreatastrashHisnoisyfiddle—faddleAbouthisdoingswiththelash,Hisfeatsuponthesaddle。

  Butgranthe``knowshiswayabout’’,Orgrantthatheissilly,TherecannotbetheslightestdoubtOfBilly’sfaithinBilly。

  Page:84

  OfallthedoingsofthedayHisignoranceisutter;

  Buthecanquotethepriceofhay,Thecurrentrateofbutter。

  HisnotionsofourleadingmenAremixedandmistyvery:

  HeknowsaCochin—Chinahen—

  HeneverspeaksofBerry。

  Asyou’llassume,hehasn’theardOfMadamePatti’ssinging;

  ButIwillstakemysolemnwordHeknowswhatmaizeisbringing。

  Surroundedbymajesticpeaks,Bylordlymountainranges,WherehighestvoiceofthunderspeaksHisaspectneverchanges。

  Page:85

  ThegrandPacifictherebeyondHisdirtyhutisglowing:

  Heonlyseesabigsaltpond,O’erwhichhisgrainisgoing。

  Theseathatcovershalfthesphere,Withallitsstatelyspeeches,IsheldbyBilltobeamereBroadhighwayforhispeaches。

  ThroughNature’ssplendidtempleshePlods,undermountainshoary;

  ButhehasnottheeyestoseeTheirgrandeurandtheirglory。

  Abullockinabiped’sboot,Iiterate,isBilly!

  HecrusheswithacarelessfootThetouchingwater—lily。

  Page:86

  I’vesaidenough—I’lllethimgo!

  Ifhecouldreadtheseverses,He’dpeppermeforhours,Iknow,Withhispeculiarcurses。

  Butthisissure,he’llneverchangeHismannersloudandflashy,NorlearnwithneatnesstoarrangeHisclothing,cheapandtrashy。

  Likeotherlouts,he’lljogalong,Andswigatshantyliquors,Andchewandspit。HereendsthesongOfMr。BillyVickers。

  Page:87

  PERSIA

  IAMwritingthissongatthecloseOfabeautifuldayofthespringInadellwherethedaffodilgrowsByagroveoftheglimmeringwing;

  FromgladeswhereamusicalwordComeseverfromluminousfall,IsendyouthesongofabirdThatIwishtobedeartoyouall。

  IhavegivenmydarlingthenameOfalandatthegatesoftheday,Wheremorningisalwaysthesame,Andspringneverpassesaway。

  Page:88

  Withaprayerforalifetimeoflight,IchristenedherPersia,yousee;

  AndIhopethatsomefathersto—nightWillkneelinthespiritwithme。

  SheisonlycommencingtolookAtthebeautyinwhichsheisset;

  Andforestandflowerandbrook,Toherareallmysteriesyet。

  IknowthattomanymywordsWillseeminsignificantthings;

  ButyouwhoaremothersofbirdsWillfeelforthefatherwhosings。

  ForallofyoudoubtlesshavebeenWheresorrowsaremanyandwild;

  AndyouknowwhatabeautifulsceneOfthisworldcanbemadebyachild:

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  Iamsure,iftheylistentothis,Sweetwomenwillquiver,andlongTotenderlystooptoandkissThePersiaI’veputinasong。

  AndI’mcertainthecriticwillpause,Andexcuse,forthesakeofmybird,Mysinsagainstcriticallaws—

  Theslipsinthethoughtandtheword。

  AndhaplysomedearlittlefaceOfhisowntohismindwilloccur—

  SomePersiawhobrightenshisplace—

  AndI’llbeforgivenforher。

  AlifethatisturningtogreyHashardlybeenhappy,yousee;

  ButtherosethathasdroppedonmywayIsmorningandmusictome。

  Page:90

  Yea,shethatIholdbythehandIschangingwhitewintertogreen,Andmakingalightoftheland—

  AllfatherswillknowwhatImean:

  AllwomenandmenwhohaveknownThesicknessofsorrowandsin,Willfeel—havingbabesoftheirown—

  Myverseandthepathostherein。

  ForthatmustbetouchingwhichshowsHowalifehasbeenledfromthewildToagardenofglitterandrose,Bytheflower—likehandofachild。

  Sheisstrangetothiswonderfulsphere;

  OnesummerandwinterhavesetSinceGodleftherradiancehere—

  Hersweetsecondyearisnotyet。

  Page:91

  TheworldissolovelyandnewToeyesfullofeloquentlight,And,sisters,I’mhopingthatyouWillprayformyPersiato—night。

  ForI,whohavesufferedsomuch,Andknowwhatthebitternessis,AmsadtothinksorrowmusttouchSomedayevendarlingslikethis!

  Butsorrowispartofthislife,And,therefore,afatherdothlongFortheblessingofmotherandwifeOnthebirdhehasputinasong。

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  LILITH

  Strangeisthesong,andthesoulthatissingingFaltersbecauseofthevisionitsees;

  VoicethatisnotofthelivingisringingDowninthedepthswherethedarknessisclinging,EvenwhenNoonisthelordoftheleas,Fast,likeacurse,totheghostsofthetrees!

  Hereinamistthatispartedinsunder,Halfwiththedarknessandhalfwiththeday;

  Faceofawoman,butfaceofawonder,Vividandwildasaflameofthethunder,Flashesandfades,andthewailofthegreyWaterisloudonthestraitsofthebay!

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  Father,whoseyearshavebeenmanyandweary—

  Elder,whoselifeisaslovelyaslightShininginwaysthataresterileanddreary—

  Tellmethenameofthisbeautifulperi,FlashingonmelikethewonderfulwhiteStar,atthemeetingofmorningandnight。

  ``LooktothySaviour,anddownonthyknee,man,LeanontheLord,astheZebedeeleaned;

  Daughterofhellistheneighbourofthee,man—

  Lilith,ofAdamtheluminousleman!

  TurntotheChristtobesuccouredandscreened,Savedfromtheeyesofamarvellousfiend!

  ``Serpentsheisintheshapeofawoman,Brighterthanwoman,ineffablyfair!

  Shelterthyselffromthesplendour,andsue,man;

  LightthatwasneveralovelinesshumanLivesinthefaceofthissinistersnare,Longingtostranglethysoulwithherhair!

  ``Lilith,whocametothefatherandboundhimFastwithhereyesinthefirstofthesprings;

  Lilithsheis,butremembershedrownedhim,Sheddingherfloodofgoldtressesaroundhim—

  Lulledhimtosleepwiththelyricshesings:

  Melodystrangewithunspeakablethings!

  ``Lowishervoice,butbewareofitever,Swiftbitterdeathisthefruitofdelay;

  Neverwassongofitsbeauty—ah!never—

  Heardonthemountain,ormeadow,orriver,Notofthenightisit,notoftheday—

  Flyfromit,stranger,awayandaway。’’

  Backonthehillsaretheblossomandfeather,Gloryofnoonisonvalleyandspire;

  Hereisthegraceofmagnificentweather,Whereisthewomanfromgulfsofthenether?

  Whereisthefiendwiththefaceofdesire?

  Gone,withacry,inmiraculousfire!

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  Soundthatwasnotofthisworld,orthespaciousSplendidblueheaven,haspassedfromthelea;

  Deadisthevoiceofthedevilaudacious:

  Onlyadreamishermusicfallacious,Here,inthesongandtheshadowoftree,Downbythegreenandthegoldofthesea。

  Page:96

  BOB

  SINGERofsongsofthehills—

  Dreamer,bywatersunstirred,Backinavalleyofrills,Homeoftheleafandthebird!—

  ReadinthisfalloftheyearJustthecompassionatephrase,Fadedwithtracesoftear,Writteninfar—awaydays:

  ``Goneisthelightofmylap(Lord,atThybiddingIbow),Hereismylittleone’scap,Hehasnoneedofitnow,Page:97

  Giveittosomebody’sboy—

  Somebody’sdarling’’—shewrote。

  TouchingwasBobinhisjoy—

  Bobwithoutbootsoracoat。

  Onlyacap;butitgaveCaplessandcomfortlessoneHappiness,brightasthebrave,Beautifullightofthesun。

  SoftmaythesanctifiedsodRestonthefatherwholedBobfromthegutter,unshod—

  Coveredhiscoldlittlehead!

