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第2章
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WhileinthemainLanier’ssentence-constructionisgood,occasionallyhissentencesaretoolong,asin`MySprings’,`ToBayardTaylor’,and`Sunrise’,inwhichwehavesentenceslongerthantheopeningonein`ParadiseLost’,and,whatisofmoremoment,notsowellbalanced,andhenceaffordingfewerbreathingspaces。

Thatthisdetractsfromclearnessandeuphonyboth,everyreaderwilladmit。

Tocometothefiguresofspeech,onemustbestruckatoncewiththedelicacyandthevigorofLanier’simagination。Thepoet’sfancypersonifieswhatatfirstblushseemstousincapableofpersonification。

Thusatonetime*1*helikensmentoclover-leavesandtheCourse-of-thingstothebrowsingox,whichmakeswaywiththeclover-heads;

whileatanotherheaddressesanoldredhillofGeorgiaas"ThougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer。"*2*

LikeotherSouthernpoets,*3*Laniersometimesfailstocheckhisimagination,andinconsequenceleaveshisreaders"bramble-tangledinabrilliantmaze,"

asinhisdescriptionofthestarsin`JuneDreams’*4*

andinthe`PsalmoftheWest’。*5*WhileIdonotlikeamaze,brilliantthoughitbeandsweet,ImustsaythatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Onthewhole,however,Lanier’sfiguresstrikemeassingularlyfreshandhappy。

In`Sunrise’,forexample,thepoetspeaksofthemarshasfollows:

"Thetide’satfull:themarshwithfloodedstreamsGlimmersalimpidlabyrinthofdreams;"*6*

andoftheheavensreflectedinthemarshwaters:

"EachwindingcreekingraveentrancementliesArhapsodyofmorning-stars。TheskiesShinescantwithoneforkedgalaxy,——

Themarshbragsten:loopedonhisbreasttheylie。"*7*

Later,astheebb-tideflowsfrommarshtosea,weareparentheticallytreatedtothesetwolines:

"Runhome,littlestreams,Withyourlapfulsofstarsanddreams。"*8*

Finally,theheavenitselfisthuspictured:

"NowineachpettiestpersonalsphereofdewThesumm’dmornshinescompleteasintheblueBigdew-dropofallheaven;"*9*

besidewhichmustbehungthisexquisitepicture:

"Thedew-dropmornmayfallfromoffthepetalofthesky。"*10*

——

*1*In`Clover’。

*2*`Corn’,ll。185-187。

*3*SeeonthispointtheremarksofProfessorTrentinhisadmirablelifeof`Simms’(Boston,1892),p。149。

*4*`JuneDreams’,l。21ff。

*5*`PsalmoftheWest’,l。183ff。

*6*`Sunrise’,ll。80-81。

*7*Ibid。,ll。82-85。

*8*Ibid。,ll。114-115。

*9*Ibid。,ll。134-136。

*10*`TheShipofEarth’,l。5。

——

Astoversification,Lanierusesalmostallthetypesofverse——iambic,trochaic,blank,thesonnet,etc。——andwithaboutequalskill。

Threefeatures,however,speciallycharacterizehisverse:

thecarefuldistributionofvowel-colorsandthefrequentuseofalliterationandofphoneticsyzygy,*1*bywhichlastismeantacombinationorsuccessionofidenticalorsimilarconsonants,whetherinitially,medially,orfinally,asforinstancethesuccessionofM’sinTennyson’s"ThemoanofdovesinimmemorialelmsAndmurmuringofinnumerablebees。"

AllofthesephenomenaareillustratedinLanier’s`SongoftheChattahoochee’,whichhasoftenbeencomparedtoTennyson’s`TheBrook’,andwhichaloneprovestheauthoramasterinversification。Tobesure,Lanieroccasionallygivesusanimproperrhyme,as`thwart:heart’,*2*etc。,butsodoeseverypoet。

Nodoubt,too,hisloveofmusicsometimesledhim,not"tostrainforformeffects",buttoindulgetoomuchtherein,or,inthewordsofMr。Stedman,"toessayinlanguagefeatsthatonlythegamutcanrenderpossible。"*3*But,asProfessorKentadmirablyputsit,"Lanierwasapoetaswellasanartist,andifattimeshisartistictemperamentseemedtoeclipsehispoeticthought,grantthattothepoetmindtheverymannerofexpressionmayindicatethethoughtthatliesbeneath,whiletothedullerearthethoughtmustcomeincompletedform。"*4*Moreover,asweshallseelater,thisextraordinarymusicalendowmentgaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。

——

*1*See`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,p。306ff。

*2*`IntheFoam’,ll。6,8。See,too,Kent’s`StudyofLanier’sPoems’,whichgivesanexhaustivetreatmentofLanier’sversification。

*3*Stedman’s`PoetsofAmerica’,p。449。

*4*`Kent’,p。60。

——

Afterwhathasbeensaidthequalitiesofstylemaybebrieflyhandled。

Aswehavealreadyseen,Laniersometimesfailsinclearness,or,moreprecisely,insimplicity。Thiscomespartlyfrominfelicitoussentence-construction,partly,perhaps,fromLanier’sextraordinarymusicalendowment,butchiefly,Ithink,fromover-luxurianceofimagination。Butthisoccasionaldefecthasbeenundulyexaggerated。ThusMr。Gosse*1*declaresthatLanieris"neversimple,nevereasy,neverinonesinglelyricnaturalandspontaneousformorethanonestanza,"——astatementsoclearlyhyperbolicashardlytocallfornotice。Asamatteroffact,Lanierhaswrittennumerouspoemsthatofferlittleornodifficultytothereaderofaverageintelligence,as`LifeandSong’,`MySprings’,`TheSymphony’,`TheMocking-Bird’,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’,`TheWavingoftheCorn’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,`ABalladofTreesandtheMaster’,etc。Morethanthis,Lanierattimesmanifeststhesimplicitythatisgrantedonlytogeniusofthehighestorder:thusanEnglishcritic,*2*

whobythewaydeclaresthatLanier’svolumehasmoreofgeniusthanallthepoemsofPoe,orLongfellow,orLowell(thehumorouspoemsexcepted),andwhoconsidersLanierthemostoriginalofallAmericanpoets,andmoreoriginalthananyEnglandhasproducedforthelastthirtyyears,saysthat"nothingcanbemoreperfectthan——

`ThewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,’"*3*

linesin`MySprings’,andthat"thetouchofwonderinthelasttwolines,`ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,Forwhenhefrowns,’tisthenyeshine,’*4*

isassimpleandexquisiteasanytouchoftendernessinourliterature。"

IfranklyadmitthatseveralofLanier’sbestpoems,as`Corn’,`TheMarshesofGlynn’,and`Sunrise’,arenotsimple;

butthesamethingistrueofMilton’s`ParadiseLost’andofBrowning’s`TheRingandtheBook’,andyetthisfactdoesnotexcludethesetwoworksfromthelistofgreatpoems。Mr。Gosse,however,declaresthat`Corn’,`Sunrise’,and`TheMarshesofGlynn’"simulatepoeticexpressionwithextraordinaryskill。Butoftherealthing,ofthegenuinetraditionalarticle,notatrace"!Whatdothesepoemsshow,then?

