第1章

InHarbourTheWayoftheWindHadIWistRecollectionsTimeandLifeADialoguePlusUltraADeadFriendPastDaysAutumnandWinterTheDeathofRichardWagnerTwopreludesLohengrinTristanundIsoldeTheLuteandtheLyrePlusIntraChangeABaby"sDeathOneofTwainDeathandBirthBirthandDeathBenedictionEtudeRealisteBabyhoodFirstFootstepsANinthBirthdayNotaChildToDoraDorianTheRoundelAtSeaWastedLoveBeforeSunsetASingingLessonFlower-piecesLoveLiesBleedingLoveinaMistThreefacesVentimigliaGenoaVeniceErosSorrowSleepOnanOldRoundelALandscapebyCourbetAFlower-piecebyFantinANight-piecebyMilletMarzoPazzoDeadLoveDiscordConcordMourningAperotosErosToCatullusInsularumOcelle"

InSarkInGuernseyEnvoiDEDICATION

TOCHRISTINAG.ROSSETTI

Songslightasthesemaysound,thoughdeepandstrongTheheartspakethroughthem,scarceshouldhopetopleaseEarstunedtostrainsofloftierthoughtsthanthrongSongslightasthese.

Yetgracemaysettheirsometimedoubtatease,NorneedtheirtoorashreverencefeartowrongTheshrineitservesatandthehopeitsees.

ForchildlikelovesandlaughtersthenceprolongNotesthatbidenter,fearlessasthebreeze,Eventotheshrineofholiest-heartedsong,Songslightasthese.

INHARBOUR

I.

GoodnightandgoodbyetothelifewhosesignsdenoteusAsmournersclothedwithregretforthelifegoneby;

TothewatersofgloomwhencewindsofthedayspringfloatusGoodnightandgoodbye.

Atimeisformourning,aseasonforgrieftosigh;

Butwerewenotfoolsandblind,bydaytodevoteusAsthrallstothedarkness,unseenofthesundawn"seye?

WehavedrunkenofLetheatlength,wehaveeatenoflotus;

Whathurtsitusherethatsorrowsarebornanddie?

WehavesaidtothedreamthatcaressedandthedreadthatsmoteusGoodnightandgoodbye.

II.

Outsideoftheportyearemooredin,lyingClosefromthewindandateasefromthetide,Whatsoundscomeswelling,whatnotesfalldyingOutside?

Theywillnotcease,theywillnotabide:

VoicesofpresageindarknesscryingPassandreturnandrelapseaside.

Yeseenot,buthearyenotwildwingsflyingTothefuturethatwakesfromthepastthatdied?

Isgriefstillsleeping,isjoynotsighingOutside?

THEWAYOFTHEWIND

Thewind"swayinthedeepsky"shollowNonemaymeasure,asnonecansayHowtheheartinhershowstheswallowThewind"sway.

HopenorfearcanavailtostayWavesthatwhitenonwrecksthatwallow,Timesandseasonsthatwaneandslay.

Lifeandlove,tillthestrongnightswallowThoughtandhopeandtheredlastray,SwimthewatersofyearsthatfollowThewind"sway.

"HADIWIST"

HadIwist,whenlifewaslikeawarmwindplayingLightandloudthroughsundawnandthedew"sbrighttrust,Howthetimeshouldcomeforheartstosighinsaying"HadIwist"-

Surelynottheroses,laughingastheykissed,Notthelovelierlaughofseasinsunshineswaying,Shouldhaveluredmysoultolookthereonandlist.

NowthewindislikeasoulcastoutandprayingVainly,prayersthatpiercenotearswhenheartsresist:

Nowmineownsoulsighs,adriftaswindandstraying,"HadIwist."

RECOLLECTIONS

I.

Yearsuponyears,asacourseofcloudsthatthickenThrongingthewaysofthewindthatshiftsandveers,Pass,andtheflamesofrememberedfiresrequickenYearsuponyears.

