Contents：

MomentsofVisionTheVoiceofThings"Whybeatpains？"

"Wesatatthewindow"

AfternoonServiceatMellstockAttheWicket—gateInaMuseumApostrophetoanOldPsalmTuneAttheWord"Farewell"

FirstSightofHerandAfterTheRivalHeredity"Youwerethesortthatmenforget"

She，I，andTheyNearLanivet，1872

JoysofMemoryTotheMoonCopyingArchitectureinanOldMinsterToShakespeareQuidhicagis？

OnaMidsummerEveTimingHerBeforeKnowledgeTheBlindedBird"Thewindblewwords"

TheFadedFaceTheRiddleTheDuelAtMayfairLodgingsTomyFather’sViolinTheStatueofLibertyTheBackgroundandtheFigureTheChangeSittingontheBridgeTheYoungChurchwarden"Itravelasaphantomnow"

LinestoaMovementinMozart’sE—flatSymphony"Intheseventies"

ThePedigreeThisHeart。AWoman’sDreamWheretheylivedTheOccultationLifelaughsOnwardThePeace—offering"Somethingtapped"

TheWoundAMerrymakinginQuestion"Isaidandsangherexcellence"

AJanuaryNight。1879

AKissTheAnnouncementTheOxenTheTressesThePhotographOnaHeathAnAnniversary"BytheRunicStone"

ThePinkFrockTransformationsInherPrecinctsTheLastSignalTheHouseofSilenceGreatThingsTheChimesTheFigureintheScene"WhydidIsketch"

ConjectureTheBlowLovetheMonopolistAtMiddle—fieldGateinFebruaryTheYouthwhocarriedaLightTheHeadabovetheFogOverlookingtheRiverStourTheMusicalBoxOnSturminsterFoot—bridgeRoyalSponsorsOldFurnitureAThoughtinTwoMoodsTheLastPerformance"Youonthetower"

TheInterloperLogsontheHearthTheSunshadeTheAgeingHouseTheCagedGoldfinchAtMadameTussaud’sinVictorianYearsTheBalletTheFiveStudentsTheWind’sProphecyDuringWindandRainHeprefersherEarthlyTheDollsMollygoneABackwardSpringLookingAcrossAtaSeasideTownin1869

TheGlimpseThePedestrian"Who’sinthenextroom？"

AtaCountryFairTheMemorialBrass：186—

HerLove—birdsPayingCallsTheUpperBirch—Leaves"Itneverlookslikesummer"

EverythingcomesTheManwithaPastHefearshisGoodFortuneHewondersaboutHimselfJubilateHerevisitshisFirstSchool"Ithought，myheart"

FragmentMidnightontheGreatWesternHoneymoonTimeatanInnTheRobin"IroseandwenttoRou’tortown"

TheNettlesInaWaiting—roomTheClock—winderOldExcursionsTheMaskedFaceInaWhisperingGalleryTheSomethingthatsavedHimTheEnemy’sPortraitImaginingsOntheDoorstepSignsandTokensPathsofFormerTimeTheClockoftheYearsAtthePianoTheShadowontheStoneIntheGardenTheTreeandtheLadyAnUpbraidingTheYoungGlass—stainerLookingataPictureonanAnniversaryTheChoirmaster’sBurialTheManwhoforgotWhiledrawinginaChurchyard"ForLifeIhadnevercaredgreatly"

POEMSOFWARANDPATRIOTISM：

"Menwhomarchaway"（SongoftheSoldiers）

HisCountryEnglandtoGermanyin1914

OntheBelgianExpatriationAnAppealtoAmericaonbehalfoftheBelgianDestituteThePityofItInTimeofWarsandTumultsInTimeof"theBreakingofnations"

CryoftheHomelessBeforeMarchingandAfter"Oftenwhenwarring"

ThenandNowACalltoNationalServiceTheDeadandtheLivingOneANewYear’sEveinWarTime"Imetaman"

"Ilookedupfrommywriting"

FINALE：

TheComingoftheEndAfterwardsMOMENTSOFVISION

ThatmirrorWhichmakesofmenatransparency，WhoholdsthatmirrorAndbidsussuchabreast—barespectacleseeOfyouandme？

ThatmirrorWhosemagicpenetrateslikeadart，WholiftsthatmirrorAndthrowsourmindbackonus，andourheart，Untilwestart？

ThatmirrorWorkswellinthesenighthoursofache；

WhyinthatmirrorAretinctsweneverseeourselvesoncetakeWhentheworldisawake？

ThatmirrorCantesteachmortalwhenunaware；

Yea，thatstrangemirrorMaycatchhislastthoughts，wholelifefoulorfair，Glassingit——where？

THEVOICEOFTHINGS

FortyAugusts——aye，andseveralmore——ago，WhenIpacedtheheadlandsloosedfromdullemploy，Thewaveshuzza’dlikeamultitudebelowIntheswayofanall—includingjoyWithoutcloy。

BlanklyIwalkedthereadoubledecadeafter，Whenthwartshadflungtheirtoilsinfrontofme，AndIheardthewaterswagginginalongironiclaughterAtthelotofmen，andallthevapouryThingsthatbe。

WheelingchangehassetmeagainstandingwhereOnceIheardthewaveshuzzaatLammas—tide；

Buttheysupplicatenow——likeacongregationthereWhomurmurtheConfession——Ioutside，Prayerdenied。

"WHYBEATPAINS？"

（Wooer’sSong）

WhybeatpainsthatIshouldknowYousoughtnotme？

Dobreezes，then，makefeaturesglowSorosily？

Come，thelitportisatourback，Andthetumblingsea；

ElsewherethelamplessuphilltrackTouncertainty!

