Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine, Unwind the solemn twine, and tie my Valentine!
Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain, For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain. All things do go a courting, in earth, or sea, or air,
God hath made nothing single but thee in His world so fair! The bride, and then the bridegroom, the two, and then the one, Adam, and Eve, his consort, the moon, and then the sun; The life doth prove the precept, who obey shall happy be, Who will not serve the sovereign, be hanged on fatal tree. The high do seek the lowly, the great do seek the small, None cannot find who seeketh, on this terrestrial ball;
The bee doth court the flower, the flower his suit receives, And they make merry wedding, whose guests are hundred leaves; The wind doth woo the branches, the branches they are won, And the father fond demandeth the maiden for his son. The storm doth walk the seashore humming a mournful tune, The wave with eye so pensive, looketh to see the moon, Their spirits meet together, they make their solemn vows, No more he singeth mournful, her sadness she doth lose. The worm doth woo the mortal, death claims a living bride, Night unto day is married, morn unto eventide;
Earth is a merry damsel, and heaven a knight so true, And Earth is quite coquettish, and beseemeth in vain to sue. Now to the application, to the reading of the roll,
To bringing thee to justice, and marshalling thy soul:
Thou art a human solo, a being cold, and lone,
Wilt have no kind companion, thou reap'st what thou hast sown. Hast never silent hours, and minutes all too long,
And a deal of sad reflection, and wailing instead of song? There's Sarah, and Eliza, and Emeline so fair,
And Harriet, and Susan, and she with curling hair!
Thine eyes are sadly blinded, but yet thou mayest see Six true, and comely maidens sitting upon the tree;
Approach that tree with caution, then up it boldly climb, And seize the one thou lovest, nor care for space, or time! Then bear her to the greenwood, and build for her a bower, And give her what she asketh, jewel, or bird, or flower -- And bring the fife, and trumpet, and beat upon the drum -- And bid the world Goodmorrow, and go to glory home!
There is another sky,
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine, Though it be darkness there; Never mind faded forests, Austin, Never mind silent fields -
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been; In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!
"Sic transit gloria mundi," "How doth the busy bee," "Dum vivimus vivamus," I stay mine enemy!
Oh "veni, vidi, vici!"
Oh caput cap-a-pie! And oh "memento mori" When I am far from thee!
Hurrah for Peter Parley!
Hurrah for Daniel Boone!
Three cheers, sir, for the gentleman Who first observed the moon!
Peter, put up the sunshine; Patti, arrange the stars; Tell Luna, tea is waiting, And call your brother Mars! Put down the apple, Adam, And come away with me, So shalt thou have a pippin From off my father's tree!
I climb the "Hill of Science," I "view the landscape o'er;" Such transcendental prospect, I ne'er beheld before!
Unto the Legislature
My country bids me go;
I'll take my india rubbers, In case the wind should blow!
During my education,
It was announced to me That gravitation, stumbling, Fell from an apple tree!
The earth upon an axis Was once supposed to turn, By way of a gymnastic In honor of the sun!
It was the brave Columbus, A sailing o'er the tide,
Who notified the nations Of where I would reside!
Mortality is fatal -- Gentility is fine,
Rascality, heroic, Insolvency, sublime!
Our Fathers being weary, Laid down on Bunker Hill; And tho' full many a morning, Yet they are sleeping still, --
The trumpet, sir, shall wake them, In dreams I see them rise,
Each with a solemn musket A marching to the skies!
A coward will remain, Sir, Until the fight is done; But an immortal hero Will take his hat, and run!
Good bye, Sir, I am going; My country calleth me; Allow me, Sir, at parting, To wipe my weeping e'e.
In token of our friendship
Accept this "Bonnie Doon,"
And when the hand that plucked it Hath passed beyond the moon,
The memory of my ashes Will consolation be;
Then, farewell, Tuscarora, And farewell, Sir, to thee!
On this wondrous sea Sailing silently,
Ho! Pilot, ho!
Knowest thou the shore Where no breakers roar -- Where the storm is o'er?
In the peaceful west Many the sails at rest -- The anchors fast -- Thither I pilot thee -- Land Ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!
I have a Bird in spring
Which for myself doth sing -- The spring decoys.
And as the summer nears -- And as the Rose appears, Robin is gone.
