I stole them from a Bee -- Because -- Thee --
Sweet plea --
He pardoned me!
Two swimmers wrestled on the spar -- Until the morning sun -
When One -- turned smiling to the land -- Oh God! the Other One!
The stray ships -- passing --
Spied a face --
Upon the waters borne --
With eyes in death -- still begging raised -- And hands -- beseeching -- thrown!
My Eye is fuller than my vase --
Her Cargo -- is of Dew --
And still -- my Heart -- my Eye outweighs -- East India -- for you!
He forgot -- and I -- remembered -- 'Twas an everyday affair --
Long ago as Christ and Peter -- "Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."
"Thou wert with him" -- quoth "the Damsel"? "No" -- said Peter, 'twasn't me -- Jesus merely "looked" at Peter -- Could I do aught else -- to Thee?
204A slash of Blue --
A sweep of Gray --
Some scarlet patches on the way, Compose an Evening Sky --
A little purple -- slipped between -- Some Ruby Trousers hurried on -- A Wave of Gold --
A Bank of Day --
This just makes out the Morning Sky.
I should not dare to leave my friend, Because -- because if he should die While I was gone -- and I -- too late -Should reach the Heart that wanted me --
If I should disappoint the eyes
That hunted -- hunted so -- to see -And could not bear to shut until
They "noticed" me -- they noticed me --
If I should stab the patient faith
So sure I'd come -- so sure I'd come -- It listening -- listening -- went to sleep -- Telling my tardy name --
My Heart would wish it broke before -- Since breaking then -- since breaking then -- Were useless as next morning's sun -- Where midnight frosts -- had lain!
The Flower must not blame the Bee -- That seeketh his felicity
Too often at her door --
But teach the Footman from Vevay -- Mistress is "not at home" -- to say -- To people -- any more!
207Tho' I get home how late -- how late -- So I get home - 'twill compensate --
Better will be the Ecstasy
That they have done expecting me --
When Night -- descending -- dumb -- and dark -They hear my unexpected knock -
Transporting must the moment be --
Brewed from decades of Agony!
To think just how the fire will burn -Just how long-cheated eyes will turn -- To wonder what myself will say, And what itself, will say to me -- Beguiles the Centuries of way!
208The Rose did caper on her cheek -Her Bodice rose and fell --
Her pretty speech -- like drunken men -- Did stagger pitiful --
Her fingers fumbled at her work -- Her needle would not go --
What ailed so smart a little Maid -- It puzzled me to know --
Till opposite -- I spied a cheek That bore another Rose -- Just opposite -- Another speech That like the Drunkard goes --
A Vest that like her Bodice, danced -To the immortal tune --
Till those two troubled -- little Clocks Ticked softly into one.
With thee, in the Desert --
With thee in the thirst -
With thee in the Tamarind wood -- Leopard breathes -- at last!
The thought beneath so slight a film -- Is more distinctly seen -
As laces just reveal the surge -- Or mists -- the Apennine
Come slowly -- Eden!
Lips unused to Thee --
Bashful -- sip thy Jessamines -- As the fainting Bee --
Reaching late his flower, Round her chamber hums -- Counts his nectars --
Enters -- and is lost in Balms. Least Rivers -- docile to some sea. My Caspian -- thee.
Did the Harebell loose her girdle To the lover Bee
Would the Bee the Harebell hallow Much as formerly?
Did the "Paradise" -- persuaded -- Yield her moat of pearl --
Would the Eden be an Eden, Or the Earl -- an Earl?
I taste a liquor never brewed -- From Tankards scooped in Pearl -- Not all the Vats upon the Rhine Yield such an Alcohol!
Inebriate of Air -- am I --
And Debauchee of Dew --
Reeling -- thro endless summer days -- From inns of Molten Blue --
When "Landlords" turn the drunken Bee Out of the Foxglove's door --
When Butterflies -- renounce their "drams" -- I shall but drink the more!
Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats -- And Saints -- to windows run -- To see the little Tippler
Leaning against the -- Sun --
215 What is -- "Paradise" --
Who live there --
Are they "Farmers" --
Do they "hoe" --
Do they know that this is "Amherst" -- And that I -- am coming -- too --
Do they wear "new shoes" -- in "Eden" -- Is it always pleasant -- there --
Won't they scold us -- when we're homesick -- Or tell God -- how cross we are --
You are sure there's such a person As "a Father" -- in the sky --
So if I get lost -- there -- ever -- Or do what the Nurse calls "die" -- I shan't walk the "Jasper" -- barefoot -- Ransomed folks -- won't laugh at me -- Maybe -- "Eden" a'n't so lonesome As New England used to be!
