BENJAMIN PARKE AVERY.
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(2) UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. HROM THE LIBRARY OK. BENJAMIN PARKE AVERY. GIFT OF MRS. AVERY, r. Accessions No.. tf. /767). 4~. Class No..
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(7) POEMS.. BY. ALEXANDER SMITH. BOSTON: TICKNOR, REED, AND FIELDS MDCCCLIII..
(8) THUnSTOK, TOKKY, AND EMERSOX, PRINTERS..
(9) Sr. CONTENTS.. .... A LIFE-DRAMA. AN EVENING AT HOME. ....... LADY BARBARA TO. SONNETS. ..... .. .. .. 161. .. 173. IT-. .181.
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(11) A LIFE-DRAMA.. SCENE An. Antique. Room. I.. ;. Midnight.. WALTER, Reading from a paper on which he has been writing.. As. a wild maiden, with love-drinking eyes,. Sees. in. sweet dreams a beaming Youth of Glory,. And wakes For. Ev. weep, and ever after sighs. to. that bright vision. n so, alas. For Poesy. !. is. my. till. her hair. life s. is. hoary. ;. passion story.. heart and pulses beat,. For Poesy. my my. As Moses. serpent the Egyptians swallow d,. One. blood runs red and. passion eats the. rest.. My. fleet,. soul. is. follow d.
(12) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 6. [SCENE. By strong ambition to out-roll a lay, Whose melody will haunt the world Charming. it. onward on [. its. for aye,. golden way.. Tears the paper and paces the room with disordered steps.. my. Oh, that. in. Asleep. heart. was. moonlight. quiet as a grave. !. For, as a torrid sunset boils with gold. Up. to the zenith, fierce within. A passion Poesy. As. My. !. passionately,. soul. my. burns from basement. Poesy. !. to the cope.. d give to thee,. I. my. rich laden years,. bubble pleasures, and. my. As Hero gave her trembling. awful joys,. sighs to find. Delicious death on wet Lcander s. lip.. Bare, bald, and tawdry, as a fingered moth, Is. my. poor. Clothe. me. Wilt bid. As. life,. but with tme smile thou canst. with kingdoms.. me. die for thee. ?. Wilt thou smile on. O. fair. and cold. may some wild maiden waste her Upon the calm front of a marble Jove. I cannot draw regard of thy great eyes. I I,. well. love thee, Poesy. !. Thou. There. With. !. love. art a rock,. a weak wave, would break on thee and is. die.. a deadlier pang than that which beads. chilly death-drops the o er-tortured brow,. When. I.. one has a big heart and feeble hands,. me. ?.
(13) SCENE. A. A LIFE-DRAMA.. I.]. heart to. As on a. To. hew. his. name out upon. time. rock, then in imraortalness. stand on time as on a pedestal. When. 7. ;. hearts beat to this tune, and hands are weak,. We. find. The. tears of impotence,. our aspirations quenched in tears,. and self-contempt. That loathsome weed, up-springing Like nightshade. am. I. A. mong. the ruins of a shrine. cursed, and wear within. so. my. ;. soul. as fierce as Dives, drowsed with wine,. pang. Lipping his leman. in luxurious. Waked by. in hell. Tis not. To. in the heart,. fling. a fiend. ;. !. me, ye Heavens. for. dreams. !. not for. tis. me. a Poem, like a comet, out,. Far-splcndoring the sleepy realms of night. I. cannot give. men. As when, upon Draws. the pale curtains of the vapory clouds,. And shows. those wonderful, mysterious voids,. Throbbing with But. glimpses so divine,. a racking night, the wind. to. creep. stars like pulses.. quietly into. my. Naught. grave. the swelling of. With. painted as sweet as truth.. That. l. me. ;. Or calm and tame this foul lie,. for. my. heart. great and small, weakness and strength, are. naught,. Tlmt each thing being equal. The May-night glow-worm. in its sphere,. with. its. emerald lamp.
(14) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 8. Is. [SCENE. I.. worthy as the mighty moon that drowns. Continents in her white and silent. This. were easy. this. The. Fair sides with moonlight. am. I. The arrow. To. wash. planet that doth nightly. But as. of. my. bring clown. me. ;. I. the earth s. not the shining. worm,. beaten, and foiled, and shamed, soul. Fame,. which. like. I. had shot. dissolved like shaft of mist,. This painted falsehood, Freezes. light.. were. to believe,. most damned. this. a fiendish. human. lie,. face,. hateful features gathered in a sneer.. Its. Oh,. me. let. rend. this. the soul. breathing tent of flesh. twere. still. ;. the same,. Uncoop Tis the deep. soul that s touched, it bears the. And memory. doth stick in. it. Keeping. wide. fool, fool,. like. ;. a knife,. for ever.. [A long pause. I. To. t. wound. am. fain. feed upon the beauty of the. moon. !. [Opens the casement. Sorrowful. A. moon. !. seeming. so. drowned. in. woe,. whom some. grand battle-day has left and a widow, while the stars, Unkingdomed queen,. Thy handmaidens, Gazing All. in silence. men. Adam And. are standing back in awe,. on thy mighty grief. !. have loved thee for thy beauty, moon. has turned from. Eve. s fair. !. face to thine,. drank tby beauty with his serene eyes..
(15) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. I.]. 9. Anthony once, when seated with his queen, Worth all the East, a moment gazed at thee She struck him on. :. check with jealous hand,. the. And chiding said, Now, by my Egypt s gods, That pale and squeamish beauty of the night Has had Alack. thine eyes too long; thine eyes are. there s sorrow in. !. Dost think of. Rome. Richer than Caesar. !. my. Anthony. make. I 11. ?. Come,. I ll. s. face. mine. !. !. thee, with a kiss,. crown thy. lips.. [Another pause.. How Not It. tenderly the. moon. doth. like the passion that doth. burns within. A star. me. like. fill. fill. the night. my. soul. !. ;. an Indian sun.. trembling on the horizon s verge,. is. That. star shall. Until. it. grow and broaden on. the night,. hangs divine and beautiful. In the proud zenith. Might. 1. so broaden on the skies of. Fame 1. !. Fame. !. seek the look of. Some. By. Fame. Fame. !. !. fame. !. next grandest word to. Poor. fool. so tries. lonely wanderer mong the desert sands. shouts to gain the notice of the Sphynx,. Staring right on with calm eternal eyes.. God. !.
(16) 10. SCENE A. WALTER. Forest.. II.. sleeping beneath a tree.. Enter LADY with a fawn. t. LADY.. HALT Hast danced. And. brought. And weave. my my. !. ringlets. cheeks. Flora, halt alt. to. about. This race. !. my. brows,. Here. bloom.. [. I. look, sweet Flora,. And. see in. in thine. Each. leaf. And, on. Weaves Jlowers. innocent eyes,. them a meaning and a glee. Fitting this universal. With joy. will I rest. a garland for thy dappled neck.. upon the. summer. joy. :. trees doth shake with joy,. the white clouds navigate the blue,. his painted wings, the butterfly,. Most splendid masker. in this carnival,. Floats through the air in joy. Were he and Nature more. !. Better for man,. familiar friends. !.
(17) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. His part. 11. worst that touches this base world.. is. Although the ocean s inmost heart be pure, Yet the salt fringe that daily licks the shore Is. gross with sand.. Ha. !. what. Thick. is. On,. the oak-roots. in his. ve seen. I. But never one so. own. of his. Like young Apollo,. At. fair.. A. With dainty cheeks and. And Ye. slumber-parted. envious. lids. sweet Flora, on. !. [Rises and approaches WALTER. A bright and wandered youth,. this ?. in the light. my. I. !. beauty, sleeps. golden curls full. many. !. a flower,. lovely youth,. ringlets like a girl,. lips. twere sweet. fain. would seee. to kiss!. his. eyes. !. Jewels so richly cased as those of his. Must be a. sight.. From which. So, here. s. a well-worn book. he drinks such joy as doth a pale. And dim-eyed worker, who escapes, in Spring, The thousand-streeted and smoke-smothered town,. And. treads awhile the breezy hills of health.. [LADY opens. the look, a slip. out, she reads.. The. fierce exulting worlds, the. The. of paper falls. .. motes. in rays,. churlish thistles, scented briars,. The wind-swept. Down. blue-bells. on the sunny braes,. to the central fires,.
(18) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 12. Love. Exist alike in Love.. Filling all the abysses. Of. is. [SCENE. a sea,. dim. whose deeps regally bright broods swim.. lornest space, in. Suns and. their. This mighty sea of Love, with wondrous Is sternly just to. T is. laving at this. Tis. my. in. sun and grain. tides,. ;. moment Saturn. s sides,. blood and brain.. All things have something more than barren use. There. is. a scent upon the. A tremulous. The clodded. splendor in the autumn dews,. into beauty. When Love. Life. is. fire. ;. earth goes up in sweet-breathed flower s. In music dies poor. And. is. human. speech,. blow those hearts of ours, born. in each.. transfigured in the soft and tender. Light of Love, as a volume dun rolling. ;. briar,. Cold morns are fringed with. Of. II.. smoke becomes a wreathed splendor. In the declining sun.. ;.
(19) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. Driven from. cities. by. 13. his restless. moods,. In incense glooms and secret nooks,. A. miser o er his gold. O er. Oft. is. the lover broods. vague words, earnest looks.. he startled on the sweetest. lip. ;. Across his midnight sea of mind. A. Thought comes streaming,. like. a blazing ship. Upon a mighty wind,. A Terror and. a Glory. !. Shocked with. His boundless being glares aghast. Then. slowly settles. down. the. wonted. light,. ;. night,. All desolate and vast.. Daisies are white upon the churchyard sod,. Sweet. tears, the clouds lean. This w orld r. I. is. very lovely.. thank Thee that. down and. O my. I live. give.. God,. !. his flaming guards of many kinds, The proud Sun stoops his golden head, Gray Eve sobs crazed with grief; to her the winds. Ringed with. Shriek out,. c. The Day. is. dead..
