第3章
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  Now,Iwot,sheprayethinvain!

  \"StillIhearitoverthebattle’sdin,Andoverthefestivecheer,——

  Soshepray’dwithclasp’dhands,whiteandthin,——

  Theprayerofasoulabsolvedfromsin,Forasoulthatisdarkanddrear,Forthelightofrepentanceburstingin,Andthefloodoftheblindingtear。

  \"Say,priest!whenthesaintmustvainlyplead,Oh!howshallthesinnerfare?

  Iholdyourcomfortabrokenreed;

  Letthewither’dbranchforitselftakeheed,Whilethegreenshootswaityourcare;

  I’vestriven,thoughfeebly,tograspyourcreed,AndI’vegrappledmyowndespair。\"

  \"Bythelittlewithinthee,goodandbrave,Notwhollyshattered,thoughshaken;

  Bythesoulthatcriethbeyondthegrave,ThelovethatHeonceinHismercygave,InHismercysinceretaken,Iconjurethee,oh!sinner,pardoncrave,Iimplorethee,oh!sleeper,waken!\"

  \"Goto!shallIlaymyblacksoulbareToavain,self-righteousman?

  Inmysin,inmysorrow,youmaynotshare,AndyetcouldImeetwithonewhomustbearTheloadofanequalban,WithhimImightstrivetoblendoneprayer,ThewailofthePublican。\"

  \"Myson,I,too,amawitheredbough,Myplaceistoothersgiven;

  Thouhastsinn’d,thousayest;Iasknothow,ForI,too,havesinn’d,evenasthou,AndI,too,havefeeblystriven,AndwiththeeImustbow,crying,`Shriveusnow!

  OurFatherwhichartinheaven!’\"

  SunlightontheSea[ThePhilosophyofaFeast]

  Makemerry,comrades,eatanddrink(Thesunlightflickersonthesea),Thegarlandsgleam,theglassesclink,Thegrapejuicemantlesfairandfree,Thelampsaretrimm’d,althoughthelightOfdaystilllingersonthesky;

  Wesitbetweenthedayandnight,Andpushthewineflaskmerrily。

  Iseeyoufeastingroundmestill,Allgayofheartandstrongoflimb;

  Makemerry,friends,yourglassesfill,Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  ImissthevoiceofoneI’veheard(Thesunlightsinksuponthesea),Hesangasblytheasanybird,Andshooktherafterswithhisglee;

  Buttimeshavechangedwithhim,Iwot,Byficklefortunecross’dandflung;

  Farstouterheartthanminehe’sgotIfnowhesingsasthenhesung。

  Yetsomemustswimwhenotherssink,Andsomemustsinkwhenothersswim;

  Makemerry,comrades,eatanddrink,Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  ImissthefaceofoneI’veloved(Thesunlightsettlesonthesea)——

  Longsincetodistantclimesheroved,Hehadhisfaults,andsohavewe;

  Hisnamewasmentionedherethisday,Anditwascoupledwithasneer;

  Iheard,norhadIaughttosay,ThoughonceIheldhismemorydear。

  Whocares,’midwinesandfruitsandflowers,Thoughdeathordangercompasshim;

  Hehadhisfaults,andwehaveours,Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  ImisstheformofoneIknow(Thesunlightwanesuponthesea)——

  ’Tisnotsoverylongago,Wedrankhishealthwiththree-times-three,Andweweregaywhenhewashere;

  Andheisgone,andwearegay。

  Wherehashegone?orfarornear?

  Goodsooth,’tweresomewhathardtosay。

  Youglanceaside,youdoubtlessthinkMyhomilyafoolishwhim,’Twillsoonbeended,eatanddrink,Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  Thefruitisripe,thewineisred(Thesunlightfadesuponthesea);

  Toustheabsentarethedead,Thedeadtousmustabsentbe。

  We,too,theabsentranksmustjoin;

  Andfriendswillcensureandforget:

  There’smetalbaseineverycoin;

  Menvanish,leavingtracesyetOfevilandofgoodbehind,Sincefalsenotestainttheskylark’shymn,Anddrossstilllurksingoldrefined——

  Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  Weeatanddrinkore’erwedie(Thesunlightflushesonthesea)。

  ThreehundredsoldiersfeastedhighAnhourbeforeThermopylae;

  Leonidaspour’doutthewine,Andshoutederehedrain’dthecup,\"Ho!comrades,letusgailydine——

  ThisnightwithPlutoweshallsup\";

  Andiftheyleantuponareed,Andiftheirreedwasslightandslim,There’ssomethinggoodinSpartancreed——

  Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  Makemerry,comrades,eatanddrink(Thesunlightflashesonthesea);

  MyspiritisrejoicedtothinkThatevenastheyweresoarewe;

  Forthey,likeus,weremortalsvain,Theslavestoearthlypassionswild,WhosleptwithheapsofPersiansslainForwinding-sheetsaroundthempiled。

  Thedeadman’sdeedsarelivingstill——

  MyFestivespeechissomewhatgrim——

  Theirgoodobliteratestheirill——

  Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  Weeatanddrink,wecomeandgo(Thesunlightdiesupontheopensea)。

  Ispeakinriddles。Isitso?

  Myriddlesneednotmaryourglee;

  ForIwillneitherbidyoushareMythoughts,norwillIbidyoushun,ThoughIshouldseeinyonderchairTh’Egyptian’smuffledskeleton。

  Onetoastwithmeyourglassesfill,Aye,fillthemlevelwiththebrim,Demortuis,nisibonum,nil!

  Thelightsaregrowingdim。

  Delilah[FromaPicture]

  Thesunhasgonedown,spreadingwideonThesky-lineonerayofredfire;

  PreparethesoftcushionsofSidon,MakereadytherichloomofTyre。

  Theday,withitstoilanditssorrow,Itsshade,anditssunshine,atlengthHasended;dostfearforthemorrow,Strongman,intheprideofthystrength?

