Love Poems and Others

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <hr class="ww" /> <div class="covernote"> <h2 title="">Transcriber’s Note</h2> <p>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> </div> <div class="halftitle"> <!-- "png.001" --> <p>LOVE POEMS AND OTHERS</p> </div> <div class="titlepage"> <!-- "png.003" --> <h1 title="Love Poems and Others" ><big><span class="nw">LOVE·POEMS</span></big><br/><span class="nw">AND · OTHERS</span><br/><small><span class="nw">BY·D. H. LAWRENCE</span></small><br/><small class="authorof"><span class="nw">AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE PEACOCK” “THE TRESPASSER”</span></small></h1> <p><span class="nw">DUCKWORTH · AND · CO.</span><br/><span class="nw">COVENT · GARDEN · LONDON</span><br/>MCMXIII</p> </div> <div class="verso"> <!-- "png.004" --> <i>Several of these Poems have appeared in the “English Review,” the “Nation,” and the “Westminster Gazette.”</i></div> <div> <!-- "png.005" --> <h2>CONTENTS</h2> <table id="toc" summary="Contents"> <tr> <th colspan="2">LOVE POEMS:—</th> <th class="chappg"><small class="allsc">PAGE</small></th> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.007">Wedding Morn</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.007">i.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.009">Kisses in the Train</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.009">iii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.011">Cruelty and Love</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.011">v.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.014">Cherry Robbers</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.014">viii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.015">Lilies in the Fire</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.015">ix.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.017">Coldness in Love</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.017">xi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.019">End of another Home-Holiday</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.019">xiii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.022">Reminder</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.022">xvi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.024">Bei Hennef</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.024">xviii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.025">Lightning</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.025">xix.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.027">Song-Day in Autumn</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.027">xxi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.029">Aware</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.029">xxiii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.030">A Pang of Reminiscence</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.030">xxiv.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.031">A White Blossom</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.031">xxv.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.032">Red Moon-Rise</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.032">xxvi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.034">Return</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.034">xxviii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.035">The Appeal</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.035">xxix.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.036">Repulsed</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.036">xxx.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.038">Dream-Confused</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.038">xxxii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.039">Corot</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.039">xxxiii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.041">Morning Work</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.041">xxxv.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.042">Transformations</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.042">xxxvi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.044">Renascence</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.044">xxxviii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.046">Dog-Tired</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.046">xl.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.047">Michael-Angelo</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.047">xli.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr><!-- "png.006" --> <th colspan="2">DIALECT POEMS:—</th> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.048">Violets</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.048">xlii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.050">Whether or Not</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.050">xliv.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.059">A Collier’s Wife</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.059">liii.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><SPAN href="#png.062">The Drained Cup</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.062">lvi.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2">THE SCHOOLMASTER:—</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="chapnum">I.</td> <td><SPAN href="#png.065">A Snowy Day in School</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.065">lix.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="chapnum">II.</td> <td><SPAN href="#png.066">The Best of School</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.066">lx.</SPAN></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="chapnum">III.</td> <td><SPAN href="#png.069">Afternoon in School</SPAN></td> <td class="chappg"><SPAN href="#png.069">lxiii.</SPAN></td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="poem"> <h2 class="ns" title="LOVE POEMS:—">&nbsp;</h2> <h3 title="Wedding Morn">WEDDING MORN <SPAN name="png.007" id="png.007" href="#png.007"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>i<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> morning breaks like a pomegranate</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>In a shining crack of red,</div> <div>Ah, when to-morrow the dawn comes late</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Whitening across the bed,</div> <div>It will find me watching at the marriage gate</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>And waiting while light is shed</div> <div>On him who is sleeping satiate,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>With a sunk, abandoned head.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And when the dawn comes creeping in,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Cautiously I shall raise</div> <div>Myself to watch the morning win</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>My first of days,</div> <div>As it shows him sleeping a sleep he got</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Of me, as under my gaze,</div> <div>He grows distinct, and I see his hot</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Face freed of the wavering blaze.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Then I shall know which image of God</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>My man is made toward,</div> <div>And I shall know my bitter rod</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Or my rich reward.</div> <div>And I shall know the stamp and worth</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Of the coin I’ve accepted as mine,</div> <div>Shall see an image of heaven or of earth</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>On his minted metal shine.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Yea and I long to see him sleep</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>In my power utterly,</div> <div>I long to know what I have to keep, <SPAN name="png.008" id="png.008" href="#png.008"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>ii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>I long to see</div> <div>My love, that spinning coin, laid still</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>And plain at the side of me,</div> <div>For me to count—for I know he will</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Greatly enrichen me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And then he will be mine, he will lie</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>In my power utterly,</div> <div>Opening his value plain to my eye</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>He will sleep of me.</div> <div>He will lie negligent, resign</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>His all to me, and I</div> <div>Shall watch the dawn light up for me</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>This sleeping wealth of mine.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And I shall watch the wan light shine</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>On his sleep that is filled of me,</div> <div>On his brow where the wisps of fond hair twine</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>So truthfully,</div> <div>On his lips where the light breaths come and go</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Naïve and winsomely,</div> <div>On his limbs that I shall weep to know</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">        </span>Lie under my mastery.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Kisses in the Train">KISSES IN THE TRAIN <SPAN name="png.009" id="png.009" href="#png.009"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>iii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">I saw</span> the midlands</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Revolve through her hair;</div> <div>The fields of autumn</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Stretching bare,</div> <div>And sheep on the pasture</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Tossed back in a scare.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And still as ever</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>The world went round,</div> <div>My mouth on her pulsing</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Neck was found,</div> <div>And my breast to her beating</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Breast was bound.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But my heart at the centre</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Of all, in a swound</div> <div>Was still as a pivot,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>As all the ground</div> <div>On its prowling orbit</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Shifted round.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And still in my nostrils</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>The scent of her flesh,</div> <div>And still my wet mouth</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Sought her afresh;</div> <div>And still one pulse</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Through the world did thresh.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And the world all whirling</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Around in joy</div> <div>Like the dance of a dervish <SPAN name="png.010" id="png.010" href="#png.010"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>iv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Did destroy</div> <div>My sense—and my reason</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Spun like a toy.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But firm at the centre</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>My heart was found;</div> <div>Her own to my perfect</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Heart-beat bound,</div> <div>Like a magnet’s keeper</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">    </span>Closing the round.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Cruelty and Love">CRUELTY AND LOVE <SPAN name="png.011" id="png.011" href="#png.011"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>v<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">What</span> large, dark hands are those at the window</div> <div>Lifted, grasping the golden light</div> <div>Which weaves its way through the creeper leaves</div> <div class="i5"><span class="ns">          </span>To my heart’s delight?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah, only the leaves! But in the west,</div> <div>In the west I see a redness come</div> <div>Over the evening’s burning <span class="nw">breast—</span></div> <div class="i5"><span class="ns">          </span>—’Tis the wound of love goes home!