(20) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 14 I. this. gave. [SCENE. beggar Day no alms,. this. Night. Has seen nor work accomplished, planned, Yet. this. poor. A summer There. no. is. From. th. Day. shall. soon in. rainbow stand. memory. evil in this present strife. The seeming. ills. Dark moral we are. ;. shivering Seal s low moans,. Up through the shining tiers and To stars upon their thrones,. If. s light. !. rants of. life,. are Loves in dim disguise. ;. knots, that pose the seer,. lovers, in our wider eyes. Shall hang, like dew-drops clear.. Ye. are. Ha. My. !. my. menials, ye thick crowding years. yet with a triumphant shout. spirit shall. And. take captive. all. the spheres,. wring their riches out.. what a glorious future gleams on me With nobler senses, nobler peers,. God. I. ll. !. wing. And. me. through Creation like a bee,. taste the. gleaming spheres. !. ;. !. II,.
(21) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. 15. While some are trembling o er the poison-cup, While some grow lean with care, some weep, In this luxurious faith. As. in. tis. a sleeping Poet. Oh,. I ll. !. and. Dropt. up,. my. path like. his verse. An. Sings like the syren-isles. in. me. wrap. a robe, and sleep.. opulent Soul. a great cup of gold,. All rich and rough with stories of the gods. Methink. And I. poets should be gentle,. all. !. fair,. ever young, and ever beautiful,. d have. all. poets to be like to this,. Gold-haired and rosy-lipped, to sing of Love.. Love. Love. !. Of which Soul. is. Alas. Woe To. me. s. me. will. is. never come. shall visit dark. hide a ghastly grief within. And. then to coin. never weary.. loveliest phase.. very sad, but. tis. !. is its. Love. this. summer days. Till. that Poet ever chanteth,. the listening world. a moon, Love to. !. Old song. !. my. December.. tis. my. my doom heart. Sure, smiles become a victim garlanded Hist. !. ;. lying cheek to smiles, !. he asvakes. WALTER (awakening). Fair lady, in. Methought. I. my. was a weak and lonely. dream. bird,.
(22) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 16. [SCENE. summer, wandered on. In search of. the sea,. Toiling through mists, drenched by the arrowy. Struck by the heartless winds I. came upon an. 1. dried. my. isle in. feathers,. And skimmed. at last,. :. whose sweet. smoothed. my. rain,. methought. air. ruffled breast,. delight from off the waving woods.. Thy coming, lady, reads this dream of mine I am the swallow, thou the summer land.. :. LADY.. Sweet, sweet. And,. My Do. fault. is. flattery to mortal ears,. drink thy praise too greedily,. if I. I ll. match with grosser. instances.. not the royal souls that van the world. Hunger. To blow. And do. for praises. Does not. ?. his triumphs in the. the hero burn. trumpet. such dote more on praise than. Of precious-wombed Blame not. ?. Therefore, all. sir,. the wealth. earth and pearled mains,. the cheeks of simple maidenhood.. am. Fair. sir, I. The. courtier oaks. And. shake down o er. the empress of this. bow. in. my. wood. !. proud homages, path their golden leaves.. Queen am. I. of this green and. This wood. I. ve entered oft. The. mouth. not poets brows throb feverous. Till they are cooled with laurels? If. s. summer. when. all in. realm.. sheen. princely Morning walks o er diamond dews.. II..
(23) SCENE. And. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. still. have lingered,. the vain. till. Trembles o er her own beauty. 17. young Night. in the sea.. WALTER.. And. as thou passest. The. An. simple. some. woodman. mid-forest glade,. stands amazed, as if. angel flashed by on his gorgeous wings.. LADY. I. am. thine empress.. Who. Art thou Sir Bookworm. and what. Your own thought passing. watch. into beauty, like. earnest mother watching the. Dawning upon her sleeping Until she cannot see. And when. it. ?. Haunter of old tomes,. ?. Sitting the silent term of stars to. An. art thou. first. smile. infant s face,. for her tears. ?. the lark, the laureate of the sun,. Doth climb the. east,. His monarch. crowning, goeth pale to bed,. s. eager. to celebrate. Art thou such denizen of book-world, pray. ?. WALTER. Books written when the. When. it is. soul. is. at spring-tide,. laden like a groaning sky. Before a thunder-storm, are power and gladness,. And. majesty and beauty.. They. seize the reader. As tempests seize a ship, and bear him on.
(24) 18. A LIFE-DRAMA.. With a wild. On which. v. Some books. joy.. [SCENE. are drench d sands,. a great soul s wealth. lies all in. What power. Like a wrecked argosy.. They mingle gloom and splendor, as. heaps,. in. ve. I. books. !. oft,. In thund rous sunsets, seen the thunder-piles. Seamed. with dull. They awe me. my. to. and. fire. knees, as. In presence of a king.. Such. glorious tears as. When. first. fiercest glory-rents. if I. stood. They give me tears Eve s fair daughters shed, ;. they clasped a Son of God,. With burning plumes and splendors of In zoning heaven of their milky arms.. How By. few read books aright. bright. the sky,. Most souls are shut. !. sense from grandeur, as a. Night-capped and wrapt Is. all. man who. snores. in blankets to the nose,. shut out from the night, which, like a sea,. Breaketh. Lady,. for ever. on a strand of have. in book- world. This book has domed. my. stars.. ever dwelt,. I. being like a sky.. LADY.. And who was. its. creator. ?. WALTER.. He was. Who. could not help. it,. for. To. blossom into song, as. To. leaf itself in April.. was. it. t. is. one his nature. a tree. s. II..
(25) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. 19. LADY.. Did he love. ?. WALTER.. Ay; and he. suffered.. His was not that love. That comes on men with rich. And. this his. Her. panting wealth of. And. he went down. And now. book unveils. the. Waits on him. When. their beards.. His soul was. ;. fame like. the dark. like. it,. as the night. stars.. The world was. a lone ship. that scorned. at sea. cold,. ;. him while he. lived. a menial.. dumb Earth. Lay on her back and watched the shining soul from its warm body shuddered out. stars,. A. To. the. dim. air. and trembled with the cold. ;. Through the waste air it passed as swift and still, As a dream passes through the lands of sleep, Till at the. Twas. very gates of spirit-world. asked by a most worn and earnest shape. That seemed. to tremble on the coming word, About an orphan Poem, and if yet A Name was heard on earth.. LADY.. T. is. very sad,.
(26) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 20. And. doth remind. used. I. When. me. of an old, low strain. was but. of. Like April sunbeams. mong. the meadow-flowers. ;. Or romped i the dews with weak complaining lambs Or sat in circles on the primrose knolls, Striving with eager. Mid shouts and. The I. ll. to thee. sing. (An image. tis. ;. who. first. it is. One. slept within his soul s caress,. born. in. Like a pale martyr Ml sing. it. s. heart. joy and golden words). Of One whose naked. I. should catch. go up the blue.. a song of. Like a sweet thought within a Poet. Ere. soul stood clad in love,. in his shirt. of. fire.. to thee.. In winter. [LADY. when. Comes down. And Wind,. sings.. the dismal rain in slanting lines,. the grand old harper, smote. His thunder-harp of pines.. A. ;. and palm-shaded eyes,. silver laughs,. lark, a singing speck, it. II,. summers dead, a child, and when we played. to sing in lap I. [SCENE. Poet sat in his antique room,. His lamp the valley kinged,. Neath dry. crusts of. dead tongues he found. Truth, fresh and golden-winged..
(27) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. When. violets. And. A. came and woods were. larks did. Love. alit. 21. skyward. and white did. green,. dart, sit,. Like an angel on his heart.. From. his heart. Amid. And. sent. he unclasped. his love. the trembling trees, it. to the. On winged. Lady Blanche. poesies.. The Lady Blanche was Nor proud, but meek. saintly fair,. her look. ;. In her hazel eyes her thoughts lay clear. As. Her. pebbles in a brook.. father s veins ran noble blood,. His. hall rose. mid the trees. ;. Like a sunbeam she came and went. Mong. The. peasants thanked her with their tears,. When This 4. the white cottages.. is. food and clothes were given,. a joy,. the. Lady. Saints cannot taste in. said,. Heaven. !.
(28) 22. A LIFE-DRAMA.. They met. [SCENE. the Poet told his love,. His hopes, despairs, his pains, The Lady with her calm eyes mocked. The. He. tumult in his veins.. passed. From As. lightning, like a bright, wild beast. Leaps from. He. a fierce song leapt. away. cloud of his despair,. its. thunder-lair.. poured his frenzy forth. Bright heir of tears. Now. The world The. Let. cars, Sir. is. it. is. old,. drop into. daisies.. Oh. old,. wild winds. The world. !. very. have a. old,. weep and rave. ;. and gray, and cold, its. grave. Bookworm, hunger. !. for thy song.. WALTER. I. !. resteth that unquiet heart. Beneath the quiet. Our. in song,. and praises. strain of a departed bard. ;. II..
