第4章

类别:其他 作者:London Jack字数:21960更新时间:19/01/03 13:34:28
TheGrocery\"Hullo,Alice!\" \"Hullo,Leon!\" \"Say,Alice,gi’meacoupleO’themtwoforfivecigars,Willyer?\" \"Where’syournickel?\" \"My!Ain’tyouclose! Can’ttrustafeller,canyer。\" \"Trustyou!WhyWhatyouowethisstoreWouldsetyouupinbusiness。 Ican’tthinkwhyFather’lowsit。\" \"YerFather’sasightmoreneighbourlyThanyoube。That’safact。 Besides,heknowsIgotavote。\" \"Avote!Oh,yes,yougotavote! Aloto’goodtheSenate’llbetoFatherWhenallhisbankaccountHasrunawayincredits。 There’syourcigars,Ifyoucanrelishsmokin’ Withallyouoweusstandin’。\" \"Idunnoasthatmakes’emtasteanydiff’rent。 Youain’tfairtome,Alice,’deedyouain’t。 Iworkwhenanythin’sdoin’。 I’llgetacarpenterin’jobnextSummersure。 Clevewastellin’meto-dayhe’dtakemeoncomeSpring。\" \"ComeSpring,andthisDecember! I’venopatiencewithyou,Leon,Shilly-shallyin’thewayyoudo。 Here,liftoverthemcrateso’orangesIwanterfix’eminthewinder。\" \"Itrilesyer,don’tit,menothavin’work。 Youpepperupaboutitsomethin’good。 Youpickan’pick,andthatdon’thelpamite。 Say,Alice,docomeinouto’thatwinder。 Th’orangesc’nwait,An’Idon’tliketalkin’toyerback。\" \"Don’tyou!Well,you’dbettermakethebesto’whatyoucangit。 Maybeyouwon’thavemybacktotalktosoon。 Theylookgoodinpyramidswiththe’lectriclighton’em,Don’tthey? NowhandmethembananasAn’I’llstring’emrightacrost。\" \"Whatdoyermean’Boutmenothavin’youtotalkto? Areyerspringin’somethin’onme?\" \"Idon’tknow’boutspringin’ WhenI’mtellin’yourightout。 I’mgoin’away,that’sall。\" \"Where?Why? Whatyermean——goin’away?\" \"I’vetookaplaceDowntoBoston,inacandystoreFortheholidays。\" \"GoodLand,Alice,WhatintheHeavensfer!\" \"Toearnsomemoney,Andtogitawayfromhere,Iguess。\" \"Ain’tyerFathergotenough? Don’thegiveyerproperpocket-money?\" \"He’dhaveaplenty,ifyoufolkspaidhim。\" \"He’srichItellyer。 Ineverfiguredhe’dbeclosewithyou。\" \"Oh,heain’t。Notclose。 Thatain’twhy。 ButImustgitawayfromhere。 Imust!Imust!\" \"Yougotaloto’reasoninyerTo-night。 Howlongd’youcal’lateYou’llbegone?\" \"Maybeforalways。\" \"Whatailsyer,Alice? Talkin’wildlikethat。 Ain’tyouan’megoin’tobemarriedSomeday。\" \"Someday!Someday! Iguessthesun’llneverriseonsomeday。\" \"Sothat’sthetrouble。 Sameoldstory。 ’CauseIain’tgotthecashtosettlerightnow。 YouknowIloveyer,An’I’llmarryyerassoonAsIc’nraisethemoney。\" \"You’vesaidthatanytimethesefiveyear,Butyoudon’tdonothin’。\" \"WotcouldIdo? Therain’tnoworkhereWinters。 Notferacarpenter,therain’t。\" \"Iguessyouwarn’tbornacarpenter。 Ther’sice-cuttin’aplenty。\" \"Igotadret’fultenderthroat; Dr。SmileshetoldmeImustn’treskice-cuttin’。\" \"Whyhaven’tyougonetoBoston,Andhuntedupajob?\" \"HaveyerforgotthetimeIwentexpressin’ IntheAmericanoffice,downther?\" \"Andcomebacktwoweekslater! No,Iain’t。\" \"Youdidn’twantIshouldgithurted,Didyer? I’masighttoolightferallthatliftin’work。 Mybackwascommencin’tostrain,as’twas。 EfIwaslikeyerbrothernow,I’dha’be’ndowntothecitylongago。 ButI’mtooclumsyferadancer。 Iain’tgotArthur’sluck。\" \"Doyoucallitlucktobeadisgracetoyourfolks,Andgitlockedupinjail!\" \"Oh,comenow,Alice,`Disgrace’isamitestrong。 Why,thejailwasajoke。 Art’sallright。\" \"Allright! Allrighttodance,andsmirk,andlieForalivin’,AndthenintheendLeadasillygirltogiveyouWhatwarn’therstogiveBypretendin’you’dmarryher—— Andsheapupil。\" \"He’dha’marriedherrightenough,Herfolkswasmillionaires。\" \"Yes,he’dha’marriedher! ThankGod,theysavedherthat。\" \"Art’safinefeller。 IwishIhadhisluck。 Swellin’roundinHart,Schaffner&Marxfancysuits,Andeatin’inrest’rants。 Butsomebody’sgottosticktotheoldplace,ElseFoxfield’dhavetoshutupshop,Hey,Alice?\" \"Youadmirehim! YouadmireArthur! You’dbelikehimonlyyoucan’tdance。 Oh,Shame!Shame! AndI’vebeenlikethatsillygirl。 Fooledwithyourpromises,AndIgiveyouallIhad。 Iknewit,oh,Iknewit,ButIwantedtogitaway’foreIprovedit。 You’veshamedmethroughandthrough。 Whycouldn’tyouholdyourtongue,Andsparedmeseein’youAsyoureallyare。\" \"WhattheDevil’stherow? IonlysaidArtwaslucky。 Whatyouspitfirin’atmefer? Fergetit,Alice。 We’vehadgoodtimes,ain’twe? I’llseeCleve’boutthatjobaginto-morrer,Andwe’llbemarried’forehayin’time。\" \"It’slikeyoutoremindmeo’hayin’time。 I’vegoodcausetoloveit,ain’tI? Many’sthenightI’vehidmyfaceinthedarkToshutoutthinkin’!\" \"Why,thatain’tnothin’。 Youain’tbe’nhalfsokindtomeAslotso’fellers’girls。 Gi’meakiss,Dear,Andlet’smakeup。\" \"Makeup! Youpoorfool。 DoyousupposeIcareatencentpieceForyounow。 You’vekilledyourselfforme。 Doneitouto’yourownmouth。 You’vetookawaymyhome,Ihatethesighto’theplace。 You’realloverit,Everystickan’stonemeansyou,An’Ihate’emall。\" \"Alice,Isay,Don’tgoonlikethat。 Ican’tmarryyerBoardin’inoneroom,ButI’llseeCleveto-morrer,I’llmakehim————\" \"Oh,youfool! Youterriblefool!\" \"Alice,don’tgoyit,Waitaminit,I’llseeCleve————\" \"Youterriblefool!\" \"Alice,don’tgo。 Alice————\"(Doorslams) Number3ontheDocketThelawyer,areyou? Well!Iain’tgotnothin’tosay。 Nothin’! ItoldtheperliceIhadn’tnothin’。 Theyknow’drealwell’twasme。 Therwarn’tnosupposin’,Ketchin’meinthewoodsastheydid,An’meinmyhousedress。 Folksdon’twalkmilesan’milesInthedriftedsnow,Withnohatnorwrapon’emEfeverythin’sallright,Iguess。 Allright?Ha!Ha!Ha! Nothin’warn’trightwithme。 Neverwas。 Oh,Lord!WhydidIdoit? Whyain’tityesterday,andEdhereagin? Many’sthetimeI’vesetupwithhimnightsWhenhehadcramps,orrheumatizm,orsomethin’。 Iusedternursehimsame’sefhewasababy。 Iwouldn’thurthim,Ilovehim! Don’tyoudaretosayIkilledhim。’Twarn’tme! Somethin’gotaholto’me。Icouldn’thelpit。 Oh,whatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo! Yes,Sir。 No,Sir。 