LILY’SMENAGERIE。
[Goethedescribesthismuch-admiredPoem,whichhewroteinhonourofhisloveLily,asbeingdesignedtochangehissurrenderofherintodespair,bydrolly-fretfulimages。]
THERE’Snomenagerie,Ivow,ExcelsmyLily’satthisminute。
Shekeepsthestrangestcreaturesinit,Andcatchesthem,sheknowsnothow。
Oh,howtheyhop,andrun,andrave,Andtheirclipp’dpinionswildlywave,——
Poorprinces,whomustallendureThepangsoflovethatnoughtcancure。
Whatisthefairy’sname?——Is’tLily?——Asknotme!
GivethankstoHeavenifshe’sunknowntothee。
Ohwhatacackling,whatashrieking,Whennearthedoorshetakesherstand,Withherfood-basketinherhand!
Ohwhatacroaking,whatasqueaking!
Aliveallthetreesandthebushesappear,Whiletoherfeetwholetroopsdrawnear。
Theveryfishwithin,thewaterclearSplashwithimpatienceandtheirheadsprotrude。
AndthenshethrowsaroundthefoodWithsuchalook!——theverygodsdelightingTosaynoughtofbeasts。Therebegins,then,abiting,Apicking,apecking,asipping,Andeacho’erthelegsofanotheristripping,Andpushing,andpressing,andflapping,Andchasing,andfuming,andsnapping,Andallforonesmallpieceofbread,Towhich,thoughdry,herfairhandsgiveataste,Asthoughitinambrosiahadbeenplac’d。
Andthenherlook!thetoneWithwhichshecalls:Pipi!Pipi!
WoulddrawJove’seaglefromhisthrone。
Yes,Venus’turtledoves,Iwean,Andthevainpeacocke’en,Wouldcome,Iswear,Soonasthattonehadreach’dthemthroughtheair。
E’enfromaforestdarkhadsheEnticedabear,unlick’d,ill-bred,And,byherwilesalluring,ledTojointhegentlecompany,Untilastameastheywashe:
Uptoacertainpoint,be’tunderstood!
Howfair,and,ah,howgoodSheseem’dtobe!Iwouldhavedrain’dmybloodTowatere’enherflow’retssweet。
Thousayest:I!Who?How?Andwhere?——
Well,tobeplain,goodSirs——Iamthebear。
Inanet-apron,caught,alas!
Chain’dbyasilk-threadatherfeet。
ButhowthiswondercametopassI’lltellsomeday,ifyearecurious。
Justnow,mytemper’smuchtoofurious。
Ah,whenI’minthecornerplac’d,Andhearafarthecreaturessnapping,Andseetheflippingandtheflapping,IturnaroundWithgrowlingsound,Andbackwardrunastepinhaste,AndlookaroundWithgrowlingsound。
Thenrunagainastepinhaste,Andtomyformerpostgoround。
Butsuddenlymyangergrows,Amightyspiritfillsmynose,Myinwardfeelingsallrevolt。
Acreaturesuchasthou!adolt!
Pipi,asquirrelablenutstocrack!
IbristleupmyshaggybackUnusedaslavetobe。
I’mlaughedatbyeachtrimandupstarttreeToscorn。Thebowling-greenIfly,Withneatly-mownandwell-keptgrass:
TheboxmakesfacesasIpass,——
IntothedarkestthickethastenI,Hopingto’scapefromthering,Overthepalingstospring!
VainlyIleapandclimb。
Ifeelaleadenspell。
Thatpinionsmeaswell,AndwhenI’mfullyweariedoutintime,Ilaymedownbesidesomemock-cascade,Androllmyselfhalfdead,andfoam,andcry,And,ah!noOreadshearmysigh,Exceptingthoseofchinamade!
But,ah,withsuddenpowerInallmymembersblissfulfeelingsreign!
’Tisshewhosingethyonderinherbower!
Ihearthatdarling,darlingvoiceagain。
Theairiswarm,andteemswithfragranceclear,Singssheperchanceformealonetohear?
Ihaste,andtrampledowntheshrubsamain。
Thetreesmakeway,thebushesallretreat,Andso——thebeastislyingatherfeet。
Shelooksathim:Themonster’sdrollenough!
He’s,forabear,toomild,Yet,foradog,toowild,Soshaggy,clumsy,rough!
Uponhisbackshegentlystrokesherfoot。
HethinkshimselfinParadise。
Whatfeelingsthroughhissevensensesshoot!
Butshelooksonwithcarelesseyes。
Ilickhersoles,andkisshershoes,Asgentlyasabearwellmay。
SoftlyIrise,andwithacleverruseLeaponherknee——OnapropitiousdayShesuffersit。myearsthenticklesshe,Andhitsmeahardblowinwantonplay。
Igrowlwithnew-bornecstasy。
Thenspeakssheinasweetvainjest,IwotAllonsloutdoux!eh!lamenotte!
EtfaitesserviteurCommeunjoliseigneur。
Thussheproceedswithsportandglee。
Hopefillstheoft-deludedbeast。
Yetifonemomenthewouldlazybe,Herfondnessallatoncehathceas’d。
Shedothaflaskofbalsam-firepossess,Sweeterthanhoneybeescanmake,Onedropofwhichshe’llonherfingertake,Whensoften’dbyhisloveandfaithfulness,Wherewithhermonster’sragingthirsttoslake。
Thenleavesmetomyself,andfliesatlast,AndI,unbound,yetprison’dfastBymagic,followinhertrain,Seekforher,tremble,flyagain。
Thehaplesscreaturethustormentethshe,Regardlessofhispleasureorhiswoe。
Ha!ofthalf-open’ddoessheleavethedoorforme,AndsidewayslookstolearnifIwillflyorno。
AndI——Ohgods!yourhandsaloneCanendthespellthat’so’ermethrown。
Freeme,andgratitudemyheartwillfill。
Andyetfromheavenyesendmedownnoaid——
Notquiteinvaindothlifemylimbspervade:
Ifeelit!Strengthisleftmestill。
1775——
TOCHARLOTTE。
’MIDSTthenoiseofmerrimentandglee,’Midstfullmanyasorrow,manyacare,Charlotte,Iremember,werememberthee,How,atevening’shoursofair,Thouakindlyhanddidstreachus,Whenthou,insomehappyplaceWheremorefairisNaturesface,Manyalightly-hiddentraceOfaspiritloveddidstteachus。
Well’tisthatthyworthIrightlyknew,——
ThatI,inthehourwhenfirstwemet,Whilethefirstimpressionfill’dmeyet,Call’dtheethenagirlbothgoodandtrue。
Rear’dinsilence,calmly,knowingnought,Ontheworldwesuddenlyarethrown。
Hundredthousandbillowsroundussport。
Allthingscharmus——manypleasealone,Manygrieveus,andashouronhourisstealing,Toandfroourrestlessnaturessway。
Firstwefeel,andthenwefindeachfeelingBythechangefulworld-streamborneaway。
WellIknow,weoftwithinusfindManyahopeandmanyasmart。
Charlotte,whocanknowourmind?