Oshouldnotwetwowaifsjoinhands？

Iamalone，YouwouldenrichmemorethanlandsBybeingmyown。

Yet，thoughthisfacilemomentflies，Closeisyourtone，Andereto—morrow’sdewfalldriesIploughtheunknown。

"WESATATTHEWINDOW"

（Bournemouth，1875）

Wesatatthewindowlookingout，AndtheraincamedownlikesilkenstringsThatSwithin’sday。EachgutterandspoutBabbleduncheckedinthebusywayOfwitlessthings：

Nothingtoread，nothingtoseeSeemedinthatroomforherandmeOnSwithin’sday。

Wewereirkedbythescene，byourownselves；yes，ForIdidnotknow，nordidsheinferHowmuchtherewastoreadandguessByherinme，andtoseeandcrownBymeinher。

Wastedweretwosoulsintheirprime，Andgreatwasthewaste，thatJulytimeWhentheraincamedown。

AFTERNOONSERVICEATMELLSTOCK

（Circa1850）

OnafternoonsofdrowsycalmWestoodinthepanelledpew，Singingone—voicedaTate—and—BradypsalmTothetuneof"CambridgeNew。"

Wewatchedtheelms，wewatchedtherooks，Thecloudsuponthebreeze，Betweenthewhilesofglancingatourbooks，Andswayinglikethetrees。

Somindlesswerethoseoutpourings!—

ThoughIamnotawareThatIhavegainedbysubtlethoughtonthingsSincewestoodpsalmingthere。

ATTHEWICKET—GATE

Therefloatedthesoundsofchurch—chiming，Butnoonewasnigh，Tilltherecame，asabreakintheloneness，Herfather，she，I。

Andweslowlymovedontothewicket，Anddownlookingstood，Tillanonpeoplepassed，andamidthemWepartedforgood。

Greater，wiser，mayparttherethanwethreeWhopartedtherethen，ButneverwillFatescolder—featuredHoldswaythereagain。

OfthechurchgoersthroughthestillmeadowsNosingleoneknewWhataplaywasplayedundertheireyesthereAsthencewewithdrew。

INAMUSEUM

I

Here’sthemouldofamusicalbirdlongpassedfromlight，Whichovertheearthbeforemancamewaswinging；

There’sacontraltovoiceIheardlastnight，Thatlodgesinmestillwithitssweetsinging。

II

SuchadreamisTimethatthecooofthisancientbirdHasperishednot，butisblent，orwillbeblendingMidvisionlesswildsofspacewiththevoicethatIheard，Inthefull—fuguedsongoftheuniverseunending。

EXETER。

APOSTROPHETOANOLDPSALMTUNE

Imetyoufirst——ah，whendidIfirstmeetyou？

WhenIwasfullofwonder，andinnocent，Standingmeek—eyedwiththoseofchoricbent，WhiledimmingdaygrewdimmerInthepulpit—glimmer。

MuchriperinyearsImetyou——inatempleWheresummersunsetstreameduponourshapes，Andyouspreadovermelikeagauzethatdrapes，Andflappedfromfloortorafters，Sweetasangels’laughters。

ButyouhadbeenstrippedofsomeofyouroldvestureByMonk，oranother。Nowyouworenofrill，Andatfirstyoustartledme。ButIknewyoustill，ThoughImissedtheminim’swaver，Andthedottedquaver。

Igrewaccustomedtoyouthus。AndyouhailedmeThroughonewhoevokedyouoften。ThenatlastYourraiserwasborneoff，andImournedyouhadpassedFrommylifewithyourlateoutsetter；

TillIsaid，"’Tisbetter!"

Butyouwaylaidme。Iroseandwentasaghostgoes，Andsaid，eyes—full"I’llneverhearitagain!

ItisovermuchforscathedandmemoriedmenWhensittingamongstrangepeopleUndertheirsteeple。"

Now，anewstirreroftonescallsyouupbeforemeAndwakesyourspeech，assheofEndordid（WhensoughtbySaulwho，indisguiseshid，Felldownontheearthtohearit）

Samuel’sspirit。

So，yourquiredoraclesbeattilltheymakemetrembleAsIdiscernyourmienintheoldattire，HereintheseturmoiledyearsofbelligerentfireLivingstillon——andonward，maybe，TillDoom’sgreatdaybe!

Sunday，August13，1916。

ATTHEWORD"FAREWELL"

ShelookedlikeabirdfromacloudOntheclammylawn，Movingalone，bare—browedInthedimofdawn。

ThecandlesalightintheroomFormypartingmealMadeallthingswithoutdoorsloomStrange，ghostly，unreal。

Thehouritselfwasaghost，AnditseemedtomethenAsofchancesthechancefurthermostIshouldseeheragain。

IbeheldnotwhereallwassofleetThataPlanofthepastWhichhadruledusfrombirthtimetomeetWasinworkingatlast：

NopreludedidIthereperceiveToadramaatall，OrforeshadowwhatfortunemightweaveFrombeginningssosmall；

ButIroseasifquickedbyaspurIwasboundtoobey，AndsteppedthroughthecasementtoherStillaloneinthegray。

"Iamleavingyou……Farewell!"Isaid，AsIfollowedheronByanalleybareboughsoverspread；

"Isoonmustbegone!"

EventhenthescalemighthavebeenturnedAgainstlovebyafeather，—ButcrimsononecheekofhersburnedWhenwecameintogether。

FIRSTSIGHTOFHERANDAFTER

AdayisdrawingtoitsfallIhadnotdreamedtosee；

ThefirstofmanytoenthrallMyspirit，willitbe？

OristhisevetheendofallSuchnewdelightforme？

Ijourneyhome：thepatterngrowsOfmoonshadesontheway：

"Soonthefirstquarter，Isuppose，"

Sky—glancingtravellerssay；

Irealizethatit，forthose，Hasbeenacommonday。

THERIVAL

Ideterminedtofindoutwhoseitwas—

Theportraithelookedatso，andsighed；

BitterlyhaveIruedmymeannessAndweptforitsincehedied!

Isearchedhisdeskwhenhewasaway，Andtherewasthelikeness——yes，myown!

TakenwhenIwastheseason’sfairest，Andtime—linesallunknown。

Ismiledatmyimage，andputitback，Andhewentoncherishingit，untilIwaschafedthathelovednotthemethenliving，Butthatpastwomanstill。

Well，suchwasmyjealousyatlast，Idestroyedthatfaceoftheformerme；

CouldyoueverhavedreamedtheheartofwomanWouldworksofoolishly!

HEREDITY

Iamthefamilyface；

Fleshperishes，Iliveon，ProjectingtraitandtraceThroughtimetotimesanon，AndleapingfromplacetoplaceOveroblivion。

Theyears—heiredfeaturethatcanIncurveandvoiceandeyeDespisethehumanspanOfdurance——thatisI；

Theeternalthinginman，Thatheedsnocalltodie。

"YOUWERETHESORTTHATMENFORGET"

Youwerethesortthatmenforget；

ThoughI——notyet!—

Perhapsnotever。YourslightedweaknessAddstothestrengthofmyregret!

