Winterpassed,andthesummercameThetrunksofmadrono,allaflame,HereandtherethroughtheunderwoodLikepillarsoffirestarklystood。
AllofthebreezysolitudeWasfilledwiththespicingofpineandbayAndresinousodorsmixedandblended;
Anddimandghostlike,faraway,Thesmokeoftheburningwoodsascended。
Thenofasuddenthemountainsswam,Theriverspiledtheirfloodsinadam,TheridgeaboveLosGatosCreekArcheditsspineinafelinefashion;
Theforestswaltzedtilltheygrewsick,AndNatureshookinaspeechlesspassion;
And,swallowedupintheearthquake’sspleen,ThewonderfulSpringofSanJoaquinVanished,andnevermorewasseen!
Twodayspassed:theMissionfolkOutoftheirrosydreamawoke;
Someofthemlookedatriflewhite,Butthat,nodoubt,wasfromearthquakefright。
Threedays:therewassoredistress,Headache,nausea,giddiness。
Fourdays:faintings,tendernessOfthemouthandfauces;andinlessThanoneweek——herethestorycloses;
Wewon’tcontinuetheprognosis——
EnoughthatnownotraceisseenOfSpringorMissionofSanJoaquin。
MORAL
Youseethepoint?Don’tbetooquickTobreakbadhabits:betterstick,LiketheMissionfolk,toyourARSENIC。
THEANGELUS
(HEARDATTHEMISSIONDOLORES,1868)
BellsofthePast,whoselong-forgottenmusicStillfillsthewideexpanse,TingeingthesobertwilightofthePresentWithcolorofromance!
Ihearyourcall,andseethesundescendingOnrockandwaveandsand,AsdownthecoasttheMissionvoices,blending,Girdletheheathenland。
WithinthecircleofyourincantationNoblightnormildewfalls;
Norfierceunrest,norlust,norlowambitionPassesthoseairywalls。
Borneontheswellofyourlongwavesreceding,ItouchthefartherPast;
IseethedyingglowofSpanishglory,Thesunsetdreamandlast!
Beforemerisethedome-shapedMissiontowers,ThewhitePresidio;
Theswartcommanderinhisleathernjerkin,Thepriestinstoleofsnow。
OncemoreIseePortala’scrossupliftingAbovethesettingsun;
Andpasttheheadland,northward,slowlydrifting,Thefreightedgalleon。
Osolemnbells!whoseconsecratedmassesRecallthefaithofold;
Otinklingbells!thatlulledwithtwilightmusicThespiritualfold!
Yourvoicesbreakandfalterinthedarkness,——
Break,falter,andarestill;
Andveiledandmystic,liketheHostdescending,Thesunsinksfromthehill!
CONCEPCIONDEARGUELLO
(PRESIDIODESANFRANCISCO,1800)
I
Lookingseaward,o’erthesand-hillsstandsthefortress,oldandquaint,BytheSanFranciscofriarsliftedtotheirpatronsaint,——
Sponsortothatwondrouscity,nowapostatetothecreed,OnwhoseyouthfulwallsthePadresawtheangel’sgoldenreed;
Allitstrophieslongsincescattered,allitsblazonbrushedaway;
Andtheflagthatfliesaboveitbutatriumphofto-day。
Neverscarofsiegeorbattlechallengesthewanderingeye,Neverbreachofwarlikeonsetholdsthecuriouspasser-by;
OnlyonesweethumanfancyinterweavesitsthreadsofgoldWiththeplainandhomespunpresent,andalovethatne’ergrowsold;
Onlyonethingholdsitscrumblingwallsabovethemeanerdust,——
Listentothesimplestoryofawoman’sloveandtrust。
II
CountvonResanoff,theRussian,envoyofthemightyCzar,Stoodbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare。
HewithgraveprovincialmagnateslonghadheldserenedebateOntheTreatyofAllianceandthehighaffairsofstate;
HefromgraveprovincialmagnatesofthadturnedtotalkapartWiththeCommandante’sdaughteronthequestionsoftheheart,Untilpointsofgravestimportyieldedslowlyonebyone,AndbyLovewasconsummatedwhatDiplomacybegun;
Tillbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,HereceivedthetwofoldcontractforapprovaloftheCzar;
Tillbesidethebrazencannonthebetrothedbadeadieu,AndfromsallyportandgatewaynorththeRussianeaglesflew。
III
Longbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,DidtheywaitthepromisedbridegroomandtheansweroftheCzar;
Daybydayonwallandbastionbeatthehollow,emptybreeze,——
Daybydaythesunlightglitteredonthevacant,smilingseas:
Weekbyweekthenearhillswhitenedintheirdustyleathercloaks,——
Weekbyweekthefarhillsdarkenedfromthefringingplainofoaks;
Tilltherainscame,andfarbreaking,onthefiercesouthwestertost,Dashedthewholelongcoastwithcolor,andthenvanishedandwerelost。
Soeachyeartheseasonsshifted,——wetandwarmanddrearanddryHalfayearofcloudsandflowers,halfayearofdustandsky。
Stillitbroughtnoshipnormessage,——broughtnotidings,illormeet,ForthestatesmanlikeCommander,forthedaughterfairandsweet。
Yetsheheardthevaryingmessage,voicelesstoallearsbeside:
"Hewillcome,"theflowerswhispered;"Comenomore,"thedryhillssighed。
Stillshefoundhimwiththewatersliftedbythemorningbreeze,——
Stillshelosthimwiththefoldingofthegreatwhite-tentedseas;
Untilhollowschasedthedimplesfromhercheeksofolivebrown,Andattimesaswift,shymoisturedraggedthelongsweetlashesdown;
Orthesmallmouthcurvedandquiveredasforsomedeniedcaress,Andthefairyoungbrowwasknittedinaninfantinedistress。
ThenthegrimCommander,pacingwherethebrazencannonare,Comfortedthemaidwithproverbs,wisdomgatheredfromafar;
