第1章

类别:其他 作者:Edwin Arlington Robinson字数:16440更新时间:19/01/04 13:23:19
ABookofPoemsToTHOMASSERGEANTPERRYandLILLACABOTPERRY ContentsTheValleyoftheShadowTheWanderingJewNeighborsTheMillTheDarkHillsTheThreeTavernsDemosI DemosII TheFlyingDutchmanTactOntheWayJohnBrownTheFalseGodsArchibald’sExampleLondonBridgeTaskerNorcrossASongatShannon’sSouvenirDiscoveryFirelightTheNewTenantsInferentialTheRatRaheltoVarnhagenNimmoPeaceonEarthLateSummerAnEvangelist’sWifeTheOldKing’sNewJesterLazarusSeveralpoemsincludedinthisbookappearedoriginallyinAmericanperiodicals,asfollows:TheThreeTaverns,LondonBridge,ASongatShannon’s,TheNewTenants,Discovery,JohnBrown; Archibald’sExample,TheValleyoftheShadow;Nimmo;TheWanderingJew,Souvenir;Neighbors,Tact;Demos;TheMill,AnEvangelist’sWife; Firelight;LateSummer;Inferential;TheFlyingDutchman; OntheWay,TheFalseGods;PeaceonEarth;TheOldKing’sNewJester。 TheThreeTaverns——————————————————- TheValleyoftheShadowTherewerefacestorememberintheValleyoftheShadow,Therewerefacesunregarded,therewerefacestoforget; Therewerefiresofgriefandfearthatareafewforgottenashes,Thereweresparksofrecognitionthatarenotforgottenyet。 Foratfirst,withanamazedandoverwhelmingindignationAtameasurelessmalfeasancethatobscurelywilleditthus,Theywerelostandunacquainted——tilltheyfoundthemselvesinothers,Whohadgropedastheyweregropingwheredimwayswereperilous。 TherewerelivesthatwereasdarkasarethefearsandintuitionsOfachildwhoknowshimselfandisalonewithwhatheknows; Therewerepensionersofdreamsandthereweredebtorsofillusions,Alltofailbeforethetriumphofaweedthatonlygrows。 Therewerethirstingheirsofgoldensievesthatheldnotwineorwater,Andhadnonamesintrafficormorevaluetherethantoys: TherewereblightedsonsofwonderintheValleyoftheShadow,Wheretheysufferedandstillwonderedwhytheirwondermadenonoise。 Therewereslaveswhodraggedtheshacklesofaprecedentunbroken,Demonstratingthefulfilmentofunalterableschemes,Whichhadbeen,beforethecradle,Time’sinexorabletenantsOfwhatwerenowthedustyruinsoftheirfather’sdreams。 Therewerethese,andthereweremanywhohadstumbleduptomanhood,Wheretheysawtoolatetheroadtheyshouldhavetakenlongago: TherewerethwartedclerksandfiddlersintheValleyoftheShadow,Thecommemorativewreckageofwhatothersdidnotknow。 Andthereweredaughtersolderthanthemotherswhohadbornethem,Beingolderintheirwisdom,whichisolderthantheearth; Andtheyweregoingforwardonlyfartherintodarkness,Unrelievedasweretheblastingobligationsoftheirbirth; Andamongthem,givingalwayswhatwasnotfortheirpossession,Thereweremaidens,veryquiet,withnoquietintheireyes: ThereweredaughtersofthesilenceintheValleyoftheShadow,Eachanisolatediteminthefamilysacrifice。 Therewerecreepersamongcatacombswheredullregretsweretorches,Givinglightenoughtoshowthemwhatwasthereupontheshelves—— WheretherewasmoreforthemtoseethanpleasurewouldrememberOfsomethingthathadbeenaliveandoncehadbeenthemselves。 Thereweresomewhostirredtheruinswithasolidimprecation,Whileasmanyfledrepentanceforthepromiseofdespair: ThereweredrinkersofwrongwatersintheValleyoftheShadow,Andallthesparklingwaysweredustthatoncehadledthemthere。 ThereweresomewhoknewthestepsofAgeincrediblybesidethem,Andhisfingersuponshouldersthathadneverfeltthewheel; Andtheirlastofemptytrophieswasagildedcupofnothing,Whichacontemplatingvagabondwouldnothavecometosteal。 Longandoftenhadtheyfiguredforalargervaluation,Butthesizeoftheiradditionwasthebalanceofadoubt: ThereweregentlemenofleisureintheValleyoftheShadow,Notalluredbyretrospection,disenchanted,andplayedout。 AndamongthedarkendurancesofunavowedreprisalsThereweresilenteyesofenvythatsawlittlebutsawwell; Andoverbeauty’saftermathofhazardousambitionsThereweretearsforwhathadvanishedastheyvanishedwheretheyfell。 Notassuredofwhatwastheirs,andalwayshungryforthenameless,ThereweresomewhoseonlypassionwasforTimewhomadethemcold: TherewerenumerousfairwomenintheValleyoftheShadow,Dreamingratherlessofheaventhanofhellwhentheywereold。 Nowandthen,asiftoscornthecommontouchofcommonsorrow,Thereweresomewhogaveafewthedistantpityofasmile; Andanothercloakedasoulaswithanashofhumanembers,Havingcoveredthusatreasurethatwouldlasthimforawhile。 