第1章

类别:其他 作者:Andrew Lang字数:12999更新时间:18/12/25 10:36:20
IntroductionBALLADESINBLUECHINA。 BalladeofTheocritusBalladeofCleopatra’sNeedleBalladeofRouletteBalladeofSleepBalladeoftheMidnightForestBalladeoftheTweedBalladeoftheBook—hunterBalladeoftheVoyagetoCytheraBalladeoftheSummerTermBalladeoftheMuseBalladeagainsttheJesuitsBalladeofDeadCitiesBalladeoftheRoyalGameofGolfDoubleBalladeofPrimitiveManBalladeofAutumnBalladeofTrueWisdomBalladeofWorldlyWealthBalladeofLifeBalladeofBlueChinaBalladeofDeadLadiesVillon’sBalladeofGoodCounselBalladeoftheBookwormValentineinformofBalladeBalladeofOldPlaysBalladeofhisBooksBalladeoftheDreamBalladeoftheSouthernCrossBalladeofAucassinBalladeAmoureuseBalladeofQueenAnneBalladeofBlindLoveBalladeofhisChoiceofaSepulchreDizainVERSESANDTRANSLATIONS。 APortraitof1783 TheMoon’sMinionInIthacaHomerTheBurialofMoliereBionSpringBeforetheSnowVillanelleNaturalTheologyTheOdysseyIdealTheFairy’sGiftBenedettaRamusPartantpourlaScribieSt。AndrewsBayWomanandtheWeed\"Rondeaux,BALLADES,Chansonsdizains,proposmenus,Comptemoyqu’ilssontdevenuz: Sefaictilplusriendenouveau?\" CLEMENTMAROT,DialoguededeuxAmoureux。 \"Iloveaballadbuteventoowell;ifitbedolefulmatter,merrilysetdown,oraverypleasantthingindeed,andsunglamentably。\" AWinter’sTale,Activ。sc。3。 INTRODUCTION Thirtyyearshavepassed,likeawatchinthenight,sincetheearlierofthetwosetsofversesherereprinted,BalladesinBlueChina,waspublished。Atfirsttherewerebuttwenty—twoBallades; tenmorewereaddedlater。Theyappearedinalittlewhitevellumwrapper,withalittleblueChinesesingercopiedfromaporcelainjar;andthefrontispiecewasalittledesignbyanetchernowfamous。 Thirtyyearsagobluechinawasakindoffetishinsomecircles,aestheticcircles,ofwhichtheballadistwasnotamember。 TheballadewasanoldFrenchformofverse,inFrancerevivedbyTheodoredeBanville,andrestoredtoanEnglandwhichhadlongforgottentheMiddleAges,bymyfriendsMr。AustinDobsonandMr。 EdmundGosse。They,sofarasIcantrustmymemory,werethefirsttoreintroducethesepleasantoldFrenchnugae,whileananonymousauthorletlooseuponthetownawholewingedflockofballadesofamazingdexterity。ThisunknownballadistwasMr。Henley;perhapshewasthefirstEnglishmanwhoeverburstintoadoubleballade,andhistranslationsoftwoofVillon’sballadesintomodernthieves’slangweremarvelsofdexterity。Mr。Swinburnewroteaseriousballade,buttheform,Iventuretothink,isnot’whollyserious,’ofitsnature,inmoderndays;andhedidnotpersevere。 Nordidthetasteforthesetrifleslongendure。Agoodballadeisalmostasrareasagoodsonnet,butamiddlingballadeisalmostaseasilywrittenasthemajorityofsonnets。Eitherformreadilybecomesmechanical,cheapandfacile。IhaveheardMr。GeorgeMeredithimproviseasonnet,aPetrarchiansonnet,obedienttotherules,withoutpenandpaper。Hespoke’andthenumberscame’;hesonnetedaseasilyasalivingpoet,inhisEtondays,improvisedLatinelegiacsandGreekhexameters。 Thesonnetendures。Mr。HoraceHutchinsonwrotesomewhere:\"Whenyouhavereadasonnet,youfeelthatthoughtheredoesnotseemtobemuchofit,youhavedoneagooddeal,aswhenyouhaveeatenacoldhard—boiledegg。\"Stillpeoplekeeponwritingsonnets,becausethesonnetiswhollyserious。InanEnglishsonnetyoucannoteasilybeflippantofpen。Afewgreatpoetshavewrittenimmortalsonnets——amongthemareMilton,Wordsworth,andKeats。 Thusthesonnetisathingwhicheverypoetthinksitworthwhiletotryat;likeFelixArvers,hemaybemadeimmortalbyasinglesonnet。