  Likefire-flies,heavenwardclinging,Theymultiply,staruponstar;

  AndthebreezealowmurmurisbringingFromthetentsofmypeopleafar。

  Nay,frownnot,IambutaPagan,YetlittleforthesethingsIcare;

  ’TisthehymntoourdeityDagonThatcomeswiththepleasantnightair。

  Itshallnotdisturbthee,norcanit;

  See,closedarethecurtains,thelightsGleamdownontheclovenpomegranate,Whosethirst-slakingnectarinvites;

  TheredwineofHebronglowsbrightlyInyongoblet——thedraughtofaking;

  AndthroughthesilkawningstealslightlyThesweetsongmyhandmaidenssing。

  DostthinkthatthyGod,inHisanger,Willtriflewithnature’sgreatlaws,AndslackenthosesinewsinlanguorThatbattledsowellinHiscause?

  WillHetakebackthatstrengthHehasgiven,BecausetothepleasuresofyouthThouyieldest?Nay,Godlike,inheaven,Helaughsatsuchfollies,forsooth。

  Oh!wereI,forgoodorforevil,Asgreatandasgiftedasthou,NeitherGodshouldrestrainme,nordevil,TononelikeaslavewouldIbow。

  Iffatemustindeedovertakethee,Andfeeblenesscometothyclay,Pausenottillthystrengthshallforsakethee,Enjoyitthemoreinthyday。

  Oh,fork’d-tongueofadder,byherpentInsmoothlips!——oh,Sybariteblind!

  Oh,womanalliedtotheserpent!

  Oh,beautywithvenomcombined!

  Oh,mightovercomingthemighty!

  Oh,glorydeparting!oh,shame!

  Oh,altaroffalseAphrodite,Whatstrengthisconsumedinthyflame!

  Strongchest,whereherdraperyrustles,Stronglimbsbyherblacktresseshid!

  NotalonebythemightofyourmusclesYonlionwasrentlikeakid!

  Thevalourfromvirtuethatsunders,Is’reftofitsnoblerpart;

  AndLancelot’sarmmayworkwonders,ButbraverisGalahad’sheart。

  Sleepsoundonthatbreastfairandample;

  Dullbrain,anddimeyes,anddeafears,Feelnotthecoldtouchonyourtemple,Heednotthefaintclashoftheshears。

  Itcomes!——withthegleamofthelampsonThecurtains——thatvoice——doesitjarOnthysoulinthenight-watch?Ho!Samson,UpontheethePhilistinesare。

  FromLightningandTempestThespring-windpass’dthroughtheforest,andwhisperedlowintheleaves,Andthecedartoss’dherhead,andtheoakstoodfirminhispride;

  Thespring-windpass’dthroughthetown,throughthehousetops,casements,andeaves,Andwhisper’dlowintheheartsofthemen,andthemenreplied,Singing——\"LetusrejoiceinthelightOfourglory,andbeauty,andmight;

  Letusfollowourowndevices,andfosterourowndesires。

  Asfirmasouroaksinourpride,asourcedarsfairinoursight,Westandlikethetreesoftheforestthatbravethefrostsandthefires。\"

  Thestormwentforthtotheforest,theplaguewentforthtothetown,Andthemenfelldowntotheplague,asthetreesfelldowntothegale;

  Andtheirbloomwasaghastlypallor,andtheirsmilewasaghastlyfrown,Andthesongoftheirheartswaschangedtoawild,disconsolatewail,Crying——\"God!wehavesinn’d,wehavesinn’d,Wearebruis’d,weareshorn,wearethinn’d,Ourstrengthisturn’dtoderision,ourpridelaidlowinthedust,OurcedarsarecleftbyThylightnings,ouroaksarestrew’dbyThywind,AndwefallonourfacesseekingThineaid,thoughThywrathisjust。\"

  WormwoodandNightshadeThetroublesoflifearemany,Thepleasuresoflifearefew;

  Whenwesatinthesunlight,Annie,Idreamtthattheskieswereblue——

  Whenwesatinthesunlight,Annie,Idreamtthattheearthwasgreen;

  Thereislittlecolour,ifany,’Neaththesunlightnowtobeseen。

  ThentheraysofthesunsetglintedThroughtheblackwoods’emeraldboughOnanemeraldsward,rose-tinted,Andspangled,andgemm’d;——andnowTheraysofthesunsetreddenWithasullenandluridfrown,Fromtheskiesthataredarkandleaden,Toearththatisduskandbrown。

  TorightandtoleftextendedTheuplandsareblankanddrear,AndtheirneutraltintsareblendedWiththedeadleavessombreandsere;

  ThecoldgreymistfromthestillsideOfthelakecreepssluggishandsure,Bareandbleakisthehill-side,Barrenandbleakthemoor。

  Brighthuesandshapesintertwisted,Fairformsandrichcolours;——nowTheyhaveflown——ife’ertheyexisted——

  Itmattersnotwhyorhow。

  Itmattersnotwhereorwhen,dear,Theyhaveflown,theblueandthegreen,Ithoughtonwhatmightbethen,dear,NowIthinkonwhatmighthavebeen。

  Whatmighthavebeen!——wordsoffolly;

  Whatmightbe!——speechforafool;

  Withmistletoeroundme,andholly,Scarletandgreen,atYule。

  Withtheelmintheplaceofthewattle,Andinlieuofthegum,theoak,YearsbackIbelievedalittle,AndasIbelievedIspoke。

  HaveIdonewiththosechildishfancies?

  Theysuitedthedaysgoneby,WhenIpulledthepoppiesandpansies,WhenIhuntedthebutterfly,Withonewhohaslongbeensleeping,Astrangertodoubtsandcares,AndtosowingthatendsinreapingThistles,andthorns,andtares。

  Whatmightbe!——thedreamswerescatter’d,Aschaffistoss’dbythewind,ThefaithhasbeenrudelyshatteredThatlisten’dwithcredenceblind;

  Thingsweretohavebeen,andthereforeTheywere,andtheyaretobe,Andwillbe;——wemustprepareforThedoomweareboundtodree。

  Ah,me!webelieveinevil,Whereoncewebelievedingood,Theworld,theflesh,andthedevilAreeasilyunderstood;

  Theworld,theflesh,andthedevilTheirtracesonearthareplain;

  MusttheyalwaysriotandrevelWhilefootprintsofmanremain?

