THE

PO E M S AN D PL AY S OF

j O H N M A S E FIEL D

V O LU M E ONE

PO EM S

New nrk
TH E MA C M I L L A N CO M PA N Y
19 1
9

All rig hts reserved

 C Y OP RI G H T , 1913

BY H ARPER AND BROTHERS

T 19 4
C Y OP RIG H 1

B TH E C E NTURY COMPAN Y AND

Y

BY TH E M CLURE PUB LI CATI ON S

C

C Y T 9 93 94
O P RI G H , 1 1 2, 1 1 , 1 1

B TH E MAC M ILLAN COMP ANY

Y

C Y TOP RIG H 9 3 9 7
, 9 8
1911 , 1 1 , 1 1 , 1 1

B J OH N MASEFI ELD
Y

C ll t d Ed iti
o ec e on . Se t u p an d t ty p
elec ro ed . P ublish e d No ve mob er , 1918 .
 PR E FA C E

I DO n o t r e m e m b e r writing verses in my childhood ; I m ad e

m any but d id not write th em dow n I re m e m be r writing two
.

po e m s wh e n I was nine years a n d nine mo n th s O ld one about ,

a pony call ed Gyp sy th e oth e r about a Re d India n T wo o r

, .

th ree yea rs l ater I wrote a few mo r e poe m s a bi rth d ay poe m ,

to on e of my b roth ers a poem about a horse a satire on a cle rgy

, ,

m an and som e fragments i n i m itatio n of Si r Walter S cott

, .

E arly v e rses a re nearly always r eections fro m ea r ly r eading .

I rememb er my ea rly reading fai rly clea rly Th e rst poe m s .

wh ich m ov e d m e we r e these :
I A poem about An O ld Whit e Horse i n som e way con
.
,

n e ct e d with th e l o th Hussa r s i n th e S oud an Cam paign Th is .

poem app e a red in a d aily p ape r pe rh ap s Th e Stan d a rd per

, ,

h ap s Th e D aily Teleg r ap h d uring o r j ust after th e Soud an

, ,

Cam p aign .

2 A po e m in G ood Wo rd:
. A F r ie n d by Ad e ,

line Sa rgent I liked th is poem quite a s much for its l ittle e n

.

g r aved illu stration s a s for its wo rd s .

3 Th e poem s of Lo n gfellow especi ally H iaw a th a

.
, .

4 . Th e In g oldx hy Le gen ds
.

Th e Wild S w an by Tennyson ,

5 . I re m e m be r , I rem em be r ,
by Thom a s Hood I h ad to lea rn th ese by h ea rt for my Moth er
. .

I th o ught th em b eautiful at th e ti m e and th ink so still .

6 D u M au rie r s B allad of Cam elot in P u n ch fo r ( I thi n k )

.
,

1 864 I d id n o t und e rstand th e wo r d s of th is poe m but th e p r e

.
,

R aph a elit e engraving s which illustrat ed it moved m e deeply ,

.

I do not rem e mb er any oth er poem s wh ich gave m e plea su re

[ v ]
 P R EF A C E

d u ring my ch ildhood except one or two of th e lyrics of Willi am

,

Allingh a m .

When I w a s te n yea r s old I b egan to read S i r Walter S cott s ,

poe m s Percy s Reliqu e: of An cie n t P oe try and a littl e r ed An

,

th ology of E n g lix h P oe try w h ich contained som e good poem s .

I r ead m ost of these poe m s m any ti m es w ith e n j oym ent A t .

th e age of 1 4 I began to r ead M acaulay s Lay: of An c ie n t Rom e

,

w h ich p ut an end to my liking fo r S cott a s th ey were more ,

m o d ern and mo r e direct I w rote some im itations of th e Lay s

.
,

th ey we r e th en m y favou rite poem s b ut I h ad a very great fond ,

ness fo r two othe r poem s Th e B r ae: of Ya rr ow by Wm Ham , , .

ilton of Bl airgowrie and Th e Voy age of M aeld u n e by Tenny

, ,

son A t th i s tim e I h ad read none o f th e great poe m s of th e

.

E nglish tongue except two o r th ree ly rics by Sh akesp eare

,

Wh en Dick th e S h eph erd and M ilton s L Alleg r o and ,

I l P e n r e r or o A s I w a s th en b eing t rained for a sea life I h ad

.

little opportunity for r eading poet ry .

Wh en I wa s 1 6 I w r ote som e poem s about life at se a Two

, .

of th ese were sho rt poe m s one describing a m an falling from ,

a loft and one th e m ise r ies of w h at was th en (nea rly th i rty

, ,

yea r s ago) a h arsh p rofession I rememb er writing one lo n g .

poem describing th e incid ents of a voyage b ut th is wa s never

, ,

n ish ed I r ead littl e and wrote littl e b etwee n th e ages of 1 4

.

and I 8 .

I d id not begi n to read poet ry w ith p assion and system until

1 896 . I was livi n g th en i n Yo n ke r s N Y ( at 8 M aple Street ) , . .
,

Ch auce r was th e poet and th e P a rlia m e n t of Fow l: th e poem

, ,

of my co n ve r sio n I r ead th e P a r lia m en t all th rough one S un

.

d ay afternoon with th e feeli n g th at I h ad bee n kept out of my

,

i n h eritance and h ad th en sudde n ly ente r ed upon it and h ad ,

fou n d it a n ew wo rl d of wond er and d elight I h ad never real .

ize d until th en wh at poetry could b e Afte r th at Sund ay after

, , .

[ vi ]
 P REF AC E

n oo n I read m any poet s ( Ch a ucer K e ats Sh elley M ilton and

, , , ,

Sh akespea re more th an oth ers ) and wro te m any imitations of

,

them About a yea r l ater wh e n I w a s living i n Lo ndon I wrote

.
, ,

two o r th ree of th e verses now p rinted in S alt Wa te r Ballad : .

F o r th e next few years I wrote little I wrote th e rest of th e .

verses in S alt Wate r Ballad: in a bo ut six weeks at Ch ristm a s ,

tim e 1 90 1 in a London lodging A few p oem s and ballad s were

, , .

p rinted in 1 9034 After th ese I p ublish ed no more ve r ses for

.
,

eigh t yea r s except som e choruses in a pl ay and pe rh aps h alf

,

a dozen cont rib utions to m agazi n es and j ou rnals .

In M ay and June 1 9 1 1 I wrote th e na rrative Th e Eve r

, , ,

la:tin g M er cy at G r eat H ampd en where I w as th en st aying

, , .

I wish ed to write of conve r sion of a tu rb ulent m a n sudd enly ,

m ad e g e ntle Th e scene of th e poem i s l aid at a pl ace called

.

Ledbu ry in Hereford shi re i n th e Western M idlands Wh en

, , .

I h ad nish ed th e story I felt th at I ought to write something

,

unlike it th at a s I h ad sh ewn one th ing wh ich often h appens

, ,

i n life th e seemingly unwo rthy m an m ad e h appy fo r no a p

, ,

p are nt r e a son so I ought to write th e opposite th e seemingly

, ,

worthy wom an m ad e h ea rtb roken fo r no a ppa rent rea son I b e , .

gan th e second t ale Th e Widow in th e By e Street at Ca pel

, ,

Cu rig in No rth Wal es in June and nish ed it at G r eat H amp

, ,

d en i n July 1 9 1 1 E ach of these two tales w a s w r itten in th ree

, .

weeks and th ree d ays Th e oth er poem s Sh ip : and Biog r ap h y

.
, ,

we r e written l ater in th e sam e Su m m er in th e No rth of I r eland .

In 1 9 1 2 I wrote th e stories D a u be r and Th e D af od il Field:

, ,

mostly at G reat Ha m pd en Th e ch a racter of Dauber wa s .

pa rtly suggested by a m an onc e known to m e w h o fell fro m th e ,

lower topgallant ya rd of a sh ip called ( if I remember rightly) ,

th e We: tla n d : and wa s killed This wa s m any yea rs ago He

, . .

would not h ave b ecom e a good p ainter but h e h ad cou rage and ,

th e will to suc ce ed and th ese th ings a re in th em selves a kind of

,

[ v ii ]
 P R EF AC E

genius I found th e plot of Th e D af od il Field: sto ry in a foot

.

not e to Si r W M ack enzie s Tr a vel: in Icelan d I t i s there
.

stated th at th e events d escri bed in th e t al e h app ened in I ce

land in th e E leventh Centu ry .

E a rly i n 1 9 1 3 I wrote th e poem Th e Wan d e re r about a very

, , ,

beautiful b ut unlucky sh ip wh ich I h ad seen yea r s b efore in th e

M e r sey Th e Wan d e r e r st ays in my m i n d as o n e of th e love
.

liest thi n gs ever m ad e by m en Sh e i s still fr eshly r e m e m bered.

in Liverpool and m any m en w h o sailed in h e r mu st b e still alive

, .

S h e wa s r un down and su n k ( I b elieve in d aylight ) in th e E lb e

nea r H ambu r g about 1 89 7 After Th e Wa n d e r er ( in 1 9 1 3) I
.

w r ote Th e Rive r a tal e cu r r ent a m ong sailors a s h aving h app ened

,

in th e Hugli R ive r not fa r fr om Calcutta at som e unknown

, ,

tim e not ve ry lo n g ago I h ave h ad ve r sions of th e t al e from

, .

th r ee o r fou r s ailors all agreeing th at th e sh ip struck h ad h er

, , ,

fo csl e j a m m ed and wa s h eld on th e q uick sand fo r som e tim e

, ,

b ut at l a st sank with all h er fo rwa rd h and s except one m an

,

w h o d ived th rough a m anhol e i n to th e hold a s I h ave d escribed , ,

a n d by luck o r F ate reach ed th e fore h atch and escaped I n .

th is yea r I wrote a d raft of th e sto ry of Juan M an uel R osas ,

th e dictato r of th e Arge n tine .

I n 1 9 1 4 b efo r e th e wa r b egan I wrote tw o pl ays in verse

\
.
, ,

Vhen th e wa r b egan I wrote som e ve r ses called Au g m t 1 9 1 4

, , , ,

which at th e tim e I thought of calling Lollin g d on H ill fr om ,

th e littl e ch alk h ill on wh ich th ey we r e w r itten So m e oth er .

verses were writte n in th e r st month s of th e wa r i n cl udi n g ,

so m e of th e sonnets ; b ut th at wa s th e end of m y ve r se writing -

.

Pe rh ap s wh e n th e wa r i s over and th e m ess of th e wa r is clea n ed

,

u p a n d th e wo rld i s at so m e sort of peace th e r e m ay b e l eisu r e ,

and feeli n g for verse m aki n g On e m ay go b ack to th at life in

-
.

th e m ind i n wh ich th e eyes o f th e m ind see b utteries and

,

p etal s o f blossom s blowing fr om th e unseen world o f b eauty

v iii
 P REF AC E

into th is world I n th at life if it c o me sagain one m ay not be

.
, ,

too o ld to look toward s th at wo r ld of b eauty and to see it and ,

tell of it .

T h e re is i
con t n u al l S p ri n g, an d h arv e st th e re
Con tin u all, b ot h m e e ti n g at o n e t im e

And though b efore thi s wa r wh en I wa s w r iting I saw little

, , ,

enough of th at land life is kind and wise and generous and per
, ,

h aps in th at new ti m e I m ay se e mo r e and b e abl e to tell m o r e

, , , ,

a n d know in fuller mea sure wh at th e poets of my race h ave

known about th at world and those peopl e existi n g fo r ever over
,

in E ngland th e im ages of W h at E n gla n d a n d th e E nglish m ay

,

beco m e o r spi ritu ally a re Ch aucer and S h akespea r e som e

, .
,

lines of G r ay of Keat s of Word swo rth a n d of Willia m Morris

, , ,

th e depth force b eauty and tend erness of th e E nglish m i n d

, , ,

a r e inspi r ation enough a n d school enough a n d sta r e n ough to

,

urge and guid e in any night of th e soul howeve r wayless from ,

ou r blindness or black fro m o u r p assions and ou r follies .

J O H N M A S E F I E LD .
 C O NT ENT S

SAL T WA T E R BALLADS
-

\ A CO N S E C R A T I O N
TH E YA R N O F TH E L O C H ACH RAY
.

S I NG A S O NG 0 S H IPW RE CK
.

B I LL
F E V E R SH I P
\F E V E R CH I LL S
.

ON E O F T H E B O S U N S Y A R N S

\ HELL s P A V E M E N T

SEA CH ANG E
-
.

H A R BO UR BAR -

TH E T U R N O F TH E T I DE .

O NE o r W A LLY S YA R N S

A VA LED I CT I O N ( L I V E R P O O L D o c k s)
A N I G H T AT D AG O T O M S

PO RT O F M ANY S H I P S
CA PE H O R N G O S P E L I
C A P E H O R N G O S P E L I I
M OT H E R CA R E Y
E V E N I NG REG AT I A DAY
A V A LED I CT I O N .

A P I E R H E A D CH O R U S
-

TH E G O LDE N C I TY O F S T M A RY .

\ SEA F E V E R
-

A W AN DE R E R S S O NG

CHR I S TM A S EV E AT SEA
A B A LL A D o r CA P E S T V I N C E NT .

TH E TA RRY B UC C AN E E R
A B A LL A D O F J O H N S I L V E R
LY R I C S F RO M TH E B UCCAN E E R

.

D AVALo s PRAY E R

.

[ xi ]
 CO NT E N T S
PAG E
TH E WE ST O 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 O O O O C O O O O O O O O O I O O O O O

TH E G A LLE Y R O W E R S
-
.

ON MA L V E RN HI LL .

ON E A S T N O R K N LL O

R E S T H E R S OU L S H E S D E A D
,

A L Y TH A T PA SS B

L E Y .

IN M E M RY O A P R
O F . . . .

T o M O RRO W
-

CA VA L I E R .

MI SC E LLAN EOU S POE MS

(From

Th e S to ry of a R ound Ho use )

TH E Y C L O S E D H E R E Y E S

S O NN E T O N T H E D E AT H O F HIS WIF E
S O NG
TH E B A LL AD o r S I R B O R S
S P AN I S H W A T E R S

CA R G O E S
CA PT A I N S T RAT TO N S F AN CY

AN O LD S O NG RE S U NG -

L O N D O N TO W N
[ x ii ]
 CO N T E NT S
P AG E
P O RT O F H O L Y P E T E R
B E A UTY
TH E
PRAY E R
DA W N .

LA UG H AN D BE M E RRY . .

J U N E TW I L I G H T
\ R OA D W AY S .

M I D S UMM E R N I G H T
TH E H A R P E R S S O NG

.

TH E GE N T LE L A D Y
TH E D E A D K N I G H T
So RRo w OF MYDATH
TW I L I G H T .

I N V OCA T I O N
P O S T ED As M I SS I NG .

A C R E ED . 1 01

W H E N B O NY D E A T H . 1 02

H E R H E A RT . 1 03

B E I NG H E R F R I E N D . 1 04

1 04

B O R N FO R N O UG H T E L S E . 1 07

T E W K E S B U RY R O A D . 1 08

TH E D E A T H R O O M S I O9

I GN O RAN C E I O9

TH E W A T C H I N T H E W OO D S . 1 10

C L M
. . . . 111

WA S T E 1 13

TH I R D M A T E 1 13

TH E W I LD 1 14

CHR I S TM A S 1 903 , 1 15

1 16

x iii
T H E EVE R LAS T ING
T H E WI DO W IN T H E B Y E S T REE T

E ! P LANA TI O N S OF S O ME OF T H E S E A T E RM S U S E D I N T H E P EM
O

T H E DA FFO DIL F I E LDS 32 3

S ONN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

S O NN E T S 405
TH E M A D M AN S S O NG

n
.
434
TH E W AN DE R E R

436
AUGU ST 1 9 1 4
, 446
TH E R I V E R .
449
WA TC H I NG BY A S I C K -
BE D 463

LOLLING DON DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

LO LLING D O N D OW N S 467
477
TH E F R O NT I E R 48 1

49 7

[ x iv ]
S A LT WATE R BA LLA D S
Som e of th is b ook w as written in my b oyh o od all of it
,

in my youth ; it i s now re issued m uch as it was wh en

-
,

rst p ubl ish ed nea rly eleven yea rs ago . M .

9 th j u n e 1 9 1 3
,
 A C ON S ECR AT ION

Not of th e p r in ce: a n d p re late: w ith p er iw igge d ch a r ioteer:

Ridin g tr iu m p h an tly la u relled to lap th e f a t of th e y ea r:,
Ra th er th e : corn d
e h
t e r ejected th e m en h e mm e d in w ith th e

: p ea r:;

Th e m en f th e
o tatte red battalion w hich gh t: till it d ie:,
D azed w ith th e d u :t of th e ba ttle , th e d in an d th e cr ie: ,

Th e m e n w ith the br oken h ead : an d th e blood run n in g in to th eir ey e: .

Not th e be m e d alled Com m an der , beloved of th e th r on e ,

-

Rid in g cock h on e to p a r a d e w h e n th e bu g le: a re blow n ,

-

Bu t th e lad: w h o car r ied th e k op p ie an d ca n n ot be k n ow n .

Not th e r u er l for m e, bu t th e ra n ker , th e tra m p of th e r oa d,

Th e :la ve w ith th e :ack on h i: : h ou ld e r: p r ick ed on w ith th e g oad ,
Th e m an w ith too w e ig h ty a bu r d e n , too w ea r y a load .

Th e : a ilo r , th e : toker o f r
: tea m e : , th e m a n w ith th e clou t,

Th e ch a n ty m an ben t at th e h alli a rd : p u ttin g a tu n e to th e :h ou t,

Th e d r ow:y m an a t th e w h ee l a n d th e tir ed look ou t .

Oth e r: m ay : in g of th e w i n e a n d th e w e alth an d th e m irth ,

Th e p or tly p r e:en ce of p ote n ta te: g ood ly in g i r th;
M in e be th e d ir t an d th e th e d u :t a n d : cu m of th e r
e a th!

T H E I RS be th e m u:ic th e colou r th e glory th e gold;

, , ,

M in e be a h an dfu l of a:h e: a m ou thfu l of m ou ld

, .

0f th e m aim ed of th e h a lt a n d th e blin d in th e r a in an d th e
,

0f th e:e :h all m y : on g: be fa:h ion ed m y tale: be told AM E N, .

[ 3 ]

TH E YA R N OF TH E LO CH AC H RAY

Th e Loch Ach r ay was a clip pe r tall
With seven and twenty h a n d s in all
- -
.

Twen ty to h and and reef and h aul ,

A skipp er to sail and m ates to b awl

Tally on to th e t ackl e fall -
,

Heave n ow n sta rt h er h eave n pa w l !

,

Hea r th e ya rn of a s ailor ,

An old ya rn learned at se a .

He r crew w e re sh ipp ed and th ey said F a rewell ,

So long m y Tottie my lovely gell ;

, ,

We s ail to d ay if w e fetch to h ell

-
,

It s t im e w e t ackled th e wh eel a spell

.

Hea r th e ya rn of s ailo r ,

An old ya rn lea rned at se a .

T h e docksid e loafers talked on th e quay

Th e d ay th at sh e towed down to se a :
Lo r d wh at a h a n d som e sh ip sh e be !
,

Ch eer h e r sonny boys th r ee ti m es th ree !
, ,

An d th e docksid e loa fe r s gave h er a shout

As th e red funnelled t ug boat towed h e r out ; -

Th ey gave h er a ch eer a s th e custo m is ,

An d th e c r ew yelled Take ou r loves to Liz
Th ree C h ee r s b ullies for old Pier Head
, ,

N th e bloody stay at homes ! th ey said

- -
.

Hea r th e ya rn of a sailo r ,

An old y a rn lea rned at se a .

[ 41
 SAL TWA T ER BALLADS

E re th e watch below h ad ti m e to d r e ss .

Sh e w as cl uttered u p i n a bl ush ing mess

Hea r th e ya rn of a s ailor ,

An old ya rn lea rned at se a .

Sh e couldn t lay to n o r yet pay O H

- -
,

A n d sh e got swept clea n in th e b loo dy t r ough ;

He r m asts we r e go n e and a fo r e you know ed
,

Sh e lled by th e h ead and d own sh e goed .

He r c r ew m ad e seven and t w enty d ish es - -

F o r th e big ack S h arks and th e little sh es

-
,

And over th eir bones th e water swish es .

Hea r th e ya rn o f a s ailo r ,

An ol d ya rn lea rned at sea .

Th e wives a n d gi r l s th ey w atch in th e rain

F o r a sh ip as wo n t co m e ho m e agai n

.

I recko n it s th em h ead wind s th ey s ay

-
, ,

Sh e ll b e ho m e to m o r row if not to d ay
-
,
-
.

I ll j ust nip ho m e n I ll ai r th e sh eets

N b uy th e x in s n cook th e meats

As my m an l ikes n a s m y m an eats .

S o home th ey goes by th e windy st r eets ,

Th i n ki n g th ei r m e n are ho m eward bound

With a n cho r s h u n gry for E nglish g r ound ,

And th e bloody fun of it i s th ey re d rowned ! ,

Hea r th e ya rn of a sailor ,

An old ya rn lea rn e d at se a .

[6]
 S ING A S ONG O S H I PW R EC K

H e loll e d o n a bo llard a sun b u rn e d so n o f th e se a

,
-
,

With ea r rings o f brass and a j umper of d un g a ree

-
,

N m any a que e r lash u p h ave I se e n s ays h e

-
.
,

B ut th e t o ugh e st hooray o th e rack e t h e says I ll b e sworn , , ,

N th e rough est t raverse I worked si nce th e d ay I was bo rn

,

Wa s a p acket O S ailor s D e light a s I scoEe d in th e s e a s o th e

Horn .

All d ay long in th e calm sh e h ad roll e d to th e swell ,

R olling th rough fty d e grees till sh e cl attered h er bell :

N th e n cam e snow n a squall n a wind was cold er

, ,

n h e ll .

I t blew l ik e th e B ull o f B a rney a beast o f a b reeze , ,

N over th e rail com e th e cold green lollo p in sea s

,

N sh e went ash o r e at th e d awn on th e R am irez

.

Sh e wa s se ttlin down by th e ste rn wh en I got to th e d eck ,

Her wa ist wa s a smoth e r 0 se a as wa s u p to you r neck ,

N h er m asts were g o ne 11 h er ra i ls n sh e w as a wreck

, , .

We rigg e d u p a t ackl e a p urch ase a sort of a sh ift

, , ,

To hoist th e boats 03 o th e d eck house and get th em ad rift

-
,

When h e r stern gives a S ic k e n in settle h er bows give a l ift

, ,

N co m es a crash of gre e n water a s s e ts m e a o at

With fre ezing ngers clutch ing th e keel of a boat

Th e bottom u p Wh ale r n th at wa s th e j uic e of a note
-

.

[ 7 ]
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

Well I cl amb ers ac ro st o th e keel n I gets m e secur e d

,

Wh en I sees a face in th e wh ite 0 th e smoth er to lo o ard

So I gives im a and n be S hot if it was n t th e sto o ard !

,

So h e climb s u p forrard 0 me n th an k y a says ,

,

,

N we sit s n sh ivers n freeze to th e bo n e w i th e sp rays

,

N I sings Abel B rown n th e sto o ard h e p r ays

, .

Wi never a d ollop to su p nor a mo r sel to bite

Th e lips of u s bl ue with th e cold n th e h ead s of u s light

Ad rift in a Ca pe Horn se a for a d ay n a n i ght

.

N th en th e sto o ard goes dotty n p uts a tune to h is l ip

N moan s about Love like a d e r n old h en w i th e pip

( I sets no store u pon stoo ar d s th ey ain t no use on a sh ip )

.

moth e r th e looney ca ckles C o m e n p ut Willy to b ed !

N

, ,

S o I s ays D ry up or I ll fetch you a c r ack 0 th e h ead

Th e kettle s a h e answe r s n I ll go b utter th e b read ,

.

N h e falls to singin som e slush about c lin k in a can

,

N at last h e d ies so h e does n I tells you J a n

, , , ,

I w as gl ad wh en h e d id for h e we r e n t no fun for a m an

,

.

So h e falls forra rd h e does n h e closes h is eye , ,

N quiet h e lays n quiet I leaves h im lie

N I w as alone with h is co r p n th e cold green sea and th e sky

, .

N th e n I d ith ers I gu e ss for th e next a s I k n ew

, ,

Wa s th e voice of a m ate as w as sayin to one of th e c r ew

,

E asy my son w i th e b randy b e shot if h e ain t com i n to !

, ,

,

-

[ 8 ]
 BU R IAL PA RT Y
6 ,
H e s d e ad er n n ails th e fo c s le said

11 gone to h is lo n g ,

,
3

sleep ;

N about h is co rp


s aid Tom to Dan d y e th i n k h is c o rp ll , ,

keep

Till th e d ay s done n the work s th rough n th e ebb s u pon , ,

th e nea p ?

He d e ad er n n ails I wish h is

s s aid D an to Tom n , ,

sp e r rit j y ;

H e sp at straight n h e steered true b ut listen to m e say I , , ,

Ta ke n cover n b u ry h im now n I ll take n tell you why

,

.

It s a t um m y rig of a g u y s ya rn n th e j uice of a rum m y

note ,

B ut if you b uries a corp at night it takes n keep s ao at ,

F o r its bloody soul s a fraid o th e d a rk n sticks with in th e

th roat .

N all th e nigh t till th e grey o th e d awn th e d ead

un h as
to swim

With a blue n beastly Will 0 the Wisp a b u rn i n over h im

-

With a h erring m ayb e a sc o i n a toe o r a sh ark a ch ewin

, ,
-

-

a li m b .

N all th e night th e sh iverin corp it h a s to swi m th e

se a,

With its sh u d d e rin soul insid e th e th roat (w h ere a soul s no

righ t to b e ) ,

Till th e sky s grey n the d awn s cl ea r n th e n th e sp e rrit s

fr e e .

[9]
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

Now Joe w as a m an wa s right a s rain I m sort of sore for .

Joe .

N if we bu ry h im d u rin th e d ay h is soul c an take n go ;

,

So we ll d um p h is co rp wh e n th e b e ll st rikes n we can get b elow

.

I d fa irly h ate fo r h im to swim in a blue n beastly light ,

With h is sh u d d e rin soul in sid e of h im a fe e lin th e sh es bit e

-

,

So o v e r h e goes at no o n say I n h e sh all sleep to night
, ,

-
.

B ILL

H e l ay d ead on th e clutt e red d eck and sta red at th e cold S kies ,

With never a friend to mou rn for h im nor a h and to close h is

eyes :

B ill h e s d ead wa s all they said ; h e s d ead n th ere h e
,

,

,

l ies .

Th e m ate cam e forra rd at seven b ells and spat a cross th e rail :

Just l ash h im u p w i som e holystone in a clout o rotten s ail

,

N rot ye get a gait on ye ye re slo w e r n a bloody s n a il !

, , ,

Wh en th e rising moon w as a copper d isc and th e se a wa s a

strip of steel ,

We d u m ped h im d own to th e swaying weed s te n fathom b e

neath th e keel .

It s rough about B ill th e fo c s le s aid we ll h ave to sta n d

h is W h e el .

[ no ]
 F EV ER S H I P

Th e r e ll b e n o w e e p in g e lls ash o r e wh e n our sh ip sails

,

Nor n o c re ws ch errin u s stand in at th e rails
,

,

N no B lue Peter a foul th e roya l stay

-
,

F or w e ve th e Y e llow F ever Ha rry d ied to d ay

-
.

It s cruel wh e n a fo c s le gets th e fever !

N D ick h a s got th e fever sh ak e s

look wh at I was told
-
, n

( I went to get a s ack for h im to k e ep from th e cold ) :

Si r can I h ave a s ack ? I says for Dick e s t to d ie
, ,

.

O h sack b e shot ! th e skipper says j est let th e rott e r lie !
, ,

It s cruel wh e n a fo c s le g e ts th e fe v e r !

It a cruel p o rt i s S antos and a h ungry l and
s , ,
"
With rows 0 graves al ready d ug in yonde r st ri p of sand ,

N Dick i s h olle rin u p th e h atch e says e s goin bl ue

, ,

His pore t e eth a r e ch attering n W h at s a m an to d o ? ,

It s cru e l wh e n a fo c s l e g e ts th e fe v e r !

F EV ER CH ILL S -

H e tott e r e d out of th e alleyway with c h ec k s th e colou r of p aste ,

And sh ivered a spell and mopped h is b row with a clout of cotton

waste :

I ve a lick of fever ch ills h e s aid -
n my insid e it s green
, ,

,

B ut I d b e a s right a s rain h e s aid if I h ad som e q ui n i n e
, , ,

B ut there ain t no q uinine for u s poor s ailor men -
.

[ II ]
 SAL T WA T E R BALLADS
~

B ut th e m the r e p asse n gers h e said if th ey gets fever ch ills , ,
-
,

T h ere s b rim m in b ucket s o q uinine for the m n bulgin

,

c r ates o pills
,

N a docto r w ith Latin n d rugs n all enough to sink a town

,

N th ey lies q uiet in th eir blu sh in b unks n m ops their gruel

down ,

B ut th ei r ain t no n e 0 them ne ways for us poor sailor

m en .

B ut th e Ch ief co m es forra rd n h e s ays s ays h e I give s you , ,

a S t r aight tip :
Co m e n o n e 0 you r Ca pe Ho r n feve r lays aboa r d 0 th is yer sh ip

.

On W i you r rags o d ud s m y son n aft n down th e h ole :

, ,

Th e b est cu re known for fever ch ills is sh ovelling bloody coal -
.

It s h ar d m y son th at s wh at it is fo r u s poor sailor m en
, ,

,
-
.

O N E O F TH E B O S U N S YA R N S

Lo a n a r ou n d in S ailor T ow n a blui n o m y advance

,
-

I m e t a d e r e lict do n keym an w h o led m e a m e r ry d ance ,

Till h e la n d ed m e n bleached m e fa ir i n th e b a r of a rum

saloon ,

N th e r e h e sp un m e a j uice of a ya rn to th is ye r b r a nd of tune

-
.

It a sole m n gospel m ate h e says

s b u t a m an as sh ip s
, , ,

aboa rd
A stea m er t r a m p h e get s h is wh a ck of th e wo n d e r s of th e Lo r d
-
,

Such as roach es c raw lin ove r h is b u n k n snakes in side his ,

b read ,

An d work by n ight and work by d ay enough to st rike h im dead .

[ 12 ]
 SALTWA T E R BALLADS

We give h er a hot perpetual taste o f th e singeing curse of Cain ,

As we h ea rd h er b ack n clea r th e wreck n off to h e r cours e

again .

Then th e m at e cam e d ancin on to th e sc e ne n h e says , ,

Now q uit yer ch in ,

O r I ll sm ash yer skulls so help m e James n let som e wisdom i n

, , .

Ye d o dd e rin scum o th e sl um s h e s ays

a re ye d runk or , ,

blazin d aft ?

I f ye wish to s av e yer sickly h ides ye d best cont rive a raft , .

h e spok e u s fair and tu rn e d u s to n we wrought w i tooth
SO ,

and n ail
Wi s cantl ing casks n coops n ropes n boiler pl ates n

, ,

,

-

s ail ,

N all th e wh ile it were d ark n cold n d i rty a s it could be

,

N S h e w as sog gy n se ttlin down to a b erth be n eath th e se a

.

Soggy sh e grew n sh e d idn t lift n sh e listed more n more
, ,

,

Till her bell struck n h er boiler pipes began to wh eeze n sno r e ; -

Sh e settl ed settled listed heeled n th e n m ay I be cust

, , , ,

I f h er sn e e z in w h e ezin boile r pipes d id not b egi n to bust !

,

-

N th en th e sta rs began to sh in e n th e bird s began to sing

, ,

N th e next I knowed I wa s b and aged u p n my a rm we r e in

a sling ,

N a swab i n u n iform we re the r e

,

n

Well , says h e , n how

Are ye r a rm s n legs n l ive r a- fe e lin

,

,

n

lungs ,

n bo nes
now ?
u
Wh e re am I ? s ays I n h e s ays says h e a cantin to th e roll
c
,

, ,
-

,

You re aboa rd th e R M S M a rie i n th e after Glory Hole

. . .
-
,

[ I4 ]
 H E LL S PA VE M E N T

N y o u ve h ad a sh av e i f you wish t o know from th e po r t 0

, ,

Kingd o m C o m e .

D rink th is h e s ays n I tak e s n d rinks n S elp m e it wa s
, ,

, ,

rum !

Seven su rviv o rs se e n n s av e d of th e E sm e rald a s crowd ,

Taken aboard th e swe et M a ri e n bunk e d n t reated p roud
,

N D B S d to M ersey Docks ( n a j oyfu l trip w e m ad e )

. . .
,

N there the skip per were giv e n a pu rs e by a grat e ful Board

o f Trad e .

Th at s th e e nd 0 th e ya rn h e says n h e t akes n wipes , ,

h is lips ,

Them s th e works 0 th e Lo rd y o u se e s in ste am n sailin

sh ips ,

R ocks n fogs n sh atte rin sea s n b reakers right ah ead
,

N work 0 nights n work 0 d ays e n o ugh to strike you dead

.

H ELL S PAV EM ENT

Wh e n I m d isch arged in Liverpool n d raws my b it 0 pay
,

I won t come t o se a no mor e

.

I ll c o u rt a p re tty little l ass n h av e a wedd in d ay

,

N settl e somewh ere down ashor e

.

I ll nev e r fa re to s e a again a te m p tin D avy Jon e s -
,

A hearkening to th e cru el sh arks a h u n g e rin for my bon e s ;

- -

I ll ru n a blush in d ai ry farm or go a c r ack in st o nes

- -

,

01 buy n k ee p a little l iqu o r st o re

-
,

So h e said .

[ Is ]
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

They towed her in to Liverpool we m ad e th e hooker fast , ,

And th e cop pe r bound o i cials p aid th e crew

-
,

And B illy d r ew h is m o n ey b ut th e m o ney d idn t l a st ,

F o r h e p ainted th e alongshore blue ,

Ir w asrum for P011 and rum fo r Nan and gin for Jolly J ack
, , .

H e sh ipp ed a week later in th e cloth es upon h is b ack ,

He h ad to p i n ch a little straw h e h ad to beg a s ack ,

To sleep on wh en h is watch was th rough

, ,

So h e d id .

SEA -
CH ANG E

and gull i e s an all 0 th e bird s 0 th e se a

G on e y s

,

Th ey ain t no bi r d s not r eally s aid B illy th e D ane

, , .

Not m ollies nor gullies nor g on e y s at all s aid h e
, , , ,

B ut si m ply th e sp e rrits of m a riners livin again
.

Th e m bi r d s goin sh in is noth i n but souls o th e d r owned

Sou ls o th e d r owned a n th e kicked a s are never no mo r e ;

An th at th ere h aughty old alb atross c r u isin around

,

B elike h e s Ad miral Nelson or Admiral Noah .

An m e r ry
s th e life they a re l iving They settle and d ip

.
,

Th ey sh es th ey never stand s watch es they waggle th eir

, ,

wi n gs ;
Wh en a S h ip co m es by th ey y to look a t th e sh ip
,

T o se e how th e nowad ay m a riners m anages things .

Wh en fr eezing aloft in a sno rter I tell you I wish ,

n I wish I could b e
)

(Though m ayb e it a i t like a Ch ristian

A h aughty old C O p p e r bound alb atross d ipp ing fo r sh
-

And com ing th e p r oud over all 0 th e bird s 0 th e sea
.

[ 16 ]
 HA R B O U R B AR

All in th e fe ath ered p alm t ree top s th e b righ t gr ee n p a rrots

screech ,

T h e wh ite li n e of th e running su rf g o es boom i n g d own th e beach ,

But I sh all never se e th e m though th e land lies close aboard , ,

I ve sh ap e d th e last long silent tack a s t ak es one to th e Lord

.

Giv e m e th e Scripters Jak e y n my pip e atween my lip s
, ,

,

I m bound for som ewh e re south a n d fa r b e yond th e t rack of
sh ip s ;

I ve r un my rags of colou rs u p and clinch ed them to th e stay ,

And God th e pilot s com e aboa rd to b ring m e u p th e b ay

.

You ll m a insail h aul my b its 0 th ings wh e n Ch rist h as took
-

my soul ,

N you ll l ay m e q uiet somewh ere at th e l andward end the

Mole ,

Wh ere I sh all h e a r th e steam ers sterns a squ attering fr om th e

-

h eave ,

And th e top s ail blocks a piping wh en a rop e ya rn fouls th e - -

sheave .

Give m e a su p o f lim e j uice ; Lord I m d rifting in to po rt

-
,

,

Th e l and fall lies to windwa rd and th e wind co m es ligh t and

S hort ,

A n d I m for S i g ning o and out to take my watch below

And p rop a fell o w Jak ey Lo r d it s tim e for m e to g o !
, ,

[ 17 ]
 TH E TU R N O F TH E T I D E

An B ill ca n h ave my sea boots Nigger Jim c an h ave my knife
-
, ,

You ca n d ivvy u p th e d unga r ees an b ed

,

An th e sh ip c an h ave my blessing an th e Lo rd ca n h ave my life

,

,

An s ails an sh m y body wh en I m d ead

.

An d r ea m i n g down below th e r e in th e ta n gled greens an blues

,

Wh e r e th e s u n ligh t sh ud d e r s golden r ound a bout ,

I sh all h ea r th e sh ip s co m pla i n in an th e c u rsin of th e crews

,

An b e sorry when th e watch is tumbled out .

I sh all h ea r th em h il ly
h o lly in g th e weath er c rojic k brace ,

An d th e sucking o f th e wa sh about th e h ull ;

Wh e n th ey ch anty u p th e topsa il I ll b e h aul ing in my pl ace

F or m y soul will follow seawa rd s like a gull .

I sh all h ea r th e blocks a grunting in th e b u m p k in S over side

- -
,

A n th e sl atting of th e sto r m s ails on th e stay

-
,

An th e r ip pli n g of th e catsp aw at th e m aki n g of th e tide

,

An th e swirl and splash of porp oises at play .

An B ill can h ave m y se a boots Nigger Jim c an h ave m y knife
-
, ,

You can d iv v y u p th e wh ack I h aven t scofft

,

An t h e sh ip c an h ave my blessin g and th e L o rd can h ave my

l ife ,

F or it s tim e I quit th e d eck and W ent aloft

.

[ I8 ]
 ONE O F WA LLY S YAR N S

Th e watch w as u p on th e t o psail ya rd a m aki n g fast th e sail - -

,

N Joe wa s sw igg in h is gas k e t taut n I felt th e stirrup g ive

, ,

N b e d ropped sheer from th e tops l ya rd n b arely cl e a red th e

-

rail ,

N 0 c o u rse w e b ein a loft w e couldn t d o noth in

, ,

We couldn t lower a bo at and go a lookin for h im -
,

F or it blew h a r d n th ere was sech a se a run min

Th at no boat wouldn t l ive .

I s e ed h im rise in th e wh ite 0 th e wa ke I seed h im lift a h and ,

( N h im in his oilskin suit n all) I h ea rd h im l ift a c ry ;

,

N th ere was h is pl a ce o n th e yard n all n th e stirrup s

,

b usted strand .

N th e old m an s aid th er e 3 a cruel old se a ru n n in

,

A cold green B a rn e y s B ull o f a se a r u n n in ;
It s h ard b ut I a in t ag o in to let a boat b e low e red :

,

SO we left h im there to d ie .

He couldn t h av e kept a oat for long an h im lash ed u p n all
,

N w e couldn t se e h im for long for th e se a w as bl urred with

,

th e sleet n snow
,

N we couldn t th ink o f h im m uch because 0 th e sn o r tin

,

scr e amin squ all .

There was a h and less at th e h alli ard s n the b races

,

N a name less wh e n th e watch spoke to th e m usterroll

N a empty b unk n a p annikin a s wa sn t wanted

Wh e n th e w atch went b e l o w .

[ 19 ]
 A VALED ICTI O N ( LIV ER POOL DO CK S )

A CR I MP . A D R UN K E N S A I LO R .

I: th e re an y t h in g a: I ca n do a: h or e for y ou
Wh e n d r op p ed d ow n

y ou ve th e tid e ?

You c an take n tell Nan I m goin about th e world agen

,

N th at th e world s wid e

.

N tell her th at th ere a i n t no postal se rvice

Not down on th e bl ue se a .

N tell h er th at sh e d best not keep h e r res alight

No r se t u p l ate for m e .

N

tell he r I ll h ave fo rgotten all about h er

Afo r e we cross th e Li n e .

N

tell h er th at th e doll ars of any other sailor m an -

I s a s good red gol d a s mine .

I: th e re an y th in g a: I ca n d o a boa r d f or y ou
Afor e tow - r op e : ta u t?

th e

I m new to th is p acket and all th e ways of her ,

N I don t know of augh t ;

B ut I k n ows a s I m goi n down to th e sea s age n

N th e sea s a re s alt n d r ear ;

B ut I knows a s all th e doi n a s you r e m an enough for

Won t m ake th em lage r bee r

-
.

N


i
a n

t th e e r nothi n a: I ca n do a: h or e for y ou
Wh e n ve g ot fa i r afloa t?

ou
y
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

N th ere was m any a ya rn of many a m erry spree m erry

Aboa rd th e sh ip s with royals set a sailing on th e se a -

,

Ya r ns of th e hooke r S pind rift h er a s h ad th e clipp e r b ow ,
-

Th ere ain t no ships s ays B ill to m e like th at th ere h o oker
, ,
9
HOW .

Wh en th e ol d blind ddler pl ayed th e tune of Pipe th e Watch

B elow ,

Th e skew eyed landlord dows e d th e glim and b ade u s st am p
-

9 ,
n go ,

N we linked it ho m e did Bill n I adown th e scattered streets

, , ,

U ntil we fetch ed to Land 0 Nod atw ee n the lin e n sh eet s

.

P O RT O F MANY SH I P S

It s a sunny pl ea sant ancho r age i s Kingdom Com e

, ,

Wh ere c r ews Is always l ay i n aft fo r double tot s o rum -

,

N th ere s d ancin n dd lin of ev ry kind 0 sort

,

It s a ne pl ace for sailo r men i s th at th ere port

-
.

N I wish

I wi sh a s I w as th ere .

Th e wind s i s never noth in more th an j est light ai r s ,

N n o o n e get s b elay in

o
pinned n no one never swea rs

,
-
,

Yer free to loaf an l aze a round yer pipe atween yer lips , ,

Lollin on th e
sonny lookin at th e ship s ,

.

N I wish

I wish a s I wa s th ere .

[ 22 ]
 CAP E H OR N GO SP E L I

F o r ridin in th e anchorage th e ship s of all th e world

H ave got one ancho r dow n n all sail s furled .

All th e sunken hookers n th e crews a s took n d ied

Th e y l ays th ere m erry sonny swingin to th e tide
, , .

N I wish

I wish as I wa s there .

D rown ed old wood en hookers gre e n w i d rip p in wrack ,

Ship s a s never fetch ed to port a s never cam e b ack, ,

Swingin to th e blu sh in tid e d ippin to th e swell
,

,

N the crews all singi n sonny b e at in on th e b ell

.
, ,

N I wi sh

I wish as I wa s th ere .

CA P E H O R N GO S P EL I

I wa s in a hooker o nce sa id K a rlsse n , ,

An d B ill a s wa s a seam an d ied
, , ,

So w e lash ed h im in an old t a rpa ulin

And tu m bled h im a cross th e side ;
And th e fun of it wa s th at all his gea r wa s
D ivided u p amo n g th e crew
B efore th at blushing h u m an error ,

O u r crawling littl e ca ptain knew , .

O n th e p assage hom e one mo rning
(As c e rt ain a s I p rays for grace)
There wa s old B ill s sh ad d e r a h a uling

-

At th e w eath er m izzen topsail b r a ce -

.

He wa s all gro wn g r een with se a weed -

,

[ 23 ]
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

H e w as all l ash e d u p and S hored ;

So I says to h im I says Why B illy ! , ,

,

Wh at s a b ringin o f you b ack aboa rd ?
-

Im wea ry of th e m th ere mermaid s
a -
,

S ays ol d B ill s ghost to m e ;

It ain t no pl ace for a Ch r istian

B elow th ere under se a -

.

F or it s all blown sand and sh ipwrecks

,

And O ld bones eaten b are ,

And th em cold shy females

With long green weed s for h ai r .

And th ere ain t no d ances sh ule d

,

And no old yarns i s spun ,

And th ere ain t no sta rs b ut star sh ,

And never any moon o r sun .

I h eard you r keel a p assing -

And th e running rattl e of th e b race ,

And h e says S tand by says William
, , ,

F or a sh ift towa rd s a better pl ace .

Well h e sogered about d ecks till sunri se

, ,

Wh en a rooster in th e h en coop crowed ,

And a s so m uch s m oke h e fad ed

And a s so m uch smoke h e goed ;
And I ve often wo n d ered since Jan

, ,

How h i s ol d ghost stand s to fare

Long 0 th em cold shy fem ales

With long green weeds for h air .

[ 24 ]
 CA P E H O R N GO S P EL II

Jake wa s a d i rty Dag o l ad an h e gave th e ski p p e r ch in

,

,

An th e skip per U p an took him a cra ck with an iron b elaying
pin
Wh ich stiffen e d h im out a ru sty c o rp a s p retty a s you c o uld ,

wish ,

An th en w e shov e lled h im u p in a s ack an d um p e d h im to

th e sh .

Th at wa s j e st a rt e r we d got s ail on h er .

Josey slip ped from th e top s l yard an b ust h is bloody b ack

-

(Wh ich com e d fr o m playing th e gid dy goat an le avin go th e

j ack ) ;

We lash ed h is ch ip s in clouts o f sail an b alla sted h im with stones ,

Th e Lord h ath taken away we says an w e give h im to , ,

Davy Jones .

An th at w as a for e w e were u p with th e Line .

Joe were ch ip pin a ru sty pl ate a sq u attin u po n th e d eck

-

An all th e watch h e h ad th e su n a sin g e in h im on th e n eck

-

,

An fo r ra r d h e falls at last h e d oes an h e lets h is m allet go

, ,

,

Dead a s a nail with a calenture an th at wa s th e end of Joe , .

An th at w as j ust a fo r e we m ad e the Plate

.

A ll th e rest w e re sailor m en an it com e to rain an sq uall

0

-
,

,

An th en it w as h allia rds sheets an tacks cl ue u p an let

, , ,

go all .

We snugged h er d own an h ove h er to an th e old c o n trairy ,

cuss

Sta rt e d a plate an settled an sank an th at was th e end of u s
,

, .

[ 25 ]
 SALTWA T E R BALLADS

l p p ed

We a round on coops an planks in th e cold an in th e
d ark ,

An B ill we r e d rowned an Tom were ate by a swine of a cruel
,

S h ark ,

An a m ail b oat re sk ie d H a rry an I (wh ich comed of piou s
-

p rayers) ,

Wh ich b ri n gs m e h e r e a k ic kin my h eel s in th e port of B uenos

-

Ayres .

I m bou n d for h ome in th e O ron oo k in a suit of looted d ud s , ,

A D B S a ca r nin a stake by h e lp in p e e lin spud s

. . .
-

,

An if ever I fetch to P r i n ce s Stage an sets my feet a shore

,

You b et you r h id e th at th ere I stay an fo lle rs th e s e a no m o re ,

.

MOTH ER CA R EY

(A s B O S UN )
T O LD M E BY T H E

Mother Ca rey ? S h e s th e m oth er 0 th e witch es

N all th e m sort 0 rips ;

Sh e s a n e gell to look at b ut th e h itch is

, ,

Sh e s a sight too fond o f sh ip s

.

Sh e lives u pon a iceb erg to th e norred ,

N h er m an h e s Davy Jones

,

N sh e combs th e weed s upon her fo rre d

With pore d rowned sailor s bo n es

.

Sh e s th e mother 0 th e wrecks n th e mother

,

O f all big wi n d s a s blows ;

S h e s u p to som e d evil ry o r oth er

Wh en it storms or sleets or s n ows , , .

[ 26 ]
 EVE NING RE GA TT A D A Y

Th e noise of th e wind s h er scr e am in ,

I m a rter a pl u m p young ne , , ,

B rass butto n ed beefy rib bed you n g se am

-
,
-

n

So a s m e n my m ate kin d ine .

Sh e s a h ungry ol d rip n a c r u e l
F or sailor m e n like we -
,

She s give a m any m arin e rs th e g r uel

N a long sleep u n d er se a

.

Sh e s th e blood 0 m any a c r ew u pon h e r

N th e bo n es of m any a wreck

,

N sh e s b a rn acles a g ro w in on h er

-

N sh ark s t e eth round h er neck

.

I ain t n e ver h ad no sch oo lin
Nor read no books like you ,

B ut I knows t ain t h e althy to be foolin

With th at th e r e gristly two .

You re young you thinks n you re l ai ry , ,

B ut i f you r e to m ake old bones

St e er clea r I s ays 0 Moth er Ca rey

, ,

N th a t th er e Davy J o nes

.

EVENING R EGATTA DAY

You r nose is a red j elly you r mouth s a toothless wreck, ,

A n d I m atop of you bangi n g you r h ead upon th e d i rty d eck ;

And both you r eyes a r e bunged and blind like th os e of a m ew l

ing p up ,

F or you re th e j uggins who caught th e cra b and lost th e shi p
th e C u p .

[ 27 ]
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

He caught a crab in th e spu rt ho m e th is b l ush i n g ch erub d id , ,

An d th e C ra ig ie s wh aler slip ped ah ead like a ca rt wh eel

-

o n th e skid ,

And beat u s fai r by a boat s nose though we s w eated t to
sta rt h er ,

So we a r e playing at Nero now and h e : th e Ch ri stian m a rty r,

.

And St roke is l ash ing a b unch of keys to th e b uckl e e n d a belt -

,

And we re going to lay you over a ch est and b aste you till you

m elt .

Th e C r aigie boys a re beating th e bell and ch ee r ing down
th e tie r ,

D ye h ea r you Po rt M ahone b aboon I ask you do you h e a r ?

, , ,

A VALEDICTION

We r e bound for blue water wh ere th e g r eat wind s blow

I t s tim e to get th e tacks a boa rd ti m e fo r u s to go ;

Th e c rowd s at th e capstan and th e tu n e s in th e sh out

,

A long p ull a st rong pull an d w arp th e h ook e r ou t
, , .

Th e b ow wash is eddyi n g spreadi n g fr o m th e bows

, ,

Aloft a n d loose th e topsa il s a n d som e one give a rouse ;

A salt A t lantic ch anty sh all b e m usic to th e d ead ,

A long p ull a strong pull an d th e y ard to th e m a:th e ad
, , .

Green and m erry run th e sea s th e wind comes cold , ,

Salt and strong and pleasant a n d worth a m i n t of gold ;,

And sh e s staggering swooping a s sh e feels h e r feet

, , ,

A long pull a strong p ull a n d aft th e m ain

, ,

[ 28 ]
 TH E GO L D EN C I TY OF S T MA R Y .

O ut b eyo n d th e sunset could I b ut nd the way

, ,

I s a sleepy bl ue lagun a wh ich wid e n s to a b ay ,

And th ere s th e Blessed City so th e sa ilo r s say

Th e Gold en City of St M a ry. .

I t s b uilt of fai r m a r ble wh ite without a stain

,

And in th e cool t w iligh t wh e n th e sea wind s wane -

T h e bells ch i m e fa intly l ike a soft warm rain

, , ,

I n th e Gold en City of St M a ry . .

Among th e green p al m tr e es wh ere th e re ie s shine

- -
,

Are th e wh ite tavern tabl es w h e r e th e galla n ts d ine ,

S ingi n g slow S p a n ish so n gs l ike old m ulled wi n e ,

In th e Golden City of St M a ry . .

O h I ll b e ship ping sunset wa rd s and westwa rd h o
- -

T h rough th e g r een toppling co m bers a sh atteri n g into snow

-
,

Till I com e to q uiet moori n gs a nd a watch b elow ,

I n th e Gold e n City of St M a ry . .

TR A D E W IN D S

In th e h ar b ou r in th e isl and in the Sp anish Sea s

, , ,

Are th e tiny wh ite houses and th e orange t r ees -

,

And d ay long night long th e cool and pleasant b reez e

-
, ,

O f th e steady Trad e Winds blowing .

[ 30 ]
 S E A FEVE R
-

Ther e i s th e red wine th e nutty Spanish ale

, ,

Th e sh ui e o f th e d ancers th e o ld salt s tal e

,

,

Th e squeaking d dle and th e soughing in th e sail

,

O f th e steady Trad e Wind s bl owing .

And 0 nights th e re s re ie s and th e y e llow moon

-
,

And in th e ghostly p alm trees th e S l e epy tune

-

O f th e q uiet voic e calling m e th e lo n g l o w croon

,

O f th e st e ady Trad e Wind s b lowing .

SEA -
F EVE R

I mu st go down t o th e sea s again to th e lonely se a and th e sky

, ,

And all I a sk i s a tall sh ip and a sta r to steer h er by ,

And th e wh e el s kick and th e W ind s song and th e white sail s
sh aking ,

And a grey mist o n th e sea s fa ce and a grey d awn b r e aking .

I must go d own to th e sea s again for th e call of th e running tid e

,

I s a wild call and a clea r call th at m ay not be d enied ;

And all I ask i s a windy d ay with th e white cloud s ying ,

And th e ung sp r ay and th e b low n spum e and th e sea gulls ,

-

c rying
.

I m ust go d own to th e sea s again t o th e vagrant gypsy life ,

To th e gull s way and th e wh ale s way wh e re th e W ind s l ike

a whetted knife ;
And all I a sk i s a merry ya rn from a laughing fel low rove r -
,

And q uiet sleep and a sweet d r eam wh e n th e long t rick s over

.

[ 31 ]
 A WAN D ER ER S S ONG

A W ind s in th e h ea rt of m e a re s in my h eel s

,

,

I am tired of b rick and ston e and rumbling wagon wh e el s ; -

I h unger for th e sea s edge th e li m its of the l and

, ,

Wh e re th e wil d old Atl anti c is shouting on th e sand .

Oh I ll b e going l eaving th e noises of th e str ee t

, ,

To where a lifting fo r esail foot i s yanking at th e sheet ;

-

To a windy tossing ancho r age W h e re yawls and ketch es ride

, ,

Oh I ll b e g o ing going until I m eet th e T

, id e, .

And rst I ll h ea r th e se a wind th e m ewing of th e gulls
-
, ,

Th e clucking sucking of th e se a about th e rusty h ull s

, ,

Th e songs at th e cap stan in th e hooker wa r p ing o u t ,

And th en th e h ea rt o f m e ll know I m ther e or th er e about .

O h I am tired of b rick and st o ne th e hea rt of m e i s sick , ,

F o r windy g r een unq uiet sea th e realm of Moby D ick ;

, ,

And I ll b e going going from th e roa r ing of th e W h e el s

, , ,

F or a wind s in th e h ea rt O f m e a re s in my h eel s

,

.

CA R D IGAN BAY

Clean green windy billows notching out th e sk y

, , ,

Grey cloud s t attered into rags se a wind s blowing high ,

-
,

And th e sh ip s under I ops ail s beating th ra shing b y , , ,

And th e m e wing of th e herring gull s .

[ 32 ]
 C H R IS T MAS EVE AT S E A

Dancing a sh ing green sea s sh aki n g wh ite lock s

, ,

Boili n g in blind eddies over h idd en rocks ,

And th e wind i n th e r igging th e creaking of th e bl o cks

, ,

And th e straining of th e tim b er h ulls .

Delicat e cool se a weed s gre en and am b e r b rown

,
-
,
-
,

bed s wh e r e sh aken su n lig h t,slow ly lters down

On m any a d rowned seventy fou r and m any a sunk e n town
-
, ,

And th e wh itening of th e d e ad men s skull s

.

CHR I S T MA S E V E AT S E A

A wind i s ru stling south and s o ft ,

Cooing a q uiet count ry tune ,

Th e calm sea sigh s and fa r aloft

,

The sail s a re ghostly in th e mo o n .

U nquiet ripples li sp and p urr ,

A block th e re pip e s and chirp s i the sh eave ,

The wheel ropes j a r th e reef points sti r

-
,
-

F aintly and it i s Ch ri stm a s E ve .

The h ush ed sea seem s to hol d her b reath ,

And o e r th e giddy swaying spa rs

, ,

S ilent and e xcellent a s Death ,

The d im blue skies a re b righ t with sta rs .

Dea r God they shone in Palestine

Like th is and yon p al e m oon serene
,

Looked down among th e lowing kine

O n M a ry and th e Naza rene .

[ 33 1
 SAL TWA T E R BALLA D S

Th e angel s called from d eep to deep ,

T h e b u rning h e avens felt th e th rill ,

Sta rtling th e ocks of silly sh eep

And lonely sh eph e r d s on th e h ill .

To night b eneath th e d ri pp ing bows

-

Whe r e a shi n g b ubbles bu rst a n d th rong ,

Th e bow wa sh m u rm u r s a n d sigh s and sough s

-

A m essage from th e angel s song .

Th e moon goes nodd ing down th e west ,

T h e d rowsy h elm sm an st rikes th e bell ;

Rex f u da or u m n a tu : e:t

,

I ch a rge y o u b roth ers sing Now ell Now ell

, , , ,

Rex f u d ae or u m n atu: e:t .

A B ALLA D O F CA P E ST VIN C ENT .

Now B ill ain t it p r i m e to b e a sailin

, ,

-

,

Slip p in ea sy sp la sh in u p th e se a

, ,

D o ssin snug aneath th e weath er railin

-
,

Q uid d in bonded Jacky out a lee ?

-

E ngl ish sea aste rn u s and a fore u s ,

R eaching out th ree thousand m iles ah ead ,

God s ow n sta rs arisin solemn o er u s

,

And yonde r s Cap e St V incent and th e Dead

. .

Th ere th ey li e B ill m an and m ate togeth e r

, , ,

D reamin o u t th e dog watch down below -
,

An chor e d in th e Po rt of Plea sant Weath er ,

Waiting for th e B o su n s call to blow
.

[ 34 ]
 THE TA RR Y B U CCAN EE R

Over th em th e tid e goes sw a y in ,

U nd er th e m s th e wide b ay s m ud dy bed

,

An d it s pleasant d ream s to them to h ea r u s s ayin

,

Yonder s Ca p e St V incent a n d th e D ead . .

Hea r th at P and O b oat s e n gi n es d ron in

. .

B eating o u t of tim e and o u t of tu n e ,

R ipping p ast with eve ry pl ate a g ro an in -

,

S pitting smoke and C ind e r s at the moon ?

Port s a lit like little sta r s a settin

- -
,

See em g lin tin y alle r green and red

, , ,

Loggin twenty knots B ill b ut fo rg e ttin

, , ,

Y onder s Cape St V incent and th e Dead

. .

Th ey re d isch a rged now B illy left th e se rvice

, ,

,

R ough an bitter wa s th e watch they stood ,

D rake an Blake an Collingwood an Je rvis , ,

Nelson R odney H awke a n How e an Hood

, , ,

.

Th ey d a h a rd time h au lin an dire c tin , ,

There s th e ag they left u s B illy trea d

,

Straight an keep it y in j re c o lle ctin

,

Yonder s Cap e St V incent and th e Dead

. .

TH E TAR R Y B U CCAN EER

I m going to b e a pirate with a b right b rass pivot gun -
,

And an isl and in the Sp anish M ain beyond th e setti n g sun ,

And a silver ag o n full of red wine to d r ink wh en wo r k is done ,

Like a ne old salt se a scavenger like a tarry B uccaneer

-
,
.

[ 3s l
 SAL TWA T E R BALLADS

With a sandy cr ee k to careen in and a pig tailed S panish m ate

,
-
,

And under my m ain h atches a spa rkling m erry fr e ight

-

O f doubloons and doubl e moido r es and pieces of eight ,

Like a n e old salt se a scavenger like a tarry B uccaneer

-
, .

With a taste for Sp anish wine shop s and for spending my

-

d o ubloons ,

And a crew of swa rt m ul attoes and black eyed octo roons -

,

And a th oughtful w ay with m utineers of m aking th em m a roons ,

Lik e a ne old salt se a scavenger l ike a t arry B uccan e er

-
, .

With a sa sh of crimson velv e t and a diamond h ilted sword -

,

And a silver wh istl e about my neck secu red to a gold en cord ,

And a h ab it o f taking ca ptives and walking th em along a boa rd ,

Like a ne old salt se a scavenger lik e a tarry B uccaneer

-
, .

With a sp y gl a ss tucked b eneath my a rm and a cocked h at

-

cocked askew ,

And a long low rakish schooner a cutting of th e waves in two

-
,

And a ag of skull and cross bones th e wickedest th at ever ew

-
.

Like a n e o ld salt se a scavenger like a tarry B uccaneer

-
, .

A BA LL A D O F J O H N S ILV E R

We were schooner rigged and rakish with a long and lissom e

-
,

li li ll,
And we ew th e p retty colou rs of th e cr o ss b o nes and th e S kull ;
-

We d a big bl ack Jolly R oger ap ping grimly at th e fore ,

And w e s ailed th e S p anish Water in th e h appy d ay s o f yore .

[ 36 ]

LY R I C S F R OM THE B U CCAN EER

I
We a re fa r fr om sight of th e h arbou r light s ,

O f th e sea po rt s wh ence we ca m e
-
,

B ut the old sea call s and th e cold wi n d bites ,

And ou r h ea rt s a re tu rned to am e .

And m e r ry a n d rich i s th e goodly gea r

We ll w in upon th e tossi n g se a

A silken gown fo r my d ainty d ea r,

And a gold d oubloon for m e .

I t s th e old old r oad and th e old old quest

O f th e c u t th roat sons o f Ca in
-
,

South by west and a qu a rte r west ,

An d h ey for th e S p anish M a in .

11

Th ere s a sea way som ewh er e wh ere all d ay long

-

I s th e h ush ed susu r r u s o f th e se a ,

T h e m ewing of th e sku a s a n d th e sailo r s song

,

An d th e W ind s cry calling m e

.

Th ere s a h aven so m ewh e r e wh ere th e qu iet of th e b ay

I s t roubled with th e sh ifting tide ,

Wh e r e th e gulls a r e ying crying in th e b right wh ite S p ray

, ,

And th e tan sailed schooners rid e

-
.

[ 38 ]
 D A VALO S P R AYE R
'

III
Th e t o ppling r o ll e rs at th e h a r b ou r m o uth
Ar e spattering th e bows w ith foam ,

And th e anch o r s catted and sh e s h ead ing fo r th e s o uth

With h er topsails sh eet e d hom e .

And a m e rry m e a su r e is th e d ance sh e ll t r e ad
(T O th e cl anking of th e staysa il s h anks )

Wh e n th e guns a re gr owling and th e blood runs red ,

An d th e p ris o n e rs a r e walking of th e planks .

D AVALO S P R AY ER

Wh en th e la st se a is s ailed and th e la st S h allow ch arted ,

Wh en th e la st eld is rea ped and th e la st h a rvest stored ,

Wh en th e last r e is out and th e la st guest d ep a rted ,

Grant th e last p ray e r th at I sh all p ray B e g o od to m e O

, ,

Lord !

And let m e pa ss in a night at sea a night of storm and th under

, ,

In th e loud c ryi n g of th e wind th rough s ail and r ope and

sp ar ;
Send me a n inth great p ea ceful w ave to d rown and roll m e
under
To th e cold tunny sh e s h o me wh e r e th e d rowned gall e on s
-

a re.

And in th e d im gr ee n quiet pla c e fa r out of sight and h ea ring ,

Grant I m ay h ea r at wh iles th e wash and th resh of th e se a

foa m
About th e ne k ee n bows of th e stately clip pers steering
Toward s th e lon e north ern sta r and th e fai r po rt s of home .

[ 39 ]
 TH E W ES T WI N D

It s a wa rm wind th e w e st win d full of bird s cries ;

, ,

I never h ea r th e west wind b ut te ars a re in my ey e s .

F or it com es fro m th e west l and s th e old b row n h ills , ,

And Ap r il s in th e west wind and d affod ils

, .

It

a ne land th e west l and for h ea rts a s t ired a s m ine
s , , ,

Apple orch a rd s blossom th ere and th e ai r s like wine ,

.

Th er e is cool green gra ss th ere w h e r e m en m ay lie at rest , ,

An d th e th rush e s a r e in song th ere utin g from the nest , .

Will you not com e h om e broth er ? you h ave been long away
, ,

It s Ap ril and blossom ti m e and wh ite i s th e sp ray ;

, ,

And b right is th e su n broth e r and w a rm is t h e rain

, , ,

Will you not com e hom e b r oth e r hom e to u s again ?

, ,

Th e young co rn is gr ee n b rother wh ere th e r ab bits run

, , ,

It s bl ue sk y and wh ite cloud s and wa rm ra in and su n
, , .

It s song to a m an s soul b roth e r re to a m an s b rain

, , ,

To h ea r th e wild b ees and se e th e m e rry sp ring again .

Larks a re singing in th e west brother a b ov e th e green wh eat

, , ,

So will ye not com e hom e b rother and rest you r ti r ed feet ?

, ,

I ve a b al m for b ruised h ea rts b roth e r sleep for a ch ing ey e s

, , ,

Says th e wa rm wind th e w e st wind full of bird s cries
, , .

It th e wh ite road westwards is th e road I m ust t re ad

s

To th e g r een grass th e cool grass and rest for h ea rt and h ead

, , ,

To th e viol ets a n d th e b rown b rooks and th e th r ush es song

In th e n e l and th e w e st l and th e l and wh ere I b elong

, , .

[ 40 ]
 TH E GA L
L EY R OW ER S

Sta ggering over th e running com bers

Th e long shi p h eaves h er d ripping anks
-
,

Singing together th e se a roam ers

,
-

D rive th e oars g r untin g in th e b anks .

A long p ull ,

And a long long p ull to My d ath .

Wh ere a r e ye b ound ye swa rt se a fa rers

,
-
,

V exing th e grey wind angered b ri n e -

,

B ea rers of hom e spun cloth and b ea rers

-
,

O f goat skin s lled with count ry wine ?

We a re bound sunset ward s not knowing-

, ,

O ver th e wh ale s way m iles and m iles

,

Going to V i n e Land h a ply goi n g

-
,

To th e B right B each of th e B lessed I sles .

I n th e Wind s teeth and th e s pray s stinging
Westwa rd a n d outwa r d fo rth w e go ,

Knowi n g not wh ith er nor w h y b ut si n gi n g ,

An old old oa r so n g as we row

-
.

A long pull ,

And a long long pull to My d ath

.

l4t ]
 VA G A B ON D

D unno a h eap a b out th e wh at an w h y ,

C an t say s I ever knowed

.

H e aven to m e s a fai r blue stretch of sk y ,

E a rth s j est a d usty ro ad

.

D unn o th e nam es 0 th ings n o r wh at th ey a re , ,

Can t s ay s I ever will

.

D unno about God h e s j est th e noddin sta r

Atop th e windy h ill .

D unno a b out Life it s j e st a tram p alone

F rom wakin t im e to ( 10 3 8 -
.

D unno about Death it s j e st a qui e t stone

All over grey w i moss
-
.

An W h y I live an W hy th e ol d world spins

, ,

Are th ings I never knowed ;

M y m ark s th e gyp sy re s th e lonely inns , ,

An j est th e d usty r o ad

.

[ 42 ]
 VI S ION

I h ave drunk e n th e r e d win e and ung th e dice ;

Yet once in th e noisy ale house I h ave seen and h eard
-

The d e ar p al e l ady with th e m o u m ful eyes ,

And a voic e like th at of a p ure g r ey cooing b ird .

With delicate wh ite h and s W hite h and s th at I h ave kist

O h frail wh ite h and s !
( ) sh e soothed my ach ing eyes ;
And h e r h air fell about her in a dim clinging m ist ,

Lik e sm o ke from a golden incense b u rned in Pa radise .

With gentle loving word s l ike sh red ded b alm and myrrh
, ,

Sh e h eal e d with sweet fo rgiveness m y black bitter sins ,

Then p assed into th e night and I go seeking her

,

Down th e d ark silent streets pa st th e wa rm lighted inns

, , , .

SPUNYA R N

Sp u n y am ,
sp unya rn with one to tu rn th e crank
, ,

A n d one to sl ath er th e spunya rn and one to knot th e h ank ;

,

It s an easy j ob for a summ er watch a nd a pleasant j ob enough
, ,

T o twist th e ta rry length s of ya rn to sh apely sailor stu .

Life i s nothing b ut sp un y a m on a winch in ne e d of oil ,

Little enough is twined and spu n b ut fever fret and moil

-
.

I h ave t ravelled on l and and se a and all th at I h ave found

,

Are th ese p o or songs to b race th e a rm s th at hel p th e winches

round .

[ 43 ]
 P ER S ONA L

T r amping at night in th e cold and w e t I pa ssed th e lighted inn

, ,

And an old tune a sweet t u n e w as being pl ayed within

, , .

I t was full of th e l augh of th e le aves a n d th e song th e wind sings ;

I t b rought th e tea rs and th e choked th roat and a catch to th e
,

h eart strings
-
.

And it b rought a b itter thought of th e d ays th at n ow were

d ead to me ,

Th e m e r ry d ays i n th e old ho m e b efore I went to sea

D ays th at were d ead to m e indeed I bowed my h ead to th e rain
.
,

A n d I p a ssed by th e lighted inn to th e lonely road s again .

ON MALV ER N H ILL

A wind i s b r ush i n g down th e clover ,

I t sweep s th e tossing b ranch es b a r e ,

Blowi n g th e poising kest r el over

Th e crum bling ramp a rts of th e C aer .

I t wh irl s th e scattered leaves befo r e u s

Along th e d u sty road to hom e ,

O nce it awakened into cho r u s

Th e h e a rt strings in th e ranks of R om e
-
.

Th ere b y th e gu sty coppice b order

Th e sh rilli n g t ru m pets b roke th e h alt ,

Th e R oma n l i n e th e R om an order
, ,

Swayed fo rwa rd s to th e blind a ssault .

[ 44 ]

R ES T H E R S O UL , S H E S D EA D

Sh e h a s done with th e s e a s sorrow and all th e worl d s way

And th e W ind s grief;
Strew h er with l aurel cover h e r with b ay,

And ivy leaf

- .

Let th e slow mou rnful m usic sound b efo r e her ,

Strew th e wh ite owers about th e b ie r and o er h er ,

Th e sleepy poppies red b eyond b elief .

O n th e bl ack velvet cove ring h er eyes

Le t th e d ull ea rth b e th rown ;
Hers i s th e mightier sile n ce of th e skies ,

An d long q uiet rest alone

, .

O ve r th e pu re d ark wistful eyes of her

, , ,

O er all th e h uman all th at d i e s of h er

, ,

Gently let owers b e st row n .

Lay h er away In qu i et O ld p eaceful earth

(Th is blossom of ou rs ) ,

Sh e h a s done with th e world s anger an d th e world s mi rth

,

S unshine and rain showers ; -

And over th e poor sad tired face of h er

, , ,

In th e long grass above th e pl ac e of he r

( T h e g r a ss which h ides th e glo ry and th e grac e o f h e r) ,

M ay th e Sp ring b rin g th e owers .

[ 46 ]

A L L Y E THAT PA S S BY

On th e l o ng d usty ribbon of th e l o ng city street ,

Th e pageant of life is p assing m e on m ultitudi n ous feet ,

With a word here of th e h ills and a song th e r e of th e sea

, ,

And th e great movement ch anges th e p ageant p asses m e .

Fac e v p assionatefaces o f men I m ay not know ,

Th ey h aunt m e b u rn m e to th e heart as I tu rn asid e to go :

, ,

Th e king s face and th e cu r s face and th e face of th e stu ff ed
,

sw ine ,

Th e y are p assing th ey a re p assing th eir ey e s look into m in e

, , .

I never can ti re of th e m usic of th e noise of m any feet ,

Th e th rill of th e blood pul sing th e tick of th e h eart s b eat
, ,

O f th e men m any a s s and s of th e squ ad ro n s ranked and m a ssed

,

Who are p assi n g ch anging always and never h ave ch anged

, ,

or p ass e d .

[ 47 ]
 IN M EMO R Y O F A P R . . .

O nce in th e windy wint ry w e ath e r ,

Th e road d ust blowing in ou r eyes ,

We sta rved or tra m p ed or slept togeth er

B eneath th e h aystacks and th e skies ;

U ntil th e ti ring tram p was over ,

And th en th e call for h im wa s blown ,

H e l eft his friend h i s fellow rover

-

To tram p th e d u sty road s al o n e .

Th e wind s wail and th e w oo d s a re yellow ,

Th e h ill s a re blotted in th e rain ,

And w o uld h e we r e with m e sigh s h i s fellow
, ,

With m e u p o n th e road s again !

[ 48 ]

T O MO RR OW

O h y e st e rd ay th e cutting edge d rank th irstily and d eep ,

Th e upland outl aws ringed u s in and herd ed u s a s sh eep ,

They d rove u s from th e st ricken el d a n d b ayed u s into keep ;

B ut to morrow
-

By th e living God we ll t ry th e gam e ag ain !
,

O h yeste r d ay our littl e t r oop was ridd en th rough and th rough ,

O u r swaying tattered pennons ed a b roken b eaten few

, , , ,

And all a summ er afte rnoon they h unted u s and sl ew ;

B ut to m o r row
-
,

By th e living God we ll t ry th e g am e again !
,

And h ere upon th e tu rret top th e b ale re glowe r s red

- -
,

Th e wake lights b urn and d rip a b out ou r h acked d isgu red

-
,

d ead,

A nd m any a b roken h ea rt i s h e re and m any a b roken h ead ;

B ut to mo rr ow
-
,

By th e living God we ll try th e gam e again !
,

[ 49 ]
 CAVA LI ER

All th e m e rry k e ttl e d ru m s a r e th udding into rhym e

-
,

Du st i s swimming d izzi ly dow n th e vi llage st r eet ,

Th e scabb a r d s a re cl atteri n g th e feathe r s n odding ti m e

, ,

To a clink of m any horses shoes a tram p of m any feet
, .

S even sco re of Cavalie r s gh ting for th e King ,

Trolling l usty sti rrup so n gs cl a m ou ri n g for wine

, ,

R iding with a loose r ein m arch ing with a swing

, ,

B e neath th e bl ue b annerol of R upe rt o f th e R h ine .

H ey th e m erry comp a n y ; th e loud fe s pl aying

Bl ue sca rves and b r igh t steel and blossom of th e m ay ,

R oses in th e feath ered h ats th e lo n g pl um es swayi n g

, ,

A king s so n ah e a d o f th em showing th em th e way

.

[ so ]
 A S ONG A T PA RT ING

Th e tick of th e blood i s settling slow my h ea r t will S oon be

,

still
,

And rip e and ready am I for rest i n th e g r ave atop th e hill ;

So gather m e up and l ay m e dow n for ready a n d ripe am I
, ,

F o r th e wea ry vigil with sigh tless eyes th at m ay not se e th e S ky

.

I h ave lived my life : I h ave s pilt th e wine th at God th e M ake r

g ave ,

So carry m e u p th e lo n ely h ill a n d l ay m e in th e grave

,

And cover m e in with cleanly mould a n d ol d and lich ened stones ,

I n a place where ever th e c ry of th e wind sh all th r ill m y S leepy

bones .

G athe r m e U p an d l ay m e d ow n w ith an old song and a p r ayer ,

Cover m e in with wholeso m e ea rth and weep an d leave m e

,

th ere ;
And get you gone with a kindly though t and an old tu n e and a
sigh ,

And leave m e alone a sleep at r est for ready and ri pe am I

, , , .
 SAL T WA T E R BALLADS
-

Du n g aree A ch e ap , . ro u gh th in l h
c ot (g en erally b lu e or b r wn) o , wo v en I , am

told , o f c o co n u t b r e
-
.

Forw a rd or To w ard s th e b ow s
For r ard . .

F Th e d e c k h o u se o r li v i n g roo m o f th e c rew Th e w ord

( F o ec tl ) r a: e .
- -
.

is o ften u se d to i nd i at e th e re w o r t h ose m e m b e rs o f it d e scri be d b y p as

c c ,

c m m on sai lo rs

se n g e rs as t h e o .

Fo e tay
r -
: A p ow erful w i re ro p e s pp orti n g th e fore m ast fo rw ard
. u -
.

C a: het: R o p es o r p lai te d li ne s u se d
. r
to s e c u e th e sa ls i in furli n g .

Gon ey : Albatrosse s
. .

A m ari ne o r
Gu y .
jolly .

Cu llie: . Se a-g ulls, C a p e Ho rn pig n eo s, e t c .

He ave an d p awl . A c ry o f e n courag e m ent at th e c ap stan .

H ooke r A p rip h r i
e as s fo r sh i p I su pp o se fr m a sh i p s o

ca rry i ng h ook: or
.
,

a nch o rs .

J ac k or f ack:tay .
A slend e r i r n r i l run ni ng
o a l
a on g th e u pp r p rti ons of th e
e o

y ard s i n so m e sh ip s .

Leew a rd P rono unc e d lo oard .

T h at q u arter to w h i ch th e W n d i blo w s .

M ain :ail h aul rd e r in t ac ki ng sh i p bi dd ing sw ing th e m ai ny ard s

An o

.

To

l o r ac q u i re

loot, ste a , .

Ill a in R o p es u su ally w i re su pp orti g l te ral trai ns u p on th e , n a s ma in

,

m ast .

Mollie: Molly h aw k s
.
-
, or Fulm ar p e trel s . Wi d e -
w i ng ed d u sk y f
se a- ow ls,

co m m o n in h ig h lat i t u d e s, o i ly to t ast e , gl u tton o u s. G re at r

sh e s an d
g ar b g a e-e at e s r .

Port M ah on Baboon , or P ort M a h on S oger I h av e be en n able to d i sco v e r

. u

i r th rigi n f th
e th e e o o e se i nsult i n g e pi th e ts o t h e re asons fo r t h e p e c uli ar
r

b i tt rn w i th W h i h
e ess c th e y S t i n g t h e m ari n e re c ipi ent T h e y are old er .

t h an D n ( i a a c rca

A ld m r h ant sai lor

n o w d d n e c t ld m t h t P rt M h n w as , no ea , o ce o e a o a o

t h t g dl
a i ty f m w h i h th A k t sai l in w h i h
o ess c th n m e m y
ro c e r se , c c as e e a a

h av m t r d i t i on l
e so nn ti n w i th th t v i l M ah oun
e a M hu a co ec o a e

or a ,

p ri n e f d rkn m nti n d by Sh k p r a d som f u ld r p e t

c o a e ss, e o e a es ea e n e o o r o e o s.

[ 54 ]
 GLO SSA R Y

re al Port Mah on a n e h arb o ur in Mi norca

Th e , , w as t a k n by
e th e

Fren ch fro m A d m i r al Byng in th e y e ar 1 7 5 6

, , .

I th i n k th at th e p h rase s originated at th e ti m e of By n g

s co nse q uent
tri al an d e x e c u ti on .

Pu rch a: e
S e T ac k le
. e .

Qu iddin g .
To b acc o- c h ew ing .

