Andthenthebirdsthatusethevale，Broken—hearted，turnedthetaleIntosyllablesofsongAndchirpedithalfasummerlong:
\"Silvia，Silvia，BeourSongoncemore，Ourvalerevisit，Silvia，AndbeourSongoncemore:
Forjoyliessleepinginthelute;
Themerrypipe，thewoodlandflute，AndallthepleadingreedsaremuteThatbreathedtotheeofyore。
\"Silvia，Silvia，BeourMoonagain，
Shineonourvalley，Silvia，AndbeourMoonagain:
ThefluffyowlandnightingaleFlitsilentthroughthedarklingvale，OrutteronlywordsofwailFromthroatsallharshwithpain。
\"Silvia，Silvia，BeSpringtime，asofold;
Comecladinlaughter，Silvia，OurSpringtime，asofold:
ThewaitinglowlandsandthehillsAretremulouswithdaffodilsUnblown，untilthyfootstepthrillsTheirpromiseintogold。\"
And，musingonherhere，ItooMustwonderifitcanbetrueShedied，asothermortalsdo。
Thethoughtwouldfithermore，tofeignThat，fulloflifeandunawareThatearthholdsaughtofgrieforstain，ThefairiesstoleandholdherwhereDeathentersnot，norstrifenorpain;——
That，drowsingonsomebedofpansies，ByTitania’snecromanciesHersensesweretoslumberlulled，Deeplysunken，steepedanddulled，AndbywaftureofswiftpinionsShewasborneoutthroughearth’sportalsTothefairyqueen’sdominions，Tosomelandoftheimmortals。
THEEXPLORERS
ANDsomestillcry:\"Whatistheuse？
Theservicerendered？Whatthegain？
Heroic，yes！——butinwhatcause？
Havetheymadelessoneearth—bornepain？
Broadenedtheboundedspirit’sscope？
Ordiedtomakethedullworldhope？\"
MustmanstillbetheslaveofUse？——
Butthesemen，carelessandelate，JoinbattlewithaburlyworldOrcometowrestlinggripswithfate，AndnotforanygoodnorgainNoranyfamethatmaybefall——
But，thrillingintheclutchoflife，Heedtheloudchallengeandthecall;——
Andgrowntosymbolsatthelast，StandinheroicsilhouetteAgainsthorizonsultimate，Astowersthatfrontlostseasareset;——
Therecklessgesture，thestrongpose，Sharpbattle—cryflungbacktoEarth，Andbuoyanthumor，asagodMightsay:\"Lo，heremyfeethavetrod！\"——
Thereliesthemeaningandtheworth！
Theybringnogoldentreasurehome，Theywinnoacresfortheirclan，NordreamnordeedoftheirsshallmendTheillsofman’sbedeviledspan——
Noraretheyskilledinsleightsofspeech，（Norovereager）tomakeplainTheusetheyserve，transcendinguse，——
Thegainbeyondapparentgain！
EARLYAUTUMN
WITHhalf—heartedleviesoffrostthatmakeforay，retire，andrefrain——
Ambiguousbuglesthatblowandthatfaltertosilenceagain——
Withbannersofmistthatstillwaverabovethem，advanceandretreat，ThehostsoftheAutumnstillhideinthehills，foradoubtstaystheirfeet;——
Butanon，withabarbaricsplendortodazzletheeyesthatbehold，Andregalinraimentofpurpleandumberandamberandgold，Andgirtwiththeglamorofconquestandscarvedwithredsymbolsofpride，Fromthehillsintheirmightandtheirmirthonthesteedsofthewindwilltheyride，TomakesportandmakespoiloftheSummer，whodwellsinadreamontheplain，Stilltentedinopulenteaseinthecampsofherindolenttrain。
\"TIMESTEALSFROMLOVE\"
TIMEstealsfromLoveallbutLove’swings;
Andhowshouldaughtbutevilthings，Oranygoodbutdeath，befallHimthatisthralluntoTime’sthrall，SlavetothelesseroftheseKings？
Oheartofyouththatwakesandsings！
Ogoldenvowsandgoldenrings！
LifemocksyouwiththetaleofallTimestealsfromLove！
Orivenluteandwrithenstrings，Deadboughwheretonoblossomclings，Theglorywasephemeral！
NormayourAutumngriefrecallThepassionoftheperishedSpringsTimestealsfromLove！
THERONDEAU
YOURrondeau’stalemuststillbelight——
Nobugle—calltolife’ssternfight！
