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| author | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-05-25 20:30:52 -0700 |
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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-05-25 20:30:52 -0700 |
| commit | 936c094bbaedc7c3b77030cb4f6a28ebc1a3d7dc (patch) | |
| tree | ac6b425722eae8630ee9806654a52001f2a130a2 /78755-h | |
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| -rw-r--r-- | 78755-h/images/colophon.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8790 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 78755-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 188567 bytes |
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diff --git a/78755-h/78755-h.htm b/78755-h/78755-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e1f7e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/78755-h/78755-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3136 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no,date=no,address=no,email=no,url=no"> + <title> + Crack o’ dawn | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-family: style; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +h1 { margin: 5em auto; } + +p { + margin-top: .5em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .5em; +} + +.indent { text-indent: 1em; } + +.mt1 { margin-top: 1em; } +.mt2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.mt4 {margin-top: 4em;} + +.mwcopyright { max-width: 20em; } + +ins { text-decoration: none; +border-bottom: 1px blue dotted; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +blockquote { + margin-top: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + + +/* Poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3.0em;} +.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2.0em;} +.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1.0em;} +.poetry .indent10 {text-indent: 2.0em;} +.poetry .indent12 {text-indent: 3.0em;} +.poetry .indent16 {text-indent: 5.0em;} +.poetry .indent18 {text-indent: 6.0em;} +.poetry .indent22 {text-indent: 8.0em;} +.poetry .indent24 {text-indent: 9.0em;} +.poetry .indent26 {text-indent: 10.0em;} +.poetry .indent28 {text-indent: 11.0em;} + + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp49 {width: 49%;} + +.fs80 { font-size: 80%; } +.fs120 { font-size: 120%; } +.fs200 { font-size: 200%; } + +.blackletter { font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, + "Old English Text MT", "Lucida Blackletter", "Chomsky", + "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", "Old English", + "Engravers Old English BT", "Collins Old English", + "New Old English", "Noto Serif Display Black", "Luminari", + Gothic, serif; } + + +.half-title { margin: 4em auto; font-size: 200%; } + + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78755 ***</div> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="cover" style="max-width: 109.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Book Cover"> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_i">[i]</span></p> +<h1> +CRACK O’ DAWN +</h1> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ii">[ii]</span></p> +</div> +<figure class="figcenter" id="colophon" style="width: 200px;"> + <img src="images/colophon.jpg" width="200" height="65" alt="Macmillan Company Colophon"> +</figure> + +<p class='center'> + THE MACMILLAN COMPANY<br> +<span class='allsmcap'> NEW YORK · BOSTON · CHICAGO · DALLAS<br> + ATLANTA · SAN FRANCISCO<br></span> + <br> + MACMILLAN & CO., <span class="smcap">Limited</span><br> +<span class='allsmcap'> LONDON · BOMBAY · CALCUTTA<br> + MELBOURNE<br></span> + <br> + THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span><br> +<span class='allsmcap'> TORONTO</span> +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[iii]</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="center fs200">CRACK O’ DAWN</p> + +<p class="center mt2">BY</p> + +<p class="center">FANNIE STEARNS DAVIS</p> +<p class='center'>(MRS. A. McK. GIFFORD)</p> + +<p class="center fs80">AUTHOR OF “MYSELF AND I”</p> + +<p class="center fs120 blackletter mt4">New York</p> +<p class='center'>THE MACMILLAN COMPANY</p> +<p class='center'>1915</p> + +<p class="center mt1 fs80"><i>All rights reserved</i></p> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[iv]</span></p> +</div> +<div class='fs80'> +<div class='poetry-container'> +<p class='indent mwcopyright'>Copyright, 1913, 1914, by the Atlantic +Monthly Company, Harper & +Brothers, The Century Company, +The Yale Review, Harriet Monroe +for Poetry, A Magazine of Verse, +The Curtis Publishing Company, +and Perry Mason Company.</p> +</div> + +<p class='center mt2'><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1915</span></p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">By</span> THE MACMILLAN COMPANY</p> + +<p class='center'> + Set up and electrotyped. Published February, 1915. +</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS + </h2> +</div> + + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> + +</td> +<th class="tdr"> +PAGE +</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#CRACK_O_DAWN'>Crack O’ Dawn</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +3 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#I_HAVE_LOOKED_INTO_ALL_MENS'>I Have Looked into All Men’s Hearts</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +7 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#PROFITS'>Profits</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +9 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_POET_REBUKES_HIS_FLATTERERS'>The Poet Rebukes His Flatterers</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +11 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#AS_I_DRANK_TEA_TO-DAY'>As I Drank Tea To-day</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +13 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#TO_A_COWARD'>To a Coward</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +17 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_RECLUSE'>The Recluse</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +20 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#RAIN_IN_THE_NIGHT'>Rain in the Night</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +22 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#RESTLESSNESS'>Restlessness</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +24 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#GHOSTS'>Ghosts</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +25 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_YEAR_AFTER'>The Year After</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +27 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THOSE_I_LOVE'>Those I Love</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +29 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#ESCAPE'>Escape</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +31 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#WHAT_IF_I_GROW_OLD_AND_GRAY'>What if I Grow Old and Gray</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +33 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#WIND'>Wind</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +35 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#SORROWS_SHADOW'>Sorrow’s Shadow</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +37 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#I_WENT_DOWN_INTO_MY_HEART'>I went Down Into my Heart</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +39 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#SORROW_IN_SPRING'>Sorrow in Spring</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +41 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#WINGS'>Wings</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +44 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_UNBORN'>The Unborn</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +49 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_MOTHER'>The Mother</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +50 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_CHILDRENS_PEDDLER'>The Children’s Peddler</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +52 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#EVENING_SONG'>Evening Song</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +57 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_NEW_HOUSE'>The New House</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +58 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#TO_YOUTH-IN_SECRET_JOY'>To Youth—in Secret Joy</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +60 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#FIRE_FANTASY'>Fire Fantasy</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +63 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#AN_OLD_SONG'>An Old Song</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +68 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#HOME'>Home</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +70 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#WILD_WEATHER'>Wild Weather</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +71 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#DAWN-JOY'>Dawn-Joy</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +73 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#NOW_I_WILL_SADDLE_THE_SWIFT_BROWN'>Now I will Saddle the Swift Brown Mare</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +76 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#TO_THE_NORTH'>To the North</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +79 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#UP_ON_THE_MOUNTAIN'>Up on the Mountain</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +84 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_STARS_GO_BY'>The Stars Go By</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +86 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#STORM_DANCE'>Storm Dance</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +89 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_BLACK_WITCH'>The Black Witch</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +91 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#RIDE'>Ride</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +94 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#ROMANCE'>Romance</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +97 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#O_MY_LOVE_LEONORE'>O My Love Leonore</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +99 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#THE_CHANGELING'>The Changeling</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +101 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +<span class="smcap"><a href='#HOOFS_IN_THE_DARK'>Hoofs in the Dark</a></span> +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +104 +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"> +“<span class="smcap"><a href='#WHAT_I_DESIRE_TO_SAY'>What I Desire to Say</a></span>” +</td> +<td class="tdr"> +107 +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii"></a>[vii]</span></p> + <p class="indent"> + Thanks are extended to the publishers of The Atlantic + Monthly, The Century, Harper’s Magazine, Poetry (A + Magazine of Verse), The Yale Review, The Country Gentleman, + and The Youth’s Companion, for their permission + to reprint in this volume poems copyrighted by them + in 1913, 1914. + </p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> + <p class='center half-title'> + CRACK O’ DAWN + </p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CRACK_O_DAWN"> + CRACK O’ DAWN + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Crack o’ dawn! Red sun looks in</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Through my curtains white and thin.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sun looks in, and I look out</div> + <div class="verse indent0">At the sweet world spread about.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Silver dew on lilac-tree,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Meadow-larks desiring me,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hills that sleep along the dawn,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sense of wise stars just withdrawn,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Serious stars that hide away</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In the hot blue halls of Day.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">No one sees me as I run</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Clear to meet the clear-eyed sun.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">No one hears me laugh and sing</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Many a dawn-swept dancing thing.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> <div class="verse indent0">No one knows my prayers are made</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out of dew-pearl and leaf-shade,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out of lark-song and sky-breath;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Simplest challengers of death.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Crack o’ dawn. The City still</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sleeps behind my daisy-hill;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Very dull, with shutters locked.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Though the red sun knocked and knocked</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They would never ask him in.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But the bull-mouthed whistles’ din</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Breaks their heavy dreams apart;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And they groan, and stretch, and start</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Grumbling up.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O Dawn! Am I</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Guilty of their sweat and sigh?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Am I cold and hard, to run</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Free of foot to meet the sun,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">While the bull-mouthed whistles roar,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the drab-faced people pour</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Herded down the blank gray street,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Leaden eyes and leaden feet?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Could I help them if I too</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lost my sunrise leaves and dew?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If I made my own dreams gray</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the dust of day-to-day,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And forgot the stars, and fell</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In that hideous barren Hell,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Where, I think, my soul would be</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hard for God Himself to see?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Once I was a pagan, wild</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the wonder of a child.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Once I thought the City too</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Might go free of dawns and dew.