XVII。
Ineversawamoor,Ineversawthesea;
YetknowIhowtheheatherlooks,Andwhatawavemustbe。
IneverspokewithGod,Norvisitedinheaven;
YetcertainamIofthespotAsifthechartweregiven。
XVIII。
PLAYMATES。
GodpermitsindustriousangelsAfternoonstoplay。
Imetone,——forgotmyschool-mates,All,forhim,straightway。
GodcallshometheangelspromptlyAtthesettingsun;
Imissedmine。Howdrearymarbles,AfterplayingCrown!
XIX。
Toknowjusthowhesufferedwouldbedear;
ToknowifanyhumaneyeswerenearTowhomhecouldintrusthiswaveringgaze,UntilitsettledfirmonParadise。
Toknowifhewaspatient,partcontent,Wasdyingashethought,ordifferent;
Wasitapleasantdaytodie,Anddidthesunshinefacehisway?
Whatwashisfurthestmind,ofhome,orGod,OrwhatthedistantsayAtnewsthatheceasedhumannatureOnsuchaday?
Andwishes,hadheany?
Justhissigh,accented,Hadbeenlegibletome。
AndwasheconfidentuntilIllflutteredoutineverlastingwell?
Andifhespoke,whatnamewasbest,Whatfirst,WhatonebrokeoffwithAtthedrowsiest?
Washeafraid,ortranquil?
MightheknowHowconsciousconsciousnesscouldgrow,Tilllovethatwas,andlovetooblesttobe,Meet——andthejunctionbeEternity?
XX。
Thelastnightthatshelived,Itwasacommonnight,Exceptthedying;thistousMadenaturedifferent。
Wenoticedsmallestthings,——
Thingsoverlookedbefore,BythisgreatlightuponourmindsItalicized,as’twere。
ThatotherscouldexistWhileshemustfinishquite,AjealousyforheraroseSonearlyinfinite。
Wewaitedwhileshepassed;
Itwasanarrowtime,Toojostledwereoursoulstospeak,Atlengththenoticecame。
Shementioned,andforgot;
ThenlightlyasareedBenttothewater,shiveredscarce,Consented,andwasdead。
Andwe,weplacedthehair,Anddrewtheheaderect;
Andthenanawfulleisurewas,Ourfaithtoregulate。
XXI。
THEFIRSTLESSON。
NotinthisworldtoseehisfaceSoundslong,untilIreadtheplaceWherethisissaidtobeButjusttheprimertoalifeUnopened,rare,upontheshelf,Claspedyettohimandme。
Andyet,myprimersuitsmesoIwouldnotchooseabooktoknowThanthat,besweeterwise;
Mightsomeoneelsesolearnedbe,AndleavemejustmyABC,Himselfcouldhavetheskies。
XXII。
ThebustleinahouseThemorningafterdeathIssolemnestofindustriesEnacteduponearth,——
Thesweepinguptheheart,AndputtingloveawayWeshallnotwanttouseagainUntileternity。
XXIII。
Ireason,earthisshort,Andanguishabsolute,Andmanyhurt;
Butwhatofthat?
Ireason,wecoulddie:
ThebestvitalityCannotexceldecay;
Butwhatofthat?
IreasonthatinheavenSomehow,itwillbeeven,Somenewequationgiven;
Butwhatofthat?
XXIV。
Afraid?OfwhomamIafraid?
Notdeath;forwhoishe?
Theporterofmyfather’slodgeAsmuchabashethme。
Oflife?’TwereoddIfearathingThatcomprehendethmeInoneormoreexistencesAtDeity’sdecree。
Ofresurrection?IstheeastAfraidtotrustthemornWithherfastidiousforehead?
Assoonimpeachmycrown!
XXV。
DYING。
Thesunkeptsetting,settingstill;
NohueofafternoonUponthevillageIperceived,——
Fromhousetohouse’twasnoon。
Theduskkeptdropping,droppingstill;
Nodewuponthegrass,Butonlyonmyforeheadstopped,Andwanderedinmyface。
Myfeetkeptdrowsing,drowsingstill,Myfingerswereawake;
YetwhysolittlesoundmyselfUntomyseemingmake?
HowwellIknewthelightbefore!
Icouldnotseeitnow。
’Tisdying,Iamdoing;butI’mnotafraidtoknow。
XXVI。
TwoswimmerswrestledonthesparUntilthemorningsun,Whenoneturnedsmilingtotheland。
OGod,theotherone!
ThestrayshipspassingspiedafaceUponthewatersborne,Witheyesindeathstillbeggingraised,Andhandsbeseechingthrown。
XXVII。
THECHARIOT。
BecauseIcouldnotstopforDeath,Hekindlystoppedforme;
ThecarriageheldbutjustourselvesAndImmortality。
Weslowlydrove,heknewnohaste,AndIhadputawayMylabor,andmyleisuretoo,Forhiscivility。
Wepassedtheschoolwherechildrenplayed,Theirlessonsscarcelydone;
Wepassedthefieldsofgazinggrain,Wepassedthesettingsun。
WepausedbeforeahousethatseemedAswellingoftheground;
Theroofwasscarcelyvisible,Thecornicebutamound。
Sincethen’tiscenturies;buteachFeelsshorterthanthedayIfirstsurmisedthehorses’headsWeretowardeternity。
XXVIII。
ShewentasquietasthedewFromafamiliarflower。
NotlikethedewdidshereturnAttheaccustomedhour!
ShedroptassoftlyasastarFromoutmysummer’seve;
LessskilfulthanLeverrierIt’ssorertobelieve!
XXIX。
RESURGAM。
Atlasttobeidentified!
Atlast,thelampsuponthyside,Therestoflifetosee!
Pastmidnight,pastthemorningstar!
Pastsunrise!Ah!whatleaguesthereareBetweenourfeetandday!
XXX。
Excepttoheaven,sheisnought;
Exceptforangels,lone;
Excepttosomewide-wanderingbee,Aflowersuperfluousblown;
Exceptforwinds,provincial;
Exceptbybutterflies,UnnoticedasasingledewThatontheacrelies。
Thesmallesthousewifeinthegrass,Yettakeherfromthelawn,AndsomebodyhaslostthefaceThatmadeexistencehome!
XXXI。
DeathisadialoguebetweenThespiritandthedust。
"Dissolve,"saysDeath。TheSpirit,"Sir,Ihaveanothertrust。"
Deathdoubtsit,arguesfromtheground。
TheSpiritturnsaway,Justlayingoff,forevidence,Anovercoatofclay。
XXXII。
Itwastoolateforman,ButearlyyetforGod;
Creationimpotenttohelp,Butprayerremainedourside。
Howexcellenttheheaven,Whenearthcannotbehad;
Howhospitable,then,thefaceOfouroldneighbor,God!