EvenIhavewrittenonetoomany!Everyanthologistwantstoanthologiseit(TheOdyssey);itneverwasafavouriteofmyown,thoughithadthehonourtobekindlyspokenofbyMr。MatthewArnold。 Ontheotherhand,nomansinceFrancoisVillonhasbeenimmortalisedbyasingleballade——Maisousontlesneigesd’antan? Tospeakinanydetailaboutthesepoorballadeswouldbetoinditeapartofanautobiography。Lookingbackatthelittlebook,’whatmemoriesitstirs’inonetowhom’Fatehasdonethiswrong,ThatIshouldwritetoomuchandlivetoolong。’ TheBalladeoftheTweed,andtheRhymesalaMode,werededicatedtothedearestofkinsmen,acricketerandangler。TheBalladeofRoulettewasinscribedtoR。R。,agallantveteranoftheIndianMutiny,aleaderofLightHorse,whosefatherwasafriendofSirWalterScott。HewashimselfaBorderer,inwhosedefeatsonthegreenfieldofRouletteIoftenshared,long,longago。 Somanyhavegone’intotheworldoflight’thatitisahappinesstothinkofhimtowhomTheBalladeofGolfwasdedicated,andtorememberthatheisstillcapableofscoringhisdoublecenturyatcricket,andofliftingtheballhighoverthetreesbeyondtheboundariesofagreatcricket—field。PerhapsMr。LeslieBalfour— Melvillewillpardonmeformentioninghisname,linkedasitiswithsomanycommonmemories。’Oneistakenandanotherleft。’ AdifferentsortofmemoryattachesitselftoABalladeofDeadCities。ItwaswritteninaTheocriteanamoebeanway,incompetitionwithMr。EdmundGosse;heneednotbeashamedofthecircumstance,foranothershepherd,whowasumpire,awardedtheprize(twokidsjustseveredfromtheirdams)tohisvictoriousmuse。 TheBalladeoftheMidnightForest,theBalladeoftheHuntressArtemis,wastranslatedfromTheodoredeBanville,whosebeautifulpoemcamesoneartheGreek,thatwhenthelateProvostofOrieltranslatedapartofitsEnglishshadowintoGreekhexameters,youmightsuppose,asyouread,thattheywerepartofalostHomericHymn。 Ineverwroteadoubleballade,andstanzasfourandfiveoftheDoubleBalladeofPrimitiveManwerecontributedbythelearneddoyenofAnthropology,Mr。E。B。Tylor,authorofPrimitiveCulture。 Atoutseigneurtouthonneur! InBalladeofhisChoiceofaSepulchre,theWindburgisahillinTeviotdale。APortraitof1783waswrittenonaFrenchengravingafterMorland,andBenedettaRamuswasaddressedtoamezzotint(anartist’sproof,’veryrare’)。ItisafterRomneyandis’MyBeauty,’asCharlesLambsaid(once,unluckily,toaScot)ofanengraving,afterLionardo,ofsomefairdeadlady。 Thesonnet,NaturalTheology,isthegermofwhattheauthorhassincewritten,inTheMakingofReligion,onthelongneglectedfactthatmanyofthelowestsavagesknownsharethebeliefinabenevolentAllFatherandJudgeofmen。 ConcerningversesinRhymesalaMode,visitorstoSt。AndrewsmaybewarnednottovisitSt。Leonard’sChapel,describedinthesecondstanzaofAlmaeMatres。Inthewriter’syouth,andeveninmiddleage,HeloiteredidlywherethetallFresh—buddedmountain—ashesblowWithinitsdesecratedwall。 Theoncebeautifulruinscarpetedwithgrassandwildflowershavebeendoublydesecratedbypersons,academicpersons,havingauthorityandaplentifullackoftaste。Theslimmountain—ashes,fairastheyoungpalm—treethatOdysseussawbesidetheshrineofApolloinDelos,havebeencutdownbytheacademicpersonstowhompowerisgiven。Thegrassandflowershavebeenrootedup。Hideouslittlewoodenfencesenclosethegraveslabs:aroofofamassivekindhasbeendumpeddownontheoldwalls,andthewindows,oncesogracefulintheirairylines,havebeenglazedinahorriblemanner,whiletheuglyirongateprecludesentrancetoashrinewhichisnowablackanddismaldungeon。 \"Oh,bethatroofasleadtoleadAbovethedullRestorer’shead,AMinstrel’smalisonissaid!