THEWARNING。
  WHENsoundsthetrumpetattheJudgmentDay,Andwhenforeverallthingsearthlydie,WemustafullandtrueaccountsupplyOfev’ryuselesswordwedropp’dinplay。
  ButwhateffectwillallthewordsconveyWhereinwitheagerzealandlovingly,ThatImightwinthyfavour,labour’dI,Ifonthineearalonetheydieaway?
  Therefore,sweetlove,thyconsciencebearinmind,Rememberwellhowlongthouhastdelay’d,Sothattheworldsuchsufferingsmaynotknow。
  IfImustreckon,andexcusesfindForallthingsuselessItotheehavesaid,ToafullyeartheJudgmentDaywillgrow1807?——
  THEEPOCHS。
  ONPetrarch’sheart,allotherdaysbefore,Inflamingletterswritten,wasimpressdGOODFRIDAY。Andonmine,beitconfess’d,Isthisyear’sADVENT,asitpassetho’er。
  Idonotnowbegin,——IstilladoreHerwhomIearlycherish’dinmybreast。,Thenonceagainwithprudencedispossess’d,AndtowhoseheartI’mdrivenbackoncemore。
  TheloveofPetrarch,thatall-gloriouslove,Wasunrequited,and,alas,fullsad。
  OnelongGoodFriday’twas,oneheartachedrearButmaymymistress’Adventeverprove,Withitspalm-jubilee,sosweetandglad,OneendlessMayday,throughthelivelongyear!
  1807——
  THEDOUBTERSANDTHELOVERS。
  THEDOUBTERS。
  YElove,andsonnetswrite!Fate’sstrangebehest!
  Theheart,itshiddenmeaningtodeclare,Mustseekforrhymes,unitingpairwithpair:
  Learn,children,thatthewillisweak,atbest。
  Scarcelywithfreedomtheo’erflowingbreastAsyetcanspeak,andwellmayitbeware。
  Tempestuouspassionssweepeachchordthat’sthere,Thenoncemoresinktonightandgentlerest。
  Whyvexyourselvesandus,theheavystoneUpthesteeppathbutstepbysteptoroll?
  Itfallsagain,andyene’erceasetostrive。
  THELOVERS。
  Butweareontheproperroadalone!
  Ifgladlyistothawthefrozensoul,Thefireoflovemustayebekeptalive。
  1807?——
  CHARADE。
  Twowordsthere’are,bothshort,ofbeautyrare,Whosesoundsourlipssooftenlovetoframe,ButwhichwithclearnessnevercanproclaimThethingswhoseownpeculiarstamptheybear。
  ’Tiswellindaysofageandyouthsofair,Oneontheotherboldlytoinflame。
  Andifthosewordstogetherlink’dwename,Ablissfulrapturewediscoverthere。
  ButnowtogivethempleasuredoIseek,Andinmyselfmyhappinesswouldfind。
  Ihopeinsilence,butIhopeforthis:
  Gently,aslovedone’snames,thosewordstospeakToseethembothwithinoneimageshrin’d,Bothinonebeingtoembracewithbliss。
  1807——
  EPIGRAMS——
  Inthesenumbersbeexpress’dMeaningdeep,’neathmerryjest——
  TOORIGINALS。
  AFELLOWsays:Iownnoschoolorcollege。
  NomasterliveswhomIacknowledge。
  Andpraydon’tentertainthethoughtThatfromthedeadIe’erlearntaught。
  This,ifIrightlyunderstand,Means:I’mablockheadatfirsthand。
  1815——
  THESOLDIER’SCONSOLATION。
  No!intruththere’sherenolack:
  Whitethebread,themaidensblack!
  Toanothertown,nextnight:
  Blackthebread,themaidenswhite!
  1815。*——
  GENIALIMPULSE。
  THUSrollI,nevertakingease,Mytub,likeSaintDiogenes,Nowseriousam,nowseektoplease。
  Nowloveandhateinturnonesees。
  Themotivesnowarethose,nowthese。
  Nownothings,nowrealities。
  ThusrollI,nevertakingease,Mytub,likeSaintDiogenes。
  1810——
  NEITHERTHISNORTHAT。
  IFthoutobeaslaveshouldstwill,Thou’ltgetnopity,butfareill。
  Andifamasterthouwouldstbe,Theworldwillviewitangrily。
  Andifinstatuquothoustay,Thatthouartbutafool,they’llsay。
  1815。*——
  THEWAYTOBEHAVE。
  THOUGHtempersarebadandpeevishfolksswear,Remembertorufflethybrows,friend,ne’er。
  AndletnotthefanciesofwomensofairE’erservethypleasureinlifetoimpair。
  1815。*——
  THEBEST。
  WHENheadandheartarebusy,say,Whatbettercanbefound?