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers --
Untouched my Morning
And untouched by Noon --
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection -Rafter of satin,
And Roof of stone.
Light laughs the breeze
In her Castle above them --
Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,
Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence -- Ah, what sagacity perished here!
Savior! I've no one else to tell -- And so I trouble thee.
I am the one forgot thee so --
Dost thou remember me?
Nor, for myself, I came so far --
That were the little load -
I brought thee the imperial Heart
I had not strength to hold --
The Heart I carried in my own --
Till mine too heavy grew --
Yet -- strangest -- heavier since it went -- Is it too large for you?
Is it true, dear Sue? Are there two?
I shouldn't like to come For fear of joggling Him! If I could shut him up In a Coffee Cup,
Or tie him to a pin
Till I got in -
Or make him fast
To "Toby's" fist --
Hist! Whist! I'd come!
She sweeps with many-colored Brooms -- And leaves the Shreds behind --
Oh Housewife in the Evening West -Come back, and dust the Pond!
You dropped a Purple Ravelling in -You dropped an Amber thread -- And how you've littered all the East With duds of Emerald!
And still, she plies her spotted Brooms, And still the Aprons fly,
Till Brooms fade softly into stars -- And then I come away --
Could I -- then -- shut the door -- Lest my beseeching face -- at last -Rejected -- be -- of Her?
221It can't be "Summer"!
That -- got through!
It's early -- yet -- for "Spring"!
There's that long town of White -- to cross -- Before the Blackbirds sing!
It can't be "Dying"!
It's too Rouge --
The Dead shall go in White --
So Sunset shuts my question down
With Cuffs of Chrysolite!
When Katie walks, this simple pair accompany her side, When Katie runs unwearied they follow on the road,
When Katie kneels, their loving hands still clasp her pious knee -- Ah! Katie! Smile at Fortune, with two so knit to thee!
I Came to buy a smile -- today -- But just a single smile -
The smallest one upon your face Will suit me just as well -
The one that no one else would miss It shone so very small --
I'm pleading at the "counter" -- sir -- Could you afford to sell -
I've Diamonds -- on my fingers -- You know what Diamonds are? I've Rubies -- live the Evening Blood -- And Topaz -- like the star!
'Twould be "a Bargain" for a Jew! Say -- may I have it -- Sir?
I've nothing else -- to bring, You know -- So I keep bringing These --
Just as the Night keeps fetching Stars To our familiar eyes --
Maybe, we shouldn't mind them -- Unless they didn't come --
Then -- maybe, it would puzzle us To find our way Home --
Jesus! thy Crucifix Enable thee to guess The smaller size!
Jesus! thy second face Mind thee in Paradise Of ours!
226Should you but fail at -- Sea -- In sight of me --
Or doomed lie --
Next Sun -- to die --
Or rap -- at Paradise -- unheard I'd harass God
Until he let you in!
227
Teach Him -- When He makes the names -- Such an one -- to say --
On his babbling -- Berry -- lips --
As should sound -- to me --
Were my Ear -- as near his nest --
As my thought -- today --
As should sound --
"Forbid us not" --
Some like "Emily."
Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple Leaping like Leopards to the Sky Then at the feet of the old Horizon Laying her spotted Face to die
Stooping as low as the Otter's Window Touching the Roof and tinting the Barn Kissing her Bonnet to the Meadow And the Juggler of Day is gone
A Burdock -- clawed my Gown -- Not Burdock's -- blame --
But mine --
Who went too near
The Burdock's Den --
A Bog -- affronts my shoe -- What else have Bogs -- to do -- The only Trade they know -- The splashing Men!
Ah, pity -- then!
'Tis Minnows can despise! The Elephant's -- calm eyes Look further on!
230We -- Bee and I -- live by the quaffing -- 'Tisn't all Hock -- with us --
Life has its Ale --
But it's many a lay of the Dim Burgundy -- We chant -- for cheer -- when the Wines -- fail -
Do we "get drunk"?
Ask the jolly Clovers!
Do we "beat" our "Wife"?
I -- never wed --
Bee -- pledges his -- in minute flagons -- Dainty -- as the trees -- on our deft Head --
While runs the Rhine --
He and I -- revel --
First -- at the vat -- and latest at the Vine -- Noon -- our last Cup --
"Found dead" -- "of Nectar" --
By a humming Coroner --
In a By-Thyme!
