Theresupsto—nightonearthNomaddercrewofwastrelsthanThisfellowshipofmirth……
（Ofmirth……drink，fools！——norletitflagLestfromtheoutermistCreepinthatothercompanyUnbiddentothetryst。
We’regrownsofondofparadoxPerversenessholdsusthrall，SowhateachjesterlovesthebestHemocksthemostofall;
Butasthejestandlaughgoround，Eachinhisneighbor’seyesReads，whilehefloutshisheart’sdesire，Theknowledgethathelies。
NotoneofusbuthadsomepearlsAndflungthemtotheswine，Notoneofusbuthadsomegift——
Somesparkoffiredivine——
EachmighthavebeenGod’sministerInthetempleofsomeart——
EachfeelshisgiftpervertedmoveWormlikethroughhisdryheart。
IfGodcalledAzraeltoHimnowAndbadeDeathbendthebowAgainstthesaddestheartthatbeatsHereonthisearthbelow，NotanysobbingbreastwouldgainTheguerdonofthatbarb——
ThesaddestonesarethosethatwearThejester’smotleygarb。
Whoseshoutayeloudestrings，andwhoseThemaddestcranksandquips——
Whomintshissoultolaughter’scoinAndwastesitwithhislips——
HasgrowntoosadforsighsandseeksTocheathimselfwithmirth;
Wefoolsself—doomedtomotleyareTheweariestwightsonearth！
Butyet，foruswhosebrainsandheartsStroveayeinpathsperverse，DoomedstilltoknowthebetterthingsAndstilltodotheworse，——
WhatelseisthereremainsforusButmakeajestofcareAndsettheraftersringing，inOurTavernofDespair？
COLORSANDSURFACES
AGOLDENLAD
（D。V。M。）
\"GoldenladsandlassesmustLikechimney—sweeperscometodust。\"
——SHAKESPEARE。
Soyoung，butalreadythesplendorOfgeniusrobedhimabout——
Alreadythedangerous，tenderRegardofthegodsmarkedhimout——
（OnwhomtheburdenanddutyTheybind，athisearliestbreath，Ofshowingtheirowngravebeauty，Theyloveandtheycrownwithdeath。）
Wewereofoneblood，buttheoldenRaptpoetsspakeoutinhistone;
Wewereofoneblood，butthegoldenRathepromisewashis，hisalone。
AndeverhisgreateyeglistenedWithvisionsIcouldnotsee，EverhethrilledandlistenedTovoiceswithholdenfromme。
Younglordoftherealmsoffancy，ThebrightdreamsflockedtohiscallLikespritesthatthenecromancyOfaProsperoholdsinthrall——
Quickvisionsthatservedandattended，Elusiveandhoveringthings，WithaquiverofjoyinthesplendidWildsweepoftheirluminouswings;
Hedweltinanalienglamor，Hewroughtofitsgleamsacrown，——
Buttheworld，withitscrueltyandclamor，Brokehimandbeathimdown;
Sohepassed;hewasworn，hewasweary，Hewasslainatthetouchoflife;——
WithasmilethatwaswistfulandeerieHepassedfromthesenselessstrife;——
Soheceased（istheirhumorsatiric，Thesegodsthatmakeperfectandblight？）——
HeceasedlikeanexquisitelyricThatdiesonthebreastofnight。
THESAGEANDTHEWOMAN
’TWIXTancientBeershebaandDanAnothersuchacaravanDazedPalestinehadneverseenAsthatwhichboreSabea’squeenUpfromthefainandflamingSouthToslakeheryearningspirit’sdrouthAtwisdom’spools，withSolomon。
Withgiftsofscentedsandalwood，Andlabdanum，andcassia—bud，WithspicyspoilsofArabyAndcamel—loadsofivoryAndheavyclothsthatglancedandshoneWithinwroughtpearlandberyl—stoneShecame，aboldSabeangirl。
Anddidshefindhimgrave，orgay？
PerchancehispalacebreathedthatdayWithpsalterssoundingsolemnly——
Orcymbals’merrierminstrelsy——
PerchancetheweariedmonarchheardSomeloose—tonguedprophet’smeddlingword;——