  Whoneitherlovesnorgoesastray,Werebetterunderground。
  1815。*——
  ASBROADASIT’SLONG。
  MODESTmenmustneedsendure,Andtheboldmusthumblybow。
  Thusthyfate’sthesame,besure,Whetherboldormodestthou。
  1815。*——
  THERULEOFLIFE。
  IFthouwouldstliveunruffledbycare,Letnotthepasttormenttheee’er。
  Aslittleaspossiblebethouannoy’d,Andletthepresentbeeverenjoy’d。
  Ne’erletthybreastwithhatebesupplied,AndtoGodthefutureconfide。
  1815。*——
  THESAME,EXPANDED。
  IFthouwouldstliveunruffledbycare,Letnotthepasttormenttheee’er。
  Ifanylossthouhasttorue,Actasthoughthouwertbornanew。
  Inquirethemeaningofeachday,Whateachdaymeansitselfwillsay。
  Inthineownactionstakethypleasure,Whatothersdo,thou’ltdulytreasure。
  Ne’erletthybreastwithhatebesupplied,AndtoGodthefutureconfide——
  IFwealthisgone——thensomethingisgone!
  Quick,makeupthymind,Andfreshwealthfind。
  Ifhonourisgone——thenmuchisgone!
  Seekglorytofind,Andpeoplethenwillaltertheirmind。
  Ifcourageisgone——thenallisgone!
  ’Twerebetterthatthouhadstneverbeenborn——
  HEwhowithlifemakessport,Canprospernever。
  Whoruleshimselfinnought,Isaslaveever。
  MAYeachhonesteffortbeCrown’dwithlastingconstancy——
  EACHroadtotheproperendRunsstraighton,withoutabend。
  1825——
  CALMATSEA。
  SILENCEdeepruleso’erthewaters,Calmlyslumb’ringliesthemain,WhilethesailorviewswithtroubleNoughtbutonevastlevelplain。
  Notazephyrisinmotion!
  Silencefearfulasthegrave!
  InthemightywasteofoceanSunktorestisev’rywave。
  1795——
  THEPROSPEROUSVOYAGE。
  THEmistisfastclearing。
  Andradiantisheaven,WhilstAEolusloosensOuranguish-fraughtbond。
  Thezephyrsaresighing,Alertisthesailor。
  Quick!nimblybeplying!
  Thebillowsareriven,Thedistanceapproaches。
  Iseelandbeyond!
  1795——
  COURAGE。
  CARELESSLYovertheplainaway,WherebytheboldestmannopathCutbeforetheethoucanstdiscern,Makeforthyselfapath!
  Silence,lovedone,myheart!
  Cracking,letitnotbreak!
  Breaking,breaknotwiththee!
  1776。*——
  MYONLYPROPERTY。
  IFEELthatI’mpossess’dofnought,SavingthefreeunfetterdthoughtWhichfrommybosomseekstoflow,AndeachpropitiouspassinghourThatsuffersmeinallitspowerAlovingfatewithtruthtoknow。
  1814——
  ADMONITION。
  WHEREFOREeverrambleon?
  FortheGoodislyingnear,Fortunelearntoseizealone,ForthatFortune’severhere。
  1789——
  OLDAGE。
  OLDageiscourteous——noonemore:
  Fortimeaftertimeheknocksatthedoor,Butnobodysays,Walkin,sir,pray!
  Yetturnshenotfromthedooraway,Butliftsthelatch,andenterswithspeed。
  AndthentheycryAcoolone,indeed!
  1814——
  EPITAPH。
  Asaboy,reservedandnaughty。
  Asayouth,acoxcombandhaughty。
  Asaman,foractioninclined。
  Asagreybeard,fickleinmind——
  Uponthygravewillpeopleread:
  Thiswasaveryman,indeed!
  1815。*——
  RULESFORMONARCHS。
  IFmenarenevertheirthoughtstoemploy,Takecaretoprovidethemalifefullofjoy。
  Butiftosomeprofitandusethouwouldstbendthem,Takecaretoshearthem,andthendefendthem。
  1815。*——
  PAULOPOSTFUTURI。
  WEEPyenot,yechildrendear,Thatasyetyeareunborn:
  ForeachsorrowandeachtearMakesthefather’shearttomourn。
  Patientbeashorttimetoit,Unproduced,andknowntonone。
  Ifyourfathercannotdoit,Byyourmother’twillbedone。
  1784——
  THEFOOL’SEPILOGUE。
  MANYgoodworksI’vedoneandended,Yetakethepraise——I’mnotoffended。
  Forintheworld,I’vealwaysthoughtEachthingitstruepositionhathsought。
  WhenpraisedforfoolishdeedsamI,Isetofflaughingheartily。
  Whenblamedfordoingsomethinggood,Itakeitinaneasymood。
  Ifsomeonestrongergivesmehardblows,Thatit’sajest,Ifeigntosuppose:
  Butif’tisonethat’sbutmyownlike,Iknowthewaysuchfolkstostrike。
  WhenFortunesmiles,Imerrygrow,Andsingindulcijubilo。
  Whensinksherwheel,andtumblesmeo’er,Ithink’tissuretoriseoncemore。
  InthesunshineofsummerIne’erlament,Becausethewinteritcannotprevent。
  Andwhenthewhitesnow-flakesfallaround,Idonmyskates,andamoffwithabound。
  ThoughIdissembleasIwill,Thesunformewillne’erstandstill。
  Theoldandwontedcourseisrun,Untilthewholeoflifeisdone。
  Eachdaytheservantlikethelord,Inturnscomeshome,andgoesabroad。
  Ifproudorhumblethelinetheytake,Theyallmusteat,drink,sleep,andwake。
  Sonothingevervexesme。
  Actlikethefool,andwiseye’llbe!
