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  PoemsbyFrancisThompson

  Contents:

  DedicationLoveinDian’sLapBeforeHerPortraitinYouthToaPoetBreakingSilenceManusAnimamPinxitACarrier—SongScalaJacobiPortaqueEburneaGildedGoldHerPortraitMiscellaneousPoemsTotheDeadCardinalofWestminsterAFallenYewDream—TrystACorymbusforAutumnTheHoundofHeavenAJudgmentinHeavenPoemsonChildrenDaisyTheMakingofViolaToMyGodchildToPoppyToMonicaThoughtDyingDEDICATION——TOWILFRIDANDALICEMEYNELL

  IftheroseinmeekdutyMaydedicatehumblyTohergrowerthebeautyWherewithsheiscomely;

  IftheminetotheminerThejewelsthatpinedinit,EarthtodivinerThespringshedivinedinit;

  Tothegrapesthewine—pitcherTheirjuicethatwascrushedinit,VioltoitswitcherThemusiclayhushedinit;

  IfthelipsmaypayGladnessInlaughtersshewakened,AndthehearttoitssadnessWeepingunslakened,Ifthehidandsealedcoffer,Whosehavingnothisis,TotheloosersmayprofferTheirfinding——herethisis;

  TheirlivesifallliversTotheLifeofallliving,—

  Toyou,Odeargivers!

  Igiveyourowngiving。

  BEFOREHERPORTRAITINYOUTH

  Aslovers,banishedfromtheirlady’sfaceAndhopelessofhergrace,Fashionaghostlysweetnessinitsplace,FondlyadoreSomestealth—woncastattireshewore,Akerchieforaglove:

  Andatthelover’sbeckIntotheglovetherefleetsthehand,OratimpetuouscommandUpfromthekerchieffloatsthevirginneck:

  SoI,inverylowliheadoflove,—

  TooshylyreverencingToletonethought’slightfootfallsmoothTreadneartheliving,consecratedthing,—

  Treasuremethycastyouth。

  Thisoutwornvesture,tenantlessofthee,Hathyetmyknee,Forthat,withshowandsemblancefairOfthepastHerWhooncethebeautiful,discardedraimentbare,Itcheatethme。

  AsgaletogaledriftsbreathOfblossoms’death,SodroppingdowntheyearsfromhourtohourThisdeadyouth’sscentiswaftedmeto—day:

  Isit,andfromthefragrancedreamtheflower。

  So,then,shelooked(Isay);

  AndsoherfrontsunkdownHeavybeneaththepoet’sironcrown:

  Onhermouthmusefulsweet—

  (Evenasthetwinlipsmeet)

  Didthoughtandsadnessgreet:

  SighsInthosemournfuleyesSoputonvisibilities;

  Asviewlessetherturns,indeepondeep,todyes。

  Thus,longago,ShekepthermeditativepacesslowThroughmaidenmeads,withwavedshadowandgleamOflockshalf—liftedonthewindsofdream,Tillloveup—caughthertohischariot’sglow。

  Yet,voluntary,happierProserpine!

  ThisdroopingflowerofyouththoulettestfallI,faringinthecockshut—light,astray,Findonmy’latedway,Andstoop,andgatherformemorial,Andlayitonmybosom,andmakeitmine。

  Tothis,thealloflovethestarsallowme,Idedicateandvowme。

  IreachbackthroughthedaysAtrothedhandtothedeadthelasttrumpshallnotraise。

  Thewater—wraiththatcriesFromthoseeternalsorrowsofthypicturedeyesEntwinesanddrawsmedowntheirsoundlessintricacies!

  TOAPOETBREAKINGSILENCE

  ToowearilyhadweandsongBeenlefttolookandlefttolong,Yea,songandwetolongandlook,SincethineacquaintedfeetforsookThemountainwheretheMuseshymnForSinaiandtheSeraphim。

  Nowinboththemountains’shineDressthycountenance,twicedivine!

  FromMosesandtheMusesdrawTheTablesofthydoubleLaw!

  Hisrod—bornfountandCastalyLettheonerockbringforthforthee,RenewingsofromeitherspringThesongswhichboththycountriessing:

  Orweshallfearlest,heavenedthuslong,Thoushould’stforgetthynativesong,AndmarthymortalmelodiesWithbrokenstammeroftheskies。

  Ah!letthesweetbirdsoftheLordWithearth’swatersmakeaccord;

  TeachhowthecrucifixmaybeCarvenfromthelaurel—tree,FruitoftheHesperidesBurnishtakeonEden—trees,TheMuses’sacredgrovebewetWiththereddewofOlivet,AndSappholayherburningbrowsInwhiteCecilia’slapofsnows!

