ARallyofFugitiveRhymesbyAndrewLangContentsDedicationAScottoJeanned’ArcHowtheyheldtheBassforKingJamesThreeportraitsofPrinceCharlesFromOmarKhayyamAesopLesRosesdeSadiTheHauntedTowerBoat—songLostLoveThePromiseofHelenTheRestorationofRomanceCentralAmericanAntiquitiesinSouthKensingtonMuseumOnCalaisSandsBalladeofYulePoscimurOnhisDeadSea—MewFromMeleagerOntheGarlandSenttoRhodocleiaAGallowayGarlandCelia’sEyesBritanniaGalliaTheFairyMinisterToRobertLouisStevensonForMarkTwain’sJubileePoemsWrittenundertheInfluenceofWordsworthMistLinesLinesOdetoGolfFreshman’sTermAtoastDeathinJuneToCorrespondentsBalladeofDifficultRhymesBallanto’BallantraeSongbytheSub—ConsciousSelfTheHauntedHomesofEnglandTheDisappointmentTotheGentleReaderTheSonnetTheTournayoftheHeroesBalladofthePhilanthropistNeigesd’AntanInErcildouneForaRose’sSakeTheBrigand’sGraveTheNew—LiveriedYearMoreStrongthanDeathSilentiaLunaeHisLady’sTombThePoet’sApologyNotesDEDICATION:TOELEANORCHARLOTTESELLAR
’BanandArriereBan!’ahostBroken,beaten,allunled,TheyreturnasdothaghostFromthedead。
Sadorgladmyralliedrhymes,Soughtourdustypapersthrough,ForthesakeofothertimesCometoyou。
Timesandplacesnewweknow,FacesfreshandseasonsstrangeButthefriendsoflongagoDonotchange。
ERRATUM:Reader,ablothathescapedthewatchfulnessofthesetterforth:ifthouwiltthoumaystamendit。Thesonnetontheforty—fourthpage,againstallrightItalianatelaws,hathbutthirteenlineswithal:addanothertothyliking,ifthouartaMaker;or,ifthouartnone,evenbecontentwithwhatissetbeforethee。Ifitbescantmeasure,besureitischoicelygood。
ASCOTTOJEANNED’ARC
DarkLilywithoutblame,Notuponustheshame,WhosesiresweretotheAuldAlliancetrue,They,bytheMaiden’sside,Victoriousfoughtanddied,Onestoodbytheethatfierytormentthrough,TilltheWhiteDovefromthypurelipshadpassed,AndthouwertwiththineownSt。Catherineatthelast。
OnceonlydidstthouseeInartist’simagery,Thineownfacepainted,andthatpreciousthingWasinanArcher’shandFromthelealNorthernland。
Alas,whatpricewouldnotthypeoplebringTowinthatportraitoftheruinousGulfofdevouringyearsthathidetheMaidfromus!
Bornofalowlyline,Notelessasoncewasthine,OneofthatnameIwouldwerekintome,Who,intheScottishGuardWonthisforhisreward,TofightforFrance,andmemoryofthee:
Notuponus,darkLilywithoutblame,NotontheNorthmayfalltheshadowofthatshame。
OnFranceandEnglandbothTheshameofbrokentroth,Ofcowardhateandtreasonblackmustbe;
IfEnglandslewthee,FranceSentnotoneword,onelance,Onecointorescueortoransomthee。
AndstillthyChurchuntotheMaiddeniesThehaloandthepalms,theBeatificprize。
ButyetthypeoplecallsWithintherescuedwallsOfOrleans;andmakesitsprayertothee;
WhatthoughtheChurchhavechiddenTheseorisonsforbidden,Yetartthouwiththisearth’simmortalThree,WithhiminAthensthatofhemlockdied,AndwiththyMasterdearwhomtheworldcrucified。
HOWTHEYHELDTHEBASSFORKINGJAMES——1691—1693
[TimeofNarrating——1743]
YehaeheardWhigscracko’theSaintsintheBass,myfaith,agruesometale;
HowtheRemnantpaidatatippenyrate,foraquarto’ha’pennyale!
ButI’lltellyeanithertaleo’theBass,that’llheartenyeuptohear,SaeIpledgeyetoMiddletonfirstinaglass,andahealthtotheYoungChevalier!