Bitsofancientobservationbyhisfathersgarnered,eachAsapebblewornandpolishedinthecurrentofhisspeech:
"’Thosewhowaitthecomingridertraveltwiceasfarashe;’
’Tiredwenchandcomingbutterneverdidintimeagree;’
"’Hethatgettethhimselfhoney,thoughaclown,heshallhaveflies;’
’IntheendGodgrindsthemiller;’’Inthedarkthemolehaseyes;’
"’HewhosefatherisAlcaldeofhistrialhathnofear,’——
AndbesuretheCounthasreasonsthatwillmakehisconductclear。"
Thenthevoicesententiousfaltered,andthewisdomitwouldteachLostitselfinfondesttriflesofhissoftCastilianspeech;
Andon"Concha""Conchitita,"and"Conchita"hewoulddwellWiththefondreiterationwhichtheSpaniardknowssowell。
Sowithproverbsandcaresses,halfinfaithandhalfindoubt,Everydaysomehopewaskindled,flickered,faded,andwentout。
IV
Yearly,downthehillsidesweeping,camethestatelycavalcade,Bringingreveltovaquero,joyandcomforttoeachmaid;
Bringingdaysofformalvisit,socialfeastandrusticsport,Ofbull-baitingontheplaza,oflove-makinginthecourt。
VainlythenatConcha’slattice,vainlyastheidlewind,RosethethinhighSpanishtenorthatbespoketheyouthtookind;
Vainly,leaningfromtheirsaddles,caballeros,boldandfleet,Pluckedforhertheburiedchickenfrombeneaththeirmustang’sfeet;
Soinvainthebarrenhillsideswiththeirgayserapesblazed,——
Blazedandvanishedinthedust-cloudthattheirflyinghoofshadraised。
Thenthedrumcalledfromtherampart,andoncemore,withpatientmien,TheCommanderandhisdaughtereachtookupthedullroutine,——
Eachtookupthepettydutiesofalifeapartandlone,Tilltheslowyearswroughtamusicinitsdrearymonotone。
V
Fortyyearsonwallandbastionsweptthehollowidlebreeze,SincetheRussianeagleflutteredfromtheCaliforniaseas;
Fortyyearsonwallandbastionwroughtitsslowbutsuredecay,AndSt。George’scrosswasliftedintheportofMonterey;
Andthecitadelwaslighted,andthehallwasgaylydrest,AlltohonorSirGeorgeSimpson,famoustravelerandguest。
Farandnearthepeoplegatheredtothecostlybanquetset,AndexchangedcongratulationswiththeEnglishbaronet;
Till,theformalspeechesended,andamidstthelaughandwine,SomeonespokeofConcha’slover,——heedlessofthewarningsign。
QuicklythencriedSirGeorgeSimpson:"Speaknoillofhim,Ipray!
Heisdead。Hedied,poorfellow,fortyyearsagothisday,——
"DiedwhilespeedinghometoRussia,fallingfromafractioushorse。
Leftasweetheart,too,theytellme。Married,Isuppose,ofcourse!
"Livessheyet?"Adeathlikesilencefellonbanquet,guests,andhall,Andatremblingfigurerisingfixedtheawestruckgazeofall。
Twoblackeyesindarkenedorbitsgleamedbeneaththenun’swhitehood;
Blacksergehidthewastedfigure,bowedandstrickenwhereitstood。
"Livessheyet?"SirGeorgerepeated。AllwerehushedasConchadrewCloseryethernun’sattire。"Senor,pardon,shedied,too!"
"FORTHEKING"
(NORTHERNMEXICO,1640)
AsyoulookfromtheplazaatLeonwestYoucanseeherhouse,buttheviewisbestFromtheporchofthechurchwheresheliesatrest;
Wheremuchofherpaststilllives,Ithink,InthescowlingbrowsandsidelongblinkOftheworshipingthrongthatriseorsinkTothewaxensaintsthat,yellowandlank,Leanoutfromtheirniches,rankonrank,WithabloodlessSaviouroneitherflank;
Inthegoutypillars,whosecracksbeginToshowtheadobecorewithin,——
Asoulofearthinawhitewashedskin。
AndIthinkthatthemoralofall,you’llsay,IsthesculpturedlegendthatmouldsawayOnatombinthechoir:"PorelRey。"
"PorelRey!"Well,thekingisgoneAgesago,andtheHapsburgoneShot——buttheRockoftheChurchliveson。
"PorelRey!"Whatmatters,indeed,IfkingorpresidentsucceedToacountryhaggardwithslothandgreed,Aslongasonegranaryisfat,Andyonderpriest,inashovelhat,Peepsoutfromthebinlikeasleekbrownrat?
Whatmatters?Naught,ifitservestobringThelegendnearer,——nootherthing,——
We’llsparethemoral,"Livetheking!"
Twohundredyearsago,theysay,TheViceroy,MarquisofMonte-Rey,Rodewithhisretinuethatway:
Grave,asbefittedSpain’sgrandee;
Grave,asthesubstituteshouldbeOfHisMostCatholicMajesty;
Yet,fromhisblackplume’scurvinggraceTohisslimblackgauntlet’ssmallerspace,Exquisiteasapieceoflace!
Twohundredyearsago——e’enso——
TheMarquisstoppedwherethelime-treesblow,WhileLeon’sseneschalbenthimlow,AndbeggedthattheMarquiswouldthatnighttakeHishumblerooffortheroyalsake,Andthen,asthecustomdemanded,spakeTheusualwish,thathisguestwouldholdThehouse,andallthatitmightenfold,Ashis——withthebridescarcethreedaysold。
BesurethattheMarquis,inhisplace,RepliedtoallwiththemeasuredgraceOfchosenspeechandunmovedface;
NorraisedhisheadtillhisblackplumesweptThehemofthelady’srobe,whokeptHerplace,asherhusbandbackwardstept。
Andthen(Iknownothownorwhy)
Asubtleflameinthelady’seye——
Unseenbythecourtiersstandingby——
Burnedthroughhislaceandtitledwreath,Burnedthroughhisbody’sjeweledsheath,Tillittouchedthesteelofthemanbeneath!
