第2章
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  WhileinthemainLanier’ssentence-constructionisgood,occasionallyhissentencesaretoolong,asin`MySprings’,`ToBayardTaylor’,and`Sunrise’,inwhichwehavesentenceslongerthantheopeningonein`ParadiseLost’,and,whatisofmoremoment,notsowellbalanced,andhenceaffordingfewerbreathingspaces。

  Thatthisdetractsfromclearnessandeuphonyboth,everyreaderwilladmit。

  Tocometothefiguresofspeech,onemustbestruckatoncewiththedelicacyandthevigorofLanier’simagination。Thepoet’sfancypersonifieswhatatfirstblushseemstousincapableofpersonification。

  Thusatonetime*1*helikensmentoclover-leavesandtheCourse-of-thingstothebrowsingox,whichmakeswaywiththeclover-heads;

  whileatanotherheaddressesanoldredhillofGeorgiaas\"ThougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer。\"*2*

  LikeotherSouthernpoets,*3*Laniersometimesfailstocheckhisimagination,andinconsequenceleaveshisreaders\"bramble-tangledinabrilliantmaze,\"

  asinhisdescriptionofthestarsin`JuneDreams’*4*

  andinthe`PsalmoftheWest’。*5*WhileIdonotlikeamaze,brilliantthoughitbeandsweet,ImustsaythatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Onthewhole,however,Lanier’sfiguresstrikemeassingularlyfreshandhappy。

  In`Sunrise’,forexample,thepoetspeaksofthemarshasfollows:

  \"Thetide’satfull:themarshwithfloodedstreamsGlimmersalimpidlabyrinthofdreams;\"*6*

  andoftheheavensreflectedinthemarshwaters:

  \"EachwindingcreekingraveentrancementliesArhapsodyofmorning-stars。TheskiesShinescantwithoneforkedgalaxy,——

  Themarshbragsten:loopedonhisbreasttheylie。\"*7*

  Later,astheebb-tideflowsfrommarshtosea,weareparentheticallytreatedtothesetwolines:

  \"Runhome,littlestreams,Withyourlapfulsofstarsanddreams。\"*8*

  Finally,theheavenitselfisthuspictured:

  \"NowineachpettiestpersonalsphereofdewThesumm’dmornshinescompleteasintheblueBigdew-dropofallheaven;\"*9*

  besidewhichmustbehungthisexquisitepicture:

  \"Thedew-dropmornmayfallfromoffthepetalofthesky。\"*10*

  ——

  *1*In`Clover’。

  *2*`Corn’,ll。185-187。

  *3*SeeonthispointtheremarksofProfessorTrentinhisadmirablelifeof`Simms’(Boston,1892),p。149。

  *4*`JuneDreams’,l。21ff。

  *5*`PsalmoftheWest’,l。183ff。

  *6*`Sunrise’,ll。80-81。

  *7*Ibid。,ll。82-85。

  *8*Ibid。,ll。114-115。

  *9*Ibid。,ll。134-136。

  *10*`TheShipofEarth’,l。5。

  ——

  Astoversification,Lanierusesalmostallthetypesofverse——iambic,trochaic,blank,thesonnet,etc。——andwithaboutequalskill。

  Threefeatures,however,speciallycharacterizehisverse:

  thecarefuldistributionofvowel-colorsandthefrequentuseofalliterationandofphoneticsyzygy,*1*bywhichlastismeantacombinationorsuccessionofidenticalorsimilarconsonants,whetherinitially,medially,orfinally,asforinstancethesuccessionofM’sinTennyson’s\"ThemoanofdovesinimmemorialelmsAndmurmuringofinnumerablebees。\"

  AllofthesephenomenaareillustratedinLanier’s`SongoftheChattahoochee’,whichhasoftenbeencomparedtoTennyson’s`TheBrook’,andwhichaloneprovestheauthoramasterinversification。Tobesure,Lanieroccasionallygivesusanimproperrhyme,as`thwart:heart’,*2*etc。,butsodoeseverypoet。

  Nodoubt,too,hisloveofmusicsometimesledhim,not\"tostrainforformeffects\",buttoindulgetoomuchtherein,or,inthewordsofMr。Stedman,\"toessayinlanguagefeatsthatonlythegamutcanrenderpossible。\"*3*But,asProfessorKentadmirablyputsit,\"Lanierwasapoetaswellasanartist,andifattimeshisartistictemperamentseemedtoeclipsehispoeticthought,grantthattothepoetmindtheverymannerofexpressionmayindicatethethoughtthatliesbeneath,whiletothedullerearthethoughtmustcomeincompletedform。\"*4*Moreover,asweshallseelater,thisextraordinarymusicalendowmentgaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。

  ——

  *1*See`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,p。306ff。

  *2*`IntheFoam’,ll。6,8。See,too,Kent’s`StudyofLanier’sPoems’,whichgivesanexhaustivetreatmentofLanier’sversification。

  *3*Stedman’s`PoetsofAmerica’,p。449。

  *4*`Kent’,p。60。

  ——

  Afterwhathasbeensaidthequalitiesofstylemaybebrieflyhandled。

  Aswehavealreadyseen,Laniersometimesfailsinclearness,or,moreprecisely,insimplicity。Thiscomespartlyfrominfelicitoussentence-construction,partly,perhaps,fromLanier’sextraordinarymusicalendowment,butchiefly,Ithink,fromover-luxurianceofimagination。Butthisoccasionaldefecthasbeenundulyexaggerated。ThusMr。Gosse*1*declaresthatLanieris\"neversimple,nevereasy,neverinonesinglelyricnaturalandspontaneousformorethanonestanza,\"——astatementsoclearlyhyperbolicashardlytocallfornotice。Asamatteroffact,Lanierhaswrittennumerouspoemsthatofferlittleornodifficultytothereaderofaverageintelligence,as`LifeandSong’,`MySprings’,`TheSymphony’,`TheMocking-Bird’,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’,`TheWavingoftheCorn’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,`ABalladofTreesandtheMaster’,etc。Morethanthis,Lanierattimesmanifeststhesimplicitythatisgrantedonlytogeniusofthehighestorder:thusanEnglishcritic,*2*

  whobythewaydeclaresthatLanier’svolumehasmoreofgeniusthanallthepoemsofPoe,orLongfellow,orLowell(thehumorouspoemsexcepted),andwhoconsidersLanierthemostoriginalofallAmericanpoets,andmoreoriginalthananyEnglandhasproducedforthelastthirtyyears,saysthat\"nothingcanbemoreperfectthan——

  `ThewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,’\"*3*

  linesin`MySprings’,andthat\"thetouchofwonderinthelasttwolines,`ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,Forwhenhefrowns,’tisthenyeshine,’*4*

  isassimpleandexquisiteasanytouchoftendernessinourliterature。\"

  IfranklyadmitthatseveralofLanier’sbestpoems,as`Corn’,`TheMarshesofGlynn’,and`Sunrise’,arenotsimple;

  butthesamethingistrueofMilton’s`ParadiseLost’andofBrowning’s`TheRingandtheBook’,andyetthisfactdoesnotexcludethesetwoworksfromthelistofgreatpoems。Mr。Gosse,however,declaresthat`Corn’,`Sunrise’,and`TheMarshesofGlynn’\"simulatepoeticexpressionwithextraordinaryskill。Butoftherealthing,ofthegenuinetraditionalarticle,notatrace\"!Whatdothesepoemsshow,then?