TheBassstandsfraeNorthBerwickLawaleagueorlesstosea,Aboutitsfeetthebreakersbeat,abunethesea—mawsflee,There’scastlestarkanddungeondark,whereinthegodlylay,ThatmadetheirrantfortheCovenantthroughmonyawearyday。
Fortwal’yearslangthecavernsrangwi’preaching,prayer,andpsalm,Ye’dthinkthewindsweresoughingwild,whena’thewindswerecalm,Therewadtheypreach,eachSainttoeach,andglowerasthesoldierspass,AndPedenwaredhismalisononabonnyleaguerlass,Asshestoodanddaffed,whilethewarderslaughed,andwhasaeblitheasshe,Butawindo’illworkedhiswarlockwill,andflangherouttosea。
ThenwhasaebrightastheSaintsthatnight,andanangelcame,saythey,AndsanginthecellwheretheRighteousdwell,buthetooknaaSaintaway。
Thereyetmighttheybe,fornanecouldflee,andnanedaur’dbreakthejail,Andstillthesobbingo’theseamightmixwi’theirwarlockwail,Butthencameinblackechty—echt,andbluidyechty—nine,Wi’Cess,andPress,andPresbytery,anda’thedulesin’syne,TheSaintswonfreewi’thepowero’thekey,andcavaliersmaunpine!
ItwasHalyburton,Middleton,andRoyandyoungDunbar,ThatLivingstonetookonCromdalehaughs,inthelastfightofthewar:
AndtheywerewardedintheBass,tillthetimetheyshouldbeslain,WherebluidyMitchell,andBlackader,andEarlstonlanghadlain;
Fourladsalone,’gainstagarrison,butGlorycrownstheirnames,FortheybroughtittopassthattheytooktheBass,andtheyhelditforKingJames!
Itisnabypreachinghalfthenight,ye’llburstadungeondoor,Itwasnabydinto’psalmodytheybrokethehold,theyfour,ForlangyearsthreethatrockintheseabadeWullieWanbeardgaeswing,AndEnglandandScotlandfausemaybe,buttheBassRockstandsfortheKing!
There’sbutaepassgangsuptheBass,it’sguardedwi’stronggatesfour,Andstillasthesoldierswenttothesea,theysteikitthem,doorbydoor,Andthisdidtheydowhentheyhelpedacrewthatbroughttheircoalsonshore。
Thitherallhadgone,savethreemenalone:thenMiddletongrippedhisman,Halyburtonfelledthesergeantlad,Dunbarseizedthegunner,Swan;
Royboundtheirhands,inhempenbands,andtheCavalierswerefree。
Andtheytrainedthegunsonthesoldierloonsthatweredownwi’
theboatbythesea!
ThenMiddletoncriedfraethehighcliff—side,andhisvoicegarr’dtheauldrocksring,’Willyestandorfleebythelandorsea,forIholdtheBassfortheKing?’
Theyhadnaedesiretofacethefire;itwasmairthanmenmightdo,Sotheye’ensailedbackintheauldcoal—smack,asorryandshame—
facedcrew,AndtheyhirpleddountoEdinburghtoun,wi’thestoryoftheirshames,Howtheprisonersboldhadbrokenhold,andkepttheBassforKingJames。
KingJameshehassentthemgunsandmen,andtheWhigstheyguardtheBass,ButtheynevercouldcatchtheCavaliers,whotooktollofshipsthatpass,Theyfaredwildandfreeasthebirdso’thesea,andatnighttheywentonthewing,Andtheyliftedthekyeo’Whigsfarandnigh,andtheyrevelledanddranktotheKing。
ThenWullieWanbeardsendshisshipstosiegetheBassinform,Andfirstshalltheybreakthefortressdown,andsynetheRockthey’llstorm。
Aftertwadays’fighttheyfledinthenight,andgladeneuchtogo,Withtheirriggingrent,andtheirpowderspent,andmanyamanlaidlow。
Soforlangyearsthreedidtheysweepthesea,butacloserwatchwasset,Tillnaefoodhadthey,buttwaounceadayo’mealwasthemaistthey’dget。
Andmenfightbuttameonanemptywame,sotheysentaflago’
truce,AndblithewerethePrivyCouncilthen,whentheWhigshadheardthatnews。
TwaLordstheysentwi’astrangintenttobedouroneachCavalier,Butwi’Frenchcakesfine,andhislastdrapo’wine,didMiddletonmakethemcheer,Onthemuzzleso’gunsheputcoatsandcaps,andhesetthemabootthewa’s,AndtheWhigsthochtthenhehadfoodandmentostandfortheRightfu’Cause。
Sohegota’hecraved,andhismenweresaved,andnanemightsaythemnay,Wi’swordbyside,andflago’pride,freemenmighttheygangtheirway,TheymightfaretoFrance,theymightbideathame,andthebettertheirgracetobuy,WullieWanbeard’spursemaunpaythekeepo’thementhatdidhimdefy!