  BobfromthefoottothecrownMeasuredayard,andnomore—

  Babyaloneinthetown,Homeless,andhungry,andsore—

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  Childthatwasneverachild,Hidingawayfromtherain,Draggledanddirtyandwild,Downinapipeofthedrain。

  PoorlittlebeggarwasBob—

  Couldn’taffordtobesick,Gettingapennyajob,Sometimesacurseandakick。

  Fatherwaskilledbythedrink;

  Motherwasdriventoshame;

  Bobcouldn’tmanagetothink—

  Hehadforgottentheirname。

  Godwasinheavenabove,Flowersilluminedtheground,WomenofinfiniteloveLivedinthepalacesround—

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  SaintswiththecharactersweetFoundinthefathersofold,Labouredinalleyandstreet—

  Babysleptoutinthecold。

  Nobodynoticedthechild—

  NobodyknewofthemiteCreepingaboutlikeawildThingintheshadowofnight。

  Beatenbydrunkardsandcowed—

  Frightenedtospeakortosob—

  Howcouldheaskyoualoud,``HaveyouapennyforBob?’’

  Fewwerethepennieshegot—

  Seldomcouldhidethemaway,WatchedbytheravenoussotEveratwaitforhisprey。

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  Poorlittleman!HewouldweepOftforamorselofbread;

  CoppershewantedtokeepWenttothetaverninstead。

  Thiswashishistory,friend—

  Ragged,unhoused,andalone;

  HowcouldthechildcomprehendLovethatheneverhadknown?

  Huntedaboutintheworld,Crouchingincrevicesdim,CrustwithacurseathimhurledStoodforakindnesswithhim。

  Littleexcitedhisjoy—

  Bunafterdoingajob;

  Motherofbright—headedboy,ThinkofthemotherlessBob!

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  HighintheheavensaugustProvidencesawhim,andsaid—

  ``OutofthepitsofthedustLifthim,andcoverhishead。’’

  Ah,theineffablegrace,Fatherofchildren,inThee!

  Boyinaradiantplace,Fannedbythebreezeofthesea—

  ChildonalullabylapSaid,inthepauseofhispain,``Mother,don’tburymycap—

  GiveittoBobinthelane。’’

  BeautifulbiddingofDeath!

  Whatcouldshedobutobey,EvenwhensufferingFaithHadn’tthepowertopray?

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  So,inthefalloftheyear,SaintwiththefatherlyheadHuntedforsomebody’sdear—

  ``Somebody’sdarling,’’hesaid。

  Bob,whowasnobody’schild,Sittingonnobody’slap,Draggledanddirtyandwild—

  Bobgotthelittleone’scap。

  Strangewerecompassionatewords!

  WaifofthealleyandlaneDreamedofthemusicofbirdsFloatingaboutintherain。

  White—headedfatherinGod,OverthybeautifulgraveGreenisthegrassofthesod,Softisthesoundofthewave。

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  DownbytheslopesoftheseaOftenandoftenwillsobBoywhowasfosteredbythee—

  ThisisthestoryofBob。

  Page:104

  PETERTHEPICANINNY

  HEhasanamewhichcan’tbebroughtWithinthesphereofmetre;

  But,ashe’sPeterbyreport,I’lltrothimoutasPeter。

  Icallhimmine;butdon’tsupposeThatI’mhisdad,Oreader!

  MywifehasgotaNormannose—

  ShereadsthetalesofOuida。

  Ineverlovedaniggerbelle—

  Mytastesaretooaesthetic!

  Theperfumefromaginis—well,Aratherstrongemetic。

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  But,seeingthatmythemeisPete,ThisversewillbetheneaterIfIkeepontheproperbeat,AndstickthroughouttoPeter。

  WepickedhimuptheLordknowswhere!

  AtnoonwecameacrosshimAsleepbesideahunkofbear—

  Hispaunchwasbulgedwith’possum。

  (Laststanzawillnotbear,Iown,Apressureanalytic;

  Butbardwhoseweightisfourteenstone,Isapttothumpthecritic。)

  Weaskedthekidtogivehisname:

  Hedidn’tseemtoowilling—

  Thedarkeyplayedthedarkey’sgame—

  Wetippedhimwithashilling!

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  Wetippedhimwithashiningbob—

  NoTommyDodd,believeus。

  Wedidn’t``tumble’’tohisjob—

  Ah,whydidPetedeceiveus!

  I,being,asI’vesaid,abard,ResolvedatoncetofosterThismitewhoselengthwasjustayard—

  Thisportableimpostor!

  ``Thisbabe’’—IspokeinWordsworth’stone—

  (SeeWordsworth’s``Lucy’’,neighbour)

  ``I’llmakeadarlingofmyown;

  Andhe’llrepaymylabour。

  ``He’llgrowasgentleasafawn—

  AsquietastheblossomsThatbeautifyalandoflawn—

  He’lleatnomoreopossums。

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  ``ThechildItomyselfwilltakeInapaternalmanner;

  Andah!hewillnotswallowsnakeInfuture,or`goanna’。

  ``Willyouresidewithme,mydear?’’

  Iaskedinaccentsmellow—

  Theniggergrinnedfromeartoear,Andsaid,``Allright,oldfellow!’’

  AndsomyPetewastakenhome—

  Myprettypiccaninny!

  And,nottospeakofsoaporcomb,Hiscleansingcostaguinea。

  ``Buthangexpenses!’’Iexclaimed,``I’llgivehimeducation:

  A`nig’isbetterwhenhe’stamed,Perhaps,thanaCaucasian。

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  ``EthnologistsareinthewrongAboutoursablebrothers;

  AndIintendtostopthesongOfPickeringandothers。’’

  Alas,Ididn’tdoitthough!

  OldPickering’sconclusionsWeretothepoint,asissuesshow,Andmineweremeredelusions。

  MyinkypetwasclothedandfedFormonthsexceedingforty;

  Buttotheend,itmustbesaid,Hiswayswereverynaughty。

  WhentoldabouttheLandofMornAbovethisworldofMammon,He’dshout,withanemphaticscorn,``Ah,gammon,gammon,gammon!’’

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  Heneverlingered,likethebard,Tosniffatroseexpanding。

  ``Melike,’’hesaid,``emcattle—yard—

  Finesmell—desmellofbranding!’’

  Thesoulofman,Itriedtoshow,Wentupbeyondourvision。

  ``Youebberseedatfellowgo?’’

  Heaskedinsheerderision。

  Inshort,itsoonoccurredtomeThiskidofsixorseven,Whowouldn’tlearnhisABC,Washardlyripeforheaven。

  Heneverlosthisappetite—

  Hebiggergrew,andbigger;

  Andproved,witheveryinchofheight,Aniggerisanigger。

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  And,lookingfromthismomentback,IhaveastrongpersuasionThat,afterall,afinishedblackIsnotthe``clean’’—Caucasian。

  DearPeterfrommythresholdwent,Onemorninginthebody:

  He``dropped’’me,toobligeagent—

  Agentwithspearandwaddy!

  Heshelvedmeforaboomerang—

  Weneverhadaquarrel;

  And,ifamoralheredothhang,Whyletithang—themoral!