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, I thought them stupid folk,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With their crazy wheels and smoke,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Swarming babies, huddling halls,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Brazen laughter, sodden brawls,</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> <div class="verse indent0">And their blind souls,—blind, while I</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Played the god with wind and sky.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Crack o’ dawn! Red sun, I wake</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Singing for your splendid sake;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Silent, for the City still</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Drugged behind my daisy-hill.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, but were I pagan yet!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">God! could I forget! forget!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="I_HAVE_LOOKED_INTO_ALL_MENS"> + “I HAVE LOOKED INTO ALL MEN’S + HEARTS” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I have looked into all men’s hearts.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like houses at night unshuttered they stand,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I walk in the street, in the dark, and on either hand</div> + <div class="verse indent2">There are hollow houses, men’s hearts.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">They think that the curtains are drawn.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Yet I see their shadows suddenly kneel</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To pray, or laughing and reckless as drunkards reel</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Into dead sleep till dawn.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">And I see an immortal child</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With its quaint high dreams and wondering eyes</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sleeping beneath the hard worn body that lies</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Like a mummy-case defiled.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">And I hear an immortal cry</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of splendor strain through the sodden words,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like a flight of brave-winged heaven-desirous birds</div> + <div class="verse indent2">From a swamp where poisons lie.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">—I have looked into all men’s hearts.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, secret terrible houses of beauty and pain!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I cannot be gay, but I cannot be bitter again,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Since I looked into all men’s hearts.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PROFITS"> + PROFITS + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Yes, stars were with me formerly.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(I also knew the wind and sea;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And hill-tops had my feet by heart.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Their shagged heights would sting and start</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When I came leaping on their backs.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I knew the earth’s queer crooked cracks,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Where hidden waters weave a low</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And druid chant of joy and woe.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">But stars were with me most of all.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I heard them flame and break and fall.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Their excellent array, their free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Encounter with Eternity,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I learned. And it was good to know</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That where God walked, I too might go.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Now, all these things are past. For I</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Grow very old and glad to die.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">What did they profit me, say you,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">These distant bloodless things I knew?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Profit? What profit hath the sea</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of her deep-throated threnody?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">What profit hath the sun, who stands</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Staring on Space with idle hands?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And what should God Himself acquire</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From all the aeons’ blood and fire?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My profit is as theirs: to be</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Made proof against mortality:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To know that I have companied</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With all that shines and lives, amid</div> + <div class="verse indent0">So much the years sift through their hands,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Most mortal, windy, worthless sands.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">This day I have great peace. With me</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shall stars abide eternally!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_POET_REBUKES_HIS_FLATTERERS"> + THE POET REBUKES HIS FLATTERERS + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Why will you trouble me with praise?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Give me no praise. These songs I found</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Flashing like wings above my ways,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Or blown like leaves along the ground.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I caught a feather; crushed a leaf;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And you applaud me. Let me be.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You had no praise for that sore grief</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Whereof I got the mastery.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">You had no praise the time I fled</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Down rustling corridors of fear:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You left me all uncomforted,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With only God to cry “Draw near!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Look! at my side this moment stands</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My friend, who suffers and is proud.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> <div class="verse indent0">He chokes his Life between his hands,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Lest, hurt and crazed, it cry too loud.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">He makes me hateful of my fame:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hot-faced and humble: for he too</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Speaks softly, radiantly my name,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And loves me till it stabs me through.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Have you no little word for him?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Can you not see how strong he is?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, what is all my music dim</div> + <div class="verse indent2">To such great reeling victories?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Leave off your praise. Smile not on me.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">What say you? Are my songs so sweet?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They are but wind-blown wizardry.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Look there! His blood-stained hands and feet!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="AS_I_DRANK_TEA_TO-DAY"> + “AS I DRANK TEA TO-DAY” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">As I drank tea to-day</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With a dozen women, chattering, gay,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In delicate drooping gowns, in jewels like dew,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laughing, light-voiced,—I thought of a certain hunger I knew</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hid in the heart of one, the merriest <ins id="cor_13" title='original: laugher'>laughter</ins> there.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I saw three little dull threads in the lazy dusk of her hair;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Three little keen wrinkles about her beautiful shining eyes.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And I wished I were not so wise.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I wished that I did not know</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Those symbols of pain:—that low</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under her pride and sweet warm-worded address</div> + <div class="verse indent0">She was shaken with loneliness;</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> <div class="verse indent0">That the one great dream she had dared to dream was a lie,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And half of her Life went wearying, “Let me die.”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I wished that I could not hear</div> + <div class="verse indent2">That murmur of mortal fear</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Through the clink of silver and subtle whisper of lace.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I dared not look in her face.—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Then I thought, (while I laughed aloud</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With my cup at poise,) “Ah, the proud</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Masques that we wear! We too,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">All of us, dancing through</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Some queer little pantomime each day,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Jewelled and gloved, deft-spoken and gay,—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Ah, but God only hears</div> + <div class="verse indent2">All of the follies and fears,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Meanness and courage, breathed out and in</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Over these tea-cups’ delicate din.”</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Then I looked in that woman’s face</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Over its pearls and roses and lace,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I knew that I need not fear to see</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Those little dull threads, those wrinkles three,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Or hear the cry of her life. I knew</div> + <div class="verse indent0">We were all of us crying too:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Crying with wonder or weariness,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Too much love or too little. Yes,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">It was Life, just Life that we hid away</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under our gossip and glad array.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And that woman’s laughter and pride,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shielding her heart, half-crucified,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Seemed bravely done,—although</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I thought, “Must Life hurt, hurt so?”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Till as I took her hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Saying good-bye, the smooth words planned</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Choked in my throat. She stood there dumb,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Folded my fingers and pressed them numb,</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Knowing I knew.</div> + <div class="verse indent16">Ah, yes! I knew!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">All of us seeking, hungering, hiding too,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In delicate drooping gowns, and jewels like stars and dew!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">So we all went away:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">A dozen women, chattering, gay.—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="TO_A_COWARD"> + TO A COWARD + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">You have no right to spoil the sun,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Blacken the blue and blur the stars.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Is your fool’s-face the only one</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That ever pressed Life’s prison-bars,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And found escape too bitter-hard?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And cursed the great cold Gaoler, God?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Then, crooked-lipped, pain-smirched and marred,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shrieked to the peaceful folk who trod</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The free street still,—“But look at me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I am so hurt. God hates me so.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I know that all Eternity</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Is foul and false and bleared. I know!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">How do you know? What right have you</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To show your shameful coward’s face?</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Have you alone run ruined through</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hell’s wide waste-hillocked torture-place?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Have you a blood-sealed pact with Pain?—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A secret tryst with Agony?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Has no one else dared death, to gain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The great brave soul, that wrests the key</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of Freedom from God’s Hand?</div> + <div class="verse indent28">Then swift</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To flee, beholds the door flung wide;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And feels the Gaoler’s fingers lift</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His face, and push his locks aside,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">While through his soul’s last desperate dusk</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The great slow Eyes stare deep, stare deep;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And Shame blows from him, like a husk</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of Horror; and clean glories leap</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From those great Eyes to his, set free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From all the foul and false and marred:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—“Thou! Who hast earned Eternity!