God permits industrious Angels --
Afternoons -- to play --
I met one -- forgot my Schoolmates -- All -- for Him -- straightway --
God calls home -- the Angels -- promptly -- At the Setting Sun --
I missed mine -- how dreary -- Marbles -- After playing Crown!
232 The Sun -- just touched the Morning -- The Morning -- Happy thing --
Supposed that He had come to dwell -- And Life would all be Spring!
She felt herself supremer --
A Raised -- Ethereal Thing!
Henceforth -- for Her -- What Holiday! Meanwhile -- Her wheeling King -- Trailed -- slow -- along the Orchards -- His haughty -- spangled Hems -- Leaving a new necessity!
The want of Diadems!
The Morning -- fluttered -- staggered -- Felt feebly -- for Her Crown --
Her unanointed forehead --
Henceforth -- Her only One!
The Lamp burns sure -- within -- Tho' Serfs -- supply the Oil -- It matters not the busy Wick -- At her phosphoric toil!
The Slave -- forgets -- to fill -- The Lamp -- burns golden -- on -- Unconscious that the oil is out -- As that the Slave -- is gone.
234You're right -- "the way is narrow" -- And "difficult the Gate" --
And "few there be" -- Correct again -- That "enter in -- thereat" --
'Tis Costly -- So are purples! 'Tis just the price of Breath -- With but the "Discount" of the Grave -- Termed by the Brokers -- "Death"!
And after that -- there's Heaven -- The Good Man's -- "Dividend" -- And Bad Men -- "go to Jail" -- I guess --
235The Court is far away -- No Umpire -- have I --
My Sovereign is offended -- To gain his grace -- I'd die!
I'll seek his royal feet --
I'll say -- Remember -- King --
Thou shalt -- thyself -- one day -- a Child -- Implore a larger -- thing -
That Empire -- is of Czars --
As small -- they say -- as I -- Grant me -- that day -- the royalty -- To intercede -- for Thee --
If He dissolve -- then -- there is nothing -- more -- Eclipse -- at Midnight --
It was dark -- before --
Sunset -- at Easter --
Blindness -- on the Dawn --
Faint Star of Bethlehem --
Gone down!
Would but some God -- inform Him -- Or it be too late!
Say -- that the pulse just lisps -- The Chariots wait --
Say -- that a little life -- for His -- Is leaking -- red --
His little Spaniel -- tell Him! Will He heed?
I think just how my shape will rise -When I shall be "forgiven" --
Till Hair -- and Eyes -- and timid Head -- Are out of sight -- in Heaven --
I think just how my lips will weigh -- With shapeless -- quivering -- prayer -- That you -- so late -- "Consider" me -- The "Sparrow" of your Care --
I mind me that of Anguish -- sent -- Some drifts were moved away -- Before my simple bosom -- broke -- And why not this -- if they?
And so I con that thing -- "forgiven" -- Until -- delirious -- borne --
By my long bright -- and longer -- trust -- I drop my Heart -- unshriven!
Kill your Balm -- and its Odors bless you -- Bare your Jessamine -- to the storm -- And she will fling her maddest perfume -- Haply -- your Summer night to Charm --
Stab the Bird -- that built in your bosom -- Oh, could you catch her last Refrain -- Bubble! "forgive" -- "Some better" -- Bubble! "Carol for Him -- when I am gone"!
"Heaven" -- is what I cannot reach! The Apple on the Tree --
Provided it do hopeless -- hang -- That -- "Heaven" is -- to Me!
The Color, on the Cruising Cloud -- The interdicted Land --
Behind the Hill -- the House behind -There -- Paradise -- is found!
Her teasing Purples -- Afternoons -The credulous -- decoy --
Enamored -- of the Conjuror -- That spurned us -- Yesterday!
Ah, Moon -- and Star! You are very far -- But were no one
Farther than you -- Do you think I'd stop For a Firmament -- Or a Cubit -- or so?
I could borrow a Bonnet
Of the Lark --
And a Chamois' Silver Boot -- And a stirrup of an Antelope -- And be with you -- Tonight!
But, Moon, and Star,
Though you're very far --
There is one -- farther than you --
He -- is more than a firmament -- from Me -- So I can never go!
I like a look of Agony,
Because I know it's true -- Men do not sham Convulsion, Nor simulate, a Throe --
The Eyes glaze once -- and that is Death -- Impossible to feign
The Beads upon the Forehead
By homely Anguish strung.