XXXIII。
ALONGTHEPOTOMAC。
WhenIwassmall,awomandied。
To-dayheronlyboyWentupfromthePotomac,Hisfaceallvictory,Tolookather;howslowlyTheseasonsmusthaveturnedTillbulletscliptanangle,Andhepassedquicklyround!
IfprideshallbeinParadiseInevercandecide;
Oftheirimperialconduct,Nopersontestified。
Butproudinapparition,ThatwomanandherboyPassbackandforthbeforemybrain,Aseverinthesky。
XXXIV。
Thedaisyfollowssoftthesun,Andwhenhisgoldenwalkisdone,Sitsshylyathisfeet。
He,waking,findstheflowernear。
"Wherefore,marauder,artthouhere?"
"Because,sir,loveissweet!"
Wearetheflower,Thouthesun!
Forgiveus,ifasdaysdecline,WenearerstealtoThee,——
Enamouredofthepartingwest,Thepeace,theflight,theamethyst,Night’spossibility!
XXXV。
EMANCIPATION。
Norackcantortureme,Mysoul’satlibertyBehindthismortalboneThereknitsabolderoneYoucannotprickwithsaw,Norrendwithscymitar。
Twobodiesthereforebe;
Bindone,andonewillflee。
TheeagleofhisnestNoeasierdivestAndgainthesky,Thanmayestthou,ExceptthyselfmaybeThineenemy;
Captivityisconsciousness,So’sliberty。
XXXVI。
LOST。
Ilostaworldtheotherday。
Hasanybodyfound?
You’llknowitbytherowofstarsArounditsforeheadbound。
Arichmanmightnotnoticeit;
YettomyfrugaleyeOfmoreesteemthanducats。
Oh,findit,sir,forme!
XXXVII。
IfIshouldn’tbealiveWhentherobinscome,GivetheoneinredcravatAmemorialcrumb。
IfIcouldn’tthankyou,Beingjustasleep,YouwillknowI’mtryingWithmygranitelip!
XXXVIII。
Sleepissupposedtobe,Bysoulsofsanity,Theshuttingoftheeye。
SleepisthestationgrandDownwhichoneitherhandThehostsofwitnessstand!
Mornissupposedtobe,Bypeopleofdegree,Thebreakingoftheday。
Morninghasnotoccurred!
ThatshallaurorabeEastofeternity;
Onewiththebannergay,Oneintheredarray,——
Thatisthebreakofday。
XXXIX。
Ishallknowwhy,whentimeisover,AndIhaveceasedtowonderwhy;
ChristwillexplaineachseparateanguishInthefairschoolroomofthesky。
HewilltellmewhatPeterpromised,AndI,forwonderathiswoe,IshallforgetthedropofanguishThatscaldsmenow,thatscaldsmenow。
XL。
Ineverlostasmuchbuttwice,Andthatwasinthesod;
TwicehaveIstoodabeggarBeforethedoorofGod!
Angels,twicedescending,Reimbursedmystore。
Burglar,banker,father,Iampooroncemore!
EndofSeries1
Poems[Series2]
byEmilyDickinsonSeriesTwoEditedbytwoofherfriendsMABELLOOMISTODDandT。W。HIGGINSON
PREFACE
TheeagernesswithwhichthefirstvolumeofEmilyDickinson’spoemshasbeenreadshowsveryclearlythatallourallegedmodernartificialitydoesnotpreventapromptappreciationofthequalitiesofdirectnessandsimplicityinapproachingthegreatestthemes,——lifeandloveanddeath。That"irresistibleneedle-touch,"
asoneofherbestcriticshascalledit,piercingatoncetheverycoreofathought,hasfoundaresponseaswideandsympatheticasithasbeenunexpectedeventothosewhoknewbesthercompellingpower。Thissecondvolume,whileopentothesamecriticismastoformwithitspredecessor,showsalsothesameshiningbeauties。
AlthoughEmilyDickinsonhadbeeninthehabitofsendingoccasionalpoemstofriendsandcorrespondents,thefullextentofherwritingwasbynomeansimaginedbythem。Herfriend"H。H。"
mustatleasthavesuspectedit,forinaletterdated5thSeptember,1884,shewrote:——
MYDEARFRIEND,——Whatportfoliosfullofversesyoumusthave!Itisacruelwrongtoyour"dayandgeneration"thatyouwillnotgivethemlight。
IfsuchathingshouldhappenasthatIshouldoutliveyou,Iwishyouwouldmakemeyourliterarylegateeandexecutor。Surelyafteryouarewhatiscalled"dead"youwillbewillingthatthepoorghostsyouhaveleftbehindshouldbecheeredandpleasedbyyourverses,willyounot?Yououghttobe。Idonotthinkwehavearighttowithholdfromtheworldawordorathoughtanymorethanadeedwhichmighthelpasinglesoul……
Trulyyours,HELENJACKSON。
The"portfolios"werefound,shortlyafterEmilyDickinson’sdeath,byhersisterandonlysurvivinghousemate。Mostofthepoemshadbeencarefullycopiedonsheetsofnote-paper,andtiedinlittlefascicules,eachofsixoreightsheets。Whilemanyofthembearevidenceofhavingbeenthrownoffatwhiteheat,stillmorehadreceivedthoughtfulrevision。Thereisthefrequentadditionofratherperplexingfoot-notes,affordinglargechoiceofwordsandphrases。Andinthecopieswhichshesenttofriends,sometimesoneform,sometimesanother,isfoundtohavebeenused。Withoutimportantexception,herfriendshavegenerouslyplacedatthedisposaloftheEditorsanypoemstheyhadreceivedfromher;andthesehavegiventheobviousadvantageofcomparisonamongseveralrenderingsofthesameverse。
Towhatfurtherrigorouspruningherverseswouldhavebeensubjectedhadshepublishedthemherself,wecannotknow。Theyshouldberegardedinmanycasesasmerelythefirststrongandsuggestivesketchesofanartist,intendedtobeembodiedatsometimeinthefinishedpicture。
EmilyDickinsonappearstohavewrittenherfirstpoemsinthewinterof1862。InalettertooneofthepresentEditorstheAprilfollowing,shesays,"Imadenoverse,butoneortwo,untilthiswinter。"