Thereweremanybythepresenceofthemanydisaffected,Whoseexemptionwasincludedintheweightthatothersbore: TherewereseekersafterdarknessintheValleyoftheShadow,Andtheyaloneweretheretofindwhattheywerelookingfor。 Sotheywere,andsotheyare;andastheycamearecomingothers,Andamongthemarethefearlessandthemeekandtheunborn; AndaquestionthathasheldusheretoforewithoutananswerMayabidewithoutanansweruntilallhaveceasedtomourn。 Forthechildrenofthedarkaremoretonamethanarethewretched,Orthebroken,ortheweary,orthebaffled,ortheshamed: TherearebuildersofnewmansionsintheValleyoftheShadow,Andamongthemarethedyingandtheblindedandthemaimed。 TheWanderingJewIsawbylookinginhiseyesThattheyrememberedeverything; AndthiswashowIcametoknowThathewashere,stillwandering。 ForthoughthefigureandthesceneWerenevertobereconciled,IknewthemanasIhadknownHisimagewhenIwasachild。 Withevidenceateveryturn,IshouldhavehelditsafetoguessThatallthenewnessofNewYorkHadnothingnewinloneliness; YetherewasonewhomightbeNoah,OrNathan,orAbimelech,OrLamech,outofageslost,—— Or,morethanall,Melchizedek。 Assuredthathewasnoneofthese,Igavethembacktheirnamesagain,ToscanoncemorethoseendlesseyesWhereallmyquestionsendedthen。 IfoundinthemwhattheyrevealedThatIshallnotlivetoforget,AndwonderediftheyfoundinmineCompassionthatImightregret。 Pity,Ilearned,wasnottheleastOftime’soffendingbenefitsThathadnowforsolongimpugnedTheconservationofhiswits: RatheritwasthatIshouldyield,Alone,thefealtythatpresentsThetributeofatemperedearToanuntemperedeloquence。 BeforeIponderedlongenoughOnwhencehecameandwhohewas,ItrembledathisringingwealthOfmanifoldanathemas; Iwondered,whilehesearedtheworld,Whatnewdefectionailedtherace,AndifitmatteredhowremoteOurfatherswerefromsuchaplace。 BeforetherewasanhourformeTocontemplatewithlessconcernThecrumblingrealmawaitingusThanhisthatwasbeyondreturn,AdawningonthedustofyearsHadshapedwithanelusivelightMiragesofrememberedscenesThatwerenolongerforthesight。 FornowthegloomthathidthemanBecameadaylightonhiswrath,AndonewhereinmyfancyviewedNewlionsrampinginhispath。 Theoldweredeadandhadnofangs,Whereforehelovedthem——seeingnotTheywerethesamethatintheirtimeHadeateneverythingtheycaught。 TheworldaroundhimwasagiftOfanguishtohiseyesandears,AndonethathehadlongreviledAsfitfordevils,notforseers。 Where,then,wasthereaplaceforhimThatonthisothersideofdeathSawnothinggood,ashehadseenNogoodcomeoutofNazareth? Yetheretherewasareticence,AndIbelievehisonlyone,ThathushedhimasifhebeheldAPresencethatwouldnotbegone。 InsuchasilenceheconfessedHowmuchtherewastobedenied; Andhewouldlookatmeandlive,Asothersmighthavelookedanddied。 AsifatlastheknewagainThathehadalwaysknown,hiseyesWereliketothoseofonewhogazedOnthoseofOnewhoneverdies。 ForsuchamomentherevealedWhatlifehasinittobelost; AndIcouldaskifwhatIsaw,Beforemethere,wasmanorghost。 HemayhavediedsomanytimesThatalltherewasofhimtoseeWaspride,thatkeptitselfaliveAstoorebellioustobefree; Hemayhavetold,whenmorethanonceHumilityseemedimminent,HowmanyalonelytimeinvainTheSecondComingcameandwent。 WhetherhestilldefiesornotThefailureofanangrytaskThatrelegateshimoutoftimeTochaos,Icanonlyask。 ButasIknewhim,sohewas; Andsomewhereamongmento-dayThoseold,unyieldingeyesmayflash,Andflinch——andlooktheotherway。 NeighborsAsoftenaswethoughtofher,WethoughtofagraylifeThatmadeaquainteconomistOfawolf-hauntedwife; WemadethebestofallsheboreThatwasnotourstobear,AndhonoredherforwearingthingsThatwerenotthingstowear。 TherewasadistanceinherlookThatmadeuslookagain; Andifshesmiled,wemightbelieveThatwehadlookedinvain。 Rarelyshecameinsideourdoors,Andhadnotlongtostay; Andwhensheleft,itseemedsomehowThatshewasfaraway。 Atlast,whenwehadallforgotThatallisheretochange,AshadowonthecommonplaceWasforamomentstrange。 Yettherewasnothingforsurprise,Normuchthatneedbetold: Love,withhisgiftofpain,hadgivenMorethanoneheartcouldhold。 TheMillThemiller’swifehadwaitedlong,Theteawascold,thefirewasdead; AndtheremightyetbenothingwrongInhowhewentandwhathesaid: \"Therearenomillersanymore,\" Wasallthatshehadheardhimsay; AndhehadlingeredatthedoorSolongthatitseemedyesterday。 