You’dnottheart——youneverhadForgoodorbad—

Tomakemenseehowsweetyourmeaning，Which，visible，hadcharmedthemglad。

Youwould，bywordsineptletfall，Offendthemall，EveniftheysawyourwarmdevotionWouldholdyourlife’sbloodattheircall。

YoulackedtheeyetounderstandThosefriendsoffhandWhosemodewascrude，thoughwhosedimpurportOutpricedthecourtesiesofthebland。

IamnowtheonlybeingwhoRemembersyouItmaybe。WhatawastethatNatureGrudgedsoulsodeartheartitsdue!

SHE，I，ANDTHEY

Iwassitting，Shewasknitting，Andtheportraitsofourfore—folkhungaround；

Whentherestruckonusasigh；

"Ah——whatisthat？"saidI：

"Wasitnotyou？"saidshe。"Asighdidsound。"

Ihadnotbreathedit，Northenight—windheavedit，Andhowitcametouswecouldnotguess；

AndwelookedupateachfaceFramedandglazedthereinitsplace，Stillhearkening；butthenceforthwassilentness。

Halfindreaming，"Thenitsmeaning，"

Saidwe，"mustbesurelythis；thattheyrepineThatweshouldbethelastOfstocksonceunsurpassed，Andunabletokeepuptheirsturdyline。"

1916。

NEARLANIVET，1872

Therewasastuntedhandpostjustonthecrest，Onlyafewfeethigh：

Shewastired，andwestoppedinthetwilight—timeforherrest，Atthecrosswaysclosethereby。

Sheleantback，beingsoweary，againstitsstem，Andlaidherarmsonitsown，Eachopenpalmstretchedouttoeachendofthem，Hersadfacesidewaysthrown。

Herwhite—clothedformatthisdim—litceaseofdayMadeherlookasonecrucifiedInmygazeatherfromthemidstofthedustyway，Andhurriedly"Don’t，"Icried。

Idonotthinksheheard。Loosingthenceshesaid，Asshesteppedforthreadytogo，"Iamrestednow。——Somethingstrangecameintomyhead；

IwishIhadnotleantso!"

AndwordlesswemovedonwarddownfromthehillInthewestcloud’smurkedobscure，AndlookingbackwecouldseethehandpoststillInthesolitudeofthemoor。

"Itstruckhertoo，"Ithought，forasifafraidSheheavilybreathedaswetrailed；

Tillshesaid，"Ididnotthinkhow’twouldlookintheshade，WhenIleanttherelikeonenailed。"

I，lightly："There’snothinginit。ForYOU，anyhow!"

——"OIknowthereisnot，"saidshe……

"YetIwonder……Ifnooneisbodilycrucifiednow，Inspiritonemaybe!"

Andwedraggedonandon，whileweseemedtoseeIntherunningofTime’sfarglassHercrucified，asshehadwonderedifshemightbeSomeday。——Alas，alas!

JOYSOFMEMORY

Whenthespringcomesround，andacertaindayLooksoutfromthebrumebytheeasterncopsetreesAndsays，Remember，Ibeginagain，asifitwerenew，AdayoflikedateIoncelivedthrough，Whilingithourbyhouraway；

SoshallIdotillmyDecember，Whenspringcomesround。

ItakemyholidaythenandmyrestAwayfromthedunlifehereaboutme，Oldhoursre—greetingWiththequietsensethatbringtheymustSuchthrobsasatfirst，tillIhousewithdust，AndinthenumbnessmyheartsomezestForthingsthatwere，bepastrepeatingWhenspringcomesround。

TOTHEMOON

"Whathaveyoulookedat，Moon，Inyourtime，Nowlongpastyourprime？"

"O，Ihavelookedat，oftenlookedatSweet，sublime，Sorethings，shudderful，nightandnoonInmytime。"

"Whathaveyoumusedon，Moon，Inyourday，Soaloof，sofaraway？"

"O，Ihavemusedon，oftenmusedonGrowth，decay，Nationsalive，dead，mad，aswoon，Inmyday!"

"Haveyoumuchwondered，Moon，Onyourrounds，Self—wrapt，beyondEarth’sbounds？"

"Yea，Ihavewondered，oftenwonderedAtthesoundsReachingmeofthehumantuneOnmyrounds。"

"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Moon，Asyougo？

IsLifemuch，orno？"

"O，Ithinkofit，oftenthinkofitAsashowGodoughtsurelytoshutupsoon，AsIgo。"

COPYINGARCHITECTUREINANOLDMINSTER

（Wimborne）

HowsmartlythequartersofthehourmarchbyThatthejack—o’—clockneverforgets；

Ding—dong；andbeforeIhavetracedacusp’seye，Orgotthetruetwistoftheogeeover，Adoubleding—dongricochetts。

JustsodidheclangherebeforeIcame，AndsowillheclangwhenI’mgoneThroughtheMinster’scavernoushollows——thesameTaleofhoursnevermoretobewillhedeliverTothespeechlessmidnightanddawn!

Igrowtoconceiveitacalltoghosts，Whosemouldliesbelowandaround。

Yes；thenext"Come，come，"drawsthemoutfromtheirposts，Andtheygather，andoneshadeappears，andanother，Astheeve—dampscreepfromtheground。

See——aCourtenaystandsbyhisquatre—foiledtomb，AndaDukeandhisDuchessnear；

AndoneSirEdmundincolumnedgloom，AndaSaxonkingbythepresbyterychamber；

Andshapesunknownintherear。

MaybetheyhavemetforaparleonsomeplanTobetterail—strickenmankind；

Icatchtheircheepings，thoughthinnerthanTheoverheadcreakofapassager’spinionWhenleavinglandbehind。

Orperhapstheyspeaktotheyetunborn，AndcautionthemnottocomeToaworldsoancientandtrouble—torn，Offoiledintents，vainlovingkindness，Andardourschilledandnumb。

TheywastetofogasIstirandstand，Andmovefromthearchedrecess，Andpickupthedrawingthatslippedfrommyhand，AndfeelforthepencilIdroppedinthecrannyInamoment’sforgetfulness。