  ThychildhoodmusthavefeltthestingsOftoodivineo’ershadowings;

  ItsodoroushearthavebeenablossomThatindarknessdidunbosom,Thosefire—fliesofGodtoinvite,Burningspirits,whichbynightBearupontheirladenwingTosuchheartsimpregnating。

  Forflowersthatnight—wingsfertilizeMockdownthestars’unsteadyeyes,Andwithahappy,sleeplessglanceGazethemoonoutofcountenance。

  Ithinkthygirlhood’swatchersmustHavetookthyfoldedsongsontrust,Andfeltthem,asonefeelsthestirOfstilllightningsinthehair,WhenconscioushushexpectsthecloudTospeakthegoldensecretloudWhichtacitairisprivyto;

  Flaskedinthegrapethewinetheyknew,Erethypoet—mouthwasableForitsfirstyoungstarrybabble。

  Keep’stthounotyetthatsubtlegrace?

  Yea,inthissilentinterspace,GodsetsHispoemsinthyface!

  Theloomwhichmortalverseaffords,Outofweakandmortalwords,Wovestthouthysinging—weedin,ToaruneofthyfarEden。

  Vainarealldisguises!Ah,Heavenlyincognita!

  ThymienbewrayeththroughthatwrongThegreatUranianHouseofSong!

  AsthevintagesofearthTasteofthesunthatripedtheirbirth,WeknowwhatnevercadentSunThylampedclustersthrobbedupon,Whatplumedfeetthewinepresstrod;

  ThywineisflavorousofGod。

  Whateversinging—robethouwearHastheParadisalair;

  AndsomegoldfeatherithaskeptShowswhatFlooritlatelyswept!

  \"MANUSANIMAMPINXIT\"

  Ladywhohold’stonmedominion!

  Withinyourspirit’sarmsIstaymefastAgainstthefellImmitigateraveningofthegatesofhell;

  Andclaimmyrightinyou,mosthardlywon,Ofchastefidelityuponthechaste:

  Holdmeandholdbyme,lestbothshouldfall(Oinhighescaladehighcompanion!)

  EveninthebreachofHeaven’sassaultedwall。

  Liketoawind—sownsaplinggrowIfromTheclift,Sweet,ofyourskyward—jettingsoul,—

  Shookbyallguststhatsweepit,overcomeByallitscloudsincumbent:ObetrueToyoursoul,dearest,asmylifetoyou!

  Forifthatsoilgrowsterile,thenthewholeOfmemustshrivel,fromthetopmostshootOfclimbingpoesy,andmylife,killedthrough,Drydownandperishtothefoodlessroot。

  SweetSummer!untoyouthisswallowdrew,Bysecretinstinctsinappeasable,Thatdiddirecthimwell,LuredfromhisgelidNorthwhichwroughthimwrong,Winteredofsunningsong;—

  Byhappyinstinctsinappeasable,Ahyes!thatledhimwell,LuredtotheuntriedregionsandthenewClimesofauspiciousyou;

  Totwitterthere,andinhissingingdwell。

  Butah!ifyou,mySummer,shouldgrowwaste,Withgrievingskieso’ercast,ForsuchmigrationmypoorwingwasstrongButonce;ithasnopowertofareagainFortho’ertheheadsofmen,NorotherSummersforitsSanctuary:

  Butfromyourmind’schilledskyItneedsmustdrop,andliewithstiffenedwingsAmongyoursoul’sforlornestthings;

  Aspeckuponyourmemory,alack!

  Adeadflyinadustywindow—crack。

  OthereforeyouwhoareWhatwords,beingtosuchmysteriesAsraimenttothebodyis,Shouldratherhidethantell;

  Chasteandintelligentiallove:

  WhoseformisasagroveHushedwiththecooingofanunseendove;

  WhosespirittomytouchthrillspurerfarThanisthetinglingofasilverbell;

  WhosebodyotherladieswellmightbearAssoul,——yea,whichitprofanationwereForallbutyoutotakeasfleshlywoof,Beingspirittruestproof;

  WhosespiritsureislinealtothatWhichsangMagnificat:

  Chastest,sincesuchyouare,Takethiscurbedspiritofmine,Whichyourowneyesinvestwithlightdivine,ForloftyloveandhighauxiliarIndailyexaltempriseWhichoutsoarsmortaleyes;

  Thissoulwhichonyoursoulislaid,Asmaid’sbreastagainstbreastofmaid;

  BeholdinghowyourownIhaveengravedOnit,andwithwhatpurgingthoughtshavelavedThisloveofminefromallmortalityIndeedthecopyisapainfulone,Andwithlonglabourdone!