  Talkaboutbetterandwiser,Wiserandworseareone,ThesophististhedespiserOfallthingsunderthesun;

  Isnothingrealbutconfusion?

  Isnothingcertainbutdeath?

  Isnothingfairsaveillusion?

  Isnothinggoodthathasbreath?

  Somesprite,malignantandelfish,Seemspresentwhisperingclose,\"Allmotivesoflifeareselfish,Allinstinctsoflifearegross;

  Andthesongthatthepoetfashions,Andthelove-bird’smusicalstrain,Arejumblesofanimalpassions,Refinedbyanimalpain。\"

  TherestlessthrobbingsandburningsThathopeunsatisfiedbrings,ThewearylongingsandyearningsForthemysticalbetterthings,ArethesandsonwhichisreflectedThepitilessmovinglake,Wherethewandererfallsdejected,Byathirsthenevercanslake。

  Achildblowsbubblesthatglitter,Hesnatchesthem,theydisperse;

  Yetchildhood’sfollyisbetter,Andmanhood’sfollyisworse;

  GiltbaubleswegraspatblindlyWouldturninourhandstodross;

  ’TisafatelesscruelthankindlyDeniesthegainandtheloss。

  Andasonewhopursuesashadow,Asonewhohuntsinadream,Asthechildwhocrossesthemeadow,Enticedbytherainbow’sgleam,I——knowingthecoursewasfoolish,Andguessingthegoalwaspain,Stupid,andstubborn,andmulish——

  Followedandfollowagain。

  ThesunoverGideonhalted,Holdingaloofthenight,WhenJoshua’sarmwasexalted,Yetneverretracedhisflight;

  Norwillheturnback,norcanhe,Hechasesthefuturefast;

  Thefutureisblank——oh,Annie!

  Ifainwouldrecallthepast。

  Thereareotherstoilingandstraining’Neathburdensgraverthanmine——

  Theyareweary,yetuncomplaining——

  Iknowit,yetIrepine;

  Iknowit,howtimewillravage,Howtimewilllevel,andyetIlongwithalongingsavage,Iregretwithafierceregret。

  Youarenofalseideal,Somethingisleftofyou,Present,perceptible,real,Palpable,tangible,true;

  Oneshredofyourbrokennecklace,Onetressofyourpale,goldhair,Andaheartsoutterlyreckless,Thattheworstitwouldgladlydare。

  Thereislittlepleasure,ifany,Inwakingthepastanew;

  Mydaysandnightshavebeenmany;

  LostchancesmanyIrue——

  Mydaysandnightshavebeenmany;

  NowIpraythattheybefew,WhenIthinkonthehill-side,Annie,WhereIdreamtthattheskieswereblue。

  ArsLonga[ASongofPilgrimage]

  Ourhopesarewildimaginings,Ourschemesareairycastles,Yetthese,onearth,arelordsandkings,Andwetheirslavesandvassals;

  Yourdream,forsooth,ofbuoyantyouth,Mostreadytodeceiveis;

  Butagewillownthebittertruth,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  ThehilloflifewitheagerfeetWeclimbedinmerrymorning,ButonthedownwardtrackwemeetTheshadesoftwilightwarning;

  Theshadowsgaunttheyfallaslant,AndthosewhoscaledBenNevis,Againstthemole-hillstoilandpant,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  Theobstaclesthatbarr’dourpathWeseldomquail’dtodashonInyouth,foryouthonemottohath,\"Thewill,thewaymustfashion。\"

  Thosewords,Iwot,bloodthickandhot,Tooreadytobelieveis,Butthinandcoldourbloodhathgot,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  And\"artislong\",and\"lifeisshort\",Andmanisslowatlearning;

  Andyetbydiversdealingstaught,Fordiversfolliesyearning,Heownsatlast,withgriefdowncast(Formandisposedtogrieveis)——

  Oneadageoldstandstrueandfast,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  Wejourney,manhood,youth,andage,Thematron,andthemaiden,Likepilgrimsonapilgrimage,Loinsgirded,heavyladen:——

  Eachpilgrimstrong,whojoinsourthrong,Mosteagertoachieveis,Foredoom’derelongtoswellthesong,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  Atmorn,withstaffandsandal-shoon,Wetravelbriskandcheery,Butsomehavelaidthemdownerenoon,Andallateveareweary;

  Thenoontideglowswithnorepose,Andbitterchilltheeveis,Thegrasshopperaburdengrows,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  Thestaffissnapp’d,thesandalfray’d,Theflint-stonegallsandblisters,Ourbrother’sstepswecannotaid,Ahme!noraidoursister’s:

  Thepitpreparesitshiddensnares,Therockpreparedtocleaveis,Wecry,infallingunawares,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  Oh!Wisdom,whichwesoughttowin!

  Oh!Strength,inwhichwetrusted!

  Oh!Glory,whichwegloriedin!

  Oh!puppetsweadjusted!

