A Century of Roundels

第2章

Illtherose-redandthesablefeatherBlendinonecrown"splume,asgriefwithmirth:

Illmetstillarewarmandwintryweather,Deathandbirth.

BIRTHANDDEATH

Birthanddeath,twin-sisterandtwin-brother,Nightandday,onallthingsthatdrawbreath,Reign,whiletimekeepsfriendswithoneanotherBirthanddeath.

Eachbrow-boundwithflowersdiverseofwreath,Heaventheyhailasfather,earthasmother,Faithfulfoundabovethemandbeneath.

Smilesmaylightentears,andtearsmaysmotherSmiles,forallthatjoyorsorrowsaith:

JoynorsorrowknowsnotfromeachotherBirthanddeath.

BENEDICTION

Blestindeathandlifebeyondman"sguessingLittlechildrenliveanddie,possestStillofgracethatkeepsthempastexpressingBlest.

Eachleastchirpthatringsfromeverynest,Eachleasttouchofflower-softfingerspressingAughtthatyearnsandtremblestobeprest,Eachleastglance,givesgiftsofgrace,redressingGrief"sworstwrongs:eachmother"snurturingbreastFeedsaflowerofbliss,beyondallblessingBlest.

ETUDEREALISTE

ABaby"sfeet,likesea-shellspink,Mighttempt,shouldheavenseemeet,Anangel"slipstokiss,wethink,Ababy"sfeet.

Likerose-huedsea-flowerstowardtheheatTheystretchandspreadandwinkTheirtensoftbudsthatpartandmeet.

Noflower-bellsthatexpandandshrinkGleamhalfsoheavenlysweetAsshineonlife"suntroddenbrinkAbaby"sfeet.

II.

Ababy"shands,likerosebudsfurledWhenceyetnoleafexpands,Opeifyoutouch,thoughcloseupcurled,Ababy"shands.

Then,fastaswarriorsgriptheirbrandsWhenbattle"sboltishurled,Theyclose,clenchedhardliketighteningbands.

NorosebudsyetbydawnimpearledMatch,eveninloveliestlands,Thesweetestflowersinalltheworld-

Ababy"shands.

III.

Ababy"seyes,erespeechbegin,Erelipslearnwordsorsighs,BlessallthingsbrightenoughtowinAbaby"seyes.

Love,whilethesweetthinglaughsandlies,Andsleepflowsoutandin,SeesperfectinthemParadise.

Theirglancemightcastoutpainandsin,Theirspeechmakedumbthewise,BymutegladgodheadfeltwithinAbaby"seyes.

BABYHOOD

AbabyshinesasbrightIfwinterorifMaybeOneyesthatkeepinsightAbaby.

Thoughdarktheskiesorgreybe,Itfillsoureyeswithlight,Ifmidnightormiddaybe.

Lovehailsit,dayandnight,ThesweetestthingthatmaybeYetcannotpraisearightAbaby.

II.

Allheaven,ineverybabyborn,Allabsoluteofearthlyleaven,Revealsitself,thoughmanmayscornAllheaven.

Yetmanmightfeelallsinforgiven,Allgriefappeased,allpainoutworn,Bythisonerevelationgiven.

Soul,nowforgetthyburdensborne:

Heart,bethyjoysnowseventimesseven:

LoveshowsinlightmorebrightthanmornAllheaven.

III.

Whatlikenessmaydefine,andstraynotFromtruth"sexactestway,Ababy"sbeauty?LovecansaynotWhatlikenessmay.

TheMayflowerloveliestheldinMayOfallthatshineandstaynotLaughsnotinrosierdisarray.

Sleeksatin,swansdown,budsthatplaynotAsyetwithwindsthatplay,Wouldfainbematchedwiththis,andmaynot:

Whatlikenessmay?

IV.

Rose,roundwhosebedDawn"scloudletsclose,Earth"sbrightest-bredRose!

Nosong,loveknows,MaypraisetheheadYourcurtainshows.

