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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75847-0.txt b/75847-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c90deae --- /dev/null +++ b/75847-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2381 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75847 *** + + + + + + THE SINGING LEAVES + A BOOK OF SONGS AND SPELLS BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + + + ‘_Come, my beloved, let us go forth + into the field. Let us lodge in the + villages._’ + +[Illustration: [Logo]] + + BOSTON AND NEW YORK + HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY + =The Riverside Press Cambridge= + + + + + COPYRIGHT 1903 BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + + ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + _Published November, 1903_ + + + TENTH IMPRESSION + + + Thanks are due to the editors of + Harper’s Monthly, Scribner’s Magazine, + and other periodicals, for their + courteous permission to reprint many of + the following poems. + + + + + THE SINGING LEAVES + + + + + DEDICATION. + + + Whosoever cares to look + In my little Book, + If he care to look again, + Let him so; and then, + Should there be a very few + Glad to say Amen + To old wonders ever new, + —Why, it is for You. + + + + + SONGS AND SPELLS. + + THE HOUSE AND THE ROAD PAGE 3 + CHARM TO BE SAID IN THE SUN 4 + BEFORE MEAT 6 + SAD TRUTH 7 + GLAD TRUTH 8 + THE BIRD IN THE HAND 9 + WAKING 10 + THE MAGIC 12 + ROAD-SONGS. I. AND II. 14, 15 + THE CEDARS 16 + ALMS 17 + THE INN 18 + SINS 19 + THE WATCHER 20 + TO SAD-HEART 21 + SONG AND NEED 22 + HERE’S APRIL 25 + THE COMING 26 + MUSIC 27 + EVER THE SAME 28 + MAYBE 29 + THE SONG OUTSIDE 30 + THE PASSERS-BY 32 + + THE LITTLE PAST. + JOURNEY 35 + SUNSET 37 + THE BUSY CHILD 38 + CONCERNING LOVE 40 + COW-BELLS 41 + WIND 42 + THE MYSTIC 43 + THE MASTERPIECE 44 + LATE 46 + CAKES AND ALE 47 + EARLY 48 + + THE YOUNG THINGS. + THE SAPLING 51 + THE HERO 52 + NESTS 53 + SIDE-STREETS 55 + THE FIR-TREE 56 + EARLY-HEART 57 + BEAUTIFUL 58 + AFTER ALL 59 + VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER 60 + THE TOP OF THE MORNING 62 + FORETHOUGHT 63 + UNSAID 64 + DANCE-TIME 65 + THE ENCHANTED SHEEP-FOLD 67 + YES, LOVE IS BLIND 69 + THE MORNING WAS SO BRIGHT 71 + THE TWO 73 + AFTER-THOUGHT 74 + + OTHERS. + NEAR AND FAR 77 + FRIENDS ALL 78 + VANTAGE 79 + A SONG OF SOLOMON 80 + COUNSEL TO BEGGARS 81 + THE TWA CHEERLESS 83 + THE WALK 84 + REFRAINS 86 + OUTSIDE THE MUSIC 87 + THE FAIREST 88 + THE CHILD AND THE ANGEL 90 + READING FOR THE POOR 91 + THE BLIND ONE 92 + HOLIDAY 93 + THE FOOL 94 + DRUDGE 96 + THE YOUNGEST DRYAD 97 + COME BUY! 99 + PRINCE CHARLIE 100 + THE MEETING 101 + THE COBBLER 102 + MIRACLE 103 + OPEN HOUSE 104 + O SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP! 105 + THE CLOUD 107 + THE RAVENS 109 + NEIGHBORS 111 + THE MORNING SOUL 112 + THE HILL-TOP 114 + THE DOVES 115 + FOUND 116 + ALL HAIL 117 + THE ANOINTED 119 + + EPILOGUE. + _TO THE EVENING STAR_ 123 + _TO HER BOOK_ 124 + + + SONGS AND SPELLS. + + + + +THE HOUSE AND THE ROAD. + + + The little Road says Go, + The little House says Stay: + And O, it’s bonny here at home, + But I must go away. + + The little Road, like me, + Would seek and turn and know; + And forth I must, to learn the things + The little Road would show! + + And go I must, my dears, + And journey while I may, + Though heart be sore for the little House + That had no word but Stay. + + Maybe, no other way + Your child could ever know + Why a little House would have you stay, + When a little Road says, Go. + + + + +CHARM: TO BE SAID IN THE SUN. + + + I reach my arms up, to the sky, + And golden vine on vine + Of sunlight showered wild and high, + Around my brows I twine. + + I wreathe, I wind it everywhere, + The burning radiancy + Of brightness that no eye may dare, + To be the strength of me. + + Come, redness of the crystalline, + Come green, come hither blue + And violet—all alive within, + For I have need of you. + + Come honey-hue and flush of gold, + And through the pallor run, + With pulse on pulse of manifold + New largess of the Sun! + + O steep the silence till it sing! + O glories from the height, + Come down, where I am garlanding + With light, a child of light! + + + + +BEFORE MEAT. + + + Hunger of the world, + When we ask a grace, + Be remembered here with us, + By the vacant place. + + Thirst, with nought to drink, + Sorrow more than mine, + May God someday make you laugh, + With water turned to wine. + + + + +SAD TRUTH. + + + Truth I tell with heavy heart, + To another one, + Give me sweetness for your smart, + When sad time is done. + + Then may I be clear again, + Love without disguise; + Since I have to bear, till then, + Dark of hostile eyes. + + _Bitter shall be sweet some day. + Ah, but that is far away! + I must bind my heart and say: + Bitter now, but sweet some day._ + + + + +GLAD TRUTH. + + + Beautiful, that did come true, + Beautiful, so it was you! + If forgiveness be for us + That we ever doubted thus, + Then forgive us radiantly, + All our doubts that are to be. + Now that we lay hold of you, + Nearer than we hoped or knew, + Dearer than we looked to find, + Beautiful, forgive the blind. + + + + +THE BIRD IN THE HAND. + + + Yesterday has flown away + Far beyond the sun. + And of morrows, who can say, + Till another one? + + Only Now is all my own, + And my heart knows how: + O wild wings for a sky unknown, + Mine, mine—now! + + + + +WAKING. + + + Early in the morning, + Early in the dew, + Singing from the mountains + Where the dreams withdrew, + Lingered one I knew. + + ‘Soul, art thou so shining? + What is there to tell? + Whither hast thou journeyed?’ + And the answer fell, + ‘Early to the well. + + ‘Early, early, early, + To the farthest light; + Drinking, singing, bathing + In the cool, the might, + Whence I have my sight. + + ‘There I found my sandals + Gladdened with a wing; + And my fair apparel + Woven out of Spring. + Therefore do I sing.’ + + And the golden voices + Warming with the sun, + Dimmed the silver voices, + Fading, one by one. + And the dream was done. + + + + +THE MAGIC. + + + You who saw through my disguise + Though I came so poor, + Let me bless your true two eyes + And your open door. + Yes, I am a wonder-child; + Hark and tell it not.— + With the journey and the cold + I had half forgot. + + Take the charmèd seeds I lay + In your open hand: + Some would cast them all away, + You will understand. + Trust the bud to come to flower, + Trust the flower for fruit. + Listen in the winter-time + For a cricket lute. + + Here are blessings all from me + —Though they look like tears— + For your blessed eyes that see + And your heart that hears. + I am higher than I seem, + Fair as I would be: + O, I bless your heart that hears, + And your eyes that see! + + They were ragged gifts I showed, + But you took the sense + Of the bird-nest from the road, + And the lucky pence. + And for all the charms I leave + Every time I pass, + Simple folk will only see + Cobwebs on the grass! + + + + +ROAD-SONG. + + + I. + + At home the waters in the grass + Went singing happy words; + But here, they flicker through my hands + As silent as the birds. + + I see a Rose. But once they grew + All thronging, thronging,—wild, + And white, and red, before I came + To be a human child. + + + II. + + While I am resting by the road + So dully here apart, + Far-off my Angel laughs, maybe, + Where God shines round her heart. + + O, she is laughing, as I think, + Because they cannot know + The parching wonder of the noon + With all our ways below. + + They cannot know. But now and then. + They may let fall a song + Blown like a feather down to me, + Because the road is long. + + + + +THE CEDARS. + + + All down the years the fragrance came, + The mingled fragrance, with a flame, + Of Cedars breathing in the sun, + The Cedar-trees of Lebanon. + + O thirst of song in bitter air, + And hope, wing-hurt from iron care, + What balm of myrrh and honey, won + From far-off trees of Lebanon! + + Not from these eyelids yet, have I + Ever beheld that early sky. + Why do they call me through the sun?— + Even the trees of Lebanon? + + + + +ALMS. + + + I met Poor Sorrow on the way + As I came down the years; + I gave him everything I had + And looked at him through tears. + + ‘But Sorrow, give me here again + Some little sign to show; + For I have given all I own; + Yet have I far to go.’ + + Then Sorrow charmed my eyes for me + And hallowed them thus far: + ‘Look deep enough in every dark, + And you shall see the star.’ + + + + +THE INN. + + + When I come back to sorrow, + The place seems very old. + Full well I know the lodging, + The meagreness, the cold; + And everything is told. + + The common daily portion, + No ampler and no less; + And sorry worn the cup is + And full of humbleness: + A soul can say but, ‘Yes.’ + + The earthen wares are many, + But never are they new. + The one-time guest departed + The same gray service knew, + There is no change for you. + + + + +SINS. + + + A lie, it may be black or white; + I care not for the lie: + My grief is for the tortured breath + Of Truth that cannot die. + + And cruelty, what that may be, + What creature understands? + But O, the glazing eyes of Love, + Stabbed through the open hands! + + + + +THE WATCHER. + + + My neighbor’s grief is dark to me. + I gaze and dread, without; + And marvel how he lives to bear + The blackness, and the doubt. + + And yet, by all lost ways of grief + That I have had to plod, + I know how small a rift lets through + A little gleam of God. + + + + +TO SAD-HEART. + + + I have a word for you, + For you, Sad-Heart, + And pray you keep it till the dawn come true, + And sorrow part. + + I never bid you doff + A single care: + But ever till to-morrow, O, put off— + Put off Despair! + + + + +SONG AND NEED. + + + Heart said, ‘If I had wings, + Such wings as hath the lark, + Even as that freedom sings + Beyond the dark, + I too, if I could fly + From chains that weigh and cling + Ah, but then I could sing,— + Could I! + + ‘O dayspring of desire! + Mid-ocean of delight + Before the dawn of fire + On dawn of sight! + My joy, could it undo + All that despair has done, + I could find out the Sun, + —I too.’ + + But ah, how vain to long + For glory of the lark, + Who hast more need of song + Down in thy dark; + Where chains may always irk, + And every day’s rebuff + Leave thee scarce breath enough, + To work! + + Nay, never to assuage + Our need, is joy begun, + But follows some poor wage + Full hardly won. + Never vain wish shall bring + The music from the dumb. + Needs must—ere song will come— + We sing! + + To him who hath, late, soon, + To him shall it be given. + Make to thyself some boon, + Some little heaven: + Some feigning, through that mirk, + The blue of upper skies; + And sing—with blindfold eyes— + At work! + + + + +HERE’S APRIL. + + + Wearied one, + Rest a little in the sun. + Here is April come behind you + With a blessing on your head: + Rains unshed, + And her loving hands that blind you + While she queries, ‘Who am I?’ + Of the darkened eye. + O, I heard the winter pass! + Came a sigh from waking grass + That should wake a daffodilly. + April, and up-rising now,—and every kind of lily! + + + + +THE COMING. + + + Low in the west, the early star + Is hazed with fires of Spring. + Low in the east, the golden moon + Comes slowly westering. + + The last-year leaves, they breathe and stir + With hope beyond their ken. + O golden fear!—that men must hear + All hearts wake up again. + + + + +MUSIC. + + + ‘O Heart of all things, Heart’s Desire come true, + That nothing may undo! + How long have I been stricken dim with fear, + Hungry and cold and lost, till I should hear + You,—you. + + ‘Now fold me in, O Beautiful, most dear! + And now that you are here, + Where were you, Dearness,—lost and far apart? + So far!’—‘Nay, all the time, O little heart, + So near.’ + + + + +EVER THE SAME. + + + King Solomon walked a thousand times + Forth of his garden-close; + And saw there spring no goodlier thing, + Be sure, than the same little rose. + + Under the sun was nothing new, + Or now, I well suppose. + But what new thing could you find to sing + More rare than the same little rose? + + Nothing is new; save I, save you, + And every new heart that grows, + On the same Earth met, that nurtures yet + Breath of the same little rose. + + + + +MAYBE. + + + Heigh-ho! The same old road it is, + And weary dull am I, + With the same old road and the same old song + I hum and know not why. + + But over yon, the city smoke + Goes after one gray dove, + With a flock of gold and silver wings + Along the sun, above. + + And of the miry pools below, + The sparrows make the best; + And windows all, with dazzled eyes, + They stare into the west. + + And I, I hum the same old song + Though no one could say why. + Maybe so, my singing knows + Even more than I. + + + + +THE SONG OUTSIDE. + + + When will you come, you maiden by the window, + Come out and leave your little window, there? + Why will you bind your heart up every morning, + As every morning you bind your hair? + Your vine astir would wake a cloud of swallows; + The sower’s forth and every worker follows; + The world goes forth, to earn, to seek, to share! + Why is it, little face behind a window, + You do not dare, + You do not dare? + + Then will you come, you maiden by the window, + To hear the heart of twilight in the air? + And will you heed the breathing of the wayside, + And all the wise, wide singing everywhere?— + And you and more than you, and more than neighbor, + —With care and bloom, despair and wrinkled labor, + It folds, it holds them all, till they are fair; + —Fairer than you, my maiden by the window, + And unaware, + —All unaware! + + + + +THE PASSERS-BY. + + + Though the dawn bring grayest thread + That my Fates have spun; + Though I lift not up my head, + Sorrow may not shun + The glory of the Sun. + + Yea, and though the gold sands run + Fleet through afternoon, + Shadow, that will speed the Sun, + Brings me yet as soon + The glory of the Moon. + + Blessèd Ones, and shining boon + Over all our wars! + Blessed we, by night or noon, + That no anguish mars + The glory of the Stars. + + + + + THE LITTLE PAST. + + + + +JOURNEY. + + + I never saw the hills so far + And blue, the way the pictures are; + + And flowers, flowers growing thick, + But not a one for me to pick! + + The land was running from the train + All blurry through the window-pane; + + And then it all looked flat and still, + When up there jumped a little hill! + + I saw the windows and the spires, + And sparrows sitting on the wires; + + And fences running up and down; + And then we cut straight through a town. + + I saw a Valley, like a cup; + And ponds that twinkled, and dried up. + + I counted meadows that were burnt; + And there were trees, and then there weren’t! + + We crossed the bridges with a roar, + Then hummed the way we went before. + + And tunnels made it dark and light + Like open-work of day and night; + + Until I saw the chimneys rise, + And lights and lights and lights, like eyes. + + And when they took me through the door, + I heard it all begin to roar.— + + I thought, as far as I could see, + That everybody wanted me! + + + + +SUNSET. + + + Those islands far away are mine, + Beyond the cloudy strip; + And something beautiful, besides:— + I think it is a ship. + + + + +THE BUSY CHILD. + + + I have so many things to do, + I don’t know when I shall be through. + + To-day I had to watch the rain + Come sliding down the window-pane. + + And I was humming all the time, + Around my head, a kind of rhyme; + + And blowing softly on the glass + To see the dimness come and pass. + + I made a picture, with my breath + Rubbed out to show the underneath. + + I built a city on the floor; + And then I went and was a War. + + And I escaped from square to square + That’s greenest on the carpet there, + + Until at last I came to Us; + But it was very dangerous: + + Because if I had stepped outside, + I made believe I should have died! + + And now I have the boat to mend, + And all our supper to pretend. + + I am so busy, every day, + I haven’t any time to play. + + + + +CONCERNING LOVE. + + + I wish she would not ask me if I love the Kitten more than her. + Of course I love her. But I love the Kitten too: and It has fur. + + + + +COW-BELLS. + + + O what is there behind the hills, + That all of the bells must know?— + Over in all the light that fills + The Valley with that glow? + + I followed a bell, and it all came true: + Some down, and a yellow-bird; + And Cedars—oh!—and specked with blue; + And everything else I heard: + + Only whatever it is, behind + The bell with the farthest call; + The one I follow and never find, + —The loveliest one of all. + + + + +WIND. + + + I let them call it just the Wind + And tell me not to grieve: + But I know all it left behind, + And more than they believe. + + I know about the far-off lands + Where people never sleep; + They hide their faces in their hands, + And rock and weep and weep. + + And I too little, all alone, + To go and find them yet:— + But oh, I hear!—When I am grown, + I never will forget. + + + + +THE MYSTIC. + + + People say to me, + ‘A Penny for your thought!’ + And I can’t remember thinking; + And I should think I ought. + I wasn’t sleeping, either: + I know that, because + I saw things out of both my eyes. + I wonder where I was. + + Now I’m back, I see them + Sitting all around; + And the noise together + Makes a purring sound. + But I know something more + Than just awhile ago. + I know something more!— + I wonder what I know. + + + + +THE MASTERPIECE. + + + My mother cut it out for me + And started it so I could see; + And then she turned some edges in + And let me take it to begin. + I made it. But I did not know + How very hard it is to sew. + I took a long time for that stitch, + And now it’s there, I don’t know which + Is better. But not one is small, + And they are not alike at all. + That side was very hard to fix; + And then the needle always pricks, + But you must hold it and take care, + Because the point is always there. + And knots keep coming, by and by; + And then, no matter how you try, + The thread comes out of its old eye. + + · · · · · + + But someway, now I have it done,— + I think it is a pretty one. + + + + +LATE. + + + My father brought somebody up, + To show us all asleep. + They came as softly up the stairs + As you could creep. + + They whispered in the doorway there + And looked at us awhile. + I had my eyes shut up, but I + Could feel him smile. + + I shut my eyes up close, and lay + As still as I could keep; + Because I knew he wanted us + To be asleep. + + + + +CAKES AND ALE. + + + I’m always glad when Andrew comes. + If only I am there, + He stays awhile and talks to me + As if he did not care. + + He took me to some Music once, + When it was all for me: + And O, I had a splendid time! + And he said, so did he. + + It lasts, as if the Music still + Went round and round the sky:— + He said he had a good time, too; + And I said, so did I! + + + + +EARLY. + + + I like to lie and wait to see + My mother braid her hair. + It is as long as it can be, + And yet she doesn’t care. + I love my mother’s hair. + + And then the way her fingers go; + They look so quick and white,— + In and out, and to and fro, + And braiding in the light, + And it is always right. + + So then she winds it, shiny brown, + Around her head into a crown, + Just like the day before. + And then she looks and pats it down, + And looks a minute more; + While I stay here all still and cool. + O, isn’t morning beautiful? + + + + + THE YOUNG THINGS. + + + + +THE SAPLING. + + + When I was but a sprig of May, + With wonders to command, + Above all else I loved most well + What none could understand; + And dear were things far-off—far-off, but nothing near at hand. + + O, now it was the sunset isle + Beyond the weather-vane; + And now it was the chime I heard + From belfry-towers of Spain; + But never yet the little leaf that tapped my window-pane. + + Heigh-ho, the wistful things unseen + That reach, as I did then, + To guess, and wear the heart of youth + With eager Why and When! + And never eye takes heed of them, in all the world of men. + + + + +THE HERO. + + + I saw the river going, + All silver to the brim, + Along the southern meadows + That were a home to him. + + I sang, ‘O River, bear him + My dream, a silver swan. + ’Tis only he, all day, all day, + That I do think upon.’ + + And oh, my foolish heart forgot, + So rapt in heart’s desire, + The years he has been sleeping, + Beneath a far-off spire. + + + + +NESTS. + + + O Sparrow, sparrow, did you ever try + To build a nest high up where no birds are, + And close unto a star, + Where it might cling and hear the wind go by? + For that did I! + + And far and far I flew along the quest, + For shelter, and I passed the summer rain, + I saw the daylight wane; + I found among the stars no place of rest, + And built no nest. + + Down to the Earth again with baffled wings, + The warm green earth where such as we must stay. + But all the livelong day, + High over heaven my dream nest clings and swings, + And my heart sings, + Sparrow! + + + + +SIDE STREETS. + + + Some days the faces in the street + Are clouded all, and dull; + And near or far, not one I see + To call it beautiful. + + O heavy, heavy is my heart; + And is the spirit blind? + That I am stricken with a doubt, + Because of human kind. + + Until I rest my looks upon + Some cart-horse standing by, + With patient forehead, weary mane, + And unreproachful eye. + + And kiss him on the brow I do!— + Because I have a mind + To thank him just that he will be + So beautiful, and kind. + + + + +THE FIR-TREE. + + + The winds have blown more bitter + Each darkening day of fall; + High over all the house-tops + The stars are far and small. + I wonder, will my fir-tree + Be green in spite of all? + + O grief is colder—colder + Than wind from any part; + And tears of grief are bitter tears, + And doubt’s a sorer smart! + But I promised to my fir-tree + To keep the fragrant heart. + + + + +EARLY-HEART. + + + ‘Early-Heart tends no geese like ours; + Every one is a swan, + Fit to sing with a nightingale, + Or say to a goose, Begone!’ + + ‘Alack, poor souls,’ quoth Early-Heart, + ‘Then yours be only geese? + Nor only so; but your sheep are sheep; + And mine have a golden fleece!’ + + Quoth Early-Heart, ‘And if mine be swans, + Right true you say, hereby. + So take your little and leave my much; + For the lad in luck am I!’ + + Waddle and quack, and bleat and baa, + They quacked and they baa’d, ’tis true. + But Early-Heart followed a white, white flock, + And the hills were far and blue. + + + + +BEAUTIFUL. + + + I have no word to tell you + The beauty of her face; + From her, a wedding garment + Would win a grace. + + And as the glow of moonrise + Will make the east divine, + Doth Soul, the radiant dweller, + Her face outshine. + + + + +AFTER ALL. + + + I would not now give up one hurt, + In this far light of morning; + Each one a rose, a blood-red rose, + A rose for my adorning. + + Yes, and the pallor of old grief, + Too lowly even for scorning, + Is warmed into a breathing rose, + A rose for my adorning. + + + + +VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER. + + + I love my little gowns; + I love my little shoes, + All standing still below them, + Set quietly by twos. + + All day I wear them careless, + But when I put them by + They look so dear and different, + And yet I don’t know why. + + My oldest one of all,— + Worn out; and then the best; + But that I have not worn enough + To love it, like the rest. + + The dimity for Sunday, + The blue one and the wool, + Now that I see them hanging up, + Are somehow beautiful. + + Of all the white, with ribbons + Gray-green, if I could choose; + The fichu that helps everything + Be gay; and then, my shoes. + + My shoes that skip and saunter, + And one that will untie:— + They look so funny and so young, + I hate to put them by. + + I wonder,—if some day ... + All this will be the Past?— + Poor Hop-the-brook and Dance-with-me, + They cannot always last! + + + + +THE TOP OF THE MORNING. + + + My days are strung in amber + Till I am sad again: + My days are full of sunlight + Beyond all sun or rain. + + My heart is full of tidings + From every wind that blows; + And I cannot say, ‘Good-day to you,’ + But everybody knows! + + + + +FORETHOUGHT. + + + I did not keep the Rose he brought, + After its day; + Although it lived a longer time + Than other roses may. + + I let it go the way of all, + For this one fear: + Because it might persuade my heart + That he was growing dear. + + But now my heart is well assured; + And I still sing; + And no one here would ever know + That I miss anything! + + + + +UNSAID. + + + Ah lad, if I could only say + The smiles are not for you! + But since your eyes are turned this way, + What is there I can do? + It’s one I see beyond, beyond, + My heart is leaning to. + + I know, I know, the whole hour long + I have been dull and sad, + And answered not the word at all + I meant to answer, lad; + Because my wits were gone astray + With all the heart I had. + + And now the latest ones are come, + And he is coming too; + And I would keep the starlight back, + But oh, it will shine through! + And since you never turn to see, + You take it all to you. + + + + +DANCE-TIME. + + + It’s I live in a very wise Town, + As all wise people know: + They read, they write, they read all day + As orchard-trees do grow. + + Said I,—I was a young thing then, + And a foolish young thing, too,— + ‘I will not spend my little life thus; + There’s much I’d rather do. + + ‘For I would rather look at you + This way, with happy looks, + Than lose the stars from my two eyes + With poring over books. + + ‘I’d rather far be red and white + For stupid folks to see + Than write nine books for little dull worms + To eat them, leisurely. + + ‘And I would rather have it said + When all my days are through, + “O she was good to see and hear + And say Good-morning to!” + + ‘When learning makes you white and red + And fresh as west-winds blow, + I may spend sun and candle-light + To learn what they all know. + + ‘But O, the wise in this wise Town, + They have no longer prime. + And there are fewer wise men, now, + Than once upon a time!’ + + + + +THE ENCHANTED SHEEP-FOLD. + + + The hills far-off were blue, blue, + The hills at hand were brown; + And all the herd-bells called to me + As I came by the down. + + The briars turned to roses—roses + Ever we stayed to pull + A white little rose, and a red little rose, + And a lock of silver wool. + + Nobody heeded,—none, none; + And when True Love came by, + They thought him nought but the shepherd boy. + Nobody knew but I! + + The trees were feathered like birds, birds; + Birds were in every tree. + Yet nobody heeded, nobody heard, + Nobody knew, save we. + + And he is fairer than all,—all. + How could a heart go wrong? + For his eyes I knew, and his knew mine, + Like an old, old song. + + + + +YES, LOVE IS BLIND. + + + Truly, Love is blind. + All my wish and will, + That he takes for me: + Sure Love cannot see, + That he thinks so, still! + + Truly, Love is blind; + But he hears, instead. + He hath such fine ears, + Far away he hears + Little words unsaid. + + Truly, Love is blind; + For the merest touch, + Hover of a breath, + Smiling underneath, + He will take for much. + + Blind, and without fear! + Even so, I find + He would have me here + Always, very near. + Truly, Love is blind. + + + + +THE MORNING WAS SO BRIGHT. + + + The morning was so bright to see, + I thought that he would come, + Though he is far away from me + While I bide on at home. + + The morning was so wide, so blue; + The tide ran in to greet:— + It could not be, I knew, I knew, + But O, the wind was sweet! + + There was a ripple on the pond; + The road had one refrain; + And something called me, just beyond + The turn of every lane. + + The trees were trying not to sing; + They beckoned on and on: + The day went by with promising, + And now the day is gone. + + The after-glow, it fades away + With my own Star above;— + And all the day, and all the day, + I looked for my true love. + + + + +THE TWO. + + + And if they faltered in their speech, + They knew not; for their eyes + Grew like with gazing, each on each, + Like deep of sea and skies. + + + + +AFTER-THOUGHT. + + + ‘But I was happy then, + How happy was I then!’ + The sorry saying you may hear + Upon the lips of men. + + To know when you are happy, + You would not call it wise; + Yet, for the seeing happiness, + How tears will clear the eyes! + + They laugh best who laugh last, + Says Pride that fears a fall. + But O, who will not laugh at first + May never laugh at all! + + + + + OTHERS. + + + + +NEAR AND FAR. + + + Near and far, near and far, + All the lights were keeping + Quiet watch with lamp and star, + While the roads were sleeping. + + And I saw, far and near: + Starlight overhead; + While a woman’s shadow, here, + Made to-morrow’s bread. + + Near and far; and I forgot + Stars must needs be small: + Lamp and shadow, knowing not, + Did so fold them all. + + + + +FRIENDS ALL. + + + Little Kathleen, when I was ill, + Offered the mass for me; + And burned a holy candle, too + As white as wax could be. + Little Kathleen, I think of her,— + It may be once a year,— + When houses sweeten with the fir + And bells ring out good cheer! + + Hejà! But it is good to live + And walk brown earth once more; + And good to hear your fingers knock + At some familiar door.— + And O, to see them all again, + To see them,—though they say, + ‘And did you take a journey, then? + And were you long away?’ + _O, did you take a journey, then? + And were you long away?_ + + + + +VANTAGE. + + + The wisest finding that I have + Is very young, no doubt. + Yet many a man must needs grow old + Before he finds it out. + + How happily it comes about— + And I was never told!— + That we must all be young awhile, + Before we can be old. + + + + +A SONG OF SOLOMON. + + + King Solomon was the wisest man + Of all that have been kings. + He built an House unto the Lord: + And he sang of creeping things. + + Of creeping things, of things that fly, + Or swim within the seas; + Of the little weed along the wall; + And of the Cedar-trees. + + And happier he, without mistake, + Than all men since alive. + God’s House he built; and he did make + A thousand songs and five. + + + + +COUNSEL TO BEGGARS. + + + O, came you by the same road too, + The road that called to me? + And fellow-farers, will you learn + What shelter there may be? + + There’s daybreak there to fill your heart + Red wine for half the way; + And gold there is of sunset, then, + To last another day. + + (And fill your pockets with the same + Altho’ your need be small. + Take all the bounty while you may, + To have some wherewithal.) + + And if you see the new moon, + I bid you tell the news, + And lend the slender silverness + For other poor to use. + + And if your heart be sudden light, + And yet you know not why, + I counsel you to hold the joy; + Let pride of woe go by. + + And if your feet be wearied out, + And you would rest therefore, + Seek out some house; but look you leave + Your sandals at the door. + + For you shall find—tho’ sad to find + Where houses be so few— + Your too-much sorrow irks a friend, + If ever it irkèd you! + + Take heart. And if the open air + No shelter seem to be, + Yet there you shall—and only there— + Have all that you can see. + + + + +THE TWA CHEERLESS. + + + Eh, is there nothing doing? + Then give your soul good heed; + And show yourself the miracles + That you would like to read, + As long as you’re in need. + + And then suppose I sing myself + —And if you will, give ear,— + The very song I never heard, + But I would like to hear: + And this, man, will be cheer! + + + + +THE WALK. + + + We left the house, for we were sad, + To talk of all the griefs we had; + + And little did we talk at first, + Leaving to silence all the worst. + + The rain it rained and star was none; + The wet made two lights out of one. + + And broken paths of shining yet + Made on before us, through the wet. + + The more we walked and still would walk, + The less did seem the need of talk. + + The more we walked from light to light, + The wiser grew the troubled night. + + The tacit lamps proved something clear + As often as one stayed to hear: + + And better ways, and endless clews + Dawned with the lengthening avenues. + + Till where the street-ends met the square, + We found a thousand tulips there, + + Sleeping as flowers sleep o’nights, + Beneath a thousand city-lights. + + And then the Bridge from shore to shore + Solved everything forevermore, + + So clearly, you could leave the Why, + Contented, to some by-and-by. + + And time, and grief, were worn away + Till there was nothing left, to say. + + + + +REFRAINS. + + + ‘I love all the world to-day!’ + _That is very young._ + ‘So I sing, the while I may.’ + _All the songs are sung._ + ‘God would never say me nay.’ + _Heed the foolish tongue!_ + + ‘There’s a singing in the tree,’— + _All the songs are sung._ + ‘Nightingales! Oh, could it be?’ + _Heed the foolish tongue!_ + ‘And the new moon smiles at me.’ + _Ah, the moon is young!_ + + + + +OUTSIDE THE MUSIC. + + + Now they come, and now they stop, + Now they all go in. + Now the coaches drive away; + And now it must begin. + + All their faces looked the same, + Every time before. + If I heard it, I should know + More and more and more. + + If I heard it, I would sing, + When I went away. + I would sing it till I grew + Beautiful, some day. + + O, I hear a whiff of it; + There’s another one;— + And the coaches driving up, + After it’s begun! + + + + +THE FAIREST. + + + The fairest thing that men have made, + My lad, it is a Ship, + O, beautiful beyond the white + Wild bird she would outstrip! + So beautiful, so beautiful, + A heart must leap to bless, + And after her the wake of foam + Stay white with happiness. + + And fairer than all things beside, + My maid,—a Violin; + Nay, aught that will give out again + The music hid within. + Or pipe or string or hollow shell, + It breaks enchanted sleep, + To win awhile the faëry heart + Of air that none may keep. + + But all of you who may not go + To sail upon the sea,— + Who wait upon another’s whim + For hope of melody,— + Oh, bless your hunger and your thirst, + And give your spirit wings + To speed beyond a narrow door + The heart that sails and sings! + + + + +THE CHILD AND THE ANGEL. + + + Oh, is it you at evening, + And near enough to speak? + And early in the morning, + Your breath upon my cheek? + + And when the city noises + Turn into clouds that sing, + Is it your veil around me, + Of hush, and wondering? + + And is it you, at sunset, + Who beckon me apart + Till I am something golden, + With petals in my heart? + + Ah, Dearness, somewhere over! + A happy child is this + That with shut eyes uplifted, + Waits for you with a kiss. + + + + +READING FOR THE POOR. + + + Young Pity passed us in the street. + Her eyes were like a brook; + And golden leaf and shadow bird + Darkened and lit her look. + + Her hair was like the meadow-marsh + That reaches to the sea; + And on her cheek a wild-rose glowed, + The timely rose for me! + + Young Pity never knew the word + She gave to men in need, + All clear and simple, in her face, + For working ones to read. + + + + +THE BLIND ONE. + + + O hide your eyes, my maiden, + And tell your heart to hush; + For love is very bright to see, + And louder than a thrush. + And all adream you wander + Alone in crowded ways, + Where eyes of all the fools and wise + Do follow, wide agaze! + + Yet all in vain, my maiden, + To shadow eyes like these; + They shine behind your fingers + Like starlight through the trees. + So dream and shine among us, + Unwitting of the boon,— + How all the eyes, of fools and wise, + Are grateful to the Moon. + + + + +HOLIDAY. + + + When I am far from joy of this, + In yon thick world of men, + O, save me—save me, world of blue!— + That I shall thirst for then. + + And when the little strength is spent + And little hope burns low, + Blow softly on that tortured flame, + —Fresh air from long ago! + + + + +THE FOOL. + + + O what a Fool am I!—Again, again, + To give for asking: yet again to trust + The needy love in women and in men, + Until again my faith is turned to dust + By one more thrust. + + How you must smile apart who make my hands + Ever to bleed where they were reached to bless; + —Wonder how any wit that understands + Should ever try too near, with gentle stress, + Your sullenness! + + Laugh, stare, deny. Because I shall be true,— + The only triumph slain by no surprise: + True, true, to that forlornest truth in you. + The wan, beleaguered thing behind your eyes, + Starving on lies. + + Build by my faith; I am a steadfast tool: + When I am dark, begone into the sun. + I cry, ‘Ah Lord, how good to be a Fool:— + A lonely game indeed, but now all done; + —And I have won!’ + + + + +DRUDGE. + + + I waited long until the sky + Should give me of its blue + To weave and wear, and share, and weave + The very stars into. + The days they went, the years they went, + And left my hands instead + Another thing for wonderment, + —The mending, and the bread. + + Ah me, and one must set a hand + To burnish up the task, + And hush and hush the old demand + A wakeful heart will ask. + But with a star’s clear eye on me, + O, I can hear it said, + ‘What souls there be, that only see + The mending, and the bread!’ + + + + +THE YOUNGEST DRYAD. + + + What were you seeking? For my heart + Woke at your step and heard; + The farthest wakeful leaf of me, + And the hidden nest of the midmost tree + Hushed with its hidden bird. + Ah, but the rune imprisoned me + Till you should speak one word. + + Why did you think the spell that drew + Fell from the cedar there? + You questioned pine and sister pine, + Lingered near ash and wild-grape vine, + —Doubted the maidenhair; + Ever you missed these eyes of mine + Too like the twilight air. + + The Sun may call the dew to him, + The waters call the deer; + But O, my roots bind every limb + To hold me hid, apart and dim + And silent, and so near;— + And every leaf of me abrim— + With that you shall not hear. + + + + +COME BUY! + + + The flowers knew her through the frost, + Their own true-lover. + Rose crowding rose, the color crossed; + The silver breath could hover + Near and far, poor lover! + + They wondered at her through the pane, + And through December. + And then she went her way again, + —Eyes trying to remember. + Have your day, December! + + + + +PRINCE CHARLIE. + + + O had you died upon the field + That was so grim to plough, + The tears had blinded every eye + That sharpens on you now. + + For death had been a glorious gift, + With all you had to give, + And kinder than we stay-at-homes; + But ah, you had to live! + + + + +THE MEETING. + + + ‘Good-morning to you, then.’ + (O stricken heart of her! + Silence, silence, breathe for me + A little breath of myrrh.) + + ‘And so good-by again; + Good-by, if you must go.’ + (Go after, little shade of me, + And tell her that I know.) + + + + +THE COBBLER. + + + A little cloud in a golden veil + At setting of the sun: + And I a cobbler working—working; + Work is never done. + + A little cloud in a golden veil; + And I am mending shoes, + Never a feathered sandal thing + Such as a cloud may use. + + A little cloud in a golden veil, + Along the bright highway: + And but for her, to-morrow were + Another yesterday. + + And this will stay, tho’ she melt away + After the moon sets sail. + For no man’s sky is always gray, + —Cloud in a golden veil. + + + + +MIRACLE. + + + Love came by in bitter need. + Oh, but I was sad! + Love stood by in bitter need, + And I nothing had. + + Empty were the hands I held + Silently to Love. + Empty, as my heart of words, + Stared the sky above. + + Lo, Love took—and thankfully— + All my wish for true; + Then my hands gave back to me, + Full of kisses too. + + + + +OPEN HOUSE. + + + My home is not so great; + But open heart I keep. + The sorrows come to me, + That they may sleep. + + The little bread I have + I share, and gladly pray + To-morrow may give more, + To give away. + + Yes, in the dark sometimes + The childish fear will haunt: + How long, how long, before + I die of want? + + But all the bread I have, + I share, and ever say, + To-morrow shall bring more + To give away. + + + + +O SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP! + + + Do not dream of me. + Nay, without mistake, + Even for love’s sake + And all heedfully; + Do not dream of me. + + All day long am I + Leal to all you ask: + Wish and care and task, + Every need come nigh;— + Still to serve and try. + + But with my Good-night, + O unrippled sleep! + What is here, should keep + This bewildered light + From its skyward right? + + Let me feel no need; + Not a love that clings. + Let me have my wings; + Love my wings indeed: + Give my wings godspeed! + + Do not dream of me. + Waking, I’ll be human;— + Call it child or woman. + Sleeping, I would be + Only Something Free. + + + + +THE CLOUD. + + + The islands called me far away, + The valleys called me home. + The rivers with a silver voice + Drew on my heart to come. + + The paths reached tendrils to my hair + From every vine and tree. + There was no refuge anywhere + Until I came to thee. + + There is a northern cloud I know, + Along a mountain crest. + And as she folds her wings of mist, + So I could make my rest. + + There is no chain to bind her so + Unto that purple height; + And she will shine and wander, slow, + Slow, with a cloud’s delight. + + Would she begone? She melts away, + A heavenly joyous thing. + Yet day will find the mountain white, + White-folded with her wing. + + As you may see, but half aware + If it be late or soon, + Soft breathing on the day-time air, + The fair forgotten Moon. + + And though love cannot bind me, Love, + —Ah no!—yet I could stay + Maybe, with wings forever spread, + —Forever, and a day. + + + + +THE RAVENS. + + + My eyes are blind with dust; + My limbs are dull with pain: + But my body shall up and after me, + Again—again—again. + + They hover and wheel above. + Where I creep on, they fly; + And with their call and vaunt of life, + They tempt my soul to die. + + And the numbness of my heart, + The length I have to go, + The dimness of my starving sight, + They know, they know, they know! + + But the little spark I hold + Shall light me farther on + After the gleam—like a far-off stream,— + Until that, too, is gone. + + _Mirage—mirage—mirage!_ + But I say, I will not die + For the hoarse Despairs that wait, that poise, + —And I creep while they do fly. + + No wonder they stoop so low; + And no wonder they should scoff + With Ah and Ah!—and beak and claw, + As they let me beat them off. + + For there is no path to see. + But after the vanished flag + My soul has gone; and after me, + Body must strive and lag. + + Up with you,—follow; come— + Whither my face is set. + They would have us dead: but I have said, + Not yet,—not yet,—not yet! + + + + +NEIGHBORS. + + + ‘Who found for you the waters that soothed your heart-break first?’ + ‘Oh, who but these, my Sorrow, my Hunger and my Thirst!’ + + ‘Who made your eyes the wiser to hail the farthest star?’ + ‘Who but my Dark I thanked not,—the Dark where no lamps are!’ + + ‘And I come singing, Neighbor, to tell you, where you grieve. + And though my song bled, bled afresh,—yet would you not believe.’ + + + + +THE MORNING SOUL. + + + O little cripple, with the lovely eyes, + What have we done to thee?— + For all our wisdom, putting out thy gleam, + Crying, ‘Thou seest not, it is a dream!’ + Against thy cry, ‘I see.’ + + O little cripple with the lovely eyes, + What have we now to show? + With vext perpetual ways past finding out, + Teaching thee well the hundred things of doubt, + Who saidest once, ‘I know.’ + + O little cripple with the lovely eyes, + That music of the Sphere + We only sought to bind for thee secure + Some day, if it were true, for thee too sure + Rejoicing with, ‘I hear!’ + + O little cripple with the lovely eyes, + Flower of the broken stalk, + Have pity on our need, for it is sore,— + Of thee, thee only,—thee to go before; + Rise up, rise up, and walk! + + + + +THE HILL-TOP. + + + ‘Look down upon thy grief.’—O heart of mine, + That path alone climbed here! + + ‘Look down upon thy fear.’—O heart of mine, + That cloud-shadow, my fear! + + ‘Look down on thy desire.’—And could it shine, + That sorry fallen ember? + + ‘Ah, in the valley yonder, child of mine, + Wilt thou remember?’ + + + + +THE DOVES. + + + The doves fly out, the doves fly in, + Brighter than cloud above, + From thee to me, and again to thee, + Out of my heart, O Love. + + My heart is troubled and hushed with wings + From the deep, beneath, above; + And the hovering flight of more white things + Than Earth hath the gladness of. + + After one call they follow, all;— + Thy call to me, O Love: + Lightning out of the blue, but mine + In the likeness of the Dove. + + + + +FOUND. + + + O, when I saw your eyes, + So old it was, so new, the hushed surprise: + After a long, long search, it came to be, + Home folded me. + + And looking up, I saw + The far, first stars like tapers to my awe, + In the dim hands of hid, benignant Powers, + At search long hours. + + And did they hear us call, + That they have found us children after all? + And did you know, O Wonderful and Dear, + That I was here? + + + + +ALL HAIL. + + + O, Blessed of the dark, we meet along an unknown sky; + And here within the light of you, how beautiful am I! + + The other worlds are dim around, beneficent with night. + But I—I turn my face to you, and have no other sight. + + So poising radiant, strong with joy, in desert air divine, + One star doth to another call, and we belovèd shine. + + We shine transfigured, shine, to know beyond all hope made wise, + The echo, echo of All Hail, from new-illumined eyes. + + Who know not what your glory is, nor why my looks are bright, + I lean to you, I call to you, I shine with you, my light. + + + + +THE ANOINTED. + + + I was a little gleaner + Of all the days would yield, + When wonder overtook me + At work within the field. + + The stars they gathered round me + Holding their torches high. + They cried, ‘Behold the chosen!’ + And it was none but I. + + They hailed me royal, kindred, + And made me understand + With gifts of light and darkness + They gave into my hand. + + And here the wonder holds me + Though voices all are gone, + Here in the brimming silence, + With this to think upon. + + The kiss upon my forehead + Forevermore is mine. + The sweetness fills my heart up; + The tears make all things shine. + + + + + EPILOGUE. + + + + +TO THE EVENING STAR. + + + Yes, and you come, you come. Soft piercing through + The luminous fair pallor of the west; + Budded in light and blooming manifest + As that first lily of the field may do; + Unshaken by the winds, that all for you + Have made the pathway ready, loveliest, + You come, you look upon us, shining Guest + Of glories that the world is blind unto! + + All hail, from us who work no more, but wait: + From the worn furrows darkened after toil, + And from the Sea; and from all eyes that are. + Hallow our upward looks, and consecrate + These thankful offered savors of the soil + With the one lovingkindness of a Star. + + + + +TO HER BOOK. + + + I kiss you once for luck, + That you may feel no care. + I kiss you thrice for love + That you must spend and share. + Go now, and wheresoe’er + A heart shall take you in, + It is your very kin: + Make music there. + +[Illustration: [Fleuron]] + + + + + =The Riverside Press= + CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS + U · S · A + + + + + =Josephine Preston Peabody= + + (MRS. LIONEL MARKS) + + + THE WOLF OF GUBBIO: A Comedy in Three Acts. + THE SINGING MAN. + THE PIPER. + THE BOOK OF THE LITTLE PAST. Illustrated in color. + THE SINGING LEAVES. + MARLOWE: A DRAMA. + FORTUNE AND MEN’S EYES. + OLD GREEK FOLK STORIES. + + HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY + BOSTON AND NEW YORK + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75847 *** diff --git a/75847-h/75847-h.htm b/75847-h/75847-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b38581 --- /dev/null +++ b/75847-h/75847-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3448 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>The Singing Leaves | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } + h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } + h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; 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font-weight:bold; + font-style: normal; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75847 ***</div> + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='titlepage'> + +<div> + <h1 class='c001'>THE SINGING LEAVES<br> <span class='xlarge'>A BOOK OF SONGS AND SPELLS BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY</span></h1> +</div> +<p class='c002'>‘<em>Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field. Let us lodge in the villages.</em>’</p> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='[Logo]' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>BOSTON AND NEW YORK</div> + <div>HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY</div> + <div><span class='blackletter'>The Riverside Press Cambridge</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='small'>COPYRIGHT 1903 BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY</span></div> + <div class='c004'><span class='small'>ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</span></div> + <div class='c005'><span class='small'><em>Published November, 1903</em></span></div> + <div class='c005'><span class='small'>TENTH IMPRESSION</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c002'><span class='small'>Thanks are due to the editors of Harper’s +Monthly, Scribner’s Magazine, and other +periodicals, for their courteous permission +to reprint many of the following poems.</span></p> + +<div class='chapter ph1'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>THE SINGING LEAVES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c006'>DEDICATION.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Whosoever cares to look</div> + <div class='line in2'>In my little Book,</div> + <div class='line'>If he care to look again,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Let him so; and then,</div> + <div class='line'>Should there be a very few</div> + <div class='line in2'>Glad to say Amen</div> + <div class='line'>To old wonders ever new,</div> + <div class='line'>—Why, it is for You.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span></td></tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>SONGS AND SPELLS.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE HOUSE AND THE ROAD</td> + <td class='c009'><span class='fss'>PAGE</span> <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>CHARM TO BE SAID IN THE SUN</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_4'>4</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>BEFORE MEAT</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_6'>6</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>SAD TRUTH</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>GLAD TRUTH</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_8'>8</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE BIRD IN THE HAND</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>WAKING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MAGIC</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_12'>12</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>ROAD-SONGS. I. AND II.</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a>, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE CEDARS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_16'>16</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>ALMS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_17'>17</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE INN</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_18'>18</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>SINS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE WATCHER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>TO SAD-HEART</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_21'>21</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>SONG AND NEED</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_22'>22</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>HERE’S APRIL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_25'>25</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE COMING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>MUSIC</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>EVER THE SAME</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_28'>28</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>MAYBE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE SONG OUTSIDE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE PASSERS-BY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_32'>32</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>THE LITTLE PAST.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>JOURNEY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_35'>35</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>SUNSET</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_37'>37</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE BUSY CHILD</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_38'>38</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>CONCERNING LOVE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_40'>40</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>COW-BELLS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>WIND</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_42'>42</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MYSTIC</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MASTERPIECE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>LATE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>CAKES AND ALE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>EARLY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>THE YOUNG THINGS.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE SAPLING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE HERO</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>NESTS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_53'>53</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>SIDE-STREETS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE FIR-TREE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>EARLY-HEART</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>BEAUTIFUL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_58'>58</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>AFTER ALL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_59'>59</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_60'>60</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE TOP OF THE MORNING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_62'>62</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>FORETHOUGHT</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>UNSAID</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_64'>64</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>DANCE-TIME</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_65'>65</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE ENCHANTED SHEEP-FOLD</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_67'>67</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>YES, LOVE IS BLIND</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MORNING WAS SO BRIGHT</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_71'>71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE TWO</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>AFTER-THOUGHT</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>OTHERS.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>NEAR AND FAR</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_77'>77</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>FRIENDS ALL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>VANTAGE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_79'>79</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A SONG OF SOLOMON</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_80'>80</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>COUNSEL TO BEGGARS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE TWA CHEERLESS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE WALK</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>REFRAINS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>OUTSIDE THE MUSIC</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_87'>87</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE FAIREST</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_88'>88</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE CHILD AND THE ANGEL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_90'>90</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>READING FOR THE POOR</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_91'>91</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE BLIND ONE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>HOLIDAY</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE FOOL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>DRUDGE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_96'>96</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE YOUNGEST DRYAD</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>COME BUY!</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>PRINCE CHARLIE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MEETING</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_101'>101</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE COBBLER</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_102'>102</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>MIRACLE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_103'>103</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>OPEN HOUSE</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>O SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP!</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_105'>105</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE CLOUD</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE RAVENS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>NEIGHBORS</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_111'>111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE MORNING SOUL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_112'>112</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE HILL-TOP</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE DOVES</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_115'>115</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>FOUND</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_116'>116</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>ALL HAIL</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>THE ANOINTED</td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_119'>119</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c009'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c007' colspan='2'>EPILOGUE.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><em>TO THE EVENING STAR</em></td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_123'>123</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><em>TO HER BOOK</em></td> + <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c010'>SONGS AND SPELLS.</h2> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE HOUSE AND THE ROAD.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The little Road says Go,</div> + <div class='line'>The little House says Stay:</div> + <div class='line'>And O, it’s bonny here at home,</div> + <div class='line'>But I must go away.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The little Road, like me,</div> + <div class='line'>Would seek and turn and know;</div> + <div class='line'>And forth I must, to learn the things</div> + <div class='line'>The little Road would show!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And go I must, my dears,</div> + <div class='line'>And journey while I may,</div> + <div class='line'>Though heart be sore for the little House</div> + <div class='line'>That had no word but Stay.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Maybe, no other way</div> + <div class='line'>Your child could ever know</div> + <div class='line'>Why a little House would have you stay,</div> + <div class='line'>When a little Road says, Go.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span> + <h3 class='c011'>CHARM: TO BE SAID IN THE SUN.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I reach my arms up, to the sky,</div> + <div class='line'>And golden vine on vine</div> + <div class='line'>Of sunlight showered wild and high,</div> + <div class='line'>Around my brows I twine.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I wreathe, I wind it everywhere,</div> + <div class='line'>The burning radiancy</div> + <div class='line'>Of brightness that no eye may dare,</div> + <div class='line'>To be the strength of me.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Come, redness of the crystalline,</div> + <div class='line'>Come green, come hither blue</div> + <div class='line'>And violet—all alive within,</div> + <div class='line'>For I have need of you.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Come honey-hue and flush of gold,</div> + <div class='line'>And through the pallor run,</div> + <div class='line'>With pulse on pulse of manifold</div> + <div class='line'>New largess of the Sun!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>O steep the silence till it sing!</div> + <div class='line'>O glories from the height,</div> + <div class='line'>Come down, where I am garlanding</div> + <div class='line'>With light, a child of light!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span> + <h3 class='c011'>BEFORE MEAT.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Hunger of the world,</div> + <div class='line'>When we ask a grace,</div> + <div class='line'>Be remembered here with us,</div> + <div class='line'>By the vacant place.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Thirst, with nought to drink,</div> + <div class='line'>Sorrow more than mine,</div> + <div class='line'>May God someday make you laugh,</div> + <div class='line'>With water turned to wine.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> + <h3 class='c011'>SAD TRUTH.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Truth I tell with heavy heart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To another one,</div> + <div class='line'>Give me sweetness for your smart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When sad time is done.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Then may I be clear again,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Love without disguise;</div> + <div class='line'>Since I have to bear, till then,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Dark of hostile eyes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Bitter shall be sweet some day.</em></div> + <div class='line'><em>Ah, but that is far away!</em></div> + <div class='line'><em>I must bind my heart and say:</em></div> + <div class='line'><em>Bitter now, but sweet some day.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span> + <h3 class='c011'>GLAD TRUTH.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Beautiful, that did come true,</div> + <div class='line'>Beautiful, so it was you!</div> + <div class='line'>If forgiveness be for us</div> + <div class='line'>That we ever doubted thus,</div> + <div class='line'>Then forgive us radiantly,</div> + <div class='line'>All our doubts that are to be.</div> + <div class='line'>Now that we lay hold of you,</div> + <div class='line'>Nearer than we hoped or knew,</div> + <div class='line'>Dearer than we looked to find,</div> + <div class='line'>Beautiful, forgive the blind.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE BIRD IN THE HAND.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yesterday has flown away</div> + <div class='line in2'>Far beyond the sun.</div> + <div class='line'>And of morrows, who can say,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Till another one?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Only Now is all my own,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And my heart knows how:</div> + <div class='line'>O wild wings for a sky unknown,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Mine, mine—now!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span> + <h3 class='c011'>WAKING.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Early in the morning,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Early in the dew,</div> + <div class='line'>Singing from the mountains</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where the dreams withdrew,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Lingered one I knew.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Soul, art thou so shining?</div> + <div class='line in2'>What is there to tell?</div> + <div class='line'>Whither hast thou journeyed?’</div> + <div class='line in2'>And the answer fell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Early to the well.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Early, early, early,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To the farthest light;</div> + <div class='line'>Drinking, singing, bathing</div> + <div class='line in2'>In the cool, the might,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whence I have my sight.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>‘There I found my sandals</div> + <div class='line in2'>Gladdened with a wing;</div> + <div class='line'>And my fair apparel</div> + <div class='line in2'>Woven out of Spring.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Therefore do I sing.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And the golden voices</div> + <div class='line in2'>Warming with the sun,</div> + <div class='line'>Dimmed the silver voices,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Fading, one by one.</div> + <div class='line in2'>And the dream was done.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MAGIC.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>You who saw through my disguise</div> + <div class='line in2'>Though I came so poor,</div> + <div class='line'>Let me bless your true two eyes</div> + <div class='line in2'>And your open door.</div> + <div class='line'>Yes, I am a wonder-child;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Hark and tell it not.—</div> + <div class='line'>With the journey and the cold</div> + <div class='line in2'>I had half forgot.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Take the charmèd seeds I lay</div> + <div class='line in2'>In your open hand:</div> + <div class='line'>Some would cast them all away,</div> + <div class='line in2'>You will understand.</div> + <div class='line'>Trust the bud to come to flower,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Trust the flower for fruit.</div> + <div class='line'>Listen in the winter-time</div> + <div class='line in2'>For a cricket lute.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>Here are blessings all from me</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Though they look like tears—</div> + <div class='line'>For your blessed eyes that see</div> + <div class='line in2'>And your heart that hears.</div> + <div class='line'>I am higher than I seem,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Fair as I would be:</div> + <div class='line'>O, I bless your heart that hears,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And your eyes that see!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They were ragged gifts I showed,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But you took the sense</div> + <div class='line'>Of the bird-nest from the road,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And the lucky pence.</div> + <div class='line'>And for all the charms I leave</div> + <div class='line in2'>Every time I pass,</div> + <div class='line'>Simple folk will only see</div> + <div class='line in2'>Cobwebs on the grass!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span> + <h3 class='c011'>ROAD-SONG.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in16'>I.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>At home the waters in the grass</div> + <div class='line in2'>Went singing happy words;</div> + <div class='line'>But here, they flicker through my hands</div> + <div class='line in2'>As silent as the birds.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I see a Rose. But once they grew</div> + <div class='line in2'>All thronging, thronging,—wild,</div> + <div class='line'>And white, and red, before I came</div> + <div class='line in2'>To be a human child.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in16 c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>II.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>While I am resting by the road</div> + <div class='line in2'>So dully here apart,</div> + <div class='line'>Far-off my Angel laughs, maybe,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where God shines round her heart.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O, she is laughing, as I think,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Because they cannot know</div> + <div class='line'>The parching wonder of the noon</div> + <div class='line in2'>With all our ways below.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They cannot know. But now and then.</div> + <div class='line in2'>They may let fall a song</div> + <div class='line'>Blown like a feather down to me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Because the road is long.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE CEDARS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>All down the years the fragrance came,</div> + <div class='line'>The mingled fragrance, with a flame,</div> + <div class='line'>Of Cedars breathing in the sun,</div> + <div class='line'>The Cedar-trees of Lebanon.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O thirst of song in bitter air,</div> + <div class='line'>And hope, wing-hurt from iron care,</div> + <div class='line'>What balm of myrrh and honey, won</div> + <div class='line'>From far-off trees of Lebanon!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Not from these eyelids yet, have I</div> + <div class='line'>Ever beheld that early sky.</div> + <div class='line'>Why do they call me through the sun?—</div> + <div class='line'>Even the trees of Lebanon?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span> + <h3 class='c011'>ALMS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I met Poor Sorrow on the way</div> + <div class='line in2'>As I came down the years;</div> + <div class='line'>I gave him everything I had</div> + <div class='line in2'>And looked at him through tears.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘But Sorrow, give me here again</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some little sign to show;</div> + <div class='line'>For I have given all I own;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Yet have I far to go.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Then Sorrow charmed my eyes for me</div> + <div class='line in2'>And hallowed them thus far:</div> + <div class='line'>‘Look deep enough in every dark,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And you shall see the star.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE INN.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>When I come back to sorrow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The place seems very old.</div> + <div class='line'>Full well I know the lodging,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The meagreness, the cold;</div> + <div class='line'>And everything is told.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The common daily portion,</div> + <div class='line in2'>No ampler and no less;</div> + <div class='line'>And sorry worn the cup is</div> + <div class='line in2'>And full of humbleness:</div> + <div class='line'>A soul can say but, ‘Yes.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The earthen wares are many,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But never are they new.</div> + <div class='line'>The one-time guest departed</div> + <div class='line in2'>The same gray service knew,</div> + <div class='line'>There is no change for you.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span> + <h3 class='c011'>SINS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>A lie, it may be black or white;</div> + <div class='line in2'>I care not for the lie:</div> + <div class='line'>My grief is for the tortured breath</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of Truth that cannot die.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And cruelty, what that may be,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What creature understands?</div> + <div class='line'>But O, the glazing eyes of Love,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stabbed through the open hands!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE WATCHER.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My neighbor’s grief is dark to me.</div> + <div class='line in2'>I gaze and dread, without;</div> + <div class='line'>And marvel how he lives to bear</div> + <div class='line in2'>The blackness, and the doubt.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And yet, by all lost ways of grief</div> + <div class='line in2'>That I have had to plod,</div> + <div class='line'>I know how small a rift lets through</div> + <div class='line in2'>A little gleam of God.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span> + <h3 class='c011'>TO SAD-HEART.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'>I have a word for you,</div> + <div class='line in6'>For you, Sad-Heart,</div> + <div class='line'>And pray you keep it till the dawn come true,</div> + <div class='line in6'>And sorrow part.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'>I never bid you doff</div> + <div class='line in6'>A single care:</div> + <div class='line'>But ever till to-morrow, O, put off—</div> + <div class='line in6'>Put off Despair!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span> + <h3 class='c011'>SONG AND NEED.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Heart said, ‘If I had wings,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Such wings as hath the lark,</div> + <div class='line'>Even as that freedom sings</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beyond the dark,</div> + <div class='line'>I too, if I could fly</div> + <div class='line in2'>From chains that weigh and cling</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ah, but then I could sing,—</div> + <div class='line in12'>Could I!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O dayspring of desire!</div> + <div class='line in2'>Mid-ocean of delight</div> + <div class='line'>Before the dawn of fire</div> + <div class='line in2'>On dawn of sight!</div> + <div class='line'>My joy, could it undo</div> + <div class='line in2'>All that despair has done,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I could find out the Sun,</div> + <div class='line in10'>—I too.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>But ah, how vain to long</div> + <div class='line in2'>For glory of the lark,</div> + <div class='line'>Who hast more need of song</div> + <div class='line in2'>Down in thy dark;</div> + <div class='line'>Where chains may always irk,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And every day’s rebuff</div> + <div class='line in2'>Leave thee scarce breath enough,</div> + <div class='line in12'>To work!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Nay, never to assuage</div> + <div class='line in2'>Our need, is joy begun,</div> + <div class='line'>But follows some poor wage</div> + <div class='line in2'>Full hardly won.</div> + <div class='line'>Never vain wish shall bring</div> + <div class='line in2'>The music from the dumb.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Needs must—ere song will come—</div> + <div class='line in12'>We sing!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>To him who hath, late, soon,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To him shall it be given.</div> + <div class='line'>Make to thyself some boon,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some little heaven:</div> + <div class='line'>Some feigning, through that mirk,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The blue of upper skies;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And sing—with blindfold eyes—</div> + <div class='line in12'>At work!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> + <h3 class='c011'>HERE’S APRIL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Wearied one,</div> + <div class='line'>Rest a little in the sun.</div> + <div class='line'>Here is April come behind you</div> + <div class='line'>With a blessing on your head:</div> + <div class='line'>Rains unshed,</div> + <div class='line'>And her loving hands that blind you</div> + <div class='line'>While she queries, ‘Who am I?’</div> + <div class='line'>Of the darkened eye.</div> + <div class='line'>O, I heard the winter pass!</div> + <div class='line'>Came a sigh from waking grass</div> + <div class='line'>That should wake a daffodilly.</div> + <div class='line'>April, and up-rising now,—and every kind of lily!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE COMING.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Low in the west, the early star</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is hazed with fires of Spring.</div> + <div class='line'>Low in the east, the golden moon</div> + <div class='line in2'>Comes slowly westering.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The last-year leaves, they breathe and stir</div> + <div class='line in2'>With hope beyond their ken.