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>The woodbine creeps abroad</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Calling low to her lover:</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The sun-lit flirt who all the day</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Has poised above her lips in play</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And stolen kisses, shallow and gay</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of pollen, now has gone away</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—She woos the moth with her sweet, low word,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And when above her his broad wings hover</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Then her bright breast she will uncover</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And yield her honey-drop to her lover.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Into the yellow, evening glow</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Saunters a man from the farm below,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Leans, and looks in at the low-built shed</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Where hangs the swallow’s marriage bed.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The bird lies warm against the wall.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>She glances quick her startled eyes</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Towards him, then she turns away</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her small head, making warm display</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of red upon the throat. His terrors sway</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her out of the nest’s warm, busy ball, <SPAN name="png.012" id="png.012" href="#png.012"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>vi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Whose plaintive cry is heard as she flies</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>In one blue stoop from out the sties</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Into the evening’s empty hall.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Oh, water-hen, beside the rushes</div> <div>Hide your quaint, unfading blushes,</div> <div>Still your quick tail, and lie as dead,</div> <div>Till the distance folds over his ominous tread.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The rabbit presses back her ears,</div> <div>Turns back her liquid, anguished eyes</div> <div>And crouches low: then with wild spring</div> <div>Spurts from the terror of <i>his</i> oncoming</div> <div>To be choked back, the wire ring</div> <div>Her frantic effort throttling:</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Piteous brown ball of quivering fears!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah soon in his large, hard hands she dies,</div> <div>And swings all loose to the swing of his walk.</div> <div>Yet calm and kindly are his eyes</div> <div>And ready to open in brown surprise</div> <div>Should I not answer to his talk</div> <div>Or should he my tears surmise.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I hear his hand on the latch, and rise from my chair</div> <div>Watching the door open: he flashes bare</div> <div>His strong teeth in a smile, and flashes his eyes</div> <div>In a smile like triumph upon me; then careless-wise</div> <div>He flings the rabbit soft on the table board</div> <div>And comes towards me: ah, the uplifted sword</div> <div>Of his hand against my bosom, and oh, the broad <SPAN name="png.013" id="png.013" href="#png.013"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>vii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Blade of his hand that raise my face to applaud</div> <div>His coming: he raises up my face to him</div> <div>And caresses my mouth with his fingers, which still smell grim</div> <div>Of the rabbit’s fur! God, I am caught in a snare!</div> <div>I know not what fine wire is round my throat,</div> <div>I only know I let him finger there</div> <div>My pulse of life, letting him nose like a stoat</div> <div>Who sniffs with joy before he drinks the blood:</div> <div>And down his mouth comes to my mouth, and down</div> <div>His dark bright eyes descend like a fiery hood</div> <div>Upon my mind: his mouth meets mine, and a flood</div> <div>Of sweet fire sweeps across me, so I drown</div> <div>Within him, die, and find death good.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Cherry Robbers">CHERRY ROBBERS <SPAN name="png.014" id="png.014" href="#png.014"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>viii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Under</span> the long, dark boughs, like jewels red</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>In the hair of an Eastern girl</div> <div>Shine strings of crimson cherries, as if had bled</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Blood-drops beneath each curl.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Under the glistening cherries, with folded wings</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Three dead birds lie:</div> <div>Pale-breasted throstles and a blackbird, robberlings</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Stained with red dye.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Under the haystack a girl stands laughing at me,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>With cherries hung round her <span class="nw">ears—</span></div> <div>Offering me her scarlet fruit: I will see</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>If she has any tears.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Lilies in the Fire">LILIES IN THE FIRE <SPAN name="png.015" id="png.015" href="#png.015"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>ix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="pt">I</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Ah</span>, you stack of white lilies, all white and gold,</div> <div>I am adrift as a sunbeam, and without form</div> <div>Or having, save I light on you to warm</div> <div>Your pallor into radiance, flush your cold</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>White beauty into incandescence: you</div> <div>Are not a stack of white lilies to-night, but a white</div> <div>And clustered star transfigured by me to-night,</div> <div>And lighting these ruddy leaves like a star dropped through</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The slender bare arms of the branches, your tire-maidens</div> <div>Who lift swart arms to fend me off; but I come</div> <div>Like a wind of fire upon you, like to some</div> <div>Stray whitebeam who on you his fire unladens.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And you are a glistening toadstool shining here</div> <div>Among the crumpled beech-leaves phosphorescent,</div> <div>My stack of white lilies burning incandescent</div> <div>Of me, a soft white star among the leaves, my dear.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">II</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Is it with pain, my dear, that you shudder so?</div> <div>Is it because I have hurt you with pain, my dear?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Did I shiver?—Nay, truly I did not <span class="nw">know—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>A dewdrop may-be splashed on my face down here.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Why even now you speak through close-shut teeth.</div> <div>I have been too much for you—Ah, I remember!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The ground is a little chilly underneath <SPAN name="png.016" id="png.016" href="#png.016"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>x<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The leaves—and, dear, you consume me all to an ember.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>You hold yourself all hard as if my kisses</div> <div>Hurt as I gave them—you put me <span class="nw">away—</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Ah never I put you away: yet each kiss hisses</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Hot as a drop of fire wastes me away.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">III</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>I am ashamed, you wanted me not <span class="nw">to-night—</span></div> <div>Nay, it is always so, you sigh with me.</div> <div>Your radiance dims when I draw too near, and my free</div> <div>Fire enters your petals like death, you wilt dead white.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah, I do know, and I am deep ashamed;</div> <div>You love me while I hover tenderly</div> <div>Like clinging sunbeams kissing you: but see</div> <div>When I close in fire upon you, and you are flamed</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>With the swiftest fire of my love, you are destroyed.</div> <div>’Tis a degradation deep to me, that my best</div> <div>Soul’s whitest lightning which should bright attest</div> <div>God stepping down to earth in one white stride,</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Means only to you a clogged, numb burden of flesh</div> <div>Heavy to bear, even heavy to uprear</div> <div>Again from earth, like lilies wilted and sere</div> <div>Flagged on the floor, that before stood up so fresh.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Coldness in Love">COLDNESS IN LOVE <SPAN name="png.017" id="png.017" href="#png.017"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">And</span> you remember, in the afternoon</div> <div>The sea and the sky went grey, as if there had sunk</div> <div>A flocculent dust on the floor of the world: the festoon</div> <div>Of the sky sagged dusty as spider cloth,</div> <div>And coldness clogged the sea, till it ceased to croon.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>A dank, sickening scent came up from the grime</div> <div>Of weed that blackened the shore, so that I recoiled</div> <div>Feeling the raw cold dun me: and all the time</div> <div>You leapt about on the slippery rocks, and threw</div> <div>The words that rang with a brassy, shallow chime.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And all day long that raw and ancient cold</div> <div>Deadened me through, till the grey downs darkened to sleep.</div> <div>Then I longed for you with your mantle of love to fold</div> <div>Me over, and drive from out of my body the deep</div> <div>Cold that had sunk to my soul, and there kept hold.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But still to me all evening long you were cold,</div> <div>And I was numb with a bitter, deathly ache;</div> <div>Till old days drew me back into their fold,</div> <div>And dim sheep crowded me warm with companionship,</div> <div>And old ghosts clustered me close, and sleep was cajoled.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I slept till dawn at the window blew in like dust,</div> <div>Like the linty, raw-cold dust disturbed from the floor</div> <div>Of a disused room: a grey pale light like must</div> <div>That settled upon my face and hands till it seemed</div> <div>To flourish there, as pale mould blooms on a crust.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Then I rose in fear, needing you fearfully, <SPAN name="png.018" id="png.018" href="#png.018"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>For I thought you were warm as a sudden jet of blood.</div> <div>I thought I could plunge in your spurting hotness, and be</div> <div>Clean of the cold and the must.—With my hand on the latch</div> <div>I heard you in your sleep speak strangely to me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And I dared not enter, feeling suddenly dismayed.</div> <div>So I went and washed my deadened flesh in the sea</div> <div>And came back tingling clean, but worn and frayed</div> <div>With cold, like the shell of the moon: and strange it seems</div> <div>That my love has dawned in rose again, like the love of a maid.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="End of another Home-Holiday">END OF ANOTHER HOME-HOLIDAY <SPAN name="png.019" id="png.019" href="#png.019"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xiii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="pt">I</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">When</span> shall I see the half moon sink again</div> <div>Behind the black sycamore at the end of the garden?</div> <div>When will the scent of the dim, white phlox</div> <div>Creep up the wall to me, and in at my open window?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Why is it, the long slow stroke of the midnight bell,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>(Will it never finish the twelve?)</div> <div>Falls again and again on my heart with a heavy reproach?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The moon-mist is over the village, out of the mist speaks the bell,</div> <div>And all the little roofs of the village bow low, pitiful, beseeching, resigned:</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Oh, little home, what is it I have not done well?