Eresleephasfled,ThewholechildglowsOnesweetliveredRose.

FIRSTFOOTSTEPS

Alittleway,moresoftandsweetThanfieldsaflowerwithMay,Ababe"sfeet,venturing,scarcecompleteAlittleway.

EyesfullofdawningdayLookupformother"seyestomeet,Tooblitheforsongtosay.

GladasthegoldenspringtogreetItsfirstliveleaflet"splay,Love,laughing,leadsthelittlefeetAlittleway.

ANINTHBIRTHDAY

FEBRUARY4,1883

Threetimesthricehathwinter"sroughwhitewingCrossedandcurdledwellsandstreamswithiceSincehisbirthwhosepraiseslovewouldsingThreetimesthrice.

EarthnorseabearsflowernorpearlofpriceFittocrowntheforeheadofmyking,Honeymeettopleasehim,balm,norspice.

LovecanthinkofnoughtbutlovetobringFittoserveordohimsacrificeErehiseyeshavelookeduponthespringThreetimesthrice.

II.

Threetimesthricetheworldhasfallenonslumber,Shoneandwanedandwitheredinatrice,FrosthasfetteredThamesandTyneandHumberThreetimesthrice,Fogshaveswolntoothickforsteeltoslice,CloudandmudhavesoiledwithgrimeandumberEarthandheaven,defacedassoulswithvice,Windshaverisentowreck,snowsfallentocumber,Shipsandchariots,trappedlikeratsormice,Sincemykingfirstsmiled,whoseyearsnownumberThreetimesthrice.

III.

Threetimesthrice,inwineofsongfull-flowing,Pledge,myheart,thechildwhoseeyessuffice,Oncebeheld,tosetthyjoy-bellsgoingThreetimesthrice.

NotthelandsofpalmanddateandriceGlowmorebrightwhensummerleavesthemglowing,Laughmorelightwhensunsandwindsentice.

Noonandeveandmidnightandcock-crowing,Childwhoselovemakeslifeasparadise,LoveshouldsoundyourpraisewithclarionsblowingThreetimesthrice.

NOTACHILD

"Notachild:Icallmyselfaboy,"

Saysmyking,withaccentsternyetmild,Nownineyearshavebroughthimchangeofjoy;

"Notachild."

Howcouldreasonbesofarbeguiled,Errsofarfromsense"ssafeemploy,Straysowideoftruth,orrunsowild?

Seeinghisfacebentoverbookortoy,ChildIcalledhim,smiling:buthesmiledBack,asonetoohighforvainannoy-

Notachild.

II.

Notachild?alacktheyear!

WhatshouldailanundefiledHeart,thathewouldfainappearNotachild?

Men,withyearsandmemoriespiledEachonother,farandnear,Fainagainwouldsobestyled:

Fainwouldcastoffhopeandfear,Rest,forget,bereconciled:

Whywouldyousofainbe,dear,Notachild?

III.

Childorboy,mydarling,whichyouwill,Stillyourpraisefindsheartandsongemploy,Heartandsongbothyearningtowardyoustill,Childorboy.

AlljoyselsemightsoonerpallorcloyLovethanthiswhichinlytakesitsfill,Dear,ofsightofyourmoreperfectjoy.

Nay,beaughtyouplease,letallfulfilAllyourpleasure;beyourworldyourtoy:

Mildorwildweloveyou,loudorstill,Childorboy.

Childoftwostrongnations,heirBornofhigh-souledhopethatsmiled,SeeingforeachbroughtforthafairChild,Bythygraciousbrows,andwildGolden-cloudedheavenofhair,Bythineeyeselateandmild,HopewouldfaintakehearttoswearMenshouldyetbereconciled,Seeingthesignshebidstheebear,Child.

THEROUNDEL

Aroundeliswroughtasaringorastarbrightsphere,Withcraftofdelightandwithcunningofsoundunsought,ThattheheartofthehearermaysmileiftopleasurehisearAroundeliswrought.