RatherasmilinginterludeMemorialtosometransientmoodOfidleloveandgala—night。
ItsmanneristhemerestsleightO’hand;yetthereindwellsitsmight，ForiftheheaviertouchintrudeYourrondeau’sstale。
Fragrantandfragile，fleetandbright，Andwing’dwithwhim，itgleamsinflightLikeAprilblossomswind—pursuedDownaislesoftangledunderwood;——
NorbetooseriouswhenyouwriteYourrondeau’stail！
VISITORS
THEYhauntme，theyteasemewithhintedWithheldrevelations，ThesongsthatImaynotutter;
Theyleadme，theyflatter，theywoome。
Ifollow，Ifollow，IsnatchAttheveilsoftheirsecretsinvain——
Forlo！theyhaveleftmeandvanished，ThesongsthatIcannotsing。
TherearevisionselusivethatcomeWithaquiverandshimmerofwings;——
Shapesshadowsandshapes，andthemurmurOfvoices;——
Shapes，thatoutofthetwilightLeap，andwithgestureappealingSeemtodeliveramessage，Andaregone’twixtabreathandabreath;——
ShapesthatraceinwiththewavesMovingsilverlyunderthemoon，AndaregoneeretheybreakintofoamontherocksAndrecede;——
BreathingsoflovefrominvisibleFlutes，BlownsomewhereoutinthetenderDusk，ThatdieonthebosomofSilence;——
Formless，Andfleeterthanthought，Vaguerthanthoughtoremotion，Whatarethesevisitors？
OutofthevastandunchartedRealmsthatencirclethevisibleworld，Withaglimmeroflightontheirpinions，Theyrush……
Theywaver，theyvanish，Leavingmestirredwithadreamoftheultimatebeauty，Asenseoftheultimatemusic，Inevershallcapture;——
TheyareBeauty，FormlessandtremulousBeauty，Beautyunborn;
BeautyasyetunappareledInthought;
Beautythathesitates，Falters，Withdrawsfromthevergeofbirth，Flutters，Retreatsfromtheportalsoflife;——
OBeautyforeveruncaptured！
OsongsthatInevershallsing！
THEPARTING
WEhavecome\"theprimroseway，\"
Folly，thouandI！
SuchaglamorandagraceEverglimmeredonthyface，EversuchawitcheryLitthelaughingeyesofthee，CouldafoollikemewithstandFolly’sfeastandbeckoninghand？
Drinking，howthylips’caressSpicedthecupofwaywardness！
Sowecame\"theprimroseway，\"
Folly，thouandI！
Butnow，Folly，wemustpart，Folly，thouandI！
ShallonelookwithmirthortearsBackonallhiswastedyears，Purposesdissolvedinwine，Pearlsflungtotheheedlessswine？——
Idledaysandnightsofmirth，Weretheypleasuresnothingworth？
Well，there’snogainsayingweSquanderedyouthrightmerrily！
Butnow，Folly，wemustpart，Folly，thouandI！
ANOPENFIRE
THESElogswithdramaandwithdreamarerife，ForalltheirgoldenSummersandgreenSpringsThroughleafandroottheysuckedtheforest’slife，Drankinitssecret，deep，essentialthings，Itsmidwoodmoods，itsmysticrunes，Itsbreathinghushesstirredoffaerywings，ItsAugustnightsandAprilnoons;
ThegarneredfervorsofforgottenJunesFlareforthagainandwasteaway;
AndinthesapthatleapsandsingsWehearagainthechantthecricketflingsAcrossthehawthorn—scenteddusksofMay。
REALITIES
REALITIES
WEaredeceivedbytheshadow，weseenotthesubstanceofthings。
Forthehillsarelesssolidthanthought;anddeedsarebutvapors;andfleshIsamistthrownoffandresumedbythesoul，asaworldbyagod。
Backofthetransientappearancedwellsininef—
fablecalmTheutterreality，ultimatetruth;thisseemsandthatis。
THESTRUGGLE
IHAVEbeendowninadarkvalley;
Ihavebeengropingthroughadeepgorge;
Farabove，thelipsofitwererimmedwithmoon—
light，AndhereandtherethelightlayonthedrippingrocksSothatitseemedtheydrippedwithmoonlight，notwithwater;
Sodeepitwas，thatnarrowgashamongthehills，ThatthosegreatpineswhichfringeditsedgeSeemedtomenolargerthanupthrustfingersSilhouettedagainstthesky;