  Mymournfultaleitscoursehasrun—

  MyPete,whenlastIspiedhim,Waseating’possumunderdone:

  Hehadhisginbesidehim。

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  NARRARACREEK

  (WrittenintheShadowof1872)

  FROMtherainyhill—heads,where,instartsandinspasms,Leapswildthewhitetorrentfromchasmstochasms—

  Fromthehomeofboldechoes,whosevoicesofwonderFlyoutofblindcavernsstruckblackbyhighthunder—

  Throughgorgesaugust,inwhosenetherrecessesIsheardthefarpsalmofunseenwildernesses—

  Likeadominantspirit,astrong—handedsharerOfspoilwiththetempest,comesdowntheNarrara。

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  Yea,wherethegreatswordofthehurricanecleavethTheforestedfellsthatthedarkneverleaveth—

  Byfierce—featuredcrags,inwhoseevilabyssesTheclammysnakecoils,andtheflatadderhisses—

  Pastlordlyrocktemples,whereSilenceisrivenBytheanthemssupremeofthefourwindsofheaven—

  Itspeeds,withthecryofthestreamsofthefountainsItchainedtoitssides,anddraggeddownfromthemountains!

  Butwhenitgoesforthfromtheslopeswithasally—

  Beingstrengthenedwithtributefrommanyavalley—

  Itbroadensandbrightens,andthereuponmarchesAbovethestreamsapphiresandundergreenarches,Withtherhythmofmajesty—carelessofcumber—

  Itsmightinreposeanditsfiercenessinslumber—

  Tillitbeamsontheplains,wherethewindisabearerOfwordsfromtheseatothestatelyNarrara!

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  Narrara!grandsonofthehaughtyhilltorrent,ToolateinmydayhaveIlookedatthycurrent—

  ToolateinmylifetodiscernandinheritThesoulofthybeauty,thejoyofthyspirit!

  Withtheyearsoftheyouthandthehairsofthehoary,Isitlikeashadowoutsideofthyglory;

  Norlookwiththemorning—likefeelings,Oriver,Thatilluminedtheboyinthedaysgoneforever!

  Ah!sadarethesoundsofoldballadswhichborrowOne—halfoftheirgrieffromthelistener’ssorrow;

  AndsadaretheeyesofthepilgrimwhotracesTheruinsofTimeinrevisitedplaces;

  ButsadderthanallisthesenseofhislossesThatcomethtoonewhenasuddenagecrossesAndcrippleshismanhood。So,strickenbyfate,I

  Feltolderatthirtythansomedoateighty。

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  BecauseIbelieveinthebeautifulstory,ThepoemofGreeceinthedaysofherglory—

  Thatthehigh—seatedLordofthewoodsandthewatersHaspeopledHisworldwithHisdeifieddaughters—

  ThatflowerfulforestsandwaterwaysstreamingAregraciouswithgoddessesglowingandgleaming—

  Ipraythatthysingingdivinity,fairerThanwonderfulwomen,maylisten,Narrara!

  Ospiritofsea—goingcurrents!—thou,beingThechildofimmortals,all—knowing,all—seeing—

  ThouhastatthyheartthedarktruththatIborrowForthesongthatIsingthee,nofancifulsorrow;

  InthesightofthineeyesisthehistorywrittenOfLovesmittendownasthestrongleafissmitten;

  AndbeforetheetheregoethaphantombeseechingForfacultiesforfeited—hopesbeyondreaching。

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  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Thouknowest,OsisterofdeitiesblazingWithsplendourineffable,beautyamazing,Whatlifethegodsgaveme—whatlargessItasted—

  Theyouththrownaway,andthefacultieswasted。

  Imight,asthouseest,havestoodinhighplaces,Insteadofinpitswherethebrandofdisgraceis,Abywordforscoffers—abuttandacaution,WiththegraveofpoorBurnsandMaginnformyportion。

  ButtheheartoftheFatherSupremeisoffended,AndmylifeinthelightofHisfavourisended;

  And,whippedbyinflexibledevils,Ishiver,Withahollow``Toolate’’inmyhearingforever;

  Butthou—beingsinless,exalted,supernal,Thedaughterofdiademedgods,theeternal—

  ShaltshineinthywaterswhentimeandexistenceHavedwindled,likestars,inunspeakabledistance。

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  Butthefaceofthyriver—thetorrentedpowerThatsmitesattherockwhileitfosterstheflower—

  Shallgleaminmydreamswiththesummer—looksplendid,Andthebeautyofwoodlandsandwaterfallsblended;

  AndoftenI’llthinkoffar—forestednoises,Andtheemphasisdeepofgrandsea—goingvoices,AndturntoNarraratheeyesofalover,Whenthesorrowfuldaysofmysingingareover。

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  INMEMORYOFJOHNFAIRFAX

  WRITTENAFTERREADINGATOUCHINGPOEMBYMRSBROWNING

  BECAUSEthismanfulfilledhisdays,LikeonewhowalkswithsteadfastgazeAvertedfromforbiddenwaysWithluresoffair,falsefloweragedeep,BeholdtheLordwhosethroneisdimWithfiresofflamingseraphim—

  TheChristthatsufferedsentforhim:

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

  Page:118

  ThinknotthatsoulswhosedeedsaugustPutsintoshameandmakemenjustBecomeatlastthehelplessdustThatwinteringwindsthroughwaste—landssweep!

  Thehigherlifewithinuscries,Likesomefinespiritfromtheskies,``TheFather’sblessingonuslies—

  `HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’’

  Nothumansleep—thefitfulrestWithevilshapesofdreamsdistressed,—

  Butperfectquiet,unexpressedByanyworldlywordwekeep。

  ThedimHereafterframedincreedsMaynotbethis;butHewhoreadsOurlives,setsflowersonwaysideweeds—

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

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  BesurethisherowhohaspassedThehumanspace—theoutervast—

  Whoworkedinharnesstothelast,Dothnowahallowedharvestreap。

  Loveseeshisgrave,norturnsaway—

  Theeyesoffaithareliketheday,Andgriefhasnotawordtosay—

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

  Thatfair,rarespirit,Honour,throwsAlight,whichputstoshametherose,Acrosshisgrave,becausesheknowsThesonwhoseashesitdothkeep;

  And,likefarmusic,thisisheard—

  ``Beholdthemanwhoneverstirred,Bywordofhis,anangryword!—

  `HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’’

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  Heearnedhisplace。Withinhishands,Thepowerwhichcounselsandcommands,Andshapesthesociallifeoflands,Becameablessingpureanddeep。

  Note:ThePressThroughthirtyyearsofturbulenceOurthoughtsweresweetenedwithasenseOfhisbenignantinfluence—

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

  Nosplendidtalents,whichexciteLikemusic,songs,orfloodsoflight,Werehis;but,rather,allthosebright,CalmqualitiesofsoulwhichreapAmute,butcertain,finerespect,Notonlyfromasourceelect,Butfromtheheartsofeverysect—

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

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  HegivethHisbelovedrest!

  Thefaithfulsoulthatonwardpressed,Unswerving,fromLife’seasttowest,Bypathsaustereandpassessteep,Ispastalltoil;and,overDeath,Withreverenthandsandprayerfulbreath,Iplantthisflower,alivewithfaith—

  ``HegivethHisbelovedsleep。’’

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  ARALUEN

  TAKEthisrose,andverygentlyplaceitonthetender,deepMosseswhereourlittledarling,Araluen,liesasleep。

  Puttheblossomclosetobaby—kneelwithme,mylove,andpray;

  Wemustleavethebirdwe’veburied—saygood—byetoherto—day。

  Intheshadowofourtroublewemustgotootherlands,Andtheflowerswehavefosteredwillbelefttootherhands:

  Othereyeswillwatchthemgrowing—otherfeetwillsoftlytreadPage:123

  Wheretwoheartsarenearlybreaking,wheresomanytearsareshed。

  Bitteristheworldwelivein:lifeandlovearemixedwithpain;

  Wewillneverseethesedaisies—neverwaterthemagain。

  Ah!thesaddestthoughtinleavingbabyinthisbushaloneIsthatwehavenotbeenableonhergravetoplaceastone:

  Wehavebeentoopoortodoit;but,mydarling,nevermind—

  Godisinthegraciousheavens,andHissunandrainarekind:

  Theywilldressthespotwithbeauty,theywillmakethegrassesgrow:

  Manywindswilllullourbirdie,manysongswillcomeandgo。

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  Heretheblue—eyedSpringwilllinger,heretheshiningmonthwillstay,Likeafriend,byAraluen,whenwetwoarefaraway;

  Butbeyondthewild,widewaters,wewilltreadanothershore—

  Wewillneverwatchthisblossom,neverseeitanymore。

  Girl,whosehandatGod’shighaltarinthedear,deadyearIpressed,Leanyourstrickenheaduponme—thisisstillyourlover’sbreast!