Thehandwritingwasatfirstsomewhatlikethedelicate,runningItalianhandofoureldergentlewomen;butassheadvancedinbreadthofthought,itgrewbolderandmoreabrupt,untilinherlatestyearseachletterstooddistinctandseparatefromitsfellows。Inmostofherpoems,particularlythelaterones,everythingbywayofpunctuationwasdiscarded,exceptnumerousdashes;andallimportantwordsbeganwithcapitals。Theeffectofapageofhermorerecentmanuscriptisexceedinglyquaintandstrong。Thefac-similegiveninthepresentvolumeisfromoneoftheearliertransitionperiods。Althoughthereisnowhereadate,thehandwritingmakesitpossibletoarrangethepoemswithgeneralchronologicaccuracy。
Asarule,theverseswerewithouttitles;but"ACountryBurial,"
"AThunder-Storm,""TheHumming-Bird,"andafewotherswerenamedbytheirauthor,frequentlyattheend,——sometimesonlyintheaccompanyingnote,ifsenttoafriend。
Thevariationofreadings,withthefactthatsheoftenwroteinpencilandnotalwaysclearly,haveattimesthrownagooddealofresponsibilityuponherEditors。Butallinterferencenotabsolutelyinevitablehasbeenavoided。Theveryroughnessofherrenderingispartofherself,andnotlightlytobetouched;foritseemsinmanycasesthatsheintentionallyavoidedthesmootherandmoreusualrhymes。
Likeimpressionistpictures,orWagner’sruggedmusic,theveryabsenceofconventionalformchallengesattention。InEmilyDickinson’sexactinghands,theespecial,intrinsicfitnessofaparticularorderofwordsmightnotbesacrificedtoanythingvirtuallyextrinsic;andherversesallshowastrangecadenceofinnerrhythmicalmusic。Linesarealwaysdaringlyconstructed,andthe"thought-rhyme"appearsfrequently,——appealing,indeed,toanunrecognizedsensemoreelusivethanhearing。
EmilyDickinsonscrutinizedeverythingwithclear-eyedfrankness。
Everysubjectwaspropergroundforlegitimatestudy,eventhesombrefactsofdeathandburial,andtheunknownlifebeyond。Shetouchesthesethemessometimeslightly,sometimesalmosthumorously,moreoftenwithweirdandpeculiarpower;butsheisneverbyanychancefrivolousortrivial。Andwhile,asonecritichassaid,shemayexhibittowardGod"anEmersonianself-possession,"
itwasbecauseshelookeduponalllifewithacandorasunprejudicedasitisrare。
Shehadtriedsocietyandtheworld,andfoundthemlacking。Shewasnotaninvalid,andshelivedinseclusionfromnolove-disappointment。Herlifewasthenormalblossomingofanatureintrospectivetoahighdegree,whosebestthoughtcouldnotexistinpretence。
Storm,wind,thewildMarchsky,sunsetsanddawns;thebirdsandbees,butterfliesandflowersofhergarden,withafewtrustedhumanfriends,weresufficientcompanionship。Thecomingofthefirstrobinwasajubileebeyondcrowningofmonarchorbirthdayofpope;thefirstredleafhurryingthrough"thealteredair,"anepoch。Immortalitywascloseabouther;andwhilenevermorbidormelancholy,shelivedinitspresence。
MABELLOOMISTODD。
AMHERST,MASSACHUSETTS,August,I891。
Mynosegaysareforcaptives;
Dim,long-expectanteyes,Fingersdeniedtheplucking,Patienttillparadise,Tosuch,iftheyshouldwhisperOfmorningandthemoor,Theybearnoothererrand,AndI,nootherprayer。
I。
LIFE。
I。
I’mnobody!Whoareyou?
Areyounobody,too?
Thenthere’sapairofus——don’ttell!
They’dbanishus,youknow。
Howdrearytobesomebody!
Howpublic,likeafrogTotellyournamethelivelongdayToanadmiringbog!
II。
IbringanunaccustomedwineTolipslongparching,nexttomine,Andsummonthemtodrink。
Cracklingwithfever,theyessay;
Iturnmybrimmingeyesaway,Andcomenexthourtolook。
Thehandsstillhugthetardyglass;
ThelipsIwouldhavecooled,alas!
Aresosuperfluouscold,IwouldassoonattempttowarmThebosomswherethefrosthaslainAgesbeneaththemould。
SomeotherthirstytheremaybeTowhomthiswouldhavepointedmeHaditremainedtospeak。
AndsoIalwaysbearthecupIf,haply,minemaybethedropSomepilgrimthirsttoslake,——
If,haply,anysaytome,"Untothelittle,untome,"
WhenIatlastawake。
III。
Thenearestdreamrecedes,unrealized。
TheheavenwechaseLiketheJunebeeBeforetheschool-boyInvitestherace;
Stoopstoaneasyclover——
Dips——evades——teases——deploys;
ThentotheroyalcloudsLiftshislightpinnaceHeedlessoftheboyStaring,bewildered,atthemockingsky。
Homesickforsteadfasthoney,Ah!thebeefliesnotThatbrewsthatrarevariety。
IV。
Weplayatpaste,Tillqualifiedforpearl,Thendropthepaste,Anddeemourselfafool。
Theshapes,though,weresimilar,AndournewhandsLearnedgem-tacticsPractisingsands。
V。
IfoundthephrasetoeverythoughtIeverhad,butone;
Andthatdefiesme,——asahandDidtrytochalkthesunToracesnurturedinthedark;——
Howwouldyourownbegin?
Canblazebedoneincochineal,Ornooninmazarin?
VI。
HOPE。
HopeisthethingwithfeathersThatperchesinthesoul,Andsingsthetunewithoutthewords,Andneverstopsatall,Andsweetestinthegaleisheard;
AndsoremustbethestormThatcouldabashthelittlebirdThatkeptsomanywarm。
I’vehearditinthechillestland,Andonthestrangestsea;
Yet,never,inextremity,Itaskedacrumbofme。
VII。
THEWHITEHEAT。
Dareyouseeasoulatthewhiteheat?
Thencrouchwithinthedoor。
Redisthefire’scommontint;
ButwhenthevividoreHassatedflame’sconditions,ItsquiveringsubstanceplaysWithoutacolorbutthelightOfunanointedblaze。
Leastvillageboastsitsblacksmith,Whoseanvil’sevendinStandssymbolforthefinerforgeThatsoundlesstugswithin,RefiningtheseimpatientoresWithhammerandwithblaze,UntilthedesignatedlightRepudiatetheforge。
VIII。
TRIUMPHANT。
Whoneverlost,areunpreparedAcoronettofind;
Whoneverthirsted,flagonsAndcoolingtamarind。
Whoneverclimbedthewearyleague——
CansuchafootexploreThepurpleterritoriesOnPizarro’sshore?