Surelythethoughtinaman"shearthopesorfearsNowthatforgetfulnessneedsmustherehavestrickenAnguish,andsweetenedthesealed-upspringsoftears.

Ah,butthestrengthofregretsthatstrainandsicken,Yearningforlovethattheveilofdeathendears,Slackensnotwingforthewingsofyearsthatquicken-

Yearsuponyears.

II.

Yearsuponyears,andtheflameoflove"shighaltarTremblesandsinks,andthesenseoflisteningearsHeedsnotthesoundthatitheardoflove"sblithepsalterYearsuponyears.

Onlythesenseofaheartthathearkenshears,Louderthandreamsthatassailanddoubtsthatpalter,Sorrowthatsleptandthatwakeseresundawnpeers.

Wakes,thattheheartmaybehold,andyetnotfalter,Facesofchildrenasstarsunknownof,spheresSeenbutoflove,thatenduresthoughallthingsalter,Yearsuponyears.

III.

Yearsuponyears,asawatchbynightthatpasses,Pass,andthelightoftheireyesisfirethatsearsSlowlythehopesofthefruitthatlifeamassesYearsuponyears.

PaleastheglimmerofstarsonmoorlandmeresLightentheshadowsreverberatefromtheglassesHeldintheirhandsastheypassamongtheirpeers.

Lightsthatareshadows,asghostsongraveyardgrasses,Movingonpathsthatthemoonofmemorycheers,ShewbutasmistsovercloudymountainpassesYearsuponyears.

TIMEANDLIFE

I.

Time,thynameissorrow,saysthestrickenHeartoflife,laidwastewithwastingflameErethechangeofthingsandthoughtsrequicken,Time,thyname.

Girtaboutwithshadow,blindandlame,GhostsofthingsthatsmiteandthoughtsthatsickenHuntandhoundtheedowntodeathandshame.

EyesofhourswhosepaceshaltorquickenReadinbloodredlinesoflossandblame,Writwherecloudanddarknessrounditthicken,Time,thyname.

II.

Nay,butrestisbornofmeforhealing,-Somighthaplytime,withvoicereprest,Speak:isgriefthelastgiftofmydealing?

Nay,butrest.

Alltheworldiswearied,eastandwest,Tiredwithtoiltowatchtheslowsunwheeling,Twelveloudhoursoflife"slaboriousquest.

Eyesforspentwithvigil,faintandreeling,Findatlastmycomfort,andareblest,Notwithrapturouslightoflife"srevealing-

Nay,butrest.

ADIALOGUE

I.

Death,ifthouwilt,fainwouldIpleadwiththee:

Canstthounotspare,ofallourhopeshavebuilt,Oneshelterwhereourspiritsfainwouldbe,Death,ifthouwilt?

Nodomewithsunsanddewsimpearledandgilt,Imperial:butsomeroofofwildwoodtree,Toomeanforsceptre"sheftorswordblade"shilt.

Somelowsweetroofwherelovemightlive,setfreeFromchangeandfearanddreamsofgrieforguilt;

Canstthounotleavelifeeventhusmuchtosee,Death,ifthouwilt?

II.

Man,whatartthoutospeakandpleadwithme?

Whatknowestthouofmyworkings,whereandhowWhatthingsIfashion?Nay,beholdandsee,Man,whatartthou?

Thyfruitsoflife,andblossomsofthybough,Whataretheybutmyseedlings?EarthandseaBearnoughtbutwhenIbreatheonitmustbow.

Bowthoutoodownbeforeme:thoughthoubeGreat,alltheprideshallfadefromoffthybrow,WhenTimeandstrongOblivionaskofthee,Man,whatartthou?

III.

Death,ifthoubeorbenot,aswassaid,Immortal;ifthoumakeusnought,orweSurvive:thypowerismadebutofourdread,Death,ifthoube.

Thymightismadeoutofourfearofthee:

Whofearstheenot,hathpluckedfromoffthineheadThecrownofcloudthatdarkensearthandsea.