  1804——
  PARABLES——
  Joyfromthatintypeweborrow,Whichinlifegivesonlysorrow——
  JOY。
  ADRAGON-FLYwithbeauteouswingIshov’ringo’erasilv’ryspring。
  Iwatchitsmotionswithdelight,——
  Nowdarkitscoloursseem,nowbright。
  Chameleon-likeappear,nowblue,Nowred,andnowofgreenishhue。
  Woulditwouldcomestillnearerme,ThatIitstintsmightbetterseeIthovers,flutters,restingne’er!
  Buthush!itsettlesonthemead。
  Ihaveitsafenow,Ideclare!
  AndwhenitsformIcloselyview,’Tisofasadanddingyblue——
  Such,Joy-Dissector,isthycaseindeed1767-9——
  EXPLANATIONOFANANTIQUEGEM,AYOUNGfig-treeitsformliftshighWithinabeauteousgarden。
  Andsee,agoatissittingby。
  Asifhewereitswarden。
  Butoh,Quirites,howoneerrs!
  Thetreeisguardedbadly。
  ForroundtheothersidetherewhirrsAndhumsabeetlemadly。
  Theherowithhiswell-mail’dcoatNibblesthebranchestallso。
  AmightylongingfeelsthegoatGentlytoclimbupalso。
  Andso,myfriends,erelongyeseeThetreeallleaflessstanding。
  Itlooksatypeofmisery,Helpofthegodsdemanding。
  Thenlisten,yeingenuousyouth,Whoholdwisesawsrespected:
  Fromhe-goatandfrombeetles-toothAtreeshouldbeprotected!
  1815——
  CAT-PIE。
  WHILEheismark’dbyvisionclearWhofathomsNature’streasures,Themanmayfollow,voidoffear,Whoherproportionsmeasures。
  Thoughforonemortal,itistrue,Thesetradesmaybothbefitted,Yet,thatthethingsthemselvesaretwoMustalwaysbeadmitted。
  OnceonatimetherelivedacookWhoseskillwaspastdisputing,WhoinhisheadafancytookTotryhisluckatshooting。
  So,guninhand,hesoughtaspotWherestoresofgamewerebreeding,AndthereerelongacatheshotThatonyoungbirdswasfeeding。
  Thiscathefanciedwasahare,Formingajudgmenthasty,Soserveditupforpeople’sfare,Well-spicedandinapasty。
  Yetmanyaguestwithwrathwasfill’dAllwhohadnosestender:
  Thecatthat’sbythesportsmankill’dNocookaharecanrender。
  1810——
  LEGEND。
  THERElivedinthedesertaholymanTowhomagoat-footedFaunonedayPaidavisit,andthusbeganTohissurprise:IentreattheetoprayThatgracetomeandmyfriendsmaybegiven,ThatwemaybeabletomounttoHeaven,Forgreatisourthirstforheav’nlybliss。
  Theholymanmadeanswertothis:
  Muchdangerislurkinginthypetition,Norwillitbeeasytogainadmission。
  Thoudostnotcomewithanangel’ssalute。
  ForIseethouwearestaclovenfoot。
  Thewildmanpaused,andthenanswer’dhe:
  Whatdothmygoat’sfootmattertothee?
  FullmanyI’veknownintoheaventopassStraightandwithease,withtheheadofanass!
  1815。*——
  AUTHORS。
  OVERthemeadows,anddownthestream,Andthroughthegarden-walksstraying,Hepluckstheflowersthatfairestseem。
  Histhrobbingheartbrooksnodelaying。
  Hismaidenthencomes——oh,whatecstasy!
  Thyflowersthougiv’stforoneglanceofhereye!
  Thegard’nernextdooro’erthehedgeseestheyouth:
  I’mnotsuchafoolasthat,ingoodtruth。
  Mypleasureisevertocherisheachflower,Andseethatnobirdsmyfruite’erdevour。
  Butwhen’tisripe,yourmoney,goodneighbour!
  ’TwasnotfornothingItookallthislabour!
  Andsuch,methinks,aretheauthor-tribe。
  Theonehispleasuresaroundhimstrews,Thathisfriends,thepublic,mayreap,iftheychoose。
  Theotherwouldfainmakethemallsubscribe,1776。*——
  THECRITIC。
  IHADafellowasmyguest,Notknowinghewassuchapest,Andgavehimjustmyusualfare。
  Heatehisfillofwhatwasthere,Andfordesertmybestthingsswallow’d,Soonashismealwaso’er,whatfollow’d?
  LedbytheDeuce,toaneighbourhewent,Andtalk’dofmyfoodtohisheart’scontent:
  Thesoupmightsurelyhavehadmorespice,Themeatwasill-brown’d,andthewinewasn’tnice。
  Athousandcursesalightonhishead!