  Mr。Gosseanswers:\"Ifindapainfuleffort,astrainandrage,themostprominentqualitiesineverythinghewrote;\"whichstrikesmeasthereverseofthefacts。Inoneofhisletters*5*toJudgeBleckley,Lanierwrotethissentence:\"Myheadandmyheartarebothsofullofpoemswhichthedreadfulstruggleforbreaddoesnotgivemetimetoputonpaper,thatIamoftendriventoheadacheandheartache,purelyforwantofanhourortwotoholdapen。\"If,then,hecommittedanerror(andIamfarfromconsideringhimfaultless),itwasnotthathebeatandspurredonPegasus,butthathefailedtoreinhimin。Still,IrepeatthatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Finally,justasMiltontellsusthatthemusicofthespheresisnottobeheardbythegross,unpurgedear,soIbelievethatmanyintelligentearsandeyesareatfirsttoogrosstohearandseewhatLanierputsbeforethem,whereasabitofpatientlisteningandlookingrevealsdelightshithertoundreamedof。

  ——

  *1*See`Bibliography’。

  *2*`TheSpectator’(London);see`Bibliography’。

  *3*`MySprings’,ll。49-50。

  *4*`MySprings’,ll。55-56。

  *5*Itistobehopedthattheselettersmayyetbepublished。

  IquotefromonedatedNovember15,1874。

  ——

  Ifnotalwayssimple,Lanierisoftenforcibleintheextreme,asin`TheSymphony’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,and`Sunrise’。

  Ofcourse,itisopentoanyonetoseeinthesepoemsthe\"rage\"

  attributedtoLanierbyMr。Gosse,butIprefertoconsideritdivinewrathinallbutthelast,andinitwonderunutterable,whichyetissoutteredthatearsbecomeeyes。Ialludetothestanzas*describingthebreakofdawnandtherisingofthesun。

  ——

  *`Sunrise’,ll。86-152。

  ——

  Ofthepoet’smarvelouseuphony,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’

  speaksclearlyenough。Aswehaveseeninourtreatmentofversification,itishereaquestionnotoftoolittlebutoftoomuch。

  But,despiteanoccasionaltoogreatyieldingtohispassionformusic,hisextraordinaryendowmentinthisdirectiongaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。IquoteagainfromProfessorKent:*

  \"Butifhissenseofbeautymadehimapeerofourgreatpoets,itwastheheavenlygiftofmusicthatdistinguishedhimfromthem。

  Milton,itistrue,whomhemostresemblesinthisrespect,hadaknowledgeofmusic,butnotthesamepassionforit。Milton’smusicwasmorearecreation,anaccompanimentofreverie;Lanier’swasafieryzeal;

  ayearninglove,achosenandadequateformofexpressionofhissoul’sdeepestfeeling。Combinedwiththispassionformusicwashistechnicalknowledgeoftheart,andthesecombinedformedatoncethefoundationandtheframeworkofhispoetry。Heseemsliterallytohavesunghispoems;theyareessentiallymusical,tuneful,andmelodious。

  Surchargedwithmusic,heoverflowsinmellifluousnumbers。Here,then,Lanierstandsoutdifferentiatedinthechoirofpoets,andherewefindthatdistinctivequalitywhichistheveryflavorofhiswriting。\"

  ——

  *P。62。

  ——

  WhilemostofLanier’spoemsareinaseriousstrain,severaldisclosenomeansenseofhumor。Irefertohisdialectpoems,suchas`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’,`UncleJim’sBaptistRevivalHymn’,and`ThePowerofPrayer’,especiallythelast,writteninconjunctionwithhisbrother,Mr。CliffordLanier。

  Therearepassagesinthepoemsnolesspatheticthanthepoet’slife。

  Indiscussinghisloveofnaturewehaveseenthathewasapantheistinthebestsenseoftheterm。Sodelicatewashissensibilitythatwedonotwonderwhenwehearhimdeclaring,\"AndIamonewithallthekinsmenthingsThate’ermyFatherfathered,\"*

  asayingasfelicitousastheRoman’s\"Iamaman,and,therefore,nothinghumanisstrangertome。\"Thetendernessofthe`BalladofTreesandtheMaster’musttouchallreaders。

  Fewpassagesaremorepathetic,Ithink,thanthat,in`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,tellingofthepoet’sstruggleforbreadandfame,while\"hisworshipfulsweetwifesatstill,afar,withinthevillagewhenceshesenthimforth,waitingallconfidentandproudandcalm。\"

  And,ifthereoccursthereinaplaintivetone,letusrememberthatitistheonlytimethathecomplainedofhislot,andthatherereallyhehasmoreinmindhisdearerself,hiswife,andthatcalmsucceededtounrestjustasitdoesinthispassage:

  \"`Whycanwepoetsdreamusbeauty,so,Butcannotdreamusbread?Why,now,canI

  Make,aye,createthisfervidthrobbingJuneOutofthechill,chillmatterofmysoul,Yetcannotmakeapoorestpenny-loafOutofthissamechillmatter,no,notoneForMary,thoughshestarveduponmybreast?’

  Andthenhefelluponhiscouch,andsobbed,And,late,justwhenhisheartleanedo’erTheveryedgeofbreaking,faintofall,Godsenthimsleep。\"**

  ——

  *`AFloridaSunday’,ll。102-103。

  **`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,ll。68-78。

  ——

  V。Lanier’sTheoryofPoetryItisnowtimetosayawordaboutLanier’stheoryofart,especiallytheartofpoetry。Hisviewsupontheformalsideofpoetryhavealreadybeennoticedintheconsiderationofhis`ScienceofEnglishVerse’,andhencereceivenofurthercommenthere。

  ThatLanierkeenlyappreciatedtheresponsibilityrestingupontheartist,appearsfrom`Individuality’,wherehetellsus,\"Awfulisartbecause’tisfree,\"*1*

  and,\"Eachartist——giftofterror!——ownshiswill。\"*2*

  Butheacceptstheresponsibilityreverentlyandconfidently:

  \"Iworkinfreedomwild,Butwork,asplaysalittlechild,SureoftheFather,Self,andLove,alone。\"*3*

  ——

  *1*`Individuality’,l。62。

  *2*`Individuality’,l。76。

  *3*`Individuality’,ll。89-91。

  ——

  Again,theprovinceofpoetryispointedout,asin`Clover’:

  \"Theartist’smarketistheheartofman;

  Theartist’sprice,somelittlegoodofman;\"*1*

  andin`TheBee’:

  \"Wiltask,`Whatprofite’erapoetbrings?’