Noneknows，noone——butSolomon！
Shelooked——witheynewhereinwereblentAllardorsoftheOrient;
Shespake——allmagicsoftheSouthWerecompassedinthewitch’smouth;——
HethoughtthescarletlipsofherMorepreciousthanEnGedi’smyrrh，ThelipsofthatSabeangirl;
Bymanyanamoroussuncaressed，FromliftedbrowtoamberbreastShegleamedinvividloveliness——
Andlitheasanyleopardess——
Andverily，oneblamestheenotIfthineownproverbswereforgot，OSolomon，wiseSolomon！
Shedancedforhim，andsurelysheLearntdancingfromsomemoonlitseaWhereelfinvaporsswirledandswayedWhilethewildpipesofwitchcraftplayedSuchclutchingmusic’twouldimpelAprophet’sselftodancetohell——
SospunthelightSabeangirl。
HesworeherlaughterhadtheliltOfchimingwatersthatarespiltInspraysofspurtedmelodyFromfountsofcarvenporphyry，AndinthebillowyturbulenceOfherduskhairdrownedsoulandsense——
Darktidesanddeep，OSolomon！
PerchanceuntoherdaybelongsHispoemcalledtheSongofSongs，EachlittlelyricintervalTimedtoherpulse’sriseandfall;——
OrwhenhecriedoutwearilyThatallthingsendinvanityDidhemeanthatSabeangirl？
Thebrightbarbaricopulence，Thesun—kistTemple，Kedar’stents，——
Howmanyacarelesscaravan’TwixtBeershebaandruinedDan，Withinthesefortycenturies，Hasflungtheirdusttomanyabreeze，WithdustthatwasKingSolomon！
Butstillthelessonholdsastrue，OKing，aswhenshelessonedyou:
ThatverywisemenarenotwiseUntiltheyreadinFolly’seyesThewisdomthatescapestheschools，ThatbidsthesagerevisehisrulesBylightofsomeSabeangirl！
NEWSFROMBABYLON
\"Archaeologistshavediscoveredalove—letteramongtheruinsofBabylon。\"——Newspaperreport。
Theworldhathjustonetaletotell，anditisveryold，Alittletale——asimpletale——atalethat’seasytold:
\"TherewasayouthinBabylonwhogreatlylovedamaid！\"
Theworldhathjustonesongtosing，butsingsitunafraid，Alittlesong——afoolishsong——theonlysongithath:
\"TherewasayouthinAscalonwholovedagirlinGath！\"
Homerclangedit，Omartwangedit，GreeceandPersiaknew！——
Nimrod’sreivers，Hiram’sweavers，Hindu，Kurd，andJew——
CrowningTyre，Troyafire，theyhavedreamedthedream;
Tiber—sideandNilus—tidebrightenedwiththegleam——
Oh，thesuing，sighing，wooing，sadandmerryhours，Blissestasted，kisseswasted，buildingBabel’stowers！
Heartswereaching，heartswerebreaking，lasheswetwithdew，WhentheshipstouchedthelipsofislandsSapphoknew;
Yearningbreastsandburningbreasts，coldatlast，arehidAmidthegloomsofcarventombsinKhufu’spyramid——
Thoughthesages，downtheages，smiletheircynicdoubt，Manandmaid，unafraid，puttheschoolstorout;
Seektochainloveandretainloveinthebondsofbreath，Vowtoholdlove，bindandfoldloveevenuntodeath！
ThedustoffortycenturieshasburiedBabylon，Andoutofallherloversdeadrisesonlyone;
Riseswithasongtosingandlaughterinhiseyes，Theoldsong——theonlysong——foralltherestarelies！
For，oh，theworldhasjustonedream，anditisveryold——
’Tisyouth’sdream——asillydream——butitisflushedwithgold！
ARHYMEOFTHEROADS
PEARL—SLASHEDandpurpleandcrimsonandfringedwithgraymistofthehills，Thepennonsofmorningadvancetothemusicofrock—frettedrills，Thedumbforestquickenstosong，andthelittlegustsshoutastheyflingAfloor—clothoforchardbloomdownfortheflash—
