"`……SeesmallportionsoftheEternalWorldthatevergroweth’：……
SosangaFairy，mocking，ashesatonastreak’dtulip，Thinkingnonesawhim：whenheceas’dIstartedfromthetrees，Andcaughthiminmyhat，asboysknockdownabutterfly。"
WilliamBlake。"Europe。AProphecy。"
`Thouhastalapfullofseed，Andthisisafinecountry。’
WilliamBlake。
PrefaceThisisabookofstories。ForthatreasonIhaveexcludedallpurelylyricalpoems。Buttheword"stories"hasbeenstretchedtoitsfullestapplication。Itincludesbothnarrativepoems，properlysocalled;talesdividedintoscenes;andafewpiecesoflessobviousstory-tellingimportinwhichonemightsaythatthedramatispersonaeareair，clouds，trees，houses，streets，andsuchlikethings。
Ithaslongbeenafavouriteideaofminethattherhythmsof`verslibre’
havenotbeensufficientlyplumbed，thatthereisinthemapowerofvariationwhichhasneveryetbeenbroughttothelightofexperiment。
IthinkitwasthepianopiecesofDebussy，withtheirstrangelikenesstoshortverslibrepoems，whichfirstshowedmetheclosekinshipofmusicandpoetry，andthereflashedintomymindtheideaofusingthemovementofpoetryinsomewhatthesamewaythatthemusicianusesthemovementofmusic。
Itwasquiteevidentthatthiscouldneverbedoneinthestrictpatternofametricalform，buttheflowing，fluctuatingrhythmofverslibreseemedtoopenthedoortosuchanexperiment。First，however，Iconsideredthesamemethodasappliedtothemorepronouncedmovementsofnaturalobjects。Ifthereaderwillturntothepoem，"ARoxburyGarden"，hewillfindinthefirsttwosectionsanattempttogivethecircularmovementofahoopbowlingalongtheground，andtheupanddown，ellipticalcurveofaflyingshuttlecock。
Fromtheseexperiments，itisbutasteptotheflowingrhythmofmusic。
In"TheCremonaViolin"，Ihavetriedtogivethisflowing，changingrhythmtothepartsinwhichtheviolinisbeingplayed。Theeffectisfartherheightened，becausetherestofthepoemiswritteninthesevenlineChaucerianstanza;and，bydesertingthisorderedpatternfortheundulatinglineofverslibre，Ihopedtoproducesomethingofthesuave，continuoustoneofaviolin。Again，intheviolinpartsthemselves，themovementconstantlychanges，aswillbequiteplaintoanyonereadingthesepassagesaloud。
In"TheCremonaViolin"，however，therhythmsarefairlyobviousandregular。
IsetmyselfafarhardertaskintryingtotranscribethevariousmovementsofStravinsky’s"ThreePieces`Grotesques’，forStringQuartet"。
Severalmusicians，whohaveseenthepoem，thinkthemovementaccuratelygiven。
Theseexperimentsleadmetobelievethatthereisheremuchfoodforthoughtandmatterforstudy，andIhopemanypoetswillfollowmeinopeningupthestillhardlyexploredpossibilitiesofverslibre。
Agoodmanyofthepoemsinthisbookarewrittenin"polyphonicprose"。
AformaboutwhichIhavewrittenandspokensomuchthatitseemshardlynecessarytoexplainithere。Letmehastilyadd，however，thattheword"prose"initsnamerefersonlytothetypographicalarrangement，forinnosenseisthisaproseform。
Onlyreaditaloud，GentleReader，Ibeg，andyouwillseewhatyouwillsee。
Forapurelydramaticform，Iknownonebetterinthewholerangeofpoetry。
Itenablesthepoettogivehischaractersthevivid，realeffecttheyhaveinaplay，whileatthesametimewritinginthe`decor’。
OnelastinnovationIhavestilltomention。Itwillbefoundin"SpringDay"，andmorefullyenlargeduponintheseries，"TownsinColour"。Inthesepoems，Ihaveendeavouredtogivethecolour，andlight，andshade，ofcertainplacesandhours，stressingthepurelypictorialeffect，andwithlittleornoreferencetoanyotheraspectoftheplacesdescribed。Itisanenchantingthingtowanderthroughacitylookingforitsunrelatedbeauty，thebeautybywhichitcaptivatesthesensuoussenseofseeing。