Howmanylegionsovercome?
Theemperorwillsay。
HowmanycolorstakenOnRevolutionDay?
Howmanybulletsbearest?
Theroyalscarhastthou?
Angels,write"Promoted"
Onthissoldier’sbrow!
IX。
THETEST。
Icanwadegrief,Wholepoolsofit,——
I’musedtothat。
ButtheleastpushofjoyBreaksupmyfeet,AndItip——drunken。
Letnopebblesmile,’Twasthenewliquor,——
Thatwasall!
Powerisonlypain,Stranded,throughdiscipline,Tillweightswillhang。
Givebalmtogiants,Andthey’llwilt,likemen。
GiveHimmaleh,——
They’llcarryhim!
X。
ESCAPE。
Ineverheartheword"escape"
Withoutaquickerblood,Asuddenexpectation,Aflyingattitude。
IneverhearofprisonsbroadBysoldiersbattereddown,ButItugchildishatmybars,——
Onlytofailagain!
XI。
COMPENSATION。
ForeachecstaticinstantWemustananguishpayInkeenandquiveringratioTotheecstasy。
ForeachbelovedhourSharppittancesofyears,BittercontestedfarthingsAndcoffersheapedwithtears。
XII。
THEMARTYRS。
ThroughthestraightpassofsufferingThemartyrseventrod,Theirfeetupontemptation,TheirfacesuponGod。
Astately,shrivencompany;
Convulsionplayinground,HarmlessasstreaksofmeteorUponaplanet’sbound。
Theirfaiththeeverlastingtroth;
Theirexpectationfair;
TheneedletothenorthdegreeWadesso,throughpolarair。
XIII。
APRAYER。
Imeanttohavebutmodestneeds,Suchascontent,andheaven;
Withinmyincomethesecouldlie,AndlifeandIkeepeven。
Butsincethelastincludedboth,ItwouldsufficemyprayerButjustforonetostipulate,Andgracewouldgrantthepair。
Andso,uponthiswiseIprayed,——
GreatSpirit,givetomeAheavennotsolargeasyours,Butlargeenoughforme。
AsmilesuffusedJehovah’sface;
Thecherubimwithdrew;
Gravesaintsstoleouttolookatme,Andshowedtheirdimples,too。
Ilefttheplacewithallmymight,——
MyprayerawayIthrew;
Thequietagespickeditup,AndJudgmenttwinkled,too,ThatonesohonestbeextantAstakethetalefortrueThat"Whatsoeveryoushallask,Itselfbegivenyou。"
ButI,grownshrewder,scantheskiesWithasuspiciousair,——
Aschildren,swindledforthefirst,Allswindlersbe,infer。
XIV。
ThethoughtbeneathsoslightafilmIsmoredistinctlyseen,——
Aslacesjustrevealthesurge,OrmiststheApennine。
XV。
ThesouluntoitselfIsanimperialfriend,——
OrthemostagonizingspyAnenemycouldsend。
Secureagainstitsown,Notreasonitcanfear;
Itselfitssovereign,ofitselfThesoulshouldstandinawe。
XVI。
SurgeonsmustbeverycarefulWhentheytaketheknife!
UnderneaththeirfineincisionsStirstheculprit,——Life!
XVII。
THERAILWAYTRAIN。
Iliketoseeitlapthemiles,Andlickthevalleysup,Andstoptofeeditselfattanks;
Andthen,prodigious,stepAroundapileofmountains,And,supercilious,peerInshantiesbythesidesofroads;
AndthenaquarrypareTofititssides,andcrawlbetween,ComplainingallthewhileInhorrid,hootingstanza;
ThenchaseitselfdownhillAndneighlikeBoanerges;
Then,punctualasastar,Stop——docileandomnipotent——
Atitsownstabledoor。
XVIII。
THESHOW。
Theshowisnottheshow,Buttheythatgo。
MenagerietomeMyneighborbe。
Fairplay——
Bothwenttosee。
XIX。
DelightbecomespictorialWhenviewedthroughpain,——
Morefair,becauseimpossibleThatanygain。
ThemountainatagivendistanceInamberlies;
Approached,theamberflitsalittle,——
Andthat’stheskies!
XX。
Athoughtwentupmymindto-dayThatIhavehadbefore,Butdidnotfinish,——somewayback,Icouldnotfixtheyear,Norwhereitwent,norwhyitcameThesecondtimetome,Nordefinitelywhatitwas,HaveIthearttosay。
Butsomewhereinmysoul,IknowI’vemetthethingbefore;
Itjustremindedme——’twasall——
Andcamemywaynomore。
XXI。
IsHeavenaphysician?
TheysaythatHecanheal;
ButmedicineposthumousIsunavailable。
IsHeavenanexchequer?
Theyspeakofwhatweowe;
ButthatnegotiationI’mnotapartyto。
XXII。
THERETURN。
ThoughIgethomehowlate,howlate!
SoIgethome,’twillcompensate。
BetterwillbetheecstasyThattheyhavedoneexpectingme,When,nightdescending,dumbanddark,Theyhearmyunexpectedknock。
Transportingmustthemomentbe,Brewedfromdecadesofagony!
Tothinkjusthowthefirewillburn,Justhowlong-cheatedeyeswillturnTowonderwhatmyselfwillsay,Andwhatitselfwillsaytome,Beguilesthecenturiesofway!
XXIII。
Apoortornheart,atatteredheart,Thatsatitdowntorest,NornoticedthattheebbingdayFlowedsilvertothewest,NornoticednightdidsoftdescendNorconstellationburn,IntentuponthevisionOflatitudesunknown。
Theangels,happeningthatway,Thisdustyheartespied;
TenderlytookitupfromtoilAndcarriedittoGod。
There,——sandalsforthebarefoot;
There,——gatheredfromthegales,DothebluehavensbythehandLeadthewanderingsails。
XXIV。
TOOMUCH。
Ishouldhavebeentooglad,Isee,TooliftedforthescantdegreeOflife’spenuriousround;
MylittlecircuitwouldhaveshamedThisnewcircumference,haveblamedThehomeliertimebehind。
Ishouldhavebeentoosaved,Isee,Toorescued;feartoodimtomeThatIcouldspelltheprayerIknewsoperfectyesterday,——
Thatscaldingone,"Sabachthani,"
Recitedfluenthere。
Earthwouldhavebeentoomuch,Isee,Andheavennotenoughforme;
IshouldhavehadthejoyWithoutthefeartojustify,——
ThepalmwithouttheCalvary;
So,Saviour,crucify。
Defeatwhetsvictory,theysay;
ThereefsinoldGethsemaneEndeartheshorebeyond。
’Tisbeggarsbanquetsbestdefine;
’Tisthirstingvitalizeswine,——
Faithfaintstounderstand。
XXV。
SHIPWRECK。
Ittossedandtossed,——
AlittlebrigIknew,——
O’ertookbyblast,Itspunandspun,Andgropeddelirious,formorn。
Itslippedandslipped,Asonethatdrunkenstepped;
Itswhitefoottripped,Thendroppedfromsight。
Ah,brig,good-nightTocrewandyou;
Theocean’shearttoosmooth,tooblue,Tobreakforyou。
XXVI。
Victorycomeslate,AndisheldlowtofreezinglipsTooraptwithfrostTotakeit。
Howsweetitwouldhavetasted,Justadrop!