Menneverhaegottensictermso’peacesincefirstmenwenttowar,AsgotHalyburton,andMiddleton,andRoy,andtheyoungDunbar。
SaeIdrinktoyehere,TotheYoungChevalier!Ihaesaidyeanauldman’ssay,Andtheremayhaebeenmightierdeedsofarms,butthereneverwasnanesaegay!
THREEPORTRAITSOFPRINCECHARLES
1731
Beautifulfaceofachild,Lightedwithlaughterandglee,Mirthful,andtender,andwild,Myheartisheavyforthee!
1744
Beautifulfaceofayouth,Asaneaglepoisedtoflyforth,Totheoldlandloyaloftruth,TothehillsandthesoundsoftheNorth:
Fairface,daringandproud,Lo!theshadowofdoom,evennow,Thefateofthyline,likeacloud,Restsonthegraceofthybrow!
1773
Cruelandangryface,Hatefulandheavywithwine,Wherearethegladness,thegrace,Thebeauty,themirththatwerethine?
Ah,myPrince,itwerewell,——
Hadstthoutothegodsbeendear,—
TohavefallenwhereKeppochfell,Withthewar—pipeloudinthineear!
TohavediedwithneverastainOnthefairWhiteRoseofRenown,Tohavefallen,fightinginvain,Forthyfather,thyfaith,andthycrown!
Morethanthymarblepile,Withitswomenweepingforthee,Weretodreaminthineancientisle,Totheendlessdirgeofthesea!
ButtheFatesdeemedotherwise,Farthousleepestfromhome,FromthetearsoftheNorthernskies,IntheseculardustofRome。
***
Acityofdeathandthedead,Butthitherapilgrimcame,WearingonwearyheadThecrownsofyearsandfame:
LittletheLucrinelakeOrTivolisaidtohim,ScarcedidthememorieswakeOfthefar—offyearsanddim。
ForhestoodbyAvernus’shore,ButhedreamedofaNorthernglenAndhemurmured,overando’er,’ForCharlieandhismen:’
Andhisfeet,todeaththatwent,CreptforthtoSt。Peter’sshrine,AndthelatestMinstrelbentO’erthelastoftheStuartline。
FROMOMARKHAYYAM
[RhymedfromtheproseversionofMr。JustinHuntlyM’Carthy]
TheParadisetheybidusfasttowinHathWineandWomen;isitthenasinToliveasweshallliveinParadise,AndmakeaHeavenofEarth,ereHeavenbegin?
Thewisemaysearchtheworldfromendtoend,Fromdustynooktodustynook,myfriend,Andnothingbetterfindthangirlsandwine,Ofallthethingstheyneithermakenormend。
Nay,listenthouwho,walkingonLife’sway,Hastseennolovelockofthylove’sgrowgreyListen,andlovethylife,andlettheWheelOfHeavengospinningitsownwilfulway。
Manisaflagon,andhissoulthewine,Manisalamp,whereintheSouldothshine,Manisashakenreed,whereinthatwind,TheSoul,dotheverrustleandrepine。
EachmornIsay,to—nightIwillrepent,Repent!andeachnightgothewayIwent—
ThewayofWine;butnowthatreignstherose,LordofRepentance,ragenot,butrelent。
Iwishtodrinkofwine——sodeep,sodeep—
Thescentofwinemysepulchreshallsteep,Andthey,therevellersbyOmar’stomb,Shallbreatheit,andinWineshallfallasleep。
BeforetherentwallsofaruinedtownLaytheKing’sskull,wherebyabirdflewdown’Andwhere,’hesang,’isallthyclashofarms?
Wherethesonoroustrumpsofthyrenown?’