SickwithafearthathadnoformSheknewthatshewasthereatlast; AndinthemilltherewasawarmAndmealyfragranceofthepast。 WhatelsetherewaswouldonlyseemTosayagainwhathehadmeant; AndwhatwashangingfromabeamWouldnothaveheededwhereshewent。 Andifshethoughtitfollowedher,ShemayhavereasonedinthedarkThatonewayofthefewtherewereWouldhideherandwouldleavenomark: Blackwater,smoothabovetheweirLikestarryvelvetinthenight,Thoughruffledonce,wouldsoonappearThesameasevertothesight。 TheDarkHillsDarkhillsateveninginthewest,WheresunsethoverslikeasoundOfgoldenhornsthatsangtorestOldbonesofwarriorsunderground,FarnowfromallthebanneredwaysWhereflashthelegionsofthesun,Youfade——asifthelastofdaysWerefading,andallwarsweredone。 TheThreeTavernsWhenthebrethrenheardofus,theycametomeetusasfarasAppiiForum,andTheThreeTaverns。 (Acts28:15) Herodion,Apelles,Amplias,AndAndronicus?IsityouIsee—— Atlast?AndisityounowthataregazingAsifindoubtofme?WasInotsayingThatIshouldcometoRome?Ididsaythat; AndIsaidfurthermorethatIshouldgoOnwestward,wherethegatewayoftheworldLetsinthecentralsea。Ididsaythat,ButIsayonly,now,thatIamPaul—— AprisoneroftheLaw,andoftheLordAvoicemadefree。IftherebetimeenoughTolive,ImayhavemoretotellyouthenOfwesternmatters。IgonowtoRome,WhereCaesarwaitsforme,andIshallwait,AndCaesarknowshowlong。InCaesareaTherewasalegendofAgrippasayingInalightwaytoFestus,havingheardMydeposition,thatImightbefree,HadIstayedfreeofCaesar;butthewordOfGodwouldhaveitasyouseeitis—— AndhereIam。ThecupthatIshalldrinkIsminetodrink——themomentortheplaceNotminetosay。IfitbenowinRome,BeitnowinRome;andifyourfaithexceedTheshadowcastofhope,saynotofmeToosurelyortoosoonthatyearsandshipwreck,AndallthemanydesertsIhavecrossedThatarenotnamedorregioned,haveundoneBeyondthebrevitiesofourmortalhealingThepartofmethatistheleastofme。 YouseeanoldermanthanhewhofellPronetotheearthwhenhewasnighDamascus,Wherethegreatlightcamedown;yetIamheThatfell,andhethatsaw,andhethatheard。 AndIamhere,atlast;andifatlastIgivemyselftomakeanothercrumbForthisperniciousfeastoftimeandmen—— Well,IhaveseentoomuchoftimeandmenTofeartheraveningorthewrathofeither。 Yes,itisPaulyousee——theSaulofTarsusThatwasafieryJew,andhadmenslainForsayingSomethingwasbeyondtheLaw,Andinourselves。IfedmysufferingsoulUpontheLawtillIwentfamishing,NotknowingthatIstarved。HowshouldIknow,Morethenthanany,thatthefoodIhad—— Whatelseitmayhavebeen——wasnotforme? MyfathersandtheirfathersandtheirfathersHadfounditgood,andsaidtherewasnoother,AndIwasoftheline。WhenStephenfell,Amongthestonesthatcrushedhislifeaway,TherewasnoplacealivethatIcouldseeForsuchaman。WhyshouldamanbegivenTolivebeyondtheLaw?SoIsaidthen,Asmensaynowtome。HowthendoI Persistinliving?Isthatwhatyouask? Ifso,letmyappearancebeforyouNolivinganswer;forTimewritesofdeathOnmenbeforetheydie,andwhatyouseeIsnottheman。Themanthatyouseenot—— Themanwithintheman——ismostalive; Thoughhatredwouldhaveended,longago,Thebaneofhisactivities。Ihavelived,BecausethefaithwithinmethatislifeEndurestolive,andshall,tillsoonorlate,Death,likeafriendunseen,shallsaytomeMytoilisoverandmyworkbegun。 Howoften,andhowmanyatimeagain,HaveIsaidIshouldbewithyouinRome! Hewhoisalwayscomingnevercomes,Orcomestoolate,youmayhavetoldyourselves; AndImaytellyounowthatafterme,WhetherIstayforlittleorforlong,Thewolvesarecoming。Haveaneyeforthem,AndamorecarefulearfortheirconfusionThanyouneedhavemuchlongerforthesoundOfwhatItellyou——shouldIlivetosayMorethanIsaytoCaesar。WhatIknowIsdownforyoutoreadinwhatiswritten; AndifIcloudalittlewithmyownMortalitythegleamthatisimmortal,IdoitonlybecauseIamI—— Beingonearthandofit,insofarAstimeflaysyettheremnant。Thisyouknow; AndifIstingmen,asIdosometimes,Withasharpwordthathurts,itisbecauseMan’shabitistofeelbeforehesees; AndIamofaracethatfeels。Moreover,TheworldishereforwhatisnotyethereFormorethanareafew;andeveninRome,WheremenaresoenamoredoftheCrossThatfamehasechoed,andincreasingly,ThemusicofyourloveandofyourfaithToforeignearsthatareasfarawayAsAntiochandHaran,yetIwonderHowmuchofloveyouknow,andifyourfaithBetheshutfruitofwords。Ifso,rememberWordsarebutshellsunfilled。JewshaveatleastALawtomakethemsorrytheywerebornIftheygolongwithoutit;andtheseGentiles,Forthefirsttimeinshriekinghistory,Haveloveandlawtogether,ifsotheywill,FortheirdefenseandtheirimmunityIntheselastdays。