Wewerenotcynics，andwedreamedAManwhomadenotruceWithliesnorancientprivilegeNorold，entrenchedabuse。
　　Wedreamed……wedreamed……Youthdreamedadream！
　　AndevenyouforgotYourself，onemoment，anddreamed，too——
　　Struck，whileyourmoodwashot！
　　Struckthreeorfourgoodblows……andthenTurnedbacktoeasierthings:
　　Thecheapapplause，theblatantmob，Thepraiseofunderlings！
　　Praise……praise……wasevermansofilled，Soavidstill，ofpraise？
　　Sohungryforthecrowd’sacclaim，Thesycophanticphrase？
　　OyouwhomGreatnessbeckonedto……
　　OswollenLittlenessWhoturnedfromImmortalityTofawnuponSuccess！
　　Oblindwithloveofself，wholedYouth’svisiontodefeat，Bawlingandbrawlingforrewards，Loud，inthecommonstreet！
　　Oyouwhoweresoquicktojudge——
　　Leader，andloved，ofyore——
　　Hearnowthejudgmentofouryouth:
　　LeaderandChiefnomore！
　　THEBAYONET
　　（1914）
　　THEgreatgunsslayfromaleagueaway，thedeath—
　　boltsflyunseen，Andbellowinghillrepliestohill，machinetobrutemachine，ButstillintheendwhenthelonglinesbendandthebattlehangsindoubtTheytaketothesteelinthesameoldwaythattheirfathersfoughtitout——
　　ItismantomanandbreasttobreastandeyetobloodshoteyeAndthereachandtwistofthethrustingwrist，asitwasinthedaysgoneby！
　　Alongtheshakenhillsthegunstheirdrummingthunderroll——
　　Butthekeenbladesthrillwiththelusttokillthatleapsfromtheslayer’ssoul！
　　Forhandandheartandlivingsteel，onepulseofhatetheyfeel。
　　Isyourclanafraidofthenakedblade？Doesitflinchfromthebittersteel？
　　Perishyourdreamsofconquestthen，yourswollenhopesandbold，Forempiredwellswiththestabbingblade，asitdidinthedaysofold！
　　THEBUTCHERSATPRAYER
　　（1914）
　　EACHnationasitdrawstheswordAndflingsitsstandardtotheairPetitionspiouslytheLord——
　　Vexingthevoidabysswithprayer。
　　Oironytoodeepformirth！
　　Oposturingapesthatrant，anddareThisanticattitude！OEarth，Withyourwildjestofwickedprayer！
　　Idarenotlaugh……arisingswellOflaughterbreaksinshriekssomewhere——
　　NodoubttheyrelishitinHell，ThiscosmicjestofEarthatprayer！
　　SHADOWS
　　HAUNTED
　　（THEGHOSTSPEAKS）
　　AGHOSTisthefreakofasickman’sbrain？
　　Thenwhydoyestartandshiverso？
　　That’sthesobanddripofaleakydrain？
　　Butitsoundslikeanothernoiseweknow！
　　Theheavydropsdrummedredandslow，Thedropsrandownasslowasfate——
　　Doyehearthemstill？——itwaslongago！——
　　ButhereintheshadowsIwait，Iwait！
　　Spiritstherebethatpassinpeace;
　　Minepassedinawhorlofwrathanddole;
　　AndthehourthatyourchokingbreathshallceaseIwillgetmygriponyournakedsoul——
　　Norpitymaystaynorprayercajole——
　　IwoulddragyewhiningfromHell’sowngate:
　　Tome，tome，yemustpaythetoll！
　　AndhereintheshadowsIwait，Iwait！
　　Thedeadtheyaredead，theyareoutoftheway？
　　Andaghostisthewhimofanailingmind？
　　Thenwhydidyewhitenwithfearto—dayWhenyeheardavoiceinthecallingwind？
　　WhydidyefalterandlookbehindAtthecreepingmistswhenthehourgrewlate？
　　Yewouldseemyfacewereyestrickenblind！
　　AndhereintheshadowsIwait，Iwait！
　　Drinkandforget，makemerryandboast，Buttheboastringsfalseandthejestisthin——
　　InthehourthatImeetyeghosttoghost，Strippedofthefleshthatyeskulkwithin，Strippedtothecowardsoul’wareofitssin，Yeshalllearn，yeshalllearn，whetherdeadmenhate！
