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6
aNADA
NATIONAL LIBRARY
BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE
Gift of
Offert
par
Estate of
Arthur S. Bourinot
POEMS
LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC,
BY
JOHN HENRY BROWN,
1 T A W A :
J. DUKIE cV SON,
1892.
'X
■>
^^m^^
Entered according to Act of I'arliament of Canada, in the year
1892, by John Henry Brown, at the Department
of Agriculture.
A. S. WoODBURN,
Printer.
V
TO ISABEL.
As, IkiikI in IkiikI. ire strai/cd
Aloiiij flic iroild's hnxid hitjliinii/.
Our s/vps ire off delfii/cd
liif iinnii/d Idiic and hffr-iru}/ :
Where JloH'crH and grasses sprainf,
Diiisies mid h-iii(jeitj)s f/elloir.
Anil, hlithelji siriiujiiKj, sninj
The birds their rondeaus niellon'.
These floirers and (jrasses. Sure!,
)'on hade uw idiiek- and eherish ;
I'nto i/oii. as is meet,
I hriny them, ere they jwrisJi.
s
I
CONTENTS:
I.
At thi: I»Mvkh
»'i:oM WiivT Fair Wkstkkn Land, o i
In thk TwiLKiHT ..
On Rkai)|\,j rm.; Rii{aiv\t()K Omak Kiiay
(Jkkatnkss
Oamai.ikl Sinnjs . .
Tm; Xkjiit is Hkuk. M\ J.ovk
'I'll K Fi KM) Elm
Wmkx Lovk Diks ..
I'OKSY "'....*"
'!'<» THK Soil
To W.S ......
On tiik Ti:i:i;a(k
Fancy '
Tmk FaUTM-SI'IHIT
F AT r I Kit AND Sun _
Life
Althka
A Rkminiscenxr
To Tin; QiKKX-MooN
Ox a I'oRTiiAiT OF Milton
Love and Death
-VtROSTIC
Dusk Simmer Eves Shall Come ani> (;o
r.ovE and Thouout.
• • • • » »
RESCKNT
Y.VM,
1
3
4
r.
10
m
14
le
17
19
80
oo
:',s
;!!t
i
VI.
CONTENTSi.
TlIK r.VIU.I.VMKNT OK M.\N . ,
A WiNTKK NkjUT
Fantasy
A Lkttkk
MlDSL'MMKH
Fl.()\VKF{S THAT liF.OOM AM) DiF,
Nkjiit .
Attic-Musin(js
A SUNSKT
TfiK Mauuia(}|<: of Tkuf JMinds
Julian
To Walt Whitman
LOVRKS AND RosKS
To A Slkkfkh
Kkal and Idkai
llAI'I'fNFSS
Madue
The Sunlit Earth Thkokmi J Ik
Sweeps
Pulse Swiftly. O My TTkakt
dicvklopmknt.
I MM IKED
The HoiiizoN-HiN(j
In the i)Ksi.:i{T
1>EAT/I . .
( 'leopatra
WiniN (JoMEs THE Summer
The New Achillks
LES MlSERAIiLES
Ambition
i'hilosophy
Fate
TllOlOHT. ..
AVEN \l\i
VOLVIN
(i
41
48
4;{
44
4S
40
51
52
nn
54
55
65
00
07
07
m
70
71
74
75
4 1
71)
80
82
84
84
85
89
CO AT hJ Ms.
VII.
C'a(»ki)
Snow
("KKATION
Song . . .
Minor Pokts
Tkij. Mk What is I.ovk, U\ Hi:
A WiNTKU Kvknin*;
O MV I.OVE 11 ATI! STAUKY EyKS
Amaryllis
In Tin: FoRKST
(tALATEA
(^rKSTlONING
The Pokt
Looking Fohwauu
VRT?
»0
90
00
01
92
9!l
05
96
97
9H
00
00
99
100
II.
A MaI> F'llll.OSolMIKR
hi:,
I
I
I.
.^0EP§ and gORRElf.
■HHIII
f
AT THE RIVER.
A sea of buttercups to pass,
Foam-wliite with isles of daisy-stars,
To where the river, smooth as glass,
Slides o'er its stones and shingly bars.
'Tis June— her flowers, lier sky, her sun.
The glory of the year begun,
Though late, for June is well-nigh done.
All grey-blue softness is the sky,
Cahn-leaning oer a peaceful land,
The grass o'er-tops nie where I lie.
The river runs at my right hand ;
Far down its shining depths the trees
Reverse tlieir brandies ; and the l)reeze
Brings perfume from fair upland leas.
So gently wave the buttercups,
Tlic taller grasses sway in tuiu',
An insect each rich floweret sups.
The waters shinuner in the noon.
At intervals a city call,
Beyond the distant wateifall,
Strikes o'er the (piiet wounding all.
A dragon-fly lights on my hand,
A moment hovers, and is gone.
A rusty-coated bee takes stand
A golden-chaml)ered flower up )n ;
Makes ruthless pillage, leisurely
iiii
2
AT THE RIVER.
Roams further, while a histy tly.
All green and gold, drones idly by.
Softly a shadow falls — then bright
The sudden splendor gilds the scene.
The birds pipe up in rapture light,
A new-born breeze eomes out unseen ;
Flits o'er the mead on joyous wing.
The verdure-lines in motion swing,
The heart of nature seems to sing.
The shadows on the river's breast,
The river slipping to the sea.
The great sun sloping to the West,
The happy haunts of bird and bee.
The clover blooms, the daisias white,
The dainty king-cui)s, virgin-bright—
June in her majesty and might.
■■»
FROM WHAT FAIR WESTERN LAND, O CRESCENT
MOON ?
From what fair W\^stern land, O crescent moon,
Wliere carnival is held this happy njuht.
Beams on our earth thy bow of silver li^iit
The dusk air through, that, moveless as in swoon,
Stirs not the faint cloud-curtains whence thy boon
To brooding tliought l)rings store of fancies bright ^
The stars. Avan-misted, nod in drowsv pli-dit •
Een Mars glows meekly in this night's'dini noon.
These sleeping dream : but thou, O beacon fair,
Lightest o'er lifpiid pathways of the deei).
To where Hesperian gardens bloom and bear.
To where Romance, on manv an airv steep
Her castles builds : where life'knows naught of care
And youth and love unending revel keej).
rrr
IN THE TWILIGHT.
HE.
Fades day's last smile, and now the eve,
In dusk-gray sandals, slowbr comes
Athwart yon hills ; the clouds receive
The glory that her touch benumbs—
Her soothing touch— the thicket hums,
The low wind whispers in the trees,
And careless we of fate's decrees,
This day's wine drunken to the lees.
SHE.
Ah, sunny day of gold and blue,
Day sent by love for love s dear sake ;
Where love doth reign forever true.
The kind fates still such days remake ;
The magic spell no fate dare break.
Then rest we here, while on the earth,
Through thickening summer dusk look forth
The stars, our hearts too full for mirth.
HE.
Ah, might we stay— forever so ;
As in some dim Arabian tale.
Would time forever onward flow.
And leave us this musk-scented vale ;
Let stars and planets ever sail
Through strange sky-spaces, out of thought,
Here, at this roadside, heeding naught
But love's new life, how rich our lot !
IX THE TWILIGHT.
SHE.
A sadness in tliy voice doth blend
With the soft-bro(xling, murmuring night.
That hints e'en true love may have end ;
Ah, never spreads he wings for flight :
He ever lives in his own right,
And smiles at death that fain would slay ;
Death's earnest is for him but play,
He heeds nor corse nor sodden clay.
HE.
So hopes ray own heart, heart of mine.
Yet, down the ages of our earth.
Behold a never-ending line
Of shadow lovers spring to birth :
Such men and maids of noble worth,
Such falcon eyes, such cheeks of rose, '
Such fears, fulfilments, passion-throe's—
And now o'er all Time's portals close.
ON READING THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR
KHAYYAM.
My Omar, treading in a later day
This devious maze wliere once your footsteps lay,
Though far from Persia's rich and fragrant Rose,
Far from her clinging Vine's luxuriant spray ;
II.
Treading the path forever new yet old :
The tale retelling now so oft retold :
Here, while the Night lier dusky mantle spreads,
I sit and watch the starry map outroll'd.
III.
So long ago you sang the Rose and Vine.
The Queen of Flowers and the purple wine ;
And toss'd your song unto the Sutis forth,
And challeng'd better wisdom than was thine.
IV.
And now a dreamer in a distant clime —
A bubble borne upon the after-time,
Seeing a Rose upon the current float,
Drifts idly on— to touch your orient rhyme.
V.
To touch your rhyme ! but Omar where art thou ?
Dost hear thy life-song wafted to me now ?
This spirit tlu-illing mine from the white page
Seems like a Presence bending o'er my brow.
ox READING THE RUBAIYAT.
vi;
Feeling tliy life intense I cannot think
That when the 'Angel of the darker drink.'
At last hefore thee standing, held the cup,
Thou didst forever into darkness sink.
VII.
Then doubting d„ I ask. What profits all
The going, coming, on this fire-hlown l)all?
This sand-speck circling in the dim inane
Where myriad suns forever rise and fall ?
viir,
Mankind. O Omar, .still no star can see.
Nor torch to guide them tlirough the Mystery-
Where, blindly groping, cling thev to a'hope '
One day to find of Human Fate the kev
IX,
New Teachers rising to the peoi)le cry :
Divinely hither, sent by the Most High,
We come to show the inmost truth of things —
The truth which shown no scoffer can deny.'
X.
His ^ylll they know : His purposes make plain :
Thy \ me and Rose they gird at might and main ;
O er thorns and stones they press the earthly way
To shun a future of eternal pain.
XI.
Somewhere, they say. within the waste abyss
There reigns a Paradise of perfect bliss ;
ON READING THE RUBAIYAT.
A Land of Summer where the Rose and Vine
Bloom fairer than they ever did in this.
XII.
And they who lov'd not this life there shall tell,
Coucird high on beds of rose and asphodel,
The praises of His name who led them up
And thrust their brothers down to deepest Hell.
XIII.
Others advancing cry : There is no God !
Or, if there be, philosopher and clod,
Sinner and saint are all alike to him ;
He sits withdrawn — ye need not fear his nod.
XIV.
O brave as strong ! my Omar, kind and wise !
Scorner of sopliists and their subtle lies !
Lover of Truth— of Truth without disguise.
And soul's integrity — the highest prize !
XV.
With thee I hold He plac'd us here to live —
To love the life He found it good to give ;
And though the Secret we should never know,
Why life at worst is sweet— and wherefore grieve?
XVI.
Lo I in the East the light of morning grows ;
The curling mists ascend, the crimson glows ;
And, in the smile of greeting Earth and Heav'n,
The Universe appears an op'ning Rose !
GREATNENS.
WJiat most men liunger for yet none acliieves.
Save him who greatly cares not to be great .
AVlio kncnvs tlie loom of time spins not more state
Than that small filament a spider weaves :
Since single barley-straws make j)ile(l-up slieaves,
And atoms diminute the gross earth's weight,
Nor comes from Sirius. earthward, rarer freight
Than this small taper-beam my page receives.
No greater is the desert than one sand,
The mountain than one dust-speck at its base.
The ocean than one rain-drop on my liand :
And Shakspere's self, there in the foremost place,
Hath but in ampler measure at command
That thought wliich siiines Irom rustic Ho(hre's face.
\
i«r
GAMALIEL SIN(}S.
O to carve the jowcllod ring that shines upon her finger.
O to build the marble jjorch wherein her footsteps linger.
O to sliai)e the leafy arrh that intertwines above her.
O to be lier bounden slave, true devotee and lover.
And yet, my mistress (ah so fair I)
fShe doth not wait in porches :
Nor moves she through dim galleries,
Nor lingers late in churches ;
Nor rests she 'neatli the leafy roof.
Vine-wreathed in sunuuer weather :
Nor lonely walks, pale-phantom-proof ,
O'er moon-bright leagues of heather,
O to fashion some one thing, my very own, to give her :
To paint a castle, or to build one, near a pleasant river ;
To plan a road, erect a bridge, her carriage might pass
over ;
To be her faithful servitor, true devotee and lover.
And yet I know she would not smile
Though I proved ne'er so skilful.
Nor is there any tender wile
To woo my lady wilful.
Though I did yield my life for her
No word of sweet concession
Should pass her lips, no kind demur
Against such rash transgression.
GAMALIEL Si SOS.
II
If I should cull a posy rare and on her tlu'cshold flin^r \[ ■
If I slK.uld fashion out- sweet song and at her lattice
sii)-;' it ;
It I should weave a canopy her royal hrow to cover ;
She might reward her faithful slave, true devotee' an.l
lover.
But no— her eyes are far away.
In dreams she looketh onward ;
Nor sees the lovers fain who .stray
Beneath, her glance is sunward.
Beyond the city's towers looks she,
Beyond the mountain's summit.
And sees afar the knight care-free,
Who conies yet never cometh.
|f
THE NIGHT IS HERE, MV LOVE.
The niglit is here, my love,
Tlie jewelled iiiglit ;
'Mid trees the glow-worms move.
Soft sparks of light.
Ui)oii the inlinite sea
StraJige languors nail ;
An odorous mystery
Wra])s hill and vale.
While uiountain-shai'.'tws meet
The spreading lea —
Ah I were I at thy feet.
Thy suiile on me 1
This dusky-golden night
Shoidd whisper low
The secret strange and hright
The ages know.
.■■'<
M.
THE FIELD ELM.
Beneath this tree what ph-asures have I known,
The wlr" . .ts leaves toyed with the suimMer bive/e.
Sweet Odors hearing from tlie orchard trees.
That show their tops al)ove yon wall of stone,'
Here through the long hours have I mused alone.
In day-forgetting, dreainfid reveries ;
Or, hy some poet's potent imageries.
Transported to a plaee and time unknown,
Have with the Moor in fiery passion moved.
And felt the fren/.y of his tortured brain ;
Have heard sweet Juliet rail to her helov.'d ;
Have speculated with the mystic Dane ;
Or, in the magic Grecian Cm, approved
The glamour of Keat's shadow-i)ictured train.
.■.;>'ni--«B:t-KJT-;i'r.-t.c^rr(srT!
WHEN LOVE DIES.
i
All souinl is hushed — ?;ave my poor heart so sore —
That, like a stricken bird, makes plaintive cry.
May never life be as it was before V
The unanswering stars shine in the silent sky.
And o'er the calm face of the gentle night
Sofc bars of cloud float in the clear moonlight.
What did he savV O surely I must die I
Surely he did not sav it I let me rest.
Here at the window leaning, while I try
To ease my heart, with this new woe opprest,
Could I but think — but no, my whirling brain
Hau only power to quicken my heart's pain.
' He loves me now not as he used to love,
The old-time spell with time has passed away,
The old-time tenderness time cannot move ;
My friend he will be, if my friend he may :
But since the glory of bright love is flown,
Each life, 'twere best, should journey on alone.'
And when he saw the wonder in my eyes.
Saw life stand listening the approach of fate,
And dark grief, treading on amazed surprise.
Make greedy seizure of sweet joy's estate.
His voice sank trembling, and, so trembling, died,
And then he walked in silence at my side.
But soon he spoke again, with pitying look,
Deep sorrow in his tone and sad des|)air :
^ai
WIIEX LOVE DIES.
15
e —
ieil,
' Not mine alone the loss if love forsook
The heart still yearning for his presence fair.
Since once, but once, the soul witJi love mio-ht burn.
Grown cold, alas ! deliglit could ne'er return.'
'And so the pain was his in etiual share,
Now .joy had vanished and sweet liope lay dead.'
O breaking heart, uphold tliy weiglit of care !
O dai-koned earth. Avhence light and love have fled !
His pain ! his loss ! O come, my love, again !
And, lost in love, forget all loss and i)ain !
Perchance I sleep, and 'tis some horrid dream.
From which I shall awake to dawning bliss.
The nighfs grey hours with gaunt illusii:)ns teem.
I need but stir to find the proof of this :
Ah. now I M-ake I why see the book we read,—
And here the passage that my lover said.
And there his pictured eyes do smile on me,
Radiant with happiness and tender love :'
Bright, gracious image, where sincerity
Liglits from the soul within the brow above
And see ! my ring, he gave me, shining pure
As trutii, and bright as faith that will endure !
Ah God, I weaken ! Wherefore did he come
Scattering these poison -fhnvers on mv wav
Clouding the splendor of life's sunnv dome
VVhile youth shone brightly as a sunm.er dav ''
O dun eyes, brimming with these bitter tears •"
O lonely heart I O vacant, desolate vears '
.M.
m
\fV^
fi:
POESY.
But now, a moment since, she passed me by.
So beautiful ! O cahn thyself, my soul.
Ilev smile was given in pity, as a dole
Unto a beggar, not to crown thine eye
With recognition of thy heart's outcry
To be led upward to the starry goal.
Poor panting trembler, strive then to control
Thine anguish and thy longing, lest thou die.
"What though her glance, more radiant than the morn,
More beauty hath than all the earth beside,
To die were better than receive her scorn,
And, scorned by her, thou surely would"st have died.
Poor wilful fool ! then live and die forlorn.
Since die thou wilt or reach unto her side.
TO THE SOUL.
'M
norn,
? (
lied.
Delicate sjnrit !
Most dainty essence, now (niickening into tliou-ht.
Nimblest of coursers, that outspeedest the li-htnino-
Nearer than wife or child, nearer than father or fdend.
Forest pool, that rnirrorest the azure.
Divinity's anihassador.—
Ah, what art thou ? what is thy destiny ? *
Shall there be a day of parting for us ?
Do we appear for a moment but to darken into nothing-
ness ?
Through thee wife, child and friend ;
Through tiiee the thought of God ;
Through thee the soJid earth, the sun, the stars •
Through thee winter's diamond morns, summer's dusk
and dew ;
Through thee love, passionate love :
Love that cannot accept death,
Love that surrenders all.
Love that looks not before nor after, but is its own
universe and life.
Love the unexpres.sed, the inelfable.
Through thee, O soul, joys and sorrows, mountings and
depressions, darkness of graves, starrv fliglits to the
infinite.
Through thee youth ;
Through thee the secrets of friendship ;
Through thee tragedies, disasters and defeat :
18
TO THE SOUL.
I .(
Througli thee men and women — the ever-strunge yet
familiar faces ;
Through thee jioets and lierocs. —
Ah, soul, what of thee 'i
Thou canst not answer.
Yet meseems tluni liftest with swift hand the mighty
curtain, so slightly, ah, so slight!}', and beneath
shines a white glimmer, instantaneous, yet promis-
ing all I ask.
Little friend I Surely no will-o'-the-wisp art thou.
Hast thou nor father nor protector ? — the foster-cliild of
time, the orphan of the ages, eternity's dim ghost.
Art thou wind — water — a musical note — an unechoing
cry — an ocean-bubble — a dying taper — the gasp of
the drowning ?
Or art thou power, enchantment, triumph, success?
Shalt thou be forever justified ?
Shall we indeed ascend the stars ?
Shall our yearnings be fulfilled ?
Shall we have all knowledge, all good, all truth ?
Shall we extend the hand of fellowship to enemies?
See the abj^sses illumined, the labyrinths open their
folds?
Follow the intricate net-work?
Behold the misunderstandings of time grow clear in thy
light ?
Ah soul, shall we finally disappear or press on forever ?
%
et
TO W. S.
ith
lis-
of
of
leir
thy
I.
What helps it tliat I love thee ? that mv heart,
Like some poor suitor, seen amid the'throng'
That moves about a princess, where sweet sons?
Light dance and music, blend with ready art ^ '
To blot him from her thought, from anv part
In all that to her soul's sweet needs belon'-
Must sadly stand thy worshippers among,'" '
Or silently upon my way depart?
Unknowing thee, and never to be known
My love, my tender homage, .piite in vain ;
bince these can lead no nearer to thv throne
Nor find a voice to call through ranks of luen
And place me at thy side, where, all alone
Thou mighfst give love for love, till joy grew i)ain.
11.
But thou art all, and I, alas, am naught :
Thou the full sun, poor I the darkened sphere ;
Or, if I glimmer in my gloouif ul year,
'Tis with a splendour from thy radiance cau-ht
Awistfulplanet, still unseen, unsought, "
I roll, nor ever come light's fountain near.
So fair and far, yet to my soul so dear
I know thou would-st not scorn my meaner lot.
But would'st thou love me V could'st thou love me say ^
I, who have given thee worship, ask but love •
It 1 should meet thee on some distant dav
And shew my heart, would'st thou my trust reprove?
Or sourly pass, without or yea or nay ?
Ah no. great spirit, thou wouM'st gentle prove ^
li
ON THE TERRACE.
We talk of Thoreau, Emerson,
Find Browning ' subtle,' Keat's divine,
Suspect the morrow may be fine,
'Tis time the summer were begun :
We had ])een laughing, chatting free-
Where can that pleasant freedom be ?
Constraint comes o'er us as we sit
And hear the river foam below ;
Above, the sky. with pearly glow
Of moon-soft mist, is over-lit —
That velvet-marble cloud afar
Is centre-pierced by one bright star.
The night is lovely, like a l^ride
That goes to meet her lord, the sun.
I wonder if she may be won,
This silent maiden at my side—
A princess sure, by right divine.
Of royal grace in Beauty's line.
Meantime she sits with flower-sweet face,
A lily proud-poised on its stem,
And calm as any carven gem
Expressionless, that sliews no trace,
That lu\s no sense, of human jiain.
Nor ever felt Love's silken chain.
ON THE TERRACE.
While I, bound fast, witli tJirobbing breast,
Where fear and hope alternate come,
Essay to speak, but stricken dumb,
Leave all my longing unconfest.
So cold she seems, so bright, so fair.
Faint hope gives place to chill despair.
Then love, again my bosom's lord,
Exi)els each craven hope and fear ;
For thee, he cries t.'ie hour is here—
Love's hour, the time, the scene afford ;
For thee these gracious stars now shine.
I turn, and my love's eyes meet mine.
21
O, Love did never yet break faith !
Trust Love, he speaks no idle words :
Though sweet as song of morning birds,
As true as prophet's holy breath.
Trust Love, for Love kept faith with me ;
He surely will keep faith with thee.
FANCY.
' KviT let the fancy roam,
Pleasure never is at home."
Nay— wlion Fancy is at home
All bright shapes of beauty come !
Soft she waves her shining wand :
Fairy lights gleam o'er the land.
All the treasures of the main,
All the wild-flowers of the jilain,
All the stars that gem the air
When swai-t Night is throned there.
All the wonders that the sun
In his course doth look upon —
These appear at her command
When she waves her shining wand.
And when Fancy is from home
No kind shapes of beauty come. '
Bleak the sky and chill the air,
Doleful glooms sit everywhere.
Dun clouds veil the rich sky's blue,
Not one golden ray glints through.
Then ascends her dusk}' throne,
Death's half-sister, hideous crone,
Care, a hag well-known to men,
Issuing from her noisome den.
Yellow, wrinkled, baleful, sly ;
Hate gleams from her bloodshot eye.
FAXGV.
Summons she her imps perverse,
Bids each one his tasJi reliearse :'
Where a blessing was, a curse.
Wliere u better seemed, a worse,
Bear tJiey to unhappy men
From Care's foul and murkv den
Where, when Fancy was at home,
Happy winds were fain to roam.
Loathsome vapors now have sway.
Poisoning the sweet light of day.' '
Where dew-spangled fields were seen
Oay with suit of hopeful green,
Sandy tracts of desert lie.
Hateful to the weary eye!
Where a flower its sunnv head
Reared, a weed doth s,,ring instead.
Where a star of promise show'd,
Dark despair hath his abode.
Thus, when Fancy is f,om home.
All dread shapes and phantoms come.
Goddess Fancy ! Maiden free !
Spread thy choicest gifts for me.
Wilt thou love me ? Wilt be kind '^
Make thy home within juy mind.
A true worshipper of thine
Kneels then ever at thy shrine.
38
THE EARTH-SPIRIT.
In sun-bright raiment, in the spring,
When buds were full and brooks were free,
And violets brake o'er the lea,
And song-birds 'gan their carrolling,
I saw her, poised on silver wing.
Above a vivid beechen tree :
Beneath two lovers laughed in glee,
And sang to hear the thrushes sing.
Again I passed her where she stood.
With drooping head and saddened mien,
Beside a grave. The dim, gray wood
Was leafless now. The mead, so green
Erewhile, was dun. Sighing, she view'd
The mound, and wept for what had been.
FATHER AND 80N.
Yes. as you say, 'tis j)loasant to have .lone-
To have achieved, won fame, distinction, love,
VV hate <T It he men render unto him
Who unto them has given ph^asure, ,.ower
i^omp, profit, some new interest in life
Bu^fo; tt''""'"' "' ''^'' "°"'^^ ^^"" °'«- «t^»-.
out tor the new-creator,
Tf 1 ^- .„ Now to me
It ahuost IS as if tlie deed were mine-
T'lalSl"'! ;'"^\r' ''"''" ^^^^^' ^^^•-"^e it seems
r .at he. winch all my life have smouldered low
Dark hu for fitful ilames, should now in you
Burst forth with dazzling glow, a sun new-risen.
Indeed, ,t dazzles me this ncnv-found fame
So near me yet not mine. 'Tis yours at lekst ;
And fate, that nuich denied, rewards in ,>art.
lis a great picture and deserved success
And faithfully you lahored, buoyed hy^h^pe '
This slope is shady, though there are no trees •
For see the day, though but three-quarters gone
Ha« lef tins side o' the hill, and a cLl breath'
Comes from the lazy river at its base
T.s pleasant here ; so think those lads below
'Splashmg and shouting as they sink an.] rise
Another picture there ; just jot it down
Upon your mental canvas ; call it then
The Bathers, you will have a second triumph
■
r r-r
li
20
FATHER AM) SOy.
That Icvt'l strotch of ;^rass, the siin-wann roi'ks,
The Ii;?ht and sluulc. tlu' rippling noplar line,
Tliu glistening windows on the lurliicr l)ank,
Tlio moving cattlo and tliose [tcasants tln'if,
(Wt''ll fall them poa.sants) with the sliallow stream
And pretty naked (ignres of the boys,
Should niakeagooilly pictnre; thongii 1 own
It lacks the human passions you demanil,
Tiie deaths of kings and moving acts of henjes.
Yet, what a sky the sun trails after him I
What grandeur and what glory here attend
A single < lay's outgoing !
Happiness?
A wise and trancpiil life, upright and true,
O, I have few regrets — 'tis almost lived.
Yet, when I was your age, my heart beat high ;
Ambition knew no bounds. I'd not have ta'en
A prince's ransom for my grand career.
And then, how commonplace ! to win by chance
Well-nigh a prince's ransom — to have done
All but the thing one's heart was set upon.
What else is failure? Ah, what else — who knows?
Thus was it ever with me. Diil I dream
Some pur[>ose to accomi)lish, I sat down
To weigh the i)ros and cons, the ditliculties.
And then these seemed to tower, p.i^.d then it seemed
Mere folly and presumi)tiou to have o earned.
Yet I saw pictures, tlien. heroic ones.
Though unlike you, who are content to paint,
I longed to live them. Know you which is best?
You smile, of course, — the idealist's fme smile.
For you the mental drama far exceeds
FATlIHli AM) SOX
87
The actual; worlds, fur ycu. mv lo.st an.l won
Moro i,orf..ctIy n-mote from t-lasl, an.l ,lin
^ our, „otl..r'stonc.lM/th.. artist in your blood.
Al.,lmdslM.],v,.d. haph Imi^l.d.Hvc.dono
In the ric-h real uhat you in phantoM, wise
Advice you scarcely need, l,„t lisfn. Imv '
Vn> knou- y,>ur dn-an.-^o ,,n and i.av^no fear ;
Should d..ul.tsl..set you. snnlch.n. into air:
i hough mountain-shapes they tak... thev are hut .-louds
Mere vapory inasses niovin^' in yonr skv.
Kuulle your «oul to sun-the-thev are gone '
IJus 18 the poor resuh of nianv a life
To know one nu-;;ht have been a con.juen.r
Ihe bay-crowned kin- and victor ovt-r ihne
^ul he hut .lared and done. Then never swerve
It failures come, n.ake of them the strong base '
Whereon to raise your palace.
Lights and shades
Have gone from sky and plain : the blue is grev-
I trust you have the picture. Let us go. *
LIFE.
To stictfh wiirm <liinpIod liimds to iiiooii and suii.
To roam by field and lull and wood and stream,
To see the loii,<;- days pass as in a dr(>ain,
To ieol love's iires alonu,' life's [)ulses run ;
And then, life's ehiei' prize K'^i'ird, its .t^lorj' won,
Wiuit follows must i)erforco he glad wo deem :
But fato sends cloud as well as suiniy heam.
And g-looms the j;-o!den weh wit'i grey and dun.
Oppressed by seeming chance-sent ills we turn
Sad eyes of wonder to the .smiling heaven :
Bt>st bliss denied, all meaner joys we sjnirn.
And taunt performance with youth's promise given ;
Till, chilled by time, at last we cease to yearn,
And trust death yields the hoi)e here from us riven,
ALTIIEA.
I.
Now I meet you : sfc I on-ct y,,„,
Haiiils hcM hi^^'h ;
Trip \v(> airily, trip we nirrrily,
iMoinents 11 v.
II.
Moinoiits fly, all. inusl \vc .jic'-
I and thou, love - Why then now, love,
Dance more nicrrih-.
III.
AH of life, love, goes with strif.'. h,v,- ,-
Tears and yearniny;, woes returning.
Ceaselesa care and pam.
This one night, love, holds deliglit. love.
Hands held up now, pleasure's cup now.
Joyously we drain.
IV.
Perfect is the moment, swift on music's tide
Softest motion swelling o'er the billows wide
Souls now float alone and now are wafte.I ^:ide to si l.
Ah. sweet the mystic currents that so perfectly can guid...
V.
In thine eyes I see
Love holds court ;
m
:jU
ALTHEA.
A true tyrant he
Saith report.
Yet so fair lie seems
There enshrined,
Eningly one deems
Love is kind ;
And would fain believe
In those eyes
Xai],sj;ht that dwells could grieve :
How be wise ?
VI.
You smile, and the lord of love
Half turns a rose-red cheek ;
You smile, and the heaven of love
Seems mine with a word to speak.
VII.
Bear me afar, O tide.
Bear me unto her side ;
I climb thy waves of bliss
That break upon a kiss
Or toss n:'^ to yon ocean grey and witle.
/
VIII.
My heart is a crystal well ;
Far down I gaze and see
One weaving a magic spell
Wherewith to dazzle me.
My heart is a silver brook
That shews the skv above ;
ALTIIKA.
And while I listen and I.,,,],-
It sings of love, of love.
Bly heart is a stormy sea.
With darkness and no stai'.
An. I dijlts there (woe is me ! )
A eor^jse tied to a s\m\y,
IX.
Hu( away .' wc uun-i and niin-h'.
Lil'f runs hi-h and life is hn-e :
Dance we do^lhl.^ dniiee we sin<.h,
While the liot blood thus ,■,.,,1 tin-h'
(diostsof dead loves can tint uu^v,
X.
Higher ! still higlier !
My soul is a fire.
Tiuis should Nveniarch to death.
Tims render up our hreath :
d<'y liath found us.
J><'vc hath crownt'd us.
i-ife spoke ]u"s shibboleth.
;il
X[.
Ah, that I might weep
For thee,
And that thou couhrst weep
For me.
\ll,
I know where they bury the dea.l-
The married and those unwed.
^•"t^.
33
ALT I II-: A.
(Jrt'V Innds and hrowii tluTc \\v
Ah. COUM \V<', Ino, liUt (lie.
Xlll.
Die? Nrv<T :
I love tlict' vwv.
] K'is< thy lips
As th(^ hrown l)oe si [is ;
And never a;^^ain
Shall raic or pain,
Black woes that sever.
Dispart iis twain.
A REMINISCENCE.
Befoi-e nie spreads a wide, ne-leeted held.
W'itli moonsliino flooded from a sapphire slcy ;
The villn,i;-e school, sojne strass'liivu,- houses ni-li :
And. at a pathway's endin.i^, half concealed
]^)y deep tree-shadows from the moon's bri.i^ht shield
'J\vo l)oys i()un,L;-('. careless hov.- the moments tly—
The silver-footed moments — while they ply
I.i.^^ht wino-s of airy talk, friends close annealed.
xVn hour runs on : the chan,!.:,in.t;' shadows show
The hoys" clear faces lit with youth and ho]>e.
With earnest-hearted friendshii)"s overflow,
And visioii'd outlook on the future's scope —
The lar<;e, kind future, of sweet mj'steries,
Successes hi^di ami g(jiden histories.
1
3
TO Tin-: QUIOEN-MOON.
'•.And liaply tlir .|iicoiiiuoou is on her llm^iio."
I.
Pale mistress of the azuiv-piUaced ni^ht,
An.l of men's thou-hts that nou- ,lo t ,m, to thee
•\s, -iKlmg fail- into the clou.I-.hnimed height
Of thy great glory, sailing heaven's sea,''
1" i-..l)es imperial thou dost sit withdrasvn,
Against thy face's circlet, silver-clear,
An inner softness shining, pure as lawn'.
While richer folds of raiment still api.ear
Above it— sapphire, rose and emerald dves,
Clothing thy sovranty in i)recious state, '
O queen scifiic and fair !
Till, brought to pause. 1 n.i.rv,.] if mine ev^s
-b'v more to see thee tliiis. ,„•, ;,s of I;,te^,
l>ivinc in the I. In,. ;,ir.
I
II.
I M vine in I he hhu- air tiiou wast erewhile,
But n..w in rainl),)w splendor art retired -
V.-ilrd the elfulgenee of thy brightest smile,
Ken to thy worshii)pers, yet, passion-liivd
Stdl at thy vestnients' beautv thev a-hnire
And dream of days when life and love were voun-.
When through the forest-ways thou di.l'st not tire "
lo wander, and as heaven-born w.ist sung
]!y dark-..ypd maidens, singing iin.l.T trees^
■"^
34
TO THE QUEKN-MOOX.
Or crossing glailcs, cinbroidcre'd witli tliy luuin
Upon tlii^ velvet sward.
But now no more, in woodland or by leas
Flower-scented, sing they of thee, and a d. eani
Alone is left the bard.
III.
No more on earth among tiie forest trees.