Sa il: Th e
. i l m ak r sa -
e .

S t C u
an a A b r nd of r um
r z.
~
a .

Scan tli g Pl n k
n . a s .

S g r A l gg ard m li ng re r
o e . a r h ng b a k T l af o sk ulk o r w or k To m
, a e , o a -
c . o o r

Co s Tr v r

x a e se .

str nd li n p un u t f ld r p y rn kn tt d t g th r
Sp u yn A th r
a rn . ee- a e s o o o o e- a s o e o e e .

M st i li n g h i p
o rry p u y m w i n h d th pi n i g f h y r
sa -
S s ca a s n a c , an e s n n o su c a n

i a f v uri t o u p t i n i
s a o w e th r e cc a o n ne a e .

Sti up A sh rt
rr .
p su pp rti n g th f t r p e n w h i h th e
o rO i l rs t n d
e o e oo -
o o c sa o s a

w h en aloft th e y ard on s.

Ta ck TO. st ay or

b o ut s h ip . A re ach to w i n d w rd a . Th e w e ath e r lo w e r cor

n er o r f a c ou se .

Tackl Prono un ce d tay kle

e. A com b i nati on o f p ulle y s for o b tai nin g o f arti .

cial p o w e r .

T a il Th e rai l o r b ulw ar k ro und th e ste rnm o st e n d o f a sh ip s p oo p o r

a r .

afte r d e k - c .

T i k Th e o rd i nary tw o h o u r sp e ll at th e w h l o r o n th e loo k o u t
r c -
ee -
.

Win dward or Weather Th at . q uarter from wh i c h th e W in d bl w o s.

[ ss ]
 M IS C E LLA NE OU S PO EM S

( FRO M TH E S TOR Y OF A ROU ND HOUSE )
 B IOG R A P H Y

Wh en I am bu ried all my thoughts and acts

,

Will b e red uced to lists of d ates and facts ,

And long befo r e this wand eri n g esh i s r otten

The d ates wh ich m ad e me will be all forgotten ;
And none will know the glea m there used to b e
About th e feast d ays fr eshly kept by me ,

B ut men will call the gold e n hou r of blis s

About this tim e or S ho rtly a fte r this
, .

M en do not heed th e rungs by which men climb

T hose glitte ring steps those m il estones U pon Tim e
, ,

Those tomb sto n es of d ead selves those hou rs of bi r th

, ,

T hose m o m ents of th e soul i n years of ea r th

They m a rk th e h eight ach ieved the m ain result
, ,

Th e power of fr eedo m in th e perish ed cult ,

Th e power of boredom in th e d ead m an s deed s ,

Not th e b right moments of the sp rinkled s ee d s .

By m any wate r s and on m any ways

I h ave known gol den instants and b r ight d ays ;
Th e d ay on wh ich beneath an a rch i n g sail
, ,

I saw th e Cord illera s and gave h ail ;

Th e su m m er d ay on which in h ea rt s del ight
I saw th e Swansea M u m bles bursting white ,

Th e glittering d ay wh e n all th e waves wore ags

And th e sh ip Wan d e r er cam e with sail s in rags ;
Th at cu rlewcalling ti m e in I rish d usk
Wh e n life becam e m o r e splend id t h an its h usk ,

{ 59 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S P OE M S

When th e rent ch apel on th e b rae at Slains

Shone with a doo rway opening b e yond b rains ;
Th e d awn wh en with a b race block s creaki n g c ry
,

O ut of the mist a little b a rque slipped by ,

S pilling the mist with ch anging gleams of red ,

T hen gone with one raised h and a n d one tu rned h ead ;

,

T he howling eveni n g when th e spindrift s m ists

B roke to display th e fou r E vangelists ,

S nowcapped divinely g r anite l ash ed by b r ea kers

, , ,

Wi n d beate n bones of long since buried acres ;

-

The night alone nea r wate r when I h e a rd

All th e sea s spi rit spoken by a bird ;
Th e E nglish d usk wh en I beheld o nce more
(With eyes so ch anged ) th e ship th e citied shore, ,

Th e lines of m asts th e streets so ch ee rly trod

,

( In h ap pier sea sons ) a n d gave th anks to God .

All h ad th ei r beauty th ei r b right moments gift

,

,

Thei r something caught from T ime th e ever swift ,

-
.

All of those gleam s were golde n ; b ut life s h a n d s

H ave given more constan t gifts in ch anging land s ,

And wh en I count those gifts I th ink them such

,

As n o m an s bounty could h ave better e d much :

Th e gift of count ry life nea r h ill s and wood s

,

Wh ere h ap py wate r s sing in solitudes ,

T h e gift of bei n g nea r sh ips of seeing e ach d ay

,

A city of sh ip s with g r eat sh ips u n d er weigh ,

Th e great st r eet p aved with water lled with sh ipping

, ,

An d all th e wo rld s ags ying and s e agulls d ip ping

.

Yet wh en I am d ust my p e nm an m ay not know

T hose water tra m pli n g sh ips wh ich m ad e m e glow
-
,

B ut think my wond er m ad and fail to nd

[ 60 ]
 M I SC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Droning th e news in snow th a t Ch r ist wa s bo rn ;

, ,

And windy gas l am ps a n d th e w e t r oad s sh ining

And th at old ca r ol of th e m idnight wh ining ,

And th at old roo m ( a bove th e noisy slu m )

Wh ere th e r e was wine a n d r e a n d talk w ith som e
U nd er st ra n ge pictu res of th e wake n ed soul
To whom th is ea rth w as but a b u rnt out coal -
.

0 Ti m e b ring b ack those m idnights and those friend s

, ,

T hose glitteri n g mo m e n t s th at a spi r it lend s

Th at al l m ay b e i m agi n ed fr om th e ash
Th e cloud h id god ga m e th rough th e lightning gash
- -

T hose hou r s o f st ricke n sp a r ks fro m wh ich m e n took

Ligh t to send out to m en in so n g o r book .

T hose frie n d s w h o h ea r d St Pa n c r a s bells st rike tw o

.

Yet stayed u n til th e b a rber s cockerel crew

.

Talki n g of noble styles th e F r e n ch m an s best

,

T h e th ought beyond g r eat poets not exp r essed ,

T h e glory of m ood wh e r e h u m an frailty failed ,

Th e fort s of h u m an ligh t not yet a ssailed ,

Till th e d im room h ad m i n d a n d see m ed to b r ood

B indi n g ou r wills to m e n tal b roth e rhood ,

T ill we b eca m e a college and each n ight

,

Wa s d iscipli n e a n d m anhood a n d d elight ,

Till ou r fa r ewells and winding dow n th e stai r s

At ea ch g r ey d awn h ad meani n g th at Ti m e sp a res ,

Th at we so linked should roa m th e whole wo r ld r ound

, ,

T each i n g th e ways ou r b r oodi n g m ind s h ad fou n d

M aking th at room ou r Ch apte r ou r one m i n d ,

Wh ere all th at th is world soiled sh ould b e rened .

O ften at night I t read those streets again

And se e th e alley glimmering in th e rai n ,

[ 62 ]
 B IO G R A P H Y

Y e t now I m iss th at S ign of earlier t ramps

A house with sh adows of plane bough s und er lam p s
-
,

Th e secre t hou se wh ere on ce a begga r stood

Trembling and blind to S h ow h is w o e for food .

And now I m iss th at frien d who used to walk

Hom e to my lodgings with m e d eep in talk , ,

Wea ring th e la st of nigh t out in still streets

Trodden by u s a n d policem en on th ei r beats
And cats b ut els e deserted ; now I m iss
,

Th at lively m ind and guttu r al l a ugh of h is

And th at strange way h e h ad of m aking gleam ,

Like someth ing r eal th e a rt we u sed to d rea m

, .

London h as been my p rison ; b ut my books

Hills and great wat e rs labou ri n g m e n and b rooks
, ,

Ship s and d e e p friend sh ips and reme m bered d ays

Wh ich e ven n o w set all my m ind ablaze

As th at June d ay wh e n in th e red b ricks ch inks
,

I saw th e old R om an ruins wh ite with pinks

And felt th e h illsid e h aunted even th en
By not d ead memory of th e R om an men .

An d felt th e h illsid e th r onged by soul s unseen

Who knew th e interest in m e and were keen
Th at m an alive should u n d erstand m an d ead
So m any ce n turies si n ce th e blood wa s shed .

And qu icke n ed with st r ange h ush because th is co m er

S ensed a st r ange soul aliv e b eh ind th e sum m er .

Th at oth er d ay on E rcal l wh en th e S tones

We r e su n ble ac h e d wh ite like lo n g unb uried bones
, ,

Wh ile th e bees d roned and all th e ai r was sweet

F rom h oney b uried undern eath my feet ,

Ho n ey of pu rp l e h eath er and wh ite clover

Sealed in its gummy b ags till summer s over .

[ 63 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Th en oth er d ays by wat e r by b right s e a

, ,

Clea r a s clean gl a ss and my b right friend with me ,

Th e cove clean bottomed wh ere we s aw the b r own

R ed S potted plaice go ski m m ing six feet dow n
An d s aw th e lo n g fronds waving wh ite with sh e lls
, ,

Wavi n g unfoldi n g d roopi n g to th e swells ;

, , ,

Th at sadd er d ay wh en w e beheld th e g r eat

And te r rible beauty of a Lam m a s sp ate
R oa ri n g wh ite m outh ed in all th e g r eat C l iff s gaps
-

Head long t r ee tumbling fu ry of collapse

,
-
,

Wh ile d r e n ch i n g cloud s d r ove by and every sense

Wa s water roa ring or rush ing o r i n O e n ce ,

A n d mountain sh eep stood h uddled and blow n gaps gleamed

Wh e r e to r n wh ite h air of torrents shook and streamed .

Th at sadd er d ay wh e n w e beh eld again

A sp ate going d own in sunsh ine afte r rain ,

Wh en th e blue reach of water leapi n g b right

Was o n e long r ippl e a n d cl atter e c k e d with wh ite
, .

An d th at fa r d ay th at n ever blotted p age

,

Wh e n youth w as b r ight like owe r s about old age

F air gen e ratio n s b r inging th anks fo r l ife
To th at old ki n dly m an and tre m blin g wife
After thei r S ixty yea rs : T i m e never m ad e
A b ette r b eauty si n ce th e E a rth wa s l aid
T h an th at th anksgiving given to grey h air
F or th e great gift of l ife wh ich b rought them th ere .

Days o f e n deavou r h ave been good : th e d ays

R aci n g i n cutters fo r th e com rad e s p r aise ,

Th e d ay th ey led m y cutter at th e tu rn
Yet could n ot keep th e lead and d ropped a stern ,

T he mom e nt in th e spu rt wh en both boats oa rs
[ 64 ]
 B IO G R A P H Y

Dipped in e ach o th er s wash and th roats grew hoa rse
And teeth ground into teeth and both strok e s quicken e d
La sh ing th e se a and gasp s came and h ea rts sickened
, ,

And coxswa ins d a m ned u s d ancing b anking stroke , , ,

To put o u r weights on th ough o ur h e a rts were b roke

,

An d both boats se e med to stick and se a see m ed glu e ,

Th e tide a m ill race w e were strugg ling th rough

And e very quick recover gave us sq uints
O f them still th ere and oa r tossed water glints
,
-

And C h ee ring came ou r friend s ou r foem en ch eering

, , ,

A long wild rallying m u rm u r on th e h ea ring

, ,

Po rt F ore ! and Starboard F o r e ! Port F o re Po rt .

F ore !

U p with h e r Star bo ard and a t th at each oa r
, ,

Light e ned though a rm s were b u rsting and e yes sh ut

, ,

And th e oak stretchers grunt e d in th e strut

And th e curse quickened fr om th e cox ou r bows ,

Crash e d and d rove t alking water we m ad e vows

, ,

Ch astity vows and temperance ; in o u r pain

W e numbered things w e d n e ver e at again
I f we could only w in ; th en cam e th e yel l

Starboard Port F o re and th en a b e aten b e ll
, ,

R ung a s for re to ch e er u s Now O a rs b e nt. .

Soul took th e loom s now body s bolt wa s spent

,

Damn it c o m e on now
, O n now ,O n now Sta rboa rd , , .

Po rt F ore . U p with h er Po rt e a ch cutt e r h arbou r ed
,

T e n eye sh ut p ain sic k struggl e rs Heave oh heave
-
, , , ,

Catcalls waked e choes lik e a sh rieking sh e av e .

Heave and I saw a b ack then two
, Po rt F ore, . .

Starboard Com e on I saw th e m idsh ip o a r
.

And kn e w w e h ad d o ne th em Port F or e Sta rboa rd. . .

[ 65 1
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

I s aw b r ight water S pu rt i n g at thei r bow

T h eir c ox full face an i n stant They were d on e

. .

Th e watch ers ch eering al m ost d rowned th e gun

.

We h ad h a rdly st r en gth to toss ou r oa rs ; our c ry

Ch ee r i n g th e losi n g cutter w as a sigh .

Other b r igh t d ays of a ction h ave s e e m ed g r eat :

Wild d ays in a p ampe r o o th e Plate ;

G oo d swi m m i n g d ays at Hog B ack or th e Coves
,

Wh ich th e you n g gannet and th e co r b ie loves ;

S u rf swimm i n g between r ollers catch ing b r eath
-
,

B etween th e advanci n g grave and b r eaking d eath ,

Th e n shooting u p i n to th e sunb r ight sm ooth

To watch th e a dvancing r oller ba re h e r tooth ,

And d ays of l abou r al so load i n g h auli n g ;

, ,

Lo n g d ays at wi n ch or capstan h eaving p awl ing ; , ,

T h e d ays with oxe n d r agging sto n e fro m bla sti n g

, ,

And d usty d ays in m ills and hot d ays m asti n g

, .

Trucki n g on d ust d ry d eckings smooth like ic e

-
,

And h unts in m ighty wool racks a fter m ice ;

-

Mo rn in g s w ith b uckwh eat wh en th e eld s d id bla n ch

With Wh ite Le g h o m s com e fr o m th e chicken ranch .

Days nea r th e sp ring U pon th e su n bu m t h ill ,

Plying th e m aul or gripp ing tight th e d rill .

Delights of work most real delights th at ch ange ,

Th e h ead ach e life of town s to raptu r e stra n ge

Not known by tow ns m en nor i m agi n ed ; health
,

Th at p uts new glory U pon mental wealth

An d m akes th e poo r m an rich .

B ut th at end s too , ,

Health with its thoughts of life ; and th at b right view

Th at sunny l andsca pe from life s peak th at glory , ,

And all a gl ad m an s comm e nts on life s s tory

[ 66 ]
 B I OG R AP HY

A nd th o ught s o f m a rvellou s town s and l ivin g m e n

And wh at pens tell a n d all b eyond th e p e n
E nd and are sum m ed in word s so truly d ead
,

They raise no im age of th e h eart and h ead ,

Th e l ife th e m an alive th e fri e nd w e knew

, , ,

Th e m ind ours argued with or l istened to ,

None ; b ut a r e d ead and al l life s keenness all

,

, ,

I s dead as p rint before th e funeral ,

E ven deader a fter wh en th e d ates a re sought

, ,

An d cold mind s d isagree w ith wh at w e thought .

This m any pictured wo rl d of m any p ass io n s

Wea rs out th e n ations as a wo m an fash ions ,

And wh at life i s is m uch to v e ry few ,

M en being so strange so m ad and wh at men d o

, ,

So good to watch or sh are ; b ut wh en m en count

Those hours of life th at were a b u r sting fount ,

S p arkling th e d usty h ea rt w ith living sp ri n gs ,

The r e seem s a world b eyond o u r ea rthly things

, ,

G ated by golden mome n ts each b r ight ti m e

,

O pening to S how the city wh ite l ike li m e ,

High towered and m any peopled Th is m ad e sure .

,

Work th at ob scures those mo m ents seem s imp ur e ,

M aking our not retu rning t ime of b r eath

-

Dull with th e ritu al and record s of d eath ,

Th at frost of fact by wh ich ou r wisdom giv e s

Corr e ctly stat e d d e ath t o all th at l ives .

B e st t ru st th e h appy m om e nts Wh at th e y gav e

.

M akes m an l e ss fearful of th e cert ain grave ,

And gives h is work comp assion and new eyes .

Th e d ays th at m ak e u s h appy m ake u s wise .

[ 67 1
 S H I PS
I cannot t el l th ei r wonder nor m ake known
M agi c th at once th rilled th rough m e to th e bone ,

B ut all m en p r a ise so m e beauty tell so m e tale , ,

V ent a h igh mood wh ich m akes th e rest see m p ale ,

Pou r th ei r h ea rt s blood to ou rish one g r een lea f

F ollow so m e Helen for h er gift of grief ,

And fail in wh at th ey mean ; w h ate er th ey do :

Yo u S h ould h ave see n m an cannot tell to you

,

Th e beauty of th e sh ip s of th at m y city .

Th at beauty now is spoil e d by th e sea s p ity ;

F o r one m ay h aunt th e pier a score of ti m es ,

Hea ring St Ni ch ola s bells ring out th e ch imes

.
,

Yet never se e those p roud ones swayi n g hom e

With m ainya r d s ba cked and bows a c r eam of foam ,

T hose bows so lovely cu rving cut so n e

-
, ,

Thos e coulters of th e m any b ubbled b r ine -

,

AS once long since wh en all th e docks were lled

, ,

With th at se a bea uty m an h as c e as e d to b uild

-
.

Yet th ough th eir spl e ndou r m ay h ave ceased to b e

, ,

E a ch pl ayed h er sovereign p a rt i n m aking m e ;

Now I return my th anks with hea rt and lips
F or th e g r eat q ue e nliness of all those sh ips .

And rst th e rst b right memory still , so cl e a r ,

An a utumn evening in a gold en year ,

Wh en in th e l ast lit moments befo r e d ark

Th e Ch ep ica a steel grey lovely b arq ue
,
-
,

[ 68 ]
 M IS C E LLAN EOU S POE M S

th e countl e ss lin e s
Loch :, Cou n tie:, Sh ir e:, D r u m :,
Whos e hou s e ag s all w e re onc e familia r signs
-

At h igh m ain trucks on M ersey s windy ways

-

Wh e n sunlight m ad e th e wind wh ite water bl az e -

.

Th eir n ames b ring b ack old mornings wh en th e d o cks ,

Shone with their house ag s and their painted b locks

-
,

Their raking m asts below th e Custom House

And all th e m a rvellou s b eauty of th eir b ows .

F am ilia r steam ers t oo m aj esti c steam e rs

, , ,

Sh earing Atlantic roller top s to stream e rs -

,

Um br ia E tr u r ia noble still at se a
, , , ,

Th e grand est th en th at m an h ad b rought to b e

, , .

M aje:tic City of Par i: City of Rom e

, , ,

F or e ver j ealou s racers o u t and hom e , .

Th e Alfr ed H olt : blue smoke stacks down th e strea m

-
,

Th e fair Loan d a with h er bows a cream -

.

Booth lin e rs Anchor liners R ed Sta r line r s

, , ,

Th e m a rks and styles of countless sh ip design ers -

,

Th e M agd ale n a P u n o P oton

, , ,

Lost Cotop ax i all w e ll known to m e

, .

Th e se splend id ships each with h e r g r ace h er glory

, , ,

Her m emo r y of old song o r co m rad e s story

,

Still in m y m ind th e im ag e of life s need

,

B eauty i n h ard est a ction beauty ind e ed , .

Th ey b uilt great ship s and s ailed th e m sound s most b r ave
Wh at e ver a rts w e h ave or fail to h ave ;
I touch m y count ry s m ind I com e to g r ip s

,

With h al f h er p u rp o se th inking of th ese sh ip s

,

Th at a rt untou ch ed by softness all th at l ine ,

Drawn ringing h a rd to stand th e test of b rine ,

l7 o l
 T RUT H

Th at n oblen e ss and grand eu r al l th at b e auty ,

Bo rn of a m anly life and bitter d uty ,

Th at splendou r of n e bows wh ich yet could stan d

Th e shock o f rollers never ch ecked by land .

Th at a rt of m asts s ail crowded t to b reak

, , ,

Yet stay e d to stren gth a n d b ac k st ay e d into ra ke ,

Th e l ife d e m and ed by th at a rt th e keen ,

E y e puckered h ard ca se seame n silent lean

-
,
-
, , ,

Th ey a re grand e r th ings th an all th e a rt of towns ,

Th eir tests a re tem pests and th e se a th at d rown s ,

Th e y a r e my country s line h er great a rt don e

,

By strong b ra ins labou ri n g on th e thought unw o n ,

Th e y m ark ou r p assage a s a race of m e n ,

E a rth will n o t se e s uch sh ip s a s those again .

TR UTH

M an with h is b u rn ing soul

H as b ut an hou r of breath
To b uild a ship of Truth
I n wh ich h is soul m ay sail ,

Sa il on th e sea of d eath .

F or d eath takes toll

O f b e a uty cou rage youth
, , ,

O f all b ut Truth .

Life s city ways a r e d ark

,

M en m utter by ; th e we lls
O f th e great waters moan .

0 d e ath O se a 0 tide
, , ,

[ 7t ]
 M IS C E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Th e waters moan l ike b e lls .

No light no m ark
, ,

Th e soul goes out alone

On sea s unknown .

St ripp e d of all p urple robes ,

Stripped of all gold e n lies

I will not be a fraid .

Truth will p reserve th rough d eath ;

Perh ap s th e sta rs will r ise ,

Th e sta rs like globes .

Th e sh ip my striving m ad e
M ay se e night fad e .

T H EY C LO S E D H E R EY ES

FROM TH E S PAN I S H O F DO N G U S TAV O A . B EC Q U E R

They closed her eyes ,

Th ey were still O pen ;

Th ey h id h er face
With a wh ite linen ,

And som e sobbing

, ,

O th e r s i n silence ,

F rom th e s ad b ed room
All cam e away .

T h e night l ight in a d ish

B u rned on th e oor ,

It ung on th e wall

Th e bed s sh adow ,

[ 72 ]
T H E Y CL O S E D HER E YE S

And in th at sh adow
One saw sometimes
Drawn in sh a rp line

Th e b ody s sh ap e .

Th e d ay awa ken e d
At Its rst wh iten e ss
With its th o u sand nois e s ;
Th e town awok e
B efor e th at cont ra st
O f life and strangeness ,

O f light an d d a rkness .

I thou g ht a moment
M y G od h ow lone ly
,

Th e dead are !

F rom th e hous e , should er h igh -

To ch u rch th ey bore her ,

And in a ch a pel
They left h er bier .

Th ere th e y Su rround ed
Her p ale body
With yellow candles

And bl ack st u s .

At th e la st strok e
O f th e ringing for th e souls .

An old crone nish ed

Her l a st p rayers .

Sh e cro ss e d th e na rrown ave ;

Th e doors moaned ,

An d th e holy pl ace
'

R em ain ed d ese rt e d .

[ 73 ]
 MISC E LLAN EOU S POE MS

F rom a clock one h e ard

Th e measured ticking ,

And from som e candl e s

Th e gutte ring .

All th ings th ere

Were so grim and sad ,

So d a rk and rigid ,

Th at I thought a m o m e nt ,

M y G od h ow lon ely
,

Th e d ead a re!

F rom th e h igh belfry

Th e tongue of iron
Clanged giving out
,

H is sad fa rewell .

Crap e on th eir clothes ,

H e r friend s and kind red

Pa ssed in a row ,

M aking p roc e ssion .

I n th e l ast va ult ,

D ark and n a rrow ,

Th e p ickaxe open e d
A nich e at on e end ;
There th ey l aid h er d own .

Soon th ey b ricked th e pl ac e up ,

And with a gestu r e

B ad e grief far ew e ll .

Pickax e on sh o uld e r
Th e grav e d igger
-
,

Singing betwe e n h is t ee th ,

Pass e d o u t of sight .

[ 74 ]
T H E Y CLO S E D HER EYE S

Th e night ca m e down ;
I t wa s all silent ,

Lost in th e sh adows
I thought a m oment .

M y G od h ow lon ely
,

Th e d ead a re !

I n th e long nights
O f bitter winter ,

Wh en th e wind m akes
Th e rafte r s c r eak ,

Wh en th e violent ra in
Lash es th e windows ,

Lonely I re m emb er
,

Th at poor girl .

Th e r e falls th e rain
With its noise eternal .

Th ere th e n orth wind

F ights with th e rain .

Stretch ed in th e hollow
O f th e d amp b ricks
P e rh ap s h er bones
F re ez e with th e cold .

Does th e d ust retu r n to d ust ?

Does th e soul y to heaven ?
I s all vile m atter ,

R ottenn e ss lth in e ss ?
,

I know not B ut .

Th ere is so m eth ing s o m e th ing

Th at I cannot expl ain ,

[ 75 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Som eth ing th at g iv e s u s

Lo ath ing t e rror
, ,

T o leave th e d ead
So alone so wretch e d
,
.

T H E HA R P

FR OM TH E S P AN I S H O F DO N G U S TAV O BE CQ U ER

In a d a rk co rne r of th e r o o m ,

Pe rh ap s fo rgotte n by it s owner ,

S ile n t a n d d im with d ust ,

I saw th e h a rp .

How m any m usics slumbe red i n its strings ,

As th e bi r d sleep s in th e b r anch es ,

Waiting th e snowy h and

Th at coul d awaken th em .

Ah m e I thought how m any m any tim e s

, , ,

Ge n iu s th us sl u m be r s i n a hu m an soul ,

Waiting a s Laza r u s waited fo r a voice

, ,

To bid h im R ise and walk .

[ 76 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

H a s g o ne fro m m e h as left h er p ri son sad

, ,

And I am b lind and alone and gone a st ray ,

Like a lost pilg rim in a d esert w ay

Wanting th e blessed guide th at once h e h ad .

Th u s with a spi rit bo w e d and m ind a blu r

I t race th e holy step s wh ere sh e h as gone ,

By valleys and by meadows and by mountains ,

And everyw h ere I catch a glimpse of h er .

Sh e takes m e by th e h and and lead s m e on ,

An d my e y e s follow h er my ey e s m ad e fount ains

, .

S ONG
On e sunny tim e in M ay
Wh en l am bs w ere spo rting ,

Th e sa p ran in th e spray
And I went cou rting ,

An d all th e apple bough s

Were b right with blossom ,

I p icked an ea rly r ose

F or my love s bosom
.

And th en I m et h er friend ,

Down by th e wate r ,

Wh o cried Sh e s met h er end ,

Th at gr e y e y e d d aughter ;
-

Th at voice of h ers is stilled

Her b e auty b ro ken .

0 m e my love i s kill e d
, ,

My love unspoken .

[ 78 ]
 THE BALLA D OF S I R B OR S

Sh e w as too sweet too cl e a r , ,

To d ie so cru el ,

0 Death W hy l e ave m e h ere

,

And t ake my j ewel ?

Her voice went to th e b on e ,

So t r ue so ringing
, ,

And now I go alone ,

Winter o r sp ringing .

TH E B ALLA D OF SI R B O R S

Wo uld I could w in so m e quiet and rest and a little ease

, ,

I n th e cool g r ey h ush of th e d usk in th e dim green pl ace of th e ,

t r ees ,

Where th e bi r d s a re S i n g i n g S i n g i ng S i n g i n g c rying alou d

, , ,

Th e song of th e red red rose th at blossom s beyond the sea s

, .

Would I could se e it th e rose when th e light b egins to fail

, , ,

And a lone wh ite sta r in th e West i s gli m m ering on th e m ail ;

Th e red r ed p assionate r ose of th e sacred blood of th e Ch rist
, ,

I n th e sh ining ch alice of God th e c u p of th e Holy Grail

, .

Th e d usk come s gathering grey a n d th e d a r kn ess d im s th e West

, ,

Th e oxen low to th e byre and all bell s ri n g to rest ;

,

B ut I rid e over th e moors for th e d usk still h id e s and waits

, ,

Th at b rim s my soul with th e glow of th e r o s e th at end s th e

Quest .

My ho r se is sp avi n ed and ribbed and h is bon e s com e th rough ,

h is h id e ,

My sword i s ro tten with rust but I sh ak e th e reins and rid e

, ,

[ 79 ]
 M ISCE LLAN EOU S POE M S

F or th e b right wh ite bird s of God th at nest in th e ros e h av e

called ,

And neve r a townsh ip now is a town wh ere I c an bide .

It w ill h ap pen at l ast at d usk a s my ho r se li m ps down th e fell

, , ,

A sta r will glow like a note God st rikes o n a silver bell ,

A n d th e b right wh ite bi r d s of God will ca rry my soul to Ch rist ,

And th e sight of th e R ose th e R ose will p ay for th e yea rs of

, ,

h e ll .

S PANI S H WAT E R S

Spanish waters Sp anish waters you a r e ringi n g in my ea r s

, , ,

Like a slow sweet piece of music from th e g r ey fo rgotten

yea r s ;
T elling tales and beating tunes and b ringi n g wea ry thought s
, ,

to m e
O f th e sandy b each at M uerto s wh ere I woul d th at I coul d b e
, .

There s a su rf b r eaks on Los M uertos and it never stop s to roa r

, ,

A n d it s th ere we ca m e to anchor and it s th ere we went a sho r e

,

,

Wh ere th e bl ue l agoon i s silent amid snags O f r otting t r ees ,

D r opping like th e clothes of co rp ses ca st u p by th e sea s .

We anchored at Los M uertos wh en th e d ipping su n was re d ,

We left h e r h alf a mil e to se a to west of Ni g er Head ;

- -
,

And b efore th e mist wa s on th e Cay befo r e th e d ay w a s do n e

, ,

We were all a shore on M uertos with th e gol d th at we h ad won .

[ 80 ]
 S PANIS H WAT E R S

We bore it th rough th e ma r sh es in a h alf score batt e red ch ests -

,

S inking in th e sucking qu agmi res to th e sun bu rn on ou r

, ,

b reasts ,

Heaving over t ree trunks ga sping d amning at th e ies and

-
, ,

h eat ,

Longing for a long d rink o u t of silve r in th e S h ip s cool laz a re e t

, ,

.

Th e moon cam e wh ite and ghostly a s we l aid th e t rea su r e down ,

T he r e wa s gea r th e r e d m ake a begga rm a n a s r ich a s Li m a T own

Copper ch a rm s and silver t rinkets from th e ch ests of Spanish

crews ,

Gold doubloons and doubl e m oy d o re s louis d ors and portagues

, ,

Clum sy yellow metal ea r rings fro m th e Ind ians of B razil

-
,

Un cut e m e r ald s o u t of Rio bezoa r sto n es from Guayaquil ;

,

Silver in th e crude and fash ioned pot s of old Arica b ronze

, , ,

Jewel s fro m th e bones o f Inca s d esecrated b y th e Dons .

We s m ooth ed th e pl ace with m attocks a n d w e took and bl azed ,

th e t ree ,

Wh ich m a r ks yon wh ere th e gea r i s hid th at n o n e will eve r

se e ,

A n d w e l aid aboa rd th e sh ip agai n a n d south away we stee r s , ,

T h rough th e loud surf of Los M uertos wh ich i s beating i n

my ea r s .

I m the l a st alive th at knows it All the rest h ave gone th eir

.

ways
Killed o r died o r come to anchor in th e O ld M ul ata s Cays
, , ,

A n d I go si n gi n g ddling old a n d sta rved and in d esp air

, , ,

And I know where all th at gold i s h id if I were only there , .

[ 81 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

. not th e way to end it all I m old and nea rly blind
t s

.
, ,

An d an old m an s p ast s a strange th ing for it never leaves

,

his m ind .

And I se e in d ream s aw h ile s th e beach th e sun s disc dipping

, , ,

red ,

And th e tall sh ip under topsail s swaying i n p a st Nigg e r Head

, , .

I d b e gl ad to step ash ore th ere Glad to take a pick and go .

T o th e lone blazed coco p alm t r ee in th e pl ace no oth e r s kn o w

-
,

And l ift th e gold and silve r th at h a s mould e r ed th e r e fo r yea rs

By th e lou d su rf of Los M uertos which i s beating in my ea rs .

CA R GO ES

Q i q u ire m e
u n of Nineveh fr o m d istant O ph i r ,

R owing hom e to h aven in sunny Palestin e ,

With a ca rgo of ivo ry ,

And a pes and peacock s ,

S and alw oo d ced a rwood and sweet wh ite wine

, , .

Stately S panish galleon coming fro m th e I sthmu s ,

Dipping th rough th e Tropics by th e p alm g r een shores -

,

With a ca rgo of d iamond s ,

E me r ald s am ethysts
, ,

Topazes and cinnamon and gol d moidores

, , .

Di rty B ritish c o aster with a salt caked smoke stack -

,

B utting th rough the Ch annel in th e m ad M a rch d ays ,

With a ca rgo of Tyn e coal ,

R oad rail s pig lead

-
,
-
,

F i rew oo d i ro n wa r e and ch ea p tin trays

,
-
, .

[ 82 ]
 CA PTA IN S TRATT ON S FA N CY

O h some a re fond of red wine and som e a r e fond of wh it e

, ,

And some ar e all for d ancing by th e pale m oo nlight ;

B ut rum alone s th e tipple and th e h ea rt s d elight
,

O f th e old bold m ate of H e n ry M organ .

O h som e a re fond of S panis h wi n e and som e a r e fond of F rench

, ,

And so m e ll s w allow t ay and stu ff t o n ly for a wench ;

B ut I m for right Ja m aica t ill I roll beneath th e bench

,

S ays th e old b old m at e of Hen ry Morgan .

O h s o m e a r e for th e l ily and some a re for th e rose

, ,

B ut I am for th e suga r can e th at in Jam aica g r ow s ;

-

F or it s th at th at m ak e s th e b o nny d rink to wa rm my copper

nose ,

Says th e old bo ld m at e o f H e n ry Morgan .

O h s o m e a r e fond o f ddle s and a s o ng well sung

, ,

And so m e a re all for m usic for to l ilt upon th e tongue ;

B ut mouth s were m ad e for tankard s a n d for sucking a t th e,

b ung ,

S ays th e old bold m at e of Hen ry Morgan .

O h som e a re fond of d ancing and s o m e a r e fo nd of d ic e

, ,

And some a re all fo r red lip s and p r etty lass e s ey e s ;
,

B ut a right Jama ica puncheon is a n er p riz e

To th e o ld b o ld m ate of Hen ry M o rgan .

[ 83 ]
 M I SC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

O h so m e th at s good and godly ones th ey hold tha t it s a sin

T o t r oll th e j olly bowl a r ound and let th e do lla rs spin ;

,

B ut I m for tole r ation and for d ri n ki n g at an inn

,

S ays th e old bold m ate of Hen ry Morgan .

O h som e are sad and wretch ed folk th at go in silken suits ,

And th ere s a m ort of wicked r ogues th at live in good reputes ;

So I m for d rinking honestly and dying in my boots

, ,

Like an old bold m ate of Hen ry Morgan .

A N OL D S ONG R E S U NG

I saw a sh ip a sailing a s ailing a sailing

-
,
-
,
-
,

With eme r ald s and r ub ies and sap ph i r es in h er hold ;

A n d a bosun i n a blue coat b a w li n g at th e r ailing ,

Pipi n g th r ough a silve r call th at h ad a ch ain of gold ;

Th e su m mer wind wa s failing and th e tall sh ip rolled .

I saw a sh ip a steering a steering astee r i n g

-
,
-
, ,

With r oses in r ed th read w orked upon h er s ails ;

With sacks of p u r ple a m ethysts th e spoils of b uccaneering , ,

Ski n s of m usky yellow wine and silks i n b ales , ,

He r m erry m en were chee r ing h auling on th e b ra il s , .

I saw a sh ip a sinking a si n ki n g a sinki n g

-
,
-
,
-
,

With glittering se a water splash i n g on h er d e cks

-
,

With seame n in h er S pi r it room si n ging songs and d rinking

-
,

Pulling cla r et bottles down and knocking off th e necks

, ,

Th e b roken glass was ch inki n g a s sh e sank am o n g th e w re ck s .

[ 84 1
 L ONDO N T OWN

O h Lond o n Town s a ne town and London sights a re rar e

, ,

And London al e is righ t ale a n d b risk s th e London ai r

,

,

And b u sily goes th e world th ere but crafty g r ows th e mind

, ,

And London Town of all towns I m glad to l e ave beh ind .

Then h e y for cro ft and hop yard and h ill a n d eld and pond
-
, , , ,

With B r e don Hill b efore m e and M alve m Hill beyo n d .

The h awtho rn wh ite i th e h edge r ow and all th e sp ring s atti r e

I n th e c o mely l and of Tem e and Lugg and Clent and Cle e , , ,

and Wyre .

O h London girls a re b rav e girls in silk and cloth 0 gold

,

,

An d London shop s are ra re shop s where gallant th ings a re sold

, ,

And bonnily clinks th e gold there but d rowsily bl i n ks th e eye

, ,

An d London Town of all town s I m gl ad to h urry by

.

Then h ey for cov e rt and w o odl and and ash and el m and oak
, , ,

T ewkesb u ry inns and M alve m roofs a n d Worcester ch imney

, ,

smoke ,

Th e appl e trees in th e o r ch ard th e cattl e in th e byre

, ,

And all th e l and from Ludlow town to B redon ch u rch s spi r e

.

O h London tunes a re n e w t un e s and London book s a r e wise

, ,

And Londo n plays a r e rare pl ays and ne to cou n t ry eyes

, ,

B ut c r aftily fares th e knave th ere and wick edly fa re s th e Jew

, ,

And L o ndon T o wn of all towns I m gl ad to h urry th rough

.

[ 86 ]
 THE E M IG R ANT

So h ey fo r th e r o ad th e w e st road b y mill and fo rg e and fold

, , ,

Scent o f th e fern and song of th e la rk b y b rook and eld and , ,

wold ,

To th e com e ly folk at th e h e a rth S t o n e and th e t al k b e sid e th e

-

re
,

I n th e h e a rty land wh e r e I was b r e d my land o f h e a rt s d es ire
, , .

TH E EM IG R AN T

Goi n g by D aly s sh anty I h e ard th e boys with in
D ancing th e S p anish hornpipe to D r iscoll s violi n
,

I h eard th e se a boots sh aking th e rough pl ank s of th e oo r

-
,

B ut I w as going w e stward I h adn t hea rt for more

,

.

All d own th e windy village th e nois e rang in my ears ,

O ld se a b oots stam ping sh u Iin g it b rought th e b itter tea rs

, , ,

Th e old tune p ip e d a nd q u av e r e d th e l ilts cam e clea r a nd strong

, ,

B ut I w as going westwa rd I c o uld n t j oin th e song

,

.

There were th e gre y st o n e houses th e night wind blowing ke en

, ,

Th e h ill sid es p al e with mo o nlight th e young corn sp ringing

-
,

green ,

Th e h ea rth nooks lit and kindly with d ea r friend s g o od to se e

, ,

B ut I w as going westwa rd and th e ship wa it e d m e

,
.

[ 87 ]
 PO RT OF H OLY P ET ER
Th e blue l agun a rocks and q uive r s ,

Dull gu rgling edd ies twist and sp in ,

Th e clim ate does for people s livers

,

It s a nasty pl a ce to anchor in
I s S p anish po rt ,

F ever po rt ,

Po r t of Holy P e ter .

Th e town b egin s on th e se ab e ach es ,

And th e town s m ad with th e stinging i es

,

T h e d rinking water s mostly leeches

,

It s a fa r re m ove from Pa radise
I s S p anish p o r t ,

F ever po r t ,

Po r t of Holy Peter .

There s sand bagging and th roat slitting

- -
,

And quiet g r aves in th e se a sli m e ,

S t abbing of cou rse a n d ru m h itting

, ,
-
,

Dirt and d rink and stink and c rime

, , , ,

In Sp a n ish port ,

F ever po rt ,

Po r t o f Holy Peter .

All th e d ay th e W ind s blowing
F ro m th e sick s w am p below th e h ills ,

All th e night th e plague s g rowi n g

,

And th e d awn b r ings th e fever ch ills ,

[ 88 ]
 TH E S EEK ER S

F riend s and loves w e h ave none nor wealth nor blesse d abode
, ,

B ut th e h o pe of th e C ity o f God at th e othe r end of th e r oad

.
.

Not for U S a re cont e nt and quiet and peace of mind

, , ,

F or we go seeking a city th at w e sh all never nd .

There i s no sol ace on ea rth for u s

for such a s w e
Who sea rch fo r a h idd en city th at w e sh all n ever se e .

Only th e road and th e d awn th e sun th e wi n d and th e rain

, , , ,

And th e watch re under stars and sleep and th e r o ad again

, , .

We seek th e City of God and th e h aunt wh e r e b eauty d w ells

, ,

And w e nd th e noisy m a rt and th e sound of b u ri al bel ls .

Never th e gold e n city wh ere rad iant peopl e m eet

, ,

B ut th e dolorou s town wh ere mou rners a re going about th e

street.

We t ravel th e d usty road till th e light of th e d ay is dim ,

An d sun set sh ows u s spires away on th e wo r ld s rim

.

We t ravel from d awn to d usk till th e d ay i s p ast and by

, ,

Seeking th e Holy City b eyond th e rim of th e sk y .

F riend s and loves w e h ave none nor wealth nor blest abode
, ,

But th e hope of th e City of God at th e oth er end of th e road .

[ 90 ]
 P RAY ER
When th e la st sea i s sailed when th e last sh allow s cha rted
,

,

Wh en th e l ast eld is reaped a n d the last h a rvest stored

, ,

When th e l a st re is out and th e last guest depa rted ,

Grant th e l ast p rayer th at I sh all p r ay be good to m e O Lo rd

, , .

And let m e p a ss in a night at se a a night of sto rm and thunder

, ,

I n th e loud c rying of the wind th rough sail and rope and spa r ,

Send me a ninth g r eat peaceful wave to d rown and me under

To th e col d r unny sh s home whe r e the d rown ed galleons a re
-

And in th e dim green quiet place fa r out of sight and hea ring ,

G r ant I m ay h ea r at whiles th e wash and th r esh of the sea foam -

About th e ne kee n bows of th e stately clippe r s steeri n g

Towa rd s th e lone no rthern star and th e fair port s of h o me .

DAWN

Th e d awn com e s cold : the h aystack smokes ,

The green twigs crackle in th e re ,

The d e w is d r ipping from the oaks

'

A n d sleepy men bea r milking yokes -

S lowly towa rd s the cattle by r e -

.

Down in th e tow n a clock strikes six ,

The g r ey east heaven bu rns and glows ,

The d ew sh ines on th e thatch of ricks ,

A S low old crone comes gathering sticks ,

Th e red cock in the ox yard c rows - .

[ 91 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S P OE M S

B eyond th e stack wh ere we h ave l ain

Th e road runs twisted like a snake
( T h e wh ite r oad to th e land of Spain ) ,

T h e r oad th at we m ust foot again ,

Though th e feet h alt and th e h ea rt ache .

LA U G H AN D B E M ER R Y

Laugh and b e me r ry re m e m be r better th e wo rld with a song

, , ,

B ette r th e world with a blow i n th e teeth of a w ro n g .

La ugh , fo r th e ti m e is b r ief a th r ea d th e le n g t h of a spa n

, .

Laugh a n d b e p roud to b elong to th e old p roud pageant of m an .

Laugh a n d b e m e r ry : re m embe r in olde n ti m e , .

God m ad e Heaven and E a rth fo r j oy He took i n a rhy m e ,

M ade th e m a n d lled them full with th e strong r ed wine of

,

His m i rth ,

Th e splend id j oy of th e sta r s : th e j oy of th e ea rth .

So w e mu st l augh a n d d rink from th e deep blue cup of the sky ,

Join th e j ubila n t so n g of the g r eat sta rs sw eepi n g by ,

Laugh a n d b attl e a n d wo r k a n d d ri n k of th e wi n e outpou red

, , ,

I n th e d ea r g r ee n earth th e S ign of th e j oy of th e Lord

, .

Laugh and b e m e r ry togeth e r like b rothe r s aki n , ,

Guesti n g awhile 1n th e roo m s of a beautiful in n ,

Gl ad till the d a n ci n g stop s and th e lil t of th e mu sic end s

, .

Laugh till th e game is pl ayed ; and be you merry my fr iend s , .

[ 92 1
 ROA DWAY S

One road lead s to Lond o n ,

On e road runs to Wales ,

My road leads m e seaward s

To th e white dipping sail s .

On e roa d lead s to th e river ,

As it goes singing slow ;

My road lead s to sh ipp ing ,

Wh ere th e b r onzed sailo r s go .

Lead s m e l ures m e call s m e

, ,

To salt green tossing se a ;

A roa d without ea rth s road d ust

Is th e right roa d for me .

A wet roa d h eaving sh ining , ,

An d wild with seagull s cries

A m a d salt sea wind blow i n g

-

Th e salt sp ray in my eyes .

My road call s me l u r es m e
,

West east south and n o rth ;

, , ,

Most road s lead m en hom ewards ,

M y road lead s m e fo rth

To ad d more miles to th e tally

O f g r ey miles left b ehind ,

In quest o f th at on e beauty
Go d put m e he r e to nd .

[ 94 ]
 MI DSU MM ER NIG HT

Th e p e rfect d isc of th e sacred moon

Th ro ugh still blue heaven seren e ly swims ,

And th e lone bird s l iquid m usic brim s
The peace of th e night with a p erfect tune .

This i s th at holiest night of th e y e a r

Wh e n (th e mowers say ) may b e h ea rd and s ee n
Th e gh ostly cou rt of th e E nglish q ueen ,

Wh o rid e s to h arry and h unt the deer .

And th e w oo dland cre ature s cower awake ,

A strange unrest is on h a rts and do e s ,

F or th e m aid e n Dian a h unting g oe s

-
,

An d th e tre mbl ing d e er ar e afoo t in th e b rake .

They sta rt at a sh aken leaf : the sound

O f a d ry twig snapp e d by a squi rr el s foot
I s a na m eless d read : a n d to the m th e hoot
O f a mousin g ow l is th e cry o f a h o und .

O h soon th e forest will ring with c ries ,

Th e d im green coverts will ash : th e gras s

Will glow a s th e rad ia n t h unt e rs pass
Aft e r th e qu a r ry with bu rning eyes .

Th e h u rrying feet will range unstayed

O f q u e sting goddess and h u n ted fawn ,

Till th e east i s grey with th e sacred d awn ,

And th e r e d cock wakens th e m ilking maid .

[ 9s ]
 THE .
H A R P ER S S ONG

Th is s w eetness trembling fro m th e st rings

Th e m usic o f my t r oublous lu t e
Hath ti m ed H e r odias d aughter s foot ;

S etting a clink h e r ankle rings

- -

Wh en as sh e d anced to feasted kings .

Wh ere g e mm e d ap p a rel b u rned a n d caught

T h e s u n set neath th e golden dom e

,

T o th e d a rk b eauties of old R o m e
My so r rowful lute h ath h aply b rough t
S ad m e m o ries sweet with tend er th ought .

Wh en night h ad fallen and lights and res

Were d a r kened in th e homes of m e n ,

Som e sighing echo sti r red and th en

Th e old cu n ning wakened fr om th e wires
Th e old so rr ows and th e Old d esires .

Dead Ki n gs i n long fo rgotten l and s ,

An d all d ead b eauteous women ; som e

Wh ose p rid e i m perial h ath becom e
O ld a rm ou r rusti n g i n th e sand s
And sh a rd s of i ron in d usty h and s
,

H ave h eard my lyre s soft rise and fal l
Go t r embli n g down th e paven ways ,

T ill every h ea rt w as all ablaz e

H asty each foot to ob ey th e call
To t riumph o r to fu n e r al .

[ 96 ]
 TH E D EA D K NIG HT

Th e cleanly ru sh of th e m ountain air ,

And th e m umbling grum bling h umble b ee s

,
-
,

Are th e only th ings th at wand e r th e re .

T h e piti ful bones a re laid at ease ,

T h e gra ss h as grown in h i s t angled h ai r ,

An d a ramb ling b ramb l e b ind s h i s knees .

To sh ri e ve h is soul fr om th e p angs of h ell ,

Th e only requie m b ells th at rang

We r e th e h a r eb ell and th e h eath er bell .

Hush ed h e is with th e h oly spell

I n th e gentl e hym n th e win d s ang ,

And h e l ies q uiet and sleep s w e ll

, .

H e is bleach ed and blanch ed with th e summer su n :

Th e m isty rain and th e Cold d ew

H ave altered h im from th e kingly one
Wh om h is lady lov e d and h is m en knew
, ,

An d dwind led h im to a skeleton .

Th e v e tches h av e twined ab o ut h is bon e s ,

Th e straggli n g ivy twists and creep s

In h is e ye sockets : th e nettle keep s
-

V igil about h im wh ile h e s leep s .

Over h is body th e wind moans

With a d reary t un e th r oughout th e d ay ,

In a cho ru s wistful ee rie th in

, ,

As th e gulls cry as th e c ry in th e bay
, ,

Th e m o u m fu l wo r d th e seas s ay
Wh e n tid e s a re wand e ring out or in .

[ 98 1
 S O RR OW O F MY DATH

Wea ry th e c ry of the wind is wea ry th e se a

, ,

Wea ry the hea rt and th e m ind and th e body of me ,

Would I w er e out of it done with it w ould I could be

, ,

A wh ite gul l crying along the desolate sand s

O utcast d erelict soul in a body accurst

, ,

Standing d rench ed with th e spind rift standing ath i r st, ,

F o r th e cool g r een waves of death to a rise and bu rst

In a tid e of q uiet for m e on th e d esolate sand s .

Would th at th e waves and th e long wh ite h air of th e spray

Would gath er in splend id terror and blot m e a w ay
,

To th e sunless pl ac e of the wrecks where th e waters s w ay

Gently d r e am ily quietly over desolate s and s
, , .

TWILIG HT
Twi light it is and th e far woods a re d im and th e rooks c ry
, ,

and cal l .

Down in th e valley th e lamps and th e mist and a star over all

, , ,

There b y th e rick w h ere they th resh is th e d ro n e at a n end

, , ,

Twilight it is and I travel the road with my fri end

,
.

I think of th e friend s w h o a r e d e ad w h o were d ear long ago

,

in th e p ast ,

B e autiful friend s w h o a re dead though I know th at d e ath

,

cannot last ;
F riend s with th e be autiful e y e s th at th e d ust h as d e le d ,

B e autifu l so uls w h o w e r e g e ntl e wh e n I wa s a child .

[ 99 ]
 I NVO C AT ION

O wand erer into m any b rains ,

0 S pa rk th e em peror s purple h id es

,

You sow th e d usk with ery grains

Wh en th e gold horsem an rid es .

0 b eauty on th e d arkness h urled ,

B e it th rough m e you sh am e th e wo r ld .

P O S T ED AS M I S S ING
U nder all h er topsails sh e trembled like a stag ,

Th e wind m ad e a r ipp le in h er bonny red ag ;

They ch eered h er from th e shore and th ey ch eered h er fro m
th e p ier,

And und er all h er tops ails sh e tremb led like a d eer .

So sh e p ass e d swaying wh ere th e green seas r u n

, ,

Her wi n d stead ied topsails were stately i n th e su n ;

-

Th e r e w as glitter on th e w ater from h er red port light ,

So sh e p assed swaying till sh e w as out of sight

,
.

Long and long ago it was a weary ti m e it is

, ,

Th e bones of h er s ailor m en a re co r al pl ants by th is ;

-

Coral plants and sh ark weed and a m e rm aid s co m b
,
-
, ,

And if the sh ers net th em th ey never b r i n g th em hom e .

It

rough on sailors women Th ey h ave to m angle h a r d
s

.
,

And stitch at d ungarees t ill th eir n g e r e n d s a r e sca rr ed

-
,

T h inking of th e s ailor men who sang among th e crowd

-
,

Hoisting of h er tops ail s when sh e sailed so proud .

I1 00 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

An d I sh all know in ang ry word s

, ,

I n gibes and mocks and m any a tear

, , ,

A ca r rion ock of ho m ing bird s -

,

Th e gibes and sco rn s I uttered h ere .

Th e b rave wo r d th at I failed to spea k

Will b rand m e d a stard on th e ch e e k .

And a s I wander on th e road s

I sh all b e h elped and h ealed and blessed ;
Dea r wo r d s sh all ch eer and b e as goad s
To u rge to h eights befo r e unguessed .

My r oad sh all b e th e road I m ade ;

All th at I gave sh all b e rep aid .

S o sh all I ght so sh all I tread

, ,

I n th is long w ar beneath th e sta r s ;

S o sh all a glory wreath e my h ead ,

So sh all I faint and sh ow th e sca rs ,

U ntil th is ca se th is clogging mould

, ,

B e smithied all to kingly gold .

W H EN B ONY D EATH

Wh en bony Death h as ch illed h er gentl e blood ,

And d immed th e b rightness of h e r wistful eyes ,

An d ch anged h er glo riou s beauty into m ud

B y h i s old skill in h ateful wizard ries ;

Wh en an ol d l ich ened m arble st rives to tell

How sweet a g r a ce how red a lip wa s h ers ;
,

Wh en rh eumy grey b eard s say I knew her well
-
, ,

Showing th e grave to cu rious wo r shippers ;

[ 1 02 ]
 HER H EA R T

When all th e ros e s th at sh e s ow e d in m e

Have d ripp e d th e ir crimson petal s and d e cay e d ,

Leaving no gre e n e ry on any t r ee

Th at h er d ea r h and s in my h ea rt s g a rden laid

Th en grant old Time to my green mould ering skull

, , ,

Th e s e s o ngs m ay keep her memory bea utiful .

H E R H EA RT

Her h e a rt i s always doing lovely th ings ,

F illing my wintry mi n d with si m ple owers ;

Pl aying sweet tunes on my untun ed strings ,

D e lighting all my undelightful hours .

Sh e plays m e like a l ute wh at tun e sh e will

, ,

No st ring in me but trembles at her touch ,

Sh akes into sacred music o r i s still , ,

Trembles o r stops o r swells her skill i s such

, , .

And in th e d usty t avern of my soul

Wh ere lthy lusts d rink witches b rew for wi n e ,

Her gentle h and still keeps m e from th e bowl ,

Still k e ep s m e m an saves m e from being swine

, .

All gra ce in m e all sweetness in my vers e

, ,

I s hers i s my d ea r girl s and only hers
, , .
 B EING H E R FR I EN D

B eing h er fr iend I do not care not I

, , ,

How god s or m en m ay wrong me beat m e down ; ,

Her word s s ui c ien t sta r to t r avel by

I count h er quiet p r aise suicie n t crown .

B eing h er fr iend I do not covet gold

, ,

S ave for a royal gift to give h er plea sure ;

To S it with h er and h ave h e r h and to hold
, ,

IS wealth I th ink su rp a ssing minted t r ea su r e

, , .

B eing her friend I only cov e t a rt

, ,

A w h ite p u re a m e to sea rch m e a s I t r ace

I n crooked letters from a th robb ing h ea rt
Th e hymn to b eauty w ritten on her face .

F R AG M ENT S

Troy Town i s covered u p with weed s ,

T he r abbits and th e pismires b rood

O n b roken gold and sh ard s and bead s
, ,

Wh ere Priam s ancient p ala ce stood .

Th e oors of m any a gallant house

A r e m atted with th e r oots of g r ass ;
Th e glow worm and th e ni m ble mouse
-

A m ong h e r r ui n s it and p a ss .

[ 1 04 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Th e y knew all wisdom for th e y kn e w ,

Th e s o ul s of those E gypti an Kings

Who lea rned in ancient Babilu
, ,

Th e beauty o f immort al th ings .

They kn e w all b e auty wh e n th e y th o ught

Th e ai r ch imed like a st ricken lyre ,

The e lemental bi rd s w e re wrought ,

Th e g o lden b i rd s became a re .

And straight to b usy camp s and m a rt s

Th e singing ame s were swiftly gone ;
Th e trembling leaves of h um an h earts
Hid b ough s for th e m to p erch u pon .

A nd m e n in d e sert pl aces men ,

Ab andoned b ro ken sick with fea rs

, , ,

R ose singing swung thei r swords agen

, ,

And l augh ed and d ied among th e spears .

Th e gree n and g r e edy sea s h ave d ro wn e d

Th at city s glittering wall s and towers ,

Her sunken mina rets a re crowned

With red and russet wat e r ow e r s -
.

In t o w e rs and roo m s and golden cou rts

Th e sh adowy c o ral l ifts h er sprays ;
Th e scrawl h ath gorged h e r b roken orts ,

Th e sh ark doth h aunt h er h idden ways .

[ 1 06 ]
 B OR N FO R NOU G H T E LS E

B ut at th e falling o f th e tid e
, ,

Th e gol den bi rd s still sing and gle am ,

Th e Atl ant e ans h av e not d ied ,

I mm o rtal th ings still give u s d r e am .

Th e d r e am th at res m an s hea rt to mak e ,

To b uild to do to sing o r say

, ,

A bea uty D e ath c an never take ,

An Ad am from th e crumbled cl ay .

B O R N FOR NOU G HT EL S E

Born for nought else for noth ing but for this
, ,

To watch th e soft b lood th robbing in h e r th roat ,

To th ink how comely sweet her body is ,

And lea rn th e p o em of her face b y rot e .

B o rn fo r n o ught el se b ut to attem pt a rhym e

Th at sh all d escri be her womanhood a right ,

And m ake h er holy to th e e n d of Time ,

And be my soul s acquittal in God s sight .

Bo rn for nought el s e b ut to e xpressly ma rk

Th e m usic of h e r d ea r d eliciou s ways ;
Born but to perish meanly in th e d ark ,

Y e t bo rn to b e th e m an to S ing h e r p rais e .

B o rn fo r nought e l se : th e re is a spi rit tells

My lot s a King s being b o rn for noth ing else

,
.

[ 1 07 ]
 T EW K E S B U R Y R OA D

It is good to b e out on th e road and going o n e knows not wh ere

, ,

Going th rough m eadow and village o n e knows not wh ith er,

n or w h y ;
Th rough th e g r ey light d rift of th e d ust in th e keen cool rush
,

of th e ai r ,

U nd er th e ying wh ite cloud s and th e b road blue lift of

,

th e sk y.

And to h alt at th e ch atte r ing b rook in th e tall g r een fe rn at

,

th e b ri n k
Whe r e th e h a rebell grows and th e gorse and th e foxgloves
, ,

p u r ple a n d wh ite ;
Wh ere th e shy eyed delicate d eer troop down to th e b rook to
-

d r ink
Wh en th e sta rs a re m ellow and la rge at th e co m ing on of th e
night .

O to feel th e b eat of th e rai n and th e homely sm ell of th e ea rth

, , ,

I s a tune fo r the blood to j ig to a j oy p ast powe r of wo r d s ;

,

And th e blessed green comely meadows a re all a ri ppl e with -

m i rth
At th e noise of th e l am b s at pl ay and th e d ea r wild c ry of th e
bi rd s
.

[ 1 08 ]
 M I SC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Sinc e I h av e lea rned how wi se and p assing wise

IS th e d ea r friend whose b eaut y I extol ,

An d know how sweet a soul looks th rough th e e y e s ,

Th at a re so p u re a window to h e r soul ;

Since I h ave lea rned how ra re a wom an shows

As m uch in all sh e does a s in h er looks ,

And seen th e b eauty of her sh am e the rose ,

And dim th e beauty writ about in b ooks ;

All I h av e lea rned and can l ea rn shows m e th is

, ,

How scant h o w slight my knowledge of her is

, , .

TH E WATC H IN TH E WOO D

Wh en Death h as l aid h er in hi s quiet ude ,

And dimmed th e glow of h er b enign ant st a r ,

He r tired limb s sh all rest with in a wood ,

In a gre e n glad e wh ere oaks and b eech es a r e ,

Wh ere th e sh y fawn s th e p retty fawn s th e d eer

, , ,

With m ild b rown eyes sh all view h er S pi rit s h usk ;
Th e sl eeping wo m an of h er will ap pea r ,

Th e m aid en Dian S h i n ing th rough th e d usk .

And wh en th e stars a re wh ite a s twiligh t fail s

, ,

And th e green l eaves a re h u sh ed and th e wind s swoon

, ,

Th e calm p ure th rilling th roats of nightingales

Sh all hymn h e r sleepin g b e auty to th e mo o n .

[ 1 10 ]
 (1 I A hd .

All th e wo od s h ushed save for a d ri pping ro s e

~

All th e wood s d im sav e wh e r e a glow w o rm glows -
.

B rimming th e quiet wo od s with holin e ss ,

Th e l o n e b rown bi rd s will hymn h er till th e d awn ,

Th e d elicat e sh y d ap pled d e er will p ress

, ,

Soft pitying muzzl e s on h e r swath ed lawn .

Th e littl e p r e tty rabbits running b y .

Will p ause among th e d ewy gra s s to peep ,

Th ei r th uddin g h e a rts a rig h t e d t o e spy

The m aid e n Dian lying th e re asl ee p .

B rown l ustrou s pl acid e y e s o f sylvan th ings

, ,

Will w o nd er at th e quiet in h er face ,

Whil e from th e th o rny branch th e singer b rings

B e auty and p e ac e t o th at imm o rtal place .

U ntil th e gr e y d awn sets th e wood s a sti r

Th e p ur e bird s th rilling p salm will mou rn fo r h e r

.

C L M
. . .

In th e d ark womb wh ere I b egan

My moth er s life made m e a m an

.

Th ro ugh all th e month s of human bi rth

Her b eauty fed my common ea rth .

I cannot s ee nor b reath e nor stir

, , ,

B ut th rough th e d eath of s o me o f her .

[ 111 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S PO E M S

Down in th e d arkness of th e grav e

Sh e cannot se e th e life sh e gave .

F o r all h e r love sh e cannot tell

'

Wh eth er I u se it ill or well ,

No r knock at d usty doo r s to nd

Her beauty d usty in th e mind .

I f th e grave s gates could b e undone ,

Sh e would not know h e r little son ,

I am so grown I f w e should m eet

.

Sh e would p a ss by m e in th e street ,

U nl ess my soul s face let h er see
My sense of wh at sh e did for m e .

Wh at h ave I done to keep in mind

My d ebt to h er and wom ankind ?

Wh at wom an s h a ppier life rep ays
Her for those month s of wr e tch ed d ays ?
F o r all my mouthl ess body leech ed
E r e B i rth s relea sing h ell wa s reach ed ?

Wh at h ave I do n e o r t ried o r said , ,

I n th ank s to th at d ea r wom an d ead ?

M en t ri u m ph ove r wom en S till ,

M e n t r ampl e wom en s rights at will

And m an s lust roves th e w o rl d untamed

.

O grave k e ep sh ut lest I b e sh amed

, .

[ 1 12 ]
 M ISC E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Grey were h er eyes and h er h air w as long and b o nny

, ,

Golden was h er h ai r lik e th e wild b e es hon e y

,

.

And I w as b ut a dog and a m ad one to d esp ise

, ,

Th e gold of h e r h air and th e grey of h e r eyes .

There s the se a b efore m e and my hom e s beh ind me

,

,

And beyond th er e th e strang e l and s where nobody will m ind m e,

No one b u t th e girls with th e p aint U pon th ei r cheeks ,

Who sell away th e ir b e auty to whom so e ver se e ks .

T h ere ll b e d rink and wom e n th e re and songs and l aughter

, ,

Peace fro m wh at i s p a st and fro m all th at follows after ;

And a fellow will forget how a wom an l ies awake ,

Lonely in th e nigh t watch c ry i ng fo r his sake .

Bla ck it b l o ws and bad and it howl s like sl aughter ,

And th e sh ip sh e sh ud ders a s sh e t akes the water .

Hissi n g ies th e S pind rift like a wind blown smoke

-
,

And I th ink o f a w o m an and a h e art I b rok e .

TH E WIL D D U C K

Twilight R ed in th e west
. .

D imness A glow on th e wood

. .

Th e team s pl o d h om e to rest .

Th e wild d uck come to glean .

O soul s not und erstood ,

Wh at a wild c ry in th e pool ;
Wh at th ings h av e th e fa rm d ucks se e n
Th at th ey c ry so h uddl e and c ry ?
[ U 4 ]
 C H R IS T MAS , 1 903

Only th e soul th at goes .

E ag e r E ager F lying
. . .

Over th e globe of th e moon ,

Ov e r th e w oo d th at glow s .

Wings linked Necks a strain

.
-
,

A rush and a wild crying .

A c ry of th e long pain
In th e re e d s of a steel lagoon .

In a l and th at n o m an kn ows .

CHR I S T MA S , 1 903

O th e se a b re ez e will b e steady and th e tall ship s going t rim

, ,

,

And th e d ark blu e skies a r e p aling and th e wh ite sta r s b u rning

,

d im ;
Th e long night watch is over and th e long se a roving do n e
,
-
,

And y o nd e r light is th e Sta rt Po int light and yonder com e s the ,

sun .

0, w e h av e b ee n with th e Sp aniard s and fa r and l o ng on th e se a ;

,

B ut there a r e th e twisted ch imneys and th e gnarled old in n s on

,

th e quay .

Th e wind blows keen a s th e d ay b reaks th e roofs a re wh ite with ,

th e ri m e ,

And th e chu rch b e lls ring as the sun comes up to call m e n i n to

-

Prim e .

[ U s]
 M IS C E LLAN EOU S POE M S

Th e ch u r ch bell s rock and j angle and there i s peace on th e

-
,

ea rth .

Pea ce and good w ill and plenty and Ch ri stm a s games and m i rth .

O th e gold gli n ts b right on th e wi n d vane a s it sh ifts above th e

,
-

squi r e s h ouse

,

And th e wate r of th e b a r of S alcom be is muttering about th e

bows .

O th e salt se a tid e of Salcombe it wrinkles into wisp s of foa m

, , ,

And th e ch u rch bells r i n g i n S alcomb e to r ing poo r sa ilo r s ho m e

-
.

T h e belfry rocks a s th e bells ri n g th e ch i m es a r e me r ry a s a so n g

, ,

T h ey ri n g ho m e wanderi n g s ailors w h o h ave been homeless long .

TH E WO R D

My fr iend my bonny friend wh en we a re old

, , ,

And h and in h and go totteri n g d own th e h ill ,

M ay w e b e rich in love s re n ed gold

,

M ay love s gold coin b e cu rrent with us still .

M ay love b e sw eeter for th e vanish ed d ays ,

And you r most p e r fect beauty still as d ea r

As w h en your t roubled singer stood at gaze
In th e d ea r M arch of a most s acred y ea r .

M ay wh at w e a r e b e all w e m ight h ave b een ,

A n d th at pote ntial pe rfect 0 m y friend

, , ,

A n d m ay th ere still be m a n y sh eafs to glean

I n ou r love s acre com rade till th e end

, , .

And m ay w e nd wh en end ed is th e p age

, ,

Death b ut a t avern on ou r pilgrim age .

[ 1 16 ]
Th y p la ce i: biggy d a bove th e : te rry: clee r,
N oon e rth e ly p aley : w r ou h te i n : o : ta tly wy :e ,
Com on m y fr ee n d , m y br oth ir m oo: t e n te e r ,
For th e I m y blood in : e
: a cr i .

JOHN
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

A friend of mine who used to be ,

As bl ack a S p rig of hell as me ,

With whom I d planned to s ave e n c ro ach in , ,

Wh ich eld s and cov e rts each sh o uld poach in .

Now wh en h e saw m e se t my snare ,

H e tell s m e Get to hell from th ere .

Th is eld is m ine h e says b y right ; , ,

I f you p o ach h er e th ere ll be a ght , .

O ut n o w h e says and l e ave y o u r wi r e ;
, ,

It s mine .

I t ain t

.

You put .

Yo u li ar .

You c losh y put .

You bloody l iar .

Th is is my eld .

Th is is my wire .

I m ruler here .

You ain t .

I ll gh t you for it .

R ight by d amn
, .

Not now though I v e a sprained my thumb
, ,
-
,

We ll ght after th e h a rvest h um

.

And Sila s Jones th at bookie wid e , ,

Will m ake a p u rse ve pound s a s ide .

Those were th e wo r d s th at w as th e pl ac e ,

By wh ich God b rought m e into grace .

O n Wood To p F ield th e peewits go

M ewing and wh eeling ever so ;
And lik e th e sh aking of a timb re !
Cackl e s th e l aught e r of th e wh imb r e l .

[ 1 22 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

I n th e old q u a rry pit th ey say -

H e ad k e eper Pike w as m ad e away

-
.

He walks h e ad k e ep e r Pike for h a rm

,
-
, ,

He ta ps th e windows o f th e fa rm ;
Th e blood d rips from h is b roken ch in ,

He ta ps and begs to b e l e t in .

On Wo od T o p nights I ve sh ak e d t o h ark
, ,

Th e p e ewits wambling in th e d ark

Lest in th e d a rk th e old man might
Creep up t o m e t o b e g a light .

B ut Wood Top grass is short and sw e et

And sp ringy to a b o x e r s fee t ;

At h a rvest h um th e m o on s o b right
Did shin e on Wood T o p fo r th e ght .

Wh en B ill w as stripped down to h is bend s

I th o ught how long w e tw o d been friends
,

And in my m ind about th at wire , ,

I th o ugh t He s right I am a lia r

, .

As sur e a s skilly s m ad e in p rison

Th e right to poach th at copse is h is n .

I ll h ave no luck to night th i n ks I

-
, .

I m ghting to d efend a lie

.

And th is moonsh iny evening s fun

I s wors e th an a ught I ve ever do n e .

And th inking th at way my hea rt bl e d so

I almost stept to B ill and s aid so .

And now B ill s d ead I would b e glad

If I could only th ink I h ad .

But no I p ut th e thought away

.

F or fea r of wh at my friend s would say .

[ 1 23 ]
 THE EVE R LA S T IN G M E R CY

Th ey d b acked m e se e ? 0 Lord th e sin

, ,

Done for th e th i n gs there s money in .

Th e stakes we r e d r ove th e ropes were h itch ed

, ,

Into th e ri n g my h at I p itched .

My co rne r faced th e S quire s p a rk

J ust wh e r e th e r t r ees m ake it d a rk ;

T h e pl ace wh e r e I begu n poo r Nell
U pon th e wom an s road to h ell

.

I th ought of t sitting in m y corner

,

Afte r th e tim e keep st ru ck h is w am e r

-

( T wo b r andy asks fo r fea r of noise

, ,

Cli n ked out th e t i m e to us tw o boys ) .

And wh ile m y second s ch afed and gloved m e

I th ough t of Nell s eyes wh en sh e loved m e

And wondered how my tot would end ,

F i r st Nell ca st O IT and now my fr iend ;

A n d in th e m oo nligh t d im and wan
I knew q uite well my l uck w as go n e ;
A n d looki n g round I felt a spite
At all wh o d com e to see m e ght ;

The ve and forty h um an fa ces

In am e d by d rink and goi n g to races ,

F aces of m en who d n ever been

M erry or true or live o r clean ;

Wh o d never felt th e boxe r s t rim

O f b r ain d ivinely knit to limb ,

No r felt th e wh ol e live body go

On e tingling h ealth from top to toe ;
No r took a punch nor give n a swing ,

B ut j ust soaked d eady rou n d th e ri n g

Until th eir b rains and blood s w e re foul
[ 1 24 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

No one fo r m e b ut Jimmy s light
,

Straight left ! Stra ight left ! and Watch h is right .

I don t know how a boxer goes

Wh en all h is body hum s fro m b lows ;

I know I seem ed to rock and spi n ,

I don t know how I saved my ch in ;
I know I thought my o n ly friend
Was th at C linked ask at each round s end

Wh en my two second s E d and Jim my , ,

H ad sixty second s help to gimme .

B ut in th e ninth with p ain and knocks

,

I stO p p e d : I couldn t ght nor box

.

B ill m issed h is swing th e light wa s t ricky

, ,

B ut I went down and S tayed down d icky

, , .

Get U p cried Jim I s aid I will
, .
, .

Th en all th e gang yelled O ut h im B ill , , .

O ut h im . B ill rush ed and Cl ink Clink Clink , , .

Ti m e ! and Jim s kn e e and r u m to d rink
, .

And round th e ring th e r e ran a titte r :

S aved by th e call th e bloody quitter
, .

Th ey d rove ( a dodg e th at never fails )

A p in beneath my nger n ails .

Th ey pou red wh at se e m ed a runni n g beck

O f cold sp ring water down my neck ;
J im with a l ancet q u ick as ies
Lowered th e swellings round my eyes .

Th ey sl uiced my l e gs and fan n ed m y face

Th r o ugh all th at b less e d min ute s g r ace ;
They gave my calv e s a thorough knead ing ,

Th ey salv e d my cuts and stopped th e bleed in g .

[ 1 26 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER CY

A gul p of liquor d ull e d th e pa in ,

And th e n th e two a sks clinked a g ain .

Tim e !
Th e r e wa s B ill as grim as death ,

H e ru shed I clinched to get more b reath

, , ,

And b reath I got though B illy bats

,

S o m e stinging short a rm s in my slats -

.

And wh e n w e broke a s I foresaw , ,

H e swu ng h is right in for the j aw .

I stopp e d it on my shoulder bone ,

And at th e shock I heard B ill groan

A little groan or moan o r grunt
As though I d h it h is wind a bunt

.

At th at I clinch ed and wh ile we clinch ed

, , ,

His old tim e right a rm d ig w as in ch e d ,

An d wh en we b rok e h e hit me light

As though h e d idn t tru st his right
,

He apped m e somehow with h is wrist

As th o ugh h e couldn t use h is st
,

And wh e n h e h it h e winced with p ain .

I thought You r sp rained th umb s crocked again
,
.

SO I got strength and B ill gave g round ,

And th at round was an e asy round .

D u ring th e wait my Jimmy said ,

Wh at s m aking B illy ght so dead ?

He s a ll to pieces Is h e b lown ?

.

His th um b s o u t .

No ? Th e n it s y o u r own

.

It s all you r o wn but don t be rash

,

He s g o t th e g oo d s if y o u ve got cash

,

[ 1 27 1
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M E R CY

And w h at o n e h and c an do h e ll d o
.

B e ca r eful th is next round or two .

Ti m e Th ere was B ill and I felt sick

.
,

T h at l uck sh ould pl ay so mea n a t rick

And give m e leav e to knock h im out
Afte r h e d plai n ly w on th e bout

.

B ut by th e way th e m an cam e at m e
He m ad e it pl ain h e m eant to b at m e ;

I f you d a seen th e w ay h e com e

You wouldn t th ink h e d crocked a th umb .

With all h is skill and all h i s m ight

He cl ipped m e d izzy left and right ;

Th e Lord knows wh at th e e o rt cost ,

B ut h e wa s m ad to thi n k h e d lost

And knowi n g noth ing else could s ave h im

He d id n t ca r e wh at p a in it gave h im

.

He called th e music and th e d ance

F or ve round s more and gave no ch ance .

Try to i m a gin e if you can

Th e kind o f m anhood in th e m an ,

An d if you d like to feel h is p ain

You sp r ai n you r th u m b and h it th e sp r ain .

A n d h it it h ard with all you r powe r

,

On so m eth i n g h ard for h alf an hou r - -

,

While someone th ump s you black and blue ,

A n d then you ll k n ow wh at B illy knew

.

B ill took th at p ain with out a sound

Till hal fway th r ough th e eighteenth round ,

An d th en I sent h im down and out ,

And Silas s aid Kane wins th e bout
, .

[ 1 28 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M E R CY

A dog b arked and an o w l wa s calling

, ,

Th e squire s b rook w as still a falling

-
,

Th e ca rv e d h e ad s on th e ch urch looked d own

On R ussell B lacksmith of this Town
, ,

And all th e graves of all th e ghosts

Who ris e on Ch ristm as E ve in host s
To d ance and ca rol i n festivity

F o r j oy of Jesus Ch r ist s Nativity
( B ell rin ger D awe and h is two sons
-

B eh eld em from th e bell tower once) -
,

Two and two a b out about

Singing th e end of Advent o ut ,

Dwindling d own to Win dlestraws

Wh en th e gl ittering peacock craws ,

AS craw th e glittering p eacock should

Wh en Ch rist s ow n sta r c o m es over th e wood

.

Lamb of th e sky c o m e out o f fold

Wandering windy h eavens cold .

So th ey shone and sang till twelve

Wh e n all th e b ell s ring o u t of th e irse lv e .

R ang a p eal for Ch ri stm a s morn ,

Gl o ry m e n for Ch rist i s bo rn
, , .

All th e ol d monks singing pl aces
Glimmered quick with itting faces ,

S ingi n g anth e m s s inging hymn s

,

Under ca rven ch e rubim s .

R inger D aw e aloft c o uld m ark

F a ces at th e window d ark
Crowding cro wding r o w on row
, , ,

Till all th e Chu rch b e gan t o glow .

Th e ch ap el glowed th e n ave th e choir

, , ,

II 30 1
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER CY

A ll th e faces becam e re
B elow th e eastern window h igh

To se e Ch ri st s sta r come U p the sky .

Then th e y lift e d hand s and tu rn e d ,

And all thei r lifted ngers bu rned ,

B u rned like th e golden altar tallows ,

B u rned like a t roop of God s own Hallows

B ring n to mind th e b u rnin g time

Wh en all th e bells will rock and ch ime
And b u rning saints on bu rning horses
Will sweep th e planets from th e ir cou r s e s
And loose th e sta rs to bu rn u p night .

Lo rd give u s e yes to bea r th e light

, .

We all went quiet down th e Sc allen g e

Lest Police Inspector D rew should ch alleng e .

B ut S pector Drew wa s sleeping sw e et ,

His h ea d upon a ch arges sheet ,

U nder th e ga s j et a ring full ,

Sno rting and snoring like a b ull ,

Hi s b ull cheeks p u e d his bull lips blow ing

, ,

His ugly yellow front teeth showing .

Just a s we peeped we saw him fumbl e

And scratch h is head and sh ift and mumble
, , .

Down in th e lane so th in and d a rk

Th e t an ya rd s S tank of bitter b ark
-
,

Th e cu rate s pigeons gave a utter

,

A cat went courti n g down th e gutter ,

And no n e else stirred a foot or feather .

Th e hou ses p u t thei r h ead s togethe r ,

Talking perh ap s so d a r k and sly

, , ,

[ 1 31 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M E R C Y

O f all th e folk th ey d seen go by ,

Child re n and m en and wo m en m e r ry all

, , ,

Who d som e d ay p as s th at w ay to b u rial .

I t w a s all d a r k b ut at th e tu rni n g
,

The Lion h ad a W i ndow bu rning .

So in we went and u p th e stai r s ,

T r eading a s still a s cats and h ares .

The way th e stai rs creaked m ade you wonder

I f d ead m en s bo n es were h idde n und er

.

At head of stairs U pon the landi n g

A wom an with a l a m p w a s standing ;
S h e greet each gent at h ead of stairs

With Step in gents and t ake your ch airs , , .

Th e p u n c h ll com e when kettl e bubble ,

B ut don t m ake noise o r th ere ll b e t r ouble

.

Twa s Doxy J ane a bounci n g gi r l ,

With eyes all sp arks and h ai r all curl ,

And ch eeks all red and lip s all coal ,

And thirst for m en instead of soul .

Sh e s t rod h er p athway to th e re .