(29) SCENE. 23. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. One who was born. too late into this world.. A. mighty day was past, and he saw nought But ebbing sunset and the rising stars, Still. o er him rose those melancholy stars. Unknown. his childhood,. Along woodland waters. !. save that he was born full. of silver breaks. ;. That he grew up mong primroses moon-pale In the hearts of purple hills; that he o er-ran. Green meadows golden. A. bright-haired child. To. in the level sun,. and. ;. when. that,. dwell within a monstrous city. The. trees. were gazing up. Their bare arms stretched. When And. first. we. fell. Will widen. And when. into the sky, in. prayer for the snows.. met, his book was six months old,. eagerly his. Praises. name was buzzed abroad. thick on him.. Men. ripens to. ;. This. said,. to a clear and boundless it. these he left. s heart,. Day. Dawn. ;. a sumptuous west. With a great sunset twill be closed and crowned. Lady he was as far bove common men !. As a. sun-steed, wild-eyed and meteor-maned,. Neighing the reeling. stars, is. With sluggish veins of mud.. Than. 1. More tremulous. the soft star that in the azure East. Trembles with. Was. bove a hack. pity o er bright bleeding day,. his frail soul. was. to. ;. I. dwelt with him for years. him but Labrador. to. Ind. ;. ;.
(30) 24. A LIFE-DRAMA.. His pearls were plentier than. my. [SCENE. II.. pebble-stones.. He was the sun, I was that squab the earth, And basked me in his light until he drew Flowers from my barren sides. Oh he was rich, And I rejoiced upon his shore of pearls, !. A 4. weak enamored. My. Friend. !. sea.. Once. did he say,. a Poet must ere long. arise,. And. with a regal song sun-crown this age,. As a. saint s. head. with a halo crown d. is. ;. One, who. shall. And. to its. own high. The. grandest chariot wherein king-thoughts ride. hallow Poetry. to. God. use, for Poetry. is. :. One, who shall fervent grasp the sword of song As a stern swordsman grasps his keenest blade,. To. A. find the quickest passage to the heart.. mighty Poet. To. be. its. whom. spokesman. this. age. to all. shall. coming. choose times.. In the ripe full-blown season of his soul,. He. shall. And. go forward. in his spirit s strength,. grapple with the questions of. And wring from them. their. all. time,. meanings.. As King. Called up the buried prophet from his grave. To. speak his doom, so shall. Call up the dead Past from. To. tell. him of our. future.. this. its. Poet-king. awful grave. As. the air. Doth sphere the world, so shall his heart of love. Loving mankind, not peoples.. As. the lake. Saul.
(31) SCENE. 25. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. Reflects the flower, tree, rock,. and bending heaven,. Shall he reflect our great humanity. ;. And as the young Spring breathes with living On a dead branch, till it sprouts fragrantly. breath. Green leaves and sunny flowers, shall he breathe life Through every theme he touch, making all Beauty. And. Poetry for ever like the. His words 1. Gods. He. A. !. me on. set. fire. what a portion. my. grasped. Like a strong. to forerun this. all. His great flashing eyes. Won But. He. blood leapt madly. To joyous. battle. 4. said,. when. mid a storm of. the sunset he his. Ringed by. was ebbing. weeping. His white steed,. to the belly. His. broken brand. right, his. His old victorious banners. :. its. and. !. Till the great. in his. ear. With a proud. ". let. smile,. out his soul.. and shrieked through. Ye dead My. drooping head,. to his side,. !. !. fled. hand held. flap the winds.. He called his faithful herald Go tell the dead I come Which. left. splashed with blood,. ". warrior with a stab. ;. fast,. mourn him with. to. ". grim old king,. steeds,. His. lords.. That seemed. The. A. the trumpets brayed. a rich kingdom on a battle-day. in. !. the blood into his cheeks,. buffet.. Burned on mine own.. Whose. Soul. looked upon his face,. I. hand,. thought struck. ;. stars.. cried aloud,. I. master comes. ". !. shade should enter.. all. the other world,. And. there. Like. was pause. that herald,.
(32) 26. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Walter,. And. I. [SCENE. II.. d rush across this waiting world. He comes. ". cry,. ". Lady,. !. hear the song. wilt. ?. [Sing*.. In the street, the tide of being, rolls. God. what base ignoble faces. !. wanting. Mid. I. surges,. how. it. !. God. !. what bodies. human. being, banked by houses. and grim,. tall. Pale. it. souls,. stream of. this. how. !. stand this shining. morrow with a pant. for. wood. lands dim,. To. hear the. soft. and whispering. rain, feel the. dewy. cool of leaves,. Watch. the. lightnings dart. like. swallows round the. brooding thunder-eaves,. To. lose the sense of whirling streets,. mong breezy. crests of hills,. Skies of larks, and hazy landscapes, with fine threads of silver. rills,. Stand with forehead bathed. in sunset. on a mountain. s. summer crown,. And. look up and watch the shadow of the great night. coming down. One. great in. life;. in. my. ;. myriad veins,. in leaves, in flowers,. cloudy cars,. Blowing, underfoot, stars. !. in. clover; beating, overhead,. in.
(33) SCENE. Once. saw a. I. ;. not whitening o er a country, costly with the piled sheaves. Rose not o er the. I. rous ocean, trembling round his. ;. circling large. smoky. And. ;. am. isles. happy. came. It. harvest-moon, but not through. blissful. forest-leaves. Twas. 27. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. saw. and queenly o er yon roof of. tiles,. with such feeling, joy in blood, in heart,. it. in brain, I. would give. to call the affluence. moment back. of that. again,. Europe, with her. cities,. rivers,. hills. of prey, sheep-. sprinkled downs,. Ay, an hundred sheaves of sceptres gathered crowns. For with. that. !. Ay, a planet. s. !. my. resplendent harvest-moon,. inmost. thoughts were shared. By. a bright and shining maiden, hazel-eyed and goldenhaired. ;. we. One. blest. O er. us, starry tears. hour. sat together in a lone. and. silent. place,. midnight. Gradual crept. my arm. came her. And. I. were trembling on the mighty. s face.. around her, gainst. could but draw her closer, whilst said,. my. shoulder. head, I. tremulously.
(34) 28 4. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Passion as. [SCENE. II.. runs grows purer, loses every tinge of. it. clay,. As from Dawn. red and. all. white. turbid flows the. transparent Day,. And. in. lives of lovers, the array of. mingled. human. ills. Breaks their gentle course. summer You. music, as the stones break. to. rills.. such. she murmured,. should give the world,. delicious thoughts as these.. They. are. fit. line. to i. whispered,. And. she. Nay,. portmanteaus;. Memories.. thereat she looked. upon. me. with a smile so. full. of grace, All. my. blood was in a face. moment glowing. in. my. ardent. !. I. Half-blind,. looked. up. to. the. host. of palpitating. stars,. Gainst. my. my. sides. was leaping,. heart. like a. lion. gainst his bars,. For a thought was born within me, and. my I. will. I. said within. mind,. risk. in. all. this. moment,. I. will cither. lose or. find. 4. Dost thou love. me. ?. then. I. whispered. ;. for. a minute. after this, I. sat. and trembled felt. a kiss. ;. in great. blackness. On my. lips I.
(35) SCENE. Than. 29. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. a rose-leaf s touch twas lighter,. on her face. her hands she prest,. And. was deep buried. a heaven of tears and blushes. my. in. breast.. make her. mark. passion, a wide. for. 1. could. I. could laugh a hollow laughter but for these hot burst. my. faith,. scorn and sneers. ;. ing tears, In the strong hand of. my. frenzy, laws and statutes. snap like reeds,. And I. furious as a. wounded. bull I tore at all the creeds. rushed into the desert, where. I. ;. stood with hopeless. eyes,. Glaring on vast desolations, barren sands, and empty skies. !. Soon a trembling naked was bowed,. figure, to the earth. For the curse of God gloomed o er me. my. face. like. a bursting. my. weakness,. thunder-cloud.. Rolled. away past. Washed. that fearful darkness, past. my. grief,. with bitter tears. I. sat full in the sunshine. of. belief.. Weary eyes. are looking eastward,. whence. the golden. sun upsprings,. Cry. the. young and. with wings,. fervid spirits, clad with ardor as.
(36) 30 4. A LIFE-DRAMA.. make wretched. Life and Soul to. mingle. As. O. !. II.. [SCENE. jangling, they should. one Sire. the lovely voices mingle in a holy temple choir.. those souls of ours,. my. brothers. prisoned. !. now. in. mortal bars,. Have been of. richcd by growth and travel,. Soul, alas. is. !. shut. All. by. the round. the stars.. all. unregarded. ;. Brothers. !. is. it. closely. :. unknown. Saxon neatherd. as royal Alfred in the. s. hut,. In the Dark house of the Body, cooking victuals, light ing. fires,. Swelters on the starry stranger, to our nature. s. base. desires.. From. its. lips. come. is t. any marvel,. God. !. no revelations. ?. We have wronged it; dumb. that. we do wrong. tis. it. majestically. !. our souls are aproned waiters are hired slaves. Let us hide from Life,. !. God. !. our souls. :. my. Brothers!. let .us. hide us in. our graves.. O why !. stain our holy childhoods. drinks and meats. Why. ?. Why. sell all. for. ?. degrade, like those old mansions, standing in our. pauper. streets,.
(37) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. 31. Lodgings once of kings and nobles, silken trumpet. Now, where crouch mong squalor and of sin. Like a mist the. Ev. now. n. stirs. and. s din,. this wail. Lord Christ. rags and fever, shapes of. ?. me. surrounds s. ;. Brothers, hush. !. hands. arc stretched in blessing o er the sea and. o er the lands. Sit not like. a mourner, Brother. !. by the grave of. that. when. tis. dear Past,. Throw. the. Present!. tis. thy servant only. overcast,. Give. battle to the. leagued world,. if. thou. rt. worthy,. truly brave,. Thou. shalt. make. the hardest circumstance a helper or. a slave,. As when thunder wraps glows with Rifts the. the setting sun, he struggles,. ire,. gloom with golden furrows, with a hundred. bursts of fire,. Melts the black and thund rous masses to a sphere of rosy light,. Then on edge. of glowing heaven smiles in triumph on. the night.. Lo. !. the song of Earth. a maniac. s. on a black and. dreary road Rises up, and swells, and grandeurs, to the loud. umphal ode. tri.