Ibegyourpardon,I——I—— Oh,I’mawickedwoman! An’I’mdesolate,desolate! Whywarn’tIstruckdeadorparalyzedAforemyhandsdoneit。 Oh,myGod,whatshallIdo! No,Sir,therain’tnoextenuatin’circumstances,An’Idon’twantnone。 Iwantabolto’lightnin’ Tostrikemedeadrightnow! Oh,I’lltellyer。 Butitwon’tmakenodiff’rence。 Nothin’will。 Yes,Ikilledhim。 Whydoyermakemesayit? It’scruel!Cruel! Ikilledhimbecauseo’th’silence。 Thelong,longsilence,Thatwatchedallaroundme,Andhewouldn’tbreakit。 Itriedtomakehim,Timean’agin,Buthewasterribletaciturn,Edwas。 Heneverspoke’ceptwhenhehadto,An’thenhe’donlysay\"yes\"and\"no\"。 Youcan’tevenguesswhatthatsilencewas。 I’dhearitwhisperin’inmyears,An’Igotfrightened,’twassothick,An’al’ayscomin’back。 EfEdwouldha’talkedsometimesItwouldha’drivenitaway; Butheneverwould。 Hedidn’thearitsameasIdid。 Yousee,Sir,Ourfarmwasoff’nthemainroad,Andsetawaybackunderthemountain; Andthevillagewassevenmileoff,Measurin’afteryou’dgotouto’ourlane。 Wedidn’thavenohiredman,’Ceptinhayin’time; An’Dane’splace,Thatwasthenearest,Wasclearway’tothersidethemountain。 TheyusedMarleypost-officeAn’ourswasBenton。 Therwasacart-tracktookyertoDane’sinSummer,An’itwarn’tabovetwomilethatway,Butitwarn’tneverbrokeoutWinters。 IusedtodreadtheWinters。 Seem’sefIcouldn’tabeartoseethegolden-rodbloomin’; Winter’dcomesoquickafterthat。 Youdon’tknowwhatsnow’slikewhenyerwithitDayinan’dayout。 Edwouldbeoutalldayloggin’,An’IsetathomeandlookatthesnowLayin’overeverythin’; It’uddazzlemeblind,Tillitwarn’twhiteanymore,butblackasink。 Thenthequiet’udcommencerushin’pastmyearsTillImostwentmadlistenin’toit。 Many’sthetimeI’vedroppedapanonthefloorJesttohearitclatter。 Iwasmostfranticwhendinner-timecomeAn’Edwasbackfromthewoods。 I’dha’givemysoultohearhimspeak。 Buthe’dneversayawordtillIaskedhimDidheliketheraisedbiscuitsorwhatever,An’thensometimeshe’djestnodhisanswer。 Thenhe’dgooutagin,An’I’dwatchhimfromthekitchinwinder。 Itseemedthewoodscomemarchin’outtomeethimAn’thetrees’udpressroundhiman’hustlehim。 IgotsoIwasscaredo’th’trees。 Ithoughttheycomenearer,Everydayalittlenearer,Closin’uproundthehouse。 Ineverwentint’th’woodsWinters,ThoughinSummerIliked’emwellenough。 Itwarn’tsobadwhenmylittleboywaswithus。 Heusedtogosleddin’andskatin’,An’everydayhisfatherfetchedhimtoschoolinthepungAn’broughthimbackagin。 Wescrapedan’scrapedferNeddy,Wewantedhimtohaveaeducation。 WesenthimtoHighSchool,An’thenhewentuptoBostontoTechnology。 Hewasaminin’engineer,An’doin’realwell,Acredittohisbringin’up。 Buthisveryfirstpositiontherwasanexplosioninthemine。 AndI’mglad!I’mglad! Heain’theretoseemenow。 Neddy!Neddy! I’myourmotherstill,Neddy。 Don’tturnfrommelikethat。 Ican’tabearit。Ican’t!Ican’t! Whatdidyousay? Oh,yes,Sir。 I’mhere。 I’mverysorry,Idon’tknowwhatI’msayin’。 No,Sir,NottillafterNeddydied。 ’TwasthenextWinterthesilencecome,Idon’tremembernoticin’itafore。 Thatwasfiveyearago,An’it’sbeengittin’worsean’worse。 IaskedEdtoputinatelephone。 IthoughtefIfeltthewhisperin’comin’onIcouldringupsomeo’th’folks。 ButEdwouldn’thearofit。 Hesaidwe’dpaidsomuchforNeddyWecouldn’thardlygitalongas’twas。 An’heneverunderstoodmewantin’totalk。 Well,thisyearwasworse’nalltheothers; Wehadaterriblespello’stormyweather,An’thesnowlaysothickYoucouldn’tseethefenceseven。 Outo’doorswasasflatasthepalmo’myhand,Therwarn’tahumporahollerFerasyoucouldsee。 ItwassoquietThesnappin’o’thebranchesbackinthewood-lotSoundedlikepistolshots。 EdwasoutalldaySameasusual。 An’itseemedhetalkedless’never。 Hedidn’tevensay`Good-mornin’’,onceortwice,An’jestnoddedorshookhisheadwhenIaskedhimthings。 OnMondayhesaidhe’dgottogoovertoBentonFersomeoats。 I’doughterha’gonewithhim,But’twaswashin’dayAn’Iwasafearedthefineweather’dbreak,An’Icouldn’tdomydryin’。 AllmylifeI’ddonemyworkpunctual,An’Icouldn’tfixmyconscienceTogojunketin’onawashin’-day。 Ican’ttellyouwhatthatdaywastome。 Itdraggedan’dragged,Fertherwarn’tnoEdterbreakitinthemiddleFerdinner。 EverytimeIstoppedstirrin’thewaterIheerdthewhisperin’allaboutme。 Istoppedoftener’nIshouldToseeef’twasstillther,An’ital’ayswas。 An’gittin’louderItseemedterme。 OnceIthrewupthewindertofeelthewind。 Thatseemedmostalivesomehow。 Butthewoodslookedsokindofmenacin’ IcloseditquickAn’startedtomangle’shard’sIcould,Thesqueakin’wascomfortin’。 Well,Edcomehome’boutfour。 Iseenhimdowntheroad,An’Irunoutthroughtheshedinterth’barnTomeethimquicker。 Iholleredout,`Hullo!’ Buthedidn’tsaynothin’,HejestdroverightinAn’climbedouto’th’sleighAn’commencedunharnessin’。 Iaskedhimaheapo’questions; Whohe’dseedAn’whathe’ddone。 Onceinawhilehe’dnodorshake,Butmosto’th’timehedidn’tdonothin’。 ’Twasgittin’darkthen,An’Iwasinastate,WiththelonelinessAn’Edpayin’noattentionLikesomethin’warn’tlivin’。 Allofasuddenitcome,Idon’tknowwhat,ButIjestcouldn’tstandnomore。 Itdidn’tseem’sthoughthatwasEd,An’itdidn’tseemasthoughIwasme。 Ihadtobreakawayoutsomehow,Somethin’wasclosin’inAn’Iwasstiflin’。 Ed’sloggin’axewasther,An’Itookit。 Oh,myGod! Ican’tseenothin’elseaforemeallthetime。 Irunoutinterth’woods,Seemedaseftheywaspullin’me; An’allthetimeIwaswadin’throughthesnowIseedEdinfrontofmeWhereI’dlaidhim。 An’Iseehimnow。 There!There! Whatyouholdin’mefer? IwanttergotoEd,He’sbleedin’。 Stopholdin’me。 Igottogo。 I’mcomin’,Ed。 I’llbetherinaminit。 Oh,I’msotired! (Faints) ClocksTickaCenturyNightmare:ATaleforanAutumnEveningAfteraPrintbyGeorgeCruikshankItwasagustynight,Withthewindbooming,andswooping,Loopingroundcorners,Slidingoverthecobble-stones,Whippingandveering,AndcareeringovertheroofsLikeathousandclatteringhorses。 Mr。Sprugginshadbeendininginthecity,Mr。