\" NotesexplanatoryareaddedtotheRhymes,andtheirinformation,howevervaluable,neednothereberepeated。 ABALLADEOFXXXIIBALLADES。 Friend,whenyoubearacare—dulledeye,Andbrowperplexedwiththingsofweight,AndfainwouldbidsomecharmuntieThebondsthatholdyoualltoostrait,Beholdasolacetoyourfate,Wrappedinthiscover’schinablue; Theseballadesfreshanddelicate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two! Themind,unwearied,longstoflyAndcommunewiththewiseandgreat; Butthatsameether,rareandhigh,Whichglorifiesitsworthymate,Tobreathforspentisdisparate: Laughingandlightandairy—newThesecometoticklethedullpate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。 Mostwelcomethen,whenyouandI,Forestallingdaysformirthtoolate,ToquipsandcranksandfantasySomechoicehalf—hourdedicate,TheyweavetheirdancewithmeasuredrateOfrhymesenlinkedinorderdue,Tillfrownsrelaxandcaresabate,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。 ENVOY。 Princes,oftoysthatpleaseyourstateQuainteraresurelynonetoviewThanthesewhichpasswithtrippinggait,ThisdaintytroopofThirty—two。 F。P。 TO AUSTINDOBSON。 UnLivreestunamiquichange——quelquefois。 1880。 1888 BALLADETOTHEOCRITUS,INWINTER。 [Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced] Id。viii。56。 Ah!leavethesmoke,thewealth,theroarOfLondon,andthebustlingstreet,Forstill,bytheSicilianshore,ThemurmuroftheMuseissweet。 Still,still,thesunsofsummergreetThemountain—graveofHelike,AndshepherdsstilltheirsongsrepeatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea。 WhatthoughtheyworshipPannomore,Thatguardedoncetheshepherd’sseat,Theychatteroftheirrusticlore,Theywatchthewindamongthewheat: Cicalaschirp,theyounglambsbleat,Wherewhisperspinetocypresstree; TheycountthewavesthatidlybeatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea。 Theocritus!thoucanstrestoreThepleasantyears,andover—fleet; Withtheeweliveasmenofyore,Werestwhererunningwatersmeet: AndthenweturnunwillingfeetAndseektheworld——somustitbe— WEmaynotlingerintheheatWherebreakstheblueSiciliansea! ENVOY。 Master,——whenrain,andsnow,andsleetAndnorthernwindsarewild,totheeWecome,werestinthyretreat,WherebreakstheblueSiciliansea! BALLADEOFCLEOPATRA’SNEEDLE。 YegiantshadesofRAandTUM,YeghostsofgodsEgyptian,IfmurmursofourplanetcomeToexilesintheprecinctswanWhere,fetishorOlympian,Tohelporharmnomoreyelist,Lookdown,iflookyemay,andscanThismonumentinLondonmist! Behold,thehieroglyphsaredumbThatoncewerereadofhimthatranWhenseistron,cymbal,trump,anddrumWildmusicoftheBullbegan; WhenthroughthechantingpriestlyclanWalk’dRamses,andthehighsunkiss’dThisstone,withblessingscoredandban— ThismonumentinLondonmist。 Thestoneenduresthoughgodsbenumb; Thoughhumaneffort,plot,andplanBesifted,drifted,likethesumOfsandsinwastesArabian。 Whatkingmaydeemhimmorethanman,WhatpriestsaysFaithcanTimeresistWhileTHISendurestomarktheirspan— ThismonumentinLondonmist? ENVOY。 Prince,thestone’sshadeonyourdivanFalls;itislongerthanyewist: Itpreaches,asTime’sgnomoncan,ThismonumentinLondonmist! BALLADEOFROULETTE。 TOR。R。 Thislife——onewasthinkingto—day,Inthemidstofamedleyoffancies— Isagame,andtheboardwhereweplayGreenearthwithherpoppiesandpansies。 Letmanquebefadedromances,Bepasseremorseandregret; Heartsdancewiththewheelasitdances— ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette。 