THE COMPLETE POEMS

OF

EMILY DICKINSON

2020

The Complete Poems By Emily Dickinson.

This edition was created and published by Global Grey

©GlobalGrey 2020

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CONTENTS

1. Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine

2. There is another sky

3. Sic transit gloria mundi

4. On this wondrous sea

5. I have a Bird in spring

6. Frequently the woods are pink

7. The feet of people walking home

8. There is a word

9. Through lane it lay — through bramble —

10. My wheel is in the dark!

11. I never told the buried gold

12. The morns are meeker than they were —

13. Sleep is supposed to be

14. One Sister have I in our house,

15. The Guest is gold and crimson —

16. I would distil a cup,

17. Baffled for just a day or two —

18. The Gentian weaves her fringes —

19. A sepal, petal, and a thorn

20. Distrustful of the Gentian —

21. We lose — because we win —

22. All these my banners be.

23. I had a guinea golden —

24. There is a morn by men unseen —

25. She slept beneath a tree —

26. It's all I have to bring today —

27. Morns like these — we parted —

28. So has a Daisy vanished

29. If those I loved were lost

30. Adrift! A little boat adrift!

31. Summer for thee, grant I may be

32. When Roses cease to bloom, Sir,

33. If recollecting were forgetting,

34. Garland for Queens, may be —

35. Nobody knows this little Rose —

36. Snow flakes.

37. Before the ice is in the pools —

38. By such and such an offering

39. It did not surprise me —

40. When I count the seeds

41. I robbed the Woods —

42. A Day! Help! Help! Another Day!

43. Could live — did live —

44. If she had been the Mistletoe

45. There's something quieter than sleep

46. I keep my pledge.

47. Heart! We will forget him!

48. Once more, my now bewildered Dove

49. I never lost as much but twice,

50. I haven't told my garden yet —

51. I often passed the village

52. Whether my bark went down at sea —

53. Taken from men — this morning —

54. If I should die,

55. By Chivalries as tiny,

56. If I should cease to bring a Rose

57. To venerate the simple days

58. Delayed till she had ceased to know —

59. A little East of Jordan,

60. Like her the Saints retire,

61. Papa above!

62. "Sown in dishonor"!

63. If pain for peace prepares

64. Some Rainbow — coming from the Fair!

65. I can't tell you — but you feel it —

66. So from the mould

67. Success is counted sweetest

68. Ambition cannot find him.

69. Low at my problem bending,

70. "Arcturus" is his other name —

71. A throe upon the features —

72. Glowing is her Bonnet,

73. Who never lost, are unprepared

74. A Lady red — amid the Hill

75. She died at play,

76. Exultation is the going

77. I never hear the word "escape"

78. A poor — torn heart — a tattered heart —

79. Going to Heaven!

80. Our lives are Swiss —

81. We should not mind so small a flower —

82. Whose cheek is this?

83. Heart, not so heavy as mine

84. Her breast is fit for pearls,

85. "They have not chosen me," he said,

86. South Winds jostle them —

87. A darting fear — a pomp — a tear —

88. As by the dead we love to sit,

89. Some things that fly there be —

90. Within my reach!

91. So bashful when I spied her!

92. My friend must be a Bird —

93. Went up a year this evening!

94. Angels, in the early morning

95. My nosegays are for Captives —

96. Sexton! My Master's sleeping here.

97. The rainbow never tells me

98. One dignity delays for all —

99. New feet within my garden go —

100. A science — so the Savants say,

101. Will there really be a "Morning"?

102. Great Caesar! Condescend

103. I have a King, who does not speak —

104. Where I have lost, I softer tread —

105. To hang our head — ostensibly —

106. The Daisy follows soft the Sun —

107. 'Twas such a little — little boat

108. Surgeons must be very careful

109. By a flower — By a letter —

110. Artists wrestled here!

111. The Bee is not afraid of me.

112. Where bells no more affright the morn —

113. Our share of night to bear —

114. Good night, because we must,

115. What Inn is this

116. I had some things that I called mine —

117. In rags mysterious as these

118. My friend attacks my friend!

119. Talk with prudence to a Beggar

120. If this is "fading"

121. As Watchers hang upon the East,

122. A something in a summer's Day

123. Many cross the Rhine

124. In lands I never saw — they say

125. For each ecstatic instant

126. To fight aloud, is very brave —

127. "Houses" — so the Wise Men tell me —

128. Bring me the sunset in a cup,

129. Cocoon above! Cocoon below!

130. These are the days when Birds come back —

131. Besides the Autumn poets sing

132. I bring an unaccustomed wine

133. As Children bid the Guest "Good Night"

134. Perhaps you'd like to buy a flower,

135. Water, is taught by thirst.

136. Have you got a Brook in your little heart,

137. Flowers — Well — if anybody

138. Pigmy seraphs — gone astray —

139. Soul, Wilt thou toss again?

140. An altered look about the hills —

141. Some, too fragile for winter winds

142. Whose are the little beds, I asked

143. For every Bird a Nest —

144. She bore it till the simple veins

145. This heart that broke so long —

146. On such a night, or such a night,

147. Bless God, he went as soldiers,

148. All overgrown by cunning moss,

149. She went as quiet as the Dew

150. She died — this was the way she died.

151. Mute thy Coronation —

152. The Sun kept stooping — stooping — low!

153. Dust is the only Secret —

154. Except to Heaven, she is nought.

155. The Murmur of a Bee

156. You love me — you are sure —

157. Musicians wrestle everywhere —

158. Dying! Dying in the night!

159. A little bread — a crust — a crumb —

160. Just lost, when I was saved!

161. A feather from the Whippoorwill

162. My River runs to thee —

163. Tho' my destiny be Fustian —

164. Mama never forgets her birds,

165. A wounded Deer — leaps highest —

166. I met a King this afternoon!

167. To learn the Transport by the Pain

168. If the foolish, call them "flowers" —

169. In Ebon Box, when years have flown

170. Portraits are to daily faces

171. Wait till the Majesty of Death

172. 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!

173. A fuzzy fellow, without feet,

174. At last, to be identified!

175. I have never seen "Volcanoes" —

176. I'm the little "Heart's Ease"!

177. Ah, Necromancy Sweet!

178. I cautious, scanned my little life —

179. If I could bribe them by a Rose

180. As if some little Arctic flower

181. I lost a World — the other day!

182. If I shouldn't be alive

183. I've heard an Organ talk, sometimes

184. A transport one cannot contain

185. "Faith" is a fine invention

186. What shall I do — it whimpers so —

187. How many times these low feet staggered —

188. Make me a picture of the sun —

189. It's such a little thing to weep —

190. He was weak, and I was strong — then —

191. The Skies can't keep their secret!

192. Poor little Heart!

193. I shall know why — when Time is over —

194. On this long storm the Rainbow rose —

195. For this — accepted Breath —

196. We don't cry — Tim and I,

197. Morning — is the place for Dew —

198. An awful Tempest mashed the air —

199. I'm "wife" — I've finished that —

200. I stole them from a Bee —

201. Two swimmers wrestled on the spar —

202. My Eye is fuller than my vase —

203. He forgot — and I — remembered —

204. A slash of Blue —

205. I should not dare to leave my friend,

206. The Flower must not blame the Bee —

207. Tho' I get home how late — how late —

208. The Rose did caper on her cheek —

209. With thee, in the Desert —

210. The thought beneath so slight a film —

211. Come slowly - Eden!

212. Least Rivers — docile to some sea.

213. Did the Harebell loose her girdle

214. I taste a liquor never brewed

215. What is — "Paradise" —

216. Safe in their alabaster chambers

217. Savior! I've no one else to tell —

218. Is it true, dear Sue?

219. She sweeps with many-colored Brooms —

220. Could I — then — shut the door —

221. It can't be "Summer"!

222. When Katie walks, this simple pair accompany her side,

223. I Came to buy a smile — today —

224. I've nothing else — to bring, You know —

225. Jesus! thy Crucifix

226. Should you but fail at — Sea —

227. Teach Him — When He makes the names —

228. Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple

229. A Burdock — clawed my Gown —

230. We — Bee and I — live by the quaffing —

231. God permits industrious Angels —

232. The Sun — just touched the Morning —

233. The Lamp burns sure — within —

234. You're right — "the way is narrow" —

235. The Court is far away —

236. If He dissolve — then — there is nothing — more —

237. I think just how my shape will rise —

238. Kill your Balm — and its Odors bless you —

239. "Heaven" — is what I cannot reach!

240. Ah, Moon — and Star!

241. I like a look of Agony,

242. When we stand on the tops of Things —

243. I've known a Heaven, like a Tent —

244. It is easy to work when the soul is at play —

245. I held a Jewel in my fingers —

246. Forever at His side to walk —

247. What would I give to see his face?

248. Why — do they shut Me out of Heaven?

249. Wild Nights — Wild Nights!

250. I shall keep singing!

251. Over the fence —

252. I can wade Grief —

253. You see I cannot see — your lifetime —

254. "Hope" is the thing with feathers —

255. To die — takes just a little while —

256. If I'm lost — now

257. Delight is as the flight —

258. There's a certain Slant of light

259. Good Night! Which put the Candle out?

260. Read — Sweet — how others — strove —

261. Put up my lute!

262. The lonesome for they know not What —

263. A single Screw of Flesh

264. A Weight with Needles on the pounds —

265. Where Ships of Purple — gently toss —

266. This — is the land — the Sunset washes —

267. Did we disobey Him?

268. Me, change! Me, alter!

269. Bound — a trouble —

270. One Life of so much Consequence!

271. A solemn thing — it was — I said —

272. I breathed enough to take the Trick —

273. He put the Belt around my life

274. The only Ghost I ever saw

275. Doubt Me! My Dim Companion!

276. Many a phrase has the English language —

277. What if I say I shall not wait!

278. A shady friend — for Torrid days —

279. Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord,

280. I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

281. 'Tis so appalling — it exhilarates —

282. How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,

283. A Mien to move a Queen —

284. The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea —

285. The Robin's my Criterion for Tune —

286. That after Horror — that 'twas us —

287. A Clock stopped —

288. I'm Nobody! Who are you?

289. I know some lonely Houses off the Road

290. Of Bronze — and Blaze —

291. How the old Mountains drip with Sunset

292. If your Nerve, deny you —

293. I got so I could take his name —

294. The Doomed — regard the Sunrise

295. Unto like Story — Trouble has enticed me —

296. One Year ago — jots what?

297. It's like the Light —

298. Alone, I cannot be —

299. Your Riches — taught me — Poverty

300. "Morning" — means "Milking" — to the Farmer —

301. I reason, Earth is short —

302. Like Some Old fashioned Miracle

303. The Soul selects her own Society —

304. The Day came slow — till Five o'clock —

305. The difference between Despair

306. The Soul's Superior instants

307. The One who could repeat the Summer day —

308. I send Two Sunsets —

309. For largest Woman's Hearth I knew —

310. Give little Anguish —

311. It sifts from Leaden Sieves —

312. Her — "last Poems" —

313. I should have been too glad, I see —

314. Nature — sometimes sears a Sapling —

315. He fumbles at your Soul

316. The Wind didn't come from the Orchard — today —

317. Just so — Jesus — raps —

318. I'll tell you how the Sun rose —

319. The nearest Dream recedes — unrealized —

320. We play at Paste —

321. Of all the Sounds despatched abroad,

322. There came a Day at Summer's full,

323. As if I asked a common Alms,

324. Some keep the Sabbath going to Church —

325. Of Tribulation, these are They,

326. I cannot dance upon my Toes —

327. Before I got my eye put out

328. A Bird came down the Walk —

329. So glad we are — a Stranger'd deem

330. The Juggler's Hat her Country is —

331. While Asters —

332. There are two Ripenings — one — of sight —

333. The Grass so little has to do —

334. All the letters I can write

335. 'Tis not that Dying hurts us so —

336. The face I carry with me — last —

337. I know a place where Summer strives

338. I know that He exists.

339. I tend my flowers for thee —

340. Is Bliss then, such Abyss,

341. After great pain, a formal feeling comes —

342. It will be Summer — eventually.

343. My Reward for Being, was This.

344. 'Twas the old — road — through pain —

345. Funny — to be a Century —

346. Not probable — The barest Chance —

347. When Night is almost done —

348. I dreaded that first Robin, so,

349. I had the Glory — that will do —

350. They leave us with the Infinite.

351. I felt my life with both my hands

352. Perhaps I asked too large —

353. A happy lip — breaks sudden —

354. From Cocoon forth a Butterfly

355. 'Tis Opposites — entice —

356. The Day that I was crowned

357. God is a distant — stately Lover —

358. If any sink, assure that this, now standing —

359. I gained it so —

360. Death sets a Thing significant

361. What I can do — I will —

362. It struck me — every Day —

363. I went to thank Her —

364. The Morning after Woe —

365. Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?

366. Although I put away his life —

367. Over and over, like a Tune —

368. How sick — to wait — in any place — but thine —

369. She lay as if at play

370. Heaven is so far of the Mind

371. A precious — mouldering pleasure — 'tis —

372. I know lives, I could miss

373. I'm saying every day

374. I went to Heaven —

375. The Angle of a Landscape —

376. Of Course — I prayed —

377. To lose one's faith — surpass

378. I saw no Way — The Heavens were stitched —

379. Rehearsal to Ourselves

380. There is a flower that Bees prefer —

381. A Secret told —

382. For Death — or rather

383. Exhilaration — is within —

384. No Rack can torture me —

385. Smiling back from Coronation

386. Answer July —

387. The sweetest Heresy received

388. Take your Heaven further on —

389. There's been a Death, in the Opposite House,

390. It's coming — the postponeless Creature —

391. A Visitor in Marl —

392. Through the Dark Sod — as Education —

393. Did Our Best Moment last —

394. 'Twas Love — not me —

395. Reverse cannot befall

396. There is a Languor of the Life

397. When Diamonds are a Legend,

398. I had not minded — Walls —

399. A House upon the Height —

400. A Tongue — to tell Him I am true!

401. What Soft — Cherubic Creatures —

402. I pay — in Satin Cash —

403. The Winters are so short —

404. How many Flowers fail in Wood —

405. It might be lonelier

406. Some — Work for Immortality —

407. If What we could — were what we would —

408. Unit, like Death, for Whom?

409. They dropped like Flakes —

410. The first Day's Night had come —

411. The Color of the Grave is Green —

412. I read my sentence — steadily —

413. I never felt at Home — Below —-

414. 'Twas like a Maelstrom, with a notch,

415. Sunset at Night — is natural —

416. A Murmur in the Trees — to note —

417. Is it dead — Find it —

418. Not in this World to see his face —

419. We grow accustomed to the Dark —

420. You'll know it — as you know 'tis Noon —

421. A Charm invests a face

422. More Life — went out — when He went

423. The Months have ends — the Years — a knot —

424. Removed from Accident of Loss

425. Good Morning — Midnight —

426. It don't sound so terrible — quite — as it did —

427. I'll clutch — and clutch —

428. Taking up the fair Ideal,

429. The Moon is distant from the Sea —

430. It would never be Common — more — I said —

431. Me — come! My dazzled face

432. Do People moulder equally,

433. Knows how to forget!

434. To love thee Year by Year —

435. Much Madness is divinest Sense —

436. The Wind — tapped like a tired Man —

437. Prayer is the little implement

438. Forget! The lady with the Amulet

439. Undue Significance a starving man attaches

440. 'Tis customary as we part

441. This is my letter to the World

442. God made a little Gentian —

443. I tie my Hat — I crease my Shawl —

444. It feels a shame to be Alive —

445. 'Twas just this time, last year, I died.

446. I showed her Heights she never saw —

447. Could — I do more — for Thee —

448. This was a Poet — It is That

449. I died for Beauty — but was scarce

450. Dreams — are well — but Waking's better,

451. The Outer — from the Inner

452. The Malay — took the Pearl —

453. Love — thou art high —

454. It was given to me by the Gods —

455. Triumph — may be of several kinds —

456. So well that I can live without —

457. Sweet — safe — Houses —

458. Like eyes that looked on Wastes —

459. A Tooth upon Our Peace

460. I know where Wells grow — Droughtless Wells —

461. A Wife — at daybreak I shall be —

462. Why make it doubt — it hurts it so —

463. I live with Him — I see His face —

464. The power to be true to You,

465. I heard a Fly buzz — when I died —

466. 'Tis little I — could care for Pearls —

467. We do not play on Graves —

468. The Manner of its Death

469. The Red — Blaze — is the Morning —

470. I am alive — I guess —

471. A Night — there lay the Days between —

472. Except the Heaven had come so near —

473. I am ashamed — I hide —

474. They put Us far apart —

475. Doom is the House without the Door —

476. I meant to have but modest needs —

477. No Man can compass a Despair —

478. I had no time to Hate —

479. She dealt her pretty words like Blades —

480. "Why do I love" You, Sir?

481. The Himmaleh was known to stoop

482. We Cover Thee — Sweet Face —

483. A Solemn thing within the Soul

484. My Garden — like the Beach —

485. To make One's Toilette — after Death

486. I was the slightest in the House —

487. You love the Lord — you cannot see —

488. Myself was formed — a Carpenter —

489. We pray — to Heaven —

490. To One denied the drink

491. While it is alive

492. Civilization — spurns — the Leopard!

493. The World — stands — solemner — to me —

494. Going to Him! Happy letter!

495. It's thoughts — and just One Heart —

496. As far from pity, as complaint —

497. He strained my faith —

498. I envy Seas, whereon He rides —

499. Those fair — fictitious People —

500. Within my Garden, rides a Bird

501. This World is not Conclusion.

502. At least — to pray — is left — is left —

503. Better — than Music! For I — who heard it —

504. You know that Portrait in the Moon —

505. I would not paint — a picture —

506. He touched me, so I live to know

507. She sights a Bird — she chuckles —

508. I'm ceded — I've stopped being Theirs —

509. If anybody's friend be dead

510. It was not Death, for I stood up,

511. If you were coming in the Fall,

512. The Soul has Bandaged moments —

513. Like Flowers, that heard the news of Dews,

514. Her smile was shaped like other smiles —

515. No Crowd that has occurred

516. Beauty — be not caused — It Is —

517. He parts Himself — like Leaves —

518. Her sweet Weight on my Heart a Night

519. 'Twas warm — at first — like Us —

520. I started Early — Took my Dog —

521. Endow the Living — with the Tears —

522. Had I presumed to hope —

523. Sweet — You forgot — but I remembered

524. Departed — to the Judgment —

525. I think the Hemlock likes to stand

526. To hear an Oriole sing

527. To put this World down, like a Bundle —

528. Mine — by the Right of the White Election!

529. I'm sorry for the Dead — Today —

530. You cannot put a Fire out —

531. We dream — it is good we are dreaming —

532. I tried to think a lonelier Thing

533. Two butterflies went out at Noon —

534. We see — Comparatively —

535. She's happy, with a new Content —

536. The Heart asks Pleasure — first —

537. Me prove it now — Whoever doubt

538. 'Tis true — They shut me in the Cold —

539. The Province of the Saved

540. I took my Power in my Hand —

541. Some such Butterfly be seen

542. I had no Cause to be awake —

543. I fear a Man of frugal Speech —

544. The Martyr Poets — did not tell —

545. 'Tis One by One — the Father counts —

546. To fill a Gap

547. I've seen a Dying Eye

548. Death is potential to that Man

549. That I did always love

550. I cross till I am weary

551. There is a Shame of Nobleness —

552. An ignorance a Sunset

553. One Crucifixion is recorded — only —

554. The Black Berry — wears a Thorn in his side —

555. Trust in the Unexpected —

556. The Brain, within its Groove

557. She hideth Her the last —

558. But little Carmine hath her face —

559. It knew no Medicine —

560. It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation —

561. I measure every Grief I meet

562. Conjecturing a Climate

563. I could not prove the Years had feet —

564. My period had come for Prayer —

565. One Anguish — in a Crowd —

566. A Dying Tiger — moaned for Drink —

567. He gave away his Life —

568. We learned the Whole of Love —

569. I reckon — when I count it all —

570. I could die — to know —

571. Must be a Woe —

572. Delight — becomes pictorial —

573. The Test of Love — is Death —

574. My first well Day — since many ill —

575. "Heaven" has different Signs — to me —

576. I prayed, at first, a little Girl,

577. If I may have it, when it's dead,

578. The Body grows without —

579. I had been hungry, all the Years —

580. I gave myself to Him —

581. I found the words to every thought

582. Inconceivably solemn!

583. A Toad, can die of Light —

584. It ceased to hurt me, though so slow

585. I like to see it lap the Miles —

586. We talked as Girls do —

587. Empty my Heart, of Thee —

588. I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

589. The Night was wide, and furnished scant

590. Did you ever stand in a Cavern's Mouth —

591. To interrupt His Yellow Plan

592. What care the Dead, for Chanticleer —

593. I think I was enchanted

594. The Battle fought between the Soul

595. Like Mighty Foot Lights — burned the Red

596. When I was small, a Woman died —

597. It always felt to me — a wrong

598. Three times — we parted — Breath — and I —

599. There is a pain — so utter —

600. It troubled me as once I was —

601. A still — Volcano — Life —

602. Of Brussels — it was not —

603. He found my Being — set it up —

604. Unto my Books — so good to turn —

605. The Spider holds a Silver Ball

606. The Trees like Tassels — hit — and swung —

607. Of nearness to her sundered Things

608. Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?

609. I Years had been from Home

610. You'll find — it when you try to die —

611. I see thee better — in the Dark —

612. It would have starved a Gnat —

613. They shut me up in Prose —

614. In falling Timbers buried —

615. Our journey had advanced —

616. I rose — because He sank —

617. Don't put up my Thread and Needle —

618. At leisure is the Soul

619. Glee — The great storm is over —

620. It makes no difference abroad —

621. I asked no other thing —

622. To know just how He suffered — would be dear —

623. It was too late for Man —

624. Forever — is composed of Nows —

625. 'Twas a long Parting — but the time

626. Only God — detect the Sorrow —

627. The Tint I cannot take — is best —

628. They called me to the Window, for

629. I watched the Moon around the House

630. The Lightning playeth — all the while —

631. Ourselves were wed one summer — dear —

632. The Brain — is wider than the Sky —

633. When Bells stop ringing — Church — begins

634. You'll know Her — by Her Foot —

635. I think the longest Hour of all

636. The Way I read a Letter's — this —

637. The Child's faith is new —

638. To my small Hearth His fire came —

639. My Portion is Defeat — today —

640. I cannot live with You —

641. Size circumscribes — it has no room

642. Me from Myself — to banish —

643. I could suffice for Him, I knew —

644. You left me — Sire — two Legacies —

645. Bereavement in their death to feel

646. I think to Live — may be a Bliss

647. A little Road — not made of Man —

648. Promise This — When You be Dying —

649. Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead

650. Pain — has an Element of Blank —

651. So much Summer

652. A Prison gets to be a friend —

653. Of Being is a Bird

654. A long — long Sleep — A famous — Sleep —

655. Without this — there is nought —

656. The name — of it — is "Autumn" —

657. I dwell in Possibility —

658. Whole Gulfs — of Red, and Fleets — of Red —

659. That first Day, when you praised Me, Sweet,

660. 'Tis good — the looking back on Grief —

661. Could I but ride indefinite

662. Embarrassment of one another

663. Again — his voice is at the door —

664. Of all the Souls that stand create —

665. Dropped into the Ether Acre —

666. Ah, Teneriffe!

667. Bloom upon the Mountain — stated —

668. "Nature" is what we see —

669. No Romance sold unto

670. One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —

671. She dwelleth in the Ground —

672. The Future — never spoke —

673. The Love a Life can show Below

674. The Soul that hath a Guest

675. Essential Oils — are wrung —

676. Least Bee that brew —

677. To be alive — is Power —

678. Wolfe demanded during dying

679. Conscious am I in my Chamber,

680. Each Life Converges to some Centre —

681. Soil of Flint, if steady tilled —

682. 'Twould ease — a Butterfly —

683. The Soul unto itself

684. Best Gains — must have the Losses' Test —

685. Not "Revelation" — 'tis — that waits,

686. They say that "Time assuages" —

687. I'll send the feather from my Hat!

688. "Speech" — is a prank of Parliament —

689. The Zeroes — taught us — Phosphorous —

690. Victory comes late —

691. Would you like summer? Taste of ours.

692. The Sun kept setting — setting — still

693. Shells from the Coast mistaking —

694. The Heaven vests for Each

695. As if the Sea should part

696. Their Height in Heaven comforts not —

697. I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

698. Life — is what we make of it —

699. The Judge is like the Owl —

700. You've seen Balloons set — Haven't You?

701. A Thought went up my mind today —

702. A first Mute Coming —

703. Out of sight? What of that?

704. No matter — now — Sweet —

705. Suspense — is Hostiler than Death —

706. Life, and Death, and Giants —

707. The Grace — Myself — might not obtain —

708. I sometimes drop it, for a Quick —

709. Publication — is the Auction

710. The Sunrise runs for Both —

711. Strong Draughts of Their Refreshing Minds

712. Because I could not stop for Death —

713. Fame of Myself, to justify,

714. Rest at Night

715. The World — feels Dusty

716. The Day undressed — Herself —

717. The Beggar Lad — dies early —

718. I meant to find Her when I came —

719. A South Wind — has a pathos

720. No Prisoner be —

721. Behind Me — dips Eternity —

722. Sweet Mountains — Ye tell Me no lie —

723. It tossed — and tossed —

724. It's easy to invent a Life —

725. Where Thou art — that — is Home —

726. We thirst at first — 'tis Nature's Act —

727. Precious to Me — She still shall be —

728. Let Us play Yesterday —

729. Alter? When the Hills do

730. Defrauded I a Butterfly —

731. "I want" — it pleaded — All its life —

732. She rose to His Requirement — dropt

733. The Spirit is the Conscious Ear.

734. If He were living — dare I ask —

735. Upon Concluded Lives

736. Have any like Myself

737. The Moon was but a Chin of Gold

738. You said that I "was Great" — one Day —

739. I many times thought Peace had come

740. You taught me Waiting with Myself —

741. Drama's Vitallest Expression is the Common Day

742. Four Trees — upon a solitary Acre —

743. The Birds reported from the South —

744. Remorse — is Memory — awake —

745. Renunciation — is a piercing Virtue —

746. Never for Society

747. It dropped so low — in my Regard —

748. Autumn — overlooked my Knitting —

749. All but Death, can be Adjusted —

750. Growth of Man — like Growth of Nature —

751. My Worthiness is all my Doubt —

752. So the Eyes accost — and sunder

753. My Soul — accused me — And I quailed —

754. My Life had stood — a Loaded Gun —

755. No Bobolink — reverse His Singing

756. One Blessing had I than the rest

757. The Mountains — grow unnoticed —

758. These — saw Visions —

759. He fought like those Who've nought to lose —

760. Most she touched me by her muteness —

761. From Blank to Blank —

762. The Whole of it came not at once —

763. He told a homely tale

764. Presentiment — is that long Shadow — on the Lawn —

765. You constituted Time —

766. My Faith is larger than the Hills —

767. To offer brave assistance

768. When I hoped, I recollect

769. One and One — are One —

770. I lived on Dread —

771. None can experience sting

772. The hallowing of Pain

773. Deprived of other Banquet,

774. It is a lonesome Glee —

775. If Blame be my side — forfeit Me —

776. The Color of a Queen, is this —

777. The Loneliness One dare not sound —

778. This that would greet — an hour ago —

779. The Service without Hope —

780. The Truth — is stirless —

781. To wait an Hour — is long —

782. There is an arid Pleasure —

783. The Birds begun at Four o'clock —

784. Bereaved of all, I went abroad —

785. They have a little Odor — that to me

786. Severer Service of myself

787. Such is the Force of Happiness —

788. Joy to have merited the Pain —

789. On a Columnar Self —

790. Nature — the Gentlest Mother is,

791. God gave a Loaf to every Bird —

792. Through the strait pass of suffering —

793. Grief is a Mouse —

794. A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree —

795. Her final Summer was it —

796. Who Giants know, with lesser Men

797. By my Window have I for Scenery

798. She staked her Feathers — Gained an Arc —

799. Despair's advantage is achieved

800. Two — were immortal twice —

801. I play at Riches — to appease

802. Time feels so vast that were it not

803. Who Court obtain within Himself

804. No Notice gave She, but a Change —

805. This Bauble was preferred of Bees —

806. A Plated Life — diversified

807. Expectation — is Contentment —

808. So set its Sun in Thee

809. Unable are the Loved to die

810. Her Grace is all she has —

811. The Veins of other Flowers

812. A Light exists in Spring

813. This quiet Dust was Gentleman and Ladies

814. One Day is there of the Series

815. The Luxury to apprehend

816. A Death blow is a Life blow to Some

817. Given in Marriage unto Thee

818. I could not drink it, Sweet,

819. All I may, if small,

820. All Circumstances are the Frame

821. Away from Home are some and I —

822. This Consciousness that is aware

823. Not that We did, shall be the test

824. The Wind begun to knead the Grass —

825. An Hour is a Sea

826. Love reckons by itself — alone —

827. The Only News I know

828. The Robin is the One

829. Ample make this Bed —

830. To this World she returned.

831. Dying! To be afraid of thee

832. Soto! Explore thyself!

833. Perhaps you think me stooping

834. Before He comes we weigh the Time!

835. Nature and God — I neither knew

836. Truth — is as old as God —

837. How well I knew Her not

838. Impossibility, like Wine

839. Always Mine!

840. I cannot buy it — 'tis not sold —

841. A Moth the hue of this

842. Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!

843. I made slow Riches but my Gain

844. Spring is the Period

845. Be Mine the Doom —

846. Twice had Summer her fair Verdure

847. Finite — to fail, but infinite to Venture —

848. Just as He spoke it from his Hands

849. The good Will of a Flower

850. I sing to use the Waiting

851. When the Astronomer stops seeking

852. Apology for Her

853. When One has given up One's life

854. Banish Air from Air —

855. To own the Art within the Soul

856. There is a finished feeling

857. Uncertain lease — develops lustre

858. This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life

859. A doubt if it be Us

860. Absence disembodies — so does Death

861. Split the Lark — and you'll find the Music —

862. Light is sufficient to itself —

863. That Distance was between Us

864. The Robin for the Crumb

865. He outstripped Time with but a Bout,

866. Fame is the tint that Scholars leave

867. Escaping backward to perceive

868. They ask but our Delight —

869. Because the Bee may blameless hum

870. Finding is the first Act

871. The Sun and Moon must make their haste —

872. As the Starved Maelstrom laps the Navies

873. Ribbons of the Year —

874. They won't frown always — some sweet Day

875. I stepped from Plank to Plank

876. It was a Grave, yet bore no Stone

877. Each Scar I'll keep for Him

878. The Sun is gay or stark

879. Each Second is the last

880. The Bird must sing to earn the Crumb

881. I've none to tell me to but Thee

882. A Shade upon the mind there passes

883. The Poets light but Lamps —

884. An Everywhere of Silver

885. Our little Kinsmen — after Rain

886. These tested Our Horizon —

887. We outgrow love, like other things

888. When I have seen the Sun emerge

889. Crisis is a Hair

890. From Us She wandered now a Year,

891. To my quick ear the Leaves — conferred —

892. Who occupies this House?

893. Drab Habitation of Whom?

894. Of Consciousness, her awful Mate

895. A Cloud withdrew from the Sky

896. Of Silken Speech and Specious Shoe

897. How fortunate the Grave —

898. How happy I was if I could forget

899. Herein a Blossom lies —

900. What did They do since I saw Them?

901. Sweet, to have had them lost

902. The first Day that I was a Life

903. I hide myself within my flower,

904. Had I not This, or This, I said,

905. Between My Country — and the Others —

906. The Admirations — and Contempts — of time —

907. Till Death — is narrow Loving —

908. 'Tis Sunrise — Little Maid — Hast Thou

909. I make His Crescent fill or lack —

910. Experience is the Angled Road

911. Too little way the House must lie

912. Peace is a fiction of our Faith —

913. And this of all my Hopes

914. I cannot be ashamed

915. Faith — is the Pierless Bridge

916. His Feet are shod with Gauze —

917. Love — is anterior to Life —

918. Only a Shrine, but Mine —

919. If I can stop one Heart from breaking

920. We can but follow to the Sun —

921. If it had no pencil

922. Those who have been in the Grave the longest —

923. How the Waters closed above Him

924. Love — is that later Thing than Death —

925. Struck, was I, not yet by Lightning —

926. Patience — has a quiet Outer —

927. Absent Place — an April Day —

928. The Heart has narrow Banks

929. How far is it to Heaven?

930. There is a June when Corn is cut

931. Noon — is the Hinge of Day —

932. My best Acquaintances are those

933. Two Travellers perishing in Snow

934. That is solemn we have ended

935. Death leaves Us homesick, who behind,

936. This Dust, and its Feature —

937. I felt a Cleaving in my Mind —

938. Fairer through Fading — as the Day

939. What I see not, I better see —

940. On that dear Frame the Years had worn

941. The Lady feeds Her little Bird

942. Snow beneath whose chilly softness

943. A Coffin — is a small Domain,

944. I learned — at least — what Home could be —

945. This is a Blossom of the Brain —

946. It is an honorable Thought

947. Of Tolling Bell I ask the cause?

948. 'Twas Crisis — All the length had passed —

949. Under the Light, yet under,

950. The Sunset stopped on Cottages

951. As Frost is best conceived

952. A Man may make a Remark —

953. A Door just opened on a street —

954. The Chemical conviction

955. The Hollows round His eager Eyes

956. What shall I do when the Summer troubles —

957. As One does Sickness over

958. We met as Sparks — Diverging Flints

959. A loss of something ever felt I —

960. As plan for Noon and plan for Night

961. Wert Thou but ill — that I might show thee

962. Midsummer, was it, when They died —

963. A nearness to Tremendousness —

964. "Unto Me?" I do not know you —

965. Denial — is the only fact

966. All forgot for recollecting

967. Pain — expands the Time —

968. Fitter to see Him, I may be

969. He who in Himself believes —

970. Color — Caste — Denomination —

971. Robbed by Death — but that was easy —

972. Unfulfilled to Observation —

973. 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me —

974. The Soul's distinct connection

975. The Mountain sat upon the Plain

976. Death is a Dialogue between

977. Besides this May

978. It bloomed and dropt, a Single Noon —

979. This Merit hath the worst —

980. Purple — is fashionable twice —

981. As Sleigh Bells seem in summer

982. No Other can reduce

983. Ideals are the Fairly Oil

984. 'Tis Anguish grander than Delight

985. The Missing All — prevented Me

986. A narrow fellow in the grass

987. The Leaves like Women interchange

988. The Definition of Beauty is

989. Gratitude — is not the mention

990. Not all die early, dying young —

991. She sped as Petals of a Rose

992. The Dust behind I strove to join

993. We miss Her, not because We see —

994. Partake as doth the Bee,

995. This was in the White of the Year —

996. We'll pass without the parting

997. Crumbling is not an instant's Act

998. Best Things dwell out of Sight

999. Superfluous were the Sun

1000. The Fingers of the Light

1001. The Stimulus, beyond the Grave

1002. Aurora is the effort

1003. Dying at my music!

1004. There is no Silence in the Earth — so silent

1005. Bind me — I still can sing —

1006. The first We knew of Him was Death —

1007. Falsehood of Thee could I suppose

1008. How still the Bells in Steeples stand

1009. I was a Phoebe — nothing more —

1010. Up Life's Hill with my little Bundle

1011. She rose as high as His Occasion

1012. Which is best? Heaven —

1013. Too scanty 'twas to die for you,

1014. Did We abolish Frost

1015. Were it but Me that gained the Height —

1016. The Hills in Purple syllables

1017. To die — without the Dying

1018. Who saw no Sunrise cannot say

1019. My Season's furthest Flower —

1020. Trudging to Eden, looking backward,

1021. Far from Love the Heavenly Father

1022. I knew that I had gained

1023. It rises — passes — on our South

1024. So large my Will

1025. The Products of my Farm are these

1026. The Dying need but little, Dear,

1027. My Heart upon a little Plate

1028. 'Twas my one Glory —

1029. Nor Mountain hinder Me

1030. That Such have died enable Us

1031. Fate slew Him, but He did not drop —

1032. Who is the East?

1033. Said Death to Passion

1034. His Bill an Auger is

1035. Bee! I'm expecting you!

1036. Satisfaction — is the Agent

1037. Here, where the Daisies fit my Head

1038. Her little Parasol to lift

1039. I heard, as if I had no Ear

1040. Not so the infinite Relations — Below

1041. Somewhat, to hope for,

1042. Spring comes on the World —

1043. Lest this be Heaven indeed

1044. A Sickness of this World it most occasions

1045. Nature rarer uses Yellow

1046. I've dropped my Brain — My Soul is numb —

1047. The Opening and the Close

1048. Reportless Subjects, to the Quick

1049. Pain has but one Acquaintance

1050. As willing lid o'er weary eye

1051. I cannot meet the Spring unmoved —

1052. I never saw a Moor —

1053. It was a quiet way —

1054. Not to discover weakness is

1055. The Soul should always stand ajar

1056. There is a Zone whose even Years

1057. I had a daily Bliss

1058. Bloom — is Result — to meet a Flower

1059. Sang from the Heart, Sire,

1060. Air has no Residence, no Neighbor,

1061. Three Weeks passed since I had seen Her —

1062. He scanned it — staggered —

1063. Ashes denote that Fire was —

1064. To help our Bleaker Parts

1065. Let down the Bars, Oh Death —

1066. Fame's Boys and Girls, who never die

1067. Except the smaller size

1068. Further in Summer than the Birds

1069. Paradise is of the option.

1070. To undertake is to achieve

1071. Perception of an object costs

1072. Title divine — is mine!

1073. Experiment to me

1074. Count not that far that can be had,

1075. The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean.

1076. Just Once! Oh least Request!

1077. These are the Signs to Nature's Inns —

1078. The Bustle in a House

1079. The Sun went down — no Man looked on —

1080. When they come back — if Blossoms do —

1081. Superiority to Fate

1082. Revolution is the Pod

1083. We learn it in Retreating

1084. At Half past Three, a single Bird

1085. If Nature smiles — the Mother must

1086. What Twigs We held by —

1087. We miss a Kinsman more

1088. Ended, ere it begun —

1089. Myself can read the Telegrams

1090. I am afraid to own a Body —

1091. The Well upon the Brook

1092. It was not Saint — it was too large —

1093. Because 'twas Riches I could own,

1094. Themself are all I have —

1095. To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights,

1096. These Strangers, in a foreign World,

1097. Dew — is the Freshet in the Grass —

1098. Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door

1099. My Cocoon tightens — Colors tease —

1100. The last Night that She lived

1101. Between the form of Life and Life

1102. His Bill is clasped — his Eye forsook —

1103. The spry Arms of the Wind

1104. The Crickets sang

1105. Like Men and Women Shadows walk

1106. We do not know the time we lose —

1107. The Bird did prance — the Bee did play —

1108. A Diamond on the Hand

1109. I fit for them —

1110. None who saw it ever told it

1111. Some Wretched creature, savior take

1112. That this should feel the need of Death

1113. There is strength in proving that it can be borne

1114. The largest Fire ever known

1115. The murmuring of Bees, has ceased

1116. There is another Loneliness

1117. A Mine there is no Man would own

1118. Exhilaration is the Breeze

1119. Paradise is that old mansion

1120. This slow Day moved along —

1121. Time does go on —

1122. 'Tis my first night beneath the Sun

1123. A great Hope fell

1124. Had we known the Ton she bore

1125. Oh Sumptuous moment

1126. Shall I take thee, the Poet said

1127. Soft as the massacre of Suns

1128. These are the Nights that Beetles love —

1129. Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —

1130. That odd old man is dead a year —

1131. The Merchant of the Picturesque

1132. The smouldering embers blush —

1133. The Snow that never drifts —

1134. The Wind took up the Northern Things

1135. Too cold is this

1136. The Frost of Death was on the Pane —

1137. The duties of the Wind are few,

1138. A Spider sewed at Night

1139. Her sovereign People

1140. The Day grew small, surrounded tight

1141. The Face we choose to miss —

1142. The Props assist the House

1143. The Work of Her that went,

1144. Ourselves we do inter with sweet derision.

1145. In thy long Paradise of Light

1146. When Etna basks and purrs

1147. After a hundred years

1148. After the Sun comes out

1149. I noticed People disappeared

1150. How many schemes may die

1151. Soul, take thy risk.

1152. Tell as a Marksman — were forgotten

1153. Through what transports of Patience

1154. A full fed Rose on meals of Tint

1155. Distance — is not the Realm of Fox

1156. Lest any doubt that we are glad that they were born Today

1157. Some Days retired from the rest

1158. Best Witchcraft is Geometry

1159. Great Streets of silence led away

1160. He is alive, this morning —

1161. Trust adjust her "Peradventure" —

1162. The Life we have is very great.

1163. God made no act without a cause,

1164. Were it to be the last

1165. Contained in this short Life

1166. Of Paul and Silas it is said

1167. Alone and in a Circumstance

1168. As old as Woe —

1169. Lest they should come — is all my fear

1170. Nature affects to be sedate

1171. On the World you colored

1172. The Clouds their Backs together laid

1173. The Lightning is a yellow Fork

1174. There's the Battle of Burgoyne —

1175. We like a Hairbreadth 'scape

1176. We never know how high we are

1177. A prompt — executive Bird is the Jay —

1178. My God — He sees thee —

1179. Of so divine a Loss

1180. "Remember me" implored the Thief!

1181. When I hoped I feared —

1182. Remembrance has a Rear and Front —

1183. Step lightly on this narrow spot —

1184. The Days that we can spare

1185. A little Dog that wags his tail

1186. Too few the mornings be,

1187. Oh Shadow on the Grass,

1188. 'Twas fighting for his Life he was —

1189. The Voice that stands for Floods to me

1190. The Sun and Fog contested

1191. The pungent atom in the Air

1192. An honest Tear

1193. All men for Honor hardest work

1194. Somehow myself survived the Night

1195. What we see we know somewhat

1196. To make Routine a Stimulus

1197. I should not dare to be so sad

1198. A soft Sea washed around the House

1199. Are Friends Delight or Pain?

1200. Because my Brook is fluent

1201. So I pull my Stockings off

1202. The Frost was never seen —

1203. The Past is such a curious Creature

1204. Whatever it is — she has tried it —

1205. Immortal is an ample word

1206. The Show is not the Show

1207. He preached upon "Breadth" till it argued him narrow —

1208. Our own possessions — though our own —

1209. To disappear enhances —

1210. The Sea said "Come" to the Brook —

1211. A Sparrow took a Slice of Twig

1212. A word is dead

1213. We like March.

1214. We introduce ourselves

1215. I bet with every Wind that blew

1216. A Deed knocks first at Thought

1217. Fortitude incarnate

1218. Let my first Knowing be of thee

1219. Now I knew I lost her —

1220. Of Nature I shall have enough

1221. Some we see no more, Tenements of Wonder

1222. The Riddle we can guess

1223. Who goes to dine must take his Feast

1224. Like Trains of Cars on Tracks of Plush

1225. Its Hour with itself

1226. The Popular Heart is a Cannon first —

1227. My Triumph lasted till the Drums

1228. So much of Heaven has gone from Earth

1229. Because He loves Her

1230. It came at last but prompter Death

1231. Somewhere upon the general Earth

1232. The Clover's simple Fame

1233. Had I not seen the Sun

1234. If my Bark sink

1235. Like Rain it sounded till it curved

1236. Like Time's insidious wrinkle

1237. My Heart ran so to thee

1238. Power is a familiar growth —

1239. Risk is the Hair that holds the Tun

1240. The Beggar at the Door for Fame

1241. The Lilac is an ancient shrub

1242. To flee from memory

1243. Safe Despair it is that raves —

1244. The Butterfly's Assumption Gown

1245. The Suburbs of a Secret

1246. The Butterfly in honored Dust

1247. To pile like Thunder to its close

1248. The incidents of love

1249. The Stars are old, that stood for me —

1250. White as an Indian Pipe

1251. Silence is all we dread.

1252. Like Brooms of Steel

1253. Had this one Day not been.

1254. Elijah's Wagon knew no thill

1255. Longing is like the Seed

1256. Not any higher stands the Grave

1257. Dominion lasts until obtained —

1258. Who were "the Father and the Son"

1259. A Wind that rose

1260. Because that you are going

1261. A Word dropped careless on a Page

1262. I cannot see my soul but know 'tis there

1263. There is no Frigate like a Book

1264. This is the place they hoped before,

1265. The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met

1266. When Memory is full

1267. I saw that the Flake was on it

1268. Confirming All who analyze

1269. I worked for chaff and earning Wheat

1270. Is Heaven a Physician?

1271. September's Baccalaureate

1272. So proud she was to die

1273. That sacred Closet when you sweep —

1274. The Bone that has no Marrow,

1275. The Spider as an Artist

1276. 'Twas later when the summer went

1277. While we were fearing it, it came —

1278. The Mountains stood in Haze —

1279. The Way to know the Bobolink

1280. The harm of Years is on him —

1281. A stagnant pleasure like a Pool

1282. Art thou the thing I wanted?

1283. Could Hope inspect her Basis

1284. Had we our senses

1285. I know Suspense — it steps so terse

1286. I thought that nature was enough

1287. In this short Life

1288. Lain in Nature — so suffice us

1289. Left in immortal Youth

1290. The most pathetic thing I do

1291. Until the Desert knows

1292. Yesterday is History

1293. The things we thought that we should do

1294. Of Life to own —

1294. Two Lengths has every Day —

1296. Death's Waylaying not the sharpest

1297. Go slow, my soul, to feed thyself

1298. The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants —

1299. Delight's Despair at setting

1300. From his slim Palace in the Dust

1301. I cannot want it more —

1302. I think that the Root of the Wind is Water —

1303. Not One by Heaven defrauded stay —

1304. Not with a Club, the Heart is broken

1305. Recollect the Face of me

1306. Surprise is like a thrilling — pungent —

1307. That short — potential stir

1308. The Day she goes

1309. The Infinite a sudden Guest

1310. The Notice that is called the Spring

1311. This dirty — little — Heart

1312. To break so vast a Heart

1313. Warm in her Hand these accents lie

1314. When a Lover is a Beggar

1315. Which is the best — the Moon or the Crescent?

1316. Winter is good — his Hoar Delights

1317. Abraham to kill him —

1318. Frigid and sweet Her parting Face —

1319. How News must feel when travelling

1320. Dear March — Come in —

1321. Elizabeth told Essex

1322. Floss won't save you from an Abyss

1323. I never hear that one is dead

1324. I send you a decrepit flower

1325. Knock with tremor —

1326. Our little secrets slink away —

1327. The Symptom of the Gale —

1328. The vastest earthly Day

1329. Whether they have forgotten

1330. Without a smile — Without a Throe

1331. Wonder — is not precisely Knowing

1332. Pink — small — and punctual —

1333. A little Madness in the Spring

1334. How soft this Prison is

1335. Let me not mar that perfect Dream

1336. Nature assigns the Sun —

1337. Upon a Lilac Sea

1338. What tenements of clover

1339. A Bee his burnished Carriage

1340. A Rat surrendered here

1341. Unto the Whole — how add?

1342. "Was not" was all the Statement.

1343. A single Clover Plank

1344. Not any more to be lacked —

1345. An antiquated Grace

1346. As Summer into Autumn slips

1347. Escape is such a thankful Word

1348. Lift it — with the Feathers

1349. I'd rather recollect a setting

1350. Luck is not chance —

1351. You cannot take itself

1352. To his simplicity

1353. The last of Summer is Delight —

1354. The Heart is the Capital of the Mind —

1355. The Mind lives on the Heart

1356. The Rat is the concisest Tenant.

1357. "Faithful to the end" Amended

1358. The Treason of an accent

1359. The long sigh of the Frog

1360. I sued the News — yet feared — the News

1361. The Flake the Wind exasperate

1362. Of their peculiar light

1363. Summer laid her simple Hat

1364. How know it from a Summer's Day?

1365. Take all away —

1366. Brother of Ingots — Ah Peru —

1367. "Tomorrow" — whose location

1368. Love's stricken "why"

1369. Trusty as the stars

1370. Gathered into the Earth,

1371. How fits his Umber Coat

1372. The Sun is one — and on the Tare

1373. The worthlessness of Earthly things

1374. A Saucer holds a Cup

1375. Death warrants are supposed to be

1376. Dreams are the subtle Dower

1377. Forbidden Fruit a flavor has

1378. His Heart was darker than the starless night

1379. His Mansion in the Pool

1380. How much the present moment means

1381. I suppose the time will come

1382. In many and reportless places

1383. Long Years apart — can make no

1384. Praise it — 'tis dead —

1385. "Secrets" is a daily word

1386. Summer — we all have seen —

1387. The Butterfly's Numidian Gown

1388. Those cattle smaller than a Bee

1389. Touch lightly Nature's sweet Guitar

1390. These held their Wick above the West —

1391. They might not need me — yet they might —

1392. Hope is a strange invention —

1393. Lay this Laurel on the One

1394. Whose Pink career may have a close

1395. After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside —

1396. She laid her docile Crescent down

1397. It sounded as if the Streets were running

1398. I have no Life but this —

1399. Perhaps they do not go so far

1400. What mystery pervades a well!

1401. To own a Susan of my own

1402. To the stanch Dust

1403. My Maker — let me be

1404. March is the Month of Expectation.

1405. Bees are Black, with Gilt Surcingles —

1406. No Passenger was known to flee —

1407. A Field of Stubble, lying sere

1408. The Fact that Earth is Heaven —

1409. Could mortal lip divine

1410. I shall not murmur if at last

1411. Of Paradise' existence

1412. Shame is the shawl of Pink

1413. Sweet Skepticism of the Heart —

1414. Unworthy of her Breast

1415. A wild Blue sky abreast of Winds

1416. Crisis is sweet and yet the Heart

1417. How Human Nature dotes

1418. How lonesome the Wind must feel Nights —

1419. It was a quiet seeming Day —

1420. One Joy of so much anguish

1421. Such are the inlets of the mind —

1422. Summer has two Beginnings —

1423. The fairest Home I ever knew

1424. The Gentian has a parched Corolla —

1425. The inundation of the Spring

1426. The pretty Rain from those sweet Eaves

1427. To earn it by disdaining it

1428. Water makes many Beds

1429. We shun because we prize her Face

1430. Who never wanted — maddest Joy

1431. With Pinions of Disdain

1432. Spurn the temerity —

1433. How brittle are the Piers

1434. Go not too near a House of Rose —

1435. Not that he goes — we love him more

1436. Than Heaven more remote,

1437. A Dew sufficed itself —

1438. Behold this little Bane —

1439. How ruthless are the gentle —

1440. The healed Heart shows its shallow scar

1441. These Fevered Days — to take them to the Forest

1442. To mend each tattered Faith

1443. A chilly Peace infests the Grass

1444. A little Snow was here and there

1445. Death is the supple Suitor

1446. His Mind like Fabrics of the East

1447. How good his Lava Bed,

1448. How soft a Caterpillar steps —

1449. I thought the Train would never come —

1450. The Road was lit with Moon and star —

1451. Whoever disenchants

1452. Your thoughts don't have words every day

1453. A Counterfeit — a Plated Person —

1454. Those not live yet

1455. Opinion is a flitting thing,

1456. So gay a Flower

1457. It stole along so stealthy

1458. Time's wily Chargers will not wait

1459. Belshazzar had a Letter —

1460. His Cheek is his Biographer —

1461. "Heavenly Father" — take to thee

1462. We knew not that we were to live —

1463. A Route of Evanescence

1464. One thing of it we borrow

1465. Before you thought of Spring

1466. One of the ones that Midas touched

1467. A little overflowing word

1468. A winged spark doth soar about —

1469. If wrecked upon the Shoal of Thought

1470. The Sweets of Pillage, can be known

1471. Their Barricade against the Sky

1472. To see the Summer Sky

1473. We talked with each other about each other

1474. Estranged from Beauty — none can be —

1475. Fame is the one that does not stay —

1476. His voice decrepit was with Joy —

1477. How destitute is he

1478. Look back on Time, with kindly eyes —

1479. The Devil — had he fidelity

1480. The fascinating chill that music leaves

1481. The way Hope builds his House

1482. 'Tis whiter than an Indian Pipe —

1483. The Robin is a Gabriel

1484. We shall find the Cube of the Rainbow.

1485. Love is done when Love's begun,

1486. Her spirit rose to such a height

1487. The Savior must have been

1488. Birthday of but a single pang

1489. A Dimple in the Tomb

1490. The Face in evanescence lain

1491. The Road to Paradise is plain,

1492. "And with what body do they come?" —

1493. Could that sweet Darkness where they dwell

1494. The competitions of the sky

1495. The Thrill came slowly like a Boom for

1496. All that I do

1497. Facts by our side are never sudden

1498. Glass was the Street — in tinsel Peril

1499. How firm Eternity must look

1500. It came his turn to beg —

1501. Its little Ether Hood

1502. I saw the wind within her

1503. More than the Grave is closed to me —

1504. Of whom so dear

1505. She could not live upon the Past

1506. Summer is shorter than any one —

1507. The Pile of Years is not so high

1508. You cannot make Remembrance grow

1509. Mine Enemy is growing old —

1510. How happy is the little Stone

1511. My country need not change her gown,

1512. All things swept sole away

1513. "Go travelling with us!"

1514. An Antiquated Tree

1515. The Things that never can come back, are several —

1516. No Autumn's intercepting Chill

1517. How much of Source escapes with thee —

1518. Not seeing, still we know —

1519. The Dandelion's pallid tube

1520. The stem of a departed Flower

1521. The Butterfly upon the Sky,

1522. His little Hearse like Figure

1523. We never know we go when we are going —

1524. A faded Boy — in sallow Clothes

1525. He lived the Life of Ambush

1526. His oriental heresies

1527. Oh give it Motion — deck it sweet

1528. The Moon upon her fluent Route

1529. 'Tis Seasons since the Dimpled War

1530. A Pang is more conspicuous in Spring

1531. Above Oblivion's Tide there is a Pier

1532. From all the Jails the Boys and Girls

1533. On that specific Pillow

1534. Society for me my misery

1535. The Life that tied too tight escapes

1536. There comes a warning like a spy

1537. Candor — my tepid friend —

1538. Follow wise Orion

1539. Now I lay thee down to Sleep —

1540. As imperceptibly as Grief

1541. No matter where the Saints abide,

1542. Come show thy Durham Breast

1543. Obtaining but our own Extent

1544. Who has not found the Heaven — below —

1545. The Bible is an antique Volume —

1546. Sweet Pirate of the heart,

1547. Hope is a subtle Glutton —

1548. Meeting by Accident,

1549. My Wars are laid away in Books —

1550. The pattern of the sun

1551. Those — dying then,

1552. Within thy Grave!

1553. Bliss is the plaything of the child —

1554. "Go tell it" — What a Message —

1555. I groped for him before I knew

1556. Image of Light, Adieu —

1557. Lives he in any other world

1558. Of Death I try to think like this —

1559. Tried always and Condemned by thee

1560. To be forgot by thee

1561. No Brigadier throughout the Year

1562. Her Losses make our Gains ashamed —

1563. By homely gift and hindered Words

1564. Pass to they Rendezvous of Light,

1565. Some Arrows slay but whom they strike —

1566. Climbing to reach the costly Hearts

1567. The Heart has many Doors —

1568. To see her is a Picture —

1569. The Clock strikes one that just struck two —

1570. Forever honored by the Tree

1571. How slow the Wind —

1572. We wear our sober Dresses when we die,

1573. To the bright east she flies,

1574. No ladder needs the bird but skies

1575. The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings —

1576. The Spirit lasts — but in what mode —

1577. Morning is due to all —

1578. Blossoms will run away,

1579. It would not know if it were spurned,

1580. We shun it ere it comes,

1581. The farthest Thunder that I heard

1582. Where Roses would not dare to go,

1583. Witchcraft was hung, in History,

1584. Expanse cannot be lost —

1585. The Bird her punctual music brings

1586. To her derided Home

1587. He ate and drank the precious Words —

1588. This Me — that walks and works — must die,

1589. Cosmopolities without a plea

1590. Not at Home to Callers

1591. The Bobolink is gone —

1592. The Lassitudes of Contemplation

1593. There came a Wind like a Bugle —

1594. Immured in Heaven!

1595. Declaiming Waters none may dread —

1596. Few, yet enough,

1597. 'Tis not the swaying frame we miss,

1598. Who is it seeks my Pillow Nights —

1599. Though the great Waters sleep,

1600. Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird

1601. Of God we ask one favor,

1602. Pursuing you in your transitions,

1603. The going from a world we know

1604. We send the Wave to find the Wave —

1605. Each that we lose takes part of us

1606. Quite empty, quite at rest,

1607. Within that little Hive

1608. The ecstasy to guess

1609. Sunset that screens, reveals —

1610. Morning that comes but once,

1611. Their dappled importunity

1612. The Auctioneer of Parting

1613. Not Sickness stains the Brave,

1614. Parting with Thee reluctantly,

1615. Oh what a Grace is this,

1616. Who abdicated Ambush

1617. To try to speak, and miss the way

1618. There are two Mays

1619. Not knowing when the Dawn will come,

1620. Circumference thou Bride of Awe

1621. A Flower will not trouble her, it has so small a Foot,

1622. A Sloop of Amber slips away

1623. A World made penniless by that departure

1624. Apparently with no surprise

1625. Back from the cordial Grave I drag thee

1626. No Life can pompless pass away —

1627. The pedigree of Honey

1628. A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork

1629. Arrows enamored of his Heart —

1630. As from the earth the light Balloon

1631. Oh Future! thou secreted peace

1632. So give me back to Death —

1633. Still own thee — still thou art

1634. Talk not to me of Summer Trees

1635. The Jay his Castanet has struck

1636. The Sun in reigning to the West

1637. Is it too late to touch you, Dear?

1638. Go thy great way!

1639. A Letter is a joy of Earth —

1640. Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy,

1641. Betrothed to Righteousness might be

1642. "Red Sea," indeed! Talk not to me

1643. Extol thee — could I? Then I will

1644. Some one prepared this mighty show

1645. The Ditch is dear to the Drunken man

1646. Why should we hurry — why indeed?

1647. Of Glory not a Beam is left

1648. The immortality she gave

1649. A Cap of Lead across the sky

1650. A lane of Yellow led the eye

1651. A Word made Flesh is seldom

1652. Advance is Life's condition

1653. As we pass Houses musing slow

1654. Beauty crowds me till I die

1655. Conferring with myself

1656. Down Time's quaint stream

1657. Eden is that old-fashioned House

1658. Endanger it, and the Demand

1659. Fame is a fickle food

1660. Glory is that bright tragic thing

1661. Guest am I to have

1662. He went by sleep that drowsy route

1663. His mind of man, a secret makes

1664. I did not reach Thee

1665. I know of people in the Grave

1666. I see thee clearer for the Grave

1667. I watcher her face to see which way

1668. If I could tell how glad I was

1669. In snow thou comest —

1670. In Winter in my Room

1671. Judgment is justest

1672. Lightly stepped a yellow star

1673. Nature can do no more

1674. Not any sunny tone

1675. Of this is Day composed

1676. Of Yellow was the outer Sky

1677. On my volcano grows the Grass

1678. Peril as a Possession

1679. Rather arid delight

1680. Sometimes with the Heart

1681. Speech is one symptom of Affection

1682. Summer begins to have the look

1683. That she forgot me was the least

1684. The Blunder is in estimate.

1685. The butterfly obtains

1686. The event was directly behind Him

1687. The gleam of an heroic Act

1688. The Hills erect their Purple Heads

1689. The look of thee, what is it like

1690. The ones that disappeared are back

1691. The overtakelessness of those

1692. The right to perish might be thought

1693. The Sun retired to a cloud

1694. The wind drew off

1695. There is a solitude of space

1696. These are the days that Reindeer love

1697. They talk as slow as Legends grow

1698. 'Tis easier to pity those when dead

1699. To do a magnanimous thing

1700. To tell the Beauty would decrease

1701. To their apartment deep

1702. Today or this noon

1703. 'Twas comfort in her Dying Room

1704. Unto a broken heart

1705. Volcanoes be in Sicily

1706. When we have ceased to care

1707. Winter under cultivation

1708. Witchcraft has not a Pedigree

1709. With sweetness unabated

1710. A curious Cloud surprised the Sky,

1711. A face devoid of love or grace,

1712. A Pit — but Heaven over it —

1713. As subtle as tomorrow

1714. By a departing light

1715. Consulting summer's clock,

1716. Death is like the insect

1717. Did life's penurious length

1718. Drowning is not so pitiful

1719. God is indeed a jealous God —

1720. Had I known that the first was the last

1721. He was my host — he was my guest,

1722. Her face was in a bed of hair,

1723. High from the earth I heard a bird,

1724. How dare the robins sing,

1725. I took one Draught of Life —

1726. If all the griefs I am to have

1727. If ever the lid gets off my head

1728. Is Immortality a bane

1729. I've got an arrow here.

1730. "Lethe" in my flower,

1731. Love can do all but raise the Dead

1732. My life closed twice before its close —

1733. No man saw awe, nor to his house

1734. Oh, honey of an hour,

1735. One crown that no one seeks

1736. Proud of my broken heart, since thou didst break it,

1737. Rearrange a "Wife's" affection!

1738. Softened by Time's consummate plush,

1739. Some say goodnight — at night —

1740. Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,

1741. That it will never come again

1742. The distance that the dead have gone

1743. The grave my little cottage is,

1744. The joy that has no stem no core,

1745. The mob within the heart

1746. The most important population

1747. The parasol is the umbrella's daughter,

1748. The reticent volcano keeps

1749. The waters chased him as he fled,

1750. The words the happy say

1751. There comes an hour when begging stops,

1752. This docile one inter

1753. Through those old Grounds of memory,

1754. To lose thee — sweeter than to gain

1755. To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

1756. 'Twas here my summer paused

1757. Upon the gallows hung a wretch,

1758. Where every bird is bold to go

1759. Which misses most,

1760. Elysium is as far as to

1761. A train went through a burial gate,

1762. Were natural mortal lady

1763. Fame is a bee.

1764. The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,

1765. That Love is all there is,

1766. Those final Creatures, — who they are —

1767. Sweet hours have perished here

1768. Lad of Athens, faithful be

1769. The longest day that God appoints

1770. Experiment escorts us last —

1771. How fleet — how indiscreet an one —

1772.  Let me not thirst with this Hock at my Lip,

1773. The Summer that we did not prize,

1774.  Too happy Time dissolves itself

1775. The earth has many keys,

1. AWAKE YE MUSES NINE, SING ME A STRAIN DIVINE

Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine,

Unwind the solemn twine, and tie my Valentine!

Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain,

For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain.

All things do go a courting, in earth, or sea, or air,

God hath made nothing single but thee in His world so fair!

The bride, and then the bridegroom, the two, and then the one,

Adam, and Eve, his consort, the moon, and then the sun;

The life doth prove the precept, who obey shall happy be,

Who will not serve the sovereign, be hanged on fatal tree.

The high do seek the lowly, the great do seek the small,

None cannot find who seeketh, on this terrestrial ball;

The bee doth court the flower, the flower his suit receives,

And they make merry wedding, whose guests are hundred leaves;

The wind doth woo the branches, the branches they are won,

And the father fond demandeth the maiden for his son.

The storm doth walk the seashore humming a mournful tune,

The wave with eye so pensive, looketh to see the moon,

Their spirits meet together, they make their solemn vows,

No more he singeth mournful, her sadness she doth lose.

The worm doth woo the mortal, death claims a living bride,

Night unto day is married, morn unto eventide;

Earth is a merry damsel, and heaven a knight so true,

And Earth is quite coquettish, and beseemeth in vain to sue.

Now to the application, to the reading of the roll,

To bringing thee to justice, and marshalling thy soul:

Thou art a human solo, a being cold, and lone,

Wilt have no kind companion, thou reap'st what thou hast sown.

Hast never silent hours, and minutes all too long,

And a deal of sad reflection, and wailing instead of song?

There's Sarah, and Eliza, and Emeline so fair,

And Harriet, and Susan, and she with curling hair!

Thine eyes are sadly blinded, but yet thou mayest see

Six true, and comely maidens sitting upon the tree;

Approach that tree with caution, then up it boldly climb,

And seize the one thou lovest, nor care for space, or time!

Then bear her to the greenwood, and build for her a bower,

And give her what she asketh, jewel, or bird, or flower —

And bring the fife, and trumpet, and beat upon the drum —

And bid the world Goodmorrow, and go to glory home!

2. THERE IS ANOTHER SKY

there is another sky

ever serene and fair,

and there is another sunshine,

tho' it be darkness there -

never mind faded forests, Austin,

never mind silent fields -

here is a little forest

whose leaf is ever green -

here is a brighter garden -

where not a frost has been,

in its unfading flowers

I hear the bright bee hum,

prithee, my Brother,

into my garden come!

3. SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI

Sic transit gloria mundi

"How doth the busy bee"

Dum vivamus vivamus

I stay mine enemy! —

Oh veni vidi vici!

Oh caput cap-a-pie!

And oh "memento mori"

When I am far from thee

Hurrah for Peter Parley

Hurrrah for Daniel Boone

Three cheers sir, for the gentleman

Who first observed the moon —

Peter put up the sunshine!

Pattie arrange the stars

Tell Luna, tea is waiting

And call your brother Mars —

Put down the apple Adam

And come away with me

So shal't thou have a pippin

From off my Father's tree!

I climb the "Hill of Science"

I "view the Landscape o'er"

Such transcendental prospect

I ne'er beheld before! —

Unto the Legislature

My country bids me go,

I'll take my india rubbers

In case the wind should blow.

During my education

It was announced to me

That gravitation stumbling

Fell from an apple tree —

The Earth opon it's axis

Was once supposed to turn

By way of a gymnastic

In honor to the sun —

It was the brave Columbus

A sailing o'er the tide

Who notified the nations

Of where I would reside

Mortality is fatal

Gentility is fine

Rascality, heroic

Insolvency, sublime

Our Fathers being weary

Laid down on Bunker Hill

And though full many a morn'g

Yet they are sleeping still

The trumpet sir, shall wake them

In streams I see them rise

Each with a solemn musket

A marching to the skies!

A coward will remain, Sir,

Until the fight is done;

But an immortal hero

Will take his hat and run.

Good bye Sir, I am going

My country calleth me

Allow me Sir, at parting

To wipe my weeping e'e

In token of our friendship

Accept this "Bonnie Doon"

And when the hand that pluck'd it

Hath passed beyond the moon

The memory of my ashes

Will consolation be

Then farewell Tuscarora

And farewell Sir, to thee.

4. ON THIS WONDROUS SEA

Write! Comrade, write!

On this wondrous sea

Sailing silently,

Ho! Pilot, ho!

Knowest thou the shore

Where no breakers roar -

Where the storm is o'er?

In the peaceful west

Many the sails at rest -

The anchors fast -

Thither I pilot thee -

Land Ho! Eternity!

Ashore at last!

5. I HAVE A BIRD IN SPRING

I have a Bird in spring

Which for myself doth sing -

The spring decoys.

And as the summer nears -

And as the Rose appears,

Robin is gone.

Yet do I not repine

Knowing that Bird of mine

Though flown -

Learneth beyond the sea

Melody new for me

And will return.

Fast in safer hand

Held in a truer Land

Are min -

And though they now depart,

Tell I my doubting heart

They're thine.

In a serener Bright,

In a more golden light

I see

Each little doubt and fear,

Each little discord here

Removed.

Then will I not repine,

Knowing that Bird of mine

Though flown

Shall in distant tree

Bright melody for me

Return.

6. FREQUENTLY THE WOODS ARE PINK

Frequently the woods are pink —

Frequently are brown.

Frequently the hills undress

Behind my native town.

Oft a head is crested

I was wont to see —

And as oft a cranny

Where it used to be —

And the Earth — they tell me —

On its axis turned!

Wonderful Rotation!

By but twelve performed!

7. THE FEET OF PEOPLE WALKING HOME

The feet of people walking home

With gayer sandals go -

The crocus - till she rises -

The vassal of the snow -

The lips at Hallelujah

Long years of practise bore -

Till bye and bye, these Bargemen

Walked - singing - on the shore

Pearls are the Diver's farthings

Extorted form the sea -

Pinions - the Seraph's wagon -

Pedestrian once - as we -

Night is the morning's canvas -

Larceny - legacy -

Death - but our rapt attention

To immortality.

My figures fail to tell me

How far the village lies -

Whose peasants are the angels -

Whose cantons dot the skies -

My Classics vail their faces -

My faith that Dark adores -

Which from it's solemn abbeys -

Such resurrection pours!

8. THERE IS A WORD

There is a word

Which bears a sword

Can pierce an armed man -

It hurls it's barbed syllables

And is mute again -

But where it fell

The Saved will tell

On patriotic day,

Some epauletted Brother

Gave his breath away!

Wherever runs the breathless sun -

Wherever roams the day -

There is it's noiseless onset -

There is it's victory!

Behold the keenest marksman-

The most accomplished host!

Time's sublimest target

Is a soul "forgot"!

9. THROUGH LANE IT LAY — THROUGH BRAMBLE —

Thro' lane it lay - thro' bramble -

Thro' clearing, and thro' wood -

Banditti often passed us

Opon the lonely road -

The wolf came peering curious -

The Owl looked puzzled down -

The Serpent's satin figure

Glid stealthily along -

The tempests touched our garments -

The lightning's poinards gleamed -

Fierce from the crag above us

The hungry vulture screamed -

The satyr's fingers beckoned -

The Valley murmured "Come" -

These were the mates -

This was the road

These Children fluttered home.

10. MY WHEEL IS IN THE DARK!

My Wheel is in the dark.

I cannot see a spoke -

Yet know it's dripping feet

Go round and round.

My foot is on the tide -

An unfrequented road

Yet have all roads

A "Clearing" at the end.

Some have resigned the Loom -

Some - in the busy tomb

Find quaint employ.

Some with new - stately feet

Pass royal thro' the gate

Flinging the problem back, at you and I.

11. I NEVER TOLD THE BURIED GOLD

I never told the buried gold

Opon the hill that lies -

I saw the sun, his plunder done -

Crouch low to guard his prize -

He stood as near

As stood you hear -

A pace had been between -

Did but a snake bisect the brake

My life had forfeit been.

That was a wondrous booty.

I hope 'twas honest gained -

Those were the fairest ingots

That ever kissed the spade.

Whether to keep the secret -

Whether to reveal -

Whether while I ponder

Kidd may sudden sail -

Could a shrewd advise me

We might e'en divide -

Should a shrewd betray me -

"Atropos" decide -

12. THE MORNS ARE MEEKER THAN THEY WERE —

The morns are meeker than they were -

The nuts are getting brown -

The berry's cheek is plumper -

The Rose is out of town -

The maple wears a gayer scarf -

The field - a scarlet gown -

Lest I sh'd seem old fashioned

I'll put a trinket on!

13. SLEEP IS SUPPOSED TO BE

Sleep is supposed to be,

By souls of sanity,

The shutting of the eye.

Sleep is the station grand

Down which on either hand

The hosts of witness stand !

Morn is supposed to be,

By people of degree,

The breaking of the day.

Morning has not occurred !

That shall aurora be

East of eternity ;

One with the banner gay,

One in the red array, —

That is the break of day.

14. ONE SISTER HAVE I IN OUR HOUSE,

One Sister have I in our house -

And one, a hedge away.

There's only one recorded,

But both belong to me.

One came the road that I came -

And wore my last year's gown -

The other, as a bird her nest,

Builded our hearts among.

She did not sing as we did -

It was a different tune -

Herself to her a music

As Bumble bee of June.

Today is far from Childhood -

But up and down the hills

I held her hand the tighter -

Which shortened all the miles -

And still her hum

The year among,

Deceives the Butterfly;

Still in her Eye

The Violets lie

Mouldered this many May.

I spilt the dew -

But took the morn;

I chose this single star

From out the wide night's numbers -

Sue - forevermore!

15. THE GUEST IS GOLD AND CRIMSON —

The Guest is gold and crimson —

An Opal guest and gray —

Of Ermine is his doublet —

His Capuchin gay —

He reaches town at nightfall —

He stops at every door —

Who looks for him at morning

I pray him too — explore

The Lark's pure territory —

Or the Lapwing's shore!

16. I WOULD DISTIL A CUP,

I would distil a cup,

And bear to all my friends,

Drinking to her no more astir,

By beck, or burn, or moor!

17. BAFFLED FOR JUST A DAY OR TWO —

Baffled for just a day or two —

Embarrassed — not afraid —

Encounter in my garden

An unexpected Maid.

She beckons, and the woods start —

She nods, and all begin —

Surely, such a country

I was never in!

18. THE GENTIAN WEAVES HER FRINGES —

The Gentian weaves her fringes —

The Maple's loom is red —

My departing blossoms

Obviate parade.

A brief, but patient illness —

An hour to prepare,

And one below this morning

Is where the angels are —

It was a short procession,

The Bobolink was there —

An aged Bee addressed us —

And then we knelt in prayer —

We trust that she was willing —

We ask that we may be.

Summer — Sister — Seraph!

Let us go with thee!

In the name of the Bee —

And of the Butterfly —

And of the Breeze — Amen!

19. A SEPAL, PETAL, AND A THORN

A sepal, petal, and a thorn

Upon a common summer's morn —

A flask of Dew — A Bee or two —

A Breeze — a caper in the trees —

And I'm a Rose!

20. DISTRUSTFUL OF THE GENTIAN —

Distrustful of the Gentian —

And just to turn away,

The fluttering of her fringes

Chid my perfidy —

Weary for my —————

I will singing go —

I shall not feel the sleet — then —

I shall not fear the snow.

Flees so the phantom meadow

Before the breathless Bee —

So bubble brooks in deserts

On Ears that dying lie —

Burn so the Evening Spires

To Eyes that Closing go —

Hangs so distant Heaven —

To a hand below.

21. WE LOSE — BECAUSE WE WIN —

We lose — because we win —

Gamblers — recollecting which

Toss their dice again!

22. ALL THESE MY BANNERS BE.

All these my banners be.

I sow my pageantry

In May —

It rises train by train —

Then sleeps in state again —

My chancel — all the plain

Today.

To lose — if one can find again —

To miss — if one shall meet —

The Burglar cannot rob — then —

The Broker cannot cheat.

So build the hillocks gaily

Thou little spade of mine

Leaving nooks for Daisy

And for Columbine —

You and I the secret

Of the Crocus know —

Let us chant it softly —

"There is no more snow!"

To him who keeps an Orchis' heart —

The swamps are pink with June.

23. I HAD A GUINEA GOLDEN —

I had a guinea golden -

I lost it in the sand -

And tho' the sum was simple

And pounds were in the land -

Still, had it such a value

Unto my frugal eye -

That when I could not find it-

I sat me down to sigh.

I had a crimson Robin -

Who sang full many a day

But when the woods were painted -

He - too - did fly away -

Time brought me other Robins -

Their ballads were the same -

Still, for my missing Troubadour

I kept the "house at hame".

I had a star in heaven -

One "Pleiad" was it's name -

And when I was not heeding,

It wandered from the same -

And tho' the skies are crowded -

And all the night ashine -

I do not care about it -

Since none of them are mine -

My story has a moral -

I have a missing friend -

"Pleiad" it's name - and Robin -

And guinea in the sand -

And when this mournful ditty

Accompanied with tear -

Shall meet the eye of traitor

In country far from here -

Grant that repentance solemn

May seize opon his mind -

And he no consolation

Beneath the sun may find.

24. THERE IS A MORN BY MEN UNSEEN —

There is a morn by men unseen -

Whose maids opon remoter green

Keep their seraphic May -

And all day long, with dance and game,

And gambo! I may never name -

Employ their holiday.

Here to light measure, move the feet

Which walk no more the village street -

Nor by the wood are found -

Here are the birds that sought the sun

When last year's distaff idle hung

And summer's brows were bound.

Ne'er saw I such a wondrous scene -

Ne'er such a ring on such a green -

Nor so serene array -

As if the stars some summer night

Should swing their cups of Chrysolite -

And revel till the day -

Like thee to dance - like thee to sing -

People opon that mystic green -

I ask, each new May morn.

I wait thy far - fantastic bells -

Announcing me in other dells -

Unto the different dawn!

25. SHE SLEPT BENEATH A TREE —

She slept beneath a tree —

Remembered but by me.

I touched her Cradle mute —

She recognized the foot —

Put on her carmine suit

And see!

26. IT'S ALL I HAVE TO BRING TODAY —

It's all I have to bring today —

This, and my heart beside —

This, and my heart, and all the fields —

And all the meadows wide —

Be sure you count — should I forget

Some one the sum could tell —

This, and my heart, and all the Bees

Which in the Clover dwell.

27. MORNS LIKE THESE — WE PARTED —

Morns like these - we parted

Noons like these - she rose!

Fluttering first - then firmer

To her fair repose -

Never did she lisp it

And 'twas not for me -

She was mute for transport

I, for agony!

Till the evening nearing

One the shutters drew -

Quick! a sharper rustling!

And this linnet flew!

28. SO HAS A DAISY VANISHED

So has a Daisy vanished

From the fields today -

So tiptoed many a slipper

To Paradise away -

Oozed so, in crimson bubbles

Day's departing tide -

Blooming - tripping - flowing -

Are ye then with God?

29. IF THOSE I LOVED WERE LOST

If those I loved were lost,

the crier's voice would tell me -

If those I loved were found,

the bells of Ghent would ring,

Did those I loved repose,

the Daisy would impel me -

Philip when bewildered -

bore his riddle in -

30. ADRIFT! A LITTLE BOAT ADRIFT!

Adrift! A little boat adrift!

And night is coming down!

Will no one guide a little boat

Unto the nearest town?

So Sailors say — on yesterday —

Just as the dusk was brown

One little boat gave up its strife

And gurgled down and down.

So angels say — on yesterday —

Just as the dawn was red

One little boat — o'erspent with gales —

Retrimmed its masts — redecked its sails —

And shot — exultant on!

31. SUMMER FOR THEE, GRANT I MAY BE

Summer for thee, grant I may be

When Summer days are flown!

Thy music still, when Whippowil

And Oriole - are done!

For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb

And row my blossoms o'er!

Pray gather me -

Anemone -

Thy flower - forevermore!

32. WHEN ROSES CEASE TO BLOOM, SIR,

When Roses cease to bloom, Sir,

And Violets are done —

When Bumblebees in solemn flight

Have passed beyond the Sun —

The hand that paused to gather

Upon this Summer's day

Will idle lie — in Auburn —

Then take my flowers — pray!

33. IF RECOLLECTING WERE FORGETTING,

Oh if remembering were forgetting -

Then I remember not!

And if forgetting - recollecting -

How near I had forgot!

And if to miss - were merry -

And to mourn were gay,

How very blithe the maiden

Who gathered these today!

34. GARLAND FOR QUEENS, MAY BE —

Garlands for Queens, may be -

Laurels - for rare degree

Of soul or sword -

Ah - but remembering me -

Ah - but remembering thee -

Nature in chivalry -

Nature in charity -

Nature in equity -

The Rose ordained!

35. NOBODY KNOWS THIS LITTLE ROSE —

Nobody knows this little rose;

It might a pilgrim be,

Did I not take it from the ways,

And lift it up to thee!

Only a bee will miss it;

Only a butterfly,

Hastening from far journey,

On it's breast to lie.

Only a bird will wonder;

Only a breeze will sigh;

Ah! little rose, how easy

For such as thee to die!

36. SNOW FLAKES.

Snow flakes.

I counted till they danced so

Their slippers leaped the town,

And then I took a pencil

To note the rebels down.

And then they grew so jolly

I did resign the prig,

And ten of my once stately toes

Are marshalled for a jig!

37. BEFORE THE ICE IS IN THE POOLS —

Before the ice is in the pools —

Before the skaters go,

Or any check at nightfall

Is tarnished by the snow —

Before the fields have finished,

Before the Christmas tree,

Wonder upon wonder

Will arrive to me!

What we touch the hems of

On a summer's day —

What is only walking

Just a bridge away —

That which sings so — speaks so —

When there's no one here —

Will the frock I wept in

Answer me to wear?

38. BY SUCH AND SUCH AN OFFERING

By such and such an offering

To Mr. So and So,

The web of live woven —

So martyrs albums show!

39. IT DID NOT SURPRISE ME —

It did not surprise me —

So I said — or thought —

She will stir her pinions

And the nest forgot,

Traverse broader forests —

Build in gayer boughs,

Breathe in Ear more modern

God's old fashioned vows —

This was but a Birdling —

What and if it be

One within my bosom

Had departed me?

This was but a story —

What and if indeed

There were just such coffin

In the heart instead?

40. WHEN I COUNT THE SEEDS

When I count the seeds

That are sown beneath,

To bloom so, bye and bye —

When I con the people

Lain so low,

To be received as high —

When I believe the garden

Mortal shall not see —

Pick by faith its blossom

And avoid its Bee,

I can spare this summer, unreluctantly.

41. I ROBBED THE WOODS —

I robbed the Woods —

The trusting Woods.

The unsuspecting Trees

Brought out their Burs and mosses

My fantasy to please.

I scanned their trinkets curious — I grasped — I bore away —

What will the solemn Hemlock —

What will the Oak tree say?

42. A DAY! HELP! HELP! ANOTHER DAY!

A Day! Help! Help! Another Day!

Your prayers, oh Passer by!

From such a common ball as this

Might date a Victory!

From marshallings as simple

The flags of nations swang.

Steady — my soul: What issues

Upon thine arrow hang!

43. COULD LIVE — DID LIVE —

Could live — did live —

Could die — did die —

Could smile upon the whole

Through faith in one he met not,

To introduce his soul.

Could go from scene familiar

To an untraversed spot —

Could contemplate the journey

With unpuzzled heart —

Such trust had one among us,

Among us not today —

We who saw the launching

Never sailed the Bay!

44. IF SHE HAD BEEN THE MISTLETOE

If she had been the Mistletoe

And I had been the Rose —

How gay upon your table

My velvet life to close —

Since I am of the Druid,

And she is of the dew —

I'll deck Tradition's buttonhole —

And send the Rose to you.

45. THERE'S SOMETHING QUIETER THAN SLEEP

There's something quieter than sleep

Within this inner room!

It wears a sprig upon its breast —

And will not tell its name.

Some touch it, and some kiss it —

Some chafe its idle hand —

It has a simple gravity

I do not understand!

I would not weep if I were they —

How rude in one to sob!

Might scare the quiet fairy

Back to her native wood!

While simple-hearted neighbors

Chat of the "Early dead" —

We — prone to periphrasis

Remark that Birds have fled!

46. I KEEP MY PLEDGE.

I keep my pledge.

I was not called —

Death did not notice me.

I bring my Rose.

I plight again,

By every sainted Bee —

By Daisy called from hillside —

by Bobolink from lane.

Blossom and I —

Her oath, and mine —

Will surely come again.

47. HEART! WE WILL FORGET HIM!

Heart! We will forget him!

You and I — tonight!

You may forget the warmth he gave —

I will forget the light!

When you have done, pray tell me

That I may straight begin!

Haste! lest while you're lagging

I remember him!

48. ONCE MORE, MY NOW BEWILDERED DOVE

Once more, my now bewildered Dove

Bestirs her puzzled wings

Once more her mistress, on the deep

Her troubled question flings —

Thrice to the floating casement

The Patriarch's bird returned,

Courage! My brave Columba!

There may yet be land

49. I NEVER LOST AS MUCH BUT TWICE,

I never lost as much but twice,

And that was in the sod ;

Twice have I stood a beggar

Before the door of God !

Angels, twice descending,

Reimbursed my store.

Burglar, banker, father,

I am poor once more !

50. I HAVEN'T TOLD MY GARDEN YET —

I haven't told my garden yet —

Lest that should conquer me.

I haven't quite the strength now

To break it to the Bee —

I will not name it in the street

For shops would stare at me —

That one so shy — so ignorant

Should have the face to die.

The hillsides must not know it —

Where I have rambled so —

Nor tell the loving forests

The day that I shall go —

Nor lisp it at the table —

Nor heedless by the way

Hint that within the Riddle

One will walk today —

51. I OFTEN PASSED THE VILLAGE

I often passed the village

When going home from school —

And wondered what they did there —

And why it was so still —

I did not know the year then —

In which my call would come —

Earlier, by the Dial,

Than the rest have gone.

It's stiller than the sundown.

It's cooler than the dawn —

The Daisies dare to come here —

And birds can flutter down —

So when you are tired —

Or perplexed — or cold —

Trust the loving promise

Underneath the mould,

Cry "it's I," "take Dollie,"

And I will enfold!

52. WHETHER MY BARK WENT DOWN AT SEA —

Whether my bark went down at sea,

Whether she met with gales,

Whether to isles enchanted

She bent her docile sails ;

By what mystic mooring

She is held to-day, —

This is the errand of the eye

Out upon the bay.

53. TAKEN FROM MEN — THIS MORNING —

Taken from men — this morning —

Carried by men today —

Met by the Gods with banners —

Who marshalled her away —

One little maid — from playmates —

One little mind from school —

There must be guests in Eden —

All the rooms are full —

Far — as the East from Even —

Dim — as the border star —

Courtiers quaint, in Kingdoms

Our departed are.

54. IF I SHOULD DIE,

If I should die,

And you should live —

And time should gurgle on —

And morn should beam —

And noon should burn —

As it has usual done —

If Birds should build as early

And Bees as bustling go —

One might depart at option

From enterprise below!

'Tis sweet to know that stocks will stand

When we with Daisies lie —

That Commerce will continue —

And Trades as briskly fly —

It makes the parting tranquil

And keeps the soul serene —

That gentlemen so sprightly

Conduct the pleasing scene!

55. BY CHIVALRIES AS TINY,

By Chivalries as tiny,

A Blossom, or a Book,

The seeds of smiles are planted —

Which blossom in the dark.

56. IF I SHOULD CEASE TO BRING A ROSE

If I should cease to bring a Rose

Upon a festal day,

'Twill be because beyond the Rose

I have been called away —

If I should cease to take the names

My buds commemorate —

'Twill be because Death's finger

Claps my murmuring lip!

57. TO VENERATE THE SIMPLE DAYS

To venerate the simple days

Which lead the seasons by,

Needs but to remember

That from you or I,

They may take the trifle

Termed mortality!

58. DELAYED TILL SHE HAD CEASED TO KNOW —

Delayed till she had ceased to know —

Delayed till in its vest of snow

Her loving bosom lay —

An hour behind the fleeting breath —

Later by just an hour than Death —

Oh lagging Yesterday!

Could she have guessed that it would be —

Could but a crier of the joy

Have climbed the distant hill —

Had not the bliss so slow a pace

Who knows but this surrendered face

Were undefeated still?

Oh if there may departing be

Any forgot by Victory

In her imperial round —

Show them this meek appareled thing

That could not stop to be a king —

Doubtful if it be crowned!

59. A LITTLE EAST OF JORDAN,

A little East of Jordan,

Evangelists record,

A Gymnast and an Angel

Did wrestle long and hard —

Till morning touching mountain —

And Jacob, waxing strong,

The Angel begged permission

To Breakfast — to return —

Not so, said cunning Jacob!

"I will not let thee go

Except thou bless me" — Stranger!

The which acceded to —

Light swung the silver fleeces

"Peniel" Hills beyond,

And the bewildered Gymnast

Found he had worsted God!

60. LIKE HER THE SAINTS RETIRE,

Like her the Saints retire,

In their Chapeaux of fire,

Martial as she!

Like her the Evenings steal

Purple and Cochineal

After the Day!

"Departed" — both — they say!

i.e. gathered away,

Not found,

Argues the Aster still —

Reasons the Daffodil

Profound!

61. PAPA ABOVE!

Papa above!

Regard a Mouse

O'erpowered by the Cat!

Reserve within thy kingdom

A "Mansion" for the Rat!

Snug in seraphic Cupboards

To nibble all the day

While unsuspecting Cycles

Wheel solemnly away!

62. "SOWN IN DISHONOR"!

"Sown in dishonor"!

Ah! Indeed!

May this "dishonor" be?

If I were half so fine myself

I'd notice nobody!

"Sown in corruption"!

Not so fast!

Apostle is askew!

Corinthians 1. 15. narrates

A Circumstance or two!

63. IF PAIN FOR PEACE PREPARES

If pain for peace prepares

Lo, what "Augustan" years

Our feet await!

If springs from winter rise,

Can the Anemones

Be reckoned up?

If night stands fast — then noon

To gird us for the sun,

What gaze!

When from a thousand skies

On our developed eyes

Noons blaze!

64. SOME RAINBOW — COMING FROM THE FAIR!

Some Rainbow — coming from the Fair!

Some Vision of the World Cashmere —

I confidently see!

Or else a Peacock's purple Train

Feather by feather — on the plain

Fritters itself away!

The dreamy Butterflies bestir!

Lethargic pools resume the whir

Of last year's sundered tune!

From some old Fortress on the sun

Baronial Bees — march — one by one —

In murmuring platoon!

The Robins stand as thick today

As flakes of snow stood yesterday —

On fence — and Roof — and Twig!

The Orchis binds her feather on

For her old lover - Don the Sun!

Revisiting the Bog!

Without Commander! Countless! Still!

The Regiments of Wood and Hill

In bright detachment stand!

Behold! Whose Multitudes are these?

The children of whose turbaned seas —

Or what Circassian Land?

65. I CAN'T TELL YOU — BUT YOU FEEL IT —

I can't tell you — but you feel it —

Nor can you tell me —

Saints, with ravished slate and pencil

Solve our April Day!

Sweeter than a vanished frolic

From a vanished green!

Swifter than the hoofs of Horsemen

Round a Ledge of dream!

Modest, let us walk among it

With our faces veiled —

As they say polite Archangels

Do in meeting God!

Not for me — to prate about it!

Not for you — to say

To some fashionable Lady

"Charming April Day"!

Rather — Heaven's "Peter Parley"!

By which Children slow

To sublimer Recitation

Are prepared to go!

66. SO FROM THE MOULD

So from the mould

Scarlet and Gold

Many a Bulb will rise —

Hidden away, cunningly, From sagacious eyes.

So from Cocoon

Many a Worm

Leap so Highland gay,

Peasants like me,

Peasants like Thee

Gaze perplexedly!

67. SUCCESS IS COUNTED SWEETEST

SUCCESS is counted sweetest

By those who ne'er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host

Who took the flag to-day

Can tell the definition,

So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Break, agonized and clear.

68. AMBITION CANNOT FIND HIM.

Ambition cannot find him.

Affection doesn't know

How many leagues of nowhere

Lie between them now.

Yesterday, undistinguished!

Eminent Today

For our mutual honor, Immortality!

69. LOW AT MY PROBLEM BENDING,

Low at my problem bending,

Another problem comes —

Larger than mine — Serener —

Involving statelier sums.

I check my busy pencil,

My figures file away.

Wherefore, my baffled fingers

Thy perplexity?

70. "ARCTURUS" IS HIS OTHER NAME —

"Arcturus" is his other name —

I'd rather call him "Star."

It's very mean of Science

To go and interfere!

I slew a worm the other day —

A "Savant" passing by

Murmured "Resurgam" — "Centipede"!

"Oh Lord — how frail are we"!

I pull a flower from the woods —

A monster with a glass

Computes the stamens in a breath —

And has her in a "class"!

Whereas I took the Butterfly

Aforetime in my hat —

He sits erect in "Cabinets" —

The Clover bells forgot.

What once was "Heaven" Is "Zenith" now —

Where I proposed to go

When Time's brief masquerade was done

Is mapped and charted too.

What if the poles should frisk about

And stand upon their heads!

I hope I'm ready for "the worst" —

Whatever prank betides!

Perhaps the "Kingdom of Heaven's" changed —

I hope the "Children" there

Won't be "new fashioned" when I come —

And laugh at me — and stare —

I hope the Father in the skies

Will lift his little girl —

Old fashioned — naught — everything —

Over the stile of "Pearl."

71. A THROE UPON THE FEATURES —

A throe upon the features —

A hurry in the breath —

An ecstasy of parting

Denominated "Death" —

An anguish at the mention

Which when to patience grown,

I've known permission given

To rejoin its own.

72. GLOWING IS HER BONNET,

Glowing is her Bonnet,

Glowing is her Cheek,

Glowing is her Kirtle,

Yet she cannot speak.

Better as the Daisy

From the Summer hill

Vanish unrecorded

Save by tearful rill —

Save by loving sunrise

Looking for her face.

Save by feet unnumbered

Pausing at the place.

73. WHO NEVER LOST, ARE UNPREPARED

Who never lost, are unprepared

A Coronet to find!

Who never thirsted

Flagons, and Cooling Tamarind!

Who never climbed the weary league —

Can such a foot explore

The purple territories

On Pizarro's shore?

How many Legions overcome —

The Emperor will say?

How many Colors taken

On Revolution Day?

How many Bullets bearest?

Hast Thou the Royal scar?

Angels! Write "Promoted"

On this Soldier's brow!

74. A LADY RED — AMID THE HILL

A Lady red — amid the Hill

Her annual secret keeps!

A Lady white, within the Field

In placid Lily sleeps!

The tidy Breezes, with their Brooms —

Sweep vale — and hill — and tree!

Prithee, My pretty Housewives!

Who may expected be?

The Neighbors do not yet suspect!

The Woods exchange a smile!

Orchard, and Buttercup, and Bird —

In such a little while!

And yet, how still the Landscape stands!

How nonchalant the Hedge!

As if the "Resurrection"

Were nothing very strange!

