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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofThePoeticalWorksofOliverWendellHolmes,Complete,byOliverWendellHolmes,Sr.
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net
Title:ThePoeticalWorksofOliverWendellHolmes,Complete
Author:OliverWendellHolmes,Sr.
ReleaseDate:October27,2006[EBook#7400]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ASCII
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKPOETICALWORKSOFHOLMES***
ProducedbyDavidWidger
THEPOETICALWORKS
OF
OLIVERWENDELLHOLMES
[1893threevolumeset]
CONTENTS:
TOMYREADERS
EARLIERPOEMS(1830-1836).OLDIRONSIDESTHELASTLEAFTHECAMBRIDGECHURCHYARDTOANINSECTTHEDILEMMA
MYAUNTREFLECTIONSOFAPROUDPEDESTRIANDAILYTRIALS,BYASENSITIVEMANEVENING,BYATAILORTHEDORCHESTERGIANTTOTHEPORTRAITOF"ALADY"THECOMETTHEMusic-GRINDERSTHETREADMILLSONGTHESEPTEMBERGALE
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THEHEIGHTOFTHERIDICULOUSTHELASTREADERPOETRY:AMETRICALESSAY
ADDITIONALPOEMS(1837-1848):THEPILGRIM'SVISIONTHESTEAMBOATLEXINGTONONLENDINGAPUNCHBOWLASONGFORTHECENTENNIALCELEBRATIONOFHARVARDCOLLEGE,THEISLANDHUNTING-SONGDEPARTEDDAYSTHEONLYDAUGHTERSONGWRITTENFORTHEDINNERGIVENTOCHARLESDICKENS,BYTHEYOUNGMENOFBOSTON,FEBRUARY1,1842LINESRECITEDATTHEBERKSHIREJUBILEENUXPOSTCOENATICAVERSESFORAFTER-DINNERAMODESTREQUEST,COMPLIEDWITHAFTERTHEDINNERATPRESIDENTEVERETT'SINAUGURATIONTHEPARTINGWORDASONGOFOTHERDAYSSONGFORATEMPERANCEDINNERTOWHICHLADIESWEREINVITED(NEWYORKMERCANTILELIBRARYASSOCIATION,NOVEMBER,1842)
ASENTIMENTARHYMEDLESSON(URANIA)ANAFTER-DINNERPOEM(TERPSICHORE)
MEDICALPOEMS:THEMORNINGVISITTHETWOARMIESTHESTETHOSCOPESONGEXTRACTSFROMAMEDICALPOEMAPOEMFORTHEMEETINGOFTHEAMERICANMEDICALASSOCIATIONATNEWYORK,MAY5,1853ASENTIMENTRIPVANWINKLE,M.D.
SONGSINMANYKEYS(1849-1861)PROLOGUEAGNESTHEPLOUGHMANSPRINGTHESTUDYTHEBELLSNON-RESISTANCETHEMORALBULLYTHEMIND'SDIETOURLIMITATIONSTHEOLDPLAYER
APOEMDEDICATIONOFTHEPITTSFIELDCEMETERY,SEPTEMBER9,1850TOGOVERNORSWAINTOANENGLISHFRIENDAFTERALECTUREONWORDSWORTHAFTERALECTUREONMOOREAFTERALECTUREONKEATSAFTERALECTUREONSHELLEYATTHECLOSEOFACOURSEOFLECTURESTHEHUDSONTHENEWEDEN
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SEMI-CENTENNIALCELEBRATIONOFTHENEWENGLANDSOCIETY,NEWYORK,DECEMBER22,1855FAREWELLTOJ.R.LOWELLFORTHEMEETINGOFTHEBURNSCLUB,1856ODEFORWASHINGTON'SBIRTHDAYBIRTHDAYOFDANIELWEBSTERTHEVOICELESSTHETWOSTREAMSTHEPROMISEAVISTHELIVINGTEMPLEATABIRTHDAYFESTIVAL:TOJ.R.LOWELLABIRTHDAYTRIBUTETOJ.F.CLARKETHEGRAYCHIEFTHELASTLOOK:W.W.SWAININMEMORYOFCHARLESWENTWORTHUPHAM,JR.MARTHAMEETINGOFTHEALUMNIOFHARVARDCOLLEGETHEPARTINGSONGFORTHEMEETINGOFTHENATIONALSANITARYASSOCIATIONFORTHEBURNSCENTENNIALCELEBRATION,ATAMEETINGOFFRIENDSBOSTONCOMMON:THREEPICTURESTHEOLDMANOFTHESEA
INTERNATIONALODEVIVELAFRANCEBROTHERJONATHAN'SLAMENTFORSISTERCAROLINE
NOTES
[Volume2ofthe1893threevolumeset]
CONTENTS:
POEMSOFTHECLASSOF'29(1851-1889)BILLANDJOEASONGOF"TWENTY-NINE"QUESTIONSANDANSWERSANIMPROMPTUTHEOLDMANDREAMSREMEMBER--FORGETOURINDIANSUMMERMARERUBRUMTHEBoysLINESAVOICEOFTHELOYALNORTHJ.D.R.
VOYAGEOFTHEGOODSHIPUNION"CHOOSEYOUTHISDAYWHOMYEWILLSERVE"F.W.C.THELASTCHARGEOUROLDESTFRIENDSHERMAN'SINSAVANNAHMYANNUALALLHEREONCEMORETHEOLDCRUISER
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HYMNFORTHECLASS-MEETINGEVEN-SONGTHESMILINGLISTENEROURSWEETSINGER:J.A.H.C.M.,H.S.,J.K.W.WHATIHAVECOMEFOROURBANKERFORCLASS-MEETING"ADAMICOS"HOWNOTTOSETTLEITTHELASTSURVIVORTHEARCHBISHOPANDGILBLASTHESHADOWSBENJAMINPEIRCEINTHETWILIGHTALOVING-CUPSONGTHEGIRDLEOFFRIENDSHIPTHELYREOFANACREONTHEOLDTUNETHEBROKENCIRCLETHEANGEL-THIEFAFTERTHECURFEW
POEMSFROMTHEAUTOCRATOFTHEBREAKFAST-TABLE(1857-1858)
THECHAMBEREDNAUTILUSSUNANDSHADOWMUSAAPARTINGHEALTH:ToJ.L.MOTLEYWHATWEALLTHINKSPRINGHASCOMEPROLOGUELATTER-DAYWARNINGSALBUMVERSESAGOODTIMEGOING!THELASTBLOSSOMCONTENTMENTAESTIVATION
THEDEACON'SMASTERPIECE;OR,THEWONDERFUL"ONE-HOSESHAY"PARSONTURELL'SLEGACY;OR,THEPRESIDENT'SOLDARM-CHAIRODEFORASOCIALMEETING,WITHSLIGHTALTERATIONSBYATEETOTALER
POEMSFROMTHEPROFESSORATTHEBREAKFAST-TABLE(1858-1859)UNDERTHEVIOLETSHYMNOFTRUSTASUN-DAYHYMNTHECROOKEDFOOTPATHIRIS,HERBOOKROBINSONOFLEYDENSTANTHONYTHEREFORMERTHEOPENINGOFTHEPIANO
MIDSUMMERDESAUTY
POEMSFROMTHEPOETATTHEBREAKFAST-TABLE(1871-1872)HOMESICKINHEAVENFANTASIAAUNTTABITHAWIND-CLOUDSANDSTAR-DRIFTSEPILOGUETOTHEBREAKFAST-TABLESERIES
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SONGSOFMANYSEASONS(1862-1874)OPENINGTHEWINDOWPROGRAMME
INTHEQUIETDAYSANOLD-YEARSONGDOROTHYQ:AFAMILYPORTRAITTHEORGAN-BLOWERATTHEPANTOMIMEAFTERTHEFIREABALLADOFTHEBOSTONTEA-PARTYNEARINGTHESNOW-LINE
INWARTIMETOCANAAN:APURITANWAR-SONG"THUSSAITHTHELORD,IOFFERTHEETHREETHINGS"NEVERORNOWONECOUNTRYGODSAVETHEFLAG!HYMNAFTERTHEEMANCIPATIONPROCLAMATIONHYMNFORTHEFAIRATCHICAGOUNDERTHEWASHINGTONELM,CAMBRIDGEFREEDOM,OURQUEENARMYHYMN
PARTINGHYMNTHEFLOWEROFLIBERTYTHESWEETLITTLEMANUNIONANDLIBERTY
SONGSOFWELCOMEANDFAREWELLAMERICATORUSSIAWELCOMETOTHEGRANDDUKEALEXISATTHEBANQUETTOTHEGRANDDUKEALEXISATTHEBANQUETTOTHECHINESEEMBASSYATTHEBANQUETTOTHEJAPANESEEMBASSYBRYANT'SSEVENTIETHBIRTHDAYAFAREWELLTOAGASSIZ
ATADINNERTOADMIRALFARRAGUTATADINNERTOGENERALGRANTToHWLONGFELLOWToCHRISTIANGOTTFRIEDEHRENBERGATOASTTOWILKIECOLLINS
MEMORIALVERSESFORTHESERVICESINMEMORYOFABRAHAMLINCOLN,BOSTON,1865FORTHECOMMEMORATIONSERVICES,CAMBRIDGEJULY21,1865EDWARDEVERETT:JANUARY30,1865SHAKESPEARETERCENTENNIALCELEBRATION,APRIL23,1864INMEMORYOFJOHNANDROBERTWARE,MAY25,1864HUMBOLDT'SBIRTHDAY:CENTENNIALCELEBRATION,SEPTEMBER14,1869
POEMATTHEDEDICATIONOFTHEHALLECKMONUMENT,JULY8,1869HYMNFORTHECELEBRATIONATTHELAYINGOFTHECORNER-STONEOFHARVARDMEMORIALHALL,CAMBRIDGE,OCTOBER6,1870HYMNFORTHEDEDICATIONOFMEMORIALHALLATCAMBRIDGE,1874HYMNATTHEFUNERALSERVICESOFCHARLESSUMNER,APRIL29,1874
RHYMESOFANHOURADDRESSFORTHEOPENINGOFTHEFIFTHAVENUETHEATRE,N.Y.1873ASEADIALOGUECHANSONWITHOUTMUSIC
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I.ATTHESUMMITII.THEWORLD'SHOMAGEAWELCOMETODR.BENJAMINAPTHORPGOULDTOFREDERICKHENRYHEDGEONHISEIGHTIETHBIRTHDAYTOJAMESRUSSELLLOWELLTOJOHNGREENLEAFWHITTIERONHISEIGHTIETHBIRTHDAYPRELUDETOAVOLUMEPRINTEDINRAISEDLETTERSFORTHEBLINDBOSTONTOFLORENCEATTHEUNITARIANFESTIVAL,MARCH8,1882POEMFORTHETWOHUNDREDANDFIFTIETHANNIVERSARYOFTHEFOUNDINGOFHARVARDCOLLEGEPOST-PRANDIAL:PHIBETAKAPPA,1881THEFLANEUR:DURINGTHETRANSITOFVENUS,1882AVEKING'SCHAPELREADATTHETWOHUNDREDTHANNIVERSARYHYMNFORTHESAMEOCCASIONHYMN.--THEWORDOFPROMISEHYMNREADATTHEDEDICATIONOFTHEOLIVERWENDELLHOLMESHOSPITALATHUDSON,WISCONSIN,JUNE7,1887ONTHEDEATHOFPRESIDENTGARFIELDTHEGOLDENFLOWERHAIL,COLUMBIA!POEMFORTHEDEDICATIONOFTHEFOUNTAINATSTRATFORD-ON-AVON,
PRESENTEDBYGEORGECHILDS,OFPHILADELPHIATOTHEPOETSWHOONLYREADANDLISTENFORTHEDEDICATIONOFTHENEWCITYLIBRARYFORTHEWINDOWINST.MARGARET'SJAMESRUSSELLLOWELL:1819-1891
POEMSFROMOVERTHETEACUPS.TOTHEELEVENLADIESWHOPRESENTEDMEWITHASILVERLOVINGCUPTHEPEAUDECHAGRINOFSTATESTREETCACOETHESSCRIBENDITHEROSEANDTHEFERNILIKEYOUANDILOVEYOU
LAMAISOND'ORBARHARBORTOOYOUNGFORLOVETHEBROOMSTICKTRAIN;OR,THERETURNOFTHEWITCHESTARTARUSATTHETURNOFTHEROADINVITAMINERVA
READINGSOVERTHETEACUPSTOMYOLDREADERSTHEBANKER'SSECRETTHEEXILE'SSECRETTHELOVER'SSECRETTHESTATESMAN'SSECRET
THEMOTHER'SSECRETTHESECRETOFTHESTARS
VERSESFROMTHEOLDESTPORTFOLIOFIRSTVERSES:TRANSLATIONFROMTHETHEMEETINGOFTHEDRYADSTHEMYSTERIOUSVISITORTHETOADSTOOLTHESPECTREPIGTOACAGEDLIONTHESTARANDTHEWATER-LILY
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ILLUSTRATIONOFAPICTURE:"ASPANISHGIRLREVERIE"AROMANAQUEDUCTFROMABACHELOR'SPRIVATEJOURNALLAGRISETTEOURYANKEEGIRLSL'INCONNUESTANZASLINESBYACLERKTHEPHILOSOPHERTOHISLOVETHEPOET'SLOTTOABLANKSHEETOFPAPERTOTHEPORTRAITOF"AGENTLEMAN"INTHEATHENAEUMGALLERYTHEBALLADOFTHEOYSTERMANANOONTIDELYRICTHEHOTSEASONAPORTRAITANEVENINGTHOUGHT.WRITTENATSEATHEWASPANDTHEHORNET"QUIVIVE?"
NOTES
TOMYREADERS
NAY,blamemenot;ImighthavesparedYourpatiencemanyatrivialverse,Yetthesemyearlierwelcomeshared,So,letthebettershieldtheworse.
Andsomemightsay,"ThoserudersongsHadfreshnesswhichthenewhavelost;Tospringtheopeningleafbelongs,Thechestnut-bursawaitthefrost."
WhenthoseIwrote,mylockswerebrown,WhentheseIwrite--ah,wella-day!Theautumnthistle'ssilverydownIsnotthepurplebloomofMay.
Go,littlebook,whosepagesholdThosegarneredyearsinlovingtrust;HowlongbeforeyourblueandgoldShallfadeandwhiteninthedust?
Osextonofthealcovedtomb,Wheresoulsinleatherncerementslie,Tellmeeachlivingpoet'sdoom!
Howlongbeforehisbookshalldie?
Itmatterslittle,soonorlate,Aday,amonth,ayear,anage,--Ireadoblivioninitsdate,AndFinisonitstitle-page.
Beforewesighed,ourgriefsweretold;Beforewesmiled,ourjoysweresung;Andallourpassionsshapedofold
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Inaccentslosttomortaltongue.
Invainafreshermouldweseek,--CanallthevariedphrasestellThatBabel'swanderingchildrenspeakHowthrushessingorlilacssmell?
Cagedinthepoet'slonelyheart,Lovewastesunhearditstenderesttone;Thesoulthatsingsmustdwellapart,Itsinwardmelodiesunknown.
Dealgentlywithus,yewhoreadOurlargesthopeisunfulfilled,--Thepromisestilloutrunsthedeed,--Thetower,butnotthespire,webuild.
Ourwhitestpearlweneverfind;Ourripestfruitweneverreach;ThefloweringmomentsofthemindDrophalftheirpetalsinourspeech.
Thesearemyblossoms;iftheywearOnestreakofmornorevening'sglow,
Acceptthem;buttomemorefairThebudsofsongthatneverblow.April8,1862.
EARLIERPOEMS
1830-1836OLDIRONSIDES
ThiswasthepopularnamebywhichthefrigateConstitution
wasknown.ThepoemwasfirstprintedintheBostonDailyAdvertiser,atthetimewhenitwasproposedtobreakuptheoldshipasunfitforservice.Isubjointheparagraphwhichledtothewritingofthepoem.ItisfromtheAdvertiserofTuesday,September14,1830:--
"OldIronsides.--IthasbeenaffirmedupongoodauthoritythattheSecretaryoftheNavyhasrecommendedtotheBoardofNavyCommissionerstodisposeofthefrigateConstitution.Sinceithasbeenunderstoodthatsuchastepwasincontemplationwehaveheardbutoneopinionexpressed,andthatindecideddisapprobationofthemeasure.Suchanationalobjectofinterest,soendearedtoournationalprideasOldIronsidesis,should
neverbyanyactofourgovernmentceasetobelongtotheNavy,solongasourcountryistobefounduponthemapofnations.InEnglanditwaslatelydeterminedbytheAdmiraltytocuttheVictory,aone-hundredgunship(whichitwillberecollectedboretheflagofLordNelsonatthebattleofTrafalgar,)downtoaseventy-four,butsoloudwerethelamentationsofthepeopleupontheproposedmeasurethattheintentionwasabandoned.WeconfidentlyanticipatethattheSecretaryoftheNavywillinlikemannerconsultthegeneralwishinregardtotheConstitution,andeitherletherremaininordinaryorrebuildherwheneverthe
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publicservicemayrequire."--NewYorkJournalofCommerce.
Thepoemwasanimpromptuoutburstoffeelingandwaspublishedonthenextdaybutoneafterreadingtheaboveparagraph.
AY,tearhertatteredensigndownLonghasitwavedonhigh,AndmanyaneyehasdancedtoseeThatbannerinthesky;Beneathitrungthebattleshout,Andburstthecannon'sroar;--ThemeteoroftheoceanairShallsweepthecloudsnomore.
Herdeck,onceredwithheroes'blood,Wherekneltthevanquishedfoe,Whenwindswerehurryingo'ertheflood,Andwaveswerewhitebelow,Nomoreshallfeelthevictor'stread,Orknowtheconqueredknee;--TheharpiesoftheshoreshallpluckTheeagleofthesea!
Ohbetterthathershatteredhulk
Shouldsinkbeneaththewave;Herthundersshookthemightydeep,Andthereshouldbehergrave;Nailtothemastherholyflag,Seteverythreadbaresail,Andgivehertothegodofstorms,Thelightningandthegale!
THELASTLEAF
ThispoemwassuggestedbytheappearanceinoneofourstreetsofavenerablerelicoftheRevolution,saidtobeoneofthepartywhothrewtheteaoverboardinBostonHarbor.Hewasafinemonumentalspecimeninhiscockedhatandkneebreeches,withhisbuckledshoesandhissturdycane.ThesmilewithwhichI,asayoungman,greetedhim,meantnodisrespecttoanhonoredfellow-citizenwhosecostumewasoutofdate,butwhosepatriotismneverchangedwithyears.Idonotrecallanyearlierexampleofthisformofverse,whichwascommendedbythefastidiousEdgarAllanPoe,whomadeacopyofthewholepoemwhichIhaveinhisownhandwriting.GoodAbrahamLincolnhadagreatlikingforthepoem,andrepeateditfrommemorytoGovernorAndrew,
asthegovernorhimselftoldme.
ISAWhimoncebefore,Ashepassedbythedoor,AndagainThepavementstonesresound,Ashetotterso'erthegroundWithhiscane.
Theysaythatinhisprime,
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Erethepruning-knifeofTimeCuthimdown,NotabettermanwasfoundBytheCrieronhisroundThroughthetown.
Butnowhewalksthestreets,AndhelooksatallhemeetsSadandwan,Andheshakeshisfeeblehead,Thatitseemsasifhesaid,"Theyaregone."
ThemossymarblesrestOnthelipsthathehasprestIntheirbloom,AndthenameshelovedtohearHavebeencarvedformanyayearOnthetomb.
Mygrandmammahassaid--Pooroldlady,sheisdeadLongago--ThathehadaRomannose,
AndhischeekwaslikearoseInthesnow.
Butnowhisnoseisthin,AnditrestsuponhischinLikeastaff,Andacrookisinhisback,AndamelancholycrackInhislaugh.
IknowitisasinFormetositandgrinAthimhere;
Buttheoldthree-corneredhat,Andthebreeches,andallthat,Aresoqueer!
AndifIshouldlivetobeThelastleafuponthetreeInthespring,Letthemsmile,asIdonow,AttheoldforsakenboughWhereIcling.
THECAMBRIDGECHURCHYARD
OURancientchurch!itslowlytower,Beneaththeloftierspire,IsshadowedwhenthesunsethourClothesthetallshaftinfire;ItsinksbeyondthedistanteyeLongeretheglitteringvane,
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Highwheelinginthewesternsky,Hasfadedo'ertheplain.
LikeSentinelandNun,theykeepTheirvigilonthegreen;Oneseemstoguard,andonetoweep,Thedeadthatliebetween;Andbothrollout,sofullandnear,Theirmusic'sminglingwaves,Theyshakethegrass,whosepennonedspearLeansonthenarrowgraves.
Thestrangerpartstheflauntingweeds,WhoseseedsthewindshavestrownSothick,beneaththelinehereads,Theyshadethesculpturedstone;Thechildunveilshisclusteredbrow,AndpondersforawhileThegravenwillow'spendentbough,Orrudestcherub'ssmile.
Butwhattothemthedirge,theknell?Thesewerethemourner'sshare,--Thesullenclang,whoseheavyswell
Throbbedthroughthebeatingair;Therattlingcord,therollingstone,Theshelvingsandthatslid,And,farbeneath,withhollowtoneRungonthecoffin'slid.
Theslumberer'smoundgrowsfreshandgreen,Thenslowlydisappears;Themossescreep,thegraystoneslean,Earthhideshisdateandyears;But,longbeforetheonce-lovednameIssunkorwornaway,Nolipthesilentdustmayclaim,
Thatpressedthebreathingclay.
Gowheretheancientpathwayguides,SeewhereoursireslaiddownTheirsmilingbabes,theircherishedbrides,Thepatriarchsofthetown;Hastthouatearforburiedlove?Asighfortransientpower?Allthatacenturyleftabove,Go,readitinanhour!
TheIndian'sshaft,theBriton'sball,Thesabre'sthirstingedge,
Thehotshell,shatteringinitsfall,Thebayonet'srendingwedge,--Herescattereddeath;yet,seekthespot,Notracethineeyecansee,Noaltar,--andtheyneeditnotWholeavetheirchildrenfree!
Lookwheretheturbidrain-dropsstandInmanyachiselledsquare;Theknightlycrest,theshield,thebrand
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Ofhonorednameswerethere;--Alas!foreverytearisdriedThoseblazonedtabletsknew,Savewhentheicymarble'ssideDripswiththeeveningdew.
Orgazeuponyonpillaredstone,Theemptyurnofpride;TherestandtheGobletandtheSun,--Whatneedofmorebeside?Wherelivesthememoryofthedead,Whomadetheirtombatoy?Whoseashespressthatnamelessbed?Go,askthevillageboy!
Leano'ertheslenderwesternwall,Yeever-roaminggirls;ThebreaththatbidstheblossomfallMayliftyourfloatingcurls,TosweepthesimplelinesthattellAnexile'sdateanddoom;Andsigh,forwherehisdaughtersdwell,Theywreathethestranger'stomb.
Andoneamidtheseshadeswasborn,Beneaththisturfwholies,Oncebeamingasthesummer'smorn,Thatclosedhergentleeyes;Ifsinlessangelsloveaswe,Whostoodthygravebeside,Threeseraphwelcomeswaitedthee,Thedaughter,sister,bride.
IwanderedtothyburiedmoundWhenearthwashidbelowTheleveloftheglaringground,Chokedtoitsgateswithsnow,
Andwhenwithsummer'sflowerywavesThelakeofverdurerolled,AsifaSultan'swhite-robedslavesHadscatteredpearlsandgold.
Nay,thesoftpinionsoftheair,Thatliftthistremblingtone,ItsbreathoflovemayalmostbearTokissthyfuneralstone;And,nowthysmileshavepassedaway,Forallthejoytheygave,MaysweetestdewsandwarmestrayLieonthineearlygrave!
WhendampsbeneathandstormsaboveHavebowedthesefragiletowers,Stillo'erthegravesyonlocustgroveShallswingitsOrientflowers;AndIwouldasknomoulderingbust,Ife'erthishumbleline,Whichbreathedasigho'erother'sdust,Mightcallatearonmine.
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TOANINSECT
TheKatydidis"aspeciesofgrasshopperfoundintheUnitedStates,socalledfromthesoundwhichitmakes."--Worcester.IusedtohearthisinsectinProvidence,RhodeIsland,butIdonotrememberhearingitinCambridge,Massachusetts,whereIpassedmyboyhood.ItiswellknowninothertownsintheneighborhoodofBoston.
ILOVEtohearthineearnestvoice,Whereverthouarthid,Thoutestylittledogmatist,ThouprettyKatydidThoumindestmeofgentlefolks,--Oldgentlefolksarethey,--Thousay'stanundisputedthingInsuchasolemnway.
Thouartafemale,KatydidIknowitbythetrill
Thatquiversthroughthypiercingnotes,Sopetulantandshrill;IthinkthereisaknotofyouBeneaththehollowtree,--AknotofspinsterKatydids,---DoKatydidsdrinktea?
OhtellmewheredidKatylive,AndwhatdidKatydo?Andwassheveryfairandyoung,Andyetsowicked,too?DidKatyloveanaughtyman,Orkissmorecheeksthanone?
IwarrantKatydidnomoreThanmanyaKatehasdone.
Dearme!I'lltellyouallaboutMyfusswithlittleJane,AndAnn,withwhomIusedtowalkSooftendownthelane,Andallthattoretheirlocksofblack,Orwettheireyesofblue,--Praytellme,sweetestKatydid,WhatdidpoorKatydo?
Ahno!thelivingoakshallcrash,
Thatstoodforagesstill,TherockshallrenditsmossybaseAndthunderdownthehill,BeforethelittleKatydidShalladdoneword,totellThemysticstoryofthemaidWhosenamesheknowssowell.
Peacetotheever-murmuringrace!Andwhenthelatestone
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ShallfoldindeathherfeeblewingsBeneaththeautumnsun,Thenshallsheraiseherfaintingvoice,Andliftherdroopinglid,AndthenthechildoffutureyearsShallhearwhatKatydid.
THEDILEMMA
Now,bytheblessedPaphianqueen,Whoheavesthebreastofsweetsixteen;ByeverynameIcutonbarkBeforemymorningstargrewdark;ByHymen'storch,byCupid'sdart,Byallthatthrillsthebeatingheart;Thebrightblackeye,themeltingblue,--Icannotchoosebetweenthetwo.
Ihadavisioninmydreams;--Isawarowoftwentybeams;
Fromeverybeamaropewashung,Ineveryropealoverswung;IaskedthehueofeveryeyeThatbadeeachlucklessloverdie;Tenshadowylipssaid,heavenlyblue,Andtenaccusedthedarkerhue.
IaskedamatronwhichshedeemedWithfairestlightofbeautybeamed;Sheanswered,somethoughtbothwerefair,--Giveherblueeyesandgoldenhair.Imighthavelikedherjudgmentwell,But,asshespoke,sherungthebell,
Andallhergirls,norsmallnorfew,Camemarchingin,--theireyeswereblue.
Iaskedamaiden;backsheflungThelocksthatroundherforeheadhung,Andturnedhereye,agloriousone,Brightasadiamondinthesun,Onme,untilbeneathitsraysIfeltasifmyhairwouldblaze;Shelikedalleyesbuteyesofgreen;Shelookedatme;whatcouldshemean?
Ah!manylidsLovelurksbetween,
Norheedsthecoloringofhisscreen;Andwhenhisrandomarrowsfly,Thevictimfalls,butknowsnotwhy.Gazenotuponhisshieldofjet,Theshaftuponthestringisset;Looknotbeneathhisazureveil,Thougheverylimbwerecasedinmail.
Well,bothmightmakeamartyrbreakThechainthatboundhimtothestake;
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Andboth,withbutasingleray,Canmeltourveryheartsaway;Andboth,whenbalanced,hardlyseemTostirthescales,orrockthebeam;Butthatisdearest,allthewhile,Thatwearsforusthesweetestsmile.
MYAUNT
MYaunt!mydearunmarriedaunt!Longyearshaveo'erherflown;YetstillshestrainstheachingclaspThatbindshervirginzone;Iknowithurtsher,--thoughshelooksAscheerfulasshecan;Herwaistisamplerthanherlife,Forlifeisbutaspan.
Myaunt!mypoordeludedaunt!Herhairisalmostgray;
WhywillshetrainthatwintercurlInsuchaspring-likeway?Howcanshelayherglassesdown,Andsayshereadsaswell,WhenthroughadoubleconvexlensShejustmakesouttospell?
Herfather--grandpapaIforgiveThiserringlipitssmiles--VowedsheshouldmakethefinestgirlWithinahundredmiles;Hesenthertoastylishschool;'TwasinherthirteenthJune;
Andwithher,astherulesrequired,"Twotowelsandaspoon."
Theybracedmyauntagainstaboard,Tomakeherstraightandtall;Theylacedherup,theystarvedherdown,Tomakeherlightandsmall;Theypinchedherfeet,theysingedherhair,Theyscreweditupwithpins;--OhnevermortalsufferedmoreInpenanceforhersins.
So,whenmypreciousauntwasdone,
Mygrandsirebroughtherback;(Bydaylight,lestsomerabidyouthMightfollowonthetrack;)"Ah!"saidmygrandsire,asheshookSomepowderinhispan,"WhatcouldthislovelycreaturedoAgainstadesperateman!"
Alas!norchariot,norbarouche,Norbanditcavalcade,
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Torefromthetremblingfather'sarmsHisall-accomplishedmaid.ForherhowhappyhaditbeenAndHeavenhadsparedtomeToseeonesad,ungatheredroseOnmyancestraltree.
REFLECTIONSOFAPROUDPEDESTRIAN
ISAWthecurlofhiswavinglash,Andtheglanceofhisknowingeye,AndIknewthathethoughthewascuttingadash,Ashissteedwentthunderingby.
Andhemayrideintherattlinggig,OrflourishtheStanhopegay,AnddreamthathelooksexceedingbigTothepeoplethatwalkintheway;
Butheshallthink,whenthenightisstill,
Onthestable-boy'sgatheringnumbers,AndtheghostofmanyaveteranbillShallhoveraroundhisslumbers;
Theghastlydunshallworryhissleep,Andconstablesclusteraroundhim,Andheshallcreepfromthewood-holedeepWheretheirspectreeyeshavefoundhim!
Ay!gatheryourreins,andcrackyourthong,Andbidyoursteedgofaster;Hedoesnotknow,ashescramblesalong,Thathehasafoolforhismaster;
Andhurryawayonyourlonelyride,Nordeignfromthemiretosaveme;IwillpaddleitstoutlyatyoursideWiththetandemthatnaturegaveme!
DAILYTRIALS
BYASENSITIVEMAN
OH,therearetimesWhenallthisfretandtumultthatwehearDoseemmorestalethantothesexton'searHisowndullchimes.
Dingdong!dingdong!TheworldisinasimmerlikeaseaOverapentvolcano,--woeismeAllthedaylong!
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Fromcribtoshroud!Nurseo'erourcradlesscreamethlullaby,Andfriendsinbootstramproundusaswedie,Snufflingaloud.
Atmorning'scallThesmall-voicedpug-dogwelcomesinthesun,Andflea-bitmongrels,wakeningonebyone,Giveanswerall.
WheneveningdimDrawsroundus,thenthelonelycaterwaul,Tartsolo,sourduet,andgeneralsquall,--Theseareourhymn.
Women,withtonguesLikepolarneedles,everonthejar;Men,pluglessword-spouts,whosedeepfountainsareWithintheirlungs.
Children,withdrumsStrappedroundthembythefondpaternalass;Peripateticswithabladeofgrass
Betweentheirthumbs.
Vagrants,whoseartsHavecagedsomedevilintheirmadmachine,Whichgrinding,squeaks,withhuskygroansbetween,Comeoutbystarts.
CockneysthatkillThinhorsesofaSunday,--men,withclams,HoarseasyoungbisonsroaringfortheirdamsFromhilltohill.
Soldiers,withguns,
Makinganuisanceoftheblessedair,Child-cryingbellmen,childrenindespair,Screechingforbuns.
Storms,thunders,waves!Howl,crash,andbellowtillyegetyourfill;Yesometimesrest;mennevercanbestillButintheirgraves.
EVENING
BYATAILOR
DAYhathputonhisjacket,andaroundHisburningbosombuttoneditwithstars.HerewillIlaymeonthevelvetgrass,Thatislikepaddingtoearth'smeagreribs,Andholdcommunionwiththethingsaboutme.Ahme!howlovelyisthegoldenbraid
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Thatbindstheskirtofnight'sdescendingrobe!Thethinleaves,quiveringontheirsilkenthreads,Domakeamusicliketorustlingsatin,Asthelightbreezessmooththeirdownynap.
Ha!whatisthisthatrisestomytouch,Solikeacushion?Canitbeacabbage?Itis,itisthatdeeplyinjuredflower,Whichboysdofloutuswith;--butyetIlovethee,Thougiantrose,wrappedinagreensurtout.DoubtlessinEdenthoudidstblushasbrightAsthese,thypunybrethren;andthybreathSweetenedthefragranceofherspicyair;Butnowthouseemestlikeabankruptbeau,Strippedofhisgaudyhuesandessences,Andgrowingportlyinhissobergarments.
Isthataswanthatridesuponthewater?Ohno,itisthatothergentlebird,Whichisthepatronofournoblecalling.Iwellremember,inmyearlyyears,Whentheseyounghandsfirstcloseduponagoose;Ihaveascaruponmythimblefinger,Whichchroniclesthehourofyoungambition.
Myfatherwasatailor,andhisfather,Andmysire'sgrandsire,allofthemweretailors;Theyhadanancientgoose,--itwasanheirloomFromsomeremotertailorofourrace.IthappenedIdidseeitonatimeWhennonewasnear,andIdiddealwithit,Anditdidburnme,--oh,mostfearfully!
Itisajoytostraightenoutone'slimbs,Andleapelasticfromthelevelcounter,Leavingthepettygrievancesofearth,Thebreakingthread,thedinofclashingshears,Andalltheneedlesthatdowoundthespirit,
Forsuchapensivehourofsoothingsilence.KindNature,shufflinginherlooseundress,Laysbarehershadybosom;--IcanfeelWithallaroundme;--IcanhailtheflowersThatsprigearth'smantle,--andyonquietbird,Thatridesthestream,istomeasabrother.Thevulgarknownotallthehiddenpockets,WhereNaturestowsawayherloveliness.ButthisunnaturalpostureofthelegsCrampsmyextendedcalves,andImustgoWhereIcancoilthemintheirwontedfashion.
THEDORCHESTERGIANT
The"pudding-stone"isaremarkableconglomeratefoundveryabundantlyinthetownsmentioned,allofwhichareintheneighborhoodofBoston.Weusedinthoseprimitivedaystoaskfriendsto_ride_withuswhenwemeanttotakethemto_drive_withus.
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THEREwasagiantintimeofold,Amightyonewashe;Hehadawife,butshewasascold,Sohekepthershutinhismammothfold;Andhehadchildrenthree.
Ithappenedtobeanelectionday,AndthegiantswerechoosingakingThepeoplewerenotdemocratsthen,Theydidnottalkoftherightsofmen,Andallthatsortofthing.
Thenthegianttookhischildrenthree,Andfastenedtheminthepen;Thechildrenroared;quoththegiant,"Bestill!"AndDorchesterHeightsandMiltonHillRolledbackthesoundagain.
Thenhebroughtthemapuddingstuffedwithplums,AsbigastheState-Housedome;Quothhe,"There'ssomethingforyoutoeat;Sostopyourmouthswithyour'lectiontreat,Andwaittillyourdadcomeshome."
Sothegiantpulledhimachestnutstout,Andwhittledtheboughsaway;Theboysandtheirmothersetupashout,Saidhe,"You'rein,andyoucan'tgetout,Bellowasloudasyoumay."
Offhewent,andhegrowledatuneAshestrodethefieldsalong;'Tissaidabuffalofaintedaway,Andfellascoldasalumpofclay,Whenheheardthegiant'ssong.
Butwhetherthestory'strueornot,
Itisn'tformetoshow;There'smanyathingthat'stwiceasqueerInsomebody'slecturesthatwehear,Andthosearetrue,youknow.
Whatarethoseloneonesdoingnow,Thewifeandthechildrensad?Oh,theyareinaterriblerout,Screaming,andthrowingtheirpuddingabout,Actingastheyweremad.
TheyflungitovertoRoxburyhills,Theyflungitovertheplain,
AndalloverMiltonandDorchestertooGreatlumpsofpuddingthegiantsthrew;Theytumbledasthickasrain.
Giantandmammothhavepassedaway,Forageshavefloatedby;Thesuetishardasamarrow-bone,Andeveryplumisturnedtoastone,Buttherethepuddingslie.
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Andif,somepleasantafternoon,You'llaskmeouttoride,ThewholeofthestoryIwilltell,Andyoushallseewherethepuddingsfell,Andpayforthepunchbeside.
TOTHEPORTRAITOF"ALADY"INTHEATHENAEUMGALLERY
WELL,Miss,Iwonderwhereyoulive,Iwonderwhat'syourname,IwonderhowyoucametobeInsuchastylishframe;Perhapsyouwereafavoritechild,Perhapsanonlyone;PerhapsyourfriendswerenotawareYouhadyourportraitdone.
Yetyoumustbeaharmlesssoul;IcannotthinkthatSin
Wouldcaretothrowhisloadeddice,Withsuchastaketowin;IcannotthinkyouwouldprovokeThepoet'swickedpen,Ormakeyoungwomenbitetheirlips,Orruinfineyoungmen.
Pray,didyoueverhear,mylove,Ofboysthatgoabout,Who,foraverytriflingsum,Willsnipone'spictureout?I'mnotaversetoredandwhite,Butallthingshavetheirplace,
IthinkaprofilecutinblackWouldsuityourstyleofface!
Ilovesweetfeatures;IwillownThatIshouldlikemyselfToseemyportraitonawall,Orbustuponashelf;ButnaturesometimesmakesoneupOfsuchsadoddsandends,ItreallymightbequiteaswellHushedupamongone'sfriends!
THECOMET
THEComet!Heisonhisway,Andsingingasheflies;ThewhizzingplanetsshrinkbeforeThespectreoftheskies;Ah!wellmayregalorbsburnblue,
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Andsatellitesturnpale,Tenmillioncubicmilesofhead,Tenbillionleaguesoftail!
On,onbywhistlingspheresoflightHeflashesandheflames;Heturnsnottotheleftnorright,Heasksthemnottheirnames;Onespurnfromhisdemoniacheel,--Away,awaytheyfly,WheredarknessmightbebottledupAndsoldfor"Tyriandye."
Andwhatwouldhappentotheland,Andhowwouldlookthesea,Ifinthebeardeddevil'spathOurearthshouldchancetobe?Fullhotandhightheseawouldboil,Fullredtheforestsgleam;MethoughtIsawandhearditallInadyspepticdream!
IsawatutortakehistubeTheComet'scoursetospy;
Iheardascream,--thegatheredraysHadstewedthetutor'seye;Isawafort,--thesoldiersallWerearmedwithgogglesgreen;Popcrackedtheguns!whizflewtheballs!Bangwentthemagazine!
IsawapoetdipascrollEachmomentinatub,Ireaduponthewarpingback,"TheDreamofBeelzebub;"Hecouldnotseehisversesburn,Althoughhisbrainwasfried,
AndeverandanonhebentTowetthemastheydried.
IsawthescaldingpitchrolldownThecrackling,sweatingpines,Andstreamsofsmoke,likewater-spouts,Burstthroughtherumblingmines;IaskedthefiremenwhytheymadeSuchnoiseaboutthetown;Theyanswerednot,--butallthewhileThebrakeswentupanddown.
Isawaroastingpulletsit
Uponabakingegg;IsawacripplescorchhishandExtinguishinghisleg;IsawninegeeseuponthewingTowardsthefrozenpole,Andeverymother'sgoslingfellCrispedtoacracklingcoal.
IsawtheoxthatbrowsedthegrassWritheintheblisteringrays,
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TheherbageinhisshrinkingjawsWasallafieryblaze;Isawhugefishes,boiledtorags,Bobthroughthebubblingbrine;Andthoughtsofsuppercrossedmysoul;Ihadbeenrashatmine.
Strangesights!strangesounds!Ohfearfuldream!Itsmemoryhauntsmestill,Thesteamingsea,thecrimsonglare,Thatwreathedeachwoodedhill;Stranger!ifthroughthyreelingbrainSuchmidnightvisionssweep,Spare,spare,oh,sparethineeveningmeal,Andsweetshallbethysleep!
THEMUSIC-GRINDERS
THEREarethreewaysinwhichmentakeOne'smoneyfromhispurse,
AndveryharditistotellWhichofthethreeisworse;ButallofthemarebadenoughTomakeabodycurse.
You'reridingoutsomepleasantday,Andcountingupyourgains;Afellowjumpsfromoutabush,Andtakesyourhorse'sreins,AnotherhintssomewordsaboutAbulletinyourbrains.
It'shardtomeetsuchpressingfriends
Insuchalonelyspot;It'sveryhardtoloseyourcash,Buthardertobeshot;Andsoyoutakeyourwalletout,Thoughyouwouldrathernot.
Perhapsyou'regoingouttodine,--SomeodiouscreaturebegsYou'llhearaboutthecannon-ballThatcarriedoffhispegs,AndsaysitisadreadfulthingFormentolosetheirlegs.
Hetellsyouofhisstarvingwife,Hischildrentobefed,Poorlittle,lovelyinnocents,Allclamorousforbread,--AndsoyoukindlyhelptoputAbachelortobed.
You'resittingonyourwindow-seat,Beneathacloudlessmoon;Youhearasound,thatseemstowear
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Thesemblanceofatune,AsifabrokenfifeshouldstriveTodrownacrackedbassoon.
Andnearer,nearerstill,thetideOfmusicseemstocome,There'ssomethinglikeahumanvoice,Andsomethinglikeadrum;Yousitinspeechlessagony,Untilyourearisnumb.
Poor"home,sweethome"shouldseemtobeAverydismalplace;Your"auldacquaintance"allatonceIsalteredintheface;TheirdiscordsstingthroughBurnsandMoore,Likehedgehogsdressedinlace.
Youthinktheyarecrusaders,sentFromsomeinfernalclime,ToplucktheeyesofSentiment,AnddockthetailofRhyme,TocrackthevoiceofMelody,AndbreakthelegsofTime.
Buthark!theairagainisstill,Themusicallisground,Andsilence,likeapoultice,comesTohealtheblowsofsound;Itcannotbe,--itis,--itis,--Ahatisgoinground!
No!PaythedentistwhenheleavesAfractureinyourjaw,AndpaytheownerofthebearThatstunnedyouwithhispaw,Andbuythelobsterthathashad
Yourknucklesinhisclaw;
Butifyouareaportlyman,Putonyourfiercestfrown,AndtalkaboutaconstableToturnthemoutoftown;Thencloseyoursentencewithanoath,Andshutthewindowdown!
Andifyouareaslenderman,Notbigenoughforthat,Or,ifyoucannotmakeaspeech,Becauseyouareaflat,
GoveryquietlyanddropAbuttoninthehat!
THETREADMILLSONG
THEstarsarerollinginthesky,
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Theearthrollsonbelow,AndwecanfeeltherattlingwheelRevolvingaswego.Thentreadaway,mygallantboys,Andmaketheaxlefly;Whyshouldnotwheelsgoroundabout,Likeplanetsinthesky?
Wakeup,wakeup,myduck-leggedman,AndstiryoursolidpegsArouse,arouse,mygawkyfriend,Andshakeyourspiderlegs;Whatthoughyou'reawkwardatthetrade,There'stimeenoughtolearn,--Soleanupontherail,mylad,Andtakeanotherturn.
They'vebuiltusupanoblewall,Tokeepthevulgarout;We'venothingintheworldtodoButjusttowalkabout;Sofaster,now,youmiddlemen,Andtrytobeattheends,--It'spleasantworktorambleround
Amongone'shonestfriends.
Here,treaduponthelongman'stoes,Hesha'n'tbelazyhere,--Andpunchthelittlefellow'sribs,Andtweakthatlubber'sear,--He'slostthemboth,--don'tpullhishair,Becausehewearsascratch,Butpokehiminthefurthereye,Thatisn'tinthepatch.
Hark!fellows,there'sthesupper-bell,Andsoourworkisdone;
It'sprettysport,--supposewetakeAroundortwoforfun!Ifevertheyshouldturnmeout,WhenIhavebettergrown,Nowhangme,butImeantohaveAtreadmillofmyown!
THESEPTEMBERGALE
Thistremendoushurricaneoccurredonthe23dofSeptember,1815.Irememberitwell,beingthensevenyearsold.Afullaccountofitwaspublished,Ithink,intherecordsoftheAmericanAcademyofArtsandSciences.SomeofmyrecollectionsaregiveninTheSeasons,anarticletobefoundinabookofmineentitledPagesfromanOldVolumeofLife.
I'Mnotachicken;IhaveseenFullmanyachillSeptember,AndthoughIwasayoungsterthen,
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ThatgaleIwellremember;Thedaybefore,mykite-stringsnapped,AndI,mykitepursuing,Thewindwhiskedoffmypalm-leafhat;Formetwostormswerebrewing!
Itcameasquarrelssometimesdo,Whenmarriedfolksgetclashing;Therewasaheavysighortwo,Beforethefirewasflashing,--Alittlestiramongtheclouds,Beforetheyrentasunder,--Alittlerockingofthetrees,Andthencameonthethunder.
Lord!howthepondsandriversboiled!Theyseemedlikeburstingcraters!AndoakslayscatteredonthegroundAsiftheywerep'taters;Andallabovewasinahowl,Andallbelowaclatter,--Theearthwaslikeafrying-pan,Orsomesuchhissingmatter.
Itchancedtobeourwashing-day,Andallourthingsweredrying;Thestormcameroaringthroughthelines,Andsetthemallaflying;IsawtheshirtsandpetticoatsGoridingofflikewitches;Ilost,ah!bitterlyIwept,--IlostmySundaybreeches!
Isawthemstraddlingthroughtheair,Alas!toolatetowinthem;Isawthemchasetheclouds,asifThedevilhadbeeninthem;
Theyweremydarlingsandmypride,Myboyhood'sonlyriches,--"Farewell,farewell,"Ifaintlycried,--"Mybreeches!Ohmybreeches!"
ThatnightIsawtheminmydreams,HowchangedfromwhatIknewthem!Thedewshadsteepedtheirfadedthreads,ThewindshadwhistledthroughthemIsawthewideandghastlyrentsWheredemonclawshadtornthem;Aholewasintheiramplestpart,Asifanimphadwornthem.
Ihavehadmanyhappyyears,Andtailorskindandclever,ButthoseyoungpantaloonshavegoneForeverandforever!AndnottillfatehascutthelastOfallmyearthlystitches,ThisachingheartshallceasetomournMyloved,mylong-lostbreeches!
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THEHEIGHTOFTHERIDICULOUS
IWROTEsomelinesonceonatimeInwondrousmerrymood,Andthought,asusual,menwouldsayTheywereexceedinggood.
Theyweresoqueer,soveryqueer,IlaughedasIwoulddie;Albeit,inthegeneralway,AsobermanamI.
Icalledmyservant,andhecame;HowkinditwasofhimTomindaslendermanlikeme,Heofthemightylimb.
"Thesetotheprinter,"Iexclaimed,And,inmyhumorousway,Iadded,(asatriflingjest,)
"There'llbethedeviltopay."
Hetookthepaper,andIwatched,Andsawhimpeepwithin;Atthefirstlineheread,hisfaceWasalluponthegrin.
Hereadthenext;thegringrewbroad,Andshotfromeartoear;Hereadthethird;achucklingnoiseInowbegantohear.
Thefourth;hebrokeintoaroar;
Thefifth;hiswaistbandsplit;Thesixth;heburstfivebuttonsoff,Andtumbledinafit.
Tendaysandnights,withsleeplesseye,Iwatchedthatwretchedman,Andsince,IneverdaretowriteAsfunnyasIcan.
THELASTREADER
ISOMETIMESsitbeneathatreeAndreadmyownsweetsongs;Thoughnaughttheymaytoothersbe,EachhumblelineprolongsAtonethatmighthavepassedawayButforthatscarcerememberedlay.
Ikeepthemlikealockorleaf
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Thatsomedeargirlhasgiven;Frailrecordofanhour,asbriefAssunsetcloudsinheaven,ButspreadingpurpletwilightstillHighovermemory'sshadowedhill.
Theylieuponmypathwaybleak,Thoseflowersthatonceranwild,Asonafather'scareworncheekTheringletsofhischild;Thegoldenminglingwiththegray,Andstealinghalfitssnowsaway.
WhatcareIthoughthedustisspreadAroundtheseyellowleaves,Oro'erthemhissarcasticthreadOblivion'sinsectweavesThoughweedsaretangledonthestream,Itstillreflectsmymorning'sbeam.
AndthereforeloveIsuchassmileOntheseneglectedsongs,Nordeemthatflattery'sneedlesswileMyopeningbosomwrongs;
Forwhowouldtrample,atmyside,Afewpalebuds,mygarden'spride?
ItmaybethatmyscantyoreLongyearshavewashedaway,AndwhereweregoldensandsbeforeIsnaughtbutcommonclay;StillsomethingsparklesinthesunFormemorytolookbackupon.
Andwhenmynamenomoreisheard,Mylyrenomoreisknown,Stillletme,likeawinter'sbird,
Insilenceandalone,FoldoverthemthewearywingOnceflashingthroughthedewsofspring.
Yes,letmyfancyfondlywrapMyyouthinitsdecline,AndriotintherosylapOfthoughtsthatonceweremine,AndgivethewormmylittlestoreWhenthelastreaderreadsnomore!
POETRY:
AMETRICALESSAY,READBEFORETHEPHIBETAKAPPASOCIETY,HARVARDUNIVERSITY,AUGUST,1836
TOCHARLESWENTWORTHUPHAM,THEFOLLOWINGMETRICALESSAYISAFFECTIONATELYINSCRIBED.
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ThisAcademicPoempresentsthesimpleandpartialviewsofayoungpersontrainedaftertheschoolsofclassicalEnglishverseasrepresentedbyPope,Goldsmith,andCampbell,withwhoselineshismemorywasearlystocked.Itwillbeobservedthatitdealschieflywiththeconstructivesideofthepoet'sfunction.Thatwhichmakeshimapoetisnotthepowerofwritingmelodiousrhymes,itisnotthepossessionofordinaryhumansensibilitiesnorevenofboththesequalitiesinconnectionwitheachother.Ishouldrathersay,ifIwerenowcalledupontodefineit,itisthepoweroftransfiguringtheexperiencesandshowsoflifeintoanaspectwhichcomesfromhisimaginationandkindlesthatofothers.Emotionisitsstimulusandlanguagefurnishesitsexpression;butthesearenotall,assomemightinferwasthedoctrineofthepoembeforethereader.
Acommonmistakemadebyyoungpersonswhosupposethemselvestohavethepoeticalgiftisthattheirownspiritualexaltationfindsatrueexpressionintheconventionalphraseswhichareborrowedfromthevoicesofthesingerswhoseinspirationtheythinktheyshare.
Lookingatthispoemasanexpressionofsomeaspectsofthe_arspoetica_,withsomepassageswhichIcanreadevenatthismatureperiodoflifewithoutblushingforthem,itmaystandasthemostseriousrepresentationofmyearlyefforts.Intendedasitwasforpublicdelivery,manyofitsparagraphsmaybetraythefactbytheirsomewhat
rhetoricalandsonorouscharacter.
SCENESofmyyouth!awakeitsslumberingfire!YewindsofMemory,sweepthesilentlyre!Rayofthepast,ifyetthoucanstappear,BreakthroughthecloudsofFancy'swaningyear;Chasefromherbreastthethinautumnalsnow,Ifleaforblossomstillisfreshbelow!
LonghaveIwandered;thereturningtideBroughtbackanexiletohiscradle'sside;Andasmybarkhertime-wornflagunrolled,Togreettheland-breezewithitsfadedfold,
So,inremembranceofmyboyhood'stime,Ilifttheseensignsofneglectedrhyme;Oh,morethanblest,that,allmywanderingsthrough,Myanchorfallswherefirstmypennonsflew!
.........
Themorninglight,whichrainsitsquiveringbeamsWideo'ertheplains,thesummits,andthestreams,InonebroadblazeexpandsitsgoldenglowOnallthatanswerstoitsglancebelow;Yet,changedonearth,eachfarreflectedrayBraidswithfreshhuestheshiningbrowofday;
Now,clothedinblushesbythepaintedflowers,Tracksontheircheekstherosy-fingeredhours;Now,lostinshades,whosedarkentangledleavesDripatthenoontidefromtheirpendenteaves,Fadesintogloom,orgleamsinlightagainFromeverydew-droponthejewelledplain.
We,liketheleaf,thesummit,orthewave,Reflectthelightourcommonnaturegave,
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Buteverysunbeam,fallingfromherthrone,WearsonourheartssomecoloringofourownChilledintheslave,andburninginthefree,Likethesealedcavernbythesparklingsea;Lost,likethelightninginthesullenclod,Orsheddingradiance,likethesmilesofGod;Pure,paleinVirtue,asthestarabove,OrquiveringroseateontheleavesofLove;Glaringlikenoontide,whereitglowsuponAmbition'ssands,--thedesertinthesun,--Orsoftsuffusingo'erthevariedsceneLife'scommoncoloring,--intellectualgreen.
ThusHeaven,repeatingitsmaterialplan,Archedoveralltherainbowmindofman;Buthewho,blindtouniversallaws,Seesbuteffects,unconsciousoftheircause,--Believeseachimageinitselfisbright,Notrobedindraperyofreflectedlight,--Isliketherusticwho,amidsthistoil,Hasfoundsomecrystalinhismeagresoil,And,lostinrapture,thinksforhimaloneEarthworkedherwondersonthesparklingstone,NordreamsthatNature,withasnicealine,
Carvedcountlessanglesthroughtheboundlessmine.
Thuserrthemany,who,entrancedtofindUnwontedlustreinsomeclearermind,BelievethatGeniussetsthelawsatnaughtWhichchainthepinionsofourwildestthought;Untaughttomeasure,withtheeyeofart,Thewanderingfancyorthewaywardheart;Whomatchthelittleonlywiththeless,Andgazeinraptureatitsslightexcess,Proudofapebble,asthebrightestgemWhoselightmightcrownanemperor'sdiadem.
And,mostofall,thepureetherealfireWhichseemstoradiatefromthepoet'slyreIstotheworldamysteryandacharm,AnAEgiswieldedonamortal'sarm,WhileReasonturnsherdazzledeyeaway,Andbowshersceptretohersubject'ssway;Andthusthepoet,clothedwithgodlikestate,UsurpedhisMaker'stitle--tocreate;He,whosethoughtsdifferingnotinshape,butdress,Whatothersfeelmorefitlycanexpress,Sitslikethemaniaconhisfanciedthrone,Peepsthroughthebars,andcallstheworldhisown.
TherebreathesnobeingbuthassomepretenceTothatfineinstinctcalledpoeticsenseTherudestsavage,roamingthroughthewild;Thesimplestrustic,bendingo'erhischild;Theinfant,listeningtothewarblingbird;Themother,smilingatitshalf-formedword;Theboyuncaged,whotracksthefieldsatlarge;Thegirl,turnedmatrontoherbabe-likecharge;Thefreeman,castingwithunpurchasedhandThevotethatshakestheturretoftheland;
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Theslave,who,slumberingonhisrustedchain,Dreamsofthepalm-treesonhisburningplain;Thehot-cheekedreveller,tossingdownthewine,Tojointhechoruspealing"Auldlangsyne";Thegentlemaid,whoseazureeyegrowsdim,WhileHeavenislisteningtohereveninghymn;Thejewelledbeauty,whenherstepsdrawnearThecirclingdanceanddazzlingchandelier;E'entremblingage,whenSpring'srenewingairWavesthethinringletsofhissilveredhair;--All,allareglowingwiththeinwardflame,Whosewiderhalowreathesthepoet'sname,While,unenbalmed,thesilentdreamerdies,Hismemorypassingwithhissmilesandsighs!
Ifgloriousvisions,bornforallmankind,Thebrightaurorasofourtwilightmind;Iffancies,varyingastheshapesthatlieStainedonthewindowsofthesunsetsky;Ifhopes,thatbeckonwithdelusivegleams,Tilltheeyedancesinthevoidofdreams;Ifpassions,followingwiththewindsthaturgeEarth'swildestwanderertoherfarthestverge;--Iftheseonallsometransienthoursbestow
Ofrapturetinglingwithitshecticglow,Thenallarepoets;andifearthhadrolledHermyriadcenturies,andherdoomweretold,EachmoaningbillowofhershorelesswaveWouldwailitsrequiemo'erapoet'sgrave!
IftoembodyinabreathingwordTonesthatthespirittrembledwhenitheard;Tofixtheimageallunveiledandwarm,Andcarveinlanguageitsetherealform,Sopure,soperfect,thatthelinesexpressNomeagreshrinking,nounlacedexcess;Tofeelthatart,inlivingtruth,hastaught
Ourselves,reflectedinthesculpturedthought;--IfthisalonebestowtherighttoclaimThedeathlessgarlandandthesacredname,Thennonearepoetssavethesaintsonhigh,Whoseharpscanmurmurallthatwordsdeny!
ButthoughtononeisgrantedtorevealInperfectsemblanceallthateachmayfeel,Aswitheredflowersrecallforgottenlove,So,warmedtolife,ourfadedpassionsmoveIneveryline,wherekindlingfancythrowsThegleamofpleasuresortheshadeofwoes.
When,schooledbytime,thestatelyqueenofartHadsmoothedthepathwaysleadingtotheheart,Assumedhermeasuredtread,hersolemntone,Androundhercourtsthecloudsoffablethrown,Thewreathsofheavendescendedonhershrine,AndwonderingearthproclaimedtheMusedivine.YetifhervotarieshadbutdaredprofaneThemysticsymbolsofhersacredreign,HowhadtheysmiledbeneaththeveiltofindWhatslenderthreadscanchainthemightymind!
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Poets,likepainters,theirmachineryclaim,Andversebestowsthevarnishandtheframe;OurgratingEnglish,whoseTeutonicjarShakestherackedaxleofArt'srattlingcar,FitslikemosaicinthelinesthatgirdFastinitsplaceeachmany-angledword;FromSaxonlipsAnacreon'snumbersglide,AsoncetheymeltedontheTeiantide,And,freshtransfused,theIliadthrillsagainFromAlbion'scliffsaso'erAchaia'splainTheproudheroic,with,itspulse-likebeat,Ringslikethecymbalsclashingastheymeet;ThesweetSpenserian,gatheringasitflows,Sweepsgentlyonwardtoitsdyingclose,Wherewavesonwavesinlongsuccessionpour,Tilltheninthbillowmeltsalongtheshore;Thelonelyspiritofthemournfullay,WhichlivesimmortalastheverseofGray,Insableplumageslowlydriftsalong,Oneaglepinion,throughtheairofsong;Theglitteringlyricboundselasticby,Withflashingringletsandexultingeye,
Whileeveryimage,inherairywhirl,Gleamslikeadiamondonadancinggirl!
Bornwithmankind,withman'sexpandedrangeAndvaryingfatesthepoet'snumberschange;ThusinhishistorymaywehopetofindSomeclearerepochsofthepoet'smind,Asfromthecradleofitsbirthwetrace,Slowwanderingforth,thepatriarchalrace.
I.
Whenthegreenearth,beneaththezephyr'swing,WearsonherbreastthevarnishedbudsofSpring;Whentheloosedcurrent,asitsfoldsuncoil,Slidesinthechannelsofthemellowedsoil;WhentheyounghyacinthreturnstoseekTheairandsunshinewithheremeraldbeak;Whenthelightsnowdrops,startingfromtheircells,Hangeachpagodawithitssilverbells;WhenthefrailwillowtwineshertrailingbowWithpallidleavesthatsweepthesoilbelow;Whenthebroadelm,soleempressoftheplain,Whosecirclingshadowspeaksacentury'sreign,
Wreathesinthecloudsherregaldiadem,--Aforestwavingonasinglestem;--Thenmarkthepoet;thoughtohimunknownThequaint-mouthedtitles,suchasscholarsown,SeehowhiseyeinecstasypursuesThestepsofNaturetrackedinradianthues;Nay,inthyself,whate'ermaybethyfate,Pallidwithtoilorsurfeitedwithstate,Markhowthyfancies,withthevernalrose,Awake,allsweetness,fromtheirlongrepose;
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Thenturntopondero'ertheclassicpage,Tracedwiththeidylsofagreenerage,AndlearntheinstinctwhicharosetowarmArt'searliestessayandhersimplestform.
TothemeslikethesehernarrowpathconfinedThefirst-bornimpulsemovinginthemind;Invalesunshakenbythetrumpet'ssound,WherepeacefulLabortillshisfertileground,Thesilentchangesoftherollingyears,Markedonthesoilordialledonthespheres,Thecrestedforestsandthecoloredflowers,Thedewygrottosandtheblushingbowers,--These,andtheirguardians,who,withliquidnames,StrephonsandChloes,meltinmutualflames,WootheyoungMusesfromtheirmountainshade,TomakeArcadiasinthelonelyglade.
NorthinktheyvisitonlywiththeirsmilesThefabledvalleysandElysianisles;HewhoisweariedofhisvillageplainMayroamtheEdensoftheworldinvain.'Tisnotthestar-crownedcliff,thecataract'sflow,Thesofterfoliageorthegreenerglow,
Thelakeofsapphireorthespar-hungcave,Thebrightersunsetorthebroaderwave,CanwarmhisheartwhomeverywindhasblownToeveryshore,forgetfulofhisown.
Homeofourchildhood!howaffectionclingsAndhoversroundtheewithherseraphwings!Dearerthyhills,thoughcladinautumnbrown,Thanfairestsummitswhichthecedarscrown!SweeterthefragranceofthysummerbreezeThanallArabiabreathesalongtheseas!Thestranger'sgalewaftshometheexile'ssigh,Fortheheart'stempleisitsownbluesky!
Ohhappiestthey,whoseearlyloveunchanged,Hopesundissolved,andfriendshipunestranged,Tiredoftheirwanderings,stillcandeigntoseeLove,hopes,andfriendship,centringallinthee!
Andthou,myvillage!asagainItreadAmidstthylivingandabovethydead;ThoughsomefairplaymatesguardwithcharterfearsTheircheeks,grownholywiththelapseofyears;Thoughwiththedustsomereverendlocksmayblend,Wherelife'slastmile-stonemarksthejourney'send;Oneverybudthechangingyearrecalls,
Thebrighteningglanceofmorningmemoryfalls,StillfollowingonwardasthemonthsuncloseThebalmylilacorthebridalrose;Andstillshallfollow,tilltheysinkoncemoreBeneaththesnow-driftsofthefrozenshore,Aswhenmybark,longtossinginthegale,Furledinherporthertempest-rendedsail!
WhatshallIgivethee?Canasimplelay,Flungonthybosomlikeagirl'sbouquet,
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Domorethandecktheeforanidlehour,Thenfallunheeded,fadingliketheflower?Yet,whenItrod,withfootstepswildandfree,Thecracklingleavesbeneathyonlinden-tree,Pantingfromplayordrippingfromthestream,HowbrightthevisionsofmyboyishdreamOr,modestCharles,alongthybrokenedge,Blackwithsoftoozeandfringedwitharrowysedge,AsonceIwanderedinthemorningsun,Withreekingsandalandsuperfluousgun,Howoft,asFancywhisperedinthegale,ThouwasttheAvonofherflatteringtale!Yehills,whosefoliage,frettedontheskies,Printsshadowyarchesontheireveningdyes,HowshouldmysongwithholiestcharminvestEachdarkravineandforest-liftingcrest!Howclotheinbeautyeachfamiliarscene,Tillallwasclassiconmynativegreen!
Asthedrainedfountain,filledwithautumnleaves,Thefieldsweptnakedofitsgarneredsheaves,Sowastesatnoonthepromiseofourdawn,Thespringsallchoking,andtheharvestgone.
YethearthelayofonewhosenatalstarStillseemedthebrightestwhenitshoneafar;Whosecheek,grownpallidwithungracioustoil,Glowsinthewelcomeofhisparentsoil;Andasknogarlandssoughtbeyondthetide,Buttaketheleafletsgatheredatyourside.
II.
Buttimeswerechanged;thetorchofterrorcame,Tolightthesummitswiththebeacon'sflame;
Thestreamsrancrimson,thetallmountainpinesRoseanewforesto'erembattledlines;Thebloodlesssicklelentthewarrior'ssteel,Theharvestbowedbeneathhischariotwheel;Wherelatethewood-doveshelteredherreposeTheravenwaitedfortheconflict'sclose;ThecuirassedsentrywalkedhissleeplessroundWhereDaphnesmiledorAmaryllisfrowned;Wheretimidminstrelssungtheirblushingcharms,SomewildTyrtaeuscalledaloud,"Toarms!"
WhenGlorywakes,whenfieryspiritsleap,Rousedbyheraccentsfromtheirtranquilsleep,
Theraythatflashesfromthesoldier'screstLights,asitglances,inthepoet'sbreast;--Notinpaledreamers,whosefantasticlayToyswithsmoothtrifleslikeachildatplay,Butmen,whoactthepassionstheyinspire,Whowavethesabreastheysweepthelyre!
Yemildenthusiasts,whosepacificfrownsArelostlikedew-dropscaughtinburningtowns,Pluckasyewilltheradiantplumesoffame,
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BreakCaesar'sbusttomakeyourselvesaname;Butifyourcountrybarestheavenger'sbladeForwrongsunpunishedorfordebtsunpaid,Whentherousednationbidsherarmiesform,Andscreamshereaglethroughthegatheringstorm,Whenfromyourportsthebanneredfrigaterides,Herblackbowsscowlingtothecrestedtides,Yourhourhaspast;invainyourfeeblecryAsthebabe'swailingstothethunderingsky!
Scourgeofmankind!withallthedreadarrayThatwrapsinwraththydesolatingway,Asthewildtempestwakestheslumberingsea,Thouonlyteachestallthatmancanbe.AlikethytocsinhasthepowertocharmThetoil-knitsinewsoftherustic'sarm,Orswellthepulsesinthepoet'sveins,Andbidthenationstrembleathisstrains.
Thecitysleptbeneaththemoonbeam'sglance,HerwhitewallsgleamingthroughthevinesofFrance,Andallwashushed,savewherethefootstepsfell,Onsomehightower,ofmidnightsentinel.Butonestillwatched;noself-encircledwoes
Chasedfromhislidstheangelofrepose;Hewatched,hewept,forthoughtsofbitteryearsBowedhisdarklashes,wetwithburningtearsHiscountry'ssufferingsandherchildren'sshameStreamedo'erhismemorylikeaforest'sflame;Eachtreasuredinsult,eachrememberedwrong,Rolledthroughhisheartandkindledintosong.Histaperfaded;andthemorninggalesSweptthroughtheworldthewar-songofMarseilles!
Now,whilearoundthesmilesofPeaceexpand,AndPlenty'swreathsfestoonthelaughingland;WhileFranceshipsoutwardherreluctantore,
Andhalfournavybasksupontheshore;Fromruderthemesourmeek-eyedMusesturnTocrownwithrosestheirenamelledurn.
Ife'eragainreturnthoseawfuldaysWhosecloudswerecrimsonedwiththebeacon'sblaze,Whosegrasswastrampledbythesoldier'sheel,Whosetideswerereddenedroundtherushingkeel,GodgrantsomelyremaywakeanoblerstrainTorendthesilenceofourtentedplain!WhenGallia'sflagitstriplefolddisplays,HermarshalledlegionspealtheMarseillaise;WhenroundtheGermanclosethewar-cloudsdim,
Farthroughtheirshadowsfloatshisbattle-hymn;When,crownedwithjoy,thecamps'ofEnglandring,Athousandvoicesshout,"GodsavetheKing!"Whenvictoryfollowswithoureagle'sglance,Ournation'santhempipesacountrydance!
SomeprouderMuse,whencomesthehouratlast,Mayshakeourhillsideswithherbugle-blast;Notoursthetask;butsincethelyricdressRelievesthestatelierwithitssprightliness,
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Hearanoldsong,whichsome,perchance,haveseenInstalegazetteorcobwebbedmagazine.TherewasanhourwhenpatriotsdaredprofaneThemastthatBritainstrovetobowinvain;Andone,wholistenedtothetaleofshame,Whoseheartstillansweredtothatsacredname,Whoseeyestillfollowedo'erhiscountry'stidesThygloriousflag,ourbraveOldIronsidesFromyonloneattic,onasmilingmorn,Thusmockedthespoilerswithhisschool-boyscorn.
III.
WhenfloridPeaceresumedhergoldenreign,Andartsrevived,andvalleysbloomedagain,WhileWarstillpantedonhis-brokenblade,OncemoretheMuseherheavenlywingessayed.Rudewasthesong:someballad,sternandwild,Lulledthelightslumbersofthesoldier'schild;Oryoungromancer,withhisthreateningglanceAndfearfulfablesofhisbloodlesslance,Scaredthesoftfancyoftheclinginggirls,
Whosesnowyfingerssmoothedhisravencurls.Butwhenlongyearsthestatelyformhadbent,AndfaithlessMemoryherillusionslent,SovasttheoutlinesofTraditiongrewThatHistorywonderedattheshapesshedrew,AndveiledatlengththeirtooambitioushuesBeneaththepinionsoftheEpicMuse.
Farsweptherwing;forstormierdayshadbroughtWithdarkerpassionsdeepertidesofthought.Thecamp'sharshtumultandtheconflict'sglow,Thethrilloftriumphandthegaspofwoe,Thetenderpartingandthegladreturn,
Thefestalbanquetandthefuneralurn,AndallthedramawhichatonceuprearsItsspectralshadowsthroughtheclashofspears,Fromcampandfieldtoechoingversetransferred,Swelledtheproudsongthatlisteningnationsheard.WhyfloatstheamaranthineternalbloomO'erIlium'sturretsandAchilles'tomb?WhylingersfancywherethesunbeamssmileOnCirce'sgardensandCalypso'sisle?WhyfollowsmemorytothegateofTroyHerplumeddefenderandhistremblingboy?Lo!theblinddreamer,kneelingonthesandTotracetheserecordswithhisdoubtfulhand;
Infabledtoneshisownemotionflows,Andotherlipsrepeathissilentwoes;InHector'sinfantseethebabesthatshunThosedeathlikeeyes,unconsciousofthesun,Orinhisherohearhimselfimplore,"Givemetosee,andAjaxasksnomore!"
ThusliveundyingthroughthelapseoftimeThesolemnlegendsofthewarrior'sclime;LikeEgypt'spyramidorPaestum'sfane,
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Theystandtheheraldsofthevoicelessplain.Yetnotlikethem,forTime,byslowdegrees,Sapsthegraystoneandwearstheembroideredfrieze,AndIsissleepsbeneathhersubjectNile,AndcrumbledNeptunestrewshisDorianpile;ButArt'sfairfabric,strengtheningasitrearsItslaurelledcolumnsthroughthemistofyears,AsthebluearchesofthebendingskiesStillgirdthetorrent,followingasitflies,Spreads,withthesurgesbearingonmankind,Itsstarredpaviliono'erthetidesofmind!
InvainthepatriotaskssomeloftylayTodressinstateourwarsofyesterday.Theclassicdays,thosemothersofromance,Thatrousedanationforawoman'sglance;Theageofmystery,withitshoardedpower,Thatgirtthetyrantinhisstoriedtower,Havepassedandfadedlikeadreamofyouth,Andripererasaskforhistory'struth.
Onothershores,abovetheirmoulderingtowns,Insullenpompthetallcathedralfrowns,Prideinitsaislesandpaupersatthedoor,
Whichfeedsthebeggarswhomitfleecedofyore.Simpleandfrail,ourlowlytemplesthrowTheirslendershadowsonthepathsbelow;Scarcestealthewinds,thatsweephiswoodlandtracks,Thelarch'sperfumefromthesettler'saxe,Ere,likeavisionofthemorningair,Hisslight--framedsteeplemarksthehouseofprayer;Itsplanksallreekinganditspaintundried,Itsrafterssproutingontheshadyside,ItshedstheraindropsfromitsshingledeavesEreitsgreenbrothersoncehavechangedtheirleaves.
YetFaith'spurehymn,beneathitsshelterrude,
BreathesoutassweetlytothetangledwoodAswheretheraysthroughpicturedgloriespourOnmarbleshaftandtessellatedfloor;--Heavenasksnosurpliceroundtheheartthatfeels,Andallisholywheredevotionkneels.Thusonthesoilthepatriot'skneeshouldbendWhichholdsthedustoncelivingtodefend;Where'erthehirelingshrinksbeforethefree,Eachpassbecomes"anewThermopylae"!Where'erthebattlesofthebravearewon,Thereeverymountain"looksonMarathon"!
Ourfatherslive;theyguardinglorystill
Thegrass-grownbastionsofthefortressedhill;Stillringtheechoesofthetrampledgorge,With_GodandFreedom.EnglandandSaintGeorge_!TheroyalcipheronthecapturedgunMocksthesharpnight-dewsandtheblisteringsun;Thered-crossbannershadesitscaptor'sbust,Itsfoldsstillloadedwiththeconflict'sdust;Thedrum,suspendedbyitstatteredmarge,OncerolledandrattledtotheHessian'scharge;ThestarshavefloatedfromBritannia'smast,
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Theredcoat'strumpetsblowntherebel'sblast.
Pointtothesummitswherethebravehavebled,Whereeveryvillageclaimsitsgloriousdead;Say,whentheirbosomsmetthebayonet'sshock,Theironlycorseletwastherusticfrock;Say,whentheymusteredtothegatheringhorn,Thetitledchieftaincurledhislipinscorn,Yet,whentheirleaderbadehislinesadvance,Nomusketwaveredinthelion'sglance;Say,whentheyfaintedintheforcedretreat,Theytrackedthesnow-driftswiththeirbleedingfeet,Yetstilltheirbanners,tossingintheblast,BoreEverReady,faithfultothelast,Throughstormandbattle,tilltheywavedagainOnYorktown'shillsandSaratoga'splain.
Then,ifsofiercetheinsatiatepatriot'sflame,Truthlookstoopaleandhistoryseemstootame,BidhimawaitsomenewColumbiad'spage,Togildthetabletsofanironage,Andsavehistears,whichyetmayfalluponSomefabledfield,somefanciedWashington!
IV.
Butonceagain,fromtheirAEoliancave,ThewindsofGeniuswanderedonthewave.Tiredofthescenesthetimidpencildrew,Sickofthenotesthesoundingclarionblew,SatedwithheroeswhohadwornsolongTheshadowyplumageofhistoricsong,Thenew-bornpoetleftthebeatencourse,Totrackthepassionstotheirlivingsource.
ThenrosetheDrama;--andtheworldadmiredHervariedpagewithdeeperthoughtinspiredBoundtonoclime,forPassion'sthrobisoneInGreenland'stwilightorinIndia'ssun;Bornfornoage,forallthethoughtsthatrollInthedarkvortexofthestormysoul,Unchainedinsong,nofreezingyearscantame;Godgavethembirth,andmanisstillthesame.Sofullonlifehermagicmirrorshone,HersisterArtspaidtributetoherthrone;Onerearedhertemple,onehercanvaswarmed,AndMusicthrilled,whileEloquenceinformed.Thewearyrusticlefthisstintedtask
Forsmilesandtears,thedaggerandthemask;Thesage,turnedscholar,halfforgothislore,Tobethewomanhedespisedbefore.O'ersenseandthoughtshethrewhergoldenchain,AndTime,theanarch,sparesherdeathlessreign.
ThuslivesMedea,inourtamerage,AswhenherbuskinpressedtheGrecianstage;NotinthecellswherefrigidlearningdelvesInAldinefoliosmoulderingontheirshelves,
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Butbreathing,burningintheglitteringthrong,Whosethousandbravoesrolluntiredalong,Circlingandspreadingthroughthegildedhalls,FromLondon'sgalleriestoSanCarlo'swalls!
ThusshallhelivewhosemorethanmortalnameMockswithitsraythepallidtorchofFame;SoproudlyliftedthatitseemsafarNoearthlyPharos,butaheavenlystar,Who,unconfinedtoArt'sdiurnalbound,Girdsherwholezodiacinhisflaminground,Andleadsthepassions,liketheorbthatguides,Frompoletopole,thepalpitatingtides!
V.
ThoughroundtheMusetherobeofsongisthrown,Thinknotthepoetlivesinversealone.LongerethechiselofthesculptortaughtThelifelessstonetomockthelivingthought;LongerethepainterbadethecanvasglowWitheverylinetheformsofbeautyknow;
LongeretheirisoftheMusesthrewOneveryleafitsowncelestialhue,Infable'sdressthebreathofgeniuspoured,Andwarmedtheshapesthatlatertimesadored.
UntaughtbySciencehowtoforgethekeysThatloosethegatesofNature'smysteries;UnschooledbyFaith,who,withherangeltread,Leadsthroughthelabyrinthwithasinglethread,Hisfancy,hoveringroundherguardedtower,RainedthroughitsbarslikeDanae'sgoldenshower.
Hespoke;thesea-nymphansweredfromhercave
Hecalled;thenaiadlefthermountainwaveHedreamedofbeauty;lo,amidsthisdream,Narcissus,mirroredinthebreathlessstream;Andnight'schasteempress,inherbridalplay,LaughedthroughthefoliagewhereEndymionlay;Andoceandimpled,asthelanguidswellKissedtheredlipofCytherea'sshell.
Ofpower,--Bellonasweptthecrimsonfield,Andblue-eyedPallasshookherGorgonshield;O'erthehushedwavestheirmightiermonarchdrove,AndIdatrembledtothetreadofJove!
SoeverygracethatplasticlanguageknowsTonamelesspoetsitsperfectionowes.Therough-hewnwordstosimplestthoughtsconfinedWerecutandpolishedintheirnicermind;Caughtontheiredge,imagination'sraySplitsintorainbows,shootingfaraway;--Fromsensetosoul,fromsoultosense,itflies,Andthroughallnaturelinksanalogies;HewhoreadsrightwillrarelylookuponAbetterpoetthanhislexicon!
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Thereisaracewhichcold,ungenialskiesBreedfromdecay,asfungousgrowthsarise;Thoughdyingfast,yetspringingfastagain,Whichstillusurpsanunsubstantialreign,Withframestoolanguidforthecharmsofsense,Andmindsworndownwithactiontoointense;Tiredofaworldwhosejoystheyneverknew,Themselvesdeceived,yetthinkingalluntrue;Scarcemenwithout,andlessthangirlswithin,Sickoftheirlifebeforeitscaresbegin;--Thedulldisease,whichdrainstheirfeeblehearts,Tolife'sdecaysomehecticthrill'simparts,Andlendsaforcewhich,likethemaniac'spower,Payswithblankyearsthefrenzyofanhour.
AndthisisGenius!Say,doesHeavendegradeThemanlyframe,forhealth,foractionmade?Breakdownthesinews,rackthebrowwithpains,Blanchtherightcheekanddrainthepurpleveins,Toclothethemindwithmoreextendedsway,Thusfaintlystrugglingindegenerateclay?
No!gentlemaid,tooreadytoadmire,
Thoughfalseitsnotes,thepaleenthusiast'slyre;Ifthisbegenius,thoughitsbitterspringsGlowedlikethemornbeneathAurora'swings,SeeknotthesourcewhosesullenbosomfeedsButfruitlessflowersanddark,envenomedweeds.
But,ifsobrightthedearillusionseems,Thouwouldstbepartnerofthypoet'sdreams,Andhanginraptureonhisbloodlesscharms,Ordie,likeRaphael,inhisangelarms,Goandenjoythyblessedlot,--toshareInCowper'sgloomorChatterton'sdespair!
Notsuchweretheywhom,wanderingo'erthewaves,Ilookedtomeet,butonlyfoundtheirgraves;Iffriendship'ssmile,thebetterpartoffame,ShouldlendmysongtheonlywreathIclaim,Whosevoicewouldgreetmewithasweetertone,Whoselivinghandmorekindlypressmyown,Thantheirs,--couldMemory,ashersilenttreadPrintsthepaleflowersthatblossomo'erthedead,Thosebreathlesslips,nowclosedinpeace,restore,Orwakethosepulseshushedtobeatnomore?
Thoucalm,chastescholar!Icanseetheenow,Thefirstyounglaurelsonthypallidbrow,
O'erthyslightfigurefloatinglightlydownIngracefulfoldstheacademicgown,OnthycurledliptheclassiclinesthattaughtHownicethemindthatsculpturedthemwiththought,Andtriumphglisteningintheclearblueeye,Toobrighttolive,--butoh,toofairtodie!
Andthou,dearfriend,whomSciencestilldeplores,AndLovestillmourns,onocean-severedshores,Thoughthebleakforesttwicehasbowedwithsnow
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Sincethouwastlaiditsbuddingleavesbelow,Thineimagemingleswithmyclosingstrain,AswhenwewanderedbytheturbidSeine,Bothblessedwithhopes,whichrevelled,brightandfree,Onallwelongedorallwedreamedtobe;Totheetheamaranthandthecypressfell,--AndIwassparedtobreathethislastfarewell!
Butlivedthereoneinunremembereddays,Orlivestherestill,whospurnsthepoet'sbays,Whosefingers,dewyfromCastalia'ssprings,Restonthelyre,yetscorntotouchthestrings?WhoshakesthesenatewiththesilvertoneThegrovesofPindusmighthavesighedtoown?Havesuche'erbeen?RememberCanning'sname!Dosuchstilllive?Let"Alaric'sDirge"proclaim!
ImmortalArt!where'ertheroundedskyBendso'erthecradlewherethychildrenlie,Theirhomeisearth,theirheraldeverytongueWhoseaccentsechotothevoicethatsung.OneleapofOceanscattersonthesandThequarriedbulwarksofthelooseningland;Onethrillofearthdissolvesacentury'stoil
Strewedliketheleavesthatvanishinthesoil;Onehillo'erflows,andcitiessinkbelow,Theirmarblessplinteringinthelava'sglow;Butonesweettone,scarcewhisperedtotheair,Fromshoretoshoretheblastsofagesbear;Onehumblename,whichoft,perchance,hasborneThetyrant'smockeryandthecourtier'sscorn,Towerso'erthedustofearth'sforgottengraves,Asonce,emergingthroughthewasteofwaves,TherockyTitan,roundwhoseshatteredspearCoiledthelastwhirlpoolofthedrowningsphere!
ADDITIONALPOEMS
1837-1848
THEPILGRIM'SVISION
INthehouroftwilightshadowsThePilgrimsirelookedout;
Hethoughtofthe"bloudySalvages"Thatlurkedallroundabout,OfWituwamet'spicturedknifeAndPecksuot'swhoopingshout;Forthebaby'slimbswerefeeble,Thoughhisfather'sarmswerestout.
Hishomewasafreezingcabin,Toobareforthehungryrat;Itsroofwasthatchedwithraggedgrass,
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Andbaldenoughofthat;TheholethatservedforcasementWasglazedwithanancienthat,AndtheicewasgentlythawingFromthelogwhereonhesat.
AlongthedrearylandscapeHiseyeswenttoandfro,
Thetreesallcladinicicles,Thestreamsthatdidnotflow;Asuddenthoughtflashedo'erhim,--Adreamoflongago,--Hesmotehisleathernjerkin,Andmurmured,"Evenso!"
"Comehither,God-be-Glorified,Andsituponmyknee;Beholdthedreamunfolding,WhereofIspaketotheeBythewinter'shearthinLeydenAndonthestormysea.Trueisthedream'sbeginning,--Somayitsendingbe!
"IsawinthenakedforestOurscatteredremnantcast,AscreenofshiveringbranchesBetweenthemandtheblast;Thesnowwasfallingroundthem,Thedyingfellasfast;Ilookedtoseethemperish,Whenlo,thevisionpassed.
"Againmineeyeswereopened;--Thefeeblehadwaxedstrong,Thebabeshadgrowntosturdymen,
Theremnantwasathrong;Byshadowedlakeandwindingstream,Andalltheshoresalong,ThehowlingdemonsquakedtohearTheChristian'sgodlysong.
"Theyslept,thevillagefathers,Byriver,lake,andshore,WhenfaradownthesteepofTimeThevisionroseoncemoreIsawalongthewintersnowAspectralcolumnpour,Andhighabovetheirbrokenranks
Atatteredflagtheybore.
"TheirLeaderrodebeforethem,Ofbearingcalmandhigh,ThelightofHeaven'sownkindlingThronedinhisawfuleye;ThesewereaNation'schampionsHerdreadappealtotry.Godfortheright!Ifaltered,Andlo,thetrainpassedby.
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"Oncemore;--thestrifeisended,Thesolemnissuetried,TheLordofHosts,hismightyarmHashelpedourIsrael'sside;GraystoneandgrassyhillockTellwhereourmartyrsdied,Butpeacefulsmilestheharvest,Andstainlessflowsthetide.
"Acrash,aswhensomeswollencloudCrackso'erthetangledtreesWithsidetoside,andspartospar,Whosesmokingdecksarethese?IknowSaintGeorge'sblood-redcross,ThouMistressoftheSeas,ButwhatisshewhosestreamingbarsRolloutbeforethebreeze?
"Ah,wellherironribsareknit,WhosethundersstrivetoquellThebellowingthroats,theblazinglips,ThatpealedtheArmada'sknell!Themistwascleared,--awreathofstars
Roseo'erthecrimsonedswell,And,waveringfromitshaughtypeak,ThecrossofEnglandfell!
"OtremblingFaith!thoughdarkthemorn,Aheavenlytorchisthine;Whilefeeblerracesmeltaway,Andpalerorbsdecline,Stillshallthefierypillar'srayAlongthypathwayshine,TolightthechosentribethatsoughtThisWesternPalestine.
"Iseethelivingtiderollon;ItcrownswithflamingtowersTheicycapesofLabrador,TheSpaniard's'landofflowers'!ItstreamsbeyondthesplinteredridgeThatpartsthenorthernshowers;FromeasternrocktosunsetwaveTheContinentisours!"
Heceased,thegrimoldsoldier-saint,ThensoftlybenttocheerThePilgrim-child,whosewastingfaceWasmeeklyturnedtohear;
Anddrewhistoil-wornsleeveacrossTobrushthemanlytearFromcheeksthatneverchangedinwoe,Andneverblanchedinfear.
ThewearyPilgrimslumbers,Hisresting-placeunknown;Hishandswerecrossed,hislipswereclosed,Thedustwaso'erhimstrown;Thedriftingsoil,themoulderingleaf,
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Alongthesodwereblown;Hismoundhasmeltedintoearth,Hismemorylivesalone.
Soletitliveunfading,Thememoryofthedead,LongasthepaleanemoneSpringswheretheirtearswereshed,Or,raininginthesummer'swindInflakesofburningred,ThewildrosesprinkleswithitsleavesTheturfwhereoncetheybled!
Yea,whenthefrowningbulwarksThatguardthisholystrandHavesunkbeneaththetramplingsurgeInbedsofsparklingsand,WhileinthewasteofoceanOnehoaryrockshallstand,Bethisitslatestlegend,--HEREWASTHEPILGRIM'SLAND!
THESTEAMBOAT
SEEhowyonflamingheraldtreadsTheridgedandrollingwaves,As,crashingo'ertheircrestedheads,Shebowshersurlyslaves!Withfoambeforeandfirebehind,Sherendstheclingingsea,Thatfliesbeforetheroaringwind,Beneathherhissinglee.
Themorningspray,likesea-bornflowers,Withheapedandglisteningbells,Fallsroundherfast,inringingshowers,Witheverywavethatswells;And,burningo'erthemidnightdeep,Inluridfringesthrown,ThelivinggemsofoceansweepAlongherflashingzone.
Withclashingwheelandliftingkeel,Andsmokingtorchonhigh,Whenwindsareloudandbillowsreel,Shethundersfoamingby;
Whenseasaresilentandserene,Withevenbeamsheglides,ThesunshineglimmeringthroughthegreenThatskirtshergleamingsides.
Now,likeawild,nymph,farapartSheveilshershadowyform,ThebeatingofherrestlessheartStillsoundingthroughthestorm;Nowanswers,likeacourtlydame,
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Thereddeningsurgeso'er,Withflyingscarfofspangledflame,ThePharosoftheshore.
To-nightyonpilotshallnotsleep,Whotrimshisnarrowedsail;To-nightyonfrigatescarceshallkeepHerbroadbreasttothegale;Andmanyaforesail,scoopedandstrained,Shallbreakfromyardandstay,BeforethissmokywreathhasstainedTherisingmistofday.
Hark!hark!Ihearyonwhistlingshroud,Iseeyonquiveringmast;TheblackthroatofthehuntedcloudIspantingforththeblast!Anhour,and,whirledlikewinnowingchaff,ThegiantsurgeshallflingHistresseso'eryonpennonstaff,Whiteasthesea-bird'swing.
Yetrest,yewanderersofthedeep;Norwindnorwaveshalltire
Thosefleshlessarms,whosepulsesleapWithfloodsoflivingfire;Sleepon,and,whenthemorninglightStreamso'ertheshiningbay,OhthinkofthoseforwhomthenightShallneverwakeinday.
LEXINGTON
SLOWLYthemisto'erthemeadowwascreeping,Brightonthedewybudsglistenedthesun,Whenfromhiscouch,whilehischildrenweresleeping,Rosetheboldrebelandshoulderedhisgun.WavinghergoldenveilOverthesilentdale,Blithelookedthemorningoncottageandspire;Hushedwashispartingsigh,WhilefromhisnobleeyeFlashedthelastsparkleofliberty'sfire.
OnthesmoothgreenwherethefreshleafisspringingCalmlythefirst-bornofgloryhavemet;
Hark!thedeath-volleyaroundthemisringing!Look!withtheirlife-bloodtheyounggrassiswetFaintisthefeeblebreath,Murmuringlowindeath,"Telltooursonshowtheirfathershavedied;"Nervelesstheironhand,Raisedforitsnativeland,Liesbytheweaponthatgleamsatitsside.
Overthehillsidesthewildknellistolling,
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Fromtheirfarhamletstheyeomanrycome;Asthroughthestorm-cloudsthethunder-burstrolling,Circlesthebeatofthemusteringdrum.Fastonthesoldier'spathDarkenthewavesofwrath,--Longhavetheygatheredandloudshalltheyfall;Redglaresthemusket'sflash,Sharpringstherifle'scrash,Blazingandclangingfromthicketandwall.
Gaylytheplumeofthehorsemanwasdancing,Nevertoshadowhiscoldbrowagain;Proudlyatmorningthewar-steedwasprancing,Reekingandpantinghedroopsontherein;Paleisthelipofscorn,Voicelessthetrumpethorn,Tornisthesilken-fringedredcrossonhigh;ManyabeltedbreastLowontheturfshallrestErethedarkhunterstheherdhavepassedby.
Snow-girdledcragswherethehoarsewindisraving,Rockswherethewearyfloodsmurmurandwail,Wildswherethefernbythefurrowiswaving,
Reeledwiththeechoesthatrodeonthegale;FarasthetempestthrillsOverthedarkenedhills,Farasthesunshinestreamsovertheplain,Rousedbythetyrantband,Wokeallthemightyland,Girdedforbattle,frommountaintomain.
Greenbethegraveswherehermartyrsarelying!Shroudlessandtomblesstheysunktotheirrest,Whileo'ertheirashesthestarryfoldflyingWrapstheproudeagletheyrousedfromhisnest.BorneonherNorthernpine,
Longo'erthefoamingbrineSpreadherbroadbannertostormandtosun;Heavenkeephereverfree,Wideaso'erlandandseaFloatsthefairemblemherheroeshavewon.
ONLENDINGAPUNCH-BOWL
This"punch-bowl"was,accordingtooldfamilytradition,acaudle-cup.
Itisamassivepieceofsilver,itscherubsandotherornamentsofcoarserepoussework,andhastwohandleslikealoving-cup,bywhichitwasheld,orpassedfromguesttoguest.
THISancientsilverbowlofmine,ittellsofgoodoldtimes,Ofjoyousdaysandjollynights,andmerryChristmastimes;Theywereafreeandjovialrace,buthonest,brave,andtrue,Whodippedtheirladleinthepunchwhenthisoldbowlwasnew.
ASpanishgalleonbroughtthebar,--sorunstheancienttale;
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'TwashammeredbyanAntwerpsmith,whosearmwaslikeaflail;Andnowandthenbetweenthestrokes,forfearhisstrengthshouldfail,HewipedhisbrowandquaffedacupofgoodoldFlemishale.
'TwaspurchasedbyanEnglishsquiretopleasehislovingdame,Whosawthecherubs,andconceivedalongingforthesame;Andoftasontheancientstockanothertwigwasfound,'Twasfilledwithcandlespicedandhot,andhandedsmokinground.
But,changinghands,itreachedatlengthaPuritandivine,WhousedtofollowTimothy,andtakealittlewine,Buthatedpunchandprelacy;andsoitwas,perhaps,HewenttoLeyden,wherehefoundconventiclesandschnapps.
Andthen,ofcourse,youknowwhat'snext:itlefttheDutchman'sshoreWiththosethatintheMayflowercame,--ahundredsoulsandmore,--Alongwithallthefurniture,tofilltheirnewabodes,--Tojudgebywhatisstillonhand,atleastahundredloads.
'Twasonadrearywinter'seve,thenightwasclosing,dim,WhenbraveMilesStandishtookthebowl,andfilledittothebrim;ThelittleCaptainstoodandstirredthepossetwithhissword,Andallhissturdymen-at-armswererangedabouttheboard.
HepouredthefieryHollandsin,--themanthatneverfeared,--Hetookalongandsolemndraught,andwipedhisyellowbeard;Andonebyonethemusketeers--thementhatfoughtandprayed--Alldrankas'tweretheirmother'smilk,andnotamanafraid.
Thatnight,affrightedfromhisnest,thescreamingeagleflew,HeheardthePequot'sringingwhoop,thesoldier'swildhalloo;Andtherethesachemlearnedtherulehetaughttokithandkin,Runfromthewhitemanwhenyoufindhesmellsof"Hollandsgin!"
Ahundredyears,andfiftymore,hadspreadtheirleavesandsnows,Athousandrubshadflatteneddowneachlittlecherub'snose,Whenonceagainthebowlwasfilled,butnotinmirthorjoy,--
'Twasmingledbyamother'shandtocheerherpartingboy.
Drink,John,shesaid,'twilldoyougood,--poorchild,you'llneverbearThisworkinginthedismaltrench,outinthemidnightair;Andif--Godblessme!--youwerehurt,'twouldkeepawaythechill.SoJohndiddrink,--andwellhewroughtthatnightatBunker'sHill!
Itellyou,therewasgenerouswarmthingoodoldEnglishcheer;Itellyou,'twasapleasantthoughttobringitssymbolhere.'Tisbutthefoolthatlovesexcess;hastthouadrunkensoul?Thybaneisinthyshallowskull,notinmysilverbowl!
Ilovethememoryofthepast,--itspressedyetfragrantflowers,--Themossthatclothesitsbrokenwalls,theivyonitstowers;Nay,thispoorbaubleitbequeathed,--myeyesgrowmoistanddim,Tothinkofallthevanishedjoysthatdancedarounditsbrim.
Thenfillafairandhonestcup,andbearitstraighttome;Thegoblethallowsallitholds,whate'ertheliquidbe;AndmaythecherubsonitsfaceprotectmefromthesinThatdoomsonetothosedreadfulwords,--"Mydear,whereHAVEyoubeen?"
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ASONG
FORTHECENTENNIALCELEBRATIONOFHARVARDCOLLEGE,1836
Thissong,whichIhadthetemeritytosingmyself(_felixauda-cia_,Mr.FranklinDexterhadthegoodnesstocallit),wassentinalittletoolatetobeprintedwiththeofficialaccountofthecelebration.ItwaswrittenatthesuggestionofDr.JacobBigelow,whothoughtthepopulartune"ThePoacher'sSong"wouldbeagoodmodelforalivelyballadorditty.HehimselfwrotetheadmirableLatinsongtobefoundintherecordofthemeeting.
WHENthePuritanscameoverOurhillsandswampstoclear,Thewoodswerefullofcatamounts,AndIndiansredasdeer,Withtomahawksandscalping-knives,Thatmakefolks'headslookqueer;OhtheshipfromEnglandusedtobringAhundredwigsayear!
ThecrowscamecawingthroughtheairTopluckthePilgrims'corn,ThebearscamesnuffingroundthedoorWhene'erababewasborn,TherattlesnakeswerebiggerroundThanthebutoftheoldramshornThedeaconblewatmeetingtimeOnevery"Sabbath"morn.
Butsoontheyknockedthewigwamsdown,Andpine-treetrunkandlimbBegantosproutamongtheleaves
Inshapeofsteeplesslim;AndoutthelittlewharveswerestretchedAlongtheocean'srim,Andupthelittleschool-houseshotTokeeptheboysintrim.
AndwhenatlengththeCollegerose,ThesachemcockedhiseyeAteverytutor'smeagreribsWhosecoat-tailswhistledbyButwhentheGreekandHebrewwordsCametumblingfromhisjaws,Thecopper-coloredchildrenall
Ranscreamingtothesquaws.
AndwhowasontheCatalogueWhencollegewasbegun?TwonephewsofthePresident,AndtheProfessor'sson;(TheyturnedalittleIndianby,Asbrownasanybun;)Lord!howtheseniorsknockedaboutThefreshmanclassofone!
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TheyhadnotthenthedaintythingsThatcommonsnowafford,ButsuccotashandhominyWeresmokingontheboard;Theydidnotrattleroundingigs,Ordashinlong-tailedblues,ButalwaysonCommencementdaysThetutorsblackedtheirshoes.
GodblesstheancientPuritans!Theirlotwashardenough;Buthonestheartsmakeironarms,Andtendermaidsaretough;SoloveandfaithhaveformedandfedOurtrue-bornYankeestuff,AndkeepthekernelintheshellTheBritishfoundsorough!
THEISLANDHUNTING-SONG
Theislandreferredtoisadomainofprincelyproportions,whichhaslongbeentheseatofageneroushospitality.NaushonisitsoldIndianname.WilliamSwain,Esq.,commonlyknownas"theGovernor,"wastheproprietorofitatthetimewhenthissongwaswritten.Mr.JohnM.Forbesishisworthysuccessorinterritorialrightsandasahospitableentertainer.TheIslandBookhasbeentherecipientofmanypoemsfromvisitorsandfriendsoftheownersoftheoldmansion.
Nomorethesummerfloweretcharms,Theleaveswillsoonbesere,AndAutumnfoldshisjewelledarmsAroundthedyingyear;
So,erethewaningseasonsclaimOurleaflessgrovesawhile,WithgoldenwineandglowingflameWe'llcrownourlonelyisle.
OncemorethemerryvoicessoundWithintheantleredhall,AndlongandloudthebayinghoundsReturnthehunter'scall;Andthroughthewoods,ando'erthehill,Andfaralongthebay,Thedriver'shornissoundingshrill,--Up,sportsmen,andaway!
NobarsofsteelorwallsofstoneOurlittleempirebound,But,circlingwithhisazurezone,Thesearunsfoaminground;Thewhiteningwave,thepurpledskies,Theblueandliftedshore,BraidwiththeirdimandblendingdyesOurwidehorizono'er.
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AndwhowillleavethegravedebateThatshakesthesmokytown,Toruleamidourisland-state,Andwearouroak-leafcrown?AndwhowillbeawhilecontentTohuntourwoodlandgame,AndleavethevulgarpackthatscentThereekingtrackoffame?
Ah,whothatsharesintoilsliketheseWillsighnottoprolongOurdaysbeneaththebroad-leavedtrees,Ournightsofmirthandsong?Thenleavethedustofnoisystreets,Yeoutlawsofthewood,AndfollowthroughhisgreenretreatsYournobleRobinHood.
DEPARTEDDAYS
YES,deardeparted,cherisheddays,CouldMemory'shandrestoreYourmorninglight,youreveningrays,FromTime'sgrayurnoncemore,Thenmightthisrestlessheartbestill,Thisstrainingeyemightclose,AndHopeherfaintingpinionsfold,Whilethefairphantomsrose.
But,likeachildinocean'sarms,Westriveagainstthestream,EachmomentfartherfromtheshoreWherelife'syoungfountainsgleam;
Eachmomentfainterwavethefields,Andwiderrollsthesea;Themistgrowsdark,--thesungoesdown,--Daybreaks,--andwherearewe?
THEONLYDAUGHTER
ILLUSTRATIONOFAPICTURE
THEYbidmestriketheidlestrings,AsifmysummerdaysHadshakensunbeamsfromtheirwingsTowarmmyautumnlays;Theybringtometheirpaintedurn,AsifitwerenottimeToliftmygauntletandtospurnThelistsofboyishrhyme;AndwereitnotthatIhavestillSomeweaknessinmyheart
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TheleafthataskedanidlesongMustbearmytearsaway.Yet,inthymemoryshouldstthoukeepThiselseforgottenstrain,Tillyearshavetaughtthineeyestoweep,Andflattery'svoiceisvain;Ohthen,thoufledglingofthenest,Likethelong-wanderingdove,Thywearyheartmayfaintforrest,Asmine,onchangelesslove;AndwhilethesesculpturedlinesretraceThehoursnowdancingby,ThisvisionofthygirlishgraceMaycostthee,too,asigh.
SONG
WRITTENFORTHEDINNERGIVENTOCHARLESDICKENSBYTHEYOUNGMENOFBOSTON,FEBRUARY1,1842
THEstarstheirearlyvigilskeep,Thesilenthoursarenear,Whendroopingeyesforgettoweep,--Yetstillwelingerhere;Andwhat--thepassingchurlmayask--Canclaimsuchwondrouspower,ThatToilforgetshiswontedtask,AndLovehispromisedhour?
TheIrishharpnolongerthrills,Orbreathesafaintertone;TheclarionblastfromScotland'shills,Alas!nomoreisblown;
AndPassion'sburninglipbewailsHerHarold'swastedfire,Stilllingeringo'erthedustthatveilsTheLordofEngland'slyre.
Butgrievenoto'eritsbrokenstrings,Northinkitssoulhathdied,Whileyetthelarkatheaven'sgatesings,Asonceo'erAvon'sside;Whilegentlesummershedsherbloom,Anddewyblossomswave,Alikeo'erJuliet'sstoriedtombAndNelly'snamelessgrave.
Thougloriousislandofthesea!ThoughwidethewastingfloodThatpartsourdistantlandfromthee,Weclaimthygenerousblood;Noro'erthyfarhorizonspringsOnehallowedstaroffame,Butkindles,likeanangel'swings,Ourwesternskiesinflame!
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LINES
RECITEDATTHEBERKSHIREJUBILEE,PITTSFIELD,MASS.,AUGUST23,1844
COMEbacktoyourmother,yechildren,forshame,Whohavewanderedliketruantsforrichesorfame!Withasmileonherface,andaspriginhercap,Shecallsyoutofeastfromherbountifullap.
Comeoutfromyouralleys,yourcourts,andyourlanes,Andbreathe,likeyoungeagles,theairofourplains;Takeawhifffromourfields,andyourexcellentwivesWilldeclareit'sallnonsenseinsuringyourlives.
Comeyouofthelaw,whocantalk,ifyouplease,Tillthemaninthemoonwillallowit'sacheese,Andleave"theoldlady,thatnevertellslies,"Tosleepwithherhandkerchiefoverhereyes.
Yehealersofmen,foramomentdeclineYourfeatsintherhubarbandipecacline;Whileyoushutupyourturnpike,yourneighborscangoTheoldroundaboutroadtotheregionsbelow.
Youclerk,onwhoseearsareacoupleofpens,Andwhoseheadisanant-hillofunitsandtens,ThoughPlatodeniesyou,wewelcomeyoustillAsafeatherlessbiped,inspiteofyourquill.
Poordrudgeofthecity!howhappyhefeels,WiththebursonhislegsandthegrassathisheelsNododgerbehind,hisbandannastoshare,
Noconstablegrumbling,"Youmustn'twalkthere!"
Inyondergreenmeadow,tomemorydear,Heslapsamosquitoandbrushesatear;Thedew-dropshangroundhimonblossomsandshoots,Hebreathesbutonesighforhisyouthandhisboots.
Therestandstheoldschool-house,hardbytheoldchurch;Thattreeatitssidehadtheflavorofbirch;Oh,sweetwerethedaysofhisjuveniletricks,Thoughtheprairieofyouthhadsomany"biglicks."
Bythesideofyonriverheweepsandheslumps,
Thebootsfillwithwater,asiftheywerepumps,Till,satedwithrapture,hestealstohisbed,Withaglowinhisheartandacoldinhishead.
'Tispast,--heisdreaming,--Iseehimagain;Theledgerreturnsasbylegerdemain;Hisneckclothisdampwithaneasterlyflaw,Andheholdsinhisfingersanomnibusstraw.
Hedreamsthechillgustisablossomygale,
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Thatthestrawisarosefromhisdearnativevale;Andmurmurs,unconsciousofspaceandoftime,"A1.Extrasuper.Ah,isn'titPRIME!"
Oh,whataretheprizesweperishtowinTothefirstlittle"shiner"wecaughtwithapin!NosoiluponearthissodeartooureyesAsthesoilwefirststirredinterrestrialpies!
Thencomefromallpartiesandpartstoourfeast;Thoughnotatthe"Astor,"we'llgiveyouatleastAbiteatanapple,aseatonthegrass,Andthebestofold--water--atnothingaglass.
NUXPOSTCOENATICA
IWASsittingwithmymicroscope,uponmyparlorrug,Withaveryheavyquartoandaverylivelybug;Thetruebughadbeenorganizedwithonlytwoantennae,Butthehumbuginthecopperplatewouldhavethemtwiceasmany.
AndIthought,likeDr.Faustus,oftheemptinessofart,Howwetakeafragmentforthewhole,andcallthewholeapart,WhenIheardaheavyfootstepthatwasloudenoughfortwo,Andamanoffortyentered,exclaiming,"Howd'yedo?"
Hewasnotaghost,myvisitor,butsolidfleshandbone;HeworeaPaloAltohat,hisweightwastwentystone;(It'soddhowhatsexpandtheirbrimsasriperyearsinvade,Asifwhenlifehadreacheditsnoonitwantedthemforshade!)
Ilostmyfocus,--droppedmybook,--thebug,whowasaflea,Atonceexploded,andcommencedexperimentsonme.
Theyhaveacertainheartinessthatfrequentlyappalls,--Thosemediaevalgentlemeninsemilunarsmalls!
"Myboy,"hesaid,(colloquialways,--thevast,broad-hattedman,)"ComedinewithusonThursdaynext,--youmust,youknowyoucan;We'regoingtohavearoaringtime,withlotsoffunandnoise,Distinguishedguests,etcetera,theJUDGE,andalltheboys."
Notso,--Isaid,--mytemporalbonesareshowingprettyclear.It'stimetostop,--justlookandseethathairabovethisear;Mygoldendaysaremorethanspent,--and,whatisverystrange,Ifthesearerealsilverhairs,I'mgettinglotsofchange.
Besides--myprospects--don'tyouknowthatpeoplewon'temployAmanthatwrongshismanlinessbylaughinglikeaboy?Andsuspecttheazureblossomthatunfoldsuponashoot,Asifwisdom'soldpotatocouldnotflourishatitsroot?
It'saveryfinereflection,whenyou'reetchingoutasmileOnacopperplateoffacesthatwouldstretchatleastamile,That,whatwithsneersfromenemiesandcheapeningshrugsoffriends,Itwillcostyoualltheearningsthatamonthoflaborlends!
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It'savastlypleasingprospect,whenyou'rescrewingoutalaugh,Thatyourverynextyear'sincomeisdiminishedbyahalf,AndalittleboytripsbarefootthatPegasusmaygo,Andthebaby'smilkiswateredthatyourHeliconmayflow!
No;--thejokehasbeenagoodone,--butI'mgettingfondofquiet,AndIdon'tlikedeviationsfrommycustomarydiet;SoIthinkIwillnotgowithyoutohearthetoastsandspeeches,ButsticktooldMontgomeryPlace,andhavesomepigandpeaches.
Thefatmananswered:Shutyourmouth,andhearthegenuinecreed;Thetrueessentialsofafeastareonlyfunandfeed;Theforcethatwheelstheplanetsrounddelightsinspinningtops,Andthatyoungearthquaket'otherdaywasgreatat
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