ing，quickfeetoftheSpring。
Totheroad，gipsy—heart，thouandI！’Tisthemadpiper，Spring，whoisleading;
’Tisthepulseofhispipingthatthrobsthroughthebrain，irresistiblypleading;
Full—blossomed，deep—bosomed，fainwoman，light—
footed，lute—throatedandfleet，WehavedrunkofthewineofthisWanderer’ssong;
letusfollowhisfeet！
LikeraveledredgirdlesflungdownbysomehoidenishgoddessinmirthThetangledroadsreachfromrimuntoutter—
mostrimoftheearth——
Wewillweaveofthesestrandsastrongnet，wewillsnarethebrightwingsofdelight，——
Wewillmakeofthesestringsasweetlutethatwillshamethelowwind—harpsofnight。
Theclamoroftonguesandtheclangoroftradesinthepeevishpackedstreet，Thearrogant，janglingNothings，withiterant，dis—
sonantbeat，Theclattering，senselessendeavorwithdrossofmeregoldforitsgoal，Thesehavesickenedthesensesandweariedthebrainandstraitenedthesoul。
\"Comeforthandbecleansedofthefollyofstrifeforthingsworthlessofstrife，ComeforthandgainlifeandgraspGodbyfore—
goinggainsworthlessoflife\"——
Itwasthusspakethewizardwildwood，low—
voicedtothehearkeningheart，Itwasthussangthejovialhills，andtheharpersunborepart。
Owoman，whosebloodasmybloodwiththefireoftheSpringisaflame，Wedidwell，whentheredroadscalled，thatweheededthecallandcame——
Cameforthtothesweetwisesilencewheresoulmayspeaksoothuntosoul，Vine—wreathedandvagabondLove，withthegoalofNowhereforourgoal！
Whatplanet—crownedDuskthatwandersthesteepsofourfirmamentthereHathgemsthatmaymatchwiththedew—opalsmeshedinthineopulenthair？
Whatwind—witchthatskimsthecurledbillowswithfeettheyarefaintocaressHathsandalssowing’dasthineartwithagod—
likecarelessness？
Anddarewenotdreamthisisheaven？——towan—
derthuson，everon。
Throughthehush—heavyvalleysofspace，uptheflushingredslopesofthedawn？——
Fornonethatseeksrestshallfindresttillheceasethhisstrivingforrest，Andthegainofthequestisthejoyoftheroadthatallurestothequest。
THELANDOFYESTERDAY
ANDIwouldseekthecountrytownAmidgreenmeadowsnestleddownIfIcouldonlyfindthewayBacktotheLandofYesterday！
HowIwouldthrustthemilesaside，Rushupthequietlane，andthen，Justwhereherroseslaughedinpride，Findheramongtheflowersagain。
I’dslipinsilentlyandwaitUntilshesawmebythegate，Andthen……readthroughabluroftearsQuickpardonfortheselfishyears。
Thistime，thistime，IwouldnotwaitForthatbriefwirethatsaid，Toolate！——
IfIcouldonlyfindthewayIntotheLandofYesterday。
IwonderifherrosesyetLiftuptheirheadsandlaughwithpride，AndifherphloxandmignonetteHavehearttoblossombytheirside;
IwonderifthedearoldlaneStillchirpswithrobinsafterrain，AndifthebirdsandbandedbeesStillrobherearlycherry—trees……
Iwonder，ifIwenttherenow，Howeverythingwouldseem，andhow——
Butno！notnow;thereisnowayBacktotheLandofYesterday。
OCTOBER
CEASEtocallhimsadandsober，Merriestofmonths，October！
Patronoftheburstingbins，Revelerinwaysideinns，IcannowherefindatraceOfthepensiveinhisface;
Thereismingledwitandfolly，ButthemadcaplacksthegraceOfathoughtfulmelancholy。
Spendthriftoftheseasons’gold，HowheflingsandscattersoutTreasurefilchedfromsummer—time！——