  Oifyoudoubtthethingyouare,lady,Comethen,andlookinme;

  Yourbeauty,Dian,dressandcontemplateWithinapooltoDianconsecrate!

  Unveilthisspirit,lady,whenyouwill,Foruntoallbutyou’tisveiledstill:

  Unveil,andfearlessgazethere,youalone,Andifyoulovetheimage——’tisyourown!

  ACARRIERSONG

  I。

  Sinceyouhavewanedfromus,Fairestofwomen!

  IamadarkenedcageSongcannothymnin。

  Mysongshavefollowedyou,Likebirdsthesummer;

  Ah!bringthembacktome,Swiftly,dearcomer!

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  II。

  Wherewingstorustleuse,Butthispoortarrier—

  Searchingmyspirit’seaves—

  FindIforcarrier。

  Ah!bringthembacktomeSwiftly,sweetcomer!

  Swift,swift,andbringwithyouSong’sIndiansummer!

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  III。

  Wheresoyourangelis,Myangelgoeth;

  Iamleftguardianless,Paradiseknoweth!

  IhavenoHeavenleftToweepmywrongsto;

  Heaven,whenyouwentfromus;

  Wentwithmysongstoo。

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  IV。

  IhavenoangelsleftNow,Sweet,toprayto:

  WhereyouhavemadeyourshrineTheyareawayto。

  TheyhavestruckHeaven’stent,Andgonetocoveryou:

  WheresoyoukeepyourstateHeavenispitchedoveryou!

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  V。

  ShethatisHeaven’sQueenHertitleborrows,ForthatshepitifulBearethoursorrows。

  Sothou,Reginami,Spesinfirmorum;

  WithallourgrievingcrownedMaterdolorum!

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  VI。

  Yet,enviouscoveterOfother’sgrieving!

  Thislonelylongingyet’Scapethyourreaving。

  Cruel!totakefromaSinnerhisHeaven!

  ThinkyouwithcontritesmilesTobeforgiven?

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  VII。

  Penitent!givemebackAngels,andHeaven;

  Renderyourstolenself,Andbeforgiven!

  HowfrontierHeavenfromyou?

  Formysoulprays,Sweet,StilltoyourfaceinHeaven,Heaveninyourface,Sweet!

  Seraphim,Hertohymn,Mightleavetheirportals;

  AndatmyfeetlearnTheharpingofmortals!

  SCALAJACOBIPORTAQUEEBURNEA

  HersoulfromearthtoHeavenlies,Liketheladderofthevision,WhereongoToandfro,Inascensionanddemission,Star—fleckedfeetofParadise。

  Nowsheisdrawnupfromme,Allmyangels,wet—eyed,tristful,GazefromgreatHeaven’sgateLikepentchildren,verywistful,Thatbelowaplaymatesee。

  Dream—dispensingfaceofhers!

  IvoryportwhichlooseduponmeWings,Iwist,WhoseamethystTrepidationshaveforgoneme,—

  Hesper’sfilmytraffickers!

  GILDEDGOLD

  Thoudosttorichattireagrace,Toletitdeckitselfwiththee,AndteachestpompstrangecunningwaysTobethoughtsimplicity。

  Butlilies,stolenfromgrassymold,NomorecurledstateunfoldTranslatedtoavaseofgold;

  InburningthronethoughtheykeepstillSerenitiesunthawedandchill。

  Therefore,albeitthou’rtstatelyso,Instatelierstatethouus’dsttogo。

  ThoughjewelsshouldphosphoricburnThroughthosenight—watersofthinehair,AflowerfromitstranslucidurnPouredsilverflamemorelunar—fair。

  ThesefutiletrappingsbutrecallDegenerateworshipperswhofallInpurfledkirtleandbrocadeTo’parelthewhiteMother—Maid。

  For,asherimagestoodarrayedInvestsofitsself—substancewroughtTomeasureofthesculptor’sthought—

  Slurredbythoseaddedbraveries;

  SoforthyspiritdiddeviseItsMakerseemlygarniture,Ofitsownessenceparcelpure,—

  Fromgravesimplicitiesadress,Andreticentdemurenesses,Andloveencincturedwithreserve;

  Whichthewovenvestureshouldsubserve。

  ForoutwardrobesintheirostentsShouldshowthesoul’shabiliments。

  ThereforeIsay,——Thou’rtfairevenso,ButbetterFairIusetoknow。

  ThevioletwouldthyduskhairdeckWithgraceslikethineownunsought。

  Ah!butsuchplacewoulddazeandwreckItssimple,lowlyrusticthought。

  Forsoadvanced,dear,tothee,Itwouldunlearnhumility!