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Thou! With My Secret Keys to guard!”</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> <div class="verse indent0">You! What know you of God, and Life?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There festering to your prison-bars.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Be proud! When you have won that strife</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You will not dare to curse the stars!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_RECLUSE"> + THE RECLUSE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I am too much in love with loneliness.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To-night, with secret joy I shut my door,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(This is a shameful thing that I confess,)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But I desired no footstep on my floor,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">No friend to share my hearth-fire, and the still</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Warm hours, before the midnight chime swings clear,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the small owlet hoots across the hill,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I join hands with Sleep, cool-fingered, dear.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I had no need of talk or song; no need</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of love. Love would have hurt and frightened me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The wind went by; I heard the lilac-seed</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dry-tipped, beat on the window stubbornly.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I sat glad and silent and complete.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I had no need in all the world. My heart</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Purred like the great gray cat. It seemed so sweet</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To shut the door, on Life,—and sit apart.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Life! this is shameful! Call me out before</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I die of loving loneliness too well.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Send hordes of beggars battering my door,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To keep me clear of happiness, and hell.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Send me great love to hurt me. Send me fear</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And anger, God’s fierce messengers,—for I</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Am swooning, swooning, in my fire-light here.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Life! stab me! make me fight before I die!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="RAIN_IN_THE_NIGHT"> + RAIN IN THE NIGHT + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the night the great good rain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Makes sweet the earth, makes strong the trees.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—Let me be done myself with pain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And hot unhappy mysteries.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Let me not lie awake to-night</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With dreams devouring all the gloom:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wide mouths of hungry restless light</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Gleaming and gaping round my room.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Dreams, from my soul’s and body’s stark</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And hollow red-hot caves of fear.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Oh, never a dream of leaves, a lark,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A dawn-wind, sea-tides salt and clear!)</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Out in the night the good rain goes,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Kind as my Mother used to be.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, if in Heaven my Mother knows,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">God, send her back like rain to me!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="RESTLESSNESS"> + RESTLESSNESS + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Life with his chin on my shoulder</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Whispers into my ear.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His voice is like winds, and cities,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And seas, and sorrow, and fear.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">It troubles and wearies me always.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Nothing he says comes clear.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—Sharp chin on my aching shoulder!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Strange murmurous voice in my ear!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="GHOSTS"> + GHOSTS + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I am almost afraid of the wind out there.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The dead leaves skip on the porches bare,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The windows clatter and whine. I sit</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Here in the quiet house, low-lit,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the clock that ticks and the books that stand,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wise and silent, on every hand.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I am almost afraid, though I know the night</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lets no ghosts walk in the warm lamp-light.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Yet ghosts there are; and they drift and blow</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the wind and the scattering snow.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When I open the windows and go to bed</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Will the ghosts come in and stand at my head?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Last night I dreamed they came back again.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I heard them talking; I saw them plain.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> <div class="verse indent0">They hugged me and held me and loved me; spoke</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of happy doings and friendly folk.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They seemed to have journeyed a week away,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But now they were ready and glad to stay.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">But oh, if they came on the wind to-night</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Could I bear their faces, their garments white</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Blown in the dark round my lonely bed?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, could I forgive them for being dead?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I am almost afraid of the wind. My shame!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That I would not be glad if my dear ones came!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_YEAR_AFTER"> + THE YEAR AFTER + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Up and down my Garden the roses are a-revel;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Up and down my Garden gleam golden butterflies.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">June-scent to the tree-tops floods the white air level,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And June-sun to the rose-roots thrusts fingers warm and wise.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O my red, red roses! my larkspurs and my lilies!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Yellow lilies leaning in a tangle and a swoon,)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O, have you forgot me? for now the Garden still is,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And no one treads the warm path I knew by night and noon.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Red-rose-petals blowing, and rain-bleached in the grasses,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Red-rose-petals slipping, slipping to be dead,—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Only wind may touch you: he hurts you as he passes:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O, do you remember who kissed you once instead?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Up and down my Garden my Spirit runs a-tiptoe,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Stroking all the roses, chasing butterflies.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But she may not gather one blighted bud. To slip so</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Empty from her Garden, blurs her shining eyes.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Spirit!—Spirit!—Spirit!—</div> + <div class="verse indent28">Home, come home and leave them:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Leave the petals blowing like little weary flames.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lest your ghostly presence, your pulsing shadow grieve them:—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—Yet ’tis you, you only, who know their dear lost names!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THOSE_I_LOVE"> + THOSE I LOVE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I could be glad and gay to-night</div> + <div class="verse indent2">If those I love were gay.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But they have shadows o’er their sight</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I cannot sweep away.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My body laughs and leaps and sings.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I could go proud and sweet.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But those I love have broken wings.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Dance not! Dance not, my feet!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I could have faith in God enough</div> + <div class="verse indent2">To keep me joyfully.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But those I love must take the rough</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Dark way of doubt. Ah me,—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Would God that they by trusting too</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Gave me my right to Faith!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But how dare I drink heaven-dew</div> + <div class="verse indent2">While those I love drink death?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="ESCAPE"> + ESCAPE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Now since I cannot make it out:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Why people love and lose and die;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Why there is agony and doubt,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And so much cause to brood and cry;</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, since I cannot understand</div> + <div class="verse indent2">God’s will for all the world, and me,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will go take the wind’s cold hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And dance a little, foolishly.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The hills are green and simple folk;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The wind is quick with comrade-calls;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">White wayside apple-trees, and smoke</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Of woodfires, and bright waterfalls,—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">They never bid me understand.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">They never say, “You, too, must die.”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will go take the wind’s cold hand.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">God knows, I cannot always cry!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WHAT_IF_I_GROW_OLD_AND_GRAY"> + “WHAT IF I GROW OLD AND GRAY” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">What if I grow old and gray</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Who was once so gallant-gay?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">When my goodliness shall pass</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As the flower of the grass;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When there shall be none to claim</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Friendship in my youth’s dear name;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When my soul that leapt like fire</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Limps, too dreary for desire;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When the door of Silence stands</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Open to my fumbling hands;—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Though I almost make you cry,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(You, still young and passing by,)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Leave me proud and high and free.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Never dare to pity me!</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">For I make my journeying</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Far from every sorry thing.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I have lived too glad to fear</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Any hurt or horror here;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I shall be glad once more</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When the Silence swings its door,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I enter in, and see.—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Oh, you must not pity me!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WIND"> + WIND + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The Wind bows down the poplar-trees,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The Wind bows down the crested seas;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And he has bowed the heart of me</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under his hand of memory.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O heavy-handed Wind, who goes</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hurting the petals of the rose;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Who leaves the grasses on the hill</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Broken and pallid, spent and still!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O heavy-handed Wind, who brings</div> + <div class="verse indent0">To me all echoing ancient things:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Echoing sorrow and defeat,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Crying like mourners, hard to meet!