O ld R ivers h ad h is neph ew by her .

I step a sid e fro m Tom and Jimmy

To nd i f sh e d a kiss to gi m me .

I blew out l am p fore sh e could speak .

Sh e said I f you ain t got a cheek
, ,

And th en b esid e m e in th e dim ,

Di d h e b eat you o r you beat him ?

Why I beat him (though th at w as wrong)
, .

Sh e said You m ust b e tu r bl e strong
, .

I d b e a fr aid you d beat me too , .

You d not , I said I wouldn t do

, .

[ 1 32 ]
 THE EVERLASTING M ER CY

Sh e pushed m e b y and d uck e d down stair

,

With h al f th e pins out of h e r h ai r .

I we n t insid e th e lit roo m rollen

H e r scented h and ke r ch ief I d stolen
.

Wh at woul d you fancy S aul ? they said , .

A gin p unch hot and then to b ed .

Jane fetch th e p unch b owl to th e gem m en ;

,

And m ind you don t p ut t oo m uch lemo n

.

O u r go o d friend S aul h a s h ad a ght of it ,

N o w smoke u p bo ys and m ake a night of it
, , .

Th e room w as full o f m en and stink

O f b ad cigars and h eavy d rink .

R iley wa s nodding to t h e oo r
An d gu rgl ing a s h e wanted more .

His m outh wa s wi de hi s face wa s p ale , ,

Hi s swollen fa ce w as sweating ale ;

And one of thos e a ssembled G r eeks
H ad corked black crosses on h is ch eeks .

Th o m a s wa s h aving word s with Goss ,

He wouldn t p ay th e ght was c ros s

, .

An d Goss tol d Tom th at c ro ss or no ,

Th e bets go a s th e ve r dict s go ,

By all I v e ever h ea rd or rea d of .

So p ay o r el se I ll knock you r h ead

,

Jim G u r vil said h is s m utty say

About a gi r l d own \Bye St r eet way ,

And how th e girl from Frog g att s ci r cu s
Died giving b i rth in Newent w o rk u s
.

A nd Dick tol d how th e Dymock wench

Bore twins poo r th ings on Dog Hill bench ;
, ,

A nd h o w h e d own ed to one i n Court

[ 1 34 ]
 THE EVER LAS T I NG M ER CY

An d how Judg e m ade him sorry for t

.

Jack set a j ew s h arp twanging d rily ;

Gimme another c u p said R iley , .

A doz e n m o re were in th ei r glories

With l augh s and smokes and smut ty stori e s ;
And Jimmy j oked and took h is su p

And sang h is song of U p c o m e u p
, .

J an e b rought th e bowl of stewing gin

And p o ured th e egg and l e mon in ,

And whisk e d i t u p and served it out

Wh ile b awdy questions w e nt about .

Jack ch ucked h e r chin and J im accost h e r

,

With b its out of th e M aid of Gloste r .

And ft e en a rm s w e nt round her waist .

(And then m en ask Are B a rma id s ch aste ? )

,

0 young men p ray to b e kept whole

,

F rom b ringing down a weak e r soul .

You r minute s j oy so m e et in doin

M ay b e th e woman s door to ruin ;
Th e door to wand e ring u p and down ,

A p aint e d whor e at h alf a crown .

Th e b right mi n d fo uled th e beauty gay ,

A ll eaten out and fall e n away ,

By d runken d ays and we a ry tram p s

F rom p u b to p u b b y city l amp s
Till m en d espise th e game they sta rted
Till h e alth and b eauty a r e d epa rted ,

And in a S lum th e reeking h ag

M um b l e s a c rust with to o thy j ag ,

O r get s th e river s hel p t o end
Th e li fe t oo wrecked for m an to mend .

[ I 35 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T IN G M ER CY

We spat and smok ed and took ou r swipe

Till Sila s U p and ta p h is pipe ,

And begged u s all to p ay attention

B e cau se h e d several th ings to m ention .

We d seen th e gh t ( Hea r hea r Th at s you ) ;

, .

B ut still one t ask rem ai n ed to do ,

Th at ta sk wa s h i s h e d idn t shun it, ,

To give th e pu r se to h im a s w on it .

With th is rem a r k fr om sta rt to out

,

He d neve r seen a b riske r bout

.

Th ere w as th e purse At th at he d leav e it .

.

Let Kane com e fo rward to rec e ive it .

I took th e p urse and hemmed and bow ed ,

An d called for gin punch for th e crowd ;

And when th e second bow l was d o ne ,

I called Let s h ave anoth er one
, .

Si s wife co m e in and sipped and sipped
( As women will) till sh e w as pipp e d .

And Si h it Dicky Tw ot a clouter

B ecau se h e put h is a rm a bout her ;
B ut a fter S i got ove rtasked
S h e sat and ki ssed whoever a sked .

M y Doxy Jane w as splashed by th is ,

I took h er on my knee to kiss .

And Tom c ri ed out 0 d amn th e gin ; ,

Why can t w e all h av e wo m en in ?

B ess E vans now or Sister Polly

, , ,

O r those tw o hou sem aid s at th e F olly ?

Let someone ni p to B iddy Price s ,

Th ey d all come in a b ra ce of t ri ces .

R ose D avie s S ue and B e tsy Perks ;

, ,

[ 1 36 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T IN G M E R CY

Th e room stank lik e a fox s gut .

Th e heat and sm e ll and d rinking d eep

B egan to stun th e gang to sleep .

Som e fell downstai rs t o sleep on th e m at ,

Som e snored it sodd en wh ere th e y sat .

Dick Tw ot h ad lost a tooth and wept ,

B ut all th e d runken O th ers slept .

Jan e sl ept b e sid e m e in th e ch ai r ,

And I got u p ; I want e d air .

I o p e ned window wid e and l eaned

O ut of th at p ig sty e of th e end
And felt a cool wind go like grac e
About th e sleeping m a rket plac e -
.

Th e clock S truck th ree and sweetly slowly

, , ,

Th e b ell s ch im ed Holy Holy Holy ;, ,

And in a second s p ause there fell
Th e cold note of th e ch ap el b ell ,

A nd th en a cock crew apping wings

, ,

And summ at m ad e m e think of th i n gs .

How long those ticking clocks h ad gon e

F rom ch urch and ch apel on and o n , ,

Ticking th e tim e out ticking slow

,

To m en and girl s who d com e and g o ,

And how th ey tick e d in b elfry d ark

Wh en h al f th e tow n was bishop s pa rk ,

An d how th ey d rung a chim e full tilt

Th e night a fter th e ch u rch w as b uilt ,

And how th at night was La mber t s Fe a st ,

Th e night I d fo ught and b e en a b e ast .

And how a ch ange h ad come And th e n .

I thought Y o u tick to d iff e r e nt m e n
, .

[ 1 38 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING MER CY

Wh at with th e ght a n d wh at with d rinking

And being awake alone th e r e th inki n g ,

My m ind began to carp and tetter ,

I f th is life s all th e beasts a re bette r
, .

And th e n I thought I wish I d seen,

Th e m any towns this t own h a s b ee n ;

I wish I knew if they d a got
A kind of summat we ve a not
-
,

I f them a s built th e C hu rch so fai r

Wer e h alf th e ch aps folk say th ey were ;

F or th ey d th e skill to d raw thei r plan ,

And skill s a j oy to any m an ;
And th e y d th e st r ength not skill alone

, ,

To b uild it b eautiful in stone ;

A nd str e ngth and skill t oge the r thu s
0 th e y wer e h appier men th an u s
,
.

B ut if th ey wer e th ey h ad to d i e
,

Th e s ame a s every one and I .

And n o one lives again b ut dies , ,

A nd all th e b right goes out o f eyes ,

And all th e skill goes o u t of h and s ,

And all th e wise b rain understand s ,

And all th e b eauty all th e p ower

,

I s c ut down like a with e r ed owe r .

I n all th e S how from bi rth to rest

I give th e poor d um b cattl e best .

I wond ered th en w h y life should b e

, , ,

And wh at would be th e end of m e

Wh en youth and h e alth and stren gth were gone
And c o ld old ag e cam e cre eping on ?
[ 1 39 1
 THE EVERLASTING M E R CY

A keeper s gun ? Th e U nion ward ?

O r th at new quod at Hereford ?

And looki n g round I felt d isgust
At all th e nights of d rink and lust ,

And all th e looks of all th e swine

Wh o d said th at th ey were fr iends of m ine ;

An d yet I kn ew wh en mo rni n g ca m e , ,

Th e mo rni n g would b e j ust th e sa m e ,

F or I d h ave d ri n ks and Jan e would m eet m e

And d runken S ila s Jones would greet m e ,

And I d risk quod and keeper s gun
Till all th e S illy gam e w as done .

F or p arson ch ap s a r e m ad su p p o sin ,

A ch a p can ch ange th e roa d h e s C hosen
.

And then th e D evil whispe r ed S aul , ,

Why should you want to live at all ?

Why fr et and sweat and t ry to m end ?
It s all th e sam e th ing in th e end

.

B ut wh en it s do n e h e said it s e n ded

.
, ,

Why stand it since it can t b e m ended ?
,

And in my h ea rt I h ea r d h im plai n ,

Th row yoursel f down and end it Kane , .

Wh y not ? said I
Why not ? B ut no .

.

I won t I ve never h ad my go

.

.

I ve not h ad all th e wo rld can give

.

Death by and by b ut r st I ll live ,

.

Th e wo rld owes m e my ti m e of ti m es ,

A nd th at time s co m i n g now by crimes

, .

A m adness took m e th en I felt .

I d like to hit th e world a b elt

.

[ 1 40 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

I ve known dogs to leav e their dinner

,

Nosing a kind h ea rt in a sinner .

Poor old Crafty wagged his tail

Th e d ay I rst cam e hom e from j ail .

Wh en all my folk so p rimly clad

, ,

Glowe r ed bl ack and thought m e m ad ,

And m utte r ed how th ey d been respected ,

Wh il e I w a s wh at th ey d all expected .

( I ve thought of th at old dog for ye ars

,

And of how nea r I com e to tea r s ) .

B ut y ou you m ind s of b rea d and ch eese

, ,

Are less d ivine th at th at dog s ea s .

You suck b lood from kindly frie n ds ,

And kill th em wh en it serves you r end s .

Doubl e t raitors double bl ack

, ,

S tabb ing only in th e b ack ,

Stabbing with th e knives you b orrow

F rom th e friend s you b ri n g to sor row .

You sta b all th at s tru e and st rong ,

Truth and strength y o u say a re wrong ,

M eek and m ild and sweet and creeping

, ,

R ep e ating canting cadgi n g p eeping

, , , ,

Th at s th e a rt and th at s th e life
To w in a m an h is neigh bour s wife
.

All th at s good and all th at s true ,

You kill th at so I ll kill you
,

.

At th at I tore my cloth es i n sh red s

And h urled th em on th e window lead s ;
I un g my boots th rough both th e winders
[ I
42 1
 THE EVER LAS T IN G M E R CY

And knocked th e gla ss to littl e in d e rs ;

The p unch bowl and th e tumblers follow e d ,

And th en I seized th e lam ps a nd holloed ,

And down th e stairs and tore b a ck bolts , ,

As m ad as tw e n ty blooded colts ;
*

And out into th e street I pass ,

As m a d a s two yea r old s at gra ss

- -
,

A naked m adm an waving grand

A bl azing l am p in eith er h and .

I yelled like twenty d runken sailo rs ,

Th e d evil s come among the t ailo r s

.

A bl az e o f ame beh ind me st r e amed ,

And th e n I cl ashed th e l amp s and scream e d

I m S atan n ewly com e from h e ll

,
.

And th e n I spi e d th e r e bell .

I ve b e e n a ringer so I know

,

How best to m ake a big bell go .

So on to b ell rope swift I sw o op ,

And stick my one foot in th e loop

A n d h eave a down swig till I groa n
-
,

Awake you swine you d evil s own
, ,
.

I m ad e th e re bell awake-
,

I felt th e b ell rope th rob and sh ake ;

-

I felt th e a ir m i n gle and clang

And b e at th e walls a mu f ed bang ,

An d stie b ack and b oo m and bay

Like m uIe d peal s on Boxing Day ,

A n d th en surg e u p and gath er sh ape ,

And sp r ea d great pinions and escape ;

And each g r eat bird of cl anging sh rieks
0 F ire ! F ire fro m iron beaks
,
.

[ I 43 ]
 THE EVER LAS T IN G M ER CY

My should ers cracked to s e nd a round

Thos e sh rieking b ird s m ad e out of sound
With news of re in th eir b ills .

(Th ey h ea r d em pl ain b eyond Wa ll Hills )

.

U p go th e wi n d ers out co m e h ead s , ,

I h eard th e sp rings go c r eak in bed s ;

B ut still I h eave a n d sweat and ti r e ,

And still th e cl ang goes F ire F i r e ! ,

Wh ere is it th en ? Wh o is it th ere ?
, ,

You ringer stop and tell u s wh e r e
, , .

Ru n r ound and let th e Captain k n ow .

It m u st b e b ad h e s ringing so , ,

It s in th e town I se e th e ame ; ,

Look th ere ! Look there how red it ca m e , .

Wh ere is it th en ? 0 stop th e bell
, .

I stopped and call ed : I t s re of h ell ;

And th i s is Sodom and Gomorrah ,

And now I ll b u rn you u p b egorra

, .

By th is th e rem en we re must e ring ,

T h e h alf d ressed st able men we r e u ste rin g

-
,

B acking th e horses out of stalls

Wh ile th is m an swea rs and th at m an b awl s ,

Don t ta ke th old m a r e B ack Toby ba ck

.
, , .

B ack Li n coln Wh e r e s th e re Jack ?
, .

,

D a m n ed i f I know O ut Preston way . .

No I t s at Ch ancey s Pitch they say
.
, .

I t s sixteen r icks at Pa untley bu rnt

.

You b ack old D a rby out I d u rn t , .

Th ey ran th e big red en g ine out ,

[ I 44 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T I NG M ER CY

We ll d uck h im scrout h im og h im fratch h im

, , , .

All right I s aid
, B ut rst you ll catch h im
.

.

Th e m en w h o d on t know to th e root

Th e j oy of being s w ift of foot ,

Have never known d ivi n e a n d fr esh

Th e glory of th e gift of esh ,

Nor felt th e feet exult n or gone ,

Along a d im road on a n d on , ,

Knowing again th e b u rsti n g glows ,

Th e m ating h a re in Ap r il know s ,

Who t i n gles to th e p ad s with m irth

At b eing th e swiftest th i n g o n ea rth .

0 i f you want to know d elight

, ,

Ru n n aked in an autumn night ,

A n d l augh a s I l aughed th en to nd
, ,

A r u nn ing rabble d r op beh i n d ,

A n d wh ang on eve r y door you pass

, ,

Two copper n o zzles tipped with b r a ss , ,

And doubly wh ang at every t urni n g ,

And yell All hell s l e t loose and bu rning
,

, .

I b eat my b r a ss and shouted r e

At doors of p arson l awy er squ i r e
, , ,

At all th ree doors I th reshed a n d sl a m med

And yel led aloud th at they we r e d amned .

I clodded squire s gl ass with tu rves

B ecause h e sp ring gu n ned h is p rese rves

-
.

T h rough p a r son s glass my nozzle swish es

B ecaus e h e stood for loaves and sh e s ,

B ut p a rs o n s gl ass I spa red a tittle

.

[ I 46 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER C Y

He give m e a orange once wh en little ,

And h e w h o gives a ch ild a t r eat

M akes j oy bells r ing in Heaven s stree t
-

,

An d h e w h o gives a ch ild a home

B uild s p alaces in Kingdom co m e ,

And sh e w h o give s a baby bi rth

B rings Saviour Ch rist again to E a rth ,

F or life is j oy and m ind is fr uit

, ,

And body s p recious ea rth and r oot .

B ut la w yer s gl ass well n eve r m ind , ,

Th o ld Ad am s strong in m e I nd

, .

God pa rdon m an and m ay God s son

,

F o rgiv e th e e vil th ings I v e do n e

.

Wh at mo r e ? By Dirty Lane I crept

B ack to th e Lio n where I slept
, .

Th e ragi n g m adness hot and ood in

Boiled itsel f out and left me sudden ,

Left m e worn ou t and sick and cold ,

Ach ing a s though I d all grown old ;
So th ere I l ay and there th ey fou n d m e
,

O n door m at with a cu rtain round me

-
, .

Si took my h eels a n d Jane my head

And l augh ed and car r ied m e to bed
, .

An d from the neighbou ri n g st r eet th ey re sk ie d

My boots and t rouse r s coat and w eskit ;
,

Th ey b ath b ricked both th e nozzles b r ight

-

To be m emento e s of th e night ,

And knowing wh at I should awake with

Th ey an n elle d me a qua rt to slake with ,

And sat and shook till h alf past two

E xpecting Police Inspector Drew .

II 47 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER CY

I woke and d rank and w ent to m eat

,

I n cloth es still d irty fro m th e st r eet .

Down in th e b a r I h ea r d e m tell
How someone rang th e re bell ,

And h o w th inspector s search h ad th riven

An d how ve pound s rewa r d w a s given .

And S h eph erd B oyce of M arley glad us , ,

By s aying it was blokes fr om m ad u s

,

Or two young rips lodged at th e P r i n ce

Wh om none h ad seen nor h eard of since ,

O r th at young bl ad e fro m Wo r cester Walk

(You know how country people talk ) .

Young Joe th e ostler co m e i n sad ,

He s aid th o ld m a r e h ad b it h is d ad .

H e s aid th ere d come a blazing sc r eech i n g

Da ft B ibl e p r ophet ch ap a preach i n g

- -
,

H ad p u t th old m are i n such a taking

S h e d thought th e bloody ea rth wa s q uaking .

And oth ers co m e and sp read a tale

O f c ut th roats out o f Gloucester j ail
-
,

And how w e need ed e xtra cops

With all th em Welsh co m e p icki n g hops :
With d runken Welsh i n all ou r sh ed s
We might b e m urdered in o ur b e d s .

By all accounts both m en and wives

,

H ad h ad th e scare u p of thei r liv e s .

I ate and d rank and gath e r ed strength ,

And stretch ed alo n g th e bench full length ,

Or cross e d to window seat to p at

[ I 4S ]
 THE EVE R LAS T IN G M E R CY

The E nglish Ch urch both is and wa s

A sub sidy of Caiapha s .

I don t believe in Prayer nor B ibl e ,

They re lies all th rough and you re a libel

,

,

A libel on th e D evil s plan

When r st h e m iscreated m an .

You m u m bl e th r ough a fo rm al code

To get which m a rty r s bu rned and glowed .

I look on m a rtyrs a s mistakes ,

B ut still th ey b u rned for it at stakes ;

You r o n ly re s th e j olly re

Wh ere you can guzzle port with S qui r e ,

And b ack and p r aise h is d amned opinion s

About h i s tempo ral dominion s .

You let him give th e m an w h o digs ,

A lthy h ut unt for pigs ,

Without a well without a d r ain

, ,

With mossy th atch th at lets in r ain ,

Without a lotm ent less h e re n t it

,

,

And never m eat unless he scent it

, ,

B ut weekly doles of leven sh illi n g

To m ake a grown m an st ro n g a n d willi ng ,

To do th e h a r dest wo r k o n ea rth
And fe e d his wife wh en sh e gives bi rth ,

And feed h i s littl e ch ild r en s bones

.

I tell you m an th e Devil g roans

, , .

With all your m ain a n d all you r m igh t

You back wh at is against wh at s right ;
You l et th e Squi r e do th ings like th ese ,

You b ack him i n t and give h im ease

,

You tak e h is h and and d rink hi s wine

, ,

[ 1 50 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER C Y

And h e s a hog but you r e a swine
, .

F or you take gold to teach God s ways

And tea ch m an how to S ing God s praise

.

And now I ll tell you wh at you teach
I n down right honest E nglish sp e ech .

You teach th e ground down sta rving m an-

Th at Sq uire s greed s Jehovah s plan
.

Yo u get hi s lea rning circu m vented

Lest it should m ake h im d iscontented
( B ett e r a b rutal sta rvi n g nation
,

T h an m en with thoughts above their station ) ,

You let him neith er read nor think ,

You goad h is wretched soul to d ri n k

And then to j ail th e d runken b o or ;
,

0 sa d intem peranc e of th e poor .

You sta rve h is soul till it s ra pscallion ,

Then b l ame h is esh for bei n g stallion .

You send you r wife a round to p aint

Th e golden glories of rest r aint .

How moral e xe r cise be w ild rin

Would soon result in fewer ch ild ren .

You work a d ay in Squi r e s eld s
And se e wh at sweet restraint it yield s ,

A w om an s d ay at tu rnip picking ,

Your h ea rt s too fat for plough o r ricki n g

.

And you whom luck taught Fr ench a n d G r eek

H ave p u rpl e ap s on either C heek ,

A stately h o us e and time for knowledge

, ,

And gol d to send you r sons to college ,

Th at pleasant pl ace wh ere getting lea rning

,

I s al so key to money ea rning .

[ 15 1 ]
 T HE EVE R LAS T I NG M ER CY

B ut q uite you r d amndest w ant of grac e

I s wh at yo u d o to save you r face ;
Th e w ay you sit ast rid e th e gates
By p ad di n g wages out of r ates ;
You r Ch ristm as gifts of shoddy bl ankets
Th at every wo r king soul m ay th ank its
Lo ving p a rson loving squi r e
,

T h rough who m h e can t a o rd a re

.

You r well p acked bench your p rison pen

-
, ,

To keep th em somethi n g less th a n men ;

Your friendly cl ub s to h elp e m bu ry

You r ch a ri ties of mid w i fe ry .

You r b id ding ch ild r en d uck and cap

To th em w h o give them wo r khouse pa p .

0 wh at you a re and w h at you p r each

, , ,

And wh at you do and wh at you teach

,

I s not God s Word no r honest schis m

, ,

B ut D evil s cant a n d p auperi sm

.

By th is tim e m any fol k h ad gath ered

To l isten to m e while I blath e r ed ;
I said m y piece a n d whe n I d said it
,

I ll do old p u rpl e p a rso n c r edit

He sunk ( as so m eti m es p a r sons c an )

His coat s excu ses i n th e m an

.

You th i n k th at S qui r e and I a r e kings

Who m ad e th e exi sting state of th ings ,

And m ad e it ill I a n swe r No

.
, ,

States a re not m ad e no r p atch ed ; th ey g row

, ,

G row slow th rough ce n tu ries of p ain

And grow co rr ectly in th e m ain ,

B ut only g r ow by certai n l a w s
[ 15 2 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

W e re n e ither saints nor Philip Sidneys ,

B ut mort al men with mort al kidneys .

H e took h is snu ff amd wheezed a greeting

, ,

And waddled o to moth ers meeting ;

I h ung my h ead upon m y ch est ,

I give old p u r ple p arso n best .

F or while th e Plough tip s round th e Pol e

Th e trained mind outs th e U pright soul ,

As Jesu s said th e t r ained m ind m ight ,

B eing wiser th a n th e sons of light ,

B ut trained men s minds a re spread so thin
Th ey l et all sorts of d a rkness in ;
Wh atever light m an nd s th ey doubt it
Th ey love not light b ut talk about i t
, , .

B ut p arso n d p roved to people s eyes
Th at I w as d ru n k and h e wa s wise ; ,

And peopl e g r in n ed a n d wo m en titte r ed ,

And littl e child ren mocked a n d twitte r ed .

So bl azing m ad I stalked to b a r
, ,

To S how how noble d ru n ka r d s are ,

And guzzled spi rits like a beast ,

To show contempt for Chu rch and p riest ,

U ntil by six my wits went round

, ,

Like h ungry pigs in p a r ish pou n d .

At h alf p ast six re m e m b rin g Jane

,

,

I staggered into street again

With mind m ad e u p (or p rimed with gin )
To b a sh th e cop who d run m e i n ;

F or well I knew I d h ave to cock u p

My legs th at night insid e th e lock u p -

,

{ 1 54 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER CY

And it wa s my most xed intent

To h av e a ght befo r e I w e n t .

O ur F ates a r e strange and no one knows his ;

,

O ur lovely S aviour Ch ri st disposes .

Jane wa sn t whe r e we d pl anned th e j ad e , .

Sh e d thought me d runk a n d h adn t stayed
.

So I we n t u p the Walk to look fo r h e r

And linge r ed by th e little b rook fo r her ,

And dowsed m y face and d rank at s p r ing

, ,

And watched two wild d uck on th e wing .

Th e moon come pale the wind come cool

, ,

A bi g pike leapt in Lo w e r Pool ,

Th e peacock screa m ed the cloud s we r e strakin g

, ,

My cut cheek felt the weather b reaking ;

An o r ange sunset waned and th inned
F oretelling r ain and western wind ,

And wh ile I watched I hea rd distinct

The metal s on th e railway clinked .

The blood edged cloud s were all in tatte r s

-
,

Th e sky and ea rth seemed m ad a s h atte r s ;

Th e y h ad a d eath look wild a n d odd , ,

O f someth i n g d ark fo r etold by God .

And seeing it so I felt so sh aken

,

I would n t keep th e road I d taken

,

B ut wand e r ed back towa rd s th e i n n

R esolved to b r ace m yself with gin .

And a s I walked I said It s strange
, , ,

The r e s D e ath let loos e to night and Change

-
, .

I n Cabb age Walk I mad e a h aul

O f two b ig pears from l awyer s wall ,

[ 155 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M ER CY

And m u n ch ing one I took th e l ane

, ,

B ack into M arket pl ace agai n -

.

Lam p lighter Dick h ad passed th e turning

-
.

And all th e Ho m e n d l am p s were b urn i n g .

Th e windows shone th e shops were busy , ,

B ut th at stra n ge H eaven m ad e m e d izzy .

Th e sky h ad all God s warning w r it

I n bloody m arks all ove r it ,

And over all I thought th e r e wa s

A gh astly light b esid es th e gas .

T h e Devil s t asks and Devil s rages

We r e giving m e th e Devil s wages

.

I n M a r ket pl ace it s always l ight

-

Th e big shop windows m ake it b r ight ;

And i n th e p r ess of people b uying
I spied a little fellow cryi n g
Because h is m oth e r d go n e insid e

And left h im th ere and so h e c r ied

, .

And m o th e r d beat h im wh en sh e found h im

And m oth er s wh ip would cu rl right rou n d h im

And m o th e r d say h e d done t to crost her

Though th ere being crowd s about h e d lost he r

.

Lord give to m e n w h o a re old and rough er

,

Th e th ings th at little ch ild ren su e r ,

And let keep b r ight and u n d e le d

T h e young yea rs of th e little ch ild .

I pat h is h ead at edge of street

And g i m my second p ea r to eat

.

R ight und e r lam p I p at h is h ead

, ,

I ll stay till moth er co m e I s aid

, ,

[ 156 1
 THE EVER LAS T ING M E R CY

Then on th e y h urry never waiting ,

To l aw yer s b ackyard cella r grating

Wh ere J ag g ard s cat with clever p aw

, ,

U nhooks a b r oke b rick s secret door ;

-

Th e n d own i n to th e cella r bl ack ,

Across th e wood slug s sl imy track ,

Into an old cask s q uiet hollow ,

Where th ey ve got seats for wh at s to follow ;

Then each t o m c at lights littl e candles

-
,

An d O th e sto ries and th e scand als

, ,

And 0 th e songs a n d Ch rist m as carols

, ,

And 0 th e m ilk fro m little b arrels

, .

Th ey light a re t for roasting

(And how good mouse meat s m ells when toasting)
-
,

Th en d own th ey sit to m erry feast

Wh ile moon goes west and sun comes east .

Som etimes th ey m ake so m erry th e r e

O ld l awyer co m e t o h ead of stair

To fend with st a n d poker took rm
His p archm ents ch annelled by th e book w orm ,

And all h is d eed s and all h is p acks

,

O f with ered ink and sealing wax ;

And th ere h e sta n d s with candle raised
, ,

And listens like a m an am azed ,

O r like a ghost a m an stand s d u m b at ,

He says H ush ! Hush ! I m sure the r e s su m m at
, .

H e h ears outside th e b rown ow l call ,

He h ea rs th e d eath tick tap th e wall

-
,

Th e gnawing of th e wainscot mouse ,

Th e cr e aking u p and down th e hou se ,

Th e unh oo ked window s h inges ranging

,

[ 15 8 ]
 THE EVER LA S T IN G M E R CY

Th e sound s th at say th e wind is ch anging .

At last h e tu rns and sh ak e s h is head

, ,

It s n o th ing I ll go b ack t o b e d

, .

An d j ust th en M rs J ag g ard cam e .

To view and e nd h e r Jimmy s sh am e

.

Sh e m ad e on e rush and gi m a b at

And S hook h im like a dog a rat .

I can t tu rn round but wh at you re straying
.

I ll give you tales and gipsy playing .

I ll give you w an d rin g o like th is

And listening to wh atever tis

,

You ll laugh th e little side of th e c an ,

You ll h av e the whip for th is my m an ; ,

An d not a b ite of m e at nor b read

Y o u ll touch b e fo r e you go to b e d .

Some d ay you ll b r e ak you r moth e r s h e a rt

,

Aft e r God knows she s done her p a rt

Wo r ki n g h er a rm s o d ay and night
Trying to keep you r colla r s wh ite .

Look at you r fac e too in th e street , , .

Wh at d i rty lth ve you found to eat ?

Now don t you blubber here b oy or

, ,

I ll give you sum t to blubber for .

She s n atched h im o fro m wh ere w e stand

And k n ocked th e pea r cor e from h is h and -
,

An d looked at me You Devil s limb

, ,

How d are you talk to J ag g ard s J im ;

You d runken poach ing boozi n g b r ute y o u

, , , ,

I f J ag g ard w as a man h e d shoot you .

She gla red all th is but d idn t S peak , ,

Sh e gasped wh ite hollows in h er ch eek ;

,

[ 159 ]
 THE EVE R LA S T I NG M ER CY

J im m y w as writh ing scream ing wild

r ,

,

Th e shoppers th ought I d killed th e ch ild .

I h ad to S p e ak so I begun , .

You d oughtn t b eat you r little son ;

H e did no h a rm b ut seeing h im th ere

,

I talked to h im and gi m a pear ;

I m su rge th e poo r ch ild m ea n t no wro n g

,

I t s all my fault h e stayed so lo n g

,

He d not h ave S tayed m u m I ll b e bound

, ,

I f I d not ch anced to co m e a r ound

.

It s all m y fault h e stayed not h is

, .

I kept h im h e r e th at s how it is ,

.

O h ! And how d a re you th e n ? says sh e , ,

How d a r e you tem pt m y b oy fr o m m e ?

How d a r e you do t you d runken swine
, ,

I s h e you r ch ild or is h e m in e ?
A d runken so t th ey ve h ad th e beak to
,

H as got h is d irty wh o r es to speak to ,

His d i rty m ates with whom h e d rink ,

Not l ittle ch ild ren one would th ink , .

Look o n h im th ere sh e says look on h i m
, , ,

And smell th e sti n k in g gi n U pon h im ,

Th e lowest sot th e d ru n k n e st lia r

, ,

Th e d irt iest dog in all th e sh ire :

Nice fr ie n d s for any wom an s son

After ten yea rs and all sh e s done

,

.

F or I ve h ad eight a n d bu ried ve

, ,

And only th ree a re left al ive .

I ve given th e m all we coul d affo rd

.

I ve ta ught th em all to fea r th e Lord

.

[ 1 60 }
 THE EVER LAS T IN G M E R CY

And borne it all and n ever in ch e d ;

B ut to s e e h im th e town s d isgrace
, ,

With God s comm and m ents b roke in s fac e

,

Wh o n ever worked not h e nor earned , , ,

Nor will d o till th e s e a s a re b u rn e d ,

Who never d id since h e was whol e

A h and s tu rn for a h um an soul

B ut poa ch ed and stole and gone with women ,

And swilled down gin enough to swim in ,

T o se e h im only lift one nger

T o m ake m y l ittl e Jimmy linger .

I n sp ite of all h is mother s p r ayers

An d all h er ten lon g yea rs o f cares ,

And all h e r b roken S p i r it s cry

Th at d runka rd s nger p uts th e m by ,

And Jimmy tu rn s An d now I se e .

Th at j ust a s Dick w as Jim will be , ,

And all my life will h ave bee n vain .

I m ight h ave spa red mysel f th e pain ,

An d done th e world a blessed ridd ance

I f I d a d rowned em all like kittens .

And h e th e sot so st r ong and p roud

, ,

Wh o d m ak e wh ite sh irts of s moth er s sh roud ,

H e l augh s now it s a j ok e t o h im
,

,

Though it s th e gates of hell t o Jim

.

I ve h ad my hea rt b u rnt out like coal

,

And d rop s of blood wrung fr om my soul

D ay in d ay out in p ai n and tea r s
, , ,

F o r ve and twenty wretch ed yea rs ;

A n d h e h e s ate th e fat a n d sweet
,

,

And l o afed and S p at at top of street ,

[ I 62 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M ER C Y

And d runk and leched from d ay till morro w ,

And never know n a m o m ent s sor ro w

.

He com e out d runk fro m th in n to look

Th e d ay my little Nan w as took ;

He sat th ere d rinking gl ad and gay , ,

Th e night m y girl was led ast r ay ;

H e p raised my Dick for singi n g well ,

Th e night Dick took th e road to h ell ;

And wh en my co r p se goes stiff a n d blind ,

Leaving fou r h elpless souls beh i n d ,

H e will be th e r e still d r unk and strong, .

I t do see m h ard It do seem w ro n g

. .

B ut Woe to h im by who m th e offence ,

Says ou r Lo r d Jesus Test aments

.

Wh atever see m s God doth not slu m ber

,

Though h e lets p ass times without num be r .

He ll come with trump to call h is own ,

And th is world s w ay ll b e overth rown .

H e ll co m e with glory and with re
To cast g reat d a r kness on th e lia r ,

To b u rn th e d r unka rd and th e t reacher ,

And d o h is ud g m e n t on th e lecher ,

To glo r ify th e spi rits faces

O f those whose w ays were stony places

Wh o chose with R uth th e better p a rt ;
0 Lo rd I se e Thee a s Thou a rt
, ,

0 God th e e ry fou r edged swo rd

,
-
,

Th e th und er of th e wrath outpoured ,

Th e ery fou r faced c r eatu res bu rning

-
,

And all th e fou r faced wh eels all tu rning

-
,

Co m ing with tru m p a n d ery sai n t .

Jim take m e home I m turni n g fai n t
, ,
.

[ I 63 1
 THE EVERLASTING M E R CY

Th ey w ent and som e cried Good old sod
, ,
.

Sh e p u t it to h im straight by God , .

Summ at sh e w as or looked or said , , ,

Went hom e and m ad e m e h ang my h ead .

I S l unk away into th e nigh t

Knowing d eep down th at sh e w as right .

I d oft e n h ea rd religious ranters

,

And p ut th e m down a s windy canters ,

B ut th is old m oth er m ad e m e see

The h a rm I done by being me .

B eing both strong and given to sin

I tra cted weaker vessels in .

So ba ck to b a r to get mo r e d rink ,

I d idn t d a re begin to th ink ,

And th e r e w ere d rinks and d runken singing ,

As though th is life w ere d ice for i n ging ;

D ice to b e ung and noth ing furd e r
, ,

And Ch rist s blood j ust another m urder .

Co m e on d rinks r ound s alue d r ink hea rty

, , , ,

Now Jane th e p unch bowl for th e p a rty

, ,
-
.

I f any h ere won t d rink with m e

I ll knock h is bloody eyes out See ? .

Co me on ciga rs round rum for m ine

, , ,

Sing u s a sm utty song some s w in e , .

B ut though th e d rinks and songs went round

Th at thought re m ained it wa s not d rowned , .

And wh en I d ri se to get a light

I d th ink Wh at s come to m e to night ?
,
-

There s always crow d s wh en d rinks a re stand ing .

Th e hous e do o rs sl ammed along th e l andi n g ,

[ I 64 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T ING M E R C Y

O wh o s th at knocking at th e door
, ,

M iss Bo u m e ll pl ay th e m usi c sco r e

.

Th e m en stood d umb as cattle are ,

They g r i n ned b ut though t I d gone too far

,

,

T h e r e come a h ush a n d no one b r eak it ,

T h ey wondered how M iss Bou rne would take it .

Sh e u p to m e with bl ack eyes wide ,

Sh e looked as th ough h er S p irit cried ;

Sh e took my t um bler from th e b ar
B esid e wh ere all th e m atch es are
A n d pou red it out u pon th e oor d ust ,

Amo n g th e fag end s s pit and saw d ust

-
,
-
.

S a ul Kane sh e s aid wh en next you d rink
, , ,

Do m e th e gentle n ess to th ink

Th at every d rop of d rink accursed
M akes Ch rist with in you die of th irst ,

Th at eve ry d irty word you say

I s one mo r e int upon His way ,

Anoth er thorn about H is h ead ,

Anoth er m ock by wh ere He t re ad ,

Anoth er n a il a noth e r cross

, .

All th at you a r e is th at Ch r ist s loss
.

Th e clock ru n d own and struck a ch ime

And M rs S i s aid Closing ti m e
.
, .

Th e w e t w as pelting on th e p ane
A n d som eth ing b roke inside my b r ai n ,

I hea r d th e rai n d rip from th e gutte r s

A n d S il a s p utting u p th e sh utte r s ,

While one by one th e d rinkers went ;

I got a glimp se of wh at it m e ant ,

How she and I h ad stood before

[ 1 66 ]
 THE EVER LAST ING M ER CY

I n some old town by some old do o r

Waiting int e nt while someone knocked
Before th e doo r for eve r locked ;
Sh e w as so wh ite th at I wa s sca r ed ,

A gas j et tu rn ed the wrong w ay a red

, , ,

And Sila s snapped the ba rs in place .

M iss Bou rne stood white and searched my face .

Wh en Sil as done with ends of tunes

,

He gan a gathering the spittoons ,

His wife p rimmed li ps and took the till .

M iss Bourne stood still and I stood still ,

An d Tick Slow Tick Slow went th e clock
. . . .

Sh e said H e waits until you knock
, .

Sh e tu rned at th at and went out swift ,

Si g rinned and winked his missus sn i e d

, .

I hea rd h e r cl ang the Li o n doo r ,

I m a rked a d rink d rop roll to oo r ;

-

I t took u p scraps of sawdust fu rry , ,

And crinkled on a half inch blu r ry ;

, ,

A d rop from my last gl ass of gin ;

And someone waiting to come in ,

A h and upon the doo r l atch g rope n

Knocking th e m an i n side to open .

I know th e ve ry words I said ,

Th ey b ayed like bloodhound s in my h ead .

Th e water s goi n g out to se a

And th ere s a g r eat moon calli n g me ;

B ut there s a gre at sun calls the moon

,

And all God s b ells will ca rol soo n

F o r j oy and glo ry and d elight

O f someone c o m ing home to night - .

[ I 67 ]
 THE EVERLASTING M E R CY

O ut into d a rkn ess out to night

, ,

My a ring h ea rt gave plenty light ,

So w ild it wa s th ere w as no knowing

Whether th e cloud s o r stars were blowing ;
Blown ch imney pots and folk blown blind ,

And p ud dles glim m e ri n g l ik e my mind ,

And ch inking gl ass fro m w indow s b anging ,

And inn signs swung like p eopl e h anging ,

A n d in my h ea rt th e d rink unp riced ,

Th e b u rning cata racts of Ch ri st .

I d id n Ot th ink I d id not st rive

, ,

Th e deep pe ace b u rnt my me alive ;

The bolted d oo r h ad b roken in ,

I knew th at I h a d done w ith sin .

I knew th at Ch rist h ad given m e bi rth

To b roth e r all th e soul s on ea rth ,

And every bi rd and every b east

Shoul d sh are th e crumb s b roke at the feast .

O glory of th e lighted m ind .

How dea d I d bee n how d u m b how blind

.
, ,

Th e station b rook to m y new eyes

, ,

Wa s babbling out of Pa rad ise ,

Th e wate r s rush ing from the rain

Were singi n g Ch r ist h as r isen again .

I thought all ea rthly cr e atu res knelt

F rom raptur e of th e joy I felt .

Th e na rrow station wall s b rick ledge
-
,

Th e wil d hop with e r i n g in th e h edge ,

Th e lights in h untsm ans U pper storey
Were p a rts of a n ete rn al glory ,

l 1 68 ]
 THE EVE R LAS T IN G M E R CY

Wh e re w e d go gath e ring cop s of clover

,

I n sunny Jun e times long sinc e over .

0 clover cops h al f wh ite h alf red

-
, ,

0 beauty from b eyond th e d ead .

O blossom key to e a rth and h e av e n

, ,

0 soul s th at Ch rist h as n e w forgiven .

Th en down th e h ill to gipsies pitch
By wh ere th e b rook cl u cks in th e d itch .

A gipsy s cam p w as in th e C opse

,

Th ree felted t e nts with beeh ive tops

, ,

And round black m arks wh ere res h ad been ,

And on e old waggon p ainted g reen ,

An d th r ee ribb e d horses wrench ing grass ,

And th r ee wild b oys to watch m e p ass ,

A nd on e O ld wom an by th e re
Hulking a ra bb it wa rm from wire .

I loved to se e th e horses b ait .

I felt I walked at Heaven s gate

,

Th at Heaven s gate w as opened w ide
Y e t still th e gipsies c amped outside .

Th e waste soul s will p refer th e wild ,

Lo ng after life is m e ek and mild .

Perh ap s wh en m an h a s entered in
His perfect city free from sin ,

Th e cam pers will com e p ast th e wall s

With old lam e horses full of galls ,

And waggons h ung a b out with withies ,

A n d b u rning coke in tinker s stith ies ,

And se e th e golden town and choose , ,

An d think th e wild too good to lose .

An d cam p outsid e as th ese cam ped th en

,

[ 1 70 ]
 THE EVE R L AS T ING M ER C Y

With wond e r at the entering men .

So p ast and p a st th e stone h ea p white

,

Th at d ewberry trailers hid from sight ,

And down th e eld so full of sp r i n gs ,

Wher e mewing p e ewits cla p thei r wi n gs ,

And pa st the tra p mad e for the m ill

Into th e eld b el o w th e h ill .

Th e re wa s a mi st along th e stream ,

A w e t m ist dim like in a d ream ;

, ,

I hea rd th e heavy b reath of cows ,

And w ate rd ro p s from th ald e r boughs ;

And eel s o r snakes in d ripping grass

, , ,

Whipping a sid e to let m e p ass .

The gate wa s b acked against th e ryme

To p ass th e cows at milking time .

And by th e gate a s I went out

A moldwa rp ro oted ea rth w i s snout
.

A few step s U p th e C allows Lane

B rought me above the mist agai n ,

Th e two g r eat eld s a rose like death

Above th e m ists of h u m an b reath .

All ea rthly th ings th at bless ed morning

Were everl asting j oy and wa rni n g .

Th e gate w as Jesus w ay m ade plain

,

Th e m ole w as S atan foiled again ,

B lack blinded S atan snoutin g way

Along th e red of Ad am s cl ay ;
Th e m ist w as error and d am n ai ion ,

The l ane th e road unto salvation .

O ut of th e m ist into th e light ,

0 bl e ss ed gift of inn e r sight .

[ I7 1 1
 THE EVE R LAS T I NG M E R C Y

Th e p ast wa s faded l ik e a d r eam ;

Th ere come th e j ingling of a team ,

A plough m a n s voice a clink of ch ain

, ,

Slow h oofs a n d h a rness under stra i n

, .

U p th e slow slop e a tea m ca m e bowing ,

O ld Callow at h is a utumn plough i n g ,

O ld Callow stooped above th e h ales

, ,

Plough i n g th e stu b ble into wales .

His g r ave eyes looking straight ahead ,

Sh ea ring a long st r aight fur r ow red ;

H is plough foot h igh to give it ea rth
T o b r ing n ew food fo r m en t o birth .

O w e t red swath e of ea rth l aid b are ,

O truth 0 strength O gleami n g sh are

, , ,

0 p atient eyes th at watch th e goal ,

0 plough m an of th e si n ner s soul

.

0 Jesu s d rive th e coulte r d eep

,

To plough m y l i ving m an from sleep .

Slow u p th e h ill th e plough team plod ,

O ld Callow at th e t ask of God ,

Helped by m an s w it h elped by th e b rute
, ,

Tu rn i n g a st ubborn cl ay to fruit ,

His eyes forever on s om e S i g n

To h elp h im plough a p e rfect l ine .

At top of r ise th e plough team stopped ,

Th e foreh orse bent h is h ead and c r opp ed .

Th e n th e ch ains ch ack th e b ra sses j ingle

, ,

Th e lean rei n s gathe r th rough th e cringle ,

Th e gu res move against th e sky ,

Th e clay wave b reak s a s th ey go by .

I kneeled th ere in th e muddy fallow ,

[ I72 1
 THE EVE R LAS T ING ME R CY

Nea r B ullen B ank on Gloucester R oad

, ,

Thy eve r la sting mercy showed

Th e plough m a n p ati e nt on th e h ill
F orever ther e forever still
, ,

Plough ing th e h ill with steady yoke

O f p i n e t rees ligh tning st ruck and b roke
- -
.

I ve m a r ked th e M ay H ill ploughm an stay

There on h is h ill d ay after d ay

,

D rivi n g h is t e am against th e sk y ,

Wh ile m en and wome n live a n d d ie .

And now and then h e seem s to stoop

To clea r th e coulter with th e scoop ,

O r tou ch an ox to h aw or gee
Wh ile S eve rn strea m goes out to se a .

Th e se a with all h er sh ip s and s ails ,

And th at great smoky port in Wales ,

A nd Gloucester tower b righ t i th e su n ,

All know th at p atient wandering one .

And sometim e s wh en th ey b u rn th e leav e s

Th e bon res s m o king trails and h eaves

,

And gi rt red am es t w ink a nd t w ire

As though h e plough ed th e h ill a re .

And in men s h ea rts in m any l and s

A spiritu al pl o ugh m an stand s

F orever waiting wa iting now, ,

Th e h ea rt s Put in m an zook th e plough

, , .

By th is th e sun wa s all one glitter ,

Th e little b ird s wer e all in twitter ;

O ut of a tuft a little l ark
W e nt h igh er U p th an I could m ark ,

His little th roat w as all one th irst

[ I 74 ]
 THE EVE R LA S T IN G M ER CY

To sing until h is hea rt should b u rst

To sing aloft in golden light
His song from blu e air out of sight .

Th e m i st d rove by and now th e cows

,

Cam e plodd ing U p to m ilking house .

F ollow e d by F rank th e Callows cowm an

,

,

Wh o wh istled Ad am wa s a ploughman .

There come s uch cawing fro m th e rooks ,

S uch running ch uck fro m littl e b roo ks ,

O ne thought it M a rch j ust budd ing gree n

, ,

With h e dgerows full of c e l and ine .

An otter out o f stream and pl ay e d

,

Two h a res com e l o ping up and stay e d ;

Wid e eyed and t e nder c a red but bold
- - .

Sh e ep bleated u p by Penny s fold

.

I h eard a p a rt ridge covey call ,

Th e morning sun w as b right on all .

Down th e long slop e th e pl o ugh t e am d ro v e

Th e tos sing rooks a rose and hov e .

A ston e struck on th e sh ar e A word .

Came to th e t e am Th e r e d e a rth stirr e d

. .

I c rossed th e h e dge by shooter s gap ,

I h itch ed my box e r s b e lt a stra p ,

I j um p e d th e d itch and cross e d th e fallow :

I took th e h al e s from farm e r Call ow .

[ 1 75 ]
 THE EVER LAS T ING M E R CY

How swi ft th e summ er goes ,

F orget m e not pink r ose

-
, , .

Th e young g r ass wh en I sta rted

And now the h ay is carted ,

And now m y so n g is e n ded ,

And all th e sum m er sp e n d e d ;

Th e bl ackbi r d s second b rood

R outs beech leaves in th e wood ;

Th e pink and ros e h ave speeded ,

F orget m e not h a s seed ed

- - .

O nly th e wind s th at blew ,

Th e rain th at m ak e s th i n gs new ,

Th e ea rth th at h id es th ings old ,

And blessings m anifold .

O lov e ly l ily clean ,

0 lily sp ringi n g green ,

O lily b ursti n g wh ite ,

Dea r lily of d elight ,

S p r i n g in my h eart agen
Th at I m ay ower to m en .

GR E AT H AM PD E N . June , 191 1 .

NOT E

Th e E verla sting M ercy rst a ppea r e d in Th e E n gli:h
Re view for O ctober 1 9 1 1
, I th ank th e E d itor and Proprietors
.

of th at pap er for pe rm itti n g m e to rep r int it h ere Th e person s .

and eve n ts d escribed in th e poem a r e enti r ely i m agina ry and ,

no reference is m ad e or int e nd ed to a n y l ivi n g person .

J O H N M A S E F I ELD .

[ I7 6 ]
 TH E WI DOW IN TH E BY E S TR EET 1

P A RT I

Dow n Bye St r eet in a little Sh ropsh ire town

, ,

T h e r e lived a w idow with her only so n :

Sh e h ad no wealth nor title to renown ,

No r a n y j oyou s hours neve r one , .

Sh e rose fro m ragged mattress befo r e sun

An d stitch ed all d ay until her eyes we r e red ,

And h a d to stitch because her man was d ead

, .

Som etim es sh e fell asleep sh e stitch ed so h a rd

, ,

Letting th e linen fall upon the oo r ;

And h ungry cats would steal in from th e ya rd ,

And m angy ch ickens pecked about th e d o o r ,

Cra n ing th e i r necks so ragged and so so r e

To sea r ch th e room for bread crumbs or fo r m ouse -
, ,

B ut th ey got nothi n g i n th e widow s house

.

Mostly S h e m ade h er b read by h e mming sh roud s

F o r one rich undertake r i n the High S t r eet ,

Wh o u sed to p r ay th at folks might d ie i n c row ds

And th at th ei r fr iend s might pay to let them lie sweet ;
And when one died the widow in th e Bye Street
Stitch ed night and day to give th e worm h is dole .

The d e ad w e r e better d ressed th an th at poor soul .

1
Co py ri g h t in th e Un i te d K i n g d o m an d U . S . A , 19 12
. .

[ I 79 ]
 THE W I DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Her l ittl e son w as all h er life s delight ,

F o r in h is little featu res sh e could nd

A glim pse of th at dead h usband out of sight ,

Wh ere Out of sight i s neve r out of mi n d .

And so sh e stitch ed till sh e w as nearly blind ,

O r till th e t allow candle end was done ,

To get a living for h er little son .

Her love for h im b eing such sh e would not rest ,

It w as a want which ate h er out and in ,

Anoth er h unger in h er with ered b r east

P r essing h er wom an s bones against th e skin

.

To m a ke him pl um p sh e sta rved h er body thin .

And h e h e ate th e food and n ever knew

, , ,

He l augh ed and played a s littl e child ren do .

Wh en th ere was littl e sickn ess in th e pl ace

Sh e took wh at God w oul d send and wh at God se n t ,

Never b rought any colour to h er face

Nor l ife i n to h er footstep s when sh e went .

Going S h e t rembled always w ith ered a n d be n t

, ,

F o r all went to h er son al w ays th e same

, ,

He w as rst served wh atever blessing cam e .

So m etimes sh e wandered o u t to gath er stick s ,

F or it w a s bitte r col d the r e when it s n ow ed .

An d sh e stol e h ay out of th e fa rm e r s ricks
F o r band s to wrap her feet i n w h ile sh e sewed ,

An d wh en h er feet we r e wa r m and the grate glowed

She h ugged h er littl e son h er hea rt s desi r e
, ,

With Jimmy a in t it snug besid e th e r e ?
,

1 80 ]
 THE WI DOW I N THE BYE S T REE T

On e th ing alone m ade life not pe rfect sweet :

Th e moth er s d aily fea r of wh at would come
Wh en wom an and h er lovely boy should m eet ,

Wh en th e new wife would b reak u p th e old home .

F e a r of th at unbo rn evil struck h er d umb ,

And wh en h er d a rling and a wom an met ,

Sh e shook and p rayed Not her 0 God ; not yet , , .

Not yet d ea r God my Jimmy took from m e
, , .

T hen sh e would subtly q uestion with her so n .

Not ve ry h and some I don t think h er be ? .

God h el p th e m an w h o m arries such an one .

Her red eyes peered to sp y th e misch ief done .

Sh e took great ca re to keep th e gi rl s away ,

And all h e r t roubl e m ade h im ea si e r p r e y .

There w as a w o m an o ut at Plaister s E nd

Light of h er body fty to th e pound

, ,

A copp er coin for any m an to spend ,

Lovely to look on wh en th e wits were d rowned .

He r h usb and s skeleton w a s neve r found

,

It l ay a m ong th e rock s at G ly dy r Mo r
Wh ere h e d rank poison nding h er a who r e .

She w as n o t n ative th e re for sh e belonged ,

O ut M ilford way or Swansea ; no one knew

, .

She h a d th e piteou s look of someone w ro n ged ,

Anna h er n ame a widow l ast of Triw
, , , .

She h ad lived at Pl aister s E nd a yea r o r two ;

At Callow s cottage re nting h al f an a cre ;

,

Sh e w as a h en wife and a perfume m aker

- -
.

[ 1 82 ]
 THE WI DOW I N THE BYE S T R EE T

Secret sh e w as ; she lived in reputati o n ;

B ut s e cret unseen th read s went oating out :
He r smile h er voice h er face were all tem ptati o n
, , , ,

All subtle ies to t rouble m an th e trout ;

M an to entice ent ra p entangle out
, , , .

To ta ke and spoil and then to cast aside :

,

Gain without giving was th e craft sh e pl ied .

And sh e com pla ined poor lonely widow e d soul

, ,

How no one ca red and men were rutters all ;

,

Whil e t rue love i s an ever b u rning goal

B u rning th e b righter a s the sh adows fall .

And all love s dogs went h unting at th e call ,

M a rried or not sh e took them by th e b rain ,

S uck e d at th e i r h e a rt s and toss e d them b ack again .

Like th e straw res lit on Saint John s E ve ,

She b u rned and dwindled in her ckl e hea rt ;

F or if sh e wept when Harry took his leave ,

Her tea rs were lu res to beckon Bo b to start .

And if wh ile loving Bob a tink e r s ca rt
, ,

Came by S h e opened window with a smile

,

And gave th e tinker h ints to wait a wh ile .

Sh e pa ssed for pure ; bu t yea rs b efo re in Wales

, , ,

Living at Mountain Ash with diff e rent m en ,

Her less discretion h ad inspi r ed tales

O f certain things S h e d i d and how and when
, ,
.

Tho se seven yea rs of youth ; we a re fr antic then .

Sh e h ad been frantic in her yea rs of youth ,

The tales were not more evil th an the truth .

[ 1 83 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

Sh e h ad two child ren a s th e fru its of trade ,

Though sh e d rank bitter h erb s to kill th e curse ,

B o th of them s o ns and one sh e o verlaid

, ,

Th e oth e r one th e p a ri sh h ad to nu r se .

Now sh e g r ew plum p with money in h er pu rse ,

Passing fo r p u r e a h u nd r ed miles I gu e ss, ,

F rom wh er e h er little son wor e w o rkhouse d ress .

There with th e U nion b oys h e came and went ,

A p a rish b ast a rd fed on b read and tea ,

Wea ring a b right tin b adge in furthest Gwent ,

An d no on e knowing who h is folk could b e .

Hi s mother never knew h is new n ame : sh e ,

Sh e touch ed th e lu st of those who served her tu rn ,

A nd ch ief a mong her m en w as Sheph erd Em .

A m o ody t reacherou s m an o f b awdy m ind

, ,

M arried to th at m ild girl from E rcall Hill ,

Whose gentle goodness m ad e him more inclined

To hotter sauces sh a rp er on th e bill .

Th e new l ust gives th e lecher th e new th rill ,

Th e new wine scratches a s it slips th e th roat ,

Th e new ag is so b right by th e old boat .

Em was h er m an to b uy h er b read and meat ,

Half of h is weekly wage was h ers to spend ,

She u sed to mock How i s you r wife my sweet ?
, ,

Or wail O E rnie how i s this to end ?
, , ,

O r c oo My E rnie is without a fri end
, ,

Sh e cannot understand my p recious life ,

And E rnie would go hom e and beat his wife .

[ I 84 ]
 TH E WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Anna was all agog to see th e fair ;

She m ade Em p rom ise to b e th ere to meet he r ,

To a rm h e r round to all th e plea sures the r e ,

And b uy h e r ri bbons fo r h e r neck a n d treat her , ,

So th at no wom an at th e fair should b eat he r

I n h aving plea su re at a m an s expense
.

She pl anned to meet h im at th e ch apel fence .

So E rnie went ; and Jimmy took h is m o th e r ,

D r essed i n h er nest with a M on m outh sh a w l ,

And th ere wa s such a c row d sh e thought sh e d s m othe r

And 0 sh e loved a p e p m in t a bove all

,

.

Clash go th e crockeries w h ere th e ch eapj acks b aw l ,

B a a go th e sh eep th ud goes th e waxw o r k s d rum

,

A n d E rn ie cursed for Anna h adn t co m e

.

He h u n ted for h er U p and down the place ,

R agi n g and snappi n g like a working b rew .

I f you re with someone el se I ll sm ash h is face

,

A n d wh en I ve done fo r h im I ll go fo r you

.

He bought no fai r ings a s h e d vowed to do

F or his poo r littl e child r en b ack at ho m e

Stuck at th e gl ass to se e till fath er come .

Not ndi n g h er h e went into an inn

, ,

B usy with ri n ging till a n d scratch ing m atch es .

Wh e r e th i r sty d rovers m i n gled stout with gin

A n d th r ee o r four Welsh herd s we r e singi n g catches .

Th e s w ing doors cl attered letti n g in in snat ches

-
,

Th e noises of th e fai r now low now loud

, , .

E rn called for beer and glowered at the c rowd .

[ 1 86 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

Wh ile h e w as gloweri n g at his d rinking the re ,

I n came th e gip sy B essie h awking toys ; ,

A bold eyed st r apping h a rlot with black h ai r

-
,

O ne of th e t r ib e which camped a t S hephe r d s Bois

S he lu r ed h im out of inn i n to th e noise

O f th e stea m o rgan whe r e th e ho r ses spu n
-
,

And so th e end of all things w a s begu n .

Newn ess in lust always th e old in love

, .

Put U p you r toys he said and co m e alo n g
, , ,

We ll h ave a tu rn of swing boats u p above ,

And see th e mu r der wh en th ey st r ike th e go n g .

Don t c c sh e giggled

, My but a in t you st ro n g .
,

.

And where s your p roper gi rl ? You do n t know m e

.

I do . You don t
Why th en I will said h e .
, , , .

Anna w a s l ate because th e ca rt which d rove he r

Called for her l ate (th e ho r se h ad b roke a t race ) ,

Sh e w as all d ressed and scented for he r lover ,

Her b right blue blouse h ad i m itation l ace ,

Th e paint w as red as roses on her face ,

Sh e h um med a song because sh e thought to se e ,

How envious all the other gi rl s would be .

When sh e a rrived and found h e r E rnie go n e ,

Her bitte r h e a rt thought This is how it is ,
.

Keeping m e waiting while the spo rts a re on :

P romising faith ful too and then to miss , ,
.

0 E rnie won t I give it you fo r th is

.
, ,

And looking U p she saw a couple cl i n g ,

Em with his a rm round Bessie in the swing .

[ I 87 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T REE T

E r n caught h er eye and S pat and cut h er d ead , ,

B essie l augh ed h ardly in th e gipsy w ay

, .

Anna though bli n d with fu ry tossed h er h ead

, , ,

B iti n g h e r lip s until th e r ed wa s g r ey ,

F o r b itte r mom ents given bitter pay , ,

T h e ti m e for p ayment co m es early o r l ate , ,

No ea rthly d ebto r b ut a ccounts to F ate .

Sh e tu rned a sid e telling with b itter oath s

,

Wh at E m should su e r if h e turned agen ,

A n d th e r e w as Ji m m y stripping off h is clothes

Withi n a little ri n g of fa rm i n g me n .

Now Jimmy p u t th e old tup into pen
, , .

His m oth er watch i n g thought her hea rt would curdl e

, , ,

To see Jim d rag th e O ld ram t o th e h urdl e .

Th en th e ram b utted and th e ga me b egan ,

T ill Ji m my s m u scles cracked and th e ram grunted

.

T h e good old w r estling gam e of Ram and M an ,

At wh ich none k n ows th e h unter from th e hunted .

Co m e and se e Ji m my h ave h is belly bunted .

Good t u p Good J im Good Ji m my S ick him R over

. . .
, ,

By d ang but Jimmy s got h im fairly over
, .

Then th e r e w as cl ap of h and s and Jimmy grinn e d

And took ve silver sh illings from h is b ackers ,

And said th old t u p h ad put h im out of wind

O r else h e d take all comers at th e Wh acke r s

.

And so m e m ade rude rem a r ks of ram s and kn ack e rs ,

A n d moth er shook to get h er son alone ,

So s to b e sure h e h ad n t b roke a bon e

.

[ 1 88 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE BYE S T REE T

Sh e spoke to t ake h im seeing h im a sh eep

, , ,

How beautiful you wra stled with th e ram ,

It m ad e me all go t remble j ust to peep ,

I am th at fond of wrastling th at I am , .

Why here s you r moth er too Good eveni n g m a am
, , .
,

I was j ust telling Jim how well he done ,

How p roud you m ust be of so ne a son .

O ld moth er blinked wh ile Jimmy h a rdly knew ,

Wh eth er h e k n ew th e wom an there or not ;

B ut well h e knew if not h e wanted to , , ,

Joy of h er beauty r an in h im so hot ,

O ld t r em bli n g moth er by h im w as forgot ,

Wh ile Anna sea rched the mother s face to know ,

Wh e th e r sh e took h er for a wh o r e or no .

Th e wom an s m axim Win th e wom an rst , ,

M ad e h er be gracious to th e with ered th ing .

This being in c r owd s d o give on e such a thi rst ,

I wonder if th ey ve tea going at The Kin g ?

My th r oat s th at d ry my ve ry tongue d o cling

,

Perh ap s you d t ake my a r m w e d wander u p ,

(I f you d agree ) and t ry and get a cu p

.

Com e m a am a c u p o f tea would do y o u good
, ,

Th ere s noth i n g like a nice hot c u p of tea
After th e crowd and all the time you ve stood ;

And Th e King s st ri ct it isn t like Th e K e y

,

.

Now take my a rm my d ear and l e an on m e
, , , .

And Jimmy s moth er being nea rly b lind , ,

T o ok Anna s arm and only thought h e r kind , .

[ I 90 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

So off they set with Anna talking to h er

, ,

How nice th e tea would be after the crowd ,

And moth er th i n ki n g h alf the time sh e knew her ,

And Jimmy s h ea rt s blood ticking quick and loud ,

An d Death besid e h im knitting at h is sh roud ,

A n d all the High Street bab bling with th e fair ,

And white O ctober cloud s in the blu e a ir .

So t e a w as m ad e and d o wn they sat t o d rink ;

,

0 the p al e beauty sitting at the boa rd

There is mo r e d eath in women th an w e th ink ,

There is m uch d anger in the soul adored ,

Th e wh ite h and s b ring th e poison and th e c o rd ;

Death h a s a lodg e in lips a s red a s cherri e s ,

D e ath h a s a m ansi o n in th e y ew tr ee b e rri e s .

Th ey sat there t alking after tea w as done ,

And Jimmy blush ed at Anna s sparkling looks ,

And Ann a att e red moth er on her son ,

Catch ing both shes on her subtle hooks .

With twilight tea and t alk i n ingle nooks

,
-
,

And m usic coming u p from the d im street ,

Mother h ad nev e r known a fair so sweet .

Now cow b e lls C link for milking ti m e is come

-
,
-
,

T h e d rovers stack th e h urdles into ca rts ,

New m asters d riv e the straying cattle ho m e ,

M any a young cal f from h is mother pa rts ,

Hogs S traggle b ack to S ty by ts and sta rts ;

Th e farmers take a last glass at th e inns ,

And now th e fr o lic of the fai r begins .

 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

All of th e sid e shows of th e fair a re lighted ,

F la res and b right lights and b rassy cymb al s cl anging

, ,

B eginning now and E veryone s invited
,

Sh atter th e p a uses of th e organ s wh anging ,

T h e Oldest Show on E arth a nd th e Last Hanging ,

T h e M u rder in th e R ed B a rn with real blood , ,

Th e ries crack th e S ally sh y sticks th ud

,
-
.

Anna walked slowly h omeward s with her p rey ,

Hold ing o ld totte r ing mother s weight U pon her ,

An d pou r i n g in sweet poison on th e w ay

O f S uch a pleasure m a am and such an honou r
, , ,

And One s so s afe with such a so n to con h e r

Th rough all th e noises and th r ough all the p ress ,

Boys d are d n t squirt tormenters on her d ress .

At moth er s door th ey stop to say G o od night .

And moth er m ust go in to se t the table .

Anna p r ete n d ed th at sh e felt a fr igh t

T o go alone th rough al l th e merry babel :

My friend s are waiti n g at The Cain a n d Abel

,

Just down th e oth er side of M a rket Squ a re ,

It d be a m ercy i f you d se t me th e re .

So Jimmy cam e wh ile mother w e nt inside ;

,

Ann a h a s got h e r vi ctim in her clutch .

Ji m m y all bl ushi n g gl ad to b e h er guide

, , ,

T h rilled by h er scent and t rem bli n g at h er touch

, .

She w as all white and d a r k and said not m u ch ;

,

Sh e sighed to h int th at plea su re s grave w as d ug
, ,

And smiled within to see h im such a m ug .

[ I9 2 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Now Anna t ake m y a rm dea r
, , Not to night ,
-
,

Th at m ust come later wh en we know ou r m ind s ,

We mu st agre e to keep th is evening white ,

We ll eat th e fruit to nigh t and save th e rind s
-
.

And all the folk whose sh adows d a r ked th e blind s ,

And all th e d ancers wh irling in th e fai r ,

Were wretch e d w o rm s to Jim and Anna th ere .

How wonderful life is said Anna lowly , , .

B ut it b e gins again with you for friend .

I n the d im la mplight Jimmy thought her h o ly ,

A lov e ly fragile thing for h im to tend ,

Grace bey o nd m e a su re b eauty without end

, .

Anna h e said ; Good night This is th e door
,
-
. .

I n e v e r kn e w W h at p eople m e ant b e for e ,

Good night my fri e nd G oo d b y e
-
, . B ut oh my sw e et-
.
, ,

The night s q uite early yet don t say good bye ,
-
,

Come j u st anoth er S ho rt tu rn down th e st r eet ,

The wh o le life s b ubbling up for you and I

.

Somehow I feel to m o r ro w we m ay die

- .

Com e j u st a s fa r a s to th e bl acksmith s light
.

B ut N o said Ann a ; not to night Good night
,
-
.
-
.

All th e tid e s t riumph wh en th e white moon ll s

Down in th e rac e th e toppling waters shout ,

Th e b re akers sh ake th e b a ses of th e h ills ,

There i s a th und e ring wh ere th e stream s go out ,

And th e wise sh ipm an p uts his ship about

Seeing the gath ering of those wate r s wan ,

B ut wh at when love m ak e s h igh tid e in a m an ?

[ I 94 1
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T R EE T 1

Jimmy walked ho m e w ith all his mind on re ,

O ne lovely fac e fo r eve r se t in ame .

He sh ive r ed a s h e w ent like t autened wi re , ,

Surge afte r su rge of sh udd ering in him cam e

And th en swept out repeating one sweet n ame

Anna oh Anna to the evening sta r
, , .

Anna wa s sipping wh iskey in the b a r .

So b ack t o h o me and mother Jimmy wande r ed ,

Th inking of Plaister s E nd and Anna s lips

.

He ate no suppe r wo rth th e name b ut ponde r ed ,

O n Pl aister s E nd hedge sca rlet with ri pe h ips , ,

And of th e lovely moon there in e clipse ,

And how sh e m ust b e shining in th e house

B eh ind th e h edge of thos e old dog rose bough s - .

O ld moth e r cl e a red away The clock struck eight . .

Why boy you ve l eft you r b acon l awks a m e

, ,

, ,

So th at s wh at comes of h aving tea so l ate

,

Anoth er time you ll go without you r tea

.

Your fath er l iked h is c u p too d idn t h e , , ,

Always anoth er c u p h e used to say

,

H e never went without on any d ay .

H o w n ice th e lady wa s and how sh e talk e d ,

I ve never h ad a nicer fai r not ever

,
.

Sh e said sh e d like to se e us i f we walked

To Pl aister s E nd beyond by Wate rse v e r

,
.

Nice looking w om an too and th at and clever ;

-
, , ,

We might go round one ev e ning p rap s we two ; , ,

O r I might go if it s too fa r for you
,
.

[ I95 ]
 THE W I DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

No said th e moth er we re not folk fo r th at ;
, ,

M eet at th e fair and th at and there an end , .

R a ke o u t th e re and put out th e cat ,

Th ese fairs a r e sinful tem pting folk to spend

, .

O f cou r se sh e spoke polite and like a friend ;

O f cou r se sh e h a d to do and so I let her
, ,

B ut now it s don e and p ast so I forget her , .

I don t see why forget h er Why forget h er ?

.

She treat u s ki n d Sh e were n t like everyon e

.

.

I never saw a wom an I liked better ,

An d he s not ea sy pl ea sed m y fath er s son ,

.

So I ll go round som e night whe n work is done

.

Now Jim my d ea r tru st moth e r there s a dea r
, , , ,

.

Well so I do b ut so m etimes you re so queer
, , .

Sh e blink e d at h im out of h er withered e yes

B elow h er la shless eyelid s red and blea t ed .

Her month s of s acrice h ad won th e p rize ,

Her Jim h ad come to wh at sh e always fea red .

An d yet sh e doubted so S h e shook and peered

,

An d begged h e r G od not let a wom an t ake

Th e lovely son whom sh e h ad st arved to m ake .

Dou b ting sh e stood th e d ish e s in th e rack

, ,

We ll ask h er in so m e evening then sh e s aid , , ,

How n ice h er h air looked i n th e b it of bl ack .

And still sh e pee r ed from eyes all d im and red

To note at once if Jimmy d ro o ped h is h ea d ,

01 if h is ears blush e d wh e n h e h eard h er praised ,

An d Jimmy bl ush ed and h ung h is h e ad and g aze d .

[ I 96 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE BYE S TR EET

An n a I love you and I always sh all
, , .

He looked towa r d s Plaiste r s E nd beyond Cot Hi lls

.

A wh ite sta r gli m m ered in the lo n g canal ,

A d r oni n g fro m th e m usic ca m e i n th ri lls .

Love is a ame to b u rn out h u m an wills ,

Love is a a m e to se t th e will on re ,

Love i s a am e to cheat m en into mi r e .

One of th e th ree w e m ake Love wh at w e choose

, .

B ut Ji m m y d i d not know h e only thought

,

Th at Ann a wa s too beautiful to lose ,

T h at sh e w as all th e wo rld a n d h e w as n a ught ,

T h at it was sweet though b itter to b e caught

, , .

Anna I love you
, U nderneath th e m oon
.
,

I sh all go m ad unless I se e you soon .

Th e fair s lights th rew aloft a m isty glow

.

Th e o rgan wh angs th e giddy ho r ses reel

, ,

Th e ries cease th e folk begin to go

, ,

Th e h a n d s uncla m p th e swing boats fro m th e wh eel ,

There is a smell of t r odden orange peel ;

Th e organ d ro n es and d ies th e horses stop
, ,

And th e n th e t e nt collaps e s fro m th e top .

The fai r is over let th e p eople t r oop

, ,

T h e d runka r d s stagger homewa rd s down th e gutte r s ,

T h e showm en h eave in an excited g rou p ,

T h e poles t ilt slowly down th e canvas utte r s

, ,

T h e m auls knock o u t th e pins th e la st a r e sputte r s

,
.

Lower away . Go easy Lowe r lowe r
.
, .

You ve d ang nea r knock my sku ll in Loose it slowe r

. .

[ I9 8 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T REE T

B ack in th e horses Ar e th e swing bo ats load ed ?
.

All right to sta rt Bill w here s th e cush ion gone ?
.
,

Th e r e d one for th e Que e n ? I think I stowed it .

You th ink you th ink L o rd w he re s th at cush ion John ?
, .
,

,

It s in th at d itty box y o u r e sitting on

,

Wh at more d yo n want ? A concertin a plays
F a r off a s wandering lov e rs go their ways .

U p th e d im Bye Stre e t t o th e m arket plac e -

Th e d e ad b ones of th e fair a re borne in ca rts ,

Horses and swing boats at a fun e ral p ace

After t rium ph ant hours quickening h ea rt s ;
A policem an eyes each waggon a s it sta rts ,

Th e d rowsy showm e n stumble h alf asleep ,

On e o f th e m cat calls h aving d runken d ee p

,
.

S o out over th e pass into th e pl ain

, , ,

And the d aw n nd s them lling empty cans

I n some sweet sm elling d usty count ry lane
-
,

Wh e r e a b roo k ch atters over rusty p ans .

Th e iro n ch i m neys of th e ca r avans

Smoke a s th ey go And now th e fair h a s gon e
.

To nd a new pitch somew here further on .

B ut a s th e fai r mov e d o ut tw o lovers cam e ,

E rnie and B essie loitering out together ;

B essie with wild e yes h ungry as a am e
, ,

Em like a stallion tugging at a teth e r .

I t w as calm m oonlight and O ctober weath er , ,

So still so lovely a s th ey topped th e ridge

, ,
.

They b rush ed by Ji m my standi n g o n th e b ridge .

 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

And a s th ey p assed th ey gravely eyed each other

, , ,

And th e blood b u r ned in each h eart beating th ere ;

An d out into th e Bye Street t o tte r ed m oth er ,

Without h er S h awl in the O ctober ai r , .

Jimmy sh e cried Jimmy
, And B essie s h air ,

Drooped on th e instant over E m ie s fa ce

An d th e two lov e rs clung in an e mb race .

O E rn
,
My own my B e ssie
. As th ey kissed , .

Jimmy was enviou s of th e th ing unknown .

So th is w as Love th e someth ing h e h ad m issed

, ,

Wom an and m an ath i r st a am e alone , , .

E nvy went knocking at h is m ar r ow bone -

,

And Ann a s face swam u p so d im so fai r

, ,

Shining and sweet with popp i es i n h er h air

, .

P A RT III

After th e fair th e gang began again

, .

Tipping th e trolleys down th e b anks of ea rth .

Th e t ruck of stone cl anks o n th e endless ch ain ,

A clever pony guides it to its be rth .

Let go I t tip s th e n avvies shout for mirth
.
,

To se e th e pony step aside so wise , ,

B ut Jimmy sigh ed th inking of Ann a s eyes ,

.

An d wh en he st o pp e d h is shovelling he looked
Ov e r th e j unipers towa rd s Plaister way ,

Th e b eauty of h is d a rli n g h ad h im hooked ,

He h ad no h ea rt for w r a stli n g with th e clay .

O Lord Al m igh ty I m ust get away ; ,

0 Lo r d I m ust I m ust j ust see my ow e r

, . .

Why I could run th e re i n th e dinner hou r
, .

[ 200 !
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Poor b oy sh e said Po o r b oy how hot you ar e
, , , .

Sh e la id a cool h and to h is sweating face .

How kind to com e H ave yo u been running far ? .

I m j u st going out ; com e u p th e road a p ace

.

0 d e a r th ese h ens ; th ey re all about th e place
, .

So Jimmy shooed th e hens at h e r c o m m and ,

And got outsid e th e gate a s sh e h ad planned .

Anna my d ea r I love you ; lov e y o u t rue ;

, , ,

I h ad to co m e I don t know I can t rest

I l ay awake all night thinking of you , .

M any m ust love y o u but I love y o u best , .

M any h ave loved m e yes d e a r sh e confess ed , , , ,

Sh e sm iled U pon h im with a tender p ride ,

B ut my love ended wh en my h usb and d i ed .

Still we ll b e friends d ea r friends dea r t e nder friend s ;
, , , ,

Lo ve with its fever s at an end for m e

.

B e by m e g e ntly now th e fever end s ,

Life i s a lovelier thing th an lovers see ,

I d like to t ru st a m an Jimmy said sh e , , ,

M ay I t r u st you ? O h Anna d ea r my d ea r , ,
J ,

Don t co m e so close sh e said with p e o pl e nea r

, , .

D e a r don t b e vexed ; it s very sw ee t to nd

One who will understand ; b ut life i s life ,

And those w h o do not know a re so unkind .

B ut you ll b e by me Jimmy in th e strife , , ,

I l o v e you though I cannot be you r wife ;

And now b e o b e fore th e whistl e goes

, ,

O r el se you ll lose you r q u a rte r goodness knows

, .

[ 202 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T R EE T

Wh e n can I se e y o u Anna ? Tell m e d ea r , , .

?
To nigh t To mo r ro w ? S hall I co m e to night ?
-
-

Jimmy my fri e nd I cannot h ave you h e r e ;

, ,

Bu t when I com e to to w n pe rh aps w e might .

Dea r you m ust go ; no kissi n g ; you can w r ite

,
,

And I ll a rrange a meeting wh en I lea r n

Wh at fri e nd s a re doing (m eani n g Shepherd Em ) .

Go o d bye my own-
Dea r Jim you u n d erstand
, .
, .

I f we wer e only free d ea r fr ee to meet , , ,

Dea r I would take yo u by you r big strong h and

, ,

And kiss you r dea r boy eyes so bl ue and sweet ;

B ut my d ead hu sband lies under th e sheet ,

Dea d in my h ea rt d ea r lovely lo n ely one , , , ,

So Jim my d e a r my loving days a re don e

, , , .

B ut though my h e art is buried in h is grave

Someth ing m ight be friend sh ip and U tter t rust
And y o u my dear sta rved little Jim sh all h ave
,

F lowers of fr iend shi p from my d ea d h ea rt s d ust ;

Life would b e sweet if men would neve r l ust .

Why do you Jimmy ? Tell me so m etime d ea r

, , ,

Why m e n ar e always wh at we women fea r .

Not now Go o d b ye ; w e understand we tw o

.
-
, ,

And life oh Jim how glo rious life i s ;

, , ,

This sun sh ine i n m y hea rt is d ue to you ;

I w as so sad and life h a s given this
,
.

I th ink I wish I h ad something of h is

,

Do give me som e th ing will you be so kind ? ,

Someth ing to keep you always in my m ind .

[ 203 ]
 THE W ID OW IN THE BYE S T R EET

I will he said
, Now go or you ll be late
.
,

.

He b roke from h er and r a n and never d reamt ,

T h at a s sh e stood to watch h im from th e gate

H e r h ea rt wa s h al f a m u sement h alf contempt , ,

Co m p a ring Jim th e squ ab red and unkem pt , ,

I n sweaty cordu roys with S heph erd Em , .

S h e blew him kisses till h e p assed th e t u rn .

Th e wh istle blew before h e reach ed th e line ;

T h e fo r e m an asked h im wh at th e hell h e meant ,

Wh ethe r a d uke h ad a sked h im out to d ine ,

Or if h e thought th e b ag would p ay h is rent ?

