s: "I see that thou hast not detained the men," says Conaire.


s: "Indeed it is not I that betrayed it," says Lé fri flaith.


s: He recited the last answer that they gave him. Conaire and his


s: They went forward to the house and took their seats therein, and


s: fastened their red steeds to the door of the house.


s: This is the way that Conaire took with his troops, to Dublin.


s: "What is thy wife's name?" says Conaire.


s: "I," says Manè Honeyworded, "have the gift of hearing."


s: "Be still a while!" says Manè Honeyworded.


s: "The sound of a good king's cavalcade I hear."


s: "By the gift of far sight, I see," quoth his comrade.


s: "I see there," quoth he, "cavalcades splendid, lofty, beautiful,


s: warlike, foreign, somewhat slender, weary, active, keen, whetted,


s: "What are the waters and heights and invers that they traverse?"


s: pointed, broad-hoofed, big-nosed, red-chested, fat, easily-stopt,


s: "Meseems," says Ingcél, "it should be no sadder for me than the


s: foster-brothers of our own were they! Dear were the champions. We


s: Then came Conaire, so that he was on the green of the Hostel.


s: When Mac cecht heard the tumultuous noise, it seemed to him that


s: Now in the bow of the ship wherein were Donn Désa's sons was the


s: "That is not much of a name," says Conaire.


s: "That which thou, too, desirest," she answered.


s: "'Tis true, 'tis true!" say the evildoers who were along with the


s: This is what others recount: that it was on the eve of _samain_


s: "Who will go there to espy the house?" say everyone.


s: "How is that, O Ingcél?" asks Fer rogain.


s: gold-hilted sword. A shield with five golden circles upon it: a


s: "And after that, whom sawest thou there?"


s: champion of valour for feats of arms; he is an hospitaller for


s: Neither old men nor historians shall declare that I quitted the


s: There I beheld another room with a trio in it, three half-furious


s: Destruction, for the first head that will reach the Hostel will


s: "And afterwards whom sawest thou there?"


s: "There I beheld a room with a trio in it, to wit, three tender


s: I beheld there a room with a trio in it, to wit, a trio horrible,


s: "Ye cannot," says Ingcél. "Clouds," etc.


s: "Then," quoth Ingcél, "I said, gazing at him:


s: I see his high wheel ... round his head ... which is over his


s: I see his mantle red, many-coloured, etc.


s: I see therein a huge brooch of gold, etc.


s: I see his beautiful linen frock ... from ankle to kneecaps.


s: I see his sword golden-hilted, inlaid, its in scabbard of


s: He slept again, and awoke thereout, and sang this rhetoric:


s: "Liken thou, O Fer rogain, him who has sung that lay."


s: "Alas for me!" says Ingcél, "peradventure I shall be the frailest


s: "Liken thou that, O Fer rogain! Who has chanted that lay?"


s: "Long live he who should spare him!" says Lomna Drúth.


s: "I know them," he answered. "Cul and Frecul and Forcul, the three


s: "I know him," says Fer rogain: "'tis Cuscraid Menn of Armagh,


s: Destruction, were it only because of that trio."


s: "I saw another trio on the dais. Three bedgowns girt about them.


s: consent. Liken thou that, O Fer rogain!"


s: "There I beheld another room, and a pair was in it, and they are


s: "Long live he who should protect them!" says Lomna.


s: "Woe to him that shall wreak!" etc., says Lomna Drúth.


s: "Ye cannot," says Ingcél, etc. "And after that whom sawest thou?"


s: big-mouthed woman. Liken thou that, O Fer rogain!"


s: "Woe to him who shall wreak the Destruction!" says Lomna.


s: "Silence a while!" says Conaire, "what is this?"


s: "Champions at the house," says Conall Cernach.


s: "There are warriors for them here," answers Conaire.


s: "They will be needed tonight," Conall Cernach rejoins.


s: Thereafter Conaire entered the house, and asked for a drink.


s: "A drink to me, O master Mac cecht!" says Conaire.


s: "A good man Mac cecht! an excellent man Mac cecht!


s: He gives a drink, he saves a king, he doth a deed.


s: Well he hewed by the door of the Hostel ... Fer lé,


s: Good should I be to far-renowned Mac cecht


s: After this Mac cecht followed the routed foe.


s: 'Tis this that some books relate, that but a very few fell around


s: Where there had been five thousand--and in every thousand ten


s: hundred--only one set of five escaped, namely Ingcél, and his two


s: "Truly," says the woman, "this is 'an ant of ancient land.'"


s: "My wounds are not white, thou old hero," says Conall.


s: "That arm fought tonight, my son," says Amorgein.


s: notwithstanding the disapprobation of Jupiter.


s: soldiery shall have accomplished, under your command; either on


s: ship-board or on horseback. We humble writers, O Agrippa, neither


s: resound, either in the shady borders of Helicon, or on the top of


s: clear-shining constellation as soon as it has shone forth to the


s: To quarrel over your cups, which were made for joy, is downright


s: unconquered, and are forming chains for the formidable Mede. What


s: betrothed husband? What boy from the court shall be made your


s: deceitful ashes: let therefore the muse that presides over severe


s: Septimus, who art ready to go with me, even to Gades, and to the


s: Cantabrian, still untaught to bear our yoke, and the inhospitable


s: good-natured nymphs laugh, and cruel Cupid, who is perpetually


s: shoulders, imbibes, with a more greedy ear, battles and banished


s: I abominate the uninitiated vulgar, and keep them at a distance.


s: Preserve a religious silence: I, the priest of the Muses, sing to


s: Thou shalt atone, O Roman, for the sins of your ancestors, though


s: remonstrates with him how a perfidious woman urged the credulous


s: Augustus Caesar, O ye people, who was lately said, like another


s: You wife of the indigent Ibycus, at length put an end to your


s: wickedness, and your infamous practices. Cease to sport among the


s: she-goat. The wool shorn near the famous Luceria becomes you now


s: guiltless wife spares her motherless step-children, nor does the


s: Melpomene, assume that pride which your merits have acquired, and


s: Thou god, whom the offspring of Niobe experienced as avenger of a


s: donations, if I were rich in those pieces of art, which either


s: inclination require any such curiosities as these. You delight in


s: children. Many brave men lived before Agamemnon: but all of them,


s: O cruel still, and potent in the endowments of beauty, when an


s: propitious auspices, smote the ferocious Rhoeti: how worthy of


s: Thou wilt go, my friend Maecenas, with Liburian galleys among the


s: command, pursue my ease, which can not be pleasing unless in your


s: scorching dog-star should change the Calabrian for the Lucanian


s: Happy the man, who, remote from business, after the manner of the


s: Phoebus, and thou Diana, sovereign of the woods, ye illustrious


s: "But it is still delightful to take out of a great hoard."


s: Neither your wife, nor your son, desires your recovery; all your


s: _Bad men, when they avoid certain vices, fall into their opposite


s: The tribes of female flute-players, quacks, vagrants, mimics,


s: squander a father's effects, is in all cases an evil. What is the


s: prostitutes are frequently preferable. Add to this, that [the


s: yourself upon us a person we do not know?" "As for me, I forgive


s: Let us return from our digression. As his mistress's disagreeable


s: When discord dreadful bursts the brazen bars,


s: And shatters iron locks to thunder forth her wars.


s: So far of this matter; at another opportunity [I may investigate]


s: excellent father inured me to this custom, that by noting each


s: Brundusium ends both my long journey, and my paper.


s: Laevinus, the descendant of that famous Valerius, by whose means


s: different from such persons. For if nature were to make us from a


s: Then, upon his running on in so smart and fluent a manner, the


s: _Priapus complains that the Esquilian mount is infested with the


s: _He describes his sufferings from the loquacity of an impertinent


s: Go, boy, and instantly annex this Satire to the end of my book.


s: invasion. But this pen of mine shall not willfully attack any man


s: Cervius, when he is offended, threatens one with the laws and the


s: That I may not be tedious, whether a placid old age awaits me, or


s: What and how great is the virtue to live on a little (this is no


s: potentates, Why then have you no better method of expending your


s: superfluities? Why is any man, undeserving [of distressed


s: Servius Oppidius, rich in the possession of an ancient estate, is


s: stricken? Why, with a superstitious fear of the gods.


s: What, art thou in a [prophetic] raving; or dost thou play upon me


s: court-house to-morrow before the second hour." "The secretaries


s: I was highest, and next me was Viscus Thurinus, and below, if I


s: _He prefers Homer to all the philosophers, as a moral writer, and


s: _That a wise man is in love with nothing but virtue_.


s: _He apologizes to Maecenas for his long absence from Rome; and


s: Philip, active and strong, and famed for pleading causes, while


s: _Endeavoring to recall him back to Rome from Asia, whither he had


s: _Leader the appearance of praising the man's parsimony, he archly


s: However, whether you murder fishes, or onions and garlic, receive


s: _Horace cautions him to present his poems to Augustus at a proper


s: A companion taken [by his lord] to Brundusium, or the pleasant


s: Look over and over again [into the merits of] such a one, as you


s: The melancholy hate the merry, and the jocose the melancholy; the


s: Romulus, and father Bacchus, and Castor and Pollux, after great


s: eagerness they may apply to verdant Helicon.


s: _In apologizing for not having written to him, he shows that the


s: Those who make bad verses are laughed at: but they are pleased in


s: breaking of a bottle-seal: one who [had sense enough] to avoid a


s: The great majority of us poets, father, and youths worthy such a


s: remarkable for black eyes and jetty hair.


s: This, or I am mistaken, will constitute the merit and beauty of


s: It is not enough that poems be beautiful; let them be tender and


s: inconsistent with the beginning, nor the end with the middle.


s: It is not every judge that discerns inharmonious verses, and an


s: perhaps, I have merited no praise, I have escaped censure.


s: amicably do they conspire [to produce the same effect]. He who is


s: The Mantuan bard his mighty verse unrolled,


s: But in such humbler strains as may beseem


s: Light changes rung on a fantastic theme.


s: My tale is ancient, but the sense is new,--


s: Replete with monstrous fictions, yet half true;--


s: And, if you'll follow till the story's done,


s: I promise much instruction, and some fun.


s: King Arthur and his court were blithe and gay


s: In high-towered Camelot, on Christmas day,


s: For all the Table Round were back again,


s: At peace with God and with their fellow-men.


s: Their shields hung idly on the pictured wall;


s: Their blood-stained banners decked the festal hall


s: Light footsteps, rustling on the rush-strewn floors,


s: And laughter, rippling down long corridors,


s: Attested minds at ease and hearts at play,--


s: Rude Mars unharnessed for love's holiday.


s: In the great hall the Christmas feast was done.


s: Stretched through the mullioned casements to the wall,


s: The revelry was hushed. In tranquil ease


s: The warriors grouped themselves by twos and threes


s: About the dames and damsels of the court,


s: And chattered careless words of small import;


s: In Arthur's court no goodlier knight than he


s: Of all heaven's treasures seemed the goodliest prize.


s: Now daylight faded, and the twilight gloom


s: Deepened the stillness in the vaulted room,


s: Save where upon the hearth a fitful glow


s: Blushed from the embers as the fire burned low.


s: There is a certain subtle twilight mood,


s: That thrills the soul e'en to the finger-tips,


s: And brings the heart's dear secrets to the lips.


s: In Gawayne's corner, as the shades grew thicker,


s: Four eyes waxed brighter, and two pulses quicker;


s: Ten minutes more of quiet talk unbroken,


s: And heaven alone can tell what might be spoken!


s: Compelled--but this anticipates the sequel.


s: Just in the nick of time, King Arthur rose


s: And called for lights. Along the shadowy aisles


s: His pages' footsteps pattered o'er the tiles,


s: Four tapers flickered from each silver sconce.


s: The scene was changed, the dreamer's dream dispelled,


s: And what might else have been his fate withheld


s: From Gawayne's grasp. So may one touch of chance


s: And all the heart's desire,--the joy, the trouble,--


s: Flash to oblivion with the bursting bubble!


s: Felt nothing of the passion and the heat


s: That fire young blood. He raised his warlike head


s: "So have ye feasted well, my knights, this day,


s: And filled your hearts with revel and with play.


s: Of some bright deed of arms or chivalry.


s: Where all is gallantry and girlish sport!


s: Some bold adventure let our thoughts devise,


s: To stir our courage and to cheer our eyes."


s: And lo! while yet he spoke, from far away


s: In the thick shroud of the departed day,


s: Came the faint challenge of a fairy horn!


s: King Arthur started up in mild surprise,


s: While knights and dames looked round with questioning eyes,


s: And each to other spoke some hurried word,


s: As, "Did you hear it?"--"What was that I heard?"


s: But well they knew; for you must understand


s: And the wild blast of fairy horns, once known,


s: Is straightway recognized as soon as blown,


s: Being a sound unique, unearthly, shrill,--


s: Between a screech-owl and a whip-poor-will.


s: The mischief is, that no one e'er can tell


s: Whether such heralding bodes ill or well!


s: The ladies of the palace looked faint fear,


s: When threatening not ourselves, but those we love;


s: But Lady Elfinhart clapped hands in glee,--


s: In sooth, no sentimentalist seemed she,--


s: And cried: "Now, brave Sir Gawayne,--O what fun!


s: Show us the prowess of your arm this night;


s: Gaily she spoke, and seemed all unconcerned;


s: And yet a curious watcher might have learned


s: From a slight quaver in her laughter free


s: To doubt the frankness of her flippancy.


s: Gawayne, bewildered, looked the other way,


s: And wondered what she meant; for in that day


s: And woman's heart was still an unsolved puzzle;


s: And Gawayne, though in valor next to none,


s: Wished that _her_ heart had been a tenderer one.


s: And yet to face death for a lady's mirth


s: Seemed scarce worth while. What honor bade, he'ld do,


s: But would have liked to see a tear or two.


s: While thus he pondered, came a sudden burst


s: Of high-pitched fairy horn-calls, like the first,


s: But nearer, clearer, deadlier than before,


s: Blown seemingly from just outside the door.


s: The casements shook, the taper lights all trembled;


s: The bravest knight's dismay was ill-dissembled;


s: And as all sprang with one accord to win


s: Their swords and shields, stern combat to begin,


s: The great doors shot their bolts, and opened slowly in.


s: For something followed such as never yet


s: Was writ or sung, by human voice or hand,


s: Save those that tell old tales from Fairyland.


s: "Miracles _do_ not happen:"--'t is plain sense,


s: But in those days, as rare old Chaucer tells,


s: So, as I said, the great doors opened wide.


s: In rushed a blast of winter from outside,


s: And with it, galloping on the empty air,


s: A great green giant on a great green mare


s: Plunged like a tempest-cleaving thunderbolt,


s: And struck four-footed, with an earthquake's jolt,


s: Plump on the hearthstone. There the uncouth wight


s: Sat greenly laughing at the strange affright


s: That paled all cheeks and opened wide all eyes;


s: Till after the first shock of quick surprise


s: The people circled round him, still in awe,


s: And circling stared; and this is what they saw:


s: Cassock and hood and hose, of plushy sheen


s: Like close-cut grass upon a bowling-green,


s: Covered his stature, from his verdant toes


s: To the green brows that topped his emerald nose.


s: His beard was glossy, like unripened corn;


s: His eyes shot sparklets like the polar morn.


s: But like in hue unto that deep-sea green


s: Wherewith must shine those gems of ray serene


s: The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear.


s: Green was his raiment, green his monstrous mare.


s: He rode unarmed, uncorsleted, unshielded,


s: Except that in his huge right hand he wielded


s: A frightful battle-axe, with blade as green


s: As coppery rust;--but the long edge shone keen.


s: Such was the stranger, and he turned his head


s: From one side to the other, and then said,


s: With gentle voice, most like a summer breeze


s: That rustles through the leaves of the green trees:


s: "So this is Arthur's court! My noble lord,


s: You said just now you felt a trifle bored,


s: And wished, instead of dancing, feasting, flirting,


s: Their puissance upon some worthier thing.


s: The wish, my lord, was worthy of a king!


s: To serve your fancy as a faithful friend.


s: I bring adventure,--no hard, tedious quest,


s: Let some good knight, the doughtiest of you all,


s: Swing this my battle-axe, and let it fall


s: I will abide the blow, and hold me still;


s: But let him, just a twelvemonth from this day,


s: And let me, if I live, pay back my best,


s: As he pays me. What think you of the jest?"


s: He said; and made a courteous bow,--the while


s: Lighting his features with a bright green smile;


s: As when June breezes, after rain-clouds pass,


s: Ripple in sunlight o'er the unmown grass.


s: The jest seemed fair indeed; but none the less


s: To seize the offer. Some with laughter free


s: Daffed it aside; while others carelessly


s: Strolled to the farthest corners of the hall


s: As if they had not heard his words at all,


s: Not so Sir Gawayne. Vexed in mind he stood


s: With downcast eyes, and knew not what he would.


s: Trained in the school of chivalry to prize


s: His honor as the light of his dear eyes,


s: He held his life, his fortunes, everything,


s: In sacred trust for knighthood and his king,


s: He met his foe full-fronted, and struck hard.


s: But now it seemed a foolish thing to throw


s: One's whole life to the fortune of a blow.


s: True valor breathes not in the braggart vaunt;


s: True honor takes no shame from idle taunt;


s: So let this wizard, if he wants to, scoff;


s: Why should our hero have his head cut off?


s: While thus Sir Gawayne, wrapped in thought intense,


s: The stranger knight was casting his green glance


s: Around the circling throng,--until by chance


s: And--did she flush?--and did the Green Knight start?


s: Beneath his glance a brave man well might flush;


s: What wonder then that a fair maid should blush?


s: Could I but picture her--ah, you would deem


s: And if you saw her, (could such bliss be given),


s: You'ld think _yourself_ in dreamland--or in heaven.


s: Not the red rapture of new-wakened roses,


s: When morning dew their soul of love uncloses,


s: (Roses that must be wooed,--nor may be won


s: Save by the prince of lovers, the warm sun),


s: Whose heart's love lurks deep in her still blue eye,


s: Nor any flower, the loveliest and the best,


s: Can image to you half the charm compressed


s: In those dear eyes, those lips,--nay, every part


s: That made that sum of witcheries--Elfinhart.


s: Her face was a dim dream of shadowy light,


s: Like misty moonbeams on the fields of night,


s: And in her voice sweet nature's sweetest tunes


s: Sang the glad song of twenty cloudless Junes.


s: Her raiment,--nay; go, reader, if you please,


s: Cull old embroideries for their new-spun fancies;


s: I care not for the trivial, nor the fleeting.


s: Beneath her dress a woman's heart was beating


s: Though flowers have grown a thousand years above her,


s: Unseen, unknown, with all my soul I love her.


s: From these digressions upon love and glory,


s: 'Tis time we were returning to our story.


s: I only meant, in a few words, to tell you


s: (For fear my heroine's conduct should repel you)


s: That if she jests, for instance, out of season,


s: Perhaps there is a good substantial reason.


s: Sir Gawayne, had he seen the stranger wink


s: And seen the lady blushing, you may think


s: Might have been spared a most unhappy lot.


s: Perhaps you're right;--but peradventure not.


s: In the first canto, who would read the rest?


s: But now Sir Gawayne, with a troubled eye,


s: Looked up, and saw his lady standing by.


s: How then in after days shall Arthur's court


s: Of idle tongues?" The wrath in Gawayne's eyes


s: Hashed for an instant; then in humbler wise


s: He spoke on: "Yet God grant I be not blind


s: Where honor lights the way; for to my mind


s: True honor bids us shun the devil's den,


s: To fight God's battles in the world of men.


s: Who takes this challenge up, I doubt will rue it."


s: Quoth Elfinhart: "I'ld like to see you do it!"


s: She laughed a gay laugh, but by hard constraint:


s: Then turned and hid her face, all pale and faint,


s: As one might be who stabs and turns the knife


s: In the warm heart of one more dear than life.


s: She turned and Gawayne saw not; but he heard,


s: And felt his heart-strings tighten at her word.


s: Be your least wish my will, although I die!


s: Yet one thing, if I may, I fain would ask,


s: Before I make the venture;--if this task


s: Prove fateful as it threatens,--do you care?"


s: "Perhaps," said Elfinhart, "you do not dare!"


s: Lightly she laughed, and scoffing tossed her head,


s: Yet spoke as one who knew not what she said,


s: With random words, and with quick-taken breath;


s: Then turned again, ere that same look of death


s: Should steal upon her and betray her heart


s: And Gawayne heard but saw not; and the night


s: Descended on him, and his face grew white


s: With grief and passion. When all else is lost,


s: The brave man gives life too, nor counts the cost.


s: "I dreamt," he murmured to himself, "and dreaming


s: I took for truth what was but sweetest seeming.


s: My waking eyes find naught in life to keep;


s: I take the venture, and so back--to sleep."


s: By this, the stranger had at last become


s: "Is this," he said, "the glorious Table Round,


s: And is its glory naught but empty sound?


s: Braggarts! I put your bluster to the test,


s: And find you quail before a merry jest!"


s: Then the great king himself stood up in ire,


s: With clenched hand raised, and eyes that gleamed dark fire,


s: And fronting the Green Knight he cried: "Forbear!


s: "Whate'er thou be, thou shalt not carry hence


s: Unscathed the memory of thine insolence.


s: Such jests as thine please not; yet even so


s: I take thine axe; kneel thou, and take my blow."


s: Across the Green Knight's features there was seen


s: To pass a fleeting shade of deeper green,


s: None knew; but straight a smile of bright contentment


s: Followed, as through the throng of dazed beholders


s: He saw Sir Gawayne thrust his sturdy shoulders.


s: The stranger winked at Elfinhart once more,


s: Well pleased, and Gawayne knelt down on the floor.


s: "A boon," he cried, "a boon, my lord and king!


s: These hands have served thee, hear my last request:


s: Let _me_ adventure this mad monster's jest!"


s: Loth to withdraw his own hand from the trial,


s: And leave the vengeance that himself had vowed;


s: "Sir Gawayne! let Sir Gawayne strike the blow!"


s: And Guinevere, the queen, besought him low


s: To leave this venture to the lesser man.


s: To Arthur, then to all the court. "And now,"


s: Said he to Gawayne, "wheresoe'er you choose


s: To strike your blow, strike on; I'll not refuse;


s: Head, shoulders, chest, or waist, I little reck;


s: Where shall it be?" Quoth Gawayne, "In the neck!"


s: So Gawayne took the axe. The stranger knelt


s: Before him on the hearth and loosed his belt,


s: And threw back his green cassock and his hood,


s: To give his foe the fairest mark he could.


s: Then thus to Gawayne: "Ready! But remember


s: To come the twenty-fifth of next December,


s: And take from me the self-same stroke again!"


s: "And where," asked Gawayne, "may I find you then?"


s: "We'll speak of that, please, when you've struck your blow;


s: For if I can't speak, then you need not go!"


s: He chuckled softly to himself; then turned


s: And waited for the blow, all unconcerned.


s: Not so the knights and ladies of the court;


s: They pushed and craned their necks to see the sport;


s: Not from the lust of blood, for few expected


s: To see blood shed, or the Green Knight dissected,


s: But knowing that some marvel was in store


s: And fairly filled with wide-eyed wonderment.


s: And laid her sweet face in her arms, and burst


s: Into--but none could tell, unless by peeping,


s: Whether she shook with laughter or with weeping.


s: And Gawayne rubbed his arms, his chest he beat,


s: Then grasped the battle-axe and braced his feet,


s: And swung the ponderous weapon high in air,


s: And brought it down like lightning, fair and square


s: Upon the stranger's neck. The axe flashed through,


s: Cutting the Green Knight cleanly right in two,


s: And split the hard stone floor like kindling wood.


s: The head dropped off; out gushed the thick, hot blood


s: But let us say a flood of _crême de menthe_!


s: And then the warriors standing round about


s: Sent up from fifty throats a mighty shout,


s: As when o'er blood-sprent fields the long cheers roll


s: "O Gawayne! Well done, Gawayne!" they all cried;


s: But straight the tumult and the shouting died,


s: For the knight's body stood up in its place


s: And stepping nimbly forward seized the head


s: That lay still on the hearth-stone, seeming dead;


s: Then vaulted lightly, with a careless air,


s: Back to the saddle of his grass-green mare.


s: He held the head up, and behold! it spoke.


s: "My best congratulations on that stroke,


s: But look you fail me not this day next year!


s: I will await you when the sun sinks low,


s: And pay you back full measure, blow for blow!"


s: He wheeled about, the doors flew wide once more,


s: The mare's hoofs struck green sparkles from the floor,


s: And with a whirring flash of emerald light


s: Both horse and rider vanished in the night.


s: Then all the lords and ladies rubbed their eyes


s: The great hall echoed once more with the clatter


s: Of laughing men's and frightened women's chatter;


s: But Gawayne, with the axe in hand, stood still,


s: Heedless of what was passing, with no will


s: For life or death, for all that made life dear


s: Was fled like summer when the leaves fall sere.


s: And Arthur spoke, misreading Gawayne's thought:


s: "Heaven send we have not all too dearly bought


s: Our evening's pastime, Gawayne. You have done


s: As fits a fearless knight, and nobly won


s: Our thanks in equal measure with our praise.


s: So spoke the king, and, to confirm his word,


s: From far away in the deep night was heard


s: Once more the fairy horn-call, clear and shrill;


s: It died upon the wind, and all was still.


s: The hour was late. King Arthur, rising, said


s: Good-night to all his court, and went to bed.


s: We learned from Horace when we went to school,


s: And took a headlong plunge _in medias res_,


s: And now, still following the ancient mode,


s: Retrace my way some twenty years or more,


s: And tell you what I should have told before.


s: It seems an awkward method, but it's art;--


s: Besides, it brings us back to Elfinhart.


s: In those dark days before King Arthur came,


s: When Britain was laid waste with sword and flame,


s: When cut-throats lurked behind the blossoming thorn,


s: And young maids cursed the day when they were born,


s: Fled over heath and hill, and in her flight


s: Came to the magic willow-woods that stand


s: And there, untimely, by the forest-side,


s: Clasping her infant in her arms, she died.


s: Yet not all friendless,--for such mortal throes


s: Pass not unpitied, though no mortal knows;--


s: Looked down upon the innocent lady there,


s: While troops of fairies smoothed her mossy bed


s: And with sweet balsam pillowed her fair head.


s: Her dim eyes could not see them, but she guessed


s: Whose gentle ministrations thus had blessed


s: Her travail; and when pitying fairies laid


s: Upon her heart the child,--a blue-eyed maid,--


s: Ere yet her troubled spirit might depart,


s: With one last word she named her "Elfinhart."


s: So with new-quickened love the fairy elves


s: Took the forlorn child-maiden to themselves


s: And reared her in the wildwood, where no jar


s: Broke the sweet forest murmur, long years round.


s: Her ears, attuned to every woodland sound,


s: Translated to her soul the great world's voice,


s: And the world-spirit made her heart rejoice.


s: And love was hers,--perennial, intense,--


s: The love that wells from joy and innocence


s: And sanctifies the cloistered heart of youth,--


s: The love of love, of beauty, and of truth.


s: Of forest life beside the Murmuring Mere


s: Enriched tenfold the natural dower of grace


s: That shone from the pure spirit in her face.


s: Enhanced her beauty thus. Some say the reason


s: Was in the stars; _I_ think those luminaries


s: Had less to do with it than had the fairies!


s: The more they found of grace in her, the more


s: Their silent influence added to her store;


s: For they were always with her; they and she


s: And yet one further virtue,--not the least


s: Of those that make life lovable,--increased


s: In Elfinhart's sweet nature from her birth


s: And what the best of fairies loves the best


s: (Except pure kindness) is an artless jest.


s: And so wise men have argued, on the whole,


s: That the misguided creatures have no soul;


s: Has none, I'll get along without, myself!


s: These fairies laughed and danced and sang sweet songs,


s: And did all else that to their craft belongs,--


s: All tricks and pranks of whole-souled jollity


s: That make life merry 'neath the greenwood tree.


s: The youngest of them childishly beguiled


s: The time when Elfinhart was still a child;


s: They pinched her fingers, and they pulled her ears,


s: Or sometimes, when her blue eyes dreamed of tears,


s: Half smothered her with showers of four-leafed clover,--


s: Then fled for refuge to some sweet-fern cover;


s: But she pursued them through their tangled lair


s: And caught them, and put fire-flies in their hair;


s: And then they all joined hands, and round and round


s: They danced a morris on the moonlit ground.


s: The years went by, and Elfinhart outgrew


s: (For fairies age but slowly: don't forget


s: That at two hundred they are children yet!)


s: But still she frolicked with them, though scarce _of_ them,


s: And learned each year more tenderly to love them.


s: But most of all she loved with all her heart


s: And hold close converse with the fairies' queen,--


s: Sometimes they sat still in the mild moon's light,


s: Where chestnut blooms made sweet the breath of night,


s: And talked of the great world beyond the wood,--


s: Of neither,--till the twinkling stars were gone,


s: And bustling Chanticleer proclaimed the dawn.


s: And Elfinhart grew wise in fairy learning;


s: But by degrees a half unconscious yearning


s: For humankind stirred in her gentle heart,


s: As sister, helper,--nay, perhaps as wife;--


s: For such vague instincts, after all, are human,


s: And yet, for all this new desire, I doubt


s: If Elfinhart would e'er have spoken out,


s: And told the fairies of her wish to leave them,


s: (A wish her conscious heart well knew would grieve them),


s: If in the ripening of her silent thought


s: A still voice had not whispered that she ought


s: To leave that world of love and mirth and beauty,


s: To share man's burden in this world of duty.


s: (There's anticlimax for you! Most provoking,


s: Just when you thought that I was only joking,


s: But as for morals, though in verse we scout them,


s: In life we somehow can't get on without them;


s: Once in a while, I can't be realistic;--


s: My one wish is to tell things as they were!


s: But not _all_ things; time flies, and art is long,


s: How Elfinhart at last told what she wanted,


s: And what the fairies said, please take for granted.


s: She prayed, they yielded; Elfinhart full loth


s: To leave, as they to let her go, but both


s: Agreeing that this bitter thing must be;


s: For they were fairies, and a mortal she.


s: But ere they yielded, they made imposition


s: Of what then seemed to her a light condition.


s: 'Twas done in kindness, be it understood,


s: With fairy foresight for the maiden's good.


s: The elf-queen spoke for all: "Dear Elfinhart,


s: We fear naught from men's malice; hate and wrath


s: And every evil thing will shun your path,


s: And sunshine will go with you when you move;


s: If in the after days, when suitors woo you,


s: Your heart makes choice of one, as dearest to you,


s: The sacred trust reserved for him alone,


s: His virtue, and his manhood, and his love.


s: Send him to us; and if he bears the test,


s: With love like yours, be sure we will befriend him;


s: And may a life-long happiness attend him!


s: But if he prove a traitor, or faint-hearted,


s: Or if his love and he are lightly parted,


s: In the deep willow-woods he shall remain,


s: The maiden, fancy-free, was well content,


s: And with light laughter gave her full consent;


s: For when maids think of love (as maidens do)


s: It seems a far-off thing; and well she knew


s: Her lover, if she loved, would be both brave and true!


s: Stout men-at-arms, without reproach or spot,


s: Was stopped by a beseeching ancient crone


s: And clutched with palsied fingers at his rein.


s: The sweetest eyes his eyes had ever seen


s: Were gazing at him with wide wonderment,


s: Shone from their blue depths, and old dreams awoke


s: In Launcelot's breast, while thus the beldame spoke:


s: "A boon, a boon, Sir Launcelot of the Lake!


s: Have spoiled her of her birthright, and she flees


s: An innocent outcast from her wasted lands,


s: To lay her life and fortune in his hands."


s: She spoke, and vanished in the woodland shade.


s: Then Launcelot, leaning over helped the maid


s: He asked no questions for some fairy spell


s: Made light his heart, and told him all was well;


s: And as these two rode through the land together,


s: By dappled greenwood shade and sunlit heather,


s: Her soft voice in his ears, the innocent charm


s: Of her light, steady touch upon his arm,


s: Wrought magic in his soul. That day, I ween,


s: Sir Launcelot well-nigh forgot his queen.


s: And Elfinhart (you knew those eyes were hers!)


s: Laughed with the silvery jingle of his spurs,


s: And from her heart the new world's rapture drove


s: All thought of Fairyland--excepting love.


s: And so to high-towered Camelot they came,


s: For over heath-clad hills the wild-winds blow


s: Where Arthur's halls, a thousand years ago


s: Bright with all far-fetched gems of curious art,


s: Shone brighter with the eyes of Elfinhart.


s: She came to Camelot; the king receives her;


s: And there for five glad years my story leaves her.


s: Five glad years, and this "episode" is done,


s: I write of merry jest and greenwood shade,


s: So if you wish to read that five years' story


s: Of lady-love, romance, and martial glory,--


s: The mighty feats of arms that Gawayne did,--


s: Five long years in his breast, biding his time,--


s: My tale begins with the young knight's brave soul


s: All Elfinhart's. She thinks herself heart-whole.


s: But at that Christmas feast, in Arthur's hall,


s: With night's soft mantle folded over all,


s: Stole on their two hearts beating side by side.


s: And Gawayne talked of troubles long ago,


s: When each man's neighbor was his dearest foe,


s: And of the trials he himself had passed,


s: And the high purpose that from first to last


s: Had been his stay and spur, he scarce knew how,


s: He told of his own hopes for future days,


s: And how he wrought and fought not for men's praise,


s: (Though like all good men Gawayne held that dear),


s: Yet trusting, when men laid him on his bier,


s: They might remember, as they gathered round it,


s: "He left this good world better than he found it."


s: He talked as true men seldom talk, unless


s: Swayed utterly by some pure passion's stress,


s: And ever gently, though with heart on fire,


s: Still hovered nearer to his soul's desire.


s: And Elfinhart in gravest silence listened,


s: But her sweet heart beat high, her blue eyes glistened;


s: For as he bared his soul to her she dreamed


s: A day-dream strange and new, wherein it seemed


s: That in that soul's clear depth she saw her own,


s: And his most secret thought (till then unknown)


s: Seemed hers eternally. He spoke of death,


s: And then her heart shrank, and she drew deep breath.


s: What new life dawned before her, came the call


s: Of fairy horns; and so the Green Knight burst


s: One jarring note, the tuneful chords among,


s: May make mad discord of the sweetest song.


s: E'en so with dissonant clamor through the breast


s: Of Gawayne rang the Green Knight's merry jest;


s: But what wild meaning must it not impart


s: For she had heard in the first trumpet-blast


s: And now, of all the strange things that had been,


s: Her half forgotten compact with the queen


s: Flushed through her memory, and a swift thought came


s: Like sudden fear, a thought without a name,


s: And in sheer helplessness she reached an arm


s: Toward Gawayne scarcely knowing what she would;


s: Her eyes beheld him, and she understood.


s: The hour has come, and you must play your part.


s: To go straight onward to the story's end.


s: Sir Gawayne had cut off the Green Knight's head,


s: And Arthur and his court had gone to bed;


s: In the great hall the dying embers shone


s: With a faint ghostly gleam, and there, alone,


s: While all the rest of Camelot was sleeping,


s: In the dark alcove Elfinhart lay weeping.


s: But as she lay there, all about her head


s: There fell a checkered beam of moonlight, shed


s: Through the barred casement; and she faintly stirred,


s: For in her troubled soul it seemed she heard


s: She raised her head and, turning where she lay,


s: "We sent before you called us, Elfinhart,


s: And warned us of the thoughts that in your breast


s: Awoke new rapture, trembling unconfessed."


s: That veiled the fairy form, till, nestling there,


s: Her heart recovered from that blank despair,


s: And whispered her that whatsoe'er befell


s: Love ruled the world, and all would yet be well.


s: And the good fairy stroked the maiden's head


s: And kissed her tear-starred eyes, and smiling said:


s: Hides her shamed head where mortal women be!


s: True love breeds faith and trust, it makes hearts strong;


s: The heart's anointed king can do no wrong!


s: And yet you weep as if you feared to prove him;--


s: Upon my word, I don't believe you love him!"


s: And Elfinhart replied: "Laugh if you will,


s: You fairies love where love is wise and just;


s: I fear I still must love him none the less."


s: She paused, for once again her eyes grew dim:


s: "Think you I love his virtues? I love him!


s: But yet you judged me wrongly, for believe me,


s: (And then laugh once again, and so forgive me),


s: If at the first I feared what you might do,


s: My doubts were not of Gawayne, but of you!"


s: And so both laughed, and for a little space


s: (For fairies, bathed the whole year round in bliss,


s: May yet be gladdened by a fair maid's kiss);


s: And Elfinhart spoke on: "Do what you will,


s: I trust you with my all, and fear no ill.


s: But oh, my friend, to wait the long, long year,--


s: To keep my heart in silence, not to hear


s: The words my whole soul hungers for, nor say


s: Must it be so, my queen? And how shall I


s: School eyes and lips to act this year-long lie?


s: From the dear teacher-guardian of my youth


s: The only ways I learned were ways of truth!


s: I tried my skill this night, and learned to know


s: That there are deeps below the deeps of woe;


s: Hearts may be bruised and broken, yet still live;--


s: The wounds that kill us are the wounds we give!"


s: And so these two talked on, until the night


s: Began to shiver with the gray dawn's light,


s: And in the deep-dyed casement they might see


s: New life flush through old dreams of chivalry.


s: And then they parted. What the queen had said


s: Bade farewell with calm voice and tranquil eyes,


s: And saw with new-born strength the new sun rise.


s: Perhaps in Fairyland there chanced to be


s: For them that grieve some sovereign alchemy


s: To turn the worst to best, and the good queen


s: Applied this soothing balm. Such things have been;


s: Nature had planted in her own sweet soul.


s: Of all sure things, this thing I'm surest of,--


s: That the best cure for love's own ills is love.


s: O Muse!--But no: heaven knows I need a muse;


s: But which of all the nine, pray, should I choose?


s: I love them all, but none, alas, loves me;


s: For if you want a muse to take your part


s: You must be solely hers with all your heart;


s: And I have mingled since my earliest youth


s: My smiles and tears, my fictions and my truth;


s: Nay, in this very tale, scarce yet half done,


s: I've courted all the nine, and so won none!


s: Not for me, therefore, the Parnassian lyre,


s: Or winged war-horse shod with heavenly fire;


s: Harsh numbers flow from throats whose thirst has been


s: A whole life long unslaked of Hippocrene;


s: A plain, straightforward man's unvarnished word,


s: Part sad, part sweet,--and part of it absurd.


s: A year passed by, as years are wont to do,


s: Winter and spring, summer and autumn too,


s: Till mid-December's flaw-blown flakes of snow


s: Warned Gawayne that the time was come to go


s: And take again the blow he gave last year.


s: In the great court his charger stamped the ground,


s: While knights and weeping ladies thronged around


s: One face alone in all that bustling throng


s: Our hero's eyes sought eagerly, and long


s: But as Sir Gawayne gathered up his reins


s: And bade the draw-bridge warden loose the chains,


s: Her fair face flushed with love, and joy, and pride.


s: She plucked a sprig of holly from her gown


s: And looked up, questioning; and he leaned down,


s: And so she placed it in his helm. No word


s: Might Gawayne's lips then utter, but he heard


s: The voice that was his music, and could feel


s: The touch of gentle fingers through the steel.


s: "Wear this, Sir Gawayne, for a loyal friend


s: Whose hopes and prayers go with you to the end."


s: And, staying not for answer, she withdrew,


s: And in the throng was lost to Gawayne's view.


s: He roused himself, and waving high his hand,


s: Struck spur, and so rode off toward Fairyland.


s: Long time he traveled by an unknown way,


s: Unhoused at night, companionless by day.


s: The cold sleet stung him through his shirt of mail,


s: But, underneath, his stout heart would not fail,


s: But beat full measure through the fiercest storm,


s: And kept his head clear and his brave soul warm.


s: No need to tell the perils that he passed;


s: He conquered all, and came unscathed at last


s: Deep in the heart of a dense willow-wood.


s: And Gawayne called aloud, and to the gate


s: A smiling porter came, who opened straight,


s: And bade him enter in and take his rest;


s: And Gawayne entered, and the people pressed


s: About him with fair speeches; and he laid


s: His armor off, and gave it them, and prayed


s: That they would take his message to their lord,--


s: prayer for friendly shelter, bed and board.


s: He told them whence he was, his birth and name;


s: A mighty man, huge-limbed, with flashing eyes,


s: And welcomed him with old-time courtesies;


s: For manners, in those days, were held of worth,


s: And gentle breeding went with gentle birth.


s: He heartily was glad his guest had come,


s: And made Sir Gawayne feel himself at home;


s: And as they walked in, side by side, each knew


s: A sumptuous dinner in the hall of state,


s: And all the household, ranged along the board,


s: Made good cheer with Sir Gawayne and their lord,


s: And passed the brimming bowl right merrily


s: With friendly banter and quick repartee.


s: And Gawayne asked if they had chanced to hear


s: And straightway all grew grave. Within his breast


s: And asked for some good man to be his guide


s: To find his foe. "I promise him," said he,


s: "No golden guerdon;--his reward shall be


s: The consciousness that unto him 't was given


s: To show a parting soul the way to heaven!"


s: Up jumped his host. "My friend, I like your attitude,


s: And know no surer way to win heaven's gratitude


s: Than sending thither just such men as you;


s: I'll be your guide. But since you are not due


s: At the Green Chapel till three nights from now,


s: And since the way is short, I'll tell you how


s: At this Sir Gawayne gave a sudden start,


s: For some old memory seemed to clutch his heart,


s: And in the baron's eyes he seemed to see


s: Not wholly strange; but like a flash 't was gone.


s: Gawayne sank back, and his good host went on:


s: "Two days you sojourn here, and while I take


s: My house and castle yours; and then, each night,


s: We'll meet together here at candle-light,


s: And all my winnings in the wood, and all


s: That comes to you at home, whate'er befall,


s: We'll give each other in exchange; in fine,


s: My fortune shall be yours, and yours be mine."


s: And with most cordial laughter he agreed.


s: They clasped hands o'er the bargain with good zest,


s: And then all said good-night, and went to rest.


s: Of footman, horseman, seneschal, and groom,


s: Bustling beneath the windows of his room.


s: He rose and looked out, just in time to see


s: Of huntsmen, armed with cross-bow, axe, and spear,


s: Ride through the castle gate and disappear.


s: And then, while Gawayne dressed, there came a knock


s: Upon his chamber door. He threw the lock,


s: And a boy page brought robes of ermine fur


s: And Tarsic silk,--black, white, and lavender,--


s: For his array, and with them a kind message,


s: Which the good knight received with no ill presage:


s: "Will brave Sir Gawayne spare an idle hour


s: The boy led on, and Gawayne followed him


s: Through crooked corridors and archways dim,


s: And down a winding stair; then "Here we are!"


s: The page cried cheerily, and paused before


s: The massive carvings of an antique door.


s: This he swung open; and the knight passed through


s: Could make that strange enchantment live again?


s: Not he who drew Acrasia's Bower of Bliss


s: And Phædria's happy isle could picture this.


s: That sweet-souled Puritan discerned too well


s: The serpent's coil behind the witch's spell;


s: And he who saw--when the dark veil was torn--


s: (Sublimest prophet, whose immortal verse


s: Lent mightier thunders to the primal curse),


s: Even he too sternly, in the soul's defense,


s: Repressed the still importunate cries of sense.


s: Bid me not, therefore, task my feebler pen


s: With dreams beyond the limits of their ken;


s: The phantom conjurings of the magic hour


s: That Gawayne passed in that enchanted bower


s: But yet some part of what he felt and did


s: These lines must needs disclose. As he stood there,


s: Breathing soft odors from the mellow air,


s: All hopes, all aims of noble knighthood seemed


s: Like the dim yesterdays of one who dreamed,


s: In starless caves of memory sunken deep,


s: And, like lost music, folded in strange sleep.


s: "How long, O mortal man, wilt thou give heed


s: To the world's phantom voices? The hours speed,


s: And fame and fortune yield to moth and rust,


s: Even now the sands are running in the glass;


s: Set not your heart upon vain things that pass;


s: Ambitions, honors, toils, are but the snare


s: Where lurks for aye the blind old world's despair.


s: Nay, quiet the bootless striving in your breast


s: And let your tired heart here at last find rest.


s: In vain have joy, love, beauty, struck deep root


s: In your heart's heart, unless you pluck the fruit;


s: Then put away the cheating soul's pretense,


s: Heap high the press, fill full the cup of sense;


s: And let love, joy, and beauty reign alway!"


s: Such thoughts as these, confused and unexpressed,


s: Flooded the silence in Sir Gawayne's breast.


s: Meanwhile a brasier filled the scented air


s: With wreaths of magic mist, and he was ware


s: That the mist drew together like a shroud;


s: And then the veil was rent, and in the cloud


s: Stood one who seemed, in features, form, and dress,


s: The wonders of that vision none could tell


s: Save one whose heart had felt the mystic spell.


s: When youth made melody for love's sweet lays,


s: In two dark eyes (yet oh, how bright, how bright!)


s: I saw the wakening rapture of love's light,


s: And, in the hush of that still dawning, heard


s: From two sweet trembling lips love's whispered word.


s: The twilight deepens when the sun has set;


s: But these avail not. Though my soul lay bare,


s: With all those memories sanctuaried there,


s: That spell was human. But the unseen power


s: That wove the witchery of this fairy bower,


s: In Gawayne's heart such subtle magic wrought


s: That past and future were well-nigh forgot,


s: And all that earth holds else, or heaven above,


s: Seemed naught worth keeping, save this dream of love.


s: And now, as the strange cloud of incense broke,


s: The vision, if it were a vision, spoke,--


s: If it were speech that filled the quivering air


s: With low harmonious music. Let none dare


s: In the rude jargons of this world to fashion


s: That sweet, wild anthem of unearthly passion.


s: Could I from the broad-billowing ocean borrow


s: Of Tristan's love and of Isolde's sorrow,


s: The flood of those world-darkening surges, wrought


s: With thoughts that lie beyond the reach of thought,


s: Might bring me succor where weak words must fail.


s: But Gawayne saw and heard, and passion-pale


s: Shrank back, and made a darkness of his face;


s: (As though the unplumbed deeps of starless space


s: Could quench those lustrous eyes, or close his ears


s: To the eternal music of love's spheres!)


s: But the voice changed, and Gawayne, listening there,


s: Heard now a heart's low cry of wild despair.


s: He turned again, and lo! the vision knelt


s: To arm herself against her own dear life;


s: But as she bared her white breast to the knife


s: He started quickly forward, and he grasped


s: The hand that held the hilt; and then she clasped


s: Her soft arms round his neck, and as their lips


s: Met in the shadowing fold of love's eclipse,


s: All earth, all heaven, all knightly hopes of grace,


s: Died in the darkness of one blind embrace.


s: Died? Nay; for Gawayne, ere the moment passed,


s: Broke from the arms that strove to bind him fast,


s: And turned away once more; and, as he pressed


s: A trembling hand against his throbbing breast,


s: His aimless fingers touched a treasured part


s: Laid in his breast when he put off his arms.


s: What perils now are left in fairy charms?


s: For poets fable when they call love blind;


s: Whence with his keen eyes he may penetrate


s: All mists and fogs that baser spells create.


s: Love? What is love? Not the wild feverish thrill,


s: When heart to heart the thronging pulses fill,


s: And lips that close in parching kisses find


s: No speech but those;--the best remains behind.


s: The tranquil spirit--the divine assurance


s: That this life's seemings have a high endurance--


s: Thoughts that allay this restless striving, calm


s: The passionate heart, and fill old wounds with balm;--


s: These are the choirs invisible that move


s: In white processionals up the aisles of love.


s: Such love was Gawayne's,--love that sanctifies


s: The heart's most secret altar; and his eyes


s: Were opened, and his pulses beat once more


s: Their old true rhythm. And so the strife was o'er,


s: Were foiled by Gawayne--and by Elfinhart.


s: But time flies, and 't were tedious to delay


s: Light summer breezes, skurrying o'er the deep,


s: Ripple and foam and flash,--then sink to sleep;


s: But underneath, serene and changing never,


s: The mighty heart of ocean beats forever,


s: And his deep streams renew from pole to pole


s: Enough, then, of the spells that vexed the brain


s: Of Gawayne; love and knighthood made all


s: And in the afternoon, when Gawayne learned


s: That his good host, the baron, had returned,


s: And straightway six tall men, of lusty age


s: And mighty sinews, entered the great door,


s: Bearing the carcass of a huge wild boar,


s: And dropped it quivering at our hero's feet.


s: "What do you say to that, Sir Gawayne?" cried


s: The baron, swelling with true sportsman's pride


s: "But come: your promise, now, of yester-eve;


s: 'T is blesseder to give than to receive!


s: Though I'll be sworn you'll find it hard to pay


s: Full value for the winnings of this day."


s: "Not so," said Gawayne; "you will rest my debtor;


s: Your gift is good, but mine will be far better."


s: And then he strode with solemn steps along


s: The echoing hall, and through the listening throng,


s: And with the words, "My noble lord, take this!"


s: "Now by my great-great-grandsire's beard," quoth he,


s: "Better than all dead boars in Christendom


s: Is one sweet loving kiss!--Whence did it come?"


s: "Nay, there," Sir Gawayne said, "you step beyond


s: Take you my kiss in peace, as I your boar;


s: Be glad; give thanks;--and seek to know no more."


s: Loud laughter made the baron's eyes grow bright


s: And glitter with green sparkles of delight;


s: And then he chuckled: "Sir, I'm proud of you;


s: I drink your best of health; _I think you'll do!_"


s: And now the board was laid and dressed, and all


s: And Gawayne looked along the room askance,


s: Seeking the lady; and he caught one glance


s: Of laughing eyes--then looked away in haste,


s: But turned again, and wondered why his taste


s: Had erred so strangely, for the lady seemed


s: Not fairer now than others. Had he dreamed?


s: He rubbed his eyes and pondered,--though in sooth


s: Without one glimmering presage of the truth,--


s: Till all passed lightly from his puzzled mind,


s: Leaving contentment and good cheer behind.


s: So all the company feasted well, and sped


s: The flying hours, till it was time for bed.


s: Within doors, to fulfill the merry jest.


s: So when, next morning, Gawayne once more heard


s: The hunt's-up in the court, he never stirred,


s: While he slept soundly well into the day.


s: Later he rose, and strolled from room to room,


s: Through vaulted twilights of ancestral gloom,


s: Until, descending a long stair, he found


s: The dim-lit castle crypt, deep under ground,


s: Their long last marble silence as they slept,


s: Sir Gawayne, wandering on in aimless mood,


s: Pondered the tomb-stone legends, quaint and rude,


s: Wherein the pensive dreamer might divine


s: And Gawayne, reading here and there the story


s: Found on a tablet these words: "Where he lies,


s: The gray wave breaks and the wild sea-mew flies:


s: If any be that loved him, seek not here,


s: But in the lone hills by the Murmuring Mere."


s: By the green stranger; and the legend brought


s: A tide of passion flooding Gawayne's thought;


s: A flood-tide, not of fear,--for Gawayne's breast


s: Of noble knighthood,--but the love of life,


s: Compassion, and soul-sickness of the strife.


s: Among these bleak and barren hills alone,


s: His end unwept for and his grave unknown,--


s: That brightened all his world in those dear eyes!


s: Of that low vault, he staggered up the stair,


s: Out of the dim-lit halls of silent death


s: Into the living light, and drew quick breath


s: Where, through a casement-arch of ivied stone,


s: Bright from the clear blue sky the warm sun shone.


s: The whole of life's glad rapture thrilled his heart;


s: Till a quick step behind him made him start,


s: And there, deep-veiled, in muffling cloak and hood,


s: Low-voiced she spoke, as if with studied care


s: Weighing the syllables of her parting prayer.


s: "Sir Gawayne--nay, I pray you, turn not yet,


s: But hear me;--though my heart may not forget


s: That once, for one sweet moment, you were kind,


s: I come not to recall that to your mind;--


s: Between us two be love's words aye unspoken!


s: Yet ere you go, I pray you, leave some token


s: That in the long, long years may comfort me


s: For the dear face I nevermore shall see."


s: "Nay, lady," said the knight, "I have no gifts


s: To give you. Errant knighthood ever drifts


s: From shore to shore, by wandering breezes blown,


s: With naught save its good name to call its own.


s: In friendship, then, I pray you keep for me


s: "Ah, sir," she said, "my memory bears that name


s: Burnt in with characters of living flame.


s: But though you give me naught, I pray you take


s: This girdle from me;--wear it for my sake;


s: From Fairyland; and its encircling charm


s: Keeps scathless him who wears it from all harm;


s: No evil thing can touch him. Gird it on,


s: If but to ease my heart when you are gone."


s: She held a plain green girdle in her hand,


s: Of silk, with silver clasps; but in those days


s: The strangest things were wrought in simplest ways,


s: As Gawayne knew full well; and he could see


s: He took the girdle, held it, fingered it,


s: Then clasped it round his waist to try the fit,


s: Till conscience grew too weak for inclination;


s: For at the last he threw one wandering glance


s: Out at the casement, and the merry dance


s: Of sparkling sunbeams on the fields of snow


s: Wrought havoc in his wavering heart; and so,


s: Repeating to himself one word: "Life, life!"


s: He took the token from the baron's wife.


s: That evening, when the baron and our knight


s: Met to exchange their gifts at candle-light,


s: Said: "Sir, my luck has left me; not a boar


s: Did we get wind of, all this blessed day.


s: Your pardon. What good fortune do _you_ bring?"


s: And Gawayne answered firmly: "Not a thing!"


s: By noon the next day, Gawayne and his host


s: Rode side by side along the perilous coast


s: Of the gray Mere, from whose unquiet sleep


s: Startled the still December's listening air.


s: The baron, shuddering, pointed seaward. "There,"


s: He said, "year in, year out, these voices haunt


s: That fearful water; heaven knows what they want!


s: Men tell me--and I have no doubt it's true--


s: They are knights-errant whom the Green Knight slew!


s: Adventure near that uncouth monster's snares!"


s: Quoth Gawayne: "How have _you_ escaped the net?"


s: When I'm about, he seems to shun the place,


s: But if we did meet, 't would be safe to say


s: Not more than one of us would get away!"


s: And then the baron told tales by the score


s: About the Green Knight's quenchless thirst for gore,


s: Was proof against the prowess of his arm;


s: At his first blow each vain defense must fall,


s: Would certainly have felt his heart's blood curdle,


s: Despite his secret wearing of the girdle;


s: That the whole monstrous business was absurd,


s: Sir Gawayne simply said: "I gave my word."


s: And when the baron saw he would not bend,


s: He seemed to lose all patience. "Well, my friend,


s: I'll go no further with you. On your head


s: Shall be your own mad blood when you are dead.


s: Yonder your two roads fork; pause there, I pray,


s: And ponder well before you choose your way.


s: One takes the hills, one winds along the wave;


s: To Camelot this,--the other to your grave!


s: Choose the high road, Sir Gawayne; shun the danger!


s: Say you were misdirected by a stranger;--


s: I swear by all that's sacred, I'll not tell


s: One syllable to a soul:--and so farewell!"


s: And vanished where the road turned. Gawayne heard,


s: Long after he had disappeared, the sound


s: Of iron hoof-beats on the frozen ground,


s: Till all died into silence, save those drear


s: And hollow voices from the Murmuring Mere.


s: But Gawayne chose the lower road, and passed


s: Along the desolate shore. The die was cast.


s: The western skies, as the red sun sank low,


s: Cast purple shades across the drifted snow,


s: And Gawayne knew that the dread hour was come


s: And now, from just beyond a jutting hill,


s: That hisses, roars, and sputters, clicks and clacks;--


s: It was the Green Knight sharpening his axe!


s: And Gawayne, coming past the corner, found him,


s: With ghastly mouldering skulls and bones strewn round him,


s: Against the surface of his grinding wheel.


s: The place was a wild hollow, circled round


s: With barren hills, and on the bottom ground


s: Stood the Green Chapel, moss-grown, solitary;--


s: In sooth, it seemed the devil's mortuary!


s: The Green Knight's back was turned, and he stirred not


s: Till Gawayne hailed him sharply; then he shot


s: One glance--as when, o'erhead, a living wire


s: Startles the night with flashes of green fire;--


s: Then hurried forward, bland as bland could be,


s: And greeted Gawayne with green courtesy.


s: "Dear sir, I ask a thousand pardons; pray


s: Forgive me. You are punctual to the day;


s: That's good! Of course I knew you would not fail.


s: I trust, with all my heart, you are not ill?


s: Just the cold air? It does blow rather chill!


s: What can I do to cheer you? Let me see;--


s: You'ld rather not? You're pressed for time? Of course,


s: I understand; then just get off your horse,


s: Our little business for you. There, that's right;


s: And now your helmet? Thanks; and if you please


s: Perhaps you'll kindly kneel down on your knees,


s: Are you all ready? Will you bide the blow?"


s: And Gawayne said "I will," in such soft notes


s: As happy bridegrooms utter, when their throats


s: Are paralyzed with blest anticipation;--


s: (What Gawayne looked for was decapitation!)


s: And then the Green Knight swung his axe in air


s: With a loud whirr; and Gawayne, kneeling there,


s: Shrank back an inch; and the green giant stayed


s: His threatening hand, and with a cold sneer said:


s: "You shrink, sir, from the axe; I can't hit true


s: Unless you hold still, as I did for you."


s: "Your pardon," Gawayne said, with bated breath;


s: "This time I swear to hold as still as death."


s: He did so, and the Green Knight swung again


s: His axe, and whirled it round his head, and then,


s: Pausing a second time, said: "Very good!


s: You're holding quite still now; I knew you would!"


s: Gawayne, in anger, said: "Jest, if you like,


s: After the blow; tarry no longer; strike!"


s: So once again the ponderous axe was raised;


s: But this time down it came, and lightly grazed


s: Sir Gawayne's neck. He felt the hot blood flow,


s: And saw red drops that sank deep in the snow,


s: And then he jumped up, faced his foe, and cried:


s: "Enough: you owed me one blow, though I died;


s: But be you man or beast or devil abhorred,


s: I yield no further; with my mortal sword


s: A low melodious laugh, like running brooks


s: Whose pebbly babble fills the shadowy nooks


s: Of green-aisled woodlands, when the winds are still.


s: "My friend, we bear each other no ill will.


s: When first I swung my axe, you showed some fear;


s: I owed you that much for your blow last year.


s: The second time I swung,--yet spared your life,--


s: That paid you for the kiss you gave my wife!"


s: "Your wife!" "My wife, Sir Gawayne; 't was my word;


s: And when I swung my weapon for the third


s: And last time, then I made the red blood spirt


s: For that green girdle underneath your shirt!


s: Once more, and casting off the magic belt,


s: In bitter broken words confessed his shame,


s: And begged the Green Knight to avenge the name


s: Of injured knighthood, and with one last blow


s: To end his guilty life. "Nay, nay, not so,"


s: The other softly said. "Be of good cheer;


s: Your fault was small, for all men hold life dear.


s: We tempted you, my friend, with all our might,


s: And proved you in good sooth a noble knight;


s: Quoth Gawayne drily, "Thanks, Lord Potiphar!


s: But may I ask you why you played this part?"


s: He smiled, and from his smile a genial glow


s: Filling with verdure all that barren place.


s: The warm red blood rushed to Sir Gawayne's face;


s: He caught his breath, and in his eager eyes


s: There shone a sudden flash of dark surmise,


s: And then he stood a long while pondering;


s: But in his breast his heart began to sing


s: The old, old music whose still echoes roll


s: Forever voiceless through the listening soul.


s: He said farewell to his good fairy friend


s: As in a dream, where real and unreal blend


s: Of love to lead him home, rode through the night,


s: Beside the tranquil murmurs of the Mere,


s: And through the silence of the passing year;


s: And earth and sea and starlit sky took part


s: While all but love and wonder was forgot,


s: The good King Arthur and his Table Round


s: But ere he passed the gates a mighty shout


s: Rose from the watchmen on the outward wall


s: And bore the tidings to the inmost hall.


s: From every window flaunting flags were flung;


s: From the high battlements brass trumpets sung;


s: And great bells, chiming in the topmost tower,


s: As Gawayne, riding through the cullis-port,


s: Faced the glad throng that filled the palace court.


s: And with this tribute paid to knightly glory


s: It seems most fitting to conclude my story.


s: The sequel; but when I, in silent thought,


s: Had brought Sir Gawayne back to her, and sought


s: With hand profane to lift the veil, behind


s: Whose secret shelter their two hearts enshrined


s: But this alone I know: the power that wove


s: Through human lives the warp and woof of love


s: Wrought not in darkness, nor with hand unsure;--


s: And hence I doubt not that these two were blest


s: As none may be, save they who have confessed


s: And trod his holy ground with reverent awe.


s: Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856,


s: In the Clerk's Office of the District Court


s: accomplished poet whom they undertook to represent.


s: As to the objections which Hayward and some of his reviewers have


s: Forms that so early cheered my troubled eyes!


s: To hold you fast doth still my heart implore me?


s: Still bid me clutch the charm that lures and flies?


s: Ye crowd around! come, then, hold empire o'er me,


s: As from the mist and haze of thought ye rise;


s: The magic atmosphere, your train enwreathing,


s: Through my thrilled bosom youthful bliss is breathing.


s: Ye bring with you the forms of hours Elysian,


s: And shades of dear ones rise to meet my gaze;


s: First Love and Friendship steal upon my vision


s: Runs through life's devious, labyrinthine ways;


s: And, sighing, names the good (by Fortune cheated


s: Of blissful hours!) who have before me fleeted.


s: These later songs of mine, alas! will never


s: Sound in their ears to whom the first were sung!


s: Scattered like dust, the friendly throng forever!


s: Mute the first echo that so grateful rung!


s: To the strange crowd I sing, whose very favor


s: Like chilling sadness on my heart is flung;


s: And all that kindled at those earlier numbers


s: Roams the wide earth or in its bosom slumbers.


s: For that calm, pensive spirit-realm, to-day;


s: Like an Aeolian lyre, (the breeze returning,)


s: Floats in uncertain tones my lisping lay;


s: Strange awe comes o'er me, tear on tear falls burning,


s: The rigid heart to milder mood gives way!


s: _Manager_. You who in trouble and distress


s: Have both held fast your old allegiance,


s: To please the crowd my purpose has been steady,


s: Because they live and let one live at least.


s: The posts are set, the boards are laid already,


s: They sit, with lifted brows, composed looks wearing,


s: Expecting something that shall set them staring.


s: I know the public palate, that's confest;


s: Yet never pined so for a sound suggestion;


s: True, they are not accustomed to the best,


s: But they have read a dreadful deal, past question.


s: How shall we work to make all fresh and new,


s: For sure I love to see the torrent boiling,


s: When towards our booth they crowd to find a place,


s: Now rolling on a space and then recoiling,


s: Then squeezing through the narrow door of grace:


s: Long before dark each one his hard-fought station


s: In sight of the box-office window takes,


s: And as, round bakers' doors men crowd to escape starvation,


s: For tickets here they almost break their necks.


s: This wonder, on so mixed a mass, the Poet


s: Alone can work; to-day, my friend, O, show it!


s: _Poet_. Oh speak not to me of that motley ocean,


s: Whose roar and greed the shuddering spirit chill!


s: Hide from my sight that billowy commotion


s: That draws us down the whirlpool 'gainst our will.


s: No, lead me to that nook of calm devotion,


s: Where blooms pure joy upon the Muses' hill;


s: Where love and friendship aye create and cherish,


s: With hand divine, heart-joys that never perish.


s: Ah! what, from feeling's deepest fountain springing,


s: Scarce from the stammering lips had faintly passed,


s: Now, hopeful, venturing forth, now shyly clinging,


s: To the wild moment's cry a prey is cast.


s: Oft when for years the brain had heard it ringing


s: It comes in full and rounded shape at last.


s: What shines, is born but for the moment's pleasure;


s: The genuine leaves posterity a treasure.


s: _Merry Person_. Posterity! I'm sick of hearing of it;


s: Supposing I the future age would profit,


s: Will not make war with popular caprices,


s: The power his word shall wield increases.


s: Let Phantasy with all her various choir,


s: But, mark me, folly too! the scene inspire.


s: _Manager_. But the great point is action! Every one


s: Comes as spectator, and the show's the fun.


s: Let but the plot be spun off fast and thickly,


s: So that the crowd shall gape in broad surprise,


s: Then have you made a wide impression quickly,


s: The mass can only be impressed by masses;


s: Then each at last picks out his proper part.


s: Give much, and then to each one something passes,


s: And each one leaves the house with happy heart.


s: Have you a piece, give it at once in pieces!


s: It costs as little pains to play as to invent.


s: But what is gained, if you a whole present?


s: Your public picks it presently to pieces.


s: _Poet_. You do not feel how mean a trade like that must be!


s: In the true Artist's eyes how false and hollow!


s: _Manager_. Such charges pass me like the idle wind;


s: Must choose the instruments most fitting.


s: Consider what soft wood you have for splitting,


s: That other comes full from the groaning table,


s: From reading journals is for thought unable.


s: The ladies give themselves and all their precious plunder


s: On your poetic heights what dream comes o'er you?


s: One, after this play, hopes to play at cards,


s: One a wild night to spend beside his doxy chooses,


s: I tell you, give them more and ever more and more,


s: And then your mark you'll hardly stray from ever;


s: What ails you? Are you pleased or pained? What notion----


s: _Poet_. Go to, and find thyself another slave!


s: What! and the lofty birthright Nature gave,


s: The noblest talent Heaven to man has lent,


s: Thou bid'st the Poet fling to folly's ocean!


s: But by the tide of song that from his bosom springs,


s: And draws into his heart all living things?


s: When Nature's hand, in endless iteration,


s: The thread across the whizzing spindle flings,


s: Who, then, the long, dull series animating,


s: Breaks into rhythmic march the soulless round?


s: And, to the law of All each member consecrating,


s: Who bids the tempest rage with passion's power?


s: The earnest soul with evening-redness glow?


s: Who scatters vernal bud and summer flower


s: Who weaves each green leaf in the wind that trembles


s: To form the wreath that merit's brow shall crown?


s: Who makes Olympus fast? the gods assembles?


s: _Merry Person_. Come, then, put forth these noble powers,


s: One comes and sees by chance, one burns, one stays,


s: And feels the gradual, sweet entangling!


s: The pleasure grows, then comes a sudden jangling,


s: Then rapture, then distress an arrow plants,


s: And ere one dreams of it, lo! _there_ is a romance.


s: Plunge into human life's full sea of passion!


s: Each lives it, few its meaning ever guessed,


s: Touch where you will, 'tis full of interest.


s: The fairest flower of the youth sit listening


s: Before your play, and wait the revelation;


s: Each melancholy heart, with soft eyes glistening,


s: Draws sad, sweet nourishment from your creation;


s: This passion now, now that is stirred, by turns,


s: And each one sees what in his bosom burns.


s: Open alike, as yet, to weeping and to laughter,


s: They still admire the flights, they still enjoy the show;


s: Him who is formed, can nothing suit thereafter;


s: The yet unformed with thanks will ever glow.


s: _Poet_. Ay, give me back the joyous hours,


s: When song, the fount, flung up its showers


s: And from their stems a thousand flowers I broke,


s: Their fragrance through the vales exhaling.


s: Yearning for truth and in illusion blest.


s: _Merry Person_. Youth, my good friend, thou needest certainly


s: When ambushed foes are on thee springing,


s: Their white arms round thy neck are flinging,


s: High on the race-ground's goal suspended,


s: Your task; fear not, no vulgar error blinds us.


s: Age does not make us childish, as they say,


s: But we are still true children when it finds us.


s: _Manager_. Come, words enough you two have bandied,


s: You know full well our need and pleasure,


s: We want strong drink in brimming measure;


s: To-morrow will not do what is not done to-day.


s: Right by the forelock, courage rallying,


s: And forth with fearless spirit sallying,--


s: With great and lesser heavenly lights make free,


s: So, in this narrow wooden house's bound,


s: Stride through the whole creation's round,


s: From heaven, through this world, to the world down yonder.


s: _Raphael_. The sun, in ancient wise, is sounding,


s: His look, new strength to angels lending,


s: _Gabriel_. And swift, with wondrous swiftness fleeting,


s: The pomp of earth turns round and round,


s: With shuddering midnight's gloom profound;


s: And rocks and seas, with endless motion,


s: _Michael_. And tempests roar, glad warfare waging,


s: And bind round all, amidst their raging,


s: _All Three_. The sight new strength to angels lendeth,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Since, Lord, thou drawest near us once again,


s: And to be pleased to see me once didst deign,


s: I too among thy household venture nigher.


s: Pardon, high words I cannot labor after,


s: Though the whole court should look on me with scorn;


s: My pathos certainly would stir thy laughter,


s: Hadst thou not laughter long since quite forsworn.


s: Of sun and worlds I've nought to tell worth mention,


s: How men torment themselves takes my attention.


s: The little God o' the world jogs on the same old way


s: And is as singular as on the world's first day.


s: The fool, to make him worse, a gleam of light from heaven;


s: To be more beast than ever beast was yet.


s: He seems to me, (your grace the word will pardon,)


s: Like a long-legg'd grasshopper in the garden,


s: The same old song, as in the grass he springs;


s: Would he but stay there! no; he needs must muddle


s: _The Lord_. Hast nothing for our edification?


s: Will things on earth be never right for thee?


s: I scarce can find it in my heart to tease 'em.


s: Forsooth! he serves you in a famous fashion;


s: No earthly meat or drink can feed his passion;


s: Its grasping greed no space can measure;


s: Half-conscious and half-crazed, he finds no rest;


s: The fairest stars of heaven must swell his treasure.


s: Each highest joy of earth must yield its zest,


s: Not all the world--the boundless azure--


s: Can fill the void within his craving breast.


s: _The Lord_. He serves me somewhat darkly, now, I grant,


s: Yet will he soon attain the light of reason.


s: Sees not the gardener, in the green young plant,


s: That bloom and fruit shall deck its coming season?


s: To lead him softly on, like an old stager.


s: _The Lord_. So long as he shall live on earth,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Thank you; I never did aspire


s: To have with dead folk much transaction.


s: In full fresh cheeks I take the greatest satisfaction.


s: A corpse will never find me in the house;


s: I love to play as puss does with the mouse.


s: _The Lord_. All right, I give thee full permission!


s: But stand abashed, if thou must needs confess,


s: That a good man, though passion blur his vision,


s: Has of the right way still a consciousness.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Good! but I'll make it a short story.


s: Like my old aunt, the snake, whose fame is hoary.


s: _The Lord_. Well, go and come, and make thy trial;


s: Man is too prone, at best, to seek the way that's easy,


s: He soon grows fond of unconditioned rest;


s: And therefore such a comrade suits him best,


s: Who spurs and works, true devil, always busy.


s: But you, true sons of God, in growing measure,


s: Enjoy rich beauty's living stores of pleasure!


s: The Word divine that lives and works for aye,


s: Fold you in boundless love's embrace alluring,


s: And what in floating vision glides away,


s: That seize ye and make fast with thoughts enduring.


s: _Night. In a narrow high-arched Gothic room_,


s: _Faust_. Have now, alas! quite studied through


s: Just nothing, I see, is the sum of our learning,


s: To the very core of my heart 'tis burning.


s: 'Tis true I'm more clever than all the foplings,


s: Am plagued by no scruple, nor doubt, nor cavil,


s: What then? all pleasure is fled forever;


s: There's nothing wherein one fellow-creature


s: Could be mended or bettered with me for a teacher.


s: And then, too, nor goods nor gold have I,


s: A condition no dog could longer live in!


s: Some mysteries may not be brought to light;


s: With bitter sweat, what I need to be taught;


s: O full, round Moon, didst thou but thine


s: Have watched, at this desk, come up the sky:


s: Then, mournful friend! uprose thy smile!


s: Round mountain-caverns with spirits hover,


s: Float in thy gleamings the meadows over,


s: And freed from the fumes of a lore-crammed brain,


s: Where heaven's own light, with its blessed beams,


s: Through painted panes all sickly gleams!


s: Which, gnawed by worms and deep in must,


s: Of smoke-stained paper, thick with dust;


s: Stuffed with old heirlooms of implements--


s: That is thy world! There's a world for thee!


s: Through smoke and mould, around thee stare


s: Then shalt thou thread the starry skies,


s: The spirit's might shall o'er thee rise,


s: Vain hope that mere dry sense should here


s: In one full tide through all my senses flowing!


s: Through nerves and veins mysteriously glowing.


s: And this poor heart with rapture filling,


s: Great Nature's energies around and through me thrilling?


s: The sage's word was truth, at last I see:


s: "The spirit-world, unbarred, is waiting;


s: See heavenly powers ascending and descending,


s: The golden buckets, one long line, extending!


s: See them with bliss-exhaling pinions winging


s: Their way from heaven through earth--their singing


s: Harmonious through the universe is ringing!


s: Nature! where find I thee, immense, unknown?


s: Where you, ye breasts? Ye founts all life sustaining,


s: On which hang heaven and earth, and where


s: Men's withered hearts their waste repair--


s: Ye gush, ye nurse, and I must sit complaining?


s: Thou, spirit of the earth, art to me nearer;


s: I feel my powers already higher, clearer,


s: I glow already as with new-pressed wine,


s: I feel the mood to brave life's ceaseless clashing,


s: To bear its frowning woes, its raptures flashing,


s: And not to tremble in the shipwreck's crashing;


s: It smokes!--Red rays are darting, quivering


s: Spirit that I invoked, thou near me art,


s: Thou must! and though the price were life--were heaven!


s: _Spirit_. Long have I felt the mighty action,


s: _Spirit_. Thou breath'st a panting supplication


s: Seizes this demigod! Where is the cry of thought?


s: Where is the breast? that in itself a world begot,


s: And bore and cherished, that with joy did tremble


s: And fondly dream us spirits to resemble.


s: Where art thou, Faust? whose voice rang through my ear,


s: Whose mighty yearning drew me from my sphere?


s: Is this thing thou? that, blasted by my breath,


s: _Faust_. Thee, flame-born creature, shall I fear?


s: _Spirit_. In life's tide currents, in action's storm,


s: So shape I, on Destiny's thundering loom,


s: The Godhead's live garment, eternal in bloom.


s: _Faust_. Spirit that sweep'st the world from end to end,


s: How near, this hour, I feel myself to thee!


s: _Spirit_. Thou'rt like the spirit thou canst comprehend,


s: FAUST _turns round with an annoyed look_.]


s: _Wagner_. Excuse me! you're engaged in declamation;


s: 'Twas a Greek tragedy no doubt you read?


s: For nowadays it stands one well instead.


s: Might profit with a player for his teacher.


s: _Faust_. Yes, when the preacher is a player, granted:


s: _Wagner_. Ah! when one with such love of study's haunted,


s: And scarcely sees the world on holidays,


s: And takes a spy-glass, as it were, to read it,


s: How can one by persuasion hope to lead it?


s: _Faust_. What you don't feel, you'll never catch by hunting,


s: It must gush out spontaneous from the soul,


s: Sit there forever! Thaw your glue-pot,--


s: Blow up your ash-heap to a flame, and brew,


s: Comes not the spark from the speaker's heart.


s: _Wagner_. Delivery makes the orator's success;


s: There I'm still far behindhand, I confess.


s: _Faust_. Seek honest gains, without pretence!


s: And when you've something earnest to utter,


s: Yes, your discourses, that are so refined'


s: In which humanity's poor shreds you frizzle,


s: That through the withered leaves of autumn whistle!


s: What headaches have I felt and what heart-beating,


s: How hard it is the ways and means to master


s: And ere one yet has half the journey sped,


s: _Faust_. Is parchment, then, the holy well-spring, thinkest,


s: A draught from which thy thirst forever slakes?


s: Till up from thine own soul the fountain breaks.


s: _Wagner_. Excuse me! in these olden pages


s: We catch the spirit of the by-gone ages,


s: We see what wisest men before our day have thought,


s: And to what glorious heights we their bequests have brought.


s: _Faust_. O yes, we've reached the stars at last!


s: My friend, it is to us,--the buried past,--


s: And often such a mess that none can bear it;


s: _Wagner_. But then the world! the heart and mind of man!


s: To know of these who would not pay attention?


s: _Faust_. To know them, yes, as weaklings can!


s: Who dares the child's true name outright to mention?


s: The few who any thing thereof have learned,


s: Who out of their heart's fulness needs must gabble,


s: And show their thoughts and feelings to the rabble,


s: Have evermore been crucified and burned.


s: I pray you, friend, 'tis wearing into night,


s: _Wagner_. I had been glad to stay till morning light,


s: This learned talk with you has been so pleasant,


s: But the first day of Easter comes to-morrow.


s: With zeal have I applied myself to learning,


s: True, I know much, yet to know all am burning.


s: With greedy hand grubs after precious things,


s: And leaps for joy when some poor worm he fingers!


s: That such a human voice should dare intrude,


s: Where all was full of ghostly tones and features!


s: Is due to thee, most wretched of earth's creatures.


s: Thou snatchedst me from the despairing state


s: In which my senses, well nigh crazed, were sunken.


s: That to a very dwarf my soul had shrunken.


s: Eternal truth's fair glass in wondrous nearness,


s: Rejoiced in heavenly radiance and clearness,


s: Dreamed, through the veins of nature penetrating,


s: To taste the life of Gods, like them creating,


s: A word of thunder sweeps me from my course.


s: Myself with thee no longer dare I measure;


s: Had I the power to draw thee down at pleasure;


s: To hold thee here I still had not the force.


s: What shall I do? what slum, thus lonely?


s: Alas! our very deeds, and not our sufferings only,


s: To all the mind conceives of great and glorious


s: A strange and baser mixture still adheres;


s: Striving for earthly good are we victorious?


s: A dream and cheat the better part appears.


s: The feelings that could once such noble life inspire


s: Are quenched and trampled out in passion's mire.


s: Where Fantasy, erewhile, with daring flight


s: A little space can now suffice her quite,


s: When hope on hope time's gulf has wrecked and stranded.


s: Care builds her nest far down the heart's recesses,


s: There broods o'er dark, untold distresses,


s: Restless she sits, and scares thy joy and peace away;


s: She puts on some new mask with each new day,


s: Herself as house and home, as wife and child presenting,


s: And what is never lost she keeps thee still lamenting.


s: Not like the Gods am I! Too deep that truth is thrust!


s: But like the worm, that wriggles through the dust;


s: Who, as along the dust for food he feels,


s: Is crushed and buried by the traveller's heels.


s: Is it not dust that makes this lofty wall


s: Groan with its hundred shelves and cases;


s: The rubbish and the thousand trifles all


s: That crowd these dark, moth-peopled places?


s: Must I perchance a thousand books turn over,


s: To find that men are everywhere distrest,


s: And here and there one happy one discover?


s: Why grin'st thou down upon me, hollow skull?


s: But that thy brain, like mine, once trembling, hoping,


s: Sought the light day, yet ever sorrowful,


s: Burned for the truth in vain, in twilight groping?


s: Ye, instruments, of course, are mocking me;


s: Its wheels, cogs, bands, and barrels each one praises.


s: Your ward is nicely turned, and yet no bolt it raises.


s: Doth Nature's veil from prying eyes defend her,


s: And what (he chooses not before thee to display,


s: Not all thy screws and levers can force her to surrender.


s: Old trumpery! not that I e'er used thee, but


s: Because my father used thee, hang'st thou o'er me,


s: Old scroll! thou hast been stained with smoke and smut


s: Since, on this desk, the lamp first dimly gleamed before me.


s: Better have squandered, far, I now can clearly see,


s: My little all, than melt beneath it, in this Tophet!


s: That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee,


s: What it brings forth alone can yield the moment profit.


s: Why do I gaze as if a spell had bound me


s: Up yonder? Is that flask a magnet to the eyes?


s: What lovely light, so sudden, blooms around me?


s: As when in nightly woods we hail the full-moon-rise.


s: I greet thee, rarest phial, precious potion!


s: As now I take thee down with deep devotion,


s: Extract of all the finest deadly powers,


s: I look on thee, the sight my pain appeases,


s: I handle thee, the strife of longing ceases,


s: Far out to sea I'm drawn, sweet voices listening,


s: The glassy waters at my feet are glistening,


s: To new shores beckons me a new-born day.


s: A fiery chariot floats, on airy pinions,


s: On a new path, through ether's blue dominions,


s: Worm that thou waft erewhile, deservest thou?


s: Ay, on this earthly sun, this charming vision,


s: Boldly draw near and rend the gates asunder,


s: By which each cowering mortal gladly steals.


s: Now is the time to show by deeds of wonder


s: That manly greatness not to godlike glory yields;


s: Before that gloomy pit to stand, unfearing,


s: Where Fantasy self-damned in its own torment lies,


s: Around whose narrow mouth hell-flames forever rise;


s: Calmly to dare the step, serene, unshrinking,


s: Though into nothingness the hour should see thee sinking.


s: Now, then, come down from thy old case, I bid thee,


s: Where thou, forgotten, many a year hast hid thee,


s: Into thy master's hand, pure, crystal glass!


s: The joy-feasts of the fathers thou hast brightened,


s: The hearts of gravest guests were lightened,


s: When, pledged, from hand to hand they saw thee pass.


s: Thy sides, with many a curious type bedight,


s: Which each, as with one draught he quaffed the liquor


s: Must read in rhyme from off the wondrous beaker,


s: Remind me, ah! of many a youthful night.


s: I shall not hand thee now to any neighbor,


s: Not now to show my wit upon thy carvings labor;


s: Here is a juice of quick-intoxicating might.


s: The rich brown flood adown thy sides is streaming,


s: Be this last draught, as morning now is gleaming,


s: Drained as a lofty pledge to greet the festal light!


s: _Faust_. What hum of music, what a radiant tone,


s: Thrills through me, from my lips the goblet stealing!


s: Ye murmuring bells, already make ye known


s: The Easter morn's first hour, with solemn pealing?


s: Sing you, ye choirs, e'en now, the glad, consoling song,


s: That once, from angel-lips, through gloom sepulchral rung,


s: _Chorus of Angels_. Christ hath ascended!


s: _Faust_. Why seek ye me in dust, forlorn,


s: Ye heavenly tones, with soft enchanting?


s: Go, greet pure-hearted men this holy morn!


s: Your message well I hear, but faith to me is wanting;


s: Wonder, its dearest child, of Faith is born.


s: To yonder spheres I dare no more aspire,


s: Whence the sweet tidings downward float;


s: And yet, from childhood heard, the old, familiar note


s: Calls back e'en now to life my warm desire.


s: Ah! once how sweetly fell on me the kiss


s: Of heavenly love in the still Sabbath stealing!


s: Prophetically rang the bells with solemn pealing;


s: Drew me to roam through meadows, woods, and skies;


s: And, midst a thousand tear-drops burning,


s: Remembrance holds me now, with childhood's fond appealings,


s: Sound on, ye heavenly strains, that bliss restore me!


s: Tears gush, once more the spell of earth is o'er me


s: _Chorus of Disciples_. Has the grave's lowly one


s: _Pedestrians of all descriptions stroll forth_.


s: _Mechanics' Apprentices_. Where are you going to carouse?


s: _Others_. We're all going out to the Hunter's House.


s: _An Apprentice_. The Fountain-House I rather recommend.


s: _Second_. 'Tis not a pleasant road, my friend.


s: _The second group_. What will you do, then?


s: _Fifth_. You monstrous madcap, does your skin


s: Itch for the third time to try that inn?


s: I've had enough for _my_ taste in that quarter.


s: _Servant-girl_. No! I'm going back again to town for one.


s: _Others_. Under those poplars we are sure to meet him.


s: _First Girl_. But that for me is no great fun;


s: _Others_. He's not alone, I heard him say,


s: The curly-head would be with him to-day.


s: _Scholar_. Stars! how the buxom wenches stride there!


s: Quick, brother! we must fasten alongside there.


s: Strong beer, good smart tobacco, and the waist


s: Of a right handsome gall, well rigg'd, now that's my taste.


s: _Citizen's Daughter_. Do see those fine, young fellows yonder!


s: When they might have the very best, I wonder,


s: Stop! not so fast! there come two more behind,


s: My eyes! but ain't they dressed up neatly?


s: You'll find they'll take us, by and bye, in tow.


s: _First_. No, brother! I don't like these starched up ways.


s: Make haste! before the game slips through our fingers.


s: The hand that swings the broom o' Saturdays


s: On Sundays round thy neck most sweetly lingers.


s: _Citizen_. No, I don't like at all this new-made burgomaster!


s: Will things grow better with him? Never!


s: _Beggar_. [_Sings_.] Good gentlemen, and you, fair ladies,


s: With such red cheeks and handsome dress,


s: Help the poor harper, sisters, brothers!


s: Sundays and holidays, I like, of all things, a good prattle


s: Of war and fighting, and the whole array,


s: One stands before the window, drinks his glass,


s: And sees the ships with flags glide slowly down the river;


s: Comes home at night, when out of sight they pass,


s: And sings with joy, "Oh, peace forever!"


s: _Third citizen_. So I say, neighbor! let them have their way,


s: _Old Woman_ [_to the citizen's daughter_].


s: Heyday, brave prinking this! the fine young blood!


s: And what you want I'll promise soon to get you.


s: _Citizen's Daughter_. Come, Agatha! I dread in public sight


s: To prattle with such hags; don't stay, O, Luddy!


s: 'Tis true she showed me, on St. Andrew's night,


s: _The other_. She showed me mine, too, in a glass,


s: Right soldierlike, with daring comrades round him.


s: I look all round, I study all that pass,


s: _Faust_. Spring's warm look has unfettered the fountains,


s: Hope's bright blossoms the valley greet;


s: Weakly and sickly up the rough mountains


s: O'er the green lawn as he takes his flight;


s: Yet, as he finds it too early for flowers,


s: Look from this height whereon we find us


s: Back to the town we have left behind us,


s: They sun themselves gladly and all are gay,


s: They celebrate Christ's resurrection to-day.


s: From labor's bonds and traffic's prison,


s: From the confinement of roofs and gables,


s: From churches full of the old world's night,


s: All have come out to the day's broad light.


s: Streaming and swarming through gardens and fields


s: How the broad stream that bathes the valley


s: Is everywhere cut with pleasure boats' keels,


s: Almost to sinking, puts off in the stream;


s: From the far paths of the mountain gleam.


s: How it hums o'er the fields and clangs from the steeple!


s: Both great and little are merry and gay,


s: _Wagner_. With you, Sir Doctor, to go out walking


s: But to trust myself here alone would be shocking,


s: Fiddling and bowling and screams and laughter


s: To me are the hatefullest noises on earth;


s: They yell as if Satan himself were after,


s: They wheeled and whirled and danced like mad.


s: Tweedle-dee, tweedle-dee went the fiddle.


s: _Old Peasant._ Sir Doctor, this is kind of you,


s: Which we with freshest drink have filled,


s: That, while your thirst thereby is stilled,


s: May fill out the life that to you remains.


s: _Faust._ I take the quickening draught and call


s: For heaven's best blessing on one and all.


s: _Old Peasant._ Your presence with us, this glad day,


s: When, by his skill, the plague he stayed.


s: With a charmed life you passed before us,


s: _All._ The well-tried man, and may he live,


s: _Faust._ Bow down to Him on high who sends


s: _Wagner._ What feelings, O great man, thy heart must swell


s: The father to his son shows thee with exultation,


s: All run and crowd and ask, the circle closer draws,


s: Thou goest--the lines fall back for thee.


s: They fling their gay-decked caps on high;


s: A little more and they would bow the knee


s: _Faust._ A few steps further on, until we reach that stone;


s: There will we rest us from our wandering.


s: How oft in prayer and penance there alone,


s: Fasting, I sate, on holy mysteries pondering.


s: There, rich in hope, in faith still firm,


s: I've wept, sighed, wrung my hands and striven


s: This plague's removal to extort (poor worm!)


s: The crowd's applause has now a scornful tone;


s: O couldst thou hear my conscience tell its story,


s: And darkened with his narrow lucubrations,


s: Who with a whimsical, though well-meant patience,


s: Thus, a red lion, a bold suitor, married


s: And, from one bride-bed to another harried,


s: The two were seen to fly before the flaming wrath.


s: Here was the physic, death the patients' sufferings ended,


s: Worse than the plague with all its panic,


s: Myself, with my own hands, the drug to thousands giving,


s: To hear men's thanks the murderers hail!


s: _Wagner._ Forbear! far other name that service merits!


s: If thou, as man, men with new light hast blest,


s: Then may thy son to loftier heights aspire.


s: _Faust._ O blest! who hopes to find repose,


s: Up from this mighty sea of error diving!


s: But let not such dark thoughts a shadow throw


s: See how the setting sun, with ruddy glow,


s: He sinks and fades, the day is lived and gone,


s: He hastens forth new scenes of life to waken.


s: Then should I see the world's calm breast


s: The summits all on fire, each valley steeped in rest,


s: The silver brook to golden rivers flowing.


s: No savage mountain climbing to the skies


s: Should stay the godlike course with wild abysses;


s: And now the sea, with sheltering, warm recesses


s: At last it seems as if the God were sinking;


s: Onward I speed, his endless glory drinking,


s: The heavens above my head and under me the ocean.


s: A lovely dream,--meanwhile he's gone from sight.


s: Ah! sure, no earthly wing, in swiftest flight,


s: May with the spirit's wings hold equal motion.


s: When, lost in heaven's blue depths, the lark is pealing


s: When o'er the mountain pine's black shadow,


s: _Wagner._ I've had myself full many a wayward hour,


s: But never yet felt such a passion's power.


s: One soon grows tired of field and wood and brook,


s: I envy not the fowl of heaven his pinions.


s: Far nobler joy to soar through thought's dominions


s: Ah! winter nights, so dear to mind and soul!


s: Warm, blissful life through all the limbs is thrilling,


s: And when thy hands unfold a genuine ancient scroll,


s: It seems as if all heaven the room were filling.


s: _Faust_. One passion only has thy heart possessed;


s: Two souls, alas! are lodged in my wild breast,


s: Still to the world with clamp-like organs clinging;


s: The other leaves this earthly dust and slime,


s: To fields of sainted sires up-springing.


s: That empire hold 'twixt earth's and heaven's dominions,


s: Down from your realm of golden haze repair,


s: Waft me to new, rich life, upon your rosy pinions!


s: I would not sell it for the costliest dresses,