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah home, suddenly I love you,</div> <div>As I hear the sharp clean trot of a pony down the road,</div> <div>Succeeding sharp little sounds dropping into the silence,</div> <div>Clear upon the long-drawn hoarseness of a train across the valley.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The light has gone out from under my mother’s door.</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">      </span>That she should love me so,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">      </span>She, so lonely, greying now,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">      </span>And I leaving her,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">      </span>Bent on my pursuits!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Love is the great Asker,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The sun and the rain do not ask the secret</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of the time when the grain struggles down in the dark. <SPAN name="png.020" id="png.020" href="#png.020"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xiv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The moon walks her lonely way without anguish,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Because no loved one grieves over her departure.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">II</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Forever, ever by my shoulder pitiful Love will linger,</div> <div>Crouching as little houses crouch under the mist when I turn.</div> <div>Forever, out of the mist the church lifts up her reproachful finger,</div> <div>Pointing my eyes in wretched defiance where love hides her face to mourn.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Oh but the rain creeps down to wet the grain</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>That struggles alone in the dark,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And asking nothing, cheerfully steals back again!</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>The moon sets forth o’ nights</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>To walk the lonely, dusky heights</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Serenely, with steps unswerving;</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Pursued by no sigh of bereavement,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>No tears of love unnerving</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Her constant tread:</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>While ever at my side,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Frail and sad, with grey bowed head,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>The beggar-woman, the yearning-eyed</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Inexorable love goes lagging.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The wild young heifer, glancing distraught,</div> <div>With a strange new knocking of life at her side</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Runs seeking a loneliness.</div> <div>The little grain draws down the earth to hide.</div> <div>Nay, even the slumberous egg, as it labours under the shell, <SPAN name="png.021" id="png.021" href="#png.021"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Patiently to divide, and self-divide,</div> <div>Asks to be hidden, and wishes nothing to tell.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But when I draw the scanty cloak of silence over my eyes,</div> <div>Piteous Love comes peering under the hood.</div> <div>Touches the clasp with trembling fingers, and tries</div> <div>To put her ear to the painful sob of my blood,</div> <div>While her tears soak through to my breast,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Where they burn and cauterise.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">III</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>The moon lies back and reddens.</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>In the valley, a corncrake calls</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Monotonously,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>With a piteous, unalterable plaint, that deadens</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>My confident activity:</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>With a hoarse, insistent request that falls</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Unweariedly, unweariedly,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>Asking something more of me,</div> <div class="i6"><span class="ns">            </span>Yet more of me!</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Reminder">REMINDER <SPAN name="png.022" id="png.022" href="#png.022"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xvi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span><span class="smc">Do</span> you remember</div> <div>How night after night swept level and low</div> <div>Overhead, at home, and had not one star,</div> <div>Nor one narrow gate for the moon to go</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Forth to her field of November.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And you remember,</div> <div>How towards the north a red blot on the sky</div> <div>Burns like a blotch of anxiety</div> <div>Over the forges, and small flames ply</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Like ghosts the shadow of the ember.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Those were the days</div> <div>When it was awful autumn to me,</div> <div>When only there glowed on the dark of the sky</div> <div>The red reflection of her agony,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>My beloved smelting down in the blaze</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of death—my dearest</div> <div>Love who had borne, and was now leaving me.</div> <div>And I at the foot of her cross did suffer</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>My own gethsemane.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>So I came to you,</div> <div>And twice, after great kisses, I saw</div> <div>The rim of the moon divinely rise</div> <div>And strive to detach herself from the raw</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Blackened edge of the skies.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Strive to escape; <SPAN name="png.023" id="png.023" href="#png.023"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xvii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>With her whiteness revealing my sunken world</div> <div>Tall and loftily shadowed. But the moon</div> <div>Never magnolia-like unfurled</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her white, her lamp-like shape.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>For you told me no,</div> <div>And bade me not to ask for the dour</div> <div>Communion, offering—“a better thing.”</div> <div>So I lay on your breast for an obscure hour</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Feeling your fingers go</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Like a rhythmic breeze</div> <div>Over my hair, and tracing my brows,</div> <div>Till I knew you not from a little wind:</div> <div>—I wonder now if God allows</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Us only one moment his keys.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>If only then</div> <div>You could have unlocked the moon on the night,</div> <div>And I baptized myself in the light</div> <div>Of your love; we both have entered then the white</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Pure passion, and never again.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I wonder if only</div> <div>You had taken me then, how different</div> <div>Life would have been: should I have spent</div> <div>Myself in waste, and you have bent</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Your pride, through being lonely?</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Bei Hennef">BEI HENNEF <SPAN name="png.024" id="png.024" href="#png.024"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xviii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> little river twittering in the twilight,</div> <div>The wan, wondering look of the pale sky,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>This is almost bliss.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And everything shut up and gone to sleep,</div> <div>All the troubles and anxieties and pain</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Gone under the twilight.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Only the twilight now, and the soft “Sh!” of the river</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>That will last for ever.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And at last I know my love for you is here,</div> <div>I can see it all, it is whole like the twilight,</div> <div>It is large, so large, I could not see it before</div> <div>Because of the little lights and flickers and interruptions,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Troubles, anxieties and pains.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>You are the call and I am the answer,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>You are the wish, and I the fulfilment,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>You are the night, and I the day.</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>What else—it is perfect enough,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>It is perfectly complete,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>You and I,</div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>What <span class="nw">more——?</span></div> <div>Strange, how we suffer in spite of this!</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Lightning">LIGHTNING <SPAN name="png.025" id="png.025" href="#png.025"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">I felt</span> the lurch and halt of her heart</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Next my breast, where my own heart was beating;</div> <div>And I laughed to feel it plunge and bound,</div> <div>And strange in my blood-swept ears was the sound</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of the words I kept repeating,</div> <div>Repeating with tightened arms, and the hot blood’s blindfold art.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Her breath flew warm against my neck,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Warm as a flame in the close night air;</div> <div>And the sense of her clinging flesh was sweet</div> <div>Where her arms and my neck’s blood-surge could meet.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Holding her thus, did I care</div> <div>That the black night hid her from me, blotted out every speck?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I leaned me forward to find her lips,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And claim her utterly in a kiss,</div> <div>When the lightning flew across her face,</div> <div>And I saw her for the flaring space</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of a second, afraid of the clips</div> <div>Of my arms, inert with dread, wilted in fear of my kiss.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>A moment, like a wavering spark,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her face lay there before my breast,</div> <div>Pale love lost in a snow of fear,</div> <div>And guarded by a glittering tear,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And lips apart with dumb cries;</div> <div>A moment, and she was taken again in the merciful dark.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I heard the thunder, and felt the rain, <SPAN name="png.026" id="png.026" href="#png.026"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xx<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>And my arms fell loose, and I was dumb.</div> <div>Almost I hated her, she was so good,</div> <div>Hated myself, and the place, and my blood,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Which burned with rage, as I bade her come</div> <div>Home, away home, ere the lightning floated forth again.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Song-Day in Autumn">SONG-DAY IN AUTUMN <SPAN name="png.027" id="png.027" href="#png.027"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">When</span> the autumn roses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Are heavy with dew,</div> <div>Before the mist discloses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>The leaf’s brown hue,</div> <div>You would, among the laughing hills</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Of yesterday</div> <div>Walk innocent in the daffodils,</div> <div>Coiffing up your auburn hair</div> <div>In a puritan fillet, a chaste white snare</div> <div>To catch and keep me with you there</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>So far away.