And J im was ned b efore th e fore m an went .

B ut still h is sp i rit glowed from Anna s words

,

Cooed in th e voice so like a singing bird s .

0 An
n a d a r ling you sh all h ave a p r es ent ;
, ,

I d give you gold en ge m s i f I we r e ri ch

,

And eve ryth i n g th at s sweet and all th at s plea sant

.

He d ropped his pick a s th ough h e h ad a stitch ,

And sta r ed t ow rd s Pl aiste r s En d p ast B ush e s Pitch

,

.

0 b e auty wh at I h ave to give I ll give
, ,

All m ine is you rs b eloved while I l ive
, , .

All th r o ugh th e afternoon h is p ick wa s slacking ,

His eyes we r e always tu rning west a n d south ,

Th e fo r em an w a s incli n ed to send him p acking ,

B ut p ut it down to afte r fa ir d ay d routh ; -

He looked at Jimmy with an ugly m outh ,

And Jimmy sl acked and m uttered i n a moan

, ,

My love my b eautiful my very own
, , .

[ 204 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE ST R E E T

M y d ea r m y d ear
, My very d ea r my Jim.
, ,

How ve ry kind my Jimmy is to me ;

I a ch e to th i n k th at so m e a r e h a rsh to h im ;
Not like my Ji m my beautiful and fr e e , .

My d a rling boy how lovely it would b e

.
,

I f all would trust a s we two trust each other .

And Jimmy s h ea rt grew h ard against h is mother .

Sh e p oo r old soul wa s wa iting in th e gloom

, ,

F or Jimmy s p ay th at sh e could d o th e shopping

, .

Th e clock ticked out a sole m n tale of doo m ;

Clogs on the b ricks outsid e went c lip p a clopping

-
,

Th e owl s w ere com ing out and d ew wa s d r opp ing .

Th e b aco n b u rnt a n d Jimmy not yet h ome

, .

Th e clock wa s tick ing doom s o ut lik e a gnom e .

Wh at can h av e kept h im th at h e doesn t c o m e ?

0 G o d th ey d tell m e i f h e d com e to h u rt
, .

Th e unknown unseen evil struck h er nu m b

, ,

Sh e s aw h is b ody bloody in th e d irt ,

Sh e saw th e life blood p ump ing th rough th e S h i rt ,

She saw h im tip sy in th e n avvies b oo th

,

Sh e saw all form s of e vil bu t th e t ruth .

At last sh e h u rried u p th e l in eto ask

I f Jim we r e h u rt or w h y h e wasn t b ack
.

Sh e fo u n d th e watch m an weari n g th rough h is ta sk ;

O ver th e re b asket in h is sh ack ;
B eh ind th e n ew e m bankment rose u p black
, .

Gu rney ? h e sa id He d got to se e a friend .

.

Wh ere ? I d unno I think out Pl aister s E nd .

.

[ 206 !
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Th ank ing th e m an sh e tott e re d d own th e hill

, ,

The long fe a red fa ng h ad bitten to th e bone

-
.

Th e b rook besid e h er t alked a s wat e r will

Th at it w as lon e ly sin gi ng all alone ,

Th e n igh t w as lo n e ly with th e wat e r s t o n e

,

And sh e w as lon ely to th e very m a rrow .

Lo ve p uts such bitter poison on F at e s a rrow

.

Sh e we nt th e long way to th em by th e mills ,

Sh e told h ers e lf th at sh e must nd h er son .

Th e night wa s om inous of m any ills ;

Th e s o ugh ing l arch clum p almost m ad e her ru n ,

Her boots h u rt ( sh e h ad got a stone in one)

And bitt e r b e aks wer e tearing at he r liver
Th at h e r bo y s h e a rt w as tu rn e d from h er forev e r

.

Sh e k e pt th e l ane past Spindle s past th e Callows
,

,

Her lip s still m utt e ring p rayers against th e wo r st ,

And th ere we r e people comi n g fr om th e sallows ,

Along th e wild d uck p atch by Beggar s Hurst .

B eing in moonl igh t mother saw the m rst ,

Sh e saw th e m movi n g in th e moonlight d im ,

A woman with a swe e t voice s aying J im .

Trem b ling sh e gr o velled d own into th e d itch ,

Th ey wandered p ast her pr e ssi n g sid e to side .

O Anna m y be lov d if I were rich
,

,
.

I t was h er son and Anna s voice replied
, ,

Dea r boy d ea r beauty boy m y love and prid e
, ,
.

And h e : I t s but a silver thing but I

,

Will earn you b etter l o ckets by and by e .

[ 207 1
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T RE ET

D e ar bo y y o u m ustn t , B ut I mean t o d o
. .

Wh at w as th at funny s o rt of n o ise I h ea rd ?

Wh ere ?

I n th e hedge ; a s o rt o f s o b o r c oo .

Liste n It s gon e
. It m ay h ave b een a b ird

. .

Jim tossed a stone b ut mother never stirred .

S h e h ugged th e h ed gerow choking down h er p a in , ,

Wh ile th e hot tea rs we r e blind ing in h er b rain .

The tw o p assed on th e with ered wom an rose , ,

F or m any m inutes sh e could only sh ake ,

St a ri ng ah ead with t r em bling little

Th e n oise a ve ry frightened child might m ake .

0 God d ea r God don t let th e wom an t ake

, ,

M y l ittl e son G o d not my little Jim, , .

0 G o d I ll h ave t o S ta rve if I l o s e h im

.
,

So b ack sh e t r embl ed nod ding with h er h ead , ,

Laugh ing and trembling in th e b u r sts of tea rs ,

Her ditch lle d b oo ts both squ elchi n g in th e t read

-
,

Her shopping bonnet sagging to h er ea rs

-
,

Her h ea rt too d u m b with b r okenness fo r fears .

Th e nightm a re wh icke ring with th e l augh of death

Could not h ave added terror to her b reath .

Sh e reach ed th e h o use and : I m all right said sh e , , ,

I ll j ust t ake o ff my things ; b ut I m all right

,

I d b e all righ t with j ust a cu p of tea ,

I f I could o n ly get th is grate to ligh t ,

Th e p ape r s d a m p and Jimmy s l ate to night ;

-

Be lo v d if I w a s rich w a s wh at h e said

, , ,

O h Jim I wish th at God would kill m e d ead
, , .

[ 203 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

I don t know wh at you mean
.

M
Jimmy my own
.
, .

Don t lie to moth er boy for m o ther knows

, , .

I kn o w yo u a nd th at l ady to th e bone ,

And sh e s a whore th at thing you call a r ose , ,

A whore w h o t akes wh atever m al e th ing goes ;

A h a r lot with th e d evil s skill to tell

Th e special key of e ach m an s door to h ell .

S he s not She s nothi n g of th e ki n d I tell
.
, ee.

M

You can t tell women like a wom an c an ;
.

A begga r tell s a lie to ll his belly ,

A st r u m pet tells a lie to w in a m an ,

Wom en were lia rs since th e wo rld began ;

And sh e s a lia r b randed in th e eyes , ,

A rotten lia r w h o inspires lies , .

I
sh e s not s ay .

M
No don t e e Jim my d e a rie
.
, , , ,

You ve s een h er o ften in th e l ast few d ays ,

Sh e s given a love a s m akes you come in wea ry
To lie to m e b e fo re going out to laze .

She s tem pted you i n to th e devil s ways

,

She s rob bing you full st of wh at you ea rn , , ,

In God s Name wh at s sh e giving in retu rn ? ,

Her faith my d ea r and th at s enough for m e
, ,

.

M . Her faith H e r faith O h Jimmy list e n d e a r ; . .
, , ,

Love doesn t a sk fo r faith my son n o t h e ;

, ,

He a sks for life th roughout th e live long year -

,

An d life s a t e st fo r any plough to e r e

.

Life test s a plough in m eadows m ade of stones ,

L o v e t akes a toll of spi rit m ind and bon e s , .

[ 210 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T REE T

I know a wom an s po rtion w hen sh e loves ,

It s h e rs to give my d a rling not to take ;

, ,

It isn t lock e ts d ea r nor pa irs of gloves
, , ,

It isn t m a rri age bells nor wed ding cake ,

It s u p and cook although th e belly ach e ;

And bea r th e child and u p and w ork again , ,

And count a sick m an s g rumble wo rth the pain

.

Will sh e do this and fty tim e s as m uch ?,

No I don t a sk he r
. .

M
No I wa rrant no
. .
, .

She s one to get a young fool in her cl utch ,

An d you r e a fool to let h er t r ap you so .

She love you ? She ? O Jimmy let her g o ; ,

I wa s so h appy dea r before sh e came , , ,

And n o w I m going to the grave in sh am e

.

I bo re you Jimmy in th is ve ry ro o m
, , .

F or fteen years I got you all y o u h ad ,

Y ou were my little son m ade in my wom b , ,

Le ft all to m e for God h ad took you r d a d

, ,

You we re a good son doing al l I bade , ,

U ntil this strumpet came from God knows wh ere ,

And n o w you lie and I am in d espai r , .

Jimmy I wo n t say more I know you think

,

.

Th at I don t know being j ust a withe r ed old

, ,

With C h aps all fallen i n and eyes th at bl ink ,

And h and s th at tremble so th e y cannot hold .

A b ag of bones to p ut i n ch urchya rd mould ,

A red e yed h ag b eside your evening star
- .

And Jimmy gulped and thought B y God you a re
, , , .

[ 21 1 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BY E S T R EE T

W e ll if I am my d ea r I d on t p retend
, , , .

I got m y eyes red Jimmy m aking you , , .

M y d ea r befo r e o u r love t ime s at an e n d

Th ink j ust a m inute wh at it is you do .

I f th is were r ight my d ea r you d tell m e t rue ;

, ,

You don t a n d so it s wrong ; y o u l ie ; and sh e

,

Lies too or else you wouldn t lie to m e
, .

Women and men h ave only got one w ay

And th at way s m a rri age ; oth e r ways a r e lust

.

I f you m ust m arry th is one then you m ay ,

I f yo u ll not d rO p h er

.

No .

M I say you m ust
. .

O r b ring my h ai r s with sorrow to th e d ust .

M a rry you r whore you ll p ay a n d the r e a n e n d

,

, .

My G o d you sh all not h ave a w hore fo r fr iend

, .

B y God you sh all not not wh il e I m alive

, ,

.

Never so h elp me God sh all th at th i n g b e

, , .

I f sh e s a wom an t to touch sh e ll w ive ,

I f not sh e s whore and sh e sh all d eal w ith m e

, .

And m ay God s blessed m ercy h elp u s se e
And m ay He m ak e my Ji m my count th e cost ,

My little boy who s lost a s I am lost

, .

Peopl e in love cannot b e won by kindness ,

And opposition m akes th e m feel like m a rtyrs .

Wh en folk a r e crazy with d runken blind n ess

I t s b est to og th em with e ach oth e r s ga rters

,

An d h ave th e ogging d one by Sh ropsh ire ca rters ,

[ 212 ]
 THE WI DO W I N THE BYE S T R EE T

Taunts from th e p roud old wom an lies from h im , ,

And Ann a s coo of Cruel Le ave her Jim .
, .

Also th e fo r e m an spoke : You m ake m e sick ,

You com e d ay g o d ay God send plentyb ee r

- - - - - -
.

You p ut less mizzle o n you r b it of Dick ,

O r get you r ti m e I ll h ave no sl acke r s h ere

,

,

I ve h ad m y eye on you too lon g my d ea r

, .

And Jimmy pond ered wh il e th e m an attacked ,

I d se e h er all d ay lo n g if I were s acked

.

And t r embl ing moth er thought I ll go to see r ,

.

She d give me b ack my b o y if sh e we r e told

Just wh at h e is to m e my p r etty d ea r : ,

Sh e would n t leave me sta rv ing in th e cold

,

Like wh at I am B ut sh e was weak and old
. .

Sh e thought B ut if I a st h er I m afraid
, ,

He d h ate m e ever a fter so sh e stayed

, .

P A RT IV

B essie th e gipsy got with ch ild by E rn

, ,

S h e j oined h e r t rib e again at Sh eph erd s M een

I n th at old q ua r ry overgrown with fern ,

Wh e r e goats a r e teth e r ed o n th e p atch of green .

Th e r e sh e reected on th e fool sh e d been

And pla ited kipes and waited for th e b ast ard ,

And thought th at love was glo rious Wh ile it l asted .

An d Em th e m oo dy m an went m oody ho m e ,

To th at m ost ge n tle gi r l from E r call Hill ,

And b ad e h er tak e a h eed now h e h ad co m e ,

O r els e by c ripes h e d p ut h er th rough th e m ill
, , .

[ 214 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

H e d id n t want h er love h e d h ad h is ll ,

,

Th ank y o u of h e r th e bread and butter s ack

, , .

And Anna h ea rd th at Sh eph erd Em was b ack .

B ack And I ll h ave him b ack to me sh e m uttered
.
, ,

Th is lovesick boy of twenty g r e e n as grass , ,

Ha s m ad e m e wond er if my b rains a re b utt e red ,

H e and h is lockets and h is love th e ass

, , , .

I d o n t know w h y h e comes Alas ! ala s !

.

God knows I want no lov e ; b ut eve ry sun

I b olt my doors on some p o or loving one .

It breaks my h ea rt t o tu rn them out of doo r s ,

I h e a r th e m crying to m e in th e rain ;
O ne with a white face cu rses one impl o res
, , , ,

Anna for G o d s sake let m e in again

,

, ,

Anna b e lov d I cannot h e ar th e pain
, , .

Like hoovey sheep bleating outs id e a fold ,

Anna be lo v d I m in th e wind and cold
, ,

.

I want no m en I m wea ry to th e soul .

O f men like moth s about a ca n dle am e ,

O f men like ies about a suga r bowl ,

Acting alike and all wanti n g th e same

, ,

M y d rea m ed o f swirl of p assion neve r came

-
,

No m an h as give n m e th e love I d r ea m ed ,

B ut in th e b e st of each one som e th ing gleamed .

I f my d ea r d a rli n g w e re alive b ut h e , .

He was th e same ; h e d i dn t u n derstand .

Th e eyes of th at d ead ch ild a re h au n ti n g m e ,

I only tu rned th e blanket with my h and .

It d idn t h urt h e d i ed as I h ad plann e d

,
.

[ 21 5 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

A little ski n ny crea tu re w ea k a n d red ;

,

I t l ooked so p eaceful after it w as dead .

I h ave b een all alone in spite of all

, .

Neve r a light to h elp m e pl a ce m y feet :

I h ave h ad m any a p ain and m a n y a fall .

Life s a long h e ad ach e in a noisy st r eet

Love at th e b udd i n g looks so very sweet ,

M en put such b right d isguises on th eir lust ,

And then it all goes crumble into d ust .

Jimmy th e same d ea r lovely Jimmy too

, , , ,

He goes th e sel f sam e way the oth ers w ent :

-

I sh all b r ing so rrow to those eyes of bl ue .

He a sks th e love I m su r e I never m ea n t

.

Am I to bl am e ? And all his money spe n t !

M en m ake th is sh utti n g doors such c r uel p ain .

0 E m I want you in my life again
, , .

On Sund ay a fternoons th e love r s walk

Arm within a rm d r es sed i n th ei r Su n d ay best
, ,

The m an with th e bl ue necktie s ucks a st alk ,

T h e wom an answ e r s when sh e is add r essed .

On quiet count ry stiles th ey sit to rest ,

And after fty yea rs of wea r a n d tea r

They th ink how beautiful th eir cou rtsh ips were .

Jimmy and Ann a m e t to walk togeth er

The Sund ay a fter Sheph e r d Em retu rned ;
And A nn a s h at wa s lovely with a feath er

Bough t and d y ed bl ue w ith mo n ey Ji m my ea rned .

They walked tow a r d s Callow s F a rm and An n a yea rn ed : ,

[ 216 ]
 THE W I DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

The gate went cl ack a m an came u p th e hill

, ,

T h e l ucky S t rike h ad hooked h im th rough th e gill .

He r b r eath com es q uick h e r ti r ed beauty glow s

, ,

S he woul d not look behind sh e looked ahead

, ,

I t see m ed to Jimmy sh e wa s like a rose ,

A golden w hite rose fai n tly ush ed with red .

He r eyes d a n ced quicke r at th e a pproaching tread ,

Her nge r nails d ug sh a rp i n to h er p al m .

Sh e yea rned to Jimmy s shoulder and kept calm , .

E vening s aid Sh eph erd Em
, She tu rned a n d eyed
. h im ,
Cold and su r p r ised b ut inte r ested too
, ,

To se e h ow m uch h e felt th e hook insid e him ,

And how m uch h e su rm ised and Jimmy k n ew , ,

And if h e r b ea uty S till coul d m ake him do

Th e love t r icks h e h ad ga m bolled i n th e past .

A glow sh ot th rough h er th at h er sh w as g r assed

'

E ve n i n g sh e said
, Good evening
. Jimmy felt .

Jealous and ang ry at th e sheph e r d s tone ;

He lo n ged to hit th e fellow s nose a belt

He wa n ted h i s b eloved h i s alone .

A fellow s gi r l should b e a fellow s own

.

Em gave th e l ad a gl ance a n d tu rned to An n a ,

Jim migh t h ave been in Chin a by h is m a nn er .

Still walking out ? As you are I ll be bound .

.

Ca n you talk gipsy yet o r plait a kipe ?
,

I ll teach you if I can w hen I co m e rou n d

.

And when will th at be ? Wh en th e ti m e is ripe .

An d Jimmy longed to hit th e m an a swipe

[ 218 ]
 THE WI DOW I N THE BY E S T REE T

U nd er th e ch i n to knock h im out of time ,

B ut Ann a stayed : sh e still h ad twigs to l ime .

Com e Anna come my d ea r h e m uttered low
, , , , .

S he frowned an d blinked and S poke again to Em

, .

I h ea r th e gipsy h a s a row to hoe .

Th e more you hea r he said the less you ll lea rn , ,

.

We ve com e out Sh e said to take a tu rn ; , ,

S up pose you come along : th e mo r e th e m e r rie r .

All right h e said b ut how about th e terrie r ?
, ,

He cocked an eye at Jimmy Does he bite ? .

Jimmy bl ush ed scarlet He s a dea r said she .

, .

Em walked a step Will you be i n ton ight ? ,

She shook h er head I doubt if th at may be , .

Jim here s a fri end w h o wa n ts to talk to m e

,

,

So will you go and come anoth er d ay ?

B y c rimes I won t ! said Jimmy I sh all stay
,

, .

I thought h e b it said Em and Anna s m iled , , ,

And Ji m my saw the smile and watched h er face

Wh il e all th e j ealou s devils m ade h im wild ;
A th ird in lov e is always o u t of plac e ;
And th en h er gentle body full of g r ace
Leaned to him sweetly a s sh e tossed her hea d ,

Pe rh ap s we tw o ll b e getting on sh e said

,
.

Th ey wal ked b ut Jimmy tu rned to watch th e thi r d

,
.

I m here not you h e said ; th e shephe r d g rinned :

, ,

Anna wa s smili n g sweet without a wo r d ;

Sh e got th e sca rlet b erry b r a n ch u n pinned .

It s cold

sh e said ,
this evening in th e wi n d , ,
.

[ 2 19 ]
 THE W I DOW I N THE BY E S T REE T

A q uick gl a n ce showed th at Jimmy d id n t m i n d he r

,

Sh e becko n ed w i th th e be rry b r anch behi n d he r .

The n d ropped it gently on th e b roke n sto n es ,

P r eoccupied unh eedi n g walki n g st r aight

, , ,

S ayi n g You j ealous boy i n eve n tones , ,

Looki n g so b ea utiful so d elicate , ,

B ei n g so very sweet : but at h er gate

S h e felt h e r shoe u n laced a n d looked to k n ow
I f E r n h ad t aken u p th e sp r ig o r no .

He h a d sh e smiled
, Anna said Jimmy s adly .
, ,

T h at m an s not t to be a fr iend of you m

,

He s nobb ut j ust an oaf; I love you m adly

And h ea ri n g you s peak kind to m m ade m e b u rn ~

.

Who is h e then ? S h e answe r ed S heph e r d Em
, ,

A plea s ant m an an old old friend of m i n e , , .

B y c ri pes th en Anna d rop him h e s a swi n e
, , , ,

.

Ji m m y sh e said you must h ave faith in m e
, , ,

F aith s all th e b attl e i n a love like ou rs

.

You m us t believe my d a rling don t you se e , ,

T h at l ife to h ave its sweets m ust h ave its sou r s .

Lo ve isn t always two soul s pi cki n g owe r s

.

You m ust h ave fa i t h I give you all I c an . .

Wh at can t I say Good evening to a m an ?
,

Yes h e r epl ied but not a m a n like h im
, , .

Wh y not a m an l ike h im ? sh e said Wh at next ?

,

B y th i s th ey d r each ed h e r cottage in th e dim

Amo n g th e d aisies t h at the cold h ad k e x e d .

B ecause I say Now Anna do n t be vexed .
, ,

.

[ 2 20 ]
 THE W I DOW IN TH E BYE S T REE T

Nothing b ut th at He sat h im down to r age

.
,

B esid e th e stream whose waters never age .

Pla shing it slith ered down th e tiny fall

,

To edd y wri n kl es i n th e t re m bli n g pool

With th at light voice whose mu sic cannot p all ,

Always th e note of sol ace ute like cool ,

-
, .

And w h en hot h ead ed m an h as been a fool

-
,

He could not d o a wiser th ing th an go

To th at d im pool wh e r e p u rple teazel s grow .

He glowe r ed th ere until suspicion ca m e ,

S u spicion anger s b a stard with mean tongue

,

, ,

To m utte r to hi m till h is h ea rt wa s am e ,

And every b r e of h is soul wa s w r ung ,

Th at even then Em a n d his A nn a clu n g

Mouth agai n st mouth in p assion ate emb r ace .

Th e re w as no peace for Jimmy in th e place .

R aging h e h urried b ack to lea rn th e t r uth .

Th e littl e swinging wicket gli m m ered wh ite ,

Th e ch i m ney j agged the skyli n e like a tooth ,

B ells cam e in sw oons for it wa s Sund ay night

, .

Th e ga r d en wa s all d ark b ut th ere was light

,

U p in th e littl e room where An n a slept :

Th e hot blood b eat h is b r ain ; h e c r ept h e crept , .

Clutch ing him sel f to h ea r cl utch ing to know , ,

Along th e p ath ru stling with withered leaves

, ,

U p to th e apple too d ecayed to blow

, ,

Wh ich crooked a p alsied nger at th e eaves .

And u p th e lichened t r unk h is b o dy heaves .

[ 222 ]
 THE WIDO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Dust blinded h im twigs snapp e d the b ra n ch es sh o ok

, , ,

He l eaned along a mossy bough to look .

Nothing at rst except a guttering candle

,

Sh aking a mazing sh adows on th e ceiling .

Then Ann a s voice upon a b a r o f R andal ,

Whe r e h ave you been ? a n d voice and m usic reeling ,

T r embling a s though sh e sang with ood ing feeling

, .

The singing stopped m idway u pon th e stai r ,

Then Ann a showed i n wh ite with l oo s e n e d h ai r .

Her b ack w as toward s h im and sh e stood awh ile , ,

Like a wild creature tossing back he r m ane ,

And then h er h ead went back h e saw a smile ,

O n th e h alf face h alf tu rned towards th e p ane ;

Her eyes closed and h er a rms went out again
,
.

J im gritted teeth and called

, upon h is M ake r ,

Sh e d ropped into a m an s a r ms ther e to take h e r

.

Agony rst sh a r p sudden like a knife

, , , ,

Then down th e t ree to batter at th e door ;

O pen there Let m e in I ll h ave you r life
. . .

You Jezebel of h ell you painted whore ,

.

Talk about faith I ll give you faith galore
,

.

The wi n dow creaked a j ug of water came ,

Ov e r his h ead and neck with c e rtain aim .

Clea r o u t said Em ; I m h e re not you to night
,

, ,
-
,

Clea r out We wh ip young puppies when th ey ya p
.
.

I f you re a m an said Jim come down and ght

, , ,

I ll p ut a stopper on your ugly ch ap

.

Go home said Em ; go home a n d get you r p ap
,
.

[ 223 ]
 TH E WI DO W IN THE BYE S T RE E T

T o kennel p u p a n d b id you r mother b ake

, ,

So m e sooth ing sy r u p i n you r p up py cake -
.

The r e wa s a di b ble sticking in th e b ed ,

Jim w r ench ed it out and swung it swiftly round ,

A n d se n t it ying at th e sheph erd s head :

I ll give you p uppy cake Take th at you hou n d

-
.
, .

The b r oken gla ss went cli n king to th e grou n d ,

T h e d ibble b al anced checked and followed at , , .

My God said Em

I ll give you hell for th at
,

,

.

He ung th e door aj a r with Now my p u p ,

Hold U p th e candle Ann a now we ll se e , , .

B y c r i m es com e on s aid Jimmy ; p ut th e m
, , up .

Come put th e m u p you coward he r e I be
, , , .

And Jim eleve n sto n e wh at ch ance h ad h e

, ,

Agai n st fou rteen ? b ut wh at h e could h e d i d ;

Em swung h is right : Th at settles you my kid , .

Jimmy went down and out : Th e kid said Em , .

A kid a sucking puppy ; hol d th e light
, .

And Anna s m iled : I t gave m e such a tu rn .

You look so splen d id E rnie whe n you ght , , .

She looked at Jim with : Em is he all right ? ,


He s coming to Sh e sh ud de r ed Pah th e b r ute
.
, , ,

Wh at th ings h e said ; she sti r red him with her foo t .

You go inside said E m and bolt th e doo r
, , ,

I ll deal with him

Sh e we n t and Jimmy S tood
. .

Now p up said E m
, don t co m e rou n d h e r e no
, ,

m o re .

I m h ere not you let th at be unde r stood

, , .

I tell yo u frankly p up fo r you r own good , , .

[ 2 24 1
 THE W I DO W IN THE BY E S T REE T

I c o p it fair b efore h e sent m e dow n ,

I ll cop h im yet some evening on th e crown

.

O Go d 0 God wh at p retty ways sh e h ad

, , .

He s kis sing all h er skin so white a n d soft

, .

Sh e s kissi n g b ack I thi n k I m goi n g m a d

.

.

Like rutti n g r attens in th e a pple loft .

Sh e held th at light sh e ca rried high aloft

F ull i n my eyes for h im to hit m e by ,

I h ad th e light all d azzling in m y eye .

She h ad he r d r ess all cl utched u p to h er shoulder .

And all h er n aked arm wa s all one gleam .

It s goi n g to fr eez e to night it s t u rning colde r

-
,

.

I wish th e r e w a s more water in th e stream ,

I d d rown d m yself Pe rh ap s it s all a d r ea m

.

,

And by and bye I ll wake a n d n d it st u

.

B y crimes th e p ain I su ffer s real enough
,

.

About two h und r ed yard s from Gunde r Loss

He stopped to sh udd er lea n i n g o n th e gate , ,

He b it th e touchwood underneath th e m oss ;

R otten like h e r h e m utte r ed in h is h ate ;
, ,

He spat it out again with B ut you wait , ,

We ll se e aga in befo r e to morrow s p ast

,
-
,

I n th is life h e l augh s longest who l augh s l ast .

All th rough th e night th e st re am ran to th e sea ,

The d i Eren t water always s aying th e same ,

Cat like and th en a ti n kle never glee

-
, , ,

A lo n ely littl e child alo n e i n sh a m e .

An otter snapped a tho rn twig wh e n h e came ,

I t d rifted dow n it p assed th e H azel M ill

, ,

It p assed th e Sp rings ; b ut Jimmy stayed th e r e s t i ll .

[ 226 ]
 THE W I DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

Over th e pointed hill top ca m e th e light

-
,

O ut of th e m ists on E r call ca m e th e sun ,

R ed like a h untsm an h allowi n g a fter night ,

Blowing a ho rn to rouse up ev eryone ;

Th rough m any glittering cities h e h a d r u n ,

S pl a sh ing th e wind vanes on th e dew y roofs

With golden sp a rks struck by hi s ho r ses hoofs
.

Th e watchman rose rubbing his r usty eyes

, ,

He sti rred th e pot of cocoa fo r h is m ate ;

The rem an watched h is head of pow er r ise .

Wh at t i m e ? h e a sked .

You h aven t long to wait .

Now i s it time ?
,

Yes Let h er ripple
. Straight .

Th e whistle sh ri eked its message U p to w ork ! ,

U p o r b e ned a q ua rter if you S h i r k
, .

Hea ring th e whistle Jimmy raised his head

, ,

Th e wa rning call and m e in S und ay clo es ;
,

I d bette r go ; I ve ti m e The sun looks r ed

.
,


I feel so sti I m very nearly froze

.

So over b rook a n d th rough th e eld s h e goes ,

And u p th e line amo n g th e navvies s m iles ,

Young Jimmy G u m e y s been U po n the tiles
.

The second whistle blew and work bega n ,

Ji m my worked too not know ing wh at h e did

, ,

He t ripped and stu m bled like a d r unke n m an ;

He m uddled all w h atever h e w as bi d
, ,

Th e foreman cursed Good God wh at ail s th e kid ?
, ,

Hi ! Gu rney You We ll h ave you c rocking soo n

. .

,

You tak e a li e down till the afterno o n .

[ 227 ]
 THE W I DO W I N THE B YE S T REE T

I won t h e an swered
, Why the devil should I ? .

I m h ere I m ean to wo rk I do my piece

, .
,

Or would d o if a m an could b ut how could I ,

Wh en you com e nagg ing round a n d neve r cea se ?

Well take th e j ob and give m e my release
, ,

I want the sack now give it th e r e s my pick ;

, ,

Give m e th e sa ck Th e sack wa s given quick
. .

A RT
P V

D ully h e got h is time check from th e keepe r - .

Cu r se h e r h e said ; and th at s th e end of who r es
,

He stum bled d r u n kenly a c ross a sleepe r

Give a ll you h ave and get kicked out a door -
.

He cash ed hi s ti m e ch eck at th e station sto r es

-
.

B ett ring you rsel f I hope Jim sai d th e m aste r ;

, , ,

Th at s it said Jim ; and so I will do bla st h er

, , .

B eyond th e b ridge a sh a rp tu rn to th e righ t

,

Lead s to Th e B ull and Boa r th e ca rt ers r est ;

An i n n so h idden it i s out of sight

T o anyo n e not coming from th e west ,

Th e high e m b ankment h ides it w ith its c r est .

F a r u p above th e Ch este r trains go by

, ,

Th e d rinkers se e them sweep against th e sk y .

Canal m e n used it wh en th e b a rgers came ,

Th e n avvies u sed it wh en th e l in e wa s m aking ;

Th e pigeons st rut and sidle ru i in g t a m e , , ,

T h e chuckli n g b r oo k in front sets sh adows sh aking .

Cider and b eer for th irsty wo r kers slaki n g

A quiet house ; like all th at God cont rol s ,

It i s F ate s inst rum ent on h um an soul s .

[ 228 ]
 THE W I D OW IN THE BYE S T REE T

He never slept a nigh t aw ay till now ,

Neve r not once i n all th e tim e h e s been

, ,

.

It s th e Lo r d s will they say a nd we m ust bow

, , , ,

B ut 0 it s like a k n ife it cuts so keen !

,

,

H e ll wo r k in s S und ay cloth es it ll be see n

, ,

And then th ey ll l augh and say I t isn t strange ; ,

He sl ept with h e r and so h e couldn t ch ange ,

.

Pe rh ap s sh e thought I m wrong ; p erh ap s h e s dead ;
, ,

K llle d hi m self like ; fol k d o in love th ey say , .

He never tell s wh at p asses in h is h ead ,

And h e s been looking l ate so old and g r ey .

A railway trai n h a s c u t h is h ead away ,

Like th e poo r h a r e w e found at May low s sh ack

.

O God h ave pity b ring m y d arling b ack !
, ,

All th e high sta rs went sweeping th rough th e sky ,

T h e su n m ad e all the o ri e n t clea n clea r gold , .

0 blessed God sh e p r ayed do let m e d i e
, , ,

Or b r ing my w an d r in g l a m b back into fold

.

The wh istle s go n e a n d all th e b acon s cold ;

,

I m ust know som ehow i f h e s on th e line

,

He could h ave ba co n sandwich when h e dine .

She c u t th e b r ead and sta rted short of b reath

, , ,

U p th e ca n al now d ra ining for th e rail ;

A poor old woman pitted against d eath ,

B r i n gi n g he r pen n y wo r th of love fo r b ail .

Wisdom beauty a n d love m ay not avail

, , .

She wa s too l ate Yes h e wa s h ere ; oh yes
.
, , .

He chucked hi s j ob and went Where ? Ho m e I guess .
, .

[ 2 30 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T R EE T

Hom e b ut h e h asn t been home
, Well he went .
, .

Perh ap s you m issed him mother O r pe r h aps , .

He took th e eld p ath yonder th rou g h th e bent .

He very likely done th at don t h e ch aps ? ,

,

Th e speaker tested both h is t r ouser stra p s

And took his pick He s in th e town h e said
.
, .

He ll be all right a fter a bit i n bed

, .

Sh e t rem b led down th e high emb ankment s r idge

,

Gl ad though too l ate ; not yet too l ate i n deed

, , .

F or fo rty ya rd s away b eyond th e b ridge , ,

Jimmy still d rank th e d evil still sowed seed

, .

A bit in bed sh e thought is wh at I need
, , .

I ll go to B ull and Boa r and rest a bit

,

They ve got a b ench outside ; they d l et me S it

.

E ven a s two soldiers on a fo rtress wall

See th e b r ight re strea k of a coming shell ,

Catch b reath and wonde r Which way will it fall ?
,

To you ? to m e ? o r will it all be well ?
E v n so stood life a n d d eath a n d could not tell

,

Whether sh e d go to th inn and n d h er so n

,

O r take th e el d and let th e doo m be done .

No not th e inn sh e thought
, ,
People would t alk . .

I couldn t in th e open d aytime ; n o

.

I ll j u st sit h e r e upon the ti m ber balk

,

I ll r est for j ust a minute and then go

.

R esting h er old ti r ed hea rt began to glow

, ,

Glow ed a n d gave th a n ks a n d thought itsel f in clove r , ,

He s lost h is j ob so now she ll th row h im ove r

.
,

[ 23 1 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T R EE T

S itting sh e saw th e rustl ing th istle k e x

,
-
,

Th e p icks ash b r igh t above th e trolleys tip , .

Th e b ridge stone sh ining full of silver specks

-
, ,

And th ree swift ch ild ren runni n g down th e d ip .

A Stoke S aint M ich ael ca rter cracked h is wh ip ,

Th e water in th e ru n way mad e its d in .

Sh e h alf h eard singing com ing fro m th e inn .

Sh e tu rn e d and left th e inn and took th e path

, ,

And B roth er Life you lose said B r oth er Death
, , ,

E ven a s th e Lo rd of all a ppointed h ath

In th is great m i racle o f blood and breath .

He doeth all th ings w ell a s th e book saith , ,

He b id s th e ch anging sta rs full their t u rn ,

His h a nd is on us when we least discern .

Slowly sh e totter e d stop ping w ith th e stitch

, ,

Catch ing h er b r eath O l awks a d ea r a dea r
, , , .

How th e poor t ub i n gs in my h ea rt do twitch ,

It h u rts like th e r h eu m atics ve ry nea r .

And eve ry p ai n ful footstep d r ew he r clear

F ro m th at young life sh e bore w ith so m uch p a in .

Sh e never h ad h im to h erself aga in .

O ut of th e inn cam e Ji m my red with d rink , ,

Crying : I ll S how h er Wait a bit I ll S how her

. .

You wait a bit I m not th e kid you th i n k

.

.

I m Ji m m y Gu rney ch amp ion tuppe rth rower

, ,

Wh en I get done with h er you ll never know h er ,

Nor h im you won t O ut of my w ay you fowls

.
, ,

O r else I ll rip th e r ed th ings o you r j owl s .

[ 2 32 ]
 THE W I DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

Grey legged old c ocks a n d h en s sed ate in age

-
,

M a r ch in g with j erks a s though th ey moved o n S p r i n gs ,

With S idelong h ate i n rou n d eyes red with rage ,

An d shouldered m uskets clipped by j ealous wings ,

Then a n a r r ay of ho rn s and stup id th ings :

Sh eep on a h ill with h a rebells h are for d inner , .

Ha re A slow d arkness covered u p th e s in ner
. .

B ut littl e tim e is right h and fain of blow .

Only a seco n d ch anges life to death ;

Hate end s b efore th e p ulses cease to go ,

Th e r e is great pow er in th e stop o f b r eath .

The r e s too great t ruth in wh at th e d u m b th ing s aith ,

Hate never goes so fa r a s th at nor ca n , .

I am wh at l ife b eco m es D y o u h ate me m an ? .
,

H ate with h is b a bbl ing instant red and d a m n i n g , ,

Passed w ith h is i n stant h aving d ru n ken r ed , .

You ve killed h im

.

No I ve not h e s o n ly sh am m ing
,

,

.

Get u p .

He can t .

O God h e is n t d ead ,

.

O God .

He r e Get a b asi n B ath e h is head

. . .

E rnie fo r God s s ake w h at a re you pl aying at ?

,

,

I only give h im one like with th e b at , , .

M a n cannot call th e b ri m mi n g in stant b ack ;

T i m e s a n a air of instants spu n to d ays ;

I f m an m u st m ake a n i n stant gold o r black , ,

Let h im h e m ay b ut Ti m e m ust go h is ways

, , .

Life m ay b e d uller for an i n sta n t s bl aze .

[ 2 34 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

Lifes an aff air of instants spun to yea rs

Instants ar e o nly caus e of all th ese tears .

Th en Ann a screa m ed aloud H e l p M u rd er M urd er . . . .

By God it is h e said , Th rough you you slut
, .
, .

B acking sh e sc r eamed until th e blacks m ith hea rd he r

, , .

Hu rry th ey c r ied th e wom an s th roat s bei n g cut
, ,

.

J im h ad h is coat o f
f by th e water b utt .

He m ight come to h e said with w ine o r sou p , , .

I only h it h im once like with the scoop , , .

S plash water on h im ch a ps I o n ly meant , .

To h it h im j ust a clip l ike noth i n g m o r e , , .

There Look He is n t d ead h is eyelid s went

. .

, .

And h e went d own 0 God h is h ead s all to r e .

,

.

I ve wash ed and wa sh ed : it s all one gob of go r e

.

He d on t look d ead to you ? Wh at ? Nor to you ?

Not kill th e cl ip I give h im couldn t d o
, ,

.

God send ; h e looks d a m n b ad the bla cks m ith said ,
.

Py Cot h is m ate said sh e wa ss altogeth e r ;
, ,

Sh e h ass an illness look of pei n g ted .

Here Get a gla ss th e sm ith said and a feath e r
\
.
.
, ,

V ass you at g h tin g s or at playi n gs w h eth er ?

He r e get a glass and feath e r Quick s th e wo r d
,
. .

Th e glass wa s clea r The fe ath er neve r stir r ed . .

By G o d I m sorry J im Th at s e ttl e s it
,

, . .

B y God I ve killed h im then.

,
.

The d octor m ight .

Try if you like ; but th at s a nasty h it
,
.

Doctor s gone by He won t be back till night

.
.

Py Cot th e feath er w as not looking right
,
.

[ 2 35 ]
 TH E W I DOW IN THE BYE S T RE E T

By Jesus ch aps I nev e r m eant to kill

, ,

un .

On ly to b at I ll go to p le e ce and tell
.

un .

O Em fo r God s sake speak for God s sa ke speak
,

,

.

No answe r follow ed : Em h ad done with d ust ,

T he p le e c e is best th e s m ith s aid or a beak

, , .

I ll c ome alo n g ; a n d so th e lady m ust

.

Eva n s you b ring th e lady will you j ust ?

, ,

T ell e m j ust how it co m e l ad Co m e you r ways ;

, .

And Joe you watch th e body wh e r e it lays
, .

T h ey walked to tow n J im on th e blacks m ith s a rm ,

.

Jimmy wa s cryi n g like a chil d a n d sayi n g , ,

I neve r m eant to d o h im a n y h a rm .

H is teeth went clack like bones at m um m e r s playi n g , ,

A n d th en h e tre m bled h a r d a n d b roke out p r ay in g ,

God h el p my poor old m oth e r I f h e s d ead .

,

I ve b r ought h er m y last wages ho m e h e s aid

, .

He t rod h is l ast fr ee j ou r ney dow n th e street ;

T read i n g th e m iddle road a n d seei n g both sid es , ,

T h e school th e i n ns th e butche r s selling m eat

, , ,

T h e b usy m arket wh ere th e town d ivides .

T h en past th e t an p it s full of stinki n g h id es ,

A n d up th e l ane to death as wea k as p ith , .

B y God I h ate th is Ji m my sa id th e sm ith
, , , .

P A RT VI

Anna i n bl ack th e j udge in sca rlet robes

, ,

A fuss of l a w ye r s people comi n g goi n g

, ,

Th e windows sh ut th e gas alight in globes , ,

[ 2 36 ]
 THE WI DO W I N THE B YE S T REE T

Then cert ain j u stice with a p itiless knife .

F or h er h is w r etched victi m s widow ed w ife

,

,

Pity F or h er w h o bo r e h im p ity (Ch eer s )

.
, .

Th e j u ry were exe m pt fo r seven yea r s .

All bowed ; th e Judge p assed to th e rob ing r oo m -

,

Dis m issed h is clerks d is rob ed and knelt and p rayed

, ,

As was h is custo m a fter p assing d oom ,

Doom upon life U po n th e th ing not m ad e

, .

0 God w h o m ad e u s out of d ust a n d laid

, ,

Th ee in u s b right to lead us to th e t ruth

, ,

0 God h ave pity u pon th is po o r youth

, .

Show h im Thy grace O God befo r e h e d ie ; , ,

Sh ine in h i s h ea rt ; h ave m e r cy upon me

Wh o deal th e laws men m ake to t ravel by
U nd er th e su n u pon th e p ath to T hee ;
O God T hou k n owest I m as blind a s h e
,

As bl ind a s fr antic not so single w o r se

, , , ,

Only Thy pity sp ared m e from th e cu r se .

Thy pity and Thy m ercy God d i d s ave

, , , ,

T hy bounteous gifts not any grace of m in e

, ,

F rom all th e p itfall s lead i n g to th e grave ,

F rom al l th e d eath feasts with th e husks a n d s w ine

-
.

God who h ast given m e all th i n gs n ow m ake sh ine

, ,

B right in th i s si n ner s h ea rt th at h e m ay see

.

God take th is poor boy s spirit b ack to Th ee
,

.

Then t re m bl i n g with h is h and s fo r h e was old , ,

He w e nt to m eet h is college friend th e Dea n , ,

The l o itere r s watch ed h im as h is ca rriage rolled .

[ 2 38 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T REE T

Th ere go e s th e Judge said one a nd one wa s ke e n :, ,

Hanging th at w r etched boy th at s where h e s b een ,

.

A polic e m an sp at two la w yers t alked statistics

, ,

Crime p assion e l in Agricultural Districts .

Th ey d oughtn t h ang a boy : but one s aid Stu ff .

Th is sentimental tal k i s rotten rotten , .

Th e law s th e l aw and not h alf st rict e nough

,

Fo rg e ts and m u rderers a re m isbegotten ,

Let the m b e h a n ged and let them be forgott e n .

A rotten fool should h ave a rotten end ;

Mend them you say ? Th e rotten n ever mend
, .

And one Not mend ? The rotten not perh aps , .

The rotting would ; so would th e j ust infected .

A week in quod h a s ruined lots of ch aps

Wh o d all got good in them till prison wrecked it

.

And one Society m u st be protected
, .

He s j ust a kid Sh e t r a pped h im

. N o sh e d id d e n .
,
.

He ll be rep rieved He m id be and h e m idden. .

S o the talk went ; and An na took th e t r ain ,

Too sad for tea rs and p ale ; a lady spoke

,

Aski n g if she were ill o r suff eri n g p ai n ?

Neither sh e said ; but sorrow m ade he r choke
, ,

I m only sick because my hea rt is broke

.

My friend a m an m y oldest friend here d i e d

, , , .

I h ad to se e th e m an w h o kill e d h im t r ied ,
.

He to be h anged On ly a boy M y friend

s . . .

I thought h im j ust a boy ; I d id n t know .

An d Em wa s kill e d and now th e boy s to end , ,

[ 2 39 1
 THE WI DO W I N THE BYE S T REE T

And all becau se h e thought h e loved m e so .

M y d ea r th e lady said ; and Anna Oh
, , ,

It s ve ry h a r d to bea r th e ills men m ake

,

He thought h e loved a n d it was all m istake , .

M y d ea r th e l ady s aid ; you poo r poo r wom an

,

, ,

Have you no fr iend s to go to ? I m alone

.

I v e pa r ents livi n g b ut th ey re both i n h um an

, ,

And none can cu re w h at pierces to th e bone .

I ll h ave to leave a n d go wh e r e I m not k now n

.

Begi n my life agai n Her friend sai d Yes
. .

Ce rtai n ly th at B ut leav e m e your add ress :

.

F o r I m ight h ea r of someth i n g ; I ll enqui re

,

Pe rh aps th e boy m ight b e r ep r ieved o r p ardoned .

Could n t we ask th e r ecto r or th e squi r e

T o w r ite a n d ask th e Judge ? He can t be h ardened

.

Wh at do you do ? I s it housewo r k ? H ave you ga r de n ed ?

You r h and s a r e very w h ite a nd soft to touch .

Lately I ve not h ad h ea rt for d o ing m uch

.

S o th e t alk p asses a s th e t r ain d escend s

Into th e vale and h al ts a n d sta rts to clim b
, ,

T o w h e r e th e ap ple bea r i n g count ry end s

-

And pleasa n t p a stu r ed h ills rise sweet with thyme

-
,

Wh e r e cli n ki n g sh e e p be lls m ake a b roken ch im e

And su n w a rm gorses ri ch th e air with sc e nt
And kestrels poise for m ice there An n a went , .

Th ere in th e Ap r il in th e ga r den close

, ,
-
,

One h ea rd h e r in th e m orning singing sweet ,

Calling th e b ird s from th e unb udded rose ,

[ 240 ]
 THE WI DOW IN THE B YE S T RE E T

I ll want no to m b b ut w h at th e pa rish give

.

Moth er I lied to you th at time O forgive

, , ,

I b rought ho m e h alf m y wages h alf I spent , ,

And you went sho rt th at week to p ay th e rent .

I went to see r I spent my mo n ey on h er
, ,

And you w h o bo r e m e p aid th e cost in pain .

You we n t without to b uy th e cloth es U p o n her :

A h at a locket and a s ilve r ch ain
, , .

0 moth er d ea r if all m ight be aga in

, ,

On ly fro m l ast O ctobe r you and m e ; ,

0 mother d ear how d iff e r e nt i t would b e

, .

We we r e so h appy in th e room togeth er ,

S ingi n g at B i n ge rBoppe r we r en t u s j ust ?

An d going a hopping i n th e su m m er weath e r

-
,

An d all th e h edges covered w h ite with du st ,

And bl ackbe r ries and th at and t r avelle r s t ru st

, ,

.

I thought h er w ronged a n d t rue a nd sweet and wi se, , , ,

Th e d evil takes sweet shap es when h e tells lies .

Moth er m y d ear will you forgive you r so n ?
, ,

God knows I d o Jim I fo r give you d ea r ;

,

, ,

You didn t know and could n t wh at you done

,

, .

God pity all p o o r peopl e su ffe r i n g here ,

And m ay His mercy S h ine upon U S cl ea r ,

And m ay we h ave His Holy Wo r d for m ark ,

To lead u s to Hi s Kingdom th rough th e d a rk .

A m en Ame n sai d Jimmy ; th en th ey kissed
.
, .

Th e wa rders watch ed th e little l arks were singing

, ,

A plough team j angl ed tu rning at th e rist ; ,

[ 2 42 ]
 TH E WI DO W IN THE B YE S T R EE T

B e yond th e m ild cathed r al b ells were ringing

, ,

Th e elm tree rooks we r e cawing at th e sp ringing :

-

O beauty of the ti m e w h en w inte r s done

,

And all th e eld s a re laugh ing at th e su n !

I s pos e th e y ve b rought th e line beyond the Knap p ?

A h and beyond th e Ba rcle so th ey say
, , .

Hea ring th e rook s begin re m ind s a ch ap .

Lo ok q ueer th e st r eet will with th e lock a w ay ;

, ,

0 G o d I ll neve r se e it

, Le t U S p r ay
. .

Don t thi n k of th at b ut th i n k th e mothe r s ai d
, , ,

O f m e n goin g on long after we a re d ead .

R ed hel pl ess little thi n gs w ill come to bi rth ,

And h ea r th e w h istles going down th e l ine ,

An d grow u p st rong a n d go about th e ea rth ,

And h ave m uch h a pp ier times th an you r s and m ine ;

An d som e d ay one of them will get a sign ,

An d talk to folk and put a n end to sin

, ,

An d then God s blessed ki n gdom will begin

.

God d ropped a sp a rk down into eve ryo n e ,

And if we nd and fan it to a blaze

It ll sp ring u p and glow like like th e su n

, ,

And light th e wande ri n g out o f sto n y ways .

God wa rm s his h a n d s at m an s hea rt when h e p rays ,

And light of p rayer i s sp r eading h ea rt to hea rt ;

It ll light all wh ere now it lights a pa rt

.

And G o d who gave His mercies takes His m ercies ,

And God w h o gives begi n ni n g gives th e e n d .

I d read my d eath ; but it s th e e n d of cu rses

,

[ 243 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BYE S T REE T

A rest for b roken th ings too b roke to m end .

O Captain Ch rist ou r bl essed Lo r d a n d F r ie n d

, ,

We a re two wan dered sinners i n th e m i r e ,

Bu m ou r d ead h ea rt s with love out o f T hy re .

And w hen thy d eath co m es M aste r let us bear it , ,

As of Thy will howeve r h a r d to go ;

,

T hy C ross is in n ite for u s to sh a r e it ,

Thy h elp is innite fo r u s to know .

And w h en th e long t r um pets of th e Judg m e n t blow

M ay o u r poor soul s b e gl ad a n d meet age n ,

And rest in Th ee S ay Amen Jim
. Am en
, ,

. .

1:
:

Th ere wa s a grou p outsid e th e p rison gate ,

Wa iting to hea r th em ring the p assing bell ,

Waiti n g a s e m pty peopl e always w ait

F or th e st r ong toxic of anothe r s hell
.

And moth er stood th ere too not seeing w ell , , ,

Praying th rough tears to l et His will b e done ,

And not to hid e His m e r cy from her so n .

Talk i n th e little g r oup w as p assing quick .

It s nothing n o w to wh at it w a s to watch , .

Poo r wretched kid I bet h e s feeli n g sick
,

.

E h ? Wh at d y o u say ch ap s ? So m eone got a m atch ?

Th ey d r aw a bolt a nd d rop you down a h atch

And b r ea k you r neck wh erea s th ey used to st r a n gle
,

In th e old times wh en you could se e them d angle
, .

Someone said Off h ats wh en th e bell bega n
, ,
.

Moth e r wa s wh im pe ring now upon h er knees .

A b rok e n ringing like a beaten p an ,

[ 244 ]
 TH E W I DO W IN THE B YE S T REE T

I s at h ere th u s wh en I was w edded wife ;

So rrow someti m es and j oy ; but al w ays stri fe
, .

St r uggle to live e x cept j ust at th e last ,

0 G o d I th a n k Thee for th e mercies p ast

,
.

Ha r ry my m a n wh en we were cou rtin g ; eh

, ,

Th e Ap ril m orning u p th e Co n y g r ee -
.

How g r and h e looked U po n our wedd in g d ay .

I wish we d h ad th e bells h e Sai d to m e ;

,

And we d th e m oon th at evening I and h e

, ,

A n d dew co m e w e t oh I r emembe r how

, , ,

And w e co m e hom e to where I m sittin g now

.

And h e l ay d ead h e r e and h is son w as bo rn he r e ;

,

He never saw h is so n h is little Jim , .

An d now I m all alo n e he r e left to m ou rn here

, ,

An d th e r e a r e all h is cloth es b ut n ever h im , .

He s down u n d e r th e p r ison i n th e d im

With quickli m e wo r ki n g on h im to th e bo n e ,

Th e esh I m ade with m any and m a n y a g roan .

O h how his littl e face co m e wi t h b right h ai r

, , .

Dea r little face We m ad e th is r oom so s n ug ;

.

H e sit besid e m e in h is little ch ai r ,

I give h im real tea so m eti m es in h is m u g .

He liked th e velvet i n th e p atch w o r k ru g .

He used to st roke it d id my p r etty son, ,

H e called it B unny little Ji m m y do n e

, .

And th en h e r an so h e w as stro n g at r unning

, ,

Always a st r ong one like h is d a d at th at

, .

I n summertimes I do n e m y sewing sunni n g ,

[ 246 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BY E S T R EE T

And he d b e sprawling playing w ith the cat
, .

And neighbou r s b rought their knitt ing out t o C h at

Till ve o clock ; he h ad his tea at ve ;

How swe e t life was wh en Ji m m y was alive .

Darkn e ss a nd m idnight and th e midnight ch imes

, .

Another fou r and t w en ty hours b egin

- -
.

Darkness again and m any m any time s

, , ,

Th e altern ating light and d a r kness spin

U ntil th e face so thin is still more thin ,

Gazing each ea rthly evening wet or ne , ,

F o r Jimmy c o ming from w o r k along th e line .

O v e r h e r h e ad th e Chester wi res h um ,

Under th e b ridg e th e rocki n g engines a sh .

H e s v e ry l ate th i s eveni n g b ut h e ll co m e ,

And b ring h is little p acket full of cash

(Always h e does ) and su pper s cracker h ash

, ,

Th at is h is favourite food e xcepting b acon .

They say my boy was h anged ; b ut th ey re m i staken .

An d sometimes sh e will walk th e ci n d ery mil e ,

S inging as sh e and Jimmy used to do

, ,

Singing Th e p arson s dog lep over a stile

,

Alon g th e p ath where water lilies grew .

The stars a r e pl acid on th e evening s blue ,

B u rning like eyes so cal m so unafraid , ,

O n all th at God h as given and m an h as m ad e .

B u rning th ey watch a n d mothlike owl s co m e out

, ,

Th e redb r east w a r bles S h rilly o n ce and stops ;

Th e hom ing cowman gives h is dog a shout ,

[ 247 ]
 THE WI DO W IN THE BY E S T R EE T

Th e l amp s a re light e d in th e village shops .

S ilence ; th e l ast b ird p ass e s ; in th e copse

Th e h azels cross th e moon a nightj a r spins
, ,

Dew wets th e grass th e nightingal e b egins

, .

Singing h e r crazy so n g th e moth er goes ,

S inging as though h e r h ea rt we r e full of peace ,

Moth s k n ock th e petals from th e d r oppi n g r ose ,

Sta r s m ak e th e gli m m ering po o l a golden eece ,

Th e moon d roops west b ut still sh e does not cease

, ,

Th e little m ice peep o u t to hea r h er sing ,

U ntil th e inn man s cockere l sh akes his wing

-

.

And in th e sunny d awns of hot Julys ,

Th e labourers going to meadow se e her th e r e .

R ubbing th e sleep out of their h eavy eyes ,

Th ey lean U pon th e p arapet to stare ;

They se e h er pl aiting b asil in h er h ai r ,

B asil th e d ark red wound wo rt cop s of clover

,
-
, ,

Th e blue self heal and golden Jacks of Dove r

-
.

D ully th ey watch h er then th ey tu rn to go

,

To th at h igh Sh ropsh ire U pland of l ate h ay ;

Her si n ging lingers with them a s th ey mow ,

And m any ti m es th ey t ry it now g r ave now gay

, , ,

Till w ith full th roat over th e h ills aw ay

, , ,

They lift it clear ; oh very clea r it towe r s

,

M ix e d with th e swish of m any falling owe r s .

[ 248 ]
 D A U B ER

I
F ou r bells wer e st ru ck th e watch wa s called on d eck
, ,

All wo r k aboa rd wa s ove r fo r th e hou r ,

An d some men sang and oth e r s played at C heck ,

O r mend ed cloth es o r watch ed th e sunset glowe r .

The bu r sting west wa s like a n opening ower ,

And one m an watch ed it till th e light w as d im ,

B ut no on e went across to talk to him .

He w as th e pa inter in th at swift sh ip s crew ,

La m pm an and p a inter tall a slight built m an

,
-
,

Young for h is ye ars a n d not yet twenty two ;

,
-

S ickly and not yet b rown with th e sea s ta n
, .

B ullied and d am ned at si n ce th e voyage began ,

Being neith er m an no r seam an by h is tally ,

He b un ked with th e idlers j ust abaft th e galley .

His work began at ve ; h e worked all d ay ,

Keeping no watch and h aving all night in .

His work w as wh at th e m ate m ight ca r e to say ;

He m ixed red lead in m any a bouilli ti n ;
His d unga r ees we r e sm ea red with p a ra ffi n .

Go d rown h im sel f his round house m ates advised him

-
,

And all h and s called h im Dauber and d espised him .

Si th e a p prentice stood b esid e th e spa r

, , ,

Stri pped to th e waist a ba si n at hi s S ide

, ,

Slushing h is h and s to get away th e ta r ,

[ 25 1 ]
 DA U B E R

A n d th en h e wash ed h im self and rin s e d and d ried ;

Tow elli n g his fa ce h ai r tow z e lle d eager eyed
,
-
, ,

H e crossed th e S p ar to D aub er and the r e stood ,

Watch ing the gold of h eaven tu rn to blood .

T hey stood th ere by th e rail wh ile th e swift ship

To r e on out of th e t r opics straining h er sheets
, ,

Wh itening h er tr ackway to a milky stri p ,

Dim with g r een bub bles and twisted water meets ,

H e r clacki n g t ackl e tugged at p i n s and cleats ,

He r g r eat sail s b ellied stiff h er great m a sts leaned :

,

They watch ed how th e sea s st ruck and b urst and greened .

Si t alked with D auber stand ing by th e side

, .

Why did you come to sea p ainte r ? h e said
, .

I wa n t to b e a p ainte r h e replied
, ,

An d know th e se a a n d ships from A to ! ,

And p ai n t g r eat ships at se a befo r e I m dead ;

S hip s u n d er skysail s r u n ning down th e T rad e

Ship s and th e sea ; there s nothing ner m ad e

.

B ut th ere s so m uch to lea rn with sails and ropes

, ,

And how th e sails look full o r b eing furled

, ,

And how th e lights ch ange i n th e t rough s and slopes ,

And th e sea s colou rs u p and down th e wo rld

,

A n d how a sto r m looks when th e sp r ays a re h u rled

H igh as th e ya rd ( they say) I want to se e ;

The r e s none a sh o re can teach such th ings to m e .

And th en th e m en and rigging a n d th e way ,

S hip s m ove ru nning o r b eating and th e poise

, ,

A t th e 1 011 s end th e ch ecking in th e sway

[ 25 2 ]
 DA U B E R

To t ry and try and never get it right .

O h i f I could oh if I only m ight

,
-
, ,

I wouldn t mind wh at hells I d h ave to p ass

,

N o t if th e whole world called m e fool and a ss .

Down sank th e crim son sun into th e se a ,

Th e wi nd c ut chill at once the west g rew d un , .

O ut sidelights ! called th e m ate H i where is h e ? .
,

T h e Boatswain called O ut sidelights d am n you ! R u n !
, ,

He s always l ate or lazing m u rm ured one

,

Th e D a ub er with h is sketch i n g
, S oon th e tints .

Of red and green pa ssed on d a rk w ate rg lin ts .

D a rker it grew still d a rker and th e st ars

, ,

B u rned gold en and th e e ry shes came

, .

Th e wire note loud ened from th e straining sp ars ;

-

The sh eet blocks clacked together always th e sam e ;

-

Th e rush ing sh es stre ak e d th e sea s with am e ,

R acing th e one speed noble a s thei r own :

Wh at unknown j oy wa s in those sh unknown !

Ju st by th e round h ou se d o or a s it grew d a rk , ,

Th e B o atswain caught th e D auber with Now you ; , ,

Till now I ve sp a red y o u d amn you ! now you h ark : ,

I ve j ust h ad h ell for wh at you didn t do ;

I ll h ave you b roke a nd sent among th e crew

I f you get m e m ore t roubl e by a p a rticle .

Don t you forget you d aubing useless a rticl e !

, ,

You th ing you twice l aid thing fr o m Po rt M ahon !
,
-

Then came th e Cook s Is th at th e D auber th ere ?

Why don t you leave th em stinkin g p aints al o n e ?
[ 25 4 ]
 DA U B E R

They stink th e house out poisoning all th e air , .

Just take th em out Where to ? . I don t ca r e where .

I won t h ave sti n king paint here

F rom thei r pl ates : .

T h at s right ; wet paint b reed s fever g rowled hi s mates , .

He to o k hi s S till wet d r awings from th e berth

And climbed the l add er to th e d e ck house t o p ; -

B e neath the noisy h alf d eck rang with m i rth

,
-
,

F or two ship s boys were putting on th e strop :
One clamb e ring up to let th e skylight d rop
, ,

Saw h im bend down beneath a boat a nd lay

His d rawings th e re till all were hid away
, .

A n d stand th ere silent leaning on th e boat , ,

Watching th e constellations rise a nd bu rn ,

U ntil th e beauty took h im b y th e th roat ,

So stately i s thei r glittering ove rtu rn ;

Armies of m arch ing eyes a rmies th at yea rn ,

With banners rising and falling a nd p assing by ,

Over th e empty silence of th e sk y .

Th e D auber sigh ed th e re looking at th e sail s ,

Wi n d steadied a rch es leaning on th e night

-
,

T h e high t r ucks t raced on heaven and l e ft no trail s ;

The moonlight m ad e th e topsail s almost white ,

Th e p a ssing sideligh t see m ed to d rip g r een light .

And on th e clipper ru sh ed with re b right bows ; -

He sighed I ll never d o t an d left th e house
,

,
.

Now said th e reefer up ! Come S am ; c o me Si
, , , ,

Dauber s been hiding som eth ing

U p they slid .
,

T r eading on naked tiptoe stealthily

[ 25 5 1
 DA U B ER

To g rope for t r ea su re at th e longb oat skid .

D r awings ! s aid S am I s this wh at D aub e r hid ?
.

Lo r d ! I expected p ud ding not th is r ot , .

Still com e we ll h ave som e fun with wh at we ve got
, , .

T h ey smea red th e p aint with tu rp entine until

They could r emove with mess clouts eve ry trace -

O f q uick pe r ception caught by p atie n t skill ,

An d lines th at h a d b rought blood into h is face .

They wiped th e pig m ents off and d i d e r ase ,

With knives all sticking clots When th ey h ad done

, . .

U nd e r th e boat th e y l aid them every on e .

All h e h ad d r awn sinc e rst h e cam e to se a ,

Hi s six w eeks leisure fruit s th ey l aid th em th ere
, .

T h ey ch u ckled th en to th ink how m ad h e d b e

F inding his p ainti n gs vanish ed into ai r .

E ight b ell s were st r uck and feet fro m everywh ere

,

We n t sh ui in g aft to m u ster in th e d ark ;

Th e m ate s pip e glow e d ab ov e a dim red sp ark

, .

Nam es i n th e d a r kness p assed and voices c r ied ;

The red sp a rk glowed and d ied th e faces seemed ,

As th i n gs remembered wh e n a b r ai n h a s di e d ,

T o all b ut h igh inten seness d eeply d r eamed .

Like h issi n g sp ea r s th e sh es r e st r eamed

,

And on th e clipper ru sh ed with tossi n g m a st ,

A b ath of a m e b roke round h er a s sh e p a ssed .

Th e watch wa s se t th e night ca m e a n d th e men

, ,

Hid from th e m oo n in sh adowed nooks to sleep ,

B unch ed like th e d ead ; still like th e d ead a s wh en

, ,

[ 25 6 ]
 DA U B E R

And all the sta r s i n a ll th e sk y were b u rning .

T his is th e a rt I ve com e fo r and am lea rning

, ,

Th e se a and ship s and m e n a nd travelling th ings .

I t i s most proud wh atever p ain it b rings
, .

H e leaned U pon h is a rm and watch e d th e light

S lid ing a nd fading to th e st e ady roll ;
T his h e would som e d ay p aint th e sh i p at night
, ,

And sleeping seam e n ti r ed to th e soul ;

Th e sp ace below th e bunks a s black a s coal ,

G l e ams upon ch ests U pon th e unlit l amp

, ,

Th e ranging d oo r hook a nd th e locker cl a m p

, .

T his h e woul d p a int and th at and all th ese scenes

, , ,

And p r oud sh ip s carryi n g on and men their m ind s

, ,

And blues of rolle r s top pling into g r eens ,

And sh atte ring into wh ite th at bu r sts and bl ind s ,

And scatt e rin g S hip s running erect like h ind s ,

And m en in oilskins b eating down a sail

High on th e yellow y a rd in snow i n h ail
, , .

With faces d ucked down from th e sl a n ti n g d rive

O f h al f th awed h ail m ixed with h alf frozen sp r ay
- -
,

Th e roa r ing canva s like a th i n g alive ,

Sh aking th e m ast knocking their h and s away

, ,

T h e foot rop es j e r ki n g to th e tug and sway ,

Th e s avage eyes s alt r eddened at th e ri m s

-
,

And icicles on th e south wester b ri m s

-
.

And sunnier scenes would g row unde r his b r u sh ,

T h e t r opic d awn with all things d ropping d ew ,

Th e d a rk ness a n d th e wo n der and th e h ush ,

[ 25 8 ]
 DA U B E R

The insensate grey b efore th e m a rvel gr e w ;

Then th e veil lifted from th e trembling bl ue ,

Th e wall s of sky b urst in th e owe r th e rose

, , ,

All th e exp anse of h eaven a mi n d th at glows .

He tu rn e d out of his b unk ; th e C oo k still toss e d ,

One of th e oth er two spoke in h is sleep .

A cockroach scuttled where th e moonb eam crossed ;

O ut sid e there wa s the shi p th e night th e d ee p
, , .

It i s worth while th e youth said ; I will keep
,

To my resolve I ll l ea rn to p aint all th is

, .

My L o rd my God how b eautifu l it i s !
, ,

O utsid e wa s th e sh ip s rush to th e wind s h u rry ,

A resonant wi r e h um from eve ry rope

-
,

Th e b ro adening bow wash in a e ry u rry

-
,

Th e leaning m asts i n their maj estic slope ,

And all th i n gs strange with moonlight : lled with hop e

B y all th at b eauty going as man b ad e ,

He tu rn e d and sl e pt i n p e ace E ight b ells were ma d e

. .

11

Next d ay w as Sund ay h is free p ainting d ay

, ,

Wh ile th e ne weath er h eld from eight till eight

, .

H e r ose wh en called at ve and did a rray ,

Th e round h ouse gear and set th e kit b ags straight ;

-
,
-

T hen kneeling down like house m aid at a grate

, ,

He scrub bed th e d eck with sand u n til his knee s

Wer e b lu e with dye from h is wet d unga r ees .

[ 25 9 ]
 DA U B E R

Soon all was C l e a n his Sund ay ta sks we r e done ;

,

His d ay w as cl ea r for painting a s h e chose .

The wetted d ecks were d rying i n th e sun ,

Th e m en coiled u p or swabbed or sought repose

, , .

Th e d rifts of silver a rr ows fell and rose

AS ying sh took wi n g ; th e b r eakfa st passed ,

Wasting goo d tim e b ut h e wa s free at l ast

, .

F ree for two h ours and mo r e to tingle d eep ,

Catch ing a likeness i n a line o r tint ,

T h e canvas runn i n g u p in a p roud sweep ,

Wi n d wrinkl ed a t th e clews and whit e like lint

-
, ,

Th e glitteri n g of th e blue waves i n to glint ;

F r ee to attem pt it all th e p roud ship s p aw in g s
,

Th e se a th e sky h e went to fetch his d rawings

, .

U p to th e deckhouse top h e quickly cl imb ed ,

He stooped to nd th e m unde r n eath th e boat .

He found th em all oblite r ated slimed , ,

Blotted erased gone from h im li n e and note

, , .

T h e y we r e all spoiled : a lump cam e in his th roat ,

Being v ain of his atte m pts and tender ski nn ed ,

B eneath th e skylight watch ing reefers grinned .

H e cl amb e red d own holding th e ruined things

, .

Bosun he call ed look here did you d o th ese :
, , ,

Wipe off my p aints and c u t th em into st r ings ,

And smea r th em till you can t tell ch alk fro m ch eese ?

Don t stare b ut d i d you do it ? Answ e r please

, , .

T h e Bosun t u rned : I ll give you a th ick ear !

Do it ! I d idn t Get to h ell from h e r e !

.

[ 2 60 ]
 DA U B E R

A sigh ca m e from th e a ssem bled seamen there .

Would h e b e such a foo l for th ei r d elight

As go to tell th e Captai n ? Would h e d a r e ?
And woul d th e th u n der roa r th e lightni n g smit e ?
,

The r e w as th e Ca ptain com e to take a sight ,

H andli n g h is sextant by th e ch a rt house aft -

.

The D aub e r tu rn e d th e seamen thought h im d aft

, .

Th e Captain took hi s sights a m ate below

Noted th e ti m es ; they shouted to each oth er ,

Th e Captain qu i ck with S top th e answer S low , ,

R epeating slowly one h eight th en anoth er .

Th e Swoop i n g clippe r stumbled th rough th e s m oth e r ,

Th e l ad de r b r a sses in th e sunlight b u rned ,

Th e D aub er wait ed till th e C aptai n tu rned .

There stood th e D au b er h umbl ed to th e bone

, ,

Waiting to speak T h e Captain let h im wait

.
,

Glanced at th e cou rse and called in even tone

, ,

Wh at is th e m a n th e re wanting M r M at e ? , .

The logsh ip cl attered on th e grating S traight ,

Th e reel rolled to th e scu ppers with a cl atter ,

The M ate came g ri m : Well D aub e r wh at s th e m atter ?
, ,

Plea se sir th ey s poiled my d rawings
, , Who did ? Th ey . .

Who s th ey ?

I don t quite know sir

Don t q uite , .

know sir ? ,

Then w h y a r e you a ft to tal k a bout it hey ? ,

Who m d y o u complain of ? No one No one ? No .
,

Well then go forwa rd till you ve found th em
, , . Go sir
, .

[ 26 2 ]
 DA U B E R

I f you compl ain of som e o n e th e n I ll see ,

.

Now get to h ell ! and don t come b oth e ring m e
.

B ut sir they wash e d th em o ff and s o m e th e y cut

, , , .

L o ok h ere sir how th ey spoiled them
, , N e ver m ind . .

Go shov e your h e a d inside th e scuttle butt ,

And th at will m ake you cooler You will nd .

Noth ing like water wh en you re m ad and blind

.

Wh e re wer e th e d rawings ? in you r ch est o r wh ere ? ,

U nd er th e long b o at sir ; I p ut them there
-
, .

Und er th e long boat hey ? Now m ind you r tip

-
, .

I ll h ave the skid s kept clear with noth ing r ound th e m ;

The long b oat a in t a sto r e in th is h e r e sh ip

-

.

Lucky for you it wasn t I wh o found them

.

If I h ad seen th e m Dauber I d h av e d rowned th e m

.
, ,

Now you b e wa rned by th is I tell you plain .

D o n t stow you r b rass rags und e r b o ats again

-
.

G o forwa rd to you r b e rth Th e Da uber tu rn e d . .

Th e listen e rs down b e low th em wi n ked and smiled ,

Kn owing how red th e D auber s tem ples burned ,

Having lost th e case about his only ch ild .

H is work was done to noth ing and d e le d ,

An d th e re wa s no red ress : th e Capta in s voice

S pok e and called Painter m aking him rej o ic e
, ,
.

Th e Captain and th e M ate conv e rsed tog e th er .

Drawings you tell m e M iste r ?
,
Yes sir ; views : , ,

Wiped off with tu rps I gath er th at s h is bleth er ,
.

H e says th e y re th ings he can t a ffo rd to lose

.

H e s Dick w h o came to se a in d ancing sho e s

, ,

[ 263 ]
 DA U B E R

And found th e d ance a bea r d ance Th ey were h idden .

U nd er th e long boat s C hocks wh ich I ve forbidden

-

,

Wiped off with tu rp s ? Th e Captain sucked h is lip .

Wh o d id it M ister ? ,

R eefers I suppose ; ,

Th em d evils d o th e most p ranks in a sh ip ;

Th e round hou se m ight h ave done it Cook or Bose , .

I can t take notice of it till h e knows

.

How does h e d o h is wo r k ? We ll no off ence ; ,

H e t ries ; h e does h is b est He s got no sense .

.

Painter th e Ca ptain called ; th e Dauber came
, .

Wh at s all th is t alk of d r awings ? Wh at s the m atte r ?

They spoiled my d rawings sir Well who s to bla m e ? , .
,

Th e long boat s th ere fo r no one to get at he r ;

-

You b roke th e rules and if you choose to scatter

,

Gea r up and d ow n wh ere it s no right to be

,


And su e r a s result don t com e t o m e
, .

You r place is in th e round house and you r gea r -

,

Belongs wh e r e you belo n g Wh o spoiled your th i n gs ? .

F ind out w h o spoiled you r th ings a n d fetch h im here .

B ut sir th ey c u t th e canvas into stri n gs
, , .

I want no a rgument nor q uestio n i n gs .

Go b ack wh e r e you b elo n g and say no m ore ,

And plea se re m emb er th at you re not on shore .

Th e Daub er touch ed h is b row and slunk away

T h ey eyed h is goi n g with a b itter e y e .

Da uber said Sam w h at d id th e Captain say ?
, ,

Th e D aub er d rooped h is h e a d with out reply .

Go forwa rd D aub er and e n j oy you r c ry
, , .

[ 264 ]
 DA U B E R

Nor pa ss you r gaskets for you nor m ak e sail , .

Painting s a b al m y j ob not wo rth a nail

.

Th e Da ub er d id not answer ; ti m e was p assing .

He pulled h is easel out h is p aints h is stool

, , .

Th e wind wa s d rop pi n g a n d th e se a w as gl assing

,

New realm s o f b ea uty waited fo r his r ule ;

Th e d raugh t out of th e c rojic k kept h im cool .

He sat to p ai n t alo n e and m el ancholy

, .

No tu rning fool s th e Ch ips said fr om their folly
, , .

H e d ip p ed h is b ru sh and t ri ed to x a line ,

And th en cam e p e ac e and gentle b eauty came

, ,

T u rn i n g his S pi rit s wat er into wine

Lightening h is d a r kness with a touch of am e :

0 j oy of t ryi n g for beauty eve r th e same
, , ,

You neve r fail you r com forts n ever e n d ;

,

O b al m of th is world s way ; O p erfect friend !

,

III
Th ey lost th e Trades soon after ; then cam e cal m ,

Light littl e gusts a nd r ai n which soo n increa sed

,

To glo r ious no rth e r s sh outing out a p salm

At seei n g th e b r ight blue wate r silve r e e c e d ;
Ho m w ar d s sh e r ushed t r a m pli n g th e sea s to yeast
, .

Th e r e fell a rai n squall in a blind d ay s end

-

Wh en fo r an hou r th e D a uber found a friend .

O ut of th e r ain th e voices called and p assed ,

Th e S tay sail s ogged th e tackl e ya n ked and sh oo k

-
, .

Insid e th e h a m ess room a l a n tern cast

-

[ 2 66 ]
 DA U B E R

Light and wil d S h adows a s it r a n ged its hook .

Th e watch on d eck w as gathered in th e nook ,

Th ey h ad t aken sh elte r in th at sec r et pl ace ,

Wild light gave wild e m otions to each face .

One beat th e beef ca sk a n d th e oth ers sang

-
,

A song th at h ad b rought anchors o u t of s e as

In port s wh ere bell s of Ch r i stians never rang ,

Nor any sea m a r k bl a zed among th e t r ees .

By fo r lorn swam ps in ice by windy keys

, , ,

That song h ad sounded ; now it shook the ai r

F rom th ese eight wanderers b r ought togethe r th ere .

U nder the poop b reak sheltering fro m th e r ain

-
, ,

Th e D a uber sketch ed some likeness of th e roo m ,

A note to be a p ro m pting to h is b r ai n ,

A spa rk to m ake old m e m o ry rei llu m e .

D aube r sa id som eone nea r h im i n the g loo m
, ,

How goes it D aube r ?
, I t wa s r eefer Si .

The re s not m uch u se in t rying to keep d ry

.

They sat upon th e sail room doorway coa m ing

-
,

Th e l ad h eld fo rth like youth th e D auber listened ,

To how th e b oy h a d ha d a taste for roa m ing ,

And wh at th e se a i s said to b e and is n t .

Wh e r e th e d im l a m plight fell th e w e t deck glistened .

S i said th e Ho rn was still som e weeks away ,

B ut tell m e D auber wh ere d y ou h ail from ? E h ?
, ,

Th e rain b lew past and let th e sta rs a ppea r ;

T h e s ea s g r ew l a rger a s th e moonlight g r ew ;
F o r h al f an hou r th e ri n g of h eaven wa s clea r ,

[ 267 ]
 DA U B ER

Dusty with moonlight grey rath er th an b lue ;,

I n th at g r eat moo n th e showing sta rs were few .

T h e sleepy ti m e boy s feet p a ssed overh ead

-

.

I co m e from out p ast Glouceste r Daub er said ; ,

Not fa r fr o m Pauntley if you know those p a rt s ;

,

Th e pl ace i s Spital F a rm ne a r Silver Hill , ,

Above a t rap h atch w h ere a m ill st r eam sta rts

- -
.

We h ad th e m ill o n ce b ut we ve stopped th e m ill ;

,

M y d ad a n d sister keep th e fa rm on still .

We re o n ly tenants b ut we ve rented there

,

,

F ath er and son for over eighty yea r

, .

F athe r h a s wo r k ed th e fa rm si n ce grand fer went ;

I t mean s the wo rl d to h im ; I ca n t th i n k w h y
.

T hey bleed him to th e l ast h alf c r own for rent -

,

A n d this and th at h ave al m ost m ilked h im d ry .

The l and s all sta rved ; if h e d p ut mo ne y by

A n d c o m was u p and rent wa s down two th ird s

,
-
.

B ut then th ey a ren t so wh at s th e u se of wo r d s

,

.

Yet still h e couldn t b ea r to se e it p ass

To s t r angers or to th ink a ti m e would com e

,

When other m en th an U S would mow th e gras s ,

An d other n am e s th a n ou r s h ave th e hom e .

Som e so rr ows com e fr om evil thought but so m e ,

Co m e s wh en tw o m e n a r e nea r and bo t h are blind ,

To wh at i s gene rou s in th e oth e r s mind

.

I wa s th e only boy and fath e r th ought

,

I d fa rm th e Spital after h e wa s de a d

,

An d m any a tim e h e took m e o u t a nd taught

[ 268 ]

To u se His h and if w o rd of m ine won t r e ach you .