AESOP
Hesatamongthewoods,heheardThesylvanmerriment:hesawThepranksofbutterflyandbird,Thehumoursoftheape,thedaw。
Andinthelionorthefrog—
Inallthelifeofmoorandfen,Inassandpeacock,storkanddog,Hereadsimilitudesofmen。
’Ofthese,fromthose,’hecried,’wecome,Ourhearts,ourbrainsdescendfromthese。’
Andlo!theBeastsnomoreweredumb,Butansweredoutofbrakesandtrees:
’Notours,’theycried;’Degenerate,Ifoursatall,’theycriedagain,’Yefools,whowarwithGodandFate,Whostriveandtoil:strangeraceofmen。
’ForWEareneitherbondnorfree,ForWEhaveneitherslavesnorkings,ButneartoNature’sheartarewe,Andconsciousofhersecretthings。
’Contentarewetofallasleep,Andwellcontenttowakenomore,Wedonotlaugh,wedonotweep,Norlookbehindusandbefore;
’Butweretherecauseformoanormirth,’TisWE,notyou,shouldsighorscorn,Oh,latestchildrenoftheEarth,MostchildishchildrenEarthhasborne。’
***
Theyspoke,butthatmisshapenslaveToldneverofthethingheheard,Anduntomentheirportraitsgave,Inlikenessesofbeastandbird!
LESROSESDESADI
ThismorningIvowedIwouldbringtheemyRoses,Theywerethrustinthebandthatmybodiceencloses,Butthebreast—knotswerebroken,theRoseswentfree。
Thebreast—knotswerebroken;theRosestogetherFloatedforthonthewingsofthewindandtheweather,Andtheydriftedafardownthestreamsofthesea。
Andtheseawasasredaswhensunsetuncloses,ButmyraimentissweetfromthescentoftheRoses,Thoushaltknow,Love,howfragrantamemorycanbe。
THEHAUNTEDTOWER
[SuggestedbyapoemofTheophileGautier]
InfronthesawthedonjontallDeepinthewoods,andstayedtoscanTheguardsthatsleptalongthewall,Ordozeduponthebartizan。
HemarkedthedrowsyflagthathungUnwavedbywind,unfrayedbyshower,HelistenedtothebirdsthatsungGoforthandwinthehauntedtower!
Thetangledbrakemadewayforhim,Thetwistedbramblesbentaside;
Andlo,hepiercedtheforestdim,Andlo,hewonthefairybride!
ForHEwasyoung,butah!wefind,Allwe,whosebeardsarefleckedwithgrey,Ourfairycastle’sfarbehind,Wewatchitfromthedarklingway:
’Twasours,thatpalace,inouryouth,Werevelledthereinhappycheer:
Whoscarcedarevisitnowinsooth,LeVieuxChateaudeSouvenir!
FornottheboughsofforestgreenBegirdthatcastlefaraway,ThereisamistwherewehavebeenThatweepsaboutit,coldandgrey。
Andifweseektotravelback’Tisthroughathicketdimandsere,Withmanyagravebesidethetrack,Andmanyahauntingformoffear。
Deadleavesarewetamongthemoss,Withweedandthistleovergrown—
Aruinedbargewithinthefosse,Acastlebuiltofcrumblingstone!
Thedrawbridgedropsfromrustychains,Therecomesnochallengefromthehold;
Nosquire,nordame,norknightremains,Ofallwhodweltwithusofold。
AndthereissilenceinthehallNosoundofsongs,norayoffire;
Butgloomwhereallwasglad,andallIsdarkenedwithavaindesire。
Andeverypicture’sfadingfast,OffairJehanne,orCydalise。
Lo,thewhiteshadowshurryingpast,Belowtheboughsofdrippingtrees!
***
Ahrise,andmarch,andlooknotback,Nowthelongwayhasbroughtushere;
WemaynotturnandseekthetrackTotheoldChateaudeSouvenir!
BOAT—SONG
Adrift,withstarlitskiesabove,Withstarlitseasbelow,Wemovewithallthesunsthatmove,Withalltheseasthatflow:
For,bondorfree,earth,sky,andsea,Wheelwithonecentralwill,Andthyheartdriftethontome,AndonlyTimestandsstill。
Betweentwoshoresofdeathwedrift,Behindarethingsforgot,Before,thetideisracingswiftToshoresmanknowethnot。
Above,theskyisfarandcold,Below,themoaningseaSweepso’erthelovesthatwereofold,Butthou,Love,lovethoume。
Ah,lonelyaretheoceanways,Anddangerousthedeep,AndfrailthefairybarquethatstraysAbovetheseasasleep。
Ah,toilnomorewithhelmoroar,Wedrift,orbondorfree,Onyonfarshorethebreakersroar,Butthou,Love,lovethoume!
LOSTLOVE
WhowinshisLoveshallloseher,Wholoseshershallgain,Forstillthespiritwoosher,Asoulwithoutastain;
AndMemorystillpursuesherWithlongingsnotinvain!
Helosesherwhogainsher,WhowatchesdaybydayThedustoftimethatstainsher,Thegriefsthatleavehergrey,ThefleshthatyetenchainsherWhosegracehathpassedaway!