(38) 32. A LIFE-DRAMA.. [SCENE. Earth casts off a slough of darkness, an eclipse of. and. II.. hell. sin,. In each cycle of her being, as an adder casts her skin. Lo!. when. see long blissful ages,. I. these. ;. mammon. days are done, Stretching like a golden ev ning forward to the setting sun.. He In. sat. my. The. one winter neath a linden tree bare orchard. stars. among. See,. :. my. friend,. the branches. hang. When. So, hopes were thick within me.. The world Upon my. soul,. That caught. And. a valuator. will like. and say,. its. ". I. he said,. like fruit, I. m. gone. sit. was a cloud. glory from a sunken sun,. gradual burn d into. its. native. 1. gray.". On an October eve, was his last wish To see again the mists and golden woods t. his death-bed he. Upon The slumberous sun With. No. was. lifted. up,. within the lazy west. their last gladness filled his. dying eyes.. sooner was he hence than critic-worms. Were swarming on the body of And thus they judged the dead. his *. :. An. ;. fame,. This Poet was. April tree whose vermeil-loaded boughs. Promised. to. Autumn. But never came. But a rich odor,. apples juiced and red,. to fruit.. He. is. to us. a faint music-swell..
(39) SCENE. 3. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. Poet he was not in the larger sense. He. A. ;. could write pearls, but he could never write. Poem round and. Politic. i. perfect as a star.. His most judicious act. faith.. Was. dying when he. Had. fingered. all. did. ;. the next five years. the fine dust from his wings,. twas shrewd And left him poor as we. He died And came with all his youth and unblown hopes. On. the world s heart,. and touched. it. into tears.. LADY.. Would. st. thou, too, be a poet. ?. WALTER.. Lady. A. !. ay. !. passion has grown up to be a King,. being with as fierce a sway. Ruling. my. As. mad sun. the. And. it is. the prostrate desert sands,. that.. LADY.. Hast some great cherished theme. ?. WALTER. Lovely. in. God. s eyes,. where,. in. barren space,. Like a rich jewel hangs His universe,. Unwrinklcd as a dew-drop, and as. fair,. !.
(40) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 34. my. In Is. poor eyes,. my. [SCENE. loved and chosen theme. lovely as the universe in His.. LADY.. Wilt write of some young wanton of an. Whose beauty It. clasps. And Or. it. enamored hath. so. ever in. wastes. itself. its. summer arms. away on. the hot Indes, on. The. isle. the sea,. it. in kisses. whose teeming. ?. plains. seasons four knit in one flowery band. Are dancing ever. ?. Or some older realm. ?. WALTER. begin in the oldest. I will. When And. all. the ages,. souls of. and. men and. far in. ;. all. suns,. God.. and worlds,. angels, lay in. Him. Like unborn forests in an acorn-cup.. LADY.. And how. wilt thou begin. it ?. WALTER.. With With. The. the soliloquy with. old words. !. which God broke. silence of the dead eternities,. At which most ancient words, With showery. O. beautiful. tresses like a child. !. from sleep,. II..
(41) SCENE. 35. A LIFE-DRAMA.. II.]. Uprose the splendid-mooned and jewelled night,. The. loveliest. born of God.. LADY.. Then your Must be the shoutings of the morning. What. martial music. is. to. The. chorus !. marching men. Should Song be to Humanity. infant ages born. first. stars. In song. and swathed. are.. A beauteous menial to our wants divine, A shape celestial tending the dark earth With Ts. light. and. silver service like the. Poesy; ever remember. How. wilt thou. end. moon,. this. it ?. WALTER.. With God and Silence. When. the great universe subsides in. Ev n. as a. Upon. the. moment wave. s. !. God,. foam subsides again. that bears. it.. LADY.. Why, Is. wide and daring as a comet. And. s. thy plan. spoom. !. doubtless twill contain the tale of earth. By way. of episode or anecdote.. This precious world which one pale marred face.
(42) 36. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Dropt tears upon.. This base and beggar world. To your With a. rich soul. O. !. !. Marc Anthony,. fine scorn did toss. For Cleopatra. s lips. !. your world away. so rich, so poor.. [SCENE. II..
(43) 37. SCENE. III.. WALTER pacing up and. Antique Room.. down.. WALTER.. THOU day beyond Should cease. in thee,. That invervene to. When. last. I,. I. M. !. though. my. we met. dash aside the hours. windy woods. in the. !. she was as marble, calm. with thick-beating heart and. sight. leaping pulses and loud-ringing ears,. And. blabbed the love secreted in. blood that rushed into. She must have understood. And I. yet she frowned not.. think that. Oh, could. As an. I. :. grown dim,. And And. tell-tale. life. to bring thee quicklier here.. meet her. Again. to-morrow. am. I lift. worthy. my. old mountain. to. that. my face, my heart.. crimson speech,. No, she never frowned. be loved.. heart into her sight, lifts its. martyr. s. cairn. Into the pure sight of the holy heavens. !.
(44) 38. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Would she. Were. but love me,. she plain Night,. I. I. would. [SCENE. live for. her. d pack her with. my. III.. !. stars.. Poesy, would be her slave,. My spirit, T would rifle And make. for her. ocean. s. secret hoards,. her rough with pearls.. Death. If. s. realms Contained a. gem. out-lustring all the world,. would adventure there, and bring. I. her.. inmost being dwells upon her words,. My. Wilt trim a verse for. Make. it. if. it. Or,. As. it. me by. this night. as jubilant as marriage bells. you, make. please. bells that knoll. it. a maiden. week. ?. ;. doleful sad to. her grave,. When the spring earth is sweet in violets, And it will fit one heart, yea, as the cry Of I ll. the lone plover. fits. a dismal death.. write a tale through. which. my. passion runs,. Like honeysuckle through a hedge of June.. A. silent isle. on which the love-sick sea. Dies with faint kisses and a murmured joy. In the clear blue the lark hangs like a speck,. And. O. empties his. full. er sunny slopes,. And new-born. O er. woods. rills. that. heart of music-rain. where tender lambkins go laughing. smooth down. bleat,. to the sea,. to the. southern shore,. pale.
(45) SCENE. Waving. O er. A LIFE-DRAMA.. III.]. in. 3!. green, as the young breezes blow. the sea sphere all sweet. and summer smells.. Not of these years, but by-gone minstrel times,. Of shepherd-days. Was By. this. warm. young world. in the. clime,. whose red blood ran. gentle pagans filled,. Healthy and cool as milk,. pure, simple. Ah, how unlike the swelterers. Who. in. towns. men. :. !. ne er can glad their eyes upon the green. Sunshine-swathed earth. Nor. s sunrise,. land of health,. this quiet. feel the. A lovely youth Lived. mong. ;. nor hear the singing. breezes in their. in. manhood. s. rills,. lifted hair.. very edge,. these shepherds and their quiet. downs. ;. Tall and blue-eyed, and bright in golden hair,. With half-shut dreamy eyes, sweet earnest eyes That seemed unoccupied with outward things, Feeding on something richer Strangely, oft, !. A. wildered smile lay on his noble. lips.. The sunburnt shepherds stared with awful eyes As he went past and timid girls upstole, ;. With wondering. And. on. looks, to gaze. his cataract of. upon. his face,. golden curls,. Then. lonely grew, and went into the woods To think sweet thoughts, and marvel why they shook. With heart-beat and with tremors when he came,. And. in the night. he. filled their. dreams with. joy..
(46) 40. A LIFE-DRAMA.. [SCENE. III.. But there was one among that soft-voiced band. Who And. died. among. When Eve Came. To. for love of his sweet eyes,. away. pined. the roses of the Spring.. sat in the. dew. with closed. gentle maidens bearing. lids,. forest flowers. strew upon her green and quiet grave.. They. soothed the dead with love-songs low and sweet. ;. Songs sung of old beneath the purple night, Songs heard on earth with heart-beat and a blush,. Songs heard. in. heaven by the breathless. Thought-wrapped, he wandered In which the. He. Summer,. in the. stars.. breezy woods. like a hermit, dwelt.. him down by the old haunted springs, Up-bubbling mid a world of greenery, laid. Shut-eyed, and dreaming of the fairest shapes That roamed the woods and when the autumn nights Were dark and moonless, to the level sands ;. He would The. old. betake him, there to hear, o erawed,. Sea moaning. One day he. On. like. a monster pained.. woods. lay within the pleasant. bed of flowers edging a fountain. And gazed The. into. its. heart as. if to. s. brim,. count. veined and lucid pebbles one by one,. Up-shining richly through the crystal clear.. Thus. lay he. many. hours, when, lo. !. he heard.
(47) SCENE. A A. A LIFE-DRAMA.. III.]. 41. maiden singing in the woods alone sad and tender island melody,. Which made a golden conquest of. his soul,. Bringing a sadness sweeter than delight.. As. embowered. nightingale,. in vernal leaves,. Pants out her gladness the luxurious night,. The moon and. hanging on her song,. stars all. She poured her. soul in music.. When. The charmed woods and breezes. As. if all. she ceased,. silent stood. ear to catch her voice again.. Uprose the. dreamer from. With awful expectation. in his look,. And happy. tears. With eager. steps, as if. He onward. went, and, lo!. upon. couch of flowers,. his. his pallid face,. toward a heaven, he saw her stand,. Fairer than Dian, in the forest glade.. and quick she turned. His footsteps. startled her,. Her. face,. looks met like swords.. And. fell. He. clasped his. hands,. A. T was *. upon. his. knees. sudden splendor o er a pale prayer in. I. know. thee, lovely. I. know. thee,. Been. told. by. ;. its. yearning face. very. maiden. and of thee. all. the while there broke. his. I. !. ;. self.. then he cried. have been. told. :. the roses of the vale,. By hermit streams, by pale sea-setting stars, And by the roaring of the storm-tost pines ;. ;.