  Shewhosleepswasfirstandsweetest—nonewehavetotakeherplace;

  Emptyisthelittlecradle—absentisthelittleface。

  Otherchildrenmaybegiven;butthisrosebeyondrecall,Butthisgarlandofyourgirlhood,willbedearestofthemall。

  Page:125

  Nonewillever,Araluen,nestlewhereyouusedtobe,Inmyheartofhearts,youdarling,whentheworldwasnewtome;

  Wewereyoungwhenyouwerewithus,lifeandlovewerehappythingsToyourfatherandyourmothereretheangelsgaveyouwings。

  Youthatsitandsobbesideme—you,uponwhosegoldenheadManyrainsofmanysorrowshavefromdaytodaybeenshed;

  Whobecauseyourlovewasnoble,facedwithmethelotaustereEverpressingwithitshardshiponthemanoflettershere—

  Letmefeelthatyouarenearme,layyourhandwithinmineown;

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  YouareallIhavetolivefor,nowthatweareleftalone。

  Threetherewere,butonehasvanished。Sinsofminehavemadeyouweep;

  Butforgiveyourbaby’sfathernowthatbabyisasleep。

  Letusgo,fornightisfalling;leavethedarlingwithherflowers;

  Otherhandswillcomeandtendthem—otherfriendsinotherhours。

  Page:127

  THESYDNEYINTERNATIONALEXHIBITION

  (APrizePoempublishedwiththekindpermissionoftheProprietorsofthe``SydneyMorningHerald’’)

  NOW,whileOrion,flamingsouth,dothsetAshiningfootonhillsofwindandwet—

  FarhaughtyhillsbeyondthefountainscoldAnddellsofglimmeringgreennessmanifold—

  WhileAugustsingstheadventoftheSpring,AndinthecalmisheardSeptember’swing,ThelordlyvoiceofsongIaskofthee,High,deathlessradiance—crownedCalliope!

  Whatthoughweneverhearthegreatgod’slaysWhichmadeallmusictheHellenicdays—

  Page:128

  WhatthoughthefaceofthyfairheavenbeamsStillonlyonthecrystalGrecianstreams—

  Whatthoughaskyofnew,strangebeautyshinesWherenowhiteDryadsingswithinthepines:

  Hereisalandwhoselarge,imperialgraceMusttemptthee,goddess,inthineholyplace!

  Herearethedellsofpeaceandplenilune,Thehillsofmorningandtheslopesofnoon;

  Herearethewatersdeartodaysofblue,Anddark—greenhollowsofthenoontidedew;

  Hereliestheharp,byfragrantwood—windsfanned,Thatwaitsthecomingofthyquickeninghand!

  AndshallAustralia,framedandsetinsea,Augustwithglory,waitinvainforthee?

  ShallmorethanTempe’sbeautybeunsungBecauseitsshineisstrange—itscoloursyoung?

  No!bythefull,livelightwhichputstoshameThefar,fairsplendoursofThessalianflame—

  ByyonderforestpsalmwhichsinksandswellsLikethatofPhocis,gravewithoracles—

  Page:129

  BydeeppropheticwindsthatcomeandgoWherewhisperingspringsofponderingmountainsflow—

  Bylute—likeleavesandmany—languagedcaves,Wheresoundsthestronghosannaofthewaves,ThisgreatnewmajestyshallnotremainUnhonouredbythehighimmortalstrain!

  Soon,soon,themusicofthesouthernlyreShallstartandblossomwithaspeechlikefire!

  Soon,soon,shallflowerandflowinflamedivineThysongs,Apollo,andEuterpe,thine!

  Strong,shiningsonsofDelphicusshallriseWithalltheirfather’sgloryintheireyes;

  AndthenshallbeamonyonderslopesandspringsThelightthatswimsuponthelightofthings。

  Andtherefore,lingeringinalandoflawn,I,standinghere,asingerofthedawn,WithgazeupturnedtowherewansummitslieAgainstthemorningflowingupthesky—

  WhoseeyesindreamsofmanycoloursseePage:130

  Aglitteringvisionoftheyearstobe—

  Doaskofthee,Calliope,onehourOflifepre—eminentwithperfectpower,ThatImayleaveasongwhoselonelyraysMayshinehereafterfromthesesonglessdays。

  FornowtherebreaksacrossthefaintgreyrangeTherose—reddawningofaradiantchange。

  Asoft,sweetvoiceisinthevalleysdeep,Wheredarknessdroopsandsingsitselftosleep。

  Thegrave,mutewoods,thatyetthesilenceholdOfdim,deadages,gleamwithhintsofgold。

  Yoneasterncapethatmeetsthestraitenedwave—

  Atwofoldtowerabovethewhistlingcave—

  Whosestrengthinthundershieldsthegentlelea,Andmakesawhitewrathofaleagueofsea,Nowwearsthefaceofpeace;andinthebayTheweak,spentvoiceofWinterdiesaway。

  Page:131

  Ineverydellthereisawhisperingwing,OneverylawnaglimmeroftheSpring;

  Byeveryhillaregrowthsoftendergreen—

  Oneveryslopeafair,newlifeisseen;

  Andlo!beneaththemorning’sblossomingfires,Theshiningcityofahundredspires,Inmistsofgold,bycountlesshavensfurled,Andgladwithalltheflagsofalltheworld!

  Thesearetheshores,where,inadreamoffear,Cathaysawdarknessdwellinghalftheyear!

  Note:Accordingtothateminentauthority,Mr。R。H。Major,andothers,theGreatSouthernLandisreferredtoinoldChineserecordsasapolarcontinent,subjecttothelongpolarnights。

  ThesearethecoaststhatoldfallacioustalesChaineddownwithiceandringedwithsleeplessgales!

  Thisisthelandthat,inthehourofawe,Page:132

  FromIndianpeakstheraptVenetiansaw!

  Note:MarcoPolomentionsalargelandcalledbytheMalaysLochac。

  Thenortherncoastwassupposedtobeinlatitude10[degree]S。(VideBennett,andothers。

  HereisthelonggreylineofstrangeseawallThatcheckedtheprowoftheaudaciousGaul,Whattimehesteeredtowardsthesouthernsnow,Fromzonetozone,fourhundredyearsago!

  Note:Mr。R。H。MajorhasdiscoveredamapofTerraAustralisdatedA。D。1542,andbearingthenameofLeTestu,aFrenchpilot。LeTestumusthavevisitedthesecoastssomeyearsbeforethedateofthechart。

  Byyondergulf,whosemarchingwatersmeetThewine—darkcurrentsfromtheislesofheat,StrongsonsofEurope,inafardimyear,Facedghastlyfoes,andfeltthealienspear!