Oh,happierhewhogainsnotTheLovesomeseemtogain:
ThejoythatcustomstainsnotShallstillwithhimremain,Thelovelinessthatwanesnot,TheLovethatne’ercanwane。
IndreamsshegrowsnotolderThelandsofDreamamong,Thoughalltheworldwaxcolder,Thoughallthesongsbesung,IndreamsdothhebeholdherStillfairandkindandyoung。
THEPROMISEOFHELEN
Whomhastthoulongedformost,Trueloveofmine?
Whomhastthoulovedandlost?
Lo,sheisthine!
ShethatanotherwedBreaksfromhervow;
ShethathathlongbeendeadWakesfortheenow。
Dreamshauntthehaplessbed,Ghostshauntthenight,Lifecrownsherlivinghead,LoveandDelight。
Nay,notadreamnorghost,Nay,butDivine,ShethatwaslovedandlostWaitstobethine!
THERESTORATIONOFROMANCE。
TOH。R。H。,R。L。S。,A。C。D。,ANDS。W。
KingRomancewaswoundeddeep,Allhisknightsweredeadandgone,Allhiscourtwasfallenonsleep,InavaleofAvalon!
Nay,mensaid,hewillnotcome,Anynightoranymorn。
Nay,hispuissantvoiceisdumb,Silenthisenchantedhorn!
KingRomancewasforfeited,BanishedfromhisRoyalhome,Withapriceuponhishead,Drivenwithsylvanfolktoroam。
KingRomanceisfallen,banned,Criedhisfoemenoverbold,Brokenisthewizardwand,Allthestorieshavebeentold!
ThenyoucamefromSouthandNorth,FromTugela,fromtheTweed,Blazonedhisachievementsforth,KingRomanceiscomeindeed!
Allhisfoesareoverthrown,Alltheirwarescastoutinscorn,KingRomancehathwonhisown,Andthelandswherehewasborn!
Marsacatadventurerides,Felonmenmeetfelonscathe,MicahClarkeistakingsidesForKingMonmouthandtheFaith;
ForaCauseorforalassMenarewillingtobeslain,AndthedungeonsoftheBassHoldaprisoneragain。
KingRomancewithwandofgoldSwaystherealmsheruledofyore。
HillsDalgettyroamedofold,ValleysofenchantedKor:
Waveshissceptreo’ertheisles,Claimsthepirates’treasuries,ThroughinnumerablemilesOfthesiren—hauntedseas!
Elfinfolkofcoastandcave,Laudhiminthewovendance,AllthetribesofwoldandwaveBowthekneetoKingRomance!
Wand’ringvoicesChaucerknewOnthemountainandthemain,Crythehauntedforestthrough,KINGROMANCEHASCOMEAGAIN!
CENTRALAMERICANANTIQUITIESINSOUTHKENSINGTONMUSEUM
’YouthandcrabbedageCannotlivetogether;’
Sotheysay。
OnthislittlepageSeeyouwhenandwhetherThattheymay。
Agewasveryold—
StonesfromChichimecHardlywrung;
YouthhadhairofgoldKnottedonherneck—
Fairandyoung!
AgewascarvedwithoddSlaves,andprieststhatslewthem—
GodandBeast;
ManandBeastandGod—
Thereshesatanddrewthem,KingandPriest!
ThereshesatanddrewManyamonstrousheadAndantique;
HorrorsfromPeru,HUACASdoublydead,Deadcacique!
ErePizarrocameThesewerelordsofmenLongago;
Godswithoutaname,Bornorhoworwhen,Nonemayknow!
NowfromYucatanThesedothSciencebearOverseas;
AndmethinksamanFindsyouthdoublyfair,Sketchingthese!
ONCALAISSANDS
OnCalaisSandsthegreybegan,Thenrosyredabovethegrey,ThemornwithmanyascarletvanLeap’d,andtheworldwasgladwithMay!
ThelittlewavesalongthebayBrokewhiteupontheshelvingstrands;
Thesea—mewsflittedwhiteastheyOnCalaisSands!
OnCalaisSandsmustmanwithmanWashhonourcleaninbloodto—day;
OnspaceswetfromwaterswanHowwhitetheflashingrapiersplay,Parry,riposte!andlunge!ThefrayShiftsforawhile,thenmournfulstandsTheVictor:lifeebbsfastawayOnCalaisSands!