Charlotte,whocanknowourheart?
Ah!’twouldfainbeunderstood,’twouldfaino’erflowInsomecreature’sfellow-feelingsblest,And,withtrust,intwofoldmeasureknowAllthegriefandjoyinNature’sbreast。
Thenthineeyeisoftaroundtheecast,Butinvain,forallseemsclosedforever。
Thusthefairestpartoflifeismadlypass’dFreefromstorm,butrestingnever:
Tothysorrowthou’rtto-dayrepell’dBywhatyesterdayobey’dthee。
CanthatworldbytheebeworthyheldWhichsooftbetray’dthee?
Which,’midallthypleasuresandthypains,Livedinselfish,unconcern’drepose?
See,thesoulitssecretcellsregains,Andtheheart——makeshastetoclose。
ThusfoundIthee,andgladlywenttomeetthee。
She’sworthyofalllove!Icried,Andpray’dthatHeavenwithpurestblissmightgreetthee,Whichinthyfrienditrichlyhathsupplied。
1776。*——
LOVE’SDISTRESSES。
WHOwillhearme?WhomshallIlamentto?
Whowouldpitymethatheardmysorrows?
Ah,thelipthaterstsomanyrapturesUsedtotaste,andusedtogiveresponsive,Nowiscloven,anditpainsmesorely。
AnditisnotthusseverelywoundedBymymistresshavingcaughtmefiercely,Andthengentlybittenme,intendingTosecureherfriendmorefirmlytoher:
No,mytenderlipiscrack’dthus,onlyBythewinds,o’errimeandfrostproceeding,Pointed,sharp,unloving,havingmetme。
Nowthenoblegrape’sbrightjuicecommingledWiththebee’ssweetjuice,uponthefireOfmyhearth,shalleasemeofmytorment。
Ah,whatusewillallthisbe,ifwithitLoveaddsnotadropofhisownbalsam?
1789。*——
THEMUSAGETES。
INthedeepestnightsofWinterTotheMuseskindoftcriedI:
Notarayofmornisgleaming,Notasignofdaylightbreaking。
Bring,then,atthefittingmoment,Bringthelamp’ssoftglimm’ringlustre,’SteadofPhoebusandAurora,Toenlivenmystilllabours!
Yettheyleftmeinmyslumbers,Dullandunrefreshing,lying,Andtoeachlate-waken’dmorningFollow’ddaysdevoidofprofit。
Whenatlengthreturn’dthespring-time,TothenightingalesthusspakeI:
Darlingnightingales,oh,beatyeEarly,earlyatmywindow,——
WakemefromtheheavyslumberThatchainsdowntheyouthsostrongly!
Yetthelove-o’erflowingsongstersTheirsweetmelodiesprotractedThroughthenightbeforemywindow,Keptawakemylovingspirit,RousingnewandtenderyearningsInmynewly-waken’dbosom。
Andthenightthusfleetedo’erme,AndAurorafoundmesleeping,——
Ay,thesuncouldscarcearouseme。
NowatlengthiscometheSummer,AndtheearlyflysobusyDrawsmefrommypleasingslumbersAtthefirst-bornmorning-glimmer。
Mercilesslythenreturnsshe,Thoughthehalf-arousedoneoftenScaresherfromhimwithimpatience,Andshelureshershamelesssisters,SothatfrommywearyeyelidsKindlysleeperelongisdriven。
FrommycouchthenboldlyspringI,AndIseekthedarlingMuses,inthebeechen-groveIfindthem,Fullofpieasuretoreceiveme。
AndtothetormentinginsectsOweImanyagoldenhour。
Thusbeye,unwelcomebeings,Highlyvaluedbythepoet,Asthefliesmynumberstellof。
1798——
MORNINGLAMENT。
OHthoucrueldeadly-lovelymaiden,TellmewhatgreatsinhaveIcommitted,Thatthoukeep’stmetotherackthusfasten’d,Thatthouhastthysolemnpromisebroken?
’Twasbutyestere’enthatthouwithfondnessPress’dmyhand,andthesesweetaccentsmurmured:
Yes,I’llcome,I’llcomewhenmornapproacheth,Come,myfriend,fullsurelytothychamber。
OnthelatchIleftmydoors,unfasten’d,Havingfirstwithcaretriedallthehinges,Andrejoic’drightwelltofindtheycreak’dnot。
Whatanightofexpectationpass’dI!
ForIwatch’d,andev’rychimeInumber’d。
IfperchanceIsleptafewshortmoments,Stillmyheartremain’dawakeforever,Andawokemefrommygentleslumbers。
Yes,thenbless’dInight’so’erhangingdarkness,Thatsocalmlycover’dallthingsroundme。
Ienjoy’dtheuniversalsilence,WhileIlisten’deverinthesilence,Ifperchancetheslightestsoundswerestirring。
Hadsheonlythoughts,mythoughtsresembling,Hadsheonlyfeelings,likemyfeelings,Shewouldnotawaitthedawnofmorning。
But,erethis,wouldsurelyhavebeenwithme。
Skipp’dakittenontheflooraboveme,Scratch’damouseapanelinthecorner,Wasthereinthehousetheslightestmotion,EverhopedIthatIheardthyfootstep,EverthoughtIthatIheardtheecoming。
AndsolayIlong,andeverlonger,Andalreadywasthedaylightdawning,Andbothhereandthereweresignsofmovement。
Isityondoor?Wereitmydooronly!
InmybedIlean’duponmyelbow,Lookingtow’rdthedoor,nowhalf-apparent,Ifperchanceitmightnotbeinmotion。
Boththewingsuponthelatchcontinued,Onthequiethingescalmlyhanging。
Andthedaygrewbrightandbrighterever。
AndIheardmyneighbour’sdoorunbolted,Ashewenttoearnhisdailywages,AnderelongIheardthewaggonsrumbling,Andthecitygateswerealsoopen’d,Whilethemarket-place,inev’rycorner,Teem’dwithlifeandbustleandconfusion。
InthehousewasgoingnowandcomingUpanddownthestairs,anddoorswerecreakingBackwardsnow,nowforwards,——footstepsclatter’dYet,asthoughitwereathingall-living,Frommycherish’dhopeIcouldnottearme。
Whenatlengththesun,inhatedsplendour。
Felluponmywalls,uponmywindows,UpIsprang,andhasten’dtothegarden,Theretoblendmybreath,sohotandyearning,Withthecoolrefreshingmorningbreezes,And,itmightbe,eventheretomeetthee:
ButIcannotfindtheeinthearbour,Ortheavenueofloftylindens。
1789。*——
THEVISIT。
FAINhadIto-daysurprisedmymistress,ButsoonfoundIthatherdoorwasfasten’d。
YetIhadthekeysafeinmypocket,AndthedarlingdoorIopen’dsoftly!
