TOMYMOTHER
VIRGINIAWHITMOREMARQUIS
CONTENTS
PROEM
DAYLIGHTHUMORS
THISISANOTHERDAY
APRILSONG
THEEARTH，ITISALSOASTAR
THENAME
THEBIRTH
AMOODOFPAVLOWA
THEPOOL
\"THEYHADNOPOET\"
NEWYORK
AHYMN
THESINGER
WORDSARENOTGUNS
WITHTHESUBMARINES
NICHOLASOFMONTENEGRO
DICKENS
APOLITICIAN
THEBAYONET
THEBUTCHERSATPRAYER
SHADOWS
HAUNTED
ANIGHTMARE
THEMOTHER
INTHEBAYOU
THESAILOR’SWIFESPEAKS
HUNTED
ADREAMCHILD
ACROSSTHENIGHT
SEACHANGES
THETAVERNOFDESPAIR
COLORSANDSURFACES
AGOLDENLAD
THESAGEANDTHEWOMAN
NEWSFROMBABYLON
ARHYMEOFTHEROADS
THELANDOFYESTERDAY
OCTOBER
CHANTOFTHECHANGINGHOURS
DREAMSANDDUST
SELVES
THEWAGES
INMARS，WHATAVATAR？
THEGOD—MAKER，MAN
UNREST
THEPILTDOWNSKULL
THESEEKER
THEAWAKENING
ASONGOFMEN
THENOBLERLESSON
ATLAST
LYRICS
\"KINGPANDION，HEISDEAD\"
DAVIDTOBATHSHEBA
THEJESTERS
\"MARY，MARY，QUITECONTRARY\"
THETRIOLET
FROMTHEBRIDGE
\"PALADINS，PALADINS，YOUTHNOBLE—HEARTED\"
\"MYLANDS，NOTTHINE\"
TOADANCINGDOLL
LOWERNEWYORK——ASTORM
ATSUNSET
ACHRISTMASGIFT
SILVIA
THEEXPLORERS
EARLYAUTUMN
\"TIMESTEALSFROMLOVE\"
THERONDEAU
VISITORS
THEPARTING
ANOPENFIRE
REALITIES
REALITIES
THESTRUGGLE
THEREBEL
THECHILDANDTHEMILL
\"SICTRANSITGLORIAMUNDI\"
THECOMRADE
ENVOI
PROEM
\"SOLETTHEMPASS，THESESONGSOFMINE\"
Soletthempass，thesesongsofmine，Intooblivion，norrepine;
Abandonedruinsoflargeschemes，Dimmedlightsadriftfromnoblerdreams，WeakwingsIspedonquestsdivine，Soletthempass，thesesongsofmine。
Theysoar，orsinkephemeral——
Icarenotgreatlywhichbefall！
ForifnosongIe’erhadwrought，StillhaveIlovedandlaughedandfought;
Soletthempass，thesesongsofmine;
Istingtoohotwithlifetowhine！
StillshallIstruggle，fail，aspire，LoseGod，andfindGodsinthemire，Anddrinkdream—deeplife’sheadywine——
Soletthempass，thesesongsofmine。
DAYLIGHTHUMORS
THISISANOTHERDAY
IAMmineownpriest，andIshrivemyselfOfallmywastedyesterdays。ThoughsinAndslothandfoolishness，andallillweedsOferror，evil，andneglectgrowrankAnduglythere，IdareforgivemyselfThaterror，sin，andslothandfoolishness。
GodknowsthatyesterdayIplayedthefool;
GodknowsthatyesterdayIplayedtheknave;
ButshallIthereforecloudthisnewdawno’erWithfogoffutilesighsandvainregrets？
Thisisanotherday！AndflushedHopewalksAdownthesunwardslopeswithgoldenshoon。
Thisisanotherday;anditsyoungstrengthIslaiduponthequiveringhillsuntil，LikeEgypt’sMemnon，theygrowquickwithsong。
Thisisanotherday，andtheboldworldLeapsupandgraspsitslight，andlaughs，asleaptPrometheusupandwrenchedthefirefromZeus。
Thisisanotherday——areitseyesblurredWithmaudlingriefforanywastedpast？
Athousandthousandfailuresshallnotdaunt！
Letdustclaspdust;death，death——Iamalive！
AndoutofallthedustanddeathofmineOldselvesIdaretoliftasingingheartAndlivingfaith;myspiritdaresdrinkdeepOftheredmirthmantlinginthecupofmorn。
APRILSONG
FLEETacrossthegrassesFlashthefeetofSpring，Piping，ashepassesFleetacrossthegrasses，\"Follow，ladsandlasses！