WasGodsoeconomical?
Histable’sspreadtoohighforusUnlesswedineontip-toe。
Crumbsfitsuchlittlemouths,Cherriessuitrobins;
Theeagle’sgoldenbreakfastStranglesthem。
Godkeepshisoathtosparrows,WhooflittleloveKnowhowtostarve!
XXVII。
ENOUGH。
Godgavealoaftoeverybird,Butjustacrumbtome;
Idarenoteatit,thoughIstarve,——
MypoignantluxuryToownit,touchit,provethefeatThatmadethepelletmine,——
ToohappyinmysparrowchanceForamplercoveting。
Itmightbefamineallaround,Icouldnotmissanear,Suchplentysmilesuponmyboard,Mygarnershowssofair。
Iwonderhowtherichmayfeel,——
AnIndiaman——anEarl?
IdeemthatIwithbutacrumbAmsovereignofthemall。
XXVIII。
ExperimenttomeIseveryoneImeet。
Ifitcontainakernel?
ThefigureofanutPresentsuponatree,Equallyplausibly;
Butmeatwithinisrequisite,Tosquirrelsandtome。
XXIX。
MYCOUNTRY’SWARDROBE。
Mycountryneednotchangehergown,HertriplesuitassweetAswhen’twascutatLexington,Andfirstpronounced"afit。"
GreatBritaindisapproves"thestars;"
Disparagementdiscreet,——
There’ssomethingintheirattitudeThattauntsherbayonet。
XXX。
FaithisafineinventionForgentlemenwhosee;
ButmicroscopesareprudentInanemergency!
XXXI。
Excepttheheavenhadcomesonear,Soseemedtochoosemydoor,Thedistancewouldnothauntmeso;
Ihadnothopedbefore。
ButjusttohearthegracedepartIneverthoughttosee,Afflictsmewithadoubleloss;
’Tislost,andlosttome。
XXXII。
PortraitsaretodailyfacesAsaneveningwestToafine,pedanticsunshineInasatinvest。
XXXIII。
THEDUEL。
Itookmypowerinmyhand。
Andwentagainsttheworld;
’TwasnotsomuchasDavidhad,ButIwastwiceasbold。
Iaimedmypebble,butmyselfWasalltheonethatfell。
WasitGoliathwastoolarge,OronlyItoosmall?
XXXIV。
AshadyfriendfortorriddaysIseasiertofindThanoneofhighertemperatureForfrigidhourofmind。
ThevanealittletotheeastScaresmuslinsoulsaway;
IfbroadclothbreastsarefirmerThanthoseoforgandy,Whoistoblame?Theweaver?
Ah!thebewilderingthread!
ThetapestriesofparadiseSonotelesslyaremade!
XXXV。
THEGOAL。
EachlifeconvergestosomecentreExpressedorstill;
ExistsineveryhumannatureAgoal,Admittedscarcelytoitself,itmaybe,ToofairForcredibility’stemerityTodare。
Adoredwithcaution,asabrittleheaven,ToreachWerehopelessastherainbow’sraimentTotouch,Yetperseveredtoward,surerforthedistance;
HowhighUntothesaints’slowdiligenceThesky!
Ungained,itmaybe,byalife’slowventure,Butthen,EternityenablestheendeavoringAgain。
XXXVI。
SIGHT。
BeforeIgotmyeyeputout,IlikedaswelltoseeAsothercreaturesthathaveeyes,Andknownootherway。
Butwereittoldtome,to-day,ThatImighthavetheskyFormine,ItellyouthatmyheartWouldsplit,forsizeofme。
Themeadowsmine,themountainsmine,——
Allforests,stintlessstars,AsmuchofnoonasIcouldtakeBetweenmyfiniteeyes。
Themotionsofthedippingbirds,Thelightning’sjointedroad,ForminetolookatwhenIliked,——
Thenewswouldstrikemedead!
Sosafer,guess,withjustmysoulUponthewindow-paneWhereothercreaturesputtheireyes,Incautiousofthesun。
XXXVII。
TalkwithprudencetoabeggarOf’Potosi’andthemines!
ReverentlytothehungryOfyourviandsandyourwines!
Cautious,hinttoanycaptiveYouhavepassedenfranchisedfeet!
AnecdotesofairindungeonsHavesometimesproveddeadlysweet!
XXXVIII。
THEPREACHER。
Hepreachedupon"breadth"tillitarguedhimnarrow,——
Thebroadaretoobroadtodefine;
Andof"truth"untilitproclaimedhimaliar,——
Thetruthneverflauntedasign。
SimplicityfledfromhiscounterfeitpresenceAsgoldthepyriteswouldshun。
WhatconfusionwouldcovertheinnocentJesusTomeetsoenabledaman!
XXXIX。
Goodnight!whichputthecandleout?
Ajealouszephyr,notadoubt。
Ah!friend,youlittleknewHowlongatthatcelestialwickTheangelslaboreddiligent;
Extinguished,now,foryou!
ItmighthavebeenthelighthousesparkSomesailor,rowinginthedark,Hadimportunedtosee!
ItmighthavebeenthewaninglampThatlitthedrummerfromthecampTopurerreveille!
