第1章

PartI。YOUTHANDCHANGE INTRODUCTORYSONNET ASonnetisamoment’smonument，—— MemorialfromtheSoul’seternityToonedeaddeathlesshour。Lookthatitbe，Whetherforlustralriteordireportent，Ofitsownarduousfulnessreverent： Carveitinivoryorinebony，AsDayorNightmayrule；andletTimeseeItsfloweringcrestimpearledandorient。 ASonnetisacoin：itsfacerevealsThesoul，——itsconverse，towhatPower’tisdue：—— WhetherfortributetotheaugustappealsOfLife，ordowerinLove’shighretinue，Itserve；or，’midthedarkwharf’scavernousbreath，InCharon’spalmitpaythetolltoDeath。 LOVEENTHRONED ImarkedallkindredPowerstheheartfindsfair：—— Truth，withawedlips；andHope，witheyesupcast； AndFame，whoseloudwingsfantheashenPastTosignal—fires，Oblivion’sflighttoscare； AndYouth，withstillsomesinglegoldenhairUntohisshoulderclinging，sincethelastEmbracewhereintwosweetarmsheldhimfast； AndLife，stillwreathingflowersforDeathtowear。 Love’sthronewasnotwiththese；butfaraboveAllpassionatewindofwelcomeandfarewellHesatinbreathlessbowerstheydreamnotof； ThoughTruthforeknowLove’sheart，andHopeforetell，AndFamebeforLove’ssakedesirable，AndYouthbedear，andLifebesweettoLove。 BRIDALBIRTH Aswhendesire，longdarkling，dawns，andfirstThemotherlooksuponthenew—bornchild，EvensomyLadystoodatgazeandsmiledWhenhersoulknewatlengththeLoveitnursed。 Bornwithherlife，creatureofpoignantthirstAndexquisitehunger，atherheartLovelayQuickeningindarkness，tillavoicethatdayCriedonhim，andthebondsofbirthwereburst。 Now，shieldedinhiswings，ourfacesyearnTogether，ashisfullgrownfeetnowrangeThegrove，andhiswarmhandsourcouchprepare： TilltohissongourbodilesssoulsinturnBebornhischildren，whenDeath’snuptialchangeLeavesusforlightthehaloofhishair。 REDEMPTION OThouwhoatLove’shourecstaticallyUntomylipsdostevermorepresentThebodyandbloodofLoveinsacrament； WhomIhavenearedandfeltthybreathtobeTheinmostincenseofhissanctuary； Whowithoutspeechhastownedhim，andintentUponhiswill，thylifewithminehastblent，Andmurmuredo’erthecup，Rememberme！—— 0whatfromtheethegrace，formetheprize，AndwhattoLovetheglory，——whenthewholeOfthedeepstairthoutread’sttothedimshoalAndwearywateroftheplaceofsighs，Andtheredostworkdeliverance，asthineeyesDrawupmyprisonedspirittothysoul！ LOVESIGHT WhendoIseetheemost，belovedone？ WheninthelightthespiritsofmineeyesBeforethyface，theiraltar，solemnizeTheworshipofthatLovethroughtheemadeknown？ Orwhenintheduskhours，（wetwoalone，） Close—kissedandeloquentofstillrepliesThytwilight—hiddenglimmeringvisagelies，Andmysoulonlyseesthysoulitsown？ 0love，mylove！ifInomoreshouldseeThyself，norontheearththeshadowofthee，Norimageofthineeyesinanyspring，—— HowthenshouldsounduponLife’sdarkeningslopeTheground—whirloftheperishedleavesofHope，ThewindofDeath’simperishablewing？ HEART’SHOPE Bywhatword’spower，thekeyofpathsuntrod，ShallIthedifficultdeepsofLoveexplore，TillpartedwavesofSongyielduptheshoreEvenasthatseawhichIsraelcrosseddry—shod？ Forlo！insomepoorrhythmicperiod，Lady，IfainwouldtellhowevermoreThysoulIknownotfromthybody，norTheefrommyself，neitherourlovefromGod。 Yea，inGod’sname，andLove’s，andthine，wouldI DrawfromonelovingheartsuchevidenceAstoallheartsallthingsshallsignify； Tenderasdawn’sfirsthill—fire，andintenseAsinstantaneouspenetratingsense，InSpring’sbirth—hour，ofotherSpringsgoneby。 THEKISS Whatsmoulderingsensesindeath’ssickdelayOrseizureofmalignvicissitudeCanrobthisbodyofhonour，ordenudeThissoulofwedding—raimentwornto—day？ Forlo！evennowmylady’slipsdidplayWiththesemylipssuchconsonantinterludeAslaurelledOrpheuslongedforwhenhewooedThehalf—drawnhungeringfacewiththatlastlay。 Iwasachildbeneathhertouch，——amanWhenbreasttobreastweclung，evenIandshe，—— Aspiritwhenherspiritlookedthroughme，—— Agodwhenallourlife—breathmettofanOurlife—blood，tilllove’semulousardoursran，Firewithinfire，desireindeity。