第1章

类别:其他 作者:Joyce Kilmer字数:13792更新时间:18/12/14 15:06:26
Hedoesbutdragarumblingwain,Cheeredbythecoupledbellsofrhyme。\" CoventryPatmoreToMyMotherGentlestofcritics,doesyourmemoryhold(Iknowitdoes)arecordofthedaysWhenI,aschoolboy,earnedyourgenerouspraiseForhaltingverseandstoriescrudelytold? Overthesechildishscrawlstheyearshaverolled,Theymightnotknowtheworld\'sunfriendlygaze; Butstillyoursmileshinesdownfamiliarways,Touchesmywordsandturnstheirdrosstogold。 Moredearto-daythaninthatvanishedtimeComesyournighpraisetomakemeproudandstrong。 InmypoornotesyouhearLove\'ssplendidchime,Sountoyoudoesthis,myworkbelong。 Take,then,alittlegiftoffragilerhyme: Yourheartwillchangeittoauthenticsong。 ContentsTheTwelve-Forty-FivePenniesTreesStarsOldPoetsDelicatessenServantGirlandGrocer\'sBoyWealthMartinTheApartmentHouseAsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStarSt。LaurenceToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfMemorialDayTheRosaryVisionToCertainPoetsLove\'sLanternSt。AlexisFollyMadnessPoetsCitizenoftheWorldToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpringTheFourthShepherdEasterMountHouvenkopfTheHousewithNobodyinItDaveLillyAlarmClocksWaverleyTreesandOtherPoemsTheTwelve-Forty-Five(ForEdwardJ。Wheeler) WithintheJerseyCityshedTheenginecoughsandshakesitshead,Thesmoke,aplumeofredandwhite,Wavesmadlyinthefaceofnight。 AndnowthegraveincuriousstarsGleamonthegroaninghurryingcars。 AgainstthekindandawfulreignOfdarkness,thisourangrytrain,Anoisylittlerebel,poutsItsbriefdefiance,flamesandshouts—— Andpasseson,andleavesnotrace。 Fordarknessholdsitsancientplace,Sereneandabsolute,thekingUnchanged,ofeverylivingthing。 ThehouseslieobscureandstillInRutherfordandCarltonHill。 OurlampsintensifythedarkOfslumberingPassaicPark。 AndquietholdsthewearyfeetThatdailytrampthroughProspectStreet。 WhatthoughweclangandclankandroarThroughallPassaic\'sstreets?NodoorWillopen,notaneyewillseeWhothisloudvagabondmaybe。 Uponmycrimsoncushionedseat,Inmanufacturedlightandheat,Ifeelunnaturalandmean。 Outsidethetownsarecoolandclean; CurtainedawhilefromsoundandsightTheytakeGod\'sgraciousgiftofnight。 Thestarsarewatchfuloverthem。 OnCliftonasonBethlehemTheangels,leaningdownthesky,Shedpeaceandgentledreams。AndI—— Iride,IblasphemouslyrideThroughallthesilentcountryside。 Theengine\'sshriek,theheadlight\'sglare,Pollutethestillnocturnalair。 ThecottagesofLakeViewsighAndsleeping,frownaswepassby。 Why,evenstridentPatersonRestsquietlyasanynun。 HerfoolishwarringchildrenkeepThegratefularmisticeofsleep。 Forwhattremendouserrand\'ssakeArewesoblatantlyawake? Whatprecioussecretisourfreight? Whatkingmustbeabroadsolate? PerhapsDeathroamsthehillsto-nightAndwerushforthtogivehimfight。 Orelse,perhaps,wespeedhiswayTosomeremoteunthinkingprey。 PerhapsawomanwrithesinpainAndlistens——listensforthetrain! Thetrain,thatlikeanangelsings,Thetrain,withhealingonitswings。 Now\"Hawthorne!\"theconductorcries。 Myneighborstartsandrubshiseyes。 HehurriesyawningthroughthecarAndstepsoutwherethehousesare。 Thisisthereasonofourquest! NotwantonlywebreaktherestOftownandvillage,nordoweLightlyprofanenight\'ssanctity。 WhatLovecommandsthetrainfulfills,AndbeautifuluponthehillsAretheseourfeetofburnishedsteel。 SubtlyandcertainlyIfeelThatGlenRockwelcomesustoherAndsilentRidgewoodseemstostirAndsmile,becausesheknowsthetrainHasbroughtherchildrenbackagain。 Wecarrypeoplehome——andsoGodspeedsus,wheresoe\'erwego。 Hohokus,Waldwick,AllendaleLiftsleepyheadstogiveushail。 