IntheparlourfoundInotthemaiden,Foundthemaidennotwithinhercloset,Thenherchamber-doorIgentlyopen’d,WhenIfoundherwrapp’dinpleasingslumbers,Fullydress’d,andlyingonthesofa。
Whileatworkhadslumberstoleno’erher。
ForherknittingandherneedlefoundI
Restinginherfoldedbandssotender。
AndIplacedmyselfbesidehersoftly,Andheldcounsel,whetherIshouldwakeher。
ThenIlookeduponthebeauteousquietThatonhersweeteyelidswasreposingOnherlipswassilenttruthdepicted,Onhercheekshadlovelinessitsdwelling,AndthepurenessofaheartunsulliedInherbosomevermorewasheaving。
Allherlimbsweregracefullyreclining,Setatrestbysweetandgodlikebalsam。
GladlysatI,andthecontemplationHeldthestrongdesireIfelttowakeherFirmerandfirmerdown,withmysticfetters。
Oh,thoulove,methought,Iseethatslumber,Slumberthatbetrayetheachfalsefeature,Cannotinjurethee,cannoughtdiscoverThatcouldservetoharmthyfriend’ssoftfeelings。
Nowthybeauteouseyesarefirmlyclosed,That,whenopen,formmineonlyrapture。
Andthysweetlipsaredevoidofmotion,Motionlessforspeakingorforkissing。
Loosen’darethesoftandmagicfettersOfthinearms,sowonttotwinearoundme,Andthehand,theravishingcompanionOfthysweetcaresses,liesunmoving。
Weremythoughtsoftheebutbasedonerror,WeretheloveIbeartheeself-deception,Imustnowhavefounditout,sinceAmorIs,withouthisbandage,placedbesideme。
LongIsatthus,fullofheartfeltpleasureAtmylove,andathermatchlessmerit。
Shehadsodelightedmewhileslumbering,ThatIcouldnotventuretoawakeher。
ThenIonthelittletablenearherSoftlyplacedtwooranges,tworoses。
Gently,gentlystoleIfromherchamber。
Whenhereyesthedarlingoneshallopen,Shewillstraightwayspythesecolourdpresents,Andthefriendlygiftwillviewwithwonder,Forthedoorwillstillremainunopen’d。
IfperchanceIseeto-nighttheangel,Howwillsherejoice,——rewardmedoublyForthissacrificeoffondaffection!
1765——
THEMAGICNET。
DoIseeacontestyonder?
SeeImiraclesorpastimes?
Beauteousurchins,fiveinnumber,’Gainstfivesistersfaircontending,——
Measuredisthetimethey’rebeating——
Atabrightenchantress’bidding。
Glitt’ringspearsbysomearewielded,Threadsareothersnimblytwining,Sothatintheirsnares,theweaponsOnewouldthink,mustneedsbecaptured,Soon,intruth,thespearsareprison’d。
Yetthey,inthegentlewar-dance,OnebyoneescapetheirfettersIntherowofloopssotender,ThatmakehastetoseizeafreeoneSoonastheyreleaseacaptive。
Sowithcontests,strivings,triumphs,Flyingnow,andnowreturning,Isanartfulnetsoonwoven,Initswhitenesslikethesnow-flakes,That,fromlightamidthedarkness,Drawtheirstreakylinessovaried,Ase’encoloursscarcecandrawthem。
WhoshallnowreceivethatgarmentFarbeyondallotherswish’d-for?
Whomourmuch-lovedmistressfavourAsherownacknowledgedservant?
IamblestbykindlyFortune’sTokenstrue,insilencepray’dfor!
AndIfeelmyselfheldcaptive,Toherservicenowdevoted。
Yet,e’enwhileI,thusenraptured,Thusadorn’d,amproudlywand’ring,See!yonwantonsareentwining,Voidofstrife,withsecretardour,Othernets,eachfineandfiner,Threadsoftwilightinterweaving,Moonbeamssweet,night-violets’balsam。
Erethenetisnoticedbyus,Isahappieroneimprison’d,Whomwe,oneandall,togetherGreetwithenvyandwithblessings。
1803——
THEGOBLET。
ONCEIheldawell-carvedbrimminggoblet,——
Inmytwohandstightlyclasp’dIheldit,Eagerlythesweetwinesipp’dIfromit,Seekingtheretodrownallcareandsorrow。
Amorenter’din,andfoundmesitting,Andhegentlysmiledinmodestfashion,Smiledasthoughthefoolishonehepitied。
Friend,Iknowafarmorebeauteousvessel,Onewhereintosinkthyspiritwholly。
Say,whatwiltthougiveme,ifIgrantit,Andwithothernectarfillitforthee?
Oh,howkindlyhathhekepthispromise!
Fortome,wholonghadyearn’d,hegrantedThee,myLida,fill’dwithsoftaffection。
WhenIclaspminearmsaroundtheefondly,WhenIdrinkinlove’slong-hoardedbalsamFromthydarlinglipssotrue,sofaithful,Fill’dwithblissthusspeakItomyspiritNo!avesselsuchasthis,saveAmorNevergodhathfashion’dorbeenlordof!
Suchaformwasne’erproducedbyVulcanWithhiscunning,reason-giftedhammers!
Ontheleaf-crown’dmountainsmayLyaeusBidhisFauns,theoldestandthewisest,Passthechoicestclustersthroughthewinepress,Andhimselfwatcho’erthefermentation:
Suchadraughtnotoilcane’erprocurehim!
1781——
TOTHEGRASSHOPPER。
AFTERANACREON。
[ThestrongresemblanceofthisfinepoemtoCowley’sOdebearingthesamename,andbeginningHappyinsect!whatcanbe,willbeatonceseen。]
HAPPYartthou,darlinginsect,Who,uponthetrees’tallbranches,Byamodestdraughtinspired,Singing,likeamonarchlivest!
ThoupossessestasthyportionAllthatontheplainsthouseest,Allthatbythehoursisbroughtthee’Mongstthehusbandmenthoulivest,Asafriend,uninjuredbythem,Thouwhommortalslovetohonour,HeraldsweetofsweetSpring’sadvent!