(48) 42. A LIFE-DRAMA.. And In. have sought for thee upon the. I. dim sweet dreams, on. When Beats I. my own. same love-tune as. many. the oak-roots, heard. many. yellow leaves winters. Through. Now am. I. joyful, as storm-battered. finds a. For thou. in the. perch. Our. other self!. moan. dove. Hesperides,. Thou whom. art found.. heart.. seasons through, their. the leafless forests drearily.. My. hills,. breathless midnight, with her thousand hearts, to the. ve waited for thee. That. I. long have sought,. blood, our hearts, our souls,. Shall henceforth mingle in one being, like. The married. My. soul. is. Sit thou in. colors in the. like. like a god,. t. bow. of heaven.. a wide and empty fane,. O. maid divine. !. With worship and. religion twill be filled.. My. lorn,. soul. is. empty,. and hungiy space. a new-born. Leap. thou into. And. twill o erflow with splendor. More music. My Are. all. like. music. a-gape.. Feed, feed. He He. !. it. hungry senses,. Thus,. III,. the complacent sea,. Seen many autumns shed. O er. [SCENE. like. my. O. !. music. like. !. and with. maid divine. a finch. ;. star, bliss. !. s brood,. feed them, maid divine. hungry. soul with melodies!. a worshipper before a shrine,. earnest syllabled, and, rising up, led that lovely stranger tenderly. !.
(49) SCENE. Through. He. O. the level. isle. thereafter seen. by the old haunted wells sands on autumn nights.. ve heard that maidens have been. Poesy,. If thou. Than I. was. stretched at noon. Or by I. the shepherds,. sunrise splendors on the misty hills,. Mong Or. the green forest toward the burning west.. never, by the maidens of the. Nor by. 43. A LIFE-DRAMA.. III.]. fine sprite. would. st. I. !. song.. d bless thee more. bring that lady. immortality in. won by. s love to. me,. twenty worlds.. d rather win her than. God. s. youngest. With singing continents and seas of. Thou day beyond to-morrow,. star,. bliss.. haste thee on. !.
(50) 44. SCENE. IV.. WALTER and. The Banks of a River. the. LADY.. LADY.. THE. stream of sunsets. ?. WALTER. Tis I. ve learned by heart. its. that loveliest stream.. sweet and devious course. frequent tracing, as a lover learns. By The In. features of his best-beloved s face.. memory. With. it. runs, a shining thread,. sunsets strung upon. From yonder. trees. All washed with. Beat. A. like. I. fire,. thick, like pearls.. while, in the midst, the sun. a pulse, welling. spreading wave of. it. ve seen the western sky. at. ev ry beat. light.. Where yonder church. Stands up. to. For. hamlets scattered at. sinful. heaven, as. if to. intercede its. feet,.
(51) SCENE. I. saw. And I. the dreariest sight.. all. the west. cried,. Behold. At ebb of. sunset. fire.. ghost of one bright hour. grave and stands before. sitting. hung. me now.. a long summer day,. on yon grassy slope,. before us like a. That shakes a demon. The. sullen. the barren beach of hell. !. at the close of. As we were The. its. The sun was down,. was paved with. The. tide.. Comes from. Twas. 45. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. dream. in his fiery lair. ;. clouds were standing round the setting sun. Like gaping caves, fantastic pinnacles, Citadels throbbing in their. Tall spires that. came and went. fierce light, like spires. of flame,. quivering with fire-snow, and peaks. Cliffs. Of. own. piled gorgeousness,. and rocks of. fire. and poised, bare beaches, crimson seas,. A-tilt. All these were huddled in that dreadful west, All shook and trembled in unsteadfast light,. And from. the centre blazed the. Stern as the unlashed eye of. O er evening I. city with. its. angry sun,. God. a-glare. boom of. sin.. do remember, as we journeyed home,. (That dreadful sunset burnt into our brains,). With what a soothing came She,. like. Came. a. the naked. swimmer who has found. moon.. his ground,. rippling up a silver strand of cloud,. And plunged from. the other side into the night..
(52) 4G. I. A LIFE-DRAMA.. and. that friend, the feeder of. [SCENE. my. soul,. Did wander up and down these banks Talking of blessed hopes and holy. How. sin. and weeping. all. IV.. for years,. faiths,. should pass. away. In the calm sunshine of the earth s old age.. Breezes are blowing. Twas. O er. in old. Chaucer. we drank them.. here. Here. s verse,. for hours. we hung. the fine pants and trembles of a line.. Oft, standing. on a. hill s. green head,. we. felt. Breezes of love, and joy, and melody,. Blow through. us, as the. winds blow through the sky.. Oft with our souls in our eyes. On summer. O er which. the air. With a great. A. hung. day we fed. silent in its. city lying in its. monster sleeping. And. all. landscapes, silver-veined with streams,. in its. joy. ;. smoke,. own. thick breath. ;. surgy plains of wheat, and ancient woods,. In the calm evenings cawed by clouds of rooks, Acres of moss, and long black strips of firs,. And. To. sweet cots dropt. us unheard,. till,. in green,. gradual,. all. where children played was lost. In distance-haze to a blue rim of. hills,. Upon whose heads came down the closing sky. Beneath the crescent moon on autumn nights. We. paced. its. banks with overflowing hearts,. Discoursing long of great thought-wealthy souls,. And. with what spendthrift hands they scatter wide.
(53) 47. A LIFE-DRAMA.. SCENE. IV.]. Their. spirit. wealth,. making mankind. their debtors. :. Afiluent spirits, dropt from the teeming stars,. Who come. before their time, are starved, and die,. Like swallows that arrive before the summer.. Or haply. talked of dearer personal themes,. Blind guesses at each other s after fate. Feeling our leaping hearts,. How To. ;. marvelled. oft. they should be unleashed, and have free course. stretch. But. we. in. and. down. strain far. the. coming time. our guesses never was the grave.. LADY.. The. tale. Gape. To. for. take. the tale. !. !. the tale. a coming pageant,. its. music are. all. As empty. !. my. halls. fond ears. eager-wide.. WALTER. Within yori grove of beeches I. ve. made a vow. to. read. it. is. a well,. only there.. LADY.. As. I. suppose, by. For quenching. way. thirst. of recompense,. on some hot summer day.. WALTER.. Memories grow around it thick as flowers. That well is loved and haunted by a star..
(54) 48. A LIFE-DRAMA.. The Is. day her clear and patient eye. live-long. open on the. soft. where she. Just. [SCENE. lost. and bending blue, her lover in the morn.. But with the night the star creeps o er the trees. And. smiles upon her, and. She holds. his. image. Beside that well. Who. in. read the mighty Bard. I. clad himself with beauty, genius, wealth,. Then. flung himself on his. And was consumed. The. whitest. Tis said. A. some happy hours. her crystal heart.. prince. lilies. that,. grow. mong. own. for. miles.. many. the flowers of perished years,. woo d here a lady of. And when. passion-pyre. Beside that lucid well. with faltering. lips. the land,. he. told his love,. Into her proud face leapt her prouder blood. She struck him. As. if. she wore the crowns of. She swept. Again he. He To. right on and sat at. ;. blind with scorn, then with an air. left. even with. all. him. the world,. in the. dew.. his love,. sent a song into her haughty ears. plead for him. ;. she listened,. still. he sang.. Tears, drawn by music, were upon her face, Till. on. its. trembling close, to which she clung. Like dying wretch. to life,. with a low cry. She flung her arms around him, told her love,. And how It. in. she long had loved him, but had kept. her heart, like one. who has a gem. IV..
(55) SCENE. And. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. hoards. it. up. in. some most. While he who owns. it. seeks. it. 49. secret place,. and with. Won. tears.. by the sweet omnipotence of song gave her lands she paid him with herself.. He. !. ;. Brow-bound with gold she. sat the fairest thing. his sea- washed shores.. Within. LADY.. Most. A. s love. poet. fit. reward. !. should ever thus be paid.. WALTER.. Ha. Dost thou think so. !. ?. LADY. Yes.. The. tale. !. the tale. !. WALTER.. On. A. balcony,. all. summer. lady half-reclined. roofed with vines,. amid. the light,. Golden and green, soft-showering through the leaves, Silent she sat one-half the silent. At. last. noon;. she sank luxurious in her couch,. Purple and golden-fringed, like the sun. And. stretched her white. As. if to. To. ease the empty aching of her heart.. take. some. s,. arms on the warmed. object wherewithal. air,.
(56) 50 4. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Oh, what a weariness of. The lady. soothing myself. said,. mine. life is. IV.. [SCENE. !. to sleep. my own lute, floating about the lake To feed my swans, with nought to stir my Unless I scold my women thrice a-day. Unwrought yet in the tapestry of my life With. Are I,. princely suitors kneeling evermore.. my. in. beauty, standing in the midst, careless, with. Touching them,. most stately eyes.. Oh,. I. could love, methinks, with. But. I. see nought to love. Of. lisping,. ;. .palace, rich. When. the blind. The Earl went I. soul. my. !. nought save some score their. i. Oh, empty. and purple-chambered. come home. will thy lord. When. all. curPd gallants, with words. Soft as their mother s milk.. Oh,. blood,. mouths. heart. !. !. ?. morn was groping bout. the east,. trooping forth to chase the stag. ;. trust he hath not, to the sport he loves. Better than ale-bouts, ta en. My As. sweetest plaything. is. my. He. is. cub of Ind. bright. a gleaming panther of the. and wild. ,. hills,. Lovely as lightning, beautiful as wild His sports and laughters are with fierceness edged !. There. As. I. s. something. in his beauty, all. untamed,. were toying with a naked sword,. Which. starts within. my. veins the blood of earls.. ;.