InRamsey,Mahwah,SuffernstandHousesthatwistfullydemandAfather——son——somehumanthingThatthis,themidnighttrain,maybring。 ThetrainsthattravelinthedayTheyhurryfolkstoworkorplay。 ThemidnighttrainisslowandoldButofitletthisthingbetold,ToitshighhonorbeitsaidItcarriespeoplehometobed。 Mycottagelampshineswhiteandclear。 Godblessthetrainthatbroughtmehere。 PenniesAfewlong-hoardedpenniesinhishandBeholdhimstand; AkiltedHedonist,perplexedandsad。 Thejoythatoncehehad,Thefirstdelightofownershipisfled。 Hebowshislittlehead。 Ah,cruelTime,tokillThatsplendidthrill! Theninhistear-dimmedeyesNewlightsarise。 Hedropshistreasuredpenniesontheground,TheyrollandboundAndscattered,rest。 NowwithwhatzestHerunstofindhiserrantwealthagain! SountomenDothGod,deprivingthatHemaybestow。 Fame,healthandmoneygo,Butthattheymay,newfound,benewlysweet。 Yea,atHisfeetSit,waitingus,totheirconcealmentbid,Allthey,ourlovers,whomHisLovehathhid。 Lo,comfortbloomsonpain,andpeaceonstrife,Andgainonloss。 WhatisthekeytoEverlastingLife? Ablood-stainedCross。 Trees(ForMrs。HenryMillsAlden) IthinkthatIshallneverseeApoemlovelyasatree。 AtreewhosehungrymouthisprestAgainsttheearth\'ssweetflowingbreast; AtreethatlooksatGodallday,Andliftsherleafyarmstopray; AtreethatmayinSummerwearAnestofrobinsinherhair; Uponwhosebosomsnowhaslain; Whointimatelyliveswithrain。 Poemsaremadebyfoolslikeme,ButonlyGodcanmakeatree。 Stars(FortheRev。JamesJ。Daly,S。J。) Brightstars,yellowstars,flashingthroughtheair,AreyouerrantstrandsofLadyMary\'shair? Assheslitsthecloudyveilandbendsdownthrough,Doyoufallacrosshercheeksandoverheaventoo? Gaystars,littlestars,youarelittleeyes,Eyesofbabyangelsplayingintheskies。 NowandthenawingedchildturnshismerryfaceDowntowardthespinningworld——whatafunnyplace! JesusChristcamefromtheCross(Christreceivemysoul!) Ineachperfecthandandfoottherewasabloodyhole。 Fourgreatironspikestherewere,redandneverdry,MichaelpluckedthemfromtheCrossandsettheminthesky。 Christ\'sTroop,Mary\'sGuard,God\'sownmen,DrawyourswordsandstrikeatHellandstrikeagain。 Everysteel-bornsparkthatflieswhereGod\'sbattlesare,FlashespastthefaceofGod,andisastar。 OldPoets(ForRobertCortezHolliday) IfIshouldliveinaforestAndsleepunderneathatree,NogroveofimpudentsaplingsWouldmakeahomeforme。 I\'dgowheretheoldoaksgather,Sereneandgoodandstrong,AndtheywouldnotsighandtrembleAndvexmewithasong。 ThepleasantestsortofpoetIsthepoetwho\'soldandwise,WithanoldwhitebeardandwrinklesAbouthiskindoldeyes。 FortheseyoungflippertigibbetsA-rhymingtheirhoursawayTheywon\'tbestilllikehonestmenAndlistentowhatyousay。 TheyoungpoetscreamsforeverAbouthissexandhissoul; Buttheoldmanlistens,andsmokeshispipe,Andpolishesitsbowl。 ThereshouldbeaclubforpoetsWhohavecometoseventyyear。 TheyshouldsitinagreathalldrinkingRedwineandgoldenbeer。 Theywouldshuffleinofanevening,Eachonetohiscushionedseat,AndtherewouldbemellowtalkingAndsilencerichandsweet。 ThereisnopeacetobetakenWithpoetswhoareyoung,FortheyworryaboutthewarstobefoughtAndthesongsthatmustbesung。 Buttheoldmanknowsthathe\'sinhischairAndthatGod\'sonHisthroneinthesky。 SohesitsbythefireincomfortAndheletstheworldspinby。 DelicatessenWhyisthatwantongossipFameSodumbaboutthisman\'saffairs? WhydowetitterathisnameWhocometobuyhiscuriouswares? Hereisashopofwonderment。 Fromeverylandhascomeaprize; RichspicesfromtheOrient,AndfruitthatknewItalianskies,AndfigsthatripenedbytheseaInSmyrna,nutsfromhotBrazil,StrangepungentmeatsfromGermany,AndcurrantsfromaGrecianhill。 HeisthelordofgoodlythingsThatmakethepoorman\'stablegay,YetofhisworthnominstrelsingsAndonhistombthereisnobay。 