B oy for you r granfer s sake I d o beseech y o u

,

Do n t let th e Sp ital p ass to st r ange r s Squire

.

H as s aid h e d giv e it you if w e require

.

Your mother u sed to walk h ere b o y with m e ; , ,

I t was h er favou rite walk down to th e mill ;

And th ere w e d talk how little death w ould be

Knowin g o u r work w as going o n h ere sti ll .

You ve got th e b ra ins you only w ant th e will

,

Don t d isappoint you r moth e r and your fath er

.

I ll give you t im e to travel if you d rath er

,

.

B ut no I d wand er U p th e b rooks to read
, , .

Then siste r Jane would S ta rt with n aggi n g tongue ,

S aying my sin m a d e father 3 h ea rt to bleed

,

An d how sh e fea red sh e d live to see m e hung

.

An d th en sh e d re a d m e bits fro m D r You n g

. .

And wh en w e th ree would sit to suppe r Jane ,

Would llip d ad till d ad b egan again .

I ve be e n h ere all my l ife boy I w as born

, .

U p in th e roo m abov e looks o n th e m e a d .

I never thought you d cockl e m y clea n co m

,

And leave th e old ho m e to a strange r s seed

.

F ath e r and I h ave m a d e h e r e thout a weed :

We ve give ou r lives to m ake th at E ighty years

. .

And now I go d o wn to th e g r ave in tea rs .

And th en I d g e t a sh am e d and tak e o ff coat

,

And work m ayb e a week plough i n g and sowing ,

And the n I d c r eep away and s ail m y boat

[ 2 7o ]
 DA U B E R

O r watch th e water wh e n th e m ill wa s g o ing .

Th at s my d elight to b e nea r water owing

Dab bling or sailing boats or j u m p ing st anks ,

O r nd ing moo r h e n s nests along th e b anks

.

And one d ay fath e r found a sh ip I d b uilt ;

He took th e ca rt whip to m e over that

-
,

And I h al f m ad with p ain and sick with gu ilt

, , ,

Went u p and h id in wh at w e called th e at ,

A d usty hole given over to th e cat .

Sh e kittened there ; th e kittens h ad wo rn path s

Among th e cobwebs d ust and b roken l ath s
, , .

And p utting down my h and between th e beam s

I felt a leath ery th i n g and p ulled it clea r :
,

A book with wh ite cocoons stuck in th e seam s .

Wh ere sp iders h a d h ad nests for m any a yea r .

I t w as my m oth er s sk e tch book ; hi d I fea r

-
, ,

Lest d ad should e ver se e it M o th er s life .

Was not h er o wn wh il e sh e w as fath er s wife .

Th er e were h er d r awings d ated pencilled faint, , .

M a rch w as th e l ast one eighteen eighty th ree

,
-
,

U nnish ed th at for tea r s ha d smea r ed th e p aint

, .

Th e rest wa s l and sca pe not yet b rought t o b e

,
.

Th at wa s a holy a fte rnoo n to m e ;

Th at book a sa cred book ; th e at a plac e
Wh ere I could m ee t my moth er face to face .

Sh e h ad found peace of spi rit m oth er h ad , ,

Drawi n g th e l and scape from th e attic th e r e

Hea rt b roken often a fter rows with d a d
-
, , ,

[ 27 1 ]
 DA U B E R

Hid like a wild th ing in a sec r et lair .

Th at rotting sketch book showed m e how and where

-

I too could get away ; and th en I knew

, ,

T hat d rawing was th e work I longed to do .

Drawing b eca m e my life I d rew I toiled .

, ,

A n d eve ry penny I could get I spent

O n p aints and a rtist s m atte r s wh ich I spoiled ,

U p in th e attic to my h ea rt s conte n t

T ill on e d ay fath er asked m e wh at I m eant ;

Th e time h ad co m e h e sa id to make an end
, , .

Now it m ust nish : wh at d id I intend ?

E ith er I took to fa rm ing like h is son , ,

I n wh ich case h e would teach m e early and l ate ,

( P r ovided th at my d aub ing moo d was done ) ,

Or I m ust go : it m ust b e settled st r aight .

If I refused to fa r m th e r e w a s th e gate
, .

I wa s to choose h is p atience was all gone

, ,

Th e p resent state o f th in gs could not go on .

Sister wa s th e r e ; sh e e y ed m e wh ile h e spoke .

T h e kitch en clock ran d own and st ruck th e h ou r ,

A n d som eth i n g told m e fath e r s hea rt wa s b roke

,

F or all h e stood so se t a n d looked so sou r .

Ja n e took a d uster and began to scou r

,

A pewter on th e d resser ; sh e w as crying .

I stood stock still a long tim e not repl y ing , .

D a d waited th en h e snorted and tu rned round

, .

Well th i n k of it h e said He left th e r oo m

, ,

.
,

His boots w en t clop along th e stony ground

[ 27 2 ]
 DA U B E R

D o y o u p rop o se to ea rn you r daily foo d ?

D raw ? Da ub the p avem ents ? There s a feckless b rood

Goes to th e d evil d aily Joe in cities , ,

Only from th inking how divine their w it is .

Cloud s ar e th ey without water carri ed away
, , .

And you ll b e one of th e m th e way you re going

,

,

D aubing at silly pictu r es all th e d ay ,

And praised by silly foo l s who re always blowi n g

.

And you ch oose th is wh en you might go a sowing -

,

Ca sting th e good c o m into chosen moul d

Th at sh all in tim e b ring forth a hund red fold -
.

So w e went on b ut in t h e end it e nded

, .

I felt I d done a m u r der ; I felt sick

.

The r e s m uch i n h u m an m inds cannot b e m e nded

,

And th at not I pl ayed d ad a cruel t rick

, , .

T here w as o ne m e r cy : th at it ended quick .

I went t o j oin my mothe r s b rother : h e

Lived d own th e Severn He wa s kind to m e . .

And th er e I lea rned h ou se painting for a livin g -

.

I d h ave been h appy th e r e b ut th at I knew

,

I d sinned before my father p ast fo rgiving ,

And th at th ey sat at hom e th at S ilent tw o , ,

Wea ring th e r e o u t and th e eveni n g th rough ,

Sile n t d efeated b r oken in d espair

, , , ,

My pl ate unset my n am e g o n e an d m y ch ai r
, , .

I saw all th at ; and S ister Jane came whit e

Wh ite a s a gh ost with ery weeping eyes
, , .

I saw h e r all d ay l ong and h al f th e night ,

[ 27 4 ]
 DA U B E R

B itt e r a s gall and pa ssionate and wi se

, .

Joe you h a v e killed you r father : there he lies

, .

You h av e done you r work you wit h ou r moth er s ways

.

She said it plain and then h e r e y e s would blaze

, .

An d then o n e d ay I h ad a j ob to d o
Down bel o w b ridge by wh ere th e docks b e g in
, ,

And there I saw a clipper towing th rough ,

U p fro m th e se a th at morning entering in , .

R aked to th e nines sh e wa s lofty and th in , ,

Her e nsign ruf in g red h er b unts in pile

, ,

B e auty and str e ngth tog eth er w o nder style , , .

Sh e docked close to th e gates and th e re sh e l ay ,

Over th e water from m e well in sight ; ,

And a s I worked I watched h er all th e d ay ,

F inding h er b eauty ever fr esh delight .

Her house ag was b right green with strips of wh ite ;

-

High i n th e sunny a ir it rose to sh ake

A bo ve th e skysail poles most splend id rake .

And wh e n I felt unh appy I woul d l oo k

Over th e river at her ; and he r p r ide ,

So calm so q uiet cam e a s a rebuk e

, ,

To h alf th e p assionate pathways which I t ri ed ;

An d though th e autu m n ran its te r m and d i ed ,

And winter fell and col d Dec e m b er came ,

Sh e was still splendid there and still th e sa m e ,

.

Then on a d a y s he sailed ; b ut when sh e went

M y mi nd w a s clea r on wh at I h a d to t ry :
To see th e sea and ships and wh at th ey m e ant
, ,

[ 27 5 1
 DA U B E R

Th at w as the thing I longed to d o ; so I

Drew a n d w o r ked h ar d a n d studied and put by , ,

And thought of nothi n g el se but th at one e n d ,

B ut let all else go h ang love mo n e y fr iend , , .

And now I ve shipped a s Dauber I ve begun
.

I t w as h a r d wo r k to nd a d auber s be r th ;

I h adn t a n y friend s to nd m e one

Only my skill fo r w h at it m ay b e worth ;

,

B ut I m at se a now going about th e ea rth
, ,

And wh e n the sh ip s paid off w hen w e retu rn

, ,

I ll j oin som e Pa r is stud io a nd lea rn

.

He stopped th e ai r cam e moist S i d id not speak ;

, ,

Th e D aub er t u rned his eyes to wh ere h e sat ,

P r essing th e s ail roo m h i n ges with his c h e e e k

-
,

His face h al f covered with a d ropping h at .

Huge d ewd rop s fro m th e st ay sails d r opp ed a nd sp at -

.

S i d id not sti r th e D aub er touch ed hi s sleeve ;

,

A little bi r dlike noise cam e from a sh eave .

Si w as a sl eep sleeping a calm d eep sleep

, ,

S till a s a wa r den of th e E gyptian d e a d

In som e old h aunted tem ple b u ried deep
Un der th e d esert sand ste r ile a n d red , .

T h e D auber shook his a rm ; S i j um ped and said ,

Good yarn I swea r ! I say you h ave a b rain

, ,

Wa s th at eight b ells th at went ? He slept again .

Then waking u p I ve h a d a n ap h e c ried
,

, .

Was th at one b ell ? Wh at Dauber you still h e r e ? , ,

Si th ere ? th e M ate s voice called Sir h e replied

.
, .

[ 2 76 ]
 DA U B E R

I ve kept th is hooker s h alf deck d amn e d g e nteel

-
.

S i m ust a sk p a rdon or b e m ad e to squeal

,
.

Down on your knees d og ; them we love w e ch asten

, .

J ao p a se a my son in E nglish H ast e n

.
, , ,

S i b e gged for p ardon m e ekly kneeling d own

,

B efo r e th e r eefer s m ess assembled g ri m

.

T h e l a m p a bove th e m smoked th e gl ass all b rown ;

B e yo nd th e d oor th e d ri pping sails we r e d im .

Th e Da ub er p a ssed th e doo r ; none spoke to h im .

He sought h is berth and slept o r waking heard , , ,

R ain o n th e d e ck house rain no oth e r word

-
, .

IV
O ut of th e a ir a time o f quiet came ,

Calm fell U po n th e h eaven like a d routh ;

The b r ass sk y wa tch ed th e b rassy w ater ame .

D rowsed a s a sn ail th e clippe r loite r ed south

Slow ly with no wh ite bone ac r oss h e r mouth ;
,

N o ru sh ing glory like a queen m ade bold

, ,

Th e D aub e r strov e to d raw h e r a s sh e rolled .

T h ere th e fou r leaning spires of canvas rose ,

R oyal s a n d skysa ils lifti n g gently lifting , ,

Wh ite like th e b rightness th at a g r eat sh blows

Wh en billows a re at pea ce and sh ips a r e d ri fting ;
With m ighty j e r k s th at se t th e sh a d ows sh ifting ,

T h e cou rses tugged th ei r tethers : a blue h aze

D ri fted like ghosts of ocks com e d ow n to graze .

[ 27 8 1
 DA U B E R

Th e r e th e gr e at skyline m ade h er pe rfe ct round ,

N o tch ed now and then by th e sea s d eeper blue ;

A smok e sm utch m a rked a S tea m er ho m e wa rd bound

-
,

The h aze wrought all th ings to int e nser h ue .

I n tingling i m p o t e nc e th e Dauber d rew

A s all m en d raw keen to th e sh aken soul
,

To giv e a h int th at mi g ht suggest th e whole .

A nak e d s e am an wash ing a red sh i rt

S at at a tub wh istling between h is teeth ;
Compl aining b locks q uavered like so m ething h u rt .

A sa ilor c u t an old boot for a sh eath ,

The sh ip b ow e d to h er sh adow sh ip beneath -

,

And little spl ash of spray came at th e roll

O n to th e d eck pl anks from th e scupper hole
- -
.

He watch e d it p ainting p ati e ntly as paints

, , ,

With eyes th at p ierce behind th e bl ue sky s veil ,

The B e ned ictine in a Book of S ai n ts

Watch ing th e p a ssi n g of th e Holy Grail ;
Th e green d ish d rip ping blood the t rum p th e h ail , , ,

Th e spea rs th at pass th e m e m o ry and the p assio n

, ,

Th e b eauty m o ving und e r this world s fash ion .

B ut as he p aint e d slowly m an by m an
, , ,

Th e seam e n gath e r ed near ; th e Bosun stood

B eh ind h im j eeri n g ; then the Sails began
,

Sniggering with comment th at it wa s not good .

Ch ips icked h is sketch with l ittle sc r aps of woo d ,

Sayi n g Th at h it th e top knot every time
,
-
,
.

Cook mocked M y lovely d rawings ; it s a crim e
,
.

[ 2 79 ]
 DA U B E R

Slowly th e men cam e nearer till a crowd ,

Sto o d at h is e lbow m uttering a s h e d rew ;,

T h e Bosun t urning to th e m spok e aloud

, , ,

Th is is th e sh ip th at never got th ere You .

Look at h er h ere wh at D aub er s tryi n g to d o

,

.

Look at h er ! lum m y like a Ch ristma s tree ,

-
.

Th at thing s a sh ip ; h e calls th is p ainti n g See ? .

Seeing th e crowd th e M ate cam e forward ; th en

,

Si r s aid th e Bosun com e and se e th e S ight !
, ,

Here s D auber m akes a circus for th e m en .

H e call s th is thing a sh i p this hell s d elight !

M an sai d th e M ate you ll never get her right
, ,

D a ub ing like th at Look h ere ! H e took a b rush
. .

Now D a ub er watch ; I ll p ut you to th e bl ush

,

.

Look here Look th e re Now watch th is ship of mine
. . .

He d rew h er swiftly from a m e mo ry stored .

G o d sir th e Bosun said you do h e r ne
, , ,

Ay , said th e M ate I d o so by th e Lord ! , ,

I ll p aint a ship with any m an aboa rd

.

T hey h u n g about h is sketch like beasts at b ait .

There now I t augh t him p ainting sai d th e M at e

,

, .

Wh en h e h ad gone th e gath ered men dispe r sed ;

,

Yet tw o o r th ree still li n gered to dispute

Wh at erro r s m a d e th e D auber s wo r k th e wo r st
.

T h ey p rob ed his want of knowledge to th e r oot .

Bei Gott ! th ey s w ore d er D aube r ca nn ot d o ,

t;

He h af no k n olich how to p ut der pense .

Der M ate s i s goot De r D aube r h af no s ense

. .

[ 2 8o ]
 DA U B E R

You cannot understand th at you and y o u , ,

And you you Bosun You c an stand a nd j eer

, .
,

Th at i s th e t ask your spi rit ts you to ,

Th at you can und e r stand a nd hold most d e a r .

Grin th en like colla rs ea r to d o n k e y ea r

, , , ,

B ut l et m e d au b Try you to understa n d

.
, ,

Which task will b ear th e light best on God s h and
.

V
Th e w e st er cam e a s steady a s th e Trad es ;
B r ightly it blew and still th e sh ip d i d shoulder
,

Th e b rilliance of th e water s wh ite cockades
In to th e m ilky green of smoky smoulder .

Th e sk y g r ew bl uer and th e air g r ew colde r .

Southwa rd sh e thund e r ed while th e weste r s held ,

Proud with t aut b ridles p awin g b ut compelled

, , , .

And still th e D auber strove though all m en mocked

, ,

To d r aw th e splendou r of th e p assing thing ,

And d eep i n sid e h is h eart a so m eth ing locked ,

Long p r icking in him now began to sting

,

A fea r of th e disasters sto rm might b ring ;

His rank a s p ainter would b e ended th en
He would keep watch and watch like oth er men .

And go aloft with th e m to m an th e yard

When th e great sh ip wa s rolling scuppers under ,

B u rying h e r snout all r ound th e co m p ass ca r d ,

Wh il e th e g reen wate r stru ck at h er and stunned h er ;

When th e lee rigg i ng sl acked wh en on e long th und er
-
,

[ 28 2 ]
 DA U B E R

Bo o m e d fro m th e b l ack t o windward wh e n th e sail ,

Booted and sp ur red the d evil i n th e g ale .

F or him to r i d e on m e n : th at w a s th e tim e
Th e D au b e r d re a ded ; then lest th e t e st would come ,

Wh en sea s h alf frozen slush ed th e d ecks with slime

,
-
, ,

And all th e air wa s blind with ying scum ;

When th e d renched sails were fu rled w hen the e rc e h um
,

In weath e r riggings d ied into th e ro a r

O f God s et e rn al never tamed by shore .

O nce in th e p ass ag e h e h ad worked aloft ,

Shifting h er suits on e summer a ft e rn o on ,

In th e brigh t Trad e wind w h en th e wind wa s s o ft

, ,

Sh aking th e points m aking th e tackl e croon

, .

B ut th at was ch ild s pl ay to th e future : soon
H e would b e ord er ed up when sail s and S p ars
W e re ying and going m ad among th e sta rs .

He h ad been sca red th at rst tim e d aunted th rilled

, , ,

Not by th e h e i g ht so m uch a s b y th e size ,

And then th e d anger to th e man unskilled

I n standing o n a rop e th at ru ns th rough eyes .

B ut in a storm h e th o ught th e ya rd s will rise
, ,

A nd roll togeth e r down and snap thei r gear !
,

The sweat came col d U po n his palm s for fea r .

Som e times in Glouc e ster he h ad felt a p ang

Swinging b el o w th e house eaves on a stage
- .

B ut stages ca rry rail s ; h er e h e would h ang

U p o n a j erking rope in a S torm s rage ,

Duck e d th at th e shelt e ring oilskin might a ssuage

[ 28 3 1
 DA U B E R

Th e beating of th e storm clutch ing the j ack , ,

B e ating th e sail and being b e at en b ack

, .

Drench ed frozen ga sping blinded b e at en d umb

, , , , ,

High in th e night r eeli n g great blinding a rcs

,

As the sh ip rolled h is ch appy nge r s n umb

, ,

T h e d eck below a n ar r ow bl ur of m a r ks ,

T h e se a a welter of wh iteness shot with sp arks ,

N ow sna pping up in b ursts n ow d yi n g away , ,

S alting th e horizontal snow with sp ray .

A h und red a nd fty feet above th e d eck ,

And th e r e while th e ship rolls boldly to sit

, ,

U po n a foot rope m oving j erk and check

-
, ,

Wh ile h alf a dozen sea m en wo r k o n it ;

'

Held by one h and st r aini n g by stre n gth and wit

, ,

T o toss a gasket s coil a r ou nd th e ya rd

How could h e comp a ss th at when blowing h ard ?

And if h e fail ed in any least d egree ,

Or falte r ed fo r a n instant o r showed sl ack , ,

He might go d rown h i m sel f within th e sea ,

And ad d a b ubbl e to th e clip pe r s t r ack

.

He h ad si g ned his na m e th e re wa s n o tu rning b ack

, ,

N o p a r don for d efault th is m ust b e done .

O ne i ron rul e at se a bind s eve ryone .

Till now he h ad b een treated with contempt

As neith e r m an no r th ing a c r eatu r e borne ,

O n th e ship s a rticles but left exe m pt

F rom all th e se am e n s life except th ei r sco rn

.

B ut h e wou ld r ank a s seam an off th e Ho rn ,

[ 2 84 1
 DA U B E R

And w in his m ates resp e ct ; and thence untainted , ,

B e ranked a s m an however much he pai n t ed .

He d re w d ee p b reath ; a gantline swayed aloft

A lower top sail h ard with rop e and leather
, ,

S uch a s men s frozen ng e rs ght with oft

B elow th e R amirez in C ap e Ho rn weath er .

Th e arm s upon th e y ard hove all togeth er ,

Lighting th e head along ; a thought occu rr ed

With in th e p ainter s b rai n like a b r ight bi r d :

Th at thi s a n d so much like it of m an s toil
, , ,

Com pa ssed by naked m anhood in strange plac e s ,

Wa s all h eroic b ut outsid e th e coil

,

Within wh ich mo d ern a rt gleam s o r grim aces ;

Th at if h e d r ew th at line of sailo r s faces

Sweating th e sail th eir p assionate pl ay a n d ch ange

, ,

It would b e new a nd wonderful and strange

, , .

That th at wa s w h at hi s work m e a n t ; it would b e

A training in new vision a r evealing
O f p a ssionat e men in b attle with th e s ea ,

High on an unseen stage sh aking a nd reeling ;

,

And m en th rough him would understand th ei r feeling ,

Thei r might thei r mise ry thei r t r agic pow e r

, , ,

And all by s uff ering pai n a little hou r ;

High o n the yard with them feeling th ei r p ain , ,

B attling with them ; and it h ad n ot been do n e .

H e wa s a door to new world s in the b rain ,

A window O pening letting in th e sun ,

A voice saying T h us is b read fetch ed and port s w o n ,
,

[ 2 86 ]
 DA U B E R

And life lived o ut at s e a where men e xist

Sol e ly b y m an s stro ng b rain and sturdy wrist

.

So h e decided as he c le a ned hi s b ras ses

, ,

Hea ring without aloft th e cu rse th e sh o ut

, , ,

Where th e taut gantline p asses and repa sses ,

Heaving new top sails to b e lighted out .

I t w as most p roud however self m ight d ou b t

, ,

To sh ar e m an s t ragic toil and p aint it t rue

.

He to o k th e off ered F ate : th is h e wo uld d o .

Th at nigh t th e sn o w fell b e tween six a nd s e v e n ,

A littl e feath e ry fall so light so d ry ,

An aimless d ust o ut of a confu s e d h eav e n ,

U pon an a ir no steadier th an a sigh ;

Th e powd er d usted down and wander e d b y
So p u rposeless so m any and so col d
, , ,

Th e n di e d and t h e wind c e as e d and t h e sh ip rolled

, .

R olled till sh e cl anged roll e d till th e b rain wa s ti red ,

M a rking th e acm e o f th e h e aves th e p aus e ,

Wh il e th e se a b eauty rest e d and respired

-
,

Drinking great d ra ughts of rolle r at h er h awse .

F l utters of snow c a m e aimless upon aws .

Lock u p you r p aints th e M ate s aid spea king light :
, ,

Thi s is th e H o rn ; y o u ll j oin my watch to night !

-

VI

All th rough th e windless nigh t th e clipper rolled

I n a great swell w it h oi l y g r a d u al h eaves
Wh ich rolled h er d o wn until h er tim e bell s tolled -
,

[ 287 1
 DA U B E R

Clang a nd t h e welteri ng water moan e d like beeves

, .

Th e th und ering rattl e of sl atting shook th e S h eaves ,

St a rtles o f wat er m a d e th e swing port s gush ,

Th e se a wa s moa n i n g and sighing and saying Hush !

I t w as all b la ck and st arless Peering d own .

Into th e wat er try ing t o pierce th e gloom

, ,

On e saw a dim smooth oily glitte r of b rown

, ,

Heaving and dying away and leaving room

F o r y e t an o th er Like th e m a r ch of d oom
.

Cam e th ose g r eat powe r s of m a r ch ing silences ;

Then fog cam e down d e a d col d an d h id th e sea s
,
-
, .

Th e y se t th e Dauber to th e fog h o m T he r e .

H e stood upon th e p oop m aking to s ou nd

,

O ut of th e p u m p th e sa ilo r s n as al bl a re

Listening lest ice S hould m ake th e note resound .

Sh e b ay ed the r e like a sol it a ry h ound

Lost in a covert ; all th e watch sh e b ay ed .

Th e fog com e c lose lie r down no answ e r m ad e

, , .

D ense r it grew until th e sh ip wa s lost

, .

T h e ele m ental hi d h e r ; sh e was m e rged

I n m uiin g s of d ark d eath like a m an s ghost
,

,

New to th e ch a n ge of d e ath y e t th ithe r u r g ed

, .

Th en from th e h id den waters so m eth ing s urged

Mou m ful d esp ai ring great g r eater th an sp e ech
, , , ,

A noise lik e o ne slow wave on a S till beach .

M o u m ful and then again m o u m ful a nd still

, ,

O ut of th e n ight th at mighty voice a r os e ;

Th e Dauber a t h i s fog h o m felt th e th rill .

[ 2 88 ]
 DA U B E R

S low h eaving in vast rippl es bl ank and mu dd y

, ,

Wh ere th e sun should h ave risen it st r eaked bloody .

Th e d ay wa s still bo m ; all th e se a fowl scatteri n g

- -

Splash ed th e S til l wat e r m ewing h o v e ring clatte ring

, , , .

Th en Pola r sn ow cam e d own little and light ,

T ill all th e sky wa s h idd en by the sm all ,

M ost multitud inous d rift of d i rty wh ite

Tumbling and wavering down and cov e ring all
Covering th e sk y th e s e a th e clipp e r t all
, , ,

F ur r ing th e rop e s with whit e ca sing th e m ast

, ,

Com ing on no kn o wn a ir b ut b lowing p ast

, .

And all th e air s ee m ed full o f grad u al moa n ,

As though in th o se cloud ch as m s th e h orn s were b l owing

-

Th e mort for god s cast out a nd overth rown ,

O r for th e eyeless su n plucked out and going .

Slow th e low grad u al moa n cam e in th e snowing ;

Th e Dauber felt th e p relud e h ad begun .

Th e snowst o rm utter e d by ; h e saw th e sun

Show and p ass by gl e am from on e towering p rison

,

In to anoth er vaster and m ore g ri m

, ,

Wh ich in d ull crags of d a r kness h ad a ris e n

To m UIe to a n al d oo r o n h im
-
.

Th e god s upon th e d ull crags low ered d im ,

Th e pigeons ch atter e d qua rrellin g in th e t rack

, .

In th e south w e st th e d imness d ull ed to bl ack

-
.

Th e n cam e th e c ry o f C all all h and s o n d eck !
Th e Daub e r knew its meaning ; it wa s co m e :
Cape Horn th at tram ples beauty into wreck
, ,

[ 29o ]
 DA U B E R

And crum ples st e el and sm ites th e strong m an d u m b .

Down clatte r ed ying kites and staysails : som e

S ang out in quick h igh calls : th e fai r lead s skirled
,
-
,

And from the south west cam e th e end of th e world

-
.

Caught in h er b all d ress sa id th e B osu n h auli n g ;
-
, ,

Lee ay lee ay ! q uick high co m e th e men s call ;
-
,
-
, ,

It wa s all wallop of s ail s and sta rtled calling .

Let y ! Let go ! Clew u p ! and Let go all !

Now up and m ake them fast ! Here giv e u s a h aul !,

Now u p and stow th em ! Quick ! By God ! w e re done !

Th e bl ackn e ss c r u n c hed all m e mo ry of th e sun .

U p ! said th e M at e M iz e n t o p gallants Hu rry !
.
-
.

Th e D auber ran th e oth ers ran th e sails

, ,

Slatted a nd sh ook ; out of th e bl ack a urry

Wh i r led in ne lin e s tatteri n g th e ed g e to trails
, .

Pa inti n g and a rt a nd E ngl and were ol d t ales

T o ld i n some oth er life to th at p al e man ,

Wh o struggl e d with wh it e fea r and gulped and r a n .

H e struck a rin g bolt in h is h aste and fell

R ose sick with p ain h al f lamed in h is left knee ;
, ,
-

H e r e a ch ed th e sh roud s wh ere clamb eri n g m en pell mel l -

Hustl e d each oth er u p and cu rsed h im ; h e

Hu rried aloft with th em : th e n from th e se a
Cam e a cold sudd en b re ath th at m a d e th e h air
,

St iff on th e neck as though Death wh ispered th er e

,
.

A m an b el ow h im punch e d h im in th e sid e .

Ge t u p you D auber o r le t m e g e t p ast
, ,
.

H e saw th e b e lly o f th e skysail skied ,

[ 29 1 1
 DA U B E R

Gulped and clutch ed tight and t ri e d to go more fast

, , .

Som etimes h e m is sed his ratline and wa s grassed ,

S cra ped h is sh in raw against th e rigid li ne

Th e clambe r ers reach ed th e futtock sh roud s i n cli n e -
.

Cursing they cam e ; one kicking out beh ind

, ,

Kicked D aub er in th e mouth and one b e low ,

Punch ed at h is calves ; th e futtock sh r oud s incl ined -

I t wa s a perilous path for o n e to go .

U p Da uber u p !
, , A cu r se followed a blow .

H e reach ed th e top and gasp ed the n on then o n , , .

And one voice yelled Let go ! and one All go n e !

F ierce cl amb erers som e in oilskins som e in rags

, , ,

H ustling a nd h u r rying u p up th e steep stai r s

, .

Befo r e the w indless sails we r e blown to ags ,

And w h i rled like d i rty bi rds ath w a rt great a irs ,

Ten m e n in all to get th is m ast of th eirs

,

Snugged to th e gale in ti m e U p ! Damn you run !
.
,

Th e m izen topm ast h e a d wa s safely won .

Lay out ! th e Bosun yelled Th e Daub er la id .

O ut on th e ya rd gri pp ing th e ya r d a nd feeli n g

,

S ick at th e m ighty space of air d ispl ayed

B e low h is feet whe r e m ewi n g b ird s were wheeling
, .

A giddy fea r wa s on h im ; h e was reeli n g .

H e bit h is lip h alf th rough clutch ing th e j ack , .

A col d sweat glued th e sh irt upo n h is b ack .

The yard wa s sh aking for a bra c e w as loose

, .

He felt th at h e woul d fal l ; h e clutched h e b en t , ,

C lammy wit h n atural terror to th e shoes

[ 29 2 ]
 DAU B E R

Th e b uckling ya r d a block thump ed like a m all .

T h e sh ip l ay th e s e a smote h er th e w i n d s b awl ,

Came loo loo
, , , T he d evil c r i ed h is h ounds
O n to th e poo r spent stag strayed in h is bounds .

Cut ! E ase h er ! yelled h is m at e ; th e Daube r heard .

His m ate wo rm ed up th e tilt ed yard and sl ash ed ,

A r ag of can va s skimmed like a d a rting b i r d .

T h e snow w h i rled th e sh ip bowed to it th e g e a r l ashed

, , ,

T h e sea tops we r e cut off a n d ung dow n s m ash e d ;

-

T atters of shouts were ung th e r ags of yells ,

A n d C la n g C l a n g C l a n g b e low beat th e two bells

, , , .

O God ! th e D aub er moaned A roa ring rang .
,

B lasting th e r oyals lik e a cannonad e ;

T h e b ackstays p a rted with a c r ackling C la n g ,

T h e U p per sp ars we re snapp ed like twigs d ecayed

S n app ed at th ei r h eel s th ei r j agged sp l i n ters spl ayed
, ,

Like whit e and gh astly h ai rs e r ect with fea r .

Th e M at e y e ll ed Gone by G o d and pitch ed th e m clea r !
, , ,

U p ! y e ll ed th e B osun ; up a nd clea r th e wr e ck !
Th e Daube r followed whe r e h e led : below
He caught one gi dd y gl i m psing of th e d e ck
Fi lled with whit e water a s though h eaped with snow
, .

He s aw th e st r eame r s of th e rigging blow

Straight out like pennons fro m th e splintered m ast ,

Then all sense d im m e d all was an icy blast

, ,

R oaring from neth e r h e l l and lled with ice ,

R oari n g and crash ing on th e j e r ki n g stage ,

An utt e r b ri d l e gi ven to utte r vice ,

[ 2 94 ]
 DA U B E R

Lim itl e sspow e r m a d with end l e ss rag e

With e ring th e soul ; a m inut e seem e d an ag e .

He c l utch ed and h ack e d at ropes at rags of sail , .

Thinking th at com fort wa s a fairy tale -

Told long ago long lo n g ago long since

,

Heard of in oth er lives i m agined d r eamed ,

Th ere wh ere th e ba s e st begga r w as a p rince

To h im i n torm e nt wh ere th e tem pest screa m ed ,

Co m fort and wa rmth and e ase no long e r se e med

Th ings th at a m an could know : soul body b r ain , , ,

Knew noth ing b ut th e wind th e col d th e pa in

, , .

Leave th at ! th e B osun shout e d ; C rojick sav e !
Th e splitting c rojic k not yet gone to rags
, ,

Thund ered b el ow b eating till som eth i n g gave

, ,

B el lying between its b untlin e s into b ags .

Som e bird s w ere blown p ast sh rieking : d a rk lik e sh ags

, , ,

Th e ir b acks s ee m ed l o oking down
, L e u leu ! th ey c r ied
.
, .

Th e sh ip lay th e seas th ump ed h er ; sh e h ad d ied

, .

They reach ed t h e c rojic k ya rd wh ich b uckl ed b uckled

, ,

Li ke a th in wh ale bo ne to th e topsail s strain

.

They l aid upo n th e yard and h eaved a nd knuckled ,

Pound ing th e sa il wh ich j angled and l e apt again

, .

I t was quit e h a rd with ic e its rope like ch ain

, ,

Its strength like seven d evils ; it shook th e m ast .

Th ey cu rsed a nd toil ed and froze : a long ti m e p ass ed .

Two h o u rs pa ss e d th e n a d im lightening cam e

, .

Those frozen ones u pon th e ya rd could see

Th e m a ins ail and th e fores a il still th e s ame ,

[ 29 5 ]
 DA U B E R

Still b attling with th e h and s a nd blowing fr ee ,

R ags tattered wh ere th e stays a ils us ed to b e .

Th e lower tops a ils stood ; th e sh ip s lee d eck

Seethed with fou r fee t of wat er ll ed with wre ck .

An hou r mor e went by ; th e Daub e r lost

All sens e of h and s and feet all sense of all ,

B ut of a wi nd th at cut him to th e ghost ,

And of a frozen fold h e h ad to h aul ,

O f heavens th at fe ll and n ever ceased to fa ll ,

And ran i n smoky snatch es alo n g th e s e a ,

Leaping fr om crest to wave crest yelling H e -

, .

Lost sense of tim e ; n o bells went but h e felt ,

Ages go over h im At l a st at l ast

.
,

T hey frapped th e c rin g le d c rojick s icy pelt ;

I n frozen bulge a nd b u n t th ey m a d e it fa st .

T h en sca rcely l ive th ey l ai d in to th e m ast

, , .

Th e Ca ptain s speaking trumpet gave a bl a re

,

M ake fast th e topsail M ister wh il e yo u re there
, ,

.

Some seam en cu r sed b ut up th ey h a d to g o

,

U p to th e topsail ya rd to spend a n hou r

Stowing a topsail in a blind ing snow ,

Wh ich m a d e th e stro n gest m an among th em cower

'

More m en cam e u p th e fr esh h and s gave th em power

, ,

Th ey stowed th e sail ; th en with a rattle of ch ain

O ne h alf th e c rojic k b u rst its bon d s again .

Th ey stowed th e s ail frap ping it round with ro p e

, ,

Leaving no s u rfa ce for th e wi nd no fold , ,

Th e n d o wn th e weath er sh rouds h alf d ea d. th ey grope ; ,

[ 29 6 ]
 DAU B E R

Th is ain t th e George s S wimmi n g B ath s h e y e lled ;

,

Keep on you r feet ! Anoth e r grey b ack felled -

Th e two togeth er and th e Bose h alf blind , ,

-
,

Sp at : O ne s a j ok e h e cu rsed b ut two s unkind , ,

.

N ow d am n it D auber ! said th e M at e
, , Look out .
,

O r you ll b e over th e side !

Th e water freed ;
E a ch clanging freeing port b e cam e a spout -
.

Th e me n clea re d up th e d ecks as there was need .

Th e D aube r s h e a d w as c u t h e fe lt it bl eed

Into h is oilskin s a s h e cl utched and coiled .

Water a n d sk y wer e d evil s b rews wh ich boiled

Boiled sh ri eked and glowered ; b ut th e ship was saved

, , .

S n ugg ed s afe ly d own th ough fou rteen sails were split , .

O u t of th e d a rk a e rce r fu ry raved .

Th e grey b a cks d i ed and mounted each crest lit

-
,

With a wh ite toppling gleam th at h issed from it

An d slid or l e ap ed o r ra n with wh i rl s of cloud
, , ,

M ad with inh um an life th at sh rieked aloud .

Th e watch wa s called ; D auber migh t go b elow .

Splice th e m ai n b race ! th e M at e call ed All l aid aft .

To get a gulp of mo m enta ry glow

As som e rewa r d fo r h aving s aved th e craft .

Th e stewa r d l a d l ed m ugs from which each q u aff d ,

Wh i sky with water sugar and li m e j uic e hot

, , ,
-
, ,

A qu arter of a pi n t each m a d e th e tot .

B e si d e th e l amp room d oo r th e stewa rd stood

-

Ladling it out a nd each m a n came in tu rn

, ,

Tipped h i s so u wester d r ank it g r unted Good !

-
, ,

[ 29 8 ]
 DA U B E R

An d sh am b led fo rwa rd l e tting it slowly b u rn :

,

When all wer e gone th e D a u b er lagged aste m ,

To m by h is frozen bo dy s l ust for h e at ,

The liquor s pl e a san t sm ell so wa r m so sweet , , ,

And b y a p ro m ise long since m ade at ho m e

Never to ta ste strong liquo r N o w h e knew .

Th e worth of liq uor ; n ow h e wa n t ed som e .

His fro ze n b od y u rg ed h im to t he b re w ;
Yet it s ee m ed wrong an evil th ing to do
,

To b re ak th at p rom ise D auber said th e M ate
.
, ,

D rink and t u rn in ma n ; w h y th e h ell d ye wait ?
, ,

Please sir I m tem peranc e
, ,

Tem perance a re you h ey ?
.
,

Th at s all th e m o re for m e ! So you re for slop s ?

I thought you d h ad en ough slops for to d ay

- .

Go to your b unk and ea se h e r wh en sh e d rops .

And d amm e steward ! you b rew with too much hop s !
,

Sti r u p th e sug a r m an and tell your gi rl

,
-

How kind th e M at e w as teach ing you to fu rl .

Th e n th e M at e d rank th e re m nants six men s sh are , ,

And ram ped into h is cabi n wh ere h e stripped ,

And d anced u n clad an d wa s u p roa riou s the r e

,
.

I n waltzes with th e cabin cat h e t r ipped .

Si n ging in tenor cl ea r th at h e w as pipped

T h at h e w h o strove th e te m pest to d isa rm ,

M ust n e ver rst em b rail th e l ee y a rd a r m - .

And th at h is nam e wa s Ginge r D aube r crept .

B ack to th e round house grippi n g by th e r ail

-
,
.

The wi nd howled by ; th e p assionate water l ea pt ;

[ 29 9 ]
 DA U B E R

Th e night wa s all one ro a ring with th e gale .

Th en at th e d oo r h e S topp ed utteri n g a wail ; ,

His h and s were pe rish ed n umb and blue as veins ,

He coul d not tu rn th e k n ob for both th e Sp ains .

A h and cam e sh uiin g aft d o dging th e seas , ,

Singi n g h er nut b rown h ai r between h is teeth ;
-

T aki n g th e ocean s tu m ult at h is c ase
E ven wh en th e wa sh about h is thigh s d id seeth e .

His soul w as h appy i n its h ap py sheath ;

Wh at D auber wo n t i t O pen ? F inge r s cold ?

, ,

You ll t alk of th is ti m e D auber wh en you re old , ,

.

He ung t h e door h al f open and a sea ,

Wash ed th em both i n ove r th e spl ash b oa r d d own ;

, ,

You silly salt mi scarriage ! sp utt ered h e
, .

D aub e r pull out th e plug b e fo re w e d rown !

,

T h a t s S poiled my l aces and m y velvet gown

.

Whe r e i s t h e plug ? G ropi n g in pitch d ark wate r ,

He sang between h is teeth Th e F a rm er s Da ughter
.

It wa s pitch d a r k with in th ere ; at each roll

Th e ch ests slid to th e sl ant ; th e water ru sh ed ,

M aki n g ful l m any a clanging tin p an bowl

I n to th e bl ack below bu n k s as it gush ed -
.

Th e dog tired m en slept th r ough it ; th ey w ere h ush ed

-
.

T h e water d r ained and then with m atch es d a mp

,

T h e m a n st ruck h e a d s off till h e lit th e l am p .

Th ank you th e D auber sa id ; th e seam an gri nned
, .

This i s you r r st foul weath e r ? Ye s I thought .

U p on th e ya rd you h ad n t seen m uch wind

.

[ 300 ]
 DA U B E R

Th e t ug of leech es j am med beneath th eir chests ,

T h e b u n tlin e ss bellyi n g bu n ts out into b rea sts .

Th e d e ck so d esol ate g r ey th e S ky so w ild

-
, ,

H e fell asleep and slept lik e a young ch ild

, .

B ut not fo r long ; th e cold awoke h im soon ,

Th e hot ach e and th e ski n c r acks a n d th e c r amp

- -
,

T h e sea s th underi n g without th e gale s wil d tu n e ,

T h e sopping m ise ry of th e bl a n ke t s d amp .

A speaki n g t ru m p et roa red ; a se a boot s sta m p

- -

Clogged at th e d oo r A m a n entered to shout :

.

All h and s o n d eck ! Arouse h e r e ! Tumble out !

Th e call er raised th e l am p ; h is oil skins clicked

AS th e thin ice U pon th e m c r acked a nd fe ll .

R ou se out ! h e said This l a m p is frozen w ic k d
.

.

R ouse out ! His a ccent d eepened to a yell .

We re amo n g ice ; it s blowi n g up like h ell

.

We r e going to h and both topsail s T im e I guess

.
, ,

We re sh eeted u p R ouse out ! Do n t stay to d ress !

.

I s it col d o n d eck ? said D auber I s it cold ? .

We re sheeted u p I t e ll you inch es thick !

, ,

T h e fo c sl e s like a w ed d i n g cak e I m told

-
,

.

Now tumbl e out my so n s ; o n deck h ere quick !

, ,

R ouse out away a n d co m e an d climb the stick

, , .

I m going to call th e h al f d eck Bosun ! Hey !

-
.

B oth topsails coming i n Heave out ! Aw ay ! .

He w en t ; th e D auber t umbl ed from h is bu n k ,

Clutching th e side H e h e a rd th e wi nd go past

.
,

M aking th e great ship wallow a s if d r u n k .

[ 302 ]
 DA U B E R

Th ere w as a shocking tu m ult U p th e m a st .

Th is is th e end h e mutt ered com e at la st !
, ,

I ve got t o go aloft facing th i s col d

, .

I can t I can t I ll never keep my hol d

. .

.

I cannot fac e th e topsa il y a r d again .

I never guessed wh at misery it woul d be .

Th e cram ps and hot ach e ma d e h im sick wi t h p ain

-
.

Th e sh ip stopped sudd enly from a d evilish sea ,

Then with a t riumph of wa sh a rush of gl ee

, , ,

Th e door b urst in and in th e water rolled

, ,

F illing th e low e r b unks b l ack cr e aming col d , , , .

The la m p sucked out Wash ! went th e water b ack
.
,

Then in again ooding ; th e Bos un swore

, .

Y ou us e less th ing ! Y ou Daub er ! Y ou l ee slack !

Get out you h e e k ap oot a ! Sh ut th e d oo r !
,

You coo ily aira wh at a re you waiting for ?

-
,

O ut of my way yo u th ing you useless thing !
,

He sl amm e d th e d oo r i nd ig n a n t cl anging th e ring , .

An d then h e lit th e l amp , d rowne d to th e waist ;

Here s a ne house ! Get at th e scupper holes -

He b en t agai n st it as th e water raced

And pull th em out to leewa rd when sh e roll s .

They say som e ki n d s of l and smen don t h ave soul s

.

I well believe A Port M aho n b aboon

.

Would m ak e m o re soul th an y ou got with a sp oon .

Down in th e icy water D aub er groped

T o nd th e plug ; th e racing water sluiced
Over his h ead and shoul d e rs a s sh e sloped .

[ 303 1
 DA U B E R

Without j u d g ed by th e sound all h ell wa s l oosed

, , .

He felt cold Death about him tightly noosed .

Th at D e ath wa s bette r th a n th e misery there

I c ed on th e qu aking foothold high in a i r .

And then th e thought cam e : I m a failu r e All
.

My life h a s b een a failu r e Th ey were right . .

It will not m atter if I go and fall ;

I should b e free th en from th is h ell s delight
.

I ll neve r p ai n t B est l e t it end to night

.
-
.

I ll slip over th e side I ve t ried and failed

.

.

S o i n th e ic e col d i n th e night h e quailed

-
.

Death would b e better d eath th an this long hell

, ,

O f mockery and su rrend er and dism ay

This long d e fe at of doing n oth ing well ,

Playi n g th e p a rt too high for him to pl ay .

O Death ! w h o h id es th e so r ry th ing away

T ake m e ; I ve failed I cannot play these ca rds

. .

T here ca m e a thu nderi n g from th e topsai l ya rd s .

And th en h e bit h is lips clenching h is mi nd , ,

An d staggered o ut to m uste r beating back ,

The cowa rd frozen s e lf of h im th at whined .

Co m e wh at card s m ight h e m eant to play th e pack .

Ai l sc r ea m ed th e wind ; th e topsail sh eet went clack ;
I ce lled th e ai r with sp ik e s ; th e g r ey b acks b u r st -
.

Here s D aub er said th e M at e on d eck th e rst

, , .

Why h oly sailor D aub er you re a man !

, , ,

I took you fo r a sold ie r U p now come ! .
,

U p on th e yard s already th e y began

[ 304 ]
 DA U B E R

Th e upp e r topsail rose l ike a b alloon .

So long Cap e S tiff In V alp a raiso soon
, .
,

Sa id one to oth e r a s th e sh ip l ay over

, ,

M aki n g h er cou r s e again aga in a rover

.

Slowly th e s e a went d ow n as th e wi nd fell .

C l e a r rang th e so n gs Hurrah ! C ap e Horn is bet !
,

T h e co m bless sea s were l u m pi n g i n to sw e ll ;

Th e leak ing fo c sles were no lo n ger w e t

.

Mo r e s ail wa s m a d e ; th e watch o n d eck wa s se t

To cleaning up th e ru in b roken b a r e
Below aloft about h er everywh ere
, , , .

Th e D aub er scrub bing out th e roundhouse found

, ,

O ld p a n tiles pulp ed a m ong the mouldy g e a r ,

Washed u nderne ath th e b unk s a nd long si n ce d rowned

D u r i n g th e agony of th e C ap e Ho rn yea r .

He s an g in sc r ub b i n g for h e h ad done with fea r

,

F ronted th e wo r st a n d look ed it in th e fa ce ;
He h ad got m anhood at th e test ing place -
.

Singi n g h e sc r ub b ed p assing h is watch b e low

, ,

M aking th e round h ou se fai r ; th e Bosu n watched

-
,

B ringi n g h is k n itting slowly to th e toe .

S ails st r etch ed a m iz e n skysa il wh ich h e p atch ed ;

They thought th e D aub er w as a b a d egg h atch ed .

D aub s sai d th e Bosun chee r ly ca n you knit ?
, ,

I ve m a d e a B a rney s b ull of th is last b it

.

Th en wh ile th e D aub er counted Bosun took

, ,

Som e m a r li ne from h is pocket Here h e said .
, ,

You want to k n ow squ a re sennit ? So fash Look ! .

[ 306 1
 DA U B E R

E ight fox e s take and stop th e end s with th re ad

, .

I ve known an engineer would give h is h ead

T o know squa re s e nnit As th e Bose b e ga n
.
,

Th e D aub er felt promot e d into m an .

I t wa s h is wa rrant th at h e h ad not failed

T h at th e most h a rd p a rt in h is d i f cult cl imb
Had n ot been p ast attai n m ent ; it w as scaled :
S a fe footing showed a bove th e slip p e ry slim e .

He h a d e m erged out of th e iron time ,

And knew th at h e could com p ass h is life s sch e m e ;

He h ad th e pow e r su ffi cient to h is d ream .

Th e n d inner came and now th e sk y was b lu e

, .

Th e sh ip w as stand ing north th e Horn was r ou nded ;

,

Sh e ma de a thund eri n g a s sh e w e lt ered th rough .

Th e m ighty grey b acks glitt e re d a s sh e bou n d ed

-
.

M o re sail w as pi led upo n h er ; sh e w as hounded

North wh ile th e wind cam e ; like a stag sh e ran
,

O v e r grey h ills and h o llows o f seas wa n .

Sh e h a d a wh ite bone in h e r mouth : sh e sped ;

Thos e in th e round house watch e d h er a s th ey ate
-

Their m eal of pork fat fried with b roken b read

-
.

Good old ! th ey cried Sh e s off ; sh e s gath ering gait P
.
,

Her tra ck wa s wh iten i n g like a Lamm a s spate .

Good O ld ! th e y cried O h give h er cloth ! Hu rray !
.
,

F or th ree weeks more to V alp araiso B ay !

Sh e sm e lls old V allip o th e Bosun cri e d
, .

We ll b e inside th e ti e r in th re e weeks more

,

Lying at dou b l e moo rings wh ere th e y ride

-

[ 307 ]
 DA U B E R

Off of th e m arket h a lf a mil e fro m shore , ,

And b u m boat p a n my sons and gs galo re , , ,

And girls i n black m antill as t to m ake a

Poor seam an frantic wh en th ey d a n c e th e cu eca .

E ight bells w ere m ad e th e watch was ch a n ged and n ow , ,

Th e M at e spoke to th e D aub e r : T h is is bette r .

We ll soon b e getti n g m udhooks over th e bow

.

S h e ll m ake h er p assage still if th is ll let h e r

.

O h ru n you d rogh er ! d ip you r fo c sle w ette r

, ,

.

Well D aub e r th is is b ette r th an C ap e Horn

, , .

Th e m topsails m ad e you wish you d not been bo rn
.

Yes si r th e D aub e r s aid
, , No w sa id th e M ate .
, ,

We ve got to s m a rt h er u p T he m C ap e Horn seas

.

H ave m ad e h e r p aint wo r k l ike a rusty g r ate -

.

O h d id n t th em topsails m a ke you r sh h oo k s freeze ?

,

A topsail d o n t p ay h eed to Wo n t you please ?

,

Well you h av e seen Ca p e Horn my son ; you ve lea rned

, ,

.

You ve d ipp ed you r h and and h ad you r ngers b u rned

.

And now you ll stow th at folly t ryi n g to paint

, .

You ve h ad you r lesson ; you re a sailo r n ow

.

You com e o n boa rd a femal e r ipe to fai n t .

All s o rt s of slush you d lea rned th e Lo rd k n ow s how

, .

Cape Ho rn h a s sent you wisdom over th e bow

I f you ve got sense to take it You re a sailor

.

.

M y God ! before you were a wom an s t ailor

.

So th row you r p aints to bl azes and h ave d o ne .

Wo rd s can t d escribe th e silly th ings you d id
Sitting b e fo re you r ea se! in th e sun ,

[ 308 ]
 DAUBER

An d sp rays cam e icki n g ff

at th e wind s go ad
o .

S h e stumbl ed now feeling he r sail a load

, .

T h e M ate gazed h a rd to wi n dward eyed his sail , ,

An d s aid th e Ho rn wa s goi n g to ick h er ta il .

Boldly h e k e pt it on h er till sh e staggered ,

B ut still th e wind increased ; it g r ew it g r ew , ,

D a r kening th e sky m aking th e wate r h agga r d ;

,

F ull of s m al l s n ow th e mighty weste r blew .

M o re fu n fo r littl e sh hooks sigh ed th e crew
-
, .

Th ey eyed th e ta ut topgalla n ts stiff like steel ;

A second h a nd wa s o rdered to th e wh ee l .

Th e Captain e y ed h e r aft sucking h is lip , ,

F eeling th e sail too m uch b ut yet refr aining

,

F r o m putti n g hobbles on th e leaping sh ip ,

T h e gl a d sea sh atte ri n g stallion h alte r st r aining

-
,
-
,

Wing m usical u p r oa riou s and co m pl aini n g ;

-
, ,

B ut i n a gust h e cock ed h is n g er so :
, , ,

Y ou d better t ake them off b e fo re th ey go

, .

All saw Th ey r an at once without th e word

.

Lee ay ! Lee ay l
- -
Lo u d rang th e clew lin e cries ;
Sam i n his b unk within th e h alf de ck h ea r d -
,

Sti rr ed i n h is sleep a n d rubbed his d rowsy eyes

, .

Th e r e go th e lowe r t o g allan ts

Against th e skies .

R ose th e thin bellyi n g strip s of leaping sail .

Th e D au b e r wa s th e rst m an over th e rail .

Th re e to a m a st th ey ran ; it w as a r ace .

God ! said th e M ate ; th at D aube r h e can go , .

H e watch ed th e runne r s with an uptu rned face

[ 31 0 ]
 DA U B E R

Ov e r th e futtocks struggling h eel to to e

, ,

U p to th e topm ast cross trees into th e blow -

9
Wh ere th e th re e sail s were l e api n g Dau b e r win s ' .

Th e yard s w ere r e ached and now t he race b e gins

, .

Wh ich th re e will furl their s ail rst and co m e d own ?

O ut to th e ya rd arm for th e l ee ch goes one
-
,

His h ai r bl o wn ag w ise from a h atless crown ,

His h and s at work lik e fever to b e d o ne .

O ut of th e gale a e rce r fu ry sp un .

Th e th ree sail s leap e d togeth er yanking high ,

L ik e talons d a rting up to cl utch th e sk y .

Th e D au b er o n th e for e topgallant ya rd -

O ut at th e weath er yard a rm was th e r st -

To l ay h is h a nd U pon th e b untli n e b arred -

Topgallant yanking to th e weste r s burst ;

He craned to catch th e l ee ch ; his co m r ad es cursed ;

One at th e b untlines one with oath s ob served
, ,

Th e e y e of th e outer j ib stay isn t served -
.

No said th e D au b e r
, No the m an replied
.
, .

Th ey heaved S towing th e sail not looking rou nd

, , ,

Panting b ut fu l l of life and eager eyed ;

,
-

Th e gal e roar e d at th em with its i ron sound .

Th at s y o u th e D auber said His ga sket wound
, .

S wi ft round th e yard bi nd i n g th e sail in b ands ;

,

There cam e a gust th e sail leaped fr om h is h ands

, ,

So th at h e saw it h igh a b ove h im grey , ,

And th e re h is m ate wa s falling ; quick h e cl utch ed

An a rm in oil skins swiftly snatch ed away .
 DA U B E R

A voice sai d Ch ri st ! a quick sh ape stooped a nd touch ed ,

Ch a in st ru ck h i s h and s ropes shot th e sk y w as smutch ed

, ,

With va st bl ack r es th at r a n th at fell th at fu r l ed

, , ,

And the n h e saw th e m a st th e small s n ow h u rled

, ,

Th e fore topgalla n t ya rd fa r fa r aloft

-
, ,

And blank n ess settling on h im and g r eat p ain ;

And snow beneath h is nge r s w e t a nd soft ,

And topsail sh eet blocks sh aki n g at th e ch ain

-
.

He k n ew it wa s h e w h o h ad fallen ; then h is b rain

S w i rled in a ci rcle wh ile h e watch ed th e sk y .

I nnite m ul titud es of s n ow blew b y .

I thought it wa s Tom w h o fell h is b rain s voice s a id ,

.

Down on th e bloody d eck ! th e Captain scr e amed .

T h e m ultitud inous l ittl e snow ak e s sped -

.

His p ain wa s real enough b ut al l else seemed

, .

S i w ith a b uck e t ran th e water gleamed

,

T ilting upon him ; others came th e M ate ,

They kn e lt with eager eyes like th i n gs th at wait

F or other th ings to com e He saw th e m there

. .

It will go o n h e m u r mu red w atch ing S i
, , .

Colou rs a nd sou n d s see m ed m ixing in th e air ,

T h e p ain wa s stu n ning h im and th e wind went by

, .

Mo r e water s ai d th e M ate
, He r e Bosun t ry
.
, , .

Ask i f h e s got a m essage Hell h e s gone !

.
,

H ere Da ub er p a ints
, , H e said I t will go on
.
, .

Not k n owi n g h is m e aning rightly b ut h e spoke ,

With th e intense n ess of a fad ing soul

Wh ose sh are of Nature s re tu rn s to s m oke

,

[ 31 2 ]
F lo o d ing th e h alf d eck ; b itter h a rd it blew
-
.

B ut little of it all th e D aub er knew

The sopp ing bunks th e oating ch ests the w e t
, , ,

Th e d arkness and th e m ise ry a n d th e sweat

, , .

He wa s o ff d uty So it bl e w all night

.
,

And when th e watch es ch a n g ed th e m en w ould com e

D ripp i n g with in th e doo r to strike a light
And st a r e u pon th e D aube r lyi n g d umb ,

And say He come a c r u e l th ump poor ch um
, , .

O r He d a b een a ne big m an ; or He
,

-
,

A sm a rt young sea m an h e w as getting to b e .

O r D amn it all it s wh at we ve all to face !
, ,

I k n ew a n oth er fellow one tim e th en

C am e a strange t ale of d eath i n a st r ange pl ace
O ut on th e se a in sh ips with wa n dering m en
, , .

I n m any ways Death puts u s i n to pen .

Th e reefe r s ca m e down tired and looked a nd slept .

B elow th e skylight little d ribbles crept

Along th e p ai n t ed woodwork glisteni n g slow , , ,

F ollowing th e roll a n d d ripping never fast , ,

B ut d r ipp ing o n th e qui e t fo rm b e low ,

Like p assi n g ti m e t alking to tim e long pa st .

And all night lo n g Ai ai ! went th e W i nd s blast
,

A n d c r ea m i n g water s w ish ed b e low th e p al e ,

Unheed ing body stretch ed beneath th e sail .

At d awn th ey sewed h im U p a nd at eight b ells ,

T h ey bo r e h im to th e gangway wad i n g d eep , ,

Th rough th e g r een clutch ing wh ite tooth ed water h ells

-
,
- -

[ 31 4 ]
 DA U B E R

Th at ung h is ca rri e rs over in th e i r sw ee p .

Th ey l ai d an old red en sig n on th e h ea p ,

And all h and s stood b a re h eaded stooping swaying

-
, , ,

Wash e d by th e se a wh ile th e ol d m an was p raying

O ut o f a bo rrowed p r ayer book At a S ig n

-
.

Th ey twitched th e ensign b ack and tipped th e grating

A crea m ier b ubbl i n g b roke th e bubbli n g b r ine .

Th e mu f ed gu r e tilt ed to th e weighting ;
It d wi nd l ed slowly down slowly gyrating
, .

Some c r a ned to see ; it d imm ed it d isapp e a red ;,

T he l ast green m ilky bub bl e blinked and clea red .

M ister sh ake out you r reefs th e Ca ptain called
, ,
.

O u t topsail reefs ! th e M ate cried ; th en a ll h and s
Hurried th e great sails shook a n d all h and s h au led
, , ,

Singing th at d esol ate song of lonely l and s ,

O f how a lover cam e in d r ipp ing b and s ,

Green with th e wet and col d to tell h is lover,

Th at D ea t h was i n th e sea and all was over

, .

F ai r cam e th e falling wind ; a s e am an said

The Daub e r was a Jonah ; once again
Th e clip per h e l d her cou rse sh owi n g red l ead
, ,

Sh attering th e se a top s i n to g old e n r ain

- . .

Th e waves bowed down b e fo re h er like blown grain ;

O nward s sh e thu nd ered on ; h er voyage w as sh o rt
, ,

B efore th e ti e r s bells ran g h er into port

.

Cheerly th e y r a n g h er in those b e ati n g b e lls

, ,

Th e n ew co m e b eauty stately from th e sea

-
,

Whitening th e blue h e ave of the d rowsy swells ,

[ 31 5 1
 DA U B ER

T r ead ing th e b ubbles down With th ree ti m es th r ee

.

Th ey ch eered h er moving b e auty in a n d sh e ,

Ca m e to h er b erth so n obl e so supe r b ; ,

S way ed lik e a q ueen and a n sw ered to th e cu r b

, .

Then i n the sunset s ush th e y w en t aloft ,

And unbent sails in th at m ost lovely hou r ,

When th e ligh t gentles a n d th e wind is soft ,

An d b e auty in th e h ea rt b reaks like a ower .

Wo r ki n g aloft th ey saw th e mountain tower ,

Snow to th e peak ; th ey h e a rd th e lau n ch m en sh out ; -

And b right along th e b ay th e lights cam e out .

And th en th e nigh t fell d a r k a nd all night long ,

T h e poi n t ed m ountain pointed at th e stars ,

F rozen alert auste r e ; th e eagle s so n g

, ,

Screa m ed fro m he r d esolate sc r ees and splintered sca r s .

On h er intense c r ags wh e r e th e ai r is sp a r se
Th e sta r s looked down ; th eir m any golde n eyes
Watch ed h er and b urned bu rned out and cam e to rise
, , .

Sile n t th e n g er of th e summ it stood ,

I cy in p u re thin a ir glittering with snows

, , .

T h en th e sun s co m i n g tu rned th e peak to blood

And i n th e r est h ouse th e m uleteers a rose

-
.

And all d ay long wh ere only th e e agl e goes

, ,

Sto n es loosened b y th e su n fall ; th e stones falling

, ,

F ill empty gorge on gorge with echo e s calling .

[ 316 ]
 DA U B E R

Dun g a ree: T h i n . bl ue o r kh aki -

co ou e l r d o v eralls m a d e fro m c o co a nut b re .

Fa irlead : . R i ng s o f w oo d or ir n by
o m ea ns o f w h i ch running rigging is le d i n
an yd i re c ti on .

Fife-r ailL S tron g w oo d en sh elv e s tte d w i th i ron pins , t o w h ch i ro p es m ay be

se c u e d . r
Fi:h h ook:
-
. n g rs e .

Foot-r op e: .
-
R p nd w h en w o rk in g alo ft
o e s on wh i c h m en sta .

Th e a b i n o r c a b i ns in w h i ch t h e m e n are b e rth e d
c It is u su ally an .

i ron d e c k h ou se d i v i d ed th ro g h th e m i ddle i nto tw o com p artm ents f r

-
u o

t h e tw o w at ch e s an d tte d w i th w oo d en b n k s S o m e ti m e s it is e v en
, u .

tte d w i th lo k ers an d an iron w ater t ank c -

.

Fo S trand s y arns o r arran g e m ents of y arn s o f ro p e

x e: . , , .

F e i g p o t: I ron d oors i n th e sh ip s si d e w h i ch o p en o u tw ard s to fre e th e

-
r e n r .

d e c k s o f w at e r .

Frap . To w ra p round w i th ro p e
-
.

Fu tt ck
o
I ron b a r s to w h i ch th e to p m ast riggi n g is se c ure d A s th e y .

p roje ct o utw ard an d u p w ard from th e m asts th e y are d i f cult to clam b e r

o v er .

Galley Th e s h ip

s kit c h en .

Ga n tlin e ( girtli n e ) .
A ro p e u s e d fo r th e se nd i ng o f sa il s up an d d ow n fro m
alo ft .

Ca:h et: . R p o es by wh i c h th e sa i ls a re sec u e r d in furli ng .

Half-de ck A ca b in
p artm ent i w h i h th pp r nti ar b rth ed Its or a n c e a e ce s e e .

si tu at i n i u s a lly t h h i p w i t ; b u t it i m ti m f rt h r ft n d

o s u e s s a s s so e es u e a , a

i n lly it i und r th e p p r v n righ t f rw rd und r th t p

o ccas o a s e oo o e e o a e e o

g ll nt f sl
a a o c

e.

H lli d R p s b y w h i h s i ls e h i t d
a ar : . o e c a ar o s e .

H a r ne::- room A o i r r m fr m w h i h t h e
. lt m t is i s u d
n d i
ce o oo o c sa ea s e , an n

w h i h it i m ti m s t r d
c s so e e s o e .

H w Th b ow
a :e . f rw rd e d f h ip s or o a en o a s .

H d Th f rw ard p rt of a h ip T h t u pp r e d g e of sq u r
ea e o i l w h i h is
a s . a e a a e sa c

tta h d t th e y ard
ac e o .

H u e g Th e p e i al ag of th e m t w h i h a sh ip b long
o : -
a . s c r o c e s.

Idle r: Th e m em
. br
round h ouse m e ss g enerally consi sting
e s o f th e -
, o f th e

car p ente r c oo k s ai lm a k e r bo atsw ai n p ai nte r

, tc are k no wn
, , , , e .
, as t h e

i dlers .

[ 31 8 ]
 E ! PLANA T IO NS OF S O M E OF THE SEA TE R M S

y An i ron b ar tte d alon g all y ard s

k in i lin g h ip s)
j ack ( jor ) ac st a( . sa s to

w h i ch t h e h e ad o f a sq u are sai l is se cured w h en b ent .

Rita Lig h t u pp er sa i ls .

Leeche : Th e . o u te ed g
q uare sai ls I n furli ng som e sq u are sails th e
r es o f s .

lee c h is d r agg e d i nw ard s t i ll it li e s le v e l w i th t h e h e ad u p on t h e surfac e o f

th y a r d Th i s is done b y th e rst m an w h o g e ts U p on th e y a rd b e gi nni n g
e .
,

at t h e w e ath e r si d e .

Log h ip A contri v an e b y w h i c h a sh i p s s p e e d i m e asu re d

: . c s .

Low er top : il Th e se ond sai l fro m th e d e k o n sq u are rigg e d m asts

a . c I t is c .

a v ery strong i m p o rt ant sai l , .

Ma rlin e T arry li ne o r c o arse stri n g m ad e o f ro p e-y arns tw i ste d to g e th e r

. .

M ate Th e Fi rst o r C h i e f M ate is g ene rally c alle d th e M ate .

M ize n top m a:t head Th e su m m i t o f t h e se cond o f th e th ree o r fo ur sp ars

- -
.

wh i ch k e th e com p le te
ma m i en m
z -
ast.

M udhook : An h o rs
. c .

Pin : . Ir n
n b ars to w h i ch runni ng riggi ng is ec ured
o or w oo d e s .

Poi ti g A ki nd of ne at p lai t w i th w h i ch ro p e s are so m e ti m e s en d e d

n n o ff or

d ecorate d .

Poop b eak Th e fo rw ard e n d o f th e afte r S u p e rstru cture

-
r . .

Ratlin e: Th e . ro p e ste p s p la ce d r
ac o ss t h e sh ro ud s to e n ab le th e se am en to g o
'

alo t. f
Reefe r: App renti c e s
. .

Reef-p oin t: . R p o es by
i m y be r d uc d in th wh i c h r
th e a e a o f so m e sa ls a e e e

p r ti n f e e g R ee f p i nt r s ur ly ed to th e i l tt d w i th
o e a o o r n .
-
o s a e ec e x sa s e

th m d wh n
e t i, u e th e i r nd s p tt r c n ti n u lly u p n t h e
an e no nv n s e a e o a o ca as

w i th g ntl d rum m i ng n i
a e e o se .

R l A p a t f th m a h i n ry u d w i th l g h i p
ee . r o e c e se a o s .

R u d h u A ab i n ( f all h a p s
o n
-
o :e . ce p t r und ) i
c w h i h th e i dler o s e ex o n c s are

b rth d e e .

R y l Lig h t U pp r sq u are sai l ; th e f urth fth o r i th s i l fr m th e d e k

o a : . e s o , , s x a s o c

rdi ng to th e m t s rig
acco as

.

Sa il room
-
.

A larg e
room or co m p artm ent in w h i ch th e sh i p s sai ls are

sto e r d .

Th e s ai lm ak e r is m e ant .

Scuttle -bu tt A c ask cont ai n in g fre sh w ate r

. .

[ 31 9 ]
 DA U B E R

Sh ac kle: R p h ndl f
.
-
h t o e a es or a se a-c es .

Sh ee t bl k I r n bl k
-
oc : b y m n f w h i h il
. h t d h m
o oc s, ea s o c sa s are s ee e o e. In an y

v i l nt w i nd th y b t p n th m t w i th gr t r pi d i ty d f r
o e e ea u o e as ea a an o ce .

Shee t: Ro p e s
. or c h ai ns wh i ch e x t e nd th e low e r co rners of sq u are sa il s in th e

o p r ti n
e a o of sh e e t i n g h o m e .

f i l Th e o p e rat i on of rem o v ing a sh i p s sai ls re pla i g

)

S hiftin g : u it: ( o s a s .
, an d c n

t h e m w th o th e s i r .

S h r ou d: . Wi re ro p e s of g re at st e r ngt h , wh i c h pp o rt l te r l tr i n
su ma a s a s on ast s .

S h r oud I r n ntri v n
o co a ces by wh i c h sh r ud a h v t au t
o s re o e .

S ide lig h t: A sai li n g sh i p

. rri es tw o o f th e se e e se u se o ca b tw e n sun t an d s nri : ne

gre en to starb o ard ; o n e re d to p o rt

, , .

S ig ht O b se rv at i ons to h e lp in th e n d in g f a sh ip s p o si t i on

:. o .

Skid A w oo d en ontri v an ce o n w h i ch sh ip s b o ats re st

c .

S ky il
:a Th e u pp e rm ost sq u are sai ls ; th e fth s ix th o r se v enth sai ls fro m
: .
, ,

t h e d c k acco rd i n g to t h e m a t s rig

e s .

Sl tti g Th e noi se m ad e b y sai ls o ggi ng in th e w i nd

a n . .

Slu h G re ase m e lt e d fat

: .
, .

S ou th w t A ki nd o f o i lsk i n h at A g ale fro m th e so uth w e st

-
e: e r . .
-
.

Sp it br ow n To ch ew t o b acco . .

S qu a re :en n it A c unni n g p lai t w h i ch m ak e s

.
-
a fo u r-sq u are b ar .

Stay :a il: Fore . an d aft sa il s se t u p n th

o e st a y s b etw een th e m asts .

Stow To fu rl .

th e , p ing
r p is a g rum e n t o r ro p e ri ng Th e tw o p lay ers A
S trap ( u tt ou ) . st o .

kne l d ow n facing e a h o th e r th e stro p is p lace d o v e r th e i r h e ad s an d th

e c , , e

m en t h en t ry to p ull e a h o th e r o v e r b y t h e streng th o f th e i r ne c k m uscle s c -

.

S win g p t: I ron d oors in th e sh ip s si d e w h i ch o p en o u tw ard s to fre e t h e

or .

d e c k s fro m w ate r .

Tackle ( p r n un B lo k ro p s p lley s t
o o ce d c s, e , u , e c.

T k
a e a caulk T lee p u p n th d k r o s o e ec .

T p il Th e se nd
o :a : d t h i rd
. i l fr m th e d k th m t co an sa s o ec on e as s o f a m od ern
q u r rigg d h ip
s k n w n s th l w r
a e- d U pp r t p i l
e s are o a e o e an e o sa s .

Tru k Th
c : um m i ts o f t h
. m a ts e s e s .

Upp e r top :a il . Th e th i rd sq ar u e sa i l from th e d e ck on th e m asts of s q u are

rigg e d sh ip s.

Yard: Th e . s te e l or w ood e n sp ars ( p lace d ac oss r m asts) f rom wh i ch sq uare

sa il s are se t.

[ 320 ]
 TH E D A FF O D I L F I ELDS

I
B etween th e b arre n pa stu r e and th e wood
There i s a p atch of poult ry st rick e n g rass -
,

Where in old tim e Ry e m e ad ow s F a rmhouse stood

, ,

,

A n d hu m an fate b rought tragic th ings to p ass .

A sp r ing com es bubbli n g U p th e r e cold a s gl ass , ,

I t bubbles d own c r usting th e leaves with lime

, ,

B abbling th e sel f s am e song th at it h as sun g th rough tim e

-
.

D ucks gobbl e at the selvage of the b rook ,

B ut still it slips away th e cold hill s p ring

, ,

P ast th e Ry e m e ad ow s lo n ely woodl and n ook

Wh ere m any a stubble graygo o se p reens h e r wing ,

O n b y th e woodland sid e You h ea r it sing

, .

Pa st th e lone copse where poach ers se t th ei r wires ,

Past th e green hill once g rim with sa cri cial res .

Anoth er water j oins it ; th en it tu rns ,

R uns th rough th e Ponton Wood still tu rning west , ,

Past foxgloves Cante r b u ry bell s and fe rns

, , ,

And m any a bl ackbird s m any a th rush s nest ;

,

The cattle tr e ad it th ere ; th en with a z e st ,

It sp arkles out b a b bli n g its p retty ch atter

,

Th rough F oxhol es F arm whe r e it gives whit e fac e d cattl e water

,
- .

Under th e road it runs and now it slips ,

Past the g r eat ploughl and babb l i n g d rop and linn

, , ,

To th e m o ss d stum ps of elm trees which it lips ,

[ 32 3 1
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

And bl ackberry b ramble t r ails w he r e eddies spin

- -
.

Th en on its left so m e short g r assed e l d s begi n

, ,
-
,

Re d cl ayed a nd pleasant which th e young sp ring lls

-
,

With th e neve r q uiet j oy of d ancing d a ff odils

-
.

The r e a r e th r ee eld s wh e r e d a ff odils a r e fou n d ;

T he grass is dotted bl ue gray with thei r leaves ;
-

T hei r noddi n g b e auty sh akes along th e g rou nd

U p to a rclu m p sh utti n g out th e eaves
O f an ol d fa rm w h ere always th e wi n d g rieves
H igh i n th e r bough s m oani n g ; peopl e call
,

This farm Th e R ough s b ut som e call it the Poor M aid s H all

,

.

The r e w h en th e rst green shoots of te n de r corn

,

Show on th e plough ; wh en the r st d ri ft of wh ite

Stars th e bl ack b ra n ch es of th e spiky tho rn ,

And a fte rnoons a r e wa rm and eve n i n gs light ,

The shiveri n g d a ff odils d o take d elight ,

S h aki n g b e si d e th e b rook a nd g r ass com e s g reen

, ,

And blue dog viol ets com e a n d glistening cel andi n e

- .

And th ere th e p icke r s come picki n g for town ,

T hose d a n cing d aff odils ; all d ay th ey pick ;

H ard fe at u re d w o m e n weath e r beaten b rown
- '

,
-
,

Or swa rthy red th e colou r of old b rick

-
, .

A t noo n th e y b r eak th ei r m eats under th e ri ck .

Th e smoke of all th r ee farm s l ifts blu e i n ai r

As though m an s p assionate m ind h ad never su ffered th ere

.

And som e tim es a s t h e y rest an ol d m an comes ,

Sheph erd or ca rte r to th e h edgerow sid e

,
-
,

And l oo ks u pon th ei r gang r el t rib e and b u rn s , ,

[ 32 4 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

A bli nd old all e y in th e storm of th e yea r ,

Bai in g th e t ravelle r life with No way h e r e ,

F o r all hi s lantern r ais ed ; life wo u l d not t re a d

Withi n th at b r ain again along those p athways red , .

S oon all wa s d imm ed b ut i n th e h eaven one sta r .

I ll hol d to th at h e said th en footstep s sti rr ed

,
.

Dow n i n th e cou rt a voice said He r e th ey a re , ,

And o ne He s almost gone
, T h e sick m an h ea r d

. .

O h G o d b e quick h e moaned
, Only o ne wo r d, . .

Keir ! O ccleve ! Let th e m com e Why don t th e y co m e ? .

Why stop to tell th e m th at th e d evil st rik e you d u m b .

I m neith er d ol l no r d ead ; co m e in com e in

, .

Cu rse you you wo m en q uick th e sick m an amed
, , , .

I sh all b e dead b e fo re I c an b e gi n .

A sick m an s wom aned m ad and n u r sed a nd d arn ed -
, .

Death h ad h im by th e th roat ; his w r ath w a s t a m ed .

Co m e i n h e fum ed ; stop m utteri n g at th e doo r
, .

Th e friend s cam e in ; a creaking ran across th e oo r .

Now N ick h ow go e s it m an ? sai d O ccl eve
, , Oh , .
,

Th e dyi n g m an replied I am dy in g ; p ast ; ,

M ercy of G o d I die I m goi n g to go , ,

.

B ut I h ave m uch to t e ll you if I l ast .

C om e n e a r me O ccleve Kei r I am sinking fast

, , .
,

And all my kin a r e coming ; th e r e l ook the r e , .

All th e ol d long d e a d Gr ay s a re movi n g in th e ai r

, .

I t i s my M ich ael th at I call ed you fo r :
M y son ab road at sch ool still over sea
, , , .

See if th at h ag is listening at th e doo r .

[ 32 6 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E L D S

No ? Sh ut th e doo r ; don t lock it let it b e , .

No faith i s kept to dying men lik e m e .

I am dipped d eep and dying bankrupt don e ; , ,

I leave not e v e n a fa rthing to my lovely son .

Neigh bo u r s th ese m any yea rs ou r ch ild ren play e d
, ,

Down in th e eld s togeth er down th e brook ; ,

You r M a ry Kei r th e girl th e bonny mai d

, , , ,

And O ccl eve s Lion always at h is b oo k ;
,

Th em and my M ich ael : d e a r wh at j oy they took ,

Picking th e d aff odils ; such fri end s th e y ve b e en

M y b o y and O ccleve s bo y a nd M ary Keir for q ueen .

I h ad m a de pl ans ; b ut I am done with I , .

Give m e th e wi ne I h ave to ask you th is :

.

I can l e av e M ich ael noth ing and I die , .

By all ou r friend sh ip u sed to b e and is ,

Hel p h im old friends Don t let my M ich ael miss

, .

Th e school i n g I ve begun Give h im h is ch anc e. .

He does not know I am ill ; I kept h im th ere in F rance .

S aving exp e nse ; each penny counts O h fri end s .
, ,

Hel p h im anoth er yea r ; h elp h im to tak e

His ful l d iplom a when th e trai n ing end s ,

So th at my ruin won t b e h is O h m ake .
,

This sacrice fo r ou r old friend sh ip s sake ,

And God will p ay you ; for I se e God s h and
Pass in most m a rvellous ways on s o ul s : I u nd er sta n d

How j ust r eward s a r e given fo r m an s d e ed s
A n d j udgment st rikes th e soul Th e wine t h ere win e .
, .

Life i s th e d aily th ing m an never h eed s .

[ 327 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

It is a b l a z e with sign and countersign .

M ich ael will not forget : th at son of min e

I s a ra re so n my frie n d s ; h e will go fa r
, .

I sh all b e hol d h is cou r se from wh e r e th e bl essed a re .

Why Nick s aid O cclev e co m e m an Gath e r hold
, , , , . .

R ouse u p You ve given way I f tim es a re b a d

.

.
,

T imes m ust b e bette r ing m aster ; so b e bol d ; ,

Lift u p you r S p i r it Nichol as a nd b e gl a d , , .

M ich a e l s a s m uch to m e a s my d ea r l ad

.

I ll see h e takes h is school

An d I s aid Keir .
, .

S et you no keep by th at b ut b e at rest my d e a r , , .

We ll see you r M ich ael sta rt e d o n th e road

.

Bu t th e r e s aid O ccleve Nick s n ot going to die
, ,

.

O ut of th e ruts good n ag now ; zook th e load

, , .