XL。
WhenIhopedIfeared,SinceIhopedIdared;
EverywherealoneAsachurchremain;
Spectrecannotharm,Serpentcannotcharm;
Hedeposesdoom,Whohathsufferedhim。
XLI。
DEED。
Adeedknocksfirstatthought,Andthenitknocksatwill。
Thatisthemanufacturingspot,Andwillathomeandwell。
Itthengoesoutanact,OrisentombedsostillThatonlytotheearofGodItsdoomisaudible。
XLII。
TIME’SLESSON。
Mineenemyisgrowingold,——
Ihaveatlastrevenge。
Thepalateofthehatedeparts;
Ifanywouldavenge,——
Lethimbequick,theviandflits,Itisafadedmeat。
Angerassoonasfedisdead;
’Tisstarvingmakesitfat。
XLIII。
REMORSE。
Remorseismemoryawake,Hercompaniesastir,——
ApresenceofdepartedactsAtwindowandatdoor。
It’spastsetdownbeforethesoul,Andlightedwithamatch,PerusaltofacilitateOfitscondenseddespatch。
Remorseiscureless,——thediseaseNotevenGodcanheal;
For’tishisinstitution,——
Thecomplementofhell。
XLIV。
THESHELTER。
Thebodygrowsoutside,——
Themoreconvenientway,——
Thatifthespiritliketohide,ItstemplestandsalwayAjar,secure,inviting;
ItneverdidbetrayThesoulthataskeditsshelterIntimidhonesty。
XLV。
UnduesignificanceastarvingmanattachesTofoodFaroff;hesighs,andthereforehopeless,Andthereforegood。
Partaken,itrelievesindeed,butprovesusThatspicesflyInthereceipt。ItwasthedistanceWassavory。
XLVI。
Heartnotsoheavyasmine,Wendinglatehome,AsitpassedmywindowWhistleditselfatune,——
Acarelesssnatch,aballad,Adittyofthestreet;
YettomyirritatedearAnanodynesosweet,Itwasasifabobolink,Saunteringthisway,Carolledandmusedandcarolled,Thenbubbledslowaway。
ItwasasifachirpingbrookUponatoilsomewaySetbleedingfeettominuetsWithouttheknowingwhy。
To-morrow,nightwillcomeagain,Weary,perhaps,andsore。
Ah,bugle,bymywindow,Iprayyoustrolloncemore!
XLVII。
Imanytimesthoughtpeacehadcome,Whenpeacewasfaraway;
AswreckedmendeemtheysightthelandAtcentreofthesea,Andstruggleslacker,buttoprove,AshopelesslyasI,HowmanythefictitiousshoresBeforetheharborlie。
XLVIII。
UntomybookssogoodtoturnFarendsoftireddays;
Ithalfendearstheabstinence,Andpainismissedinpraise。
AsflavorscheerretardedguestsWithbanquetingstobe,SospicesstimulatethetimeTillmysmalllibrary。
Itmaybewildernesswithout,Farfeetoffailingmen,Butholidayexcludesthenight,Anditisbellswithin。
Ithankthesekinsmenoftheshelf;
TheircountenancesblandEnamourinprospective,Andsatisfy,obtained。
XLIX。
Thismerithaththeworst,——
Itcannotbeagain。
WhenFatehathtauntedlastAndthrownherfurtheststone,Themaimedmaypauseandbreathe,Andglancesecurelyround。
ThedeerinvitesnolongerThaniteludesthehound。
L。
HUNGER。
Ihadbeenhungryalltheyears;
Mynoonhadcome,todine;
I,trembling,drewthetablenear,Andtouchedthecuriouswine。
’TwasthisontablesIhadseen,Whenturning,hungry,lone,Ilookedinwindows,forthewealthIcouldnothopetoown。
Ididnotknowtheamplebread,’TwassounlikethecrumbThebirdsandIhadoftensharedInNature’sdining-room。
Theplentyhurtme,’twassonew,——
Myselffeltillandodd,AsberryofamountainbushTransplantedtotheroad。
NorwasIhungry;soIfoundThathungerwasawayOfpersonsoutsidewindows,Theenteringtakesaway。
LI。
Igaineditso,Byclimbingslow,BycatchingatthetwigsthatgrowBetweentheblissandme。
Ithungsohigh,AswelltheskyAttemptbystrategy。
IsaidIgainedit,——
Thiswasall。
Look,howIclutchit,Lestitfall,AndIapaupergo;
Unfittedbyaninstant’sgraceForthecontentedbeggar’sfaceIworeanhourago。
LII。
Tolearnthetransportbythepain,Asblindmenlearnthesun;
Todieofthirst,suspectingThatbrooksinmeadowsrun;
Tostaythehomesick,homesickfeetUponaforeignshoreHauntedbynativelands,thewhile,Andblue,belovedair——
Thisisthesovereignanguish,This,thesignalwoe!
ThesearethepatientlaureatesWhosevoices,trainedbelow,Ascendinceaselesscarol,Inaudible,indeed,Tous,thedullerscholarsOfthemysteriousbard!
LIII。
RETURNING。
Iyearshadbeenfromhome,Andnow,beforethedoor,Idarednotopen,lestafaceIneversawbeforeStarevacantintomineAndaskmybusinessthere。
Mybusiness,——justalifeIleft,Wassuchstilldwellingthere?
Ifumbledatmynerve,Iscannedthewindowsnear;
Thesilencelikeanoceanrolled,Andbrokeagainstmyear。
IlaughedawoodenlaughThatIcouldfearadoor,Whodangerandthedeadhadfaced,Butneverquakedbefore。
IfittedtothelatchMyhand,withtremblingcare,Lestbacktheawfuldoorshouldspring,Andleavemestandingthere。
ImovedmyfingersoffAscautiouslyasglass,Andheldmyears,andlikeathiefFledgaspingfromthehouse。
LIV。
PRAYER。
PrayeristhelittleimplementThroughwhichmenreachWherepresenceisdeniedthem。
TheyflingtheirspeechBymeansofitinGod’sear;
IfthenHehear,ThissumstheapparatusComprisedinprayer。
LV。
IknowthatheexistsSomewhere,insilence。
HehashidhisrarelifeFromourgrosseyes。
’Tisaninstant’splay,’Tisafondambush,JusttomakeblissEarnherownsurprise!
ButshouldtheplayProvepiercingearnest,ShouldthegleeglazeIndeath’sstiffstare,WouldnotthefunLooktooexpensive?
WouldnotthejestHavecrawledtoofar?
LVI。
MELODIESUNHEARD。
Musicianswrestleeverywhere:
Allday,amongthecrowdedair,Ihearthesilverstrife;
And——wakinglongbeforethedawn——
SuchtransportbreaksuponthetownIthinkitthat"newlife!"
Itisnotbird,ithasnonest;
Norband,inbrassandscarletdressed,Nortambourine,norman;
Itisnothymnfrompulpitread,——
ThemorningstarsthetrebleledOntime’sfirstafternoon!
Somesayitisthespheresatplay!
SomesaythatbrightmajorityOfvanisheddamesandmen!
SomethinkitserviceintheplaceWherewe,withlate,celestialface,PleaseGod,shallascertain!
LVII。
CALLEDBACK。
JustlostwhenIwassaved!
Justfelttheworldgoby!
Justgirtmefortheonsetwitheternity,Whenbreathblewback,AndontheothersideIheardrecedethedisappointedtide!
Therefore,asonereturned,Ifeel,Oddsecretsofthelinetotell!
Somesailor,skirtingforeignshores,SomepalereporterfromtheawfuldoorsBeforetheseal!
Nexttime,tostay!
Nexttime,thethingstoseeByearunheard,Unscrutinizedbyeye。
Nexttime,totarry,Whiletheagessteal,——
Slowtrampthecenturies,Andthecycleswheel。
II。
LOVE。
I。
CHOICE。
OfallthesoulsthatstandcreateIhaveelectedone。
Whensensefromspiritfilesaway,Andsubterfugeisdone;
WhenthatwhichisandthatwhichwasApart,intrinsic,stand,AndthisbrieftragedyoffleshIsshiftedlikeasand;
WhenfiguresshowtheirroyalfrontAndmistsarecarvedaway,——
BeholdtheatomIpreferredToallthelistsofclay!
II。
Ihavenolifebutthis,Toleadithere;
Noranydeath,butlestDispelledfromthere;
Nortietoearthstocome,Noractionnew,Exceptthroughthisextent,Therealmofyou。
III。
Yourrichestaughtmepoverty。
MyselfamillionnaireInlittlewealths,——asgirlscouldboast,——
TillbroadasBuenosAyre,YoudriftedyourdominionsAdifferentPeru;
AndIesteemedallpoverty,Forlife’sestatewithyou。
OfminesIlittleknow,myself,Butjustthenamesofgems,——
Thecolorsofthecommonest;
AndscarceofdiademsSomuchthat,didImeetthequeen,HergloryIshouldknow:
Butthismustbeadifferentwealth,Tomissitbeggarsso。
I’msure’tisIndiaalldayTothosewholookonyouWithoutastint,withoutablame,——
MightIbutbetheJew!
I’msureitisGolconda,Beyondmypowertodeem,——
Tohaveasmileformineeachday,Howbetterthanagem!
Atleast,itsolacestoknowThatthereexistsagold,AlthoughIproveitjustintimeItsdistancetobehold!
It’sfar,fartreasuretosurmise,AndestimatethepearlThatslippedmysimplefingersthroughWhilejustagirlatschool!
IV。
THECONTRACT。
Igavemyselftohim,Andtookhimselfforpay。
ThesolemncontractofalifeWasratifiedthisway。
Thewealthmightdisappoint,MyselfapoorerproveThanthisgreatpurchasersuspect,ThedailyownofLoveDepreciatethevision;
But,tillthemerchantbuy,Stillfable,intheislesofspice,Thesubtlecargoeslie。
Atleast,’tismutualrisk,——
Somefounditmutualgain;
SweetdebtofLife,——eachnighttoowe,Insolvent,everynoon。
V。
THELETTER。
"GOINGtohim!Happyletter!Tellhim——
TellhimthepageIdidn’twrite;
TellhimIonlysaidthesyntax,Andlefttheverbandthepronounout。
Tellhimjusthowthefingershurried,Thenhowtheywaded,slow,slow,slow;
Andthenyouwishedyouhadeyesinyourpages,Soyoucouldseewhatmovedthemso。
"Tellhimitwasn’tapractisedwriter,Youguessed,fromthewaythesentencetoiled;
Youcouldhearthebodicetug,behindyou,Asifitheldbutthemightofachild;
Youalmostpitiedit,you,itworkedso。
Tellhim——No,youmayquibblethere,Foritwouldsplithishearttoknowit,AndthenyouandIweresilenter。
"Tellhimnightfinishedbeforewefinished,Andtheoldclockkeptneighing’day!’
Andyougotsleepyandbeggedtobeended——
Whatcouldithinderso,tosay?
Tellhimjusthowshesealedyou,cautious,ButifheaskwhereyouarehidUntilto-morrow,——happyletter!
Gesture,coquette,andshakeyourhead!"
VI。
ThewayIreadaletter’sthis:
’TisfirstIlockthedoor,Andpushitwithmyfingersnext,Fortransportitbesure。
AndthenIgothefurthestoffTocounteractaknock;
ThendrawmylittleletterforthAndsoftlypickitslock。
Then,glancingnarrowatthewall,Andnarrowatthefloor,ForfirmconvictionofamouseNotexorcisedbefore,PerusehowinfiniteIamTo——noonethatyouknow!
Andsighforlackofheaven,——butnotTheheaventhecreedsbestow。
VII。
Wildnights!Wildnights!
WereIwiththee,WildnightsshouldbeOurluxury!
FutilethewindsToaheartinport,——
Donewiththecompass,Donewiththechart。
RowinginEden!
Ah!thesea!
MightIbutmoorTo-nightinthee!
VIII。
ATHOME。
Thenightwaswide,andfurnishedscantWithbutasinglestar,ThatoftenasaclouditmetBlewoutitselfforfear。
Thewindpursuedthelittlebush,AnddroveawaytheleavesNovemberleft;thenclamberedupAndfrettedintheeaves。
Nosquirrelwentabroad;
Adog’sbelatedfeetLikeintermittentplushwereheardAdowntheemptystreet。
Tofeelifblindsbefast,AndclosertothefireHerlittlerocking-chairtodraw,Andshiverforthepoor,Thehousewife’sgentletask。
"Howpleasanter,"saidsheUntothesofaopposite,"ThesleetthanMay——nothee!"
IX。
POSSESSION。
DidtheharebellloosehergirdleTotheloverbee,WouldthebeetheharebellhallowMuchasformerly?
Didtheparadise,persuaded,Yieldhermoatofpearl,WouldtheEdenbeanEden,Ortheearlanearl?
X。
AcharminvestsafaceImperfectlybeheld,——
TheladydarenotliftherveilForfearitbedispelled。
Butpeersbeyondhermesh,Andwishes,anddenies,——
LestinterviewannulawantThatimagesatisfies。
XI。
THELOVERS。
Therosedidcaperonhercheek,Herbodiceroseandfell,Herprettyspeech,likedrunkenmen,Didstaggerpitiful。
Herfingersfumbledatherwork,——
Herneedlewouldnotgo;
WhatailedsosmartalittlemaidItpuzzledmetoknow,TilloppositeIspiedacheekThatboreanotherrose;
Justopposite,anotherspeechThatlikethedrunkardgoes;
Avestthat,likethebodice,dancedTotheimmortaltune,——
TillthosetwotroubledlittleclocksTickedsoftlyintoone。
XII。
InlandsIneversaw,theysay,ImmortalAlpslookdown,Whosebonnetstouchthefirmament,Whosesandalstouchthetown,——
MeekatwhoseeverlastingfeetAmyriaddaisiesplay。
Which,sir,areyou,andwhichamI,UponanAugustday?