</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The Wind bows down the poplar-trees</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And all the ocean’s argosies;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But deeper bends the heart of me</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under his hand of memory.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="SORROWS_SHADOW"> + SORROW’S SHADOW + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Some days, when I am dressed in shimmer-stuff,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With yellow roses at my breast and hair;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When just the air and sunlight seem enough</div> + <div class="verse indent2">To make the whole world delicately rare;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When people love me, and I them, and all</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My heart is like a hill-brook’s lilting call:</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Then, if I pass her, in her dim black dress,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With heavy eye-lids darkened by old tears,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I feel a sudden clutch of loneliness;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I stare down vistas of unsparkling years,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And there behold myself, clad close in black,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With tired brows, thin hands, and aching back.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O Sorrow’s Shadow! let me be awhile!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Wreck not my happy yellow roses: set</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> <div class="verse indent0">No watch upon my sudden cry and smile.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Why should I not forget—ah, half forget!—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That Sorrow’s Self will meet me some strange day,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And take my hand, nor let me dance away?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="I_WENT_DOWN_INTO_MY_HEART"> + “I WENT DOWN INTO MY HEART” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I went down into my heart. It was hollow and cold and deep.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There were statues standing apart in a folded icicle-sleep.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There was beauty beneath their veils, wild beauty and terror too;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But they were asleep, asleep, and knew not my passing through.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I went down into my heart, to the altar the God built there.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The lamp burned low to its death; the altar was dusty and bare;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the face of the God was blurred, and the gold of his fringes dead.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I went thither to kneel and pray, but my prayers were slow to be said.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I came up out of my heart to the traffic and toil of the day.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I had been but the wink of an eye, the tick of a clock, away.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But I knew that I should not dare go back to my heart once more</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Till the statues waked with a cry and the God gleamed out from the door!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="SORROW_IN_SPRING"> + SORROW IN SPRING + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Sorrow knocked at my door,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sorrow sat by my bed.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I could not sing any more.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The bird at the green lane’s head</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sings, and the Spring returns.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Primroses revel in dew.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Fire from the twilight burns,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Soft stars, trembling and new.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Children shout in the street;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Pedlars gesture and chaff;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Linden-branches repeat</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wise-wives’ stories, and laugh.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">River runs to the sea;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Boats swim brave on his breast.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> <div class="verse indent2">(There is one boat whose free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Swan-wings surpass the rest.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Would I might sail away!—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Lock my door in the town;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Lock in the dark old day</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When Sorrow came in her gown</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Heavy and soiled with ash:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Knocked, and entered, and sate.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My candles failed in a flash.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The bread was dust that I ate.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">—Oh, to sing as of old!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sing, with the dance of the day,—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sing, with the waters cold</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the quick winds running away!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">—Never, never, again.—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">But I will be proud, not cry.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sunshine, children, the strain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of the harp-man loitering by,</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> <div class="verse indent2">I will not hurt you with tears.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Look! I will laugh!—</div> + <div class="verse indent24">And lo,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sorrow,—Sorrow,—she hears!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">She smiles! and she rises to go!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WINGS"> + WINGS + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Take down your golden wings now from their hook behind the door.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The wind comes calling from the west, and you must fly once more.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, mine are grown too old to fly, my crooked wings and gray,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But yours are glad with ruffled gold, and you must fly away.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I found you far across the moors beneath a thorny-tree:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The eyes of you were wide as stars above a breathless sea:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But frail you were and faint you were, and nowise gay and glad</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Save for the leaping golden wings your slender shoulders had.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">And suddenly I led you home, and cherished you. I wrought</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Green robes like April willow-leaves. I coursed the hills and sought</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Strange jewel-seeds and pearly flow’rs to weave about your hair.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Beneath my hand you bloomed and grew, fair as a flame is fair.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I hung your wings behind the door lest you should fly away:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(They being all of bubbling gold, but mine,—ah, withered gray!)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I hung your wings behind the door, for secretly I knew</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Your golden wings, your wayward wings, they bode their time for you.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">And now, the cottage by the wood, its doorways shall be dark.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You were its sunshine and its spring; its south wind and its lark.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Your bed beneath the window-sill must lie unwarmed, unpressed;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The briar-rose may bear no more her star-flowers for your breast.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The dragon-flies across the pools may dart and drowse all day,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sapphire and stinging emerald, with slit wings silver-gray;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The rabbit up the glen may leap, the rare thrush ring his chime:—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But you will never come again for noon or twilight-time.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Take down your golden wings now from their hook behind the door,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And tie them tight against your back, the bright thongs crossed before.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The bright thongs strained across your breast to keep them straight and true,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The golden wings, the wandering wings, that woke my love for you.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The west wind calls, “Come forth! Come forth!” Look once within my eyes.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Tell me, “I know you loved me well, but now the whole world cries!”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Tell me, “You have been kind to me, but ah, I cannot stay.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A million miles of sea and sun, they whisper me away.”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">That is enough. I ask no more. I grow too gray to fly.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I can but walk the sheltered woods to watch the year go by.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The little cottage, dawn and dusk, shall keep me warm. And you—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That I must give you back your wings too well, too well I knew!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O Face of Youth that lit my dusk! O Hand too light to hold!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How should you wait? The west wind cries, who cried to me of old.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Lean down. I tie the broad bright thongs to keep them true and straight:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Your golden wings, your windy wings, that leave me desolate.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_UNBORN"> + THE UNBORN + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">When out of the dark I come to you,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A faint new spirit, blank and blind,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A bird too weak to search the blue,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A ship too frail to take the wind,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">When out of the dark I come to you,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(You having called me from that Place</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Where I might sleep the aeons through,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lapped in the drowsy dark of Space,)—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Then must you claim me for your own,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Who seem no more your own than light,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Across an upland pasture blown</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In the great solitudes of night?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Body and soul, you live in me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Yet strange am I, and wild, and new.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, can your loving leave me free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When out of the dark I come to you?—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_MOTHER"> + THE MOTHER + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">And now, they did not need her any more.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">She heard below the shudder of the door,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The quick feet on the path, and she was fain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Only to snatch her sewing up again,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And sew, and sew, seam over feverish seam,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hurrying in the dumb haze of a dream,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Thrusting away the moment when her hand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Should force her idleness to understand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That they were gone, all gone, and at the door</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They would not call and claim her any more.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Young as the morning, they were gone away,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Whose kisses kept her hair from turning gray,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Whose laughter kept her ready. Wherefore now</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Should not those wrinkles deepen in her brow,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And she shut up her heart, and learn to be</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of her bright self a queer dull travesty?</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> <div class="verse indent0">And yet, the smile they left her must not die;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For crying now, might she not always cry?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“O God!” she whispered, sewing, “keep me! Oh,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Thou only, over all the world, must know!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_CHILDRENS_PEDDLER"> + THE CHILDREN’S PEDDLER + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Up above the village roofs the white road climbs away;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There among its maple trees the church stands cool and gray,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the Dead Folk all around have houses still and sweet.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But I—I go a-peddling on the dusty village street.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Uphill, downhill, rain and sunny weather:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Right foot, left foot, (faith, it’s hard on leather)!