Andatitstopthevalewasstrait，AndtherayswereslantAndreachedbutpartwaydownthesides;
Icouldnotseethemoonitself;
Iwalkedthroughdarkness，andthevalley’sedgeSeemedalmostlevelwiththestars，Thestarsthatwerelikefirefliesinthelittletrees。
Itwasthemidnightofdefeat;
IfeltthatIhadfailed;
Iwasmockedofthegods;
Therewasnowayoutofthatgorge;
ThepathslednowhitherAndIcouldnotremembertheirbeginnings;
Iwasdoomedtowanderevermore，Thirsty，withthesoundofmockingwatersinmineears，Groping，withgleamsofuselesslightSplashedinironicbeautyontherocksabove。
AndsoIwhined。
Andthendespairflashedintorage;
Ileapterect，andcried:
\"CouldIbutgraspmylifeassculptorsgrasptheclayAndkneadandthrustitintoshapeagain！——
IfallthescornofHeavenwerebutthrownIntothefocusofsomecreatureIcouldclutch！——
IfsomethingtangiblewerebutvouchsafedmeBythecold，fargods！——
IftheybutsentaReasonforthefailureofmylifeI’danswerit;
IftheybutsentaFiend，I’dconquerit！——
ButIreachout，andgrasptheair，Irage，andthebruterockechoesmywordsinmockery——
Howcanonefighttheslidingmoonlightonthecliffs？
Yougods，cowardgods，Comedown，Ichallengeyou！——
Youwhosetsnareswithrosesandwithpassion，Youwhomakefleshbeautifulanddamnmenthroughtheflesh，Youwhoplumpthepurplegrapeandthenputpoisoninthecup，YouwhoputserpentsinyourEdens，Youwhogavemedelightofmysensesandbrokemeforit，Youwhohavemingleddeathwithbeauty，Youwhohaveputintomybloodtheimpulsesforwhichyoucursedme，Youwhopermittedmybrainthedoubtswhereforeyoudamnme，Behold，Idoubtyou，gods，nolonger，butdefy！——
Iperishhere？
ThenIwillbeslainofagod！
Youwhohavewrappedmeinthescornofyoursilence，Thedivinityinthissamedustyouflout
i>Flamesthroughthedust，Anddares，Andflingsyoubackyourscorn，——
Come，facetoface，andslaymeifyouwill，Butnotuntilyou’vefelttheweightOfallbetrickedhumanity’scontemptInoneboldblow！——
SpeakforthaReason，andIwillanswerit，Yes，toyourfacesIwillanswerit;
ComegarmentedinfleshandIwillfightwithyou，Yes，inyourfaceswillIsmiteyou，gods;
CowardgodsandtrickstersthatsettrapsInparadise！——
FargodsthathedgeyourselvesaboutwithsilenceAndwithdistance;
ThatmockmenfromtheunscalableescarpmentsofyourHeavens。\"
ThusIraved，beingmad。
IhadnosoonerfinishedspeakingthanIfeltThedarknessflutteredbyapproachingfeet，Andthesilencewasburnedthroughbytremblingflamesofsound，AndIwas’warethatSomethingstoodbyme。
AndwithashoutIleaptandgraspedthatBeing，AndtheThinggraspedme。
Wecametowrestlinggrips，Andbackandforthweswayed，Handseekingthroat，andcrook’dkneeseekingToencrookunwaryleg，Andspreadtoesgraspingtheunevenground;
Thestrainedbreastmusclescrackedandcreaked，Thesweatraninmyeyes，Theplaguedbreathsobbedandwhistledthroughmythroat，Itastedblood，andstrangled，butstillstruggledon——
Thestarsabovemedancedinswarmslikeyellowbees，Theshakenmoonlightwrithedupontherocks;——
ButatthelastIfelthisbreathingweakergrow，Thetenselimbsgrowlesstense，AndwithaburstingcryIbenthisheadrightback，Back，back，untilIheardhisneckbonessnap;
Hisspinecrunchedinmygrip;
IflunghimtotheearthandkneltuponhisbreastAndlistenedtilltheflutteringpulsewasstilled。
Man，god，ordevil，Ihadwrenchedthelifefromhim！
Andlo！——evenashediedThemoonlightfailedabovethevale，——
Andsomehow，sure，Iknownowhow！——
BetweentheriftedrocksthegreatSunstruckAfingerdownthecliff，andthatredbeamLaysharpacrossthefaceofhimthatIhadslain;
AndinthatlightIreadtheanswerofthesilentgodsUntomycursed—outprayer，Forhethatlayuponthegroundwas——I！
Iunderstoodthelessonthen;
Itwasmyselfthatlaytheredead;
Yes，IhadslainmySelf。
THEREBEL
NodoubttheorderedworldsspeedonWithpurposeintheirwings;
NodoubttheorderedsongsaresweetEachworthyangelsings;
AnddoubtlessitiswisetoheedTheorderedwordsofKings;
ButhowtheheartleapsuptogreetTheheadlong，rebelflight，WhenassomerecklessmeteorBlazesacrossthenight！
Somecomet——Byron——Lucifer——
HasdaredtoBe，andfight！
NodoubtbutitissafetodwellWhereordereddutiesare;
NodoubtthecherubsearntheirwageWhowindeachtickingstar;
Nodoubtthesystemisquiteright！——
Sane，ordered，regular;
ButhowtherebelfiresthesoulWhodaresthestronggods’ire！
EachByron！——Shelley！——Lucifer！——
AndalltheoutcastchoirThatchantwhensomePrometheusLeapsuptostealJove’sfire！
THECHILDANDTHEMILL
BETTERapauper，penniless，asleeponthekindlysod——
Betteragipsy，houseless，butneartotheheartofGod，Thatbeatsforearsnotdulledbytheclankingwheelsofcare——
Betterstarvationandfreedom，hopeandthegoodfreshairThandeathtotheSomethinginhimthatwasborntolaughanddream，Thatwaskintotheidleliliesandtheripplesofthestream。
Foroutofthedreamsofchildhood，thatcarelesscomeandgo，Theboygainsstrength，unknowing，thattheManwillproveandknow。
Butthesefoolswiththeirliesandtheirdollars，theirmillsandtheirbloodyhands，Whomakeagodofawheel，whoworshiptheirwhirringbands，Theyareflingingthelifeofapeople，raw，tothebrutemachines。
Dull—eyed，weary，andold——oldinhisearlyteens——
Stuntedandstupidandtwisted，marredinthemillsofgrief，CanyourfactoriesfashionaManofthisthing——
aManandaChief？
Dumbistheheartofhimnow，atthetimewhenhisheartshouldsing——
Wastersofbodyandbrain，whatracewillthefuturebring？
Whatofthenation’snervewhenasswiftcrisescome？
Whatofthebrawnthatshouldheavethegunsonthebeckofthedrum？
Thievesofbodyandsoul，whocanneitherthinknorfeel，Swine—eyedpriestsoflittlefalsegodsofgoldandsteel，Bowtoyourobscenealtars，worshipyourloudmillsthen！
FeedtoMolochandBaalthebrawnandbrainsofmen——
ButsilentandwatchfulandhiddenforeveroverallThemastersbroodofthoseMillsthat\"grindexceedingsmall。\"
AnditneedsnooccultartnormagictoforeshowThatapeoplewhosowdefeattheywillreapthethingtheysow。
\"SICTRANSITGLORIAMUNDI\"
CONQUERORSleonine，lordly，Princesandvauntingkings，Yearedrunkwiththesoundofyourbraggarttrumps——
Butlo！yearelittlethings！
Earth……itischarnelwithmonarchs！
AndthepuffsofdustthatstartWhereyourwarsteedsstampwiththeirringinghoofsWereeachsomewarrior’sheart。
Peoplesimperial，mighty，Masterful，challengingfate，Thetreadofyourcohortsshakesthehills——
Butlo！yearenotgreat！
Nationsthatswarmandmurmur，Yearemothsthatflutterandclimb——
Yearewhirlinggnats，yeareswirlingbees，Tossedinthewindsoftime！
Earththatisflushedwithglory，Amarvelousworldyeare！
Butlo！inthemidstofamillionstarsYeareonlyonepalestar！
Abreathstirsthedarkabysses……
ThedeepsbelowthedeepAretroubledandvexed……andathousandworldsFalloneternalsleep！
THECOMRADE
I
HATHnotmanathisnoblestAnairofsomethingmorethanman？——
Ahintofgraceimmortal，BornofhisgreatlydaringtoassistthegodsInconqueringtheseshaggywastes，Thesedesertworlds，Andplantinglifeandorderinthesestars？——
SoWomanatherbest:
HereyesarebrightwithvisionsandwithdreamsThattriumphovertime;
Herplumedthought，wingforwing，ismatewithhis。
II
Theworldrollsonfromdreamtodream，And’neaththevastimpersonalrevengesofitsgoing，CrushedfoolsthatcrieddefeatLiedeadamidthedusttheyprophesied——
Yedoubtersofman’slargerdestiny，Yethatdespair，Lookbackwarddownthevistaedyears，Andallisbattle——andallvictory！
Manfought，tobeaman！
Throughpainfulcenturiestheslowbeastfought，Blindedandbaffled，foughttogainhissoul;——
Wild，hairy，shag，andfearedofshadows，YetthecloudsMadehimstrangesignalsthathepuzzledo’er;——
Beast，child，andape，Andyetthewindsharpedtohim，andtheseaRolledinuponhisconsciousnessItstidesofwonderandromance;——
Uncouthandcakedwithmire，Andyetthestarssaidsomethingtohim，andthesunDeclareditselfagod;——
ThelaggingcyclesturnedatlastThepicturesintothought，Thoughtfloweredinsoul;——
But，oh，themyriadwearyyearsEreCalibanwasShakespeare’sselfAndDarwin’sapehadDarwin’sbrain！——
Thebattling，battling，andthesteepascent，Thefighttoholdthelittlegained，Theloss，thedoubt，theshakenheart，Thestubborn，gropingslowrecovery！——
Butlookingbackwardtowardthedimbeginnings，Youthatdespair，Hathhenotclimbedandconquered？
Lookbackwardandall’sVictory！
Whatcowardlooksforwardandforeseesdefeat？
III
Whoclimbedbesidehim，andwhofoughtAndsufferedandwasglad？
Isshealesserthingthanhe，Whostainedtheslopeswithbloodyfeet，orstoodBesidehimonsomehard—woneminenceofhopeExultingasthebolddawnsweptAharperhandalongtheringinghills？
Fleshofhisflesh，andofhissoulthesoul，Hathshenotfought，hathshenotclimbed？
Andhowisshealesserthing？——
Nay，ifsheeverwas’Twaswethatmadeherso，whocalledherqueenButkeptherslave。
IV
Hadshenotcourageforthefight？
Hathshenotcouragefortheyearstocome？
Hathshenotcouragewhodescendsalone——
（Howpitifullyalone，exceptforLove！）
Whereman’sthoughtevenfaltersthatwouldfollow，Intotheshadowyabyss（ThroughvastandmurmurouscavernsdarkwithcrowdingdreadAndterriblewithhoveringwings），TobattletherewithDeath？——tobattleTherewithDeath，andwrestfromhim，OConquerorandMother，Life！
V
Hathshetoolongdweltdream—boundintheworldoflove，Unconsciousofthesternerthroes，Themoreaustere，impersonal，widefaith，TheurgethatdrivesChriststothecrossNotfortheloveofonebeloved，Butfortheloveofall？
Ifso，shewakes！
Wakesanddemandsashareinallman’sbolderdestinies，Thehigh，audaciousventuresofthesoulThatthinkstoscalethebastionedslopesAndstrikestarkChaosfromhisthrone。
Westillstandinthedawnoftime。
Notmeanlyletusstandnorshakenwithlowdoubts！
FortherebeyondthevergeandmarginofgraycloudThefuturethrillswithpromiseAndtheskiesaretremulouswithgoldenlight;——
Shetoowouldsharethosevictories，Comrade，andmorethancomrade;——
Newtimes，newneedsconfrontusnow;
WemustevolvenewpowersTobattlewith;——
Wemustgoforwardnowtogether，Orperchancewefail！
ENVOI
ALITTLEWHILE
Alittlewhilethetearsandlaughter，Thewillowandtherose——
Alittlewhile，andwhatcomesafterNomanknows。
Anhourtosing，toloveandlinger……
ThenlutanistandluteWillfallonsilence，songandsingerBothbemute。
Ourgodsfromourdesireswefashion……
Exaltourbaffledlives，AnddreamtheirvitalbloomandpassionStillsurvives;
Butwhenwe’redonewithmirthandweeping，Withmyrtle，rue，androse，ShallDeathtakeLifeintohiskeeping？……
Nomanknows。
Whathearthathnot，throughtwilightplaces，SoughtforitsdeadagainTogildwithlovetheirpallidfaces？……
Soughtinvain！……
StillmountstheDreamonshiningpinion……
Stillbroodsthedulldistrust……
Whichshallhaveultimatedominion，Dream，ordust？
Alittlewhilewithgriefandlaughter，Andthenthedaywillclose;
Theshadowsgather……whatcomesafterNomanknows！