第8章
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  THEWARNING。

  WHENsoundsthetrumpetattheJudgmentDay,Andwhenforeverallthingsearthlydie,WemustafullandtrueaccountsupplyOfev’ryuselesswordwedropp’dinplay。

  ButwhateffectwillallthewordsconveyWhereinwitheagerzealandlovingly,ThatImightwinthyfavour,labour’dI,Ifonthineearalonetheydieaway?

  Therefore,sweetlove,thyconsciencebearinmind,Rememberwellhowlongthouhastdelay’d,Sothattheworldsuchsufferingsmaynotknow。

  IfImustreckon,andexcusesfindForallthingsuselessItotheehavesaid,ToafullyeartheJudgmentDaywillgrow1807?——

  THEEPOCHS。

  ONPetrarch’sheart,allotherdaysbefore,Inflamingletterswritten,wasimpressdGOODFRIDAY。Andonmine,beitconfess’d,Isthisyear’sADVENT,asitpassetho’er。

  Idonotnowbegin,——IstilladoreHerwhomIearlycherish’dinmybreast。,Thenonceagainwithprudencedispossess’d,AndtowhoseheartI’mdrivenbackoncemore。

  TheloveofPetrarch,thatall-gloriouslove,Wasunrequited,and,alas,fullsad。

  OnelongGoodFriday’twas,oneheartachedrearButmaymymistress’Adventeverprove,Withitspalm-jubilee,sosweetandglad,OneendlessMayday,throughthelivelongyear!

  1807——

  THEDOUBTERSANDTHELOVERS。

  THEDOUBTERS。

  YElove,andsonnetswrite!Fate’sstrangebehest!

  Theheart,itshiddenmeaningtodeclare,Mustseekforrhymes,unitingpairwithpair:

  Learn,children,thatthewillisweak,atbest。

  Scarcelywithfreedomtheo’erflowingbreastAsyetcanspeak,andwellmayitbeware。

  Tempestuouspassionssweepeachchordthat’sthere,Thenoncemoresinktonightandgentlerest。

  Whyvexyourselvesandus,theheavystoneUpthesteeppathbutstepbysteptoroll?

  Itfallsagain,andyene’erceasetostrive。

  THELOVERS。

  Butweareontheproperroadalone!

  Ifgladlyistothawthefrozensoul,Thefireoflovemustayebekeptalive。

  1807?——

  CHARADE。

  Twowordsthere’are,bothshort,ofbeautyrare,Whosesoundsourlipssooftenlovetoframe,ButwhichwithclearnessnevercanproclaimThethingswhoseownpeculiarstamptheybear。

  ’Tiswellindaysofageandyouthsofair,Oneontheotherboldlytoinflame。

  Andifthosewordstogetherlink’dwename,Ablissfulrapturewediscoverthere。

  ButnowtogivethempleasuredoIseek,Andinmyselfmyhappinesswouldfind。

  Ihopeinsilence,butIhopeforthis:

  Gently,aslovedone’snames,thosewordstospeakToseethembothwithinoneimageshrin’d,Bothinonebeingtoembracewithbliss。

  1807——

  EPIGRAMS——

  Inthesenumbersbeexpress’dMeaningdeep,’neathmerryjest——

  TOORIGINALS。

  AFELLOWsays:Iownnoschoolorcollege。

  NomasterliveswhomIacknowledge。

  Andpraydon’tentertainthethoughtThatfromthedeadIe’erlearntaught。

  This,ifIrightlyunderstand,Means:I’mablockheadatfirsthand。

  1815——

  THESOLDIER’SCONSOLATION。

  No!intruththere’sherenolack:

  Whitethebread,themaidensblack!

  Toanothertown,nextnight:

  Blackthebread,themaidenswhite!

  1815。*——

  GENIALIMPULSE。

  THUSrollI,nevertakingease,Mytub,likeSaintDiogenes,Nowseriousam,nowseektoplease。

  Nowloveandhateinturnonesees。

  Themotivesnowarethose,nowthese。

  Nownothings,nowrealities。

  ThusrollI,nevertakingease,Mytub,likeSaintDiogenes。

  1810——

  NEITHERTHISNORTHAT。

  IFthoutobeaslaveshouldstwill,Thou’ltgetnopity,butfareill。

  Andifamasterthouwouldstbe,Theworldwillviewitangrily。

  Andifinstatuquothoustay,Thatthouartbutafool,they’llsay。

  1815。*——

  THEWAYTOBEHAVE。

  THOUGHtempersarebadandpeevishfolksswear,Remembertorufflethybrows,friend,ne’er。

  AndletnotthefanciesofwomensofairE’erservethypleasureinlifetoimpair。

  1815。*——

  THEBEST。

  WHENheadandheartarebusy,say,Whatbettercanbefound?