  HebearethstarrystuffabouthiswingsTopollentheeandstingtheefertile。\"*2*

  In`Corn’,*3*too,the\"tallcorn-captain\"\"typesthepoet-soulsublime。\"

  ——

  *1*`Clover’,ll。126-127。

  *2*`TheBee’,ll。40-42。

  *3*`Corn’,l。52ff。

  ——

  ButitisinhisproseworksthatLanierhastreatedthemattermostatlength,andtotheseIturn。Inthefirstplace,heinsiststhattobeanartistonemustknowagreatdeal,astatementthatwouldappearsuperfluousbutforitsfrequentoverlookingbywould-beartists。Henceheisrightinwarningyoungwriters:

  \"Youneednotdreamofwinningtheattentionofsoberpeoplewithyourpoetryunlessthatpoetryandyoursoulbehinditareinformedandsaturatedwithatleastthelargestfinalconceptionsofcurrentscience。\"*

  ThatLanierstrovetofollowthisprecept,wehaveabundantevidenceinhislifeandinhisworks;andIthinkthat,ifwerememberhisenvironments,wemustwonderatthevastness,theaccuracy,andthevarietyofhisknowledge。Asadditionallyillustrativeofthelast,ImayaddthatLanierinventedsomeimprovementsfortheflute,andmadeadiscoveryinthephysicsofmusicthattheProfessorofPhysicsintheUniversityofVirginiathoughtconsiderable。**

  ——

  *`Gates’,p。29。

  **See`West’,p。23。

  ——

  Inthesecondplace,Lanierthinksthatapoet’sknowledgeofhisartshouldbescientific。Itwasthisthatledhimtowrite`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,themottoofwhichis,\"Butthebestconceptionscannotbe,savewherescienceandgeniusare。\"

  In`TheEnglishNovel’hedeclaresthat\"notasingleversewaseverwrittenbyinstinctalonesincetheworldbegan,\"*

  andfortifieshisstatementbyBenJonson’stributetoShakespeare,——

  \"Foragoodpoet’smadeaswellasborn,Andsuchwertthou。\"

  ButLanierclearlysawthatnoformallawsandnoamountofscientificknowledgecouldalonemakeapoet,asappearsfromthemottoabovequoted,fromtheclosingchapterof`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,whichtellsusthattheeducatedloveofbeautyistheartist’sonlylaw,andfromthisothermotto,fromSirPhilipSidney:\"APoet,noindustriecanmake,ifhisowneGeniusbeenotcarrieduntoit。\"

  ——

  *`TheEnglishNovel’,p。33。

  ——

  Inthethirdplace,Lanierholdsthatamoralintentiononthepartofanartistdoesnotinterferewiththenaturalnessorintrinsicbeautyofhiswork;thatinartthecontrollingconsiderationisrathermoralthanartisticbeauty;butthatmoralbeautyandartisticbeauty,sofarfrombeingdistinctoropposed,areconvergentandmutuallyhelpful。

  Thisthesisheupholdsinthefollowingeloquentandcogentpassage:

  \"Permitmetorecalltoyouinthefirstplacethattherequirementhasbeenfromtimeimmemorialthatwhereverthereiscontestasbetweenartisticandmoralbeauty,unlessthemoralsideprevail,allislost。Letanysculptorhewusoutthemostravishingcombinationoftendercurvesandsphericsoftnessthateverstoodforwoman;

  yetiftheliphaveacertainfulnessthathintsoftheflesh,ifthebrowbeinsincere,ifintheminutestparticularthephysicalbeautysuggestamoralugliness,thatsculptor——unlesshebeportrayingamoraluglinessforamoralpurpose——mayaswellgiveoverhismarbleforpaving-stones。Time,whosejudgmentsareinexorablymoral,willnotaccepthiswork。Forindeedwemaysaythathewhohasnotyetperceivedhowartisticbeautyandmoralbeautyareconvergentlineswhichrunbackintoacommonidealorigin,andwhothereforeisnotafirewithmoralbeautyjustaswithartisticbeauty——thathe,inshort,whohasnotcometothatstageofquietandeternalfrenzyinwhichthebeautyofholinessandtheholinessofbeautymeanonething,burnasonefire,shineasonelight,withinhim;heisnotyetthegreatartist。\"*BycopiousquotationsLanierthenshowsthat\"manyfineandbeautifulsoulsappearafterawhiletoloseallsenseofdistinctionbetweentheseterms,Beauty,Truth,Love,Wisdom,Goodness,andthelike,\"andconcludesthus:\"Andifthisbetrue,cannotonesaywithauthoritytotheyoungartist,——whetherworkinginstone,incolor,intones,orincharacter-formsofthenovel:

  sofarfromdreadingthatyourmoralpurposewillinterferewithyourbeautifulcreation,goforwardintheclearconvictionthatunlessyouaresuffused——soulandbody,onemightsay——

  withthatmoralpurposewhichfindsitslargestexpressioninlove——thatis,theloveofallthingsintheirproperrelation——

  unlessyouaresuffusedwiththislove,donotdaretomeddlewithbeauty;

  unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,donotmeddlewithlove;

  unlessyouaresuffusedwithtruth,donotdaretomeddlewithgoodness;——

  inaword,unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,truth,wisdom,goodness,ANDlove,abandonthehopethattheageswillacceptyouasanartist。\"**

  ——

  *`TheEnglishNovel’,p。272f。

  **`TheEnglishNovel’,p。280。Ofthenumerousdiscussionsofthisthesis,thestudentshouldconsultatleastthosebyMatthewArnold(`Preface’tohiseditionof`Wordsworth’sPoems’),JohnRuskin(`StonesofVenice’,vol。iii。,chap。iv。),andVictorHugo(`WilliamShakespeare’,BookVI。)。

  ——

  VI。ConclusionMiltonhassomewheresaidthatinordertobeagreatpoetonemusthimselfbeatruepoem,adictumnonethelesstrustworthybecauseofitsinapplicabilitytoitsauthoralongwithseveralothergreatpoets。NowofallEnglishpoets,IknowofnonethatcamenearerbeingatruepoemthandidLanier。

  Hewasasspotlessas\"theLadyofChrist’s\",andinfinitelymorelovable。

  Indeed,heseemstometohaverealizedtheidealofhisownknightlyHorn,whohopesthatsomedaymenwillbe\"maidsinpurity\"。*

  Iwillnotrecallhisgentleyetheroiclifeamiddrawbacksalmostunparalleled;foritisevensadderthanitisbeautiful。

  Itismydeliberatejudgmentthat,while,asthepoetsaysinhis`LifeandSong’,nosingerhaseverwhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Laniercamesonearitthatwemayfairlysay,intheclosinglinesofthepoem,\"Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand。\"

  And,formypart,Iamasgratefulforhisnobleprivatelifeasforhisdistinguishedpublicwork。