Sing，world，sing！\"
FleetacrossthegrassesFlashthefeetofSpring！
IdlewindsdeliverRumorsthroughthetown，Talesofreedsthatquiver，Idlewindsdeliver，WheretherapidriverDragsthewillowsdown——
IdlewindsdeliverRumorsthroughthetown。
InthecountryplacesBythesilverbrooksAprilairshergraces;
InthecountryplacesWaywardAprilpaces，Laughterinherlooks;
InthecountryplacesBythesilverbrooks。
HintsofalienglamorEvenreachthetown;
UrbanmusesstammerHintsofalienglamor，Butthecity’sclamorBeatsthevoicesdown;
HintsofalienglamorEvenreachthetown。
THISEARTH，ITISALSOASTAR
WHEREthesingersofSaturnfindtongue，WheretheGalaxy’sloversembrace，Ourworldanditsbeautyaresung！
TheyleanfromtheircasementstotraceIfourplanetstillspinsinitsplace;
Faithfablesthethingthatweare，AndFantasylaughsandgiveschase:
Thisearth，itisalsoastar！
Roundthesun，thatisfixed，andhungForalampinthedarknessofspaceWearewhirled，weareswirled，weareflung;
SingingandshiningweraceAndourlightontheupliftedfaceOfdreamerorprophetafarMayfallasasymbolofgrace:
Thisearth，itisalsoastar！
LookingoutwhereourplanetisswungDoubtloseshiswrithengrimace，Dryheartsdrinkthegleamsandareyoung;——
Whereagony’sboughsinterlaceHisGardensomeJesusmaypace，Lifting，thewanavatar，Hissoultothislightasavase！
Thisearth，itisalsoastar！
GreatspiritsinsorrowfulcaseYearntousthroughthevaporsthatbar:
Canstthinkofthat，soul，andbebase？——
Thisearth，itisalsoastar！
THENAME
ITshiftsandshiftsfromformtoform，Itdriftsanddarkles，gleamsandglows;
Itisthepassionofthestorm，Thepoignanceoftherose;
Throughchangingshapes，throughdeviousways，Bynoonornight，throughcloudorflame，MyhearthasfollowedallmydaysSomethingIcannotname。
Insunlightonsomewoman’shair，Orstarlightinsomewoman’seyne，OrinlowlaughtersmotheredwhereHerredlipsweddedmine，Myhearthathknown，andthrilledtoknow，Thisunnamedpresencethatitsought;
Andwhenmyhearthathfounditso，\"Loveisthename，\"Ithought。
SometimeswhensuddenafterglowsInfutileglorystormtheskiesWithintheirtransientgoldandroseThesecretstirsanddies;
Orwhenthetramplingmornwalkso’erThetroubledseas，withfeetofflame，Myawedheartwhispers，\"Asknomore，ForBeautyisthename！\"
OrdreaminginoldchapelswhereThedimaislespulsewithmurmuringsThatpartaremusic，partareprayer——
（Orrushofhiddenwings）
SometimesIliftastartledheadTosomesaint’scarvencountenance，Halffancyingthatthelipshavesaid，AllnamesmeanGod，perchance！\"
THEBIRTH
THEREisalegendthattheloveofGodSoquickenedunderMary’sheartitwroughtHerverymaidenhoodtoholierstuff……
Howeverthatmaybe，thebirthbefellUponanightwhenalltheSyrianstarsSwayedtremulousbeforeonelordlierorbThatroseingradualsplendor，Paused，Floodingthefirmamentwithmysticlight，AnddroppeduponthebreathinghillsAsuddenmusicLikeadistillationfromitsgleams;
Arainofspiritandadewofsong！
AMOODOFPAVLOWA
THEsouloftheSpringthroughitsbodyofearthBurstsinabloomoffire，Andthecrocusescomeinarainbowriotofmirth……