XIII。
Themoonisdistantfromthesea,AndyetwithamberhandsSheleadshim,docileasaboy,Alongappointedsands。
Henevermissesadegree;
Obedienttohereye,Hecomesjustsofartowardthetown,Justsofargoesaway。
Oh,Signor,thinetheamberhand,Andminethedistantsea,——
ObedienttotheleastcommandThineeyesimposeonme。
XIV。
Heputthebeltaroundmylife,——
Iheardthebucklesnap,Andturnedaway,imperial,MylifetimefoldingupDeliberate,asadukewoulddoAkingdom’stitle-deed,——
Henceforthadedicatedsort,Amemberofthecloud。
Yetnottoofartocomeatcall,AnddothelittletoilsThatmakethecircuitoftherest,AnddealoccasionalsmilesTolivesthatstooptonoticemineAndkindlyaskitin,——
Whoseinvitation,knewyounotForwhomImustdecline?
XV。
THELOSTJEWEL。
IheldajewelinmyfingersAndwenttosleep。
Thedaywaswarm,andwindswereprosy;
Isaid:"’Twillkeep。"
Iwokeandchidmyhonestfingers,——
Thegemwasgone;
AndnowanamethystremembranceIsallIown。
XVI。
WhatifIsayIshallnotwait?
WhatifIburstthefleshlygateAndpass,escaped,tothee?
WhatifIfilethismortaloff,Seewhereithurtme,——that’senough,——
Andwadeinliberty?
Theycannottakeusanymore,——
Dungeonsmaycall,andgunsimplore;
Unmeaningnow,tome,Aslaughterwasanhourago,Orlaces,oratravellingshow,Orwhodiedyesterday!
III。
NATURE。
I。
MOTHERNATURE。
Nature,thegentlestmother,Impatientofnochild,Thefeeblestorthewaywardest,——
HeradmonitionmildInforestandthehillBytravellerisheard,RestrainingrampantsquirrelOrtooimpetuousbird。
Howfairherconversation,Asummerafternoon,——
Herhousehold,herassembly;
AndwhenthesungoesdownHervoiceamongtheaislesIncitesthetimidprayerOftheminutestcricket,Themostunworthyflower。
WhenallthechildrensleepSheturnsaslongawayAswillsufficetolightherlamps;
Then,bendingfromtheskyWithinfiniteaffectionAndinfinitercare,Hergoldenfingeronherlip,Willssilenceeverywhere。
II。
OUTOFTHEMORNING。
Willtherereallybeamorning?
Istheresuchathingasday?
CouldIseeitfromthemountainsIfIwereastallasthey?
Hasitfeetlikewater-lilies?
Hasitfeatherslikeabird?
IsitbroughtfromfamouscountriesOfwhichIhaveneverheard?
Oh,somescholar!Oh,somesailor!
Oh,somewisemanfromtheskies!
PleasetotellalittlepilgrimWheretheplacecalledmorninglies!
III。
Athalf-pastthreeasinglebirdUntoasilentskyPropoundedbutasingletermOfcautiousmelody。
Athalf-pastfour,experimentHadsubjugatedtest,Andlo!hersilverprincipleSupplantedalltherest。
Athalf-pastseven,elementNorimplementwasseen,Andplacewaswherethepresencewas,Circumferencebetween。
IV。
DAY’SPARLOR。
Thedaycameslow,tillfiveo’clock,ThensprangbeforethehillsLikehinderedrubies,orthelightAsuddenmusketspills。
Thepurplecouldnotkeeptheeast,Thesunriseshookfromfold,Likebreadthsoftopaz,packedanight,Theladyjustunrolled。
Thehappywindstheirtimbrelstook;
Thebirds,indocilerows,Arrangedthemselvesaroundtheirprince(Thewindisprinceofthose)。
TheorchardsparkledlikeaJew,——
Howmighty’twas,tostayAguestinthisstupendousplace,Theparloroftheday!
V。
THESUN’SWOOING。
Thesunjusttouchedthemorning;
Themorning,happything,Supposedthathehadcometodwell,Andlifewouldbeallspring。
Shefeltherselfsupremer,——
Araised,etherealthing;
Henceforthforherwhatholiday!
Meanwhile,herwheelingkingTrailedslowalongtheorchardsHishaughty,spangledhems,Leavinganewnecessity,——
Thewantofdiadems!
Themorningfluttered,staggered,Feltfeeblyforhercrown,——
HerunanointedforeheadHenceforthheronlyone。
VI。
THEROBIN。
TherobinistheoneThatinterruptsthemornWithhurried,few,expressreportsWhenMarchisscarcelyon。
TherobinistheoneThatoverflowsthenoonWithhercherubicquantity,AnAprilbutbegun。
TherobinistheoneThatspeechlessfromhernestSubmitsthathomeandcertaintyAndsanctityarebest。
VII。
THEBUTTERFLY’SDAY。
FromcocoonforthabutterflyAsladyfromherdoorEmerged——asummerafternoon——
Repairingeverywhere,Withoutdesign,thatIcouldtrace,ExcepttostrayabroadOnmiscellaneousenterpriseThecloversunderstood。
HerprettyparasolwasseenContractinginafieldWheremenmadehay,thenstrugglinghardWithanopposingcloud,Whereparties,phantomasherself,ToNowhereseemedtogoInpurposelesscircumference,As’twereatropicshow。
Andnotwithstandingbeethatworked,Andflowerthatzealousblew,ThisaudienceofidlenessDisdainedthem,fromthesky,Tillsundowncrept,asteadytide,Andmenthatmadethehay,Andafternoon,andbutterfly,Extinguishedinitssea。
VIII。
THEBLUEBIRD。
Beforeyouthoughtofspring,Exceptasasurmise,Yousee,Godblesshissuddenness,AfellowintheskiesOfindependenthues,Alittleweather-worn,InspiritinghabilimentsOfindigoandbrown。
Withspecimensofsong,Asifforyoutochoose,Discretionintheinterval,WithgaydelayshegoesTosomesuperiortreeWithoutasingleleaf,AndshoutsforjoytonobodyButhisseraphicself!