  ——

  *`TheSymphony’,l。302。

  ——

  AndyetIwillnotclosewiththispictureoftheman;formypurposeisrathertopresentthepoet。Hamperedthoughhewasbyfewnessofyears,byfeeblenessofbody,byshortnessofbread,and,mostofallperhaps,byover-luxurianceofimagination,Lanierwasyet,tomymind,indisputablyagreatpoet。ForintechniquehewasakintoTennyson;*

  intheloveofbeautyandinlyricsweetness,toKeatsandShelley;

  intheloveofnature,toWordsworth;andinspirituality,toRuskin,thegistofwhoseteachingisthatwearesoulstemporarilyhavingbodies;

  toMilton,\"God-giftedorgan-voiceofEngland\";andtoBrowning,\"subtlestassertorofthesoulinsong\"。Tobesure,Lanier’sgeniusisnotequaltothatofanyoneofthepoetsmentioned,butIventuretobelievethatitisofthesameorder,and,therefore,deservingoflastingremembrance。

  ——

  *Mr。Thayerputsitstronger:\"AsamasterofmelodiousmetreonlyTennyson,andhenotoften,hasequalledLanier。\"Mr。F。F。Browne,Editorof`TheDial’(Chicago),comparesthetwopoetsinanotheraspect:

  \"`TheSymphony’ofLaniermayrecallsomepartsof`Maud’;

  buttheyoungerpoet’streatmentisasmuchhisownastheelder’sishisown。ThecomparisonofLanierwithTennysonwill,indeed,onlydeepentheimpressionofhisoriginality,whichishismoststrikingquality。ItmaybedoubtedifanyEnglishpoetofourtime,exceptTennyson,hascasthisworkinanamplermould,orwroughtwithmoreoffreedom,orstampedhisproductwiththeimpressofastrongerpersonality。Histhought,hisstand-point,hisexpression,hisform,histreatment,arehisalone;andthroughthemallhejustifieshisrighttothetitleofpoet。\"

  ——

  PoemsLifeandSongIflifewerecaughtbyaclarionet,[1]

  Andawildheart,throbbinginthereed,Shouldthrillitsjoyandtrillitsfret,Andutteritsheartineverydeed,ThenwouldthisbreathingclarionetTypewhatthepoetfainwouldbe;

  Fornoneo’thesingerseveryetHaswhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Orclearlysunghistrue,truethought,Orutterlybodiedforthhislife,Oroutoflifeandsonghaswrought[11]

  Theperfectoneofmanandwife;

  Orlivedandsung,thatLifeandSongMighteachexpresstheother’sall,CarelessiflifeorartwerelongSincebothwereone,tostandorfall:

  Sothatthewonderstruckthecrowd,Whoshouteditabouttheland:

  `Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand!’

  ____

  1868。

  Notes:LifeandSong`LifeandSong’isthefifthofaseriesofsevenpoemspublishedunderthegeneralheadingof`Street-cries’,withthetwostanzasfollowingasanintroduction:

  \"OftseemstheTimeamarket-townWheremanymerchant-spiritsmeetWhoupanddownandupanddownCryoutalongthestreet\"Theirneeds,aswares;oneTHUS,oneSO:

  Tillallthewaysarefullofsound:

  ——Butstillcomerain,andsun,andsnow,Andstilltheworldgoesround。\"

  Theremainingnumbersoftheseriesare:1。`Remonstrance’,giveninthisvolume;2。`TheShipofEarth’;3。`HowLoveLookedforHell’;

  4。`Tyranny’;6。`ToRichardWagner’;7。`ASongofLove’。

  IcanthinkofnomorehelpfulcommentonthesubjectofourpoemthanthissentencefromMilton’s`ApologyforSmectymnuus’,alreadyalludedtointhe`Introduction’(p。liv[PartVI]):

  \"Andlongitwasnotafter,whenIwasconfirmedinthisopinion,thathewhowouldnotbefrustrateofhishopetowritewellhereafterinlaudablethings,oughthimselftobeatruepoem;thatis,acompositionandpatternofthebestandhonorablestthings;

  notpresumingtosinghighpraisesofheroicmenorfamouscities,unlesshehaveinhimselftheexperienceandthepracticeofallthatwhichispraiseworthy。\"

  Lines19-20。IhavebeenpleasedtodiscoverthattheapplicationIhavemadeofthispoem,especiallyoftheselines(see`Introduction’,p。liv[PartVI]),islikewisemadebymoststudentsofLanier’slife,andthatMrs。Lanierhaschosenthesetwolinesforinscriptiononthemonumenttobeerectedtohismemory。

  Onthereversesideofthestone,Imayadd,aretobeputthesewords:

  \"HethatdwellethinlovedwellethinGod\"(IJohniv。16)。

  Jones’sPrivateArgymentThatairsameJones,whichlivedinJones,[1]

  Hehadthispintabouthim:

  He’dswearwithahundredsighsandgroans,ThatfarmersMUSTstopgittin’loans,Andgitalongwithout’em:

  Thatbankers,warehousemen,andsichWasfatt’nin’ontheplanter,AndTennessywasrotten-richA-raisin’meatandcorn,allwhichDraw’dmoneytoAtlanta:

  Andtheonlything(saysJones)todo[11]

  Is,eatnomeatthat’sboughten:

  BUTTEARUPEVERYI,O,U,ANDPLANTALLCORNANDSWEARFORTRUE

  TOQUITA-RAISIN’COTTON!

  ThusspoutedJones(wharfolkscouldhear,——AtCourtandothergatherin’s),Andthuskep’spoutin’manyayear,Proclaimin’loudlyfarandnearSichfiddlesticksandblatherin’s。

  But,oneall-firedsweatin’day,[21]

  IthappenedIwashoein’

  Mylowercorn-field,whichitlay’LongsidetheroadthatrunsmywayWharIcanseewhat’sgoin’。

  Anda’tertwelveo’clockhadcomeIfeltakinderfaggin’,Andlaidmyselfun’neathaplumToletmydinnersettlesum,When’longcomeJones’swaggin,AndJoneswassettin’init,SO:[31]

  A-readin’ofapaper。

  Hismuleswasgoin’powerfulslow,FurhehadtiedthelinesontoThestapleofthescraper。

  ThemulestheystoppedaboutarodFromme,andwenttofeedin’

  ’Longsidetheroad,uponthesod,ButJones(whichhehadtuckatod)

  Notknowin’,kepta-readin’。

  Andpresentlysayshe:\"Hit’strue;[41]

  ThatClisby’sheadislevel。

  Thar’sonethingfarmersallmustdo,Tokeepthemselvesfromgoin’tewBankruptcyandthedevil!

  \"Morecorn!morecorn!MUSTplantlessground,AndMUSTN’Teatwhat’sboughten!