OnCalaisSandsalittlespaceOfsilence,thentheplashandspray,ThesoundofeagerwavesthatranTokisstheperfumedlocksastray,Totouchtheselipsthatne’ersaid’Nay,’
Todallywiththehelplesshands;
TillthedeepseainsilencelayOnCalaisSands!
BetweenthelilacandthemayShewaitsherlovefromalienlands;
HerloveiscolderthantheclayOnCalaisSands!
BALLADEOFYULE
Thislife’smostjolly,Amienssaid,Heigh—ho,theHolly!Sosanghe。
AsthegoodDukewascomfortedInforestexile,somaywe!
Theyearsmaydarkenastheyflee,AndChristmasbringhismelancholy:
ButroundtheoldmahoganytreeWedrink,wesingHeigh—ho,theHolly!
ThoughsomearedeadandsomearefledTolandsofsummeroversea,Thehollyberrykeepshisred,Themerrychildrenkeeptheirglee;
TheyhoardwithartlesssecresyThisgiftforMaude,andthatforMolly,AndSantaClausheturnsthekeyOnChristmasEve,Heigh—ho,theHolly!
Amidthesnowthebirdsarefed,Thesnowliesdeeponlawnandlea,Theskiesareshiningoverhead,Therobin’stamethatwassofree。
FarNorth,athome,the’barleybree’
Theybrew;theygivethehourtofolly,How’RabandAllancamtopree,’
Theysing,wesingHeigh—ho,theHolly!
ENVOI
Friend,letuspaythewontedfee,Theyearlytitheofmirth:bejolly!
Itisadutysotobe,Thoughhalfwesigh,Heigh—ho,theHolly!
POSCIMUR——FROMHORACE
Hush,fortheycall!Ifintheshade,Mylute,wetwainhaveidlystrayed,Andsongformanyaseasonmade,Oncemorereply;
Oncemorewe’llplayaswehaveplayed,MyluteandI!
Romanthesong:thestrainyouknow,TheLesbianwroughtitlongago。
Nowsingingashechargedthefoe,Nowinthebay,Wheresafeintheshore—water’sflowHisgalleyslay。
SosangheBacchusandtheNine,AndVenusandherboydivine,AndLycusoftheduskyeyne,Theduskyhair;
Soshaltthousing,ah,Luteofmine,Ofallthingsfair;
Apollo’sglory!Soundingshell,Thoulute,toJovedesirable,WhensoftthineaccentssighandswellAtfestival—
Delightmoredearthanwordscantell,Attendmycall!
ONHISDEADSEA—MEW
FROMTHEGREEK
I
Birdofthegraces,dearsea—mew,whosenoteWaslikethehalcyon’ssong,IndeaththywingsandthysweetspiritfloatStillpathsofthenightalong!
II
THESAILOR’SGRAVE
TombofashipwreckedseafareramI,Butthou,sailon!
Forhomewardsafedidothervesselsfly,Thoughweweregone。
FROMMELEAGER
Ilovenotthewine—cup,butifthouartfainIshoulddrink,dothoutasteit,andbringittome;
Ifittouchbutthylipsitwerehardtorefrain,Itwerehardfromthesweetmaidwhobearsittoflee;
Forthecupferriesoverthekisses,andplainDoesitspeakofthegracethatwasgivenitbythee。
ONTHEGARLANDSENTTORHODOCLEIA——RUFINUS
GOLDENEYES
’Ah,GoldenEyes,towinyouyet,IbringmineAprilcoronet,Thelovelyblossomsofthespring,ForyouIweave,toyouIbringTheseroseswiththeliliesset,Thedewydark—eyedviolet,Narcissus,andthewind—flowerwet:
Wiltthoudisdainmineoffering?
Ah,GoldenEyes!
Crownedwiththylover’sflowers,forgetThepridewhereinthyheartisset,Forthou,liketheseoranything,Hasbutamomentofthyspring,Thyspring,andthen——thelongregret!
Ah,GoldenEyes!’
AGALLOWAYGARLAND
Weknownot,onthesehillsofours,ThefabledasphodelofGreece,ThatfillethwithimmortalflowersFieldswheretheheroesareatpeace!
NotoursaremyrtlebudsliketheseThatbreatheo’erisleswherememoriesdwellOfSappho,inenchantedseas!
Wemeetnot,onouruplandmoor,ThesingingMaidofHelicon,YoumaynothearhermusicpureFloatonthemountainmereswithdrawn;
TheMuseofGreece,theMuseisgone!