Pull up m an Death ! D eath a nd th e end d e fy

, . .

We ll b ri n g th e fa rm r ou nd for you Kei r and I

, .

Put h ea rt at rest and get you r h ealth Ah no .
, ,

Th e sick m an faintly answe r ed I h ave got to go . .

Still troubled in h is mi nd th e sick m an tossed , .

O l d fr iend s h e sa id I once h ad hop ed to see
, ,

M a ry and M ich ael wed but fates a r e crossed , ,

And M ich a el sta rt s with noth i n g left by m e .

Still if h e loves h e r wi ll you l e t it b e ?

, ,

So i n th e g r ave m ayb e wh en I am gone , , ,

I ll kn o w my hop e fullled and se e th e plan go on

, .

I j udge by h ea rts n ot money answered Kei r , , .

I f M ich a e l s uits i n th at and suits my m ai d ,

I p ro m ise you let O ccleve witness h ere

,

[ 32 8 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LD S

E re Nick a nd th ey h a d though t of growing o ld ;

S n ip e sho o ting in th e m a rshlands i n th e cold
-
,

O l d sold ieri n g d ays as yeomen d ays at fai r s , ,

D ays th at h ad sent N ick tired to thos e self same ch airs -

.

T hey vowed to p ay th e schooling for h is so n .

T hey t alked of M ich a e l testing m en s report ,

,

How th e you n g student was a lively one ,

Hand some and p assionate both and fo nd of sport , ,

E ager for fun qu ick witted i n retort

,
-
.

Th e girls h ea rts quick to se e h im cocking by

,

Young Ap r il o n a bloo d h orse with a roving e y e , .

And a s th e y talked about th e l a d K e i r asked

, ,

I f O ccleve s so n h ad not at o n e ti m e bee n

, ,

Hea rtsick fo r M a ry though with p assio n m asked

, .

Ay ,O ccleve s aid : Ti m e was At seventee n . .

It took h im h ard it ran h is rib s all lean

, ,

All of a summer ; b ut it p assed it d ied , .

Her fancying M ich ael better touched my Lion s p r ide
.

M ice icke r ed from th e wainscot to th e p ress ,

N ibbli n g at crumbs r attli n g to shelter squeaki n g

, , .

E ach ticking in th e clock s wo m b m ad e life less ;

O il slowly d r opp ed fr om wh e r e th e la m p w as leaki n g .

At times th e ol d n u r s e se t th e staircase creaking ,

Ha r ked to th e sleeper s b r eath m a de su r e return ed

, , ,

Answered th e q uestioning eyes then wept Th e g r eat sta r s , .

b urned .

Listen said O ccleve liste n R owland Ha r k
,

, , . .

It s M ary com e with Lion a n swered K e i r :

, ,

They said th ey d come together afte r d ark

.

[ 330 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

He w e nt t o do o r and call ed Come i n my d ea r , .

Th e b u r ni n g wood log blazed with sudden ch eer ,

So th at a glowi n g lighted all th e room .

His d aughter M a ry ente r ed from th e outer gloom .

Th e wind h ad b rought th e bloo d i n to he r cheek ,

Heightening h er b e auty but h er great grey eyes

,

Were t r oubl ed with a fea r sh e coul d n ot S peak .

F i rm sca rlet lip s sh e h ad not m ad e fo r lies

, , .

Gentle sh e see m ed pu re n atu red thoughtful wise

,
-
, , ,

A n d when sh e ask ed wh at tur n th e sickness took ,

Her voice s p assing p urene ss on a low n ot e shook

.

Young Lion O ccleve ente r ed at her si de ,

A w e ll built cl e ver m an u nd uly grave

-
, , ,

One whose repute al r eady t r avelled wi d e

F or skill in b reed i n g beasts His featu r es gave .

Promis e o f b r illia n t mi nd far seei n g b rave

,
-
, ,

O n e w h o woul d travel fa r His m anly grace .

Gr ew wistful wh en h is eyes were tu rned on M a ry s face

.

Tell m e said M a ry wh at d id d octo r s ay ?
, ,

How ill i s b e ? Wh at ch a n c e of life h a s h e ?

Th e cowm an said h e could n t l ast th e d ay
,

And o n ly yesterd ay h e j oked with m e .

We m ust b e meek th e n urse said ; such th ings be
, .

T he r e s little hope s aid K e i r ; he s dyi n g si n ki n g

,

, .

Dyi n g without h is so n th e young girl s h ea rt w as th i n ki n g
, .

Does M ich ael know ? sh e asked Has h e b een called ? .

A slow confusio n r edde n ed o n th e faces ,

As whe n o n e li ght neglect leaves fr iend s appalled .

[ 33 1 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

No tim e to think said nurse in such like cas e s
, , .

O ld O ccl eve stoop ed and fumbl ed with h is laces .

Let be h e s aid ; th ere s always ti m e fo r so rrow
,

.

He could not com e in tim e ; h e sh all b e called to morrow - .

T here is a ch ance sh e cried th ere alw a ys is
, , .

Poor M r Gr ay m ight rally m ight liv e on

.
, .

O h I m ust teleg r aph to tell h im th is

, .

W oul d it were d ay still and th e m essage gon e .

Sh e rose her breath ca m e fast her g r ey eyes shon e

, , .

Sh e said Co m e Lion ; see m e th rough th e wood
, .

M ich ael m u st know K e i r sigh ed . Gi rl it will d o n o good .
, .

O u r fri end is on th e b rink a nd al m ost p assed .

All th e mo re need sh e sai d for word to go ;
, ,

M ich ael could well a rrive befo r e th e last .

H e d s ee h is fath er s face at least I know

.

T h e o ffi ce m ay b e closed ; b ut even so ,

F ath er I m ust Co m e Lion
, . O ut th e y we n t
, .
,

In to th e roa ring woodland wh e re th e saplings be n t .

Like b reakers of th e sea th e leaess b r anch es

Swish ed bowi n g d own rolli n g like wate r roa ri n g
, , ,

Like th e sea s welcom e wh en th e clipper l aunch es

And full aff r onted tid eways call to wa r ring .

D aff od ils glimm ered unde rfoot th e ooring ,

O f the ea rthy woodland sm e lt like t o m u p moss ; -

Stones in th e p ath showed whit e and rabbits ran a cross , .

Th e y cl im bed th e rise and struck i n to th e rid e ,

Talking of d eath wh ile L io n sick at h ea rt

, , ,

Thou g ht of th e wom an walking at h is si de ,

[ 33 2 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

B etw ee n u s two never however near

, , .

Co m e on , my friend w e m ust not l inger h e re
, .

Wh ite to th e l ips sh e spoke ; h e saw h er face

Wh ite in th e d a r k ne ss by h im in th e w indy plac e .

M a ry in tim e you c o uld p erh aps h e pleaded
, , , .

No sh e re pli ed no Lion ; never no
, , , , .

Over th e stars th e bough s b urst and receded .

Th e nobleness of Love com es i n Lo ve s w oe

.

God bl e ss you th en belov ed l e t u s go, , .

C om e on h e said and if I gave you p ai n
, , ,

F org e t it d ea r ; b e sur e I n e ver will again
, .

Th ey stepped togeth er down th e ride th eir feet ,

Slipped o n loose stones Littl e w as said ; h is fate

.
,

Staked on a ki n gly cast h ad met d efeat , .

Nothing re mai ned b ut to endure and wait .

Sh e wa s still wo nd e rful and life S till g re at

, .

Great in th at b itter insta nt side by S id e ,

Hallowed by thoughts of death th ere i n th e b l i nded ri de .

H e he a rd her b reath ing by h im saw her face ,

D im looking straight ah ead ; h er feet by h is

,

Kept tim e besid e him giving life a g r ace ;

,

Night ma de th e mom ent full of mysteries .

Y ou a re b eautiful h e th o ught ; and l ife i s th i s :
,

Walking a windy night wh il e men a re d yi n g ,

To c ry fo r one to com e and none to h eed our crying
, .

M a ry h e said a r e you in love with h im
, , ,

With M ich a el ? Tell m e We a re friend s w e th r ee .
, .

They p aus e d to face each oth er in th e d im .

[ 334 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Tell m e h e u rg ed
, Yes Li o n answered sh e ;
.
, ,

I love h im but h e does not care fo r m e

, .

I t ru st your gene rous m i n d dear ; now you know

, ,

You who h ave be en m y b roth e r how o u r fo rtun e s go

, . , .

N ow c o m e ; th e m e ssag e waits The h e avens clea red .
,

Clea red and were starry a s they t r o d th e r i de

, .

Chequered by tossing bough s th e moon ap pea red ;

A whistling re ach ed them from th e Hall House sid e ;
Climb i n g th e whistler cam e A b rown ow l cried
, . .

Th e wh istler pa u sed to answer sending fa r ,

Th at h aunting h unting n ote Th e ech o es l aughed Ah a !

, .

Something a b out th e calling m a d e th em st a rt .

Again the owl note l aug hed ; th e ringing c ry

M a d e th e blood q uicken within M a ry s h ea rt
.

Like a de a d leaf a b r own owl oated by .

M ich a el ? said Lion Hush An owl s re ply
. .

C am e down t he wind ; they waited ; th en th e m an ,

Cont e nt r e sumed his walk a m erry song began

, , .

M ich ael t h e y c r i ed to g eth e r
, M ich ael you ? .
~

,

Who calls ? th e singer answered Wh e r e away ? .

I s th at y o u M a ry ?
, Then with gl ad h alloo
The si n ger ran to m e et them o n th e way .

I t wa s th eir M ich ael ; in th e moonligh t grey ,

They ma de wa r m wel come ; u nder tossing bough s ,

Th e y m e t and t o ld th e fate d a rk e ning Ry e m e ad ow s H o us e

.

A s th e y retu rned at speed th eir c o m rad e spoke

Strangely and lightly of hi s coming h o m e ,

Saying th at leaving F rance h ad b een a j oke ,

[ 33s ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LD S

B ut th at events now p roved him wise to com e .

Down th e steep sca rp ment to th e house th ey clo m b ,

And M ich ael falt ered i n h is p a ce ; th ey h eard

How d umb r eb e lli o n i n th e m uch wronged c a tt le sti rred -
.

And a s th ey cam e h igh fr om th e sick m an s room

, ,

,

O l d G r ay b u rst o ut a singing of th e light

-

Strea m ing u p o n him from th e out er gloo m ,

A s his eyes dying gav e h im m ental sight .

Trru m p h in g sword s h e ca roll ed i n th e b right ;
, ,

O h r e O h b eauty re and fell b ack dead
, , .

O ccl eve took M ich ael u p to kn e el besid e th e b ed .

S o th e nigh t p assed ; th e n oi s y wind went d own ;

Th e h al f bu m t moo n h er starry t rackway ro d e
-
.

Then th e r st re was lighted in th e town ,

And th e rst c a rt er sta cked h is ea rly l o ad .

U po n th e fa rm s d r awn blind s th e mo rn i n g glowed ;

And d own th e valley with littl e clucks and t ri ll s

, ,

Th e d ancing wat er s d a n c ed b y d ancing d aff od ils .

II
They b u ried Gray ; h is g e ar was sold ; h is fa rm
Passed to a nother tenant Thu s m en go ; .

Th e d r op p ed sw o r d p a sses to anoth er a rm ,

An d d iff e r ent waters in th e r iver ow .

His two o ld faith ful friend s l et M i ch ael k n ow

His father s ruin a nd th e i r p romis e Keir

.

B rought h im to stay at F oxh o l e s till a p ath w as cl e ar .

Th er e wh en th e s al e w as ov er all th re e m e t
, ,

To talk about th e future and to nd ,

U pon wh at p roj ect M ich ael s h ea rt wa s se t

.

[ 336 1
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

And l ife is ch a n geless in u n ending ch ange ,

An d one ca n ride all d ay and all d ay st r ange

, ,

S t range neve r t rodd en fenceless w aiti n g there

, , , ,

To feed unending cattle fo r th e m en w h o d a r e .

There I s h ou ld h av e a ch ance ; this land s too old
.

O l d O ccl eve g ru n t ed at th e young m an s moo d ;

K e i r w h o w as losing money thought h im bold

, , ,

A n d thought th e sch e m e fo r emig r ation good .

He said th at if he wish ed to go h e should

, , .

S outh to th e p a m pa s t he r e to lea rn th e trade

, .

O l d O ccleve thought it m a d but no obj ect ion m a de , .

So it wa s settl ed th at th e l ad should sta rt ,

A pl ace wa s fou nd fo r him a berth wa s taken ; ,

And M ich ael s b e auty pl ucked at M a ry s h ea rt

,

And now th e fab ric of th ei r lives w a s sh aken :

F or now th e hou r s n e a m e ss m a de love waken

I n Mich ael s h ea rt fo r M a ry N ow Time s guile

.

Granted h er pa ssionate p raye r n o r let h er se e his s mi le , .

Gr a n t ed his gr e atest gifts ; a night tim e cam e

Wh en th e two walki n g down th e water lea rned
T h at life till th en h a d only b een a n am e ;
L ov e h a d u n s e al ed th ei r spi rits : they d iscerned .

M ut e ly at moth ti m e th e r e th eir spi rits y e a rne d

, , .

I sh all b e gone th r ee yea r s d ea r soul h e said , , .

Dea r wi ll you wait for me ?
, I will replied th e m a i d , .

So t roth w a s pledged b e tween th em Keir r e c e iv e d .

M ich ael a s M a ry s suit o r feeling sure

Th at th e lad s fo rtunes would b e soon r et riev e d

[ 338 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Having a woman s p romise as a l ure .

The th ree yea r s wait woul d tea ch th e m to end ure

.

He b ad e them lov e and prosper and b e glad .

And fa st th e d ay d rew ne a r th at w as to tak e th e l ad .

Cowslips h ad come along th e b ubbli n g b rook ,

Cowslip s and oxlips ra re and in th e woo d

,

Th e m any blossomed stalk s o f bluebells shook ;

-

Th e outwa rd b ea uty fed th eir mental mood .

Thought o f th e pa rting stabb ed h er a s h e wooed ,

Walking th e b rook with he r and d ay by d ay , ,

The p reciou s fo rtnight s grac e d rop ped wasted slipp e d away , , .

Till only one c l e a r d ay rem ained to h er :

One whole clea r p r e cious d ay b efor e h e sail e d
, , .

Some fo rty hours no mo r e to m inister

, ,

To month s of bleakness befor e wh ich sh e qu ailed .

M ist ros e along th e b rook ; th e co m c r ak e railed ;

Dim red th e sunset bu rn ed He b ad e h er co m e
.

Into th e woo d with him ; th e y w e nt th e night came d um b , .

Still a s h igh Jun e th e v ery water s nois e
,

S ee m ed bu t a b re athi n g of th e ea rth ; th e owers

St o od in th e d im like souls without a voice .

The wood s con spi racy of occult powers

Drew all about them and for hou rs on hours

,

N o mu rm u r shook th e oaks th e stars d id hous e

,

Thei r lights l ike l am p s up o n those n e ver moving bo u g h s -

.

Under th eir fe et th e wo o dland sl o ped away

Down to th e vall e y wh ere th e fa rmhouse lights
,

We re spa rks in th e exp anse th e m oo n m ad e g r e y .

[ 339 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

June s very b rea st wa s b are thi s night of nights

.

Moth s blu nd ered u p against th e m g r eys and w hites ,

Moved on th e d a r kness w he r e th e m oth s w ere o u t ,

Nosing fo r sticky sweet with trembl ing un cu rled s n out .

B ut all this beauty wa s b ut mu sic pl ayed ,

Wh ile th e high p ageant of thei r h ea rts p repa red .

A spi rit th rill ed b etween th e m m an to m aid , ,

M ind ow ed in m i nd the i n ner h ea rt w as b a red

, ,

They needed not to t e ll h ow mu ch each ca r ed ;

All th e soul s strength wa s at th e othe r s soul

.

F lesh w as away awh ile a glo ry m a d e th em whole

, .

Noth ing w a s said by th em ; th ey und erstoo d ,

Th ey sea rch ed each oth e r s eyes with out a sound

.

Alone with m oonlight in th e h ea rt of th e wood ,

Knowing th e stars and all th e soul of th e g r ou nd .

M a ry h e m u rm ured
, Co m e
. Hi s a rm s went rou nd .
,

A white moth glimm ered by th e w oo d s w e r e h ushed ;

,

Th e rose at M a ry s bosom d ropped its petal s c ru sh ed , .

N o word p rofaned th e peace of th at gl ad givi n g ,

B ut th e wa rm d i m ness of th e night stood still ,

D rawin g all b e auty to th e poi n t of livi n g ,

T here in th e b eech tree s sh adow o n th e h ill

-

.

Sp i rit to spi rit mu rm u red ; m ingling w ill

M a d e th em one being ; Ti m e s d ecayi n g th ought

F e ll from them l ike a rag ; it wa s th e soul th ey sought .

Th e m oonlight fou nd an ope n ing in th e bough s ;

I t entered in it ll ed th at sacred place
,

With consecration on th e th r obbi n g b rows ;

[ 34o ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Ev en a s th e seed s fr o m d a n del ion ow e rs -

B low o ne by o ne until th e b a re stalk cow e r s

, , ,

A n d th e June grass grows over ; ev e n so

Daff od il picker T im e t oo k from their lives th e g l ow
-
,

Stole th eir l a st wal k along th e th r ee gr e en e ld s ,

T h eir l atest hou r togeth er ; h e took h e stole ,

T h e wh ite conte n tment th at a t rue lov e yield s ;

He took th e triu m ph out of M a ry s soul .

Now sh e m ust lie awake and blow th e c o al

O f sorrow of h ea rt Th e p a rting h ou r ca m e ;
.

T h ey kissed th e i r l ast goo d by e mu rm u r in g th e o th e r s n am e

-
,

.

Th en th e ag wav ed th e e n gi n e s n orted th en
, ,

Slow ly th e couplings t aut ened and th e t r ain ,

M ov ed b ea r i n g off fr om h er h e r m an of m e n ;
,

She looked tow ard s its going bli nd with p ain .

Her fath er tu rned and d r ove h e r hom e agai n .

I t was a d iffere n t hom e Awhil e sh e t ried

.

To cook th e d inner th er e b ut ung h er down and cri e d

, .

T hen in th e d usk sh e wande r ed d own th e b r ook ,

T r e ad i n g agai n th e t r ackway t r o d of old ,

Wh en sh e coul d hold h er lov ed one in a look .

Th e night was all unlike th ose nights of gold .

Mich ael was go n e a nd all th e Ap ril ol d

, ,

Withered and h idd e n Life wa s full of ill s ;

.

Sh e ung h er d own and c ri ed i th e with er e d d aff odil s

.

III
Th e steam ing river lo i t ered like o ld b l ood
On wh ich th e tugboat bea r i n g M ich ael b e at ,

Past wh it e ned h orse bones stick i n g i n th e m u d .

[ 342 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Th e r ee d st e m s looked like m etal in the h eat .

Th en th e b anks fe ll away and th ere we r e n e at

, ,

R ed h erd s of sullen cattle d rifting slow .

A sh l e ap ed m aking rings m aking th e d e ad blood ow

, , .

Wo rm e d h ard w o od p il e s w e r e d riv n in th e river ba n k

-

,

Th e st e amer th resh ed alongside with S ick screws

Ch u m i n g th e m ud b e low h er till its tank ;
B ig gassy b utch er b ub bles b urst on th e ooze
-
.

Th ere M ich ael went a shore ; a s gla d to lose

O ne not a n ative th ere th e Gauch os ung
,

H is b roken gea r ash o re one wav ed a bell was rung

, , .

Th e bow fast wa s cast off th e screw revolved , ,

M aking a bl o od ier bub bli n g ; rattling rop e

F ell to th e h atch th e engi n e s tu ne resolved
,

Into its stead ier b e at of r ise and slope ;

Th e steam er w en t h er way ; and Mich ael s h op e

Died a s sh e lessened ; h e wa s th e r e alon e .

Th e lowing of th e cattl e m ad e a g r ad ual moa n .

He thought o f M a ry b ut th e thought wa s d im ;
,

Th at w as an o th e r life l iv e d lon g before

, .

His m i n d was in new world s wh ich altered h im .

Th e startling p res e nt left no r oom for more .

Th e sullen river lipp ed th e sk y th e shore

, ,

Were vaster th an of ol d and lo ne ly lonely

, , .

Sky and low h ills o f g rass and moaning cattle only .

B ut for a h ut bestr ewn with skulls of beeves ,

R ound wh ich th e ies d anc e d wh ere an Ind ian gi rl ,

Blea re d a t h im from h er eyes ophth almic eaves ,

[ 343 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

G ri nn i n g a w e lcome ; with a th roaty ski rl ,

Sh e off e r ed h im herself; but h e th e chu rl, ,

Sta red till sh e thought h im fool ; sh e tu rned sh e sat , ,

S cratched in h er short black h a ir ch ewed a C iga r end spat

, ,
-
,
.

U p on th e rise th e cattle bunched ; th e b ulls

, ,

Drew to th e fr ont with men ace pawi n g bol d , ,

Snatch ing th e grass r oots out with sudden pulls

-
,

T he d ista n t cattle ra ised thei r h eads ; th e wold

Grew d usty at th e top ; a wa g on roll ed ,

D rawn by a bickering team of m ules whose eyes

Were yellow lik e th eir teeth a nd ba red a n d full of vice .

Down to th e j e tty cam e th e j ingling t e am ,

An I rish cowboy d rivi n g w h ile a G r eek

,

B e sid e h im u rged th e m ules with blow a nd scream .

Th ey ch eered th e Ind ian gi r l a nd stopp ed to speak .

T h en lifting h er aloft th ey kissed he r ch eek ,

Callin g to M ich ael to be quick aboard ,

O r th ey (th ey s aid ) would fall from virtue by th e Lord , .

So M ich ael climb ed aboa rd and all d ay long

,

He d rove th e cattle range ri s e after rise

, ,

Dotted with li mber sh o rth o m s grazi n g strong ,

Crop ping sweet tasted p astu r e s w itchi n g ies ;

-
,

D ull trouble b r oo d ed in th ei r s m oky eyes .

S om e ho r semen watched them AS th e su n went dow n

.
,

Th e waggon reached th e estanci a b uild e d like a town .

With wi de cor rales wh ere th e horses squealed ,

B iting and lash ing out ; som e h alf wild hou n ds -

G n awed at th e cow bon e s litte r ed on th e e l d ,

[ 344 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

S ave w h en th e staff encam ped in open ai r ,

R ound i n g the h erd fo r b randing R ud e and b a re .

T h at b a rrack w as ; m e n littered it about

With s addles blankets blue ol d h ead stalls m any a clout
, , ,

To rn off to wip e a kn ife or cl e an a g u n ,

Tin d ish es s ailors h o o k p ots all th e m ess
, ,

M ad e wh ere th e outdoo r w ork is never d o ne

And e v ery cleaning m akes th e sleeping less .

M e n ca m e from wo r k too ti red to und ress ,

And slept all standing like th e trooper s horse ;

T h en with th e sun th ey rose t o ri d e th e b u rn i n g cou r s e ,

Wh acking th e sh ip m ent cattle i n to p en ,

Wh e r e in th e d ust a m ong th e stink of b u rning

, , ,

Th e h al f m a d h eifers bolted fr o m th e m en
-
,

And tossing horn s a r ose a nd hoofs were ch u rn ing ,

A lover th ere h ad l ittle ti m e fo r yearning ;

B ut all d ay long cu rsing th e ies a n d h eat
, ,

M ich ael w as h andli n g stee r s on ho r seb ack till h is feet

Gave on d ismounting All d ay lo n g h e rode

.
,

T h en w h en th e d a r kness cam e h is m ates and h e

, ,

E nte r ed dog tired to th e r u d e abo d e

-

And ate th eir m eat and suck e d th ei r b itte r tea ,

And roll e d th e ms e lv e s i n r ugs and slept Th e s e a .

C oul d not m ake m en more d rowsy ; like th e d e a d ,

Th ey l ay und er th e l a m p whil e th e m osquitos fe d .

Th e re w as no tim e to th ink o f M a ry none ; ,

F or wh en th e work rel axed th e ti m e for th o ught

,

Was b rok e n u p by m en d e m and ing fun :

[ 346 1
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Card s o r a well kept ri n g w hile someone fought

,
-
,

Or so n gs and d anci n g ; o r a ca s e wa s bought

O f wh it e B razilian rum and songs and cheers
,

An d shots and oath s rang lou d upon th e twitching ears

O f th e ho bb l e d horses hopping to th ei r fe ed .

So viol en t images d ispl aced th e rose

I n M ich ael s spirit : soon h e took th e lead ;
No n e w as more apt th an h e fo r ga m es o r blows .

E ven a s th e b attle seeking b antam crows

-
,

So crowed th e cocke r el of h is mi nd to feel

Li fe s bond s re moved and b l oo d q uick in h im toe to heel

.

B ut sometim e s wh en h e r lett e rs cam e to h im ,

F ull of wise tend erness and m aid en mind ,

He felt th at h e h ad let h is cle am ess d im ;

Th e riot with th e cowboys s e em e d unkind
To th at fa r faith ful h ea rt ; h e coul d not nd
P e ac e in th e th ought of h er ; h e found no sp u r
To instant up right action in h is love for h er .

Sh e fa de d to th e m e mo ry of a kis s ,

There in th e rough life among fo r eign faces ;

L ov e cannot live wh ere leisu r e never is ;
He could n ot writ e to h er from savage pl aces ,

Wh e r e d runken m ates we r e betti n g on th e aces ,

And rum went round an d smutty songs w ere l ifted .

H e w oul d not rais e her bann e r against th at ; h e d rifted ,

C e asing in tim e to write cea sing to th ink

, , , ,

Bu t h appy in th e wild life to th e bone ;

Th e rid ing in va st sp ace th e songs th e d rink
, , ,

[ 347 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Some c areless h ea rt beside h im like his own ,

Th e r acing and th e ghts th e ea se unknow n

,

In ol d er sob e r e r l ands ; h is young bloo d th rilled

, .

T h e pa mpa s seemed hi s own h is c u p of j oy w as lled

, .

And one d ay riding fa r a fter strayed ho r ses

, ,

H e r od e beyo n d th e ranges t o a l a nd
B r oken and m a d e most g r een by w ate r cou r ses ,

Which s erv ed a s st r ay lin e to th e neighbou ri n g b r a nd .

A hou se stood nea r th e b ro ok ; h e stay ed his h a n d ,

S eei n g a wo m an th e r e whose g r eat eyes bu rned

, ,

S o th at h e could not ch o ose b ut follow wh en sh e tu r ned .

Afte r th at d ay h e often r o de to se e
T h at woman at th e peach fa rm nea r th e b r ook ,

And p assionate love b e tw een th em cam e to b e

E r e m any days Th eir ll of lov e th ey took ;
.

A n d eve n a s th e bl a n k l e av e s of a book
T h e d ays went over M a ry d ay by d ay , ,

Blank a s th e l ast w a s tu rned end u r ed p a ssed tu rned away

, , , , .

Sp r i n g ca m e again greening th e h awthorn bu d s ;

T he sh aking owers new blossom ed see m ed th e s a m e
,
-
, ,

A n d Ap ril put h e r r iot in young blood s ;

Th e j ays apped i n th e la r ch clu m p like bl u e a m e .

Sh e d id not ca r e ; h is letter n ever ca m e .

Silent sh e we n t n u rsing th e g r ief th at kills

, ,

And Lion watch ed h er pa ss among th e d aff odil s .

IV
T i m e pa ssed b ut S till no letter cam e ; S h e ceased
, ,

Al m ost to hop e but ne v er to expect

, , .

Th e June moon cam e which h ad beh eld love s feast

[ 348 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

To se e th e lov e d unh appy ; his intent

Was b ut to t ry co m fort he r ; h e m eant
To show her th at h e k new her hea rt s d esp air

And th at his ow n h e a rt bl ed to se e h er w r etch ed th ere .

So a s th ey talked h e a sked h er h a d sh e h eard

, , ,

F rom M ich ael l ately ? N o sh e h ad not ; sh e ,

H ad been a great whil e n ow without a wo rd , .

No news is always good new s a n sw e r ed he , .

You k n ow h e sai d how m u c h you mean to me ;
, ,

You ve alw ays b een th e queen O h if I coul d

.
,

Do a n ything to h elp my d ear you know I woul d , , .

Nothi n g sh e said much touched
, B ut you b e li ev e
, .

You still believe i n him ? Why y e s h e s aid , , .

Lie though it was h e did n ot d a r e deceive

Th e all too c r u el faith w ithi n th e m aid .

Th at r a n ching is a wild a n d lo n ely t r a de ,

F a r from all posts ; it m ay b e h a rd to send ;

A ll p uzzling th i n gs like th is p rove si m ple i n th e e n d .

We should hav e h e a rd if he we r e ill or d e a d .

Keep a good h ea rt N ow co m e ; h e l ed th e w ay
.

B eyo n d th e b a rton to th e calvi n g shed -

,

Wh e r e o n a st r aw y litter top ped with h ay

, ,

A double pedigree p rize b ull calf l ay

- -
.

Near th ree weeks o ld h e said th e Wrekin s p e t ; , ,

Come U p n ow so n co m e u p ; you h ave n t seen h im yet

, , ,

.

We h ave done well h e a dded with th e stock , , ,

Bu t this o ne if h e lives will mak e a n am e
, , .

Th e bull calf gam bo lled with his tail acock

-
,

[ 35 0 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

The n shyly n o sed towa rd s th e m sca red but tame ; ,

His t roublous eyes w e re sulky with blu e ame .

S oftly h e tip toed shying at a touch ;

-
,

He nosed his breath cam e sweet his p ale tongue curled to cl utch
, , .

They r ubb ed h is h e a d and M a ry w e nt h er way

, ,

C ou n ti n g th e d rea ry time th e d re a ry b e at
,

O f d rea ry minu tes d r agging th rough the d ay ;

Tim e c r awl ed ac r o ss her life with l e a d en fe et ;
There still rem ain ed a y e a r before her sweet
Would com e to cl ai m h er ; su rely h e would com e ;
M ea n while th e r e wa s th e yea r h er weakeni n g father home
, , .

Hom e with its d e a d ly round with all its setting , ,

Things r oom s and eld s and Ow e rs to sting to b u rn

, , ,

With memories of th e l o ve ti m e p ast forgetti n g

E r e ab se n ce m ade her ve ry b e i n g yea rn .

My lov e b e quick sh e moa ned retu rn r etu rn ;

,

,

, ,

Co m e when th e th ree years end oh my d ea r soul , , ,

It s bitter wanting you

, Th e lo ne ly nights took toll

.
,

Putting a sad n ess wh ere th e b e auty wa s ,

T aking a lust r e from th e h air ; th e d ays

Saw each a sad der im age in th e glass .

And wh e n December ca m e fouling th e ways , ,

A n d a shless beech logs ma de a Ch ristm as bl aze ,

S o m e talk of M ich ael cam e ; a r umou r r an ,

Someone ha d cal le d him wild to some retu rning m an ,

Who travelling th rough th at cattle r ange h ad h eard

,
-
,

Nothing more su re th an th is ; b ut th is h e told

At second h and upon a c owboy s word
-

.

[ 35 1 1
 TH E DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

I t struck on M a ry s h ea rt and tu rned h e r cold

.

T h at winte r wa s a n ag e whi ch m a de h e r ol d .

B ut soon sh e thought soon th e th i r d yea r will end ;
, ,

M a r ch Ap ril M ay a nd June th en I sh all see my friend

, , , , .

He p r omis ed h e woul d co m e ; h e will not fail .

O h M ich ael my b e lov ed m an co m e soo n ;

, , ,

S tay n ot to mak e a ho m e for me but sail , .

Lo ve and th e hou r will p ut th e wo rl d i n tune .

You in m y life fo r always is th e boo n

I a sk from life w e two tog e th e r love r s

, , .

S o leaden tim e went by w h o eats th ings and discovers .

T hen in the wi nd s of M a r ch h er fath e r rod e

, , ,

H u n ti n g th e Wella n d coun t ry o n B lack Ned ;

T h e tenor cry gav e tongue p ast Clenche r s L o de

An d o n h e gallop ed giving th e nag h is h e a d ;

,

Th en at th e b rook h e fel l was picked up d e a d

, , , .

Hou n d s we r e W hipp ed off ; m e n m utte r ed with o n e b r eath ,

We k n ew th at h a r d mouth ed b r ute would some d ay b e h is

-

d eath .

T h ey bo r e h is bo d y on a h u r dle home ;
T hen ca m e th e b u ri al the n th e sadde r d ay
,

When th e pea ked lawye r entered like a gno m e ,

Wit h word to qui t a n d l i sts of debts to p ay .

The r e wa s a sale ; th e F o x h ole s p assed away

T o st r a n gers w h o d iscu ssed th e poi n ts of cows
, ,

Wh e r e love h a d p ut such glo ry on th e lovers b rows

.

Kin d Lion O ccleve h el ped th e mai d s aff ai r s

.

Her sor row b rought h im much b e si de h er ; h e

C au sed h er to settle h avi n g still ed h er cares
, ,

[ 35 2 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

And snu ff ed th e foreign h erd and sta m ped his foot ;

Steers on the swelling ranges gav e sal ute .

T h e gr e at b ull bellowed ba ck and Lion tu rned

Hi s t ask w as now to nd wh ere Mich ael lived ; h e l ea rn e d

Th e fa rm s d i re ctio n and with h e avy mind

, ,

Th inking of M a ry and h er sorrow ro d e , ,

Leaving th e off sp r ing of h is eld s behind .

A la st tim e i n h is ea r s th e g r eat bull low ed .

Th en sh aking up hi s horse th e young m an glowed

, ,

To se e th e unfenced pam pa s O pening out

Gra ss th at m ak e s old ea rth sing and a ll th e valleys shout .

At s unset on th e s e co nd d ay h e cam e
To th at wh ite cab in i n th e p each tree plot -

Wh e r e M ich a el lived ; th ey m et th e S h r opsh i r e nam e

,

R ang trebly d ea r in th at outl andish spot .

O l d m emo r ies swa m up d e a r O ld j oys fo rgot, ,

O ld fr iend s we r e re al agai n ; b ut M a ry s wo e

Cam e into L io n s m ind and M ich ael vexed h im so

, ,

Talki n g with ca rel ess freshness sid e by si d e ,

With th at d ark Spanish b e auty who h a d w o n ,

As th o ugh no h e a rt b r ok e wo m an h e avy eyed

-
,
-
,

M o u m e d fo r h im ov er sea as though th e sun

,

Shone b ut to light h is step s to lov e and fun ,

While sh e th at golden a n d b e lov ed soul

, ,

Worth ten of him lay wasting like an unlit coal

, .

So supp er p ass ed ; th e m eat i n Lion s gorge

Stuck at th e l ast h e could not bi d e th at fac e

, .

Th e i d l e l aughter on it pli e d th e fo rg e
[ 35 4 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Wher e h ate w as smithying too l s ; th e jokes the pl ac e , ,

Wrought h im to wrath ; h e coul d not stay for grace .

Th e tin m ug full of red wi n e spilled and fe ll .

He kicked h is stool asid e with M ich ael th is is hell , .

Com e out int o th e nigh t and t a l k to m e .

Th e young m an lit a ciga rette a nd follow ed ;

Th e stars seemed t r em bling at a b rink to se e ;
A little ghostly wh ite ow l stooped and h olloed
-
.

B esid e th e stake fence Lion stopped and swallowed

-
,

Wh ile all th e wrath with in h im m a d e h im grey .

M ich ael stood still and sm o ked and icked h is ash away , .

Well Lion M ich ael s ai d m en m ake m istak e s
, , , ,

And th en regret th e m ; and an early am e

I s frequently th e worst m istakes m an m akes .

I d id not seek th is p assion b ut it ca m e

, .

Lov e h ap pen s so in life Well ? Wh o s to bl am e ?
.

You ll say I ve b r ok en M a ry s h ea rt ; th e h ea rt

IS not th e whol e of l ife b ut an infe r ior p a rt

, ,

U seful for som e few years and then a cu r se .

Ne rves should b e stronger Y ou h av e com e to say

.

Th e th ree y e a r term is up ; so much th e wo r se

-
.

I cannot m ee t th e b ill ; I ca nn ot p ay .

I w o uld not if I could M en ch ange To d ay

. .
-

I k n ow th at th at r st choice howeve r sweet , ,

Wa s wron g and a m istake ; it woul d h av e meant d efeat ,

R uin and misery to us bo th Le t b e . .

You say I should h ave told h e r th is ? Pe rh a ps .

You t ry to m ak e a l ovi n g wo m an se e
[ 35 5 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Th at th e wa rm link wh ich holds you to h er snaps .

Negl ect is d eadlier th an th e thund er cla ps -

.

Yet sh e is b right and I am water Well .

,

I did not m ake myself; this life is often hel l .

J udge i f you m u st b ut unde r stand it r st

, .

We a r e old friend s a nd town s m en Sh r opsh ire bo rn

, , ,

Under th e Wrekin Y ou b e li e v e th e wo r st
. .

You h av e n o k n owledge how th e h ea rt is to rn ,

T rying for d uty u p agai n st th e tho rn .

No w say I v e b roke n M a ry s h ea rt : begin

.

B r eak hers o r h e r s a nd mi ne which we r e th e greate r
, , s n i ?

Mich a el sa id Lion I h ave h e a rd you Now
, , .

Listen to me Th ree yea r s ago you m a d e

.

With a most n obl e soul a certai n vow .

N ow you rej ect it sayi n g th at you played

, .

Sh e d i d n ot th ink so M ich ael sh e h as stay ed

, , ,

E ati n g h er h ea rt out for a line a wo r d , ,

News th at you w ere not d ead ; news th at sh e neve r h ea r d .

N ot once after th e rst S h e h as h eld r m

, .

To wh at you counted p astim e ; sh e h a s wept

Life d ay by wea ry d ay th roughout th e term
, ,

Wh ile h e r h ea rt sicke n ed and th e clock h a n d c r ept

,
-
.

Wh ile y o u you W
, ith you r wo m a n h ere h ave kept ,

Holid ay fea sti n g ; you a re fat ; you s m ile

, .

You h ave h ad love and l aughter all th e gh astly whil e .

I sh all b e b ack i n E ngl and six weeks h ence ,

S tanding with you r poo r M a ry face to face ;

F a r from a pleas ant moment b ut intense , .

[ 35 6 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Wh en th e red fox comes creep ing d ewy b r ush ed ,

-
.

B ut ne ith er spoke ; th e y rod e ; th e ho r ses r ush ed ,

S catteri n g th e g r eat clod s skywa r d s with such th r ill s

AS colts i n Ap r il feel th er e i n th e d a ff odil s .

V
Th e riv er b rimmi n g full wa s si lvered ov er
By moo n light at t h e fo rd ; th e rive r b a n k
S m elt of b r ui sed clote b ud s a n d of y e llow clover .

N osi n g the gl ea m i n g d a r k th e horses d r a n k ,

D roopi n g a nd d r ippi n g as th e reins fell l a n k ;

T h e m e n d rooped too ; th e sta r s in heave n d roop ed ;
R ank afte r h u r rying rank th e silve r wate r t rooped
I n ceaseless b right p rocession p ast th e sh allows ,

Talking its q uick inconsequence Th e fr ie n ds .

,

Wa rm ed by the gallop o n th e u n fen c ed fallows ,

F elt it a ki n dlie r th i n g to m ake a m end s .

A j o lly bu r st s ai d M ich ael ; h ere it ends
, .

Your way lies st r aight b e yo nd th e wat er T h e r e . .

Watch fo r th e lights and keep those tw o sta r s a s they bea r

, .

S om eth i n g august was q uick i n all th at sk y ,

Wheeli n g in m ultitud i n ous m a r ch with r e ;

Th e falli n g of th e wi nd b r ought it m o r e n igh ,

T hey felt th e ea r th take sol ace a n d r espi r e ;

T he ho r ses S hifted foothold i n th e m i r e ,

S pl ashi n g a n d m aking eddies Lion spoke :

.

D o you r eme m ber ri d i n g p ast the h au n t ed oak

Th at Ch r istm as Ev e wh en all th e b e ll s w e r e ringing

, ,

S o th at w e picked out seven ch u r ch es b e lls

R inging th e night a nd peopl e ca rol singing ?

,
-

[ 35 8 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

It h umm e d and d ied away and rose in swells

Like a se a b r eaki n g We h ave b een th r ough hell s
.

Since then w e two a nd now this being h ere

, ,

B rings all th at Ch ristm a s b a ck and makes it strangely nea r , .

Yes M ich ael an swered they w ere h appy times
, , ,

R i d i n g beyond th ere ; b ut a ma n need s a ch ange ;

I know wh at th ey co nn ot e those Christ m a s chim es , ,

F udge i n th e h ea rt and p u dd i n g i n th e g r ange

, .

It stie s m e all th at ; I need th e r a n g e ,

Like th is b efo r e us open to th e sky ;

,

There eve ry wing i s clipped b ut h ere a m an c an y , .

Ah sai d h is friend m an o n ly i e s in youth
, , ,

A few short years at most until h e nd s ,

Th at even q uiet is a form of truth ,

A nd all th e rest a colou r ed rag th at bli n d s .

Life off e r s nothing b ut contented mind s .

Some d ay you ll know it M ich ael I am g ri e v ed

, .

Th at M a ry s h e a rt will p ay u n ti l I am believed .

There was a silence wh il e th e water d r ipp ed

F rom th e r ais ed m uzzles ch a m p ing on th e steel .

F loggi n g th e cranni e d ba n ks th e wate r lipped .

Night up above th e m tu rned h er sta rry wh ee l ;

And each m an fe a red to let th e oth er feel
How much h e felt ; th ey fenced ; th ey p ut u p ba rs .

Th e moo n m ad e h e av en p ale am on g th e withe r i n g st a r s .

M ich ael s aid Lion w h y should w e two p a rt ?
, ,

R i d e o n with m e ; o r sh all w e both retu rn ,

M ak e p r e p aration and to mor row sta rt

,
-
,

[ 35 9 ]
 T HE DA FFO D IL F I E LDS

And trav e l ho m e together ? Y ou would le a rn

How m uch th e p e opl e lo n g to see you ; tu rn .

We will ri d e b ack and say goo d by e and th e n -

,

S ail and se e hom e agai n and se e th e Sh ropsh ire men

, , ,

A nd se e th e ol d Sh r opsh ire mountain a n d th e fai r ,

F ull of d r u n k Wel sh m en b r i n ging mou n tai n ewes ;

An d p a rt r idge shooti n g woul d b e sta rtin g th e r e .

M ich ael h ung dow n h is h ead a nd see m ed to choose .

Th e ho r ses ch u m e d fresh footing in th e ooze

Th en M ich ael asked if To m were still al ive ,

O l d Tom w h o fought th e Welsh m an u nder U pton D r ive

, ,

F or nineteen r ound s o n grass with th e b a r e h and s ?

, ,

Sh aky sai d L io n living still b ut w e ak ;
, , ,

Al m ost p ast speaki n g but h e unde r sta n ds
, .

And old Shon Sho n es w e teased so with th e leek ?

Dead Wh en ?
. Dece m b er M ich ael d id not speak .
,

B ut m uttered O l d Jones d ead A mi n ut e p a ssed . .

Wh at cam e to littl e S ue his girl ? h e s aid at last
, .

Got into t rouble with a m an and d i ed ;

Her sister keep s th e ch ild His h ea rer stirred . .

D e a d too ? Sh e was a p retty gi rl h e sigh ed
, , ,

A graceful p r etty c r eatu r e lik e a b i r d , .

Wh at is th e ch ild ? A b oy Her siste r h eard .

Too l ate to h e lp ; poor Susa n d ied ; th e m a n

N o ne knew who h e coul d b e b ut m a n y ru m ou r s ran , .

Ah M ich ael said Th e horses toss e d th eir h ead s ;
, .

A little wind a rising struck i n chill ;

Ti m e h e b e ga n th at w e w ere i n ou r bed s
, ,
.

[ 36o ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

An d rod e th e plain th at seemed never to end .

C lump s of p al e cattle n os ed th e th i n g u n k enned ,

Rid ing th e night ; out of th e night th e y r ose ,

Sn u f n g with outstretch ed h e ad s sta m p ing with surly l ows

, ,

Till h e wa s th readi n g th r ough a c r ow d a se a ,

O f cu rious sh o rth o m s b acking as h e cam e ,

B a rring h is p ath but sh ifting wa rily ;

,

He slapped th e anks of th e mo r e ta m e .

Un r eal th e ghostly cattl e lumb ered la m e .

His ho r se kept at an even p ace ; th e cow s

B roke right and left lik e waves b e fo re advancing bows .

L o ne ly th e p a m p as seemed ami d th at h erd .

Th e th ough t of M ary s so rr ow p rick ed h im sore ;

He b rought n o co m fo rt for h er not a w ord ; ,

He woul d not ease h er pai n b ut b r i n g h er m ore

, .

The lo n g m iles d r opp ed beh i n d ; lights r ose b efo r e ,

Lights a n d th e seapo rt a nd th e b r i n y ai r ;
And so h e s ailed for hom e to comfo rt M a ry th e r e .

Wh e n M a ry knew th e wo r st sh e o n ly s igh ed ,

Lo ok ed h a r d at Lion s face a nd sat quite still

, ,

Wh ite to th e lip s b ut ste rn a n d sto n y eyed

,
-
,

B eaten by life i n all th i n gs b ut th e will .

T hough th e blow struck h e r h a rd it d id not kill .

Sh e ral lied o n h e r self a n ew life bloom ed

,

O ut of th e a shy h ea rt wh ere M ich ael lay e n to m bed .

An d m o r e th a n th is : fo r Lion touc h ed a se n se
T h at h e th e ho n est h u m d r um m a n was mo r e
, ,

Th a n h e by whom th e glory and th e off en ce

[ 362 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

C a m e to h e r life th re e b itter y e a r s b e fo re .

Th is was a t reas o n in h er b eing s core ;

I t sm o uldered there ; meanwh ile as tw o good friend s

Th ey m e t at a utumn d usks a nd winter d aylight e n d s -
.

An d onc e a fter lo n g twilight talk h e b roke

, ,

His S tro n g restra int upon h is p a ssion for her ,

And bu m in g ly m ost lik e a m an h e spoke

, ,

U ntil h er pity almost overbore h er .

I t could not b e sh e sa id ; her p ity tore h er ;

,

B ut still it could n ot b e though th is w as p ain

, .

Th e n o n a fr o sty night th ey m e t a nd spoke again .

And th en h e wooed again clutch ing h er h and s , ,

Calling th e m ai d h is m ind h is h ea rt h is soul , , ,

S aying th at God h ad li n k ed th ei r lives in b a n d s

Wh en th e worm Life rst sta r ted from th e goal ;
Th at th ey were l inked tog e th er p ast control , ,

Linked fr om all time coul d sh e b u t pity ; sh e

,

Pitied from th e soul b ut sai d it could not be

,
.

M a ry h e asked you ca n not lo ve m e ? No ?

, ,

No sh e replied ; woul d God I could m y d e a r
, , .

Go d bless you th en h e answe r ed
, , I must go , ,

Go over sea to g e t away from h e r e ,

I ca nn ot th ink of wo r k wh en you a re nea r ;

M y whol e life fall s to pieces ; it m ust end .

This m ee ting now m ust b e good by e b eloved fr iend
-
, .

Wh ite lipped sh e listened th en with faili n g b reath

-
, ,

Sh e a sked for yet a littl e ti m e ; h e r fa ce

Wa s even a s th at of one co nd e m ned to d eath .

[ 363 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Sh e asked for yet anoth er th r e e month s g r ac e

Asked it a s L io n inly k ne w i n case

, ,

M ich ael should stil l re tu rn ; and Yes said he ,

I ll wa it th r ee month s fo r you beloved ; l e t it b e

, .

S lowly th e th r ee m onth s d ragged : no M ich ael cam e .

M a r ch b rought th e d a ffod ils a nd se t them sh aking .

Ap ril was q uick i n Natu r e lik e g reen a m e ;

M ay cam e with dog r ose b u d s a nd c o m c rak e s craking
-
, ,

T h en d wi nd l ed like h er blosso m ; Jun e was b reaking .

M a ry sai d L io n
,
ca n you answe r now ?
,

Wh ite like a ghost sh e stood h e long rememb e r ed how

, .

Wild eyed a nd wh ite and trembling like a l e af

-
, ,

She gave h e r a n swer Yes ; sh e gav e h er lips
, ,

Cold a s a co r pse s to th e kiss of grief ,

S h udde r i n g at h im a s i f h is touch w ere wh ips .

T he n her b est n atu re st r uggling to ec lip se

,

T his sh r i n king sel f m a d e speech ; sh e j ested th ere ;

,

They sea rched each oth er s eyes and both so uls s aw d espa ir

, .

So th e r st p assed a nd a fte r th at b e ga n
,

A h app ier ti m e : sh e could not choose b ut praise

T h at recognition of h er i n th e ma n
S tivi n g to salve h er p rid e in my ria d ways ;
H e wa s a gen tle lover : g en tl e d ays
Passed like a m usic a fte r t r agic scenes ;
Her h ea r t gav e th anks for th at ; but still th e m igh t h ave be en s - -

Hau n ted her i nner spi r it d ay and night ,

And oft en i n h is kiss th e memory cam e

O f M ich ael s face abov e h er passionate wh ite

, , ,

[ 364 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Th e g ree n sun sh utt e rs closed sh e could n ot see, .

O ut fell th e love t ryst h andke r ch ief wh ich h e

-

Had h ad em b roid e r ed with h is n am e for h e r ;

It h a d b een d e a r ly kept it s m elt of l av ender
, .

So m eth ing r em ai n ed : a p aper crossed with blu e

, ,

Wh e r e h e sh oul d re a d ; h e stood the r e i n th e sun ,

R e a d i n g of M a ry s w ed d i n g till h e knew

Wh at h e h ad ca st away w h at h e h ad d o ne
, .

He w a s rej ected Lion wa s th e one

, .

L io n th e godly a nd th e up right h e
, , .

Th e black lines i n th e pap er sh owed h ow it could be .

H e pocketed th e l ov e gift a nd took ho r se ,

And ro de out to th e p ay shed for his savi n gs

-
.

The n tu rned and r o d e a lo n ely water cou r se

,
-
,

Alone with bitter thoughts a nd bitte r cravi n gs .

S un sh ad ow s o n th e r eed s ma d e twi n klin g wavi n gs ;

-

An o r angeb elli ed t u rtle scooped th e mu d ;

M a ry h ad m arried Lion and th e news d r ew bl oo d
, .

And with th e b itterness th e o utcast fel t

,

A p assion fo r those ol d kind Sh rop sh i r e pl aces ,

Th e rui ned ch ancel wh e r e th e n u n s h ad k ne lt ;

High E rcall a n d th e Ch a se E nd and th e Ch ases ,

Th e glimm eri n g m ere th e b u r r th e well known faces

, ,
-
,

By Wre ki n a n d by ! i n e and count ry town .

Th e o range b ellied tu rtle b urrow e d furth er down

-
.

He could rememb er M a ry now ; h e r c rying

Night a fter night alone th rough wea ry years ,

H a d touch e d h im now a nd set th e co r d s replying ;

[ 366 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

He knew her m ise ry now he r ache h er tea rs , , ,

T h e lo ne ly night s th e cea seless hop e th e fears

, , ,

Th e a rm stretch ed out fo r one not th ere th e slow ,

Loss of t he lover s fait h th e l e tting com fo rt go

, .

N o w I will rid e h e said B e yo n d th e ford
, .

He caught a fr esh ho r se and r o d e on Th e nigh t .

F ound h im a guest at P e p e Blanco s boa rd

,

Moody a nd d rinking rum and ripe fo r ght ;

D rawing h is gu n h e shot away th e light
, ,

And p a rried Pepe s knife and caught h is ho r s e

,

And all night l o ng h e r od e b e devill e d b y re m orse .

At d awn h e caught an eastwa rd going ferry -

,

And all d ay long h e st e a m ed b e tw een great b anks

Wh ich smelt of y e llow tho rn and loganberry .

Then wh a rves app e a red and chi m neys r o se in ranks

, ,

M ast upon m a st a rose ; th e river s anks
Were ll ed with E nglish sh ips and one h e found ,

Need i n g anoth e r S toker b e i n g homeward b ou nd

, .

And al l th e t i m e th e t r oub le i n h i s h e ad
R a n like a whi rl wi nd movi n g him ; h e knew
Since sh e wa s lost th at h e was b etter d e a d .

H e h ad n o p roj ect outl ined wh at to do , ,

B eyond go home ; h e joi n ed th e steamer s cr e w .

She sailed th at night : h e d ulled his ma ddened soul ,

Plying th e i ro n coal S lice o n th e bu n k er coa l

-
.

Work d id not clea r th e tu rmoil in h is mi nd ;

Pa ssion t akes colou r from th e natu re s c o r e ;
His mise ry w as a s h is natu re bli nd , .

[ 367 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Life was still turm oil wh en h e w en t ashore .

T o se e h is ol d lov e m a r ried l ay befo r e ;

To se e a n oth er h ave h e r drink th e gall
, ,

Kicked like a dog withou t wh ile h e within h ad all

, .

S oon h e wa s at th e F oxholes at th e pl ace ,

Wh ith er fro m ov er se a h is h ea rt h a d tu rned

, ,

O ft en at e v en i n g end s in tim es of g r ace

-
.

B ut littl e outwa rd ch ange h is eye discerned ;

A red rose at h er b ed room wi n dow b u rned ,

Just a s before Ev en a s of old th e wa sp s

.

Poised at th e y e llow pl um s : th e gat e creaked o n its h a sps ,

An d th e wh ite fa n tail s sidled o n th e roof

Just a s befo r e ; th ei r pi n k fee t even a s of old , ,

P ri n t ed th e frosty m o m in g s rim e with p roof

.

Sti ll th e z e w tall at s th atch wa s g r een with mould ;

-

T he a pples on th e with e r ed bough s we r e gol d .

Me n a nd th e ti m es we r e ch anged : An d I said h e , ,

Will go a n d not retu rn since sh e i s n ot for m e

, .

I ll go fo r it woul d b e a scu rvy th ing

T o spoil h e r m a r ri age and besides sh e ca res

, ,

F o r th at h al f p riest sh e m a rri ed with th e r ing

-
.

S m all j oy for m e i n seei n g how sh e wea r s ,

Or seeing wh at h e takes a nd wh at sh e sh a r es .

T h a t b e a u ty a n d those ways : sh e h ad such ways ,

The r e in th e d a ff odils i n those old Ap r il d ays .

So with a n impulse of good wil l h e tu rned ,

Leaving th at pla ce of d aff odils ; th e roa d

Wa s pav en S h a rp with m e mo ri e s wh ich bu rned ;
[ 368 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

On e peep at h er sh all com e to h e ll wit h me ;

O ne p ee p at h er n o matter wh at m a y b e
, .

H e c r ossed th e stile and h urried d own th e slope .

R emember e d trees a nd h edges gave a zest to hope .

k I

A low b r ick wa ll with p rivet sh r ub s b e yo nd

R inged in Th e R ough s upo n th e sid e h e ne a red .

E astwa rd so m e b rambl e b ush es cloaked th e po nd ;

Westwa r d w a s b a r ley stubble not yet cl e a red
-
.

H e th r u st asi d e th e p riv et boughs a nd pee r ed .

Th e d rooping r t r ees let th eir d arkness t rail

Blac k like a p irate s m a sts b ound und e r e asy s ail .

Th e ga rden with its autum n ow er s w as th e r e ;

F ew th at h is waywa rd m emo ry linked with h e r .

S umm er h ad b u rnt th e summ er owe r s b a re ,

B ut honeyh unting b ees still m ade a stir .

Sp rigs we r e still bluish o n th e l avend er ,

And bluish d aisies bu dd ed b r ight ies pois ed ;

,

The wren up o n th e t ree stum p ca r oll ed ch eery voiced

- -
.

He could not see h e r th e r e Wi n dows were wi de

.
,

Late wasp s were cruisi n g and th e cu rt ai n s shook

, .

S m oke like th e h ouse s b reath i n g oated sigh ed

,

, , ,

A m ong th e t r e m bl i n g rs strange ways it took .

Bu t still n o M a ry s p r esence blessed h is look ;

Th e hous e wa s still a s if deserted h u sh ed , .

F aint frag r ance h ung about it a s if h e r b s were c rush ed .

F ragrance th at ga ve h is memo ry s gu ard a h int
O f ti m es lo n g p ast of r eapers in th e corn
, ,

B r ui s i n g with h eavy boots th e stalks of m int ,

[ 37 o ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Wh en rst th e b erry r e ddens on th e tho rn .

M emories of her th at fr agrance b rought F orlorn .

Th at vigil of th e watching outcast grew ;

H e crept towa rd s th e kitchen sh eltere d b y a y ew , .

Th e windows of th e kitchen op ened wi d e .

A gai n th e fragrance cam e ; a wo m an spoke ;

O l d M r s O ccleve talked to one inside
. .

A smell of cooking ll ed a gust of s m ok e .

Then fragrance once again for h erb s were b roke ;

,

Pourri wa s bei n g m a de ; th e listener h eard

Things lift e d and l aid d own b ruised i n to sw ee tness S tirred
, , .

Whil e a n old wom an m ad e r e m arks to o n e

Wh o wa s not th e bel o ved : M ich ael l e a rne d
Th at R oger s wife a t U pton h ad a son

A nd th at th e red geranium s should b e tu rned ;

A hen wa s m issing and a r ick wa s b u rned ;
,

O ur L o rd comma nded p ati e nce ; here it b rok e ;

Th e window closed it m ad e th e k i tch en ch imney smoke
, .

Steps cl acked on ag ston e s to th e outer door ;

A d ai ry m ai d wh o m h e rememb ered well
-
, ,

Lined now with ag e a n d greyer th an before

, , , ,

R ang a cracked c owbell for th e d inner bell -

.

H e saw th e dining room ; h e coul d not tell

-

I f M a ry were with in : i nl y h e knew

Th at sh e w as comi n g n ow th at sh e w o uld b e in b lu e
, ,

Bl ue with a silver lock e t at th e th ro at ,

And th at sh e would b e th ere within th ere nea r , , ,

With th e littl e blushes th at h e knew by rote ,

[ 37 1 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

And th e grey eyes so steadfa st a nd so d e a r ,

T he voic e p u re like th e n atu r e t r u e a nd clea r

, , ,

S peaking to h er b e lo v d with i n th e roo m .

T h e gat e click ed L io n cam e : th e outca st h ugg ed the gloom

, ,

Watch ing intently fr om below th e b ough s ,

Wh ile Lion clea r ed h is rid i n g boot s of clay ,

Eyed th e high cloud s and went with in th e house .

H is e y e s looked troubled and his h ai r looked g r ey

, .

Din n er b egan w ith i n wi t h m uch to say .

O l d O ccleve roa r ed alou d at h is own j ok

M a ry it see m ed wa s gone ; th e loved voice neve r spoke
, , .

No r could h er lov er se e h er from th e y ew ;

S h e was not th e r e at table ; sh e w as ill ,

I ll o r away pe rh a ps h e wish ed h e knew

, .

Away pe rh ap s fo r O ccleve b e llow ed still

, , .

I f sick h e thought th e m aid o r Lio n w ill
, ,

Tak e foo d to her H e watch ed ; th e dinne r end ed
. .

T h e staircas e w as not u sed ; n o ne climb ed it n o ne d esce n ded , .

N ot h ere h e thought ; b ut wishing to b e sure
, ,

H e wait ed till th e O ccleves w ent to eld ,

T h en follow ed round th e h ou se anoth e r lu re

, , ,

U sing th e well known p r ivet a s h i s sh ield

-
.

He m ea n t to r un a risk ; his h ea rt w as steeled .

He k n ew of old wh ich b ed r oom woul d b e h e r s ;

He c r ouch ed upon th e north front in among th e rs

Th e hou se sta red at h im with its red b rick bla n k -

,

Its vacant wi n dow eyes ; it s open d oo r

-
,

With old wrough t b ridl e ring h ooks at e ach a n k -

.

[ 37 2 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

He s comi n g up thought Mich ael w e sh all meet

, , .
2

He s n atched th e nea r est d oo r fo r his ret r eat ,

O pe n ed with th ieves swift S ilence d ared n ot clos e

, ,

B ut stood with in b e hi nd it Lion s foot step s rose

, .

R u nn i n g tw o step s at once w h il e M ich ael stood

, ,

Not b reath ing o n ly k n owi n g th at th e r oo m

,

Wa s som eone s b ed room smelling of old woo d

H u n g with eng r avings of th e d ay of doo m .

Th e foot step s stopp ed ; a nd Lion called to whom ? ,

A gentl e qu estion tappi n g at a d oo r

, ,

And M ich ael sh ifted feet a nd c re ak in g s took th e oo r

, .

Th e footstep s recomm enced a d oOr catch cl acked ;,

-

With in an ea ste rn roo m th e footsteps p assed .

D r awe r s we r e p ull ed lou d ly open a n d r ansacked ,

Ch attel s w ere th rust asid e a n d overcast .

Wh at coul d th e thi n g b e th at h e sought At la st .

His voic e sa id He r e it is
, Th e wo rm ed oo r
.

Creaked with retu rning foot steps d own th e corridor .

Th e footstep s cam e a s though th e wal k er read ,

Or a d de d rows of gu res by th e way ;

The r e was m uch h esitation in th e t read ;
Lion see m ed pond e ring wh ich to go o r stay ; ,

Then seei n g th e doo r which cove r ed M ich a el sway

, , , ,

He s w iftly crossed a n d sh ut it Alw ays o ne .

F o r ord er M ich ael m uttered
, Now b e swift my so n
.
, .

Th e a ction s ee m ed to b re ak t h e walker s m oo d ;
Th e footstep s p assed downstai r s alo n g th e h all , ,

O ut at th e doo r a n d o ff towa r d s th e woo d .

[ 37 4 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

G o ne M ich ael mutt ered
, N ow to h azard all
. .

O utsid e th e fram es still n o d d ed on th e wall

, .

M ich ael st e pped swiftly up th e oor to t ry

Th e d oo r wh e r e L io n t apped and waited fo r re p l y .

I t w as th e e astmost o f th e roo m s which loo k

Ov e r th e eld s of d aff odils ; th e bou nd
Scanned from its windows is Ry e m e a d ow s b rook ,

B anked by gna rled a pple t r ees a nd rising g round .

Most gently Mich ael tapped ; h e hea rd n o sound ,

On ly th e b l i nd pul l tapping with th e wi nd ;

-

Th e kitch en d oo r w as opened ; kitchen cl atter d inned

- -
.

A wom an walked al o ng th e h all b elow ,

Humming ; a mai d h e j udged ; th e footst e p s died

, ,

Listening intently s till h e h ea r d them go

, ,

Then swiftly tu rned th e k n ob a nd went insid e .

Th e blind pull at th e wi nd ow volleyed wi de ;

Th e cu rt ains streamed out like a waterfall ;
Th e pictu res of th e fox h unt cla cked along th e wall
-
.

No one wa s th ere ; n o o ne ; th e room w as h ers .

A book of p rais e l ay open o n th e b ed ;

Th e clothes p ress smelt of m a n y l avenders
-
,

Her spi rit stam ped th e room ; h erself was ed .

H e r e sh e found peace of soul like d aily b re a d ,

Here with h er l o ver Lion ; M ich ael gazed ;

,

He would h av e b een th e S h a rer h ad h e not b een crazed .

He took th e love gift h andkerch ief aga in ;

-

He l ai d it o n h er table nea r th e glass

, ,

So op e ned th a t th e b roidered n am e wa s pl ain ;

[ 37 s ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

P lai nh e exclaim ed sh e cannot let it p ass
, , .

It stand s and speaks for m e a s bold a s b r ass .

My answer my h ea rt s cry to tell her this
, , ,

Th at sh e is still my d arling : all sh e wa s sh e is .

S o S h e will know at l e ast th at sh e w as wro ng ,

T h at u nd erne ath th e blindness I wa s true .

F ate is th e strongest th i n g though m en a re strong ; ,

O ut from b e yo nd life I was sealed to you .

B ut my blind ways dest r oyed th e co r d s th at d re w ;

And now th e evil done I know my need ;
, ,

F ate h as h is way with those w h o m a r wh at i s dec r eed .

And now g ood b ye , H e closed th e door b e hi nd h im
.
,

Th en stept with rm swift footstep d ow n the stai r

, ,

M eaning to go wh e r e sh e would never nd h im ;

He would go down th r ough d ark n ess to d esp ai r .

O u t at th e doo r h e stept ; th e autu m n air

Cam e fresh upon h is face ; n o ne s aw h im go .

G oo d by e my lov e h e m uttered ; it is b etter so
, , .

Soon h e w a s on th e high r oa d out of sight ,

O f valley and fa rm ; soon h e could see no more

Th e oast house pointing nger tak e th e ligh t
-

As tu mbling pigeons glitt ered ove r ; nor

Could h e behold th e wi nd va ne gil ded o er -

,

Swinging above th e ch u r ch ; th e road swung r ou nd .

Now th e l ast look h e cried : he saw th at holy g rou nd
, , .

Good b ye h e c ri ed ; h e could b ehold it all
, ,

S p read out a s in a pictu re ; but so clea r

Th at th e go ld apple stood o u t fr om th e wall ;
.

[ 376 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

To ch a n g e th eir hu m an fates ; h e even deem e d

Th at i n anoth er life th is th ing h ad gleamed ,

This meet ing by th e b ridge He said It s you .
,

.

Yes I sh e said who else ? You must h av e k n own ; you
, , ,

knew

Th at I should com e h er e to th e b roo k to se e ,

A ft er you r m essage Y ou we r e out h e said
.
, .

Gone and I d id not know wh ere you coul d b e

, .

Wh e r e w ere you M a ry wh en th e th i n g w as laid ?

,

,

O l d M rs C al e i s dying a nd I stayed
.
,

Longe r th an u su al whil e I read th e Word

, .

You could h av e h a rdly gone Sh e p aused h e r boso m stirred .
, .

M a ry I sinned h e s ai d

, N ot th at d ea r no
, .
, , ,

Sh e said ; b ut oh you were u n ki nd u n ki nd
, , , ,

Never to write a wo r d a nd l eave m e so ,

B ut out of sight with you i s out of m ind .

M a ry I sinned h e said a nd I wa s bli n d
, , , .

O h m y b e lov ed a re you Lion s wife ?
, ,

Be lo v d sound s strange sh e answered in my p r esent l ife
, , .

B ut it is sweet to he a r it all th e same , .

It is a l a n guag e little h e a rd by m e
A lo ne i n th at m an s keepi n g w ith my sh am e
,

, .

I never thought such miseries could b e .

I wa s so h ap py i n you M ich ael He , .

Cam e wh en I felt you ch anged fro m wh at I thought y o u .

E ven now it i s not love b ut j ealou sy th at b rought you , .

Th at is unt rue h e said ,I am in h ell . .

You a re my h ea rt s b e lov ed M a ry you

, , .

B y God I k n ow your b eauty now too well

, .

[ 37 8 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E L D S

We a re ea ch oth er s e sh and soul w e two
, , .

Th at w a s sweet knowledge once sh e sa id ; w e kn ew ,

Th a t t r uth of old Now in a st range m an s b e d

.
,

,

I read it i n my soul and nd it writt e n r e d
, .

I s h e a b rute ? h e ask ed N o sh e replied .
, .

I d i d not understand wh at it woul d m e a n .

And now th at you a re b ack would I h a d died ; ,

Died a nd th e m i se ry o f it not h ave b een

, .

Lion would not b e wrecked no r I unclean , .

I w as a p rou d o ne once and now I m tame ;

,

O h M ich ael say som e word to take a w ay my sh am e
, , .

Sh e sobb ed ; h is a rm s w en t r ou nd h er ; th e night h ea rd
I ntense erce wh ispering passing soul to soul , ,

L ov e ru nn i n g h ot o n m any a m u rmu red word ,

Lo v e s p assio n ate givi n g i n to new control

.

Th eir p resent m i sery d id b ut blow th e coal ,

Did but entangle d eeper th ei r tw o wills ,

Whil e th e b r o wn b roo k ran o n b y b u ri ed d aff o dils .

VI I
U pon a light gu st cam e a waft of b el l s ,

R inging th e chim es for nine ; a b roken sweet ,

Like wate r s b u b bli n g out of hi d den wells ,

Dully U po n those love r s ea r s it beat

,

Th ei r time w a s at an end Her tottering fee t .

Trod th e d im e l d for h om e ; h e sought a n inn .

O h I h ave sinned sh e cried b ut not a secret sin
, , , .

In si de Th e R ough s t h e y waited for h er coming ;

E yeing th e ticking clock th e household sat .

Nin e th e clock st ruck ; th e clock weights ran down d rum m ing ;
,
-

[ 379 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

O ld Moth er O ccleve stretch ed h e r sewi ng at .

It s ni n e sh e s aid O ld O ccleve stroked th e cat

,
. .

Ah c at h e sai d h a st h ad good go at mouse ?
, , ,

Lio n sat liste n ing tense to all with in th e house .

M a ry i s l ate to night th e gam m er said
-
, .

T h e times h ave ch anged h er m erry h u sb and roa red , .

Young ma rr i ed couples n ow like lonely t r a d e ,

Don t think of b ed at all th ey th ink of boa rd

, .

N o m ultiplying left in people Lo r d ! .

When I w as Lion s age I d h ad my ve

.

Th e r e was som e go in folk wh en U S two took to wive .

Lion a rose and stalked a nd b it h i s lip .

Or w as it S ix ? th e old ma n muttered six , .

U s h ad so m a n y I ve alost th e tip
.

U s we r e two r ight goo d soul s at getting ch icks .

Tw o birth s of twi n s th en Johnny s bi rth th en Dick s

, ,

N ow give a young m an ti m e th e moth e r cri ed , .

M a ry cam e swiftly i n and ung th e r oom d oo r wi d e .

Lion Was by th e wi nd ow when sh e came ,

Ol d O ccleve and his wife w ere by th e re ;

Big sh adows leapt th e ceili n g fr o m th e am e .

Sh e fr o n ted th e th ree gu r es a nd came nigh e r .

Lion sh e wh ispered I return m y hi r e
, , .

S h e d ropped h e r m a rr iage ring U po n th e table -

.

T h en in a lou de r voice I bo re wh at I w as able
, , ,

And T i m e and m a rri age might h ave wo rn m e down ,

Pe r h a p s to b e a goo d wife and a blest

, ,

With little ch ild ren clinging to my gown ,

[ 38o ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LD S

Above pl ai n d aylight In th ei r blinkered eyes

.

Noth ing i s b r ight b ut sentimental lies ,

Such as are offered you d ear her e and n ow ; , ,

Lies wh ich b e t r a y th e str o ngest God alone knows how , .

i n your b e auty and you r wh iteness t u m

Yo u , ,

Yo ur strong whit e m ind you r faith you r fea rless t ruth

, , , ,

A ll for th e se rotten res th at so b urn .

A senti m ental cl utch at perished youth .

I am too sick fo r wisd om sick with ruth , ,

And th is comes sudd enly ; th e u nr ip e m an

M isses th e hou r oh G o d B ut you wh at i s you r plan ?
, .
,

Wh at d o you m e an to do how act how liv e ? , ,

Wh at wa rrant h av e you fo r you r life ? Wh at trust ?

Yo u a re fo r going s ailing in a siev e .

Th is b rightness is too m ortal not t o rust .

So ou r b e gi nn i n g m a r r iage end s in d ust .

I h av e not fail ed you M ary Le t m e know

, .

Wh at y o u intend to d o and wh ith e r you will g o
, .

G o from th is p l ac e ; it chokes m e sh e repli e d , .

Th is place h a s b rand ed m e ; I m ust regain

M y truth th at I h av e soiled my faith my prid e , , ,

I t i s all poison and it leaves a sta in .

I cannot stay nor b e your wife again .

Ne v er You d id you r best though ; you were k ind

.
, .

I h av e g ro wn old to night and l e ft all th at beh ind

-
.

Go o d by e . Sh e tu rned O ld O ccl e v e faced h is
. so n .

Wrath at th e wom an s impudence was blent

U pon h is fac e with wrath th at such an o ne

,

[ 38 2 1
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E L D S

Should stand unth rashed until h er w o rd s wer e sp e nt .

He stayed for Lion s wrath ; but M a ry w e nt

U nch eck e d ; he d id n ot stir Her fo o tsteps ground .

T he g r a ve l to th e gate ; th e gate h inge m ad e a sound -

Like to a c ry of p ain a fter a shot .

S winging it clicked it click e d again it swung

, , ,

Until the i ro n latch b a r h it th e slot .

M a ry h ad gone a nd Lion h eld h is tongue

, .

O l d Moth e r O ccl e ve s obb ed ; h er wh ite h e a d h ung

O v er h er sewing wh ile th e t e ars ran d ow n
Her worn blo o d th re aded ch e eks and splash ed U po n h e r g own
,
-
.

Ye s it is true said Li o n sh e m ust go
, , , .

M ich ael is b ack M ich ael wa s a lw a ys rst

.
,

I d id b ut tak e h is p l ac e You d id not know . .

Now it h a s h app ened and you know th e worst , .

So pa ssion m akes th e p assionat e soul a ccu rst

And c r u c i e s h is d a rling M ich ael comes .

And th e s avage truth a p p e a rs and rip s my life to th rum s .

U p o n Old O cclev e s fac e th e fury ch ang e d

F i r st to contem pt and then to terror lest

,

L io n beneath th e shock should b e d era n ged

, ,
.

B ut Lion s eyes w ere st e a d y though d istressed

,
.

F ath er good night h e said I m goi n g to rest
,
-
, ,

.

Good night I cannot talk Moth er good night
-
, .
,
-
.

He kiss ed h er b ro w and went ; th e y h eard h im strik e a light ,

And go with slow dep r e ssed step U p th e stairs ,

U p to th e d oo r of h er d eserted b ower ;
Th ey hea rd him a b ove them moving ch a irs ; ,

[ 383 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

T h e m emory of h is p aleness m a de th e m cower .

Th ey d id not k n ow their son ; th ey h ad no power

To help they o n ly saw th e new won b r i d e
,
-

D e fy thei r ch ild and faith and custom p ut aside

, .

]:
a k

After a tim e m e n le a rned wh e r e M a ry was :

Ove r th e h ills not m any m iles away
, ,

R enti n g a cottage and a p atch of grass

Whe r e M ich a el cam e to see h er E ve ry d ay .

Taught h e r wh at fevers c an i n h abit C lay ,

S h aking th is bo d y th at so soo n m ust d i e .

The tim e m a d e L io n old : th e winter d w ind l ed b y .

Till th e long m isery h a d to end or kill :

A n d I m ust go to se e h er L io n c r ied ; ,

I am he r sta nd by a nd sh e need s m e still ;

,

I f n ot to lov e sh e need s m e to d ecid e .

Dea r I will set you fr ee O h my b right b r id e

,
.
, ,

Lost i n such pit e o u s ways com e b ack He rod e , .

O v er th e wi n t ry h ills to M ary s n ew abode .

And a s h e topp ed th e p ass b etwee n th e h ill s ,

T owa r d s h im up th e swerving r oad th ere cam e

, ,

M ich ael th e h appy cau se of all h is ills ;

,

Walking as th ough repe n tance we r e th e sh ame ,

Sucking a g r ass u n b utto ne d still th e sa m e

, ,

Hu m m ing a tune ; h is careless b e auty wild

D rawi n g th e wom en s eyes ; h e wa ndered with a ch ild

.

Wh o h eard wid e eyed th e scrap s of tales wh ich fell

,
-
,

B e tween th e frag m e n ts of th e tune ; th ey s e emed

A ch er ub b ringing up a soul from h ell .

[ 38A ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

You call a h alf life s volum e not desired

.

I k n ow your love for h er I saw it mi red .

,

M i red p ast going by you r rst sh a r p taste

, ,

O f life a nd work ; it stopped ; you let h er whol e life wast e ,

R ath er th a n h ave th e t r ouble of s uch lov e ,

Y ou will aga in ; b ut if you do it n ow ,

I t will m e a n d e ath not so rrow Bu t enough

, . .

You k n ow too well you ca nn ot k ee p a vow .

The r e are g r ey h ai r s al re a d y o n h er brow .

Y ou b r ought th e m th ere Death is th e next step G O

. .
,

B efo r e you take th e step No M ich ael answered
.
, ,
No .

As fo r my p ast I w as a d og a cu r
, , ,

And I h av e p aid blood money a nd still p a y -

, .

B ut all m y b e i n g i s abla z e with her ;

The r e i s n o talk of giving up to d ay -
.

I will n ot give he r u p You u sed to say .

B od ies a re ea rth I heard you say it Lia r !

. .

You never loved her you Sh e turned th e ea rth to re
, . .

M ich a e l s aid L io n you h ave sai d such th i n gs
, ,

O f oth er women ; less th an six m iles h ence

You a n d a n oth er wo m an fe lt love s wi n gs

R osy a nd fai r a nd so took leave of sense

, .

She s d e a d th at other wo m an dead with p en c e
, , ,

P r essed on h er big b row n eyes under th e g r ou nd ; ,

Sh e th at wa s m e rry onc e feeling th e world go r ound

, .

He r ch ild (a nd yours ) is with h er sister now ,

O ut th ere beh ind u s livi n g as th ey ca n ;

, ,

Pinch ed b y the pov e rty th at you allow .

[ 386 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

All a l o ng autum n m any rumou rs ran

A bout Sue Jones th at was : you were th e m an .

T he lad is l ike you Th ink about h is moth er

.
,

Before you tu rn th e earth to re with anoth er .

Th at is enough said M ich ael yo u sh all k n ow
, ,

Soon to you r m a rrow wh at my answ er is ;

, ,

Know to your l yi n g h ea rt ; now kindly go .

Th e neigh bours smell th at so m eth ing i s amiss .

We two will k ee p a dignity i n this ,

S uch a s we can N o qu arrelling with m e h ere

. .

M a ry might s ee ; now g o ; b ut r e c o llect my d e a r , ,

Th at if you twit m e with you r wife you li e ; ,

A n d th at you r fu rth er insult waits a d ay

Wh en God p erm its th at M a ry i s not by ;
I keep th e record of it a nd sh all p ay , .

And a s for M a ry ; l isten : we betray

N o o ne We keep ou r t roth plight as w e m eant
.
-
.

Now g o th e ne ighbou r s gath er
, Lion b ow ed a nd went. .

H om e to h is memo ries for a month of p ain ,

E ach moment like a d e vi l with a tongue ,

U rging h im S et h er free o r Try again
, , ,

O r Kill th at m a n a n d stam p him into d u n g .

S ee her h e c r ied He took h is ho r se and swung
, .

O ut on th e road to h er ; th e r ai n was falli n g ;

Her d r opping hous e e a ve s spl a sh ed him wh en h e knocked th er e
-
,

calling .

D row ne d yellow j a smine d ripped ; h is h orse s anks

S t e am ed and d a r k runnel s on h is y ellow h ai r

,

St reaked th e gro omed su r face into blotchy r anks .

[ 387 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Th e noise of water d r oppi n g lled th e ai r .