75. SHE DIED AT PLAY,

She died at play,

Gambolled away

Her lease of spotted hours,

Then sank as gaily as a Turk

Upon a Couch of flowers.

Her ghost strolled softly o'er the hill

Yesterday, and Today,

Her vestments as the silver fleece —

Her countenance as spray.

76. EXULTATION IS THE GOING

Exultation is the going

Of an inland soul to sea,

Past the houses — past the headlands —

Into deep Eternity —

Bred as we, among the mountains,

Can the sailor understand

The divine intoxication

Of the first league out from land?

77. I NEVER HEAR THE WORD "ESCAPE"

I never hear the word "escape"

Without a quicker blood,

A sudden expectation

A flying attitude!

I never hear of prisons broad

By soldiers battered down,

But I tug childish at my bars

Only to fail again!

78. A POOR — TORN HEART — A TATTERED HEART —

A poor — torn heart — a tattered heart —

That sat it down to rest —

Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day

Flowed silver to the West —

Nor noticed Night did soft descend —

Nor Constellation burn —

Intent upon the vision

Of latitudes unknown.

The angels — happening that way

This dusty heart espied —

Tenderly took it up from toil

And carried it to God —

There — sandals for the Barefoot —

There — gathered from the gales —

Do the blue havens by the hand

Lead the wandering Sails.

79. GOING TO HEAVEN!

Going to Heaven!

I don't know when —

Pray do not ask me how!

Indeed I'm too astonished

To think of answering you!

Going to Heaven!

How dim it sounds!

And yet it will be done

As sure as flocks go home at night

Unto the Shepherd's arm!

Perhaps you're going too!

Who knows?

If you should get there first

Save just a little space for me

Close to the two I lost —

The smallest "Robe" will fit me

And just a bit of "Crown" —

For you know we do not mind our dress

When we are going home —

I'm glad I don't believe it

For it would stop my breath —

And I'd like to look a little more

At such a curious Earth!

I'm glad they did believe it

Whom I have never found

Since the might Autumn afternoon

I left them in the ground.

80. OUR LIVES ARE SWISS —

Our lives are Swiss —

So still — so Cool —

Till some odd afternoon

The Alps neglect their Curtains

And we look farther on!

Italy stands the other side!

While like a guard between —

The solemn Alps —

The siren Alps

Forever intervene!

81. WE SHOULD NOT MIND SO SMALL A FLOWER —

We should not mind so small a flower —

Except it quiet bring

Our little garden that we lost

Back to the Lawn again.

So spicy her Carnations nod —

So drunken, reel her Bees —

So silver steal a hundred flutes

From out a hundred trees —

That whoso sees this little flower

By faith may clear behold

The Bobolinks around the throne

And Dandelions gold.

82. WHOSE CHEEK IS THIS?

Whose cheek is this?

What rosy face

Has lost a blush today?

I found her — "pleiad" — in the woods

And bore her safe away.

Robins, in the tradition

Did cover such with leaves,

But which the cheek —

And which the pall

My scrutiny deceives.

83. HEART, NOT SO HEAVY AS MINE

Heart, not so heavy as mine

Wending late home —

As it passed my window

Whistled itself a tune —

A careless snatch — a ballad — A ditty of the street —

Yet to my irritated Ear

An Anodyne so sweet —

It was as if a Bobolink

Sauntering this way

Carolled, and paused, and carolled —

Then bubbled slow away!

It was as if a chirping brook

Upon a dusty way —

Set bleeding feet to minuets

Without the knowing why!

Tomorrow, night will come again —

Perhaps, weary and sore —

Ah Bugle! By my window

I pray you pass once more.

84. HER BREAST IS FIT FOR PEARLS,

Her breast is fit for pearls,

But I was not a "Diver" —

Her brow is fit for thrones

But I have not a crest.

Her heart is fit for home —

I — a Sparrow — build there

Sweet of twigs and twine

My perennial nest.

85. "THEY HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME," HE SAID,

"They have not chosen me," he said,

"But I have chosen them!"

Brave — Broken hearted statement —

Uttered in Bethlehem!

I could not have told it,

But since Jesus dared —

Sovereign! Know a Daisy

They dishonor shared!

86. SOUTH WINDS JOSTLE THEM —

South Winds jostle them —

Bumblebees come —

Hover — hesitate —

Drink, and are gone —

Butterflies pause

On their passage Cashmere —

I — softly plucking,

Present them here!

87. A DARTING FEAR — A POMP — A TEAR —

A darting fear — a pomp — a tear —

A waking on a morn

To find that what one waked for,

Inhales the different dawn.

88. AS BY THE DEAD WE LOVE TO SIT,

As by the dead we love to sit,

Become so wondrous dear —

As for the lost we grapple

Tho' all the rest are here —

In broken mathematics

We estimate our prize

Vast — in its fading ration

To our penurious eyes!

89. SOME THINGS THAT FLY THERE BE —

Some things that fly there be —

Birds — Hours — the Bumblebee —

Of these no Elegy.

Some things that stay there be —

Grief — Hills — Eternity —

Nor this behooveth me.

There are that resting, rise.

Can I expound the skies?

How still the Riddle lies!

90. WITHIN MY REACH!

Within my reach !

I could have touched !

I might have chanced that way !

Soft sauntered through the village,

Sauntered as soft away !

So unsuspected violets

Within the fields lie low ;

Too late for striving fingers

That passed, an hour ago.

91. SO BASHFUL WHEN I SPIED HER!

So bashful when I spied her,

So pretty, so ashamed !

So hidden in her leaflets,

Lest anybody find ;

So breathless till I passed her,

So helpless when I turned

And bore her, struggling, blushing,

Her simple haunts beyond !

For whom I robbed the dingle,

For whom betrayed the dell,

Many will doubtless ask me,

But I shall never tell !

92. MY FRIEND MUST BE A BIRD —

My friend must be a Bird —

Because it flies!

Mortal, my friend must be,

Because it dies!

Barbs has it, like a Bee!

Ah, curious friend!

Thou puzzlest me!

93. WENT UP A YEAR THIS EVENING!

Went up a year this evening!

I recollect it well!

Amid no bells nor bravoes

The bystanders will tell!

Cheerful — as to the village —

Tranquil — as to repose —

Chastened — as to the Chapel

This humble Tourist rose!

Did not talk of returning!

Alluded to no time

When, were the gales propitious —

We might look for him!

Was grateful for the Roses

In life's diverse bouquet —

Talked softly of new species

To pick another day;

Beguiling thus the wonder

The wondrous nearer drew —

Hands bustled at the moorings —

The crown respectful grew —

Ascended from our vision

To Countenances new!

A Difference — A Daisy —

Is all the rest I knew!

94. ANGELS, IN THE EARLY MORNING

Angels in the early morning

May be seen the dews among,

Stooping, plucking, smiling, flying :

Do the buds to them belong ?

Angels when the sun is hottest

May be seen the sands among,

Stooping, plucking, sighing, flying ;

Parched the flowers they bear along.

95. MY NOSEGAYS ARE FOR CAPTIVES —

My nosegays are for Captives —

Dim — expectant eyes,

Fingers denied the plucking,

Patient till Paradise.

To such, if they should whisper

Of morning and the moor,

They bear no other errand,

And I, no other prayer.

96. SEXTON! MY MASTER'S SLEEPING HERE.

Sexton! My Master's sleeping here.

Pray lead me to his bed!

I came to build the Bird's nest,

And sow the Early seed —

That when the snow creeps slowly

From off his chamber door —

Daisies point the way there —

And the Troubadour.

97. THE RAINBOW NEVER TELLS ME

The rainbow never tells me

That gust and storm are by,

Yet is she more convincing

Than Philosophy.

My flowers turn from Forums —

Yet eloquent declare

What Cato couldn't prove me

Except the birds were here!

98. ONE DIGNITY DELAYS FOR ALL —

One dignity delays for all,

One mitred afternoon.

None can avoid this purple,

None evade this crown.

Coach it insures, and footmen,

Chamber and state and throng ;

Bells, also, in the village,

As we ride grand along.

What dignified attendants,

What service when we pause !

How loyally at parting

Their hundred hats they raise !

How pomp surpassing ermine,

When simple you and I

Present our meek escutcheon,

And claim the rank to die !

99. NEW FEET WITHIN MY GARDEN GO —

New feet within my garden go,

New fingers stir the sod ;

A troubadour upon the elm

Betrays the solitude.

New children play upon the green,

New weary sleep below ;

And still the pensive spring returns,

And still the punctual snow !

100. A SCIENCE — SO THE SAVANTS SAY,

A science — so the Savants say,

"Comparative Anatomy" —

By which a single bone —

Is made a secret to unfold

Of some rare tenant of the mold,

Else perished in the stone —

So to the eye prospective led,

This meekest flower of the mead

Upon a winter's day,

Stands representative in gold

Of Rose and Lily, manifold,

And countless Butterfly!

101. WILL THERE REALLY BE A "MORNING"?

Will there really be a "Morning"?

Is there such a thing as "Day"?

Could I see it from the mountains

If I were as tall as they?

Has it feet like Water lilies?

Has it feathers like a Bird?

Is it brought from famous countries

Of which I have never heard?

Oh some Scholar! Oh some Sailor!

Oh some Wise Men from the skies!

Please to tell a little Pilgrim

Where the place called "Morning" lies!

102. GREAT CAESAR! CONDESCEND

Great Caesar! Condescend

The Daisy, to receive,

Gathered by Cato's Daughter,

With your majestic leave!

103. I HAVE A KING, WHO DOES NOT SPEAK —

I have a King, who does not speak —

So — wondering — thro' the hours meek

I trudge the day away —

Half glad when it is night, and sleep,

If, haply, thro' a dream, to peep

In parlors, shut by day.

And if I do — when morning comes —

It is as if a hundred drums

Did round my pillow roll,

And shouts fill all my Childish sky,

And Bells keep saying "Victory"

From steeples in my soul!

And if I don't — the little Bird

Within the Orchard, is not heard,

And I omit to pray

"Father, thy will be done" today

For my will goes the other way,

And it were perjury!

104. WHERE I HAVE LOST, I SOFTER TREAD —

Where I have lost, I softer tread —

I sow sweet flower from garden bed —

I pause above that vanished head

And mourn.

Whom I have lost, I pious guard

From accent harsh, or ruthless word —

Feeling as if their pillow heard,

Though stone!

When I have lost, you'll know by this —

A Bonnet black — A dusk surplice —

A little tremor in my voice Like this!

Why, I have lost, the people know

Who dressed in flocks of purest snow

Went home a century ago

Next Bliss!

105. TO HANG OUR HEAD — OSTENSIBLY —

To hang our head — ostensibly —

And subsequent, to find

That such was not the posture

Of our immortal mind —

Affords the sly presumption

That in so dense a fuzz —

You — too — take Cobweb attitudes

Upon a plane of Gauze!

106. THE DAISY FOLLOWS SOFT THE SUN —

The daisy follows soft the sun,

And when his golden walk is done,

Sits shyly at his feet.

He, walking, finds the flower near.

"Wherefore, marauder, art thou here ?

"Because, sir, love is sweet !"

We are the flower, Thou the sun !

Forgive us, if as days decline,

We nearer steal to Thee, —

Enamoured of the parting west,

The peace, the flight, the amethyst,

Night's possibility !

107. 'TWAS SUCH A LITTLE — LITTLE BOAT

'Twas such a little — little boat

That toddled down the bay!

'Twas such a gallant — gallant sea

That beckoned it away!

'Twas such a greedy, greedy wave

That licked it from the Coast —

Nor ever guessed the stately sails

My little craft was lost!

108. SURGEONS MUST BE VERY CAREFUL

Surgeons must be very careful

When they take the knife!

Underneath their fine incisions

Stirs the Culprit — Life!

109. BY A FLOWER — BY A LETTER —

By a flower — By a letter —

By a nimble love —

If I weld the Rivet faster —

Final fast — above —

Never mind my breathless Anvil!

Never mind Repose!

Never mind the sooty faces

Tugging at the Forge!

110. ARTISTS WRESTLED HERE!

Artists wrestled here!

Lo, a tint Cashmere!

Lo, a Rose!

Student of the Year!

For the easel here

Say Repose!

111. THE BEE IS NOT AFRAID OF ME.

The bee is not afraid of me,

I know the butterfly ;

The pretty people in the woods

Receive me cordially.

The brooks laugh louder when I come,

The breezes madder play.

Wherefore, mine eyes, thy silver mists ?

Wherefore, O summer's day ?

112. WHERE BELLS NO MORE AFFRIGHT THE MORN —

Where bells no more affright the morn —

Where scrabble never comes —

Where very nimble Gentlemen

Are forced to keep their rooms —

Where tired Children placid sleep

Thro' Centuries of noon

This place is Bliss — this town is Heaven —

Please, Pater, pretty soon!

"Oh could we climb where Moses stood,

And view the Landscape o'er"

Not Father's bells — nor Factories,

Could scare us any more!

113. OUR SHARE OF NIGHT TO BEAR —

OUR share of night to bear,

Our share of morning,

Our blank in bliss to fill,

Our blank in scorning.

Here a star, and there a star,

Some lose their way.

Here a mist, and there a mist,

Afterwards—day!

114. GOOD NIGHT, BECAUSE WE MUST,

Good night, because we must,

How intricate the dust!

I would go, to know!

Oh incognito!

Saucy, Saucy Seraph

To elude me so!

Father! they won't tell me,

Won't you tell them to?

115. WHAT INN IS THIS

What Inn is this

Where for the night

Peculiar Traveller comes?

Who is the Landlord?

Where the maids?

Behold, what curious rooms!

No ruddy fires on the hearth —

No brimming Tankards flow —

Necromancer! Landlord!

Who are these below?

116. I HAD SOME THINGS THAT I CALLED MINE —

I had some things that I called mine —

And God, that he called his,

Till, recently a rival Claim

Disturbed these amities.

The property, my garden,

Which having sown with care,

He claims the pretty acre,

And sends a Bailiff there.

The station of the parties

Forbids publicity,

But Justice is sublimer

Than arms, or pedigree.

I'll institute an "Action" —

I'll vindicate the law —

Jove! Choose your counsel —

I retain "Shaw"!

117. IN RAGS MYSTERIOUS AS THESE

In rags mysterious as these

The shining Courtiers go —

Veiling the purple, and the plumes —

Veiling the ermine so.

Smiling, as they request an alms —

At some imposing door!

Smiling when we walk barefoot

Upon their golden floor!

118. MY FRIEND ATTACKS MY FRIEND!

My friend attacks my friend!

Oh Battle picturesque!

Then I turn Soldier too,

And he turns Satirist!

How martial is this place!

Had I a mighty gun

I think I'd shoot the human race

And then to glory run!

119. TALK WITH PRUDENCE TO A BEGGAR

Talk with prudence to a Beggar

Of "Potose," and the mines!

Reverently, to the Hungry

Of your viands, and your wines!

Cautious, hint to any Captive

You have passed enfranchised feet!

Anecdotes of air in Dungeons

Have sometimes proved deadly sweet!

120. IF THIS IS "FADING"

If this is "fading"

Oh let me immediately "fade"!

If this is "dying"

Bury me, in such a shroud of red!

If this is "sleep,"

On such a night

How proud to shut the eye!

Good Evening, gentle Fellow men!

Peacock presumes to die!

121. AS WATCHERS HANG UPON THE EAST,

As Watchers hang upon the East,

As Beggars revel at a feast

By savory Fancy spread —

As brooks in deserts babble sweet

On ear too far for the delight,

Heaven beguiles the tired.

As that same watcher, when the East

Opens the lid of Amethyst

And lets the morning go —

That Beggar, when an honored Guest,

Those thirsty lips to flagons pressed,

Heaven to us, if true.

122. A SOMETHING IN A SUMMER'S DAY

A something in a summer's Day

As slow her flambeaux burn away

Which solemnizes me.

A something in a summer's noon —

A depth — an Azure — a perfume —

Transcending ecstasy.

And still within a summer's night

A something so transporting bright

I clap my hands to see —

Then veil my too inspecting face

Lets such a subtle — shimmering grace

Flutter too far for me —

The wizard fingers never rest —

The purple brook within the breast

Still chafes its narrow bed —

Still rears the East her amber Flag —

Guides still the sun along the Crag

His Caravan of Red —

So looking on — the night — the morn

Conclude the wonder gay —

And I meet, coming thro' the dews

Another summer's Day!

123. MANY CROSS THE RHINE

Many cross the Rhine

In this cup of mine.

Sip old Frankfort air

From my brown Cigar.

124. IN LANDS I NEVER SAW — THEY SAY

In lands I never saw — they say

Immortal Alps look down —

Whose Bonnets touch the firmament —

Whose Sandals touch the town —

Meek at whose everlasting feet

A Myriad Daisy play —

Which, Sir, are you and which am I

Upon an August day?

125. FOR EACH ECSTATIC INSTANT

For each ecstatic instant

We must an anguish pay

In keen and quivering ratio

To the ecstasy.

For each beloved hour

Sharp pittances of years —

Bitter contested farthings —

And Coffers heaped with Tears!

126. TO FIGHT ALOUD, IS VERY BRAVE —

To fight aloud is very brave,

But gallanter, I know,

Who charge within the bosom,

The cavalry of woe.

Who win, and nations do not see,

Who fall, and none observe,

Whose dying eyes no country

Regards with patriot love.

We trust, in plumed procession,

For such the angels go,

Rank after rank, with even feet

And uniforms of snow.

127. "HOUSES" — SO THE WISE MEN TELL ME —

"Houses" — so the Wise Men tell me —

"Mansions"! Mansions must be warm!

Mansions cannot let the tears in,

Mansions must exclude the storm!

"Many Mansions," by "his Father,"

I don't know him; snugly built!

Could the Children find the way there —

Some, would even trudge tonight!

128. BRING ME THE SUNSET IN A CUP,

Bring me the sunset in a cup,

Reckon the morning's flagons up

And say how many Dew,

Tell me how far the morning leaps —

Tell me what time the weaver sleeps

Who spun the breadth of blue!

Write me how many notes there be

In the new Robin's ecstasy

Among astonished boughs —

How many trips the Tortoise makes —

How many cups the Bee partakes,

The Debauchee of Dews!

Also, who laid the Rainbow's piers,

Also, who leads the docile spheres

By withes of supple blue?

Whose fingers string the stalactite —

Who counts the wampum of the night

To see that none is due?

Who built this little Alban House

And shut the windows down so close

My spirit cannot see?

Who'll let me out some gala day

With implements to fly away,

Passing Pomposity?

129. COCOON ABOVE! COCOON BELOW!

Cocoon above! Cocoon below!

Stealthy Cocoon, why hide you so

What all the world suspect?

An hour, and gay on every tree

Your secret, perched in ecstasy

Defies imprisonment!

An hour in Chrysalis to pass,

Then gay above receding grass

A Butterfly to go!

A moment to interrogate,

Then wiser than a "Surrogate,"

The Universe to know!

130. THESE ARE THE DAYS WHEN BIRDS COME BACK —

These are the days when Birds come back —

A very few — a Bird or two —

To take a backward look.

These are the days when skies resume

The old — old sophistries of June —

A blue and gold mistake.

Oh fraud that cannot cheat the Bee —

Almost thy plausibility

Induces my belief.

Till ranks of seeds their witness bear —

And softly thro' the altered air

Hurries a timid leaf.

Oh Sacrament of summer days,

Oh Last Communion in the Haze —

Permit a child to join.

Thy sacred emblems to partake —

They consecrated bread to take

And thine immortal wine!

131. BESIDES THE AUTUMN POETS SING

Besides the Autumn poets sing

A few prosaic days

A little this side of the snow

And that side of the Haze —

A few incisive Mornings —

A few Ascetic Eves —

Gone — Mr. Bryant's "Golden Rod" —

And Mr. Thomson's "sheaves."

Still, is the bustle in the Brook —

Sealed are the spicy valves —

Mesmeric fingers softly touch

The Eyes of many Elves —

Perhaps a squirrel may remain —

My sentiments to share —

Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind —

Thy windy will to bear!

132. I BRING AN UNACCUSTOMED WINE

I BRING an unaccustomed wine

To lips long parching, next to mine,

And summon them to drink.

Crackling with fever, they essay;

I turn my brimming eyes away,

And come next hour to look.

The hands still hug the tardy glass;

The lips I would have cooled, alas!

Are so superfluous cold,

I would as soon attempt to warm

The bosoms where the frost has lain

Ages beneath the mould.

Some other thirsty there may be

To whom this would have pointed me

Had it remained to speak.

And so I always bear the cup

If, haply, mine may be the drop

Some pilgrim thirst to slake,—

If, haply, any say to me,

"Unto the little, unto me,"

When I at last awake.

133. AS CHILDREN BID THE GUEST "GOOD NIGHT"

As children bid the guest good-night,

And then reluctant turn,

My flowers raise their pretty lips,

Then put their nightgowns on.

As children caper when they wake,

Merry that it is morn,

My flowers from a hundred cribs

Will peep, and prance again.

134. PERHAPS YOU'D LIKE TO BUY A FLOWER,

Perhaps you'd like to buy a flower ?

But I could never sell.

If you would like to borrow

Until the daffodil

Unties her yellow bonnet

Beneath the village door,

Until the bees, from clover rows

Their hock and sherry draw,

Why, I will lend until just then,

But not an hour more!

135. WATER, IS TAUGHT BY THIRST.

Water, is taught by thirst.

Land — by the Oceans passed.

Transport — by throe —

Peace — by its battles told —

Love, by Memorial Mold —

Birds, by the Snow.

136. HAVE YOU GOT A BROOK IN YOUR LITTLE HEART,

Have you got a brook in your little heart,

Where bashful flowers blow,

And blushing birds go down to drink,

And shadows tremble so ?

And nobody knows, so still it flows,

That any brook is there ;

And yet your little draught of life

Is daily drunken there.

Then look out for the little brook in March,

When the rivers overflow,

And the snows come hurrying from the hills,

And the bridges often go.

And later, in August it may be,

When the meadows parching lie,

Beware, lest this little brook of life

Some burning noon go dry !

137. FLOWERS — WELL — IF ANYBODY

Flowers — Well — if anybody

Can the ecstasy define —

Half a transport — half a trouble —

With which flowers humble men:

Anybody find the fountain

From which floods so contra flow —

I will give him all the Daisies

Which upon the hillside blow.

Too much pathos in their faces

For a simple breast like mine —

Butterflies from St. Domingo

Cruising round the purple line —

Have a system of aesthetics —

Far superior to mine.

138. PIGMY SERAPHS — GONE ASTRAY —

Pigmy seraphs — gone astray —

Velvet people from Vevay —

Balles from some lost summer day —

Bees exclusive Coterie —

Paris could not lay the fold

Belted down with Emerald —

Venice could not show a check

Of a tint so lustrous meek —

Never such an Ambuscade

As of briar and leaf displayed

For my little damask maid —

I had rather wear her grace

Than an Earl's distinguished face —

I had rather dwell like her

Than be "Duke of Exeter" —

Royalty enough for me

To subdue the Bumblebee.

139. SOUL, WILT THOU TOSS AGAIN?

Soul, Wilt thou toss again?

By just such a hazard

Hundreds have lost indeed —

But tens have won an all —

Angel's breathless ballot

Lingers to record thee —

Imps in eager Caucus

Raffle for my Soul!

140. AN ALTERED LOOK ABOUT THE HILLS —

An altered look about the hills —

A Tyrian light the village fills —

A wider sunrise in the morn —

A deeper twilight on the lawn —

A print of a vermillion foot —

A purple finger on the slope —

A flippant fly upon the pane —

A spider at his trade again —

An added strut in Chanticleer —

A flower expected everywhere —

An axe shrill singing in the woods —

Fern odors on untravelled roads —

All this and more I cannot tell —

A furtive look you know as well —

And Nicodemus' Mystery

Receives its annual reply!

141. SOME, TOO FRAGILE FOR WINTER WINDS

Some, too fragile for winter winds

The thoughtful grave encloses —

Tenderly tucking them in from frost

Before their feet are cold.

Never the treasures in her nest

The cautious grave exposes,

Building where schoolboy dare not look,

And sportsman is not bold.

This covert have all the children

Early aged, and often cold,

Sparrow, unnoticed by the Father —

Lambs for whom time had not a fold.

142. WHOSE ARE THE LITTLE BEDS, I ASKED

Whose are the little beds, I asked

Which in the valleys lie?

Some shook their heads, and others smiled —

And no one made reply.

Perhaps they did not hear, I said,

I will inquire again —

Whose are the beds — the tiny beds

So thick upon the plain?

'Tis Daisy, in the shortest —

A little further on —

Nearest the door — to wake the Ist —

Little Leontoden.

'Tis Iris, Sir, and Aster —

Anemone, and Bell —

Bartsia, in the blanket red —

And chubby Daffodil.

Meanwhile, at many cradles

Her busy foot she plied —

Humming the quaintest lullaby

That ever rocked a child.

Hush! Epigea wakens!

The Crocus stirs her lids —

Rhodora's cheek is crimson,

She's dreaming of the woods!

Then turning from them reverent —

Their bedtime 'tis, she said —

The Bumble bees will wake them

When April woods are red.

143. FOR EVERY BIRD A NEST —

For every Bird a Nest —

Wherefore in timid quest

Some little Wren goes seeking round —

Wherefore when boughs are free —

Households in every tree —

Pilgrim be found?

Perhaps a home too high —

Ah Aristocracy!

The little Wren desires —

Perhaps of twig so fine —

Of twine e'en superfine,

Her pride aspires —

The Lark is not ashamed

To build upon the ground

Her modest house —

Yet who of all the throng

Dancing around the sun

Does so rejoice?

144. SHE BORE IT TILL THE SIMPLE VEINS

She bore it till the simple veins

Traced azure on her hand —

Til pleading, round her quiet eyes

The purple Crayons stand.

Till Daffodils had come and gone

I cannot tell the sum,

And then she ceased to bear it —

And with the Saints sat down.

No more her patient figure

At twilight soft to meet —

No more her timid bonnet

Upon the village street —

But Crowns instead, and Courtiers —

And in the midst so fair,

Whose but her shy — immortal face

Of whom we're whispering here?

145. THIS HEART THAT BROKE SO LONG —

This heart that broke so long —

These feet that never flagged —

This faith that watched for star in vain,

Give gently to the dead —

Hound cannot overtake the Hare

That fluttered panting, here —

Nor any schoolboy rob the nest

Tenderness builded there.

146. ON SUCH A NIGHT, OR SUCH A NIGHT,

On such a night, or such a night,

Would anybody care

If such a little figure

Slipped quiet from its chair —

So quiet — Oh how quiet,

That nobody might know

But that the little figure

Rocked softer — to and fro —

On such a dawn, or such a dawn —

Would anybody sigh

That such a little figure

Too sound asleep did lie

For Chanticleer to wake it —

Or stirring house below —

Or giddy bird in orchard —

Or early task to do?

There was a little figure plump

For every little knoll —

Busy needles, and spools of thread —

And trudging feet from school —

Playmates, and holidays, and nuts —

And visions vast and small —

Strange that the feet so precious charged

Should reach so small a goal!

147. BLESS GOD, HE WENT AS SOLDIERS,

Bless God, he went as soldiers,

His musket on his breast —

Grant God, he charge the bravest

Of all the martial blest!

Please God, might I behold him

In epauletted white —

I should not fear the foe then —

I should not fear the fight!

148. ALL OVERGROWN BY CUNNING MOSS,

All overgrown by cunning moss,

All interspersed with weed,

The little cage of "Currer Bell"

In quiet "Haworth" laid.

Gathered from many wanderings —

Gethsemane can tell

Thro' what transporting anguish

She reached the Asphodel!

Soft fall the sounds of Eden

Upon her puzzled ear —

Oh what an afternoon for Heaven,

When "Bronte" entered there!

149. SHE WENT AS QUIET AS THE DEW

She went as quiet as the dew

From a familiar flower.

Not like the dew did she return

At the accustomed hour !

She dropt as softly as a star

From out my summer's eve ;

Less skilful than Leverrier

It's sorer to believe!

150. SHE DIED — THIS WAS THE WAY SHE DIED.

She died — this was the way she died.

And when her breath was done

Took up her simple wardrobe

And started for the sun.

Her little figure at the gate

The Angels must have spied,

Since I could never find her

Upon the mortal side.

151. MUTE THY CORONATION —

Mute thy Coronation —

Meek my Vive le roi,

Fold a tiny courtier

In thine Ermine, Sir,

There to rest revering

Till the pageant by,

I can murmur broken,

Master, It was I —

152. THE SUN KEPT STOOPING — STOOPING — LOW!

The Sun kept stooping — stooping — low!

The Hills to meet him rose!

On his side, what Transaction!

On their side, what Repose!

Deeper and deeper grew the stain

Upon the window pane —

Thicker and thicker stood the feet

Until the Tyrian

Was crowded dense with Armies —

So gay, so Brigadier —

That I felt martial stirrings

Who once the Cockade wore —

Charged from my chimney corner —

But Nobody was there!

153. DUST IS THE ONLY SECRET —

Dust is the only Secret —

Death, the only One

You cannot find out all about

In his "native town."

Nobody know "his Father" —

Never was a Boy —

Hadn't any playmates,

Or "Early history" —

Industrious! Laconic!

Punctual! Sedate!

Bold as a Brigand!

Stiller than a Fleet!

Builds, like a Bird, too!

Christ robs the Nest —

Robin after Robin

Smuggled to Rest!

154. EXCEPT TO HEAVEN, SHE IS NOUGHT.

Except to Heaven, she is nought.

Except for Angels — lone.

Except to some wide-wandering Bee

A flower superfluous blown.

Except for winds — provincial.

Except by Butterflies

Unnoticed as a single dew

That on the Acre lies.

The smallest Housewife in the grass,

Yet take her from the Lawn

And somebody has lost the face

That made Existence — Home!

155. THE MURMUR OF A BEE

The Murmur of a Bee

A Witchcraft — yieldeth me —

If any ask me why —

'Twere easier to die —

Than tell —

The Red upon the Hill

Taketh away my will —

If anybody sneer —

Take care — for God is here —

That's all.

The Breaking of the Day

Addeth to my Degree —

If any ask me how —

Artist — who drew me so —

Must tell!

156. YOU LOVE ME — YOU ARE SURE —

You love me — you are sure —

I shall not fear mistake —

I shall not cheated wake —

Some grinning morn —

To find the Sunrise left —

And Orchards — unbereft —

And Dollie — gone!

I need not start — you're sure —

That night will never be —

When frightened — home to Thee I run —

To find the windows dark —

And no more Dollie — mark —

Quite none?

Be sure you're sure — you know —

I'll bear it better now —

If you'll just tell me so —

Than when — a little dull Balm grown —

Over this pain of mine —

You sting — again!

157. MUSICIANS WRESTLE EVERYWHERE —

Musicians wrestle everywhere —

All day — among the crowded air

I hear the silver strife —

And — waking — long before the morn —

Such transport breaks upon the town

I think it that "New Life"!

If is not Bird — it has no nest —

Nor "Band" — in brass and scarlet — drest —

Nor Tamborin — nor Man —

It is not Hymn from pulpit read —

The "Morning Stars" the Treble led

On Time's first Afternoon!

Some — say — it is "the Spheres" — at play!

Some say that bright Majority

Of vanished Dames — and Men!

Some — think it service in the place

Where we — with late — celestial face —

Please God — shall Ascertain!

158. DYING! DYING IN THE NIGHT!

Dying! Dying in the night!

Won't somebody bring the light

So I can see which way to go

Into the everlasting snow?

And "Jesus"! Where is Jesus gone?

They said that Jesus — always came —

Perhaps he doesn't know the House —

This way, Jesus, Let him pass!

Somebody run to the great gate

And see if Dollie's coming! Wait!

I hear her feet upon the stair!

Death won't hurt — now Dollie's here!

159. A LITTLE BREAD — A CRUST — A CRUMB —

A little bread — a crust — a crumb —

A little trust — a demijohn —

Can keep the soul alive —

Not portly, mind! but breathing — warm —

Conscious — as old Napoleon,

The night before the Crown!

A modest lot — A fame petite —

A brief Campaign of sting and sweet

Is plenty! Is enough!

A Sailor's business is the shore!

A Soldier's — balls! Who asketh more,

Must seek the neighboring life!

160. JUST LOST, WHEN I WAS SAVED!

Just lost, when I was saved!

Just felt the world go by!

Just girt me for the onset with Eternity,

When breath blew back,

And on the other side

I heard recede the disappointed tide!

Therefore, as One returned, I feel

Odd secrets of the line to tell!

Some Sailor, skirting foreign shores —

Some pale Reporter, from the awful doors

Before the Seal!

Next time, to stay!

Next time, the things to see

By Ear unheard,

Unscrutinized by Eye —

Next time, to tarry,

While the Ages steal —

Slow tramp the Centuries,

And the Cycles wheel!

161. A FEATHER FROM THE WHIPPOORWILL

A feather from the Whippoorwill

That everlasting — sings!

Whose galleries — are Sunrise —

Whose Opera — the Springs —

Whose Emerald Nest the Ages spin

Of mellow — murmuring thread —

Whose Beryl Egg, what Schoolboys hunt

In "Recess" — Overhead!

162. MY RIVER RUNS TO THEE —

My River runs to thee —

Blue Sea! Wilt welcome me?

My River wait reply —

Oh Sea — look graciously —

I'll fetch thee Brooks

From spotted nooks —

Say — Sea — Take Me!

163. THO' MY DESTINY BE FUSTIAN —

Tho' my destiny be Fustian —

Hers be damask fine —

Tho' she wear a silver apron —

I, a less divine —

Still, my little Gypsy being

I would far prefer,

Still, my little sunburnt bosom

To her Rosier,

For, when Frosts, their punctual fingers

On her forehead lay,

You and I, and Dr. Holland,

Bloom Eternally!

Roses of a steadfast summer

In a steadfast land,

Where no Autumn lifts her pencil —

And no Reapers stand!

164. MAMA NEVER FORGETS HER BIRDS,

Mama never forgets her birds,

Though in another tree —

She looks down just as often

And just as tenderly

As when her little mortal nest

With cunning care she wove —

If either of her "sparrows fall,"

She "notices," above.

165. A WOUNDED DEER — LEAPS HIGHEST —

A wounded deer leaps highest,

I've heard the hunter tell ;

'T is but the ecstasy of death,

And then the brake is still.

The smitten rock that gushes,

The trampled steel that springs:

A cheek is always redder

Just where the hectic stings!

Mirth is the mail of anguish,

In which it cautions arm,

Lest anybody spy the blood

And "You're hurt" exclaim!

166. I MET A KING THIS AFTERNOON!

I met a King this afternoon!

He had not on a Crown indeed,

A little Palmleaf Hat was all,

And he was barefoot, I'm afraid!

But sure I am he Ermine wore

Beneath his faded Jacket's blue —

And sure I am, the crest he bore

Within that Jacket's pocket too!

For 'twas too stately for an Earl —

A Marquis would not go so grand!

'Twas possibly a Czar petite —

A Pope, or something of that kind!

If I must tell you, of a Horse

My freckled Monarch held the rein —

Doubtless an estimable Beast,

But not at all disposed to run!

And such a wagon! While I live

Dare I presume to see

Another such a vehicle

As then transported me!

Two other ragged Princes

His royal state partook!

Doubtless the first excursion

These sovereigns ever took!

I question if the Royal Coach

Round which the Footmen wait

Has the significance, on high,

Of this Barefoot Estate!

167. TO LEARN THE TRANSPORT BY THE PAIN

To learn the Transport by the Pain

As Blind Men learn the sun!

To die of thirst — suspecting

That Brooks in Meadows run!

To stay the homesick — homesick feet

Upon a foreign shore —

Haunted by native lands, the while —

And blue — beloved air!

This is the Sovereign Anguish!

This — the signal woe!

These are the patient "Laureates"

Whose voices — trained — below —

Ascend in ceaseless Carol —

Inaudible, indeed,

To us — the duller scholars

Of the Mysterious Bard!

168. IF THE FOOLISH, CALL THEM "FLOWERS" —

If the foolish, call them "flowers" —

Need the wiser, tell?

If the Savants "Classify" them

It is just as well!

Those who read the "Revelations"

Must not criticize

Those who read the same Edition —

With beclouded Eyes!

Could we stand with that Old "Moses" —

"Canaan" denied —

Scan like him, the stately landscape

On the other side —

Doubtless, we should deem superfluous

Many Sciences,

Not pursued by learned Angels

In scholastic skies!

Low amid that glad Belles lettres

Grant that we may stand,

Stars, amid profound Galaxies —

At that grand "Right hand"!

169. IN EBON BOX, WHEN YEARS HAVE FLOWN

In Ebon Box, when years have flown

To reverently peer,

Wiping away the velvet dust

Summers have sprinkled there!

To hold a letter to the light —

Grown Tawny now, with time —

To con the faded syllables

That quickened us like Wine!

Perhaps a Flower's shrivelled check

Among its stores to find —

Plucked far away, some morning —

By gallant — mouldering hand!

A curl, perhaps, from foreheads

Our Constancy forgot —

Perhaps, an Antique trinket —

In vanished fashions set!

And then to lay them quiet back —

And go about its care —

As if the little Ebon Box

Were none of our affair!

170. PORTRAITS ARE TO DAILY FACES

Portraits are to daily faces

As an Evening West,

To a fine, pedantic sunshine —

In a satin Vest!

171. WAIT TILL THE MAJESTY OF DEATH

Wait till the Majesty of Death

Invests so mean a brow!

Almost a powdered Footman

Might dare to touch it now!

Wait till in Everlasting Robes

That Democrat is dressed,

Then prate about "Preferment" —

And "Station," and the rest!

Around this quiet Courtier

Obsequious Angels wait!

Full royal is his Retinue!

Full purple is his state!

A Lord, might dare to lift the Hat

To such a Modest Clay

Since that My Lord, "the Lord of Lords"

Receives unblushingly!

172. 'TIS SO MUCH JOY! 'TIS SO MUCH JOY!

'T is so much joy !  'T is so much joy !

If I should fail, what poverty !

And yet, as poor as I

Have ventured upon a throw ;

Have gained!  Yes !  Hesitated so

This side the victory !

Life is but life, and death but death !

Bliss is but bliss and breath but breath !

And if, indeed, I fail,

At least to know the worst is sweet.

Defeat means nothing but defeat,

No drearier can prevail !

And if I gain, — oh, gun at sea,

Oh, bells that in the steeples be,

At first repeat it slow !

For heaven is a different thing

Conjectured, and waked sudden in,

And might o'erwhelm me so !

173. A FUZZY FELLOW, WITHOUT FEET,

A fuzzy fellow, without feet,

Yet doth exceeding run!

Of velvet, is his Countenance,

And his Complexion, dun!

Sometime, he dwelleth in the grass!

Sometime, upon a bough,

From which he doth descend in plush

Upon the Passer-by!

All this in summer.

But when winds alarm the Forest Folk,

He taketh Damask Residence —

And struts in sewing silk!

Then, finer than a Lady,

Emerges in the spring!

A Feather on each shoulder!

You'd scarce recognize him!

By Men, yclept Caterpillar!

By me! But who am I,

To tell the pretty secret

Of the Butterfly!

174. AT LAST, TO BE IDENTIFIED!

At last, to be identified!

At last, the lamps upon thy side

The rest of Life to see!

Past Midnight! Past the Morning Star!

Past Sunrise!

Ah, What leagues there were

Between our feet, and Day!

175. I HAVE NEVER SEEN "VOLCANOES" —

I have never seen "Volcanoes" —

But, when Travellers tell

How those old — phlegmatic mountains

Usually so still —

Bear within — appalling Ordnance,

Fire, and smoke, and gun,

Taking Villages for breakfast,

And appalling Men —

If the stillness is Volcanic

In the human face

When upon a pain Titanic

Features keep their place —

If at length the smouldering anguish

Will not overcome —

And the palpitating Vineyard

In the dust, be thrown?

If some loving Antiquary,

On Resumption Morn,

Will not cry with joy "Pompeii"!

To the Hills return!

176. I'M THE LITTLE "HEART'S EASE"!

I'm the little "Heart's Ease"!

I don't care for pouting skies!

If the Butterfly delay

Can I, therefore, stay away?

If the Coward Bumble Bee

In his chimney corner stay,

I, must resoluter be!

Who'll apologize for me?

Dear, Old fashioned, little flower!

Eden is old fashioned, too!

Birds are antiquated fellows!

Heaven does not change her blue.

Nor will I, the little Heart's Ease —

Ever be induced to do!

177. AH, NECROMANCY SWEET!

Ah, Necromancy Sweet!

Ah, Wizard erudite!

Teach me the skill,

That I instil the pain

Surgeons assuage in vain,

Nor Herb of all the plain

Can Heal!

178. I CAUTIOUS, SCANNED MY LITTLE LIFE —

I cautious, scanned my little life —

I winnowed what would fade

From what would last till Heads like mine

Should be a-dreaming laid.

I put the latter in a Barn —

The former, blew away.

I went one winter morning

And lo - my priceless Hay

Was not upon the "Scaffold" —

Was not upon the "Beam" —

And from a thriving Farmer —

A Cynic, I became.

Whether a Thief did it —

Whether it was the wind —

Whether Deity's guiltless —

My business is, to find!

So I begin to ransack!

How is it Hearts, with Thee?

Art thou within the little Barn

Love provided Thee?

179. IF I COULD BRIBE THEM BY A ROSE

If I could bribe them by a Rose

I'd bring them every flower that grows

From Amherst to Cashmere!

I would not stop for night, or storm —

Or frost, or death, or anyone —

My business were so dear!

If they would linger for a Bird

My Tambourin were soonest heard

Among the April Woods!

Unwearied, all the summer long,

Only to break in wilder song

When Winter shook the boughs!

What if they hear me!

Who shall say

That such an importunity

May not at last avail?

That, weary of this Beggar's face —

They may not finally say, Yes —

To drive her from the Hall?

180. AS IF SOME LITTLE ARCTIC FLOWER

As if some little Arctic flower

Upon the polar hem —

Went wandering down the Latitudes

Until it puzzled came

To continents of summer —

To firmaments of sun —

To strange, bright crowds of flowers —

And birds, of foreign tongue!

I say, As if this little flower

To Eden, wandered in —

What then? Why nothing,

Only, your inference therefrom!

181. I LOST A WORLD — THE OTHER DAY!

I lost a World — the other day!

Has Anybody found?

You'll know it by the Row of Stars

Around its forehead bound.

A Rich man — might not notice it —

Yet — to my frugal Eye,

Of more Esteem than Ducats —

Oh find it — Sir — for me!

182. IF I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE

If I should n't be alive

When the robins come,

Give the one in red cravat

A memorial crumb.

If I could n't thank you,

Being just asleep,

You will know I'm trying

With my granite lip !

183. I'VE HEARD AN ORGAN TALK, SOMETIMES

I've heard an Organ talk, sometimes

In a Cathedral Aisle,

And understood no word it said —

Yet held my breath, the while —

And risen up — and gone away,

A more Bernardine Girl —

Yet — know not what was done to me

In that old Chapel Aisle.

184. A TRANSPORT ONE CANNOT CONTAIN

A transport one cannot contain

May yet a transport be —

Though God forbid it lift the lid —

Unto its Ecstasy!

A Diagram — of Rapture!

A sixpence at a Show —

With Holy Ghosts in Cages!

The Universe would go!

185. "FAITH" IS A FINE INVENTION

"Faith" is a fine invention

For Gentlemen who see!

But Microscopes are prudent

In an Emergency!

186. WHAT SHALL I DO — IT WHIMPERS SO —

What shall I do — it whimpers so —

This little Hound within the Heart

All day and night with bark and start —

And yet, it will not go —

Would you untie it, were you me —

Would it stop whining — if to Thee —

I sent it — even now?

It should not tease you —

By your chair — or, on the mat —

Or if it dare — to climb your dizzy knee —

Or — sometimes at your side to run —

When you were willing —

Shall it come?

Tell Carlo —

He'll tell me!

187. HOW MANY TIMES THESE LOW FEET STAGGERED —

How many times these low feet staggered —

Only the soldered mouth can tell —

Try — can you stir the awful rivet —

Try — can you lift the hasps of steel!

Stroke the cool forehead — hot so often —

Lift — if you care — the listless hair —

Handle the adamantine fingers

Never a thimble — more — shall wear —

Buzz the dull flies — on the chamber window —

Brave — shines the sun through the freckled pane —

Fearless — the cobweb swings from the ceiling —

Indolent Housewife — in Daisies — lain!

188. MAKE ME A PICTURE OF THE SUN —

Make me a picture of the sun —

So I can hang it in my room —

And make believe I'm getting warm

When others call it "Day"!

Draw me a Robin — on a stem —

So I am hearing him, I'll dream,

And when the Orchards stop their tune —

Put my pretense — away —

Say if it's really — warm at noon —

Whether it's Buttercups — that "skim" —

Or Butterflies — that "bloom"?

Then — skip — the frost — upon the lea —

And skip the Russet — on the tree —

Let's play those — never come!

189. IT'S SUCH A LITTLE THING TO WEEP —

It's such a little thing to weep —

So short a thing to sigh —

And yet — by Trades — the size of these

We men and women die!

190. HE WAS WEAK, AND I WAS STRONG — THEN —

He was weak, and I was strong — then —

So He let me lead him in —

I was weak, and He was strong then —

So I let him lead me — Home.

'Twasn't far — the door was near —

'Twasn't dark — for He went — too —

'Twasn't loud, for He said nought —

That was all I cared to know.

Day knocked — and we must part —

Neither — was strongest — now —

He strove — and I strove — too —

We didn't do it — tho'!

191. THE SKIES CAN'T KEEP THEIR SECRET!

The Skies can't keep their secret!

They tell it to the Hills —

The Hills just tell the Orchards —

And they — the Daffodils!

A Bird — by chance — that goes that way —

Soft overhears the whole —

If I should bribe the little Bird —

Who knows but she would tell?

I think I won't — however —

It's finer — not to know —

If Summer were an Axiom —

What sorcery had Snow?

So keep your secret — Father!

I would not — if I could,

Know what the Sapphire Fellows, do,

In your new-fashioned world!

192. POOR LITTLE HEART!

Poor little Heart!

Did they forget thee?

Then dinna care! Then dinna care!

Proud little Heart!

Did they forsake thee?

Be debonnaire! Be debonnaire!

Frail little Heart!

I would not break thee —

Could'st credit me? Could'st credit me?

Gay little Heart —

Like Morning Glory!

Wind and Sun — wilt thee array!

193. I SHALL KNOW WHY — WHEN TIME IS OVER —

I shall know why, when time is over,

And I have ceased to wonder why ;

Christ will explain each separate anguish

In the fair schoolroom of the sky.

He will tell me what Peter promised,

And I, for wonder at his woe,

I shall forget the drop of anguish

That scalds me now, that scalds me now.

194. ON THIS LONG STORM THE RAINBOW ROSE —

On this long storm the rainbow rose,

On this late morn the sun ;

The clouds, like listless elephants,

Horizons straggled down.

The birds rose smiling in their nests,

The gales indeed were done ;

Alas !  how heedless were the eyes

On whom the summer shone !

The quiet nonchalance of death

No daybreak can bestir ;

The slow archangel's syllables

Must awaken her.

195. FOR THIS — ACCEPTED BREATH —

For this — accepted Breath —

Through it — compete with Death —

The fellow cannot touch this Crown —

By it — my title take —

Ah, what a royal sake

To my necessity — stooped down!

No Wilderness — can be

Where this attendeth me —

No Desert Noon —

No fear of frost to come

Haunt the perennial bloom —

But Certain June!

Get Gabriel — to tell — the royal syllable —

Get Saints — with new — unsteady tongue —

To say what trance below

Most like their glory show —

Fittest the Crown!

196. WE DON'T CRY — TIM AND I,

We don't cry — Tim and I,

We are far too grand —

But we bolt the door tight

To prevent a friend —

Then we hide our brave face

Deep in our hand —

Not to cry — Tim and I —

We are far too grand —

Nor to dream — he and me —

Do we condescend —

We just shut our brown eye

To see to the end —

Tim — see Cottages —

But, Oh, so high!

Then — we shake — Tim and I —

And lest I — cry —

Tim — reads a little Hymn —

And we both pray —

Please, Sir, I and Tim —

Always lost the way!

We must die — by and by —

Clergymen say —

Tim — shall — if I — do —

I — too — if he —

How shall we arrange it —

Tim — was — so — shy?

Take us simultaneous — Lord —

I — "Tim" — and Me!

197. MORNING — IS THE PLACE FOR DEW —

Morning — is the place for Dew —

Corn — is made at Noon —

After dinner light — for flowers —

Dukes — for Setting Sun!

198. AN AWFUL TEMPEST MASHED THE AIR —

An awful Tempest mashed the air —

The clouds were gaunt, and few —

A Black — as of a Spectre's Cloak

Hid Heaven and Earth from view.

The creatures chuckled on the Roofs —

And whistled in the air —

And shook their fists —

And gnashed their teeth —

And swung their frenzied hair.

The morning lit — the Birds arose —

The Monster's faded eyes

Turned slowly to his native coast —

And peace — was Paradise!

199. I'M "WIFE" — I'VE FINISHED THAT —

I'm "wife" — I've finished that —

That other state —

I'm Czar — I'm "Woman" now —

It's safer so —

How odd the Girl's life looks

Behind this soft Eclipse —

I think that Earth feels so

To folks in Heaven — now —

This being comfort — then

That other kind — was pain —

But why compare?

I'm "Wife"! Stop there!

200. I STOLE THEM FROM A BEE —

I stole them from a Bee —

Because — Thee —

Sweet plea —

He pardoned me!

201. TWO SWIMMERS WRESTLED ON THE SPAR —

Two swimmers wrestled on the spar

Until the morning sun,

When one turned smiling to the land.

O God, the other one !

The stray ships passing spied a face

Upon the waters borne,

With eyes in death still begging raised,

And hands beseeching thrown.

202. MY EYE IS FULLER THAN MY VASE —

My Eye is fuller than my vase —

Her Cargo — is of Dew —

And still — my Heart — my Eye outweighs —

East India — for you!

203. HE FORGOT — AND I — REMEMBERED —

He forgot — and I — remembered —

'Twas an everyday affair —

Long ago as Christ and Peter —

"Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."

"Thou wert with him" — quoth "the Damsel"?

"No" — said Peter, 'twasn't me —

Jesus merely "looked" at Peter —

Could I do aught else — to Thee?

204. A SLASH OF BLUE —

A slash of Blue —

A sweep of Gray —

Some scarlet patches on the way,

Compose an Evening Sky —

A little purple — slipped between —

Some Ruby Trousers hurried on —

A Wave of Gold —

A Bank of Day —

This just makes out the Morning Sky.

205. I SHOULD NOT DARE TO LEAVE MY FRIEND,

I should not dare to leave my friend,

Because — because if he should die

While I was gone — and I — too late —

Should reach the Heart that wanted me —

If I should disappoint the eyes

That hunted — hunted so — to see —

And could not bear to shut until

They "noticed" me — they noticed me —

If I should stab the patient faith

So sure I'd come — so sure I'd come —

It listening — listening — went to sleep —

Telling my tardy name —

My Heart would wish it broke before —

Since breaking then — since breaking then —

Were useless as next morning's sun —

Where midnight frosts — had lain!

206. THE FLOWER MUST NOT BLAME THE BEE —

The Flower must not blame the Bee —

That seeketh his felicity

Too often at her door —

But teach the Footman from Vevay —

Mistress is "not at home" — to say —

To people — any more!

207. THO' I GET HOME HOW LATE — HOW LATE —

Tho' I get home how late — how late —

So I get home - 'twill compensate —

Better will be the Ecstasy

That they have done expecting me —

When Night — descending — dumb — and dark —

They hear my unexpected knock —

Transporting must the moment be —

Brewed from decades of Agony!

To think just how the fire will burn —

Just how long-cheated eyes will turn —

To wonder what myself will say,

And what itself, will say to me —

Beguiles the Centuries of way!

208. THE ROSE DID CAPER ON HER CHEEK —

The Rose did caper on her cheek —

Her Bodice rose and fell —

Her pretty speech — like drunken men —

Did stagger pitiful —

Her fingers fumbled at her work —

Her needle would not go —

What ailed so smart a little Maid —

It puzzled me to know —

Till opposite — I spied a cheek

That bore another Rose —

Just opposite — Another speech

That like the Drunkard goes —

A Vest that like her Bodice, danced —

To the immortal tune —

Till those two troubled — little Clocks

Ticked softly into one.

209. WITH THEE, IN THE DESERT —

With thee, in the Desert —

With thee in the thirst —

With thee in the Tamarind wood —

Leopard breathes — at last!

210. THE THOUGHT BENEATH SO SLIGHT A FILM —

The thought beneath so slight a film —

Is more distinctly seen —

As laces just reveal the surge —

Or mists — the Apennine

211. COME SLOWLY - EDEN!

Come slowly - Eden!

Lips unused to Thee -

Bashful - sip they Jessamines -

as the fainting Bee -

Reaching late his flower,

Round her chamber hums -

Counts his nectars -

Enters - and is lost in Balms.

212. LEAST RIVERS — DOCILE TO SOME SEA.

Least Rivers — docile to some sea.

My Caspian — thee.

213. DID THE HAREBELL LOOSE HER GIRDLE

Did the Harebell loose her girdle

To the lover Bee

Would the Bee the Harebell hallow

Much as formerly?

Did the "Paradise" — persuaded —

Yield her moat of pearl —

Would the Eden be an Eden,

Or the Earl — an Earl?

214. I TASTE A LIQUOR NEVER BREWED

I TASTE a liquor never brewed,

From tankards scooped in pearl;

Not all the vats upon the Rhine

Yield such an alcohol!

Inebriate of air am I,

And debauchee of dew,

Reeling, through endless summer days,

From inns of molten blue.

When landlords turn the drunken bee

Out of the foxglove's door,

When butterflies renounce their drams,

I shall but drink the more!

Till seraphs swing their snowy hats,

And saints to windows run,

To see the little tippler

Leaning against the sun!

215. WHAT IS — "PARADISE" —

What is — "Paradise" —

Who live there —

Are they "Farmers" —

Do they "hoe" —

Do they know that this is "Amherst" —

And that I — am coming — too —

Do they wear "new shoes" — in "Eden" —

Is it always pleasant — there —

Won't they scold us — when we're homesick —

Or tell God — how cross we are —

You are sure there's such a person

As "a Father" — in the sky —

So if I get lost — there — ever —

Or do what the Nurse calls "die" —

I shan't walk the "Jasper" — barefoot —

Ransomed folks — won't laugh at me —

Maybe — "Eden" a'n't so lonesome

As New England used to be!

216. SAFE IN THEIR ALABASTER CHAMBERS

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers —

Untouched by Morning

And untouched by Noon —

Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection —

Rafter of satin,

And Roof of stone.

Light laughs the breeze

In her Castle above them —

Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,

Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence —

Ah, what sagacity perished here!

Grand go the years in the crescent above them;

Worlds scoop their arcs, and firmaments row,

Diadems drop and Doges surrender,

Soundless as dots on a disk of snow.

217. SAVIOR! I'VE NO ONE ELSE TO TELL —

Savior! I've no one else to tell —

And so I trouble thee.

I am the one forgot thee so —

Dost thou remember me?

Nor, for myself, I came so far —

That were the little load —

I brought thee the imperial Heart

I had not strength to hold —

The Heart I carried in my own —

Till mine too heavy grew —

Yet — strangest — heavier since it went —

Is it too large for you?

218. IS IT TRUE, DEAR SUE?

Is it true, dear Sue?

Are there two?

I shouldn't like to come

For fear of joggling Him!

If I could shut him up

In a Coffee Cup,

Or tie him to a pin

Till I got in —

Or make him fast

To "Toby's" fist —

Hist! Whist! I'd come!

219. SHE SWEEPS WITH MANY-COLORED BROOMS —

She sweeps with many-colored Brooms —

And leaves the Shreds behind —

Oh Housewife in the Evening West —

Come back, and dust the Pond!

You dropped a Purple Ravelling in —

You dropped an Amber thread —

And how you've littered all the East

With duds of Emerald!

And still, she plies her spotted Brooms,

And still the Aprons fly,

Till Brooms fade softly into stars —

And then I come away —

220. COULD I — THEN — SHUT THE DOOR —

Could I — then — shut the door —

Lest my beseeching face — at last —

Rejected — be — of Her?

221. IT CAN'T BE "SUMMER"!

It can't be "Summer"!

That — got through!

It's early — yet — for "Spring"!

There's that long town of White — to cross —

Before the Blackbirds sing!

It can't be "Dying"!

It's too Rouge —

The Dead shall go in White —

So Sunset shuts my question down

With Cuffs of Chrysolite!

222. WHEN KATIE WALKS, THIS SIMPLE PAIR ACCOMPANY HER SIDE,

When Katie walks, this simple pair accompany her side,

When Katie runs unwearied they follow on the road,

When Katie kneels, their loving hands still clasp her pious knee —

Ah! Katie! Smile at Fortune, with two so knit to thee!

223. I CAME TO BUY A SMILE — TODAY —

I Came to buy a smile — today —

But just a single smile —

The smallest one upon your face

Will suit me just as well —

The one that no one else would miss

It shone so very small —

I'm pleading at the "counter" — sir —

Could you afford to sell —

I've Diamonds — on my fingers —

You know what Diamonds are?

I've Rubies — live the Evening Blood —

And Topaz — like the star!

'Twould be "a Bargain" for a Jew!

Say — may I have it — Sir?

224. I'VE NOTHING ELSE — TO BRING, YOU KNOW —

I've nothing else — to bring, You know —

So I keep bringing These —

Just as the Night keeps fetching Stars

To our familiar eyes —

Maybe, we shouldn't mind them —

Unless they didn't come —

Then — maybe, it would puzzle us

To find our way Home —

225. JESUS! THY CRUCIFIX

Jesus! thy Crucifix

Enable thee to guess

The smaller size!

Jesus! thy second face

Mind thee in Paradise

Of ours!

226. SHOULD YOU BUT FAIL AT — SEA —

Should you but fail at — Sea —

In sight of me —

Or doomed lie —

Next Sun — to die —

Or rap — at Paradise — unheard

I'd harass God

Until he let you in!

227. TEACH HIM — WHEN HE MAKES THE NAMES —

Teach Him — When He makes the names —

Such an one — to say —

On his babbling — Berry — lips —

As should sound — to me —

Were my Ear — as near his nest —

As my thought — today —

As should sound —

"Forbid us not" —

Some like "Emily."

228. BLAZING IN GOLD AND QUENCHING IN PURPLE

Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple

Leaping like Leopards to the Sky

Then at the feet of the old Horizon

Laying her spotted Face to die

Stooping as low as the Otter's Window

Touching the Roof and tinting the Barn

Kissing her Bonnet to the Meadow

And the Juggler of Day is gone

229. A BURDOCK — CLAWED MY GOWN —

A Burdock — clawed my Gown —

Not Burdock's — blame —

But mine —

Who went too near

The Burdock's Den —

A Bog — affronts my shoe —

What else have Bogs — to do —

The only Trade they know —

The splashing Men!

Ah, pity — then!

'Tis Minnows can despise!

The Elephant's — calm eyes

Look further on!

230. WE — BEE AND I — LIVE BY THE QUAFFING —

We — Bee and I — live by the quaffing —

'Tisn't all Hock — with us —

Life has its Ale —

But it's many a lay of the Dim Burgundy —

We chant — for cheer — when the Wines — fail —

Do we "get drunk"?

Ask the jolly Clovers!

Do we "beat" our "Wife"?

I — never wed —

Bee — pledges his — in minute flagons —

Dainty — as the trees — on our deft Head —

While runs the Rhine —

He and I — revel —

First — at the vat — and latest at the Vine —

Noon — our last Cup —

"Found dead" — "of Nectar" —

By a humming Coroner —

In a By-Thyme!

231. GOD PERMITS INDUSTRIOUS ANGELS —

God permits industrious Angels —

Afternoons — to play —

I met one — forgot my Schoolmates —

All — for Him — straightway —

God calls home — the Angels — promptly —

At the Setting Sun —

I missed mine — how dreary — Marbles —

After playing Crown!

232. THE SUN — JUST TOUCHED THE MORNING —

The Sun — just touched the Morning —

The Morning — Happy thing —

Supposed that He had come to dwell —

And Life would all be Spring!

She felt herself supremer —

A Raised — Ethereal Thing!

Henceforth — for Her — What Holiday!

Meanwhile — Her wheeling King —

Trailed — slow — along the Orchards —

His haughty — spangled Hems —

Leaving a new necessity!

The want of Diadems!

The Morning — fluttered — staggered —

Felt feebly — for Her Crown —

Her unanointed forehead —

Henceforth — Her only One!

233. THE LAMP BURNS SURE — WITHIN —

The Lamp burns sure — within —

Tho' Serfs — supply the Oil —

It matters not the busy Wick —

At her phosphoric toil!

The Slave — forgets — to fill —

The Lamp — burns golden — on —

Unconscious that the oil is out —

As that the Slave — is gone.

234. YOU'RE RIGHT — "THE WAY IS NARROW" —

You're right — "the way is narrow" —

And "difficult the Gate" —

And "few there be" — Correct again —

That "enter in — thereat" —

'Tis Costly — So are purples!

'Tis just the price of Breath —

With but the "Discount" of the Grave —

Termed by the Brokers — "Death"!

And after that — there's Heaven —

The Good Man's — "Dividend" —

And Bad Men — "go to Jail" —

I guess —

235. THE COURT IS FAR AWAY —

The Court is far away —

No Umpire — have I —

My Sovereign is offended —

To gain his grace — I'd die!

I'll seek his royal feet —

I'll say — Remember — King —

Thou shalt — thyself — one day — a Child —

Implore a larger — thing —

That Empire — is of Czars —

As small — they say — as I —

Grant me — that day — the royalty —

To intercede — for Thee —

236. IF HE DISSOLVE — THEN — THERE IS NOTHING — MORE —

If He dissolve — then — there is nothing — more —

Eclipse — at Midnight —

It was dark — before —

Sunset — at Easter —

Blindness — on the Dawn —

Faint Star of Bethlehem —

Gone down!

Would but some God — inform Him —

Or it be too late!

Say — that the pulse just lisps —

The Chariots wait —

Say — that a little life — for His —

Is leaking — red —

His little Spaniel — tell Him!

Will He heed?

237. I THINK JUST HOW MY SHAPE WILL RISE —

I think just how my shape will rise —

When I shall be "forgiven" —

Till Hair — and Eyes — and timid Head —

Are out of sight — in Heaven —

I think just how my lips will weigh —

With shapeless — quivering — prayer —

That you — so late — "Consider" me —

The "Sparrow" of your Care —

I mind me that of Anguish — sent —

Some drifts were moved away —

Before my simple bosom — broke —

And why not this — if they?

And so I con that thing — "forgiven" —

Until — delirious — borne —

By my long bright — and longer — trust —

I drop my Heart — unshriven!

238. KILL YOUR BALM — AND ITS ODORS BLESS YOU —

Kill your Balm — and its Odors bless you —

Bare your Jessamine — to the storm —

And she will fling her maddest perfume —

Haply — your Summer night to Charm —

Stab the Bird — that built in your bosom —

Oh, could you catch her last Refrain —

Bubble! "forgive" — "Some better" — Bubble!

"Carol for Him — when I am gone"!

239. "HEAVEN" — IS WHAT I CANNOT REACH!

"Heaven" — is what I cannot reach!

The Apple on the Tree —

Provided it do hopeless — hang —

That — "Heaven" is — to Me!

The Color, on the Cruising Cloud —

The interdicted Land —

Behind the Hill — the House behind —

There — Paradise — is found!

Her teasing Purples — Afternoons —

The credulous — decoy —

Enamored — of the Conjurer —

That spurned us — Yesterday!

240. AH, MOON — AND STAR!

Ah, Moon — and Star!

You are very far —

But were no one

Farther than you —

Do you think I'd stop

For a Firmament —

Or a Cubit — or so?

I could borrow a Bonnet

Of the Lark —

And a Chamois' Silver Boot —

And a stirrup of an Antelope —

And be with you — Tonight!

But, Moon, and Star,

Though you're very far —

There is one — farther than you —

He — is more than a firmament — from Me —

So I can never go!

241. I LIKE A LOOK OF AGONY,

I like a look of Agony,

Because I know it's true —

Men do not sham Convulsion,

Nor simulate, a Throe —

The Eyes glaze once — and that is Death —

Impossible to feign

The Beads upon the Forehead

By homely Anguish strung.

242. WHEN WE STAND ON THE TOPS OF THINGS —

When we stand on the tops of Things —

And like the Trees, look down —

The smoke all cleared away from it —

And Mirrors on the scene —

Just laying light — no soul will wink

Except it have the flaw —

The Sound ones, like the Hills — shall stand —

No Lighting, scares away —

The Perfect, nowhere be afraid —

They bear their dauntless Heads,

Where others, dare not go at Noon,

Protected by their deeds —

The Stars dare shine occasionally

Upon a spotted World —

And Suns, go surer, for their Proof,

As if an Axle, held —

243. I'VE KNOWN A HEAVEN, LIKE A TENT —

I've known a Heaven, like a Tent —

To wrap its shining Yards —

Pluck up its stakes, and disappear —

Without the sound of Boards

Or Rip of Nail — Or Carpenter —

But just the miles of Stare —

That signalize a Show's Retreat —

In North America —

No Trace — no Figment of the Thing

That dazzled, Yesterday,

No Ring — no Marvel —

Men, and Feats —

Dissolved as utterly —

As Bird's far Navigation

Discloses just a Hue —

A plash of Oars, a Gaiety —

Then swallowed up, of View.

244. IT IS EASY TO WORK WHEN THE SOUL IS AT PLAY —

It is easy to work when the soul is at play —

But when the soul is in pain —

The hearing him put his playthings up

Makes work difficult — then —

It is simple, to ache in the Bone, or the Rind —

But Gimlets — among the nerve —

Mangle daintier — terribler —

Like a Panter in the Glove —

245. I HELD A JEWEL IN MY FINGERS —

I held a Jewel in my fingers —

And went to sleep —

The day was warm, and winds were prosy —

I said "'Twill keep" —

I woke — and chid my honest fingers,

The Gem was gone —

And now, an Amethyst remembrance

Is all I own —

246. FOREVER AT HIS SIDE TO WALK —

Forever at His side to walk —

The smaller of the two!

Brain of His Brain —

Blood of His Blood —

Two lives — One Being — now —

Forever of His fate to taste —

If grief — the largest part —

If joy — to put my piece away

For that beloved Heart —

All life — to know each other —

Whom we can never learn —

And bye and bye — a Change —

Called Heaven —

Rapt Neighborhoods of Men —

Just finding out — what puzzled us —

Without the lexicon!

247. WHAT WOULD I GIVE TO SEE HIS FACE?

What would I give to see his face?

I'd give — I'd give my life — of course —

But that is not enough!

Stop just a minute — let me think!

I'd give my biggest Bobolink!

That makes two — Him — and Life!

You know who "June" is —

I'd give her —

Roses a day from Zanzibar —

And Lily tubes — like Wells —

Bees — by the furlong —

Straits of Blue

Navies of Butterflies — sailed thro' —

And dappled Cowslip Dells —

Then I have "shares" in Primrose "Banks" —

Daffodil Dowries — spicy "Stocks" —

Dominions — broad as Dew —

Bags of Doublons — adventurous Bees

Brought me — from firmamental seas —

And Purple — from Peru —

Now — have I bought it —

"Shylock"? Say!

Sign me the Bond!

"I vow to pay

To Her — who pledges this —

One hour — of her Sovereign's face"!

Ecstatic Contract!

Niggard Grace!

My Kingdom's worth of Bliss!

248. WHY — DO THEY SHUT ME OUT OF HEAVEN?

Why — do they shut Me out of Heaven?

Did I sing — too loud?

But — I can say a little "Minor"

Timid as a Bird!

Wouldn't the Angels try me —

Just — once — more —

Just — see — if I troubled them —

But don't — shut the door!

Oh, if I — were the Gentleman

In the "White Robe" —

And they — were the little Hand — that knocked —

Could — I — forbid?

249. WILD NIGHTS — WILD NIGHTS!

Wild Nights — Wild Nights!

Were I with thee

Wild Nights should be

Our luxury!

Futile — the Winds —

To a Heart in port —

Done with the Compass —

Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden —

Ah, the Sea!

Might I but moor — Tonight —

In Thee!

250. I SHALL KEEP SINGING!

I shall keep singing!

Birds will pass me

On their way to Yellower Climes —

Each — with a Robin's expectation —

I — with my Redbreast —

And my Rhymes —

Late — when I take my place in summer —

But — I shall bring a fuller tune —

Vespers — are sweeter than Matins — Signor —

Morning — only the seed of Noon —

251. OVER THE FENCE —

Over the fence —

Strawberries — grow —

Over the fence —

I could climb — if I tried, I know —

Berries are nice!

But — if I stained my Apron —

God would certainly scold!

Oh, dear, — I guess if He were a Boy —

He'd — climb — if He could!

252. I CAN WADE GRIEF —

I can wade Grief —

Whole Pools of it —

I'm used to that —

But the least push of Joy

Breaks up my feet —

And I tip — drunken —

Let no Pebble — smile —

'Twas the New Liquor —

That was all!

Power is only Pain —

Stranded, thro' Discipline,

Till Weights — will hang —

Give Balm — to Giants —

And they'll wilt, like Men —

Give Himmaleh —

They'll Carry — Him!

253. YOU SEE I CANNOT SEE — YOUR LIFETIME —

You see I cannot see — your lifetime —

I must guess —

How many times it ache for me — today — Confess —

How many times for my far sake

The brave eyes film —

But I guess guessing hurts —

Mine — got so dim!

Too vague — the face —

My own — so patient — covets —

Too far — the strength —

My timidness enfolds —

Haunting the Heart —

Like her translated faces —

Teazing the want —

It — only — can suffice!

254. "HOPE" IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS —

"Hope" is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all

And sweetest in the Gale is heard

And sore must be the storm —

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm —

I've heard it in the chillest land —

And on the strangest Sea —

Yet, never, in Extremity,

It asked a crumb — of Me.

255. TO DIE — TAKES JUST A LITTLE WHILE —

To die — takes just a little while —

They say it doesn't hurt —

It's only fainter — by degrees —

And then — it's out of sight —

A darker Ribbon — for a Day —

A Crape upon the Hat —

And then the pretty sunshine comes —

And helps us to forget —

The absent — mystic — creature —

That but for love of us —

Had gone to sleep — that soundest time —

Without the weariness —

256. IF I'M LOST — NOW

If I'm lost — now

That I was found —

Shall still my transport be —

That once — on me — those Jasper Gates

Blazed open — suddenly —

That in my awkward — gazing — face —

The Angels — softly peered —

And touched me with their fleeces,

Almost as if they cared —

I'm banished — now — you know it —

How foreign that can be —

You'll know — Sir — when the Savior's face

Turns so — away from you —

257. DELIGHT IS AS THE FLIGHT —

Delight is as the flight —

Or in the Ratio of it,

As the Schools would say —

The Rainbow's way —

A Skein

Flung colored, after Rain,

Would suit as bright,

Except that flight

Were Aliment —

"If it would last"

I asked the East,

When that Bent Stripe

Struck up my childish

Firmament —

And I, for glee,

Took Rainbows, as the common way,

And empty Skies

The Eccentricity —

And so with Lives —

And so with Butterflies —

Seen magic — through the fright

That they will cheat the sight —

And Dower latitudes far on —

Some sudden morn —

Our portion — in the fashion —

Done —

258. THERE'S A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT

There's a certain slant of light,

On winter afternoons,

That oppresses, like the weight

Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us ;

We can find no scar,

But internal difference

Where the meanings are.

None may teach it anything,

'T is the seal, despair,—

An imperial affliction

Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,

Shadows hold their breath ;

When it goes, 't is like the distance

On the look of death.

259. GOOD NIGHT! WHICH PUT THE CANDLE OUT?

Good Night! Which put the Candle out?

A jealous Zephyr — not a doubt —

Ah, friend, you little knew

How long at that celestial wick

The Angels — labored diligent —

Extinguished — now — for you!

It might — have been the Light House spark —

Some Sailor — rowing in the Dark —

Had importuned to see!

It might — have been the waning lamp

That lit the Drummer from the Camp

To purer Reveille!

260. READ — SWEET — HOW OTHERS — STROVE —

Read — Sweet — how others — strove —

Till we — are stouter —

What they — renounced —

Till we — are less afraid —

How many times they — bore the faithful witness —

Till we — are helped —

As if a Kingdom — cared!

Read then — of faith —

That shone above the fagot —

Clear strains of Hymn

The River could not drown —

Brave names of Men —

And Celestial Women —

Passed out — of Record

Into — Renown!

261. PUT UP MY LUTE!

Put up my lute!

What of — my Music!

Since the sole ear I cared to charm —

Passive — as Granite — laps My Music —

Sobbing — will suit — as well as psalm!

Would but the "Memnon" of the Desert —

Teach me the strain

That vanquished Him —

When He — surrendered to the Sunrise —

Maybe — that — would awaken — them!

262. THE LONESOME FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT —

The lonesome for they know not What —

The Eastern Exiles — be —

Who strayed beyond the Amber line

Some madder Holiday —

And ever since — the purple Moat

They strive to climb — in vain —

As Birds — that tumble from the clouds

Do fumble at the strain —

The Blessed Ether — taught them —

Some Transatlantic Morn —

When Heaven — was too common — to miss —

Too sure — to dote upon!

263. A SINGLE SCREW OF FLESH

A single Screw of Flesh

Is all that pins the Soul

That stands for Deity, to Mine,

Upon my side the Veil —

Once witnessed of the Gauze —

Its name is put away

As far from mine, as if no plight

Had printed yesterday,

In tender — solemn Alphabet,

My eyes just turned to see,

When it was smuggled by my sight

Into Eternity —

More Hands — to hold — These are but Two —

One more new-mailed Nerve

Just granted, for the Peril's sake —

Some striding — Giant — Love —

So greater than the Gods can show,

They slink before the Clay,

That not for all their Heaven can boast

Will let its Keepsake — go

264. A WEIGHT WITH NEEDLES ON THE POUNDS —

A Weight with Needles on the pounds —

To push, and pierce, besides —

That if the Flesh resist the Heft —

The puncture — coolly tries —

That not a pore be overlooked

Of all this Compound Frame —

As manifold for Anguish —

As Species — be — for name —

265. WHERE SHIPS OF PURPLE — GENTLY TOSS —

Where Ships of Purple — gently toss —

On Seas of Daffodil —

Fantastic Sailors — mingle —

And then — the Wharf is still!

266. THIS — IS THE LAND — THE SUNSET WASHES —

This — is the land — the Sunset washes —

These — are the Banks of the Yellow Sea —

Where it rose — or whither it rushes —

These — are the Western Mystery!

Night after Night

Her purple traffic

Strews the landing with Opal Bales —

Merchantmen — poise upon Horizons —

Dip — and vanish like Orioles!

267. DID WE DISOBEY HIM?

Did we disobey Him?

Just one time!

Charged us to forget Him —

But we couldn't learn!

Were Himself — such a Dunce —

What would we — do?

Love the dull lad — best —

Oh, wouldn't you?

268. ME, CHANGE! ME, ALTER!

Me, change! Me, alter!

Then I will, when on the Everlasting Hill

A Smaller Purple grows —

At sunset, or a lesser glow

Flickers upon Cordillera —

At Day's superior close!

269. BOUND — A TROUBLE —

Bound — a trouble —

And lives can bear it!

Limit — how deep a bleeding go!

So — many — drops — of vital scarlet —

Deal with the soul

As with Algebra!

Tell it the Ages — to a cypher —

And it will ache — contented — on —

Sing — at its pain — as any Workman —

Notching the fall of the Even Sun!

270. ONE LIFE OF SO MUCH CONSEQUENCE!

One Life of so much Consequence!

Yet I — for it — would pay —

My Soul's entire income —

In ceaseless — salary —

One Pearl — to me — so signal —

That I would instant dive —

Although — I knew — to take it —

Would cost me — just a life!

The Sea is full — I know it!

That — does not blur my Gem!

It burns — distinct from all the row —

Intact — in Diadem!

The life is thick — I know it!

Yet — not so dense a crowd —

But Monarchs — are perceptible —

Far down the dustiest Road!

271. A SOLEMN THING — IT WAS — I SAID —

A solemn thing — it was — I said —

A woman — white — to be —

And wear — if God should count me fit —

Her blameless mystery —

A hallowed thing — to drop a life

Into the purple well —

Too plummetless — that it return —

Eternity — until —

I pondered how the bliss would look —

And would it feel as big —

When I could take it in my hand —

As hovering — seen — through fog —

And then — the size of this "small" life —

The Sages — call it small —

Swelled — like Horizons — in my vest —

And I sneered — softly — "small"!

272. I BREATHED ENOUGH TO TAKE THE TRICK —

I breathed enough to take the Trick —

And now, removed from Air —

I simulate the Breath, so well —

That One, to be quite sure —

The Lungs are stirless — must descend

Among the Cunning Cells —

And touch the Pantomine — Himself,

How numb, the Bellows feels!

273. HE PUT THE BELT AROUND MY LIFE

He put the Belt around my life

I heard the Buckle snap —

And turned away, imperial,

My Lifetime folding up —

Deliberate, as a Duke would do

A Kingdom's Title Deed —

Henceforth, a Dedicated sort —

A Member of the Cloud.

Yet not too far to come at call —

And do the little Toils

That make the Circuit of the Rest —

And deal occasional smiles

To lives that stoop to notice mine —

And kindly ask it in —

Whose invitation, know you not

For Whom I must decline?

274. THE ONLY GHOST I EVER SAW

The only Ghost I ever saw

Was dressed in Mechlin — so —

He wore no sandal on his foot —

And stepped like flakes of snow —

His Gait — was soundless, like the Bird —

But rapid — like the Roe —

His fashions, quaint, Mosaic —

Or haply, Mistletoe —

His conversation — seldom —

His laughter, like the Breeze —

That dies away in Dimples

Among the pensive Trees —

Our interview — was transient —

Of me, himself was shy —

And God forbid I look behind —

Since that appalling Day!

275. DOUBT ME! MY DIM COMPANION!

Doubt Me! My Dim Companion!

Why, God, would be content

With but a fraction of the Life —

Poured thee, without a stint —

The whole of me — forever —

What more the Woman can,

Say quick, that I may dower thee

With last Delight I own!

It cannot be my Spirit —

For that was thine, before —

I ceded all of Dust I knew —

What Opulence the more

Had I — a freckled Maiden,

Whose farthest of Degree,

Was — that she might —

Some distant Heaven,

Dwell timidly, with thee!

Sift her, from Brow to Barefoot!

Strain till your last Surmise —

Drop, like a Tapestry, away,

Before the Fire's Eyes —

Winnow her finest fondness —

But hallow just the snow

Intact, in Everlasting flake —

Oh, Caviler, for you!

276. MANY A PHRASE HAS THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE —

Many a phrase has the English language —

I have heard but one —

Low as the laughter of the Cricket,

Loud, as the Thunder's Tongue —

Murmuring, like old Caspian Choirs,

When the Tide's a' lull —

Saying itself in new infection —

Like a Whippoorwill —

Breaking in bright Orthography

On my simple sleep —

Thundering its Prospective —

Till I stir, and weep —

Not for the Sorrow, done me —

But the push of Joy —

Say it again, Saxon!

Hush — Only to me!

277. WHAT IF I SAY I SHALL NOT WAIT!

What if I say I shall not wait!

What if I burst the fleshly Gate —

And pass escaped — to thee!

What if I file this Mortal — off —

See where it hurt me — That's enough —

And wade in Liberty!

They cannot take me — any more!

Dungeons can call — and Guns implore

Unmeaning — now — to me —

As laughter — was — an hour ago —

Or Laces — or a Travelling Show —

Or who died — yesterday!

278. A SHADY FRIEND — FOR TORRID DAYS —

A shady friend — for Torrid days —

Is easier to find —

Than one of higher temperature

For Frigid — hour of Mind —

The Vane a little to the East —

Scares Muslin souls — away —

If Broadcloth Hearts are firmer —

Than those of Organdy —

Who is to blame? The Weaver?

Ah, the bewildering thread!

The Tapestries of Paradise

So notelessly — are made!

279. TIE THE STRINGS TO MY LIFE, MY LORD,

Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord,

Then, I am ready to go!

Just a look at the Horses —

Rapid! That will do!

Put me in on the firmest side —

So I shall never fall —

For we must ride to the Judgment —

And it's partly, down Hill —

But never I mind the steeper —

And never I mind the Sea —

Held fast in Everlasting Race —

By my own Choice, and Thee —

Goodbye to the Life I used to live —

And the World I used to know —

And kiss the Hills, for me, just once —

Then — I am ready to go!

280. I FELT A FUNERAL, IN MY BRAIN,

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

And Mourners to and fro

Kept treading — treading — till it seemed

That Sense was breaking through —

And when they all were seated,

A Service, like a Drum —

Kept beating — beating — till I thought

My Mind was going numb —

And then I heard them lift a Box

And creak across my Soul

With those same Boots of Lead, again,

Then Space — began to toll,

As all the Heavens were a Bell,

And Being, but an Ear,

And I, and Silence, some strange Race

Wrecked, solitary, here —

And then a Plank in Reason, broke,

And I dropped down, and down —

And hit a World, at every plunge,

And Finished knowing — then —

281. 'TIS SO APPALLING — IT EXHILARATES —

'Tis so appalling — it exhilarates —

So over Horror, it half Captivates —

The Soul stares after it, secure —

A Sepulchre, fears frost, no more —

To scan a Ghost, is faint —

But grappling, conquers it —

How easy, Torment, now —

Suspense kept sawing so —

The Truth, is Bald, and Cold —

But that will hold —

If any are not sure —

We show them — prayer —

But we, who know,

Stop hoping, now —

Looking at Death, is Dying —

Just let go the Breath —

And not the pillow at your Cheek

So Slumbereth —

Others, Can wrestle —

Yours, is done —

And so of Woe, bleak dreaded — come,

It sets the Fright at liberty —

And Terror's free —

Gay, Ghastly, Holiday!

282. HOW NOTELESS MEN, AND PLEIADS, STAND,

How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,

Until a sudden sky

Reveals the fact that One is rapt

Forever from the Eye —

Members of the Invisible,

Existing, while we stare,

In Leagueless Opportunity,

O'ertakenless, as the Air —

Why didn't we detain Them?

The Heavens with a smile,

Sweep by our disappointed Heads

Without a syllable —

283. A MIEN TO MOVE A QUEEN —

A Mien to move a Queen —

Half Child — Half Heroine —

An Orleans in the Eye

That puts its manner by

For humbler Company

When none are near

Even a Tear —

Its frequent Visitor —

A Bonnet like a Duke —

And yet a Wren's Peruke

Were not so shy

Of Goer by —

And Hands — so slight —

They would elate a Sprite

With Merriment —

A Voice that Alters — Low

And on the Ear can go

Like Let of Snow —

Or shift supreme —

As tone of Realm

On Subjects Diadem —

Too small — to fear —

Too distant — to endear —

And so Men Compromise

And just — revere —

284. THE DROP, THAT WRESTLES IN THE SEA —

The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea —

Forgets her own locality —

As I — toward Thee —

She knows herself an incense small —

Yet small — she sighs — if All — is All —

How larger — be?

The Ocean — smiles — at her Conceit —

But she, forgetting Amphitrite —

Pleads — "Me"?

285. THE ROBIN'S MY CRITERION FOR TUNE —

The Robin's my Criterion for Tune —

Because I grow — where Robins do —

But, were I Cuckoo born —

I'd swear by him —

The ode familiar — rules the Noon —

The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom —

Because, we're Orchard sprung —

But, were I Britain born,

I'd Daisies spurn —

None but the Nut — October fit —

Because, through dropping it,

The Seasons flit — I'm taught —

Without the Snow's Tableau

Winter, were lie — to me —

Because I see — New Englandly —

The Queen, discerns like me —

Provincially —

286. THAT AFTER HORROR — THAT 'TWAS US —

That after Horror — that 'twas us —

That passed the mouldering Pier —

Just as the Granite Crumb let go —

Our Savior, by a Hair —

A second more, had dropped too deep

For Fisherman to plumb —

The very profile of the Thought

Puts Recollection numb —

The possibility — to pass

Without a Moment's Bell —

Into Conjecture's presence —

Is like a Face of Steel —

That suddenly looks into ours

With a metallic grin —

The Cordiality of Death —

Who drills his Welcome in —

287. A CLOCK STOPPED —

A Clock stopped —

Not the Mantel's —

Geneva's farthest skill

Can't put the puppet bowing —

That just now dangled still —

An awe came on the Trinket!

The Figures hunched, with pain —

Then quivered out of Decimals —

Into Degreeless Noon —

It will not stir for Doctors —

This Pendulum of snow —

The Shopman importunes it —

While cool — concernless No —

Nods from the Gilded pointers —

Nods from the Seconds slim —

Decades of Arrogance between

The Dial life —

And Him —

288. I'M NOBODY! WHO ARE YOU?

I'm Nobody! Who are you?

Are you — Nobody — too?

Then there's a pair of us!

Don't tell! they'd advertise — you know.

How dreary — to be — Somebody!

How public — like a Frog —

To tell one's name — the livelong June —

To an admiring Bog!

289. I KNOW SOME LONELY HOUSES OFF THE ROAD

I know some lonely Houses off the Road

A Robber'd like the look of —

Wooden barred,

And Windows hanging low,

Inviting to —

A Portico,

Where two could creep —

One — hand the Tools —

The other peep —

To make sure All's Asleep —

Old fashioned eyes —

Not easy to surprise!

How orderly the Kitchen'd look, by night,

With just a Clock —

But they could gag the Tick —

And Mice won't bark —

And so the Walls — don't tell —

None — will —

A pair of Spectacles ajar just stir —

An Almanac's aware —

Was it the Mat — winked,

Or a Nervous Star?

The Moon — slides down the stair,

To see who's there!

There's plunder — where —

Tankard, or Spoon —

Earring — or Stone —

A Watch — Some Ancient Brooch

To match the Grandmama —

Staid sleeping — there —

Day — rattles — too

Stealth's — slow —

The Sun has got as far

As the third Sycamore —

Screams Chanticleer

"Who's there"?

And Echoes — Trains away,

Sneer — "Where"!

While the old Couple, just astir,

Fancy the Sunrise — left the door ajar!

290. OF BRONZE — AND BLAZE —

Of Bronze — and Blaze —

The North — Tonight —

So adequate — it forms —

So preconcerted with itself —

So distant — to alarms —

An Unconcern so sovereign

To Universe, or me —

Infects my simple spirit

With Taints of Majesty —

Till I take vaster attitudes —

And strut upon my stem —

Disdaining Men, and Oxygen,

For Arrogance of them —

My Splendors, are Menagerie —

But their Competeless Show

Will entertain the Centuries

When I, am long ago,

An Island in dishonored Grass —

Whom none but Beetles — know.

291. HOW THE OLD MOUNTAINS DRIP WITH SUNSET

How the old Mountains drip with Sunset

How the Hemlocks burn —

How the Dun Brake is draped in Cinder

By the Wizard Sun —

How the old Steeples hand the Scarlet

Till the Ball is full —

Have I the lip of the Flamingo

That I dare to tell?

Then, how the Fire ebbs like Billows —

Touching all the Grass

With a departing — Sapphire — feature —

As a Duchess passed —

How a small Dusk crawls on the Village

Till the Houses blot

And the odd Flambeau, no men carry

Glimmer on the Street —

How it is Night — in Nest and Kennel —

And where was the Wood —

Just a Dome of Abyss is Bowing

Into Solitude —

These are the Visions flitted Guido —

Titian — never told —

Domenichino dropped his pencil —

Paralyzed, with Gold —

292. IF YOUR NERVE, DENY YOU —

If your Nerve, deny you —

Go above your Nerve —

He can lean against the Grave,

If he fear to swerve —

That's a steady posture —

Never any bend

Held of those Brass arms —

Best Giant made —

If your Soul seesaw —

Lift the Flesh door —

The Poltroon wants Oxygen —

Nothing more —

293. I GOT SO I COULD TAKE HIS NAME —

I got so I could take his name —

Without — Tremendous gain —

That Stop-sensation — on my Soul —

And Thunder — in the Room —

I got so I could walk across

That Angle in the floor,

Where he turned so, and I turned — how —

And all our Sinew tore —

I got so I could stir the Box —

In which his letters grew

Without that forcing, in my breath —

As Staples — driven through —

Could dimly recollect a Grace —

I think, they call it "God" —

Renowned to ease Extremity —

When Formula, had failed —

And shape my Hands —

Petition's way,

Tho' ignorant of a word

That Ordination — utters —

My Business, with the Cloud,

If any Power behind it, be,

Not subject to Despair —

It care, in some remoter way,

For so minute affair

As Misery —

Itself, too vast, for interrupting — more —

294. THE DOOMED — REGARD THE SUNRISE

The Doomed — regard the Sunrise

With different Delight —

Because — when next it burns abroad

They doubt to witness it —

The Man — to die — tomorrow —

Harks for the Meadow Bird —

Because its Music stirs the Axe

That clamors for his head —

Joyful — to whom the Sunrise

Precedes Enamored — Day —

Joyful — for whom the Meadow Bird

Has ought but Elegy!

295. UNTO LIKE STORY — TROUBLE HAS ENTICED ME —

Unto like Story — Trouble has enticed me —

How Kinsmen fell —

Brothers and Sister — who preferred the Glory —

And their young will

Bent to the Scaffold, or in Dungeons — chanted —

Till God's full time —

When they let go the ignominy — smiling —

And Shame went still —

Unto guessed Crests, my moaning fancy, leads me,

Worn fair

By Heads rejected — in the lower country —

Of honors there —

Such spirit makes her perpetual mention,

That I — grown bold —

Step martial — at my Crucifixion —

As Trumpets — rolled —

Feet, small as mine — have marched in Revolution

Firm to the Drum —

Hands — not so stout — hoisted them — in witness —

When Speech went numb —

Let me not shame their sublime deportments —

Drilled bright —

Beckoning — Etruscan invitation —

Toward Light —

296. ONE YEAR AGO — JOTS WHAT?

One Year ago — jots what?

God — spell the word! I — can't —

Was't Grace? Not that —

Was't Glory? That — will do —

Spell slower — Glory —

Such Anniversary shall be —

Sometimes — not often — in Eternity —

When farther Parted, than the Common Woe —

Look — feed upon each other's faces — so —

In doubtful meal, if it be possible

Their Banquet's true —

I tasted — careless — then —

I did not know the Wine

Came once a World — Did you?

Oh, had you told me so —

This Thirst would blister — easier — now —

You said it hurt you — most —

Mine — was an Acorn's Breast —

And could not know how fondness grew

In Shaggier Vest —

Perhaps — I couldn't —

But, had you looked in —

A Giant — eye to eye with you, had been —

No Acorn — then —

So — Twelve months ago —

We breathed —

Then dropped the Air —

Which bore it best?

Was this — the patientest —

Because it was a Child, you know —

And could not value — Air?

If to be "Elder" — mean most pain —

I'm old enough, today, I'm certain — then —

As old as thee — how soon?

One — Birthday more — or Ten?

Let me — choose!

Ah, Sir, None!

297. IT'S LIKE THE LIGHT —

It's like the Light —

A fashionless Delight —

It's like the Bee —

A dateless — Melody —

It's like the Woods —

Private — Like the Breeze —

Phraseless — yet it stirs

The proudest Trees —

It's like the Morning —

Best — when it's done —

And the Everlasting Clocks —

Chime — Noon!

298. ALONE, I CANNOT BE —

Alone, I cannot be —

For Hosts — do visit me —

Recordless Company —

Who baffle Key —

They have no Robes, nor Names —

No Almanacs — nor Climes —

But general Homes

Like Gnomes —

Their Coming, may be known

By Couriers within —

Their going — is not —

For they've never gone —

299. YOUR RICHES — TAUGHT ME — POVERTY

Your Riches — taught me — Poverty.

Myself — a Millionaire

In little Wealths, as Girls could boast

Till broad as Buenos Ayre —

You drifted your Dominions —

A Different Peru —

And I esteemed All Poverty

For Life's Estate with you —

Of Mines, I little know — myself —

But just the names, of Gems —

The Colors of the Commonest —

And scarce of Diadems —

So much, that did I meet the Queen —

Her Glory I should know —

But this, must be a different Wealth —

To miss it — beggars so —

I'm sure 'tis India — all Day —

To those who look on You —

Without a stint — without a blame,

Might I — but be the Jew —

I'm sure it is Golconda —

Beyond my power to deem —

To have a smile for Mine — each Day,

How better, than a Gem!

At least, it solaces to know

That there exists — a Gold —

Altho' I prove it, just in time

Its distance — to behold —

Its far — far Treasure to surmise —

And estimate the Pearl —

That slipped my simple fingers through —

While just a Girl at School.

300. "MORNING" — MEANS "MILKING" — TO THE FARMER —

"Morning" — means "Milking" — to the Farmer —

Dawn — to the Teneriffe —

Dice — to the Maid —

Morning means just Risk — to the Lover —

Just revelation — to the Beloved —

Epicures — date a Breakfast — by it —

Brides — an Apocalypse —

Worlds — a Flood —

Faint-going Lives — Their Lapse from Sighing —

Faith — The Experiment of Our Lord

301. I REASON, EARTH IS SHORT —

I reason, earth is short,

And anguish absolute,

And many hurt ;

But what of that ?