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dolls and balls and kites and chains, knives and knick-knacks—oh,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I’m the crazy peddlerman that all the children know!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">All the village children shout and tag me down the street:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Bobbing braids and freckled cheeks and bare brown dusty feet.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Have you got the marbles with the twisty glass inside?”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Have you got the gun that popped?” “And oh, the doll that cried?”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Have you got a sailorman with wind-mill arms and oars?”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“I must buy a league ball, and a book to keep the scores.”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Did you bring my box of paints?” They pull my coat and tease:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Show me how to fly my kite!” “And run my jig-saw, please!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Eager eyes and laughing lips and dancing dusty feet,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">So they cry and chase me down the maple-shaded street.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> <div class="verse indent0">And the grown-up people smile from window-sill and door,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“It’s the children’s peddlerman, come to town once more.”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, the grown-up people smile and tap their foreheads wise.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If they think me simple—well, I must be, in their eyes!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But who’d peddle tins and tapes and soap and pious books,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When there’s heaven paid him out for knives and fishing-hooks?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Uphill, downhill, every sort of weather:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Right foot, left foot, (and it’s hard on leather)!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">None too much to eat and drink, shabby coat to wear;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">No, it’s little wonder that the grown-up people stare!</div> + </div> +<hr class="tb"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span></p> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">But above the village roofs the church stands cool and gray.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There the Dead Folk lie at ease, and dream the years away.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There beneath a sweetbriar bush are three gray stones I know,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Worn alike, but one is tall, and two are small and low.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">When it’s summer dusk along the lazy village street,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When the children loiter home with tired eyes and feet,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the grown-up people say, “You little drowsihead,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Put your playthings straight away and tumble into bed!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Then they never see me climb the steep white crooked road.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Underneath the apple-tree I hide my peddler’s load;</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> <div class="verse indent0">In the starry singing dusk I pass the churchyard gate,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And beside the sweetbriar bush I stand alone and wait.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, there’s nothing there to hear, nothing there to see:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Only stars and village lights and tree that crowds on tree.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">No one answers when I speak; no one takes my hand.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But I think they hear my voice; I think they understand.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Uphill, downhill, every sort of weather:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Right foot, left foot, (mighty hard on leather)!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dolls and bats and blocks and stamps, knives and knick-knacks,—oh,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Just the crazy peddlerman that all the children know!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="EVENING_SONG"> + EVENING SONG + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Little Child, Good Child, go to sleep.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The tree-toads purr and the peepers peep;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under the apple-tree grass grows deep;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Little Child, Good Child, go to sleep!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Big star out in the orange west;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Orioles swung in their gypsy nest;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Soft wind singing what you love best;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Rest till the sun-rise; rest, Child, rest!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Swift dreams swarm in a silver flight.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hand in hand with the sleepy Night</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lie down soft with your eyelids tight.—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hush, Child, little Child! Hush.—Good-night—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_NEW_HOUSE"> + THE NEW HOUSE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My little House is very young:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">No shadow makes it grave.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With blue-bird-chintz and roses hung</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Its chamber windows wave.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here never blind-eyed Grief has knocked</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And entered groping in.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The doors, that seem so free, are locked</div> + <div class="verse indent2">As yet to Death and Sin.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here only happy wondering dreams</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Walk nightly to and fro.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They are the friends of white moon-beams,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And simple as the snow.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My little House is very young</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And very unaware</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That dreams are wrought and songs are sung</div> + <div class="verse indent2">In any subtler air.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh might I keep its blue-birds bright,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Its hearth still warm and gay!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh might my House but know delight,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And not be dark, some day!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="TO_YOUTH-IN_SECRET_JOY"> + TO YOUTH—IN SECRET JOY + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Shut out the wind, shut out the gloom,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Draw the gold curtains round the room:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The candle-light sees well that you</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are glad, as mortals may be. Through</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Your heart a secret fragrance blows,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like a June garden, when a rose</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Leans to the wind: the light-lipped morn</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Whispers, “So thou! so thou—art born!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, far away the haunted past</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With all its lonely spaces, vast</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And hollow as an echoing hall</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of hateful dreams, where you might call</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And run, but never find the end,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor window-slit, nor face of friend.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> <div class="verse indent0">And far away the future. Far</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Its shadow as its saving star.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(In truth, what stars shall shine? to make</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The sky still holy for their sake,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When earth seems faded, and you know:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Soon I must go. Soon I must go.”)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">So far—that dusk! Sit close,—and pray.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You have been very glad to-day.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Glad!—no one knows how glad. You keep</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Your dear joy sacred as your sleep.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How could the hard world understand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The warm light tremor of your hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The flying flush, the dancing eyes,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And how your whole heart laughs and cries?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—You would as soon men saw you lie</div> + <div class="verse indent0">White in your star-lit room, as spy</div> + <div class="verse indent0">This secret. No, you need not speak,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor move the hand that holds your cheek;</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> <div class="verse indent0">You need not whisper. Only pray,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Because you were so glad to-day.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">For oh, you must remember this</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Deep hour of hidden ecstasies,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of fragrance and unearthly light,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of sky-swept wonder when to-night—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nay! but you know so well why you</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are glad! let only God know, too.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Only that you remember. Pray.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sometime your Life may need this day!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="FIRE_FANTASY"> + FIRE FANTASY + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Flame flies up in the chimney black.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Here I lie and bid him come back.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here I lie, on the fox-skin, white</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As silver under the leaping light,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">White and furry and kind and warm.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out by the window scurries the storm.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Flame! O crinkly curly Flame!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Where are you going? What is your name?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Is it a star you are flying to?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Stay and tell me, O You!—O You!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">But the flame he never, never comes back.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I lie and stare up the chimney black.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the hall the great clock chimes.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His voice is solemn as holy rhymes</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That good monks made in old cloister cells,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Somehow charmed to sing in his bells,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the dark, all deep and low,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like sea-waves swinging to and fro.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here it is very still and warm,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But out on the window batters the storm.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If I were a ship, I would die to-night;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If I were a bird, I would freeze in my flight;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If I were a ghost, I would keep to my grave.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—But now, I watch how the wide flames wave.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now, I dream of a thousand things:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Summer, and sea-foam, and queens, and kings.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Flame flies up in the chimney black.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">If I were a flame, would I ever come back?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">If I got to a star, I would never come back.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">But there are no stars at all to-night.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Up in the sky there is never a light:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Only the souls of the flames, and they</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are thin and nervous, and scudding gray.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They blow, they blow, they shudder and blow.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The wind he hates them and hustles them so.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">“Wind! O Wind!—Are you mad?” But he</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Shrieks and is gone without answering me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Flame flies up in the chimney black.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I am too sleepy to call him back.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Now it is time to go to bed:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Furry fox, my head to your head;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Long warm fox, my back to your back;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I stretch, I stretch, till my best bones crack.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—I am so still with sleep, and warm.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—Out on the window shivers the storm.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Sleepy fire, now purr and fall.