  Nextyearthey’lldoit:reasonin’ssound:

  (And,cottonwillfetch’boutadollarapound),THARFORE,I’LLplantALLcotton!\"

  ____

  Macon,Ga。,1870。

  Notes:Jones’sPrivateArgymentThethemesofthispoem,therelativeclaimsofcornandcottonupontheattentionofthefarmerandthedisastrousresultsofspeculation,aretreatedindirectlyin`Thar’sMoreintheManThanTharIsintheLand’,anddirectlyandwithconsummateartin`Corn’。

  1。\"ThatairsameJones\"appearsin`Thar’sMore’,etc。,writtenin1869,inwhichwearetold:

  \"Andhelivedprettymuchbygittin’ofloans,Andhismuleswasnuthin’butskinandbones,Andhishogswasflatashiscorn-breadpones,Andhehad’boutathousandacreso’land。\"

  HesellshisfarmtoBrownatadollarandfiftycentsanacreandgoestoTexas。Brownimprovesthefarm,and,afterfiveyears,issittingdowntoabigdinnerwhenJonesisdiscoveredstandingoutbythefence,withoutwagonormules,\"furhehadleftTexasafootandcumtoGeorgytoseeifhecouldn’tgitsomeemployment。\"

  BrowninvitesJonesintodinner,butcannotrefrainfromtheinference-drawingthatnamesthepoem。——\"WhichlivedinJones,\"

  \"whichJonesisacountyofredhillsandstones\"(`Thar’sMore’,etc。)

  incentralGeorgia。

  13。Readersof`DavidCopperfield’willrecallMicawber’sfrequentuseof`I-O-U-’s’。

  47。\"Clisby’shead\"referstoMr。JosephClisby,theneditoroftheMacon(Ga。)`TelegraphandMessenger’,whohadwritteneditorialsfavoringtheplantingofmorecorn。

  CornTo-daythewoodsaretremblingthroughandthrough[1]

  Withshimmeringforms,thatflashbeforemyview,Thenmeltingreenasdawn-starsmeltinblue。

  TheleavesthatwaveagainstmycheekcaressLikewomen’shands;theembracingboughsexpressAsubtletyofmightytenderness;

  Thecopse-depthsintolittlenoisesstart,Thatsoundanonlikebeatingsofaheart,Anonliketalk’twixtlipsnotfarapart。

  Thebeechdreamsbalm,asadreamerhumsasong;

  Throughthatvaguewafture,expirationsstrong[11]

  ThrobfromyounghickoriesbreathingdeepandlongWithstressandurgenceboldofprisonedspringAndecstasyofburgeoning。

  Now,sincethedew-plashedroadofmornisdry,ForthventureodorsofmorequalityAndheavenliergiving。LikeJove’slocksawry,LongmuscadinesRich-wreathethespaciousforeheadsofgreatpines,Andbreatheambrosialpassionfromtheirvines。

  Ipraywithmosses,ferns,andflowersshy[21]

  ThathidelikegentlenunsfromhumaneyeToliftadoringperfumestothesky。

  Ihearfaintbridal-sighsofbrownandgreenDyingtosilenthintsofkisseskeenAsfarlightsfringeintoapleasantsheen。

  Istartatfragmentarywhispers,blownFromundertalksofleafysoulsunknown,Vaguepurportssweet,ofinarticulatetone。

  Dreamingofgods,men,nuns,andbrides,betweenOldcompaniesofoaksthatinwardlean[31]

  TojointheirradiantamplitudesofgreenIslowlymove,withranginglooksthatpassUpfromthemattedmiraclesofgrassIntoyonveinedcomplexofspaceWhereskyandleafageinterlaceSoclose,theheavenofblueisseenInwovenwithaheavenofgreen。

  Iwandertothezigzag-corneredfenceWheresassafras,intrenchedinbramblesdense,Contestswithstolidvehemence[41]

  Themarchofculture,settinglimbandthornAspikesagainstthearmyofthecorn。

  There,whileIpause,myfieldward-faringeyesTakeharvests,wherethestatelycorn-ranksrise,OfinwarddignitiesAndlargebenignitiesandinsightswise,Gracesandmodestmajesties。

  Thus,withouttheft,Ireapanother’sfield;

  Thus,withouttilth,Ihouseawondrousyield,Andheapmyheartwithquintuplecropsconcealed。[51]

  Look,outoflineonetallcorn-captainstandsAdvancedbeyondtheforemostofhisbands,AndwaveshisbladesupontheveryedgeAndhottestthicketofthebattlinghedge。

  Thoulustrousstalk,thatne’ermaystwalknortalk,Stillshaltthoutypethepoet-soulsublimeThatleadsthevanwardofhistimidtimeAndsingsupcowardswithcommandingrhyme——

  Soulcalm,likethee,yetfain,likethee,togrowBydoubleincrement,above,below;[61]

  Soulhomely,asthouart,yetrichingracelikethee,TeachingtheyeomenselflesschivalryThatmovesingentlecurvesofcourtesy;

  Soulfilledlikethylongveinswithsweetnesstense,ByeverygodlikesenseTransmutedfromthefourwildelements。

  Drawntohighplans,Thoulift’stmorestaturethanamortalman’s,YeteverpiercestdownwardinthemouldAndkeepesthold[71]

  UponthereverendandsteadfastearthThatgavetheebirth;

  Yea,standestsmilinginthyfuturegrave,Sereneandbrave,WithunremittingbreathInhalinglifefromdeath,Thineepitaphwritfairinfruitageeloquent,Thyselfthymonument。

  Aspoetsshould,Thouhastbuiltupthyhardihood[81]

  Withuniversalfood,DrawninselectproportionfairFromhonestmouldandvagabondair;

  Fromdarknessofthedreadfulnight,Andjoyfullight;

  Fromantiqueashes,whosedepartedflameIntheehasfinerlifeandlongerfame;

  Fromwoundsandbalms,Fromstormsandcalms,Frompotsherdsanddrybones[91]

  Andruin-stones。

  IntothyvigoroussubstancethouhastwroughtWhate’erthehandofCircumstancehathbrought;

  Yea,intocoolsolacinggreenhastspunWhiteradiancehotfromoutthesun。

  SothoudostmutuallyleavenStrengthofearthwithgraceofheaven;

  SothoudostmarrynewandoldIntoaoneofhighermould;

  Sothoudostreconcilethehotandcold,[101]

  Thedarkandbright,Andmanyaheart-perplexingopposite,Andso,Akinbybloodtohighandlow,Fitlythouplayestoutthypoet’spart,Richlyexpendingthymuch-bruisedheartInequalcaretonourishlordinhallOrbeastinstall:

  Thoutook’stfromallthatthoumightstgivetoall。

  Osteadfastdwellerontheselfsamespot[111]

  Wherethouwastborn,thatstillrepinestnot——

  Typeofthehome-fondheart,thehappylot!——

  DeeplythymildcontentrebukesthelandWhoseflimsyhomes,builtontheshiftingsandOftrade,foreverriseandfallWithalternationwhimsical,Enduringscarceaday,ThensweptawayByswiftengulfmentsofincalculabletidesWhereoncapriciousCommercerides。[121]

  Look,thousubstantialspiritofcontent!