Sprugginswasnonetoosteadyinhisgait,AndthewindplayedballwithMr。SprugginsAndlaughedasitwhistledpasthim。 Itrolledhimalongthestreet,Withhislittlefeetpit-a-pattingontheflagsofthesidewalk,Andhismufflerandhiscoat-tailsblownstraightoutbehindhim。 Itbumpedhimagainstarearailings,Andchuckledinhisearwhenhesaid\"Ouch!\" SometimesitliftedhimclearoffhislittlepattingfeetAndborehimintriumphoverthreegreyflagstonesandaquarter。 Themoondodgedinandoutofclouds,winking。 ItwasallveryunpleasantforMr。Spruggins,AndwhenthewindflunghimhardagainsthisownfrontdoorItwasarelief,Althoughthebreathwasquiteknockedoutofhim。 Thegas-lampinfrontofthehouseflaredup,Andthekeyholewasasbigasabarndoor; Thegas-lampflickeredawaytoasputteringbluestar,Andthekeyholewentoutwithit。 Suchastabbing,andjabbing,Andsticking,andpicking,Andpoking,andpushing,andpryingWiththatkey; AndthereisnodenyingthatMr。Sprugginsrappedoutanoathortwo,Rub-a-dub-dubbingthemouttoarealsnare-drumroll。 Butthedooropenedatlast,AndMr。SprugginsblewthroughitintohisownhallAndslammedthedoortosohardThattheknockerbangedfivetimesbeforeitstopped。 Mr。Sprugginsstruckalightandlitacandle,Andallthetimethemoonwinkedathimthroughthewindow。 \"Whycouldn’tyoufindthekeyhole,Spruggins?\" Tauntedthewind。 \"Icanfindthekeyhole。\" Andthewind,thinasawire,DartedinandseizedthecandleflameAndknockeditovertoonesideAndpummelleditdown——down——down——! ButMr。Sprugginsheldthecandlesoclosethatitsingedhischin,Andranandstumbledupthestairsinasurprisinglyagilemanner,Forthewindthroughthekeyholekeptsaying,\"Spruggins!Spruggins!\" behindhim。 Thefireinhisbedroomburnedbrightly。 TheroomwithitscrimsonbedandwindowcurtainsWasasredandglowingasacarbuncle。 Itwasstillandwarm。 Therewasnowindhere,forthewindowswerefastened; Andnomoon,Forthecurtainsweredrawn。 ThecandleflamestooduplikeapointedpearInawidebrassdish。 Mr。Sprugginssighedwithcontent; Hewassafeathome。 Thefireglowed——redandyellowrosesIntheblackbasketofthegrate—— AndthebedwithitscrimsonhangingsSeemedagreatpeony,Wideopenandplacid。 Mr。Sprugginsslippedoffhistop-coatandhismuffler。 Heslippedoffhisbottle-greencoatAndhisfloweredwaistcoat。 Heputonaflanneldressing-gown,Andtiedapeakednight-capunderhischin。 HewoundhislargegoldwatchAndplaceditunderhispillow。 Thenhetiptoedovertothewindowandpulledbackthecurtain。 Therewasthemoondodginginandoutoftheclouds; Butbehindhimwashisquietcandle。 Therewasthewindwhiskingalongthestreet。 Thewindowrattled,butitwasfastened。 Didthewindsay,\"Spruggins\"? AllMr。Sprugginsheardwas\"S-s-s-s-s——\" Dyingawaydownthestreet。 Hedroppedthecurtainandgotintobed。 Marthahadbeeninthelastthingwiththewarming-pan; Thebedwaswarm,AndMr。Sprugginssankintofeathers,Withthefamiliartickingofhiswatchjustunderhishead。 Mr。Sprugginsdozed。 Hehadforgottentoputoutthecandle,Butitdidnotmakemuchdifferenceasthefirewassobright…… Toobright! Theredandyellowrosesprickedhiseyelids,Theyscorchedhimbacktoconsciousness。 Hetriedtoshifthisposition; Hecouldnotmove。 Somethingweighedhimdown,Hecouldnotbreathe。 Hewasgasping,Pinneddownandsuffocating。 Heopenedhiseyes。 Thecurtainsofthewindowwereflungback,Thefireandthecandlewereout,Andtheroomwasfilledwithgreenmoonlight。 Andpressedagainstthewindow-paneWasawide,roundface,Winking——winking—— Solemnlydroppingoneeyelidaftertheother。 Tick——tock——wentthewatchunderhispillow,Wink——wink——wentthefaceatthewindow。 Itwasnotthefireroseswhichhadprickedhim,Itwasthewinkingeyes。 Mr。Sprugginstriedtobounceup; Hecouldnot,because—— HisheartflappedupintohismouthAndfellbackdead。 Onhischestwasafatpinkpig,OnthepigablackamoorWithatenpoundweightforacap。 Hismustachioskeptcurlingupanddownlikeangrysnakes,Andhiseyesrolledroundandround,Withthepupilscomingintosight,anddisappearing,Andappearingagainontheotherside。 Theholstersathissaddle-bowweretwoportbottles,Andacurvedtable-knifehungathisbeltforascimitar,Whileaforkandakegofspiritswerestrappedtothesaddlebehind。 Hedughisspursintothepig,Whichtrampledandsnorted,AndstampeditsclovenfeetdeeperintoMr。Spruggins。 Thenthegreenlightonthefloorbegantoundulate。 Itheavedandhollowed,Itroselikeatide,Sea-green,FullofclawsandscalesAndwriggles。 Theairabovehisbedbegantomove; ItweighedoverhimInamassofdraggledfeathers。 Notoneliftedtostirtheair。 TheydroopedanddrippedWithasmellofportwineandbrandy,Closingdown,slowly,Tricklingdropsonthebed-quilt。 Suddenlythewindowfellinwithagreatscatterofglass,Andthemoonburstintotheroom,Sizzling——\"S-s-s-s-s——Spruggins!Spruggins!\" Itrolledtowardhim,Agreenballofflame,Withtwoeyesinthecenter,Aredeyeandayelloweye,Droppingtheirlidsslowly,Oneaftertheother。 Mr。Sprugginstriedtoscream,ButtheblackamoorLeaptoffhispigWithacry,Drewhisscimitar,AndplungeditintoMr。Spruggins’smouth。 Mr。SprugginsgotupinthecolddawnAndremadethefire。 ThenhecreptbacktobedBythelightwhichseepedinunderthewindowcurtains,Andlaythere,shivering,WhilethebellsofSt。GeorgetheMartyrchimedthequarterafterseven。 ThePaperWindmillThelittleboypressedhisfaceagainstthewindow-paneandlookedoutatthebrightsunshinymorning。Thecobble-stonesofthesquareglistenedlikemica。Inthetrees,abreezedancedandpranced,andshookdropsofsunlightlikefallinggoldencoinsintothebrownwaterofthecanal。Downstreamslowlydriftedalongstringofgalliotspiledwithcrimsoncheeses。Thelittleboythoughttheylookedasiftheywereroc’seggs,blocksofbigrubyeggs。Hesaid,\"Oh!\"withdelight,andpressedagainstthewindowwithallhismight。 Thegoldencockonthetopofthe`Stadhuis’gleamed。Hisbeakwasopenlikeapairofscissorsandanarrowpieceofblueskywaswedgedinit。 \"Cock-a-doodle-do,\"criedthelittleboy。