Earth,sea,andsky,asrainorvapourshed,Shallvanish;alltheshowsofthemshallflee:

Thenshallweknowfullsurely,quickordead,Death,ifthoube.

PLUSULTRA

FarbeyondthesunriseandthesunsetrisesHeaven,withworldsonworldsthatlightenandrespond:

Thoughtcanseenotthencethegoalofhope"ssurmisesFarbeyond.

NightanddayhavemadeaneverlastingbondEachwitheachtohideinyetmoredeepdisguisesTruth,tillsoulsofmenthatthirstfortruthdespond.

Allthatmaninprideofspiritslightsorprizes,Allthedreamsthatmakehimfearful,fain,orfond,Fadeatforethought"stouchoflife"sunknownsurprisesFarbeyond.

ADEADFRIEND

I.

Gone,Ogentleheartandtrue,Friendofhopesforegone,HopesandhopefuldayswithyouGone?

DaysofoldthatshoneSawwhatnoneshallseeanew,Whenwegazedthereon.

Soulasclearassunlitdew,Whysosoonpasson,ForthfromallwelovedandknewGone?

II.

Friendofmanyaseasonfled,WhatmaysorrowsendTowardtheenowfromlipsthatsaid"Friend"?

SighsandsongstoblendPraisewithpainuncomfortedThoughthepraiseascend?

Darknesshidesnodearerhead:

WhyshoulddarknessendDaysosoon,OdearanddeadFriend?

III.

Dearindeath,thouhastthypartYetinlife,tocheerHeartsthatheldthygentleheartDear.

TimeandchancemaysearHopewithgrief,anddeathmaypartHandfromhand"sclasphere:

Memory,blindwithtearsthatstart,SeesthrougheverytearAllthatmadethee,asthouart,Dear.

IV.

Trueandtender,single-souled,WhatshouldmemorydoWeepingo"erthetrustweholdTrue?

Knownandlovedoffew,Butofthese,thoughsmalltheirfold,Lovedhowwellwereyou!

Change,thatmakesofnewthingsold,Leavesoneoldthingnew;

Lovewhichpromisedtruth,andtoldTrue.

V.

Kindasheaven,whileearth"scontrolStillhadleavetobindThee,thyheartwastowardman"swholeKind.

TheenoshadowsblindNow:thechangeofhoursthatrollLeavesthysleepbehind.

Love,thathearsthydeath-belltollYet,maycalltomindScarceasoulasthysweetsoulKind.

VI.

Howshouldlife,Ofriend,forgetDeath,whoseguestartthou?

Faithrespondstolove"sregret,How?

Still,forusthatbowSorrowing,still,thoughlifebeset,Shinesthybrightmildbrow.

Yea,thoughdeathandthoubemet,LovemayfindtheenowStill,albeitweknownotyetHow.

VII.

Pastasmusicfades,thatshoneWhileitslifemightlast;

Asasong-bird"sshadowflownPast!

Death"sreverberateblastNowformusic"slordhasblownWhomthyloveheldfast.

Deadthyking,andvoidhisthrone:

YetforgriefatlastLovemakesmusicofhisownPast.

PASTDAYS

I.

Deadandgone,thedayswehadtogether,Shadow-strickenallthelightsthatshoneRoundthem,flownasfliestheblownfoam"sfeather,Deadandgone.

Wherewewent,wetwain,intimeforegone,Forthbylandandsea,andcarednotwhether,IfIgoagain,Igoalone.

BoundamIwithtimeaswithatether;

Theeperchancedeathleadsenfranchisedon,Farfromdeathlikelifeandchangefulweather,Deadandgone.

II.

Abovetheseaandsea-washedtownwedwelt,Wetwaintogether,twobriefsummers,freeFromheedofhoursaslightascloudsthatmeltAbovethesea.

Freefromallheedofaughtatallwerewe,SavechanceofchangethatcloudsorsunbeamsdealtAndgleamofheaventowindwardortolee.

