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[hiS TeKST WoZ F'RST PuBLisT iN 1897, hiS {etext} WoZ TRaNSKRIBD
FRuM a 1905 PRiNTig uV hu 1897 eDisuN.]
TX hu MeMORE uV MI Foh'R aND Muh'R
KoNTeNTS
hu ciLDReN uV hu NIT
tRE {Quatrains}
hu W'RLD
aN OLD STORE
{Ballade} uV a siP
{Ballade} BI hu FIR
{Ballade} uV BROKeN {Flutes}
{Ballade} uV DeD FReNDZ
H'R IZ
TX MeN
{Villanelle} uV cANJ
{John} {Evereldown}
{Luke} {Havergal}
hu {HCS,HCZ} oN hu HiL
{Richard} {Cory}
TX oKTAVZ
{Calvary}
DER FReNDZ
hu STORE uV hu aseZ aND hu FLAM
FOR SuM POeMS BI {Matthew} {Arnold}
{Amaryllis}
{Kosmos}
{Zola}
hu PiTE uV hu LEVZ
{Aaron} SToRK
hu GoRDeN
KLiF {Klingenhagen}
{Charles} {Carville}S IZ
hu DeD ViLeJ
{Boston}
TX SoNeTS
hu KL'RKS
{Fleming} {Helphenstine}
FOR a BxK BI {Thomas} HoRDE
{Thomas} HxD
hu MiRaKL
{Horace} TX {Leuconoe}
{Reuben} BRIT
hu oLT'R
hu TaV'RN
SoNeT
{George} {Crabbe}
KREDO
oN hu NIT uV a FReNDS WeDig
SoNeT
{Verlaine}
SoNeT
SuPReMaSE
hu NIT BeFOR
{Walt} {Whitman}
hu KORuS uV OLD MeN iN "{Aegeus}"
hu WiLD'RNeS
oKTAVZ
TX {Quatrains}
ROMaNS
hu TOReNT
{L'Envoi}
FOR hOZ haT NeV'R NO hu LIT,
hu DoRKNeS iZ a SuLeN tig;
aND hA, hu ciLDReN uV hu NIT,
SEM LoST iN FORcuNS {winnowing}.
BuT SuM oR STRog aND SuM oR {weak}, --
aND heRS hu STORE. {HCS,HCZ} aND HOM
oR suT FRuM KCNTLeS HoRTS haT SEK
W'RLD-ReFUJ haT WiL NeV'R KuM.
aND iF heR BE NO uh'R LIF,
aND iF heR BE NO uh'R caNS
TX WA heR SoRRO aND heR STRIF
haN iN hu SKALZ uV S'RKuMSTeNS,
'T W'R BeT'R, eR hu SuN GO DCN
uPoN hu F'RST DA WE eMBoRK,
iN LIFS {imbittered} SE TX DRCN,
haN SAL FOReV'R iN hu DoRK.
BuT iF heR BE a SOL oN 'Rt
SO BLINDeD Wit iTS ON {MiSUS,MiSUS}
uV MaNS ReVELD, iNSeSeNT W'Rt,
OR WORN Wit aNGGWis, haT iT VUS
NO LIT BuT FOR a MORTaL I,
NO ReST BuT uV a MORTaL SLEP,
NO GoD BuT iN a PRoFeTS LI,
NO FAt FOR "oNeST DCT" TX KEP;
iF heR BE Nutig, GxD OR BaD,
BuT KAoS FOR a SOL TX TRuST, --
GoD KCNTS iT FOR a SOL GoN MaD,
aND iF GoD BE GoD, HE iZ JuST.
aND iF GoD BE GoD, HE iZ LuV;
aND hO hu DoN BE STiL SO DiM,
iT sOS uS WE HaV PLAD eNuF
Wit KREDZ haT MAK a FEND uV HiM.
heR iZ WuN KRED, aND ONLE WuN,
haT GLOREFIZ GoDS eKSSeLeNS;
SO ceRis, haT HiZ WiL BE DuN,
hu KoMoN KRED uV KoMoN SeNS.
iT iZ hu KRiMZoN, NoT hu GRA,
haT coRMS hu TWILIT uV oL TIM;
iT iZ hu PRoMiS uV hu DA
haT MAKS hu {starry} SKI SuBLIM;
iT iZ hu FAt WitiN hu FER
haT HOLDZ uS TX hu LIF WE K'RS; --
SO LeT uS iN CRSeLVZ ReVER
hu SeLF wic iZ hu UNiV'RS!
LeT uS, hu ciLDReN uV hu NIT,
PxT oF hu KLOK haT HIDZ hu SKoR!
LeT uS BE ciLDReN uV hu LIT,
aND TeL hu AJeZ woT WE oR!
I
aZ Log aZ FAMS iMPEREuS MUZiK RigS
WiL POeTS MoK iT Wit KRCND W'RDZ oGuST;
aND HaGoRD MeN WiL KLaMB'R TX BE KigS
aZ Log aZ GLORE WAZ iTSeLF iN DuST.
{II}
DRigK TX hu SPLeND'R uV hu uNFuLFiLD,
NOR suD'R FOR hu ReVeLZ haT oR DuN:
hu WZeNZ haT FLusT {Lucullus} oR oL SPiLD,
hu STRigS haT {Nero} FigG'RD oR oL GoN.
{III}
WE KaNNoT KRCN CRSeLVZ Wit eVREtig,
NOR KaN WE KOKS hu FATS FOR uS TX KWoRReL:
NO MaT'R woT WE oR, OR woT WE Sig,
TIM FINDZ a Wih'RD LEF iN eVRE LOReL.
SuM oR hu BRuh'RZ uV oL HUMaN-KIND,
aND ON heM, woT-SO-eV'R heR eSTAT;
aND SuM, FOR SoRRO aND SeLF-SKORN, oR BLIND
Wit eNMiTE FOR MaNS {unguarded} FAT.
FOR SuM heR iZ a MUZiK oL DA Log
LIK {flutes} iN PeRaDIS, hA oR SO GLaD;
aND heR iZ HeLS eT'RNaL uND'R-Sog
uV K'RSeZ aND hu KRIZ uV MeN GoN MaD.
SuM SA hu SKEM Wit LuV STaNDZ LXMiNuS,
SuM SA 'T W'R BeT'R BaK TX KAoS H'RLD;
aND SO 'T iZ woT WE oR haT MAKS FOR uS
hu Mez'R aND hu MENig uV hu W'RLD.
STRANJ haT I DiD NoT NO HiM heN,
haT FReND uV MIN!
I DiD NoT EVeN sO HiM heN
WuN FReNDLE SIN;
BuT K'RST HiM FOR hu WAZ HE HaD
TX MAK ME SE
MI eNVE uV hu PRAZ HE HaD
FOR PRAZig ME.
I WxD HaV RiD hu 'Rt uV HiM
WuNS, iN MI PRID! . . .
I NeV'R NU hu W'Rt uV HiM
uNTiL HE DID.
DCN BI hu FLas uV hu ReSTLeS WoT'R
hu DiM wIT siP LIK a wIT B'RD LA;
LaFig aT LIF aND hu W'RLD hA SoT H'R,
aND CT sE SWug TX hu {silvering} BA.
heN oF hA FLX oN heR {roystering} WA,
aND hu KEN MXN FIRD hu LIT FOM FLIig
uP FRuM hu FLuD weR hu FANT SToRZ PLA,
aND hu BONZ uV hu BRAV iN hu WAV oR LIig.
'T WoZ a KigS FeR SuN Wit a KigS FeR DoT'R,
aND FxL tRE HuNDReD BeSID, hA SA, --
ReVeLig oN FOR hu LON, KOLD SLoT'R
SO SXN TX SEZ heM aND HID heM FOR A;
BuT hA DaNST aND hA DRagK aND heR SOLZ GRX GA,
NOR eV'R hA NU uV a GXLS I SPIig
heR SPLeND'R a {flickering} FaNToM TX STRA
weR hu BONZ uV hu BRAV iN hu WAV oR LIig.
tRX hu MiST uV a DRugKeN DREM hA BRoT H'R
(hiS WILD wIT B'RD) FOR hu SE-FENDS PRA:
hu PiTELeS REF iN HiZ HoRD KLuc KoT H'R,
aND H'RLD H'R DCN weR hu DeD MeN STA.
a TORc'Rig SILeNS uV WoN DiSMA --
{Shrieks} aND K'RSeZ uV MaD SOLZ DIig --
heN DCN hA SagK TX SLuMB'R aND SWA
weR hu BONZ uV hu BRAV iN hu WAV oR LIig.
eNVQ
PRiNZ, DX U SLEP TX hu SCND {alway}
uV hu MORNFuL S'RJ aND hu SE-B'RDZ KRIig? --
OR DuZ LuV STiL suD'R aND STEL STiL SLA,
weR hu BONZ uV hu BRAV iN hu WAV oR LIig?
SLOLE I SMOK aND HuG MI NE,
hu wIL a {witless} MaSK'RAD
uV tigS haT ONLE ciLDReN SE
FLOTS iN a MiST uV LIT aND sAD:
hA PaS, a FLiMZE KaVaLKAD,
aND Wit a {weak}, {remindful} GLO,
hu FoLig eMB'RZ BRAK aND FAD,
aZ WuN BI WuN hu {phantoms} GO.
heN, Wit a MeLaNKoLE GLE
TX tigK weR WuNS MI FaNSE STRAD,
I MUZ oN woT hu YERZ MA BE
HXS KuMig TALZ oR oL uNSeD,
TiL TogS aND suVeL, {snugly} LAD
WitiN heR saDOD {niches}, GRO
BI GRiM DeGREZ TX PiK aND SPAD,
aZ WuN BI WuN hu {phantoms} GO.
BuT heN, woT hO hu MiSTiK tRE
oRCND ME PLI heR MeRE TRAD? --
aND {Charon} SXN MA KeRE ME
aKRoS hu GLXME {Stygian} {glade}? --
BE uP, MI SOL! NOR BE aFRAD
uV woT SuM uNBORN YER MA sO;
BuT MIND YXR HUMaN DeTS oR PAD,
aZ WuN BI WuN hu {phantoms} GO.
eNVQ
LIF iZ hu GAM haT MuST BE PLAD:
hiS TRXt aT LEST, GxD FReND, WE NO;
SO {LIV,LiV} aND LaF, NOR BE DiSMAD
aZ WuN BI WuN hu {phantoms} GO.
(TX a. T. {Schumann}.)
iN DREMS I KRoST a BeReN LaND,
a LaND uV RXiN, FoR aWA;
oRCND ME Hug oN eVRE HaND
a {deathful} STiLNeS uV DeKA;
aND SILeNT, aZ iN BLEK DiSMA
haT Sog sxD huS FORSAKeN BE,
oN haT FORGoTeN GRCND heR LA
hu BROKeN {flutes} uV {Arcady}.
hu FOReST haT WoZ oL SO GRaND
weN PIPS aND {tabors} HaD heR SWA
STxD {leafless} NC, a GOSTLE BaND
uV SKeLeTuNZ iN KOLD oRA.
a LONLE S'RJ uV ANseNT SPRA
TOLD uV aN {unforgetful} SE,
BuT I'RN BLOS HaD HusT FOR A
hu BROKeN {flutes} uV {Arcady}.
NO MOR BI SuM'R BREZeZ FaND,
hu PLAS WoZ DeSoLeT aND GRA;
BuT STiL MI DREM WoZ TX KoMaND
NU LIF iNTO haT {shrunken} KLA.
I TRID iT. YeZ, U SKaN TX-DA,
Wit {uncommiserating} GLE,
hu SogS uV WuN HX STROV TX PLA
hu BROKeN {flutes} uV {Arcady}.
eNVQ
SO, RoK, I JQN hu KoMoN FRA,
TX FIT weR MaMoN MA DeKRE;
aND LEV, TX KRuMBL aZ hA MA,
hu BROKeN {flutes} uV {Arcady}.
aZ WE hu Wih'RD {ferns}
BI hu RODWA LIig,
TIM, hu JeST'R, SP'RNZ
oL CR PReRS aND PRIig --
oL CR {TeRZ,TERZ} aND SIig,
SoRRO, cANJ, aND WO --
oL CR weR-aND-{whying}
FOR FReNDZ haT KuM aND GO.
LIF {awakes} aND B'RNZ,
AJ aND Det DeFIig,
TiL aT LaST iT L'RNZ
oL BuT LuV iZ DIig;
LuVS hu TRAD WER PLIig,
GoD HaZ WiLD iT SO;
{Shrouds} oR woT WER BIig
FOR FReNDZ haT KuM aND GO.
MaN FOReV'R Y'RNZ
FOR hu tig haTS FLIig.
eVREweR HE T'RNZ,
MeN TX DuST oR DRIig, --
DuST haT {wanders}, Iig
(Wit IZ haT HoRDLE GLO)
NU FASeZ, DiMLE SPIig
FOR FReNDZ haT KuM aND GO.
eNVQ
aND huS WE oL oR {nighing}
hu TRXt WE FER TX NO:
Det WiL eND CR KRIig
FOR FReNDZ haT KuM aND GO.
uP FRuM hu STRET aND hu KRCDZ haT WeNT,
MORNig aND MiDNIT, TX aND {fro},
STiL WoZ hu RXM weR HiZ DAZ HE SPeNT,
aND hu SToRZ W'R BLEK, aND hu NITS W'R SLO.