Ihavealwayslovedaquariums，butforyearsIwenttothemandlooked，andlooked，atthoseswirling，shooting，loopingpatternsoffish，whichalwaysdefiedtranscriptiontopaperuntilIhituponthe"unrelated"method。Theresultisin"AnAquarium"。
IthinkthefirstthingwhichturnedmeinthisdirectionwasJohnGouldFletcher’s"LondonExcursion"，in"SomeImagistPoets"。
Ihererecordmythanks。
Forthesubstanceofthepoems——why，thepoemsarehere。
Noonewritingto-daycanfailtobeaffectedbythegreatwarraginginEuropeatthistime。Wearetoonearittodomorethantouchuponit。But，obliquely，itissuggestedinmanyofthesepoems，mostnotablythoseinthesection，"BronzeTablets"。TheNapoleonicEraisanepicsubject，andwaitsagreatepicpoet。Ihaveonlybeenabletoopenafewwindowsuponithereandthere。Butthescenefromthewindowsisauthentic，andthewatcherhasusedeyes，andears，andheart，inwatching。
AmyLowellJuly10，1916。
ContentsFigurinesinOldSaxePatternsPickthornManorTheCremonaViolinTheCross-RoadsARoxburyGarden1777
BronzeTabletsTheFruitShopMalmaisonTheHammersTwoTravellersinthePlaceVendomeWarPicturesTheAlliesTheBombardmentLeadSoldiersThePainteronSilkABalladofFootmenTheOvergrownPastureReapingOfftheTurnpikeTheGroceryNumber3ontheDocketClocksTickaCenturyNightmare：ATaleforanAutumnEveningThePaperWindmillTheRedLacquerMusic-StandSpringDayTheDinner-PartyStravinsky’sThreePieces"Grotesques"，forStringQuartetTownsinColourRedSlippersThompson’sLunchRoom——GrandCentralStationAnOperaHouseAfternoonRaininStateStreetAnAquariumThetwoseasongsquotedin"TheHammers"aretakenfrom`Songs：NavalandNautical，ofthelateCharlesDibdin’，London，JohnMurray，1841。The"HangingJohnny"refrain，in"TheCremonaViolin"，isborrowedfromtheold，well-knownchantyofthatname。
————————————————————-
Men，WomenandGhosts————————————————————-
FigurinesinOldSaxePatternsIwalkdownthegardenpaths，AndallthedaffodilsAreblowing，andthebrightbluesquills。
Iwalkdownthepatternedgarden-pathsInmystiff，brocadedgown。
Withmypowderedhairandjewelledfan，ItooamararePattern。AsIwanderdownThegardenpaths。
Mydressisrichlyfigured，AndthetrainMakesapinkandsilverstainOnthegravel，andthethriftOftheborders。
Justaplateofcurrentfashion，Trippingbyinhigh-heeled，ribbonedshoes。
Notasoftnessanywhereaboutme，Onlywhaleboneandbrocade。
AndIsinkonaseatintheshadeOfalimetree。FormypassionWarsagainstthestiffbrocade。
ThedaffodilsandsquillsFlutterinthebreezeAstheyplease。
AndIweep;
Forthelime-treeisinblossomAndonesmallflowerhasdroppeduponmybosom。
AndtheplashingofwaterdropsInthemarblefountainComesdownthegarden-paths。
Thedrippingneverstops。
UnderneathmystiffenedgownIsthesoftnessofawomanbathinginamarblebasin，AbasininthemidstofhedgesgrownSothick，shecannotseeherloverhiding，Butsheguessesheisnear，AndtheslidingofthewaterSeemsthestrokingofadearHanduponher。
WhatisSummerinafinebrocadedgown！
Ishouldliketoseeitlyinginaheapupontheground。
Allthepinkandsilvercrumpledupontheground。
IwouldbethepinkandsilverasIranalongthepaths，Andhewouldstumbleafter，Bewilderedbymylaughter。
Ishouldseethesunflashingfromhissword-hiltandthebucklesonhisshoes。
IwouldchooseToleadhiminamazealongthepatternedpaths，Abrightandlaughingmazeformyheavy-bootedlover，Tillhecaughtmeintheshade，Andthebuttonsofhiswaistcoatbruisedmybodyasheclaspedme，Aching，melting，unafraid。
Withtheshadowsoftheleavesandthesundrops，Andtheploppingofthewaterdrops，Allaboutusintheopenafternoon——
IamveryliketoswoonWiththeweightofthisbrocade，Forthesunsiftsthroughtheshade。
UnderneaththefallenblossomInmybosom，IsaletterIhavehid。
ItwasbroughttomethismorningbyariderfromtheDuke。
"Madam，weregrettoinformyouthatLordHartwellDiedinactionThursdayse’nnight。"
AsIreaditinthewhite，morningsunlight，Theletterssquirmedlikesnakes。
"Anyanswer，Madam，"saidmyfootman。
"No，"Itoldhim。
"Seethatthemessengertakessomerefreshment。
No，noanswer。"
AndIwalkedintothegarden，Upanddownthepatternedpaths，Inmystiff，correctbrocade。
Theblueandyellowflowersstoodupproudlyinthesun，Eachone。
Istooduprighttoo，HeldrigidtothepatternBythestiffnessofmygown。
UpanddownIwalked，Upanddown。
Inamonthhewouldhavebeenmyhusband。
Inamonth，here，underneaththislime，Wewouldhavebrokethepattern;
Heforme，andIforhim，HeasColonel，IasLady，Onthisshadyseat。
HehadawhimThatsunlightcarriedblessing。
AndIanswered，"Itshallbeasyouhavesaid。"
Nowheisdead。
InSummerandinWinterIshallwalkUpanddownThepatternedgarden-pathsInmystiff，brocadedgown。
ThesquillsanddaffodilsWillgiveplacetopillaredroses，andtoasters，andtosnow。
IshallgoUpanddown，Inmygown。
Gorgeouslyarrayed，Bonedandstayed。
AndthesoftnessofmybodywillbeguardedfromembraceByeachbutton，hook，andlace。
Forthemanwhoshouldloosemeisdead，FightingwiththeDukeinFlanders，Inapatterncalledawar。
Christ！Whatarepatternsfor？
PickthornManorI
HowfreshtheDartle’slittlewavesthatday！
Asteelysilver，underlinedwithblue，Andflashingwheretheroundclouds，blownaway，LetdroptheyellowsunshinetogleamthroughAndtiptheedgesofthewaveswithshiftsAndspotsofwhitestfire，hardlikegemsCutfromthemidnightmoontheywere，andsharpAswindthroughleaflessstems。
TheLadyEunicewalkedbetweenthedriftsOfbloomingcherry-trees，andwatchedtheriftsOfcloudsdrawnthroughtheriver’sazurewarp。
II
Herlittlefeettappedsoftlydownthepath。
Hersoulwaslistless;eventhemorningbreezeFlutteringthetreesandstrewingalightswathOffallenpetalsonthegrass，couldpleaseHernotatall。ShebrushedahairasideWithaswiftmove，andahalf-angryfrown。
Shestoppedtopulladaffodilortwo，AndheldthemtohergownTotestthecolours;putthematherside，Thenatherbreast，thenloosenedthemandtriedSomenewarrangement，butitwouldnotdo。
III
AladyinaManor-house，alone，WhosehusbandisinFlanderswiththeDukeOfMarlboroughandPrinceEugene，she’sgrownTooapatheticeventorebukeHeridleness。WhatissheonthisEarth？
Nowomansurely，sincesheneithercanBewednorsingle，mustnotlethermindBuildthoughtsuponamanExceptforhers。IndeedthatwerenodearthWereherLordhere，forwellsheknewhisworth，Andwhenshethoughtofhimhereyeswerekind。
IV
Toolatelywedtohaveforgotthewooing。
ToounaccustomedasabridetofeelOtherthanstrangedelightatherwife’sdoing。
EvenatthethoughtagentleblushwouldstealOverherface，andthenherlipswouldframeSomelittlewordofloving，andhereyesWouldbrimandspilltheirtears，whenalltheysawWasthebrightsun，slantwiseThroughburgeoningtrees，andallthemorning’sflameBurningandquiveringroundher。WithquickshameSheshutherheartandbentbeforethelaw。
V
Hewasasoldier，shewasproudofthat。
Thiswashishouseandshewouldkeepitwell。
Hishonourwasinfighting，hersinwhatHe’dleftherhereinchargeof。ThenaspellOfconsciencesentherthroughtheorchardspyingUponthegardeners。Weretheirtoolsabout？
Wereanybranchesbroken？HadtheweedsBeendulytakenoutUnderthe’spalieredpears，andweretheselyingNailedsnugagainstthesunnybricksanddryingTheirleavesandsatisfyingalltheirneeds？
VI
Shepickedastoneupwithalittlepout，Stoneslookedsoillinwell-keptflower-borders。
Whereshouldsheputit？AllthepathsaboutWerestrewnwithfair，redgravelbyherorders。
Nostonecouldmartheirsiftedsmoothness。SoShehurriedtotheriver。AttheedgeShestoodamomentcharmedbytheswiftblueBeyondtheriversedge。
Shewatcheditcurdling，crinkling，andthesnowPurfleduponitswave-tops。Then，"Hullo，MyBeauty，gently，oryou’llwrigglethrough。"
VII
TheLadyEunicecaughtawillowsprayTosaveherselffromtumblingintheshallowsWhichrippledtoherfeet。ThenstraightawayShepeereddownstreamamongthebuddingsallows。
AyouthinleatherbreechesandashirtOffinestbroideredlawnlayoutuponAnoverhangingboleanddeftlyswayedAwell-hookedfishwhichshoneInthepalelemonsunshinelikeaspurtOfsilver，bowedanddamascened，andgirtWithcrimsonspotsandmoonswhichwanedandplayed。
VIII
Thefishhungcircledforamoment，ringedAndbright;thenflungitselfout，athinbladeOfspottedlightning，anditstailwaswingedWithchippedandsparkledsunshine。AndtheshadeBrokeupandsplinteredintoshaftsoflightWheelingaboutthefish，whochurnedtheairAndmadethefish-linehum，andbenttherodAlmosttosnapping。CareTheyoungmantookagainstthetwigs，withslight，DeftmovementshekeptfishandlineintightObediencetohiswillwitheveryprod。
IX
Helaythere，andthefishhungjustbeyond。
Heseemeduncertainwhatmoreheshoulddo。
Hedrewback，pulledtherodtocorrespond，Tosseditandcaughtit;everytimehethrew，Hecaughtitnearertothepoint。AtlastThefishwasnearenoughtotouch。Hepaused。
Euniceknewwellthecraft——"What’sgotthething！"
Shecried。"Whatcanhavecaused——
Whereishisnet？Themomentwillbepast。
Thefishwillwrigglefree。"Shestoppedaghast。
Heturnedandbowed。Onearmwasinasling。
X
Thebroad，blackribbonshehadthoughthisbasketMusthangfrom，heldinsteadauselessarm。
"Idonotwonder，Madam，thatyouaskit。"
Hesmiled，forshehadspokealoud。"ThecharmOftroutfishingisinmyeyesenhancedWhenyoumustplayyourfishonlandaswell。"
"Howwillyoutakehim？"Euniceasked。"IntruthIreallycannottell。
’Twasstupidofme，butitsimplychancedIneverthoughtofthatuntilheglancedIntothebranches。’Tisabituncouth。"
XI
Hewatchedthefishagainsttheblowingsky，Writhingandglittering，pullingattheline。
"Thehookisfast，Imightjustlethimdie，"
Hemused。"ButthatwouldjaragainstyourfineSenseoftruesportsmanship，Iknowitwould，"
CriedEunice。"Letmedoit。"SwiftandlightSherantowardshim。"ItissolongnowSinceIhavefeltabite，Ilostallheartforeverything。"Shestood，Suppleandstrong，besidehim，andherbloodTingledherlissombodytoaglow。
XII
ShequicklyseizedthefishandwithastoneEndeditsflurry，thenremovedthehook，Untiedtheflywithwell-poisedfingers。Done，Sheaskedhimwherehekepthisfishing-book。
Hepointedtoacoatflungontheground。
Shesearchedthepockets，foundashagreencase，Replacedthefly，noticedagoldenstampFillingthemiddlespace。
Twolettershalfrubbedoutwerethere，androundAboutthemgayrococoflowerswoundAndtossedasprayofrosestotheclamp。
XIII
TheLadyEunicepuzzledoverthese。
"G。D。"theyoungmangravelysaid。"MynameIsGervaseDeane。Yourservant，ifyouplease。"
"Oh，Sir，indeedIknowyou，foryourfameForexploitsinthefieldhasreachedmyears。
Ididnotknowyouwoundedandreturned。"
"Butjustcomeback，Madam。AsillyprickTogainmesuchunearnedHolidaymaking。Andyou，itappears，MustbeSirEverard’slady。AndmyfearsAtbeingcaughta-trespassingwerequick。"
XIV
Helookedsoruefulthatshelaughedoutloud。
"Youareforgiven，Mr。Deane。Evenmore，Iofferyouthefishing，andamproudThatyoushouldfinditpleasantfromthisshore。
Nobodyfishesnow，myhusbandusedToangledaily，andItoowithhim。
Helovedthespottedtrout，andpike，anddace。
HeevenhadawhimThatfliesmyfingerstiedswiftlyconfusedThegreaterfish。Andhemustbeexcused，Loveweavesoddfanciesinalonelyplace。"
XV
Shesighedbecauseitseemedsolongago，ThosedayswithEverard;unthinkingtookThepathbacktotheorchard。StrollingsoShewalked，andhebesideher。InanookWhereastoneseatwithdrewbeneathlowboughs，Full-blossomed，hummedwithbees，theysatthemdown。
Shequestionedhimaboutthewar，theshareHerhusbandhad，andgrownEagerbyhisclearanswers，straightallowsHerhiddenhopesandfearstospeak，androuseHernumbedlove，whichhadslumberedunaware。
XVI
UndertheorchardtreesdaffodilsdancedAndjostled，turningsidewaystothewind。
AdroppingcherrypetalsoftlyglancedOverherhair，andslidawaybehind。
Atthefarendthroughtwistedcherry-treesTheoldhouseglowed，geranium-hued，withbricksBloomedinthesunlikeroses，lowandlong，Gabled，andwithquainttricksOfchimneyscarvedandfretted。OutoftheseGreysmokewasshaken，whichthefaintSpringbreezeTossedintonothing。Thenathrush’ssongXVII
Needleditswaythroughsoundofbeesandriver。
Thenotesfell，roundandstarred，betweenyoungleaves，Trilledtoaspirallilt，stoppedonaquiver。
TheLadyEunicelistensandbelieves。
GervasehasmanytalesofherdearLord，Hisbravery，hisknowledge，hischarmedlife。
Shequiteforgetswho’sspeakinginthegladnessOfbeingthisman’swife。
Gervaseiswounded，graveindeed，thewordIskindlysaid，buttoasofterchordShestringshervoicetoaskwithwistfulsadness，XVIII
"AndisSirEverardstillunscathed？IfainWouldknowthetruth。""Quitewell，dearLady，quite。"
Shesmiledinhercontent。"Somanyslain，Youmustforgivemeforalittlefright。"
Andheforgaveher，notaloneforthat，Butbecauseshewasfingeringhisheart，Pressingandsqueezingit，andthinkingsoOnlytoeasehersmartOfpainful，apprehensivelonging。AtTheirfeettheriverswirledandchucked。TheysatAnhourthere。Thethrushflewtoandfro。
XIX
TheLadyEunicesuppedalonethatday，AsalwayssinceSirEverardhadgone，Intheoak-panelledparlour，whosearrayOffadedportraitsincarvedmouldingsshone。
Warriorsandladies，armoured，ruffed，peruked。
VanDykeswithlong，slimfingers;Holbeins，stoutAndheavy-featured;andoneRubensdame，Apeonyjustburstout，Withflaunting，crimsonflesh。EunicerebukedHerthoughtsofgentlerblood，whenthesehaddukedItwiththebest，andscornedtochangetheirname。
XX
Asturdyfamily，andoldbesides，Mucholderthanherown，theEarlsofCrowe。
SinceSaxondays，thesemenhadsoughttheirbridesAmongthehighestborn，butalwaysso，Takingthemtothemselves，theirwealth，theirlands，Butnevertheirtitles。Sternperhaps，butstrong，TheFramptonsfedtheirbloodfromricheststreams，Scorningthecommonthrong。
Gazinguponthesemen，sheunderstandsThetoughnessofthewebwroughtfromsuchstrandsAndprideofEverardcoloursallherdreams。
XXI
Euniceforgetstoeat，watchingtheirfacesFlickeringinthewind-blowncandle’sshine。
Blue-coatedlackeystiptoetotheirplaces，Andsetoutplatesoffruitandjugsofwine。
ThetableglittersblacklikeWinterice。
TheDartle’srushing，andthegentleclashOfblossomedbranches，driftsintoherears。
AndthroughthecasementsashSheseeseachcherrystemapointedsliceOfsplinteredmoonlight，toppedwithallthespiceAndshimmeroftheblossomsituprears。
XXII
"Insuchanight——"shelaidthebookaside，Shecouldoutnightthepoetbythinkingback。
Insuchanightshecamehereasabride。
ThedatewasgraveninthealmanackOfherclaspedmemory。InthisveryroomHadEverarduncloakedher。OnthisseatHaddrawnhertohim，badehernotethetrees，HowwhitetheywereandsweetAndlater，comingtoher，herdeargroom，HerLord，hadlainbesideherinthegloomOfmoonandshade，andwhisperedhertoease。
XXIII
Herlittletapermadetheroomseemvast，Cavernedandempty。AndherbeatingheartRappedthroughthesilenceallabouthercastLikesomeloud，dreadfuldeath-watchtakingpartInthissadvigil。Slowlysheundrest，Putoutthelightandcreptintoherbed。
Thelinensheetswerefragrant，butsocold。
Andbrimmingtearssheshed，Sobbingandquiveringinherbarrennest，Herweepinglipsintothepillowprest，Hereyessealedfastwithinitssmotheringfold。
XXIV
Themorningbroughtheramorestoicmind，Andsunshinestruckacrossthepolishedfloor。
ShewonderedwhetherthisdaysheshouldfindGervasea-fishing，andsolistenmore，Muchmoreagain，toallhehadtotell。
Andhewasthere，butwaitingtobeginUntilshecame。Theyfishedawhile，thenwentTotheoldseatwithinThecherry’sshade。HepleasedherverywellByhisdiscourse。ButeverhemustdwellUponSirEverard。EachincidentXXV
Mustberelatedandeachtermexplained。
Howtroopsweresetinbattle，howasiegeWasorderedandconducted。ShecomplainedBecausehebungledatthefallofLiege。
Thecuriousnamesofpartsoffortssheknew，Andairedwithconsciousprideherravelins，Andcounterscarps，andlunes。Thedaydrewon，Andhisdeadfish’sfinsInthehotsunshineturnedamauve-greenhue。
AtlastGervase，guessingthehour，withdrew。
Butshesatlonginstilloblivion。
XXVI
Thenhewouldbringherbooks，andreadtoherThepoemsofDr。Donne，andtheblueriverWouldmurmurthroughthereading，andastirOfbirdsandbeesmakethewhitepetalsshiver，AndoneortwowouldflutterproneandlieSpottingthesmooth-clippedgrass。ThedayswentbyThreadedwithtalkandverses。GreenleavespushedThroughblossomsstubbornly。
Gervase，unconsciousofdishonesty，Fellintostrongandwatchfulloving，freeHethought，sincealwayswouldhislipsbehushed。
XXVII
Butlipsdonotstaysilentatcommand，AndGervasestroveinvaintoorderhis。
LuckilyEunicedidnotunderstandThathebutreadhimselfaloud，forthisTheirfriendshipwouldhavesnapped。ShetreatedhimAndspoilthimlikeabrother。Itwasnow"Gervase"and"Eunice"withthem，andhedinedWhenevershe’dallow，Intheoakparlour，underneaththedimOldpicturedFramptons，oppositeherslimFigure，sobrightagainstthechairbehind。
XXVIII
EunicewashappierthanshehadbeenFormanydays，andyetthehourswerelong。
AllGervasetoldtoherbutmadeherleanMoreheavilyuponthepast。AmongHerhopesshelived，evenwhenshewasgivingHermorningorders，evenwhenshetwinedNosegaystodeckherparlours。WiththethoughtOfEverard，hermindSolaceditssolitude，andinherstrivingTodoashewouldwishwasallherliving。
ShewelcomedGervaseforthenewshebrought。
XXIX
Black-hear...剩余内容请长按扫描二维码或下载丁香书院APP继续免费看：
前往下载：https://www.kanbaapp.com/share/