  Yetdonot,withanalteredlook,Intheseweaknumbersreadrebuke;

  WhicharebutjealouslesttoomuchGod’smaster—piecethoushouldstretouch。

  Whereasweetnessiscomplete,Addnotsweetsuntothesweet!

  Or,asthouwilt,forotherssoInunfamiliarrichnessgo;

  ButkeepformineacquaintedeyesThefashionsofthyParadise。

  HERPORTRAIT

  Oh,buttheheavenlygrammardidIholdOfthathighspeechwhichangels’tonguesturngold!

  Soshouldherdeathlessbeautytakenowrong,Praisedinherowngreatkindred’sfitandcognatetongue。

  Orifthatlanguageyetwithusabode。

  WhichAdaminthegardentalkedwithGod!

  Butouruntemperedspeechdescends——poorheirs!

  Grimyandrough—caststillfromBabel’sbricklayers:

  Curseonthebrutishjargonweinherit,Strongbuttodamn,notmemorise,aspirit!

  Acheek,alip,alimb,abosom,theyMovewithlighteaseinspeechofworking—day;

  Andwomenwedousetopraiseevenso。

  Butherethegatesweburst,andtothetemplego。

  Theirpraisewereherdispraise;whodare,whodare,Adulatetheseraphimfortheirburninghair?

  How,ifwiththemIdared,hereshouldIdareit?

  Howpraisethewoman,whobutknowthespirit?

  Howpraisethecolourofhereyes,uncaughtWhiletheywerecolouredwithhervaryingthoughtHowhermouth’sshape,whoonlyusetoknowWhattendershapeherspeechwillfititto?

  Orherlips’redness,whentheirjoinedveilSong’sfervidhandhaspartedtillitworethempale?

  IfIwouldpraisehersoul(temerariousif!),Allmustbemysteryandhieroglyph。

  Heaven,whichnotoftisprodigalofitsmoreTosingers,intheirsongtoogreatbefore;

  BywhichthehierarchoflargepoesyisRestrainedtohisoncesacredbenefice;

  OnlyforherthesalutaryaweRelaxesandsterncanonofitslaw;

  Toheraloneconcedespluralities,InheralonetoreconcileagreesTheMuse,theGraces,andtheCharities;

  Toher,whocanthetrustsowellconductToheritgivestheuse,toustheusufruct。

  WhatofthedearadministressthenmayIutter,thoughIspokeherowncarvedperfectway?

  Whatofherdailygraciousconverseknown,WhoseheavenlydespotismmustneedsdethroneAndsubjugateallsweetnessbutitsown?

  Deepinmyheartsubsidestheinfrequentword,Andtherediesslowlythrobbinglikeawoundedbird。

  Whatofhersilence,thatoutsweetensspeech?

  Whatofherthoughts,highmarksformineownthoughtstoreach?

  Yet(Chaucer’santiquesentencesototurn),Mostgladlywillsheteach,andgladlylearn;

  Andteachingher,byherenchantingart,Themasterthreefoldlearnsforallhecanimpart。

  Nowallissaid,andallbeingsaid,——ayeme!

  ThereyetremainsunsaidtheveryShe。

  Nay,toconclude(sotoconcludeIdare),Ifofhervirtuesyouevadethesnare,Thenforherfaultsyou’llfallinlovewithher。

  Alas,andIhavespokenofherMuse—

  HerMuse,thatdiedwithherauroraldews!

  Learn,thewisecherubimfromharpsofgoldSeduceatrepidatingmusicmanifold;

  ButthesuperiorseraphimdoknowNoneothermusicbuttoflameandglow。

  Soshefirstlightedonourfrostyearth,Asadmusician,ofcherubicbirth,Playingtoalienears——whichdidnotprizeTheuncomprehendedmusicoftheskies—

  TheexiledairsofherfarParadise。

  Butsoonfromherownharpingstakingfire,Inloveandlighthermelodiesexpire。

  NowHeavenaffordsher,forhersilencedhymn,Adoubleportionoftheseraphim。

  Attherichodoursfromherheartthatrise,MysoulremembersitslostParadise,AndantenatalgalesblowfromHeaven’sshoresofspice;

  Igrowessentialall,uncloakingmeFromthisencumberingvirility,Andfeeltheprimalsexofheavenandpoetry:

  Andpartingfromher,inmelingeronVaguesnatchesofUranianantiphon。

  HowtothepettyprisoncouldsheshrinkOffemineity?——Nay,butIthinkInadearcourtesyherspiritwouldWomanassume,forgracetowomanhood。

  Or,votaresstothevirginSanctitudeOfreticentwithdrawal’ssweet,courtedpale,Shetookthecloistralflesh,thesexualveil,Ofhersad,aboriginalsisterhood;

  ThehabitofcloistralfleshwhichfoundingEveindued。

  ThusdoIknowher:butforwhatmencallBeauty——thelovelinesscorporeal,ItsmostjustpraiseathingunproperwereTosingerortolistener,meorher。

  ShewearsthatbodybutasoneinduesArobe,halfcareless,foritistheuse;

  Althoughhersoulanditsofairagree,Wesuremay,unattaintofheresy,Conceititmightthesoul’sbegetterbe。

  Theimmortalcouldweceasetocontemplate,Themortalpartsuggestsitseverytrait。

  GodlaidHisfingersontheivoriesOfherpuremembersasonsmoothedkeys,Andthereout—breathedherspirit’sharmoniesI’llspeakalittleproudly:—IdisdainTocountthebeautyworthmywishorgaze,Whichthedulldailyfoolcancovetorobtain。

  Idoconfessthefairnessofthespoil,Butfromsuchrivalryittakesasoil。

  ForherI’llproudlierspeak:—howcoulditbeThatIshouldpraisethegildingonthepsaltery?

  ’Tisnotforhertoholdthatprizeaprize,Orpraisemuchpraise,thoughproudestinitswise,Towhichevenhopesofmerelywomenrise。

  Suchstrifewouldtothevanquishedlaurelsyield,AgainstHERsufferedtohavelostafield。

  Herselfmustwithherselfbesolecompeer,UnlessthepeopleofherdistantsphereSomegoldmigrationsendtomelodisetheyear。

  Butfirstourheartsmustburninlargerguise,Toreformatetheuncharitableskies,Andsothedeathlessplumagetoacclimatise:

  Sincethis,theirsolecongenerinourclime,Droopshersad,ruffledthoughtsforhalftheshiveringtime。

  YetIhavefeltwhatterrorsmayconsortInwomen’scheeks,theGraces’softresort;

  Myhandhathshookatgentlehands’access,Andtrembledatthewavingofatress;

  Mybloodknownpanicfear,andfleddismayed,Whereladies’eyeshavesettheirambuscade。

  TherustleofarobehathbeentomeTheveryrattleoflove’smusketry;

  Althoughmyhearthathbeattheloudadvance,Ihaverecoiledbeforeachallengingglance,Provedgayalarmswherewarlikeribbonsdance。

  Andfromitall,thisknowledgehaveIgot,—

  Thewholethatothershave,islessthantheyhavenot;

  Allwhichmakesotherwomennotedfair,Unnotedwouldremainandovershoneinher。

  HowshouldIgaugewhatbeautyisherdole,Whocannotseehercountenanceforhersoul;

  Asbirdsseenotthecasementforthesky?

  Andas’tischecktheyproveitspresenceby,IknownotofherbodytillIfindMyflightdebarredtheheavenofhermind。

  Hersisthefacewhenceallshouldcopiedbe,DidGodmakereplicasofsuchasshe;

  Itspresencefeltbywhatitdoesabate,Becausethesoulshinesthroughtemperedandmitigate:

  Where——asafigurelabouringatnightBesidethebodyofasplendidlight—

  DarkTimeworkshiddenbyitsluminousness;

  AndeverylinehelabourstoimpressTurnsaddedbeauty,liketheveinsthatrunAthwartaleafwhichhangsagainstthesun。

  ThereregentMelancholywidecontrols;

  ThereEarth—andHeaven—Loveplayforaureoles;

  ThereSweetnessoutofSadnessbreaksatfits,Likebubblesondarkwater,orasflitsAsuddensilverfinthroughitsdeepinfinites;

  ThereamorousThoughthassuckedpaleFancy’sbreath,AndTendernesssitslookingtowardthelandsofdeathThereFeelingstillsherbreathingwithherhand,AndDreamfromMelancholypartwreststhewandAndonthislady’sheart,lookedyousodeep,PoorPoetryhasrockedhimselftosleep:

  UpontheheavyblossomofherlipsHangsthebeeMusing;nighherlidseclipseEachhalf—occultedstarbeneaththatlies;

  Andinthecontemplationofthoseeyes,Passionlesspassion,wildtranquillities。

  EPILOGUE——TOTHEPOET’SSITTER,WhereinheexcusethhimselfforthemannerofthePortrait。

  Alas!nowwiltthouchide,andsay(Ideem),Myfigureddescanthidesthesimpletheme:

  Orinanotherwisereproving,sayIillobservethineownhighreticentway。

  Oh,pardon,thatItestifyoftheeWhatthoucouldstneverspeak,norothersbe!