I reason, we could die :

The best vitality

Cannot excel decay ;

But what of that ?

I reason that in heaven

Somehow, it will be even,

Some new equation given ;

But what of that ?

302. LIKE SOME OLD FASHIONED MIRACLE

Like Some Old fashioned Miracle

When Summertime is done —

Seems Summer's Recollection

And the Affairs of June

As infinite Tradition

As Cinderella's Bays —

Or Little John — of Lincoln Green —

Or Blue Beard's Galleries —

Her Bees have a fictitious Hum —

Her Blossoms, like a Dream —

Elate us — till we almost weep —

So plausible — they seem —

Her Memories like Strains — Review —

When Orchestra is dumb —

The Violin in Baize replaced —

And Ear — and Heaven — numb —

303. THE SOUL SELECTS HER OWN SOCIETY —

The Soul selects her own Society —

Then — shuts the Door —

To her divine Majority —

Present no more —

Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing —

At her low Gate —

Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling

Upon her Mat —

I've known her — from an ample nation —

Choose One —

Then — close the Valves of her attention —

Like Stone —

304. THE DAY CAME SLOW — TILL FIVE O'CLOCK —

The Day came slow — till Five o'clock —

Then sprang before the Hills

Like Hindered Rubies — or the Light

A Sudden Musket — spills —

The Purple could not keep the East —

The Sunrise shook abroad

Like Breadths of Topaz — packed a Night —

The Lady just unrolled —

The Happy Winds — their Timbrels took —

The Birds — in docile Rows

Arranged themselves around their Prince

The Wind — is Prince of Those —

The Orchard sparkled like a Jew —

How mighty 'twas — to be

A Guest in this stupendous place —

The Parlor — of the Day —

305. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESPAIR

The difference between Despair

And Fear — is like the One

Between the instant of a Wreck

And when the Wreck has been —

The Mind is smooth — no Motion —

Contented as the Eye

Upon the Forehead of a Bust —

That knows — it cannot see —

306. THE SOUL'S SUPERIOR INSTANTS

The Soul's Superior instants

Occur to Her — alone —

When friend — and Earth's occasion

Have infinite withdrawn —

Or She — Herself — ascended

To too remote a Height

For lower Recognition

Than Her Omnipotent —

This Mortal Abolition

Is seldom — but as fair

As Apparition — subject

To Autocratic Air —

Eternity's disclosure

To favorites — a few —

Of the Colossal substance

Of Immortality

307. THE ONE WHO COULD REPEAT THE SUMMER DAY —

The One who could repeat the Summer day —

Were greater than itself — though He

Minutest of Mankind should be —

And He — could reproduce the Sun —

At period of going down —

The Lingering — and the Stain — I mean —

When Orient have been outgrown —

And Occident — become Unknown —

His Name — remain —

308. I SEND TWO SUNSETS —

I send Two Sunsets—

Day and I—in competition ran—

I finished Two—and several Stars—

While He—was making One—

His own was ampler—but as I

Was saying to a friend—

Mine—is the more convenient

To Carry in the Hand—

309. FOR LARGEST WOMAN'S HEARTH I KNEW —

For largest Woman's Hearth I knew —

'Tis little I can do —

And yet the largest Woman's Heart

Could hold an Arrow — too —

And so, instructed by my own,

I tenderer, turn Me to.

310. GIVE LITTLE ANGUISH —

Give little Anguish —

Lives will fret —

Give Avalanches —

And they'll slant —

Straighten — look cautious for their Breath —

But make no syllable — like Death —

Who only shows the Marble Disc —

Sublimer sort — than Speech —

311. IT SIFTS FROM LEADEN SIEVES —

It sifts from Leaden Sieves —

It powders all the Wood.

It fills with Alabaster Wool

The Wrinkles of the Road —

It makes an Even Face

Of Mountain, and of Plain —

Unbroken Forehead from the East

Unto the East again —

It reaches to the Fence —

It wraps it Rail by Rail

Till it is lost in Fleeces —

It deals Celestial Vail

To Stump, and Stack — and Stem —

A Summer's empty Room —

Acres of Joints, where Harvests were,

Recordless, but for them—

It Ruffles Wrists of Posts

As Ankles of a Queen —

Then stills its Artisans — like Ghosts —

Denying they have been —

312. HER — "LAST POEMS" —

Her — "last Poems" —

Poets — ended —

Silver — perished — with her Tongue —

Not on Record — bubbled other,

Flute — or Woman —

So divine —

Not unto its Summer — Morning

Robin — uttered Half the Tune —

Gushed too free for the Adoring —

From the Anglo-Florentine —

Late — the Praise —

'Tis dull — conferring

On the Head too High to Crown —

Diadem — or Ducal Showing —

Be its Grave — sufficient sign —

Nought — that We — No Poet's Kinsman —

Suffocate — with easy woe —

What, and if, Ourself a Bridegroom —

Put Her down — in Italy?

313. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOO GLAD, I SEE —

I should have been too glad, I see —

Too lifted — for the scant degree

Of Life's penurious Round —

My little Circuit would have shamed

This new Circumference — have blamed —

The homelier time behind.

I should have been too saved — I see —

Too rescued — Fear too dim to me

That I could spell the Prayer

I knew so perfect — yesterday —

That Scalding One — Sabachthani —

Recited fluent — here —

Earth would have been too much — I see —

And Heaven — not enough for me —

I should have had the Joy

Without the Fear — to justify —

The Palm — without the Calvary —

So Savior — Crucify —

Defeat — whets Victory — they say —

The Reefs — in old Gethsemane —

Endear the Coast — beyond!

'Tis Beggars — Banquets — can define —

'Tis Parching — vitalizes Wine —

"Faith" bleats — to understand!

314. NATURE — SOMETIMES SEARS A SAPLING —

Nature — sometimes sears a Sapling —

Sometimes — scalps a Tree —

Her Green People recollect it

When they do not die —

Fainter Leaves — to Further Seasons —

Dumbly testify —

We — who have the Souls —

Die oftener — Not so vitally —

315. HE FUMBLES AT YOUR SOUL

He fumbles at your Soul

As Players at the Keys

Before they drop full Music on —

He stuns you by degrees —

Prepares your brittle Nature

For the Ethereal Blow

By fainter Hammers — further heard —

Then nearer — Then so slow

Your Breath has time to straighten —

Your Brain — to bubble Cool —

Deals — One — imperial — Thunderbolt —

That scalps your naked Soul —

When Winds take Forests in the Paws —

The Universe — is still —

316. THE WIND DIDN'T COME FROM THE ORCHARD — TODAY —

The Wind didn't come from the Orchard — today —

Further than that —

Nor stop to play with the Hay —

Nor joggle a Hat —

He's a transitive fellow — very —

Rely on that —

If He leave a Bur at the door

We know He has climbed a Fir —

But the Fir is Where — Declare —

Were you ever there?

If He brings Odors of Clovers —

And that is His business — not Ours —

Then He has been with the Mowers —

Whetting away the Hours

To sweet pauses of Hay —

His Way — of a June Day —

If He fling Sand, and Pebble —

Little Boys Hats — and Stubble —

With an occasional Steeple —

And a hoarse "Get out of the way, I say,"

Who'd be the fool to stay?

Would you — Say —

Would you be the fool to stay?

317. JUST SO — JESUS — RAPS —

Just so — Jesus — raps —

He — doesn't weary —

Last — at the Knocker —

And first — at the Bell.

Then — on divinest tiptoe — standing —

Might He but spy the lady's soul —

When He — retires —

Chilled — or weary —

It will be ample time for — me —

Patient — upon the steps — until then —

Hears! I am knocking — low at thee.

318. I'LL TELL YOU HOW THE SUN ROSE —

I'll tell you how the Sun rose —

A Ribbon at a time —

The Steeples swam in Amethyst —

The news, like Squirrels, ran —

The Hills untied their Bonnets —

The Bobolinks — begun —

Then I said softly to myself —

"That must have been the Sun"!

But how he set — I know not —

There seemed a purple stile

That little Yellow boys and girls

Were climbing all the while —

Till when they reached the other side,

A Dominie in Gray —

Put gently up the evening Bars —

And led the flock away —

319. THE NEAREST DREAM RECEDES — UNREALIZED —

The nearest Dream recedes — unrealized —

The Heaven we chase,

Like the June Bee — before the School Boy,

Invites the Race —

Stoops — to an easy Clover —

Dips — evades — teases — deploys —

Then — to the Royal Clouds

Lifts his light Pinnace —

Heedless of the Boy —

Staring — bewildered — at the mocking sky —

Homesick for steadfast Honey —

Ah, the Bee flies not

That brews that rare variety!

320. WE PLAY AT PASTE —

We play at Paste —

Till qualified, for Pearl —

Then, drop the Paste —

And deem ourself a fool —

The Shapes — though — were similar —

And our new Hands

Learned Gem-Tactics —

Practicing Sands —

321. OF ALL THE SOUNDS DESPATCHED ABROAD,

Of all the Sounds despatched abroad,

There's not a Charge to me

Like that old measure in the Boughs —

That phraseless Melody —

The Wind does — working like a Hand,

Whose fingers Comb the Sky —

Then quiver down — with tufts of Tune —

Permitted Gods, and me —

Inheritance, it is, to us —

Beyond the Art to Earn —

Beyond the trait to take away

By Robber, since the Gain

Is gotten not of fingers —

And inner than the Bone —

Hid golden, for the whole of Days,

And even in the Urn,

I cannot vouch the merry Dust

Do not arise and play

In some odd fashion of its own,

Some quainter Holiday,

When Winds go round and round in Bands —

And thrum upon the door,

And Birds take places, overhead,

To bear them Orchestra.

I crave Him grace of Summer Boughs,

If such an Outcast be —

Who never heard that fleshless Chant —

Rise — solemn — on the Tree,

As if some Caravan of Sound

Off Deserts, in the Sky,

Had parted Rank,

Then knit, and swept —

In Seamless Company —

322. THERE CAME A DAY AT SUMMER'S FULL,

There came a Day at Summer's full,

Entirely for me —

I thought that such were for the Saints,

Where Resurrections — be —

The Sun, as common, went abroad,

The flowers, accustomed, blew,

As if no soul the solstice passed

That maketh all things new —

The time was scarce profaned, by speech —

The symbol of a word

Was needless, as at Sacrament,

The Wardrobe — of our Lord —

Each was to each The Sealed Church,

Permitted to commune this — time —

Lest we too awkward show

At Supper of the Lamb.

The Hours slid fast — as Hours will,

Clutched tight, by greedy hands —

So faces on two Decks, look back,

Bound to opposing lands —

And so when all the time had leaked,

Without external sound

Each bound the Other's Crucifix —

We gave no other Bond —

Sufficient troth, that we shall rise —

Deposed — at length, the Grave —

To that new Marriage,

Justified — through Calvaries of Love —

323. AS IF I ASKED A COMMON ALMS,

As if I asked a common alms -

And in my wondering hand,

A stranger pressed a kingdom -

And I - bewildered stand -

As if I asked the Orient

Had it for me a morn?

And it sh'd lift it's purple dikes

And flood me with the Dawn!

324. SOME KEEP THE SABBATH GOING TO CHURCH —

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church —

I keep it, staying at Home —

With a Bobolink for a Chorister —

And an Orchard, for a Dome —

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice —

I just wear my Wings —

And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

Our little Sexton — sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman —

And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at last —

I'm going, all along.

325. OF TRIBULATION, THESE ARE THEY,

Of Tribulation, these are They,

Denoted by the White —

The Spangled Gowns, a lesser Rank

Of Victors — designate —

All these — did conquer —

But the ones who overcame most times —

Wear nothing commoner than Snow —

No Ornament, but Palms —

Surrender — is a sort unknown —

On this superior soil —

Defeat — an outgrown Anguish —

Remembered, as the Mile

Our panting Ankle barely passed —

When Night devoured the Road —

But we — stood whispering in the House —

And all we said — was "Saved"!

326. I CANNOT DANCE UPON MY TOES —

I cannot dance upon my Toes —

No Man instructed me —

But oftentimes, among my mind,

A Glee possesseth me,

That had I Ballet knowledge —

Would put itself abroad

In Pirouette to blanch a Troupe —

Or lay a Prima, mad,

And though I had no Gown of Gauze —

No Ringlet, to my Hair,

Nor hopped to Audiences — like Birds,

One Claw upon the Air,

Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls,

Nor rolled on wheels of snow

Till I was out of sight, in sound,

The House encore me so —

Nor any know I know the Art

I mention — easy — Here —

Nor any Placard boast me —

It's full as Opera —

327. BEFORE I GOT MY EYE PUT OUT

Before I got my eye put out

I liked as well to see —

As other Creatures, that have Eyes

And know no other way —

But were it told to me — Today —

That I might have the sky

For mine — I tell you that my Heart

Would split, for size of me —

The Meadows — mine —

The Mountains — mine —

All Forests — Stintless Stars —

As much of Noon as I could take

Between my finite eyes —

The Motions of the Dipping Birds —

The Morning's Amber Road —

For mine — to look at when I liked —

The News would strike me dead —

So safer — guess — with just my soul

Upon the Window pane —

Where other Creatures put their eyes —

Incautious — of the Sun —

328. A BIRD CAME DOWN THE WALK —

A Bird came down the Walk —

He did not know I saw —

He bit an Angleworm in halves

And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew

From a convenient Grass —

And then hopped sidewise to the Wall

To let a Beetle pass —

He glanced with rapid eyes

That hurried all around —

They looked like frightened Beads, I thought —

He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger, Cautious,

I offered him a Crumb

And he unrolled his feathers

And rowed him softer home —

Than Oars divide the Ocean,

Too silver for a seam —

Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon

Leap, splashless as they swim.

329. SO GLAD WE ARE — A STRANGER'D DEEM

So glad we are — a Stranger'd deem

'Twas sorry, that we were —

For where the Holiday should be

There publishes a Tear —

Nor how Ourselves be justified —

Since Grief and Joy are done

So similar — An Optizan

Could not decide between —

330. THE JUGGLER'S HAT HER COUNTRY IS —

The Juggler's Hat her Country is —

The Mountain Gorse — the Bee's!

331. WHILE ASTERS —

While Asters —

On the Hill —

Their Everlasting fashions — set —

And Covenant Gentians — Frill!

332. THERE ARE TWO RIPENINGS — ONE — OF SIGHT —

There are two Ripenings — one — of sight —

Whose forces Spheric wind

Until the Velvet product

Drop spicy to the ground —

A homelier maturing —

A process in the Bur —

That teeth of Frosts alone disclose

In far October Air.

333. THE GRASS SO LITTLE HAS TO DO —

The Grass so little has to do —

A Sphere of simple Green —

With only Butterflies to brood

And Bees to entertain —

And stir all day to pretty Tunes

The Breezes fetch along —

And hold the Sunshine in its lap

And bow to everything —

And thread the Dews, all night, like Pearls —

And make itself so fine

A Duchess were too common

For such a noticing —

And even when it dies — to pass

In Odors so divine —

Like Lowly spices, lain to sleep —

Or Spikenards, perishing —

And then, in Sovereign Barns to dwell —

And dream the Days away,

The Grass so little has to do

I wish I were a Hay —

334. ALL THE LETTERS I CAN WRITE

All the letters I can write

Are not fair as this —

Syllables of Velvet —

Sentences of Plush,

Depths of Ruby, undrained,

Hid, Lip, for Thee —

Play it were a Humming Bird —

And just sipped — me —

335. 'TIS NOT THAT DYING HURTS US SO —

'Tis not that Dying hurts us so —

'Tis Living — hurts us more —

But Dying — is a different way —

A Kind behind the Door —

The Southern Custom — of the Bird —

That ere the Frosts are due —

Accepts a better Latitude —

We — are the Birds — that stay.

The Shiverers round Farmers' doors —

For whose reluctant Crumb —

We stipulate — till pitying Snows

Persuade our Feathers Home.

336. THE FACE I CARRY WITH ME — LAST —

The face I carry with me — last —

When I go out of Time —

To take my Rank — by — in the West —

That face — will just be thine —

I'll hand it to the Angel —

That — Sir — was my Degree —

In Kingdoms — you have heard the Raised —

Refer to — possibly.

He'll take it — scan it — step aside —

Return — with such a crown

As Gabriel — never capered at —

And beg me put it on —

And then — he'll turn me round and round —

To an admiring sky —

As one that bore her Master's name —

Sufficient Royalty!

337. I KNOW A PLACE WHERE SUMMER STRIVES

I know a place where Summer strives

With such a practised Frost —

She — each year — leads her Daisies back —

Recording briefly — "Lost" —

But when the South Wind stirs the Pools

And struggles in the lanes —

Her Heart misgives Her, for Her Vow —

And she pours soft Refrains

Into the lap of Adamant —

And spices — and the Dew —

That stiffens quietly to Quartz —

Upon her Amber Shoe —

338. I KNOW THAT HE EXISTS.

I know that He exists.

Somewhere — in Silence —

He has hid his rare life

From our gross eyes.

'Tis an instant's play.

'Tis a fond Ambush —

Just to make Bliss

Earn her own surprise!

But — should the play

Prove piercing earnest —

Should the glee — glaze —

In Death's — stiff — stare —

Would not the fun

Look too expensive!

Would not the jest —

Have crawled too far!

339. I TEND MY FLOWERS FOR THEE —

I tend my flowers for thee —

Bright Absentee!

My Fuchsia's Coral Seams

Rip — while the Sower — dreams

Geraniums — tint — and spot —

Low Daisies — dot —

My Cactus — splits her Beard

To show her throat —

Carnations — tip their spice —

And Bees — pick up —

A Hyacinth — I hid —

Puts out a Ruffled Head —

And odors fall

From flasks — so small —

You marvel how they held —

Globe Roses — break their satin flake —

Upon my Garden floor

Yet — thou — not there —

I had as lief they bore

No Crimson — more —

Thy flower — be gay —

Her Lord — away!

It ill becometh me —

I'll dwell in Calyx — Gray —

How modestly — alway —

Thy Daisy —

Draped for thee!

340. IS BLISS THEN, SUCH ABYSS,

Is Bliss then, such Abyss,

I must not put my foot amiss

For fear I spoil my shoe?

I'd rather suit my foot

Than save my Boot —

For yet to buy another Pair

Is possible,

At any store —

But Bliss, is sold just once.

The Patent lost

None buy it any more —

Say, Foot, decide the point —

The Lady cross, or not?

Verdict for Boot!

341. AFTER GREAT PAIN, A FORMAL FEELING COMES —

After great pain, a formal feeling comes —

The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs —

The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,

And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round —

A Wooden Way

Of Ground, or Air, or Ought —

Regardless grown,

A Quartz contentment, like a stone —

This is the Hour of Lead —

Remembered, if outlived,

As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow —

First — Chill — then Stupor — then the letting go —

342. IT WILL BE SUMMER — EVENTUALLY.

It will be Summer — eventually.

Ladies — with parasols —

Sauntering Gentlemen — with Canes —

And little Girls — with Dolls —

Will tint the pallid landscape —

As 'twere a bright Bouquet —

Tho' drifted deep, in Parian —

The Village lies — today —

The Lilacs — bending many a year —

Will sway with purple load —

The Bees — will not despise the tune —

Their Forefathers — have hummed —

The Wild Rose — redden in the Bog —

The Aster — on the Hill

Her everlasting fashion — set —

And Covenant Gentians — frill —

Till Summer folds her miracle —

As Women — do — their Gown —

Or Priests — adjust the Symbols —

When Sacrament — is done —

343. MY REWARD FOR BEING, WAS THIS.

My Reward for Being, was This.

My premium — My Bliss —

An Admiralty, less —

A Sceptre — penniless —

And Realms — just Dross —

When Thrones accost my Hands —

With "Me, Miss, Me" —

I'll unroll Thee —

Dominions dowerless — beside this Grace —

Election — Vote —

The Ballots of Eternity, will show just that.

344. 'TWAS THE OLD — ROAD — THROUGH PAIN —

'Twas the old — road — through pain —

That unfrequented — one —

With many a turn — and thorn —

That stops — at Heaven —

This — was the Town — she passed —

There — where she — rested — last —

Then — stepped more fast —

The little tracks — close prest —

Then — not so swift —

Slow — slow — as feet did weary — grow —

Then — stopped — no other track!

Wait! Look! Her little Book —

The leaf — at love — turned back —

Her very Hat —

And this worn shoe just fits the track —

Herself — though — fled!

Another bed — a short one —

Women make — tonight —

In Chambers bright —

Too out of sight — though —

For our hoarse Good Night —

To touch her Head!

345. FUNNY — TO BE A CENTURY —

Funny — to be a Century —

And see the People — going by —

I — should die of the Oddity —

But then — I'm not so staid — as He —

He keeps His Secrets safely — very —

Were He to tell — extremely sorry

This Bashful Globe of Ours would be —

So dainty of Publicity —

346. NOT PROBABLE — THE BAREST CHANCE —

Not probable — The barest Chance —

A smile too few — a word too much

And far from Heaven as the Rest —

The Soul so close on Paradise —

What if the Bird from journey far —

Confused by Sweets — as Mortals — are —

Forget the secret of His wing

And perish — but a Bough between —

Oh, Groping feet —

Oh Phantom Queen!

347. WHEN NIGHT IS ALMOST DONE —

When Night is almost done —

And Sunrise grows so near

That we can touch the Spaces —

It's time to smooth the Hair —

And get the Dimples ready —

And wonder we could care

For that old — faded Midnight —

That frightened — but an Hour —

348. I DREADED THAT FIRST ROBIN, SO,

I dreaded that first Robin, so,

But He is mastered, now,

I'm some accustomed to Him grown,

He hurts a little, though —

I thought If I could only live

Till that first Shout got by —

Not all Pianos in the Woods

Had power to mangle me —

I dared not meet the Daffodils —

For fear their Yellow Gown

Would pierce me with a fashion

So foreign to my own —

I wished the Grass would hurry —

So — when 'twas time to see —

He'd be too tall, the tallest one

Could stretch — to look at me —

I could not bear the Bees should come,

I wished they'd stay away

In those dim countries where they go,

What word had they, for me?

They're here, though; not a creature failed —

No Blossom stayed away

In gentle deference to me —

The Queen of Calvary —

Each one salutes me, as he goes,

And I, my childish Plumes,

Lift, in bereaved acknowledgment

Of their unthinking Drums —

349. I HAD THE GLORY — THAT WILL DO —

I had the Glory — that will do —

An Honor, Thought can turn her to

When lesser Fames invite —

With one long "Nay" —

Bliss' early shape

Deforming — Dwindling — Gulfing up —

Time's possibility.

350. THEY LEAVE US WITH THE INFINITE.

They leave us with the Infinite.

But He — is not a man —

His fingers are the size of fists —

His fists, the size of men —

And whom he foundeth, with his Arm

As Himmaleh, shall stand —

Gibraltar's Everlasting Shoe

Poised lightly on his Hand,

So trust him, Comrade —

You for you, and I, for you and me

Eternity is ample,

And quick enough, if true.

351. I FELT MY LIFE WITH BOTH MY HANDS

I felt my life with both my hands

To see if it was there —

I held my spirit to the Glass,

To prove it possibler —

I turned my Being round and round

And paused at every pound

To ask the Owner's name —

For doubt, that I should know the Sound —

I judged my features — jarred my hair —

I pushed my dimples by, and waited —

If they — twinkled back —

Conviction might, of me —

I told myself, "Take Courage, Friend —

That — was a former time —

But we might learn to like the Heaven,

As well as our Old Home!"

352. PERHAPS I ASKED TOO LARGE —

Perhaps I asked too large —

I take — no less than skies —

For Earths, grow thick as

Berries, in my native town —

My Basket holds — just — Firmaments —

Those — dangle easy — on my arm,

But smaller bundles — Cram.

353. A HAPPY LIP — BREAKS SUDDEN —

A happy lip — breaks sudden —

It doesn't state you how

It contemplated — smiling —

Just consummated — now —

But this one, wears its merriment

So patient — like a pain —

Fresh gilded — to elude the eyes

Unqualified, to scan —

354. FROM COCOON FORTH A BUTTERFLY

From Cocoon forth a Butterfly

As Lady from her Door

Emerged — a Summer Afternoon —

Repairing Everywhere —

Without Design — that I could trace

Except to stray abroad

On Miscellaneous Enterprise

The Clovers — understood —

Her pretty Parasol be seen

Contracting in a Field

Where Men made Hay —

Then struggling hard

With an opposing Cloud —

Where Parties — Phantom as Herself —

To Nowhere — seemed to go

In purposeless Circumference —

As 'twere a Tropic Show —

And notwithstanding Bee — that worked —

And Flower — that zealous blew —

This Audience of Idleness

Disdained them, from the Sky —

Till Sundown crept — a steady Tide —

And Men that made the Hay —

And Afternoon — and Butterfly —

Extinguished — in the Sea —

355. 'TIS OPPOSITES — ENTICE —

'Tis Opposites — entice —

Deformed Men — ponder Grace —

Bright fires — the Blanketless —

The Lost — Day's face —

The Blind — esteem it be

Enough Estate — to see —

The Captive — strangles new —

For deeming — Beggars — play —

To lack — enamor Thee —

Tho' the Divinity —

Be only

Me —

356. THE DAY THAT I WAS CROWNED

The Day that I was crowned

Was like the other Days —

Until the Coronation came —

And then — 'twas Otherwise —

As Carbon in the Coal

And Carbon in the Gem

Are One — and yet the former

Were dull for Diadem —

I rose, and all was plain —

But when the Day declined

Myself and It, in Majesty

Were equally — adorned —

The Grace that I — was chose —

To Me — surpassed the Crown

That was the Witness for the Grace —

'Twas even that 'twas Mine —

357. GOD IS A DISTANT — STATELY LOVER —

God is a distant — stately Lover —

Woos, as He states us — by His Son —

Verily, a Vicarious Courtship —

"Miles", and "Priscilla", were such an One —

But, lest the Soul — like fair "Priscilla"

Choose the Envoy — and spurn the Groom —

Vouches, with hyperbolic archness —

"Miles", and "John Alden" were Synonym —

358. IF ANY SINK, ASSURE THAT THIS, NOW STANDING —

If any sink, assure that this, now standing —

Failed like Themselves — and conscious that it rose —

Grew by the Fact, and not the Understanding

How Weakness passed — or Force — arose —

Tell that the Worst, is easy in a Moment —

Dread, but the Whizzing, before the Ball —

When the Ball enters, enters Silence —

Dying — annuls the power to kill.

359. I GAINED IT SO —

I gained it so —

By Climbing slow —

By Catching at the Twigs that grow

Between the Bliss — and me —

It hung so high

As well the Sky

Attempt by Strategy —

I said I gained it —

This — was all —

Look, how I clutch it

Lest it fall —

And I a Pauper go —

Unfitted by an instant's Grace

For the Contented — Beggar's face

I wore — an hour ago —

360. DEATH SETS A THING SIGNIFICANT

Death sets a Thing significant

The Eye had hurried by

Except a perished Creature

Entreat us tenderly

To ponder little Workmanships

In Crayon, or in Wool,

With "This was last Her fingers did" —

Industrious until —

The Thimble weighed too heavy —

The stitches stopped — by themselves —

And then 'twas put among the Dust

Upon the Closet shelves —

A Book I have — a friend gave —

Whose Pencil — here and there —

Had notched the place that pleased Him —

At Rest — His fingers are —

Now — when I read — I read not —

For interrupting Tears —

Obliterate the Etchings

Too Costly for Repairs.

361. WHAT I CAN DO — I WILL —

What I can do — I will —

Though it be little as a Daffodil —

That I cannot — must be

Unknown to possibility —

362. IT STRUCK ME — EVERY DAY —

It struck me — every Day —

The Lightning was as new

As if the Cloud that instant slit

And let the Fire through —

It burned Me — in the Night —

It Blistered to My Dream —

It sickened fresh upon my sight —

With every Morn that came —

I though that Storm — was brief —

The Maddest — quickest by —

But Nature lost the Date of This —

And left it in the Sky —

363. I WENT TO THANK HER —

I went to thank her,

But she slept ;

Her bed a funnelled stone,

With nosegays at the head and foot,

That travellers had thrown,

Who went to thank her ;

But she slept.

'T was short to cross the sea

To look upon her like, alive,

But turning back 't was slow.

364. THE MORNING AFTER WOE —

The Morning after Woe —

'Tis frequently the Way —

Surpasses all that rose before —

For utter Jubilee —

As Nature did not care —

And piled her Blossoms on —

And further to parade a Joy

Her Victim stared upon —

The Birds declaim their Tunes —

Pronouncing every word

Like Hammers — Did they know they fell

Like Litanies of Lead —

On here and there — a creature —

They'd modify the Glee

To fit some Crucifixal Clef —

Some Key of Calvary —

365. DARE YOU SEE A SOUL AT THE WHITE HEAT?

Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat? —

Then crouch within the door —

Red — is the Fire's common tint —

But when the vivid Ore

Has vanquished Flame's conditions,

It quivers from the Forge

Without a color, but the light

Of unanointed Blaze.

Least Village has its Blacksmith

Whose Anvil's even ring

Stands symbol for the finer Forge

That soundless tugs — within —

Refining these impatient Ores

With Hammer, and with Blaze

Until the Designated Light

Repudiate the Forge —

366. ALTHOUGH I PUT AWAY HIS LIFE —

Although I put away his life —

An Ornament too grand

For Forehead low as mine, to wear,

This might have been the Hand

That sowed the flower, he preferred —

Or smoothed a homely pain,

Or pushed the pebble from his path —

Or played his chosen tune —

On Lute the least — the latest —

But just his Ear could know

That whatsoe'er delighted it,

I never would let go —

The foot to bear his errand —

A little Boot I know —

Would leap abroad like Antelope —

With just the grant to do —

His weariest Commandment —

A sweeter to obey,

Than "Hide and Seek" —

Or skip to Flutes —

Or all Day, chase the Bee —

Your Servant, Sir, will weary —

The Surgeon, will not come —

The World, will have its own — to do —

The Dust, will vex your Fame —

The Cold will force your tightest door

Some February Day,

But say my apron bring the sticks

To make your Cottage gay —

That I may take that promise

To Paradise, with me —

To teach the Angels, avarice,

You, Sir, taught first — to me.

367. OVER AND OVER, LIKE A TUNE —

Over and over, like a Tune —

The Recollection plays —

Drums off the Phantom Battlements

Cornets of Paradise —

Snatches, from Baptized Generations —

Cadences too grand

But for the Justified Processions

At the Lord's Right hand.

368. HOW SICK — TO WAIT — IN ANY PLACE — BUT THINE —

How sick — to wait — in any place — but thine —

I knew last night — when someone tried to twine —

Thinking — perhaps — that I looked tired — or alone —

Or breaking — almost — with unspoken pain —

And I turned — ducal —

That right — was thine —

One port — suffices — for a Brig — like mine —

Ours be the tossing — wild though the sea —

Rather than a Mooring — unshared by thee.

Ours be the Cargo — unladed — here —

Rather than the "spicy isles —"

And thou — not there —

369. SHE LAY AS IF AT PLAY

She lay as if at play

Her life had leaped away —

Intending to return —

But not so soon —

Her merry Arms, half dropt —

As if for lull of sport —

An instant had forgot —

The Trick to start —

Her dancing Eyes — ajar —

As if their Owner were

Still sparkling through

For fun — at you —

Her Morning at the door —

Devising, I am sure —

To force her sleep —

So light — so deep —

370. HEAVEN IS SO FAR OF THE MIND

Heaven is so far of the Mind

That were the Mind dissolved —

The Site — of it — by Architect

Could not again be proved —

'Tis vast — as our Capacity —

As fair — as our idea —

To Him of adequate desire

No further 'tis, than Here —

371. A PRECIOUS — MOULDERING PLEASURE — 'TIS —

A precious — mouldering pleasure — 'tis —

To meet an Antique Book —

In just the Dress his Century wore —

A privilege — I think —

His venerable Hand to take —

And warming in our own —

A passage back — or two — to make —

To Times when he — was young —

His quaint opinions — to inspect —

His thought to ascertain

On Themes concern our mutual mind —

The Literature of Man —

What interested Scholars — most —

What Competitions ran —

When Plato — was a Certainty —

And Sophocles — a Man —

When Sappho — was a living Girl —

And Beatrice wore

The Gown that Dante — deified —

Facts Centuries before

He traverses — familiar —

As One should come to Town —

And tell you all your Dreams — were true —

He lived — where Dreams were born —

His presence is Enchantment —

You beg him not to go —

Old Volume shake their Vellum Heads

And tantalize — just so —

372. I KNOW LIVES, I COULD MISS

I know lives, I could miss

Without a Misery —

Others — whose instant's wanting —

Would be Eternity —

The last — a scanty Number —

'Twould scarcely fill a Two —

The first — a Gnat's Horizon

Could easily outgrow —

373. I'M SAYING EVERY DAY

I'm saying every day

"If I should be a Queen, tomorrow" —

I'd do this way —

And so I deck, a little,

If it be, I wake a Bourbon,

None on me, bend supercilious —

With "This was she —

Begged in the Market place —

Yesterday."

Court is a stately place —

I've heard men say —

So I loop my apron, against the Majesty

With bright Pins of Buttercup —

That not too plain —

Rank — overtake me —

And perch my Tongue

On Twigs of singing — rather high —

But this, might be my brief Term

To qualify —

Put from my simple speech all plain word —

Take other accents, as such I heard

Though but for the Cricket — just,

And but for the Bee —

Not in all the Meadow —

One accost me —

Better to be ready —

Than did next morn

Meet me in Aragon —

My old Gown — on —

And the surprised Air

Rustics — wear —

Summoned — unexpectedly —

To Exeter —

374. I WENT TO HEAVEN —

I went to Heaven —

'Twas a small Town —

Lit — with a Ruby —

Lathed — with Down —

Stiller — than the fields

At the full Dew —

Beautiful — as Pictures —

No Man drew.

People — like the Moth —

Of Mechlin — frames —

Duties — of Gossamer —

And Eider — names —

Almost — contented —

I — could be —

'Mong such unique

Society —

375. THE ANGLE OF A LANDSCAPE —

The Angle of a Landscape —

That every time I wake —

Between my Curtain and the Wall

Upon an ample Crack —

Like a Venetian — waiting —

Accosts my open eye —

Is just a Bough of Apples —

Held slanting, in the Sky —

The Pattern of a Chimney —

The Forehead of a Hill —

Sometimes — a Vane's Forefinger —

But that's — Occasional —

The Seasons — shift — my Picture —

Upon my Emerald Bough,

I wake — to find no — Emeralds —

Then — Diamonds — which the Snow

From Polar Caskets — fetched me —

The Chimney — and the Hill —

And just the Steeple's finger —

These — never stir at all —

376. OF COURSE — I PRAYED —

Of Course — I prayed —

And did God Care?

He cared as much as on the Air

A Bird — had stamped her foot —

And cried "Give Me" —

My Reason — Life —

I had not had — but for Yourself —

'Twere better Charity

To leave me in the Atom's Tomb —

Merry, and Nought, and gay, and numb —

Than this smart Misery.

377. TO LOSE ONE'S FAITH — SURPASS

To lose one's faith — surpass

The loss of an Estate —

Because Estates can be

Replenished — faith cannot —

Inherited with Life —

Belief — but once — can be —

Annihilate a single clause —

And Being's — Beggary —

378. I SAW NO WAY — THE HEAVENS WERE STITCHED —

I saw no Way — The Heavens were stitched —

I felt the Columns close —

The Earth reversed her Hemispheres —

I touched the Universe —

And back it slid — and I alone —

A Speck upon a Ball —

Went out upon Circumference —

Beyond the Dip of Bell —

379. REHEARSAL TO OURSELVES

Rehearsal to Ourselves

Of a Withdrawn Delight —

Affords a Bliss like Murder —

Omnipotent — Acute —

We will not drop the Dirk —

Because We love the Wound

The Dirk Commemorate — Itself

Remind Us that we died.

380. THERE IS A FLOWER THAT BEES PREFER —

There is a flower that Bees prefer —

And Butterflies — desire —

To gain the Purple Democrat

The Humming Bird — aspire —

And Whatsoever Insect pass —

A Honey bear away

Proportioned to his several dearth

And her — capacity —

Her face be rounder than the Moon

And ruddier than the Gown

Or Orchis in the Pasture —

Or Rhododendron — worn —

She doth not wait for June —

Before the World be Green —

Her sturdy little Countenance

Against the Wind — be seen —

Contending with the Grass —

Near Kinsman to Herself —

For Privilege of Sod and Sun —

Sweet Litigants for Life —

And when the Hills be full —

And newer fashions blow —

Doth not retract a single spice

For pang of jealousy —

Her Public — be the Noon —

Her Providence — the Sun —

Her Progress — by the Bee — proclaimed —

In sovereign — Swerveless Tune —

The Bravest — of the Host —

Surrendering — the last —

Nor even of Defeat — aware —

What cancelled by the Frost —

381. A SECRET TOLD —

A Secret told —

Ceases to be a Secret — then —

A Secret — kept —

That — can appal but One —

Better of it — continual be afraid —

Than it —

And Whom you told it to — beside —

382. FOR DEATH — OR RATHER

For Death — or rather

For the Things 'twould buy —

This — put away

Life's Opportunity —

The Things that Death will buy

Are Room —

Escape from Circumstances —

And a Name —

With Gifts of Life

How Death's Gifts may compare —

We know not —

For the Rates — lie Here —

383. EXHILARATION — IS WITHIN —

Exhilaration — is within —

There can no Outer Wine

So royally intoxicate

As that diviner Brand

The Soul achieves — Herself —

To drink — or set away

For Visitor — Or Sacrament —

'Tis not of Holiday

To stimulate a Man

Who hath the Ample Rhine

Within his Closet — Best you can

Exhale in offering.

384. NO RACK CAN TORTURE ME —

No Rack can torture me —

My Soul — at Liberty —

Behind this mortal Bone

There knits a bolder One —

You cannot prick with saw —

Nor pierce with Scimitar —

Two Bodies — therefore be —

Bind One — The Other fly —

The Eagle of his Nest

No easier divest —

And gain the Sky

Than mayest Thou —

Except Thyself may be

Thine Enemy —

Captivity is Consciousness —

So's Liberty.

385. SMILING BACK FROM CORONATION

Smiling back from Coronation

May be Luxury —

On the Heads that started with us —

Being's Peasantry —

Recognizing in Procession

Ones We former knew —

When Ourselves were also dusty —

Centuries ago —

Had the Triumph no Conviction

Of how many be —

Stimulated — by the Contrast —

Unto Misery —

386. ANSWER JULY —

Answer July —

Where is the Bee —

Where is the Blush —

Where is the Hay?

Ah, said July —

Where is the Seed —

Where is the Bud —

Where is the May —

Answer Thee — Me —

Nay — said the May —

Show me the Snow —

Show me the Bells —

Show me the Jay!

Quibbled the Jay —

Where be the Maize —

Where be the Haze —

Where be the Bur?

Here — said the Year —

387. THE SWEETEST HERESY RECEIVED

The sweetest Heresy received

That Man and Woman know —

Each Other's Convert —

Though the Faith accommodate but Two —

The Churches are so frequent —

The Ritual — so small —

The Grace so unavoidable —

To fail — is Infidel —

388. TAKE YOUR HEAVEN FURTHER ON —

Take your Heaven further on —

This — to Heaven divine Has gone —

Had You earlier blundered in

Possibly, e'en You had seen

An Eternity — put on —

Now — to ring a Door beyond

Is the utmost of Your Hand —

To the Skies — apologize —

Nearer to Your Courtesies

Than this Sufferer polite —

Dressed to meet You —

See — in White!

389. THERE'S BEEN A DEATH, IN THE OPPOSITE HOUSE,

There's been a Death, in the Opposite House,

As lately as Today —

I know it, by the numb look

Such Houses have — alway —

The Neighbors rustle in and out —

The Doctor — drives away —

A Window opens like a Pod —

Abrupt — mechanically —

Somebody flings a Mattress out —

The Children hurry by —

They wonder if it died — on that —

I used to — when a Boy —

The Minister — goes stiffly in —

As if the House were His —

And He owned all the Mourners — now —

And little Boys — besides —

And then the Milliner — and the Man

Of the Appalling Trade —

To take the measure of the House —

There'll be that Dark Parade —

Of Tassels — and of Coaches — soon —

It's easy as a Sign —

The Intuition of the News —

In just a Country Town —

390. IT'S COMING — THE POSTPONELESS CREATURE —

It's coming — the postponeless Creature —

It gains the Block — and now — it gains the Door —

Chooses its latch, from all the other fastenings —

Enters — with a "You know Me — Sir"?

Simple Salute — and certain Recognition —

Bold — were it Enemy — Brief — were it friend —

Dresses each House in Crape, and Icicle —

And carries one — out of it — to God —

391. A VISITOR IN MARL —

A Visitor in Marl —

Who influences Flowers —

Till they are orderly as Busts —

And Elegant — as Glass —

Who visits in the Night —

And just before the Sun —

Concludes his glistening interview —

Caresses — and is gone —

But whom his fingers touched —

And where his feet have run —

And whatsoever Mouth be kissed —

Is as it had not been —

392. THROUGH THE DARK SOD — AS EDUCATION —

Through the Dark Sod — as Education —

The Lily passes sure —

Feels her white foot — no trepidation —

Her faith — no fear —

Afterward — in the Meadow —

Swinging her Beryl Bell —

The Mold-life — all forgotten — now —

In Ecstasy — and Dell —

393. DID OUR BEST MOMENT LAST —

Did Our Best Moment last —

'Twould supersede the Heaven —

A few — and they by Risk — procure —

So this Sort — are not given —

Except as stimulants — in

Cases of Despair —

Or Stupor — The Reserve —

These Heavenly Moments are —

A Grant of the Divine —

That Certain as it Comes —

Withdraws — and leaves the dazzled Soul

In her unfurnished Rooms

394. 'TWAS LOVE — NOT ME —

'Twas Love — not me —

Oh punish — pray —

The Real one died for Thee —

Just Him — not me —

Such Guilt — to love Thee — most!

Doom it beyond the Rest —

Forgive it — last —

'Twas base as Jesus — most!

Let Justice not mistake —

We Two — looked so alike —

Which was the Guilty Sake —

'Twas Love's — Now Strike!

395. REVERSE CANNOT BEFALL

Reverse cannot befall

That fine Prosperity

Whose Sources are interior —

As soon — Adversity

A Diamond — overtake

In far — Bolivian Ground —

Misfortune hath no implement

Could mar it — if it found —

396. THERE IS A LANGUOR OF THE LIFE

There is a Languor of the Life

More imminent than Pain —

'Tis Pain's Successor — When the Soul

Has suffered all it can —

A Drowsiness — diffuses —

A Dimness like a Fog

Envelops Consciousness —

As Mists — obliterate a Crag.

The Surgeon — does not blanch — at pain

His Habit — is severe —

But tell him that it ceased to feel —

The Creature lying there —

And he will tell you — skill is late —

A Mightier than He —

Has ministered before Him —

There's no Vitality.

397. WHEN DIAMONDS ARE A LEGEND,

When Diamonds are a Legend,

And Diadems — a Tale —

I Brooch and Earrings for Myself,

Do sow, and Raise for sale —

And tho' I'm scarce accounted,

My Art, a Summer Day — had Patrons —

Once — it was a Queen —

And once — a Butterfly —

398. I HAD NOT MINDED — WALLS —

I had not minded — Walls —

Were Universe — one Rock —

And far I heard his silver Call

The other side the Block —

I'd tunnel — till my Groove

Pushed sudden thro' to his —

Then my face take her Recompense —

The looking in his Eyes —

But 'tis a single Hair —

A filament — a law —

A Cobweb — wove in Adamant —

A Battlement — of Straw —

A limit like the Veil

Unto the Lady's face —

But every Mesh — a Citadel —

And Dragons — in the Crease —

399. A HOUSE UPON THE HEIGHT —

A House upon the Height —

That Wagon never reached —

No Dead, were ever carried down —

No Peddler's Cart — approached —

Whose Chimney never smoked —

Whose Windows — Night and Morn —

Caught Sunrise first — and Sunset — last —

Then — held an Empty Pane —

Whose fate — Conjecture knew —

No other neighbor — did —

And what it was — we never lisped —

Because He — never told —

400. A TONGUE — TO TELL HIM I AM TRUE!

A Tongue — to tell Him I am true!

Its fee — to be of Gold —

Had Nature — in Her monstrous House

A single Ragged Child —

To earn a Mine — would run

That Interdicted Way,

And tell Him — Charge thee speak it plain —

That so far — Truth is True?

And answer What I do —

Beginning with the Day

That Night — begun —

Nay — Midnight — 'twas —

Since Midnight — happened — say —

If once more — Pardon — Boy —

The Magnitude thou may

Enlarge my Message — If too vast

Another Lad — help thee —

Thy Pay — in Diamonds — be —

And His — in solid Gold —

Say Rubies — if He hesitate —

My Message — must be told —

Say — last I said — was This —

That when the Hills — come down —

And hold no higher than the Plain —

My Bond — have just begun —

And when the Heavens — disband —

And Deity conclude —

Then — look for me. Be sure you say —

Least Figure — on the Road —

401. WHAT SOFT — CHERUBIC CREATURES —

What Soft — Cherubic Creatures —

These Gentlewomen are —

One would as soon assault a Plush —

Or violate a Star —

Such Dimity Convictions —

A Horror so refined

Of freckled Human Nature —

Of Deity — ashamed —

It's such a common — Glory —

A Fisherman's — Degree —

Redemption — Brittle Lady —

Be so — ashamed of Thee —

402. I PAY — IN SATIN CASH —

I pay — in Satin Cash —

You did not state — your price —

A Petal, for a Paragraph

It near as I can guess —

403. THE WINTERS ARE SO SHORT —

The Winters are so short —

I'm hardly justified

In sending all the Birds away —

And moving into Pod —

Myself — for scarcely settled —

The Phoebes have begun —

And then — it's time to strike my Tent —

And open House — again —

It's mostly, interruptions —

My Summer — is despoiled —

Because there was a Winter — once —

And al the Cattle — starved —

And so there was a Deluge —

And swept the World away —

But Ararat's a Legend — now —

And no one credits Noah —

404. HOW MANY FLOWERS FAIL IN WOOD —

How many Flowers fail in Wood —

Or perish from the Hill —

Without the privilege to know

That they are Beautiful —

How many cast a nameless Pod

Upon the nearest Breeze —

Unconscious of the Scarlet Freight —

It bear to Other Eyes —

405. IT MIGHT BE LONELIER

It might be lonelier

Without the Loneliness —

I'm so accustomed to my Fate —

Perhaps the Other — Peace —

Would interrupt the Dark —

And crowd the little Room —

Too scant — by Cubits — to contain

The Sacrament — of Him —

I am not used to Hope —

It might intrude upon —

Its sweet parade — blaspheme the place —

Ordained to Suffering —

It might be easier

To fail — with Land in Sight —

Than gain — My Blue Peninsula —

To perish — of Delight —

406. SOME — WORK FOR IMMORTALITY —

Some — Work for Immortality —

The Chiefer part, for Time —

He — Compensates — immediately —

The former — Checks — on Fame —

Slow Gold — but Everlasting —

The Bullion of Today —

Contrasted with the Currency

Of Immortality —

A Beggar — Here and There —

Is gifted to discern

Beyond the Broker's insight —

One's — Money — One's — the Mine -

407. IF WHAT WE COULD — WERE WHAT WE WOULD —

If What we could — were what we would —

Criterion — be small —

It is the Ultimate of Talk —

The Impotence to Tell —

408. UNIT, LIKE DEATH, FOR WHOM?

Unit, like Death, for Whom?

True, like the Tomb,

Who tells no secret

Told to Him —

The Grave is strict —

Tickets admit

Just two — the Bearer —

And the Borne —

And seat — just One —

The Living — tell —

The Dying — but a Syllable —

The Coy Dead — None —

No Chatter — here — no tea —

So Babbler, and Bohea — stay there —

But Gravity — and Expectation — and Fear —

A tremor just, that All's not sure.

409. THEY DROPPED LIKE FLAKES —

They dropped like Flakes —

They dropped like Stars —

Like Petals from a Rose —

When suddenly across the June

A wind with fingers — goes —

They perished in the Seamless Grass —

No eye could find the place —

But God can summon every face

Of his Repealless — List.

410. THE FIRST DAY'S NIGHT HAD COME —

The first Day's Night had come —

And grateful that a thing

So terrible — had been endured —

I told my Soul to sing —

She said her Strings were snapt —

Her Bow — to Atoms blown —

And so to mend her — gave me work

Until another Morn —

And then — a Day as huge

As Yesterdays in pairs,

Unrolled its horror in my face —

Until it blocked my eyes —

My Brain — begun to laugh —

I mumbled — like a fool —

And tho' 'tis Years ago — that Day —

My Brain keeps giggling — still.

And Something's odd — within —

That person that I was —

And this One — do not feel the same —

Could it be Madness — this?

411. THE COLOR OF THE GRAVE IS GREEN —

The Color of the Grave is Green —

The Outer Grave — I mean —

You would not know it from the Field —

Except it own a Stone —

To help the fond — to find it —

Too infinite asleep

To stop and tell them where it is —

But just a Daisy — deep —

The Color of the Grave is white —

The outer Grave — I mean —

You would not know it from the Drifts —

In Winter — till the Sun —

Has furrowed out the Aisles —

Then — higher than the Land

The little Dwelling Houses rise

Where each — has left a friend —

The Color of the Grave within —

The Duplicate — I mean —

Not all the Snows could make it white —

Not all the Summers — Green —

You've seen the Color — maybe —

Upon a Bonnet bound —

When that you met it with before —

The Ferret — cannot find —

412. I READ MY SENTENCE — STEADILY —

I read my sentence — steadily —

Reviewed it with my eyes,

To see that I made no mistake

In its extremest clause —

The Date, and manner, of the shame —

And then the Pious Form

That "God have mercy" on the Soul

The Jury voted Him —

I made my soul familiar — with her extremity —

That at the last, it should not be a novel Agony —

But she, and Death, acquainted —

Meet tranquilly, as friends —

Salute, and pass, without a Hint —

And there, the Matter ends —

413. I NEVER FELT AT HOME — BELOW —-

I never felt at Home — Below —-

And in the Handsome Skies

I shall not feel at Home — I know —

I don't like Paradise —

Because it's Sunday — all the time —

And Recess — never comes —

And Eden'll be so lonesome

Bright Wednesday Afternoons —

If God could make a visit —

Or ever took a Nap —

So not to see us — but they say

Himself — a Telescope

Perennial beholds us —

Myself would run away

From Him — and Holy Ghost — and All —

But there's the "Judgement Day"!

414. 'TWAS LIKE A MAELSTROM, WITH A NOTCH,

'Twas like a Maelstrom, with a notch,

That nearer, every Day,

Kept narrowing its boiling Wheel

Until the Agony

Toyed coolly with the final inch

Of your delirious Hem —

And you dropt, lost,

When something broke —

And let you from a Dream —

As if a Goblin with a Gauge —

Kept measuring the Hours —

Until you felt your Second

Weigh, helpless, in his Paws —

And not a Sinew — stirred — could help,

And sense was setting numb —

When God — remembered — and the Fiend

Let go, then, Overcome —

As if your Sentence stood — pronounced —

And you were frozen led

From Dungeon's luxury of Doubt

To Gibbets, and the Dead —

And when the Film had stitched your eyes

A Creature gasped "Reprieve"!

Which Anguish was the utterest — then —

To perish, or to live?

415. SUNSET AT NIGHT — IS NATURAL —

Sunset at Night — is natural —

But Sunset on the Dawn

Reverses Nature — Master —

So Midnight's — due — at Noon.

Eclipses be — predicted —

And Science bows them in —

But do one face us suddenly —

Jehovah's Watch — is wrong.

416. A MURMUR IN THE TREES — TO NOTE —

A Murmur in the Trees — to note —

Not loud enough — for Wind —

A Star — not far enough to seek —

Nor near enough — to find —

A long — long Yellow — on the Lawn —

A Hubbub — as of feet —

Not audible — as Ours — to Us —

But dapperer — More Sweet —

A Hurrying Home of little Men

To Houses unperceived —

All this — and more — if I should tell —

Would never be believed —

Of Robins in the Trundle bed

How many I espy

Whose Nightgowns could not hide the Wings —

Although I heard them try —

But then I promised ne'er to tell —

How could I break My Word?

So go your Way — and I'll go Mine —

No fear you'll miss the Road.

417. IS IT DEAD — FIND IT —

Is it dead — Find it —

Out of sound — Out of sight —

"Happy"? Which is wiser —

You, or the Wind?

"Conscious"? Won't you ask that —

Of the low Ground?

"Homesick"? Many met it —

Even through them — This

Cannot testify —

Themself — as dumb —

418. NOT IN THIS WORLD TO SEE HIS FACE —

Not in this World to see his face —

Sounds long — until I read the place

Where this — is said to be

But just the Primer — to a life —

Unopened — rare — Upon the Shelf —

Clasped yet — to Him — and Me —

And yet — My Primer suits me so

I would not choose — a Book to know

Than that — be sweeter wise —

Might some one else — so learned — be —

And leave me — just my A — B — C —

Himself — could have the Skies —

419. WE GROW ACCUSTOMED TO THE DARK —

We grow accustomed to the Dark —

When light is put away —

As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp

To witness her Goodbye —

A Moment — We uncertain step

For newness of the night —

Then — fit our Vision to the Dark —

And meet the Road — erect —

And so of larger — Darkness —

Those Evenings of the Brain —

When not a Moon disclose a sign —

Or Star — come out — within —

The Bravest — grope a little —

And sometimes hit a Tree

Directly in the Forehead —

But as they learn to see —

Either the Darkness alters —

Or something in the sight

Adjusts itself to Midnight —

And Life steps almost straight.

420. YOU'LL KNOW IT — AS YOU KNOW 'TIS NOON —

You'll know it — as you know 'tis Noon —

By Glory —

As you do the Sun —

By Glory —

As you will in Heaven —

Know God the Father — and the Son.

By intuition, Mightiest Things

Assert themselves — and not by terms —

"I'm Midnight" — need the Midnight say —

"I'm Sunrise" — Need the Majesty?

Omnipotence — had not a Tongue —

His lisp — is Lightning — and the Sun —

His Conversation — with the Sea —

"How shall you know"?

Consult your Eye!

421. A CHARM INVESTS A FACE

A Charm invests a face

Imperfectly beheld —

The Lady dare not lift her Veil

For fear it be dispelled —

But peers beyond her mesh —

And wishes — and denies —

Lest Interview — annul a want

That Image — satisfies —

422. MORE LIFE — WENT OUT — WHEN HE WENT

More Life — went out — when He went

Than Ordinary Breath —

Lit with a finer Phosphor —

Requiring in the Quench —

A Power of Renowned Cold,

The Climate of the Grave

A Temperature just adequate

So Anthracite, to live —

For some — an Ampler Zero —

A Frost more needle keen

Is necessary, to reduce

The Ethiop within.

Others — extinguish easier —

A Gnat's minutest Fan

Sufficient to obliterate

A Tract of Citizen —

Whose Peat lift — amply vivid —

Ignores the solemn News

That Popocatapel exists —

Or Etna's Scarlets, Choose —

423. THE MONTHS HAVE ENDS — THE YEARS — A KNOT —

The Months have ends — the Years — a knot —

No Power can untie

To stretch a little further

A Skein of Misery —

The Earth lays back these tired lives

In her mysterious Drawers —

Too tenderly, that any doubt

An ultimate Repose —

The manner of the Children —

Who weary of the Day —

Themself — the noisy Plaything

They cannot put away —

424. REMOVED FROM ACCIDENT OF LOSS

Removed from Accident of Loss

By Accident of Gain

Befalling not my simple Days —

Myself had just to earn —

Of Riches — as unconscious

As is the Brown Malay

Of Pearls in Eastern Waters,

Marked His — What Holiday

Would stir his slow conception —

Had he the power to dream

That put the Dower's fraction —

Awaited even — Him —

425. GOOD MORNING — MIDNIGHT —

Good Morning — Midnight —

I'm coming Home —

Day — got tired of Me —

How could I — of Him?

Sunshine was a sweet place —

I liked to stay —

But Morn — didn't want me — now —

So — Goodnight — Day!

I can look — can't I —

When the East is Red?

The Hills — have a way — then —

That puts the Heart — abroad —

You — are not so fair — Midnight —

I chose — Day —

But — please take a little Girl —

He turned away!

426. IT DON'T SOUND SO TERRIBLE — QUITE — AS IT DID —

It don't sound so terrible — quite — as it did —

I run it over — "Dead", Brain, "Dead."

Put it in Latin — left of my school —

Seems it don't shriek so — under rule.

Turn it, a little — full in the face

A Trouble looks bitterest —

Shift it — just —

Say "When Tomorrow comes this way —

I shall have waded down one Day."

I suppose it will interrupt me some

Till I get accustomed — but then the Tomb

Like other new Things — shows largest — then —

And smaller, by Habit —

It's shrewder then

Put the Thought in advance — a Year —

How like "a fit" — then —

Murder — wear!

427. I'LL CLUTCH — AND CLUTCH —

I'll clutch — and clutch —

Next — One — Might be the golden touch —

Could take it —

Diamonds — Wait —

I'm diving — just a little late —

But stars — go slow — for night —

I'll string you — in fine Necklace —

Tiaras — make — of some —

Wear you on Hem —

Loop up a Countess — with you —

Make — a Diadem — and mend my old One —

Count — Hoard — then lose —

And doubt that you are mine —

To have the joy of feeling it — again —

I'll show you at the Court —

Bear you — for Ornament

Where Women breathe —

That every sigh — may lift you

Just as high — as I —

And — when I die —

In meek array — display you —

Still to show — how rich I go —

Lest Skies impeach a wealth so wonderful —

And banish me —

428. TAKING UP THE FAIR IDEAL,

Taking up the fair Ideal,

Just to cast her down

When a fracture — we discover —

Or a splintered Crown —

Makes the Heavens portable —

And the Gods — a lie —

Doubtless — "Adam" — scowled at Eden —

For his perjury!

Cherishing — our pool Ideal —

Till in purer dress —

We behold her — glorified —

Comforts — search — like this —

Till the broken creatures —

We adored — for whole —

Stains — all washed —

Transfigured — mended —

Meet us — with a smile —

429. THE MOON IS DISTANT FROM THE SEA —

The Moon is distant from the Sea —

And yet, with Amber Hands —

She leads Him — docile as a Boy —

Along appointed Sands —

He never misses a Degree —

Obedient to Her Eye

He comes just so far — toward the Town —

Just so far — goes away —

Oh, Signor, Thine, the Amber Hand —

And mine — the distant Sea —

Obedient to the least command

Thine eye impose on me —

430. IT WOULD NEVER BE COMMON — MORE — I SAID —

It would never be Common — more — I said —

Difference — had begun —

Many a bitterness — had been —

But that old sort — was done —

Or — if it sometime — showed — as 'twill —

Upon the Downiest — Morn —

Such bliss — had I — for all the years —

'Twould give an Easier — pain —

I'd so much joy — I told it — Red —

Upon my simple Cheek —

I felt it publish — in my Eye —

'Twas needless — any speak —

I walked — as wings — my body bore —

The feet — I former used —

Unnecessary — now to me —

As boots — would be — to Birds —

I put my pleasure all abroad —

I dealth a word of Gold

To every Creature — that I met —

And Dowered — all the World —

When — suddenly — my Riches shrank —

A Goblin — drank my Dew —

My Palaces — dropped tenantless —

Myself — was beggared — too —

I clutched at sounds —

I groped at shapes —

I touched the tops of Films —

I felt the Wilderness roll back

Along my Golden lines —

The Sackcloth — hangs upon the nail —

The Frock I used to wear —

But where my moment of Brocade —

My — drop — of India?

431. ME — COME! MY DAZZLED FACE

Me — come! My dazzled face

In such a shining place!

Me — hear! My foreign Ear

The sounds of Welcome — there!

The Saints forget

Our bashful feet —

My Holiday, shall be

That They — remember me —

My Paradise — the fame

That They — pronounce my name —

432. DO PEOPLE MOULDER EQUALLY,

Do People moulder equally,

They bury, in the Grave?

I do believe a Species

As positively live

As I, who testify it

Deny that I — am dead —

And fill my Lungs, for Witness —

From Tanks — above my Head —

I say to you, said Jesus —

That there be standing here —

A Sort, that shall not taste of Death —

If Jesus was sincere —

I need no further Argue —

That statement of the Lord

Is not a controvertible —

He told me, Death was dead —

433. KNOWS HOW TO FORGET!

Knows how to forget!

But could It teach it?

Easiest of Arts, they say

When one learn how

Dull Hearts have died

In the Acquisition

Sacrificed for Science

Is common, though, now —

I went to School

But was not wiser

Globe did not teach it

Nor Logarithm Show

"How to forget"!

Say — some — Philosopher!

Ah, to be erudite

Enough to know!

Is it in a Book?

So, I could buy it —

Is it like a Planet?

Telescopes would know —

If it be invention

It must have a Patent.

Rabbi of the Wise Book

Don't you know?

434. TO LOVE THEE YEAR BY YEAR —

To love thee Year by Year —

May less appear

Than sacrifice, and cease —

However, dear,

Forever might be short, I thought to show —

And so I pieced it, with a flower, now.

435. MUCH MADNESS IS DIVINEST SENSE —

Much madness is divinest sense

To a discerning eye ;

Much sense the starkest madness.

'T is the majority

In this, as all, prevails.

Assent, and you are sane ;

Demur, — you're straightway dangerous,

And handled with a chain.

436. THE WIND — TAPPED LIKE A TIRED MAN —

The Wind — tapped like a tired Man —

And like a Host — "Come in"

I boldly answered — entered then

My Residence within

A Rapid — footless Guest —

To offer whom a Chair

Were as impossible as hand

A Sofa to the Air —

No Bone had He to bind Him —

His Speech was like the Push

Of numerous Humming Birds at once

From a superior Bush —

His Countenance — a Billow —

His Fingers, as He passed

Let go a music — as of tunes

Blown tremulous in Glass —

He visited — still flitting —

Then like a timid Man

Again, He tapped — 'twas flurriedly —

And I became alone —

437. PRAYER IS THE LITTLE IMPLEMENT

Prayer is the little implement

Through which Men reach

Where Presence — is denied them.

They fling their Speech

By means of it — in God's Ear —

If then He hear —

This sums the Apparatus

Comprised in Prayer —

438. FORGET! THE LADY WITH THE AMULET

Forget! The lady with the Amulet

Forget she wore it at her Heart

Because she breathed against

Was Treason twixt?

Deny! Did Rose her Bee —

For Privilege of Play

Or Wile of Butterfly

Or Opportunity — Her Lord away?

The lady with the Amulet — will face —

The Bee — in Mausoleum laid —

Discard his Bride —

But longer than the little Rill —

That cooled the Forehead of the Hill —

While Other — went the Sea to fill —

And Other — went to turn the Mill —

I'll do thy Will —

439. UNDUE SIGNIFICANCE A STARVING MAN ATTACHES

Undue Significance a starving man attaches

To Food —

Far off — He sighs — and therefore — Hopeless —

And therefore — Good —

Partaken — it relieves — indeed —

But proves us

That Spices fly

In the Receipt — It was the Distance —

Was Savory —

440. 'TIS CUSTOMARY AS WE PART

'Tis customary as we part

A trinket — to confer —

It helps to stimulate the faith

When Lovers be afar —

'Tis various — as the various taste —

Clematis — journeying far —

Presents me with a single Curl

Of her Electric Hair —

441. THIS IS MY LETTER TO THE WORLD

This is my letter to the World

That never wrote to Me —

The simple News that Nature told —

With tender Majesty

Her Message is committed

To Hands I cannot see —

For love of Her — Sweet — countrymen —

Judge tenderly — of Me

442. GOD MADE A LITTLE GENTIAN —

God made a little Gentian —

It tried — to be a Rose —

And failed — and all the Summer laughed —

But just before the Snows

There rose a Purple Creature —

That ravished all the Hill —

And Summer hid her Forehead —

And Mockery — was still —

The Frosts were her condition —

The Tyrian would not come

Until the North — invoke it —

Creator — Shall I — bloom?

443. I TIE MY HAT — I CREASE MY SHAWL —

I tie my Hat — I crease my Shawl —

Life's little duties do — precisely —

As the very least

Were infinite — to me —

I put new Blossoms in the Glass —

And throw the old — away —

I push a petal from my Gown

That anchored there — I weigh

The time 'twill be till six o'clock

I have so much to do —

And yet — Existence — some way back —

Stopped — struck — my ticking — through —

We cannot put Ourself away

As a completed Man

Or Woman — When the Errand's done

We came to Flesh — upon —

There may be — Miles on Miles of Nought —

Of Action — sicker far —

To simulate — is stinging work —

To cover what we are

From Science — and from Surgery —

Too Telescopic Eyes

To bear on us unshaded —

For their — sake — not for Ours —

'Twould start them —

We — could tremble —

But since we got a Bomb —

And held it in our Bosom —

Nay — Hold it — it is calm —

Therefore — we do life's labor —

Though life's Reward — be done —

With scrupulous exactness —

To hold our Senses — on —

444. IT FEELS A SHAME TO BE ALIVE —

It feels a shame to be Alive —

When Men so brave — are dead —

One envies the Distinguished Dust —

Permitted — such a Head —

The Stone — that tells defending Whom

This Spartan put away

What little of Him we — possessed

In Pawn for Liberty —

The price is great — Sublimely paid —

Do we deserve — a Thing —

That lives — like Dollars — must be piled

Before we may obtain?

Are we that wait — sufficient worth —

That such Enormous Pearl

As life — dissolved be — for Us —

In Battle's — horrid Bowl?

It may be — a Renown to live —

I think the Man who die —

Those unsustained — Saviors —

Present Divinity —

445. 'TWAS JUST THIS TIME, LAST YEAR, I DIED.

'Twas just this time, last year, I died.

I know I heard the Corn,

When I was carried by the Farms —

It had the Tassels on —

I thought how yellow it would look —

When Richard went to mill —

And then, I wanted to get out,

But something held my will.

I thought just how Red — Apples wedged

The Stubble's joints between —

And the Carts stooping round the fields

To take the Pumpkins in —

I wondered which would miss me, least,

And when Thanksgiving, came,

If Father'd multiply the plates —

To make an even Sum —

And would it blur the Christmas glee

My Stocking hang too high

For any Santa Claus to reach

The Altitude of me —

But this sort, grieved myself,

And so, I thought the other way,

How just this time, some perfect year —

Themself, should come to me —

446. I SHOWED HER HEIGHTS SHE NEVER SAW —

I showed her Heights she never saw —

"Would'st Climb," I said?

She said — "Not so" —

"With me —" I said — With me?

I showed her Secrets — Morning's Nest —

The Rope the Nights were put across —

And now — "Would'st have me for a Guest?"

She could not find her Yes —

And then, I brake my life — And Lo,

A Light, for her, did solemn glow,

The larger, as her face withdrew —

And could she, further, "No"?

447. COULD — I DO MORE — FOR THEE —

Could — I do more — for Thee —

Wert Thou a Bumble Bee —

Since for the Queen, have I —

Nought but Bouquet?

448. THIS WAS A POET — IT IS THAT

This was a Poet — It is That

Distills amazing sense

From ordinary Meanings —

And Attar so immense

From the familiar species

That perished by the Door —

We wonder it was not Ourselves

Arrested it — before —

Of Pictures, the Discloser —

The Poet — it is He —

Entitles Us — by Contrast —

To ceaseless Poverty —

Of portion — so unconscious —

The Robbing — could not harm —

Himself — to Him — a Fortune —

Exterior — to Time —

449. I DIED FOR BEAUTY — BUT WAS SCARCE

I died for beauty, but was scarce

Adjusted in the tomb,

When one who died for truth was lain

In an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed ?

"For beauty," I replied.

"And I for truth, — the two are one ;

We brethren are," he said.

And so, as kinsmen met a night,

We talked between the rooms,

Until the moss had reached our lips,

And covered up our names.

450. DREAMS — ARE WELL — BUT WAKING'S BETTER,

Dreams — are well — but Waking's better,

If One wake at morn —

If One wake at Midnight — better —

Dreaming — of the Dawn —

Sweeter — the Surmising Robins —

Never gladdened Tree —

Than a Solid Dawn — confronting —

Leading to no Day —

451. THE OUTER — FROM THE INNER

The Outer — from the Inner

Derives its Magnitude —

'Tis Duke, or Dwarf, according

As is the Central Mood —

The fine — unvarying Axis

That regulates the Wheel —

Though Spokes — spin — more conspicuous

And fling a dust — the while.

The Inner — paints the Outer —

The Brush without the Hand —

Its Picture publishes — precise —

As is the inner Brand —

On fine — Arterial Canvas —

A Cheek — perchance a Brow —

The Star's whole Secret — in the Lake —

Eyes were not meant to know.

452. THE MALAY — TOOK THE PEARL —

The Malay — took the Pearl —

Not — I — the Earl —

I — feared the Sea — too much

Unsanctified — to touch —

Praying that I might be

Worthy — the Destiny —

The Swarthy fellow swam —

And bore my Jewel — Home —

Home to the Hut! What lot

Had I — the Jewel — got —

Borne on a Dusky Breast —

I had not deemed a Vest

Of Amber — fit —

The Negro never knew

I — wooed it — too —

To gain, or be undone —

Alike to Him — One —

453. LOVE — THOU ART HIGH —

Love — thou art high —

I cannot climb thee —

But, were it Two —

Who knows but we —

Taking turns — at the Chimborazo —

Ducal — at last — stand up by thee —

Love — thou are deep —

I cannot cross thee —

But, were there Two

Instead of One —

Rower, and Yacht — some sovereign Summer —

Who knows — but we'd reach the Sun?

Love — thou are Veiled —

A few — behold thee —

Smile — and alter — and prattle — and die —

Bliss — were an Oddity — without thee —

Nicknamed by God —

Eternity —

454. IT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE GODS —

It was given to me by the Gods —

When I was a little Girl —

They given us Presents most — you know —

When we are new — and small.

I kept it in my Hand —

I never put it down —

I did not dare to eat — or sleep —

For fear it would be gone —

I heard such words as "Rich" —

When hurrying to school —

From lips at Corners of the Streets —

And wrestled with a smile.

Rich! 'Twas Myself — was rich —

To take the name of Gold —

And Gold to own — in solid Bars —

The Difference — made me bold —

455. TRIUMPH — MAY BE OF SEVERAL KINDS —

Triumph — may be of several kinds —

There's Triumph in the Room

When that Old Imperator — Death —

By Faith

456. SO WELL THAT I CAN LIVE WITHOUT —

So well that I can live without —

I love thee — then How well is that?

As well as Jesus?

Prove it me

That He — loved Men —

As I — love thee —

457. SWEET — SAFE — HOUSES —

Sweet — safe — Houses —

Glad — gay — Houses —

Sealed so stately tight —

Lids of Steel — on Lids of Marble —

Locking Bare feet out —

Brooks of Plush — in Banks of Satin

Not so softly fall

As the laughter — and the whisper —

From their People Pearl —

No Bald Death — affront their Parlors —

No Bold Sickness come

To deface their Stately Treasures —

Anguish — and the Tomb —

Hum by — in Muffled Coaches —

Lest they — wonder Why —

Any — for the Press of Smiling —

Interrupt — to die —

458. LIKE EYES THAT LOOKED ON WASTES —

Like eyes that looked on Wastes —

Incredulous of Ought

But Blank — and steady Wilderness —

Diversified by Night —

Just Infinites of Nought —

As far as it could see —

So looked the face I looked upon —

So looked itself — on Me —

I offered it no Help —

Because the Cause was Mine —

The Misery a Compact

As hopeless — as divine —

Neither — would be absolved —

Neither would be a Queen

Without the Other — Therefore —

We perish — tho' We reign —

459. A TOOTH UPON OUR PEACE

A Tooth upon Our Peace

The Peace cannot deface —

Then Wherefore be the Tooth?

To vitalize the Grace —

The Heaven hath a Hell —

Itself to signalize —

And every sign before the Place

Is Gilt with Sacrifice —

460. I KNOW WHERE WELLS GROW — DROUGHTLESS WELLS —

I know where Wells grow — Droughtless Wells —

Deep dug — for Summer days —

Where Mosses go no more away —

And Pebble — safely plays —

It's made of Fathoms — and a Belt —

A Belt of jagged Stone —

Inlaid with Emerald — half way down —

And Diamonds — jumbled on —

It has no Bucket — Were I rich

A Bucket I would buy —

I'm often thirsty — but my lips

Are so high up — You see —

I read in an Old fashioned Book

That People "thirst no more" —

The Wells have Buckets to them there —

It must mean that — I'm sure —

Shall We remember Parching — then?

Those Waters sound so grand —

I think a little Well — like Mine —

Dearer to understand —

461. A WIFE — AT DAYBREAK I SHALL BE —

A Wife — at daybreak I shall be —

Sunrise — Hast thou a Flag for me?

At Midnight, I am but a Maid,

How short it takes to make a Bride —

Then — Midnight, I have passed from thee

Unto the East, and Victory —

Midnight — Good Night! I hear them call,

The Angels bustle in the Hall —

Softly my Future climbs the Stair,

I fumble at my Childhood's prayer

So soon to be a Child no more —

Eternity, I'm coming — Sire,

Savior — I've seen the face — before!

462. WHY MAKE IT DOUBT — IT HURTS IT SO —

Why make it doubt — it hurts it so —

So sick — to guess —

So strong — to know —

So brave — upon its little Bed

To tell the very last They said

Unto Itself — and smile — And shake —

For that dear — distant — dangerous — Sake —

But — the Instead — the Pinching fear

That Something — it did do — or dare —

Offend the Vision — and it flee —

And They no more remember me —

Nor ever turn to tell me why —

Oh, Master, This is Misery —

463. I LIVE WITH HIM — I SEE HIS FACE —

I live with Him — I see His face —

I go no more away

For Visitor — or Sundown —

Death's single privacy

The Only One — forestalling Mine —

And that — by Right that He

Presents a Claim invisible —

No wedlock — granted Me —

I live with Him — I hear His Voice —

I stand alive — Today —

To witness to the Certainty

Of Immortality —

Taught Me — by Time — the lower Way —

Conviction — Every day —

That Life like This — is stopless —

Be Judgment — what it may —

464. THE POWER TO BE TRUE TO YOU,

The power to be true to You,

Until upon my face

The Judgment push his Picture —

Presumptuous of Your Place —

Of This — Could Man deprive Me —

Himself — the Heaven excel —

Whose invitation — Yours reduced

Until it showed too small —

465. I HEARD A FLY BUZZ — WHEN I DIED —

I heard a Fly buzz — when I died —

The Stillness in the Room

Was like the Stillness in the Air —

Between the Heaves of Storm —

The Eyes around — had wrung them dry —

And Breaths were gathering firm

For that last Onset — when the King

Be witnessed — in the Room —

I willed my Keepsakes — Signed away

What portion of me be

Assignable — and then it was

There interposed a Fly —

With Blue — uncertain stumbling Buzz —

Between the light — and me —

And then the Windows failed — and then

I could not see to see—

466. 'TIS LITTLE I — COULD CARE FOR PEARLS —

'Tis little I — could care for Pearls —

Who own the ample sea —

Or Brooches — when the Emperor —

With Rubies — pelteth me —

Or Gold — who am the Prince of Mines —

Or Diamonds — when have I

A Diadem to fit a Dome —

Continual upon me —

467. WE DO NOT PLAY ON GRAVES —

We do not play on Graves —

Because there isn't Room —

Besides — it isn't even — it slants

And People come —

And put a Flower on it —

And hang their faces so —

We're fearing that their Hearts will drop —

And crush our pretty play —

And so we move as far

As Enemies — away —

Just looking round to see how far

It is — Occasionally —

468. THE MANNER OF ITS DEATH

The Manner of its Death

When Certain it must die —

'Tis deemed a privilege to choose —

'Twas Major Andre's Way —

When Choice of Life — is past —

There yet remains a Love

Its little Fate to stipulate —

How small in those who live —

The Miracle to tease

With Bable of the styles —

How "they are Dying mostly — now" —

And Customs at "St. James"!

469. THE RED — BLAZE — IS THE MORNING —

The Red — Blaze — is the Morning —

The Violet — is Noon —

The Yellow — Day — is falling —

And after that — is none —

But Miles of Sparks — at Evening —

Reveal the Width that burned —

The Territory Argent — that

Never yet — consumed —

470. I AM ALIVE — I GUESS —

I am alive — I guess —

The Branches on my Hand

Are full of Morning Glory —

And at my finger's end —

The Carmine — tingles warm —

And if I hold a Glass

Across my Mouth — it blurs it —

Physician's — proof of Breath —

I am alive — because

I am not in a Room —

The Parlor — Commonly — it is —

So Visitors may come —

And lean — and view it sidewise —

And add "How cold — it grew" —

And "Was it conscious — when it stepped

In Immortality?"

I am alive — because

I do not own a House —

Entitled to myself — precise —

And fitting no one else —

And marked my Girlhood's name —

So Visitors may know

Which Door is mine — and not mistake —

And try another Key —

How good — to be alive!

How infinite — to be

Alive — two-fold — The Birth I had —

And this — besides, in — Thee!

471. A NIGHT — THERE LAY THE DAYS BETWEEN —

A Night — there lay the Days between —

The Day that was Before —

And Day that was Behind — were one —

And now — 'twas Night — was here —

Slow — Night — that must be watched away —

As Grains upon a shore —

Too imperceptible to note —

Till it be night — no more —

472. EXCEPT THE HEAVEN HAD COME SO NEAR —

Except the Heaven had come so near —

So seemed to choose My Door —

The Distance would not haunt me so —

I had not hoped — before —

But just to hear the Grace depart —

I never thought to see —

Afflicts me with a Double loss —

'Tis lost — and lost to me —

473. I AM ASHAMED — I HIDE —

I am ashamed — I hide —

What right have I — to be a Bride —

So late a Dowerless Girl —

Nowhere to hide my dazzled Face —

No one to teach me that new Grace —

Nor introduce — my Soul —

Me to adorn — How — tell —

Trinket — to make Me beautiful —

Fabrics of Cashmere —

Never a Gown of Dun — more —

Raiment instead — of Pompadour —

For Me — My soul — to wear —

Fingers — to frame my Round Hair

Oval — as Feudal Ladies wore —

Far Fashions — Fair —

Skill to hold my Brow like an Earl —

Plead — like a Whippoorwill —

Prove — like a Pearl —

Then, for Character —

Fashion My Spirit quaint — white —

Quick — like a Liquor —

Gay — like Light —

Bring Me my best Pride —

No more ashamed —

No more to hide —

Meek — let it be — too proud — for Pride —

Baptized — this Day — a Bride —

474. THEY PUT US FAR APART —

They put Us far apart —

As separate as Sea

And Her unsown Peninsula —

We signified "These see" —

They took away our Eyes —

They thwarted Us with Guns —

"I see Thee" each responded straight

Through Telegraphic Signs —

With Dungeons — They devised —

But through their thickest skill —

And their opaquest Adamant —

Our Souls saw — just as well —

They summoned Us to die —

With sweet alacrity

We stood upon our stapled feet —

Condemned — but just — to see —

Permission to recant —

Permission to forget —

We turned our backs upon the Sun

For perjury of that —

Not Either — noticed Death —

Of Paradise — aware —

Each other's Face — was all the Disc

Each other's setting — saw —

475. DOOM IS THE HOUSE WITHOUT THE DOOR —

Doom is the House without the Door —

'Tis entered from the Sun —

And then the Ladder's thrown away,

Because Escape — is done —

'Tis varied by the Dream

Of what they do outside —

Where Squirrels play — and Berries die —

And Hemlocks — bow — to God —

476. I MEANT TO HAVE BUT MODEST NEEDS —

I meant to have but modest needs —

Such as Content — and Heaven —

Within my income — these could lie

And Life and I — keep even —

But since the last — included both —

It would suffice my Prayer

But just for One — to stipulate —

And Grace would grant the Pair —

And so — upon this wise — I prayed —

Great Spirit — Give to me

A Heaven not so large as Yours,

But large enough — for me —

A Smile suffused Jehovah's face —

The Cherubim — withdrew —

Grave Saints stole out to look at me —

And showed their dimples — too —

I left the Place, with all my might —

I threw my Prayer away —

The Quiet Ages picked it up —

And Judgment — twinkled — too —

Tat one so honest — be extant —

It take the Tale for true —

That "Whatsoever Ye shall ask —

Itself be given You" —

But I, grown shrewder — scan the Skies

With a suspicious Air —

As Children — swindled for the first

All Swindlers — be — infer —

477. NO MAN CAN COMPASS A DESPAIR —

No Man can compass a Despair —

As round a Goalless Road

No faster than a Mile at once

The Traveller proceed —

Unconscious of the Width —

Unconscious that the Sun

Be setting on His progress —

So accurate the One

At estimating Pain —

Whose own — has just begun —

His ignorance — the Angel

That pilot Him along —

478. I HAD NO TIME TO HATE —

I had no time to Hate —

Because

The Grave would hinder Me —

And Life was not so

Ample I

Could finish — Enmity —

Nor had I time to Love —

But since

Some Industry must be —

The little Toil of Love —

I thought

Be large enough for Me —

479. SHE DEALT HER PRETTY WORDS LIKE BLADES —

She dealt her pretty words like Blades —

How glittering they shone —

And every One unbared a Nerve

Or wantoned with a Bone —

She never deemed — she hurt —

That — is not Steel's Affair —

A vulgar grimace in the Flesh —

How ill the Creatures bear —

To Ache is human — not polite —

The Film upon the eye

Mortality's old Custom —

Just locking up — to Die.

480. "WHY DO I LOVE" YOU, SIR?

"Why do I love" You, Sir?

Because —

The Wind does not require the Grass

To answer — Wherefore when He pass

She cannot keep Her place.

Because He knows — and

Do not You —

And We know not —

Enough for Us

The Wisdom it be so —

The Lightning — never asked an Eye

Wherefore it shut — when He was by —

Because He knows it cannot speak —

And reasons not contained —

— Of Talk —

There be — preferred by Daintier Folk —

The Sunrise — Sire — compelleth Me —

Because He's Sunrise — and I see —

Therefore — Then —

I love Thee —

481. THE HIMMALEH WAS KNOWN TO STOOP

The Himmaleh was known to stoop

Unto the Daisy low —

Transported with Compassion

That such a Doll should grow

Where Tent by Tent — Her Universe

Hung out its Flags of Snow —

482. WE COVER THEE — SWEET FACE —

We Cover Thee — Sweet Face —

Not that We tire of Thee —

But that Thyself fatigue of Us —

Remember — as Thou go —

We follow Thee until

Thou notice Us — no more —

And then — reluctant — turn away

To Con Thee o'er and o'er —

And blame the scanty love

We were Content to show —

Augmented — Sweet — a Hundred fold —

If Thou would'st take it — now —

483. A SOLEMN THING WITHIN THE SOUL

A Solemn thing within the Soul

To feel itself get ripe —

And golden hang — while farther up —

The Maker's Ladders stop —

And in the Orchard far below —

You hear a Being — drop —

A Wonderful — to feel the Sun

Still toiling at the Cheek

You thought was finished —

Cool of eye, and critical of Work —

He shifts the stem — a little —

To give your Core — a look —

But solemnest — to know

Your chance in Harvest moves

A little nearer — Every Sun

The Single — to some lives.

484. MY GARDEN — LIKE THE BEACH —

My Garden — like the Beach —

Denotes there be — a Sea —

That's Summer —

Such as These — the Pearls

She fetches — such as Me

485. TO MAKE ONE'S TOILETTE — AFTER DEATH

To make One's Toilette — after Death

Has made the Toilette cool

Of only Taste we cared to please

Is difficult, and still —

That's easier — than Braid the Hair —

And make the Bodice gay —

When eyes that fondled it are wrenched

By Decalogues — away —

486. I WAS THE SLIGHTEST IN THE HOUSE —

I was the slightest in the House —

I took the smallest Room —

At night, my little Lamp, and Book —

And one Geranium —

So stationed I could catch the Mint

That never ceased to fall —

And just my Basket —

Let me think — I'm sure —

That this was all —

I never spoke — unless addressed —

And then, 'twas brief and low —

I could not bear to live — aloud —

The Racket shamed me so —

And if it had not been so far —

And any one I knew

Were going — I had often thought

How noteless — I could die —

487. YOU LOVE THE LORD — YOU CANNOT SEE —

You love the Lord — you cannot see —

You write Him — every day —

A little note — when you awake —

And further in the Day.

An Ample Letter — How you miss —

And would delight to see —

But then His House — is but a Step —

And Mine's — in Heaven — You see.

488. MYSELF WAS FORMED — A CARPENTER —

Myself was formed — a Carpenter —

An unpretending time

My Plane — and I, together wrought

Before a Builder came —

To measure our attainments —

Had we the Art of Boards

Sufficiently developed — He'd hire us

At Halves —

My Tools took Human — Faces —

The Bench, where we had toiled —

Against the Man — persuaded —

We — Temples build — I said —

489. WE PRAY — TO HEAVEN —

We pray — to Heaven —

We prate — of Heaven —

Relate — when Neighbors die —

At what o'clock to heaven — they fled —

Who saw them — Wherefore fly?

Is Heaven a Place — a Sky — a Tree?

Location's narrow way is for Ourselves —

Unto the Dead

There's no Geography —

But State — Endowal — Focus —

Where — Omnipresence — fly?

490. TO ONE DENIED THE DRINK

To One denied the drink

To tell what Water is

Would be acuter, would it not

Than letting Him surmise?

To lead Him to the Well

And let Him hear it drip

Remind Him, would it not, somewhat

Of His condemned lip?

491. WHILE IT IS ALIVE

While it is alive

Until Death touches it

While it and I lap one Air

Dwell in one Blood

Under one Sacrament

Show me Division can split or pare —

Love is like Life — merely longer

Love is like Death, during the Grave

Love is the Fellow of the Resurrection

Scooping up the Dust and chanting "Live"!

492. CIVILIZATION — SPURNS — THE LEOPARD!

Civilization — spurns — the Leopard!

Was the Leopard — bold?

Deserts — never rebuked her Satin —

Ethiop — her Gold —

Tawny — her Customs —

She was Conscious —

Spotted — her Dun Gown —

This was the Leopard's nature — Signor —

Need — a keeper — frown?

Pity — the Pard — that left her Asia —

Memories — of Palm —

Cannot be stifled — with Narcotic —

Nor suppressed — with Balm —

493. THE WORLD — STANDS — SOLEMNER — TO ME —

The World — stands — solemner — to me —

Since I was wed — to Him —

A modesty befits the soul

That bears another's — name —

A doubt — if it be fair — indeed —

To wear that perfect — pearl —

The Man — upon the Woman — binds —

To clasp her soul — for all —

A prayer, that it more angel — prove —

A whiter Gift — within —

To that munificence, that chose —

So unadorned — a Queen —

A Gratitude — that such be true —

It had esteemed the Dream —

Too beautiful — for Shape to prove —

Or posture — to redeem!

494. GOING TO HIM! HAPPY LETTER!

Going to Him! Happy letter!

Tell Him —

Tell Him the page I didn't write —

Tell Him — I only said the Syntax —

And left the Verb and the pronoun out —

Tell Him just how the fingers hurried —

Then — how they waded — slow — slow —

And then you wished you had eyes in your pages —

So you could see what moved them so —

Tell Him — it wasn't a Practised Writer —

You guessed — from the way the sentence toiled —

You could hear the Bodice tug, behind you —

As if it held but the might of a child —

You almost pitied it — you — it worked so —

Tell Him — no — you may quibble there —

For it would split His Heart, to know it —

And then you and I, were silenter.

Tell Him — Night finished — before we finished —

And the Old Clock kept neighing "Day"!

And you — got sleepy — and begged to be ended —

What could it hinder so — to say?

Tell Him — just how she sealed you — Cautious!

But — if He ask where you are hid

Until tomorrow — Happy letter!

Gesture Coquette — and shake your Head!

495. IT'S THOUGHTS — AND JUST ONE HEART —

It's thoughts — and just One Heart —

And Old Sunshine — about —

Make frugal — Ones — Content —

And two or three — for Company —

Upon a Holiday —

Crowded — as Sacrament —

Books — when the Unit —

Spare the Tenant — long eno' —

A Picture — if it Care —

Itself — a Gallery too rare —

For needing more —

Flowers — to keep the Eyes — from going awkward —

When it snows —

A Bird — if they — prefer —

Though Winter fire — sing clear as Plover —

To our — ear —

A Landscape — not so great

To suffocate the Eye —

A Hill — perhaps —

Perhaps — the profile of a Mill

Turned by the Wind —

Tho' such — are luxuries —

It's thoughts — and just two Heart —

And Heaven — about —

At least — a Counterfeit —

We would not have Correct —

And Immortality — can be almost —

Not quite — Content —

496. AS FAR FROM PITY, AS COMPLAINT —

As far from pity, as complaint —

As cool to speech — as stone —

As numb to Revelation

As if my Trade were Bone —

As far from time — as History —

As near yourself — Today —

As Children, to the Rainbow's scarf —

Or Sunset's Yellow play

To eyelids in the Sepulchre —

How dumb the Dancer lies —

While Color's Revelations break —

And blaze — the Butterflies!

497. HE STRAINED MY FAITH —

He strained my faith —

Did he find it supple?

Shook my strong trust —

Did it then — yield?

Hurled my belief —

But — did he shatter — it?

Racked — with suspense —

Not a nerve failed!

Wrung me — with Anguish —

But I never doubted him —

'Tho' for what wrong

He did never say —

Stabbed — while I sued

His sweet forgiveness —

Jesus — it's your little "John"!

Don't you know — me?

498. I ENVY SEAS, WHEREON HE RIDES —

I envy Seas, whereon He rides —

I envy Spokes of Wheels

Of Chariots, that Him convey —

I envy Crooked Hills

That gaze upon His journey —

How easy All can see

What is forbidden utterly

As Heaven — unto me!

I envy Nests of Sparrows —

That dot His distant Eaves —

The wealthy Fly, upon His Pane —

The happy — happy Leaves —

That just abroad His Window

Have Summer's leave to play —

The Ear Rings of Pizarro

Could not obtain for me —

I envy Light — that wakes Him —

And Bells — that boldly ring

To tell Him it is Noon, abroad —

Myself — be Noon to Him —

Yet interdict — my Blossom —

And abrogate — my Bee —

Lest Noon in Everlasting Night —

Drop Gabriel — and Me —

499. THOSE FAIR — FICTITIOUS PEOPLE —

Those fair — fictitious People —

The Women — plucked away

From our familiar Lifetime —

The Men of Ivory —

Those Boys and Girls, in Canvas —

Who stay upon the Wall

In Everlasting Keepsake —

Can Anybody tell?

We trust — in places perfecter —

Inheriting Delight

Beyond our faint Conjecture —

Our dizzy Estimate —

Remembering ourselves, we trust —

Yet Blesseder — than We —

Through Knowing — where We only hope —

Receiving — where we — pray —

Of Expectation — also —

Anticipating us

With transport, that would be a pain

Except for Holiness —

Esteeming us — as Exile —

Themself — admitted Home —

Through easy Miracle of Death —

The Way ourself, must come —

500. WITHIN MY GARDEN, RIDES A BIRD

Within my Garden, rides a Bird

Upon a single Wheel —

Whose spokes a dizzy Music make

As 'twere a travelling Mill —

He never stops, but slackens

Above the Ripest Rose —

Partakes without alighting

And praises as he goes,

Till every spice is tasted —

And then his Fairy Gig

Reels in remoter atmospheres —

And I rejoin my Dog,

And He and I, perplex us

If positive, 'twere we —

Or bore the Garden in the Brain

This Curiosity —

But He, the best Logician,

Refers my clumsy eye —

To just vibrating Blossoms!

An Exquisite Reply!

501. THIS WORLD IS NOT CONCLUSION.

This World is not Conclusion.

A Species stands beyond —

Invisible, as Music —

But positive, as Sound —

It beckons, and it baffles —

Philosophy — don't know —

And through a Riddle, at the last —

Sagacity, must go —

To guess it, puzzles scholars —

To gain it, Men have borne

Contempt of Generations

And Crucifixion, shown —

Faith slips — and laughs, and rallies —

Blushes, if any see —

Plucks at a twig of Evidence —

And asks a Vane, the way —

Much Gesture, from the Pulpit —

Strong Hallelujahs roll —

Narcotics cannot still the Tooth

That nibbles at the soul —

502. AT LEAST — TO PRAY — IS LEFT — IS LEFT —

At least — to pray — is left — is left —

Oh Jesus — in the Air —

I know not which thy chamber is —

I'm knocking — everywhere —

Thou settest Earthquake in the South —

And Maelstrom, in the Sea —

Say, Jesus Christ of Nazareth —

Hast thou no Arm for Me?

503. BETTER — THAN MUSIC! FOR I — WHO HEARD IT —

Better — than Music! For I — who heard it —

I was used — to the Birds — before —

This — was different — 'Twas Translation —

Of all tunes I knew — and more —

'Twasn't contained — like other stanza —

No one could play it — the second time —

But the Composer — perfect Mozart —

Perish with him — that Keyless Rhyme!