Perhapshelivesanddiesunpraised,Thistraffickerinhumblesweets,BecausehislittleshopsareraisedBythousandsinthecitystreets。 Yetstarsingreaternumbersshine,Andvioletsinmillionsgrow,AndtheyinmanyagoldenlineAresung,aseverychildmustknow。 PerhapsFamethinkshisworriedeyes,Hiswrinkled,shrewd,patheticface,Hisshop,andallhesellsandbuysAredesperatelycommonplace。 Well,itistruehehasnoswordTodangleathisbootedknees。 Heleansacrossaslabofboard,Anddrawshisknifeandslicescheese。 Heneverheardofchivalry,Helongsfornoheroictimes; Hethinksofpickles,olives,tea,Anddollars,nickles,centsanddimes。 Hisworldhasnarrowwalls,itseems; Bycountersishissoulconfined; Hiswaresareallhishopesanddreams,Theyarethefabricofhismind。 Yet——inaroomabovethestoreThereisawoman——andachildPatteredjustnowacrossthefloor; Theshopmanlookedathimandsmiled。 For,oncehethrilledwithhighromanceAndtunedtolovehiseagervoice。 LikeanycavalierofFranceHewooedthemaidenofhischoice。 AndnowdeepinhiswearyheartAresacredflamesthatwhitelyburn。 HehasofHeaven\'sgraceapartWholoves,whoisbelovedinturn。 Andwhenthelongday\'sworkisdone,(Howslowtheleadenminutesran!) Home,withhiswifeandlittleson,Heisnohuckster,butaman! Andtherearethosewhograsphishand,Whodrinkwithhimandwishhimwell。 OinnodrearandlonelylandShallhewhohonorsfriendshipdwell。 Andinhislittleshop,whoknowsWhatbittergamesofwarareplayed? Why,dailyoneachcornergrowsAfoetorobhimofhistrade。 Hefights,andforhisfireside\'ssake; Hefightsforclothingandforbread: ThelancesofhisfoemenmakeAsteelyhaloroundhishead。 Hedeckshiswindowartfully,Hehagglesoverpaltrysums。 InthisstrangefieldhiswarmustbeAndbysuchblowshistriumphcomes。 WhatifnotrumpetsoundstocallHisarmedlegionstohisside? Whatif,tonoancestralhallHecomesinallavictor\'spride? Thesceneshallneverfitthedeed。 Grotesquelywonderscometopass。 ThefoolshallmountanArabsteedAndJesusrideuponanass。 ThismanhashomeandchildandwifeAndbattlesetforeveryday。 ThismanhasGodandloveandlife; Thesestand,allelseshallpassaway。 OCarpenterofNazareth,Whosemotherwasavillagemaid,Shallwe,Thychildren,blowourbreathInscornonanyhumbletrade? HavepityonourfoolishnessAndgiveuseyes,thatwemayseeBeneaththeshopman\'sclumsydressThesplendorofhumanity! ServantGirlandGrocer\'sBoyHerlips\'remarkwas:\"Oh,youkid!\" Hersoulspokethus(Iknowitdid): \"Okingofrealmsofendlessjoy,Myown,mygoldengrocer\'sboy,IamaprincessforcedtodwellWithinalonelykitchencell,WhileyougodashingthroughthelandWithlovelinessoneveryhand。 YourwhistlestrikesmyeagerearsLikemusicofthechoiringspheres。 ThemightyearthgrowsfaintandreelsBeneathyourthunderingwagonwheels。 Howkeenly,perilouslysweetToclinguponthatswayingseat! HowhappyshewhobyyoursideMaysharethesplendorsofthatride! Ah,ifyouwillnottakemyhandAndbearmeoffacrosstheland,Then,travellerfromArcady,Remainawhileandcomfortme。 WhatothermaidencanyoufindSoyounganddelicateandkind?\" Herlips\'remarkwas:\"Oh,youkid!\" Hersoulspokethus(Iknowitdid)。 Wealth(ForAline) Fromwhatoldballad,orfromwhatrichframeDidyoudescendtoglorifytheearth? WasitfromChaucer\'ssingingbookyoucame? OrdidWatteau\'ssmallbrushesgiveyoubirth? NothingsoexquisiteasthatslighthandCouldRaphaelorLeonardotrace。 NorcouldthepoetsknowinFairylandThechangingwonderofyourlyricface。 Iwouldpossessahostoflovelythings,ButIampoorandsuchjoysmaynotbe。 SoGodwholiftsthepoorandhumbleskingsSentlovelinessitselftodwellwithme。 MartinWhenIamtiredofearnestmen,Intenseandkeenandsharpandclever,PursuingfamewithbrushorpenOrcountingmetaldisksforever,ThenfromthehallsofShadowlandBeyondthetracklesspurpleseaOldMartin\'sghostcomesbacktostandBesidemydeskandtalktome。 