Yet do I not repine
Knowing that Bird of mine Though flown --
Learneth beyond the sea Melody new for me
And will return.
Fast is a safer hand
Held in a truer Land
Are mine --
And though they now depart, Tell I my doubting heart
They're thine.
In a serener Bright,
In a more golden light I see
Each little doubt and fear, Each little discord here Removed.
Then will I not repine, Knowing that Bird of mine Though flown
Shall in a distant tree Bright melody for me Return.
Frequently the wood are pink -- Frequently are brown.
Frequently the hills undress Behind my native town.
Oft a head is crested
I was wont to see --
And as oft a cranny
Where it used to be --
And the Earth -- they tell me -- On its Axis turned!
Wonderful Rotation!
By but twelve performed!
The feet of people walking home With gayer sandals go -
The Crocus -- till she rises
The Vassal of the snow --
The lips at Hallelujah
Long years of practise bore Till bye and bye these Bargemen Walked singing on the shore.
Pearls are the Diver's farthings Extorted from the Sea --
Pinions -- the Seraph's wagon Pedestrian once -- as we -- Night is the morning's Canvas Larceny -- legacy --
Death, but our rapt attention To Immortality.
My figures fail to tell me
How far the Village lies -
Whose peasants are the Angels -- Whose Cantons dot the skies -- My Classics veil their faces -- My faith that Dark adores -- Which from its solemn abbeys Such resurection pours.
There is a word
Which bears a sword
Can pierce an armed man -- It hurls its barbed syllables And is mute again --
But where it fell
The saved will tell
On patriotic day,
Some epauletted Brother Gave his breath away.
Wherever runs the breathless sun -- Wherever roams the day --
There is its noiseless onset -- There is its victory!
Behold the keenest marksman! The most accomplished shot! Time's sublimest target
Is a soul "forgot!"
Through lane it lay -- through bramble -- Through clearing and through wood -- Banditti often passed us
Upon the lonely road.
The wolf came peering curious -- The owl looked puzzled down -- The serpent's satin figure
Glid stealthily along --
The tempests touched our garments -- The lightning's poinards gleamed -- Fierce from the Crag above us The hungry Vulture screamed --
The satyr's fingers beckoned -- The valley murmured "Come" -- These were the mates --
This was the road
Those children fluttered home. 10
My wheel is in the dark! I cannot see a spoke Yet know its dripping feet Go round and round.
My foot is on the Tide! An unfrequented road -- Yet have all roads
A clearing at the end --
Some have resigned the Loom -- Some in the busy tomb
Find quaint employ --
Some with new -- stately feet -- Pass royal through the gate -- Flinging the problem back At you and I!
11I never told the buried gold Upon the hill -- that lies -
I saw the sun -- his plunder done Crouch low to guard his prize.
He stood as near
As stood you here --
A pace had been between -- Did but a snake bisect the brake My life had forfeit been.
That was a wondrous booty -- I hope 'twas honest gained. Those were the fairest ingots That ever kissed the spade!
Whether to keep the secret -- Whether to reveal --
Whether as I ponder Kidd will sudden sail --
Could a shrewd advise me We might e'en divide --
Should a shrewd betray me -- Atropos decide!
The morns are meeker than they were -- The nuts are getting brown --
The berry's cheek is plumper --
The Rose is out of town.
The Maple wears a gayer scarf -- The field a scarlet gown --
Lest I should be old fashioned I'll put a trinket on.
Sleep is supposed to be By souls of sanity
The shutting of the eye.
Sleep is the station grand Down which, on either hand The hosts of witness stand!
Morn is supposed to be By people of degree The breaking of the Day.
Morning has not occurred!That shall Aurora be -- East of Eternity --
One with the banner gay -- One in the red array -- That is the break of Day!
One Sister have I in our house, And one, a hedge away.
There's only one recorded, But both belong to me.
One came the road that I came -- And wore my last year's gown -- The other, as a bird her nest, Builded our hearts among.
She did not sing as we did -- It was a different tune -- Herself to her a music
As Bumble bee of June.
Today is far from Childhood -- But up and down the hills I held her hand the tighter -- Which shortened all the miles --
And still her hum
The years among,
Deceives the Butterfly; Still in her Eye
The Violets lie
Mouldered this many May.