　　Ah，awearytimehasthewaitingbeen，ButhereintheshadowsIwait，Iwait！
　　ANIGHTMARE
　　LEAGUESbeforeme，leaguesbehind，Clamorwarringwastesofflood，AllthestreamsofalltheworldsFlungtogether，madofmood;
　　Throughthecanonbeatsasound，Regularofinterval，Distant，drumming，muffled，dull，Thunderouslyrhythmical;
　　Craftsslipbymystartledsoul——
　　Soulthatcowers，athingapart——
　　Theyarecorpusclesofblood！
　　That’sthethrobbingofaheart！
　　Godofterrors！——amImad？——
　　Throughmybody，mineownsoul，Shrunkentoanatom’ssize，Voyagestowardanunguessedgoal！
　　THEMOTHER
　　THEmotherbythegallows—tree，Thegallows—tree，thegallows—tree，（Whilethetwitchingbodymockedthesun）
　　LiftedtoHeavenherbrokenheartAndcalledforsympathy。
　　ThenMotherMarybenttoher，BentfromherplacebyGod’sleftside，Andwhispered:"Peace——doInotknow？——
　　Mysonwascrucified！"
　　"OMotherMary，"answeredshe，"Youcannot，cannotenterinTomysoul’swoe——youcannotknow——
　　Foryoursonwroughtnosin！"
　　（Andmenwhoseworkcompelledthemthere，Theirheartswerestrickendead;
　　Theyheardtheropecreakonthebeam;
　　IthoughtIheardthefrightenedghostWhimperingoverhead。）
　　Themotherbythegallows—tree，Thegallows—tree，thegallows—tree，LiftedtoChristherbrokenheartAndcalledinagony。
　　ThenLordChristbenttoherandsaid:
　　"Becomforted，becomforted;
　　Iknowyourgrief;thewholeworld’swoeIboreuponmyhead。"
　　"ButOLordChrist，youcannotknow，Noonecanknow，"shesaid，"noone"——
　　（Whilethequiveringcorpseswayedinthewind）——
　　"LordChrist，noonecanunderstandWhoneverhadason！"
　　INTHEBAYOU
　　LAZYandslow，throughthesnagsandtreesMovethesluggishcurrents，halfasleep;
　　Aroundandbetweenthecypressknees，Likeblack，slowsnakesthedarktidescreep——
　　Howdeepisthebayoubeneaththetrees？
　　"Knee—deep，Knee—deep，Knee—deep，Knee—deep！"
　　CroaksthebigbullfrogofReelfootLakeFromhishiding—placeinthedraggledbrake。
　　WhatisthesecrettheslimreedsknowThatmakesthemtoshakeandtoshiverso，Andthescaredflagsquiverfromplumetofoot？——
　　Thefrogspipesolemnly，deepandslow:
　　"Lookundertheroot！
　　Lookundertheroot！"
　　ThehoarsefrogcroaksandthestarkowlhootsOfamysterymooredinthecypressroots。
　　Wasitloveturnedhate？Wasitfriendturnedfoe？
　　Onlythefrogsandthegrayowlknow，ForthewhitemoonshroudedherfaceinamistAtthespurtofapistol，redandbright——
　　Atthesoundofashriekthatstabbedthenight——
　　Andthelittlereedswerefrightenedandwhist;
　　Butalwaystheeddieswhimperandchoke，Andthefrogswouldtelliftheycould，fortheycroak:
　　"Deep，deep！
　　Death—deep！
　　Deep，deep！
　　Death—deep！"
　　AndthedarktideslidesandglistersandglidesSnakelikeoverthesecretithides。
　　THESAILOR’SWIFESPEAKS
　　YEaredead，theysay，butyeswore，yeswore，Yewouldcometomebackfromthesea！
　　Fromoutoftheseaandthenight，yecried，NorthecrawlingweednorthedraggingtideCouldholdyefastfromme:——
　　Come，ah，cometome！
　　ThreespellsIhavelaidontherisingsunAndthreeonthewaningmoon——
　　AreyeheldinthebondsofthenightorthedayYemustloosenyourbondsandaway，away！
　　YemustcomewhereIwaitye，soon——
　　Ah，soon！soon！soon！