TheloverwillstakeashemayHisheartonhisPeggiesandNancies; Thegirlhasherbeautytolay; Thesainthashisprayersandhistrances; ThepoetbetsendlessexpansesInDreamland;thescamphashisdebt: Howtheygazeatthewheelasitglances— ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette! TheKaiserwillstakehisarrayOfsabres,ofKrupps,andoflances; AnEnglishmanpuntswithhispay,AndglorythejetonofFranceis; Yourartists,orWhistlersorVances,Havevoicesorcolourstobet; Willyoumoanthatitsmotionaskanceis— ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette? ENVOY。 Theprizethatthepleasureenhances? Theprizeis——atlasttoforgetThechanges,thechops,andthechances— ThewheelofDameFortune’sroulette。 BALLADEOFSLEEP。 Thehoursarepassingslow,IheartheirwearytreadClangfromthetower,andgoBacktotheirkinsfolkdead。 Sleep!death’stwinbrotherdread! Whydostthouscornmeso? Thewind’svoiceoverheadLongwakefulhereIknow,AndmusicfromthesteepWherewatersfallandflow。 Wiltthounothearsue,Sleep? AllsoundsthatmightbestowRestonthefever’dbed,Allslumb’roussoundsandlowAremingledhereandwed,Andbringnodrowsihed。 ShydreamsflittoandfroWithshadowyhairdispread; Withwistfuleyesthatglow,Andsilentrobesthatsweep。 Thouwiltnothearme;no? Wiltthounothearme,Sleep? WhatcausehastthoutoshowOfsacrificeunsped? OfallthyslavesbelowImosthavelabouredWithservicesungandsaid; Havecull’dsuchbudsasblow,Softpoppieswhiteandred,Wherethystillgardensgrow,AndLethe’swatersweep。 Why,then,artthoumyfoe? Wiltthounothearme,Sleep? ENVOY。 Prince,erethedarkbeshredBygoldenshafts,erenowAndlongtheshadowscreep: Lordofthewandoflead,Soft—footedasthesnow,Wiltthounothearme,Sleep! BALLADEOFTHEMIDNIGHTFOREST。 AFTERTHEODOREDEBANVILLE。 Stillsingthemockingfairies,asofold,Beneaththeshadeofthornandholly—tree; Thewestwindbreathesuponthem,pureandcold,AndwolvesstilldreadDianaroamingfreeInsecretwoodlandwithhercompany。 ’Tisthoughtthepeasants’hovelsknowherriteWhennowthewoldsarebathedinsilverlight,Andfirstthemoonrisebreakstheduskygrey,Thendownthedells,withblownsofthairandbright,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。 Withwater—weedstwinedintheirlocksofgoldThestrangecoldforest—fairiesdanceinglee,Sylphsover—timorousandover—boldHauntthedarkhollowswherethedwarfmaybe,Thewildreddwarf,thenixies’enemy; Then’midtheirmirth,andlaughter,andaffright,ThesuddenGoddessenters,tallandwhite,Withonelongsighforsummerspass’daway; TheswiftfeetteartheivynetsoutrightAndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。 Shegleanshersilvantrophies;downthewoldShehearsthesobbingofthestagsthatfleeMixedwiththemusicofthehuntingroll’d,Butherdelightisallinarchery,AndnaughtofruthandpitywottethsheMorethanherhoundsthatfollowontheflight; ThegoddessdrawsagoldenbowofmightAndthicksherainsthegentleshaftsthatslay。 Shetosseslooseherlocksuponthenight,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。 ENVOY。 Prince,letusleavethedin,thedust,thespite,Thegloomandglareoftowns,theplague,theblight: AmidtheforestleavesandfountainsprayThereisthemystichomeofourdelight,AndthroughthedimwoodDianthreadsherway。 BALLADEOFTHETWEED。 (LOWLANDSCOTCH。) TOT。W。LANG。 TheferoxrinsinroughLochAwe,Awearycryfraeonytoun; TheSpey,thatloupso’erlinnandfa’,Theypraisea’itherstreamsaboon; Theyboasttheirbraeso’bonnyDoon: GieMEtoheartheringingreel,Whereshilfassing,andcushatscroonByfairTweed—side,atAshiesteel! There’sEttrick,Meggat,Ail,anda’,WheretroutswimthickinMayandJune; Ye’llseethemtakeinshowerso’snawSomeblinking,cauldrifeAprilnoon: Raxowerthepalmerandmarch—broun,Andsynewe’llshowabonnycreel,Inspringorsimmer,lateorsoon,ByfairTweed—side,atAshiesteel! There’smonyawater,greatorsma’,Gaessinginginhissillertune,Throughglenandheugh,andhopeandshaw,Beneaththesun—lichtorthemoon: Butsetusinourfishing—shoonBetweentheCaddon—burnandPeel,Andsynewe’llcrosstheheatherbrounByfairTweed—sideatAshiesteel! ENVOY。 