  Acrossthislittlevale,thycontinent,Towhere,beyondthemoulderingmill,YonolddesertedGeorgianhillBarestothesunhispiteousagedcrestAndseamybreast,Byrestless-heartedchildrenlefttolieUntendedtherebeneaththeheedlesssky,Asbarbarousfolkexposetheiroldtodie。

  Uponthatgenerous-roundingside,[131]

  WithgulliesscarifiedWherekeenNeglecthislashhathplied,DweltoneIknewofold,whoplayedattoil,AndgavetocoquetteCottonsoulandsoil。

  Scorningtheslowrewardofpatientgrain,Hesowedhisheartwithhopesofswiftergain,Thensathimdownandwaitedfortherain。

  Hesailedinborrowedshipsofusury——

  AfoolishJasononatreacheroussea,SeekingtheFleeceandfindingmisery。[141]

  Lulledbysmooth-ripplingloans,inidletranceHelay,contentthatunthriftCircumstanceShouldploughforhimthestonyfieldofChance。

  Yea,gatheringcropswhoseworthnomanmighttell,HestakedhislifeongamesofBuy-and-Sell,Andturnedeachfieldintoagambler’shell。

  Aye,aseachyearbegan,Myfarmertotheneighboringcityran;

  PassedwithamournfulanxiousfaceIntothebanker’sinnerplace;[151]

  Parleyed,excused,pleadedforlongergrace;

  Railedatthedrought,theworm,therust,thegrass;

  Protestedne’eragain’twouldcometopass;

  Withmanyan`oh’and`if’and`butalas’

  Parriedorswallowedsearchingquestionsrude,AndkissedthedusttosoftenDives’smood。

  Atlast,smallloansbypledgesgreatrenewed,Heissuessmilingfromthefataldoor,AndbuyswithlavishhandhisyearlystoreTillhissmallborrowingswillyieldnomore。[161]

  Aye,aseachyeardeclined,Withbitterheartandever-broodingmindHemournedhisfateunkind。

  Indust,inrain,withmightandmain,Henursedhiscotton,cursedhisgrain,Frettedfornewsthatmadehimfretagain,SnatchedateachtelegramofFutureSale,AndthrilledwithBulls’orBears’alternatewail——

  Inhopeorfearalikeforeverpale。

  Andthusfromyeartoyear,throughhopeandfear,[171]

  Withmanyacurseandmanyasecrettear,Strivinginvainhiscloudofdebttoclear,AtlastHewoketofindhisfoolishdreamingpast,Andallhisbest-of-lifetheeasypreyOfsquanderingscampsandquacksthatlinedhiswayWithvilearray,Fromrascalstatesmandowntopettyknave;

  Himself,atbest,forallhisbraggingbrave,Agamester’scatspawandabanker’sslave。[181]

  Then,wornandgray,andsickwithdeepunrest,HefledawayintotheobliviousWest,Unmourned,unblest。

  Oldhill!oldhill!thougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer——

  King,thatnosubjectmannorbeastmayown,Discrowned,undaughteredandalone——

  YetshallthegreatGodturnthyfate,Andbringtheebackintothymonarchstate[191]

  Andmajestyimmaculate。

  Lo,throughhotwaveringsoftheAugustmorn,ThougivestfromthyvastysidesforlornVisionsofgoldentreasuriesofcorn——

  RipelargesselingeringforsomebolderheartThatmanfullyshalltakethypart,Andtendthee,Anddefendthee,Withantiquesinewandwithmodernart。

  ____

  Sunnyside,Ga。,August,1874。

  Notes:CornAsstatedelsewhere(`Introduction’,p。xvii[PartI]),`Corn’wasthefirstofLanier’spoemstoattractgeneralattention;

  forthisreasonaswellasforitsabsolutemeritthepoemdeservescarefulstudy。

  InthefirstofhisletterstotheHon。LoganE。Bleckley,Chief-justiceofGeorgia,datedOctober9,1874,Laniertellsushowhecametowrite`Corn’:\"IencloseMS。ofapoeminwhichIhaveendeavoredtocarrysomeveryprosaicmattersuptoaloftierplane。IhavebeenstruckwithalarminseeingthenumbersofdesertedoldhomesteadsandgulliedhillsintheoldercountiesofGeorgia:and,thoughtheyaredreadfullycommonplace,Ihavethoughttheyaresurelymournfulenoughtobepoetic。\"

  Intheintroductorynoteto`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’

  Ihaveincidentallystatedthethemeof`Corn’。Insteadofaddingamoredetailedstatementofmyownhere,IgiveJudgeBleckley’sanalysisofthepoem,whichoccursinhisreplytotheabove-mentionedletter。

  Aftergivingvariousminutecriticism(forLanierhadrequestedhisunreservedjudgment),JudgeBleckleycontinues:

  \"Now,forthegeneralimpressionwhichyourOdehasmadeuponme。

  Itpresentsfourpictures;threeofthemlandscapesandoneaportrait。

  Youpaintthewoods,acorn-field,andaworn-outhill。

  Theseareyourlandscapes。Andyourportraitisthelikenessofananxious,unthriftycotton-planterwhoalwaysspendshiscropbeforehehasmadeit,borrowsonheavyinteresttocarryhimselfoverfromyeartoyear,wearsouthisland,meetsatlastwithutterruin,andmigratestotheWest。

  Yoursecondlandscapeisturnedintoavegetableperson,andyougiveitsportraitwithmanytouchesofmarvelandmysteryinvegetablelife。YourthirdlandscapetakesforaninstanttheformandtragicstateofKingLear;youthusmakeitseizeonoursympathiesasifitwerearealperson,andyouthenrestoreittotheinanimate,andcontemplateitspossiblebeneficenceinthedistantfuture。\"

  Acomparisonofthefirstdraftof`Corn’,assentJudgeBleckley,withthefinalformshowsthatLaniermademanyminutechangesinthepoem,especiallyintheearlierpart。Stillthisearlierdraftagreessubstantiallywiththelater,andwassofineinconceptionandexecutionastocallforththiscommendationofJudgeBleckley,which,despitetheshortcomingsof`Corn’,maywithgreaterjusticebeappliedtothepoeminitspresentform:\"AsanartistyouseemtobeItalianinthefirsttwopictures,andDutchorFlemishinthelattertwo。

  InyourItalianveinyoupaintwiththeutmostdelicacyandfinish。

  Thedrawingisscrupulouslycorrectandthecolorsoftandharmonious。

  WhenyoupaintinDutchorFlemishyouareclearandstrong,butsometimeshard。Thereislessidealizationandmoreoftherealisticelement——yourSOLIDSpredominateoveryourfluids。\"

  Asalreadystated,Lanierhastwootherpoemsthatindirectlytreatthethemeof`Corn’,namely,`Thar’sMoreintheMan’and`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’。