  Yet(forthebookisnotmoreinnocentOfwhatthegazer’seyesmakessointent),Shewillbutsmile,perhaps,thatIfindmyfairSufficingscopeinsuchstraitthemeasher。

  \"Birdofthesun!thestars’wildhoney—bee!

  Isyourgoldbrowsingdonesothoroughly?

  Orsinksasingedwingtonarrownestinme?\"

  (Thusshemightsay:fornotthislowlyveinOut—deprecatesherdeprecatingstrain。)

  Oh,youmistake,dearlady,quite;norknowEtherwasstrictasyou,itsloftinessaslow!

  TheheavensdonotadvancetheirmajestyOvertheirmarge;beyondhisemperyTheensignsofthewindarenotunfurled,Hisreignishoopedinbythepaleo’theworld。

  ’Tisnotthecontinent,butthecontained,Thatpleasauncemakesorprison,looseorchained。

  Toomuchalikeorlittlecaptivesme,Foralloppressioniscaptivity。

  Whatgrowethtoitsheightdemandsnohigher;

  Thelimitlimitsnot,butthedesire。

  Givebutmyspirititsdesiredscope,—

  Agiantinapismire,Inotgrope;

  Denyit,——andanant,withonmybackAfirmament,theskieyvaultwillcrack。

  OurmindsmaketheirownTermini,norcallTheissuingcircumscriptionsgreatorsmall;

  SohighconstructingNaturelessonstousall:

  WhoopticsgivesaccommodatetoseeYourcountenancelargeaslooksthesuntobe,Anddistantgreatnesslessthannearhumanity。

  We,therefore,withasureinstinctivemind,AnequalspaciousnessofbondagefindInconfinesfarornear,ofairorourownkind。

  Ourlooksandlongings,whichaffrontthestars,Mostrichlybruisedagainsttheirgoldenbars,Delightedcaptivesoftheirflamingspears,FindarestraintrestrainlesswhichappearsAsthatis,andsosimplynatural,Inyou;——thefairdetentionfreedomcall,Andoverscrollwithfanciesthelovedprison—wall。

  Suchsweetcaptivity,andonlysuch,Inyou,asinthosegoldenbars,wetouch!

  OurgazesforsufficinglimitsknowThefirmamentabove,yourfacebelow;

  Ourlongingsarecontentedwiththeskies,Contentedwiththeheaven,andyoureyes。

  Myrestlesswings,thatbeatthewholeworldthrough,Flagontheconfinesofthesunandyou;

  Andfindthehumanpaleremoterofthetwo。

  TOTHEDEADCARDINALOFWESTMINSTER

  IwillnotperturbateThyParadisalstateWithpraiseOfthydeaddays;

  Tothenew—heavenedsay,—

  \"Spirit,thouwertfineclay:\"

  Thisdo,Thypraisewhoknew。

  ThereforemyspiritclingsHeaven’sporterbythewings,AndholdsItsgatedgoldsApart,withtheetopressAprivatebusiness;—

  Whence,Deignmeaudience。

  Anchorite,whodidstdwellWithalltheworldforcellMysoulRoundmedothrollAsequestrationbare。

  Toofaralikewewere,ToofarDissimilar。

  ForitsburningfruitageI

  Doclimbthetreeo’thesky;

  DoprizeSomehumaneyes。

  YOUsmelttheHeaven—blossoms,AndallthesweetembosomsThedearUranianyear。

  ThoseEyesmyweakgazeshuns,WhichtothesunsareSuns。

  DidNotaffrayyourlid。

  Thecarpetwasletdown(Withgoldenmouldingsstrown)

  ForyouOftheangels’blue。

  ButI,ex—Paradised,TheshoulderofyourChristFindhighToleanthereby。

  Soflapsmyhelplesssail,Bellyingwithneithergale,OfHeavenNorOrcuseven。

  LifeisacoquetryOfDeath,whichweariesme,ToosureOftheamour;

  Atiring—roomwhereI

  Death’sdiversgarmentstry,TillfitSomefashionsit。

  ItseemethmetoomuchIdorehearseforsuchAmeanAndsinglescene。

  Thesandyglasshencebear—

  Antiqueremembrancer;