Yes,thou’rtlovedbyalltheMuses,Phoebus’self,too,needsmustlovethee。
Theytheirsilvervoicesgavethee,Agecanneverstealuponthee。
Wiseandgentlefriendofpoets,Bornacreaturefleshless,bloodless,ThoughEarth’sdaughter,freefromsuff’ring,Tothegodse’enalmostequal。
1781——
FROM’THESORROWSOFYOUNGWERTHER。’
[Prefixedtothesecondedition。]
EV’RYyouthforlove’ssweetportionsighs,Ev’rymaidensighstowinman’slove。
Why,alas!shouldbitterpainariseFromthenoblestpassionthatweprove?
Thou,kindsoul,bewailest,lov’sthimwell,Fromdisgracehismemory’ssavedbythee。
Lo,hisspiritsignsfromoutitscell:
BEAMAN,NORSEEKTOFOLLOWME。
1775——
TRILOGYOFPASSION。
I。TOWERTHER。
[Thispoem,writtenattheageofseventy-five,wasappendedtoaneditionof’Werther,’publishedatthattime。]
ONCEmore,then,much-weptshadow,thoudostdareBoldlytofacetheday’sclearlight,Tomeetmeonfreshbloomingmeadowsfair,Anddostnottrembleatmysight。
Thosehappytimesappearreturn’doncemore。
Whenononefieldwequaff’drefreshingdew,And,whentheday’sunwelcometoilswereo’er,Thefarewellsunbeamsbless’dourravish’dview。
Fatebadetheego,——tolingerherewasmine,——
Goingthefirst,thesmallerlosswasthine。
Thelifeofmanappearsagloriousfate:
Thedayhowlovely,andthenighthowgreat!
Andwe’midParadise-likerapturesplac’d,Thesun’sbrightgloryscarcehavelearn’dtotaste。
Whenstrangecontendingfeelingsdimlycover,Nowus,andnowtheformsthatroundushover。
One’sfeelingsbynootheraresupplied,’Tisdarkwithout,ifallisbrightinside。
Anoutwardbrightnessveilsmysadden’dmood,WhenFortunesmiles,——howseldomunderstood!
Nowthinkwethatweknowher,andwithmightAwoman’sbeauteousforminstilsdelight。
Theyouth,asgladasinhisinfancy,Thespring-timetreads,asthoughthespringwereheRavish’d,amazed,heasks,howthisisdone?
Helooksaround,theworldappearshisown。
Withcarelessspeedhewandersonthroughspace,Norwalls,norpalacescancheckhisrace。
Assomegayflightofbirdsroundtree-topsplays,So’tiswithhimwhoroundhismistressstrays。
HeseeksfromAEther,whichhe’dleavebehindhim,Thefaithfullookthatfondlyservestobindhim。
Yetfirsttooearlywarn’d,andthentoolate,Hefeelshisflightrestrain’d,iscaptur’dstraightTomeetagainissweet,topartissad,Againtomeetagainisstillmoreglad,Andyearsinoneshortmomentareenshrin’d。
But,oh,theharshfarewellishidbehind!
Thousmilest,friend,withfittingthoughtsinspired。
Byadreadpartingwasthyfameacquired,Thymournfuldestinywesorrow’do’er,Forwealandwoethouleft’stusevermore,Andthenagainthepassions’waveringforceDrewusalonginlabyrinthinecourse。
Andwe,consumedbyconstantmisery,Atlengthmustpart——andpartingistodie!
Howmovingisit,whentheminstrelsings,To’scapethedeaththatseparationbrings!
Ohgrant,somegod,toonewhosuffersso,Totell,half-guilty,hissadtaleofwoe1824
II。ELEGY。
Whenmanhadceasedtoutterhislament,Agodthenletmetellmytaleofsorrow。
WHAThopeofoncemoremeetingistherenowInthestill-closedblossomsofthisday?
Bothheavenandhellthrownopenseestthou。
Whatwav’ringthoughtswithinthebosomplayNolongerdoubt!Descendingfromthesky,Sheliftstheeinherarmstorealmsonhigh。
AndthusthouintoParadisewertbrought,Asworthyofapureandendlesslife。
Nothingwasleft,nowish,nohope,nothought,Herewastheboundaryofthineinmoststrife:
Andseeingonesofair,soglorified,Thefountofyearningtearswasstraightwaydried。
Nomotionstirr’dtheday’srevolvingwheel,Intheirownfronttheminutesseem’dtogo。
Theeveningkiss,atrueandbindingseal,Ne’erchangingtillthemorrow’ssunlightglow。
Thehoursresembledsistersastheywent。
Yeteachonefromanotherdifferent。
Thelasthour’skiss,sosadlysweet,effac’dAbeauteousnetworkofentwininglove。
Nowonthethresholdpausethefeet,nowhaste。
Asthoughaflamingcherubbadethemmove。
Theunwillingeyethedarkroadwanderso’er,Backwarditlooks,butcloseditseesthedoor。
Andnowwithinitselfisclosedthisbreast,Asthoughitne’erwereopen,andasthough,Vyingwithev’rystar,nomomentsblestHad,initspresence,feltakindlingglow。
Sadness,reproach,repentance,weightofcare,Hangheavyonitinthesultryair。
Isnottheworldstillleft?Therockysteeps,Aretheywithholyshadesnolongercrown’d?
Growsnottheharvestripe?NolongercreepsTheespalierbythestream,——thecopsearound?
Dothnotthewondrousarchofheavenstillrise,Nowrichinshape,nowshapelesstotheeyes?