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Great old clock in the dusky hall,</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Chime for me; chime deep, chime low,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like sea-waves swinging to and fro.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—I saw in my eyes a queer thing then.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There was a woman with two tall men.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">She had a blue shawl over her head.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">One of them wore a cloak, blood-red.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The other one had a sword. And she</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Was fair as an old-time queen to see.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">They had been travelling—far—so far—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—But oh, in my eyes a falling star!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Drowned in the sea.—And I saw a ship</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With square sails over the sea’s edge slip,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I wonder—wonder—where.—</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Oh, then</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I saw—gaunt hills, and a black old fen—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A wind-mill,—water. —I saw—I saw—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sun-burnt boys and a stack of straw,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Yellow, yellow! and swallows flew—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> <div class="verse indent0">—Was her shawl yellow, or was it blue,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Over her head—?—</div> + <div class="verse indent18">Oh, I am so warm.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out on the window tumbles the storm.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I am so sleepy—the chimney is black—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Flame—flame—are you coming back?—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Have you found a star?—are you coming back—</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Coming back—</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Coming—back——?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="AN_OLD_SONG"> + AN OLD SONG + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">And if I came not again</div> + <div class="verse indent0">After certain days;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If no morning sun or rain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Met me on their ways;</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">If the meadows knew no more</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How my feet go free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the folded hills forbore</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Any speech of me;</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">If you did not find me here,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">At the door at night,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the cold hearth kept no cheer,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the panes no light;—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, if I came not again,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Would you miss me much?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Would your fingers once be fain</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of my wandering touch?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Would you dream me at your side</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In the waking wood,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Where the old spring hungers hide</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In blue solitude?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Would you wonder where I passed,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Into joy or pain?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, to know you cared, at last,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Came I not again!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="HOME"> + HOME + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Home, to the hills and the rough, running water;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Home, to the plain folk and cold winds again.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, I am only a gray farm’s still daughter,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Spite of my wandering passion and pain!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Home, from the city that snares and enthralls me;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Home, from the bold light and bold weary crowd.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, it’s the blown snow and bare field that calls me;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">White star and shy dawn and wild lonely cloud!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Home, to the gray house the pine-trees guard, sighing;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Home, to the low door that laughs to my touch.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How should I know till my wings failed me, flying,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Home-nest,—my heart’s nest,—I loved you so much?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WILD_WEATHER"> + WILD WEATHER + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The sea was wild. The wind was proud.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">He shook my curtains like a shroud.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">He was a wet and worthy wind:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His hair with wild sea-crystals twined:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His cloak with wild sea-grasses green;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His slanted wings all gray and lean:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And strange and swift, and fierce and free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">He cried, “Come out! and race with me!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I snatched my mantle wide and red,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And far along the cliffs I fled.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">The cliff-grass bowed itself in fear,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The gulls forgot what path to steer;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Below the cliffs the broad waves broke</div> + <div class="verse indent2">In trampled ranks like fighting folk;</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> <div class="verse indent0">The ships with grisly sea-wrack blind,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dead-drunken, cursed that chasing wind.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">My lips with salt were wild to taste.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I leapt: I shouted and made haste:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Along the cliffs, above the sea,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With mad red mantle waving free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And hair that whipped the eyes of me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">And there was no one else but he,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">That great grim wind who called to me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, we ran far! Oh, we ran free!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="DAWN-JOY"> + DAWN-JOY + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Clean, clean as crispèd water-cress</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The dawn-taste of the wind!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I got me out with hastiness,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And not a look behind.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The sleep fell off my eyes like scales,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And off my feet like lead.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As thoughtless Things with hooves and tails,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I leapt, and tossed my head!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The sleep swept off my heart like mist</div> + <div class="verse indent2">That blurs a sun-lit sea.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I felt the keen blood curl and twist</div> + <div class="verse indent2">To every tip of me.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I felt as cherry-trees must feel</div> + <div class="verse indent2">When all their blossoms shake;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Or like the black-bird routs that reel</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Around a rushy lake.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I thought, “And so the Sun must thrill,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Who strides upon his way,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And sees the hushed earth-hollows fill</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With living golden Day!”</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I thought, “And God Himself must know</div> + <div class="verse indent2">A Joy ten thousandfold</div> + <div class="verse indent0">More free and thirsty, when His low</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Dull earth grows glad and bold,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“And rocks and quivers in His hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">As I do, with the Spring</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Across the wild green-gilded land</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Unloosed and glorying.”</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Clean, clean as crispèd water-cress,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The dawn-taste of the wind.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My thoughts leapt high with heavenliness;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My feet came close behind!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="NOW_I_WILL_SADDLE_THE_SWIFT_BROWN"> + “NOW I WILL SADDLE THE SWIFT BROWN + MARE” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Now I will saddle the swift brown mare,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And ride, and ride, to the sunset’s death;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the wind like the hands of a star in my hair,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And the white frost snatching my breath!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Shut the door where the old books stand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Row on row in their musty cowls:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Monks, with a scourge and a cross in each hand:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Apes, and asses, and snakes, and owls!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Shut the door where the Gossips sit,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hugging the hearth, with their brew of tea:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Picking men’s lives up, bit by bit,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Dropping them dourly and damningly.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Shut the door where my own Moods lie</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Faint and white on a silver bed:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Delicate damsels, dreams that die,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Petals from pale white poppies shed.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, I will saddle the swift brown mare,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And ride, and ride, to the forge-fire-sky!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—Might I shoe her with stars that hang white-hot there,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Cooled in the sea-troughs, hissing high!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Might I spur her with goads of the ice that grows</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sharp as steel on the mountain-lake!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Might I shout her the fierce gay song that blows</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Out of the west where the sun-ranks break!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Look, I am weary of “Thus,—and So,”—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Mantles that mildew and swords that rust;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Talk and trouble and meanness. Oh,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Why should I stay to be choked with dust?</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">So, I will saddle the swift brown mare,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And ride, and ride, to the red world’s death.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the wind like the hands of a star in my hair,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And the quick frost catching my breath!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="TO_THE_NORTH"> + TO THE NORTH + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I give three calls to the North.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Out of the black fir-forests, where snow</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hides in the hollow places; where blow</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Late spring winds; and the rivers run</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Ice-green, laughing with late spring sun;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out of the sharp white nights, too still,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Star upon star, as hill upon hill)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, like the fierce-foot rivers, set free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come and awaken and trouble me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">(Name that I cannot cry,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Face that my dreams deny,</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Feet that strode swift,—and yet</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Should I one hour forget?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shot from your life to mine,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Blazing and barbed, the Sign?)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I give three calls to the North.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here in my garden green</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lilacs whisper and lean.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Deep the grass at my door.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shadows and songs fly o’er.