When we stand on the tops of Things -- And like the Trees, look down -- The smoke all cleared away from it -- And Mirrors on the scene --
Just laying light -- no soul will wink
Except it have the flaw --
The Sound ones, like the Hills -- shall stand -- No Lighting, scares away --
The Perfect, nowhere be afraid -- They bear their dauntless Heads, Where others, dare not go at Noon, Protected by their deeds --
The Stars dare shine occasionally Upon a spotted World --
And Suns, go surer, for their Proof, As if an Axle, held --
I've known a Heaven, like a Tent -- To wrap its shining Yards --
Pluck up its stakes, and disappear -Without the sound of Boards
Or Rip of Nail -- Or Carpenter -- But just the miles of Stare --
That signalize a Show's Retreat -- In North America --
No Trace -- no Figment of the Thing That dazzled, Yesterday,
No Ring -- no Marvel --
Men, and Feats --
Dissolved as utterly --
As Bird's far Navigation
Discloses just a Hue --
A plash of Oars, a Gaiety --
Then swallowed up, of View.
It is easy to work when the soul is at play -- But when the soul is in pain --
The hearing him put his playthings up Makes work difficult -- then --
It is simple, to ache in the Bone, or the Rind -- But Gimlets -- among the nerve --
Mangle daintier -- terribler --
Like a Panter in the Glove --
I held a Jewel in my fingers --
And went to sleep --
The day was warm, and winds were prosy -- I said "'Twill keep" --
I woke -- and chid my honest fingers, The Gem was gone --
And now, an Amethyst remembrance Is all I own -
Forever at His side to walk -- The smaller of the two!
Brain of His Brain --
Blood of His Blood --
Two lives -- One Being -- now --
Forever of His fate to taste -- If grief -- the largest part -- If joy -- to put my piece away For that beloved Heart --
All life -- to know each other --
Whom we can never learn --
And bye and bye -- a Change -- Called Heaven --
Rapt Neighborhoods of Men --
Just finding out -- what puzzled us -- Without the lexicon!
What would I give to see his face? I'd give -- I'd give my life -- of course -- But that is not enough!
Stop just a minute -- let me think! I'd give my biggest Bobolink!
That makes two -- Him -- and Life! You know who "June" is --
I'd give her --
Roses a day from Zanzibar --
And Lily tubes -- like Wells --
Bees -- by the furlong -
Straits of Blue
Navies of Butterflies -- sailed thro' -And dappled Cowslip Dells --
Then I have "shares" in Primrose "Banks" -- Daffodil Dowries -- spicy "Stocks" -- Dominions -- broad as Dew --
Bags of Doublons -- adventurous Bees Brought me -- from firmamental seas -- And Purple -- from Peru --
Now -- have I bought it -- "Shylock"? Say!
Sign me the Bond!
"I vow to pay
To Her -- who pledges this --
One hour -- of her Sovereign's face"! Ecstatic Contract!
Niggard Grace!
My Kingdom's worth of Bliss!
Why -- do they shut Me out of Heaven? Did I sing -- too loud?
But -- I can say a little "Minor"
Timid as a Bird!
Wouldn't the Angels try me -- Just -- once -- more --
Just -- see -- if I troubled them -- But don't -- shut the door!
Oh, if I -- were the Gentleman
In the "White Robe" --
And they -- were the little Hand -- that knocked -Could -- I -- forbid?
Wild Nights -- Wild Nights! Were I with thee
Wild Nights should be Our luxury!
Futile -- the Winds --
To a Heart in port --
Done with the Compass -- Done with the Chart!
Rowing in Eden -- Ah, the Sea!
Might I but moor -- Tonight -- In Thee!
I shall keep singing!
Birds will pass me
On their way to Yellower Climes -- Each -- with a Robin's expectation -I -- with my Redbreast --
And my Rhymes --
Late -- when I take my place in summer -- But -- I shall bring a fuller tune --
Vespers -- are sweeter than Matins -- Signor -- Morning -- only the seed of Noon --
Over the fence --
Strawberries -- grow --
Over the fence --
I could climb -- if I tried, I know -- Berries are nice!
But -- if I stained my Apron --
God would certainly scold!
Oh, dear, -- I guess if He were a Boy -- He'd -- climb -- if He could!
I can wade Grief --
Whole Pools of it --
I'm used to that --
But the least push of Joy Breaks up my feet -- And I tip -- drunken -- Let no Pebble -- smile -'Twas the New Liquor -- That was all!
Power is only Pain -- Stranded, thro' Discipline, Till Weights -- will hang -Give Balm -- to Giants -- And they'll wilt, like Men -- Give Himmaleh --
They'll Carry -- Him!