As,seraph-like,fromoutthedarkclouds’chorus,Withsoftnesswoven,graceful,light,andfair,ResemblingHer,intheblueaethero’erus,Aslenderfigurehoversintheair,——
Thusdidstthouseeherjoyouslyadvance,Thefairestofthefairestinthedance。
YetbutamomentdostthouboldlydareToclaspanairyforminsteadofhers。
Backtothineheart!thou’ltfinditbetterthere,ForthereinchangefulguiseherimagestirsWhaterstwasone,tomanyturnethfast,Inthousandforms,eachdearerthanthelast。
Asatthedoor,onmeetinglingerdshe,Andstepbystepmyfaithfulardourbless’d,Forthelastkissherselfentreatedme,Andonmylipsthelastlastkissimpress’d,——
Thusclearlytraced,thelov’done’sformweview,Withflamesengravenonaheartsotrue,——
Aheartthat,firmassomeembattledtower,Itselfforher,herinitselfreveres,Forherrejoicesinitslastingpower,Consciousalone,whensheherselfappears。
Feelsitselffreerinsosweetathrall,Andonlybeatstogiveherthanksinall。
Thepowerofloving,andallyearningsighsForloveresponsivewereeffacedanddrown’d。
WhilelonginghopeforjoyousenterpriseWasform’d,andrapidactionstraightwayfound。
Iflovecane’eralovingoneinspire,Mostlovinglyitgavemenowitsfire。
And’twasthroughher!——aninwardsorrowlayOnsoulandbody,heavilyoppress’d。
Tomournfulphantomswasmysightaprey,Inthedrearvoidofasadtorturedbreast。
Nowonthewell-knownthresholdHopehathsmil’d,Herselfappearethinthesunlightmild。
UntothepeaceofGod,which,asweread,Blessethusmorethanreasone’erbathdone,Love’shappypeacewouldIcompareindeed,Wheninthepresenceofthedearestone。
Therereststheheart,andtherethatsweetestthought,Thethoughtofbeinghers,ischeck’dbynought。
Inthepurebosomdothayearningfloat,Untoaholier,purer,unknownBeingItsgratefulaspirationtodevote,TheEver-Namelessthenunriddledseeing。
Wecallit:piety!——suchblestdelightIfeelasharein,whenbeforehersight。
Beforehersight,as’neaththesun’shotray,Beforeherbreath,as’neaththespring’ssoftwind,InitsdeepwintrycavernmeltsawaySelf-love,solonginicychainsconfin’d。
Noselfishnessandnoself-willarenigh,Foratheradventtheywereforcedtofly。
Itseemsasthoughshesaid:AshourspassbyTheyspreadbeforeuslifewithkindlyplan。
Smallknowledgedidtheyesterdaysupply,Toknowthemorrowisconceal’dfromman。
Andifthethoughtofeveningmademestart,Thesunatsettinggladden’dstraightmyheart。
Act,then,asI,andlook,withjoyousmind,Themomentintheface。norlingerthou!
Meetitwithspeed,sofraughtwithlife,sokindInaction,andinlovesoradiantnow。
Letallthingsbewherethouart,childlikeever,Thusthoultbeall,thus,thou’ltbevanquish’dnever。
Thouspeakestwell,methought,forasthyguideThemoment’sfavourdidagodassign,Andeachonefeelshimselfwhenbythyside,Fate’sfav’riteinamomentsodivine。
Itrembleatthylookthatbidsmego,WhyshouldIcaresuchwisdomvasttoknow?
NowamIfar!AndwhatwouldbestbefitThepresentminute?Icouldscarcelytell。
Fullmanyarichpossessionoffersit,Thesebutoffend,andIwouldfainrepel。
Yearningsunquenchablestilldrivemeon,Allcounsel,saveunboundedtears,isgone。
Flowon,flowoninnever-ceasingcourse,Yetmayyeneverquenchmyinwardfire!
Withinmybosomheavesamightyforce,Wheredeathandlifecontendincombatdire。
Medicinesmayservethebody’spangstostill。
Noughtbutthespiritfailsinstrengthofwill,——
Failsinconception。whereforefailsitso?
Athousandtimesherimageitportrays。
Enchantingnow,andnowcompell’dtogo,Nowindistinct,nowclothedinpurestrays!
Howcouldthesmallestcomfortherebeflowing?
Theebbandflood,thecomingandthegoing!
******
Leavemeherenow,mylife’scompanionstrue!
Leavemealoneonrock,inmoorandheath。
Butcourage!openliestheworldtoyou,Thegloriousheavensabove,theearthbeneath。
Observe,investigate,withsearchingeyes,Andnaturewilldisclosehermysteries。
Tomeisall,Itomyselfamlost,Whotheimmortals’fav’riteerstwasthought。
They,tempting,sentPandorastomycost,Sorichinwealth,withdangerfarmorefraught。
Theyurgedmetothoselips,withrapturecrown’d,Desertedme,andhurl’dmetotheground。
1823。
III。ATONEMENT。
[Composed,when74yearsold,foraPolishlady,whoexcelledinplayingonthepianoforte。]
PASSIONbringsreason——whocanpacifyAnanguish’dheartwhoselosshathbeensogreat?
Wherearethehoursthatfledsoswiftlyby?
Invainthefairestthoudidstgainfromfate。
Sadisthesoul,confusedtheenterprise。
Thegloriousworld,howonthesenseitdies!
Inmilliontonesentwinedforevermore,Musicwithangel-pinionshoversthere,Topierceman’sbeingtoitsinmostcore,Eternalbeautyhasitsfruittobear。
Theeyegrowsmoist,inyearningsblestreveresThegodlikeworthofmusicasoftears。
Andsothelighten’dheartsoonlearnstoseeThatitstilllives,andbeats,andoughttobeat,Off’ringitselfwithjoyandwillingly,Ingratefulpaymentforagiftsosweet。
Andthenwasfelt,——ohmayitconstantprove!——
Thetwofoldblissofmusicandoflove。
1823——
THEremembranceoftheGoodKeepusevergladinmood。
TheremembranceoftheFairMakesamortalraptureshare。
Theremembranceofone’sLoveBlestIs,ifitconstantprove。
TheremembranceoftheOneIsthegreatestjoythat’sknown。
1828——
[Writtenattheageof77。]
WHENIwasstillayouthfulwight,Sofullofenjoymentandmerry,Thepaintersusedtoassert,inspite,Thatmyfeaturesweresmall——yes,very。
YetthenfullmanyabeauteouschildWithtrueaffectionuponmesmil’d。
NowasagreybeardIsithereinstate,Bystreetandbylaneheldinawe,sirs。
Andmaybeseen,likeoldFredericktheGreat,Onpipebowls,oncups,andonsaucers。
Yetthebeauteousmaidens,theykeepafar。
Ohvisionofyouth!Ohgoldenstar!