Theyflutter，theyburn，theytakewing，theyaspire……
Wings，motionandmusicandflame，Flower，womanandlaughter，andallthesethesame！
Sheislightandfirstloveandtheyouthoftheworld，Sheissandaledwithjoy……sheisliftedandwhirled，Sheisflung，sheisswirled，sheisdrivenalongBythecarnivalwindsthathavetornherawayFromthecoronalbloomonthebrowoftheMay……
Sheisyouth，sheisfoam，sheisflame，sheisvisibleSong！
THEPOOL
REACHover，myUndine，andclutchmeareed——
Nymphofmineidleness，notchmeapipe——
ForIamfulfilledofthesilence，andlongFortoutterthesenseofthesilenceinsong。
Down—streamalltherapidsaretroubledwithpebblesThatfetterandfretwhatthewaterwouldutter，Anditrushesandsplashesintremuloustrebles;
Itmakeshastethroughtheshallows，itssoulisaflutter;
ButhereallthesoundissereneandoutspreadInthemurmurousmoodsofaslow—swirlingpool;
Hereallthesoundsareunhurriedandcool;
Everysilenceiskithtoasound;theyarewed，Theyaremated，aremingled，aretangled，arebound;
Everyhushisinlovewithasound，everysoundBythelawofitslifetosomesilenceisbound。
Thenherewillwehide;idlehereandabide，Inthecoverthere，closebythewaterside——
Here，wheretheslimflatteredreedsareaquiverWiththeexquisitehintsofthereticentriver，Here，wherethelipsofthispoolarethelipsOfallpools，letuslistenandquestionandwait;
Letusharktothewhispersofloveandofdeath，Letusharktothelispingsoflifeandoffate——
InthisplacewherepalesilencesflowerintosoundLetusstriveforsomesecretofalltheprofoundDeepandcalmSilencethatmeshesmen’round！
There’sasmuchofGodhintedinoneripple’splashes——
There’sasmuchofTruthglintsinyondragon—
fly’sflight——
There’sasmuchPurposegleamswhereyondertroutflashesAsin——anybookelse！——couldwereadthingsaright。
Thennymphofmineindolence，hereletushide，Learn，listen，andquestion;idlehereandabideWheretherushesandliliesleanlowtothetide。
\"THEYHADNOPOET……\"
\"Vainwasthechief’s，thesage’spride！
Theyhadnopoetandtheydied。\"——POPE。
ByTigris，orthestreamsofInd，EreColchisrose，orBabylon，Forgottenempiresdreamedandsinned，Settingtalltownsagainstthedawn，Which，whentheproudSunsmoteupon，Flashedfireforfireandprideforpride;
Theirnameswere……Askoblivion！……
\"Theyhadnopoet，andtheydied。\"
Queens，duskofhairandtawny—skinned，Thatlollwherefellowleopardsfawn……
Theirheartsaredustbeforethewind，Theirloves，thatshooktheworld，arewan！
Passionismighty……but，anon，StrongDeathhasRomanceforhisbride;
Theirlegends……Askoblivion！……
\"Theyhadnopoet，andtheydied。\"
Heroes，thebraggarttrumpsthatdinnedTheirfutiletriumphs，monarch，pawn，Wildtribesmen，kingdomsdisciplined，Passedlikeawhirlwindandweregone;
Theybuiltwithbronzeandgoldandbrawn，TheinnerVisionstilldenied;
Theirconquests……Askoblivion！……
\"Theyhadnopoet，andtheydied。\"
Dumboracles，andpriestswithdrawn，Wasitbutfleshtheydeified？
Theirgodswere……Askoblivion！……
\"Theyhadnopoet，andtheydied。\"
NEWYORK
