第2章

Herpathswithouther？Day’sappointedswayUsurpedbydesolatenight。HerpillowedplaceWithouther？Tears，ahme！forlove’sgoodgrace，Andcoldforgetfulnessofnightorday。 Whatoftheheartwithouther？Nay，poorheart，Oftheewhatwordremainserespeechbestill？ Awayfarerbybarrenwaysandchill，Steepwaysandweary，withoutherthouart，Wherethelongcloud，thelongwood’scounterpart，Shedsdoubleddarknessupthelabouringhill。 LOVE’SFATALITY SweetLove，——butoh！mostdreadDesireofLoveLife—thwarted。LinkedingyvesIsawthemstand，LoveshackledwithVain—longing，handtohand： Andonewaseyedasthebluevaultabove： Buthopetempestuouslikeafire—cloudhoveI’theothersgaze，evenasinhiswhosewandVainlyallnightwithspell—wroughtpowerhasspann’dTheunyieldingcavesofsomedeeptreasure—trove。 Alsohislips，twowrithenflakesofflame，Mademoan：’Alas0Love，thusleashedwithme！ Wing—footedthou，wing—shouldered，oncebornfree： AndI，thycoweringself，inchainsgrowntame，Boundtothybodyandsoul，namedwiththyname，Life’sironheart，evenLove’sFatality。’ STILLBORNLOVE Thehourwhichmighthavebeenyetmightnotbe，Whichman’sandwoman’sheartconceivedandboreYetwhereoflifewasbarren，——onwhatshoreBidesitthebreakingofTime’swearysea？ Bondchildofallconsummatejoyssetfree，Itsomewheresighsandserves，andmutebeforeThehouseofLove，hearsthroughtheechoingdoorHishourselectinchoralconsonancy。 Butlo！whatweddedsoulsnowhandinhandTogethertreadatlasttheimmortalstrandWitheyeswhereburningmemorylightslovehome？ Lo！howthelittleoutcasthourhasturnedAndleapedtothemandintheirfacesyearned：—— ’Iamyourchild：0parents，yehavecome！’ TRUEWOMAN I。HERSELF TobeasweetnessmoredesiredthanSpring； AbodilybeautymoreacceptableThanthewildrose—tree’sarchthatcrownsthefell； TobeanessencemoreenvironingThanwine’sdrainedjuice；amusicravishingMorethanthepassionatepulseofPhilomel；— Tobeallthis’neathonesoftbosom’sswellThatisthefloweroflife：——howstrangeathing！ HowstrangeathingtobewhatMancanknowButasasacredsecret！Heaven’sownscreenHideshersoul’spurestdepthandloveliestglow； Closelywithheld，asallthingsmostunseen，—— Thewave—boweredpearl，theheart—shapedsealofgreenThatflecksthesnowdropunderneaththesnow。 II。HERLOVE Sheloveshim；forherinfinitesoulisLove，Andheherlodestar。PassioninherisAglassfacinghisfire，wherethebrightblissIsmirrored，andtheheatreturned。YetmoveThatglass，astranger’samorousflametoprove，Anditshallturn，byinstantcontraries，Icetothemoon；whileherpurefiretohisForwhomitburns，clingsclosei’theheart’salcove。 Lo！theyareone。WithwifelybreasttobreastAndcirclingarms，shewelcomesallcommandOflove，——hersoultoansweringardoursfann’d： Yetasmornspringsortwilightsinkstorest，Ah！whoshallsayshedeemsnotloveliestThehourofsisterlysweethand—in—hand？ III。HERHEAVEN IftogrowoldinHeavenistogrowyoung，（AstheSeersawandsaid，）thenblestwereheWithyouthforevermore，whoseheavenshouldbeTrueWoman，shewhomtheseweaknoteshavesung。 Hereandhereafter，——choir—strainsofhertongue，—— Sky—spacesofhereyes，——sweetsignsthatfleeAbouthersoul’simmediatesanctuary，—— WereParadisealluttermostworldsamong。 ThesunrisebloomsandwithersonthehillLikeanyhillflower；andthenoblesttrothDiesheretodust。YetshallHeaven’spromiseclotheEvenyetthoseloverswhohavecherishedstillThistestforlove：——ineverykisssealedfastTofeelthefirstkissandforebodethelast。 LOVE’SLASTGIFT Lovetohissingerheldaglisteningleaf，Andsaid：’Therose—treeandtheapple—treeHavefruitstovauntorflowerstolurethebee； AndgoldenshaftsareinthefeatheredsheafOfthegreatharvest—marshal，theyear’schief，VictoriousSummer；aye，and’neathwarmseaStrangesecretgrasseslurkinviolablyBetweenthefilteringchannelsofsunkreef。 