1826——
FOREVER。
THEhappinessthatman,whilstprison’dhere,Iswontwithheavenlyrapturetocompare,——
TheharmonyofTruth,fromwaveringclear,——
OfFriendshipthatisfreefromdoubtingcare,——
ThelightwhichinstraythoughtsalonecancheerThewise,——thebardaloneinvisionsfair,——
InmybesthoursIfoundinherallthis,Andmademineown,tomineexceedingbliss。
1820。*——
FROMANALBUMOF1604。
HOPEprovideswingstothought,andlovetohope。
RiseuptoCynthia,love,whennightisclearest,Andsay,thatasonhighherfigurechangeth,So,uponearth,myjoydecaysandgrows。
Andwhisperinherearwithmodestsoftness,Howdoubtofthungitshead,andtruthoftwept。
Andohyethoughts,distrustfullyinclined,Ifyearethereforebythelovedonechided,Answer:’tistrueyechange,butalternot,Assheremainsthesame,yetchangethever。
Doubtmayinvadetheheart,butpoisonsnot,Forloveissweeter,bysuspicionflavour’d。
Ifitwithangerovercaststheeye,Andheaven’sbrightpurityperverselyblackens,Thenzephyr-sighsstraightscarethecloudsaway,And,changedtotears,dissolvethemintorain。
Thought,hope,andloveremainthereasbefore,TillCynthiagleamsuponmeasofold。
1820。*——
LINESONSEEINGSCHILLER’SSKULL。
[ThiscuriousimitationoftheternarymetreofDantewaswrittenattheageof77。]
WITHINagloomycharnel-houseonedayIview’dthecountlessskulls,sostrangelymated,AndofoldtimesIthought,thatnowweregrey。
Closepack’dtheystand,thatoncesofiercelyhated,Andhardybones,thattothedeathcontended,Arelyingcross’d,——tolieforever,fated。
Whatheldthosecrookedshoulder-bladessuspended?
Noonenowasks。andlimbswithvigourfired,Thehand,thefoot——theiruseinlifeisended。
Vainlyyesoughtthetombforrestwhentired。
Peaceinthegravemaynotbeyours。ye’redrivenBackintodaylightbyaforceinspired。
Butnonecanlovethewither’dhusk,thoughevenAgloriousnoblekernelitcontained。
Tome,anadept,wasthewritinggivenWhichnottoallitsholysenseexplained,When’midthecrowd,theiricyshadowsflinging,Isawaform,thatgloriousstillremained。
Andeventhere,wheremouldanddampwereclinging,Gavemeablest,arapture-fraughtemotion,Asthoughfromdeathalivingfountwerespringing。
WhatmysticjoyIfelt!Whatraptdevotion!
Thatform,howpregnantwithagodliketrace!
Alook,howdiditwhirlmetow’rdthatoceanWhoserollingbillowsmightiershapesembrace!
Mysteriousvessel!Oraclehowdear!
Eventograsptheeismyhandtoobase,ExcepttostealtheefromthyprisonhereWithpiouspurpose,anddevoutlygoBacktotheair,freethoughts,andsunlightclear。
Whatgreatergaininlifecanmane’erknowThanwhenGod-NaturewilltohimexplainHowintoSpiritsteadfastnessmayflow,Howsteadfast,too,theSpirit-Bornremain。
1826——
ROYALPRAYER。
HA,Iamthelordofearth!Thenoble,Who’reinmyservice,loveme。
Ha,Iamthelordofearth!Thenoble,O’erwhommyswayextendeth,loveI。
Oh,grantme,GodinHeaven,thatImayne’erDispensewithloftinessandlove!
1815。*——
HUMANFEELINGS。
AH,yegods!yegreatimmortalsInthespaciousheavensaboveus!
WouldyeonthisearthbutgiveusSteadfastmindsanddauntlesscourageWe,ohkindlyones,wouldleaveyouAllyourspaciousheavensaboveus!
1815。*——
ONTHEDIVAN。
HEwhoknowshimselfandothersHerewillalsosee,ThattheEastandWest,likebrothers,Partedne’ershallbe。
Thoughtfullytofloatforever’Tweentwoworlds,beman’sendeavour!
SobetweentheEastandWestTorevolve,bemybehest!
1833。*——
EXPLANATIONOFANANCIENTWOODCUT,REPRESENTING
HANSSACHS’POETICALMISSION。
[IfeelconsiderablehesitationinventuringtoofferthisversionofapoemwhichCarlyledescribestobe’abeautifulpieceaveryHansSacksbeatified,bothincharacterandstyle,whichwewishtherewasanypossibilityoftranslating。’ThereaderwillbeawarethatHansSachswasthecelebratedMinstrel-
CobblerofNuremberg,whoWrote208plays,1700comictales,andbetween4000and5000lyricpoems。Heflourishedthroughoutalmostthewholeofthe16thcentury。]
EARLYwithinhisworkshophere,OnSundaysstandsourmasterdear。
Hisdirtyapronheputsaway,Andwearsacleanlydoubletto-day。
Letswax’dthread,hammer,andpincersrest,Andlayshisawlwithinhischest。
TheseventhdayhetakesreposeFrommanypullsandmanyblows。
Soonasthespring-sunmeetshisview,Reposebegetshimlabouranew。
HefeelsthatheholdswithinhisbrainAlittleworld,thatbroodsthereamain,Andthatbeginstoactandtolive,Whichhetootherswouldgladlygive。
Hehadaskilfuleyeandtrue,Andwasfullkindandlovingtoo。
Forcontemplation,clearandpure,——
Formakingallhisownagain,sure。
Hehadatonguethatcharm’dwhen’twasheard,Andgracefulandlightflow’dev’ryword。
WhichmadetheMusesinhimrejoice,TheMaster-singeroftheirchoice。
Andnowamaidenenter’dthere,Withswellingbreast,andbodyfair。
Withfootingfirmshetookherplace,Andmovedwithstately,noblegrace。
Shedidnotwalkinwantonmood,Norlookaroundwithglanceslewd。
Sheheldameasureinherhand,Hergirdlewasagoldenband,Awreathofcornwasonherhead,Hereyetheday’sbrightlustreshed。
HernameishonestIndustry,Else,Justice,Magnanimity。
Sheenter’dwithakindlygreeting。
Hefeltnowonderatthemeeting,For,kindandfairasshemightbe,Helonghadknownher,fanciedhe。
Ihaveselectedthee,shesaid,Fromallwhoearth’swildmazestread,Thatthoushouldsthaveclear-sightedsense,Andnoughtthat’swrongshouldste’ercommence。
Whenothersruninstrangeconfusion,ThygazeshallseethrougheachillusionWhenothersdolefullycomplain,Thycausewithjestingthoushaltgain,Honourandrightshaltvalueduly,Ineverythingactsimply,truly,——
Virtueandgodlinessproclaim,Andcallallevilbyitsname,Noughtsoftendown,attemptnoquibble,Noughtpolishup,noughtvainlyscribble。