Itsjewelofmusiciscarvenofallorofaught-

Love,laughter,ormourning——remembranceofraptureorfear-

Thatfancymayfashiontohangintheearofthought.

Asabird"squicksongrunsround,andtheheartsinushearPauseanswertopause,andagainthesamestraincaught,Somovesthedevicewhence,roundasapearlortear,Aroundeliswrought.

ATSEA

"Farewellandadieu"wastheburdenprevailingLongsinceinthechantofahome-faringcrew;

Andtheheartinusechoes,withlaughingorwailing,Farewellandadieu.

Eachyearthatweliveshallwesingitanew,WithawateruntravelledbeforeusforsailingAndawaterbehindusthatwrecksmaybestrew.

Thestarsofthepastandthebeaconsarepaling,Theheavensandthewatersarehoarierofhue:

ButtheheartinuschantsnotanallunavailingFarewellandadieu.

WASTEDLOVE

WhatshallbedoneforsorrowWithlovewhoseraceisrun?

Wherehelpisnonetoborrow,Whatshallbedone?

InvainhishandshavespunTheweb,ordrawnthefurrow:

Noresttheirtoilhathwon.

Histaskisallgonethorough,Andfruitthereofisnone:

Andwhodaresayto-morrowWhatshallbedone?

BEFORESUNSET

Love"stwilightwanesinheavenabove,Oneartheretwilightreigns:

Erefearmayfeelthechillthereof,Love"stwilightwanes.

Ereyettheinsatiateheartcomplains"Toomuch,andscarceenough,"

Thelipsolateathirstrefrains.

SoftontheneckofeitherdoveLove"shandsletslipthereins:

AndwhilewelookforlightofloveLove"stwilightwanes.

ASINGINGLESSON

Far-fetchedanddear-bought,astheproverbrehearses,Isgood,orwasheldso,forladies:butnoughtInasongcanbegoodiftheturnoftheverseisFar-fetchedanddear-bought.

Astheturnofawaveshoulditsound,andthethoughtRingsmooth,andaslightasthespraythatdispersesBethegleamofthewordsforthegarbthereofwrought.

LetthesoulinitshinethroughthesoundasitpiercesMen"sheartswithpossessionofmusicunsought;

Forthebountiesofsongarenojealousgod"smercies,Far-fetchedanddear-bought.

FLOWER-PIECES

I——LOVELIESBLEEDING

LoveliesbleedinginthebedwhereoverRosesleanwithsmilingmouthsorpleading:

Earthlieslaughingwherethesun"sdartcloveher:

Loveliesbleeding.

Statelyshinehispurpleplumes,exceedingPrideofprinces:norshallmaidorloverFindonearthafairersignworthheeding.

Yetmaylove,sorewoundedscarcerecoverStrengthandspiritagain,withlifereceding:

Hopeandjoy,wind-winged,abouthimhover:

Loveliesbleeding.

II——LOVEINAMIST

Lightloveinamist,bythemidsummermoonmisguided,Scarceseeninthetwilightgardenifgloominsist,SeemsvainlytoseekforastarwhosegleamhasderidedLightloveinamist.

Alldayinthesun,whenthebreezesdoalltheylist,HissoftblueraimentofcloudlikeblossomabidedUnrentandunwitheredofwindsandofraysthatkissed.

Blithe-heartedorsad,asthecloudorthesunsubsided,LovesmiledintheflowerwithameaningwhereofnonewistSavetwothatbeheld,asagleamthatbeforethemglided,Lightloveinamist.

THREEFACES

I——VENTIMIGLIA

Theskyandseaglaredhardandbrightandblank:

Downtheonesteepstreet,withslowstepsfirmandfree,Atallgirlpaced,witheyestooproudtothankTheskyandsea.

Onedeadflatsapphire,voidofwrathorglee,ThroughbayonbayshoneblindfrombanktobankThewearyMediterranean,dreartosee.