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>When from the autumn roses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Trickles the dew,</div> <div>When the blue mist uncloses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And the sun looks through,</div> <div>You from those startled hills</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Come away,</div> <div>Out of the withering daffodils;</div> <div>Thoughtful, and half afraid,</div> <div>Plaiting a heavy, auburn braid</div> <div>And coiling it round the wise brows of a maid</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Who was scared in her play.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>When in the autumn roses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Creeps a bee,</div> <div>And a trembling flower encloses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>His ecstasy,</div> <div>You from your lonely walk</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Turn away,</div> <div>And leaning to me like a flower on its stalk, <SPAN name="png.028" id="png.028" href="#png.028"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Wait among the beeches</div> <div>For your late bee who beseeches</div> <div>To creep through your loosened hair till he reaches,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Your heart of dismay.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Aware">AWARE <SPAN name="png.029" id="png.029" href="#png.029"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxiii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Slowly</span> the moon is rising out of the ruddy haze,</div> <div>Divesting herself of her golden shift, and so</div> <div>Emerging white and exquisite; and I in amaze</div> <div>See in the sky before me, a woman I did not know</div> <div>I loved, but there she goes and her beauty hurts my heart;</div> <div>I follow her down the night, begging her not to depart.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="A Pang of Reminiscence">A PANG OF REMINISCENCE <SPAN name="png.030" id="png.030" href="#png.030"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxiv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">High</span> and smaller goes the moon, she is small and very far from me,</div> <div>Wistful and candid, watching me wistfully, and I see</div> <div>Trembling blue in her pallor a tear that surely I have seen before,</div> <div>A tear which I had hoped that even hell held not again in store.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="A White Blossom">A WHITE BLOSSOM <SPAN name="png.031" id="png.031" href="#png.031"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">A tiny</span> moon as white and small as a single jasmine flower</div> <div>Leans all alone above my window, on night’s wintry bower,</div> <div>Liquid as lime-tree blossom, soft as brilliant water or rain</div> <div>She shines, the one white love of my youth, which all sin cannot stain.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Red Moon-Rise">RED MOON-RISE <SPAN name="png.032" id="png.032" href="#png.032"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxvi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> train in running across the weald has fallen into a steadier stroke</div> <div>So even, it beats like silence, and sky and earth in one unbroke</div> <div>Embrace of darkness lie around, and crushed between them all the loose</div> <div>And littered lettering of leaves and hills and houses closed, and we can use</div> <div>The open book of landscape no more, for the covers of darkness have shut upon</div> <div>Its written pages, and sky and earth and all between are closed in one.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And we are smothered between the darkness, we close our eyes and say “Hush!” we try</div> <div>To escape in sleep the terror of this immense deep darkness, and we lie</div> <div>Wrapped up for sleep. And then, dear God, from out of the twofold darkness, red</div> <div>As if from the womb the moon arises, as if the twin-walled darkness had bled</div> <div>In one great spasm of birth and given us this new, red moon-rise</div> <div>Which lies on the knees of the darkness bloody, and makes us hide our eyes.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The train beats frantic in haste, and struggles away</div> <div>From this ruddy terror of birth that has slid down</div> <div>From out of the loins of night to flame our way</div> <div>With fear; but God, I am glad, so glad that I drown</div> <div>My terror with joy of confirmation, for now <SPAN name="png.033" id="png.033" href="#png.033"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxvii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Lies God all red before me, and I am glad,</div> <div>As the Magi were when they saw the rosy brow</div> <div>Of the Infant bless their constant folly which had</div> <div>Brought them thither to God: for now I know</div> <div>That the Womb is a great red passion whence rises all</div> <div>The shapeliness that decks us here-below:</div> <div>Yea like the fire that boils within this ball</div> <div>Of earth, and quickens all herself with flowers,</div> <div>God burns within the stiffened clay of us;</div> <div>And every flash of thought that we and ours</div> <div>Send up to heaven, and every movement, does</div> <div>Fly like a spark from this God-fire of passion;</div> <div>And pain of birth, and joy of the begetting,</div> <div>And sweat of labour, and the meanest fashion</div> <div>Of fretting or of gladness, but the jetting</div> <div>Of a trail of the great fire against the sky</div> <div>Where we can see it, a jet from the innermost fire:</div> <div>And even in the watery shells that lie</div> <div>Alive within the cozy under-mire,</div> <div>A grain of this same fire I can descry.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And then within the screaming birds that fly</div> <div>Across the lightning when the storm leaps higher;</div> <div>And then the swirling, flaming folk that try</div> <div>To come like fire-flames at their fierce desire,</div> <div>They are as earth’s dread, spurting flames that ply</div> <div>Awhile and gush forth death and then expire.</div> <div>And though it be love’s wet blue eyes that cry</div> <div>To hot love to relinquish its desire,</div> <div>Still in their depths I see the same red spark</div> <div>As rose to-night upon us from the dark.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Return">RETURN <SPAN name="png.034" id="png.034" href="#png.034"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxviii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Now</span> I am come again, you who have so desired</div> <div>My coming, why do you look away from me?</div> <div>Why does your cheek burn against me—have I inspired</div> <div>Such anger as sets your mouth unwontedly?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah, here I sit while you break the music beneath</div> <div>Your bow; for broken it is, and hurting to hear:</div> <div>Cease then from music—does anguish of absence bequeath</div> <div>Me only aloofness when I would draw near?</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="The Appeal">THE APPEAL <SPAN name="png.035" id="png.035" href="#png.035"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">You</span>, Helen, who see the stars</div> <div>As mistletoe berries burning in a black tree,</div> <div>You surely, seeing I am a bowl of kisses,</div> <div>Should put your mouth to mine and drink of me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Helen, you let my kisses steam</div> <div>Wasteful into the night’s black nostrils; drink</div> <div>Me up I pray; oh you who are Night’s Bacchante,</div> <div>How can you from my bowl of kisses shrink!</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Repulsed">REPULSED <SPAN name="png.036" id="png.036" href="#png.036"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxx<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> last, silk-floating thought has gone from the dandelion stem,</div> <div>And the flesh of the stalk holds up for nothing a blank diadem.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The night’s flood-winds have lifted my last desire from me,</div> <div>And my hollow flesh stands up in the night abandonedly.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>As I stand on this hill, with the whitening cave of the city beyond,</div> <div>Helen, I am despoiled of my pride, and my soul turns fond:</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Overhead the nightly heavens like an open, immense eye,</div> <div>Like a cat’s distended pupil sparkles with sudden stars,</div> <div>As with thoughts that flash and crackle in uncouth malignancy</div> <div>They glitter at me, and I fear the fierce snapping of night’s thought-stars.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Beyond me, up the darkness, goes the gush of the lights of two towns,</div> <div>As the breath which rushes upwards from the nostrils of an immense</div> <div>Life crouched across the globe, ready, if need be, to pounce</div> <div>Across the space upon heaven’s high hostile eminence.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>All round me, but far away, the night’s twin consciousness roars <SPAN name="png.037" id="png.037" href="#png.037"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>With sounds that endlessly swell and sink like the storm of thought in the brain,</div> <div>Lifting and falling like slow breaths taken, pulsing like oars</div> <div>Immense that beat the blood of the night down its vein.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The night is immense and awful, Helen, and I am insect small</div> <div>In the fur of this hill, clung on to the fur of shaggy, black heather.</div> <div>A palpitant speck in the fur of the night, and afraid of all,</div> <div>Seeing the world and the sky like creatures hostile together.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And I in the fur of the world, and you a pale fleck from the sky,</div> <div>How we hate each other to-night, hate, you and I,</div> <div>As the world of activity hates the dream that goes on on high,</div> <div>As a man hates the dreaming woman he loves, but who will not reply.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Dream-Confused">DREAM-CONFUSED <SPAN name="png.038" id="png.038" href="#png.038"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span><span class="smc">Is</span> that the moon</div> <div>At the window so big and red?</div> <div>No one in the room,</div> <div>No one near the <span class="nw">bed——?</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Listen, her shoon</div> <div>Palpitating down the stair?</div> <div>—Or a beat of wings at the window there?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>A moment ago</div> <div>She kissed me warm on the mouth,</div> <div>The very moon in the south</div> <div>Is warm with a bloody glow,</div> <div>The moon from far abysses</div> <div>Signalling those two kisses.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>And now the moon</div> <div>Goes slowly out of the west,</div> <div>And slowly back in my breast</div> <div>My kisses are sinking, soon</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>To leave me at rest.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Corot">COROT <SPAN name="png.039" id="png.039" href="#png.039"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxiii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> trees rise tall and taller, lifted</div> <div>On a subtle rush of cool grey flame</div> <div>That issuing out of the dawn has sifted</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>The spirit from each leaf’s frame.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>For the trailing, leisurely rapture of life</div> <div>Drifts dimly forward, easily hidden</div> <div>By bright leaves uttered aloud, and strife</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of shapes in the grey mist chidden.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The grey, phosphorescent, pellucid advance</div> <div>Of the luminous purpose of God, shines out</div> <div>Where the lofty trees athwart stream chance</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>To shake flakes of its shadow about.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The subtle, steady rush of the whole</div> <div>Grey foam-mist of advancing God,</div> <div>As He silently sweeps to His somewhere, his goal,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Is heard in the grass of the sod.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Is heard in the windless whisper of leaves</div> <div>In the silent labours of men in the fields,</div> <div>In the downward dropping of flimsy sheaves</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Of cloud the rain skies yield.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>In the tapping haste of a fallen leaf,</div> <div>In the flapping of red-roof smoke, and the small</div> <div>Foot-stepping tap of men beneath</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>These trees so huge and tall.