Deiltakethedirty,tradingloonWadgarthewaterca’hiswheel,AnddrifthisdyesandpoisonsdounByfairTweed—sideatAshiesteel! BALLADEOFTHEBOOK—HUNTER。 IntorridheatsoflateJuly,InMarch,beneaththebitterbise,Hebook—huntswhiletheloungersfly,— Hebook—hunts,thoughDecemberfreeze; Inbreechesbaggyattheknees,Andheedlessofthepublicjeers,Forthese,forthese,hehoardshisfees,— Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs。 Nodismalstallescapeshiseye,Heturnso’ertomesoflowdegrees,Theresoiledromanticistsmaylie,OrRestorationcomedies; EachtractthatfluttersinthebreezeForhimischargedwithhopesandfears,InmouldynovelsfancyseesAldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs。 Withrestlesseyesthatpeerandspy,Sadeyesthatheednotskiesnortrees,Indismalnookshelovestopry,WhosemottoevermoreisSpes! Butah!thefabledtreasureflees; Grownrarerwiththefleetingyears,Inrichmen’sshelvestheytaketheirease,— Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs! ENVOY。 Prince,allthethingsthatteaseandplease,— Fame,hope,wealth,kisses,cheers,andtears,Whataretheybutsuchtoysasthese— Aldines,Bodonis,Elzevirs? BALLADEOFTHEVOYAGETOCYTHERA。 AFTERTHEODOREDEBANVILLE。 IknowCytheralongisdesolate; Iknowthewindshavestripp’dthegardensgreen。 Alas,myfriends!beneaththefiercesun’sweightAbarrenreeflieswhereLove’sflowershavebeen,Noreverloveronthatcoastisseen! Sobeit,butweseekafabledshore,Tolullourvaguedesireswithmysticlore,TowanderwhereLove’slabyrinthsbeguile; Thereletusland,theredreamforevermore: \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle。\" Theseamaybeoursepulchre。IfFate,Iftempestswreaktheirwrathonus,sereneWewatchtheboltofheaven,andscornthehateOfangrygodsthatsmiteusintheirspleen。 PerchancethejealousmistsarebutthescreenThatveilsthefairycoastwewouldexplore。 Come,thoughtheseabevex’d,andbreakersroar,Come,fortheairofthisoldworldisvile,Hastewe,andtoil,andfaintnotattheoar; \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle。\" GreyserpentstrailintemplesdesecrateWhereCyprissmiled,thegoldenmaid,thequeen,Andruinedisthepalaceofourstate; ButhappyLovesflitroundthemast,andkeenTheshrillwindsingsthesilkencordsbetween。 Heroesarewe,withweariedheartsandsore,Whoseflowerisfadedandwhoselocksarehoar,Yethaste,lightskiffs,wheremyrtlethicketssmile; Love’spantherssleep’midroses,asofyore: \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle!\" ENVOY。 Sadeyes!thebluesealaughs,asheretofore。 Ah,singingbirdsyourhappymusicpour! Ah,poets,leavethesordidearthawhile; Flittotheseancientgodswestilladore: \"Itmaybeweshalltouchthehappyisle!\" BALLADEOFTHESUMMERTERM。 (BeingaPetition,intheformofaBallade,prayingtheUniversityCommissionerstosparetheSummerTerm。) WhenLentandResponsionsareended,WhenMaywithfritillarieswaits,Whentheflowerofthechestnutissplendid,Whendragsareatallofthegates(Thosedragsthephilosopher\"slates\" Withascornthatistrulysublime),{1} LifewinsfromthegraspoftheFatesSweethoursandthefleetestoftime! Whenwicketsarebowl’danddefended,WhenIsisisgladwith\"theEights,\" Whenmusicandsunsetareblended,WhenYouthandthesummeraremates,WhenFreshmenareheedlessof\"Greats,\" Andwhennote—booksarecover’dwithrhyme,Ah,thesearethehoursthatonerates— Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime! WhenthebrowoftheDeanisunbendedAtluncheonsandmildtete—a—tetes,WhentheTutor’sinlove,noroffendedByblundersintensesordates; WhenbouquetsarepurchasedofBates,Whenthebellsintheirmelodychime,WhenunheededtheLecturerprates— Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime! ENVOY。 ReformersofSchoolsandofStates,Ismirthsotremendousacrime? Ah!sparewhatgrimpedantryhates— Sweethoursandthefleetestoftime! BALLADEOFTHEMUSE Quemtu,Melpomene,semel。 Themanwhomonce,Melpomene,Thoulook’stonwithbenignantsight,ShallneverattheIsthmusbeAboxereminentinfight,NorfaresheforemostintheflightOfGreciancarstovictory,NorgoeswithDelianlaurelsdight,Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene! NothimtheCapitolshallsee,Aswhohathcrush’dthethreatsandmightOfmonarchs,marchtriumphantly; ButFameshallcrownhim,inhisrightOfalltheRomanlyrethatsmiteThefirst;sowoodsofTivoliProclaimhim,soherwatersbright,Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene! ThesonsofqueenlyRomecountME,Metoo,withthemwhosechantsdelight,— Thepoets’kindlycompany; Nowbrokenisthetoothofspite,Butthou,thattemperestarightThegoldenlyre,all,alltotheeHeowes——life,fame,andfortune’sheight— Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene! ENVOY。 Queen,thattomutelipscould’stuniteThewildswan’sdyingmelody! Thygifts,ah!howshallherequite— Themanthoulov’st,Melpomene? BALLADEAGAINSTTHEJESUITS。 AFTERLAFONTAINE。 RomedoesrightwelltocensureallthevainTalkofJansenius,andofthemwhopreachThatearthlyjoysaredamnable!’TisplainWeneednotchargeatHeavenasatabreach; No,ambleon!We’llgainit,oneandall; Thenarrowpath’sadreamfantastical,AndArnauld’squitesuperfluouslydrivenMirthfromtheworld。We’llscaletheheavenlywall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven! HedoesnotholdamanmaywellbeslainWhovexeswithunseasonablespeech,YouMAYdomurderforfiveducatsgain,NOTforapin,aribbon,orapeach; Heventures(mostconsistently)toteachThattherearecertaincasesthatbefallWhenperjuryneednogoodmanappal,Andlifeoflove(hesays)maykeepaleaven。 Sure,hearingthis,agratefulworldwillbawl,\"Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven!\" \"ForGod’ssakereadmesomewhatinthestrainOfhismostcheeringvolumes,Ibeseech!\" WhyshouldInamethemall?amightytrain— Somany,nonemayknowthenameofeach。 Maketheseyourcompasstotheheavenlybeach,Theseonlyinyourlibraryinstal: BurnPascalandhisfellows,greatandsmall,DoltsthatinvainwithEscobarhavestriven; Itellyou,andthecommonvoicedothcall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven! ENVOY。 SATAN,thatpridedidhurrytothyfall,Thouporterofthegriminfernalhall— Thoukeeperofthecourtsofsoulsunshriven! Toshunthyshafts,to’scapethyhellishthrall,Escobarmakesaprimrosepathtoheaven! BALLADEOFDEADCITIES。 TOE。W。GOSSE。 ThedustofCarthageandthedustOfBabelonthedesertwold,ThelovesofCorinth,andthelust,Orchomenosincreasedwithgold; ThetownofJason,over—bold,AndCherson,smitteninherprime— Whataretheybutadreamhalf—told? Wherearethecitiesofoldtime? Intownsthatwereakingdom’strust,IndimAtlanticforests’fold,Themarblewastethtoacrust,Thegranitecrumblesintomould; O’erthese——leftnamelessfromofold— AsoverShinar’sbrickandslime,Onevastforgetfulnessisroll’d— Wherearethecitiesofoldtime? Thelapseofages,andtherust,Thefire,thefrost,thewaterscold,Effacetheevilandthejust; FromThebes,thatEriphylesold,Todrown’dCaer—Is,whosesweetbellstoll’dBeneaththewaveadreamychimeThatecho’dfromthemountain—hold,— \"Wherearethecitiesofoldtime?