I spilt the dew --
But took the morn --
I chose this single star
From out the wide night's numbers -- Sue - forevermore!
15 The Guest is gold and crimson -- An Opal guest and gray --
Of Ermine is his doublet --
His Capuchin gay --
He reaches town at nightfall -- He stops at every door -- Who looks for him at morning I pray him too -- explore The Lark's pure territory -- Or the Lapwing's shore!
16I would distil a cup,
And bear to all my friends, Drinking to her no more astir, By beck, or burn, or moor!
Baffled for just a day or two -- Embarrassed -- not afraid -- Encounter in my garden
An unexpected Maid.
She beckons, and the woods start -She nods, and all begin --
Surely, such a country
I was never in!
The Gentian weaves her fringes -- The Maple's loom is red --
My departing blossoms
Obviate parade.
A brief, but patient illness -- An hour to prepare,
And one below this morning Is where the angels are -It was a short procession, The Bobolink was there -- An aged Bee addressed us -- And then we knelt in prayer -- We trust that she was willing -- We ask that we may be.
Summer -- Sister -- Seraph! Let us go with thee!
In the name of the Bee -- And of the Butterfly --
And of the Breeze -- Amen!
A sepal, petal, and a thorn
Upon a common summer's morn -- A flask of Dew -- A Bee or two -- A Breeze -- a caper in the trees -- And I'm a Rose!
Distrustful of the Gentian -- And just to turn away,
The fluttering of her fringes Child my perfidy --
Weary for my ----------
I will singing go --
I shall not feel the sleet -- then -- I shall not fear the snow.
Flees so the phantom meadow Before the breathless Bee -- So bubble brooks in deserts On Ears that dying lie --
Burn so the Evening Spires To Eyes that Closing go -- Hangs so distant Heaven -- To a hand below.
We lose -- because we win -- Gamblers -- recollecting which Toss their dice again!
22All these my banners be. I sow my pageantry
In May --
It rises train by train --
Then sleeps in state again -- My chancel -- all the plain Today.
To lose -- if one can find again -- To miss -- if one shall meet -- The Burglar cannot rob -- then -- The Broker cannot cheat.
So build the hillocks gaily
Thou little spade of mine
Leaving nooks for Daisy
And for Columbine --
You and I the secret
Of the Crocus know --
Let us chant it softly --
"There is no more snow!"
To him who keeps an Orchis' heart -The swamps are pink with June. I had a guinea golden -
I lost it in the sand --
And tho' the sum was simple And pounds were in the land -- Still, had it such a value
Unto my frugal eye --
That when I could not find it -- I sat me down to sigh.
I had a crimson Robin --
Who sang full many a day
But when the woods were painted, He, too, did fly away --
Time brought me other Robins -- Their ballads were the same -- Still, for my missing Troubador I kept the "house at hame."
I had a star in heaven --
One "Pleiad" was its name -- And when I was not heeding, It wandered from the same. And tho' the skies are crowded -- And all the night ashine -
I do not care about it --
Since none of them are mine.
My story has a moral --
I have a missing friend -"Pleiad" its name, and Robin, And guinea in the sand.
And when this mournful ditty Accompanied with tear -- Shall meet the eye of traitor In country far from here -- Grant that repentance solemn May seize upon his mind -- And he no consolation
Beneath the sun may find. There is a morn by men unseen -- Whose maids upon remoter green Keep their Seraphic May --
And all day long, with dance and game, And gambol I may never name -- Employ their holiday.
Here to light measure, move the feet Which walk no more the village street -- Nor by the wood are found --
Here are the birds that sought the sun When last year's distaff idle hung And summer's brows were bound.
Ne'er saw I such a wondrous scene -- Ne'er such a ring on such a green -- Nor so serene array --
As if the stars some summer night Should swing their cups of Chrysolite -- And revel till the day --
Like thee to dance -- like thee to sing -- People upon the mystic green -- I ask, each new May Morn.
I wait thy far, fantastic bells --
Unto the different dawn!
She slept beneath a tree -- Remembered but by me. I touched her Cradle mute -- She recognized the foot -- Put on her carmine suit And see!
26It's all I have to bring today -- This, and my heart beside -- This, and my heart, and all the fields -- And all the meadows wide --
Be sure you count -- should I forget Some one the sum could tell -- This, and my heart, and all the Bees Which in the Clover dwell.
Morns like these -- we parted -- Noons like these -- she rose -- Fluttering first -- then firmer To her fair repose.
Never did she lisp it --
It was not for me --
She -- was mute from transport -- I -- from agony --
Till -- the evening nearing One the curtains drew -- Quick! A Sharper rustling! And this linnet flew!
28So has a Daisy vanished From the fields today -- So tiptoed many a slipper To Paradise away --
Oozed so in crimson bubbles Day's departing tide --
Blooming -- tripping -- flowing Are ye then with God?
If those I loved were lost
The Crier's voice would tell me -- If those I loved were found The bells of Ghent would ring --
Did those I loved repose The Daisy would impel me. Philip -- when bewildered Bore his riddle in!
30Adrift! A little boat adrift! And night is coming down! Will no one guide a little boat Unto the nearest town?
So Sailors say -- on yesterday -- Just as the dusk was brown One little boat gave up its strife And gurgled down and down.
So angels say -- on yesterday --
Just as the dawn was red
One little boat -- o'erspent with gales -- Retrimmed its masts -- redecked its sails -- And shot -- exultant on!
Summer for thee, grant I may be When Summer days are flown! Thy music still, when Whipporwill And Oriole -- are done!
For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb And row my blossoms o'er!
Pray gather me --
Anemone --
Thy flower -- forevermore!
32
When Roses cease to bloom, Sir, And Violets are done --
When Bumblebees in solemn flight Have passed beyond the Sun -- The hand that paused to gather Upon this Summer's day
Will idle lie -- in Auburn --
Then take my flowers -- pray!
If recollecting were forgetting, Then I remember not.
And if forgetting, recollecting, How near I had forgot.
And if to miss, were merry, And to mourn, were gay, How very blithe the fingers That gathered this, Today!
Garland for Queens, may be -- Laurels -- for rare degree Of soul or sword.
Ah -- but remembering me -- Ah -- but remembering thee -- Nature in chivalry --
Nature in charity --
Nature in equity --
This Rose ordained!
Nobody knows this little Rose -- It might a pilgrim be
Did I not take it from the ways And lift it up to thee.
Only a Bee will miss it -
Only a Butterfly,
Hastening from far journey -- On its breast to lie --
Only a Bird will wonder -- Only a Breeze will sigh -
Ah Little Rose -- how easy For such as thee to die!
Snow flakes.
I counted till they danced so Their slippers leaped the town, And then I took a pencil
To note the rebels down.
And then they grew so jolly I did resign the prig,
And ten of my once stately toes Are marshalled for a jig!
Before the ice is in the pools -- Before the skaters go,
Or any check at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow --
Before the fields have finished, Before the Christmas tree, Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!
What we touch the hems of On a summer's day --
What is only walking Just a bridge away --
That which sings so -- speaks so -When there's no one here -- Will the frock I wept in
Answer me to wear?
By such and such an offering To Mr. So and So,
The web of live woven -- So martyrs albums show!
It did not surprise me -- So I said -- or thought -- She will stir her pinions And the nest forgot,
Traverse broader forests -- Build in gayer boughs,
Breathe in Ear more modern God's old fashioned vows --
This was but a Birdling -What and if it be
One within my bosom Had departed me?
This was but a story -- What and if indeed
There were just such coffin In the heart instead?
When I count the seeds That are sown beneath, To bloom so, bye and bye --
When I con the people Lain so low,
To be received as high -
When I believe the garden
Mortal shall not see --
Pick by faith its blossom
And avoid its Bee,
I can spare this summer, unreluctantly.
I robbed the Woods --
The trusting Woods.
The unsuspecting Trees
Brought out their Burs and mosses
My fantasy to please.
I scanned their trinkets curious -- I grasped -- I bore away -- What will the solemn Hemlock --
What will the Oak tree say?
A Day! Help! Help! Another Day! Your prayers, oh Passer by! From such a common ball as this Might date a Victory!
From marshallings as simple The flags of nations swang. Steady -- my soul: What issues Upon thine arrow hang!
Could live -- did live --
Could die -- did die --
Could smile upon the whole Through faith in one he met not, To introduce his soul.
Could go from scene familiar To an untraversed spot -- Could contemplate the journey With unpuzzled heart -
Such trust had one among us, Among us not today --
We who saw the launching Never sailed the Bay!