ButwehavesongsthatpleaseuswellAndflowerswelovetolookupon。
MoresweetthanSouthernmyrtlesfarThebruisedMarsh—myrtlebreathethkeen;
Parnassusnamestheflower,thestar,Thatshinesamongthewell—headsgreenThebrightMarsh—asphodelsbetween—
Marsh—myrtleandMarsh—asphodelMaycrowntheNorthernMuseaqueenCELIA’SEYES——PASTICHE
TellmenotthatbabiesdwellInthedeepsofCelia’seyes;
CupidineachhazelwellScanshisbeautieswithsurprise,Andwould,likeNarcissus,drownInmyCelia’seyesofbrown。
TellmenotthatanygoesSafebythatenchantedplace;
ErosdwellswithAnterosInthegardenofherFace,WherelikefriendswholatewerefoesMeetthewhiteandcrimsonRose。
BRITANNIA——FROMJULESLEMAITRE
Thymouthisfreshascherriesonthebough,Redcherriesinthedawning,andmorewhiteThanmilkorwhitecamelliasisthybrow;
Andasthegoldencornthyhairisbright,ThecornthatdrinkstheSun’slessfairthanthou;
Whilethroughthineeyesthechild—soulgazethnow—
EyesliketheflowerthatwasRousseau’sdelight。
SisterofsadOphelia,say,shalltheseThypearlyteethgrowlikepianokeysYellowandlong;whilethou,allskinandbone,Anglesandmorals,inasky—blueveil,Shalthostsofchildrentothesermonhale,Blarehymns,readchapters,backbite,andintone?
GALLIA
Lady,ladyneatOftheroguisheye,Whereforedostthouhie,Stealthy,downthestreet,Onwell—bootedfeet?
FromFrenchnovelsI
Gatherthatyoufly,GuyorJulestomeet。
Furtivedostthourange,Oftthycabdostchange;
So,atleast,’tissaid:
Oh,thesadoldtalePassionatelystale,We’vesooftenread!
THEFAIRYMINISTER
[TheRev。Mr。KirkofAberfoylewascarriedawaybytheFairiesin1692。]
PeopleofPeace!apeacefulman,Wellworthyofyourlovewashe,Who,whiletheroaringGarryranRedwiththelife—bloodofDundee,Whilecoatswereturning,crownswerefalling,Wanderedalonghisvalleystill,AndheardyourmysticvoicescallingFromfairyknoweandhauntedhill。
Heheard,hesaw,heknewtoowellThesecretsofyourfairyclan;
Youstolehimfromthehaunteddell,Whonevermorewasseenofman。
Nowfarfromheaven,andsafefromhell,Unknownofearth,hewandersfree。
WouldthathemightreturnandtellOfhismysteriousCompany!
ForwehavetiredtheFolkofPeace;
Nomoretheytaxourcornandoil;
Theirdancesonthemoorlandcease,TheBrowniestintshiswontedtoil。
NomoreshallanyshepherdmeetTheladiesofthefairyclan,NoraretheirdeathlykissessweetOnlipsofanyearthlyman。
AndhalfIenvyhimwhonow,ClothedinherCourt’senchantedgreen,Bymoonlitlochormountain’sbrowIsChaplaintotheFairyQueen。
TOROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON
WITHKIRK’S’SECRETCOMMONWEALTH’
OLouis!youthatlikethemmaist,Ye’refarfraekelpie,wraith,andghaist,Andfairydames,nouncochaste,Andhauntedcell。
Amongaheathenclanye’replaced,Thatkensnahell!
Yehaenaeheather,peat,norbirks,Naetroutina’yerburnieslurks,TherearenaebonnyU。P。kirks,Anawfu’place!
NanekenstheCovenanto’WorksFraethato’Grace!
Butwhiles,maybe,tothemye’llreadBladso’theCovenantingcreed,Andwhilestheirpaganwamesye’llfeedOnhalesomeparritch;
Andsyneye’llgarthemlearnascreedO’theShorterCarritch。
YetthaeuncovenantedshaversHaerowth,yesay,o’clashandclaversO’godsandetins——auldwives’havers,Buttheirdelight;
Thevoiceo’himthattellsthemquaversJustwi’fairfright。
Andyemighttell,ayontthefaem,ThaeHielandclasheso’ourhameTospeakthetruth,ItaknashameTohalfbelievethem;
And,stampedwi’Tusitala’sname,They’lla’receivethem。
AndfolktocomeayonttheseaMayheartheyowlo’theBanshie,Andfraethewater—kelpieflee,Erea’thingscease,AndislandbairnsmaystolenbeBytheFolko’Peace。
FORMARKTWAIN’SJUBILEE
TobraveMarkTwain,acrossthesea,Theyearshavebroughthisjubilee;
Onehearsithalfwithpain,ThatfiftyyearshavepassedandgoneSincedancedthemerrystarthatshoneAbovethebabe,MarkTwain!