StillonhisdelicatepalefaceAquizzicalthinsmileisshowing,Hischeeksarewrinkledlikefinelace,Hiskindblueeyesaregayandglowing。 Hewearsabrilliant-huedcravat,Asuittomatchhissoftgreyhair,Arakishstick,aknowinghat,Amannerblitheanddebonair。 HowgoodthathewhoalwaysknewThatbeinglovelywasaduty,ShouldhavegoldhallstowanderthroughAndshouldhimselfinhabitbeauty。 HowlikehisoldunselfishwayToleavethosehallsofsplendidmirthAndcomfortthosecondemnedtostayUponthedullandsombreearth。 Somepeopleask:\"WhatcruelchanceMadeMartin\'slifesosadastory?\" Martin?Why,heexhaledromance,Andworeanovercoatofglory。 Afleckofsunlightinthestreet,Ahorse,abook,agirlwhosmiled,SuchvisionsmadeeachmomentsweetForthisreceptiveancientchild。 BecauseitwasoldMartin\'slotTobe,notmake,adecoration,Shallwethenscornhim,havingnotHisgeniusofappreciation? Richjoyandlovehegotandgave; Hisheartwasmerryashisdress; PilelaurelwreathsuponhisgraveWhodidnotgain,butwas,success! TheApartmentHouseSevereagainstthepleasantarcofskyThegreatstoneboxiscruellydisplayed。 Thestreetbecomesmoredrearyfromitsshade,Andvagrantbreezestouchitswallsanddie。 Heresullenconvictsintheirchainsmightlie,Orslavestoildumblyatsomedrearytrade。 HowworsethanfollyistheirlabormadeWhoclefttherocksthatthismightriseonhigh! Yet,asIlook,Iseeawoman\'sfaceGleamfromawindowfarabovethestreet。 Thisisahouseofhomes,asacredplace,Byhumanpassionmadedivinelysweet。 HowallthebuildingthrillswithsuddengraceBeneaththemagicofLove\'sgoldenfeet! AsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStar(ForAline) NowbywhatwhimofwantonchanceDoradianteyesknowsombredays? AndfeetthatshodinlightshoulddanceWalkwearyandlaboriousways? ButraysfromHeaven,whiteandwhole,Maypenetratethegloomofearth; Andtearsbutnourish,inyoursoul,Thegloryofcelestialmirth。 Thedartsoftoilandsorrow,sentAgainstyourpeacefulbeauty,areAsfoolishandasimpotentAswindsthatblowagainstastar。 St。LaurenceWithinthebrokenVaticanThemurderedPopeislyingdead。 ThesoldiersofValerianTheirevilhandsarewetandred。 Unarmed,unmoved,St。Laurencewaits,Hiscassockishisonlymail。 ThetroopsofHellhaveburstthegates,ButChristisLord,Heshallprevail。 Theyhaveencompassedhimwithsteel,Theyspituponhisgentleface,Hesmilesandbleeds,norwillrevealTheChurch\'shiddentreasure-place。 Ah,faithfulsteward,worthyknight,Wellhastthoudone。Beholdthyfee! SincethouhastfoughtthegoodlyfightAmartyr\'sdeathisfixedforthee。 St。Laurence,prayforustobearThefaithwhichglorifiesthyname。 St。Laurence,prayforustoshareThewoundsofLove\'sconsumingflame。 ToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfWhenyouhadplayedwithlifeaspaceAndmadeitdrinkandlustandsing,YouflungitbackintoGod\'sfaceAndthoughtyoudidanoblething。 \"Lo,Ihavelivedandloved,\"yousaid,\"Andsungtofoolstoodulltohearme。 NowforacoolandgrassybedWithvioletsinblossomnearme。\" Well,restisgoodforwearyfeet,Althoughtheyranfornogreatprize; Andvioletsareverysweet,Althoughtheirrootsareinyoureyes。 ButharktowhattheearthwormssayWhosharewithyouyourmuddyhaven: \"Thefightwason——youranaway。 Youareacowardandacraven。 \"Therugisruinedwhereyoubled; Itwasadirtywaytodie! ToputabulletthroughyourheadAndmakeasillywomancry! YoucouldnotvexthemerrystarsNormakethemheedyou,deadorliving。 NotallyourpunyangermarsGod\'sirresistibleforgiving。 \"Yes,Godforgivesandmenforget,Andyou\'reforgivenandforgotten。 YoumightbegailysinningyetAndquickandfreshinsteadofrotten。 AndwhenyouthinkofloveandfameAndallthatmighthavecometopass,Thendon\'tyoufeelalittleshame? Anddon\'tyouthinkyouwereanass?