NeverrufflingsquireofoldBetterlovedatavernboutWhenPrinceHalwasinhisprime。
Doubletslashedwithgoldandgreen;
Cloakofcrimson;changefulsheen，Ofthedewsthatgemhisbreast;
Frostylaceabouthisthroat;
ScarletplumesthatflauntandfloatBackwardinagayunrest——
Where’sanothergallantdrestWithsuchtricksygaiety，Suchunlessonedvanity？
WithhisamberafternoonsAndhispendantpoets’moons——
WithhistwilightsdashedwithroseFromthered—lippedafterglows——
WithhisvocalairsatdawnBreathinghintsofHelicon——
BacchanalianbeesthatsipWherehiscider—pressesdrip——
WiththewindingofthehornWherehishuntsmenmeetthemorn——
WithhiseverypipingbreezeShakingfromfamiliartreesApplesofHesperides——
Withthechuckle，chirp，andtrillOfhisjollybrooksthatspillMirthintangledmadrigalsDownpebble—dappledwaterfalls——
（BrooksthatlaughandmakeescapeThroughwildarborswherethegrapePurpleswithapromiseofRacyvintagerareaslove）——
Withhismerry，wantonair，MirthandvanityandfollyWhyshouldhebemadetobearBurdenofsomemelancholySongthatswoonsandsinkswithcare？
Ceasetocallhimsadorsober，——
He’sajollydog，October！
CHANTOFTHECHANGINGHOURS
THEHourspassedby，afleet，confusedcrowd;
Withwaftureofblowngarmentsbrightasfire，Light，lightoffootandlaughing，morning—browed，AndwheretheytrodthejonquilandthebriarThrilledintojocundlife，thedreamingdellsWakedtoamorricechimeofjostledbells;——
Theydanced！theydanced！topipingsuchasflingsThegarneredmusicofamillionSpringsIntoonesingle，keenerecstasy;——
Onepausedandshoutedtomyquestionings:
\"Lo，IamYouth;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
TheHourspassedby;theypaced，greatlordsandproud，Crownedonwithsunlight，robedinrichattire;
Beforetheirconqueringwordthebrutedeedbowed，AndArielfanciesservedtheirlargedesire;
Theyspake，androusedthemusedsoulthatdwellsIndust，or，smiling，shapednewheavensandhells，Dethronedoldgodsandmadeblindbeggarskings:
\"Andwhatartthou，\"Icriedtoone，\"thatbringsHismistress，forabrooch，theGalaxy？\"——
\"IamtheplumedThoughtthatsoarsandsings:
Lo，IamSong;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
TheHourspassedby，withveiledeyesendowedOfdream，andpartedlipsthatscarcesuspire，Tobreathingduskandarrowymoonlightvowed，Southwindandshadowygroveandmurmuringlyre;——
Swayingtheymoved，asdrows’dofwizardspellsOrtranc’dwithsightofrecentmiracles，Andyettheytrembled，downtheirfoldedwingsQuiveredthehintofsweetwithholdenthings，Ah，bitter—sweetintheirintensity！
Onepausedandsaiduntomywonderings:
\"Lo，IamLove;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
TheHourspassedby，throughhuddledcitiesloudWithwitlesshateandstalewithstinkingmire:
SocowledmonksmightmarchwithbierandshroudDownstreetsplague—spottedtowardsomecleans—
ingpyre;——
Yet，lo！strangeliliesbloomedinlightlesscells，AndpassionatespiritsbursttheirclayeyshellsAndsangthestrickenhopethatbleedsandclings:
Earth’sbruisedheartbeatinthethrobbingstrings，Andjoystillstruggledthroughthethrenody！
OnesternHoursaiduntomymarvelings:
\"Lo，IamLife;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