  ’Tisacritic,Ivow!Letthedogbestruckdead!
  1776。*——
  THEDILETTANTEANDTHECRITIC。
  ABOYapigeononcepossess’d,Ingayandbrilliantplumagedress’d。
  Heloveditwell,andinboyishsportItsfoodtotakefromhismouthhetaught,Andinhispigeonhetooksuchpride,Thathisjoytoothersheneedsmustconfide。
  Anagedfoxneartheplacechanc’dtodwell,Talkative,clever,andlearnedaswell。
  Theboyhissocietyusedtoprize,Hearingwithpleasurehiswondersandlies。
  MyfriendthefoxmypigeonmustseeHeran,andstretch’d’mongstthebusheslayheLook,fox,atmypigeon,mypigeonsofair!
  HisequalI’msurethouhastlook’duponne’er!
  Let’ssee!——Theboygaveit——’Tisreallynotbad。
  Andyet,itisfarfromcomplete,Imustadd。
  Thefeathers,for,instance,howshort!’Tisabsurd!
  Sohesettoworkstraightwaytopluckthepoorbird。
  Theboyscreamed——Thoumustnowstrongerpinionssupply,Orelse’twillbeugly,unabletofly——
  Soon’twasstripp’d——oh,thevillain!——andtornalltopieces。
  Theboywasheart-broken,——andsomytaleceases。
  ****
  Hewhoseesintheboyshadow’dforthhisowncase,Shouldbeonhisguard’gainstthefox’swholerace。
  1776。*——
  THEWRANGLER。
  ONEdayashamelessandimpudentwightWentintoashopfullofsteelwaresbright,Arrangedwithartuponev’ryshelf。
  Hefanciedtheywereallmeantforhimself。
  Andso,whilethepatientownerstoodby,Theshininggoodsneedsmusthandleandtry,Andvalued,——forhowshouldafoolbetterknow?——
  Thebadthingshigh,andthegoodoneslow,Andallwithaneasyself-satisfiedface。
  Then,havingboughtnothing,helefttheplace。
  Thetradesmannowfeltsorelyvex’d,Sowhenthefellowwenttherenext,Alockofsteelmadequiteredhot。
  Theothercrieduponthespot:
  Suchwaresasthese,who’deverbuy?
  thesteelistarnish’dshamefully,——
  Thenpull’dit,likeafoolabout,Butsoonsetupapiteousshout。
  Praywhat’sthematter?theshopmanspoke。
  Theotherscream’d:Faith,averycooljoke!
  1815。*——
  THEYELPERS。
  OURridesinalldirectionsbend,Forbusinessorforpleasure,Yetyelpingsonourstepsattend,Andbarkingswithoutmeasure。
  Thedogthatinourstabledwells,Afterourheelsisstriding,AndallthewhilehisnoisyyellsButshowthatweareriding。
  1815。*——
  THESTORK’SVOCATION。
  THEstorkwhowormsandfrogsdevoursThatinourpondsreside,Whyshouldhedwellonhighchurch-towers,Withwhichhe’snotallied?
  Incessantlyhechattersthere,Andgivesourearsnorest。
  ButneitheroldnoryoungcandareTodrivehimfromhisnest。
  Ihumblyaskit,——howcanheGiveofhistitleproof,SavebyhishappytendencyTosoilthechurch’sroof?——
  CELEBRITY。
  [AsatireonhisownSorrowsofWerther。]
  ONbridgessmallandbridgesgreatStandsNepomucksinev’rystate,Ofbronze,wood,painted,orofstone,Somesmallasdolls,somegiantsgrown。
  EachpassermustworshipbeforeNepomuck,Whotodieonabridgechancedtohavetheillluck,WhenonceamanwithheadandearsAsaintinpeople’seyesappears,OrhasbeensentencedpiteouslyBeneaththehangman’shandtodie,He’sasanotedpersonprized,Inportraitisimmortalized。
  Engravings,woodcuts,aresupplied,Andthroughtheworldspreadfarandwide。
  Uponthemallisseenhisname,Andev’ryoneadmitshisclaim。
  EventheimageoftheLordIsnotwithgreaterzealador’d。
  Strangefancyofthehumanrace!
  Halfsinnerfrail,halfchildofgraceWeseeHERRWERTHERofthestoryInallthepompofwoodcutglory。
  Hisworthisfirstmadedulyknown,ByhavinghissadfeaturesshownAtev’ryfairthecountryround。
  Inev’ryalehousetoothey’refound。
  HisstickispointedbyeachdunceTheballwouldreachhisbrainatonce!
  Andeachsays,o’erhisbeerandbread:
  ThankHeav’nthat’tisnotwearedead!