TheNormandownswithbrightgreywavesforbeltWeremoreforusthaninlandwaysmightbe;

AclearersenseofnearerheavenwasfeltAbovethesea.

III.

Cliffsanddownsandheadlandswhichtheforward-hastingFlightofdawnandeveempurplesandembrowns,Wingsofwildsea-windsandstormyseasonswastingCliffsanddowns,These,orevermanwas,were:thesameskyfrowns,Laughs,andlightens,asbeforehissoul,forecastingTimestobe,conceivedsuchhopesastimediscrowns.

Thesewelovedofold:butnowformetheblastingBreathofdeathmakesdullthebrightsmallseawardtowns,ClotheswithhumanchangetheseallbuteverlastingCliffsanddowns.

AUTUMNANDWINTER

I.

ThreemonthsbadewaneandwaxthewinteringmoonBetweentwodatesofdeath,whilemenwerefainYetofthelivinglightthatalltoosoonThreemonthsbadewane.

Coldautumn,wanwithwrathofwindandrain,SawpassasoulsweetasthesovereigntuneThatdeathsmotesilentwhenhesmoteagain.

Firstwentmyfriend,inlife"smidlightofnoon,Wholovedthelordofmusic:thenthestrainWhenceearthwaskindledlikeasheaveninJuneThreemonthsbadewane.

II.

Aheraldsoulbeforeitsmaster"sflyingTouchedbysomefewmoonsfirstthedarklinggoalWhereshadesroseuptogreettheshade,espyingAheraldsoul;

Shadesofdeadlordsofmusic,whocontrolMenlivingbythemightofmenundying,Withstrengthofstrainsthatmakedelightofdole.

Thedeepdensedustondeath"sdimthresholdlyingTrembledwithsenseofkindlingsoundthatstoleThroughdarkness,andthenightgaveear,descryingAheraldsoul.

III.

Onewentbefore,oneafter,butsofastTheyseemgonehencetogether,fromtheshoreWhencewenowgaze:yeterethemightierpassedOnewentbefore;

Onewhosewholeheartoflove,beingsetofyoreOnthathighjoywhichmusiclendsus,castLightroundhimforthofmusic"sradiantstore.

Thenwent,whileearthonwinterglaredaghast,Themortalgodheworshipped,throughthedoorWherethroughsolate,hislovertothelast,Onewentbefore.

IV.

AstarhadsetanhourbeforethesunSankfromtheskieswherethroughhisheart"spulseyetThrillsaudibly:butfewtookheed,ornone,Astarhadset.

Allheavenringsback,sonorouswithregret,Thedeepdirgeofthesunset:howshouldoneSoftstarbemissedinalltheconcoursemet?

But,Osweetsingleheartwhoseworkisdone,Whosesongsaresilent,howshouldIforgetThaterethesunset"sfierygoalwaswonAstarhadset?

THEDEATHOFRICHARDWAGNER

I.

Mourningonearth,aswhendarkhoursdescend,Wide-wingedwithplagues,fromheaven;whenhopeandmirthWane,andnolipsrebukeorreprehendMourningonearth.

Thesoulwhereinhersongsofdeathandbirth,Darknessandlight,werewonttosoundandblend,Nowsilent,leavesthewholeworldlessinworth.

Windsthatmakemoanandtriumph,skiesthatbend,Thunders,andsoundoftidesingulfandfirth,Spakethroughhisspiritofspeech,whosedeathshouldsendMourningonearth.

II.

Theworld"sgreatheart,whenceallthingsstrangeandrareTakeformandsound,thateachinseparatepartMaybearitsburdeninalltunedthoughtsthatshareTheworld"sgreatheart-

Thefountainforces,whencelikesteedsthatstartLeapforththepowersofearthandfireandair,Seasthatrevolveandriversthatdepart-

Spake,andwereturnedtosong:yea,alltheywere,Withalltheirworks,foundinhismasteringartSpeechasofpowerswhoseutteredwordlaidbareTheworld"sgreatheart.