(Andyet,mayhap,nomorewasmeantThantopointawell-worncompliment,Andthelady’sbeauty,herworstintent。)
Howbeit,theMarquisbowedagain:
"WhoruleswithawewellservethSpain,Butbestwhoselawislovemadeplain。"
BesurethatnightnopillowprestTheseneschal,butwiththerestWatched,aswasduearoyalguest,——
WatchedfromthewalltillhesawthesquareFillwiththemoonlight,whiteandbare,——
WatchedtillhesawtwoshadowsfareOutfromhisgarden,wheretheshadeThattheoldchurchtowerandbelfrymadeLikeabenedictoryhandwaslaid。
FewwordsspoketheseneschalasheturnedTohisnearestsentry:"ThesemonkshavelearnedThatstolenfruitissweetlyearned。
"MyselfshallpunishyonacolyteWhogathersmygardengrapesbynight;
Meanwhile,waitthoutillthemorninglight。"
YetnottillthesunwasridinghighDidthesentrymeethiscommander’seye,NorthentilltheViceroystoodby。
TotheloversofgraveformalitiesNogreetingwaseversofine,Iwis,Asthishost’sandguest’shighcourtesies!
Theseneschalfeared,asthewindwaswest,AblastfromMorenahadchilledhisrest;
TheViceroylanguidlyconfestThatcaresofstate,and——hedaredtosay——
SomefearsthattheKingcouldnotrepayThethoughtfulzealofhishost,somewayHadmarredhisrest。YethetrustedmuchNonesharedhiswakefulness;thoughsuchIndeedmightbe!IfhedaredtotouchAthemesofine——thebride,perchance,Stillslept!Atleast,theymissedherglanceTogivethisgreetingcountenance。
Besurethattheseneschal,inturn,WasdeeplybowedwiththegraveconcernOfthepainfulnewshisguestshouldlearn:
"Lastnight,toherfather’sdyingbedByapriestwastheladysummoned;
Norknowweyethowwellshesped,"Buthopeforthebest。"ThegraveViceroy(Thoughgrievedhisvisithadsuchalloy)
MuststillwishtheseneschalgreatjoyOfabridesotruetoherfilialtrust!
Yetnow,asthedaywaxedon,theymustTohorse,ifthey’d’scapethenoondaydust。
"Nay,"saidtheseneschal,"atleast,Tomendthenewsofthisfuneralpriest,Myselfshallrideasyourescorteast。"
TheViceroybowed。ThenturnedasideTohisnearestfollower:"Withmeride——
YouandFelipe——oneitherside。
"Andlist!Shouldanythingmebefall,Mischanceofambushormusket-ball,Cleavetohissaddleyonseneschal!
"Nomore。"ThengravelyinaccentsclearTookformalleaveofhislategoodcheer;
Whilestheseneschalwhisperedamusketeer,Carelesslystrokinghispommeltop:
"Iffromthesaddleyeseemedrop,Riddlemequicklyyonsolemnfop!"
Sothese,withmanyacompliment,Eachonhisowndarkthoughtintent,Withgravepolitenessonwardwent,Ridinghigh,andinsightofall,Viceroy,escort,andseneschal,UndertheshadeoftheAlmandral;
Holdingtheirsecrethardandfast,SilentandgravetheyrideatlastIntothedustytraveledPast。
EvenlikethistheypassedawayTwohundredyearsagoto-day。
Whatofthelady?Whoshallsay?
DothesoulsofthedyingeveryearnTosomefavoredspotforthedust’sreturn,Forthehomelypeaceofthefamilyurn?
Iknownot。Yetdidtheseneschal,Chancinginafter-yearstofallPiercedbyaFlemishmusket-ball,Calltohissideatrustyfriar,Andbidhimswear,ashislastdesire,TobearhiscorsetoSanPedro’schoirAtLeon,where’neathashieldazureShouldhismortalframefindsepulture:
Thismuch,forthepainsChristdidendure。
BesurethatthefriarloyallyFulfilledhistrustbylandandsea,TillthespiresofLeonsilentlyRosethroughthegreenoftheAlmandral,AsiftobeckontheseneschalTohiskindreddust’neaththechoirwall。
IwotthatthesaintsoneithersideLeanedfromtheirnichesopen-eyedToseethedoorsofthechurchswingwide;
ThatthewoundsoftheSaviouroneitherflankBledfresh,asthemourners,rankbyrank,Wentbywiththecoffin,clankonclank。
Forwhy?WhentheyraisedthemarbledoorOfthetomb,untouchedforyearsbefore,Thefriarswoonedonthechoirfloor;
Forthere,inherlacesandfestaldress,Laythedeadman’swife,herlovelinessScarcelychangedbyherlongduress,——
Asonthenightshehadpassedaway;
Onlythatnearheradaggerlay,Withthewrittenlegend,"PorelRey。"
Whatwastheirgreeting,thegroomandbride,Theywhomthatsteelandtheyearsdivide?
Iknownot。Heretheyliesidebyside。
Sidebyside!Thoughthekinghashisway,Eventhedeadatlasthavetheirday。
Makeyouthemoral。"PorelRey!"
RAMON
(REFUGIOMINE,NORTHERNMEXICO)
Drunkandsenselessinhisplace,Proneandsprawlingonhisface,MorelikebrutethananymanAliveordead,Byhisgreatpumpoutofgear,Laythepeonengineer,Wakingonlyjusttohear,Overhead,Angrytonesthatcalledhisname,Oathsandcriesofbitterblame,——
Woketohearallthis,and,waking,turnedandfled!