Moredeep,moreliving,shonehereyesthatdrankThebreathlesslightandshedagainonme,TillpalebeforetheirsplendourwanedandshrankTheskyandsea.

II——GENOA

Againthesamestrangemightofeyes,thatsawInheavenandearthnoughtfairer,overcameMysightwithraptureofreiterateawe,Againthesame.

Theself-samepulseofwondershooklikeflameThespiritofsensewithinme:whatstrangelawHadbidthisbe,forblessingorforblame?

TowhatveiledendthatfateorchanceforesawCameforththissecondsisterface,thatcameAbsolute,perfect,fairwithoutaflaw,Againthesame?

III——VENICE

Outofthedarkpuretwilight,wherethestreamFlowsglimmering,streakedbymanyabirdlikebarkThatskimsthegloomwhencetowersandbridgesgleamOutofthedark,OncemoreafacenoglancemightchoosebutmarkShonepaleandbright,witheyeswhosedeepslowbeamMadequickthetwilight,lifelesselseandstark.

Thesameitseemed,ormysterymadeitseem,Asthosebeforebeholden;butSt.MarkRuledherethewaysthatshoweditlikeadreamOutofthedark.

EROS

Eros,fromrestinislesfar-famed,WithrisingAnthesterionrose,AndallHellenicheightsacclaimedEros.

Theseaonepearl,theshoreonerose,Allroundhimalltheflower-monthflamedAndlightened,laughingoffrepose.

Earth"sheart,sublimeandunashamed,Knew,evenperchanceasman"sheartknows,Thethirstofallmen"snaturenamedEros.

II.

Eros,afireofheartuntamed,Alightofspiritinsensethatglows,FlamedheavenwardstillereearthdefamedEros.

NorfearnorshamedurstcurborcloseHisgoldengodhead,marredandmaimed,Fastroundwithbondsthatburntandfroze.

EreevilfaithstruckblindandlamedLove,pureasfireorflowersorsnows,EarthhailedasblamelessandunblamedEros.

III.

Eros,withshaftsbythousandsaimedAtlaughingloversroundinrows,FadesfromtheirsightwhosetonguesproclaimedEros.

ButhigherthantransientshapesorshowsThelightofloveinlifeinflamedSprings,towardnogoalthatthesedisclose.

AbovethoseheavenswhichpassionclaimedShines,veiledbychangethatebbsandflows,Thesoulinallthingsbornorframed,Eros.

SORROW

Sorrow,onwingthroughtheworldforever,HereandthereforawhilewouldborrowRest,ifrestmighthaplydeliverSorrow.

OnethoughtliescloseinherheartgnawnthoroughWithpain,aweedinadried-upriver,Arust-redshareinanemptyfurrow.

HeartsthatstrainatherchainwoneverSorrow.

SLEEP

Sleep,whenasoulthatherowncloudscoverWailsthatsorrowshouldalwayskeepWatch,norseeinthegloomaboveherSleep,Down,throughdarknessnakedandsteep,Sinks,andthegiftsofhisgracerecoverSoonthesoul,thoughherwoundbedeep.

Godbelovedofus,allmen"slover,AllmostwearythatsmileorweepFeeltheeafaroranearthemhover,Sleep.

ONANOLDROUNDEL

TRANSLATEDBYD.C.ROSSETTIFROMTHEFRENCHOFVILLON

Death,fromthyrigouravoiceappealed,Andmenstillhearwhatthesweetcrysaith,Cryingaloudinthineearsfastsealed,Death.

Asavoiceinavisionthatvanisheth,Throughthegrave"sgatebarredandtheportalsteeledThesoundofthewailofittravelleth.

Wailingaloudfromaheartunhealed,ItwokeresponseofmelodiousbreathFromlipsnowtoobythykisscongealed,DeathII.

Agesago,fromthelipsofasadgladpoetWhosesoulwasawilddovelostinthewhirlingsnow,ThesoftkeenplaintofhispaintookvoicetoshowitAgesago.