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>For what can all sharp-rimmed substance but catch <SPAN name="png.040" id="png.040" href="#png.040"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxiv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>In a backward ripple, God’s purpose, reveal</div> <div>For a moment His mighty direction, snatch</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>A spark beneath His wheel.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Since God sweeps onward dim and vast,</div> <div>Creating the channelled vein of Man</div> <div>And Leaf for His passage, His shadow is cast</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>On all for us to scan.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah listen, for Silence is not lonely:</div> <div>Imitate the magnificent trees</div> <div>That speak no word of their rapture, but only</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Breathe largely the luminous breeze.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Morning Work">MORNING WORK <SPAN name="png.041" id="png.041" href="#png.041"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">A gang</span> of labourers on the piled wet timber</div> <div>That shines blood-red beside the railway siding</div> <div>Seem to be making out of the blue of the morning</div> <div>Something faery and fine, the shuttles sliding,</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The red-gold spools of their hands and faces shuttling</div> <div>Hither and thither across the morn’s crystalline frame</div> <div>Of blue: trolls at the cave of ringing cerulean mining,</div> <div>And laughing with work, living their work like a game.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Transformations">TRANSFORMATIONS <SPAN name="png.042" id="png.042" href="#png.042"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxvi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="pt">I</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="pt"><span class="smc">The Town</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Oh</span> you stiff shapes, swift transformation seethes</div> <div>About you: only last night you were</div> <div>A Sodom smouldering in the dense, soiled air;</div> <div>To-day a thicket of sunshine with blue smoke-wreaths.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>To-morrow swimming in evening’s vague, dim vapour</div> <div>Like a weeded city in shadow under the sea,</div> <div>Beneath an ocean of shimmering light you will be:</div> <div>Then a group of toadstools waiting the moon’s white taper.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And when I awake in the morning, after rain,</div> <div>To find the new houses a cluster of lilies glittering</div> <div>In scarlet, alive with the birds’ bright twittering,</div> <div>I’ll say your bond of ugliness is vain.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">II</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="pt"><span class="smc">The Earth</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Oh</span> Earth, you spinning clod of earth,</div> <div>And then you lamp, you lemon-coloured beauty;</div> <div>Oh Earth, you rotten apple rolling downward,</div> <div>Then brilliant Earth, from the burr of night in beauty</div> <div>As a jewel-brown horse-chestnut newly <span class="nw">issued:—</span></div> <div>You are all these, and strange, it is my duty</div> <div>To take you all, sordid or radiant tissued.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">III <SPAN name="png.043" id="png.043" href="#png.043"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxvii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="pt"><span class="smc">Men</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Oh</span> labourers, oh shuttles across the blue frame of morning,</div> <div>You feet of the rainbow balancing the sky!</div> <div>Oh you who flash your arms like rockets to heaven,</div> <div>Who in lassitude lean as yachts on the sea-wind lie!</div> <div>You who in crowds are rhododendrons in blossom,</div> <div>Who stand alone in pride like lighted lamps;</div> <div>Who grappling down with work or hate or passion,</div> <div>Take strange lithe form of a beast that sweats and ramps:</div> <div>You who are twisted in grief like crumpled beech-leaves,</div> <div>Who curl in sleep like kittens, who kiss as a swarm</div> <div>Of clustered, vibrating bees; who fall to earth</div> <div>At last like a bean-pod: what are you, oh multiform?</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Renascence">RENASCENCE <SPAN name="png.044" id="png.044" href="#png.044"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxviii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">We</span> have bit no forbidden apple,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Eve and I,</div> <div>Yet the splashes of day and night</div> <div>Falling round us no longer dapple</div> <div>The same Eden with purple and white.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>This is our own still valley</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Our Eden, our home,</div> <div>But day shows it vivid with feeling</div> <div>And the pallor of night does not tally</div> <div>With dark sleep that once covered its ceiling.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>My little red heifer, to-night I looked in her eyes,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—She will calve to-morrow:</div> <div>Last night when I went with the lantern, the sow was grabbing her litter</div> <div>With red, snarling jaws: and I heard the cries</div> <div>Of the new-born, and after that, the old owl, then the bats that flitter.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And I woke to the sound of the wood-pigeons, and lay and listened,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Till I could borrow</div> <div>A few quick beats of a wood-pigeon’s heart, and when I did rise</div> <div>The morning sun on the shaken iris glistened,</div> <div>And I saw that home, this valley, was wider than Paradise.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I learned it all from my Eve <SPAN name="png.045" id="png.045" href="#png.045"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xxxix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>This warm, dumb wisdom.</div> <div>She’s a finer instructress than years;</div> <div>She has taught my heart-strings to weave</div> <div>Through the web of all laughter and tears.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And now I see the valley</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Fleshed all like me</div> <div>With feelings that change and quiver:</div> <div>And all things seem to tally</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>With something in me,</div> <div>Something of which she’s the giver.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Dog-Tired">DOG-TIRED <SPAN name="png.046" id="png.046" href="#png.046"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xl<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">If</span> she would come to me here,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Now the sunken swaths</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Are glittering paths</div> <div>To the sun, and the swallows cut clear</div> <div>Into the low sun—if she came to me here!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>If she would come to me now,</div> <div>Before the last mown harebells are dead,</div> <div>While that vetch clump yet burns red;</div> <div>Before all the bats have dropped from the bough</div> <div>Into the cool of night—if she came to me now!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The horses are untackled, the chattering machine</div> <div>Is still at last. If she would come,</div> <div>I would gather up the warm hay from</div> <div>The hill-brow, and lie in her lap till the green</div> <div>Sky ceased to quiver, and lost its tired sheen.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I should like to drop</div> <div>On the hay, with my head on her knee</div> <div>And lie stone still, while she</div> <div>Breathed quiet above me—we could stop</div> <div>Till the stars came out to see.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I should like to lie still</div> <div>As if I was dead—but feeling</div> <div>Her hand go stealing</div> <div>Over my face and my hair until</div> <div>This ache was shed.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Michael-Angelo">MICHAEL-ANGELO <SPAN name="png.047" id="png.047" href="#png.047"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xli<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">God</span> shook thy roundness in His finger’s cup,</div> <div>He sunk His hands in firmness down thy sides,</div> <div>And drew the circle of His grasp, O Man,</div> <div>Along thy limbs delighted, thine, His bride’s.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And so thou wert God-shapen: His finger</div> <div>Curved thy mouth for thee, and His strong shoulder</div> <div>Planted thee upright: art not proud to see</div> <div>In the curve of thine exquisite form the joy of the Moulder?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>He took a handful of light and rolled a ball,</div> <div>Compressed it till its beam grew wondrous dark,</div> <div>Then gave thee thy dark eyes, O Man, that all</div> <div>He made had doorway to thee through that spark.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>God, lonely, put down His mouth in a kiss of creation,</div> <div>He kissed thee, O Man, in a passion of love, and left</div> <div>The vivid life of His love in thy mouth and thy nostrils;</div> <div>Keep then the kiss from the adultress’ theft.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h2 class="ns" title="DIALECT POEMS:—">&nbsp;</h2> <h3 title="Violets">VIOLETS <SPAN name="png.048" id="png.048" href="#png.048"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Sister</span>, tha knows while we was on the planks</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Aside o’ th’ grave, while th’ coffin wor lyin’ yet</div> <div>On th’ yaller clay, an’ th’ white flowers top of it</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Tryin’ to keep off ’n him a bit o’ th’ wet,</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ parson makin’ haste, an’ a’ the black</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Huddlin’ close together a cause o’ th’ rain,</div> <div>Did t’ ’appen ter notice a bit of a lass away back</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>By a head-stun, sobbin’ an’ sobbin’ again?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—How should I be lookin’ round</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>An’ me standin’ on the plank</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Beside the open ground,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Where our Ted ’ud soon be sank?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Yi, an’ ’im that young,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Snapped sudden out of all</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>His wickedness, among</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Pals worse n’r ony name as you could call.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Let be that; there’s some o’ th’ bad as we</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Like better nor all your good, an’ ’e was one.</div> <div>—An’ cos I liked him best, yi, bett’r nor thee,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>I canna bide to think where he is gone.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ah know tha liked ’im bett’r nor me. But let</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Me tell thee about this lass. When you had gone</div> <div>Ah stopped behind on t’ pad i’ th’ drippin wet</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>An’ watched what ’er ’ad on.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha should ha’ seed her slive up when we’d gone, <SPAN name="png.049" id="png.049" href="#png.049"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xliii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Tha should ha’ seed her kneel an’ look in</div> <div>At th’ sloppy wet grave—an’ ’er little neck shone</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>That white, an’ ’er shook that much, I’d like to begin</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Scraïghtin’ my-sen as well. ’En undid her black</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Jacket at th’ bosom, an’ took from out of it</div> <div>Over a double ’andful of violets, all in a pack</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Ravelled blue and white—warm, for a bit</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>O’ th’ smell come waftin’ to me. ’Er put ’er face</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Right intil ’em and scraïghted out again,</div> <div>Then after a bit ’er dropped ’em down that place,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>An’ I come away, because o’ the teemin’ rain.