\" MemorialDay\"Dulceetdecorumest\" Thebugleechoesshrillandsweet,Butnotofwaritsingsto-day。 TheroadisrhythmicwiththefeetOfmen-at-armswhocometopray。 TherosesblossomwhiteandredOntombswherewearysoldierslie; FlagswaveabovethehonoreddeadAndmartialmusiccleavesthesky。 Abovetheirwreath-strewngraveswekneel,Theykeptthefaithandfoughtthefight。 ThroughflyingleadandcrimsonsteelTheyplungedforFreedomandtheRight。 Maywe,theirgratefulchildren,learnTheirstrength,wholiebeneaththissod,WhowentthroughfireanddeathtoearnAtlasttheaccoladeofGod。 InshiningrankonrankarrayedTheymarch,thelegionsoftheLord; HeistheirCaptainunafraid,ThePrinceofPeace……Whobroughtasword。 TheRosaryNotonthelute,norharpofmanystringsShallallmenpraisetheMasterofallsong。 Ourlifeisbrief,onesaith,andartislong; Andskilledmustbethelaureatesofkings。 Silent,Olipsthatutterfoolishthings! Rest,awkwardfingersstrikingallnoteswrong! Howfromyourtoilshallissue,whiteandstrong,MusiclikethatGod\'schosenpoetsings? Thereisoneharpthatanyhandcanplay,Andfromitsstringswhatharmoniesarise! Thereisonesongthatanymouthcansay,—— Asongthatlingerswhenallsingingdies。 WhenontheirbeadsourMother\'schildrenprayImmortalmusiccharmsthegratefulskies。 Vision(ForAline) Homer,theytellus,wasblindandcouldnotseethebeautifulfacesLookingupintohisownandreflectingthejoyofhisdream,YetdidheseemGiftedwitheyesthatcouldfollowthegodstotheirholiestplaces。 Ihavenovisionofgods,notofEroswithlove-arrowsladen,JupiterthunderingdeathorofJunohiswhite-breastedqueen,YethaveIseenAllofthejoyoftheworldintheinnocentheartofamaiden。 ToCertainPoetsNowistherhymer\'shonesttradeAthingforscornfullaughtermade。 Themerchant\'ssneer,theclerk\'sdisdain,Thesearetheburdenofourpain。 Becauseofyoudidthisbefall,Youbroughtthisshameuponusall。 YoulittlepoetsmincingthereWithwomen\'sheartsandwomen\'shair! HowsickDanChaucer\'sghostmustbeTohearyoulispof\"Poesie\"! Aheavy-handedblow,Ithink,Wouldmakeyourveinsdripscentedink。 YoustrutandsmirkyourlittlewhileSomildly,delicatelyvile! YourtinyvoicesmockGod\'swrath,YousnailsthatcrawlalongHispath! Why,whathasGodormantodoWithwet,amorphousthingslikeyou? Thisthingaloneyouhaveachieved: Becauseofyou,itisbelievedThatallwhoearntheirbreadbyrhymeArelikeyourselves,exudingslime。 Oh,ceasetowrite,forveryshame,Ereallmenspituponourname! Takeupyourneedles,dropyourpen,Andleavethepoet\'scrafttomen! Love\'sLantern(ForAline) BecausetheroadwassteepandlongAndthroughadarkandlonelyland,GodsetuponmylipsasongAndputalanterninmyhand。 ThroughmilesonwearymilesofnightThatstretchrelentlessinmywayMylanternburnssereneandwhite,Anunexhaustedcupofday。 Ogoldenlightsandlightslikewine,Howdimyourboastedsplendorsare。 Beholdthislittlelampofmine; Itismorestarlikethanastar! St。AlexisPatronofBeggarsWewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。 Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis\'care,TheVagabondofGod。 TheygavehimahomeinpurpleRomeAndaprincessforhisbride,ButherowedawayonhisweddingdayDowntheTiber\'srushingtide。 AndhecametolandontheAsianstrandWheretheheathenpeopledwell; AsabeggarhestrayedandhepreachedandprayedAndhesavedtheirsoulsfromhell。 BowedwithyearsandpainhecamebackagainTohisfather\'sdwellingplace。 Therewasnonetoseewhothistrampmightbe,Fortheyknewnothisbeardedface。 Buthisfathersaid,\"GivehimdrinkandbreadAndacouchunderneaththestair。\" SoAlexiscrepttohisholeandslept。 Buthemightnotlingerthere。 Forwhennightcamedownontheseven-hilledtown,Andtheemperorhurriedin,Saying,\"Lo,IhearthatasaintisnearWhowillcleanseusofoursin,\" Thentheylookedinvainwherethesainthadlain,Forhissoulhadfledafar,FromhisfleshlyhomehehadgonetoroamWherethegold-pavedhighwaysare。 WewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。 Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis\'care,TheVagabondofGod! Folly(ForA。K。K。) WhatdistantmountainsthrillandglowBeneathourLadyFolly\'stread? Whyhassheleftus,wiseinwoe,Shrewd,practical,uncomforted? Wecannotloveordreamorsing,Wearetoocynicaltopray,ThereisnojoyinanythingSinceLadyFollywentaway。 Manyaknightandgentlemaid,Whosegloryshinesfromyearsgoneby,ThroughignorancewasunafraidAndasafoolknewhowtodie。 SaintFollyrodebesideJehanneAndbroketheranksofHellwithher,AndFolly\'ssmileshonebrightlyonChrist\'splaything,BrotherJuniper。 OurmindsaretroubledanddefiledBystudyinawearyschool。 Oforthefollyofthechild! Thereadycourageofthefool! Lord,crushourknowledgeutterlyAndmakeushumble,simplemen; Andcleansedofwisdom,letusseeOurLadyFolly\'sfaceagain。 Madness(ForSaraTeasdale) Thelonelyfarm,thecrowdedstreet,Thepalaceandtheslum,GivewelcometomysilentfeetAs,bearinggifts,Icome。 Lastnightabeggarcrouchedalone,Araggedhelplessthing; Isethimonamoonbeamthrone—— Todayheisaking。 LastnightakinginorbandcrownHeldcourtwithsplendidcheer; TodayhetearshispurplegownAndmoansandshrieksinfear。 Notironbars,norflashingspears,Notland,norsky,norsea,Norlove\'sartilleryoftearsCankeepmineownfromme。 Serene,unchanging,everfair,IsmilewithsecretmirthAndinanetofmineownhairIswingthecaptiveearth。 PoetsVainisthechimingofforgottenbellsThatthewindswaysabovearuinedshrine。 VainerhisvoiceinwhomnolongerdwellsHungerthatcravesimmortalBreadandWine。 LightsongswebreathethatperishwithourbreathOutofourlipsthathavenotkissedtherod。 Theyshallnotlivewhohavenottasteddeath。 TheyonlysingwhoarestruckdumbbyGod。 CitizenoftheWorldNolongerofHimbeitsaid\"HehathnoplacetolayHishead。\" IneverylandaconstantlampFlamesbyHissmallandmightycamp。 ThereisnostrangeanddistantplaceThatisnotgladdenedbyHisface。 AndeverynationkneelstohailTheSplendourshiningthroughItsveil。 Cloisteredbesidetheshoutingstreet,Silent,HecallsmetoHisfeet。 ImprisonedforHisloveofmeHemakesmyspiritgreatlyfree。 AndthroughmylipsthatutteredsinTheKingofGloryentersin。 ToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpring(ForKenton) AnironhandhasstilledthethroatsThatthrobbedwithloudandrhythmicgleeAnddammedthefloodofsilvernotesThatdrenchedtheworldinmelody。 TheblosmyappleboughsareyearningFortheirwildchoristers\'returning,Butnoswiftwingsflashthroughthetree。 Yethatweregladandfleetandstrong,ShallSilencetakeyouinhernet? AndshallDeathquellthatradiantsongWhoseechothrillsthemeadowyet? BurstthefrailwebaboutyouclingingAndcharmDeath\'scruelheartwithsingingTillwithstrangetearshiseyesarewet。 ThescentedmorningoftheyearIsoldandstalenowyearegone。 NofriendlysongsthechildrenhearAmongthebushesonthelawn。 Whenbabieswanderouta-MayingWillye,theirbards,afarbestraying? Unhymnedbyyou,whatisthedawn? Nay,sinceyelovedyecannotdie。 Abovethestarsissetyournest。 ThroughHeaven\'sfieldsyesingandflyAndinthetreesofHeavenrest。 AndlittlechildrenintheirdreamingShallseeyoursoftblackplumagegleamingAndsmile,byyourclearmusicblest。 TheFourthShepherd(ForThomasWalsh) I OnnightslikethisthehuddledsheepArelikewhitecloudsuponthegrass,AndmerryherdsmenguardtheirsleepAndchatandwatchthebigstarspass。 ItisapleasantthingtolieUponthemeadowonthehillWithkindlyfellowshipnearbyOfsheepandmenofgentlewill。 IleanuponmybrokencrookAnddreamofsheepandgrassandmen—— OshamefuleyesthatcannotlookOnanyhonestthingagain! OnbloodyfeetIclambereddownAndfledthewagesofmysin,Iamtheleavingsofthetown,Andmeanlyserveitsmeanestinn。 