Soclear,sodeep,thedivinedrearaccentsflow,Nosoulthatlistensmaychoosebutthrilltoknowit,Piercedandwrungbythepassionatemusic"sthroe.

Forustheremurmursanearervoicebelowit,Knownonceofearsthatneveragainshallknow,Nowmuteasthemouthwhichfeltdeath"swaveo"erflowitAgesago.

ALANDSCAPEBYCOURBET

Lowliesthemerebeneaththemoorside,stillAndgladofsilence:downthewoodsweepsclearTotheutmostvergewherefedwithmanyarillLowliesthemere.

Thewindspeaksonlysummer:eyenorearSeesaughtatallofdark,hearsaughtofshrill,Fromsoundorshadowfeltorfanciedhere.

Strange,aswepraisethedeadman"smightandskill,Strangethatharshthoughtsshouldmakesuchheavycheer,While,clothedwithpeacebyheaven"smostgentlewill,Lowliesthemere.

AFLOWER-PIECEBYFANTIN

Heart"seaseorpansy,pleasureorthought,Whichwouldthepicturegiveusofthese?

SurelytheheartthatconceiveditsoughtHeart"sease.

SurelybygladanddivinedegreesTheheartimpellingthehandthatwroughtWroughtcomforthereforasoul"sdisease.

Deepflowers,withlustreanddarknessfraught,FromglassthatgleamsasthechillstillseasLeanandlendforaheartdistraughtHeart"sease.

ANIGHT-PIECEBYMILLET

Windandseaandcloudandcloud-forsakingMirthofmoonlightwherethestormleavesfreeHeavenawhile,forallthewrathofwakingWindandsea.

Brightwithgladmadrapture,fiercewithglee,Laughsthemoon,borneonpastcloud"so"ertakingFast,itseems,aswindorsailcanflee.

Oneblownsailbeneathher,hardlymakingForth,wild-wingedforharbourageyettobe,StrivesandleapsandpantsbeneaththebreakingWindandsea.

"MARZOPAZZO"

MadMarch,withthewindinhiswingswide-spread,Leapsfromheaven,andthedeepdawn"sarchHailsre-risenagainfromthedeadMadMarch.

SoftsmallflamesonrowanandlarchBreakforthaslaughteronlipsthatsaidNoughttillthepulseinthembeatlove"smarch.

Buttheheartbeatnowinthelipsrose-redSpeakslifetotheworld,andthewindsthatparchBringAprilforthasabridetowedMadMarch.

DEADLOVE

Deadlove,bytreasonslain,liesstark,Whiteasadeadstark-strickendove:

NonethatpassbyhimpausetomarkDeadlove.

Hisheart,thatstrainedandyearnedandstroveAstowardthesundawnstrivesthelark,Iscoldasalltheoldjoythereof.

Deadmen,re-risenfromdust,mayharkWhenringsthetrumpetblownabove:

ItwillnotraisefromoutthedarkDeadlove.

DISCORD

Unreconciledbylife"sfleetyears,thatfledWithchangefulclangofpinionswideandwild,Thoughtwogreatspiritshadlived,andhencehadspedUnreconciled;

Thoughtimeandchange,harshtime"simperiouschild,Thatwedstrangehandstogether,mightnotwedHighheartsbyhope"smisprisiononcebeguiled;

Faith,bythelightfromeither"smemoryshed,Sees,radiantastheirendswereundefiled,Onegoalforeach——nottwainamongthedeadUnreconciled.

CONCORD

Reconciledbydeath"smildhand,thatgivingPeacegiveswisdom,notmorestrongthanmild,Lovebeholdsthem,eachwithoutmisgivingReconciled.

Eachonearthalikeofearthreviled,Hated,feared,derided,andforgiving,Eachalikehadheavenatheart,andsmiled.

Bothbrightnames,clothedroundwithman"sthanksgiving,Shine,twinstarsabovethestorm-driftspiled,Deadanddeathless,whomwesawnotlivingReconciled.