  Onbarrenlandourseedissand,Andtornthewebweweaveis,Thebruisedreedhathpiercedthehand,\"Arslonga,vitabrevis。\"

  We,too,\"Job’scomforters\"havemet,Withsteps,likeours,unsteady,Theycouldnothelpthemselves,andyetTojudgeustheywereready;

  Life’spathistrodatlast,andGodMorereadytoreprieveis,Theyknowwhorestbeneaththesod,\"Morsgratum,vitabrevis。\"

  TheLastLeapAllisover!fleetcareer,Dashofgreyhoundslippingthongs,Flightoffalcon,boundofdeer,Madhoof-thunderinourrear,Coldairrushingupourlungs,Dinofmanytongues。

  Onceagain,onestrugglegood,Onevaineffort;——hemustdwellNeartheshiftedpost,thatstoodWherethesplintersofthewood,Lyinginthetorntracks,tellHowhestruckandfell。

  Crestwherecolddropsbeadedcling,Smalleardrooping,nostrilfull,Glazingtoascarletring,Flanksandhaunchesquivering,Sinewsstiff’ning,voidandnull,Dumbeyessorrowful。

  SatincoatthatseemstoshineDullernow,blackbraidedtress,ThatasofterhandthanmineFarawaywaswonttotwine,ThatinmeadowsfarfromthisSofterlipsmightkiss。

  Allisover!thisisdeath,AndIstandtowatchtheedie,Braveoldhorse!with’batedbreathHardlydrawnthroughtight-clenchedteeth,Lipindenteddeep,buteyeOnlydullanddry。

  MusingonthehuskandchaffGather’dwherelife’staresaresown,ThusIspeak,andforcealaughThatishalfasneerandhalfAninvoluntarygroan,Inastifledtone——

  \"Rest,oldfriend!thyday,thoughrifeWithitstoil,hathendedsoon;

  Wehavehadourshareofstrife,Tumblersinthemaskoflife,InthepantomimeofnoonClownandpantaloon。

  \"WiththeflashthatendsthypainRespiteandoblivionblestCometogreetthee。IinvainFall:Irisetofallagain:

  Thouhastfallentothyrest——

  Andthyfallisbest!\"

  QuareFatigastiTwoyearsagoIwasthinkingOnthechangesthatyearsbringforth;

  NowIstandwhereIthenstooddrinkingThegustandthesaltseafroth;

  Andtheshudderingwavestrikes,linkingWiththewavessubsidingandsinking,Andclotsthecoastherbage,shrinking,Withthehueofthewhitecere-cloth。

  Isthereaughtworthlosingorkeeping?

  Thebittersorsweetsmenquaff?

  Thesowingorthedoubtfulreaping?

  Theharvestofgrainorchaff?

  Orsquanderingdaysorheaping,Orwakingseasonsorsleeping,Thelaughterthatdriestheweeping,Ortheweepingthatdrownsthelaugh?

  Forjoyswaxdimandwoesdeaden,Weforgetthesorrowfulbiers,AndthegarlandsgladthathavefledinThemercifulmarchofyears;

  Andthesunnyskies,andtheleaden,Andthefacesthatpaleorredden,AndthesmilesthatloversarewedinWhoarebornandburiedintears。

  Andthemyrtlebloomturnshoary,Andtheblushoftherosedecays,AndsoddenwithsweatandgoryArethehardwonlaurelsandbays;

  WeareneitherjoyousnorsorryWhentimehasendedourstory,Andblottedoutgriefandglory,Andpain,andpleasure,andpraise。

  Weighjustly,throwgoodandbadinThescales,willthebalanceveerWiththejoysorthesorrowshadinThesumofalife’scareer?

  Intheend,spiteofdreamsthatsaddenThesadorthesanguinemadden,Thereisnothingtogrieveorgladden,Thereisnothingtohopeorfear。

  \"Thouhastgoneastray,\"quoththepreacher,\"Inthegallofthybitterness,\"

  Thouhasttaughtmeinvain,oh,teacher!

  Ineitherblametheenorbless;

  Ifbitterissureandsweetsure,Thesevanishwithformandfeature——

  Canthecreaturefathomthecreature,WhoseCreatorisfathomless?

  Isthisdrylandsure?Istheseasure?

  Isthereaughtthatshalllongremain,Pain,orperil,orpleasure,Pleasure,orperil,orpain?

  Shallwelabourortakeourleisure,Andwhoshallinherittreasure,IfthemeasurewithwhichwemeasureIsmetedtousagain?

  IamslowinlearningandswiftinForgetting,andIhavegrownSowearywithlongsandsifting;

  T’wardsthemistwherethebreakersmoanTherudderlessbarkisdrifting,Throughtheshoalsandthequicksandsshifting——

  Intheendshallthenight-racklifting,Discovertheshoresunknown?

  Hippodromania;or,WhiffsfromthePipeInFivePartsPartI

  VisionsintheSmokeRest,andbethankful!OnthevergeOfthetallcliffruggedandgrey,Butwhosegranitebasethebreakerssurge,Andshivertheirfrothyspray,Outstretched,IgazeontheeddyingwreathThatgathersandflitsaway,Withthesurfbeneath,andbetweenmyteethThestemofthe\"ancientclay\"。

  Withtheanodynecloudonmylistlesseyes,Withitsspellonmydreamybrain,AsIwatchthecirclingvapoursriseFromthebrownbowluptothesullenskies,Myvisionbecomesmoreplain,TilladimkaleidoscopesucceedsThroughthesmoke-rackdriftingandveering,LikeghostlyridersonphantomsteedsToashadowygoalcareering。

  Intheirowngenerationthewisemaysneer,Theyholdoursportsinderision;

  Perchancetosophist,orsage,orseer,Wereallottedagravervision。

  Yetifman,ofalltheCreatorplann’d,Hisnoblestworkisreckoned,OftheworksofHishand,byseaorbyland,Thehorsemayatleastranksecond。

  Didtheyquail,thosesteedsofthesquadronslight,Didtheyflinchfromthebattle’sroar,WhentheyburstonthegunsoftheMuscovite,BytheechoingBlackSeashore?

  On!on!tothecannon’smouththeystride,Withneveraswervenorashy,Oh!theminutesofyondermaddeningride,Longyearsofpleasureoutvie!

  Noslave,butacomradestaunch,inthis,Isthehorse,forhetakeshisshare,Notinperilalone,butinfeverishbliss,Andinlongingtodoanddare。

  Wherebulletswhistle,androundshotwhiz,Hoofstrample,andbladesflashbare,GodsendmeanendingasfairashisWhodiedinhisstirrupsthere!