Howmanyandmanyawearyday,Whensadenoughwerewe,’Mark’sway’
(UnliketheLaureate’sMark’s)
Hasmadeuslaughuntilwecried,And,sinkingbackexhausted,sighed,LikeGargery,Wotlarx!
Weturnhispages,andweseeTheMississippiflowingfree;
Weturnagain,andgrinO’erallTomSawyerdidandplanned,WithhimoftheEnsanguinedHand,WithHuckleberryFinn!
Spiritofmirth,whosechimeofbellsShakesonhiscap,andsweetlyswellsAcrosstheAtlanticmain,GrantthatMark’slaughterneverdie,Thatmen,throughmanyacentury,Maychuckleo’erMarkTwain!
MIST
Mist,thoughIlovetheenot,whoputtestdownTroutintheLochs,(theyfeednot,asarule,Atleastonfly,inmereorriver—poolWhenfogshavefallen,andtheairislown,AndoneachBen,apillownotacrown,Thefatfoldsrest,)thou,Mist,hastpowertocoolTheblatantdeclamationsofthefoolWhoravesrecitingthroughtheheatherbrown。
MuchdoIbarthematron,man,orlassWhocries’Howlovely!’andwhodoesnotspareWhenlightandshadowonthemountainpass,——
Shadowandlight,andgleamsexceedingfair,O’errock,andglade,andglen,——toshout,theAss,Tome,tomethePoet,’Oh,lookthere!’
LINES
[WrittenundertheinfluenceofWordsworth,withaslate—pencilonawindowofthedining—roomattheLowoodHotel,Windermere,whilewaitingfortea,afterbeingpresentattheGrasmereSportsonaverywetday,andinconsequenceofarecentperusalofBelinda,aNovel,byMissBroughton,whoseabsenceisregretted。]
HowsolemnisthefrontofthisHotel,Whennowthehillsareswathedinmodestmist,Andnonecanspeakofscenery,nortellOf’tintsofamber,’orof’amethyst。’
Hereoncethydaughters,youngRomance,diddwell,HereSaraflirtedwithwhoeverlist,Belindalovednotwiselybuttoowell,AndMr。FordplayedthePhilologist!
Hauntedthehouseis,andthebalconyWherethatfondMatronknewherLovernear,Andherewesit,andwaitfortea,andsigh,Whilethesadrainsobsinthesullenmere,Andallourheartsgoforthintothecry,Wouldthatthetellerofthetalewerehere!
LINES
[Writtenonthewindowpaneofarailwaycarriageafterreadinganadvertisementofsunlightsoap,andPoems,byWilliamWordsworth。]
IpasseduponthewingsofSteamAlongTay’svalleyfair,ThebookIreadhadsuchathemeAsbidstheSouldespair。
AtaleofmiserablemenOfheartswithdoubtdistraught,WhereinamelancholypenWithhelplessproblemsfought。
Wheremanyalifewasbroughttodust,Andmanyaheartlaidlow,Andmanyalovewassmirchedwithlust—
Iraisedmineeyes,and,oh!—
Imarkeduponacommonwall,Thesesimplewordsofhope,Thatmuteappealtooneandall,Cheerup!UseSunlightSoap!
OurmoralenergieshaverangeBeyondtheirseemingscope,Howtonicwerethewords,howstrange,Cheerup!UseSunlightSoap!
’Behold,’Icried,’theinnertouchThatliftstheSoulthroughcares!
IlovedthatSoap—boilersomuchIblessedhimunawares!
Perchanceheissomevulgarman,Engrossedinpoundss。d。
But,ah!throughNature’sholyplanHewhisperedhopetome!
ODETOGOLF
’DelusiveNymph,farewell!’
Howoftwe’vesaidorsung,Whenballsevasivefell,Orinthejawsof’Hell,’
Orsaltsea—weedsamong,’Midshingleandsea—shell!
HowoftbesidetheBurn,Weplaythesad’twomore’;
Howoftenattheturn,Theheathermustwespurn;
Howoftwe’ve’toppedandswore,’
Inbentandwhinandfern!
Yes,whenthebrokenheadBoundsfurtherthantheball,Thehearthasinlybled。