\"Can’tyouhearmethroughthewindow,GoldCocky?Cock-a-doodle-do!Youshouldcrowwhenyouseetheeggsofyourcousin,thegreatroc。\"Butthegoldencockstoodstockstill,withhisfinetailblowinginthewind。 Hecouldnotunderstandthelittleboy,forhesaid\"Cocorico\" whenhesaidanything。Buthewashungintheairtoswing,nottosing。 HiseyesglitteredtothebrightWestwind,andthecrimsoncheesesdriftedawaydownthecanal。 Itwasverydullthereinthebigroom。Outsideinthesquare,thewindwasplayingtagwithsomefallenleaves。Amanpassed,withadogcartbesidehimfullofsmart,newmilkcans。Theyrattledoutagaytune: \"Tiddity-tum-ti-ti。Havesomemilkforyourtea。Creamforyourcoffeetodrinkto-night,thick,andsmooth,andsweet,andwhite,\" andtheman’ssabotsbeatanaccompaniment:\"Plop!trop!milkforyourtea。 Plop!trop!drinkitto-night。\"Itwasverypleasantoutthere,butitwaslonelyhereinthebigroom。Thelittleboygulpedatatear。 Itwasqueerhowdullallhistoyswere。Theyweresostill。 Nothingwasstillinthesquare。Ifhetookhiseyesawayamomentithadchanged。Themilkmanhaddisappearedroundthecorner,therewasonlyanoldwomanwithabasketofgreenstuffonherhead,pickingherwayovertheshinystones。Butthewindpulledtheleavesinthebasketthiswayandthat,anddisplayedthemtobeautifuladvantage。 Thesunpattedthemcondescendinglyontheirflatsurfaces,andtheyseemedsprinkledwithsilver。Thelittleboysighedashelookedathisdisorderedtoysonthefloor。Theyweremotionless,andtheircoloursweredull。 Thedarkwainscotingabsorbedthesun。Therewasnoneleftfortoys。 Thesquarewasquiteemptynow。Onlythewindranroundandroundit,spinning。Awayoverinthecornerwhereastreetopenedintothesquare,thewindhadstopped。Stoppedrunning,thatis,foritneverstoppedspinning。Itwhirred,andwhirled,andgyrated,andturned。 Itburnedlikeagreatcolouredsun。Ithummed,andbuzzed,andsparked,anddarted。Therewereflashesofblue,andlongsmearinglinesofsaffron,andquickjabsofgreen。Andoveritallwasasheenlikeamyriadcutdiamonds。Roundandrounditwent,thehugewind-wheel,andthelittleboy’sheadreeledwithwatchingit。Thewholesquarewasfilledwithitsrays,blazingandleapingroundafteroneanother,fasterandfaster。Thelittleboycouldnotspeak,hecouldonlygaze,staringinamaze。 Thewind-wheelwascomingdownthesquare。Nearerandneareritcame,agreatdiskofspinningflame。Itwasoppositethewindownow,andthelittleboycouldseeitplainly,butitwassomethingmorethanthewindwhichhesaw。Amanwascarryingahugefan-shapedframeonhisshoulder,andstuckinitweremanylittlepaintedpaperwindmills,eachonescurryingroundinthebreeze。Theywerebrightandbeautiful,andthesightwasonetopleaseanybody,andhowmuchmorealittleboywhohadonlystupid,motionlesstoystoenjoy。 Thelittleboyclappedhishands,andhiseyesdancedandwhizzed,forthecirclingwindmillsmadehimdizzy。Closerandclosercamethewindmillman,andhelduphisbigfantothelittleboyinthewindowoftheAmbassador’shouse。Onlyapaneofglassbetweentheboyandthewindmills。Theyslidroundbeforehiseyesinrapidlyrevolvingsplendour。Therewerewheelsandwheelsofcolours—— big,little,thick,thin——alloneclear,perfectspin。Thewindmillvendordippedandraisedthemagain,andthelittleboy’sfacewasgluedtothewindow-pane。Oh!Whataglorious,wonderfulplaything! Ringsandringsofwindycolouralwaysmoving!Howhadanyoneeverpreferredthoseothertoyswhichneverstirred。\"Nursie,comequickly。Look! Iwantawindmill。See!Itisneverstill。Youwillbuymeone,won’tyou? Iwantthatsilverone,withthebigringofblue。\" Soaservantwassenttobuythatone:silver,ringedwithblue,andsmartlyittwirledaboutintheservant’shandsashestoodamomenttopaythevendor。Thenheenteredthehouse,andinanotherminutehewasstandinginthenurserydoor,withsomecrumpledpaperontheendofastickwhichheheldouttothelittleboy。\"ButIwantedawindmillwhichwentround,\"criedthelittleboy。\"Thatistheoneyouaskedfor,MasterCharles,\"Nursiewasabitimpatient,shehadmendingtodo。 \"See,itissilver,andhereistheblue。\"\"Butitisonlyabluestreak,\" sobbedthelittleboy。\"Iwantedabluering,andthissilverdoesn’tsparkle。\"\"Well,MasterCharles,thatiswhatyouwanted,nowrunawayandplaywithit,forIamverybusy。\" Thelittleboyhidhistearsagainstthefriendlywindow-pane。Onthefloorlaythemotionless,crumpledbitofpaperontheendofitsstick。 Butfarawayacrossthesquarewasthewindmillvendor,withhisbigwheelofwhirringsplendour。Itspunroundinablazelikeawhirlingrainbow,andthesungleameduponit,andthewindwhippedit,untilitseemedamazeofspatteringdiamonds。\"Cocorico!\"crowedthegoldencockonthetopofthe`Stadhuis’。\"Thatissomethingworthcrowingfor。\" Butthelittleboydidnothearhim,hewassobbingoverthecrumpledbitofpaperonthefloor。 TheRedLacquerMusic-StandAmusic-standofcrimsonlacquer,longsincebroughtInsomefastclipper-shipfromChina,quaintlywroughtWithbossedandcarvenflowersandfruitsinblackeninggold,TheslendershaftalltwinedaboutandthicklyscrolledWithvineleavesandyoungtwistedtendrils,whirling,curling,Flingingtheirnewshootsoverthefourwings,andswirlingOutonthethreewidefeetingoldenlumpsandstreams; Petalsandapplesinhighrelief,andwheretheseamsArewornwithhandling,throughthepolishedcrimsonsheen,Longstreaksofblack,theunderlacquer,shineoutclean。 Fourdesks,adjustable,tosuittheheightsofplayersSittingtoviolsorstandinguptosing,fourlayersOfmusictoserveeveryinstrument,arethere,Andontheapexalargeflat-toppedgoldenpear。 Itburnsinredandyellow,dusty,smoulderinglights,Whenthesunflarestheoldbarn-chamberwithitsflightsAndskipsuponthecrystalknobsofdimsideboards,Leglessandmouldy,andhops,glinttoglint,onhoardsOfscythes,andspades,anddinner-horns,sotheoldtoolsArelittlecandlesthrowingbrightnessroundinpools。 