  1815。*——
  PLAYINGATPRIESTS。
  WITHINatownwhereparityAccordingtooldformwesee,——
  Thatistosay,whereCatholicAndProtestantnoquarrelspick,Andwhere,asinhisfather’sday,EachworshipsGodinhisownway,WeLuth’ranchildrenusedtodwell,Bysongsandsermonstaughtaswell。
  TheCatholicclingclangintruthSoundedmorepleasingtoouryouth,Forallthatweencounter’dthere,Tousseem’dvaried,joyous,fair。
  Aschildren,monkeys,andmankindToapeeachotherareinclin’d,Wesoon,thetimetowhileaway,Agameatpriestsresolvedtoplay。
  TheirapronsalloursisterslentForcopes,whichgaveusgreatcontent。
  Andhandkerchiefs,embroider’do’er,Insteadofstoleswealsowore。
  Goldpaper,whereonbeastsweretraced,Thebishop’sbrowasmitregraced。
  ThroughhouseandgardenthusinstateWestruttedearly,struttedlate,Repeatingwithallproperunction,Incessantlyeachholyfunction。
  Thebestwaswantingtothegame。
  WeknewthatasonorousringWashereamostimportantthing。
  ButFortunetoourrescuecame,Foronthegroundahalterlay。
  Weweredelighted,andatonceMadeitabellropeforthenonce,Andkeptitmovingalltheday。
  InturnseachsisterandeachbrotherActedassextontoanother。
  Allhelp’dtoswellthejoyousthrong。
  Thewholeproceededswimmingly,Andsincenoactualbellhadwe,Weallinchorussang,Dingdong!
  *****
  Ourguilelesschild’s-sportlongwashush’dInmemory’stomb,likesomeoldlay。
  Andyetacrossmyminditrush’dWithpristineforcetheotherday。
  TheNew-PoeticCatholicsInev’rypointitsaptnessfix!
  1815。*——
  SONGS。
  SONGSarelikepaintedwindow-panes!
  Indarknesswrapp’dthechurchremains,Iffromthemarket-placeweviewit。
  Thusseestheignoramusthroughit。
  Nowonderthathedeemsittame,——
  Andallhislife’twillbethesame。
  Butletusnowinsiderepair,AndgreettheholyChapelthere!
  Atoncethewholeseemsclearandbright,Eachornamentisbathedinlight,Andfraughtwithmeaningtothesight。
  God’schildren!thusyourfortuneprize,Beedified,andfeastyoureyes!
  1827。*——
  POETRY。
  GODtohisuntaughtchildrensentLaw,order,knowledge,art,fromhigh,Andev’ryheav’nlyfavourlent,Theworld’shardlottoqualify。
  Theyknewnothowtheyshouldbehave,ForallfromHeav’nstark-nakedcame。
  ButPoetrytheirgarmentsgave,Andthennotonehadcauseforshame。
  1816——
  APARABLE。
  IPICKEDarusticnosegaylately,Andboreithomewards,musinggreatly。
  When,heatedbymyhand,IfoundTheheadsalldroopingtow’rdtheground。
  Iplac’dtheminawell-cool’dglass,AndwhatawondercametopassTheheadssoonraisedthemselvesoncemore。
  Thestalkswerebloomingasbefore,AndallwereinasgoodacaseAswhentheylefttheirnativeplace。
  ****
  SofeltI,whenIwond’ringheardMysongtoforeigntonguestransferr’d。
  1828——
  SHOULDE’ERTHELOVELESSDAY。
  SHOULDe’erthelovelessdayremainObscuredbystormsofhailandrain,Thycharmsthoushowestnever。
  Itapatwindow,tapatdoor:
  Come,lov’done,come!appearoncemore!
  Thouartasfairasever!
  1827。*——
  APLANTHEMUSESENTERTAINED。
  APLANtheMusesentertain’dMethodicallytoimpartToPsychethepoeticart。
  Prosaic-purehersoulremain’d。
  NowondroussoundsescapedherlyreE’eninthefairestSummernight。
  ButAmorcamewithglanceoffire,——
  Thelessonsoonwaslearn’daright。
  1827。*——
  THEDEATHOFTHEFLY。
  WITHeagernesshedrinksthetreach’rouspotion,Norstopstorest,bythefirsttastemisled。
  Sweetisthedraught,butsoonallpowerofmotionHefindshasfromhistendermembersfled。
  Nolongerhashestrengthtoplumehiswing,Nolongerstrengthtoraisehishead,poorthing!
  E’eninenjoyment’shourhislifeheloses,Hislittlefoottobearhisweightrefuses。
  Soonhesips,anderehisdraughtiso’er,Deathveilshisthousandeyesforevermore。
  1810——
  BYTHERIVER。
  WHENbythebroadstreamthoudostdwell,Oftshallowisitssluggishflood。
  Then,whenthyfieldsthoutendestwell,Ito’erthemspreadsitsslimeandmud。
  Theshipsdescenderedaylightwanes,Theprudentfisherupwardgoes。
  Roundreefandrockicecastsitschains,Andboysatwillthepathwayclose。
  Tothisattend,then,carefully,Andwhatthouwouldst,thatexecute!