YER aFT'R YER, Wit HiZ DREM suT FaST,
HE SuF'RD aND STROV TiL HiZ IZ W'R DiM,
FOR hu LuV haT HiZ BRuseZ HaD 'RND aT LaST, --
aND hu HOL W'RLD Rag Wit hu PRAZ uV HiM.
BuT HE {cloaked} HiZ TRIuMF, aND S'RcT, iNSTeD,
TiL HiZ cEKS W'R {sere} aND HiZ HeRZ W'R GRA.
"heR oR WiMeN eNuF, GoD NOS," HE SeD. . . .
"heR oR SToRZ eNuF -- weN hu SuNS aWA."
heN HE WeNT BaK TX hu SAM STiL RXM
haT HaD HeLD HiZ DREM iN hu Log aGO,
weN HE BeRED HiZ DAZ iN a NAMLeS TXM,
aND hu SToRZ W'R BLEK, aND hu NITS W'R SLO.
aND a PasuNeT HUMOR SEZD HiM heR --
SEZD HiM aND HeLD HiM uNTiL heR GRX
LIK LIF oN HiZ KaNVaS, GLOig aND FeR,
a PeRiLuS FAS -- aND aN ANJeLS, TX.
ANJeL aND MADeN, aND oL iN WuN, --
oL BuT hu IZ. -- hA W'R heR, BuT YeT
hA SEMD SuMHC LIK a SOL HaF DuN.
woT WoZ hu MaT'R? DiD GoD FORGeT? . . .
BuT HE RoT heM aT LaST Wit a SKiL SO sUR
haT H'R IZ W'R hu IZ uV a DetLeS WxMaN, --
Wit a GLEM uV HeVeN TX MAK heM PUR,
aND a GLiM'R uV HeL TX MAK heM HUMaN.
GoD NeV'R FORGeTS. -- aND HE {worships} H'R
heR iN haT SAM STiL RXM uV HiZ,
FOR HiZ WIF, aND HiZ KoNSTeNT oRBiT'R
uV hu W'RLD haT WoZ aND hu W'RLD haT iZ.
aND HE WuND'RZ YeT woT H'R LuV KxD BE
TX PuNis HiM aFT'R haT STRIF SO GRiM;
BuT hu LogG'R HE {LIVZ,LiVZ} Wit H'R IZ TX SE,
hu {plainer} iT oL KuMS BaK TX HiM.
heR BE TX MeN uV oL MaN-KIND
haT I sxD LIK TX NO aBCT;
BuT S'Rc aND KWeScuN weR I WiL,
I KaNNoT eV'R FIND heM CT.
{Melchizedek} HE PRAZD hu LORD,
aND GAV SuM WIN TX {Abraham};
BuT HX KaN TeL woT eLZ HE DiD
MuST BE MOR L'RND haN I aM.
{Ucalegon} HE LoST HiZ {HCS,HCZ}
weN {Agamemnon} KAM TX {Troy};
BuT HX KaN TeL ME HX HE WoZ --
IL PRA hu GoDZ TX GiV HiM JQ.
heR BE TX MeN uV oL MaN-KIND
haT IM FOReV'R tigKig oN:
hA cAS ME eVREweR I GO, --
{Melchizedek}, {Ucalegon}.
SiNS {Persia} FeL aT MeRatoN,
hu YeLO YERZ HaV Gah'RD FaST:
Log SeNc'REZ HaV KuM aND GoN.
aND YeT (hA SA) hu PLAS WiL DoN
a FaNToM FURE uV hu PaST,
SiNS {Persia} FeL aT MeRatoN;
aND aZ uV OLD, weN {Helicon}
TReMBLD aND SWAD Wit RaPc'R VaST
(Log SeNc'REZ HaV KuM aND GoN),
hiS ANseNT PLAN, weN NIT KuMS oN,
sAKS TX a GOSTLE BaTL-BLaST,
SiNS {Persia} FeL aT MeRatoN.
BuT iNTO {soundless} {Acheron}
hu GLORE uV {Greek} sAM WoZ KaST:
Log SeNc'REZ HaV KuM aND GoN,
hu SuNZ uV {Hellas} HaV oL sON,
hu F'RST HaZ FoLeN TX hu LaST: --
SiNS {Persia} FeL aT MeRatoN,
Log SeNc'REZ HaV KuM aND GoN.
"weR oR U GXig TX-NIT, TX-NIT, --
weR oR U GXig, {John} {Evereldown}?
heRS NeV'R hu SIN uV a SToR iN SIT,
NOR a LaMP haTS NER'R haN {Tilbury} TCN.
wI DX U STeR aZ a DeD MaN MIT?
weR oR U PQNTig aWA FRuM hu LIT?
aND weR oR U GXig TX-NIT, TX-NIT, --
weR oR U GXig, {John} {Evereldown}?"
"RIT tRX hu FOReST, weR NuN KaN SE,
heRS weR IM GXig, TX {Tilbury} TCN.
hu MeN oR aSLEP, -- OR aWAK, MA BE, --
BuT hu WiMeN oR KoLig {John} {Evereldown}.
eV'R aND eV'R hA KoL FOR ME,
aND wIL hA KoL KaN a MaN BE FRE?
SO RIT tRX hu FOReST, weR NuN KaN SE,
heRS weR IM GXig, TX {Tilbury} TCN."
"BuT wI oR U GXig SO LAT, SO LAT, --
wI oR U GXig, {John} {Evereldown}?
hO hu ROD BE SMXh aND hu Pat BE STRAT,
heR oR TX Log LEGZ TX {Tilbury} TCN.
KuM iN BI hu FIR, OLD MaN, aND WAT!
wI DX U caT'R CT heR BI hu GAT?
aND wI oR U GXig SO LAT, SO LAT, --
wI oR U GXig, {John} {Evereldown}?"
"I FoLO hu WiMeN weReV'R hA KoL, --
haTS wI IM GXig TX {Tilbury} TCN.
GoD NOS iF I PRA TX BE DuN Wit iT oL,
BuT GoD iZ NO FReND TX {John} {Evereldown}.
SO hu KLCDZ MA KuM aND hu RAN MA FoL,
hu saDOS MA KREP aND hu DeD MeN KRoL, --
BuT I FoLO hu WiMeN weReV'R hA KoL,
aND haTS wI IM GXig TX {Tilbury} TCN."
GO TX hu WeST'RN GAT, {Luke} {Havergal}, --
heR weR hu VZeNZ KLig KRiMZoN oN hu WoL, --
aND iN hu TWILIT WAT FOR woT WiL KuM.
hu {WiND,WIND} WiL MON, hu LEVZ WiL wiSP'R SuM --
wiSP'R uV H'R, aND STRIK U aZ hA FoL;
BuT GO, aND iF U TRuST H'R sE WiL KoL.
GO TX hu WeST'RN GAT, {Luke} {Havergal} --
{Luke} {Havergal}.
NO, heR iZ NoT a DoN iN EST'RN SKIZ
TX RiFT hu FIRE NIT haTS iN YXR IZ;
BuT heR, weR WeST'RN {glooms} oR Gah'Rig,
hu DoRK WiL eND hu DoRK, iF eNEtig:
GoD {slays} HiMSeLF Wit eVRE LEF haT FLIZ,
aND HeL iZ MOR haN HaF uV PeRaDIS.
NO, heR iZ NoT a DoN iN EST'RN SKIZ --
iN EST'RN SKIZ.
CT uV a GRAV I KuM TX TeL U hiS, --
CT uV a GRAV I KuM TX KWeNc hu KiS
haT FLAMS uPoN YXR FORHeD Wit a GLO
haT BLINDZ U TX hu WA haT U MuST GO.
YeZ, heR iZ YeT WuN WA TX weR sE iZ, --
BiT'R, BuT WuN haT FAt KaN NeV'R MiS.
CT uV a GRAV I KuM TX TeL U hiS --
TX TeL U hiS.
heR iZ hu WeST'RN GAT, {Luke} {Havergal},
heR oR hu KRiMZoN LEVZ uPoN hu WoL.
GO, -- FOR hu {WINDZ,WiNDZ} oR TeRig heM aWA, --
NOR tigK TX RiDL hu DeD W'RDZ hA SA,
NOR eNE MOR TX FEL heM aZ hA FoL;
BuT GO! aND iF U TRuST H'R sE WiL KoL.
heR iZ hu WeST'RN GAT, {Luke} {Havergal} --
{Luke} {Havergal}.
hA oR oL GoN aWA,
hu {HCS,HCZ} iZ suT aND STiL,
heR iZ Nutig MOR TX SA.
tRX BROKeN WoLS aND GRA
hu {WINDZ,WiNDZ} BLO BLEK aND sRiL:
hA oR oL GoN aWA.
NOR iZ heR WuN TX-DA
TX SPEK heM GxD OR iL:
heR iZ Nutig MOR TX SA.
wI iZ iT heN WE STRA
oRCND haT SugKeN SiL?
hA oR oL GoN aWA,
aND CR PXR FaNSE-PLA
FOR heM iZ WASTeD SKiL:
heR iZ Nutig MOR TX SA.
heR iZ RXiN aND DeKA
iN hu {HCS,HCZ} oN hu HiL:
hA oR oL GoN aWA,
heR iZ Nutig MOR TX SA.
weNeV'R {Richard} {Cory} WeNT DCN TCN,
WE PEPL oN hu PAVMeNT LxKT aT HiM:
HE WoZ a JeNTLMaN FRuM SOL TX KRCN,
KLEN FAVORD, aND iMPEREaLE SLiM.
aND HE WoZ oLWAZ KWIeTLE oRAD,
aND HE WoZ oLWAZ HUMaN weN HE ToKT;
BuT STiL HE FLuT'RD PuLSeZ weN HE SeD,
"GxD-MORNig," aND HE GLiT'RD weN HE WoKT.
aND HE WoZ Ric, -- YeZ, Ric'R haN a Kig, --
aND aDM'RaBLE SKXLD iN eVRE GRAS:
iN FIN, WE toT haT HE WoZ eVREtig
TX MAK uS Wis haT WE W'R iN HiZ PLAS.
SO oN WE W'RKT, aND WATeD FOR hu LIT,
aND WeNT WitCT hu MET, aND K'RST hu BReD;
aND {Richard} {Cory}, WuN KoLM SuM'R NIT,
WeNT HOM aND PxT a BxLeT tRX HiZ HeD.
I
NoT BI hu GREF haT {stuns} aND {overwhelms}
oL CTWoRD ReKoGNisuN uV ReVELD
aND RIcuS {omnipresence} oR hu DAZ
uV MOST uV uS {affrighted} aND DiZEZD,
BuT Rah'R BI hu KoMoN SNoRLZ uV LIF
haT KuM TX TeST uS aND TX STRegteN uS
iN hiS hu {prentice}-AJ uV DiSKoNTeNT,
{Rebelliousness}, FANT-{heartedness}, aND sAM.
{II}
weN tRX HoT FoG hu {fulgid} SuN LxKS DCN
uPoN a STaGNeNT 'Rt weR LiSTLeS MeN
LaB'REuSLE DoDL, K'RS, aND SWeT,
DiSKWoLiFID, {unsatisfied}, iN'RT, --
iT SEMS TX ME SuMHC haT GoD HiMSeLF
SKaNZ Wit a {KLOS,KLOZ} RePROc woT I HaV DuN,
KCNTS Wit aN {unphrased} PAseNS MI oRERZ,
aND FahoMS MI uNPRoFiTaBL toTS.
FReNDLeS aND FANT, Wit {martyred} STePS aND SLO,
FANT FOR hu FLes, BuT FOR hu SPiRiT FRE,
STug BI hu MoB haT KAM TX SE hu sO,
hu MaST'R TQLD aLog TX {Calvary};
WE JIBD HiM, aZ HE WeNT, Wit {houndish} GLE,
TiL HiZ DiMD IZ FOR uS DiD OV'RFLO;
WE K'RST HiZ {vengeless} HaNDZ tRIS {wretchedly}, --
aND hiS WoZ NINTEN HuNDReD YERZ aGO.
BuT aFT'R NINTEN HuNDReD YERZ hu sAM
STiL KLigS, aND WE HaV NoT MAD GxD hu LoS
haT CTRAJD FAt HaZ eNT'RD iN HiZ NAM.
o, weN saL KuM LuVS K'ReJ TX BE STRog!
TeL ME, O LORD -- TeL ME, O LORD, HC Log
oR WE TX KEP {Christ} RItig oN hu KRoS!
DER FReNDZ, RePROc ME NoT FOR woT I DX,
NOR KCNSeL ME, NOR PiTE ME; NOR SA
haT I aM WeRig HaF MI LIF aWA
FOR BuBL-W'RK haT ONLE FXLZ P'RSX.
aND iF MI BuBLZ BE TX SMoL FOR U,
BLO BiG'R heN YXR ON: hu GAMS WE PLA
TX FiL hu {frittered} MiNiTS uV a DA,
GxD GLaSeZ oR TX {ReD,RED} hu SPiRiT tRX.
aND {whoso} REDZ MA GeT HiM SuM sRXD SKiL;
aND SuM uNPRoFiTaBL SKORN ReZIN,
TX PRAZ hu VeRE tig haT HE DePLORZ;
SO, FReNDZ (DER FReNDZ), ReMeMB'R, iF U WiL,
hu sAM I WiN FOR Sigig iZ oL MIN,
hu GOLD I MiS FOR DREMig iZ oL YXRZ.
hu STORE uV hu aseZ aND hu FLAM
NO MaT'R wI, NOR weNS, NOR weN sE KAM,
heR WoZ H'R PLAS. NO MaT'R woT MeN SeD,
NO MaT'R woT sE WoZ; LiVig OR DeD,
FAtFuL OR NoT, HE LuVD H'R oL hu SAM.
hu STORE WoZ aZ OLD aZ HUMaN sAM,
BuT eV'R SiNS haT LONLE NIT sE FLeD,
Wit BxKS TX BLIND HiM, HE HaD ONLE {ReD,RED}
hu STORE uV hu aseZ aND hu FLAM.
heR sE WoZ oLWAZ KuMig PRiTE SXN
TX FXL HiM BaK, Wit PeNiTeNT SKeRD IZ
haT HaD iN heM hu LaFT'R uV hu MXN
FOR BaFLD LuV'RZ, aND TX MAK HiM tigK --
BeFOR sE GAV HiM TIM eNuF TX WigK --
SiNS KiSeZ W'R hu KEZ TX PeRaDIS.