He k n ocked agai n ; bu t th ere w as no o n e there ;

N o o ne with in th e d o or wa s locked n o s m oke
, ,

C am e from th e ch im n ey stacks n o clock ticked no one spoke, , .

On ly th e water d ripp ed and d ribble d r ipped -

,

And gu rgled th rough th e r ain pipe to th e butt ; -

D rop s t r ickling down th e window s p aused o r slipped ;

,

A w e t twig sc r ak e d a s though th e glass were cut .

Th e blind s were all d rawn d ow n th e windows sh ut , .

N o one w a s th ere Ac r oss th e road a sh awl

.

Showed at a d oo r a sp ace ; a wo m an gave a call .

Th ey re go ne away sh e cried

, They r e gone away .

.

B een go ne a m atter of a week Wh e r e to ? .

Th e wom an thought to Wales b ut could not say , ,

No r if sh e pl anned retu rning ; no one k n ew .

Sh e looked at Lion sh a rply ; th e n sh e d rew

Th e h alfdoor to its pl ac e a nd p assed with in ,

S ayi n g sh e hoped th e rain would stop a nd sp r i n g b egin .

Lio n r o d e hom e A month went b y and now

.
,

Winte r wa s gone ; th e myri ad shoot s of g r een

B en t to th e wind like h air upo n th e plough
, , ,

And up from with e r ed leaves ca m e cel a n dine .

And su n light came though still th e air w a s keen

, ,

So th at th e r st M a r ch m a rket w as most fai r ,

And Lion ro d e to m a r ket h aving business th ere

, .

And in th e afternoon wh en all w as done

, ,

Wh ile L io n waited i d ly ne a r th e inn ,

Watching th e pigeons sidling i n th e sun ,

[ 388 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

Sa fe in my h ea rt till I could se e th em p aid .

Y ou lied about Sue Jones ; sh e d i ed a m aid

As fa r a s I m concerned an d the r e s you r lie

,

,

F ull i n you r th ro at and th ere and th ere a nd i n you r e y e

, , , .

And th e r e s for S tealing M a ry

a s h e S t ru ck ,

He sl ipped upo n a p iece of p eel a n d d ropped

S ouse i n a p u dd l e of th e cou rtya rd m uck ;
Loud l aughter followed when h e rose up sopped .

F riend s r ush ed to inte rvene th e ght was s topped , .

T h e two w ere h u rried out by d iff erent ways .

M e n s ai d
Ti s stop ped for n ow but not for m any d ays
,

, .

a: a: t:
a a:

Ap r il app e a red th e g r e e n ea rth s i m pul se came

,

,

Push i n g th e si n ging sa p u n til e ach b u d

T re mbl ed with de licat e life a s soft a s am e ,

F illed by th e mighty h e a rt b e at a s with blood ; -

Death wa s at e b b and Life i n b r im m ing ood

, .

B ut littl e j oy i n life could Lion see ,

St ri ving to gi rd his will to se t h is l ov e d o n e fr ee ,

While i n h is h ea rt a hop e st ill st r uggl ed d im

T h at th e m a d hour woul d p ass th e d ark n ess b reak , ,

T h e feve r d i e a nd sh e retu rn to h im
, ,

T h e r out ed nightm a r e let th e sleeper wake .

Then w e co ul d go ab r oa d h e c ried a nd m ak e , ,

A new life soul to soul ; oh love ! retu rn
, , .

Too l ate h is h ea rt r epli e d At l ast h e rod e to le a rn
, . .

B owed b ut alive with hop e h e topped th e p ass

, , ,

And saw below h er cottag e by th e way

, , ,

White i n a gard en green with sp ri n gi n g grass

, ,

[ 39o l
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

An d sm o k e a g ainst th e b l u e sk y going gr e y .

God m ak e u s all th e h ap pier for to d ay -
,

H e mutt e red h umbly ; th en b elow h e spied , , ,

M a ry and M ich a el ent e ring walkin g s i de by side , .

Arm within a rm l i k e lovers like d ea r lovers

, ,

M atched by th e h a ppy sta rs a nd new l y w e d ,

O v er whose lives a r o s y p r e sence hovers .

L io n d ismounted se e ing hop e wa s d e ad

, .

A chil d wa s by th e roa d h e stroked h is h ead

, ,

And Littl e one h e sa id w h o lives below
, ,

Th e re i n th e cottag e th ere wh ere those tw o people go ?
, ,

Th ey do th e chil d sai d pointing : M rs Gray
, , .

Lives i n th e cottag e th e re and h e do e s too

, , .

Th e y ve b een b ack nea r a w ee k since b e i n g away .

It w as b ut seal to wh at h e inly knew .

He th anked th e ch ild and r o d e Th e S pring wa s bl u e .

,

B lu er th an e v er and th e b ird s were gl a d ;

,

S uch raptu re in th e h edges al l th e b lackbi rd s h ad .

He wa s not d ancing to th at pip e of th e Sp ring .

He reach ed The R oughs a nd th ere within h er room

, , ,

B ow ed for a tim e abov e h er w edd i n g ring ,

Wh ich h ad so ch ained h im to unh appy d oom ;

A ll h is d e a d m a r riage h aunted i n th e gloom
O f th at d ese rted ch amb er ; all her th ings
Lay still a s sh e h a d left th em wh en h er love took wings .

He kept a bitt e r vigil th rough th e night ,

K n owi n g his loss his ten y e a r s p assion wa sted

,

,

His life all bla sted e v en at its h eight

, ,

[ 39 1 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Hi s cu p of life s fullm ent h a rdl y tasted

.

Grey o n th e b u dd i n g wood s th e morning h asted ,

And looking out h e saw th e d awn com e ch ill

O v er th e sh aki n g acre p al e with d aff od il .

B ird s were b eginni n g i n th e m eadows ; soon

Th e bl ackb i r d s and th e th rushes with th eir singing
Piped d own the with e r ed h usk th at w as th e m oon ,

And u p th e sk y th e r u dd y sun cam e winging .

Cows plo dded p ast yokes cl anked th e m en w ere b ringing

, ,

M il k from th e b a rton So m eone shouted Hup
. .

Dog d rive them d angy red ones down away o n up
, .

Some h eavy hou rs went by b efore h e rose .

He went out of th e house i n to th e g r ass ,

Down wh ich th e wind owed m uch a s water ows ;

Th e d a ff od ils bow ed d ow n to let it p ass .

At th e b rook s edge a boggy bit th e r e w as

R ight at th e eld s no rth co m e r near th e b r i d g e

, ,

F enced by a ridge of earth ; h e sat upo n th e r i d g e ,

Watch ing th e water r u nn i n g to th e se a ,

Watching th e b ridge th e stile th e p ath b e yo nd

, , ,

Wh ere th e wh ite violet s sweetness b rought th e b ee

.

He pai d th e p rice of being ove r fond .

Th e water b ab bl ed always fro m th e po nd

Ov er th e p retty sh allows ch attering ti n kli n g
, , ,

With tr e mbles from th e sunlight i n its c le am e ss wrinkling .

So gazing lik e o n e stunned it reached h is m i n d

, , ,

Th at th e h e dge b r ambles ove rh ung th e b rook

-

M o re th a n wa s right m a ki n g th e selvage bli nd ;

,

[ 39 2 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

You silly hoth e ad put th at stake away , .

Listen I tell you
, B ut h e could not stay
.

Th e a n g er ami n g in th at pa ssionate soul .

B lows r ai ned upon him th ick ; they stung ; h e l o st control .

Till I f you want to ght h e c ri ed l e t b e
, , , .

Le t m e get off th e b ri d g e and w e will ght .

Th at rm b it by th e q u ag will do fo r m e .

So B e o n gua rd a nd God d e fend th e right

.
, .

Y ou foam ing m a d m a n with you r hell s deligh t ,

,

Sm ash in g a m an with S takes b efore h e speaks :

On gu ard I ll m ak e y o u humbl er for th e next fe w week s
.

.

Th e ground wa s level th ere ; th e d aff od ils

G limm ered a n d d a n ced b eneath th ei r ca utious feet ,

Qu a rtering for openings fo r th e blow th at kills .

B eyo nd th e bubbling b r ook a th ru sh was sweet .

Quickly th e footsteps sli d ; with feint a nd ch eat ,

Th e weapon s poised a nd d a rted a nd withd rew .

N ow st o p it M ich ael s ai d I want to talk to you
, , .

We d o not stop till on e of U S is de a d ,

S aid Lion ru sh ing in A sho rt blow fell

, .

Dizzily th rough all gu a rd on M ich ael s h e ad

, ,

.

His hedging hook slash ed bli nd ly b ut t oo w e ll :

-

I t st r uck in Lion s si d e Then for a sp e ll

.
, ,

B oth sorely stricke n stagger e d wh ile th eir ey e s

, , ,

Dimm e d und er m ists of blood ; th ey fell th ey t ri ed to ris e , ,

Tri e d h a rd to rise b ut could not so th e y lay

, , ,

Watch ing th e cloud s go s ailing o n th e sky ,

Touch ed with a redness from th e end of d ay .

[ 39 4 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LD S

Th e r e wa s al l Ap ril in th e b la ckb ird s cry

.

An d lying th ere th ey felt th e y h ad to d ie ,

Di e a nd go u nd er mould a nd fee l n o more

April s g r een r e of life go running in e arth s co re

.

There wa s no need to h it me M ich ael said ; ,

You q uiet th inking fellows lose control .

Th is ghting busi n ess is a foolish trad e .

And now w e j oin th e grave worm and th e m ole -

.

I tried to stop you You re a crazy soul ;

.

You always were hot h ead ed Well l e t be :

-
.
,

You d eep and p assion at e souls h av e always p uzzl e d m e .

I m s o rry th at I struck you I wa s h it

.

And lashed out b li nd ly at you ; you w ere m a d .

It would b e d iff e r ent if you d stop ped a b it

.

You a re too bli nd wh e n you a re angry lad , .

O h I am gi dd y Lion ; d yi n g b a d
, , , .

Dying H e ra ised h im self h e s at h is look
.
, ,

Gre w g reed y for th e wat e r b ub b l i n g i n th e b rook .

And a s h e watch ed it Lion rais e d his h e ad

,

O ut of a blood ied cl um p of d a ff od il .

M ich a e l h e moa ned I too am d yi n g : d e a d
, , , , .

You re nearer to th e water Coul d you ll

.

Y ou r h at a nd giv e m e d r i n k ? Or would it spill ?

Spill I expect
, I ll t ry s aid M ich a el t ry
.

, ,

I m ay a s well d i e t rying sinc e I h ave to d ie
, .

Slowly h e fo r c ed h i s bo d y s fa iling life
D own to th e water ; th ere h e stooped a nd lled ;
An d a s h is b ack tu rned Lion d rew h is knife ,

[ 39 s ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

And h id it clos e wh ile all his b eing th r ill e d

,

To se e a s M ich a e l cam e th e water sp i lled

, , ,

Ne a rer a nd e v er nea rer b right so b right

, , .

D rink m uttered M ich a e l
,
d rink We tw o sh all sl e ep to
, .

n ight .

He tilted up th e h at and Lion d rank

,
.

Lio n lay still a mo m ent gath ering pow e r , ,

Then rose as M ich ael gave h im m ore a nd sank

, , .

Then lik e a dying bi rd whom d eath m akes tower

, ,

He r aised h i m sel f above th e blood ied ower

And struck with all h is force in M ich ael s s id e
.

You sh o uld not h ave d o ne th at h is stricken com rad e cri e d , .

No ; for I m e a n t to tell y o u Lion ; m ean t ,

To tell you ; b ut I cannot n ow ; I d ie .

Th at h it m e to th e hea rt a nd I am spent .

M a ry a nd I h av e p a rted ; sh e and I
Ag r e e d sh e must retu rn l a d Th at is w h y
, .

I came to se e y ou Sh e i s coming h e r e
.
,

B ack to you r hom e to n ight O h my b eloved d ea r

-
.
, ,

You com e to t re a d a b loody p ath of owers .

Al l the gold owers a re cov ered up with blood ,

And th e b r ight b ugl e s bl ow along th e towers ;

Th e b u g le s t riu m ph like the P lat e i n ood

His spilled life t rickl ed d ow n upo n th e m u d

B etw e en weak clutch ing ngers
, Oh h e cried .
, ,

This isn t wh at we pl a nned h er e yea rs ag o H e d ied . .

Lion l ay still wh il e th e cold tid es of d eath

Ca m e b rim m i n g up h is ch a nne l s With one h and .

He groped to k n ow if M ich ael still d rew b rea th .

[ 396 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

Cutting our tangl e Now th e m urd e r p ast

.
, ,

We a re b ut pitiful poor soul s ; a nd fast

Th e d arkness a n d th e cold com e Kiss me swe e t ; .
,

I lov ed you all my life ; b ut som e lives ne v er m ee t

Though th ey go wan d e ring sid e b y sid e th rough Time .

Kiss m e h e cried Sh e b ent sh e kissed h is b r ow :
, .
,

O h fri end sh e said you re lying i n the sl im e
, , ,
l
.

Th ree blind ones d ear h e m urm u r ed i n th e slough
, , , ,

C aught fast for d e ath ; b ut ne v er mind th at now ;

G o ho m e and tel l my p eopl e I am d yi n g .
,

Dying d ea r d yi n g now
, , He d ied ; sh e left h im lying
.
,

And ki ssed h er d e a d one s h ead a nd crossed th e eld

.

T hey h ave b een kill ed sh e call ed in a great c rying
, , .

Kill ed a nd ou r spirits eyes are all u n sealed

,

.

Th e bloo d is scattered on th e owers d ryi n g .

I t was th e hush of d usk and owl s we r e ying ;

,

They hoot ed as th e O ccl eves ran to b ring

Th at sorry h a rvest h om e fro m Death s red h a rvesting .

They l ai d th e bodies o n t h e b ed togeth er .

And You w ere b eautiful sh e sai d a nd you , ,

Were my own d arli n g i n th e Ap ril weath er .

You k new my very soul you k new you knew , , .

O h my swe e t p iteous love I wa s not t ru e

, , , .

F etch me fair water a nd th e owers of spri n g ;

My lov e is d e a d a nd I m ust d eck h is b urying
,
.

They l eft h er with h er d e a d ; th ey coul d not choose

B ut g r a n t th e spi r it b u rn i n g i n h e r face
R ights th at th eir pity u rg ed them to r efuse .

[ 39 8 ]
 THE DA FFO DIL F I E LDS

They d id h er so rr o w a nd th e d e a d a grace .

A ll night they h ea rd h er p assing footstep s trac e

Down to th e ga rden fro m th e room of death .

Th ey h ea rd h er singing th e r e l owly with gentl e b r e ath

, , ,

T o th e c oo l d arkn e s s full o f sl ee ping owers ,

Then b ack still singing soft w ith q ui e t t read

,
.
, ,

B ut at th e d awn h er singing gath ered powers

Lik e to th e dying swan w h o lifts his h ead
On E astno r l ift s it singing d abbl ed red
, , , ,

Singing th e glo ry in h is tumbling m i nd ,

Before th e doo rs b urst in b e for e d eath strike s h im b lind

, .

So t riu m ph ing her song of love b e ga n ,

R i n gi n g a cross th e m e a d ow s l ike old w oe

Sweetened by poets to th e h e l p of ma n
U nconq uered in etern al ove rth row ;
L ik e a great t ru m pet fr om th e long ago
Her singing towered ; all th e val le y h e a rd .

Men j ingling down to m e ado w stopped thei r team s and stirred .

And th ey th e O ccl ev e s h u rried to th e d oo r

, , ,

And bu rst it fea ri n g ; th ere th e S i n g er l ay

,

D ro o ped at h er lover s b ed si d e o n th e oo r

Singing h er p assionate last of l ife away .

Wh ite owers h ad fallen from a blac k th o m sp ray

O ver her lo o sened h air Pale owers o f sp ring
.

F il led th e whit e r oo m of death ; th e y c o v e red e v e rything .

Prim roses d aff odil s a nd cuckoo ow e rs

, ,
-
.

Sh e bow ed h er singing h ead on M ich a e l s b r e ast .

O h it wa s sweet sh e c ri ed th at lo ve o f ou rs
, , , .

[ 399 ]
 THE DA FFO D I L F I E LDS

You were th e cl e a re st sweet ; I lov ed you b e st

, .

B eloved m y b e lov ed let m e r est

, ,

B y you fo r eve r littl e M ich ael m ine

, .

Now th e g r eat hour is st ricken and th e b re a d and wine

,

B r oken and spilt ; a nd now th e homi n g bi rd s

D r aw to a cove rt M ich ael ; I to you
, .

B u ry U S tw o togethe r ca m e her wo r d s
, .

T h e d ropping petal s fell about th e two .

He r h ea rt h a d b roken ; sh e wa s d ead T h ey d rew .

He r gentl e h ead asi d e ; they fou nd it p r essed

Against th e b r oi dered kerchief spread on Mich ael s b r east

Th e one th at bo re h er nam e in M ich ael s h ai r

Given so long befo r e They let h er lie

.
,

Wh il e th e dim m oon d i ed o u t u pon th e air ,

And h appy su n light colou red all th e sky .

The l ast cock c rowed fo r mo rni n g ; ca rts went by ;

S m oke r os e from cottage ch i m neys ; fro m th e by re
T h e yokes w en t clanking by to d ai ry th rough th e m i r e
, , .

I n th e d ay s noise th e wat er s noise was stilled

,

B ut S till it slipped along th e cold h ill sp r ing

,
-
,

D r oppi n g from lea fy h ollows wh ich it ll ed

, ,

On to th e peb bly sh elves which m a de it sing ;

Glints glittered on it fro m th e sh e r s wi n g ;

It saw th e m oo rh en nesting ; th en it stayed

In a great space of re e d s wh ere m erry otters pl ayed .

Slowl y it l oitered p ast th e shivering reed s

Into a mightier water ; th en c e its cou rse
B ecomes a p astu re wh e r e th e sal m on feeds ,

[ 400 ]
S O NNET S AND OT H ER PO EM S
 Some few of th ese sonnets ap p e a red seri ally i n th e Atlan tic
M on th ly S c r ibn er : M a g azin e H a rp e r : M on thly and ( perh aps )

, , ,

i n one o r tw o othe r p ape r s I th ank th e E d ito r s of th ese papers

for pe rm ission to re p ri n t th em h ere.

J O H N M A S EF I EL D .

London 1 6th D e c 1 9 1 5
, . .
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R P OE M S

E ven aft e r all th ese y e a r s th ere comes th e d rea m

O f lov e li er life th an th is in som e new ea rth ,

I n th e full summ er of th at unea rthly gleam

Wh ich lights th e spi rit wh en th e b r ai n giv e s bi rth ,

O f a pe rfected I in h appy hours

, ,

Tread ing above th e sea th at trem b les there ,

A p ath th rough th ickets of immort al oW e rs

T h at o n ly g row wh ere sorrows ne v er were .

And at a tu rn of comi n g fac e t o face

, ,

With B eauty s sel f th at B e auty I h av e sought

In wo m en s h ea rt s i n friend s i n m a n y a pl ac e

, , ,

In b arren hou r s p assed at g rips with thought ,

B eauty of wo m an com r a de ea rth a nd sea

, , ,

Inca rnate thought come face to face with me .

I f I coul d com e again to th at dea r pla ce

Whe r e o n c e I ca m e wh ere B e auty liv ed and moved
, ,

Wh e r e by th e sea I saw h er face to face

, , ,

Th at soul aliv e by wh ich th e wo r l d h a s lov ed ;

I f as I stood at gaze a m ong th e leaves
, ,

Sh e would appear agai n a s o n c e b efo r e , ,

Wh ile th e r ed h erd sm an gath ered up h is sh eaves

And b ri m m ing waters t rembled u p th e shore ;
I f a s I gaze d h er B e auty th at w as d umb
, , ,

I n th at ol d tim e before I lea rned to speak

, ,

Would lean to m e a nd revel ation com e ,

Wo r ds to th e l ip s and color to th e ch ee k ,

Joy with its sea ring iron wou ld b u rn m e wise

-
,

I sh ould k n ow all ; all p owers all mysteries , .

M en a r e m a de h um an by th e mighty fall
Th e m ighty passion l ed to th ese re m a i n , .

[ 406 ]
 S ONNET S

Th e d e sp o t at th e l ast a ssaulted wall

, ,

By long disast e r i s m a d e m a n again ,

Th e fa ith ful foo l w h o follows th e torn ag ,

Th e wom an m arch in g by th e b eaten m an ,

M ak e with thei r t ruth atonement fo r th e b ra g ,

And earn a pity for th e too p roud pl an .

F o r in disa ster in th e rui ned wil l

, ,

I n th e soil ed sh red s of wh at th e b r ai n co n c e iv ed ,

S o m e thing abov e th e wreck is steady still ,

B ri g h t abov e all th at ca nn ot b e ret ri eved ,

Grandeu r of s oul a touch ing of th e sta r

,

Th at g oo d d ays c o v e r b ut by wh ich w e a r e .

Her e i n th e sel f is all th at m an ca n know

O f B ea uty all th e wonder a l l th e power
, , ,

All th e unea rthly col o r all th e glow , ,

Here i n th e sel f wh ich with ers like a ower ;

Her e in th e sel f wh ich fades as hours p ass ,

And d roop s and dies a n d r o ts and i s forgotten ,

S oon e r b y ages th an th e m irro ring gl ass

, ,

I n which it se e s its gl o ry still unrotten .

Here in th e esh with in th e esh b eh ind

, , ,

Swift in th e b loo d and th robb ing o n th e bo ne ,

B eauty h erself th e universal mind

, ,

E ternal Ap r il w a n d er i n g alone .

Th e go d th e holy ghost th e atoning lord

, , ,

H e r e in th e e sh th e never y e t explored
, .

F l e sh I h ave kn o cked at m a n y a d usty d oo r

, ,

Gone down full m a n y a wi nd y mid n ight l ane ,

Pro b e d in old walls a nd felt along th e oo r ,

Pressed i n b lind hope th e lighted window p ane -

.

[ 407 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT HER POE M S

B ut us e less all th ough sometim es wh en th e m oo n

, ,

Wa s full in h eaven and th e se a w as full ,

Along my body s alleys cam e a tune

Played in th e t avern by th e B eautiful .

Then for an insta nt I h av e fel t at point

To nd and seize h er w h o so e e r sh e b e , ,

Wh eth er s om e saint whose glo ry does n ot an o int

Those whom sh e lov e s o r b ut a p a rt of m e , ,

Or someth ing th at th e th ings not understoo d

M ak e for their us e s o ut of esh and bloo d .

B ut all h as p ass e d th e tu ne h as d i ed away

, ,

The glamou r gone th e glo ry ; i s it ch ance ?

,

I s th e unfeeling mu d stabbed by a ray

C ast by an unseen splendo r s great advance ?

O r does th e glory gath er c rumb by c rumb

U nseen with in a s co r al isl and s ri se
, , ,

Till s udd en ly th e appa ritions com e

Above th e surface looking at th e skies ? ,

O r does sweet B eauty dwell i n lov e ly th ings ,

Scattering th e holy h intings of her n am e

In wo m en in d ea r friend s in owe r s in sp ri n gs
, , , ,

I n the b rook s voice for u s to catch th e same ? ,

Or is it w e w h o a r e B eauty w e w h o ask , ,

We by wh o s e gl e am s th e wo r l d fulls it s task ?

Thes e myri ad d ays th e se ma n y thousand hours

, ,

A m an s lo n g life so choked with d usty things
, ,

How little perfect poise with perfect powe r s ,

Joy at th e hea rt and B eauty at th e sp ri n gs .

On e hou r or tw o or th r ee i n long yea r s scatte r ed

, , , ,

S pa r ks from a smithy th at h ave red a th atch ,

[ 408 ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H ER P OE M S

Th en bli nd a nd d a r k in heaven the sun p roceeds ,

V ast dead a nd hi de o us k n ocki n g on his moons

, , ,

Till crash i n g o n h is like c r eation b reed s ,

Striking such life a constellation swoo n s .

F rom de a d th ings st r iking re a new su n sp rings ,

New re ne w life new planets with new wi ngs

, , .

I t m ay b e so with u s th at in th e d ark
, ,

Wh e n we h av e d o ne with Ti m e a nd wa nder S p ace ,

So m e meeti n g of th e bli nd m ay st r ike a sp a rk ,

And to D e ath s e m pty m a n sion give a grace

'

I t m ay b e th at th e loos ened soul m ay nd

,

Som e new d elight of living without li m bs ,

Bod iless j oy of e sh u n t r a m m el led m ind

-
,

Peace like a sky wh e r e sta rlike spi r it s w i m s .

It m ay be th at th e m illion cells of sense

, ,

Loosed from th ei r seventy yea rs a d h e sio n p ass

E ach to so m e j oy of ch a n ged experience ,

Weight i n th e e a rth o r glo ry i n th e g r ass ;

I t m ay b e th at w e c e as e ; we ca nn ot tell .

E ven if w e cease life is a m iracle .

M a n h as h is u n s een fr iend h i s unseen twin, ,

Hi s st r aite n ed S pi r it s possibility

T h e p al ace unexplored he th i n ks a n i nn ,

T h e glo r iou s ga r den wh ich h e wa n d e r s by .

It is besid e u s wh ile we clutch at clay

T o d aub ou rselves th at w e m ay n ever see .

Like th e la m e donkey lured by m oving h ay

We ch ase th e sh ade b ut let th e re al b e .

Yet wh e n confusion i n o u r h eaven b r ings st ress

, ,

We th r ust o n th at u n s een get statu re from it

, ,

[ 41 0 ]
 S O NN E T S

Cast t o th e d evil s ch allenge th e m an s yes

And stream ou r e ry hou r lik e a comet ,

And know fo r th at erce hour a fr iend b e hi nd ,

With sword and sh ield th e s e co nd to th e m ind

,
.

Wh at am I Life ? A th ing of watery salt

,

Held i n cohesion by unresti n g cells ,

Wh ich wo r k th ey know not w h y wh ich never h alt , ,

Mysel f unwitting wh e r e th ei r M a ster dwells .

I do not bi d them yet th e y toil th ey spi n ;

, ,

A world wh ich u ses m e a s I u se them ,

No r do I know wh ich end or wh ich begin

Nor wh ich to p raise wh ich p amper wh ich co nde m n
, , .

So lik e a m a rv e l in a m a rvel set

, ,

I answer to th e vast as wav e by wa ve

,

Th e se a of a i r goes over d ry or w e t, ,

O r th e full moon co m es swi m m i n g from her cave ,

Or th e great su n comes n o rth th is myriad I ,

Tingles not kn owing h ow yet wondering w h y

, , .

I f I could g e t withi n th is ch angi n g I ,

Th is ever alt e ring th ing wh ich yet persists ,

K ee pi n g th e featu res it is recko n ed by ,

Wh ile e ach compo n ent a tom b r eaks o r twists ,

I f wanderi n g p ast st r ange groups of sh ifting form s

, ,

Cells at th ei r h idd e n m a rvel s h a rd at wo r k ,

Pal e from m uch toil o r red from sudden sto r m s

, ,

I migh t attai n to wh e re th e R ul er s lu r k .

I f p ressing p a st th e gua rd s i n those g r ey gates

, ,

The b rain s m ost fold ed intertwisted shell

,

I m ight attain to th at wh ich alt er s fates ,

Th e King th e sup re m e self th e M aster Cell

, , ,

[ 41 1 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

The n on M an s ea rthly peak I m ight behold

,

,

Th e u n ea rthly self b e yo nd u n guessed u n tol d, , .

Wh at is th is atom wh ich co n tai n s th e wh ole ,

Th is m i r acle wh ich need s adj uncts so st r a n ge ,

T h is wh ich imagi ned God a nd is th e soul

, ,

The steady sta r p e r sisti n g ami d ch a n ge ?

Wh at waste th at s m allness of such power should need
,

Such clu m sy tool s so e asy to dest r oy ,

Su ch wasteful servants d i f cult to feed ,

S uch i n d irect d a r k avenues to j oy .

Why if its b usi n ess is not m a in ly e a rth

, ,

S hould it de ma nd such h e a vy ch ain s to se n se ?

A h e av en ly th i n g d e m ands a swifter b irth ,

A qu icker h a n d to act i n tellige n ce .

An ea rthly th i n g w ere better l ike the r ose

At peace with clay fro m wh ich its beauty g rows .

Ah w e a r e neith er heaven nor earth b ut m en ;

, ,

So m ething th at uses and d espises both ,

Th at takes its ea rth s co n te n t m e n t i n th e p en

Then sees th e wo r ld s i n j u stice a n d is w r oth

And i n ging off youth s h appy p ro m ise ies

U p to so m e b r each despisi n g e a rthly th ings

, ,

And i n contem pt of hell a n d h e av en d ies

, , ,

R ather th an bea r so m e yoke of p r iests or kings .

O ur j oys a re not of heaven nor ea rth but m a n s ,

,

A wo m an s beauty or a ch ild s delight
,

T he t re mbli n g bloo d when th e d iscove re r sca n s

T he sought fo r wo r ld th e guessed at sate llite ;
-
,
-

The r i n gi n g scene th e stone at point to blush

,

F o r unborn m en to look at and say Hush .

I4 1 2 ]
 S ONN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

Without th e thought Th i s living bea uty h ere
I s ea rth s reme m bra n ce of a b e auty d ead

.

S u r ely w h e r e all th is glory is d isplayed

Love h as been quick like re to h igh end s , , ,

H e re i n th is grass a n altar h as b een m a d e

, ,

F or som e wh ite j oy so m e s acrice of friend s ;

,

H ere wh ere I stand som e l e ap of h u m an b rains

, ,

Has tou ch ed i m mo rtal th ings a nd left its trace ,

Th e ea rth is h appy h ere th e gleam re m ains ; ,

B eauty is h e r e th e spi rit o f th e pl ace

, ,

I touch th e faith wh ich noth ing ca n de st r oy ,

Th e ea rth th e l ivi n g ch u rch of ancient j oy
, .

O ut of th e cloud s com e to rr ents from th e ea rth ,

F i r e a n d quakings from th e sh r ieki n g ai r

,

Tem pest s th at h a r ry h al f th e pl anet s gi rth

.

Death s u n s een s eed s a re scattered everywhere

.

Yet i n h i s i r o n cage th e m i n d of m an
M e a su r es and b r aves th e t e rrors of all th ese ,

Th e blind est fu ry a n d th e subtl est pl a n

He tu rn s o r ta m es or show s in th ei r d eg r ees
, , .

Yet it h im self a r e forces of like power ,

U n tam ed unreckoned ; seeds th at b rain to b r ain

,

Pass a cross ocea n s b r inging th ought to owe r ,

New wo rld s n ew selves wh ere h e can liv e agai n

, , ,

E te rnal b eauty s eve rl asti n g rose

Wh ich casts th i s wo rl d a s sh adow a s it goes .

O little sel f with in whose smallness lies

,

All th at m an w a s and is and will b e com e

, , ,

A tom u n s een th at com preh end s th e skies

[ 414 ]
 S O NN E T S

A n d t e ll s th e t rack s b y wh ich the pl an e t s ro am .

Th at without m o ving knows th e j oys of wi n gs

, , ,

Th e tiger s str e ngth th e eagl e s secrecy
,

,

An d in the h ovel ca n consort with kings ,

Or cloth e a god with h is own myste ry .

0 with wh at d arkness d o w e cloa k thy light ,

Wh at d usty folly gath er th ee for fo o d ,

Thou wh o alone a rt k n ow led g e a nd d elight ,

Th e he av en ly b re a d th e b eautiful th e good
, , .

0 livi n g self 0 god 0 mo rn i n g sta r

, , ,

Giv e u s thy light forgiv e u s wh at w e a r e

, .

I went into th e el ds b ut you w e re th ere

,

Waiting for m e so all th e sum mer owers

,

Were only glim p ses of you r starry powe rs ,

B eautiful and inspired d u st th ey were .

I w en t down by th e waters and a bi rd ,

S ang with y o ur voice i n all th e unknown t o n e s

O f all th at self of you I h av e not h e a rd ,

S o th at my being fe lt you to th e bones .

I w en t i n to my house a nd shut th e d oo r
,

To b e a l o ne b ut you w ere there with me ;

,

All b e auty i n a little room m ay b e

Though th e roof lean and m uddy b e th e oo r .

Then in my b ed I bou nd my tired eyes

To m ake a d a rkness for m y wea ry b r ain ,

B ut like a p res e nce you were th ere agai n ,

B eing and re a l b eautiful and wi se

, ,

S o th at I coul d not sl ee p a nd c ri ed alou d ,

You st range grave thi n g wh at i s it you woul d say ?
,

The redness of you r d e a r lip s d imm ed to grey ,

Th e waters e bb e d th e m o on h id in a clou d
, .

[ 41 5 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POEM S

T h e r e a re tw o form s of life of wh ich one moves, ,

S eeking its meat in ma n y form s of Death ,

On scales o n wi n gs on all th e my r iad h ooves

, ,

Which sta m p ea rth s exultatio n i n q u i c k b r eath

.

I t r ustles th r ough th e r eed s i n sh ive r i n g fowl ,

C r ies ov er m oo r s i n cu r lew glitte r s g reen ,

I n th e lynx eye i s fea rful in th e b ow l

,

O f wi n ter bitte n wolv e s whose anks a r e lean

-
.

I t takes d umb j oy i n cattle it is erce , ,

I t tort s th e tige r s loi n th e eagl e s wi n gs

,

,

Its tool s a r e cl aws to s m ite and teeth to pierce ,

Ar m s to d e st r oy a nd coil s a nd poiso n sti n gs ;

, ,

Wh ereve r e a rth i s quick and life ru n s r ed

It s ma r k i s d e ath its m e at is someth i n g de a d
, .

Restl ess a nd h u n g ry still it m oves and sl ays

,

F eedi n g its b e auty o n de a d beauty s bo ne s

Most m er cil e ss i n all its million ways ,

I ts b r eath fo r si n gi n g bought by dyi n g groans ,

R ovi n g so fa r with such a zest to kill

( Its st r ongness add i n g h unge r) th at at l a st
Its cells attai n beyo n d th e cruel skill
T o wh e r e life s ea rliest impuls e s a re p a st

.

T he n this c r eatio n of th e li n k ed l usts ,

To mov e and eat still u nder th ei r control

, ,

Hunts fo r h is p re y in thought h is th i n ki n g th ru sts,

T h r ough th e u n t r od den j ungl e of th e soul ,

Th rough slip a nd quag m o r as ses d r ippi n g g r ee n

, ,

S eeking th e thing supposed b ut ne v er seen .

How m a n y ways how m a n y d iffe r e n t t i m es

,

Th e tiger M ind h a s cl utch ed at wh at it sought ,

[ 41 6 ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R P OE M S

Does rocking d a ff odil consent th at sh e ,

T h e snowdrop of wet winte r s sh all b e rst ? ,

Does spotted cowslip with th e g r ass agree

To hold h er p r id e b efo r e th e r attle bu rst ?
And i n th e h edge wh at q uick agreement goes ,

When h awthorn blossom s r edden to d ecay ,

Th at Su m me r s p rid e sh all co m e th e S ummer s rose

, ,

B e fo re th e ow er b e on th e b r ambl e sp ray ?
O r i s it a s with u s unresti n g st r ife
, , ,

And ea ch consent a l ucky gasp for life ?

B eauty let b e ; I cannot se e you r fac e

, ,

I sh all not know you now n or touch you r fee t , ,

On ly w ith i n m e t r emble to you r g r ace

Tasting thi s c ru m b vouch safed wh ich is so sweet .

E ven wh en th e full leaved S ummer bo re n o fr uit

-
,

You give m e th is th is appl e of m an s t r ee ;

,

Thi s pl anet si n gs wh en oth er sph eres were m ute ,

T his ligh t b egins wh en d a r kness cov ered m e .

N ow though I k n ow th at I sh all never k n ow

,

All th r ough my fault nor bl azon w ith my pen

, ,

T h at p ath p r ep ared where o n ly I could go ,

Still I h ave this n ot given to oth e r m e n

, , .

B eauty thi s grace th is sp ri n g th is give n b r ead

, , , ,

This life th is d awn thi s wak en i n g from th e de a d

, , .

Here wh ere w e S tood togeth er w e th ree m en

, , ,

B efore th e w a r h ad swept u s to th e E a st
Th re e thousand mil e s away I sta n d again ,

And h ea r th e bells a n d b reath e a n d go to fea st

, , .

We trod th e s am e p ath to th e sel f same plac e ,

-
,

Yet h ere I stand h aving beh eld th e ir graves

, ,

[ 41 8 1
 S O NNE T S

Skyros wh o s e sh adows the great s e as era s e ,

An d Sedd ul B ah r th at ever mo r e bloo d crav e s .

So since w e comm u ned h e r e ou r bon e s h av e been

, ,

Nearer pe rh aps th a n th ey again will be

, , ,

E a rth and th e world wid e b attle li e betw een -

,

D e ath l ies b etween and fr iend d est royi n g sea

,
-
.

Y e t her e a y ear ago w e talked and stood

, ,

As I s t an d n ow with p ulses b eating blood

, .

I saw h er lik e a sh adow o n th e sk y

I n th e last light a blu r upo n th e se a
, ,

Th e n th e gal e s d a rkness p ut th e sh adow by ,

B ut from on e grave th at island talk ed to m e ;

And in th e m idnight i n th e b reaking sto r m
, , ,

I saw its bl ackness a nd a blinking light ,

And thought So d eath ob scu re s you r gentle fo r m
, ,

So memory S t riv e s to m ake th e d arkness b right ;

And in th at h eap of rocks your bo d y lies
, , ,

Pa rt of th e isl and till th e pla ne t end s ,

My g en tl e com r a d e beautiful a nd wise , ,

Pa rt of th i s crag th is b itte r su rge off ends ,

Wh ile I w h o p ass a little O bscu r e th i n g

, , ,

W ar with th is forc e and b reathe and am its king
, , .

Not th at th e stars a re all gone m a d i n h eaven

Plucking th e unseen reins U po n m en s souls

Not th at th e l aw th at bou nd th e planets seven

I s d iscord n ow ; m a n p robes for new co n trols .

H e b end s n o lo n g er to th e circling stars ,

New moon and full moon a n d th e living su n ,

Love m aking Ven us Jov e a nd bloody M a rs

-
,

P ass fro m th eir th rones thei r rule of h im is don e , .

[ 41 9 ]
 S ONN E T S AND O T HER POE M S

And paler god s ma d e liker m en a re p ast

, , ,

Like th ei r sick er as to thei r funeral u rn s ,

T h ey cannot stand th e r e blown by th e bl ast

I n wh ich m an s soul th at measu res h eaven b u rn s

.

M an i n h is cage of m any m illioned p ai n

B u rns all to ash to p rove i f God rem ain .

Th e re i s no G o d a s I was taught i n yout h

, ,

Though each acco rd i n g to h is stature build s

, ,

Some covered sh rine for wh at h e th i n ks th e truth ,

Wh ich d ay by d ay his red dest hea rt blood gild s -

.

Th ere is no God ; but death th e clasping se a , ,

I n wh ich w e mov e like sh d ee p ov er d eep ,

M ad e of m en s souls th at bod i e s h av e se t fr ee

,

F lood s to a Justice though it seem s a sleep .

Th e re is n o God b ut still b e hi nd th e v e il
, , ,

Th e h u rt thing works out of its ago n y, .

Still l ike a touch ing o f a b rimm ing G r a il

, ,

R etu rn th e p enn i e s given to p assers by .

Th ere is no God b ut w e wh o b reath e th e a i r

, , ,

Are God ourselv e s and touch God everyw h ere .

B e auty retires ; th e bloo d out of th e e a rth

Sh rinks th e stalk d ries lifeless Nove m b er still
, ,

Drop s th e b rown h usk of Ap ril s greenest bi rth

.

Th rough th e th i nned b eech clum p I c an s ee th e hill .

So w ith ers m an and though h is life renews

,

I n Ap rils of th e soul an a utumn comes

,

Wh ich gives an end not respite to th e th ew s

, ,

T h at bo re h is soul th rough th e wo r ld s m a rtyrdom s

.

Then all th e b eauty will b e out of mi nd ,

Pa rt o f m an s store th at l ies outsid e his b r ai n

, ,

[ 42 0 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

Wh ere in th e lo ne ly silence I may w ai t

T h e p r ayed for gleam your h and upo n th e gate
- .

O ut of th e ba rr acks to th e castl e ya rd
Those R o m an sold iers came b uckli n g th ei r gea r ; ,

T h e wo r d wa s p a ssed th at th ey were prison gua rd ;

T h e s erg e a n t p rov ed thei r d r essi n g with h is spea r .

T hen a s th e p r iso n e r ca m e a w r etch w h o bl ed

, ,

Holdi n g a c ross th ose nea rest cursed h is soul :

,

He m ight h ave d i ed so m e othe r ti m e th ey said , ,

Not at h igh noo n : th e s er g e a n t call ed th e r oll .

T hen slopi n g spea r s th e les p a ssed fro m the cou r t

, ,

I n to th e alleys th r usti n g b ack th e c r ow d

, ,

T hey cu rsed the bleed i n g m an for steppi n g sh ort ;

T h e d r ums b e at ti m e : th e se rgeant h um m ed aloud ;
T h e r abble clos ed b eh i n d : th e sold iers cu r sed
Th e p riso n e r s soul th e ies th eir p acks th ei r th i r st

, , ,
.

N ot for th e anguish su ff ered is th e slur ,

Not fo r th e wo m e n s mocks th e t aunts of m en

, ,

No but b ecau se you n e v er welco m ed h er

, ,

Her of whose bea uty I am o n ly th e p en .

T h ere was a dog d og mi nded with dog s eyes

,
-
,

Dam n ed by a dog s b r ut e n atu re to b e t r ue

-
,

So m eth ing w ith in h er m ad e h is spi r it wise ,

He lick ed h er h and h e k n ew he r not so you

, , .

Wh en all ad ulterate b e auty h as gone by ,

Wh e n all i n a n imat e m atter h a s go n e d own ,

We will a r ise and walk th at d og a nd I , ,

T he o n ly two w h o knew h e r in th e town ,

We ll range the pleasa n t m ou n tai n s sid e by si d e ,

Seeking th e blood stained owe r s wh e r e Ch rists h ave d ied

-
.

[ 422 1
 S ONN E T S

B e a uty w as with m e once b ut now g row n o ld , , ,

I cann o t h ea r nor se e h er : th us a ki n g
In th e high tu r r et kept him from th e col d
O ver th e re with h is magic ri n g
Wh ich as h e w rought m ade p ictu res com e a n d go
, ,

O f m en a nd times pa st p resent and to b e

, , , ,

Now like a s m oke now ame like n ow a glow

,
-
, ,

Now de a d now b r ight but always fantasy

, , .

Wh ile o n th e stair w ithout a faith ful slave

, ,

Stabbed to th e death crawled bleeding wh ispering S i r
, , ,

They com e to kill you y : I com e to s ave ;

,

O you great god s h av e p ity l e t h im h ea r
, , .

Then with h is l ast strength tapped a nd m uttered S ire
, , ,

Wh ile th e king smiled a nd d rowsed abov e th e re .

So b e auty co m es so with a failing h a nd

,

She knocks and cries a nd fails to m ake m e h e a r

, ,

Sh e who tells futu res in th e falli n g sand

And still b y signs m akes h i dd en meanings cl e a r ;
, ,

She w h o b eh ind th is m any p e opl ed smoke

, ,

Moves i n th e light a n d st r uggles to d i re ct ,

Th rough th e d e af e a r a nd by th e b a f ed st roke ,

The wicked ma n th e h ono r ed a rch itect

, .

Yet at a d awn b e fore th e bi rd s b e gi n ,

I n d ream s a s th e ho r se stam ps a nd th e hou nd sti r s

, ,

Sleep slips th e bolt and beauty enters in

Crying aloud those h u r r ied wo rd s of h e r s ,

And I awake a nd i n th e b i rded d awn

, ,

Know h er for Queen and own myself a p awn .

I f B eauty b e at all if b e yo nd sense

, , ,

The r e b e a wisdo m piercing into b rains ,

[ 423 1
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

Why should th e glo ry wa it o n im potence ,

B i d i n g its time till blood is in th e veins ?

There i s no beauty b ut when thought is quick
, ,

O ut of th e noisy sick room of ourselves ,

Som e attery com es to t ry to ch eat th e sick ,

Some d rowsy d r ug is groped for o n th e sh elves ,

A nd fo r th e r est w e play u pon a sce n e

, ,

B eautiful with th e bloo d of l ivi n g th i n gs ;

We mov e and sp e a k a n d wonde r and h ave been ,

U pon the d ust as d ust not queens a n d ki n gs ;

,

We k n ow no b e auty n o r does beauty ca re ,

F or u s th is d ust th at m en m ake everywh ere

, , .

E a ch greedy self by co n secrating lu st

, ,

Desi r e p ricking i n to s acrice ,

Add s i n h is way so m e glo ry to th e d ust

, , ,

B ri n gs to th e light some h aze of P a r a d is e

, , ,

Hungers a nd th i r sts fo r beauty ; lik e th e bo u n d

Snap s it to eat alo ne ; i n secret keeps
,

His m iser s p atch of consec r ated g round
Wh e r e beauty s coins are d ug d own to th e d eeps

.

So w hen d istu r bi n g death d igs up o u r lives ,

So m e little glea m among th e b rok en soil

M ay witness fo r us a s th e shovel rives
The d irty h eap of all ou r tiny toil ;
So m e gleam of you m ay mak e th e d igger hold ,

Touched for a n insta n t with the thought of gold .

Ti m e b e i n g an insta n t i n e t ern ity ,

B e auty above m a n s millio n y e a r s m ust se e

T h e h eaped co r rupted m ass th at h a d to d i e ,

Th e h usk of m a n th at set th e glitte r fr ee ;

[ 4 24 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R P OE M S

Th e tr e nch ing m a ll and d rove th e nails with i t .

One who was weeping went a p a rt a nd shook .

Th en one He p romis ed th at i n th ree sh ort d ays
,

He would retu rn oh G o d ; b ut He is d e a d
, .

An d o ne W h at w as it th at He m e a n t to raise ?
,

Th e Tem pl e ? No ? W h at w as it th at He said ?

He s ai d th at He would buil d ? Th at He woul d rise ?

No answered one b ut com e fr om Parad ise
, , .

Com e to u s ery with th e s aints of God

To j udge th e wo r l d and tak e His power and reign .

Then on e Th is wa s th e very road w e t ro d
.

Th at Apri l d ay woul d it could com e again ;

,

Th e d ay th e y ung th e owers Le t b e s aid one .
, ,

He wa s a lovely soul b ut wh at He m eant ,

Passes ou r w i t fo r none among us none

, , ,

Had b rains e nough to fatho m His intent .

His moth er d id n ot n o r coul d o ne of u s

, ,

B ut whil e He spoke I fe lt I unde r stood .

An d one ,He knew th at it would n ish th us .

Let His thought b e I know th at He w as good

, .

Th ere is th e orch ard see th e v e ry sam e ,

Wh ere we w ere sleep ing wh en th e sol d i er s cam e .

So fr om th e c r u e l c r oss th ey b u r i ed G o d ;
So i n th ei r d esol atio n a s th ey w en t
, ,

Th ey d ug h im d eeper with e ach step th ey trod ,

Th eir l ightless m ind s d ist o rting wh at He m e a n t .

L am en ti n g Him thei r lead e r w h o h a d d i ed

, , ,

Th ey h e ap ed th e stones th ey roll e d th e h eavy d o or ;

,

Th ey said O u r glory h a s b een cruci e d
, ,

U nless He rise our glory will b e o er

[ 4 26 1
 S O NN E T S

Wh il e i n th e g r av e th e spirit left th e corp s e

B roken by tortu r e slowly line by li ne
, , ,

An d saw th e d aw n com e on th e eastern thorp e s ,

And shook h is wings and s ang in th e d ivine ,

Crying I tol d th e t ruth e v en u n to d eath , ,

Though I w as ea rth a nd n ow a m o n ly b reath .

I f a ll b e gov erned b y th e movi n g sta rs ,

I f passing planets b ring events to be ,

Sea r i n g th e face of Tim e with b loody sca rs ,

D r awi n g men s souls e v en a s th e moon th e se a ;

I f a s th ey p ass th ey m ak e a cu rre nt p ass

Across m an s life a nd h e a p it to a tide

,

W e a re but p awns ignobler th an th e grass

,

Cropped by th e b ea st and crunched a nd tossed asid e .

I s all th is b e auty th at do e s i n habit h e aven

Trail of a planet s re ? I s all th is l ust

A chymic m eans by wa r r ing sta rs c on t rive n

To b ri n g th e violets out of Ca sa r s d ust ?

B etter b e gra ss o r in so m e hedge u n k n ow n

,

Th e S pilling ros e whos e beauty i s its own .

I n em ptiest furth est h eaven wh e r e n o sta rs a r e

Perh aps som e pla n et of ou r m a ster su n
Still rolls a n unguessed orb it r ou nd its sta r
U nthought u n seen unknown of a n y o n e
, , .

R ovi n g d e a d sp ace acco rd i n g to its law

Casti n g o u r light on b urnt out suns and bli nd -

Singing in th e frozen void its word of awe

O n e wande r i n g thought i n all th at id iot mi nd .

And i n som e S p a n of m a n y a th ousand yea r

, ,

Pa ssing th ro ugh h eav e n its inuenc e m a y a rous e

,

[ 42 7 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

B e auty unguessed i n those w h o h abit he r e ,

And m e n m ay rise with glory on th ei r b row s ,

And feel new life like r e a n d see the old ,

F all from th em d e a d th e b ronze s b rok en moul d

,

.

Pe rh ap s i n ch as m s of th e wa sted p ast ,

T h at pl anet wa ndered with i n h ail of ou r s ,

An d pl ucked m en s souls to loveliness and cast

Th e old th at was away like h u sks of owe r s ;

, , ,

And ma d e th e m stand e r ect and b a d e th e m build

Noble r th an h ovels plaited i n th e mi re ,

G av e th em a n alt a r and a god to gild ,

B ri d l ed th e b r ooks fo r t h e m and fette r ed re ;

A n d i n a n oth er comi n g fo rg ed th e steel
, ,

Wh ich o n life s sca rlet wax foreve r se t

,

,

L o n gi n g for b e auty bitten a s a seal

Th a t blood not clogs nor centu ries fo rget ,

Th at built Atl antis and in ti m e will r aise

, ,

T h at g r ander th ing wh ose im age h aunts ou r d ays .

F o r lik e an outcast fr om th e city I

, ,

Wande r th e d esert st r ewn with t r avelle r s bo ne s

,

H avi n g n o co m r ad e b ut th e sta r ry sky

Where th e tu n ed pl a ne ts rid e th ei r oati n g th ro n es .

I p ass old ruins wh e r e th e kings ca rou sed

In cups lo n g sh a r d s from vi n es lo n g since d e cay ed ,

I t r ead th e b roken b rick wh ere queens we r e housed

In b eauty s tim e e r e b eauty wa s bet r ayed ;

A n d i n th e cea seless pitti n g of th e sand

On m onolith a nd pyl e I se e th e d awn , ,

M aking th ose skeleto n s of b e auty g r and

B y re th at co m es a s d a r k n ess is with d r a w n ;
[ 42 8 ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

Th ey cal led th at b roken hedge Th e Haunted Gate .

S t range res ( they said ) b u rnt the r e at m oo n less ti m es .

E vil wa s there m en never w en t the r e l ate

, ,

Th e d arkness the r e w a s quick with th reatened cri m es .

An d th en o ne digging i n th at bloodied cl ay
F ound but a foot b elow a r otted chest
, , .

Coins of th e R om ans tray on r usted tray, ,

Hu rri e dly h eaped there by a digge r p r est .

So th at one knew how centu ries b efore , ,

S ome R oman ying from th e sack by night ,

D iggi n g in terror th ere to hid e h is store ,

S w eati n g his p ick by windy l antern light

, ,

H ad stamped his an guish on th at pl ace s soul

So th at it knew a nd could reh ea rse th e whol e .

The r e wa s a n evil in th e n o d d i n g woo d

Above th e qu a r ry long si n ce overgrown ,

Someth i n g wh ich sta m ped it as a pl ac e of bloo d

Wh e r e tortu red spi rit cri ed from m u r de r ed bo n e .

Th e n a fte r yea rs I saw a r usty knife

, ,

Stuck in a wom a n s skull j ust a s twas fou nd , ,

Bla c k t with a centu ried c ru st of clotted life ,

I n th e red clay of th a t unholy g rou nd .

So th at I knew th e u n h appy th i n g h ad spoken ,

Th at tonguel ess th ing for whom th e qu a r ry spoke ,

Th e evil seals of m u rder h a d b een b rok en

By th e red ea rth th e gra ss th e rooted oak
, , ,

Th e i n a rticul ate de a d h ad fo r c ed th e sp ad e ,

Th e h a nd th e mi nd till mu rder wa s displ ayed

, , .

Go sp e nd you r p enn y B eauty wh en you will

, , , ,

In th e grave s d a rkness let th e sta m p b e lost .

Th e water still will b ubb le fr om th e h ill ,

l43o l
 S ONN E T S

And Ap r il quick th e m eadows with her ghost ;

O ver th e gra ss th e d aff od il s will sh ive r,

Th e p rim roses with th eir pal e b e auty abound ,

The bla ckb i rd b e a lover and mak e quiver

With his glad si n ging th e gr e at soul o f th e ground ;
So th at if th e bo d y rot it will not m atte r ;
,

U p i n th e ea rth th e grea t gam e will go o n

,

Th e coming of Sp ring and th e running o f th e wate r ,

And the young th ings gl ad of th e wom b s d a r kness go n e ;

And th e j oy w e felt will b e a p a rt of th e glo ry

I n th e lover s kiss th at m ak e s th e old C oupl e s s to ry

.

Not for you r h um an beauty nor th e powe r

To S h ake m e by you r voice or by you r touch ,

Summer m u st h ave its rose th e rose m ust ower

, ,

B e auty b u rn d ee p I do not yield t o such

, .

N o b ut b ecause you r b eauty wh e re i t fall s

,

Lays b a re th e spi rit s in th e crowd ed streets ,

Sh atte r s th e lock d estroys th e castl e walls

, ,

B reaks d own th e b ars till friend with co m rad e meets ,

So th at I w a nder b r ai n s wh e r e b e auty d w e ll ed
I n long d ead tim e and see agai n th e rose
,

B y long de a d m en for l iving b eauty h e l d ,

Th at Death s knife sp a r es and Winter with h i s snows
, ,

And know it bloodied by th at p ul s e of b i rth

Which green s th e gras s i n Aprils U p o n ea rth .

Th e littl e r ob i n hopping i n th e wood

D r aws fr iend sh ip from you th e rapt nighti n gal e
,

M aking th e night a m a rvellou s solitud e ,

O nly of you to d a r kness tell s th e tal e .

[ 43 1 ]
 S ONN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

a re b ut j ew el s o n you r d r ess
K in g sh e rs ,

D u n d eer th at rove a n d timid r abbits shy

Are b ut th e hintings of you r gentleness .

U po n you r wi n gs th e eagl e cl imb s th e sky .

F ish th at a re sh adows i n th e wate r pa ss

With myste ry fro m you th e pu rpl ed moth ,

D ust fr o m you r ki rtl e on hi s b roide ry h as

,

O ut of you r bou n ty eve ry b e auty owth .

F o r you a re all all re all livi n g form

, , ,

M a rvel i n m a n a nd glory in th e worm .

Though in l ife s st r eet s th e te m pti n g shops h av e l ured

,

Because all beauty howsoever b a se , ,

I s vision of you m a rred I h av e end u red

, ,

Te m pted o r fall n to look U pon you r face

, .

N ow th rough th e g ri n n i n g death s h e a d in th e paint

With in th e t ave m song h id in th e wine

-
, ,

I n m an y kind ed m a n e m pe r or and saint

, ,

I see you p a ss you b r eath of th e d ivi n e

, .

I see you p ass a s centu ries ago

,

Th e lo n g d e a d m e n with p assion ate S pirit saw ,

0 b r oth er m a n whom S pi r it h abit s so

, ,

T h rough you r red so rr ows B eauty keep s her l aw ,

B eauty h e r sel f w h o ta kes your dyi n g h and

, ,

To leave th rough Ti m e th e M emnon i n th e sa nd .

Wh e n all th ese million cell s th at a r e my sl aves

F all fro m m y p o u rrie d rib s and leave m e lone ,

A living sp eck among a wo rl d of graves ,

Wh at sh all I b e th at spot in th e u n known ?

,

A glow wo rm i n a night th at oat s th e sun ?

-

Or deathless d ust feeling th e p asser s foot ?

[ 432 ]
 TH E MA D MAN S S ONG

You h av e not seen wh at I h av e seen ,

Th e tow n b esi eged by a millio n men ;

I saw it though th e p e opl e sta rved
, ,

My rib bones h e r e ca m e th rough my ski n

-
.

Thou sa n d s w ere killed a nd th ou sand s d i ed ,

We are d e a d blow ie s from th e stall s ;

-

Hel p us O Lo r d ou r Kin g we c r i ed ;
, , ,

H e coul d not h el p for all ou r call s

, .

N o b ut th e r e was a poo r m e a n ma n
, ,

A ski nn y m an a nd m ad lik e m e , ,

He saw : h e told th e King h is pl a n ,

A pla n to se t ou r city fr ee .

Th e King in fu ry h ad h im bou nd ,

D r agg ed to th e walls with kick and cu rse ,

And u n g from off th e m to th e g rou nd ;

D aily ou r agoni es grew wo r s e .

And all ou r sallies cam e to w r eck ,

W e ate th e d ead men from th e g r ave ,

O ur troop s w ere kill ed or p ut in ch eck ,

O King w e c ri ed in pity s ave
, , , ,

S ave u s or w e sh all d i e w e cried , .

He coul d not save u s so we di e d , .

.
v

B ut th en h e called to mind th e m an
Whose bones th e dogs h a d picked by th is ,

He m u rm u r ed We will t ry th e pl a n
, ,

Death woul d b e b e tter th an wh at i s .

[ 434 ]
 THE MADMAN S S ONG

I ll t ry th e m adm an s pla n to night -
.

D o I remem b er it a right ?
>i<

We d id th e m adm an s will w e wo n

, ,

We left th e m illion rotting th ere ;

N ot on e re m ai ned alive not one , ,

Th e m a d m a n s wisdo m wa s m o st rare

.

W e l augh ed we ate again w e d r a n k

, , ,

R e built th e city wall s a nd towers

, ,

We cri ed We h av e th e King to th ank .

We strew e d hi s royal p ath with owers .

B ut I wh o am m a d am wiser now ,

I wander in th e city d itch ,

F or wisdom grows on th e with ered bough .

F lowers a re fa i r and fruit i s rich ,

B ut wisdom is lovelier th an th em all .

So wh en th e world is h a rd at work ,

I kne e l in th e foss b elow th e wall

O n th e ru bble wh ere th e liz a rd s l urk .

Th e goutweed h i d es th e poor m a n s b ones ,

Th e m int scent wa rm s i n th e hot ai r

-
,

An i n u en c e co m es out of th e stones ,

Th e d e a d m an s spi rit q ui ck e ns th ere

,

Singing I t rod th e piteou s way
,

Th e wo rl d d espised m e com rad es failed , ,

B ut fr om ab ov e an unq ue n ch ed ray
Bu rned in my b rain : it n e ver q u ail e d ;
[ 43s ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R P OE M S

My b o d y shook my mind h a d d oubt

, ,

Th at sta r with i n m e h elped m e o n ,

M a n th e wall ed town wh ich ca st m e out

, ,

Wa s powerless like a fe v er gone .

And now I know th at light is lik e th e se a ,

I wa s th e rock i t gi rt it beat on m e
, .

I wa s th e d eaf m ute bli nd ed by a cu rse

-
, ,

O utsid e m e wa s th e sta rry u n iverse

I h ad b ut to unl atch t o let it in .

Noth ing b ut m ental blindnes s can b e sin ,

All seeing saves all h ea ring all d e light

, , ,

I am a sta r I wander th rough th e night
. .

T HE WAN D ER E R

A ll d ay th ey loite r ed by th e restin g ship s ,

T elling their b eauties ove r taki n g stock ; ,

At night th e verd ict l eft my mess m ates lips

The Wa n d erer i s th e n e st ship i n clock

.

I h ad not seen h er b ut a fri e nd since d rowned

, , ,

Drew h er with p ainted po rts low lovely l e a n

, , , , ,

S aying,

Th e Wan d e re r clipp er outwa rd b ound
, , ,

Th e loveliest sh ip my eyes h ave ever seen

Perh ap s to morrow you will se e h er sail

-
.

Sh e sail s at sunrise : b ut th e morrow showed
No Wa n d er e r setting forth for m e to hail ;
F a r down th e stream m en poi n t ed wh ere sh e rod e ,

[ 436 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

So th at at m idnight I wa s called on deck

To keep a n ancho r watch : I h e a rd th e se a
-

R oa r p ast in whit e p rocession lled with w re ck ;

I ntense b rig h t fr osty sta r s bu rned o v e r m e ,

And th e Gree k b r ig b esid e u s dipped a nd d ipped ,

Wh ite to th e m uzzl e like a h alf ti d e rock -

,

D rown ed to th e m ainm a st with th e seas sh e shipped ;

Her cabl e swivel s clanged at eve ry shock
- .

And like a neve rdying fo r ce th e wi nd ,

R oa red till w e shout ed with it roa red until ,

I t s v ast vit ality of w r ath w as thinned ,

H ad b e at its fu ry b reathless and wa s still .

B y d awn th e gal e h ad dwindled into aw ,

A gloriou s morning follow e d : with my fri end

I cli m bed th e fo c s le h ead to s ee ; w e saw

-

Th e waters h u r rying sh oreward s without end .

Haze blott e d out th e river s low e st reach ;

O ut of th e gloom th e steam ers p a ssing by , ,

Called with th e i r si r ens h ooting their sea spe e ch ;

,
-

O ut of th e d i m ness oth ers m ade reply .

And a s w e watch ed th e r e cam e a rush of feet

,

Ch a rging th e fo c s le till th e h atchway shook

.

M en all about u s th r u st th eir way or beat , ,

C rying Th e Wa n d erer! D own th e riv er ! Look !

,

I looked with th e m towa rd s th e d i m ness ; the r e

Gleamed like a S pi r it stridi n g out of night ,

[ 43 8 ]
 THE WAND E R E R

A full rigg e d sh ip unutterably fai r

-
,

Her m asts lik e t rees in winter frosty b right

,
-
.

F oam trem b l ed at her b ows lik e wisp s of woo l ;

Sh e tr e mbl ed a s sh e tow ed I h ad not d reamed
.

Th at wo r k of m a n could b e so b e autifu l ,

I n its own p resence and in wh at it seemed .

So sh e i s p utting b ack again I said
, , .

H ow wh ite with fro st her ya rds a re o n th e fore .

One of th e men about m e answ e r ma de ,

Th at is n o t fr o st b ut all h er sai ls a re tore

, ,

To m into t atters , youngst e r, in th e gal e ;

Her best fo ul
weath e r suit gone
It wa s t rue
.
,

Her m a sts wer e wh ite with r ags of tattered sail

M any as gannets when th e sh a re d u e .

B e auty in d e sol ation w as h er p ride ,

H e r crowned a rray a g l o ry th at h ad been ;

Sh e faltered t ow rd s u s lik e a swan th at d i ed

,

B ut although ruin e d sh e wa s still a q u een .

Put b ack with all h er sail s go ne went th e word ;
,

Then fro m h er S ign al s ying rumou r ran

, , ,

Th e se a th at stove h er boats i n killed h e r third ;

Sh e h as been gutted a nd h as lost a m an .

S o a s though stepping to a fun e ral m ar ch

, ,

Sh e pa ss e d d e feated homeward s wh enc e sh e cam e ,

R agged with t attered canva s white as sta rch ,

A wild bird t h at m isfortune h ad m ade tame .

[ 439 ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

Sh e was rett e d soon : anoth er t oo k

Th e dead m an s o i c e ; th en th e singers h ov e
H er ca pstan till th e snapping h awsers sh ook ;
O ut with a bu b bl e at h er bows sh e d rove
, , .

Again th ey tow ed h er s e awa rd s and again ,

We watch ing p raised h er beauty p r ais ed h er t rim

, , , ,

S aw h er fai r h ouse ag utter at th e m ai n

-
,

A nd slowly s aunter seaward s dwindling d im ; ,

And wi sh ed h er well and wond ered as sh e d ied

, , ,

How wh en h er ca n vas h ad b een sh eeted ho m e

, ,

Her quiv eri n g length would sw eep into he r st ride ,

M aki n g th e g r eenness m ilky with h er foam .

B ut wh en w e rose next mo rning w e discerned ,

Her b e auty o n c e again a sh atte r ed th ing ;

Tow ing to d ock th e Wa n d e r er r etu rned ,

A wou nded se a bi rd with a b roken wing

-
.

A sp ar wa s gone her rigging s d isarray
,

Tol d of a wo r s e d isa ster th an th e l ast ;

Like d raggled h ai r d ish evell ed h u n g th e stay ,

D roopi n g a nd b eating on th e b roken m ast .

H alf m ast upo n h er ag staff h u n g h er ag ;

-

Wo r d went amo n g u s how th e b r ok en sp a r

H ad go r ed h er captain like an angry stag ,

And killed h er m ate a h alf d ay from th e b a r

-
.

Sh e p assed to dock U po n th e top of ood .

An ol d m an nea r m e sh oo k h is h ead a nd swore :

[ 44o l
 S ONN E T S AND O T H E R P OE M S

O nly like on e w h o h aving form ed a pla n

B eyo n d th e pitch of co m mon m inds sh e sailed , ,

M ocked and d eserted by th e commo n m a n ,

M ade h alf d ivin e to m e fo r h aving failed .

We lea rned th e reason soon ; b e low th e town

A stay h ad p a rted like a snappi n g reed ,

Wa rning th e m en thought not to tak e h e r d own
, , .

They took th e om en th ey would n ot p roceed

, .

Days p assed before anoth er c rew would S ign .

Th e Wan d e re r lay i n dock alone u n ma nned , ,

F e a red as a th ing possessed by powers m align ,

B ou nd und e r cu rses n ot to l eave th e l and .

B ut under p assing Ti m e fea r p asses too ;

Th at te rror p assed th e sailo r s hea rts grew bold
,

.

We lea rned in tim e th at sh e h ad found a crew

And was bou nd out a nd southwa rd s as of old .

And in contempt w e thought A littl e whil e
,

Will b r ing h er back agai n d ism antled spoil ed

, , .

It is h e r self ; sh e ca nn ot ch a n g e h e r style ;

S h e h a s the h abit now of being foiled .

So w hen a sh ip app e a red amo n g th e h aze ,

We thought Th e Wan de rer back again ; bu t n o

,

,

N o Wan de r e r sh owed fo r m any ma n y d ays , ,

Her p assing light s m a de oth er waters glow .

B ut w e would often th ink a nd talk of h er ,

T el l newer h ands h er story wond ering then

, , ,

[ 44 2 ]
 THE WAND E RE R

U pon wh at ocean sh e wa s Wan d erer ,

B ou nd to th e cities built by foreign m en .

And on e b y o ne ou r little co n c l av e thi n ned ,

Pa ss e d i n to ship s and sailed a nd so away ,

To d row n i n som e g r eat roa ring of th e wi nd ,

W a nderer s th emselves u n h appy fo rtune s p r e y

,

.

And Ti m e w en t by m e m aki n g memo ry d im ,

Y e t still I wo n dered if th e Wa n d erer fa red

Still pointing to th e un r each ed ocean s rim
,

B ri ght en i n g th e water wh e re h er b rea st wa s b a re d .

And much i n po rts a b road I eyed th e sh ip s ,

Hoping to see h er w e ll re m e mb ered fo r m

-

C o m e with a cu rl of bu b bles at h er li ps
B right to h er b erth th e sov e reign of th e storm
, .

I ne v er d id and many years w en t by

, ,

Then nea r a S o uth ern port o ne Ch ristmas E ve

, , ,

I watched a gal e go roa ring th rough th e sky ,

M aki n g th e cald ro ns of th e cloud s uph eave .

Then th e wrack t attered and th e sta rs app e a red ,

M illions of sta rs th at s ee m ed to speak in re ;

A byre cock cried alou d th at mo rning neared
Th e swinging wi nd vane as h ed U po n th e spire
- .

And soon m en looked upo n a glittering ea rth ,

Intensely sp a rkling like a world new bo m ; -

On ly to look w a s spiritual bi rth ,

So b right th e rai n d rop s r an along th e tho rn .

[ 443 ]
 S ONN E T S AND O T H E R PO E M S

S o b right they w ere th at o ne coul d al m ost p ass

,

B eyond th ei r twinkling to th e sou rce a n d know ,

T he glo ry p u sh ing i n th e bl a d e of g r a ss ,

T h at h idd en soul wh ich m akes the ow er s g row .

Th at
wa s th ere appa r ent not re v e al ed
so u l , ,

U nea rthly m e a n i n gs cove r ed e v e ry t ree ,

T h at w e t g r as s g r ew in a n immo rtal e l d
T hose wate r s fed som e never wri nkled se a -
.

T h e sca rlet b e r ries i n th e h edge stood out

Like revel ations but th e tongue u n k n ow n ;
Ev en in th e b r ooks a j oy w a s quick : th e t rout
R ush ed i n a d umb ne ss d umb to m e alone .

All of th e v alle y wa s aloud with b r ooks ;

I wa lked th e mo rn i n g b rea sti n g u p th e fell s
, ,

T aki n g again lost ch ildhood from th e rooks ,

Whose cawing came abov e th e Ch rist m a s bell s .

I h ad not walked th at glittering wo rl d before ,

B ut up th e h il l a p r om pting came to m e ,

T h is line of U pla nd ru ns along th e sho r e :

Beyond th e h ed ge r ow I sh all se e th e se a .

And o n th e instant from b e yo nd away

T h at long fa m ilia r sound a sh ip s bell b r oke
,

,

Th e h u sh b e low m e i n th e u n see n b ay .

O l d m e m ori es ca m e : th at i n ner p rompti n g spoke .

A n d b righ t above th e hedge a seagull s wings

F l ash ed and we r e steady U pon em pty ai r .

[ 444 1
 S ONN E T S AN D O T H E R POE M S

Over th e water ca m e th e lift ed song

B li nd pieces in a mighty gam e we swing ;
Life s b attl e i s a conquest for th e st ro n g ;

Th e m eaning shows in th e d e feat e d th i n g .

A U G US T , 1914

How still th is q ui e t corn eld is to night ! -

B y a n intenser glow th e eveni n g falls ,

B ringing not d a r k n ess b ut a d eepe r light ;

, ,

Am ong th e stooks a p a rt r idge covey calls .

Th e windows glitter on th e d istant h ill ;

B e yo nd th e h edge th e sh eep b ells i n th e fol d
-

Stu m ble on sudd en m usic a nd a re still ;

Th e fo r lo rn pinewood s d r oop a b ove th e wold .

An endless qu iet valley reach es out

Past th e blu e h ills into th e even ing sk y ;
Over th e stubbl e cawing goes a rout
,

O f r ooks from h a rvest aggin g as th ey y

, .

So b eautiful it is I never saw

,

S o great a b e auty o n th ese E ngl ish eld s ,

Touch ed by th e twiligh t s co m i n g i n to awe

,

R ip e to th e soul and rich with su m m er s yield s

.

L
.

Th e se hom e s th is valley sp read b elow m e h ere

, ,

Th e rooks th e tilted sta cks th e b e ast s in pen

, , ,

[ 446 ]
 AU GU ST , 1 9 14

H av e b een th e h e a rtfelt th ings p ast sp e aking d e a r

,
-

To u n k n o wn gen e rations of d ead men ,

Wh o centu ry a fter c e ntu ry h e l d th ese farm s

, , ,

And looking Out to watch th e ch anging sk y

, ,

Heard a s w e h ea r th e rumours a nd al a rm s
, ,

O f w ar at h and and d ang e r p ressing nigh .

A nd knew a s we k n ow th at th e m e ssage m e ant

, ,

Th e b r eaking off of ties th e loss o f fr iend s

, ,

Death lik e a m iser getting in h is ren t

, ,

A nd n o new st o n e s l a i d wh er e th e tra ckway e nd s .

Th e h a rvest not yet wo n th e e m pty b in

, ,

Th e frie n dly horses taken fr om th e stalls ,

Th e fal l ow on th e h ill not yet b rough t i n ,

Th e cra cks unpl astere d i n th e leaking walls .

Yet h ea rd th e news an d went d iscou raged home

, ,

And b rood ed by th e re with heavy m i n d ,

With such d umb loving of th e B erksh ire loa m

A s b reaks th e dum b h ea rts of th e E ngl ish ki nd ,

T hen s adly rose and left th e well loved Down s -

,

A n d so by sh ip to se a and k new no more

,

Th e eld s of hom e th e byres th e m ar k e t town s

, , ,

N o r th e d e a r outl ine of th e E nglish shore ,

B ut knew th e m isery of th e soaking t rench ,

Th e freezing in th e rigging th e d espair ,

In th e revolti n g second of th e wrench

Wh en th e b l in d s ou l is ung upo n th e a ir ,

[ 447 ]
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

And d ied ( u n couth ly most ) in fo r eign l and s

,

F o r so m e id ea b ut d i m ly und erstood
O f a n E n glish city n ever built by h and s
Wh ich lov e of E ngl and p ro m pted a nd m a d e g o od .

3k

I f th ere b e a n y l ife b eyond th e grav e ,

It m ust b e ne a r th e m en and th ings w e love ,

S om e powe r of qu ick suggestion how to s ave ,

T ouch ing th e livi n g soul a s from above .

An i n u en c e fr om th e E a rth from th o s e d e ad h ea rts

So p assionate on ce so d ee p so truly ki n d
, , ,

T h at i n th e livi n g child th e s p i ri t S tarts ,

F eeling co m p anion ed still not left b e h ind

, .

S u r ely abov e th ese e l d s a sp i rit b rood s ,

A sense of m a n y watch ers m uttering ne a r

O f th e lone D o wn la nd with th e forlorn woo d s
Lov e d to th e d eath in estim ably d ea r
, .

A m utteri n g from b e yo nd th e veil s of Death

F rom long d ead m e n to whom th is quiet sce n e
-
,

Cam e among bl i n d ing tea r s with th e last b r eath ,

T h e dying sold i e r s vision of h is qu een

.

All th e u n spok en worsh ip of those lives

S pent in forgotten wa rs at oth e r calls
Gli m me r s U po n th ese eld s wh ere e v en i n g d r ives
B ea uty lik e b reath so gently d arkn e ss falls
, .

[ 44 8 ]
 S ONN E T S AN D OT H E R POE M S

Sh riek and g iv e b attl e toss in g up th e ir h e ad s

, ,

Tea ri n g th e sh ifting sand banks i n to graves ,

Ch a n gi n g th e r a d d l ed r ui n of h e r c o u rs e
So swiftly th at th e p ilgrim o n th e sho re
,

Hears th e loud wh i rlpool laugh ing lik e a ho r se

Wh e r e th e sc u rfe d s and wa s p a r ch ed a n hou r

And always u nd e rne ath th at h e avi n g tid e

Th e ch anging bottom run s o r pil e s o r quak e s
, ,

F linging immense h eap s u p to wallow wi d e ,

S ucki n g th e surface into wh irls like snakes ,

I f anyth i n g sh ould touch th at sh ifting s and ,

All th e bli n d bottom sucks it t ill it si n k s ;

It t akes th e clippe r er e sh e comes to la nd ,

It tak e s th e th irsting tig er a s h e d rinks .

A nd on th e river pours it
n e v e r t ires ;
Blind h u n g ry screaming d ay and night th e s am e
, , ,

Pu rposeless h u rry of a millio n i re s ,

M ad as th e wi nd a s m ercil e ss a s am e
, .

There wa s a full rigged sh ip th e Tr avan cor e

-
, ,

Towin g to po rt against th at rive r s rag e
A glittering sh ip m a d e sp arkl ing for th e shore ,

Taut t o th e p i ns in all h er e q uipag e .

Cl anging sh e topped th e ti de ; h er s ails we r e fu rl ed

, ,

He r m en cam e loiteri n g down wa r d s fro m th e ya r d s ;

[ 45 0 1
 THE R I VE R

Th ey w h o h ad b ro ught h e r h alf a cross th e w o rld ,

Trampling so m a n y billows into sh a rd s ,

N ow looking u p b ehel d th ei r d uty d o ne

, ,

The sh i p a pp roach i n g po rt th e great m asts b a re

, ,

Ga u nt as th ree giants st riding i n th e sun ,

P rou d with th e c o l o urs tailing o u t like h air

, .

S o h aving coil ed th eir g e a r th ey left th e d eck ;

, ,

With in t h e

gloom of b a nd ed steel ,

M ottled lik e wood with m a n y a p ainted speck ,

They b rought th e ir plates a nd sat about a m e al .

Then push ing b ack th e ti n s th ey lit th ei r pipes

, ,

O r slept or pl ayed at ca rd s o r gently spoke

, , ,

Light from th e p o rtholes shot in d usty stripes

T r a n quilly moving som etimes b l u e w ith smoke
, .

Th e s e sunb eam s sidled when th e vessel rolled ,

Their l azy d ust strip s cross e d th e oo r

-
,

Lighting a m an hol e lead ing to th e hold

-
,

A m an hol e leaded d own th e d ay b efo r e

-
.

L ik e gold th e solder o n th e m an hole shone ; -

A few i e s th r ead ing i n a d rowsy d a n ce

Slept in th ei r p att ern d a rt ed and w ere gone
, , .

Th e river roa r ed against th e ship s advance .

An d quietly sleep cam e upon th e c rew ,

Man by m an d r oop ed upon h is a rm s and sl e pt ;

Without th e tugboat d r agg ed th e vessel th r o u g h
, ,

Th e ri gg ing whi n ed th e yelling water lea pt

, ,

[ 45 1 ]
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R P OE M S

Till bli ndl y a careering wave s coll ap se
R os e fro m beneath h e r bow s a nd spouted h igh ,

Spi rting th e fo c sle oo r with noisy sl aps ;
A sleeper at th e table h e av ed a sigh ,

And lu r ch ed h alf d ru nk with sleep ac r oss th e oo r

,
-
, ,

M utteri n g and blinki n g like a m an insa n e ,

Cu r sed at th e rive r s t u m ult sh ut th e d oo r

, ,

Blinked an d lu rch e d back a nd fe l l asleep again

, .

Th en th ere was greater silence in th e room ,

S hip s c re a k in g s ran along th e b eam s a nd d i ed

,

T h e lazy su n b e ams loit ered up th e gloom ,

St retchi n g and touch ing till th e y reach ed th e si de .

Ye t som e th ing j erking i n th e vessel s cou rse
T ol d th at th e tug wa s getting h er in h and
As at a fen c e o n e steadies d own a h orse
, , ,

To ru sh th e whi rlpoo l on M ag e ll a n S and ;

And in th e un e a sy wat er j ust b elow

He r M at e i n q uired if th e m en sh ould st ir

And co m e on d eck ? Her Capt ain answ e r ed No ,

Let th em alo ne th e t ug c an m anage h e r
, .