  Moreover,hehas`TheWavingoftheCorn’,which,thoughcharming,isneithersoelaboratenorartisticas`Corn’。

  Amongpoemsoncornbyotherwritersmaybementionedthefollowing:

  1。Whittier’s`TheCorn-song’(before1872),apoemofpraiseandthanksgivingattheendof`TheHuskers’,whichtellsofthegatheringofthecornandofthe\"corn-husking\",knownintheSouthasthe\"corn-shucking\"。

  2。Woolson’s(ConstanceF。)`CornFields’,adescriptionofOhiofields,in`Harper’sMonthly’,45,444,Aug。,1872。

  3。Thompson’s(Maurice)`DroppingCorn’(1877),adaintylovelyric,in`Poems’(Boston,1892),p。78。

  4。Cromwell’s(S。C。)`Corn-shuckingSong’,adialectpoem,in`Harper’,69,807,Oct。,1884。

  5。Coleman’s(C。W。)`Corn’,in`TheAtlanticMonthly’,70,228,Aug。,1892,which,sinceitconsistsofbutfourlinesandismorelikeLanier’spoemthanaretheothers,maybequoted:

  \"DrawnupinserriedranksacrossthefieldsThat,aswegaze,seemevertoincrease,Withtasseledflagsandsun-emblazonedshields,Thegloriousarmyofearth’sperfectpeace。\"

  6。Hayne’s(W。H。)`AmidtheCorn’,acharmingaccountofthedenizensofthecorn-fields,inhis`SylvanLyrics’(NewYork,1893),p。12。

  7。Dumas’s(W。T。)`Corn-shucking’and`TheLastEarofCorn’,bothlife-likepicturesofplantationlife,inhis`TheGoldenDayandMiscellaneousPoems’(Phila。,1893)。

  Otherinterestingarticlesare:`Mondamin,ortheOriginofIndianCorn’,in`TheSouthernLiteraryMessenger’(Richmond,Va。),29,12-13,July,1859;

  `AGeorgiaCorn-shucking’,byD。C。Barrow,Jr。,in`TheCenturyMagazine’

  (NewYork),2,873-878,Oct。,1882;and`OldAmericanCustoms:ACorn-party’,anaccountofacorn-huskinginNewYork,in`TheSaturdayReview’(London),66,237-238,Aug。25,1888。

  4-9。See`Introduction’,p。xxxii[PartIII],andcompare`TheSymphony’,ll。183-190。

  18。PaulHamiltonHayne,whoseloveofnaturerivalsLanier’s,hasaninterestingpoementitled`Muscadines’(`Poems’,Boston,1882,pp。222-224)。

  21。Compare`TheSymphony’,l。117ff。

  57。See`Introduction’,p。l[PartV]。

  125。Inherintroductorynoteto`Corn’Mrs。Lanierthuslocalizesthepoem:

  \"His`fieldward-faringeyestookharvest’`amongthestatelycorn-ranks,’

  inaportionofmiddleGeorgiasixtymilestothenorthofMacon。

  ItisahightractofcountryfromwhichonelooksacrossthelowerreachestothedistantBlueRidgeMountains,whosewholesomebreath,allunobstructed,hereblendswiththewoods-odorsofthebeech,thehickory,andthemuscadine:apartofarangerecalledelsewherebyMr。Lanieras`thatamplestretchofgeneroussoil,wheretheAppalachianruggednessescalmthemselvesintopleasanthillsbeforedyingquiteawayintothesea-boardlevels’——where`amancanfindsuchtemperancesofheavenandearth——enoughofstrugglewithnaturetodrawoutmanhood,withenoughofbountytosanctionthestruggle——

  thatamoreexquisiteco-adaptationofallblessedcircumstancesforman’slifeneednotbesought。’\"

  140。See`Jason’inanyDictionaryofMythology。*

  ——

  *Gayley’s`TheClassicMythsinEnglishLiterature’(Boston,Ginn&Co。)

  isanexcellentbook。

  ——

  157。`Dives’:SeeAppendixtoWebster’s`InternationalDictionary’。

  168。`FutureSale’——saleforfuturedelivery。

  185-6。SeeShakespeare’s`KingLear’。

  MySpringsIntheheartoftheHillsofLife,Iknow[1]

  TwospringsthatwithunbrokenflowForeverpourtheirlucentstreamsIntomysoul’sfarLakeofDreams。

  Notlargerthantwoeyes,theylieBeneaththemany-changingskyAndmirroralloflifeandtime,——Sereneanddaintypantomime。

  Shotthroughwithlightsofstarsanddawns,Andshadowedsweetbyfernsandfawns,——Thusheavenandearthtogethervie[11]

  Theirshiningdepthstosanctify。

  AlwayswhenthelargeFormofLoveIshidbystormsthatrageabove,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeLoveinhisveryverity。

  AlwayswhenFaithwithstiflingstressOfgriefhathdiedinbitterness,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAFaiththatsmilesimmortally。

  AlwayswhenCharityandHope,[21]

  Indarknessbounden,feeblygrope,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeALightthatsetsmycaptivesfree。

  Always,whenArtonperversewingFlieswhereIcannothearhimsing,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAcharmthatbringshimbacktome。

  WhenLaborfaints,andGloryfails,AndcoyRewardinsighsexhales,Igazeinmytwospringsandsee[31]

  Attainmentfullandheavenly。

  OLove,OWife,thineeyesarethey,——MyspringsfromoutwhoseshininggrayIssuethesweetcelestialstreamsThatfeedmylife’sbrightLakeofDreams。

  Ovalandlargeandpassion-pureAndgrayandwiseandhonor-sure;

  Softasadyingviolet-breathYetcalmlyunafraidofdeath;

  Thronged,liketwodove-cotesofgraydoves,[41]

  Withwife’sandmother’sandpoor-folk’sloves,Andhome-lovesandhighglory-lovesAndscience-lovesandstory-loves,AndlovesforallthatGodandmanInartandnaturemakeorplan,Andlady-lovesforspiderylaceAndbroideriesandsupplegraceAnddiamondsandthewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,AndlovesforGodandGod’sbaretruth,[51]

  AndlovesforMagdalenandRuth,Deareyes,deareyesandrarecomplete——

  Beingheavenly-sweetandearthly-sweet,——ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,ForwhenHefrowns,’tisthenyeshine!