TheHourspassedby，thestumblinghoursandcowed，Uncertain，pronetotearsandchildishire，——
ThewaveringhoursthatdriftlikeanycloudAtwhimofwindsorfortunateordire，——
Thefeebleshapesthatanychanceexpells;
Theirwisdomuseless，lackingthebloodthatswellsThetensedvein:thehot，swifttidethatstingsWithlife。Ah，wise！butnakedtotheslingsOffate，andplaguedofyouthfulmemory！
Acrackedvoicebrokeuponmypityings:
\"Lo，IamAge;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
Ah，Youth！wedalliedbythebabblingwellsWhereAprilallherlyricsecrettells;——
Ah，Song！wespedourboldimaginingsAsfarasyonredplanet’striplerings;——
OLife！OLove！Ifollowed，followedthee！
Therewaitsonewordtoendmyjourneyings:
\"Lo，IamDeath;Ibidtheefollowme！\"
DREAMSANDDUST
SELVES
MydustinruinedBabylonIsblownalongthelevelplain，AndsongsofmineatdawnhavesoaredAbovetheblueSicilianmain。
Weareourselves，andnotourselves……
ForeverthwartingprideandwillSomeforebear’spassionleapsfromdeathToclaimavitallicensestill。
Ancestralluststhatslewanddied，Resurgent，swelleachlivingvein;
Olddoubtsandfaiths，newpanoplied，Disputethemasteryofthebrain。
TheloveoflibertythatflamesFromwrittenruneandstrickenreedShookthehotheartsofswordsmensiresAtMarathonandRunnymede。
Whatarethesethingswecallour\"selves\"？……
HaveInotshouted，sobbed，anddiedInthebrightsurfofspearsthatbrokeWhereGreecerolledbackthePersiantide？
ArewewhobreathemorequickthantheyWhosebonesaredustwithinthetomb？
Nay，asIwrite，whatgrayoldghostsMurmurandmockmefromthegloom……
Theycall……acrossstrangeseastheycall，Strangeseas，andhauntedcoastsoftime……
TheystartlemewithwordlesssongsTowhichtheSphinxhathknowntherhyme。
Ourheartsswellbigwithdeadmen’shates，Oureyesstinghotwithdeadmen’stears;
Weareourselves，butnotourselves，Bornheirs，butserfs，toalltheyears！
IrodewithNimrod……stroveatTroy……
AslaveIstoodinCrowningTyre，AqueenlookedonmeandIlovedAnddiedtocompassmydesire。
THEWAGES
EARTHlovestogibbero’erherdross，Hergoldensouls，towaste;
Thecupshefillsforhergod—menIsabittercuptotaste。
WhoseesthegyvesthatbindmankindAndstrivestostrikethemoffShallgainthehissinghateoffools，Thorns，andtheingrate’sscoff。
Whostormsthemoss—grownwallsofeldAndbeatssomefalsehooddownShallpassthepallidgatesofdeathSanslaurel，loveorcrown;
ForhimwhofainwouldteachtheworldTheworldholdshateinfee——
ForSocrates，thehemlockcup;
ForChrist，Gethsemane。
INMARS，WHATAVATAR？
\"InVishnu—land，whatavatar？\"
——BROWNING。
PERCHANCEthedyinggodsofEarthAredestinedtoanotherbirth，Andworn—outcreedsregaintheirworthInthekindlyairofotherstars——
WhatlordsoflifeandlightholdswayInthemyriadworldsoftheMilkyWay？
WhatavatarsinMars？
WhatAphroditesfromtheseasThatlaptheplungingPleiadesArisetospreadafarThedreamthatwasthesoulofGreece？
InMars，whatavatar？
WhichhundredmoonsarewanwithloveFordullEndymions？
WhichhundredmoonshangtrancedaboveAudaciousAjalons？
WhatHolyGraillureserrantspaleThroughthewastesofyonderstar？
WhatfablesswaytheMilkyWay？
InMars，whatavatar？
WhenmorningskimswithcrimsonwingsAcrossthemeresofMercury，WhatdreamingMemnonwakesandsingsOfmiraclesonMercury？
WhatChrists，whatavatars，ClaimMars？