  Ne’erlinger,ne’ero’erhastybe,Fortimemovesonwithmeasuredfoot。
  1821。*——
  THEFOXANDCRANE。
  ONCEtwopersonsuninvitedCametojoinmydinnertable。
  Forthenoncetheylivedunited,Foxandcraneycleptinfable。
  Civilgreetingspass’dbetweenusThenIpluck’dsomepigeonstenderForthefoxofjackal-genius,Addinggrapesinfull-grownsplendour。
  Long-neck’dflasksIputasdishesForthecrane,withoutdelaying,Fill’dwithgoldandsilverfishes,Inthelimpidwaterplaying。
  Hadyewitness’dReynardplantedAthisflatplate,alldemurely,Yewithenvymusthavegranted:
  Ne’erwassuchagourmand,surely!
  WhilethebirdwithcircumspectionOnonefoot,asusual,cradled,Fromtheflaskshisfish-refectionWithhisbillandlongneckladled。
  Onethepigeonspraised,——theother,Astheywent,extoll’dthefishes,EachonescoffingathisbrotherForpreferringvulgardishes。
  ***
  Ifthouwouldstpreservethycredit,WhenthouaskestfolkstoguzzleAtthyhoard,takecaretospreaditSuitedbothforbillandmuzzle。
  1819——
  THEFOXANDHUNTSMAN。
  HARD’tisonafox’stracesToarrive,midstforest-glades。
  Hopelessutterlythechaseis,Ifhisflightthehuntsmanaids。
  Andso’tiswithmanyawonder,WhyABmakeAbinfact,
  Overwhichwegapeandblunder,Andourheadandbrainsdistract。
  1821。*——
  THEFROGS。
  APOOLwasoncecongeal’dwithfrost。
  Thefrogs,initsdeepwaterslost,Nolongerdaredtocroakorspring。
  Butpromised,beinghalfasleep,Ifsuffer’dtotheairtocreep,Asverynightingalestosing。
  Athawdissolvedtheicesostrong,——
  Theyproudlysteer’dthemselvesalong,Whenlanded,squattedontheshore,Andcroak’dasloudlyasbefore。
  1821。*——
  THEWEDDING。
  AFEASTwasinavillagespread,——
  Itwasawedding-day,theysaid。
  TheparlouroftheinnIfound,Andsawthecoupleswhirlinground,Eachlassattendedbyherlad,Andallseem’dloving,blithe,andglad。
  Butonmyaskingforthebride,Afellowwithastare,replied:
  ’Tisnottheplacethatpointtoraise!
  We’reonlydancinginherhonour。
  Wenowhavedancedthreenightsanddays,Andnotbestowedonethoughtuponher。
  ****
  Whoe’erinlifeemployshiseyesSuchcasesoftwillrecognise。
  1821。*——
  BURIAL。
  TothegraveonedayfromahousetheyboreAmaiden。
  Tothewindowthecitizenswenttoexplore。
  Insplendourtheylived,andwithwealthasofyoreTheirbanquetswereladen。
  Thenthoughtthey:Themaidtothetombisnowborne。
  Wetoofromourdwellingserelongmustbetorn,Andhethatisleftourdeparturetomourn,Toourricheswillbethesuccessor,Forsomeonemustbetheirpossessor。
  1827。*——
  THREATENINGSIGNS。
  IFVenusintheeveningskyIsseeninradiantmajesty,Ifrod-likecomets,redasblood,Are’mongsttheconstellationsview’d,OutspringstheIgnoramus,yelling:
  Thestar’sexactlyo’ermydwelling!
  Whatwoefulprospect,ah,forme!
  Thencallshisneighbourmournfully:
  Beholdthatawfulsignofevil,Portendingwoetome,poordevil!
  Mymother’sasthmane’erwillleaveher,Mychildissickwithwindandfever。
  Idreadtheillnessofmywife,Aweekhaspass’d,devoidofstrife,——
  Andotherthingshavereach’dmyear。
  TheJudgmentDayhascome,Ifear!
  Hisneighbouranswered:Friend,you’reright!
  Matterslookveryhadto-night。
  Let’sgoastreetortwo,though,hence,Andgazeuponthestarsfromthence——
  Nochangeappearsineithercase。
  Leteachremaintheninhisplace,Andwiselydothebesthecan,Patientasanyotherman。
  1821。*——
  THEBUYERS。
  Toanapple-woman’sstallOncesomechildrennimblyran。
  Longingmuchtopurchaseall,TheywithjoyoushastebeganSnatchingupthepilesthereraised,WhilewitheagereyestheygazedOntherosyfruitsonice。
  Butwhentheyfoundouttheprice,Downtheythrewthewholethey’dgot,Justasiftheywereredhot。
  *****
  ThemanwhogratiswillhisgoodssupplyWillneverfindalackoffolkstobuy!
  1820——
  THEMOUNTAINVILLAGE。
  THEmountainvillagewasdestroy’d。
  Butseehowsoonisfill’dthevoid!
  Shinglesandboards,asbymagicarise,Thebabeinhiscradleandswaddling-clotheslies。
  HowblesttotrusttoGod’sprotection!
  Beholdawoodennewerection,Sothat,ifsparksandwindbutchoose,God’sselfatsuchagamemustlose!