  ____

  Baltimore,1874。

  Notes:MySpringsFormyappreciationofthistributetothepoet’swifesee`Introduction’,p。xxxv[PartIII]。Mr。Lanier’sestimateisgiveninaletterofMarch,1874,quotedinMrs。Lanier’sintroductorynote:

  \"Ofcourse,sinceIhavewrittenittoprintIcannotmakeitsuchas_I_desireinartisticdesign:fortheformsofto-dayrequireacertaintrimsmugnessandclean-shavenproprietyinthefaceanddressofapoem,andImustwinahearingbyconforminginsomedegreetothesetyrannies,withaviewtooverturningtheminthefuture。Writtenso,itisnotnearlysobeautifulasIwouldhaveit;andIthereforehaveanotherstillinmyheart,whichIwillsomedaywriteformyself。\"

  Othertributestohiswifeare:`InAbsence’,`Acknowledgment’,`LausMariae’,`SpecialPleading’,`EveningSong’,`ThouandI’,`OneinTwo’,and`TwoinOne’;whilesheisreferredtoin`TheHardTimesinElfland’and`JuneDreamsinJanuary’。

  Itwillbeinterestingtocompare`MySprings’withotherpoemsontheeyes。

  Amongthemostnoteworthy*maybecitedShakespeare’s\"Andthoseeyes,thebreakofday,Lightsthatdomisleadthemorn;\"

  Lodge’s\"Hereyesaresapphiressetinsnow,Resemblingheavenbyeverywink;

  TheGodsdofearwhenastheyglow,AndIdotremblewhenIthink,Heighho,wouldsheweremine!\"

  Jonson’s\"DrinktomeonlywiththineeyesAndIwillpledgewithmine,\"etc。;

  Herrick’s\"Sweet,benotproudofthosetwoeyesWhichstarlikesparkleintheirskies;\"

  ThomasStanley’s\"Ohturnawaythosecrueleyes,Thestarsofmyundoing;

  OrdeathinsuchabrightdisguiseMaytemptasecondwooing;\"

  Byron’s\"Shewalksinbeauty,likethenight,Ofcloudlessclimesandstarryskies;

  Andallthat’sbestofdarkandbrightMeetinheraspectandhereyes;

  ThusmellowedtothattenderlightWhichheaventogaudydaydenies;\"

  H。Coleridge’s\"Sheisnotfairtooutwardview,Asmanymaidensbe;

  HerlovelinessIneverknewUntilshesmiledonme。

  OthenIsawhereyewasbright,Awelloflove,aspringoflight。

  \"Butnowherlooksarecoyandcold,Tominetheyne’erreply,AndyetIceasenottobeholdThelove-lightinhereye:

  HerveryfrownsarefairerfarThansmilesofothermaidensare;\"

  andWordsworth’s\"Hereyesarestarsoftwilightfair。\"

  ——

  *ThesemaybefoundeitherinGosse’s`EnglishLyrics’(D。Appleton&Co。,NewYork)orinPalgrave’s`GoldenTreasuryofSongsandLyrics’

  (Macmillan&Co。,NewYork)。

  ——

  49-50。See`Introduction’,p。xlv[PartIV]。

  52。ThereisinearlyEnglishliteratureamostinterestingplayentitled`MaryMagdalene’:seePollard’s`EnglishMiraclePlays’(NewYork),whereextractsaregiven。

  55-56。See`Introduction’,p。xlvi[PartIV]。

  TheSymphony\"OTrade!OTrade!wouldthouwertdead![1]

  TheTimeneedsheart——’tistiredofhead:

  We’reallforlove,\"theviolinssaid。

  \"OfwhatavailtherigoroustaleOfbillforcoinandboxforbale?

  Grantthee,OTrade!thineuttermosthope:

  Levelredgoldwithbluesky-slope,Andbaseitdeepasdevilsgrope:

  Whenall’sdone,whathastthouwonOftheonlysweetthat’sunderthesun?

  Ay,canstthoubuyasinglesigh[11]

  Oftruelove’sleast,leastecstasy?\"

  Then,withabridegroom’sheart-beatstrembling,AllthemightierstringsassemblingRangedthemontheviolins’sideAswhenthebridegroomleadsthebride,And,heartinvoice,togethercried:

  \"Yea,whatavailtheendlesstaleOfgainbycunningandplusbysale?

  Lookuptheland,lookdowntheland,Thepoor,thepoor,thepoor,theystand[21]

  WedgedbythepressingofTrade’shandAgainstaninward-openingdoorThatpressuretightensevermore:

  Theysighamonstrousfoul-airsighFortheoutsideleaguesofliberty,WhereArt,sweetlark,translatestheskyIntoaheavenlymelody。

  `Eachday,allday’(thesepoorfolkssay),`Inthesameoldyear-long,drear-longway,Weweaveinthemillsandheaveinthekilns,[31]

  Wesievemine-meshesunderthehills,AndthievemuchgoldfromtheDevil’sbanktills,Torelieve,OGod,whatmannerofills?——

  Thebeasts,theyhunger,andeat,anddie;

  Andsodowe,andtheworld’sasty;

  Hush,fellow-swine:whynuzzleandcry?

  \"Swinehoodhathnoremedy\"

  Saymanymen,andhastenby,Clampingthenoseandblinkingtheeye。

  Butwhosaidonce,inthelordlytone,[41]

  \"ManshallnotlivebybreadaloneButallthatcomethfromtheThrone?\"

  HathGodsaidso?

  ButTradesaith\"No\":

  Andthekilnsandthecurt-tonguedmillssay\"Go:

  There’splentythatcan,ifyoucan’t:weknow。

  Moveout,ifyouthinkyou’reunderpaid。

  Thepoorareprolific;we’renotafraid;

  Tradeistrade。\"’\"

  Thereatthispassionateprotesting[51]

  Meeklychanged,andsoftenedtillItsanktosadrequestingAndsuggestingsadderstill:

  \"Andoh,ifmenmightsometimeseeHowpiteous-falsethepoordecreeThattradenomorethantrademustbe!

  Doesbusinessmean,\"Die,you——live,I\"?

  Then`Tradeistrade’butsingsalie:

  ’Tisonlywargrownmiserly。

  Ifbusinessisbattle,nameitso:[61]

  War-crimeslesswillshameitso,Andwidowslesswillblameitso。

  Alas,forthepoortohavesomepartInyonsweetlivinglandsofArt,Makesproblemnotforhead,butheart。

  VainlymightPlato’sbrainrevolveit:

  Plainlytheheartofachildcouldsolveit。\"

  Andthen,aswhenfromwordsthatseembutrudeWepasstosilentpainthatsitsabroodBackinourheart’sgreatdarkandsolitude,[71]

  SosankthestringstogentlethrobbingOflongchordschange-markedwithsobbing——

  Motherlysobbing,notdistinctlierheardThanhalfwing-openingsofthesleepingbird,Somedreamofdangertoheryounghathstirred。

  Thenstirringanddemurringceased,andlo!

  Everyleastrippleofthestrings’song-flowDiedtoalevelwitheachlevelbowAndmadeagreatchordtranquil-surfacedso,Asabrookbeneathhiscurvingbankdothgo[81]

  TolingerinthesacreddarkandgreenWheremanyboughsthestillpooloverleanAndmanyleavesmakeshadowwiththeirsheen。

  ButpresentlyAvelvetflute-notefelldownpleasantlyUponthebosomofthatharmony,Andsailedandsailedincessantly,Asifapetalfromawild-roseblownHadfluttereddownuponthatpooloftoneAndboatwisedroppedo’theconvexside[91]

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