THEGOD—MAKER，MAN
NEVERMORE
ShalltheshepherdsofArcadyfollowPan’smoodsashelollsbytheshoreOfthemere，orlieshidinthehollow;
NevermoreShalltheystartatthesoundofhisreed—fashionedflute;
FallenmuteArethestringsofApollo，Hislyreandhislute;
AndthelipsoftheMemnonsaremuteEvermore;
AndthegodsoftheNorth，——aretheydeadorforgetful，OurOdinandBaldurandThor？
Aretheydrunk，orgrownwearyofworshipandfretful，OurOdinandBaldurandThor？
AndintowhatnighthavetheOrientdietiesstrayed？
SwartgodsoftheNile，indusksplendorsarrayed，BroodingIsisandsomberOsiris，Youweregoneerethefragilepapyrus，（Thatbraggedyoueternal！）decayed。
TheavatarsButilluminetheirlimitedevensAndvanishlikeplungingstars;
TheyarefixedinthewhirlingheavensNofirmerthanfallingstars;
Brieflordsofthechangingsoul，theypassLikeabreathfromthefaceofaglass，Orablossomofsummerblownshallop—likeoverThecloverAndtossedtidesofgrass。
SinktosilencethepsalmsandthepaeansTheshibbolethsshift，andthefaiths，AndthetemplesthatchallengedtheaeonsAretenantedonlybywraiths;
Swoontosilencethecymbalsandpsalters，Theworshipsgrowsenselessandstrange，Andthemockersask，\"Wherebethyaltars？\"
Crying，\"Nothingischangeless——butChange！\"
Yes，nothingseemschangeless，butChange。
Andyet，throughthecreed—wreckingyears，Onestoryforeverappears;
ThetaleofaCitySupernal——
ThewhisperofSomethingeternal——
Apassion，ahope，andavisionThatpeoplesthesilencewithPowers;
AfableofmeadowsElysianWhereTimeentersnotwithhisHours;——
Manifoldarethetale’svariations，Raceandclimeevertintingthedreams，Yetitsessence，throughendlessmutations，Immutablegleams。
Deathless，thoughgodheadsbedying，Survivingthecreedsthatexpire，Illogical，reason—defying，Livesthatpassionate，primaldesire;
Insistent，persistent，foreverMancriestothesilences，Never
ShallDeathreignthelordofthesoul，Shallthedustbetheultimategoal——
IwillstormtheblackbastionsofNight！
Iwilltreadwheremyvisionhastrod，Iwillsetinthedarknessalight，Inthevastness，agod！\"
AstheforeheadofMangrowsbroader，sodohiscreeds;
Andhisgodstheyareshapedinhisimage，andmirrorhisneeds;
Andheclothesthemwiththundersandbeauty，heclothesthemwithmusicandfire;
Seeingnot，ashebowsbytheiraltars，thatheworshipshisowndesire;
Andmixedwithhistrustthereisterror，andmixedwithhismadnessisruth，Andeverymangrovelsinerror，yeteverymanglimpsesatruth。
Forallofthecreedsarefalse，andallofthecreedsaretrue;
Andlowattheshrineswheremybrothersbow，therewillIbow，too;
Fornoformofagod，andnofashionManhasmadeinhisdesperatepassionButisworthysomeworshipofmine;——
Nottoohotwithagrossbelief，Noryettoocoldwithpride，Iwillbowmedownwheremybrothersbow，Humble——butopen—eyed！
UNREST
AFIERCEunrestseethesatthecoreOfallexistingthings:
ItwastheeagerwishtosoarThatgavethegodstheirwings。
Fromwhatflatwastesofcosmicslime，Andstungbywhatquickfire，Sunwardtherestlessracesclimb！——
Menrisenoutofmire！
TherethrobsthroughalltheworldsthatareThisheart—beathotandstrong，Andshakensystems，starbystar，Awakeandglowinsong。
ButfortheurgeofthisunrestThesejoyousspheresweremute;
ButfortherebelinhisbreastHadmanremainedabrute。