So — Children — told how Brooks in Eden —

Bubbled a better — Melody —

Quaintly infer — Eve's great surrender —

Urging the feet — that would — not — fly —

Children — matured — are wiser — mostly —

Eden — a legend — dimly told —

Eve — and the Anguish — Grandame's story —

But — I was telling a tune — I heard —

Not such a strain — the Church — baptizes —

When the last Saint — goes up the Aisles —

Not such a stanza splits the silence —

When the Redemption strikes her Bells —

Let me not spill — its smallest cadence —

Humming — for promise — when alone —

Humming — until my faint Rehearsal —

Drop into tune — around the Throne —

504. YOU KNOW THAT PORTRAIT IN THE MOON —

You know that Portrait in the Moon —

So tell me who 'tis like —

The very Brow — the stooping eyes —

A fog for — Say — Whose Sake?

The very Pattern of the Cheek —

It varies — in the Chin —

But — Ishmael — since we met — 'tis long —

And fashions — intervene —

When Moon's at full — 'Tis Thou — I say —

My lips just hold the name —

When crescent — Thou art worn — I note —

But — there — the Golden Same —

And when — Some Night — Bold — slashing Clouds

Cut Thee away from Me —

That's easier — than the other film

That glazes Holiday —

505. I WOULD NOT PAINT — A PICTURE —

I would not paint — a picture —

I'd rather be the One

Its bright impossibility

To dwell — delicious — on —

And wonder how the fingers feel

Whose rare — celestial — stir —

Evokes so sweet a Torment —

Such sumptuous — Despair —

I would not talk, like Cornets —

I'd rather be the One

Raised softly to the Ceilings —

And out, and easy on —

Through Villages of Ether —

Myself endued Balloon

By but a lip of Metal —

The pier to my Pontoon —

Nor would I be a Poet —

It's finer — own the Ear —

Enamored — impotent — content —

The License to revere,

A privilege so awful

What would the Dower be,

Had I the Art to stun myself

With Bolts of Melody!

506. HE TOUCHED ME, SO I LIVE TO KNOW

He touched me, so I live to know

That such a day, permitted so,

I groped upon his breast —

It was a boundless place to me

And silenced, as the awful sea

Puts minor streams to rest.

And now, I'm different from before,

As if I breathed superior air —

Or brushed a Royal Gown —

My feet, too, that had wandered so —

My Gypsy face — transfigured now —

To tenderer Renown —

Into this Port, if I might come,

Rebecca, to Jerusalem,

Would not so ravished turn —

Nor Persian, baffled at her shrine

Lift such a Crucifixial sign

To her imperial Sun.

507. SHE SIGHTS A BIRD — SHE CHUCKLES —

She sights a Bird — she chuckles —

She flattens — then she crawls —

She runs without the look of feet —

Her eyes increase to Balls —

Her Jaws stir — twitching — hungry —

Her Teeth can hardly stand —

She leaps, but Robin leaped the first —

Ah, Pussy, of the Sand,

The Hopes so juicy ripening —

You almost bathed your Tongue —

When Bliss disclosed a hundred Toes —

And fled with every one —

508. I'M CEDED — I'VE STOPPED BEING THEIRS —

I'm ceded — I've stopped being Theirs —

The name They dropped upon my face

With water, in the country church

Is finished using, now,

And They can put it with my Dolls,

My childhood, and the string of spools,

I've finished threading — too —

Baptized, before, without the choice,

But this time, consciously, of Grace —

Unto supremest name —

Called to my Full — The Crescent dropped —

Existence's whole Arc, filled up,

With one small Diadem.

My second Rank — too small the first —

Crowned — Crowing — on my Father's breast —

A half unconscious Queen —

But this time — Adequate — Erect,

With Will to choose, or to reject,

And I choose, just a Crown —

509. IF ANYBODY'S FRIEND BE DEAD

If anybody's friend be dead

It's sharpest of the theme

The thinking how they walked alive —

At such and such a time —

Their costume, of a Sunday,

Some manner of the Hair —

A prank nobody knew but them

Lost, in the Sepulchre —

How warm, they were, on such a day,

You almost feel the date —

So short way off it seems —

And now — they're Centuries from that —

How pleased they were, at what you said —

You try to touch the smile

And dip your fingers in the frost —

When was it — Can you tell —

You asked the Company to tea —

Acquaintance — just a few —

And chatted close with this Grand Thing

That don't remember you —

Past Bows, and Invitations —

Past Interview, and Vow —

Past what Ourself can estimate —

That — makes the Quick of Woe!

510. IT WAS NOT DEATH, FOR I STOOD UP,

It was not Death, for I stood up,

And all the Dead, lie down —

It was not Night, for all the Bells

Put out their Tongues, for Noon.

It was not Frost, for on my Flesh

I felt Siroccos — crawl —

Nor Fire — for just my Marble feet

Could keep a Chancel, cool —

And yet, it tasted, like them all,

The Figures I have seen

Set orderly, for Burial,

Reminded me, of mine —

As if my life were shaven,

And fitted to a frame,

And could not breathe without a key,

And 'twas like Midnight, some -

When everything that ticked — has stopped —

And Space stares all around —

Or Grisly frosts — first Autumn morns,

Repeal the Beating Ground —

But, most, like Chaos - Stopless — cool —

Without a Chance, or Spar —

Or even a Report of Land —

To justify — Despair.

511. IF YOU WERE COMING IN THE FALL,

If you were coming in the fall,

I'd brush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn,

As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year,

I'd wind the months in balls,

And put them each in separate drawers,

Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed,

I'd count them on my hand,

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemen's land.

If certain, when this life was out

That yours and mine should be,

I'd toss it yonder like a rind,

And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length

Of time's uncertain wing,

It goads me, like the goblin bee,

That will not state its sting.

512. THE SOUL HAS BANDAGED MOMENTS —

The Soul has Bandaged moments —

When too appalled to stir —

She feels some ghastly Fright come up

And stop to look at her —

Salute her — with long fingers —

Caress her freezing hair —

Sip, Goblin, from the very lips

The Lover — hovered — o'er —

Unworthy, that a thought so mean

Accost a Theme — so — fair —

The soul has moments of Escape —

When bursting all the doors —

She dances like a Bomb, abroad,

And swings upon the Hours,

As do the Bee — delirious borne —

Long Dungeoned from his Rose —

Touch Liberty — then know no more,

But Noon, and Paradise —

The Soul's retaken moments —

When, Felon led along,

With shackles on the plumed feet,

And staples, in the Song,

The Horror welcomes her, again,

These, are not brayed of Tongue —

513. LIKE FLOWERS, THAT HEARD THE NEWS OF DEWS,

Like Flowers, that heard the news of Dews,

But never deemed the dripping prize

Awaited their — low Brows —

Or Bees — that thought the Summer's name

Some rumor of Delirium,

No Summer — could — for Them —

Or Arctic Creatures, dimly stirred —

By Tropic Hint — some Travelled Bird

Imported to the Wood —

Or Wind's bright signal to the Ear —

Making that homely, and severe,

Contented, known, before —

The Heaven — unexpected come,

To Lives that thought the Worshipping

A too presumptuous Psalm —

514. HER SMILE WAS SHAPED LIKE OTHER SMILES —

Her smile was shaped like other smiles —

The Dimples ran along —

And still it hurt you, as some Bird

Did hoist herself, to sing,

Then recollect a Ball, she got —

And hold upon the Twig,

Convulsive, while the Music broke —

Like Beads — among the Bog —

515. NO CROWD THAT HAS OCCURRED

No Crowd that has occurred

Exhibit — I suppose

That General Attendance

That Resurrection — does —

Circumference be full —

The long restricted Grave

Assert her Vital Privilege —

The Dust — connect — and live —

On Atoms — features place —

All Multitudes that were

Efface in the Comparison —

As Suns — dissolve a star —

Solemnity — prevail —

Its Individual Doom

Possess each separate Consciousness —

August — Absorbed — Numb —

What Duplicate — exist —

What Parallel can be —

Of the Significance of This —

To Universe — and Me?

516. BEAUTY — BE NOT CAUSED — IT IS —

Beauty — be not caused — It Is —

Chase it, and it ceases —

Chase it not, and it abides —

Overtake the Creases

In the Meadow — when the Wind

Runs his fingers thro' it —

Deity will see to it

That You never do it —

517. HE PARTS HIMSELF — LIKE LEAVES —

He parts Himself — like Leaves —

And then — He closes up —

Then stands upon the Bonnet

Of Any Buttercup —

And then He runs against

And oversets a Rose —

And then does Nothing —

Then away upon a Jib — He goes —

And dangles like a Mote

Suspended in the Noon —

Uncertain — to return Below —

Or settle in the Moon —

What come of Him — at Night —

The privilege to say

Be limited by Ignorance —

What come of Him — That Day —

The Frost — possess the World —

In Cabinets — be shown —

A Sepulchre of quaintest Floss —

An Abbey — a Cocoon —

518. HER SWEET WEIGHT ON MY HEART A NIGHT

Her sweet Weight on my Heart a Night

Had scarcely deigned to lie —

When, stirring, for Belief's delight,

My Bride had slipped away —

If 'twas a Dream — made solid — just

The Heaven to confirm —

Or if Myself were dreamed of Her —

The power to presume —

With Him remain — who unto Me —

Gave — even as to All —

A Fiction superseding Faith —

By so much — as 'twas real —

519. 'TWAS WARM — AT FIRST — LIKE US —

'Twas warm — at first — like Us —

Until there crept upon

A Chill — like frost upon a Glass —

Till all the scene — be gone.

The Forehead copied Stone —

The Fingers grew too cold

To ache — and like a Skater's Brook —

The busy eyes — congealed —

It straightened — that was all —

It crowded Cold to Cold —

It multiplied indifference —

As Pride were all it could —

And even when with Cords —

'Twas lowered, like a Weight —

It made no Signal, nor demurred,

But dropped like Adamant.

520. I STARTED EARLY — TOOK MY DOG —

I started Early — Took my Dog —

And visited the Sea —

The Mermaids in the Basement

Came out to look at me —

And Frigates — in the Upper Floor

Extended Hempen Hands —

Presuming Me to be a Mouse —

Aground — upon the Sands —

But no Man moved Me — till the Tide

Went past my simple Shoe —

And past my Apron — and my Belt —

And past my Bodice — too —

And made as He would eat me up —

As wholly as a Dew

Upon a Dandelion's Sleeve —

And then — I started — too —

And He — He followed — close behind —

I felt his Silver Heel

Upon my Ankle — Then my Shoes

Would overflow with Pearl —

Until We met the Solid Town —

No One He seemed to know —

And bowing — with a Mighty look —

At me — The Sea withdrew —

521. ENDOW THE LIVING — WITH THE TEARS —

Endow the Living — with the Tears —

You squander on the Dead,

And They were Men and Women — now,

Around Your Fireside —

Instead of Passive Creatures,

Denied the Cherishing

Till They — the Cherishing deny —

With Death's Ethereal Scorn —

522. HAD I PRESUMED TO HOPE —

Had I presumed to hope —

The loss had been to Me

A Value — for the Greatness' Sake —

As Giants — gone away —

Had I presumed to gain

A Favor so remote —

The failure but confirm the Grace

In further Infinite —

'Tis failure — not of Hope —

But Confident Despair —

Advancing on Celestial Lists —

With faint — Terrestial power —

'Tis Honor — though I die —

For That no Man obtain

Till He be justified by Death —

This — is the Second Gain —

523. SWEET — YOU FORGOT — BUT I REMEMBERED

Sweet — You forgot — but I remembered

Every time — for Two —

So that the Sum be never hindered

Through Decay of You —

Say if I erred? Accuse my Farthings —

Blame the little Hand

Happy it be for You — a Beggar's —

Seeking More — to spend —

Just to be Rich — to waste my Guineas

On so Best a Heart —

Just to be Poor — for Barefoot Vision

You — Sweet — Shut me out —

524. DEPARTED — TO THE JUDGMENT —

Departed to the judgment,

A mighty afternoon ;

Great clouds like ushers leaning,

Creation looking on.

The flesh surrendered, cancelled,

The bodiless begun ;

Two worlds, like audiences, disperse

And leave the soul alone.

525. I THINK THE HEMLOCK LIKES TO STAND

I think the Hemlock likes to stand

Upon a Marge of Snow —

It suits his own Austerity —

And satisfies an awe

That men, must slake in Wilderness —

And in the Desert — cloy —

An instinct for the Hoar, the Bald —

Lapland's — necessity —

The Hemlock's nature thrives — on cold —

The Gnash of Northern winds

Is sweetest nutriment — to him —

His best Norwegian Wines —

To satin Races — he is nought —

But Children on the Don,

Beneath his Tabernacles, play,

And Dnieper Wrestlers, run.

526. TO HEAR AN ORIOLE SING

To hear an Oriole sing

May be a common thing —

Or only a divine.

It is not of the Bird

Who sings the same, unheard,

As unto Crowd —

The Fashion of the Ear

Attireth that it hear

In Dun, or fair —

So whether it be Rune,

Or whether it be none

Is of within.

The "Tune is in the Tree —"

The Skeptic — showeth me —

"No Sir! In Thee!"

527. TO PUT THIS WORLD DOWN, LIKE A BUNDLE —

To put this World down, like a Bundle —

And walk steady, away,

Requires Energy — possibly Agony —

'Tis the Scarlet way

Trodden with straight renunciation

By the Son of God —

Later, his faint Confederates

Justify the Road —

Flavors of that old Crucifixion —

Filaments of Bloom, Pontius Pilate sowed —

Strong Clusters, from Barabbas' Tomb —

Sacrament, Saints partook before us —

Patent, every drop,

With the Brand of the Gentile Drinker

Who indorsed the Cup —

528. MINE — BY THE RIGHT OF THE WHITE ELECTION!

Mine — by the Right of the White Election!

Mine — by the Royal Seal!

Mine — by the Sign in the Scarlet prison —

Bars — cannot conceal!

Mine — here — in Vision — and in Veto!

Mine — by the Grave's Repeal —

Tilted — Confirmed —

Delirious Charter!

Mine — long as Ages steal!

529. I'M SORRY FOR THE DEAD — TODAY —

I'm sorry for the Dead — Today —

It's such congenial times

Old Neighbors have at fences —

It's time o' year for Hay.

And Broad — Sunburned Acquaintance

Discourse between the Toil —

And laugh, a homely species

That makes the Fences smile —

It seems so straight to lie away

From all of the noise of Fields —

The Busy Carts — the fragrant Cocks —

The Mower's Metre — Steals —

A Trouble lest they're homesick —

Those Farmers — and their Wives —

Set separate from the Farming —

And all the Neighbors' lives —

A Wonder if the Sepulchre

Don't feel a lonesome way —

When Men — and Boys — and Carts — and June,

Go down the Fields to "Hay" —

530. YOU CANNOT PUT A FIRE OUT —

You cannot put a Fire out —

A Thing that can ignite

Can go, itself, without a Fan —

Upon the slowest Night —

You cannot fold a Flood —

And put it in a Drawer —

Because the Winds would find it out —

And tell your Cedar Floor —

531. WE DREAM — IT IS GOOD WE ARE DREAMING —

We dream — it is good we are dreaming —

It would hurt us — were we awake —

But since it is playing — kill us,

And we are playing — shriek —

What harm? Men die — externally —

It is a truth — of Blood —

But we — are dying in Drama —

And Drama — is never dead —

Cautious — We jar each other —

And either — open the eyes —

Lest the Phantasm — prove the Mistake —

And the livid Surprise

Cool us to Shafts of Granite —

With just an Age — and Name —

And perhaps a phrase in Egyptian —

It's prudenter — to dream —

532. I TRIED TO THINK A LONELIER THING

I tried to think a lonelier Thing

Than any I had seen —

Some Polar Expiation — An Omen in the Bone

Of Death's tremendous nearness —

I probed Retrieveless things

My Duplicate — to borrow —

A Haggard Comfort springs

From the belief that Somewhere —

Within the Clutch of Thought —

There dwells one other Creature

Of Heavenly Love — forgot —

I plucked at our Partition

As One should pry the Walls —

Between Himself — and Horror's Twin —

Within Opposing Cells —

I almost strove to clasp his Hand,

Such Luxury — it grew —

That as Myself — could pity Him —

Perhaps he — pitied me —

533. TWO BUTTERFLIES WENT OUT AT NOON —

Two butterflies went out at Noon —

And waltzed upon a Farm —

Then stepped straight through the Firmament

And rested, on a Beam —

And then — together bore away

Upon a shining Sea —

Though never yet, in any Port —

Their coming, mentioned — be —

If spoken by the distant Bird —

If met in Ether Sea

By Frigate, or by Merchantman —

No notice — was — to me —

534. WE SEE — COMPARATIVELY —

We see — Comparatively —

The Thing so towering high

We could not grasp its segment

Unaided — Yesterday —

This Morning's finer Verdict —

Makes scarcely worth the toil —

A furrow — Our Cordillera —

Our Apennine — a Knoll —

Perhaps 'tis kindly — done us —

The Anguish — and the loss —

The wrenching — for His Firmament

The Thing belonged to us —

To spare these Striding Spirits

Some Morning of Chagrin —

The waking in a Gnat's — embrace —

Our Giants — further on —

535. SHE'S HAPPY, WITH A NEW CONTENT —

She's happy, with a new Content —

That feels to her — like Sacrament —

She's busy — with an altered Care —

As just apprenticed to the Air —

She's tearful — if she weep at all —

For blissful Causes — Most of all

That Heaven permit so meek as her —

To such a Fate — to Minister.

536. THE HEART ASKS PLEASURE — FIRST —

The heart asks pleasure first,

And then, excuse from pain ;

And then, those little anodynes

That deaden suffering ;

And then, to go to sleep ;

And then, if it should be

The will of its Inquisitor,

The liberty to die.

537. ME PROVE IT NOW — WHOEVER DOUBT

Me prove it now — Whoever doubt

Me stop to prove it — now —

Make haste — the Scruple! Death be scant

For Opportunity —

The River reaches to my feet —

As yet — My Heart be dry —

Oh Lover — Life could not convince —

Might Death — enable Thee —

The River reaches to My Breast —

Still — still — My Hands above

Proclaim with their remaining Might —

Dost recognize the Love?

The River reaches to my Mouth —

Remember — when the Sea

Swept by my searching eyes — the last —

Themselves were quick — with Thee!

538. 'TIS TRUE — THEY SHUT ME IN THE COLD —

'Tis true — They shut me in the Cold —

But then — Themselves were warm

And could not know the feeling 'twas —

Forget it — Lord — of Them —

Let not my Witness hinder Them

In Heavenly esteem —

No Paradise could be — Conferred

Through Their beloved Blame —

The Harm They did — was short — And since

Myself — who bore it — do —

Forgive Them — Even as Myself —

Or else — forgive not me —

539. THE PROVINCE OF THE SAVED

The Province of the Saved

Should be the Art — To save —

Through Skill obtained in Themselves —

The Science of the Grave

No Man can understand

But He that hath endured

The Dissolution — in Himself —

That Man — be qualified

To qualify Despair

To Those who failing new —

Mistake Defeat for Death — Each time —

Till acclimated — to —

540. I TOOK MY POWER IN MY HAND —

I took my Power in my Hand —

And went against the World —

'Twas not so much as David — had —

But I — was twice as bold —

I aimed by Pebble — but Myself

Was all the one that fell —

Was it Goliath — was too large —

Or was myself — too small?

541. SOME SUCH BUTTERFLY BE SEEN

Some such Butterfly be seen

On Brazilian Pampas —

Just at noon — no later — Sweet —

Then — the License closes —

Some such Spice — express and pass —

Subject to Your Plucking —

As the Stars — You knew last Night —

Foreigners — This Morning —

542. I HAD NO CAUSE TO BE AWAKE —

I had no Cause to be awake —

My Best — was gone to sleep —

And Morn a new politeness took —

And failed to wake them up —

But called the others — clear —

And passed their Curtains by —

Sweet Morning — when I oversleep —

Knock — Recollect — to Me —

I looked at Sunrise — Once —

And then I looked at Them —

And wishfulness in me arose —

For Circumstance the same —

'Twas such an Ample Peace —

It could not hold a Sigh —

'Twas Sabbath — with the Bells divorced —

'Twas Sunset — all the Day —

So choosing but a Gown —

And taking but a Prayer —

The only Raiment I should need —

I struggled — and was There —

543. I FEAR A MAN OF FRUGAL SPEECH —

I fear a Man of frugal Speech —

I fear a Silent Man —

Haranguer — I can overtake —

Or Babbler — entertain —

But He who weigheth — While the Rest —

Expend their furthest pound —

Of this Man — I am wary —

I fear that He is Grand —

544. THE MARTYR POETS — DID NOT TELL —

The Martyr Poets — did not tell —

But wrought their Pang in syllable —

That when their mortal name be numb —

Their mortal fate — encourage Some —

The Martyr Painters — never spoke —

Bequeathing — rather — to their Work —

That when their conscious fingers cease —

Some seek in Art — the Art of Peace —

545. 'TIS ONE BY ONE — THE FATHER COUNTS —

'Tis One by One — the Father counts —

And then a Tract between

Set Cypherless — to teach the Eye

The Value of its Ten —

Until the peevish Student

Acquire the Quick of Skill —

Then Numerals are dowered back —

Adorning all the Rule —

'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil —

And Darkness on the School

Distracts the Children's fingers —

Still the Eternal Rule

Regards least Cypherer alike

With Leader of the Band —

And every separate Urchin's Sum —

Is fashioned for his hand —

546. TO FILL A GAP

To fill a Gap

Insert the Thing that caused it —

Block it up

With Other — and 'twill yawn the more —

You cannot solder an Abyss

With Air.

547. I'VE SEEN A DYING EYE

I've seen a dying eye

Run round and round a room

In search of something, as it seemed,

Then cloudier become ;

And then, obscure with fog,

And then be soldered down,

Without disclosing what it be,

'T were blessed to have seen.

548. DEATH IS POTENTIAL TO THAT MAN

Death is potential to that Man

Who dies — and to his friend —

Beyond that — unconspicuous

To Anyone but God —

Of these Two — God remembers

The longest — for the friend —

Is integral — and therefore

Itself dissolved — of God —

549. THAT I DID ALWAYS LOVE

That I did always love

I bring thee Proof

That till I loved

I never lived — Enough —

That I shall love alway —

I argue thee

That love is life —

And life hath Immortality —

This — dost thou doubt — Sweet —

Then have I

Nothing to show

But Calvary —

550. I CROSS TILL I AM WEARY

I cross till I am weary

A Mountain — in my mind —

More Mountains — then a Sea —

More Seas — And then

A Desert — find —

And My Horizon blocks

With steady — drifting — Grains

Of unconjectured quantity —

As Asiatic Rains —

Nor this — defeat my Pace —

It hinder from the West

But as an Enemy's Salute

One hurrying to Rest —

What merit had the Goal —

Except there intervene

Faint Doubt — and far Competitor —

To jeopardize the Gain?

At last — the Grace in sight —

I shout unto my feet —

I offer them the Whole of Heaven

The instant that we meet —

They strive — and yet delay —

They perish — Do we die —

Or is this Death's Experiment —

Reversed — in Victory?

551. THERE IS A SHAME OF NOBLENESS —

There is a Shame of Nobleness —

Confronting Sudden Pelf —

A finer Shame of Ecstasy —

Convicted of Itself —

A best Disgrace — a Brave Man feels —

Acknowledged — of the Brave —

One More — "Ye Blessed" — to be told —

But that's — Behind the Grave —

552. AN IGNORANCE A SUNSET

An ignorance a Sunset

Confer upon the Eye —

Of Territory — Color —

Circumference — Decay —

Its Amber Revelation

Exhilirate — Debase —

Omnipotence' inspection

Of Our inferior face —

And when the solemn features

Confirm — in Victory —

We start — as if detected

In Immortality —

An angel is everywhere

553. ONE CRUCIFIXION IS RECORDED — ONLY —

One Crucifixion is recorded — only —

How many be

Is not affirmed of Mathematics —

Or History —

One Calvary — exhibited to Stranger —

As many be

As persons — or Peninsulas —

Gethsemane —

Is but a Province — in the Being's Centre —

Judea —

For Journey — or Crusade's Achieving —

Too near —

Our Lord — indeed — made Compound Witness —

And yet —

There's newer — nearer Crucifixion

Than That —

554. THE BLACK BERRY — WEARS A THORN IN HIS SIDE —

The Black Berry — wears a Thorn in his side —

But no Man heard Him cry —

He offers His Berry, just the same

To Partridge — and to Boy —

He sometimes holds upon the Fence —

Or struggles to a Tree —

Or clasps a Rock, with both His Hands —

But not for Sympathy —

We — tell a Hurt — to cool it —

This Mourner — to the Sky

A little further reaches — instead —

Brave Black Berry —

555. TRUST IN THE UNEXPECTED —

Trust in the Unexpected —

By this — was William Kidd

Persuaded of the Buried Gold —

As One had testified —

Through this — the old Philosopher —

His Talismanic Stone

Discerned — still withholden

To effort undivine —

'Twas this — allured Columbus —

When Genoa — withdrew

Before an Apparition

Baptized America —

The Same — afflicted Thomas —

When Deity assured

'Twas better — the perceiving not —

Provided it believed —

556. THE BRAIN, WITHIN ITS GROOVE

The Brain, within its Groove

Runs evenly — and true —

But let a Splinter swerve —

'Twere easier for You —

To put a Current back —

When Floods have slit the Hills —

And scooped a Turnpike for Themselves —

And trodden out the Mills —

557. SHE HIDETH HER THE LAST —

She hideth Her the last —

And is the first, to rise —

Her Night doth hardly recompense

The Closing of Her eyes —

She doth Her Purple Work —

And putteth Her away

In low Apartments in the Sod -

As worthily as We.

To imitate her life

As impotent would be

As make of Our imperfect Mints,

The Julep — of the Bee —

558. BUT LITTLE CARMINE HATH HER FACE —

But little Carmine hath her face —

Of Emerald scant — her Gown —

Her Beauty — is the love she doth —

Itself — exhibit — Mine —

559. IT KNEW NO MEDICINE —

It knew no Medicine —

It was not Sickness — then —

Nor any need of Surgery —

And therefore — 'twas not Pain —

It moved away the Cheeks —

A Dimple at a time —

And left the Profile — plainer —

And in the place of Bloom

It left the little Tint

That never had a Name —

You've seen it on a Cast's face —

Was Paradise — to blame —

If momently ajar —

Temerity — drew near —

And sickened — ever afterward

For Somewhat that it saw?

560. IT KNEW NO LAPSE, NOR DIMINUATION —

It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation —

But large — serene —

Burned on — until through Dissolution —

It failed from Men —

I could not deem these Planetary forces

Annulled —

But suffered an Exchange of Territory —

Or World —

561. I MEASURE EVERY GRIEF I MEET

I measure every Grief I meet

With narrow, probing, Eyes —

I wonder if It weighs like Mine —

Or has an Easier size.

I wonder if They bore it long —

Or did it just begin —

I could not tell the Date of Mine —

It feels so old a pain —

I wonder if it hurts to live —

And if They have to try —

And whether — could They choose between —

It would not be — to die —

I note that Some — gone patient long —

At length, renew their smile —

An imitation of a Light

That has so little Oil —

I wonder if when Years have piled —

Some Thousands — on the Harm —

That hurt them early — such a lapse

Could give them any Balm —

Or would they go on aching still

Through Centuries of Nerve —

Enlightened to a larger Pain -

In Contrast with the Love —

The Grieved — are many — I am told —

There is the various Cause —

Death — is but one — and comes but once —

And only nails the eyes —

There's Grief of Want — and Grief of Cold —

A sort they call "Despair" —

There's Banishment from native Eyes —

In sight of Native Air —

And though I may not guess the kind —

Correctly — yet to me

A piercing Comfort it affords

In passing Calvary —

To note the fashions — of the Cross —

And how they're mostly worn —

Still fascinated to presume

That Some — are like My Own —

562. CONJECTURING A CLIMATE

Conjecturing a Climate

Of unsuspended Suns —

Adds poignancy to Winter —

The Shivering Fancy turns

To a fictitious Country

To palliate a Cold —

Not obviated of Degree —

Nor erased — of Latitude —

563. I COULD NOT PROVE THE YEARS HAD FEET —

I could not prove the Years had feet —

Yet confident they run

Am I, from symptoms that are past

And Series that are done —

I find my feet have further Goals —

I smile upon the Aims

That felt so ample — Yesterday —

Today's — have vaster claims —

I do not doubt the self I was

Was competent to me —

But something awkward in the fit —

Proves that — outgrown — I see —

564. MY PERIOD HAD COME FOR PRAYER —

My period had come for Prayer —

No other Art — would do —

My Tactics missed a rudiment —

Creator — Was it you?

God grows above — so those who pray

Horizons — must ascend —

And so I stepped upon the North

To see this Curious Friend —

His House was not — no sign had He —

By Chimney — nor by Door

Could I infer his Residence —

Vast Prairies of Air

Unbroken by a Settler —

Were all that I could see —

Infinitude — Had'st Thou no Face

That I might look on Thee?

The Silence condescended —

Creation stopped — for Me —

But awed beyond my errand —

I worshipped — did not "pray" —

565. ONE ANGUISH — IN A CROWD —

One Anguish — in a Crowd —

A Minor thing — it sounds —

And yet, unto the single Doe

Attempted of the Hounds

'Tis Terror as consummate

As Legions of Alarm

Did leap, full flanked, upon the Host —

'Tis Units — make the Swarm —

A Small Leech — on the Vitals —

The sliver, in the Lung —

The Bung out — of an Artery —

Are scarce accounted — Harms —

Yet might — by relation

To that Repealless thing —

A Being — impotent to end —

When once it has begun —

566. A DYING TIGER — MOANED FOR DRINK —

A Dying Tiger — moaned for Drink —

I hunted all the Sand —

I caught the Dripping of a Rock

And bore it in my Hand —

His Mighty Balls — in death were thick —

But searching — I could see

A Vision on the Retina

Of Water — and of me —

'Twas not my blame — who sped too slow —

'Twas not his blame — who died

While I was reaching him —

But 'twas — the fact that He was dead —

567. HE GAVE AWAY HIS LIFE —

He gave away his Life —

To Us — Gigantic Sum —

A trifle — in his own esteem —

But magnified — by Fame —

Until it burst the Hearts

That fancied they could hold —

When swift it slipped its limit —

And on the Heavens — unrolled —

'Tis Ours — to wince — and weep —

And wonder — and decay

By Blossoms gradual process —

He chose — Maturity —

And quickening — as we sowed —

Just obviated Bud —

And when We turned to note the Growth —

Broke — perfect — from the Pod —

568. WE LEARNED THE WHOLE OF LOVE —

We learned the Whole of Love —

The Alphabet — the Words —

A Chapter — then the mighty Book —

Then — Revelation closed —

But in Each Other's eyes

An Ignorance beheld —

Diviner than the Childhood's —

And each to each, a Child —

Attempted to expound

What Neither — understood —

Alas, that Wisdom is so large —

And Truth — so manifold!

569. I RECKON — WHEN I COUNT IT ALL —

I reckon — when I count it all —

First — Poets — Then the Sun —

Then Summer — Then the Heaven of God —

And then — the List is done —

But, looking back — the First so seems

To Comprehend the Whole —

The Others look a needless Show —

So I write — Poets — All —

Their Summer — lasts a Solid Year —

They can afford a Sun

The East — would deem extravagant —

And if the Further Heaven —

Be Beautiful as they prepare

For Those who worship Them —

It is too difficult a Grace —

To justify the Dream —

570. I COULD DIE — TO KNOW —

I could die — to know —

'Tis a trifling knowledge —

News-Boys salute the Door —

Carts — joggle by —

Morning's bold face — stares in the window —

Were but mine — the Charter of the least Fly —

Houses hunch the House

With their Brick Shoulders —

Coals — from a Rolling Load — rattle — how — near —

To the very Square — His foot is passing —

Possibly, this moment —

While I — dream — Here —

571. MUST BE A WOE —

Must be a Woe —

A loss or so —

To bend the eye

Best Beauty's way —

But — once aslant

It notes Delight

As difficult

As Stalactite

A Common Bliss

Were had for less —

The price — is

Even as the Grace —

Our lord — thought no

Extravagance

To pay — a Cross —

572. DELIGHT — BECOMES PICTORIAL —

Delight — becomes pictorial —

When viewed through Pain —

More fair — because impossible

Than any gain —

The Mountain — at a given distance —

In Amber — lies —

Approached — the Amber flits — a little —

And That's — the Skies —

573. THE TEST OF LOVE — IS DEATH —

The Test of Love — is Death —

Our Lord — "so loved" — it saith —

What Largest Lover — hath

Another — doth —

If smaller Patience — be —

Through less Infinity —

If Bravo, sometimes swerve —

Through fainter Nerve —

Accept its Most —

And overlook — the Dust —

Last — Least —

The Cross' — Request —

574. MY FIRST WELL DAY — SINCE MANY ILL —

My first well Day — since many ill —

I asked to go abroad,

And take the Sunshine in my hands,

And see the things in Pod —

A 'blossom just when I went in

To take my Chance with pain —

Uncertain if myself, or He,

Should prove the strongest One.

The Summer deepened, while we strove —

She put some flowers away —

And Redder cheeked Ones — in their stead —

A fond — illusive way —

To cheat Herself, it seemed she tried —

As if before a child

To fade — Tomorrow — Rainbows held

The Sepulchre, could hide.

She dealt a fashion to the Nut —

She tied the Hoods to Seeds —

She dropped bright scraps of Tint, about —

And left Brazilian Threads

On every shoulder that she met —

Then both her Hands of Haze

Put up — to hide her parting Grace

From our unfitted eyes.

My loss, by sickness — Was it Loss?

Or that Ethereal Gain

One earns by measuring the Grave —

Then — measuring the Sun —

575. "HEAVEN" HAS DIFFERENT SIGNS — TO ME —

"Heaven" has different Signs — to me —

Sometimes, I think that Noon

Is but a symbol of the Place —

And when again, at Dawn,

A mighty look runs round the World

And settles in the Hills —

An Awe if it should be like that

Upon the Ignorance steals —

The Orchard, when the Sun is on —

The Triumph of the Birds

When they together Victory make —

Some Carnivals of Clouds —

The Rapture of a finished Day —

Returning to the West —

All these — remind us of the place

That Men call "paradise" —

Itself be fairer — we suppose —

But how Ourself, shall be

Adorned, for a Superior Grace —

Not yet, our eyes can see —

576. I PRAYED, AT FIRST, A LITTLE GIRL,

I prayed, at first, a little Girl,

Because they told me to —

But stopped, when qualified to guess

How prayer would feel — to me —

If I believed God looked around,

Each time my Childish eye

Fixed full, and steady, on his own

In Childish honesty —

And told him what I'd like, today,

And parts of his far plan

That baffled me —

The mingled side

Of his Divinity —

And often since, in Danger,

I count the force 'twould be

To have a God so strong as that

To hold my life for me

Till I could take the Balance

That tips so frequent, now,

It takes me all the while to poise —

And then — it doesn't stay —

577. IF I MAY HAVE IT, WHEN IT'S DEAD,

If I may have it, when it's dead,

I'll be contented — so —

If just as soon as Breath is out

It shall belong to me —

Until they lock it in the Grave,

'Tis Bliss I cannot weigh —

For tho' they lock Thee in the Grave,

Myself — can own the key —

Think of it Lover! I and Thee

Permitted — face to face to be —

After a Life — a Death — We'll say —

For Death was That —

And this — is Thee —

I'll tell Thee All — how Bald it grew —

How Midnight felt, at first — to me —

How all the Clocks stopped in the World —

And Sunshine pinched me — 'Twas so cold —

Then how the Grief got sleepy — some —

As if my Soul were deaf and dumb —

Just making signs — across — to Thee —

That this way — thou could'st notice me —

I'll tell you how I tried to keep

A smile, to show you, when this Deep

All Waded — We look back for Play,

At those Old Times — in Calvary,

Forgive me, if the Grave come slow —

For Coveting to look at Thee —

Forgive me, if to stroke thy frost

Outvisions Paradise!

578. THE BODY GROWS WITHOUT —

The Body grows without —

The more convenient way —

That if the Spirit — like to hide

Its Temple stands, alway,

Ajar — secure — inviting —

It never did betray

The Soul that asked its shelter

In solemn honesty

579. I HAD BEEN HUNGRY, ALL THE YEARS —

I had been hungry, all the Years —

My Noon had Come — to dine —

I trembling drew the Table near —

And touched the Curious Wine —

'Twas this on Tables I had seen —

When turning, hungry, Lone

I looked in Windows, for the Wealth

I could not hope — to Own —

I did not know the ample Bread —

'Twas so unlike the Crumb

The Birds and I, had often shared

In Nature's — Dining Room —

The Plenty hurt me — 'twas so new —

Myself felt ill — and odd —

As Berry — of a Mountain Bush —

Transplanted — to a Road —

Nor was I hungry — so I found

That Hunger — was a way

Of Persons outside Windows —

The Entering — takes away —

580. I GAVE MYSELF TO HIM —

I gave myself to Him —

And took Himself, for Pay,

The solemn contract of a Life

Was ratified, this way —

The Wealth might disappoint —

Myself a poorer prove

Than this great Purchaser suspect,

The Daily Own — of Love

Depreciate the Vision —

But till the Merchant buy —

Still Fable — in the Isles of Spice —

The subtle Cargoes — lie —

At least — 'tis Mutual — Risk —

Some — found it — Mutual Gain —

Sweet Debt of Life — Each Night to owe —

Insolvent — every Noon —

581. I FOUND THE WORDS TO EVERY THOUGHT

I found the words to every thought

I ever had — but One —

And that — defies me —

As a Hand did try to chalk the Sun

To Races — nurtured in the Dark —

How would your own — begin?

Can Blaze be shown in Cochineal —

Or Noon — in Mazarin?

582. INCONCEIVABLY SOLEMN!

Inconceivably solemn!

Things go gay

Pierce — by the very Press

Of Imagery —

Their far Parades — order on the eye

With a mute Pomp —

A pleading Pageantry —

Flags, are a brave sight —

But no true Eye

Ever went by One —

Steadily —

Music's triumphant —

But the fine Ear

Winces with delight

Are Drums too near —

583. A TOAD, CAN DIE OF LIGHT —

A Toad, can die of Light —

Death is the Common Right

Of Toads and Men —

Of Earl and Midge

The privilege —

Why swagger, then?

The Gnat's supremacy is large as Thine —

Life — is a different Thing —

So measure Wine —

Naked of Flask — Naked of Cask —

Bare Rhine —

Which Ruby's mine?

584. IT CEASED TO HURT ME, THOUGH SO SLOW

It ceased to hurt me, though so slow

I could not feel the Anguish go —

But only knew by looking back —

That something — had benumbed the Track —

Nor when it altered, I could say,

For I had worn it, every day,

As constant as the Childish frock —

I hung upon the Peg, at night.

But not the Grief — that nestled close

As needles — ladies softly press

To Cushions Cheeks —

To keep their place —

Nor what consoled it, I could trace —

Except, whereas 'twas Wilderness —

It's better — almost Peace —

585. I LIKE TO SEE IT LAP THE MILES —

I like to see it lap the Miles —

And lick the Valleys up —

And stop to feed itself at Tanks —

And then — prodigious step

Around a Pile of Mountains —

And supercilious peer

In Shanties — by the sides of Roads —

And then a Quarry pare

To fit its Ribs

And crawl between

Complaining all the while

In horrid — hooting stanza —

Then chase itself down Hill —

And neigh like Boanerges —

Then — punctual as a Star

Stop — docile and omnipotent

At its own stable door —

586. WE TALKED AS GIRLS DO —

We talked as Girls do —

Fond, and late —

We speculated fair, on every subject, but the Grave —

Of ours, none affair —

We handled Destinies, as cool —

As we — Disposers — be —

And God, a Quiet Party

To our Authority —

But fondest, dwelt upon Ourself

As we eventual — be —

When Girls to Women, softly raised

We — occupy — Degree —

We parted with a contract

To cherish, and to write

But Heaven made both, impossible

Before another night.

587. EMPTY MY HEART, OF THEE —

Empty my Heart, of Thee —

Its single Artery —

Begin, and leave Thee out —

Simply Extinction's Date —

Much Billow hath the Sea —

One Baltic — They —

Subtract Thyself, in play,

And not enough of me

Is left — to put away —

"Myself" meanth Thee —

Erase the Root — no Tree —

Thee — then — no me —

The Heavens stripped —

Eternity's vast pocket, picked —

588. I CRIED AT PITY — NOT AT PAIN —

I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

I heard a Woman say

"Poor Child" — and something in her voice

Convicted me — of me —

So long I fainted, to myself

It seemed the common way,

And Health, and Laughter, Curious things —

To look at, like a Toy —

To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy

And see the Parcel rolled —

And carried, I supposed — to Heaven,

For children, made of Gold —

But not to touch, or wish for,

Or think of, with a sigh —

And so and so — had been to me,

Had God willed differently.

I wish I knew that Woman's name —

So when she comes this way,

To hold my life, and hold my ears

For fear I hear her say

She's "sorry I am dead" — again —

Just when the Grave and I —

Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,

Our only Lullaby —

589. THE NIGHT WAS WIDE, AND FURNISHED SCANT

The Night was wide, and furnished scant

With but a single Star —

That often as a Cloud it met —

Blew out itself — for fear —

The Wind pursued the little Bush —

And drove away the Leaves

November left — then clambered up

And fretted in the Eaves —

No Squirrel went abroad —

A Dog's belated feet

Like intermittent Plush, be heard

Adown the empty Street —

To feel if Blinds be fast —

And closer to the fire —

Her little Rocking Chair to draw —

And shiver for the Poor —

The Housewife's gentle Task —

How pleasanter — said she

Unto the Sofa opposite —

The Sleet — than May, no Thee —

590. DID YOU EVER STAND IN A CAVERN'S MOUTH —

Did you ever stand in a Cavern's Mouth —

Widths out of the Sun —

And look — and shudder, and block your breath —

And deem to be alone

In such a place, what horror,

How Goblin it would be —

And fly, as 'twere pursuing you?

Then Loneliness — looks so —

Did you ever look in a Cannon's face —

Between whose Yellow eye —

And yours — the Judgment intervened —

The Question of "To die" —

Extemporizing in your ear

As cool as Satyr's Drums —

If you remember, and were saved —

It's liker so — it seems —

591. TO INTERRUPT HIS YELLOW PLAN

To interrupt His Yellow Plan

The Sun does not allow

Caprices of the Atmosphere —

And even when the Snow

Heaves Balls of Specks, like Vicious Boy

Directly in His Eye —

Does not so much as turn His Head

Busy with Majesty —

'Tis His to stimulate the Earth —

And magnetize the Sea —

And bind Astronomy, in place,

Yet Any passing by

Would deem Ourselves — the busier

As the Minutest Bee

That rides — emits a Thunder —

A Bomb — to justify —

592. WHAT CARE THE DEAD, FOR CHANTICLEER —

What care the Dead, for Chanticleer —

What care the Dead for Day?

'Tis late your Sunrise vex their face —

And Purple Ribaldry — of Morning

Pour as blank on them

As on the Tier of Wall

The Mason builded, yesterday,

And equally as cool —

What care the Dead for Summer?

The Solstice had no Sun

Could waste the Snow before their Gate —

And knew One Bird a Tune —

Could thrill their Mortised Ear

Of all the Birds that be —

This One — beloved of Mankind

Henceforward cherished be —

What care the Dead for Winter?

Themselves as easy freeze —

June Noon — as January Night —

As soon the South — her Breeze

Of Sycamore — or Cinnamon —

Deposit in a Stone

And put a Stone to keep it Warm —

Give Spices — unto Men —

593. I THINK I WAS ENCHANTED

I think I was enchanted

When first a sombre Girl —

I read that Foreign Lady —

The Dark — felt beautiful —

And whether it was noon at night —

Or only Heaven — at Noon —

For very Lunacy of Light

I had not power to tell —

The Bees — became as Butterflies —

The Butterflies — as Swans —

Approached — and spurned the narrow Grass —

And just the meanest Tunes

That Nature murmured to herself

To keep herself in Cheer —

I took for Giants — practising

Titanic Opera —

The Days — to Mighty Metres stept —

The Homeliest — adorned

As if unto a Jubilee

'Twere suddenly Confirmed —

I could not have defined the change —

Conversion of the Mind

Like Sanctifying in the Soul —

Is Witnessed — not Explained —

'Twas a Divine Insanity —

The Danger to be sane

Should I again experience —

'Tis Antidote to turn —

To Tomes of solid Witchcraft —

Magicians be asleep —

But Magic — hath an Element —

Like Deity — to keep —

594. THE BATTLE FOUGHT BETWEEN THE SOUL

The Battle fought between the Soul

And No Man — is the One

Of all the Battles prevalent —

By far the Greater One —

No News of it is had abroad —

Its Bodiless Campaign

Establishes, and terminates —

Invisible — Unknown —

Nor History — record it —

As Legions of a Night

The Sunrise scatters — These endure —

Enact — and terminate —

595. LIKE MIGHTY FOOT LIGHTS — BURNED THE RED

Like Mighty Foot Lights — burned the Red

At Bases of the Trees —

The far Theatricals of Day

Exhibiting — to These —

'Twas Universe — that did applaud —

While Chiefest — of the Crowd —

Enabled by his Royal Dress —

Myself distinguished God —

596. WHEN I WAS SMALL, A WOMAN DIED —

When I was small, a Woman died —

Today — her Only Boy

Went up from the Potomac —

His face all Victory

To look at her — How slowly

The Seasons must have turned

Till Bullets clipt an Angle

And He passed quickly round —

If pride shall be in Paradise —

Ourself cannot decide —

Of their imperial Conduct —

No person testified —

But, proud in Apparition —

That Woman and her Boy

Pass back and forth, before my Brain

As even in the sky —

I'm confident that Bravoes —

Perpetual break abroad

For Braveries, remote as this

In Scarlet Maryland —

597. IT ALWAYS FELT TO ME — A WRONG

It always felt to me — a wrong

To that Old Moses — done —

To let him see — the Canaan —

Without the entering —

And tho' in soberer moments —

No Moses there can be

I'm satisfied — the Romance

In point of injury —

Surpasses sharper stated —

Of Stephen — or of Paul —

For these — were only put to death —

While God's adroiter will

On Moses — seemed to fasten

With tantalizing Play

As Boy — should deal with lesser Boy —

To prove ability.

The fault — was doubtless Israel's —

Myself — had banned the Tribes —

And ushered Grand Old Moses

In Pentateuchal Robes

Upon the Broad Possession

'Twas little — But titled Him — to see —

Old Man on Nebo! Late as this —

My justice bleeds — for Thee!

598. THREE TIMES — WE PARTED — BREATH — AND I —

Three times — we parted — Breath — and I —

Three times — He would not go —

But strove to stir the lifeless Fan

The Waters — strove to stay.

Three Times — the Billows tossed me up —

Then caught me — like a Ball —

Then made Blue faces in my face —

And pushed away a sail

That crawled Leagues off — I liked to see —

For thinking — while I die —

How pleasant to behold a Thing

Where Human faces — be —

The Waves grew sleepy — Breath — did not —

The Winds — like Children — lulled —

Then Sunrise kissed my Chrysalis —

And I stood up — and lived —

599. THERE IS A PAIN — SO UTTER —

There is a pain — so utter —

It swallows substance up —

Then covers the Abyss with Trance —

So Memory can step

Around — across — upon it —

As one within a Swoon —

Goes safely — where an open eye —

Would drop Him — Bone by Bone.

600. IT TROUBLED ME AS ONCE I WAS —

It troubled me as once I was —

For I was once a Child —

Concluding how an Atom — fell —

And yet the Heavens — held —

The Heavens weighed the most — by far —

Yet Blue — and solid — stood —

Without a Bolt — that I could prove —

Would Giants — understand?

Life set me larger — problems —

Some I shall keep — to solve

Till Algebra is easier —

Or simpler proved — above —

Then — too — be comprehended —

What sorer — puzzled me —

Why Heaven did not break away —

And tumble — Blue — on me —

601. A STILL — VOLCANO — LIFE —

A still — Volcano — Life —

That flickered in the night —

When it was dark enough to do

Without erasing sight —

A quiet — Earthquake Style —

Too subtle to suspect

By natures this side Naples —

The North cannot detect

The Solemn — Torrid — Symbol —

The lips that never lie —

Whose hissing Corals part — and shut —

And Cities — ooze away —

602. OF BRUSSELS — IT WAS NOT —

Of Brussels — it was not —

Of Kidderminster? Nay —

The Winds did buy it of the Woods —

They — sold it unto me

It was a gentle price —

The poorest — could afford —

It was within the frugal purse

Of Beggar — or of Bird —

Of small and spicy Yards —

In hue — a mellow Dun —

Of Sunshine — and of Sere — Composed —

But, principally — of Sun —

The Wind — unrolled it fast —

And spread it on the Ground —

Upholsterer of the Pines — is He —

Upholsterer — of the Pond —

603. HE FOUND MY BEING — SET IT UP —

He found my Being — set it up —

Adjusted it to place —

Then carved his name — upon it —

And bade it to the East

Be faithful — in his absence —

And he would come again —

With Equipage of Amber —

That time — to take it Home —

604. UNTO MY BOOKS — SO GOOD TO TURN —

Unto my Books — so good to turn —

Far ends of tired Days —

It half endears the Abstinence —

And Pain — is missed — in Praise —

As Flavors — cheer Retarded Guests

With Banquettings to be —

So Spices — stimulate the time

Till my small Library —

It may be Wilderness — without —

Far feet of failing Men —

But Holiday — excludes the night —

And it is Bells — within —

I thank these Kinsmen of the Shelf —

Their Countenances Kid

Enamor — in Prospective —

And satisfy — obtained —

605. THE SPIDER HOLDS A SILVER BALL

The Spider holds a Silver Ball

In unperceived Hands —

And dancing softly to Himself

His Yarn of Pearl — unwinds —

He plies from Nought to Nought —

In unsubstantial Trade —

Supplants our Tapestries with His —

In half the period —

An Hour to rear supreme

His Continents of Light —

Then dangle from the Housewife's Broom —

His Boundaries — forgot —

606. THE TREES LIKE TASSELS — HIT — AND SWUNG —

The Trees like Tassels — hit — and swung —

There seemed to rise a Tune

From Miniature Creatures

Accompanying the Sun —

Far Psalteries of Summer —

Enamoring the Ear

They never yet did satisfy —

Remotest — when most fair

The Sun shone whole at intervals —

Then Half — then utter hid —

As if Himself were optional

And had Estates of Cloud

Sufficient to enfold Him

Eternally from view —

Except it were a whim of His

To let the Orchards grow —

A Bird sat careless on the fence —

One gossipped in the Lane

On silver matters charmed a Snake

Just winding round a Stone —

Bright Flowers slit a Calyx

And soared upon a Stem

Like Hindered Flags — Sweet hoisted —

With Spices — in the Hem —

'Twas more — I cannot mention —

How mean — to those that see —

Vandyke's Delineation

Of Nature's — Summer Day!

607. OF NEARNESS TO HER SUNDERED THINGS

Of nearness to her sundered Things

The Soul has special times —

When Dimness — looks the Oddity —

Distinctness — easy — seems —

The Shapes we buried, dwell about,

Familiar, in the Rooms —

Untarnished by the Sepulchre,

The Mouldering Playmate comes —

In just the Jacket that he wore —

Long buttoned in the Mold

Since we — old mornings, Children — played —

Divided — by a world —

The Grave yields back her Robberies —

The Years, our pilfered Things —

Bright Knots of Apparitions

Salute us, with their wings —

As we — it were — that perished —

Themself — had just remained till we rejoin them —

And 'twas they, and not ourself

That mourned.

608. AFRAID! OF WHOM AM I AFRAID?

Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?

Not Death — for who is He?

The Porter of my Father's Lodge

As much abasheth me!

Of Life? 'Twere odd I fear [a] thing

That comprehendeth me

In one or two existences —

As Deity decree —

Of Resurrection? Is the East

Afraid to trust the Morn

With her fastidious forehead?

As soon impeach my Crown!

609. I YEARS HAD BEEN FROM HOME

I Years had been from Home

And now before the Door

I dared not enter, lest a Face

I never saw before

Stare solid into mine

And ask my Business there —

"My Business but a Life I left

Was such remaining there?"

I leaned upon the Awe —

I lingered with Before —

The Second like an Ocean rolled

And broke against my ear —

I laughed a crumbling Laugh

That I could fear a Door

Who Consternation compassed

And never winced before.

I fitted to the Latch

My Hand, with trembling care

Lest back the awful Door should spring

And leave me in the Floor —

Then moved my Fingers off

As cautiously as Glass

And held my ears, and like a Thief

Fled gasping from the House —

610. YOU'LL FIND — IT WHEN YOU TRY TO DIE —

You'll find — it when you try to die —

The Easier to let go —

For recollecting such as went —

You could not spare — you know.

And though their places somewhat filled —

As did their Marble names

With Moss — they never grew so full —

You chose the newer names —

And when this World — sets further back —

As Dying — say it does —

The former love — distincter grows —

And supersedes the fresh —

And Thought of them — so fair invites —

It looks too tawdry Grace

To stay behind — with just the Toys

We bought — to ease their place —

611. I SEE THEE BETTER — IN THE DARK —

I see thee better — in the Dark —

I do not need a Light —

The Love of Thee — a Prism be —

Excelling Violet —

I see thee better for the Years

That hunch themselves between —

The Miner's Lamp — sufficient be —

To nullify the Mine —

And in the Grave — I see Thee best —

Its little Panels be

Aglow — All ruddy — with the Light

I held so high, for Thee —

What need of Day —

To Those whose Dark — hath so — surpassing Sun —

It deem it be — Continually —

At the Meridian?

612. IT WOULD HAVE STARVED A GNAT —

It would have starved a Gnat —

To live so small as I —

And yet I was a living Child —

With Food's necessity

Upon me — like a Claw —

I could no more remove

Than I could coax a Leech away —

Or make a Dragon — move —

Not like the Gnat — had I —

The privilege to fly

And seek a Dinner for myself —

How mightier He — than I —

Nor like Himself — the Art

Upon the Window Pane

To gad my little Being out —

And not begin — again —

613. THEY SHUT ME UP IN PROSE —

They shut me up in Prose —

As when a little Girl

They put me in the Closet —

Because they liked me "still" —

Still! Could themself have peeped —

And seen my Brain — go round —

They might as wise have lodged a Bird

For Treason — in the Pound —

Himself has but to will

And easy as a Star

Abolish his Captivity —

And laugh — No more have I —

614. IN FALLING TIMBERS BURIED —

In falling Timbers buried —

There breathed a Man —

Outside — the spades — were plying —

The Lungs — within —

Could He — know — they sought Him —

Could They — know — He breathed —

Horrid Sand Partition —

Neither — could be heard —

Never slacked the Diggers —

But when Spades had done —

Oh, Reward of Anguish,

It was dying — Then —

Many Things — are fruitless —

'Tis a Baffling Earth —

But there is no Gratitude

Like the Grace — of Death —

615. OUR JOURNEY HAD ADVANCED —

Our journey had advanced —

Our feet were almost come

To that odd Fork in Being's Road —

Eternity — by Term —

Our pace took sudden awe —

Our feet — reluctant — led —

Before — were Cities — but Between —

The Forest of the Dead —

Retreat — was out of Hope —

Behind — a Sealed Route —

Eternity's White Flag — Before —

And God — at every Gate —

616. I ROSE — BECAUSE HE SANK —

I rose — because He sank —

I thought it would be opposite —

But when his power dropped —

My Soul grew straight.

I cheered my fainting Prince —

I sang firm — even — Chants —

I helped his Film — with Hymn —

And when the Dews drew off

That held his Forehead stiff —

I met him —

Balm to Balm —

I told him Best — must pass

Through this low Arch of Flesh —

No Casque so brave

It spurn the Grave —

I told him Worlds I knew

Where Emperors grew —

Who recollected us

If we were true —

And so with Thews of Hymn —

And Sinew from within —

And ways I knew not that I knew — till then —

I lifted Him —

617. DON'T PUT UP MY THREAD AND NEEDLE —

Don't put up my Thread and Needle —

I'll begin to Sew

When the Birds begin to whistle —

Better Stitches — so —

These were bent — my sight got crooked —

When my mind — is plain

I'll do seams — a Queen's endeavor

Would not blush to own —

Hems — too fine for Lady's tracing

To the sightless Knot —

Tucks — of dainty interspersion —

Like a dotted Dot —

Leave my Needle in the furrow —

Where I put it down —

I can make the zigzag stitches

Straight — when I am strong —

Till then — dreaming I am sewing

Fetch the seam I missed —

Closer — so I — at my sleeping —

Still surmise I stitch —

618. AT LEISURE IS THE SOUL

At leisure is the Soul

That gets a Staggering Blow —

The Width of Life — before it spreads

Without a thing to do —

It begs you give it Work —

But just the placing Pins —

Or humblest Patchwork — Children do —

To Help its Vacant Hands —

619. GLEE — THE GREAT STORM IS OVER —

Glee ! the great storm is over !

Four have recovered the land ;

Forty gone down together

Into the boiling sand.

Ring, for the scant salvation !

Toll, for the bonnie souls, —

Neighbor and friend and bridegroom,

Spinning upon the shoals !

How they will tell the shipwreck

When winter shakes the door,

Till the children ask, "But the forty ?

Did they come back no more ?"

Then a silence suffuses the story,

And a softness the teller's eye ;

And the children no further question,

And only the waves reply.

620. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE ABROAD —

It makes no difference abroad —

The Seasons — fit — the same —

The Mornings blossom into Noons —

And split their Pods of Flame —

Wild flowers — kindle in the Woods —

The Brooks slam — all the Day —

No Black bird bates his Banjo —

For passing Calvary —

Auto da Fe — and Judgment —

Are nothing to the Bee —

His separation from His Rose —

To Him — sums Misery —

621. I ASKED NO OTHER THING —

I asked no other thing.

No other was denied.

I offered Being for it ;

The mighty merchant smiled.

Brazil ?  He twirled a button,

Without a glance my way :

"But, madam, is there nothing else

That we can show to-day ?"

622. TO KNOW JUST HOW HE SUFFERED — WOULD BE DEAR —

TO know just how he suffered would be dear;

To know if any human eyes were near

To whom he could intrust his wavering gaze,

Until it settled firm on Paradise.

To know if he was patient, part content,

Was dying as he thought, or different;

Was it a pleasant day to die,

And did the sunshine face his way?

What was his furthest mind, of home, of God,

Or what the distant say

At news that he ceased human nature

On such a day?

And wishes, had he any?

Just his sigh, accented,

Had been legible to me.

And was he confident until

Ill fluttered out in everlasting well?

And if he spoke, what name was best,

What first,

What one broke off with

At the drowsiest?

Was he afraid, or tranquil?

Might he know

How conscious consciousness could grow,

Till love that was, and love too blest to be,

Meet—and the junction be Eternity?

623. IT WAS TOO LATE FOR MAN —

It was too late for man,

But early yet for God ;

Creation impotent to help,

But prayer remained our side.

How excellent the heaven,

When earth cannot be had ;

How hospitable, then, the face

Of our old neighbor, God !

624. FOREVER — IS COMPOSED OF NOWS —

Forever — is composed of Nows —

'Tis not a different time —

Except for Infiniteness —

And Latitude of Home —

From this — experienced Here —

Remove the Dates — to These —

Let Months dissolve in further Months —

And Years — exhale in Years —

Without Debate — or Pause —

Or Celebrated Days —

No different Our Years would be

From Anno Domini's —

625. 'TWAS A LONG PARTING — BUT THE TIME

'Twas a long Parting — but the time

For Interview — had Come —

Before the Judgment Seat of God —

The last — and second time

These Fleshless Lovers met —

A Heaven in a Gaze —

A Heaven of Heavens — the Privilege

Of one another's Eyes —

No Lifetime — on Them —

Appareled as the new

Unborn — except They had beheld —

Born infiniter — now —

Was Bridal — e'er like This?

A Paradise — the Host —

And Cherubim — and Seraphim —

The unobtrusive Guest —

626. ONLY GOD — DETECT THE SORROW —

Only God — detect the Sorrow —

Only God —

The Jehovahs — are no Babblers —

Unto God —

God the Son — Confide it —

Still secure —

God the Spirit's Honor —

Just as sure —

627. THE TINT I CANNOT TAKE — IS BEST —

The Tint I cannot take — is best —

The Color too remote

That I could show it in Bazaar —

A Guinea at a sight —

The fine — impalpable Array —

That swaggers on the eye

Like Cleopatra's Company —

Repeated — in the sky —

The Moments of Dominion

That happen on the Soul

And leave it with a Discontent

Too exquisite — to tell —

The eager look — on Landscapes —

As if they just repressed

Some Secret — that was pushing

Like Chariots — in the Vest —

The Pleading of the Summer —

That other Prank — of Snow —

That Cushions Mystery with Tulle,

For fear the Squirrels — know.

Their Graspless manners — mock us —

Until the Cheated Eye

Shuts arrogantly — in the Grave —

Another way — to see —

628. THEY CALLED ME TO THE WINDOW, FOR

They called me to the Window, for

" 'Twas Sunset" — Some one said —

I only saw a Sapphire Farm —

And just a Single Herd —

Of Opal Cattle — feeding far

Upon so vain a Hill —

As even while I looked — dissolved —

Nor Cattle were — nor Soil —

But in their stead — a Sea — displayed —

And Ships — of such a size

As Crew of Mountains — could afford —

And Decks — to seat the skies —

This — too — the Showman rubbed away —

And when I looked again —

Nor Farm — nor Opal Herd — was there —

Nor Mediterranean —

629. I WATCHED THE MOON AROUND THE HOUSE

I watched the Moon around the House

Until upon a Pane —

She stopped — a Traveller's privilege — for Rest —

And there upon

I gazed — as at a stranger —

The Lady in the Town

Doth think no incivility

To lift her Glass — upon —

But never Stranger justified

The Curiosity

Like Mine — for not a Foot — nor Hand —

Nor Formula — had she —

But like a Head — a Guillotine

Slid carelessly away —

Did independent, Amber —

Sustain her in the sky —

Or like a Stemless Flower —

Upheld in rolling Air

By finer Gravitations —

Than bind Philosopher —

No Hunger — had she — nor an Inn —

Her Toilette — to suffice —

Nor Avocation — nor Concern

For little Mysteries

As harass us — like Life — and Death —

And Afterwards — or Nay —

But seemed engrossed to Absolute —

With shining — and the Sky —

The privilege to scrutinize

Was scarce upon my Eyes

When, with a Silver practise —

She vaulted out of Gaze —

And next — I met her on a Cloud —

Myself too far below

To follow her superior Road —

Or its advantage — Blue —

630. THE LIGHTNING PLAYETH — ALL THE WHILE —

The Lightning playeth — all the while —

But when He singeth — then —

Ourselves are conscious He exist —

And we approach Him — stern —

With Insulators — and a Glove —

Whose short — sepulchral Bass

Alarms us — tho' His Yellow feet

May pass — and counterpass —

Upon the Ropes — above our Head —

Continual — with the News —

Nor We so much as check our speech —

Nor stop to cross Ourselves —

631. OURSELVES WERE WED ONE SUMMER — DEAR —

Ourselves were wed one summer — dear —

Your Vision — was in June —

And when Your little Lifetime failed,

I wearied — too — of mine —

And overtaken in the Dark —

Where You had put me down —

By Some one carrying a Light —

I — too — received the Sign.

'Tis true — Our Futures different lay —

Your Cottage — faced the sun —

While Oceans — and the North must be —

On every side of mine

'Tis true, Your Garden led the Bloom,

For mine — in Frosts — was sown —

And yet, one Summer, we were Queens —

But You — were crowned in June —

632. THE BRAIN — IS WIDER THAN THE SKY —

The Brain — is wider than the Sky —

For — put them side by side —

The one the other will contain

With ease — and You — beside —

The Brain is deeper than the sea —

For — hold them — Blue to Blue —

The one the other will absorb —

As Sponges — Buckets — do —

The Brain is just the weight of God —

For — Heft them — Pound for Pound —

And they will differ — if they do —

As Syllable from Sound —

633. WHEN BELLS STOP RINGING — CHURCH — BEGINS

When Bells stop ringing — Church — begins

The Positive — of Bells —

When Cogs — stop — that's Circumference —

The Ultimate — of Wheels.

634. YOU'LL KNOW HER — BY HER FOOT —

You'll know Her — by Her Foot —

The smallest Gamboge Hand

With Fingers — where the Toes should be —

Would more affront the Sand —

Than this Quaint Creature's Boot —

Adjusted by a Stern —

Without a Button — I could vouch —

Unto a Velvet Limb —

You'll know Her — by Her Vest —

Tight fitting — Orange — Brown —

Inside a Jacket duller —

She wore when she was born —

Her Cap is small — and snug —

Constructed for the Winds —

She'd pass for Barehead — short way off —

But as She Closer stands —

So finer 'tis than Wool —

You cannot feel the Seam —

Nor is it Clasped unto of Band —

Nor held upon — of Brim —

You'll know Her — by Her Voice —

At first — a doubtful Tone —

A sweet endeavor — but as March

To April — hurries on —

She squanders on your Ear

Such Arguments of Pearl —

You beg the Robin in your Brain

To keep the other — still —

635. I THINK THE LONGEST HOUR OF ALL

I think the longest Hour of all

Is when the Cars have come —

And we are waiting for the Coach —

It seems as though the Time

Indignant — that the Joy was come —

Did block the Gilded Hands —

And would not let the Seconds by —

But slowest instant — ends —

The Pendulum begins to count —

Like little Scholars — loud —

The steps grow thicker — in the Hall —

The Heart begins to crowd —

Then I — my timid service done —

Tho' service 'twas, of Love —

Take up my little Violin —

And further North — remove.

636. THE WAY I READ A LETTER'S — THIS —

The Way I read a Letter's — this —

'Tis first — I lock the Door —

And push it with my fingers — next —

For transport it be sure —

And then I go the furthest off

To counteract a knock —

Then draw my little Letter forth

And slowly pick the lock —

Then — glancing narrow, at the Wall —

And narrow at the floor

For firm Conviction of a Mouse

Not exorcised before —

Peruse how infinite I am

To no one that You — know —

And sigh for lack of Heaven — but not

The Heaven God bestow —

637. THE CHILD'S FAITH IS NEW —

The Child's faith is new —

Whole — like His Principle —

Wide — like the Sunrise

On fresh Eyes —

Never had a Doubt —

Laughs — at a Scruple —

Believes all sham

But Paradise —

Credits the World —

Deems His Dominion

Broadest of Sovereignties —

And Caesar — mean —

In the Comparison —

Baseless Emperor —

Ruler of Nought —

Yet swaying all —

Grown bye and bye

To hold mistaken

His pretty estimates

Of Prickly Things

He gains the skill

Sorrowful — as certain —

Men — to anticipate

Instead of Kings —

638. TO MY SMALL HEARTH HIS FIRE CAME —

To my small Hearth His fire came —

And all my House aglow

Did fan and rock, with sudden light —

'Twas Sunrise — 'twas the Sky —

Impanelled from no Summer brief —

With limit of Decay —

'Twas Noon — without the News of Night —

Nay, Nature, it was Day —

639. MY PORTION IS DEFEAT — TODAY —

My Portion is Defeat — today —

A paler luck than Victory —

Less Paeans — fewer Bells —

The Drums don't follow Me — with tunes —

Defeat — a somewhat slower — means —

More Arduous than Balls —

'Tis populous with Bone and stain —

And Men too straight to stoop again —,

And Piles of solid Moan —

And Chips of Blank — in Boyish Eyes —

And scraps of Prayer —

And Death's surprise,

Stamped visible — in Stone —

There's somewhat prouder, over there —

The Trumpets tell it to the Air —

How different Victory

To Him who has it — and the One

Who to have had it, would have been

Contenteder — to die —

640. I CANNOT LIVE WITH YOU —

I cannot live with You —

It would be Life —

And Life is over there —

Behind the Shelf

The Sexton keeps the Key to —

Putting up

Our Life — His Porcelain —

Like a Cup —

Discarded of the Housewife —

Quaint — or Broke —

A newer Sevres pleases —

Old Ones crack —

I could not die — with You —

For One must wait

To shut the Other's Gaze down —

You — could not —

And I — Could I stand by

And see You — freeze —

Without my Right of Frost —

Death's privilege?

Nor could I rise — with You —

Because Your Face

Would put out Jesus' —

That New Grace

Glow plain — and foreign

On my homesick Eye —

Except that You than He

Shone closer by —

They'd judge Us — How —

For You — served Heaven — You know,

Or sought to —

I could not —

Because You saturated Sight —

And I had no more Eyes

For sordid excellence

As Paradise

And were You lost, I would be —

Though My Name

Rang loudest

On the Heavenly fame —

And were You — saved —

And I — condemned to be

Where You were not —

That self — were Hell to Me —

So We must meet apart —

You there — I — here —

With just the Door ajar

That Oceans are — and Prayer —

And that White Sustenance —

Despair —

641. SIZE CIRCUMSCRIBES — IT HAS NO ROOM

Size circumscribes — it has no room

For petty furniture —

The Giant tolerates no Gnat

For Ease of Gianture —

Repudiates it, all the more —

Because intrinsic size

Ignores the possibility

Of Calumnies — or Flies.

642. ME FROM MYSELF — TO BANISH —

Me from Myself — to banish —

Had I Art —

Impregnable my Fortress

Unto All Heart —

But since Myself — assault Me —

How have I peace

Except by subjugating

Consciousness?

And since We're mutual Monarch

How this be

Except by Abdication —

Me — of Me?

643. I COULD SUFFICE FOR HIM, I KNEW —

I could suffice for Him, I knew —

He — could suffice for Me —

Yet Hesitating Fractions — Both

Surveyed Infinity —

"Would I be Whole" He sudden broached —

My syllable rebelled —

'Twas face to face with Nature — forced —

'Twas face to face with God —

Withdrew the Sun — to Other Wests —

Withdrew the furthest Star

Before Decision — stooped to speech —

And then — be audibler

The Answer of the Sea unto

The Motion of the Moon —

Herself adjust Her Tides — unto —

Could I — do else — with Mine?

644. YOU LEFT ME — SIRE — TWO LEGACIES —

You left me — Sire — two Legacies —

A Legacy of Love

A Heavenly Father would suffice

Had He the offer of —

You left me Boundaries of Pain —

Capacious as the Sea —

Between Eternity and Time —

Your Consciousness — and Me —

645. BEREAVEMENT IN THEIR DEATH TO FEEL

Bereavement in their death to feel

Whom We have never seen —

A Vital Kinsmanship import

Our Soul and theirs — between —

For Stranger — Strangers do not mourn —

There be Immortal friends

Whom Death see first — 'tis news of this

That paralyze Ourselves —

Who, vital only to Our Thought —

Such Presence bear away

In dying — 'tis as if Our Souls

Absconded — suddenly —

646. I THINK TO LIVE — MAY BE A BLISS

I think to Live — may be a Bliss

To those who dare to try —

Beyond my limit to conceive —

My lip — to testify —

I think the Heart I former wore

Could widen — till to me

The Other, like the little Bank

Appear — unto the Sea —

I think the Days — could every one

In Ordination stand —

And Majesty — be easier —

Than an inferior kind —

No numb alarm — lest Difference come —

No Goblin — on the Bloom —

No start in Apprehension's Ear,

No Bankruptcy — no Doom —

But Certainties of Sun —

Midsummer — in the Mind —

A steadfast South — upon the Soul —

Her Polar time — behind —

The Vision — pondered long —

So plausible becomes

That I esteem the fiction — real —

The Real — fictitious seems —

How bountiful the Dream —

What Plenty — it would be —

Had all my Life but been Mistake

Just rectified — in Thee

647. A LITTLE ROAD — NOT MADE OF MAN —

A little road not made of man,

Enabled of the eye,

Accessible to thill of bee,

Or cart of butterfly.

If town it have, beyond itself,

'T is that I cannot say ;

I only sigh,—no vehicle

Bears me along that way.

648. PROMISE THIS — WHEN YOU BE DYING —

Promise This — When You be Dying —

Some shall summon Me —

Mine belong Your latest Sighing —

Mine — to Belt Your Eye —

Not with Coins — though they be Minted

From an Emperor's Hand —

Be my lips — the only Buckle

Your low Eyes — demand —

Mine to stay — when all have wandered —

To devise once more

If the Life be too surrendered —

Life of Mine — restore —

Poured like this — My Whole Libation —

Just that You should see

Bliss of Death — Life's Bliss extol thro'

Imitating You —

Mine — to guard Your Narrow Precinct —

To seduce the Sun

Longest on Your South, to linger,

Largest Dews of Morn

To demand, in Your low favor

Lest the Jealous Grass

Greener lean — Or fonder cluster

Round some other face —

Mine to supplicate Madonna —

If Madonna be

Could behold so far a Creature —

Christ — omitted — Me —

Just to follow Your dear future —

Ne'er so far behind —

For My Heaven —

Had I not been

Most enough — denied?

649. HER SWEET TURN TO LEAVE THE HOMESTEAD

Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead

Came the Darker Way —

Carriages — Be Sure — and Guests — too —

But for Holiday

'Tis more pitiful Endeavor

Than did Loaded Sea

O'er the Curls attempt to caper

It had cast away —

Never Bride had such Assembling —

Never kinsmen kneeled

To salute so fair a Forehead —

Garland be indeed —

Fitter Feet — of Her before us —

Than whatever Brow

Art of Snow — or Trick of Lily

Possibly bestow

Of Her Father — Whoso ask Her —

He shall seek as high

As the Palm — that serve the Desert —

To obtain the Sky —

Distance — be Her only Motion —

If 'tis Nay — or Yes —

Acquiescence — or Demurral —

Whosoever guess —

He — must pass the Crystal Angle

That obscure Her face —

He — must have achieved in person

Equal Paradise —

650. PAIN — HAS AN ELEMENT OF BLANK —

Pain — has an Element of Blank —

It cannot recollect

When it begun — or if there were

A time when it was not —

It has no Future — but itself —

Its Infinite realms contain

Its Past — enlightened to perceive

New Periods — of Pain.

651. SO MUCH SUMMER

So much Summer

Me for showing

Illegitimate —

Would a Smile's minute bestowing

Too exorbitant

To the Lady

With the Guinea

Look — if She should know

Crumb of Mine

A Robin's Larder

Would suffice to stow —

652. A PRISON GETS TO BE A FRIEND —

A Prison gets to be a friend —

Between its Ponderous face

And Ours — a Kinsmanship express —

And in its narrow Eyes —

We come to look with gratitude

For the appointed Beam

It deal us — stated as our food —

And hungered for — the same —

We learn to know the Planks —

That answer to Our feet —

So miserable a sound — at first —

Nor ever now — so sweet —

As plashing in the Pools —

When Memory was a Boy —

But a Demurer Circuit —

A Geometric Joy —

The Posture of the Key

That interrupt the Day

To Our Endeavor — Not so real

The Check of Liberty —

As this Phantasm Steel —

Whose features — Day and Night —

Are present to us — as Our Own —

And as escapeless — quite —

The narrow Round — the Stint —

The slow exchange of Hope —

For something passiver — Content

Too steep for looking up —

The Liberty we knew

Avoided — like a Dream —

Too wide for any Night but Heaven —

If That — indeed — redeem —

653. OF BEING IS A BIRD

Of Being is a Bird

The likest to the Down

An Easy Breeze do put afloat

The General Heavens — upon —

It soars — and shifts — and whirls —

And measures with the Clouds

In easy — even — dazzling pace —

No different the Birds —

Except a Wake of Music

Accompany their feet —

As did the Down emit a Tune —

For Ecstasy — of it

654. A LONG — LONG SLEEP — A FAMOUS — SLEEP —

A long — long Sleep — A famous — Sleep —

That makes no show for Morn —

By Stretch of Limb — or stir of Lid —

An independent One —

Was ever idleness like This?

Upon a Bank of Stone

To bask the Centuries away —

Nor once look up — for Noon?

655. WITHOUT THIS — THERE IS NOUGHT —

Without this — there is nought —

All other Riches be

As is the Twitter of a Bird —

Heard opposite the Sea —

I could not care — to gain

A lesser than the Whole —

For did not this include themself —

As Seams — include the Ball?

I wished a way might be

My Heart to subdivide —

'Twould magnify — the Gratitude —

And not reduce — the Gold —

656. THE NAME — OF IT — IS "AUTUMN" —

The name — of it — is "Autumn" —

The hue — of it — is Blood —

An Artery — upon the Hill —

A Vein — along the Road —

Great Globules — in the Alleys —

And Oh, the Shower of Stain —

When Winds — upset the Basin —

And spill the Scarlet Rain —

It sprinkles Bonnets — far below —

It gathers ruddy Pools —

Then — eddies like a Rose — away —

Upon Vermilion Wheels —

657. I DWELL IN POSSIBILITY —

I dwell in Possibility —

A fairer House than Prose —

More numerous of Windows —

Superior — for Doors —

Of Chambers as the Cedars —

Impregnable of Eye —

And for an Everlasting Roof

The Gambrels of the Sky —

Of Visitors — the fairest —

For Occupation — This —

The spreading wide my narrow Hands

To gather Paradise —

658. WHOLE GULFS — OF RED, AND FLEETS — OF RED —

Whole Gulfs — of Red, and Fleets — of Red —

And Crews — of solid Blood —

Did place upon the West — Tonight —

As 'twere specific Ground —

And They — appointed Creatures —

In Authorized Arrays —

Due — promptly — as a Drama —

That bows — and disappears —

659. THAT FIRST DAY, WHEN YOU PRAISED ME, SWEET,

That first Day, when you praised Me, Sweet,

And said that I was strong —

And could be mighty, if I liked —

That Day — the Days among —

Glows Central — like a Jewel

Between Diverging Golds —

The Minor One — that gleamed behind —

And Vaster — of the World's.

660. 'TIS GOOD — THE LOOKING BACK ON GRIEF —

'Tis good — the looking back on Grief —

To re-endure a Day —

We thought the Mighty Funeral —

Of All Conceived Joy —

To recollect how Busy Grass

Did meddle — one by one —

Till all the Grief with Summer — waved

And none could see the stone.

And though the Woe you have Today

Be larger — As the Sea

Exceeds its Unremembered Drop —

They're Water — equally —

661. COULD I BUT RIDE INDEFINITE

Could I but ride indefinite

As doth the Meadow Bee

And visit only where I liked

And No one visit me

And flirt all Day with Buttercups

And marry whom I may

And dwell a little everywhere

Or better, run away

With no Police to follow

Or chase Him if He do

Till He should jump Peninsulas

To get away from me —

I said "But just to be a Bee"

Upon a Raft of Air

And row in Nowhere all Day long

And anchor "off the Bar"

What Liberty! So Captives deem

Who tight in Dungeons are.

662. EMBARRASSMENT OF ONE ANOTHER

Embarrassment of one another

And God

Is Revelation's limit,

Aloud

Is nothing that is chief,

But still,

Divinity dwells under a seal.

663. AGAIN — HIS VOICE IS AT THE DOOR —

Again — his voice is at the door —

I feel the old Degree —

I hear him ask the servant

For such an one — as me —

I take a flower — as I go —

My face to justify —

He never saw me — in this life —

I might surprise his eye!

I cross the Hall with mingled steps —

I — silent — pass the door —

I look on all this world contains —

Just his face — nothing more!

We talk in careless — and it toss —

A kind of plummet strain —

Each — sounding — shyly —

Just — how — deep —

The other's one — had been —

We walk — I leave my Dog — at home —

A tender — thoughtful Moon —

Goes with us — just a little way —

And — then — we are alone —

Alone — if Angels are "alone" —

First time they try the sky!

Alone — if those "veiled faces" — be —

We cannot count — on High!

I'd give — to live that hour — again —

The purple — in my Vein —

But He must count the drops — himself —

My price for every stain!

664. OF ALL THE SOULS THAT STAND CREATE —

Of all the Souls that stand create —

I have elected — One —

When Sense from Spirit — files away —

And Subterfuge — is done —

When that which is — and that which was —

Apart — intrinsic — stand —

And this brief Drama in the flesh —

Is shifted — like a Sand —

When Figures show their royal Front —

And Mists — are carved away,

Behold the Atom — I preferred —

To all the lists of Clay!

665. DROPPED INTO THE ETHER ACRE —

Dropped into the Ether Acre —

Wearing the Sod Gown —

Bonnet of Everlasting Laces —

Brooch — frozen on —

Horses of Blonde — and Coach of Silver —

Baggage a strapped Pearl —

Journey of Down — and Whip of Diamond —

Riding to meet the Earl —

666. AH, TENERIFFE!

Ah, Teneriffe!

Retreating Mountain!

Purples of Ages — pause for you —

Sunset — reviews her Sapphire Regiment —

Day — drops you her Red Adieu!

Still — Clad in your Mail of ices —

Thigh of Granite — and thew — of Steel —

Heedless — alike — of pomp — or parting

Ah, Teneriffe!

I'm kneeling — still —

667. BLOOM UPON THE MOUNTAIN — STATED —

Bloom upon the Mountain — stated —

Blameless of a Name —

Efflorescence of a Sunset —

Reproduced — the same —

Seed, had I, my Purple Sowing

Should endow the Day —

Not a Topic of a Twilight —

Show itself away —

Who for tilling — to the Mountain

Come, and disappear —

Whose be Her Renown, or fading,

Witness, is not here —

While I state — the Solemn Petals,

Far as North — and East,

Far as South and West — expanding —

Culminate — in Rest —

And the Mountain to the Evening

Fit His Countenance —

Indicating, by no Muscle —

The Experience —

668. "NATURE" IS WHAT WE SEE —

"Nature" is what we see —

The Hill — the Afternoon —

Squirrel — Eclipse — the Bumble bee —

Nay — Nature is Heaven —

Nature is what we hear —

The Bobolink — the Sea —

Thunder — the Cricket —

Nay — Nature is Harmony —

Nature is what we know —

Yet have no art to say —

So impotent Our Wisdom is

To her Simplicity.

669. NO ROMANCE SOLD UNTO

No Romance sold unto

Could so enthrall a Man

As the perusal of

His Individual One —

'Tis Fiction's — When 'tis small enough

To Credit — 'Tisn't true!

670. ONE NEED NOT BE A CHAMBER — TO BE HAUNTED —

One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —

One need not be a House —

The Brain has Corridors — surpassing

Material Place —

Far safer, of a Midnight Meeting

External Ghost

Than its interior Confronting —

That Cooler Host.

Far safer, through an Abbey gallop,

The Stones a'chase —

Than Unarmed, one's a'self encounter —

In lonesome Place —

Ourself behind ourself, concealed —

Should startle most —

Assassin hid in our Apartment

Be Horror's least.

The Body — borrows a Revolver —

He bolts the Door —

O'erlooking a superior spectre —

Or More —

671. SHE DWELLETH IN THE GROUND —

She dwelleth in the Ground —

Where Daffodils — abide —

Her Maker — Her Metropolis —

The Universe — Her Maid —

To fetch Her Grace — and Hue —

And Fairness — and Renown —

The Firmament's — To Pluck Her —

And fetch Her Thee — be mine —

672. THE FUTURE — NEVER SPOKE —

The Future — never spoke —

Nor will He — like the Dumb —

Reveal by sign — a syllable

Of His Profound To Come —

But when the News be ripe —

Presents it — in the Act —

Forestalling Preparation —

Escape — or Substitute —

Indifference to Him —

The Dower — as the Doom —

His Office — but to execute

Fate's — Telegram — to Him —

673. THE LOVE A LIFE CAN SHOW BELOW

The Love a Life can show Below

Is but a filament, I know,

Of that diviner thing

That faints upon the face of Noon —

And smites the Tinder in the Sun —

And hinders Gabriel's Wing —

'Tis this — in Music — hints and sways —

And far abroad on Summer days —

Distils uncertain pain —

'Tis this enamors in the East —

And tints the Transit in the West

With harrowing Iodine —

'Tis this — invites — appalls — endows —

Flits — glimmers — proves — dissolves —

Returns — suggests — convicts — enchants —

Then — flings in Paradise —

674. THE SOUL THAT HATH A GUEST

The Soul that hath a Guest

Doth seldom go abroad —

Diviner Crowd at Home —

Obliterate the need —

And Courtesy forbid

A Host's departure when

Upon Himself be visiting

The Emperor of Men —

675. ESSENTIAL OILS — ARE WRUNG —

Essential Oils — are wrung —

The Attar from the Rose

Be not expressed by Suns — alone —

It is the gift of Screws —

The General Rose — decay —

But this — in Lady's Drawer

Make Summer — When the Lady lie

In Ceaseless Rosemary —

676. LEAST BEE THAT BREW —

Least Bee that brew —

A Honey's Weight

Content Her smallest fraction help

The Amber Quantity —

677. TO BE ALIVE — IS POWER —

To be alive — is Power —

Existence — in itself —

Without a further function —

Omnipotence — Enough —

To be alive — and Will!

'Tis able as a God —

The Maker — of Ourselves — be what —

Such being Finitude!

678. WOLFE DEMANDED DURING DYING

Wolfe demanded during dying

"Which obtain the Day"?

"General, the British" — "Easy"

Answered Wolfe "to die"

Montcalm, his opposing Spirit

Rendered with a smile

"Sweet" said he "my own Surrender

Liberty's beguile"

679. CONSCIOUS AM I IN MY CHAMBER,

Conscious am I in my Chamber,

Of a shapeless friend —

He doth not attest by Posture —

Nor Confirm — by Word —

Neither Place — need I present Him —

Fitter Courtesy

Hospitable intuition

Of His Company —

Presence — is His furthest license —

Neither He to Me

Nor Myself to Him — by Accent —

Forfeit Probity —

Weariness of Him, were quainter

Than Monotony

Knew a Particle — of Space's

Vast Society

Neither if He visit Other —

Do He dwell — or Nay — know I —

But Instinct esteem Him

Immortality —

680. EACH LIFE CONVERGES TO SOME CENTRE —

Each Life Converges to some Centre —

Expressed — or still —

Exists in every Human Nature

A Goal —

Embodied scarcely to itself — it may be —

Too fair

For Credibility's presumption

To mar —

Adored with caution — as a Brittle Heaven —

To reach

Were hopeless, as the Rainbow's Raiment

To touch —

Yet persevered toward — sure — for the Distance —

How high —

Unto the Saint's slow diligence —

The Sky —

Ungained — it may be — by a Life's low Venture —

But then —

Eternity enable the endeavoring

Again.

681. SOIL OF FLINT, IF STEADY TILLED —

Soil of Flint, if steady tilled —

Will refund by Hand —

Seed of Palm, by Libyan Sun

Fructified in Sand —

682. 'TWOULD EASE — A BUTTERFLY —

'Twould ease — a Butterfly —

Elate — a Bee —

Thou'rt neither —

Neither — thy capacity —

But, Blossom, were I,

I would rather be

Thy moment

Than a Bee's Eternity —

Content of fading

Is enough for me —

Fade I unto Divinity —

And Dying — Lifetime —

Ample as the Eye —

Her least attention raise on me —

683. THE SOUL UNTO ITSELF

The Soul unto itself

Is an imperial friend —

Or the most agonizing Spy —

An Enemy — could send —

Secure against its own —

No treason it can fear —

Itself — its Sovereign — of itself

The Soul should stand in Awe —

684. BEST GAINS — MUST HAVE THE LOSSES' TEST —

Best Gains — must have the Losses' Test —

To constitute them — Gains —

685. NOT "REVELATION" — 'TIS — THAT WAITS,

Not "Revelation" — 'tis — that waits,

But our unfurnished eyes —

686. THEY SAY THAT "TIME ASSUAGES" —

They say that "Time assuages" —

Time never did assuage —

An actual suffering strengthens

As Sinews do, with age —

Time is a Test of Trouble —

But not a Remedy —

If such it prove, it prove too

There was no Malady —

687. I'LL SEND THE FEATHER FROM MY HAT!

I'll send the feather from my Hat!

Who knows — but at the sight of that

My Sovereign will relent?

As trinket — worn by faded Child —

Confronting eyes long — comforted —

Blisters the Adamant!

688. "SPEECH" — IS A PRANK OF PARLIAMENT —

"Speech" — is a prank of Parliament —

"Tears" — is a trick of the nerve —

But the Heart with the heaviest freight on —

Doesn't — always — move —

689. THE ZEROES — TAUGHT US — PHOSPHOROUS —

The Zeroes — taught us — Phosphorous —

We learned to like the Fire

By playing Glaciers — when a Boy —

And Tinder — guessed — by power

Of Opposite — to balance Odd —

If White — a Red — must be!

Paralysis — our Primer — dumb —

Unto Vitality!

690. VICTORY COMES LATE —

Victory comes late —

And is held low to freezing lips —

Too rapt with frost

To take it —

How sweet it would have tasted —

Just a Drop —

Was God so economical?

His Table's spread too high for Us —

Unless We dine on tiptoe —

Crumbs — fit such little mouths —

Cherries — suit Robbins —

The Eagle's Golden Breakfast strangles — Them —

God keep His Oath to Sparrows —

Who of little Love — know how to starve —

691. WOULD YOU LIKE SUMMER? TASTE OF OURS.

Would you like summer? Taste of ours.

Spices? Buy here!

Ill! We have berries, for the parching!

Weary! Furloughs of down!

Perplexed! Estates of violet trouble ne'er looked on!

Captive! We bring reprieve of roses!

Fainting! Flasks of air!

Even for Death, a fairy medicine.

But, which is it, sir?

692. THE SUN KEPT SETTING — SETTING — STILL

The Sun kept setting — setting — still

No Hue of Afternoon —

Upon the Village I perceived

From House to House 'twas Noon —

The Dusk kept dropping — dropping — still

No Dew upon the Grass —

But only on my Forehead stopped —

And wandered in my Face —

My Feet kept drowsing — drowsing — still

My fingers were awake —

Yet why so little sound — Myself

Unto my Seeming — make?

How well I knew the Light before —

I could see it now —

'Tis Dying — I am doing — but

I'm not afraid to know —

693. SHELLS FROM THE COAST MISTAKING —

Shells from the Coast mistaking —

I cherished them for All —

Happening in After Ages

To entertain a Pearl —

Wherefore so late — I murmured —

My need of Thee — be done —

Therefore — the Pearl responded —

My Period begin

694. THE HEAVEN VESTS FOR EACH

The Heaven vests for Each

In that small Deity

It craved the grace to worship

Some bashful Summer's Day —

Half shrinking from the Glory

It importuned to see

Till these faint Tabernacles drop

In full Eternity —

How imminent the Venture —

As one should sue a Star —

For His mean sake to leave the Row

And entertain Despair —

A Clemency so common —

We almost cease to fear —

Enabling the minutest —

And furthest — to adore —

695. AS IF THE SEA SHOULD PART

As if the Sea should part

And show a further Sea —

And that — a further — and the Three

But a presumption be —

Of Periods of Seas —

Unvisited of Shores —

Themselves the Verge of Seas to be —

Eternity — is Those —

696. THEIR HEIGHT IN HEAVEN COMFORTS NOT —

Their Height in Heaven comforts not —

Their Glory — nought to me —

'Twas best imperfect — as it was —

I'm finite — I can't see —

The House of Supposition —

The Glimmering Frontier that

Skirts the Acres of Perhaps —

To Me — shows insecure —

The Wealth I had — contented me —

If 'twas a meaner size —

Then I had counted it until

It pleased my narrow Eyes —

Better than larger values —

That show however true —

This timid life of Evidence

Keeps pleading — "I don't know."

697. I COULD BRING YOU JEWELS — HAD I A MIND TO —

I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

But You have enough — of those —

I could bring You Odors from St. Domingo —

Colors — from Vera Cruz —

Berries of the Bahamas — have I —

But this little Blaze

Flickering to itself — in the Meadow —

Suits Me — more than those —

Never a Fellow matched this Topaz —

And his Emerald Swing —

Dower itself — for Bobadilo —

Better — Could I bring?

698. LIFE — IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT —

Life — is what we make of it —

Death — we do not know —

Christ's acquaintance with Him

Justify Him — though —

He — would trust no stranger —

Other — could betray —

Just His own endorsement —

That — sufficeth Me —

All the other Distance

He hath traversed first —

No New Mile remaineth —

Far as Paradise —

His sure foot preceding —

Tender Pioneer —

Base must be the Coward

Dare not venture — now —

699. THE JUDGE IS LIKE THE OWL —

The Judge is like the Owl —

I've heard my Father tell —

And Owls do build in Oaks —

So here's an Amber Sill —

That slanted in my Path —

When going to the Barn —

And if it serve You for a House —

Itself is not in vain —

About the price — 'tis small —

I only ask a Tune

At Midnight — Let the Owl select

His favorite Refrain.

700. YOU'VE SEEN BALLOONS SET — HAVEN'T YOU?

You've seen Balloons set — Haven't You?

So stately they ascend —

It is as Swans — discarded You,

For Duties Diamond —

Their Liquid Feet go softly out

Upon a Sea of Blonde —

They spurn the Air, as t'were too mean

For Creatures so renowned —

Their Ribbons just beyond the eye —

They struggle — some — for Breath —

And yet the Crowd applaud, below —

They would not encore — Death —

The Gilded Creature strains — and spins —

Trips frantic in a Tree —

Tears open her imperial Veins —

And tumbles in the Sea —

The Crowd — retire with an Oath —

The Dust in Streets — go down —

And Clerks in Counting Rooms

Observe — "'Twas only a Balloon" —

701. A THOUGHT WENT UP MY MIND TODAY —

A Thought went up my mind today —

That I have had before —

But did not finish — some way back —

I could not fix the Year —

Nor where it went — nor why it came

The second time to me —

Nor definitely, what it was —

Have I the Art to say —

But somewhere — in my Soul — I know —

I've met the Thing before —

It just reminded me — 'twas all —

And came my way no more —

702. A FIRST MUTE COMING —

A first Mute Coming —

In the Stranger's House —

A first fair Going —

When the Bells rejoice —

A first Exchange — of

What hath mingled — been —

For Lot — exhibited to

Faith — alone —

703. OUT OF SIGHT? WHAT OF THAT?

Out of sight? What of that?