FOR SuM POeMS BI {Matthew} {Arnold}
SWEPig hu KORDZ uV {Hellas} Wit F'RM HaND,
HE WAKS LoST eKOS FRuM SogS KLaSiK sOR,
aND BRigS heR KRiSTaL KADeNS BaK WuNS MOR
TX Tuc hu KLCDZ aND SoRROS uV a LaND
weR GoDS TRXt, {cramped} aND {fettered} Wit a BaND
uV I'RN KREDZ, HE cERZ Wit GOLDeN LOR
uV HEROS aND hu MeN haT Log BeFOR
RoT hu ROMaNS uV AJeZ YeT {unscanned}.
STiL DuZ a KRI tRX SaD {Valhalla} GO
FOR {Balder}, PERST Wit {Lok}S uNHaPE SPRA --
FOR {Balder}, oL BuT SPeRD BI {Frea}S coRMS;
aND STiL DuZ oRTS iMPEREaL ViSTa sO,
oN hu HusT SaNDZ uV {Oxus}, FoR aWA,
Yug {Sohrab} DIig iN HiZ Foh'RS oRMS.
WuNS, weN I WoND'RD iN hu WxDZ aLON,
aN OLD MaN ToT'RD uP TX ME aND SeD,
"KuM, FReND, aND SE hu GRAV haT I HaV MAD
FOR {Amaryllis}." heR WoZ iN hu TON
uV HiZ KoMPLANT Suc KWAV'R aND Suc MON
haT I TxK PiTE oN HiM aND OBAD,
aND Log STxD LxKig weR HiZ HaNDZ HaD LAD
aN ANseNT WxMaN, {shrunk} TX SKiN aND BON.
FoR CT BeYoND hu FOReST I KxD HER
hu KoLig uV LCD PRoGReS, aND hu BOLD
iNSeSeNT SKREM uV KoM'RZ Rigig KLER;
BuT hO hu TRuMPeTS uV hu W'RLD W'R GLaD,
iT MAD ME LONLE aND iT MAD ME SaD
TX tigK haT {Amaryllis} HaD GRON OLD.
o, -- suD'Rig MeN haT FoLT'R aND sRigK SO
TX LxK oN Det, -- woT W'R hu DAZ WE {LIV,LiV},
weR LIF iZ HaF a STRuGL TX FORGiV,
BuT FOR hu LuV haT FINDZ uS weN WE GO?
iZ GoD a JeST'R? DuZ HE LaF aND tRO
PXR BRaNDeD {wretches} HER TX SWeT aND STRIV
FOR SuM VAG eND haT NeV'R saL oRIV?
aND iZ HE NoT YeT WERE uV hu sO?
tigK uV iT, oL YE MiLYuNZ haT HaV PLaND,
aND ONLE PLaND, hu LoRJeS uV HoRD YXt!
tigK uV iT, oL YE BiLD'RZ oN hu SaND,
HXS W'RKS oR DCN! -- iZ LuV SO SMoL, FORSXt?
BE BRAV! TX-MoRRO U WiL uND'RSTaND
hu DCT, hu PAN, hu TRIuMF, aND hu TRXt!
BeKoZ HE PxTS hu KoMPRoMIZig coRT
uV HeL BeFOR YXR IZ, U oR aFRAD;
BeKoZ HE KCNTS hu PRIS haT U HaV PAD
FOR iNoSeNS, aND KCNTS iT FRuM hu SToRT,
U LOh HiM. BuT HE SEZ hu HUMaN HoRT
uV GoD MENwIL, aND iN GoDS HaND HaZ WAD
YXR SKWEMis aND eMaSKULAT KRXSAD
aGeNST hu GRiM DoMiNYoN uV HiZ oRT.
NeV'R uNTiL WE KogK'R hu uNKXt
{Connivings} uV CR sAMD iNDiF'ReNS
(WE KoL iT {Christian} FAt!) oR WE TX SKaN
hu RaKT aND sREKig {hideousness} uV TRXt
TX FIND, iN HATS PoLXTeD SeLF-{defence}
tRoBig, hu PuLZ, hu DiVIN HoRT uV MaN.
VeNJFuL aKRoS hu KOLD {November} MXRZ,
LCD Wit aNSeSTRaL sAM heR KAM hu BLEK
SaD {WiND,WIND} haT sREKT, aND aNS'RD Wit a sREK,
{Reverberant} tRX LONLE KORiDORZ.
hu OLD MaN H'RD iT; aND HE H'RD, P'RFORS,
W'RDZ CT uV LiPS haT W'R NO MOR TX SPEK --
W'RDZ uV hu PaST haT sxK hu OLD MaNS cEK
LIK DeD, ReMeMB'RD FxTSTePS oN OLD FLORZ.
aND heN heR W'R hu LEVZ haT PLAGD HiM SO!
hu BRCN, tiN LEVZ haT oN hu STONZ CTSID
SKiPT Wit a FREZig wiSP'R. NC aND heN
hA SToPT, aND STAD heR -- JuST TX LeT HiM NO
HC DeD hA W'R; BuT iF hu OLD MaN KRID,
hA FLuT'RD oF LIK Wih'RD SOLZ uV MeN.
{Withal} a {meagre} MaN WoZ {Aaron} SToRK, --
K'RST aND uNKeMPT, sRXD, {shrivelled}, aND MOROS.
a MIZ'R WoZ HE, Wit a MIZ'RS NOZ,
aND IZ LIK LiTL DoL'RZ iN hu DoRK.
HiZ tiN, PiNcT MCt WoZ Nutig BuT a MoRK;
aND weN HE SPOK heR KAM LIK SuLeN BLOS
tRX SKaT'RD FagS a FU SNoRLD W'RDZ aND {KLOS,KLOZ},
aZ iF a K'R W'R {chary} uV iTS BoRK.
GLaD FOR hu M'RM'R uV HiZ HoRD ReNCN,
YER aFT'R YER HE saMBLD tRX hu TCN, --
a LuVLeS eKSIL MXVig Wit a STaF;
aND oFTeNTIMS heR KRePT iNTO HiZ ERZ
a SCND uV ALEiN PiTE, TucT Wit {TeRZ,TERZ}, --
aND heN (aND ONLE heN) DiD {Aaron} LaF.
heR iZ a {fenceless} GoRDeN OV'RGRON
Wit BuDZ aND BLoSoMS aND oL SORTS uV LEVZ;
aND WuNS, aMug hu ROZeZ aND hu {sheaves},
hu GoRDN'R aND I W'R heR aLON.
HE LeD ME TX hu PLoT weR I HaD tRON
hu FeNeL uV MI DAZ oN WASTeD GRCND,
aND iN haT RIoT uV SaD WEDZ I FCND
hu {fruitage} uV a LIF haT WoZ MI ON.
MI LIF! o, YeZ, heR WoZ MI LIF, iNDED!
aND heR W'R oL hu {LIVZ,LiVZ} uV HUMaN-KIND;
aND hA W'R LIK a BxK haT I KxD {ReD,RED},
HXS eVRE LEF, MiRaKULuSLE SIND,
{Outrolled} iTSeLF FRuM toTS eT'RNaL SED,
LuV-RXTeD iN GoDS GoRDeN uV hu MIND.
KLiF {Klingenhagen} HaD ME iN TX DIN
Wit HiM WuN DA; aND aFT'R SXP aND MET,
aND oL hu uh'R tigS heR W'R TX ET,
KLiF TxK TX GLaSeZ aND FiLD WuN Wit WIN
aND WuN Wit W'RMWxD. heN, WitCT a SIN
FOR ME TX cXZ aT oL, HE TxK hu DRaFT
uV BiT'RNeS HiMSeLF, aND LITLE {quaffed}
iT oF, aND SeD hu uh'R WuN WoZ MIN.
aND weN I aSKT HiM woT hu {deuce} HE MeNT
BI DXig haT, HE ONLE LxKT aT ME
aND GRiND, aND SeD iT WoZ a WA uV HiZ.
aND hO I NO hu FeLO, I HaV SPeNT
Log TIM a-WuND'Rig weN I saL BE
aZ HaPE aZ KLiF {Klingenhagen} iZ.
a MeLaNKoLE FAS {Charles} {Carville} HaD,
BuT NoT SO MeLaNKoLE aZ iT SEMD, --
weN WuNS U NU HiM, -- FOR HiZ MCt ReDEMD
HiZ iNSuFiseNT IZ, FOReV'R SaD:
iN heM heR WoZ NO LIF-GLiMPS, GxD OR BaD, --
NOR JQ NOR PasuN iN heM eV'R GLEMD;
HiZ MCt WoZ oL uV HiM haT eV'R BEMD,
HiZ IZ W'R SoRRE, BuT HiZ MCt WoZ GLaD.
HE NeV'R WoZ a FeLO haT SeD Muc,
aND HaF uV woT HE DiD SA WoZ NoT H'RD
BI MeNE uV uS: WE W'R CT uV Tuc
Wit oL HiZ wiMS aND oL HiZ tEOREZ
TiL HE WoZ DeD, SO hOZ BLagK IZ uV HiZ
MIT SPEK heM. heN WE H'RD heM, eVRE W'RD.
HER heR iZ Det. BuT EVeN HER, hA SA, --
HER weR hu DuL SuN sINZ hiS aFT'RNXN
aZ DeSoLeT aZ eV'R hu DeD MXN
DiD GLiM'R oN DeD {Sardis}, -- MeN W'R GA;
aND heR W'R LiTL ciLDReN HER TX PLA,
Wit SMoL SoFT HaNDZ haT WuNS DiD KEP iN TUN
hu STRigS haT STRec FRuM HeVeN, TiL TX SXN
hu cANJ KAM, aND hu MUZiK PaST aWA.
NC heR iZ Nutig BuT hu GOSTS uV tigS, --
NO LIF, NO LuV, NO ciLDReN, aND NO MeN;
aND OV'R hu FORGoTeN PLAS heR KLigS
hu STRANJ aND {unrememberable} LIT
haT iZ iN DREMS. hu MUZiK FALD, aND heN
GoD FRCND, aND suT hu ViLeJ FRuM HiZ SIT.
MI NORh'RN PINZ oR GxD eNuF FOR ME,
BuT heRS a TCN MI MeMORE {uprears} --
a TCN haT oLWAZ LIK a FReND aPERZ,
aND oLWAZ iN hu SuNRIZ BI hu SE.
aND OV'R iT, SuMHC, heR SEMS TX BE
a DCNWoRD FLas uV SuMtig NU aND FERZ,
haT eV'R STRIVZ TX KLER, BuT NeV'R KLERZ
hu {dimness} uV a coRMD aNTiKWiTE.
I
JuST aZ I WuND'R aT hu TXFOLD SKREN
uV TWiSTeD iNoSeNS haT U WxD PLAT
FOR IZ haT {uncourageously} aWAT
hu KuMig uV a KigDoM haT HaZ BiN,
SO DX I WuND'R woT GoDS LuV KaN MEN
TX U haT oL SO STRANJLE {eSTiMAT,eSTiMeT}
hu P'RPoS aND hu KoNSeKWeNT eSTAT
uV WuN sORT suD'Rig STeP TX hu uNSEN.
NO, I HaV NoT YXR BaKWoRD FAt TX sRigK
LON-FeRig FRuM hu DORWA uV GoDS HOM
TX FIND HiM iN hu NAMS uV BeRED MeN;
NOR YXR iNJENEuS {recreance} TX tigK
WE ceRis, iN hu LIF haT iZ TX KuM,
hu SKaT'RD FEc'RZ uV DeD FReNDZ aGeN.
{II}
NeV'R uNTiL CR SOLZ oR STRog eNuF
TX PLuNJ iNTO hu KRAT'R uV hu SKEM --
TRIuMFeNT iN hu FLas heR TX ReDEM
LuVS {handsel} aND FOReV'RMOR TX {SLC,SLuF},
LIK {cerements} aT a PLAD-CT MaSK, hu RuF
aND RePTIL SKiNZ uV uS weRoN WE SeT
hu STiGMa uV SKeRD YERZ -- oR WE TX GeT
weR aToMS aND hu AJeZ oR WuN STuF.
NOR eV'R saL WE NO hu K'RST WAST
uV LIF iN hu BeNeFiSeNS DiVIN
uV SToRLIT aND uV SuNLIT aND SOL-sIN
haT WE HaV SKWoND'RD iN SiNS FRAL DiSTReS,
TiL WE HaV DRugK, aND TReMBLD aT hu TAST,
hu {mead} uV toTS PRoFeTiK {endlessness}.