SHEishottotheseathatcrouchesbeside，Humanandhottothecoolstarspeeringdown，Mypassionatecity，myquiveringtown，Andherdarkblood，tideuponpurpletide，Withthrobsasofthunderbeats，Withleapingrhythmsandvast，isswirledThroughtheshakenlengthsofherveinedstreets……
Shepulses，theheartofaworld！
Ihavethrilledwithherecstasy，agony，woe——
HathsheamoodthatIdonotknow？
Thewindsofhermusictumultuoushaveseizedmeandswayedme，Havelifted，haveswungmearoundIntheirwhorlsasofcyclonicsound;
Herpassionshavetornmeandtossedmeandbrayedme;
Drunkenandtrancedanddazzledwithvisionsandgleams，Ihavespunwithherdervishpriests;
IhavesearchedtothesoulsofherhuntedbeastsAndfoundlovesleepingthere;
Ihavesoaredonthewingsofherflashingdreams;
Ihavesunkwithherdulldespair;
Ihavesweatwithhertravailsandcursedwithherpains;
Ihaveswelledwithherfoolishpride;
IhaveragedthroughathickredmistatonewithherbrandedCains，WithherbrokenChristshavedied。
Obeautifulhalf—godcityofvisionsandlove！
Ohideoushalf—brutecityofhate！
Owhollyhumanandbaffledandpassionatetown！
Thethroesofthyburgeoning，stressofthyfight，Thybitter，blindstruggletogainforthybodyasoul，Ihaveknown，Ihavefelt，andbeenshakenthereby！
Wakenedandshakenandbroken，ForIhearinthythundersterrificthatthrobthroughthyrapidveinsThebeatoftheheartofaworld。
AHYMN
（1914）
CLOTHEDonwiththunderandwithsteelAndblackagainstthedawnThewhirlingarmiesclashandreel……
Awind，andtheyaregoneLikemistswithdrawn，Likemistswithdrawn！
Likecloudswithdrawn，likedrivensands，Earth’sbodyvanisheth:
Onesolidthingunconqueredstands，Theghostthathumblesdeath。
Allelseisbreath，Allelseisbreath！
Manrosefromoutthestingingslime，Halfbrute，andsoughtasoul，Andupthestarrierwaysoftime，Halfgod，untohisgoal，Hestillmustclimb，Hestillmustclimb！
Whatthoughworldsstagger，andthesunsSeemshakenintheirplace，TrustthoutheleapinglovethatrunsCreativeoverspace:
Takeheartofgrace，Takeheartofgrace！
WhatthoughgreatkingdomsfallondeathBeforethestabbingblade，Theirbrazenmightwasonlybreath，Theirsubstancebutashade——
Benotdismayed，Benotdismayed！
Man’sdreamwhichconqueredbruteandclodShallfailnot，butendure，Shallrise，thoughbeatentothesod，Shallholditsvantagesure——
AssureasGod，AssureasGod！
THESINGER
ALITTLEwhile，withloveandyouth，Hewandered，singing:——
Hefeltlife’spulseshotandstrongBeatallhisrapidveinsalong;
Hewroughtlife’srhythmsintosong:
Helaughed，hesangtheDawn！
Soclose，soclosetolifehedweltThatatraretimesandrapthefeltThefleshlybarriersyieldandmelt;
Hetrembled，lookingonCreationathermiracles;
Hissoul—sightpiercedtheearthlyshellsAndsawthespiritweaveitsspells，Theveilofclaywithdrawn;——
Alittlewhile，withloveandyouth，Hewandered，singing！
Alittlewhile，withageanddeath，Hewanders，dreaming;——
NomorethethunderandtheurgeOfearth’sfulltidesthatstormthevergeOfheavenwiththeirsweepandsurgeShalllift，shallbearhimon;
WhereisthegoldenhopethatledHimcomradewiththemightydead？
Thelovethataureoledhishead？——
Thegloryiswithdrawn！
Howshallonesoarwithbrokenwings？