(57) SCENE. I. would have the service of. fain. To. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. 51. his voice. with music this most languid noon.. kill. She rang a. silver bell. The tawny. nursling of the Indian sun c. :. Stood. at. Voice. me some stormy. her. feet.. I. with downcast eyes. pr ythee, Leopard, sing. Which, rushing upward from a hero Straight rose. ;. song of sword and lance, s heart,. upon a hundred leaguered. hills,. Ragged and wild as pyramid of flame. Or, better, sing. some hungry lay of. Like that you sang. How. me on. the eve. love,. you. told. poor our English to your Indian darks. Shaken from od rous. hills,. through the mellow nights. Pass. like fine pulses. The. purple ether that cmbathes the moon,. Your. large round. Your showers of. moon, more stars,. Like golden dew-drops I. Its. know a. ;. what tender smells ;. beautiful than ours. ;. each hanging luminous, in the Indian air.. song, born in the heart of love,. sweetest sweet, steeped ere the close in tears.. Twas sung. into the cold ears. of the stars. Beside the murmured rnargent of the sea.. T is. of two lovers, matched like cymbals fine,. Who,. in. a. Their pale. Made. And. moment of lips. luxurious blood,. trembling. in the kiss. their lives wine-cups,. of gods,. and then drank them. died with beings full-blown like a rose. ;. off,.
(58) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 52. A. mighty heart-pant bore them. And. [SCENE a wave,. like. flung them, flowers, upon the next world. Night the solemn, night the starry, Mong the oak-trees old and gnany the sea-shore. By. Neath the. Her. ;. ;. was unlaced,. was trembling round her. plucked the joys upon her. I. still. Joys, though plucked,. waist,. lips. ;. grow again. Canst thou say the same, old Night. Ha. !. thy. life is. vain.. Night the solemn, night the starry, Oh,.that death would. let. me. tarry. Like a dewdrop on a flower,. Even on. those lips of Clari. !. Our beings mellow, then they. fall,. Like o er-ripe peachqs from the wall. We On I. Ah. ripen, drop, and. the cold grave. weep !. my. it. o er. ;. the rain. ;. all is. weeps. should be so, old Night.. tears are vain.. Night the solemn, night the starry, Say, alas. !. s strand.. ships,. stars I sat with Clari. silken bodice. My arm. and the. IV.. that years should harry. ;. !. ?.
(59) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. Gloss from. life. and joys from. lips,. Love-lustres from the eyes of Clari. Moon. !. !. that walkcst the blue deep,. Like naked maiden Star! whose. in. her sleep. ;. pallid splendor dips. In the ghost-waves of the main.. Oh, ye hear. My He. and. tears. ceased to sing. One. Of. ;. me. not. !. old Night,. cries are vain.. queenly the lady lay,. white hand hidden in a golden shoal. ringlets, reeling. down upon her couch,. And. heaving on the heavings of her breast,. The. while the thoughts rose in her eyes like stars,. Rising and setting in the blue of night. I 1. had a cousin once,. Who. brooding. sat,. the lady said,. a melancholy owl,. the twilight branches of his thoughts.. Among He was a rhymer, and great knights he spoiled, And damsels saved, and giants slew in verse. He died in youth his heart held a dead hope, ;. As. holds the wretched west the sunset s corpse,. Spit on, insulted. by. the brutal rains.. He went to his grave nor told what man he He was unlanguaged, like the earnest sea, Which. strives to gain. was.. an utterance on the shore,. But ne er can shape unto the listening. hills,.
(60) 54. A LIFE-DRAMA.. The. lore. To. gathered in. it. The crime. for. shrieks,. The. which. its. tis. awful age. mad spoomings. to the frighted stars;. thought, pain, grief, within. fledge with music, wings of. I. sing. some verses. ;. lashed by cruel winds. To ll. [SCENE. its. laboring heart,. heavy noon,. me. that he sent to. :. Where. the west has sunset-bloomed,. Where. a hero. Where. a thunder-cloud has gloomed,. s. heart. tombed,. is. Seen, becomes a part of me.. Flowers and. rills live. In gardens of. its. Through. my memory.. walks and leafy lanes,. Float fair shapes. Blood. is. sunnily. running. mong. in their veins.. One, a queenly maiden. Sweepeth past. sunlight rains. me. fair,. with an. air,. Kings might kneel beneath her. Round her Reeled Alas. !. I, it. stare.. heart a rose-bud free,. like. a drunken bee. would not ope. to. ;. me.. ;. IV..
(61) SCENE. 55. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. One comes. shining like a saint,. But her face. I. cannot paint,. For mine eyes and blood grow. are. Eyes. Sounds. dimmed. by a tear, mine ear,. are ringing in. only, she. I feel. as. faint.. is. here,. That she laugheth where she. stands,. That she mockcth with her hands,. am. bound. Laid. mong. I. Singing. And. in tighter. faintest. bands.. blooms. is. one,. in the setting sun,. her song. is. never done.. She was born mong water-mills She grew up mong flowers and In the hearts of distant. There,. into. hills.. her being stole. Nature, and embued the whole,. And. illumed her face and soul.. She grew Still. fairer than her peers. her gentle forehead wears. Holy. lights of infant years.. ;. ;. rills,.
(62) 56. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Her. blue eyes, so mild and. She. uplifteth,. Lo. !. when. I. of pride and. In this rich heart I. My. jest,. would. Purple and love-lined. 4. meek,. speak,. mount her cheek.. the blushes. Weary. I. [SCENE. rest,. nest.. dazzling panther of the smoking. When What. hills,. the hot sun hath touched their loads of dew,. strange eyes had. (For you must know. I. my am. That pace the garden of. cousin,. the. his. first. who. could thus. o the three. memory). Prefer before the daughter of great earls,. This. giglet, shining in. her golden hair,. Haunting him like a gleam or happy thought Or her, the last, up whose cheeks blushes went ;. As. thick. Up. cold. A. and frequent as the streamers pass. December. True, she might be. nights.. dainty partner in the. game of. Swect ning the honeymoon. When. redhot youth cools. ;. lips,. but what, alas. !. man. ?. down. to iron. Could her white fingers close a helmet up,. And. send her lord unkissed away. Her. heart striking with his. Would. When. arm. in. to field,. every blow. ?. joy rush through her spirit like a stream, to. her. lips. he came with victory back,. IV..
(63) SCENE. 57. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. Acclaims and blessings on. head. his. like. His mouthed wounds brave trumpets. Drawing. crowns,. in his praise,. huge shoals of people like the. moon,. Whose beauty draws the solemn-noised seas ? Or would his bright and lovely sanguine-stains Scare. all. the. coward blood. into. Leaving her cheeks as pale as. And. at his. And pay. My. Eager. lily. leaves. great step would she quail and. leap to greet. meet him,. tiptoe. on. The Lady Constance. my. I. speared him with a jest. Whose sinews. ;. ?. lips.. ;. love her cousin, too. He woo. as a cousin.. faint,. such coming lord,. This cousin loved the Lady Constance. Ay,. ?. arms with bloodless swoon. his seeking. heart would to. her heart,. did .*. d me, Leopard mine,. for there are. men. gainst a knitted brow,. stiffen. Yet are unthreaded, loosened by a sneer,. And Of. their resolve doth pass as doth. this sort. Adown. Two At I. P. was. my. cousin.. I. a wave. :. saw him once,. a pleached alley, in the sun,. gorgeous peacocks pecking from his hand. sight of. me. he. first. laughed and said,. ". I. turned red, then pale.. saw a misery perched. the melancholy corners of his mouth,. Life griffins on each side. my. father s. gates.". ;.
(64) 58. A LIFE-DRAMA.. That by sighing he would win. ". And,. Somewhere. And. crack. Lived. as soon as he could. its. golden. boy. its. shrouding mists.. cousin had of mine.. this. lovelier sight than. Among And. the. cloud trailing o er the midnight moon,. frail. Was. week. heart,. earth,. a cataract. in his sorrow, like. Strange likings, too,. my. hug the. A. ribs.". Unseen, yet sounding through. A. [SCENE IV.. wounded boar a-foam. He. the yelping dogs.. through his fingers. d. lie in fields,. watch the changing clouds,. Those playful fancies of the mighty sky, With deeper interest than a lady s face.. He had. no heart. Which,. like. a. to. grasp the fleeting hour,. thief, steals. by with. In his closed hand the jewel of a. He. silent foot,. life.. scarce would match his throned and kingdom d earth. Against a dew-drop.. Who And. d leap in the chariot of. seize the reins,. Must be of other. White honor Borne. stuff,. my. shall be like. lightly,. One who can. and wind. my it. heart,. to his will,. cub of Ind. a plaything. ;. to. him,. a pet falcon on his wrist; feel the. very pulse o the time,. Instant to act, to plunge into the strife,. And. with a strong. arm hold. the rearing world..