I DiD NoT tigK haT I sxD FIND heM heR
weN I KAM BaK aGeN; BuT heR hA STxD,
aZ iN hu DAZ hA DREMD uV weN Yug BLuD
WoZ iN heR cEKS aND WiMeN KoLD heM FeR.
BE sUR, hA MeT ME Wit aN ANseNT eR, --
aND YeZ, heR WoZ a soP-WORN BRuh'RHxD
aBCT heM; BuT hu MeN W'R JuST aZ GxD,
aND JuST aZ HUMaN aZ hA eV'R W'R.
aND U haT AK SO Muc TX BE SuBLIM,
aND U haT FED YXRSeLVZ Wit YXR DeSeNT,
woT KuMS uV oL YXR VizuNZ aND YXR FERZ?
POeTS aND KigS oR BuT hu KL'RKS uV TIM,
{Tiering} hu SAM DuL WeBZ uV DiSKoNTeNT,
KLiPig hu SAM SaD {alnage} uV hu YERZ.
aT F'RST I toT heR WoZ a {superfine}
P'RSWAzuN iN HiZ FAS; BuT hu FRE GLO
haT FiLD iT weN HE SToPT aND KRID, "{Hollo}!"
sON JQuSLE, aND SO I LeT iT sIN.
HE SeD HiZ NAM WoZ {Fleming} {Helphenstine},
BuT BE haT aZ iT MA; -- I ONLE NO
HE ToKT uV hiS aND haT aND SO-aND-SO,
aND LaFT aND {chaffed} LIK eNE FReND uV MIN.
BuT SXN, Wit a KWER, KWiK FRCN, HE LxKT aT ME,
aND I LxKT HoRD aT HiM; aND heR WE GAZD
Wit a STRAND sAM haT MAD uS KRiNJ aND {wince}:
heN, Wit a {wordless} KLoGD aPoLoJE
haT SCNDeD HaF KoNFUZD aND HaF aMAZD,
HE DoJD, -- aND I HaV NeV'R SEN HiM SiNS.
Wit S'Rcig FET, tRX DoRK S'RKUiTuS WAZ,
I PLuNJD aND STuMBLD; RCND ME, FoR aND NER,
KWANT HORDZ uV {eyeless} {phantoms} DiD aPER,
TWiSTig aND T'RNig iN a BXTLeS cAS, --
weN, LIK aN eKSIL GiVeN BI GoDS GRAS
TX FEL WuNS MOR a HUMaN aTMoSFER,
I KoT hu W'RLDS F'RST M'RM'R, LoRJ aND KLER,
FLug FRuM a Sigig RiV'RS eNDLeS RAS.
heN, tRX a MaJiK TWILIT FRuM BeLO,
I H'RD iTS GRaND SaD Sog aZ iN a DREM:
LIFS WILD iNFiNiTE uV M'Rt aND WO
iT Sag ME; aND, Wit MeNE a cANJig GLEM,
aKRoS hu MUZiK uV iTS oNWoRD FLO
I So hu KoTeJ LITS uV {Wessex} BEM.
hu MaN HX {cloaked} HiZ BiT'RNeS WitiN
hiS WINDig-sET uV PuNZ aND PLeZaNTREZ,
GoD NeV'R GAV TX LxK Wit KoMoN IZ
uPoN a W'RLD uV aNGGWis aND uV SiN:
HiZ BRuh'R WoZ hu BRaNDeD MaN uV {Lynn};
aND heR oR WOVeN Wit HiZ {jollities}
hu NAMLeS aND eT'RNaL TRaJeDEZ
haT ReND'R HOP aND HOPLeSNeS aKiN.
WE LaF, aND KRCN HiM; BuT {anon} WE FEL
a STiL KORD SoRRO-SWePT, -- a WERD uNReST;
aND tiN DiM saDOS HOM TX MiDNIT STEL,
aZ iF hu VeRE GOST uV M'Rt W'R DeD --
aZ iF hu JQZ uV TIM TX DREMS HaD FLeD,
OR SALD aWA Wit {Ines} TX hu WeST.
"DER BRuh'R, DEReST FReND, weN I aM DeD,
aND U saL SE NO MOR hiS FAS uV MIN,
LeT Nutig BuT ReD ROZeZ BE hu SIN
uV hu wIT LIF I LoST FOR HiM," sE SeD;
"NO, DX NoT K'RS HiM, -- PiTE HiM iNSTeD;
FORGiV HiM! -- FORGiV ME! . . GoDS aNoDIN
FOR HUMaN HAT iZ PiTE; aND hu WIN
haT MAKS MeN WIZ, FORGiVNeS. I HaV {ReD,RED}
LuVS MeSeJ iN LuVS M'RD'R, aND I DI."
aND SO hA LAD H'R JuST weR sE WxD LI, --
uND'R ReD ROZeZ. ReD hA BLXMD aND FeL;
BuT weN FLusT oTuM aND hu SNOS WeNT BI,
aND SPRig KAM, -- LO, FRuM eVRE BuDS GREN seL
B'RST a wIT BLoSoM. -- KaN LuV REZoN wI?
I PRA U NoT, {Leuconoe}, TX POR
Wit {unpermitted} IZ oN woT MA BE
aPQNTeD BI hu GoDZ FOR U aND ME,
NOR oN {Chaldean} FiGURZ eNE MOR.
'T W'R iNFiNiTLE BeT'R TX iMPLOR
hu PReZeNT ONLE: -- weh'R {Jove} DeKRE
MOR WiNT'RZ YeT TX KuM, OR weh'R HE
MAK EVeN hiS, HXS HoRD, WAV-ETeN sOR
saT'RZ hu {Tuscan} SEZ TX-DA, hu LaST --
BE WIZ {withal}, aND RaK YXR WIN, NOR FiL
YXR BxZoM Wit LoRJ HOPS; FOR wIL I Sig,
hu eNVEuS {KLOS,KLOZ} uV TIM iZ NeROig; --
SO SEZ hu DA, -- OR eV'R iT BE PaST, --
aND LeT hu MoRRO KuM FOR woT iT WiL.
BeKoZ HE WoZ a Bxc'R aND heRBI
DiD 'RN aN oNeST LiVig (aND DiD RIT),
I WxD NoT HaV U tigK haT {Reuben} BRIT
WoZ eNE MOR a BRXT haN U OR I;
FOR weN hA TOLD HiM haT HiZ WIF MuST DI,
HE STeRD aT heM, aND sxK Wit GREF aND FRIT,
aND KRID LIK a GRAT BABE HaF haT NIT,
aND MAD hu WiMeN KRI TX SE HiM KRI.
aND aFT'R sE WoZ DeD, aND HE HaD PAD
hu Sig'RZ aND hu {sexton} aND hu ReST,
HE PaKT a LoT uV tigS haT sE HaD MAD
MOST MORNFuLE aWA iN aN OLD ceST
uV H'RZ, aND PxT SuM coPT-uP SED'R BCZ
iN Wit heM, aND {tore} DCN hu SLoT'R-{HCS,HCZ}.
aLON, ReMOT, NOR {witting} weR I WeNT,
I FCND aN oLT'R {builded} iN a DREM --
a FIRE PLAS, weRoF heR WoZ a GLEM
SO SWiFT, SO S'Rcig, aND SO eLoKWeNT
uV uPWoRD PRoMiS, haT LuVS M'RM'R, {blent}
Wit SoRROS WORNig, GAV BuT a SuPREM
uNeNDig iMPuLZ TX haT HUMaN STREM
HXS FLuD WoZ oL FOR hu FLAMS FURE BeNT.
aLaS! I SeD, -- hu W'RLD iZ iN hu Rog.
BuT hu SAM KWeNcLeS FEV'R uV uNReST
haT tRiLD hu FORMOST uV haT {martyred} tRog
tRiLD ME, aND I aWOK . . . aND WoZ hu SAM
BeWiLD'RD iNSeKT PLuNJig FOR hu FLAM
haT B'RNZ, aND MuST B'RN SuMHC FOR hu BeST.
weNeV'R I GO BI heR NC-a-DAZ
aND LxK aT hu RagK WEDZ aND hu STRANJ GRaS,
hu TORN BLX K'RTeNZ aND hu BROKeN GLaS,
I SEM TX BE aFRAD uV hu OLD PLAS;
aND SuMtig STiFeNZ uP aND DCN MI FAS,
FOR oL hu W'RLD aZ iF I So hu GOST
uV OLD HaM {Amory}, hu M'RD'RD HOST,
Wit HiZ DeD IZ T'RND oN ME oL {aglaze}.
hu TaV'RN HaZ a STORE, BuT NO MaN
KaN TeL uS woT iT iZ. WE ONLE NO
haT WuNS Log aFT'R MiDNIT, YERZ aGO,
a STRANJ'R GaLoPT uP FRuM {Tilbury} TCN,
HX BRusT, aND SKeRD, aND oL BuT OV'R-RaN
haT SK'RT-KRAZD RePRoBAT, {John} {Evereldown}.
O FOR a POeT -- FOR a BEKoN BRIT
TX RiFT hiS cANJLeS GLiM'R uV DeD GRA;
TX SPiRiT BaK hu MUZeZ, Log aSTRA,
aND FLus {Parnassus} Wit a NU'R LIT;
TX PxT hEZ LiTL SoNeT-MeN TX FLIT
HX FasuN, iN a sRXD, MeKaNiK WA,
SogS WitCT SOLZ, haT FLiK'R FOR a DA,
TX VaNis iN iRReVoKaBL NIT.
woT DuZ iT MEN, hiS BeReN AJ uV CRZ?
HER oR hu MeN, hu WiMeN, aND hu FLC'RZ,
hu SEZuNZ, aND hu SuNSeT, aZ BeFOR.
woT DuZ iT MEN? saL NoT WuN BoRD oRIZ
TX ReNc WuN BaN'R FRuM hu WeST'RN SKIZ,
aND MoRK iT Wit HiZ NAM FOReV'RMOR?
GiV HiM hu DoRKeST iNc YXR seLF aLCZ,
HID HiM iN LONLE GeReTS, iF U WiL, --
BuT HiZ HoRD, HUMaN PuLZ iZ tRoBig STiL
Wit hu sUR STRegt haT FERLeS TRXt eNDCS.
iN SPIT uV oL FIN SIeNS {disavows},
uV HiZ PLAN eKSSeLeNS aND STuBORN SKiL
heR YeT ReMANZ woT FasuN KaNNoT KiL,
hO YERZ HaV tiND hu LOReL FRuM HiZ BRCS.
weh'R OR NoT WE {ReD,RED} HiM, WE KaN FEL
FRuM TIM TX TIM hu ViGOR uV HiZ NAM
aGeNST uS LIK a FigG'R FOR hu sAM
aND eMPTENeS uV woT CR SOLZ ReVEL
iN BxKS haT oR aZ {altars} weR WE NEL
TX KoNSeKRAT hu FLiK'R, NoT hu FLAM.
I KaNNoT FIND MI WA: heR iZ NO SToR
iN oL hu sRCDeD HeVeNZ eNEweR;
aND heR iZ NoT a wiSP'R iN hu eR
uV eNE LiVig VQS BuT WuN SO FoR
haT I KaN HER iT ONLE aZ a BoR
uV LoST, iMPEREaL MUZiK, PLAD weN FeR
aND ANJeL FigG'RZ WOV, aND uNaWeR,
DeD LEVZ TX {garlands} weR NO ROZeZ oR.
NO, heR iZ NoT a GLiM'R, NOR a KoL,
FOR WuN haT WeLKuMS, WeLKuMS weN HE FERZ,
hu BLaK aND oFuL KAoS uV hu NIT;
FOR tRX iT oL, -- aBuV, BeYoND iT oL, --
I NO hu FoR-SeNT MeSeJ uV hu YERZ,
I FEL hu KuMig GLORE uV hu LIT!
iF eV'R I aM OLD, aND oL aLON,
I saL HaV KiLD WuN GREF, aT eNE RAT;
FOR heN, tagK GoD, I saL NoT HaV TX WAT
Muc LogG'R FOR hu {sheaves} haT I HaV SON.
hu DeViL ONLE NOS woT I HaV DuN,
BuT HER I aM, aND HER oR SiKS OR AT
GxD FReNDZ, HX MOST {ingenuously} PRAT
aBCT MI SogS TX Suc aND Suc a WuN.
BuT eVREtig iZ oL aSKU TX-NIT, --
aZ iF hu TIM W'R KuM, OR oLMOST KuM,
FOR heR uNTeNaNTeD MiRoz uV ME
TX LXZ iTSeLF aND KRuMBL CT uV SIT,
LIK a ToL siP haT FLOTS aBuV hu FOM
a LiTL wIL, aND heN BRAKS uT'RLE.
hu MaST'R aND hu SLAV GO HaND iN HaND,
hO Tuc BE LoST. hu POeT iZ a SLAV,
aND heR BE KigS DX {sorrowfully} KRAV
hu {joyance} haT a SKuLYoN MA KoMaND.
BuT, o, hu SoNeT-SLAV MuST uND'RSTaND
hu MisuN uV HiZ BoNDeJ, OR hu GRAV
MA KLaSP HiZ BONZ, OR eV'R HE saL SAV
hu P'RFeKT W'RD haT iZ hu POeTS WoND!
hu SoNeT iZ a KRCN, weRoF hu RIMS
oR FOR toTS PUReST GOLD hu JXeL-STONZ;
BuT sAPS aND eKOS haT oR NeV'R DuN
WiL HoNT hu W'RKsoP, aZ ReGReT SuMTIMS
WiL BRig Wit HUMaN Y'RNig TX SaD tRONZ
hu KRas uV BaTLZ haT oR NeV'R WuN.
wI DX U DiG LIK Log-KLoD SKaVeNJ'RZ
TX Tuc hu KuV'RD KORPS uV HiM haT FLeD
hu uPLaNDZ FOR hu FeNZ, aND RIoTeD
LIK a SiK SAT'R Wit DXMS W'RsiP'RZ?