Th en a s sh e s e ttled down and gath ered speed

, ,

He r M at e i n qui red again if th e y should co m e
J u st to b e r eady th e r e in ca se of need ,

Since on such godles s b a r s th ere might b e so m e
, , .

[ 45 2 ]
 S ONN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

B rok en wh ere sh e h ad fallen i n th e way

, ,

G ri nd i n g h e r g r av e amon g th e bones of ship s .

A t th e rst crash ing of th e m ast th e m en ,

S p r a n g fro m th eir sl eep to hu rry to th e de ck ;

T h ey fou nd th at F at e h ad caught th e m in a p en ,

Th e d oo r th at op ened out wa s j ammed with w r eck .

Then as with S houl d er s d own th ei r gath e r ed strength

, , ,

H ov e o n th e door b ut coul d not m ake it sti r

, ,

T h ey felt th e vessel t r e m ble th rough h er len gth ;

Th e tug m a d e fast agai n wa s pl ucking h er
, , .

Plucking a nd cau sing motion till it see m ed

, ,

T h at sh e woul d get he r off ; th ey h ea rd he r screw

M umbl e th e bub bled r ip r ap as sh e st e am ed ;
-

Pl e a se God th e tug will sh ift h e r ! sai d th e crew
, .

She s off ! th e s e am en said ; they felt h er g l i d e

,

Scraping th e bottom with h er bilg e until ,

Someth ing collap si n g cl a n ged along h er sid e ;

Th e scraping stop ped th e tugboat s sc r ew w as still
,

.

Sh e s holed ! a voice with out c ri ed ; hol ed and j ammed
Hol ed on th e ol d M a gellan su n k l ast Ju n e , .

I los e my tick e t a nd th e men a r e d amned ;

They ll d r own like rats unl ess w e fre e th e m soon

.

M y G o d th e y sh all not ! and th e speaker b e at

,

Blow s with a crow upo n th e forema st s wr e ck ;
[ 45 4 ]
 THE R I VE R

M inut e st e el splinters fell about h i s fe e t ,

No t re m o u r sti rr e d th e ruin o n th e d e ck .

An d a s thei r natures b ad e , th e seamen lea rned

Th at they were d oom ed within th at b u ried doo r ;
Som e cu rsed som e r av ed b ut one a m ong th em tu rned
, ,

Straight to th e m anhol e le a ded i n th e oo r ,

An d S itting down a st rid e it d rew h is knife

, ,

And staidly d ug to p ick away th e lead ,

Wh ile at th e port s h is fellows c ried fo r life :

B urst i n th e d oo r or we sh all all b e d e ad !
,

F or l ike a b ro o k th e l e ak b e low th e m Cl uck ed .

They felt th e v e ssel settl ing ; th ey could feel

How th e bli n d bog b eneath h er grip ped a nd sucked .

Thei r ng e rs b eat th e i r p rison walls of steel .

A n d th en th e gu rgling stop p e d th e sh i p was still .

Sh e stayed ; sh e sank n o d ee p er an a rrest

F o th e re d th e pou ring le ak ; sh e c e as ed to ll .

Sh e t rod th e m u d d rowned only to th e b r ea st

, .

And pr ob ing at th e w e l l t h e ca ptain fou nd

,

Th e l e ak n o lo n ger r isi n g so h e cried :

,

Sh e is not sinking you will not b e d ro wned ;

Th e sh ifting sand h a s silted up her sid e .

N ow th e re i s time Th e tug sh all p ut a shore

.

And fetch explosiv e s to u s from th e town ;

I ll b u rst th e house or blow away th e door

( It will not kil l you i f you all lie down ) .

[ 45 5 1
 S O NN E T S AND O T H E R POE M S

B e e asy i n you r mi nd s for you ll be fr ee ,

As soon a s we ve th e b l a st Th e sea m en h ea rd .

Th e t u g go townward s b utting at th e se a ; ,

Som e lit th ei r pip es th e youngest of th em cheered

, .

B ut still th e d igg er b ent abov e th e l id ,

Gouging th e sold er from it a s at rst ,

Pecki n g th e l e a d i n tent on wh at h e d id ;
,

Th e other seamen m ocked at h im or cursed .

And so m e a m ong th e m n u d g ed h im a s he picked .

He cu r sed th em g r i nn i n g b ut re sum ed h is game ;

, ,

H is knife poi n t som eti m es st ru ck th e lid a nd clicked

- .

T h e solder pellets shone like silver ame

- .

And still h i s knife bl ad e click ed like ticking ti m e

-

Counting th e h ou r till th e tug s retu rn ,

An d still th e sh ip stood steady on th e slim e ,

Wh il e F at e above h er ngered with h er u rn .

T
l '
U'

T h en from th e tug b e si d e th em cam e th e h ail :

T hey h av e none at th e stores nor at th e d ock , ,

No r at th e q ua r ry so I t ried th e gaol
, .

They thought th ey h a d b ut it wa s out of stock , .

S o th en I t e l e ph o ned to town ; th e y say

Th ey ve sent an en gi n e with so m e to th e pier ;

I d i d not leave till it wa s o n its w ay ,

A t ug is wa iting th ere to b r ing it h e r e :

It can t b e h e r e though for a n hou r o r mo re ;
, ,

I ve lost a n hour i n t ry ing a s it is

, .

[ 45 6 ]
 SONNEST AND O T H E R P OE M S

B ut o ne wh o sm elt a b argain ch anged h is tone

, , ,

Off ering a sh e ath kn ife for th e t ask i n h and

-

At twenty tim es its val ue a s a loan ,

To b e r e p aid him wh en th ey reach ed th e l and .

And th ere wa s j esting at th e lende r s greed

And mocke ry at th e d igger s wa n t of sense

Closing with such a b argain with out need ,

Since i n an hou r th e tu g woul d take them th ence .

B ut R ight th e d igg e r s aid Th e d eal wa s ma d e
, .

H e took th e borrowed k n ife and sitting down ,

Gouged at th e ch ann e lled solder with th e blad e ,

S aying Let b e it s b etter dig th an d rown
, , .

And noth ing h ap p ened for a wh ile ; th e h eat

Grew in th e st uffy room th e s unligh t sli d , ,

F lies b uzzed ab out a nd j ostled at th e m e at ,

Th e kn ife bl ad e clicked upon th e m a n hol e li d :

-

A nd one m a n said Sh e t akes a h ell of t i m e
,

B ringing th e bl a ster a nd anoth er snorted ;,

One b etween p ip e puffs h umm ed a smutty r hym e

,
-
, ,

On e w ho w as weavin g thu dded with his swo r d

, , .

I t w as a s though th e sh i p w ere in a d re am ,

Caught i n a m agic oc e a n cal m lik e d eath , ,

Tranced till a p resence should a ris e and gl eam

, ,

M aki n g th e wate r s consciou s with h er b re ath

It w as so d r ow s y th at th e river s cries
,

R oa ring aloud th ei r e v er cha n gi n g tu ne -

,

[ 45 8 ]
 THE R IVE R

C am e to those sailors like a d ro n e of i e s ,

F illing with sleep th e sum m e r a fte rnoon .

So th at they slept or if th ey spoke it wa s

, , ,

Only to wo rry l e st th e tug should com e :

Such p ower U po n th e body labou r h a s
Th at p ri son see m e d a blessed rest t o som e ,

Till o ne m an l e a n i n g at th e p o rt hole sta red -

, ,

Checking h is ya wn i n g at th e wid e st stretch ,

Th en blinked and swallow ed wh ile h e m uttered scared, , ,

Th at b lasting cotton t akes an ag e to fe tch
-
.

Th en swiftly p a ssing fr om th e po r t h e went

U p and th en d own th e fo c sl e til l h e stay e d

,

F ixed at th e port hole with his eyes intent

-
,

R o und eyed and wh ite a s if h e w ere a fr ai d

-
, ,

And m uttered as h e sta red My God ! sh e i s , .

Sh e s d ee p er th a n sh e w as sh e s settling down

, ,

Th at p a l m t ree top w as st e a d y against th is ,

And n ow I se e th e qua y b el o w th e town .

Look h ere at h er Sh e s sinking in h er t racks

.

.

Sh e s going do wn b y inch es as sh e stands ;
Th e water s d a rker a nd it stinks like ax

,

Her g o ing down i s ch u rning u p th e sand s .

And instantly a p anic took th e crew ,

Ev en th e digger bl en ch ed ; h is knife b lad e s h a ste -

Cutting th e sold e r witnessed th at h e knew

Time o n th e b rink with not a b reath to wa ste .

[ 45 9 ]
 S ONN E T S AND OT H E R P OE M S

Wh il e far away th e tugboat at th e q u ay

U nder her d r oopi n g pennon waited st ill
F o r th at explosive wh ich woul d s e t th em fre e ,

Fr ee with th e world a servant to th e i r will

,
.

Th en fr om a boat b es i d e th em cam e a blare ,

U rg ing th at tugboat to b e quick ; and men

Shouted to sti r h er fr o m h er waiti ng the r e ,

H u rry th e bl a st a nd get u s out of pen

, .

Sh e s going d own Sh e s going d own m an ! Quick !

.

T h e tugboat d i d not sti r n o a nsw er cam e ;

,

T h ey saw h e r tongue like pennon i d ly lick

-

Clea r for a n inst ant lett er e d with h er nam e

, .

Then d roop again Th e engin e h a d n ot com e

.
,

T h e bl a st h ad not a rrived T h e p ri soned h and s

.

S aw h e r still waiting though th ei r tim e h ad com e ,

Th eir ship w as going d own amo n g th e sand s ,

G oi n g so swiftly now th at th ey coul d se e

,

Th e b anks a r isi n g a s sh e m ad e h er b ed ;
F ull of sick sou n d sh e settled d eathwa rd Sh e ,

Gu rgled a nd sh ook th e d igger p icked th e l e a d

, .

An d a s sh e p aus e d to tak e a n al pl unge

, ,

Prone l ike a h alf tid e rock th e m e n o n d eck

-
,

J ump ed to th eir boats and left e r e like a sponge ,

Th e river s rotten h ea rt ab sorbed th e w re ck ;

An d on th e perilous instant ere Time st ruck

Th e d igg er s work
w as done th e l ead wa s C l eared
, ,

l46o l
 S O NN E T S AND OT H E R POE M S

And m en in boat s w ere th ere ; th ey he lp ed h im i n .

He gulp ed for b re ath a nd watch ed th at p atch of smooth ,

Sh aped like th e vessel wrinkl e into g ri n

, ,

F urrow to waves a nd b a re a yellow tooth .

Then th e m a sts leaned u n ti l th e sh r o ud screws gave -

.

A ll d isap p e a red h er m asts h e r colou r s all

, , .

H e saw th e yard a rm s tilting to th e grave ;

H e h eard th e si r en of a tugboat call ,

And saw h er s p eed i n g foaming at th e b ow

, ,

B ri n ging th e bl ast ch arge th at h ad com e too lat e

-
.

H e hea r d one sh out It isn t wanted now
,

.

Time s m inute h and h ad been the h and of F ate

-
.

Th en th e b oats tu rned ; th ey b r o ught him to th e s h o re .

M en crowd ed round h im tou ch ed h im and were kind ;

, ,

Th e M ate wal k ed with h im silent to th e store , , .

He sai d We ve left th e b est of u s b eh ind
,

.

Th en a s h e wrung h is so dden cloth e s th e M ate

, ,

G ave h im a d rink of r um and talk ed awh ile ,

O f men a nd ships a nd u nex p e ct ed F ate ;

An d d a rkness came and cloaked th e river s guile

,

S o th at its h u dd l ed h u rry not seen w as ,

On ly m a d e lou der till th e full moon climb ed

,

O ve r th e forest oated and w as qu een

, , .

With in th e town a tem pl e b elfry ch im ed -

.

Th en upon s ilent pad s a tig er crept

, ,

Down to the river b rink and crouch ing th ere

-
,

Watch e d it i n t en tly till you thought h e sl ep t

,

Bu t for his g h astly e y e and stiff ened h ai r .

[ 6
4 21
 WA T CH ING B Y A SIC K B E D

Th e n tr e m b ling at a l u st more fell th an h is

, ,

H e r o ared and bou n d ed b a ck t o c o v e rts lone ,

Where among m oonlit beauty sl aug h t er i s

, , ,

F illi n g th e m a rvell o u s ni g ht with m y r i a d g roa n .

WATCH ING BY A S I C KBED

I h ea rd th e wi nd all d ay ,

And wh at it wa s t rying to say .

I h e a rd th e w i n d all nigh t
R av e as it ran to ght ;
After th e w i nd th e r ai n ,

And th en th e wind agai n

R unning a cros s th e h ill
As it r un s still .

And a l l d ay l o ng th e se a
Would not let th e la nd b e ,

B ut all night h ea ped h er sand

On to th e l a nd ;
I saw her glimm e r white
All th rough th e night ,

Tossing th e h orrid h air

Still t o ssing th er e .

A nd all d ay long th e ston e

F elt how th e wi nd was blown ;
And all night lon g th e rock

Stood th e sea s shock ;
Wh ile from th e wind ow I
, ,

Lo ok e d o ut and wonder e d wh y
, ,

Wh y at such len gth

S uch forc e should ght such stren gth .

[ 463 1
 Th e Rive r was rst p ublish ed in th e Ce n tury M ag azin e; Th e
Wan d ere r in H arp er :

Watch in g by a S ick bed and
-

An gu :t 1 9 1 4 i n H a rp er :

, , I th ank th e editors of th ese
periodicals for permission to reprint th e m h ere .

J O H N M A S E F I E LD
.
 LO LLING DO N DO WN S

I .

So I h ave known this life ,

Th e se b ead s of coloured d ays ,

Th is self th e st r ing .

Wh at is this th ing ?

Not b eauty ; no ; n ot greed ,

0 not indeed ;
,

N ot all though m uch ;

,

Its colou r i s not s uch .

It h as no eyes to se e ,

I t h as n o ea rs ,

I t is a r e d h o u r s wa r
F ollow ed by t ears .

I t is a n h ou r of tim e ,

A n hour of r oa d ,

F lesh is its goad ,

Yet in th e sorrowing l and s

, ,

Women and m en take h and s .

0 e a rth , give usth e corn ,

Com e rain c o m e sun

, ,

We men w h o h av e b een bo rn
H ave t asks u nd o ne .

O u t of this ea rth
Co mes th e thing b i rth ,

Th e th ing unguess e d u n wo n , .

[ 467 ]
 LOLLING DO N DO WNS AND OT H ER PO E M S

II
O wretch ed ma n th at for a l itt le mi le
, ,

Craw l s b eneath h e av en for h i s b roth er s b l oo d

,

Whose d ays th e p lanets number with th ei r style ,

To whom al l ea rth is sl ave all living foo d ; , ,

0 with ering m an with in whose fold ed shell

,

L i e s yet th e seed th e S p i rit s q uick en i n g co rn

,

Th at Tim e and Su n will ch ange out of th e cell

I n to gr ee n m e adows i n th e world u n bo rn ;
,

I f B eauty b e a d ream d o but r esolve ,

And re sh all com e th at i n th e stubbo rn clay

,

Wo r ks to m ak e pe rfect till th e rock s d issolve ,

Th e b arriers b u r st and B eauty t akes her way ,

B e auty h e rs e l f with in whos e b l o ssom ing Spring

,

E ven wr e tch e d m a n sh all cl ap his h and s and sing .

III
O ut of th e speci al c e ll s m o st s peci al sense

C am e th e suggestion wh en th e light wa s s w e et ;
All skill all b eauty all m ag n ic en c e
, ,

A r e h ints so caught m an s glimpse of th e com plete

,

.

And though th e b o d y r o ts th at s e nse su rvives

, , ,

B eing of life s own essenc e it end u r es

( F ruit of th e S pi rit s tillage in men s lives )

R ou nd all th is gh ost th at wand ering esh imm ures .

[ 468 ]
 LOLLING DON DO WNS AND O T H E R POE M S

I f I could sail th at n ot h i n g I sh o uld cross

,

Silence and em ptiness with d a rk stars p assi n g ,

Th en in th e d arkness see a point of gloss

, ,

Bu m to a gl o w and glare and k ee p am a ssing

, , ,

And rag e into a sun with wand e ring pl anets

And d rop b e hi nd and th en a s I p roceed
, , ,

See h is la st light U po n his last m oon s granites

Die to a d a r k th at w oul d b e night i nd eed .

Night wh ere my soul might sail a m illion yea rs

I n n oth ing n ot e ven D e ath n o t e v e n tea rs
, , .

VI
How did th e noth ing c o m e, how d id th ese r es ,

These million leagues of res rs t toss th eir h air

-
, ,

L icki n g th e moons from h eaven in their i res

F lin g in g th e m fo rth for th e m t o w a nd er th ere ?

Wh at w as th e M ind ? Wa s it a mind which thought ?

01 ch ance ? Or l aw ? Or conscious l aw ? O r Power ?
Or a va st b al ance by vast cl a sh es wrought ?
O r Tim e a t tr i al wit h M att e r for an h o ur ?

Or is it all a b ody w here th e cells

Are living things supporting someth ing strange
Whose mighty h ea rt t h e singing planet swell s
As it shoulders nothin g i n unend ing ch ang e ?

I s this green ea rth of m any peopl e d p ain

-

Pa rt of a life a c e ll with in a b rain ?

,

l47o l
 LOLLING DON DOWN S

VI I
It may b e so ; b ut l et t h e unknown b e .

We on this ea rth a re servants of th e sun

, , .

O ut of the su n comes all th e q uick i n m e ,

His golden touch is life to e v eryo ne .

His power it i s th at m akes us spin th ro ugh sp ac e ,

His youth i s Ap ril and h is m anhood b r e ad ,

B eauty is b ut a looking on his face ,

He clea rs th e mi nd h e m akes th e ros e s red

, .

Wh at h e m ay b e who knows ? B ut we a re h i s
, ,

We roll th rough nothing r ou nd h im y e a r by y e a r , ,

Th e withering leaves upo n a t r ee which is

E ach with his g reed his littl e power his fe a r
, , .

Wh at w e m ay b e who knows ? B ut e v e ryo ne

,

IS d ust on d ust a s e rvant of th e su n .

VI I I
Th e Kings go b y with j ewelled crown s ,

Th eir horses gleam th e ir b anners sh ake thei r spea rs a re m any

, , .

Th e sack of m any p e o pled towns

-

I s all th e ir d ream :
The way th ey t ake
Leaves b ut a ruin in th e b r e ak ,

And in th e fur r ow th at th e ploughmen m a k e

, ,

A st am pless p en ny ; a t ale a d re am , .

Th e merch ants r e ckon up th e i r gold ,

Their l e tte r s come th e ir sh ips a rrive thei r freights are glori e s :

, ,

[ 47 1 1
 LOLLING DO N DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

The p rots of th ei r trea su res sol d

T h ey t e ll and sum ;
T hei r foremen d rive
Th e servants sta rved to h a l f aliv e -

Whose l abou r s do not m ake th e ea rth a h ive

O f stinking stories a t ale a d re am
, , .

T h e p ri ests a r e si n gi n g i n their stalls ,

T hei r s inging lifts th eir i n cense b u rn s thei r p raying clamou rs ;

, ,

Ye t God is as th e sp arrow falls ;

Th e ivy d rifts ,

Th e votiv e u rns
A r e all left void w h en F ortune tu rns ,

T h e god i s b ut a m a r bl e for th e ke m s
To b rea k with h a m m ers ; a tale a d re am , .

0 B eauty l et m e k n ow again
,

T he green ea rth cold th e Ap ril rain th e qui e t waters gu ring

, ,

sk y ,

Th e on e sta r rise n .

So sh all I p a ss i n to th e fea st
Not touched by King m e r ch ant or p riest
, ,

K n ow th e red spi r it of th e bea st ,

B e th e g reen g r ain ;
E scape from p rison .

IX
Wh at is th is life wh ich us es living cell s
It k n ows not how no r w h y for no known end
, ,

This soul of m an upo n whose fragile sh ell s

Of b l oo d a nd b rain his ve ry pow e r s d epend ?
[ 47 2 ]
 LOLLING DO N DO WNS AND O T H E R POE M S

Wh ose lov e ly se rvice distance cannot b a r

Nor th e g r ee n se a with all h e r h e ll of waves ,

No r snowy mounta in s nor th e d e sert sa nd

,

Nor heat nor sto r m it b end s to n o co n trol

, , ,

I t is a stretch i n g of th e S pi r it s h and

To touch th e b roth er s or th e siste r s soul ;

So th at from d a rk ne ss i n th e nar row roo m

I can step forth a nd b e about her hea rt ,

Needing no sta r no lantern in th e gloom

, ,

No wo r d from h er n o pointing on th e ch a rt
, ,

On ly red knowl edge of a window u n g

W i d e to th e night and calling with out tongue
, .

! II

D rop m e th e seed th at I even in my b rain

, ,

M ay b e its nou ri shi n g ea rth N o mo rt al k n ow s

.

F ro m w h at immort al g r ana ry com es th e g r ai n ,

N o r how th e ea rth conspires to m ake th e rose ;

B ut from th e d ust a nd from th e w e tt ed m u d

C om e s h elp given o r t aken ; so with m e
,

Deep in my b r ain th e essence of my bloo d

Sh all give it stature u n til B eauty b e .

I t will look d own e v en a s th e b u rn i n g ow er

,

S m iles upon Ju ne long after I am gone

, .

D ustfooted Ti m e will never tell its hou r ,

Th r ough d usty Tim e its rose will d r aw m e n on ,

Th rough d usty T im e its b eauty sh all m ake pl ai n

M an a nd Without a spi rit scatte r ing g r ain
, , , .

[ 474 ]
 LO LLING DO N DO WNS

XI I I
Ah b ut Without th e re is n o spi rit scattering ;
,

Noth ing b ut Life most fertile b ut unwi se

, ,

Passi n g th rough ch ange i n th e sun s h eat and cloud s wat e ring

,

P r egnant with self u nl it by i n ner eyes

, .

Th ere is no Sow e r nor s e ed for any till ag e ;

,

Noth ing b ut th e g r ey b ra in s p a sh and th e tense will

And th at poo r fool of th e B ei n g s littl e village

F eeling for th e t ruth in th e little veins th at th rill .

Th ere i s n o Sowing b ut d iggi n g y ear by y e a r

, , ,

In a hill s h e a rt now one way now anoth er

, , ,

T ill th e rock b re ak s and th e vall e y is m a d e clea r

And th e poo r F ool stand s a nd knows th e sun for h is b roth e r
,

And th e Soul sh akes wings like a bird e scap e d from c ag e

And th e t rib e m o v e s o n t o c a m p i n its h e ritag e .

! IV

You a re t oo b eautiful for m o rt al eyes ,

Y o u th e d ivi ne u n app re h end ed soul ;

'

Th e red wo rm in th e m a rr ow of th e wis e
Stirs a s you pa ss b ut ne v er sees you whol e
, .

Ev en as th e watcher i n t h e midnight tower

Knows fr om a c h a n g e in h eaven an unseen sta r ,

So fro m you r b eauty so fro m th e summer ow e r

,

So from th e light o ne gu e sses wh at you a re

, .

[ 47 5 ]
 LOLLING DON DOWNS AND O T H E R P OE M S

So in th e d a rk n ess does th e t r aveller com e

To som e lit C hi n k th rough wh ich h e cannot see
, ,

More th an a light no r h ea r more th an a hum

, , ,

O f th e great h all wh ere Kings in cou n cil b e .

So in th e g r a ve th e red a nd mouthless wo rm
, ,

Knows of th e soul th at h e l d h is bo d y rm .

I s it a sea o n wh ich th e soul s em b ark

O ut of th e b od y as men p ut to sea ?
,

Or d o w e com e like ca n dles i n th e d a r k

I n th e rooms in cities i n ete rnity ?

I s it a d arkness t h at ou r powers ca n light ?

I s th is ou r littl e l a n t e rn of m an s love
,

,

A h elp to nd fri end s wa nd eri n g in th e n ight

I n th e unknown cou n t ry with n o st a r a bove ?

Or is it sleep u n k n owi n g outl asti n g cl ocks

, ,

T h at outl ast m e n th at th ough th e cockc row ring

, , ,

I s b ut one peace of th e sub stance of th e r ocks

, ,

I s but one sp ace i n th e n ow un q uicken e d thing ,

I s b ut o ne j oy th at th ough th e m illion tire

, , ,

I s o n e always th e sam e one life o ne r e ?

, , ,

[ 47 6 ]
 LOLLING DON DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

Th e iron d rew h im from th e blaze

To place h im on th e anvil t hen ,

I t b e at him fr om th e sh a pe of m en ,

L ik e d rugs th e apoth eca ry b r ay s ;

B eat him to plough ing coulters b e at

-
,

B ody a nd blood to li n ks of ch ain ,

W ith end l e ss h a m m erings of pa in ,

U nend i n g torment of white h eat ;

An d did not stop th e work b ut still ,

B eat o n h im wh ile th e fu rn ac e roared ;

Th e bl acksmith su ff ered a nd implored ,

With i r o n bo nd s upo n his will .

And though h e coul d not d ie nor sh r ink

, ,

He fe lt h is b e ing b e at by fo r ce
To horse shoes stam ped on by th e horse ,

And into t rough s wh ence cattl e d ri n k .

H e felt h is blood h i s d ea r d elight

, ,

B e at into S h a res h e fe lt it rive

,

Th e green earth red ; h e wa s alive ,

D r agged th rough th e ea rth by h o r ses might

.

He felt hi s b r ai n th at once h ad pl a nn ed
,

His d aily life ch anged t o a ch ain

,

Wh ich cu r b ed a sail o r d ragged a wain ,

Or hoisted sh ip load s to th e land

-
.

He felt h is h e a rt th at o n c e h ad th rilled
,

With l ov e of wife and littl e ones ,

Cut out and mi n gl ed with his bones

To pin th e b ri cks wh e r e m en re built .

[ 47 8 1
 THE BLAC K SM I T H

H e fel t h is v ery sel f im pelled

To common uses till h e c ri ed
, ,

There s mo re within m e th an is t ried ,

M o re th an you e v e r th ink to weld .

F or all my p ain I am o n ly used

To ma ke th e prop s for d aily l abour ;
I bu rn I am b e at en l ike a tab o r
,

To m ake m en tool s ; I am ab us ed .

D ee p in th e wh ite h eat wh e r e I ga s p
I se e th e unm astered ner powers ,

I ron by cunning wrought to owers ,

F il e w o rked not tortu red by th e rasp

-
, .

Deep i n thi s re tortur e d mi nd

-

Th o ught b end s th e b a r in subtler wa y s ,

It glows into th e m ass its rays ,

P u rg e till th e i ro n i s r e ned
, .

Then a s th e full moo n d r a w s th e tide

,

O ut of th e vague u n capt ai ned se a ,

Som e moon power th er e ought to b e

To w o r k on o re ; it S hou ld b e t ried .

B y thi s e r ce re in which I ach e

I se e new res not yet b egun ,

A bl acksm ith smithying with th e sun ,

At u n m a de th ings m an ought to m ake .

Life i s not re and blows but thought , ,

Attention kindling into j oy ,

Those w h o m ak e noth ing new d est roy ,

0 m e wh at ev il I h av e wrought
,
.

[ 479 1
 LOLLING DON DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

0 m e, a nd a s h e moa ned h e saw
His i r on m aster sh ake h e felt ,

No blow nor did th e re m elt

,

His esh h e w as rel e ased fro m law

, .

He sat upo n th e anvil top

Dazed a s th e i r o n w as d azed h e took
,

S t re n gth seei n g th at th e i r o n shook

, ,

He sa id T h is cruel tim e m ust stop
, .

He seized th e i r o n a nd h e l d him fa st
With pince r s i n th e m idmost bl aze
, ,

A million sp ark s w en t millio n ways ,

Th e cow h o m h andl e plied th e bl ast .

Bu m ,th en h e c ried ; th e r e wa s wh ite
, ,

The i ro n wa s wh iter tha n th e re .

Th e re blast m ad e th e e m bers twi re ,

Th e bl acksmith s a r m b e ga n to s m ite

.

F i r st vengeance fo r old p ain a nd th en ,

B e gi nn i n g hop e of better th ings ,

Th en sw o rdblad e s for th e si d e s of Kings

And corselet s for th e b rea sts of m en .

And crowns and such like j oy s and gem s .

And st ars of ho n ou r for th e p u re ,

J ewel s of honou r to end ure ,

B eautiful women s di adem s .

And coult e rs s e venfol d twinned to rend

,
-
, ,

And gi r d ers to uphol d th e t ower ,

Ha rness for uni m agined pow er ,

New ship s to m ake th e billows b end ,

l48o l
 L OLLING DO N DO WNS AND OT H E R P OE M S

LU CI U S
O u r scouts say th at th e y s aw their re s .

COT TA

Well i f w e ght it s only blows
,

And bogging horses i n th e mi re s .

LU CIU S
Th eir raiders c r ossed th e line l a st night ,

E a stwa r d from th is to r ai d th e stud

, ,

T h ey stol e ou r old ch ief s stallio n Kit e , .

He s i n p u rsuit

.

COTT A
Th at l o ok s like b l o o d .

LU CI U S
Well b etter th at th an d icing h ere
,

B esid e this eve rl a sting stream .

COTT A
My God I w as in R om e l ast year
, ,

U nder th e sun it seem s a d r eam

, .

LUCIU S
T hings are not goi n g well i n R om e ,

T hi s frontier w ar i s wa sting m en
L ik e water and th e Ta rt a r s com e
,

In ho rde s .

[ 48 2 ]
 THE FRO NT I E R

COT TA
W e b e at th em b ack a gai n .

LUCIU S
So fa r w e h ave and yet I feel
,

Th e E m pire i s too wid e a bow

F or one land s str e n g th .

CO T rA

Th e stu ff s good ste e l .

LU CI U S
Too great a strain m ay sna p it th o ugh .

I f we were o rdered h o m e .

C O T rA
G oo d L o r d

LUCI U S
If T h en ou r friend s th e t ri b esmen th ere
,

Woul d h ave gla d d ays .

C O T rA
Thi s tow n would a re
To wa rm o ld Fox foo t a nd h is horde .

LUCIU S
We h av e n ot b een forethoughtful h ere ,

Pressing th e m en to ll th e ra n ks
Centu ri o ns swe e p th e p rovince clea r .

COTTA
R ightly .

[ 483 l
 LO LLING DO N DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

LUCI U S
Perh a ps .

CO T TA
We g et no th anks .

LU C I U S
We st rip th e m en for troop s ab r oa d
And l e av e th e wom en and th e sl aves
F o r m e r ch ants and th eir kind Th e graves .

Of h alf e ach p rovince line th e road .

Th ese p eopl e could not stand a d ay

Against th e t rib es with u s away
, .

Rightly .

LU CIU S
Perh aps .

COTTA
Here com es th e Chief .

LUCI U S
S i r d id you r rid ers catch th e th ief ?
,

CH I E F
No h e got clear and keep s th e h orse
,

B ut b a d new s always co m es with worse .

Th e frontier s fallen w e re recalled
,

,

O ur a rmy s b roken R o m e s app a ll ed

,

,

[ 484 ]
 LOLLING DO N DO WNS AND OT H E R POE M S

CH I EF
T h at s over now

.

LUCIU S
It will b e l o n g
B efore th e wo rld will se e o u r like .

CH I EF
We ve kept these th ieves b eyond th e dyke

A good l o ng tim e h ere on th e Wall

, .

LU CIU S
Colonel we ou g ht to sound a call
,

T o m a rk th e end of th is .

CH I EF
W e ought .

Look T h ere s th e h ill top wh ere we fought

.

O ld F ox fo o t Look th ere i n th e wh in
.
, .

O ld ruf an k na v e C om e o n F all in
. . .

XVI I I
N ight i s on th e d o wnl and on th e l o nel y moo rla nd
, ,

On th e h ill s wh e r e th e wi nd goes over sh eep bitten tu r f -

,

Wh ere th e bent grass b eat s upo n th e u n plough ed p oo rlan d

And th e pi ne woo d s roa r lik e th e surf .

He r e th e R oma n lived o n t h e w i n d b a rren lonely -

,

D a rk now and h au n t ed by th e moo rl and fowl ;

N o ne comes h e r e now but th e peewit only ,

And moth like death in th e owl

-
.

[ 486 ]
 M I DNI G H T

B eauty w as h e re o n th i s b ee t l e d ro n i n g d ownland ;
,
-

Th e th o ught of a Cae sar in th e p urple cam e

F rom th e p al ace by th e Ti b er in th e R om an tow nl a nd
To th is wind swept hill with no nam e
-
.

L o nel y B e aut y came h ere and w as here in sadness ,

B rav e a s a th ought o n th e frontier of th e mi nd ,

In th e cam p of th e wild upon th e m a rch of m adness ,

Th e b right e y e d Que e n of th e blind

-
.

Now wh ere B e auty w as a re th e wind with er e d gorses -

M o aning like old m en in th e hill W ind s bl a st

-

Th e y i n g sk y i s d ark with running horses

And th e night is full of th e p a st .

M I D NI G HT

! I!

Th e fox cam e U p b y Stringer s P ou nd

,

He smelt th e south w e st wa rm o n th e g r ou n d ,

F rom w e st to e ast a feath ery smell

O f b lood on th e wing quills tasting well
- .

A b uck s h i nd feet th umped on th e so d

,

The wh ip like g r ass snake went to clod

-
,

Th e dog fox p ut h is nose in th e ai r

-

To t a ste wh at food w as wand ering there .

U nder th e cl over down th e h ill

A h a r e i n form th at knew h is will .

U p th e hill th e wa rren awak e

,

And th e b a d g er shewing teeth like a rak e .

[ 487 ]
 LOLLING DO N DOWNS AN D OT H E R POE M S

Down th e hill th e two twin tho rp es

W h ere th e c rying night owl wak ed th e corp s e ,

And th e m oo n o n th e stilly windows b right

I nstead of a d e a d m an s waking light
.

Th e cock o n h i s p e r ch th at sh ook h is wing

Wh en th e clock st ruck fo r th e ch imes to ring ,

A d uck th at m utter e d a rat th at r a n

,

An d a horse th at stam p e d rem e m b e ring ma n , .

U p o n the d owns th e red eyed kestr e l s hov e r

-

E yeing th e grass .

Th e e l d mouse it s like a sh ad ow i n to cover

As their sh adows pa ss .

M en a re b u rning th e g o rse o n th e dow n s sh ould er ,

A d r ift of smoke
Glitte r s w ith re a nd b an g s and th e S kies smoulder
, ,

And th e l ungs choke .

Once th e t rib e d id th u s o n th e downs on these d own s b u rn i n g

, ,

M en i n th e fra me ,

Crying to th e god s of th e down s till t h ei r b rains w ere turning

And th e god s cam e .

And to d ay on th e d own s in th e wind th e h awks th e g rasses

-
, , , ,

In bloo d a nd ai r,

Someth ing p asses m e and cri es a s it p asses ,

On the ch alk d ownl an d b are .

[ 488 ]
LOLLING DON DOWNS AND OT H E R POE M S

You n g W ill th e so n , ,

Hea r d his sister S h ri e k ,

H e took his gun

Quick as a streak .

He said Now d ad, , ,

Stop once for all
, .

H e wa s a goo d la d ,

Good at kicking th e b all .

Hi s fath er clu b b ed
Th e gi r l o n th e h ead .

Young Will upped

A nd sh ot h im d e a d .

Now S ister said W i ll
, , ,

I ve a killed fath er

-
,

As I said I d kill
.

0 my love I d rath e r

A kil l h im agai n
Th an se e you su ff er .

O my littl e Ja ne ,

Kiss goodbye to you r b r o th er .

I won t se e you agai n

Nor th e cow s h o m ing ,

Nor th e m ice i n th e grain ,

Nor th e p r im r ose coming ,

N o r th e fai r nor folk , ,

N o r th e summer owers
G rowi n g on th e wol d
N o r aught th at s ours
.

[ 49o l
 M I DNI G H T

Not Tib th e c at ,

N ot Stub th e m a re ,

No r ol d dog Pat
Never anywh ere .

F or I ll b e h ung

I n Gloucester p r ison
Wh en th e bell s r u n g

And th e sun s ris e n .

Th ey h a n g ed Will
As W ill s aid ,

With o ne th r i ll
Th ey ch oked h im d e a d .

Jane walked th e wold

Like a g r ey ga nder ;
A ll grow n ol d
Sh e woul d wander .

Sh e d i e d soon .

At h igh ti d e
At full moo n
J ane d ied .

Th e b ro o k ch atter s
As at r st ,

Th e fa r m it waters
I s a ccu rst ;
[ 49 1 ]
 LOLLING DON DO WNS AND O T H E R POE M S

N o m a n takes it ,

Noth ing grows th ere ,

B lood st ra ik s it ,

A gh o st goes th e r e .

XX I I
A h u nd red y e a rs ago th e y q u a r ried fo r th e stone h ere ;
,

Th e ca rt s cam e th rough th e woo d by th e t rack still pl ain ;

T h e d rill s sh ew i n th e rock wh ere th e bla sts were blown h ere ,

They sh e w u p d a r k a fter r ai n .

Th en th e last ca rt of stone went a way th rough th e wood ,

T o b uild th e g r eat h ouse fo r som e Ap ril of a wom a n ,

Till h er b e auty sto o d in st o ne as h er m an s thought mad e it
,

go o d ,

And th e d umb r ock w as m a d e h uman .

Th e house still stand s b ut th e Ap ril of it s glo ry

,

I s gone lo n g si n c e with th e beauty th at h as go ne

, , ,

Sh e wande r ed away west it i s a n ol d sad sto ry

, ,

It is best not talk ed U po n .

And th e m an h as go ne too b ut th e quarry th at h e ma d e

, , ,

Whenever A p ri l comes a s it ca m e in old time ,

I s a d e a r d elight to th e m an w h o loves a ma id ,

F or th e p rimrose comes from th e lim e .

And th e blackb i r d bu ild s b e low th e catkin sh aking

And th e sweet wh ite viol ets a re b eauty in th e bl oo d ,

And d aff od il s a re th e r e and th e blac k th o m blossom b reaking

,

Is a wil d wh ite beauty i n b u d .

[ 49 2 ]
 LOLLING DO N DO WNS AN D OT H E R POE M S

Then th e d ancing d i ed o u t and th e ca rri a g e s came ,

And th e beauties took th eir cloaks and the m en d id th e sam e ,

And th e wheels crunch ed th e gravel a nd th e lights w ere tu rned

d own ,

And th e ti re d b e auties d oz e d th rou g h th e cold d riv e to town .

Nan was th e belle a nd sh e m a rri ed h er b e au ,

Who d rank a nd th en b e at h er and sh e d i ed long a g o

, , ,

And M a ry h er S iste r i s m arried a nd gone

, ,

To a te a pl anter s l od g e in th e plains in Ceylon

, , .

And Do r othy s sons h ave b een kill ed out in F rance ,

And M a ry lost h er m an i n th e August a d va n c e ,

And E m th e m an j ilted a nd sh e l ives all alone

, ,

I n th e house of th is d ance wh ich seem s b u rn t in my b on e .

M a rga re t a nd Sus an and M a ri an and Phyllis

With red lip s l augh ing and th e beauty of lilies
And th e g r ace of wil d s w ans a nd a wo nder of b right h ai r ,

D ancing among roses with petal s in th e air .

All all are gone and Hetty s littl e m ai d
, ,

I s so like h er mothe r th at it m akes m e a fr aid .

And R osali nd s so n whom I p assed in th e street

, ,

C li n k ed on th e p avement with th e sp urs on h is feet .

[ 494 ]
RO S A S
 RO SAS

I am a n ol d ol d m an li m p ing to d e ath
, ,

An d m a n y a wicked th ing h ave I seen d on e .

B loody a nd e vil a s th e Preach er saith

Are ill m en s d e ali n g s und ern e ath th e sun

.

B ut th is b r ight ch ild i s fated to s uch cri m e

As will mak e m a r k a bl o ody smea r o n T im e .

S o h e w e nt weeping wh il e the gossip s ba d e

,

Lord R osa s not to h eed th e poo r o ld loon .

L o rd R osas d i ed soon a fter a nd wa s lai d

Deep in th e pit w h ere all lie l at e or soon .

U nd er t h e ag st on e in th e ch ancel d im
E vil and h appy fate were o n e to h im .

After h i s d eath h i s widow r u le d th e son

,

Som e few sho rt yea rs ; som e bitter bouts th ey h ad ;

Th at old hot p r ou d un und erst and ing o ne -

R ou sed night an d d ay th e d evil in th e lad ,

Sh e with h er pl a n s and h e with all h is d r ea m s

,

O f th e g reat world wa sh ed b y th e ocean stream s .

I t wa s th e custom in th e outl and pl ain ,

Th at young m en nobly bo rn shoul d serve awh ile

, ,

U nd er som e m er ch a n t keeping sto r e fo r gain

, ,

So to lea rn comm erce a nd by service vil e , ,

Sweeping th e oors to sense (with gritted teeth )

,

M an and th is wo rld o f hi s fro m underneath ,

An d seeing life beca use those merch ants stores

,

Were club s and ma r k e ts u sed by e v eryo ne

F or plots a nd b argain s a nd the test of ores .

[ 49 8 ]
 RO SAS

Se ii o r a
R osa s ord ered th at h er so n
Should like h is fath e r enter being of age , , ,

A c o unt ry storehou se a s th e m erch ant s pa g e

.

I do a s fath er d id ? h e an sw e r e d I ? ,

Sweep o ut a ch eat e r s o i Ce with a b r oo m

And peddle sa rd ines ? I h a d r ath er d i e .

Wh ile th ere s a cow to b rand o r h orse to groom

I ll b e a m a n So l et you r m erch ant nd
.

Some p riest or e unuch with my fath er s m ind
.

Sh e spoke again He sa id I will not go .
, .

T h en sh e repli e d M y son you sh all n ot eat
, , , ,

Nor d r ink until you d o Y ou t e ll m e No

, .
, .

A resty cal f th at q ua r rel s with th e t e at

Sh all S ta rve for m e Men lock th is b ragg a rt l ad
, .
,

I nt o hi s r oo m Th ey d id a s th e y were b a d e
. .

Th e y le ft h im in h i s r oom all th r o ugh th e d ay ,

With neith er food n o r d r i n k ; th ey a sked him th ric e ,

Joh n h ere i s d inner ; will you not obey ?
,

They b rought h im raisin biscuits to entice

Him to obey Hi s fri end th e horse herd came
.
-
.

B ut John woul d ne it h er an swer nor b e ta m e .

When twilight fel l hi s moth e r ask ed again, ,

John b e a d vi sed b e wise and d o my will

, ,
.

Wh y b e so h ead st ro n g givi n g m e such pa in ? ,

Are you n ot h ungry ? Th ere is d in n er still .

S ay you will go th en come and eat with m e
,
.

I won t h e said

,
Then you m ay sta rve sai d
. , he
s .

[ 499 ]
 RO SAS

So wh en th e night wa s d ark th e moth er said , ,

Le av e h im tonight to morrow w e sh all nd ,

-

His fal lal s cu red an d I sh all b e ob e y ed

-
.

NO cu r e like h unger to a s tubbo rn m ind .

Then th rough th e keyhol e to h er son sh e c r i ed

G oo d night my son N o ne answer e d from in sid e
, . .

Th en wh en th e morning cam e t he y k n ock ed th e doo r

, , ,

John will you , th ey asked No an swer cam e . .

One sai d I se e h im lying on th e oo r
, .

H e is a sl eep o r pl aying at som e gam e ,

C om e M a ster Joh n don t t reat ou r l ady so

, ,

.

L oo k h ere a re e ggs b e g oo d and say you ll go
, ,

.

N o answ e r cam e so t hen t h e y craned and peered

, ,

I n to th e keyh ol e at th e room b eyond .

Pray God s aid o ne It b e not a s I feared
, , ,

A l ad s o p roud sh ould ne v er b e i n bo nd .

H e h ad h is I ndi an lance h ead on th e sh el f -

.

John M a ster Joh n H e m a y h ave kill e d h im sel f

, . .

John G o d h e h a s He s lying o n th e oo r
, , .

,

L oo k th er e s h is body F etch th e crowb a rs h ere
, . .

Ye s h e i s d e a d G od h el p us ; b u rst th e d oo r
, , ,

R u n fo r a docto r one A de a r a d ea r , .
, ,

He wa s th e likeliest l ad th ere e ver w as .

Now R am o n h e av e N ow M a rtin n o w To m as
, , .
, .

Heave So th ey hov e and enter e d with th e h e av e ;
.

Wh at th e y h a d thought w as Joh n wa s b ut a pil e

O f c l othi n g r oll ed to m an s sh ap e to d ec e ive
,

.

Joh n wa s not th e re h e h ad b een go ne awh ile , .

[ 5 00 ]
 RO SAS

Th er e was no h o rse so wild h e c o uld not b r e ak h im

B y h and s and o ne sm all th ong ; no Gauch o b r av e
Wrestlin g h im naked kn ee to k nee could sh ake h im
, , ,

Or in th e k n ife gam e giv e h im wh at h e gav e ,

Or in th e midnight s th und e ri ng c attl e h unt
Pa ss th e m ad h erd like h im t o t u rn th e ir fr o nt
, , .

B ut most o f all m en saw h im tak e th e le ad

,

I n w a r tim e wh e n th e I ndi an t ribes were out ;

,

Th en h e p ai d bloody th reat by bloody d eed ,

And m an y a p ainted Ind ia n in h is clout

Swun g from th e oak t re e b ran ch e s at h is ord er
-
.

The forays en d ed wh ile h e kept th e B order .

Then wh en th e M arch w as q uiet h e b ecam e

, ,

A ranch er th ere and wed and gat a ch ild

, , ,

A l ittl e gi rl ( M a n u e l a was h er n ame)

, .

Th en a s th e d a rling of th at fr o ntier wild

, ,

H e mov ed a nd rul ed and glitt e red a nd was g rim

Among th e Ga uch o t ro op s w h o worsh ipped h im .

There wa s a littl e child ( an ol d m a n now)

Wh o saw h im p as s once i n those Indian d ays ,

Le a n quick and cruel with a p anth er b row

, ,
-

And wand e ring eyes th at glitt ered to a blaze ,

E yes o f a m adm an yet you knew h im th en

,

Th e one m an there a n atu ral k ing of m en
, .

And cante ring with h im rod e th e frontier b and

Wh oopi n g a nd swea ri n g a s th e y plied th e qui rt ,

Th e thousand rake h ell s of th e South C omma nd

-

With tossing b it cup s b r ight and ying dirt

-

[ 5 02 ]
 RO SAS

A n d R o sa s fat in front ; h is long red cloa k

St r e aming lik e am e b e fore th e th under strok e .

4:

Th ere w ere two p a rti e s in th at d istant st ate ,

Th e Wh ites a nd R ed s who for long yea r s h ad ll ed

, , ,

The liv e s of all th e count ry with th ei r h at e ,

Th e graves of all th ei r ch u rchya rd s with th ei r killed .

Th e re was no Wh ite or R ed with h and s not b ru e d

Or smutch e d i n b loo d i n th at old pa rty fe u d .

Thi s feud m ad e h av o c in th e l a nd ; yet stil l

Stopped at th e ranges w h ere Lo r d R osa s rode ,

There th e wild I nd ians wer e e nough to ki l l ,

Ch ristians were friends m en he l d th e commo n co d e

, ,

Death to th e Ind ians b ut with in t he p ale

R ed against Wh it e m ad e m urder an old tale .

And i n th e city wh er e th e S enat e sat

So viol en t th is b loody q u arrel wa s
Th at men stol e to th ei r business lik e th e c at
By silent streets wh ere p ave m e n ts sp routed grass ,

And at th e cor n ers cr o uch ed with stealthy eyes ,

P eered and d rew b ack o r ashed upo n th ei r p rize

, , .

Th is stat e of d ai l y mu rd er nightly p l ot
, ,

Killing and b u rning of th e Wh it e and R ed ,

Lasted th ree years till in th e l a nd wa s not

,

One home of m a n with o ut som e victim dead ;

Then in th e guilty Senate s o meone s a ne
, ,

Cri e d Wh ites and R ed s let u s h ave peace again
, , .

[ 5 03 1
 RO SAS

Th is q u arr e l m akes us beasts in th e w o rld s e y e s

,

An a rch s a nd worse O let th is m urder end

.
,

B efore G o d sm ites u s d own to m ake u s wise ,

Let u s fo rget ou r p r id e a nd co n descend ;

F orget th e p ast and let som e l e a d er m ake
,

Ord er among U S fo r th e g re at God s sake
.

Then s o m eone said Wh at leader ? Wh at m a n h e r e

,

Coul d both sides t ru st ? A ll h e r e a re R ed or Whit e .

Th is blood sh ed will go o n a n oth er yea r ,

Or ten mo r e yea r s until w e R ed s r equite

,

Som e of ou r w r ongs u n til th e Wh ites restore

,

Their bloo d i ed spoils ; th en peace co m es ; n ot before .

Then th ere wa s tum ult ; b ut th e rst took h ea rt ,

And spoke agai n We a r e all sick with bloo d
, .

Let b e old sins and sp o ilin g s Let u s start .

Anoth e r page H ave d o ne with inging mu d

. .

B u ry th e wick ed p ast Let both sid es st r iv e

.
,

Since both sides ca re to s ave th i s l and al ive
, .

Then a n ol d Wh ite b e ga n : W e Wh ites h ave st r ive n
Against inj ustice ; not for l u st of gain .

You R ed s no less Now i n th e na m e of Heaven

.

Le t not ou r fellow s uff e r er pl e a d i n va in .

L ife m akes u s n eith er R ed nor Wh ite but m e n ,

Self bou n d in h ell Let wisdom fr ee u s th en ?
-
.

Th en th e rst speak e r answe r ed I t i s cl e a r , ,

Si n ce thi s g r eat city is so r ack ed with fe u d ,

And we so stained with blood th at no one h ere ,

Can b ring b ack q uiet to th e m ultitude .

[ 5 04 ]
 RO SAS

So with b ot h p a rties h opi n g fo r th e lives

,

O f all thei r foes th rough R osas th ere wa s calm

, , ,

And R ed s and Wh ites both went to wh e t th eir knives ,

Licking their lip s for bloo d Without a qu alm .

T h e S enate vot ed Let it b e ag reed
,

Th at R osa s com e ; and so it w as d ecr ee d .

So R o sa s en t ered in and took comm and

And ruled th e city to a R om an p eace .

F o r th r ee lo n g d ays th e cut th roat s in h i s band -

Killed at h i s n o d a nd wh en h e b a d e th em cease
,

T h e tow n wa s t am e for th ose who could not ee

,

Were kill e d or crush ed I rul e h enc e forth said h e
.
, .

'
7 '

So R osas cam e to power S oo n h is hol d .

Gr ipp ed th e whol e l a nd as though it were a horse .

Ch u r ch Money Law all yi e l d ed H e controlled

, , , .

Th at land s wil d p a ssions with hi s wilder fo rce

.

And th rough th eir tea rs m en h eard fr om tim e to tim e '

His sl av e s at worshi p of h is clever cri m e .

And if th e city t err i ed to aw e

, ,

Loathed h im a s sl aves th eir m asters h e w as still

, ,

T h e Gauch o s d arli n g captain ; h e coul d d r aw

Their h ea rts at pl easu r e with h i s h orse m an s skill

.

N o ne e v er r o d e like R osas ; n o ne b ut h e
Could sp eak th ei r slang o r knew th e i r myst e ry .

So th at in all h is b loodiest d ays a cr owd

, ,

O f Gauchos h ung ab out h i s p al ace gate -

,

A n d wh en h e w en t o r cam e th ey sh outed lou d

L o n g life to Captain R osas Th ey would wait

[ 5 06 ]
 RO SAS

F or h o u r s t o catch h is nod Thei r p atient rags

.

Were b right e r to h i s soul th an ow e rs o r ags .

And with th is Gaucho p ow e r h e ruled h is sl aves

B y d e ath alone ; withi n h is au d i en c e h all s
Stretch e d end to e nd o n Indi an lances staves
,

Were long red streamers p ropped against th e walls

C ro wned b y th ese word s D e ath to th e Wh ites ; b ut h e
Dealt d ea t h to R ed s a n d Wh ites imp a rtially .

Death w as h is go d h is sword h is creed of power

, , ,

Death wa s his plea su re for h e took d e light

,

To m ake h i s wife and d aughter sh rink and cow er

By tales of mu rd er wreaked o n R ed or White ,

A n d wh il e th ese women t rembled and turn e d p ale ,

He sh ri e ked with l aughter at th e witty t al e .

Thos e tw o al o ne cou l d c o unter R osa s will ;
His wi fe an d d aughter ; th ey could b end h is mind
To mercy ( sometimes ) from a p urposed ill ;
S o wh en h is h ea rt som e bloo d y deed d esigned
, ,

With merry cunning h e would o r d er one

T o j a i l tho se women t ill th e d ee d w as done .

He h ad on e j e st wh ich w as to bid to feast

, ,

Som e on e most stai d som e bishop without speck

, .

Som e city lord som e widow sooth ing p ri est

-
,
-
.

And th en to d rop red re ants d own his neck ;

-

Th en a s h i s victim in ch e d a nd t ried to h id e
,

His p ains Lord R osas l augh ed until h e cried

, .

[ 5 07 1
 RO SAS

H e h e ld n o C ou n cil ; b ut a G auc h o fool ,

Dressed like a B r itish gen e ral pl ayed th e clown ,

About th e p al ace a nd w as us ed to r ul e
, ,

V ice regent for him wh en h e left th e town

-
, .

N o oth er colleague h ad h e b ut at h and ,

H e kept som e twelve h is chosen m u rderb and, .

Th e se twelve we r e pick ed you n g no b les choicely b re d , ,

Sworn in a gang th e Th ugs o r G allow sbird s

, ,

A club o f D eath of wh ich h e wa s th e h e ad

, ,

Th at sav ed th e State great cost i n l awy er s word s ;

Writs p rosecutions b ail s d efences plea s

, , , , ,

Wer e ov er r u led by j udges such a s th es e

-
.

F o r if h e wi sh ed a person killed h e b a d e
, ,

Th e victim and th e chosen m u rd er e r d i ne

I n p al ace with him wh il e th e m instr e l s played
, ,

And h e w as host a nd j oked a nd passed th e wine ,

And at th e m id night h e would se e th em sta rt

Like fri e nd s for hom e and all th e tim e th e cart
,

Stood waiting for th e co r p se at th e stre e t end -

.

And th e n th e m u r d erer wa r m ing to h i s m an ,

I n th e d a r k alley s chill woul d say My fr iend

, , ,

I love th is t alk a nd th en woul d j er k a span
,

O f k n ife into hi s th r oat a nd l e av e h im d ead ;

Then tell th e d ead ca rt gang and go to b ed
- -
.

Thu s R osas rul ed ; yet still h e feared th e Ch urch ,

Th at outla sts m en so o n a d ay h e cried

, , ,

M a rtin ou r p at ron S aint sh all quit h is p e rch ;

, ,

No di rty foreign saint sh all b e ou r gui d e .

[ 508 ]
 RO SAS

B ut being b en t b y t ra ining to obey

, , , ,

And h aving h op e a nd a n ap p o int e d task ,

He held h i s tongue a nd wrought and w e nt his w ay

, , ,

And h id his wea ry h ea rt behind a m ask ,

Though it wa s h a rd As City Ch apl ain h e

.

Wa s widely k n own th roughout th e B ish o p s s ee .

And being fo nd of m u sic it so fell , .

Th at h e a nd th at Camill a so m etim es m et
I n quires and singing pl aces ; ah too well ,

F o r th ose two soul s th e ir red a nd wh ite was se t .

F or l ov e went winging th rough thei r h ea rts and then ,

Wh at el s e could m atter in th is w o rld of men ?

Th ey b e cam e lovers b ut by secr e t ways

, ,

With singl e wo r d s with looks i n p ublic r oo m s

, , ,

A mo n g a wo rld of spies in a great bl a z e

, ,

T h e y h id th is splendid secret of th ei r d oom s .

O fte n a week of longing h a d to end

With o ut one wo rd o r look from fri end to fri end .

So m o nth s of p assi o n at e trou b l e p assed t he m by

M aki n g th em h appy with in tens e st p ai n
T h at b r o ught th e m down al l h eaven from th e sk y
And by sh a rp t r avail m ad e th em b o rn again .

Coul d th ey b ut speak th ei r p a ssi o nate s o ul s m ad e blind

,

Trod th e h igh sta rs in th e eternal m ind .

Till in th e Sp ring Camill a s fath er pl ann e d

, ,

To t ak e C amill a to th e count ry th ere ,

( So h e inform ed h er) h e woul d plight h er h a nd

To young Lo rd Ch arl es his ne ig h bou r s son and heir ;
,

[ sI o l
 RO SAS

F or it i s tim e my d e ar th at you sh o uld wed

, ,

One like D o n Ch arl e s a fri end a nd lo r d h e s aid
, , .

Yet seeing wh ite d i s may upon h er face

, ,

He said B e calm ; th e w ed d i n g cann o t b e
,

F or som e we e ks mo re ; you h av e a littl e grac e ,

B ut still to mo rrow you must start with m e

,
-
,

F or you m ust m eet Lord Ch arl es a nd come to k n ow ,

Y ou r luck d e a r ch ild th at you sh o uld m a rry so
, , .

A l l th rough th at d ay sh e e nt e rtained th e gu e sts ;

A ll th rough th e e v en i n g a s h er fath er s sl ave
,

Sh e sang and pl ayed ; b ut wh en m en s o ught their rests ,

Ev en a s th e th in ghost t read s th e ch u rch s n ave

,

Sh e crept out of th e house to tell h er m an ,

L au ren c e h er loved o ne of h er fath er s pl a n

, ,

.

Sh e reach ed th e B ishop s house in th e d e a d n ig h t .

F a r o ff th e d ogs ba rked ; th en a nois e of b e lls

,

Ch im ed and th e abb ey qui re sh ewed a light

,

Wh e r e sleepy mo n k to monk th e o f ce t e ll s .

Lorenzo s l am p still b u rned ; h e pac ed h is room ;

His sh ad ow l ik e a great b a t itte d gl oo m .

Th e re S h e stood crouch ed Tw o d runk e n fri en d s w en t by

.

S inging I feel inclined
, Sh e d rew h er b re at h
. .

All th e b right sta rs we r e merry in th e sk y .

Sh e called to Lau rence th en a s white a s d e ath

, , ,

Sh e yea rned a n d p r ay ed His feet up o n th e stai r

.

C re ak ed a b olt clocked and then h e r m an wa s ther e

, .
 RO SAS

Sh e tol d her t ale ( a bitt e r tal e t o b oth ) ,

Then Lau r ence sa id Since it h as com e to this
, ,

This m ust d e ci de m e an d my p riestly oath

,

M ust now b e b roken I h av e done a m iss

.

Lovi n g you th u s i n s ec ret ; n ow ou r sin

M u st front th e world ; a new tim e m ust begin .

I h av e lo n g known th at such a b reak woul d co m e .

I cannot longe r serve this Ch u rch of ou rs ,

Th at sees red crim e committ ed and i s d umb ,

And strows a n ath eist s p ath with holy owers .

We two will y to sta rt a n oth er life

,

F a r from th i s wicked town a s m an and wife , .

And if th e life b e h a rd it still will b e ,

A life togeth er a nd ou r own a nd all

, ,

T h at life c an off er m e i s you with m e .

I f you ar e with m e let wh at m ay b e fall
, .

I too say th at Camill a said Wh e r e two
, , , ,

Love to th e depth s wh at evil can m en d o ?
,

T hey looked a long look i n each oth e r s eyes ;
Th en h a nd i n h a nd th ey p ut a sid e th e p ast ,

F ath e r and p ri estly vows ; for love i s wise

, ,

Love pl ays fo r life love sta kes upon th e cast

, ,

L ov e i s both bl ind and b r av e lov e o n ly k n ows ,

B eauty in th e night a l ittl e a m e th at blows .

Wh en th e g re at gat e s were op ened and th e ca rt s ,

Set out upo n th e road those tw o were there ,

B ou nd for th e West with qui e t i n th ei r h ea rt s .

Th e b ea uty o n th em m a d e th e c a rters st are .

[ 5 12 !
 RO SAS

Th is b ein g read wa s quot ed fa r an d wid e

, ,

I n m any l and s with m any d et ails more

,

O f th is rebelling ch apl ain and his b ride ,

Lo rd R osas sh am e th e count ry s running sore

, ,

Till h aving walked th e wo rl d th e sto ry cam e

, ,

B ack to Lord R osas like a rav e ning am e .

He w h o h ad l aughed to h ear it foam ed with rage

, ,

T o see it cou n t ed a s h is own d isgrace ;

B ut h aving re a d it th r ough h e tu rned th e p age
, , ,

Sigh ed as though sad a n d with a smiling face

, ,

C all ed on th e B ishop with a gi ft of gol d

F o r orph an b ab es th e l am bl ings of you r fold
, .

An d a s h i s way wa s wh en h e chose hi s t alk

, ,

Wa s sweet and gentl e and th e B ishop sh ewed

,

His E ngl ish lilies oweri n g i n t h e walk ,

Wh ich R osas p r aised : th e B ishop o v e r ow e d

With holy j oy wh en R os as d e ig ned to say

0 th at o u r soul s might b e a s wh it e a s th ey
, .

The n a fter v e sp er s wh en h is coach w as called

, ,

Lo r d R osa s said A bout th is erri n g p r iest
,

You r ch apl ain La urence ; you a re doubtl ess galled ,

N ay d eeply p ained ; b ut m en will soon h ave ceased

,

To mock about it ; for itself let be ,

B ut th e y a re both so young it touch es m e , .

Y ou l iked th e l ad ? All like h im . And th e gi rl ?

All loved Ca m illa Could not two
. old fri end s
Hel p two young souls wh ose h ea rts a r e in a whi rl ?
Thei r future l ives m ay m ak e co m pl ete a m end s
[ 5 14 ]
 RO SAS

F o r any e rr o r n o w if y o u and I
,

H e l p th e m in th i s th e i r t rou b l e Sh all w e try ? .

Th e B ishop sa id th at h e wa s d ee ply touch ed

,

To h ea r such Ch ristia n wo rd s th at h e would st rive

,

To reach th ese child ren who m mistakes h ad s m utch ed ,

T o b ring th em p e ac e and s ave th ei r soul s alive .

I too will st riv e sai d R osas ; let u s l earn
, , ,

F irst wh e r e th e y are and urg e them to retu rn

, , .

N o w th at thei r rst hou r s m a dnes s m ust b e o ver
Th ey m ust a littl e crave for wh at w as life
B efore th ei r fall and h unger to r e cover
,

Com rad e or friend e v en a s m an a nd wi fe

, .

Wh o were you r ch apl ain s fr iend s b e fo re th e fall ?

A p ri e st th e B ish op said from Donegal
, , .

Th e p riest Concannon wa s Lorenzo s frie n d ;
He m ay h ave h eard wh ere th e y h av e pitch ed th eir tent ;

H e lodges i n th e p a rish : sh all I send ?

N o I w il l w r ite sai d R o sa s ; so h e went
, ,

Hom e to h is p al ace and in little space

,

Concannon w a s b e for e him face to face .

And wh at with wi ne and att e ry an d d e c e it

He t u rned Co n c an n on s h e a d and m a d e h im tell

The n am e of those y o ung runaways r e treat
Wh ere th ey t aught sch ool beneath th e M ission b ell .

L o rd R osa s said When th ey ret u rn to town

,

We tw o will b ack th em till they l ive it down .

[ 5 15 ]
 RO SAS

So th inking th at th e p ai r were now forgiv e n ,

B ut for som e penance a nd a r ep r i m and ,

Concanno n left h im givi n g th anks to h e av en

,

Th at m ercy s spi rit governed in th e l and

.

Th ey will retu rn h e s aid a nd w ed a nd m ake
, , ,

Amend s for all th is pa ssion of mistake .

B ut wh en h e l eft L o rd R osa s called h is gua r d

,

To gaol h is d aught er ; th en wh en sh e wa s fa st, ,

He sent a troo p of l ancers ri d i n g h a rd

T o seize those love r s ; ere th e night w as p ast
T hose two poo r soul s o n whom th e wo rl d h a d ri s e n
W ere ch ained like thieves a nd c art ed to a p rison .

B ut th e r e th e i r gu ardi an seei n g th e i r est ate

, ,

Tw o gently nu rt u r ed soul s of n o p roved c rim e ,

Kn ocked off their i rons a n d let women wait

,

On poo r C amill a wh o wa s nea r h er tim e .

He lent h er m usic and wi t h fr uit and owers

,

And pleasant t al k amus ed som e b itt er hours .

B ut i n th e mi dn ight a s h e sl ept th ere cam e

, ,

A m an fr om R osa s with a sealed comma nd

,

Wh ich r a n Ta ke out those love r s without sh a m e
, ,

B e fo re th e d awn a n d sh oot th em out of h and

, .

T his is you r wa rra n t R osas Th is h e r ead
. .

Shocked to th e h ea rt b ut tu m bl ing fro m h is b ed

,

He called h is m en to ch a n g e th e cou rie r s ho r se

Th en risking pl ace and life h e w r ote to say ,

I h ave you r Lo rd sh ip s ord er b ut p e rforce

,

Wait con r m ation ere I can obey

, .

[ 5 16 ]
 RO SAS

So givi n g U p all hope h e t oo k his hors e ;

, ,

B ut a s h e rod e anoth er sch em e seemed fai r

, , ,

E ven n ow h e said things need not take th eir course ;
, ,

Her fathe r m ay appeal b ut comi n g the r e ,

He found h er father gone two d ays b efore , ,

To F rance (th ey told h im ) to retu rn n o more .

H e turned away b ut th en o ne oth er c h a n c e

, ,

R e mai ned to beg th e B ishop to a ppeal ;

,

B ut som e great suit of ch urch inh eritance

H ad tak en him fr om town Th e wh etted st ee l .

Want ed it s bloo d So th ey mu st d ie h e c r ied , .

And a s h e r o d e h e felt d eath ru n besid e .

So i n th e d awn th e d rumm er s b e at th e ca ll
, , ,

An d those poo r ch ild ren wak ened to b e kill ed , ,

Were taken out and pl aced agai n st a wall

F aci n g th e soldie r s ; th en th e bell wa s still ed
Th at h a d been tol ling a n d a m inute s sp ace ,

Wa s given for th e i r fa r ewell s an d l ast em b race .

And Laurence sai d C amilla we sh all b e , ,

I n d e ath togeth er I n so m e oth er life .

,

I f not in this d e a r you will b e with m e

, , .

O my sweet soul 0 my b e lov ed wife , ,

Y ou com e to th is th rough m e O my sw ee t friend .

,

M y love h a s b r ought you to th is sh ameful end .

Not sh am eful said C amil l a A ll I did
, ,

I h ave d o ne p r ou d ly As I h ave b egu n .

,

So let m e end Wh at h um an l aw s fo r bi d
.

B y l o v e s intens e r ca n o n w e h ave done .

[ 5 18 ]
 RO SAS

Le t love s intenser p u rpos e h e al th e sma rt
At h avi n g done with th i s poo r timorous hea rt .

I would h a ve l o ved th is little child in m e

To s uck my b rea st and cl a p it s littl e h and s ,

And r est its little bo d y o n my knee ,

And b e like you ; b u t now th e running s and s

Com e to a n end a nd we m ust d ie my o wn
, , .

S o b e it ; w e h ave loved unto th e bon e .

Th e n h and in h a nd th ey fac ed th e ring S qua d

Wh o shot th em d e a d into th ei r waiting graves ,

L ov e fo r each oth er w as all th e wealth they h a d ,

L ov e th at atones th e st e ady sta r th at s aves

, ,

Love th at wh en sh att e ring bullet s b rok e th em bli nd

, ,

Lit th em a p ath and l inked th em m ind to mi nd .

When th e dog s pi t y of thei r d e at h was told

,

Lord R osa s straight p rocl aimed I h ave U ph eld ,

Thi s count ry s mo r al s a s I sh all u phol d

, .

Th e r e they lie d ead those wicked w h o rebelled

, .

I h ave m a d e p u re th e count ry s S potted fame
.

Th e count ry re a d th e sto ry and wa s tam e .

B ut m an b y ma n th e y cr e pt ou t o f th e l and
,

D ay a fter d ay till th ere wer e thou sand s ed

,

Who in th eir exil e swo re th em to a b and

,

Not to retu rn save ov er R osa s d ead .

Though th ey lo d g ed ea rth en l ike th e naked worm

This tal e o f th o s e p oo r love r s k e pt th em r m .

[ 5 19 1
Thousand s th e y were and d ai l y th ey increa sed
With a rm s and faith u n til th ei r multitu d e
,

F e l l on Lord Rosas a s th e su ppi n g east

F all s on th e b a r rens wh e r e th e spi rits b rood .

Th ey cam e resolved to kill him or to die ,

R e m e mb er thos e poo r lovers w a s th ei r c ry , .

Wh en R osa s h e a rd th eir clamou r h e p re p a red

H is Gauch o l ancers F r om a r olling h ill
.

O utsid e th e city all th e pl ai n lies b a red

, ,

C o rn e ld s a n d wat er s t u rning m any a mill

, ,

Cities and woo dl and s and a d i st ance d im ;

,

There R osa s watch ed h is Gauchos ght fo r him .

B ut fr om th e swo rn attackers came a sh out

R emem b er those poo r love r s and th ei r ch arge ,

S catte r ed t h e G aucho l ance r s in a r out ,

And ch ased th ei r r e m na n ts to th e river m arge .

The n R osa s tu rned h i s ho r se a nd r o d e alo n e

To so m e m ea n dockya r d wh ere h e w as not known .

There casting l oose his horse h e bought a coat

, ,

F it fo r a sailo r a nd i n th i s new d r ess

,

Shipped a s a seam an in a cargo boat -

Th en l e avi n g po rt for En gl a nd as I guess

, , .

Th ere on he r d e ck th at night h e took his stand

An d looked h i s l ast upo n hi s n ative l and .

H e d ied in En gl a nd m a n y a yea r ago ;

His d aught er too ; both lie i n E nglish soil
, .

T h e y s ay th at great m oon d aisies lo ve to grow

-

Ov e r Camilla and with loving toil

,

[ 5 20 ]
 pa g e s c onta i n ad v e rti se m ents
M acm i llan bo ok s s am e a uth o r.
 MAS EFIEL D S PO EM S AND P LA YS C O L L E C TE D

The Poe ms an d Play s o f J o hn Mase e ld :

V o lum e I Poe ms , Vo lum e Plays

Cloth , I zma . With Fron tispi ece P ortrait of auth or . $2 5 0 p er

. volu me .

This is W h a t ma ny p eop le h a v e long bee n d e sm n g a collec ed t

edi tion of th e w ork s of M ase e ld , in cludi n g ev e ryth in g th at th e di s
tin g ui sh ed Eng lish au th o r h as p ub li sh ed in th e eld o f dr am a an d

v e rse .

H e re w ill b e found Th e E verlastin g M er cy an d Th e Widow i n th e

By e S tr eet, Th e D a odil F i eld: an d ntribu ti ons
o th e r of th e g re at co

on w hi ch h e g ai ne d h is rst p op ularity as w e ll as th ose sh orte r p i eces

,

w hich h a v e h e r etofore b ee n p u b li sh ed only in li mi te d e di ti ons I t is .

n ow p o ss i ble for th e M ase e ld a dm i e r to p o sse ss h is com p le te w r i t

r

in g s in th e tw o eld s in which h e is su p re m e .

Th e v olum e s h a v e b ee n care fully m ad e an d p ur ely from th e b ook ,

m ak in g stand po int will b e 3 w orth w hile addit i on to an y li b rary

, .

Rosas
BY J OH N M AS EF IE LD
1 2m .
, $1 5 0. .

A m ost pi cture sq ue ch ar a cte r is th e ce ntral g ure of J oh n M as e

h eld

s poe m R osas .

I t is Rosas h i m se lf tyrant of Buenos Ai re s w h o rule d as D i ctator

, ,

fro m 1 83 5 to 1 85 2 an d w h o w as sur round e d w i th a b and o f ad ve n

,

turers w h o g a ve im p li c i t o be dience to his le ad e rshi p .

M r M ase e ld d eals w ith som e of his e xp lo i ts we avin g into th e

.
,

narrati v e an unusual an d in te restin g lo v e story I t is a thor o ug hly .

g ripp in g p oem full o f th e c olor an d ac ti on of th e Arg e n tine in th e

,

rst h alf of th e e i g h tee nth ce n tury .

TH E MA C M ILLAN CO M PA NY
Publish e rs 6466 Fifth Aven ue Ne w York
 TH E W O RK S OF J OHN M AS EFIE LD

T h e E ve r las ti n g M e r cy an d
T h e W id o w in th e B y e S t r e e t
( Aw ar dd e th e Ro y a l S oc i y et of i
L te r a tu r e
'
s pr i ze of $300)
d d iti
N ew an L h d r e v is e e on , ea t e r,

Mr M ase ld m l ik co h f l ig h m a y as o t ac r oss con te p o ra r
y Th im b bl h b
e es e
li m p li h d
.

E n g s h p o e tr p ro a h h
e as een acco as
v y m il h th i l d it f
e s e ; e
d f d
.

ma e p o e tr y o u t f h t e a te r a t as r e to y e
f y
o er a u se or
a lm o st a sc o r e o B E
e ar s . i g T

ip os to n ve n n ran scr t .

vig i ity m d E g li h l i

A ou r dan i
s n ce r r ar et n o e rn n s te r a u re
dp d
.

Th e I n e en en t .

Ph i li p th e K i n g , an d O th e r P o e m s
Cl o th , re m o, L e ath e r ,

Mr .

M a se e ld h as ne v er d on e an y th i n g b e tte r th an th e se
p oem s . A r g on a u t .

L o llin g d o n D o w n s an d O th e r P o e m s

A n ew p oe m s by M r M ase e ld c onta i n i ng h is
b oo k of .
,

m o st r e c e nt w o rk i n v r se T h e sa m e b e a uty o f e p r e s e . x

s i o n a n d i m p r e ss i o n w h i c h p e r v a d e d h is e a r li e r p o e t ry w i ll
be f o un d i n th e p ag e s o f Lo llin g d o n D o w n s a d O th e r

n

Po e m s T h e se late st o f M r M a se e ld s p o e m s a r e i ssue d

. .

i n a li m i te d e d i ti on .

T h e D affo d i l F i e ld s
Cl o th , I z m o, L e a th e r

i
N e th e ri n th e d ig in th e te lli did ld En oc h
f d i l F i ld
es n n or n or cou
Ar den

m co n e ar th e i i
a r t st c tr u th of

T D af o s.

Q i ll C C
e e e
Sir u er- ou c h , am br i dg e Un i i
ve r s ty .

S alt W ate r Poem s an d B allad s

I ll u s tr a te d ,

Th e lt of
th e se a i s in th e s e jin le s n o t th e m y s t c s e a o f th e
sa i
o ld
e r p o e ts w h o h a d a n a r t , b u t th e a r d s e a th a t m e n g h t, e e n v
in th e se ay s o f d
a th a n n e r s , in l vi
s to u t- t m e r e li
h u s w th o ck s i b d ll i bl
l i l
e
l
to r att e a n d h e m p f o r th e g a e to w h st e th r o u g h a n d g e th e sa t iv l
lipp e c h ad
n te m an h i s r u gg ey m e te r s
"
N ew Y o r k S u n . d .

TH E M A C M I LL A N C O M PA N Y
Pu b li sh e r s 646 6 Fi f th Ave n u e N e w Y or k
 TH E W O RK S O F J OHN M AS E FIELD

A M ai n sai l H aul
Cl o th , I zm a, L e a th e r,

As a i lo r b e f o r e th e m a st Mase e ld h as tr av e le d th e
a s

w o r ld o v e r M any o f th e tale s in th i s v o lu m e a r e h is o w n
.

e x p e r i ence s w r i tte n w i th th e sa m e d ra m at i c d e li ty d is

p lay e d in D au b e r
.

M u ltit u d e an d S o lit u d e
31 35
-

Th i s is m a te r il
a of th e b e st k i d
n f or a s to r y of a dv en tu r e , an d

Mr . M ase e ld u se s it to th e b e st a dv an tag e . H e h as th e g ift of

di r e ct an d s imp l e n ar r at iv e, an d it n ee d h ar d ly be sa id th a t he

k n ow s th e h u m an h e ar t . A r g on au t .

C ap t ai n M ar g ar e t
Cl o th

W o r th y to r an k h ghi m a on g b ook s of its l

c as s . Th e s to r y h as

q ua t li y , c h arm , an d s pi i d
r te n a r r at iv e.
"
Out l o ok .

L o s t E n d e avo u r

A sti rr i ng sto r y a d v e ntu re d e aling w ith p i rate s an d

of ,

b uccane e r s an d li fe on th e sea s in a d ay w h e n a n oc e an
,

t r i p w as b e set w ith all k i nd s o f d ang e r s an d e x c i te m e nts

'

T h ose w h o h a v e enjoyed Ca p ta i n M arg aret an d Mu l

titu d e an d S o li tu d e w i ll n d th i s ta le e q u ally e x h i la r ati ng .

TH E M A C M IL L A N C O M PA N Y
Pu b li sh e r s 64
6 6 Fi f t h Av u e Ne w Y r k en o
 TH E W O RK S OF J OHN M AS E FIE LD

Th e T r ag e d y of Po m p e y
Cl o th , I zm o, L e a th e r ,

A p lay such nly th e au th o r o f Nan c o uld h av e

as o

w r i tte n T e n se in s i tu ati o n an d i m p r e ss i v e i n its p o e tr y i t

.

c o n v e y s M a se e ld s g e n i u s i n th e h an d li ng o f th e d r am at i c

f orm .

T h e F a it h fu l : A T r ag e d y in T h r e e A c t s
C l o th , L e a th e r , $I 75
.

A str ik i n g d r am a a n o ta bl e w ork th a t w il l m e e t w i th th e

y
h e ar t i i
a p p r e c at o n of di sc e r n i n g rea d e r s.

Th e N ati on .

T h e T r ag e d y of N an
Ne w e diti on . Cl oth , Le a th e r , $I 75
.

On e of th e m o st d i ti
s n ct iv e di
w r tte n b y
tr a g e es i a d r am at st i of

th e m o d ern sc h o o N . Y . E ve n in g P ost .

T h e L oc k e d Ch e s t , an d th e Sw e e p s of

Ni n e t y E i g h t -

Th e p lac e o f M r M ase e ld as a d ra m at i st h as be e n
.

am p ly p r o v e d by th e p la y s w h i ch h e h as p u b li sh e d h i th e rto .

I n th e r e alm o f th e o n e ac t p lay h e is se e n to q u i te a s g o o d
-

e ff e ct a s i n th e long e r w o rk a n d th i s vo lu m e r ank s w i th ,

h is b e st .

TH E M A C M IL L A N C O M PA NY
Pub lish er s 64- 66 F i th Aven u e f New Y ork