  Thewindhasslumberedthroughouttheday,Nowafitfulgustspringsoverthebay,Mywanderingthoughtsnolongerstray,I’llfixmyovercoatbuttons;

  SecuremyoldhatasbestImay(Andashockingbadoneitis,bytheway),Blowadensercloudfrommystuntedclay,Andthen,friendBELL,astheFrenchmensay,We’ll\"gobackagaintoourmuttons\"。

  There’salullinthetumultonyonderhill,Andtheclamourhasgrownlessloud,ThoughtheBabeloftonguesisneverstill,Withthepresenceofsuchacrowd。

  Thebellhasrung。WiththeirridersupAtthestartingposttheymuster,Theracersstripp’dforthe\"MelbourneCup\",Allglossandpolishandlustre;

  Andthecourseisseen,withitsemeraldsheen,Bythebrightspring-tiderenew’d,LikearibbonofgreenstretchedoutbetweenTheranksofthemultitude。

  Theflagislowered。\"They’reoff!\"\"Theycome!\"

  Thesquadronissweepingon;

  Aswayinthecrowd——amurmuringhum:

  \"They’rehere!\"\"They’repast!\"\"They’regone!\"

  Theycamewiththerushofthesouthernsurf,Onthebarofthestorm-girtbay;

  AndlikemuffleddrumsonthesoundingturfTheirhoof-strokesechoaway。

  Theroseandblackdrawsclearoftheruck,Andthemurmurswellstoaroar,Asthebraveoldcoloursthatneverwerestruck,Areseenwiththeleadoncemore。

  ThoughthefeatheryfernsandgrasseswaveO’erthesodwhereLanternsleeps,ThoughtheturfisgreenonFisherman’sgrave,Thestableitsprestigekeeps。

  Sixlengthsinfrontshescoursalong,She’sbringingthefieldtotrouble;

  She’stailingthemoff,she’srunningstrong,Sheshakesherheadandpullsdouble。

  NowMinstrelfaltersandExileflags,TheBarbfindsthepacetoohot,AndToryboyloiters,andPlayboylags,AndtheBOLTofBenBoltisshot。

  Thatshenevermaybecaughtthisday,Istheworstthatthepublicwishher。

  Shewon’tbecaught:shecomesrightaway;

  HurrahforSeagullandFisher!

  See,Stropfallsback,thoughhisreinsareslack,Sultanabeginstotire,Andthetop-weighttellsontheSydneycrack,Andthepaceon\"theGippslandflyer\"。

  Therowels,asroundtheturntheysweep,JustgrazeTimWhiffler’sflanks;

  Likethehunteddeerthatfliesthroughthesheep,Hestridesthroughthebeatenranks。

  DaughterofOmen,proveyourbirth,Thecoltwilltakelotsofchoking;

  Thehotbreathsteamsatyoursaddlegirth,Fromhisscarletnostrilsmoking。

  TheshoutsoftheRingforaspacesubside,Andslackensthebookmaker’sroar;

  Now,Davis,rally;now,Carter,ride,Asmanneverrodebefore。

  WhenSparrowhawk’sbackersceasetocheer,WhenYattendon’sfriendsaredumb,WhenhushedistheclamourforVolunteer——

  Aloneintheracetheycome!

  They’reneckandneck;they’reheadandhead;

  They’restrokeforstrokeintherunning;

  Thewhalebonewhistles,thesteelisred,Noshirkingasyetnorshunning。

  Oneeffort,Seagull,thebloodyouboastShouldstrugglewhennervesarestrained;——

  Witharushonthepost,byaneckatthemost,TheverdictforTimisgained。

  TimWhifflerwins。IsbloodaloneThesinequanonforaflyer?

  Thebreedofhisdamisamythunknown,Andwe’vedoubtsrespectinghissire。

  Yetfew(ifany)thoseproudnamesare,Onthepagesofpeerageorstud,Inwhose’scutcheonlurksnosinisterbar,Notaintofthebaseblackblood。

  Aye,Shorthouse,laugh——laughloudandlong,Forpedigreeyou’reasticker;

  Youmayberight,Imaybewrong,Wiseacresboth!Let’sliquor。

  OurcommondescentwemayeachrecallToaladyofoldcaughttripping,Thefaironeinfigleaves,whod————dusallForabiteatagoldenpippin。

  WhenfirstonthisrockyledgeIlay,Therewasscarcearippleinyonderbay,Theairwasserenelystill;

  EachcolumnthatsailedfrommyswarthyclayHungloiteringlongereitpassedaway,Thoughtheskiesworeatingeofleadengrey,Andtheatmospherewaschill。

  Buttheredsunsanktohiseveningshroud,Wherethewesternbillowsareroll’d,Behindacurtainofsablecloud,Withafringeofscarletandgold;

  There’samistyglareintheyellowmoon,Andthedriftisscuddingfast,There’llbestorm,andrattle,andtempestsoon,Whentheheavensareovercast。

  TheneutraltintofthesullenseaIsfleck’dwiththesnowyfoam,Andthedistantgalesighsdrearilie,Asthewanderersighsforhishome。

  Thewhitesea-horsestosstheirmanesOnthebarofthesouthernreef,Andthebreakersmoan,and——byJove,itrains(IthoughtIshouldcometogrief);

  Thoughitcan’twelldamagemyshabbyhat,Thoughmycoatlooksbestwhenit’sdamp;

  SincetheshakingIgot(nomatterwhereat),I’veamortaldreadofthecramp。

  Mymatchesarewet,mypipe’sputout,Andthewindblowscolderandstronger;

  I’llbestiff,andsore,andsorry,nodoubt,IfIliehereanylonger。

  PartII

  TheFieldsofColeraineOnthefieldsofCol’rainethere’llbelabourinvainBeforetheGreatWesternisended,Thenagswillhavetoil’d,andthesilkswillbesoil’d,Andtherailswillrequiretobemended。

  Forthegulliesaredeep,andtheuplandsaresteep,Andmudwillofpurlsbethetoken,Andthetoughstringy-bark,thatinvitesustolark,Withimpunitymaynotbebroken。

  ThoughBallarat’sfast,andtheysayhecanlast,Andthatmaybegrantedhereafter,Yetthejudge’sdecisiontotheBorderdivisionWillbringneithershoutingnorlaughter。