Mr。Gosseanswers:"Ifindapainfuleffort,astrainandrage,themostprominentqualitiesineverythinghewrote;"whichstrikesmeasthereverseofthefacts。Inoneofhisletters*5*toJudgeBleckley,Lanierwrotethissentence:"Myheadandmyheartarebothsofullofpoemswhichthedreadfulstruggleforbreaddoesnotgivemetimetoputonpaper,thatIamoftendriventoheadacheandheartache,purelyforwantofanhourortwotoholdapen。"If,then,hecommittedanerror(andIamfarfromconsideringhimfaultless),itwasnotthathebeatandspurredonPegasus,butthathefailedtoreinhimin。Still,IrepeatthatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Finally,justasMiltontellsusthatthemusicofthespheresisnottobeheardbythegross,unpurgedear,soIbelievethatmanyintelligentearsandeyesareatfirsttoogrosstohearandseewhatLanierputsbeforethem,whereasabitofpatientlisteningandlookingrevealsdelightshithertoundreamedof。

——

*1*See`Bibliography’。

*2*`TheSpectator’(London);see`Bibliography’。

*3*`MySprings’,ll。49-50。

*4*`MySprings’,ll。55-56。

*5*Itistobehopedthattheselettersmayyetbepublished。

IquotefromonedatedNovember15,1874。

——

Ifnotalwayssimple,Lanierisoftenforcibleintheextreme,asin`TheSymphony’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,and`Sunrise’。

Ofcourse,itisopentoanyonetoseeinthesepoemsthe"rage"

attributedtoLanierbyMr。Gosse,butIprefertoconsideritdivinewrathinallbutthelast,andinitwonderunutterable,whichyetissoutteredthatearsbecomeeyes。Ialludetothestanzas*describingthebreakofdawnandtherisingofthesun。

——

*`Sunrise’,ll。86-152。

——

Ofthepoet’smarvelouseuphony,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’

speaksclearlyenough。Aswehaveseeninourtreatmentofversification,itishereaquestionnotoftoolittlebutoftoomuch。

But,despiteanoccasionaltoogreatyieldingtohispassionformusic,hisextraordinaryendowmentinthisdirectiongaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。IquoteagainfromProfessorKent:*

"Butifhissenseofbeautymadehimapeerofourgreatpoets,itwastheheavenlygiftofmusicthatdistinguishedhimfromthem。

Milton,itistrue,whomhemostresemblesinthisrespect,hadaknowledgeofmusic,butnotthesamepassionforit。Milton’smusicwasmorearecreation,anaccompanimentofreverie;Lanier’swasafieryzeal;

ayearninglove,achosenandadequateformofexpressionofhissoul’sdeepestfeeling。Combinedwiththispassionformusicwashistechnicalknowledgeoftheart,andthesecombinedformedatoncethefoundationandtheframeworkofhispoetry。Heseemsliterallytohavesunghispoems;theyareessentiallymusical,tuneful,andmelodious。

Surchargedwithmusic,heoverflowsinmellifluousnumbers。Here,then,Lanierstandsoutdifferentiatedinthechoirofpoets,andherewefindthatdistinctivequalitywhichistheveryflavorofhiswriting。"

——

*P。62。

——

WhilemostofLanier’spoemsareinaseriousstrain,severaldisclosenomeansenseofhumor。Irefertohisdialectpoems,suchas`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’,`UncleJim’sBaptistRevivalHymn’,and`ThePowerofPrayer’,especiallythelast,writteninconjunctionwithhisbrother,Mr。CliffordLanier。

Therearepassagesinthepoemsnolesspatheticthanthepoet’slife。

Indiscussinghisloveofnaturewehaveseenthathewasapantheistinthebestsenseoftheterm。Sodelicatewashissensibilitythatwedonotwonderwhenwehearhimdeclaring,"AndIamonewithallthekinsmenthingsThate’ermyFatherfathered,"*

asayingasfelicitousastheRoman’s"Iamaman,and,therefore,nothinghumanisstrangertome。"Thetendernessofthe`BalladofTreesandtheMaster’musttouchallreaders。

Fewpassagesaremorepathetic,Ithink,thanthat,in`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,tellingofthepoet’sstruggleforbreadandfame,while"hisworshipfulsweetwifesatstill,afar,withinthevillagewhenceshesenthimforth,waitingallconfidentandproudandcalm。"

And,ifthereoccursthereinaplaintivetone,letusrememberthatitistheonlytimethathecomplainedofhislot,andthatherereallyhehasmoreinmindhisdearerself,hiswife,andthatcalmsucceededtounrestjustasitdoesinthispassage:

"`Whycanwepoetsdreamusbeauty,so,Butcannotdreamusbread?Why,now,canI

Make,aye,createthisfervidthrobbingJuneOutofthechill,chillmatterofmysoul,Yetcannotmakeapoorestpenny-loafOutofthissamechillmatter,no,notoneForMary,thoughshestarveduponmybreast?’

Andthenhefelluponhiscouch,andsobbed,And,late,justwhenhisheartleanedo’erTheveryedgeofbreaking,faintofall,Godsenthimsleep。"**

——

*`AFloridaSunday’,ll。102-103。

**`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,ll。68-78。

——

V。Lanier’sTheoryofPoetryItisnowtimetosayawordaboutLanier’stheoryofart,especiallytheartofpoetry。Hisviewsupontheformalsideofpoetryhavealreadybeennoticedintheconsiderationofhis`ScienceofEnglishVerse’,andhencereceivenofurthercommenthere。

ThatLanierkeenlyappreciatedtheresponsibilityrestingupontheartist,appearsfrom`Individuality’,wherehetellsus,"Awfulisartbecause’tisfree,"*1*

and,"Eachartist——giftofterror!——ownshiswill。"*2*

Butheacceptstheresponsibilityreverentlyandconfidently:

"Iworkinfreedomwild,Butwork,asplaysalittlechild,SureoftheFather,Self,andLove,alone。"*3*

——

*1*`Individuality’,l。62。

*2*`Individuality’,l。76。

*3*`Individuality’,ll。89-91。

——

Again,theprovinceofpoetryispointedout,asin`Clover’:

"Theartist’smarketistheheartofman;

Theartist’sprice,somelittlegoodofman;"*1*

andin`TheBee’:

"Wiltask,`Whatprofite’erapoetbrings?’