TOSHAKESPEARE

AFTERTHREEHUNDREDYEARS

BrightbafflingSoul，leastcapturableofthemes，Thou，whodisplay’dstalifeofcommon—place，LeavingnointimatewordorpersonaltraceOfhighdesignoutsidetheartistryOfthypenneddreams，Stillshaltremainatheartunreadeternally。

Throughhumanorbitsthydiscourseto—day，Despitethyformalpilgrimage，throbsonInharmoniesthatcowOblivion，And，likethewind，withall—uncaredeffectMaintainaswayNotfore—desired，intracksunchosenandunchecked。

Andyet，atthylastbreath，withmindlessnoteTheboroughclocksbutsamelytonguedthehour，TheAvonjustasalwaysglassedthetower，Thyagewaspublishedonthypassing—bellButindueroteWithotherdwellers’deathsaccordedalikeknell。

Andatthestrokessometownsman（met，maybe，Andthereonqueriedbysomesquire’sgooddameDrivinginshopward）mayhavegiventhyname，With，"Yes，aworthymanandwell—to—do；

Though，asforme，Iknewhimbutbyjustaneighbour’snod，’tistrue。

"I’faith，fewknewhimmuchhere，savebyword，Hehavingelsewhereledhisbusierlife；

Thoughtobesureheleftwithushiswife。"

——"Ah，oneofthetradesmen’ssons，Inowrecall……

Witty，I’veheard……

Wedidnotknowhim……Well，good—day。Deathcomestoall。"

So，likeastrangebrightbirdwesometimesfindTominglewiththebarn—doorbroodawhile，Thenvanishfromtheirhomelydomicile—

Intoman’spoesy，wewotnotwhence，Flewthystrangemind，Lodgedtherearadiantguest，andspedforeverthence。

1916。

QUIDHICAGIS？

I

WhenIweeklyknewAnancientpew，AndmurmuredthereTheformsofprayerAndthanksandpraiseIntheancientways，AndheardreadoutDuringAugustdroughtThatchapterfromKingsHarvest—timebrings；

—Howtheprophet，brokenBygriefsunspoken，WentheavilyawayTofastandtopray，And，whilewaitingtodie，TheLordpassedby，AndawhirlwindandfireDrewnigherandnigher，AndasmallvoiceanonBadehimupandbegone，—

IdidnotapprehendAsIsattotheendAndwatchedforhersmileAcrossthesunnedaisle，ThatthistaleofaseerWhichcameonceayearMight，whensandswereheaping，Belikeasweatcreeping，OrinanydegreeBearonheroronme!

II

Whenlater，bychanceOfcircumstance，ItbefelmetoreadOnahotafternoonAtthelecternthereTheselfsamewordsAsthelessondecreed，TothegatheredfewFromthehamletsnear—

FolkofflocksandherdsSittinghalfaswoon，WholistenedtheretoAswomenandmenNotovermuchConcernedatsuch—

So，likethemthen，IdidnotseeWhatdroughtmightbeWithme，withher，AstheKalendarMovedon，andTimeDevouredourprime。

III

Butnow，atlast，Whenourgloryhaspassed，AndthereisnosmileFromherintheaisle，ButwhereitonceshoneAmarble，mensay，WithhernamethereonIsdiscernedto—day；

AndspiritlessInthewildernessIshrinkfromsightAnddesirethenight，（Though，asinoldwise，Imightstillarise，Goforth，andstandAndprophesyintheland），IfeeltheshakeOfwindandearthquake，AndconsumingfireNigherandnigher，Andthevoicecatchclear，"Whatdoestthouhere？"

TheSpectator1916。DuringtheWar。

ONAMIDSUMMEREVE

Iidlycutaparsleystalk，Andblewthereintowardsthemoon；

IhadnotthoughtwhatghostswouldwalkWithshiveringfootstepstomytune。

Iwent，andknelt，andscoopedmyhandAsiftodrink，intothebrook，AndafaintfigureseemedtostandAboveme，withthebygonelook。

Ilippedroughrhymesofchance，notchoice，Ithoughtnotwhatmywordsmightbe；

TherecameintomyearavoiceThatturnedatendererverseforme。

TIMINGHER

（Writtentoanoldfolk—tune）

Lalage’scoming：

Whereisshenow，O？

Turningtobow，O，Andsmile，isshe，Justatparting，Parting，parting，AssheisstartingTocometome？

Whereisshenow，O，Now，andnow，O，Shadowingabough，O，OfhedgeortreeAssheisrushing，Rushing，rushing，GossamersbrushingTocometome？

Lalage’scoming；

Whereisshenow，O；

Climbingthebrow，O，OfhillsIsee？

Yes，sheisnearing，Nearing，nearing，WeatherunfearingTocometome。

Nearisshenow，O，Now，andnow，O；

Milktherichcow，O，Forwardthetea；

Shakethedownbedforher，Linensheetsspreadforher，DraperoundtheheadforherComingtome。

Lalage’scoming，She’snearernow，O，Endanyhow，O，To—day’shusbandry!

Wouldagiltchairweremine，Slippersofvairweremine，BrushesforhairweremineOfivory!

Whatwillshethink，O，Shewho’ssocomely，ViewinghowhomelyAsortarewe!

Nothingresplendent，Nopromptattendant，NotonedependentPertainingtome!

Lalage’scoming；

Whereisshenow，O？

FainI’davow，O，FullhonestlyNoughthere’senoughforher，Allistooroughforher，EvenmyloveforherPoorindegree。

She’snearernow，O，Stillnearernow，O，She’tis，Ivow，O，Passingthelea。

Rushdowntomeetherthere，Calloutandgreetherthere，NeverasweeterthereCrossedtome!

Lalage’scome；aye，Comeisshenow，O!……

DoesHeavenallow，O，Ameetingtobe？

Yes，sheisherenow，Herenow，herenow，Nothingtofearnow，Here’sLalage!

BEFOREKNOWLEDGE

WhenIwalkedroselesstracksandwide，Eredawnedyourdateformeetingme，OwhydidyounotcryHallooAcrossthestretchbetween，andsay：

"Wemove，whileyearsasyetdivide，Onclosinglineswhich——thoughitbeYouknowmenotnorIknowyou—

Willintersectandjoinsomeday!"