　　ThreetimesIhavecastmywordstothewind，Andthricetotheclimbingsea;
　　IfyedriftordreamwiththecloudsorfoamYemustdriftagainhome，yemustdriftagainhome——
　　Wraith，yearefree，yearefree;
　　Ghost，yearefree，yearefree！
　　Arethecoastsofdeathsofair，sofair？
　　ButIwaityehereontheshore！
　　ItisIthatyehearinthecallingwind——
　　Ihavestaredthroughthedarktillmysoulisblind！
　　Oloverofmine，yeswore，Loverofmine，yeswore！
　　HUNTED
　　Oh，whydotheyhuntsohard，sohard，whohavenoneedoffood？
　　Dotheyhuntforsport，dotheyhuntforhate，dotheyhuntforthelustofblood？……
　　IfIwereagodIwouldgetmeaspear，Iwouldgetmehorseanddog，Andmerrily，merrilyIwouldridethroughcovertandbrakeandbog，Withhoundandhornandlaughterloud，overthehillsandaway——
　　Forthereisnosportlikethatofagodwithamanthatstandsatbay！
　　Ho！butthemorningisfreshandfair，andoh！
　　butthesunisbright，Andyonderthequarrybreaksfromthebrushandheadsforthehillsinflight;
　　Aminute’slawfortheharriedthing——thenfollowhim，followhimfast，Withthebellowofdogsandthebeatofhoofsandthemellowbugle’sblast……
　　Hillo！Halloo！theyhavemarkedaman！thereissportintheworldto—day——
　　Andaclamorswellsfromtheheartofthewoodthattellsofasoulatbay！
　　ADREAMCHILD
　　WHEREtidesoftossedwistariabloomFoamupinpurpleturbulence，WheretwiningboughshavebuiltaroomAndwing’dwindspausetogarnerscentsAndscatteredsunlightflecksthegloom，Shebroodsinpensiveindolence。
　　Whatisthethoughtthatholdsherthrall，Thatdimshersightwithunshedtears？
　　WhatsongsofsorrowdroopandfallInbrokenmusicforherears？
　　WhatvoicesthrillherandrecallThepoignantjoyofhappieryears？
　　Shedreams’tisnotthewindswhichpassThatwhisperthroughtheshakenvine;
　　WhosefootstepstirstherustlinggrassNoneelsethatlistenedmightdivine;
　　SheseesherchildthatneverwasLookupwithlonginginhiseyne。
　　Unkissed，hisliftedforeheadgainsAgracenotearthly，butmorerare——
　　Forsinceherheartbutonlyfeigns，Whereforeshouldlovenotfeignhimfair？
　　Putbloodofrosesinhisveins，Weaveyellowsunshinesforhishair？
　　AllghostsoflittlechildrendeadThatwanderwistful，uncaressed，Theirseekinglipsbyloveunfed，ShefainwouldcradleonherbreastForhissweetsakewhoselonelyheadHasneverknownthattenderrest。
　　Andthusshesits，andthusshebroods，Wheredriftedblossomsfreakthegrass;
　　ThewindsthatmoveacrosshermoodsPulsewithlowwhispersastheypass，AndintheireerierinterludesShehearsavoicethatneverwas。
　　ACROSSTHENIGHT
　　MUCHlisteningthroughthesilences，Muchstaringthroughthenight，Andlo！thedumbblinddistancesArebridgedwithspeechandsight！
　　MagicianThought，informedofLove，Hathfixedherontheair——
　　Oh，LoveandIlaugheddownthefatesAndclaspedher，hereasthere！
　　AcrosstheeeriesilencesShecameinheadlongflight，Shestormedtheserrieddistances，Shetrampledspaceandnight！
　　Oh，foolishscientistsmightgiveThismiracleaname——
　　ButLoveandIcarebuttoknowThatwhenwecalledshecame。
　　AndsinceIfindthedistancesSubservienttomythought，AndofthesentientsilencesMorevitalspeechhavewrought，ThensheandIwillmockDeath’sself，Forallhisvauntedmight——
　　Therearenogulfswedarenotleap，Assheleaptthroughthenight！