See the Bird — reach it!

Curve by Curve — Sweep by Sweep —

Round the Steep Air —

Danger! What is that to Her?

Better 'tis to fail — there —

Than debate — here —

Blue is Blue — the World through —

Amber — Amber — Dew — Dew —

Seek — Friend — and see —

Heaven is shy of Earth — that's all —

Bashful Heaven — thy Lovers small —

Hide — too — from thee —

704. NO MATTER — NOW — SWEET —

No matter — now — Sweet —

But when I'm Earl —

Won't you wish you'd spoken

To that dull Girl?

Trivial a Word — just —

Trivial — a Smile —

But won't you wish you'd spared one

When I'm Earl?

I shan't need it — then —

Crests — will do —

Eagles on my Buckles —

On my Belt — too —

Ermine — my familiar Gown —

Say — Sweet — then

Won't you wish you'd smiled — just —

Me upon?

705. SUSPENSE — IS HOSTILER THAN DEATH —

Suspense — is Hostiler than Death —

Death — tho'soever Broad,

Is Just Death, and cannot increase —

Suspense — does not conclude —

But perishes — to live anew —

But just anew to die —

Annihilation — plated fresh

With Immortality —

706. LIFE, AND DEATH, AND GIANTS —

Life, and Death, and Giants —

Such as These — are still —

Minor — Apparatus — Hopper of the Mill —

Beetle at the Candle —

Or a Fife's Fame —

Maintain — by Accident that they proclaim —

707. THE GRACE — MYSELF — MIGHT NOT OBTAIN —

The Grace — Myself — might not obtain —

Confer upon My flower —

Refracted but a Countenance —

For I — inhabit Her —

708. I SOMETIMES DROP IT, FOR A QUICK —

I sometimes drop it, for a Quick —

The Thought to be alive —

Anonymous Delight to know —

And Madder — to conceive —

Consoles a Woe so monstrous

That did it tear all Day,

Without an instant's Respite —

'Twould look too far — to Die —

Delirium - diverts the Wretch

For Whom the Scaffold neighs -

The Hammock's Motion lulls the Heads

So close on Paradise -

A Reef - crawled easy from the Sea

Eats off the Brittle Line -

The Sailor doesn't know the Stroke -

Until He's past the Pain -

709. PUBLICATION — IS THE AUCTION

Publication — is the Auction

Of the Mind of Man —

Poverty — be justifying

For so foul a thing

Possibly — but We — would rather

From Our Garret go

White — Unto the White Creator —

Than invest — Our Snow —

Thought belong to Him who gave it —

Then — to Him Who bear

Its Corporeal illustration — Sell

The Royal Air —

In the Parcel — Be the Merchant

Of the Heavenly Grace —

But reduce no Human Spirit

To Disgrace of Price —

710. THE SUNRISE RUNS FOR BOTH —

The Sunrise runs for Both —

The East — Her Purple Troth

Keeps with the Hill —

The Noon unwinds Her Blue

Till One Breadth cover Two —

Remotest — still —

Nor does the Night forget

A Lamp for Each — to set —

Wicks wide away —

The North — Her blazing Sign

Erects in Iodine —

Till Both — can see —

The Midnight's Dusky Arms

Clasp Hemispheres, and Homes

And so

Upon Her Bosom — One —

And One upon Her Hem —

Both lie —

711. STRONG DRAUGHTS OF THEIR REFRESHING MINDS

Strong Draughts of Their Refreshing Minds

To drink — enables Mine

Through Desert or the Wilderness

As bore it Sealed Wine —

To go elastic — Or as One

The Camel's trait — attained —

How powerful the Stimulus

Of an Hermetic Mind —

712. BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH —

Because I could not stop for Death—

He kindly stopped for me—

The Carriage held but just Ourselves—

And Immortality.

We slowly drove—He knew no haste,

And I had put away

My labor and my leisure too,

For His Civility—

We passed the School, where Children strove

At recess—in the ring—

We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain—

We passed the Setting Sun—

Or rather—He passed Us—

The Dews drew quivering and chill—

For only Gossamer, my Gown—

My Tippet—only Tulle—

We paused before a House that seemed

A Swelling of the Ground—

The Roof was scarcely visible—

The Cornice—in the Ground—

Since then—'tis centuries— and yet

Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses' Heads

Were toward Eternity—

713. FAME OF MYSELF, TO JUSTIFY,

Fame of Myself, to justify,

All other Plaudit be

Superfluous — An Incense

Beyond Necessity —

Fame of Myself to lack — Although

My Name be else Supreme —

This were an Honor honorless —

A futile Diadem —

714. REST AT NIGHT

Rest at Night

The Sun from shining,

Nature — and some Men —

Rest at Noon — some Men —

While Nature

And the Sun — go on —

715. THE WORLD — FEELS DUSTY

The World — feels Dusty

When We stop to Die —

We want the Dew — then —

Honors — taste dry —

Flags — vex a Dying face —

But the least Fan

Stirred by a friend's Hand —

Cools — like the Rain —

Mine be the Ministry

When thy Thirst comes —

And Hybla Balms —

Dews of Thessaly, to fetch —

716. THE DAY UNDRESSED — HERSELF —

The Day undressed — Herself —

Her Garter — was of Gold —

Her Petticoat — of Purple plain —

Her Dimities — as old

Exactly — as the World —

And yet the newest Star —

Enrolled upon the Hemisphere

Be wrinkled — much as Her —

Too near to God — to pray —

Too near to Heaven — to fear —

The Lady of the Occident

Retired without a care —

Her Candle so expire

The flickering be seen

On Ball of Mast in Bosporus —

And Dome — and Window Pane —

717. THE BEGGAR LAD — DIES EARLY —

The Beggar Lad — dies early —

It's Somewhat in the Cold —

And Somewhat in the Trudging feet —

And haply, in the World —

The Cruel — smiling — bowing World —

That took its Cambric Way —

Nor heard the timid cry for "Bread" —

"Sweet Lady — Charity" —

Among Redeemed Children

If Trudging feet may stand

The Barefoot time forgotten — so —

The Sleet — the bitter Wind —

The Childish Hands that teased for Pence

Lifted adoring — them —

To Him whom never Ragged — Coat

Did supplicate in vain —

718. I MEANT TO FIND HER WHEN I CAME —

I meant to find Her when I came —

Death — had the same design —

But the Success — was His — it seems —

And the Surrender — Mine —

I meant to tell Her how I longed

For just this single time —

But Death had told Her so the first —

And she had past, with Him —

To wander — now — is my Repose —

To rest — To rest would be

A privilege of Hurricane

To Memory — and Me.

719. A SOUTH WIND — HAS A PATHOS

A South Wind — has a pathos

Of individual Voice —

As One detect on Landings

An Emigrant's address.

A Hint of Ports and Peoples —

And much not understood —

The fairer — for the farness —

And for the foreignhood.

720. NO PRISONER BE —

No Prisoner be —

Where Liberty —

Himself — abide with Thee —

721. BEHIND ME — DIPS ETERNITY —

Behind Me — dips Eternity —

Before Me — Immortality —

Myself — the Term between —

Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,

Dissolving into Dawn away,

Before the West begin —

'Tis Kingdoms — afterward — they say —

In perfect — pauseless Monarchy —

Whose Prince — is Son of None —

Himself — His Dateless Dynasty —

Himself — Himself diversify —

In Duplicate divine —

'Tis Miracle before Me — then —

'Tis Miracle behind — between —

A Crescent in the Sea —

With Midnight to the North of Her —

And Midnight to the South of Her —

And Maelstrom — in the Sky —

722. SWEET MOUNTAINS — YE TELL ME NO LIE —

Sweet Mountains — Ye tell Me no lie —

Never deny Me — Never fly —

Those same unvarying Eyes

Turn on Me — when I fail — or feign,

Or take the Royal names in vain —

Their far — slow — Violet Gaze —

My Strong Madonnas — Cherish still —

The Wayward Nun — beneath the Hill —

Whose service — is to You —

Her latest Worship — When the Day

Fades from the Firmament away —

To lift Her Brows on You —

723. IT TOSSED — AND TOSSED —

It tossed — and tossed —

A little Brig I knew — o'ertook by Blast —

It spun — and spun —

And groped delirious, for Morn —

It slipped — and slipped —

As One that drunken — stept —

Its white foot tripped —

Then dropped from sight —

Ah, Brig — Good Night

To Crew and You —

The Ocean's Heart too smooth — too Blue —

To break for You —

724. IT'S EASY TO INVENT A LIFE —

It's easy to invent a Life —

God does it — every Day —

Creation — but the Gambol

Of His Authority —

It's easy to efface it —

The thrifty Deity

Could scarce afford Eternity

To Spontaneity —

The Perished Patterns murmur —

But His Perturbless Plan

Proceed — inserting Here — a Sun —

There — leaving out a Man —

725. WHERE THOU ART — THAT — IS HOME —

Where Thou art — that — is Home —

Cashmere — or Calvary — the same —

Degree — or Shame —

I scarce esteem Location's Name —

So I may Come —

What Thou dost — is Delight —

Bondage as Play — be sweet —

Imprisonment — Content —

And Sentence — Sacrament —

Just We two — meet —

Where Thou art not — is Woe —

Tho' Bands of Spices — row —

What Thou dost not — Despair —

Tho' Gabriel — praise me — Sire —

726. WE THIRST AT FIRST — 'TIS NATURE'S ACT —

We thirst at first — 'tis Nature's Act —

And later — when we die —

A little Water supplicate —

Of fingers going by —

It intimates the finer want —

Whose adequate supply

Is that Great Water in the West —

Termed Immortality —

727. PRECIOUS TO ME — SHE STILL SHALL BE —

Precious to Me — She still shall be —

Though She forget the name I bear —

The fashion of the Gown I wear —

The very Color of My Hair —

So like the Meadows — now —

I dared to show a Tress of Theirs

If haply — She might not despise

A Buttercup's Array —

I know the Whole — obscures the Part —

The fraction — that appeased the Heart

Till Number's Empery —

Remembered — as the Millner's flower

When Summer's Everlasting Dower —

Confronts the dazzled Bee.

728. LET US PLAY YESTERDAY —

Let Us play Yesterday —

I — the Girl at school —

You — and Eternity — the

Untold Tale —

Easing my famine

At my Lexicon —

Logarithm — had I — for Drink —

'Twas a dry Wine —

Somewhat different — must be —

Dreams tint the Sleep —

Cunning Reds of Morning

Make the Blind — leap —

Still at the Egg-life —

Chafing the Shell —

When you troubled the Ellipse —

And the Bird fell —

Manacles be dim — they say —

To the new Free —

Liberty — Commoner —

Never could — to me —

'Twas my last gratitude

When I slept — at night —

'Twas the first Miracle

Let in — with Light —

Can the Lark resume the Shell —

Easier — for the Sky —

Wouldn't Bonds hurt more

Than Yesterday?

Wouldn't Dungeons sorer frate

On the Man — free —

Just long enough to taste —

Then — doomed new —

God of the Manacle

As of the Free —

Take not my Liberty

Away from Me —

729. ALTER? WHEN THE HILLS DO

ALTER? When the hills do.

Falter? When the sun

Question if his glory

Be the perfect one.

Surfeit? When the daffodil

Doth of the dew:

Even as herself, O friend!

I will of you!

730. DEFRAUDED I A BUTTERFLY —

Defrauded I a Butterfly —

The lawful Heir — for Thee —

731. "I WANT" — IT PLEADED — ALL ITS LIFE —

"I want" — it pleaded — All its life —

I want — was chief it said

When Skill entreated it — the last —

And when so newly dead —

I could not deem it late — to hear

That single — steadfast sigh —

The lips had placed as with a "Please"

Toward Eternity —

732. SHE ROSE TO HIS REQUIREMENT — DROPT

She rose to His Requirement — dropt

The Playthings of Her Life

To take the honorable Work

Of Woman, and of Wife —

If ought She missed in Her new Day,

Of Amplitude, or Awe —

Or first Prospective — Or the Gold

In using, wear away,

It lay unmentioned — as the Sea

Develop Pearl, and Weed,

But only to Himself — be known

The Fathoms they abide —

733. THE SPIRIT IS THE CONSCIOUS EAR.

The Spirit is the Conscious Ear.

We actually Hear

When We inspect — that's audible —

That is admitted — Here —

For other Services — as Sound —

There hangs a smaller Ear

Outside the Castle — that Contain —

The other — only — Hear —

734. IF HE WERE LIVING — DARE I ASK —

If He were living — dare I ask —

And how if He be dead —

And so around the Words I went —

Of meeting them — afraid —

I hinted Changes — Lapse of Time —

The Surfaces of Years —

I touched with Caution — lest they crack —

And show me to my fears —

Reverted to adjoining Lives —

Adroitly turning out

Wherever I suspected Graves —

'Twas prudenter — I thought —

And He — I pushed — with sudden force —

In face of the Suspense —

"Was buried" — "Buried"! "He!"

My Life just holds the Trench —

735. UPON CONCLUDED LIVES

Upon Concluded Lives

There's nothing cooler falls —

Than Life's sweet Calculations —

The mixing Bells and Palls —

Make Lacerating Tune —

To Ears the Dying Side —

'Tis Coronal — and Funeral —

Saluting — in the Road —

736. HAVE ANY LIKE MYSELF

Have any like Myself

Investigating March,

New Houses on the Hill descried —

And possibly a Church —

That were not, We are sure —

As lately as the Snow —

And are Today — if We exist —

Though how may this be so?

Have any like Myself

Conjectured Who may be

The Occupants of the Adobes —

So easy to the Sky —

'Twould seem that God should be

The nearest Neighbor to —

And Heaven — a convenient Grace

For Show, or Company —

Have any like Myself

Preserved the Charm secure

By shunning carefully the Place

All Seasons of the Year,

Excepting March — 'Tis then

My Villages be seen —

And possibly a Steeple —

Not afterward — by Men —

737. THE MOON WAS BUT A CHIN OF GOLD

The Moon was but a Chin of Gold

A Night or two ago —

And now she turns Her perfect Face

Upon the World below —

Her Forehead is of Amplest Blonde —

Her Cheek — a Beryl hewn —

Her Eye unto the Summer Dew

The likest I have known —

Her Lips of Amber never part —

But what must be the smile

Upon Her Friend she could confer

Were such Her Silver Will —

And what a privilege to be

But the remotest Star —

For Certainty She take Her Way

Beside Your Palace Door —

Her Bonnet is the Firmament —

The Universe — Her Shoe —

The Stars — the Trinkets at Her Belt —

Her Dimities — of Blue —

738. YOU SAID THAT I "WAS GREAT" — ONE DAY —

You said that I "was Great" — one Day —

Then "Great" it be — if that please Thee —

Or Small — or any size at all —

Nay — I'm the size suit Thee —

Tall — like the Stag — would that?

Or lower — like the Wren —

Or other heights of Other Ones

I've seen?

Tell which — it's dull to guess —

And I must be Rhinoceros

Or Mouse —

At once — for Thee —

So say — if Queen it be —

Or Page — please Thee —

I'm that — or nought —

Or other thing — if other thing there be —

With just this Stipulus —

I suit Thee —

739. I MANY TIMES THOUGHT PEACE HAD COME

I many times thought Peace had come

When Peace was far away —

As Wrecked Men — deem they sight the Land —

At Centre of the Sea —

And struggle slacker — but to prove

As hopelessly as I —

How many the fictitious Shores —

Before the Harbor be —

740. YOU TAUGHT ME WAITING WITH MYSELF —

You taught me Waiting with Myself —

Appointment strictly kept —

You taught me fortitude of Fate —

This — also — I have learnt —

An Altitude of Death, that could

No bitterer debar

Than Life — had done — before it —

Yet — there is a Science more —

The Heaven you know — to understand

That you be not ashamed

Of Me — in Christ's bright Audience

Upon the further Hand —

741. DRAMA'S VITALLEST EXPRESSION IS THE COMMON DAY

Drama's Vitallest Expression is the Common Day

That arise and set about Us —

Other Tragedy

Perish in the Recitation —

This — the best enact

When the Audience is scattered

And the Boxes shut —

"Hamlet" to Himself were Hamlet —

Had not Shakespeare wrote —

Though the "Romeo" left no Record

Of his Juliet,

It were infinite enacted

In the Human Heart —

Only Theatre recorded

Owner cannot shut —

742. FOUR TREES — UPON A SOLITARY ACRE —

Four Trees — upon a solitary Acre —

Without Design

Or Order, or Apparent Action —

Maintain —

The Sun — upon a Morning meets them —

The Wind —

No nearer Neighbor — have they —

But God —

The Acre gives them — Place —

They — Him — Attention of Passer by —

Of Shadow, or of Squirrel, haply —

Or Boy —

What Deed is Theirs unto the General Nature —

What Plan

They severally — retard — or further —

Unknown —

743. THE BIRDS REPORTED FROM THE SOUTH —

The Birds reported from the South —

A News express to Me —

A spicy Charge, My little Posts —

But I am deaf — Today —

The Flowers — appealed — a timid Throng —

I reinforced the Door —

Go blossom for the Bees — I said —

And trouble Me — no More —

The Summer Grace, for Notice strove —

Remote — Her best Array —

The Heart — to stimulate the Eye

Refused too utterly —

At length, a Mourner, like Myself,

She drew away austere —

Her frosts to ponder — then it was

I recollected Her —

She suffered Me, for I had mourned —

I offered Her no word —

My Witness — was the Crape I bore —

Her — Witness — was Her Dead —

Thenceforward — We — together dwelt —

I never questioned Her —

Our Contract

A Wiser Sympathy

744. REMORSE — IS MEMORY — AWAKE —

Remorse is memory awake,

Her companies astir,---

A presence of departed acts

At window and at door.

It's past set down before the soul,

And lighted with a match,

Perusal to facilitate

Of its condensed despatch.

Remorse is cureless,---the disease

Not even God can heal;

For 't is his institution,---

The complement of hell.

745. RENUNCIATION — IS A PIERCING VIRTUE —

Renunciation — is a piercing Virtue —

The letting go

A Presence — for an Expectation —

Not now —

The putting out of Eyes —

Just Sunrise —

Lest Day —

Day's Great Progenitor —

Outvie

Renunciation — is the Choosing

Against itself —

Itself to justify

Unto itself —

When larger function —

Make that appear —

Smaller — that Covered Vision — Here —

746. NEVER FOR SOCIETY

Never for Society

He shall seek in vain —

Who His own acquaintance

Cultivate — Of Men

Wiser Men may weary —

But the Man within

Never knew Satiety —

Better entertain

Than could Border Ballad —

Or Biscayan Hymn —

Neither introduction

Need You — unto Him —

747. IT DROPPED SO LOW — IN MY REGARD —

It dropped so low — in my Regard —

I heard it hit the Ground —

And go to pieces on the Stones

At bottom of my Mind —

Yet blamed the Fate that flung it — less

Than I denounced Myself,

For entertaining Plated Wares

Upon my Silver Shelf —

748. AUTUMN — OVERLOOKED MY KNITTING —

Autumn — overlooked my Knitting —

Dyes — said He — have I —

Could disparage a Flamingo —

Show Me them — said I —

Cochineal — I chose — for deeming

It resemble Thee —

And the little Border — Dusker —

For resembling Me —

749. ALL BUT DEATH, CAN BE ADJUSTED —

All but Death, can be Adjusted —

Dynasties repaired —

Systems — settled in their Sockets —

Citadels — dissolved —

Wastes of Lives — resown with Colors

By Succeeding Springs —

Death — unto itself — Exception —

Is exempt from Change —

750. GROWTH OF MAN — LIKE GROWTH OF NATURE —

Growth of Man — like Growth of Nature —

Gravitates within —

Atmosphere, and Sun endorse it —

Bit it stir — alone —

Each — its difficult Ideal

Must achieve — Itself —

Through the solitary prowess

Of a Silent Life —

Effort — is the sole condition —

Patience of Itself —

Patience of opposing forces —

And intact Belief —

Looking on — is the Department

Of its Audience —

But Transaction — is assisted

By no Countenance —

751. MY WORTHINESS IS ALL MY DOUBT —

My Worthiness is all my Doubt —

His Merit — all my fear —

Contrasting which, my quality

Do lowlier — appear —

Lest I should insufficient prove

For His beloved Need —

The Chiefest Apprehension

Upon my thronging Mind —

'Tis true — that Deity to stoop

Inherently incline —

For nothing higher than Itself

Itself can rest upon —

So I — the undivine abode

Of His Elect Content —

Conform my Soul — as 'twere a Church,

Unto Her Sacrament —

752. SO THE EYES ACCOST — AND SUNDER

So the Eyes accost — and sunder

In an Audience —

Stamped — occasionally — forever —

So may Countenance

Entertain — without addressing

Countenance of One

In a Neighboring Horizon —

Gone — as soon as known —

753. MY SOUL — ACCUSED ME — AND I QUAILED —

My Soul — accused me — And I quailed —

As Tongue of Diamond had reviled

All else accused me — and I smiled —

My Soul — that Morning — was My friend —

Her favor — is the best Disdain

Toward Artifice of Time — or Men —

But Her Disdain — 'twere lighter bear

A finger of Enamelled Fire —

754. MY LIFE HAD STOOD — A LOADED GUN —

My Life had stood — a Loaded Gun —

In Corners — till a Day

The Owner passed — identified —

And carried Me away —

And now We roam in Sovereign Woods —

And now We hunt the Doe —

And every time I speak for Him —

The Mountains straight reply —

And do I smile, such cordial light

Upon the Valley glow —

It is as a Vesuvian face

Had let its pleasure through —

And when at Night — Our good Day done —

I guard My Master's Head —

'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's

Deep Pillow — to have shared —

To foe of His — I'm deadly foe —

None stir the second time —

On whom I lay a Yellow Eye —

Or an emphatic Thumb —

Though I than He — may longer live

He longer must — than I —

For I have but the power to kill,

Without — the power to die —

755. NO BOBOLINK — REVERSE HIS SINGING

No Bobolink — reverse His Singing

When the only Tree

Ever He minded occupying

By the Farmer be —

Clove to the Root —

His Spacious Future —

Best Horizon — gone —

Whose Music be His

Only Anodyne —

Brave Bobolink —

756. ONE BLESSING HAD I THAN THE REST

One Blessing had I than the rest

So larger to my Eyes

That I stopped gauging — satisfied —

For this enchanted size —

It was the limit of my Dream —

The focus of my Prayer —

A perfect — paralyzing Bliss —

Contented as Despair —

I knew no more of Want — or Cold —

Phantasms both become

For this new Value in the Soul —

Supremest Earthly Sum —

The Heaven below the Heaven above —

Obscured with ruddier Blue —

Life's Latitudes leant over — full —

The Judgment perished — too —

Why Bliss so scantily disburse —

Why Paradise defer —

Why Floods be served to Us — in Bowls —

I speculate no more —

757. THE MOUNTAINS — GROW UNNOTICED —

The Mountains — grow unnoticed —

Their Purple figures rise

Without attempt — Exhaustion —

Assistance — or Applause —

In Their Eternal Faces

The Sun — with just delight

Looks long — and last — and golden —

For fellowship — at night —

758. THESE — SAW VISIONS —

These — saw Visions —

Latch them softly —

These — held Dimples —

Smooth them slow —

This — addressed departing accents —

Quick — Sweet Mouth — to miss thee so —

This — We stroked —

Unnumbered Satin —

These — we held among our own —

Fingers of the Slim Aurora —

Not so arrogant — this Noon —

These — adjust — that ran to meet us —

Pearl — for Stocking — Pearl for Shoe —

Paradise — the only Palace

Fit for Her reception — now —

759. HE FOUGHT LIKE THOSE WHO'VE NOUGHT TO LOSE —

He fought like those Who've nought to lose —

Bestowed Himself to Balls

As One who for a further Life

Had not a further Use —

Invited Death — with bold attempt —

But Death was Coy of Him

As Other Men, were Coy of Death —

To Him — to live — was Doom —

His Comrades, shifted like the Flakes

When Gusts reverse the Snow —

But He — was left alive Because

Of Greediness to die —

760. MOST SHE TOUCHED ME BY HER MUTENESS —

Most she touched me by her muteness —

Most she won me by the way

She presented her small figure —

Plea itself — for Charity —

Were a Crumb my whole possession —

Were there famine in the land —

Were it my resource from starving —

Could I such a plea withstand —

Not upon her knee to thank me

Sank this Beggar from the Sky —

But the Crumb partook — departed —

And returned On High —

I supposed — when sudden

Such a Praise began

'Twas as Space sat singing

To herself — and men —

'Twas the Winged Beggar —

Afterward I learned

To her Benefactor

Making Gratitude

761. FROM BLANK TO BLANK —

From Blank to Blank —

A Threadless Way

I pushed Mechanic feet —

To stop — or perish — or advance —

Alike indifferent —

If end I gained

It ends beyond

Indefinite disclosed —

I shut my eyes — and groped as well

'Twas lighter — to be Blind —

762. THE WHOLE OF IT CAME NOT AT ONCE —

The Whole of it came not at once —

'Twas Murder by degrees —

A Thrust — and then for Life a chance —

The Bliss to cauterize —

The Cat reprieves the Mouse

She eases from her teeth

Just long enough for Hope to tease —

Then mashes it to death —

'Tis Life's award — to die —

Contenteder if once —

Than dying half — then rallying

For consciouser Eclipse —

763. HE TOLD A HOMELY TALE

He told a homely tale

And spotted it with tears —

Upon his infant face was set

The Cicatrice of years —

All crumpled was the cheek

No other kiss had known

Than flake of snow, divided with

The Redbreast of the Barn —

If Mother — in the Grave —

Or Father — on the Sea —

Or Father in the Firmament —

Or Brethren, had he —

If Commonwealth below,

Or Commonwealth above

Have missed a Barefoot Citizen —

I've ransomed it — alive —

764. PRESENTIMENT — IS THAT LONG SHADOW — ON THE LAWN —

Presentiment — is that long Shadow — on the Lawn —

Indicative that Suns go down —

The Notice to the startled Grass

That Darkness — is about to pass —

765. YOU CONSTITUTED TIME —

You constituted Time —

I deemed Eternity

A Revelation of Yourself —

'Twas therefore Deity

The Absolute — removed

The Relative away —

That I unto Himself adjust

My slow idolatry —

766. MY FAITH IS LARGER THAN THE HILLS —

My Faith is larger than the Hills —

So when the Hills decay —

My Faith must take the Purple Wheel

To show the Sun the way —

'Tis first He steps upon the Vane —

And then — upon the Hill —

And then abroad the World He go

To do His Golden Will —

And if His Yellow feet should miss —

The Bird would not arise —

The Flowers would slumber on their Stems —

No Bells have Paradise —

How dare I, therefore, stint a faith

On which so vast depends —

Lest Firmament should fail for me —

The Rivet in the Bands

767. TO OFFER BRAVE ASSISTANCE

To offer brave assistance

To Lives that stand alone —

When One has failed to stop them —

Is Human — but Divine

To lend an Ample Sinew

Unto a Nameless Man —

Whose Homely Benediction

No other — stopped to earn —

768. WHEN I HOPED, I RECOLLECT

When I hoped, I recollect

Just the place I stood —

At a Window facing West —

Roughest Air — was good —

Not a Sleet could bite me —

Not a frost could cool —

Hope it was that kept me warm —

Not Merino shawl —

When I feared — I recollect

Just the Day it was —

Worlds were lying out to Sun —

Yet how Nature froze —

Icicles upon my soul

Prickled Blue and Cool —

Bird went praising everywhere —

Only Me — was still —

And the Day that I despaired —

This — if I forget

Nature will — that it be Night

After Sun has set —

Darkness intersect her face —

And put out her eye —

Nature hesitate — before

Memory and I —

769. ONE AND ONE — ARE ONE —

One and One — are One —

Two — be finished using —

Well enough for Schools —

But for Minor Choosing —

Life — just — or Death —

Or the Everlasting —

More — would be too vast

For the Soul's Comprising —

770. I LIVED ON DREAD —

I lived on Dread —

To Those who know

The Stimulus there is

In Danger — Other impetus

Is numb — and Vitalless —

As 'twere a Spur — upon the Soul —

A Fear will urge it where

To go without the Sceptre's aid

Were Challenging Despair.

771. NONE CAN EXPERIENCE STING

None can experience stint

Who Bounty — have not known —

The fact of Famine — could not be

Except for Fact of Corn —

Want — is a meagre Art

Acquired by Reverse —

The Poverty that was not Wealth —

Cannot be Indigence.

772. THE HALLOWING OF PAIN

The hallowing of Pain

Like hallowing of Heaven,

Obtains at a corporeal cost —

The Summit is not given

To Him who strives severe

At middle of the Hill —

But He who has achieved the Top —

All — is the price of All —

773. DEPRIVED OF OTHER BANQUET,

Deprived of other Banquet,

I entertained Myself —

At first — a scant nutrition —

An insufficient Loaf —

But grown by slender addings

To so esteemed a size

'Tis sumptuous enough for me —

And almost to suffice

A Robin's famine able —

Red Pilgrim, He and I —

A Berry from our table

Reserve — for charity —

774. IT IS A LONESOME GLEE —

It is a lonesome Glee —

Yet sanctifies the Mind —

With fair association —

Afar upon the Wind

A Bird to overhear

Delight without a Cause —

Arrestless as invisible —

A matter of the Skies.

775. IF BLAME BE MY SIDE — FORFEIT ME —

If Blame be my side — forfeit Me —

But doom me not to forfeit Thee —

To forfeit Thee? The very name

Is sentence from Belief — and House —

776. THE COLOR OF A QUEEN, IS THIS —

The Color of a Queen, is this —

The Color of a Sun

At setting — this and Amber —

Beryl — and this, at Noon —

And when at night — Auroran widths

Fling suddenly on men —

'Tis this — and Witchcraft — nature keeps

A Rank — for Iodine —

777. THE LONELINESS ONE DARE NOT SOUND —

The Loneliness One dare not sound —

And would as soon surmise

As in its Grave go plumbing

To ascertain the size —

The Loneliness whose worst alarm

Is lest itself should see —

And perish from before itself

For just a scrutiny —

The Horror not to be surveyed —

But skirted in the Dark —

With Consciousness suspended —

And Being under Lock —

I fear me this — is Loneliness —

The Maker of the soul

Its Caverns and its Corridors

Illuminate — or seal —

778. THIS THAT WOULD GREET — AN HOUR AGO —

This that would greet — an hour ago —

Is quaintest Distance — now —

Had it a Guest from Paradise —

Nor glow, would it, nor bow —

Had it a notice from the Noon

Nor beam would it nor warm —

Match me the Silver Reticence —

Match me the Solid Calm —

779. THE SERVICE WITHOUT HOPE —

The Service without Hope —

Is tenderest, I think —

Because 'tis unsustained

By stint — Rewarded Work —

Has impetus of Gain —

And impetus of Goal —

There is no Diligence like that

That knows not an Until —

780. THE TRUTH — IS STIRLESS —

The Truth — is stirless —

Other force — may be presumed to move —

This — then — is best for confidence —

When oldest Cedars swerve —

And Oaks untwist their fists —

And Mountains — feeble — lean —

How excellent a Body, that

Stands without a Bone —

How vigorous a Force

That holds without a Prop —

Truth stays Herself — and every man

That trusts Her — boldly up —

781. TO WAIT AN HOUR — IS LONG —

To wait an Hour — is long —

If Love be just beyond —

To wait Eternity — is short —

If Love reward the end —

782. THERE IS AN ARID PLEASURE —

There is an arid Pleasure —

As different from Joy —

As Frost is different from Dew —

Like element — are they —

Yet one — rejoices Flowers —

And one — the Flowers abhor —

The finest Honey — curdled —

Is worthless — to the Bee —

783. THE BIRDS BEGUN AT FOUR O'CLOCK —

The Birds begun at Four o'clock —

Their period for Dawn —

A Music numerous as space —

But neighboring as Noon —

I could not count their Force —

Their Voices did expend

As Brook by Brook bestows itself

To multiply the Pond.

Their Witnesses were not —

Except occasional man —

In homely industry arrayed —

To overtake the Morn —

Nor was it for applause —

That I could ascertain —

But independent Ecstasy

Of Deity and Men —

By Six, the Flood had done —

No Tumult there had been

Of Dressing, or Departure —

And yet the Band was gone —

The Sun engrossed the East —

The Day controlled the World —

The Miracle that introduced

Forgotten, as fulfilled.

784. BEREAVED OF ALL, I WENT ABROAD —

Bereaved of all, I went abroad —

No less bereaved was I

Upon a New Peninsula —

The Grave preceded me —

Obtained my Lodgings, ere myself —

And when I sought my Bed —

The Grave it was reposed upon

The Pillow for my Head —

I waked to find it first awake —

I rose — It followed me —

I tried to drop it in the Crowd —

To lose it in the Sea —

In Cups of artificial Drowse

To steep its shape away —

The Grave — was finished — but the Spade

Remained in Memory —

785. THEY HAVE A LITTLE ODOR — THAT TO ME

They have a little Odor — that to me

Is metre — nay — 'tis melody —

And spiciest at fading — indicate —

A Habit — of a Laureate —

786. SEVERER SERVICE OF MYSELF

Severer Service of myself

I — hastened to demand

To fill the awful Vacuum

Your life had left behind —

I worried Nature with my Wheels

When Hers had ceased to run —

When she had put away Her Work

My own had just begun.

I strove to weary Brain and Bone —

To harass to fatigue

The glittering Retinue of nerves —

Vitality to clog

To some dull comfort Those obtain

Who put a Head away

They knew the Hair to —

And forget the color of the Day —

Affliction would not be appeased —

The Darkness braced as firm

As all my stratagem had been

The Midnight to confirm —

No Drug for Consciousness — can be —

Alternative to die

Is Nature's only Pharmacy

For Being's Malady —

787. SUCH IS THE FORCE OF HAPPINESS —

Such is the Force of Happiness —

The Least — can lift a Ton

Assisted by its stimulus —

Who Misery — sustain —

No Sinew can afford —

The Cargo of Themselves —

Too infinite for Consciousness'

Slow capabilities.

788. JOY TO HAVE MERITED THE PAIN —

Joy to have merited the Pain —

To merit the Release —

Joy to have perished every step —

To Compass Paradise —

Pardon — to look upon thy face —

With these old fashioned Eyes —

Better than new — could be — for that —

Though bought in Paradise —

Because they looked on thee before —

And thou hast looked on them —

Prove Me — My Hazel Witnesses

The features are the same —

So fleet thou wert, when present —

So infinite — when gone —

An Orient's Apparition —

Remanded of the Morn —

The Height I recollect —

'Twas even with the Hills —

The Depth upon my Soul was notched —

As Floods — on Whites of Wheels —

To Haunt — till Time have dropped

His last Decade away,

And Haunting actualize — to last

At least — Eternity —

789. ON A COLUMNAR SELF —

On a Columnar Self —

How ample to rely

In Tumult — or Extremity —

How good the Certainty

That Lever cannot pry —

And Wedge cannot divide

Conviction — That Granitic Base —

Though None be on our Side —

Suffice Us — for a Crowd —

Ourself — and Rectitude —

And that Assembly — not far off

From furthest Spirit — God —

790. NATURE — THE GENTLEST MOTHER IS,

Nature — the Gentlest Mother is,

Impatient of no Child —

The feeblest — or the waywardest —

Her Admonition mild —

In Forest — and the Hill —

By Traveller — be heard —

Restraining Rampant Squirrel —

Or too impetuous Bird —

How fair Her Conversation —

A Summer Afternoon —

Her Household — Her Assembly —

And when the Sun go down —

Her Voice among the Aisles

Incite the timid prayer

Of the minutest Cricket —

The most unworthy Flower —

When all the Children sleep —

She turns as long away

As will suffice to light Her lamps —

Then bending from the Sky —

With infinite Affection —

And infiniter Care —

Her Golden finger on Her lip —

Wills Silence — Everywhere —

791. GOD GAVE A LOAF TO EVERY BIRD —

God gave a Loaf to every Bird —

But just a Crumb — to Me —

I dare not eat it — tho' I starve —

My poignant luxury —

To own it — touch it —

Prove the feat — that made the Pellet mine —

Too happy — for my Sparrow's chance —

For Ampler Coveting —

It might be Famine — all around —

I could not miss an Ear —

Such Plenty smiles upon my Board —

My Garner shows so fair —

I wonder how the Rich — may feel —

An Indiaman — An Earl —

I deem that I — with but a Crumb —

Am Sovereign of them all —

792. THROUGH THE STRAIT PASS OF SUFFERING —

Through the strait pass of suffering —

The Martyrs — even — trod.

Their feet — upon Temptations —

Their faces — upon God —

A stately — shriven — Company —

Convulsion — playing round —

Harmless — as streaks of Meteor —

Upon a Planet's Bond —

Their faith — the everlasting troth —

Their Expectation — fair —

The Needle — to the North Degree —

Wades — so — thro' polar Air!

793. GRIEF IS A MOUSE —

Grief is a Mouse —

And chooses Wainscot in the Breast

For His Shy House —

And baffles quest —

Grief is a Thief — quick startled —

Pricks His Ear — report to hear

Of that Vast Dark —

That swept His Being — back —

Grief is a Juggler — boldest at the Play —

Lest if He flinch — the eye that way

Pounce on His Bruises — One — say — or Three —

Grief is a Gourmand — spare His luxury —

Best Grief is Tongueless — before He'll tell —

Burn Him in the Public Square —

His Ashes — will

Possibly — if they refuse — How then know —

Since a Rack couldn't coax a syllable — now.

794. A DROP FELL ON THE APPLE TREE —

A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree —

Another — on the Roof —

A Half a Dozen kissed the Eaves —

And made the Gables laugh —

A few went out to help the Brook

That went to help the Sea —

Myself Conjectured were they Pearls —

What Necklace could be —

The Dust replaced, in Hoisted Roads —

The Birds jocoser sung —

The Sunshine threw his Hat away —

The Bushes — spangles flung —

The Breezes brought dejected Lutes —

And bathed them in the Glee —

Then Orient showed a single Flag,

And signed the Fete away —

795. HER FINAL SUMMER WAS IT —

Her final Summer was it —

And yet We guessed it not —

If tenderer industriousness

Pervaded Her, We thought

A further force of life

Developed from within —

When Death lit all the shortness up

It made the hurry plain —

We wondered at our blindness

When nothing was to see

But Her Carrara Guide post —

At Our Stupidity —

When duller than our dullness

The Busy Darling lay —

So busy was she — finishing —

So leisurely — were We —

796. WHO GIANTS KNOW, WITH LESSER MEN

Who Giants know, with lesser Men

Are incomplete, and shy —

For Greatness, that is ill at ease

In minor Company —

A Smaller, could not be perturbed —

The Summer Gnat displays —

Unconscious that his single Fleet

Do not comprise the skies —

797. BY MY WINDOW HAVE I FOR SCENERY

By my Window have I for Scenery

Just a Sea — with a Stem —

If the Bird and the Farmer — deem it a "Pine" —

The Opinion will serve — for them —

It has no Port, nor a "Line" — but the Jays —

That split their route to the Sky —

Or a Squirrel, whose giddy Peninsula

May be easier reached — this way —

For Inlands — the Earth is the under side —

And the upper side — is the Sun —

And its Commerce — if Commerce it have —

Of Spice — I infer from the Odors borne —

Of its Voice — to affirm — when the Wind is within —

Can the Dumb — define the Divine?

The Definition of Melody — is —

That Definition is none —

It — suggests to our Faith —

They — suggest to our Sight —

When the latter — is put away

I shall meet with Conviction I somewhere met

That Immortality —

Was the Pine at my Window a "Fellow

Of the Royal" Infinity?

Apprehensions — are God's introductions —

To be hallowed — accordingly —

798. SHE STAKED HER FEATHERS — GAINED AN ARC —

She staked her Feathers — Gained an Arc —

Debated — Rose again —

This time — beyond the estimate

Of Envy, or of Men —

And now, among Circumference —

Her steady Boat be seen —

At home — among the Billows — As

The Bough where she was born —

799. DESPAIR'S ADVANTAGE IS ACHIEVED

Despair's advantage is achieved

By suffering — Despair —

To be assisted of Reverse

One must Reverse have bore —

The Worthiness of Suffering like

The Worthiness of Death

Is ascertained by tasting —

As can no other Mouth

Of Savors — make us conscious —

As did ourselves partake —

Affliction feels impalpable

Until Ourselves are struck —

800. TWO — WERE IMMORTAL TWICE —

Two — were immortal twice —

The privilege of few —

Eternity — obtained — in Time —

Reversed Divinity —

That our ignoble Eyes

The quality conceive

Of Paradise superlative —

Through their Comparative.

801. I PLAY AT RICHES — TO APPEASE

I play at Riches — to appease

The Clamoring for Gold —

It kept me from a Thief, I think,

For often, overbold

With Want, and Opportunity —

I could have done a Sin

And been Myself that easy Thing

An independent Man —

But often as my lot displays

Too hungry to be borne

I deem Myself what I would be —

And novel Comforting

My Poverty and I derive —

We question if the Man —

Who own — Esteem the Opulence —

As We — Who never Can —

Should ever these exploring Hands

Chance Sovereign on a Mine —

Or in the long — uneven term

To win, become their turn —

How fitter they will be — for Want —

Enlightening so well —

I know not which, Desire, or Grant —

Be wholly beautiful —

802. TIME FEELS SO VAST THAT WERE IT NOT

Time feels so vast that were it not

For an Eternity —

I fear me this Circumference

Engross my Finity —

To His exclusion, who prepare

By Processes of Size

For the Stupendous Vision

Of his diameters —

803. WHO COURT OBTAIN WITHIN HIMSELF

Who Court obtain within Himself

Sees every Man a King —

And Poverty of Monarchy

Is an interior thing —

No Man depose

Whom Fate Ordain —

And Who can add a Crown

To Him who doth continual

Conspire against His Own

804. NO NOTICE GAVE SHE, BUT A CHANGE —

No Notice gave She, but a Change —

No Message, but a Sigh —

For Whom, the Time did not suffice

That She should specify.

She was not warm, though Summer shone

Nor scrupulous of cold

Though Rime by Rime, the steady Frost

Upon Her Bosom piled —

Of shrinking ways — she did not fright

Though all the Village looked —

But held Her gravity aloft —

And met the gaze — direct —

And when adjusted like a Seed

In careful fitted Ground

Unto the Everlasting Spring

And hindered but a Mound

Her Warm return, if so she chose —

And We — imploring drew —

Removed our invitation by

As Some She never knew —

805. THIS BAUBLE WAS PREFERRED OF BEES —

This Bauble was preferred of Bees —

By Butterflies admired

At Heavenly — Hopeless Distances —

Was justified of Bird —

Did Noon — enamel — in Herself

Was Summer to a Score

Who only knew of Universe —

It had created Her.

806. A PLATED LIFE — DIVERSIFIED

A Plated Life — diversified

With Gold and Silver Pain

To prove the presence of the Ore

In Particles — 'tis when

A Value struggle — it exist —

A Power — will proclaim

Although Annihilation pile

Whole Chaoses on Him —

807. EXPECTATION — IS CONTENTMENT —

Expectation — is Contentment —

Gain — Satiety —

But Satiety — Conviction

Of Necessity

Of an Austere trait in Pleasure —

Good, without alarm

Is a too established Fortune —

Danger — deepens Sum —

808. SO SET ITS SUN IN THEE

So set its Sun in Thee

What Day be dark to me —

What Distance — far —

So I the Ships may see

That touch — how seldomly —

Thy Shore?

809. UNABLE ARE THE LOVED TO DIE

Unable are the Loved to die

For Love is Immortality,

Nay, it is Deity —

Unable they that love — to die

For Love reforms Vitality

Into Divinity.

810. HER GRACE IS ALL SHE HAS —

Her Grace is all she has —

And that, so least displays —

One Art to recognize, must be,

Another Art, to praise.

811. THE VEINS OF OTHER FLOWERS

The Veins of other Flowers

The Scarlet Flowers are

Till Nature leisure has for Terms

As "Branch," and "Jugular."

We pass, and she abides.

We conjugate Her Skill

While She creates and federates

Without a syllable.

812. A LIGHT EXISTS IN SPRING

A Light exists in Spring

Not present on the Year

At any other period —

When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad

On Solitary Fields

That Science cannot overtake

But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,

It shows the furthest Tree

Upon the furthest Slope you know

It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step

Or Noons report away

Without the Formula of sound

It passes and we stay —

A quality of loss

Affecting our Content

As Trade had suddenly encroached

Upon a Sacrament.

813. THIS QUIET DUST WAS GENTLEMAN AND LADIES

This quiet Dust was Gentleman and Ladies

And Lads and Girls —

Was laughter and ability and Sighing

And Frocks and Curls.

This Passive Place a Summer's nimble mansion

Where Bloom and Bees

Exists an Oriental Circuit

Then cease, like these —

814. ONE DAY IS THERE OF THE SERIES

One Day is there of the Series

Termed Thanksgiving Day.

Celebrated part at Table

Part in Memory.

Neither Patriarch nor Pussy

I dissect the Play

Seems it to my Hooded thinking

Reflex Holiday.

Had there been no sharp Subtraction

From the early Sum —

Not an Acre or a Caption

Where was once a Room —

Not a Mention, whose small Pebble

Wrinkled any Sea,

Unto Such, were such Assembly

'Twere Thanksgiving Day.

815. THE LUXURY TO APPREHEND

The Luxury to apprehend

The Luxury 'twould be

To look at Thee a single time

An Epicure of Me

In whatsoever Presence makes

Till for a further Food

I scarcely recollect to starve

So first am I supplied —

The Luxury to meditate

The Luxury it was

To banguet on thy Countenance

A Sumptuousness bestows

On plainer Days, whose Table far

As Certainty can see

Is laden with a single Crumb

The Consciousness of Thee.

816. A DEATH BLOW IS A LIFE BLOW TO SOME

A Death blow is a Life blow to Some

Who till they died, did not alive become —

Who had they lived, had died but when

They died, Vitality begun.

817. GIVEN IN MARRIAGE UNTO THEE

Given in Marriage unto Thee

Oh thou Celestial Host —

Bride of the Father and the Son

Bride of the Holy Ghost.

Other Betrothal shall dissolve —

Wedlock of Will, decay —

Only the Keeper of this Ring

Conquer Mortality —

818. I COULD NOT DRINK IT, SWEET,

I could not drink it, Sweet,

Till You had tasted first,

Though cooler than the Water was

The Thoughtfullness of Thirst.

819. ALL I MAY, IF SMALL,

All I may, if small,

Do it not display

Larger for the Totalness —

'Tis Economy

To bestow a World

And withhold a Star —

Utmost, is Munificence —

Less, tho' larger, poor.

820. ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE FRAME

All Circumstances are the Frame

In which His Face is set —

All Latitudes exist for His

Sufficient Continent —

The Light His Action, and the Dark

The Leisure of His Will —

In Him Existence serve or set

A Force illegible.

821. AWAY FROM HOME ARE SOME AND I —

Away from Home are some and I —

An Emigrant to be

In a Metropolis of Homes

Is easy, possibly —

The Habit of a Foreign Sky

We — difficult — acquire

As Children, who remain in Face

The more their Feet retire.

822. THIS CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS AWARE

This Consciousness that is aware

Of Neighbors and the Sun

Will be the one aware of Death

And that itself alone

Is traversing the interval

Experience between

And most profound experiment

Appointed unto Men —

How adequate unto itself

Its properties shall be

Itself unto itself and none

Shall make discovery —

Adventure most unto itself

The Soul condemned to be —

Attended by a single Hound

Its own identity.

823. NOT THAT WE DID, SHALL BE THE TEST

Not that We did, shall be the test

When Act and Will are done

But what Our Lord infers We would

Had We diviner been —

824. THE WIND BEGUN TO KNEAD THE GRASS —

The Wind begun to knead the Grass —

As Women do a Dough —

He flung a Hand full at the Plain —

A Hand full at the Sky —

The Leaves unhooked themselves from Trees —

And started all abroad —

The Dust did scoop itself like Hands —

And throw away the Road —

The Wagons — quickened on the Street —

The Thunders gossiped low —

The Lightning showed a Yellow Head —

And then a livid Toe —

The Birds put up the Bars to Nests —

The Cattle flung to Barns —

Then came one drop of Giant Rain —

And then, as if the Hands

That held the Dams — had parted hold —

The Waters Wrecked the Sky —

But overlooked my Father's House —

Just Quartering a Tree —

825. AN HOUR IS A SEA

An Hour is a Sea

Between a few, and me —

With them would Harbor be —

826. LOVE RECKONS BY ITSELF — ALONE —

Love reckons by itself — alone —

"As large as I" — relate the Sun

To One who never felt it blaze —

Itself is all the like it has —

827. THE ONLY NEWS I KNOW

The Only News I know

Is Bulletins all Day

From Immortality.

The Only Shows I see —

Tomorrow and Today —

Perchance Eternity —

The Only One I meet

Is God — The Only Street —

Existence — This traversed

If Other News there be —

Or Admirable Show —

I'll tell it You —

828. THE ROBIN IS THE ONE

The Robin is the One

That interrupt the Morn

With hurried — few — express Reports

When March is scarcely on —

The Robin is the One

That overflow the Noon

With her cherubic quantity —

An April but begun —

The Robin is the One

That speechless from her Nest

Submit that Home — and Certainty

And Sanctity, are best

829. AMPLE MAKE THIS BED —

Ample make this Bed —

Make this Bed with Awe —

In it wait till Judgment break

Excellent and Fair.

Be its Mattress straight —

Be its Pillow round —

Let no Sunrise' yellow noise

Interrupt this Ground —

830. TO THIS WORLD SHE RETURNED.

To this World she returned.

But with a tinge of that —

A Compound manner,

As a Sod

Espoused a Violet,

That chiefer to the Skies

Than to himself, allied,

Dwelt hesitating, half of Dust,

And half of Day, the Bride.

831. DYING! TO BE AFRAID OF THEE

Dying! To be afraid of thee

One must to thine Artillery

Have left exposed a Friend —

Than thine old Arrow is a Shot

Delivered straighter to the Heart

The leaving Love behind.

Not for itself, the Dust is shy,

But, enemy, Beloved be

Thy Batteries divorce.

Fight sternly in a Dying eye

Two Armies, Love and Certainty

And Love and the Reverse.

832. SOTO! EXPLORE THYSELF!

Soto! Explore thyself!

Therein thyself shalt find

The "Undiscovered Continent" —

No Settler had the Mind.

833. PERHAPS YOU THINK ME STOOPING

Perhaps you think me stooping

I'm not ashamed of that

Christ — stooped until He touched the Grave —

Do those at Sacrament

Commemorative Dishonor

Or love annealed of love

Until it bend as low as Death

Redignified, above?

834. BEFORE HE COMES WE WEIGH THE TIME!

Before He comes we weigh the Time!

'Tis Heavy and 'tis Light.

When He depart, an Emptiness

Is the prevailing Freight.

835. NATURE AND GOD — I NEITHER KNEW

Nature and God — I neither knew

Yet Both so well knew me

They startled, like Executors

Of My identity.

Yet Neither told — that I could learn —

My Secret as secure

As Herschel's private interest

Or Mercury's affair —

836. TRUTH — IS AS OLD AS GOD —

Truth — is as old as God —

His Twin identity

And will endure as long as He

A Co-Eternity —

And perish on the Day

Himself is borne away

From Mansion of the Universe

A lifeless Deity.

837. HOW WELL I KNEW HER NOT

How well I knew Her not

Whom not to know has been

A Bounty in prospective, now

Next Door to mine the Pain.

838. IMPOSSIBILITY, LIKE WINE

Impossibility, like Wine

Exhilarates the Man

Who tastes it; Possibility

Is flavorless — Combine

A Chance's faintest Tincture

And in the former Dram

Enchantment makes ingredient

As certainly as Doom —

839. ALWAYS MINE!

Always Mine!

No more Vacation!

Term of Light this Day begun!

Failless as the fair rotation

Of the Seasons and the Sun.

Old the Grace, but new the Subjects —

Old, indeed, the East,

Yet upon His Purple Programme

Every Dawn, is first.

840. I CANNOT BUY IT — 'TIS NOT SOLD —

I cannot buy it — 'tis not sold —

There is no other in the World —

Mine was the only one

I was so happy I forgot

To shut the Door And it went out

And I am all alone —

If I could find it Anywhere

I would not mind the journey there

Though it took all my store

But just to look it in the Eye —

"Did'st thou?" "Thou did'st not mean," to say,

Then, turn my Face away.

841. A MOTH THE HUE OF THIS

A Moth the hue of this

Haunts Candles in Brazil.

Nature's Experience would make

Our Reddest Second pale.

Nature is fond, I sometimes think,

Of Trinkets, as a Girl.

842. GOOD TO HIDE, AND HEAR 'EM HUNT!

Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!

Better, to be found,

If one care to, that is,

The Fox fits the Hound —

Good to know, and not tell,

Best, to know and tell,

Can one find the rare Ear

Not too dull —

843. I MADE SLOW RICHES BUT MY GAIN

I made slow Riches but my Gain

Was steady as the Sun

And every Night, it numbered more

Than the preceding One

All Days, I did not earn the same

But my perceiveless Gain

Inferred the less by Growing than

The Sum that it had grown.

844. SPRING IS THE PERIOD

Spring is the Period

Express from God.

Among the other seasons

Himself abide,

But during March and April

None stir abroad

Without a cordial interview

With God.

845. BE MINE THE DOOM —

Be Mine the Doom —

Sufficient Fame —

To perish in Her Hand!

846. TWICE HAD SUMMER HER FAIR VERDURE

Twice had Summer her fair Verdure

Proffered to the Plain —

Twice a Winter's silver Fracture

On the Rivers been —

Two full Autumns for the Squirrel

Bounteous prepared —

Nature, Had'st thou not a Berry

For thy wandering Bird?

847. FINITE — TO FAIL, BUT INFINITE TO VENTURE —

Finite — to fail, but infinite to Venture —

For the one ship that struts the shore

Many's the gallant — overwhelmed Creature

Nodding in Navies nevermore —

848. JUST AS HE SPOKE IT FROM HIS HANDS

Just as He spoke it from his Hands

This Edifice remain —

A Turret more, a Turret less

Dishonor his Design —

According as his skill prefer

It perish, or endure —

Content, soe'er, it ornament

His absent character.

849. THE GOOD WILL OF A FLOWER

The good Will of a Flower

The Man who would possess

Must first present

Certificate

Of minted Holiness.

850. I SING TO USE THE WAITING

I sing to use the Waiting

My Bonnet but to tie

And shut the Door unto my House

No more to do have I

Till His best step approaching

We journey to the Day

And tell each other how We sung

To Keep the Dark away.

851. WHEN THE ASTRONOMER STOPS SEEKING

When the Astronomer stops seeking

For his Pleiad's Face —

When the lone British Lady

Forsakes the Arctic Race

When to his Covenant Needle

The Sailor doubting turns —

It will be amply early

To ask what treason means.

852. APOLOGY FOR HER

Apology for Her

Be rendered by the Bee —

Herself, without a Parliament

Apology for Me.

853. WHEN ONE HAS GIVEN UP ONE'S LIFE

When One has given up One's life

The parting with the rest

Feels easy, as when Day lets go

Entirely the West

The Peaks, that lingered last

Remain in Her regret

As scarcely as the Iodine

Upon the Cataract.

854. BANISH AIR FROM AIR —

Banish Air from Air —

Divide Light if you dare —

They'll meet

While Cubes in a Drop

Or Pellets of Shape

Fit

Films cannot annul

Odors return whole

Force Flame

And with a Blonde push

Over your impotence

Flits Steam.

855. TO OWN THE ART WITHIN THE SOUL

To own the Art within the Soul

The Soul to entertain

With Silence as a Company

And Festival maintain

Is an unfurnished Circumstance

Possession is to One

As an Estate perpetual

Or a reduceless Mine.

856. THERE IS A FINISHED FEELING

There is a finished feeling

Experienced at Graves —

A leisure of the Future —

A Wilderness of Size.

By Death's bold Exhibition

Preciser what we are

And the Eternal function

Enabled to infer.

857. UNCERTAIN LEASE — DEVELOPS LUSTRE

Uncertain lease — develops lustre

On Time

Uncertain Grasp, appreciation

Of Sum —

The shorter Fate — is oftener the chiefest

Because

Inheritors upon a tenure

Prize —

858. THIS CHASM, SWEET, UPON MY LIFE

This Chasm, Sweet, opon my life

I mention it to you,

When Sunrise through a fissure drop

The Day must follow too.

If we demur, its gaping sides

Disclose as 'twere a Tomb

Ourself am lying straight wherein

The Favorite of Doom.

When it has just contained a Life

Then, Darling, it will close

And yet so bolder every Day

So turbulent it grows

I'm tempted half to stitch it up

With a remaining Breath

I should not miss in yielding, though

To Him, it would be Death —

And so I bear it big about

My Burial — before

A Life quite ready to depart

Can harass me no more —

859. A DOUBT IF IT BE US

A doubt if it be Us

Assists the staggering Mind

In an extremer Anguish

Until it footing find.

An Unreality is lent,

A merciful Mirage

That makes the living possible

While it suspends the lives.

860. ABSENCE DISEMBODIES — SO DOES DEATH

Absence disembodies — so does Death

Hiding individuals from the Earth

Superposition helps, as well as love —

Tenderness decreases as we prove —

861. SPLIT THE LARK — AND YOU'LL FIND THE MUSIC —

Split the Lark — and you'll find the Music —

Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled —

Scantilly dealt to the Summer Morning

Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old.

Loose the Flood — you shall find it patent —

Gush after Gush, reserved for you —

Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!

Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

862. LIGHT IS SUFFICIENT TO ITSELF —

Light is sufficient to itself —

If Others want to see

It can be had on Window Panes

Some Hours in the Day.

But not for Compensation —

It holds as large a Glow

To Squirrel in the Himmaleh

Precisely, as to you.

863. THAT DISTANCE WAS BETWEEN US

That Distance was between Us

That is not of Mile or Main —

The Will it is that situates —

Equator — never can —

864. THE ROBIN FOR THE CRUMB

The Robin for the Crumb

Returns no syllable

But long records the Lady's name

In Silver Chronicle.

865. HE OUTSTRIPPED TIME WITH BUT A BOUT,

He outstripped Time with but a Bout,

He outstripped Stars and Sun

And then, unjaded, challenged God

In presence of the Throne.

And He and He in mighty List

Unto this present, run,

The larger Glory for the less

A just sufficient Ring.

866. FAME IS THE TINT THAT SCHOLARS LEAVE

Fame is the tint that Scholars leave

Upon their Setting Names —

The Iris not of Occident

That disappears as comes —

867. ESCAPING BACKWARD TO PERCEIVE

Escaping backward to perceive

The Sea upon our place —

Escaping forward, to confront

His glittering Embrace —

Retreating up, a Billow's height

Retreating blinded down

Our undermining feet to meet

Instructs to the Divine.

868. THEY ASK BUT OUR DELIGHT —

They ask but our Delight —

The Darlings of the Soil

And grant us all their Countenance

For a penurious smile.

869. BECAUSE THE BEE MAY BLAMELESS HUM

Because the Bee may blameless hum

For Thee a Bee do I become

List even unto Me.

Because the Flowers unafraid

May lift a look on thine, a Maid

Alway a Flower would be.

Nor Robins, Robins need not hide

When Thou upon their Crypts intrude

So Wings bestow on Me

Or Petals, or a Dower of Buzz

That Bee to ride, or Flower of Furze

I that way worship Thee.

870. FINDING IS THE FIRST ACT

Finding is the first Act

The second, loss,

Third, Expedition for

The "Golden Fleece"

Fourth, no Discovery —

Fifth, no Crew —

Finally, no Golden Fleece —

Jason — sham — too.

871. THE SUN AND MOON MUST MAKE THEIR HASTE —

The Sun and Moon must make their haste —

The Stars express around

For in the Zones of Paradise

The Lord alone is burned —

His Eye, it is the East and West —

The North and South when He

Do concentrate His Countenance

Like Glow Worms, flee away —

Oh Poor and Far —

Oh Hindred Eye

That hunted for the Day —

The Lord a Candle entertains

Entirely for Thee —

872. AS THE STARVED MAELSTROM LAPS THE NAVIES

As the Starved Maelstrom laps the Navies

As the Vulture teased

Forces the Broods in lonely Valleys

As the Tiger eased

By but a Crumb of Blood, fasts Scarlet

Till he meet a Man

Dainty adorned with Veins and Tissues

And partakes — his Tongue

Cooled by the Morsel for a moment

Grows a fiercer thing

Till he esteem his Dates and Cocoa

A Nutrition mean

I, of a finer Famine

Deem my Supper dry

For but a Berry of Domingo

And a Torrid Eye —

873. RIBBONS OF THE YEAR —

Ribbons of the Year —

Multitude Brocade —

Worn to Nature's Party once

Then, as flung aside

As a faded Bead

Or a Wrinkled Pearl

Who shall charge the Vanity

Of the Maker's Girl?

874. THEY WON'T FROWN ALWAYS — SOME SWEET DAY

They won't frown always — some sweet Day

When I forget to tease —

They'll recollect how cold I looked

And how I just said "Please."

Then They will hasten to the Door

To call the little Girl

Who cannot thank Them for the Ice

That filled the lisping full.

875. I STEPPED FROM PLANK TO PLANK

I stepped from Plank to Plank

A slow and cautious way

The Stars about my Head I felt

About my Feet the Sea.

I knew not but the next

Would be my final inch —

This gave me that precarious Gait

Some call Experience.

876. IT WAS A GRAVE, YET BORE NO STONE

It was a Grave, yet bore no Stone

Enclosed 'twas not of Rail

A Consciousness its Acre, and

It held a Human Soul.

Entombed by whom, for what offence

If Home or Foreign born —

Had I the curiosity

'Twere not appeased of men

Till Resurrection, I must guess

Denied the small desire

A Rose upon its Ridge to sow

Or take away a Briar.

877. EACH SCAR I'LL KEEP FOR HIM

Each Scar I'll keep for Him

Instead I'll say of Gem

In His long Absence worn

A Costlier one

But every Tear I bore

Were He to count them o'er

His own would fall so more

I'll mis sum them.

878. THE SUN IS GAY OR STARK

The Sun is gay or stark

According to our Deed.

If Merry, He is merrier —

If eager for the Dead

Or an expended Day

He helped to make too bright

His mighty pleasure suits Us not

It magnifies Our Freight

879. EACH SECOND IS THE LAST

Each Second is the last

Perhaps, recalls the Man

Just measuring unconsciousness

The Sea and Spar between.

To fail within a Chance —

How terribler a thing

Than perish from the Chance's list

Before the Perishing!

880. THE BIRD MUST SING TO EARN THE CRUMB

The Bird must sing to earn the Crumb

What merit have the Tune

No Breakfast if it guaranty

The Rose content may bloom

To gain renown of Lady's Drawer

But if the Lady come

But once a Century, the Rose

Superfluous become —

881. I'VE NONE TO TELL ME TO BUT THEE

I've none to tell me to but Thee

So when Thou failest, nobody.

It was a little tie —

It just held Two, nor those it held

Since Somewhere thy sweet Face has spilled

Beyond my Boundary —

If things were opposite — and Me

And Me it were — that ebbed from Thee

On some unanswering Shore —

Would'st Thou seek so — just say

That I the Answer may pursue

Unto the lips it eddied through —

So — overtaking Thee —

882. A SHADE UPON THE MIND THERE PASSES

A Shade upon the mind there passes

As when on Noon

A Cloud the mighty Sun encloses

Remembering

That some there be too numb to notice

Oh God

Why give if Thou must take away

The Loved?

883. THE POETS LIGHT BUT LAMPS —

The Poets light but Lamps —

Themselves — go out —

The Wicks they stimulate —

If vital Light

Inhere as do the Suns —

Each Age a Lens

Disseminating their

Circumference —

884. AN EVERYWHERE OF SILVER

An Everywhere of Silver

With Ropes of Sand

To keep it from effacing

The Track called Land.

885. OUR LITTLE KINSMEN — AFTER RAIN

Our little Kinsmen — after Rain

In plenty may be seen,

A Pink and Pulpy multitude

The tepid Ground upon.

A needless life, it seemed to me

Until a little Bird

As to a Hospitality

Advanced and breakfasted.

As I of He, so God of Me

I pondered, may have judged,

And left the little Angle Worm

With Modesties enlarged.

886. THESE TESTED OUR HORIZON —

These tested Our Horizon —

Then disappeared

As Birds before achieving

A Latitude.

Our Retrospection of Them

A fixed Delight,

But our Anticipation

A Dice — a Doubt —

887. WE OUTGROW LOVE, LIKE OTHER THINGS

We outgrow love, like other things

And put it in the Drawer —

Till it an Antique fashion shows —

Like Costumes Grandsires wore.

888. WHEN I HAVE SEEN THE SUN EMERGE

When I have seen the Sun emerge

From His amazing House —

And leave a Day at every Door

A Deed, in every place —

Without the incident of Fame

Or accident of Noise —

The Earth has seemed to me a Drum,

Pursued of little Boys

889. CRISIS IS A HAIR

Crisis is a Hair

Toward which the forces creep

Past which forces retrograde

If it come in sleep

To suspend the Breath

Is the most we can

Ignorant is it Life or Death

Nicely balancing.

Let an instant push

Or an Atom press

Or a Circle hesitate

In Circumference

It — may jolt the Hand

That adjusts the Hair

That secures Eternity

From presenting — Here —

890. FROM US SHE WANDERED NOW A YEAR,

From Us She wandered now a Year,

Her tarrying, unknown,

If Wilderness prevent her feet

Or that Ethereal Zone

No eye hath seen and lived

We ignorant must be —

We only know what time of Year

We took the Mystery.

891. TO MY QUICK EAR THE LEAVES — CONFERRED —

To my quick ear the Leaves — conferred —

The Bushes — they were Bells —

I could not find a Privacy

From Nature's sentinels —

In Cave if I presumed to hide

The Walls — begun to tell —

Creation seemed a mighty Crack —

To make me visible —

892. WHO OCCUPIES THIS HOUSE?

Who occupies this House?

A Stranger I must judge

Since No one know His Circumstance —

'Tis well the name and age

Are writ upon the Door

Or I should fear to pause

Where not so much as Honest Dog

Approach encourages.

It seems a curious Town —

Some Houses very old,

Some — newly raised this Afternoon,

Were I compelled to build

It should not be among

Inhabitants so still

But where the Birds assemble

And Boys were possible.

Before Myself was born

'Twas settled, so they say,

A Territory for the Ghosts —

And Squirrels, formerly.

Until a Pioneer, as

Settlers often do

Liking the quiet of the Place

Attracted more unto —

And from a Settlement

A Capital has grown

Distinguished for the gravity

Of every Citizen.

The Owner of this House

A Stranger He must be —

Eternity's Acquaintances

Are mostly so — to me.

893. DRAB HABITATION OF WHOM?

Drab Habitation of Whom?

Tabernacle or Tomb —

Or Dome of Worm —

Or Porch of Gnome —

Or some Elf's Catacomb?

894. OF CONSCIOUSNESS, HER AWFUL MATE

Of Consciousness, her awful Mate

The Soul cannot be rid —

As easy the secreting her

Behind the Eyes of God.

The deepest hid is sighted first

And scant to Him the Crowd —

What triple Lenses burn upon

The Escapade from God —

895. A CLOUD WITHDREW FROM THE SKY

A Cloud withdrew from the Sky

Superior Glory be

But that Cloud and its Auxiliaries

Are forever lost to me

Had I but further scanned

Had I secured the Glow

In an Hermetic Memory

It had availed me now.

Never to pass the Angel

With a glance and a Bow

Till I am firm in Heaven

Is my intention now.

896. OF SILKEN SPEECH AND SPECIOUS SHOE

Of Silken Speech and Specious Shoe

A Traitor is the Bee

His service to the newest Grace

Present continually

His Suit a chance

His Troth a Term

Protracted as the Breeze

Continual Ban propoundeth He

Continual Divorce.

897. HOW FORTUNATE THE GRAVE —

How fortunate the Grave —

All Prizes to obtain —

Successful certain, if at last,

First Suitor not in vain.

898. HOW HAPPY I WAS IF I COULD FORGET

How happy I was if I could forget

To remember how sad I am

Would be an easy adversity

But the recollecting of Bloom

Keeps making November difficult

Till I who was almost bold

Lose my way like a little Child

And perish of the cold.

899. HEREIN A BLOSSOM LIES —

Herein a Blossom lies —

A Sepulchre, between —

Cross it, and overcome the Bee —

Remain — 'tis but a Rind.

900. WHAT DID THEY DO SINCE I SAW THEM?

What did They do since I saw Them?

Were They industrious?

So many questions to put Them

Have I the eagerness

That could I snatch Their Faces

That could Their lips reply

Not till the last was answered

Should They start for the Sky.

Not if Their Party were waiting,

Not if to talk with Me

Were to Them now, Homesickness

After Eternity.

Not if the Just suspect me

And offer a Reward

Would I restore my Booty

To that Bold Person, God —

901. SWEET, TO HAVE HAD THEM LOST

Sweet, to have had them lost

For news that they be saved —

The nearer they departed Us

The nearer they, restored,

Shall stand to Our Right Hand —

Most precious and the Dead —

Next precious

Those that rose to go —

Then thought of Us, and stayed.

902. THE FIRST DAY THAT I WAS A LIFE

The first Day that I was a Life

I recollect it — How still —

That last Day that I was a Life

I recollect it — as well —

'Twas stiller — though the first

Was still —

"Twas empty — but the first

Was full —

This — was my finallest Occasion —

But then

My tenderer Experiment

Toward Men —

"Which choose I"?

That — I cannot say —

"Which choose They"?

Question Memory!

903. I HIDE MYSELF WITHIN MY FLOWER,

I hide myself within my flower,

That fading from your Vase,

You, unsuspecting, feel for me —

Almost a loneliness.

904. HAD I NOT THIS, OR THIS, I SAID,

Had I not This, or This, I said,

Appealing to Myself,

In moment of prosperity —

Inadequate — were Life —

"Thou hast not Me, nor Me" — it said,

In Moment of Reverse —

"And yet Thou art industrious —

No need — hadst Thou — of us"?

My need — was all I had — I said —

The need did not reduce —

Because the food — exterminate —

The hunger — does not cease —

But diligence — is sharper —

Proportioned to the Chance —

To feed upon the Retrograde —

Enfeebles — the Advance —

905. BETWEEN MY COUNTRY — AND THE OTHERS —

Between My Country — and the Others —

There is a Sea —

But Flowers — negotiate between us —

As Ministry.

906. THE ADMIRATIONS — AND CONTEMPTS — OF TIME —

The Admirations — and Contempts — of time —

Show justest — through an Open Tomb —

The Dying — as it were a Height

Reorganizes Estimate

And what We saw not

We distinguish clear —

And mostly — see not

What We saw before —

'Tis Compound Vision —

Light — enabling Light —

The Finite — furnished

With the Infinite —

Convex — and Concave Witness —

Back — toward Time —

And forward —

Toward the God of Him —

907. TILL DEATH — IS NARROW LOVING —

Till Death — is narrow Loving —

The scantest Heart extant

Will hold you till your privilege

Of Finiteness — be spent —

But He whose loss procures you

Such Destitution that

Your Life too abject for itself

Thenceforward imitate —

Until — Resemblance perfect —

Yourself, for His pursuit

Delight of Nature — abdicate —

Exhibit Love — somewhat —

908. 'TIS SUNRISE — LITTLE MAID — HAST THOU

'Tis Sunrise — Little Maid — Hast Thou

No Station in the Day?

'Twas not thy wont, to hinder so —

Retrieve thine industry —

'Tis Noon — My little Maid —

Alas — and art thou sleeping yet?

The Lily — waiting to be Wed —

The Bee — Hast thou forgot?

My little Maid — 'Tis Night — Alas

That Night should be to thee

Instead of Morning — Had'st thou broached

Thy little Plan to Die —

Dissuade thee, if I could not, Sweet,

I might have aided — thee —

909. I MAKE HIS CRESCENT FILL OR LACK —

I make His Crescent fill or lack —

His Nature is at Full

Or Quarter — as I signify —

His Tides — do I control —

He holds superior in the Sky

Or gropes, at my Command

Behind inferior Clouds — or round

A Mist's slow Colonnade —

But since We hold a Mutual Disc —

And front a Mutual Day —

Which is the Despot, neither knows —

Nor Whose — the Tyranny —

910. EXPERIENCE IS THE ANGLED ROAD

Experience is the Angled Road

Preferred against the Mind

By — Paradox — the Mind itself —

Presuming it to lead

Quite Opposite — How Complicate

The Discipline of Man —

Compelling Him to Choose Himself

His Preappointed Pain —

911. TOO LITTLE WAY THE HOUSE MUST LIE

Too little way the House must lie

From every Human Heart

That holds in undisputed Lease

A white inhabitant —

Too narrow is the Right between —

Too imminent the chance —

Each Consciousness must emigrate

And lose its neighbor once —

912. PEACE IS A FICTION OF OUR FAITH —

Peace is a fiction of our Faith —

The Bells a Winter Night

Bearing the Neighbor out of Sound

That never did alight.

913. AND THIS OF ALL MY HOPES

And this of all my Hopes

This, is the silent end

Bountiful colored, my Morning rose

Early and sere, its end

Never Bud from a Stem

Stepped with so gay a Foot

Never a Worm so confident

Bored at so brave a Root

914. I CANNOT BE ASHAMED

I cannot be ashamed

Because I cannot see

The love you offer —

Magnitude

Reverses Modesty

And I cannot be proud

Because a Height so high

Involves Alpine

Requirements

And Services of Snow.

915. FAITH — IS THE PIERLESS BRIDGE

Faith — is the Pierless Bridge

Supporting what We see

Unto the Scene that We do not —

Too slender for the eye

It bears the Soul as bold

As it were rocked in Steel

With Arms of Steel at either side —

It joins — behind the Veil

To what, could We presume

The Bridge would cease to be

To Our far, vacillating Feet

A first Necessity.

916. HIS FEET ARE SHOD WITH GAUZE —

His Feet are shod with Gauze —

His Helmet, is of Gold,

His Breast, a Single Onyx

With Chrysophrase, inlaid.

His Labor is a Chant —

His Idleness — a Tune —

Oh, for a Bee's experience

Of Clovers, and of Noon!

917. LOVE — IS ANTERIOR TO LIFE —

Love — is anterior to Life —

Posterior — to Death —

Initial of Creation, and

The Exponent of Breath —

918. ONLY A SHRINE, BUT MINE —

Only a Shrine, but Mine —

I made the Taper shine —

Madonna dim, to whom all Feet may come,

Regard a Nun —

Thou knowest every Woe —

Needless to tell thee — so —

But can'st thou do

The Grace next to it — heal?

That looks a harder skill to us —

Still — just as easy, if it be thy Will

To thee — Grant me —

Thou knowest, though, so Why tell thee?

919. IF I CAN STOP ONE HEART FROM BREAKING

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain ;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

920. WE CAN BUT FOLLOW TO THE SUN —

We can but follow to the Sun —

As oft as He go down

He leave Ourselves a Sphere behind —

'Tis mostly — following —

We go no further with the Dust

Than to the Earthen Door —

And then the Panels are reversed —

And we behold — no more.

921. IF IT HAD NO PENCIL

If it had no pencil

Would it try mine —

Worn — now — and dull — sweet,

Writing much to thee.

If it had no word,

Would it make the Daisy,

Most as big as I was,

When it plucked me?

922. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE GRAVE THE LONGEST —

Those who have been in the Grave the longest —

Those who begin Today —

Equally perish from our Practise —

Death is the other way —

Foot of the Bold did least attempt it —

It — is the White Exploit —

Once to achieve, annuls the power

Once to communicate —

923. HOW THE WATERS CLOSED ABOVE HIM

How the Waters closed above Him

We shall never know —

How He stretched His Anguish to us

That — is covered too —

Spreads the Pond Her Base of Lilies

Bold above the Boy

Whose unclaimed Hat and Jacket

Sum the History —

924. LOVE — IS THAT LATER THING THAN DEATH —

Love — is that later Thing than Death —

More previous — than Life —

Confirms it at its entrance — And

Usurps it — of itself —

Tastes Death — the first — to hand the sting

The Second — to its friend —

Disarms the little interval —

Deposits Him with God —

Then hovers — an inferior Guard —

Lest this Beloved Charge

Need — once in an Eternity —

A smaller than the Large —

925. STRUCK, WAS I, NOT YET BY LIGHTNING —

Struck, was I, not yet by Lightning —

Lightning — lets away

Power to perceive His Process

With Vitality.

Maimed — was I — yet not by Venture —

Stone of stolid Boy —

Nor a Sportsman's Peradventure —

Who mine Enemy?

Robbed — was I — intact to Bandit —

All my Mansion torn —

Sun — withdrawn to Recognition —

Furthest shining — done —

Yet was not the foe — of any —

Not the smallest Bird

In the nearest Orchard dwelling

Be of Me — afraid.

Most — I love the Cause that slew Me.

Often as I die

Its beloved Recognition

Holds a Sun on Me —

Best — at Setting — as is Nature's —

Neither witnessed Rise

Till the infinite Aurora

In the other's eyes.

926. PATIENCE — HAS A QUIET OUTER —

Patience — has a quiet Outer —

Patience — Look within —

Is an Insect's futile forces

Infinites — between —

'Scaping one — against the other

Fruitlesser to fling —

Patience — is the Smile's exertion

Through the quivering —

927. ABSENT PLACE — AN APRIL DAY —

Absent Place — an April Day —

Daffodils a-blow

Homesick curiosity

To the Souls that snow —

Drift may block within it

Deeper than without —

Daffodil delight but

Him it duplicate —

928. THE HEART HAS NARROW BANKS

The Heart has narrow Banks

It measures like the Sea

In mighty — unremitting Bass

And Blue Monotony

Till Hurricane bisect

And as itself discerns

Its insufficient Area

The Heart convulsive learns

That Calm is but a Wall

Of unattempted Gauze

An instant's Push demolishes

A Questioning — dissolves.

929. HOW FAR IS IT TO HEAVEN?

How far is it to Heaven?

As far as Death this way —

Of River or of Ridge beyond

Was no discovery.

How far is it to Hell?

As far as Death this way —

How far left hand the Sepulchre

Defies Topography.

930. THERE IS A JUNE WHEN CORN IS CUT

There is a June when Corn is cut

And Roses in the Seed —

A Summer briefer than the first

But tenderer indeed

As should a Face supposed the Grave's

Emerge a single Noon

In the Vermilion that it wore

Affect us, and return —

Two Seasons, it is said, exist —

The Summer of the Just,

And this of Ours, diversified

With Prospect, and with Frost —

May not our Second with its First

So infinite compare

That We but recollect the one

The other to prefer?

931. NOON — IS THE HINGE OF DAY —

Noon — is the Hinge of Day —

Evening — the Tissue Door —

Morning — the East compelling the sill

Till all the World is ajar —

932. MY BEST ACQUAINTANCES ARE THOSE

My best Acquaintances are those

With Whom I spoke no Word —

The Stars that stated come to Town

Esteemed Me never rude

Although to their Celestial Call

I failed to make reply —

My constant — reverential Face

Sufficient Courtesy.

933. TWO TRAVELLERS PERISHING IN SNOW

Two Travellers perishing in Snow

The Forests as they froze

Together heard them strengthening

Each other with the words

That Heaven if Heaven — must contain

What Either left behind

And then the cheer too solemn grew

For language, and the wind

Long steps across the features took

That Love had touched the Morn

With reverential Hyacinth —

The taleless Days went on

Till Mystery impatient drew

And those They left behind

Led absent, were procured of Heaven

As Those first furnished, said —

934. THAT IS SOLEMN WE HAVE ENDED

That is solemn we have ended

Be it but a Play

Or a Glee among the Garret

Or a Holiday

Or a leaving Home, or later,

Parting with a World

We have understood for better

Still to be explained.

935. DEATH LEAVES US HOMESICK, WHO BEHIND,

Death leaves Us homesick, who behind,

Except that it is gone

Are ignorant of its Concern

As if it were not born.

Through all their former Places, we

Like Individuals go

Who something lost, the seeking for

Is all that's left them, now —

936. THIS DUST, AND ITS FEATURE —

This Dust, and its Feature —

Accredited — Today —

Will in a second Future —

Cease to identify —

This Mind, and its measure —

A too minute Area

For its enlarged inspection's

Comparison — appear —

This World, and its species

A too concluded show

For its absorbed Attention's

Remotest scrutiny —

937. I FELT A CLEAVING IN MY MIND —

I felt a Cleaving in my Mind —

As if my Brain had split —

I tried to match it — Seam by Seam —

But could not make them fit.

The thought behind, I strove to join

Unto the thought before —

But Sequence ravelled out of Sound

Like Balls — upon a Floor.

938. FAIRER THROUGH FADING — AS THE DAY

Fairer through Fading — as the Day

Into the Darkness dips away —

Half Her Complexion of the Sun —

Hindering — Haunting — Perishing —

Rallies Her Glow, like a dying Friend —

Teasing with glittering Amend —

Only to aggravate the Dark

Through an expiring — perfect — look —

939. WHAT I SEE NOT, I BETTER SEE —

What I see not, I better see —

Through Faith — my Hazel Eye

Has periods of shutting —

But, No lid has Memory —

For frequent, all my sense obscured

I equally behold

As someone held a light unto

The Features so beloved —-

And I arise — and in my Dream —

Do Thee distinguished Grace —

Till jealous Daylight interrupt —

And mar thy perfectness —

940. ON THAT DEAR FRAME THE YEARS HAD WORN

On that dear Frame the Years had worn

Yet precious as the House

In which We first experienced Light

The Witnessing, to Us —

Precious! It was conceiveless fair

As Hands the Grave had grimed

Should softly place within our own

Denying that they died.

941. THE LADY FEEDS HER LITTLE BIRD

The Lady feeds Her little Bird

At rarer intervals —

The little Bird would not dissent

But meekly recognize

The Gulf between the Hand and Her

And crumbless and afar

And fainting, on Her yellow Knee

Fall softly, and adore —

942. SNOW BENEATH WHOSE CHILLY SOFTNESS

Snow beneath whose chilly softness

Some that never lay

Make their first Repose this Winter

I admonish Thee

Blanket Wealthier the Neighbor

We so new bestow

Than thine acclimated Creature

Wilt Thou, Austere Snow?

943. A COFFIN — IS A SMALL DOMAIN,

A Coffin — is a small Domain,

Yet able to contain

A Citizen of Paradise

In it diminished Plane.

A Grave — is a restricted Breadth —

Yet ampler than the Sun —

And all the Seas He populates

And Lands He looks upon

To Him who on its small Repose

Bestows a single Friend —

Circumference without Relief —

Or Estimate — or End —

944. I LEARNED — AT LEAST — WHAT HOME COULD BE —

I learned — at least — what Home could be —

How ignorant I had been

Of pretty ways of Covenant —

How awkward at the Hymn

Round our new Fireside — but for this —

This pattern — of the Way —

Whose Memory drowns me, like the Dip

Of a Celestial Sea —

What Mornings in our Garden — guessed —

What Bees — for us — to hum —

With only Birds to interrupt

The Ripple of our Theme —

And Task for Both —

When Play be done —

Your Problem — of the Brain —

And mine — some foolisher effect —

A Ruffle — or a Tune —

The Afternoons — Together spent —

And Twilight — in the Lanes —

Some ministry to poorer lives —

Seen poorest — thro' our gains —

And then Return — and Night — and Home —

And then away to You to pass —

A new — diviner — care —

Till Sunrise take us back to Scene —

Transmuted — Vivider —

This seems a Home —

And Home is not —

But what that Place could be —

Afflicts me — as a Setting Sun —

Where Dawn — knows how to be —

945. THIS IS A BLOSSOM OF THE BRAIN —

This is a Blossom of the Brain —

A small — italic Seed

Lodged by Design or Happening

The Spirit fructified —

Shy as the Wind of his Chambers

Swift as a Freshet's Tongue

So of the Flower of the Soul

Its process is unknown.

When it is found, a few rejoice

The Wise convey it Home

Carefully cherishing the spot

If other Flower become.

When it is lost, that Day shall be

The Funeral of God,

Upon his Breast, a closing Soul

The Flower of our Lord.

946. IT IS AN HONORABLE THOUGHT

It is an honorable Thought

And make One lift One's Hat

As One met sudden Gentlefolk

Upon a daily Street

That We've immortal Place

Though Pyramids decay

And Kingdoms, like the Orchard

Flit Russetly away

947. OF TOLLING BELL I ASK THE CAUSE?

Of Tolling Bell I ask the cause?

"A Soul has gone to Heaven"

I'm answered in a lonesome tone —

Is Heaven then a Prison?

That Bells should ring till all should know

A Soul had gone to Heaven

Would seem to me the more the way

A Good News should be given.

948. 'TWAS CRISIS — ALL THE LENGTH HAD PASSED —

'Twas Crisis — All the length had passed —

That dull — benumbing time

There is in Fever or Event —

And now the Chance had come —

The instant holding in its claw

The privilege to live

Or warrant to report the Soul

The other side the Grave.

The Muscles grappled as with leads

That would not let the Will —

The Spirit shook the Adamant —

But could not make it feel.

The Second poised — debated — shot —

Another had begun —

And simultaneously, a Soul

Escaped the House unseen —

949. UNDER THE LIGHT, YET UNDER,

Under the Light, yet under,

Under the Grass and the Dirt,

Under the Beetle's Cellar

Under the Clover's Root,

Further than Arm could stretch

Were it Giant long,

Further than Sunshine could

Were the Day Year long,

Over the Light, yet over,

Over the Arc of the Bird —

Over the Comet's chimney —

Over the Cubit's Head,

Further than Guess can gallop

Further than Riddle ride —

Oh for a Disc to the Distance

Between Ourselves and the Dead!

950. THE SUNSET STOPPED ON COTTAGES

The Sunset stopped on Cottages

Where Sunset hence must be

For treason not of His, but Life's,

Gone Westerly, Today —

The Sunset stopped on Cottages

Where Morning just begun —

What difference, after all, Thou mak'st

Thou supercilious Sun?

951. AS FROST IS BEST CONCEIVED

As Frost is best conceived

By force of its Result —

Affliction is inferred

By subsequent effect —

If when the sun reveal,

The Garden keep the Gash —

If as the Days resume

The wilted countenance

Cannot correct the crease

Or counteract the stain —

Presumption is Vitality

Was somewhere put in twain.

952. A MAN MAY MAKE A REMARK —

A Man may make a Remark —

In itself — a quiet thing

That may furnish the Fuse unto a Spark

In dormant nature — lain —

Let us deport — with skill —

Let us discourse — with care —

Powder exists in Charcoal —

Before it exists in Fire.

953. A DOOR JUST OPENED ON A STREET —

A Door just opened on a street —

I — lost — was passing by —

An instant's Width of Warmth disclosed —

And Wealth — and Company.

The Door as instant shut — And I —

I — lost — was passing by —

Lost doubly — but by contrast — most —

Informing — misery —

954. THE CHEMICAL CONVICTION

The Chemical conviction

That Nought be lost

Enable in Disaster

My fractured Trust —

The Faces of the Atoms

If I shall see

How more the Finished Creatures

Departed me!

955. THE HOLLOWS ROUND HIS EAGER EYES

The Hollows round His eager Eyes

Were Pages where to read

Pathetic Histories — although

Himself had not complained.

Biography to All who passed

Of Unobtrusive Pain

Except for the italic Face

Endured, unhelped — unknown.

956. WHAT SHALL I DO WHEN THE SUMMER TROUBLES —

What shall I do when the Summer troubles —

What, when the Rose is ripe —

What when the Eggs fly off in Music

From the Maple Keep?

What shall I do when the Skies a'chirrup

Drop a Tune on me —

When the Bee hangs all Noon in the Buttercup

What will become of me?

Oh, when the Squirrel fills His Pockets

And the Berries stare

How can I bear their jocund Faces

Thou from Here, so far?

'Twouldn't afflict a Robin —

All His Goods have Wings —

I — do not fly, so wherefore

My Perennial Things?

957. AS ONE DOES SICKNESS OVER

As One does Sickness over

In convalescent Mind,

His scrutiny of Chances

By blessed Health obscured —

As One rewalks a Precipice

And whittles at the Twig

That held Him from Perdition

Sown sidewise in the Crag

A Custom of the Soul

Far after suffering

Identity to question

For evidence 'thas been —

958. WE MET AS SPARKS — DIVERGING FLINTS

We met as Sparks — Diverging Flints

Sent various — scattered ways —

We parted as the Central Flint

Were cloven with an Adze —

Subsisting on the Light We bore

Before We felt the Dark —

A Flint unto this Day — perhaps —

But for that single Spark.

959. A LOSS OF SOMETHING EVER FELT I —

A loss of something ever felt I —

The first that I could recollect

Bereft I was — of what I knew not

Too young that any should suspect

A Mourner walked among the children

I notwithstanding went about

As one bemoaning a Dominion

Itself the only Prince cast out —

Elder, Today, a session wiser

And fainter, too, as Wiseness is —

I find myself still softly searching

For my Delinquent Palaces —

And a Suspicion, like a Finger

Touches my Forehead now and then

That I am looking oppositely

For the site of the Kingdom of Heaven —

960. AS PLAN FOR NOON AND PLAN FOR NIGHT

As plan for Noon and plan for Night

So differ Life and Death

In positive Prospective —

The Foot upon the Earth

At Distance, and Achievement, strains,

The Foot upon the Grave

Makes effort at conclusion

Assisted faint of Love.

961. WERT THOU BUT ILL — THAT I MIGHT SHOW THEE

Wert Thou but ill — that I might show thee

How long a Day I could endure

Though thine attention stop not on me

Nor the least signal, Me assure —

Wert Thou but Stranger in ungracious country —

And Mine — the Door

Thou paused at, for a passing bounty —

No More —

Accused — wert Thou — and Myself — Tribunal —

Convicted — Sentenced — Ermine — not to Me

Half the Condition, thy Reverse — to follow —

Just to partake — the infamy —

The Tenant of the Narrow Cottage, wert Thou —

Permit to be

The Housewife in thy low attendance

Contenteth Me —

No Service hast Thou, I would not achieve it —

To die — or live —

The first — Sweet, proved I, ere I saw thee —

For Life — be Love —

962. MIDSUMMER, WAS IT, WHEN THEY DIED —

Midsummer, was it, when They died —

A full, and perfect time —

The Summer closed upon itself

In Consummated Bloom —

The Corn, her furthest kernel filled

Before the coming Flail —

When These — leaned unto Perfectness —

Through Haze of Burial —

963. A NEARNESS TO TREMENDOUSNESS —

A nearness to Tremendousness —

An Agony procures —

Affliction ranges Boundlessness —

Vicinity to Laws

Contentment's quiet Suburb —

Affliction cannot stay

In Acres — Its Location

Is Illocality —

964. "UNTO ME?" I DO NOT KNOW YOU —

"Unto Me?" I do not know you —

Where may be your House?

"I am Jesus — Late of Judea —

Now — of Paradise" —

Wagons — have you — to convey me?

This is far from Thence —

"Arms of Mine — sufficient Phaeton —

Trust Omnipotence" —

I am spotted — "I am Pardon" —

I am small — "The Least

Is esteemed in Heaven the Chiefest —

Occupy my House" —

965. DENIAL — IS THE ONLY FACT

Denial — is the only fact

Perceived by the Denied —

Whose Will — a numb significance —

The Day the Heaven died —

And all the Earth strove common round —

Without Delight, or Beam —

What Comfort was it Wisdom — was —

The spoiler of Our Home?

966. ALL FORGOT FOR RECOLLECTING

All forgot for recollecting

Just a paltry One —

All forsook, for just a Stranger's

New Accompanying —

Grace of Wealth, and Grace of Station

Less accounted than

An unknown Esteem possessing —

Estimate — Who can —

Home effaced — Her faces dwindled —

Nature — altered small —

Sun — if shone — or Storm — if shattered —

Overlooked I all —

Dropped — my fate — a timid Pebble —

In thy bolder Sea —

Prove — me — Sweet — if I regret it —

Prove Myself — of Thee —

967. PAIN — EXPANDS THE TIME —

Pain — expands the Time —

Ages coil within

The minute Circumference

Of a single Brain —

Pain contracts — the Time —

Occupied with Shot

Gamuts of Eternities

Are as they were not —

968. FITTER TO SEE HIM, I MAY BE

Fitter to see Him, I may be

For the long Hindrance — Grace — to Me —

With Summers, and with Winters, grow,

Some passing Year — A trait bestow

To make Me fairest of the Earth —

The Waiting — then — will seem so worth

I shall impute with half a pain

The blame that I was chosen — then —

Time to anticipate His Gaze —

It's first — Delight — and then — Surprise —

The turning o'er and o'er my face

For Evidence it be the Grace —

He left behind One Day — So less

He seek Conviction, That — be This —

I only must not grow so new

That He'll mistake — and ask for me

Of me — when first unto the Door

I go — to Elsewhere go no more —

I only must not change so fair

He'll sigh — "The Other — She — is Where?"