  1821。*——
  SYMBOLS。
  PALMSundayattheVaticanTheycelebratewithpalms。
  Withreverencebowseachholyman,Andchauntstheancientpsalms。
  ThoseverypsalmsarealsosungWitholiveboughsinhand,Whileholly,mountainwildsamong,Inplaceofpalmsmuststand:
  Infine,oneseekssometwigthat’sgreen,Andtakesawillowrod,Sothatthepiousmanmaye’enInsmallthingspraisehisGod。
  Andifyehaveobserveditwell,Togainwhat’sfitye’reable,Ifyeinfaithcanbutexcel。
  Sucharethemythsoffable。
  1827。*——
  THREEPALINODIAS。
  I。
  Incenseishutatributeforthegods,——
  Tomortals’tisbutpoison。
  THEsmokethatfromthinealtarblows,Canitthegodsoffend?
  ForIobservethouhold’stthynose——
  Praywhatdoesthisportend?
  MankinddeemincensetoexcelEachotherearthlything,Sohethatcannotbearitssmell,Noincensee’ershouldbring。
  WithunmovedfacebytheeatleastTodollsishomagegiven。
  Ifnotobstructedbythepriest,Thescentmountsuptoheaven。
  1827。*
  II
  CONFLICTOFWITANDBEAUTY。
  SIRWit,whoissomuchesteem’d,Andwhoisworthyofallhonour,SawBeautyhissuperiordeem’dByfolkswholovedtogazeuponher。
  Atthishewasmostsorelyvex’d。
  ThencameSirBreathlongknownasfitTorepresentthecauseofwit,Beginning,rudely,Iadmit,Totreattheladywithatext。
  Tothisshehearken’dnotatall,Buthasten’dtohisprincipal:
  Nonearesowise,theysay,asyou,——
  Isnottheworldenoughfortwo?
  Ifyouareobstinate,good-bye!
  Ifwise,tolovemeyouwilltry,Forbeassuredtheworldcanne’erGivebirthtoamorehandsomepair。
  1827。*
  =====
  FAIRdaughterswerebyBeautyrear’d,Withadbutdullsonsforhislot。
  Soforaseasonitappear’dBeautywasconstant,Witwasnot。
  ButWit’sanativeofthesoil,Sohereturn’d,work’d,stroveamain,Andfound——sweetguerdonforhistoil!——
  Beautytoquickenhimagain。
  1827。*
  III。
  RAINANDRAINBOW。
  DURINGaheavystormitchancedThatfromhisroomacockneyglancedAtthefiercetempestasitbroke,Whiletohisneighbourthushespoke:
  Thethunderhasouraweinspired,Ourbarnsbylightninghavebeenfired,——
  Oursinstopunish,Isuppose。
  Butinreturn,tosootheourwoes,Seehowtherainintorrentsfell,Makingtheharvestpromisewell!
  Butis’tarainbowthatIspyExtendingo’erthedark-greysky?
  WithitI’msurewemaydispense,Thecolour’dcheat!Thevainpretence!
  DameIrisstraightwaythusreplied:
  Dostdaremybeautytoderide?
  InrealmsofspaceGodstation’dmeAtypeofbetterworldstobeToeyesthatfromlife’ssorrowsroveIncheerfulhopetoHeav’nabove,And,throughthemiststhathoverhereGodandhispreceptsblestrevere。
  Dothou,then,grovelliketheswine,Andtothegroundthysnoutconfine,Butsuffertheenlighten’deyeTofeastuponmymajesty。
  1827。*
  VALEDICTION。
  IONCEwasfondoffools,Andbidthemcomeeachday。
  TheneachonebroughthistoolsThecarpentertoplay。
  Therooftostripfirstchoosing,Anothertosupply,Thewoodastrestlesusing,Tomoveitby-and-by,Whilehereandtheretheyran,Andknock’dagainsteachother。
  TofretIsoonbegan,Myangercouldnotsmother,Socried,Getout,yefools!
  AtthistheywereoffendedTheneachonetookhistools,Andsoourfriendshipended。
  Sincethat,I’vewiserbeen,Andsitbesidemydoor。
  Whenoneofthemisseen,Icry,Appearnomore!
  Hence,stupidknave!Ibellow:
  Atthishe’sangrytoo:
  Youimpudentoldfellow!
  Andpray,sir,whoareyou?
  Alongthestreetsweriot,Andrevelatthefair。
  Butyetwe’reprettyquiet,Andfolksrevileusne’er。
  Don’tcallusnames,then,please!——
  AtlengthImeetwithease,Fornowtheyleavemydoor——
  ’Tisbetterthanbefore!
  1827。*——
  THECOUNTRYSCHOOLMASTER。
  I。
  AMASTERofacountryschoolJump’duponedayfromoffhisstool,InspiredwithfirmresolvetotryTogainthebestsociety。
  Sotothenearestbathshewalk’d,Andintothesaloonhestalk’d。
  Hefeltquite。startledatthedoor,Ne’erhavingseenthelikebefore。
  TothefirststrangermadehenowAverylowandgracefulbow,ButquiteforgottobearinmindThatpeoplealsostoodbehind。
  Hisleft-handneighbor’spaunchhestruckAgrievousblow,bygreatillluck。
  Pardonforthishefirstentreated,Andtheninhastehisbowrepeated。
  Hisrighthandneighbornexthehit,Andbegg’dhim,too,topardonit。
  Butonhisgrantinghispetition,Anotherwasinlikecondition。
  Thesecomplimentshepaidtoall,Behind,before,acrossthehall。
  Atlengthonewhocouldstandnomore,Show’dhimimpatientlythedoor。
  ****
  Maymany,pond’ringontheircrimes,Amoraldrawfromthisbetimes!