　　SEACHANGES
　　I
　　MORNING
　　WEstoodamongtheboatsandnets;
　　Wesawtheswiftcloudsfall，WewatchedtheschoonersscamperinBeforethesuddensquall;——
　　ThejollysquallstrovelustilyTowhelmtheshelteredstreet——
　　ThemerrysquallthatpiledtheseasAboutthepatientheadland’skneesAndchasedthefishingfleet。
　　Shelaughed;asifwithwingshermirthAroseandleftthewinglessearthAndalltamethingsbehind;
　　Roselikeabird，wildwithdelightWhosebrinypinionsflashinflightThroughstormandsunandwind。
　　HerlaughtersoughtthoseskiesbecauseTheirmoodandherswereone，ForsheandIweredrunkwithloveAndlifeandstormandsun！
　　Andwhileshelaughed，theSunhimselfLeaptlaughingthroughtherainAndstruckhisharperhandalongTheringingcoast;andthatwind—songWhosejoyismixedwithpainForgottheundertoneofgriefAndjoinedthejocundstrain，AndovereveryhiddenreefWhereonthewavesbrokemerrilyRosejetsandspraysofmelodyAndleaptandlaughedagain。
　　II
　　MOONLIGHT
　　Westoodamongtheboatsandnets……
　　WemarkedtherisenmoonWalkswayingo’erthetremblingseasAsoneswaysinaswoon;
　　Thelittlestars，thelonelystars，Stolethroughthehollowsky，AndeverysuckingeddywhereThewaveslappedwharforrottenstairMoanedlikesomestrickenthinghidthereAndstrangledwithitsowndespairAstheshudderingtidecreptby。
　　Ilovedher，andIhatedher——
　　OrdidIhatemyselfbecause，Boundbyobscure，strong，silkenlaws，IfeltmyselftheworshiperOfbeautyneverwhollymine？
　　Withluresmostapttosnare，entwine，Withbondstoosubtletodefine，Herlighternaturemasteredmine;
　　Herselfhalfgiven，halfwithheld，HerlesserspiritstillcompelledItstributefrommyfrankersoul:
　　So——rebel，slave，andworshiper！——
　　IlovedherandIhatedher。
　　Igazeduponher，I，herthrall，Andmusing，murmured，Whatifdeath
　　Werejusttheanswertoitall？——
　　SupposesomedaintydaggerquaffedHerlifeinonedeepeagerdraught？——
　　SupposesomeamorousknifecaressedThelovelyhollowofherbreast？"——
　　Sheturnedamockinglooktomine:
　　Shereadthethoughtwithinmyeyne，Sheheldmewithherlook——andlaughed！
　　Nowwhomaytellwhatstirs，controls，Andshapesmadfanciesintofacts？
　　WhattrivialthingsmayquickensoulsToirrevocable，swiftacts？
　　Nowwhohasknown，whounderstood，WhereforesomeidlethingMaystabwithdeadlierstingThanwell—consideredinsultcould？——
　　MayspurthelanguorofamoodAndrouseatigerintheblood？——
　　Ah，Christ！——hadshenotlaughedjustwhenThatfancycame！……forthen……andthen……
　　Asuddenmistdroppedfromthesky，Amistsweptinacrossthesea……
　　Amistthathidherfacefromme……
　　Aweepingmistalltingedwithred，Adrippingmistthatsmeltlikeblood……
　　Itchokedmythroat，itburntmybrain……
　　Andthroughitpeeredonesallowstar，Andthroughitrangoneshriekofpain……
　　Andwhenitpassedmyhandswerered，Mysoulwasdabbledwithherblood;
　　AndwhenitpassedmylovewasdeadAndtosseduponthetroubledflood。
　　III
　　MOONSET
　　Butsee！……thebodydoesnotsink;
　　Itridesuponthetide（Astarbeamonthedagger’shaft），Withstaringeyesandwide……
　　Andnow，upfromthedarklingsea，Downfromthefailingmoon，Arecomestrangeshapestomockatme……
　　Allpallidfromthestar—palesea，Whitefromthepalingmoon……