Nor where the streamlet's music ri[4)les clear
Along its pebbly shallows, nor by seas
White-beached. Avhere the flying nereids hear
The i)layfiil trnm]» d' a young iriton's horn,
May'st tlio.i 1 v ;■ chance be heai'd or seen
Chasing the tleer, wliile yet the dewy morn.
With cool s! )il<' manth's o"(-r the leafy green :
No, stripped ot deitN , thou now art shewn
A lifeless ijorrower of rellecte<l light
From the proud-da/./Jing sun .
Illusion [)ast. thy bright romance all llown,
A weary traveller through the realm uf night,
With service to be done.
IV.
Illusion past, attendant on our earth,
Appv'ndage of a planet thou art seen ;
Yet thine are still the hours of sweetest mirth.
And Love himself doth hold thy ray serene
For his soft votaries litter far than day,
W^hose fervent glance the young loves ever tlee
And oft, in Southern gardens far away,
Wave-washed forever by the Midland sea.
And where vine-yarded France's arbors sleep.
And England's grassy lanes and meadows lie,
I
i
ro THE QVEKX-MOOX.
Rallied in thv tender li-ht
' I-., .ee'st ti.e yoml.s and nmidenrtr^stin^ keen
And ,nem- -atherinj^^s .lanee the monie.u.s l.v, '
01)livi()us of thtMi- (li,^-lit.
V.
Kv..n as sweet poesy is tliv soft spell
lin-ht wonder-work(>r of the silver s.,here
U l)o weavest magic over stream and <le I
<> er field and grove an.l solitary mere ■'
And Poesy's sxveet spell is like to^hine
In that tlio sacre.l power she .loth possess
';•;•''>'' <''ir (-onnnon life with light diviao
1 111 earth is hallowed in its lov(.|iness
■^'vms all a glamouring unreality
When in the nn-nd blithe FanJy droops her wino
.. I" '^I't'i^^thiek stagnant air-
V et charm of poesy and thine mav be
As gleams from lands where brighter spirits sin-^
'Neath skies forever fair.
ON A POKTKAIT OF .AlILTON.
ir strcn^;li ami heauty ever in one face
Were lilly wecUled in lair harmony
Of form and si)irit, lii^li, self-})oise(l and free,
Behold their union : this their dwelling-place.
ilei'e shini'S the iuicon([uered soul, and here the grace
Inelfahhj that (Ireece rose from the sea
To teach men rioting in \vai"s tierce glee—
The radiant I'onsumniation of lier rac:e.
Austere in mind, he heard the muses sing ;
Joy's suitor, (Uity called him not in vain ;
A i)uritan. he lied on fancy's wing
To pleasure, where in pleasure was no stain :
For conscience' sake his life an olfering.
He at the last drew splendor from sad pain.
LOV1-: AND DEATH.
Taki- me to tliee, O my luvc '.
Fold niL' lu thine arms I
Side hy .side, then, we .sliall piuve
Deatli and Jiis alanris.
Tliou. wlio wa.st my h'glit in lilV,
Be my life in death,
llnsh wc liere the petty strife
For a little breath.
Now 1 o-,, ijjt^j the^loom,
Wiiere thou, Sweet, art -one ;
Broii-ht to;^-ether hy a toiiil..
We .shall <^reet anon.
See I rt'.st nie at thy side,
Cheek a.^^ainst thy (.'heek ;
Sueh a little is denied—
That tlioii showld'st l)Ut speak.
Filled am I with nameless woe
Though I touch thy hand :
Can this, then, be overthrow
Cruel fate hath planned ?
Everlasting night shall press
On our lids and ll|)s.
But can love beany les> —
Sud'er dull eclipse?
r
I !' I
;w
LOVE AM) 1>i:at1L
I.ovf hatli l('(l US t(i thy fVut,
I'fitliet', Doutli, he kind.
LiH'lit was in liis ])r('S('n('(' swiM't,
Darkness licrc we find.
Trusting- him. \v,. i,„\v trust tlico
Soe onr jiitcous case —
'Neatli tliy dusky jiortals we
Take onr last emlirace.
ACROSTIC.
^laiden with tlio rostM'ed cheek and the deep hhie eye,
And all sweet soul-sympathies, rose-red, to(^, in hue ;
Throbbin.!;' heart, love-treinblin,<i:, like stars in summer
sky,
Thinkin-- brain, swift-tlashin.i;-. like sunli<:,dit on the
ilew.
Yon ,<;<)ld sun the symbol is of thy nature's dower.
Yon brit;hr day the souliove-won by the<' from night's
dark power.
nUSK Sl-MMKIi KVKS SHALL lUML AND (i().
Dusk- snniiiicr .'vos sliall coinc aii.l ^() :
Ripe iiKM. IIS shall wane, ri.'l, n.^cs l,?,,\v :
Vnntl.'s wi/nnl sp.-ll >liall still niak,' ^^^u■r[
The paths for lovers' waiidcriims nuvt
Of eartli, wlierc tlioii and I met so.
im.
Sweet Earth whcri' sunshine follows n...
Sweet Life where pleasure walks with p;
Sweet Love, the purple-rohed and -ay
Tliat met us on tfie llow.'iy wav
Of earth. wh.>n so to meet was -ain.
Life cjiiue with riehes manifold.
With treasures more than -ems or -old ;
Ami hai)py Ait. with Love made l)rave
And dear the offerin-s that Life gaw,
Tdl joy was ours a thousandfold.
Life, Love and Art shall pass .iw.iy :
Theeartli. with all its wondrous p|,.|y
Of ]i,o:ht and Hha<le. ^hall on,, day pass,
T-ike li-ures in a ma-;i,. o-i;,ss : "
But we— shall we not iiKvt on,. ,l;,vV
nil.
T' <»-
y
LOVE AND THOUGHT.
Willi .-ilvcr siK't'cli. clejif hiow ami eyes of li,i;ht.
Canic Tlioii;4iit, and (-lasped my liaiul ami led me (Hi
Into the (lai-kiicss ; where, when we had gone
With llyijig feet far down the lonely night,
Ere yet his beacon turrets rose in sight.
Eon while their distant cressets dimly shone,
A sudden terror fell my heart upon
That L,)ve. my master Love, was slain outright.
Our onward course we iield until the grey
Of morning glinmiered on the clouds above :
Tlie high, w ide portals passed, he led the way.
And then, as 'twere tlie rustling of a dove,
A low, cool laugh— and, in bright rose of day.
There, at my right hand, smiling— there was Love :
s/'
THE p.\pj.i.vmp:xt of man.
'Die iK.isi' of a iiiiiltimilc ill the iiinmitniiis, MS it wen- of many
pOOpl.'. Ih,. noise Uf tllf S(Mllia of kili;;.S, Of IKltioilS -at luTulj
togeth.!-."
What shall withstand her? \v]i() .shall -ainsay her?
The ini,L;hty nation I
Xation of fnMMiicn with hearts linlccd to^^-ctlicr.
None to betray her.
When Iroiu the stron;:- soul leaps fortli indi-nntion.
How sliall the wron-- live? how should the h.i-c thiive /
How prosper liars '/
Down ujih (iissenil)lers. lav henre he eadi dastard.
Hence all deui<'rs !
ir,
( liauni the .i^reat nation with hands loeked together.
North, South. East, West, one bond hinds the tru>-
hearted .
Eacli one for tlie nation and the nation for eaeli on...
W^liere tne millions are one fears no one of the nlilliMn^-.
See the monster, Bejiemoth. stride from oeean lo ..( .an.
From the pole to e.piator, from the jiole to the ]u,\v.
Did he .skunber— you dreamed ^-lo! a sin-le n,air-
wron;?ed there.
And the turbulent crow.ls rai^- a cry sniite.^the w.-lkin :
As one pul.se beat tlie milli.)ns swifthelp to the wr..n-..d
one.
Ml
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NlclM I ll,> ,|,
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'i''"'ll 111'' iiol,.n . i.ill,.u., XV 1
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"ri'.iii, how rcsisi I,, .s 1 1
ii'ir 1 1 ii ('CM
'•"■" '"■'" "' "'" imllioiisM li^lii rr,.sl,.,| li,,|i|
• * t III' million
f.;iii«'i-
O ll
•iiiir w itii souls link,.,! (,,.,.(1
ii>r
""■""''"'•■• (niimi.l, ;,,)(. (io!ii |.li:.|H,.,|, m.i(..,| -
"'' ui,in\ in one. Ilii> sure (i
«• ro|i.;i'i| li\ I icnj
Olll .
*/ \.
III.
1 l'*\v ^m;v lit pr.lis,.; how i;|is.- (I
.■|.\ NO w ho Iii\ (' I
II' p.ll'.II)
irr
'^\ o( iin,> hiMils lir,';ith
Ih' SJllI'lc ij
r\ o| hill
MiM,ul
A MM);', tMn|i\ liMIl
<' n \iM.-.' iVoin siroii;;- souls (he |.in,|
"'*'*■'"- -''■ liKliiliMi-^, wivrs. Imsl.,iii,|s ,iiiil I
o\ CI
I >\ (Ms
\ oil (' Iroin 1 111' sr;|
^'liauiitiu^ .iccp i;ii(|, in th,. n;i(
l-'orcN cr to h(' I
ion of Iri'i'iiit'ti
A \VI\Ti;i.' M(;||T.
A/Ill- ;mm| siivr.,-. will, ,,,11 ,„„nl , ,,| ■,,,h\
l'-'HHC;,((.T,.,|,M.,;,, I,.;,, 1,1,,,., I, ,„„.,,,• „j„,^,
""""""' ""■"""-n ll.-.,l„nu,;. .■,,,11, ,,)„i;,,,,
And ,",liM.in,n,'.ilr|,Ml ; f,,,„, ;„,,,., ,,„. ,,,,;;,
'""•^^"""•''-^-'<'""l.v; ll...s(.rl< lr<.....;,n. r,.|i
A"d t,,|,t,(lv, will, ,, ,,,,!,!,. |i,,j„,,,,, |j(,,,,
''''"'^'•"" "' ""• I'lo,! .|,n„.,,, !,,. ,,,,^.|,i'
An.lsi.l.lls ;ill Im,,„;,,m,.,,„,||,; „„,,,,,,'
A/Mn.;,n<l silvrr: ,\„ h,.!',,,-,. ;, ::|,,i,„.
'" ;■'■"•■'• ''"M'l-^ ^.11 ., I,„.|„.,|,,,„| .,,1,
""■ "■••'""^n.MvnM,;,.|,.-,.|yi .„ „„.,„,,. nn<.
,,,,"";"'•"■'" '^'"'''" '•"•""'i"K. /!'..( :oV,.v.|,..,n.| I
""■ '••■"I- '<■'■.■ \vin.lsn,(..sir,.,(,. iil,,. ,,i„,.
^"•""'■■''"^■''I'"l->u,|l, 1,,..!, ,„v;.,..'../il|
I'ANTASN'.
'-" ! Hm' sky I, liiin;. uiii, |,;,,,n<Ts,
^'•■irl<'l <llli|.,,||, I,,.,. ;,|,,j ^,,),|^
•""' ""• '"•■•ivnlv ,s|„,,r,srnr,?. m,oiu,I,ii'.
<''"^v'l in i.-;^i,,n.,!l,i,.k, |.;,si -ountin;,-"'
Su iClly o'er ;i ,|||,,, .j|-,.y \v,Wri.
'ii Hm' .siitisfl cloiuls ;i tin, I, ill.
I'cr.sian w,-,,-^ ...imI I,;, ill,.-, -tra/i^-... ;
(iloricH of thf oiii-iil .-liv;m,i,i;r,
Hr;)z<.n sliL-Ms and Ih-Imh-Is -l"',,,,!,);..
Muvciiiciit, onset, viojci,,,.. i-UiuvZ
Jl
Wf
/
A
A i.KTVKIJ.
Till' inirror'.s cracked, I grant, yet in it diicc
^'|)Ilr friend ai)pears. if more or less untruly :
And. should its [)artial candor glass a duncp.
^'ou are not one to praise or blame unduly.
^'|lu ask me who my friends are : be it known
'I'liat, sa\'e yourself and one— I think one other —
I have no friends ; T journey on alone :
.My brothers all men are. and I their brother—
That is, you know, I love them at a, tlistance.
And they love me, though with no great insistence.
1 lov(' them and I iiate. 1 love them for
That which they are, and more for what (lu>y will be
I"or what they are I hate them and still more
For what they have been, and alas ! must still be.
Am'1 yet my hate is weak, my love is strong.
For in my breast now glows a warmer feeling,
Tliat gives ' I hate ' the li(\ and swears a, wrong
My head my heart do(\s in this self-revenling.
My friend I my friend ! T love men Avith a passion
That burns, though in no philanthropic fashion.
I said 1 had no friends, nor have T one
In that strange cnnv the world calls tjooi] society ;
The self-styled fair and brave. No chui-cli I own :
No church owns me, no sect of strait sobriety.
Nor do I lean to any learned school,
C)l' philosophic wisilom the monopolist ;
.1 LETTER.
I must be five, even if to piny tlie fool.
I need not say I am no hibliophilist :
A lost slu-ei) ^I'li I. nnre Iccnied, ^ivcn over :
Yet envy not those sleek oiu's, dcoj) in clover.
Love keeps the key to hearts : and true lov,. may
Win entrance even unto the coui-ts <)\ heaven.'
Love is the peer of thou-ht. the master, say :
Who loves, to him life's treasures shall he -iven.
Humility may soar to stellar heights.
45
With calm, unflinching gaze mav front the
H)rnmL^
Or in the mid-day dazzle wheel his flights.
Hate, i)ride an.l fear nnfelt, or ligJiUy scorning.
And what amhition's eager angels never
May find, love's fools may win and kcej) forever-.
Seen thus. I have some friends— a .uloi-ious few \
One, two. tluve. four-I count them on mv liii-ers
Old friends they ar.>. dear friends, yet always ii<"\v ;
About their memory fond afrection lingers.
They are not known to good societv
Outcasts indeed, freedivers, atheists. sinners-
Such brands tliey bore or l)ear. yet it mav l>e
That in Time's last acclaim they shall lie winners ;
Though ostracized by pious jesters «|uaititlv.
With noses heavenward tipped and aspect "saiidly.
First Whitman conies, a titan among ni.'ii.
The Philistines he smote, and smites full rouiidlv
On hip and thigh : his strength as that of ten.
An (>agle's sight, a heart that feels |)rofonndiv.
No parlor-poet, for a [)oet he,
America's first-born and chiefest singer :
■1-,
: ii
m
40
A LETTER.
Till' hope of earth, the child Deinocrac}',
Leaps in liis arms ; he to our liearts would brini;' her.
(Ah, new-world poets I be ye brave and tender I
Your ward she is — protect her and defend her I)
A spirit winged — swift birth of dew jind tire ;
A lyric iliought, a flame, a rapture burning :
A i)rison"d soul, new-thrilled with life's desire :
All tears, all smiles, (k'spaiis an 1 eager yearning.
See Shelley come I fair as the niorning star.
^Vhen from the threshold of his palace golden.
The da}' looks forth, and men awakened are
To hopes and fears, new cares and joys gi'own oldm.
What da/zling shafts I what rout I what sharp undoing I
What panic hosts— love's legions bright pursuing I
The world's a stage. And this the play-house door :
We enter ; find our seats : up goes the curtain.
llluf^ion tucks us "neath her wing— no more
]\lere citizens of tinu' ; of space uncertain ;
The crimson stream runs riot : on its tide
Move kings and (pieens, high nobles, warriors, seamen :
C'orilelia. Juliet, Leai', and she who died
For Antony ; swains, rustics, clowns and gleemen.
Some more benignant Jove is this they follow":'
()v him that letl the nine — far-fameil Apollo V
'Tis Prosper's self : in purple robed and gold :
Arch- wizard, minstrel-chief, most high musician ;
Who saw the mystic passion-flower unfold.
Man's heart, God's secret ; and with crystal vision
lieheld ♦^he wond(>rful dead ages rise :
The lust, the sin, the shame, the [)omp, the s[)lendor,
A LETTER.
47
rioroic deeds, crimes, tonnents ; agonies
Of losing souls, in each day's sad surrender •
The Wisest, wittiest, gentlest, sweetest spirit
That ever Thought's high kingdom .11,1 inherit.
Life is a puzzle wondrous : for these three
And one or more, whose names I need not mention,
1 o whom our love and homage, fidl an-l free
^.o forth have sown below here strange dissension.
A %ulgar playwright one, and one .,uite • nvid '
And one a ' Least " still is, with leanings lu'stial
E^.Ml at tins day. The very best was hnd,
The prim opine. No place in the celestial
Abo'les of h(>aven or earth can they discover
for men who lived for truth, and dnmd to love I..,-.
And n.nv to close. FH own a prejudice,
A fault that leans to virtue's side, one only •
r swear ),ut one ! and pity 'twere to miss
The human weakness, where so slight and lonolv !
ris this. T can t be fair to the elite
The social liower, the cream, the aristocn.rv ■
Whenever their opposing interests meet
Or r,ght or wrong, I stand for the democracv.
A fault, said I ? Ah, here my heart's unrul v •'
Tis my best virtue !
As of old,
Yours truh
MIDSUMMER.
II
Mi
A garden-world of leafy avt-nues.
A moonlit soa of swaying branches green.
Ui)rising scents of flowers and falling dews.
Dnsk shadow-spaces, silver isles between :
And over all the magic (^f the time.
The breathing spell of love ami love's sweet hours
Till' shimmer there of robes, and hark I the chime
Of hai)py laughter, as froni hidden l)owers.
Now all the .sad earth seems one paradise.
An eden new-redeemed of lovely scMds.
Where, if the sunlight glance or the moon rise.
Toward fair perfection a bright planet robs.
All vanished now the woes of yesterdi'.y—
Would that to-morrow's were as far awa\ .
FLOWERS THAT BLOOM AND DIE.
Flowers that bloom and die
Lend iiif of vour heaiitv
While I sing her praises.
Praise is lovers' duty ;
Violets and daisies
Now my need supi>ly.
Lilies too and roses.
Sunshine's l.iith and shadow's.
Find me lit exjjressions :
Wild llowei-s of the meadows.
Garden-crofts and closes.
Send me sweet suggestions.
Flowers, your art doth fail ;
Breezes ye are fragrant
Of the Hold and garden.
Yet your fancies vagrant
Smilingly I ])ardon ;
Winds faint, hues grow pale.
To my heart she seems
(Be it known I love her)
Fairer than all flowers
That the lields do cover
When, 'mid fostering showers.
June's bright largess teems.
0' FLOWERS THAT BLOOM AM) DJL
Sweeter is her hreatli
Than tlie violet scented
Or th(> rose's brcalliin;;:
I Jni^^Iit lie (•(•ntented,
3Ie lier arms eiiwreathiiiii ;
E'en witli ^a-isly death.
For licr kiss I'd give,
Were lier kiss denied )n(>.
Life and all its treasure ;
With my love l)eside me
Joy can h'ml no measure,
1 leaven it is to live.
Time hniiis i:'ir.<;ht more sweet.
Lest it i)e renewal
Ot'siieli hajipy meetings ;
In these blisses dual.
In these dainty greetings,
Lives an> made complete.
i^l:
NIGHT.
'•i
i;
An caitii-thronod qnoen, sl.e leans with languid -rac-u.
And liils tlic rotind nf vision radiantly.
Soft liglits and sliadcs the heaven of lier'face
Endue witli spell-framed hints of mystery.
Her hreathing, like tlie ttovver-sweet breath of May
W hen summer's light wind-heralds run l)efore,
(lives fragrance unto gardens: wliile the day,
F^namoured, through his eloud-hung Westtn-n <loor,
Peers backward. On her jewt-lk-d vest are seen
•aiid broidered streams and trees, the homes of men ;
Jiere jolts a rolling wain through meadows green,
And kme belated wind through yonder glen.
From out her star-inwoven dusk of jiair
A silver crescent gleams divinely fair.
!!.•♦■' i
\ !
ATTIC-MUsrXdS.
A niist han;L;-.s over flic loun,
Tip-til]) from IIk- rain in the leaves,
Tii)-ta|) tlie listless drops come down,
The wind glides round the eaves.
A-flutter it strikes the trees,
L'oniinotion mid leaves an<l drops ;
Like a hive of wonderin--, startled bees-
Then swift the tumult stops !
And Silence standelh with ,i;enilc look
And face serene, as when
A garrulous, chattering, noisy brook
Grows mirror-smooth again.
Without are the rain-tossed leaves ;
Beyond the trees is the town ;
Ah, there what wonders destiny weaves,
To see wei'e a i>oet's crown.
Beyond the mist are the stars :
The stars that crush and smite ;
The stars that lift over earthly bars
To the sea of the inlinitf\
Ah wonder of rain and trees !
Ah wonder of death and life !
All wondrous orbed destinies ,
With calm succeeding strife I
A srx.SKT.
A iMTii'd arlisi Iiiilh Imch Ihtc ; ilic sc(M1C
Is gviuiflly inuiged ; witlr what hroaiitli of haiul.
What iiol)l(' grace of riV(Ml(,iii all is planiu'd !
The woods, tlie water and (he lakelet's sheen :
The inagie hues— gold-pink, ro.se-pearl, .sea-green.
And now the Western gateway, see, is spanned !
A nameless glory gilds tlie favoured land.
And still the si)irit-artist works unseen.
Belike upon the chaudjer of a king
My erring steps have stumbled ; yet meseems,
Those, like myself, are common men, who sj)ring
From rock to rock where the )nid-splendor gleams.
Perchance the king's sons we. and 1, who sing,
( 'odieir to wealth beyond yon realm of dreams.
■I ''
THE MARRIA(}E OF TRUE MINDS.
LOVE.
I waiidcicd in the j^ar<l<ms of tlic kin^'
All in tlie ^^lory of tlic pur[)l(' I'vcn.
I lu'iinl the nij:,litin<j;al('H and tln'uslii's sinjj; ;
Tlu'n caino tlu> flush of dawn on peaks of heaven.
And lo ! a wonder with the risen day —
The dream ! the <;lo\v I the transport I the awaking I
Full summer kept the prouuse of lair May.
And heaven itself seemed throuj^h the a/ure hreakinjj;.
Life spread in rose-lit vistas at my feet —
And She. the Well-Heloved, to walk heside mi' !
Far off we heard the tdashiiij^ armi(>s meet.
For freedom and for love I was aught <lenied mu':'
]Mine I Mine ! My own I with naught on earth to sever !
One life ! One love I Forever and forever I
UNION.
As streams in the same vale one day unite.
As neighboring trees their hidden roots enwind.
As when with dwelling on a lovely sight
Its fairness tinctures the beholder's mind :
So from true love a mystie union springs,
That with the fleeting years must stronger grow.
Inextrieably woven are the strings
Knit by the shuttles swift of Joy ajid woe.
In common hopes and common memories Join
The streams. As one the spirit's branching roots
Are intertwined ])ast severance. Rain or shine.
The harvest their's of sweet or bitter fruits.
Ont^ Love ! One Life ! May not true marriage mean
One fairer Spirit born to the Unseen ?
I
JULIAN.
Xi iiohiii.
An.l li... this (lroum..r. .linl. , lid y.m imt sav ?
W hut was liis (h-cani ?
Philii,.
A iiiooiishiiic lautasy
1 u' wildest, maddest sh..ttl.-s,,rite„( thcuuht
Ihut ever antics playcl i„ |,u,nan l.raiii
CJaveairy form and c.l.uir lo the wel>.
/^I'liobid,
Then pray unfold it. Yonder sapphire skv,
The stars, the roses, this earessin- - air
All soothe to sununer ran<-ies. happv .Irea-ns
Ut spicy oah's and dii)i II,..p,.,id,.s.
He was a ^entle hoy. wl,,.,, all is .said.
A wanderer to our j.Ianet from some star
-) Where love is law and impnlse nevt-r errs
A snnpleton some deemed him. so.ne a sa-e
Some called him devil, some a seraph hrhdit
And when he died all marvele.l. f.»r h,,d n .,;.
To this strange nature found the simi.le kev
Simphcity it was : his spirit knew
No contradictions. AVhat he thouo-ht ho said
\\ hat he desire,! to do, that thin- he <lid
'(
I
56
jriJAX.
And ill tlie star I spolcc ol'. whence ho strayed,
His native intiiition wnuld liave seemed
Tile Iii;j,liest wisdom, hut was ma(hvess here.
In a mad world tlif sa.;*' the niaihiiaii is.
-\ iiiadiiiaii ( 'lii'i>t to t he mad woi'ld !ic came
Some nineteen liundred summeis since to save,
And gooihicss to old wi(d\edni'ss seems slid
The erratic fool that needs the sc;)Uiv^e and cross.
Btit to ui}- story. 11' you <an. conceive
A soul so pure, a nature so direct.
A hrart so imiocciit, tli;it sliam and cant.
llnmhu.L;- and couii)romise. pretrii-'e and craft.
And all the tiioiisand sinister sii'all arts
Our social life eui^cnders and re(|uires,
T(j it were wonders never understood.
Or this may hel|i — llie avera.i^e man to him
Was as thedro|) of [joisoned l)randy left
Within the druuhanrs ;j,lass is to tiie clear
And shinin.i;' dew-droj) in the lily's cu|).
What wonder if our civilization seemed
To such as he a thim;- of frauds and lies,
Built ou the (juicksaiids of hypocrisy,
And doomed lo perish.
See I a falliiii^' star I
I wi-hed for — youdl not ^iies- what was my wish !
Ir cut a lin(^ of li.!;lit alonu' the l)lue.
Then \anished like your irieiid. His hiu' yet lives
Ja yonr mind's heaven. Just as does in mine
riie star that flashed across yon ^i'lowin.L-- sky.
Thouu'h ''■one from tlieiuH forever.
Social lire.
As w-t" now know ir. s.'oni.',! to liiiii a strife.
A ctit-lhroat ^aino wlicrc cnrli man slays hi- mi-lilionr
The name society a wocl'ul para lox.
Oiii- maiTia,L;cs lie deemed a mocl<erv.
Where slow routine usiirp-, Ih" place of love
And (hdl nioiiolo'iy the seat of jov.
Tli,;| men and woiiien shoidd \n' hoimd for Ufe,
One man uido one woman, stirred Ids iau-liter.
His wrath, his indf.^jiation. hid it ask.
He wonid leinand. a lifetime to peruse.
Study and .u'et liy lieait one human sonr.--
Or rather, would not lesser time sidliee
For eacji to learn, approi.riate. exhaust
Wliat the other lield of beauty, wisdom, love.
Soidduiovvlcdge, said lie. is the aim of life.
And should he free as light, as air. as love.
Two men are drawn t )<;-ether : love has hirtli.
That l(jve winch we call friendship : for a lime
These twain are all in all. ins •i)aral)le.
Would • drink up Esil. eat a crocodile,"
Die for (>ach other, drown. Iiuiai. he impaled.
And all for what ".'—To nd\ tlie'r es-encrs.
To hlend. each giviuM' that which life .i;ave him—
Then go their ways. Sonu' one ol)serves that Dick
Has found another friend ; that Will of late
Is seen with that cpiaint rogue, young Ivlward (irav.
You see Will wants Ned'.-, seeret. having Dick's.
And Di(dc. sweet Will exhausted, ro.ims alield.
Tluy like (>ach other still, nod when they niei t.
Dream of the dear ol.l days at intervals.
But know that friendships die as dies our y<;nth.
Ot
i i
I ;.
y
I {I
I'
; 1
58
JUL I AX.
Our uuinhootl, piis.sions, hatreds, life itself, —
And no one cennnres, no one finds it odd
Tliey should not love lore\-er.
Tlien how strange,
Tluis would he reason, in lliat other love,
Tiie love of man and woman, that this law,
Condition of all loving, hating, living.
That what hegins shall end, that fires burn out.
That not one man or woman is the w orld.
Should be esteemed a erime. That love should die !
Tliat married love should die I a crime ! a crime I
The elders shake their heads, too ardent youth.
In love for llie first time and not yet out.
Enamored of heroic eonstancv.
Would spit upon the slave dares wliisper it.
(Here would ids eve grow light, and tossing back
The sunny locks that, curling. crowne(l his brow,
His vision s(>eme([ to run before and show
A world regenerate, a hai)py earth,
A golden time ; and thus, as from the height.
Sunlit, of later ages, woidd he s[)eak.)
' A time there was, far back where now yi' dwell.
When life jn-essed hardly on her favorite num.
Of Mature then he seemed the hated stepson :
For frost and lire, the water and the air,
His friends and heli)ers now. were enemies.
All forces barretl his way and laid him low.
But swiftly he arose, gave buttle fierce,
And match (1 with mighti»'st powers held his own.
While thus emjiloyed a strife in his own walls
Arctse. aiid treason reared its cowaril front. —
■JI'LIAX.
With Jealousy an.l Envy, subtle spioH,
n.o l,ra^.^.u-t Anf^er, Lust, the loathly fool
Lnf^uth and Hate an.lPn^ie, and n.4u;^^^
'Seditious s,,u-its as conspirators
And captains in the r.nd, whieh. (hen henm
Kan on tor centuries, till s]owlv,p„.lled'^ '
By Love, the glorious and ne vi-eon.juered prince
This change then happed.-the baser eleuK^ s
rnipunty.suspiei,.n, sour distrust '
Lmv care and kindred passions, bi'ed or strife
Disease and crin.e and all .liscordant toes, '
That once held lives apart, were driven oit
And men and women, with full trust and love
CJ^ar-souled and beautiful, uent to and rro
Uuon („r hfe-litVMuarriage unto such
^ould seem a marvel, as if one should sav.
Fnend. see tins chair: if in it thou would-st sit
Thou may'st not rise again: to turn an<Ilool'
To compass-points 'tis true mav be allowe.l
Al^ henMlesn-e is holy, pure and good,
Heie freely men and w,m,en come and go.
And fair afTinities each otlier fhid
By minds obscene the flesh is held impure
Pure minds see in the tlesh the li , u/soul'
Less pure is it that bodies meet an.! mix "
Tn ove s embrace than that souls dailv'blen.I ■-
\our married men and women mav cV,sn ' ,
With others also niarried, ma; ;:dU'"^^''^"^^
If suitably related, on chaste lips
Impress chaste kisses : Yet this touch of tlesh
h\\
la
(50
-/r/j.i.v.
]^v tlic cliiistc liiisl);m(l is iiol (Iccincil iiiiiuirc.
Nor (io chaste wives itcrccivc llic llcslily stain.
Here is flic kernel. W'iiere all men are iniic
Naii,i;lit is oliscciic. imil wlieie all men are tiiie
No talseliddd is. |)i^easean(l caicand wron.u'
J"'rom earth expelled, the sold true freedom wins.
'i^rne rreeijom and Irne love, these hold the sonl.
No |uo]»(>i-ty shoidd man e'er hold m m;ui.
No property in woman. Maeh slmnld owi'
The tit Ix-r as the t ree ;dr owns t he earth.
The earth tlu' winds and stre.-ims. And kind reL;'ard.
Kei;ard that kindles passion, love that luirns
With Inminiuis lii-e and opens sonl to sonl.
Shall rei'^n w Idle it ^hall reiiin : and thenee shall ci'ine
.Seraphie olVspianu'. ehildi'eii dl' the llame.
Where hearts ai'i' ]inre. |)isiie max haxc his way.
The eyes* desii'i'. the heart's desii'e. tlu' snidV,
And iKUiglit it .stay. Abandcmme'-*. is none,
Is none left loveless. Lovers come and i;o :
Jal'e's richer that the> loved, and their two souls
Retain the other's impress. — she. the I'ose,
TV'hold a lily yonder whose j;-old heart
His heart would look upon. an<l lo, down conies.
With Ion,uin,i;" for her |)ertumed mystery,
lie who lint now stood at the lily's side.
•• True love in this ditl'ers I lom ,^■old and clay.
That to divide is not to take awiiy.
Love is like understandini;' that ,i;-rows Wright
(Jazinj; on many truths," And so they part.
AVith tendert>st honiaj;e, as the child mu-t leave
The part nt. and seek out what lil'c> may hold.
One tlay they shall re-meet and shew their stores.
Their knowledge of tlu' loves and lives of men.
Tlic scciTls ol' wlidso souls .iro a(M(><l to
T1h> sccivts ()ni!..ir ouM. an. I tli.-sc. niavliaj*.
Sliall stir new liivs oC passion, ami .)iic.' nioiv
^liall lif.. i.uni a( its l.ri.^-litcst lor t lies., twain.
And so forcv.'r tluon-li .lini lives lliat ,-ii,lr
Tnto tlio nnkiiown a.^cs."
^'^ li'if stran,^v worils.
yh\<\. as yon say. or wise uitl.ont cn-tirs wis,], an
An(ly,.| il„.y lavatlioof livcl-an. an.! hav,..tirn.
A siran-v |.iilsalion in my sonl. as wiicii
Th.Mni-iity fonvsof tl„/s(,, an'm-.v.!.
Bntat snch .Icpth that all stays ,■;,!,,, ..,|„,v...
Your frirn.! wa>.-oo,|. I havo no ,|<.nl.t uas".oo.|
Andmay hav.Mli..,] too yo.ni- Was hr nnhanpv '
Ilceonid not liavc Imvii luippv.
(d
I'll nip.
Xo, ])(> conld not.
As liappinoss is oauo-cd ]„. was not happv.
Thou-h ho l.a.l lu.nrs of bliss. Lovo u^rs his rnin •
It fed the root of his ])hil()sophy.
Made up his life, l)is joy ;,nd woo. an.l led
At last to his uudoini-.
Zeuohid.
To ]u\ nndoin,y •■/
PIlililK
That is tho saddest i)art, and you shall h.-ar it.
He loved a lady who was wortiiv love.
For I have seen her : -ood she was an-l true.
\\
>V2
J r LI AX.
^Ml
Fiiir iilso witli a hcaiity swoct and pn'cious.
lie ^Jivo her worship ; hivod her with a passion
I'eculi.ir to his nnliiri' : as a man
Mi.L;ht love a goddess, as iMiilyniion
Once loved the (pieen of ni;;ht.
Zciiohid.
Uidiai)ity iiirtii I
Pliilii>.
N'ou say ti'ue. I le was indccil scarce IniMian :
He (h-aidc life's essences, its sweet and i)it(er,
P.nt knew jioi' peace nor ease, i fe told this l;i(ly
(Wiio loviMl hi;'\ dearly, mark I) what I this iii^iil
Have loid to yoi;. She told her mother.
Who connselled with her lath'-r and some friends.
The man was i)ad or ina<l or mail anil l)ad,
t'()rrni)t and vile or crazy Ixwond lioi)e.
It wonld not do, her fatlier's will was toM.
[t wonld not do. That day she son,<;ht ium out.
Fell on his neck, sohhed a.s lier heart woidd l>reak.
IV<^ged his forgiveness, blamed liis ill-Jndgeil vieu-s,
His rash avowals, called him fals(\ nnkiixl.
Inconstant as the wind, mnch more beside —
Then saitl slu' could not wed him.
Zenobut.
Unliappv woman.
Wliat said he?
Philij-f.
What any man would say.
fie pri^mised all things ; swore her views were his.
Her father's views were his. He thought her thoughts.
I
JT'LIAX.
Saw with lier eyes, lived only in her life
His views ! He luul n,. views ! She was his ,,ueou !
rjis heaven, his universe, sun, moon an<l stars '
fler lov,. was all lie asked of God : no more •
And HO he raved. And she was re-assm-ed
And laughed and wept, an<i w.-nt awav (,uite happy.
He never saw her more ; six months tliereafter
Her parents married her to an old lord
Rich as tlu. hank of England. And my friend,
<He never had been (luite a prize you see)
Was left forlorn.
Zenof.'id.
And straightway died of love.
/ hill p.
Not solely. As I said he was no prize ;
lie had nor health nor fortune ; and hi.s body
l^roken l.y too umch thought, at last surcun'ihed
Love helped the slayer, if ho did not slay.
And so poor Julian perished.
Zfnuhid.
Ill-starred hoy.
A sacrifice to freedom, love and thou-ht
r could myself Imve loved him, and love vn„
The more, dear ]>hilip. that you were his friend
rould we not, dear, act out his dream, and j.rove
Ihat love needs iiot the sanction of old custom
Has right to perfect freedom, asks no i„,nd
It cannot forge itself ? You sav vo,, love me •
Have asked me for your wife.-and 1 love you
Can we not trust each other's l,,ve, and l.j.l
Society stand hack ? We both are rich :
Fortune has placed me above fear of want.
6.'<
:'J
.1
64
JULJAX,
m
If one year, two ycvars, six year.s henco yon found
Your love liad sutrcrcd cliau.tj;!', 1 would not hold you,
I wouM not then itc held. Say, liavf wt' strength
To step from out the crowd — to trust ourselves ?
PhUip.
You are an easy convert.
Zcnohia.
No ; no convert.
For I have often th(ni<:;ht as did your friend.
Nau,i!;ht is so precious as a i^erfeet love.
And none so wretched as a jiair inisniateil.
I have known such. — my mother was mihappy.
Doubts had 1. they have melted into air.
Your friend was wholly rij^ht.
rhilip.
I hesitate.
We must do nothing rashly. You have courage ;
Perhaps you ar(> too daring. We must think.
I fear it would not do.
Zcnohia.
Iler father said,
It would not do,
rhilip.
Her father ? Yes ! O yes !
Ah ! you are bravo indeed. How cool it is.
The night is wearing. Let me find your shawl.
Yes, I must think for both — your happiness
Is in my keeping.
Zenobia,
I have no fear.
TO WALT WHITMAN.
Groat democrat, ^^r.ut poet', and great man !
ree s,n;,er of our sea-rimmod Western «hore !
I 'ue lover of tliopcopk. evermore'
Kxalter ! liberator ! wj.o d„st scan
W.tl. arrowy vision an.l stro.g J.eart, the plan
Of freedom widening 'mi<l the time's uproar •
J-oein., justice rising througli injustice hoar '
W.thfa.th and Truth, twin-serapL. in the van.
Thy sours swift pinions olt have borne thee fur :
rhy broo(hng thought the well-lov..,! human race
Ha tcon.passed round. Like to the bright day-star,
rhy k.ndb- rays, have lighted up each space
Of gloon. and sadness. Weakness, guilt, no bar-
Thy sunhke sy„,pathy glows o'er earth's fare
< I
LOVERS AND ROSES.
the roses red 'mid the dark leaves showing.
O the warvi blue dome and the large stars glowing.
O the soft South, wind on the garden blowing.
O the rose of life in the heart of a lover.
O that life ivere love all tJie sad earth over —
O that life were love ivith no grief to cover.
'I'll write your name with petals of roses,
Of this criniBon one, whose proud breast uncloses
To the waitinj^ stars, and her love discloses.'
She lauglied, ' Then pray place your own besid* it,
Lest it lonely grow, with no grace to hide it,
And the ghost of the rose in the night should chide it.'
' And the stars.' he said, ' will look down upon them,
And each thoughtless breeze will have care to shun
them,
Lest, in passing too near, any wrong be done them.
' And the sisters fair of the dead rose, lying
In the crimson letters, will know that, dying.
She was raised to life in thy name, and, sighing
' Their sweetest lireaths in a perfume tender,
An incense holy their love will send her,
While the dews of heaven their freshness lend her.'
tJic roses red 'mid the dark leaves showing.
O the warm blue dome and the large stars glowing.
the soft South wind on the garden blowing.
the rose of life in the heart of a lover.
O that life were love all the wide earth over.
O that life were love with no grief to cover.
11
TO A SLEEPER.
Peace in your heart and sleep upon your lips,
Let day-break banish sorrow •
VVlien the Ni^^ht-An^el 'neath the sky-'verge dipa,
Crive hfe a glad yood-morrow.
REAL AND IDEAL.
The Real, the Ideal .■ how dispart
Beauty from Use becomes the earnest cry •
As fades the rose when reft from nature's he.an •
In prc>of whereof find Dante's, Hhakspero's art, '
Tha all earth's sin and ugliness imj^lv.
Ivealists these, 'twere witless to denv-
1 et their's no realism of the mart, "
But life ideal, at heroic strain
Alert to grasp high action, and io liold
Impassioned standards up of use and gain •
Their s no poor meagre thought in dusty mould.
An.i he of heavenly boautv ever fain
Though based on earth, rnu.t search the skies for gold
^i^M)
llAl'riNKsS.
A It'.'idcn sky, with silver dapplcil n'vv ;
A (lull gray street i>r<()iiiim>ii sights ami sounds ;
A lonely wayfarer deep sunk in ulootn ;
A rifl of siiiisliiiie spieadiii.L,'— tlieii a tlioiij^ht.
Who knocks at my heart?
(ieiitle visitor, weleoMie :
What i)ring you for ine?
Just a wdrd. just a word.
Shall it ever lie thus?
See'st Joy in llie distance?
^^ ^'y .i"y '^ 'il home.
Ijook within I look within I
Pleasure Hies his pursuit
Who forever doth chase,
Who forever doth fear I
The wayfarer, with ^:;lance at street and sky.
Passed swiftly on. and heaviness fell from him,
Ab from a runner new-stripped for the race.
On high the rifis of hlue wi-re limpid lakes.
And at llu' horizon's etlge the curled clouds,
Like ilim-seen figures in a sculptor's dream.
Hung white ahove the distant deej)-blue hills.
The way. each side, was fringed with grassy hem,
And to his hoart the vi)ice sjjake once again.
iJAi'i'/.\/-:ss.
No more <li.s(7)ntcnt,
With shall., rn./cri <las|.,
Shall waylay a/id arrest.
A .spiritual iiauprr
No nior('.sli;i|| tlir.u h,..
Th..u a hc;,';.,Mr f.,r j,,y .'
''•■t joy criianatc fn.iii tli...
l'''tl>ou rich: hcthoii rich!
(Jivin-out with h..a,....| han.ls
Wowl.r.sthr happy? il,.|.appv.
Hut tliyscif I,, thyself
Must tni.' h.'ippincssM-iv,..
Crown IVar-.'ii, thy t'^wnpl...
Nor ahr(.a<l look for prac.-.
Ah ho strong'! Ah h.. strong!
I''<'.iilt'ss, faithful and free.
♦.D
Uplift, as tn.a<li„;,. air, In- journcv.,! on
Andmarv<.|..difnoclKin;,.u-.r/inhisfa<...
iswalk,hisnii,.n. As in a n.arl.h. fri,.z(.
Or city struck to ston.. stran^o ol,j,.,ns pass.cj
Amalls,.enK.<l.lin.an.|farasin;;.ln.an.
An, men ami wonu.n passed l..foro inni thrn •
And ho could see tneir souls, and knew himself
The master over life, while with him stayed
That wh.sj,er. t-llinK' joy is of ourselves
MAIh;i;.
.H|\»» ; Nwcol Mntlr."'. v<mi know.
Woo I Hhc I'lMurn ( hoi I' •.\\\, \ >'u'\ (' iniiirti'il lii'i
MMiJfiH*' Ah. M:»tlii»0 i'l lovo iUlil M\iil\!!JO!.
tSun»«hiM»-'. l>:»|'piMORH.
Honxonit 1'^ to iU(-«>( h.M iiiiMoh,
S\M'h 1»01 po>\ <M <,\ llIoMM.
Kyt^^whc li;»'< th.U inorlv ( ho i;i|iiihllo,
V "liOi'Ki. ( h;(( >h;imo ( ho lo-io.
In h<M laoo, :\h in 1 .o\ os n»\i\oi,
Ho:iul \ '■- im.ivvo k''^^^ "•
'(^«v»\lty's? \h >•• s. lo\o .luii ho;ni(y.
^^ u at\«l w i-»,ioi\» shiv
Vrvnivl . Nn\ . jiiulauilotl \\ ith -.oo. Iuomm,
For s\\ «M'{ M:\<i^vo lo\oM mo.
'Mi; MPNur KAiriii iiiifoifrni iiKAVfcN
in;voi viNn MWi;r;i'H
l»l U»»\v\UryrU' ,,„,,„{ ..,,ri hull of (ir«' ;
TIh' Mhltiliii'. Mil. n|,.'.w|... om'.vi.mI •mii'I Ml. ' li'.ii
Of HiHln, .:p|,„,,-. Km-. .If. I, .■ry.:lHlluM l.lu.- <|.. ),«
Anil fdl MliV M|,/Min). ulMTf <;m h (-.((ir WOlM |;c.|,ii
'I'llilK Willi llin iMil'iir <.r lliiil irii/^lil V lyr<
Wli.wi. l.r.'Mll.iMK 'M Mm. Ilirijl r,f l,f.. ., ,|,..;ir..,
'"" l'"l"" Hull (lin.l.K or wlicn nifin wiikfH (»f Hl«.|»f5.
M.'illMvllil.. Imk- JM Mill Imu ,1, Jin^l ),. I, (),,■ .•[?.'..(
I'iiiiiiIdii I., mv cvici ; (I... I.ii.l,., , II,,. -lu.'ir.-,
Th.< . I, imn. •>'*!. M|.ir.M,, |)„, ,„.,,,,|,, n./il, f ,„.<.|,,
'''•'•' ••''• ''"'" M'i|.(c|, aii.l (.piMuinuMf vv../ir ;'
l.llu. \il|/|(... IIIHfifH .'III W.MiIm(, ;,fM| iTl'fi
Mcj.r.M. M.M'..i,,in,.r ;, lilV „.r,n. |„r;^,. ,w,r| r;.ir.
m
PULSK SWIl ri.V () MY IIlvVUT!
I'ulst' swiftly, () iny heart !
(Jiv(- forth thy crimson stivams ;
And, th()Ujj;h no lyric art
Make music of thy (Ircams.
I'crchancc some sli^dit refrain
IMay yet on earth remain.
When tho 1 ;irt hiid a\v;iy
Where Silence hath her reiKH.
And childhood's voice at play
Nt)r hustle of (juick men
(^iri through thy darkened clay
Send one sweet human ray.
Dl.VKLOrMKNT.
From creepiiiLC, loathly >;rub to yon fair life.
That, like a liower a-wing. Hits o'er the uiead,
A mute, pervasive hiw, mysterious, rife
In all earth's force, blind force doth upwards lead.
From \TOoly liottentot to Shakspere's brain
What dark abysmai deiiths of being tlow.
Yet on these wreck-atrewn seas eacti man is fain
Straight onward still to steer his batteretl prow.
Since in the shadowy lields we call the past.
Where historj-'s torch doth shed a glimmering light.
Among the unnumbered shapt^s that follow fast,
Some lovely human forms Uoat into sight —
Angelic souls, bright rays struck from the clod.
Lamps lit to burn e'en at the throne ol God.
IMMURED.
O for the scent of tlio moist, fresh .-arth,
O for the Rriiilc of tlio »un.
O for 11,,. ,^ay. -ivicii licl.is. an.] th.. I)irtli
Of .si)riii^r4|,o„^,j,|.^ ,,j^^. 1^,^, ^^jj^_^
O for the joy of the heart Hct fr('<-
From l)u..k.s. from thou-ht. fn.m care.
O for a nook 'iioath a shariy tree
And the l)hi<' (,f the sun-kissed air.
O for the flowers, the white and ^'old,
The pink-ti{»pe<l, azure-starred.
O for th.' I.irds. the hlith.> and bold,
Or speckled or color-harr.'.i.
O for the sweep of the glancing str..am,
An.! th.' clear-seen shapes therein-
The nunnows poised in fh." sunny beam,
And tlie pebbly glooms they win.
O for rivei- and fiel.l an.l woo.l.
For floweret and sky an.l tree,
For th.' aindess. early-summ.'r mood
Of a listk'ss, wandering bee.
That taf)s the bu.ls and tastes the .l.w
An.l .lr.)nes in th.- golden ray,
Leisurely. Irisurely slipping "through
The live-long hai)r)v da\'.
THE HORIZON-RING.
/'
A little ring encloseth all my world :
A precious ring, Ket round with figures fair :
A line of gold writ on the aiiil)er air.
Soft wreaths of cloud, like tiny wavelets curled,
Strange blue-grey frescoings and mists unfurled :
And, past the frozen fields and grasses bare.
Above dark roofs, ascending stair on stair.
In liquid light see domes and spires impearled.
All at the centre of this little ring
The boyish winds make merry in mad i)lay ;
Among the stricken reeds they sport and sing.
Aloft two silver stars keep holiday :
And gnomes unseen are heard, with sudden spring,
The ice-pools crackling, 'mid black mounds of clay.
i
IN THE DESERT.
Sad are the dark brown hills :
Drear is the wall of sky :
Though life and tliou-ht'be still,
In my heart is a passionate cry.
Have I not mused so l)efore
In the grey ages afar ?
Have I not looked, long ago,
On the iiills and this leaden sky ?
Tlme-ah how short ! how the soul
Can stand by the a«sar"s throne ;
Can, with the Chaldean sage,
Traverse the starry blue waste.
Narrow is space, O my soul :
See'st thou in alien lands,
Lands of the spruce or the i)alm.
.^lortals who brood as thou brood'st.
Heavy of lieart, and look out
On the sky and the range of hills,
And know that all life's at {)ause.
Though the passionate heart doth cry ?
In Athens on such a day,
In Carthage or Corinth the gay.
Some one. sad-hearted, has l()oke(i.
And mused on the purport i^f life.
If
li
DEATH.
A child of live stood at my side to-day.
And, eager for all knowledge, (juestioned me
Wliat that mysterious portent. Death, might be :
As, should he, at its coming, cease to play ?
And would all men on earth then pass away 't
But nothing realized till, heedlessly.
I said, exploring still the mystery —
'Our bodies break and crumble to decay."
Then clouded his bright brow, and to his eyes
Tears gathered, and a burst of passion came ;
A storm of lamentation and sad cries ;
lie did not • like'' to die, he said : his frame
Quivered and sliook : and stung with sharp surprise,
I named the Soul and life's undying flame.
CLEOPATRA.
% fillet, Charmian, now, and now that ring
Hat Antony gave me yesternight to sing
The Bacchic chorus.-child, the serpent one
VV 1th crystal gom that dazzles like a sun.
And now my zone : the black and gold will do
fiovv soft my hair to-day is, lustrous too. '
A thought too pale, methinks, this cheek now shows
To match n>y ey(., that still as darkly glows
As yesternight. O Charmian, such a night !
In the clear shine the columns stood out white •
In moonlit silence all tli;. citv lay ; '
We left the gardens only when the day
With gold and crimson fir'd the Eastern height
As pausing at an altar ere his fli-ht '
Into the zenith. (Yes, a thought too pale :
When Antony comes their colour will not fail.)
I like this Antony. Dost not love his voice
l< ull-toned ; so musically clear, with choice
Of stern or tender ? and his laugh so free
So muthful, banishes solemnity.
He hath love-lore too, Charmian : listen, Pweet •
Last mght i'the garden, lying at my feet-
Be not m poutish, Charmian-list. I say '
Come nearer, child, noi move 6o far away
i
m
!!#■
78
CLEOPATRA.
That's my own sweeting : lying at my feet,
As C'a'sar useil, and as was very meet.
When, jesting, I essayed his faitli to prove,
He swore high Rome lie'd barter for my love.
The stars from Heaven he'd snatch to Hglit my brow ;
The gUmmering night's rich veil should deck luc now.
Did I but wish it ; that by day the sun
Should draw my chariot ; and. his hot race run,
The pallid moon her pearly car should place
At my disposal, while through azure space,
With Antony I sail'il o'er slumb'ring towns,
O'er sleeping seas and zephyr-haunted downs :
My beauty's sight would rouse the Love-Queen's ire ;
Wells were my eyes of ever-living fire ;
Like night my hair in the bright day did show :
The ruddy dawn burmd in my cheek's pure glow.
Pare nonsense. Charmian ; j-et so lightly sped,
Willi laughing grace, half truth, half fancy-fed :
The best part trutii, since, were but his the power.
Eternal bliss, make sure, were in my dower.
Would he might stay : my passion for him grows :
Forever stay : each friend so quickly goes ;
E'en Caesar went — but hark I among the men —
What Antonv I hast come so soon again '.'
WHEN COMES THE SUMMER.
f" '•<>'" <"il tin; Mlooi.iii.o- uvst thro.mh ih. still evo
< 'oin..s one wi)J, (lusk-warin locks u.id sl.inin- ..yc-
A.ul r«.s..-(lark clu'eks. whose beauty mjoht retrieve
A woiM when" sin with odious virtue vies.
Aii.l Iroiu the still clear East a maiden sue.t.
Whose lissojnesha])eand lilac-kereliief.l hair
And shy, pure eyes, where joy and sadness m,.,.|
Proclaitu the spirit of sprin-, the -oddess fair.
And in this g-arden they j,,in hands and -;,ze
^^ For one swift, silent moment ere they part ;
TlH'n Westward i)asses si)rino. the suninipr si'av.
A rosehusli near, where crimson l,lossoms start.
Nij-ht and the ro.scs first -lad homa;,^- pay.
June and the hirds lo-morrow own her sway.
THE NKW ACHfLI.KS.
Bl
R j
H
HI
i|4
mi
ff>
11
V .^
1^1
AcliillL'.s I I Hvlinld tilt' prince of men.
Named at'ter him ulio slew the 'Projuu hosts.
And dnij;';^e(l '^leiii llet'tor at his cliariot wlieels.
Ilim do 1 emulate. As in a jj^lass
The (Grecian hero shews my hi;:;h disilain
For leaser men. my coiirat^e and my strenj^^tii.
Forever |)rince. for who dare witii me vie."
I still am lirst, all rivals overthrown.
When I come forth ujum the city's .streets
Till' treml)lin}j,' groundlings, all agog, admire.
They whisper. Great Achilles — see he comes !
And then I frown, and, should n man a])pear
That claims actpiaintanceship, and asks a smile
With fawning glance, I curse hini a good-day,
So that lie dare not speak a second word.
And then he slinks aside, hate in his heart.
And en\y of my prowess and my pride.
The universe is mine I Apollo's self
Smiles but to light my pathway. And though life,
In these degenerate days, draws to the top
The scum of men, whose democratic stench
Pollutes the atmosphere, I brush them by.
And take my stand their master. Women, too.
The pretty birdlings. who would peck and chirp,
And quarrel brightly for my delectation.
Are now grown bold, and deem themselves she-eagles.
Hut yet a goodly group cast down their eyes
I
Till': SFAV ALlIILLhS.
M
At Jiiy proiKl coniiriy. -lat.rnl (mi- m siiiilt-.
Aye. all is wi-oiin;: j,, this accursed time
Tilt' iiiol) jiatii sway ; and in ail ways of mt.
Of literature, of ^overuiMeiit. of lite.
They strive to ovei'-rule the kiii<;;s of ui.ii.
One thing 1 live for : to restore t hr d.iys.
The goodly time, when the hase throng >lid i.end.
And. hownig low. unhonnet to their lords.
Now ycnider chininey-sweei.'s my lawfid peer '.
Ah, there goes Hector ! 1 lector of our town.
Fair kinsman to my friend, the sweej), no doiiht.
Faith : well I knew it I Friends, ye are wi'll met '.
He makes oheisance to his friend, the sweep.
As he hud said. My garments, yea, are clean,
I wear white linen : 'tis by thy iDerniission,
Thou noble son of toil !
5' ' 1 '
!^
My gorge doth rise
Faugh : 1 am sitdc.
What grinning fool is here?
My eyes flash lightning— would that thev might kill :
ill
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it
!
LKS MISERAHLES.
Ah 1 walked the city street
Tlicre \va.s noise of Imnying feet :
There were merry voii-es IojkI ;
Tht're were figures hushed and l)()wed.
Flerc -A pair of bright eyes glanced.
There a <Iashing courser pranced.
Here a beggar hol)hled l)y,
IMoaning,— Pity I Chai-ity I
Want and WeaUh eacii other shouhh'r
Sadly muses the beholder.
Wealth and want, deliglit and woe,
Pity that it should be so !
Misery I ah mi.iery I
That such wn^tchedness shouM be :
That in I^ondon town to-day
Thousands starve who cannot pray.
Mother of tiie Lands ! U say.
Know you not another way ?
List your starving children's cry :
( 'harity ! O charity I
Mother of the Lands ! () tell,
Love 3'ou not your chiltlren well '.■'
yiy own mother lo\f'Mi me
-And my ln-others "'i|iially.
r^f:s Ml SKUA ELKS.
My own brothern share with ..i.-
Her true liearfs love equally.
Mother of the Lands! O tell,
I'<'v,.you not your sons as well •:
They were of one family.
L"vi)i^' children at thy knee :
-At thy breast was each one nurse.l,
^^'ii< M IS last and which is Hrst r
N'ou they know nt.tone another,
'•'^"•h IS strange unto his hiother •
Hate and shame. disea,se an.l , , ain-
lins one's loss is that one\s gain.
H"arthy wretched ehildren cry •
Misery ! O n.isery !
Mother of the Lan<ls: they , -nil.
A true mf»ther he to all !
s;-.
AMBITION.
Titanic ra^rs. iicnt or (hilling far.
Conviils»'(l aji«l «lark<'n<'(l. without sij^lit or aim ;
Calin-«'ye<l rndeavor. through all stress the same,
Strong as the sun-god. in his orbic ear.
Xor fearful. like sad Phai'ton, to uiar
Desired achievement in disastrous shame ;
Hut, when burns low the spirit's lamp of flame.
The ship-wrec"ked mariner, without a spar.
Alone on the wild sea, such Ititter woe
May taste as liis who seems then cast away :
And thus the ambitious soul nnist ever go.
Now at the merc\' of the tempest's i)lay.
Now on the billowy swell in easy flow.
Now of the hungry waves the vision'd prey.
I H
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L '
PHILOSOPHY.
All undisturbed l»y hopebss aspiration.
Content when tilling the divine bt best.
In faithful maidiood and tru(» labor blest.
To do fair human service with elation.
And, if success attend or sad frustration,
To work still onward without haste or rest.
To know himself of nature the high guest.
And needing, sooth, no rarer elevation
Than this. Of (roil the child, of man the lover,
He walks erect the U-vel. sunlit plain.
And though 'mid starry spheres his soul may hover,
(}la<l is it when recalle(l to earth again.
Careless and free, through haunts of men a rovt>r.
With (Mpial heart he shares their joy and pain.
FATE.
I.
A moon ago came Summer up this way,
As once (lid Life on some far-vanished day :
And, as Life's spirit filled the earth witli men.
So Summers with green leaves the branches ^M-ey
II.
Ah, if 'twere clearly shewn, as it may be,
That men, as leaves upon a giant tree.
As leaves depend for life on sun and rain,
Could praise or blame attach to thee or me ":'
III.
Or if one saw. as in a crystal glass.
The slow, long ages of the planet pass,
The generations of man's race go by.
B:ven to the days when man half-human was.
IV.
And if the myriad shapes that come and go,
With seeming freedom in the brilliant show,
He saw were pushed and pushed by hands unseen.
Here to good fortune, there to overthrow.
V.
A generation is a summer's leaves,
Its history the reckoning of slu-aves ;
Another summer's prile the tiee of life
To suns and rains, called Joys and soirows. gives.
i|-
HO
FA TE.
VI.
if!
This h'ut a IMiidiiis. tliisa rcrichs.
This shining oim' a liuld Milliadcs :
And hcif thf traitor of TIitM-mopylac;
ITcrc ]Mat<>. Icaiiiiiij; to his Socrates.
VII.
r[»(»ii tilt' scll-sainc stem Ircc-iiKMi and slaves.
True worlvers. idlers, honest liearts and knave:
Heroes and dastards in a .uoMrn hcani :
A colony u|toii a l)ranchU't wavt's.
VIII.
Say yon tliis slave a freeman niij^ht have stood ?
This knave a hero. ,L;'enerous and good?
This ori|>i)le wimier ol Olympian .L;anies':'
Tliis lo|i-i'ared leaf thf ^lia|telie>l h) the wood?
Or may one see it in another way?
If half cra/.eil Handet did Polonins slay.
If cra/ed ( )|ihelia ^ives herself to death.
A''e these the moveis. or was Shakspere, pray ?
X.
Act they apart or move they of his will?
Free lives or puppets to creative skill ?
Or do we say the Jew. tlie Moor, are he?
The Dane, the Thane, alike are wontlrous Will?
XI.
Shakspere is Calil)an. is Arii'l too :
Rut whencie came Shakspere? from what fountain drew
lie mitriment for fair, ignoiile. l)ase?
Shakspeic's creations : his ereaior who?
'^
S
I'ATi:.
87
XI f.
A vaster world ut.- s*( — (,| M(,.,i> ;,ii(l Jiw.-.
Midsuninu'r (Irtv.'ns of l)eauty, jjutitf crew.s ;
Hi<]al;,'ot'.s, ^^randees, barons, queens and kings;
IMooidif^hted -ardens, palaces and stews.
XIII.
ilvrc dnmiits of all ages, times and cliines :
Behold the tlawless actors, life's true niiuus :
The jxTfcct speakers of allotted ])arts.
In hirth-scciKvs. dfatli-seencs. joy-scenes, pantoniiines.
XIV.
Here vice inearnate stalks : here virtue shines :
The tyrant and the martyr e«m tlieir lines :
The l)eg,u;u- and tlie lord give earnest heed
The hidileii (.rompter deed and word assigns.
XV.
Hark to the pleasing jugglers where they stand !
The ccmjiu'ers divine, severe or l)I;ind,
As suits the special wonder to he shewn :
What woidd you have? "Tis yours i)ut to couimand.
XVI.
Would'st SIM. the circle sipiared "r or black shew white?
Would'st have the stars by ilay ? the sun by night?
The fishes swim in air? the mid-sea depths
Made perfect medium for a swallow's (light ?
> \n.
Aught you cnn v. ish ! An<l this altove the rest :
The crowning marvel, far too grave for j. >t ;
A miracle— indeed it is no less !
Of juggler's logic 'tis the weight v test.
,1
ill;
88
I'ATf-:.
XVlll.
He holds you up a mau : "A nuui. you see ;
Pre<l('-,iin(M| or vU'vX, hoih l)oiii| and free ;
A tilted saint or sinner : y«'t is lit?
Free-aKeiit— sliaper ot liis de.^iiny.'
XIX.
' ili'li : presto I all is ready— dose your eyes ! '
' 1 see not yet,' a looker-on replies.
'Not yet?' a sciuint-eyed man beside hiin cries,
' Not yet !' ii) varying tones of shocked surprise.
XX.
Nor is the ri(hlle"s leading far to s(*ek.
Strong natures have strong wills, weak natures weak.
Will is ilesire expressed. Your dunmiy may
Will and still will, nor win the power to speak.
XXI.
Who prates of wisdom, freedom, virtue, am':
Who plies the lash to flog his malice in ?
Who bawls ahouseto]), in his i)iety.
To losers curses, cheers foi- those who win?
XXII.
Is it not written ? He wlio runs may read.
In the beginning One. in very de<>(l.
Toss'd in the earth the gt'nii Is Man a weed y
Be His the harvest, then, who sowed the seed.
Ti[()U(;nT.
Thought is traiislatii n : 'tis tlit* tU'sli mini*' wortl.
Tho world Diiitle spirit, maltt'i' cliaiiL?*'"! to miiul ;
New fiats of now births ; the j^ross relinrd :
Til" incumbent dariiness and tiu» silence stirred
At each ' Let there be li^lit ' of poet heard :
Tile f^olden stairway wliich the afj;es wind
U]) to tlie honse of souls ; "tis the desij^c'if^'l-
Fate-ordered trans(!ript of earth's meaiiinjj;!^ blurred,
.'Vs animate inanimate dotli hold,
So higher lives the lower lives eni'oll.
When Thought'^ high sphero life's lower spheres enfold
The toiling caravans sliall nach their goal.
And when the listing soul earth's tale hath told
The heavens and earth shall vanisii as a scroll.
CAGED.
Here, half-askei>. I sit.
And still tbe old-time yearning.
Within slow pulses turning,
Demand.s expression fit.
Cries, Let me feel my wings !
O freedom, freedom give me !
Of this dead load relieve me ;
The bird flies ere it sings.
Against the bars of sense
It l)eats and strains in njadness.
With little moans of sadness,
And sudden cries intense.
•;T
m
iii
i!
SNOW.
Now the inoiHturc cnii'^ht from ocoan,
Drawn up from the li(iiiiil cU'sitI
Tlir(»u<;li the tliiiil <;olilon ether.
Up. far up unto the .siin-sph(ir<'.
Comes a^ain in scttt, white l)lossoms,
(rarmentni^ in hiwn the hindseape,
^lantUn^' o'er the snnuner j^ardcns,
Floo(Un.n' thick tin- j^cntU- valleys,
nr the brown hills iiiaUin^' pillows.
Feathery m<»untls. whereon tin- ;;<'nii
Of the North may rest in (heamland.
CKKATION.
As at the cominj^ of an an^d fair.
With iieaven's j^loi'v yd upon his win^s,
Anil heaven's nuisic in his s[)eerh, that ltrin.i;s
(Had news of life in that Flysian air.
So feels the poet when this mood so rare
Exalts him. - ;id the raptured spirit Hin,t;;s.
With love, with lonj^'int;'. for those hij^lier ihin.ns.
To see. to utter which, it now may dare.
The sk}'. perchance, may ope. and visions l)ri,L;ht
As daz/.led Raphaf'l in youthful dreams.
May dawn in spli'ndor on his ravished sii;lit;
The weary eartl). with super-sensuous i)eams,
INIay he transfigured in a ^low of li,c;ht.
And shiniui;- arj^osies dot sea> and sireaui:-.
"
S()N({
Poor phiintoiiis of a ilroniii.
We secMi, iuid jiass away :
Men' ripples on a streain,
Still l»rok(>n into sj)ray.
The ]>as.sions ami (lf!i;;lits,
The vanities ami spitt'H,
The war of wrongs an<l rights.
Bui seem, and pass nway.
Poor phiintonis of a dream.
We seem, and pass away.
What Milaee l»ut to singi'
What other solace. i)ray ?
Since youth has taken winu.
And niaidiood will not stay.
Since youth's sweet s])ring' is past.
And summer follows fast,
What is it that will last?
Wh.nt other solace, say ?
What so]ac(^ hut to sin,L;?
Whiit other sohK-e. |)ray '.'
ill til
I
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■
! I;
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/ MINOli I'OKTS.
TIh' wtonu has spfiil its stiTii^tli. and a pure itcaci-
L'onu'8 witli the icstriil eve ; a spirit clear,
A presence cool and fra^nint, hrin^w release
From care, and low. sweet voices soothe and cheer,
The air is V( .'al : the hlithe j^rasshopper.
Ill the still distance, holds a concert hiji^h.
As for the courts oi' heaven ; and more near.
Beneath tiie ^H'^tenin^ inapie-sprays, wiiere lie
The scattered diamonds in the niutted ^rass.
The cricket's silvery int(M'lude is heard.
Hut when beside the river's hank you j).iss.
A wondrous singing comes, as if a hird
Had given its song to every wayside w«'e<l,
And melody liad sprung from every seed.
! *'
-•!
TKLL MK WHAT IS l,(>\ K. MV IlKAHT?
T<'ll IMC wlijit is love, my liciiit'.'
Thou cun'st siin-ly say ii<i\\ ,
En' the \v()!nli-r <lutli ilcpait
Tliat liatli coiiit' (lii>. wav n<>w.
Lnvc's a tcinpt'st. Iicaid 'mid trtrs
My lilt' Slimmer \\ci;,^lit»'(l.
'Tis tilt' lioucy (hive ami Ih'cs)
'"''•'I- Iit'd hy swain ln'latf(l,
'Tis a ripple (Hi the calm
Tide of ti'an«|uil Cceliiiji: :
'Tis a soiil-priclc. and flic halm
n»'ld to it for healin;c.
Nay. I said, hut tell, my heart,
Say it in ^o<jd sooth now,
What is love? Kre Love depart
Tt'll me all the truth now.
For a willinj; learner thou.
In and out of season.
Must the secret know . I trow :
Hath it rhyme or reason r
Love, ah love, my heart rej)lied.
Is the mystic token.
Throusrh theatres, undenicd.
Soul to soul hath spoken ;
ti-ft
1*4 TJ:f.L Ml-: WHAT IS IJ)\-I:\ MV II HART
'Tis a r<)sy-\viiiL:i'(| dcli^lit.
From I'iirtli's cai-.'s releasing;
"Tis tlx' s|>ii-it's soiiict' of iiii^lit, —
Fdimi (if joy iiiK'cisiiiL;' :
'Tis a jhtI'iiiiu' from the East
O'er a ,u;anli'ii hlowin^' :
"Tis a new larc at a feast,
( )r a straii,i;(' star sliowin.i;' ;
"Tis a sweet surprise, a fear
With a foiiil hdjte twiniiii^-;
'Tis the (•asl<et"s self L;r<>\vii dear
I-'or t h" jewel siiiniii.u,- ;
"Tis t 111' t rciiior in the l)rt'a>t
Of til.' lark- at waldii-;
Ti-; thi' yoiiii;^' iikidd's silvi'r crest
And I he L;r('v ilawn lifcaKdim'.
ifii
^k
A wiNTKu i:vi;ni.\(..
( li'cy-ii)l)('(| Detu'inht'i- sliouM li;iV(M'iii|iirt' lit-ri'.
^'(■t ill till' piifjilt' (lc|iili of voii lair sky.
June's (In'Miny dusk and iiicllow rii-hiiess lie ;
Nit hint tluTc is orautuimi branclics sere :
No liiiit of wintry winds so chill and drear :
Soft Southern bree/.es si>eiu to pause and die
"Mid languid l>ouglis ; the starry lamps on high
r)iirn heavily their silver tapers elear.
I
I
H
I
In twilit;I)t <;looiii the rity's temples stand :
Their spires and turrets strike athwart the Hear.
Who stretches his j^-reat length on either hand.
La/.ily coiichant in his Northern lair.
As if by an.uel pinions ,L;ently fanned,
(ilad Hesprr lilazes in the wotwaid air.
() MV \A)\l] liATM ST.\Ili;V KVRS.
<r
<> my love hath starry eyes :
.\?i(l with a sweet .suriirise.
With a sweet surpi'ise ami tine
Will they (iark-eii into mine
When I say how nmch I love her.
Wlieii I say now much I love hfi-.
Like the Ihish otdawn her .liffk
Will mantle when I speak.—
Wlien 1 say Ih." morllin,^■■s rose
'Neath her hrown eyes softly l;|ows-
When 1 say how nmeli I love her.
WJien 1 say how inueh 1 love her.
From her lips, a eupid's how.
Where hide pearls row on row,
A li^ht, silvery lan<;li is sent
When, with ardor ijinoeent.
1 wonld say how inneh I lovi' li.'r,
T would say how nnieh 1 lo\e her.
iik.
A.MARVr.I.lS.
Tlu.' hoy looked up : and passcil hctoif him then
A heiuo' nuliant as (•"cr dazzle 1 men :
As Jimo stately, lovely as love's (jueen.
Mps ripe as Hel)o's. Dian's hrow serene.
if is spell-Cast, reverential <^aze she saw.
A startled look, where rapture hlent with awe.
A little smile, as wintry sunshine swe-et .
As wintry sunshine cold, as transient, tlee't.
A moment lightens o'er the perfect face ;
Then l.oth ;,fe ,-;(.ne : and with tlieni heaiity, L^race.
T\\(' >ky was hhie hut now. and now "tis urey ;
The day vas fair, all fade(l is the day.
A little smile, like wintry sunshine chill,
Flits o'er Jn's face, without his thoui,dit or wdl.
lie feels a naystery and knows not whv.
This dream ! thi> vision : i^oddess of the sky I
This (pieen of hlue and -old : such eys ! such hair !
Was never woman so divinely fair.
liut then his trouhh^l hear*-, those parted lips.
That snule [)erplexing, -iiever was eclipse
Of cheap and common, use and wont, more dear :
i.ife had yiown complex, eni,^nlatic. d.ar.
Yet this he saw, however niystihed.
That here was heaiity— heauty <;loritied,
l\[a'le radiant, peerless, innocent . divine ;
Youth's i)erfect <lream : love's own true \)<uv] and si<j;n
liis heart's iileai, sent l)y heaven above.
Ah, love was heaven ! hea\-en indeed was love '.
s
98
\M.\h')L/Js.
it
lie turns : lie nifcts a rriciid. ^'oii saw her? Who?
She (if tlic (Hicciily tread and eyes of l)hic.
\\'hal. Amaryllis ! conu'. my friend ! [j;o to !
lier ijueeniy tread ! ha '. ha ! her eye-, i>{' l)hie !
^'oii knew not :•' Wiiat.- We part here. Then, good-day
.My friend, lieware ! lei not ymir foot>toi)H stray I
The hoy, heart -st rickeii. Inid> a hmely str'>l.
lie wanders on and (»ii wiiii faiti'riii- I'eel .
Within his soul dark ehaos rei.uns, imt >till
.\ little smile. a-> wintry sunshine chill.
Shines o'er the ,<;loom and tui-nioil. a> a It 'am
From heaven mi.y-ht o'ei' h-lls rout and hormr i;leani.
IN THE FOREST.
l)ull-red and hrown. the forest enrpet spreads.
The outworn mantle of tlie (load years prime :
Witch autumn, following sweet summer-time,
On silent wing first the wood's mazes threads.
Flaming with scarl(4 hues and golden-reds
Its sober green, till not tln^ ttrient clime.
In morning's crimson pomp, shewed more snblime.
And now the naked trees u])lift their heads,
Stripped e"en to ilesolation.
Lt) I mine eyes
Turn to the West, where, from rosi'-misted seas,
Beyond a gilded waste, in state arise.
.\s at another Autumn's witcheries.
Spires, tlomes and pinnacles — a fair}- prize.
Limned clear through tracery of woodland trees.
•iALVTKA.
Drcain-sytiil),.! ,,f t li,. ,ii-tist"> |.niyci-riil y^-m-iiiii- ;
Tv|,(. ,if the iiiihorii l()V(>liii(->-. to I,,..
All : may tli.^ -,„ls grant lif<'.-aiiW lair .li^(•..n,i„^
To WMii'l.'r-initton souls that throfig lo s.m-.
(,)rKSTIOX|X(;.
ShoiiM .|,,y Im. ciip-hcarcr to hearts th il l>l | >
Aii.l miiistrcl-cliief to souls that walk in -loom '
Or niayone, stninhlin- "n.-ath thf w.-i^in of ,|,„,m,
I'ipc <'n»crtaiinn('nt on a ln-okcu n.f.dr
liest from the strivin-. Lrt sonir ha|.|.i,.r tlu'oar
Swell with tlic music thy parchcl s,,iil hath h-^anl
Whil.' in the thicket lonely a sa<l IhpI.
Droop-winged, shall list afar its own hi-h n.>:,..
TKK I'OKT.
Me sits in sullen mood with toMiwI hands.
While at the portals of his lieing plavs
That soundless music of his nights and davs :
An elMn storm, far oil" in unseen hinds.
Moans silently, and shapes in shromle.l hands
(llooin dimly hy : then rise through u.Mknown ways.
And. passing forth iiUo the noon's full hia/.e.
Make for him that new world his soul demands.
The ocean-dopths of Being, storm an<l calm :
The changing life that thence doth upward tl,,w ;
The Secret. O thcSc.-ivi. wli > may kn.wi-
The windings of tie' Mvsterv, who trarc ;-
Who utter that deep, nnivcr- il psalm.
TIi(> earth's hi-h caiuide of prayrr and piai^e.'
iil
it:
i
L()OKTX(r FORWARD.
T stood loolvinK back wan I.
lioni into the day. and walking the ways of men,
In my turn gazing ui)on the sun, the moon, the beauteous
shows of earth.
In my turn seiircliing beneath and beyond these—
Searcliing for the eternal values. Ihe riehes which ju'rish
not.
Backward I turned to the enchanting distance.
To the beauty by ])oets sung as not of earth.
To the myths of gods and g<»lilcsses.
To romaii'-es and enclianti'il -ardens. rare adventures
and delights.
To the old ports, tilt' old tales so full of beauty ;
And I said. 1 will weave for myself tales of beauty.
I also will cirve shapes of loveliness, hewn from the
\\ I'altli of the antiipie :
I ton may dream the old dr"!ims since I know the eternal
longings.
LoveliiK^ss. I said, is not of to-day ;
It is knnwii only of tlif lew.
Life is liavrei) and grey.
Life is .uro-s ;ind vulgar and dull.
I will loiik lackward. 1 will imagine enchanted bowers.
palai'i-. ladies and knights,
I will c.-cai-e the conimonpl;ice.
I \\\\\ dwi'l! in till' impalpable, dicaminn sweet dreams —
m
■
LOOK I Mi FORWARD.
101
Whon, iK'hold, a tinuider peal !
A l)urHt of lausic :
A light as or the Huddcii sun :
A call .sul)liiiit' and grand !
Startling iiif froui my dnanis,
Sending liir |)I,„),i to my heart, whenei' it surged to
throl)l)iiii; pulses and temples,—
And lo : tile purpose ot life was changed.
I looke(l oil tlie world and accejited it ;
Accepted tilt' common, the gross, the dull ;
No more wished to he of the elect ;
No more w i>hed to stand with ey(>s turned liackward or
in the clouds ;
To dream dreams, to surfeit with perfumed fancies.
Ill
hi
Henceforth. 1 said, the function of the poet is changed.
for me it is changed.
I demand tiiat the earth shall he heautiful for all men :
That the gods and goddesses shall walk the common
ways ;
That they .-iiall not he housed in skyey mansions, hut in
tile dwedings that hue each street.
Hencefortli 1 demand that tlu' exclu.sive he done away
witii.
Tiiat aU men and all women shall meet on etpial terms.
Henceforth. I said. I will have no poetry that all cannot
share ;
No more heroics, no more worshij) of genius, of power,
(ieniiis shall lie ha[ipy to serve.
Power shall he luqipy to serve.
For () the >liam(' to sit contented and enjoy while my
itrotlier starves and die,.
,11
103
I.IKH<IS(! l'<)l:\V.\UlK
5 S
Awiiy willi surli l)a>fiu'>s 1 I will ncicpt no ^ooil llial
is not tilt' ii;;lit <>l t'Ncrv xm of man.
1 will lia\f |icrrciti(»ii licrc oi: oartli.
'I'liowgh it taUca llioiisaiid tliousaiKl years. I will sin- <ir
the <lay wli<n the dreams shall he iiiaile re:il ;
When men and women, radiant in heanty. love and joy.
shall tn jkI tiie kih"*'''"^ <^>1 earth,
Fairer than ( J reek j^ods,
i lappini'ss their l)irtliriL;ht, heauty their roniinon |)o-^s('S-
sion.
:n
;{i'
; f ; ■
: '. :
II
^
iLaa rnilogoDner,
!l^
I'KkSONS RKPKKSKNTi;i).
l<
(ins'lAVK CoRni, A French Philosopher.
Ui.kk; St. John, An Ku^Ush I'liiloM)|)lior.
WiNiKKKi) St. John, Si. Jolin's daughter.
iiiMoNi) Cokoi, Coroi's sun.
Alicia Maynakd.
Ai.iiKKT StraN(;k., Sir KdwanTs son.
C:oRNKi,iA Howard, St. John's sccrelary.
Lady Stkancjk, Sir Edward's wife and St John's sister.
Sir Mdward Stranck.
Thomas Jrit.t.rson, ['resident of the United State> of
America.
N'aI'oi.kon BuONAfARiic, I'.inperor of France.
Harcourt, a f;entlenian.
TlIK K.NOIJSII AM1!ASS\|)(iK a I I'AKIS.
I'KINCK TaI.I.KYRAND.
Officers, {^yjvsies. attendants, &c.
ScKNK, — chiefly in Knt,daiid : diuiiig jiart of the play at
^\'ashinl^ton and in Pari^.
i. ', '•
lliii
ill!:
A MAI) i':iii,(».-C)riii:K.
A ( T I .
1
sck.m; I.
UlUIC St. .IiiUN's Ifoii.sc ill fjiiidnii. Tin Liirtivn. ST.
John sits ii-filiiKj til (I tnhlf run red in'tli hooks iiikI
JXiltirs. CoUNKLIA HoWAlM) sftlilds si-illl II i IKJ "
li<K)l:slicll\ fxiiii irliirli she taL'i'x <i nilinnr. Slir
{fldUCi's lliroin/li this, hut diiriiuj llic coiirfi sal ion
piifs if doirii (iiid driiirs near tin' l(d>h'.
St. J. 'I'lir scliPiiU' i.. vast. ( oniclia. wortli a life's.
Ayo, many lives' siirrt'iiilrr in its cause ;
Nor these llie lives of ordinary men.
but the world's hest and l)ri>;:htest nii^^ht have joy
To saeritice their hfin^'^; <'iid and aim
Toward its attainment.
Cor. Joy iiidecl. in lull
And hrimuiinj; measui-e : ^'es. the time is ri)ie.
Tlu' slow, sure yeai's have hrou.L;ht another hii tli.
A new Messiah to the sons of men.
(lone from his jialace has the last tail- prince.
Who shew'd the Howe)' ol' |ieacc and star of hope ;
And these same ;^-oodly halls where once he d\\ elt.
Strivinu,' to w in Iroin rapine and ('(inl ,L;i-eed
I'ldiappy man. are proven all too small.
r.ackin.L; in urace and :-\iiim( ti\- of truth.
^l'
loil
.1 M.\i> inii '>^'ir/ii:/:.
I'm- lii-i iii'w hrir, iIm' ||o|m' ,,r .ill iii.iiikiii*|.
TliMii-h \ I I t licy ln'i'il liiiii II, ,t
•'^1. •). Nor will. I t.iir.
'rill Klir li\i'> pJl-''^. .'iml tllM>r ..| lll;in\ lllnrr
\\ lin -,|i:i: !• oiir a.>|iii ,il inn-., an i w ..iihl -ci-
Till' r.irr of in.'iii like to :i fi'inplr lair.
W In rriii Hwprt iiiii>ic on (lie air ilu||i nnivf,
M.ikiii'j ;i liariiiMiiy ol l(inii aii<l ■^oiinij,
A -> iiildl (>r till' -i.irii ami llir ll'">li--
N"i 'ill 'iiir Uurifs liaxr w liitmcil iiitodust
.M;i> I ln'-c liopcs lia\(. fniitidii, \i{ ymir lait li
\^ ill I 'I -I phase ( 'ui'dt - lictti T ; hail iiiv 'Iniiiits —
A I II I I w 'Mild L^Li'lly si 1:1 re your -I riiii.:;fr liil li .
( '< i|; . W'Ik'Ii (l(>r>, III' arrive ';
."^T- •!• <'li Salliiil;iy . llir twilltli Ills smi cDmes
Willi hi III :
A \ mil li. Ill' sa\s. <){ wisiloiii aii'l I'iiir | in u nisi',
'riiiiiiL^li -DiiK'W li it liik('\\;irin |ciu;iiil thr -clirnir in
h 1 1 1 1 1 1 :
Al liasi I jnd;;*' so rroni liis jitfi'r's tnioi'.
I '1 11)1- ( (111)1 ('\ t'i- was at oil'ls u il h lort line ;
Ami. ilioii;;|i in prescience far licyonil his day.
<'onld L:.iiii no lielier tiniii ;i -^cant siii)sistciiee.
^ •■!. ill 111!' very Iren/.y of I lie si rile
To meet the hutVets ol llIl.i;eiierolls I'lile.
I le .-.till had eye upon t he s. nial eia|| .
Wllicll. tossed (loji t he (>\ ei |,i~I iii_; >i'a.
Is now iioi lie to the top of soiiic hii-e \\ a \ e .
Now carried deep into the dai'U ahvss.
Nor e\i'r in sinoolh water >eeiiis in r.de.
< '"i;. Ves : I have JMaid it all.
That t rue jihijosophy may he heron-
lie is tlie liist to prove. And. thon-h he deals
liiiii
.1 .1/1/' i'im.ns(>riii:i:
lo;
Willi iii;it li''in;il i''^ ;ili-lr:M I. ;iiiii lln' lau-
Tliiil ;;ii\fiii li\i r |il,iiii'l>. ;i> <'l >t;itt'~.
lie \\A-< im! lo^l ihi' WiiniMT lullcll wllii'll liM'ls
I'di' |iui)r. iiiili;i|i|iy iiidiv i hiiil livt-.
Tlif liavaiil aiiioiiu, lliiiikt r-'. lie lias tiii;^ri|
\\'i->t|()lll"s cold rlifck uilli lilli- 111' v;rin'liU|s rii|.
And fiii'il litT liri'a->l u it li (ii'i|( ( lii\ alric l<ni;;iii!4><.
St. .1. 'rinuinii ti> the ^ciicial v^oild (|iiitc iiiikiinw i,
A lew •'! Ihr iiiMi-c Ini'Aaid ill carh jainl
Already r('('()L;iii/f liiin. 'i'licy air stiiiid
Prdl'oiiiidly liy III |illi and ifiidciiic^s
Of lliil >traii;;»'. jiassioiiali' Imc lie lll•,l^-^ iiiaiikmd.
Coll. I am ;j,la I lie lia>-iiiiif rollowin^.
Ill- \\i I !ia\ (' iiinrc till- y I III Ml; . I ln' lain r, ihc I rue.
TIk' iirdt lit and I lir ;.;('iii'i(ius every win it.
The Women and I lit' workers in all land>.
And all that iu-lilam ( 'iistotii. who dotli ^it .
Weaviii.!^ stran,L;e welis lo .snare the xuils of men.
Hath not eiimi,>hed within her .-.uhtle toil.-.
When Ihev do mideiNlaiid him. \\ ill enroll
Beiiealh his glorious llai;.
St. .]. Some of yoiir -low
And his 1 feel wiihin me. \t[ mere lire.
Unless directed wisely. m;iy luirn iip.
An<l shew hut |iooi- results. ( )iir several ardor-
We must restrain, yea even iiin-t ie|iress ;
Then, like the imprisoned steam, l hey shall ha\e loice.
My fortune, and what influence I c.-ui u ield.
1 ])]ace at ( 'orot's service : they aie his.
Though scarce a hero, and now M>mew hat old,
I willin;;ly would yield my life's ikk.v remnant
To see the ;r<«»d cause triumph, ^'et he niii-l.
As warv j;enerals do. hear skilled ad\ i-ers.
. t
15 ;
I.* • ■
Kit
lOS
.1 MM) I'llllJHOl'flHfc.
^ '()!{. "Tis ;X()ii(| nt' ynii to ;;r;iilt llilil Icatlcrsliip
Thus iviulily in our ^fcit iiiiilt'CtaUiii^'.
Whose l)('st succos ^(l 1 : 1 l\i;i ' I y tiill-t flcpi'inl
On wliiit yotirscit can do l-'or. witli your friends,
So many of tliuni powcriul. an-l tlic t'anu'.
GrcatiM' tliun Corot's. tliat your work lias won.
Von easily niiu:ht claim to Itc the head
Anil cliici' |)roiiioter —
Sr. J. Xo, that, place is Corot's ;
His \ ision s ran.i^c was wider than was mine,
His in-a^lit t.-uei- inU» Natures laws ;
The ;j,i-aii(l disc/overles of the a;^e are his ;
And his liie II tmiii.L; heart ."tir" '.viHi love.
It is his ,L;lory to liaxc i een the lir:>l
To luiiiii\o,i.sly teaidi that human lives.
Like to the planets circlini;- in their orhs.
Are L;'o\t'rue I !>y undevi;itin.L!; rules,
l>y laws nnerriiiL;' and inexoraltle.
Ami that nowhere in the wide iimAcrse
Ivvists a spot where the law does not reii;ii,
» ' ■!{. On Saturday , then, we shall see himself r
St. J. On Satm-day.
[St. .JDlIN n'si(iiii>!< his irril iiKj. ( '( )I!NKI,IA (oki's irji/nT
hitoL' mill ijoi's out nf flic room. \
.a-
■ % ■
1
i
|:
I
.1 MAD I'UILOSOI'llER.
109
><I"NK II.
Sir Edward ST!{\N(ii;'s limine hi Sitrrci/. I he lyrnn-inn
Room. Sir Edward is afanilinn '" H"' i<-'i'l(^ ''"'-
hrasiire of an ovid-windoir. irhich connirniils o rieir
of <( siDilif (fordt'ii. siiioofli Idinis, Inihjcn and
sJinibhen'cs, and lines of trees. I.ady Strancjk /.s*
seated at another win(lon\ fro\n n-hieh ean t)e seen
a fountain pla/iiiaj. fhnrcrdu'ds. and. fhroui/h the
(jreen of the f)-('('s and </rass. a darl:, Irnl stntcli
of drive.
Sir Ed. 1' laitli it looks as if the Iu.^Iut Powers.
Those lesser ones. 1 mean, that rule the seasons.
AikI dwell, percliaiice. U]ion the moon's hri.^lit shore.
Had ,i;Ia!i('e(| \\ith tavor on onr nierry-niakini;:.
Else why. from tiie (hill drip of last week's I'ain.
And the tierce, wai-iin<;- storm of yestereve.
Should have emer.^ed this innocent, hiithe moin '.'
Last ni.i;ht the linhtiiin.n- tlashed in fork and tlam.'.
And the deep thunder .!j;roaned and roared -o lo-id
As it would rip the tind)ers of the world.
And iscattt'i- earth to chaos, lint we sank
Into soft arms of slevp. and lo ! on wakin.^i,
A tnin(|uil. i)iML^Iit -faced hoy stands at th" door.
A ^old-haired. I>lue-eyed lad, with such fraidi smij.^.
He ini<;-ht have heen one of the first fresh days
That followed on creation.
Lady S. A storm, you know ,
Is always followed hy a calm.
Sir Ed. No douht ! no douht \ Hut this fair day. I'll
swear,
Was sent esi)eeially hy the kindly sprite^.
!
110
.1 MAD PHJLOSOI HER.
I'-
i:
(:
In
' ■ i
i
AVho kc'fp tlieir dwelling in tlie lunar halls.
To pleasure our youu- people. Here they couie.-
ls"t not HO feirlsV
, Kiitcr AViNiKUKi) ST. John. Alkia Maynakd unci
Aluekt Strange.)
Win. AND Ai.i. What is ? What is?
Sir Ei>. Is not this day a special providence ?
One sent in answer to your \irgent need
Of sunshine and l.ri-ht skies?
Win. and Am. O yes. indeed!
Alh. 1 make no douht it is a day reserved.
One picked and chosen for our festival :
Perchance one taken from its proi)er time.
And set down at this date. And then, to make
Assurance still uiore sure, the day before
A storm arrives and clears the air to sweetness.
SIR Ed. Jnst what 1 have declared : but tins good
lady.
Like a false infidel, would not believe me.
L vDY S. Has Rupert seen that all is now prepared i
Ai.H. Yes, everything is done ; we only wait
Tlu" arrival of the guests.
SIR b:D. You wUl not be ke|)t waiting, for but now
I saw a carriage winding through the trees,
And here come two on horseback.
^, ,. Then we must go.
Vi.i. () let us haste to meet them I
(Kveiint Winifri-:d, Ai.icia and Albert.)
SIR Ed. We nnist go forth and mingle with the
guests.
Thou-h not for ns to foot it in the dance.
A JIAD PllJLOSOPHKR.
Ill
As oiKM- WO ffiitly (lid. ytt \vi' iiia> i)a.ss
From one to other of the liappy ^^roups,
And sluirc a uicasurc of tlu'ir fresh yoiin.Lc niirlli.
The part of the old must be to wisely find
Enjoyment in the pleasures of tlieir children.
Lady S. Yes: we have had our day. A happier one
It .scarcely could have l)eeii. 1 hope the ^irls
Will reap cnjoynu'iit fi-oiu the one now passinj.;-.
'Twill please ])oor Winifreda, fresh from London.
And with our friends she can renew acfjuaintance.
Sir Ed. What think you of the other— of IMiss 3Iay-
nard 'i
Lady S. She's pretty and engagirij;.
Sill Ed. She hath a nind)le wit. for which I like her.
And, if I err not widely, Albert, too,
Finds in her nuich to please him.
Lady S. I had not noticed it. Winifred always ha.s
l>een his favorite.
[E.veuut.]
SCKXE III.
The f)(i)iie. Ihe groiiuds. S rains of vmsic heard.
3Iar(inces arc on thehdcns. S)naU flaa.^. Chi)ies('
lanterns, dr., /uing from the trees and laisJies.
Ladies and gentlcnien are inovimj about the ir(dks.
and standing in {jvonps elaittimj Enter Aliu:ht
and Alicia.
Alh. 'Tis a fair scene. Nature herself is Jocund :
And flower and shrub and each small blade of f,n-ass
Wear gayer colors and a livelier green.
The rose's cheek takes on a de(>per blush.
The chaliced lily looks more snowv white.
If^
i
it
11:2
-I MAJ) rJfJLOSOl'IlJ-JK.
And tliosi' dear llowers upon the huiniiii Irci —
Buds, rose or lily, or in riper Itlooin,
Kclipse their gentle sisters of tlie eartii.
All R<)se-l)uds ;ind lilies I gems an<l genilike stars !
Winds languorous and sultry sununer I'ves I
And all the dreamy south wafts to the north,
Woven <)■ tlie tissue-uehs of vagrant fancy I
Is Wniifred. ncnv. a lily-hud ov rose?
And what should all you men be?
ALU. We? O poor sliruhs we ! Indeed, no )nore.
With here and there a scarlet tinge, mayhap.
To testify distinction ; or, at best,
A sunflowt'r, hollyhock, or tiger lily ;
These be the masculine aristocracy :
The stately suuHower and the wnrrior lily
The soldiers art' : the peaceful hollyiiock,
With modest benring and a courteous glance.
Doth represent the silken-vested suitors.
The artists, poets, doctors, and all thosi'
Who wear line clothes and keep their lingers shaix'ly.
\\A. Well, you h;;ve borne olf your metaphor
Witii partial failure ; yet n'ou have not told me
Whether your cousin is the rose or lily.
AlI'.. Which is the (pieen of liowers ?
All 'I'lie rose, by all acc(^unts,
Al15. Then Winifred is (lueen-lily ; yet not so,
A ruddii'r stream doth How along her life
Than any such pide (lueen's. In sooth. I think
Wo Luust invent sonu- richer nomenclature
To classify our spacious human garden.
All Perhaps Miss llarcourt is a rose — a human one.
AlI5. 8he might be if she did not lack the perfume.
The ro-ses soul — besides she is too llorid.
.1 MAb inilLOSOPIIKH.
li:J
All a tlowci' t(M) llorid ! (■()inc. yoii must rxplaiii "'
Since that to lie a llowri- one must In- tl'iri.l.
Rcin.u; a flower, om- then must llorid l)e.
I Tear some rose's })erfume overjxnvers you.
Alb. Some roses have a i)erl'umc over[to\veriii<;-.
Alt I would !)»■ told if I am Uly or rose.
ALlt. A rose I a rose ! the fairest in the j.;;ardeii I
All You stir my iiKh.^nation. I must be
A tall and stately lily, crystalline
And sl(>nder, yet not lackin.L:; perfect grace.
I know some lilies that I dare not envy.
(Enter Sill Edward SniANia-: dud L.vdy STUvxtii:.)
Sill Ed. What! what! a pair of laggards! and the
music
Pouring forth breezy Terpsichorean strains,
Such as would lift Diogenes from his tub
And set him d;uicing on the village green.
Just now I felt a rage within my feet,
And cut some cap(>rs to my lady's wonder —
We oncH' couhl lead a measure.
Lady S. You see jwor men, though y(juth have long
forswoi'ii them.
Still go accompanied by the imp conceit.
All It doth grow weakei-. madam, the pc^or imp
Uoth share the fortunes of his life companion ;
In youth he waxes powerful, stout and lusty,
In age the shadow of his former self.
Lady S. Tlien what a lusty im|) must yours have
been,
That still hath so much vigor in liis veins.
(To Sir Edward.)
All Alas, I did not mean so to apply it !
Ill
114
.1 MM> l'H:[.OSOPIIKU.
r
\
I wus liut lliiiikinj; of too froward youth.
A\A\. It is not well to use a two-edged sword,
Since, lieing swung, the innocent may tall.
Sir Ed. Ha ! lia ! I'.ut have you seen the fortune-
tellers":'
They came to the hall-gates, and asked admission
To tell the fortunes o" the ])retty ladies.
I saw them down heside the Nei)tune fountain.
Surrounded by a bevy of bright maids, —
Two of them, dusky queans, in scarlet bands,
And tricked with berries of the mountain ash.
All Why, here they come !
{Enter Winifred, Harcouut and tiro Gimmes. Ladies
and {jcntlemcu, followiny.)
Wl\. If any here would read the book of fate,
These are two sibyls who, with piercing ken,
C'an look far down into the dim to-come.
And the true drama of each personal life,
That there is shadowed forth in spectral wise.
Can shew in outline to our denser vision.
All others with the oracle have hail speech.
And now, Alicia, it is your good fortune.
All Of fortune, good or ill. I am not curious,
But I was never one to spoil good si)ort.
Who else has heard the thing she wished to hear V
Win. My fortune has been told.
Har. And mine.
Ladies. And mine. And mine. And mine.
All But, for the uplifting of the mystic veil.
The sibyl's iialm should in advance be crossed
W: ' ! <>i' silver of what coin I know not.
p. a; i<v special favor and kind dispensation.
jii:
If!
II.
.1 MAf) I'iffLosorn/:/:.
11-.
It seems. f,,r ,,nc(.. i)reliminarif.s wc.iiicl.
Such as yoii speak of. Iiave tn-,la,v l..'..|i waivcl.
The sihyl l.iit iv.|uiivs to sec your Iiaiid.
Ai.i. (E.chniiUiKi liei Iniml.)
A happy life ;.,nve me and len-th of years.
NT (\\v. r-..i.u- life and happy' years are plainly
marked ;
Much will you travel and see many lands.
With strano-e adventures l)oth by fand and sea.
Love do I see. and marriage in due eoiirst —
Though her.' the lines are sf)me\vhar strangly mixed.
M.'tliinks two suitors wait upon your hand ;'
Both fan-, yet neither does your iieart n-ard—
All Wrong !-l,oth are so fair I cannot choose be-
tween them.
1st Gyp. But here a third— one neither dark nor
fair —
Comes in, who loves you better than these twain ;
An<l his true love in wedlock you reward.
At first tiie sky is dark, but, at this point,
The future grows untroubled, free from care.
All If one can l>e called care-fre<> who is thus
chased aix.ut i)y land and water! I'd as soon lie the
flying Dutchman, that races hither an<l tliither on the
high seas, frigliting [.oor sailors from their wits ! What
shouM I do among caimibals and South S<'a Islanders'^
Vux for ;i [)eaceable life. I had rather marry a parson
than this i)irate-captain yon iiave wed iiie\,,.' .\nd
theu I've set my heart on one of the.e same fair men ;
I'll have no other.
Win. You must be content,— the oracle hath spoken :
'Tis l)etter calmly to accei)t our fate
Than dully to upbraid the unchanging >tars.
'1:1
i!
■
ik .
mmtm
p
', >
■
I
t
f •
:,;
t
lie.
.1 MAI) PHILOSOPHER.
All Bui t(. lu.v.- u man tluis llnust upon ycm-and
to visit all lands: 1 had not thou-ht this was in my
h.H.k. Who would have divamed that my father, with
oM.> child, and that a maid, should have an explorer an.l
....,,-rapher in the family. Strange are the ways of
destiny.
1>^T (fYl'. Shall I tell v(iur fortune, sir?
(To Alhkut.)
Vlv.. I thank you : not to-day.
(E.ccinit (ji/psic^. ladies <ind (jentli'Dicn.)
SlK Kl). What Albert ! Not have your fortune told?
Alb. I'll trust no oracle liut that of Delphos
To sketch the fnti-d ]»icliirc. These. I fear.
Are not accredited a.^cnls "f Apollo.
All ^Vithont soul's iierjuiy you may swear that.
Wer<'"l)cl|.hosnol solar Id journey thither,
If hut to warn the L:,-od he loses fame
]W thrse impostors.— Winifred, you seem pleased ;
What hapiiy fortune sleeps along your palm'.''
Hail Her's is nut (piite so cheijuered.
-\Yin;_ "Tis strange enough.
Though T am not to travel round the sphere.
I wed with one who will be something travelled ;
For he comes to me from a distant land -
A stranger, dark, and of an unmatched foruL
One fault, or \irtue. if you will, he has.
Of worldly goods his jiortionM share is small.
But. as an offset, in all beauteous grace
Of mind ;md pt'rson he is nobly dowered.
Of him do I grow passionately enamored,
And he of me tempestuously —
We marrv. and thereafter live in fairy.
.1 MAD PHILOSOPHER.
117
All No iiKirvcI you ;iri' i)litlu'. Will \ oil not I'luiii.uc i*
I'll gladiv i;ivc my Dutclunan for your Froucliiiiaii.
I know li"s French -don't luiiitl the distaiit laud —
Sonic count, who in the revolution saved
His head, hut lost chateau and jiarU. will come
O'er sea. with nohle ma;;nauiuuty.
To wed an KuKlii^li heiress.
li.VDY S. How fast tlie dancers wlurl I Tis some
reel
Or cotillon they dance.
Siu El). -Away: let's to tlu'iu I Albert, and yiauiK'
ladies.
You miss the ])rime o' the fun. I'erhaps you dance not ?
Do you not dance'.'
Ar.i!. O yes ; we all are dancers. If. Miss Maynard.
Such Iiojior may he mineV
Ali. So courteous a re(juest can haxc hut one reply.
Sik Ed. Away then I away !
\K.r(ni,f.\
s I
sckm; IV.
Lotidou. Ulkic St. Joilns Lihnn-j/. Gl'stavi: CouoT,
St Joii.N (dill L'ousEiAX Howaud iti-e stated (ilxiut n
t<(hl(.'. Edmom) Cokot is (i/.so ,seuti(l, but at a short
distdiicc from the tohJe, hcdf-tro// between it and <ia
open window. While his father is sjhiiL'iiii/ he listens
sliijlifiij with the (lirofoiie to lelioin the reeitol /> not
new, but who, neveiiheless. relnins a diiiiin islnil in-
terest in it.
St. J. Yes ; I have read the pamjihlet. an<l to un-
it seemed an exposition cli-ar and full.
That .shew.s the scope and ]ilan of your ^reat work.
ft*
■
«i i
;{||
\\x
A MAP I'HiLosoriiHi:.
n
,.i.
!li^
11:
With all till' principles (licnin (■.nitaiiic'l
Sfi t'orlli ill liriff coiicisioii.
( 'dUoT. As Villi kiinw.
A paiiiplilrt will Itc rcatl wlicii laf;j,''r uorUs
Arc passcil lllllH'rdtil hy —
Cou. I riM'l it. •-ir, with all vdiir dthcr works,
^'l't. now 1 am in prc-ifiun' ol' lln'ir aiilhor,
I Ion;;- to hear, i'rtnii his own lariifst lips.
Kxprcssion oral ol' those written Iriiths
That from the voiceless pa-c couM stir my soul.
Anil on my mind, so loiii;- immersed in ni^^ht .
Lot in the promise of a larv,er dawn.
CORoT. My friends, the story may he shortly tol'
The spirit of man, insatiahh', athirsl,
Is ever striving;- for itself to make
A wider cirt'le. more exalted Hi.i;ht.
In icons of past time it strn>;Kl<''l ^']>.
From primal sources still to us unknown.
Throuj;h lower forms of beast, hird ami lisli,
L'ntil at last in the intelli,L;'enl miiul,
TluM'onvolute and world-mirrorin.L;' I'lain,
It found an or.i;aii. instrument and home.
This human spirit, insatiable, athirst .
Surcharged with impulse toward a far-olf j^ood —
With impulse. y(>arnin,<;', liuii,i;'er. what you will,
Surcllar^ed and ladtMi by the primal force.
Standing;- at last erect beneath the skies.
And ,t;a/.in,i;- mi tin- pageant of the year,
Hv (lav tlu' blue o"erhan,t;in,i;- canopy—
A dome of azure with an ey(> of lire.
Whose burnin,-;- -huu'c withdrawn, the tender eve
Came leading forth her troops of shining stars.
And in their midst sen>ne the silvi>r moon.
^If;
■
I Uh
A MAP rillL(tS()l'lli:u,
ii:>
I't'lioMili;;' ;||| till' scjison'.-. tii;i,-ic cliaiii;!' :
'I'll*' snows of wiiitrr. siiiniuci's ^ici'm .unl i;.)I.| ,
'I'Ih- myst<'ry of iIim spriiiL;"-, icviviiii; puwrr.
'I'lii' iiijirvcl (if ripe ;mi 1111111"-; s.-ri' ili-clini',
Iff sdii^^lit !iM CXI)!,!!!;!! ioii ;iii<l a cans*'.
Not far t(t S( "l< I hey si'ciiicil ; t lit' i la //.I i ii-di'l >.
The iiKton's sweet majesty, lli" I iMiii|iiil stars.
The winds, the waters and the win l-toss'ij tre*'s.
And ail s(ran;j,e forces, heauteons sliows of eartli.
Shonid liave for antlior and siistaiiiin;;- eaii.>,e
A power or powers sncli as in liini>e|f
He feh deteriiiinin;^' to inotion. aet.
Thns in iiis mind lie fashioned spirits, ^ods ;
Kndowin^- these with forms lilve to his own.
Sway'd hy eniolions similar, tasting- .jo\'s.
And shjirin,L;' sorrows sneh as those in. jvncw.
A j:;od did drive the chariot of t he sun
vVthwart the heaven, sprin;;in-- from tlu>s(?a
And to the sea descendili;;- : ;;-ods ilid move
Tho stfu-s across the crystalline hhie vaiill ;
And a divinity led to her tliidije
The lady moon, fair (pieen of nij^ht's dim realm.
Thus, in his ima^n'. did man make his ^ods
In the hcginnin.i;'.— thns he likewise made
Conclusions as to sources, eiiilini^s. laws —
What now philosophy we call and science ;
And thus he made religion. Thus, in siiort,
lie built himself a spiritual ahole,
A circle where the soul mi.L;lit s[)ri'ad its win^s.
Ere it gTcw sti'on.si; for ever loftie^r tiii^hts.
(These, mark, were hut the tluai^hts of infant mind
The ^-uesses of men ^^ropin^- toward the lij^ht.
Like phantoms vast the centuries loom 1»\-.
i' !
.'..,lu» \
I' (■(
•M f -
IMO
I MAD rillLosol'lir.U.
I'lif liiinyiii,^ ;:ciifriili(iiis li-f ami pass.
And with their march 1 he spirit uaxt-tli >tr(>ii;;.
And t'vcr ^M'ows ill wisdom, laith and love.)
At last coiicciitioii cdnu s nt' one soh' cause.
Ht ;4iniiin^lcss, eternal, inlinite.
A sea no )ilninmet souni|>. one w hose contines
No win.i;- mav ever touch, an awlul thou.uht —
To call that tiioii;;ht. which lhiii;:,hl ma.\- nowise
Transcending- an<l containing; scope of mind.
No nioi-e an an^ry ;;(>d. from the clear sky,
Smote in the tlninderholi and hj^htnin;;' Hash ;
No more the sea was. hy a "plod's caprice.
With >iorm convnlse(| or sootheil to stunmer calm
No more the sun. the moon, the myriad stars,
Wei'e led hy an;;'els o'er a crystal dome —
The <'rystal dome was shattered. In tlie li,u,ht
Of that new vision which the soul had seen.
Till' honndless Uldverse Iia<l opened oill,
Stranj;(' seas were shewn lor mariners to sail ;
St ran.^i' seas and shores t(t travel and explore.
With stars for continents and ,t;listenin,i;' isles
Whereat to take sweet rest ami harlioraue.
The <'arth. no mort- the iini\ei-s'il heart,
With >un and moon and stai's for servin.ij,' li,L;hls.
Thon,i;h it had lost a seeming central plaef,
Took its true station in the .n'eneral plan.
A sister of hri;;ht multitudinous orhs.
That, in their courses thi()U;^h ethereal space,
Oliey the law voiced hy the All-Supreme,
I''or now. insteail of countless deities.
Fickle and passionate even as mere men.
Whose will cajiricious mi;j,ht creation fling
Back into chaos, and the ordered sjiheres
reach ,
I :
.1 M.\i> /Jiiijtsorii/:!^.
m
Send nijiilly |iliiii;4iii;;- tr(jiii 1 1, ir oiiiit I'.'itlis.
liaw.s dclicnti' iis iMiifiit. >ilkt 11 IkiM'I-.
L'nsi'cn jiiiil .silent as iiniiittTfil tlidimlits.
Yt't strong' !is stft'l (l!\ iiifly tciniicicd i-.
( In use weak (i;^urrs of pdtir lniniiiii sptrch)
'I'lic lica\('idy hosts j,'iiiilc mi then df-tiiicd \\a\ .
The Lii\\<;iv(T : His iiaiiit' I dare ii..t nam.'.
'I'lic (Jiic i'roiii whom Mxistcnrc luiMilin- >|trin,u>
'I'hc One to whom all h.'iii;;'s foiccs llnw ;
Till' Oiic. adoralilc, l)c|n\ci|, dixim'.
To whom ccstatir |>a.-sion. crystal ihoii-lit.
Aspire I'oreM'i- with immorial Iniinin.L;'.
An I thus was re.-ciie(| (lom enatie ehaiiee.
l''i'oiii Mind eonriisioM and dark fear of wi'on.u.
This iiiii\-ersf wh. re law dolli e\rr ni-ii.
Nor aii^lit can hap Iml \>y the will Mipreiiie
Of that oiiiiiijiDti'nl and indoiow n < hie.
First, in itsonwai-d tli-lit. the-oul peicixed
The stars responsive to the law di\ ine :
Tlien in the force-; of our tei-reiie h.dl.
Inanimate, the law was seen to hold :
l\h>re complex L^iowini;-. in organic lite
AppeariMl unto the stuileiit's eye dr\out
The law. t'onti'ollin,i;' ,is in simpler (onns ;
Then, last and crown i u.l;' victoiy olali.
In man hiniselt'. in mind. soeiet\-.
Throughout his moral, intellectual life.
As in his physic hein-, the -leat law.
Servant and master, was made manife-t.
And in this circle it hath made itsell'.
That has for houndai-y the shorelt.'ss deep.
The souTs lirst wisdom is to -.eek the law.
Its lii^hest wisdom is to know the law.
ill
:*r!
d' !'
Uii
1 •,':.'
.1 MM) i'inijis(>r}ii:ir
Till- law olicviim. it <'sc;iii('s all >iii.
AikI lits itself lor uiiiiiia-iiii'd ili;:,lits
Will leave e\-eil ilreaill> lii'llillil.
I »<> these tilings call
For t uller (leiiioii- 1 rat ion r
>^T. J. No. my li'ieiiil,
All liiihei-to is light.
< '" 'It. I'ray. >ii'. indceeil :
What is to come may ope the gates ol' heaven.
<'<>i;oT. Oh no it ran n • more than point the way :
Hut that it will do this IM >take my x.nl.
It-oiils were ha/.ardeil on ^>ieh a wager.
('<»!{. Sonis have lieen hazarded and lost tor less.
( '(i|!oT. 'Phey were not lost, poor soiiU. they were not
lost :
Tliongh lor high service to tine spirit emls
Many indeed seem wasted. Tins doth lead
To what 1 now would say. Th mgh foremost minds.
Upon the mountain-tops, have rent the veil.
And tlown alar into the tri'er aii'.
'riie multitude yet in the \ alleys tread,
And stagger under hurdeiis hard to l)(>ar.
Misled by creeping mists and meteor heams.
Those ill the vanguard ha\i' ili^e'-rned the law.
Have seen the s|iirit's eonlines widen out
Tnto inluiity. anil new faiths ,iri>",
1 )epai'ting from ma iTs early y<iut hi ul ilreaiu.
These are the leadei's in the grand career :
The [uu'e of hi'art. with strong and steadfast --oul-.
The people ha\e not yet attained tlu' light :
Ami the great prohlein we attempt to solve
Is how to lea I them from the netlier shade,
l-'or them the universe is -.till e 'utained
Within the hoiuids oiiee li\e(l liy infant man.
Tile old mvt holoLiii's retain their \o.;ue ;
I
-I MM) I'HILOSOPIIF.U.
i-i;3
aitil
Witli fabulous cosmo^-onie-; of vh\.
Be.^ot of i.^•n())•ance ajul dini fantasy.
We find tlii-olo^ies as wild and \ aiii.
I 'i-h()iii>ra!)Io l)otli to i^-ods and men.
And thus. ili,)ii-li i,|i_v>ici^t-< liav Ion- di^
That in true sciriu't' of th.' starry [.Ian
Tht^ saci'fd hooks are want in.u; that in all
Rfdarin,u' to the hirtii of this. ,,ur earth.
I.ike i,--noi'anc(' the sacn-d iceoids sht-w :
That of man's oriuin and di.-tiny
They tell tales fittin- their did!, strait. -ned thou-
Fantastie. scaree deservini;- of it-pcct.
(iood in its time, alheit : no man may seorn
These early elforts of the lal)oriii-' nund :
The hird nuist flutter ere it lly. the ehild
Must creejiere it can run. ami liroodinu,- dream
Ever precedes distinet and definite thought.
All honor to our lirotliers of the past.
Whothrou;;h the morning mists worked to the li
Unconscious that a lirighter day would shine.
Heroic were their laliors in their time.
But jnisiilaiiimous and niost ]iititul
The work of current teachers, who would fill
Their i)laces. and woidd have the worM lielieve
(iod spake to these alone, to these alone
(tave knowledge of his attributes and law-.
Or lawlessness, foi- siudi the i-ecords shew.
Reprorting truly tlu^i- liari)avie age,
And these re-act ionary modern prLe>t~,
These inirhlind Jailers of the human -oul.
These woulddx' dwellers in the eive-, ,.t id-ht
With {)roiiil a>sutiiption of aul In iiit v.
(iive forth fal.-e do-mas of the unkuow n ( iod.
ht.
uht,
mmmm
ij.t*l!.,V.f;J^:»-.>^
\24
A MM) I'HILOSOPUF.n.
Tell talcs iiicuM,L;ruiiii.s oT his universe,
Strain truth to tit their iiH'onsistt'iicics,
Aiiil strike (lisseuticnls (Uiinl) witli solciii!) plirnx' —
• For jtroof ri'intiv [jc f<> the sucrcil lioah-s.'
Alas, the sacrcMl hooks arc no avail I
No satisfaction can they now sn[t|ily
To souls th;il havi' oilt,<_;i-o\vn tiieni. Keslless iiiiiii-.
We see on all sides, sceptics, rising;' u|i,
Who sow tiic seeils of (lis(;oni. and the priests.
No more th • spirit's leaders, make lament.
Hut naught can do to heal tlie torn land.
The hreath of lilierty is in tiic aii' :
Like to a j^iaiit lalioi-in,L; in his sleep,
The World is stru,i;-.i;liii,L;- lor the helter life
Across the earth we see [lale phantoms ilit.
Men' ,i;hosts tliey seem ol' lieanty. virtue, truth ;
Yet are these heralds of the hetter time.
New sects arise amid luiarse tumult's roar,
And order ilees alfri.uhled. Hope is none
Or help *'rom teachers of the ancient church.
Who. in tlu'ir shells of foiMuula ;ind rule.
Amazed hehohi the i|ui(d<enin«; of the spirit,
Anil cliii,i;' the closer to the kin<.;iy power.
Thus su[)erstition lends the tyrant aid
And l»y the tyrant still is bolstered up.
Even now the spectaide of murdered France
.Vcross my vision tlashes — f'rance, whose streets
Ran hlood. while l)eath. in hide ms carnival,
A {ghastly shape rode on the hirid air.
Old a,L;'e and itd'ancy are ecpml prey.
Fluuij,' on his altar with inhuman /.eal.
In vain does Pity i>lea<l and weepinjj,- Love
Turn eyes of lonuin;^ toward his vacant shrine.
m
I :; t ■
.1 MM) PIULO^Ot'lU:!;. \-l
Shall there be lu-ae such se.-u.^-r Shall Eiul.iii.l tiext
See this strange satyr-shaiH' colossal rise
And pass with [)()wt.T satanic down ii.t street-.—
This nion^^rcl phantasm, horril.iy lu'-ot
Of superstition old and knowledge new.
Ifalf-knowledov. crazing men twixt false an 1 true?
One im"ghty elfort and she may he saved :
I'"or (iod's new revelation unto man
Fling wide the dooi's and windows of the soid :
And. in olieilieiice to the law divine.
lioaeh ever nearer to his hand unseen.
This is my plan : i'l'ance now hath ruler new :
(If)od we may deem him. >ince so great and stron-.
And in the Western world a son of li^hl.
One of that glorious constellation which
There heralded the dawn, now doth i)residc.
With aim have I held converse ; oft in I'ranc
He passed with me long honrs of eaiai! st talk
Upon our mutual hopes and fears for man.
Xo friend is he of the harharic cree(ls
That dwarf the Eternal to a Jupiter.
Who nods and frowns, with seni|,> fancies paired.
Who hurls his crackling holts among mankiml.
Doonn'ng to endless woe who thwart his will,
Creating and umnaking worlds of men.
(.1 /" // n'li'js.)
To these two rulers of two modern laiuls
That nearest stand to freedom will I go.
Anil thus before them will [ plead my cause,
The cause of that fair human Spirit T know.
Of all earth's sons who toil ;:nd have no hop, —
{The door oju'iis <i)i<J Au'.Kirr STi{AN(iF, rnfcrs. but
weiny n'sifors, /.s nhnnt fo rclirc.)
:!
^i ._
U'd
A MAI) rniLOSOl'UKll.
\'l
w
\-
St. ,J. What. AilxTt Strange! Coiiu' in, All)ert
c'oiut' ill !
Ai.n. I ft'ai' my presence is an interrnptidn :
I caiuf .snppo.silm- yx' to be alone.
(Hi' hovs ft) ('(MtNI'J.IA. irh(, ihics not ohscrvv Itiiil,
lier ci/rs hrliKj J'(isl(ii('i( iijioii riil'.oT.)
St. J. O no — no intfrrnption — not at all !
Tiiese are two f ricnils of mine. philo.so[)iiers
From snnny Fi-ance, eome over sea to see me —
Monsieur (Jnstave C'orot, Monsii>nr Eilmond Corot.
^Monsieur Albert Strange.
(77/e r/enthniK'n. hnir. Edmoxd (tnd Albkrt milk
apart and coiivcr.se.)
Corot. (llV/o has not resiuneil liis seat.)
With your [termission we miglit now reserve
Further discussion of our plan till night.
The propositions I have to submit
Affect the operation of the scheme
For which I hope success.
St. J, We are much interested.
(Kvt'intt St. John. Corot and Cornelia.)
Alb. And you will come ?
•"'i>. Tile prospect you hold out
Is so delightful that I shall not fail.
[E.ccunt.]
ik
1 MM) PHILOSOPllEP,.
S( ENE V.
-1 l"'rn in Sli; KiAVAJii. STIIAX.iES <ir<,n,nl.. Tn II,,-
Lust a sn,',l/ <ir,yv,: ,>/ ,,r,„w;„\ j>,, /,„.,, a„,l „lh,'r
orufu,„„t,,l irrrs ,nul shr„l,s, Jl„slir s,u,fs~(„-n of
irhtcl, ,,,-rnr,;,pir,l />// AlKIA .AlAyXM:!) UinJ WlXI-
EHED St. .loiix. T]„'!j arc Imf „ fV-,,- m,/s ,li,f,n,f
.h'n„t fhr /,nus,-, tl„' Sonth mill of irhid, ris,'s h.>inr,'
thi'iii ciii-rrcil ii-ifli ir//.
All AVI, , stir it ,,fV. AVinonn ! Tliink lu, mmv
Of these lieai1-l)re;ik-in- isms .111. 1 esophies.
Vou are t.M.yoim;.' to touch such mmil.K- theiix^s ;
They smell o tiie -raveyanl aiW (he ehn'rnel house
Leave Krey-l)eanls to their ashes awl dead l.^aves
Of Jiiusty tonics, that have nor lifV nor .joy.
The junior loves n,,u- play aliout vour path.
«treu-ing roses su,.li as only wait 'on youth."
( "nine. come. Tm w|a.| to se.. y,,i, smile at hist •
Although your ey<.s hav.' still a tender sa<]n(-ss'.
^ Win. I am not sad. Alieia. only musing ;
Nor do I mean to .larken youth's hri-ht hour
With wishing lor what fat.' nnist still \vitlili.,ld.
To-day I haxc he..n thinking ,>[ my lather.—
I seemed to hear his eloipu'iit. strong voice.
And in deep tones he pictured all the woe
That now alllicts the sulfering human race.
The major part of which goes down to death.
Lacking th.- knowledge^ that d..tli help to live.
And led hy leaders who thems..lves are i,|i,„|
Thus have T heard him sneak a thousan-l tin,,-,.
And tiieii Cornelia canie, and took the chaii
Beside him whieh he thought I might have lid..!
■HHHMIi
Mr
'\
i
1
1
I
if
128
^l 2FAD PHILOSOPHER.
1 '
Ik :j
His lovin;^' inipil anil devoted friend.
liut my thou^lits Avi'ie elsewhere : iOr when he siioko
Of steadfast ])urposeand unseliish work
To hel|) men onward to a nohler life.
Thon,L;'h I did love him for his generous speech.
And lon,u,M to aid him in the way he wislicd.
I scarce could comprehend ; and lookin<;' fortli
Tiirmigh the wi(U' window, where the vines grew tiiick,
I^)nt not so thick as to sliut out tiie sky
And swaying branches of the green-roiicd trees,
Where birds were leaping in and out at play.
I seemed a shadow in a .I'loo.n '•ault.
My father's voice far-oil' .is li: . ireani.
And all my l<.)n.L;ing was lo reach tlie sen.
To see and know the joynus '■ >rl<l " 'thoul.
All And well it was yoti did, AViuona niia !
What, pray, have we to do with tiiis wise nonsense':'
The world is as (iod made it, and for me
Is full of beauty, love and life and Joy.
Should Venus, dressed in drab, go sitinning flax ";'
Or dancing Hebe, with the dimpled cheek,
Sit down and weep because the gods love nectar.
And do not labor to iin])rove the race"/
Let that impassioned lady. Miss ]Minerva,
Be welcome to the wisdom of your father :
Our wisdom only is to make men love us.
Tell me how many lovers you have had.
Win. Not one.
All Not one I What, not a little one '.-
A sugar lad, with jiainted, carmine cheeks,
Whom, when your passion ended, you might eat,
Biting his head oil', with a dainty sigh
That love should not lie made of sterner stuff'.-
.1 21 AD PHILOSOPHER.
1^1)
Or have you not, on fn.sty winter morns,
Vit'lded your heart's tine perfume to some bov
Witii apple clieeks. wlio. wiiisllinn-. trud-e.l l.i sehu,,|,
Kiekijig tlie snow before in'm as lie went '.-
I have loved many such. Bm say. AViiioiia !
Has not your eousin stirred a warmer ffciiim
Tiian his mere eousinsliip lias riulit to elaim :-
Wi.v. Wjiat : Alb<itV
'■'• Vcs : I tliiiik lie lovc-^ you.
"^N IX. You mean yon tliiiik my e<.nsiu is in l,,ve.
Andsoiliink [, but with aiioihcr aiaid.'u :
One that you wot of. wiio wears saucy curls.
Lon- laslies. and a i)air of l)right brown eyes.
That can look ro,nnisli or so veiw serious.
Al.i. I do not mind tlie lady. YiM y,,u ,ay
I know her. Do you mean by rei)utat ion ■.■'
^^ Win. Her r.'i.utation's good, no ileck upon it :
Thoiig-h its true (pialit\ you do not know.
And yet, within tlie hour, she smiled upon you
From out your ciiainljer mirror.
^^^^- What, i)retty Nance !
Why surely 'tis not she— so much beldw jum :
Win. Yes. i)retty Nance ! a very prettv Nance !
Quite shrewdly have you -uess'd. " .Vh. liere he comes :
Now will t impudently (piestion him
If you have not guessed true.
All Dare to. and I shall scream !
li; ,
t.
4
'■v; , I
(Enter ALiiF.itT. )
^ ALU. I come, fair ladies, all with travel stained.
Nor waited to remove the dust and -rime
Ere placing in your hands these several parcels.
Wniich i)rove how faithfully my mcnioiy serve-.
mM
\i\
l;j()
.1 MM) PHILOSOPHER.
HI
!
''J
When you do graciously couunand its duty.
This, cousin, is your now poet's latest book.
This scroll. Miss 3Iayiiard, is your wished-ior iiuisic-
Which still I lu)i)e to hoar.
All Oil, thanks !
Win. Thanks for the book.
I5ut listen to this siniiple ver.se I iiiid
On turning the first page. 'Tis of a maid,
rh'ard at her window singing : — {Renxh.)
Si)Hf oil, sweet bird ! A bird 1 liear
Xoic ill 1111/ own heart singing :
1I<' iiiiide his nest there yestereve.
All. list li is Joij-iiotes ringing !
Yon April .svn/ is shining there ;
Yon April .sky is bending ;
White elondsjlodt in the Ineent air.
Soft irreallis of vapor hlemlinij.
Ah. Love! Love I Jjwe! his name is Love !
He eaine hut yestereveii ;
And ever si nee that song of Jiis
Lfas Jtooded the wide heaven.
It n-onld not lei me sleep last night ;
I rose when day was breaking.
The sun, a swimmer strong, appeared.
Night's billows from him shaking.
He rose in jtame : he lit the bine :
The earth hung in his spilendour ;
And tliere, within, a wonder grew,
A neu' world, strange yet tender,
.1 MM) rillLO^OPlIER, i;ji
Bvodil (IS tJiv Jiylit. vh'iir as the skij.
Tlioi mceel ((ml cbdr tlt(.' siitf/iiKj :
I 'ii t il fur Joij I miKj iii>/si'/J\
Our roiccn. as (inc, riiKjiiitj,
The April sun i.s .shiiii,t(/ Ihcrr,
Tlic April ski/ is hciuliiuj ;
Uliitr cliniils jhuit ill it,,' iHcnif air,
Soft irrndtlisdf Viijmi- hlcmliiKj.
And lj,n .' [j,cv ! Love! his nunir is L(,rp. J
III' (•(iiiir but i/esterevi'ii :
Yi'l rr< r since that son;/ of his
H(ts tlocxJcd the ii-iilc hcureii .
Al.i. Yf- : siiii],le ami sii-ht.
A],i; Siiii|ilc aixl suxct.
{Kilti'r Scrrdiil.)
Si;i;\-. Her kulysiiip drsiivs to speak w itii voii.
VVlit'ii you liave rested from your journ.'y. sir.
Am;. .Say I sliall _j(^in licr i)resrntlv.
{E.vif Seri-diit.)
Wl\. But tell me. All.ert. have you seen my father ?
Audseemeil he lonely foi' his -raccjess (Iau;L;]iter,
Who. selfishly on pleasure Lent, could Ii axe him.
CompanionM round l)y (hvary walls of books,
And waited on liy servants y
'^^-l^' Yes. I saw him :
He seemed (juite happy-sent his tender love,
With wishes that the country air nu-ht l)rin;.,^
Back to your paling cheeks their former roses.
I hroke upon a conclave in his i-oom.
But ere I could withdraw he raised his heail.
Ik:
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.1 .If AD PHILOSOPITEU.
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And. seein;^?, bailed me forward. With liiin were
Two strarif^-ers — Frenchmen — of th(> name of Corot.
A father and Ids son. Witli tiieiu Miss Howard,
Convened to talk of some monientous matter,
A pliilosophico-religious project
To change the face o' the world. The younger man.
Who, though a Frenchman, is of comely presence,
And a frank, open liearing, I have asked,
Siiould leisure and his disposition serve,
To (juit the smoke of London and come down
To take a peep ui)on our rustic ways
And see our English gardens.
Win. What said he?
Al15. That to do so would please him much :
He but accompanied bis father hither
Without a personal purpose, — so the days,
jMy invitation wanting, might lag bea^'ily,
And be would gladly come.
All Praj' heaven he may not prove an arrant liirt I
One of your gay Parisians, whose smile kills
At twentj' paces ; one with fierce mustacbios.
Who guards his honor with his rapier point.
Who frowns at every gallant he may meet
An<l ogles everj* lady.
Alb. You shall see.
All Well, I nuist to my music.
Alb. And I to my mother.
[E.veunt. — Winifred folloirn, turning the pcigen
of hev hook.]
itik
I
illl
ACT II.
SCENE I.
EvriiiiHj. A hdh'oini oi-i-rlonkinij a (jdnhnt, at the n-nr
of Si". J(^iin's Iidusc ill Ldii'Ioii. Enter C'i)HNi:iJA
HOWAKD, foUoircif 1)1/ EdMOXD C()R()T. Cdknelia
xiuk.s into (in (inn-chniv, uinf Er).M()M). after
ijldnciiKj for (I mouu'nt at the ski/ dnd the tuljaoent
voofH. (InncHd chair to the txiliisfrailr. sitsdon-n and,
IcaniiK/ forn-anl, '/azi's info the little yardcn .
Cor. How wfll to Itc a man !
He on litV's vaiious stajj:*' nuiy play his i)art.
And, witli a i)art to play, may I'carlfs.sly
Clinil) to the to[)niost level ol" his act.
Not so a woman. Fate hath wallM her in,
And chain'd her down to common household cires.
Her duties are marked out, nor may she dare
Attempt a loftier jiart than that which falls
Within her lot's s-.nall circle. No seven acts,
Nor seven a<^-es. her's— she hath hut two,
The married and unmarried.
Ed. (Rousinij Jiiniself.) Panlon me.
But iji these two i^iand acts what various scenes
Of maidenhood and sweet maternal ways,
Wliat power, enchantment, ulory. What fair spheres,
Wide as the heavens champai,i;n, to o'ersway.
And, like the heaven";; white (pieen, as crescent lirst,
To draw men's eyes with nameless maiden charm,
And then to reii^n. in heauty's rounded orb,
Controller and hrioht emi)ress of their fate.
!
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11
I M.\n I'lTILOSOI'IIHIi.
lii
'iff
( '< iK. ^'()ll use llif l;ili^Uil>;(' of up vr (•< iiirlt-.^v.
And. wlit'ii I cry lliiil woincii sull'cr wroii;^.
Would stop my iiioiitli with plnMsr dl' (•omidiincnt ;
Sniootli tinkliiif;' sounds, with wicnths oC vnjxx' rinu d,
The wonted olT<'rin,L;s to ;i Iliitlci'ctI s<'.\,
WIio pay tin- cxpcctfd smile, and (•lian;;e the suliject,
Foresceiiii;- disaster sliouid tliey h)nj;('r dwell
On themes so iinramiliar.
Kl). W'ron^ me imt
1-iy thiidvin,!;' that I hold in ^li;j,ht estei m
The woman's cause, or speak in idle Je.^t.
I evei' would look on the suimy side :
And, with this o|)t ind-;tie bias, sec
Women with men the walls of <lar]viie>s storming.
And. side hy side. ;id\ aneiii'.; to one ( nd.
Colt, wiiat end '.-
Ed. Ah. tin re you a^k too niuch. How can 1 say V
Who Ivuows'.- Not I. iior yt'i my fathi-r wise,
lor thouL;h. I»y what I hear, you seem to thiid;
His wisdom a l)ii<^]it lamp Lhat dims the sun.
The end doth rest in darkness and will I'cst.
Cor. The end. I hope, is liap])incss to all.
To all the sulTcrinj;- sons of human kind :
This tloes your lather think, and so do 1.
El). O yes. this is an end : there have heeii others,
And each in turn hath liecome a mean
To some remoter good.
Cor. This one is linal.
And doth provide for all. In hapitiness.
In adaptation to environment,
In happy movement with accordin.u' law.
Man ilnds at last solution and repose.
The riddle's workin.u' out and "scape I'rom pain.
1 MAP iiiiij.soriii:!:.
l:i.-.
1"J». Yt>. I have hciii'l \\\c tiilf. It i> not dtl.
Nor yet .so iifw Iptii thill one luav liavc U-ain'ii it.
^lati lU'cds atljustiiit'iu to his tfirtiif liomc.
Ami "ti^ hy law flecfcrd tiiat this shall coiiu' :
'I'lh' loli-ci- he >h;iil li\f Itpoli this hall
Tht' better it shall suit him : sine- cvcii now
Tt spins him safely o'rr the a/.uri' tidiU.
And jii'd^i-ress niay he seen on every side.
NVhy. soin< t< w a-nns In nee. flisease and (rime,
'rimsc discord-, in I h" .art h ^ tine oruan chant
I 'nto her sister spher.--. wiil h;i\e heen still'd.
And peace aini lo\-e. twin >-■ aphs. putily rohi'd.
Shall minister to a world wrapped in liliss.—
f thiidx thi- is till- pictnr-' V
* ' *•>• N' I. not ipiite —
A jiencil .-Iviieh — imi ji i-. ,-,oniet hin- like.
I'll). And call yoii tlii- an end worth lookjn.i;- ior?
« ioo(l is it. hilt l;i.oi| oidy a-^ a mean.
Oh no I no re>t i-^ liei'c, no problem soUcd ;
Death still will tra\tl with these ^r.iis of men.
Xor can they dre.-,- hini np to look- more lair
}3y miikiii";' lo\-e pei-petiial resident.
Thou.i;'h all wai-el.-^' were (pielled, between these two.
Love Dow urow n sti'oii^-. a liereer fc nd must i-a.<;e.
Not here the ti-eaty. the white Ha-- ol' trnce.
And alterdiiend>hip. » ) no. ne\er here 1
P>ehiu<l the veil l.ove nia.\- cla-ji hands with Death.
Hut never on i hi- pl.uiel.
''OR. Yuti talk well :
And what you >a>- seems true. Do you not. then.
<4o with your father and our other friends '.•■
Have y<ni n(.> care for the .L;reat scheme's .•>uccess
That shews so much of pronnse/
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v.y,
A MM) rniLOSOPHEB.
Hi). [More. I fear,
Of promise tliaii fiiltiliui'iir. Feverisli haste
Runs to its own imdoini;'. All must wait.
My t'aiht'r hniids too min-ii (Mi tiiis new plan :
Nor ean I think lie l)ian>;s to its inspection
That wisilom which he owned in (sirlier years,
Ere his line mind had dropped its n(/l)lcst fruit.
To me ii seems more like a ti"en/ied dream
Than sober, eleai' i)ereeption of nuil-day.
(iranted he should succeed, and these two kinss
Should take his theory to make it practice,
(in fancy we may j;rant it) then i>e,L;ins
Its painful operation on the people.
The slow, loiiu,- >ta>;t's of niei'e meiUal growth.
All pi'ecious ,L:,rowtlis ask time : and to conceive
Adoptioiv i)y a |)resident or kini;'
Of this or thai true, jierfect rule of life
Shall ma.i;'ieally lirin<;' the reign of peace.
And make a perfect people, smacks of nuuhiess.
Could father Time ;:,i\e our poor earth a lillip
And send it forward some ten thousand years.
Or nn'ght he cram the epochs into hours,
Or. hy .-,i.rani;e i)rocess of exotic heat.
Mature to mellowness a half-ripe fruit.
Then nii<iht we havi' nullenium.
('or. So you are not a frieu'l.
El). A friend I am. and therefore, no fanatic.
IMy father and the modern ii' n are riuht.
This I believe : but they expect too much.
And so I see are doomed to disappointment.
Their noble work has my full sympathy.
\Vo\ild I could hel[i them furthet than th(\v hope ;
An<l thoU!j,'h their lives shall tail, their work will live.
-I MAD PIIir.OSOPIIHR.
131
Cor. Yes. — This it is that fills niy s(Mi! with hiiiiiiiiL;-
To be ainoi.i;- the workers : tlu-ro to spend
Wiiat life is mine in laliors that live on.
And hence yon hcai- nie urninhle that my >i'x
Forbids all outwai-d cllort.
l']n. A Powi'i- licyond iini- will controls rvt>nts :
It bron^ht us liither and will tak(^ lis hence ;
Let us with faith live out our transient lives.
Content to trust ourselves ami our souls' neeils
To their sole Author. He forever lives.
In all the maxims ol' the wisdom-mongers
I know no fairer word than this, srnMrssiox.
< 'OR. We women know it well.
El>. And somi'tiiiit'^ s<> >io men.
I'Jut come, you're weary of jilnlo^ophy ! {HisiiKj).
The air blows freshly, and the twiidclin- stars
Mock at us through this thick E.uyptiau dusk.
I have a fancy that, above yoji smoke.
A row of solemn sphinxes sit, withdrawn.
Among- the wafts of cloud and wamlering I)eams,
Who peer, with anxious ga/.(> lixed on this house,
Drea'liug their secret shall ere morn be known.
Svicli wisdom is now gathered in its wlls.
<J(jR. Th( y haveconu^ back. I hear ynur father's voict":
Perhaps we should descend and hrar tlifin talk.
[K.ri'HHl.l
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1 MM) I'lllLOSui'Ili:!:.
sci:ni-. II
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Tlir sitiiic. .S'l. Johns //V/r^M//. Sr. .loiix "//'/( 'i i1{m:li.\,
irliixirc scnh (I . lislni alli nlirchl t<> ( iI.'sr.W'K ', 'ol.'oT,
/(7/u H'dlks to (I lid I'm. //(»/'• mid Ihcii ('(iiiiiinj tit a
stand irJiili' lie tnlL's.