  There,inalaterdawn,byshiplesswaves,Thetendergrassesfoundforgottengraves。

  Note:ThesailorsoftheDuyfhen,aDutchvesselwhichenteredCarpentaria,inA。D。1605,wereattackedbythenatives。Inthefray,someofthewhiteswerekilled。

  Nodoubt,theseunluckyadventurerswerethefirstEuropeansburiedinAustralia。(VideWoods,andothers。)

  Page:133

  Farinthewest,beyondthosehillssublime,DirkHartoganchoredintheoldentime;

  There,byawild—facedbay,andinacleft,Hisshiningnamethefair—hairedNorthmanleft;

  Note:DirkHartogleftatinplate,bearinghisname,inShark’sBay,WesternAustralia。ItwaslastseeninA。D。1803。

  And,onthosebroadimperialwaters,farBeneaththelordlyoccidentalstar,SailedTasmandownagreatandglowingspaceWhosesofterlightswerelikehislady’sface。

  Indreamsofherherovedfromzonetozone,Andgaveherlovelynametocoastsunknown;

  Andsaw,instreamingsunseteverywhere,Thecuriousbeautyofhergoldenhair。

  Note:AbelTasman’sloveforMariaVanDiemaniswellknown。

  Tasmania,andmanyoftheislandsandpointsontheN。W。coastsofAustraliawerenamedafterher。

  Byflamingtractsoftropicafternoon,Whereinlowheavenshangsafourfoldmoon。

  Here,onthetidesofaresplendentyear,Page:134

  Bycapesofjasper,camethebuccaneer。

  Note:Dampier。

  Then,then,thewildmen,flyingfromthebeach,Firstheardtheclear,boldsoundsofEnglishspeech;

  AndthenfirstfellacrossaSouthernplainThebroad,strongshadowsofaSaxontrain。

  Nearyonderwallofstatelycliff,thatbravesThearroganceofcongregatedwaves,ThedaringsonofgreyoldYorkshirestoodAnddreamedinamajesticsolitude,WhattimeagentleAprilsheditsshowers,Aflamewithsunset,ontheBayofFlowers。

  Note:BotanyBayThenobleseamanwhowithheldthehand,AndsparedtheHectorofhisnativeland—

  Thesinglesavage,yellingonthebeachThedark,strangecursesofbarbaricspeech。

  Exaltedsailor!whosebenignantphraseShinesfullofbeautyintheselatterdays;

  Page:135

  WhometthenakedtribesoffieryskiesWithgreat,divinecompassioninhiseyes;

  Whodied,likeHimofhoaryNazareth,Thatdeathaugust—theradiantmartyr’sdeath;

  WhointhelasthourshowedtheChristianfaceWhosecrumblingbeautyshamedthealienrace。

  InpeacehesleepswheredeepeternalcalmsLieroundthelandofheavy—fruitedpalms。

  Lo!inthatdell,behindasingingbar,Wheredeep,purepoolsofglitteringwatersare,Beyondamossy,yellow,gleamingglade,ThelastofForbySutherlandwaslaid—

  Theblue—eyedSaxonfromthehillsofsnowWhofellasleepahundredyearsago。

  Inflowerfulshades,wheregoldandgreenarerife,Stillreststheshellofhisforgottenlife。

  Far,faraway,beneathsomenorthernskyThefathersofhishumblehouseholdlie;

  Butbyhislonelygravearesapphirestreams,Andgraciouswoodlands,wherethefire—flygleams;

  Page:136

  AndevercomesacrossasilverleaThehymnsublimeoftheeternalsea。

  Onthatboldhill,againstabroadbluestream,StoodArthurPhillipinadayofdream:

  Whattimethemistsofmorningwestwardrolled,Andheavenfloweredonabayofgold!

  Here,inthehourthatshinesandsoundsafar,FlamedfirstoldEngland’sbannerlikeastar;

  Here,inatimeaugustwithprayerandpraise,Wasbornthenationofthesesplendiddays;

  Andherethisland’smajesticyesterdayOfimmemorialsilencediedaway。

  Wherearethewoodsthat,ninetysummersback,Stoodhoarwithagesbythewater—track?

  Wherearethevalleysoftheflashingwing,Page:137

  Thedimgreenmarginsandtheglimmeringspring?

  Wherenowthewarrioroftheforestrace,Hisglaringwar—paintandhisfearlessface?

  ThebanksofAprilandthegrovesofbird,Thegladesofsilenceandthepoolsunstirred,Thegleamingsavageandthewhistlingspear,Passedwiththepassingofawildoldyear!

  Asingletorrentsingingbythewave,Ashadowyrelicinamountaincave,Aghostoffireinimmemorialhills,Thewhittledtreebyfoldedwaysiderills,Thecallofbirdthathidesinhollowsfar,Wherefeetofthunder,wingsofwinterare—

  OfallthatPast,thesewrecksofwindandrain,Thesetouchingmemories—thesealoneremain!

  Whatsunisthisthatbeamsandbroadenswest?

  Whatwonderthis,indeathlessglorydressed?

  Page:138

  Whatstrange,sweetharpofhighestgodtookflameAndgavethisTroyitslife,itslight,itsname?

  WhatawfullyreofmarvellouspowerandrangeUpraisedthisIlion—wroughtthisdazzlingchange?

  NoshiningsingerofHellenicdreamsSetyondersplendourbythemorningstreams!

  NogodwhoglimmersinadoubtfulsphereShedglorythere—createdbeautyhere!

  Thisisthecitythatourfathersframed—

  Thesearethecrescentsbytheeldersnamed!

  Thehumanhandsofstrong,heroicmenBrokedownthemountain,filledthegapingglen,Ranstreetsthroughswamp,builtbanksagainstthefoam,Andbentthearchandraisedthelordlydome!

  Herearethetowersthatthefoundersmade!

  HerearethetempleswheretheseRomansprayed!

  Herestandthecourtsinwhichtheirleadersmet!

  Herearetheirhomes,andheretheiraltarsyet!

  HeresleepthegrandoldmenwhoselivessublimePage:139

  Ofthoughtandactionshineandsoundthroughtime!

  Whoworkedindarkness—onwardfoughttheirwaysTobringabouttheselargemajesticdays—

  WholefttheirsonstheheartsandhighdesiresWhichbuiltthiscityofthehundredspires!

  AstatelyMorningrisesonthewing,Thehillstakecolour,andthevalleyssing。

  AstrongSeptemberflamesbeyondthelea—

  Asilvervisiononasilversea。

  AnewAge,``castinadivinermould’’,Comescrownedwithlustre,zonedandshodwithgold!

  Whatdreamisthisonlawnyspacesset?

  Whatmiracleofdomeandminaret?

  WhatgreatmutemajestyisthisthattakesThefirstofmorningerethesong—birdwakes?

  Lo,thiswasbuilttohonourgatheringlandsByCeltic,Saxon,Australasianhands!

  Page:140

  ThesearethehallswherealltheflagsunfurledBreakintospeechthatwelcomesalltheworld。

  Andlo,ourfriendsareherefromeveryzone—

  Fromisleswedreamofandfromtractsunknown!

  HerearethefathersfromthestatelyspaceWhereIrelandisandEngland’ssacredface!

  HerearetheNorsemenfromtheirstrongsea—wall,Thegrave,grandTeutonandthebrilliantGaul!

  Fromgreen,sweetgrovesthedark—eyedLusianssail,AndproudIberialeavesthegrape—flushedvale。

  HerearethelordswhosestarrybannershinesFromfierceMagellantotheArcticpines。

  Herecomethestrangersfromthegatesofday—

  FromhillsofsunriseandfromwhiteCathay。

  Thespicyislandssendtheirswarthysons,TheloftyNorthitsmailedandmightyones。

  Venetiankeelsarefloatingonoursea;

  OureyesaregladwithradiantItaly!

  Yea,NorthandSouth,andglowingWestandEast,Aregatheringheretograceoursplendidfeast!