WithOrientalsplendour,redandgold,thedustCoveringitsflameslikesmokeandthinningasagustOfbrightersunshinemakesthecoloursleapandrange,Thestrangeoldmusic-standseemstostrikeoutandchange; Tostrokeandtearthedarknesswithsharpgoldenclaws; Todartaforked,vermiliontonguefromopenjaws; Topuffoutbittersmokewhichchokesthesun;andfadeBacktoastill,faintoutlineobliterateinshade。 Creepinguptheladderintotheloft,theBoyStandswatching,verystill,pricklyandhotwithjoy。 Heseesthedustysun-moteslitbystreaksofred,Heseesitsplitandstream,andallabouthisheadSpikesandspearsofgoldarelicking,pricking,flicking,Scratchingagainstthewallsandfurniture,andnickingThedarknessintosparks,chippingawaythegloom。 TheBoy’snosesmartswiththepungenceintheroom。 ThewindpushesanelmbranchfrombeforethedoorAndthesunwidensoutallalongthefloor,Fillingthebarn-chamberwithwhite,straightforwardlight,Sonotoneblurredoutlinecanteasethemindtofright。 \"OAllyeWorksoftheLord,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OlettheEarthBlesstheLord;Yea,letitPraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OyeMountainsandHills,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OAllyeGreenThingsupontheEarth,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。\" TheBoywillpraisehisGodonanaltarbuildedfair,WillheapitwiththeWorksoftheLord。Inthemorningair,Spicesshallburnonit,andbytheirpalesmokecurled,LikeshootsofalltheGreenThings,theGodofthisbrightWorldShallseetheBoy’sdesiretopayhisdebtofpraise。 TheBoyturnsroundabout,seekingwithcarefulgazeAnaltarmeetandworthy,buteachtableandchairHassomedefect,eachpieceisneedingsomerepairToperfectit;thechairshavebrokenlegsandbacks,Thetablesareuneven,andeveryhighboylacksAhandleoradrawer,thedesksarebruisedandworn,Andevenawidesofahasitscaneseattorn。 OnlyinthegloomfarinthecornerthereThelacquermusic-standiselegantandrare,Clearandslimofline,withitsfourwingsoutspread,Thesoundofoldquartets,atenuous,faintthread,Hangingandfloatingoverit,itstandssupreme—— Black,andgold,andcrimson,inonetwistedscheme! Acandleonthebookcasefeelsadraughtandwavers,Stipplingthewhite-washedwallswithdancingshadesandquavers。 Abed-post,growncolossal,jigsabouttheceiling,Andshadows,strangelyaltered,stainthewalls,revealingEagles,andrabbits,andweirdfacespulledawry,Andhandswhichfetchandcarrythingsincessantly。 UndertheEasternwindow,wherethemorningsunMusttouchit,standsthemusic-stand,andoneachoneOfitsbroadplatformsisapyramidofstones,Andmetals,anddriedflowers,andpineandhemlockcones,Anoriole’snestwiththefoureggsneatlyblown,Therattleofarattlesnake,andthreelargebrownButternutsuncracked,sixbutterfliesimpaledWithagreenlunamoth,asnake-skinfreshlyscaled,Somesunflowerseeds,wampum,andabloody-toothshell,Abluejayfeather,alltogetherpiledpell-mellThestandwillholdnomore。TheBoywithhummingheadLooksonceagain,blowsoutthelight,andcreepstobed。 TheBoykeepssolemnvigil,whileoutsidethewindBlowsgustilyandclear,andslapsagainsttheblind。 Hehardlytriestosleep,sosharphisecstasyItburnshissoultoemptiness,andsetsitfreeForadorationonly,forworship。Dedicate,Hisunsheathedsoulisnakedinitsnovitiate。 Thehoursstrikebelowfromtheclockonthestair。 TheBoyisawhiteflamesuspiringinprayer。 Morningwillbringthesun,theGoldenEyeofHimWhosesplendourmustbeveiledbystarrycherubim,WhoseFeetshimmerlikecrystalinthestreetsofHeaven。 Likeanopenrosethesunwillstandupeven,Frontingthewindow-sill,andwhenthecasementglowsRose-redwiththenew-blownmorning,thenthefirewhichflowsFromthesunwillfalluponthealtarandigniteThespices,andhissacrificewillburninperfumedlight。 Overthemusic-standtheghostsofsoundswillswim,`Violsd’amore’and`hautbois’accordedtoahymn。 TheBoywillseethefaintestbreathofangels’wingsFanningthesmoke,andvoiceswillflowerthroughthestrings。 Hedaresnofarthervision,andwithscaldingeyesWaitsuponthedaylightandhisgreatemprise。 Thecold,greylightofdawnwaswhiteningthewallWhentheBoy,fine-drawnbysleeplessness,startedhisritual。 Hewashed,allshiveringandpointedlikeaflame。 Hethrewtheshuttersopen,andinthewindow-frameThemorningglimmeredlikeatarnishedVeniceglass。 HetookhisChinesepastillesandputtheminamassUponthemantelpiecetillhecouldseekaplateWorthytoholdthemburning。Alas!HehadbeenlateInthinkingofthisneed,andnowhecouldnotfindPlatterorsaucerrareenoughtoeasehismind。 Thehousewasnotastir,andhedarednotgodownIntothebarn-chamber,lestsomedoorshouldbeblownAndslambeforethedraughthemadeashewentout。 Thelightwasgrowingyellower,andstillhelookedabout。 AflashofalmostcrimsonfromthegildedpearUponthemusic-stand,startledhimwaitingthere。 Thesunwouldriseandhewouldmeetitunprepared,Labelledafoolinhavingmissedwhathehaddared。 Heranacrosstheroom,tookhispastillesandlaidThemontheflat-toppedpear,mostcarefullydisplayedTolightwithease,thenstoodalittletooneside,Focussedaburning-glassandpainstakinglytriedToholditangledsothebunchedandprismedraysShouldleapuponeachotherandspringintoablaze。 Sharpasawheelingedgeofdisked,carnationflame,Gem-hardandcuttingupward,slowlytheroundsuncame。 Thearrowedfirecaughttheburning-glassandglanced,Splittoamultitudeofpointedspears,andlanced,Adeeper,hotterflame,ittooktheincensepileWhichwelcomeditandbrokeintoalittlesmileOfyellowflamelets,creeping,crackling,thrustingup,Agolden,red-slashedlilyinalacquercup。 \"OyeFireandHeat,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OyeWinterandSummer,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OyeNightsandDays,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。 OyeLightningsandClouds,BlessyetheLord;PraiseHim,andMagnifyHimforever。\" Amomentsoithung,wide-curved,bright-petalled,seemingAchalicefoamedwithsunrise。TheBoywokefromhisdreaming。 