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="Whether or Not">WHETHER OR NOT <SPAN name="png.050" id="png.050" href="#png.050"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xliv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="pt">I</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Dunna</span> thee tell me its his’n, mother,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Dunna thee, dunna thee.</div> <div>—Oh ay! he’ll be comin’ to tell thee his-sèn</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Wench, wunna he?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha doesna mean to say to me, mother,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>He’s gone wi <span class="nw">that—</span></div> <div>—My gel, owt’ll do for a man i’ the dark,</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Tha’s got it flat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But ’er’s old, mother, ’er’s twenty year</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Older nor <span class="nw">him—</span></div> <div>—Ay, an’ yaller as a crowflower, an’ yet i’ the dark</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>Er’d do for Tim.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha niver believes it, mother, does ter?</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>It’s somebody’s lies.</div> <div>—Ax him thy-sèn wench—a widder’s lodger;</div> <div class="i3"><span class="ns">      </span>It’s no surprise.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">II</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>A widow of forty-five</div> <div>With a bitter, swarthy skin,</div> <div>To ha’ ’ticed a lad o’ twenty-five</div> <div>An’ ’im to have been took in!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>A widow of forty-five</div> <div>As has sludged like a horse all her life,</div> <div>Till ’er’s tough as whit-leather, to slive</div> <div>Atween a lad an’ ’is wife!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>A widow of forty-five. <SPAN name="png.051" id="png.051" href="#png.051"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>A tough old otchel wi’ long</div> <div>Witch teeth, an’ ’er black hawk-eyes as I’ve</div> <div>Mistrusted all along!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ me as ’as kep my-sen</div> <div>Shut like a daisy bud,</div> <div>Clean an’ new an’ nice, so’s when</div> <div>He wed he’d ha’e summat good!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ ’im as nice an’ fresh</div> <div>As any man i’ the force,</div> <div>To ha’e gone an’ given his white young flesh</div> <div>To a woman that coarse!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">III</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>You’re stout to brave this snow, Miss Stainwright,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Are you makin’ Brinsley way?</div> <div>—I’m off up th’ line to Underwood</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Wi’ a dress as is wanted to-day.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Oh are you goin’ to Underwood?</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>’Appen then you’ve ’eered?</div> <div>—What’s that as ’appen I’ve ’eered-on, Missis,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Speak up, you nedna be feared.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Why, your young man an’ Widow Naylor,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her as he lodges wi’,</div> <div>They say he’s got her wi’ childt; but there,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>It’s nothing to do wi’ me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Though if it’s true they’ll turn him out</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>O’ th’ p’lice force, without fail;</div> <div>An’ if it’s not true, I’d back my life <SPAN name="png.052" id="png.052" href="#png.052"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlvi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>They’ll listen to <i>her</i> tale.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Well, I’m believin’ no tale, Missis,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I’m seein’ for my-sen;</div> <div>An’ when I know for sure, Missis,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I’ll talk <i>then</i>.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">IV</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Nay robin red-breast, tha nedna</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Sit noddin’ thy head at me;</div> <div>My breast’s as red as thine, I reckon,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Flayed red, if tha could but see.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Nay, you blessed pee-whips,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>You nedna screet at me!</div> <div>I’m screetin’ my-sen, but are-na goin’</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>To let iv’rybody see.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha <i>art</i> smock-ravelled, bunny,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Larropin’ neck an’ crop</div> <div>I’ th’ snow: but I’s warrant thee, bunny,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span><i>I’m</i> further ower th’ top.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">V</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Now sithee theer at th’ railroad crossin’</div> <div>Warmin’ his-sen at the stool o’ fire</div> <div>Under the tank as fills the ingines,</div> <div>If there isn’t my dearly-beloved liar!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>My constable wi’ ’is buttoned breast</div> <div>As stout as the truth, my sirs!—An’ ’is face</div> <div>As bold as a robin! It’s much he cares <SPAN name="png.053" id="png.053" href="#png.053"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlvii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>For this nice old shame and disgrace.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Oh but he drops his flag when ’e sees me,</div> <div>Yes, an’ ’is face goes white ... oh yes</div> <div>Tha can stare at me wi’ thy fierce blue eyes,</div> <div>But tha doesna stare me out, I guess!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">VI</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Whativer brings thee out so far</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>In a’ this depth o’ snow?</div> <div>—I’m takin’ ’ome a weddin’ dress</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>If tha maun know.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Why, is there a weddin’ at Underwood,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>As tha ne’d trudge up here?</div> <div>—It’s Widow Naylor’s weddin’-dress,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ ’er’s wantin it, I hear.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div><i>’Er</i> doesna want no <span class="nw">weddin-dress ...</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>What—but what dost mean?</div> <div>—Doesn’t ter know what I mean, Tim?—Yi,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha must’ a’ been hard to wean!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha’rt a good-un at suckin-in yet, Timmy;</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>But tell me, isn’t it true</div> <div>As ’er’ll be wantin’ <i>my</i> weddin’ dress</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>In a week or two?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha’s no occasions ter ha’e me on</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Lizzie—what’s done is done!</div> <div>—<i>Done</i>, I should think so—Done! But might</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I ask when tha begun?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>It’s thee as ’as done it as much as me, <SPAN name="png.054" id="png.054" href="#png.054"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlviii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Lizzie, I tell thee that.</div> <div>—“Me gotten a childt to thy <span class="nw">landlady—!”</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha’s gotten thy answer pat,</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>As tha allers hast—but let me tell thee</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Hasna ter sent me whoam, when I</div> <div>Was a’most burstin’ mad o’ my-sen</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ walkin’ in agony;</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>After thy kisses, Lizzie, after</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha’s lain right up to me Lizzie, an’ melted</div> <div>Into me, melted into me, Lizzie,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Till I was verily swelted.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ if my landlady seed me like it,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ if ’er clawkin’, tiger’s eyes</div> <div>Went through me just as the light went out</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Is it any cause for surprise?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>No cause for surprise at all, my lad,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>After lickin’ and snuffin’ at me, tha could</div> <div>Turn thy mouth on a woman like <span class="nw">her—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Did ter find her good?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Ay, I did, but afterwards</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I should like to ha’ killed her!</div> <div>—Afterwards!—an’ after how long</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Wor it tha’d liked to ’a killed her?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Say no more, Liz, dunna thee,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I might lose my-sen.</div> <div>—I’ll only say good-bye to thee, Timothy,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ gi’e her thee back again.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I’ll ta’e thy word ‘Good-bye,’ Liz, <SPAN name="png.055" id="png.055" href="#png.055"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>xlix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>But I shonna marry her,</div> <div>I shonna for nobody.—It is</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Very nice on you, Sir.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The childt maun ta’e its luck, it maun,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ she maun ta’e <i>her</i> luck,</div> <div>For I tell ye I shonna marry <span class="nw">her—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>What her’s got, her took.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>That’s spoken like a man, Timmy,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>That’s spoken like a <span class="nw">man ...</span></div> <div>“He up an’ fired off his pistol</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ then away he ran.”</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I damn well shanna marry ’er,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>So chew at it no more,</div> <div>Or I’ll chuck the flamin’ lot of <span class="nw">you—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—You nedn’t have swore.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">VII</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>That’s his collar round the candle-stick</div> <div>An’ that’s the dark blue tie I bought ’im,</div> <div>An’ these is the woman’s kids he’s so fond on,</div> <div>An’ ’ere comes the cat that caught ’im.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I dunno where his eyes was—a gret</div> <div>Round-shouldered hag! My sirs, to think</div> <div>Of him stoopin’ to her! You’d wonder he could</div> <div>Throw hisself in that sink.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I expect you know who I am, Mrs Naylor! <SPAN name="png.056" id="png.056" href="#png.056"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>l<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Who yer are?—yis, you’re Lizzie Stainwright.</div> <div>’An ’appen you might guess what I’ve come for?</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—’Appen I mightn’t, ’appen I might.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>You knowed as I was courtin’ Tim Merfin.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Yis, I knowed ’e wor courtin’ thee.</div> <div>An’ yet you’ve been carryin’ on wi’ him.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Ay, an’ ’im wi’ me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Well, now you’ve got to pay for it,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—An’ if I han, what’s that to thee?</div> <div>For ’e isn’t goin’ to marry you.