"Tothemanwho’llbringtome,"
CriedIntendantHarryLee,——
HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——
"Bringthesotaliveordead,Iwillgivetohim,"hesaid,"Fifteenhundredpesosdown,Justtosettherascal’scrownUnderneaththisheelofmine:
SincebutdeathDeservesthemanwhosedeed,Beitviceorwantofheed,Stopsthepumpsthatgiveusbreath,——
StopsthepumpsthatsuckthedeathFromthepoisonedlowerlevelsofthemine!"
Nooneanswered;foracryFromtheshaftroseuponhigh,Andshuffling,scrambling,tumblingfrombelow,Cametheminerseach,thebolderMountingontheweaker’sshoulder,Grappling,clingingtotheirholdorLettinggo,AstheweakergaspedandfellFromtheladdertothewell,——
TothepoisonedpitofhellDownbelow!
"Tothemanwhosetsthemfree,"
Criedtheforeman,HarryLee,——
HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——
"Bringsthemoutandsetsthemfree,Iwillgivethatman,"saidhe,"Twicethatsum,whowitharopeFacetofacewithDeathshallcope。
Lethimcomewhodarestohope!"
"Holdyourpeace!"someonereplied,Standingbytheforeman’sside;
"Therehasonealreadygone,whoe’erhebe!"
Thentheyheldtheirbreathwithawe,Pullingontherope,andsawFaintingfiguresreappear,Ontheblackropeswingingclear,Fastenedbysomeskillfulhandfrombelow;
Tillascorethelevelgained,Andbutonealoneremained,——
Hetheheroandthelast,HewhoseskillfulhandmadefastThelonglinethatbroughtthembacktohopeandcheer!
Haggard,gasping,downdroppedheAtthefeetofHarryLee,——
HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine。
"Ihavecome,"hegasped,"toclaimBothrewards。Senor,mynameIsRamon!
I’mthedrunkenengineer,I’mthecoward,Senor"——HereHefellover,bythatsign,Deadasstone!
DONDIEGOOFTHESOUTH
(REFECTORY,MISSIONSANGABRIEL,1869)
Good!——saidthePadre,——believemestill,"DonGiovanni,"orwhatyouwill,Thetype’seternal!WeknewhimhereAsDonDiegodelSud。IfearThestory’snonewone!Willyouhear?
Oneofthosespiritsyoucan’ttellwhyGodhaspermitted。ThereinI
Havetheadvantage,forIholdThatwolvesaresenttothepurestfold,Andwe’dsavethewolfifwe’dgetthelamb。
You’renobeliever?Good!Iam。
Well,forsomepurpose,Igrantyoudim,TheDonlovedwomen,andtheylovedhim。
EachthoughtherselfhisLASTlove!Worst,ManybelievedthattheywerehisFIRST!
And,sucharethesecreaturessincetheFall,Theverydoubthadacharmforall!
Youlaugh!Youareyoung,butI——indeedIhavenopatience……Toproceed:——
Yousaw,asyoupassedthroughtheuppertown,TheEucinalwheretheroadgoesdownToSanFelipe!ThereonemornTheyfoundDiego,——hismantletorn,Andasmanyholesthroughhisdoublet’sbandAstherewerewrongedhusbands——youunderstand!
"Dying,"sosaidthegossips。"Dead"
Waswhatthefriarswhofoundhimsaid。
Maybe。Quiensabe?Whoelseshouldknow?
Itwasahundredyearsago。
Therewasafuneral。Smallindeed——
Private。Whatwouldyou?Toproceed:——
Scarcelytheyearhadflown。OnenightTheCommandanteawokeinfright,Hearingbelowhiscasement’sbarThewell-knowntwangoftheDon’sguitar;
Andrushedtothewindow,justtoseeHiswifea-swoononthebalcony。
Oneweeklater,DonJuanRamirezFoundhisowndaughter,theDonaInez,Paleasaghost,leaningouttohearThesongofthatphantomcavalier。
EvenAlcaldePedroBlasSaw,itwassaid,throughhisniece’sglass,TheshadeofDiegotwicerepass。
WhatthesegentlemeneachconfessedHeavenandtheChurchonlyknows。AtbestThecasewasabadone。HowtodealWithSinasaGhost,theycouldn’tbutfeelWasanawfulthing。TillacertainFrayHumblyofferedtoshowtheway。
Andthewaywasthis。DidIsaybeforeThattheFraywasastranger?No,Senor?
Strange!verystrange!IshouldhavesaidThattheveryweekthattheDonlaydeadHecameamongus。BreadhebrokeSilent,norevertoonehespoke。
Sohehadvowedit!BelowhisbrowsHisfacewashidden。Therearesuchvows!
Strange!aretheynot?YoudonotuseSnuff?Abadhabit!
Well,theviewsOftheFraywerethese:thatthepenancedoneBythecaballeroswasright;butoneWasduefromtheCAUSE,andthat,inbrief,WasDonaDoloresGomez,chief,AndInez,Sanchicha,Concepcion,AndCarmen,——well,halfthegirlsintownOnhistabletstheFriarhadwrittendown。
TheseweretocomeonacertaindayAndaskatthehandsofthepiousFrayForabsolution。Thatdone,smallfearButtheshadeofDiegowoulddisappear。
Theycame;eachkneltinherturnandplaceTothepiousFraywithhishiddenfaceAndvoicelesslips,andeachagainTookbackhersoulfreedfromspotorstain,TilltheDonaInez,witheyesdowncastAndatearontheirfringes,kneltherlast。
Andthen——perhapsthathervoicewaslowFromfearorfromshame——themonkssaidso——
ButtheFrayleanedforward,when,presto!allWerethrilledbyascream,andsawherfallFaintingbesidetheconfessional。
AndsowastheghostofDiegolaidAstheFrayhadsaid。NevermorehisshadeWasseenatSanGabriel’sMission。Eh!