  Page:141

  ThechiefsfrompeaksaugustwithAsiansnow,Theeldersbornwhereregalrosesgrow,Comehither,withtheflowerofthatfairlandThatbloomsbeyondthefierytractsofsandWhereSyriansunstheirangrylustresflingAcrossblindchannelsofthebygonespring。

  Andonthisgreat,auspiciousday,theflowersOflabourglorifymajestichours。

  ThesingingangelfromthestarrysphereOfdazzlingScienceshowshiswondershere;

  AndArt,thedream—cladspirit,starts,andbringsFromFairylandherstrange,sweet,glitteringthings。

  Herearetheworksmandid,whattimehisfaceWastouchedbyGodinsomeexaltedplace;

  Hereglowsthesplendour—herethemarvelwroughtWhenHeavenflasheduponthemaker’sthought!

  Yea,hereareallthemiraclessublime—

  ThelightsofGeniusandthestarsofTime!

  And,beingliftedbythisnoblenoon,Australiabroadenslikeatropicmoon。

  Page:142

  Herwhite,purelustrebeamsacrossthezones;

  Thenationsgreetherfromtheirawfulthrones。

  FromhencethemorningbeautyofhernameWillshineafar,likeanexceedingflame。

  Herplacewillbewithmightylords,whoseswayControlsthethunderandthemarchingday。

  HercrownwillshinebesidethecrownsofkingsWhoshapetheseasons,rulethecourseofthings,ThefameofheracrosstheyearstobeWillspreadlikelightonasurpassingsea;

  Andgracedwithglory,girtwithpoweraugust,Herlifewilllasttillallthingsturntodust。

  ToTheethefaceofsongisliftednow,OLord!towhomtheawfulmountainsbow;

  Whosehands,unseen,thetenfoldstormscontrol;

  Whosethundersshakethespheresfrompoletopole;

  WhofromThyhighestheavenlookestdown,Page:143

  TheseaThyfootstool,andthesunThycrown;

  AroundwhosethronethedeathlessplanetssingHosannastotheirhigh,eternalKing。

  ToTheethesoulofprayerthismorningturns,Withfaiththatglitters,andwithhopethatburns!

  And,inthemomentsofmajesticcalmThatfilltheheartinpausesofthepsalm,SheasksThyblessingforthisfairyounglandThatflowerswithinthehollowofThinehand!

  SheseeksofTheethatboon,thatgiftsublime,TheChristianradiance,forthishopeofTime!

  AndThouwiltlisten!andThyfacewillbendTosmileuponus—Master,Father,Friend!

  TheChristtowhompurepleadinghearthathcreptWashumanonce,andinthedarknesswept;

  Page:144

  ThegraciouslovethathelpeduslongagoWillonuslikeasummersunriseflow,Andbealighttoguidethenation’sfeetOnholypaths—onsacredwaysandsweet。

  Page:145

  CHRISTMASCREEK

  PHANTOMstreamswereinthedistance—mockinglightsoflakeandpool—

  Ghostsoftreesofsoftgreenlustre—grovesofshadowsdeepandcool!

  Yea,somedevilranbeforethemchangingskiesofbrasstoblue,Settingbloomwherecurseisplanted,whereagrass—bladenevergrew。

  Sixtherewere,andhighabovethemglaredawildandwizenedsun,Page:146

  Ninetyleaguesfromwherethewatersofthesingingvalleysrun。

  Therebeforethem,therebehindthem,wasthegreat,stark,stubbornplain,Wherethedrywindshissforever,andtheblindearthmoansforrain!

  Ringedaboutbytracksoffurnace,ninetyleaguesfromstreamandtree,Sixtherewere,withwastedfaces,workingnorthwardstothesea!

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Ah,thebitter,hopelessdesert!HerethesebrokenhumanwrecksPage:147

  Trodthewildswheresandoffireiswiththespitefulspinifex,Toiledthroughspheresthatnobirdknowsof,wherewithfieryemphasisHellhathstampeditsawfulmint—markdeeponeverythingthatis!

  Toiledandthirsted,stroveandsuffered!ThiswaswhereDecember’sbreathAsawindofsmitingflameisonweird,haggardwastesofdeath!

  Thiswaswhereawitheredmoanis,andthegleamofweak,wanstar,Andathunderfullofmenacesendsitsmightyvoicesfar!

  Thiswaswhereblackexecrations,fromsomedarktribunalhurled,Page:148

  Setthebrandofcurseonallthingsinthemorningoftheworld!

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Onemanyielded—thenanother—thenaladofnineteenyearsReeledandfell,withEnglishriverssingingsoftlyinhisears,Englishgrassesstartedroundhim—thenthegraceofSussexleaCameandtouchedhimwiththebeautyofagreenlandbythesea!

  Old—worldfacesthrongedabouthim—old—worldvoicesspoketohim;

  Page:149

  Buthisspeechwaslikeawhisper,andhiseyeswereverydim。

  Inadreamofgoldenevening,beamingonaquietstrand,LaythestrangertillabrightOnecameandtookhimbythehand。

  Englandvanished;diedthevoices;butheheardaholiertone,Andanangelthatweknownotledhimtothelandsunknown!

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Sixtherewere,butthreeweretaken!Threewerelefttostrugglestill;

  Butagainsttheredhorizonflamedahornofbrindledhill!

  Page:150

  Butbeyondthenorthernskyline,pastawallofsteepaustere,LaythelandoflightandcoolnessinanApril—colouredyear!

  ``Courage,brothers!’’criedtheleader。``OntheslopeofyonderpeakTherearetractsofherbandshadow,andthechannelsofthecreek!’’

  Sotheymadeonelastgreateffort—

  haledtheirbeaststhroughbrakeandbriar,Settheirfeetonspursoffurnace,grappledspikesandcragsoffire,Foughtthestubbornmountainforces,smotedownnaked,naturalpowers,TilltheygazedfromthronesofMorningonasphereofstreamsandflowers。

  Page:151

  Outbehindthemwasthedesert,glaringlikeaseaofbrass!

  Herebeforethemwerethevalleys,fairwithmoonlight—colouredgrass!

  Attheirbackswerehaggardwaste—lands,bickeringinawickedblaze!

  Intheirfacesbeamedthewaters,marchingdownmelodiousways!

  Touchingwasthecool,softlustreoverlapsoflawnandlea;

  AndmajesticwasthegreatroadMorningmadeacrossthesea。

  OnthesacreddayofChristmas,aftersevenmonthsofgrief,Restedthreeofsixwhostarted,onabankofmossandleaf—

  Page:152

  Restedbyarunningriver,inahushed,aholyweek;

  Andtheynamedthestreamthatsavedthem—nameditfitly—``ChristmasCreek’’。

  Page:153

  ORARA

  THEstrongsobofthechafingstreamThatseawardfightsitswayDowncragsofglitter,dellsofgleam,Isinthehillsto—day。

  Butfarandfaint,agrey—wingedformHangswherethewildlightswane—

  Thephantomofabygonestorm,Aghostofwindandrain。

  ThesoftwhitefeetofafternoonAreontheshiningmeads,ThebreezeisasapleasanttuneAmongstthehappyreeds。

  Page:154

  Thefierce,disastrous,flyingfire,Thatmadethegreatcavesring,Andscarredtheslope,andbrokethespire,Isaforgottenthing。

  Theairisfullofmellowsounds,Thewethill—headsarebright,Anddownthefalloffragrantgrounds,Thedeepwaysflamewithlight。

  Arose—redspaceofstreamIsee,Pastbanksoftenderfern;

  Aradiantbrook,unknowntomeBeyonditsupperturn。

  Thesinging,silverlifeIhear,Whosehomeisinthegreen,Far—foldedwoodsoffountainsclear,WhereIhaveneverbeen。

  Page:155

  Ah,brookabovetheupperbend,IoftenlongtostandWhereyouinsoft,coolshadesdescendFromtheuntroddenland!

  Ah,foldedwoods,thathidethegraceOfmossandtorrentsstrong,IoftenwishtoknowthefaceOfthatwhichsingsyoursong!