  Whoneitherlovesnorgoesastray,Werebetterunderground。

  1815。*——

  ASBROADASIT’SLONG。

  MODESTmenmustneedsendure,Andtheboldmusthumblybow。

  Thusthyfate’sthesame,besure,Whetherboldormodestthou。

  1815。*——

  THERULEOFLIFE。

  IFthouwouldstliveunruffledbycare,Letnotthepasttormenttheee’er。

  Aslittleaspossiblebethouannoy’d,Andletthepresentbeeverenjoy’d。

  Ne’erletthybreastwithhatebesupplied,AndtoGodthefutureconfide。

  1815。*——

  THESAME,EXPANDED。

  IFthouwouldstliveunruffledbycare,Letnotthepasttormenttheee’er。

  Ifanylossthouhasttorue,Actasthoughthouwertbornanew。

  Inquirethemeaningofeachday,Whateachdaymeansitselfwillsay。

  Inthineownactionstakethypleasure,Whatothersdo,thou’ltdulytreasure。

  Ne’erletthybreastwithhatebesupplied,AndtoGodthefutureconfide——

  IFwealthisgone——thensomethingisgone!

  Quick,makeupthymind,Andfreshwealthfind。

  Ifhonourisgone——thenmuchisgone!

  Seekglorytofind,Andpeoplethenwillaltertheirmind。

  Ifcourageisgone——thenallisgone!

  ’Twerebetterthatthouhadstneverbeenborn——

  HEwhowithlifemakessport,Canprospernever。

  Whoruleshimselfinnought,Isaslaveever。

  MAYeachhonesteffortbeCrown’dwithlastingconstancy——

  EACHroadtotheproperendRunsstraighton,withoutabend。

  1825——

  CALMATSEA。

  SILENCEdeepruleso’erthewaters,Calmlyslumb’ringliesthemain,WhilethesailorviewswithtroubleNoughtbutonevastlevelplain。

  Notazephyrisinmotion!

  Silencefearfulasthegrave!

  InthemightywasteofoceanSunktorestisev’rywave。

  1795——

  THEPROSPEROUSVOYAGE。

  THEmistisfastclearing。

  Andradiantisheaven,WhilstAEolusloosensOuranguish-fraughtbond。

  Thezephyrsaresighing,Alertisthesailor。

  Quick!nimblybeplying!

  Thebillowsareriven,Thedistanceapproaches。

  Iseelandbeyond!

  1795——

  COURAGE。

  CARELESSLYovertheplainaway,WherebytheboldestmannopathCutbeforetheethoucanstdiscern,Makeforthyselfapath!

  Silence,lovedone,myheart!

  Cracking,letitnotbreak!

  Breaking,breaknotwiththee!

  1776。*——

  MYONLYPROPERTY。

  IFEELthatI’mpossess’dofnought,SavingthefreeunfetterdthoughtWhichfrommybosomseekstoflow,AndeachpropitiouspassinghourThatsuffersmeinallitspowerAlovingfatewithtruthtoknow。

  1814——

  ADMONITION。

  WHEREFOREeverrambleon?

  FortheGoodislyingnear,Fortunelearntoseizealone,ForthatFortune’severhere。

  1789——

  OLDAGE。

  OLDageiscourteous——noonemore:

  Fortimeaftertimeheknocksatthedoor,Butnobodysays,Walkin,sir,pray!

  Yetturnshenotfromthedooraway,Butliftsthelatch,andenterswithspeed。

  AndthentheycryAcoolone,indeed!

  1814——

  EPITAPH。

  Asaboy,reservedandnaughty。

  Asayouth,acoxcombandhaughty。

  Asaman,foractioninclined。

  Asagreybeard,fickleinmind——

  Uponthygravewillpeopleread:

  Thiswasaveryman,indeed!

  1815。*——

  RULESFORMONARCHS。

  IFmenarenevertheirthoughtstoemploy,Takecaretoprovidethemalifefullofjoy。

  Butiftosomeprofitandusethouwouldstbendthem,Takecaretoshearthem,andthendefendthem。

  1815。*——

  PAULOPOSTFUTURI。

  WEEPyenot,yechildrendear,Thatasyetyeareunborn:

  ForeachsorrowandeachtearMakesthefather’shearttomourn。

  Patientbeashorttimetoit,Unproduced,andknowntonone。

  Ifyourfathercannotdoit,Byyourmother’twillbedone。

  1784——

  THEFOOL’SEPILOGUE。

  MANYgoodworksI’vedoneandended,Yetakethepraise——I’mnotoffended。

  Forintheworld,I’vealwaysthoughtEachthingitstruepositionhathsought。

  WhenpraisedforfoolishdeedsamI,Isetofflaughingheartily。

  Whenblamedfordoingsomethinggood,Itakeitinaneasymood。

  Ifsomeonestrongergivesmehardblows,Thatit’sajest,Ifeigntosuppose:

  Butif’tisonethat’sbutmyownlike,Iknowthewaysuchfolkstostrike。

  WhenFortunesmiles,Imerrygrow,Andsingindulcijubilo。

  Whensinksherwheel,andtumblesmeo’er,Ithink’tissuretoriseoncemore。

  InthesunshineofsummerIne’erlament,Becausethewinteritcannotprevent。

  Andwhenthewhitesnow-flakesfallaround,Idonmyskates,andamoffwithabound。

  ThoughIdissembleasIwill,Thesunformewillne’erstandstill。

  Theoldandwontedcourseisrun,Untilthewholeoflifeisdone。

  Eachdaytheservantlikethelord,Inturnscomeshome,andgoesabroad。

  Ifproudorhumblethelinetheytake,Theyallmusteat,drink,sleep,andwake。

  Sonothingevervexesme。

  Actlikethefool,andwiseye’llbe!