If she had been the Mistletoe And I had been the Rose -- How gay upon your table
My velvet life to close -
Since I am of the Druid,
And she is of the dew --
I'll deck Tradition's buttonhole -- And send the Rose to you.
There's something quieter than sleep Within this inner room!
It wears a sprig upon its breast -- And will not tell its name.
Some touch it, and some kiss it -- Some chafe its idle hand -- It has a simple gravity
I do not understand!
I would not weep if I were they -- How rude in one to sob!
Might scare the quiet fairy Back to her native wood!
While simple-hearted neighbors Chat of the "Early dead" -- We -- prone to periphrasis Remark that Birds have fled!
I keep my pledge.
I was not called --
Death did not notice me. I bring my Rose.
I plight again,
By every sainted Bee --
By Daisy called from hillside -- by Bobolink from lane.
Blossom and I --
Her oath, and mine --
Will surely come again.
Heart! We will forget him!
You and I -- tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave -- I will forget the light!
When you have done, pray tell me That I may straight begin!
Haste! lest while you're lagging I remember him!
Once more, my now bewildered Dove Bestirs her puzzled wings
Once more her mistress, on the deep Her troubled question flings --
Thrice to the floating casement The Patriarch's bird returned, Courage! My brave Columbia! There may yet be land
I never lost as much but twice, And that was in the sod.
Twice have I stood a beggar Before the door of God!
Angels -- twice descending Reimbursed my store -- Burglar! Banker -- Father! I am poor once more!
50I haven't told my garden yet -- Lest that should conquer me. I haven't quite the strength now To break it to the Bee --
I will not name it in the street For shops would stare at me -- That one so shy -- so ignorant Should have the face to die.
The hillsides must not know it -- Where I have rambled so -- Nor tell the loving forests
The day that I shall go -
Nor lisp it at the table -Nor heedless by the way Hint that within the Riddle One will walk today -- I often passed the village
When going home from school -- And wondered what they did there -- And why it was so still -
I did not know the year then -- In which my call would come -- Earlier, by the Dial,
Than the rest have gone.
It's stiller than the sundown. It's cooler than the dawn -- The Daisies dare to come here -- And birds can flutter down --
So when you are tired -Or perplexed -- or cold -- Trust the loving promise Underneath the mould, Cry "it's I," "take Dollie," And I will enfold!
52Whether my bark went down at sea -- Whether she met with gales -- Whether to isles enchanted
She bent her docile sails --
By what mystic mooring She is held today --
This is the errand of the eye Out upon the Bay.
53 Taken from men -- this morning -- Carried by men today --
Met by the Gods with banners -- Who marshalled her away --
One little maid -- from playmates -- One little mind from school -- There must be guests in Eden -- All the rooms are full --
Far -- as the East from Even -- Dim -- as the border star -- Courtiers quaint, in Kingdoms Our departed are.
54If I should die,
And you should live --
And time should gurgle on --
And morn should beam --
And noon should burn -
As it has usual done -
If Birds should build as early
And Bees as bustling go --
One might depart at option
From enterprise below!
'Tis sweet to know that stocks will stand When we with Daisies lie --
That Commerce will continue --
And Trades as briskly fly --
It makes the parting tranquil
And keeps the soul serene --
That gentlemen so sprightly
Conduct the pleasing scene!
By Chivalries as tiny,
A Blossom, or a Book,
The seeds of smiles are planted -- Which blossom in the dark.
If I should cease to bring a Rose Upon a festal day,
'Twill be because beyond the Rose I have been called away --
If I should cease to take the names My buds commemorate --
'Twill be because Death's finger Claps my murmuring lip!
To venerate the simple days Which lead the seasons by, Needs but to remember That from you or I,
They may take the trifle Termed mortality!
Delayed till she had ceased to know -- Delayed till in its vest of snow
Her loving bosom lay --
An hour behind the fleeting breath -- Later by just an hour than Death -- Oh lagging Yesterday!
Could she have guessed that it would be -- Could but a crier of the joy
Have climbed the distant hill --
Had not the bliss so slow a pace
Who knows but this surrendered face Were undefeated still?
Oh if there may departing be Any forgot by Victory
In her imperial round --
Show them this meek a