　　OrwhirlingfastorwheelingslowAround，aroundthecorpsetheygo，Allbloodlesso’erthesickenedseaBeneaththeailingmoon！
　　AndaretheyonlywispsoffogThatdancealongthewaves？
　　OnlyshapesofmistthewindDrivesalongthewaves？
　　OraretheyspiritsthattheseaHascheatedoftheirgraves？
　　Theghostsofthemthatdiedatsea，Ofmurderedmenflunginthesea，Whosebodieshadnograves？——
　　LostsoulsthathauntforevermoreThesobbingreefandhollowedshoreAndalways—murmuringcaves？
　　Ah，surelysomethingmorethanfog，Morethanstarlitmist！
　　ForstarlightnevermakesasoundAndfogsareeverwhist——
　　Buthearken，hearken，hearken，now，Forthesesingastheydance！
　　Asairily，aseerily，Theywheelaboutandwhirl，Theyjeeratme，theyfleeratme，Theyfloutmeastheyswirl！
　　Aswhirlingfastorswayingslow，Reeling，wheeling，toandfro，Around，aroundthecorpsetheygo，Theychillmewiththeirchants！
　　Thesebeneithermennormists——
　　Hearkentotheirchants:
　　Ever，ever，ever，DriftinglikeablossomSeaward，withthestarlightWanuponherbosom——
　　EverwhenthequickenedHeartofnightisthrobbing，EverwhenthetremblingTidesetsseaward，sobbing，ShallyouseethisburdenBorneuponitsebbing:
　　SeeherdriftingseawardLikeabrokenblossom，
　　EverseethestarlightKissherbruisedbosom。
　　Flightavailethnothing……
　　StillthesubtlebeachesDrawyoubackwhereHorrorWalkstheirshingledreaches……
　　EvershallyourspiritHearthesurfresounding，EvermoretheoceanThwartingyouandbounding;
　　Vainlystruggleinland！
　　Lashingyouandhounding，StillthevisionhalesyouFromtheuplandreaches，Goadingyouandgripping，Bindsyoutothebeaches！
　　Ever，ever，ever，Evershallherlaughter，Huntingyouandhaunting，Mockandfollowafter;
　　Risingwherethebuoy—bellClangsacrosstheshallows，
　　LeapingwherethespindriftHurtleso’erthehollows，RingingwherethemoonlightGleamsalongthebillows，Ever，ever，ever，Evershallherlaughter，Houndingyouandhaunting，Whipandfollowafter！
　　IV
　　SUNSET
　　IstoodamongtheboatsThesinkingsun，theangrysun，AcrossthesullenwaveLaidthesuddenstrengthofhisredwrathLiketoashakenglaive:——
　　OrdidthesunpauseinthewestToliftaswordatme，Orwasitshe，orwasitshe，RoseforaninstantonsomecrestAndpluckedtheredbladefromherbreastAndbrandisheditatme？
　　THETAVERNOFDESPAIR
　　THEwraithsofmurderedhopesandlovesComewhisperingatthedoor，ComecreepingthroughtheweepingmistThatdrapesthebarrenmoor;
　　Butwewithinhaveturnedthekey’GainstHopeandLoveandCare，WhereWitkeepstrystwithFolly，atTheTavernofDespair。
　　AndwehavecomebydiverswaysTokeepthismerrytryst，ButfewofushavekeptwithinTheNarrowWay，Iwist;
　　ForwearethosewhoseamplerwitsAndheartshaveprovedourcurse——
　　ForedoomedtokenthebetterthingsAndayetodotheworse！
　　Longsincewelearnedtomockourselves;
　　Andfromself—mockeryfellToheedlesslaughterinthefaceOfHeaven，Earth，andHell。
　　Wequiver’neath，andmock，God’srod;
　　Wefeel，andmock，Hiswrath;
　　WemockourownbloodonthethornsThatrimthe"PrimrosePath。"
　　WemocktheeerieglimmeringshapesThatrangetheouterwold，WemockourowncoldheartsbecauseTheyaresodeadandcold;
　　WefloutthethingswemighthavebeenHadselftoselfprovedtrue，Wemocktherosesflungaway，Wemockthegarneredrue;
　　Thefatesthatgibehavelessonedus;