Fromthedepthsofthesea,fromthewellspringsofearth,fromthewastesofthemidmostnight,Fromthefountainsofdarknessandtempestandthunder,fromheightswherethesoulwouldbe,Thespellofthemageofmusicevokedtheirsense,asanunknownlightFromthedepthsofthesea.

Asavisionofheavenfromthehollowsofocean,thatnonebutagodmightsee,Roseoutofthesilenceofthingsunknownofapresence,aform,amight,AndweheardasaprophetthathearsGod"smessageagainsthim,andmaynotflee.

Eyemightnotendureit,butearandheartwitharaptureofdarkdelight,Withaterrorandwonderwhosecorewasjoy,andapassionofthoughtsetfree,FeltinlytherisingofdoomdivineasasundawnrisentosightFromthedepthsofthesea.

TWOPRELUDES

I.

LOHENGRIN

Love,outofthedepthofthings,Asadewfallfeltfromabove,FromtheheavenwhenceonlyspringsLove,Love,heardfromtheheightsthereof,Thecloudsandthewatersprings,Drawscloseasthecloudsremove.

Andthesoulinitspeaksandsings,Aswansweet-souledasadove,AnechothatonlyringsLove.

II.

TRISTANUNDISOLDE

Fate,outofthedeepsea"sgloom,Whenaman"sheart"spridegrowsgreat,AndnoughtseemsnowtoforedoomFate,Fate,ladenwithfearsinwait,Drawsclosethroughthecloudsthatloom,Tillthesoulsee,alltoolate,Moredarkthanadeadworld"stomb,Morehighthanthesheerdawn"sgate,Moredeepthanthewidesea"swomb,Fate.

THELUTEANDTHELYRE

Deepdesire,thatpiercesheartandspirittotheroot,Findsreluctantvoiceinversethatyearnslikesoaringfire,TakesexultantvoicewhenmusicholdsinhighpursuitDeepdesire.

Keenasburnsthepassionoftherosewhosebudsrespire,Strongasgrowstheyearningoftheblossomtowardthefruit,Soundsthesecrethalfunspokenerethedeeptonestire.

Slowsubsidestherapturethatpossessedlove"sflower-softlute,Slowthepalpitationofthetriumphofthelyre:

Stillthesoulfeelsburn,aflameunslakedthoughthesebemute,Deepdesire.

PLUSINTRA

I.

Soulwithinsense,immeasurable,obscure,Insepulchredanddeathless,throughthedenseDeepelementsmayscarcebefeltaspureSoulwithinsense.

Fromdepthandheightbymeasurersleftimmense,Throughsoundandshapeandcolour,comestheunsureVagueutterance,fitfulwithsupremesuspense.

Allthatmaypass,andallthatmustendure,Songspeaksnot,paintingshewsnot:moreintenseAndkeenthanthese,artwakeswithmusic"slureSoulwithinsense.

CHANGE

Butnowlife"sfacebeholdenSeemedbrightasheaven"sbarebrowWithhopeofgiftswithholdenButnow.

Fromtime"sfull-floweringboughEachbudspakebloomtoemboldenLove"sheart,andsealhisvow.

Joy"seyesgrewdeepwitholdenDreams,bornhewistnothow;

Thought"smeanestgarbwasgolden;

Butnow!

ABABY"SDEATH

I.

AlittlesoulscarcefledgedforearthTakeswingwithheavenagainforgoalEvenwhilewehailedasfreshfrombirthAlittlesoul.

Ourthoughtsringsadasbellsthattoll,Notknowingbeyondthisblindworld"sgirthWhatthingsarewritinheaven"sfullscroll.

Ourfruitfulnessistherebutdearth,Andallthingsheldintime"scontrolSeemthere,perchance,illdreams,notworthAlittlesoul.

II.