  ButImaylinger,long,andlookTillnightisoverall:

  Myeyeswillneverseethebrook,Orsweet,strangewaterfall。

  Theworldisroundmewithitsheat,Andtoil,andcaresthattire;

  IcannotwithmyfeeblefeetClimbaftermydesire。

  Page:156

  But,onthelapoflandsunseen,Withinasecretzone,ThereshinedivinergoldandgreenThanmanhaseverknown。

  AndwherethesilverwaterssingDownhushedandholydells,TheflowerofacelestialSpring—

  Atenfoldsplendour,dwells。

  Yea,inmydreamoffallandbrookByfarsweetforestsfurled,IseethatlightforwhichIlookInvainthroughalltheworld—

  ThegloryofalargerskyOnslopesofhillssublime,ThatspeakwithGodandmorning,highAbovethewaysofTime!

  Page:157

  Ah!haplyinthissphereofchangeWhereshadowsspoilthebeam,ItwouldnotdotoclimbthatrangeAndtestmyradiantDream。

  Theslightestglimpseofyonderplace,Untroddenandalone,Mightwhollykillthatnamelessgrace,Thecharmoftheunknown。

  Andtherefore,thoughIlookandlong,PerhapsthelotisbrightWhichkeepstheriverofthesongAbeautyoutofsight。

  Page:158

  THECURSEOFMOTHERFLOOD

  Wizenedthewoodis,andwanisthewaythroughit;

  Whiteasacorpseisthefaceofthefen;

  Onlyblueaddersabideinandstraythroughit—

  Addersandvenomandhorrorstomen。

  Hereisthe``ghostofagarden’’whoseministerFostersstrangeblossomsthatstartleandscare。

  Redasman’sbloodisthesunthat,withsinisterFlame,isamenaceofhellintheair。

  Wrinkledandhaggardthehillsare—thejagsofthemGapeliketolivingandominousthings:

  Stormanddrythundercryoutinthecragsofthem—

  Fire,andthewindwithawoeinitswings。

  Page:159

  Neveramoonwithoutclammy—coldshroudonitHitherwardcomes,oraflower—likestar!

  Onlythehissofthetempestisloudonit—

  Hiss,andthemoanofabitterseabar。

  Hereonthiswaste,andtoleftandtorightofit,Neverislisportherippleofrain:

  Fierceisthedaytimeandwildisthenightofit,Flamewithoutlimitandfrostwithoutwane!

  Treeshalfalive,withthesenseofacurseonthem,Shudderandshrinkfromtheblackheavygale;

  Ghastly,withboughsliketheplumesofahearseonthem:

  Barrenofblossomandblastedwithbale。

  Underthecliffthatstaresdowntothesouthofit—

  Backbythehornsofahazardoushill,DumbisthegorgewithagraveinthemouthofitStill,asacorpseinacoffinisstill。

  Page:160

  NevertherehoversahopeoftheSpringbyit—

  Neveraglimmerofyellowandgreen:

  OnlythebatwithawhisperofwingbyitFlitslikealifeoutoffleshandunseen。

  Herearethegrowthsthatarelividandglutinous,Speckled,andbloatedwithpoisonousblood:

  Thisisthehauntoftheviper—breedmutinous:

  CursedwiththecurseofweirdCatherineFlood。

  Hethathathlookedonit—hurriedaghastfromit,Hairofhimfrozenwithhorrorstraightway,Chasedbyasuddenstrangepestilentblastfromit—

  Whereisthespeechofhim—whatcanhesay?

  Hathhenotseenthefierceghostofahaginit?

  Heardmaledictionsthatstartlethestars?

  Dumbishismouthasamouthwithagaginit—

  Muteishislifeasalifewithinbars。

  Page:161

  Justtheoneglimpseofthatgrey,shriekingwomanthereRingedbyacircleoffurnaceandfiend!

  Hethatwenthappyandhealthyandhumanthere—

  Whereshallthewhiteleperflytobecleaned?

  Here,inapitwithindefinitedoomonit,Here,inthefumesofafeculentmoat,Underanalpwithinscrutablegloomonit,Squatsthewildwitchwithaghoulatherthroat!

  Blackexecrationthatcannotbespokenof—

  SpeechofredhellthatwouldsuffocateSong,StartsfromthisterrorwithneveratokenofDayanditslovelinessalltheyearlong。

  Sinwithoutnametoit—manneverheardofit—

  Crimethatwouldstartleafiendfromhislair,BlastedthisGlen,andtheleafandthebirdofit—

  Whereistherehopeforit,Father,Owhere?

  Page:162

  Farinthedaysofourfathers,thelifeinitBlossomedandbeamedinthesightofthesun:

  Yellowandgreenandthepurplewererifeinit,Singersofmorningandwatersthatrun。

  Stormoftheequinoxshednodistressonit,Thunderspokesoftly,andsummer—timeleftSunset’sforsakenbrightbeautifuldressonit—

  Blessingthatshonehalfthenightinthecleft。

  Hymnsofthehighlands—hosannasfromhillsbyit,Psalmsofgreatforestsmadeholythespot:

  Coolwerethemossesandclearweretherillsbyit—

  FarinthedayswhentheHorrorwasnot。

  Twentymilessouthisthestrong,shiningHawkesbury—

  Spaciousandsplendid,andlordlywithblooms。

  There,betweenmountainsmagnificent,walksburyMilesoftheirbeautyingreenmyrtleglooms。

  Page:163

  There,inthedell,isthefountainwithfallsbyit—

  Falls,andatorrentofsummeringstream:

  Thereisthecavewiththehyalinehallsbyit—

  Hauntoftheechoandhomeofthedream。

  Overthehill,bythemarvellousbaseofit,WandersthewindwithasonginitsbreathOuttotheseawiththegoldonthefaceofit—

  TwentymilessouthoftheValleyofDeath。

  Page:164

  ONASPANISHCATHEDRAL

  Note:EveryExpressioninthesestanza’smayfairlybeclaimedbytheHon。W。B。DalleyDEEPunderthespiresofahill,bythefeetofthethunder—cloudtrod,Ipauseinaluminous,still,magnificenttempleofGod!

  Atthestepsofthealtaraugust—avisionofangelsinstone—

  Ikneel,withmyheadtothedust,onthefloorsbytheseraphimknown。

  NofatherinJesusisnear,withthehigh,thecompassionateface;

  Page:165

  ButthegloryofGodheadishere—itspresencetransfigurestheplace!

  Beholdinthisbeautifulfane,withthelightsofblueheavenimpearled,IthinkoftheEldersofSpain,inthedeserts—thewildsoftheworld!

  Ithinkofthewandererspoorwhokneltontheflintsandthesands,WhenthemightyandmercilessMoorwaslordoftheLadyofLands。

  WheretheAfricanscimitarflamed,withaswift,bitterdeathinitskiss,Thefathers,unknownandunnamed,foundGodincathedralslikethis!

  TheglowofHisSpirit—thebeamofHisblessing—madelordsofthemenPage:166

  Whosefoodwastheherbofthestream,whoseroofwasthedomeoftheden。

  And,farinthehillsbythesea,theseawfulhierophantsprayedForRomeanditstemplestobe—inatemplebyDeitymade。

  Whoknowsoftheirfaith—ofitspower?Perhaps,withthelightintheireyes,Theysaw,insomewonderfulhour,themarvelofcenturiesrise!

  Perhapsinsomemomentsupreme,whenthemountainswereholyandstill,TheydreamedthemagnificentdreamthatcametothemonksofSeville!

  SurroundedbypillarsandspireswhosesummitsshoneoutintheglarePage:167

  Ofthehigh,theomnipotentfires,whoknowswhatwasseenbythemthere?

  Besure,iftheysaw,inthenoonoftheirfaith,someineffablefane,TheylookedonthechurchlikeamoondroppeddownbytheLordintoSpain。

  AndtheElderswhoshoneinthetimewhenChristoverChristendombeamedMayhavedreamedattheiraltarssublimethedreamthattheirfathershaddreamed,BythegloryofItalymoved—themajestyshininginRome—

  Theyturnedtothelandthattheyloved,andprayedforachurchintheirhome;

  Andasoulofunspeakablefiredescendedonthem,andtheyfoughtPage:168

  Andlabouredalifeforthespireandtoweranddomeoftheirthought!

  Thesegrewunderblessingandpraise,asmorninginsummertimegrows—

  AsTroyinthedawnofthedaystothemusicofDelphicusrose。

  Inalandofbewilderinglight,wherethefeetoftheseasonareSpring’s,Theyworkedinthedayandthenight,surroundedbybeautifulthings。

  Thewonderfulblossomsinstone—theflowerandleafoftheMoor,Oncolumnandcupolashone,andgleamedontheglimmeringfloor。

  Inasplendourofcolourandform,fromthemarvellousAfrican’shandsPage:169

  Yetvividandshiningandwarm,theyplantedtheFloweroftheLands。

  Inspiredbythepatiencesupremeofthemute,themagnificentpast,Theytoiledtillthedomeoftheirdreaminthefirmamentblossomedatlast!

  Justthinkofthesemen—oftheirtime—ofthedaysoftheirdeed,andthescene!

  Howtouchingtheirzeal—howsublimetheirsuppressionofselfmusthavebeen!

  InacityyethackedbytheswordandscarredbytheflameoftheMoor,TheystartedtheworkoftheirLord,sad,silent,andsolemnlypoor。

  Thesefathers,howlittletheythoughtofthemselves,andhowmuchofthedaysPage:170

  Whenthechildrenofmenwouldbebroughttoprayintheirtemple,andpraise!

  Ah!fulloftheradiant,still,heroicoldlifethathasflown,ThemercifulmonksofSevilletoiledon,anddiedbareandunknown。

  Themusic,thecolour,thegleamoftheirmightycathedralwillbeHereafteraluminousdreamoftheheavenInevermaysee;

  Toaspiritthatsuffersandseeksforthecalmofacompetentcreed,Thistemple,whosemajestyspeaks,becomesareligionindeed;

  Thepassionatelights—theintense,theineffablebeautyofsound—

  Page:171

  Gostraighttotheheartthroughthesense,asasongwouldofseraphimcrowned。

  Andlo!bythesealtarsaugust,thelifethatishighestwelive,Andarefilledwiththeinfinitetrustandthepeacethattheworldcannotgive。

  Theyhavepassed,havetheeldersoftime—theyhavegone;buttheworkoftheirhands,Pre—eminent,peerless,sublime,likeatypeofeternitystands!

  Theyaremute,arethefatherswhomadethischurchinthecenturydim;

  Butthedomewiththeirbeautyarrayedremains,aperpetualhymn。

  Theirnamesareunknown;butsolongasthehumbleinspiritandpurePage:172

  Areworshippedinspeechandinsong,ourloveforthesemonkswillendure;

  AndthelessonbysacrificetaughtwillliveinthelightoftheyearsWithareverencenottobebought,andatendernessdeeperthantears。

  Page:173

  ROVER

  NoclassicwarriortemptsmypenTofillwithversethesepages—

  Nolordly—heartedmanofmenMyMuse’sthoughtengages。

  Letotherschoosethemightydead,Andsingtheirbattlesover!

  Mychampion,too,hasfoughtandbled—

  Mythemeisone—eyedRover。

  Agraveolddog,withtatteredearsToosoretocockup,reader!—

  Afour—leggedhero,fullofyears,Butsturdyasacedar。

  Page:174

  Still,ageisage;andifmyrhymeIsdashedwithwordspathetic,Don’twonder,friend;I’veseenthetimeWhenRovewasmoreathletic。

  Heliescoiledupbeforemenow,Acomfortablecrescent。

  Hisnight—blacknoseandgrizzledbrowFixedinafashionpleasant。

  ButeverandanonheliftsTheonegoodeyeImention,AndtriesathousanddoggishshiftsTorivetmyattention。

  Justletmenamehisname,andupYou’llseehimstartandpatterTowardsme,likeasix—months’pupInpointofspeed,butfatter。

  Page:175

  Hepokeshisheaduponmylap,Norheedsthewhipabovehim;

  Becauseheknows,thedearoldchap,Hishumanfriendsalllovehim。

  OuryoungerdogscutofffromhenceAtsightoflashuplifted;

  ButRove,withgrandindifference,Remains,andcan’tbeshifted。

  And,ah!thesetuponhisphizAtmealsdefiesexpression;

  ForIconfessthatRoverisAcadgerbyprofession。

  ThelesserfavouritesoftheplaceAtdinnerkeeptheirdistance;

  ButbymychaironegrizzledfaceBegsonwithbravepersistence。

  Page:176

  Hisjawspresentatoothlesssight,ButstillmyheartyheroCansatisfyanappetiteWhichbringsabonetozero。

  AndwhileSpotbarksandpussymews,Tomovethecook’scompassion,Hetakeshisafter—dinnersnoozeIngenuinebipedfashion。

  Infact,inthis,ourancientpetSohitsoffhumannature,ThatIattimesalmostforgetHe’sbutadoginfeature。

  BetweenhistailandbrightoldeyeTheswiftcommunicationsOutstripthemessageswhichflyFromtelegraphicstations。

  Page:177

  And,ah!thattail’sricheloquenceConveystooclearamoral,FormenwhohaveagrainofsenseAboutitsdrifttoquarrel。

  Atnight,hisvoiceisonlyheardWhenitiswantedbadly;

  ForRoveristoocuteabirdTofollowshadowsmadly。

  ThepupandCarlointhedarkWillstartatcricketschirring;

  ButwhenweheartheolddogbarkWeknowthere’ssomethingstirring。

  Heknowsagun,doesRoverhere;

  AndifIcockatrigger,HemakeshimselffromtailtoearAnadmirablefigure。

  Page:178

  For,oncethefowlingpieceisout,Andgameisonthetapis,Thesetuponmyhero’ssnoutWouldmakeacocklehappy。

  Andasforhorses,why,betwixtOurchestnutmareandRoverThemutualfriendshipisasfixedAsanyloveoflover。

  Andwhenhismaster’shandresignsThebridleforthepaddle,Hisdogshiponthegrassreclines,Andstaysandmindsthesaddle。

  Ofotherfriendshehasnolack;

  Greypussyishiscrony,Andkittensmountuponhisback,Asyoungstersmountapony。

  Page:179

  Theytalkofman’ssuperiorsense,AndchargethefewwithtreasonWhothinkadog’sintelligenceIsverylikeourreason。

  ButthoughPhilosophyhastriedAscoreofdefinitions,’Twixtmananddogitcan’tdecideTherelativepositions。

  AndIbelieveuponthewhole(Thoughyoumycreeddeny,sir),ThatRove’sentitledtoasoulAsmuchasyouorI,sir!

  Indeed,IfailtoseetheforceOfyourderisivelaughterBecauseIwillnotsaymyhorseHasnotsomehorse—hereafter。

  Page:180

  Afigfordogmas—letthempass!

  There’smuchinlifetogrieveus;

  Andwhatmostgrievesisthis,alas!

  Thatallourbestfriendsleaveus。

  AndwhenIsipmynightlygrog,AndwatcholdRoverblinking,ThisroyalruinofadogCallsforthsomeseriousthinking。

  For,thoughhe’slightlytouchedbyFate,IcannothelpremarkingThestepofageisinhisgait,Itshoarsenessinhisbarking。

  HestillgoesonhisroundsatnightTokeepoffforestprowlers;

  But,ah!hehasnoteethtobiteThecunning—heartedhowlers。

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