ABookofPoemsToTHOMASSERGEANTPERRYandLILLACABOTPERRY
ContentsTheValleyoftheShadowTheWanderingJewNeighborsTheMillTheDarkHillsTheThreeTavernsDemosI
DemosII
TheFlyingDutchmanTactOntheWayJohnBrownTheFalseGodsArchibald’sExampleLondonBridgeTaskerNorcrossASongatShannon’sSouvenirDiscoveryFirelightTheNewTenantsInferentialTheRatRaheltoVarnhagenNimmoPeaceonEarthLateSummerAnEvangelist’sWifeTheOldKing’sNewJesterLazarusSeveralpoemsincludedinthisbookappearedoriginallyinAmericanperiodicals,asfollows:TheThreeTaverns,LondonBridge,ASongatShannon’s,TheNewTenants,Discovery,JohnBrown;
Archibald’sExample,TheValleyoftheShadow;Nimmo;TheWanderingJew,Souvenir;Neighbors,Tact;Demos;TheMill,AnEvangelist’sWife;
Firelight;LateSummer;Inferential;TheFlyingDutchman;
OntheWay,TheFalseGods;PeaceonEarth;TheOldKing’sNewJester。
TheThreeTaverns——————————————————-
TheValleyoftheShadowTherewerefacestorememberintheValleyoftheShadow,Therewerefacesunregarded,therewerefacestoforget;
Therewerefiresofgriefandfearthatareafewforgottenashes,Thereweresparksofrecognitionthatarenotforgottenyet。
Foratfirst,withanamazedandoverwhelmingindignationAtameasurelessmalfeasancethatobscurelywilleditthus,Theywerelostandunacquainted——tilltheyfoundthemselvesinothers,Whohadgropedastheyweregropingwheredimwayswereperilous。
TherewerelivesthatwereasdarkasarethefearsandintuitionsOfachildwhoknowshimselfandisalonewithwhatheknows;
Therewerepensionersofdreamsandthereweredebtorsofillusions,Alltofailbeforethetriumphofaweedthatonlygrows。
Therewerethirstingheirsofgoldensievesthatheldnotwineorwater,Andhadnonamesintrafficormorevaluetherethantoys:
TherewereblightedsonsofwonderintheValleyoftheShadow,Wheretheysufferedandstillwonderedwhytheirwondermadenonoise。
Therewereslaveswhodraggedtheshacklesofaprecedentunbroken,Demonstratingthefulfilmentofunalterableschemes,Whichhadbeen,beforethecradle,Time’sinexorabletenantsOfwhatwerenowthedustyruinsoftheirfather’sdreams。
Therewerethese,andthereweremanywhohadstumbleduptomanhood,Wheretheysawtoolatetheroadtheyshouldhavetakenlongago:
TherewerethwartedclerksandfiddlersintheValleyoftheShadow,Thecommemorativewreckageofwhatothersdidnotknow。
Andthereweredaughtersolderthanthemotherswhohadbornethem,Beingolderintheirwisdom,whichisolderthantheearth;
Andtheyweregoingforwardonlyfartherintodarkness,Unrelievedasweretheblastingobligationsoftheirbirth;
Andamongthem,givingalwayswhatwasnotfortheirpossession,Thereweremaidens,veryquiet,withnoquietintheireyes:
ThereweredaughtersofthesilenceintheValleyoftheShadow,Eachanisolatediteminthefamilysacrifice。
Therewerecreepersamongcatacombswheredullregretsweretorches,Givinglightenoughtoshowthemwhatwasthereupontheshelves——
WheretherewasmoreforthemtoseethanpleasurewouldrememberOfsomethingthathadbeenaliveandoncehadbeenthemselves。
Thereweresomewhostirredtheruinswithasolidimprecation,Whileasmanyfledrepentanceforthepromiseofdespair:
ThereweredrinkersofwrongwatersintheValleyoftheShadow,Andallthesparklingwaysweredustthatoncehadledthemthere。
ThereweresomewhoknewthestepsofAgeincrediblybesidethem,Andhisfingersuponshouldersthathadneverfeltthewheel;
Andtheirlastofemptytrophieswasagildedcupofnothing,Whichacontemplatingvagabondwouldnothavecometosteal。
Longandoftenhadtheyfiguredforalargervaluation,Butthesizeoftheiradditionwasthebalanceofadoubt:
ThereweregentlemenofleisureintheValleyoftheShadow,Notalluredbyretrospection,disenchanted,andplayedout。
AndamongthedarkendurancesofunavowedreprisalsThereweresilenteyesofenvythatsawlittlebutsawwell;
Andoverbeauty’saftermathofhazardousambitionsThereweretearsforwhathadvanishedastheyvanishedwheretheyfell。
Notassuredofwhatwastheirs,andalwayshungryforthenameless,ThereweresomewhoseonlypassionwasforTimewhomadethemcold:
TherewerenumerousfairwomenintheValleyoftheShadow,Dreamingratherlessofheaventhanofhellwhentheywereold。
Nowandthen,asiftoscornthecommontouchofcommonsorrow,Thereweresomewhogaveafewthedistantpityofasmile;
Andanothercloakedasoulaswithanashofhumanembers,Havingcoveredthusatreasurethatwouldlasthimforawhile。
Thereweremanybythepresenceofthemanydisaffected,Whoseexemptionwasincludedintheweightthatothersbore:
TherewereseekersafterdarknessintheValleyoftheShadow,Andtheyaloneweretheretofindwhattheywerelookingfor。
Sotheywere,andsotheyare;andastheycamearecomingothers,Andamongthemarethefearlessandthemeekandtheunborn;
AndaquestionthathasheldusheretoforewithoutananswerMayabidewithoutanansweruntilallhaveceasedtomourn。
Forthechildrenofthedarkaremoretonamethanarethewretched,Orthebroken,ortheweary,orthebaffled,ortheshamed:
TherearebuildersofnewmansionsintheValleyoftheShadow,Andamongthemarethedyingandtheblindedandthemaimed。
TheWanderingJewIsawbylookinginhiseyesThattheyrememberedeverything;
AndthiswashowIcametoknowThathewashere,stillwandering。
ForthoughthefigureandthesceneWerenevertobereconciled,IknewthemanasIhadknownHisimagewhenIwasachild。
Withevidenceateveryturn,IshouldhavehelditsafetoguessThatallthenewnessofNewYorkHadnothingnewinloneliness;
YetherewasonewhomightbeNoah,OrNathan,orAbimelech,OrLamech,outofageslost,——
Or,morethanall,Melchizedek。
Assuredthathewasnoneofthese,Igavethembacktheirnamesagain,ToscanoncemorethoseendlesseyesWhereallmyquestionsendedthen。
IfoundinthemwhattheyrevealedThatIshallnotlivetoforget,AndwonderediftheyfoundinmineCompassionthatImightregret。
Pity,Ilearned,wasnottheleastOftime’soffendingbenefitsThathadnowforsolongimpugnedTheconservationofhiswits:
RatheritwasthatIshouldyield,Alone,thefealtythatpresentsThetributeofatemperedearToanuntemperedeloquence。
BeforeIponderedlongenoughOnwhencehecameandwhohewas,ItrembledathisringingwealthOfmanifoldanathemas;
Iwondered,whilehesearedtheworld,Whatnewdefectionailedtherace,AndifitmatteredhowremoteOurfatherswerefromsuchaplace。
BeforetherewasanhourformeTocontemplatewithlessconcernThecrumblingrealmawaitingusThanhisthatwasbeyondreturn,AdawningonthedustofyearsHadshapedwithanelusivelightMiragesofrememberedscenesThatwerenolongerforthesight。
FornowthegloomthathidthemanBecameadaylightonhiswrath,AndonewhereinmyfancyviewedNewlionsrampinginhispath。
Theoldweredeadandhadnofangs,Whereforehelovedthem——seeingnotTheywerethesamethatintheirtimeHadeateneverythingtheycaught。
TheworldaroundhimwasagiftOfanguishtohiseyesandears,AndonethathehadlongreviledAsfitfordevils,notforseers。
Where,then,wasthereaplaceforhimThatonthisothersideofdeathSawnothinggood,ashehadseenNogoodcomeoutofNazareth?
Yetheretherewasareticence,AndIbelievehisonlyone,ThathushedhimasifhebeheldAPresencethatwouldnotbegone。
InsuchasilenceheconfessedHowmuchtherewastobedenied;
Andhewouldlookatmeandlive,Asothersmighthavelookedanddied。
AsifatlastheknewagainThathehadalwaysknown,hiseyesWereliketothoseofonewhogazedOnthoseofOnewhoneverdies。
ForsuchamomentherevealedWhatlifehasinittobelost;
AndIcouldaskifwhatIsaw,Beforemethere,wasmanorghost。
HemayhavediedsomanytimesThatalltherewasofhimtoseeWaspride,thatkeptitselfaliveAstoorebellioustobefree;
Hemayhavetold,whenmorethanonceHumilityseemedimminent,HowmanyalonelytimeinvainTheSecondComingcameandwent。
WhetherhestilldefiesornotThefailureofanangrytaskThatrelegateshimoutoftimeTochaos,Icanonlyask。
ButasIknewhim,sohewas;
Andsomewhereamongmento-dayThoseold,unyieldingeyesmayflash,Andflinch——andlooktheotherway。
NeighborsAsoftenaswethoughtofher,WethoughtofagraylifeThatmadeaquainteconomistOfawolf-hauntedwife;
WemadethebestofallsheboreThatwasnotourstobear,AndhonoredherforwearingthingsThatwerenotthingstowear。