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the village street</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Clatter of wheels and feet;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Children laughing, the chime</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From the church-tower telling the time;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hot May-sweetness, and I</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Weeding my rose-beds, cry</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Over the bristling hills to the North,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hear me! Come forth! Come forth!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Can you not run down a mountain-side</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like a rude green river’s rock-roughened tide?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Fly over forests of black-peaked firs</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like an eagle, proudest of voyagers?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Sweep like a notable wind to me,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laughing and cold-lipped, to set me free?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">How can I wait so long?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Till the bob-o’-link slackens his song;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Till the roses have blossomed and blown,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the little round apples have grown</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Green on my twisted tree?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Can you not set me free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now, while I cry to you?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now, while the sweet nights through</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I lie in the dark and feel</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Life like a mad flame reel</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Over the floors of my heart?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now, while the wild dreams start</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Clamoring out of the night and noon,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Under the clear sun, under the moon,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Clamoring, while I go</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Soberly to and fro?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">How can I wait? I stand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And cry to you. Heart and hand</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Reaches to you. Give heed!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I, in my garden, bleed</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Small dark blood-drops of need.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—Great bees blunder and croon,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Church-bell chiming high noon,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O, like the fierce-foot rivers, set free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come! and awaken and trouble me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come! For I need you mortally!</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I give three calls to the North.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">Come forth!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="UP_ON_THE_MOUNTAIN"> + UP ON THE MOUNTAIN + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Up on the mountain, where nobody comes,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(But the wild wind walks, and the wild bee hums,)—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Up on the mountain, where nobody spies,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But the shy ones, the swift ones, soft-footed and wise,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">There in the singing and coolness and height,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the thrush-voice all day and the brook-voice all night,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">There will I wander, and there will I rest,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As a deer in the fern, as a bird in the nest.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Far from the faces that stare and are blind;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From the cold hidden heart, and the cold crooked mind,—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Up on the mountain where nobody sees,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will sleep like a leaf of the green simple trees.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I will fold in my heart all my wonder, and sleep,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">While the white stars drift, and the white hours creep.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—And far from the wind and the stars and the hill</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will wake in the hot nights and smile and lie still,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">As I feel on my eye-lids the hands of the night,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Like an echo of leaf-song, a star’s straying light.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, under the labor and blindness and heat</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shall be music to lure me and lighten my feet,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Beating,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">“Up on the mountain, where nobody comes,—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">But the wild wind walks, and the wild bee hums,—</div> + <div class="verse indent26">And the wild bee hums—”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_STARS_GO_BY"> + “THE STARS GO BY” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Under the Lake he growls and he groans,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Tossing and twisting his frosty bones:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Grim old Giant!—but never we</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Will chop the ice out and set you free;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Never we, while the moon rides high,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And the stars go by, and the stars go by,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">As over the gray-glass Lake we fly!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Nearer, nearer, the black shores swing.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laugh and lean while the steel blades sing:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laugh, and slip into silence.—See!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The world is aching with splendor! Free,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Free of our bodies our light souls fly</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Up, where the cold moon freezes the sky,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Up, where the strange stars crowd into Space.—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, have they stared into God’s own Face?</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Folding their flames in the Flame of God,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Over His terrible threshold trod?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Oh, we are thirsty of light,—of light,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Space,—and silence—and God—to-night.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How can we hide them forever, deep</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In our hearts from the dun days’ struggle and sleep?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hide them, and know till we die, that we</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Are free of the flames of Eternity,—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Freer than falling stars are free?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Ah, but our bodies grow stiff and cold:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Stars are shifting: the night is old.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">We must come back out of Space, and see</div> + <div class="verse indent0">How far it is to Eternity!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">So, from the shadowy pine-tree-shore,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Back to our bodies! swing free once more!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Chase the blurred moon whisking away</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Down at our feet in the mirror gray:</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Laugh, and lean to the steel blades’ song,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Flying along,—oh, flying along!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">But—there’s a star shoots over the hill.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hush. For our souls are too thirsty still,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Thirsty, trembling with utter light.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hush. We are going.</div> + <div class="verse indent22">O Worlds, good-night!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="STORM_DANCE"> + STORM DANCE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The water came up with a roar,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The water came up to me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There was a wave with tusks of a boar,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And he gnashed with his tusks on me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I leaned, I leapt, and was free.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">He snarled and struggled and fled.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Foaming and blind he turned to the sea,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And his brothers trampled him dead.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The water came up with a shriek.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The water came up to me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">There was a wave with a woman’s cheek</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And she shuddered and clung to me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I crouched, I cast her away.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">She cursed me and swooned and died.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Her green hair tangled like sea-weed lay</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Tossed out on the tearing tide.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Challenge and chase me, Storm!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Harry and hate me, Wave!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wild as the wind is my heart, but warm,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Sudden and merry and brave.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For the water comes up with a shout,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The water comes up to me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And oh, but I laugh, laugh out!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And the great gulls laugh, and the sea!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_BLACK_WITCH"> + THE BLACK WITCH + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Ye have driven me out from your court and your kirk,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">From your market-square and your mill;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Ye have branded my name, ye have wasted my work,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Ye have done me a deadly ill.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Ye have chased me to crags where the eagles cry,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">And the sharp sun swallows the dew.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A Witch and a Devil’s Wife am I?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Then why should I come to you?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The Black Plague walks in your shuddering street;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Your dead like herring lie thick.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With mantles over your mouths ye meet.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Ye take the dead for the quick.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">God’s Faith! My witchcraft could help you now;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My devils could daunt your death!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But I will stand under my rowan-bough</div> + <div class="verse indent2">However ye waste your breath.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I will not come down, I will not come down,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Nor weave you one wizardry,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Though all the roofs o’ the little red town</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Go tumbling into the sea.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Though all the cracks o’ the craggy Rock</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Gape wide as the mouths o’ Doom,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will stand at the crest and make you a mock</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Till ye long for the grave’s gray gloom.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Black Plague! Black Plague! push open their doors!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Lie down in their beds this day!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Heavy and hard are my ancient scores.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Black Plague! but we make them pay!</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, up and up in the face of the sun</div> + <div class="verse indent2">My voice like a flame shall flee,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With Curse on you, Curse on you, every one,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Who wrought such a curse on me!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="RIDE"> + RIDE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Lean in the saddle and look aside.</div> + <div class="verse indent10">Ride!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Turn the flame of your face away.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">It is white as a tree in May.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">It is bright as a star at sea.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">It is terribly dear to me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Lean in the saddle and look aside.</div> + <div class="verse indent10">Ride!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Black-maned Balor is proud of you,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Racing down in the dawn-red dew;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Racing down with the dust behind,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Crackling lash of the sun and wind,)</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Black-maned Balor will never see</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Here in the bushes the eyes of me,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Staring out like a fox in lair,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hungering out through my clotted hair,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Pulling you from the saddle, down,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Down through the fern and the bracken brown,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Down, to the hollow where I lie,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Trembling to feel your face flash by.