MOURNING

Alasmybrother!thecryofthemournersofoldThatcriedoneachother,Allcryingaloudonthedeadasthedeath-noterolled,Alasmybrother!

AsflashesofdawnthatmistsfromaneastwindsmotherWithfolduponfold,Thepastyearsgleamthatlinkedusonewithanother.

TimesundersheartsasofbrethrenwhoseeyesbeholdNomoretheirmother:

Butacrysoundsyetfromtheshrinewhosefireswaxcold,Alasmybrother!

APEROTOSEROS

Strongasdeath,andcruelasthegrave,Clothedwithcloudandtempest"sblackeningbreath,Knownofdeath"sdreadself,whomnoneoutbrave,Strongasdeath,Love,brow-boundwithanguishforawreath,Fiercewithpain,atyrant-heartedslave,Burnsaboveaworldthatgroansbeneath.

Hathnotpitypowerontheetosave,Love?hathpowernopity?Noughthesaith,Answering:blindhewalksaswindorwave,Strongasdeath.

TOCATULLUS

Mybrother,myValerius,dearestheadOfallwhosecrowningbay-leavescrowntheirmotherRome,inthenotesfirstheardofthineIreadMybrother.

NodustthatdeathortimecanstrewmaysmotherLoveandthesenseofkinshipinlybredFromlovesandhatesatonewithoneanother.

TotheewasCaesar"sselfnordearnordread,Songandtheseaweresweetereachthanother:

HowshouldIlivingfeartocalltheedeadMybrother?

"INSULARUMOCELLE"

Sark,fairerthanaughtintheworldthatthelitskiescover,Laughsinlybehindhercliffs,andtheseafarersmarkAsashrinewherethesunlightserves,thoughtheblowncloudshover,Sark.

Wemourn,forloveofasongthatoutsangthelark,ThatnoughtsolovelybeholdenofSirmio"sloverMadegladinPropontistheflightofhisPonticbark.

Hereearthlieslordly,triumphalasheavenisaboveher,Andsplendidandstrangeastheseathatupbearsasanark,Asasignfortheraptureofstorm-spenteyestodiscover,Sark.

INSARK

Abreastandaheadoftheseaisacrag"sfrontclovenasunderWithstrongsea-breachandwithwastingofwindswhenceterrorisshedAsashadowofdeathfromthewingsofthedarknessonwatersthatthunderAbreastandahead.

Atitsedgeisasepulchrehollowedandhewnforaloneman"sbed,Proppedopenwithrockandagapeontheskyandtheseathereunder,Butroofedandwalledinwellfromthewrathofthemsleptitsdead.

Heremightnotamandrinkraptureofrest,ordelightabovewonder,Beholding,asouldisembodied,thedaysandthenightsthatfled,Withsplendourandsoundofthetempestaroundandabovehimandunder,Abreastandahead?

INGUERNSEY

TOTHEODOREWATTS

Theheavenlybay,ringedroundwithcliffsandmoors,Storm-stainedravines,andcragsthatlawnsinlay,SoothesaswithlovetherockswhoseguardsecuresTheheavenlybay.

Ofriend,shalltimetakeeverthisaway,Thisblessinggivenofbeautythatendures,Thisgloryshownus,nottopassbutstay?

Thoughsightbechangedformemory,loveensuresWhatmemory,changedbylovetosight,wouldsay-

ThewordthatsealsforevermineandyoursTheheavenlybay.

II.

Mymothersea,myfostress,whatnewstrand,Whatnewdelightofwaters,maythisbe,Thefairestfoundsincetime"sfirstbreezesfannedMymothersea?

OncemoreIgivemebodyandsoultothee,Whohastmysoulforever:cliffandsandRecede,andhearttoheartoncemorearewe.

Myheartspringsfirstandplunges,eremyhandStrikeoutfromshore:morecloseitbringstome,Morenearanddearthanseemsmyfatherland,Mymothersea.