HebearethstarrystuffabouthiswingsTopollentheeandstingtheefertile。"*2*

In`Corn’,*3*too,the"tallcorn-captain""typesthepoet-soulsublime。"

——

*1*`Clover’,ll。126-127。

*2*`TheBee’,ll。40-42。

*3*`Corn’,l。52ff。

——

ButitisinhisproseworksthatLanierhastreatedthemattermostatlength,andtotheseIturn。Inthefirstplace,heinsiststhattobeanartistonemustknowagreatdeal,astatementthatwouldappearsuperfluousbutforitsfrequentoverlookingbywould-beartists。Henceheisrightinwarningyoungwriters:

"Youneednotdreamofwinningtheattentionofsoberpeoplewithyourpoetryunlessthatpoetryandyoursoulbehinditareinformedandsaturatedwithatleastthelargestfinalconceptionsofcurrentscience。"*

ThatLanierstrovetofollowthisprecept,wehaveabundantevidenceinhislifeandinhisworks;andIthinkthat,ifwerememberhisenvironments,wemustwonderatthevastness,theaccuracy,andthevarietyofhisknowledge。Asadditionallyillustrativeofthelast,ImayaddthatLanierinventedsomeimprovementsfortheflute,andmadeadiscoveryinthephysicsofmusicthattheProfessorofPhysicsintheUniversityofVirginiathoughtconsiderable。**

——

*`Gates’,p。29。

**See`West’,p。23。

——

Inthesecondplace,Lanierthinksthatapoet’sknowledgeofhisartshouldbescientific。Itwasthisthatledhimtowrite`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,themottoofwhichis,"Butthebestconceptionscannotbe,savewherescienceandgeniusare。"

In`TheEnglishNovel’hedeclaresthat"notasingleversewaseverwrittenbyinstinctalonesincetheworldbegan,"*

andfortifieshisstatementbyBenJonson’stributetoShakespeare,——

"Foragoodpoet’smadeaswellasborn,Andsuchwertthou。"

ButLanierclearlysawthatnoformallawsandnoamountofscientificknowledgecouldalonemakeapoet,asappearsfromthemottoabovequoted,fromtheclosingchapterof`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,whichtellsusthattheeducatedloveofbeautyistheartist’sonlylaw,andfromthisothermotto,fromSirPhilipSidney:"APoet,noindustriecanmake,ifhisowneGeniusbeenotcarrieduntoit。"

——

*`TheEnglishNovel’,p。33。

——

Inthethirdplace,Lanierholdsthatamoralintentiononthepartofanartistdoesnotinterferewiththenaturalnessorintrinsicbeautyofhiswork;thatinartthecontrollingconsiderationisrathermoralthanartisticbeauty;butthatmoralbeautyandartisticbeauty,sofarfrombeingdistinctoropposed,areconvergentandmutuallyhelpful。

Thisthesisheupholdsinthefollowingeloquentandcogentpassage:

"Permitmetorecalltoyouinthefirstplacethattherequirementhasbeenfromtimeimmemorialthatwhereverthereiscontestasbetweenartisticandmoralbeauty,unlessthemoralsideprevail,allislost。Letanysculptorhewusoutthemostravishingcombinationoftendercurvesandsphericsoftnessthateverstoodforwoman;

yetiftheliphaveacertainfulnessthathintsoftheflesh,ifthebrowbeinsincere,ifintheminutestparticularthephysicalbeautysuggestamoralugliness,thatsculptor——unlesshebeportrayingamoraluglinessforamoralpurpose——mayaswellgiveoverhismarbleforpaving-stones。Time,whosejudgmentsareinexorablymoral,willnotaccepthiswork。Forindeedwemaysaythathewhohasnotyetperceivedhowartisticbeautyandmoralbeautyareconvergentlineswhichrunbackintoacommonidealorigin,andwhothereforeisnotafirewithmoralbeautyjustaswithartisticbeauty——thathe,inshort,whohasnotcometothatstageofquietandeternalfrenzyinwhichthebeautyofholinessandtheholinessofbeautymeanonething,burnasonefire,shineasonelight,withinhim;heisnotyetthegreatartist。"*BycopiousquotationsLanierthenshowsthat"manyfineandbeautifulsoulsappearafterawhiletoloseallsenseofdistinctionbetweentheseterms,Beauty,Truth,Love,Wisdom,Goodness,andthelike,"andconcludesthus:"Andifthisbetrue,cannotonesaywithauthoritytotheyoungartist,——whetherworkinginstone,incolor,intones,orincharacter-formsofthenovel:

sofarfromdreadingthatyourmoralpurposewillinterferewithyourbeautifulcreation,goforwardintheclearconvictionthatunlessyouaresuffused——soulandbody,onemightsay——

withthatmoralpurposewhichfindsitslargestexpressioninlove——thatis,theloveofallthingsintheirproperrelation——

unlessyouaresuffusedwiththislove,donotdaretomeddlewithbeauty;

unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,donotmeddlewithlove;

unlessyouaresuffusedwithtruth,donotdaretomeddlewithgoodness;——

inaword,unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,truth,wisdom,goodness,ANDlove,abandonthehopethattheageswillacceptyouasanartist。"**

——

*`TheEnglishNovel’,p。272f。

**`TheEnglishNovel’,p。280。Ofthenumerousdiscussionsofthisthesis,thestudentshouldconsultatleastthosebyMatthewArnold(`Preface’tohiseditionof`Wordsworth’sPoems’),JohnRuskin(`StonesofVenice’,vol。iii。,chap。iv。),andVictorHugo(`WilliamShakespeare’,BookVI。)。

——

VI。ConclusionMiltonhassomewheresaidthatinordertobeagreatpoetonemusthimselfbeatruepoem,adictumnonethelesstrustworthybecauseofitsinapplicabilitytoitsauthoralongwithseveralothergreatpoets。NowofallEnglishpoets,IknowofnonethatcamenearerbeingatruepoemthandidLanier。

Hewasasspotlessas"theLadyofChrist’s",andinfinitelymorelovable。

Indeed,heseemstometohaverealizedtheidealofhisownknightlyHorn,whohopesthatsomedaymenwillbe"maidsinpurity"。*

Iwillnotrecallhisgentleyetheroiclifeamiddrawbacksalmostunparalleled;foritisevensadderthanitisbeautiful。

Itismydeliberatejudgmentthat,while,asthepoetsaysinhis`LifeandSong’,nosingerhaseverwhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Laniercamesonearitthatwemayfairlysay,intheclosinglinesofthepoem,"Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand。"

And,formypart,Iamasgratefulforhisnobleprivatelifeasforhisdistinguishedpublicwork。

——

*`TheSymphony’,l。302。

——

AndyetIwillnotclosewiththispictureoftheman;formypurposeisrathertopresentthepoet。Hamperedthoughhewasbyfewnessofyears,byfeeblenessofbody,byshortnessofbread,and,mostofallperhaps,byover-luxurianceofimagination,Lanierwasyet,tomymind,indisputablyagreatpoet。ForintechniquehewasakintoTennyson;*

intheloveofbeautyandinlyricsweetness,toKeatsandShelley;

intheloveofnature,toWordsworth;andinspirituality,toRuskin,thegistofwhoseteachingisthatwearesoulstemporarilyhavingbodies;

toMilton,"God-giftedorgan-voiceofEngland";andtoBrowning,"subtlestassertorofthesoulinsong"。Tobesure,Lanier’sgeniusisnotequaltothatofanyoneofthepoetsmentioned,butIventuretobelievethatitisofthesameorder,and,therefore,deservingoflastingremembrance。

——

*Mr。Thayerputsitstronger:"AsamasterofmelodiousmetreonlyTennyson,andhenotoften,hasequalledLanier。"Mr。F。F。Browne,Editorof`TheDial’(Chicago),comparesthetwopoetsinanotheraspect:

"`TheSymphony’ofLaniermayrecallsomepartsof`Maud’;

buttheyoungerpoet’streatmentisasmuchhisownastheelder’sishisown。ThecomparisonofLanierwithTennysonwill,indeed,onlydeepentheimpressionofhisoriginality,whichishismoststrikingquality。ItmaybedoubtedifanyEnglishpoetofourtime,exceptTennyson,hascasthisworkinanamplermould,orwroughtwithmoreoffreedom,orstampedhisproductwiththeimpressofastrongerpersonality。Histhought,hisstand-point,hisexpression,hisform,histreatment,arehisalone;andthroughthemallhejustifieshisrighttothetitleofpoet。"

——

PoemsLifeandSongIflifewerecaughtbyaclarionet,[1]

Andawildheart,throbbinginthereed,Shouldthrillitsjoyandtrillitsfret,Andutteritsheartineverydeed,ThenwouldthisbreathingclarionetTypewhatthepoetfainwouldbe;

Fornoneo’thesingerseveryetHaswhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Orclearlysunghistrue,truethought,Orutterlybodiedforthhislife,Oroutoflifeandsonghaswrought[11]

Theperfectoneofmanandwife;

Orlivedandsung,thatLifeandSongMighteachexpresstheother’sall,CarelessiflifeorartwerelongSincebothwereone,tostandorfall:

Sothatthewonderstruckthecrowd,Whoshouteditabouttheland:

`Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand!’

____

1868。

Notes:LifeandSong`LifeandSong’isthefifthofaseriesofsevenpoemspublishedunderthegeneralheadingof`Street-cries’,withthetwostanzasfollowingasanintroduction:

"OftseemstheTimeamarket-townWheremanymerchant-spiritsmeetWhoupanddownandupanddownCryoutalongthestreet"Theirneeds,aswares;oneTHUS,oneSO:

Tillallthewaysarefullofsound:

——Butstillcomerain,andsun,andsnow,Andstilltheworldgoesround。"

Theremainingnumbersoftheseriesare:1。`Remonstrance’,giveninthisvolume;2。`TheShipofEarth’;3。`HowLoveLookedforHell’;

4。`Tyranny’;6。`ToRichardWagner’;7。`ASongofLove’。

IcanthinkofnomorehelpfulcommentonthesubjectofourpoemthanthissentencefromMilton’s`ApologyforSmectymnuus’,alreadyalludedtointhe`Introduction’(p。liv[PartVI]):

"Andlongitwasnotafter,whenIwasconfirmedinthisopinion,thathewhowouldnotbefrustrateofhishopetowritewellhereafterinlaudablethings,oughthimselftobeatruepoem;thatis,acompositionandpatternofthebestandhonorablestthings;

notpresumingtosinghighpraisesofheroicmenorfamouscities,unlesshehaveinhimselftheexperienceandthepracticeofallthatwhichispraiseworthy。"

Lines19-20。IhavebeenpleasedtodiscoverthattheapplicationIhavemadeofthispoem,especiallyoftheselines(see`Introduction’,p。liv[PartVI]),islikewisemadebymoststudentsofLanier’slife,andthatMrs。Lanierhaschosenthesetwolinesforinscriptiononthemonumenttobeerectedtohismemory。

Onthereversesideofthestone,Imayadd,aretobeputthesewords:

"HethatdwellethinlovedwellethinGod"(IJohniv。16)。

Jones’sPrivateArgymentThatairsameJones,whichlivedinJones,[1]

Hehadthispintabouthim:

He’dswearwithahundredsighsandgroans,ThatfarmersMUSTstopgittin’loans,Andgitalongwithout’em:

Thatbankers,warehousemen,andsichWasfatt’nin’ontheplanter,AndTennessywasrotten-richA-raisin’meatandcorn,allwhichDraw’dmoneytoAtlanta:

Andtheonlything(saysJones)todo[11]

Is,eatnomeatthat’sboughten:

BUTTEARUPEVERYI,O,U,ANDPLANTALLCORNANDSWEARFORTRUE

TOQUITA-RAISIN’COTTON!

ThusspoutedJones(wharfolkscouldhear,——AtCourtandothergatherin’s),Andthuskep’spoutin’manyayear,Proclaimin’loudlyfarandnearSichfiddlesticksandblatherin’s。

But,oneall-firedsweatin’day,[21]

IthappenedIwashoein’

Mylowercorn-field,whichitlay’LongsidetheroadthatrunsmywayWharIcanseewhat’sgoin’。

Anda’tertwelveo’clockhadcomeIfeltakinderfaggin’,Andlaidmyselfun’neathaplumToletmydinnersettlesum,When’longcomeJones’swaggin,AndJoneswassettin’init,SO:[31]

A-readin’ofapaper。

Hismuleswasgoin’powerfulslow,FurhehadtiedthelinesontoThestapleofthescraper。

ThemulestheystoppedaboutarodFromme,andwenttofeedin’

’Longsidetheroad,uponthesod,ButJones(whichhehadtuckatod)

Notknowin’,kepta-readin’。

Andpresentlysayshe:"Hit’strue;[41]

ThatClisby’sheadislevel。

Thar’sonethingfarmersallmustdo,Tokeepthemselvesfromgoin’tewBankruptcyandthedevil!

"Morecorn!morecorn!MUSTplantlessground,AndMUSTN’Teatwhat’sboughten!

Nextyearthey’lldoit:reasonin’ssound:

(And,cottonwillfetch’boutadollarapound),THARFORE,I’LLplantALLcotton!"

____

Macon,Ga。,1870。

Notes:Jones’sPrivateArgymentThethemesofthispoem,therelativeclaimsofcornandcottonupontheattentionofthefarmerandthedisastrousresultsofspeculation,aretreatedindirectlyin`Thar’sMoreintheManThanTharIsintheLand’,anddirectlyandwithconsummateartin`Corn’。

1。"ThatairsameJones"appearsin`Thar’sMore’,etc。,writtenin1869,inwhichwearetold:

"Andhelivedprettymuchbygittin’ofloans,Andhismuleswasnuthin’butskinandbones,Andhishogswasflatashiscorn-breadpones,Andhehad’boutathousandacreso’land。"

HesellshisfarmtoBrownatadollarandfiftycentsanacreandgoestoTexas。Brownimprovesthefarm,and,afterfiveyears,issittingdowntoabigdinnerwhenJonesisdiscoveredstandingoutbythefence,withoutwagonormules,"furhehadleftTexasafootandcumtoGeorgytoseeifhecouldn’tgitsomeemployment。"

BrowninvitesJonesintodinner,butcannotrefrainfromtheinference-drawingthatnamesthepoem。——"WhichlivedinJones,"

"whichJonesisacountyofredhillsandstones"(`Thar’sMore’,etc。)

incentralGeorgia。

13。Readersof`DavidCopperfield’willrecallMicawber’sfrequentuseof`I-O-U-’s’。

47。"Clisby’shead"referstoMr。JosephClisby,theneditoroftheMacon(Ga。)`TelegraphandMessenger’,whohadwritteneditorialsfavoringtheplantingofmorecorn。

CornTo-daythewoodsaretremblingthroughandthrough[1]

Withshimmeringforms,thatflashbeforemyview,Thenmeltingreenasdawn-starsmeltinblue。

TheleavesthatwaveagainstmycheekcaressLikewomen’shands;theembracingboughsexpressAsubtletyofmightytenderness;

Thecopse-depthsintolittlenoisesstart,Thatsoundanonlikebeatingsofaheart,Anonliketalk’twixtlipsnotfarapart。

Thebeechdreamsbalm,asadreamerhumsasong;

Throughthatvaguewafture,expirationsstrong[11]

ThrobfromyounghickoriesbreathingdeepandlongWithstressandurgenceboldofprisonedspringAndecstasyofburgeoning。

Now,sincethedew-plashedroadofmornisdry,ForthventureodorsofmorequalityAndheavenliergiving。LikeJove’slocksawry,LongmuscadinesRich-wreathethespaciousforeheadsofgreatpines,Andbreatheambrosialpassionfromtheirvines。

Ipraywithmosses,ferns,andflowersshy[21]

ThathidelikegentlenunsfromhumaneyeToliftadoringperfumestothesky。

Ihearfaintbridal-sighsofbrownandgreenDyingtosilenthintsofkisseskeenAsfarlightsfringeintoapleasantsheen。

Istartatfragmentarywhispers,blownFromundertalksofleafysoulsunknown,Vaguepurportssweet,ofinarticulatetone。

Dreamingofgods,men,nuns,andbrides,betweenOldcompaniesofoaksthatinwardlean[31]

TojointheirradiantamplitudesofgreenIslowlymove,withranginglooksthatpassUpfromthemattedmiraclesofgrassIntoyonveinedcomplexofspaceWhereskyandleafageinterlaceSoclose,theheavenofblueisseenInwovenwithaheavenofgreen。

Iwandertothezigzag-corneredfenceWheresassafras,intrenchedinbramblesdense,Contestswithstolidvehemence[41]

Themarchofculture,settinglimbandthornAspikesagainstthearmyofthecorn。

There,whileIpause,myfieldward-faringeyesTakeharvests,wherethestatelycorn-ranksrise,OfinwarddignitiesAndlargebenignitiesandinsightswise,Gracesandmodestmajesties。

Thus,withouttheft,Ireapanother’sfield;

Thus,withouttilth,Ihouseawondrousyield,Andheapmyheartwithquintuplecropsconcealed。[51]

Look,outoflineonetallcorn-captainstandsAdvancedbeyondtheforemostofhisbands,AndwaveshisbladesupontheveryedgeAndhottestthicketofthebattlinghedge。

Thoulustrousstalk,thatne’ermaystwalknortalk,Stillshaltthoutypethepoet-soulsublimeThatleadsthevanwardofhistimidtimeAndsingsupcowardswithcommandingrhyme——

Soulcalm,likethee,yetfain,likethee,togrowBydoubleincrement,above,below;[61]

Soulhomely,asthouart,yetrichingracelikethee,TeachingtheyeomenselflesschivalryThatmovesingentlecurvesofcourtesy;

Soulfilledlikethylongveinswithsweetnesstense,ByeverygodlikesenseTransmutedfromthefourwildelements。

Drawntohighplans,Thoulift’stmorestaturethanamortalman’s,YeteverpiercestdownwardinthemouldAndkeepesthold[71]

UponthereverendandsteadfastearthThatgavetheebirth;

Yea,standestsmilinginthyfuturegrave,Sereneandbrave,WithunremittingbreathInhalinglifefromdeath,Thineepitaphwritfairinfruitageeloquent,Thyselfthymonument。

Aspoetsshould,Thouhastbuiltupthyhardihood[81]

Withuniversalfood,DrawninselectproportionfairFromhonestmouldandvagabondair;

Fromdarknessofthedreadfulnight,Andjoyfullight;

Fromantiqueashes,whosedepartedflameIntheehasfinerlifeandlongerfame;

Fromwoundsandbalms,Fromstormsandcalms,Frompotsherdsanddrybones[91]

Andruin-stones。

IntothyvigoroussubstancethouhastwroughtWhate’erthehandofCircumstancehathbrought;

Yea,intocoolsolacinggreenhastspunWhiteradiancehotfromoutthesun。

SothoudostmutuallyleavenStrengthofearthwithgraceofheaven;

SothoudostmarrynewandoldIntoaoneofhighermould;

Sothoudostreconcilethehotandcold,[101]

Thedarkandbright,Andmanyaheart-perplexingopposite,Andso,Akinbybloodtohighandlow,Fitlythouplayestoutthypoet’spart,Richlyexpendingthymuch-bruisedheartInequalcaretonourishlordinhallOrbeastinstall:

Thoutook’stfromallthatthoumightstgivetoall。

Osteadfastdwellerontheselfsamespot[111]

Wherethouwastborn,thatstillrepinestnot——

Typeofthehome-fondheart,thehappylot!——

DeeplythymildcontentrebukesthelandWhoseflimsyhomes,builtontheshiftingsandOftrade,foreverriseandfallWithalternationwhimsical,Enduringscarceaday,ThensweptawayByswiftengulfmentsofincalculabletidesWhereoncapriciousCommercerides。[121]

Look,thousubstantialspiritofcontent!

Acrossthislittlevale,thycontinent,Towhere,beyondthemoulderingmill,YonolddesertedGeorgianhillBarestothesunhispiteousagedcrestAndseamybreast,Byrestless-heartedchildrenlefttolieUntendedtherebeneaththeheedlesssky,Asbarbarousfolkexposetheiroldtodie。

Uponthatgenerous-roundingside,[131]

WithgulliesscarifiedWherekeenNeglecthislashhathplied,DweltoneIknewofold,whoplayedattoil,AndgavetocoquetteCottonsoulandsoil。

Scorningtheslowrewardofpatientgrain,Hesowedhisheartwithhopesofswiftergain,Thensathimdownandwaitedfortherain。

Hesailedinborrowedshipsofusury——

AfoolishJasononatreacheroussea,SeekingtheFleeceandfindingmisery。[141]

Lulledbysmooth-ripplingloans,inidletranceHelay,contentthatunthriftCircumstanceShouldploughforhimthestonyfieldofChance。

Yea,gatheringcropswhoseworthnomanmighttell,HestakedhislifeongamesofBuy-and-Sell,Andturnedeachfieldintoagambler’shell。

Aye,aseachyearbegan,Myfarmertotheneighboringcityran;

PassedwithamournfulanxiousfaceIntothebanker’sinnerplace;[151]

Parleyed,excused,pleadedforlongergrace;

Railedatthedrought,theworm,therust,thegrass;

Protestedne’eragain’twouldcometopass;

Withmanyan`oh’and`if’and`butalas’

Parriedorswallowedsearchingquestionsrude,AndkissedthedusttosoftenDives’smood。

Atlast,smallloansbypledgesgreatrenewed,Heissuessmilingfromthefataldoor,AndbuyswithlavishhandhisyearlystoreTillhissmallborrowingswillyieldnomore。[161]

Aye,aseachyeardeclined,Withbitterheartandever-broodingmindHemournedhisfateunkind。

Indust,inrain,withmightandmain,Henursedhiscotton,cursedhisgrain,Frettedfornewsthatmadehimfretagain,SnatchedateachtelegramofFutureSale,AndthrilledwithBulls’orBears’alternatewail——

Inhopeorfearalikeforeverpale。

Andthusfromyeartoyear,throughhopeandfear,[171]

Withmanyacurseandmanyasecrettear,Strivinginvainhiscloudofdebttoclear,AtlastHewoketofindhisfoolishdreamingpast,Andallhisbest-of-lifetheeasypreyOfsquanderingscampsandquacksthatlinedhiswayWithvilearray,Fromrascalstatesmandowntopettyknave;

Himself,atbest,forallhisbraggingbrave,Agamester’scatspawandabanker’sslave。[181]

Then,wornandgray,andsickwithdeepunrest,HefledawayintotheobliviousWest,Unmourned,unblest。

Oldhill!oldhill!thougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer——

King,thatnosubjectmannorbeastmayown,Discrowned,undaughteredandalone——

YetshallthegreatGodturnthyfate,Andbringtheebackintothymonarchstate[191]

Andmajestyimmaculate。

Lo,throughhotwaveringsoftheAugustmorn,ThougivestfromthyvastysidesforlornVisionsofgoldentreasuriesofcorn——

RipelargesselingeringforsomebolderheartThatmanfullyshalltakethypart,Andtendthee,Anddefendthee,Withantiquesinewandwithmodernart。

____

Sunnyside,Ga。,August,1874。

Notes:CornAsstatedelsewhere(`Introduction’,p。xvii[PartI]),`Corn’wasthefirstofLanier’spoemstoattractgeneralattention;

forthisreasonaswellasforitsabsolutemeritthepoemdeservescarefulstudy。

InthefirstofhisletterstotheHon。LoganE。Bleckley,Chief-justiceofGeorgia,datedOctober9,1874,Laniertellsushowhecametowrite`Corn’:"IencloseMS。ofapoeminwhichIhaveendeavoredtocarrysomeveryprosaicmattersuptoaloftierplane。IhavebeenstruckwithalarminseeingthenumbersofdesertedoldhomesteadsandgulliedhillsintheoldercountiesofGeorgia:and,thoughtheyaredreadfullycommonplace,Ihavethoughttheyaresurelymournfulenoughtobepoetic。"

Intheintroductorynoteto`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’

Ihaveincidentallystatedthethemeof`Corn’。Insteadofaddingamoredetailedstatementofmyownhere,IgiveJudgeBleckley’sanalysisofthepoem,whichoccursinhisreplytotheabove-mentionedletter。

Aftergivingvariousminutecriticism(forLanierhadrequestedhisunreservedjudgment),JudgeBleckleycontinues:

"Now,forthegeneralimpressionwhichyourOdehasmadeuponme。

Itpresentsfourpictures;threeofthemlandscapesandoneaportrait。

Youpaintthewoods,acorn-field,andaworn-outhill。

Theseareyourlandscapes。Andyourportraitisthelikenessofananxious,unthriftycotton-planterwhoalwaysspendshiscropbeforehehasmadeit,borrowsonheavyinteresttocarryhimselfoverfromyeartoyear,wearsouthisland,meetsatlastwithutterruin,andmigratestotheWest。

Yoursecondlandscapeisturnedintoavegetableperson,andyougiveitsportraitwithmanytouchesofmarvelandmysteryinvegetablelife。YourthirdlandscapetakesforaninstanttheformandtragicstateofKingLear;youthusmakeitseizeonoursympathiesasifitwerearealperson,andyouthenrestoreittotheinanimate,andcontemplateitspossiblebeneficenceinthedistantfuture。"

Acomparisonofthefirstdraftof`Corn’,assentJudgeBleckley,withthefinalformshowsthatLaniermademanyminutechangesinthepoem,especiallyintheearlierpart。Stillthisearlierdraftagreessubstantiallywiththelater,andwassofineinconceptionandexecutionastocallforththiscommendationofJudgeBleckley,which,despitetheshortcomingsof`Corn’,maywithgreaterjusticebeappliedtothepoeminitspresentform:"AsanartistyouseemtobeItalianinthefirsttwopictures,andDutchorFlemishinthelattertwo。

InyourItalianveinyoupaintwiththeutmostdelicacyandfinish。

Thedrawingisscrupulouslycorrectandthecolorsoftandharmonious。

WhenyoupaintinDutchorFlemishyouareclearandstrong,butsometimeshard。Thereislessidealizationandmoreoftherealisticelement——yourSOLIDSpredominateoveryourfluids。"

Asalreadystated,Lanierhastwootherpoemsthatindirectlytreatthethemeof`Corn’,namely,`Thar’sMoreintheMan’and`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’。

Moreover,hehas`TheWavingoftheCorn’,which,thoughcharming,isneithersoelaboratenorartisticas`Corn’。

Amongpoemsoncornbyotherwritersmaybementionedthefollowing:

1。Whittier’s`TheCorn-song’(before1872),apoemofpraiseandthanksgivingattheendof`TheHuskers’,whichtellsofthegatheringofthecornandofthe"corn-husking",knownintheSouthasthe"corn-shucking"。

2。Woolson’s(ConstanceF。)`CornFields’,adescriptionofOhiofields,in`Harper’sMonthly’,45,444,Aug。,1872。

3。Thompson’s(Maurice)`DroppingCorn’(1877),adaintylovelyric,in`Poems’(Boston,1892),p。78。

4。Cromwell’s(S。C。)`Corn-shuckingSong’,adialectpoem,in`Harper’,69,807,Oct。,1884。

5。Coleman’s(C。W。)`Corn’,in`TheAtlanticMonthly’,70,228,Aug。,1892,which,sinceitconsistsofbutfourlinesandismorelikeLanier’spoemthanaretheothers,maybequoted:

"DrawnupinserriedranksacrossthefieldsThat,aswegaze,seemevertoincrease,Withtasseledflagsandsun-emblazonedshields,Thegloriousarmyofearth’sperfectpeace。"

6。Hayne’s(W。H。)`AmidtheCorn’,acharmingaccountofthedenizensofthecorn-fields,inhis`SylvanLyrics’(NewYork,1893),p。12。

7。Dumas’s(W。T。)`Corn-shucking’and`TheLastEarofCorn’,bothlife-likepicturesofplantationlife,inhis`TheGoldenDayandMiscellaneousPoems’(Phila。,1893)。

Otherinterestingarticlesare:`Mondamin,ortheOriginofIndianCorn’,in`TheSouthernLiteraryMessenger’(Richmond,Va。),29,12-13,July,1859;

`AGeorgiaCorn-shucking’,byD。C。Barrow,Jr。,in`TheCenturyMagazine’

(NewYork),2,873-878,Oct。,1882;and`OldAmericanCustoms:ACorn-party’,anaccountofacorn-huskinginNewYork,in`TheSaturdayReview’(London),66,237-238,Aug。25,1888。

4-9。See`Introduction’,p。xxxii[PartIII],andcompare`TheSymphony’,ll。183-190。

18。PaulHamiltonHayne,whoseloveofnaturerivalsLanier’s,hasaninterestingpoementitled`Muscadines’(`Poems’,Boston,1882,pp。222-224)。

21。Compare`TheSymphony’,l。117ff。

57。See`Introduction’,p。l[PartV]。

125。Inherintroductorynoteto`Corn’Mrs。Lanierthuslocalizesthepoem:

"His`fieldward-faringeyestookharvest’`amongthestatelycorn-ranks,’

inaportionofmiddleGeorgiasixtymilestothenorthofMacon。

ItisahightractofcountryfromwhichonelooksacrossthelowerreachestothedistantBlueRidgeMountains,whosewholesomebreath,allunobstructed,hereblendswiththewoods-odorsofthebeech,thehickory,andthemuscadine:apartofarangerecalledelsewherebyMr。Lanieras`thatamplestretchofgeneroussoil,wheretheAppalachianruggednessescalmthemselvesintopleasanthillsbeforedyingquiteawayintothesea-boardlevels’——where`amancanfindsuchtemperancesofheavenandearth——enoughofstrugglewithnaturetodrawoutmanhood,withenoughofbountytosanctionthestruggle——

thatamoreexquisiteco-adaptationofallblessedcircumstancesforman’slifeneednotbesought。’"

140。See`Jason’inanyDictionaryofMythology。*

——

*Gayley’s`TheClassicMythsinEnglishLiterature’(Boston,Ginn&Co。)

isanexcellentbook。

——

157。`Dives’:SeeAppendixtoWebster’s`InternationalDictionary’。

168。`FutureSale’——saleforfuturedelivery。

185-6。SeeShakespeare’s`KingLear’。

MySpringsIntheheartoftheHillsofLife,Iknow[1]

TwospringsthatwithunbrokenflowForeverpourtheirlucentstreamsIntomysoul’sfarLakeofDreams。

Notlargerthantwoeyes,theylieBeneaththemany-changingskyAndmirroralloflifeandtime,——Sereneanddaintypantomime。

Shotthroughwithlightsofstarsanddawns,Andshadowedsweetbyfernsandfawns,——Thusheavenandearthtogethervie[11]

Theirshiningdepthstosanctify。

AlwayswhenthelargeFormofLoveIshidbystormsthatrageabove,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeLoveinhisveryverity。

AlwayswhenFaithwithstiflingstressOfgriefhathdiedinbitterness,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAFaiththatsmilesimmortally。

AlwayswhenCharityandHope,[21]

Indarknessbounden,feeblygrope,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeALightthatsetsmycaptivesfree。

Always,whenArtonperversewingFlieswhereIcannothearhimsing,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAcharmthatbringshimbacktome。

WhenLaborfaints,andGloryfails,AndcoyRewardinsighsexhales,Igazeinmytwospringsandsee[31]

Attainmentfullandheavenly。

OLove,OWife,thineeyesarethey,——MyspringsfromoutwhoseshininggrayIssuethesweetcelestialstreamsThatfeedmylife’sbrightLakeofDreams。

Ovalandlargeandpassion-pureAndgrayandwiseandhonor-sure;

Softasadyingviolet-breathYetcalmlyunafraidofdeath;

Thronged,liketwodove-cotesofgraydoves,[41]

Withwife’sandmother’sandpoor-folk’sloves,Andhome-lovesandhighglory-lovesAndscience-lovesandstory-loves,AndlovesforallthatGodandmanInartandnaturemakeorplan,Andlady-lovesforspiderylaceAndbroideriesandsupplegraceAnddiamondsandthewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,AndlovesforGodandGod’sbaretruth,[51]

AndlovesforMagdalenandRuth,Deareyes,deareyesandrarecomplete——

Beingheavenly-sweetandearthly-sweet,——ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,ForwhenHefrowns,’tisthenyeshine!