  1804——

  PARABLES——

  Joyfromthatintypeweborrow,Whichinlifegivesonlysorrow——

  JOY。

  ADRAGON-FLYwithbeauteouswingIshov’ringo’erasilv’ryspring。

  Iwatchitsmotionswithdelight,——

  Nowdarkitscoloursseem,nowbright。

  Chameleon-likeappear,nowblue,Nowred,andnowofgreenishhue。

  Woulditwouldcomestillnearerme,ThatIitstintsmightbetterseeIthovers,flutters,restingne’er!

  Buthush!itsettlesonthemead。

  Ihaveitsafenow,Ideclare!

  AndwhenitsformIcloselyview,’Tisofasadanddingyblue——

  Such,Joy-Dissector,isthycaseindeed1767-9——

  EXPLANATIONOFANANTIQUEGEM,AYOUNGfig-treeitsformliftshighWithinabeauteousgarden。

  Andsee,agoatissittingby。

  Asifhewereitswarden。

  Butoh,Quirites,howoneerrs!

  Thetreeisguardedbadly。

  ForroundtheothersidetherewhirrsAndhumsabeetlemadly。

  Theherowithhiswell-mail’dcoatNibblesthebranchestallso。

  AmightylongingfeelsthegoatGentlytoclimbupalso。

  Andso,myfriends,erelongyeseeThetreeallleaflessstanding。

  Itlooksatypeofmisery,Helpofthegodsdemanding。

  Thenlisten,yeingenuousyouth,Whoholdwisesawsrespected:

  Fromhe-goatandfrombeetles-toothAtreeshouldbeprotected!

  1815——

  CAT-PIE。

  WHILEheismark’dbyvisionclearWhofathomsNature’streasures,Themanmayfollow,voidoffear,Whoherproportionsmeasures。

  Thoughforonemortal,itistrue,Thesetradesmaybothbefitted,Yet,thatthethingsthemselvesaretwoMustalwaysbeadmitted。

  OnceonatimetherelivedacookWhoseskillwaspastdisputing,WhoinhisheadafancytookTotryhisluckatshooting。

  So,guninhand,hesoughtaspotWherestoresofgamewerebreeding,AndthereerelongacatheshotThatonyoungbirdswasfeeding。

  Thiscathefanciedwasahare,Formingajudgmenthasty,Soserveditupforpeople’sfare,Well-spicedandinapasty。

  Yetmanyaguestwithwrathwasfill’dAllwhohadnosestender:

  Thecatthat’sbythesportsmankill’dNocookaharecanrender。

  1810——

  LEGEND。

  THERElivedinthedesertaholymanTowhomagoat-footedFaunonedayPaidavisit,andthusbeganTohissurprise:IentreattheetoprayThatgracetomeandmyfriendsmaybegiven,ThatwemaybeabletomounttoHeaven,Forgreatisourthirstforheav’nlybliss。

  Theholymanmadeanswertothis:

  Muchdangerislurkinginthypetition,Norwillitbeeasytogainadmission。

  Thoudostnotcomewithanangel’ssalute。

  ForIseethouwearestaclovenfoot。

  Thewildmanpaused,andthenanswer’dhe:

  Whatdothmygoat’sfootmattertothee?

  FullmanyI’veknownintoheaventopassStraightandwithease,withtheheadofanass!

  1815。*——

  AUTHORS。

  OVERthemeadows,anddownthestream,Andthroughthegarden-walksstraying,Hepluckstheflowersthatfairestseem。

  Histhrobbingheartbrooksnodelaying。

  Hismaidenthencomes——oh,whatecstasy!

  Thyflowersthougiv’stforoneglanceofhereye!

  Thegard’nernextdooro’erthehedgeseestheyouth:

  I’mnotsuchafoolasthat,ingoodtruth。

  Mypleasureisevertocherisheachflower,Andseethatnobirdsmyfruite’erdevour。

  Butwhen’tisripe,yourmoney,goodneighbour!

  ’TwasnotfornothingItookallthislabour!

  Andsuch,methinks,aretheauthor-tribe。

  Theonehispleasuresaroundhimstrews,Thathisfriends,thepublic,mayreap,iftheychoose。

  Theotherwouldfainmakethemallsubscribe,1776。*——

  THECRITIC。

  IHADafellowasmyguest,Notknowinghewassuchapest,Andgavehimjustmyusualfare。

  Heatehisfillofwhatwasthere,Andfordesertmybestthingsswallow’d,Soonashismealwaso’er,whatfollow’d?

  LedbytheDeuce,toaneighbourhewent,Andtalk’dofmyfoodtohisheart’scontent:

  Thesoupmightsurelyhavehadmorespice,Themeatwasill-brown’d,andthewinewasn’tnice。

  Athousandcursesalightonhishead!