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Ah, but you must not see—not see!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You must never look once at me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Days gone by, and I rode with you</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Over the dust and under the dew:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Light and perilous, rash to ride,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laughing, high as a hawk with pride.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Now I kneel in the brake and hide.</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(Ride.)</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Oh, if I might stand clear and cry,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">“Look! It is I again! It is I!”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Swing you down from the saddle,—No!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Turn the flame of your face and go!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Watch the white clouds up in the wind;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Laugh for the keen miles cast behind.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Look not down at the burnt road-side.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Dogs that have bitten must slink and hide.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—God! that I loved you and hurt you! —See,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I will not ask for one look at me.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Safe as a star in the sky-ways wide</div> + <div class="verse indent10">Ride!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Galloping hoofs on my heart, my pride.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Love of me, Love of me, lean aside!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">RIDE!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="ROMANCE"> + ROMANCE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over the waters and find me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The weeds by the wet shore bind me.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">The water-snakes float</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Round my slime-dragged boat,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the clouds of the sun-dust blind me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over the waters and hold me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hot fingers of Horror enfold me.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">My white swan lies dead</div> + <div class="verse indent4">In his nest blood-red,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But the marsh-geese chase me and scold me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over the waters and woo me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The rude Marsh-People pursue me.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">From tussock and brake</div> + <div class="verse indent4">They leer and they shake</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Their hairy hands holden unto me.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over! Come over! Come over!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O Beautiful Sunrise Lover!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over the hill of the waters!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—I am one of a great King’s daughters:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I am fair, I am sweet,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From my head to my feet;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I am young as the day;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Yet my heart grows gray</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Ere the terrible charm be broken:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Ere the dawn-word swiftly be spoken:</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And my boat swing free</div> + <div class="verse indent4">To the clear blue sea,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And the sin of my race be wroken!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over! I cry unto thee.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I cover my face and sue thee.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The Marsh Men seize and enslave me!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Come over the waters and save me!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="O_MY_LOVE_LEONORE"> + O MY LOVE LEONORE + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O my Love Leonore! O my lithe Lady!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Is it the Grave you are gracing to-night?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Is your breast cold now and covered with white?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are you grown stiff, who were lissome and light?—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Are they the plain coffin-planks that you see,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Narrow for feet that were flying and free,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Rude for white hands that wove spells over me?—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O my Love Leonore,—O my lithe Lady?—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Is your cheek cool of the flush that I fanned?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Must you not dance now, nor once wave your hand?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Can you not laugh, through the small stones and sand,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O my Love Leonore! O my lithe Lady?—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">—It is the Grave I am gracing to-night.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I am clay-cold now, and stiff-limbed, and white.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A great Lord, DEATH, hath me in this plight.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">O my Love Leonore, O my lithe Lady,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If he, the great Lord, lays hands on your hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">He will not help you to dance or to stand;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor from your eyes brush the small stones and sand.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Therefore farewell. Whom he wooeth is won.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Therefore farewell. I am jealous of none.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are not both dancing and dying soon done?</div> + <div class="verse indent0">O my Love Leonore,—O my lithe Lady?—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_CHANGELING"> + THE CHANGELING + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I have two horns upon my head.</div> + <div class="verse indent2">They please me, being garlanded</div> + <div class="verse indent2">With creepy pine, and berries red</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From some old secret hawthorn-tree.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">I have two horns, and hoofs also:</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Brown questing hoofs, that clip and go</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Over the mountain, high and low,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From sky-crack to the droning sea.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">My Mother would have shame of me</div> + <div class="verse indent2">If she could see—if she could see</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Those horns and hoofs that make too free</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With what she bore and bred so straight.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">She taught me to be still and good;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">To walk demure as maidens should;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Wear dainty slippers, silken snood,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And not come loitering home too late.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">But now I dance, I dance all night,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">By faint star-light or fierce moon-light,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Over the mountain,—till the white</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dumb dawn comes fingering, soothing me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">With whom I dance, with whom I sing,—</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Why need my Mother know this thing?</div> + <div class="verse indent2">In my green chamber slumbering</div> + <div class="verse indent0">She finds me sweet and white, when she</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Strokes down my curls. She does not know</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Two horns beneath her fingers grow;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Rough horns: and I have hoofs also,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Not feet like pale flow’rs on the floor.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Oh, if you met me on the hill,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Moon-maddened, dancing to my fill,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">O Mother, could you love me still,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">This wild-heart thing you never bore?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="HOOFS_IN_THE_DARK"> + HOOFS IN THE DARK + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I wake in the night, and my heart says, “Hark!”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I lie like a corpse in my cool white place.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For hoofs go by in the dark, in the dark.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I turn on my pillow and bury my face.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The night is a tomb that smothers and sounds.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The night is a cavern uncressetted.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The blood in my ears like a mallet pounds.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My heart goes wild and my eyes see red:</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Red and purple with prickling light,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Terrible broken light like glass.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For your hoofs go by in the breathing night,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And I dare not call you nor see you pass.</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Loud on the bridge and up the hill,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Low and dull on the turfy lawn:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">You ride with the wind, at the dark wind’s will,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With the alien stars, an hour ere dawn.</div> + </div> +<hr class="tb"> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">When I am dead, and the tapers burn,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As stiff and pale in my place I lie,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">What shall I do if I cannot turn</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And bury my face when the hoofs go by?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">What if my body rose in its shroud,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And leaned like a mist the casement through,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Being no longer mortal and proud,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Questing you, calling you, claiming you?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Would you draw rein? Would you see my face</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wan with wonder and love and death</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shine out once from the window-space,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Shine, then fade with the frost’s white breath?</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Would you draw rein? Who knows? The tide</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of my blood runs high, and my heart says “Hark!”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I have long to live, while you ride—you ride—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Out in the dark; out there in the dark.—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WHAT_I_DESIRE_TO_SAY"> + “WHAT I DESIRE TO SAY” + </h2> +</div> + + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">What I desire to say will not be caught in words.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">—I have been on the hills to-day, hearing strange leaves and birds.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I have been on the city street, hearing the pavements groan.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now I am come again, glad of your face alone.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Here in the quiet house, where the soft night walks through</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Window and open door, whispering to me and you,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Here, where no stranger sounds than the far bell-chimes come,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Here, being most at peace, yet am I far from home.—</div> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">Even as if the stars started and strained in space,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Even as if the winds shook Heaven’s audience-place,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Pressing the sapphire walls, out, till they cracked and rent,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">So in my side my heart strains through our still content.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2">—You, that of all the world know the wild ways I go,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(You, flying farther yet, sweeping more high, more low,)</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Even to you, to-night, I must be dumb as death.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">What I desire to say dies ere I give it breath.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter transnote"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes"> + Transcriber’s Notes + </h2> + + +<ul> +<li>Variations in hyphenation kept as in the original.</li> + +<li><a href="#cor_13">“As I Drank Tea Today” (p. 13), line 5</a> - changed “laugher” to “laughter”</li> +</ul> + +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78755 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/78755-h/images/colophon.jpg b/78755-h/images/colophon.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..94ca492 --- /dev/null +++ b/78755-h/images/colophon.jpg diff --git a/78755-h/images/cover.jpg b/78755-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d97cef --- /dev/null +++ b/78755-h/images/cover.jpg |