ThenwellIhadborneEachscrapingthorn；

Butthewintersfroze，Andgrewnorose；

NobridgebestrodeThegapatall；

Noshapeyoushowed，AndIheardnocall!

THEBLINDEDBIRD

Sozestfullycanstthousing？

Andallthisindignity，WithGod’sconsent，onthee!

Blindedereyeta—wingBythered—hotneedlethou，IstandandwonderhowSozestfullythoucanstsing!

Resentingnotsuchwrong，Thygrievouspainforgot，Eternaldarkthylot，Gropingthywholelifelong；

Afterthatstaboffire；

Enjailedinpitilesswire；

Resentingnotsuchwrong!

Whohathcharity？Thisbird。

Whosufferethlongandiskind，Isnotprovoked，thoughblindAndaliveensepulchred？

Whohopeth，endurethallthings？

Whothinkethnoevil，butsings？

Whoisdivine？Thisbird。

"THEWINDBLEWWORDS"

Thewindblewwordsalongtheskies，AndtheseitblewtomeThroughthewidedusk："Liftupyoureyes，Beholdthistroubledtree，Complainingasitswaysandplies；

Itisalimbofthee。

"Yea，too，thecreaturesshelteringround—

Dumbfigures，wildandtame，Yea，too，thyfellowswhoabound—

EitherofspeechthesameOrfarandstrange——black，dwarfed，andbrowned，Theyarestuffofthyownframe。"

ImovedoninasurgingaweOfinarticulatenessAtthepatheticMeIsawInallhishugedistress，Makingself—slaughterofthelawTokill，break，orsuppress。

THEFADEDFACE

HowwasthisIdidnotseeSuchalookasherewasshownEreitswomanhoodhadblownPastitsfirstfelicity？—

ThatIdidnotknowyouyoung，FadedFace，Knowyouyoung!

WhydidTimesoillbesteadThatIheardnovoiceofyoursHailfromoutthecurvedcontoursOfthoselipswhenrosyred；

Weetednotthesongstheysung，FadedFace，Songstheysung!

Bytheseblanchings，bloomsofold，Andtherelicsofyourvoice—

LeavingsrareofrichandchoiceFromyourearlytoneandmould—

Letmemourn，——aye，sorrow—wrung，FadedFace，Sorrow—wrung!

THERIDDLE

I

StretchingeyeswestOverthesea，Windfoulorfair，AlwaysstoodsheProspect—impressed；

SolelyoutthereDidhergazerest，NeverelsewhereSeemedcharmtobe。

II

AlwayseyeseastPondersshenow—

Asindevotion—

HillsofblankbrowWherenowavesplough。

NevertheleastRoomforemotionDrawnfromtheoceanDoessheallow。

THEDUEL

"Iamheretotime，yousee；

Thegladeiswell—screened——eh？——againstalarm；

FitplacetovindicatebymyarmThehonourofmyspotlesswife，WhoscornsyourlibeluponherlifeInboastingintimacy!

"’Allhush—offeringsyou’llspurn，Myhusband。Twomustcome；oneonlygo，’

Shesaid。’Thathe’llbeyouIknow；

TofaithlikeoursHeavenwillbejust，AndIshallabideinfullesttrustYourspeedygladreturn。’"

"Good。HereamalsoI；

Andwe’llproceedwithoutmorewasteofwordsTowarmyourcockpit。OftheswordsTakeyouyourchoice。IshalltherebyFeelthatonmenoblamecanlie，WhateverFateaccords。"

Sostrippedtheythere，andfought，Andtheswordsclickedandscraped，andtheonsetssped；

Tillthehusbandfell；andhisshirtwasredWithstreamsfromhisheart’shotcistern。NoughtCouldsavehimnow；andtheother，wroughtMaybetopity，said：

"Whydidyouurgeonthis？

Yourwifeassuredyou；and’thadbetterbeenThatyouhadletthingspass，sereneInconfidenceoflong—triedbliss，HoldingtherecouldbenoughtamissInwhatmywordsmightmean。"

Then，seeingnorruthnorrageCouldmovehisfoemanmore——nowDeath’sdeafthrall—

Hewipedhissteel，and，withacallLiketurtledovetodove，swiftbrokeIntothecopse，whereunderanoakHishorsecropt，heldbyapage。

"All’sover，Sweet，"hecriedTothewife，thusguised；fortheyoungpagewasshe。

"’Tisaswehopedandsaid’twouldbe。

Heneverguessed……WemountandrideTowhereourlovecanreignuneyed。

He’sclay，andwearefree。"

ATMAYFAIRLODGINGS

HowcouldIbeaware，TheoppositewindoweyeingAsIlaylistlessthere，ThatthroughitsblindswasdyingOneIhadratedrareBeforeIhadsetmesighingForanothermorefair？

Hadthehouse—frontbeenglass，Myvisionunobscuring，CouldaughthavecometopassMorehappiness—insuringToher，lovedasalassWhenspouseless，all—alluring？

Ireckonnot，alas!

So，thesquarewindowstood，Steadilynight—longshiningInmycloseneighbourhood，WholookedforthundiviningThatsoonwouldgoforgoodOnethereinpainreclining，Unpardoned，unadieu’d。

SilentlyscreenedfromviewHertragedywasendingThatneednothavecomedueHadshebeenlessunbending。

Hownear，nearwerewetwoAtthatlastvitalrending，—

Andneitherofusknew!

TOMYFATHER’SVIOLIN

DoeshewantyoudownthereIntheNetherGloomswhereThehoursmaybeadraggingloaduponhim，AshehearstheaxlegrindRoundandroundOfthegreatworld，intheblindStillprofoundOfthenight—time？HemightlivenatthesoundOfyourstring，revealingyouhadnotforgonehim。

Inthegallerywestthenave，Butafewyardsfromhisgrave，Didyou，tuckedbeneathhischin，tohisbowingGuidethehomelyharmonyOfthequireWhoforlongyearsstrenuously—

Sonandsire—

CaughtthestrainsthatathisfingeringloworhigherFromyourfourthinthreadsandeff—holescameoutflowing。

And，too，whatmerrytunesHewouldbowatnightsornoonsThatchancedtofindhimbenttoluteameasure，WhenhemadeyouspeakhisheartAsindream，Withoutbookormusic—chart，OnsomethemeElusiveasajack—o’—lanthorn’sgleam，Andthepsalmofdutyshelvedfortrillofpleasure。

Well，youcannot，alas，ThebarrieroverpassThatscreenshiminthoseMournfulMeadshereunder，WherenofiddlingcanbeheardInthegladesOfsilentness，nobirdThrillstheshades；

Wherenoviolistouchedforsongsorserenades，Nobowingwakesacongregation’swonder。

Hemustdowithoutyounow，StiryounomoreanyhowToyearningconcordstaughtyouinyourglory；

While，yourstringsatangledwreck，Oncesmartdrawn，Tenworm—woundsinyourneck，PurflingswanWithdust—hoar，herealoneIsadlyconYourpresentdumbness，shapeyouroldenstory。

1916。

THESTATUEOFLIBERTY

ThisstatueofLiberty，busyman，Hereerectinthecitysquare，Ihavewatchedwhileyourscrubbings，thisearlymorning，Strangelywistful，Andhalftristful，Haveturnedherfromfoultofair；

Withyourbucketofwater，andmop，andbrush，BringingheroutofthegrimeThathassmearedherduringthesmokesofwinterWithsuchglumnessInherdumbness，Andagedherbeforehertime。

Youhavewashedherdownwithmotherlycare—

Head，shoulders，arm，andfoot，Totheveryhemoftherobesthatdrapeher—

AllexpertlyAndalertly，Tillalongstream，blackwithsoot，Flowsoverthepavementtotheroad，Andhershapeloomspureassnow：

IreadyouarehiredbytheCityguardians—

Maybeyearly，Oroncemerely—

Totreatthestatuesso？

"Oh，I’mnothiredbytheCouncilmenTocleansethestatueshere。

Idothisoneasaself—willedduty，Notaspaidto，Oratallmadeto，Butbecausethedoingisdear。"

Ah，thenIhailyoubrotherandfriend!

Liberty’sknightdivine。

Whatyouhavedonewouldhavebeenmydoing，Yea，mostverily，Well，andthoroughly，Hadbutyourcouragebeenmine!

"OhIcarenotforLiberty’smould，Libertycharmsnotme；

What’sFreedombutanidler’svision，Vain，pernicious，Oftenvicious，Ofthingsthatcannotbe!

"Memoryitisthatbringsmetothis—

Ofadaughter——myonesweetown。

Shegrewafamouscarver’smodel，OneofthefairestAndoftherarest：—

Shesatforthefigureasshown。

"Butalas，shediedinthisdistantplaceBeforeIwaswarnedtobetakeMyselftoherside!……Andinloveofmydarling，Inloveofthefameofher，Andthegoodnameofher，Idothisforhersake。"

AnswerIgavenot。OfthatformThecarverwasIathisside；

Hischild，mymodel，heldsosaintly，Grandinfeature，Grossinnature，Inthedensofvicehaddied。

THEBACKGROUNDANDTHEFIGURE

（Lover’sDitty）

Ithinkoftheslopewheretherabbitsfed，Oftheperiwinks’rockworklair，Ofthefuchsiasringingtheirbellsofred—

Andthesomethingelseseenthere。

Betweenthebloomswherethesodbaskedbright，Bythebobbingfuchsiatrees，Wasanotherandyetmoreeyesomesight—

Thesightthatrichenedthese。

Ishallseekthosebeautiesinthespring，Whenthedaysarefitandfair，ButonlyasfoilstotheonemorethingThatalsowillflowerthere!

THECHANGE

Outofthepastthererisesaweek—

WhoshallreadtheyearsO!—

OutofthepastthererisesaweekEnringedwithapurplezone。

OutofthepastthererisesaweekWhenthoughtswerestrungtoothicktospeak，Andthemagicofitslineamentsremainswithmealone。

Inthatweektherewasheardasinging—

Whoshallspelltheyears，theyears!—

Inthatweektherewasheardasinging，Andthewhiteowlwonderedwhy。

Inthatweek，yea，avoicewasringing，AndforthfromthecasementwerecandlesflingingRadiancethatfellonthedeodarandlitupthepaththereby。

Couldthatsonghaveamockingnote？—

WhoshallunrolltheyearsO!—

CouldthatsonghaveamockingnoteTothewhiteowl’ssenseasitfell？

CouldthatsonghaveamockingnoteAsittrilledoutwarmfromthesinger’sthroat，Andwhowasthemockerandwhothemockedwhentwofeltallwaswell？

Inatedioustramplingcrowdyetlater—

Whoshallbaretheyears，theyears!—

Inatedioustramplingcrowdyetlater，Whensilverysingingsweredumb；

Inacrowduncaringwhattimemightfateher，MidmurksofnightIstoodtoawaither，Andthetwangingofironwheelsgaveoutthesignalthatshewascome。

Shesaidwithatravel—tiredsmile—

WhoshalllifttheyearsO!—

Shesaidwithatravel—tiredsmile，Halfscaredbyscenesostrange；

Shesaid，outwornbymileonmile，Theblurredlampswanningherfacethewhile，"OLove，Iamhere；Iamwithyou!"……Ah，thatthereshouldhavecomeachange!

Othedoombysomeonespoken—

Whoshallunsealtheyears，theyears!—

Othedoomthatgavenotoken，Whennothingofbalesawwe：

Othedoombysomeonespoken，Otheheartbysomeonebroken，Theheartwhosesweetreverberancesarealltimeleavestome。

Jan。—Feb。1913。

SITTINGONTHEBRIDGE

（Echoofanoldsong）

SittingonthebridgePastthebarracks，townandridge，AtoncethespiritseizedusTosingasongthatpleasedus—

As"TheFifth"weremuchinrumour；

Itwas"WhilstI’minthehumour，Takeme，Paddy，willyounow？"

Andalancersoondrewnigh，AndhisRoyalIrisheyeSaid，"Willing，faith，amI，O，totakeyouanyhow，dears，Totakeyouanyhow。"

But，lo!——dadwalkingby，Cried，"What，youlightheels!Fie!

IsthisthewayyouroamAndmockthesunsetgleam？"

Andhemarchedusstraightwayhome，Thoughwesaid，"Weareonly，daddy，Singing，’Willyoutakeme，Paddy？’"

——Well，weneversawfromthenIfwesangthereanywhen，Thesoldierdearagain，Exceptatnightindream—time，Exceptatnightindream。

Perhapsthatsoldier’sfightingInalandthat’sfaraway，OrhemaybeidlyplightingSomeforeignhussygay；

OrperhapshisbonesarewhitingInthewindtotheirdecay!……

Ah!——doeshemindhimhowThegirlshesawthatdayOnthebridge，weresittingsingingAtthetimeofcurfew—ringing，"Takeme，Paddy；willyounow，dear？

Paddy，willyounow？"

GREY’SBRIDGE。

THEYOUNGCHURCHWARDEN

Whenhelitthecandlesthere，Andthelightfellonhishand，AndittrembledashescannedHerandme，hisvanquishedairHintedthathisdreamwasdone，AndIsawhehadbegunTounderstand。

WhenLove’sviolwasunstrung，SoreIwishedthehandthatshookHadbeenminethatsharedherbookWhilethateveninghymnwassung，Histhevictor’s，ashelitCandleswherehehadbiddenussitWithvanquishedlook。

Nowherdustlieslistlessthere，Hisafarfromtendinghand，Whatavailsthevictoryscanned？

Doeshesmilefromupperair：

"Ah，myfriend，yourdreamisdone；

And’tisYOUwhohavebegunTounderstand!

"ITRAVELASAPHANTOMNOW"

Itravelasaphantomnow，ForpeopledonotwishtoseeInfleshandbloodsobareaboughAsNaturemakesofme。

AndthusIvisitbodilessStrangegloomyhouseholdsoftenatodds，AndwonderifMan’sconsciousnessWasamistakeofGod’s。

AndnextImeetyou，andIpause，Andthinkthatifmistakeitwere，Assomehavesaid，OthenitwasOnethatIwellcanbear!

1915。

LINES

TOAMOVEMENTINMOZART’SE—FLATSYMPHONY

ShowmeagainthetimeWhenintheJunetide’sprimeWeflewbymeadsandmountainsnortherly!—

Yea，tosuchfreshness，fairness，fulness，fineness，freeness，Lovelureslifeon。

ShowmeagainthedayWhenfromthesandybayWelookedtogetheruponthepesteredsea!—

Yea，tosuchsurging，swaying，sighing，swelling，shrinking，Lovelureslifeon。

ShowmeagainthehourWhenbythepinnacledtowerWeeyedeachotherandfearedfuturity!—

Yea，tosuchbodings，broodings，beatings，blanchings，blessings，Lovelureslifeon。

Showmeagainjustthis：

ThemomentofthatkissAwayfromtheprancingfolk，bythestrawberry—tree!—

Yea，tosuchrashness，ratheness，rareness，ripeness，richness，Lovelureslifeon。

BegunNovember1898。

"INTHESEVENTIES"

"Quiderideturabamicosuosicutego。"——JOB。

IntheseventiesIwasbearinginmybreast，Pennedtight，CertainstarrythoughtsthatthrewamagiclightOntheworktimesandthesoundlesshoursofrestIntheseventies；aye，IboretheminmybreastPennedtight。

Intheseventieswhenmyneighbours——evenmyfriend—

Sawmepass，Headswereshaken，andIheardthewords，"Alas，Forhisonwardyearsandnameunlesshemend!"

Intheseventies，whenmyneighboursandmyfriendSawmepass。

IntheseventiesthosewhometmedidnotknowOfthevisionThatimmunedmefromthechillingsofmis—prisionAndthedampsthatchokedmygoingstoandfroIntheseventies；yea，thosenoddersdidnotknowOfthevision。

Intheseventiesnoughtcoulddarkenordestroyit，Lockedinme，Thoughasdelicateaslamp—worm’slucency；

NeithermistnormurkcouldweakenoralloyitIntheseventies!——couldnotdarkenordestroyit，Lockedinme。

THEPEDIGREE

I

IbentinthedeepofnightOverapedigreethechroniclergaveAsmine；andasIbentthere，half—unrobed，Theuncurtainedpanesofmywindow—squareletinthewaterylightOfthemooninitsoldage：

Andgreen—rheumedcloudswerehurryingpastwheremuteandcolditglobedLikeadriftingdolphin’seyeseenthroughalappingwave。

II

So，scanningmysire—sowntree，Andthehieroglyphsofthisspousetiedtothat，Withoffspringmappedbelowinlineage，Tillthetanglestroubledme，ThebranchesseemedtotwistintoasearedandcynicfaceWhichwinkedandtokenedtowardsthewindowlikeaMageEnchantingmetogazeagainthereat。

III

Itwasamirrornow，AndinitalongperspectiveIcouldtraceOfmybegetters，dwindlingbackwardeachpasteachAllwiththekindredlook，WhosenameshadsincebeeninkeddownintheirplaceOntherecorder’sbook，Generationandgenerationofmymien，andbuild，andbrow。

IV

AndthendidIdivineThateveryheaveandcoilandmoveImadeWithinmybrain，andinmymoodandspeech，WasintheglassportrayedAslongforestalledbytheirsomakingit；

Thefirstofthem，theprimestfuglemenofmyline，Beingfoggedinfarantiquenesspastsurmiseandreason’sreach。

V

SaidIthen，sunkintone，"Iammerestmimickerandcounterfeit!—

Thoughthinking，IAMI

ANDWHATIDOIDOMYSELFALONE。"

——ThecynictwistofthepagethereatunknitBacktoitsnormalfigure，havingwroughtitspurportwry，TheMage’smirrorleftthewindow—square，Andthestainedmoonanddriftretooktheirplacesthere。

1916。

THISHEART

AWOMAN’SDREAM

Atmidnight，intheroomwherehelaydeadWhominhislifeIhadneverclearlyread，IthoughtifIcouldpeerintothatcitadelHisheart，IshouldatlastknowfullandwellWhatheretohadbeenknowntohimalone，Despiteourlongsit—outofyearsforeflown，"Andif，"Isaid，"Idothisforhismemory’ssake，Itwouldnotwoundhim，evenifhecouldwake。"

SoIbentoverhim。HeseemedtosmileWithacalmconfidencethewholelongwhileThatI，withdrawinghisheart，helditand，bitbybit，Perusedtheunguessedthingsfoundwrittenonit。

ItwasinscribedlikeaterrestrialsphereWithquaintvermiculationscloseandclear—

Hisgraving。HadIknown，wouldIhaveriskedthestrokeItsreadingbrought，andmyownheartnighbroke!