TheleaguedmightoffutilethingsWarswiththeheartthatdaresandsings;——
ItisnotalwaysDawn！
Alittlewhile，withageanddeath，Hewanders，dreaming。
WORDSARENOTGUNS
Putbythesword（adreamersaith），Theyearsofpeacedrawnigh！
AlreadythemillennialdawnMakesredtheeasternsky！
Benotdeceived。Itcomesnotyet！
TheancientpassionskeepAlivebeneaththeirchangingmasks。
Theyarenotdead。Theysleep。
Surelypeacecomes。AssureasManRosefromprimevalslime。
Thatwasnotyesterday。There’sstillAwearyheighttoclimb！
AndwecandwelltoolongwithdreamsAndplaytoomuchwithwords，ForgettingourinheritanceWasboughtandheldwithswords。
ButTruth（yousay）makestyrantsquail——
BeatsdownembattledWrong？
Iftruthbearmed！Benotdeceived。
Thestrifeistothestrong。
Wordsarenotguns。Wordsarenotships。
Andshipsandgunsprevail。
Ourliberties，thatbloodhasgained，Areguarded，ortheyfail。
Truthdoesnottriumphwithoutblows，Errornottamelyyields。
Butfalsehoodcloseswithquickfaith，Fierce，onathousandfields。
Andsurely，somewhatofthatfaithOurfathersfoughtforclings！
Whichcalledthisfreedom’shemisphere，DespiteEarth’sleaguedkings。
Greatcreedsgrowthews，orelsetheydie。
Thoughtclothedindeedislord。
Whatarethygods？Thygodsbroughtlove？
Theyalsobroughtasword。
Unchallenged，shallwealwaysstand，Secure，apart，aloof？
Benotdeceived。ThathourshallcomeWhichputsustotheproof。
Then，thatweholdthetrustwehaveSafeguardedforoursons，Letusceasedreaming！LetushaveMoreships，moretroops，moreguns！
WITHTHESUBMARINES
ABOVE，thebaffledtwilightfails;beneath，theblindsnakescreep;
Besideusglidesthecharnelshark，ourpilotthroughthedeep;
And，lurkingwherelowheadlandsshieldfromcruisingscoutandspy，Webidethesignalthroughthegloomthatbidsusslayordie。
Allwatchful，mute，thecrouchinggunsthatguardthestraitsealanes——
Watchfulandhawklike，plumedwithhate，thedesperateaeroplanes——
Andstillasdeathandswiftasfate，abovethedarklingcoasts，ThespyingWirelesssowsthenightwithtroopsofstealthyghosts，Whilehushedthroughallherhuddledstreetsthetide—walledcitywaitsThedrummingthundersthatannouncebrutebattleathergates。
Southwardahundredwindyleagues，throughstormsthatblindandbar，Ourcheatedcruiserssearchthewaves，ourcap—
tainsseekthewar;
Butheretheportofperilis;thefoeman’sdread—
noughtsrideSullenandblackagainstthemoon，uponasullentide。
Andonlywetolaunchourselvesagainsttheirstarkadvance——
Toguideuncertainlightningsthroughthesetreach—
erousseasofchance！……
Andnowawheelingsearchlightpaintsasignalonthenight;
Andnowthebellowinggunsareloudwiththewildlustoffight……
Andnow，herflanksofsteelapulsewithallthepowerofhell，Forthfromthedarknessleapsinprideahatefulmiracle，TheflagshipoftheirAdmiral——andnowGodhelpandsave！——
WechallengeDeathatDeath’sowngame;wesinkbeneaththewave！……
Ah，steadynow——andonegoodblow——onestraightstabthroughthegloom——
Ah，good！——thethrustwenthome！——shefounders——
flounderstoherdoom！——