KuM! LeT hu GRaS GRO heR; aND LEV HiZ V'RS
TX TeL hu STORE uV hu LIF HE LeD.
LeT hu MaN GO: LeT hu DeD FLes BE DeD,
aND LeT hu W'RMS BE iTS BIoGRaF'RZ.
Sog {sloughs} aWA hu SiN TX FIND {redress}
iN oRTS KoMPLET ReMeMBReNS: Nutig KLigS
FOR Log BuT LOReL TX hu STRiKeN BRC
haT FeLT hu MUZS FigG'R; Nutig LeS
haN HeLS {fulfilment} uV hu eND uV tigS
KaN BLoT hu SToR haT sINZ oN {Paris} NC.
weN WE KaN oL SO eKSSeLeNTLE GiV
hu Mez'R uV LuVS WiZDoM Wit a BLO, --
wI KaN WE NoT iN T'RN ReSEV iT SO,
aND eND hiS M'RM'R FOR hu LIF WE {LIV,LiV}?
aND weN WE DX SO FRaNTiKaLE STRIV
TX WiN STRANJ FAt, wI DX WE suN TX NO
haT iN LuVS eLeMeNTaL OV'R-GLO
GoDS HOLNeS {gleams} Wit LIT SuP'RLaTiV?
O, BRuh'R MeN, iF U HaV IZ aT oL,
LxK aT a BRaNc, a B'RD, a cILD, a ROZ, --
OR eNEtig GoD eV'R MAD haT GROS, --
NOR LeT hu SMoLeST VizuN uV iT SLiP,
TiL U KaN {ReD,RED}, aZ oN {Belshazzar}S WoL,
hu GLORE uV eT'RNaL PoRTN'RsiP!
heR iZ a {drear} aND LONLE TRaKT uV HeL
FRuM oL hu KoMoN GLXM ReMXVD aFoR:
a FLaT, SaD LaND iT iZ, weR saDOS oR,
HXS {lorn} eSTAT MI V'RS MA NeV'R TeL.
I WoKT aMug heM aND I NU heM WeL:
MeN I HaD {slandered} oN LIFS LiTL SToR
FOR {churls} aND {sluggards}; aND I NU hu SKoR
uPoN heR BRCS uV WO iNeFaBL.
BuT aZ I WeNT MaJeSTiK oN MI WA,
iNTO hu DoRK hA VaNisT, WuN BI WuN,
TiL, Wit a saFT uV GoDS eT'RNaL DA,
hu DREM uV oL MI GLORE WoZ uNDuN, --
aND, Wit a FXLS iMPORcuNeT DiSMA,
I H'RD hu DeD MeN Sigig iN hu SuN.
LxK U, {Dominie}; LxK U, aND LiSeN!
LxK iN MI FAS, F'RST; S'Rc eVRE LIN heR;
MoRK eVRE FEc'R, -- ciN, LiP, aND FORHeD!
LxK iN MI IZ, aND TeL ME hu LeSoN
U {ReD,RED} heR; Mez'R MI NOZ, aND TeL ME
weR I aM WoNTig! a MaNS NOZ, {Dominie},
iZ oFeN hu KaST uV HiZ iNWoRD SPiRiT;
SO MoRK MIN WeL. BuT wI DX U SMIL SO?
PiTE, OR woT? iZ iT RiTeN oL OV'R,
hiS FAS uV MIN, Wit a BRXTS KoNFesuN?
Nutig BuT SiN heR? Nutig BuT HeL-SKoRZ?
OR iZ iT BeKoZ heR iZ SuMtig BeT'R --
a GLiM'R uV GxD, MABE -- OR a saDO
uV SuMtig haTS FoLOD ME DCN FRuM cILDHxD --
FoLOD ME oL hEZ YERZ aND KePT ME,
SPIT uV MI SLiPS aND SiNZ aND FoLEZ,
SPIT uV MI LaST ReD SiN, MI M'RD'R, --
JuST CT uV HeL? YeZ? SuMtig uV haT KIND?
aND U SMIL FOR haT? UR a GxD MaN, {Dominie},
hu WuN GxD MaN iN hu W'RLD HX NOS ME, --
MI WuN GxD FReND iN a W'RLD haT {mocks} ME,
HER iN hiS HoRD STON KAJ. BuT I LEV iT
TX-MoRRO. TX-MoRRO! MI GoD! aM I KRIig?
oR hEZ tigS {TeRZ,TERZ}? {TeRZ,TERZ}! woT! aM I FRITeND?
I, HX SWOR I sxD GO TX hu SKaFoLD
Wit BiG STRog STePS, aND -- NO MOR. I tagK U,
BuT NO -- I aM oL RIT NC! NO! -- LiSeN!
I aM HER TX BE HagD; TX BE HagD TX-MoRRO
aT SiKS OKLoK, weN hu SuN iZ RIZig.
aND wI aM I HER? NoT a SOL KaN TeL U
BuT hiS PXR siV'Rig tig BeFOR U,
hiS FLuT'Rig ReK uV hu MaN GoD MAD HiM,
FOR GoD NOS woT WILD REZoN. HER ME,
aND L'RN FRuM MI LiPS hu TRXt uV MI STORE.
heRS Nutig STRANJ iN woT I saL TeL U,
Nutig MiSTEREuS, Nutig uN'RtLE, --
BuT DaMNaBLE HUMaN, -- aND U saL HER iT.
NoT WuN uV hOZ LiTL BLaK LoY'RZ HaD GeST iT;
hu JuJ, Wit HiZ BiG BoLD HeD, NeV'R NU iT;
aND hu JXRE (GoD ReST heR PXR SOLZ!) NeV'R DREMD iT.
WuNS heR W'R tRE iN hu W'RLD HX KxD TeL iT;
NC heR oR TX. heRL BE TX TX-MoRRO, --
U, MI FReND, aND -- BuT heRS hu STORE: --
weN I WoZ a BQ hu W'RLD WoZ HeVeN.
I NeV'R NU heN haT hu MeN aND hu WiMeN
HX PeTeD aND KoLD ME a BRAV BiG FeLO
W'R eV'R LeS HaPE haN I; BuT WiZDoM --
wic KuMS Wit hu YERZ, U NO -- SXN sOD ME
hu SEKReT uV oL MI GLiT'Rig cILDHxD,
hu BROKeN KE TX hu FeREZ KaSL
haT HeLD MI LIF iN hu FRes, GLaD SEZoN
weN I WoZ hu Kig uV hu 'Rt. heN SLOLE --
aND YeT SO SWiFTLE! -- heR KAM hu NoLeJ
haT hu {marvellous} LIF I HaD LiVD WoZ MI LIF;
haT hu GLOREuS W'RLD I HaD LuVD WoZ MI W'RLD;
aND haT eVRE MaN, aND eVRE WxMaN,
aND eVRE cILD WoZ a DiF'ReNT BEig,
RoT Wit a DiF'ReNT HET, aND FIRD
Wit PasuNZ BORN uV a SigGL SPiRiT;
haT hu PLez'R I FeLT WoZ NoT heR PLez'R,
NOR MI SoRRO -- a KIND uV NAMLeS PiTE
FOR SuMtig, I NU NoT woT -- heR SoRRO.
aND huS WoZ I ToT MI F'RST HoRD LeSoN, --
hu LeSoN WE SuF'R hu MOST iN L'RNig:
haT a HaPE MaN iZ a MaN FORGeTFuL
uV oL hu TORc'Rig iLZ oRCND HiM.
weN OR weR I F'RST MeT hu WxMaN
I ceRisT aND MAD MI WIF, NO MaT'R.
eNuF TX SA haT I FCND H'R aND KePT H'R
HER iN MI HoRT Wit aZ PUR a DeVOsuN
aZ eV'R {Christ} FeLT FOR HiZ BRuh'RZ. FORGiV ME
FOR NAMig HiZ NAM iN YXR PAseNT PReZeNS;
BuT I FEL MI W'RDZ, aND hu TRXt I uT'R
iZ GoDS ON TRXt. I LuVD haT WxMaN, --
NoT FOR H'R FAS, BuT FOR SuMtig FeR'R,
SuMtig {diviner}, I toT, haN BUTE:
I LuVD hu SPiRiT -- hu HUMaN SuMtig
haT SEMD TX cIM Wit MI ON KoNDisuN,
aND MAK SOL-MUZiK weN WE W'R ToGeh'R;
aND WE W'R NeV'R aPoRT, FRuM hu MOMeNT
MI IZ FLasT iNTO H'R IZ hu MeSeJ
haT SWePT iTSeLF iN a KWiV'Rig aNS'R
BaK tRX MI STRANJ LoST BEig. MI PuLSeZ
LePT Wit aN AKig SPED; aND hu Mez'R
uV hiS GRAT W'RLD GRX SMoL aND SMoL'R,
TiL iT SEMD hu SKI aND hu LaND aND hu OseN
KLOZD aT LaST iN a MiST oL GOLDeN
oRCND uS TX. aND WE STxD FOR a SEZoN
LIK GoDZ {outflung} FRuM KAoS, DREMig
haT WE W'R hu Kig aND hu KWEN uV hu FIR
haT ReDeND hu KLCDZ uV LuV haT HeLD uS
BLIND TX hu NU W'RLD SXN TX BE CRZ --
CRZ TX SEZ aND SWA. hu PasuN
uV haT GRAT LuV WoZ a NAMLeS PasuN,
BRIT aZ hu BLAZ uV hu SuN aT NXNDA,
WILD aZ hu FLAMS uV HeL; BuT, MoRK U,
NeV'R a wiT LeS PUR FOR iTS F'RVOR.
hu {baseness} iN ME (FOR I WoZ HUMaN)
B'RND LIK a W'RM, aND PeRisT; aND Nutig
WoZ LeFT ME heN BuT a SOL haT MigGLD
iTSeLF Wit H'RZ, aND SWAD aND suD'RD
iN FERFuL TRIuMF. weN I KoNSiD'R
haT HeLPLeS LuV aND hu K'RST FoLE
haT ReKT MI LIF FOR hu SAK uV a WxMaN
HX BROK Wit a LaF hu cANZ uV H'R MeReJ
(woTeV'R hu W'RD MA MEN), I WuND'R
iF oL hu WO WoZ H'R SiN, OR weh'R
hu cANZ heMSeLVZ W'R eNuF TX {LeD,LED} H'R
iN LuVS DeSPIT TX BRAK heM. . . . SiN'RZ
aND SANTS -- I SA -- oR RoKT iN hu KRADL,
BuT NeV'R oR NON TiL hu WiL WitiN heM
SPEKS iN iTS ON GxD TIM. SO I FoST'R
EVeN TX-NIT FOR hu WxMaN HX RogD ME,
Nutig uV HAT, NOR uV LuV, BuT a FELig
uV STiL ReGReT; FOR hu MaN -- BuT HER ME,
aND JuJ FOR YXRSeLF: --
FOR a TIM hu SEZuNZ
cANJD aND PaST iN a SWET SuKSesuN
haT SEMD TX ME LIK aN eNDLeS MUZiK:
LIF WoZ a ROLig {psalm}, aND hu KWIRZ
uV GoD W'R GLaD FOR CR LuV. I FaNSED
oL hiS, aND MOR haN I DeR TX TeL U
TX-NIT, -- YeZ, MOR haN I DeR TX ReMeMB'R;
aND heN -- WeL, hu MUZiK SToPT. heR oR MOMeNTS
iN oL MeNS {LIVZ,LiVZ} weN iT SToPS, I FaNSE, --
OR SEMS TX SToP, -- TiL iT KuMS TX cER heM
aGeN Wit a LoRJ'R SCND. hu K'RTeN
uV LIF JuST heN iZ LiFTeD a LiTL
TX GiV TX heR SIT NU JQZ -- NU SoRROS --
OR Nutig aT oL, SuMTIMS. I WoZ Wocig
hu SLO, SWET SENZ uV a GOLDeN PiKc'R,
FLusT aND aLIV Wit a Log DeLXzuN
haT MAD hu M'RM'R uV HOM, weN I suD'RD
aND FeLT LIK a NIF haT oFuL SILeNS
haT KuMS weN hu MUZiK GOS -- FOReV'R.
hu TRXt KAM OV'R MI LIF LIK a DoRKNeS
OV'R a FOReST weR WuN MaN {wanders},
W'RS haN aLON. FOR a TIM I STaG'RD
aND STuMBLD oN Wit a {weak} P'RSiSTeNS
aFT'R hu FaNToM uV HOP haT DoRTeD
aND DoJD LIK a FRITeND tig BeFOR ME,
TX KWiT ME aT LaST, aND VaNis. Nutig
WoZ LeFT ME heN BuT hu K'RS uV LiVig
aND BeRig tRX oL MI DAZ hu FEV'R
aND t'RST uV a PQZoND LuV. W'R I STRogG'R,
OR WEK'R, P'RHaPS MI SKORN HaD SAVD ME,
GiVeN ME STRegt TX KRus MI SoRRO
Wit HAT FOR H'R aND hu W'RLD haT PRAZD H'R --
TX HaV LeFT H'R, heN aND heR -- TX HaV KogK'RD
haT OLD FoLTSZ LIF Wit a NU aND a WIZ'R, --
Suc tigS oR EZE iN W'RDZ. U LiSeN,
aND FRCN, I SuPOZ, haT I NeV'R MeNsuN
haT BUTEFuL W'RD, FORGiV! -- I FORGAV H'R
F'RST uV oL; aND I PRAZD KIND HeVeN
haT I WoZ a BRAV, KLEN MaN TX DX iT;
aND heN I TRID TX FORGeT. FORGiVNeS!
woT DuZ iT MEN weN hu WuN FORGiVeN
{Shivers} aND WEPS aND KLigS aND KiSeZ
hu KReJuLuS FXL haT HOLDZ H'R, aND TeLZ HiM
a tCZaND tigS uV a GxD MaNS M'RSE,
aND heN SLiPS oF Wit a LaF aND PLuNJeZ
BaK TX hu SiN sE HaZ KWiT FOR a SEZoN,
TX TeL HiM haT HeL aND hu W'RLD oR BeT'R
FOR H'R haN a PRoFeTS HeVeN? BeLEV ME,
hu LuV haT DIZ eR iTS FLAMS oR WASTeD
iN S'Rc uV aN ALEiN SOL iZ BeT'R,
BeT'R BI FoR haN hu LONLE PasuN
haT B'RNZ BaK iNTO hu HoRT haT FEDZ iT.