Aspikeofflamehadcaughtthecardofbutterflies,Theoriole’snesttookfire,soonallfourgalleriesWherehehadspreadhistreasureswerebecomeonetongueOfgleaming,brutalfire。TheBoyinstantlyswungHispitcheroffthewash-standandturneditupsidedown。 Theflamesdroopedbackandsizzled,andallhissensesgrownAcutebyfear,theBoygrabbedthequiltfromhisbedAndflungitoverall,andthenwithachingheadHewatchedtheearlysunshineglintontheremainsOfhisholyoffering。ThelacquerstandhadstainsUglyandcharredallover,andwherethegoldenpearHadbeen,adeep,blackholegapedmiserably。HisdearTreasureswerepuffsofashes;onlythestoneswerethere,Winkinginthebrightness。 TheclockuponthestairStruckfive,andinthekitchensomeoneshookagrate。 TheBoybegantodress,foritwasgettinglate。 SpringDayBathThedayisfresh-washedandfair,andthereisasmelloftulipsandnarcissusintheair。 Thesunshinepoursinatthebath-roomwindowandboresthroughthewaterinthebath-tubinlathesandplanesofgreenish-white。Itcleavesthewaterintoflawslikeajewel,andcracksittobrightlight。 Littlespotsofsunshinelieonthesurfaceofthewateranddance,dance,andtheirreflectionswobbledeliciouslyovertheceiling;astirofmyfingersetsthemwhirring,reeling。Imoveafoot,andtheplanesoflightinthewaterjar。Iliebackandlaugh,andletthegreen-whitewater,thesun-flawedberylwater,flowoverme。Thedayisalmosttoobrighttobear,thegreenwatercoversmefromthetoobrightday。 Iwillliehereawhileandplaywiththewaterandthesunspots。 Theskyisblueandhigh。Acrowflapsbythewindow,andthereisawhiffoftulipsandnarcissusintheair。 BreakfastTableInthefresh-washedsunlight,thebreakfasttableisdeckedandwhite。 Itoffersitselfinflatsurrender,tenderingtastes,andsmells,andcolours,andmetals,andgrains,andthewhiteclothfallsoveritsside,drapedandwide。Wheelsofwhiteglitterinthesilvercoffee-pot,hotandspinninglikecatherine-wheels,theywhirl,andtwirl——andmyeyesbegintosmart,thelittlewhite,dazzlingwheelsprickthemlikedarts。 Placidandpeaceful,therollsofbreadspreadthemselvesinthesuntobask。 Astackofbutter-pats,pyramidal,shoutorangethroughthewhite,scream,flutter,call:\"Yellow!Yellow!Yellow!\"Coffeesteamrisesinastream,cloudsthesilvertea-servicewithmist,andtwistsupintothesunlight,revolved,involuted,suspiringhigherandhigher,flutinginathinspiralupthehighbluesky。Acrowfliesbyandcroaksatthecoffeesteam。 Thedayisnewandfairwithgoodsmellsintheair。 WalkOverthestreetthewhitecloudsmeet,andsheerawaywithouttouching。 Onthesidewalks,boysareplayingmarbles。Glassmarbles,withamberandbluehearts,rolltogetherandpartwithasweetclashingnoise。Theboysstrikethemwithblackandredstripedagates。 Theglassmarblesspitcrimsonwhentheyarehit,andslipintotheguttersunderrushingbrownwater。Ismelltulipsandnarcissusintheair,buttherearenoflowersanywhere,onlywhitedustwhippingupthestreet,andagirlwithagaySpringhatandblowingskirts。Thedustandthewindflirtatheranklesandherneat,high-heeledpatentleathershoes。Tap,tap,thelittleheelspatthepavement,andthewindrustlesamongtheflowersonherhat。 Awater-cartcrawlsslowlyontheothersideoftheway。Itisgreenandgaywithnewpaint,andrumblescontentedly,sprinklingclearwateroverthewhitedust。Clearzigzaggingwater,whichsmellsoftulipsandnarcissus。 Thethickeningbranchesmakeapink`grisaille’againstthebluesky。 Whoop!Thecloudsgodashingateachotherandsheerawayjustintime。 Whoop!Andaman’shatcareersdownthestreetinfrontofthewhitedust,leapsintothebranchesofatree,veersawayandtrundlesaheadofthewind,jarringthesunlightintospokesofrose-colourandgreen。 Amotor-carcutsaswathethroughthebrightair,sharp-beaked,irresistible,shoutingtothewindtomakeway。Aglareofdustandsunshinetossestogetherbehindit,andsettlesdown。Theskyisquietandhigh,andthemorningisfairwithfresh-washedair。 MiddayandAfternoonSwirlofcrowdedstreets。Shockandrecoiloftraffic。Thestock-stillbrickfacadeofanoldchurch,againstwhichthewavesofpeoplelurchandwithdraw。Flareofsunshinedownside-streets。Eddiesoflightinthewindowsofchemists’shops,withtheirblue,gold,purplejars,dartingcoloursfarintothecrowd。Loudbangsandtremors,murmuringsoutofhighwindows,whirringofmachinebelts,blurringofhorsesandmotors。Aquickspinandshudderofbrakesonanelectriccar,andthejarofachurch-bellknockingagainstthemetalblueofthesky。Iamapieceofthetown,abitofblowndust,thrustalongwiththecrowd。Proudtofeelthepavementunderme,reelingwithfeet。Feettripping,skipping,lagging,dragging,ploddingdoggedly,orspringingupandadvancingonfirmelasticinsteps。 Aboyissellingpapers,Ismellthemcleanandnewfromthepress。 Theyarefreshliketheair,andpungentastulipsandnarcissus。 Theblueskypalestolemon,andgreattonguesofgoldblindtheshop-windows,puttingouttheircontentsinafloodofflame。 NightandSleepThedaytakeshereaseinslipperedyellow。Electricsignsgleamoutalongtheshopfronts,followingeachother。Theygrow,andgrow,andblowintopatternsoffire-flowersastheskyfades。Tradesscreaminspotsoflightattheunrufflednight。Twinkle,jab,snap,thatmeansanewplay;andovertheway:plop,drop,quiver,isthesidelongsliverofawatchmaker’ssignwithitslengthonanotherstreet。 Agiganticmugofbeereffervescestotheatmosphereoveratallbuilding,buttheskyishighandhasherownstars,whyshouldsheheedours? Ileavethecitywithspeed。Wheelswhirltotakemebacktomytreesandmyquietness。Thebreezewhichblowswithmeisfresh-washedandclean,ithascomebutrecentlyfromthehighsky。Therearenoflowersinbloomyet,buttheearthofmygardensmellsoftulipsandnarcissus。 Myroomistranquilandfriendly。OutofthewindowIcanseethedistantcity,abandoftwinklinggems,littleflower-headswithnostems。 Icannotseethebeer-glass,northelettersoftherestaurantsandshopsIpassed,nowthesignsblurandalltogethermakethecity,glowingonanightoffineweather,likeagardenstirringandblowingfortheSpring。 