\" ENVOY。 Prince,allthytownsandcitiesmustDecayasthese,tillalltheircrime,Andmirth,andwealth,andtoilarethrustWherearethecitiesofoldtime。 BALLADEOFTHEROYALGAMEOFGOLF。 (EASTFIFESHIRE。) Thereareladdieswilldriveyeaba’ Totheburnfraethefarthermosttee,Butyemaunathinkdrivingisa’,Yemayheelher,andsendherajee,Yemaylandinthesandorthesea; Andye’redune,sir,ye’renoworthapreen,Tak’thewordthatanauldman’llgie,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen! Theauldfolkarecrouse,andtheycrawThattheirputtingispawkyandslee; Inabunkerthey’renaegudeava’,Buttogirn,andtogarthesandflee。 Andalassiecanputt——onyshe,— BesheMaggy,orBessie,orJean,Butacleek—shot’sthebillyforme,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen! Ihaeplay’dinthefrostandthethaw,Ihaeplay’dsincetheyearthirty—three,Ihaeplay’dintherainandthesnaw,AndItrustImayplaytillIdee; AndItellyethetruthandnaelee,ForIspeako’thethingIhaeseen— TomMorris,Iken,willagree— Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen! ENVOY。 Prince,faithyou’reimprovingawee,And,Lord,man,theytellmeyou’rekeen; Tak’thebesto’advicethatcanbe,Tak’ayetenttobeuponthegreen! DOUBLEBALLADEOFPRIMITIVEMAN。 TOJ。A。FARRER。 Helivedinacavebytheseas,Heliveduponoystersandfoes,Buthislistofforbiddendegrees,Anextensivemoralityshows; GeologicalevidencegoesToprovehehadneverapan,Butheshavedwithashellwhenhechose,— ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan。 Heworshipp’dtherainandthebreeze,Heworshipp’dtheriverthatflows,AndtheDawn,andtheMoon,andthetrees,Andbogies,andserpents,andcrows; HeburiedhisdeadwiththeirtoesTucked—up,anoriginalplan,Tilltheirkneescamerightundertheirnose,— ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan。 Hiscommunalwives,athisease,Hewouldcurbwithoccasionalblows; OrhisStatehadaqueen,likethebees(Asanotherphilosophertrows): Whenhespoke,itwasneverinprose,Buthesanginastrainthatwouldscan,For(todoubtit,perchance,weremorose) ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan! Onthecoaststhatincessantlyfreeze,Withhisstones,andhisbones,andhisbows; Onluxurianttropicalleas,Wherethesummereternallyglows,Heisfound,andhishabitsdisclose(Lettheologysaywhatshecan) Thathelivedinthelong,longagos,’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan! FromastatuslikethatoftheCrees,Oursociety’sfabricarose,— Develop’d,evolved,ifyouplease,Butdeludedchronologistschose,InafanciedaccordancewithMoses,4000B。C。forthespanWhenherushedontheworldanditswoes,— ’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan! Butthemildanthropologist,——HE’S NotRECENTinclinedtosupposeFlintsPalaeolithiclikethese,Quaternarybonessuchasthose! InRhinoceros,MammothandCo。’s,Firstepoch,theHumanbegan,Theologiansalltoexpose,— ’TistheMISSIONofPrimitiveMan。 ENVOY。 MAX,proudlyyourAryanspose,Buttheirrigstheyundoubtedlyran,For,aseveryDarwinianknows,’TwasthemannerofPrimitiveMan!{2} BALLADEOFAUTUMN。 