FOR I LuVD H'R STiL, aND hu MOR sE MoKT ME, --
FXLD Wit H'R eNDLeS PLEDig PRoMiS
uV FUc'R FAt, -- hu MOR I BeLEVD H'R
hu PeNiTeNT tig sE SEMD; aND hu STRogG'R
H'R cOKig oRMS aND H'R SMoL HoT KiSeZ
BCND ME aND B'RND MI BRAN TX PiTE,
hu MOR sE GRX TX hu HeVeNLE KREc'R
haT BRITeND hu LIF I HaD LoST FOReV'R.
hu TRXt WoZ GoN SuMHC FOR hu MOMeNT;
hu K'RTeN FeL FOR a TIM; aND I FaNSED
WE W'R aGeN LIK GoDZ ToGeh'R,
LuVig aGeN Wit hu OLD GLaD RaPc'R.
BuT SENZ LIK hEZ, TX oFeN RePETeD,
FALD aT LaST, aND H'R GIL WoZ WASTeD.
I MAD aN eND uV H'R sRXD KoReSeZ
aND TOLD H'R a FU STRAT W'RDZ. sE TxK heM
FxL aT heR W'Rt -- aND hu FoRS WoZ OV'R.
. . . . .
aT F'RST MI DREMS uV hu PaST uPHeLD ME,
BuT hA W'R a sORT SuPORT: hu PReZeNT
PxsT heM aWA, aND I FeL. hu MisuN
uV LIF (woTeV'R iT WoZ) WoZ BLaSTeD;
MI GAM WoZ LoST. aND I MeT hu WiN'R
uV haT FCL DEL aZ a SiK SLAV Gad'RZ
HiZ PANFuL STRegt aT hu SIT uV HiZ MaST'R;
aND weN HE WoZ PaST I K'RST HiM, FERFuL
uV haT STRANJ caNS wic MAKS uS MITE
OR MEN, OR BOt. I K'RST HiM aND HATeD
hu STONZ HE PReST Wit HiZ HEL; I FoLOD
HiZ EZE MoRc Wit a BaKWoRD eNVE,
aND K'RST MISeLF FOR hu BEST WitiN ME.
BuT PRID iZ hu MaST'R uV LuV, aND hu VizuN
uV hOZ OLD DAZ GRX FANT aND {fainter}:
hu KCNT'RFiT WIF MI M'RSE seLT'RD
WoZ Nutig NC BuT a WxMaN, -- a WxMaN
CT uV MI WA aND CT uV MI NAc'R.
MI BaTL Wit BLINDeD LuV WoZ OV'R,
MI BaTL Wit AKig PRID BeGiNig.
iF I WoZ hu LXZ'R aT F'RST, I WuND'R
iF I aM hu WiN'R NC! . . . I DCT iT.
MI LIF iZ a LXZig GAM; aND TX-MoRRO --
TX-MoRRO! -- {Christ}! DiD I SA TX-MoRRO? . . .
iZ YXR BRaNDE GxD FOR Det? . . . heR, -- LiSeN: --
weN LuV GOS CT, aND a MaN iZ DRiVeN
TX suN MaN-KIND FOR hu SKoRZ haT MAK HiM
a JOK FOR oL caT'Rig TugS, HE KeREZ
a DuBL B'RDeN. hu WOS I SuF'RD
aFT'R haT HoRD BeTRAaL MAD ME
PiTE, aT F'RST, oL BREhig KREc'RZ
oN hiS BeWiLD'RD 'Rt. I STuDED
heR FASeZ aND MAD FOR MISeLF hu STORE
uV oL heR SKaT'RD {LIVZ,LiVZ}. LIK BRuh'RZ
aND SiST'RZ hA SEMD TX ME heN; aND I N'RisT
a STRANJ'R FReNDsiP RoT iN MI FaNSE
BeTWEN hOZ PEPL aND ME. BuT SuMHC,
aZ TIM WeNT oN, heR KAM KWER GLaNSeZ
CT uV heR IZ, aND hu sAM haT STug ME
HeRaST MI PRID Wit a KRAZD iMPResuN
haT eVRE FAS iN hu S'RJig SiTE
WoZ T'RND TX ME; aND I So SLI wiSP'RZ,
NC aND heN, aZ I WoKT aND WERED
MI WASTeD LIF TWIS OV'R iN BeRig
Wit oL MI SoRRO hu SoRROS uV uh'RZ, --
TiL I FCND MISeLF heR FXL. heN I TReMBLD, --
a PXR SKeRD tig, -- aND heR PRIig FASeZ
TOLD ME hu GaSTLE TRXt: hA W'R LaFig
aT ME aND MI FAT. MI GoD, I KxD FEL iT --
haT LaFT'R! aND heN hu ciLDReN KoT iT;
aND I, LIK a STRuK DoG, KRePT aND LiSeND.
aND heN weN I MeT hu MaN HX HaD WEKeND
a WxMaNS LuV TX HiZ ON DeZIR,
iT SEMD TX ME haT oL HeL W'R LaFig
iN FENDis KoNS'RT! I WoZ heR ViKTiM --
aND HiZ, aND HATS. aND heR WoZ hu STRuGL!
aZ Log aZ hu 'Rt WE TReD HOLDZ SuMtig
a TORc'RD HoRT KaN LuV, hu MENig
uV LIF iZ NoT HOLE BL'RD; BuT aFT'R
hu LaST LuVD tig iN hu W'RLD HaZ LeFT uS,
WE NO hu TRIuMF uV HAT. hu GLORE
uV GxD GOS CT FOReV'R; hu BEKoN
uV SiN iZ hu LIT haT {LEDZ,LeDZ} uS DCNWoRD --
DCN TX hu FIRE eND. hu ROD RuNZ
RIT tRX HeL; aND hu SOLZ haT FoLO
hu K'RST WAZ weR iTS {windings} {LeD,LED} heM
SuF'R eNuF, I SA, TX MeRiT
oL GRAS haT a GoD KaN GiV. -- hu FasuN
uV CR BeLEF iZ TX LiFT oL BEigS
BORN FOR a LIF haT NOS NO STRuGL
iN SiNS TIT {snares} TX eT'RNaL GLORE --
oL aPoRT FRuM hu BRaNDeD MiLYuNZ
HX KeRE tRX LIF heR FASeZ GRAVeN
Wit sUR BRXT SKoRZ haT TeL hu STORE
uV heR FCL, FATeD PasuNZ. SIeNS
HaZ YeT NO SaV TX SMXh OR SoFeN
hu KRADL-SKoRZ uV a TIReNTS ViZeJ;
NO DRuG TX P'RJ FRuM hu VITaL eSeNS
uV SOLZ hu SLEPig VeNoM. V'RcX
MA FLC'R iN HeL, weN iTS RXTS oR TWiSTeD
aND {WXND,WXND} Wit hu RXTS uV VIS; BuT hu STRogG'R
NeV'R iZ NON TiL heR KuMS haT BaTL
Wit SiN TX PRXV hu ViKTOR. PeRiLuS
tigS oR hEZ DEMuNZ WE KoL CR PasuNZ:
SLAVZ oR WE uV heR ROVig FaNSEZ,
FXLZ uV heR DeViLis GLE. -- U tigK ME,
I NO, iN hiS MoND'Rig WA DeZINig
TX {lighten} hu LOD uV MI GiLT aND KaST iT
HaF oN hu sOLD'RZ uV GoD. BuT HER ME!
IM PoRTLE a MaN, -- FOR oL MI WEKNeS, --
iF WEKNeS iT W'R TX STaND aND M'RD'R
BeFOR MeNS IZ hu MaN HX HaD M'RD'RD
ME, aND DRiVeN MI B'RNig FORHeD
Wit HORNZ FOR hu W'RLD TX LaF aT. TRuST ME!
aND TRI TX BeLEV MI W'RDZ BuT a PORsuN
uV woT GoDS P'RPoS MAD ME! hu KCoRD
WitiN ME KRIZ FOR hiS; aND I BeG U
NC, aZ I KuM TX hu eND, TX ReMeMB'R
haT WiMeN aND MeN oR oN 'Rt TX TRaVeL
oL oN a DiF'ReNT ROD. HERaFT'R
hu RODZ MA MET. . . . I TRuST iN SuMtig --
I NO NoT woT. . . .
WeL, hiS WoZ hu WA uV iT: --
STug Wit hu sAM aND hu SEKReT FURE
haT KuMS TX hu MaN HX HaZ tRON HiZ PiTaNS
uV SeLF aT a TRAT'RS FET, I WoND'RD
WEKS aND WEKS iN a BaFLD FReNZE,
TiL aT LaST hu DeViL SPOK. I H'RD HiM,
aND LaFT aT hu LuV haT STROV TX Tuc ME, --
hu DeD, LoST LuV; aND I GRiPT hu DEMoN
{KLOS,KLOZ} TX MI BReST, aND HeLD HiM, PRAZig
hu FATS aND hu {furies} haT GAV ME hu K'ReJ
TX FoLO HiZ WILD KoMaND. FORGeTFuL
uV oL TX KuM weN hu W'RK WoZ OV'R, --
heR KAM TX ME heN NO STONE VizuN
uV hEZ tRE HuNDReD DAZ, -- I ceRisT
aN oFuL JQ iN MI BRAN. I PoND'RD
aND WAD hu tig iN MI MIND, aND {gloried}
iN LIF TX tigK haT I WoZ TX KogK'R
Det aT HiZ ON DoRK DOR, -- aND cuKLD
TX tigK uV iT DuN SO KLENLE. WuN EVNig
I NU haT MI TIM HaD KuM. I suD'RD
a LiTL, BuT Rah'R FOR DCT haN TeROR,
aND FoLOD HiM, -- LeD BI hu NAMLeS DeViL
I W'RsiPT aND KoLD MI BRuh'R. hu SiTE
sON LIK a DREM haT NIT; hu WiNDOS
FLasT Wit a PERSig FLAM, aND hu PAVMeNTS
PuLST aND SWAD Wit a WORMt -- OR SuMtig
haT SEMD SO heN TX MI FET -- aND tRiLD ME
Wit a KWiK, DiZE JQ; aND hu WiMeN
aND MeN, LIK {marvellous} tigS uV MaJiK,
FLOTeD aND LaFT aND Sag BI MI sOLD'R,
SeNT Wit a WiZoRD MOsuN. tRX iT
aND OV'R aND uND'R iT oL heR SCNDeD
a M'RM'R uV LIF, LIK BEZ; aND I LiSeND
aND LaFT aGeN TX tigK uV hu FLC'R
haT GRX, BLuD-ReD, FOR ME! . . . hiS FeLO
WoZ WuN uV hu PoPUL'R SORT HX FL'Ris
uNRuFLD weR GoDZ WxD FoL. FOR a KoNseNS
HE KeRED a SNuG DeSET haT MAD HiM
hu MaN uV hu TIM aND hu PLAS, woTeV'R
hu TIM OR hu PLAS MIT BE. W'R HE SCNDig,
Wit a JENEaL KRaFT haT {cloaked} iTS P'RPoS,
NI TX iTSeLF, hu DePt uV a WxMaN
FXLD Wit HiZ {brainless} oRT, OR SeNDig
hu MiDNIT HOM Wit SogS aND BoTLZ, --
hu {cad} WoZ heR, aND HiZ EZ FOReV'R
sON Wit hu SMXh aND SLiP'RE PoLis
haT TeLZ hu SNAK. haT NIT HE DRiFTeD
iNTO aN uP-TCN HoNT aND ORD'RD --
woTeV'R iT WoZ -- Wit a SoFT asUReNS
haT MAD ME MaD aZ I STxD BeHIND HiM,
GRiPig HiZ Det, aND WATeD. KCoRD,
I tigK, iZ hu NAM hu W'RLD HaZ GiVeN
TX MeN LIK ME; BuT IL SWeR I NeV'R
toT uV MI ON DiSGRAS weN I soT HiM --
YeZ, iN hu BaK, -- I NO iT, I NO iT
NC; BuT woT iF I DX? . . . aZ I WocT HiM
LIig heR DeD iN hu SKaT'RD SoDuST,
WeT Wit a DAS BLON FRot, I NOTeD
haT tigS W'R STiL; haT hu WoLNuT TABLZ,
weR MeN BuT a MOMeNT BeFOR W'R SiTig,
W'R GoN; haT a SKREN uV SuMtig oRCND ME
suT heM CT uV MI SIT. BuT hu GiLDeD
SINZ uV a HuNDReD BERZ aND {whiskeys}
FLasT FRuM hu WoLS aBuV, aND hu MiRORZ
aND GLaSeZ BeHIND hu BoR W'R LITeD
iN SuM STRANJ WA, aND iNTO MI SPiRiT
a tCZaND saFTS uV TeRiBL FIR
B'RND LIK Det, aND I FeL. hu STORE
uV woT KAM heN, U NO.