You see I cannot see -- your lifetime --
I must guess --
How many times it ache for me -- today -- Confess -- How many times for my far sake
The brave eyes film --
But I guess guessing hurts --
Mine -- got so dim!
Too vague -- the face -
My own -- so patient -- covers -- Too far -- the strength -
My timidness enfolds -
Haunting the Heart --
Like her translated faces -- Teasing the want --
It -- only -- can suffice!
"Hope" is the thing with feathers -- That perches in the soul --
And sings the tune without the words -- And never stops -- at all --
And sweetest -- in the Gale -- is heard -- And sore must be the storm --
That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm --
I've heard it in the chillest land -- And on the strangest Sea -- Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb -- of Me.
To die -- takes just a little while -- They say it doesn't hurt --
It's only fainter -- by degrees -- And then -- it's out of sight --
A darker Ribbon -- for a Day --
A Crape upon the Hat --
And then the pretty sunshine comes -- And helps us to forget -
The absent -- mystic -- creature -- That but for love of us --
Had gone to sleep -- that soundest time -- Without the weariness -
If I'm lost -- now
That I was found --
Shall still my transport be --
That once -- on me -- those Jasper Gates Blazed open -- suddenly --
That in my awkward -- gazing -- face -- The Angels -- softly peered --
And touched me with their fleeces, Almost as if they cared --
I'm banished -- now -- you know it -How foreign that can be --
You'll know -- Sir -- when the Savior's face Turns so -- away from you --
257
Delight is as the flight -Or in the Ratio of it,
As the Schools would say -- The Rainbow's way --
A Skein
Flung colored, after Rain, Would suit as bright,
Except that flight
Were Aliment --
"If it would last"
I asked the East,
When that Bent Stripe
Struck up my childish
Firmament --
And I, for glee,
Took Rainbows, as the common way, And empty Skies
The Eccentricity --
And so with Lives --
And so with Butterflies -
Seen magic -- through the fright That they will cheat the sight -- And Dower latitudes far on -- Some sudden morn --
Our portion -- in the fashion -- Done --
There's a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons --
That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes --
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us -- We can find no scar,
But internal difference, Where the Meanings, are --
None may teach it -- Any -- 'Tis the Seal Despair -- An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air --
When it comes, the Landscape listens -- Shadows -- hold their breath --
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance On the look of Death --
Good Night! Which put the Candle out? A jealous Zephyr -- not a doubt -- Ah, friend, you little knew
How long at that celestial wick
The Angels -- labored diligent -- Extinguished -- now -- for you!
It might -- have been the Light House spark -- Some Sailor -- rowing in the Dark --
Had importuned to see!
It might -- have been the waning lamp That lit the Drummer from the Camp
To purer Reveille!
Read -- Sweet -- how others -- strove --
Till we -- are stouter --
What they -- renounced --
Till we -- are less afraid -
How many times they -- bore the faithful witness -- Till we -- are helped --
As if a Kingdom -- cared!
Read then -- of faith --
That shone above the fagot -- Clear strains of Hymn
The River could not drown -- Brave names of Men -- And Celestial Women -- Passed out -- of Record Into -- Renown!
Put up my lute!
What of -- my Music!
Since the sole ear I cared to charm -- Passive -- as Granite -- laps My Music -- Sobbing -- will suit -- as well as psalm!
Would but the "Memnon" of the Desert -- Teach me the strain
That vanquished Him --
When He -- surrendered to the Sunrise -- Maybe -- that -- would awaken -- them!
The lonesome for they know not What -- The Eastern Exiles -- be --
Who strayed beyond the Amber line Some madder Holiday --
And ever since -- the purple Moat They strive to climb -- in vain -- As Birds -- that tumble from the clouds Do fumble at the strain -
The Blessed Ether -- taught them --
Some Transatlantic Morn --
When Heaven -- was too common -- to miss -- Too sure -- to dote upon!
A single Screw of Flesh
Is all that pins the Soul
That stands for Deity, to Mine, Upon my side the Veil -
Once witnessed of the Gauze -- Its name is put away
As far from mine, as if no plight Had printed yesterday,
In tender -- solemn Alphabet, My eyes just turned to see,
When it was smuggled by my sight Into Eternity --
More Hands -- to hold -- These are but Two -- One more new-mailed Nerve
Just granted, for the Peril's sake --
Some striding -- Giant -- Love --
So greater than the Gods can show, They slink before the Clay,
That not for all their Heaven can boast Will let its Keepsake -- go
A Weight with Needles on the pounds -- To push, and pierce, besides --
That if the Flesh resist the Heft -