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Is it a toss-up ’twixt thee an’ me?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>It’s no toss-up ’twixt thee an’ me.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Then what art colleyfoglin’ for?</div> <div>I’m not havin’ your orts an’ slarts.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Which on us said you wor?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I want you to know ’e’s non <i>marryin’</i> you.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Tha wants ’im thy-sen too bad.</div> <div>Though I’ll see as ’e pays you, an’ comes to the scratch.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Tha’rt for doin’ a lot wi’ th’ lad.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">VIII</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>To think I should ha’e to haffle an’ caffle</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Wi’ a woman, an’ pay ’er a price</div> <div>For lettin’ me marry the lad as I thought</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>To marry wi’ cabs an’ rice.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But we’ll go unbeknown to the registrar, <SPAN name="png.057" id="png.057" href="#png.057"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>li<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ give <i>’er</i> what money there is,</div> <div>For I won’t be beholden to such as her</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>For anythink of his.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">IX</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Take off thy duty stripes, Tim,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ come wi’ me in here,</div> <div>Ta’e off thy p’lice-man’s helmet</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ look me clear.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I wish tha hadna done it, Tim,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I do, an’ that I do!</div> <div>For whenever I look thee i’ th’ face, I s’ll see</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Her face too.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I wish tha could wesh ’er off’n thee,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>For I used to think that thy</div> <div>Face was the finest thing that iver</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Met my <span class="nw">eye....</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="pt">X</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span> <div class="stanza"> <div>Twenty pound o’ thy own tha hast, and fifty pound ha’e I,</div> <div>Thine shall go to pay the woman, an’ wi’ my bit we’ll buy</div> <div>All as we shall want for furniture when tha leaves this place,</div> <div>An’ we’ll be married at th’ registrar—now lift thy face.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Lift thy face an’ look at me, man, up an’ look at me:</div> <div>Sorry I am for this business, an’ sorry if I ha’e driven thee</div> <div>To such a thing: but it’s a poor tale, that I’m bound to say, <SPAN name="png.058" id="png.058" href="#png.058"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Before I can ta’e thee I’ve got a widow of forty-five to pay.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Dunnat thee think but what I love thee—I love thee well,</div> <div>But ’deed an’ I wish as this tale o’ thine wor niver my tale to tell;</div> <div>Deed an’ I wish as I could stood at the altar wi’ thee an’ been proud o’ thee,</div> <div>That I could ha’ been first woman to thee, as thou’rt first man to me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But we maun ma’e the best on’t—I’ll rear thy childt if ’er’ll yield it to me,</div> <div>An’ then wi’ that twenty pound we gi’e ’er I s’d think ’er wunna be</div> <div>So very much worser off than ’er wor before—An’ now look up</div> <div>An’ answer me—for I’ve said my say, an’ there’s no more sorrow to sup.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Yi, tha’rt a man, tha’rt a fine big man, but niver a baby had eyes</div> <div>As sulky an’ ormin’ as thine. Hast owt to say otherwise</div> <div>From what I’ve arranged wi’ thee? Eh man, what a stubborn jackass thou art,</div> <div>Kiss me then—there!—ne’er mind if I scraight—I wor fond o’ thee, Sweetheart.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="A Collier’s Wife">A COLLIER’S WIFE <SPAN name="png.059" id="png.059" href="#png.059"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>liii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">Somebody’s</span> knocking at the door</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Mother, come down and see.</div> <div>—I’s think it’s nobbut a beggar,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Say, I’m busy.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Its not a beggar, mother,—hark</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>How hard he <span class="nw">knocks ...</span></div> <div>—Eh, tha’rt a mard-’arsed kid,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>’E’ll gi’e thee socks!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Shout an’ ax what ’e wants,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I canna come down.</div> <div>—’E says “Is it Arthur Holliday’s?”</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Say “Yes,” tha clown.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>’E says, “Tell your mother as ’er mester’s</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Got hurt i’ th’ pit.”</div> <div>What—oh my sirs, ’e never says that,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>That’s niver it.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Come out o’ the way an’ let me see,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Eh, there’s no peace!</div> <div>An’ stop thy scraightin’, childt,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Do shut thy face.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>“Your mester’s ’ad an accident,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ they’re ta’ein ’im i’ th’ ambulance</div> <div>To Nottingham,”—Eh dear o’ me</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>If ’e’s not a man for mischance!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Wheers he hurt this time, lad? <SPAN name="png.060" id="png.060" href="#png.060"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>liv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—I dunna know,</div> <div>They on’y towd me it wor <span class="nw">bad—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>It would be so!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Eh, what a man!—an’ that cobbly road,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>They’ll jolt him a’most to death,</div> <div>I’m sure he’s in for some trouble</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Nigh every time he takes breath.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Out o’ my way, childt—dear o’ me, wheer</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Have I put his clean stockings and shirt;</div> <div>Goodness knows if they’ll be able</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>To take off his pit dirt.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ what a moan he’ll make—there niver</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Was such a man for a fuss</div> <div>If anything ailed him—at any rate</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span><i>I</i> shan’t have him to nuss.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I do hope it’s not very bad!</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Eh, what a shame it seems</div> <div>As some should ha’e hardly a smite o’ trouble</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ others has reams.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>It’s a shame as ’e should be knocked about</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Like this, I’m sure it is!</div> <div>He’s had twenty accidents, if he’s had one;</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Owt bad, an’ it’s his.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>There’s one thing, we’ll have peace for a bit, <SPAN name="png.061" id="png.061" href="#png.061"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Thank Heaven for a peaceful house;</div> <div>An’ there’s compensation, sin’ it’s accident,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>An’ club money—I nedn’t grouse.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ a fork an’ a spoon he’ll want, an’ what else;</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I s’ll never catch that <span class="nw">train—</span></div> <div>What a trapse it is if a man gets <span class="nw">hurt—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I s’d think he’ll get right again.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h3 title="The Drained Cup">THE DRAINED CUP <SPAN name="png.062" id="png.062" href="#png.062"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lvi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">The</span> snow is witherin’ off’n th’ gress</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Love, should I tell thee summat?</div> <div>The snow is witherin’ off’n th’ gress</div> <div>An’ a thick mist sucks at the clots o’ snow,</div> <div>An’ the moon above in a weddin’ dress</div> <div>Goes fogged an’ <span class="nw">slow—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Love, should I tell thee summat?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha’s been snowed up i’ this cottage wi’ me,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Nay, I’m tellin’ thee <span class="nw">summat.—</span></div> <div>Tha’s bin snowed up i’ this cottage wi’ me</div> <div>While th’ clocks has a’ run down an’ stopped</div> <div>An’ the short days withering silently</div> <div>Unbeknown have dropped.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Yea, but I’m tellin’ thee summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>How many days dost think has <span class="nw">gone?—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Now I’m tellin’ thee summat.</div> <div>How many days dost think has gone?</div> <div>How many days has the candle-light shone</div> <div>On us as tha got more white an’ wan?</div> <div>—Seven days, or <span class="nw">none—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Am I not tellin’ thee summat?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Tha come to bid farewell to <span class="nw">me—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha’rt frit o’ summat.</div> <div>To kiss me and shed a tear wi’ me,</div> <div>Then off and away wi’ the weddin’ ring</div> <div>For the girl who was grander, and better than me</div> <div>For <span class="nw">marrying—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha’rt frit o’ summat?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>I durstna kiss thee tha trembles so, <SPAN name="png.063" id="png.063" href="#png.063"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lvii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Tha’rt frit o’ summat.</div> <div>Tha arena very flig to go,</div> <div>’Appen the mist from the thawin’ snow</div> <div>Daunts thee—it isna for love, I know,</div> <div>That tha’rt loath to go.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Dear o’ me, say summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Maun tha cling to the wa’ as tha goes,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>So bad as that?</div> <div>Tha’lt niver get into thy weddin’ clothes</div> <div>At that rate—eh, theer goes thy hat;</div> <div>Ne’er mind, good-bye lad, now I lose</div> <div>My joy, God knows,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—An’ worse nor that.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The road goes under the apple tree;</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Look, for I’m showin’ thee summat.</div> <div>An’ if it worn’t for the mist, tha’d see</div> <div>The great black wood on all sides o’ thee</div> <div>Wi’ the little pads going cunningly</div> <div>To ravel thee.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>So listen, I’m tellin’ thee summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>When tha comes to the beechen avenue,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>I’m warnin’ thee o’ summat.</div> <div>Mind tha shall keep inwards, a few</div> <div>Steps to the right, for the gravel pits</div> <div>Are steep an’ deep wi’ watter, an’ you</div> <div>Are scarce o’ your wits.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Remember, I’ve warned the o’ summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>An’ mind when crossin’ the planken bridge, <SPAN name="png.064" id="png.064" href="#png.064"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lviii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Again I warn ye o’ summat.