C'OKoT. So clear tiic working i-^. Ilic way so plaiti.
Ndiu' siii\'ly can misdoiilit il .
.St. J, lit'toi'iiis you kiio'A lUM'il tiiiic.
( oKor. All. so llicy (1 I. l>uL hrrc the lime is ripe ;
All is so 111 : occasion and llic lioui'.
l"or once, stand lace lo (ace. With us must rest
The lair accomplished lai't to usln'r in
V>\ \nvvliug <.)f these twain. Tiiere in the West
Is Jelferson, Buonaparte iii the East.
St. J. r.ul \\ill they take it up".'
(,'(>!;<>T. We can hu! try.
^'et ha\e I faith when they do lu'ar my plan.
Th.ey will atteni])t il .gladly. This liie plan is. —
These men. emani-ipati'd Irom the thi'all
Of self and superstition, nmst emhrace it .
America most readily will accept
A teaching that is levtd with the time.
.Still ycnin.t;-. and with youth's I'wr and dariu:;' heart,
She can ideals realize :
"Tis hut to chan.i;\' the systeui. pour new wine
Into new hottles. lor all theiH' is new.
Whore now are iduut-jies. schools, for inculcation
Of musty doctrines. Iou.l;' since proven void.
The churches, schools, will stand : hut there, in lieu
Of superstitious, stale :)hservances.
Life will he lamiht : the heautiful, the true.
liiti
.1 MM) rnn.osopiiKiL
V.',\)
Will tliiTc li;tv;' worship; all tli;U is tliviiic.
As iH'in.u- the lii^licst in nnv liiunaii llion-Iu.
Will tlicrc lia\i' lioiiia.^N^ (Im-, Tlic lili' oT man.
TIh' wonders n[ onr I'ai'tii. the -starry sclnMac,
Shall ha\ (' ihic ]-i'C(i'j,iiil ion. duf ai'connt.
Tis l)ul I.O <'han,i;(' the teachers in the schools.
To change the jireachers in the talternacles.
To study Nature where they study — mist.
Science to teaeli. aild n')t theo!(j'j,-\-.
Iliuiiaiuty to Icnow. and nui divinity :
For through sweet human 'ove we reach to (loil.
And only those who love ^,haiI see His face.
Who helps man then helps (iod ; man is (h)d s child.
.\nd know li'd-e of Ifim oidy can we ha\e
Thr()tiL;h laiowled'je i,j' II is cre;iiure. (Irand results
I look Tor hence, Wlieji in ihi; Westeiai laii 1
The ])rcachei\s sliall !).■ teachers of the rrutii.
The race will take new strides, and a fresh youth.
I'airer than that of ( Ireece, will llush its cheek.
France will not lai;- Ix'hind— she nevej- will.
.Ah»re ditii(adt for her "twill i)e to wrest
The power, so lon^- misused, from sychophants
That lattcii on the ])eople, whom they claim
Their olUce is to ,t;iiide to saintly life.
I!nt this too may he done. A mighty hand
Is his wlio now leads I'rancc. Let him hut see
A richer civilization, happier state
For man. waits at the door ;ind lists his voice.
.\nd he will cry, ( oim' in. and flim;' it wide.
Then will the sun of Scienee shine for Franc'.
Then will America and she ad\ance
Even to the consmnmation of oui- hopes.
.\nd soon will Fn,nlanil follow.
110
.1 MAD I'lULosoriii:!:.
I
St. .1. Tliiiik y(.ii nil
'i'lu'sc cliaiim'^ Volt dcsiri' sllllll Colllc ill olicr'.-
('I'littr. 1 only ;i--k lli.it lliry shall lie Iicliiii.
'i'liat lilt' new sxsicin shall ln' aiKhoii/.cd .
Siifpriscs then \\ ill conic. I, it ihcin difcct
'rii.il pow cr ami |>ri\ ilc-c sliill |i.is-. to 1 hose
Who study inairs line wcllarc l hiirchcs, schools
And collcL^c- iraiislcr. and place in cliaru,*'
(M men whose dearest intcfest shall he
Vn lead Ironi darkin'ss those w ho seek the hunt,
'rhcii error, nnsuiiporlcd, shall I'all dou n.
And Irnlh. made welcoiiie, shall lie iinilei-lond.
NT. ,1. It rn-I _\ o\\ ui.iy snccecd.
C'(M»i il'. Siieeced we must .
I'OK. ()|i. I l>ray iica\-eii yon may I
('(>i;or. I tecl the sti-cnuih ol' armies in our caiist> ;
It ha-- 'ait to he known to he endorsed.
The a.uv dolh cry lor it . it hat h t In- ri.uhl
(>!' youth ari'ivcd at I'ud ma jority.
Its prcdei'essor is m'own senile : he.
l.oti:, years a.m). his usei'ulness outlixcd.
Whate'er tlic Icaileis of the peojile uivc.
They thaid<lnlly will take. Worse than il is
The\ know th;U their condition scai'ce can lie ;
And so. it taithlully they he assured
.\ hetter liine will come with the new reii;n.
They, shouting', will toss caps for the lair itriiice.
And call on the old kmu' to ahdii-ate.
St. ,1. This hath a praiiicahle. certain sound.
c\»lior. So much uc kiu)w : it naught avails to dream.
We think that we may act : lired liy linn i'aith
That these our thoiiulUs should IIl^IU men unlo deeds,
1 liy no mean-- propose that they shall die.
Anil lieai" nor t ruit nor hlooin. If sacrifice
llii.
,1 M.\i> rim.()S(>riii:i:
ti
X' 1M'<'(
Icil, I , t< il' iiiH', lllll well |i|c|
iill'cd
Til pnisli lor the Initli i wdiiiil ^^rc 1 1 iiiiii|>li.
<''ii;. Ill iiiv li(';iit yoiir worMs liiul iicilccl ich
1 ciRDT. I I;
l< 111 -nrnliri'. hill 111 ilM' 1-. IH'i'ilcil
I rue work ,'i ml liiit li im im nr ijn \\ i ri'i|uiic ;
Ami (lii'sc ;ii-i' riiiiii-.liiil III I'. I -II' till' iji.iii;^!'
W'itliiii ;i hiiii lifil I'ilii's. ( IhiicIii'-. Ilini.
Ili-^lrnii III' li.'iiiL;- sjiiiniii'il In msrs ;i II I ||i' \\ i'rj<.
Ami ciitci'i'il ^;ii|l
\ oiii' il;i \ III I III' M'\ I'll.
Sli.'ill III' III' iiiiill il imIi' , III!' iiii'i'lin;;- |ih
k
ii'i'
I' li;i |ih\ < '1' iiiJiKi' ui-^i
\\'li;it('\ IT r.iii ni;il
Shall (ln'i-.. he liTi'K- t;ni''lil : tlii' lali' ili\ i
III'
llli'lhl'i'lril l,\- Mlii.lai- , II, it III r .-.kllliil
Tlic stmirs u ril li'M in t lir -tai'--. t lie iink.-i.
Till' piaiiH, (III' I'lrnii'iits ulicnnr \\i' luialln'
\n.| (I
iii'li'->t man so
ri'acliiiu: iili In ( inii.
I 'I'l nil wlioiM \\ I' dra w our I
II ' II 1 '.
SI-. .1. A I
li'a-.l yoii know v\lii'ri'ol von spral
• '<'K<>'r. It liatli nil' in itsL;ias|i, Ciii'iiils, i-, iii\- lilc.
I'Im'Ii as il naiiiliicr, alinosl at an rml.
I )iitli stake his all upon sonic iiiyst ic turn
lit' thinks lie sees i" I hi' ilici', ami sure to uiii.
So 1 . (li'sirin.u' |ii'i IVct hiinian li\cs.
Ami liy my iiiaL^ic wi'll-iiiroriin'il, will ^takc
iMy all ii|ion t liis cast .
St. .1. II' you shoiilil lose, maiikiiii] will still he gainer
('()i;i>T. () we shall will. Success sit-i on oiirlianiiers
Since 'tis hut t<» o'erturii a rottiiii;- pile.
To till list the unworthy from the seat.-< of houoi\
To take Irom the inemipelent ami ;;ive
I'nto (he capaiile — what shoiiliI he easier'.'
[f[rrr l^DMo.M) Coi'.DT ciifii'S. (HkI sifnill// fiil:,s ii el,
Ills fiilln r rcsiiiiii's his scdf, miil <i <l
coiicci'ii ill'/ n/'l/frrs of jtnicf iral di liii] ,
II 1 1 1'
isi'tissinii (USUI'S
1 1."
.1 MM> r/llLo.^ol'llKL'.
iji
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s(i:.\i: III.
.1 /'"/■/.•. W'i'sfjiiiiisirr liriih/r ;„ llir J/s/<iii,-i\ .\i,i;i:i;r
■STirwcK, I-Idmomi ( '.ii.oT ,o,,/ ('()|;ni:i,i\ i!(i\v\i;i)
itj>i,n>,icl, o/ninj ,f i,;i!l:. .\r> irrul at ,i slnuli/ s,>i,l
irhrrr lli,'rr an no/Zn. Counklia siiilrs i,il>> mic
'III'! till' atlnrx follaii- /irr r.ra iiij)/,'.
'■'"• "' I>''i\<' \v(. i:,|,.n. uitli iis llowci-s. its hinU.
(ilV,.n l.'MV.'S. -nvil -iM.-s. r,,r,\ ,li;|.|,,u-s ,U\'\ -oM sli,.n,|.
I'.liic. liiiipiM sk'v, ;mil tinkliii- walcrlalls.
An.l. wliMl Ihi'y hckf-l in iM,.,,. yon liciHr (lii-onj.
'I'liiii'iltih.Ms. nisliin-. Iiir!. Ill-Ill. iv,-kl.-.s. I |,
To mal;c t lie conl i-as| lairrr.
-^ '''■•• \'('S : from licrr
We just c-iii -!iMi|,-,. III,. ,h\t;iiil. siir-ii)-- sea.
Cr.'stcd with hca-ls -liats. iHMincts, colors ^'ay.
liri,L;-Iit ill llic sininy -hiri'. A lioli.Jav
In LoiKloii -iv.'s a rhaiic.' tos,.,. straiio-,. f,,sliinii..
*'"'^' '' '■" =' motley ,T.)u-i|. an.l worth (li(> wati'iiiiii;'.
I'oor iiaiTliMil ;m.| sttim,.,! souls and nu'a;;-n- rram,-..
I low .gladly do t hiw issii," Ironi tlicii- dciis
To l»ask an hour in sunshine, carc-ohlivious.
Tiic-^c oast's in tlic deserts of tiieir liv(v;
How ea-vriy they touch, an.l that whicli men
Slioiild have as eoniuion ri.;'ht I'rom lir^t to last.
Should take as calnily as a di-au,i;ht of di-ink.
They ureedily do snatch at.
Al.i!. They aiv iiot so miserahiy olV. It seein'd tonic
Most of them were ijuite happy.
*'•"'• J)i(l you scan
Their faces 'f
Ai-n. P.ut carelessly, I L^nuu.
lilii
.1 MM) I'lIlLOSOPllKll.
14;J
And yet T saw iinicli jolly mirth ami |)lfa>iiic.
('oi{. Such pleasure as youM shart' ■.'
A 1,15. Iiideeil. I si'enied
To share it fully. ( )u<'e I heard a lau^^h,
.\ hu^e giid'aw, as we came through the crowd,
AikI, turning-, saw a l)urly, red-l'aced l)ur;j,her.
Surrounded l»y a crowd of ha|>i»y dames. —
These echo"(l. with such ripplitij;- lilts and trilU.
ills merry shout, that I too. Iau,i;hed to hear them
< '' )li. Think of the sijualor, crime, the vicious lives.
The evei--runnin^' sore of populous London ;
Tlie hideous tenements ill courts and lanes.
The dwarfed, deformed shapes that issue thence,
The human caricatures, the hrutish men.
The sickly, loathsome women, the sa<l hahes.
Born to a heritage of infamy.
A 1,15. Yes ; that is horrihle.
C-'oit. It is not all :
This is a wound, an ever-present pain ;
This stings and rankles, this makes hlintl and mad.
But tjjere are all the (hill, gre}' live.'! heside.
The so-called thriving lahorers and mechanics
Who toil from week's heginning to week's end.
r,ike insects htiilding up the social state.
Whose only happiness is to eat and sleej).
Who die without a glimpse of hetter things —
That larger view which is life's hest to givt-.
And who, at last, iiicori)orate with the soil.
Fort'ver lie foigotttii and unknown.
El). You look too much on this Tis true, too true
Yet this is hut one side — the <lai-ker side.
This is dense shadow, with no hint of sun ;
And you must know there are some irlints of sun-hine
144
.1 }f.\!) I'lriLoSO. 11 Eli.
f!
Even it) tilt' (laikcst livt's.
( 'oit, Siiiisliiiic. you siiy !
I sliouli! not call it sKiisliiiu", star-sliinc rather,
A starry .t;liiiiiiH'i- in a iii,i;lit-lilacU sky —
Or soiiic ol tliosc switt, i)hosi)horesc'('nt gleams
That flickei' o'er a ghastly, noisome swamp.
Where lever itrt'eds and horrid monsters crawl.
ALU. () this is morhid !
''(>|{. Nay ; change places with them.
And see how much ol' sunshine you will have.
(live up your walks, your drives. .yt)ur j^leasant i)ooks.
Your nnisic, j)ictures, sweet com])anionships.
Your thoughts, your dreams, your idle reveries.
Your choice whicli pleasure shall he for the night.
Wiiich foi' the mnri). and which lor afternoon.
In lieu of this, that to you stands for life,
Take on another self, a hateful self. —
A slimy snake, a Jackal, a hyena.
A spirit that loves night, a heast of prey.
Haunt those pest-ridden homes, consort with thieves.
Kej'iice in practices your soul holds vile.
Become ;hat other man. that human creature.
And live his awful life for one short houi'. —
Then say il you have not hei'U in a swamj).
Where fevers breed and horiid monsters crawl.
Al.l'.. Why should I do all this? One monster more
Woulil make one normal human life the less.
Col!. 1 would not have you stay. You should come out.
:\.nd shake the nightmare from you : yet the ordeal
Would leave you scarce the same. You'll shari". methinks.
What you are jtle 'sed to call my morl)idness.
Alh. And to what einl/ If fate to me be kind.
Were"t not ingratitude to s])urn her gifts r
■ \ •
t
tilii
.1 MAI) j'iiiL(jsurm-:L\
iM
What filiouM tlu.' ollicrs j^aiii liy my (liscoiufort ';
SoiiKf should l)t' Ii;i|i|)y. if hut to keep U|)
The stiiudard, and I'xcit*'. as did my Ijur^htT,
A pleasant thrill to shew that mirth is -ood.
'Tweit' pity if we l(i.-.t the savor of it.
Cor. a givattT to foi-i^vt i)y wluit 'tis i)urchasod.
AjkI lose the sch^m of pit v.
^-^^- Sympathy
^s heautiful, hut should have many windows.
If you look only on the woes of lift'.
Life tht'ii is hitter -liittcr past endurance.
A soul so tried grows sensitive and raw.
But life has joys past countin.i;-. Th>' !inhap[)y.
The truly mist>i-ahle. who would (Unf-
its hurden from them, ai-e a very fesv.
The meanest ^rub that creeps still finds some good.
Life hath its mysteries— evil is but one,
And lessens steadily.
<""if- While evil lives
A tender s(jul cannot know happiness.
Hi). A morbid cannot. Happiness is life ;
Ami who lacks happiness lacks also ror(,;e
To war with wU stronj^lv. .Joy is ri-lit.
Evil \v(> extirpate to j^ive joy plaee ;
What folly, then, if for a little evil.
We steep in gloom the large joy tliat we have.
Cor. Not large for me.
t^t). Come out into the sim.
You think too much. Thought is a tyrant master,
And men grow thin and pale who are his slaves.
Cto see the children play, the lambkins leap,
The fountains sparkle in the noon-day beam ;
Go see the flowers l)loom. the waters smile ;
146
A MM> rUlLOSOl'IIKR.
V •>
(io litiir tlu' soiif^s ol' l)ii<ls iiiiionjj, \\\v tr(( :-.
Till' li;,^lit l)rc'('/.L' wlii^iKiiiiL;- to tlu' liuppy Icavt-s, —
tSwccl iiilliKiK'cs tlicsc tliiit iiiiiki' for. joy.
Think not on life as tIiou;;li you were its iloctoi'.
Or, ir you nuist, why he as (ioctoi> arc
In .sjiccr HcH'-prcscrvat ion. somewhat callous.
('o|{. Vou would not have nic live as woil(llin;z;>
l'>l). The worl(llin;;s have sonic wisdom on their
So hiivo the i)irds and cliildicn. That which most
Wc long for we should Htrivc for, and, for inc.
The awectcst wisdom is to look on life —
That tragic, comic, ncvcr-onding play ;
That picture rich in color; that high music.
Crossed by a thousand discords ; that strange wd),
Where piteous histories of defeat and loss.
And gorgeous pageants of prou(l-step|)ing ;riuniph
Are curiously inwoven : where so oft
The lo.ser is the gainer, and who wins
Ik covered with disaster ; that stone sculpture.
For though the thing that we call life seems Huid.
Still hurrying to and fro, as chance directs.
'Tis an effect in marble, wrought by fate,
Thus might it be, thus only.— This to see,
And, studying, wonder at, for me is wisdom.
C'oit. Yet you would have men good.
; do
side
Ed.
Ah V
es
I'd have men more than good. I'd have tliem thorc
I'd have them go beyond the strife for good :
I'd have them go beyond their gods in beauty.
To be good should l»i' easy as to lireathe.
Think you we nnist have ever moral preachers —
Policemen, sheriffs, beadles. Judges, spies?
I look for perfect men— good is a mean ;
iiiih.
M
.1 M.\h I'liii.Dsoi'iirji.
11"
rfoodiirss is moral iicaltli. When in.-ri an- uIkjI.-.
<^''»iii|«h't.' in l)i-aiii, in hcari ami in |.liysi,|ii(\
Tlic iM'rr.'ct Christian ami (h.- prrfcct (Jrcfk,
Why tlii-n. niiyliap, \v." shall coinni.'iicc to live.
Al.l!. (AiralciiKi.) A pair of Icct iircrs.
^ ''''*• ^'on heard iis not ;
Yon w.-r.- away. I'.iu ih.'r." is innch to com.'.
Ai.H. (,St<irti,i<i III,.) r shall not listen. I .'ndnr.- ik
more.
Von stream I sec has ihinnM, the roar is less ;
Tho shadows of the trees L;ro\v |,,i,i^. a|>aee.
And. since von have (■,)nv<'rl.'d (ine ;itiotlier.
This lady no\v |,„,ks l.ri-ht. and yon look soh-mn.
A hall-iioni- since, y,,u smiled and she was serious.
\\ hy there is nothing more lo stay for here.
("ok. Monsiein- Corot. tnrns all thin-s toj.sy tnrvv.
What is is well and what is not is well.
"Twere ,i;-ood if men were -oo I, hnt since they ai'e not.
lie's willing- to have patience till ihey he.
Wlidfrvi'v is is rifiJif,' his word- implv.
And that ,i!,-ood-natiire j-; 1"|| i,,,t ,|,.|i\-.
[K.irnnf.\
I"
s(i:m.: i\-
^l
n ,,i).n si„,rr i ,t S||; Ki)\VAi:i> STIiANWiF/s ;/njuu(fs.
Knfcr from some ff'rs WiNii'iti:!) St. .Joir.v. Ar.rci.v
Mavxaki). Ai.[!|-:i;t Sni\su\: awl IOdmond Couot.
Al,H. Shall yon ride to hounds to-morrow, coiisin V
Al.l. Yes. cousin— oh ! ((.'/fiiicimj at Wimfrnl.)
Ar.is. You will need to rise hetimes.
Al,l. () ye.s. Th(> morumM- and I are old friends. Slic
gives me her first sniilo each day steppin,-- across tho
meadow yonder.
MS
1 M.]i> I'lifi oso/'in:/:
Al.i:. I liii'l niil tli(iUL;lit vutl li.nl iiirt.
.\\A. Wiliiri'cil. toil, lollows llic yi'l|iiii,i4 |i;ii'k.
Ali;. AihI Moiisii'iir ( 'omi ■■'
Va>. ^'»'S. 1 sli;i|| '_;|;i(ll\- join I li" I'liasi' ;
.Miicli lijivc I heard ami til'li'ii of iis cliariii-.
Tliat \\i)(i you I'liiiAli.-^li I'loiii your .^li-('[»-s(>|'t lu'ils.
To sliaUi' tlic iliaumnils Iroiu the curlcil ;;;iasfi
And ride at Ic , .■! wiih t ln' llaiiiiii-' day
Ali;. ll i.-^ a iiiaiil\ spinl.
.\\A. To li!int a iiaiilui;;' criMturi' to tlic dcatli 'f
Win. oil. it is c: ud I
Al.i:. < > ilo not ^.ay >o I iiow crut-l '.-
Win. To Ik- |iui-U''d for iif'' and run to death.
To sliain with staitin.i;' eyes and iiuakinj' lirea^t.
To hear the l)ioody. inoiit hin;^' inoh Ixhiiid.
Tin- riij^ii. the steady ;^ainii!.:^' stej* liv step.
Tile >te!iily l()sin;j: on eaeh lla<^jj;in,t,' leap.
And then the hot lieree lireath. the snarl, i le- cry.
Ami all at once the liiinted \vi-eleli liath turned.
A World of teri'or in his eowei'in,:;' sliape.
The do^s have shot too (ar. he >;a!".s au'iin.
The infernal torture d> th a,i;ain lie-iu.
He staj;j^ers. rn-hes Mindly, rises, falls.
Until, at last, t he simple fool, fori'spi'ni.
Can ,uo no fniMlier. and the horrid park
With one mad swoop iidix th'dr awlul fan^s.
And from his ([Uiverini;' frame the life ;:,'oes out.
El>. This is the pleadin;^' of the hunted oiu' ;
You (1(^ translate its pan<:s to human speech.
Al.Ti. But this it does not feel, The deer or fox-
Hath nr, such sonse of pain ;is human Icind.
My cousin puts herself hefore the hound- :
And her's alone the an<.;nish of suspense
I
.1 MM> I'lllLOSOl'UHK.
145)
And torn lilc (»ul>;ii>liiii--
Ai.l, I l.is t lien a ili'i'i- IK) iiiTN (•> r
Ali!. Nnvcs c|,,iil,tl,.» I, a:, n. |„it imt tli...s,. ..|
woiiiaii.
l^iiily it l.'.-l>. with iK.fl.'ftiir tliMii-hl
Tti i|uirk.'ii M'ii.-,iliility. aii.l swrll
(As ill iiiatr> liodiiin' mi ml) a innr iiin-prirk
Into a Majiiii;; sword tliiMi-l.
All Wlirjr -ot you all tlii>l..iv .- What raw voim..
I ox.
^>i L'(jiis((jii(iicf> (■arcli'ss, led \()ii iij,
To llicsf saiiu' w isc (■oiiciiisioiis .'
\W.\. (>. I am sure ijicii' t(iriii,.n( i> a> kffii
As ours can cNri' he. | miiiii me w,.||
TIk- vi'ry last time tLat 1 lodc to iioiiiiils.
1 came ill at the .Icatii. and. tliron-ii tin- crowd
Of men and horses [)rcssiii,i; to the front.
I ;;azcd upon the scene. Wuiiin a clelt.
Tlie s(jnare-ciit aiiy,ie ola wail ol rock.
By sun and l)rce/e ciiiLrowiifd and that died uitli -lecn,
A noiile aiitlereij sta;^- la> on liis side.
Tile proud ln>ad fallen o"er a .)a,L;-iii,u ictd^-.
And. e\en as I came, it j^ave a moan.
And. Willi a lil tie strn.ir-le. raised it, head
And looked once sadly out upon tlie crowd.
Sueli [iitet)us dunil) woe its face expressed.
•My heart .^rew heavy and my eye^ did lill.
Surrounded there i)y wraimliii- do-> and men.
\\ itii me the poor t hiit.L;"s miirdt rer>
All Winona hath a i^cntle lieart ol mec\-.
viid for unfortuiiat' s a tender care.
Alb. To slay the gentle .leer I <,n-ant seems harsh -
So winsome and .so shy ; hut the red Jo.\.
Su])pleani' treai-hentus, we hunt to-morrow.
w
MO
.1 UAI) I'lIILnsoI'lIFJi.
I^H ^
^^^H,:;
^^^^^B
^^^H ^
''
^^^^^^^H ^
iiii
■
i
To kill siK'li iM ii virliu'.
Win Were tlu' tiglit
An ecivial <n\v, but ;ill is so unfair.
(Albkrt (IikI Al.h'iA //'/•// iloirii It iKifli.)
p]l). Pray tell nic \vliitlu>r Icails this cool arcailc.
That, thick oinhowcred in clin,>.cin;j: mats of vine,
A'hnits no ligiit. sa\(' an odd sleiidcr shaft
That strikes across its .u;reenness V
Win. This walk takes to tho shrubhtM-y and fruit
;;ar<k'n.
(Tlii'ij pass out nf s>;/lit. Alicia and Aiammt
cmrnic />// iiuntlicr juitli.)
Al.n. Indt'od they seem well-suited.
All The identical Monsieur that was foretold ;
One |)oor in lurtune. but in wisdom rich,
Of unknown origin yet pi'incely bearing,
Well-favor'd and wdl-^raeed in every ]»art.
And of a court'sy so conijilete and winning
As nuist commend him to eacii hdy's eye.
Ali!. Do you then thiidc him such a nonpareil ?
All O all that heai't coiUd wish. And did you
mark
How. when she spoke so sweetly of the deer.
He seemed surprised, and. sieppin.' .iiuckly back,
]\Iore closely sc.uined her, as to study out
Some s-.'arcelv-giiessed-at bonutv.
Alp. i <!• 'i n.ot mark.
(/•..rc'n;^ — WlNlFU!'.]) <nii1 Hdmond pasfi over.)
Win. J-iucI, tlioiights I scarceh- Iniow ;
Indeed I fear I have not many thought^..
.1 MAh PHILOSOI'HKR.
151
Alicia tliiiiks so swiftly, aini my fatluT
Seems to know evfrytliiiiL;' that can l)e known.
Perhaps 1 uii;;ht tliink more it' I Celt less.
Sometimes it scfiiis fiiou;^li of joy to in-.
And never tiiink. I know I love to Hvi —
To tak" swfct plca.-'u-c in tiie sights of thin.L;s
Ami soun Is. I love the sky. the fields, the woods.
Evenin*r and mornin- . and the nudday too.
When the ^reat sun makes iila/.e tlu- tin,u,linL;' sky.
Then I love pietui-es more I thiidv than all :
They seejn mort' wonderful than natni-e"s self.
Kd. I ihiidc yoii are a poet
Win. a poet. — <) no. 1 cannot write.
Kl) Perhaps you have not tiie(l.
Wl.N. I cannot writ'-
T know, hut I can paint a little.
Kl). I said you were a poet.
Wi.\, Yes'.' I saiil I could not write.
El). .Ml poets do not write : some of them paint.
Your pictures are a poet's T dare voueji.
I pray you let me see them.
Win. O no : I mean
I df) not know. — peiiiaps another time.
You have not told me yet ahout your falhei-.
Nor about France, nor how our l-'ni;!and suil< you.
With all the rest that you set out to tell.
El). Did T propose so much 'f I would prefV>r
Hear you tell how yotn- En.i;land should he suited ;
At Rome one shouM be liouian.
Win. Is your father
So very learned 'r more learned than my father —
Perhajjs you. too. are learned ';'
Ed, Extremelv so :
' i
' I! (a
ff^w
I ft ii
If III
'J' 1
I"/ I
t ; .
HI
n
i 4
1 r)'j
.1 ]\JAD I'UlLOhOl'IlLK.
And vet, I Iiope, not tlan^vrou.sly.
This l.ave I leaniod.-thi.t lil.. i^ vrrv short
1, at wis.lo.n nuiy h,. can-i,Ml in s.uMll <•..„„. .OS,
ihut to hv(> wisely asks a ranr wit
Thnn wisely not to live.
'^" iJouhtli'ssyoii aiT wi>,.
(Albert nud Amcia coininu „p brhi.d.)
All a very owl („,• wisdoni, ho cssun-d.
And yet. I tliiidc not so : m. ■seems 'tis 1
lu-ho am owlish. 11, ,1 youthou-ht.Mo,
lohiid a wifh licreatyoiu-eihow'send?
Hi). An owlish witch 'f
Ai )'
Or a witching- owl :-
Ar.i. Why Alhert-so very well! Yon n.oek me. it
••;Pi-"->. and will not tak,. , ny word.-.so I shall leave in
ALB. na : ha ! ha !
)nsienr.
Al'T III
^
s( r.NK I.
Sli; Im" A'AIM) ST!tAN(ii:"s 7/(;/n/i/.s-. WlMllJi;!) ST, -li'IIN,
irho in ('iKjdgi'd iri/li sonii' iirciUciVdiL- , is .scahil in
tlir sJtadc of (I tfC(\ — \\AV\\ ^yl.VYNAKD rcclilK'i^ "u (I
[/rassi/ momxl nrar her. An ojtt'ii hitol: lies in siiU
Altcta.
Win. How li;i|)i)y scciii those doves that cifclill^^ ito
Forever round ami round above vou tower. —
Like iiieces of white paper in t he wind.
When strikes the sun upon their lliitterin.L; win;;s.
Ami then again they ilarken as they fly.
All Yes. tiresoniely happy in theii- tirel'^ss flight.
It wc^an'es me to wateh them.
Win. Me it soothes,
I love to sit iilce thi.-. with h If'-shut eyes.
And while the sun shines freshly on the grass.
And drowsy zephyrs stir llie lan.iuid flowers.
T.hat. leaning, shed their ]iei'('unii'. see them chase
In wild career throng!) the l)lue. unsmirclied air.
All lleighdio!
^\'lN. Si'c now they scatter, .ron]).
disperse.
Again together come, descend, arise.
Now liii-d>. now paper torn in handfuls.
\i.i. II"igh-hoI Letters mayhap. love-letter.>. lo-.t
I'roM.i out < )lyinpus hy some recreant god.
Wlieii go Is piove false how shouM mere men pi'o\ i- 1 1 lU' V
Wh.it thiid; \><\\ of voutm Ivlmond'.-'
Ml:
lot
.1 MAD PillLOSOrilElL
■f!
Win. Monsieur Corot ".:'
A 1,1. The same. I note how fii->t your friendship
ripens.
Win. We uro indeed j^ood friends.
All (irood friends indeed ;
And on such short accpuiintance.
Win. [le understatuls
So easily all my thon,ii,hts, if tliou;i;hts they lie.
His mood is so responsive. It is strange,
lie scarcely seems a Frenchman.
All Very strange !
Strange ! Strange I Strangel
Win. Why harp j^ou on the word ?
All It hath a friendly souml.
Win. a hos])itable one.
All That it sliould so fall out.
Win. That what should so fall out?
All You mind the gypsies.
Win. O yes !
All I see you had foi'i^ot llieiu, by your l)lush.
Win. I mind you eareil not for your fortuni .
All How liked you yours?
Win. I did lUJt tiiink mudi of it.
All Strange I Strange : Strange !
Win. What is so strangel}- scrangeV
All O. nothing. And so you forgot your liappy
fortune. Have you uol tlioiight of it since?
Wiv. It has crossed my mintl.
Al,L Tliey did not pi'ophesy so l)a<lly.
Win. In what res|)ect ?
All O mar:'v come up I as the poets say. Hath not
M»)nsieur Con)t risen in answer thereto? Doth he not
match, point for point, with your predicted lover?
t
.1 ^fAI) PUII.OSOPIIER.
1 r..-)
Win. O Alicia I
All O WiniCrel ! 1 have sonn'tliiiii;- to t'oiil't-ss.
{She (iri.scs- nii;! sils hesidi' Winifhkd.)
Win. To coiiffss V
All Yoiinjj^ Master Sti-aii,L;(' h;is said soiiirtliiii--.
Win. Albert V
All Yes.
Win. O Alicia 1 I am so ghul !
(Site /^/A'/'s .Vlicia's li'iivh, irho looks: info Iwr
CI/CS. SlllilijKJ. )
Win. Happy Alicia.
All Happy Albert !
Win. Hap])y Albert— happy Alicia. I am so j^lad.
.■\LI. O 3'es, it is not a crying matter. The young
man seems gratified.
W^IN. And you V
.\li. I, as you see. conceal my moitification with
slight embarrasment. It is very pleasant. You must
make haste.
Win. Make haste y
All To make some one as happy as I have niade
Albert.
Win. Oh -No.
All O yes. 1 hoped you were bcmg asked to do so
yesterda}'. when you two lagge 1 l»ehiu I the others. T
turned in mv saddle and. glancinu liack. saw you descend-
ing a hill through some trees, your liorses witli heads
lazily drooped, and he bendinj: down as if to catch your
slightest whis])e •.
Win. We did but loiter to enjoy the evenini::.
ifl
NK li
m
im
A MAIJ riJJLOSOPHER.
Jii
All 11(3 lo(jks as noble as the {^yp.sy promised — and
you are ricli.
Win. Alicia, lie's a stranger : and in a little while
will go away.
All Nay, let hiiu not. Oiw sees he's fond already.
And truly worthy. "Tis a lovely pair — two lovely pairs.
Yes. he's ill Iced true gentle. .Vll)ert is jealous, t have
praised him so. I^iit he's so good and kin I.
Win. .Monsieur Oorot ?
All {Sln(jiu(/.)
Gdther .'-o.se.s. pink <iiul ichifc.
No, Albert—
(Sinr/iny.)
'iVeave them in, (i coronal.
Yet he's not a whit more kiml
And good than is this gentleman from France.
{Sitigiiiff.)
Twined with ladies' Presses hri</li(.
Vallen-lilieH, campions siimll.
S''t 'mid ivji leaven so ijreen —
Scnr/ct hervics sJicii- hrticcen.
lil
117// !/<)!i,r loi'i' to moss// iiDuli.
nV/'/'c doth spread a sho<li/ trcf.
And dofli H'inil <t tnerrfibrooli
Past a daisi/-si)riH}de<^ h'a :
Crown lii'r tlicre i/onr ipu'en J'or ai/e —
.1// /// sport and happij pla,'/.
Win. You would not have me go to France to live.
All Nt), surely, since your count would lose his bead.
-I MM) PHILOSOPHER. {:,',
(SilKjillt/.]
X/ic. irill poal and took aside,
S((i/ tjonr (lueen she jiitii/ not bt\
Mind hi'i not, c'cii if .site eltide,
-\ll li'')' t/ioiKjht.s /jouc((niii)t see.
lJr<(ir to Hours Iter vos/j cheek —
Kiss Iter first,— thereafter speak.
You know he's banislicd. How slioiild lie roturny
You sIkiII ilwell here in En^lund, and well live
Together all the haf)!.}-, happy years.
Win. You dear Alicia, with your .Spanish eastles.
An. <) iKi— an Fi^n^-lish one. solid and true.
No eastles like onr Knglish I
^^'^I^'- You have one.
Be happy and eontent.
Ai:i. (SingiiKj.)
From j)ink->rhite to eriuisoii-rid
III her eheek will chuihje the rose.
Her bine eye tcoidd strike ijoit ttead.
Yet her aia/er ijiiiekii/ i/oes.
(Jrj/her nierci/, ineekl't hold.
Then yon may her iralst enfohl.
Sweet, marry him !
An il you do not. Master Strange shall u'o —
Ahout his business, and then I s!iall~die.
[E.reniit, amcia si,i,/iit(j.\
As till' sky aliore the trees.
So her nj>n'ard glaiiee inU shine.
See yon not from, siniie-i tike tliese
Hon- her heart is irholli/ thine .^
Gaily tripjiiiiif noir ye wend—
Lore''^ oirn S})rites yonr iriy aftciid.
f
'I I
Hi'
i:)S
.1 MM) I'lIILOSOl'IlKR.
n
SCKNK II.
IjDudott. St. J(»nN"s LibvdVJI. (JUSTAVK CoUol dud
St. .John arc sliiudiiiij urar the open door. ('<)|;<>'1',
hoUliii'^ SOI, I'' siiKill (irf ivies of h(if(/o<f(\ is drcssiil os
far ii joiirin'//.
St. .1. You know my |»iirsc i.s your.s. Wlulc you ai<'
j^onc
|)i;i\v Iroin it irt'i-ly ; it liatli j^oodly ilcpth.
('(ti{i>r. Thanks. thanks. — 1 shall rcnicinlxM-. What is
nccdt'tl
I'o serve our nuitual interest, and which gold
Alone can forward, you shall I)e apprised.
St. J. I gladly would go with you. but my |)resence
Would scarce assist tho issue, and. just now.
I am required in England.
t'ol{(»T. You shall see.
If all goes well, a happy man return.
Too strenuous, for some time, my life has heen ;
Too much enwrapped in this, my dearest hope,
To find enjoyment in each passing day.
St. J. Y'our look is somewhat haggard ; you need, rest.
He not so anxious. All will yet end well.
C'oKOT. One effort more — hut one strong etfort more,
To shew the trend of things, the morrow's image.
These men in power must find in me a prophet
Who shall illuminate for them the poss hie.
And point ct)nvincingly the road to follow.
St. J. Y^ou know that Jelfer.son is liberal-mintled ^
CoiiOT I kn>w him well : what's right he'll surely do.
Kven in the din t)f action, he, ])erchance
Has vagucl\' visioned what I can make clear —
{E.vcKiif coiiV('n-iii(f. C'ornklia eiders, mid (/linieiiKj
liiirrii'iUi/ iihoiit hosteiis offer flieni.]
.1 MAI) PIIILOSOPHKH.
159
SCENE HI.
The (trawitiif-room at Sir Edward Straxge's. I'Jnter
Lady Strange, Edmond (.'orot and Sir Edward
Strange. Lady Stran<h:, irho seems slightly
(((jitated, talks irith repressed ed'citeiuent while she
is crossing the room to a chair. Edmond's face
u-ears a look of respectful attention as he f^eats him-
self. Sir Edward, after taking a turn to and fro
and glancing through the n'indou\ also nits down.
Lady S. He may Iiave reputation with tho learned.
Monsieur ( :orot— of tliis I cannot .si)eak.
I am a simple woman, unlettered and untaught.
The voice of fame scarce reaches to us here,
In tins our country home. But say, can fame,
(Jan fame, 1 ask, repay for friends estranged.
Affection tui-iietl aside, for love repelled.-'
Ed. Indeed, Mat lame, it can do no such tiling ;
I did not mention it in vaunting spirit.
No (Joubt your brother can defend himself.
The fact I cited, not as rich reward,
Kut as, mayhap, art'onling some slight warrant
That in the course iMonsieui- St. Jr)hn has taken
He is not all in error.
Sir Ed. Not all in error ! I myself l)elievc
He is not all in error.
Lady S. Is he right?
Then wherein is he right? And, as f<ir me,
I must confess I know not what he thinks.
When I have taxed him with irreverence,
(They tell me he believes not in a <iod)
He (smiles perplexingly, and jaits me ofT
ICO
A MAD PHILOSOrilKR.
With Homo liglit jest {ihout my own lu'liel",
And will not give straight answer. Think you, sir,
He is an atheist ?
Ed. Surely, I think not.
Lady S. Believes he then in (iod ?
Ed. Surely, I think he does.
Lady S. Then what means this report comes to our
ears.
That he and certain others have in hand
To overturn the church, and take from men
Their faith in God and His true Word Revealed —
To plunge the nation into atheism ?
Though, by God's help, they never can do this.
But that he should attempt it frets me sore.
Ed. Indeed, I think they have no such intention.
Sir Ed. Pooh ! pooh ! not they ! Some philanthropic
scheme
I'll wager 'tis they work at — some Utopia,
Some No-Man's land they sail for. As you know,
St. John was ever dreaming.
Ed. You, then, have read his books.
Sir Ed. Not I !
Lady S. Nor I.
Sir Ed. I never got beyond the first ten pages.
There baulked I and turned tail. I was as one
Who, having ventured some few steps within
A mighty forest, sees no path ahead,
And. turning, finds that there is none behind —
It was a fancied track between some trees
He thought a path. Then, fearing to go further.
Lest that all possible guidance he should lose,
Retreats and comes out on the hither side.
I like St. John, but care not for his books ;
; 1
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it
1 WW.
1
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(;
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1
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A 3IAD PIULOSOl'HEH.
k;
'I
Tlicy Jire, for mo, ji foivst to bo sliuniicd,
.Seeing I lack a t;oin[»aHH.
Lady 8. Thoy nay that he rejoc'tw the holy Scrii)turi's.
8iu Fii). Oh, as to tliat, thoy say his mind's not clear.
Lady S. Ho dotli deny their inspiration.
Ed. Perhaps not (piite so nuieii. This does he claim,
As I have understood Inm : that Die Bible
Contains high inspirati(jn, as do i)ooks,
The works of poets of all lands and ages—
Of Greece, Rome, England, Erance, as of Judaea.
Lady S. This is flat sacrilege, as you can see,
To place the Book divine upon a level
With human elFort, weak and unassisted.
Ed. Yet this, or something like it, is his creed.
All human effort is divine he holds ;
What is most nobly human's most divine, —
Indeed, he says not much of the Divinity.
Lady S. I fear him damn'd, beyond hope of redemp-
tion.
Ed. Madam, I cannot think so.
Sir Ed. Damn'd, do you say? He damn'd! Ffaith
not he :
He's niuch too good a fellow to be damn'd.
Think you God makes sucli men to burn them up r
That were a waste of labor. Damn St. John !
'Tis no such easy thing to make good men —
For what should he be damn'd V
Lady S. If, as 'tis said,
He be a scofling intidel, an atheist,
A free-thinker, a laugher in God's face.
How sliould he find forgiveness ?
Sir El). Oh, he is none of these. You do mistake.
He has ))een freelv slandered. Well vou k)iow
11
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ll
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ir,,>
.1 MAP I'UlLOSOl'UHli.
!!
!ii
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: i
lit' is 11 (juiet Kn^lisli ;;i'iitlriii;m,
Though ln' liiivo tloubts of Mokcs.
Lady S. Uouhts of Moses—
Sir Kdwanl !
Sir En. Ycm, that is what tlioy say.
Hut wiuit of tliat.-* Now 1 hfUeve in Moses.
Hut if aiiotlii'i" man cannot believe,
Shall 1, |)ost-haste, condemn him 'i
Lady S. Theses are fantastic freaks.
Sir Va^, Shall 1 condcMnn him, say? Indeed I dare
not.
I Judge not, trusting 1 may not he judged,
That is judged too severely, you observe.
Now, says St. John, the world is very old ;
It was not made six thousand years ago.
In fact it is a-making. Those six days
Tlie Lord went in for world-manufacture
Ar<^ a poetit! fancy,— ntjthing more.
Though I do think St. John be greatly wrong
I would not therefore damn him.
Lady S. Sir Edwar I, you are tli))pant.
Sir J]i). Nay, not at all. I only would explain
St. John's position, coujded with our need
For utmost toleration. Doubt he juay,
(They say he doubts) the story of the rib.
1 doubt it not, but let him have his iloubt.
Lady S. He should not have his doubt in face of
Scripture.
Nor should you wish him have it. You, meseems,
Are strangely liberal with your right to <loubt.
Ed. You see Sir Edward fears the judgment day.
Lady S. T soon shall be in doubt wiiat lie believes ;
One should cleave to one's faitli.
i!
A MM) rnii.osorin:!!.
163
«IR |.;i, A...1 so .lo I. I u..,„M „ot I.MV,. |,i,a .I,.ul.t ;
I wouM that lit' hclu'vcl as we Ix-lievc.
lUit, if ho cannot, tiicro's an end.
Lady .S. An end ; 1 foar a sad one.
.Snn:M. Thenthm-an...th..rl.-,.„,is-tn,thHlnu.an-
Ihcy say ho calls tlu-ni l<.;,n.,„|s, i,„t |„.-^ wron-
Tli«' story of the woman and the snake.
The fniit forhiddon find inan's lirst sad fall.-
This fhids lie difHenIt t(. conjprehend.
The nu.re nnhappy he. Had heom-laitli
It wonid ('(.me easy. See how yon and I
Can nnderstand all, liavin-; perlect (aitli.
Yon see, Monsi.Mir ('(.n.t. he hut lacks Jaith.
Kn. Ves. Sir Edward, yon make that .piite clear.
Laov S. 1 pray a on. if it please yon. soon have <'lone.
Sll{ IM). ]• faith I'm sorry for oiu- friend. Si. John
His case is had ; hnt that it is no worse
We may -ive thanks. I know that he doth say
Since Go.l mnst well have known poor man would si,,
He shonld not then create a life, fore-doomed
For eat in-;- of an apple. This. [ say.
Is rank presnmption. Snrely (h.d had ri<;ht
To do what heart desired with his own clay,
Clay that iuid once heen nt.thin;;-. not e'en Clay.
Yet he may see his error.
Lady s. h^ helieves
Man die^; even as a dog, falls like a tree.
And, as a tree rots, so sinks to decay :
A fearfnl thonght.
Ed. I know it is not his.
Sir Ed. 'Tis not so easy to come at Ids thon<-ht
He may think differently of all these things.
And think in some sort rightly, yet not tldnk
104
.1 MAD rniLOSOPIIKR.
That wliicli we think lie thinks. And hence do I
Weakly attempt to show that, thongh (juite wrong,
He may not be so had.
Lady S. Not bo so bad.
What do you mean, Sir Edward :
Sir Ed. It is a wondrous story and a strange.
So wondrous is it that rm sui'e "tis true,
That awful tale of the embattled legions
(.'ami)ed on the iields of lieaven. What a war —
Now what a war was tliat I Immortal spirits
Shot through and through with fearful thunderbolts.
No petty shot and hail, but smokeless flashes.
With peal on peal, while the winged, deathless ones
Coursed hotly through the air: shot througli and thnuigli.
Defeated but to rise, — ihe grandest light
That e"er has been recorded. Stranger .-.till
It ever should have ended. Now. St. John
Believes not this, yet I aeeept it fully.
What makes him doubt. i:ut gives me lii'iner I'aith.
Its very strangeness.
Lady S. Will you now Ir.ve doneV
The girls, I see are eoming.
{Eutcr WTXTFnF.n >iyi(l Alicia.)
Sir Ed. One moment. Tlu'u you see St. John makes
pause
About g(Migraphy — shall we say geo.nraphy '.-
The happy garden's ivno locality.
The site of hell, the hea\ ridv palaees :
Since these he cannot find, at once he cries
Realities are figments, there's no such.
As if one shoulil believe but what one sees.
My pridi; is to l)elieve what is not seen.
A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
1G5
But men are made diversely.
Win. You're talking of my father.
Sir Ed. Yes, my dear ;
He is a theme fruitful of interest.
Lady S. If you'll excuse me I shall now withdraw.
{She speaks to the ijouufj ladies, wJio J'olh)ii' Jicr from
tlie room.)
Sir Ed. {Rising and advancing to Ed:\iond.)
Then there's the Hood. The Hood. I ;j;rant's a miracle.
He thinks not much of mirack's — doubt again.
I like not drowning men myself. I say ;
Tlie odds are had I lived thfu I should drown.
It seems unkind : but who knows ':' who can tell?
]Mayhap 'tis betl(>r we should drown — or burn.
They say the world shall be consumed l)y fire
The second time. Let's pray we may be shrouiled.
Then can it only reach our senseless bones—
Ihit ah I the long hereafter.
Ed. Dear Sir Edward. I fear you are not sound.
Sir Ed. SouikI to t]\e core, my boy. Then ilu>re's the
Whale—
And IJalaani. r>;i!aam must not be lorg(jt ;
Samson and Joshua and nil the rest.
To have the sun stand still on AJalon
Or was't the moon '.-) would smash, they say,
W(juld smash the solar system : faith, they say
'Twould smash the tniiv(n'se ; it could not b(\
But of the Eternal purpose what know they':'
Mere tinkerers.
Ed. 1 grant you tliey know little. \h\ \ ha \ lia !
Yes. I rejoice to hear that you are sound.
Sn; Ed. <Juit(^ sound, but I have some imagination
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166
.t MAD PRILOSOPIIKR.
Can take for the nonce another's point of view,
St. John is wrong, you know, yet—
EiJ. Ha ! ha ! lui !
K.K'inint]
sc!:n'k IV.
\V((sh''ii<floii. A n'sfibiilf of flic Wliilf Ifini.sc. Kutcr
('()R(Vr (IikI (iKNTl.KMAN, iiU'i't i iKJ.
('dlioT. A wortl. sir. it' you'll i)ar(l(Hi me —
Was lie the president you parted from":'
(iKNT, Noui' other. See you now he comes this way.
If you'il have speeeli with him. accost him strai^lit.
{E.rit (jcnthniuin.)
'JORoT. Hi' is t!ic very •^ame. not chan.m'd a whit.
T k lew him at a uiaiicc.
' A'///r/' Ji:i"l'"!:i{S( i.\, /// ciiHij iiiiloor rosfnmi'^ miil
irciiriixj slipijcrt;.)
Jkf '. Wiiy 'tis ^htnsicur ( 'orot I how do you sir?
Whal appy wind lias hlowii you to our shoi-e ?
Come in I come in I Rejoiced ] am to see you.
How ](>ft y(Mi all our friend;- ? This way — come in.
I I'J.ri'niit.]
.1 MAP PiUL()soPiii:i:.
167
SfKNK \.
A vooiii ill the White House. Enter Jkffkkson mxt
( 'oiiOT. Jeffi:hs( »n irheets CoROT a laiye ei(H!/-vliair,
(1 11(1 l)iif<ies Ilium'}/ opeiiiiiij the iriiii/oir-l>tii,(ls. fnlk-
iinj file while aiid lisfeiiiiig to CoijoT.
('<»K<»T. •• La Kt'i>ul)li(|ii('y () yes. she lay in pert ;
Now I rciiiiml inc, wf did st-i' Iht pasi^iii.L;.
No, I caiiif (»viT on the " Albatross."
You se'<' I .lik'd tfom Kn,i;land. not tidni Fiance:
We had a sturniy passa.u".
•J''^'"l"- l''roni Mil l: hind '.•'
Do v'^M ivsidc tlu'ic now :•
' '"R"T. Ah. no iiidcMh
FraiKM- Is my home lorcxcr. 1 did \i-it
By invitation of an Kii!.;li-,h Iricnd,
Jkff. Thi'ii yon can .ui\c me news of those in I'ari.s.
When saw yon l)anl)iiey ? Ts he still th<' sanit —
Still sw( aiiiii; Ity h'oii>sean. and hopin;.;- men
Will yet return to Nature:- .\nd Dunoisy
And |.oor Lapierre. wiih hi-, eternal snii(M)o.\.
When pivsse(| hard in deiiate:' Do yon still meet.
As in the days when we weri' first acipiainted ?
CoiioT. No, not so often. Those were pleasant dayis.
Changes have ha|)p'd since then. Dubois is dead.
.T1':fi-. Dear, -ay Dubois.— ^dnr circle ill could <p;ire
him
(.■"oKoT. There is no circle now : we seldom meet.
We are >;rown old ami sol)er.
JKt'i'- Old— and solier.
One cannot t'len. while .i.'rowin.u old in \ears.
Stay youn,ii" ii' feeliii,i; ?
Ids
.1 MAD I'lULOSOPHEU.
COROT. II' it can be ilone,
'Twere good to know tlu' process.
Jeff. 13ut yourself.
Come, tell ine of yourself. Live you the same —
Still i)oriiig- over ltot)ks, still writiii,^ tiiemV
You \v(.'re not sober in tiio^e days back there.
Vou were eutluisiastic, stout and l)old.
When you be,i;an to talk we all fell silent.
At times to hear you was as good as wine ;
Your thou,L;hts were ever fresh, and seemed to trea<l
As on the briid-: of some discovery
Y^)u long liad looked for. Have you found it yet ?
COUOT. A discovci'y. — 1 know of no discovery.
I have a pi-'in.
JiiFF. Wax ha\t' a [ilan ?
('ouoT. lielain you slid your old-time faith in men':'
Jkfi". Does that still wail lor jutMif'.' Tiiat I am
here,
Placed Iktc by men wiiom, trusting me, I trusted.
Would seeju to prove it.
(JoiioT. You now may hel[) them \astly.
Jeff. 1 iiow may serve them truly.
CoKOT. lla<l I your power I
Jeff. It is a power eoninutted.
( '»>i;oT. 'I'hi-^ commonwealth's a star to guide the
nations.
• Jl.FF. The same star shines I'or all -the star of
Ireedoin.
('olUiT. Jt Iohl; hat h shotie, and freedom's yet to iind.
Jeff. Our ship of state- now steers in that direction.
ColloT. Since you are ])ilot, steer the ship to iiort.
Jei'F. The pilot is uoi captain. 1 obey
The captain's orders.
.1 MM) J'lIlLOSOPUKR.
Wild, tlien. is captrin
IG!)
Co ROT.
Jeff. The people.
< 'OROT. And ask Uwy not for freedcMii ?
Jeff. They know hm the dh-ection, not the s])ot.
P'ar distant is tiie port an<l rougli the sea,
Many the storms and perihms tlie rocks,
Tlie good ship must encounter on her way.
Full oft nnist she i»ut in to seek repairs.
No sinj^le |)ilot knows that sea : eneh .amides
Tlie short space tliat he knows, or thitdis he knows.
COROT. You still hate superstition as of old y
Jeff. Witii all my heart.
(.'OltOT. You now can crush its Iiead.
Jeff. Can crush its head '.-
CoROT. Strange that you liave not seen.
Yours is the jjower to free this Li^encration.
Or if not this, the next, ami cleur the way
Unto a perfect maidiood.
Jeff. Show me how.
COROT. :\rost willingly. From faigland have 1 .•oui",
Kemend)ering our long talks iu former days.
And huoy'd i)y liope that vou would now give ear.
AikI !jiad co-o[)erat ion, to a scheme
Whicli has for ohject man's regen-'ration.
Jeff. Why Corot, this is stran-e.
^'**ii"'r. You are siu'piased ?
Jefi'. I ilo not understand. This sounds like cant.
And yet you are no charlatan.
Corot. Ah. 1 have not explain. 'd. When you have
heard
How sim!)le is the way : wiien you have st-eji
How circumstances here, in this new land.
Lead np to my intern, you will nut smile.
i!
170
,1 MAD PHlLOSOrilKR.
it'
Ov il you smile, 'twill lie with satisfju'tion.
Jeff. Dear friend, I am prepared. Pray let me
hear
What is this way. this |ihui. this explanation.
This seheiiif which shall re^iMK^rate mankind.
Shall fret' men from t h(M-hains ol' suiierstition,
And whieh alone hath liron.Liht you over sea.
Say how ean 1 assist you.
CoRoT. Rather say
Now iMii y<iu liclii yiiiirsi'li and the I'epulilie :
Or tile repulilie only and mankind.
Your race and unne are almost at an end.
Jki'F. 'i'hen what is't you desire ''
('ni;<ir. ( ) .lell'crson :
"^'ou kiiiiw how oil \vi' two have hcen ai^reed
That lor a ihou-anil ycai's tlir rae«' of nu-n
Have iif('ii i)ron,nht up on error : how. misled
l"'roin a^e to au'e. they still uo on n-eeivinj;'
Thi' -a me faUi' ediicat i'ln. ( )f t lieuiselves.
Of th'- divinity . of lile and death.
And o| the uiu\cr-i\ tilled w ilh sueli stranL','e.
Sueh monstrous notions as to jioison Joy,
To hlind the eye^ of knowledge, to enslave
In loathsome iiondaue man's asjtiriiiL; '^oId.
.)i:i'F. 'S'esthis. unhappily, is all rootrue.
('()i:t)i'. On erutelie> limpthey when t luy nujiht have
win,i;s.
lUnrow in earth when they should face the sun.
Leave all at ha/.ard when the laws of life
Are clear to each w ho knows hut that law is,
A Chinese wall they huilil to hedge them round.
In Chinese eu.stoins nu)ve they. sliuttin<;- out
Scietici' and thought and all that makes for pro;.;ro!<s.
.1 MM) PUlLOSOPHFAi,
171
Jkff. One day they'll level tlmt same Chinese wall ;
Even now they punch holes through it.
t'oR'JT. What a time.
O what a time "twill take, unless 8onu> man,
(Jifted I)y heaven and trusted by the people,
< Courageously shall level it himself.
Jei'F. What mean yow'i
<^'<"i'>''". Fate points to such as you—
Even to yourself. You are the destiiu'd uian.
And this the natiim destined to throw off
The loosenin<? fett«>rs from the lumu n mind-
To start anew ujxiu a ,i;rand cai'eer.
Jkff. Why. Ih.w may this be done':'
<"(>HOT. I5y ,)iu' hold net.
Jkff. Vou talk em-nias < "orot.
COROT. And can solve them :
Vuu have as yet no church established here,
No )>riestho()d iledicate to superstition ;
All is yet under ground : nor \\\(h\, uoi- flower
Has yet appeared to claim the sun as ri,i;lit.
Put one strong;- ert'ort forth, uproot the weeds.
And sow, instead, seeds that in some few years
Shall make a perfect people.
•^ ''''"'*"• I still am dark.
( 'oRDT. Still dai-k ■: Vou surely see what i.s mv aim.
Allow no preachers to ascend \ oiu- (tulpits
Save those who shall teach truths of ( Jod and man.
Let fabled text-books of a bai'iiai'oiis a,u,e,
Accn^lited divi)ie. he no more used.
Strip superstition of atUhority.
Place in your schools men well etpiipped to leacli
Science,— the laws of nature and of life.
Laws moral, mental, social, laws <liviiie.
1.1'
I
.1 MM> I'lULOSOl'ilKR.
it'
');,
Hi
Tlic iiii;^'lity arliilcfs of life am! dfiitli.
Make way. in sliort. Cor that new. {grander faith,
Which all iiu'ii shall rcct'ivc within its pale ;
'I'hat iifw K('li;;i()ii. which shall he a hoiid
Of hiothcihood lor all. and which shall teach.
However far wc wander, we i-elnrn
At lasl tollod. the I'lnd and the Hej;-iiininj;'.
Jl'.l'F. Why, this is very lini". Hnt yon i)roi»ose,
Tl" 1 do catch your nleanin;^^ sucii an act
As, were it in my power to perpetrate.
Would brand nie tyrant for all time to come.
CORoT. To plac-e men on the path to perfect life,
And give them himps to guide them .surely on.—
Call you this tyranny?
JkI'1\ To perfect life?
To know the unknown i)ath to that fair goal
Demands a perfect person. Are you such V
I sadly must confess that I am not.
CoKoT. O Jelferson, you know this is to trifle.
One may sei> clearly where another errs.
Jkff. lint if that other will not see, what then ?
Why, C'orot. vou are mad I What should you do?
Point out the way, then force him on before you,
And. if he struggle, kick him all the harder.
Crying. Wisdom dwells up yonder. — forward man !
Call you this liberty .-' Yow. surely jest.
Come, come, have done ! jest not with such sad seeming.
CoKOT. I do not jest. I am in fearful earnest.
AVill you not. then, who seem t)ne jiicked by fate.
Placed in the fore-front of a nation's life.
Anil fayored by that nation, as by time.
By one brave act ensure her full success.
The iK)f)lest pe(>i)le that the sun hath seen.
.1 MM> I IllLOSOl'lll.k.
J\:A'V. Dear (rit'iid, this is incrc folly. Set- you not
I hick the power to do the thin;;- you \vi>h -
I tun iio autocrat, no iiiastcr iicrc.
I .stand here solely l>y the people's w ill.
And carry out their wishes. Should I try
To act on your su;;-cstioii. 1 should tail
In loyal service to the so\erei;;n head.
However, [lersonally, 1 incline
To certain of your view.s, 'tis not for me
To impose these views on men who care not for them.
Friend, we must wait in lioiie the Almiglity will :
When time is ripe for that majestic Ijirth,
A perfect state, 'twill not he you, nor I,
Nor any man need usher it U) heing.
CoROT. Then you will not act 't
Jeff. I cannot man I
Had I the power to do it, as I have not,
A thousand pens would damn the deed forever,
A thousand swords would leap to pierce it through,
The peaceful marts would he transformed to forts.
Tlie pleasant meadows turned to camping grounds.
Where soldiers' fires would flare upon the night ;
Twould start a revolution that would flash
Across the land like lightning.
CoROT. Mayhap you do not yet (|uite understand.
Will you take time to think ';
[lie ri.scs mdlij and mores toininl llir door.)
Jfff. My dear old friend !
What means all this? Take "t not so hardly, num.
I need no time to think, hut go not yet.
Come with me first. Since you luive jii>i arrivrd.
Why there are sights to see. Tliis wav old (ritaid.
171
,1 MAD I'lIlLOSOI'HHU.
(That hu ."jhouM I'lid liU»! this, and yt't he seeuiss
t^iiite lucid.) 'Tis almost hmchoon hour.
You must stay with mo some few days, and talk
Of other themes, since this one does not suit.
'Tis pity all men are not of one mind,
Save where 'tis sweet to differ, dilfereiice ieiidinp,'
Nevv wings to speeuhition.
[E.veunt.
Ill
R
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S( r.NK VI.
Before. Silt FiDWAUD STRAN(ii;"s Iidhsc. .1 moonlit night.
As WiNiKiiKi) St. John (ijijx'ars at n irindoic (jii'iny
(in the ver((n(lah, Edmond ('okot risc'^ fronia stent
on till' Ittn'n helon'.
El). 1 liojH'd tlial yon would come.
Win. 'i'hc ni^ht is heauliful.
El). Heaulifid I
Beantiful as faitli, or hope, or love,
Ov somt^ transfiguration of nil three.
Beautiful as sunshine after storm.
vVs summer eves, when tlie tierce day has set.
As dawn, emergent fi-om a night of wreck,
As gentle peace upon the stops of war.
Beautiful as are our di'canis of heaven, —
It hatli hcwitched me with its potent charm.
Will you not come and share it '.'
Win. Ah, I see
You love the moonlight ; tluM'cforc am 1 glad :
T Iov,> it too — It soothes me and exalts.
It hath, indeed, a sti'ange, a magii; si)ell ;
It makes another v.'orld, another life,
And takes us to the 1) rink of tho un.soen.
.1 MAD rillLOSOl'lUAi.
\V)
Wo st'oni encased in ;i vrist silver slieli.
Wliicli. hreatlied upon, will Imi-st. tind we have foiiinl
The secret of ;dl dreams.
l''l». My ;^uess was true.
Voii sLirt'jy are tlif spirit of the scene.
Or whence this lore enchante<| '.■' Wiien you cauu-.
And. all in white. Iranied hy the window, stood.
I had lieen thinkinj;(ir you. ()"er the nky.
That tender. vi(»lel tent, my eye had ranv,ed.
From star to timid star, set in the hlue—
Then rested where the |)eei'less (|ueen held court.
Here is the throne. I said, the ladiant car.
l)Ut where its mistress- On the thou<^ht I turned.
And lo I you filled my vision. Yet my thought
Was swifter than n.y eyes, for it hail t;()ne
.Straight to your form for an.swer.
Wix. Dian's tin-one
I should not care for ; "tis too spacious (piite.
The throne a (Jrecian j^oddess once has lilled
Would scarcely suit a i)uny, earth-i)orn <;irl.
Ed. Will you not come and walk'.'
Win. On such a nij^ht
The fairies should I)e out. Perchance Titania
Is somewhere near, and holdiuo- fairy revels.
El). O let us look for them : methinks I see them.
All in the glisieiniif^ uuxjushine. chase each other
Through merry elvish sports, in tiny suits.
AVith moss-green velvet coats and saffron ve>ts.
What rapture to hehold Titania's self.
■Surrounded i»y fay courtiers and attendants. —
Ifer dais a green mound, wherefrom she chides
At Oheron. who sulks in silence near I
Why do we tarry r let us go at once.
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,1 MAD PUlLOSOPHIiR.
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This nij^ht wo may be favorfd. If we lin<l them —
Win. If we do lind tliem tliey must never know :
It miglit l)e perilous were we discovered.
If we sliould hear strange sounds, or see the grass
Or flowers gently wave when there's no breeze.
We must ^lead softly and conceal ourselves.
Should they descry us, they might cause a cloud
To blot the moonshine out, and then assail us.
Or, at the best, they would pass out of sight,
And you should lose your rapture.
Ed. We'll tread as we were moccasin'd by Sleep.
With steps as soft as darkness chasing light ;
Our shadows shall be heard .as soon as we.
{They jxiss <nit and re-(ippear in a field (tt some distance.)
Win. Wc have not found the fairies.
Ed. In yon glade.
Among the chequer»^d patches, we may find them ;
Or, if not tl.' n*e, near those moss-covered boidders
They may be playing — Oberon appear !
King Oberon ! thou king of elves, appear !
Win. Call you this noiselessness ? The land can hear
you.
Ed. O, I am loud where speech is barren sound,
And I am silent where I long to speak.
I pray you, go no further — stay we here.
The queen of fairies we may never find.
The queen of night now hangs her silver lamp,
And you the only (|ueen that I do find —
To you then ])ay I homage — Winifred,
Queen Winifred, I love you.
Win. You love me":'
Ed. Nay, do not turn away, but hear me speak.
• !.
A MAD PHILOSOFHER.
And yet. what sliould I say, what can I say r
I still must say, I love you. From the tirst
My soul has gone out to you. I am yours,
To keep or turn away : or at your side,
Ur tinther from you than liot liate can send.
Not lie, the sliepherd lad, that ilwelt on Latmos,
When ravished by the vision of a gochless,
And losing care for earth and earthly things,
.Mere yearned to (ind again his lost delight,
Tlian I have longed to tell you my heart's pain.
Win. I grieve to hear it. Why should you be paiiud 't
Ed. You pity nie : you do not turn away :
Y->u do not shrink : you are not angered then ';
Win. Why, you have made me happy.
Ed. My goddess !
Win. I lovf to hear you say so ; yet I am
No goddess, as you know.
^^' You are divine !
I love you, I do love you ! O how weak
Are those three words to utter my true worship.
This night has grown a temple ; it is holy.
Beauty it had, and needed only love
To make a shrine religious. Love is here,
O love is here ! You love me— you do love me ?
Win. You make me very happy.
Ed. O, say you love me— even as I love you.
'^^^^ I love you.
[ too can only say I love you— yet I love you.
Ed. You bathe my soul in bliss. O, once again.
Say once again. I love you.
Win. I love you.
En. Angel !
Win. Now siiall we iin<l the fairies';
178
A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
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El). Yes, the fairies !
All now we know their haunts. Love now will h'iitl us.
Love is to tliem akin, and he hath Ki^tn us
A Kupersensuous charm. We can see
"With I'airy eyes, and liear witli fairy ears.
We know their secrets ; in some sort, ineseems,
[ am a fairy — Oberon, mayhap.
And you my queen, Titania.
Win. Shall I elii«le ?
And will you sulk in silence?
Ei>. No, not we.
Good fairies we, and wise ones, my Titania.
Our fairy kingdom shall he also Love's—
You said you loved meV
Win. Did I, then, say so ?
Y"ou heard me say so ':
Ed. O say it, say it c^uick I
I am in torment.
Win. Yes. O yes, I love vou.
And now we must return.
Ed. 'Tis not yet time.
Win. O yes, we shall be looked for ; it is late.
Ed. Sweet, I could wish this night might never end
Then we should travel, with the tireless moon,
Far over fields where flowers and grasses sleej).
And over seas where spreads her silver path.
So strong I feel, fatigue should not come near me,
Ami, should you weary, I would bear you on.
Win. We shall enjoy the day : that too is sweet .
And so 'twill be to meet each morn, and wait
The Imppy eve's return.
Ed. \'ou will go?
I shall not see you ^ O. you must not go V
.4 MAD PHILOSOPHFM.
179
We walk so (juic'kly : I beseech vou. rest.
Sweet, stay a little ! If aught ilf should come,
AiKl T nr)t near to serve you, 1 should die.
Win. We shall not part yet ; and 'tis but an hour
A lew short hours, till we shall meet ajrjiin.
Ki). And you will call ,ny name if au-ht should lm,> y
1 Ins ni^d.t I siiall not sleep, I watch with Love ;
And, should you summon me, I shall be near.
Win. Dear love, my heart goes with you. Fioi,, my
eyes
Love too will banish sleep, an.l we shall know
Our souls together are. though we be parted.
[E.VeAtut.l
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ACT IV.
SCENE I.
London. ST. Johns Library,
stands vinsiiigli/.
Cornelia lit w ahd
Cou. Even I could lov«'. but love is not for nie,
Save lor the general, for the abstract good :
A [)artial, personal pleasure, such as this.
No doubt is sweet, but ah. 'tis not for me.
And yet. he's noble, very wise and noble.
He sees our aim. both what it laeksand holds.
Yet looks beyond II and seeks something more.
So young and wise he is. so wise and gentle.
What can he want this morning with St^ John?
News of his father it can scarcely be :
Such wouM not ask a whole hour's jn-ivate talk.
There seemeil a jjcrturbation in his glance,
A bright, subdued excitement. Can it be?
It must be so— I guessed it from the first.
He loves her. and she him. and now he's come
To win St. Jolm's consent to their betrothal.
Ah !
(Enter St. John ((nd Ed.mond Cokot.)
St. J. You must return at once ? Why then you
must :
1 will not urge your stay. Unto our friends
Give my most dear regards. To Winifred
Say that her father misses his dear daughter.
But, since he knows she's happ}-. he's content.
Sfl
.1 M.\l) I'UlLOSOPUFJi.
IHl
Ed. Eaclulay. hir. she laiiH-iits hera^seiu-c from yon.
And your sclf-soii-lit retiiTiiicjit. ( 'mil. I you not.
To Kive licr joy, voursflf niuch-ut't'ded rt'st.
Forsake your studies lor a week's sliort space,
And journey down with uie'r
•St. J. Not now— within the month, perciianoe I
may.
L'ok. Vou tind the Surrey air more [lure than
London's.
And so you hasten I ack.
t^l>- A lovely land
This English isle, and B^ngland's greenest spot
Sir Edward Strange calls Surrey. There, indeed.
The year is lavish of her fairest gifts.
Now sununer hath her reign, and, like a (jueen,
Herself supreme in beauty, doth enrobe
With royal state her chosen place of sojourn.
CoH. Such praise trom one. himself of foreign birth.
Kings sweetly in our ears who love our country.
Ed. And now. adieu. I leave within the Jiour.
How soon may we expect my father home 'i
St. J. All, that ilepends. It nuiy i)e days, weeks,
months.
We should liave lieard ere this his first impressions.
And may hav- news of him at any moment.
Ed. HeavMU grant tliat he shall meet with no mi.s-
chance.
Coi{. No^ only that mischance shall jiass him by.
But that his fondest hopes, in secret shaj>ed.
Shall tliere take (orm in noomiay's bright reality.
Ed. I fear the event.
^"OR" A friend you never were.
Ed. a true, true friend. Crood-bye.
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St. J. (Jood-Uye.
Cou. ( J(»(Ml-l)y(> —
I (U«l not in«*mi quit*' wluit I saiW.
Ei). I know.
YouM lijivo nie .s(jin('tliiii<^ partial, hut von see
My pride is to seem l)roa<l. unbiased, free.
(/';.*•// Kdmonu.)
St. J. A ^(»od y(ninK fellow.
Cou. Yes, Ixtth >;()od and true.
St. J. 1 am ^lad to hear you say .so. (Jovot's son
ShonM l)e al)ov(! the connnon. Now, indeed,
I have a special reason he should prove,
If not a ^reat, at least a worthy man —
One true and faithful, thouj^htful. <;('ntle, kind.
Cor. Hois all this, methinks, and .something more.
He may ])rove worthy — worthy of his father.
St. J. I like-
iThe door openn. St. John <iti<l (k)HXKiJ.v turn <piicl:l!/.
Gi'STAVK Corot enters, lookiiKj lita-assed ((ml pale.
Perceivii((j St. John diid Corneija. lie smUcx fidnlln,
iceariJtj takes off liis l((tt <(ii(l drops it in (( choir.
St. John (Oid Cornklia h urry forivdrd to (jrect h i)ii.)
St. J. Why, (.'orot 1
Cor. Dear friend !
Corot. I have returned you see.
St. J. Triumphant V
Corot. Does it so appear ?
Then this ])oor front, I erewiiile deemed so lionest.
Has jrrown a .skilled dis.semi)Ier.
Cor. You are weary.
Will you not sit, sir?
Corot. Wearj- have I been.
.1 MAI) I'lIlLOSOl'UHH.
188
But I am so no longer. The old fire—
Faitli, I lijul thoiiKlit there was no eniher left—
H;ith sii(M<'nly l)een fanneil. Friends, I have failed.
St. J. Failed ?
«'<>H. Oh no :
(JouoT. Oh no, you say. Alas, it is, oh yes :
Failed miserably, blankly, out of hope.
O. men are cowards ! Had I ten true men,
I would not ask the ancient thinker's power :
"VWd move the earth l)v will, mere force of will.
O, there is truth in that hy|ierl)ole
Tliat faith can move ('"en mountains. (Jive men faith-
Hut O, the cowards— no. the cowards !
St. J. Sit down, Corot, ^'o^ are u)iduly movrd
And blown \\\nm l)y passion.
^'oHOT. (). St. John :
Con. Pray, sir, he seated.
(JoHOT. (Xot hecdiiui fhnii.) And if it were .h.;-
If he were martyred— if we all were slain—
Were it not better so than die poltroons?
AVhy, what is life at best?
^T- J- You saw the [U'esiflent ?
(JouoT. O yes, J saw him, my friend Jetferson,
My very dear friend, Thomas Jefferson,—
A diplomat, a slui filer, a tinie-.server.
He deemed me such anotlier ; for, indeed,
Eacli word fell on me like a soft caress.
It was, my friend, my dear old friend, my Corot.
If it were possible, but ah, 'tis plain,—
Do you not see, dear friend, we are not ripe ?
And so would cozen me, but I sat ^rim,
An<l had no answering.? smile for this bland l)rcath.
I thouojht to find a man. a sturdv man.
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(Jiic u lid could I'ikIiI ;mil die. Hiit this, wliy this —
A suiiiuaT-ltird, tluit Hcd at si<;lit of snow I
A loiiiij^cr in tlic sun ! An easy man,
A kind. ^^'ood. I'asy man, who loved his romfcat
Too well to disa^n'c : who loved the peopU'
No Well tliat tiicy must li-ail him hy the nose.
And if to sure pi-rdition. tis no matter —
Vox fxipnli ro.r <lci c.s/. yiai know.
Coi'i. ^iow ititiful.
CoHdT. I hoped for hetter tlunj;s.
And h)ved the man. aye, tliought Inm true heroie.
Could he not (hire? What is won save by daring r
Hhow me a man will stand above the crowd.
And point the way ; one who will boldly yerv'
Naught but the truth, not people, king or lord.
But the untainted truth ; one who will lead
No other whithei'. and will not l)e led
Save to that perfect goal. (). such a man.
Were he a leader, what might he accomplish I
8t. J. What think you of the coniiuerorV
(;oH()T. Of whom V
St. J. Your young French captain— he at least can
lead.
( 'oi{. Oh yes !
(.k)H()T. Ah yes, he is my hope, my (mly one :
It seems a slender staff, now, but may prove —
St. J. You'll try him then V
CoHOT. He lacks not courage—
I fear, friends. I am wi-ary, as you say.
{Hi' ifr((Sj)s the unn of a vhnir. and sinks Itcarily info it.
C'ORNKLIA crosses qnickly to his side.)
Con. O, you are faint.
■II
1 MAP I'liii.osoi iii-:i:.
185
'**''''• J- ^ <in need vv>[ ;ili(l It'll i^luiu'lit.
< '.III yon wiilk. t liink \ on. to t lit' next rodin?
('(•Hot. Tht'it'. I Mill Ix'ttrr. Vcs. I will -() witli von.
I /•.'.i7/n//.--ST. .loiiN IniiliiKj llir ini//. ('(>i;m;ma
foUllll-H ( '( )I{1 IT. l>if!iiii(ilii.\
SCKXK n.
A Par/or <if Siu Mdw.mm) Sti: A.\(ii;"s. Ladv Sti{ax(ji;.
Alicia Maynaiu) 'iml Ai.ukkt Stuanui: nrr s!ttii,<i
ill (I conn'i- of flir riioiii.rhnttiiKj. A little iipurt.
Sir Edu aHI) Stkanok sits in (III iinii-r/inir, rniitiiii/,
Ilr closes his booh' with (I ifiiini. puts if iloini. mnl
irolh's to the iriiiiloir.
Sir K|). still l)iIlill^^ cooin^i-wliiit a pair oC doves !
Dan Cupid hath hcen husy here of late.
CJ'Jie others ilniir to tlie iriiitlotr.)
Why. now the earth is bright : so sweet a pair
X('"er troll m flower-strewn piirli. Ht)w he hano-s o'er
her.
And how she turns to him. No coninitin air
Is this they hreathe : t)ne sees its toueh is velvet.
Its taste intoxif-ation. Yon 1)1 iie sky
Is no mere a/nre : "tis a (talaec roof.
OVr-lumj;' with folds of erinisoii. purple. j<old.
In most sweet order spreail to make them heauty—
Am. Sec. now they stantl.
^I'i KJ>- As if thevM stand forever.
A^;ain they move, like swans upon a lake.
When June shines softly on its lappin<; waves.
Now up. now down, with the fresh watry motion.
Tlie swans feel that 'tis June, that the sun shines.
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.1 MAD riiiLosoriiEii.
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Fml' water'H wivrm. hikI no nioit' tool thuy.
Thoy movo or stund or sit, all Ium'cIIohs which.
Ah thoro, ii hurst of mirth — what Hwoot accord I
What ripphuj; iiuiHic, in what pi-rfoct time.
Their very hodics sway iiiclodioiisly —
And this is youth and love.
li.vDV S. Wo trust you arc not envious.
Alh. At heart ho is yet youn^^.
Silt l"]|). Alaclv I "lis hut a spectre.
I ti»o have seen the I'ose, I too have worn it ;
Wiiat now remains aie some lew faded leaves
And memory of an odor.
Am. This is treason.
Love's rose hlooms ever, ever sliouhl smell sweet.
What says to this my lady V
Lady S. We ^row old ;
And. as we fade, that which we were grows dim
At last to tiiought itself.
Sm Kv>. No treason this ;
Best loyalty unto our liogo lord, Lovo,
Demands no falsehood to our lady Truth.
We hold our rose together, lovoil its lustre,
It faded as all earthly flowers fade ;
Belike in some fair land, where love is law,
Our rose will hloom forever.
Ai.l. If it fade
Before it leave our earth, how can it, then,
Renew its heauty in another clime 'i
Alb. It fades hecanse life fades ; when life's at glow
Love then is at the purple. Perfect life
Would hring a perfect love ; so, in that life
Immortal that we dream of, that wo hope,
Love too must needs be deathless.
.1 MAD P/HLUSOl'IIim.
1N7
Lady S.
Thiit. T trust.
Is moiv than a dim dream, than a laiiit ho
We arc assured it waits us, this life dune.
Am. What happiness !
Sir El).
Down .<;o we. trud^iiiK lif<'"s st<'(.|,, tl
liieediny; and fo )tsore of'ren. w I
Mixed witli what hitt
erness.
lornv w.'iv
len we ini;j:lit.
Ti
Had Iiearts hut eotirajic. kiss our ham
.\n<I, witli one iuippy si;;h. undo tiie ^-al.
Tiiat lets to the hereafter : there, witii
And youtli perennial, ev
lie
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ermore to ) vel
Yet sadly liere we ciin;,^ to imp( ;-f'ecti(
AVhyiiot abridge it all '
Lady 8.
< 'ommit self-murder
All
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And take a lite
See you not lie jests V
Sir Ei>. .So "twere hut going from this room to ti
next.
Or the next street, why then eaeh one
There then would he a varied, vast
were valiant
j)rocession
From earth to after-earth. Hut men are bahes-
They fear the d;irkness. Night they dread, dark nigh
Without a morrow. Sprung from tlie unknown,
They drt'ad once more to lose themselves therein.
All What gruesome talk : To lose— to loe
To lose one's self in forest or at sea
T know is possible. Rut fro
ose one's self!
m one's self.
One's very self, to part, were strange indeed.
Alk. And yet we do it in sleep
All
smeerelv
Hath fallen upon my lids. 1 trui-t
On waking. I shall find my very self :
And. when I rub my eyes, I shall look round
When that last sleej»
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To sec it' Wiiiilrnd is nowhere nc.ir.
Aiiil wiiellier —
Alb. (Whispcrubij.) A ilearer slill is not in easy call.
Lady S. Wiiieh l)rinLis ns bncic at once to very life —
On life's iugii current Winilred now sails.
ALU. Why, so<!o others.
TiADY S. Then 'tis wind of fancy
Alone that wafts them <lown tlu' Stygian stream.
8lR El). We'll have a doiil)le wedding.
Lady S. Think you .so?
Think you he'll ask her r
Sill Ed. If he's half a man.
Lady S. And that she'll have him ?
Sir Ed. Since she is a woman.
And yet that's shallow ; 'tis the other way.
She may not know because she is a woman,
(xrant that she loves him. Who can say? not she.
She mi<;ht love some one hotter. — Yet she's one
That know> her own mind fairly.
Lady S. She is rich,
And he, I hear, has nothin;;.
Sir Eu. He have nothin;^ I
That l)rave young man have nothing; I Rather say
lie nothin^:; lacks. Why, power is in his step.
Wealth in his bearing', greatness in his mould.
Nature has marked him |)recious ; sh»» has stamped
On eye, cheek, chin. hand. li|), an easy tale,
Proof unmistakable that she has here
Heen signally sucee.ssful. Rare creati(»n.
Distinction high, sits on him. His is wealth.
Not of the baser, but the nobler sort.
Riches may melt, but there is somt'thing here
Than gold more ihn-able and far more rare.
-I MAD I'lIILO^Ol'llER.
1H9
Ai.i. I do tliink Winifred is of your mind,
Thoiii^h Hhe will not admit it.
•^^'^'^Y S. Then he'.s French—
Am. And therefore knows to win a lady's heart.
Lady S. ller fatlior may object.
-^'''- Her father loves ids
father.
Lady S. That's not to love himself :
There are degrees in liking.
^"^ Kd. As in hating.
St. Jolm will not object. He knows too well
What virtue's in a man ; and, if they love
He'll gladly see them wed.
(Exeunt Sir Edward tnul Lady Strangk.)
Alh. (Pnttbuj his arm around Alicia's waint.)
(Jome. mistress, answer me in sober earnest,
Do Frenchmen, then, excel in winning hearts 'i
All O yes.
Alb. Excel us English 'i
All O yes, indeed.
Alb. Nay, say not so.
All But what if it be true. One nmst tell truth.
They are so gallant, amiable and gay.
So stutfed with romance and fine sentiment.
So variously accomplished in each art,
Dress, manner, conversation,— ail tliat wins
And captivates a lady's erring fancy.
Alh. (Releasimj her.) They aro not more encliaiiting
than their sisters,
Tiie glowing. <lark-eyed daughters of the South.
Some have I seen on my excursions thithtr
Would, in a contest with our English maids.
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.1 MAD PHILOSOPHER.
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lioar otF th(^ prize for beauty.
All ' Ha I ha I ha !
You thiik to niakt' nic jealous. — you pretend.
Alb. I do remendjer once I stayed at Dijon :
There was a master-jeweller in that town
Had such a peerless daughter. He was famed
For his great wealth, as slie for perfect beauty.
A score of suitors came and went al)out her.
Like moths about a llame. One summer night,
Persuaded by a friend. I found her door,
And with him entered. She was in the garden :
And there we followed her. and there I saw
A paragon of female loveliness.
Ai^L Was she so pretty /
Alb. Till that summer night
I had seen nothing that was iialf so fair.
All How did she look ?
Alb. Ah. there description halls.
Were I a painter and a poet too.
She still would go beyond me. even as nature
Still leaves behind the best that art can do.
All Tell me in some sort how she seemed. Was she
Or tall or short, or stout or slim, or dark or fair?
Alb. O. she was none of these.
She was all symmetry, all perfect color :
When she did move she seemed to tread the air.
That gently barred her passage, then gave way
On sweet compulsion but to waft her on.
When well within the garden I t)l)served.
At some short distance, a pavilion lighted :
Toward tliis we bent our steps. A twilight haze.
Mixed witli the scent of flowers, hung o'er the spot.
We found her seated there with certain others,
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A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
191
Lailie.s and genlleiuen ; but wlieii I saw htr,
Eyes had I for none else. She drew regaril
As doth the magnet steel. A ruby she
»St't round with pearls, that served but to enhance
The central gem's magnilicence and lire.
All And was she dark or fair '.■'
Alb. Her ej-es wiw dark,
Large, soft and lustrous ; a rich glow suffused
A cheek of delicate oval, and her lips
Parted in smiles that showed such lovely lines.
tSuch cherry ripeness and —
All Such teeth of snow.
Alh. Yes, yes, — and —
A LI. O yes, I make no doubt her teeth were fidse.
And what became of her, this dark-eyed beauty ':
Alb. Alas, she married.
All What a fall ! to give
Such lieavenly loveliness to one poor uuvn !
Mayhap her suitors loved lier father's wealth.
Alh. They were to various ; some were old. some
young,
And some of middle life.
All The Liiddle-aged and old we may suspect.
But come, sir, tell me if \ on have not seen
A fairer still than this French gypsy-woman ?
Alb. I may have seen one fairer.
All Who was sh*- .'
Alb. T may not tell. You might not think her so,—
Being Inil an Englisliman, you would suppose
My taste flefective.
Ar.L You E.nglishmen are very well. Who was she ?
A LI!. I may not t<'ll.
At.!. Loi)k(*(l she at u\\ like me?
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A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
Alb. Soint'thing like.
All Well, now I will retract what I have sold
In favor of the French. Now praise I England.
And men of English blood. A race so handsome
The sun ne'er shone on, -they are witty, brave,
In friendsliip generous, in battle dangerous.
Gallant in love and perfect men at all times.
Now tell me who she was V
Alb. Come with me to the garden ; there I'll tell.
Her picture I have with me, you shall see it.
[Exeunt .\
SCENE in.
Paris. The Prcsence-Chaniber at the Tiiilerus. Soldiers
without on guard. A Secretary, who has hem writ-
ing at a table, rises qnicldy folds some papers and
withdraiL's. Enter ftro Officers, meeting.
1st Off. 'Tis on the stroke of one, and —
3nd Off. The Emperor I
(Officers fall hack. En ter Buonaparte in Sta te attire,
followed hy Prince Talleyrand and certain
officers. Buonaparte takes his seat Officers draw
up behind him, a little to the left. Talleyrand
stands at his side.)
BuoN. Waits the ambassador without?
Tal. Sire, he has not arrived ; to-morrow is he due.
BuoN. Why, 'tis to-day.
Tal. Nay, sire, the ninth, to-morrow.
BuoN. The Austrian despatches are prepared ?
Tal. {Presenting jiapers.) For your approval, sire.
A MAD philosophe:r.
193
(Buonaparte ylauves at paim-.^. m-ife.s. ami n't>n-us
them to miuLifer. Talleyrand si.jns to ojfurr. ,rho
comes forward.)
Tal. These, CJenerai. are entrustea to your laro
To be delivered only to tlie eiui)eror ;
You know their import.
{Officer receives papers and bows )
^^'^^' Be diligent, Genera!
Deserve well of your emperor. Your mission
Is momentous.
(.Officer bows and withdraws.)
BuoN. What otlier business ?
^^^^- This also,, sire.
Asks your approval and sign-manual.
(Buonaparte reads and signs certain papers. Another
offiicer advances and receives them from the minister,
2vho speaks a few words of in.strncfion in a hav
tone.)
BuoN. Who are those would have audience?
Tal. (Pi'eseuting cards.)
The King of Sweden's envoy waits without.
BuoN. We shall not see him. He must come again ;
We have not yet decided. Nor these others-
To-morrow they may come. Whom have we here ?
Corot? Corot? ah. this is tiie eccentric
Who thinks we hold a wand to new-make France—
Hes an original. You may admit him.
(An officer goes out, and retnrns. followed by Corot )
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A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
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RuoN. Pray leave us to ourselves.
(Talleyrand (tnd officent retire.)
COROT. I trust, sir — (BuoxapartJ'; froicns )
Officer. (/// a loir tone.)
Address His Majesty as sire, stupid. {E.rit oU'icer.')
Cf)ROT. Sire. I do trust that I have not o'er-stepjied
The limits of [tropriety in thus
OI)trudinf^ uiy i)Oor jtresence on your notice.
BUON. No.
CoROT. Vou have received my letter, sire.
BuON. Yes.
CoROT. Ah, — may I hope the scheme therein outline'
(Jommends itself unto Your Hij^lmess' wisdom.
BoUN. in faith, I know not what to make of it.
This scheme of yours seems scarcely practicable ;
And yet it hath some promise. It were well,
If it were possible, to make of France
A nation of wise thinkers and good men.
The French hjve glory more than virtue. Yet
You tliink there is a way to make them love
True virtue more than glory.
CoROT. Glory you have given them,
E'en to t]u4r heart's content. They're steeped in glory —
Its gildeil aureole crowns each F'renchman's brow.
But glory is not gladness. Could you, now —
And that you can with ease I think is clear,
Such is your power and undiminished greatness,—
(live men high thoughts of life, lead them to drink
At wisdom's fount, and from the poisoned well,
\Vhere superstition's snake lies coile I unseen.
You then had given a glory that would live
When beat of battle's drum is stilled forever.
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A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
195
BuoN. Men are but men, and P'renclimen only
Frenchmen ;
You cannot make them philosophic angels.
And yet your scheme attracts me.
t!OROT. It aims at that
Which life has aimed at since society
First came to form— Nature's culuiination
And crowning work, a perfect people.
BuON. ]\Xen are men.
And yet, this might be done. I have the power.
Co ROT. ^lore beautiful than CJreece, more grand than
Rome,
Of luminous intellect and rich in feeling.
In form more perfect, in exj)ression fairer
Tiian aught the world has seen, tl.\e new state waits.
And one day shall appear. Shall it be now ?
Witliin your life and mine it may have birth.
Let be the means assured, the cause made firm,
And the desired elfect will safely follow.
BuoN. You'd have me do no end of sacrilege :
Deprive the people of their Holy Church,
Or give their Holy Church into the hands
Of intidels, who'd teach Voltaire and Rousseau.
You say to teacii the laws of life and nature.
What care the couunon peoi)le for your laws ?
What laws are there so strong as the good God ?
And, should you interfere with Holy Church,
They would demonstrate with exceeding force
That they were instruments of this good God.
To wreak on you His vengeance.
COROT. Think you so ?
Methinks the hold of Holy Church grows weak ;
It hath been greatly shaken. Weie the priests
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.1 ^fAI) PHILOSOIHER.
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But riuietly dismissed, and scientists
Set in their places, who would teach men truths ;
Matters of interest tuucliing life and deatli :
Couiuuinicate to th(Mu the modern views
Of cause and consetjuence, and all that proves
So fascinating to tlie modern mind—
They-d soon forget that they had worn chains
And even loved their bondage.
^^'**^'" We have talked enough.
One si.ie of me leans to this scheme of yours,
The other drags me from it. I have doubt
Whether I long for i)erfect human lives.
Were France this state i<leal you descrih.',
She w, luld not want her emi)eror.
^'^"'"T. Butsire-
Brov. We'll turn it o'er. To-morrow come and see
us.
At this same hour we will receive you here.
You have been highly favored ; 'tis our wish
To encourage by our favor men of mind.
[BouNAPARTE rises, ami his suite enters. Corot hows
(ind is led out. Exeunt the Emperor and train.}
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SCENE IV.
The .s((nie. An anteroom. Enter Corot and Officer.
Corot. By the emperor's permission I am here.
He bade me wait upon him at this hour.
Off. I know it, sir. Continue here a space.
I shall return and conduct you to him.
(E.cit Officer.)
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A MAD PIIILOSOPIIER.
197
CoKoT, Thougli haughty, he seemed gracious. Better
so,
Than jileasantly to listen, and to suiile '
Away my scheme as so much idle breath.
Since Jefferson lias failed me all depends
On liis far-reaching insight and ambition.
What stays the man? he said he would return.
Why should I wait him ? since I know the way
ril be my own conductor.
\h:xit.\
SCKXK V.
77/r I'resciur-ClKiiiihe): The P:mperor pacivy to and
fro. The En(;ijsii Ambassador standinr/ nenr.
Officers and geiitlenwn in the background.
BUON. 'Tis not to be endured, sir ; 'tis insufferable,
Tliese scurrilous attacks upon our person.
Your press has too great freedom. Tell the king
Restraint must be put on this too free press.
Do they want war ? Certes, we fear not war !
We need not fear it, for the French can fight ;
They've proven that they can fight : and though I strive.
Peace-lover as I am, to quell the tumult,
My people will not brook these shameful insults
Flung at their Emperor. They umtter now,
Their mutterings may grow clamorous.
Amb. The government, sire, should not be held
responsible
For national dislikes ; they disapprove
The intemperate language that has given you umbrage.
But then I fear the press cannot be muzzled.
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.1 MAI) PTULOSOPIIER.
Buo.v. And for those otlicr mattors in dispute,
We've given our iinal word.— You liad it, .sir.
"When last you left us. Now. returned, you ask
Tlie self-same (juestion that we answered clear.
Ts France a tnercliant to be chaffered with
For goods across a counter ? They mistake—
They do mistake us, sir, those traders there I
We are not to be hood- winked. Yes or no.
Your king can give, and—
(Enter Corot.)
What fellows this ? Are tliere no guards about?
Turn out this madman I how came he within?
We are not safe from madmen or from fools
Even in our own walls. Look after Jiim—
Out with him !
Offk.'KK. You shovild imt have co:ue horo. >ir : vou
must go.
How came you in— was no one at the door ?
Corot. {(hdli/.) The Emperor yesterday was very
kind ;
He bade me come this morning.
Officer. He's in no mood to hear you now, sir-
move —
Away — move on — you must go out, sir !
{Tunis Corot dhout.)
This way, sir. — You must go.
{Exeunt Corot and (\fflrpr.)
Buox. Fools : idiots ! dolts ! And now, sir,
quietly. —
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.1 MM> rillLOSOPIIi:H.
l!»(t
You know our will and fixed dctcrniination.
Report it to the kin;;-. We KJiall expect
Ainj)ler consideration at his hands
Than we have yet received.
I Ammassadok /jr;/r.s. Ktridit Vawvaioh (Did tr<n')i \
SL'ENli VI.
'riic J)r(iiritif/-Ro(iin at Siu Edwai^d Stuan<}k's. Ulhic
St. John (itkI Lady Sthanok ill score red iu eiinicsf
foniri-Ndtio)!. l-^iifcr Alicia Mavnahd, Wimkhkd
St. John, Sir FinvAUit Stha.nok, Hdmond Couot
itnd ALBKUT STHANdK.
Sir Ed. Surprised? Not I. 1 saw it from tlie first.
How else could it tall out ?
All Why. all ways else.
Sir Ed. Nay, nay, there was but on* — more sti ictly
two :
Four ways led hither — Iieuce tlie\' go out two ;
Four souls came hithei'. eacli in ([uest of love,
On one side beauty, on the other stren<i;th.
The ivy and the oak. or rather say
True woman and tiue man. for there is naught
In nature can aiford fit parallel
To this communion. Nature's crowning good.
M}^ dears, life was at Hood, and the streams met,
Who saw not they would mingle 'f
All I, for one :
Did you see, Winifred 'f
Wl\. In truth, not I.
Sir Ed. O no, not ye 1 ye see ! Indeed, not ye !
Lady S. Sir Edward, tie.
St. .7. T])o girls are pleased, why nf»t V
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A }fAr> I'lIILOSOI'lIKR.
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Siu Kl). Well, well, St. John ! \\v hhw tlio day, wi*
too ;
We oiu'f won* youii^ ; wt*, too, lu'urd wM'ddiiig-lM'ils.
Yours 1 rcuuuiilKir. Wliiit ii day was that !
I mind a lusty go-jd-wilf threw some rice.
Add. as shf threw, your coiielMiiaii gave a hitch
Ami turned his head, so got it in liis eye ;
Jtist then an old shoe struck him on tiie back,
And, heing a pi^ppery knave, at the loud mirth
lie straight pulled up, and swore he'd have her life
That threw the shoe. All feared the day was marred,
Hut some one soothed him and you rolled away.
St. J. Yes, 1 rememl)er, "I was a day in .June :
The earth swam in a golden hath of light ;
And, in the crystal air, the fresh-hued llowers,
The living verdure and the unirmurous trees
Seemed washed and brightened as for holiday.
Kl). May, too, is a fair month.
Alh. Ay, very fair.
Sir Hi). Why, truly, very fair.
All a somewhat changefid month :
But what of it— it matters not to us.
What nonsense we do talk I I faint for air,
And pine to see the fox was caught yestre'en.
\Vilt come, Winona V
Win. Willingly.
(Ex'eunt Winifred and Alk ia.)
Alb. The fox !
That gay, young, frisky fox. I, too, would see Kim.
(Aaide to Edmond.)
Do you not feel a yearning for tliis fox ?
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A MAD I'HILOSOI'IIKJL
UOl
F'r*. He liad Ji wondroiiH tail. T lonj; to sec it.
(/'J.oniif Al.WMT (iml l'',l»M(»NI). )
Sir El). Ila : ha ! lia ! St. J jliri. di.l you mark that
Thf fox, () \t>H, th»« fo.\. A ^a\ , yoiuifj; I'ox :
A Kiiy and fri.sky lox. Well, ui-ll. St. .Jol
'TiH lon^:: HJdcc vou'vr hrcii with lis.
III.
liVDY S.
'I'uicc three v<'arH.
St. .1. Is it so Ion;; '.' It scciiiH hilt yostorduy
I walked with you in the orchanl, while your hoy.
Ho seemed scarce more, hung in a cherry hou;;h.
And tf)sse(l thick hranchos of the scarh-t fruit
To my Hliiii girl, who caught them as they fell.
They now are man an<I woman, soon to leave
The parent roof-tree.
Lady S, Yes; aiul how we wished
That they could make a pair.
Silt Hi). Since they are happy,
We can wish no more.
St. J. They seem well-suited.
Young (jorot should he worthy, if Iuh face
And nohle parentage are to he trusted.
Sir Ed. I have ohserved him nearly, and will say.
Praise can no further gf), I do l»elieve
Him worthy of your daughter.
LadyS. We have hear. I
That you esteem liis father.
St. J. At the highest ;
A nobler ne'er drew breath.
{Enter Servant.)
Serv. a lady hath arrived poste-liaste from London,
And wishes instant speecli with Mr. St. John.
p!
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^1 JU/> J'JIILOSOPHER.
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St. J. Her name?
.Sekv. 3Iiss Howanl.
St. J. Coruelia ! come post-haste. What. then, can he
ilie spur to this occasion, what tlie occasion ?
T i>ray you ask the lady to step hither.
(E.vit Servant.)
Sir Ed. Slionid wo withdraw ?
St. J. Indee.l, on no account. I cannot think
W iiat news shouUl he so pressing-.
{Enter Coknelia.)
St. J. AVhat, CorneHa. Now this is kind indeed.
So you have chan-ed your mind, and at the last
Oecided to come .!..wn. The -n'uter pleasure-
COR. I come—
l.ADV S. Miss Howard is vt^ry welcome.
(-OR. A his. I bring' ill news.
^'^'- '^- III news. Cornelia.
\\ hence? Of whom ?
^'*-^«- Of one we both
Had lately U'arned to love.
St. J. Is-t Corot ?
Cor. Yes. he.
St. J. Not dead ?
Cor. Dead.
St. J. 3[y poor. po,)r /riend. My kind, true-hearted
friend.
Alas, Cornelia, liow came it about ? This loss is lar -e.
It is not ours alone.
^'"'^- T know but little.
Save what may be inferred from the bare fact.
In a poor room in Paris he was found,
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.1 MAD PHILOHOPHKIl.
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Stalk «l<'a<l, his arms outstretchctl vipon a \w\.
His head upon his arms. Lile liad stopped ;
A weight had eonie upon him ))ast his striMigtii ;
The waves of disai)pointment, iiUJiiuting higli.
Had dragged him iiiidei-. — this we may siirmisi'.
fiADY S. Alas I poor man — poor ivhiioud.
Sir fc^D. Aye, poor E(hnond. "Tis a t'imerai now.
St. J. And is that all. ("ornelia;-'
Cou. He liad l)een witli tiie euiiteror ; this they
know.
JFayliap had ill reception. He was sivn
After the interview, and, staggering, walked
As one who'd had a i)low. When seen again.
His soul had sped where emperors nor kings
( an send one whisi»er after.
St. J. All at end :
The hopes, the fears, X\w In'gh attem[)t for man :
The labor, self-forgotten, toward great ends.
Prone is the titan, and tlie pigmy race
H<' might have led to actions worthy men,
01)livious of their loss, will crow and scream,
Caper an<l trot 'twixt cradle and the grave,
■Make war and chatrer. stmt and sweat, nor dream
That noble living can be anuht but this.
Ah, who shall take his phice, — tlu; years may wait
Long e er comes such anotlKM" I
Lady S. Poor man — was ]\e so good ?
St. J, So good 1
f
\l\lltir Al.KIA, WlNII'lU:!). pDMoXl) (///f/ Al.IJKRT.)
Al.l. Whet! twice seven years are done, ye may come
see us ;
Bv then we mnv have vvisdom — di. Wi!ic)na '■'
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A MAD PHILOSOPHER.
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\oiu- «on, Sir Edward, claims women lack wisdom
WJi.reof men have monopoly. Hence we maids
I.dve broke our troth, and mean to go to college
.So we may ho lit mates for so much wisdom
But what grave faccs-(.sw/;^^ Cornelia.) Oh '
ThiJ' ^'^H •'"''' ^ ^'"'''^ ''''"^■" '^'^"' "^^ to the garden
1 here s somethmg you must hear.
Ed. 3Iy father!
{Exeunt St. John and Edmond.)
Win. O there is some misfortune I Is he dead -
iH Edmond's father dead ?
Tf'Tn^. .. Be calm, my child.
It death it be, then is it for the best.
It is a world, we know, where birth and death
Iread on each (.tliers kibes ; tJie self-same hour
Sees joy and lamentation, side by side
The cradle and the coffin— till they seem
Twin buds almost upon our tree of life :
Nor know we which is best, yet both are good
Lady S Winifred, dear, come with me to mv room •
And you Miss IIoward,_you too, Alicia. "
All Poor, poor Edmond !
[Exeunt.]
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