Thegirlinterestsyou?Idaresay!
"Nothing,"saidshe,whentheybroughtherto——
"Onlyafaintness!"TheyspokemoretrueWhosaid’twasastubbornsoul。Butthen——
Womenarewomen,andmenaremen!
So,toreturn。AsIsaidbefore,Havinggotthewolf,bythesamehighlawWesavedthelambinthewolf’sownjaw,Andthat’smymoral。Thetale,Ifear,Butpoorlytold。YetitstrikesmehereIsstuffforamoral。What’syourview?
Yousmile,DonPancho。Ah!that’slikeyou!
ATTHEHACIENDA
KnowInotwhomthoumaystbeCarveduponthisolive-tree,——
"ManuelaofLaTorre,"——
ForaroundonbrokenwallsSummersunandspringrainfalls,Andinvainthelowwindcalls"ManuelaofLaTorre。"
OfthatsongnowordsremainButthemusicalrefrain,——
"ManuelaofLaTorre。"
Yetatnight,whenwindsarestill,TinklesonthedistanthillAguitar,andwordsthatthrillTelltometheold,oldstory,——
Oldwhenfirstthycharmsweresung,Oldwhentheseoldwallswereyoung,"ManuelaofLaTorre。"
FRIARPEDRO’SRIDE
Itwasthemorningseasonoftheyear;
Itwasthemorningeraoftheland;
Thewatercoursesrangfullloudandclear;
Portala’scrossstoodwherePortala’shandHadplanteditwhenFaithwastaughtbyFear,WhenmonksandmissionsheldthesolecommandOfallthatshorebesidethepeacefulsea,Wherespring-tidesbeattheirlong-drawnreveille。
OutofthemissionofSanLuisRey,Allinthatbrisk,tumultuousspringweather,RodeFriarPedro,inapiousway,Withsixdragoonsincuirassesofleather,Eacharmedalikeforeitherprayerorfray;
Handcuffsandmissalstheyhadslungtogether,AndasanaidthegospeltruthtoscatterEachswungalasso——aliasa"riata。"
Insooth,thatyeartheharvesthadbeenslack,Thecropofconvertsscarceworthcomputation;
Somesoulswerelost,whoseownershadturnedbackTosavetheirbodiesfrequentflagellation;
Andsomepreferredthesongsofbirds,alack!
ToLatinmatinsandtheirsouls’salvation,AndthoughttheirownwildwhoopingswerelessdrearyThanFatherPedro’sdroningmiserere。
Tobringthembacktomatinsandtoprime,Topiousworksandsecularsubmission,Toprovetothemthatlibertywascrime,——
Thiswas,infact,thePadre’spresentmission;
Togetnewsoulsperchanceatthesametime,Andbringthemtoa"senseoftheircondition,"——
Thateasyphrase,which,inthepastandpresent,Meansmakingthatconditionmostunpleasant。
Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;
Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;
Hesawthegopherworkinginhisburrow;
Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——
Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubtathoroughAnddeepconvictionofGod’sgoodness;stillHefailedtoseethatinHisgloryHeYetleftthehumblestofHiscreaturesfree。
Hesawtheflappingcrow,whosefrequentnoteVoicedthemonotonyoflandandsky,MockingwithgracelesswingandrustycoatHispriestlypresenceashetrottedby。
Hewouldhavecursedthebirdbybellandrote,Butothergamejustthenwasinhiseye,——
Asavagecamp,whoseoccupantspreferredTheirheathendarknesstothelivingWord。
Heranghisbell,andatthemartialsoundTwelvesilverspurstheirjinglingrowelsclashed;
SixhorsessprangacrossthelevelgroundAssixdragoonsinopenorderdashed;
Abovetheirheadsthelassoscircledround,Ineveryeyeapiousfervorflashed;
Theychargedthecamp,andinonemomentmoreTheylassoedsixandreconvertedfour。
TheFriarsawtheconflictfromaknoll,AndsangLausDeoandcheeredonhismen:
"Wellthrown,Bautista,——that’sanothersoul;
Afterhim,Gomez,——tryitonceagain;
Thisway,Felipe,——theretheheathenstole;
BonesofSt。Francis!——surelythatmakesTEN;
TeDeumlaudamus——butthey’reverywild;
NonnobisDomine——allright,mychild!"