The Love, tho', will array me right

I shall be perfect — in His sight —

If He perceive the other Truth —

Upon an Excellenter Youth —

How sweet I shall not lack in Vain —

But gain — thro' loss — Through Grief — obtain —

The Beauty that reward Him best —

The Beauty of Demand — at Rest —

969. HE WHO IN HIMSELF BELIEVES —

He who in Himself believes —

Fraud cannot presume —

Faith is Constancy's Result —

And assumes — from Home —

Cannot perish, though it fail

Every second time —

But defaced Vicariously —

For Some Other Shame —

970. COLOR — CASTE — DENOMINATION —

Color — Caste — Denomination —

These — are Time's Affair —

Death's diviner Classifying

Does not know they are —

As in sleep — All Hue forgotten —

Tenets — put behind —

Death's large — Democratic fingers

Rub away the Brand —

If Circassian — He is careless —

If He put away

Chrysalis of Blonde — or Umber —

Equal Butterfly —

They emerge from His Obscuring —

What Death — knows so well —

Our minuter intuitions —

Deem unplausible —

971. ROBBED BY DEATH — BUT THAT WAS EASY —

Robbed by Death — but that was easy —

To the failing Eye

I could hold the latest Glowing —

Robbed by Liberty

For Her Jugular Defences —

This, too, I endured —

Hint of Glory — it afforded —

For the Brave Beloved —

Fraud of Distance — Fraud of Danger,

Fraud of Death — to bear —

It is Bounty — to Suspense's

Vague Calamity —

Stalking our entire Possession

On a Hair's result —

Then — seesawing — coolly — on it —

Trying if it split —

972. UNFULFILLED TO OBSERVATION —

Unfulfilled to Observation —

Incomplete — to Eye —

But to Faith — a Revolution

In Locality —

Unto Us — the Suns extinguish —

To our Opposite —

New Horizons — they embellish —

Fronting Us — with Night.

973. 'TWAS AWKWARD, BUT IT FITTED ME —

'Twas awkward, but it fitted me —

An Ancient fashioned Heart —

Its only lore — its Steadfastness —

In Change — unerudite —

It only moved as do the Suns —

For merit of Return —

Or Birds — confirmed perpetual

By Alternating Zone —

I only have it not Tonight

In its established place —

For technicality of Death —

Omitted in the Lease —

974. THE SOUL'S DISTINCT CONNECTION

The Soul's distinct connection

With immortality

Is best disclosed by Danger

Or quick Calamity —

As Lightning on a Landscape

Exhibits Sheets of Place —

Not yet suspected — but for Flash —

And Click — and Suddenness.

975. THE MOUNTAIN SAT UPON THE PLAIN

The Mountain sat upon the Plain

In his tremendous Chair —

His observation omnifold,

His inquest, everywhere —

The Seasons played around his knees

Like Children round a sire —

Grandfather of the Days is He

Of Dawn, the Ancestor —

976. DEATH IS A DIALOGUE BETWEEN

Death is a dialogue between

The spirit and the dust.

"Dissolve," says Death.  The Spirit, "Sir,

I have another trust."

Death doubts it, argues from the ground.

The Spirit turns away,

Just laying off, for evidence,

An overcoat of clay.

977. BESIDES THIS MAY

Besides this May

We know

There is Another —

How fair

Our Speculations of the Foreigner!

Some know Him whom We knew —

Sweet Wonder —

A Nature be

Where Saints, and our plain going Neighbor

Keep May!

978. IT BLOOMED AND DROPT, A SINGLE NOON —

It bloomed and dropt, a Single Noon —

The Flower — distinct and Red —

I, passing, thought another Noon

Another in its stead

Will equal glow, and thought no More

But came another Day

To find the Species disappeared —

The Same Locality —

The Sun in place — no other fraud

On Nature's perfect Sum —

Had I but lingered Yesterday —

Was my retrieveless blame —

Much Flowers of this and further Zones

Have perished in my Hands

For seeking its Resemblance —

But unapproached it stands —

The single Flower of the Earth

That I, in passing by

Unconscious was — Great Nature's Face

Passed infinite by Me —

979. THIS MERIT HATH THE WORST —

This Merit hath the worst —

It cannot be again —

When Fate hath taunted last

And thrown Her furthest Stone —

The Maimed may pause, and breathe,

And glance securely round —

The Deer attracts no further

Than it resists — the Hound —

980. PURPLE — IS FASHIONABLE TWICE —

Purple — is fashionable twice —

This season of the year,

And when a soul perceives itself

To be an Emperor.

981. AS SLEIGH BELLS SEEM IN SUMMER

As Sleigh Bells seem in summer

Or Bees, at Christmas show —

So fairy — so fictitious

The individuals do

Repealed from observation —

A Party that we knew —

More distant in an instant

Than Dawn in Timbuctoo.

982. NO OTHER CAN REDUCE

No Other can reduce

Our mortal Consequence

Like the remembering it be nought

A Period from hence

But Contemplation for

Contemporaneous Nought

Our Single Competition

Jehovah's Estimate.

983. IDEALS ARE THE FAIRLY OIL

Ideals are the Fairly Oil

With which we help the Wheel

But when the Vital Axle turns

The Eye rejects the Oil.

984. 'TIS ANGUISH GRANDER THAN DELIGHT

'Tis Anguish grander than Delight

'Tis Resurrection Pain —

The meeting Bands of smitten Face

We questioned to, again.

'Tis Transport wild as thrills the Graves

When Cerements let go

And Creatures clad in Miracle

Go up by Two and Two.

985. THE MISSING ALL — PREVENTED ME

The Missing All — prevented Me

From missing minor Things.

If nothing larger than a World's

Departure from a Hinge —

Or Sun's extinction, be observed —

'Twas not so large that I

Could lift my Forehead from my work

For Curiosity.

986. A NARROW FELLOW IN THE GRASS

A narrow fellow in the grass

Occasionally rides;

You may have met him—did you not

His notice instant is,

The grass divides as with a comb,

A spotted shaft is seen,

And then it closes at your feet,

And opens further on.

He likes a boggy acre

A floor too cool for corn,

Yet when a boy and barefoot,

I more than once at noon

Have passed, I thought, a whip lash,

Unbraiding in the sun,

When stooping to secure it,

It wrinkled and was gone.

Several of nature's people

I know, and they know me;

I feel for them a transport

Of cordiality.

Yet never met this fellow,

Attended or alone,

Without a tighter breathing,

And zero at the bone.

987. THE LEAVES LIKE WOMEN INTERCHANGE

The Leaves like Women interchange

Exclusive Confidence —

Somewhat of nods and somewhat

Portentous inference.

The Parties in both cases

Enjoining secrecy —

Inviolable compact

To notoriety.

988. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY IS

The Definition of Beauty is

That Definition is none —

Of Heaven, easing Analysis,

Since Heaven and He are one.

989. GRATITUDE — IS NOT THE MENTION

Gratitude — is not the mention

Of a Tenderness,

But its still appreciation

Out of Plumb of Speech.

When the Sea return no Answer

By the Line and Lead

Proves it there's no Sea, or rather

A remoter Bed?

990. NOT ALL DIE EARLY, DYING YOUNG —

Not all die early, dying young —

Maturity of Fate

Is consummated equally

In Ages, or a Night —

A Hoary Boy, I've known to drop

Whole statured — by the side

Of Junior of Fourscore — 'twas Act

Not Period — that died.

991. SHE SPED AS PETALS OF A ROSE

She sped as Petals of a Rose

Offended by the Wind —

A frail Aristocrat of Time

Indemnity to find —

Leaving on nature — a Default

As Cricket or as Bee —

But Andes in the Bosoms where

She had begun to lie —

992. THE DUST BEHIND I STROVE TO JOIN

The Dust behind I strove to join

Unto the Disk before —

But Sequence ravelled out of Sound

Like Balls upon a Floor —

993. WE MISS HER, NOT BECAUSE WE SEE —

We miss Her, not because We see —

The Absence of an Eye —

Except its Mind accompany

Abridge Society

As slightly as the Routes of Stars —

Ourselves — asleep below —

We know that their superior Eyes

Include Us — as they go —

994. PARTAKE AS DOTH THE BEE,

Partake as doth the Bee,

Abstemiously.

The Rose is an Estate —

In Sicily.

995. THIS WAS IN THE WHITE OF THE YEAR —

This was in the White of the Year —

That — was in the Green —

Drifts were as difficult then to think

As Daisies now to be seen —

Looking back is best that is left

Or if it be — before —

Retrospection is Prospect's half,

Sometimes, almost more.

996. WE'LL PASS WITHOUT THE PARTING

We'll pass without the parting

So to spare

Certificate of Absence —

Deeming where

I left Her I could find Her

If I tried —

This way, I keep from missing

Those that died.

997. CRUMBLING IS NOT AN INSTANT'S ACT

Crumbling is not an instant's Act

A fundamental pause

Dilapidation's processes

Are organized Decays.

'Tis first a Cobweb on the Soul

A Cuticle of Dust

A Borer in the Axis

An Elemental Rust —

Ruin is formal — Devil's work

Consecutive and slow —

Fail in an instant, no man did

Slipping — is Crash's law.

998. BEST THINGS DWELL OUT OF SIGHT

Best Things dwell out of Sight

The Pearl — the Just — Our Thought.

Most shun the Public Air

Legitimate, and Rare —

The Capsule of the Wind

The Capsule of the Mind

Exhibit here, as doth a Burr —

Germ's Germ be where?

999. SUPERFLUOUS WERE THE SUN

Superfluous were the Sun

When Excellence be dead

He were superfluous every Day

For every Day be said

That syllable whose Faith

Just saves it from Despair

And whose "I'll meet You" hesitates

If Love inquire "Where"?

Upon His dateless Fame

Our Periods may lie

As Stars that drop anonymous

From an abundant sky.

1000. THE FINGERS OF THE LIGHT

The Fingers of the Light

Tapped soft upon the Town

With "I am great and cannot wait

So therefore let me in."

"You're soon," the Town replied,

"My Faces are asleep —

But swear, and I will let you by,

You will not wake them up."

The easy Guest complied

But once within the Town

The transport of His Countenance

Awakened Maid and Man

The Neighbor in the Pool

Upon His Hip elate

Made loud obeisance and the Gnat

Held up His Cup for Light.

1001. THE STIMULUS, BEYOND THE GRAVE

The Stimulus, beyond the Grave

His Countenance to see

Supports me like imperial Drams

Afforded Day by Day.

1002. AURORA IS THE EFFORT

Aurora is the effort

Of the Celestial Face

Unconsciousness of Perfectness

To simulate, to Us.

1003. DYING AT MY MUSIC!

Dying at my music!

Bubble! Bubble!

Hold me till the Octave's run!

Quick! Burst the Windows!

Ritardando!

Phials left, and the Sun!

1004. THERE IS NO SILENCE IN THE EARTH — SO SILENT

There is no Silence in the Earth — so silent

As that endured

Which uttered, would discourage Nature

And haunt the World.

1005. BIND ME — I STILL CAN SING —

Bind me — I still can sing —

Banish — my mandolin

Strikes true within —

Slay — and my Soul shall rise

Chanting to Paradise —

Still thine.

1006. THE FIRST WE KNEW OF HIM WAS DEATH —

The first We knew of Him was Death —

The second — was — Renown —

Except the first had justified

The second had not been.

1007. FALSEHOOD OF THEE COULD I SUPPOSE

Falsehood of Thee could I suppose

'Twould undermine the Sill

To which my Faith pinned Block by Block

Her Cedar Citadel.

1008. HOW STILL THE BELLS IN STEEPLES STAND

How still the Bells in Steeples stand

Till swollen with the Sky

They leap upon their silver Feet

In frantic Melody!

1009. I WAS A PHOEBE — NOTHING MORE —

I was a Phoebe — nothing more —

A Phoebe — nothing less —

The little note that others dropt

I fitted into place —

I dwelt too low that any seek —

Too shy, that any blame —

A Phoebe makes a little print

Upon the Floors of Fame —

1010. UP LIFE'S HILL WITH MY LITTLE BUNDLE

Up Life's Hill with my little Bundle

If I prove it steep —

If a Discouragement withhold me —

If my newest step

Older feel than the Hope that prompted —

Spotless be from blame

Heart that proposed as Heart that accepted

Homelessness, for Home —

1011. SHE ROSE AS HIGH AS HIS OCCASION

She rose as high as His Occasion

Then sought the Dust —

And lower lay in low Westminster

For Her brief Crest —

1012. WHICH IS BEST? HEAVEN —

Which is best? Heaven —

Or only Heaven to come

With that old Codicil of Doubt?

I cannot help esteem

The "Bird within the Hand"

Superior to the one

The "Bush" may yield me

Or may not

Too late to choose again.

1013. TOO SCANTY 'TWAS TO DIE FOR YOU,

Too scanty 'twas to die for you,

The merest Greek could that.

The living, Sweet, is costlier —

I offer even that —

The Dying, is a trifle, past,

But living, this include

The dying multifold — without

The Respite to be dead.

1014. DID WE ABOLISH FROST

Did We abolish Frost

The Summer would not cease —

If Seasons perish or prevail

Is optional with Us —

1015. WERE IT BUT ME THAT GAINED THE HEIGHT —

Were it but Me that gained the Height —

Were it but They, that failed!

How many things the Dying play

Might they but live, they would!

1016. THE HILLS IN PURPLE SYLLABLES

The Hills in Purple syllables

The Day's Adventures tell

To little Groups of Continents

Just going Home from School.

1017. TO DIE — WITHOUT THE DYING

To die — without the Dying

And live — without the Life

This is the hardest Miracle

Propounded to Belief.

1018. WHO SAW NO SUNRISE CANNOT SAY

Who saw no Sunrise cannot say

The Countenance 'twould be.

Who guess at seeing, guess at loss

Of the Ability.

The Emigrant of Light, it is

Afflicted for the Day.

The Blindness that beheld and blest —

And could not find its Eye.

1019. MY SEASON'S FURTHEST FLOWER —

My Season's furthest Flower —

I tenderer commend

Because I found Her Kinsmanless,

A Grace without a Friend.

1020. TRUDGING TO EDEN, LOOKING BACKWARD,

Trudging to Eden, looking backward,

I met Somebody's little Boy

Asked him his name — He lisped me "Trotwood" —

Lady, did He belong to thee?

Would it comfort — to know I met him —

And that He didn't look afraid?

I couldn't weep — for so many smiling

New Acquaintance — this Baby made —

1021. FAR FROM LOVE THE HEAVENLY FATHER

Far from Love the Heavenly Father

Leads the Chosen Child,

Oftener through Realm of Briar

Than the Meadow mild.

Oftener by the Claw of Dragon

Than the Hand of Friend

Guides the Little One predestined

To the Native Land.

1022. I KNEW THAT I HAD GAINED

I knew that I had gained

And yet I knew not how

By Diminution it was not

But Discipline unto

A Rigor unrelieved

Except by the Content

Another bear its Duplicate

In other Continent.

1023. IT RISES — PASSES — ON OUR SOUTH

It rises — passes — on our South

Inscribes a simple Noon —

Cajoles a Moment with the Spires

And infinite is gone —

1024. SO LARGE MY WILL

So large my Will

The little that I may

Embarrasses

Like gentle infamy —

Affront to Him

For whom the Whole were small

Affront to me

Who know His Meed of all.

Earth at the best

Is but a scanty Toy —

Bought, carried Home

To Immortality.

It looks so small

We chiefly wonder then

At our Conceit

In purchasing.

1025. THE PRODUCTS OF MY FARM ARE THESE

The Products of my Farm are these

Sufficient for my Own

And here and there a Benefit

Unto a Neighbor's Bin.

With Us, 'tis Harvest all the Year

For when the Frosts begin

We just reverse the Zodiac

And fetch the Acres in.

1026. THE DYING NEED BUT LITTLE, DEAR,

The Dying need but little, Dear,

A Glass of Water's all,

A Flower's unobtrusive Face

To punctuate the Wall,

A Fan, perhaps, a Friend's Regret

And Certainty that one

No color in the Rainbow

Perceive, when you are gone.

1027. MY HEART UPON A LITTLE PLATE

My Heart upon a little Plate

Her Palate to delight

A Berry or a Bun, would be,

Might it an Apricot!

1028. 'TWAS MY ONE GLORY —

'Twas my one Glory —

Let it be

Remembered

I was owned of Thee —

1029. NOR MOUNTAIN HINDER ME

Nor Mountain hinder Me

Nor Sea —

Who's Baltic —

Who's Cordillera?

1030. THAT SUCH HAVE DIED ENABLE US

That Such have died enable Us

The tranquiller to die —

That Such have lived,

Certificate for Immortality.

1031. FATE SLEW HIM, BUT HE DID NOT DROP —

Fate slew Him, but He did not drop —

She felled — He did not fall —

Impaled Him on Her fiercest stakes —

He neutralized them all —

She stung Him — sapped His firm Advance —

But when Her Worst was done

And He — unmoved regarded Her —

Acknowledged Him a Man.

1032. WHO IS THE EAST?

Who is the East?

The Yellow Man

Who may be Purple if He can

That carries in the Sun.

Who is the West?

The Purple Man

Who may be Yellow if He can

That lets Him out again.

1033. SAID DEATH TO PASSION

Said Death to Passion

"Give of thine an Acre unto me."

Said Passion, through contracting Breaths

"A Thousand Times Thee Nay."

Bore Death from Passion

All His East

He — sovereign as the Sun

Resituated in the West

And the Debate was done.

1034. HIS BILL AN AUGER IS

His Bill an Auger is

His Head, a Cap and Frill

He laboreth at every Tree

A Worm, His utmost Goal.

1035. BEE! I'M EXPECTING YOU!

Bee! I'm expecting you!

Was saying Yesterday

To Somebody you know

That you were due —

The Frogs got Home last Week —

Are settled, and at work —

Birds, mostly back —

The Clover warm and thick —

You'll get my Letter by

The seventeenth; Reply

Or better, be with me —

Yours, Fly.

1036. SATISFACTION — IS THE AGENT

Satisfaction — is the Agent

Of Satiety —

Want — a quiet Commissary

For Infinity.

To possess, is past the instant

We achieve the Joy —

Immortality contented

Were Anomaly.

1037. HERE, WHERE THE DAISIES FIT MY HEAD

Here, where the Daisies fit my Head

'Tis easiest to lie

And every Grass that plays outside

Is sorry, some, for me.

Where I am not afraid to go

I may confide my Flower —

Who was not Enemy of Me

Will gentle be, to Her.

Nor separate, Herself and Me

By Distances become —

A single Bloom we constitute

Departed, or at Home —

1038. HER LITTLE PARASOL TO LIFT

Her little Parasol to lift

And once to let it down

Her whole Responsibility —

To imitate be Mine.

A Summer further I must wear,

Content if Nature's Drawer

Present me from sepulchral Crease

As blemishless, as Her.

1039. I HEARD, AS IF I HAD NO EAR

I heard, as if I had no Ear

Until a Vital Word

Came all the way from Life to me

And then I knew I heard.

I saw, as if my Eye were on

Another, till a Thing

And now I know 'twas Light, because

It fitted them, came in.

I dwelt, as if Myself, were out,

My Body but within

Until a Might detected me

And set my kernel in.

And Spirit turned unto the Dust

"Old Friend, thou knowest me,"

And Time went out to tell the News

And met Eternity.

1040. NOT SO THE INFINITE RELATIONS — BELOW

Not so the infinite Relations — Below

Division is Adhesion's forfeit — On High

Affliction but a Speculation — And Woe

A Fallacy, a Figment, We knew —

1041. SOMEWHAT, TO HOPE FOR,

Somewhat, to hope for,

Be it ne'er so far

Is Capital against Despair —

Somewhat, to suffer,

Be it ne'er so keen —

If terminable, may be borne.

1042. SPRING COMES ON THE WORLD —

Spring comes on the World —

I sight the Aprils —

Hueless to me until thou come

As, till the Bee

Blossoms stand negative,

Touched to Conditions

By a Hum.

1043. LEST THIS BE HEAVEN INDEED

Lest this be Heaven indeed

An Obstacle is given

That always gauges a Degree

Between Ourself and Heaven.

1044. A SICKNESS OF THIS WORLD IT MOST OCCASIONS

A Sickness of this World it most occasions

When Best Men die.

A Wishfulness their far Condition

To occupy.

A Chief indifference, as Foreign

A World must be

Themselves forsake — contented,

For Deity.

1045. NATURE RARER USES YELLOW

Nature rarer uses Yellow

Than another Hue.

Saves she all of that for Sunsets

Prodigal of Blue

Spending Scarlet, like a Woman

Yellow she affords

Only scantly and selectly

Like a Lover's Words.

1046. I'VE DROPPED MY BRAIN — MY SOUL IS NUMB —

I've dropped my Brain — My Soul is numb —

The Veins that used to run

Stop palsied — 'tis Paralysis

Done perfecter on stone

Vitality is Carved and cool.

My nerve in Marble lies —

A Breathing Woman

Yesterday — Endowed with Paradise.

Not dumb — I had a sort that moved —

A Sense that smote and stirred —

Instincts for Dance — a caper part —

An Aptitude for Bird —

Who wrought Carrara in me

And chiselled all my tune

Were it a Witchcraft — were it Death —

I've still a chance to strain

To Being, somewhere — Motion — Breath —

Though Centuries beyond,

And every limit a Decade —

I'll shiver, satisfied.

1047. THE OPENING AND THE CLOSE

The Opening and the Close

Of Being, are alike

Or differ, if they do,

As Bloom upon a Stalk.

That from an equal Seed

Unto an equal Bud

Go parallel, perfected

In that they have decayed.

1048. REPORTLESS SUBJECTS, TO THE QUICK

Reportless Subjects, to the Quick

Continual addressed —

But foreign as the Dialect

Of Danes, unto the rest.

Reportless Measures, to the Ear

Susceptive — stimulus —

But like an Oriental Tale

To others, fabulous —

1049. PAIN HAS BUT ONE ACQUAINTANCE

Pain has but one Acquaintance

And that is Death —

Each one unto the other

Society enough.

Pain is the Junior Party

By just a Second's right —

Death tenderly assists Him

And then absconds from Sight.

1050. AS WILLING LID O'ER WEARY EYE

As willing lid o'er weary eye

The Evening on the Day leans

Till of all our nature's House

Remains but Balcony

1051. I CANNOT MEET THE SPRING UNMOVED —

I cannot meet the Spring unmoved —

I feel the old desire —

A Hurry with a lingering, mixed,

A Warrant to be fair —

A Competition in my sense

With something hid in Her —

And as she vanishes, Remorse

I saw no more of Her.

1052. I NEVER SAW A MOOR —

I never saw a Moor--

I never saw the Sea--

Yet know I how the Heather looks

And what a Billow be.

I never spoke with God,

Nor visited in Heaven--

Yet certain am I of the spot

As if the Checks were given--

1053. IT WAS A QUIET WAY —

It was a quiet way —

He asked if I was his —

I made no answer of the Tongue

But answer of the Eyes —

And then He bore me on

Before this mortal noise

With swiftness, as of Chariots

And distance, as of Wheels.

This World did drop away

As Acres from the feet

Of one that leaneth from Balloon

Upon an Ether street.

The Gulf behind was not,

The Continents were new —

Eternity it was before

Eternity was due.

No Seasons were to us —

It was not Night nor Morn —

But Sunrise stopped upon the place

And fastened it in Dawn.

1054. NOT TO DISCOVER WEAKNESS IS

Not to discover weakness is

The Artifice of strength —

Impregnability inheres

As much through Consciousness

Of faith of others in itself

As Pyramidal Nerve

Behind the most unconscious clock

What skilful Pointers move —

1055. THE SOUL SHOULD ALWAYS STAND AJAR

The Soul should always stand ajar

That if the Heaven inquire

He will not be obliged to wait

Or shy of troubling Her

Depart, before the Host have slid

The Bolt unto the Door —

To search for the accomplished Guest,

Her Visitor, no more —

1056. THERE IS A ZONE WHOSE EVEN YEARS

There is a Zone whose even Years

No Solstice interrupt —

Whose Sun constructs perpetual Noon

Whose perfect Seasons wait —

Whose Summer set in Summer, till

The Centuries of June

And Centuries of August cease

And Consciousness — is Noon.

1057. I HAD A DAILY BLISS

I had a daily Bliss

I half indifferent viewed

Till sudden I perceived it stir —

It grew as I pursued

Till when around a Height

It wasted from my sight

Increased beyond my utmost scope

I learned to estimate.

1058. BLOOM — IS RESULT — TO MEET A FLOWER

Bloom — is Result — to meet a Flower

And casually glance

Would scarcely cause one to suspect

The minor Circumstance

Assisting in the Bright Affair

So intricately done

Then offered as a Butterfly

To the Meridian —

To pack the Bud — oppose the Worm —

Obtain its right of Dew —

Adjust the Heat — elude the Wind —

Escape the prowling Bee

Great Nature not to disappoint

Awaiting Her that Day —

To be a Flower, is profound

Responsibility —

1059. SANG FROM THE HEART, SIRE,

Sang from the Heart, Sire,

Dipped my Beak in it,

If the Tune drip too much

Have a tint too Red

Pardon the Cochineal —

Suffer the Vermillion —

Death is the Wealth

Of the Poorest Bird.

Bear with the Ballad —

Awkward — faltering —

Death twists the strings —

'Twasn't my blame —

Pause in your Liturgies —

Wait your Chorals —

While I repeat your

Hallowed name —

1060. AIR HAS NO RESIDENCE, NO NEIGHBOR,

Air has no Residence, no Neighbor,

No Ear, no Door,

No Apprehension of Another

Oh, Happy Air!

Ethereal Guest at e'en an Outcast's Pillow —

Essential Host, in Life's faint, wailing Inn,

Later than Light thy Consciousness accost me

Till it depart, persuading Mine —

1061. THREE WEEKS PASSED SINCE I HAD SEEN HER —

Three Weeks passed since I had seen Her —

Some Disease had vext

'Twas with Text and Village Singing

I beheld Her next

And a Company — our pleasure

To discourse alone —

Gracious now to me as any —

Gracious unto none —

Borne without dissent of Either

To the Parish night —

Of the Separated Parties

Which be out of sight?

1062. HE SCANNED IT — STAGGERED —

He scanned it — staggered —

Dropped the Loop

To Past or Period —

Caught helpless at a sense as if

His Mind were going blind —

Groped up, to see if God was there —

Groped backward at Himself

Caressed a Trigger absently

And wandered out of Life.

1063. ASHES DENOTE THAT FIRE WAS —

Ashes denote that Fire was —

Revere the Grayest Pile

For the Departed Creature's sake

That hovered there awhile —

Fire exists the first in light

And then consolidates

Only the Chemist can disclose

Into what Carbonates.

1064. TO HELP OUR BLEAKER PARTS

To help our Bleaker Parts

Salubrious Hours are given

Which if they do not fit for Earth

Drill silently for Heaven —

1065. LET DOWN THE BARS, OH DEATH —

Let down the Bars, Oh Death —

The tired Flocks come in

Whose bleating ceases to repeat

Whose wandering is done —

Thine is the stillest night

Thine the securest Fold

Too near Thou art for seeking Thee

Too tender, to be told.

1066. FAME'S BOYS AND GIRLS, WHO NEVER DIE

Fame's Boys and Girls, who never die

And are too seldom born —

1067. EXCEPT THE SMALLER SIZE

Except the smaller size

No lives are round —

These — hurry to a sphere

And show and end —

The larger — slower grow

And later hang —

The Summers of Hesperides

Are long.

1068. FURTHER IN SUMMER THAN THE BIRDS

Further in Summer than the Birds -

Pathetic from the Grass -

A Minor Nation celebrates

It's unobtrusive Mass -

No Ordinance be seen -

So gradual the Grace

A pensive Custom it becomes

Enlarging Loneliness -

'Tis Audiblest, at Dusk -

When Day's attempt is done -

And Nature nothing waits to do

But terminate in Tune -

Nor difference it knows

Of Cadence, or of Pause -

But simultaneous as Same -

The Service emphacize -

Nor know I when it cease -

At Candles, it is here -

When Sunrise is - that it is not -

Than this, I know no more -

The Earth has many keys -

Where Melody is not

Is the Unknown Peninsula -

Beauty - is Nature's Fact -

But Witness for Her Land -

And Witness for Her Sea -

The Cricket is Her utmost

Of Elegy, to Me -

1069. PARADISE IS OF THE OPTION.

Paradise is of the option.

Whosoever will

Own in Eden notwithstanding

Adam and Repeal.

1070. TO UNDERTAKE IS TO ACHIEVE

To undertake is to achieve

Be Undertaking blent

With fortitude of obstacle

And toward encouragement

That fine Suspicion, Natures must

Permitted to revere

Departed Standards and the few

Criterion Sources here

1071. PERCEPTION OF AN OBJECT COSTS

Perception of an object costs

Precise the Object's loss —

Perception in itself a Gain

Replying to its Price —

The Object Absolute — is nought —

Perception sets it fair

And then upbraids a Perfectness

That situates so far —

1072. TITLE DIVINE — IS MINE!

Title divine — is mine!

The Wife — without the Sign!

Acute Degree — conferred on me —

Empress of Calvary!

Royal — all but the Crown!

Betrothed — without the swoon

God sends us Women —

When you — hold — Garnet to Garnet —

Gold — to Gold —

Born — Bridalled — Shrouded —

In a Day —

Tri Victory

"My Husband" — women say —

Stroking the Melody —

Is this — the way?

1073. EXPERIMENT TO ME

Experiment to me

Is every one I meet

If it contain a Kernel?

The Figure of a Nut

Presents upon a Tree

Equally plausibly,

But Meat within, is requisite

To Squirrels, and to Me.

1074. COUNT NOT THAT FAR THAT CAN BE HAD,

Count not that far that can be had,

Though sunset lie between —

Nor that adjacent, that beside,

Is further than the sun.

1075. THE SKY IS LOW — THE CLOUDS ARE MEAN.

The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean.

A Travelling Flake of Snow

Across a Barn or through a Rut

Debates if it will go —

A Narrow Wind complains all Day

How some one treated him

Nature, like Us is sometimes caught

Without her Diadem.

1076. JUST ONCE! OH LEAST REQUEST!

Just Once! Oh least Request!

Could Adamant refuse

So small a Grace

So scanty put,

Such agonizing terms?

Would not a God of Flint

Be conscious of a sigh

As down His Heaven dropt remote

"Just Once" Sweet Deity?

1077. THESE ARE THE SIGNS TO NATURE'S INNS —

These are the Signs to Nature's Inns —

Her invitation broad

To Whosoever famishing

To taste her mystic Bread —

These are the rites of Nature's House —

The Hospitality

That opens with an equal width

To Beggar and to Bee

For Sureties of her staunch Estate

Her undecaying Cheer

The Purple in the East is set

And in the North, the Star —

1078. THE BUSTLE IN A HOUSE

The bustle in a house

The morning after death

Is solemnest of industries

Enacted upon earth, —

The sweeping up the heart,

And putting love away

We shall not want to use again

Until eternity.

1079. THE SUN WENT DOWN — NO MAN LOOKED ON —

The Sun went down — no Man looked on —

The Earth and I, alone,

Were present at the Majesty —

He triumphed, and went on —

The Sun went up — no Man looked on —

The Earth and I and One

A nameless Bird — a Stranger

Were Witness for the Crown —

1080. WHEN THEY COME BACK — IF BLOSSOMS DO —

When they come back — if Blossoms do —

I always feel a doubt

If Blossoms can be born again

When once the Art is out —

When they begin, if Robins may,

I always had a fear

I did not tell, it was their last Experiment

Last Year,

When it is May, if May return,

Had nobody a pang

Lest in a Face so beautiful

He might not look again?

If I am there — One does not know

What Party — One may be

Tomorrow, but if I am there

I take back all I say —

1081. SUPERIORITY TO FATE

Superiority to Fate

Is difficult to gain

'Tis not conferred of Any

But possible to earn

A pittance at a time

Until to Her surprise

The Soul with strict economy

Subsist till Paradise.

1082. REVOLUTION IS THE POD

Revolution is the Pod

Systems rattle from

When the Winds of Will are stirred

Excellent is Bloom

But except its Russet Base

Every Summer be

The Entomber of itself,

So of Liberty —

Left inactive on the Stalk

All its Purple fled

Revolution shakes it for

Test if it be dead.

1083. WE LEARN IT IN RETREATING

We learn it in Retreating

How vast an one

Was recently among us —

A Perished Sun

Endear in the departure

How doubly more

Than all the Golden presence

It was — before —

1084. AT HALF PAST THREE, A SINGLE BIRD

At Half past Three, a single Bird

Unto a silent Sky

Propounded but a single term

Of cautious melody.

At Half past Four, Experiment

Had subjugated test

And lo, Her silver Principle

Supplanted all the rest.

At Half past Seven, Element

Nor Implement, be seen —

And Place was where the Presence was

Circumference between.

1085. IF NATURE SMILES — THE MOTHER MUST

If Nature smiles — the Mother must

I'm sure, at many a whim

Of Her eccentric Family —

Is She so much to blame?

1086. WHAT TWIGS WE HELD BY —

What Twigs We held by —

Oh the View

When Life's swift River striven through

We pause before a further plunge

To take Momentum —

As the Fringe

Upon a former Garment shows

The Garment cast,

Our Props disclose

So scant, so eminently small

Of Might to help, so pitiful

To sink, if We had labored, fond

The diligence were not more blind

How scant, by everlasting Light

The Discs that satisfied Our Sight —

How dimmer than a Saturn's Bar

The Things esteemed, for Things that are!

1087. WE MISS A KINSMAN MORE

We miss a Kinsman more

When warranted to see

Than when withheld of Oceans

From possibility

A Furlong than a League

Inflicts a pricklier pain,

Till We, who smiled at Pyrenees —

Of Parishes, complain.

1088. ENDED, ERE IT BEGUN —

Ended, ere it begun —

The Title was scarcely told

When the Preface perished from Consciousness

The Story, unrevealed —

Had it been mine, to print!

Had it been yours, to read!

That it was not Our privilege

The interdict of God —

1089. MYSELF CAN READ THE TELEGRAMS

Myself can read the Telegrams

A Letter chief to me

The Stock's advance and Retrograde

And what the Markets say

The Weather — how the Rains

In Counties have begun.

'Tis News as null as nothing,

But sweeter so — than none.

1090. I AM AFRAID TO OWN A BODY —

I am afraid to own a Body —

I am afraid to own a Soul —

Profound — precarious Property —

Possession, not optional —

Double Estate — entailed at pleasure

Upon an unsuspecting Heir —

Duke in a moment of Deathlessness

And God, for a Frontier.

1091. THE WELL UPON THE BROOK

The Well upon the Brook

Were foolish to depend —

Let Brooks — renew of Brooks —

But Wells — of failless Ground!

1092. IT WAS NOT SAINT — IT WAS TOO LARGE —

It was not Saint — it was too large —

Nor Snow — it was too small —

It only held itself aloof

Like something spiritual —

1093. BECAUSE 'TWAS RICHES I COULD OWN,

Because 'twas Riches I could own,

Myself had earned it — Me,

I knew the Dollars by their names —

It feels like Poverty

An Earldom out of sight to hold,

An Income in the Air,

Possession — has a sweeter chink

Unto a Miser's Ear —

1094. THEMSELF ARE ALL I HAVE —

Themself are all I have —

Myself a freckled — be —

I thought you'd choose a Velvet Cheek

Or one of Ivory —

Would you — instead of Me?

1095. TO WHOM THE MORNINGS STAND FOR NIGHTS,

To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights,

What must the Midnights — be!

1096. THESE STRANGERS, IN A FOREIGN WORLD,

These Strangers, in a foreign World,

Protection asked of me —

Befriend them, lest Yourself in Heaven

Be found a Refugee —

1097. DEW — IS THE FRESHET IN THE GRASS —

Dew — is the Freshet in the Grass —

'Tis many a tiny Mill

Turns unperceived beneath our feet

And Artisan lies still —

We spy the Forests and the Hills

The Tents to Nature's Show

Mistake the Outside for the in

And mention what we saw.

Could Commentators on the Sign

Of Nature's Caravan

Obtain "Admission" as a Child

Some Wednesday Afternoon.

1098. OF THE HEART THAT GOES IN, AND CLOSES THE DOOR

Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door

Shall the Playfellow Heart complain

Though the Ring is unwhole, and the Company broke

Can never be fitted again?

1099. MY COCOON TIGHTENS — COLORS TEASE —

My Cocoon tightens — Colors tease —

I'm feeling for the Air —

A dim capacity for Wings

Demeans the Dress I wear —

A power of Butterfly must be —

The Aptitude to fly

Meadows of Majesty implies

And easy Sweeps of Sky —

So I must baffle at the Hint

And cipher at the Sign

And make much blunder, if at last

I take the clue divine —

1100. THE LAST NIGHT THAT SHE LIVED

THE last night that she lived,

It was a common night,

Except the dying; this to us

Made nature different.

We noticed smallest things, —

Things overlooked before,

By this great light upon our minds

Italicized, as 't were.

That others could exist

While she must finish quite,

A jealousy for her arose

So nearly infinite.

We waited while she passed;

It was a narrow time,

Too jostled were our souls to speak,

At length the notice came.

She mentioned, and forgot;

Then lightly as a reed

Bent to the water, shivered scarce,

Consented, and was dead.

And we, we placed the hair,

And drew the head erect;

And then an awful leisure was,

Our faith to regulate.

1101. BETWEEN THE FORM OF LIFE AND LIFE

Between the form of Life and Life

The difference is as big

As Liquor at the Lip between

And Liquor in the Jug

The latter — excellent to keep —

But for ecstatic need

The corkless is superior —

I know for I have tried

1102. HIS BILL IS CLASPED — HIS EYE FORSOOK —

His Bill is clasped — his Eye forsook —

His Feathers wilted low —

The Claws that clung, like lifeless Gloves

Indifferent hanging now —

The Joy that in his happy Throat

Was waiting to be poured

Gored through and through with Death, to be

Assassin of a Bird

Resembles to my outraged mind

The firing in Heaven,

On Angels — squandering for you

Their Miracles of Tune —

1103. THE SPRY ARMS OF THE WIND

The spry Arms of the Wind

If I could crawl between

I have an errand imminent

To an adjoining Zone —

I should not care to stop

My Process is not long

The Wind could wait without the Gate

Or stroll the Town among.

To ascertain the House

And is the soul at Home

And hold the Wick of mine to it

To light, and then return —

1104. THE CRICKETS SANG

The Crickets sang

And set the Sun

And Workmen finished one by one

Their Seam the Day upon.

The low Grass loaded with the Dew

The Twilight stood, as Strangers do

With Hat in Hand, polite and new

To stay as if, or go.

A Vastness, as a Neighbor, came,

A Wisdom, without Face, or Name,

A Peace, as Hemispheres at Home

And so the Night became.

1105. LIKE MEN AND WOMEN SHADOWS WALK

Like Men and Women Shadows walk

Upon the Hills Today —

With here and there a mighty Bow

Or trailing Courtesy

To Neighbors doubtless of their own

Not quickened to perceive

Minuter landscape as Ourselves

And Boroughs where we live —

1106. WE DO NOT KNOW THE TIME WE LOSE —

We do not know the time we lose —

The awful moment is

And takes its fundamental place

Among the certainties —

A firm appearance still inflates

The card — the chance — the friend —

The spectre of solidities

Whose substances are sand —

1107. THE BIRD DID PRANCE — THE BEE DID PLAY —

The Bird did prance — the Bee did play —

The Sun ran miles away

So blind with joy he could not choose

Between his Holiday

The morn was up — the meadows out

The Fences all but ran,

Republic of Delight, I thought

Where each is Citizen —

From Heavy laden Lands to thee

Were seas to cross to come

A Caspian were crowded —

Too near thou art for Fame —

1108. A DIAMOND ON THE HAND

A Diamond on the Hand

To Custom Common grown

Subsides from its significance

The Gem were best unknown —

Within a Seller's Shrine

How many sight and sigh

And cannot, but are mad for fear

That any other buy.

1109. I FIT FOR THEM —

I fit for them —

I seek the Dark

Till I am thorough fit.

The labor is a sober one

With this sufficient sweet

That abstinence of mine produce

A purer food for them, if I succeed,

If not I had

The transport of the Aim —

1110. NONE WHO SAW IT EVER TOLD IT

None who saw it ever told it

'Tis as hid as Death

Had for that specific treasure

A departing breath —

Surfaces may be invested

Did the Diamond grow

General as the Dandelion

Would you serve it so?

1111. SOME WRETCHED CREATURE, SAVIOR TAKE

Some Wretched creature, savior take

Who would exult to die

And leave for thy sweet mercy's sake

Another Hour to me

1112. THAT THIS SHOULD FEEL THE NEED OF DEATH

That this should feel the need of Death

The same as those that lived

Is such a Feat of Irony

As never was — achieved —

Not satisfied to ape the Great

In his simplicity

The small must die, as well as He —

Oh the Audacity —

1113. THERE IS STRENGTH IN PROVING THAT IT CAN BE BORNE

There is a strength in proving that it can be borne

Although it tear —

What are the sinews of such cordage for

Except to bear

The ship might be of satin had it not to fight —

To walk on seas requires cedar Feet

1114. THE LARGEST FIRE EVER KNOWN

The largest Fire ever known

Occurs each Afternoon —

Discovered is without surprise

Proceeds without concern —

Consumes and no report to men

An Occidental Town,

Rebuilt another morning

To be again burned down.

1115. THE MURMURING OF BEES, HAS CEASED

The murmuring of Bees, has ceased

But murmuring of some

Posterior, prophetic,

Has simultaneous come.

The lower metres of the Year

When Nature's laugh is done

The Revelations of the Book

Whose Genesis was June.

Appropriate Creatures to her change

The Typic Mother sends

As Accent fades to interval

With separating Friends

Till what we speculate, has been

And thoughts we will not show

More intimate with us become

Than Persons, that we know.

1116. THERE IS ANOTHER LONELINESS

There is another Loneliness

That many die without —

Not want of friend occasions it

Or circumstances of Lot

But nature, sometimes, sometimes thought

And whoso it befall

Is richer than could be revealed

By mortal numeral —

1117. A MINE THERE IS NO MAN WOULD OWN

A Mine there is no Man would own

But must it be conferred,

Demeaning by exclusive wealth

A Universe beside —

Potosi never to be spent

But hoarded in the mind

What Misers wring their hands tonight

For Indies in the Ground!

1118. EXHILARATION IS THE BREEZE

Exhilaration is the Breeze

That lifts us from the Ground

And leaves us in another place

Whose statement is not found —

Returns us not, but after time

We soberly descend

A little newer for the term

Upon Enchanted Ground —

1119. PARADISE IS THAT OLD MANSION

Paradise is that old mansion

Many owned before —

Occupied by each an instant

Then reversed the Door —

Bliss is frugal of her Leases

Adam taught her Thrift

Bankrupt once through his excesses —

1120. THIS SLOW DAY MOVED ALONG —

This slow Day moved along —

I heard its axles go

As if they could not hoist themselves

They hated motion so —

I told my soul to come —

It was no use to wait —

We went and played and came again

And it was out of sight —

1121. TIME DOES GO ON —

Time does go on —

I tell it gay to those who suffer now —

They shall survive —

There is a sun —

They don't believe it now —

1122. 'TIS MY FIRST NIGHT BENEATH THE SUN

'Tis my first night beneath the Sun

If I should spend it here —

Above him is too low a height

For his Barometer

Who Airs of expectation breathes

And takes the Wind at prime —

But Distance his Delights confides

To those who visit him —

1123. A GREAT HOPE FELL

A great Hope fell

You heard no noise

The Ruin was within

Oh cunning wreck that told no tale

And let no Witness in

The mind was built for mighty Freight

For dread occasion planned

How often foundering at Sea

Ostensibly, on Land

A not admitting of the wound

Until it grew so wide

That all my Life had entered it

And there were troughs beside

A closing of the simple lid

That opened to the sun

Until the tender Carpenter

Perpetual nail it down —

1124. HAD WE KNOWN THE TON SHE BORE

Had we known the Ton she bore

We had helped the terror

But she straighter walked for Freight

So be hers the error —

1125. OH SUMPTUOUS MOMENT

Oh Sumptuous moment

Slower go

That I may gloat on thee —

'Twill never be the same to starve

Now I abundance see —

Which was to famish, then or now —

The difference of Day

Ask him unto the Gallows led —

With morning in the sky —

1126. SHALL I TAKE THEE, THE POET SAID

Shall I take thee, the Poet said

To the propounded word?

Be stationed with the Candidates

Till I have finer tried —

The Poet searched Philology

And when about to ring

For the suspended Candidate

There came unsummoned in —

That portion of the Vision

The Word applied to fill

Not unto nomination

The Cherubim reveal —

1127. SOFT AS THE MASSACRE OF SUNS

Soft as the massacre of Suns

By Evening's Sabres slain

1128. THESE ARE THE NIGHTS THAT BEETLES LOVE —

These are the Nights that Beetles love —

From Eminence remote

Drives ponderous perpendicular

His figure intimate

The terror of the Children

The merriment of men

Depositing his Thunder

He hoists abroad again —

A Bomb upon the Ceiling

Is an improving thing —

It keeps the nerves progressive

Conjecture flourishing —

Too dear the Summer evening

Without discreet alarm —

Supplied by Entomology

With its remaining charm —

1129. TELL ALL THE TRUTH BUT TELL IT SLANT —

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind —

1130. THAT ODD OLD MAN IS DEAD A YEAR —

That odd old man is dead a year —

We miss his stated Hat.

'Twas such an evening bright and stiff

His faded lamp went out.

Who miss his antiquated Wick —

Are any hoar for him?

Waits any indurated mate

His wrinkled coming Home?

Oh Life, begun in fluent Blood

And consummated dull!

Achievement contemplating thee —

Feels transitive and cool.

1131. THE MERCHANT OF THE PICTURESQUE

The Merchant of the Picturesque

A Counter has and sales

But is within or negative

Precisely as the calls —

To Children he is small in price

And large in courtesy —

It suits him better than a check

Their artless currency —

Of Counterfeits he is so shy

Do one advance so near

As to behold his ample flight —

1132. THE SMOULDERING EMBERS BLUSH —

The smouldering embers blush —

Oh Hearts within the Coal

Hast thou survived so many years?

The smouldering embers smile —

Soft stirs the news of Light

The stolid seconds glow

One requisite has Fire that lasts

Prometheus never knew —

1133. THE SNOW THAT NEVER DRIFTS —

The Snow that never drifts —

The transient, fragrant snow

That comes a single time a Year

Is softly driving now —

So thorough in the Tree

At night beneath the star

That it was February's Foot

Experience would swear —

Like Winter as a Face

We stern and former knew

Repaired of all but Loneliness

By Nature's Alibi —

Were every storm so spice

The Value could not be —

We buy with contrast — Pang is good

As near as memory —

1134. THE WIND TOOK UP THE NORTHERN THINGS

The Wind took up the Northern Things

And piled them in the south —

Then gave the East unto the West

And opening his mouth

The four Divisions of the Earth

Did make as to devour

While everything to corners slunk

Behind the awful power —

The Wind — unto his Chambers went

And nature ventured out —

Her subjects scattered into place

Her systems ranged about

Again the smoke from Dwellings rose

The Day abroad was heard —

How intimate, a Tempest past

The Transport of the Bird —

1135. TOO COLD IS THIS

Too cold is this

To warm with Sun —

Too stiff to bended be,

To joint this Agate were a work —

Outstaring Masonry —

How went the Agile Kernel out

Contusion of the Husk

Nor Rip, nor wrinkle indicate

But just an Asterisk.

1136. THE FROST OF DEATH WAS ON THE PANE —

The Frost of Death was on the Pane —

"Secure your Flower" said he.

Like Sailors fighting with a Leak

We fought Mortality.

Our passive Flower we held to Sea —

To Mountain — To the Sun —

Yet even on his Scarlet shelf

To crawl the Frost begun —

We pried him back

Ourselves we wedged

Himself and her between,

Yet easy as the narrow Snake

He forked his way along

Till all her helpless beauty bent

And then our wrath begun —

We hunted him to his Ravine

We chased him to his Den —

We hated Death and hated Life

And nowhere was to go —

Than Sea and continent there is

A larger — it is Woe —

1137. THE DUTIES OF THE WIND ARE FEW,

The duties of the Wind are few,

To cast the ships, at Sea,

Establish March, the Floods escort,

And usher Liberty.

The pleasures of the Wind are broad,

To dwell Extent among,

Remain, or wander,

Speculate, or Forests entertain.

The kinsmen of the Wind are Peaks

Azof — the Equinox,

Also with Bird and Asteroid

A bowing intercourse.

The limitations of the Wind

Do he exist, or die,

Too wise he seems for Wakelessness,

However, know not i.

1138. A SPIDER SEWED AT NIGHT

A Spider sewed at Night

Without a Light

Upon an Arc of White.

If Ruff it was of Dame

Or Shroud of Gnome

Himself himself inform.

Of Immortality

His Strategy

Was Physiognomy.

1139. HER SOVEREIGN PEOPLE

Her sovereign People

Nature knows as well

And is as fond of signifying

As if fallible —

1140. THE DAY GREW SMALL, SURROUNDED TIGHT

The Day grew small, surrounded tight

By early, stooping Night —

The Afternoon in Evening deep

Its Yellow shortness dropt —

The Winds went out their martial ways

The Leaves obtained excuse —

November hung his Granite Hat

Upon a nail of Plush —

1141. THE FACE WE CHOOSE TO MISS —

The Face we choose to miss —

Be it but for a Day

As absent as a Hundred Years,

When it has rode away.

1142. THE PROPS ASSIST THE HOUSE

The Props assist the House

Until the House is built

And then the Props withdraw

And adequate, erect,

The House support itself

And cease to recollect

The Auger and the Carpenter —

Just such a retrospect

Hath the perfected Life —

A past of Plank and Nail

And slowness — then the Scaffolds drop

Affirming it a Soul.

1143. THE WORK OF HER THAT WENT,

The Work of Her that went,

The Toil of Fellows done —

In Ovens green our Mother bakes,

By Fires of the Sun.

1144. OURSELVES WE DO INTER WITH SWEET DERISION.

Ourselves we do inter with sweet derision.

The channel of the dust who once achieves

Invalidates the balm of that religion

That doubts as fervently as it believes.

1145. IN THY LONG PARADISE OF LIGHT

In thy long Paradise of Light

No moment will there be

When I shall long for Earthly Play

And mortal Company —

1146. WHEN ETNA BASKS AND PURRS

When Etna basks and purrs

Naples is more afraid

Than when she shows her Garnet Tooth —

Security is loud —

1147. AFTER A HUNDRED YEARS

After a hundred years

Nobody knows the Place

Agony that enacted there

Motionless as Peace

Weeds triumphant ranged

Strangers strolled and spelled

At the lone Orthography

Of the Elder Dead

Winds of Summer Fields

Recollect the way —

Instinct picking up the Key

Dropped by memory —

1148. AFTER THE SUN COMES OUT

After the Sun comes out

How it alters the World —

Waggons like messengers hurry about

Yesterday is old —

All men meet as if

Each foreclosed a news —

Fresh as a Cargo from Batize

Nature's qualities —

1149. I NOTICED PEOPLE DISAPPEARED

I noticed People disappeared

When but a little child —

Supposed they visited remote

Or settled Regions wild —

But did because they died

A Fact withheld the little child —

1150. HOW MANY SCHEMES MAY DIE

How many schemes may die

In one short Afternoon

Entirely unknown

To those they most concern —

The man that was not lost

Because by accident

He varied by a Ribbon's width

From his accustomed route —

The Love that would not try

Because beside the Door

It must be competitions

Some unsuspecting Horse was tied

Surveying his Despair

1151. SOUL, TAKE THY RISK.

Soul, take thy risk.

With Death to be

Were better than be not

With thee

1152. TELL AS A MARKSMAN — WERE FORGOTTEN

Tell as a Marksman — were forgotten

Tell — this Day endures

Ruddy as that coeval Apple

The Tradition bears —

Fresh as Mankind that humble story

Though a statelier Tale

Grown in the Repetition hoary

Scarcely would prevail —

Tell had a son — The ones that knew it

Need not linger here —

Those who did not to Human Nature

Will subscribe a Tear —

Tell would not bare his Head

In Presence

Of the Ducal Hat —

Threatened for that with Death — by Gessler —

Tyranny bethought

Make of his only Boy a Target

That surpasses Death —

Stolid to Love's supreme entreaty

Not forsook of Faith —

Mercy of the Almighty begging —

Tell his Arrow sent —

God it is said replies in Person

When the cry is meant —

1153. THROUGH WHAT TRANSPORTS OF PATIENCE

Through what transports of Patience

I reached the stolid Bliss

To breathe my Blank without thee

Attest me this and this —

By that bleak exultation

I won as near as this

Thy privilege of dying

Abbreviate me this —

1154. A FULL FED ROSE ON MEALS OF TINT

A full fed Rose on meals of Tint

A Dinner for a Bee

In process of the Noon became -

Each bright Mortality

The Forfeit is of Creature fair

Itself, adored before

Submitting for our unknown sake

To be esteemed no more —

1155. DISTANCE — IS NOT THE REALM OF FOX

Distance — is not the Realm of Fox

Nor by Relay of Bird

Abated — Distance is

Until thyself, Beloved.

1156. LEST ANY DOUBT THAT WE ARE GLAD THAT THEY WERE BORN TODAY

Lest any doubt that we are glad that they were born Today

Whose having lived is held by us in noble Holiday

Without the date, like Consciousness or Immortality —

1157. SOME DAYS RETIRED FROM THE REST

Some Days retired from the rest

In soft distinction lie

The Day that a Companion came

Or was obliged to die

1158. BEST WITCHCRAFT IS GEOMETRY

Best Witchcraft is Geometry

To the magician's mind —

His ordinary acts are feats

To thinking of mankind.

1159. GREAT STREETS OF SILENCE LED AWAY

Great Streets of silence led away

To Neighborhoods of Pause —

Here was no Notice — no Dissent

No Universe — no laws —

By Clocks, 'twas Morning, and for Night

The Bells at Distance called —

But Epoch had no basis here

For Period exhaled.

1160. HE IS ALIVE, THIS MORNING —

He is alive, this morning —

He is alive — and awake —

Birds are resuming for Him —

Blossoms — dress for His Sake.

Bees — to their Loaves of Honey

Add an Amber Crumb

Him — to regale — Me — Only —

Motion, and am dumb.

1161. TRUST ADJUST HER "PERADVENTURE" —

Trust adjust her "Peradventure" —

Phantoms entered "and not you."

1162. THE LIFE WE HAVE IS VERY GREAT.

The Life we have is very great.

The Life that we shall see

Surpasses it, we know, because

It is Infinity.

But when all Space has been beheld

And all Dominion shown

The smallest Human Heart's extent

Reduces it to none.

1163. GOD MADE NO ACT WITHOUT A CAUSE,

God made no act without a cause,

Nor heart without an aim,

Our inference is premature,

Our premises to blame.

1164. WERE IT TO BE THE LAST

Were it to be the last

How infinite would be

What we did not suspect was marked —

Our final interview.

1165. CONTAINED IN THIS SHORT LIFE

Contained in this short Life

Are magical extents

The soul returning soft at night

To steal securer thence

As Children strictest kept

Turn soonest to the sea

Whose nameless Fathoms slink away

Beside infinity

1166. OF PAUL AND SILAS IT IS SAID

Of Paul and Silas it is said

There were in Prison laid

But when they went to take them out

They were not there instead.

Security the same insures

To our assaulted Minds —

The staple must be optional

That an Immortal binds.

1167. ALONE AND IN A CIRCUMSTANCE

Alone and in a Circumstance

Reluctant to be told

A spider on my reticence

Assiduously crawled

And so much more at Home than I

Immediately grew

I felt myself a visitor

And hurriedly withdrew

Revisiting my late abode

With articles of claim

I found it quietly assumed

As a Gymnasium

Where Tax asleep and Title off

The inmates of the Air

Perpetual presumption took

As each were special Heir —

If any strike me on the street

I can return the Blow —

If any take my property

According to the Law

The Statute is my Learned friend

But what redress can be

For an offense nor here nor there

So not in Equity —

That Larceny of time and mind

That marrow of the Day

By spider, or forbid it Lord

That I should specify.

1168. AS OLD AS WOE —

As old as Woe —

How old is that?

Some eighteen thousand years —

As old as Bliss

How old is that

They are of equal years

Together chiefest they ard found

But seldom side by side

From neither of them tho' he try

Can Human nature hide

1169. LEST THEY SHOULD COME — IS ALL MY FEAR

Lest they should come — is all my fear

When sweet incarcerated here

1170. NATURE AFFECTS TO BE SEDATE

Nature affects to be sedate

Upon occasion, grand

But let our observation shut

Her practices extend

To Necromancy and the Trades

Remote to understand

Behold our spacious Citizen

Unto a Juggler turned —

1171. ON THE WORLD YOU COLORED

On the World you colored

Morning painted rose —

Idle his Vermillion

Aimless crept the Glows

Over Realms of Orchards

I the Day before

Conquered with the Robin —

Misery - how fair

Till your wrinkled Finger

Shoved the sun away

Midnight's awful Pattern

In the Goods of Day —

1172. THE CLOUDS THEIR BACKS TOGETHER LAID

The Clouds their Backs together laid

The North begun to push

The Forests galloped till they fell

The Lightning played like mice

The Thunder crumbled like a stuff

How good to be in Tombs

Where Nature's Temper cannot reach

Nor vengance ever comes

1173. THE LIGHTNING IS A YELLOW FORK

The Lightning is a yellow Fork

From Tables in the sky

By inadvertent fingers dropt

The awful Cutlery

Of mansions never quite disclosed

And never quite concealed

The Apparatus of the Dark

To ignorance revealed.

1174. THERE'S THE BATTLE OF BURGOYNE —

There's the Battle of Burgoyne —

Over, every Day,

By the Time that Man and Beast

Put their work away

"Sunset" sounds majestic —

But that solemn War

Could you comprehend it

You would chastened stare —

1175. WE LIKE A HAIRBREADTH 'SCAPE

We like a Hairbreadth 'scape

It tingles in the Mind

Far after Act or Accident

Like paragraphs of Wind

If we had ventured less

The Breeze were not so fine

That reaches to our utmost Hair

Its Tentacles divine.

1176. WE NEVER KNOW HOW HIGH WE ARE

We never know how high we are

Till we are asked to rise

And then if we are true to plan

Our statures touch the skies —

The Heroism we recite

Would be a normal thing

Did not ourselves the Cubits warp

For fear to be a King —

1177. A PROMPT — EXECUTIVE BIRD IS THE JAY —

A prompt — executive Bird is the Jay —

Bold as a Bailiff's Hymn —

Brittle and Brief in quality —

Warrant in every line —

Sitting a Bough like a Brigadier

Confident and straight —

Much is the mien of him in March

As a Magistrate —

1178. MY GOD — HE SEES THEE —

My God — He sees thee —

Shine thy best —

Fling up thy Balls of Gold

Till every Cubit play with thee

And every Crescent hold —

Elate the Acre at his feet —

Upon his Atom swim —

Oh Sun — but just a Second's right

In thy long Race with him!

1179. OF SO DIVINE A LOSS

Of so divine a Loss

We enter but the Gain,

Indemnity for Loneliness

That such a Bliss has been.

1180. "REMEMBER ME" IMPLORED THE THIEF!

"Remember me" implored the Thief!

Oh Hospitality!

My Guest "Today in Paradise"

I give thee guaranty.

That Courtesy will fair remain

When the Delight is Dust

With which we cite this mightiest case

Of compensated Trust.

Of all we are allowed to hope

But Affidavit stands

That this was due where most we fear

Be unexpected Friends.

1181. WHEN I HOPED I FEARED —

When I hoped I feared —

Since I hoped I dared

Everywhere alone

As a Church remain —

Spectre cannot harm —

Serpent cannot charm —

He deposes Doom

Who hath suffered him —

1182. REMEMBRANCE HAS A REAR AND FRONT —

Remembrance has a Rear and Front —

'Tis something like a House —

It has a Garret also

For Refuse and the Mouse.

Besides the deepest Cellar

That ever Mason laid —

Look to it by its Fathoms

Ourselves be not pursued —

1183. STEP LIGHTLY ON THIS NARROW SPOT —

Step lightly on this narrow spot —

The broadest Land that grows

Is not so ample as the Breast

These Emerald Seams enclose.

Step lofty, for this name be told

As far as Cannon dwell

Or Flag subsist or Fame export

Her deathless Syllable.

1184. THE DAYS THAT WE CAN SPARE

The Days that we can spare

Are those a Function die

Or Friend or Nature — stranded then

In our Economy

Our Estimates a Scheme —

Our Ultimates a Sham —

We let go all of Time without

Arithmetic of him —

1185. A LITTLE DOG THAT WAGS HIS TAIL

A little Dog that wags his tail

And knows no other joy

Of such a little Dog am I

Reminded by a Boy

Who gambols all the living Day

Without an earthly cause

Because he is a little Boy

I honestly suppose —

The Cat that in the Corner dwells

Her martial Day forgot

The Mouse but a Tradition now

Of her desireless Lot

Another class remind me

Who neither please nor play

But not to make a "bit of noise"

Beseech each little Boy —

1186. TOO FEW THE MORNINGS BE,

Too few the mornings be,

Too scant the nights.

No lodging can be had

For the delights

That come to earth to stay,

But no apartment find

And ride away.

1187. OH SHADOW ON THE GRASS,

Oh Shadow on the Grass,

Art thou a Step or not?

Go make thee fair my Candidate

My nominated Heart —

Oh Shadow on the Grass

While I delay to guess

Some other thou wilt consecrate —

Oh Unelected Face —

1188. 'TWAS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE HE WAS —

'Twas fighting for his Life he was —

That sort accomplish well —

The Ordnance of Vitality

Is frugal of its Ball.

It aims once — kills once — conquers once —

There is no second War

In that Campaign inscrutable

Of the Interior.

1189. THE VOICE THAT STANDS FOR FLOODS TO ME

The Voice that stands for Floods to me

Is sterile borne to some —

The Face that makes the Morning mean

Glows impotent on them —

What difference in Substance lies

That what is Sum to me

By other Financiers be deemed

Exclusive Property!

1190. THE SUN AND FOG CONTESTED

The Sun and Fog contested

The Government of Day —

The Sun took down his Yellow Whip

And drove the Fog away —

1191. THE PUNGENT ATOM IN THE AIR

The pungent atom in the Air

Admits of no debate —

All that is named of Summer Days

Relinquished our Estate —

For what Department of Delight

As positive are we

As Limit of Dominion

Or Dams — of Ecstasy —

1192. AN HONEST TEAR

An honest Tear

Is durabler than Bronze —

This Cenotaph

May each that dies —

Reared by itself —

No Deputy suffice —

Gratitude bears

When Obelisk decays

1193. ALL MEN FOR HONOR HARDEST WORK

All men for Honor hardest work

But are not known to earn —

Paid after they have ceased to work

In Infamy or Urn —

1194. SOMEHOW MYSELF SURVIVED THE NIGHT

Somehow myself survived the Night

And entered with the Day —

That it be saved the Saved suffice

Without the Formula.

Henceforth I take my living place

As one commuted led —

A Candidate for Morning Chance

But dated with the Dead.

1195. WHAT WE SEE WE KNOW SOMEWHAT

What we see we know somewhat

Be it but a little —

What we don't surmise we do

Though it shows so fickle

I shall vote for Lands with Locks

Granted I can pick 'em —

Transport's doubtful Dividend

Patented by Adam.

1196. TO MAKE ROUTINE A STIMULUS

To make Routine a Stimulus

Remember it can cease —

Capacity to Terminate

Is a Specific Grace —

Of Retrospect the Arrow

That power to repair

Departed with the Torment

Become, alas, more fair —

1197. I SHOULD NOT DARE TO BE SO SAD

I should not dare to be so sad

So many Years again —

A Load is first impossible

When we have put it down —

The Superhuman then withdraws

And we who never saw

The Giant at the other side

Begin to perish now.

1198. A SOFT SEA WASHED AROUND THE HOUSE

A soft Sea washed around the House

A Sea of Summer Air

And rose and fell the magic Planks

That sailed without a care —

For Captain was the Butterfly

For Helmsman was the Bee

And an entire universe

For the delighted crew.

1199. ARE FRIENDS DELIGHT OR PAIN?

Are Friends Delight or Pain?

Could Bounty but remain

Riches were good —

But if they only stay

Ampler to fly away

Riches are sad.

1200. BECAUSE MY BROOK IS FLUENT

Because my Brook is fluent

I know 'tis dry —

Because my Brook is silent

It is the Sea —

And startled at its rising

I try to flee

To where the Strong assure me

Is "no more Sea" —

1201. SO I PULL MY STOCKINGS OFF

So I pull my Stockings off

Wading in the Water

For the Disobedience' Sake

Boy that lived for "or'ter"

Went to Heaven perhaps at Death

And perhaps he didn't

Moses wasn't fairly used —

Ananias wasn't —

1202. THE FROST WAS NEVER SEEN —

The Frost was never seen —

If met, too rapid passed,

Or in too unsubstantial Team —

The Flowers notice first

A Stranger hovering round

A Symptom of alarm

In Villages remotely set

But search effaces him

Till some retrieveless Night

Our Vigilance at waste

The Garden gets the only shot

That never could be traced.

Unproved is much we know —

Unknown the worst we fear —

Of Strangers is the Earth the Inn

Of Secrets is the Air —

To analyze perhaps

A Philip would prefer

But Labor vaster than myself

I find it to infer.

1203. THE PAST IS SUCH A CURIOUS CREATURE

The Past is such a curious Creature

To look her in the Face

A Transport may receipt us

Or a Disgrace —

Unarmed if any meet her

I charge him fly

Her faded Ammunition

Might yet reply.

1204. WHATEVER IT IS — SHE HAS TRIED IT —

Whatever it is — she has tried it —

Awful Father of Love —

Is not Ours the chastising —

Do not chastise the Dove —

Not for Ourselves, petition —

Nothing is left to pray —

When a subject is finished —

Words are handed away —

Only lest she be lonely

In thy beautiful House

Give her for her Transgression

License to think of us —

1205. IMMORTAL IS AN AMPLE WORD

Immortal is an ample word

When what we need is by

But when it leaves us for a time

'Tis a necessity.

Of Heaven above the firmest proof

We fundamental know

Except for its marauding Hand

It had been Heaven below.

1206. THE SHOW IS NOT THE SHOW

The Show is not the Show

But they that go —

Menagerie to me

My Neighbor be —

Fair Play —

Both went to see —

1207. HE PREACHED UPON "BREADTH" TILL IT ARGUED HIM NARROW —

He preached upon "Breadth" till it argued him narrow —

The Broad are too broad to define

And of "Truth" until it proclaimed him a Liar —

The Truth never flaunted a Sign —

Simplicity fled from his counterfeit presence

As Gold the Pyrites would shun —

What confusion would cover the innocent Jesus

To meet so enabled a Man!

1208. OUR OWN POSSESSIONS — THOUGH OUR OWN —

Our own possessions — though our own —

'Tis well to hoard anew —

Remembering the Dimensions

Of Possibility.

1209. TO DISAPPEAR ENHANCES —

To disappear enhances —

The Man that runs away

Is tinctured for an instant

With Immortality

But yesterday a Vagrant —

Today in Memory lain

With superstitious value

We tamper with "Again"

But "Never" far as Honor

Withdraws the Worthless thing

And impotent to cherish

We hasten to adorn —

Of Death the sternest function

That just as we discern

The Excellence defies us —

Securest gathered then

The Fruit perverse to plucking,

But leaning to the Sight

With the ecstatic limit

Of unobtained Delight —

1210. THE SEA SAID "COME" TO THE BROOK —

The Sea said "Come" to the Brook —

The Brook said "Let me grow" —

The Sea said "Then you will be a Sea —

I want a Brook — Come now"!

The Sea said "Go" to the Sea.

The Sea said "I am he

You cherished" — "Learned Waters —

Wisdom is stale to Me" —

1211. A SPARROW TOOK A SLICE OF TWIG

A Sparrow took a Slice of Twig

And thought it very nice

I think, because his empty Plate

Was handed Nature twice —

Invigorated, waded

In all the deepest Sky

Until his little Figure

Was forfeited away —

1212. A WORD IS DEAD

A word is dead

When it is said,

Some say.

I say it just

Begins to live

That day.

1213. WE LIKE MARCH.

We like March.

His Shoes are Purple —

He is new and high —

Makes he Mud for Dog and Peddler.

Makes he Forests dry.

Knows the Adder Tongue his coming

And presents her Spot —

Stands the Sun so close and mighty

That our Minds are hot.

News is he of all the others —

Bold it were to die

With the Blue Birds exercising

On his British Sky.

—-

We like March — his shoes are Purple.

He is new and high —

Makes he Mud for Dog and Peddler —

Makes he Forests Dry —

Knows the Adder's Tongue his coming

And begets her spot —

Stands the Sun so close and mighty —

That our Minds are hot.

News is he of all the others —

Bold it were to die

With the Blue Birds buccaneering

On his British sky —

1214. WE INTRODUCE OURSELVES

We introduce ourselves

To Planets and to Flowers

But with ourselves

Have etiquettes

Embarrassments

And awes

1215. I BET WITH EVERY WIND THAT BLEW

I bet with every Wind that blew

Till Nature in chagrin

Employed a Fact to visit me

And scuttle my Balloon —

1216. A DEED KNOCKS FIRST AT THOUGHT

A Deed knocks first at Thought

And then — it knocks at Will —

That is the manufacturing spot

And Will at Home and well

It then goes out an Act

Or is entombed so still

That only to the ear of God

Its Doom is audible —

1217. FORTITUDE INCARNATE

Fortitude incarnate

Here is laid away

In the swift Partitions

Of the awful Sea —

Babble of the Happy

Cavil of the Bold

Hoary the Fruition

But the Sea is old

Edifice of Ocean

Thy tumultuous Rooms

Suit me at a venture

Better than the Tombs

1218. LET MY FIRST KNOWING BE OF THEE

Let my first Knowing be of thee

With morning's warming Light —

And my first Fearing, lest Unknowns

Engulf thee in the night —

1219. NOW I KNEW I LOST HER —

Now I knew I lost her —

Not that she was gone —

But Remoteness travelled

On her Face and Tongue.

Alien, though adjoining

As a Foreign Race —

Traversed she though pausing

Latitudeless Place.

Elements Unaltered —

Universe the same

But Love's transmigration —

Somehow this had come —

Henceforth to remember

Nature took the Day

I had paid so much for —

His is Penury

Not who toils for Freedom

Or for Family

But the Restitution

Of Idolatry.

1220. OF NATURE I SHALL HAVE ENOUGH

Of Nature I shall have enough

When I have entered these

Entitled to a Bumble bee's

Familiarities.

1221. SOME WE SEE NO MORE, TENEMENTS OF WONDER

Some we see no more, Tenements of Wonder

Occupy to us though perhaps to them

Simpler are the Days than the Supposition

Leave us to presume

That oblique Belief which we call Conjecture

Grapples with a Theme stubborn as Sublime

Able as the Dust to equip its feature

Adequate as Drums

To enlist the Tomb.

1222. THE RIDDLE WE CAN GUESS

The Riddle we can guess

We speedily despise —

Not anything is stale so long

As Yesterday's surprise —

1223. WHO GOES TO DINE MUST TAKE HIS FEAST

Who goes to dine must take his Feast

Or find the Banquet mean —

The Table is not laid without

Till it is laid within.

For Pattern is the Mind bestowed

That imitating her

Our most ignoble Services

Exhibit worthier.

1224. LIKE TRAINS OF CARS ON TRACKS OF PLUSH

Like Trains of Cars on Tracks of Plush

I hear the level Bee —

A Jar across the Flowers goes

Their Velvet Masonry —

Withstands until the sweet Assault

Their Chivalry consumes —

While He, victorious tilts away

To vanquish other Blooms.

1225. ITS HOUR WITH ITSELF

Its Hour with itself

The Spirit never shows.

What Terror would enthrall the Street

Could Countenance disclose

The Subterranean Freight

The Cellars of the Soul —

Thank God the loudest Place he made

Is licensed to be still.

1226. THE POPULAR HEART IS A CANNON FIRST —

The Popular Heart is a Cannon first —

Subsequent a Drum —

Bells for an Auxiliary

And an Afterward of Rum —

Not a Tomorrow to know its name

Nor a Past to stare —

Ditches for Realms and a Trip to Jail

For a Souvenir —

1227. MY TRIUMPH LASTED TILL THE DRUMS

My Triumph lasted till the Drums

Had left the Dead alone

And then I dropped my Victory

And chastened stole along

To where the finished Faces

Conclusion turned on me

And then I hated Glory

And wished myself were They.

What is to be is best descried

When it has also been —

Could Prospect taste of Retrospect

The tyrannies of Men

Were Tenderer — diviner

The Transitive toward.

A Bayonet's contrition

Is nothing to the Dead.

1228. SO MUCH OF HEAVEN HAS GONE FROM EARTH

So much of Heaven has gone from Earth

That there must be a Heaven

If only to enclose the Saints

To Affidavit given.

The Missionary to the Mole

Must prove there is a Sky

Location doubtless he would plead

But what excuse have I?

Too much of Proof affronts Belief

The Turtle will not try

Unless you leave him — then return

And he has hauled away.

1229. BECAUSE HE LOVES HER

Because He loves Her

We will pry and see if she is fair

What difference is on her Face

From Features others wear.

It will not harm her magic pace

That we so far behind —

Her Distances propitiate

As Forests touch the Wind

Not hoping for his notice vast

But nearer to adore

'Tis Glory's far sufficiency

That makes our trying poor.

1230. IT CAME AT LAST BUT PROMPTER DEATH

It came at last but prompter Death

Had occupied the House —

His pallid Furniture arranged

And his metallic Peace —

Oh faithful Frost that kept the Date

Had Love as punctual been

Delight had aggrandized the Gate

And blocked the coming in.

1231. SOMEWHERE UPON THE GENERAL EARTH

Somewhere upon the general Earth

Itself exist Today —

The Magic passive but extant

That consecrated me —

Indifferent Seasons doubtless play

Where I for right to be —

Would pay each Atom that I am

But Immortality —

Reserving that but just to prove

Another Date of Thee —

Oh God of Width, do not for us

Curtail Eternity!

1232. THE CLOVER'S SIMPLE FAME

The Clover's simple Fame

Remembered of the Cow —

Is better than enameled Realms

Of notability.

Renown perceives itself

And that degrades the Flower —

The Daisy that has looked behind

Has compromised its power —

1233. HAD I NOT SEEN THE SUN

Had I not seen the Sun

I could have borne the shade

But Light a newer Wilderness

My Wilderness has made —

1234. IF MY BARK SINK

If my Bark sink

'Tis to another sea —

Mortality's Ground Floor

Is Immortality —

1235. LIKE RAIN IT SOUNDED TILL IT CURVED

Like Rain it sounded till it curved

And then I new 'twas Wind —

It walked as wet as any Wave

But swept as dry as sand —

When it had pushed itself away

To some remotest Plain

A coming as of Hosts was heard

It filled the Wells, it pleased the Pools

It warbled in the Road —

It pulled the spigot from the Hills

And let the Floods abroad —

It loosened acres, lifted seas

The sites of Centres stirred

Then like Elijah rode away

Upon a Wheel of Cloud.

1236. LIKE TIME'S INSIDIOUS WRINKLE

Like Time's insidious wrinkle

On a beloved Face

We clutch the Grace the tighter

Though we resent the crease

The Frost himself so comely

Dishevels every prime

Asserting from his Prism

That none can punish him

1237. MY HEART RAN SO TO THEE

My Heart ran so to thee

It would not wait for me

And I affronted grew

And drew away

For whatsoe'er my pace

He first achieve they Face

How general a Grace

Allotted two —

Not in malignity

Mentioned I this to thee —

Had he obliquity

Soonest to share

But for the Greed of him —

Boasting my Premium —

Basking in Bethleem

Ere I be there —

1238. POWER IS A FAMILIAR GROWTH —

Power is a familiar growth —

Not foreign — not to be —

Beside us like a bland Abyss

In every company —

Escape it — there is but a chance —

When consciousness and clay

Lean forward for a final glance —

Disprove that and you may —

1239. RISK IS THE HAIR THAT HOLDS THE TUN

Risk is the Hair that holds the Tun

Seductive in the Air —

That Tun is hollow — but the Tun —

With Hundred Weights — to spare —

Too ponderous to suspect the snare

Espies that fickle chair

And seats itself to be let go

By that perfidious Hair —

The "foolish Tun" the Critics say —

While that delusive Hair

Persuasive as Perdition,

Decoys its Traveller.

1240. THE BEGGAR AT THE DOOR FOR FAME

The Beggar at the Door for Fame

Were easily supplied

But Bread is that Diviner thing

Disclosed to be denied

1241. THE LILAC IS AN ANCIENT SHRUB

The Lilac is an ancient shrub

But ancienter than that

The Firmamental Lilac

Upon the Hill tonight —

The Sun subsiding on his Course

Bequeaths this final Plant

To Contemplation — not to Touch —

The Flower of Occident.

Of one Corolla is the West —

The Calyx is the Earth —

The Capsules burnished Seeds the Stars

The Scientist of Faith

His research has but just begun —

Above his synthesis

The Flora unimpeachable

To Time's Analysis —

"Eye hath not seen" may possibly

Be current with the Blind

But let not Revelation

By theses be detained —

1242. TO FLEE FROM MEMORY

To flee from memory

Had we the Wings

Many would fly

Inured to slower things

Birds with surprise

Would scan the cowering Van

Of men escaping

From the mind of man

1243. SAFE DESPAIR IT IS THAT RAVES —

Safe Despair it is that raves —

Agony is frugal.

Puts itself severe away

For its own perusal.

Garrisoned no Soul can be

In the Front of Trouble —

Love is one, not aggregate —

Nor is Dying double —

1244. THE BUTTERFLY'S ASSUMPTION GOWN

The butterfly's assumption-gown,

In chrysoprase apartments hung,

This afternoon put on.

How condescending to descend,

And be of buttercups the friend

In a New England town !

1245. THE SUBURBS OF A SECRET

The Suburbs of a Secret

A Strategist should keep,

Better than on a Dream intrude

To scrutinize the Sleep.

1246. THE BUTTERFLY IN HONORED DUST

The Butterfly in honored Dust

Assuredly will lie

But none will pass the Catacomb

So chastened as the Fly —

1247. TO PILE LIKE THUNDER TO ITS CLOSE

To pile like Thunder to its close

Then crumble grand away

While Everything created hid

This — would be Poetry —

Or Love — the two coeval come —

We both and neither prove —

Experience either and consume —

For None see God and live —

1248. THE INCIDENTS OF LOVE

The incidents of love

Are more than its Events —

Investment's best Expositor

Is the minute Per Cents —

1249. THE STARS ARE OLD, THAT STOOD FOR ME —

The Stars are old, that stood for me —

The West a little worn —

Yet newer glows the only Gold

I ever cared to earn —

Presuming on that lone result

Her infinite disdain

But vanquished her with my defeat

'Twas Victory was slain.

1250. WHITE AS AN INDIAN PIPE

White as an Indian Pipe

Red as a Cardinal Flower

Fabulous as a Moon at Noon

February Hour —

1251. SILENCE IS ALL WE DREAD.

Silence is all we dread.

There's Ransom in a Voice —

But Silence is Infinity.

Himself have not a face.

1252. LIKE BROOMS OF STEEL

Like Brooms of Steel

The Snow and Wind

Had swept the Winter Street —

The House was hooked

The Sun sent out

Faint Deputies of Heat —

Where rode the Bird

The Silence tied

His ample — plodding Steed

The Apple in the Cellar snug

Was all the one that played.

1253. HAD THIS ONE DAY NOT BEEN.

Had this one Day not been.

Or could it cease to be

How smitten, how superfluous,

Were every other Day!

Lest Love should value less

What Loss would value more

Had it the stricken privilege,

It cherishes before.

1254. ELIJAH'S WAGON KNEW NO THILL

Elijah's Wagon knew no thill

Was innocent of Wheel

Elijah's horses as unique

As was his vehicle —

Elijah's journey to portray

Expire with him the skill

Who justified Elijah

In feats inscrutable —

1255. LONGING IS LIKE THE SEED

Longing is like the Seed

That wrestles in the Ground,

Believing if it intercede

It shall at length be found.

The Hour, and the Clime —

Each Circumstance unknown,

What Constancy must be achieved

Before it see the Sun!

1256. NOT ANY HIGHER STANDS THE GRAVE

Not any higher stands the Grave

For Heroes than for Men —

Not any nearer for the Child

Than numb Three Score and Ten —

This latest Leisure equal lulls

The Beggar and his Queen

Propitiate this Democrat

A Summer's Afternoon —

1257. DOMINION LASTS UNTIL OBTAINED —

Dominion lasts until obtained —

Possession just as long —

But these — endowing as they flit

Eternally belong.

How everlasting are the Lips

Known only to the Dew —

These are the Brides of permanence

Supplanting me and you.

1258. WHO WERE "THE FATHER AND THE SON"

Who were "the Father and the Son"

We pondered when a child,

And what had they to do with us

And when portentous told

With inference appalling

By Childhood fortified

We thought, at least they are no worse

Than they have been described.

Who are "the Father and the Son"

Did we demand Today

"The Father and the Son" himself

Would doubtless specify —

But had they the felicity

When we desired to know.

We better Friends had been, perhaps,

Than time ensue to be —

We start — to learn that we believe

But once — entirely —

Belief, it does not fit so well

When altered frequently —

We blush, that Heaven if we achieve —

Event ineffable —

We shall have shunned until ashamed

To own the Miracle —

1259. A WIND THAT ROSE

A Wind that rose

Though not a Leaf

In any Forest stirred

But with itself did cold engage

Beyond the Realm of Bird —

A Wind that woke a lone Delight

Like Separation's Swell

Restored in Arctic Confidence

To the Invisible —

1260. BECAUSE THAT YOU ARE GOING

Because that you are going

And never coming back

And I, however absolute,

May overlook your Track —

Because that Death is final,

However first it be,

This instant be suspended

Above Mortality —

Significance that each has lived

The other to detect

Discovery not God himself

Could now annihilate

Eternity, Presumption

The instant I perceive

That you, who were Existence

Yourself forgot to live —

The "Life that is" will then have been

A thing I never knew —

As Paradise fictitious

Until the Realm of you —

The "Life that is to be," to me,

A Residence too plain

Unless in my Redeemer's Face

I recognize your own —

Of Immortality who doubts

He may exchange with me

Curtailed by your obscuring Face

Of everything but He —

Of Heaven and Hell I also yield

The Right to reprehend

To whoso would commute this Face

For his less priceless Friend.

If "God is Love" as he admits

We think that me must be

Because he is a "jealous God"

He tells us certainly

If "All is possible with" him

As he besides concedes

He will refund us finally

Our confiscated Gods —

1261. A WORD DROPPED CARELESS ON A PAGE

A Word dropped careless on a Page

May stimulate an eye

When folded in perpetual seam

The Wrinkled Maker lie

Infection in the sentence breeds

We may inhale Despair

At distances of Centuries

From the Malaria —

1262. I CANNOT SEE MY SOUL BUT KNOW 'TIS THERE

I cannot see my soul but know 'tis there

Nor ever saw his house nor furniture,

Who has invited me with him to dwell;

But a confiding guest consult as well,

What raiment honor him the most,

That I be adequately dressed,

For he insures to none

Lest men specified adorn

Procuring him perpetual drest

By dating it a sudden feast.

1263. THERE IS NO FRIGATE LIKE A BOOK

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry—

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without opress of Toll—

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears the Human soul

1264. THIS IS THE PLACE THEY HOPED BEFORE,

This is the place they hoped before,

Where I am hoping now.

The seed of disappointment grew

Within a capsule gay,

Too distant to arrest the feet

That walk this plank of balm —

Before them lies escapeless sea —

The way is closed they came.

1265. THE MOST TRIUMPHANT BIRD I EVER KNEW OR MET

The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met

Embarked upon a twig today

And till Dominion set

I famish to behold so eminent a sight

And sang for nothing scrutable

But intimate Delight.

Retired, and resumed his transitive Estate —

To what delicious Accident

Does finest Glory fit!

1266. WHEN MEMORY IS FULL

When Memory is full

Put on the perfect Lid —

This Morning's finest syllable

Presumptuous Evening said —

1267. I SAW THAT THE FLAKE WAS ON IT

I saw that the Flake was on it

But plotted with Time to dispute —

"Unchanged" I urged with a candor

That cost me my honest Heart —

But "you" — she returned with valor

Sagacious of my mistake

"Have altered — Accept the pillage

For the progress' sake" —

1268. CONFIRMING ALL WHO ANALYZE

Confirming All who analyze

In the Opinion fair

That Eloquence is when the Heart

Has not a Voice to spare —

1269. I WORKED FOR CHAFF AND EARNING WHEAT

I worked for chaff and earning Wheat

Was haughty and betrayed.

What right had Fields to arbitrate

In matters ratified?

I tasted Wheat and hated Chaff

And thanked the ample friend —

Wisdom is more becoming viewed

At distance than at hand.

1270. IS HEAVEN A PHYSICIAN?

Is Heaven a Physician?

They say that He can heal —

But Medicine Posthumous

Is unavailable —

Is Heaven an Exchequer?

They speak of what we owe —

But that negotiation

I'm not a Party to —

1271. SEPTEMBER'S BACCALAUREATE

September's Baccalaureate

A combination is

Of Crickets — Crows — and Retrospects

And a dissembling Breeze

That hints without assuming —

An Innuendo sear

That makes the Heart put up its Fun

And turn Philosopher.

1272. SO PROUD SHE WAS TO DIE

So proud she was to die

It made us all ashamed

That what we cherished, so unknown

To her desire seemed —

So satisfied to go

Where none of us should be

Immediately — that Anguish stooped

Almost to Jealousy —

1273. THAT SACRED CLOSET WHEN YOU SWEEP —

That sacred Closet when you sweep —

Entitled "Memory" —

Select a reverential Broom —

And do it silently.

'Twill be a Labor of surprise —

Besides Identity

Of other Interlocutors

A probability —

August the Dust of that Domain —

Unchallenged — let it lie —

You cannot supersede itself

But it can silence you —

1274. THE BONE THAT HAS NO MARROW,

The Bone that has no Marrow,

What Ultimate for that?

It is not fit for Table

For Beggar or for Cat.

A Bone has obligations —

A Being has the same —

A Marrowless Assembly

Is culpabler than shame.

But how shall finished Creatures

A function fresh obtain?

Old Nicodemus' Phantom

Confronting us again!

1275. THE SPIDER AS AN ARTIST

The Spider as an Artist

Has never been employed —

Though his surpassing Merit

Is freely certified

By every Broom and Bridget

Throughout a Christian Land —

Neglected Son of Genius

I take thee by the Hand —

1276. 'TWAS LATER WHEN THE SUMMER WENT

’Twas later when the summer went

Than when the cricket came,

And yet we knew that gentle clock

Meant nought but going home.

’T was sooner when the cricket went

Than when the winter came,

Yet that pathetic pendulum

Keeps esoteric time.

1277. WHILE WE WERE FEARING IT, IT CAME —

While we were fearing it, it came —

But came with less of fear

Because that fearing it so long

Had almost made it fair —

There is a Fitting — a Dismay —

A Fitting — a Despair

'Tis harder knowing it is Due

Than knowing it is Here.

They Trying on the Utmost

The Morning it is new

Is Terribler than wearing it

A whole existence through.

1278. THE MOUNTAINS STOOD IN HAZE —

The Mountains stood in Haze —

The Valleys stopped below

And went or waited as they liked

The River and the Sky.

At leisure was the Sun —

His interests of Fire

A little from remark withdrawn —

The Twilight spoke the Spire,

So soft upon the Scene

The Act of evening fell

We felt how neighborly a Thing

Was the Invisible.

1279. THE WAY TO KNOW THE BOBOLINK

The Way to know the Bobolink

From every other Bird

Precisely as the Joy of him —

Obliged to be inferred.

Of impudent Habiliment

Attired to defy,

Impertinence subordinate

At times to Majesty.

Of Sentiments seditious

Amenable to Law —

As Heresies of Transport

Or Puck's Apostacy.

Extrinsic to Attention

Too intimate with Joy —

He compliments existence

Until allured away

By Seasons or his Children —

Adult and urgent grown —

Or unforeseen aggrandizement

Or, happily, Renown —

By Contrast certifying

The Bird of Birds is gone —

How nullified the Meadow —

Her Sorcerer withdrawn!

1280. THE HARM OF YEARS IS ON HIM —

The harm of Years is on him —

The infamy of Time —

Depose him like a Fashion

And give Dominion room.

Forget his Morning Forces —

The Glory of Decay

Is a minuter Pageant

Than least Vitality.

1281. A STAGNANT PLEASURE LIKE A POOL

A stagnant pleasure like a Pool

That lets its Rushes grow

Until they heedless tumble in

And make the Water slow

Impeding navigation bright

Of Shadows going down

Yet even this shall rouse itself

When freshets come along.

1282. ART THOU THE THING I WANTED?

Art thou the thing I wanted?

Begone — my Tooth has grown —

Supply the minor Palate

That has not starved so long —

I tell thee while I waited

The mystery of Food

Increased till I abjured it

And dine without Like God —

—

Art thou the thing I wanted?

Begone — my Tooth has grown —

Affront a minor palate

Thou could'st not goad so long —

I tell thee while I waited —

The mystery of Food

Increased till I abjured it

Subsisting now like God —

1283. COULD HOPE INSPECT HER BASIS

Could Hope inspect her Basis

Her Craft were done —

Has a fictitious Charter

Or it has none —

Balked in the vastest instance

But to renew —

Felled by but one assassin —

Prosperity —

1284. HAD WE OUR SENSES

Had we our senses

But perhaps 'tis well they're not at Home

So intimate with Madness

He's liable with them

Had we the eyes without our Head —

How well that we are Blind —

We could not look upon the Earth —

So utterly unmoved —

1285. I KNOW SUSPENSE — IT STEPS SO TERSE

I know Suspense — it steps so terse

And turns so weak away —

Besides — Suspense is neighborly

When I am riding by —

Is always at the Window

Though lately I descry

And mention to my Horses

The need is not of me —

1286. I THOUGHT THAT NATURE WAS ENOUGH

I thought that nature was enough

Till Human nature came

But that the other did absorb

As Parallax a Flame —

Of Human nature just aware

There added the Divine

Brief struggle for capacity

The power to contain

Is always as the contents

But give a Giant room

And you will lodge a Giant

And not a smaller man

1287. IN THIS SHORT LIFE

In this short Life

That only lasts an hour

How much — how little — is

Within our power

1288. LAIN IN NATURE — SO SUFFICE US

Lain in Nature — so suffice us

The enchantless Pod

When we advertise existence

For the missing Seed —

Maddest Heart that God created

Cannot move a sod

Pasted by the simple summer

On the Longed for Dead

1289. LEFT IN IMMORTAL YOUTH

Left in immortal Youth

On that low Plain

That hath nor Retrospection

Nor Again —

Ransomed from years —

Sequestered from Decay

Canceled like Dawn

In comprehensive Day —

1290. THE MOST PATHETIC THING I DO

The most pathetic thing I do

Is play I hear from you —

I make believe until my Heart

Almost believes it too

But when I break it with the news

You knew it was not true

I wish I had not broken it —

Goliah — so would you —

1291. UNTIL THE DESERT KNOWS

Until the Desert knows

That Water grows

His Sands suffice

But let him once suspect

That Caspian Fact

Sahara dies

Utmost is relative —

Have not or Have

Adjacent sums

Enough — the first Abode

On the familiar Road

Galloped in Dreams —

1292. YESTERDAY IS HISTORY

Yesterday is History,

'Tis so far away —

Yesterday is Poetry —

'Tis Philosophy —

Yesterday is mystery —

Where it is Today

While we shrewdly speculate

Flutter both away

1293. THE THINGS WE THOUGHT THAT WE SHOULD DO

The things we thought that we should do

We other things have done

But those peculiar industries

Have never been begun —

The Lands we thought that we should seek

When large enough to run

By Speculation ceded

To Speculation's Son —

The Heaven, in which we hoped to pause

When Discipline was done

Untenable to Logic

But possibly the one —

1294. OF LIFE TO OWN —

Of Life to own —

From Life to draw —

But never tough the reservoir —

1294. TWO LENGTHS HAS EVERY DAY —

Two Lengths has every Day —

Its absolute extent

And Area superior

By Hope or Horror lent —

Eternity will be

Velocity or Pause

At Fundamental Signals

From Fundamental Laws.

To die is not to go —

On Doom's consummate Chart

No Territory new is staked —

Remain thou as thou art.

1296. DEATH'S WAYLAYING NOT THE SHARPEST

Death's Waylaying not the sharpest

Of the thefts of Time —

There Marauds a sorer Robber,

Silence — is his name —

No Assault, nor any Menace

Doth betoken him.

But from Life's consummate Cluster —

He supplants the Balm.