Rome,ifIknowthename,WillhaveanonacrownofthornsandfireMadereadyforthewreathingofnewmasters,Ofwhomweareappointed,youandI,—— AndyouarestilltobewhenIamgone,ShouldIgopresently。Letthewordfall,Meanwhile,uponthedragon-riddenfieldOfcircumstance,eithertoliveordie; Concerningwhichthereisaparable,MadeeasyforthecomfortandattentionOfthosewhopreach,fearingtheypreachinvain。 Youaretoplant,andthentoplantagainWhereyouhavegathered,gatheringasyougo; Foryouareinthefieldsthatareeternal,AndyouhavenottheburdenoftheLordUponyourmortalshoulders。WhatyouhaveIsalightyoke,madelighterbythewearing,TillitshallhavethewonderandtheweightOfaclearjewel,shiningwithalightWhereinthesunandallthefierystarsMaysoonbefading。WhenGamalielsaidThatiftheybeofmenthesethingsarenothing,ButiftheybeofGodtheyarefornoneTooverthrow,hespokeasagoodJew,AndonewhostayedaJew;andhesaidall。 Andyouknow,bythetemperofyourfaith,HowfarthefireisinyouthatIfeltBeforeIknewDamascus。Awordhere,Orthere,ornotthere,ornotanywhere,IsnottheWordthatlivesandisthelife; Andyou,therefore,needwearynotyourselvesWithjealousachesofothers。IftheworldWerenotaworldofachesandinnovations,Attainmentwouldhavenomorejoyofit。 Therewillbecreedsandschisms,creedsincreeds,Andschismsinschisms;myriadswillbedoneTodeathbecauseafarthinghastwosides,Andisatlastafarthing。Tellingyouthis,I,whobidmentolive,appealtoCaesar。 OnceIhadsaidthewaysofGodweredark,MeaningbythatthedarkwaysoftheLaw。 Suchisthegloryofourtribulations; FortheLawkillsthefleshthatkillstheLaw,Andwearethenalive。Wehaveeyesthen; AndwehavethentheCrossbetweentwoworlds—— Toguideus,ortoblindusforatime,Tillwehaveeyesindeed。ThefirethatsmitesAfewonhighways,changingallatonce,Isnotforall。ThepowerthatholdstheworldAwayfromGodthatholdshimselfaway—— FartherawaythanallyourworksandwordsAreliketoflywithoutthewingsoffaith—— Wasnot,norevershallbe,asmallhazardEnliveningthewaysofeasyleisureOrthecoldroadofknowledge。WhenoureyesHavewisdom,weseemorethanweremember; AndtheoldworldofourcaptivitiesMaythenbecomeasmittenglimpseofruin,LikeonewherevanishedhewershavehadtheirdayOfwrathonLebanon。Beforewesee,Meanwhile,wesuffer;andIcometoyou,Atlast,throughmanystormsandthroughmuchnight。 YetwhatsoeverIhaveundergone,Mykeepersinthisinstancearenothard。 Butforthechanceofaningratitude,Imightindeedbecuriousoftheirmercy,AndfearfuloftheirleisurewhileIwait,AfewleaguesoutofRome。MengotoRome,Notalwaystoreturn——butnotthatnow。 Meanwhile,IseemtothinkyoulookatmeWitheyesthatareatlastmorecredulousOfmyidentity。YouremarkinmeNosortofleapinggiant,thoughsomewordsOfminetoyoufromCorinthmayhaveleaptAlittlethroughyoureyesintoyoursoul。 Itrusttheywerealive,andarealiveToday;fortherebenonethatshallinditeSomuchofnothingasthemanofwordsWhowritesintheLord’snameforhisname’ssakeAndhasnotinhisbloodthefireoftimeTowarmeternity。Letsuchaman—— Ifoncethelightisinhimandendures—— Contenthimselftobethegeneralman,SetfreetosiftthedecenciesandtherebyTolearn,excepthebeonesetasideForsorrow,moreofpleasurethanofpain; Thoughifhislightbenotthelightindeed,Butabriefshinethatneverreallywas,Andfails,leavinghimworsethanwherehewas,Thenshallhebeofallmendestitute。 Andherewerenotanissueformuchink,Ormuchoffendingfactionamongscribes。 TheKingdomiswithinus,wearetold; AndwhenIsaytoyouthatwepossessitInsuchameasureasfaithmakesitours,Isayitwithasinner’sprivilegeOfhavingseenandheard,andseenagain,Afteradarkness;andifIaffirmTothelasthourthatfaithaffordsaloneTheKingdomentranceandanentertainment,IdonotseemyselfasonewhosaysTomanthatheshallsitwithfoldedhandsAgainsttheComing。IfIbeanything,Imoveadrivenagentamongmykind,EstablishingbythefaithofAbraham,Andbythegraceoftheirnecessities,TheclamoringwordthatisthewordoflifeNearerthanheretoforetothesolutionOftheirtomb-servingdoubts。IfIhaveloosedAshaftoflanguagethathasflownsometimesAlittlehigherthantheheartsandheadsOfnature’sminions,itwillyetbeheard,Likeanewsongthatwaitsfordistantears。 IcannotbethemanthatIamnot; AndwhileIownthatearthismyaffliction,Iamamanofearth,whosaysnotallToallalike。Thatwereimpossible,EvenasitweresothatHeshouldplantAlargergardenfirst。ButyoutodayAreforthelargersowing;andyourseed,Alittlemixed,willhave,asHeforesaw,Theforeignharvestofawidergrowth,Andonewithoutanend。Manythereare,Andaretobe,thatshallpartakeofit,ThoughnonemayshareitwithanunderstandingThatisnothisalone。Weareallalone; Andyetweareallparcelledofoneorder—— Jew,Gentile,orbarbarianinthedarkOfwildernessesthatarenotsomuchAsnamesyetinabook。Andtherearemany,FindingatlastthatwordsarenottheWord,Andfindingonlythat,willflourishaloft,LikeheadsofcapturedPhariseesonpikes,Ourcontradictionsanddiscrepancies; AndtherearemanymorewillhangthemselvesUpontheletter,seeingnotintheWordThefriendofallwhofail,andintheirfaithAswordofexcellencetocutthemdown。 Aslongasthereareglassesthataredark—— Andtherearemany——weseedarklythroughthem; AllwhichhaveIconcededandsetdownInwordsthathavenoshadow。WhatisdarkIsdark,andwemaynotsayotherwise; YetwhatmaybeasdarkasalostfireForoneofus,maystillbeforanotherAcominggleamacrossthegulfofages,Andawayhomefromshipwrecktotheshore; Andso,throughpangsandillsanddesperations,Theremaybelightforall。Thereshallbelight。 Asmuchasthat,youknow。YoucannotsayThiswomanorthatmanwillbethenextOnwhomitfalls;youarenothereforthat。 YourministrationistobeforothersThefiringofarushthatmayforthemBesoonthefireitself。ThefewatfirstArefightingforthemultitudeatlast; ThereforerememberwhatGamalielsaidBeforeyou,whenthesickwerelyingdownInstreetsallnightforPeter’spassingshadow。 Fight,andsaywhatyoufeel;saymorethanwords。 GivementoknowthateventheirdaysofearthTocomearemorethanagesthataregone。 Saywhatyoufeel,whileyouhavetimetosayit。 Eternitywillanswerforitself,Withoutyourintercession;yetthewayFormanyisalongone,andasdark,Meanwhile,asdreamsofhell。SeenotyourtoilToomuch,andifIbeawayfromyou,Thinkofmeasabrothertoyourselves,Ofmanyblemishes。Bewareofstoics,Andgiveyourlefthandtogrammarians; Andwhenyouseem,asmanyatimeyoumay,Tohavenootherfriendthanhope,rememberThatyouarenotthefirst,oryetthelast。 Thebestoflife,untilweseebeyondTheshadowsofourselves(andtheyarelessThaneventheblindestofindignanteyesWouldhavethem)isinwhatwedonotknow。 Make,then,forallyourfearsaplacetosleepWithallyourfadedsins;northinkyourselvesEgregiousandaloneforyourdefectsOfyouthandyesterday。Iwasyoungonce; Andthere’saquestionifyouplayedthefoolWithamorefervidandinherentzealThanIhaveinmystorytoremember,Orgaveyourneckstofolly’sconqueringfoot,Orflungyourselveswithanunstudiedaim,LessfrequentlythanI。Nevermindthat。 Man’slittlehouseofdayswillholdenough,Sometimes,tomakehimwishitwerenothis,Butitwillnotholdall。ThingsthataredeadArebestwithoutit,andtheyowntheirdeathByvirtueoftheirdying。Letthemgo,—— Butthinkyounottheworldisashesyet,Andyouhaveallthefire。TheworldishereToday,anditmaynotbegonetomorrow; Fortherearemillions,andtheremaybemore,TomakeinturnavariousestimationOfitsoldillsandashes,andthetrapsOfitsapparentwrath。ManywithearsThathearnotyet,shallhaveearsgiventothem,Andthentheyshallhearstrangely。ManywitheyesThatareincredulousoftheMysteryShallyetbedriventofeel,andthentoreadWherelanguagehasanendandisaveil,Notwovenofourwords。ManythathateTheirkindaresoontoknowthatwithoutloveTheirfaithisbuttheperjurednameofnothing。 IthathavedonesomehatinginmytimeSeenownotimeforhate;Ithathaveleft,FadingbehindmelikefamiliarlightsThataretoshinenomoreformyreturning,Home,friends,andhonors,——IthathavelostallelseForwisdom,andthewealthofit,saynowToyouthatoutofwisdomhascomelove,ThatmeasuresandisofitselfthemeasureOfworksandhopeandfaith。YourlongesthoursArenotsolongthatyoumaytorturethemAndharassnotyourselves;andthelastdaysAreonthewaythatyouprepareforthem,Andwaspreparedforyou,hereinaworldWhereyouhavesinnedandsuffered,strivenandseen。 IfyoubenotsohotforcountingthemBeforetheycomethatyouconsumeyourselves,Peacemayattendyouallintheselastdays—— Andme,aswellasyou。Yes,eveninRome。 Well,Ihavetalkedandrested,thoughIfearMyresthasnotbeenyours;inwhichevent,ForgiveonewhoisonlysevenleaguesFromCaesar。WhenItoldyouIshouldcome,IdidnotseemyselfthecriminalYoucontemplate,forseeingbeyondtheLawThatwhichtheLawsawnot。Butthis,indeed,Wasgoodofyou,andIshallnotforget; No,IshallnotforgetyoucamesofarTomeetamansodangerous。Well,farewell。 TheycometotellmeIamgoingnow—— Withthem。Ihopethatweshallmeetagain,ButnonemaysaywhatheshallfindinRome。 DemosI AllyouthatareenamoredofmynameAndleastintentonwhatmostIrequire,Beware;formydesignandyourdesire,Deplorably,arenotasyetthesame。 Beware,Isay,thefailureandtheshameOflosingthatforwhichyounowaspireSoblindly,andofhazardingentireThegiftthatIwasbringingwhenIcame。 GiveasIwill,IcannotgiveyousightWherebytoseethatwithyoutherearesomeToleadyou,andbeled。ButtheyaredumbBeforethewranglingandtheshrilldelightOfyourdeliverancethathasnotcome,Andshallnot,ifIfailyou——asImight。 DemosII SolittlehaveyouseenofwhatawaitsYourfeveredglimpseofademocracyConfusedandfoiledwithanequalityNotequaltotheenvyitcreates,ThatyouseenothownearyouarethegatesOfanoldkingwholistensfearfullyToyouthatareoutsideandaretobeThenoisylordsofimminentestates。 RatherbethenyourprayerthatyoushallhaveYourkingdomundishonored。Havingall,Seenotthegreatamongyouforthesmall,Butheartheirsilence;forthefewshallsaveThemany,orthemanyaretofall—— Stilltobewranglinginanoisygrave。 TheFlyingDutchmanUnyieldingintheprideofhisdefiance,Afloatwithnonetoserveortocommand,Lordofhimselfatlast,andallbyScience,HeseekstheVanishedLand。 Alone,bytheonelightofhisonethought,Hesteerstofindtheshorefromwhichwecame,—— FearlessofinwhatcoilhemaybecaughtOnseasthathavenoname。 Intothenighthesails;andafternightThereisadawning,thoughtherebenosun; Wherefore,withnothingbuthimselfinsight,Unsighted,hesailson。 AtlastthereisaliftingofthecloudBetweenthefloodbeforehimandthesky; Andthen——thoughhemaycursethePoweraloudThathasnopowertodie—— HesteershimselfawayfromwhatishauntedBytheoldghostofwhathasbeenbefore,—— Abandoning,asalways,andundaunted,Onefog-walledislandmore。 TactObservantofthewayshetoldSomuchofwhatwastrue,NovanitycouldlongwithholdRegardthatwasherdue: Shesparedhimthefamiliarguile,Soeasilyachieved,ThatonlymadeamantosmileAndlefthimundeceived。 AwarethatallimaginingOfmorethanwhatshemeantWouldurgeanendofeverything,Hestayed;andwhenhewent,TheypartedwithamerrywordThatwastohimaslightAsanythatwaseverheardUponastarrynight。 Shesmiledalittle,knowingwellThathewouldnotremarkTheruinsofadaythatfellAroundherinthedark: Hesawnoruinsanywhere,NorfanciedtherewerescarsOnanyonewholingeredthere,Alonebelowthestars。 OntheWay(Philadelphia,1794) Note。——ThefollowingimaginarydialoguebetweenAlexanderHamiltonandAaronBurr,whichisnotbaseduponanyspecificincidentinAmericanhistory,maybesupposedtohaveoccurredafewmonthsprevioustoHamilton’sretirementfromWashington’sCabinetin1795 andafewyearsbeforethepoliticalingenuitiesofBurr—— whohasbeencharacterized,withoutmuchexaggeration,astheinventorofAmericanpolitics——begantobeconspicuouslyformidabletotheFederalists。TheseactivitiesonthepartofBurrresulted,asthereaderwillremember,intheBurr-JeffersontieforthePresidencyin1800,andfinallyintheBurr-HamiltonduelatWeehawkenin1804。 BURR Hamilton,ifheridesyoudown,rememberThatIwasheretospeak,andsotosaveYourfabricfromcatastrophe。That’sgood; ForIperceivethatyouobservehimalso。 APresident,a-ridingofhishorse,MaydustaGeneralandbeforgiven; Butwhybedusted——whenwe’reallalike,Allequal,andallhappy。Herehecomes—— Andtherehegoes。Andwe,byyournewpatent,Wouldseemtobetwokingsherebythewayside,WithourtwohatsofftohisExcellency。 WhynothisMajesty,anddonewithit? ForgivemeifIshookyourmeditation,ButyouthatweldourcreditshouldhaveeyesToseewhat’scoming。Burymefirstif-I-do。 HAMILTON There’salwaysinsomepocketofyourbrainAcareforme;whereforemygratitudeForyourattentioniscommensurateWithyourconcern。Yes,Burr,wearetwokings; Weareasroyalastwoditch-diggers; Butowemenotyoursceptre。ThesearethedaysWhenfirstafewseemall;butifwelive,WemayagainbeseentobethefewThatwehavealwaysbeen。ThesearethedaysWhenmenforgetthestars,andareforgotten。 BURR Butwhyforgetthem?They’rethesamethatwinkedUpontheworldwhenAlcibiadesCutoffhisdog’stailtoinducedistinction。 Therearedogsyet,andAlcibiadesIsnotforgotten。 HAMILTON Yes,therearedogsenough,Godknows;andIcanheartheminmydreams。 BURR Neveradoubt。ButwhatyouhearthemostIsyournewmusic,somethingoutoftuneWithyourintention。