  MyveinsDospareitspains。

  WithsecretsympathyMythoughtsrepeatinmeInfirmTheturno’thewormBeneathmyappointedsod:

  Thegraveisinmyblood;

  IshakeTowindsthattakeItsgrassesbythetop;

  TherainsthereonthatdropPerturbWithdripacerbMysubtlyansweringsoul;

  ThefeetacrossitsknollDojarMefromafar。

  Assapforetastesthespring;

  AsEarthereblossomingThrillsWithfardaffodils,AndfeelsherbreastturnsweetWiththeunconceivedwheat;

  SodothMyfleshforeloatheTheabhorredspringofDis,WithseethingpresciencesAffirmThepreparateworm。

  IhavenothoughtthatI,WhenatthelastIdie,ShallreachTogainyourspeech。

  Butyou,shouldthatbeso,Mayverywell,Iknow,MaywellTomeinhellWithrecognisingeyesLookfromyourParadise—

  \"GodblessThyhopelessness!\"

  Call,holysoul,OcallThehostsangelical,Andsay,—

  \"See,faraway\"LiesoneIsawonearth;

  OnestrickenfromhisbirthWithcurseOfdestinateverse。

  \"WhatplacedothHeyeserveForsuchsadspiritreserve,—

  Given,IndarklieuofHeaven,\"TheimpitiableDaemon,Beauty,toadoreanddreamon,TobePerpetually\"Hers,butsheneverhis?

  Hereapethmiseries,ForeknowsHiswageswoes;

  \"Helivesdetacheddays;

  Heservethnotforpraise;

  ForgoldHeisnotsold;

  \"Deafishetoworld’stongue;

  HescornethforhissongTheloudShoutsofthecrowd;

  \"Heaskethnotworld’seyes;

  Nottoworld’searshecries;

  Saith,——’TheseShut,ifyeplease;’

  \"Hemeasurethworld’spleasure,World’seaseasSaintsmightmeasure;

  ForhireJustloveentire\"Heasks,notgrudgingpain;

  Andknowshisaskingvain,Andcries—

  ’Love!Love!’anddies;

  \"Inguerdonoflongduty,UnownedbyLoveorBeauty;

  Andgoes—

  Tell,tell,whoknows!

  \"AliensfromHeaven’sworth,Finebeastswhonosei’theearth,DothereRewardprepare。

  \"ButareHISgreatdesiresFoodbutfornetherfires?

  Ahme,Amystery!

  \"Canitbehisalone,Tofindwhenallisknown,ThatwhatHesolelysought\"Islost,andtheretolostAllthatitsseekingcost?

  ThatheMustfinally,\"Throughsacrificialtears,Andanchoreticyears,TrystWiththesensualist?\"

  Soask;andiftheytellThesecretterrible,Goodfriend,IpraytheesendSomehighgoldembassageToteachmyunripeage。

  Tell!

  Lestmyfeetwalkhell。

  AFALLENYEW

  Itseemedcorrivaloftheworld’sgreatprime,Madetoun—edgethescytheofTime,Andlastwithstateliestrhyme。

  NotenderDryadeverdidindueThatrigidchitonofroughyew,Tofretherwhitefleshthrough:

  ButsomegodliketothosegrimAsgardlords,WhowalkthefablesofthehordesFromScandinavianfjords,Upheaveditsstubborngirth,andraisedunriven,Againstthewhirl—blastandthelevin,DefiantarmstoHeaven。

  Whendoompuffedoutthestars,wemighthavesaid,Itwoulddeclineitsheavyhead,Andseetheworldtobed。

  Forthisfirmyewdidfromthevassalleas,Andrainandair,itstributaries,Itsrevenuesincrease,Andlevyimpostonthegoldensun,Taketheblindyearsastheymightrun,Andnofateseekorshun。

  Butnowouryewisstrook,isfallen——yeaHackedlikedullwoodofeverydayTothisandthat,mensay。

  Never!—ToHades’shadowyshipyardsgone,DimbargeofDis,downAcheronItdrops,orLethewan。

  Stirredbyitsfall——poordestinedbarkofDis!—

  AlongmysoulabruitthereisOfechoingimages,Reverberationsofmortality:

  Speltbackwardfromitsdeath,tomeItslifereadssaddenedly。

  Itsbreastwashollowedasthetoothofeld;

  Andboys,theircreepingunbeheld,Alaughingmomentdwelled。

  Yetthey,withinitsveryheartsocrept,ReachednottheheartthatcouragekeptWithwindsandyearsbeswept。

  AndinitsboughsdidcloseandkindlynestThebirds,astheywithinitsbreast,Byallitsleavescaressed。

  ButbirdnorchildmighttouchbyanyartEachother’sorthetree’shidheart,AwholeGod’sbreadthapart;

  ThebreadthofGod,hebreadthofdeathandlife!