</div> + <div class='line'>O golden fear!—that men must hear</div> + <div class='line in2'>All hearts wake up again.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span> + <h3 class='c011'>MUSIC.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O Heart of all things, Heart’s Desire come true,</div> + <div class='line in4'>That nothing may undo!</div> + <div class='line'>How long have I been stricken dim with fear,</div> + <div class='line'>Hungry and cold and lost, till I should hear</div> + <div class='line in12'>You,—you.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Now fold me in, O Beautiful, most dear!</div> + <div class='line in4'>And now that you are here,</div> + <div class='line'>Where were you, Dearness,—lost and far apart?</div> + <div class='line'>So far!’—‘Nay, all the time, O little heart,</div> + <div class='line in12'>So near.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span> + <h3 class='c011'>EVER THE SAME.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>King Solomon walked a thousand times</div> + <div class='line in2'>Forth of his garden-close;</div> + <div class='line'>And saw there spring no goodlier thing,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Be sure, than the same little rose.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Under the sun was nothing new,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or now, I well suppose.</div> + <div class='line'>But what new thing could you find to sing</div> + <div class='line in2'>More rare than the same little rose?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Nothing is new; save I, save you,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And every new heart that grows,</div> + <div class='line'>On the same Earth met, that nurtures yet</div> + <div class='line in2'>Breath of the same little rose.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span> + <h3 class='c011'>MAYBE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Heigh-ho! The same old road it is,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And weary dull am I,</div> + <div class='line'>With the same old road and the same old song</div> + <div class='line in2'>I hum and know not why.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But over yon, the city smoke</div> + <div class='line in2'>Goes after one gray dove,</div> + <div class='line'>With a flock of gold and silver wings</div> + <div class='line in2'>Along the sun, above.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And of the miry pools below,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The sparrows make the best;</div> + <div class='line'>And windows all, with dazzled eyes,</div> + <div class='line in2'>They stare into the west.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And I, I hum the same old song</div> + <div class='line in2'>Though no one could say why.</div> + <div class='line'>Maybe so, my singing knows</div> + <div class='line in2'>Even more than I.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE SONG OUTSIDE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>When will you come, you maiden by the window,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Come out and leave your little window, there?</div> + <div class='line'>Why will you bind your heart up every morning,</div> + <div class='line in2'>As every morning you bind your hair?</div> + <div class='line'>Your vine astir would wake a cloud of swallows;</div> + <div class='line'>The sower’s forth and every worker follows;</div> + <div class='line'>The world goes forth, to earn, to seek, to share!</div> + <div class='line'>Why is it, little face behind a window,</div> + <div class='line in12'>You do not dare,</div> + <div class='line in12'>You do not dare?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Then will you come, you maiden by the window,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To hear the heart of twilight in the air?</div> + <div class='line'>And will you heed the breathing of the wayside,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And all the wise, wide singing everywhere?—</div> + <div class='line'>And you and more than you, and more than neighbor,</div> + <div class='line'>—With care and bloom, despair and wrinkled labor,</div> + <div class='line'>It folds, it holds them all, till they are fair;</div> + <div class='line'>—Fairer than you, my maiden by the window,</div> + <div class='line in12'>And unaware,</div> + <div class='line in12'>—All unaware!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE PASSERS-BY.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Though the dawn bring grayest thread</div> + <div class='line'>That my Fates have spun;</div> + <div class='line'>Though I lift not up my head,</div> + <div class='line'>Sorrow may not shun</div> + <div class='line'>The glory of the Sun.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yea, and though the gold sands run</div> + <div class='line'>Fleet through afternoon,</div> + <div class='line'>Shadow, that will speed the Sun,</div> + <div class='line'>Brings me yet as soon</div> + <div class='line'>The glory of the Moon.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Blessèd Ones, and shining boon</div> + <div class='line'>Over all our wars!</div> + <div class='line'>Blessed we, by night or noon,</div> + <div class='line'>That no anguish mars</div> + <div class='line'>The glory of the Stars.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span> + <h2 class='c006'>THE LITTLE PAST.</h2> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span> + <h3 class='c011'>JOURNEY.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I never saw the hills so far</div> + <div class='line'>And blue, the way the pictures are;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And flowers, flowers growing thick,</div> + <div class='line'>But not a one for me to pick!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The land was running from the train</div> + <div class='line'>All blurry through the window-pane;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And then it all looked flat and still,</div> + <div class='line'>When up there jumped a little hill!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I saw the windows and the spires,</div> + <div class='line'>And sparrows sitting on the wires;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And fences running up and down;</div> + <div class='line'>And then we cut straight through a town.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I saw a Valley, like a cup;</div> + <div class='line'>And ponds that twinkled, and dried up.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>I counted meadows that were burnt;</div> + <div class='line'>And there were trees, and then there weren’t!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>We crossed the bridges with a roar,</div> + <div class='line'>Then hummed the way we went before.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And tunnels made it dark and light</div> + <div class='line'>Like open-work of day and night;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Until I saw the chimneys rise,</div> + <div class='line'>And lights and lights and lights, like eyes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And when they took me through the door,</div> + <div class='line'>I heard it all begin to roar.—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I thought, as far as I could see,</div> + <div class='line'>That everybody wanted me!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span> + <h3 class='c011'>SUNSET.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Those islands far away are mine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beyond the cloudy strip;</div> + <div class='line'>And something beautiful, besides:—</div> + <div class='line in2'>I think it is a ship.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE BUSY CHILD.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I have so many things to do,</div> + <div class='line'>I don’t know when I shall be through.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>To-day I had to watch the rain</div> + <div class='line'>Come sliding down the window-pane.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And I was humming all the time,</div> + <div class='line'>Around my head, a kind of rhyme;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And blowing softly on the glass</div> + <div class='line'>To see the dimness come and pass.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I made a picture, with my breath</div> + <div class='line'>Rubbed out to show the underneath.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I built a city on the floor;</div> + <div class='line'>And then I went and was a War.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And I escaped from square to square</div> + <div class='line'>That’s greenest on the carpet there,</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>Until at last I came to Us;</div> + <div class='line'>But it was very dangerous:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Because if I had stepped outside,</div> + <div class='line'>I made believe I should have died!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And now I have the boat to mend,</div> + <div class='line'>And all our supper to pretend.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I am so busy, every day,</div> + <div class='line'>I haven’t any time to play.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span> + <h3 class='c011'>CONCERNING LOVE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I wish she would not ask me if I love the Kitten more than her.</div> + <div class='line'>Of course I love her. But I love the Kitten too: and It has fur.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span> + <h3 class='c011'>COW-BELLS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O what is there behind the hills,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That all of the bells must know?—</div> + <div class='line'>Over in all the light that fills</div> + <div class='line in2'>The Valley with that glow?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I followed a bell, and it all came true:</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some down, and a yellow-bird;</div> + <div class='line'>And Cedars—oh!—and specked with blue;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And everything else I heard:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Only whatever it is, behind</div> + <div class='line in2'>The bell with the farthest call;</div> + <div class='line'>The one I follow and never find,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—The loveliest one of all.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span> + <h3 class='c011'>WIND.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I let them call it just the Wind</div> + <div class='line in2'>And tell me not to grieve:</div> + <div class='line'>But I know all it left behind,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And more than they believe.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I know about the far-off lands</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where people never sleep;</div> + <div class='line'>They hide their faces in their hands,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And rock and weep and weep.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And I too little, all alone,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To go and find them yet:—</div> + <div class='line'>But oh, I hear!—When I am grown,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I never will forget.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MYSTIC.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>People say to me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘A Penny for your thought!’</div> + <div class='line'>And I can’t remember thinking;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And I should think I ought.</div> + <div class='line'>I wasn’t sleeping, either:</div> + <div class='line in2'>I know that, because</div> + <div class='line'>I saw things out of both my eyes.</div> + <div class='line in2'>I wonder where I was.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Now I’m back, I see them</div> + <div class='line in2'>Sitting all around;</div> + <div class='line'>And the noise together</div> + <div class='line in2'>Makes a purring sound.</div> + <div class='line'>But I know something more</div> + <div class='line in2'>Than just awhile ago.</div> + <div class='line'>I know something more!—</div> + <div class='line in2'>I wonder what I know.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MASTERPIECE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My mother cut it out for me</div> + <div class='line'>And started it so I could see;</div> + <div class='line'>And then she turned some edges in</div> + <div class='line'>And let me take it to begin.</div> + <div class='line'>I made it. But I did not know</div> + <div class='line'>How very hard it is to sew.</div> + <div class='line'>I took a long time for that stitch,</div> + <div class='line'>And now it’s there, I don’t know which</div> + <div class='line'>Is better. But not one is small,</div> + <div class='line'>And they are not alike at all.</div> + <div class='line'>That side was very hard to fix;</div> + <div class='line'>And then the needle always pricks,</div> + <div class='line'>But you must hold it and take care,</div> + <div class='line'>Because the point is always there.</div> + <div class='line'>And knots keep coming, by and by;</div> + <div class='line'>And then, no matter how you try,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>The thread comes out of its old eye.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> · · · · ·</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But someway, now I have it done,—</div> + <div class='line'>I think it is a pretty one.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span> + <h3 class='c011'>LATE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My father brought somebody up,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To show us all asleep.</div> + <div class='line'>They came as softly up the stairs</div> + <div class='line in2'>As you could creep.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They whispered in the doorway there</div> + <div class='line in2'>And looked at us awhile.</div> + <div class='line'>I had my eyes shut up, but I</div> + <div class='line in2'>Could feel him smile.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I shut my eyes up close, and lay</div> + <div class='line in2'>As still as I could keep;</div> + <div class='line'>Because I knew he wanted us</div> + <div class='line in2'>To be asleep.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span> + <h3 class='c011'>CAKES AND ALE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I’m always glad when Andrew comes.</div> + <div class='line in2'>If only I am there,</div> + <div class='line'>He stays awhile and talks to me</div> + <div class='line in2'>As if he did not care.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>He took me to some Music once,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When it was all for me:</div> + <div class='line'>And O, I had a splendid time!</div> + <div class='line in2'>And he said, so did he.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>It lasts, as if the Music still</div> + <div class='line in2'>Went round and round the sky:—</div> + <div class='line'>He said he had a good time, too;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And I said, so did I!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span> + <h3 class='c011'>EARLY.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I like to lie and wait to see</div> + <div class='line in2'>My mother braid her hair.</div> + <div class='line'>It is as long as it can be,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And yet she doesn’t care.</div> + <div class='line'>I love my mother’s hair.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And then the way her fingers go;</div> + <div class='line in2'>They look so quick and white,—</div> + <div class='line'>In and out, and to and fro,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And braiding in the light,</div> + <div class='line'>And it is always right.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>So then she winds it, shiny brown,</div> + <div class='line'>Around her head into a crown,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Just like the day before.</div> + <div class='line'>And then she looks and pats it down,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And looks a minute more;</div> + <div class='line'>While I stay here all still and cool.</div> + <div class='line'>O, isn’t morning beautiful?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span> + <h2 class='c006'>THE YOUNG THINGS.</h2> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE SAPLING.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>When I was but a sprig of May,</div> + <div class='line in4'>With wonders to command,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Above all else I loved most well</div> + <div class='line in4'>What none could understand;</div> + <div class='line'>And dear were things far-off—far-off, but nothing near at hand.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>O, now it was the sunset isle</div> + <div class='line in4'>Beyond the weather-vane;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And now it was the chime I heard</div> + <div class='line in4'>From belfry-towers of Spain;</div> + <div class='line'>But never yet the little leaf that tapped my window-pane.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Heigh-ho, the wistful things unseen</div> + <div class='line in4'>That reach, as I did then,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To guess, and wear the heart of youth</div> + <div class='line in4'>With eager Why and When!</div> + <div class='line'>And never eye takes heed of them, in all the world of men.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE HERO.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I saw the river going,</div> + <div class='line'>All silver to the brim,</div> + <div class='line'>Along the southern meadows</div> + <div class='line'>That were a home to him.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I sang, ‘O River, bear him</div> + <div class='line'>My dream, a silver swan.</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis only he, all day, all day,</div> + <div class='line'>That I do think upon.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And oh, my foolish heart forgot,</div> + <div class='line'>So rapt in heart’s desire,</div> + <div class='line'>The years he has been sleeping,</div> + <div class='line'>Beneath a far-off spire.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span> + <h3 class='c011'>NESTS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O Sparrow, sparrow, did you ever try</div> + <div class='line in2'>To build a nest high up where no birds are,</div> + <div class='line in8'>And close unto a star,</div> + <div class='line'>Where it might cling and hear the wind go by?</div> + <div class='line in10'>For that did I!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And far and far I flew along the quest,</div> + <div class='line in2'>For shelter, and I passed the summer rain,</div> + <div class='line in8'>I saw the daylight wane;</div> + <div class='line'>I found among the stars no place of rest,</div> + <div class='line in10'>And built no nest.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Down to the Earth again with baffled wings,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The warm green earth where such as we must stay.</div> + <div class='line in8'>But all the livelong day,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>High over heaven my dream nest clings and swings,</div> + <div class='line in10'>And my heart sings,</div> + <div class='line in14'>Sparrow!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span> + <h3 class='c011'>SIDE STREETS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Some days the faces in the street</div> + <div class='line in2'>Are clouded all, and dull;</div> + <div class='line'>And near or far, not one I see</div> + <div class='line in2'>To call it beautiful.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O heavy, heavy is my heart;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And is the spirit blind?</div> + <div class='line'>That I am stricken with a doubt,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Because of human kind.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Until I rest my looks upon</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some cart-horse standing by,</div> + <div class='line'>With patient forehead, weary mane,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And unreproachful eye.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And kiss him on the brow I do!—</div> + <div class='line in2'>Because I have a mind</div> + <div class='line'>To thank him just that he will be</div> + <div class='line in2'>So beautiful, and kind.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE FIR-TREE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The winds have blown more bitter</div> + <div class='line'>Each darkening day of fall;</div> + <div class='line'>High over all the house-tops</div> + <div class='line'>The stars are far and small.</div> + <div class='line'>I wonder, will my fir-tree</div> + <div class='line'>Be green in spite of all?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O grief is colder—colder</div> + <div class='line'>Than wind from any part;</div> + <div class='line'>And tears of grief are bitter tears,</div> + <div class='line'>And doubt’s a sorer smart!</div> + <div class='line'>But I promised to my fir-tree</div> + <div class='line'>To keep the fragrant heart.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span> + <h3 class='c011'>EARLY-HEART.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Early-Heart tends no geese like ours;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Every one is a swan,</div> + <div class='line'>Fit to sing with a nightingale,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or say to a goose, Begone!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Alack, poor souls,’ quoth Early-Heart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Then yours be only geese?</div> + <div class='line'>Nor only so; but your sheep are sheep;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And mine have a golden fleece!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Quoth Early-Heart, ‘And if mine be swans,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Right true you say, hereby.</div> + <div class='line'>So take your little and leave my much;</div> + <div class='line in2'>For the lad in luck am I!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Waddle and quack, and bleat and baa,</div> + <div class='line in2'>They quacked and they baa’d, ’tis true.</div> + <div class='line'>But Early-Heart followed a white, white flock,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And the hills were far and blue.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span> + <h3 class='c011'>BEAUTIFUL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I have no word to tell you</div> + <div class='line in2'>The beauty of her face;</div> + <div class='line'>From her, a wedding garment</div> + <div class='line in2'>Would win a grace.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And as the glow of moonrise</div> + <div class='line in2'>Will make the east divine,</div> + <div class='line'>Doth Soul, the radiant dweller,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Her face outshine.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span> + <h3 class='c011'>AFTER ALL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I would not now give up one hurt,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In this far light of morning;</div> + <div class='line'>Each one a rose, a blood-red rose,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A rose for my adorning.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yes, and the pallor of old grief,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Too lowly even for scorning,</div> + <div class='line'>Is warmed into a breathing rose,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A rose for my adorning.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span> + <h3 class='c011'>VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I love my little gowns;</div> + <div class='line'>I love my little shoes,</div> + <div class='line'>All standing still below them,</div> + <div class='line'>Set quietly by twos.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>All day I wear them careless,</div> + <div class='line'>But when I put them by</div> + <div class='line'>They look so dear and different,</div> + <div class='line'>And yet I don’t know why.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My oldest one of all,—</div> + <div class='line'>Worn out; and then the best;</div> + <div class='line'>But that I have not worn enough</div> + <div class='line'>To love it, like the rest.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The dimity for Sunday,</div> + <div class='line'>The blue one and the wool,</div> + <div class='line'>Now that I see them hanging up,</div> + <div class='line'>Are somehow beautiful.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>Of all the white, with ribbons</div> + <div class='line'>Gray-green, if I could choose;</div> + <div class='line'>The fichu that helps everything</div> + <div class='line'>Be gay; and then, my shoes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My shoes that skip and saunter,</div> + <div class='line'>And one that will untie:—</div> + <div class='line'>They look so funny and so young,</div> + <div class='line'>I hate to put them by.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I wonder,—if some day ...</div> + <div class='line'>All this will be the Past?—</div> + <div class='line'>Poor Hop-the-brook and Dance-with-me,</div> + <div class='line'>They cannot always last!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE TOP OF THE MORNING.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My days are strung in amber</div> + <div class='line in2'>Till I am sad again:</div> + <div class='line'>My days are full of sunlight</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beyond all sun or rain.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My heart is full of tidings</div> + <div class='line in2'>From every wind that blows;</div> + <div class='line'>And I cannot say, ‘Good-day to you,’</div> + <div class='line in2'>But everybody knows!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span> + <h3 class='c011'>FORETHOUGHT.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I did not keep the Rose he brought,</div> + <div class='line in8'>After its day;</div> + <div class='line'>Although it lived a longer time</div> + <div class='line in8'>Than other roses may.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I let it go the way of all,</div> + <div class='line in8'>For this one fear:</div> + <div class='line'>Because it might persuade my heart</div> + <div class='line in8'>That he was growing dear.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But now my heart is well assured;</div> + <div class='line in8'>And I still sing;</div> + <div class='line'>And no one here would ever know</div> + <div class='line in8'>That I miss anything!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span> + <h3 class='c011'>UNSAID.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ah lad, if I could only say</div> + <div class='line in2'>The smiles are not for you!</div> + <div class='line'>But since your eyes are turned this way,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What is there I can do?</div> + <div class='line'>It’s one I see beyond, beyond,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My heart is leaning to.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I know, I know, the whole hour long</div> + <div class='line in2'>I have been dull and sad,</div> + <div class='line'>And answered not the word at all</div> + <div class='line in2'>I meant to answer, lad;</div> + <div class='line'>Because my wits were gone astray</div> + <div class='line in2'>With all the heart I had.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And now the latest ones are come,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And he is coming too;</div> + <div class='line'>And I would keep the starlight back,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But oh, it will shine through!</div> + <div class='line'>And since you never turn to see,</div> + <div class='line in2'>You take it all to you.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span> + <h3 class='c011'>DANCE-TIME.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>It’s I live in a very wise Town,</div> + <div class='line'>As all wise people know:</div> + <div class='line'>They read, they write, they read all day</div> + <div class='line'>As orchard-trees do grow.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Said I,—I was a young thing then,</div> + <div class='line'>And a foolish young thing, too,—</div> + <div class='line'>‘I will not spend my little life thus;</div> + <div class='line'>There’s much I’d rather do.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘For I would rather look at you</div> + <div class='line'>This way, with happy looks,</div> + <div class='line'>Than lose the stars from my two eyes</div> + <div class='line'>With poring over books.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I’d rather far be red and white</div> + <div class='line'>For stupid folks to see</div> + <div class='line'>Than write nine books for little dull worms</div> + <div class='line'>To eat them, leisurely.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>‘And I would rather have it said</div> + <div class='line'>When all my days are through,</div> + <div class='line'>“O she was good to see and hear</div> + <div class='line'>And say Good-morning to!”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘When learning makes you white and red</div> + <div class='line'>And fresh as west-winds blow,</div> + <div class='line'>I may spend sun and candle-light</div> + <div class='line'>To learn what they all know.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘But O, the wise in this wise Town,</div> + <div class='line'>They have no longer prime.</div> + <div class='line'>And there are fewer wise men, now,</div> + <div class='line'>Than once upon a time!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE ENCHANTED SHEEP-FOLD.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The hills far-off were blue, blue,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The hills at hand were brown;</div> + <div class='line'>And all the herd-bells called to me</div> + <div class='line in2'>As I came by the down.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The briars turned to roses—roses</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ever we stayed to pull</div> + <div class='line'>A white little rose, and a red little rose,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And a lock of silver wool.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Nobody heeded,—none, none;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And when True Love came by,</div> + <div class='line'>They thought him nought but the shepherd boy.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Nobody knew but I!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The trees were feathered like birds, birds;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Birds were in every tree.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet nobody heeded, nobody heard,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Nobody knew, save we.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>And he is fairer than all,—all.</div> + <div class='line in2'>How could a heart go wrong?</div> + <div class='line'>For his eyes I knew, and his knew mine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like an old, old song.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span> + <h3 class='c011'>YES, LOVE IS BLIND.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Truly, Love is blind.</div> + <div class='line'>All my wish and will,</div> + <div class='line'>That he takes for me:</div> + <div class='line'>Sure Love cannot see,</div> + <div class='line'>That he thinks so, still!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Truly, Love is blind;</div> + <div class='line'>But he hears, instead.</div> + <div class='line'>He hath such fine ears,</div> + <div class='line'>Far away he hears</div> + <div class='line'>Little words unsaid.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Truly, Love is blind;</div> + <div class='line'>For the merest touch,</div> + <div class='line'>Hover of a breath,</div> + <div class='line'>Smiling underneath,</div> + <div class='line'>He will take for much.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>Blind, and without fear!</div> + <div class='line'>Even so, I find</div> + <div class='line'>He would have me here</div> + <div class='line'>Always, very near.</div> + <div class='line'>Truly, Love is blind.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MORNING WAS SO BRIGHT.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The morning was so bright to see,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I thought that he would come,</div> + <div class='line'>Though he is far away from me</div> + <div class='line in2'>While I bide on at home.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The morning was so wide, so blue;</div> + <div class='line in2'>The tide ran in to greet:—</div> + <div class='line'>It could not be, I knew, I knew,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But O, the wind was sweet!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>There was a ripple on the pond;</div> + <div class='line in2'>The road had one refrain;</div> + <div class='line'>And something called me, just beyond</div> + <div class='line in2'>The turn of every lane.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The trees were trying not to sing;</div> + <div class='line in2'>They beckoned on and on:</div> + <div class='line'>The day went by with promising,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And now the day is gone.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>The after-glow, it fades away</div> + <div class='line in2'>With my own Star above;—</div> + <div class='line'>And all the day, and all the day,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I looked for my true love.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE TWO.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And if they faltered in their speech,</div> + <div class='line in2'>They knew not; for their eyes</div> + <div class='line'>Grew like with gazing, each on each,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like deep of sea and skies.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span> + <h3 class='c011'>AFTER-THOUGHT.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘But I was happy then,</div> + <div class='line'>How happy was I then!’</div> + <div class='line'>The sorry saying you may hear</div> + <div class='line'>Upon the lips of men.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>To know when you are happy,</div> + <div class='line'>You would not call it wise;</div> + <div class='line'>Yet, for the seeing happiness,</div> + <div class='line'>How tears will clear the eyes!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They laugh best who laugh last,</div> + <div class='line'>Says Pride that fears a fall.</div> + <div class='line'>But O, who will not laugh at first</div> + <div class='line'>May never laugh at all!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> + <h2 class='c006'>OTHERS.</h2> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span> + <h3 class='c011'>NEAR AND FAR.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Near and far, near and far,</div> + <div class='line in2'>All the lights were keeping</div> + <div class='line'>Quiet watch with lamp and star,</div> + <div class='line in2'>While the roads were sleeping.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And I saw, far and near:</div> + <div class='line in2'>Starlight overhead;</div> + <div class='line'>While a woman’s shadow, here,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Made to-morrow’s bread.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Near and far; and I forgot</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stars must needs be small:</div> + <div class='line'>Lamp and shadow, knowing not,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Did so fold them all.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span> + <h3 class='c011'>FRIENDS ALL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Little Kathleen, when I was ill,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Offered the mass for me;</div> + <div class='line'>And burned a holy candle, too</div> + <div class='line in2'>As white as wax could be.</div> + <div class='line'>Little Kathleen, I think of her,—</div> + <div class='line in2'>It may be once a year,—</div> + <div class='line'>When houses sweeten with the fir</div> + <div class='line in2'>And bells ring out good cheer!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Hejà! But it is good to live</div> + <div class='line in2'>And walk brown earth once more;</div> + <div class='line'>And good to hear your fingers knock</div> + <div class='line in2'>At some familiar door.—</div> + <div class='line'>And O, to see them all again,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To see them,—though they say,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And did you take a journey, then?</div> + <div class='line in2'>And were you long away?’</div> + <div class='line'><em>O, did you take a journey, then?</em></div> + <div class='line in2'><em>And were you long away?</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span> + <h3 class='c011'>VANTAGE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The wisest finding that I have</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is very young, no doubt.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet many a man must needs grow old</div> + <div class='line in2'>Before he finds it out.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>How happily it comes about—</div> + <div class='line in2'>And I was never told!—</div> + <div class='line'>That we must all be young awhile,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Before we can be old.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span> + <h3 class='c011'>A SONG OF SOLOMON.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>King Solomon was the wisest man</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of all that have been kings.</div> + <div class='line'>He built an House unto the Lord:</div> + <div class='line in2'>And he sang of creeping things.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Of creeping things, of things that fly,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or swim within the seas;</div> + <div class='line'>Of the little weed along the wall;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And of the Cedar-trees.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And happier he, without mistake,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Than all men since alive.</div> + <div class='line'>God’s House he built; and he did make</div> + <div class='line in2'>A thousand songs and five.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span> + <h3 class='c011'>COUNSEL TO BEGGARS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O, came you by the same road too,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The road that called to me?</div> + <div class='line'>And fellow-farers, will you learn</div> + <div class='line in2'>What shelter there may be?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>There’s daybreak there to fill your heart</div> + <div class='line in2'>Red wine for half the way;</div> + <div class='line'>And gold there is of sunset, then,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To last another day.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>(And fill your pockets with the same</div> + <div class='line in2'>Altho’ your need be small.</div> + <div class='line'>Take all the bounty while you may,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To have some wherewithal.)</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And if you see the new moon,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I bid you tell the news,</div> + <div class='line'>And lend the slender silverness</div> + <div class='line in2'>For other poor to use.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>And if your heart be sudden light,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And yet you know not why,</div> + <div class='line'>I counsel you to hold the joy;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Let pride of woe go by.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And if your feet be wearied out,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And you would rest therefore,</div> + <div class='line'>Seek out some house; but look you leave</div> + <div class='line in2'>Your sandals at the door.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For you shall find—tho’ sad to find</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where houses be so few—</div> + <div class='line'>Your too-much sorrow irks a friend,</div> + <div class='line in2'>If ever it irkèd you!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Take heart. And if the open air</div> + <div class='line in2'>No shelter seem to be,</div> + <div class='line'>Yet there you shall—and only there—</div> + <div class='line in2'>Have all that you can see.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE TWA CHEERLESS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Eh, is there nothing doing?</div> + <div class='line'>Then give your soul good heed;</div> + <div class='line'>And show yourself the miracles</div> + <div class='line'>That you would like to read,</div> + <div class='line'>As long as you’re in need.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And then suppose I sing myself</div> + <div class='line'>—And if you will, give ear,—</div> + <div class='line'>The very song I never heard,</div> + <div class='line'>But I would like to hear:</div> + <div class='line'>And this, man, will be cheer!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE WALK.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>We left the house, for we were sad,</div> + <div class='line'>To talk of all the griefs we had;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And little did we talk at first,</div> + <div class='line'>Leaving to silence all the worst.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The rain it rained and star was none;</div> + <div class='line'>The wet made two lights out of one.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And broken paths of shining yet</div> + <div class='line'>Made on before us, through the wet.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The more we walked and still would walk,</div> + <div class='line'>The less did seem the need of talk.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The more we walked from light to light,</div> + <div class='line'>The wiser grew the troubled night.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The tacit lamps proved something clear</div> + <div class='line'>As often as one stayed to hear:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>And better ways, and endless clews</div> + <div class='line'>Dawned with the lengthening avenues.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Till where the street-ends met the square,</div> + <div class='line'>We found a thousand tulips there,</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Sleeping as flowers sleep o’nights,</div> + <div class='line'>Beneath a thousand city-lights.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And then the Bridge from shore to shore</div> + <div class='line'>Solved everything forevermore,</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>So clearly, you could leave the Why,</div> + <div class='line'>Contented, to some by-and-by.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And time, and grief, were worn away</div> + <div class='line'>Till there was nothing left, to say.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span> + <h3 class='c011'>REFRAINS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I love all the world to-day!’</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>That is very young.</em></div> + <div class='line'>‘So I sing, the while I may.’</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>All the songs are sung.</em></div> + <div class='line'>‘God would never say me nay.’</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>Heed the foolish tongue!</em></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘There’s a singing in the tree,’—</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>All the songs are sung.</em></div> + <div class='line'>‘Nightingales! Oh, could it be?’</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>Heed the foolish tongue!</em></div> + <div class='line'>‘And the new moon smiles at me.’</div> + <div class='line in2'><em>Ah, the moon is young!</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span> + <h3 class='c011'>OUTSIDE THE MUSIC.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Now they come, and now they stop,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Now they all go in.</div> + <div class='line'>Now the coaches drive away;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And now it must begin.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>All their faces looked the same,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Every time before.</div> + <div class='line'>If I heard it, I should know</div> + <div class='line in2'>More and more and more.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>If I heard it, I would sing,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When I went away.</div> + <div class='line'>I would sing it till I grew</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beautiful, some day.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O, I hear a whiff of it;</div> + <div class='line in2'>There’s another one;—</div> + <div class='line'>And the coaches driving up,</div> + <div class='line in2'>After it’s begun!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE FAIREST.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The fairest thing that men have made,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My lad, it is a Ship,</div> + <div class='line'>O, beautiful beyond the white</div> + <div class='line in2'>Wild bird she would outstrip!</div> + <div class='line'>So beautiful, so beautiful,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A heart must leap to bless,</div> + <div class='line'>And after her the wake of foam</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stay white with happiness.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And fairer than all things beside,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My maid,—a Violin;</div> + <div class='line'>Nay, aught that will give out again</div> + <div class='line in2'>The music hid within.</div> + <div class='line'>Or pipe or string or hollow shell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>It breaks enchanted sleep,</div> + <div class='line'>To win awhile the faëry heart</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of air that none may keep.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>But all of you who may not go</div> + <div class='line in2'>To sail upon the sea,—</div> + <div class='line'>Who wait upon another’s whim</div> + <div class='line in2'>For hope of melody,—</div> + <div class='line'>Oh, bless your hunger and your thirst,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And give your spirit wings</div> + <div class='line'>To speed beyond a narrow door</div> + <div class='line in2'>The heart that sails and sings!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE CHILD AND THE ANGEL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Oh, is it you at evening,</div> + <div class='line'>And near enough to speak?</div> + <div class='line'>And early in the morning,</div> + <div class='line'>Your breath upon my cheek?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And when the city noises</div> + <div class='line'>Turn into clouds that sing,</div> + <div class='line'>Is it your veil around me,</div> + <div class='line'>Of hush, and wondering?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And is it you, at sunset,</div> + <div class='line'>Who beckon me apart</div> + <div class='line'>Till I am something golden,</div> + <div class='line'>With petals in my heart?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ah, Dearness, somewhere over!</div> + <div class='line'>A happy child is this</div> + <div class='line'>That with shut eyes uplifted,</div> + <div class='line'>Waits for you with a kiss.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span> + <h3 class='c011'>READING FOR THE POOR.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Young Pity passed us in the street.</div> + <div class='line'>Her eyes were like a brook;</div> + <div class='line'>And golden leaf and shadow bird</div> + <div class='line'>Darkened and lit her look.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Her hair was like the meadow-marsh</div> + <div class='line'>That reaches to the sea;</div> + <div class='line'>And on her cheek a wild-rose glowed,</div> + <div class='line'>The timely rose for me!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Young Pity never knew the word</div> + <div class='line'>She gave to men in need,</div> + <div class='line'>All clear and simple, in her face,</div> + <div class='line'>For working ones to read.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE BLIND ONE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O hide your eyes, my maiden,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And tell your heart to hush;</div> + <div class='line'>For love is very bright to see,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And louder than a thrush.</div> + <div class='line'>And all adream you wander</div> + <div class='line in2'>Alone in crowded ways,</div> + <div class='line'>Where eyes of all the fools and wise</div> + <div class='line in2'>Do follow, wide agaze!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yet all in vain, my maiden,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To shadow eyes like these;</div> + <div class='line'>They shine behind your fingers</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like starlight through the trees.</div> + <div class='line'>So dream and shine among us,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Unwitting of the boon,—</div> + <div class='line'>How all the eyes, of fools and wise,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Are grateful to the Moon.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span> + <h3 class='c011'>HOLIDAY.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>When I am far from joy of this,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In yon thick world of men,</div> + <div class='line'>O, save me—save me, world of blue!—</div> + <div class='line in2'>That I shall thirst for then.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And when the little strength is spent</div> + <div class='line in2'>And little hope burns low,</div> + <div class='line'>Blow softly on that tortured flame,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Fresh air from long ago!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE FOOL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O what a Fool am I!—Again, again,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To give for asking: yet again to trust</div> + <div class='line'>The needy love in women and in men,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Until again my faith is turned to dust</div> + <div class='line in12'>By one more thrust.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>How you must smile apart who make my hands</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ever to bleed where they were reached to bless;</div> + <div class='line'>—Wonder how any wit that understands</div> + <div class='line in2'>Should ever try too near, with gentle stress,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Your sullenness!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Laugh, stare, deny. Because I shall be true,—</div> + <div class='line in2'>The only triumph slain by no surprise:</div> + <div class='line'>True, true, to that forlornest truth in you.</div> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>The wan, beleaguered thing behind your eyes,</div> + <div class='line in12'>Starving on lies.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Build by my faith; I am a steadfast tool:</div> + <div class='line in2'>When I am dark, begone into the sun.</div> + <div class='line'>I cry, ‘Ah Lord, how good to be a Fool:—</div> + <div class='line in2'>A lonely game indeed, but now all done;</div> + <div class='line in12'>—And I have won!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span> + <h3 class='c011'>DRUDGE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I waited long until the sky</div> + <div class='line in2'>Should give me of its blue</div> + <div class='line'>To weave and wear, and share, and weave</div> + <div class='line in2'>The very stars into.</div> + <div class='line'>The days they went, the years they went,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And left my hands instead</div> + <div class='line'>Another thing for wonderment,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—The mending, and the bread.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ah me, and one must set a hand</div> + <div class='line in2'>To burnish up the task,</div> + <div class='line'>And hush and hush the old demand</div> + <div class='line in2'>A wakeful heart will ask.</div> + <div class='line'>But with a star’s clear eye on me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>O, I can hear it said,</div> + <div class='line'>‘What souls there be, that only see</div> + <div class='line in2'>The mending, and the bread!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE YOUNGEST DRYAD.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>What were you seeking? For my heart</div> + <div class='line in2'>Woke at your step and heard;</div> + <div class='line'>The farthest wakeful leaf of me,</div> + <div class='line'>And the hidden nest of the midmost tree</div> + <div class='line in2'>Hushed with its hidden bird.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, but the rune imprisoned me</div> + <div class='line in2'>Till you should speak one word.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Why did you think the spell that drew</div> + <div class='line in2'>Fell from the cedar there?</div> + <div class='line'>You questioned pine and sister pine,</div> + <div class='line'>Lingered near ash and wild-grape vine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Doubted the maidenhair;</div> + <div class='line'>Ever you missed these eyes of mine</div> + <div class='line in2'>Too like the twilight air.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The Sun may call the dew to him,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The waters call the deer;</div> + <div class='line'>But O, my roots bind every limb</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>To hold me hid, apart and dim</div> + <div class='line in2'>And silent, and so near;—</div> + <div class='line'>And every leaf of me abrim—</div> + <div class='line in2'>With that you shall not hear.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span> + <h3 class='c011'>COME BUY!</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The flowers knew her through the frost,</div> + <div class='line in4'>Their own true-lover.</div> + <div class='line'>Rose crowding rose, the color crossed;</div> + <div class='line in2'>The silver breath could hover</div> + <div class='line in4'>Near and far, poor lover!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They wondered at her through the pane,</div> + <div class='line in4'>And through December.</div> + <div class='line'>And then she went her way again,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Eyes trying to remember.</div> + <div class='line in4'>Have your day, December!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span> + <h3 class='c011'>PRINCE CHARLIE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O had you died upon the field</div> + <div class='line in2'>That was so grim to plough,</div> + <div class='line'>The tears had blinded every eye</div> + <div class='line in2'>That sharpens on you now.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For death had been a glorious gift,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With all you had to give,</div> + <div class='line'>And kinder than we stay-at-homes;</div> + <div class='line in2'>But ah, you had to live!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MEETING.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Good-morning to you, then.’</div> + <div class='line'>(O stricken heart of her!</div> + <div class='line'>Silence, silence, breathe for me</div> + <div class='line'>A little breath of myrrh.)</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘And so good-by again;</div> + <div class='line'>Good-by, if you must go.’</div> + <div class='line'>(Go after, little shade of me,</div> + <div class='line'>And tell her that I know.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE COBBLER.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>A little cloud in a golden veil</div> + <div class='line in2'>At setting of the sun:</div> + <div class='line'>And I a cobbler working—working;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Work is never done.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>A little cloud in a golden veil;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And I am mending shoes,</div> + <div class='line'>Never a feathered sandal thing</div> + <div class='line in2'>Such as a cloud may use.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>A little cloud in a golden veil,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Along the bright highway:</div> + <div class='line'>And but for her, to-morrow were</div> + <div class='line in2'>Another yesterday.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And this will stay, tho’ she melt away</div> + <div class='line in2'>After the moon sets sail.</div> + <div class='line'>For no man’s sky is always gray,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Cloud in a golden veil.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span> + <h3 class='c011'>MIRACLE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Love came by in bitter need.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Oh, but I was sad!</div> + <div class='line'>Love stood by in bitter need,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And I nothing had.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Empty were the hands I held</div> + <div class='line in2'>Silently to Love.</div> + <div class='line'>Empty, as my heart of words,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stared the sky above.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Lo, Love took—and thankfully—</div> + <div class='line in2'>All my wish for true;</div> + <div class='line'>Then my hands gave back to me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Full of kisses too.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span> + <h3 class='c011'>OPEN HOUSE.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My home is not so great;</div> + <div class='line in2'>But open heart I keep.</div> + <div class='line'>The sorrows come to me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That they may sleep.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The little bread I have</div> + <div class='line in2'>I share, and gladly pray</div> + <div class='line'>To-morrow may give more,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To give away.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yes, in the dark sometimes</div> + <div class='line in2'>The childish fear will haunt:</div> + <div class='line'>How long, how long, before</div> + <div class='line in2'>I die of want?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But all the bread I have,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I share, and ever say,</div> + <div class='line'>To-morrow shall bring more</div> + <div class='line in2'>To give away.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span> + <h3 class='c011'>O SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP!</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Do not dream of me.</div> + <div class='line'>Nay, without mistake,</div> + <div class='line'>Even for love’s sake</div> + <div class='line'>And all heedfully;</div> + <div class='line'>Do not dream of me.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>All day long am I</div> + <div class='line'>Leal to all you ask:</div> + <div class='line'>Wish and care and task,</div> + <div class='line'>Every need come nigh;—</div> + <div class='line'>Still to serve and try.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But with my Good-night,</div> + <div class='line'>O unrippled sleep!</div> + <div class='line'>What is here, should keep</div> + <div class='line'>This bewildered light</div> + <div class='line'>From its skyward right?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>Let me feel no need;</div> + <div class='line'>Not a love that clings.</div> + <div class='line'>Let me have my wings;</div> + <div class='line'>Love my wings indeed:</div> + <div class='line'>Give my wings godspeed!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Do not dream of me.</div> + <div class='line'>Waking, I’ll be human;—</div> + <div class='line'>Call it child or woman.</div> + <div class='line'>Sleeping, I would be</div> + <div class='line'>Only Something Free.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE CLOUD.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The islands called me far away,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The valleys called me home.</div> + <div class='line'>The rivers with a silver voice</div> + <div class='line in2'>Drew on my heart to come.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The paths reached tendrils to my hair</div> + <div class='line in2'>From every vine and tree.</div> + <div class='line'>There was no refuge anywhere</div> + <div class='line in2'>Until I came to thee.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>There is a northern cloud I know,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Along a mountain crest.</div> + <div class='line'>And as she folds her wings of mist,</div> + <div class='line in2'>So I could make my rest.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>There is no chain to bind her so</div> + <div class='line in2'>Unto that purple height;</div> + <div class='line'>And she will shine and wander, slow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Slow, with a cloud’s delight.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>Would she begone? She melts away,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A heavenly joyous thing.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet day will find the mountain white,</div> + <div class='line in2'>White-folded with her wing.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>As you may see, but half aware</div> + <div class='line in2'>If it be late or soon,</div> + <div class='line'>Soft breathing on the day-time air,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The fair forgotten Moon.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And though love cannot bind me, Love,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Ah no!—yet I could stay</div> + <div class='line'>Maybe, with wings forever spread,</div> + <div class='line in2'>—Forever, and a day.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE RAVENS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My eyes are blind with dust;</div> + <div class='line'>My limbs are dull with pain:</div> + <div class='line'>But my body shall up and after me,</div> + <div class='line'>Again—again—again.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They hover and wheel above.</div> + <div class='line'>Where I creep on, they fly;</div> + <div class='line'>And with their call and vaunt of life,</div> + <div class='line'>They tempt my soul to die.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And the numbness of my heart,</div> + <div class='line'>The length I have to go,</div> + <div class='line'>The dimness of my starving sight,</div> + <div class='line'>They know, they know, they know!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But the little spark I hold</div> + <div class='line'>Shall light me farther on</div> + <div class='line'>After the gleam—like a far-off stream,—</div> + <div class='line'>Until that, too, is gone.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span><em>Mirage—mirage—mirage!</em></div> + <div class='line'>But I say, I will not die</div> + <div class='line'>For the hoarse Despairs that wait, that poise,</div> + <div class='line'>—And I creep while they do fly.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>No wonder they stoop so low;</div> + <div class='line'>And no wonder they should scoff</div> + <div class='line'>With Ah and Ah!—and beak and claw,</div> + <div class='line'>As they let me beat them off.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For there is no path to see.</div> + <div class='line'>But after the vanished flag</div> + <div class='line'>My soul has gone; and after me,</div> + <div class='line'>Body must strive and lag.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Up with you,—follow; come—</div> + <div class='line'>Whither my face is set.</div> + <div class='line'>They would have us dead: but I have said,</div> + <div class='line'>Not yet,—not yet,—not yet!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span> + <h3 class='c011'>NEIGHBORS.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Who found for you the waters that soothed your heart-break first?’</div> + <div class='line'>‘Oh, who but these, my Sorrow, my Hunger and my Thirst!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Who made your eyes the wiser to hail the farthest star?’</div> + <div class='line'>‘Who but my Dark I thanked not,—the Dark where no lamps are!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘And I come singing, Neighbor, to tell you, where you grieve.</div> + <div class='line'>And though my song bled, bled afresh,—yet would you not believe.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE MORNING SOUL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O little cripple, with the lovely eyes,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What have we done to thee?—</div> + <div class='line'>For all our wisdom, putting out thy gleam,</div> + <div class='line'>Crying, ‘Thou seest not, it is a dream!’</div> + <div class='line in2'>Against thy cry, ‘I see.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O little cripple with the lovely eyes,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What have we now to show?</div> + <div class='line'>With vext perpetual ways past finding out,</div> + <div class='line'>Teaching thee well the hundred things of doubt,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Who saidest once, ‘I know.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O little cripple with the lovely eyes,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That music of the Sphere</div> + <div class='line'>We only sought to bind for thee secure</div> + <div class='line'>Some day, if it were true, for thee too sure</div> + <div class='line in2'>Rejoicing with, ‘I hear!’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>O little cripple with the lovely eyes,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Flower of the broken stalk,</div> + <div class='line'>Have pity on our need, for it is sore,—</div> + <div class='line'>Of thee, thee only,—thee to go before;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Rise up, rise up, and walk!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE HILL-TOP.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Look down upon thy grief.’—O heart of mine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That path alone climbed here!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Look down upon thy fear.’—O heart of mine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That cloud-shadow, my fear!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Look down on thy desire.’—And could it shine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That sorry fallen ember?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Ah, in the valley yonder, child of mine,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Wilt thou remember?’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE DOVES.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The doves fly out, the doves fly in,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Brighter than cloud above,</div> + <div class='line'>From thee to me, and again to thee,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Out of my heart, O Love.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My heart is troubled and hushed with wings</div> + <div class='line in2'>From the deep, beneath, above;</div> + <div class='line'>And the hovering flight of more white things</div> + <div class='line in2'>Than Earth hath the gladness of.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>After one call they follow, all;—</div> + <div class='line in2'>Thy call to me, O Love:</div> + <div class='line'>Lightning out of the blue, but mine</div> + <div class='line in2'>In the likeness of the Dove.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span> + <h3 class='c011'>FOUND.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>O, when I saw your eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>So old it was, so new, the hushed surprise:</div> + <div class='line'>After a long, long search, it came to be,</div> + <div class='line in10'>Home folded me.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>And looking up, I saw</div> + <div class='line'>The far, first stars like tapers to my awe,</div> + <div class='line'>In the dim hands of hid, benignant Powers,</div> + <div class='line in10'>At search long hours.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in8'>And did they hear us call,</div> + <div class='line'>That they have found us children after all?</div> + <div class='line'>And did you know, O Wonderful and Dear,</div> + <div class='line in10'>That I was here?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span> + <h3 class='c011'>ALL HAIL.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O, Blessed of the dark, we meet along an unknown sky;</div> + <div class='line'>And here within the light of you, how beautiful am I!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The other worlds are dim around, beneficent with night.</div> + <div class='line'>But I—I turn my face to you, and have no other sight.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>So poising radiant, strong with joy, in desert air divine,</div> + <div class='line'>One star doth to another call, and we belovèd shine.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>We shine transfigured, shine, to know beyond all hope made wise,</div> + <div class='line'>The echo, echo of All Hail, from new-illumined eyes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>Who know not what your glory is, nor why my looks are bright,</div> + <div class='line'>I lean to you, I call to you, I shine with you, my light.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span> + <h3 class='c011'>THE ANOINTED.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I was a little gleaner</div> + <div class='line'>Of all the days would yield,</div> + <div class='line'>When wonder overtook me</div> + <div class='line'>At work within the field.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The stars they gathered round me</div> + <div class='line'>Holding their torches high.</div> + <div class='line'>They cried, ‘Behold the chosen!’</div> + <div class='line'>And it was none but I.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>They hailed me royal, kindred,</div> + <div class='line'>And made me understand</div> + <div class='line'>With gifts of light and darkness</div> + <div class='line'>They gave into my hand.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>And here the wonder holds me</div> + <div class='line'>Though voices all are gone,</div> + <div class='line'>Here in the brimming silence,</div> + <div class='line'>With this to think upon.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>The kiss upon my forehead</div> + <div class='line'>Forevermore is mine.</div> + <div class='line'>The sweetness fills my heart up;</div> + <div class='line'>The tears make all things shine.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span> + <h2 class='c006'>EPILOGUE.</h2> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span> + <h3 class='c011'>TO THE EVENING STAR.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yes, and you come, you come. Soft piercing through</div> + <div class='line in2'>The luminous fair pallor of the west;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Budded in light and blooming manifest</div> + <div class='line'>As that first lily of the field may do;</div> + <div class='line'>Unshaken by the winds, that all for you</div> + <div class='line in2'>Have made the pathway ready, loveliest,</div> + <div class='line in2'>You come, you look upon us, shining Guest</div> + <div class='line'>Of glories that the world is blind unto!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>All hail, from us who work no more, but wait:</div> + <div class='line in2'>From the worn furrows darkened after toil,</div> + <div class='line in4'>And from the Sea; and from all eyes that are.</div> + <div class='line'>Hallow our upward looks, and consecrate</div> + <div class='line in2'>These thankful offered savors of the soil</div> + <div class='line in4'>With the one lovingkindness of a Star.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span> + <h3 class='c011'>TO HER BOOK.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I kiss you once for luck,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That you may feel no care.</div> + <div class='line'>I kiss you thrice for love</div> + <div class='line in2'>That you must spend and share.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Go now, and wheresoe’er</div> + <div class='line'>A heart shall take you in,</div> + <div class='line'>It is your very kin:</div> + <div class='line in6'>Make music there.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/i_124.jpg' alt='[Fleuron]' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='blackletter'>The Riverside Press</span></div> + <div>CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS</div> + <div>U · S · A</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='border'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='blackletter'>Josephine Preston Peabody</span></div> + <div class='c004'>(<span class='sc'>Mrs. Lionel Marks</span>)</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c005'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>THE WOLF OF GUBBIO: A Comedy in Three Acts.</div> + <div class='line'>THE SINGING MAN.</div> + <div class='line'>THE PIPER.</div> + <div class='line'>THE BOOK OF THE LITTLE PAST. Illustrated in color.</div> + <div class='line'>THE SINGING LEAVES.</div> + <div class='line'>MARLOWE: A DRAMA.</div> + <div class='line'>FORTUNE AND MEN’S EYES.</div> + <div class='line'>OLD GREEK FOLK STORIES.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY</div> + <div><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Boston and New York</span></span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c004'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c005'> + <li>Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75847 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-03-22 17:29:30 GMT --> +</html> + diff --git a/75847-h/images/cover.jpg b/75847-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3951422 --- /dev/null +++ b/75847-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75847-h/images/i_124.jpg b/75847-h/images/i_124.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..00e452d --- /dev/null +++ b/75847-h/images/i_124.jpg diff --git a/75847-h/images/i_title.jpg b/75847-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bd6708 --- /dev/null +++ b/75847-h/images/i_title.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5dba15 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this book outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba6ae65 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +book #75847 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75847) |