(65) <M. i:.\K. Swept by. rich,. proud beauties in their whistling silks,. plait shall. smooth. His mighty front whose. When. 59. chambers hushed with carpets. In costly. Mars. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. to. sweetness on his brow. steel flung. horsed for battle, shall bend above a hand. Laid like a lily in his tawny palm, With such a grace as takes the gazer. s. eye.. His voice that shivered the mad trumpet. A. new-raised standard to the reeling. know. Shall. To charm And. to. tremble at a lady. s blare,. field,. s ear,. her blood with the fine touch of praise,. as she listens. If the. steal. good gods do grant. More would. I. His coal-black. away. me. the heart.. such a man,. dote upon his trenched brows, hair,. proud eyes, and scornful. Than on. a gallant, curled like Absalom,. Cheeked. like Apollo, with his luted voice.. 4. Canst. Is. t. ;. back the sun,. tell. true. lips,. me, Sir Dark-eyes,. what these strange-thoughted poets say,. That hearts are tangled. in. a golden smile. ?. That brave cheeks pale before a queenly brow ? That mail d knees bend beneath a lighted eye ? That trickling tears are deadlier than swords ?. That with our full-mooned beauty we can slave Spirits that walk time, like the travelling sun,. With sunset. glories girt. around his loins. ?.
(66) 60. A LIFE-DRAMA.. That love can. [SCENE. upon such dainty food. thrive. As sweet. words, showering from a rosy. As. and smiles, and. sighs,. The dark Page. To. lifted. that bright face,. And. IV.. up. tears,. his Indian. and saw. all. it. lip,. and kisses warm. ?. eyes. a-smile. ;. then half grave, half jestingly, he said,. The. devil fisheth best for souls of. When Love. his. hook. lights. is. upon. men. baited with a lovely limb the heart, and straight. More worlds of wealth gleam. in. Than. miser sea.. in the rich heart of the. ;. we. feel. an upturned eye,. Beauty hath made our greatest manhoods weak.. There have been men who chafed, leapt on their times, And reined them in as gallants rein their steeds. To. curvetings, to. Yet love hath on. show their. sweep of limb broad brows written their. ;. ". fool.". Sages, with passions held in leash like hounds;. Grave Doctors, In. lists. tilting. with a lance of light. of argument, have knelt and sighed. Most plethoric. sighs,. and been but very men. ;. Stern hearts, close barred against a wanton world,. Have had. Why Who. their gates burst. there. kiss.. was one who might have topped. all. bartered joyously for a single smile,. This empired planet with. And. open by a. its. load of crowns,. thought himself enriched.. Mankind. will. If. ye arc. fair,. crowd around you, thick as when. men,.
(67) SCENE. The. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. full-faced. moon. sits silver. 61. on the sea,. The eager waves lift up their gleaming Each shouldering for her smile. The. heads,. lady dowered him with her richest look,. Her arch head. From. half aside, her liquid eyes,. neath their dim. Stood. on. full. his,. lids. drooping slumberous,. and called the wild blood up. All in a tumult to his sun-kissed cheek,. As. if. it. wished. Then asked 4. to see. her beauty too. in dulcet tones,. 4. Dost think me. fair ?. Oh, thou art fairer than an Indian morn,. Seated. Thy. in. her sheen palace of the east.. Of. fleets, rich glutted, toiling. To. vomit. The. A. wombs. faintest smile out-prices the swelled. all their. whiteness of. wearily. wealth on English strands. this. hand should ne er receive. poorer greeting than the kiss of kings. And on. thy happy lips doth. sit. ;. a joy,. Fuller than any gathered by the gods, In. all. the rich range of their golden heaven.. Now, by my mother s white enskied soul The lady cried, twixt laugh and blush the *. I ll. Thy. swear thou spirit. st. been. in love,. on another breaks. my. !. while,. Indian sweet.. in joy,. Like the pleased sea on a white-breasted shore. A. shore that wears on her alluring brows.
(68) 62. A LIFE-DRAMA.. Rare. [SCENE of the sea,. shells, far brought, the love-gifts. That blush d a. The well-washed That thou. Now,. tell-tale.. I. swear by. all. jewels strewn on fathom sands,. keep her looks, her words, her sighs, Her laughs, her tears, her angers, and her frowns, dost. Balmed between memory s leaves and ev ry day Dost count them o er and o er in solitude, ;. As. monks count. pious. o er their rosaries.. did she give thee love for love. Now, tell me, Or didst thou make midnight Telling her. How. My. all. about thy lady. rich her cheek,. how. s. eyes,. cold as death her scorn. lustrous Leopard, hast thou. The Page. been. in love. His soul stood. like. Suddenly orbed. ;. a moon within. ?. ;. his eyes,. was shook. his passionate voice. By trembles into music. Thou and the Lady,. 4. !. silver throb. Flung herself back. Thee. I. love.. with a cruel laugh,. went through him. like a sword,). upon her fringed couch.. From which She 1. rose. she rose upon him like a queen, and stabbed him with her angry eyes.. Tis well. Or. else. my. my. father did not hear thee, boy,. pretty plaything of an hour. Might have gone sleep to-night without. And. I. ?. dark face flushed the hue of wine. s. In crystal goblet stricken by the sun. (Each. ?. thy confidant,. might waste rich tears upon his. his head, fate.. IV..
(69) SCENE. would not have. I. sweetest plaything hurt.. my. me. Dost think to scorch. My. fierce. Now One. with those blazing eyes,. and lightning-blooded cub o the sun. blood. Thy P the. 63. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. is. face o. could. I. up its. monarch.. Peace. By my gray. !. single look. My Hero. !. !. my. Heart-god. My. My. Hercules, with chin as smooth as. am. sire,. slay thee with one look of hate,. Dusk Hyperion, Bacchus of. I. ?. on thy brow,. in riot. so sorry maid,. I. the Inds. !. !. my own. !. cannot wear. This great and proffered jewel of thy love. Didst never fear Thou art too bold, methinks !. That on. my. poor deserts thy love would. sit. Like a great diamond on a threadbare robe I. tremble for. And. I. will. I. t.. pr ythee,. As. come to-morrow. my. you upon. pasture. lips. Go now,. Until thy beard be grown.. ?. sir,. go.. thence she waved him with arm-sweep superb,. The. light of scorn. And. withered his bloom d heart which, like a rose,. Had. opened, timid,. The. lady sank again into her couch,. was cold within her eyes,. Panting and flushed. When. ;. love.. slowly she paled with thought. she looked up the sun had sunk an hour,. And one round The. noon of. to the. star l. lady sighed,. shook. It. was. in the. my. orange west.. father s blood. ;.
(70) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 64. me. That bore. Bears a shed. And. yet. IV.. as a red and wrathful stream leaf.. would. I. [SCENE. I. would. my. recall. words,. not.. what angry beauty rushed his face What lips what splendid eyes twas pitiful. Into. !. !. !. To. see such splendors ebb in utter woe.. His eyes half won me.. Rich d with. Were. I. !. I. am. a fool. ;. blood that purples in these azure veins,. The. My. Tush. long course through a hundred earls,. its. fouled and. father loves. for his. mudded. him. if I. stooped to him.. for his free wild wit. ;. beauty and sunlighted eyes.. To bring him to my feet, to kiss my hand, Had I it in my gift, I d give the world, Its. of gold panting fire-heart, diamonds, veins. Its. rich strands, oceans, belts of cedared. Whence summer But whether. I. With a proud. Him. smells are struck by. ;. hills,. all the. winds.. might lance him through the brain look,. or whether sternly. kill. with a single deadly word of scorn,. Or whether. And. sink. And. strike. Alas. !. I will. yield. all. tears. him. I feel I. be kind. me. up,. and weakness. in his. arms,. blind with a strong shock of joy. could do each and. when next he. all.. brings. me. flowers,. Plucked from the shining forehead of the morn,. Ere they have oped. their rich cores to the bee..
(71) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. 65. His wild heart with a ringlet. will I chain,. And. o er him. like a. And. feed him with sweet looks and dew-soft words,. And. beauty that might make a monarch pale,. And. thrill. him. Smile him. to. me. will lean. I. to the heart s. heaven,. core with a touch. ;. Paradise at close of eve,. To hang upon my. dreams.. lips in silver. LADY.. What,. done already. art thou. A day unsealed A dusky rod of. Thy talc is like What though dusk ?. ?. with sunset. iron hath. power. lightnings from their heaven. The. richest. wage you can pay. draw. to. The. to itself.. love. love.. is. WALTER.. Then. close the tale thyself,. I. drop the mask. I. am. I. take thy hand,. I. look in thy face and see no frown. the sun-tanned. O may my. it. spirit. Page. ;. the Lady, thou. trembles in. on hope. s. my. grasp in. ;. !. ;. it.. ladder climb. From hungry. nothing up to star-packed space,. Thence. on. The. strain. only heaven. tip-toe to thy love I. ask. beyond. !. LADY.. My God. !. t. is. hard. !.
(72) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 66. When. I. was. all in. And now, when. leaf the frost winds. o er. me. came,. summer. runs the. IV.. [SCENE. s breath,. waves but iron boughs.. It. WALTER.. What. Thy cheek I. burns. them as a. see. mad. dost thou. O. as mine.. murmur. ?. untouched. lips. glorious rebel sees. A crown within his. reach.. I. 11. taste their bliss. Although the price be death. LADY (springing up). Walter beware !. !. These. O. Sir. A. month. list. ning earnestly.. bridal bells. The. fainting. Earth. her million golden veins,. her blood. pale bride. my. village glad.. bleeding at. And by. heavens are. within a. make a. Will Is. tell-tale !. I. m. wedded. bought.. to. gray. Of. cold and cruel blue. A. grave with daisies on. and. ;. The sun. hair,. shall see. and eyes. in the spring. it.. WALTER.. My My. little brilliant. Have. left. world. world !. is. cracked,. These. a deep red gash across. knife-like. my. heart.. words. !.