III.

Acrossandalong,asthebay"sbreadthopens,ando"erusWildautumnexultsinthewind,swiftraptureandstrongImpelsus,andbroaderthewidewavesbrightenbeforeusAcrossandalong.

Thewholeworld"sheartisuplifted,andknowsnotwrong;

Thewholeworld"slifeisachanttothesea-tide"schorus;

Arewenotaswavesofthewater,asnotesofthesong?

Likechildrenunwornofthepassionsandtoilsthatworeus,Webreastforaseasonthebreadthoftheseasthatthrong,Rejoicingasthey,tobeborneasofoldtheyboreusAcrossandalong.

IV.

OnDante"strackbysomefunerealspellDrawndownthroughdesperatewaysthatleadnotbackWeseemtomove,boundforthpastfloodandfellOnDante"strack.

Thegreypathends:thegauntrocksgape:theblackDeephollowtortuousnight,asoundlessshell,Glaresdarkness:arethefiresofoldgrownslack?

Nay,then,whatflamesarethesethatleapandswellAs"tweretoshow,whereearth"sfoundationscrack,ThesecretsofthesepulchresofhellOnDante"strack?

Bymeremen"shandstheflamewaslit,weknow,Fromheapsofdrywastewhinandcasualbrands:

Yet,knowing,wescarcebelieveitkindledsoBymeremen"shands.

Above,around,high-vaultedhellexpands,Steep,dense,alabyrinthwalledandroofedwithwoe,Whosemysteriesevenitselfnotunderstands.

ThescorninFarinata"seyesaglowSeemsvisibleinthisflame:thereGeryonstands:

Nostageofearth"sishere,setforthtoshowBymeremen"shands.

VI.

Night,inutmostnoonforlornandstrong,withheartathirstandfasting,Hungershere,barredupforever,whenceasonewhomdreamsaffrightDayrecoilsbeforethelow-browedlintelthreateningdoomandcastingNight.

Allthereefsandislands,allthelawnsandhighlands,clothedwithlight,Laughforlove"ssakeintheirsleepoutside:butherethenightspeaks,blastingDaywithsilentspeechandscornofallthingsknownfromdepthtoheight.

Lowerthandivethethoughtsofspirit-strickenfearinsoulsforecastingHell,thedeepvoidseemstoyawnbeyondfear"sreach,andhigherthansightRisethewallsandroofsthatcompassitaboutwitheverlastingNight.

VII.

Thehouseaccurst,withcursingsealedandsigned,Heedsnotwhatstormsaboutitburnandburst:

NofearmorefearfulthanitsownmayfindThehouseaccurst.

Barrenascrime,anhungeredandathirst,Blankmilesofmoorsweepinland,sereandblind,Wheresummer"sbestrebukesnotwinter"sworst.

ThelowbleaktowerwithnoughtsavewastesbehindStaresdowntheabysswhereonchancerearedandnursedThistypeandlikenessoftheaccurstman"smind,Thehouseaccurst.

VIII.

Belovedandblest,litwarmwithloveandfame,ThehousethathadthelightoftheearthforguestHearsforhisname"ssakeallmenhailitsnameBelovedandblest.

Thiseyriewasthehomelesseagle"snestWhenstormlaidwastehiseyrie:hencehecameAgain,whenstormsmotesorehismother"sbreast.

Bowdownmenbadeus,orbeclothedwithblameAndmockedformadness:worst,theysware,wasbest:

Butgriefshonehere,whilejoywasonewithshame,Belovedandblest.

ENVOI

Fly,whitebutterflies,outtosea,Frailpalewingsforthewindstotry,SmallwhitewingsthatwescarcecanseeFly.

Hereandtheremayachance-caughteyeNoteinascoreofyoutwainorthreeBrighterordarkeroftingeordye.

Someflylightasalaughofglee,Someflysoftasalowlongsigh:

AlltothehavenwhereeachwouldbeFly.