Whenatthatmoment——asthestorygoes——
Acertainsquaw,whohadherfoeseluded,RanpasttheFriar,justbeforehisnose。
Hestaredamoment,andinsilencebrooded;
TheninhisbreastapiousfrenzyroseAndeveryotherprudentthoughtexcluded;
Hecaughtalasso,anddashedinacanterAfterthatOccidentalAtalanta。
Higho’erhisheadheswirledthedreadfulnoose;
But,asthepracticewasquiteunfamiliar,HisfirstcasttoreFelipe’scaptiveloose,AndalmostchokedTiburcioCamilla,Andmighthaveinterferedwiththatbraveyouth’sAbilitytogorgethetoughtortilla;
Butallthingscomebypractice,andatlastHisflyingslip-knotcaughtthemaidenfast。
ThenroseabovetheplainamingledyellOfrageandtriumph,——ademoniacwhoop:
ThePadrehearditlikeapassingknell,Andwouldhaveloosenedhisunchristianloop;
Butthetoughraw-hideheldthecaptivewell,Andheld,alas!toowellthecaptor-dupe;
Forwithoneboundthesavagefledamain,Dragginghorse,Friar,downthelonelyplain。
Downthearroyo,outacrossthemead,Byheathandhollow,spedtheflyingmaid,DraggingbehindherstillthepantingsteedAndhelplessFriar,whoinvainessayedTocutthelassoortocheckhisspeed。
Hefelthimselfbeyondallhumanaid,Andtrustedtothesaints,——and,forthatmatter,TosomeweakspotinFelipe’sriata。
Alas!thelassohadbeendulyblessed,And,likebaptism,heldtheflyingwretch,——
Adoctrinethatthepriesthadoftexpressed,Which,likethelasso,mightbemadetostretch,Butwouldnotbreak;soneithercoulddivestThemselvesofit,but,likesomeawfulfetch,TheholyFriarhadtorecognizeTheimageofhisfateinheathenguise。
Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;
Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;
Hesawthegopherstandinginhisburrow;
Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——
Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubthowthoroughThecontrastwastohiscondition;stillThesquawkeptonwardtothesea,tillnightAndthecoldsea-foghidthembothfromsight。
Themorningcameabovetheserriedcoast,Lightingthesnow-peakswithitsbeacon-fires,Drivingbeforeitallthefleet-wingedhostOfchatteringbirdsabovetheMissionspires,Fillingthelandwithlightandjoy,butmostThesavagewoodswithalltheirleafylyres;
InpearlytintsandopalflameandfireThemorningcame,butnottheholyFriar。
Weekspassedaway。InvaintheFatherssoughtSometraceortokenthatmighttellhisstory;
Somethoughthimdead,or,likeElijah,caughtUptotheheavensinablazeofglory。
InthissurmisesomemiracleswerewroughtOnhisaccount,andsoulsinpurgatoryWerethoughttoprofitfromhisintercession;
Inbrief,hisabsencemadea"deepimpression。"
Atwelvemonthpassed;thewelcomeSpringoncemoreMadegreenthehillsbesidethewhite-facedMission,Spreadherbrightdaisbythewesternshore,Andsatenthroned,amostresplendentvision。
TheheathenconvertsthrongedthechapeldoorAtmorningmass,when,saystheoldtradition,Afrightfulwhoopthroughoutthechurchresounded,Andtotheirfeetthecongregationbounded。
Atrampofhoofsuponthebeatencourse,Thencameasightthatmadethebravestquail:
AphantomFriaronaspectrehorse,Draggedbyacreaturedeckedwithhornsandtail。
BytheloneMission,withthewhirlwind’sforce,Theymadlyswept,andleftasulphuroustrail:
Andthatwasall,——enoughtotellthestory,Andleaveunblessedthosesoulsinpurgatory。
Andeverafter,onthatfataldayThatFriarPedrorodeabroadlassoing,AghostlycouplecameandwentawayWithsavagewhoopandheathenishhallooing,WhichbroughtdiscreditonSanLuisRey,AndprovedtheMission’sruinandundoing;
Foreretenyearshadpassed,thesquawandFriarPerformedtoemptywallsandfallenspire。
TheMissionisnomore;uponitswall。
Thegoldenlizardsslip,orbreathlesspause,StillasthesunshinebrokenlythatfallsThroughcranniedroofandspider-websofgauze;
Nomorethebellitssolemnwarningcalls,——
Aholiersilencethrillsandoverawes;
Andthesharplightsandshadowsofto-dayOutlinetheMissionofSanLuisRey。
INTHEMISSIONGARDEN
(1865)
FATHERFELIPE
IspeaknottheEnglishwell,butPachita,Shespeakforme;isitnotso,myPancha?
Eh,littlerogue?Come,salutemethestrangerAmericano。
Sir,inmycountrywesay,"Wheretheheartis,Therelivethespeech。"Ah!younotunderstand?So!
Pardonanoldman,——whatyoucall"oldfogy,"——
PadreFelipe!
Old,Senor,old!justsooldastheMission。
Youseethatpear-tree?Howoldyouthink,Senor?
Fifteenyear?Twenty?Ah,Senor,justfiftyGonesinceIplanthim!
Youlikethewine?ItissomeattheMission,Madefromthegrapeoftheyeareighteenhundred;
AllthesametimewhentheearthquakehecometoSanJuanBautista。
ButPanchaistwelve,andsheistherose-tree;
AndIamtheolive,andthisisthegarden:
And"Pancha"wesay,buthernameis"Francisca,"
Samelikehermother。
Eh,youknewHER?No?Ah!itisastory;
ButIspeaknot,likePachita,theEnglish:
So!ifItry,youwillsitherebesideme,Andshallnotlaugh,eh?
WhentheAmericancometotheMission,ManyarriveatthehouseofFrancisca:
One,——hewasfineman,——hebuythecattleOfJoseCastro。
So!hecamemuch,andFrancisca,shesawhim:
Anditwaslove,——andaverydryseason;
Andthepearsbakeonthetree,——andtheraincome,ButnotFrancisca。
Notforoneyear;andonenightIhavewalkmuchUndertheolive-tree,whencomesFrancisca,——
Comestomehere,withherchild,thisFrancisca,——
Undertheolive-tree。
Sir,itwassad;……butIspeaknottheEnglish;
So!……shestayhere,andshewaitforherhusband:
Hecomenomore,andshesleeponthehillside;
TherestandsPachita。
Ah!there’stheAngelus。Willyounotenter?
OrshallyouwalkinthegardenwithPancha?
Go,littlerogue——st!attendtothestranger!
Adios,Senor。
PACHITA(briskly)。
So,he’sbeentellingthatyarnaboutmother!
Blessyou!hetellsittoeverystranger:
Folksaboutyersaytheoldman’smyfather;
What’syouropinion?