(73) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. 67. LADY.. We. twain have met like ships upon the sea,. Who. hold an hour s converse, so short, so sweet. ;. One little hour and then, away they speed On lonely paths, through mist, and cloud, and foam, !. To meet no more. I would to God that. We I. have been. foolish,. Walter. !. had never known. This secret of thy heart, or else had met thee. Years before. this.. I. bear a heavy doom.. If thy rich heart is like. a palace shattered,. Stand up amid the ruins of thy heart, And with a calm brow front the solemn. [LADY pauses. T is. four o clock already.. stars.. WALTER remains. ;. Has climbed. the blue steep of the eastern sky,. And. tarries for the. So. sits. let. and. I. till. occasion comes like night. ;. comes. night to moons, to souls occasion. am. thine elder,. WALTER. !. in the heart.. I. read thy future like an open book. I. see thou shalt have grief. Thy. ;. grief s edge blunted on the iron world.. brave soul. When The. :. also see. I. Be brave and strong through. A. night.. thy soul be up and ready armed,. In waiting. As. coming. silent.. moon. See, the. is. all. a thing which. the great Corsican from. soldiers sent to take. thy wrestling years,. all. things serve. Elba came,. him bound or dead,. ;.
(74) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 68. Were. He. struck to statues. by. [SCENE. his kingly. eyes. IV.. :. they broke their ranks, they clasped his. spoke knees,. With. tears along a cheering road of triumph,. They. bore him to a throne.. Perform thy work and. Be thou Set,. Oh To. straight return to. the midnight s white. when. !. Know when. men who. !. God.. and drenching moon,. the midnight thou hast filled. there are. to die. is. past.. linger on the stage. gather crumbs and fragments of applause. When. they should sleep in earth. who,. like the. moon,. Have brightened up some little night of time, And stead of setting when their light is worn, Still linger, like its. When. fills. daylight. Nay, nay,. I. blank and beamless orb,. But. the sky.. go alone. I. must go.. Yet one word more,. !. Strive for the Poet s crown, but ne er forget. How. poor are fancy. s. blooms. to thoughtful fruits. That gold and crimson mornings, though more. Than. ;. bright. soft blue days, are scarcely half their worth.. Walter, farewell. !. the world shall hear of thee.. [LADY I. have a strange sweet thought.. 1. shall be. dead. in spring,. Which animates and. and. I. still lingers.. do believe. that the soul. doth inform these limbs. Will pass into the daisies of. my. grave. :.
(75) SCENE. If. A LIFE-DRAMA.. IV.]. memory. shall ever lead thee there,. look up into thy face. Through. daisies. And. a dim sweet joy. As. feel. in. a. little. God. !. How. what a. my. ll. last. and. ;. lt. know. if. they move,. tis. I.. past. like is. [LADY. (after a Jong interval, looking up). light has passed. look. !. How. away. hideous. fron earth this night. beautiful the yesterday that stood. Over me. The. I. wind, thou. WALTER. Since. 69. a rainbow. past.. I. !. I. am. alone.. see the future stretch. All dark and barren as a rainy sea.. !. goes..
(76) 70. SCENE. V.. WALTER, wandering down a rural. lane.. Evening. of the same day as Scene IV.. WALTER.. SUNSET. Upon. is. burning. like the seal of. This veiy hour. the close of day.. Night mounts her chariot. To. God. in the eastern. chase the flying Sun, whose. flight. Footprints of glory in the clouded west. Swift. is. she haled by winged. glooms. has. left. :. swimming. steeds,. Whose cloudy manes are wet with heavy dews, And dews are drizzling from her chariot wheels. Soft in her lap lies drowsy-lidded Sleep,. Brainful of dreams, as. And round. summer. hive with bees. ;. her in the pale and spectral light. Flock bats and grisly owls on noiseless wings. flying sun goes down the burning west,. The. Vast night comes noiseless up the eastern slope,. And. so the eternal chase goes round the world..
(77) SCENE. A LIFE-DRAMA.. V.]. Unrest. unrest. !. Watches. !. The. passion-panting sea. the unveiled beauty of the stars. Like a great hungry. Break and. And. 71. The. soul.. unquiet clouds. dissolve, then gather in a mass,. mighty icebergs through the blue.. float like. Summers, like blushes, sweep the face of Heaven yearns in stars. Down comes the. We. earth; frantic rain. ;. hear the wail of the remorseful winds. And. In their strange penance.. Knows. not the taste of rest. this. wretched orb. a maniac world,. ;. Homeless and sobbing through the deep she goes.. [A Child runs past. O. WALTER. ;. looks after her.. thou bright thing, fresh from the hand of. The. By. God. ;. motions of thy dancing limbs are swayed. the unceasing music of thy being. Nearer. I. seem. to. God when. Tis ages since he made. his. His hand was on thee as. t. Thou. later Revelation. !. looking on thee.. youngest. star,. were yesterday.. Silver Stream,. !. Breaking with laughter from the lake divine. Whence. What. all. Perpetuate. When. things flow. wilt thou this. he has. !. O. bright and singing babe. be hereafter?. Why. should. man. round of misery. in his. hand the power. to close. it ?. Let there be no more warm hearts, no love on earth.. Love bringeth wretchedness. No Love No Love No holy marriage. No sweet infant smiles. !. !. !.
(78) 72. A LIFE-DRAMA.. No. mother. s. [SCENE V.. bending o er the innocent sleep. With unvoiced prayers and with happy tears. Let the whole race die out, and with a stroke,. A. master-stroke, at once cheat Death and Hell. Of. half of their enormous revenues.. a cottage, a peasant sitting. [WALTER approaches at the door.. One. of. my. Tis a. peasants.. fair eve.. PEASANT.. Ay, Master. How. !. sweet the smell of beans upon the air;. The wheat. is. We have. earing fairly.. For thankfulness. reason. God.. to. WALTER. (looking upward}.. We For. He. He. has. made Death.. He. has. made Heaven. provides a balm for. have great reason all. Thrice blessed be His name. PEASANT.. WALTER.. Did. I. When. say Death. ?. O God. our eyes close,. ;. our woes.. we. To yawn. eternities.. there. no death.. !. is. only pass one stage. !.
(79) A LIFE-DRAMA.. SCENE V.]. Of our. We. I. d pay. it. all. friend. !. :. and must bear such woe. ;. light. down. my. doom. are sharers in one. are immortals. That, could. He He. Your hand,. eternal being.. For thou and. 73. on God, His. in. agony. stars to. the death. buy. Dost thou wish. doth deny us.. to die ?. PEASANT. I trust. in. God. to live for. many. years,. Although with a worn frame and with a heart. Somewhat. the worse for wear.. WALTER.. O These hands are brown with. fool toil. ;. fool. !. that. Still. you must sweat and swelter. And. trudge, with feet. Nor. intermission have until the end.. Thou. canst not. fool. seamed,. in the sun,. benumbed, the winter. s. snow,. to life. !. I ll. not believe. it. ;. faces of all things belie their hearts,. Each man. s. as. weary of. his life as. I.. This anguished earth shines on the moon. The moon. A. !. is. draw down fame upon thy head,. And yet would cling The. !. brow. scarr d heart fed upon by hungry. Black. There. is this is. a moon.. hides with a cloak of tender li^ht t3. no. world, but blacker rest for. any. is. fires.. the next. living soul. :. ;.
(80) 74. A LIFE-DRAMA.. We. and must bear with us. are immortals. eternity this hateful. all. Through. Restlessly. flitting. The memory. [SCENE V.. from pure. being. ;. star to star,. of our sins, deceits, and crimes,. Will eat into us. like. a poisoned robe.. Yet thou canst wear content upon thy face. And. talk of thankfulness. Get underneath the earth. O. !. for. man,. die,. die. !. very shame.. draws near ; at its [During dose her Father presents her to WALTER. this thy answer ? [Looks at her earnestly. this speech the Child. Is. O my I lost. Now. My. could. I. heart. It finds. So. worthy friend,. a world to-day and shed no tear. let. is. weep for weak as a. no shore. it. to. thee.. Sweet. great globe,. ;. sinless. one. !. all sea.. break on but thyself:. break.. [He hides. his face in his hands, the Child. looking fearfully up at him..
(81) 75. SCENE. A Room. in London.. VI.. WALTER. reading from. a manuscript.. MY. head. my blood is Red-leaping my veins, The Spring doth stir my spirit is. gray,. young,. in. To. seek the cloistered. The. primrose in the lanes.. In heart .. yet. violet,. I. am. a very boy,. Haunting the woods, the waterfalls,. The. ivies. Weeping. When Or. on gray castle-walls in silent. ;. joy. the broad sun goes. down. trembling o er a sparrow. the west,. s nest.. The world might laugh were I to What most my old age cheers,. Mem Of. ries of stars. nutting strolls. tell. and crescent moons, through autumn noons,.
(82) A LIFE-DRAMA.. 76. Rainbows mong April But. chief, to live that. When. first I. VI.. s tears.. hour again,. stood on sea-beach old,. First heard the voice,. The. [SCENE. first. saw. out-rolled. glory of the main.. Many rich draughts hath Memory, The Soul s cup-bearer, brought to me. I. saw a garden. A. lovely place,. my. in I. strolls,. ween,. With rows of vermeil-blossomed With. trees,. flowers, with slumb rous haunts of bees,. With summer-house of green.. A peacock. perched upon a. dial,. In the sun s face he did unclose. His. train. To. superb with eyes and glows,. dare the sun to. trial.. A child sat in a shady place, A shower of ringlets round her face. She. sat. on shaven. plot of grass,. With earnest face and weaving Lilies white. and freaked pansies. Into quaint delicious fancies,. Then, on a sudden leaving Her floral wreath, she would upspring With silver shouts and ardent eyes,. To. chase the yellow. butterflies,.
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