Theworldshallstandbeforethee,then,AsseenbyAlbertDurer’sken,Inmanlinessandchangelesslife,Ininwardstrength,withfirmnessrife。
FairNature’sGeniusbythehandShallleadtheeonthrougheveryland,Teachtheeeachdifferentlifetoscan,Showtheethewondrouswaysofman,Hisshifts,confusions,thrustings,anddrubbings,Pushings,tearings,pressings,andrubbings。
Thevaryingmadnessofthecrew,Theanthill’sravingsbringtoview。
Butthoushaltseeallthisexpress’d,Asthough’twereinamagicchest。
Writethesethingsdownforfolksonearth,Inhopestheymaytowitgivebirth——
Thensheawindowopen’dwide,Andshow’damotleycrowdoutside,Allkindsofbeings’neaththesky,Asinhiswritingsonemayspy。
Ourmasterdearwas,afterthis,OnNaturethinking,fullofbliss,Whentow’rdhim,fromtheothersideHesawanagedwomanglide。
Thenameshebears,Historia,Mythologia,Fabula。
WithfootsteptotteringandunstableShedragg’dalargeandwoodencarved-table,Where,withwidesleevesandhumanmien,TheLordwascatechizingseen。
Adam,Eve,Eden,theSerpent’sseduction,GomorrahandSodom’sawfuldestruction,Thetwelveillustriouswomen,too,Thatmirrorofhonourbroughttoview。
Allkindsofbloodthirstiness,murder,andsin,Thetwelvewickedtyrantsalsowerein,Andallkindsofgoodlydoctrineandlaw。
SaintPeterwithhisscourgeyousaw,Withtheworld’swaysdissatisfied,AndbyourLordwithpowersupplied。
Hertrainanddress,behindandbefore,Ande’entheseams,werepaintedo’erWithtalesofworldlyvirtueandcrime——
Ourmasterview’dallthisforatime。
Thesightrightgladlyhesurvey’d,Sousefulforhiminhistrade,WhencehewasabletoprocureExamplegoodandpreceptsure,Recountingallwithtruthfulcare,Asthoughhehadbeenpresentthere。
Hisspiritseem’dfromearthtofly,Hene’erhadturnedawayhiseye,DidhenotjustbehindhimhearArattleofbellsapproachingnear。
Andnowafooldothcatchhiseye,Withgoatandape’sleapdrawingnighAmerryinterludepreparingWithfooleriesandjestsunsparing。
Behindhim,inalinedrawnout,Hedragg’dallfools,theleanandstout,Thegreatandlittle,theemptyandfull,Alltoowitty,andalltoodull,Alashheflourish’doverhead,Asthoughadanceofapesheled,Abusingthemwithbitterness,Asthoughhiswrathwouldne’ergrowless。
Whileonthissightourmastergazed,Hisheadwasgrowingwell-nighcrazed:
Whatwordsforallcouldhee’erfind,Couldsuchamedleybecombined?
CouldhecontinuewithdelightForevermoretosingandwrite?
Whenlo,fromoutacloud’sdarkbedInattheupperwindowspedTheMuse,inallhermajesty,Asfairasourlovedmaidswesee。
WithclearnessshearoundhimthrewHertruth,thateverstrongergrew。
I,toordaintheecome,shespake:
Soprosper,andmyblessingtake!
Theholyfirethatslumb’ringliesWithinthee,inbrightflamesshallrise。
Yetthatthineever-restlesslifeMaystillwithkindlystrengthberife,I,forthineinwardspirit’scalm。
Havegrantednourishmentandbalm,Thatrapturemaythysoulimbue,Likesomefairblossombathedindew——
BehindhishousethensecretlyOutsidethedoorwaypointedshe,Where,inashadygarden-nook,AbeauteousmaidwithdowncastlookWassittingwhereastreamwasflowing,Withelderbushesnearitgrowing,Shesatbeneathanappletree,Andnoughtaroundherseem’dtosee。
Herlapwasfullofrosesfair,Whichinawreathshetwinedwithcare。
And,withthem,leavesandblossomsblended:
Forwhomwasthatsweetwreathintended?
Thussatshe,modestandretired,Herbosomthrobb’d,withhopeinspired。
Suchdeepforebodingsfill’dhermind,Noroomforwishingcouldshefind,Andwiththethoughtsthato’eritflew,Perchanceasighwasmingledtoo。
Butwhyshouldsorrowcloudthybrow?
That,dearestlove,whichfillstheenowIsfraughtwithjoyandecstasy。
Preparedinonealoneforthee,ThathewithinthineeyemayfindSolacewhenfortuneprovesunkind,Andbenewbornthroughmanyakiss,Thathereceiveswithinwardbliss。
When’erheclaspstheetohisbreast。
MayhefromallhistoilsfindrestWhenheinthydeararmsshallsink,Mayhenewlifeandvigourdrink:
Freshjoysofyouthshaltthouobtain,Inmerryjestrejoiceagain。
Withrailleryandroguishspite,Thounowshaltteasehim,nowdelight。
ThusLovewillnevermoregrowold,Thuswilltheminstrelne’erbecold!
Whilehethuslives,insecretbless’d,AbovehiminthecloudsdothrestAnoak-wreath,verdantandsublime,Placedonhisbrowinafter-time。
Whiletheyarebanish’dtotheslough,Whotheirgreatmasterdisavow。
1776——
SONNETS——
LovinglyI’llsingoflove。
Evercomesshefromabove——
THEFRIENDLYMEETING。
INspreadingmantletomychinconceald,Itrodtherockypath,sosteepandgrey,ThentothewintryplainIbentmywayUneasily,toflightmybosomsteel’d。
Butsuddenwasthenewborndayreveal’d:
Amaidencame,inheavenlybrightarray,Likethefaircreaturesofthepoet’slayInrealmsofsong。Myyearningheartwasheal’d。
Yetturn’dIthence,tillshehadonwardpass’d,WhilecloserstillthefoldstodrawItried,Asthoughwithheatself-kindledtogrowwarm。
Butfollow’dher。Shestood。Thediewascast!
NomorewithinmymantlecouldIhide。
Ithrewitoff,——shelaywithinminearm。
1807-8——
INAWORD。
THUStobechain’dforever,canIbear?
Averytormentthat,intruth,wouldbe。
Thisverydaymynewresolveshallsee——
I’llnotgonearthelately-worshipp’dFair。
Yetwhatexcuse,myheart,canIprepareInsuchacase,fornotconsultingthee?
Butcourage!whileoursorrowsutterweIntoneswherelove,grief,gladnesshaveashare。
Butsee!theminstrel’sbiddingtoobey,Itsmelodypoursforththesoundinglyre,Yearningasacrificeoflovetobring。
Scarcewouldstthouthinkit——readyisthelay。
Well,butwhatthen?MethoughtinthefirstfireWetoherpresenceflew,thatlaytosing。
1807?——
THEMAIDENSPEAKS。
Howgravethouloookest,lovedone!whereforeso?