  II。
  AsheproceededonhiswayHethought,Iwastooweakto-day。
  TobowI’llne’eragainbeseen。
  Forgoatswillswallowwhatisgreen。
  Acrossthefieldshenowmustspeed,Notoverstumpsandstones,indeed,Butovermeadsandcornfieldssweet,Tramplingdownallwithclumsyfeet。
  Afarmermethimby-and-by,Anddidn’taskhim:how?orwhy?
  Butwithhisfistsalutedhim。
  Ifeelnewlifeineverylimb!
  Ourtravellercriedinecstasy。
  Whoartthouwhothusgladden’stme?
  MayHeavensuchblessingseversend!
  Ne’ermayIwantajovialfriend!
  1808。*——
  THELEGENDOFTHEHORSESHOE。
  WHATtimeourLordstillwalk’dtheearth,Unknown,despised,ofhumblebirth,AndonHimmanyayouthattendedHiswordstheyseldomcomprehended,Iteverseem’dtoHimmostmeetToholdHiscourtinopenstreet,Asunderheaven’sbroadcanopyOnespeakswithgreaterliberty。
  TheteachingsofHisblessedwordFromoutHisholymouthwereheard。
  Eachmarkettoafaneturn’dHeWithparableandsimile。
  Oneday,astow’rdatownHeroved,InpeaceofmindwiththoseHeloved,Uponthepathasomethinggleam’d。
  Abrokenhorseshoe’twas,itseem’d。
  SotoSt。PeterthusHespake:
  Thatpieceofironprytheetake!
  St。Peter’sthoughtshadgoneastray,——
  HehadbeenmusingonhiswayRespectingtheworld’sgovernment,Adreamthatalwaysgivescontent,Forinthehead’tischeck’dbynought。
  Thiseverwashisdearestthought,ForhimthisprizewasfartoomeanHaditacrownandsceptrebeen!
  But,surely,’twasn’tworththetroubleForhalfahorseshoetobenddouble!
  Andsoheturn’dawayhishead,Asifheheardnotwhatwassaid,TheLord,forbearingtow’rdallmen,Himselfpick’dupthehorseshoethenHene’eragainlikethisstoop’ddown。
  Andwhenatlengththeyreach’dthetown,BeforeasmithyHeremain’d,Andthereapennyfor’tobtain’d。
  Astheythemarket-placewentby,SomebeauteouscherriescaughtHiseye:
  AccordinglyHeboughtasmanyAscouldbepurchasedforapenny,Andthen,asoftHiswonthadbeen,PlacedthemwithinHissleeveunseen。
  Theywentoutbyanothergate,O’erplainsandfieldsproceedingstraight,Nohouseortreewasnearthespot,Thesunwasbright,thedaywashot。
  Inshort,theweatherbeingsuch,Adraughtofwaterwasworthmuch。
  TheLordwalk’donbeforethemall,Andlet,unseen,acherryfall。
  St。Peterrush’dtoseizeithold,Asthoughanapple’twereofgold。
  Hispalatemuchapprov’dtheberry。
  TheLorderelonganothercherryOncemoreletfallupontheplain。
  St。Peterforthwithstoop’dagain。
  TheLordkeptmakinghimthusbendTopickupcherrieswithoutend。
  Foralongtimethethingwenton。
  TheLordthensaid,incheerfultone:
  Had’stthoubutmovedwhenthouwertbid,Thouofthistroublehad’stbeenrid。
  Themanwhosmallthingsscorns,willnext,Bythingsstillsmallerbeperplex’d。
  1797——
  ASYMBOL。
  ThisfinepoemisgivenbyGoetheamongstasmallcollectionofwhathecallsLogeLodge,meaningtherebyMasonicpieces。
  THEmason’stradeObservethemwell,Resembleslife,AndwatchthemrevealingWithallitsstrife,——HowsolemnfeelingIslikethestirmadeAndwondermentswellBymanonearth’sface。Theheartsofthebrave。
  ThoughwealandwoeThevoiceoftheblest,Thefuturemayhide,AndofspiritsonhighUnterrifiedSeemsloudlytocry:
  WeonwardgoTodowhatisbest,Inne’erchangingrace。Unceasingendeavour!
  AveilofdreadInsilenceeterneHangsheavierstill。Herechapletsaretwin’d,DeepslumbersfillThateachnoblemindThestarsover-head,Itsguerdonmayearn——
  Andthefoot-troddengrave。Thenhopeyeforever!
  1827。*——
  ART——
  Artist,fashion!talknotlong!
  Beabreaththineonlysong!