Thenightisfresh-washedandfairandthereisawhiffofflowersintheair。 Wrapmeclose,sheetsoflavender。Pouryourblueandpurpledreamsintomyears。Thebreezewhispersattheshuttersandmuttersqueertalesofolddays,andcobbledstreets,andyouthsleapingtheirhorsesdownmarblestairways。Palebluelavender,youarethecolouroftheskywhenitisfresh-washedandfair……Ismellthestars……theyareliketulipsandnarcissus……Ismellthemintheair。 TheDinner-PartyFish\"So……\"theysaid,Withtheirwine-glassesdelicatelypoised,Mockingatthethingtheycannotunderstand。 \"So……\"theysaidagain,Amusedandinsolent。 Thesilveronthetableglittered,AndtheredwineintheglassesSeemedthebloodIhadwastedInafoolishcause。 GameThegentlemanwiththegrey-and-blackwhiskersSneeredlanguidlyoverhisquail。 Thenmyheartflewupandlaboured,AndIburstfrommyownholdingAndhurledmyselfforward。 WithstraightblowsIbeatuponhim,Furiously,withred-hotanger,Ithrustagainsthim。 Butmyweaponslitheredoverhispolishedsurface,AndIrecoileduponmyself,Panting。 Drawing-RoomInadressallsoftnessandhalf-tones,Indolentandhalf-reclined,Shelayuponacouch,Withthefirelightreflectedinherjewels。 Buthereyeshadnoreflection,Theyswaminagreysmoke,Thesmokeofsmoulderingashes,Thesmokeofhercinderedheart。 CoffeeTheysatinacirclewiththeircoffee-cups。 Onedroppedinalumpofsugar,Onestirredwithaspoon。 IsawthemasacircleofghostsSippingblacknessoutofbeautifulchina,AndmildlyprotestingagainstmycoarsenessInbeingalive。 TalkTheytookdeadmen’ssoulsAndpinnedthemontheirbreastsforornament; Theircuff-linksandtiarasWeregemsdugfromagrave; Theywereghoulsbatteningonexhumedthoughts; AndItookagreenliqueurfromaservantSothathemightcomenearmeAndgivemethecomfortofalivingthing。 ElevenO’ClockThefrontdoorwashardandheavy,Itshutbehindmeonthehouseofghosts。 IflattenedmyfeetonthepavementTofeelitsolidunderme; IranmyhandalongtherailingsAndshookthem,AndpressedtheirpointedbarsIntomypalms。 Thehurtofitreassuredme,AndIdiditagainandagainUntiltheywerebruised。 WhenIwokeinthenightIlaughedtofindthemaching,Foronlylivingfleshcansuffer。 Stravinsky’sThreePieces\"Grotesques\",forStringQuartetFirstMovementThin-voiced,nasalpipesDrawingsoundoutandoutUntilitisascreechingthread,Sharpandcutting,sharpandcutting,Ithurts。 Whee-e-e! Bump!Bump!Tong-ti-bump! Therearedrumshere,Banging,Andwoodenshoesbeatingtheround,greystonesOfthemarket-place。 Whee-e-e! Sabotsslappingtheworn,oldstones,Andashakingandcrackingofdancingbones; Clumsyandhardtheyare,Anduneven,LosinghalfabeatBecausethestonesareslippery。 Bump-e-ty-tong!Whee-e-e!Tong! ThethinSpringleavesShaketothebangingofshoes。 Shoesbeat,slap,Shuffle,rap,Andthenasalpipessquealwiththeirpigs’voices,Littlepigs’voicesWeavingamongthedancers,AfinewhitethreadLinkingupthedancers。 Bang!Bump!Tong! Petticoats,Stockings,Sabots,Deliriumflappingitsthigh-bones; Red,blue,yellow,Drunkennesssteamingincolours; Red,yellow,blue,Coloursandfleshweavingtogether,Inandout,withthedance,Coarsestuffsandhotfleshweavingtogether。 Pigs’crieswhiteandtenuous,Whiteandpainful,Whiteand—— Bump! Tong! SecondMovementPaleviolinmusicwhiffsacrossthemoon,Apalesmokeofviolinmusicblowsoverthemoon,Cherrypetalsfallandflutter,AndthewhitePierrot,Wreathedinthesmokeoftheviolins,Splashedwithcherrypetalsfalling,falling,ClawsagraveforhimselfinthefreshearthWithhisfinger-nails。 ThirdMovementAnorgangrowlsintheheavyroof-groinsofachurch,Itwheezesandcoughs。 Thenaveisbluewithincense,Writhing,twisting,Snakingovertheheadsofthechantingpriests。 `Requiemaeternamdonaei,Domine’; ThepriestswhinetheirbastardLatinAndthecensersswingandclick。 ThepriestswalkendlesslyRoundandround,DroningtheirLatinOffthekey。 Theorgancrashesoutinaflaringchord,Andthepriestshitchtheirchantuphalfatone。 `Diesilla,diesirae,Calamitatisetmiseriae,Diesmagnaetamaravalde。’ Awindrattlestheleadedwindows。 Thelittlepear-shapedcandleflamesleapandflutter,`Diesilla,diesirae;’ Theswayingsmokedriftsoverthealtar,`Calamitatisetmiseriae;’ Theshufflingpriestssprinkleholywater,`Diesmagnaetamaravalde;’ AndthereisastarkstillnessinthemidstofthemStretcheduponabier。 Hisearsarestonetotheorgan,Hiseyesareflinttothecandles,Hisbodyisicetothewater。 Chant,priests,Whine,shuffle,genuflect,HewillalwaysbeasrigidasheisnowUntilhecrumblesawayinadustheap。 `Lacrymosadiesilla,QuaresurgetexfavillaJudicandushomoreus。’ Abovethegreypillarstheroofisindarkness。 TownsinColourI RedSlippersRedslippersinashop-window,andoutsideinthestreet,flawsofgrey,windysleet! Behindthepolishedglass,theslippershanginlongthreadsofred,festooningfromtheceilinglikestalactitesofblood,floodingtheeyesofpassers-bywithdrippingcolour,jammingtheircrimsonreflectionsagainstthewindowsofcabsandtram-cars,screamingtheirclaretandsalmonintotheteethofthesleet,ploppingtheirlittleroundmaroonlightsuponthetopsofumbrellas。 Therowofwhite,sparklingshopfrontsisgashedandbleeding,itbleedsredslippers。Theyspoutundertheelectriclight,fluidandfluctuating,ahotrain——andfreezeagaintoredslippers,myriadlymultipliedinthemirrorsideofthewindow。 Theybalanceuponarchedinstepslikespringingbridgesofcrimsonlacquer; theyswingupovercurvedheelslikewhirlingtanagerssuckedinawind-pocket;theyflattenout,heelless,likeJulyponds,flaredandburnishedbyredrockets。 Snap,snap,theyarecracker-sparksofscarletinthewhite,monotonousblockofshops。 Theyplungetheclangourofbillionsofvermiliontrumpetsintothecrowdoutside,andechoinfaintroseoverthepavement。 Peoplehurryby,fortheseareonlyshoes,andinawindow,fartherdown,isabiglotusbudofcardboardwhosepetalsopeneveryfewminutesandrevealawaxdoll,withstaringbeadeyesandflaxenhair,lollingawkwardlyinitsflowerchair。 