HowinthenameofCain,Iseemtohearyouask,arementodance,Whenallmenaremusicians。Tellmethat,Ihearyousaying,andI’lltellyouthenameOfSamson’smother。ButwhyshroudyourselfBeforethecoffincomes?Forallyouknow,ThetreethatistofallforyourlasthouseIsnowasapling。YoumayhavetowaitSolongastobesorry;thoughIdoubtit,ForyouarenotathomeinyournewEdenWherechillywhispersofalikelyfrostAccumulatealreadyintheair。 Ithinkatouchofermine,Hamilton,WouldbeforyouinyourautumnalmoodApleasantsortofwarmthalongtheshoulders。 HAMILTON Ifsoitisyouthink,youmayaswellGiveoverthinking。Wearedonewithermine。 WhatIfearmostisnotthemultitude,ButthosewhoaretoloopitwithastringThathasoneendinFranceandoneendhere。 I’mnotsofortifiedwithobservationThatIcouldswearthatmorethanhalfascoreAmonguswhoseelightningseethatruinIsnottheworkofthunder。SincetheworldWasordered,therewasneveralongpauseForcautionbetweendoingandundoing。 BURR Goon,sir;myattentionisatrapSetforthecatchingofallcomplimentsToMonticello,andallelseabroadThathasanameoranidentity。 HAMILTON Ileavetoyouthenames——therearetoomany; Yetonethereistosiftandholdapart,AsnowIsee。TherecomesatlastaglimmerThatisnotalwaysclouded,ortoolate。 ButIwasnearandyoung,andhadthereinsToplaywithwhilehemannedateamsorawThatonlyGodknowswheretheendhadbeenOfallthatridingwithoutWashington。 Therewasanationinthemanwhopassedus,Iftherewasnotaworld。ImayhavedrivenSincethensomerestivehorses,andalone,Andthroughasplashingofabundantmud; ButhewhomadethedustthatsetsyouonTocoughing,madetheroad。Nowitseemsdry,Andinameasuresafe。 BURR Here’sanewtuneFromHamilton。Hasyourcautionallatonce,Andovernight,growntillitwrecksthecradle? IhaveforgottenwhatmyfathersaidWhenIwasborn,butthere’sarustlingofitAmongmymemories,anditmakesanoiseAboutasloudasallthatIhaveheldAndfondledheretoforeofyoursamecaution。 Butthat’saffairs,notfeelings。IfourfriendsGuessedhalfwesayofthem,ourenemiesWoulditchinourfriends’jackets。Howsoever,Theworldisofasuddenonitshead,Andallarespilled——unlessyouclingaloneWithWashington。AskAdamsaboutthat。 HAMILTON We’llnotaskAdamsaboutanything。 WefishforlizardswhenwechoosetoaskForwhatweknowalreadyisnotcoming,Andwemusteattheanswer。Where’stheuseOfaskingwhenthismansayseverything,Withallhistonguesofsilence? BURR Idaresay。 Idaresay,butIwon’t。OneofthosetonguesI’llborrowforthenonce。He’llnevermissit。 WemeanhisWesternMajesty,KingGeorge。 HAMILTON Imeanthemanwhorodebyonhishorse。 I’llbegofyouthemeedofyourindulgenceIfIshouldsaythisplanetmayhavedoneAdealofwearywhirlingwhenatlast,Ifever,TimeshallaggregateagainAmajestylikehisthathasnoname。 BURR ThenyouconcedehisMajesty?That’sgood,Andwhatofyours?Herearetwomajesties。 FavortheLeftalittle,Hamilton,Oryou’llbeflounderingintheditchthatwaitsForriderswhoforgetwheretheyareriding。 IfweandFrance,asyouanticipate,Musteateachother,whatCaesar,ifnotyourself,Doyouseeforthemasterofthefeast? TheremaybeaplacewaitingonyourheadForlaurelthickasNero’s。Youdon’tknow。 Ihavenotcrossedyourglory,thoughImightIfIsawthronesatauction。 HAMILTON Yes,youmight。 Ifwarisontheway,Ishallbe——here; AndI’venovisionofyourdistantheels。 BURR IseethatIshalltakeaninferenceTobedwithmeto-nighttokeepmewarm。 Ithankyou,Hamilton,andIapproveYourfealtytotheaggregatedgreatnessOfhimyouleanonwhileheleansonyou。 HAMILTON ThiseasyphrasingisagameofyoursThatyoumaywintolose。Ibegyourpardon,ButyouthathavethesightwillnotemployThewilltoseewithit。Ifyoudidso,TheremightbefewerditchesdugforothersInyourperspective;andtheremightbefewerContemporarymotesofprejudiceBetweenyouandthemanwhomadethedust。 Callhimageniusoragentleman,Aprophetorabuilder,orwhatnot,Butholdyourdispositionoffthebalance,Andweighhiminthelight。Once(IbelieveItellyounothingnewtoyoursurmise,Ortothetonguesoftownsandvillages) Inourishedwithanadolescentfancy—— Surelyforgivabletoyou,myfriend—— AninnocentandamiableconvictionThatIwas,bythegraceofhonestfortune,Asaviorathiselbowthroughthewar,WhereImighthaveobserved,morethanIdid,Patienceandwholesomepassion。Iwasthere,AndforsuchhonorIgavenothingworseThansomeadviceatwhichhemayhavesmiled。 Imusthavegivenamodicumbesides,OrtheroughintervalbetweenthosedaysAndthesewouldneverhavemadeformemyfriends,Orenemies。