TherewasadistanceinherlookThatmadeuslookagain;
Andifshesmiled,wemightbelieveThatwehadlookedinvain。
Rarelyshecameinsideourdoors,Andhadnotlongtostay;
Andwhensheleft,itseemedsomehowThatshewasfaraway。
Atlast,whenwehadallforgotThatallisheretochange,AshadowonthecommonplaceWasforamomentstrange。
Yettherewasnothingforsurprise,Normuchthatneedbetold:
Love,withhisgiftofpain,hadgivenMorethanoneheartcouldhold。
TheMillThemiller’swifehadwaitedlong,Theteawascold,thefirewasdead;
AndtheremightyetbenothingwrongInhowhewentandwhathesaid:
"Therearenomillersanymore,"
Wasallthatshehadheardhimsay;
AndhehadlingeredatthedoorSolongthatitseemedyesterday。
SickwithafearthathadnoformSheknewthatshewasthereatlast;
AndinthemilltherewasawarmAndmealyfragranceofthepast。
WhatelsetherewaswouldonlyseemTosayagainwhathehadmeant;
AndwhatwashangingfromabeamWouldnothaveheededwhereshewent。
Andifshethoughtitfollowedher,ShemayhavereasonedinthedarkThatonewayofthefewtherewereWouldhideherandwouldleavenomark:
Blackwater,smoothabovetheweirLikestarryvelvetinthenight,Thoughruffledonce,wouldsoonappearThesameasevertothesight。
TheDarkHillsDarkhillsateveninginthewest,WheresunsethoverslikeasoundOfgoldenhornsthatsangtorestOldbonesofwarriorsunderground,FarnowfromallthebanneredwaysWhereflashthelegionsofthesun,Youfade——asifthelastofdaysWerefading,andallwarsweredone。
TheThreeTavernsWhenthebrethrenheardofus,theycametomeetusasfarasAppiiForum,andTheThreeTaverns。
(Acts28:15)
Herodion,Apelles,Amplias,AndAndronicus?IsityouIsee——
Atlast?AndisityounowthataregazingAsifindoubtofme?WasInotsayingThatIshouldcometoRome?Ididsaythat;
AndIsaidfurthermorethatIshouldgoOnwestward,wherethegatewayoftheworldLetsinthecentralsea。Ididsaythat,ButIsayonly,now,thatIamPaul——
AprisoneroftheLaw,andoftheLordAvoicemadefree。IftherebetimeenoughTolive,ImayhavemoretotellyouthenOfwesternmatters。IgonowtoRome,WhereCaesarwaitsforme,andIshallwait,AndCaesarknowshowlong。InCaesareaTherewasalegendofAgrippasayingInalightwaytoFestus,havingheardMydeposition,thatImightbefree,HadIstayedfreeofCaesar;butthewordOfGodwouldhaveitasyouseeitis——
AndhereIam。ThecupthatIshalldrinkIsminetodrink——themomentortheplaceNotminetosay。IfitbenowinRome,BeitnowinRome;andifyourfaithexceedTheshadowcastofhope,saynotofmeToosurelyortoosoonthatyearsandshipwreck,AndallthemanydesertsIhavecrossedThatarenotnamedorregioned,haveundoneBeyondthebrevitiesofourmortalhealingThepartofmethatistheleastofme。
YouseeanoldermanthanhewhofellPronetotheearthwhenhewasnighDamascus,Wherethegreatlightcamedown;yetIamheThatfell,andhethatsaw,andhethatheard。
AndIamhere,atlast;andifatlastIgivemyselftomakeanothercrumbForthisperniciousfeastoftimeandmen——
Well,IhaveseentoomuchoftimeandmenTofeartheraveningorthewrathofeither。
Yes,itisPaulyousee——theSaulofTarsusThatwasafieryJew,andhadmenslainForsayingSomethingwasbeyondtheLaw,Andinourselves。IfedmysufferingsoulUpontheLawtillIwentfamishing,NotknowingthatIstarved。HowshouldIknow,Morethenthanany,thatthefoodIhad——
Whatelseitmayhavebeen——wasnotforme?
MyfathersandtheirfathersandtheirfathersHadfounditgood,andsaidtherewasnoother,AndIwasoftheline。WhenStephenfell,Amongthestonesthatcrushedhislifeaway,TherewasnoplacealivethatIcouldseeForsuchaman。WhyshouldamanbegivenTolivebeyondtheLaw?SoIsaidthen,Asmensaynowtome。HowthendoI
Persistinliving?Isthatwhatyouask?
Ifso,letmyappearancebeforyouNolivinganswer;forTimewritesofdeathOnmenbeforetheydie,andwhatyouseeIsnottheman。Themanthatyouseenot——
Themanwithintheman——ismostalive;
Thoughhatredwouldhaveended,longago,Thebaneofhisactivities。Ihavelived,BecausethefaithwithinmethatislifeEndurestolive,andshall,tillsoonorlate,Death,likeafriendunseen,shallsaytomeMytoilisoverandmyworkbegun。
Howoften,andhowmanyatimeagain,HaveIsaidIshouldbewithyouinRome!
Hewhoisalwayscomingnevercomes,Orcomestoolate,youmayhavetoldyourselves;
AndImaytellyounowthatafterme,WhetherIstayforlittleorforlong,Thewolvesarecoming。Haveaneyeforthem,AndamorecarefulearfortheirconfusionThanyouneedhavemuchlongerforthesoundOfwhatItellyou——shouldIlivetosayMorethanIsaytoCaesar。WhatIknowIsdownforyoutoreadinwhatiswritten;
AndifIcloudalittlewithmyownMortalitythegleamthatisimmortal,IdoitonlybecauseIamI——
Beingonearthandofit,insofarAstimeflaysyettheremnant。Thisyouknow;
AndifIstingmen,asIdosometimes,Withasharpwordthathurts,itisbecauseMan’shabitistofeelbeforehesees;
AndIamofaracethatfeels。Moreover,TheworldishereforwhatisnotyethereFormorethanareafew;andeveninRome,WheremenaresoenamoredoftheCrossThatfamehasechoed,andincreasingly,ThemusicofyourloveandofyourfaithToforeignearsthatareasfarawayAsAntiochandHaran,yetIwonderHowmuchofloveyouknow,andifyourfaithBetheshutfruitofwords。Ifso,rememberWordsarebutshellsunfilled。JewshaveatleastALawtomakethemsorrytheywerebornIftheygolongwithoutit;andtheseGentiles,Forthefirsttimeinshriekinghistory,Haveloveandlawtogether,ifsotheywill,FortheirdefenseandtheirimmunityIntheselastdays。Rome,ifIknowthename,WillhaveanonacrownofthornsandfireMadereadyforthewreathingofnewmasters,Ofwhomweareappointed,youandI,——
AndyouarestilltobewhenIamgone,ShouldIgopresently。Letthewordfall,Meanwhile,uponthedragon-riddenfieldOfcircumstance,eithertoliveordie;
Concerningwhichthereisaparable,MadeeasyforthecomfortandattentionOfthosewhopreach,fearingtheypreachinvain。
Youaretoplant,andthentoplantagainWhereyouhavegathered,gatheringasyougo;
Foryouareinthefieldsthatareeternal,AndyouhavenottheburdenoftheLordUponyourmortalshoulders。WhatyouhaveIsalightyoke,madelighterbythewearing,TillitshallhavethewonderandtheweightOfaclearjewel,shiningwithalightWhereinthesunandallthefierystarsMaysoonbefading。WhenGamalielsaidThatiftheybeofmenthesethingsarenothing,ButiftheybeofGodtheyarefornoneTooverthrow,hespokeasagoodJew,AndonewhostayedaJew;andhesaidall。
Andyouknow,bythetemperofyourfaith,HowfarthefireisinyouthatIfeltBeforeIknewDamascus。Awordhere,Orthere,ornotthere,ornotanywhere,IsnottheWordthatlivesandisthelife;
Andyou,therefore,needwearynotyourselvesWithjealousachesofothers。IftheworldWerenotaworldofachesandinnovations,Attainmentwouldhavenomorejoyofit。
Therewillbecreedsandschisms,creedsincreeds,Andschismsinschisms;myriadswillbedoneTodeathbecauseafarthinghastwosides,Andisatlastafarthing。Tellingyouthis,I,whobidmentolive,appealtoCaesar。
OnceIhadsaidthewaysofGodweredark,MeaningbythatthedarkwaysoftheLaw。
Suchisthegloryofourtribulations;
FortheLawkillsthefleshthatkillstheLaw,Andwearethenalive。Wehaveeyesthen;
AndwehavethentheCrossbetweentwoworlds——
Toguideus,ortoblindusforatime,Tillwehaveeyesindeed。ThefirethatsmitesAfewonhighways,changingallatonce,Isnotforall。ThepowerthatholdstheworldAwayfromGodthatholdshimselfaway——
FartherawaythanallyourworksandwordsAreliketoflywithoutthewingsoffaith——
Wasnot,norevershallbe,asmallhazardEnliveningthewaysofeasyleisureOrthecoldroadofknowledge。WhenoureyesHavewisdom,weseemorethanweremember;
AndtheoldworldofourcaptivitiesMaythenbecomeasmittenglimpseofruin,LikeonewherevanishedhewershavehadtheirdayOfwrathonLebanon。Beforewesee,Meanwhile,wesuffer;andIcometoyou,Atlast,throughmanystormsandthroughmuchnight。
YetwhatsoeverIhaveundergone,Mykeepersinthisinstancearenothard。
Butforthechanceofaningratitude,Imightindeedbecuriousoftheirmercy,AndfearfuloftheirleisurewhileIwait,AfewleaguesoutofRome。MengotoRome,Notalwaystoreturn——butnotthatnow。
Meanwhile,IseemtothinkyoulookatmeWitheyesthatareatlastmorecredulousOfmyidentity。YouremarkinmeNosortofleapinggiant,thoughsomewordsOfminetoyoufromCorinthmayhaveleaptAlittlethroughyoureyesintoyoursoul。
Itrusttheywerealive,andarealiveToday;fortherebenonethatshallinditeSomuchofnothingasthemanofwordsWhowritesintheLord’snameforhisname’ssakeAndhasnotinhisbloodthefireoftimeTowarmeternity。Letsuchaman——
Ifoncethelightisinhimandendures——
Contenthimselftobethegeneralman,SetfreetosiftthedecenciesandtherebyTolearn,excepthebeonesetasideForsorrow,moreofpleasurethanofpain;
Thoughifhislightbenotthelightindeed,Butabriefshinethatneverreallywas,Andfails,leavinghimworsethanwherehewas,Thenshallhebeofallmendestitute。