Webuiltacastleintheair,Insummerweather,youandI,Thewindandsunwereinyourhair,— Goldhairagainstasapphiresky: WhenAutumncame,withleavesthatflyBeforethestorm,acrosstheplain,Youfledfromme,withscarceasigh— MyLovereturnsnomoreagain! ThewindylightsofAutumnflare: Iwatchthemoonlitsailsgoby; Imarvelhowmentoilandfare,Thewearybusinessthattheyply! Theirvoyagingisvanity,Andfairygoldisalltheirgain,Andallthewindsofwintercry,\"MyLovereturnsnomoreagain!\" Here,inmycastleofDespair,Isitalonewithmemory; Thewind—fedwolfhaslefthislair,Tokeeptheoutcastcompany。 Thebroodingowlhehootshardby,Thehareshallkindleonthyhearth—stane,TheRhymer’ssoothestprophecy,——{3} MyLovereturnsnomoreagain! ENVOY。 Lady,myhomeuntilIdieIshere,whereyouthandhopewereslain: Theyflit,theghostsofourJuly,MyLovereturnsnomoreagain! BALLADEOFTRUEWISDOM。 Whileothersareaskingforbeautyorfame,Orprayingtoknowthatforwhichtheyshouldpray,OrcourtingQueenVenus,thataffabledame,OrchasingtheMusesthewearyandgrey,Thesagehasfoundoutamoreexcellentway— ToPanandtoPallashisincenseheshowers,Andhishumblepetitionputsupdaybyday,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。 InventorsmaybowtotheGodthatislame,Andcravefromthefireonhisstithyaray; PhilosopherskneeltotheGodwithoutname,LikethepeopleofAthens,agnosticsarethey; ThehunterafawntoDianawillslay,ThemaidenwildroseswillwreathefortheHours; Butthewisemanwillask,erelibationhepay,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。 Oh!grantmealifewithoutpleasureorblame(AsmortalscountpleasurewhorushthroughtheirdayWithaspeedtowhichthatofthetempestistame)! Ograntmeahousebythebeachofabay,Wherethewavescanbesurlyinwinter,andplayWiththesea—weedinsummer,yebountifulpowers! AndI’dleaveallthehurry,thenoise,andthefray,Forahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。 ENVOY。 Gods,grantorwithholdit;your\"yea\"andyour\"nay\" Areimmutable,heedlessofoutcryofours: ButlifeISworthliving,andherewewouldstayForahousefullofbooks,andagardenofflowers。 BALLADEOFWORLDLYWEALTH。 (OLDFRENCH。) Moneytakethtownandwall,Fortandrampwithoutablow; Moneymovesthemerchantsall,Whilethetidesshallebbandflow; MoneymakethEvilshowLiketheGood,andTruthlikelies: Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。 Moneymakethfestival,Wineshebuys,andbedscanstrow; Roundthenecksofcaptainstall,Moneywinsthemchainstothrow,Marchessoldierstoandfro,Gainethladieswithsweeteyes: Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。 Moneywinsthepriesthisstall; Moneymitresbuys,Itrow,RedhatsfortheCardinal,Abbeysforthenovicelow; Moneymakethsinassnow,Placeofpenitencesupplies: Thesealonecanne’erbestowYouth,andhealth,andParadise。 BALLADEOFLIFE。 \"’Deadandgone,’——asorryburdenoftheBalladofLife。\" Death’sJestBook。 Say,fairmaids,mayingIngardensgreen,Indeepdellsstraying,WhatendhathbeenTwoMaysbetweenOftheflowersthatshoneAndyourownsweetqueen— \"Theyaredeadandgone!\" Say,gravepriests,prayingInduleandteen,FromcellsdecayingWhathaveyeseenOftheproudandmean,OfJudasandJohn,Ofthefoulandclean?— \"Theyaredeadandgone!\" Say,kings,arrayingLoudwarstowin,OfyourmanslayingWhatgainyeglean? \"Theyarefierceandkeen,Buttheyfallanon,Ontheswordthatlean,— Theyaredeadandgone!\" ENVOY。 Throughthemadworld’sscene,Wearedriftingon,Tothistune,Iween,\"Theyaredeadandgone!\" BALLADEOFBLUECHINA。 There’sajoywithoutcankerorcark,There’sapleasureeternallynew,’TistogloatontheglazeandthemarkOfchinathat’sancientandblue; Unchipp’dallthecenturiesthroughIthaspass’d,sincethechimeofitrang,Andtheyfashion’dit,figureandhue,InthereignoftheEmperorHwang。