Ishouldbesomethingsomewhere—— Isaynotwhat——butIshouldnotbehereIfhehadnotbeenthere。Possibly,too,Youmightnot——orthatQuakerwithhiscane。 BURR Possibly,too,Ishould。WhentheAlmightyRidesawhitehorse,Ifancyweshallknowit。 HAMILTON Itwasaman,Burr,thatwasinmymind; Nogod,orghost,ordemon——onlyaman: AmanwhoseoccupationistheneedOfthosewhowouldnotfeelitifitbitthem; AndonewhoshapesanagewhileheenduresThepinpricksofinferiorities; Acautiousman,becauseheisbutone; Alonelyman,becauseheisathousand。 NomarvelyouareslowtofindinhimThegeniusthatisonesparkorisnothing: HisgeniusisaflamethathemustholdSofarabovethecommonheadsofmenThattheymayviewhimonlythroughthemistOftheirdefect,andwonderwhatheis。 ItseemstomethemysterythatisinhimThatmakeshimonlymoretomeamanThananyotherIhaveeverknown。 BURR Igrantyouthathisworshipisaman。 I’mnotsomuchathomewithmysteries,Maybe,asyou——soleavehimwithhisfire: GodknowsthatIshallneverputitout。 HehasnotmadeacrippleofhimselfInhispursuitofme,thoughIhaveheardHiscondescensionhonorsmewithparts。 Partsmakeawhole,ifwe’veenoughofthem; AndonceIfiguredasufficiencyTobeatleastanatomintheannalsOfyourrepublic。ButImusthaveerred。 HAMILTON YousmileasifyourspiritlivedateaseWitherror。Ishouldnothavenameditso,Failingassentfromyou;nor,ifIdid,ShouldIbesocomplacentinmyskillTocombthetangledlanguageofthepeopleAstobesureofanythinginthesedays。 Putthatmuchinaccountwithmodesty。 BURR WhatinthenameofAhab,Hamilton,Haveyou,inthelastregionofyourdreaming,Todowith\"people\"?YoumaybethedevilInyourdead-reckoningofwhatreefsandshoalsArewaitingontheprogressofourshipUnlessyousteerit,butyou’llfinditirksomeAlonethereinthestern;andsomewarmdayThere’llbeaninlandmusicintherigging,Andafterwardsondeck。I’mnotaffinedOrfavoredovermuchatMonticello,Butthere’samightyswarmingofnewbeesAboutthepremises,andallhavewings。 Ifyouhearsomethingbuzzingbeforelong,Bethoughtfulhowyoustrike,rememberingalsoTherewasafellowNabothhadavineyard,AndAhabcuthishairoffandwentsoftly。 HAMILTON Idon’trememberthathecuthishairoff。 BURR SomehowIratherfancythathedid。 Ifso,it’sintheBook;andifnotso,Hedidtherest,anddidithandsomely。 HAMILTON CommendyourselftoAhabandhiswaysIftheyinveigleyoutoemulation; Butwhere,ifImayaskit,areyoutendingWithyourinvidiouswieldingoftheScriptures? YoucalltomindaneminentarchangelWhofelltomakehimfamous。WouldyoufallSofarashe,tobesofarremembered? BURR BeforeIfallorrise,oramanangel,IshallacquaintmyselfalittlefurtherWithournewland’snewlanguage,whichisnot—— Peacetoyourdreams——anidiomtoyourliking。 I’mwonderingifamanmayalwaysknowHowoldamanmaybeatthirty-seven; IwonderlikewiseifaprettiertimeCouldbedecreedforagoodmantovanishThanaboutnowforyou,beforeyoufade,AndevenyourfriendsareseeingthatyouhavehadYourcuptoofullforlongermortaltriumph。 Well,youhavehadenough,andhadityoung; AndtheoldwineisnearertotheleesThanyouaretotheworkthatyouaredoing。 HAMILTON WhendoesthisphilologicalexcursionIntonewlandsandlanguagesbegin? BURR Anon——thatis,already。OnlyFortuneGavemethisafternoonthebenefactionOfyourblueback,whichIforlovepursued,Andinpursuingmayhavesavedyourlife—— Alsotheworldapoundingpieceofnews: HamiltonbitesthedustofWashington,Orratherofhishorse。Foryoualone,Orforyourfame,I’dwishitmighthavebeenso。 HAMILTON NoteverymanamongushasafriendSojealousfortheother’sfame。HowlongAreyoutodiagnosethedoubtfulcaseOfDemos——andwhatfor?HaveyouaswordForsomenewDamocles?Ifit’sforme,Ihavelostallofficialappetite,Andshallhavefaded,afterJanuary,Intothelaw。I’mgoingtoNewYork。 BURR Nomatterwhereyouare,oneofthesedaysIshallcomebacktoyouandtellyousomething。 ThisDemos,Ihaveheard,hasinhiswristApulsethatnotwodoctorshaveasyetCountedandfoundthesame,andinhismouthAtonguethathasthelikealacrityForsayingornotforsayingwhatmostitisThatpullulatesinhisignoblemind。 OneofthesedaysIshallappearagain,Totellyoumoreofhimandhisopinions; Ishallnotbesolongoutofyoursight,Ortakemyselfsofar,thatImaynot,LikeAlcibiades,comebackagain。 HewentawaytoPhrygia,andfaredill。 HAMILTON There’sanexampleinThemistocles: HewentawaytoPersia,andfaredwell。 BURR So?MustIgosofar?Andifso,whyso? Ihadnotplanneditso。IsthistheroadItake?Ifso,farewell。