  Evenso,evenso,inundreamedstrifeWithpulselessLaw,thewife,—

  Thesweetestwifeonsweetestmarriage—day,—

  Theirsoulsatgrappleinmid—way,Sweettohersweetmaysay:

  \"Itakeyoutomyinmostheart,mytrue!\"

  Ah,fool!butthereisoneheartyouShallnevertakehimto!

  Theholdthatfallsnotwhenthetownisgot,Theheart’sheart,whoseimmuredplotHathkeysyourselfkeepnot!

  Itsportsyoucannotburst——youarewithstood—

  ForhimthattoyourlisteningbloodSendspreceptsashewould。

  ItsgatesaredeaftoLove,highsummoner;

  Yea,Love’sgreatwarrantrunsnotthere:

  Youareyourprisoner。

  YourselfarewithyourselfthesoleconsortressInthatunleaguerablefortress;

  ItknowsyounotforportressItskeysareatthecincturehungofGod;

  ItsgatesaretrepidanttoHisnod;

  ByHimitsfloorsaretrod。

  AndifHisfeetshallrockthosefloorsinwrath,OrblestaspersionsleekHispath,Isonlychoiceithath。

  Yea,inthatultimateheart’soccultabodeTolieasinanoublietteofGod,Orasaboweruntrod,BuiltbyasecretLoverforHisSpouse;—

  Solechoiceisthisyourlifeallows,Sadtree,whoseperishingboughsSofewbirdshouse!

  DREAM—TRYST

  ThebreathsofkissingnightanddayWeremingledintheeasternHeaven:

  ThrobbingwithunheardmelodyShookLyraallitsstar—chordseven:

  Whenduskshrunkcold,andlighttrodshy,Anddawn’sgreyeyesweretroubledgrey;

  Andsoulswentpalelyupthesky,AndminetoLucide。

  TherewasnochangeinhersweeteyesSincelastIsawthosesweeteyesshine;

  TherewasnochangeinherdeepheartSincelastthatdeepheartknockedatmine。

  Hereyeswereclear,hereyeswereHope’s,WhereindidevercomeandgoThesparkleofthefountain—dropsFromhersweetsoulbelow。

  ThechambersinthehouseofdreamsArefedwithsodivineanair,ThatTime’shoarwingsgrowyoungtherein,Andtheywhowalktherearemostfair。

  Ijoyedforme,Ijoyedforher,WhowiththePastmeetgirtabout:

  Whereourlastkissstillwarmstheair,Norcanhereyesgoout。

  ACORYMBUSFORAUTUMN

  Hearkenmychant,’tisAsaBacchante’s,Agrape—spurt,avine—splash,atossedtress,flownvaunt’tis!

  Suffermysinging,GipsyofSeasons,erethougowinging;

  EreWinterthrowsHisslakingsnowsInthyfeasting—flagon’simpurpurateglows!

  Thesoppedsun——toperaseverdrankhard—

  Staresfoolish,hazed,Rubicund,dazed,TottywiththineOctobertankard。

  Tannedmaiden!withcheekslikeapplesrusset,Andbreastabrownagaricfaint—flushingattip,Andamouthtooredforthemoontobussit,Buthercheekunvowitsvestalship;

  ThymistsenclipHersteel—clearcircuitilluminous,UntilitcrustRubiginousWiththegloriousgulesofaglowingrust。

  Farothersawwe,otherindeed,Thecrescentmoon,intheMay—daysdead,FlyupwithitsslenderwhitewingsspreadOutofitsnestinthesea’swavedmead!

  Howaretheveinsofthee,Autumn,laden?

  Umberedjuices,AndpulpedoozesPappyoutofthecherry—bruises,Froththeveinsofthee,wild,wildmaiden!

  WithhairthatmustersInglobedclusters,Intumblingclusters,likeswarthygrapes,Roundthybrowandthineearso’ershaden;

  Withtheburningdarknessofeyeslikepansies,LikevelvetpansiesWherethroughescapesThesplendidmightofthyconflagratefancies;

  Withrobegold—tawnynothidingtheshapesOfthefeetwhereuntoitfallethdown,Thynakedfeetunsandalled;

  Withrobegold—tawnythatdoesnotveilFeetwheretheredIsmeshedinthebrown,LikearubiedsuninaVenice—sail。

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