Itrampthecourtyardstonesingrief,Whilesleeptakesmanandbeasttoher。 Andeverycloudiscalling\"Thief!\" Andeverystarcalls\"Murderer!\" II ThehandofGodissureandstrong,NorshallamanforeverfleeThebitterpunishmentofwrong。 ThewrathofGodisoverme! WithashenbreadandwineoftearsShallIbesolacedinmypain。 IwearthroughblackandendlessyearsUponmybrowthemarkofCain。 III Poorvagabond,sooldandmild,Willtheynotkeephimforanight? AndShe,awomangreatwithchild,Sofrailandpitifulandwhite。 Goodpeople,sincethetaverndoorIsshuttoyou,comehereinstead。 See,IhavecleansedmystablefloorAndpiledfreshhaytomakeabed。 Hereissomemilkandoatencake。 Liedownandsleepandrestyoufair,Norfear,Osimplefolk,totakeThebountyofachildofcare。 IV Onnightslikethisthehuddledsheep—— Ineversawanightsofair。 Howhugetheskyis,andhowdeep! Andhowtheplanetsflashandglare! AtdawnbesidemydrowsyflockWhatwingedmusicIhaveheard! ButnowthecloudswithsingingrockAsiftheskywereturningbird。 OblindingLight,OblindingLight! Burnthroughmyheartwithsweetestpain。 OflamingSong,mostloudlybright,Consumeawaymydeadlystain! V Thestableglowsagainstthesky,Andwhoarethesethatthrongtheway? MythreeoldcomradeshastenbyAndshiningangelskneelandpray。 Thedoorswingswide——Icannotgo—— ImustandyetIdarenotsee。 Lord,whoamIthatIshouldknow—— Lord,God,bemercifultome! VI OWhiteness,whiterthanthefleeceOfnew-washedsheeponAprilsod! OBreathofLife,OPrinceofPeace,OLambofGod,OLambofGod! EasterTheairislikeabutterflyWithfrailbluewings。 ThehappyearthlooksattheskyAndsings。 MountHouvenkopfSerenehestands,withmistserenelycrowned,Anddrawsacloakoftreesabouthisbreast。 ThethunderroarsbutcannotbreakhisrestAndfromhisruggedfacethetempestsbound。 Hedoesnotheedtheangrylightning\'swound,Theragingblizzardishisharmlessguest,AndhumanlifeisbutapassingjestTohimwhoseesTimespintheyearsaround。 Butfragilesouls,inskyeyreachesfindHighvantage-pointsandviewhimfromafar。 Howlowheseemstotheascendedmind,Howbriefheseemswhereallthingsendlessare; ThislittleplaymateofthemightywindThisyoungcompanionofanancientstar。 TheHousewithNobodyinItWheneverIwalktoSuffernalongtheErietrackIgobyapooroldfarmhousewithitsshinglesbrokenandblack。 IsupposeI\'vepasseditahundredtimes,butIalwaysstopforaminuteAndlookatthehouse,thetragichouse,thehousewithnobodyinit。 Ineverhaveseenahauntedhouse,butIheartherearesuchthings; Thattheyholdthetalkofspirits,theirmirthandsorrowings。 Iknowthishouseisn\'thaunted,andIwishitwere,Ido; Foritwouldn\'tbesolonelyifithadaghostortwo。 ThishouseontheroadtoSuffernneedsadozenpanesofglass,Andsomebodyoughttoweedthewalkandtakeascythetothegrass。 Itneedsnewpaintandshingles,andthevinesshouldbetrimmedandtied; Butwhatitneedsthemostofallissomepeoplelivinginside。 IfIhadalotofmoneyandallmydebtswerepaidI\'dputagangofmentoworkwithbrushandsawandspade。 I\'dbuythatplaceandfixitupthewayitusedtobeAndI\'dfindsomepeoplewhowantedahomeandgiveittothemfree。 Now,anewhousestandingempty,withstaringwindowanddoor,Looksidle,perhaps,andfoolish,likeahatonitsblockinthestore。 Butthere\'snothingmournfulaboutit;itcannotbesadandloneForthelackofsomethingwithinitthatithasneverknown。 Butahousethathasdonewhatahouseshoulddo,ahousethathasshelteredlife,Thathasputitslovingwoodenarmsaroundamanandhiswife,Ahousethathasechoedababy\'slaughandhelduphisstumblingfeet,Isthesaddestsight,whenit\'sleftalone,thateveryoureyescouldmeet。 SowheneverIgotoSuffernalongtheErietrackInevergobytheemptyhousewithoutstoppingandlookingback,Yetithurtsmetolookatthecrumblingroofandtheshuttersfallenapart,ForIcan\'thelpthinkingthepooroldhouseisahousewithabrokenheart。 