____

Baltimore,1874。

Notes:MySpringsFormyappreciationofthistributetothepoet’swifesee`Introduction’,p。xxxv[PartIII]。Mr。Lanier’sestimateisgiveninaletterofMarch,1874,quotedinMrs。Lanier’sintroductorynote:

"Ofcourse,sinceIhavewrittenittoprintIcannotmakeitsuchas_I_desireinartisticdesign:fortheformsofto-dayrequireacertaintrimsmugnessandclean-shavenproprietyinthefaceanddressofapoem,andImustwinahearingbyconforminginsomedegreetothesetyrannies,withaviewtooverturningtheminthefuture。Writtenso,itisnotnearlysobeautifulasIwouldhaveit;andIthereforehaveanotherstillinmyheart,whichIwillsomedaywriteformyself。"

Othertributestohiswifeare:`InAbsence’,`Acknowledgment’,`LausMariae’,`SpecialPleading’,`EveningSong’,`ThouandI’,`OneinTwo’,and`TwoinOne’;whilesheisreferredtoin`TheHardTimesinElfland’and`JuneDreamsinJanuary’。

Itwillbeinterestingtocompare`MySprings’withotherpoemsontheeyes。

Amongthemostnoteworthy*maybecitedShakespeare’s"Andthoseeyes,thebreakofday,Lightsthatdomisleadthemorn;"

Lodge’s"Hereyesaresapphiressetinsnow,Resemblingheavenbyeverywink;

TheGodsdofearwhenastheyglow,AndIdotremblewhenIthink,Heighho,wouldsheweremine!"

Jonson’s"DrinktomeonlywiththineeyesAndIwillpledgewithmine,"etc。;

Herrick’s"Sweet,benotproudofthosetwoeyesWhichstarlikesparkleintheirskies;"

ThomasStanley’s"Ohturnawaythosecrueleyes,Thestarsofmyundoing;

OrdeathinsuchabrightdisguiseMaytemptasecondwooing;"

Byron’s"Shewalksinbeauty,likethenight,Ofcloudlessclimesandstarryskies;

Andallthat’sbestofdarkandbrightMeetinheraspectandhereyes;

ThusmellowedtothattenderlightWhichheaventogaudydaydenies;"

H。Coleridge’s"Sheisnotfairtooutwardview,Asmanymaidensbe;

HerlovelinessIneverknewUntilshesmiledonme。

OthenIsawhereyewasbright,Awelloflove,aspringoflight。

"Butnowherlooksarecoyandcold,Tominetheyne’erreply,AndyetIceasenottobeholdThelove-lightinhereye:

HerveryfrownsarefairerfarThansmilesofothermaidensare;"

andWordsworth’s"Hereyesarestarsoftwilightfair。"

——

*ThesemaybefoundeitherinGosse’s`EnglishLyrics’(D。Appleton&Co。,NewYork)orinPalgrave’s`GoldenTreasuryofSongsandLyrics’

(Macmillan&Co。,NewYork)。

——

49-50。See`Introduction’,p。xlv[PartIV]。

52。ThereisinearlyEnglishliteratureamostinterestingplayentitled`MaryMagdalene’:seePollard’s`EnglishMiraclePlays’(NewYork),whereextractsaregiven。

55-56。See`Introduction’,p。xlvi[PartIV]。

TheSymphony"OTrade!OTrade!wouldthouwertdead![1]

TheTimeneedsheart——’tistiredofhead:

We’reallforlove,"theviolinssaid。

"OfwhatavailtherigoroustaleOfbillforcoinandboxforbale?

Grantthee,OTrade!thineuttermosthope:

Levelredgoldwithbluesky-slope,Andbaseitdeepasdevilsgrope:

Whenall’sdone,whathastthouwonOftheonlysweetthat’sunderthesun?

Ay,canstthoubuyasinglesigh[11]

Oftruelove’sleast,leastecstasy?"

Then,withabridegroom’sheart-beatstrembling,AllthemightierstringsassemblingRangedthemontheviolins’sideAswhenthebridegroomleadsthebride,And,heartinvoice,togethercried:

"Yea,whatavailtheendlesstaleOfgainbycunningandplusbysale?

Lookuptheland,lookdowntheland,Thepoor,thepoor,thepoor,theystand[21]

WedgedbythepressingofTrade’shandAgainstaninward-openingdoorThatpressuretightensevermore:

Theysighamonstrousfoul-airsighFortheoutsideleaguesofliberty,WhereArt,sweetlark,translatestheskyIntoaheavenlymelody。

`Eachday,allday’(thesepoorfolkssay),`Inthesameoldyear-long,drear-longway,Weweaveinthemillsandheaveinthekilns,[31]

Wesievemine-meshesunderthehills,AndthievemuchgoldfromtheDevil’sbanktills,Torelieve,OGod,whatmannerofills?——

Thebeasts,theyhunger,andeat,anddie;

Andsodowe,andtheworld’sasty;

Hush,fellow-swine:whynuzzleandcry?

"Swinehoodhathnoremedy"

Saymanymen,andhastenby,Clampingthenoseandblinkingtheeye。

Butwhosaidonce,inthelordlytone,[41]

"ManshallnotlivebybreadaloneButallthatcomethfromtheThrone?"

HathGodsaidso?

ButTradesaith"No":

Andthekilnsandthecurt-tonguedmillssay"Go:

There’splentythatcan,ifyoucan’t:weknow。

Moveout,ifyouthinkyou’reunderpaid。

Thepoorareprolific;we’renotafraid;

Tradeistrade。"’"

Thereatthispassionateprotesting[51]

Meeklychanged,andsoftenedtillItsanktosadrequestingAndsuggestingsadderstill:

"Andoh,ifmenmightsometimeseeHowpiteous-falsethepoordecreeThattradenomorethantrademustbe!

Doesbusinessmean,"Die,you——live,I"?

Then`Tradeistrade’butsingsalie:

’Tisonlywargrownmiserly。

Ifbusinessisbattle,nameitso:[61]

War-crimeslesswillshameitso,Andwidowslesswillblameitso。

Alas,forthepoortohavesomepartInyonsweetlivinglandsofArt,Makesproblemnotforhead,butheart。

VainlymightPlato’sbrainrevolveit:

Plainlytheheartofachildcouldsolveit。"

Andthen,aswhenfromwordsthatseembutrudeWepasstosilentpainthatsitsabroodBackinourheart’sgreatdarkandsolitude,[71]

SosankthestringstogentlethrobbingOflongchordschange-markedwithsobbing——

Motherlysobbing,notdistinctlierheardThanhalfwing-openingsofthesleepingbird,Somedreamofdangertoheryounghathstirred。

Thenstirringanddemurringceased,andlo!

Everyleastrippleofthestrings’song-flowDiedtoalevelwitheachlevelbowAndmadeagreatchordtranquil-surfacedso,Asabrookbeneathhiscurvingbankdothgo[81]

TolingerinthesacreddarkandgreenWheremanyboughsthestillpooloverleanAndmanyleavesmakeshadowwiththeirsheen。

ButpresentlyAvelvetflute-notefelldownpleasantlyUponthebosomofthatharmony,Andsailedandsailedincessantly,Asifapetalfromawild-roseblownHadfluttereddownuponthatpooloftoneAndboatwisedroppedo’theconvexside[91]

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫,醒来一梦似千年,重生于下堂妃身躯中的她,将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读

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