BuT TeL ME,
woT DuZ hu HOL tig MEN? woT oR WE, --
SLAVZ uV aN oFuL iGNOReNS? PuPeTS
PxLD BI a FEND? OR GoDZ, WitCT NOig iT?
DX WE suT FRuM CRSeLVZ CR ON SaLVAsuN, --
OR woT DX WE DX! I TeL U, {Dominie},
heR oR TIMS iN hu {LIVZ,LiVZ} uV uS PXR DeViLZ
weN HeVeN aND HeL GeT MiKST. hO KoNseNS
MA KuM LIK a wiSP'R uV {Christ} TX WORN uS
aWA FRuM CR SiNZ, iT iZ LoST OR LaFT aT, --
aND heN WE FoL. aND FOR oL HX HaV FoLeN --
EVeN FOR HiM -- I HOLD NO MaLiS,
NOR Muc KoMPasuN: a {mightier} M'RSE
haN MIN MuST {shrive} HiM. -- aND I -- I aM GXig
iNTO hu LIT? -- OR iNTO hu DoRKNeS?
wI DX I SiT tRX hEZ SiKeNig CRZ,
aND HOP? GxD GoD! oR hA CRZ? -- CRZ?
YeZ! I aM DuN Wit DAZ. aND TX-MoRRO --
WE TX MA MET! TX-MoRRO! -- TX-MoRRO! . . .
hu MaST'R-SogS oR eNDeD, aND hu MaN
haT Sag heM iZ a NAM. aND SO iZ GoD
a NAM; aND SO iZ LuV, aND LIF, aND Det,
aND eVREtig. BuT WE, HX oR TX BLIND
TX {ReD,RED} woT WE HaV RiTeN, OR woT FAt
HaZ RiTeN FOR uS, DX NoT uND'RSTaND:
WE ONLE BLigK, aND WuND'R.
LaST NIT iT WoZ hu Sog haT WoZ hu MaN,
BuT NC iT iZ hu MaN haT iZ hu Sog.
WE DX NoT HER HiM VeRE Muc TX-DA:
HiZ PERSig aND eT'RNaL KADeNS RigS
TX PUR FOR uS -- TX PC'RFuLE PUR,
TX LuVigLE TRIuMFeNT, aND TX LoRJ;
BuT heR oR SuM haT HER HiM, aND hA NO
haT HE saL Sig TX-MoRRO FOR oL MeN,
aND haT oL TIM saL LiSeN.
hu MaST'R-SogS oR eNDeD? Rah'R SA
NO SogS oR eNDeD haT oR eV'R Sug,
aND haT NO NAMS oR DeD NAMS. weN WE RIT
MeNS LeT'RZ oN PRCD MoRBL OR oN SaND,
WE RIT heM heR FOReV'R.
hu KORuS uV OLD MeN iN "{Aegeus}"
YE GoDZ haT HaV a HOM BeYoND hu W'RLD,
YE haT HaV IZ FOR oL MaNS aGoNE,
YE haT HaV SEN hiS WO haT WE HaV SEN, --
LxK Wit a JuST ReGoRD,
aND Wit aN EVeN GRAS,
HER oN hu saT'RD KORPS uV a saT'RD Kig,
HER oN a SuF'Rig W'RLD weR MeN GRO OLD
aND WoND'R LIK SaD saDOS TiL, aT LaST,
CT uV hu FLeR uV LIF,
CT uV hu w'RL uV YERZ,
iNTO hu MiST hA GO,
iNTO hu MiST uV Det.
O sADZ uV U haT LuVD HiM Log BeFOR
hu KRXeL tReDZ uV haT BLaK SAL W'R SPuN,
MA LQaL oRMS aND ANseNT {welcomings}
ReSEV HiM WuNS aGeN
HX NC NO LogG'R MXVZ
HER iN hiS {flickering} DaNS uV cANJig DAZ,
weR a BaTL iZ LoST aND WuN FOR a Wih'RD REt,
aND hu BLaK MaST'R Det iZ OV'R oL,
TX ciL Wit HiZ aPROc,
TX LeVeL Wit HiZ Tuc,
hu RANig STRegt uV YXt,
hu FLuT'RD HoRT uV AJ.
WO FOR hu FATFuL DA weN {Delphi}S W'RD WoZ LoST --
WO FOR hu LuVLeS PRiNZ uV {Aethra}S LIN!
WO FOR a Foh'RS {TeRZ,TERZ} aND hu K'RS uV a KigS ReLES --
WO FOR hu WigS uV PRID aND hu saFTS uV DXM! --
aND hC, hu SaDeST {WiND,WIND}
haT eV'R BLX FRuM {Crete},
Sig hu FeL TIDigS BaK TX haT tRIS uNHaPE siP! --
Sig TX hu WeST'RN FLAM,
Sig TX hu DIig FOM,
a D'RJ FOR hu {sundered} YERZ aND a D'RJ FOR hu YERZ TX BE!
BeT'R HiZ eND HaD BiN aZ hu eND uV a KLCDLeS DA,
BRIT, BI hu W'RD uV {Zeus}, Wit a GOLDeN SToR,
RoT uV a GOLDeN FAM, aND FLug TX hu SeNTRaL SKI,
TX GLEM oN a {stormless} TXM FOR eV'RMOR: --
weh'R OR NoT heR FeL
TX hu Tuc uV aN ALEiN HaND
hu sEN uV HiZ P'RPL ROB aND hu sIN uV HiZ DIaDeM,
BeT'R HiZ eND HaD BiN
TX DI aZ aN OLD MaN DIZ, --
BuT hu FATS oR eV'R hu FATS, aND a KRCN iZ eV'R a KRCN.
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! heRS a FRoST aLog hu MoRseZ,
aND a FROZeN {WiND,WIND} haT {skims} hu sOL weR iT sAKS hu DeD BLaK WoT'R;
heRS a MON aKRoS hu LOLaND aND a WALig tRX hu WxDLaND
uV a D'RJ haT SigS TX SeND uS BaK TX hu oRMS uV hOZ haT LuV uS.
heR iZ Nutig LeFT BuT aseZ NC weR hu KRiMZoN ciLZ uV oTuM
PxT oF hu SuM'RS LagG'R Wit a Tuc haT MAD uS GLaD
FOR hu GLORE haT iZ GoN FRuM uS, Wit a FLIT WE KaNNoT FoLO,
TX hu SLOPS uV uh'R VaLEZ aND hu SCNDZ uV uh'R sORZ.
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! U KaN HER heM KoLig, KoLig,
KoLig uS TX KuM TX heM, aND ROM NO MOR.
OV'R heR BeYoND hu RiJeZ aND hu LaND haT LIZ BeTWEN uS,
heRS aN OLD Sog KoLig uS TX KuM!
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! -- FOR hu SENZ WE LEV BeHIND uS
oR BeReN FOR hu LITS uV HOM aND a FLAM haTS Yug FOReV'R;
aND hu LONLE TREZ oRCND uS KREK hu WORNig uV hu NIT-{WiND,WIND},
haT LuV aND oL hu DREMS uV LuV oR aWA BeYoND hu MCNTeNZ.
hu SogS haT KoL FOR uS TX-NIT, hA HaV KoLD FOR MeN BeFOR uS,
aND hu {WINDZ,WiNDZ} haT BLO hu MeSeJ, hA HaV BLON TeN tCZaND YERZ;
BuT hiS WiL eND CR WoND'R-TIM, FOR WE NO hu JQ haT WATS uS
iN hu STRANJNeS uV HOM-KuMig, aND a FAtFuL WxMaNS IZ.
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! heR iZ Nutig NC TX cER uS --
Nutig NC TX KuMFORT uS, BuT LuVS ROD HOM: --
OV'R heR BeYoND hu DoRKNeS heRS a WiNDO {gleams} TX GRET uS,
aND a WORM HoRt WATS FOR uS WitiN.
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! -- OR hu ROVig-FEND WiL HOLD uS,
aND MAK uS oL TX DWeL Wit HiM TX hu eND uV HUMaN FeRig:
heR oR NO MeN YeT KaN LEV HiM weN HiZ HaNDZ oR KLucT uPoN heM,
heR oR NuN WiL ON HiZ eNMiTE, heR oR NuN WiL KoL HiM BRuh'R.
SO WEL BE uP aND oN hu WA, aND hu LeS WE BRaG hu BeT'R
FOR hu FREDoM haT GoD GAV uS aND hu DReD WE DX NoT NO: --
hu FRoST haT SKiPS hu WiLO-LEF WiL aGeN BE BaK TX BLIT iT,
aND hu DXM WE KaNNoT FLI FRuM iZ hu DXM WE DX NoT SE.
KuM aWA! KuM aWA! heR oR DeD MeN oL oRCND uS --
FROZeN MeN haT MoK uS Wit a WILD, HoRD LaF
haT {shrieks} aND SigKS aND wiMP'RZ iN hu sRiL {November} RuseZ,
aND hu Log FoL {WiND,WIND} oN hu LAK.
I
TX GeT aT hu eT'RNaL STRegt uV tigS,
aND FERLeSLE TX MAK STRog SogS uV iT,
iZ, TX MI MIND, hu MisuN uV haT MaN
hu W'RLD WxD KoL a POeT. HE MA Sig
BuT RuFLE, aND {withal} uNGRAsuSLE;
BuT iF HE Tuc TX LIF hu WuN RIT KORD
weRiN GoDS MUZiK {slumbers}, aND aWAK
TX TRXt WuN DRCZD aMBisuN, HE SigS WeL.
{II}
WE tRiL TX STRANJLE aT hu MaST'RS Tuc;
WE sRigK TX SaDLE FRuM hu LoRJ'R SeLF
wic FOR iTS ON KoMPLETNeS {agitates}
aND {undetermines} uS; WE DX NoT FEL --
WE DeR NoT FEL iT YeT -- hu SPLeNDiD sAM
uV {uncreated} FALUR; WE FORGeT,
hu wIL WE GRON, haT GoDS aKoMPLisMeNT
iZ oLWAZ aND uNFALigLE aT HaND.
{III}
TX MORTaL ERZ hu PLANeST W'RD MA Rig
FaNTaSTiK aND uNH'RD-uV, aND aZ FoLTSZ
aND CT uV TUN aZ eV'R TX CR ON
DiD Rig hu PReRS uV MaN-MAD MANEaKS;
BuT iF haT W'RD BE hu PLAN W'RD uV TRXt,
iT LEVZ aN eKO haT {begets} iTSeLF,
P'RSiSTeNT iN iTSeLF aND uV iTSeLF,
ReJeN'ReT, REiT'RAT, RePLET.
{IV}
{Tumultuously} VQD uV a KLEN SKEM
weRoN TX BiLD, weRoF TX FORMULAT,
hu LEJoN LIF haT RIoTS iN MaN-KIND
GOS eV'R PLuNJig uPWoRD, uP aND DCN,
MOST LIK SuM KRAZE ReJiMeNT aT oRMS,
uNDiSiPLiND uV oT BuT iGNOReNS,
aND eV'R LeD {resourcelessly} aLog
TX {brainless} KoRNeJ BI DRugK TRuMPeT'RZ.
V
TX ME hu GRONig uV W'RLD-W'RsiP'RZ
RigS LIK a LONLE MUZiK PLAD iN HeL
BI WuN Wit oRT eNuF TX {cleave} hu WoLS
uV HeVeN Wit HiZ KADeNS, BuT WitCT
hu WiZDoM OR hu WiL TX KoMPReHeND
hu STRANJNeS uV HiZ ON P'RV'RSiTE,
aND oL WitCT hu K'ReJ TX DeNI
hu PRoFiT aND hu PRID uV HiZ DeFET.
{VI}
wIL WE oR DRiLD iN eROR, WE oR LoST
aLIK TX TRXt aND USFuLNeS. WE tigK
WE oR GRAT WORiORZ NC, aND WE KaN BRaG
LIK {Titans}; BuT hu W'RLD iZ GROig Yug,
aND WE, hu FXLZ uV TIM, oR GROig Wit iT: --
WE DX NoT FIT TX-DA, WE ONLE DI;
WE oR TX PRCD uV Det, aND TX asAMD
uV GoD, TX NO eNuF TX BE aLIV.
{VII}
heR iZ WuN BaTL-FELD weRoN WE FoL
TRIuMFeNT aND {unconquered}; BuT, aLaS!
WE oR TX {fleshly} FERFuL uV CRSeLVZ
TX FIT heR TiL CR DAZ oR w'RLD aND BL'RD
BI SoRRO, aND hu MiNiST'Rig wELZ
uV aNGGWis TAK uS ESTWoRD, weR hu KLCDZ
uV HUMaN GLXM oR LoST aGeNST hu GLEM
haT sINZ oN toTS iMPeNeTRaBL MAL.