* *[sic] NUPTIALSLEEP Atlengththeirlongkisssevered，withsweetsmart： AndasthelastslowsuddendropsareshedFromsparklingeaveswhenallthestormhasfled，Sosinglyflaggedthepulsesofeachheart。 Theirbosomssundered，withtheopeningstartOfmarriedflowerstoeithersideoutspreadFromtheknitstem；yetstilltheirmouths，burntred，Fawnedoneachotherwheretheylayapart。 Sleepsankthemlowerthanthetideofdreams，Andtheirdreamswatchedthemsink，andslidaway。 Slowlytheirsoulsswamupagain，throughgleamsOfwateredlightanddulldrownedwaifsofday； TillfromsomewonderofnewwoodsandstreamsHewoke，andwonderedmore：forthereshelay。 SUPREMESURRENDER 0allthespiritsoflovethatwanderbyAlongthelove—sownfallowfieldofsleepMyladyliesapparent；andthedeepCallstothedeep；andnomanseesbutI。 Theblisssolongafar，atlengthsonigh，Reststhereattained。MethinksproudLovemustweepWhenFate’scontroldothfromhisharvestreapThesacredhourforwhichtheyearsdidsigh。 Firsttouched，thehandnowwarmaroundmyneckTaughtmemorylongtomockdesire：andlo！ Acrossmybreasttheabandonedhairdothflow，Whereoneshorntresslongstirredthelongingache： AndnexttheheartthattrembledforitssakeLiesthequeen—heartinsovereignoverthrow。 LOVE’SLOVERS SomeladieslovethejewelsinLove’szoneAndgold—tippeddartshehathforpainlessplayInidlescornfulhoursheflingsaway； Andsomethatlistentohislure’ssofttoneDolovetodeemthesilverpraisetheirown； Someprizehisblindfoldsight；andtherebetheyWhokissedhiswingswhichbroughthimyesterdayAndthankhiswingsto—daythatheisflown。 MyladyonlylovestheheartofLove： ThereforeLove’sheart，mylady，hathfortheeHisbowerofunimaginedflowerandtree： Therekneelshenow，andall—anhungeredofThineeyesgrey—litinshadowinghairabove，Sealswiththymouthhisimmortality。 PASSIONANDWORSHIP Oneflame—wingedbroughtawhite—wingedharp—playerEvenwheremyladyandIlayallalone； Saying：’Behold，thisminstrelisunknown； Bidhimdepart，forIamminstrelhere： OnlymystrainsaretoLove’sdearones，dear。’ ThensaidI：’Throughthinehautboy；srapturoustoneUntomyladystillthisharpmakesmoan，Andstillshedeemsthecadencedeepandclear。’ Thensaidmy，lady：’ThouartPassionofLove，AndthisLovesWorship：bothheplightstome。 Thymasteringmusicwalksthesunlitsea： ButwherewanwatertremblesinthegroveAndthewanmoonisallthelightthereof，Thisharpstillmakesmynameitsvoluntary。’ THEPORTRAIT OLordofallcompassionatecontrol，0Love！letthismylady’spictureglowUndermyhandtopraisehername，andshowEvenofherinnerselftheperfectwhole： Thathewhoseeksherbeauty’sfurthestgoal，BeyondthelightthatthesweetglancesthrowAndrefluentwaveofthesweetsmile，mayknowTheveryskyandsea—lineofhersoul。 Lo！itisdone。AbovethelonglithethroatThemouth’smouldtestifiesofvoiceandkiss，Theshadowedeyesrememberandforesee。 Herfaceismadehershrine。LetallmennoteThatinallyears（0Love，thygiftisthis！） Theythatwouldlookonhermustcometome。 THELOVE—LETTER WarmedbyherhandandshadowedbyherhairAsclosesheleanedandpouredherheartthroughthee，WhereofthearticulatethrobsaccompanyThesmoothblackstreamthatmakesthywhitenessfair，—— Sweetflutteringsheet，evenofherbreathaware，—— OhletthysilentsongdisclosetomeThatsoulwherewithherlipsandeyesagreeLikemarriedmusicinLove’sansweringair。 FainhadIwatchedherwhen，atsomefondthought，Herbosomtothewritingcloselierpress’d，Andherbreast’ssecretspeeredintoherbreast； When，througheyesraisedaninstant，hersoulsoughtMysoul，andfromthesuddenconfluencecaughtThewordsthatmadeherlovetheloveliest。 THELOVERS’WALK Sweettwininghedgeflowerswind—stirredinnowiseOnthisJuneday；andhandthatclingsinhand：—— Stillglades；andmeetingfacesscarcelyfann’d：—— Anosier—odouredstreamthatdrawstheskiesDeeptoitsheart；andmirroredeyesineyes：—— Freshhourlywondero’ertheSummerlandOflightandcloud；andtwosoulssoftlyspann’dWithoneo’erarchingheavenofsmilesandsighs：—— Evensuchtheirpath，whosebodiesleanuntoEachother’svisiblesweetnessamorously，—— WhosepassionateheartsleanbyLove’shighdecreeTogetheronhisheartforevertrue，Asthecloud—foamingfirmamentalblueRestsonthebluelineofafoamlesssea。 ANTIPHONY ’Iloveyou，sweet：howcanyoueverlearnHowmuchIloveyou？’’YouIloveevenso，AndsoIlearnit。’’Sweet，youcannotknowHowfairyouare。’’IffairenoughtoearnYourlove，somuchisallmylove’sconcern。’ ’Mylovegrowshourly，sweet。’’Minetoodothgrow，Yetloveseemedfullsomanyhoursago！’ Thusloversspeak，tillkissesclaimtheirturn。 Ah！happytheytowhomsuchwordsastheseInyouthhaveservedforspeechthewholedaylong，Hourafterhour，remotefromtheworld’sthrong，Work，contest，fame，alllife’sconfederatepleas，—— WhatwhileLovebreathedinsighsandsilencesThroughtwoblentsoulsonerapturousundersong。 YOUTH’SSPRING—TRIBUTE OnthissweetbankyourheadthricesweetanddearIlay，andspreadyourhaironeitherside，Andseethenewbornwoodflowersbashful—eyedLookthroughthegoldentresseshereandthere。 Onthesedebateable*bordersoftheyearSpring’sfoothalffalters；scarcesheyetmayknowTheleaflessblackthorn—blossomfromthesnow； Andthroughherbowersthewind’swaystillisclear。 ButApril’ssunstrikesdownthegladesto—day； Soshutyoureyesupturned，andfeelmykissCreep，astheSpringnowthrillsthrougheveryspray，Upyourwarmthroattoyourwarmlips：forthisIseventhehourofLove’sswornsuitservice，Withwhomcoldheartsarecountedcastaway。 *[sic] THEBIRTH—BOND Havwyounotnoted，insomefamilyWheretwowerebornofafirstmarriage—bed，Howstilltheyowntheirgraciousbond，thoughfedAndnursedontheforgottenbreastandknee？—— Howtotheirfather’schildrentheyshallbeInactandthoughtofonegoodwill；buteachShallfortheotherhave，insilencespeech，Andinawordcompletecommunity？ Evenso，whenfirstIsawyou，seemedit，love，ThatamongsoulsalliedtominewasyetOnenearerkindredthanlifehintedof。 0bornwithmesomewherethatmenforget，Andthoughinyearsofsightandsoundunmet，Knownformysoul’sbirth—partnerwellenough！ ADAYOFLOVE Thoseenviedplaceswhichdoknowherwell，Andaresoscornfulofthislonelyplace，Evennowforonceareemptiedofhergrace： Nowherebutheresheis：andwhileLove’sspellFromhispredominantpresencedothcompelAllalienhours，anoutwornpopulace，ThehoursofLovefillfulltheechoingspaceWithsweetconfederatemusicfavourable。 NowmanymemoriesmakesolicitousThedelicatelove—linesofhermouth，till，litWithquiveringfire，thewordstakewingfromit； AsherebetweenourkisseswesitthusSpeakingofthingsremembered，andsositSpeechlesswhilethingsforgottencalltous。 BEAUTY’SPAGEANT Whatdawn—pulseattheheartofheaven，orlastIncarnateflowerofculminatingday，—— WhatmarshalledmarvelsontheskirtsofMay，Orsongfull—quired，sweetJune’sencomiast； Whatgloryofchangebynature’shandamass’dCanviewithallthosemoodsofvaryinggraceWhicho’eroneloveliestwoman’sformandfaceWithinthishour，withinthisroom，havepass’d？ Love’sveryvestureandelectdisguiseWaseachfinemovement，——wondernew—begotOflilyorswanorswan—stemmedgaliot； Joytohissightwhonowthesadliersighs，Partedagain；andsorrowyetforeyesUnbornthatreadthesewordsandsawhernot。 GENIUSINBEAUTY Beautylikehersisgenius。NotthecallOfHomer’sorofDante’sheartsublime，—— NotMichael’shandfurrowingthezonesoftime，—— Ismorewithcompassedmysteriesmusical； Nay，notinSpring’sorSummer’ssweetfootfallMoregatheredgiftsexuberantLifebequeathes* Thandoththissovereignface，whoselove—spellbreathesEvenfromitsshadowedcontouronthewall。 Asmanymenarepoetsintheiryouth，Butforonesweet—strungsoulthewiresprolongEventhroughallchangetheindomitablesong； Soinlikewisetheenvenomedyears，whosetoothRendsshallowergracewithruinvoidofruth，Uponthisbeauty’spowershallwreaknowrong。 *[sic] SILENTNOON Yourhandslieopeninthelongfreshgrass，—— Thefinger—pointslookthroughtherosyblooms： Youreyessmilepeace。Thepasturegleamsandglooms’Neathbillowingskiesthatscatterandamass。 Allroundournest，farastheeyecanpass，Aregoldenkingcup—fieldswithsilveredgeWherethecow—parsleyskirtsthehawthorn—hedge。 ’Tisvisiblesilence，stillasthehour—glass。 Deepinthesun—searchedgrowthsthedragon—flyHangslikeabluethreadloosenedfromthesky： Sothiswing’dhourisdropttousfromabove。 Oh！claspwetoourhearts，fordeathlessdower，Thisclose—companionedinarticulatehourWhentwofoldsilencewasthesongoflove。 GRACIOUSMOONLIGHT Evenasthemoongrowsqueenlierinmid—spaceWhentheskydarkens，andhercloud—raptcarThrillswithintenserradiancefromafar，—— Solambent，lady，beamsthysovereigngraceWhenthedrearsouldesiresthee。OfthatfaceWhatshallbesaid，——which，likeagoverningstar，GathersandgarnersfromallthingsthatareTheirsilentpenetrativeloveliness？ O’erwater—daisiesandwildwaifsofSpring，Therewheretheirisrearsitsgold—crownedsheafWithfloweringrushandsceptredarrow—leaf，SohaveImarkedQueenDian，inbrightringOfcloudaboveandwavebelow，takewingAndchasenight’sgloom，asthouthespirit’sgrief。 LOVE—SWEETNESS Sweetdimnessofherloosenedhair’sdownfallAboutthyface；hersweethandsroundthyheadIngraciousfosteringuniongarlanded，Hertremuloussmiles，herglances’sweetrecallOflove；hermurmuringsighsmemorial； Hermouth’sculledsweetnessbythykissesshedOncheeksandneckandeyelids，andsoledBacktohermouthwhichanswersthereforall：—— Whatsweeterthanthesethings，exceptthethingInlackingwhichallthesewouldlosetheirsweet：—— Theconfidentheart’sstillfervour：theswiftbeatAndsoftsubsidenceofthespirit’swing，Thenwhenitfeels，incloud——girtwayfaring，Thebreathofkindredplumesagainstitsfeet？ HEART’SHAVEN Sometimessheisachildwithinminearms，Coweringbeneathdarkwingsthatlovemustchase，—— Withstilltearsshoweringandavertedface，Inexplicablyfilledwithfaintalarms： Andoftfrommineownspirit’shurtlingharmsIcravetherefugeofherdeepembrace，—— AgainstallillsthefortifiedstrongplaceAndsweetreserveofsovereigncounter—charms。 AndLove，ourlightatnightandshadeatnoon，Lullsustorestwithsongs，andturnsawayAllshaftsofshelterlesstumultuousday。 Likethemoon’sgrowth，hisfacegleamsthroughhistune； Andassoftwaterswarbletothemoon，Ouransweringspiritschimeoneroundelay。 LOVE’SBAUBLES IstoodwhereLoveinbrimmingarmfulsboreSlightwantonflowersandfoolishtoysoffruit： Androundhimladiesthrongedinwarmpursuit，Fingeredandlippedandprofferedthestrangestore： AndfromonehandthepetalandthecoreSavouredofsleep；andclusterandcurledshootSeemedfromanotherhandlikeshame’ssalute，—— GiftsthatIfeltmycheekwasblushingfor。 AtlastLovebademyLadygivethesame： AndasIlooked，thedewwaslightthereon； AndasItookthem，athertouchtheyshoneWithinmostheaven—hueoftheheartofflame。 AndthenLovesaid：’Lo！whenthehandishers，Folliesoflovearelove’strueministers。’ PRIDEOFYOUTH Evenasachild，ofsorrowthatwegiveThedead，butlittleinhisheartcanfind，SincewithoutneedofthoughttohisclearmindTheirturnitistodieandhistolive： EvensothewingedNewLovesmilestoreceiveAlonghiseddyingplumestheauroralwind，Nor，forwardglorying，castsonelookbehindWherenight—rackshroudstheOldLovefugitive。 Thereisachangeineveryhour’srecall，AndthelastcowslipinthefieldsweseeOnthesamedaywiththefirstcorn—poppy。 Alasforhourlychange！AlasforallThelovesthatfromhishandproudYouthletsfall，Evenasthebeadsofatoldrosary！ WINGEDHOURS EachhouruntilwemeetisasabirdThatwingsfromfarhisgradualwayalongTherustlingcovertofmysoul，——hissongStillloudliertrilledthroughleavesmoredeeplystirr’d： Butatthehourofmeeting，aclearwordIseverynotehesings，inLove’sowntongue； Yet，Love，thouknow’stthesweetstrainwrong，Throughourcontendingkissesoftunheard。 Whatofthathouratlast，whenforhersakeNowingmayflytomenorsongmayflow； When，wanderingroundmylifeunleaved，I Thebloodiedfeathersscatteredinthebrake，Andthinkhowshe，farfromme，withlikeeyesSeesthroughtheuntunefulboughthewinglessskies？ MID—RAPTURE Thoulovelyandbeloved，thoumylove； Whosekissseemsstillthefirst；whosesummoningeyes，Evennow，asforourlove—world’snewsunrise，Shedverydawn；whosevoice，attunedaboveAllmodulationofthedeep—bowereddove，Islikeahandlaidsoftlyonthesoul； WhosehandislikeasweetvoicetocontrolThoseworntiredbrowsithaththekeepingof：—— Whatwordcananswertothyword，——whatgazeTothine，whichnowabsorbswithinitssphereMyworshippingface，tillIammirroredthereLight—circledinaheavenofdeep—drawnrays？ Whatclasp，whatkissmineinmostheartcanprove，0lovelyandbeloved，0mylove？ HEART’SCOMPASS Sometimesthouseem’stnotasthyselfalone，Butasthemeaningofallthingsthatare； Abreathlesswonder，shadowingforthafarSomeheavenlysolsticehushedandhalcyon； Whoseunstirredlipsaremusic’svisibletone； Whoseeyesthesun—gateofthesoulunbar，Beingofitsfurthestfiresoracular；—— Theevidentheartofalllifesownandmown。 EvensuchLoveis；andisnotthynameLove？ Yea，bythyhandtheLove—godrendsapartAllgatheringcloudsofNight’sambiguousart； Flingsthemfardown，andsetsthineeyesabove； Andsimply，assomegageofflowerorglove，Stakeswithasmiletheworldagainstthyheart。 SOUL—LIGHT Whatotherwomancouldbelovedlikeyou，Orhowofyoushouldlovepossesshisfill？ Afterthefulnessofallrapture，still，—— AsattheendofsomedeepavenueAtenderglamourofday，——therecomestoviewFarinyoureyesayetmorehungeringthrill，—— SuchfireasLove’ssoul—winnowinghandsdistilEvenfromhisinmostarcoflightanddew。 Andasthetravellertriumphswiththesun，Gloryinginheat’smid—height，yetstartidebringsWondernew—born，andstillfreshtransportspringsFromlimpidlambenthoursofdaybegun；—— Evenso，througheyesandvoice，yoursouldothmoveMysoulwithchangefullightofinfinitelove。 THEMOONSTAR Lady，Ithanktheeforthyloveliness，Becausemyladyismorelovelystill。 GloryingIgaze，andyieldwithgladgoodwillTotheethytribute；bywhosesweet—spundressOfdelicatelifeLovelabourstoassessMyLady’sabsolutequeendom；saying，’Lo！ Howhighthisbeautyis，whichyetdothshowButasthatbeauty’ssovereignvotaress。’ Lady，Isawtheewithher，sidebyside； Andas，whennight’sfairfirestheirqueensurround，Anemulousstartoonearthemoonwillride，—— EvensothyrayswithinherluminousboundWeretracednomore；andbythelightsodrown’d，Lady，notthoubutshewasglorified。 LASTFIRE Love，throughyourspiritandminewhatsummereveNowglowswithgloryofallthingspossess’d，Sincethisday’ssunofrapturefilledthewestAndthelightsweetenedasthefiretookleave？ Awhilenowsoftlierletyourbosomheave，AsinLove’sharbour，eventhatlovingbreast，Allcaretakesrefugewhilewesinktorest，Andmutualdreamsthebygoneblissretrieve。 ManythedaysthatWinterkeepsinstore，Sunlessthroughout，orwhosebriefsun—glimpsesScarceshedtheheapedsnowthroughthenakedtrees。 ThisdayatleastwasSummer’sparamour，Sun—colouredtotheimperishablecoreWithsweetwell—beingofloveandfullheart’sease。 HERGIFTS Highgrace，thedowerofqueens；andtherewithalSomewood—bornwonder’ssweetsimplicity； AglancelikewaterbrimmingwiththeskyOrhyacinth—lightwhereforest—shadowsfall； SuchthrillingpallorofcheekasdothenthralTheheart；amouthwhosepassionateformsimplyAllmusicandallsilenceheldthereby； Deepgoldenlocks，hersovereigncoronal； Aroundrearedneck，meetcolumnofLove’sshrineToclingtowhenthehearttakessanctuary； HandswhichforeveratLove’sbiddingbe，Andsoft—stirredfeetstillansweringtohissign：—— Thesearehergifts，astonguemaytellthemo’er。 Breathelowhername，mysoul；forthatmeansmore。 EQUALTROTH Notbyonemeasuremaystthoumeteourlove； ForhowshouldIbelovedasIlovethee？—— I，graceless，joyless，lackingabsolutelyAllgiftsthatwiththyqueenshipbestbehove；—— Thou，thronedineveryheart’selectalcove，Andcrownedwithgarlandsculledfromeverytree，Whichfornoheadbutthine，byLove’sdecree，Allbeautiesandallmysteriesinterwove。 Butherethineeyesandlipsyieldsoftrebuke：—— ’Thenonly，’（say’stthou），’couldIlovetheeless，Whenthoucouldstdoubtmylove’sequality。’ Peace，sweet！Ifnottosumbutworthwelook，Thyheart’stranscendence，notmyheart’sexcess，Thenmoreathousandfoldthoulov’stthanI。 VENUSVICTRIX CouldJuno’sselfmoresovereignpresencewearThanthou，’midotherladiesthronedingrace？—— OrPallas，whenthoubend’stwithsoul—stilledfaceO’erpoet’spagegold—shadowedinthyhair？ DostthouthanVenusseemlessheavenlyfairWheno’ertheseaoflove’stumultuoustranceHoversthysmile，andmingleswiththyglanceThatsweetvoicelikethelastwavemurmuringthere？ BeforesuchtriunelovelinessdivineAwestruckIask，whichgoddessheremostclaimsTheprizethat，howsoe’eradjudged，isthine？ ThenLovebreatheslowthesweetestofthynames； AndVenusVictrixtomyheartdothbringHerself，theHelenofherguerdoning。 THEDARKGLASS NotImyselfknowallmyloveforthee： HowshouldIreachsofar，whocannotweighTo—morrow’sdowerbygageofyesterday？ Shallbirthanddeath，andalldarknamesthatbeAsdoorsandwindowsbaredtosomeloudsea，Lashdeafmineearsandblindmyfacewithspray； Andshallmysensepiercelove，——thelastrelayAndultimateoutpostofeternity？ Lo！whatamItoLove，thelordofall？ Onemurmuringshellhegathersfromthesand，—— Onelittleheart—flameshelteredinhishand。 YetthroughthineeyeshegrantsmeclearestcallAndveriesttouchofpowersprimordialThatanyhour—girtlifemayunderstand。 THELAMP’SSHRINE SometimesIfainwouldfindintheesomefault，ThatImightlovetheestillinspiteofit： YethowshouldourLordLovecurtailonewhitThyperfectpraisewhommosthewouldexalt？ Alas！hecanbutmakemyheart’slowvaultEveninmen’ssightunworthier，beinglitBythee，whotherebyshow’stmoreexquisiteLikefierychrysopraseindeepbasalt。 YetwillInowiseshrink；butatLove’sshrineMyselfwithinthebeamshisbrowdothdartWillsettheflashingjewelofthyheartInthatdullchamberwhereitdeignstoshine： Forlo！inhonourofthineexcellenciesMyhearttakespridetoshowhowpooritis。 LIFE—IN—LOVE NotinthybodyisthylifeatallButinthislady’slipsandhandsandeyes； ThroughthesesheyieldsthelifethatvivifiesWhatelseweresorrow’sservantanddeath’sthrall。 Lookonthyselfwithouther，andrecallThewasteremembranceandforlornsurmiseThatlivedbutinadead—drawnbreathofsighsO’ervanishedhoursandhourseventual。 EvensomuchlifehaththepoortressofhairWhich，storedapart，isalllovehathtoshowForheart—beatsandforfire—heatslongago； Evensomuchlifeenduresunknown，evenwhere，’Midchangethechangelessnightenvironeth，Liesallthatgoldenhairundimmedindeath。 THELOVE—MOON ’Whenthatdeadface，boweredinthefurthestyears，Whichoncewasallthelifeyearsheldforthee，CannowscarcebidethetidesofmemoryCastonthysoulalittlesprayoftears，—— HowcanstthougazeintotheseeyesofhersWhomnowthyheartdelightsin，andnotseeWithineachorbLove’sphiltredeuphrasyMakethemofburiedtrothremembrancers？’ ’Nay，pitifulLove，nay，lovingPity！WellThouknowestthatinthesetwainIhaveconfess’dTwoveryvoicesofthysummoningbell。 Nay，Master，shallnotDeathmakemanifestInthesetheculminantchangeswhichapproveThelove—moonthatmustlightmysoultoLove？’ THEMORROW’SMESSAGE ’ThouGhost，’Isaid，’andisthynameTo—day？—— Yesterday’sson，withsuchanabjectbrow！—— AndcanTo—morrowbemorepalethanthou？’ WhileyetIspoke，thesilenceanswered：’Yea，Henceforthourissueisallgrievedandgrey，AndeachbeforehandmakessuchpooravowAsofoldleavesbeneaththebuddingboughOrnight—driftthatthesundawnshredsaway。’ ThencriedI：’Motherofmanymalisons，0Earth，receivemetothydustybed！’ Buttherewithalthetremuloussilencesaid： ’Lo！Loveyetbidsthyladygreettheeonce：—— Yea，twice，—wherebythylifeisstillthesun’s； Andthrice，——wherebytheshadowofdeathisdead。’ SLEEPLESSDREAMS Girtindarkgrowths，yetglimmeringwithonestar，0nightdesirousasthenightsofyouth！ Whyshouldmyheartwithinthyspell，forsooth，Nowbeat，asthebride’sfinger—pulsesareQuickenedwithinthegirdlinggoldenbar？ Whatwingsarethesethatfanmypillowsmooth？ AndwhydoesSleep，wavedbackbyJoyandRuth，Treadsoftlyroundandgazeatmefromfar？ Nay，nightdeep—leaved！AndwouldLovefeignintheeSomeshadowypalpitatinggrovethatbearsRestforman’seyesandmusicforhisears？ 0lonelynight！artthounotknowntome，AthickethungwithmasksofmockeryAndwateredwiththewastefulwarmthoftears？ SEVEREDSELVES Twoseparatedividedsilences，Which，broughttogether，wouldfindlovingvoice； TwoglanceswhichtogetherwouldrejoiceInlove，nowlostlikestarsbeyonddarktrees； Twohandsapartwhosetouchalonegivesease； Twobosomswhich，heart—shrinedwithmutualflame，Would，meetinginoneclasp，bemadethesame； Twosouls，theshoreswave—mockedofsunderingseas：—— Sucharewenow。Ah！mayourhopeforecastIndeedonehouragain，whenonthisstreamOfdarkenedloveoncemorethelightshallgleam？ Anhourhowslowtocome，howquicklypast，Whichbloomsandfades，andonlyleavesatlast，Faintasshedflowers，theattenuateddream。 THROUGHDEATHTOLOVE Likelabour—ladenmooncloudsfainttofleeFromwindsthatsweepthewinter—bittenwold，—— LikemultiformcircumfluencemanifoldOfnight’sflood—tide，——liketerrorsthatagreeOfhoarse—tonguedfireandinarticulatesea，—— Evensuch，withinsomeglassdimmedbyourbreath，OurheartsdiscernwildimagesofDeath，Shadowsandshoalsthatedgeeternity。 HowbeitathwartDeath’simminentshadedothsoarOnePower，thanflowofstreamorflightofdoveSweetertoglidearound，tobroodabove。 Tellme，myheart；——whatangel—greeteddoorOrthresholdofwing—winnowedthreshing—floorHathguestfire—fledgedasthine，whoselordisLove？ HOPEOVERTAKEN Ideemedthygarments，0myHope，weregrey，SofarIviewedthee。NowthespacebetweenIspassedatlength；andgarmentedingreenEvenasindaysofyorethoustand’stto—day。 AhGod！andbutforlingeringdulldismay，OnallthatroadourfootstepsersthadbeenEventhuscommingled，andourshadowsseenBlentonthehedgerowsandthewater—way。 0Hopeofminewhoseeyesarelivinglove，Noeyesbuthers，——0LoveandHopethesame！—— Leanclosetome，fornowthesinkingsunThatwarmedourfeetscarcegildsourhairabove。 0hersthyvoiceandveryhersthyname！ Alas，clingroundme，forthedayisdone！ LOVEANDHOPE Blessloveandhope。FullmanyawitheredyearWhirledpastus，eddyingtoitschilldoomsday； Andclaspedtogetherwheretheblownleaveslay，Welonghavekneltandweptfullmanyatear。 Yetlo！onehouratlast，theSpring’scompeer，Flutessoftlytousfromsomegreenbyeway：* Thoseyears，thosetearsaredead，butonlythey：—— Blessloveandhope，truesoul；forwearehere。 Clinghearttoheart；norofthishourdemandWhetherinverytruth，whenwearedead，OurheartsshallwaketoknowLove’sgoldenheadSolesunshineoftheimperishableland； Orbutdiscern，throughnight’sunfeaturedscope，Scorn—firedatlengththeillusiveeyesofHope。 *[sic] CLOUDANDWIND Love，shouldIfeardeathmostforyouorme？ Yetifyoudie，canInotfollowyou，Forcingthestraitsofchange？Alas！butwhoShallwrestabondfromnight’sinveteracy，Ereyetmyhazardoussoulputforth，tobeHerwarrantagainstallherhastemightrue？—— Ah！inyoureyessoreachedwhatdumbadieu，Whatunsunnedgyresofwasteeternity？ AndifIdiethefirst，shalldeathbethenAlamplesswatchtowerwhenceIseeyouweep？—— Or（woeisme！）abedwhereinmysleepNe’ernotes（asdeathsdearcupatlastyoudrain），ThehourwhenyoutoolearnthatallisvainAndthatHopesowswhatLoveshallneverreap？ SECRETPARTING Becauseourtalkwasofthecloud—controlAndmoon—trackofthejourneyingfaceofFate，Hertremulouskissesfalteredatlove’sgateAndhereyesdreamedagainstadistantgoal： Butsoon，rememberingherhowbriefthewholeOfjoy，whichitsownhoursannihilate，Hersetgazegathered，thirstierthanoflate，Andasshekissed，hermouthbecamehersoul。 Thenceinwhatwayswewandered，andhowstroveTobuildwithfire—triedvowsthepiteoushomeWhichmemoryhauntsandwhithersleepmayroam，—— TheyonlyknowforwhomtheroofofLoveIsthestill—seatedsecretofthegrove，Norspiremayrisenorbellbeheardtherefrom。 PARTEDLOVE WhatshallbesaidofthisembattleddayAndarmedoccupationofthisnightByallthyfoesbeleaguered，——nowwhensightNorsounddenotesthelovedonefaraway？ Ofthesethyvanquishedhourswhatshaltthousay，—— AseverysensetowhichshedealtdelightNowlabourslonelyo’erthestarknoon—heightToreachthesunset’sdesolatedisarray？ Standstill，fondfetteredwretch！whileMemory’sartParadesthePastbeforethyface，andluresThyspirittoherpassionateportraitures： Tillthetempestuoustide—gatesflungapartFloodwithwildwillthehollowsofthyheart，Andthyheartrendsthee，andthybodyendures。 BROKENMUSIC Themotherwillnotturn，whothinksshehearsHernursling’sspeechfirstgrowarticulate； ButbreathlesswithavertedeyeselateShesits，withopenlipsandopenears，Thatitmaycallhertwice。’MiddoubtsandfearsThusoftmysoulhashearkened；tillthesong，Acentralmoanfordays，atlengthfoundtongue，Andthesweetmusicwelledandthesweettears。 Butnow，whateverwhilethesoulisfainTolistthatwontedmurmur，asitwereThespeech—boundsea—shell’slowimportunatestrain，—— Nobreathofsong，thyvoicealoneisthere，0bitterlybeloved！andallhergainIsbutthepangofunpermittedprayer。 DEATH—IN—LOVE TherecameanimageinLife’sretinueThathadLove’swingsandborehisgonfalon： Fairwastheweb，andnoblywroughtthereon，0soul—sequesteredface，thyformandhue！ Bewilderingsounds，suchasSpringwakensto，Shookinitsfolds；andthroughmyheartitspowerSpedtracklessastheimmemorablehourWhenbirth’sdarkportalgroanedandallwasnew。 Butaveiledwomanfollowed，andshecaughtThebannerrounditsstaff，tofurlandcling，—— Thenpluckedafeatherfromthebearer’swing，Andheldittohislipsthatstirreditnot，Andsaidtome，’Behold，thereisnobreath： IandthisLoveareone，andIamDeath。’ WILLOWWOOD I IsatwithLoveuponawoodsidewell，Leaningacrossthewater，Iandhe； Noreverdidhespeaknorlookedatme，ButtouchedhislutewhereinwasaudibleThecertainsecretthinghehadtotell： OnlyourmirroredeyesmetsilentlyInthelowwave；andthatsoundcametobeThepassionatevoiceIknew；andmytearsfell。 Andattheirfall，hiseyesbeneathgrewhers； Andwithhisfootandwithhiswing—feathersHesweptthespringthatwateredmyheart’sdrouth。 Thenthedarkripplesspreadtowavinghair，AndasIstooped，herownlipsrisingthereBubbledwithbrimmingkissesatmymouth。 II AndnowLovesang：buthiswassuchasong，Someshedwithhalf—remembrancehardtofree，Assoulsdisusedindeath’ssterilityMaysingwhenthenewbirthdaytarrieslong。 AndIwasmadeawareofadumbthrongThatstoodaloof，oneformbyeverytree，Allmournfulforms，foreachwasIorshe，Theshadesofthoseourdaysthathadnotongue。 Theylookedonus，andknewusandwereknown； Whilefasttogether，alivefromtheabyss，Clungthesoul—wrungimplacableclosekiss； AndpityofselfthroughallmadebrokenmoanWhichsaid，’Foronce，foronce，foroncealone！’ AndstillLovesang，andwhathesangwasthis：—— III ’Oye，allyethatwalkinWillow—wood，Thatwalkwithhollowfacesburningwhite； Whatfathom—depthofsoul—struckwidowhood，Whatlong，whatlongerhours，onelifelongnight，Ereyeagain，whosoinvainhavewooedYourlasthopelost，whosoinvaininviteYourlipstothattheirunforgottenfood，Ereye，ereyeagainshallseethelight！ Alas！thebitterbanksinWillowwood，Withtear—spurgewan，withblood—wortburningred： Alas！ifeversuchapillowcouldSteepdeepthesoulinsleeptillsheweredead，—— Betteralllifeforgetherthanthisthing，ThatWillowwoodshouldholdherwandering！’ IV Sosanghe：andasmeetingroseandroseTogetherclingthroughthewind’swellawayNorchangeatonce，yetneartheendofdayTheleavesdroploosenedwheretheheart—stainglows，—— Sowhenthesongdieddidthekissunclose； Andherfacefellbackdrowned，andwasasgreyAsitsgreyeyes；andifitevermayMeetmineagainIknownotifLoveknows。 0nlyIknowthatIleanedlowanddrankAlongdraughtfromthewaterwhereshesank，Herbreathandallhertearsandallhersoul： AndasIleaned，IknowIfeltLove’sfacePressedonmyneckwithmoanofpityandgrace，Tillbothourheadswereinhisaureole。 WITHOUTHER Whatofherglasswithouther？TheblankgreyTherewherethepoolisblindofthemoon’sface。 Herdresswithouther？ThetossedemptyspaceOfcloud—rackwhencethemoonhaspassedaway。