DaveLillyThere\'sabrookonthesideofGreylockthatusedtobefulloftrout,Butthere\'snothingtherenowbutminnows;theysayitisallfishedout。 IfishedtheremanyaSummerdaysometwentyyearsago,AndIneverquitwithoutgettingamessofadozenorso。 Therewasaman,DaveLilly,wholivedontheNorthAdamsroad,Andhespentallhistimefishing,whilehisneighborsreapedandsowed。 HewastheluckiestfishermanintheBerkshirehills,Ithink。 Andwhenhedidn\'tgofishinghe\'dsitinthetavernanddrink。 Well,Daveisdeadandburiedandnobodycaresverymuch; TheyhavenouseinGreylockfordrunkardsandloafersandsuch。 ButIalwayslikedDaveLilly,hewaspleasantasyoucouldwish; Hewasshiftlessandgood-for-nothing,buthecertainlycouldfish。 TheothernightIwaswalkingupthehillfromWilliamstownAndIcametothebrookImentioned,andIstoppedonthebridgeandsatdown。 IlookedattheblackenedwaterwithitslittleflecksofwhiteAndIhearditrippleandwhisperinthestilloftheSummernight。 AndafterI\'dbeenthereaminuteitseemedtomeIcouldfeelThepresenceofsomeonenearme,andIheardthehumofareel。 Andthewaterwaschurnedandbroken,andsomethingwasbroughttolandByatwistandflirtofashadowyrodinadeftandshadowyhand。 Iscrambleddowntothebrooksideandhuntedallabout; Therewasn\'tasignofafisherman;therewasn\'tasignofatrout。 ButIheardsomebodychucklebehindthehollowoakAndIgotawhiffoftobaccolikeLillyusedtosmoke。 It\'sfifteenyears,theytellme,sinceanyonefishedthatbrook; Andthere\'snothinginitbutminnowsthatnibblethebaitoffyourhook。 ButbeforethesunhasrisenandafterthemoonhassetIknowthatit\'sfullofghostlytroutforLilly\'sghosttoget。 IguessI\'llgotothetavernandgetabottleofryeAndleaveitdownbythehollowoak,whereLilly\'sghostwentby。 ImeanttogouponthehillsideandtrytofindhisgraveAndputsomeflowersonit——butthiswillbebetterforDave。 AlarmClocksWhenDawnstridesouttowakeadewyfarmAcrossgreenfieldsandyellowhillsofhayThelittletwitteringbirdslaughinhiswayAndpoisetriumphantonhisshiningarm。 HebearsaswordofflamebutnottoharmThewakenedlifethatfeelshisquickeningswayAndbarnyardvoicesshrilling\"Itisday!\" Takebyhisgraceanewandaliencharm。 Butinthecity,likeawoundedthingThatlimpstocoverfromtheangrychase,Hestealsdownstreetswheresicklyarc-lightssing,Andwanlymockhisyoungandshamefulface; AndtinygongswithcruelfervorringInmanyahighanddrearysleepingplace。 Waverley1814-1914 When,onanovel\'snewlyprintedpageWefindamaudlineulogyofsin,Andreadofwaysthatharlotswanderin,Andofsicksoulsthatwritheinhelplessrage; OrwhenRomance,bespectacledandsage,TapsonherdeskandbidstheclassbeginTocontheproblemsthathavealwaysbeenPerplexedmankind\'sunhappyheritage; TheninwhatrobesofhonorhabitedThelaureledwizardoftheNorthappears! WhoraisedPrinceCharlie\'scohortsfromthedead,MadeRose\'smirthandFlora\'snobletears,AndformedthatshininglegionatwhoseheadRidesWaverley,triumphanto\'ertheyears! [EndofTreesandOtherPoems。] Thefollowingbiographicalinformationistakenfromthe1917editionofJessieB。Rittenhouse\'santhologyofModernVerse。 Kilmer,Joyce。BornatNewBrunswick,NewJersey,December6,1886,andgraduatedatColumbiaUniversityin1908。AfterashortperiodofteachinghebecameassociatedwithFunkandWagnallsCompany,whereheremainedfrom1909to1912,whenheassumedthepositionofliteraryeditorof\"TheChurchman\"。In1913Mr。Kilmerbecameamemberofthestaffofthe\"NewYorkTimes\",apositionwhichhestilloccupies。Hisvolumesofpoetryare:\"ASummerofLove\",1911,and\"Trees,andOtherPoems\",1914。 KilmerdiedinFrancein1918,andalsopublishedanothervolume,\"MainStreetandOtherPoems\",1917,aswellasindividualpoems,essays,etc。