1297. GO SLOW, MY SOUL, TO FEED THYSELF

Go slow, my soul, to feed thyself

Upon his rare approach —

Go rapid, lest Competing Death

Prevail upon the Coach —

Go timid, should his final eye

Determine thee amiss —

Go boldly — for thou paid'st his price

Redemption — for a Kiss —

1298. THE MUSHROOM IS THE ELF OF PLANTS —

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants —

At Evening, it is not —

At Morning, in a Truffled Hut

It stop upon a Spot

As if it tarried always

And yet its whole Career

Is shorter than a Snake's Delay

And fleeter than a Tare —

'Tis Vegetation's Juggler —

The Germ of Alibi —

Doth like a Bubble antedate

And like a Bubble, hie —

I feel as if the Grass was pleased

To have it intermit —

This surreptitious scion

Of Summer's circumspect.

Had Nature any supple Face

Or could she one contemn —

Had Nature an Apostate —

That Mushroom — it is Him!

1299. DELIGHT'S DESPAIR AT SETTING

Delight's Despair at setting

Is that Delight is less

Than the sufficing Longing

That so impoverish.

Enchantment's Perihelion

Mistaken oft has been

For the Authentic orbit

Of its Anterior Sun.

1300. FROM HIS SLIM PALACE IN THE DUST

From his slim Palace in the Dust

He relegates the Realm,

More loyal for the exody

That has befallen him.

1301. I CANNOT WANT IT MORE —

I cannot want it more —

I cannot want it less —

My Human Nature's fullest force

Expends itself on this.

And yet it nothing is

To him who easy owns —

Is Worth itself or Distance

He fathoms who obtains.

1302. I THINK THAT THE ROOT OF THE WIND IS WATER —

I think that the Root of the Wind is Water —

It would not sound so deep

Were it a Firmamental Product —

Airs no Oceans keep —

Mediterranean intonations —

To a Current's Ear —

There is a maritime conviction

In the Atmosphere —

1303. NOT ONE BY HEAVEN DEFRAUDED STAY —

Not One by Heaven defrauded stay —

Although he seem to steal

He restitutes in some sweet way

Secreted in his will —

1304. NOT WITH A CLUB, THE HEART IS BROKEN

Not with a Club, the Heart is broken

Nor with a Stone —

A Whip so small you could not see it

I've known

To lash the Magic Creature

Till it fell,

Yet that Whip's Name

Too noble then to tell.

Magnanimous as Bird

By Boy descried —

Singing unto the Stone

Of which it died —

Shame need not crouch

In such an Earth as Ours —

Shame — stand erect —

The Universe is yours.

1305. RECOLLECT THE FACE OF ME

Recollect the Face of me

When in thy Felicity,

Due in Paradise today

Guest of mine assuredly —

Other Courtesies have been —

Other Courtesy may be —

We commend ourselves to thee

Paragon of Chivalry.

1306. SURPRISE IS LIKE A THRILLING — PUNGENT —

Surprise is like a thrilling — pungent —

Upon a tasteless meat

Alone — too acrid — but combined

An edible Delight.

1307. THAT SHORT — POTENTIAL STIR

That short — potential stir

That each can make but once —

That Bustle so illustrious

'Tis almost Consequence —

Is the eclat of Death —

Oh, thou unknown Renown

That not a Beggar would accept

Had he the power to spurn —

1308. THE DAY SHE GOES

The Day she goes

Or Day she stays

Are equally supreme —

Existence has a stated width

Departed, or at Home —

1309. THE INFINITE A SUDDEN GUEST

The Infinite a sudden Guest

Has been assumed to be —

But how can that stupendous come

Which never went away?

1310. THE NOTICE THAT IS CALLED THE SPRING

The Notice that is called the Spring

Is but a month from here —

Put up my Heart thy Hoary work

And take a Rosy Chair.

Not any House the Flowers keep —

The Birds enamor Care —

Our salary the longest Day

Is nothing but a Bier.

1311. THIS DIRTY — LITTLE — HEART

This dirty — little — Heart

Is freely mine.

I won it with a Bun —

A Freckled shrine —

But eligibly fair

To him who sees

The Visage of the Soul

And not the knees.

1312. TO BREAK SO VAST A HEART

To break so vast a Heart

Required a Blow as vast —

No Zephyr felled this Cedar straight —

'Twas undeserved Blast —

1313. WARM IN HER HAND THESE ACCENTS LIE

Warm in her Hand these accents lie

While faithful and afar

The Grace so awkward for her sake

Its fond subjection wear —

1314. WHEN A LOVER IS A BEGGAR

When a Lover is a Beggar

Abject is his Knee —

When a Lover is an Owner

Different is he —

What he begged is then the Beggar —

Oh disparity —

Bread of Heaven resents bestowal

Like an obloquy —

1315. WHICH IS THE BEST — THE MOON OR THE CRESCENT?

Which is the best — the Moon or the Crescent?

Neither — said the Moon —

That is best which is not — Achieve it —

You efface the Sheen.

Not of detention is Fruition —

Shudder to attain.

Transport's decomposition follows —

He is Prism born.

1316. WINTER IS GOOD — HIS HOAR DELIGHTS

Winter is good — his Hoar Delights

Italic flavor yield

To Intellects inebriate

With Summer, or the World —

Generic as a Quarry

And hearty — as a Rose —

Invited with Asperity

But welcome when he goes.

1317. ABRAHAM TO KILL HIM —

Abraham to kill him —

Was distinctly told —

Isaac was an Urchin —

Abraham was old —

Not a hesitation —

Abraham complied —

Flattered by Obeisance

Tyranny demurred —

Isaac — to his children

Lived to tell the tale —

Moral — with a Mastiff

Manners may prevail.

1318. FRIGID AND SWEET HER PARTING FACE —

Frigid and sweet Her parting Face —

Frigid and fleet my Feet —

Alien and vain whatever Clime

Acrid whatever Fate.

Given to me without the Suit

Riches and Name and Realm —

Who was She to withhold from me

Penury and Home?

1319. HOW NEWS MUST FEEL WHEN TRAVELLING

How News must feel when travelling

If News have any Heart

Alighting at the Dwelling

'Twill enter like a Dart!

What News must think when pondering

If News have any Thought

Concerning the stupendousness

Of its perceiveless freight!

What News will do when every Man

Shall comprehend as one

And not in all the Universe

A thing to tell remain?

1320. DEAR MARCH — COME IN —

Dear March — Come in —

How glad I am —

I hoped for you before —

Put down your Hat —

You must have walked —

How out of Breath you are —

Dear March, Come right up the stairs with me —

I have so much to tell —

I got your Letter, and the Birds —

The Maples never knew that you were coming — till I called

I declare — how Red their Faces grew —

But March, forgive me — and

All those Hills you left for me to Hue —

There was no Purple suitable —

You took it all with you —

Who knocks? That April.

Lock the Door —

I will not be pursued —

He stayed away a Year to call

When I am occupied —

But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come

That Blame is just as dear as Praise

And Praise as mere as Blame —

1321. ELIZABETH TOLD ESSEX

Elizabeth told Essex

That she could not forgive

The clemency of Deity

However — might survive —

That secondary succor

We trust that she partook

When suing — like her Essex

For a reprieving Look —

1322. FLOSS WON'T SAVE YOU FROM AN ABYSS

Floss won't save you from an Abyss

But a Rope will —

Notwithstanding a Rope for a Souvenir

Is not beautiful —

But I tell you every step is a Trough —

And every stop a Well —

Now will you have the Rope or the Floss?

Prices reasonable —

1323. I NEVER HEAR THAT ONE IS DEAD

I never hear that one is dead

Without the chance of Life

Afresh annihilating me

That mightiest Belief,

Too mighty for the Daily mind

That tilling its abyss,

Had Madness, had it once or twice

The yawning Consciousness,

Beliefs are Bandaged, like the Tongue

When Terror were it told

In any Tone commensurate

Would strike us instant Dead

I do not know the man so bold

He dare in lonely Place

That awful stranger Consciousness

Deliberately face —

1324. I SEND YOU A DECREPIT FLOWER

I send you a decrepit flower

That nature sent to me

At parting — she was going south

And I designed to stay —

Her motive for the souvenir

If sentiment for me

Or circumstances prudential

Withheld invincibly —

1325. KNOCK WITH TREMOR —

Knock with tremor —

These are Caesars —

Should they be at Home

Flee as if you trod unthinking

On the Foot of Doom —

These receded to accostal

Centuries ago —

Should they rend you with "How are you"

What have you to show?

1326. OUR LITTLE SECRETS SLINK AWAY —

Our little secrets slink away —

Beside God's shall not tell —

He kept his word a Trillion years

And might we not as well —

But for the niggardly delight

To make each other stare

Is there no sweet beneath the sun

With this that may compare —

1327. THE SYMPTOM OF THE GALE —

The Symptom of the Gale —

The Second of Dismay —

Between its Rumor and its Face —

Is almost Revelry —

The Houses firmer root —

The Heavens cannot be found —

The Upper Surfaces of things

Take covert in the Ground —

The Mem'ry of the Sun

Not Any can recall —

Although by Nature's sterling Watch

So scant an interval —

And when the Noise is caught

And Nature looks around —

"We dreamed it"? She interrogates —

"Good Morning" — We propound?

1328. THE VASTEST EARTHLY DAY

The vastest earthly Day

Is shrunken small

By one Defaulting Face

Behind a Pall —

1329. WHETHER THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN

Whether they have forgotten

Or are forgetting now

Or never remembered —

Safer not to know —

Miseries of conjecture

Are a softer woe

Than a Fact of Iron

Hardened with I know —

1330. WITHOUT A SMILE — WITHOUT A THROE

Without a smile — Without a Throe

A Summer's soft Assemblies go

To their entrancing end

Unknown — for all the times we met —

Estranged, however intimate —

What a dissembling Friend —

1331. WONDER — IS NOT PRECISELY KNOWING

Wonder — is not precisely Knowing

And not precisely Knowing not —

A beautiful but bleak condition

He has not lived who has not felt —

Suspense — is his maturer Sister —

Whether Adult Delight is Pain

Or of itself a new misgiving —

This is the Gnat that mangles men —

1332. PINK — SMALL — AND PUNCTUAL —

Pink — small — and punctual —

Aromatic — low —

Covert — in April —

Candid — in May —

Dear to the Moss —

Known to the Knoll —

Next to the Robin

In every human Soul —

Bold little Beauty

Bedecked with thee

Nature forswears

Antiquity —

1333. A LITTLE MADNESS IN THE SPRING

A little Madness in the Spring

Is wholesome even for the King,

But God be with the Clown —

Who ponders this tremendous scene —

This whole Experiment of Green —

As if it were his own!

1334. HOW SOFT THIS PRISON IS

How soft this Prison is

How sweet these sullen bars

No Despot but the King of Down

Invented this repose

Of Fate if this is All

Has he no added Realm

A Dungeon but a Kinsman is

Incarceration — Home.

1335. LET ME NOT MAR THAT PERFECT DREAM

Let me not mar that perfect Dream

By an Auroral stain

But so adjust my daily Night

That it will come again.

Not when we know, the Power accosts —

The Garment of Surprise

Was all our timid Mother wore

At Home — in Paradise.

1336. NATURE ASSIGNS THE SUN —

Nature assigns the Sun —

That — is Astronomy —

Nature cannot enact a Friend —

That — is Astrology.

1337. UPON A LILAC SEA

Upon a Lilac Sea

To toss incessantly

His Plush Alarm

Who fleeing from the Spring

The Spring avenging fling

To Dooms of Balm

1338. WHAT TENEMENTS OF CLOVER

What tenements of clover

Are fitting for the bee,

What edifices azure

For butterflies and me —

What residences nimble

Arise and evanesce

Without a rhythmic rumor

Or an assaulting guess.

1339. A BEE HIS BURNISHED CARRIAGE

A Bee his burnished Carriage

Drove boldly to a Rose —

Combinedly alighting —

Himself — his Carriage was —

The Rose received his visit

With frank tranquillity

Withholding not a Crescent

To his Cupidity —

Their Moment consummated —

Remained for him — to flee —

Remained for her — of rapture

But the humility.

1340. A RAT SURRENDERED HERE

A Rat surrendered here

A brief career of Cheer

And Fraud and Fear.

Of Ignominy's due

Let all addicted to

Beware.

The most obliging Trap

Its tendency to snap

Cannot resist —

Temptation is the Friend

Repugnantly resigned

At last.

1341. UNTO THE WHOLE — HOW ADD?

Unto the Whole — how add?

Has "All" a further realm —

Or Utmost an Ulterior?

Oh, Subsidy of Balm!

1342. "WAS NOT" WAS ALL THE STATEMENT.

"Was not" was all the Statement.

The Unpretension stuns —

Perhaps — the Comprehension —

They wore no Lexicons —

But lest our Speculation

In inanition die

Because "God took him" mention —

That was Philology —

1343. A SINGLE CLOVER PLANK

A single Clover Plank

Was all that saved a Bee

A Bee I personally knew

From sinking in the sky —

'Twixt Firmament above

And Firmament below

The Billows of Circumference

Were sweeping him away —

The idly swaying Plank

Responsible to nought

A sudden Freight of Wind assumed

And Bumble Bee was not —

This harrowing event

Transpiring in the Grass

Did not so much as wring from him

A wandering "Alas" —

1344. NOT ANY MORE TO BE LACKED —

Not any more to be lacked —

Not any more to be known —

Denizen of Significance

For a span so worn —

Even Nature herself

Has forgot it is there —

Sedulous of her Multitudes

Notwithstanding Despair —

Of the Ones that pursued it

Suing it not to go

Some have solaced the longing

To accompany —

Some — rescinded the Wrench —

Others — Shall I say

Plated the residue of Adz

With Monotony.

1345. AN ANTIQUATED GRACE

An antiquated Grace

Becomes that cherished Face

As well as prime

Enjoining us to part

We and our pouting Heart

Good friends with time

1346. AS SUMMER INTO AUTUMN SLIPS

As Summer into Autumn slips

And yet we sooner say

"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest

We turn the sun away,

And almost count it an Affront

The presence to concede

Of one however lovely, not

The one that we have loved —

So we evade the charge of Years

On one attempting shy

The Circumvention of the Shaft

Of Life's Declivity.

1347. ESCAPE IS SUCH A THANKFUL WORD

Escape is such a thankful Word

I often in the Night

Consider it unto myself

No spectacle in sight

Escape — it is the Basket

In which the Heart is caught

When down some awful Battlement

The rest of Life is dropt —

'Tis not to sight the savior —

It is to be the saved —

And that is why I lay my Head

Upon this trusty word —

1348. LIFT IT — WITH THE FEATHERS

Lift it — with the Feathers

Not alone we fly —

Launch it — the aquatic

Not the only sea —

Advocate the Azure

To the lower Eyes —

He has obligation

Who has Paradise —

1349. I'D RATHER RECOLLECT A SETTING

I'd rather recollect a setting

Than own a rising sun

Though one is beautiful forgetting —

And true the other one.

Because in going is a Drama

Staying cannot confer

To die divinely once a Twilight —

Than wane is easier —

1350. LUCK IS NOT CHANCE —

Luck is not chance —

It's Toil —

Fortune's expensive smile

Is earned —

The Father of the Mine

Is that old-fashioned Coin

We spurned —

1351. YOU CANNOT TAKE ITSELF

You cannot take itself

From any Human soul —

That indestructible estate

Enable him to dwell —

Impregnable as Light

That every man behold

But take away as difficult

As undiscovered Gold —

1352. TO HIS SIMPLICITY

To his simplicity

To die — was little Fate —

If Duty live — contented

But her Confederate.

1353. THE LAST OF SUMMER IS DELIGHT —

The last of Summer is Delight —

Deterred by Retrospect.

'Tis Ecstasy's revealed Review —

Enchantment's Syndicate.

To meet it — nameless as it is —

Without celestial Mail —

Audacious as without a Knock

To walk within the Veil.

1354. THE HEART IS THE CAPITAL OF THE MIND —

The Heart is the Capital of the Mind —

The Mind is a single State —

The Heart and the Mind together make

A single Continent —

One — is the Population —

Numerous enough —

This ecstatic Nation

Seek — it is Yourself.

1355. THE MIND LIVES ON THE HEART

The Mind lives on the Heart

Like any Parasite —

If that is full of Meat

The Mind is fat.

But if the Heart omit

Emaciate the Wit —

The Aliment of it

So absolute.

1356. THE RAT IS THE CONCISEST TENANT.

The Rat is the concisest Tenant.

He pays no Rent.

Repudiates the Obligation —

On Schemes intent

Balking our Wit

To sound or circumvent —

Hate cannot harm

A Foe so reticent —

Neither Decree prohibit him —

Lawful as Equilibrium.

1357. "FAITHFUL TO THE END" AMENDED

"Faithful to the end" Amended

From the Heavenly Clause —

Constancy with a Proviso

Constancy abhors —

"Crowns of Life" are servile Prizes

To the stately Heart,

Given for the Giving, solely,

No Emolument.

—

"Faithful to the end" Amended

From the Heavenly clause —

Lucrative indeed the offer

But the Heart withdraws —

"I will give" the base Proviso —

Spare Your "Crown of Life" —

Those it fits, too fair to wear it —

Try it on Yourself —

1358. THE TREASON OF AN ACCENT

The Treason of an accent

Might Ecstasy transfer —

Of her effacing Fathom

Is no Recoverer —

—

The Treason of an Accent

Might vilify the Joy —

To breathe — corrode the rapture

Of Sanctity to be —

1359. THE LONG SIGH OF THE FROG

The long sigh of the Frog

Upon a Summer's Day

Enacts intoxication

Upon the Revery —

But his receding Swell

Substantiates a Peace

That makes the Ear inordinate

For corporal release —

1360. I SUED THE NEWS — YET FEARED — THE NEWS

I sued the News — yet feared — the News

That such a Realm could be —

"The House not made with Hands" it was —

Thrown open wide to me —

1361. THE FLAKE THE WIND EXASPERATE

The Flake the Wind exasperate

More eloquently lie

Than if escorted to its Down

By Arm of Chivalry.

1362. OF THEIR PECULIAR LIGHT

Of their peculiar light

I keep one ray

To clarify the Sight

To seek them by —

1363. SUMMER LAID HER SIMPLE HAT

Summer laid her simple Hat

On its boundless Shelf —

Unobserved — a Ribbon slipt,

Snatch it for yourself.

Summer laid her supple Glove

In its sylvan Drawer —

Wheresoe'er, or was she —

The demand of Awe?

1364. HOW KNOW IT FROM A SUMMER'S DAY?

How know it from a Summer's Day?

Its Fervors are as firm —

And nothing in the Countenance

But scintillates the same —

Yet Birds examine it and flee —

And Vans without a name

Inspect the Admonition

And sunder as they came —

1365. TAKE ALL AWAY —

Take all away —

The only thing worth larceny

Is left — the Immortality —

1366. BROTHER OF INGOTS — AH PERU —

Brother of Ingots — Ah Peru —

Empty the Hearts that purchased you —

—

Sister of Ophir —

Ah, Peru —

Subtle the Sum

That purchase you —

—

Brother of Ophir

Bright Adieu,

Honor, the shortest route

To you.

1367. "TOMORROW" — WHOSE LOCATION

"Tomorrow" — whose location

The Wise deceives

Though its hallucination

Is last that leaves —

Tomorrow — thou Retriever

Of every tare —

Of Alibi art thou

Or ownest where?

1368. LOVE'S STRICKEN "WHY"

Love's stricken "why"

Is all that love can speak —

Built of but just a syllable

The hugest hearts that break.

1369. TRUSTY AS THE STARS

Trusty as the stars

Who quit their shining working

Prompt as when I lit them

In Genesis' new house,

Durable as dawn

Whose antiquated blossom

Makes a world's suspense

Perish and rejoice.

1370. GATHERED INTO THE EARTH,

Gathered into the Earth,

And out of story —

Gathered so that strange Fame —

That lonesome Glory

That hath no omen here — but Awe —

1371. HOW FITS HIS UMBER COAT

How fits his Umber Coat

The Tailor of the Nut?

Combined without a seam

Like Raiment of a Dream —

Who spun the Auburn Cloth?

Computed how the girth?

The Chestnut aged grows

In those primeval Clothes —

We know that we are wise —

Accomplished in Surprise —

Yet by this Countryman —

This nature — how undone!

1372. THE SUN IS ONE — AND ON THE TARE

The Sun is one — and on the Tare

He doth as punctual call

As on the conscientious Flower

And estimates them all —

1373. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF EARTHLY THINGS

The worthlessness of Earthly things

The Ditty is that Nature Sings —

And then — enforces their delight

Till Synods are inordinate —

1374. A SAUCER HOLDS A CUP

A Saucer holds a Cup

In sordid human Life

But in a Squirrel's estimate

A Saucer hold a Loaf.

A Table of a Tree

Demands the little King

And every Breeze that run along

His Dining Room do swing.

His Cutlery — he keeps

Within his Russet Lips —

To see it flashing when he dines

Do Birmingham eclipse —

Convicted — could we be

Of our Minutiae

The smallest Citizen that flies

Is heartier than we —

1375. DEATH WARRANTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE

Death warrants are supposed to be

An enginery of equity

A merciful mistake

A pencil in an Idol's Hand

A Devotee has oft consigned

To Crucifix or Block

1376. DREAMS ARE THE SUBTLE DOWER

Dreams are the subtle Dower

That make us rich an Hour —

Then fling us poor

Out of the purple Door

Into the Precinct raw

Possessed before —

1377. FORBIDDEN FRUIT A FLAVOR HAS

Forbidden Fruit a flavor has

That lawful Orchards mocks —

How luscious lies within the Pod

The Pea that Duty locks —

1378. HIS HEART WAS DARKER THAN THE STARLESS NIGHT

His Heart was darker than the starless night

For that there is a morn

But in this black Receptacle

Can be no Bode of Dawn

1379. HIS MANSION IN THE POOL

His Mansion in the Pool

The Frog forsakes —

He rises on a Log

And statements makes —

His Auditors two Worlds

Deducting me —

The Orator of April

Is hoarse Today —

His Mittens at his Feet

No Hand hath he —

His eloquence a Bubble

As Fame should be —

Applaud him to discover

To your chagrin

Demosthenes has vanished

In Waters Green —

1380. HOW MUCH THE PRESENT MOMENT MEANS

How much the present moment means

To those who've nothing more —

The Fop — the Carp — the Atheist —

Stake an entire store

Upon a Moment's shallow Rim

While their commuted Feet

The Torrents of Eternity

Do all but inundate —

1381. I SUPPOSE THE TIME WILL COME

I suppose the time will come

Aid it in the coming

When the Bird will crowd the Tree

And the Bee be booming.

I suppose the time will come

Hinder it a little

When the Corn in Silk will dress

And in Chintz the Apple

I believe the Day will be

When the Jay will giggle

At his new white House the Earth

That, too, halt a little —

1382. IN MANY AND REPORTLESS PLACES

In many and reportless places

We feel a Joy —

Reportless, also, but sincere as Nature

Or Deity —

It comes, without a consternation —

Dissolves — the same —

But leaves a sumptuous Destitution —

Without a Name —

Profane it by a search — we cannot

It has no home —

Nor we who having once inhaled it —

Thereafter roam.

1383. LONG YEARS APART — CAN MAKE NO

Long Years apart — can make no

Breach a second cannot fill —

The absence of the Witch does not

Invalidate the spell —

The embers of a Thousand Years

Uncovered by the Hand

That fondled them when they were Fire

Will stir and understand —

1384. PRAISE IT — 'TIS DEAD —

Praise it — 'tis dead —

It cannot glow —

Warm this inclement Ear

With the encomium it earned

Since it was gathered here —

Invest this alabaster Zest

In the Delights of Dust —

Remitted — since it flitted it

In recusance august.

1385. "SECRETS" IS A DAILY WORD

"Secrets" is a daily word

Yet does not exist —

Muffled — it remits surmise —

Murmured — it has ceased —

Dungeoned in the Human Breast

Doubtless secrets lie —

But that Grate inviolate —

Goes nor comes away

Nothing with a Tongue or Ear —

Secrets stapled there

Will emerge but once — and dumb —

To the Sepulchre —

1386. SUMMER — WE ALL HAVE SEEN —

Summer — we all have seen —

A few of us — believed —

A few — the more aspiring

Unquestionably loved —

But Summer does not care —

She goes her spacious way

As eligible as the moon

To our Temerity —

The Doom to be adored —

The Affluence conferred —

Unknown as to an Ecstasy

The Embryo endowed —

1387. THE BUTTERFLY'S NUMIDIAN GOWN

The Butterfly's Numidian Gown

With spots of Burnish roasted on

Is proof against the Sun

Yet prone to shut its spotted Fan

And panting on a Clover lean

As if it were undone —

1388. THOSE CATTLE SMALLER THAN A BEE

Those cattle smaller than a Bee

That herd upon the eye —

Whose tillage is the passing Crumb —

Those Cattle are the Fly —

Of Barns for Winter — blameless —

Extemporaneous stalls

They found to our objection —

On eligible walls —

Reserving the presumption

To suddenly descend

And gallop on the Furniture —

Or odiouser offend —

Of their peculiar calling

Unqualified to judge

To Nature we remand them

To justify or scourge —

1389. TOUCH LIGHTLY NATURE'S SWEET GUITAR

Touch lightly Nature's sweet Guitar

Unless thou know'st the Tune

Or every Bird will point at thee

Because a Bard too soon —

1390. THESE HELD THEIR WICK ABOVE THE WEST —

These held their Wick above the West —

Till when the Red declined —

Or how the Amber aided it —

Defied to be defined —

Then waned without disparagement

In a dissembling Hue

That would not let the Eye decide

Did it abide or no —

1391. THEY MIGHT NOT NEED ME — YET THEY MIGHT —

They might not need me but; they might.

I'll let my Head be just in sight;

A smile as small as mine might be

Precisely their necessity.

1392. HOPE IS A STRANGE INVENTION —

Hope is a strange invention —

A Patent of the Heart —

In unremitting action

Yet never wearing out —

Of this electric Adjunct

Not anything is known

But its unique momentum

Embellish all we own —

1393. LAY THIS LAUREL ON THE ONE

Lay this Laurel on the One

Too intrinsic for Renown —

Laurel — veil your deathless tree —

Him you chasten, that is He!

1394. WHOSE PINK CAREER MAY HAVE A CLOSE

Whose Pink career may have a close

Portentous as our own, who knows?

To imitate these Neighbors fleet

In awe and innocence, were meet.

1395. AFTER ALL BIRDS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND LAID ASIDE —

After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside —

Nature imparts the little Blue-Bird — assured

Her conscientious Voice will soar unmoved

Above ostensible Vicissitude.

First at the March — competing with the Wind —

Her panting note exalts us — like a friend —

Last to adhere when Summer cleaves away —

Elegy of Integrity.

1396. SHE LAID HER DOCILE CRESCENT DOWN

She laid her docile Crescent down

And this confiding Stone

Still states to Dates that have forgot

The News that she is gone —

So constant to its stolid trust,

The Shaft that never knew —

It shames the Constancy that fled

Before its emblem flew —

1397. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE STREETS WERE RUNNING

It sounded as if the Streets were running

And then — the Streets stood still —

Eclipse — was all we could see at the Window

And Awe — was all we could feel.

By and by — the boldest stole out of his Covert

To see if Time was there —

Nature was in an Opal Apron,

Mixing fresher Air.

1398. I HAVE NO LIFE BUT THIS —

I have no Life but this —

To lead it here —

Nor any Death — but lest

Dispelled from there —

Nor tie to Earths to come —

Nor Action new —

Except through this extent —

The Realm of you —

1399. PERHAPS THEY DO NOT GO SO FAR

Perhaps they do not go so far

As we who stay, suppose —

Perhaps come closer, for the lapse

Of their corporeal clothes —

It may be know so certainly

How short we have to fear

That comprehension antedates

And estimates us there —

1400. WHAT MYSTERY PERVADES A WELL!

What mystery pervades a well!

That water lives so far —

A neighbor from another world

Residing in a jar

Whose limit none have ever seen,

But just his lid of glass —

Like looking every time you please

In an abyss's face!

The grass does not appear afraid,

I often wonder he

Can stand so close and look so bold

At what is awe to me.

Related somehow they may be,

The sedge stands next the sea —

Where he is floorless

And does no timidity betray

But nature is a stranger yet;

The ones that cite her most

Have never passed her haunted house,

Nor simplified her ghost.

To pity those that know her not

Is helped by the regret

That those who know her, know her less

The nearer her they get.

1401. TO OWN A SUSAN OF MY OWN

To own a Susan of my own

Is of itself a Bliss —

Whatever Realm I forfeit, Lord,

Continue me in this!

1402. TO THE STANCH DUST

To the stanch Dust

We safe commit thee —

Tongue if it hath,

Inviolate to thee —

Silence — denote —

And Sanctity — enforce thee —

Passenger — of Infinity —

1403. MY MAKER — LET ME BE

My Maker — let me be

Enamored most of thee —

But nearer this

I more should miss —

1404. MARCH IS THE MONTH OF EXPECTATION.

March is the Month of Expectation.

The things we do not know —

The Persons of prognostication

Are coming now —

We try to show becoming firmness —

But pompous Joy

Betrays us, as his first Betrothal

Betrays a Boy.

1405. BEES ARE BLACK, WITH GILT SURCINGLES —

Bees are Black, with Gilt Surcingles —

Buccaneers of Buzz.

Ride abroad in ostentation

And subsist on Fuzz.

Fuzz ordained — not Fuzz contingent —

Marrows of the Hill.

Jugs — a Universe's fracture

Could not jar or spill.

1406. NO PASSENGER WAS KNOWN TO FLEE —

No Passenger was known to flee —

That lodged a night in memory —

That wily — subterranean Inn

Contrives that none go out again —

1407. A FIELD OF STUBBLE, LYING SERE

A Field of Stubble, lying sere

Beneath the second Sun —

Its Toils to Brindled People thrust —

Its Triumphs — to the Bin —

Accosted by a timid Bird

Irresolute of Alms —

Is often seen — but seldom felt,

On our New England Farms —

1408. THE FACT THAT EARTH IS HEAVEN —

The Fact that Earth is Heaven —

Whether Heaven is Heaven or not

If not an Affidavit

Of that specific Spot

Not only must confirm us

That it is not for us

But that it would affront us

To dwell in such a place —

1409. COULD MORTAL LIP DIVINE

Could mortal lip divine

The undeveloped Freight

Of a delivered syllable

'Twould crumble with the weight.

1410. I SHALL NOT MURMUR IF AT LAST

I shall not murmur if at last

The ones I loved below

Permission have to understand

For what I shunned them so —

Divulging it would rest my Heart

But it would ravage theirs —

Why, Katie, Treason has a Voice —

But mine — dispels — in Tears.

1411. OF PARADISE' EXISTENCE

Of Paradise' existence

All we know

Is the uncertain certainty —

But its vicinity infer,

By its Bisecting

Messenger —

1412. SHAME IS THE SHAWL OF PINK

Shame is the shawl of Pink

In which we wrap the Soul

To keep it from infesting Eyes —

The elemental Veil

Which helpless Nature drops

When pushed upon a scene

Repugnant to her probity —

Shame is the tint divine.

1413. SWEET SKEPTICISM OF THE HEART —

Sweet Skepticism of the Heart —

That knows — and does not know —

And tosses like a Fleet of Balm —

Affronted by the snow —

Invites and then retards the Truth

Lest Certainty be sere

Compared with the delicious throe

Of transport thrilled with Fear —

1414. UNWORTHY OF HER BREAST

Unworthy of her Breast

Though by that scathing test

What Soul survive?

By her exacting light

How counterfeit the white

We chiefly have!

1415. A WILD BLUE SKY ABREAST OF WINDS

A wild Blue sky abreast of Winds

That threatened it — did run

And crouched behind his Yellow Door

Was the defiant sun —

Some conflict with those upper friends

So genial in the main

That we deplore peculiarly

Their arrogant campaign —

1416. CRISIS IS SWEET AND YET THE HEART

Crisis is sweet and yet the Heart

Upon the hither side

Has Dowers of Prospective

To Denizens denied

Inquire of the closing Rose

Which rapture she preferred

And she will point you sighing

To her rescinded Bud.

1417. HOW HUMAN NATURE DOTES

How Human Nature dotes

On what it can't detect.

The moment that a Plot is plumbed

Prospective is extinct —

Prospective is the friend

Reserved for us to know

When Constancy is clarified

Of Curiosity —

Of subjects that resist

Redoubtablest is this

Where go we —

Go we anywhere

Creation after this?

1418. HOW LONESOME THE WIND MUST FEEL NIGHTS —

How lonesome the Wind must feel Nights —

When people have put out the Lights

And everything that has an Inn

Closes the shutter and goes in —

How pompous the Wind must feel Noons

Stepping to incorporeal Tunes

Correcting errors of the sky

And clarifying scenery

How mighty the Wind must feel Morns

Encamping on a thousand dawns

Espousing each and spurning all

Then soaring to his Temple Tall —

1419. IT WAS A QUIET SEEMING DAY —

It was a quiet seeming Day —

There was no harm in earth or sky —

Till with the closing sun

There strayed an accidental Red

A Strolling Hue, one would have said

To westward of the Town —

But when the Earth began to jar

And Houses vanished with a roar

And Human Nature hid

We comprehended by the Awe

As those that Dissolution saw

The Poppy in the Cloud

1420. ONE JOY OF SO MUCH ANGUISH

One Joy of so much anguish

Sweet nature has for me

I shun it as I do Despair

Or dear iniquity —

Why Birds, a Summer morning

Before the Quick of Day

Should stab my ravished spirit

With Dirks of Melody

Is part of an inquiry

That will receive reply

When Flesh and Spirit sunder

In Death's Immediately —

1421. SUCH ARE THE INLETS OF THE MIND —

Such are the inlets of the mind —

His outlets — would you see

Ascend with me the eminence

Of immortality —

1422. SUMMER HAS TWO BEGINNINGS —

Summer has two Beginnings —

Beginning once in June —

Beginning in October

Affectingly again —

Without, perhaps, the Riot

But graphicker for Grace —

As finer is a going

Than a remaining Face —

Departing then — forever —

Forever — until May —

Forever is deciduous

Except to those who die —

1423. THE FAIREST HOME I EVER KNEW

The fairest Home I ever knew

Was founded in an Hour

By Parties also that I knew

A spider and a Flower —

A manse of mechlin and of Floes —

1424. THE GENTIAN HAS A PARCHED COROLLA —

The Gentian has a parched Corolla —

Like azure dried

'Tis Nature's buoyant juices

Beatified —

Without a vaunt or sheen

As casual as Rain

And as benign —

When most is part — it comes —

Nor isolate it seems

Its Bond its Friend —

To fill its Fringed career

And aid an aged Year

Abundant end —

Its lot — were it forgot —

This Truth endear —

Fidelity is gain

Creation is o'er —

1425. THE INUNDATION OF THE SPRING

The inundation of the Spring

Enlarges every soul —

It sweeps the tenement away

But leaves the Water whole —

In which the soul at first estranged —

Seeks faintly for its shore

But acclimated — pines no more

For that Peninsula —

1426. THE PRETTY RAIN FROM THOSE SWEET EAVES

The pretty Rain from those sweet Eaves

Her unintending Eyes —

Took her own Heart, including ours,

By innocent Surprise —

The wrestle in her simple Throat

To hold the feeling down

That vanquished her — defeated Feat —

Was Fervor's sudden Crown —

1427. TO EARN IT BY DISDAINING IT

To earn it by disdaining it

Is Fame's consummate Fee —

He loves what spurns him —

Look behind — He is pursuing thee.

So let us gather — every Day —

The Aggregate of

Life's Bouquet

Be Honor and not shame —

1428. WATER MAKES MANY BEDS

Water makes many Beds

For those averse to sleep —

Its awful chamber open stands —

Its Curtains blandly sweep —

Abhorrent is the Rest

In undulating Rooms

Whose Amplitude no end invades —

Whose Axis never comes.

1429. WE SHUN BECAUSE WE PRIZE HER FACE

We shun because we prize her Face

Lest sight's ineffable disgrace

Our Adoration stain

1430. WHO NEVER WANTED — MADDEST JOY

Who never wanted — maddest Joy

Remains to him unknown —

The Banquet of Abstemiousness

Defaces that of Wine —

Within its reach, though yet ungrasped

Desire's perfect Goal —

No nearer — lest the Actual —

Should disentrall thy soul —

1431. WITH PINIONS OF DISDAIN

With Pinions of Disdain

The soul can farther fly

Than any feather specified

in Ornithology —

It wafts this sordid Flesh

Beyond its dull — control

And during its electric gale —

The body is a soul —

instructing by the same —

How little work it be —

To put off filaments like this

for immortality

1432. SPURN THE TEMERITY —

Spurn the temerity —

Rashness of Calvary —

Gay were Gethsemane

Knew we of Thee —

1433. HOW BRITTLE ARE THE PIERS

How brittle are the Piers

On which our Faith doth tread —

No Bridge below doth totter so —

Yet none hath such a Crowd.

It is as old as God —

Indeed — 'twas built by him —

He sent his Son to test the Plank,

And he pronounced it firm.

1434. GO NOT TOO NEAR A HOUSE OF ROSE —

Go not too near a House of Rose —

The depredation of a Breeze —

Or inundation of a Dew

Alarms its walls away —

Nor try to tie the Butterfly,

Nor climb the Bars of Ecstasy,

In insecurity to lie

Is Joy's insuring quality.

1435. NOT THAT HE GOES — WE LOVE HIM MORE

Not that he goes — we love him more

Who led us while he stayed.

Beyond earth's trafficking frontier,

For what he moved, he made.

1436. THAN HEAVEN MORE REMOTE,

Than Heaven more remote,

For Heaven is the root,

But these the flitted seed.

More flown indeed

Than ones that never were,

Or those that hide, and are.

What madness, by their side,

A vision to provide

Of future days

They cannot praise.

My soul, to find them, come,

They cannot call, they're dumb,

Nor prove, nor woo,

But that they have abode

Is absolute as God,

And instant, too.

1437. A DEW SUFFICED ITSELF —

A Dew sufficed itself —

And satisfied a Leaf

And felt "how vast a destiny" —

"How trivial is Life!"

The Sun went out to work —

The Day went out to play

And not again that Dew be seen

By Physiognomy

Whether by Day Abducted

Or emptied by the Sun

Into the Sea in passing

Eternally unknown

Attested to this Day

That awful Tragedy

By Transport's instability

And Doom's celerity.

1438. BEHOLD THIS LITTLE BANE —

Behold this little Bane —

The Boon of all alive —

As common as it is unknown

The name of it is Love —

To lack of it is Woe —

To own of it is Wound —

Not elsewhere — if in Paradise

Its Tantamount be found —

1439. HOW RUTHLESS ARE THE GENTLE —

How ruthless are the gentle —

How cruel are the kind —

God broke his contract to his Lamb

To qualify the Wind —

1440. THE HEALED HEART SHOWS ITS SHALLOW SCAR

The healed Heart shows its shallow scar

With confidential moan —

Not mended by Mortality

Are Fabrics truly torn —

To go its convalescent way

So shameless is to see

More genuine were Perfidy

Than such Fidelity.

1441. THESE FEVERED DAYS — TO TAKE THEM TO THE FOREST

These Fevered Days — to take them to the Forest

Where Waters cool around the mosses crawl —

And shade is all that devastates the stillness

Seems it sometimes this would be all —

1442. TO MEND EACH TATTERED FAITH

To mend each tattered Faith

There is a needle fair

Though no appearance indicate —

'Tis threaded in the Air —

And though it do not wear

As if it never Tore

'Tis very comfortable indeed

And spacious as before —

1443. A CHILLY PEACE INFESTS THE GRASS

A chilly Peace infests the Grass

The Sun respectful lies —

Not any Trance of industry

These shadows scrutinize —

Whose Allies go no more astray

For service or for Glee —

But all mankind deliver here

From whatsoever sea —

1444. A LITTLE SNOW WAS HERE AND THERE

A little Snow was here and there

Disseminated in her Hair —

Since she and I had met and played

Decade had gathered to Decade —

But Time had added not obtained

Impregnable the Rose

For summer too indelible

Too obdurate for Snows —

1445. DEATH IS THE SUPPLE SUITOR

Death is the supple Suitor

That wins at last —

It is a stealthy Wooing

Conducted first

By pallid innuendoes

And dim approach

But brave at last with Bugles

And a bisected Coach

It bears away in triumph

To Troth unknown

And Kindred as responsive

As Porcelain.

1446. HIS MIND LIKE FABRICS OF THE EAST

His Mind like Fabrics of the East

Displayed to the despair

Of everyone but here and there

An humble Purchaser —

For though his price was not of Gold —

More arduous there is —

That one should comprehend the worth

Was all the price there was —

1447. HOW GOOD HIS LAVA BED,

How good his Lava Bed,

To this laborious Boy —

Who must be up to call the World

And dress the sleepy Day —

1448. HOW SOFT A CATERPILLAR STEPS —

How soft a Caterpillar steps —

I find one on my Hand

From such a velvet world it comes

Such plushes at command

Its soundless travels just arrest

My slow — terrestrial eye

Intent upon its own career

What use has it for me —

1449. I THOUGHT THE TRAIN WOULD NEVER COME —

I thought the Train would never come —

How slow the whistle sang —

I don't believe a peevish Bird

So whimpered for the Spring —

I taught my Heart a hundred times

Precisely what to say —

Provoking Lover, when you came

Its Treatise flew away

To hide my strategy too late

To wiser be too soon —

For miseries so halcyon

The happiness atone —

1450. THE ROAD WAS LIT WITH MOON AND STAR —

The Road was lit with Moon and star —

The Trees were bright and still —

Descried I — by the distant Light

A Traveller on a Hill —

To magic Perpendiculars

Ascending, though Terrene —

Unknown his shimmering ultimate —

But he indorsed the sheen —

1451. WHOEVER DISENCHANTS

Whoever disenchants

A single Human soul

By failure of irreverence

Is guilty of the whole.

As guileless as a Bird

As graphic as a star

Till the suggestion sinister

Things are not what they are —

1452. YOUR THOUGHTS DON'T HAVE WORDS EVERY DAY

Your thoughts don't have words every day

They come a single time

Like signal esoteric sips

Of the communion Wine

Which while you taste so native seems

So easy so to be

You cannot comprehend its price

Nor its infrequency

1453. A COUNTERFEIT — A PLATED PERSON —

A Counterfeit — a Plated Person —

I would not be —

Whatever strata of Iniquity

My Nature underlie —

Truth is good Health — and Safety, and the Sky.

How meagre, what an Exile — is a Lie,

And Vocal — when we die —

1454. THOSE NOT LIVE YET

Those not live yet

Who doubt to live again —

"Again" is of a twice

But this — is one —

The Ship beneath the Draw

Aground — is he?

Death — so — the Hyphen of the Sea —

Deep is the Schedule

Of the Disk to be —

Costumeless Consciousness —

That is he —

1455. OPINION IS A FLITTING THING,

Opinion is a flitting thing,

But Truth, outlasts the Sun —

If then we cannot own them both —

Possess the oldest one —

1456. SO GAY A FLOWER

So gay a Flower

Bereaves the Mind

As if it were a Woe —

Is Beauty an Affliction — then?

Tradition ought to know —

1457. IT STOLE ALONG SO STEALTHY

It stole along so stealthy

Suspicion it was done

Was dim as to the wealthy

Beginning not to own —

1458. TIME'S WILY CHARGERS WILL NOT WAIT

Time's wily Chargers will not wait

At any Gate but Woe's —

But there — so gloat to hesitate

They will not stir for blows —

1459. BELSHAZZAR HAD A LETTER —

Belshazzar had a letter, —

He never had but one ;

Belshazzar's correspondent

Concluded and begun

In that immortal copy

The conscience of us all

Can read without its glasses

On revelation's wall.

1460. HIS CHEEK IS HIS BIOGRAPHER —

His Cheek is his Biographer —

As long as he can blush

Perdition is Opprobrium —

Past that, he sins in peace —

1461. "HEAVENLY FATHER" — TAKE TO THEE

"Heavenly Father" — take to thee

The supreme iniquity

Fashioned by thy candid Hand

In a moment contraband —

Though to trust us — seems to us

More respectful — "We are Dust" —

We apologize to thee

For thine own Duplicity —

1462. WE KNEW NOT THAT WE WERE TO LIVE —

We knew not that we were to live —

Nor when — we are to die —

Our ignorance — our cuirass is —

We wear Mortality

As lightly as an Option Gown

Till asked to take it off —

By his intrusion, God is known —

It is the same with Life —

1463. A ROUTE OF EVANESCENCE

A Route of Evanescence

With a revolving Wheel —

A Resonance of Emerald —

A Rush of Cochineal —

And every Blossom on the Bush

Adjusts its tumbled Head —

The mail from Tunis, probably,

An easy Morning's Ride —

1464. ONE THING OF IT WE BORROW

One thing of it we borrow

And promise to return —

The Booty and the Sorrow

Its Sweetness to have known —

One thing of it we covet —

The power to forget —

The Anguish of the Avarice

Defrays the Dross of it —

1465. BEFORE YOU THOUGHT OF SPRING

Before you thought of Spring

Except as a Surmise

You see — God bless his suddenness —

A Fellow in the Skies

Of independent Hues

A little weather worn

Inspiriting habiliments

Of Indigo and Brown —

With specimens of Song

As if for you to choose —

Discretion in the interval

With gay delays he goes

To some superior Tree

Without a single Leaf

And shouts for joy to Nobody

But his seraphic self —

1466. ONE OF THE ONES THAT MIDAS TOUCHED

One of the ones that Midas touched

Who failed to touch us all

Was that confiding Prodigal

The reeling Oriole —

So drunk he disavows it

With badinage divine —

So dazzling we mistake him

For an alighting Mine —

A Pleader — a Dissembler —

An Epicure — a Thief —

Betimes an Oratorio —

An Ecstasy in chief —

The Jesuit of Orchards

He cheats as he enchants

Of an entire Attar

For his decamping wants —

The splendor of a Burmah

The Meteor of Birds,

Departing like a Pageant

Of Ballads and of Bards —

I never thought that Jason sought

For any Golden Fleece

But then I am a rural man

With thoughts that make for Peace —

But if there were a Jason,

Tradition bear with me

Behold his lost Aggrandizement

Upon the Apple Tree —

1467. A LITTLE OVERFLOWING WORD

A little overflowing word

That any, hearing, had inferred

For Ardor or for Tears,

Though Generations pass away,

Traditions ripen and decay,

As eloquent appears —

1468. A WINGED SPARK DOTH SOAR ABOUT —

A winged spark doth soar about —

I never met it near

For Lightning it is oft mistook

When nights are hot and sere —

Its twinkling Travels it pursues

Above the Haunts of men —

A speck of Rapture — first perceived

By feeling it is gone —

Rekindled by some action quaint

1469. IF WRECKED UPON THE SHOAL OF THOUGHT

If wrecked upon the Shoal of Thought

How is it with the Sea?

The only Vessel that is shunned

Is safe — Simplicity —

1470. THE SWEETS OF PILLAGE, CAN BE KNOWN

The Sweets of Pillage, can be known

To no one but the Thief —

Compassion for Integrity

Is his divinest Grief —

1471. THEIR BARRICADE AGAINST THE SKY

Their Barricade against the Sky

The martial Trees withdraw

And with a Flag at every turn

Their Armies are no more.

What Russet Halts in Nature's March

They indicate or cause

An inference of Mexico

Effaces the Surmise —

Recurrent to the After Mind

That Massacre of Air —

The Wound that was not Wound nor Scar

But Holidays of War

1472. TO SEE THE SUMMER SKY

To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie —

True Poems flee —

1473. WE TALKED WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT EACH OTHER

We talked with each other about each other

Though neither of us spoke —

We were listening to the seconds' Races

And the Hoofs of the Clock —

Pausing in Front of our Palsied Faces

Time compassion took —

Arks of Reprieve he offered to us —

Ararats — we took —

1474. ESTRANGED FROM BEAUTY — NONE CAN BE —

Estranged from Beauty — none can be —

For Beauty is Infinity —

And power to be finite ceased

Before Identity was leased.

1475. FAME IS THE ONE THAT DOES NOT STAY —

Fame is the one that does not stay —

Its occupant must die

Or out of sight of estimate

Ascend incessantly —

Or be that most insolvent thing

A Lightning in the Germ —

Electrical the embryo

But we demand the Flame

1476. HIS VOICE DECREPIT WAS WITH JOY —

His voice decrepit was with Joy —

Her words did totter so

How old the News of Love must be

To make Lips elderly

That purled a moment since with Glee —

Is it Delight or Woe —

Or Terror — that do decorate

This livid interview —

1477. HOW DESTITUTE IS HE

How destitute is he

Whose Gold is firm

Who finds it every time

The small stale Sum —

When Love with but a Pence

Will so display

As is a disrespect

To India.

1478. LOOK BACK ON TIME, WITH KINDLY EYES —

Look back on time with kindly eyes,

He doubtless did his best ;

How softly sinks his trembling sun

In human nature's west !

1479. THE DEVIL — HAD HE FIDELITY

The Devil — had he fidelity

Would be the best friend —

Because he has ability —

But Devils cannot mend —

Perfidy is the virtue

That would but he resign

The Devil — without question

Were thoroughly divine

1480. THE FASCINATING CHILL THAT MUSIC LEAVES

The fascinating chill that music leaves

Is Earth's corroboration

Of Ecstasy's impediment —

'Tis Rapture's germination

In timid and tumultuous soil

A fine — estranging creature —

To something upper wooing us

But not to our Creator —

1481. THE WAY HOPE BUILDS HIS HOUSE

The way Hope builds his House

It is not with a sill —

Nor Rafter — has that Edifice

But only Pinnacle —

Abode in as supreme

This superficies

As if it were of Ledges smit

Or mortised with the Laws —

1482. 'TIS WHITER THAN AN INDIAN PIPE —

'Tis whiter than an Indian Pipe —

'Tis dimmer than a Lace —

No stature has it, like a Fog

When you approach the place —

Nor any voice imply it here

Or intimate it there

A spirit — how doth it accost —

What function hath the Air?

This limitless Hyperbole

Each one of us shall be —

'Tis Drama — if Hypothesis

It be not Tragedy —

1483. THE ROBIN IS A GABRIEL

The Robin is a Gabriel

In humble circumstances —

His Dress denotes him socially,

Of Transport's Working Classes —

He has the punctuality

Of the New England Farmer —

The same oblique integrity,

A Vista vastly warmer —

A small but sturdy Residence

A self denying Household,

The Guests of Perspicacity

Are all that cross his Threshold —

As covert as a Fugitive,

Cajoling Consternation

By Ditties to the Enemy

And Sylvan Punctuation —

1484. WE SHALL FIND THE CUBE OF THE RAINBOW.

We shall find the Cube of the Rainbow.

Of that, there is no doubt.

But the Arc of a Lover's conjecture

Eludes the finding out.

1485. LOVE IS DONE WHEN LOVE'S BEGUN,

Love is done when Love's begun,

Sages say,

But have Sages known?

Truth adjourn your Boon

Without Day.

1486. HER SPIRIT ROSE TO SUCH A HEIGHT

Her spirit rose to such a height

Her countenance it did inflate

Like one that fed on awe.

More prudent to assault the dawn

Than merit the ethereal scorn

That effervesced from her.

1487. THE SAVIOR MUST HAVE BEEN

The Savior must have been

A docile Gentleman —

To come so far so cold a Day

For little Fellowmen —

The Road to Bethlehem

Since He and I were Boys

Was leveled, but for that 'twould be

A rugged billion Miles —

1488. BIRTHDAY OF BUT A SINGLE PANG

Birthday of but a single pang

That there are less to come —

Afflictive is the Adjective

But affluent the doom —

1489. A DIMPLE IN THE TOMB

A Dimple in the Tomb

Makes that ferocious Room

A Home —

1490. THE FACE IN EVANESCENCE LAIN

The Face in evanescence lain

Is more distinct than ours —

And ours surrendered for its sake

As Capsules are for Flower's —

Or is it the confiding sheen

Dissenting to enamor us

Of Detriment divine?

1491. THE ROAD TO PARADISE IS PLAIN,

The Road to Paradise is plain,

And holds scarce one.

Not that it is not firm

But we presume

A Dimpled Road

Is more preferred.

The Belles of Paradise are few —

Not me — nor you —

But unsuspected things —

Mines have no Wings.

1492. "AND WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME?" —

"And with what body do they come?" —

Then they do come — Rejoice!

What Door — What Hour — Run — run — My Soul!

Illuminate the House!

"Body!" Then real — a Face and Eyes —

To know that it is them!

Paul knew the Man that knew the News —

He passed through Bethlehem —

1493. COULD THAT SWEET DARKNESS WHERE THEY DWELL

Could that sweet Darkness where they dwell

Be once disclosed to us

The clamor for their loveliness

Would burst the Loneliness —

1494. THE COMPETITIONS OF THE SKY

The competitions of the sky

Corrodeless ply.

1495. THE THRILL CAME SLOWLY LIKE A BOOM FOR

The Thrill came slowly like a Boom for

Centuries delayed

It's fitness growing like the Flood

In sumptuous solitude —

The desolation only missed

While Rapture changed it's Dress

And stood arrayed before the Change

In ravished Holiness —

1496. ALL THAT I DO

All that I do

Is in review

To his enamored mind

I know his eye

Where e'er I ply

Is pushing close behind

Not any Port

Nor any flight

But he doth there preside

What omnipresence lies in wait

For her to be a Bride

1497. FACTS BY OUR SIDE ARE NEVER SUDDEN

Facts by our side are never sudden

Until they look around

And then they scare us like a spectre

Protruding from the Ground —

The height of our portentous Neighbor

We never know —

Till summoned to his recognition

By an Adieu —

Adieu for whence

The sage cannot conjecture

The bravest die

As ignorant of their resumption

As you or I —

1498. GLASS WAS THE STREET — IN TINSEL PERIL

Glass was the Street — in tinsel Peril

Tree and Traveller stood —

Filled was the Air with merry venture

Hearty with Boys the Road —

Shot the lithe Sleds like shod vibrations

Emphasized and gone

It is the Past's supreme italic

Makes this Present mean —

1499. HOW FIRM ETERNITY MUST LOOK

How firm Eternity must look

To crumbling men like me

The only Adamant Estate

In all Identity —

How mighty to the insecure

Thy Physiognomy

To whom not any Face cohere —

Unless concealed in thee

1500. IT CAME HIS TURN TO BEG —

It came his turn to beg —

The begging for the life

Is different from another Alms

'Tis Penury in Chief —

I scanned his narrow realm

I gave him leave to live

Lest Gratitude revive the snake

Though smuggled his reprieve

1501. ITS LITTLE ETHER HOOD

Its little Ether Hood

Doth sit upon its Head —

The millinery supple

Of the sagacious God —

Till when it slip away

A nothing at a time —

And Dandelion's Drama

Expires in a stem.

1502. I SAW THE WIND WITHIN HER

I saw the wind within her

I knew it blew for me —

But she must buy my shelter

I asked Humility

1503. MORE THAN THE GRAVE IS CLOSED TO ME —

More than the Grave is closed to me —

The Grave and that Eternity

To which the Grave adheres —

I cling to nowhere till I fall —

The Crash of nothing, yet of all —

How similar appears —

1504. OF WHOM SO DEAR

Of whom so dear

The name to hear

Illumines with a Glow

As intimate — as fugitive

As Sunset on the snow —

1505. SHE COULD NOT LIVE UPON THE PAST

She could not live upon the Past

The Present did not know her

And so she sought this sweet at last

And nature gently owned her

The mother that has not a knell

for either Duke or Robin

1506. SUMMER IS SHORTER THAN ANY ONE —

Summer is shorter than any one —

Life is shorter than Summer —

Seventy Years is spent as quick

As an only Dollar —

Sorrow — now — is polite — and stays —

See how well we spurn him —

Equally to abhor Delight —

Equally retain him —

1507. THE PILE OF YEARS IS NOT SO HIGH

The Pile of Years is not so high

As when you came before

But it is rising every Day

From recollection's Floor

And while by standing on my Heart

I still can reach the top

Efface the mountain with your face

And catch me ere I drop

1508. YOU CANNOT MAKE REMEMBRANCE GROW

You cannot make Remembrance grow

When it has lost its Root —

The tightening the Soil around

And setting it upright

Deceives perhaps the Universe

But not retrieves the Plant —

Real Memory, like Cedar Feet

Is shod with Adamant —

Nor can you cut Remembrance down

When it shall once have grown —

Its Iron Buds will sprout anew

However overthrown —

1509. MINE ENEMY IS GROWING OLD —

Mine Enemy is growing old —

I have at last Revenge —

The Palate of the Hate departs —

If any would avenge

Let him be quick — the Viand flits —

It is a faded Meat —

Anger as soon as fed is dead —

'Tis starving makes it fat —

1510. HOW HAPPY IS THE LITTLE STONE

How happy is the little Stone

That rambles in the Road alone,

And doesn't care about Careers

And Exigencies never fears —

Whose Coat of elemental Brown

A passing Universe put on,

And independent as the Sun

Associates or glows alone,

Fulfilling absolute Decree

In casual simplicity —

1511. MY COUNTRY NEED NOT CHANGE HER GOWN,

My country need not change her gown,

Her triple suit as sweet

As when 'twas cut at Lexington,

And first pronounced "a fit."

Great Britain disapproves, "the stars";

Disparagement discreet, —

There's something in their attitude

That taunts her bayonet.

1512. ALL THINGS SWEPT SOLE AWAY

All things swept sole away

This — is immensity —

1513. "GO TRAVELLING WITH US!"

"Go travelling with us!"

Her travels daily be

By routes of ecstasy

To Evening's Sea —

1514. AN ANTIQUATED TREE

An Antiquated Tree

Is cherished of the Crow

Because that Junior Foliage is disrespectful now

To venerable Birds

Whose Corporation Coat

Would decorate Oblivion's

Remotest Consulate.

1515. THE THINGS THAT NEVER CAN COME BACK, ARE SEVERAL —

The Things that never can come back, are several —

Childhood — some forms of Hope — the Dead —

Though Joys — like Men — may sometimes make a Journey —

And still abide —

We do not mourn for Traveler, or Sailor,

Their Routes are fair —

But think enlarged of all that they will tell us

Returning here —

"Here!" There are typic "Heres" —

Foretold Locations —

The Spirit does not stand —

Himself — at whatsoever Fathom

His Native Land —

1516. NO AUTUMN'S INTERCEPTING CHILL

No Autumn's intercepting Chill

Appalls this Tropic Breast —

But African Exuberance

And Asiatic rest.

1517. HOW MUCH OF SOURCE ESCAPES WITH THEE —

How much of Source escapes with thee —

How chief thy sessions be —

For thou hast borne a universe

Entirely away.

1518. NOT SEEING, STILL WE KNOW —

Not seeing, still we know —

Not knowing, guess —

Not guessing, smile and hide

And half caress —

And quake — and turn away,

Seraphic fear —

Is Eden's innuendo

"If you dare"?

1519. THE DANDELION'S PALLID TUBE

The Dandelion's pallid tube

Astonishes the Grass,

And Winter instantly becomes

An infinite Alas —

The tube uplifts a signal Bud

And then a shouting Flower, —

The Proclamation of the Suns

That sepulture is o'er.

1520. THE STEM OF A DEPARTED FLOWER

The stem of a departed Flower

Has still a silent rank.

The Bearer from an Emerald Court

Of a Despatch of Pink.

1521. THE BUTTERFLY UPON THE SKY,

The Butterfly upon the Sky,

That doesn't know its Name

And hasn't any tax to pay

And hasn't any Home

Is just as high as you and I,

And higher, I believe,

So soar away and never sigh

And that's the way to grieve —

1522. HIS LITTLE HEARSE LIKE FIGURE

His little Hearse like Figure

Unto itself a Dirge

To a delusive Lilac

The vanity divulge

Of Industry and Morals

And every righteous thing

For the divine Perdition

Of Idleness and Spring —

1523. WE NEVER KNOW WE GO WHEN WE ARE GOING —

We never know we go when we are going —

We jest and shut the Door —

Fate — following — behind us bolts it —

And we accost no more —

1524. A FADED BOY — IN SALLOW CLOTHES

A faded Boy — in sallow Clothes

Who drove a lonesome Cow

To pastures of Oblivion —

A statesman's Embryo —

The Boys that whistled are extinct —

The Cows that fed and thanked

Remanded to a Ballad's Barn

Or Clover's Retrospect —

1525. HE LIVED THE LIFE OF AMBUSH

He lived the Life of Ambush

And went the way of Dusk

And now against his subtle name

There stands an Asterisk

As confident of him as we —

Impregnable we are —

The whole of Immortality intrenched

Within a star —

1526. HIS ORIENTAL HERESIES

His oriental heresies

Exhilarate the Bee,

And filling all the Earth and Air

With gay apostasy

Fatigued at last, a Clover plain

Allures his jaded eye

That lowly Breast where Butterflies

Have felt it meet to die —

1527. OH GIVE IT MOTION — DECK IT SWEET

Oh give it Motion — deck it sweet

With Artery and Vein —

Upon its fastened Lips lay words —

Affiance it again

To that Pink stranger we call Dust —

Acquainted more with that

Than with this horizontal one

That will not lift its Hat —

1528. THE MOON UPON HER FLUENT ROUTE

The Moon upon her fluent Route

Defiant of a Road —

The Star's Etruscan Argument

Substantiate a God —

If Aims impel these Astral Ones

The ones allowed to know

Know that which makes them as forgot

As Dawn forgets them — now —

1529. 'TIS SEASONS SINCE THE DIMPLED WAR

'Tis Seasons since the Dimpled War

In which we each were Conqueror

And each of us were slain

And Centuries 'twill be and more

Another Massacre before

So modest and so vain —

Without a Formula we fought

Each was to each the Pink Redoubt —

1530. A PANG IS MORE CONSPICUOUS IN SPRING

A Pang is more conspicuous in Spring

In contrast with the things that sing

Not Birds entirely — but Minds —

Minute Effulgencies and Winds —

When what they sung for is undone

Who cares about a Blue Bird's Tune —

Why, Resurrection had to wait

Till they had moved a Stone —

1531. ABOVE OBLIVION'S TIDE THERE IS A PIER

Above Oblivion's Tide there is a Pier

And an effaceless "Few" are lifted there —

Nay — lift themselves — Fame has no Arms —

And but one smile — that meagres Balms —

1532. FROM ALL THE JAILS THE BOYS AND GIRLS

From all the Jails the Boys and Girls

Ecstatically leap —

Beloved only Afternoon

That Prison doesn't keep

They storm the Earth and stun the Air,

A Mob of solid Bliss —

Alas — that Frowns should lie in wait

For such a Foe as this —

1533. ON THAT SPECIFIC PILLOW

On that specific Pillow

Our projects flit away —

The Night's tremendous Morrow

And whether sleep will stay

Or usher us — a stranger —

To situations new

The effort to comprise it

Is all the soul can do.

1534. SOCIETY FOR ME MY MISERY

Society for me my misery

Since Gift of Thee —

1535. THE LIFE THAT TIED TOO TIGHT ESCAPES

The Life that tied too tight escapes

Will ever after run

With a prudential look behind

And spectres of the Rein —

The Horse that scents the living Grass

And sees the Pastures smile

Will be retaken with a shot

If he is caught at all —

1536. THERE COMES A WARNING LIKE A SPY

There comes a warning like a spy

A shorter breath of Day

A stealing that is not a stealth

And Summers are away —

1537. CANDOR — MY TEPID FRIEND —

Candor — my tepid friend —

Come not to play with me —

The Myrrhs, and Mochas, of the Mind

Are its iniquity —

1538. FOLLOW WISE ORION

Follow wise Orion

Till you waste your Eye —

Dazzlingly decamping

He is just as high —

1539. NOW I LAY THEE DOWN TO SLEEP —

Now I lay thee down to Sleep —

I pray the Lord thy Dust to keep —

And if thou live before thou wake —

I pray the Lord thy Soul to make —

1540. AS IMPERCEPTIBLY AS GRIEF

As imperceptibly as Grief

The Summer lapsed away —

Too imperceptible at last

To seem like Perfidy —

A Quietness distilled

As Twilight long begun,

Or Nature spending with herself

Sequestered Afternoon —

The Dusk drew earlier in —

The Morning foreign shone —

A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,

As Guest, that would be gone —

And thus, without a Wing

Or service of a Keel

Our Summer made her light escape

Into the Beautiful.

1541. NO MATTER WHERE THE SAINTS ABIDE,

No matter where the Saints abide,

They make their Circuit fair

Behold how great a Firmament

Accompanies a Star.

1542. COME SHOW THY DURHAM BREAST

Come show thy Durham Breast

To her who loves thee best,

Delicious Robin —

And if it be not me

At least within my Tree

Do the avowing —

Thy Nuptial so minute

Perhaps is more astute

Than vaster suing —

For so to soar away

Is our propensity

The Day ensuing —

1543. OBTAINING BUT OUR OWN EXTENT

Obtaining but our own Extent

In whatsoever Realm —

'Twas Christ's own personal Expanse

That bore him from the Tomb —

1544. WHO HAS NOT FOUND THE HEAVEN — BELOW —

Who has not found the Heaven — below —

Will fail of it above —

For Angels rent the House next ours,

Wherever we remove —

1545. THE BIBLE IS AN ANTIQUE VOLUME —

The Bible is an antique Volume —

Written by faded men

At the suggestion of Holy Spectres —

Subjects — Bethlehem —

Eden — the ancient Homestead —

Satan — the Brigadier —

Judas — the Great Defaulter —

David — the Troubador —

Sin — a distinguished Precipice

Others must resist —

Boys that "believe" are very lonesome —

Other Boys are "lost" —

Had but the Tale a warbling Teller —

All the Boys would come —

Orpheus' Sermon captivated —

It did not condemn —

1546. SWEET PIRATE OF THE HEART,

Sweet Pirate of the heart,

Not Pirate of the Sea,

What wrecketh thee?

Some spice's Mutiny —

Some Attar's perfidy?

Confide in me.

1547. HOPE IS A SUBTLE GLUTTON —

Hope is a subtle Glutton —

He feeds upon the Fair —

And yet — inspected closely

What Abstinence is there —

His is the Halcyon Table —

That never seats but One —

And whatsoever is consumed

The same amount remain —

1548. MEETING BY ACCIDENT,

Meeting by Accident,

We hovered by design —

As often as a Century

An error so divine

Is ratified by Destiny,

But Destiny is old

And economical of Bliss

As Midas is of Gold —

1549. MY WARS ARE LAID AWAY IN BOOKS —

My Wars are laid away in Books —

I have one Battle more —

A Foe whom I have never seen

But oft has scanned me o'er —

And hesitated me between

And others at my side,

But chose the best — Neglecting me — till

All the rest, have died —

How sweet if I am not forgot

By Chums that passed away —

Since Playmates at threescore and ten

Are such a scarcity —

1550. THE PATTERN OF THE SUN

The pattern of the sun

Can fit but him alone

For sheen must have a Disk

To be a sun —

1551. THOSE — DYING THEN,

Those — dying then,

Knew where they went —

They went to God's Right Hand —

That Hand is amputated now

And God cannot be found —

The abdication of Belief

Makes the Behavior small —

Better an ignis fatuus

Than no illume at all —

1552. WITHIN THY GRAVE!

Within thy Grave!

Oh no, but on some other flight —

Thou only camest to mankind

To rend it with Good night —

1553. BLISS IS THE PLAYTHING OF THE CHILD —

Bliss is the plaything of the child —

The secret of the man

The sacred stealth of Boy and Girl

Rebuke it if we can

1554. "GO TELL IT" — WHAT A MESSAGE —

"Go tell it" — What a Message —

To whom — is specified —

Not murmur — not endearment —

But simply — we — obeyed —

Obeyed — a Lure — a Longing?

Oh Nature — none of this —

To Law — said sweet Thermopylae

I give my dying Kiss —

1555. I GROPED FOR HIM BEFORE I KNEW

I groped for him before I knew

With solemn nameless need

All other bounty sudden chaff

For this foreshadowed Food

Which others taste and spurn and sneer —

Though I within suppose

That consecrated it could be

The only Food that grows

1556. IMAGE OF LIGHT, ADIEU —

Image of Light, Adieu —

Thanks for the interview —

So long — so short —

Preceptor of the whole —

Coeval Cardinal —

Impart — Depart —

1557. LIVES HE IN ANY OTHER WORLD

Lives he in any other world

My faith cannot reply

Before it was imperative

'Twas all distinct to me —

1558. OF DEATH I TRY TO THINK LIKE THIS —

Of Death I try to think like this —

The Well in which they lay us

Is but the Likeness of the Brook

That menaced not to slay us,

But to invite by that Dismay

Which is the Zest of sweetness

To the same Flower Hesperian,

Decoying but to greet us —

I do remember when a Child

With bolder Playmates straying

To where a Brook that seemed a Sea

Withheld us by its roaring

From just the Purple Flower beyond

Until constrained to clutch it

If Doom itself were the result,

The boldest leaped, and clutched it —

1559. TRIED ALWAYS AND CONDEMNED BY THEE

Tried always and Condemned by thee

Permit me this reprieve

That dying I may earn the look

For which I cease to live —

1560. TO BE FORGOT BY THEE

To be forgot by thee

Surpasses Memory

Of other minds

The Heart cannot forget

Unless it contemplate

What it declines

I was regarded then

Raised from oblivion

A single time

To be remembered what —

Worthy to be forgot

Is my renown

1561. NO BRIGADIER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

No Brigadier throughout the Year

So civic as the Jay —

A Neighbor and a Warrior too

With shrill felicity

Pursuing Winds that censure us

A February Day,

The Brother of the Universe

Was never blown away —

The Snow and he are intimate —

I've often seem them play

When Heaven looked upon us all

With such severity

I felt apology were due

To an insulted sky

Whose pompous frown was Nutriment

To their Temerity —

The Pillow of this daring Head

Is pungent Evergreens —

His Larder — terse and Militant —

Unknown — refreshing things —

His Character — a Tonic —

His future — a Dispute —

Unfair an Immortality

That leaves this Neighbor out —

1562. HER LOSSES MAKE OUR GAINS ASHAMED —

Her Losses make our Gains ashamed —

She bore Life's empty Pack

As gallantly as if the East

Were swinging at her Back.

Life's empty Pack is heaviest,

As every Porter knows —

In vain to punish Honey —

It only sweeter grows.

1563. BY HOMELY GIFT AND HINDERED WORDS

By homely gift and hindered Words

The human heart is told

Of Nothing —

"Nothing" is the force

That renovates the World —

1564. PASS TO THEY RENDEZVOUS OF LIGHT,

Pass to thy Rendezvous of Light,

Pangless except for us —

Who slowly for the Mystery

Which thou hast leaped across!

1565. SOME ARROWS SLAY BUT WHOM THEY STRIKE —

Some Arrows slay but whom they strike —

But this slew all but him —

Who so appareled his Escape —

Too trackless for a Tomb —

1566. CLIMBING TO REACH THE COSTLY HEARTS

Climbing to reach the costly Hearts

To which he gave the worth,

He broke them, fearing punishment

He ran away from Earth —

1567. THE HEART HAS MANY DOORS —

The Heart has many Doors —

I can but knock —

For any sweet "Come in"

Impelled to hark —

Not saddened by repulse,

Repast to me

That somewhere, there exists,

Supremacy —

1568. TO SEE HER IS A PICTURE —

To see her is a Picture —

To hear her is a Tune —

To know her an Intemperance

As innocent as June —

To know her not — Affliction —

To own her for a Friend

A warmth as near as if the Sun

Were shining in your Hand.

1569. THE CLOCK STRIKES ONE THAT JUST STRUCK TWO —

The Clock strikes one that just struck two —

Some schism in the Sum —

A Vagabond for Genesis

Has wrecked the Pendulum —

1570. FOREVER HONORED BY THE TREE

Forever honored by the Tree

Whose Apple Winterworn

Enticed to Breakfast from the Sky

Two Gabriels Yestermorn.

They registered in Nature's Book

As Robins — Sire and Son —

But Angels have that modest way

To screen them from Renown.

1571. HOW SLOW THE WIND —

How slow the Wind —

how slow the sea —

how late their Feathers be!

1572. WE WEAR OUR SOBER DRESSES WHEN WE DIE,

We wear our sober Dresses when we die,

But Summer, frilled as for a Holiday

Adjourns her sigh —

1573. TO THE BRIGHT EAST SHE FLIES,

To the bright east she flies,

Brothers of Paradise

Remit her home,

Without a change of wings,

Or Love's convenient things,

Enticed to come.

Fashioning what she is,

Fathoming what she was,

We deem we dream —

And that dissolves the days

Through which existence strays

Homeless at home.

1574. NO LADDER NEEDS THE BIRD BUT SKIES

No ladder needs the bird but skies

To situate its wings,

Nor any leader's grim baton

Arraigns it as it sings.

The implements of bliss are few —

As Jesus says of Him,

"Come unto me" the moiety

That wafts the cherubim.

1575. THE BAT IS DUN, WITH WRINKLED WINGS —

The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings —

Like fallow Article —

And not a song pervade his Lips —

Or none perceptible.

His small Umbrella quaintly halved

Describing in the Air

An Arc alike inscrutable

Elate Philosopher.

Deputed from what Firmament —

Of what Astute Abode —

Empowered with what Malignity

Auspiciously withheld —

To his adroit Creator

Acribe no less the praise —

Beneficent, believe me,

His Eccentricities —

1576. THE SPIRIT LASTS — BUT IN WHAT MODE —

The Spirit lasts — but in what mode —

Below, the Body speaks,

But as the Spirit furnishes —

Apart, it never talks —

The Music in the Violin

Does not emerge alone

But Arm in Arm with Touch, yet Touch

Alone — is not a Tune —

The Spirit lurks within the Flesh

Like Tides within the Sea

That make the Water live, estranged

What would the Either be?

Does that know — now — or does it cease —

That which to this is done,

Resuming at a mutual date

With every future one?

Instinct pursues the Adamant,

Exacting this Reply —

Adversity if it may be, or

Wild Prosperity,

The Rumor's Gate was shut so tight

Before my Mind was sown,

Not even a Prognostic's Push

Could make a Dent thereon —

1577. MORNING IS DUE TO ALL —

Morning is due to all —

To some — the Night —

To an imperial few —

The Auroral light.

1578. BLOSSOMS WILL RUN AWAY,

Blossoms will run away,

Cakes reign but a Day,

But Memory like Melody

Is pink Eternally.

1579. IT WOULD NOT KNOW IF IT WERE SPURNED,

It would not know if it were spurned,

This gallant little flower —

How therefore safe to be a flower

If one would tamper there.

To enter, it would not aspire —

But may it not despair

That it is not a Cavalier,

To dare and perish there?

1580. WE SHUN IT ERE IT COMES,

We shun it ere it comes,

Afraid of Joy,

Then sue it to delay

And lest it fly,

Beguile it more and more —

May not this be

Old Suitor Heaven,

Like our dismay at thee?

1581. THE FARTHEST THUNDER THAT I HEARD

The farthest Thunder that I heard

Was nearer than the Sky

And rumbles still, though torrid Noons

Have lain their missiles by —

The Lightning that preceded it

Struck no one but myself —

But I would not exchange the Bolt

For all the rest of Life —

Indebtedness to Oxygen

The Happy may repay,

But not the obligation

To Electricity —

It founds the Homes and decks the Days

And every clamor bright

Is but the gleam concomitant

Of that waylaying Light —

The Thought is quiet as a Flake —

A Crash without a Sound,

How Life's reverberation

Its Explanation found —

1582. WHERE ROSES WOULD NOT DARE TO GO,

Where Roses would not dare to go,

What Heart would risk the way —

And so I send my Crimson Scouts

To sound the Enemy —

1583. WITCHCRAFT WAS HUNG, IN HISTORY,

Witchcraft was hung, in History,

But History and I

Find all the Witchcraft that we need

Around us, every Day —

1584. EXPANSE CANNOT BE LOST —

Expanse cannot be lost —

Not Joy, but a Decree

Is Deity —

His Scene, Infinity —

Whose rumor's Gate was shut so tight

Before my Beam was sown,

Not even a Prognostic's push

Could make a Dent thereon —

The World that thou hast opened

Shuts for thee,

But not alone,

We all have followed thee —

Escape more slowly

To thy Tracts of Sheen —

The Tent is listening,

But the Troops are gone!

1585. THE BIRD HER PUNCTUAL MUSIC BRINGS

The Bird her punctual music brings

And lays it in its place —

Its place is in the Human Heart

And in the Heavenly Grace —

What respite from her thrilling toil

Did Beauty ever take —

But Work might be electric Rest

To those that Magic make —

1586. TO HER DERIDED HOME

To her derided Home

A Weed of Summer came —

She did not know her station low

Nor Ignominy's Name —

Bestowed a summer long

Upon a frameless flower —

Then swept as lightly from disdain

As Lady from her Bower —

Of Bliss the Codes are few —

As Jesus cites of Him —

"Come unto me" the moiety

That wafts the Seraphim —

1587. HE ATE AND DRANK THE PRECIOUS WORDS —

He ate and drank the precious Words —

His Spirit grew robust —

He knew no more that he was poor,

Nor that his frame was Dust —

He danced along the dingy Days

And this Bequest of Wings

Was but a Book — What Liberty

A loosened spirit brings —

1588. THIS ME — THAT WALKS AND WORKS — MUST DIE,

This Me — that walks and works — must die,

Some fair or stormy Day,

Adversity if it may be

Or wild prosperity

The Rumor's Gate was shut so tight

Before my mind was born

Not even a Prognostic's push

Can make a Dent thereon —

1589. COSMOPOLITIES WITHOUT A PLEA

Cosmopolites without a plea

Alight in every Land

The compliments of Paradise

From those within my Hand

Their dappled Journey to themselves

A compensation fair

Knock and it shall be opened

Is their Theology

1590. NOT AT HOME TO CALLERS

Not at Home to Callers

Says the Naked Tree —

Bonnet due in April —

Wishing you Good Day —

1591. THE BOBOLINK IS GONE —

The Bobolink is gone —

The Rowdy of the Meadow —

And no one swaggers now but me —

The Presbyterian Birds

Can now resume the Meeting

He boldly interrupted that overflowing Day

When supplicating mercy

In a portentous way

He swung upon the Decalogue

And shouted let us pray —

1592. THE LASSITUDES OF CONTEMPLATION

The Lassitudes of Contemplation

Beget a force

They are the spirit's still vacation

That him refresh —

The Dreams consolidate in action —

What mettle fair

1593. THERE CAME A WIND LIKE A BUGLE —

There came a Wind like a Bugle —

It quivered through the Grass

And a Green Chill upon the Heat

So ominous did pass

We barred the Windows and the Doors

As from an Emerald Ghost —

The Doom's electric Moccasin

That very instant passed —

On a strange Mob of panting Trees

And Fences fled away

And Rivers where the Houses ran

Those looked that lived — that Day —

The Bell within the steeple wild

The flying tidings told —

How much can come

And much can go,

And yet abide the World!

1594. IMMURED IN HEAVEN!

Immured in Heaven!

What a Cell!

Let every Bondage be,

Thou sweetest of the Universe,

Like that which ravished thee!

1595. DECLAIMING WATERS NONE MAY DREAD —

Declaiming Waters none may dread —

But Waters that are still

Are so for that most fatal cause

In Nature — they are full —

1596. FEW, YET ENOUGH,

Few, yet enough,

Enough is One —

To that ethereal throng

Have not each one of us the right

To stealthily belong?

1597. 'TIS NOT THE SWAYING FRAME WE MISS,

'Tis not the swaying frame we miss,

It is the steadfast Heart,

That had it beat a thousand years,

With Love alone had bent,

Its fervor the electric Oar,

That bore it through the Tomb,

Ourselves, denied the privilege,

Consolelessly presume —

1598. WHO IS IT SEEKS MY PILLOW NIGHTS —

Who is it seeks my Pillow Nights —

With plain inspecting face —

"Did you" or "Did you not," to ask —

'Tis "Conscience" — Childhood's Nurse —

With Martial Hand she strokes the Hair

Upon my wincing Head —

"All" Rogues "shall have their part in" what —

The Phosphorous of God —

1599. THOUGH THE GREAT WATERS SLEEP,

Though the great Waters sleep,

That they are still the Deep,

We cannot doubt —

No vacillating God

Ignited this Abode

To put it out —

1600. UPON HIS SADDLE SPRUNG A BIRD

Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird

And crossed a thousand Trees

Before a Fence without a Fare

His Fantasy did please

And then he lifted up his Throat

And squandered such a Note

A Universe that overheard

Is stricken by it yet —

1601. OF GOD WE ASK ONE FAVOR,

Of God we ask one favor,

That we may be forgiven —

For what, he is presumed to know —

The Crime, from us, is hidden —

Immured the whole of Life

Within a magic Prison

We reprimand the Happiness

That too competes with Heaven.

1602. PURSUING YOU IN YOUR TRANSITIONS,

Pursuing you in your transitions,

In other Motes —

Of other Myths

Your requisition be.

The Prism never held the Hues,

It only heard them play —

1603. THE GOING FROM A WORLD WE KNOW

The going from a world we know

To one a wonder still

Is like the child's adversity

Whose vista is a hill,

Behind the hill is sorcery

And everything unknown,

But will the secret compensate

For climbing it alone?

1604. WE SEND THE WAVE TO FIND THE WAVE —

We send the Wave to find the Wave —

An Errand so divine,

The Messenger enamored too,

Forgetting to return,

We make the wise distinction still,

Soever made in vain,

The sagest time to dam the sea is when the sea is gone —

1605. EACH THAT WE LOSE TAKES PART OF US

EACH that we lose takes part of us;

A crescent still abides,

Which like the moon, some turbid night,

Is summoned by the tides.

1606. QUITE EMPTY, QUITE AT REST,

Quite empty, quite at rest,

The Robin locks her Nest, and tries her Wings.

She does not know a Route

But puts her Craft about

For rumored Springs —

She does not ask for Noon —

She does not ask for Boon,

Crumbless and homeless, of but one request —

The Birds she lost —

1607. WITHIN THAT LITTLE HIVE

Within that little Hive

Such Hints of Honey lay

As made Reality a Dream

And Dreams, Reality —

1608. THE ECSTASY TO GUESS

The ecstasy to guess

Were a receipted bliss

If grace could talk.

1609. SUNSET THAT SCREENS, REVEALS —

Sunset that screens, reveals —

Enhancing what we see

By menaces of Amethyst

And Moats of Mystery.

1610. MORNING THAT COMES BUT ONCE,

Morning that comes but once,

Considers coming twice —

Two Dawns upon a single Morn,

Make Life a sudden price.

1611. THEIR DAPPLED IMPORTUNITY

Their dappled importunity

Disparage or dismiss —

The Obloquies of Etiquette

Are obsolete to Bliss —

1612. THE AUCTIONEER OF PARTING

The Auctioneer of Parting

His "Going, going, gone"

Shouts even from the Crucifix,

And brings his Hammer down —

He only sells the Wilderness,

The prices of Despair

Range from a single human Heart

To Two — not any more —

1613. NOT SICKNESS STAINS THE BRAVE,

Not Sickness stains the Brave,

Nor any Dart,

Nor Doubt of Scene to come,

But an adjourning Heart —

1614. PARTING WITH THEE RELUCTANTLY,

Parting with Thee reluctantly,

That we have never met,

A Heart sometimes a Foreigner,

Remembers it forgot —

1615. OH WHAT A GRACE IS THIS,

Oh what a Grace is this,

What Majesties of Peace,

That having breathed

The fine — ensuing Right

Without Diminuet Proceed!

1616. WHO ABDICATED AMBUSH

Who abdicated Ambush

And went the way of Dusk,

And now against his subtle Name

There stands an Asterisk

As confident of him as we —

Impregnable we are —

The whole of Immortality

Secreted in a Star.

1617. TO TRY TO SPEAK, AND MISS THE WAY

To try to speak, and miss the way

And ask it of the Tears,

Is Gratitude's sweet poverty,

The Tatters that he wears —

A better Coat if he possessed

Would help him to conceal,

Not subjugate, the Mutineer

Whose title is "the Soul."

1618. THERE ARE TWO MAYS

There are two Mays

And then a Must

And after that a Shall.

How infinite the compromise

That indicates I will!

1619. NOT KNOWING WHEN THE DAWN WILL COME,

Not knowing when the Dawn will come,

I open every Door,

Or has it Feathers, like a Bird,

Or Billows, like a Shore —

1620. CIRCUMFERENCE THOU BRIDE OF AWE

Circumference thou Bride of Awe

Possessing thou shalt be

Possessed by every hallowed Knight

That dares to covet thee

1621. A FLOWER WILL NOT TROUBLE HER, IT HAS SO SMALL A FOOT,

A Flower will not trouble her, it has so small a Foot,

And yet if you compare the Lasts,

Hers is the smallest Boot —

1622. A SLOOP OF AMBER SLIPS AWAY

A Sloop of Amber slips away

Upon an Ether Sea,

And wrecks in Peace a Purple Tar,

The Son of Ecstasy —

1623. A WORLD MADE PENNILESS BY THAT DEPARTURE

A World made penniless by that departure

Of minor fabrics begs

But sustenance is of the spirit

The Gods but Dregs

1624. APPARENTLY WITH NO SURPRISE

Apparently with no surprise

To any happy Flower

The Frost beheads it at its play —

In accidental power —

The blonde Assassin passes on —

The Sun proceeds unmoved

To measure off another Day

For an Approving God.

1625. BACK FROM THE CORDIAL GRAVE I DRAG THEE

Back from the cordial Grave I drag thee

He shall not take thy Hand

Nor put his spacious arm around thee

That none can understand

1626. NO LIFE CAN POMPLESS PASS AWAY —

No Life can pompless pass away —

The lowliest career

To the same Pageant wends its way

As that exalted here —

How cordial is the mystery!

The hospitable Pall

A "this way" beckons spaciously —

A Miracle for all!

1627. THE PEDIGREE OF HONEY

The pedigree of honey

Does not concern the bee ;

A clover, any time, to him

Is aristocracy.

1628. A DRUNKARD CANNOT MEET A CORK

A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork

Without a Revery —

And so encountering a Fly

This January Day

Jamaicas of Remembrance stir

That send me reeling in —

The moderate drinker of Delight

Does not deserve the spring —

Of juleps, part are in the Jug

And more are in the joy —

Your connoisseur in Liquours

Consults the Bumble Bee —

1629. ARROWS ENAMORED OF HIS HEART —

Arrows enamored of his Heart —

Forgot to rankle there

And Venoms he mistook for Balms

disdained to rankle there —

1630. AS FROM THE EARTH THE LIGHT BALLOON

As from the earth the light Balloon

Asks nothing but release —

Ascension that for which it was,

Its soaring Residence.

The spirit looks upon the Dust

That fastened it so long

With indignation,

As a Bird

Defrauded of its song.

1631. OH FUTURE! THOU SECRETED PEACE

Oh Future! thou secreted peace

Or subterranean woe —

Is there no wandering route of grace

That leads away from thee —

No circuit sage of all the course

Descried by cunning Men

To balk thee of thy sacred Prey —

Advancing to thy Den —

1632. SO GIVE ME BACK TO DEATH —

So give me back to Death —

The Death I never feared

Except that it deprived of thee —

And now, by Life deprived,

In my own Grave I breathe

And estimate its size —

Its size is all that Hell can guess —

And all that Heaven was —

1633. STILL OWN THEE — STILL THOU ART

Still own thee — still thou art

What surgeons call alive —

Though slipping — slipping I perceive

To thy reportless Grave —

Which question shall I clutch —

What answer wrest from thee

Before thou dost exude away

In the recallless sea?

1634. TALK NOT TO ME OF SUMMER TREES

Talk not to me of Summer Trees

The foliage of the mind

A Tabernacle is for Birds

Of no corporeal kind

And winds do go that way at noon

To their Ethereal Homes

Whose Bugles call the least of us

To undepicted Realms

1635. THE JAY HIS CASTANET HAS STRUCK

The Jay his Castanet has struck

Put on your muff for Winter

The Tippet that ignores his voice

Is impudent to nature

Of Swarthy Days he is the close

His Lotus is a chestnut

The Cricket drops a sable line

No more from yours at present

1636. THE SUN IN REIGNING TO THE WEST

The Sun in reigning to the West

Makes not as much of sound

As Cart of man in road below

Adroitly turning round

That Whiffletree of Amethyst

1637. IS IT TOO LATE TO TOUCH YOU, DEAR?

Is it too late to touch you, Dear?

We this moment knew —

Love Marine and Love terrene —

Love celestial too —

1638. GO THY GREAT WAY!

Go thy great way!

The Stars thou meetst

Are even as Thyself —

For what are Stars but Asterisks

To point a human Life?

1639. A LETTER IS A JOY OF EARTH —

A Letter is a joy of Earth —

It is denied the Gods —

1640. TAKE ALL AWAY FROM ME, BUT LEAVE ME ECSTASY,

Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy,

And I am richer then than all my Fellow Men —

Ill it becometh me to dwell so wealthily

When at my very Door are those possessing more,

In abject poverty —

1641. BETROTHED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS MIGHT BE

Betrothed to Righteousness might be

An Ecstasy discreet

But Nature relishes the Pinks

Which she was taught to eat —

1642. "RED SEA," INDEED! TALK NOT TO ME

"Red Sea," indeed! Talk not to me

Of purple Pharaoh —

I have a Navy in the West

Would pierce his Columns thro' —

Guileless, yet of such Glory fine

That all along the Line

Is it, or is it not, divine —

The Eye inquires with a sigh

That Earth sh'd be so big —

What Exultation in the Woe —

What Wine in the fatigue!

1643. EXTOL THEE — COULD I? THEN I WILL

Extol thee — could I? Then I will

By saying nothing new —

But just the truest truth

That thou art heavenly.

Perceiving thee is evidence

That we are of the sky

Partaking thee a guaranty

Of immortality

1644. SOME ONE PREPARED THIS MIGHTY SHOW

Some one prepared this mighty show

To which without a Ticket go

The nations and the Days —

Displayed before the simplest Door

That all may witness it and more,

The pomp of summer Days.

1645. THE DITCH IS DEAR TO THE DRUNKEN MAN

The Ditch is dear to the Drunken man

For is it not his Bed —

His Advocate — his Edifice?

How safe his fallen Head

In her disheveled Sanctity —

Above him is the sky —

Oblivion bending over him

And Honor leagues away.

1646. WHY SHOULD WE HURRY — WHY INDEED?

Why should we hurry — why indeed?

When every way we fly

We are molested equally

By immortality.

No respite from the inference

That this which is begun,

Though where its labors lie

A bland uncertainty

Besets the sight

This mighty night —

1647. OF GLORY NOT A BEAM IS LEFT

Of Glory not a Beam is left

But her Eternal House —

The Asterisk is for the Dead,

The Living, for the Stars —

1648. THE IMMORTALITY SHE GAVE

The immortality she gave

We borrowed at her Grave —

For just one Plaudit famishing,

The Might of Human love —

1649. A CAP OF LEAD ACROSS THE SKY

A Cap of Lead across the sky

Was tight and surly drawn

We could not find the mighty Face

The Figure was withdrawn —

A Chill came up as from a shaft

Our noon became a well

A Thunder storm combines the charms

Of Winter and of Hell.

1650. A LANE OF YELLOW LED THE EYE

A lane of Yellow led the eye

Unto a Purple Wood

Whose soft inhabitants to be

Surpasses solitude

If Bird the silence contradict

Or flower presume to show

In that low summer of the West

Impossible to know —

1651. A WORD MADE FLESH IS SELDOM

A Word made Flesh is seldom

And tremblingly partook

Nor then perhaps reported

But have I not mistook

Each one of us has tasted

With ecstasies of stealth

The very food debated

To our specific strength —

A Word that breathes distinctly

Has not the power to die

Cohesive as the Spirit

It may expire if He —

"Made Flesh and dwelt among us"

Could condescension be

Like this consent of Language

This loved Philology.

1652. ADVANCE IS LIFE'S CONDITION

Advance is Life's condition

The Grave but a Relay

Supposed to be a terminus

That makes it hated so —

The Tunnel is not lighted

Existence with a wall

Is better we consider

Than not exist at all —

1653. AS WE PASS HOUSES MUSING SLOW

As we pass Houses musing slow

If they be occupied

So minds pass minds

If they be occupied

1654. BEAUTY CROWDS ME TILL I DIE

Beauty crowds me till I die

Beauty mercy have on me

But if I expire today

Let it be in sight of thee —

1655. CONFERRING WITH MYSELF

Conferring with myself

My stranger disappeared

Though first upon a berry fat

Miraculously fared

How paltry looked my cares

My practise how absurd

Superfluous my whole career

Beside this travelling Bird

1656. DOWN TIME'S QUAINT STREAM

Down Time's quaint stream

Without an oar

We are enforced to sail

Our Port a secret

Our Perchance a Gale

What Skipper would

Incur the Risk

What Buccaneer would ride

Without a surety from the Wind

Or schedule of the Tide —

1657. EDEN IS THAT OLD-FASHIONED HOUSE

Eden is that old-fashioned House

We dwell in every day

Without suspecting our abode

Until we drive away.

How fair on looking back, the Day

We sauntered from the Door —

Unconscious our returning,

But discover it no more.

1658. ENDANGER IT, AND THE DEMAND

Endanger it, and the Demand

Of tickets for a sigh

Amazes the Humility

Of Credibility —

Recover it to Nature

And that dejected Fleet

Find Consternation's Carnival

Divested of its Meat.

1659. FAME IS A FICKLE FOOD

Fame is a fickle food

Upon a shifting plate

Whose table once a

Guest but not

The second time is set.