  ’Tisacritic,Ivow!Letthedogbestruckdead!

  1776。*——

  THEDILETTANTEANDTHECRITIC。

  ABOYapigeononcepossess’d,Ingayandbrilliantplumagedress’d。

  Heloveditwell,andinboyishsportItsfoodtotakefromhismouthhetaught,Andinhispigeonhetooksuchpride,Thathisjoytoothersheneedsmustconfide。

  Anagedfoxneartheplacechanc’dtodwell,Talkative,clever,andlearnedaswell。

  Theboyhissocietyusedtoprize,Hearingwithpleasurehiswondersandlies。

  MyfriendthefoxmypigeonmustseeHeran,andstretch’d’mongstthebusheslayheLook,fox,atmypigeon,mypigeonsofair!

  HisequalI’msurethouhastlook’duponne’er!

  Let’ssee!——Theboygaveit——’Tisreallynotbad。

  Andyet,itisfarfromcomplete,Imustadd。

  Thefeathers,for,instance,howshort!’Tisabsurd!

  Sohesettoworkstraightwaytopluckthepoorbird。

  Theboyscreamed——Thoumustnowstrongerpinionssupply,Orelse’twillbeugly,unabletofly——

  Soon’twasstripp’d——oh,thevillain!——andtornalltopieces。

  Theboywasheart-broken,——andsomytaleceases。

  ****

  Hewhoseesintheboyshadow’dforthhisowncase,Shouldbeonhisguard’gainstthefox’swholerace。

  1776。*——

  THEWRANGLER。

  ONEdayashamelessandimpudentwightWentintoashopfullofsteelwaresbright,Arrangedwithartuponev’ryshelf。

  Hefanciedtheywereallmeantforhimself。

  Andso,whilethepatientownerstoodby,Theshininggoodsneedsmusthandleandtry,Andvalued,——forhowshouldafoolbetterknow?——

  Thebadthingshigh,andthegoodoneslow,Andallwithaneasyself-satisfiedface。

  Then,havingboughtnothing,helefttheplace。

  Thetradesmannowfeltsorelyvex’d,Sowhenthefellowwenttherenext,Alockofsteelmadequiteredhot。

  Theothercrieduponthespot:

  Suchwaresasthese,who’deverbuy?

  thesteelistarnish’dshamefully,——

  Thenpull’dit,likeafoolabout,Butsoonsetupapiteousshout。

  Praywhat’sthematter?theshopmanspoke。

  Theotherscream’d:Faith,averycooljoke!

  1815。*——

  THEYELPERS。

  OURridesinalldirectionsbend,Forbusinessorforpleasure,Yetyelpingsonourstepsattend,Andbarkingswithoutmeasure。

  Thedogthatinourstabledwells,Afterourheelsisstriding,AndallthewhilehisnoisyyellsButshowthatweareriding。

  1815。*——

  THESTORK’SVOCATION。

  THEstorkwhowormsandfrogsdevoursThatinourpondsreside,Whyshouldhedwellonhighchurch-towers,Withwhichhe’snotallied?

  Incessantlyhechattersthere,Andgivesourearsnorest。

  ButneitheroldnoryoungcandareTodrivehimfromhisnest。

  Ihumblyaskit,——howcanheGiveofhistitleproof,SavebyhishappytendencyTosoilthechurch’sroof?——

  CELEBRITY。

  [AsatireonhisownSorrowsofWerther。]

  ONbridgessmallandbridgesgreatStandsNepomucksinev’rystate,Ofbronze,wood,painted,orofstone,Somesmallasdolls,somegiantsgrown。

  EachpassermustworshipbeforeNepomuck,Whotodieonabridgechancedtohavetheillluck,WhenonceamanwithheadandearsAsaintinpeople’seyesappears,OrhasbeensentencedpiteouslyBeneaththehangman’shandtodie,He’sasanotedpersonprized,Inportraitisimmortalized。

  Engravings,woodcuts,aresupplied,Andthroughtheworldspreadfarandwide。

  Uponthemallisseenhisname,Andev’ryoneadmitshisclaim。

  EventheimageoftheLordIsnotwithgreaterzealador’d。

  Strangefancyofthehumanrace!

  Halfsinnerfrail,halfchildofgraceWeseeHERRWERTHERofthestoryInallthepompofwoodcutglory。

  Hisworthisfirstmadedulyknown,ByhavinghissadfeaturesshownAtev’ryfairthecountryround。

  Inev’ryalehousetoothey’refound。

  HisstickispointedbyeachdunceTheballwouldreachhisbrainatonce!

  Andeachsays,o’erhisbeerandbread:

  ThankHeav’nthat’tisnotwearedead!