{VIII}
weN WE saL HER NO MOR hu KRADL-SogS
uV AJeZ -- weN hu TIMLeS HiMS uV LuV
DeFET heM aND {outsound} heM -- WE saL NO
hu RaPc'R uV haT LoRJ ReLES wic oL
RIT SIeNS {comprehends}; aND WE saL {ReD,RED},
Wit {unoppressed} aND {unoffended} IZ,
haT ReKORD uV oL-SOL weRoN GoD RITS
iN eV'RLaSTig {runes} hu TRXt uV HiM.
{IX}
hu {guerdon} uV NU cILDHxD iZ RePOZ: --
WuNS HE HaZ {ReD,RED} hu PRiM'R uV RIT toT,
a MaN MA KLAM BeTWEN TX SMitE STROKS
BeaTiTUD eNuF TX REaLIZ
GoDS PeRaLeL KoMPLETNeS iN hu VAG
aND {incommensurable} eKSSeLeNS
haT eKWiTaBLE {uncreates} iTSeLF
aND MAKS a w'RLWiND uV hu UNiV'RS.
KS
heR iZ NO LONLENeS: -- NO MaT'R weR
WE GO, NOR weNS WE KuM, NOR woT GxD FReNDZ
FORSAK uS iN hu SEMig, WE oR oL
aT WuN Wit a KoMPLET KoMPaNYoNsiP;
aND hO {forlornly} {joyless} BE hu WAZ
WE TRaVeL, hu KoMPeNSAT SPiRiT-{gleams}
uV WiZDoM saFT hu DoRKNeS HER aND heR,
LIK SKaT'RD LaMPS iN {unfrequented} STRETS.
{XI}
weN WuN haT U aND I HaD oL BuT SWORN
TX BE hu PUReST tig GoD eV'R MAD
BeWiLD'RZ uS uNTiL aT LaST iT SEMS
aN ANJeL HaZ KuM BaK {restigmatized}, --
FAt WAV'RZ, aND WE WuND'R woT heR iZ
oN 'Rt TX MAK uS FAtFuL eNE MOR,
BuT NeV'R oR KWIT WIZ eNuF TX NO
hu WiZDoM haT iZ iN haT WuND'RMeNT.
{XII}
weR DuZ a DeD MaN GO? -- hu DeD MaN DIZ;
BuT hu FRE LIF haT WxD NO LogG'R FED
oN {fagots} uV {outburned} aND saT'RD FLes
WAKS TX a tRiLD iNViSiBL aDVaNS,
{Unchained} (OR {fettered} eLZ) uV MeMORE;
aND weN hu DeD MaN GOS iT SEMS TX ME
'T W'R BeT'R FOR uS oL TX DX aWA
Wit WEPig, aND BE GLaD haT HE iZ GoN.
{XIII}
STiL tRX hu DuSK uV DeD, BLagK-{legended},
aND {unremunerative} YERZ WE S'Rc
TX GeT weR LIF BeGiNZ, aND STiL WE GRON
BeKoZ WE DX NoT FIND hu LiVig SPoRK
weR NO SPoRK eV'R WoZ; aND huS WE DI,
STiL S'Rcig, LIK PXR OLD {astronomers}
HX ToT'R oF TX BeD aND GO TX SLEP,
TX DREM uV {untriangulated} SToRZ.
{XIV}
Wit KoNsuS IZ NoT YeT SiNSER eNuF
TX PERZ hu {glimmered} KLCD haT FLuKcuATS
BeTWEN ME aND hu {glorifying} LIT
haT SKRENZ iTSeLF Wit NoLeJ, I DiS'RN
hu S'Rcig RAZ uV WiZDoM haT REc tRX
hu MiST uV sAMS iNF'RM KReDULiTE,
aND iNFiNiTLE WuND'R iF HoRD W'RDZ
LIK MIN HaV eNE MeSeJ FOR hu DeD.
{XV}
I GRaNT U FReNDsiP iZ a RQaL tig,
BuT NuN saL eV'R NO haT RQaLTE
FOR woT iT iZ TiL HE HaZ REaLIZD
HiZ BeST FReND iN HiMSeLF. 'T iZ heN, P'RFORS,
haT MaNS uNFeT'RD FAt {indemnifies}
uV iTS ON KoNsuS FREDoM hu OLD sAM,
aND LuVS ReVELD iNFiNiTUD SuPLaNTS
uV iTS ON WeLt aND WiZDoM hu OLD SKORN.
{XVI}
hO hu SiK BEST iNFeKT uS, WE oR FRoT
FOReV'R Wit iNDiSoLUBL TRXt,
weRiN {redress} ReVELZ iTSeLF DiVIN,
TRaNZisuNaL, TRaNSeNDeNT. GREF aND LoS,
DiZEZ aND DeSoLAsuN, oR hu DREMS
uV WASTeD eKSSeLeNS; aND eVRE DREM
HaZ iN iT SuMtig uV aN AJLeS FaKT
haT {flouts} DeFORMiTE aND LaFS aT YERZ.
{XVII}
WE LaK hu K'ReJ TX BE weR WE oR: --
WE LuV TX Muc TX TRaVeL oN OLD RODZ,
TX TRIuMF oN OLD FELDZ; WE LuV TX Muc
TX KoNSeKRAT hu MaJiK uV DeD tigS,
aND {yieldingly} TX LigG'R BI Log WoLS
uV RXiN, weR hu RXiNuS MXNLIT
haT seDZ a LIig GLORE oN OLD STONZ
BeFReNDZ uS Wit a WiZoRDS eNMiTE.
{XVIII}
SuMtig aZ WuN Wit IZ haT LxK BeLO
hu BaTL-SMOK TX GLiMPS hu {foeman}S coRJ,
WE tRX hu DuST uV DCNWoRD YERZ MA SKaN
hu oNSLoT haT aWATS hiS iDioT W'RLD
weR BLuD PAZ BLuD FOR Nutig, aND weR LIF
PAZ LIF TX MaDNeS, TiL aT LaST hu PORTS
uV GiLDeD HeLPLeSNeS BE BaT'RD tRX
BI hu STiL KRas uV {salvatory} STEL.
{XIX}
TX U haT SiT Wit SoRRO LIK {chained} SLAVZ,
aND WuND'R iF hu NIT WiL eV'R KuM,
I WxD SA hiS: hu NIT WiL NeV'R KuM,
aND SoRRO iZ NoT oLWAZ. BuT MI W'RDZ
oR NoT eNuF; YXR IZ oR NoT eNuF;
hu SOL iTSeLF MuST iNSuLAT hu REaL,
OR eV'R U DX ceRis iN hiS LIF --
iN hiS LIF OR iN eNE LIF -- RePOZ.
{XX}
LIK a wIT WoL weRoN FOReV'R BRAKS
{Unsatisfied} hu TXMuLT uV GREN SEZ,
MaNS {unconjectured} GoDLENeS ReBUKS
Wit iTS iMPEREaL SILeNS hu LoST WAVZ
uV iNSuFiseNT GREF. hiS MORTaL S'RJ
haT BETS aGeNST uS NC iZ Nutig eLZ
haN PLaNJeNT iGNOReNS. TRXt NEh'R sAKS
NOR WAV'RZ; BuT hu W'RLD sAKS, aND WE sREK.
{XXI}
NOR JXeLD FRAZ NOR MER MeLiFLXuS RIM
{Reverberates} {aright}, OR eV'R saL,
WuN KADeNS uV haT iNFiNiT PLAN-Sog
wic iZ iTSeLF oL MUZiK. STRogG'R NOTS
haN eNE haT HaV eV'R TucT hu W'RLD
MuST Rig TX TeL iT -- Rig LIK HaM'R-BLOS,
RIT-eKOD uV a cIM PRIMORDEaL,
oN {anvils}, iN hu GLEMig uV GoDS FORJ.
{XXII}
hu PRoFeT uV DeD W'RDZ DeFETS HiMSeLF:
HXeV'R WxD aKNoLeJ aND iNKLXD
hu {foregleam} aND hu GLORE uV hu REaL,
MuST W'RK Wit SuMtig eLZ haN PeN aND iNK
aND PANFuL PRePoRAsuN: HE MuST W'RK
Wit uNSEN iMPLeMeNTS haT HaV NO NAMS,
aND HE MuST WiN {withal}, TX DX haT W'RK,
GxD FORTiTUD, KLEN WiZDoM, aND STRog SKiL.
{XXIII}
TX K'RS hu ciLD iNSiSTeNS uV hu DoN
BeKoZ hu FRE GLEM LigG'RZ; TX DeFRoD
hu KoNSTeNT oPORTUNiTE haT {LIVZ,LiVZ}
uNcaLeNJD iN oL SoRRO; TX FORGeT
FOR hiS LoRJ PRoDiGaLiTE uV GOLD
haT LoRJ'R JeN'RoSiTE uV toT, --
hEZ oR hu {fleshly} {clogs} uV HUMaN GRED,
hu FuNDaMeNTaL BLuND'RZ uV MaN-KIND.
{XXIV}
{Forebodings} oR hu FENDZ uV {Recreance};
hu MaST'R uV hu MOMeNT, hu KLEN SE'R
uV AJeZ, TX SeKURLE SKaNZ woT iZ,
eV'R TX BE aPoLD aT woT iZ NoT;
HE SEZ BeYoND hu GRONig B'RO LINZ
uV HeL, GoDS HIWAZ GLEMig, aND HE NOS
haT LuVS KoMPLET KoMUNYoN iZ hu eND
uV aNGGWis TX hu LiB'RATeD MaN.
{XXV}
HER BI hu WiNDE DoKS I STaND aLON,
BuT YeT {companioned}. heR hu VeSeL GOS,
aND heR MI FReND GOS Wit iT; BuT hu WAK
haT {melts} aND eBZ BeTWEN haT FReND aND ME
LuVS 'RNeST iZ uV LIFS oL-P'RPoSFuL
aND oL-TRIuMFeNT SALig, weN hu siPS
uV WiZDoM LXS heR FReTFuL cANZ aND SWig
FOReV'R FRuM hu KRuMBLD wORVZ uV TIM.
I
UNiTE
aZ EoNZ uV iNKaLKULaBL STRIF
oR iN hu VizuN uV WuN MOMeNT KoT,
SO oR hu KoMoN, KoNKRET tigS uV LIF
DiVINLE saDOD oN hu WoLS uV toT.
{II}
PeRaFRAZ
WE sREK TX {LIV,LiV}, BuT NO MaN eV'R {LIVZ,LiVZ}
TiL HE HaZ RiD hu GOST uV HUMaN BRet;
WE DREM TX DI, BuT NO MaN eV'R DIZ
TiL HE HaZ KWiT hu ROD haT RuNZ TX Det.
I
BQZ
WE W'R oL BQZ, aND tRE uV uS W'R FReNDZ;
aND WE W'R MOR haN FReNDZ, iT SEMD TX ME: --
YeZ, WE W'R MOR haN BRuh'RZ heN, WE tRE. . . .
BRuh'RZ? . . . BuT WE W'R BQZ, aND heR iT eNDZ.
{II}
{James} {Wetherell}
WE NeV'R HaF BeLEVD hu STuF
hA TOLD aBCT {James} {Wetherell};
WE oLWAZ LIKT HiM WeL eNuF,
aND oLWAZ TRID TX {US,UZ} HiM WeL;
BuT NC SuM tigS HaV KuM TX LIT,
aND {James} HaZ VaNisT FRuM CR VU, --
heR iZ {n't} VeRE Muc TX RIT,
heR iZ {n't} VeRE Muc TX DX.
I FCND a TOReNT FoLig iN a GLeN
weR hu SuNS LIT sON {silvered} aND LEF-SPLiT;
hu BXM, hu FOM, aND hu MaD FLas uV iT
oL MAD a MaJiK SiMFoNE; BuT weN
I toT uPoN hu KuMig uV HoRD MeN
TX KuT hOZ PATREoRKaL TREZ aWA,
aND T'RN TX GOLD hu SiLV'R uV haT SPRA,
I suD'RD. YeT a GLaDNeS NC aND heN
DiD WAK ME TX MISeLF TiL I WoZ GLaD
iN 'RNeST, aND WoZ WeLKuMig hu TIM
FOR SKREMig SoZ TX SCND aBuV hu cIM
uV IDL WoT'RZ, aND FOR ME TX NO
hu JeLuS {visionings} haT I HaD HaD
W'R STePS TX hu GRAT PLAS weR TREZ aND TOReNTS GO.
NC iN a toT, NC iN a saDOD W'RD,
NC iN a VQS haT tRiLZ eT'RNiTE,
eV'R heR KuMS aN oNWoRD FRAZ TX ME
uV SuM TRaNSeNDeNT MUZiK I HaV H'RD;
NO PiTEuS tig BI SoFT HaNDZ {dulcimered},
NO TRuMPeT KRas uV BLuD-SiK ViKTORE,
BuT a GLaD STRAN uV SuM STiL SiMFoNE
haT NO PRCD MORTaL Tuc HaZ eV'R ST'RD.
heR iZ NO MUZiK iN hu W'RLD LIK hiS,
NO KeRaKT'R weRWit TX SeT iT DCN,
NO KIND uV iNSTRuMeNT TX MAK iT Sig.
NO KIND uV iNSTRuMeNT? o, YeZ, heR iZ!
aND aFT'R TIM aND PLAS oR OV'RtRON,
GoDS Tuc WiL KEP iTS WuN KORD KWiV'Rig.
eND uV hiS PRoJeKT {Gutenberg} {Etext} uV hu ciLDReN uV hu NIT
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