Thymarbleimageseemsatypeofthee。
Likeit,nosignoflifethougiv’sttome。
Comparedwiththee,thestoneappearstoglow。
Behindhisshieldinambushlurksthefoe,Thefriend’sbrowall-unruffledweshouldsee。
Iseekthee,butthouseek’stawaytoflee。
Fix’dasthissculpturedfigure,learntogrow!
Tellme,towhichshouldIthepreferencepay?
MustIfrombothwithcoldnessmeetalone?
Theoneislifeless,thouwithlifeartblest。
Inshort,nolongertothrowwordsaway,I’llfondykissandkissandkissthisstone,Tillthoudosttearmehencewithenviousbreast。
1807——
GROWTH。
O’ERfieldandplain,inchildhood’sartlessdays,Thousprang’stwithme,onmanyaspring-mornfair。
Forsuchadaughter,withwhatpleasingcare,WouldI,asfather,happydwellingsraise!
Andwhenthouontheworlddidstcastthygaze,Thyjoywastheninhouseholdtoilstoshare。
WhydidItrusther,whyshetrustmee’er?
Forsuchasister,howIHeavenshouldpraise!
Nothingcannowthebeauteousgrowthretard。
Love’sglowingflamewithinmybreastisfann’d。
ShallIembraceherform,mygrieftoend?
TheeasaqueenmustI,alas,regard:
Sohighabovemeplacedthouseem’sttostand。
BeforeapassinglookImeeklybend。
1807?——
FOODINTRAVEL。
IFtohereyes’brightlustreIwereblind,Nolongerwouldtheyservemylifetogild。
Thewillofdestinymustbefulfilid,——
Thisknowing,Iwithdrewwithsadden’dmind。
NofurtherhappinessInowcouldfind:
Theformerlongingsofmyheartwerestill’d。
Isoughtherlooksalone,whereontobuildMyjoyinlife,——allelsewasleftbehind。
Wine’sgenialglow,thefestalbanquetgay,Ease,sleep,andfriends,allwontedpleasuresgladIspurn’d,tilllittlethereremain’dtoprove。
NowcalmlythroughtheworldIwendmyway:
ThatwhichIcravemayeverywherebehad,WithmeIbringtheonethingneedful——love。
1807?——
DEPARTURE。
WITHmanyathousandkissnotyetcontent,AtlengthwithOnekissIwasforcedtogo。
Afterthatbitterparting’sdepthofwoe,Ideem’dtheshorefromwhichmystepsIbent,Itshills,streams,dwellings,mountains,asIwent,Apledgeofjoy,tilldaylightceasedtoglow。
ThenonmysightdidblissfulvisionsgrowInthedim-lighted,distantfirmament,Andwhenatlengththeseaconfinedmygaze,Myardentlongingfill’dmyheartoncemore。
WhatIhadlost,unwillinglyIsought。
ThenHeavenappear’dtosheditskindlyrays:
MethoughtthatallIhadpossess’dofyoreRemain’dstillmine——thatIwasreftofnought。
1807?——
THELOVINGONEWRITES。
THElookthatthysweeteyesonmineimpressThepledgethylipstomineconvey,——thekiss,——
Hewho,likeme,hathknowledgesureofthis,Canheinaughtbesidefindhappiness?
Removedfromthee,friend-sever’d,indistress,ThesethoughtsIvainlystruggletodismiss:
Theystillreturntothatonehourofbliss,Theonlyone。thentearsmygriefconfess。
Butunawaresthetearmakeshastetodry:
Heloves,methinks,e’entothesegladessostill,——
Andshaltnotthoutodistantlandsextend?
Receivethemurmursofhislovingsigh。
Myonlyjoyonearthisinthywill,Thykindlywilltow’rdme。atokensend!
1807?——
THELOVINGONEONCEMORE。
WHYdoIo’ermypaperoncemorebend?
Asknottooclosely,dearestone,IprayFor,tospeaktruth,I’venothingnowtosay。
Yettothyhandsatlength’twillcome,dearfriend。
SinceIcancomenotwithit,whatIsendMyundividedheartshallnowconvey,Withallitsjoys,hopes,pleasures,pains,to-day:
Allthishathnobeginning,hathnoend。
HenceforwardImayne’ertotheeconfideHow,farasthought,wish,fancy,will,canreach,Myfaithfulheartwiththineissurelyblended。
ThusstoodIonceenrapturedbythyside,Gazedonthee,andsaidnought。Whatneedofspeech?
Myverybeinginitselfwasended。
1807?——
SHECANNOTEND。
WHENuntotheeIsentthepageallwhite,Insteadoffirstthereoninscribingaught,Thespacethoudoubtlessfilledstupinsport。
Andsentitme,tomakemyjoygrowbright。
Assoonasthebluecovermetmysight,Aswellbecomesawoman,quickasthoughtItoreitopen,leavinghiddennought,Andreadthewell-knownwordsofpuredelight:
MYONLYBEING!DEARESTHEART!SWEETCHILD!
HowkindlythoumyyearningthendidststillWithgentlewords,enthrallingmetothee。
IntruthmethoughtIreadthywhispersmildWherewiththoulovinglymysouldidstfill,E’entomyselfforayeennoblingme。
1807?——
NEMESIS。
WHENthroughthenationsstalkscontagionwild,Wefromthemcautiouslyshouldstealaway。
E’enIhaveoftwithling’ringanddelayShunn’dmanyaninfluence,nottobedefil’d。
Ande’enthoughAmoroftmyhoursbeguil’d,Atlengthwithhimpreferr’dInottoplay,Andso,too,withthewretchedsonsofclay,Whenfourandthree-linedversestheycompil’d。
Butpunishmentpursuesthescofferstraight,Asifbyserpent-torchoffuriesledFrombilltovale,fromlandtoseatofly。
Ihearthegenie’slaughteratmyfate。
YetdoIfindallpowerofthinkingfledInsonnet-rageandlove’sfierceecstasy。
1807-8——
THECHRISTMAS-BOX。
THISbox,mineownsweetdarling,thouwiltfindWithmanyavariedsweetmeat’sformsupplied。
ThefruitsaretheyofholyChristmastide,Butbakedindeed,forchildren’susedesign’d。
I’dfain,inspeechessweetwithskillcombin’d,Poeticsweetmeatsforthefeastprovide。
Butwhyinsuchfrivolitiesconfide?
Perishthethought,withflatterytoblind!
Onesweetthingthereisstill,thatfromwithin,Withinusspeaks,——thatmaybefeltafar。
Thismaybewaftedo’ertotheealone。
Ifthouarecollectionfondcanstwin,Asifwithpleasuregleam’deachwell-knownstar,Thesmallestgiftthouneverwiltdisown。
1807