Onehasoftenseenshoes,butwhoeversawacardboardlotusbudbefore? Theflawsofgrey,windysleetbeatontheshop-windowwherethereareonlyredslippers。 II Thompson’sLunchRoom——GrandCentralStationStudyinWhitesWax-white—— Floor,ceiling,walls。 IvoryshadowsOverthepavementPolishedtocreamsurfacesByconstantsweeping。 ThebigroomiscolouredlikethepetalsOfagreatmagnolia,AndhasapatinaOfflowerbloomWhichmakesitshinedimlyUndertheelectriclamps。 ChairsarerangedinrowsLikesepiaseedsWaitingfulfilment。 Thechalk-whitespotofacook’scapMovesunglossilyagainstthevaguelybrightwall—— Dullchalk-whitestrikingtheretinalikeablowThroughthewaveringuncertaintyofsteam。 Vitreous-whiteofglasseswithgreenreflections,Ice-greencarboys,shifting——greener,bluer——withthejarofmovingwater。 Jaggedgreen-whitebowlsofpressedglassRearingsnow-peaksofchippedsugarAbovethelighthouse-shapedcastorsOfgreypepperandgrey-whitesalt。 Grey-whiteplacards:\"OysterStew,CornbeefHash,Frankfurters\": Marbleslabsveinedwithwordsinmeanderinglines。 DroppingonthewhitecounterlikehornnotesThroughawebofviolins,Theflatyellowlightsoforanges,Thecube-redsplashesofapples,Inhighplated`epergnes’。 Theelectricclockjerkseveryhalf-minute: \"Coming!——Past!\" \"Threebeef-steaksandachicken-pie,\" Bawledthroughaslidewhiletheclockjerksheavily。 Amancarriesachinamugofcoffeetoadistantchair。 TworicepuddingsandasalmonsaladArepushedoverthecounter; Theunfulfilledchairsopentoreceivethem。 Aspoonfallsuponthefloorwiththeimpactofmetalstrikingstone,AndthesoundthrowsacrosstheroomSharp,invisiblezigzagsOfsilver。 III AnOperaHouseWithinthegoldsquareoftheprosceniumarch,Acurtainoforangevelvethangsinstifffolds,Itstasselsjarringslightlywhensomeonecrossesthestagebehind。 Goldcarvingedgesthebalconies,Rimstheboxes,Runsupanddownflutedpillars。 Littleknife-stabsofgoldShineoutwheneveraboxdoorisopened。 GoldclustersFlashinsoftexplosionsOnthebluedarkness,Suckbacktoapoint,Anddisappear。 HoopsofgoldCirclenecks,wrists,fingers,Pierceears,PoiseonheadsAndflyupabovethemincolouredsparkles。 Gold! Gold! Theoperahouseisatreasure-boxofgold。 Goldinabroadsmearacrosstheorchestrapit: Goldofhorns,trumpets,tubas; Gold——spun-gold,twittering-gold,snapping-goldOfharps。 Theconductorraiseshisbaton,ThebrassblaresoutCrass,crude,Parvenu,fat,powerful,Golden。 Richasthefat,clappinghandsintheboxes。 Cymbals,gigantic,coin-shaped,Crash。 TheorangecurtainpartsAndtheprima-donnastepsforward。 Onenote,Adrop:transparent,iridescent,Agoldbubble,Itfloats……floats…… AndburstsagainstthelipsofabankpresidentInthegrandtier。 IV AfternoonRaininStateStreetCross-hatchingsofrainagainstgreywalls,SlantlinesofblackrainInfrontoftheupanddown,wetstonesidesofbuildings。 Below,Greasy,shiny,black,horizontal,Thestreet。 Andoverit,umbrellas,BlackpolisheddotsStrucktowhiteAninstant,StreamintwoflatlinesSlippingpasteachotherwiththesmoothnessofoil。 Likeafour-sidedwedgeTheCustomHouseTowerPokesatthelow,flatsky,Pushingitfartherandfartherup,Liftingitawayfromthehouse-tops,Liftingitinonepieceasthoughitwereasheetoftin,Withtheleverofitsapex。 Thecross-hatchingsofraincuttheTowerobliquely,Scratchinglinesofblackwireacrossit,MutilatingitsperpendiculargreysurfaceWiththesharpprecisionoftools。 Thecityisrigidwithstraightlinesandangles,Achequeredtableofblacksandgreys。 OblongblocksofflatnessCrawlbywithlow-gearedengines,AndpasstoshortuprightsquaresShrinkingwithdistance。 Asteamerinthebasinblowsitswhistle,Andthesoundshootsacrosstherainhatchings,Anarrow,levelbarofsteel。 HardcubesoflemonSuperimposethemselvesuponthefrontsofbuildingsAsthewindowslightup。 ButthelemoncubesareedgedwithanglesUponwhichtheycannotimpinge。 Up,straight,down,straight——square。 Crumpledgrey-whitepapersBlowalongtheside-walks,Contorted,horrible,Withoutcurves。 Ahorsestepsinapuddle,Andwhite,glaringwaterspurtsupInstiff,outflaringlines,Liketherattlingstemsofreeds。 Thecityisheraldicwithangles,AsombreescutcheonofargentandsableAndcountercolouredbendsofrainHungoverafour-squarecivilization。 Whenastreetlampcomesout,IgazeatitforfullythirtysecondsTorestmybrainwiththesuffusing,roundbrillianceofitsglobe。 V AnAquariumStreaksofgreenandyellowiridescence,Silvershiftings,Ringsveeringoutofrings,Silver——gold—— Grey-greenopaquenessslidingdown,WithsharpwhitebubblesShootinganddancing,Flingingquicklyoutward。 Nosingthebubbles,Swallowingthem,Fish。 Blueshadowsagainstsilver-saffronwater,ThelightripplingoverthemInsteel-brighttremors。 OutspreadtranslucentfinsFlute,fold,andrelapse; ThethreadedlightprintsthroughthemonthepebblesInscarcelytarnishedtwinklings。 Curvingofspottedspines,Slowup-shifts,Lazyconvolutions: ThenasuddenswiftstraighteningAnddartingbelow: ObliquegreyshadowsAthwartapalecasement。 Ropedandcurled,Greenman-eatingeelsSlumberinundulaterhythms,Withcrestslaidhorizontalontheirbacks。 Barredfish,Stripedfish,Unevendisksoffish,Slip,slide,whirl,turn,Andnevertouch。 Metallicbluefish,WithfinswideandyellowandswayingLikeOrientalfans,HoldthesunintheirbelliesAndglowwithlight: Bluebrilliancecutbyblackbars。 Anoblongpaneofstraw-colouredshimmer,Acrossit,inatangent,Asmearofrose,black,silver。 Shorttwistsandupstartings,Rose-black,inasettingofbubbles: SunshineplayingbetweenredandblackflowersOnablueandgoldlawn。 Shadowsandpolishedsurfaces,Facetsofmauveandpurple,Aconstantmodulationofvalues。 Shaft-shaped,Withgreenbeadeyes; Thick-nosed,Heliotrope-coloured; Swiftspotsofchrysoliteandcoral; Inthemidstofgreen,pearl,amethystirradiations。 Outside,Awillow-treeflickersWithlittlewhitejerks,AndlongbluewavesRisesteadilybeyondtheouterislands。