Whose crumbs the crows inspect

And with ironic caw

Flap past it to the

Farmer's Corn —

Men eat of it and die.

1660. GLORY IS THAT BRIGHT TRAGIC THING

Glory is that bright tragic thing

That for an instant

Means Dominion —

Warms some poor name

That never felt the Sun,

Gently replacing

In oblivion —

1661. GUEST AM I TO HAVE

Guest am I to have

Light my northern room

Why to cordiality so averse to come

Other friends adjourn

Other bonds decay

Why avoid so narrowly

My fidelity —

1662. HE WENT BY SLEEP THAT DROWSY ROUTE

He went by sleep that drowsy route

To the surmising Inn —

At day break to begin his race

Or ever to remain —

1663. HIS MIND OF MAN, A SECRET MAKES

His mind of man, a secret makes

I meet him with a start

He carries a circumference

In which I have no part —

Or even if I deem I do

He otherwise may know

Impregnable to inquest

However neighborly —

1664. I DID NOT REACH THEE

I did not reach Thee

But my feet slip nearer every day

Three Rivers and a Hill to cross

One Desert and a Sea

I shall not count the journey one

When I am telling thee.

Two deserts, but the Year is cold

So that will help the sand

One desert crossed —

The second one

Will feel as cool as land

Sahara is too little price

To pay for thy Right hand.

The Sea comes last — Step merry, feet,

So short we have to go —

To play together we are prone,

But we must labor now,

The last shall be the lightest load

That we have had to draw.

The Sun goes crooked —

That is Night

Before he makes the bend.

We must have passed the Middle Sea —

Almost we wish the End

Were further off —

Too great it seems

So near the Whole to stand.

We step like Plush,

We stand like snow,

The waters murmur new.

Three rivers and the Hill are passed —

Two deserts and the sea!

Now Death usurps my Premium

And gets the look at Thee.

1665. I KNOW OF PEOPLE IN THE GRAVE

I know of people in the Grave

Who would be very glad

To know the news I know tonight

If they the chance had had.

'Tis this expands the least event

And swells the scantest deed —

My right to walk upon the Earth

If they this moment had.

1666. I SEE THEE CLEARER FOR THE GRAVE

I see thee clearer for the Grave

That took thy face between

No Mirror could illumine thee

Like that impassive stone —

I know thee better for the Act

That made thee first unknown

The stature of the empty nest

Attests the Bird that's gone.

1667. I WATCHER HER FACE TO SEE WHICH WAY

I watched her face to see which way

She took the awful news —

Whether she died before she heard

Or in protracted bruise

Remained a few slow years with us —

Each heavier than the last —

A further afternoon to fail,

As Flower at fall of Frost.

1668. IF I COULD TELL HOW GLAD I WAS

If I could tell how glad I was

I should not be so glad —

But when I cannot make the Force,

Nor mould it into Word,

I know it is a sign

That new Dilemna be

From mathematics further off

Than for Eternity.

1669. IN SNOW THOU COMEST —

In snow thou comest —

Thou shalt go with the resuming ground,

The sweet derision of the crow,

And Glee's advancing sound.

In fear thou comest —

Thou shalt go at such a gait of joy

That man anew embark to live

Upon the depth of thee.

1670. IN WINTER IN MY ROOM

In Winter in my Room

I came upon a Worm —

Pink, lank and warm —

But as he was a worm

And worms presume

Not quite with him at home —

Secured him by a string

To something neighboring

And went along.

A Trifle afterward

A thing occurred

I'd not believe it if I heard

But state with creeping blood —

A snake with mottles rare

Surveyed my chamber floor

In feature as the worm before

But ringed with power —

The very string with which

I tied him — too

When he was mean and new

That string was there —

I shrank — "How fair you are"!

Propitiation's claw —

"Afraid," he hissed

"Of me"?

"No cordiality" —

He fathomed me —

Then to a Rhythm Slim

Secreted in his Form

As Patterns swim

Projected him.

That time I flew

Both eyes his way

Lest he pursue

Nor ever ceased to run

Till in a distant Town

Towns on from mine

I set me down

This was a dream.

1671. JUDGMENT IS JUSTEST

Judgment is justest

When the Judged,

His action laid away,

Divested is of every Disk

But his sincerity.

Honor is then the safest hue

In a posthumous Sun —

Not any color will endure

That scrutiny can burn.

1672. LIGHTLY STEPPED A YELLOW STAR

Lightly stepped a yellow star

To its lofty place —

Loosed the Moon her silver hat

From her lustral Face —

All of Evening softly lit

As an Astral Hall —

Father, I observed to Heaven,

You are punctual.

1673. NATURE CAN DO NO MORE

Nature can do no more

She has fulfilled her Dyes

Whatever Flower fail to come

Of other Summer days

Her crescent reimburse

If other Summers be

Nature's imposing negative

Nulls opportunity —

1674. NOT ANY SUNNY TONE

Not any sunny tone

From any fervent zone

Find entrance there —

Better a grave of Balm

Toward human nature's home —

And Robins near —

Than a stupendous Tomb

Proclaiming to the Gloom

How dead we are —

1675. OF THIS IS DAY COMPOSED

Of this is Day composed

A morning and a noon

A Revelry unspeakable

And then a gay unknown

Whose Pomps allure and spurn

And dower and deprive

And penury for Glory

Remedilessly leave.

1676. OF YELLOW WAS THE OUTER SKY

Of Yellow was the outer Sky

In Yellower Yellow hewn

Till Saffron in Vermilion slid

Whose seam could not be shewn.

1677. ON MY VOLCANO GROWS THE GRASS

On my volcano grows the Grass

A meditative spot —

An acre for a Bird to choose

Would be the General thought —

How red the Fire rocks below

How insecure the sod

Did I disclose

Would populate with awe my solitude.

1678. PERIL AS A POSSESSION

Peril as a Possesssion

'Tis Good to hear

Danger disintegrates Satiety

There's Basis there —

Begets an awe

That searches Human Nature's creases

As clean as Fire.

1679. RATHER ARID DELIGHT

Rather arid delight

If Contentment accrue

Make an abstemious Ecstasy

Not so good as joy —

But Rapture's Expense

Must not be incurred

With a tomorrow knocking

And the Rent unpaid —

1680. SOMETIMES WITH THE HEART

Sometimes with the Heart

Seldom with the Soul

Scarcer once with the Might

Few — love at all.

1681. SPEECH IS ONE SYMPTOM OF AFFECTION

Speech is one symptom of Affection

And Silence one —

The perfectest communication

Is heard of none —

Exists and its indorsement

Is had within —

Behold, said the Apostle,

Yet had not seen!

1682. SUMMER BEGINS TO HAVE THE LOOK

Summer begins to have the look

Peruser of enchanting Book

Reluctantly but sure perceives

A gain upon the backward leaves —

Autumn begins to be inferred

By millinery of the cloud

Or deeper color in the shawl

That wraps the everlasting hill.

The eye begins its avarice

A meditation chastens speech

Some Dyer of a distant tree

Resumes his gaudy industry.

Conclusion is the course of All

At most to be perennial

And then elude stability

Recalls to immortality.

1683. THAT SHE FORGOT ME WAS THE LEAST

That she forgot me was the least

I felt it second pain

That I was worthy to forget

Was most I thought upon.

Faithful was all that I could boast

But Constancy became

To her, by her innominate,

A something like a shame.

1684. THE BLUNDER IS IN ESTIMATE.

The Blunder is in estimate.

Eternity is there

We say, as of a Station —

Meanwhile he is so near

He joins me in my Ramble —

Divides abode with me —

No Friend have I that so persists

As this Eternity.

1685. THE BUTTERFLY OBTAINS

The butterfly obtains

But little sympathy

Though favorably mentioned

In Entomology —

Because he travels freely

And wears a proper coat

The circumspect are certain

That he is dissolute —

Had he the homely scutcheon

Of modest Industry

'Twere fitter certifying

For Immortality —

1686. THE EVENT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND HIM

The event was directly behind Him

Yet He did not guess

Fitted itself to Himself like a Robe

Relished His ignorance.

Motioned itself to drill

Loaded and Levelled

And let His Flesh

Centuries from His soul.

1687. THE GLEAM OF AN HEROIC ACT

The gleam of an heroic Act

Such strange illumination

The Possible's slow fuse is lit

By the Imagination.

1688. THE HILLS ERECT THEIR PURPLE HEADS

The Hills erect their Purple Heads

The Rivers lean to see

Yet Man has not of all the Throng

A Curiosity.

1689. THE LOOK OF THEE, WHAT IS IT LIKE

The look of thee, what is it like

Hast thou a hand or Foot

Or Mansion of Identity

And what is thy Pursuit?

Thy fellows are they realms or Themes

Hast thou Delight or Fear

Or Longing — and is that for us

Or values more severe?

Let change transfuse all other Traits

Enact all other Blame

But deign this least certificate —

That thou shalt be the same.

1690. THE ONES THAT DISAPPEARED ARE BACK

The ones that disappeared are back

The Phoebe and the Crow

Precisely as in March is heard

The curtness of the Jay —

Be this an Autumn or a Spring

My wisdom loses way

One side of me the nuts are ripe

The other side is May.

1691. THE OVERTAKELESSNESS OF THOSE

The overtakelessness of those

Who have accomplished Death

Majestic is to me beyond

The majesties of Earth.

The soul her "Not at Home"

Inscribes upon the flesh —

And takes her fair aerial gait

Beyond the hope of touch.

1692. THE RIGHT TO PERISH MIGHT BE THOUGHT

The right to perish might be thought

An undisputed right —

Attempt it, and the Universe

Upon the opposite

Will concentrate its officers —

You cannot even die

But nature and mankind must pause

To pay you scrutiny.

1693. THE SUN RETIRED TO A CLOUD

The Sun retired to a cloud

A Woman's shawl as big —

And then he sulked in mercury

Upon a scarlet log —

The drops on Nature's forehead stood

Home flew the loaded bees —

The South unrolled a purple fan

And handed to the trees.

1694. THE WIND DREW OFF

The wind drew off

Like hungry dogs

Defeated of a bone —

Through fissures in

Volcanic cloud

The yellow lightning shone —

The trees held up

Their mangled limbs

Like animals in pain —

When Nature falls upon herself

Beware an Austrian.

1695. THERE IS A SOLITUDE OF SPACE

There is a solitude of space

A solitude of sea

A solitude of death, but these

Society shall be

Compared with that profounder site

That polar privacy

A soul admitted to itself —

Finite infinity.

1696. THESE ARE THE DAYS THAT REINDEER LOVE

These are the days that Reindeer love

And pranks the Northern star —

This is the Sun's objective,

And Finland of the Year.

1697. THEY TALK AS SLOW AS LEGENDS GROW

They talk as slow as Legends grow

No mushroom is their mind

But foliage of sterility

Too stolid for the wind —

They laugh as wise as Plots of Wit

Predestined to unfold

The point with bland prevision

Portentously untold.

1698. 'TIS EASIER TO PITY THOSE WHEN DEAD

'Tis easier to pity those when dead

That which pity previous

Would have saved —

A Tragedy enacted

Secures Applause

That Tragedy enacting

Too seldom does.

1699. TO DO A MAGNANIMOUS THING

To do a magnanimous thing

And take oneself by surprise

If oneself is not in the habit of him

Is precisely the finest of Joys —

Not to do a magnanimous thing

Notwithstanding it never be known

Notwithstanding it cost us existence once

Is Rapture herself spurn —

1700. TO TELL THE BEAUTY WOULD DECREASE

To tell the Beauty would decrease

To state the Spell demean —

There is a syllable-less Sea

Of which it is the sign —

My will endeavors for its word

And fails, but entertains

A Rapture as of Legacies —

Of introspective Mines —

1701. TO THEIR APARTMENT DEEP

To their apartment deep

No ribaldry may creep

Untumbled this abode

By any man but God —

1702. TODAY OR THIS NOON

Today or this noon

She dwelt so close

I almost touched her —

Tonight she lies

Past neighborhood

And bough and steeple,

Now past surmise.

1703. 'TWAS COMFORT IN HER DYING ROOM

'Twas comfort in her Dying Room

To hear the living Clock —

A short relief to have the wind

Walk boldly up and knock —

Diversion from the Dying Theme

To hear the children play —

But wrong the more

That these could live

And this of ours must die.

1704. UNTO A BROKEN HEART

Unto a broken heart

No other one may go

Without the high prerogative

Itself hath suffered too.

1705. VOLCANOES BE IN SICILY

Volcanoes be in Sicily

And South America

I judge from my Geography —

Volcanos nearer here

A Lava step at any time

Am I inclined to climb —

A Crater I may contemplate

Vesuvius at Home.

1706. WHEN WE HAVE CEASED TO CARE

When we have ceased to care

The Gift is given

For which we gave the Earth

And mortgaged Heaven

But so declined in worth

'Tis ignominy now

To look upon —

1707. WINTER UNDER CULTIVATION

Winter under cultivation

Is as arable as Spring.

1708. WITCHCRAFT HAS NOT A PEDIGREE

Witchcraft has not a Pedigree

'Tis early as our Breath

And mourners meet it going out

The moment of our death —

1709. WITH SWEETNESS UNABATED

With sweetness unabated

Informed the hour had come

With no remiss of triumph

The autumn started home

Her home to be with Nature

As competition done

By influential kinsmen

Invited to return —

In supplements of Purple

An adequate repast

In heavenly reviewing

Her residue be past —

1710. A CURIOUS CLOUD SURPRISED THE SKY,

A curious Cloud surprised the Sky,

'Twas like a sheet with Horns;

The sheet was Blue —

The Antlers Gray —

It almost touched the lawns.

So low it leaned — then statelier drew —

And trailed like robes away,

A Queen adown a satin aisle

Had not the majesty.

1711. A FACE DEVOID OF LOVE OR GRACE,

A face devoid of love or grace,

A hateful, hard, successful face,

A face with which a stone

Would feel as thoroughly at ease

As were they old acquaintances —

First time together thrown.

1712. A PIT — BUT HEAVEN OVER IT —

A Pit — but Heaven over it —

And Heaven beside, and Heaven abroad,

And yet a Pit —

With Heaven over it.

To stir would be to slip —

To look would be to drop —

To dream — to sap the Prop

That holds my chances up.

Ah! Pit! With Heaven over it!

The depth is all my thought —

I dare not ask my feet —

'Twould start us where we sit

So straight you'd scarce suspect

It was a Pit — with fathoms under it —

Its Circuit just the same.

Seed — summer — tomb —

Whose Doom to whom?

1713. AS SUBTLE AS TOMORROW

As subtle as tomorrow

That never came,

A warrant, a conviction,

Yet but a name.

1714. BY A DEPARTING LIGHT

By a departing light

We see acuter, quite,

Than by a wick that stays.

There's something in the flight

That clarifies the sight

And decks the rays.

1715. CONSULTING SUMMER'S CLOCK,

Consulting summer's clock,

But half the hours remain.

I ascertain it with a shock —

I shall not look again.

The second half of joy

Is shorter than the first.

The truth I do not dare to know

I muffle with a jest.

1716. DEATH IS LIKE THE INSECT

Death is like the insect

Menacing the tree,

Competent to kill it,

But decoyed may be.

Bait it with the balsam,

Seek it with the saw,

Baffle, if it cost you

Everything you are.

Then, if it have burrowed

Out of reach of skill —

Wring the tree and leave it,

'Tis the vermin's will.

1717. DID LIFE'S PENURIOUS LENGTH

Did life's penurious length

Italicize its sweetness,

The men that daily live

Would stand so deep in joy

That it would clog the cogs

Of that revolving reason

Whose esoteric belt

Protects our sanity.

1718. DROWNING IS NOT SO PITIFUL

Drowning is not so pitiful

As the attempt to rise

Three times, 'tis said, a sinking man

Comes up to face the skies,

And then declines forever

To that abhorred abode,

Where hope and he part company —

For he is grasped of God.

The Maker's cordial visage,

However good to see,

Is shunned, we must admit it,

Like an adversity.

1719. GOD IS INDEED A JEALOUS GOD —

God is indeed a jealous God —

He cannot bear to see

That we had rather not with Him

But with each other play.

1720. HAD I KNOWN THAT THE FIRST WAS THE LAST

Had I known that the first was the last

I should have kept it longer.

Had I known that the last was the first

I should have drunk it stronger.

Cup, it was your fault,

Lip was not the liar.

No, lip, it was yours,

Bliss was most to blame.

1721. HE WAS MY HOST — HE WAS MY GUEST,

He was my host — he was my guest,

I never to this day

If I invited him could tell,

Or he invited me.

So infinite our intercourse

So intimate, indeed,

Analysis as capsule seemed

To keeper of the seed.

1722. HER FACE WAS IN A BED OF HAIR,

Her face was in a bed of hair,

Like flowers in a plot —

Her hand was whiter than the sperm

That feeds the sacred light.

Her tongue more tender than the tune

That totters in the leaves —

Who hears may be incredulous,

Who witnesses, believes.

1723. HIGH FROM THE EARTH I HEARD A BIRD,

High from the earth I heard a bird,

He trod upon the trees

As he esteemed them trifles,

And then he spied a breeze,

And situated softly

Upon a pile of wind

Which in a perturbation

Nature had left behind.

A joyous going fellow

I gathered from his talk

Which both of benediction

And badinage partook.

Without apparent burden

I subsequently learned

He was the faithful father

Of a dependent brood.

And this untoward transport

His remedy for care.

A contrast to our respites.

How different we are!

1724. HOW DARE THE ROBINS SING,

How dare the robins sing,

When men and women hear

Who since they went to their account

Have settled with the year! —

Paid all that life had earned

In one consummate bill,

And now, what life or death can do

Is immaterial.

Insulting is the sun

To him whose mortal light

Beguiled of immortality

Bequeaths him to the night.

Extinct be every hum

In deference to him

Whose garden wrestles with the dew,

At daybreak overcome!

1725. I TOOK ONE DRAUGHT OF LIFE —

I took one Draught of Life —

I'll tell you what I paid —

Precisely an existence —

The market price, they said.

They weighed me, Dust by Dust —

They balanced Film with Film,

Then handed me my Being's worth —

A single Dram of Heaven!

1726. IF ALL THE GRIEFS I AM TO HAVE

If all the griefs I am to have

Would only come today,

I am so happy I believe

They'd laugh and run away.

If all the joys I am to have

Would only come today,

They could not be so big as this

That happens to me now.

1727. IF EVER THE LID GETS OFF MY HEAD

If ever the lid gets off my head

And lets the brain away

The fellow will go where he belonged —

Without a hint from me,

And the world — if the world be looking on —

Will see how far from home

It is possible for sense to live

The soul there — all the time.

1728. IS IMMORTALITY A BANE

Is Immortality a bane

That men are so oppressed?

1729. I'VE GOT AN ARROW HERE.

I've got an arrow here.

Loving the hand that sent it

I the dart revere.

Fell, they will say, in "skirmish"!

Vanquished, my soul will know

By but a simple arrow

Sped by an archer's bow.

1730. "LETHE" IN MY FLOWER,

"Lethe" in my flower,

Of which they who drink

In the fadeless orchards

Hear the bobolink!

Merely flake or petal

As the Eye beholds

Jupiter! my father!

I perceive the rose!

1731. LOVE CAN DO ALL BUT RAISE THE DEAD

Love can do all but raise the Dead

I doubt if even that

From such a giant were withheld

Were flesh equivalent

But love is tired and must sleep,

And hungry and must graze

And so abets the shining Fleet

Till it is out of gaze.

1732. MY LIFE CLOSED TWICE BEFORE ITS CLOSE —

My life closed twice before its close—

It yet remains to see

If Immortality unveil

A third event to me

So huge, so hopeless to conceive

As these that twice befell.

Parting is all we know of heaven,

And all we need of hell.

1733. NO MAN SAW AWE, NOR TO HIS HOUSE

No man saw awe, nor to his house

Admitted he a man

Though by his awful residence

Has human nature been.

Not deeming of his dread abode

Till laboring to flee

A grasp on comprehension laid

Detained vitality.

Returning is a different route

The Spirit could not show

For breathing is the only work

To be enacted now.

"Am not consumed," old Moses wrote,

"Yet saw him face to face" —

That very physiognomy

I am convinced was this.

1734. OH, HONEY OF AN HOUR,

Oh, honey of an hour,

I never knew thy power,

Prohibit me

Till my minutest dower,

My unfrequented flower,

Deserving be.

1735. ONE CROWN THAT NO ONE SEEKS

One crown that no one seeks

And yet the highest head

Its isolation coveted

Its stigma deified

While Pontius Pilate lives

In whatsoever hell

That coronation pierces him

He recollects it well.

1736. PROUD OF MY BROKEN HEART, SINCE THOU DIDST BREAK IT,

Proud of my broken heart, since thou didst break it,

Proud of the pain I did not feel till thee,

Proud of my night, since thou with moons dost slake it,

Not to partake thy passion, my humility.

Thou can'st not boast, like Jesus, drunken without companion

Was the strong cup of anguish brewed for the Nazarene

Thou can'st not pierce tradition with the peerless puncture,

See! I usurped thy crucifix to honor mine!

1737. REARRANGE A "WIFE'S" AFFECTION!

Rearrange a "Wife's" affection!

When they dislocate my Brain!

Amputate my freckled Bosom!

Make me bearded like a man!

Blush, my spirit, in thy Fastness —

Blush, my unacknowledged clay —

Seven years of troth have taught thee

More than Wifehood every may!

Love that never leaped its socket —

Trust entrenched in narrow pain —

Constancy thro' fire — awarded —

Anguish — bare of anodyne!

Burden — borne so far triumphant —

None suspect me of the crown,

For I wear the "Thorns" till Sunset —

Then — my Diadem put on.

Big my Secret but it's bandaged —

It will never get away

Till the Day its Weary Keeper

Leads it through the Grave to thee.

1738. SOFTENED BY TIME'S CONSUMMATE PLUSH,

Softened by Time's consummate plush,

How sleek the woe appears

That threatened childhood's citadel

And undermined the years.

Bisected now, by bleaker griefs,

We envy the despair

That devastated childhood's realm,

So easy to repair.

1739. SOME SAY GOODNIGHT — AT NIGHT —

Some say goodnight — at night —

I say goodnight by day —

Good-bye — the Going utter me —

Goodnight, I still reply —

For parting, that is night,

And presence, simply dawn —

Itself, the purple on the height

Denominated morn.

1740. SWEET IS THE SWAMP WITH ITS SECRETS,

Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,

Until we meet a snake;

'Tis then we sigh for houses,

And our departure take

At that enthralling gallop

That only childhood knows.

A snake is summer's treason,

And guile is where it goes.

1741. THAT IT WILL NEVER COME AGAIN

That it will never come again

Is what makes life so sweet.

Believing what we don't believe

Does not exhilarate.

That if it be, it be at best

An ablative estate —

This instigates an appetite

Precisely opposite.

1742. THE DISTANCE THAT THE DEAD HAVE GONE

The distance that the dead have gone

Does not at first appear —

Their coming back seems possible

For many an ardent year.

And then, that we have followed them,

We more than half suspect,

So intimate have we become

With their dear retrospect.

1743. THE GRAVE MY LITTLE COTTAGE IS,

The grave my little cottage is,

Where "Keeping house" for thee

I make my parlor orderly

And lay the marble tea.

For two divided, briefly,

A cycle, it may be,

Till everlasting life unite

In strong society.

1744. THE JOY THAT HAS NO STEM NO CORE,

The joy that has no stem no core,

Nor seed that we can sow,

Is edible to longing.

But ablative to show.

By fundamental palates

Those products are preferred

Impregnable to transit

And patented by pod.

1745. THE MOB WITHIN THE HEART

The mob within the heart

Police cannot suppress

The riot given at the first

Is authorized as peace

Uncertified of scene

Or signified of sound

But growing like a hurricane

In a congenial ground.

1746. THE MOST IMPORTANT POPULATION

The most important population

Unnoticed dwell,

They have a heaven each instant

Not any hell.

Their names, unless you know them,

'Twere useless tell.

Of bumble-bees and other nations

The grass is full.

1747. THE PARASOL IS THE UMBRELLA'S DAUGHTER,

The parasol is the umbrella's daughter,

And associates with a fan

While her father abuts the tempest

And abridges the rain.

The former assists a siren

In her serene display;

But her father is borne and honored,

And borrowed to this day.

1748. THE RETICENT VOLCANO KEEPS

The reticent volcano keeps

His never slumbering plan —

Confided are his projects pink

To no precarious man.

If nature will not tell the tale

Jehovah told to her

Can human nature not survive

Without a listener?

Admonished by her buckled lips

Let every babbler be

The only secret people keep

Is Immortality.

1749. THE WATERS CHASED HIM AS HE FLED,

The waters chased him as he fled,

Not daring look behind —

A billow whispered in his Ear,

"Come home with me, my friend —

My parlor is of shriven glass,

My pantry has a fish

For every palate in the Year" —

To this revolting bliss

The object floating at his side

Made no distinct reply.

1750. THE WORDS THE HAPPY SAY

The words the happy say

Are paltry melody

But those the silent feel

Are beautiful —

1751. THERE COMES AN HOUR WHEN BEGGING STOPS,

There comes an hour when begging stops,

When the long interceding lips

Perceive their prayer is vain.

"Thou shalt not" is a kinder sword

Than from a disappointing God

"Disciple, call again."

1752. THIS DOCILE ONE INTER

This docile one inter

While we who dare to live

Arraign the sunny brevity

That sparkled to the Grave.

On her departing span

No wilderness remain

As dauntless in the House of Death

As if it were her own —

1753. THROUGH THOSE OLD GROUNDS OF MEMORY,

Through those old Grounds of memory,

The sauntering alone

Is a divine intemperance

A prudent man would shun.

Of liquors that are vended

'Tis easy to beware

But statutes do not meddle

With the internal bar.

Pernicious as the sunset

Permitting to pursue

But impotent to gather,

The tranquil perfidy

Alloys our firmer moments

With that severest gold

Convenient to the longing

But otherwise withheld.

1754. TO LOSE THEE — SWEETER THAN TO GAIN

To lose thee — sweeter than to gain

All other hearts I knew.

'Tis true the drought is destitute,

But then, I had the dew!

The Caspian has its realms of sand,

Its other realm of sea.

Without the sterile perquisite,

No Caspian could be.

1755. TO MAKE A PRAIRIE IT TAKES A CLOVER AND ONE BEE,

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

One clover, and a bee,

And revery.

The revery alone will do,

If bees are few.

1756. 'TWAS HERE MY SUMMER PAUSED

'Twas here my summer paused

What ripeness after then

To other scene or other soul

My sentence had begun.

To winter to remove

With winter to abide

Go manacle your icicle

Against your Tropic Bride.

1757. UPON THE GALLOWS HUNG A WRETCH,

Upon the gallows hung a wretch,

Too sullied for the hell

To which the law entitled him.

As nature's curtain fell

The one who bore him tottered in , —

For this was woman's son.

"'Twere all I had," she stricken gasped —

Oh, what a livid boon!

1758. WHERE EVERY BIRD IS BOLD TO GO

Where every bird is bold to go

And bees abashless play,

The foreigner before he knocks

Must thrust the tears away.

1759. WHICH MISSES MOST,

Which misses most,

The hand that tends,

Or heart so gently borne,

'Tis twice as heavy as it was

Because the hand is gone?

Which blesses most,

The lip that can,

Or that that went to sleep

With "if I could" endeavoring

Without the strength to shape?

1760. ELYSIUM IS AS FAR AS TO

Elysium is as far as to

The very nearest Room

If in that Room a Friend await

Felicity or Doom —

What fortitude the Soul contains,

That it can so endure

The accent of a coming Foot —

The opening of a Door —

1761. A TRAIN WENT THROUGH A BURIAL GATE,

A train went through a burial gate,

A bird broke forth and sang,

And trilled, and quivered, and shook his throat

Till all the churchyard rang ;

And then adjusted his little notes,

And bowed and sang again.

Doubtless, he thought it meet of him

To say good-by to men.

1762. WERE NATURAL MORTAL LADY

Were natural mortal lady

Who had so little time

To pack her trunk and order

The great exchange of clime —

How rapid, how momentous —

What exigencies were —

But nature will be ready

And have an hour to spare.

To make some trifle fairer

That was too fair before —

Enchanting by remaining,

And by departure more.

1763. FAME IS A BEE.

Fame is a bee.

It has a song —

It has a sting —

Ah, too, it has a wing.

1764. THE SADDEST NOISE, THE SWEETEST NOISE,

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,

The maddest noise that grows, —

The birds, they make it in the spring,

At night's delicious close.

Between the March and April line —

That magical frontier

Beyond which summer hesitates,

Almost too heavenly near.

It makes us think of all the dead

That sauntered with us here,

By separation's sorcery

Made cruelly more dear.

It makes us think of what we had,

And what we now deplore.

We almost wish those siren throats

Would go and sing no more.

An ear can break a human heart

As quickly as a spear,

We wish the ear had not a heart

So dangerously near.

1765. THAT LOVE IS ALL THERE IS,

That Love is all there is,

Is all we know of Love;

It is enough, the freight should be

Proportioned to the groove.

1766. THOSE FINAL CREATURES, — WHO THEY ARE —

Those final Creatures, - who they are -

That faithful to the close

Administer her ecstasy,

But just the Summer knows.

1767. SWEET HOURS HAVE PERISHED HERE

Sweet hours have perished here;

This is a mighty room;

Within its precincts hopes have played,—

Now shadows in the tomb.

1768. LAD OF ATHENS, FAITHFUL BE

Lad of Athens, faithful be

To Thyself,

And Mystery—

All the rest is Perjury—

1769. THE LONGEST DAY THAT GOD APPOINTS

The little notes shall go as fast as steam can take them.

Our hearts already went.

Would we could mail our faces for your dear encouragement.

Remember The longest day that God appoints

Will finish with the sun.

Anguish can travel to it's stake,

And then it must return.

1770. EXPERIMENT ESCORTS US LAST —

Experiment escorts us last -

His pungent company

Will not allow an Axiom

An Opportunity

1771. HOW FLEET — HOW INDISCREET AN ONE —

My little devices to live till Monday would woo your sad attention -

Full of work and plots and little happinesses the

Thought of you protracts them all and makes them sham and cold -

How fleet - how indiscreet an one -

how always wrong is Love -

The joyful little Deity

We are not scourged to serve -

1772. LET ME NOT THIRST WITH THIS HOCK AT MY LIP,

Let me not thirst with this Hock at my Lip,

Nor beg, with Domains in my Pocket -

1773. THE SUMMER THAT WE DID NOT PRIZE,

The Summer that we did not prize,

Her treasures were so easy

Instructs us by departing now

And recognition lazy —

Bestirs itself — puts on its Coat,

And scans with fatal promptness

For Trains that moment out of sight,

Unconscious of his smartness.

1774.  TOO HAPPY TIME DISSOLVES ITSELF

Too happy Time dissolves itself

And leaves no remnant by -

'Tis Anguish not a Feather hath

Or too much weight to fly -

1775. THE EARTH HAS MANY KEYS,

The earth has many keys,

Where melody is not

Is the unknown peninsula.

Beauty is nature's fact.

But witness for her land,

And witness for her sea,

The cricket is her utmost

Of elegy to me.

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Table of Contents

1. Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine

2. There is another sky

3. Sic transit gloria mundi

4. On this wondrous sea

5. I have a Bird in spring

6. Frequently the woods are pink

7. The feet of people walking home

8. There is a word

9. Through lane it lay — through bramble —

10. My wheel is in the dark!

11. I never told the buried gold

12. The morns are meeker than they were —

13. Sleep is supposed to be

14. One Sister have I in our house,

15. The Guest is gold and crimson —

16. I would distil a cup,

17. Baffled for just a day or two —

18. The Gentian weaves her fringes —

19. A sepal, petal, and a thorn

20. Distrustful of the Gentian —

21. We lose — because we win —

22. All these my banners be.

23. I had a guinea golden —

24. There is a morn by men unseen —

25. She slept beneath a tree —

26. It's all I have to bring today —

27. Morns like these — we parted —

28. So has a Daisy vanished

29. If those I loved were lost

30. Adrift! A little boat adrift!

31. Summer for thee, grant I may be

32. When Roses cease to bloom, Sir,

33. If recollecting were forgetting,

34. Garland for Queens, may be —

35. Nobody knows this little Rose —

36. Snow flakes.

37. Before the ice is in the pools —

38. By such and such an offering

39. It did not surprise me —

40. When I count the seeds

41. I robbed the Woods —

42. A Day! Help! Help! Another Day!

43. Could live — did live —

44. If she had been the Mistletoe

45. There's something quieter than sleep

46. I keep my pledge.

47. Heart! We will forget him!

48. Once more, my now bewildered Dove

49. I never lost as much but twice,

50. I haven't told my garden yet —

51. I often passed the village

52. Whether my bark went down at sea —

53. Taken from men — this morning —

54. If I should die,

55. By Chivalries as tiny,

56. If I should cease to bring a Rose

57. To venerate the simple days

58. Delayed till she had ceased to know —

59. A little East of Jordan,

60. Like her the Saints retire,

61. Papa above!

62. "Sown in dishonor"!

63. If pain for peace prepares

64. Some Rainbow — coming from the Fair!

65. I can't tell you — but you feel it —

66. So from the mould

67. Success is counted sweetest

68. Ambition cannot find him.

69. Low at my problem bending,

70. "Arcturus" is his other name —

71. A throe upon the features —

72. Glowing is her Bonnet,

73. Who never lost, are unprepared

74. A Lady red — amid the Hill

75. She died at play,

76. Exultation is the going

77. I never hear the word "escape"

78. A poor — torn heart — a tattered heart —

79. Going to Heaven!

80. Our lives are Swiss —

81. We should not mind so small a flower —

82. Whose cheek is this?

83. Heart, not so heavy as mine

84. Her breast is fit for pearls,

85. "They have not chosen me," he said,

86. South Winds jostle them —

87. A darting fear — a pomp — a tear —

88. As by the dead we love to sit,

89. Some things that fly there be —

90. Within my reach!

91. So bashful when I spied her!

92. My friend must be a Bird —

93. Went up a year this evening!

94. Angels, in the early morning

95. My nosegays are for Captives —

96. Sexton! My Master's sleeping here.

97. The rainbow never tells me

98. One dignity delays for all —

99. New feet within my garden go —

100. A science — so the Savants say,

101. Will there really be a "Morning"?

102. Great Caesar! Condescend

103. I have a King, who does not speak —

104. Where I have lost, I softer tread —

105. To hang our head — ostensibly —

106. The Daisy follows soft the Sun —

107. 'Twas such a little — little boat

108. Surgeons must be very careful

109. By a flower — By a letter —

110. Artists wrestled here!

111. The Bee is not afraid of me.

112. Where bells no more affright the morn —

113. Our share of night to bear —

114. Good night, because we must,

115. What Inn is this

116. I had some things that I called mine —

117. In rags mysterious as these

118. My friend attacks my friend!

119. Talk with prudence to a Beggar

120. If this is "fading"

121. As Watchers hang upon the East,

122. A something in a summer's Day

123. Many cross the Rhine

124. In lands I never saw — they say

125. For each ecstatic instant

126. To fight aloud, is very brave —

127. "Houses" — so the Wise Men tell me —

128. Bring me the sunset in a cup,

129. Cocoon above! Cocoon below!

130. These are the days when Birds come back —

131. Besides the Autumn poets sing

132. I bring an unaccustomed wine

133. As Children bid the Guest "Good Night"

134. Perhaps you'd like to buy a flower,

135. Water, is taught by thirst.

136. Have you got a Brook in your little heart,

137. Flowers — Well — if anybody

138. Pigmy seraphs — gone astray —

139. Soul, Wilt thou toss again?

140. An altered look about the hills —

141. Some, too fragile for winter winds

142. Whose are the little beds, I asked

143. For every Bird a Nest —

144. She bore it till the simple veins

145. This heart that broke so long —

146. On such a night, or such a night,

147. Bless God, he went as soldiers,

148. All overgrown by cunning moss,

149. She went as quiet as the Dew

150. She died — this was the way she died.

151. Mute thy Coronation —

152. The Sun kept stooping — stooping — low!

153. Dust is the only Secret —

154. Except to Heaven, she is nought.

155. The Murmur of a Bee

156. You love me — you are sure —

157. Musicians wrestle everywhere —

158. Dying! Dying in the night!

159. A little bread — a crust — a crumb —

160. Just lost, when I was saved!

161. A feather from the Whippoorwill

162. My River runs to thee —

163. Tho' my destiny be Fustian —

164. Mama never forgets her birds,

165. A wounded Deer — leaps highest —

166. I met a King this afternoon!

167. To learn the Transport by the Pain

168. If the foolish, call them "flowers" —

169. In Ebon Box, when years have flown

170. Portraits are to daily faces

171. Wait till the Majesty of Death

172. 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!

173. A fuzzy fellow, without feet,

174. At last, to be identified!

175. I have never seen "Volcanoes" —

176. I'm the little "Heart's Ease"!

177. Ah, Necromancy Sweet!

178. I cautious, scanned my little life —

179. If I could bribe them by a Rose

180. As if some little Arctic flower

181. I lost a World — the other day!

182. If I shouldn't be alive

183. I've heard an Organ talk, sometimes

184. A transport one cannot contain

185. "Faith" is a fine invention

186. What shall I do — it whimpers so —

187. How many times these low feet staggered —

188. Make me a picture of the sun —

189. It's such a little thing to weep —

190. He was weak, and I was strong — then —

191. The Skies can't keep their secret!

192. Poor little Heart!

193. I shall know why — when Time is over —

194. On this long storm the Rainbow rose —

195. For this — accepted Breath —

196. We don't cry — Tim and I,

197. Morning — is the place for Dew —

198. An awful Tempest mashed the air —

199. I'm "wife" — I've finished that —

200. I stole them from a Bee —

201. Two swimmers wrestled on the spar —

202. My Eye is fuller than my vase —

203. He forgot — and I — remembered —

204. A slash of Blue —

205. I should not dare to leave my friend,

206. The Flower must not blame the Bee —

207. Tho' I get home how late — how late —

208. The Rose did caper on her cheek —

209. With thee, in the Desert —

210. The thought beneath so slight a film —

211. Come slowly - Eden!

212. Least Rivers — docile to some sea.

213. Did the Harebell loose her girdle

214. I taste a liquor never brewed

215. What is — "Paradise" —

216. Safe in their alabaster chambers

217. Savior! I've no one else to tell —

218. Is it true, dear Sue?

219. She sweeps with many-colored Brooms —

220. Could I — then — shut the door —

221. It can't be "Summer"!

222. When Katie walks, this simple pair accompany her side,

223. I Came to buy a smile — today —

224. I've nothing else — to bring, You know —

225. Jesus! thy Crucifix

226. Should you but fail at — Sea —

227. Teach Him — When He makes the names —

228. Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple

229. A Burdock — clawed my Gown —

230. We — Bee and I — live by the quaffing —

231. God permits industrious Angels —

232. The Sun — just touched the Morning —

233. The Lamp burns sure — within —

234. You're right — "the way is narrow" —

235. The Court is far away —

236. If He dissolve — then — there is nothing — more —

237. I think just how my shape will rise —

238. Kill your Balm — and its Odors bless you —

239. "Heaven" — is what I cannot reach!

240. Ah, Moon — and Star!

241. I like a look of Agony,

242. When we stand on the tops of Things —

243. I've known a Heaven, like a Tent —

244. It is easy to work when the soul is at play —

245. I held a Jewel in my fingers —

246. Forever at His side to walk —

247. What would I give to see his face?

248. Why — do they shut Me out of Heaven?

249. Wild Nights — Wild Nights!

250. I shall keep singing!

251. Over the fence —

252. I can wade Grief —

253. You see I cannot see — your lifetime —

254. "Hope" is the thing with feathers —

255. To die — takes just a little while —

256. If I'm lost — now

257. Delight is as the flight —

258. There's a certain Slant of light

259. Good Night! Which put the Candle out?

260. Read — Sweet — how others — strove —

261. Put up my lute!

262. The lonesome for they know not What —

263. A single Screw of Flesh

264. A Weight with Needles on the pounds —

265. Where Ships of Purple — gently toss —

266. This — is the land — the Sunset washes —

267. Did we disobey Him?

268. Me, change! Me, alter!

269. Bound — a trouble —

270. One Life of so much Consequence!

271. A solemn thing — it was — I said —

272. I breathed enough to take the Trick —

273. He put the Belt around my life

274. The only Ghost I ever saw

275. Doubt Me! My Dim Companion!

276. Many a phrase has the English language —

277. What if I say I shall not wait!

278. A shady friend — for Torrid days —

279. Tie the Strings to my Life, My Lord,

280. I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

281. 'Tis so appalling — it exhilarates —

282. How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand,

283. A Mien to move a Queen —

284. The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea —

285. The Robin's my Criterion for Tune —

286. That after Horror — that 'twas us —

287. A Clock stopped —

288. I'm Nobody! Who are you?

289. I know some lonely Houses off the Road

290. Of Bronze — and Blaze —

291. How the old Mountains drip with Sunset

292. If your Nerve, deny you —

293. I got so I could take his name —

294. The Doomed — regard the Sunrise

295. Unto like Story — Trouble has enticed me —

296. One Year ago — jots what?

297. It's like the Light —

298. Alone, I cannot be —

299. Your Riches — taught me — Poverty

300. "Morning" — means "Milking" — to the Farmer —

301. I reason, Earth is short —

302. Like Some Old fashioned Miracle

303. The Soul selects her own Society —

304. The Day came slow — till Five o'clock —

305. The difference between Despair

306. The Soul's Superior instants

307. The One who could repeat the Summer day —

308. I send Two Sunsets —

309. For largest Woman's Hearth I knew —

310. Give little Anguish —

311. It sifts from Leaden Sieves —

312. Her — "last Poems" —

313. I should have been too glad, I see —

314. Nature — sometimes sears a Sapling —

315. He fumbles at your Soul

316. The Wind didn't come from the Orchard — today —

317. Just so — Jesus — raps —

318. I'll tell you how the Sun rose —

319. The nearest Dream recedes — unrealized —

320. We play at Paste —

321. Of all the Sounds despatched abroad,

322. There came a Day at Summer's full,

323. As if I asked a common Alms,

324. Some keep the Sabbath going to Church —

325. Of Tribulation, these are They,

326. I cannot dance upon my Toes —

327. Before I got my eye put out

328. A Bird came down the Walk —

329. So glad we are — a Stranger'd deem

330. The Juggler's Hat her Country is —

331. While Asters —

332. There are two Ripenings — one — of sight —

333. The Grass so little has to do —

334. All the letters I can write

335. 'Tis not that Dying hurts us so —

336. The face I carry with me — last —

337. I know a place where Summer strives

338. I know that He exists.

339. I tend my flowers for thee —

340. Is Bliss then, such Abyss,

341. After great pain, a formal feeling comes —

342. It will be Summer — eventually.

343. My Reward for Being, was This.

344. 'Twas the old — road — through pain —

345. Funny — to be a Century —

346. Not probable — The barest Chance —

347. When Night is almost done —

348. I dreaded that first Robin, so,

349. I had the Glory — that will do —

350. They leave us with the Infinite.

351. I felt my life with both my hands

352. Perhaps I asked too large —

353. A happy lip — breaks sudden —

354. From Cocoon forth a Butterfly

355. 'Tis Opposites — entice —

356. The Day that I was crowned

357. God is a distant — stately Lover —

358. If any sink, assure that this, now standing —

359. I gained it so —

360. Death sets a Thing significant

361. What I can do — I will —

362. It struck me — every Day —

363. I went to thank Her —

364. The Morning after Woe —

365. Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?

366. Although I put away his life —

367. Over and over, like a Tune —

368. How sick — to wait — in any place — but thine —

369. She lay as if at play

370. Heaven is so far of the Mind

371. A precious — mouldering pleasure — 'tis —

372. I know lives, I could miss

373. I'm saying every day

374. I went to Heaven —

375. The Angle of a Landscape —

376. Of Course — I prayed —

377. To lose one's faith — surpass

378. I saw no Way — The Heavens were stitched —

379. Rehearsal to Ourselves

380. There is a flower that Bees prefer —

381. A Secret told —

382. For Death — or rather

383. Exhilaration — is within —

384. No Rack can torture me —

385. Smiling back from Coronation

386. Answer July —

387. The sweetest Heresy received

388. Take your Heaven further on —

389. There's been a Death, in the Opposite House,

390. It's coming — the postponeless Creature —

391. A Visitor in Marl —

392. Through the Dark Sod — as Education —

393. Did Our Best Moment last —

394. 'Twas Love — not me —

395. Reverse cannot befall

396. There is a Languor of the Life

397. When Diamonds are a Legend,

398. I had not minded — Walls —

399. A House upon the Height —

400. A Tongue — to tell Him I am true!

401. What Soft — Cherubic Creatures —

402. I pay — in Satin Cash —

403. The Winters are so short —

404. How many Flowers fail in Wood —

405. It might be lonelier

406. Some — Work for Immortality —

407. If What we could — were what we would —

408. Unit, like Death, for Whom?

409. They dropped like Flakes —

410. The first Day's Night had come —

411. The Color of the Grave is Green —

412. I read my sentence — steadily —

413. I never felt at Home — Below —-

414. 'Twas like a Maelstrom, with a notch,

415. Sunset at Night — is natural —

416. A Murmur in the Trees — to note —

417. Is it dead — Find it —

418. Not in this World to see his face —

419. We grow accustomed to the Dark —

420. You'll know it — as you know 'tis Noon —

421. A Charm invests a face

422. More Life — went out — when He went

423. The Months have ends — the Years — a knot —

424. Removed from Accident of Loss

425. Good Morning — Midnight —

426. It don't sound so terrible — quite — as it did —

427. I'll clutch — and clutch —

428. Taking up the fair Ideal,

429. The Moon is distant from the Sea —

430. It would never be Common — more — I said —

431. Me — come! My dazzled face

432. Do People moulder equally,

433. Knows how to forget!

434. To love thee Year by Year —

435. Much Madness is divinest Sense —

436. The Wind — tapped like a tired Man —

437. Prayer is the little implement

438. Forget! The lady with the Amulet

439. Undue Significance a starving man attaches

440. 'Tis customary as we part

441. This is my letter to the World

442. God made a little Gentian —

443. I tie my Hat — I crease my Shawl —

444. It feels a shame to be Alive —

445. 'Twas just this time, last year, I died.

446. I showed her Heights she never saw —

447. Could — I do more — for Thee —

448. This was a Poet — It is That

449. I died for Beauty — but was scarce

450. Dreams — are well — but Waking's better,

451. The Outer — from the Inner

452. The Malay — took the Pearl —

453. Love — thou art high —

454. It was given to me by the Gods —

455. Triumph — may be of several kinds —

456. So well that I can live without —

457. Sweet — safe — Houses —

458. Like eyes that looked on Wastes —

459. A Tooth upon Our Peace

460. I know where Wells grow — Droughtless Wells —

461. A Wife — at daybreak I shall be —

462. Why make it doubt — it hurts it so —

463. I live with Him — I see His face —

464. The power to be true to You,

465. I heard a Fly buzz — when I died —

466. 'Tis little I — could care for Pearls —

467. We do not play on Graves —

468. The Manner of its Death

469. The Red — Blaze — is the Morning —

470. I am alive — I guess —

471. A Night — there lay the Days between —

472. Except the Heaven had come so near —

473. I am ashamed — I hide —

474. They put Us far apart —

475. Doom is the House without the Door —

476. I meant to have but modest needs —

477. No Man can compass a Despair —

478. I had no time to Hate —

479. She dealt her pretty words like Blades —

480. "Why do I love" You, Sir?

481. The Himmaleh was known to stoop

482. We Cover Thee — Sweet Face —

483. A Solemn thing within the Soul

484. My Garden — like the Beach —

485. To make One's Toilette — after Death

486. I was the slightest in the House —

487. You love the Lord — you cannot see —

488. Myself was formed — a Carpenter —

489. We pray — to Heaven —

490. To One denied the drink

491. While it is alive

492. Civilization — spurns — the Leopard!

493. The World — stands — solemner — to me —

494. Going to Him! Happy letter!

495. It's thoughts — and just One Heart —

496. As far from pity, as complaint —

497. He strained my faith —

498. I envy Seas, whereon He rides —

499. Those fair — fictitious People —

500. Within my Garden, rides a Bird

501. This World is not Conclusion.

502. At least — to pray — is left — is left —

503. Better — than Music! For I — who heard it —

504. You know that Portrait in the Moon —

505. I would not paint — a picture —

506. He touched me, so I live to know

507. She sights a Bird — she chuckles —

508. I'm ceded — I've stopped being Theirs —

509. If anybody's friend be dead

510. It was not Death, for I stood up,

511. If you were coming in the Fall,

512. The Soul has Bandaged moments —

513. Like Flowers, that heard the news of Dews,

514. Her smile was shaped like other smiles —

515. No Crowd that has occurred

516. Beauty — be not caused — It Is —

517. He parts Himself — like Leaves —

518. Her sweet Weight on my Heart a Night

519. 'Twas warm — at first — like Us —

520. I started Early — Took my Dog —

521. Endow the Living — with the Tears —

522. Had I presumed to hope —

523. Sweet — You forgot — but I remembered

524. Departed — to the Judgment —

525. I think the Hemlock likes to stand

526. To hear an Oriole sing

527. To put this World down, like a Bundle —

528. Mine — by the Right of the White Election!

529. I'm sorry for the Dead — Today —

530. You cannot put a Fire out —

531. We dream — it is good we are dreaming —

532. I tried to think a lonelier Thing

533. Two butterflies went out at Noon —

534. We see — Comparatively —

535. She's happy, with a new Content —

536. The Heart asks Pleasure — first —

537. Me prove it now — Whoever doubt

538. 'Tis true — They shut me in the Cold —

539. The Province of the Saved

540. I took my Power in my Hand —

541. Some such Butterfly be seen

542. I had no Cause to be awake —

543. I fear a Man of frugal Speech —

544. The Martyr Poets — did not tell —

545. 'Tis One by One — the Father counts —

546. To fill a Gap

547. I've seen a Dying Eye

548. Death is potential to that Man

549. That I did always love

550. I cross till I am weary

551. There is a Shame of Nobleness —

552. An ignorance a Sunset

553. One Crucifixion is recorded — only —

554. The Black Berry — wears a Thorn in his side —

555. Trust in the Unexpected —

556. The Brain, within its Groove

557. She hideth Her the last —

558. But little Carmine hath her face —

559. It knew no Medicine —

560. It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation —

561. I measure every Grief I meet

562. Conjecturing a Climate

563. I could not prove the Years had feet —

564. My period had come for Prayer —

565. One Anguish — in a Crowd —

566. A Dying Tiger — moaned for Drink —

567. He gave away his Life —

568. We learned the Whole of Love —

569. I reckon — when I count it all —

570. I could die — to know —

571. Must be a Woe —

572. Delight — becomes pictorial —

573. The Test of Love — is Death —

574. My first well Day — since many ill —

575. "Heaven" has different Signs — to me —

576. I prayed, at first, a little Girl,

577. If I may have it, when it's dead,

578. The Body grows without —

579. I had been hungry, all the Years —

580. I gave myself to Him —

581. I found the words to every thought

582. Inconceivably solemn!

583. A Toad, can die of Light —

584. It ceased to hurt me, though so slow

585. I like to see it lap the Miles —

586. We talked as Girls do —

587. Empty my Heart, of Thee —

588. I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

589. The Night was wide, and furnished scant

590. Did you ever stand in a Cavern's Mouth —

591. To interrupt His Yellow Plan

592. What care the Dead, for Chanticleer —

593. I think I was enchanted

594. The Battle fought between the Soul

595. Like Mighty Foot Lights — burned the Red

596. When I was small, a Woman died —

597. It always felt to me — a wrong

598. Three times — we parted — Breath — and I —

599. There is a pain — so utter —

600. It troubled me as once I was —

601. A still — Volcano — Life —

602. Of Brussels — it was not —

603. He found my Being — set it up —

604. Unto my Books — so good to turn —

605. The Spider holds a Silver Ball

606. The Trees like Tassels — hit — and swung —

607. Of nearness to her sundered Things

608. Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?

609. I Years had been from Home

610. You'll find — it when you try to die —

611. I see thee better — in the Dark —

612. It would have starved a Gnat —

613. They shut me up in Prose —

614. In falling Timbers buried —

615. Our journey had advanced —

616. I rose — because He sank —

617. Don't put up my Thread and Needle —

618. At leisure is the Soul

619. Glee — The great storm is over —

620. It makes no difference abroad —

621. I asked no other thing —

622. To know just how He suffered — would be dear —

623. It was too late for Man —

624. Forever — is composed of Nows —

625. 'Twas a long Parting — but the time

626. Only God — detect the Sorrow —

627. The Tint I cannot take — is best —

628. They called me to the Window, for

629. I watched the Moon around the House

630. The Lightning playeth — all the while —

631. Ourselves were wed one summer — dear —

632. The Brain — is wider than the Sky —

633. When Bells stop ringing — Church — begins

634. You'll know Her — by Her Foot —

635. I think the longest Hour of all

636. The Way I read a Letter's — this —

637. The Child's faith is new —

638. To my small Hearth His fire came —

639. My Portion is Defeat — today —

640. I cannot live with You —

641. Size circumscribes — it has no room

642. Me from Myself — to banish —

643. I could suffice for Him, I knew —

644. You left me — Sire — two Legacies —

645. Bereavement in their death to feel

646. I think to Live — may be a Bliss

647. A little Road — not made of Man —

648. Promise This — When You be Dying —

649. Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead

650. Pain — has an Element of Blank —

651. So much Summer

652. A Prison gets to be a friend —

653. Of Being is a Bird

654. A long — long Sleep — A famous — Sleep —

655. Without this — there is nought —

656. The name — of it — is "Autumn" —

657. I dwell in Possibility —

658. Whole Gulfs — of Red, and Fleets — of Red —

659. That first Day, when you praised Me, Sweet,

660. 'Tis good — the looking back on Grief —

661. Could I but ride indefinite

662. Embarrassment of one another

663. Again — his voice is at the door —

664. Of all the Souls that stand create —

665. Dropped into the Ether Acre —

666. Ah, Teneriffe!

667. Bloom upon the Mountain — stated —

668. "Nature" is what we see —

669. No Romance sold unto

670. One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —

671. She dwelleth in the Ground —

672. The Future — never spoke —

673. The Love a Life can show Below

674. The Soul that hath a Guest

675. Essential Oils — are wrung —

676. Least Bee that brew —

677. To be alive — is Power —

678. Wolfe demanded during dying

679. Conscious am I in my Chamber,

680. Each Life Converges to some Centre —

681. Soil of Flint, if steady tilled —

682. 'Twould ease — a Butterfly —

683. The Soul unto itself

684. Best Gains — must have the Losses' Test —

685. Not "Revelation" — 'tis — that waits,

686. They say that "Time assuages" —

687. I'll send the feather from my Hat!

688. "Speech" — is a prank of Parliament —

689. The Zeroes — taught us — Phosphorous —

690. Victory comes late —

691. Would you like summer? Taste of ours.

692. The Sun kept setting — setting — still

693. Shells from the Coast mistaking —

694. The Heaven vests for Each

695. As if the Sea should part

696. Their Height in Heaven comforts not —

697. I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

698. Life — is what we make of it —

699. The Judge is like the Owl —

700. You've seen Balloons set — Haven't You?

701. A Thought went up my mind today —

702. A first Mute Coming —

703. Out of sight? What of that?

704. No matter — now — Sweet —

705. Suspense — is Hostiler than Death —

706. Life, and Death, and Giants —

707. The Grace — Myself — might not obtain —

708. I sometimes drop it, for a Quick —

709. Publication — is the Auction

710. The Sunrise runs for Both —

711. Strong Draughts of Their Refreshing Minds

712. Because I could not stop for Death —

713. Fame of Myself, to justify,

714. Rest at Night

715. The World — feels Dusty

716. The Day undressed — Herself —

717. The Beggar Lad — dies early —

718. I meant to find Her when I came —

719. A South Wind — has a pathos

720. No Prisoner be —

721. Behind Me — dips Eternity —

722. Sweet Mountains — Ye tell Me no lie —

723. It tossed — and tossed —

724. It's easy to invent a Life —

725. Where Thou art — that — is Home —

726. We thirst at first — 'tis Nature's Act —

727. Precious to Me — She still shall be —

728. Let Us play Yesterday —

729. Alter? When the Hills do

730. Defrauded I a Butterfly —

731. "I want" — it pleaded — All its life —

732. She rose to His Requirement — dropt

733. The Spirit is the Conscious Ear.

734. If He were living — dare I ask —

735. Upon Concluded Lives

736. Have any like Myself

737. The Moon was but a Chin of Gold

738. You said that I "was Great" — one Day —

739. I many times thought Peace had come

740. You taught me Waiting with Myself —

741. Drama's Vitallest Expression is the Common Day

742. Four Trees — upon a solitary Acre —

743. The Birds reported from the South —

744. Remorse — is Memory — awake —

745. Renunciation — is a piercing Virtue —

746. Never for Society

747. It dropped so low — in my Regard —

748. Autumn — overlooked my Knitting —

749. All but Death, can be Adjusted —

750. Growth of Man — like Growth of Nature —

751. My Worthiness is all my Doubt —

752. So the Eyes accost — and sunder

753. My Soul — accused me — And I quailed —

754. My Life had stood — a Loaded Gun —

755. No Bobolink — reverse His Singing

756. One Blessing had I than the rest

757. The Mountains — grow unnoticed —

758. These — saw Visions —

759. He fought like those Who've nought to lose —

760. Most she touched me by her muteness —

761. From Blank to Blank —

762. The Whole of it came not at once —

763. He told a homely tale

764. Presentiment — is that long Shadow — on the Lawn —

765. You constituted Time —

766. My Faith is larger than the Hills —

767. To offer brave assistance

768. When I hoped, I recollect

769. One and One — are One —

770. I lived on Dread —

771. None can experience sting

772. The hallowing of Pain

773. Deprived of other Banquet,

774. It is a lonesome Glee —

775. If Blame be my side — forfeit Me —

776. The Color of a Queen, is this —

777. The Loneliness One dare not sound —

778. This that would greet — an hour ago —

779. The Service without Hope —

780. The Truth — is stirless —

781. To wait an Hour — is long —

782. There is an arid Pleasure —

783. The Birds begun at Four o'clock —

784. Bereaved of all, I went abroad —

785. They have a little Odor — that to me

786. Severer Service of myself

787. Such is the Force of Happiness —

788. Joy to have merited the Pain —

789. On a Columnar Self —

790. Nature — the Gentlest Mother is,

791. God gave a Loaf to every Bird —

792. Through the strait pass of suffering —

793. Grief is a Mouse —

794. A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree —

795. Her final Summer was it —

796. Who Giants know, with lesser Men

797. By my Window have I for Scenery

798. She staked her Feathers — Gained an Arc —

799. Despair's advantage is achieved

800. Two — were immortal twice —

801. I play at Riches — to appease

802. Time feels so vast that were it not

803. Who Court obtain within Himself

804. No Notice gave She, but a Change —

805. This Bauble was preferred of Bees —

806. A Plated Life — diversified

807. Expectation — is Contentment —

808. So set its Sun in Thee

809. Unable are the Loved to die

810. Her Grace is all she has —

811. The Veins of other Flowers

812. A Light exists in Spring

813. This quiet Dust was Gentleman and Ladies

814. One Day is there of the Series

815. The Luxury to apprehend

816. A Death blow is a Life blow to Some

817. Given in Marriage unto Thee

818. I could not drink it, Sweet,

819. All I may, if small,

820. All Circumstances are the Frame

821. Away from Home are some and I —

822. This Consciousness that is aware

823. Not that We did, shall be the test

824. The Wind begun to knead the Grass —

825. An Hour is a Sea

826. Love reckons by itself — alone —

827. The Only News I know

828. The Robin is the One

829. Ample make this Bed —

830. To this World she returned.

831. Dying! To be afraid of thee

832. Soto! Explore thyself!

833. Perhaps you think me stooping

834. Before He comes we weigh the Time!

835. Nature and God — I neither knew

836. Truth — is as old as God —

837. How well I knew Her not

838. Impossibility, like Wine

839. Always Mine!

840. I cannot buy it — 'tis not sold —

841. A Moth the hue of this

842. Good to hide, and hear 'em hunt!

843. I made slow Riches but my Gain

844. Spring is the Period

845. Be Mine the Doom —

846. Twice had Summer her fair Verdure

847. Finite — to fail, but infinite to Venture —

848. Just as He spoke it from his Hands

849. The good Will of a Flower

850. I sing to use the Waiting

851. When the Astronomer stops seeking

852. Apology for Her

853. When One has given up One's life

854. Banish Air from Air —

855. To own the Art within the Soul

856. There is a finished feeling

857. Uncertain lease — develops lustre

858. This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life

859. A doubt if it be Us

860. Absence disembodies — so does Death

861. Split the Lark — and you'll find the Music —

862. Light is sufficient to itself —

863. That Distance was between Us

864. The Robin for the Crumb

865. He outstripped Time with but a Bout,

866. Fame is the tint that Scholars leave

867. Escaping backward to perceive

868. They ask but our Delight —

869. Because the Bee may blameless hum

870. Finding is the first Act

871. The Sun and Moon must make their haste —

872. As the Starved Maelstrom laps the Navies

873. Ribbons of the Year —

874. They won't frown always — some sweet Day

875. I stepped from Plank to Plank

876. It was a Grave, yet bore no Stone

877. Each Scar I'll keep for Him

878. The Sun is gay or stark

879. Each Second is the last

880. The Bird must sing to earn the Crumb

881. I've none to tell me to but Thee

882. A Shade upon the mind there passes

883. The Poets light but Lamps —

884. An Everywhere of Silver

885. Our little Kinsmen — after Rain

886. These tested Our Horizon —

887. We outgrow love, like other things

888. When I have seen the Sun emerge

889. Crisis is a Hair

890. From Us She wandered now a Year,

891. To my quick ear the Leaves — conferred —

892. Who occupies this House?

893. Drab Habitation of Whom?

894. Of Consciousness, her awful Mate

895. A Cloud withdrew from the Sky

896. Of Silken Speech and Specious Shoe

897. How fortunate the Grave —

898. How happy I was if I could forget

899. Herein a Blossom lies —

900. What did They do since I saw Them?

901. Sweet, to have had them lost

902. The first Day that I was a Life

903. I hide myself within my flower,

904. Had I not This, or This, I said,

905. Between My Country — and the Others —

906. The Admirations — and Contempts — of time —

907. Till Death — is narrow Loving —

908. 'Tis Sunrise — Little Maid — Hast Thou

909. I make His Crescent fill or lack —

910. Experience is the Angled Road

911. Too little way the House must lie

912. Peace is a fiction of our Faith —

913. And this of all my Hopes

914. I cannot be ashamed

915. Faith — is the Pierless Bridge

916. His Feet are shod with Gauze —

917. Love — is anterior to Life —

918. Only a Shrine, but Mine —

919. If I can stop one Heart from breaking

920. We can but follow to the Sun —

921. If it had no pencil

922. Those who have been in the Grave the longest —

923. How the Waters closed above Him

924. Love — is that later Thing than Death —

925. Struck, was I, not yet by Lightning —

926. Patience — has a quiet Outer —

927. Absent Place — an April Day —

928. The Heart has narrow Banks

929. How far is it to Heaven?

930. There is a June when Corn is cut

931. Noon — is the Hinge of Day —

932. My best Acquaintances are those

933. Two Travellers perishing in Snow

934. That is solemn we have ended

935. Death leaves Us homesick, who behind,

936. This Dust, and its Feature —

937. I felt a Cleaving in my Mind —

938. Fairer through Fading — as the Day

939. What I see not, I better see —

940. On that dear Frame the Years had worn

941. The Lady feeds Her little Bird

942. Snow beneath whose chilly softness

943. A Coffin — is a small Domain,

944. I learned — at least — what Home could be —

945. This is a Blossom of the Brain —

946. It is an honorable Thought

947. Of Tolling Bell I ask the cause?

948. 'Twas Crisis — All the length had passed —

949. Under the Light, yet under,

950. The Sunset stopped on Cottages

951. As Frost is best conceived

952. A Man may make a Remark —

953. A Door just opened on a street —

954. The Chemical conviction

955. The Hollows round His eager Eyes

956. What shall I do when the Summer troubles —

957. As One does Sickness over

958. We met as Sparks — Diverging Flints

959. A loss of something ever felt I —

960. As plan for Noon and plan for Night

961. Wert Thou but ill — that I might show thee

962. Midsummer, was it, when They died —

963. A nearness to Tremendousness —

964. "Unto Me?" I do not know you —

965. Denial — is the only fact

966. All forgot for recollecting

967. Pain — expands the Time —

968. Fitter to see Him, I may be

969. He who in Himself believes —

970. Color — Caste — Denomination —

971. Robbed by Death — but that was easy —

972. Unfulfilled to Observation —

973. 'Twas awkward, but it fitted me —

974. The Soul's distinct connection

975. The Mountain sat upon the Plain

976. Death is a Dialogue between

977. Besides this May

978. It bloomed and dropt, a Single Noon —

979. This Merit hath the worst —

980. Purple — is fashionable twice —

981. As Sleigh Bells seem in summer

982. No Other can reduce

983. Ideals are the Fairly Oil

984. 'Tis Anguish grander than Delight

985. The Missing All — prevented Me

986. A narrow fellow in the grass

987. The Leaves like Women interchange

988. The Definition of Beauty is

989. Gratitude — is not the mention

990. Not all die early, dying young —

991. She sped as Petals of a Rose

992. The Dust behind I strove to join

993. We miss Her, not because We see —

994. Partake as doth the Bee,

995. This was in the White of the Year —

996. We'll pass without the parting

997. Crumbling is not an instant's Act

998. Best Things dwell out of Sight

999. Superfluous were the Sun

1000. The Fingers of the Light

1001. The Stimulus, beyond the Grave

1002. Aurora is the effort

1003. Dying at my music!

1004. There is no Silence in the Earth — so silent

1005. Bind me — I still can sing —

1006. The first We knew of Him was Death —

1007. Falsehood of Thee could I suppose

1008. How still the Bells in Steeples stand

1009. I was a Phoebe — nothing more —

1010. Up Life's Hill with my little Bundle

1011. She rose as high as His Occasion

1012. Which is best? Heaven —

1013. Too scanty 'twas to die for you,

1014. Did We abolish Frost

1015. Were it but Me that gained the Height —

1016. The Hills in Purple syllables

1017. To die — without the Dying

1018. Who saw no Sunrise cannot say

1019. My Season's furthest Flower —

1020. Trudging to Eden, looking backward,

1021. Far from Love the Heavenly Father

1022. I knew that I had gained

1023. It rises — passes — on our South

1024. So large my Will

1025. The Products of my Farm are these

1026. The Dying need but little, Dear,

1027. My Heart upon a little Plate

1028. 'Twas my one Glory —

1029. Nor Mountain hinder Me

1030. That Such have died enable Us

1031. Fate slew Him, but He did not drop —

1032. Who is the East?

1033. Said Death to Passion

1034. His Bill an Auger is

1035. Bee! I'm expecting you!

1036. Satisfaction — is the Agent

1037. Here, where the Daisies fit my Head

1038. Her little Parasol to lift

1039. I heard, as if I had no Ear

1040. Not so the infinite Relations — Below

1041. Somewhat, to hope for,

1042. Spring comes on the World —

1043. Lest this be Heaven indeed

1044. A Sickness of this World it most occasions

1045. Nature rarer uses Yellow

1046. I've dropped my Brain — My Soul is numb —

1047. The Opening and the Close

1048. Reportless Subjects, to the Quick

1049. Pain has but one Acquaintance

1050. As willing lid o'er weary eye

1051. I cannot meet the Spring unmoved —

1052. I never saw a Moor —

1053. It was a quiet way —

1054. Not to discover weakness is

1055. The Soul should always stand ajar

1056. There is a Zone whose even Years

1057. I had a daily Bliss

1058. Bloom — is Result — to meet a Flower

1059. Sang from the Heart, Sire,

1060. Air has no Residence, no Neighbor,

1061. Three Weeks passed since I had seen Her —

1062. He scanned it — staggered —

1063. Ashes denote that Fire was —

1064. To help our Bleaker Parts

1065. Let down the Bars, Oh Death —

1066. Fame's Boys and Girls, who never die

1067. Except the smaller size

1068. Further in Summer than the Birds

1069. Paradise is of the option.

1070. To undertake is to achieve

1071. Perception of an object costs

1072. Title divine — is mine!

1073. Experiment to me

1074. Count not that far that can be had,

1075. The Sky is low — the Clouds are mean.

1076. Just Once! Oh least Request!

1077. These are the Signs to Nature's Inns —

1078. The Bustle in a House

1079. The Sun went down — no Man looked on —

1080. When they come back — if Blossoms do —

1081. Superiority to Fate

1082. Revolution is the Pod

1083. We learn it in Retreating

1084. At Half past Three, a single Bird

1085. If Nature smiles — the Mother must

1086. What Twigs We held by —

1087. We miss a Kinsman more

1088. Ended, ere it begun —

1089. Myself can read the Telegrams

1090. I am afraid to own a Body —

1091. The Well upon the Brook

1092. It was not Saint — it was too large —

1093. Because 'twas Riches I could own,

1094. Themself are all I have —

1095. To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights,

1096. These Strangers, in a foreign World,

1097. Dew — is the Freshet in the Grass —

1098. Of the Heart that goes in, and closes the Door

1099. My Cocoon tightens — Colors tease —

1100. The last Night that She lived

1101. Between the form of Life and Life

1102. His Bill is clasped — his Eye forsook —

1103. The spry Arms of the Wind

1104. The Crickets sang

1105. Like Men and Women Shadows walk

1106. We do not know the time we lose —

1107. The Bird did prance — the Bee did play —

1108. A Diamond on the Hand

1109. I fit for them —

1110. None who saw it ever told it

1111. Some Wretched creature, savior take

1112. That this should feel the need of Death

1113. There is strength in proving that it can be borne

1114. The largest Fire ever known

1115. The murmuring of Bees, has ceased

1116. There is another Loneliness

1117. A Mine there is no Man would own

1118. Exhilaration is the Breeze

1119. Paradise is that old mansion

1120. This slow Day moved along —

1121. Time does go on —

1122. 'Tis my first night beneath the Sun

1123. A great Hope fell

1124. Had we known the Ton she bore

1125. Oh Sumptuous moment

1126. Shall I take thee, the Poet said

1127. Soft as the massacre of Suns

1128. These are the Nights that Beetles love —

1129. Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —

1130. That odd old man is dead a year —

1131. The Merchant of the Picturesque

1132. The smouldering embers blush —

1133. The Snow that never drifts —

1134. The Wind took up the Northern Things

1135. Too cold is this

1136. The Frost of Death was on the Pane —

1137. The duties of the Wind are few,

1138. A Spider sewed at Night

1139. Her sovereign People

1140. The Day grew small, surrounded tight

1141. The Face we choose to miss —

1142. The Props assist the House

1143. The Work of Her that went,

1144. Ourselves we do inter with sweet derision.

1145. In thy long Paradise of Light

1146. When Etna basks and purrs

1147. After a hundred years

1148. After the Sun comes out

1149. I noticed People disappeared

1150. How many schemes may die

1151. Soul, take thy risk.

1152. Tell as a Marksman — were forgotten

1153. Through what transports of Patience

1154. A full fed Rose on meals of Tint

1155. Distance — is not the Realm of Fox

1156. Lest any doubt that we are glad that they were born Today

1157. Some Days retired from the rest

1158. Best Witchcraft is Geometry

1159. Great Streets of silence led away

1160. He is alive, this morning —

1161. Trust adjust her "Peradventure" —

1162. The Life we have is very great.

1163. God made no act without a cause,

1164. Were it to be the last

1165. Contained in this short Life

1166. Of Paul and Silas it is said

1167. Alone and in a Circumstance

1168. As old as Woe —

1169. Lest they should come — is all my fear

1170. Nature affects to be sedate

1171. On the World you colored

1172. The Clouds their Backs together laid

1173. The Lightning is a yellow Fork

1174. There's the Battle of Burgoyne —

1175. We like a Hairbreadth 'scape

1176. We never know how high we are

1177. A prompt — executive Bird is the Jay —

1178. My God — He sees thee —

1179. Of so divine a Loss

1180. "Remember me" implored the Thief!

1181. When I hoped I feared —

1182. Remembrance has a Rear and Front —

1183. Step lightly on this narrow spot —

1184. The Days that we can spare

1185. A little Dog that wags his tail

1186. Too few the mornings be,

1187. Oh Shadow on the Grass,

1188. 'Twas fighting for his Life he was —

1189. The Voice that stands for Floods to me

1190. The Sun and Fog contested

1191. The pungent atom in the Air

1192. An honest Tear

1193. All men for Honor hardest work

1194. Somehow myself survived the Night

1195. What we see we know somewhat

1196. To make Routine a Stimulus

1197. I should not dare to be so sad

1198. A soft Sea washed around the House

1199. Are Friends Delight or Pain?

1200. Because my Brook is fluent

1201. So I pull my Stockings off

1202. The Frost was never seen —

1203. The Past is such a curious Creature

1204. Whatever it is — she has tried it —

1205. Immortal is an ample word

1206. The Show is not the Show

1207. He preached upon "Breadth" till it argued him narrow —

1208. Our own possessions — though our own —

1209. To disappear enhances —

1210. The Sea said "Come" to the Brook —

1211. A Sparrow took a Slice of Twig

1212. A word is dead

1213. We like March.

1214. We introduce ourselves

1215. I bet with every Wind that blew

1216. A Deed knocks first at Thought

1217. Fortitude incarnate

1218. Let my first Knowing be of thee

1219. Now I knew I lost her —

1220. Of Nature I shall have enough

1221. Some we see no more, Tenements of Wonder

1222. The Riddle we can guess

1223. Who goes to dine must take his Feast

1224. Like Trains of Cars on Tracks of Plush

1225. Its Hour with itself

1226. The Popular Heart is a Cannon first —

1227. My Triumph lasted till the Drums

1228. So much of Heaven has gone from Earth

1229. Because He loves Her

1230. It came at last but prompter Death

1231. Somewhere upon the general Earth

1232. The Clover's simple Fame

1233. Had I not seen the Sun

1234. If my Bark sink

1235. Like Rain it sounded till it curved

1236. Like Time's insidious wrinkle

1237. My Heart ran so to thee

1238. Power is a familiar growth —

1239. Risk is the Hair that holds the Tun

1240. The Beggar at the Door for Fame

1241. The Lilac is an ancient shrub

1242. To flee from memory

1243. Safe Despair it is that raves —

1244. The Butterfly's Assumption Gown

1245. The Suburbs of a Secret

1246. The Butterfly in honored Dust

1247. To pile like Thunder to its close

1248. The incidents of love

1249. The Stars are old, that stood for me —

1250. White as an Indian Pipe

1251. Silence is all we dread.

1252. Like Brooms of Steel

1253. Had this one Day not been.

1254. Elijah's Wagon knew no thill

1255. Longing is like the Seed

1256. Not any higher stands the Grave

1257. Dominion lasts until obtained —

1258. Who were "the Father and the Son"

1259. A Wind that rose

1260. Because that you are going

1261. A Word dropped careless on a Page

1262. I cannot see my soul but know 'tis there

1263. There is no Frigate like a Book

1264. This is the place they hoped before,

1265. The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met

1266. When Memory is full

1267. I saw that the Flake was on it

1268. Confirming All who analyze

1269. I worked for chaff and earning Wheat

1270. Is Heaven a Physician?

1271. September's Baccalaureate

1272. So proud she was to die

1273. That sacred Closet when you sweep —

1274. The Bone that has no Marrow,

1275. The Spider as an Artist

1276. 'Twas later when the summer went

1277. While we were fearing it, it came —

1278. The Mountains stood in Haze —

1279. The Way to know the Bobolink

1280. The harm of Years is on him —

1281. A stagnant pleasure like a Pool

1282. Art thou the thing I wanted?

1283. Could Hope inspect her Basis

1284. Had we our senses

1285. I know Suspense — it steps so terse

1286. I thought that nature was enough

1287. In this short Life

1288. Lain in Nature — so suffice us

1289. Left in immortal Youth

1290. The most pathetic thing I do

1291. Until the Desert knows

1292. Yesterday is History

1293. The things we thought that we should do

1294. Of Life to own —

1294. Two Lengths has every Day —

1296. Death's Waylaying not the sharpest

1297. Go slow, my soul, to feed thyself

1298. The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants —

1299. Delight's Despair at setting

1300. From his slim Palace in the Dust

1301. I cannot want it more —

1302. I think that the Root of the Wind is Water —

1303. Not One by Heaven defrauded stay —

1304. Not with a Club, the Heart is broken

1305. Recollect the Face of me

1306. Surprise is like a thrilling — pungent —

1307. That short — potential stir

1308. The Day she goes

1309. The Infinite a sudden Guest

1310. The Notice that is called the Spring

1311. This dirty — little — Heart

1312. To break so vast a Heart

1313. Warm in her Hand these accents lie

1314. When a Lover is a Beggar

1315. Which is the best — the Moon or the Crescent?

1316. Winter is good — his Hoar Delights

1317. Abraham to kill him —

1318. Frigid and sweet Her parting Face —

1319. How News must feel when travelling

1320. Dear March — Come in —

1321. Elizabeth told Essex

1322. Floss won't save you from an Abyss

1323. I never hear that one is dead

1324. I send you a decrepit flower

1325. Knock with tremor —

1326. Our little secrets slink away —

1327. The Symptom of the Gale —

1328. The vastest earthly Day

1329. Whether they have forgotten

1330. Without a smile — Without a Throe

1331. Wonder — is not precisely Knowing

1332. Pink — small — and punctual —

1333. A little Madness in the Spring

1334. How soft this Prison is

1335. Let me not mar that perfect Dream

1336. Nature assigns the Sun —

1337. Upon a Lilac Sea

1338. What tenements of clover

1339. A Bee his burnished Carriage

1340. A Rat surrendered here

1341. Unto the Whole — how add?

1342. "Was not" was all the Statement.

1343. A single Clover Plank

1344. Not any more to be lacked —

1345. An antiquated Grace

1346. As Summer into Autumn slips

1347. Escape is such a thankful Word

1348. Lift it — with the Feathers

1349. I'd rather recollect a setting

1350. Luck is not chance —

1351. You cannot take itself

1352. To his simplicity

1353. The last of Summer is Delight —

1354. The Heart is the Capital of the Mind —

1355. The Mind lives on the Heart

1356. The Rat is the concisest Tenant.

1357. "Faithful to the end" Amended

1358. The Treason of an accent

1359. The long sigh of the Frog

1360. I sued the News — yet feared — the News

1361. The Flake the Wind exasperate

1362. Of their peculiar light

1363. Summer laid her simple Hat

1364. How know it from a Summer's Day?

1365. Take all away —

1366. Brother of Ingots — Ah Peru —

1367. "Tomorrow" — whose location

1368. Love's stricken "why"

1369. Trusty as the stars

1370. Gathered into the Earth,

1371. How fits his Umber Coat

1372. The Sun is one — and on the Tare

1373. The worthlessness of Earthly things

1374. A Saucer holds a Cup

1375. Death warrants are supposed to be

1376. Dreams are the subtle Dower

1377. Forbidden Fruit a flavor has

1378. His Heart was darker than the starless night

1379. His Mansion in the Pool

1380. How much the present moment means

1381. I suppose the time will come

1382. In many and reportless places

1383. Long Years apart — can make no

1384. Praise it — 'tis dead —

1385. "Secrets" is a daily word

1386. Summer — we all have seen —

1387. The Butterfly's Numidian Gown

1388. Those cattle smaller than a Bee

1389. Touch lightly Nature's sweet Guitar

1390. These held their Wick above the West —

1391. They might not need me — yet they might —

1392. Hope is a strange invention —

1393. Lay this Laurel on the One

1394. Whose Pink career may have a close

1395. After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside —

1396. She laid her docile Crescent down

1397. It sounded as if the Streets were running

1398. I have no Life but this —

1399. Perhaps they do not go so far

1400. What mystery pervades a well!

1401. To own a Susan of my own

1402. To the stanch Dust

1403. My Maker — let me be

1404. March is the Month of Expectation.

1405. Bees are Black, with Gilt Surcingles —

1406. No Passenger was known to flee —

1407. A Field of Stubble, lying sere

1408. The Fact that Earth is Heaven —

1409. Could mortal lip divine

1410. I shall not murmur if at last

1411. Of Paradise' existence

1412. Shame is the shawl of Pink

1413. Sweet Skepticism of the Heart —

1414. Unworthy of her Breast

1415. A wild Blue sky abreast of Winds

1416. Crisis is sweet and yet the Heart

1417. How Human Nature dotes

1418. How lonesome the Wind must feel Nights —

1419. It was a quiet seeming Day —

1420. One Joy of so much anguish

1421. Such are the inlets of the mind —

1422. Summer has two Beginnings —

1423. The fairest Home I ever knew

1424. The Gentian has a parched Corolla —

1425. The inundation of the Spring

1426. The pretty Rain from those sweet Eaves

1427. To earn it by disdaining it

1428. Water makes many Beds

1429. We shun because we prize her Face

1430. Who never wanted — maddest Joy

1431. With Pinions of Disdain

1432. Spurn the temerity —

1433. How brittle are the Piers

1434. Go not too near a House of Rose —

1435. Not that he goes — we love him more

1436. Than Heaven more remote,

1437. A Dew sufficed itself —

1438. Behold this little Bane —

1439. How ruthless are the gentle —

1440. The healed Heart shows its shallow scar

1441. These Fevered Days — to take them to the Forest

1442. To mend each tattered Faith

1443. A chilly Peace infests the Grass

1444. A little Snow was here and there

1445. Death is the supple Suitor

1446. His Mind like Fabrics of the East

1447. How good his Lava Bed,

1448. How soft a Caterpillar steps —

1449. I thought the Train would never come —

1450. The Road was lit with Moon and star —

1451. Whoever disenchants

1452. Your thoughts don't have words every day

1453. A Counterfeit — a Plated Person —

1454. Those not live yet

1455. Opinion is a flitting thing,

1456. So gay a Flower

1457. It stole along so stealthy

1458. Time's wily Chargers will not wait

1459. Belshazzar had a Letter —

1460. His Cheek is his Biographer —

1461. "Heavenly Father" — take to thee

1462. We knew not that we were to live —

1463. A Route of Evanescence

1464. One thing of it we borrow

1465. Before you thought of Spring

1466. One of the ones that Midas touched

1467. A little overflowing word

1468. A winged spark doth soar about —

1469. If wrecked upon the Shoal of Thought

1470. The Sweets of Pillage, can be known

1471. Their Barricade against the Sky

1472. To see the Summer Sky

1473. We talked with each other about each other

1474. Estranged from Beauty — none can be —

1475. Fame is the one that does not stay —

1476. His voice decrepit was with Joy —

1477. How destitute is he

1478. Look back on Time, with kindly eyes —

1479. The Devil — had he fidelity

1480. The fascinating chill that music leaves

1481. The way Hope builds his House

1482. 'Tis whiter than an Indian Pipe —

1483. The Robin is a Gabriel

1484. We shall find the Cube of the Rainbow.

1485. Love is done when Love's begun,

1486. Her spirit rose to such a height

1487. The Savior must have been

1488. Birthday of but a single pang

1489. A Dimple in the Tomb

1490. The Face in evanescence lain

1491. The Road to Paradise is plain,

1492. "And with what body do they come?" —

1493. Could that sweet Darkness where they dwell

1494. The competitions of the sky

1495. The Thrill came slowly like a Boom for

1496. All that I do

1497. Facts by our side are never sudden

1498. Glass was the Street — in tinsel Peril

1499. How firm Eternity must look

1500. It came his turn to beg —

1501. Its little Ether Hood

1502. I saw the wind within her

1503. More than the Grave is closed to me —

1504. Of whom so dear

1505. She could not live upon the Past

1506. Summer is shorter than any one —

1507. The Pile of Years is not so high

1508. You cannot make Remembrance grow

1509. Mine Enemy is growing old —

1510. How happy is the little Stone

1511. My country need not change her gown,

1512. All things swept sole away

1513. "Go travelling with us!"

1514. An Antiquated Tree

1515. The Things that never can come back, are several —

1516. No Autumn's intercepting Chill

1517. How much of Source escapes with thee —

1518. Not seeing, still we know —

1519. The Dandelion's pallid tube

1520. The stem of a departed Flower

1521. The Butterfly upon the Sky,

1522. His little Hearse like Figure

1523. We never know we go when we are going —

1524. A faded Boy — in sallow Clothes

1525. He lived the Life of Ambush

1526. His oriental heresies

1527. Oh give it Motion — deck it sweet

1528. The Moon upon her fluent Route

1529. 'Tis Seasons since the Dimpled War

1530. A Pang is more conspicuous in Spring

1531. Above Oblivion's Tide there is a Pier

1532. From all the Jails the Boys and Girls

1533. On that specific Pillow

1534. Society for me my misery

1535. The Life that tied too tight escapes

1536. There comes a warning like a spy

1537. Candor — my tepid friend —

1538. Follow wise Orion

1539. Now I lay thee down to Sleep —

1540. As imperceptibly as Grief

1541. No matter where the Saints abide,

1542. Come show thy Durham Breast

1543. Obtaining but our own Extent

1544. Who has not found the Heaven — below —

1545. The Bible is an antique Volume —

1546. Sweet Pirate of the heart,

1547. Hope is a subtle Glutton —

1548. Meeting by Accident,

1549. My Wars are laid away in Books —

1550. The pattern of the sun

1551. Those — dying then,

1552. Within thy Grave!

1553. Bliss is the plaything of the child —

1554. "Go tell it" — What a Message —

1555. I groped for him before I knew

1556. Image of Light, Adieu —

1557. Lives he in any other world

1558. Of Death I try to think like this —

1559. Tried always and Condemned by thee

1560. To be forgot by thee

1561. No Brigadier throughout the Year

1562. Her Losses make our Gains ashamed —

1563. By homely gift and hindered Words

1564. Pass to they Rendezvous of Light,

1565. Some Arrows slay but whom they strike —

1566. Climbing to reach the costly Hearts

1567. The Heart has many Doors —

1568. To see her is a Picture —

1569. The Clock strikes one that just struck two —

1570. Forever honored by the Tree

1571. How slow the Wind —

1572. We wear our sober Dresses when we die,

1573. To the bright east she flies,

1574. No ladder needs the bird but skies

1575. The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings —

1576. The Spirit lasts — but in what mode —

1577. Morning is due to all —

1578. Blossoms will run away,

1579. It would not know if it were spurned,

1580. We shun it ere it comes,

1581. The farthest Thunder that I heard

1582. Where Roses would not dare to go,

1583. Witchcraft was hung, in History,

1584. Expanse cannot be lost —

1585. The Bird her punctual music brings

1586. To her derided Home

1587. He ate and drank the precious Words —

1588. This Me — that walks and works — must die,

1589. Cosmopolities without a plea

1590. Not at Home to Callers

1591. The Bobolink is gone —

1592. The Lassitudes of Contemplation

1593. There came a Wind like a Bugle —

1594. Immured in Heaven!

1595. Declaiming Waters none may dread —

1596. Few, yet enough,

1597. 'Tis not the swaying frame we miss,

1598. Who is it seeks my Pillow Nights —

1599. Though the great Waters sleep,

1600. Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird

1601. Of God we ask one favor,

1602. Pursuing you in your transitions,

1603. The going from a world we know

1604. We send the Wave to find the Wave —

1605. Each that we lose takes part of us

1606. Quite empty, quite at rest,

1607. Within that little Hive

1608. The ecstasy to guess

1609. Sunset that screens, reveals —

1610. Morning that comes but once,

1611. Their dappled importunity

1612. The Auctioneer of Parting

1613. Not Sickness stains the Brave,

1614. Parting with Thee reluctantly,

1615. Oh what a Grace is this,

1616. Who abdicated Ambush

1617. To try to speak, and miss the way

1618. There are two Mays

1619. Not knowing when the Dawn will come,

1620. Circumference thou Bride of Awe

1621. A Flower will not trouble her, it has so small a Foot,

1622. A Sloop of Amber slips away

1623. A World made penniless by that departure

1624. Apparently with no surprise

1625. Back from the cordial Grave I drag thee

1626. No Life can pompless pass away —

1627. The pedigree of Honey

1628. A Drunkard cannot meet a Cork

1629. Arrows enamored of his Heart —

1630. As from the earth the light Balloon

1631. Oh Future! thou secreted peace

1632. So give me back to Death —

1633. Still own thee — still thou art

1634. Talk not to me of Summer Trees

1635. The Jay his Castanet has struck

1636. The Sun in reigning to the West

1637. Is it too late to touch you, Dear?

1638. Go thy great way!

1639. A Letter is a joy of Earth —

1640. Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy,

1641. Betrothed to Righteousness might be

1642. "Red Sea," indeed! Talk not to me

1643. Extol thee — could I? Then I will

1644. Some one prepared this mighty show

1645. The Ditch is dear to the Drunken man

1646. Why should we hurry — why indeed?

1647. Of Glory not a Beam is left

1648. The immortality she gave

1649. A Cap of Lead across the sky

1650. A lane of Yellow led the eye

1651. A Word made Flesh is seldom

1652. Advance is Life's condition

1653. As we pass Houses musing slow

1654. Beauty crowds me till I die

1655. Conferring with myself

1656. Down Time's quaint stream

1657. Eden is that old-fashioned House

1658. Endanger it, and the Demand

1659. Fame is a fickle food

1660. Glory is that bright tragic thing

1661. Guest am I to have

1662. He went by sleep that drowsy route

1663. His mind of man, a secret makes

1664. I did not reach Thee

1665. I know of people in the Grave

1666. I see thee clearer for the Grave

1667. I watcher her face to see which way

1668. If I could tell how glad I was

1669. In snow thou comest —

1670. In Winter in my Room

1671. Judgment is justest

1672. Lightly stepped a yellow star

1673. Nature can do no more

1674. Not any sunny tone

1675. Of this is Day composed

1676. Of Yellow was the outer Sky

1677. On my volcano grows the Grass

1678. Peril as a Possession

1679. Rather arid delight

1680. Sometimes with the Heart

1681. Speech is one symptom of Affection

1682. Summer begins to have the look

1683. That she forgot me was the least

1684. The Blunder is in estimate.

1685. The butterfly obtains

1686. The event was directly behind Him

1687. The gleam of an heroic Act

1688. The Hills erect their Purple Heads

1689. The look of thee, what is it like

1690. The ones that disappeared are back

1691. The overtakelessness of those

1692. The right to perish might be thought

1693. The Sun retired to a cloud

1694. The wind drew off

1695. There is a solitude of space

1696. These are the days that Reindeer love

1697. They talk as slow as Legends grow

1698. 'Tis easier to pity those when dead

1699. To do a magnanimous thing

1700. To tell the Beauty would decrease

1701. To their apartment deep

1702. Today or this noon

1703. 'Twas comfort in her Dying Room

1704. Unto a broken heart

1705. Volcanoes be in Sicily

1706. When we have ceased to care

1707. Winter under cultivation

1708. Witchcraft has not a Pedigree

1709. With sweetness unabated

1710. A curious Cloud surprised the Sky,

1711. A face devoid of love or grace,

1712. A Pit — but Heaven over it —

1713. As subtle as tomorrow

1714. By a departing light

1715. Consulting summer's clock,

1716. Death is like the insect

1717. Did life's penurious length

1718. Drowning is not so pitiful

1719. God is indeed a jealous God —

1720. Had I known that the first was the last

1721. He was my host — he was my guest,

1722. Her face was in a bed of hair,

1723. High from the earth I heard a bird,

1724. How dare the robins sing,

1725. I took one Draught of Life —

1726. If all the griefs I am to have

1727. If ever the lid gets off my head

1728. Is Immortality a bane

1729. I've got an arrow here.

1730. "Lethe" in my flower,

1731. Love can do all but raise the Dead

1732. My life closed twice before its close —

1733. No man saw awe, nor to his house

1734. Oh, honey of an hour,

1735. One crown that no one seeks

1736. Proud of my broken heart, since thou didst break it,

1737. Rearrange a "Wife's" affection!

1738. Softened by Time's consummate plush,

1739. Some say goodnight — at night —

1740. Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,

1741. That it will never come again

1742. The distance that the dead have gone

1743. The grave my little cottage is,

1744. The joy that has no stem no core,

1745. The mob within the heart

1746. The most important population

1747. The parasol is the umbrella's daughter,

1748. The reticent volcano keeps

1749. The waters chased him as he fled,

1750. The words the happy say

1751. There comes an hour when begging stops,

1752. This docile one inter

1753. Through those old Grounds of memory,

1754. To lose thee — sweeter than to gain

1755. To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

1756. 'Twas here my summer paused

1757. Upon the gallows hung a wretch,

1758. Where every bird is bold to go

1759. Which misses most,

1760. Elysium is as far as to

1761. A train went through a burial gate,

1762. Were natural mortal lady

1763. Fame is a bee.

1764. The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,

1765. That Love is all there is,

1766. Those final Creatures, — who they are —

1767. Sweet hours have perished here

1768. Lad of Athens, faithful be

1769. The longest day that God appoints

1770. Experiment escorts us last —

1771. How fleet — how indiscreet an one —

1772. Let me not thirst with this Hock at my Lip,

1773. The Summer that we did not prize,

1774. Too happy Time dissolves itself

1775. The earth has many keys,