Allaremyblooms；andallsweetbloomsofloveTotheeIgavewhileSpringandSummersang； ButAutumnstopstolisten，withsomepangFromthoseworsethingsthewindismoaningof。 Onlythislaureldreadsnowinterdays： Takemylastgift；thyhearthathsungmypraise。’ PARTII。CHANGEANDFATE TRANSFIGUREDLIFE AsgrowthofformormomentaryglanceInachild’sfeatureswillrecalltomindThefather’swiththemother’sfacecombin’d，—— Sweetinterchangethatmemoriesstillenhance： Andyet，aschildhood’syearsandyouth’sadvance，Thegradualmouldingsleaveonestampbehind，TillintheblendedlikenessnowwefindAseparateman’sorwoman’scountenance：—— SointheSong，thesinger’sJoyandPain，Itsveryparents，evermoreexpandTobidthepassion’sfullgrownbirthremain，ByArt’stransfiguringessencesubtlyspann’d； Andfromthatsong—cloudshapedasaman’shandTherecomesthesoundasofabundantrain。 THESONG—THROE Bythineowntearsthysongmusttearsbeget，0Singer！MagicmirrorthouhastnoneExceptthymanifestheart；andsavethineownAnguishorardour，elsenoamulet。 CisternedinPride，verseisthefeatheryjetOfsoullessair—flungfountains；nay，moredryThantheDeadSeaforthroatsthatthirstandsigh，Thatsongo’erwhichnosinger’slidsgrewwet。 TheSong—god——HetheSun—god——isnoslaveOfthine：thyHunterhe，whoforthysoulFledgeshisshaft：tonoaugustcontrolOfthyskilledhandhisquiveredstorehegave： Butifthylips’loudcryleaptohissmart，Theinspir’drecoilshallpiercethybrother’sheart。 THESOUL’SSPHERE Comeprisonedmooninsteepcloud—fastnesses，—— Thronedqueenandthralled；somedyingsunwhosepyreBlazedwithmomentousmemorablefire；—— Whohathnotyearnedandfedhisheartwiththese？ Who，sleepless，hathnotanguishedtoappeaseTragicalshadow’srealmofsoundandsightConjecturedinthelamentablenight？…… Lo！thesoul’ssphereofinfiniteimages！ Whatsenseshallcountthem？WhetheritforecastTherose—wingedhoursthatflutterinthevanOfLove’sunquestioningunreveale’dspan，—— Visionsofgoldenfutures：orthatlastWildpageantoftheaccumulatedpastThatclangsandflashesforadrowningman。 INCLUSIVENESS Thechangingguests，eachinadifferentmood，Sitattheroadsidetableandarise： AndeverylifeamongtheminlikewiseIsasoul’sboardsetdailywithnewfood。 Whatmanhasbento’erhisson’ssleep，tobroodHowthatfaceshallwatchhiswhencolditlies？—— Orthought，ashisownmotherkissedhiseyes，Ofwhatherkisswaswhenhisfatherwooed？ Maynotthisancientroomthousit’stindwellInseparatelivingsoulsforjoyorpain？ Nay，allitscornersmaybepaintedplainWhereHeavenshowspicturesofsomelifespentwell； Andmaybestamped，amemoryallinvain，UponthesightoflidlesseyesinHell。 ARDOURANDMEMORY Thecuckoo—throb，theheartbeatoftheSpring； Therosebud’sblushthatleavesitasitgrowsIntothefull—eyedfairunblushingrose； ThesummercloudsthatvisiteverywingWithfiresofsunriseandofsunsetting； Thefurtiveflickeringstreamstolightre—born’Midairsnew—fledgedandvalorouslustsofmorn，Whileallthedaughtersofthedaybreaksing：—— Theseardourloves，andmemory：andwhenflownAlljoys，andthroughdarkforest—boughsinflightThewindswoopsonwardbrandishingthelight，Evenyettherose—tree’sverdureleftaloneWillflushallruddythoughtherosebegone； Withdittiesandwithdirgesinfinite。 KNOWNINVAIN Astwowhoselove，firstfoolish，wideningscope，Knowssuddenly，withmusichighandsoft，TheHolyofholies；whobecausetheyscoff’dArenowamazedwithshame，nordaretocopeWiththewholetruthaloud，lestheavenshouldope； Yet，attheirmeetings，laughnotastheyInspeech；norspeak，atlength；butsittingoftTogether，withinhopelesssightofhopeForhoursaresilent：——SoithappenethWhenWorkandWillawaketoolate，togazeAftertheirlifesailedby，andholdtheirbreath。 Ah！whoshalldaretosearchthroughwhatsadmazeThenceforththeirincommunicablewaysFollowthedesultoryfeetofDeath？ HEARTOFTHENIGHT Fromchildtoyouth；fromyouthtoarduousman； Fromlethargytofeveroftheheart； Fromfaithfullifetodream—dowereddaysapart； Fromtrusttodoubt；fromdoubttobrinkofban；—— ThusmuchofchangeinoneswiftcycleranTillnow。Alas，thesoul！——howsoonmustsheAcceptherprimalimmortality，—— Thefleshresumeitsdustwhenceitbegan？ 0Lordofworkandpeace！OLordoflife！ 0Lord，theawfulLordofwill！thoughlate，Evenyetrenewthissoulwithduteousbreath： Thatwhenthepeaceisgarneredinfromstrife，Theworkretrieved，thewillregenerate，Thissoulmayseethyface，0Lordofdeath！ THELANDMARK Was_that_thelandmark？What，——thefoolishwellWhosewave，lowdown，Ididnotstooptodrink，ButsatandflungthepebblesfromitsbrinkInsporttosenditsimagedskiespell—mell，（Andmineownimage，hadInotedwell！） Wasthatmypointofturning？——IhadthoughtThestationsofmycourseshouldriseunsought，Asaltar—stoneorensignedcitadel。 Butlo！thepathismissed，Imustgoback，AndthirsttodrinkwhennextIreachthespringWhichonceIstained，whichsincemayhavegrownblack。 YetthoughnolightbeleftnorbirdnowsingAshereIturn，I’llthankGod，hastening，Thatthesamegoalisstillonthesametrack。 ADARKDAY ThegloomthatbreathesuponmewiththeseairsIslikethedropswhichstrikethetraveller’sbrowWhoknowsnot，darkling，iftheybringhimnowFreshstorm，orbeoldrainthecovertbears。 Ah！bodesthishoursomeharvestofnewtares，OrhathbutmemoryofthedaywhoseploughSowedhungeronce，——thenightatlengthwhenthou，0prayerfoundvain，didstfallfromoutmyprayers？ Howpricklywerethegrowthswhichyethowsmooth，Alongthehedgerowsofthisjourneyshed，LiebyTime’sgracetillnightandsleepmaysoothe！ EvenasthethistledownfrompathsidesdeadGleanedbyagirlinautumnsofheryouth，Whichonenewyearmakessofthermarriage—bed。 AUTUMNIDLENESS ThissunlightshamesNovemberwherehegrievesIndeadredleaves，andwillnotlethimshunTheday，thoughboughwithboughbeover—run。 ButwithablessingeverygladereceivesHighsalutation；whilefromhillock—eavesThedeergazecalling，dappledwhiteanddun，Asif，beingforestersofold，thesunHadmarkedthemwiththeshadeofforest—leaves。 Heredawnto—dayunveiledhermagicglass； Herenoonnowgivesthethirstandtakesthedew； Tillevebringrestwhenothergoodthingspass。 AndherethelosthoursthelosthoursrenewWhileIstillleadmyshadowo’erthegrass，Norknow，forlonging，thatwhichIshoulddo。 THEHILLSUMMIT Thisfeast—dayofthesun，hisaltarthereInthebroadwesthasblazedforvesper—song； AndIhaveloiteredinthevaletoolongAndgazenowabelatedworshipper。 YetmayInotforgetthatIwas’ware，Sojourneying，ofhisfaceatintervalsTransfiguredwherethefringedhorizonfalls，—— Afierybushwithcoruscatinghair。 AndnowthatIhaveclimbedandwonthisheight，ImusttreaddownwardthroughtheslopingshadeAndtravelthebewilderedtrackstillnight。 YetforthishourIstillmayherebestayedAndseethegoldairandthesilverfadeAndthelastbirdflyintothelastlight。 THECHOICE I Eatthouanddrink；to—morrowthoushaltdie。 Surelytheearth，thatswisebeingveryold，Needsnotourhelp。Thenlooseme，love，andholdThysultryhairupfrommyfacethatI Maypourfortheethisyellowwine，brim—high，Tillroundtheglassthyfingersglowlikegold。 We’lldrownallhours：thysong，whilehourstoil’d，Shallleap，asfountainsveilthechangingsky。 Nowkiss，andthinkthattherearereallythose，Myownhigh—bosomedbeauty，whoincreaseVaingold，vainlore，andyetmightchooseourwayThroughmanydaystheytoil；thencomesadayTheydienot，——neverhavinglived，——butcease； Androundtheirnarrowlipsthemouldfallsclose。 II Watchthouandfear；to—morrowthoushaltdie。 Orartthousurethoushalthavetimefordeath？ IsnotthedaywhichGod’swordpromisethTocomemanknowsnotwhen？Inyondersky，Nowwhilewespeak，thesunspeedsforth：canI Orthouassurehimofhisgoal？God’sbreathEvenatthemomenthaplyquickenethTheairtoaflame；tillspirits，alwaysnighThoughscreenedandhid，shallwalkthedaylighthere。 Anddostthouprateofallthatmanshalldo？ Canstthou，whohastbutplagues，presumetobeGladinhisgladnessthatcomesafterthee？ Will_his_strengthslay_thy_worminHell？Goto： Coverthycountenance，andwatch，andfear。 Thinkthouandact；to—morrowthoushaltdie。 Outstretchedinthesun’swarmthupontheshore，Thousay’st：’Man’smeasuredpathisallgoneo’er： Upallhisyears，steeply，withstrainandsigh，Manclomb*untilhetouchedthetruth；andI，EvenI，amhewhomitwasdestinedfor。’ Howshouldthisbe？ArtthouthensomuchmoreThantheywhosowed，thatthoushouldstreapthereby？ Nay，comeuphither。Fromthiswave—washedmoundUntothefurthestflood—brimlookwithme； Thenreachonwiththythoughttillitbedrown’d。 Milesandmilesdistantthoughthegreylinebe，Andthoughthysoulsailleaguesandleaguesbeyond，—— Still，leaguesbeyondthoseleaguesthereismoresea。 *[sic] OLDANDNEWART I。ST。LUKETHEPAINTER GivehonouruntoLukeEvangelist； Forheitwas（theagedlegendssay） WhofirsttaughtArttofoldherhandsandpray。 ScarcelyatonceshedaredtorendthemistOfdevioussymbols：butsoonhavingwistHowsky—breadthandfield—silenceandthisdayAresymbolsalsoinsomedeeperway，ShelookedthroughthesetoGodandwasGod’spriest。 Andif，pastnoon，hertoilbegantoirk，Andshesoughttalismans，andturnedinvainTosoullessself—reflectionsofman’sskill，Yetnow，inthisthetwilight，shemightstillKneelinthelattergrasstoprayagain，Erethenightcomethandshemaynotwork。 II。NOTASTHESE ’Iamnotastheseare，’thepoetsaithInyouth’spride，andthepainter，amongmenAtbay，whereneverpencilcomesnorpen，Andshutaboutwithhisownfrozenbreath。 Toothers，forwhomonlyrhymewinsfaithAspoets，——onlypaintaspainters，——thenHeturnsinthecoldsilence；andagainShrinking，’Iamnotastheseare，’hesaith。 Andsaythatthisisso，whatfollowsit？ Forwerethineeyessetbackwardsinthinehead，Suchwordswerewell；buttheyseeon，andfar。 UntothelightsofthegreatPast，new—litFairfortheFuture’strack，lookthouinstead，—— Saythouinstead’Iamnotas_these_are。’ III。THEHUSBANDMEN ThoughGod，asonethatisanhouseholder，Calledthesetolabourinhisvine—yardfirst，BeforethehuskofdarknesswaswellburstBiddingthemgropetheirwayoutandbestir，（Who，questionedoftheirwages，answered，’Sir，Untoeachmanapenny：’）thoughtheworstBurthenofheatwastheirsandthedrythirst： ThoughGodhathsincefoundnonesuchasthesewereTodotheirworklikethem：——BecauseofthisStandnotyeidleinthemarket—place。 Whichofyeknoweth_he_isnotthatlastWhomaybefirstbyfaithandwill？——yea，hisThehandwhichaftertheappointeddaysAndhoursshallgiveaFuturetotheirPast？ SOUL’SBEAUTY UnderthearchofLife，whereloveanddeath，Terrorandmystery，guardhershrine，IsawBeautyenthroned；andthoughhergazestruckawe，Idrewitinassimplyasmybreath。 Hersaretheeyeswhich，overandbeneath，Theskyandseabendonthee，——whichcandraw，Byseaorskyorwoman，toonelaw，Theallottedbondmanofherpalmandwreath。 ThisisthatLadyBeauty，inwhosepraiseThyvoiceandhandshakestill，——longknowntotheeByflyinghairandflutteringhem，——thebeatFollowingherdailyofthyheartandfeet，Howpassionatelyandirretrievably，Inwhatfondflight，howmanywaysanddays！ BODY’SBEAUTY OfAdam’sfirstwife，Lilith，itistold（ThewitchhelovedbeforethegiftofEve，） That，erethesnake’s，hersweettonguecoulddeceive，Andherenchantedhairwasthefirstgold。 Andstillshesits，youngwhiletheearthisold，And，subtlyofherselfcontemplative，Drawsmentowatchthebrightwebshecanweave，Tillheartandbodyandlifeareinitshold。 Theroseandpoppyareherflowers；forwhereIshenotfound，0Lilith，whomshedscentAndsoft—shedkissesandsoftsleepshallsnare？ Lo！asthatyouth’seyesburnedatthine，sowentThyspellthroughhim，andlefthisstraightneckbentAndroundhisheartonestranglinggoldenhair。 THEMONOCHORD Isitthissky’svastvaultorocean’ssoundThatisLife’sselfanddrawsmylifefromme，AndbyinstinctineffabledecreeHoldsmybreathquailingonthebitterbound？ Nay，isitLifeorDeath，thusthunder—crown’d，That’midthetideofallemergencyNownotesmyseparatewave，andtowhatseaItsdifficulteddieslabourintheground？ Oh！whatisthisthatknowstheroadIcame，Theflameturnedcloud，thecloudreturnedtoflame，Theliftedshiftedsteepsandalltheway？—— Thatdrawsroundmeatlastthiswind—warmspace，AndinregenerateraptureturnsmyfaceUponthedeviouscovertsofdismay？ FROMDAWNTONOON Asthechildknowsnotifhismother’sfaceBefair；norofhiseldersyetcandeemWhateachmostis；butasofhillorstreamAtdawn，allglimmeringlifesurroundshisplace： Whoyet，tow’rdnoonofhishalf—wearyrace，Pausingawhilebeneaththehighsun—beamAndgazingsteadilyback，——asthroughadream，Inthingslongpastnewfeaturesnowcantrace：—— EvensothethoughtthatisatlengthfullgrownTurnsbacktonotethesun—smitpaths，allgreyAndmarvellousonce，wherefirstitwalkedalone； Andhaplydoubts，amidtheunblenchingday，Whichmostorleastimpelleditsonwardway，—— Thoseunknownthingsorthesethingsoverknown。 MEMORIALTHRESHOLDS Whatplacesostrange，——thoughunrevealedsnowWithunimaginablefiresariseAttheearth’send，——whatpassionofsurpriseLikefrost—boundfire—girtscenesoflongago？ Lo！thisisnonebutIthishour；andlo！ ThisistheveryplacewhichtomineeyesThosemortalhoursinvainimmortalize，’Midhurryingcrowds，withwhataloneIknow。 City，ofthineasinglesimpledoor，BysomenewPowerreduplicate，mustbeEvenyetmylife—porchineternity，Evenwithonepresencefilled，asonceofyoreOrmockingwindswhirlroundachaff—strownfloorTheeandthyyearsandthesemywordsandme。 HOARDEDJOY Isaid：’Nay，plucknot，——letthefirstfruitbe： Evenasthousayest，itissweetandred，Butletitripenstill。Thetree’sbentheadSeesinthestreamitsownfecundityAndbidesthedayoffulness。ShallnotweAtthesun’shourthatdaypossesstheshade，Andclaimourfruitbeforeitsripenessfade，Andeatitfromthebranchandpraisethetree？’ Isay：’Alas！ourfruithathwooedthesunToolong，——’tisfallenandfloatsadownthestream。 Lo，thelastclusters！Pluckthemeveryone，Andletussupwithsummer；erethegleamOfautumnsettheyear’spentsorrowfree，Andthewoodswaillikeechoesfromthesea。’ BARRENSPRING Sonowthechangedyear’sturningwheelreturnsAndasagirlsailsbalancedinthewind，AndnowbeforeandnowagainbehindStoopsasitswoops，withcheekthatlaughsandburns，—— SoSpringcomesmerrytowardsmenow，butearnsNoansweringsmilefromme，whoselifeistwin’dWiththedeadboughsthatwinterstillmustbind，Andwhomto—daytheSpringnomoreconcerns。 Behold，thiscrocusisawitheringflame； Thissnowdrop，snow；thisapple—blossom’spartTobreedthefruitthatbreedstheserpent’sart。 Nay，fortheseSpring—flowers，turnthyfacefromthem，Norgazetillontheyear’slastlily—stemThewhitecupshrivelsroundthegoldenheart。 FAREWELLTOTHEGLEN Sweetstream—fedglen，whysay’farewell’totheeWhofar’stsowellandfind’stforeversmoothThebrowofTimewheremanmayreadnoruth？ Nay，dothourathersay’farewell’tome，WhonowfareforthinbittererfantasyThanerstwasminewhereothershademightsootheByotherstreams，whatwhileinfragrantyouthTheblissofbeingsadmademelancholy。 Andyet，farewell！ForbettershaltthoufareWhenchildrenbathesweetfacesinthyflowAndhappyloversblendsweetshadowsthereInhourstocome，thanwhenanhouragoThineechoeshadbutoneman’ssighstobearAndthytreeswhisperedwhathefearedtoknow。 VAINVIRTUES WhatisthesorriestthingthatentersHell？ Noneofthesins，——butthisandthatfairdeedWhichasoul’ssinatlengthcouldsupersede。 Theseyetarevirgins，whomdeath’stimelyknellMightoncehavesainted；whomthefiendscompelTogethernow，insnake—boundshudderingsheavesOfanguish，whilethescorchingbridegroomleavesTheirrefusemaidenhoodabominable。 Nightsucksthemdown，thegarbageofthepit，Whosenames，halfenteredinthebookofLife，WereGod’sdesireatnoon。AndastheirhairAndeyessinklast，theTorturerdeignsnowhitTogaze，but，yearning，waitshisworthierwife，TheSinstillblitheonearththatsentthemthere。 LOSTDAYS Thelostdaysofmylifeuntilto—day，Whatwerethey，couldIseethemonthestreetLieastheyfell？WouldtheybeearsofwheatSownonceforfoodbuttroddenintoclay？ Orgoldencoinssquanderedandstilltopay？ Ordropsofblooddabblingtheguiltyfeet？ OrsuchspiltwaterasindreamsmustcheatThethroatsofmeninHell，whothirstalway？ Idonotseethemhere；butafterdeathGodknowsIknowthefacesIshallsee，Eachoneamurderedself，withlowlastbreath。 ’Iamthyself，——whathastthoudonetome？’ ’AndI——andI——thyself，’（lo！eachonesaith，） ’Andthouthyselftoalleternity！’ DEATH’SSONGSTERS Whenfirstthathorse，withinwhosepopulouswombThebirthwasdeath，o’ershadowedTroywithfate，Herelders，dubiousofitsGrecianfreight，BroughtHelentheretosingthesongsofhome： Shewhispered，’Friends，Iamalone；come，come！’ Then，crouchedwithin，Ulysseswaxedafraid，Andonhiscomrades’quiveringmouthshelaidHishands，andheldthemtillthevoicewasdumb。 Thesamewashewho，lashedtohisownmast，Therewherethesea—flowersscreenthecharnel—caves，Besidethesirens’singingislandpass’d，Tillsweetnessfailedalongtheinveteratewaves…… Say，soul，——aresongsofDeathnoheaventothee，NorshamesherlipthecheekofVictory？ HERO’SLAMP* Thatlampthoufill’stinErosnameto—night，0Hero，shalltheSestianaugurstakeTo—morrow，andfordrownedLeander’ssakeToAnterositsfirelesslipshallplight。 Aye，wafttheunspokenvow：yetdawn’sfirstlightOnebbingstormandlifetwiceebb’dmustbreak； While’neathnosunrise，bytheAvernianLake，LowhereLovewalks，Death’spallidneophyte。 ThatlampwithinAnteros’shadowyshrineShallstandunlit（forsothegodsdecree） TillsomeonemanthehappyissueseeOfalife’slove，andbiditsflametoshine： Whichstillmayrestunfir’d；for，theirsorthine，0brother，whatbroughtlovetothemorthee？ *AfterthedeathsofLeanderandHero，thesignal—lampwasdedicatedtoAnteros，witIltheedictthatnomanshouldlightitunlesshislovehadprovedfortunate。 THETREESOFTHEGARDEN YewhohavepassedDeath’shaggardhills；andyeWhomtreesthatknewyoursiresshallceasetoknowAndstillstandsilent：——isitallashow，Awispthatlaughsuponthewall？——decreeOfsomeinexorablesupremacyWhichever，asmanstrainshisblindsurmiseFromdepthtoominousdepth，lookspasthiseyes，Sphinx—facedwithunabashedaugury？ Nay，ratherquestiontheEarth’sself。InvokeThestorm—felledforest—treesmoss—grownto—dayWhoserootsarehillockswherethechildrenplay； Oraskthesilversapling’neathwhatyokeThosestars，hisspray—crown’sclusteringgems，shallwageTheirjourneystillwhenhisboughsshrinkwithage。 ’RETROME，SATHANA！’ Gettheebehindme。Evenas，heavy—curled，Stoopingagainstthewind，acharioteerIssnatchedfromouthischariotbythehair，SoshallTimebe；andasthevoidcar，hurledAbroadbyreinlesssteeds，evensotheworld： Yea，evenaschariot—dustupontheair，Itshallbesoughtandnotfoundanywhere。 Gettheebehindme，Satan。Oftunfurled，ThyperilouswingscanbeatandbreaklikelathMuchmightinessofmentowintheepraise。 Leavetheseweakfeettotreadinnarrowways。 Thoustill，uponthebroadvine—shelteredpath，MaystwaittheturningofthephialsofwrathForcertainyears，forcertainmonthsanddays。 LOSTONBOTHSIDES Aswhentwomenhavelovedawomanwell，Eachhatingeach，throughLove’sandDeath’sdeceit； Sincenotforeitherthisstarkmarriage—sheetAndthelongpausesofthisweddingbell； Yeto’erhergravethenightanddaydispelAtlasttheirfeudforlorn，withcoldandheat； NorotherthandearfriendstodeathmayfleetThetwolivesleftthatmostofhercantell：—— Soseparatehopes，whichinasoulhadwooedTheonesamePeace，strovewitheachotherlong，AndPeacebeforetheirfacesperishedsince： Sothroughthatsoul，inrestlessbrotherhood，Theyroamtogethernow，andwindamongItsbye—streets，knockingatthedustyinns。 THESUN’SSHAME I BeholdingyouthandhopeinmockerycaughtFromlife；andmockingpulsesthatremainWhenthesoul’sdeathofbodilydeathisfain； Honourunknown，andhonourknownunsought； Andpenury’ssedulousself—torturingthoughtOngold，whosemastertherewithbuyshisbane； Andlonged—forwomanlongingallinvainForlonelymanwithlove’sdesiredistraught； Andwealth，andstrength，andpower，andpleasantness，Givenuntobodiesofwhosesoulsmensay，Nonepoorandweak，slavishandfoul，asthey：—— Beholdingthesethings，IbeholdnolessTheblushingmornandblushingeveconfessTheshamethatloadstheintolerableday。 Assometruechiefofmen，boweddownwithstressOflife’sdisastrouseld，onblossomingyouthMaygaze，andmurmurwithself—pityandruth，’MightIthyfruitlesstreasurebutpossess，Suchblessingofmineallcomingyearsshouldbless；’—— Thensendsonesighforthtotheunknowngoal，AndbitterlyfeelsbreatheagainsthissoulThehourswift—wingedofnearernothingness：—— EvensotheWorld’sgreySoultothegreenWorldPerchanceonehourmustcry：’Woe’sme，forwhomInveteracyofillportendsthedoom，—— Whoseheart’soldfireinshadowofshameisfurl’d： Whilethouevenasofyoreartjourneying，Allsoullessnow，yetmerrywiththeSpring！’ MICHELANGELO’SKISS GreatMichelangelo，withagegrownbleakAnduttermostlabours，havingonceo’ersaidAllgrievousmemoriesonhislonglifeshed，Thisworstregrettoonetrueheartcouldspeak：—— Thatwhen，withsorrowingloveandreverencemeek，Hestoopedo’ersweetColonna’sdyingbed，HisMuseanddominantLady，spirit—wed，Herhandhekissed，butnotherbroworcheek。 0Buonarruoti，——goodatArt’sfire—wheelsTourgeherchariot！——eventhustheSoul，Touchingatlengthsomesorely—chastenedgoal，Earnsoftenestbutalittle：herappealsWeredeepandmute，——lowlyherclaim。Letbe： WhatholdsforherDeath’sgarner？Andforthee？ THEVASEOFLIFE AroundthevaseofLifeatyourslowpaceHehasnotcrept，butturneditwithhishands，Andallitssidesalreadyunderstands。 There，girt，onebreathesalertforsomegreatrace； Whoseroadrunsfarbysandsandfruitfulspace； Wholaughs，yetthroughthejollythronghaspass’d； Whoweeps，norstaysforweeping；whoatlast，Ayouth，standssomewherecrowned，withsilentface。 Andhehasfilledthisvasewithwineforblood，Withbloodfortears，withspiceforburningvow，Withwateredflowersforburiedlovemostfit； Andwouldhavecastitshatteredtotheflood，YetinFate’snamehaskeptitwhole；whichnowStandsemptytillhisashesfallinit。 LIFETHEBELOVED Asthyfriend’sface，withshadowofsoulo’erspread，SomewhileuntothysightperchancehathbeenGhastlyandstrange，yetneversoisseenInthought，buttoallfortunatefavourwed； Asthylove’sdeath—boundfeaturesneverdeadTomemory’sglassreturn，butcontraveneFrailfugitivedays，andalwayskeep，IweenThanallnewlifealivelierlovelihead：—— SoLifeherself，thyspirit’sfriendandlove，EvenstillasSpring’sauthenticharbingerGlowswithfreshhoursforhopetoglorify； ThoughpaleshelaywheninthewintergroveHerfuneralflowersweresnow—flakesshedonherAndtheredwingsoffrost—firerentthesky。 ASUPERSCRIPTION Lookinmyface；mynameisMight—have—been； IamalsocalledNo—more，Too—late，Farewell； UntothineearIholdthedead—seashellCastupthyLife’sfoam—frettedfeetbetween； UntothineeyestheglasswherethatisseenWhichhadLife’sformandLove’s，butbymyspellIsnowashakenshadowintolerable，Ofultimatethingsunutteredthefrailscreen。 Markme，howstillIam！ButshouldtheredartOnemomentthroughthysoulthesoftsurpriseOfthatwingedPeacewhichlullsthebreathofsighs，Thenshaltthouseemesmile，andturnapartThyvisagetomineambushatthyheartSleeplesswithcoldcommemorativeeyes。 HEANDI Whencecamehisfeetintomyfield，andwhy？ Howisitthatheseesitallsodrear？ HowdoIseehisseeing，andhowhearThenamehisbittersilenceknowsitby？ ThiswasthelittlefoldofseparateskyWhosepasturingcloudsinthesoul’satmosphereDrewlivinglightfromonecontinualyear： Howshouldhefinditlifeless？He，orI？ Lo！thisnewSelfnowwandersroundmyfield，Withplaintsforeveryflower，andforeachtreeAmoan，thesighingwind’sauxiliary： Ando’ersweetwatersofmylife，thatyieldUntohislipsnodraughtbuttearsunseal’d，Eveninmyplaceheweeps。EvenI，nothe。 NEWBORNDEATH I To—dayDeathseemstomeaninfantchildWhichherwornmotherLifeuponmykneeHassettogrowmyfriendandplaywithme； Ifhaplysomyheartmightbebeguil’dTofindnoterrorsinafacesomild，—— IfhaplysomywearyheartmightbeUntothenewbornmilkyeyesofthee，0Death，beforeresentmentreconcil’d。 Howlong，0Death？AndshallthyfeetdepartStillayoungchild’swithmine，orwiltthoustandFullgrownthehelpfuldaughterofmyheart，WhattimewiththeeindeedIreachthestrandOfthepalewavewhichknowstheewhatthouart，Anddrinkitinthehollowofthyhand？ II Andthou，0Life，theladyofallbliss，Withwhom，whenourfirstheartbeatfullandfast，Iwanderedtillthehauntsofmenwerepass’d，AndinfairplacesfoundallbowersamissTillonlywoodsandwavesmighthearourkiss，WhiletothewindsallthoughtofDeathwecast： Ah，Life！andmustIhavefromtheeatlastNosmiletogreetmeandnobabebutthis？ Lo！Love，thechildonceours；andSong，whosehairBlewlikeaflameandblossomedlikeawreath； AndArt，whoseeyeswereworldsbyGodfoundfair； Theseo’erthebookofNaturemixedtheirbreathWithneck—twinedarms，asoftwewatchedthemthere： AnddidthesediethatthoumightstbearmeDeath？ THEONEHOPE WhenalldesireatlastandallregretGohandinhandtodeath，andallisvain，WhatshallassuagetheunforgottenpainAndteachtheunforgetfultoforget？ ShallPeacebestillasunkstreamlongunmet，—— OrmaythesoulatonceinagreenplainStoopthroughthesprayofsomesweetlife—fountainAndcullthedew—drenchedfloweringamulet？ Ah！whenthewansoulinthatgoldenairBetweenthescripturedpetalssoftlyblownPeersbreathlessforthegiftofgraceunknown，Ah！letnoneotherwrittenspellsoe’erButonlytheoneHope’sonenamebethere，—— Notlessnormore，buteventhatwordalone。