Fullspeedahead！——thosedamnedquick—firingguns——butletthembark——
What’sthat——thedynamos？——they’vegotus，men！
——Christ！inthedark！
NICHOLASOFMONTENEGRO
（1912）
HEspeaksasstraightashisriflesshot，Asstraightasathrustingblade，WaitingthedeedthatshalltroublethetruceHissavagegunshavemade。
\"Youhavedaredthewrathofadozenstates，\"
Wasthechallengethatheheard;
\"Wecandiebutonce！\"saidthegrimoldKingAshegrippedhismountainsword。
\"ForIpaidinbloodforthetownItook，Thebloodofmybravemenslain，——
AndifyoucovetthetownItookYoumustbuyitwithbloodagain！\"
SternoldKingofthestark，blackhills，Wherethelean，fierceeaglesbreed，Yourspeechringstrueasyourgoodswordrings——
Andyouareakingindeed！
DICKENS
\"TheonlybookthatthepartyhadwasavolumeofDickens。
Duringthesixmonthsthattheylayinthecavewhichtheyhadhackedintheice，waitingforspringtocome，theyreadthisvolumethroughagainandagain。\"——Fromanewspaperreportofanantarcticexpedition。
HUDDLEDwithintheirsavagelairTheyhearkenedtotheprowlingwind;
Theyheardtheloudwingsofdespair……
Andmadnessbeatagainstthemind……
AsunlessworldstretchedstarkoutsideAsifithadcursedGodanddied;
DumbplainslaypronebeneaththeweightOfcoldunutterablygreat;
Ironiceboundallthebitterseas，Thebrutalhillswerebleakashate……
HerenonebutDeathmightwalkatease！
ThenDickensspoke，and，lo！thevastUnpeopledvoidstirredintolife;
Thedeadworldquickened，themadblastHushedforanhouritsidiotstrifeWithnothingness……
Andfromthegloom，Partingtheflapsoffrozenskin，Oldfriendsanddearcametroopingin，Andlightandlaughterfilledtheroom……
Voicesandfaces，shapesbeloved，Babblinglipsandkindlyeyes，Notghosts，butfriendsthatlivedandmoved……
Theybroughtthesunfromotherskies，TheywroughtthemagicthatdispelsThebittererpartofloneliness……
AndwhentheyvanishedeachmandreamedHisdreamthereinthewilderness……
OneheardthechimeofChristmasbells，And，staringdownacountrylane，Sawbrightagainstthewindow—paneThefirelightbeckonwarmandred……
AndoneturnedfromthewatersideWhereThamesrollsdownhisslothfultideTobreastthehumanseathatbeatsThroughroaringLondon’sbatteredstreetsAndrevelinthemoodsofmen……
AndonesawalltheAprilhillsMadegladwithgoldendaffodils，Andfoundandkissedhisloveagain……
ByallthetroubledheartshecheersInhomelywaysorbylosttrails，ByalllightshedthroughalldarkyearsWhenhopegrowssickandcouragequails，Wehailhimfirstamonghispeers;
Whetherwesorrow，sing，orfeast，He，too，hathknownandunderstood——
Masterofmanymoods，highpriestOfmirthandlordofcleansingtears！
APOLITICIAN
LEADERnomore，bejudgedofus！
HailedChief，andloved，ofyore——
Youth，andthefaithofyouth，cryout:
LeaderandChiefnomore！
WedreamedaProphet，flushedwithfaith，ContenttotoilinpainIfthathissacrificemightbe，Somehow，hispeople’sgain。
Wesawavision，andourbloodBeatredandhotandstrong:
\"Leadus（wecried）towaragainstSomefoul，embattledwrong！\"
WedreamedaWarriorwhoseswordWasedgedforshamandshame;
WedreamedaStatesmanfaraboveThevulgarlustforfame。