THELOSTGALLEON*
Insixteenhundredandforty-one,Theregularyearlygalleon,Ladenwithodorousgumsandspice,IndiacottonsandIndiarice,AndtherichestsilksoffarCathay,WasdueatAcapulcoBay。
Dueshewas,andoverdue,——
Galleon,merchandiseandcrew,Creepingalongthroughrainandshine,Throughthetropics,undertheline。
Thetrainswerewaitingoutsidethewalls,Thewivesofsailorsthrongedthetown,Thetraderssatbytheiremptystalls,AndtheViceroyhimselfcamedown;
Thebellsinthetowerwerealla-trip,TeDeumswereoneachFather’slip,ThelimeswereripeninginthesunForthesickofthecominggalleon。
Allinvain。Weekspassedaway,Andyetnogalleonsawthebay。
Indiagoodsadvancedinprice;
TheGovernormissedhisfavoritespice;
TheSenoritasmournedforsandalAndthefamouscottonsofCoromandel;
Andsomeforanabsentloverlost,Andoneforahusband,——DonaJulia,Wifeofthecaptaintempest-tossed,Incircumstancessopeculiar;
EventheFathers,unawares,Grumbledalittleattheirprayers;
AndallalongthecoastthatyearVotivecandlesworescarceanddear。
NeveratearbedimstheeyeThattimeandpatiencewillnotdry;
NeveralipiscurvedwithpainThatcan’tbekissedintosmilesagain;
Andthesesametruths,asfarasIknow,ObtainedonthecoastofMexicoMorethantwohundredyearsago,Insixteenhundredandfifty-one,——
Tenyearsafterthedeedwasdone,——
Andfolkshadforgottenthegalleon:
Thediversplungedinthegulfforpearls,WhiteastheteethoftheIndiangirls;
Thetraderssatbytheirfullbazaars;
Themuleswithmanyawearyload,Andoxendraggingtheircreakingcars,Cameandwentonthemountainroad。
Wherewasthegalleonallthiswhile?
Wreckedonsomelonelycoralisle,Burntbytherovingsea-marauders,Orsailingnorthundersecretorders?
HadshefoundtheAnianpassagefamed,BylyingMaldonadoclaimed,Andsailedthroughthesixty-fifthdegreeDirecttotheNorthAtlanticSea?
Orhadshefoundthe"RiverofKings,"
OfwhichDeFontetoldsuchstrangethings,Insixteenforty?Neverasign,Eastorwestorundertheline,Theysawofthemissinggalleon;
NeverasailorplankorchipTheyfoundofthelong-losttreasure-ship,Orenoughtobuildataleupon。
Butwhenshewaslost,andwhereandhow,Arethefactswe’recomingtojustnow。
Take,ifyouplease,thechartofthatday,PublishedatMadrid,——porelRey;
LookforaspotintheoldSouthSea,ThehundredandeightiethdegreeLongitudewestofMadrid:there,Undertheequatorialglare,Justwheretheeastandwestareone,You’llfindthemissinggalleon,——
You’llfindtheSanGregorio,yetRidingtheseas,withsailsallset,FreshasupontheverydayShesailedfromAcapulcoBay。
Howdidshegetthere?WhatstrangespellKepthertwohundredyearssowell,Freefromdecayandmortaltaint?
Whatbuttheprayersofapatronsaint!
AhundredleaguesfromManillatown,TheSanGregorio’shelmcamedown;
Roundshewentonherheel,andnotAcable’slengthfromagalliotThatrockedonthewatersjustabreastOfthegalleon’scourse,whichwaswest-sou’-west。
Thensaidthegalleon’scommandante,GeneralPedroSobriente(Thatwashisrankonlandandmain,AregularcustomofOldSpain),"Mypilotisdeadofscurvy:mayIaskthelongitude,time,andday?"
Thefirsttwogivenandcompared;
Thethird——thecommandantestared!
"TheFIRSTofJune?Imakeitsecond。"
Saidthestranger,"Thenyou’vewronglyreckoned;
ImakeitFIRST:asyoucamethisway,Youshouldhavelost,d’yesee,aday;
Lostaday,asplainlysee,Onthehundredandeightiethdegree。"
"Lostaday?""Yes;ifnotrude,Whendidyoumakeeastlongitude?"
"OntheninthofMay,——ourpatron’sday。"
"Ontheninth?——YOUHADNONINTHOFMAY!
Eighthandtenthwasthere;butstay"——
Toolate;forthegalleonboreaway。
Lostwasthedaytheyshouldhavekept,Lostunheededandlostunwept;
Lostinawaythatmadesearchvain,Lostinatracklessandboundlessmain;
LostlikethedayofJob’sawfulcurse,Inhisthirdchapter,thirdandfourthverse;
Wreckedwastheirpatron’sonlyday,——
WhatwouldtheholyFatherssay?
SaidtheFrayAntonioEstavan,Thegalleon’schaplain,——alearnedman,——
"Nothingislostthatyoucanregain;
Andthewaytolookforathingisplain,Togowhereyoulostit,backagain。
BackwithyourgalleontillyouseeThehundredandeightiethdegree。
Waittilltherollingyeargoesround,Andtherewillthemissingdaybefound;
Foryou’llfind,ifcomputation’strue,ThatsailingEASTwillgivetoyouNotonlyoneninthofMay,buttwo,——
Oneforthegoodsaint’spresentcheer,Andoneforthedaywelostlastyear。"
Backtothespotsailedthegalleon;
Where,foratwelvemonth,offandonThehundredandeightiethdegreeSheroseandfellonatropicsea。
Butlo!whenitcametotheninthofMay,AllofasuddenbecalmedshelayOnedegreefromthatfatalspot,Withoutthepowertomoveaknot;
Andofcoursethemomentshelostherway,Gonewasherchancetosavethatday。
Tocutalengtheningstoryshort,Sheneversavedit。MadethesportOfevilspiritsandbafflingwind,Shewasalwaysbeforeorjustbehind,Onedaytoosoonoronedaytoolate,Andthesun,meanwhile,wouldneverwait。
ShehadtwoEighths,assheidlylay,TwoTenths,butneveraNINTHofMay;
AndtheresheridesthroughtwohundredyearsOfdrearypenanceandanxiousfears;
Yet,throughthegraceofthesaintsheserved,Captainandcrewarestillpreserved。
Byacomputationthatstillholdsgood,MadebytheHolyBrotherhood,TheSanGregoriowillcrossthatlineInnineteenhundredandthirty-nine:
JustthreehundredyearstoadayFromthetimeshelosttheninthofMay。
AndthefolkinAcapulcotown,Overthewaterslookingdown,WillseeintheglowofthesettingsunThesailsofthemissinggalleon,AndtheroyalstandardofPhilipRey,Thegleamingmastandglisteningspar,Asshenearsthesurfoftheouterbar。
ATeDeumsungonhercrowdeddeck,Anodorofspicealongtheshore,Acrash,acryfromashatteredwreck,——
AndtheyearlygalleonsailsnomoreInoroutoftheoldenbay;
Fortheblessedpatronhasfoundhisday。
——————-
Suchisthelegend。Hearthistruth:
Overthetracklesspast,somewhere,Liethelostdaysofourtropicyouth,Onlyregainedbyfaithandprayer,Onlyrecalledbyprayerandplaint:
Eachlostdayhasitspatronsaint!
*Seenotesatend。
III。INDIALECT
"JIM"
Saythere!P’r’apsSomeonyouchapsMightknowJimWild?
Well,——nooffense:
Tharain’tnosenseIngittin’riled!
JimwasmychumUpontheBar:
That’swhyIcomeDownfromupyar,Lookin’forJim。
Thankye,sir!YOU
Ain’tofthatcrew,——
Blestifyouare!
Money?Notmuch:
Thatain’tmykind;
Iain’tnosuch。
Rum?Idon’tmind,Seein’it’syou。
Well,thisyerJim,——
Didyouknowhim?
Jes’’boutyoursize;
Samekindofeyes;——
Well,thatisstrange:
Why,it’stwoyearSincehecamehere,Sick,forachange。
Well,here’stous:
Eh?
Theh——-yousay!
Dead?
Thatlittlecuss?
Whatmakesyoustar’,Youoverthar?
Can’tamandrop’sglassinyershopButyoumustr’ar?
Itwouldn’ttakeD————dmuchtobreakYouandyourbar。
Dead!
Poor——little——Jim!
Why,tharwasme,Jones,andBobLee,HarryandBen,——
No-accountmen:
ThentotakeHIM!
Well,thar——Good-by——
Nomore,sir——I——
Eh?
What’sthatyousay?
Why,dernit!——sho!——
No?Yes!ByJoe!
Sold!
Sold!Why,youlimb,Youornery,DernedoldLong-leggedJim。
CHIQUITA
Beautiful!Sir,youmaysayso。Tharisn’thermatchinthecounty;
Isthar,oldgal,——Chiquita,mydarling,mybeauty?
Feelofthatneck,sir,——thar’svelvet!Whoa!steady,——ah,willyou,youvixen!
Whoa!Isay。Jack,trotherout;letthegentlemanlookatherpaces。
Morgan!——sheain’tnothingelse,andI’vegotthepaperstoproveit。
SiredbyChippewaChief,andtwelvehundreddollarswon’tbuyher。
BriggsofTuolumneownedher。DidyouknowBriggsofTuolumne?
BustedhisselfinWhitePine,andblewouthisbrainsdownin’Frisco?
Hedn’tnosavey,hedBriggs。Thar,Jack!that’lldo,——quitthatfoolin’!
Nothin’towhatshekindo,whenshe’sgotherworkcutoutbeforeher。
Hossesishosses,youknow,andlikewise,too,jockeysisjockeys:
And’tain’tev’rymanascanrideasknowswhatahosshasgotinhim。
KnowtheoldfordontheFork,thatnearlygotFlanigan’sleaders?
Nastyindaylight,youbet,andamightyroughfordinlowwater!
Well,itain’tsixweeksagothatmeandtheJedgeandhisneveyStruckforthatfordinthenight,intherain,andthewaterallroundus;
Uptoourflanksinthegulch,andRattlesnakeCreekjusta-bilin’,Notaplankleftinthedam,andnaryabridgeontheriver。
Ihadthegray,andtheJedgehadhisroan,andhisnevey,Chiquita;
Andafterustrundledtherocksjestloosedfromthetopofthecanyon。
Lickity,lickity,switch,wecametotheford,andChiquitaBuckledrightdowntoherwork,and,aforeIcouldyelltoherrider,Tookwaterjestattheford,andtherewastheJedgeandmestanding,Andtwelvehundreddollarsofhoss-fleshafloat,anda-driftin’tothunder!
Wouldyeb’lieveit?Thatnight,thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita,Walkedherselfintoherstall,andstoodthere,allquietanddripping:
Cleanasabeaverorrat,withnaryabuckleofharness,JustassheswamtheFork,——thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita。
That’swhatIcallahoss!and——Whatdidyousay?——Oh,thenevey?
Drownded,Ireckon,——leastways,heneverkembecktodenyit。
Yeseethedernedfoolhadnoseat,yecouldn’thavemadehimarider;
Andthen,yeknow,boyswillbeboys,andhosses——well,hossesishosses!
DOW’SFLAT
(1856)
Dow’sFlat。That’sitsname;
AndIreckonthatyouAreastranger?Thesame?
Well,Ithoughtitwastrue,——
Fortharisn’tamanontheriverascan’tspottheplaceatfirstview。
ItwascalledafterDow,——
Whichthesamewasanass,——
AndastothehowThetthethingkemtopass,——
Jesttieupyourhosstothatbuckeye,andsityedownhereinthegrass。
Youseethis’yerDowHedtheworstkindofluck;
HeslippedupsomehowOneachthingthethestruck。
Why,efhe’dastraddledthetfence-rail,thedernedthing’dgetupandbuck。
HeminedonthebarTillhecouldn’tpayrates;
HewassmashedbyacarWhenhetunneledwithBates;
AndrightonthetopofhistroublekemhiswifeandfivekidsfromtheStates。