  AndBlueskin,I’veheardthathegoeslikeabird,AndI’mtoldthattobackhimwouldpayme;

  He’sagoodbitofstuff,butnotquitegoodenough,\"Nonlicuitcrederefamae。\"

  Alfredoughttobethere,weallofusswearBythebloodofKingAlfred,hissire;

  He’snottherealjam,bythebloodofhisdam,SoIsha’n’tputhimdownasaflyer。

  Now,Hynam,myboy,Iwishyougreatjoy,Iknowthatwhenfreshyoucanjump,sir;

  Butyou’llscarcebeinclover,whenyou’reriddenallover,Andpunishedfromshouldertorump,sir。

  Archergoeslikeashot,theycanputontheirpot,Andboilittocoverexpenses;

  Theirpotwillboilover,therunofhisdoverHe’llneverearnoverbigfences。

  There’sahorseintherace,withablazeonhisface,Andweknowhecangallopadocker!

  He’sprovedhimselfstout,ofhisspeedthere’snodoubt,Andhisjumping’saccordingtoCocker。

  WhenHynam’soutstripp’d,andwhenAlfrediswhipp’d,Tokeephiminsightoftheleaders,WhileBlueskinrunstrue,buthisbackerslookblue,Forhisrider’satworkwiththebleeders;

  Whenhiscarcaseofbeefbrings\"thebullock\"togrief,Andtherushofthetartanisended;

  WhenArcher’sintrouble——who’sthatpullingdouble,Andtakinghisleapsunextended?

  Hewinsalltheway,andtherest——sweet,theysay,Isthesmellofthenewly-turnedplough,friend,Butyousmellittooclosewhenitstopseyesandnose,Andyoucan’ttellyourhorsefromyourcow,friend。

  PartIII

  CredatJudaeusApellaDearBell,——Ienclosewhatyouaskinaletter,Ashortrhymeatrandom,nomoreandnoless,Andyoumayinsertit,forwantofabetter,Orleaveit,itdoesn’tmuchmatter,Iguess;

  Andasforatip,why,thereisn’tmuchinit,Imayhittherightnail,butfirst,Ideclare,Ihaven’tanotionwhat’sgoingtowinit(TheChampion,Imean),andwhat’smore,Idon’tcare。

  Imprimis,there’sCowra——fewnagscangoquickerThanshecan——andSmithtakeshisoathshecanfly;

  WhileBrown,Jones,andRobinsonswearshe’sasticker,But\"credatJudaeusApella\",sayI。

  There’soldVolunteer,I’dbesorrytosneerAthischance;he’llbethere,ifhegoesattherateHewentatlastyear,whenacustomerqueer,JohnnyHiggerson,fanciedhimlock’dinthestraight;

  I’veheardthattheoldhorsehasneverbeenfitter,I’veheardallperformancespasthe’lloutvie;

  Hemaygallopadocker,andfinishasplitter,But\"credatJudaeusApella\",sayI。

  Iknowwhattheysay,sir,\"TheHook\"hecanstay,sir,Andsticktohisworklikeasleuth-houndorbeagle;

  Hestays\"withaHOOK\",andhesticksintheclay,sir;

  I’drather,forchoice,popmymoneyonSeagull;

  I’mtoldthattheSydneydivisionwillrue,sir,Theirrashnessinfrontofthestandwhentheyspy,Withaclearlead,thewhitejacketspottedwithblue,sir,But\"credatJudaeusApella\",sayI。

  There’sTheBarb——youmaytalkofyourflyersandstayers,Allbosh——whenhestripsyoucanseehiseyerangeRoundhisrivals,withmuchthesamelookasTomSayersOnceworewhenhefacedthebignovice,BillBainge。

  LikeStow,atourhustings,confrontingthehissesOfroughs,withhisqueerMephistopheles’smile;

  LikeBaker,orBaker’smorewonderfulMRS。,TheterrorofblacksatthesourceoftheNile;

  LikeTriton’midminnows;likehawkamongchickens;

  Like——anythingbetterthaneverythingelse:

  Hestandsatthepost。Nowthey’reoff!theplotthickens!

  QuothStanleytoDavis,\"Howisyourpulse?\"

  Heskimso’erthesmoothturf,hescudsthroughthemire,Hewaitswiththem,passesthem,bidsthemgood-bye!

  Twomilesandthree-quarters,criesFilgate,\"He’lltire。\"

  Oh!\"credatJudaeusApella\",sayI。

  Lestmytaleshouldcometrue,letmegiveyoufairwarning,Youmay\"shout\"somecheroots,ifyoulike,nochampagneForthischild——\"Oh!thinkofmyheadinthemorning,\"

  Oldchap,youdon’tgetmeonthatlayagain。

  ThelasttimethosegamesIlook’dlikelytotryon,SaysBradshawe,\"You’llfeelverysheepishandshyWhenyouarehaul’dupandcaution’dbyD————g————yandL————n,\"

  Oh!\"credatJudaeusApella\",sayI。

  Thiswritingbadversesisveryfatiguing,Thebrainandtheliveragainstitcombine,Andnerveswithdigestioninconcertareleaguing,Topunishexcessinthepenandinkline;

  AlreadyIfeeljustasifI’dbeenrowingHardall——onasupperofonionsandtripe(AthingIabhor),butmysteamI’vedoneblowing,Iam,mydearBELL,yourstruly,\"ThePipe\"。

  P。S。——TellJ。P。,ifhefanciesagood’un,Thatoldchestnutponyofmineisforsale。

  N。B。——Hisforelegsareuncommonlywooden,Ifancythenearone’sbeginningtofail,Andwhyshouldn’tIdoasW————ndoesoft,Andswearthatacrippleissound——ontheBible——

  Holdhard!thoughthemanIalludetoissoft,He’sgametogoinforanactionoflibel。

  PartIV

  Banker’sDreamOfchasesandcoursesdogsdream,sodohorses——

  LastnightIwasdozinganddreaming,Thecrowdandthebustlewerethere,andtherustleOfthesilkintheautumnskygleaming。

  Thestandthrong’dwithfaces,thebroadclothandlaces,Thebooths,andthetents,andthecars,Thebookmakers’jargon,foroddsmakingbargain,Thenastystalesmellofcigars。

  Weformedintoline,’neaththemerrysunshine,Nearthelogsattheendoftherailing;

  \"Areyouready,boys?Go!\"criedthestarter,andlowSanktheflag,andawaywewentsailing。

  Inthevanofthebattleweheardthestonesrattle,Somesloggingwasdone,butnoslaughter,Ashoutfromthestand,andthewholeofourbandSkimm’dmerrilyoverthewater。

  Twofencesweclear’d,andtheroadwaywenear’d,Whenthreeofourtroopcametotrouble;

  Likeabirdonthewing,orastonefromasling,FlewCadger,firstoverthedouble。

  AndWesternwasthere,headandtailintheair,AndPondonwasthere,too——whatnoodleCouldsonameahorse?IshouldfeelsomeremorseIfIgavesuchanametoapoodle。

  Inandoutofthelane,totheracecourseagain,Craig’sponywasfirst,Iwasthird,AndInglesidelitinmytracks,withthebitInhisteeth,andcameup\"likeabird\"。

  Inthevanofthebattleweheardtherailsrattle,Sayshe,\"ThoughIdon’tcareforshunningMyshareoftheraps,Ishalllookoutforgaps,Whenthelightweight’sawaywiththerunning。\"

  Atthefencejustaheadtheoutsiderstillled,Thechestnutplay’dfollowmyleader;

  Oh!thedevilagap,hewentintoitslap,Andheandhisjocktookaheader。

  SaysIngleside,\"Mate,shouldtheponygostraight,You’venotimetostoporturnrestive;\"

  SaysI,\"Whomeanstostop?IshallgotillIdrop;\"

  Sayshe,\"Goit,oldcuss,gayandfestive。\"

  Thefencestiffandtall,justbeyondthelogwall,Wecross’d,andthewalls,andthewater,——

  Itookofftoonear,asmallmadefencetoclear,Andjusttouch’dthegrasswithmysnorter。

  AtthenextpostandrailupwentWestern’sbangtail,Anddown(bytheverysametoken)

  Toearthwenthisnose,forthepanelhechoseStoodfirmandrefusedtobebroken。

  IdreamtsomeonesaidthatthebaywouldhavemadeTheracesafeifhe’dSTOODawhilelonger;

  IFhehad,——but,likeif,therethepanelstandsstiff——

  Hestood,butthepanelstoodstronger。

  Inandoutoftheroad,withaclearleadstillshow’dThevioletflutedwithamber;

  SaysJohnson,\"Oldman,catchhimnowifyoucan,’Tisthesecondtimeroundyou’llremember。\"

  Attheroadonceagain,pullinghardontherein,Craig’sponypopp’dinandpopp’dout;

  Ifollowedlikesmokeandthepacewasnojoke,Forhisfriendswerebeginningtoshout。

  AndInglesidecametomyside,strongandgame,Andonceheappear’dtooutstripme,ButIfeltthesteelgore,andIshottothefore,OnlyCadgerseem’dlikelytowhipme。

  InthevanofthebattleIheardthelogsrattle,Hisstrokeneverseem’dtodiminish,AndthriceIdrewnearhim,andthricehedrewclear,Fortheweightservedhimwellatthefinish。

  Ha!Cadgergoesdown,see,hestandsonhiscrown——

  Thoserailstakeapowerofclouting——

  Alongslidingblunder——he’sup——well,IwonderIfnowit’salloverbutshouting。

  Alllooselyhe’sstriding,theamateur’sridingAllloosely,somereverielockedinOfa\"visioninsmoke\",ora\"wayfaringbloke\",Hispoeticalrubbishconcocting。

  Nowcomesfromafarthefaintcry,\"Heretheyare,\"

  \"Thevioletwinningwithease,\"

  \"Fredgoesuplikeashot,\"\"Doeshecatchhimornot?\"

  Levelmoney,I’lltakethecerise。

  TohishaunchesIspring,andmymuzzleIbringTohisflank,tohisgirth,tohisshoulder;

  ThroughtheshoutingandyellingIhearmynameswelling,Theheartsofmybackersgrowbolder。

  Neckandneck!headandhead!staringeye!nostrilspread!

  Girthandstiflelaidclosetotheground!

  Strideforstride!strokeforstroke!throughonehurdlewe’vebroke!

  Onthesplinterswe’velitwithonebound。

  And\"Bankerforchoice\"isthecry,andonevoiceScreams\"SixtofouronceuponBanker;\"

  \"Bankerwins,\"\"Banker’sbeat,\"\"Cadgerwins,\"\"Adeadheat\"——

  Ah!theregoesFred’swhaleboneaflanker。

  Springsthewhipwithacrack!ninestonetenonhisback,Fitandlighthecanracelikethedevil;

  Idrawpasthim——’tisvain;hedrawspastmeagain,Springsthewhip!andagainwearelevel。

  Steelandcorddotheirworst,nowmyheadstrugglesfirst!

  Thattugmylastspurthasexpended——

  Nosetonose!liptolip!fromthesoundofthewhipHestrainstotheutmostextended。

  Howtheyswimthroughtheair,aswerolltothechair,Stand,faces,andrailingsflitpast;

  NowIspring***

  frommylairwithasnortandastare,Rous’dbyFredwithmysupperatlast。

  PartV

  ExFumoDareLucem[’TwixttheCupandtheLip]

  PrologueCalmandclear!thebrightdayisdeclining,Thecrystalexpanseofthebay,Likeashieldofpuremetal,liesshining’Twixtheadlandsofpurpleandgrey,Whilethelittlewavesleapinthesunset,Andstrikewithaminiatureshock,Insportiveandinfantineonset,Thebaseoftheiron-stonerock。

  Calmandclear!thesea-breezesareladenWithafragrance,afreshness,apower,Withasonglikethesongofamaiden,Withascentlikethescentofaflower;

  Andawhisper,half-weird,half-prophetic,Comeshomewiththesighofthesurf;——

  ButIpause,foryourfanciespoeticNeverrisefromthelevelof\"Turf\"。

  Fellow-bunglerofmine,fellow-sinner,Inpublicperformancespast,Intrialswhencetoutstaketheirwinner,Inrumoursthatcirculatefast,InstrainsfromPrunellaorPriam,Stayingstayers,orgoersthatgo,You’remuchbetterpostedthanIam,’TislittleIcare,lessIknow。

  Alas!neitherpoetnorprophetAmI,thoughajinglerofrhymes——

  ’Tisahobbyofmine,andI’moffitAttimes,andI’monitattimes;

  AndwhetherI’moffitoronit,Yourreadersmycounselswillshun,SinceIscarceknowVanTrompfromBlueBonnet,ThoughImightknowCigarfromtheNun。

  With\"visions\"yououghttobesatedAndsicken’dbythistime,IswearThatmineareallmythsself-created,Airvisionsthatvanishinair;

  IfIhadsomeloosecoinsImightchuckone,Tosettlethisquestionandsay,\"Heregoes!thisistailsfortheblackone,Andheadsformyfav’ritethebay。\"

  AndmustIrobPaultopayPeter,OrPeterdefraudtopayPaul?

  Myrhymes,aretheystale?ifmymetreIsvaried,onechimeringsthroughall:

  Onechime——thoughIsingmoreorsingless,Ihavebutonestringtomylute,Anditmighthavebeenbetterif,stringlessAndsongless,thesamehadbeenmute。

  Yetnotasaseerofvisions,Noryetasadreamerofdreams,IsendyouthesepartialdecisionsOnhackney’d,impoverish’dthemes;

  Butwithsongoutoftune,sungtopasstime,Flungheedlesstofriendsortofoes,Wherethefalsenotesthatringforthelasttime,Mayblendwithsomerealones,whoknows?

  TheRaceOnthehilltheyarecrowdingtogether,Inthestandtheyarecrushingforroom,Likemidge-fliestheyswarmontheheather,Theygatherlikebeesonthebroom;

  Theyflutterlikemothsroundacandle——

  Stalesimiles,granted,whatthen?

  I’vegotastalesubjecttohandle,Averystalestumpofapen。

  Hark!theshuffleoffeetthataremany,Ofvoicesthemany-tonguedclang——

  \"Hashehadabadnight?\"\"HasheanyFriendsleft?\"——HowIhateyourturfslang;

  ’Tisstaletobeginwith,notwitty,Butdull,andinclinedtobecoarse,Butbadmencan’tuse(more’sthepity)

  Goodwordswhentheyslateagoodhorse。

  Heu!heu!quantusequis(that’sLatinFor\"bellowstomend\"withtheweeds),They’reoff!lightsandshades!silkandsatin!

  Arainbowofridersandsteeds!

  Andoneshowsinfront,andanotherGoesupandisseeninhisplace,Sictransit(moreLatin)——Oh!bother,Let’sgettotheendoftherace。

  *****

  See,theycomeroundthelastturncareering,AlreadyTait’scoloursarestruck,Andthegreeninthevanguardissteering,Andthered’sintherearoftheruck!

  Arethestripesintheshadedoom’dtolielong?

  Dothebluestarsonwhiteskieswaxdim?

  IsitTamworthorSmuggler?’TisBylongThatwins——eitherBylongorTim。

  AstheshellthroughthebreachthatisrivenAndsapp’dbythespringingofmines,Astheboltfromthethunder-clouddriven,Thatlevelsthelarchesandpines,Throughyonmassparti-colour’dthatdashesGoal-turn’d,cladinmany-huedgarb,Fromreartovan,surgesandflashesTheyellowandblackofTheBarb。

  PastTheFly,fallingbackontheright,andTheGull,givingwayontheleft,PastTamworth,whofeelsthewhipsmite,andWhosesidesbytherowelsarecleft;

  WhereTimandthechestnuttogetherStillbearofthebattlethebrunt,Asifeightstonetwelvewereafeather,Hecomeswitharushtothefront。

  TimWhifflermayyetproveaTartar,AndBylong’sthehorsethatcanstay,ButKeanisintrouble——andCarterIshardonthesatin-skinn’dbay;

  AndTheBarbcomesawayunextended,Hardheld,likeasecondEclipse,Whilebehindthehoof-thunderisblendedWiththewhistlingandcracklingofwhips。

  EpilogueHewins;yes,hewinsuponpaper,Hehasn’tyetwonuponturf,Andtheserhymesarebutmoonshineandvapour,Air-bubblesandspumefromthesurf。

  Sobeit,atleasttheyaregivenFree,gratis,forjustwhatthey’reworth,And(whatevertheremaybeinheaven)

  There’slittleworthmuchuponearth。

  When,withsatellitesroundthemthecentre,Ofalleyes,hardpress’dbythecrowd,Thepair,horseandrider,re-enterThegate,’midashoutlongandloud,Youmayfeel,asyoumightfeel,justlandedFulllengthonthegrassfromtheclipOfaviciouscross-counter,right-handed,Orupper-cutwhizzingfromhip。

  Andthat’snotsobadifyou’repick’dupDiscreetly,andcarefullynursed;

  Looseteethbythespongearesoonlick’dup,AndnexttimeyouMAYgethomefirst。

  StillI’mnotsureyou’dlikeitexactly(Suchtastesasaruleareacquired),Andyou’llfindinanutshellthisfactlie,Bruisedopticsarenotmuchadmired。

  DoIboreyouwithvulgarallusions?

  Forgiveme,IspeakasIfeel,I’veponderedandmademyconclusions——

  Asthemillgrindsthecorntothemeal;

  Somanstrivingboldlybutblindly,GroundpiecemealinDestiny’smill,Athisbest,takingpunishmentkindly,Isonlyachopping-blockstill。

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