</div> <div>Ye slip not on the slippery ridge</div> <div>Of the thawin’ snow, or it’ll be</div> <div>A long put-back to your gran’ marridge,</div> <div>I’m tellin’ ye.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Nay, are ter scared o’ summat?</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>In kep the thick black curtains drawn,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Am I not tellin’ thee summat?</div> <div>Against the knockin’ of sevenfold dawn,</div> <div>An’ red-tipped candles from morn to morn</div> <div>Have dipped an’ danced upon thy brawn</div> <div>Till thou art <span class="nw">worn—</span></div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Oh, I have cost thee summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Look in the mirror an’ see thy-sen,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—What, I am showin’ thee summat.</div> <div>Wasted an’ wan tha sees thy-sen,</div> <div>An’ thy hand that holds the mirror shakes</div> <div>Till tha drops the glass and tha shudders when</div> <div>Thy luck breaks.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>Sure, tha’rt afraid o’ summat.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Frail thou art, my saucy man,</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Listen, I’m tellin’ thee summat.</div> <div>Tottering and tired thou art, my man,</div> <div>Tha came to say good-bye to me,</div> <div>An’ tha’s done it so well, that now I can</div> <div>Part wi’ thee.</div> <div class="i2"><span class="ns">    </span>—Master, I’m givin’ thee summat.</div> </div><!-- stanza --></div> <div class="poem"> <h2 title="THE SCHOOLMASTER:—">THE SCHOOLMASTER <SPAN name="png.065" id="png.065" href="#png.065"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lix<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></h2> <h3 class="smallgap" title="I. A Snowy Day in School">I<br/><span class="smc">A Snowy Day in School</span></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">All</span> the slow school hours, round the irregular hum of the class,</div> <div>Have pressed immeasurable spaces of hoarse silence</div> <div>Muffling my mind, as snow muffles the sounds that pass</div> <div>Down the soiled street. We have pattered the lessons <span class="nw">ceaselessly—</span></div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>But the faces of the boys, in the brooding, yellow light</div> <div>Have shone for me like a crowded constellation of stars,</div> <div>Like full-blown flowers dimly shaking at the night,</div> <div>Like floating froth on an ebbing shore in the moon.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>Out of each star, dark, strange beams that disquiet:</div> <div>In the open depths of each flower, dark restless drops:</div> <div>Twin bubbles, shadow-full of mystery and challenge in the foam’s whispering riot:</div> <div>—How can I answer the challenge of so many eyes!</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The thick snow is crumpled on the roof, it plunges down</div> <div>Awfully. Must I call back those hundred eyes?—A voice</div> <div>Wakes from the hum, faltering about a <span class="nw">noun—</span></div> <div>My question! My God, I must break from this hoarse silence</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>That rustles beyond the stars to me.—There,</div> <div>I have startled a hundred eyes, and I must look</div> <div>Them an answer back. It is more than I can bear.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The snow descends as if the dull sky shook <SPAN name="png.066" id="png.066" href="#png.066"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lx<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>In flakes of shadow down; and through the gap</div> <div>Between the ruddy schools sweeps one black rook.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>The rough snowball in the playground stands huge and still</div> <div>With fair flakes settling down on it.—Beyond, the town</div> <div>Is lost in the shadowed silence the skies distil.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And all things are possessed by silence, and they can brood</div> <div>Wrapped up in the sky’s dim space of hoarse silence</div> <div>Earnestly—and oh for me this class is a bitter rood.</div> </div><!-- stanza --> <h3 class="smallgap" title="II. The Best of School">II<br/><span class="smc">The Best of School</span></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span><span class="smc">The</span> blinds are drawn because of the sun,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And the boys and the room in a colourless gloom</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Of under-water float: bright ripples run</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Across the walls as the blinds are blown</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>To let the sunlight in; and I,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>As I sit on the beach of the class alone,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Watch the boys in their summer blouses,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>As they write, their round heads busily bowed:</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And one after another rouses</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And lifts his face and looks at me,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And my eyes meet his very quietly,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Then he turns again to his work, with glee.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>With glee he turns, with a little glad</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Ecstasy of work he turns from me,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>An ecstasy surely sweet to be had.</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And very sweet while the sunlight waves <SPAN name="png.067" id="png.067" href="#png.067"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lxi<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>In the fresh of the morning, it is to be</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>A teacher of these young boys, my slaves</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Only as swallows are slaves to the eaves</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>They build upon, as mice are slaves</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>To the man who threshes and sows the sheaves.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8"><span class="ns">                </span>Oh, sweet it is</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>To feel the lads’ looks light on me,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Then back in a swift, bright flutter to work,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>As birds who are stealing turn and flee.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Touch after touch I feel on me</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>As their eyes glance at me for the grain</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Of rigour they taste delightedly.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i9"><span class="ns">                  </span>And all the class,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>As tendrils reached out yearningly</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Slowly rotate till they touch the tree</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>That they cleave unto, that they leap along</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Up to their lives—so they to me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>So do they cleave and cling to me,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>So I lead them up, so do they twine</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Me up, caress and clothe with free</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Fine foliage of lives this life of mine;</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>The lowest stem of this life of mine,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>The old hard stem of my life</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>That bears aloft towards rarer skies</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>My top of life, that buds on high</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Amid the high wind’s enterprise.</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>They all do clothe my ungrowing life <SPAN name="png.068" id="png.068" href="#png.068"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lxii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>With a rich, a thrilled young clasp of life;</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>A clutch of attachment, like parenthood,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Mounts up to my heart, and I find it good.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div>And I lift my head upon the troubled tangled world, and though the pain</div> <div>Of living my life were doubled, I still have this to comfort and sustain,</div> <div>I have such swarming sense of lives at the base of me, such sense of lives</div> <div>Clustering upon me, reaching up, as each after the other strives</div> <div>To follow my life aloft to the fine wild air of life and the storm of thought,</div> <div>And though I scarcely see the boys, or know that they are there, distraught</div> <div>As I am with living my life in earnestness, still progressively and alone,</div> <div>Though they cling, forgotten the most part, not companions, scarcely known</div> <div>To me—yet still because of the sense of their closeness clinging densely to me,</div> <div>And slowly fingering up my stem and following all tinily</div> <div>The way that I have gone and now am leading, they are dear to me.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>They keep me assured, and when my soul feels lonely,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>All mistrustful of thrusting its shoots where only</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>I alone am living, then it keeps</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Me comforted to feel the warmth that creeps</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Up dimly from their striving; it heartens my strife: <SPAN name="png.069" id="png.069" href="#png.069"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lxiii<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>And when my heart is chill with loneliness,</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Then comforts it the creeping tenderness</div> <div class="i1"><span class="ns">  </span>Of all the strays of life that climb my life.</div> </div><!-- stanza --> <h3 class="smallgap" title="III. Afternoon in School">III<br/><span class="smc">Afternoon in School</span><br/><span class="allsc">THE LAST LESSON</span></h3> <div class="stanza"> <div><span class="smc">When</span> will the bell ring, and end this weariness?</div> <div>How long have they tugged the leash, and strained apart</div> <div>My pack of unruly hounds: I cannot start</div> <div>Them again on a quarry of knowledge they hate to hunt,</div> <div>I can haul them and urge them no more.</div> <div>No more can I endure to bear the brunt</div> <div>Of the books that lie out on the desks: a full three score</div> <div>Of several insults of blotted page and scrawl</div> <div>Of slovenly work that they have offered me.</div> <div>I am sick, and tired more than any thrall</div> <div>Upon the woodstacks working weariedly.</div> <span class="ns"><br/></span></div> <!-- stanza --> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i12"><span class="ns">                        </span>And shall I take</div> <div>The last dear fuel and heap it on my soul</div> <div>Till I rouse my will like a fire to consume</div> <div>Their dross of indifference, and burn the scroll</div> <div>Of their insults in punishment?—I will not!</div> <div>I will not waste myself to embers for them,</div> <div>Not all for them shall the fires of my life be hot, <SPAN name="png.070" id="png.070" href="#png.070"><span class="pagenum"><span class="ns">[p. </span>lxiv<span class="ns">]</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>For myself a heap of ashes of weariness, till sleep</div> <div>Shall have raked the embers clear: I will keep</div> <div>Some of my strength for myself, for if I should sell</div> <div>It all for them, I should hate <span class="nw">them—</span></div> <div class="i4"><span class="ns">        </span>—I will sit and wait for the bell.</div> </div><!-- stanza --> <div id="printer"> <hr /> <p>TURNBULL AND SPEARS, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH</p> </div> </div> <div class="tnote"> <h2 title="">Transcriber’s note</h2> <p>The author’s representation of dialect exhibits some inconsistencies, which have been retained as printed.</p> </div> <hr class="ww" /> <SPAN name="endofbook"></SPAN> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />