s: Though more sublimely, he o'erlooks the world.


s: She scorns his pleasures, for she knows them not;


s: He seeks not hers, for he has proved them vain.


s: He cannot skim the ground like summer birds


s: Pursuing gilded flies, and such he deems


s: Therefore in contemplation is his bliss,


s: Whose power is such, that whom she lifts from earth


s: She makes familiar with a heaven unseen,


s: And shows him glories yet to be revealed.


s: Not slothful he, though seeming unemployed,


s: And censured oft as useless.  Stillest streams


s: That flutters least is longest on the wing.


s: Ask him, indeed, what trophies he has raised,


s: His warfare is within.  There unfatigued


s: His fervent spirit labours.  There he fights,


s: And there obtains fresh triumphs o'er himself,


s: And never-withering wreaths, compared with which


s: The laurels that a Caesar reaps are weeds.


s: Perhaps the self-approving haughty world,


s: That, as she sweeps him with her whistling silks,


s: Scarce deigns to notice him, or if she see,


s: Receives advantage from his noiseless hours


s: Of which she little dreams.  Perhaps she owes


s: Her sunshine and her rain, her blooming spring


s: And plenteous harvest, to the prayer he makes


s: And think on her who thinks not for herself.


s: Forgive him then, thou bustler in concerns


s: If, author of no mischief and some good,


s: That may advance, but cannot hinder thine.


s: Nor, though he tread the secret path of life,


s: Account him an encumbrance on the state,


s: His sphere though humble, if that humble sphere


s: Shine with his fair example, and though small


s: His influence, if that influence all be spent


s: In soothing sorrow and in quenching strife,


s: From which at least a grateful few derive


s: Some taste of comfort in a world of woe,


s: The state beneath the shadow of whose vine


s: He sits secure, and in the scale of life


s: Holds no ignoble, though a slighted place.


s: The man whose virtues are more felt than seen,


s: Must drop, indeed, the hope of public praise;


s: But he may boast, what few that win it can,


s: That if his country stand not by his skill,


s: At least his follies have not wrought her fall.


s: Her golden tube, through which a sensual world


s: Draws gross impurity, and likes it well,


s: The neat conveyance hiding all the offence.


s: Because that world adopts it.  If it bear


s: The stamp and clear impression of good sense,


s: And be not costly more than of true worth,


s: He by the test of conscience, and a heart


s: Not soon deceived; aware that what is base


s: No polish can make sterling, and that vice,


s: Though well-perfumed and elegantly dressed,


s: Like an unburied carcass tricked with flowers,


s: For cleanly riddance than for fair attire.


s: So life glides smoothly and by stealth away,


s: More golden than that age of fabled gold


s: Renowned in ancient song; not vexed with care,


s: Or stained with guilt, beneficent, approved


s: Of God and man, and peaceful in its end.


s: Its destined office, yet with gentle stroke,


s: Beneath the turf that I have often trod.


s: It shall not grieve me, then, that once, when called


s: To dress a Sofa with the flowers of verse,


s: With that light task, but soon to please her more,


s: Whom flowers alone I knew would little please,


s: Let fall the unfinished wreath, and roved for fruit;


s: Roved far and gathered much; some harsh, 'tis true,


s: Picked from the thorns and briars of reproof,


s: But wholesome, well-digested; grateful some


s: To palates that can taste immortal truth;


s: But all is in His hand whose praise I seek,


s: In vain the poet sings, and the world hears,


s: If He regard not, though divine the theme.


s: 'Tis not in artful measures, in the chime


s: To charm His ear, whose eye is on the heart;


s: Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain,


s: Quoth Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said;


s: The morning came, the chaise was brought,


s: So three doors off the chaise was stayed,


s: Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,


s: When Betty, screaming, came down stairs,


s: "Good lack!" quoth he; "yet bring it me,


s: His long red cloak, well brushed and neat,


s: He grasped the mane with both his hands,


s: The dogs did bark, the children screamed,


s: "Stop, stop, John Gilpin!--here's the house!"


s: "What news? what news? your tidings tell:


s: Whence straight he came with hat and wig,


s: Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast!


s: "This shall be yours when you bring back


s: "Stop thief! stop thief!--a highwayman!"


s: DEAR JOSEPH,--five and twenty years ago--


s: With frequent intercourse, and always sweet


s: And always friendly, we were wont to cheat


s: ('Twas therefore much the same in ancient days),


s: "Good lack, we know not what to-morrow brings--


s: Strange fluctuation of all human things!"


s: True.  Changes will befall, and friends may part,


s: But distance only cannot change the heart:


s: And were I called to prove the assertion true,


s: One proof should serve--a reference to you.


s: Whence comes it, then, that in the wane of life,


s: Though nothing have occurred to kindle strife,


s: We find the friends we fancied we had won,


s: Though numerous once, reduced to few or none?


s: Can gold grow worthless that has stood the touch?


s: No.  Gold they seemed, but they were never such.


s: Horatio's servant once, with bow and cringe,


s: Swinging the parlour-door upon its hinge,


s: Lest he should trespass, begged to go abroad.


s: "Go, fellow!--whither?"--turning short about--


s: "Nay.  Stay at home; you're always going out."--


s: "'Tis but a step, sir; just at the street's end."


s: "For what?"--"An please you, sir, to see a friend."


s: "A friend!" Horatio cried, and seemed to start;


s: "Yea, marry shalt thou, and with all my heart--


s: And fetch my cloak, for though the night be raw


s: I'll see him too--the first I ever saw."


s: I knew the man, and knew his nature mild,


s: And was his plaything often when a child;


s: But somewhat at that moment pinched him close,


s: Perhaps, his confidence just then betrayed,


s: His grief might prompt him with the speech he made;


s: Perhaps 'twas mere good-humour gave it birth,


s: The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth.


s: Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind.


s: But not to moralise too much, and strain


s: (I hate long arguments, verbosely spun),


s: One story more, dear Hill, and I have done.


s: Against the well-known duties of a friend,


s: But half a coat, and show his bosom bare;


s: The punishment importing this, no doubt,


s: That all was naught within and all found out.


s: Else could a law, like that which I relate,


s: Once have the sanction of our triple state,


s: Some few that I have known in days of old


s: Would run most dreadful risk of catching cold.


s: While you, my friend, whatever wind should blow,


s: Might traverse England safely to and fro,


s: An honest man, close buttoned to the chin,


s: Broad-cloth without, and a warm heart within.


s: 'Twas my distress that brought thee low,


s: But well thou playedst the housewife's part,


s: And still to love, though prest with ill,


s: But all that I'm thinking of, ever shall think,


s: He lags the long bright morning through,


s: With hair of the colour of a Charles the Fifth,


s: And he answers to the simple name of Mopser


s: Why does that thrush call, 'Dunce, dunce, dunce!'?


s: Old Sallie Worm from her hole doth peep:


s: There weren't one pair of reach-me-downs


s: All through the night with lantern bright


s: 'I'm tired - Oh, tired of books,' said Jack,


s: Or, where the breathing cows are housed,


s: Tom sang for joy and Ned sang for joy and old Sam sang for joy;


s: All we four boys piped up loud, just like one boy;


s: Tom he piped low and Ned he piped low and old Sam he piped low;


s: Into a sorrowful fall did our music flow;


s: Ere my heart beats too coldly and faintly


s: I would sing a brief song of the world's little children


s: Cannot outnumber the hosts of the children


s: Lovelier are not than the legions of children


s: Alone know the tears wept in vain for the children


s: Seems to echo the far-away calling of children


s: There came a Thief one night to Robin's Castle,


s: And sitting with his head among the branches,


s: For there was Robin supping at his table,


s: His Dame and his two beauteous little Children,


s: Platters for each there were shin-shining,


s: And all of beaten Gold, three brimming Goblets,


s: The smell that rose up richly from the Baked Meats


s: And much that greedy Thief who snuffed the night air-


s: He watched them eating, drinking, laughing, talking,


s: While three most cunning Fiddlers, clad in crimson,


s: And he waited in the tree-top like a Starling,


s: When all the windows in the walls were darkened,


s: There Robin and his Dame in bed were sleeping,


s: Only Robin's Hounds from their warm kennels


s: All, all were sleeping, page and fiddler,


s: Only Robin's Stallions from their stables


s: And he counted into his bag (of beaten Silver)


s: Of Spoons three score; of jolly golden Goblets


s: And six fine three-branched Cupid Candlesticks,


s: Nine bulging bags of Money in a cupboard,


s: He found, the last all studded with great Garnets


s: Robin and his Daule in dreaming slumbers


s: That Thief he mimbled round him in the gloaming,


s: Combs, Brooches, Chains, and, Rings, and Pins and Buckles


s: A Watch shaped in the shape of a flat Apple


s: He lifted from the hook where it was ticking


s: He heaped the pretty Baubles on the table,


s: And there in night's pale Gloom was Robin dreaming


s: While his Dame in peaceful slumber in no wise heeded


s: And that ravenous Thief he climbed up even higher,


s: He crept where lay poor Robin's beauteous Children,


s: Oh, fairer was their Hair than Gold of Goblet,


s: And their little hands that lay upon the linen


s: But though a moment there his hard heart faltered,


s: And slipped them into his Bag with all his Plunder,


s: A-quaking in the clinking and the clanking,


s: He carried down the stairs into the Courtyard,


s: He just tied up his Garters, took a deep breath,


s: Till morning found him come into a Country,


s: Till Evening found him knocking at a Dark House,


s: There came a little maid and asked his Business;


s: And though she much misliked the Bag he carried,


s: He bargained with the Cobbler for a lodging


s: In the Dead of Night, with none to spy or listen-


s: And he taught the little Chicks to call him Father,


s: And bought a Palace, Horses, Slaves, and Peacocks


s: And though the Children never really loved him,


s: While Robin and his Dame o'er Delf and Pewter


s: Sowed her garden with wild-flower seeds;


s: And down came April -- drip -- drip -- drip.


s: Where willow herb, comfrey, bugloss blows,


s: And peeps at her garden with bright brown eyes;


s: 'Sooeep, Sooeep!' he cries, and brightly peers


s: I've sat there, whispering and listening there,


s: Would dance and come tumbling into the moon,


s: Out of those wallowing, moon-flecked waves


s: P'raps,' and he'd smooth his hairless mouth,


s: Praps, if I heard a voice say, 'Sam!'...


s: Once and there was a young sailor, yeo ho!


s: For the isles where pink coral and palm branches blow,


s: But the Dolphin went down in a tempest, yeo ho!


s: The portingales took him wh'ere sugar-canes grow,


s: With his musket for mother and brother, yeo ho!


s: in forests where panthers pad soft to and fro,


s: Now lean with long travail, all wasted with woe,


s: He sits 'neath the Cross in the cankering snow,


s: Had come to that Soldier as suchlike comes -


s: And when he had supped the Old Soldier trolled


s: And the belt round his belly drawn tightsome in


s: And these were the very same words he said-


s: Just when the bronze on its signboard is fading,


s: With his head on thick paws sleeps a sheep-dog,


s: All follow-my-leader the ducks waddle homeward,


s: Are the thick leafy boughs that hang dense o'er the Tavern,


s: And the crescent to light home the Shepherd and Sheep-dog


s: And he called for the music of a hundred harps,


s: But the sorrow that haunted the heart of King David


s: ''Tell me, thou little bird that singest,


s: Hearkened to the nightingale's sorrowfulness,


s: Past the small lodge, forlorn and still,


s: Comes the blank wall, and there's the door.


s: Beat on their clear bright cheeks and brows


s: Thistle and darnell and dock grew there,


s: He munched the thistles, purple and spiked,


s: Alone with his shadow he'd drowse in the meadow,


s: But a wonderful gumption was under his skin,


s: Something much better than words between me


s: But dusk would come in the apple boughs,


s: And there, in the moonlight, dark with dew,


s: Would brood like a ghost, and as still as a post,


s: And saw the big Pig and the little pigs,


s: He watched 'neath a green and giant bough,


s: Made a wonderful grizzling and gruzzling


s: And when, full-fed they were gone, and Night


s: Whisker and claw, they crouch in the night,


s: Their five eyes smouldering green and bright:


s: Squeaks from the flour sacks, squeaks from where


s: Smells Grim's broiled supper-meat, and spies


s: Have you been catching of fish, Tom Noddy?


s: Have you whistled, 'No Nunny,'and gunned a poor


s: Have you trod like a murderer through the green


s: Through the dewy deep dingles and glooms,


s: While every small creature screamed shrill to Dame


s: An Ogre from space will stoop a lean face


s: With your bent knees strung round his old iron gun


s: And hang you up stiff on a hook, Tom Noddy,


s: Whence your eyes will glare in an empty stare,


s: The wolf on the hills lays stealthy paws,


s: At their ease in the air, flit low, flit high.


s: The oak's blind, tender roots pierce deep,


s: His green crest towers, dimmed in sleep,


s: 'Grill me some bones,' said the Cobbler,


s: I'm tired of my lonesome with heels and soles,


s: And a sheet webbed over my candle, Susie, ---


s: And a footstep came to my door and stopped,


s: Nothing on the grey roof, nothing on the brown,


s: Only a little greening where the rain drips down;


s: Nobody at the window, nobody at the door,


s: Only a little hollow which a foot once wore;


s: But still I tread on tiptoe, still tiptoe on I go,


s: Past nettles, porch, and weedy well, for oh, I know


s: A friendless face is peering, and a still clear eye


s: The cricket shrills from stone to stone;


s: Chattering like grasshoppers, their feet


s: Crooked and black in the crescent's gleam;


s: 'Neath Charlie's Wain they twitter and tweet,


s: And away they swarm 'neath the Dragon's feet,


s: With a whoop and a flutter they swing and sway,


s: Betwixt the legs of the glittering Chair


s: Then round they swoop past the glimmering Lion


s: To where Sirius barks behind huge Orion;


s: 'Won't you look out of your window, Mrs. Gill?'


s: Quoth the Fairy, niddling, nodding in the garden;


s: 'Can't you look out of your window, Mrs. Gill?'


s: Quoth the Fairy, laughing softly in the garden;


s: But the air was still, the cherry boughs were still,


s: And never from her window looked out Mrs. Gill


s: On the Fairy shrilly mocking in the garden.


s: 'What have they done with you, you poor Mrs. Gill?'


s: Quoth the Fairy brightly glancing in the garden;


s: 'Where have they hidden you, you poor old Mrs. Gill?'


s: Quoth the Fairy dancing lightly in the garden;


s: But night's faint veil now wrapped the hill,


s: Stark 'neath the stars stood the dead-still Mill,


s: And out of her cold cottage never answered Mrs. Gill


s: The Fairy mimbling, mambling in the garden.


s: Calling me -- calling me over the heather,


s: Naught in the long-drawn drawl of the voices


s: And I know she will shine on a lady of witchcraft,


s: Who has taken my heart with her nimble fingers,


s: Who has led me a dance by dell and dingle


s: Made me a changeling to my own, own mother,


s: They would hie along in the fading light,


s: And small stone knives to slit the skeps,


s: And, though her maids with comb and brush


s: Would comb and soothe and whisper, 'Hush!'


s: And through their sticky teeth would buzz


s: Had munched and sucked and swilled their fill,


s: Shrill and shrill it rang -- rang through


s: There's none for smell, of bloom and smoke,


s: From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep


s: Where the hosts of the stars keep far away house


s: And our bodies are buried down under the sand,


s: To where, o'er the marvellous tides of the air,


s: Fair are the blossoming meads of delight


s: There was a man marching with a bright steel pike,


s: Marching in the dayshine like a ghost came he,


s: And behind me was the moaning and the murmur


s: As I sat musing, 'twas not one but ten ---


s: Rank on rank of ghostly soldiers marching o'er the fen,


s: Marching in the misty air they showed in dreams to me,


s: And behind me was the shouting and the shattering


s: As I sat musing, 'twas a host in dark array,


s: With their horses and their cannon wheeling onward


s: Moving like a shadow to the fate the brave must dree,


s: And behind me roared the drums, rang the trumpets


s: In a green --green wood, by waters fair,


s: No cloud in the deep dark blue to be seen


s: Under the thick-thatched branches green.


s: But the music is lost and the words are gone


s: On the wood and the pool and the elder tree.


s: The old hound whimpers couched in sleep,


s: "Lone for an end!" cried Knight to steed,


s: Long ago Apollo called to Aristaeus, youngest


s: Saying, "I will make you keeper of my bees."


s: Golden were the hives, and golden was the honey;


s: Where the honey-makers hummed among the trees.


s: Happy Aristaeus loitered in the garden, wandered


s: Careless and contented, indolent and free;


s: Lightly took his labour, lightly took his pleasure,


s: Then her eyes enkindled burning love within him;


s: For the perfect sweetness of her flower-like face;


s: Eagerly he followed, while she fled before him,


s: On through field and forest, in a breathless


s: But the nymph, in flying, trod upon a serpent;


s: Pluto's chariot bore her down among the dead;


s: Lonely Aristaeus, sadly home returning, found his


s: All the hives deserted, all the music fled.


s: Mournfully bewailing,--"ah, my honey-makers,


s: Far and wide he sought them, over sea and shore;


s: Foolish is the tale that says he ever found them,


s: Joys that once escape us fly for evermore.


s: Yet I dream that somewhere, clad in downy


s: And at times returning, lo, they flutter round us,


s: So I weave the legend of the long-lost bees.


s: Who can tell the hiding of the white bees'


s: Who can trace the guiding of their swift home


s: Far would be his riding on a life-long quest:


s: Surely ere it ended would his beard grow


s: Never in the coming of the rose-red Spring,


s: Never in the passing of the wine-red Fall,


s: May you hear the humming of the white bee's


s: Murmur o'er the meadow, ere the night bells


s: Wait till winter hardens in the cold grey sky,


s: Wait till leaves are fallen and the brooks all


s: Then above the gardens where the dead flowers


s: Swarm the merry millions of the wild white


s: Thickly they settle and cluster and swing,


s: Bending them low; and the trellised vine


s: And the dark elm-boughs are traced with a line


s: Of beauty wherever the white bees cling.


s: Now they are hiding the wrecks of the flowers,


s: Now they are building the broad roof ledge,


s: Moulding the terrace, from edge to edge,


s: Where is their queen? Who is their master?


s: The gardens are faded, the fields are frore,--


s: What is the sweetness they toil to store


s: In the desolate day, where no blossoms gleam?


s: He strikes the bending boughs, and shakes


s: They blind the eyes, and choke the breath,


s: The last torn cloud, with trailing gown,


s: Look how the landscape glitters wide and still,


s: The day begins with joy, and all past ill,


s: Beneath the snowdrifts under crystal skies.


s: New hope, new love, new life, new cheer,


s: The honey-harvest of his wild white bees,


s: Listen, my beloved, while the silver morning,


s: Fills the world around us and our hearts with


s: Quiet is the close of Aristaeus' legend, happy is


s: Listen while I tell you how he found release.


s: Many months he wandered far away in sadness,


s: Only of the vanished joys he could not find;


s: Till the great Apollo, pitying his shepherd, loosed


s: Of a dark, reluctant, backward-looking mind.


s: Then he saw around him all the changeful beauty


s: In the world-wide regions where his journey


s: Birds that sang to cheer him, flowers that bloomed


s: beside him, stars that shone to guide him,--


s: Traveller's joy was plenty all along the way!


s: Everywhere he journeyed strangers made him


s: Secret lore of field and forest he had learned:


s: How to train the vines and make the olives fruit-


s: How to stay the fever when the dog-star burned.


s: Friendliness and blessing followed in his foot-


s: Happier the dwellings, wheresoe'er he came;


s: Little children loved him, and he left behind him,


s: Memories of kindness and a god-like name.


s: So he travelled onward, desolate no longer,


s: Reaping all the wayside comfort of his quest;


s: Till at last in Thracia, high upon Mount Haemus,


s: Then the honey-makers, clad in downy whiteness,


s: Wrapt him in a dreamful slumber pure and


s: This is life, beloved: first a sheltered garden,


s: Joy and pain of seeking,--and at last we sleep!


s: The other night I had a dream, most clear


s: As of a thing not feigned, but very true,


s: Whether my dream was really sad or sweet.


s: The shadows flecked the elm-embowered street


s: And on the pillared porch where Marguerite


s: Had sat with me, the moonlight lay like snow.


s: But she, my comrade and my  friend of youth,


s: That ever smiled and ever spoke the truth,--


s: From that familiar dwelling, where she moved


s: Like mirth incarnate in the years before,


s: Had gone into the hidden house of Death.


s: White mourning for her blessed innocence,


s: As if it breathed a sigh for Marguerite.


s: Of something good forever gone. I sought


s: For the first time since she had gone away.


s: To him,--but ah! 't was Marguerite who came!


s: There in the dear old dusky room she stood


s: Beneath the lamp, just as she used to stand,


s: "And so I will not let you take my hand;


s: "But I must hear what secret talk you planned


s: "Why you have stayed away and made me wait


s: "Since we have talked together,--why so late?"


s: I took the place she showed me at her side;


s: And then the talk flowed on with brimming tide


s: She knew where I had been, what I had done,


s: My troubles, failures, fears she understood,


s: That every care was melted from my mind,


s: And life seemed moving on to happy ends.


s: And at the last she brought the book of rhymes


s: The Songs of Heine (hers were always best).


s: "Here's one I never found the way to do,--


s: "The simplest are the hardest ones, you know,--


s: But all the while a silent question stirred


s: Within me, though I dared not speak the word:


s: "Who brings a fleeting joy to eye and ear,


s: "Cold though so kind, and will she gently fade


s: "And the light-curtain falls at dawn of day?"


s: But while my heart was troubled by this fear


s: So deeply that I could not speak it out,


s: To hide the question and dissolve the doubt.


s: "Dear Marguerite," I asked, "to touch and hold,


s: "You are the same true friend you were of old?"


s: She answered with a smile so bright and calm


s: "You live!" I cried, "you live, dear Marguerite!"


s: Although I knew again that she was dead.


s: Yes, there's the dream! And was it sweet or


s: Dear mistress of my waking and my sleep,


s: Present reward of all my heart's desire,


s: Watching with me beside the winter fire,


s: But while you read the meaning, let me keep


s: The touch of you: for the Old Year with storm


s: Is passing through the midnight, and doth shake


s: The corners of the house,--and oh! my heart


s: My hand could feel your hand was warm, warm,


s: Where the wrinkled ripples run and whisper,


s: Where the crested billows plunge and roar;


s: Long-winged, tireless roamers and adventurers,


s: Here the high-built cities rise around you;


s: Here the cliffs that tower east and west,


s: Here the river flows begrimed and troubled;


s: Here the hurrying, panting vessels fume,


s: Restless, up and down the watery highway,


s: Toil and tumult, conflict and confusion,


s: Human hands have built for human bondage--


s: Circling, soaring, sailing, swooping lightly


s: Down to glean your harvest from the wave;


s: Saw your wheeling flocks of white and grey;


s: Even so you fluttered, followed, floated,


s: Round the Half-Moon creeping up the bay;


s: Even so your voices creaked and chattered,


s: While your black and beady eyes were glistening


s: From the crowded boats that cross the ferries


s: Though the cities climb and close around us,


s: Something tells us that our souls are free,


s: While the sea-gulls fly above the harbor,


s: Additional verses for the National Hymn, March, 1906.


s: That flows and foams from shore to shore,


s: There are songs for the morning and songs


s: For sunrise and sunset, the stars and the moon;


s: But who will give praise to the fulness of light,


s: And sing us a song of the glory of noon?


s: How swiftly he rose in the dawn of his strength;


s: How slowly he crept as the morning wore by;


s: Ah, steep was the climbing that led him at length


s: To the height of his throne in the blue summer


s: Till the sun looks down from his journey's


s: 'Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up


s: Among the famous palaces and cities of renown,


s: To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of


s: But now I think I've had enough of antiquated


s: So it's home again, and home again, America for


s: My heart is turning home again, and there I long to


s: In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean


s: Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full


s: Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in


s: And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in


s: And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great


s: But when it comes to living there is no place like


s: I like the German fir-woods, in green battalions


s: I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing


s: But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble


s: In the friendly western woodland where Nature


s: I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something


s: The Past is too much with her, and the people


s: But the glory of the Present is to make the


s: We love our land for what she is and what she


s: Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for


s: I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the


s: To the blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the


s: Dear to my heart are the ancestral dwellings


s: Dearer than if they were haunted by ghosts of


s: These are the homes that were built by the brave


s: They are simple enough to be great, and full of


s: I love the old white farmhouses nestled in New


s: Ample and long and low, with elm-trees feather-


s: Borders of box in the yard, and lilacs, and old-


s: A fan-light above the door, and little square panes


s: The wood-shed piled with maple and birch and


s: The gambrel-roof with its garret crowded with


s: All the tokens of prudent thrift and the spirit of


s: I love the look of the shingled houses that front


s: Their backs are bowed, and their lichened sides


s: Soft in their colour as grey pearls, they are full


s: They seem to grow out of the rocks, there is


s: Pacing the briny wind in a lonely land they stand


s: While the thin blue line of smoke from the


s: Telling of shelter for man, with room for a hearth


s: I love the stately southern mansions with their


s: They look through avenues of trees, over fields


s: I can see the flutter of white frocks along their


s: Music and laughter float from the windows, the


s: They have all ridden away, yet the houses have


s: They are proud of their name and place, and


s: For the thing they remember best is the pride


s: In the towns I love the discreet and tranquil


s: With their demure brick faces and immaculate


s: And the gabled houses of the Dutch, with their


s: (I can see their little brass knobs shining in the


s: And the solid houses of the descendants of the


s: Fronting the street with their narrow doors and


s: And the triple-galleried, many-pillared mansions


s: Standing sideways in their gardens full of roses


s: Yes, they are all dear to my heart, and in my


s: For under their roofs were nourished the thoughts


s: The glory and strength of America came from


s: We bring the meed of praise too long delayed!


s: Thy fearless word and faithful work have made


s: For God's Republic firmer path and place


s: In this New World: thou hast proclaimed the


s: And power of Christ in many a forest glade,


s: Teaching the truth that leaves men unafraid


s: Of frowning tyranny or death's dark face.


s: Oh, who can tell how much we owe to thee,


s: Of faith untrammeled and of conscience free?


s: Stand here, grey stone, and consecrate the sod


s: Where rests this brave Scotch-Irish man of God!


s: Count not the cost of honour to the dead!


s: To those who loved her well in former days


s: Means more than gratitude for glories fled;


s: Lives in the bronze and marble that we raise,


s: These monuments of manhood strong and high


s: Do more than forts or battle-ships to keep


s: The heart of youth with valour wise and deep;


s: They build eternal bulwarks, and command


s: Eternal strength to guard our native land.


s: Mother of all the grass that weaves over their


s: Mother of all the manifold forms of life, deep-


s: Silent brooder and nurse of lyrical joys and sor-


s: Out of thee, yea, surely out of the fertile depth


s: Issued in some Strange way, thou lying motion-


s: All these songs of nature, rhythmical, passionate,


s: Coming in music from earth, but not unto earth


s: Dust are the blood-red hearts that beat in time


s: Thou hast taken them back to thyself, secretly,


s: Drawing the crimson currents of life down, down,


s: Deep into thy bosom again, as a river is lost in


s: But the souls of the singers have entered into


s: Passionate songs, immortal songs of joy and


s: Floating from heart to heart of thy children, they


s: Do they not utter thy heart, the voices of those


s: Long hadst thou lain like a queen transformed by


s: Into an alien shape, mysterious, beautiful, speech-


s: Knowing not who thou wert, till the touch of thy


s: Working within thee awakened the man-child to


s: All of thy flowers and birds and forests and flow-


s: Are but enchanted forms to embody  the life of


s: Thou thyself, earth-mother, in mountain and


s: Holdest the poem of God, eternal thought and


s: Milton, thou spirit delicate and bright!


s: What drew thee down to join the Roundhead


s: Of iron-sided warriors, rude and strong,


s: Fighting for freedom in a world half night?


s: Above all beauty bright, all music clear:


s: To thee she bared her bosom and her brow,


s: Breathing her virgin promise in thine ear,


s: And bound thee to her with a double vow,--


s: The cause, the cause for which thy soul resigned


s: Her singing robes to battle on the plain,


s: On weary tasks of prose. What wilt thou find


s: To comfort thee for all the toil and pain?


s: And thou art left forsaken, poor, and blind?


s: "The cause of truth looks lost, but shall be


s: And granted me great peace before I die,


s: In thoughts of lowly duty bravely done."


s: Thy Master claims thy service not with those


s: He pours the heavenly gift of song restored


s: Into thy breast, and bids thee nobly close


s: Where hast thou learned this deep, majestic


s: Surpassing all thy youthful lyric grace,


s: The griefs that won at Dante's side thy place,


s: And made thee, Milton, by thy years of pain,


s: Wordsworth, thy music like a river rolls


s: Among the mountains, and thy song is fed


s: No whirling flood nor parching drought controls


s: It murmurs clear and sweet; and when its bed


s: Darkens below mysterious cliffs of dread,


s: Thy voice of peace grows deeper in our souls.


s: But thou in youth hast known the breaking stress


s: Of passion, and hast trod despair's dry ground


s: Beneath black thoughts that wither and de-


s: Home to the heart of Nature, thou hast found


s: From Jove, that her sad lover should not


s: The face of death, no goddess asked for thee,


s: My Keats! But when the crimson blood-drop


s: Thy pillow, thou didst read the fate ordained,--


s: Brief life, wild love, a flight of poesy!


s: Thy star went down before its brightness waned.


s: Yet thou hast won the gift Tithonus missed:


s: Nor lose the blissful sight of beauty's truth,


s: But with the ardent lips that music kissed


s: To breathe thy song, and, ere thy heart grew


s: With painful passionate longing to invest


s: The golden dream of Love's immortal fire


s: And fold perfection to thy throbbing breast!


s: What wonder, Shelley, if the restless wave


s: Should claim thee and the leaping flame con-


s: And  bade thy soul ride on with fiery plume,


s: How blind the toil that burrows like the mole,


s: For Browning's lineage! What if men have


s: Poor footmen or rich merchants on the roll


s: Of his forbears? Did they beget his soul?


s: Through all the world,--the poets laurel-


s: With wreaths from which the autumn takes no


s: The blazons on his coat-of-arms are these:


s: The flaming sign of Shelley's heart on fire,


s: The staff and scrip of Chaucer's pilgrimage,


s: The rose of Dante's deep, divine desire,


s: In a great land, a new land, a land full of labour


s: Where there were many running to and fro, and


s: In the midst of the hurry and the troubled noise,


s: "What are you doing there, O man, singing


s: This is the time for new inventions, mighty


s: shoutings, and blowings of the trumpet."


s: But he answered, "I am only shepherding my


s: So he went along his chosen way, keeping his


s: And he paused to listen, now and then, beside


s: Where the faces of forgotten gods were refreshed


s: Or he sat for a while at the blacksmith's door,


s: and heard the cling-clang of the anvils;


s: Or he rested beneath old steeples full of bells,


s: Or he walked along the border of the sea, drink-


s: Or he sunned himself in the pine-scented ship-


s: Or he leaned on the rail of the bridge, letting


s: his thoughts flow with the whispering river;


s: He hearkened also to ancient tales, and made


s: Then a flaming arrow of death fell on his flock,


s: Silent the music now, as the shepherd entered


s: Long he tarried in darkness there: but when he


s: And I saw the faces of men and women and


s: The youth setting out on the journey of life, and


s: the old man waiting beside the last mile-stone;


s: The toiler sweating beneath his load; and the


s: The lonely sailor on far-off seas; and the grey-


s: The mill-hand bound to a clacking machine; and


s: And the solitary soul hiding friendless in the


s: Many human faces, full of care and longing, were


s: By the charm of something known to every heart,


s: And at the sound of that singing wonderfully


s: "Why do you listen, O you people, to this old


s: This is not for you, in the splendour of a new


s: Listen to the clashing cymbals, the big drums, the


s: But the people made no answer, following in


s: For it seemed to them, noise-weary, nothing


s: Than the melodies which brought sweet order


s: So the shepherd sang his way along, until he


s: And I know not surely whether it was called


s: But he climbed it out of sight, and still I heard


s: Dear Aldrich, now November's mellow days


s: Have brought another Festa round to you,


s: From friends the fleeting years have bound to


s: Here come your Marjorie Daw, your dear Bad


s: And many more, to wish you birthday joy,


s: Your children all, they hurry to your den,


s: With wreaths of honour they have won for


s: To merry-make your threescore years and ten


s: You, old? Why, life has just begun for you!


s: There's many a reader whom your silver songs


s: And crystal stories cheer in loneliness.


s: What though the newer writers come in throngs?


s: You're sure to keep your charm of only-ness.


s: You do your work with careful, loving touch,--


s: you know the magic spell of "not-too-much":


s: We read,--and wish that there was more of


s: And more there is: for while we love your books


s: Because their subtle skill is part of you;


s: We love you better, for our friendship looks


s: This is the house where little Aldrich read


s: With boyish pleasure, in this ingle-nook


s: He watched the drift-wood fire of Fancy spread


s: Bright colours on the pictures, blue and red:


s: Boy-like he skipped the longer words, and took


s: His happy way, with searching, dreamful look


s: Among the deeper things more simply said.


s: Then, came his turn to write: and still the flame


s: Of Fancy played through all the tales he told,


s: And still he won the laurelled poet's fame


s: With simple words wrought into rhymes of


s: Look, here's the face to which this house is


s: A man too wise to let his heart grow old!


s: You followed, through the quest of life,


s: (Read at the funeral of Mr. Stedman, January 21, 1908.)


s: Ah, who will tell me, in these leaden days,


s: For bloom, and fragrance, and the ruby fire


s: With biting winds, and all the earth grew sere,


s: Through which I watched the solitary bird


s: That braved the tempest, buffeted and tossed,


s: With rumpled feathers, down the wind again.


s: When winter laid the wild flowers in their tomb?


s: For blue hepaticas, and trilliums white,


s: And trailing arbutus, the Spring's delight,


s: Starring the withered leaves with rosy bloom.


s: The woods were bare: and every night the frost


s: And told me Spring was far and far away.


s: Only the tuneful sparrow, on whose throat


s: Lifted his head and sang my heart a hint,--


s: "Wait, wait, wait! oh, wait a while for Spring!"


s: For all delay! What sweetness treasured up,


s: For look, sweet heart, here are the early flowers,


s: Thronging in haste to kiss the feet of May,


s: And mingled with the bloom of later hours,--


s: Anemonies and cinque-foils, violets blue


s: And white, and iris richly gleaming through


s: Of butter-cups and daisies in the field,


s: As if a silver chime of bells had pealed!


s: Of silent birds that hid in leafless woods,


s: Now oriole and blue-bird, thrush and lark,


s: Confuse their music; for the living spark


s: And every heart leaps up in singing fire.


s: Were breathing deep beneath the sun's caress,


s: In shimmering clouds of rose and gold and green,


s: True love, long sought and found at last,


s: That makes amends for all the wintry past.


s: For all the flowers and songs I feared to miss


s: And in the lingering pressure of your kiss


s: And in the promise of your generous eyes


s: And bliss enhanced by rapture of surprise.


s: Ah, think not early love alone is strong;


s: He loveth best whose heart has learned to wait


s: Dear messenger of Spring that tarried long,


s: You're doubly dear because you come so late.


s: And with the putting forth of both your hands


s: Between us--bitter thoughts, and harsh de-


s: That all my pride was but the fear of loss,


s: To dull the thirst which you alone could still.


s: But as I turned the desert miles were crossed,


s: And when I came the weary hours were sped!


s: For there you stood beside the open door,


s: And with bright eyes and tender hands outspread


s: No sharp reproach, no glances that accuse


s: For there is none like you, beloved,--none


s: Where did you learn this heavenly art,--


s: You sweetest and most wise of all that live,--


s: That never questions where it would forgive?


s: None but a queen could pardon me like this!


s: Of penitence, then close the fingers up,


s: Across a thousand miles of sea, a hundred


s: Along a path I had not traced and could not


s: I travelled fast and far for this,--to take thee


s: A pilgrim knowing not the shrine where he would


s: A mariner without a dream of what his port


s: So fared I with a seeking heart until I came to


s: O cooler than a grove of palm in some heat-weary


s: O fairer than an isle of calm after the wild sea


s: The quiet room adorned with flowers where first


s: Then furl the sail, let fall the oar, forget the paths


s: The Power that made me wander far at last has


s: To thee, dear haven of my heart, and I no more


s: Oh, why are you shining so bright, big Sun,


s: Do you know that my days of delight are done,


s: If you covered your face with a cloud, I'd dream


s: And the heads of the flowers all bowed would


s: But why is your head so low, sweet heart,


s: Are they clouded because you know we must part,


s: Then kiss me again, and again, and again,


s: For your face is too dear for the stain of a tear,


s: With delicate breath of violets unseen,--


s: A little house of peace and joy and love


s: Only a narrow valley and a darkling wood


s: But not too soon! oh, let me linger here


s: Then, from the wood, across the silvery blue,


s: A hundred, yes, a thousand rising heavily


s: Like smoke from some deep caldron of despair!


s: Possessed the landscape and the evening light


s: Oh, dark, dark, dark they hovered o'er the place


s: Where once I saw the little house so white


s: At break of day I crossed the wooded vale;


s: A trembling light among the tree-tops pale,


s: But, oh, the little land of peace and love


s: That those night-loving wings had poised


s: Where Eden seemed to bloom I found but these!


s: With anger in my heart, too deep for words,


s: Against that grove of evil-sheltering trees,


s: And the black magic of the croaking birds.


s: If I have erred in showing all my heart,


s: And lost your favour by a lack of pride;


s: Of those who bargain well in passion's mart,


s: And win the thing they want by what they


s: Be mine the fault as mine the hope denied,


s: Be mine the lover's and the loser's part.


s: I shall not fear to stand before the throne


s: Of Love with open heart, and make this plea:


s: "At least I have not lied to her nor Thee!"


s: In that cold, calculating way, with blessing


s: As one, two, three, and four,--that would be


s: I only know that every day brings good above


s: I only feel that, in the road of Life, true Love


s: Whatever gifts and mercies in my lot may fall,


s: As worth a certain price in praise, or great or


s: But take and use them all with simple pleasure.


s: For when we gladly eat our daily bread, we bless


s: And when we tread the road of Life in cheer-


s: Our very heart-beats praise the Love that leads


s: Glory of architect, glory of painter, and sculp-


s: Living forever in temple and picture and statue


s: Look how the world with the lights that they lit


s: Brief was the flame of their life, but the lamps


s: Where is the work that he wrought with his


s: Gone,--it is gone like the glow on the cloud


s: The Master has finished his work, and the glory


s: Once, at the wave of his wand, all the billows of


s: Followed his will, as the sea was ruled by the


s: Now that his hand is relaxed, and his rod has


s: Silent and dark are the shores where the mar-


s: Nay, but not silent the hearts that were filled by


s: Deeper and purer forever the tides of their


s: Grateful and joyful, O Master, because they have


s: The glory of music endures in the depths of


s: "Two things," the wise man said, "fill me


s: Born in the dust and cradled in the dark,


s: And learns to read, with patient, searching eyes,


s: The splendid secret of the unconscious skies.


s: For God thought Light before He spoke the word;


s: The darkness understood not, though it heard:


s: But man looks up to where the planets swim,


s: And thinks God's thoughts of glory after Him.


s: What knows the star that guides the sailor's way,


s: Or lights the lover's bower with liquid ray,


s: Of toil and passion, danger and distress,


s: Brave hope, true love, and utter faithfulness?


s: But human hearts that suffer good and ill,


s: Adorn the law that rules our mortal strife


s: So take our thanks, dear reader of the skies,


s: For lessons brighter than the stars can give,


s: And inward light that helps us all to live.


s: The world has brought the laurel-leaves to crown


s: The star-discoverer's name with high, renown;


s: Accept the flower of love we lay with these


s: For influence sweeter than the Pleiades!


s: Long had I loved this "Attic shape," the brede


s: Of marble maidens round this urn divine:


s: But when your golden voice began to read,


s: The empty urn was filled with Chian wine.


s: Limber-limbed, lazy god, stretched on the


s: Where is sweet Echo, and where is your flock?


s: What are you making here? "Listen," said


s: That paves her path with moonbeams white,


s: Floating and falling through the wood alone,


s: A hermit-hymn poured out for God to hear!


s: Long light, low light, glory of eventide!


s: Love far away, far up,--up,--love divine!


s: Warm love, earth love, tender love of mine,


s: The heavenly joy that can not find the word?


s: Then, while we wait again to hear the bird,


s: Come very near to me, and do not move,--


s: The cool, green cup of air with harmony,


s: And we will drink the wine of love with you.


s: Like a long arrow through the dark the train


s: Bearing me far away, after a perfect day of


s: Wakeful with all the sad-sweet memories  of


s: I lift the narrow window-shade and look out


s: Lonely the land unknown, and like a river flow-


s: Forest and field and hill are gliding backward


s: Till in that country strange, and ever stranger


s: A magic city full of lights begins to glow and


s: Wide through the landscape dim the lamps are lit


s: Long avenues unfold clear-shining lines of gold


s: Clusters and rings of light, and luminous pa-


s: Oh, who will tell the city's name, and what


s: Why do they beckon me, and what have they to


s: Crowds in the blazing street, mirth where the


s: Many to laugh with me, but never one to know


s: A cityful of stranger-hearts and none to beat


s: Look how the glittering lines are wavering and


s: Softly the breeze of night, scatters the vision


s: Over the meadow-grass and through the forest


s: The Fire-Fly City of the Dark is lost in empty


s: Girl of the golden eyes, to you my heart is


s: Sleep in your quiet room, while through the


s: Clear in your dreams of me the light of love is


s: The only never failing light in all the phantom


s: O garden isle, beloved by Sun and Sea,--


s: Whose bluest billows kiss thy curving bays,


s: Whose amorous light enfolds thee in warm


s: That fill with fruit each dark-leaved orange-


s: What hidden hatred hath the Earth for thee?


s: Behold, again, in these dark, dreadful days,


s: She trembles with her wrath, and swiftly lays


s: Is Nature, then, a strife of jealous powers,


s: And man the plaything of unconscious fate?


s: Not so, my troubled heart! God reigns above


s: And man is greatest in his darkest hours:


s: On the dark, while her breathing rose and fell,


s: In her face was glowing or fading,--who could


s: Oh, what do you see in the dark, little window, and


s: "I see that the garden is crowded wtth creeping forms


s: Little white ghosts in the locust-tree, that wave in the


s: And low in the leafy laurels the lurking shadow of


s: Of the dark,--and my darling may have heard;


s: For she smiled in her sleep, while the ray


s: Of the rising dawn spoke joy without a word,


s: Till the splendor born in the east outburned


s: Oh, what do you see in the room, little window, that


s: "I see that a child is asleep on her pillow, soft and


s: With the rose of life on her lips, and the breath of life


s: And the arms of God around her as she quietly takes


s: I love the hour that comes, with dusky hair


s: To lead the cattle forth. A thousand bells


s: And flowery uplands, while the rosy flare


s: And  valleys darken, and the drowsy spells


s: Of peace are woven through the purple air.


s: Dear is the magic of this hour: she seems


s: To walk before the dark by falling rills,


s: And lend a sweeter song to hidden streams;


s: She opens all the doors of night, and fills


s: With moving bells the music of my dreams,


s: That wander far among the sleeping hills.


s: When clear and tranquil, through the troubled air


s: Of selfish minds and wills that did not dare,


s: You taught the prayer that helps men to unite,


s: You brought the courage equal to the fight,


s: Your king was crowned, your country free,


s: The black-robed judges gave your victory


s: The people lack the single faith and will


s: To make them one,--your country needs you


s: Renew the brave, unselfish hopes of yore,


s: But mine broke through the icy gates that guard


s: These waters, greater grown than any since


s: We left the shores of England. We were first,


s: And floes to these wide waves. This gulf is mine;


s: I name it! and that flying sail is mine!


s: And there, hull-down below that flying sail,


s: The ship that staggers home is mine, mine, mine!


s: Their food and bit the hand that nourished them,


s: Have stolen her. You ingrate Henry Greene,


s: I picked you from the gutter of Houndsditch,


s: And paid your debts, and kept you in my house,


s: And brought you here to make a man of you!


s: To give you bread? And you Abacuck Prickett,


s: Salving your conscience with a pious lie!


s: Yes, all of you--hounds, rebels, thieves! Bring


s: My voice: and if they heard, a drunken laugh


s: Would be their answer; for their minds have


s: The fatal firmness of the fool's resolve,


s: That looks like courage but is only fear.


s: They'll blunder on, and lose my ship, and


s: Or blunder home to England and be hanged.


s: Their skeletons will rattle in the chains


s: Of some tall gibbet on the Channel cliffs,


s: "Those are the rotten bones of Hudson's men


s: "Who left their captain in the frozen North!"


s: O God of justice, why hast Thou ordained


s: Plans of the wise and actions of the brave


s: Dependent on the aid of fools and cowards?


s: Look,--there she goes,--her topsails in the sun


s: Gleam from the ragged ocean edge, and drop


s: Clean out of sight! So let the traitors go


s: Clean out of mind! We'll think of braver things!


s: Come closer in the boat, my friends. John King,


s: You take the tiller, keep her head nor'west.


s: You Philip Staffe, the only one who chose


s: Freely to share our little shallop's fate,


s: Rather than travel in the hell-bound ship,--


s: These crippled comrades,--try to make them rest


s: More easy on the thwarts. And John, my  son,


s: My little shipmate, come and lean your head


s: Against your father's knee. Do you recall


s: Five years ago, when side by side we kneeled


s: Before the Hopewell left St. Catherine's docks


s: On our first voyage? It was then I vowed


s: My sailor-soul and years to search the sea


s: Until we found the water-path that leads


s: That God has poured the ocean round His world,


s: And all the English captains that have dared


s: In little ships to plough uncharted waves,--


s: Raleigh and Gilbert,--all the other names,--


s: As men who served His purpose. I would claim


s: A place among that knighthood of the sea;


s: And I have earned it, though my quest should


s: For, mark me well, the honour of our life


s: Derives from this: to have a certain aim


s: Before us always, which our will must seek


s: Then, though we miss the goal, our search is


s: With courage, and we find along our path


s: Press towards the aim: take fortune as it fares!


s: I know not why, but something in my heart


s: Has always whispered, "Westward seek your


s: Three times they sent me east, but still I turned


s: The bowsprit west, and felt among the floes


s: Of ruttling ice along the Groneland coast,


s: And down the rugged shore of Newfoundland,


s: And past the rocky capes and wooded bays


s: Where Gosnold sailed,--like one who feels his


s: With outstretched hand across a darkened


s: I groped among the inlets and the isles,


s: To find the passage to the Land of Spice.


s: I have not found it yet,--but I have found


s: Those mellow autumn days, two years ago,


s: When first we sent our little ship Half-Moon,--


s: The flag of Holland floating at her peak,--


s: Where all the navies of the world could ride?


s: Was troubled by a downward-flowing flood


s: That seemed to come from far away,--perhaps


s: Of naked rock where giants might have built


s: Their fortress; and by rolling hills adorned


s: With forests rich in timber for great ships;


s: Through narrows where the mountains shut us in


s: With frowning cliffs that seemed to bar the


s: And then through open reaches where the banks


s: Sloped to the water gently, with their fields


s: Ten days we voyaged through that placid land,


s: Until we came to shoals, and sent a boat


s: Upstream to find,--what I already knew,--


s: A stream more royal through a land more rich.


s: Of maize and green tobacco broadened out


s: To prosperous farms, that spread o'er hill and


s: The many-coloured mantle of their crops;


s: I see the terraced vineyard on the slope


s: Where now the fox-grape loops its tangled vine;


s: And cattle feeding where the red deer roam;


s: To store the silver comb with golden sweet;


s: And all the promised land begins to flow


s: With milk and honey. Stately manors rise


s: Along the banks, and castles top the hills,


s: And little villages grow populous with trade,


s: Until the river runs as proudly as the Rhine,--


s: The thread that links a hundred towns and


s: A city girt with masts, and crowned with spires,


s: The ships of all the nations flock like doves.


s: My name will be remembered there, for men


s: Will say, "This river and this isle were found


s: The Northwest Passage into Farthest Inde."


s: Yes! yes! I sought it then, I seek it still,--


s: For look ye, friends, our voyage is not done;


s: We hold by hope as long as life endures!


s: Somewhere among these floating fields of ice,


s: Somewhere along this westward widening bay,


s: Somewhere beneath this luminous northern night,


s: Will push her bowsprit in, and battle through!


s: And why not ours,--to-morrow,--who can tell?


s: The lucky chance awaits the fearless heart!


s: These are the longest days of all the year;


s: The world is round and God is everywhere,


s: And while our shallop floats we still can steer.


s: So point her up, John King, nor'west by north.


s: And sail ahead, and leave the rest to God.


s: Canto XVII. Fridthjof Comes to King Ring


s: Canto XXIII. Fridthjof at his Father's Grave


s: Bele. (Pronounced Bay'-lay.) King of Sogn, in Norway.


s: Helge (Hel'-gay)  and Halfdan. His sons.


s: Fridthjof. (Freet'-yof.) Son of Thorstein.


s: Hilding. Foster-father and teacher of Fridthjof and Ingeborg.


s: Bjorn. (B'yorn.) A sworn foster-brother of Fridthjof.


s: Angantyr. (Ang'-an-teer.) Ruler of the Orkney Islands.


s: Atle. (At'-lay.) A berserk, and one orf Angantyr's warriors.


s: SCENE--Northern Norway and the Orkney Islands.


s: Two rare and stately plants were growing,


s: With lance-like stem so straight and true,


s: And spring, which in the buds lies dreaming,


s: Still waits with gems to set them gleaming.


s: Where bride-pairs, golden-haired, were swinging,


s: When firs[ he learned his futhorc through;


s: No kings had e'er such honor brought them


s: Her small white hands gave hearty cheering.


s: The eagle's nest from clouds he sundered,


s: How sweet when roaring torrents frighten,


s: To feel her soft arms round him tighten.


s: The first; spring flowers by sunshine fed,


s: But quickly sped are childhood's days,--


s: And there, with budding charms, a maiden.


s: When, struggling, met they breast to breast,


s: And brought the bearskin home; such prizes,


s: He thought: "Of gold is Ing'borg's hair,


s: A wheat-field which the breeze caresses.


s: Beneath the green silk's safe retreats,--


s: And Frigg's mild eyes are blue and clear


s: A light, blue spring day quickly darkles.


s: And Gerd's fair cheeks, why praise them so?


s: The northern-lights, on new fall'n snow,--


s: With Hel's grim shades I'd gladly wander."


s: Bright shields from off the golden spool,


s: The birch tree's stem where Fridthjof went


s: "Thou Earth, who in the spring-time fair,


s: Bedeck'st with flowers thine emerald hair,


s: Give me the best; in wreaths I'll wind them,


s: And round my Fridthjof's brow will bind them."


s: "Thou sea, who mak'st thy dark caves bright


s: Give me the best; I'll weave the clearest


s: Wert thou but mine, thy blazing splendor


s: 'Mid Ing'borg's golden hair should cluster."


s: But Fridthjof smiled: "My race," he said,


s: In Thrudvang, where all strength abides;


s: There worth, and not descent, is leader,--


s: "I'd fight the world for my sweet bride,


s: King Bele, sword-supported, in the palace stood;


s: And with him Thorstein, Viking's son, the peasant good.


s: His ancient war companion, grown old in glory,


s: His brow was scarred like rune-stones, his hair was hoary.


s: They stood, as on the mountain two temples stand


s: To honored gods devoted, now half in sand;


s: And many words of wisdom the walls are saying,


s: And holy recollections through domes are straying.


s: "The evening steals upon me," king Bele said,


s: "The helmet now is heavy, and stale the mead;


s: The fate of man grows darker, but all the clearer


s: High Valhal shines before me, as death draws nearer.


s: "My sons I here have summoned, and Thorstein's son


s: For they should cling together, as we have done;


s: But I would give the eaglets some words of warning--


s: Words may in death be sleeping ere dawns the morning."


s: Obedient to the mandate, the three advance--


s: First, Helge, dark and gloomy, with sullen glance;


s: He dwelt amid diviners; the hand he proffered


s: Was red with blood of victims, on altars offered.


s: The next who came was Halfdan, a light-haired swain:


s: His countenance was noble, but weak and vain;


s: He gaily bore a falchion, with which he gestured,


s: And seemed a youthful maiden, in armor vestured.


s: And after them came Fridthjof, in mantle blue;


s: He was stronger than the others, and taller, too;


s: He stood between the brothers, by contrast seeming


s: Like noon 'twixt night and morning, in splendor beaming.


s: "Ye sons," the king said gently, "my son goes down;


s: Together rule the kingdom and take the crown;


s: While lance with ring is circled, its stem can sever.


s: "Let power stand as sentry on every hand,


s: And freedom bloom protected throughout the land:


s: The sword is for protection, and not for plunder.


s: And shields are locks for peasants no foe can sunder.


s: "How foolish is the ruler his land to oppress,


s: For the people give the power which kings possess;


s: The crown of leafy verdure which decks the mountain


s: Will wither if the sunshine dries up the fountain.


s: "On four gigantic pillars is heaven's throne--


s: The throne of nations resteth on law alone!


s: Destruction waits on judgment; if misdirected;


s: By right are men ennobled and kings perfected.


s: "In Disarsal, O Helge, the high gods dwell--


s: Not pinioned as the snail is within his shell;


s: As far as daylight flieth, or thought's swift pinion,


s: Far as resound the echoes, is gods' dominion.


s: The offered hawk gives tokens which oft deceive.


s: Not all runes monumental can we believe:


s: But an honest heart, O Helge, of pure endeavor,


s: With Odin's runes is written, misleading never.


s: "Be not severe, king Helge, but firm and staid;


s: The sword that bites the sharpest has the limberest blade.


s: Kings are adorned by mercy, as shields by flowers,


s: And spring can more accomplish than winter's powers.


s: "A man, however mighty, deprived of friends,


s: Like tree of bark denuded, how soon life ends!


s: But he by friends surrounded, like trees shall flourish,


s: Whose crowns, in groves protected, the brooklets nourish.


s: "Boast not ancestral wisdom; each man alone


s: A single bowstring uses, and that his own;


s: What matters it to any the worth that's buried?


s: By its own waves the current o'er seas is carried.


s: "A joyous spirit, Halfdan, advantage brings,


s: But idle talk is needless, and most, to kings;


s: Of hops, as well as honey, is mead compounded,


s: Let sports on vigor, lances on steel, be founded.


s: "No man has too much wisdom, though learned he be,


s: And much too little, many less learned than he;


s: To fools, though high in station, no praise is meted,


s: The wise hy all are honored, though lowly seated.


s: "The steadfast friend, O Halfdan! of mingled blood,


s: Lives near indeed, though distant be his abode;


s: But to thy foeman's dwelling the way is weary,--


s: Though standing by thy pathway, 'tis far and dreary.


s: "For friend choose not the first one that's so disposed,--


s: An empty house stands open, a full one closed;


s: Choose one, the best, O Halfdan, nor seek another,


s: The world soon knows the secrets of three together."


s: These words then Thorstein uttered in clearest tone:


s: We've always stood together, whatever tried us,


s: And death, now drawing near, shall not divide us.


s: "Fridthjof, old age hath whispered in my rapt ear


s: Full many words of wisdom, which thou must hear.


s: Birds fly from graves to Odin, with wisdom freighted,


s: The words by old men spoken, should not be slighted.


s: "First, give the high gods honor; for good or ill,


s: Storms come as well as sunshine, by Heaven's will.


s: The gods perceive the secrets in thy possession.


s: And years must make atonement for each transgression.


s: "Obey the king: most wisely rules one alone,


s: The eyes of night are many, day has but one.


s: The better are contented by best directed,--


s: The blade must have a handle to be perfected.


s: Great strength is heaven's dower; but, Fridthjof, learn


s: That power devoid of wisdom, can little earn.


s: Strong bears by one are taken,--one man of reason;


s: Set shields to turn the sword stroke, let law stop treason.


s: "A few may fear the haughty, whom all despise,


s: And with the proud in spirit, destruction lies:


s: Those once flew high, who're now on crutches creeping;


s: The winds rule fortune, weather, time of reaping.


s: "The day thou'lt rightly prize, whose sun has sunk,


s: Advice when it is followed, and ale when drunk.


s: The hopes of youth on shadows are often rested,


s: But strength of sword and friendship, by use are 'tested.


s: "Trust not the snow of spring-time, nor night-old ice;


s: The serpent when he sleepeth, nor girl's advice;


s: The mind of changeful woman not long abideth,


s: And fickleness of spirit, 'neath flower-tints hideth.


s: "All men will surely perish with all they prize,


s: But one thing know I, Fridthjof, which never dies,--


s: And that is reputation', therefore, ever


s: The noble action strive for, the good endeavor."


s: So warned the aged chieftains in the palace hall.


s: As since the skald has chanted in Ha'vama'l,


s: So passed these sayings pithy through generations;


s: And still from graves they whisper 'mid northern nations.


s: Then many words and heartfelt, these warriors found


s: To tell their lasting friendship, so wide renowned.


s: How friends till death, if fortune or frowned or slighted.


s: Like two hands clasped together they stood united.


s: "And back to back in battle we held the field,


s: And which way norns did threaten, they smote a shield;


s: Before you now to Valhal we old men hasten,


s: And may their fathers' spirit our children's chasten."


s: The king said much concerning brave Fridthjof's worth,


s: Heroic power surpassing all royal birth;


s: And much was said by Thorstein, how graces cluster


s: Round Northland's honored monarchs, with Asa-lustre.


s: "But hold ye fast together, ye children three,


s: The Northland then your conqueror shall never see;


s: For royalty and power, when duly ordered,


s: Are like a bright shield golden, by blue steel bordered.


s: "Salute my daughter Ing'borg, the rosebud sweet,


s: In quiet was she nurtured, as seemed meet:


s: Protect her, lest the storm-king, with cruel power,


s: Should fasten in his helmet my tender flower.


s: "I lay on thee, king Helge, a father's care,


s: Restraint galls noble spirits, but gentle manner


s: Will lead both man and woman to right and honor.


s: "But lay us now, ye children, in two mound-graves.


s: Close where the blue gulf tosses its ceaseless waves;


s: Our souls shall then forever enjoy the ringing


s: Of dirges which in breaking the waves are singing.


s: "When the moon's pale beams the mountains and valleys fill,


s: And midnight's dew is falling on grove and hill;


s: Then will we sit, O Thorstein, above our pillows,


s: And talk about the future, across the billows.


s: "And now, farewell, ye children, our work is done;


s: Like weary rivers longing for sea's caressing;


s: On you be Thor's and Odin's and Frey's rich blessing."


s: Buried were Bele and Thorstein together, as they had commanded;


s: Oft when the moon in the heavens was riding, the old man related


s: Unceasingly murmuring fountain, he too a saga unending.


s: Studded with nails were the walls, and upon them were hanging


s: Helmets and coats-of-mail closely together; also between them


s: Boldly demanding a hand-to-hand combat, or kingdom and daughter.


s: No one, however, accepted the challenge, for none had a weapon


s: Cleft at one blow the hideous goblin, and rescued the maiden.


s: Next highly prized was the ponderous arm-ring, widely notorious,


s: Giddy with walking precipitous heights; sighing they downward


s: Sink to the land of the shades,--down to Hel. That is of Balder


s: The funeral pile. Glitner, the castle of Peace, is there; seated


s: Within it was Forse'te',* scales in hand, meting out justice.


s: Roaming abroad through the seas. Long was it ere 'twas recovered.


s: Wide as a temple's arch, or a king's gateway, bedded in gravel,


s: Furious demon scouring a blade that with blood spots was covered.


s: Nowhere was visible sailor or captain, or even a steersman;


s: Courteous, noble and kind. Daily became he more famous.


s: Drank in accordance with ancestral usage, a skoal to his father,


s: And sat between Odin and Frey. So sitteth Thor up in Valhal.


s: Loud sounded the music in Fridthjof's hall,


s: Is Fridthjof, he hears not their songs of gladness.


s: The earth has again donned her mantle of green


s: And dragon-ships breasting the waves are seen


s: Is at the moon gazing or in the woods wandering.


s: How fortunate was he but lately, and glad,


s: Came Ingeborg; Fridthjof scarce saw the others.


s: He sat by her side and her soft hand he pressed;


s: He felt in the pressure returned him thrice blest,


s: On her whom he honored beyond all praising.


s: In glad conversation recalling their plays,


s: When life's morning dew presaged bright future days


s: Keeps life's rosy gardens in noble minds youthful.


s: How fondly she greets him from dale and from park,


s: From loving names growing in White birchen bark,


s: The oaks which the ashes of heroes nourish.


s: "'Tis never so pleasant at home as here,


s: For Halfdan is childish and Helge severe;


s: To nothing but prayers and praise unending.


s: "And no one (nor could she her blushes hide)


s: How stifling compared with the groves of Hilding.


s: "The doves that we petted, and tamed and fed,


s: Let Fridthjof take one, one Ing'borg retaineth.


s: "She'll long like another her friend to see,--


s: Beneath her flee pinion,--there none will find it."


s: All day they sat whispering side by side,


s: The zephyrs through lindens at twilight vespers.


s: But now she has gone, and his joy forsooth


s: Has gone with the maiden. The blood of youth


s: He silently sighs while the past recounting.


s: His grief at her absence he sent by the dove,


s: Which joyous set out with its message of love;


s: It stayed with its mate, nor returned on the morrow.


s: His conduct to Bjorn was displeasing; said he:


s: "What ails our young eagle, he seems to be


s: Has his breast or his pinion been pierced by an arrow?


s: "What wilt thou, Fridthjof? We have for need


s: The yellow bacon, and the good, brown mead;


s: "The steeds impatiently stamp in the stalls,--


s: To the chase! to the chase! the falcon calls;


s: His gloom. He hunteth in clouds and complaineth.


s: She frets and she chafes at her cable chain;


s: Our Fridthjof is peaceable. Strife is no pleasure.


s: "Who dies on his pallet,, is dead indeed;


s: By the lance, as did Odin, we'll die, if need,--


s: A welcome to Hel, and heaven secure us."


s: Then Fridthjof unloos'd the dragon,--and proud,


s: With full swelling canvas, the waves she plowed,


s: The bay to the palace she bore the lover.


s: The kings were at Bele's grave met that day,--


s: To administer justice and counsel weigh;


s: His voice sounds afar like clashing lances.


s: "Ye kings, lovely Ing'borg, the people's pride,


s: I choose, from all women, to be my bride;


s: Our lives thus united in one should be blended.


s: "He reared us together in Hilding's sight,--


s: As two forest saplings whose tops unite,--


s: Of lace bindeth Freyja the green tops over.


s: "My sire was a peasant, no earl nor king,--


s: Yet his memory will live while the poets sing;


s: The grave-mounds are telling my ancestors' glory.


s: "I could easily win me a crown and land,


s: But choose to remain on my native strand:


s: My sword for the king, and the peasant shielding.


s: "On king Bele's grave we are standing now,


s: A dead father's counsel a wise son heedeth."


s: Then Helge uprose, and replied with scorn,


s: To strive for our Ingeborg, daughter of heaven.


s: "You boastfully call yourself chief of swords,--


s: For arrogance winneth not Odin's daughter.


s: "My kingdom doth not seek protection from thee,


s: I shield it myself. My man wouldst thou be,--


s: "Thy servant! no, never!" was Fridthjof's reply,


s: Now fly, Angervadil, the insult repelling."


s: In sunshine now glitters the blue steel blade,--


s: Thy lineage at least," said Fridthjof, "is royal.


s: "And were it not now for the high grave's renown,


s: Right here would I hew thee, swarthy king, down:


s: To come not again where my sword can reach thee."


s: The gold shield of Helge which hung on a bough.


s: Its clang on the grave-mound was echoed under.


s: "Well done, Angervadil. lie still and dream


s: Of high achievements,-- meanwhile the gleam


s: And now we'll go home o'er the blue waters sailing."


s: King Ring moved his gold-stool back. Then uprose


s: For where in the North does such goodness repose?


s: With the wisdom which dwells in god Mimer.


s: Like the groves of the peaceful gods was his land,--


s: Through the length of his quiet dominion.


s: And Peace every year paid its tribute meet,--


s: And swarthy-prowed ships to this favored shore,


s: The products of numberless nations bore,--


s: Here freedom and peace did in concord dwell,


s: And all loved their father, the king, full well,


s: His mind in the thing,* none were slighted.


s: Supreme in the Northland through thirty years


s: King Ring moved his gold-stool back. From the board


s: But he sighed, and in accents that trembled,


s: He said: "My lost queen is in Folkvang-hall


s: "So queenly, so honored, so good and so fair,


s: "King Bele oft sat as a guest at my side


s: The daughter he left I would choose for my bride,--


s: In whose cheeks rose and lily are blended.


s: "I know she is young, and in youth sublime.


s: Oh, could she but honor the withered tree


s: And could she a friend to the motherless be,


s: With gold and petitions, a noisy throng,


s: And minstrels and skalds, in procession long,


s: The feast, where with wassail they drink and sing,


s: But they sought the fourth morning what answer they'd bring


s: In the grove Helge offered both bird and beast,--


s: Asked counsel of vala, consulted the priest


s: The offerings and vala and priest denied


s: And Helge, affrighted by signs he'd tried,


s: For men must obey when the gods have spoken.


s: But merry king Halfdan laughed gayly, and said,


s: King Gray-beard himself should have come instead,


s: "King Graybeard his honor'll avenge one day,"


s: When to him the curt message is carried.


s: He strikes his bright shield hanging high on a bough,--


s: "The strife will be bloody, for mighty is Ring;


s: There sitteth the loving one, full of woes,


s: She weeps, while with silk and with god she sews


s: Best of all, there's nought shall harm her


s: Then on king's vengeance or earth's sadness,


s: And with my sword write Ing'borg's name.


s: Who waits since morn first kissed the sea,


s: And all ye little flowers, with treasure


s: I hail thee, moon, with pale light streaming


s: To speak with flowers, O, brook, who taught thee


s: Ye northern nightingales, where caught ye


s: Though changing clouds lose her resemblance,


s: As true as childhood's sweet remembrance,


s: Come, loved one, come, and let me press thee


s: My soul's desire, through life, I'll bless thee,


s: As Freyja's troth-plight, warm and tender,


s: Fear not, for here can come no stranger,


s: Without stands Bjorn. his sword in hand,


s: And why fear Balder's fierce resentment,


s: The god whose brow with sunshine beameth,


s: Than two fond hearts which both adore him,


s: Scorn not my love, my blossom cherished,


s: Which more to heaven than earth belongs,


s: In heaven itself that love was nourished,


s: And there we'd rest us 'neath the shadow


s: And when bright Valhal's sun each morning,


s: With his clear torch in splendor rose,--


s: Thy golden locks, with sunshine flushing,


s: How sweet the evening song-bird's vesper!


s: How soft the moon-beams' gentle whisper,


s: Oh, weep not, love, those tears regretful,


s: While through my heart the life-blood streams;


s: Oh! when thine arms thou foldest round me,


s: How quickly breaks the spell that bound me,


s: How turn my thoughts from heaven to thee!


s: Through cheerless storm or sunny weather,


s: "See, daybreak comes." Nay, but ascended


s: Bright morning stat sleep till to-morrow,


s: Your waking brings to Fridthjof sorrow,--


s: A thoughtless throng in the opening sky;


s: All hearts with light and joy entrancing,


s: Here, 'neath thy watchful eye I leave her--


s: Let not the rough world's troubles grieve her,


s: The day breaks clear, and Fridthjof cometh not,


s: Though yesterday the council was proclaimed


s: At Bele's grave. The place was rightly chosen,


s: His daughter's fate should be determined there.


s: To melt the ice of hate around Fridthjof's heart.


s: And gain a promise from his haughty lips


s: Alas! how hard is man! And for his honor,


s: So calleth he his pride, he counts it not,


s: Or lightly counts it, if he rudely break,


s: Of true and faithful hearts one more or less.


s: But wretched woman, leaning on his breast,


s: Is like the moss-growth blooming on the cliff,--


s: But yesterday, indeed, my fate was fixed,


s: And now the evening sun hath set upon it,


s: Still Fridthjof cometh not. The pallid stars


s: And with each one of them a hope is quenched


s: And goes from out my heart unto its grave.


s: Ah! wherefore still to hope? Valhal's gods


s: And Balder, 'neath whose shelter I reside,


s: Beneath the temple-arch in which the grave,


s: The haughty powers have fixed their dwelling-place.


s: And yet what fault is mine? and wherefore frowns


s: Is it not pure as Urd's bright sparkling fount,


s: From loving ones, its pure and watchful eyes.


s: And daylight's widow, starry night, doth hear


s: With gladness, in her sorrow, all their vows.


s: That which is worthy under heaven's vault,


s: Can that be guilty 'neath the temple's dome?


s: I love my Fridthjof. Oh! through all the past,


s: As far as memory runs, I loved him well,--


s: I know not whence it came, nor comprehend


s: The dismal thought that it was ever gone.


s: In summer sunshine wraps its cloth of gold,


s: Forgive me, Balder! With a faithful heart


s: Thy hall I sought, and with a faithful one


s: Will I go hence; I'll take it with me now


s: Out over Bifrost-bridge, and place myself


s: With all my love before great Valhal's gods.


s: And there my love, like them an Asa-child,


s: Shall see itself reflected in the shields,


s: And fly with loosened dove-wings through the blue


s: Unending space unto the Allfather's bosom,


s: From whence it came. Oh! wherefore is the frown,


s: In morning's twilight, on thy brow so fair?


s: There floweth in my veins, as flows in thine,


s: Old Odin's blood. What wilt thou, kinsman dear?


s: Nor would I offer it, worth all thy joys;


s: But I can offer thee my life's delight,--


s: Can cast it from me as the stately queen


s: Her mantle flings aside, and still remains


s: Her queenly self. But my resolve is taken,


s: As meets the hero his. Ah! here he comes!


s: How wild he seems, how pale! 'Tis done, 'tis done!


s: Be strong, my soul! At last I welcome thee.


s: Our fate is fixed; 'tis plain to read it where


s: As well the blood-red runes, which speak of shame,


s: I found the council at our fathers' graves.


s: Around the grassy mounds, shield meeting shield,


s: Stood many Northland sons with swords in hand,


s: One circle standing close within another


s: A thunder cloud, thy brother Helge sat,--


s: And next to him, a seeming grown up child,


s: Sat Halfdan,---thoughtless, playing with his sword.


s: Then I arose, and, said: "War waiting stands


s: Within thy borders, beating on the shield,--


s: Thy kingdom now, king Helge, is in peril;


s: Give me my sister, and I'll give to thee


s: Mine arm, it may be usefu] in this strife.


s: I would not cherish it 'gainst Ing'borg's brother.


s: To reason listen, king, and save at once


s: Thy golden crown, thy purest sister's heart.


s: An uproar shook the thing. A thousand swords


s: Approval hammered on a thousand shields.


s: The clang of weapons flew to heaven, which heard


s: With joy the assent of freemen to the right.


s: "To him give Ingeborg, the slender lily,


s: Most beautiful our dales have ever grown;


s: No better sword our favored land can boast,--


s: To him give Ingeborg." Our foster-father,


s: The reverend Hilding, with his silver-beard,


s: Stood forth and spoke in words of wisdom full,


s: Short apothegms, as keen as sharpened swords.


s: And Halfdan, too, from off of royal seat


s: Arose, with pleading words and pleading looks,--


s: But it was all in vain; each prayer was wasted,--


s: Like sunshine lavished on a barren rock,


s: No growth alluring from his stony heart.


s: King Helge's sullen countenance was like


s: His heart,--a pale-faced "No" to human prayers.


s: "A peasant's son," said he, contemptuously,


s: "Could Ing'borg gain, but who profanes the temple


s: Ill-suited seems to holy Valhal's daughter.


s: Hast thou not, Fridthjof, broken Balder's peace?


s: Hast thou not seen my sister in his temple


s: When day had hid itself from your communion?


s: Say yes, or no!" A deafening shout resounded


s: From all those rings of men: "Say no, say no,


s: We take thee at thy word, we sue for thee,--


s: "My life's delight hangs on a feeble word,"


s: Much less to earth's. Thy sister I have seen,


s: Have talked with her beneath the temple's night,


s: But Balder's peace I have not therefore broken."


s: They let me say no more. Abhorrent cries


s: Flew through the thing, and those who nearest stood


s: And when I looked around, their superstition


s: Had palsied every tongue, and blanched each cheek


s: And then king Helge triumphed. With a voice


s: In Vegtam's song, when she for Odin sung


s: So sad he spoke: "Though banishment or death


s: Against this crime, yet I'll be mild as Balder,


s: Whose sacred dwelling thou hast so profaned.


s: The western sea a wreath of islands holds,


s: As long as Bele lived the earl each year


s: His tribute paid, but ceased when Bele died.


s: Go o'er the sea and drive this tribute in;


s: 'Tis said," sneered he, with meanest mockery,


s: "That Angantyr hard-fisted is, and broods


s: Like dragon Fafner o'er his gold: but who


s: Can stand 'gainst our new Sigurd, Fafner's bane?


s: Than luring maidens under Balder's roof.


s: When summer comes shall we expect you here


s: With all thy honor, first of all the tribute.


s: And during life art outlawed through the land."


s: His judgment rendered, he dissolved the thing.


s: His paltry gold doth hide in Nastrand's flood.


s: Nay, nay, I leave thee not, thou goest too.


s: That Angantyr was my dear father's friend,


s: Without constraint what I demand; if not


s: Of this crowned hypocrite redeem us both.


s: But we, my beauteous Ingeborg, will spread


s: O'er seas unknown Ellide's willing sail,


s: She'll kindly bear us to a friendlier strand


s: What is the North to me? And what a race,


s: Which pales at every word of priest or king,


s: Whose shameless hands would pluck the living rose


s: So, Freyja help, it shall not prosper them!


s: The wretched slave is bound unto the turf


s: Where he was born, hut I will still be free,


s: Free as the mountain winds. A little earth


s: From Bele's grave and from my father's taken,


s: Can find a place ,upon our ship, and that


s: My loved one, there another sun is found


s: Than that which pales above these hills of snow,


s: And there another sky, more bright than this;


s: And milder stars with god-like glance adorned,


s: Look down therefrom in balmy summer nights


s: On lovers wandering in the laurel groves.


s: My father, Thorstein, Viking's son, in wars


s: Had journeyed far, and oft I've heard him tell,


s: By fireside light in winter evenings long,


s: About the Grecian sea with islands filled,--


s: Fresh groves of green in brightly shining waves.


s: A powerful race once had its dwelling there,--


s: And holy gods the marble temples graced.


s: But now they stand deserted; grasses thrive


s: In paths left desolate, and flowers grow


s: From out the runes that tell of ancient lore;


s: The slender columns stand like budding trees


s: Entwined by graceful stems of southern vines.


s: Throughout the year the earth spontaneous yields,


s: In unsown harvests, all that men require.


s: There golden apples glow between the leaves,


s: And blushing grapes from every bough hang down


s: And, ripening, swell luxurious as thy lips.


s: There, Ing'borg, there we'll build us near the wave


s: A little North, more beautiful than this;


s: And with our ever faithful love we'll fill


s: The radiant temple vaults, and thus delight


s: And when, with loosened sheets (no storms are there)


s: In twilight's glow, and turns his joyous glance


s: From rosy-colored ripples to the strand,--


s: Upon the temple's threshold shall he see


s: In southern tongue, and he shall wonder at


s: The golden locks, seen flowing in the breeze,


s: And eyes which brighter gleam than southern skies.


s: A little temple-dwelling race of fairies,


s: With cheeks where yon might see the south had set,


s: In Northern snowdrifts, freshly blooming roses.


s: Stands earthly happiness to faithful hearts;


s: If they are brave enough to seize it when disposed,


s: It follows willingly and builds for them


s: O come, let's haste away, each spoken word


s: Come, all's prepared! Ellide stretches now


s: Her shadowy eagle wings for eager flight,--


s: And freshly blowing winds now guide the way


s: Henceforth from this inconstant land forever.


s: Thou followest none, but always in the front,


s: The stem of thy good dragon ship, dost place


s: Thy will beside the helm, to steer the way


s: With steady hand above the wrathful waves.


s: Which loosen not the prey although it bleed;


s: And sacrifice, lament and lonesome pining,


s: Is all king Bele's daughter knows of freedom.


s: Art thou not free, if so thou willest? In the grave


s: My hand depends, and Ing'borg will not steal


s: Ah! what would woman be if she cut loose


s: The sacred band with which the Allfather binds


s: Unto the stronger power her gentle being?


s: It rises with the wave and with it falls.


s: And marks it not although it cut the stem.


s: Such is indeed her fate! And yet the flower,


s: As long as clings the root unto the sand,


s: Its growth increases, borrowing color pure


s: From its pale sister stars which shine above,--


s: But rudely broken loose, it ceaseless drives,


s: Last night,--that was indeed a fearful night,


s: And children of the night, the serious thoughts,


s: With raven locks went thronging closely by


s: My ever watchful, burning, tearful eyes;


s: And Balder too, the bloodless god looked down


s: On me with frowning glances full of threats.


s: Last night I pondered o'er my wretched fate.


s: Yet it is well I did not hear thee then,


s: With fabled islands floating in the clouds


s: Where evening's glowing twilights always show


s: A flowery world of peace and happy love.


s: Who knows how weak one is? My childhood dreams


s: Though silent long, with joy rise up again,


s: And whisper in my anxious ear with voice


s: A child of Northland cannot elsewhere dwell;


s: Too pale am I for those bright summer roses;-


s: Too colorless my mind for that deep glow;


s: The scorching sun would quite consume me there.


s: Of anxious longing full, my eyes would seek


s: The northern star which always watchful stands


s: A heavenly sentry o'er our fathers' graves.


s: The cherished hind that he was born to guard;


s: He shall not fling away his honored name


s: To gain so poor a thing, a maiden's love.


s: A life where spins the sun from year to year,


s: And where each day is ever like the next--


s: And most for thine, it's quiet, weary dullness.


s: Thou thrivest best where storms are raging round.


s: And on thy tossing plank, come life or death,


s: Thou mayest fight with peril for thine honor.


s: The beauteous desert thou dost paint, would be


s: A grave for high achievements, not yet born;


s: And like thy shield, with rust would be dissolved,


s: Thine independent mind. It shall not be!


s: I will not steal away my Fridthjof's name


s: From poet's storied song; I will not quench


s: Be wise, my Fridthjof; let us yield unto


s: Our cherished honor from this wreck of life;


s: Our happiness we cannot save, 'tis gone,


s: Because a sleepless night disturbed thy mind?


s: Because my honor must be saved, and thine.


s: Not long loves he whom he cannot respect.


s: Our love strove not with justice yesterday.


s: Nor love to day, but all the more our flight.


s: Necessity commands our flight,--Oh, come!


s: What's right and noble, that's necessity.


s: High rides the sun and time is fleeting by.


s: Ah, me, it has gone by, gone by forever!


s: Consider well. Is that thy last resolve?


s: Farewell then, fare thee well, king Helge's sister.


s: Oh, Fridthjof! Fridthjof! must we separate thus?


s: Hast thou indeed no friendly glance to give


s: Thy childhood's friend; no kindly hand to reach


s: Think'st thou I stand on roses here, and turn


s: And that I pangless tear from out my breast


s: A hope that hath with my affections grown?


s: Oh! wert thou not my heart's own morning dream?


s: Each joy that I have known was Fridthjof named,


s: And all of life that great or noble seemed,


s: Did Fridthjof's likeness take before mine eyes.


s: The dearest thing upon the face of earth.


s: The dearest thing that Valhal's gods can give!


s: That offering, Fridthjof, is severe enough.


s: I know thou lovest me--that I have known


s: E'er since my being first began to dawn;


s: And Ing'borg's thoughts will surely follow thee


s: For years to come wherever thou may'st go.


s: The clang of warlike weapons deadens grief.


s: 'Tis blown away upon the wild, wild waves,


s: Nor ventures to return when champions all


s: Their victory celebrate with drinking horn.


s: Yet sometimes, then, when in the peace of night,


s: Thy thoughts review again forgotten days,


s: There will among them glide an image pale,


s: Thou knowest well; it fondly greeteth thee


s: That virgin pale in Balder's holy grove.


s: Thou must not drive it thence away, although


s: Of night on faithful wings will bear it me;


s: One comfort yet, I have none else beside.


s: For me there's naught to dissipate my grief;


s: The holy temple vaults speak but of thee:


s: The temple's God, which should all threatening seem,


s: Thy likeness takes when shines the streaming moon.


s: Behold the sea--there swam thy keel through foam


s: Behold the woods--there stand so many stems


s: With Ing'borg's runes engraven in the bark;


s: Now grows the bark and wears away my name,


s: I ask the day when last it saw thy form,


s: I ask the night, but both are silent still:


s: And e'en the sea which bears thee, gives reply


s: With evening's ruddy glow I'll send to thee


s: A greeting, when it sinks into thy waves.


s: And heaven's long ship, the fleeting cloud, shall take


s: In mourning clad, of all life's joy bereft,


s: Until the Spring its cloth doth weave, and sew


s: Thou conquerest, Bele's daughter, weep no more!


s: Forgive my wrath, it was alone my sorrow


s: Which for a moment took a wrathful dress, -


s: A noble mind best teaches what is noble.


s: I part with thee but part not with my hope;


s: I'll take it with me over western waves,


s: I'll take it with me to the gates of death.


s: The nearest spring-day sees me here again:


s: King Helge, so I hope, shall see me too.


s: Then from my promise freed, his bidding done,


s: Then I'll request thee,--nay but I'll demand


s: And not of Helge but of Northland's sons.


s: Farewell till then; be true, forget me not,


s: And take in memory of our childhood's love,


s: My arm-ring here, a beauteous Volund-work,


s: With heaven's wonders graven in the gold;


s: The best of wonders is a faithful heart.


s: How well it suits thine arm so snowy-white--


s: A glow-worm coiled around the lily's stem!


s: Farewell, my bride, my loved one, fare thee well.


s: Ere many moons our mournful lot will change.


s: How glad, how trusting, and of hope how full!


s: He sets the glittering point of his good sword


s: Against the norns, and says: "Ye must retreat!"


s: Thou wretched Fridthjof, the norns will ne'er retreat;


s: They go their way and laugh at Angervadil.


s: How little knowest thou my gloomy brother.


s: The awful depths of his, nor understands


s: The hate that in his envious bosom burns.


s: His sister's hand he'll never give to thee;


s: He'd sooner give his crown, pour out his life,


s: Or to old Ring, whom now he fights against.


s: Wherever I may look, no hope is found,--


s: Yet am I glad hope lives within thy breast.


s: In secret will I keep my poor heart's wound,


s: And pray that all the good gods follow thee.


s: Each separate month of all this lonesome sorrow.


s: In two, four, six,--then can'st thou come again,


s: But can'st not find again thine Ingeborg.


s: Storming now heaveth the deep sea with foam,


s: Flying to westward before the fierce gale;


s: Billows of blue with your deafening cry!


s: Fridthjof will come, but the maiden he loves


s: Dead for her love's sake, or bleeding she weeps,


s: Mine shalt thou be, winged hunter bereft;


s: 'Broidering I'll picture thee on the cloth's rand,


s: Freyja with falcon-wings north and south sped,


s: Wings of the falcon, for mortals too weak.


s: When Fridthjof comes again over the sea;


s: Lightnings now the clouds are streaking,


s: And oaks, though strong roots bound them,


s: Now spring is breathing in skies of blue,


s: And Fridthjof grateful his kind host leaving


s: And gayly speeding through silver-spray,


s: The western breezes that spring is bringing,


s: Like nightingales in the sails are singing,


s: A foreign land, to be homeward steering!


s: When memory pictures the smoke that curled


s: Above one's hearthstone, his childhood's world,


s: The fount where playing his swift feet hurried,


s: The honored graves where his dead are buried.


s: On high cliffs standing to watch the sea.


s: Six days he sailed on his way returning,


s: Low down the horizon, he neared it fast,


s: That land is his; from the waves advancing,


s: He sees green forests in sunlight dancing.


s: He hears the roar of the foaming streams,


s: Can trace each cliff which with granite gleams,


s: Salutes the headland and sound, then glideth


s: Along by the groves where his Ing'borg bideth.


s: Thinks how last summer each evening fair,


s: "Where is she? Guesses she not her lover


s: Is near her, safely the blue waves over?


s: Perhaps, removed from her Balder's care,


s: She strikes the harp in the palace, where


s: Her grief she'd lessen, her needle plying."


s: To Fridthjof's shoulder, and there he sits,


s: As was his wont, of his love to assure him.


s: From Fridthjof's shoulder can none allure him,


s: He scratches fast with his gold-tipped claws,


s: To Fridthjof's ear now his beak he bendeth,


s: Perchance some loved one a message sendeth;


s: Is it Ingeborg? Wildly his pulses bound,


s: Skips lightly on, like a roebuck bounding.


s: Of home so dear; but he looks in vain,--


s: The naked chimney stands lone and dreary,


s: Like warriors' bones of their grave-mounds weary;


s: In bitter mood from his ship he hasteth,


s: His father's dwelling, his childhood's pride.


s: Then faithful Bran with the shaggy hide,


s: Comes running toward him, each moment faster,--


s: How high he springs in his gladsome glee,


s: How leaps with pleasure his friend to see.


s: The milk-white steed he so oft had ridden


s: Comes bounding up from the valley hidden,


s: With swan-like neck and the frame of a hind


s: He curves his neck and he stamps while standing,


s: His food from Fridthjof's own hand demanding;


s: Has nought to give them,--he turns away.


s: Unsheltered, sorrowful stands the rover;


s: He looks at the meadow and grove burnt over,-


s: When eagles flit then their nests are plunder.


s: 'Tis Helge's deed lest the land be wroth,


s: While blackened homes mark his progress royal!


s: More grief it gives me and less of pain;


s: But where does my Ingeborg meanwhile remain?"


s: "The word I hear," Hilding said in sadness,


s: "I fear will bring you but little gladness.


s: You scarce had sailed when king Ring came on,


s: King Halfdan's jest and his laugh arose,


s: Well pleased with fruits his bravery bore him.


s: Though asa-blood in his veins was welling,


s: In passing Framness he fired the dwelling.


s: Before the brothers the choice was placed,


s: To give their sister to Ring, disgraced.


s: (By her alone could his wrongs be righted),


s: Or give their throne for his offer slighted.


s: Then hither and thither the messengers hied,


s: But now has Ring carried home his bride."


s: "O woman, woman!" said Fridthjof, scorning,


s: "Old Loke's thought should have been a warning;


s: A blue-eyed lie that with tears alarms us,


s: Of spring-ice virtue and faith like wind;


s: From out whose heart folly often glances,


s: On whose fresh lips basest falsehood dances.


s: My wife I've called her since in the wildwood.


s: As stems which grow from one root together,


s: If Thor strikes one then they both will wither;


s: The other mantles with green its boughs.


s: Our lives in joy and in grief thus blended,


s: To record on gold every vow that's spoken,


s: Forego thy pastime, the vows are broken.


s: The tablet filled with but falsest lies,


s: The faithful gold 'gainst the insult cries.


s: Of Balder's Nanna I've oft been dreaming,


s: Since falsehood borrows my Ingeborg's voice,--


s: A voice like wind which o'er flower fields strayeth


s: Or harp-strings' music when Brage playeth.


s: I'll list no more when the harp is tried,


s: Where storms are raging there will I follow,


s: Till blood thou drinkest, thou ocean billow.


s: Where swords sow seeds for pale death to reap,


s: I smile to think how my sword shall spare him.


s: I'll hew him down e'er the vision flyeth,


s: Deceived, disgraced and betrayed like me."


s: "The blood that's youthful no boundaries heedeth,"


s: You wrong the maid with your senseless rage.


s: For adverse fortune which, heaven ordaining,


s: Hurl down, for none can escape the blow.


s: The maiden gave that her heart was broken.


s: As dives the sea-fowl with wounded breast


s: Lest daylight's eye should upon it rest,


s: And there remaineth with life-blood flowing,


s: For Bele's kingdom; who talks of suffering!


s: The snow-drop fragrant, with leaf and vine


s: To deck the victim in wreaths they twine.


s: How sweet to die and escape from anguish!


s: But no, in pain must I live and languish;


s: King Bele's daughter her fate may dare,--


s: The wedding day with its footsteps fateful


s: Arrived at last. O, the day most hateful!


s: To the temple marched in procession sad,


s: The white-robed virgins and men steel-clad;


s: The pale bride followed, a black steed riding


s: As pale was she as the wraith which sits


s: On a storm-cloud black, when the lightning flits.


s: She wept and prayed, on good Balder calling,


s: While down her cheeks were the tear-drops falling.


s: My wrath burst forth at this act so cruel;


s: 'Let be,' said Ing'borg, in accents broken,


s: 'My brother might surely have spared this token;


s: How much one suffers ere death sets free,--


s: The Allfather judgeth 'twixt him and me.'"


s: "The Allfather judgeth," said Fridthjof slowly,


s: "I too would give him my judgment lowly.


s: Is't not now mid-summer, Balder's feast?


s: Ah! yes, my judgment I fain would render."


s: Forth stood Fridthjof; his fierce words fell


s: As king, the first blow belongs to thee,


s: Thus he spake, and the purse he'd brought,


s: The maiden wept, but the thief was bold;


s: Bjorn, all pale, stands the doorway nigh,


s: He sits and crows on the roof-peak tall,