Andherewerenotanissueformuchink,Ormuchoffendingfactionamongscribes。
TheKingdomiswithinus,wearetold;
AndwhenIsaytoyouthatwepossessitInsuchameasureasfaithmakesitours,Isayitwithasinner’sprivilegeOfhavingseenandheard,andseenagain,Afteradarkness;andifIaffirmTothelasthourthatfaithaffordsaloneTheKingdomentranceandanentertainment,IdonotseemyselfasonewhosaysTomanthatheshallsitwithfoldedhandsAgainsttheComing。IfIbeanything,Imoveadrivenagentamongmykind,EstablishingbythefaithofAbraham,Andbythegraceoftheirnecessities,TheclamoringwordthatisthewordoflifeNearerthanheretoforetothesolutionOftheirtomb-servingdoubts。IfIhaveloosedAshaftoflanguagethathasflownsometimesAlittlehigherthantheheartsandheadsOfnature’sminions,itwillyetbeheard,Likeanewsongthatwaitsfordistantears。
IcannotbethemanthatIamnot;
AndwhileIownthatearthismyaffliction,Iamamanofearth,whosaysnotallToallalike。Thatwereimpossible,EvenasitweresothatHeshouldplantAlargergardenfirst。ButyoutodayAreforthelargersowing;andyourseed,Alittlemixed,willhave,asHeforesaw,Theforeignharvestofawidergrowth,Andonewithoutanend。Manythereare,Andaretobe,thatshallpartakeofit,ThoughnonemayshareitwithanunderstandingThatisnothisalone。Weareallalone;
Andyetweareallparcelledofoneorder——
Jew,Gentile,orbarbarianinthedarkOfwildernessesthatarenotsomuchAsnamesyetinabook。Andtherearemany,FindingatlastthatwordsarenottheWord,Andfindingonlythat,willflourishaloft,LikeheadsofcapturedPhariseesonpikes,Ourcontradictionsanddiscrepancies;
AndtherearemanymorewillhangthemselvesUpontheletter,seeingnotintheWordThefriendofallwhofail,andintheirfaithAswordofexcellencetocutthemdown。
Aslongasthereareglassesthataredark——
Andtherearemany——weseedarklythroughthem;
AllwhichhaveIconcededandsetdownInwordsthathavenoshadow。WhatisdarkIsdark,andwemaynotsayotherwise;
YetwhatmaybeasdarkasalostfireForoneofus,maystillbeforanotherAcominggleamacrossthegulfofages,Andawayhomefromshipwrecktotheshore;
Andso,throughpangsandillsanddesperations,Theremaybelightforall。Thereshallbelight。
Asmuchasthat,youknow。YoucannotsayThiswomanorthatmanwillbethenextOnwhomitfalls;youarenothereforthat。
YourministrationistobeforothersThefiringofarushthatmayforthemBesoonthefireitself。ThefewatfirstArefightingforthemultitudeatlast;
ThereforerememberwhatGamalielsaidBeforeyou,whenthesickwerelyingdownInstreetsallnightforPeter’spassingshadow。
Fight,andsaywhatyoufeel;saymorethanwords。
GivementoknowthateventheirdaysofearthTocomearemorethanagesthataregone。
Saywhatyoufeel,whileyouhavetimetosayit。
Eternitywillanswerforitself,Withoutyourintercession;yetthewayFormanyisalongone,andasdark,Meanwhile,asdreamsofhell。SeenotyourtoilToomuch,andifIbeawayfromyou,Thinkofmeasabrothertoyourselves,Ofmanyblemishes。Bewareofstoics,Andgiveyourlefthandtogrammarians;
Andwhenyouseem,asmanyatimeyoumay,Tohavenootherfriendthanhope,rememberThatyouarenotthefirst,oryetthelast。
Thebestoflife,untilweseebeyondTheshadowsofourselves(andtheyarelessThaneventheblindestofindignanteyesWouldhavethem)isinwhatwedonotknow。
Make,then,forallyourfearsaplacetosleepWithallyourfadedsins;northinkyourselvesEgregiousandaloneforyourdefectsOfyouthandyesterday。Iwasyoungonce;
Andthere’saquestionifyouplayedthefoolWithamorefervidandinherentzealThanIhaveinmystorytoremember,Orgaveyourneckstofolly’sconqueringfoot,Orflungyourselveswithanunstudiedaim,LessfrequentlythanI。Nevermindthat。
Man’slittlehouseofdayswillholdenough,Sometimes,tomakehimwishitwerenothis,Butitwillnotholdall。ThingsthataredeadArebestwithoutit,andtheyowntheirdeathByvirtueoftheirdying。Letthemgo,——
Butthinkyounottheworldisashesyet,Andyouhaveallthefire。TheworldishereToday,anditmaynotbegonetomorrow;
Fortherearemillions,andtheremaybemore,TomakeinturnavariousestimationOfitsoldillsandashes,andthetrapsOfitsapparentwrath。ManywithearsThathearnotyet,shallhaveearsgiventothem,Andthentheyshallhearstrangely。ManywitheyesThatareincredulousoftheMysteryShallyetbedriventofeel,andthentoreadWherelanguagehasanendandisaveil,Notwovenofourwords。ManythathateTheirkindaresoontoknowthatwithoutloveTheirfaithisbuttheperjurednameofnothing。
IthathavedonesomehatinginmytimeSeenownotimeforhate;Ithathaveleft,FadingbehindmelikefamiliarlightsThataretoshinenomoreformyreturning,Home,friends,andhonors,——IthathavelostallelseForwisdom,andthewealthofit,saynowToyouthatoutofwisdomhascomelove,ThatmeasuresandisofitselfthemeasureOfworksandhopeandfaith。YourlongesthoursArenotsolongthatyoumaytorturethemAndharassnotyourselves;andthelastdaysAreonthewaythatyouprepareforthem,Andwaspreparedforyou,hereinaworldWhereyouhavesinnedandsuffered,strivenandseen。
IfyoubenotsohotforcountingthemBeforetheycomethatyouconsumeyourselves,Peacemayattendyouallintheselastdays——
Andme,aswellasyou。Yes,eveninRome。
Well,Ihavetalkedandrested,thoughIfearMyresthasnotbeenyours;inwhichevent,ForgiveonewhoisonlysevenleaguesFromCaesar。WhenItoldyouIshouldcome,IdidnotseemyselfthecriminalYoucontemplate,forseeingbeyondtheLawThatwhichtheLawsawnot。Butthis,indeed,Wasgoodofyou,andIshallnotforget;
No,IshallnotforgetyoucamesofarTomeetamansodangerous。Well,farewell。
TheycometotellmeIamgoingnow——
Withthem。Ihopethatweshallmeetagain,ButnonemaysaywhatheshallfindinRome。
DemosI
AllyouthatareenamoredofmynameAndleastintentonwhatmostIrequire,Beware;formydesignandyourdesire,Deplorably,arenotasyetthesame。
Beware,Isay,thefailureandtheshameOflosingthatforwhichyounowaspireSoblindly,andofhazardingentireThegiftthatIwasbringingwhenIcame。
GiveasIwill,IcannotgiveyousightWherebytoseethatwithyoutherearesomeToleadyou,andbeled。ButtheyaredumbBeforethewranglingandtheshrilldelightOfyourdeliverancethathasnotcome,Andshallnot,ifIfailyou——asImight。
DemosII
SolittlehaveyouseenofwhatawaitsYourfeveredglimpseofademocracyConfusedandfoiledwithanequalityNotequaltotheenvyitcreates,ThatyouseenothownearyouarethegatesOfanoldkingwholistensfearfullyToyouthatareoutsideandaretobeThenoisylordsofimminentestates。
RatherbethenyourprayerthatyoushallhaveYourkingdomundishonored。Havingall,Seenotthegreatamongyouforthesmall,Butheartheirsilence;forthefewshallsaveThemany,orthemanyaretofall——
Stilltobewranglinginanoisygrave。
TheFlyingDutchmanUnyieldingintheprideofhisdefiance,Afloatwithnonetoserveortocommand,Lordofhimselfatlast,andallbyScience,HeseekstheVanishedLand。
Alone,bytheonelightofhisonethought,Hesteerstofindtheshorefromwhichwecame,——
FearlessofinwhatcoilhemaybecaughtOnseasthathavenoname。
Intothenighthesails;andafternightThereisadawning,thoughtherebenosun;
Wherefore,withnothingbuthimselfinsight,Unsighted,hesailson。
AtlastthereisaliftingofthecloudBetweenthefloodbeforehimandthesky;
Andthen——thoughhemaycursethePoweraloudThathasnopowertodie——
HesteershimselfawayfromwhatishauntedBytheoldghostofwhathasbeenbefore,——
Abandoning,asalways,andundaunted,Onefog-walledislandmore。
TactObservantofthewayshetoldSomuchofwhatwastrue,NovanitycouldlongwithholdRegardthatwasherdue:
Shesparedhimthefamiliarguile,Soeasilyachieved,ThatonlymadeamantosmileAndlefthimundeceived。
AwarethatallimaginingOfmorethanwhatshemeantWouldurgeanendofeverything,Hestayed;andwhenhewent,TheypartedwithamerrywordThatwastohimaslightAsanythatwaseverheardUponastarrynight。
Shesmiledalittle,knowingwellThathewouldnotremarkTheruinsofadaythatfellAroundherinthedark:
Hesawnoruinsanywhere,NorfanciedtherewerescarsOnanyonewholingeredthere,Alonebelowthestars。
OntheWay(Philadelphia,1794)
Note。——ThefollowingimaginarydialoguebetweenAlexanderHamiltonandAaronBurr,whichisnotbaseduponanyspecificincidentinAmericanhistory,maybesupposedtohaveoccurredafewmonthsprevioustoHamilton’sretirementfromWashington’sCabinetin1795
andafewyearsbeforethepoliticalingenuitiesofBurr——
whohasbeencharacterized,withoutmuchexaggeration,astheinventorofAmericanpolitics——begantobeconspicuouslyformidabletotheFederalists。TheseactivitiesonthepartofBurrresulted,asthereaderwillremember,intheBurr-JeffersontieforthePresidencyin1800,andfinallyintheBurr-HamiltonduelatWeehawkenin1804。
BURR
Hamilton,ifheridesyoudown,rememberThatIwasheretospeak,andsotosaveYourfabricfromcatastrophe。That’sgood;
ForIperceivethatyouobservehimalso。
APresident,a-ridingofhishorse,MaydustaGeneralandbeforgiven;
Butwhybedusted——whenwe’reallalike,Allequal,andallhappy。Herehecomes——
Andtherehegoes。Andwe,byyournewpatent,Wouldseemtobetwokingsherebythewayside,WithourtwohatsofftohisExcellency。
WhynothisMajesty,anddonewithit?
ForgivemeifIshookyourmeditation,ButyouthatweldourcreditshouldhaveeyesToseewhat’scoming。Burymefirstif-I-do。
HAMILTON
There’salwaysinsomepocketofyourbrainAcareforme;whereforemygratitudeForyourattentioniscommensurateWithyourconcern。Yes,Burr,wearetwokings;
Weareasroyalastwoditch-diggers;
Butowemenotyoursceptre。ThesearethedaysWhenfirstafewseemall;butifwelive,WemayagainbeseentobethefewThatwehavealwaysbeen。ThesearethedaysWhenmenforgetthestars,andareforgotten。
BURR
Butwhyforgetthem?They’rethesamethatwinkedUpontheworldwhenAlcibiadesCutoffhisdog’stailtoinducedistinction。
Therearedogsyet,andAlcibiadesIsnotforgotten。
HAMILTON
Yes,therearedogsenough,Godknows;andIcanheartheminmydreams。
BURR
Neveradoubt。ButwhatyouhearthemostIsyournewmusic,somethingoutoftuneWithyourintention。HowinthenameofCain,Iseemtohearyouask,arementodance,Whenallmenaremusicians。Tellmethat,Ihearyousaying,andI’lltellyouthenameOfSamson’smother。ButwhyshroudyourselfBeforethecoffincomes?Forallyouknow,ThetreethatistofallforyourlasthouseIsnowasapling。YoumayhavetowaitSolongastobesorry;thoughIdoubtit,ForyouarenotathomeinyournewEdenWherechillywhispersofalikelyfrostAccumulatealreadyintheair。
Ithinkatouchofermine,Hamilton,WouldbeforyouinyourautumnalmoodApleasantsortofwarmthalongtheshoulders。
HAMILTON
Ifsoitisyouthink,youmayaswellGiveoverthinking。Wearedonewithermine。
WhatIfearmostisnotthemultitude,ButthosewhoaretoloopitwithastringThathasoneendinFranceandoneendhere。
I’mnotsofortifiedwithobservationThatIcouldswearthatmorethanhalfascoreAmonguswhoseelightningseethatruinIsnottheworkofthunder。SincetheworldWasordered,therewasneveralongpauseForcautionbetweendoingandundoing。
BURR
Goon,sir;myattentionisatrapSetforthecatchingofallcomplimentsToMonticello,andallelseabroadThathasanameoranidentity。
HAMILTON
Ileavetoyouthenames——therearetoomany;
Yetonethereistosiftandholdapart,AsnowIsee。TherecomesatlastaglimmerThatisnotalwaysclouded,ortoolate。
ButIwasnearandyoung,andhadthereinsToplaywithwhilehemannedateamsorawThatonlyGodknowswheretheendhadbeenOfallthatridingwithoutWashington。
Therewasanationinthemanwhopassedus,Iftherewasnotaworld。ImayhavedrivenSincethensomerestivehorses,andalone,Andthroughasplashingofabundantmud;
ButhewhomadethedustthatsetsyouonTocoughing,madetheroad。Nowitseemsdry,Andinameasuresafe。
BURR
Here’sanewtuneFromHamilton。Hasyourcautionallatonce,Andovernight,growntillitwrecksthecradle?
IhaveforgottenwhatmyfathersaidWhenIwasborn,butthere’sarustlingofitAmongmymemories,anditmakesanoiseAboutasloudasallthatIhaveheldAndfondledheretoforeofyoursamecaution。
Butthat’saffairs,notfeelings。IfourfriendsGuessedhalfwesayofthem,ourenemiesWoulditchinourfriends’jackets。Howsoever,Theworldisofasuddenonitshead,Andallarespilled——unlessyouclingaloneWithWashington。AskAdamsaboutthat。
HAMILTON
We’llnotaskAdamsaboutanything。
WefishforlizardswhenwechoosetoaskForwhatweknowalreadyisnotcoming,Andwemusteattheanswer。Where’stheuseOfaskingwhenthismansayseverything,Withallhistonguesofsilence?
BURR
Idaresay。
Idaresay,butIwon’t。OneofthosetonguesI’llborrowforthenonce。He’llnevermissit。
WemeanhisWesternMajesty,KingGeorge。
HAMILTON
Imeanthemanwhorodebyonhishorse。
I’llbegofyouthemeedofyourindulgenceIfIshouldsaythisplanetmayhavedoneAdealofwearywhirlingwhenatlast,Ifever,TimeshallaggregateagainAmajestylikehisthathasnoname。
BURR
ThenyouconcedehisMajesty?That’sgood,Andwhatofyours?Herearetwomajesties。
FavortheLeftalittle,Hamilton,Oryou’llbeflounderingintheditchthatwaitsForriderswhoforgetwheretheyareriding。
IfweandFrance,asyouanticipate,Musteateachother,whatCaesar,ifnotyourself,Doyouseeforthemasterofthefeast?
TheremaybeaplacewaitingonyourheadForlaurelthickasNero’s。Youdon’tknow。
Ihavenotcrossedyourglory,thoughImightIfIsawthronesatauction。
HAMILTON
Yes,youmight。
Ifwarisontheway,Ishallbe——here;
AndI’venovisionofyourdistantheels。
BURR
IseethatIshalltakeaninferenceTobedwithmeto-nighttokeepmewarm。
Ithankyou,Hamilton,andIapproveYourfealtytotheaggregatedgreatnessOfhimyouleanonwhileheleansonyou。
HAMILTON
ThiseasyphrasingisagameofyoursThatyoumaywintolose。Ibegyourpardon,ButyouthathavethesightwillnotemployThewilltoseewithit。Ifyoudidso,TheremightbefewerditchesdugforothersInyourperspective;andtheremightbefewerContemporarymotesofprejudiceBetweenyouandthemanwhomadethedust。
Callhimageniusoragentleman,Aprophetorabuilder,orwhatnot,Butholdyourdispositionoffthebalance,Andweighhiminthelight。Once(IbelieveItellyounothingnewtoyoursurmise,Ortothetonguesoftownsandvillages)
Inourishedwithanadolescentfancy——
Surelyforgivabletoyou,myfriend——
AninnocentandamiableconvictionThatIwas,bythegraceofhonestfortune,Asaviorathiselbowthroughthewar,WhereImighthaveobserved,morethanIdid,Patienceandwholesomepassion。Iwasthere,AndforsuchhonorIgavenothingworseThansomeadviceatwhichhemayhavesmiled。
Imusthavegivenamodicumbesides,OrtheroughintervalbetweenthosedaysAndthesewouldneverhavemadeformemyfriends,Orenemies。Ishouldbesomethingsomewhere——
Isaynotwhat——butIshouldnotbehereIfhehadnotbeenthere。Possibly,too,Youmightnot——orthatQuakerwithhiscane。
BURR
Possibly,too,Ishould。WhentheAlmightyRidesawhitehorse,Ifancyweshallknowit。
HAMILTON
Itwasaman,Burr,thatwasinmymind;
Nogod,orghost,ordemon——onlyaman:
AmanwhoseoccupationistheneedOfthosewhowouldnotfeelitifitbitthem;
AndonewhoshapesanagewhileheenduresThepinpricksofinferiorities;
Acautiousman,becauseheisbutone;
Alonelyman,becauseheisathousand。
NomarvelyouareslowtofindinhimThegeniusthatisonesparkorisnothing:
HisgeniusisaflamethathemustholdSofarabovethecommonheadsofmenThattheymayviewhimonlythroughthemistOftheirdefect,andwonderwhatheis。
ItseemstomethemysterythatisinhimThatmakeshimonlymoretomeamanThananyotherIhaveeverknown。
BURR
Igrantyouthathisworshipisaman。
I’mnotsomuchathomewithmysteries,Maybe,asyou——soleavehimwithhisfire:
GodknowsthatIshallneverputitout。
HehasnotmadeacrippleofhimselfInhispursuitofme,thoughIhaveheardHiscondescensionhonorsmewithparts。
Partsmakeawhole,ifwe’veenoughofthem;
AndonceIfiguredasufficiencyTobeatleastanatomintheannalsOfyourrepublic。ButImusthaveerred。
HAMILTON
YousmileasifyourspiritlivedateaseWitherror。Ishouldnothavenameditso,Failingassentfromyou;nor,ifIdid,ShouldIbesocomplacentinmyskillTocombthetangledlanguageofthepeopleAstobesureofanythinginthesedays。
Putthatmuchinaccountwithmodesty。
BURR
WhatinthenameofAhab,Hamilton,Haveyou,inthelastregionofyourdreaming,Todowith"people"?YoumaybethedevilInyourdead-reckoningofwhatreefsandshoalsArewaitingontheprogressofourshipUnlessyousteerit,butyou’llfinditirksomeAlonethereinthestern;andsomewarmdayThere’llbeaninlandmusicintherigging,Andafterwardsondeck。I’mnotaffinedOrfavoredovermuchatMonticello,Butthere’samightyswarmingofnewbeesAboutthepremises,andallhavewings。
Ifyouhearsomethingbuzzingbeforelong,Bethoughtfulhowyoustrike,rememberingalsoTherewasafellowNabothhadavineyard,AndAhabcuthishairoffandwentsoftly。
HAMILTON
Idon’trememberthathecuthishairoff。
BURR
SomehowIratherfancythathedid。
Ifso,it’sintheBook;andifnotso,Hedidtherest,anddidithandsomely。
HAMILTON
CommendyourselftoAhabandhiswaysIftheyinveigleyoutoemulation;
Butwhere,ifImayaskit,areyoutendingWithyourinvidiouswieldingoftheScriptures?
YoucalltomindaneminentarchangelWhofelltomakehimfamous。WouldyoufallSofarashe,tobesofarremembered?
BURR
BeforeIfallorrise,oramanangel,IshallacquaintmyselfalittlefurtherWithournewland’snewlanguage,whichisnot——
Peacetoyourdreams——anidiomtoyourliking。
I’mwonderingifamanmayalwaysknowHowoldamanmaybeatthirty-seven;
IwonderlikewiseifaprettiertimeCouldbedecreedforagoodmantovanishThanaboutnowforyou,beforeyoufade,AndevenyourfriendsareseeingthatyouhavehadYourcuptoofullforlongermortaltriumph。
Well,youhavehadenough,andhadityoung;
AndtheoldwineisnearertotheleesThanyouaretotheworkthatyouaredoing。
HAMILTON
WhendoesthisphilologicalexcursionIntonewlandsandlanguagesbegin?
BURR
Anon——thatis,already。OnlyFortuneGavemethisafternoonthebenefactionOfyourblueback,whichIforlovepursued,Andinpursuingmayhavesavedyourlife——
Alsotheworldapoundingpieceofnews:
HamiltonbitesthedustofWashington,Orratherofhishorse。Foryoualone,Orforyourfame,I’dwishitmighthavebeenso。
HAMILTON
NoteverymanamongushasafriendSojealousfortheother’sfame。HowlongAreyoutodiagnosethedoubtfulcaseOfDemos——andwhatfor?HaveyouaswordForsomenewDamocles?Ifit’sforme,Ihavelostallofficialappetite,Andshallhavefaded,afterJanuary,Intothelaw。I’mgoingtoNewYork。
BURR
Nomatterwhereyouare,oneofthesedaysIshallcomebacktoyouandtellyousomething。
ThisDemos,Ihaveheard,hasinhiswristApulsethatnotwodoctorshaveasyetCountedandfoundthesame,andinhismouthAtonguethathasthelikealacrityForsayingornotforsayingwhatmostitisThatpullulatesinhisignoblemind。
OneofthesedaysIshallappearagain,Totellyoumoreofhimandhisopinions;
Ishallnotbesolongoutofyoursight,Ortakemyselfsofar,thatImaynot,LikeAlcibiades,comebackagain。
HewentawaytoPhrygia,andfaredill。
HAMILTON
There’sanexampleinThemistocles:
HewentawaytoPersia,andfaredwell。
BURR
So?MustIgosofar?Andifso,whyso?
Ihadnotplanneditso。IsthistheroadItake?Ifso,farewell。