Yes，thereatlast，eyesopened，didIseeHiswholesinceresymmetrichistory；

Therewerehistruth，hissimplesinglemindedness，Strained，maybe，bytime’sstorms，buttherenoless。

TherewerethedailydeedsfromsuntosunInblindness，butgoodfaith，thathehaddone；

Therewereregrets，atinstanceswhereinheswerved（Asheconceived）fromcherishingsIhaddeserved。

Therewereoldhoursallfigureddownasbliss—

Thosespentwithme——（howlittlehadIthoughtthis!）

Therethosewhen，atmyabsence，whetherhesleptorwaked，（ThoughIknewnot’twasso!）hisspiritached。

Therethatwhenweweresevered，howdaydulledTilltimejoinedusanew，waschronicled：

AndargumentsandbattlingsindefenceofmeThatheartrecordedclearlyandruddily。

Iputitback，andlefthimashelayWhilepiercedthemorningpinkandthenthegrayIntoeachdrearyroomandcorridoraround，WhereIshallwait，buthisstepwillnotsound。

WHERETHEYLIVED

DishevelledleavescreepdownUponthatbankto—day，Somegreen，someyellow，andsomepalebrown；

Thewetbentsbobandsway；

TheoncewarmslipperyturfissoddenWherewelaughinglysatorlay。

Thesummerhouseisgone，Leavingaweedyspace；

ThebushesthatveileditoncehavegrownGaunttreesthatinterlace，ThroughwhoselanklimbsIseetooclearlyThenakednessoftheplace。

Andwherewerehillsofblue，Blinddriftsofvapourblow，Andthenamesofformerdwellersfew，Ifany，peopleknow，Andinsteadofavoicethatcalled，"Comein，Dears，"

Timecalls，"Passbelow!"

THEOCCULTATION

Whenthecloudshutdownonthemorningshine，Anddarkenedthesun，Isaid，"SoendedthatjoyofmineYearsbackbegun。"

ButdaycontinueditslustrousrollInupperair；

AnddidmylateirradiatesoulLiveonsomewhere？

LIFELAUGHSONWARD

RamblingIlookedforanoldabodeWhere，yearsback，onehadlivedIknew；

Itssiteadwellingdulyshowed，Butitwasnew。

Iwentwhere，notsolongago，Thesodhadriventwobreastsasunder；

Daisiesthrovegailythere，asthoughNogravewereunder。

IwalkedalongaterracewhereLoudchildrengambolledinthesun；

ThefigurethathadoncesatthereWasmissedbynone。

Lifelaughedandmovedonunsubdued，IsawthatOldsuccumbedtoYoung：

’Twaswell。MytooregretfulmoodDiedonmytongue。

THEPEACE—OFFERING

Itwasbutalittlething，YetIknewitmeanttomeEasefromwhathadgivenastingTotheverybirdsingingLatterly。

ButIwouldnotwelcomeit；

AndforallIthendeclinedOtheregrettingsinfiniteWhenthenight—processionsflitThroughthemind!

"SOMETHINGTAPPED"

SomethingtappedonthepaneofmyroomWhentherewasneveratraceOfwindorrain，andIsawinthegloomMywearyBeloved’sface。

"OIamtiredofwaiting，"shesaid，"Night，morn，noon，afternoon；

Socolditisinmylonelybed，AndIthoughtyouwouldjoinmesoon!"

Iroseandnearedthewindow—glass，Butvanishedthencehadshe：

Onlyapallidmoth，alas，Tappedatthepaneforme。

August1913。

THEWOUND

Iclimbedtothecrest，And，fog—festooned，ThesunlaywestLikeacrimsonwound：

LikethatwoundofmineOfwhichnoneknew，ForI’dgivennosignThatitpiercedmethrough。

AMERRYMAKINGINQUESTION

"Iwillgetanewstringformyfiddle，Andcalltotheneighbourstocome，AndpartnersshalldancedownthemiddleUntiltheoldpewter—wareshum：

Andwe’llsipthemead，cyder，andrum!"

Fromthenightcametheoddestofanswers：

Ahollowwind，likeabassoon，Andheadstonesallrangedupasdancers，Andcypressesdroningacroon，Andgurgoylesthatmouthedtothetune。

"ISAIDANDSANGHEREXCELLENCE"

（FickleLover’sSong）

Isaidandsangherexcellence：

Theycalleditlaudundue。

（Haveyourway，myheart，O!）

YetwhatwashomagefaraboveTheplaindesertsofmyoldenLoveProvedverityofmynew。

"Shemovesasylphinpicture—land，Wherenothingfroststheair："

（Haveyourway，myheart，O!）

"ToallwingedpipersoverheadSheisknownbyshapeandsong，"Isaid，Consciousoflicencethere。

IsangofherinadimoldhallDream—builttoofancifully，（Haveyourway，myheart，O!）

Butlo，theripemonthschancedtoleadMyfeettosuchahallindeed，WherestoodtheveryShe。

Strange，startling，wasitthentolearnIhadglanceddownunborntime，（Haveyourway，myheart，O!）

Andprophesied，wherebyIknewThatwhichtheyearshadplannedtodoInwarrantyofmyrhyme。

BYRUSHY—POND。

AJANUARYNIGHT

（1879）

Therainsmitesmoreandmore，Theeastwindsnarlsandsneezes；

ThroughthejointsofthequiveringdoorThewaterwheezes。

Thetipofeachivy—shootWrithesonitsneighbour’sface；

ThereissomehiddreadafootThatwecannottrace。

IsitthespiritastrayOfthemanatthehousebelowWhosecoffintheytookinto—day？

Wedonotknow。

AKISS

Byawallthestrangernowcallshis，Wasbornofoldaparticularkiss，Withoutforethoughtinitsgenesis；

Whichinatricetookwingontheair。

Andwherethatspotisnothingshows：

Thereivycalmlygrows，AndnooneknowsWhatabirthwasthere!

Thatkissisgonewherenonecantell—

Noteventhosewhofeltitsspell：

Itcannothavedied；thatknowwewell。

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