  1815。*——

  PLAYINGATPRIESTS。

  WITHINatownwhereparityAccordingtooldformwesee,——

  Thatistosay,whereCatholicAndProtestantnoquarrelspick,Andwhere,asinhisfather’sday,EachworshipsGodinhisownway,WeLuth’ranchildrenusedtodwell,Bysongsandsermonstaughtaswell。

  TheCatholicclingclangintruthSoundedmorepleasingtoouryouth,Forallthatweencounter’dthere,Tousseem’dvaried,joyous,fair。

  Aschildren,monkeys,andmankindToapeeachotherareinclin’d,Wesoon,thetimetowhileaway,Agameatpriestsresolvedtoplay。

  TheirapronsalloursisterslentForcopes,whichgaveusgreatcontent。

  Andhandkerchiefs,embroider’do’er,Insteadofstoleswealsowore。

  Goldpaper,whereonbeastsweretraced,Thebishop’sbrowasmitregraced。

  ThroughhouseandgardenthusinstateWestruttedearly,struttedlate,Repeatingwithallproperunction,Incessantlyeachholyfunction。

  Thebestwaswantingtothegame。

  WeknewthatasonorousringWashereamostimportantthing。

  ButFortunetoourrescuecame,Foronthegroundahalterlay。

  Weweredelighted,andatonceMadeitabellropeforthenonce,Andkeptitmovingalltheday。

  InturnseachsisterandeachbrotherActedassextontoanother。

  Allhelp’dtoswellthejoyousthrong。

  Thewholeproceededswimmingly,Andsincenoactualbellhadwe,Weallinchorussang,Dingdong!

  *****

  Ourguilelesschild’s-sportlongwashush’dInmemory’stomb,likesomeoldlay。

  Andyetacrossmyminditrush’dWithpristineforcetheotherday。

  TheNew-PoeticCatholicsInev’rypointitsaptnessfix!

  1815。*——

  SONGS。

  SONGSarelikepaintedwindow-panes!

  Indarknesswrapp’dthechurchremains,Iffromthemarket-placeweviewit。

  Thusseestheignoramusthroughit。

  Nowonderthathedeemsittame,——

  Andallhislife’twillbethesame。

  Butletusnowinsiderepair,AndgreettheholyChapelthere!

  Atoncethewholeseemsclearandbright,Eachornamentisbathedinlight,Andfraughtwithmeaningtothesight。

  God’schildren!thusyourfortuneprize,Beedified,andfeastyoureyes!

  1827。*——

  POETRY。

  GODtohisuntaughtchildrensentLaw,order,knowledge,art,fromhigh,Andev’ryheav’nlyfavourlent,Theworld’shardlottoqualify。

  Theyknewnothowtheyshouldbehave,ForallfromHeav’nstark-nakedcame。

  ButPoetrytheirgarmentsgave,Andthennotonehadcauseforshame。

  1816——

  APARABLE。

  IPICKEDarusticnosegaylately,Andboreithomewards,musinggreatly。

  When,heatedbymyhand,IfoundTheheadsalldroopingtow’rdtheground。

  Iplac’dtheminawell-cool’dglass,AndwhatawondercametopassTheheadssoonraisedthemselvesoncemore。

  Thestalkswerebloomingasbefore,AndallwereinasgoodacaseAswhentheylefttheirnativeplace。

  ****

  SofeltI,whenIwond’ringheardMysongtoforeigntonguestransferr’d。

  1828——

  SHOULDE’ERTHELOVELESSDAY。

  SHOULDe’erthelovelessdayremainObscuredbystormsofhailandrain,Thycharmsthoushowestnever。

  Itapatwindow,tapatdoor:

  Come,lov’done,come!appearoncemore!

  Thouartasfairasever!

  1827。*——

  APLANTHEMUSESENTERTAINED。

  APLANtheMusesentertain’dMethodicallytoimpartToPsychethepoeticart。

  Prosaic-purehersoulremain’d。

  NowondroussoundsescapedherlyreE’eninthefairestSummernight。

  ButAmorcamewithglanceoffire,——

  Thelessonsoonwaslearn’daright。

  1827。*——

  THEDEATHOFTHEFLY。

  WITHeagernesshedrinksthetreach’rouspotion,Norstopstorest,bythefirsttastemisled。

  Sweetisthedraught,butsoonallpowerofmotionHefindshasfromhistendermembersfled。

  Nolongerhashestrengthtoplumehiswing,Nolongerstrengthtoraisehishead,poorthing!

  E’eninenjoyment’shourhislifeheloses,Hislittlefoottobearhisweightrefuses。

  Soonhesips,anderehisdraughtiso’er,Deathveilshisthousandeyesforevermore。

  1810——

  BYTHERIVER。

  WHENbythebroadstreamthoudostdwell,Oftshallowisitssluggishflood。

  Then,whenthyfieldsthoutendestwell,Ito’erthemspreadsitsslimeandmud。

  Theshipsdescenderedaylightwanes,Theprudentfisherupwardgoes。

  Roundreefandrockicecastsitschains,Andboysatwillthepathwayclose。

  Tothisattend,then,carefully,Andwhatthouwouldst,thatexecute!

  Ne’erlinger,ne’ero’erhastybe,Fortimemovesonwithmeasuredfoot。

  1821。*——

  THEFOXANDCRANE。

  ONCEtwopersonsuninvitedCametojoinmydinnertable。

  Forthenoncetheylivedunited,Foxandcraneycleptinfable。

  Civilgreetingspass’dbetweenusThenIpluck’dsomepigeonstenderForthefoxofjackal-genius,Addinggrapesinfull-grownsplendour。

  Long-neck’dflasksIputasdishesForthecrane,withoutdelaying,Fill’dwithgoldandsilverfishes,Inthelimpidwaterplaying。

  Hadyewitness’dReynardplantedAthisflatplate,alldemurely,Yewithenvymusthavegranted:

  Ne’erwassuchagourmand,surely!

  WhilethebirdwithcircumspectionOnonefoot,asusual,cradled,Fromtheflaskshisfish-refectionWithhisbillandlongneckladled。

  Onethepigeonspraised,——theother,Astheywent,extoll’dthefishes,EachonescoffingathisbrotherForpreferringvulgardishes。

  ***

  Ifthouwouldstpreservethycredit,WhenthouaskestfolkstoguzzleAtthyhoard,takecaretospreaditSuitedbothforbillandmuzzle。

  1819——

  THEFOXANDHUNTSMAN。

  HARD’tisonafox’stracesToarrive,midstforest-glades。

  Hopelessutterlythechaseis,Ifhisflightthehuntsmanaids。

  Andso’tiswithmanyawonder,WhyABmakeAbinfact,

  Overwhichwegapeandblunder,Andourheadandbrainsdistract。

  1821。*——

  THEFROGS。

  APOOLwasoncecongeal’dwithfrost。

  Thefrogs,initsdeepwaterslost,Nolongerdaredtocroakorspring。

  Butpromised,beinghalfasleep,Ifsuffer’dtotheairtocreep,Asverynightingalestosing。

  Athawdissolvedtheicesostrong,——

  Theyproudlysteer’dthemselvesalong,Whenlanded,squattedontheshore,Andcroak’dasloudlyasbefore。

  1821。*——

  THEWEDDING。

  AFEASTwasinavillagespread,——

  Itwasawedding-day,theysaid。

  TheparlouroftheinnIfound,Andsawthecoupleswhirlinground,Eachlassattendedbyherlad,Andallseem’dloving,blithe,andglad。

  Butonmyaskingforthebride,Afellowwithastare,replied:

  ’Tisnottheplacethatpointtoraise!

  We’reonlydancinginherhonour。

  Wenowhavedancedthreenightsanddays,Andnotbestowedonethoughtuponher。

  ****

  Whoe’erinlifeemployshiseyesSuchcasesoftwillrecognise。

  1821。*——

  BURIAL。

  TothegraveonedayfromahousetheyboreAmaiden。

  Tothewindowthecitizenswenttoexplore。

  Insplendourtheylived,andwithwealthasofyoreTheirbanquetswereladen。

  Thenthoughtthey:Themaidtothetombisnowborne。

  Wetoofromourdwellingserelongmustbetorn,Andhethatisleftourdeparturetomourn,Toourricheswillbethesuccessor,Forsomeonemustbetheirpossessor。

  1827。*——

  THREATENINGSIGNS。

  IFVenusintheeveningskyIsseeninradiantmajesty,Ifrod-likecomets,redasblood,Are’mongsttheconstellationsview’d,OutspringstheIgnoramus,yelling:

  Thestar’sexactlyo’ermydwelling!

  Whatwoefulprospect,ah,forme!

  Thencallshisneighbourmournfully:

  Beholdthatawfulsignofevil,Portendingwoetome,poordevil!

  Mymother’sasthmane’erwillleaveher,Mychildissickwithwindandfever。

  Idreadtheillnessofmywife,Aweekhaspass’d,devoidofstrife,——

  Andotherthingshavereach’dmyear。

  TheJudgmentDayhascome,Ifear!

  Hisneighbouranswered:Friend,you’reright!

  Matterslookveryhadto-night。

  Let’sgoastreetortwo,though,hence,Andgazeuponthestarsfromthence——

  Nochangeappearsineithercase。

  Leteachremaintheninhisplace,Andwiselydothebesthecan,Patientasanyotherman。

  1821。*——

  THEBUYERS。

  Toanapple-woman’sstallOncesomechildrennimblyran。

  Longingmuchtopurchaseall,TheywithjoyoushastebeganSnatchingupthepilesthereraised,WhilewitheagereyestheygazedOntherosyfruitsonice。

  Butwhentheyfoundouttheprice,Downtheythrewthewholethey’dgot,Justasiftheywereredhot。

  *****

  ThemanwhogratiswillhisgoodssupplyWillneverfindalackoffolkstobuy!

  1820——

  THEMOUNTAINVILLAGE。

  THEmountainvillagewasdestroy’d。

  Butseehowsoonisfill’dthevoid!

  Shinglesandboards,asbymagicarise,Thebabeinhiscradleandswaddling-clotheslies。

  HowblesttotrusttoGod’sprotection!

  Beholdawoodennewerection,Sothat,ifsparksandwindbutchoose,God’sselfatsuchagamemustlose!

  1821。*——

  SYMBOLS。

  PALMSundayattheVaticanTheycelebratewithpalms。

  Withreverencebowseachholyman,Andchauntstheancientpsalms。

  ThoseverypsalmsarealsosungWitholiveboughsinhand,Whileholly,mountainwildsamong,Inplaceofpalmsmuststand:

  Infine,oneseekssometwigthat’sgreen,Andtakesawillowrod,Sothatthepiousmanmaye’enInsmallthingspraisehisGod。

  Andifyehaveobserveditwell,Togainwhat’sfitye’reable,Ifyeinfaithcanbutexcel。

  Sucharethemythsoffable。

  1827。*——

  THREEPALINODIAS。

  I。

  Incenseishutatributeforthegods,——

  Tomortals’tisbutpoison。

  THEsmokethatfromthinealtarblows,Canitthegodsoffend?

  ForIobservethouhold’stthynose——

  Praywhatdoesthisportend?

  MankinddeemincensetoexcelEachotherearthlything,Sohethatcannotbearitssmell,Noincensee’ershouldbring。

  WithunmovedfacebytheeatleastTodollsishomagegiven。

  Ifnotobstructedbythepriest,Thescentmountsuptoheaven。

  1827。*

  II

  CONFLICTOFWITANDBEAUTY。

  SIRWit,whoissomuchesteem’d,Andwhoisworthyofallhonour,SawBeautyhissuperiordeem’dByfolkswholovedtogazeuponher。

  Atthishewasmostsorelyvex’d。

  ThencameSirBreathlongknownasfitTorepresentthecauseofwit,Beginning,rudely,Iadmit,Totreattheladywithatext。

  Tothisshehearken’dnotatall,Buthasten’dtohisprincipal:

  Nonearesowise,theysay,asyou,——

  Isnottheworldenoughfortwo?

  Ifyouareobstinate,good-bye!

  Ifwise,tolovemeyouwilltry,Forbeassuredtheworldcanne’erGivebirthtoamorehandsomepair。

  1827。*

  =====

  FAIRdaughterswerebyBeautyrear’d,Withadbutdullsonsforhislot。

  Soforaseasonitappear’dBeautywasconstant,Witwasnot。

  ButWit’sanativeofthesoil,Sohereturn’d,work’d,stroveamain,Andfound——sweetguerdonforhistoil!——

  Beautytoquickenhimagain。

  1827。*

  III。

  RAINANDRAINBOW。

  DURINGaheavystormitchancedThatfromhisroomacockneyglancedAtthefiercetempestasitbroke,Whiletohisneighbourthushespoke:

  Thethunderhasouraweinspired,Ourbarnsbylightninghavebeenfired,——

  Oursinstopunish,Isuppose。

  Butinreturn,tosootheourwoes,Seehowtherainintorrentsfell,Makingtheharvestpromisewell!

  Butis’tarainbowthatIspyExtendingo’erthedark-greysky?

  WithitI’msurewemaydispense,Thecolour’dcheat!Thevainpretence!

  DameIrisstraightwaythusreplied:

  Dostdaremybeautytoderide?

  InrealmsofspaceGodstation’dmeAtypeofbetterworldstobeToeyesthatfromlife’ssorrowsroveIncheerfulhopetoHeav’nabove,And,throughthemiststhathoverhereGodandhispreceptsblestrevere。

  Dothou,then,grovelliketheswine,Andtothegroundthysnoutconfine,Butsuffertheenlighten’deyeTofeastuponmymajesty。

  1827。*

  VALEDICTION。

  IONCEwasfondoffools,Andbidthemcomeeachday。

  TheneachonebroughthistoolsThecarpentertoplay。

  Therooftostripfirstchoosing,Anothertosupply,Thewoodastrestlesusing,Tomoveitby-and-by,Whilehereandtheretheyran,Andknock’dagainsteachother。

  TofretIsoonbegan,Myangercouldnotsmother,Socried,Getout,yefools!

  AtthistheywereoffendedTheneachonetookhistools,Andsoourfriendshipended。

  Sincethat,I’vewiserbeen,Andsitbesidemydoor。

  Whenoneofthemisseen,Icry,Appearnomore!

  Hence,stupidknave!Ibellow:

  Atthishe’sangrytoo:

  Youimpudentoldfellow!

  Andpray,sir,whoareyou?

  Alongthestreetsweriot,Andrevelatthefair。

  Butyetwe’reprettyquiet,Andfolksrevileusne’er。

  Don’tcallusnames,then,please!——

  AtlengthImeetwithease,Fornowtheyleavemydoor——

  ’Tisbetterthanbefore!

  1827。*——

  THECOUNTRYSCHOOLMASTER。

  I。

  AMASTERofacountryschoolJump’duponedayfromoffhisstool,InspiredwithfirmresolvetotryTogainthebestsociety。

  Sotothenearestbathshewalk’d,Andintothesaloonhestalk’d。

  Hefeltquite。startledatthedoor,Ne’erhavingseenthelikebefore。

  TothefirststrangermadehenowAverylowandgracefulbow,ButquiteforgottobearinmindThatpeoplealsostoodbehind。

  Hisleft-handneighbor’spaunchhestruckAgrievousblow,bygreatillluck。

  Pardonforthishefirstentreated,Andtheninhastehisbowrepeated。

  Hisrighthandneighbornexthehit,Andbegg’dhim,too,topardonit。

  Butonhisgrantinghispetition,Anotherwasinlikecondition。

  Thesecomplimentshepaidtoall,Behind,before,acrossthehall。

  Atlengthonewhocouldstandnomore,Show’dhimimpatientlythedoor。

  ****

  Maymany,pond’ringontheircrimes,Amoraldrawfromthisbetimes!

  II。

  AsheproceededonhiswayHethought,Iwastooweakto-day。

  TobowI’llne’eragainbeseen。

  Forgoatswillswallowwhatisgreen。

  Acrossthefieldshenowmustspeed,Notoverstumpsandstones,indeed,Butovermeadsandcornfieldssweet,Tramplingdownallwithclumsyfeet。

  Afarmermethimby-and-by,Anddidn’taskhim:how?orwhy?

  Butwithhisfistsalutedhim。

  Ifeelnewlifeineverylimb!

  Ourtravellercriedinecstasy。

  Whoartthouwhothusgladden’stme?

  MayHeavensuchblessingseversend!

  Ne’ermayIwantajovialfriend!

  1808。*——

  THELEGENDOFTHEHORSESHOE。

  WHATtimeourLordstillwalk’dtheearth,Unknown,despised,ofhumblebirth,AndonHimmanyayouthattendedHiswordstheyseldomcomprehended,Iteverseem’dtoHimmostmeetToholdHiscourtinopenstreet,Asunderheaven’sbroadcanopyOnespeakswithgreaterliberty。

  TheteachingsofHisblessedwordFromoutHisholymouthwereheard。

  Eachmarkettoafaneturn’dHeWithparableandsimile。

  Oneday,astow’rdatownHeroved,InpeaceofmindwiththoseHeloved,Uponthepathasomethinggleam’d。

  Abrokenhorseshoe’twas,itseem’d。

  SotoSt。PeterthusHespake:

  Thatpieceofironprytheetake!

  St。Peter’sthoughtshadgoneastray,——

  HehadbeenmusingonhiswayRespectingtheworld’sgovernment,Adreamthatalwaysgivescontent,Forinthehead’tischeck’dbynought。

  Thiseverwashisdearestthought,ForhimthisprizewasfartoomeanHaditacrownandsceptrebeen!

  But,surely,’twasn’tworththetroubleForhalfahorseshoetobenddouble!

  Andsoheturn’dawayhishead,Asifheheardnotwhatwassaid,TheLord,forbearingtow’rdallmen,Himselfpick’dupthehorseshoethenHene’eragainlikethisstoop’ddown。

  Andwhenatlengththeyreach’dthetown,BeforeasmithyHeremain’d,Andthereapennyfor’tobtain’d。

  Astheythemarket-placewentby,SomebeauteouscherriescaughtHiseye:

  AccordinglyHeboughtasmanyAscouldbepurchasedforapenny,Andthen,asoftHiswonthadbeen,PlacedthemwithinHissleeveunseen。

  Theywentoutbyanothergate,O’erplainsandfieldsproceedingstraight,Nohouseortreewasnearthespot,Thesunwasbright,thedaywashot。

  Inshort,theweatherbeingsuch,Adraughtofwaterwasworthmuch。

  TheLordwalk’donbeforethemall,Andlet,unseen,acherryfall。

  St。Peterrush’dtoseizeithold,Asthoughanapple’twereofgold。

  Hispalatemuchapprov’dtheberry。

  TheLorderelonganothercherryOncemoreletfallupontheplain。

  St。Peterforthwithstoop’dagain。

  TheLordkeptmakinghimthusbendTopickupcherrieswithoutend。

  Foralongtimethethingwenton。

  TheLordthensaid,incheerfultone:

  Had’stthoubutmovedwhenthouwertbid,Thouofthistroublehad’stbeenrid。

  Themanwhosmallthingsscorns,willnext,Bythingsstillsmallerbeperplex’d。

  1797——

  ASYMBOL。

  ThisfinepoemisgivenbyGoetheamongstasmallcollectionofwhathecallsLogeLodge,meaningtherebyMasonicpieces。

  THEmason’stradeObservethemwell,Resembleslife,AndwatchthemrevealingWithallitsstrife,——HowsolemnfeelingIslikethestirmadeAndwondermentswellBymanonearth’sface。Theheartsofthebrave。

  ThoughwealandwoeThevoiceoftheblest,Thefuturemayhide,AndofspiritsonhighUnterrifiedSeemsloudlytocry:

  WeonwardgoTodowhatisbest,Inne’erchangingrace。Unceasingendeavour!

  AveilofdreadInsilenceeterneHangsheavierstill。Herechapletsaretwin’d,DeepslumbersfillThateachnoblemindThestarsover-head,Itsguerdonmayearn——

  Andthefoot-troddengrave。Thenhopeyeforever!

  1827。*——

  ART——

  Artist,fashion!talknotlong!

  Beabreaththineonlysong!

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