ThelittlefeetthatnevertrodEarth,neverstrayedinfieldorstreet,WhathandleadsupwardbacktoGodThelittlefeet?

AroseinJune"smosthoniedheat,Whenlifemakeskeenthekindlingsod,Wasnotsosoftandwarmandsweet.

Theirpilgrimage"speriodAfewswiftmoonshaveseencompleteSincemother"shandsfirstclaspedandshodThelittlefeet.

III.

ThelittlehandsthatneversoughtEarth"sprizes,worthlessallassands,Whatgifthasdeath,God"sservant,broughtThelittlehands?

Weask:butlove"sselfsilentstands,Love,thatlendseyesandwingstothoughtTosearchwheredeath"sdimheavenexpands.

Erethis,perchance,thoughloveknownought,Flowersfillthem,growninlovelierlands,WherehandsofguidingangelscaughtThelittlehands.

IV.

ThelittleeyesthatneverknewLightotherthanofdawningskies,WhatnewlifenowlightsupanewThelittleeyes?

WhoknowsbutontheirsleepmayriseSuchlightasneverheavenletthroughTolightenearthfromParadise?

Nostorm,weknow,maychangetheblueSoftheaventhathaplydeathdescriesNotears,liketheseinours,bedewThelittleeyes.

V.

Waslifesostrange,sosadthesky,Sostraitthewideworld"srange,HewouldnotstaytowonderwhyWaslifesostrange?

Wasearth"sfairhouseajoylessgrangeBesidethathouseonhighWhenceTimethatborehimfailedtoestrange?

ThathereatoncehissoulputbyAllgiftsoftimeandchange,Andleftusheavierheartstosigh"Waslifesostrange?"

VI.

Angelbynamelovecalledhim,seeingsofairThesweetsmallframe;

Meettobecalled,ifeverman"schildwere,Angelbyname.

Rose-brightandwarmfromheaven"sownhearthecame,AndmightnotbearThecloudthatcoversearth"swanfacewithshame.

HislittlelightoflifewasalltoorareAndsoftaflame:

HeavenyearnedforhimtillangelshailedhimthereAngelbyname.

VII.

ThesongthatsmileduponhisbirthdayhereWeepsonthegravethatholdshimundefiledWhoselossmakesbittererthanasoundlesstearThesongthatsmiled.

HisnamecrownedoncethemightiesteverstyledSovereignofarts,andangel:fateandfearKnewthentheirmaster,andwerereconciled.

ButwesawbornbeneathsometenderersphereMichael,anangelandalittlechild,WhoselossbowsdowntoweepuponhisbierThesongthatsmiled.

ONEOFTWAIN

I.

Oneoftwain,twin-bornwithflowersthatwaken,Nowhathpassedfromsenseofsunandrain:

Windfromofftheflower-crownedbranchhathshakenOneoftwain.

Onetwinflowermustpass,andoneremain:

One,thewordsaidsoothly,shallbetaken,Andanotherleft:candeathrefrain?

Twoyearssincewaslove"slightsongmistaken,Blessingthenbothblossoms,halfinvain?

NightoutspeedinglighthathovertakenOneoftwain.

II.

Nightandlight?Othouofheartunwary,Love,whatknowestthouhereatallaright,Lured,abused,misledasmenbyfairyNightandlight?

Haply,wherethineeyesbeholdbutnight,Softaso"erherbabethesmileofMaryLightbreaksflowerwiseintonew-bornsight.

Whatthoughnightoflighttotheebechary?

Whatthoughstarsofhopelikeflowerstakeflight?

Seestthouallthingshere,whereallseevaryNightandlight?

DEATHANDBIRTH

Deathandbirthshoulddwellnotneartogether:

Wealthkeepshousenot,evenforshame,withdearth:

FatedothilltolinkinonebrieftetherDeathandbirth.

Harshtheyokethatbindsthem,strangethegirthSeemsthatgirdsthemeachwitheach:yetwhetherDeathbebest,whoknows,orlifeonearth?