英美诗歌名篇选读

GeoffreyChaucer(1340-1400)

FromTheCanterburyTales

TheGeneralPrologue(line1-42)

WhanthatAprillwithhisshouressoote,

ThedroghteofMarchhathpercedtotheroote,Andbathedeveryveyneinswithlicour,

Ofwhichvertuengendredistheflour;

WhanZephiruseekwithhissweetebreathInspiredhathineveryholtandheath

Thetendrecroppes,andtheyongesonneHathintheRamhishalfecoursyronne,Andsmalefowelesmakenmelodye,

Thatslepenalthenyghtwithopeneye---

soprikethhemnatureinhircorages----

Thannelongenfolktogoononpilgrimages,Andpalmeresfortosekenstraungestrondes,Tofernehalwes,kowtheinsondrylondes;

Andspeciallyfromeveryshiresende

OfEnglelondtoCaunterburytheywende,Thehoolyblisfulmartirfortoseke,

Thathemhathholpenwhanthattheywere

seeke.

Bifilthat,inthatsesononaday,

InSouthwerkattheTabardasIlay,

Redytowendenonmypilgrymage

ToCaunterburywithfuldevoutcorage,

Atnyghtwascomeintothathostelrye

Welnyneandtwentyinacompaignye

Ofsondryfolk,byaventureyfalle

Infelaweship,andpilgrimesweretheyalle,ThattowardCaunterburywoldenryde.

Thechambersandthestableswerenwyde,

Andwelwewerenesedattebeste.

Andshortly,whanthesonnewastoreste,SohaddeIspokenwithhemeverichon,ThatIwasofhirfelaweshipanon,

Andmadeforwarderlyfortoryse,

TotakeoureweytherasIyowdevyse.

Butnathelees,whileIhavetymeandspace,ErthatIfertherinthistalepace,

Methynkethitacordaunttoresoun,

Totelleyowalthecondicioun

Ofechofhem,soasitsemedme,

Andwhichetheyweren,andofwhatdegree;

Andeekinwhatarraythattheywereinne,

AndataknyghtthanwolIfirstbigynne.

ThomasWyatt(1503-1542)

TheLongLove,ThatinMyThoughtDoth

Harbor

Thelonglove,thatinmythoughtdothharbor,Andinmineheartdothkeephisresidence,

Intomyfacepressethwithboldpretence,

Andthereincampeth,spreadinghisbanner.

Shethatmelearnethtoloveandsuffer,

Andwillsthatmytrustandlust'snegligenceBereinedbyreason,shame,andreverence,Withhishardinesstakethdispleasure.

Wherewithal,untotheheart'sforesthefleeth,Leavinghisenterprisewithpainandcry;

Andtherehimhideth,andnotappeareth.

WhatmayIdowhenmymasterfeareth

Butinthefieldwithhimtoliveanddie?

Forgoodisthelife,endingfaithfully.

HenryHoward,EarlofSurrey

(1517-1547)

Love,ThatDothReignandLiveWithinMy

Thought

Love,thatdothreignandlivewithinmy

thought,

Andbuilthisseatwithinmycaptivebreast,Cladinthearmswhereinwithmehefought,Oftinmyfacehedothhisbannerrest.

Butshethattaughtmeloveandrefrain,

Mydoubtfulhopeandekemyhotdesire

Withshamefastlooktoshadowandrefrain,Hersmilinggraceconvertethstraighttoire.AndcowardLove,then,totheheartapace

Takethhisflight,wherehedothlurkandplain,

Hispurposelost,anddarenotshowhisface.

Formylord'sguiltthusfaultlessbideIpain,

Yetfrommylordshallnotmyfootremove:

Sweetisthedeaththattakethendbylove.

Andsummer'sleasehathalltooshortadate;

Sometimetoohottheeyeofheavenshines,

Andoftenishisgoldcomplexiondimmed;

Andeveryfairfromfairsometimedeclines,

Bychanceornature'schangingcourse

untrimmed;

Butthyeternalsummershallnotfade,

Norlosepossessionofthatfairthouow'st;

NorshallDeathbragthouwander'stinhis

shade,

Whenineternallinestotimethougrow'st:

EdmundSpenser(1552-1599)

FromAmoretti

Sonnet75

Solongasmencanbreatheoreyescan

see,

Solonglivesthisandthisgivesliveto

thee.

OnedayIwrotehernameuponthestrand,

Butcamethewavesandwasheditaway:

AgayneIwroteitwithasecondhand,

Butcamethetyde,andmademypayneshis

Sonnet73

Thattimeofyearthoumaystinmebehold,

Whenyellowleaves,ornone,orfew,dohang

Uponthoseboughswhichshakeagainstthe

cold,

Bareruinedchoirs,wherelatethesweetbirds

sang.

Inmethousee'stthetwilightofsuchday

Asaftersunsetfadethinthewest,

Whichbyandbyblacknightdothtakeaway,

Death'ssecondself,thatsealsupallinrest.

Inmethousee'sttheglowingofsuchfire,

Thatontheashesofhisyouthdothlie,

Asthedeathbedwhereonitmustexpire,

pray.

Vayneman,saydshe,thatdoestinvaine

assay,

Amortallthingsotoimmortalize,

ForImyselveshalllyketothisdecay,

Andeekmynamebeewipedoutlykewize.

Notso,(quodI)letbaserthingsdevize

Todyindust,butyoushalllivebyfame:

Myverseyourvertuesrareshalleternize,

Andinthehevenswryteyourgloriousname.

Wherewhenasdeathshallalltheworld

subdew,

Ourloveshalllive,andlaterliferenew.

(Ferguson169-70)

Consumedwiththatwhichitwasnourished

by.

WilliamShakespeare(1564-1616)

Sonnet18

Thisthouperceivest,whichmakesthylove

morestrong,

Tolovethatwellwhichthoumustleave

erelong.

ShallIcomparetheetoasummer'sday?

Thouartmorelovelyandmoretemperate:

Sonnet116

Letmenottothemarriageoftrueminds

Roughwindsdoshakethedarlingbudsof

May,

Admitimpediments.Loveisnotlove

Whichalterswhenitalterationfinds,

Orbendswiththeremovertoremove:

Oh,no!itisanever-fixedmark,

Thatlooksontempestsandisnevershaken;Itisthestartoeverywanderingbark,

Whoseworth'sunknown,althoughhisheight

betaken.

Love'snotTime'sfool,thoughrosylipsand

cheeks

Withinhisbendingsickle'scompasscome;

Lovealtersnotwithhisbriefhoursandweeks,

Butbearsitouteventotheedgeofdoom.

Ifthisbeerroranduponmeproved,

Ineverwrit,nornomaneverloved.

Winter

Whenicicleshangbythewall

AndDicktheshepherdblowshisnail

AndTombearslogsintothehall,

Andmilkcomesfrozenhomeinpail,

Whenbloodisnipp'dandwaysbefoul,

Thennightlysingsthestaringowl,

Tu-who;

Tu-whit,tu-who:amerrynote,

WhilegreasyJoandothkeelthepot.

Whenallaloudthewinddothblow,

Andcoughingdrownstheparson'ssaw,

Andbirdssitbroodinginthesnow,

AndMarion'snoselooksredandraw,

Whenroastedcrabshissinthebowl,

Thennightlysingsthestaringowl,

Tu-who;

Tu-whit,tu-who:amerrynote,

WhilegreasyJoandothkeelthepot.

ThomasCampion(1567-1620)

ThereIsaGardeninHerFace

Thereisagardeninherface

Whererosesandwhiteliliesgrow,

Aheavenlyparadiseisthatplace,

Whereinallpleasantfruitsdoflow.

Therecherriesgrow,whichnonemaybuy

Till"Cherryripe!"themselvesdocry.

Thosecherriesfairlydoenclose

Oforientpearladoublerow,

Whichwhenherlovelylaughtershows.Theylooklikerosebudsfilledwithsnow.

Yetthemnorpeernorprincecanbuy,

Till"Cherryripe!"themselvesdocry.

Hereyeslikeangelswatchthemstill,

Herbrowslikebendedbowsdostand,

Threateningwithpiercingfrownstokill

Allthatattemptwitheyeorhand

Thosesacredcherriestocomenigh,

Till"Cherryripe!"themselvesdocry.

APsalmFromTheHolyBible

Psalm1(NewInternationalVersion)

Blessedistheman

whodoesnotwalkinthe

counselofthewicked,

orstandinthewayofsinners

orsitsintheseatofmockers.

Buthisdelightisinthelawof

theLORD,

andonhislawhemeditates

dayandnight.

Heislikeatreeplantedby

streamsofwater,

whichyieldsitsfruitinseason,

andwhoseleafdoesnotwither.

Whateverhedoespeospers.

Notsothewicked!

Theyarelikechaff

thatthewindblowsaway.

Thereforethewickedwillnot

standinthejudgement,

norsinnersintheassemblyof

therighteous.

FortheLORDwatchesoverthe

wayoftherighteous,

butthewayofthewicked

willperish.

JohnDonne(1572-1631)

Song

Goandcatchafallingstar,

Getwithchildamandrakeroot,

Tellmewhereallpastyearsare,

OrwhoclefttheDevil'sfoot;

Teachmetohearmermaidssinging,

Ortokeepoffenvy'sstinging,

Andfind

Whatwind

Servestoadvanceanhonestmind.

Ifthoubeestborntostrangesights,

Thingsinvisibletosee,

Ridetenthousanddaysandnights

TillAgesnowwhitehairsonthee;

Thou,whenthoureturn'st,wilttellme

Allstrangewondersthatbefellthee,

Andswear

Nowhere

Livesawomantrueandfair.

Ifthoufind'stone,letmeknow;

Suchapilgrimageweresweet.

Yetdonot;Iwouldnotgo,

Thoughatnextdoorwemightmeet.Thoughsheweretruewhenyoumether,Andlasttillyouwriteyourletter,

Yetshe

Willbe

False,ereIcome,totwoorthree.

AValediction:ForbiddingMourning

Asvirtuousmenpassmildlyaway,

Andwhispertotheirsoulstogo,

Whilstsomeoftheirsadfriendsdosay,

Thebreathgoesnow,andsomesay,no;

Soletusmelt,andmakenonoise,

Notear-floods,norsigh-tempestsmove;

Twereprofanationofourjoys

Totellthelaityourlove.

Movingofth'earthbringsharmsandfears;

Menreckonwhatitdid,andmeant;

Buttrepidationofthespheres,

Thoughgreaterfar,isinnocent.

Dullsublunarylovers'love

(Whosesoulissense)cannotadmit

Absence,becauseitdothremove

Thosethingswhichelementedit.

Butwebyalove,somuchrefined,

Thatourselvesknownotwhatitis,

Inter-assuredofthemind,

Careless,eyes,lipsandhandstomiss.

Ourtwosoulstherefore,whichareone,

ThoughImustgo,endurenotyet

Abreach,butanexpansion,

Likegoldtoairythinnessbeat.

Iftheybetwo,theyaretwoso

Asstifftwincompassesaretwo;

Thysoul,thefixedfoot,makesnoshow

Tomove,butdoth,ifth'otherdo.

Andthoughitinthecentresit,

Yet,whentheotherfardothroam,

Itleans,andhearkensafterit,

Andgrowserect,asthatcomeshome.

Suchwiltthoubetome,whomust,

Liketh'otherfoot,obliquelyrun;

Thyfirmnessmakesmycirclejust,

AndmakesmeendwhereIbegun.

HolySonnet7

Attheroundearth'simaginedcorners,blow

Yourtrumpets,angels,andarise,arise

Fromdeath,younumberlessinfinities

Ofsouls,andtoyourscatteredbodiesgo,

Allwhomtheflooddid,andfireshall,

o'erthrow,

Allwhomwar,dearth,age,agues,tyrannies,

Despair,law,chance,hathslain,andyou

whoseeyes,

ShallbeholdGod,andnevertastedeath'swoe.

Butletthemsleep,Lord,andmemourna

space;

For,ifaboveallthese,mysinsabound,

Tislatetoaskabundanceofthygrace,

Whenwearethere.Hereonthislowly

ground,

Teachmehowtorepent;forthat'sasgood

Asifthou'hadstseal'dmypardonwiththy

blood.

BenJonson(1572-1673)

Song:ToCelia(I)

Come,myCelia,letusprove,

Whilewecan,thesportsoflove;

Timewillnotbeoursforever;

Heatlengthourgoodwillsever.

Spendnotthenhisgiftsinvain.

Sunsthatsetmayriseagain;

Butifoncewelosethislight,

'Tiswithusperpetualnight.

Whyshouldwedeferourjoys?

Fameandrumorarebuttoys.

Cannotwedeludetheeyes

Ofafewpoorhouseholdspies,

Orhiseasierearsbeguile,

Soremovedbyourwile?

Tisnosinlove'sfruittosteal;

Butthesweettheftstoreveal,

Tobetaken,tobeseen,

Thesehavecrimesaccountedbeen.

RobertHerrick(1591-1674)

TotheVirgins,toMakeMuchofTime

Gatheryerose-budswhileyemay,

OldTimeisstilla-flying:

Andthissameflowerthatsmilestoday,

Tomorrowwillbedying.

ThegloriousLampofHeaven,theSun,

Thehigherhe'sa-getting

Thesoonerwillhisraceberun,

Andnearerhe'stosetting.

Thatageisbestwhichisthefirst,

Whenyouthandbloodarewarmer:

Butbeingspent,theworse,andworst

Times,stillsucceedtheformer.

Then,benotcoy,butuseyourtime;

Andwhileyemay,gomarry:

For,havinglostbutonceyourprime,

Youmayforevertarry.

GeorgeHerbert(1593-1633)

Virtue

Sweetday,socool,socalm,sobright,

Thebridaloftheearthandsky;

Thedewshallweepthyfalltonight,

Forthoumustdie.

Sweetrose,whosehue,angryandbrave,

Bidstherashgazerwipehiseye;

Thyrootiseverinitsgrave

Andthoumustdie.

SweetspringfullofsweetdaysandrosesAboxwheresweetscompactedlie.

Mymusicshowsyehaveyourcloses.

Andallmustdie.

Onlyasweetandvirtuoussoul,

Likeseasonedtimber,nevergives;

Butthoughthewholeworldturntocoal,

Thenchieflylives.

JohnMilton(1608-1674)

Sonnet19

WhenIconsiderhowmylightisspent

Erehalfmydays,inthisdarkworldandwide,

Andthatonetalentwhichisdeathtohide

Lodgedwithmeuseless,thoughmysoulmore

bent

ToservetherewithmyMaker,andpresentMytrueaccount,lesthereturningchide;DothGodexactday-labour,lightdenied,Ifondlyask;butPatiencetoprevent

Thatmurmur,soonreplies,"Godsothnot

need

Eitherman'sworkorhisowngifts,whobest

Bearhismildyoke,theyservehimbest.His

state

Iskingly.ThousandsathisbiddingspeedAndposto'erlandandoceanwithoutrest:Theyalsoservewhoonlystandandwait."

ParadiseLost(TheInvocation,Lines1-26)

OfMan'sfirstdisobedience,andthefruit

Ofthatforbiddentreewhosemortaltaste

Broughtdeathintotheworldandallourwoe,WithlossofEden,tillonegreaterMan

Restoreusandregaintheblissfulseat,

Sing,HeavenlyMuse,that,onthesecrettopOfOreb,orofSinai,didstinspire

Thatshepherdwhofirsttaughtthechosen

seed

InthebeginninghowtheHeavensandEarth

RoseoutofChaos:orifSionhill

Delighttheemore,andSiloa'sbrookthat

flowed

FastbytheoracleofGod,Ithence

Invokethyaidtomyadventuroussong,

ThatwithnomiddleflightintendstosoarAboveth'Aonianmount,whileitpursursThingsunattemptedyetinproseorrhyme.

Andchieflythou,OSpirit,thatdoesprefer

Beforealltemplestheuprightheartandpure,

Instructme,forthouknow'st;thoufromthe

first

Wastpresent,andwithmightywingsourspread,

Dovelikesat'stbroodingonthevastabyss,Andmad'stitpregnant:whatinmeisdarkIllumine,whatislowraiseandsupport;

That,totheheightofthisgreatargument,ImayassertEternalProvidence,

AndjustifythewaysofGodtomen.

AnneBradstreet(1612-1672)

ToMyDearandLovingHusband

Ifevertwowereone,thensurelywe.

Ifevermanwerelov'dbywife,thenthee.

Ifeverwifewashappyinaman,

Comparewithmeyewomenifyoucan.

Iprizethylovemorethanwholeminesof

gold,

OralltherichesthattheEastdothhold.

Myloveissuchthatriverscannotquench,

Noroughtbutlovefromtheegive

recompense.

ThyloveissuchIcannowayrepay;

Theheavensrewardtheemanigold,Ipray.

Thenwhilewelive,inlovelet'ssopersevers,

Thatwhenwelivenomorewemayliveever.

thantrue,

Whotheeabroadexposedtopublicview,

Madetheeinrags,haltingtoth'pressto

trudge,

Whereerrorswerenotlessened(allmay

judge).

Atthyreturnmyblushingwasnotsmall,

Myramblingbrat(inprint)shouldmother

call.

Icasttheebyasoneunfitforlight,

Thevisagewassoirksomeinmysight,

Yetbeingmineown,atlengthaffectionwouldThyblemishesamend,ifsoIcould.

Iwashedthyface,butmoredefectsIsaw,Andrubbingoffaspot,stillmadeaflaw.Istretchtthyjointstomaketheeevenfeet,

Yetstillthourun'stmorehobblingthanis

meet.

Inbetterdresstotrimtheewasmymind,

Butnoughtsavehome-spuncloth,i'th'house

Ifind.

Inthisarray,'mongstvulgarsmay'stthou

roam.

Incritic'shands,bewarethoudostnotcome,

Andtakethywaywhereyetthouartnot

known.

Ifforthyfatheraskt,say,thouhadstnone;Andforthymother,shealasispoor,

Whichcausedherthustosendtheeoutof

door.

TheAuthortoHerBook

Thouill-formedoffspringofmyfeeblebrain,Whoafterbirthdid'stbymysideremain,

Tillsnatchtfromthencebyfriends,lesswise

AndrewMarcell(1621-1678)

ToHisCoyMistress

Hadwebutworldenough,andtime,

Thiscoyness,Lady,werenocrime

Wewouldsitdownandthinkwhichway

Towalkandpassourlonglove'sday.

ThoubytheIndianGanges'side

Shouldstrubiesfind:Ibythetide

OfHumberwouldcomplain.Iwould

LoveyoutenyearsbeforetheFlood,

Andyoushould,ifyouplease,refuse

TilltheconversionoftheJews.

Myvegetableloveshouldgrow

Vasterthanempires,andmoreslow;

Anhundredyearsshouldgotopraise

Thineeyesandonthyforeheadgaze;

Twohundredtoadoreeachbreast,

Butthirtythousandtotherest;

Anageatleasttoeverypart,

Andthelastageshouldshowyourheart.

For,Lady,youdeservethisstate,

NorwouldIloveatlowerrate.

ButatmybackIalwayshear

Time'swingedchariothurryingnear;

Andyonderallbeforeuslie

Desertsofvasteternity.

Thybeautyshallnomorebefound,

Nor,inthymarblevault,shallsound

Myechoingsong:thenwormsshalltry

Thatlongpreservedvirginity,

Andyourquainthonourturntodust,

Andintoashesallmylust:

Thegrave'safineandprivateplace,

Butnone,Ithink,dothereembrace.

Nowtherefore,whiletheyouthfulhue

Sitsonthyskinlikemorningdew,

Andwhilethywillingsoultranspires

Ateveryporewithinstantfires,

Nowletussportuswhilewemay,

Andnow,likeamorousbirdsofprey,

Ratheratonceourtimedevour

Thanlanguishinhisslow-chaptpower.

Letusrollallourstrengthandall

Oursweetnessupintooneball,

Andtearourpleasureswithroughstrife

Throughtheirongatesoflife:

Thus,thoughwecannotmakeoursun

Standstill,yetwewillmakehimrun.

WilliamBlake(1757-1827)

TheLamb

LittleLamb,whomadethee?

Dostthouknowwhomadethee?

Gavetheelife,andbidtheefeed,

Bythestreamando'erthemead;

Gavetheeclothingofdelight,

Softestclothing,woolly,bright;

Gavetheesuchatendervoice,

Makingallthevalesrejoice?

LittleLamb,whomadethee?

Dostthouknowwhomadethee?

LittleLamb,I'lltellthee,

LittleLamb,I'lltellthee.

Heiscalledbythyname,

ForHecallsHimselfaLamb.

Heismeek,andHeismild;

Hebecamealittlechild.

Iachild,andthoualamb,

wearecalledbyHisname.

LittleLamb,Godblessthee!

LittleLamb,Godblessthee!

TheTyger

Tyger!Tyger!burningbright

Intheforestofthenight

Whatimmortalhandoreye

Couldframethyfearfulsymmetry?

Inwhatdistantdeepsorskies

Burntthefireofthineeyes?

Onwhatwingsdareheaspire?

Whatthehanddareseizethefire?

Andwhatshoulder,andwhatart,

Couldtwistthesinewsofthyheart?

Andwhenthyheartbegantobeat,

Whatdreadhand?andwhatdreadfeet?

Whatthehammer?whatthechain?

Inwhatfurnacewasthybrain?

Whattheanvil?whatdreadgrasp

Dareitsdeadlyterrorsclasp?

Whenthestarsthrewdowntheirspears,

Andwateredheavenwiththeirtears,

Didhesmilehisworktosee?

Didhewhomadethelambmakethee?

Tyger!Tyger!burningbright

Intheforestsofthenight,

Whatimmortalhandoreye

Dareframethyfearfulsymmetry?

London

Iwanderthro'eachcharter'dstreet,

Nearwherethecharter'dThamesdoesflow,

AndmarkineveryfaceImeet

Marksofweakness,marksofwoe.

IneverycryofeveryMan,

IneveryInfant'scryoffear,

Ineveryvoice,ineveryban,

Themind-forg'dmanaclesIhear.

HowtheChimney-sweeper'scry

Everyblack'ningChurchappalls;

AndthehaplessSoldier'ssigh

RunsinblooddownPalacewalls.

Butmostthro'midnightstreetsIhear

HowtheyouthfulHarlot'scurse

BlaststhenewbornInfant'stear,

AndblightswithplaguestheMarriagehearse.

WilliamWordsworth

(1770-1850)

Iwanderedlonelyasacloud

Iwanderedlonelyasacloud

Thatfloatsonhigho'ervalesandhills,

WhenallatonceIsawacrowd,

Ahost,ofgoldendaffodils;

Besidethelake,beneaththetress,

Flutteringanddanceinthebreeze.

Continuousasthestarsthatshine

Andtwinkleonthemilkyway,

Theystretchedinthenever-endingline

Alongthemarginofabay;

TenthousandsayIataglance,

Tossingtheirheadsinsprightlydance.

Thewavesbesidethemdanced;butthey

Outdidthesparklingwavesinglee;

Apoetcouldnotbutbegay,

Insuchajocundcompany;

Igazed-andgazed-butlittlethought

Whatwealththeshowtomehadbrought:

Foroft,whenonmycouchIlie

Invacantorinpensivemood,

Theyflashuponthatinwardeye

Whichistheblissofsolitude;

Andthenmyheartwithpleasurefills,

Anddancewiththedaffodils.

ComposedUponWestminsterBridge,

September3,1802

Earthhasnotanythingtoshowmorefair:

Dullwouldhebeofsoulwhocouldpassby

Asightsotouchinginitsmajesty:

ThisCitynowdoth,likeagarment,wear

Thebeautyofthemorning;silent,bare,

Ships,towers,domes,theatres,andtempleslie

Openuntothefields,andtothesky;

Allbrightandglitteringinthesmokelessair.

Neverdidsunmorebeautifullysteep

Inhisfirstsplendour,valley,rock,orhill;

Ne'ersawI,neverfelt,acalmsodeep!

Theriverglidethathisownsweetwill:

DearGod!theveryhousesseemasleep;

Andallthatmightyheartislyingstill!

SamuelTaylorColeridge

(1772-1834)

KublaKhan

InXanadudidKublaKhan

Astatelypleasure-domedecree:

WhereAlph,thesacredriver,ran

Throughcavernsmeasurelesstoman

Downtoasunlesssea.

Sotwicefivemilesoffertileground

Withwallsandtowersweregirdledround:

Andhereweregardensbrightwithsinuous

rills

Whereblossomedmanyanincense-bearing

tree;

Andherewereforestsancientasthehills,Enfoldingsunnyspotsofgreenery.

Butoh!thatdeepromanticchasmwhich

slanted

Downthegreenhillathwartacedarncover!

Asavageplace!asholyandenchanted

Ase'erbeneathawaningmoonwashaunted

Bywomanwailingforherdemon-lover!

Andfromthischasm,withceaselessturmoil

seething,

Asifthisearthinfastthickpantswere

breathing,

Amightyfountainmomentlywasforced;

Amidwhoseswifthalf-intermittedburst

Hugefragmentsvaultedlikereboundinghail,

Orchaffygrainbeneaththethresher'sflail:

And'midthesedancingrocksatonceand

ever

Itflungupmomentlythesacredriver.

FivemilesmeanderingwithamazymotionThroughwoodanddalethesacredriverran,

Thenreachedthecavernsmeasurelessto

man,

Andsankintumulttoalifelessocean:

And'midthistumultKublaheardfromfar

Ancestralvoicesprophesyingwar!

Theshadowofthedomeofpleasure

Floatedmidwayonthewaves:

Wherewasheardthemingledmeasure

Fromthefountainandthecaves.

Itwasamiracleofraredevice,

Asunnypleasure-domewithcavesofice!

Adamselwithadulcimer

InavisiononceIsaw:

ItwasanAbyssinianmaid,

Andonherdulcimersheplayed,

SingingofMountAbora.

CouldIrevivewithinme

Hersymphonyandsong,

Tosuchadeepdelight'twouldwinmeThatwithmusicloudandlong,

Iwouldbuildthatdomeinair,

Thatsunnydome!thosecavesofice!

Andallwhoheardshouldseethemthere,

Andallshouldcry,Beware!Beware!

Hisflashingeyes,hisfloatinghair!

Weaveacircleroundhimthrice,

Andcloseyoureyeswithholydread,

Forheonhoney-dewhathfed,

AnddrunkthemilkofParadise.

OdetotheWestWind--PercyBysshe

Shelley

I

OwildWestWind,thoubreathofAutumn's

being,

Thou,fromwhoseunseenpresencetheleaves

dead

Aredriven,likeghostsfromanenchanter

fleeing,

Yellow,andblack,andpale,andhecticred,Pestilence-strickenmultitudes:Othou,

Whochariotesttotheirdarkwintrybed

Thewingedseeds,wheretheyliecoldandlow,

Eachlikeacorpsewithinitsgrave,until

ThineazuresisteroftheSpringshallblow

Herclariono'erthedreamingearth,andfill

(Drivingsweetbudslikeflockstofeedinair)

Withlivinghuesandodorsplainandhill:

WildSpirit,whichartmovingeverywhere;Destroyerandpreserver;hear,oh,hear!

Ⅱ

Thouonwhosestream,'midthesteepsky'scommotion,

Loosecloudslikeearth'sdecayingleavesareshed,

ShookfromthetangledboughsofHeavenandOcean,

Angelsofrainandlightning:therearespread

Onthebluesurfaceofthineaerysurge,

Likethebrighthairupliftedfromthehead

OfsomefierceMaenad,evenfromthedim

verge

Ofthehorizontothezenith'sheight,

Thelocksoftheapproachingstorm.Thou

dirge

Ofthedyingyear,towhichthisclosingnight

Willbethedomeofavastsepulchre,

Vaultedwithallthycongregatedmight

Ofvapors,fromwhosesolidatmosphere

Blackrain,andfire,andhailwillburst:oh,

hear!

TheblueMediterranean,wherehelay,

Lulledbythecoilofhiscrystallinestreams,

BesideapumiceisleinBaiae'sbay,

Andsawinsleepoldpalacesandtowers

Quiveringwithinthewave'sintenserday,

Allovergrownwithazuremossandflowers

Sosweet,thesensefaintspicturingthem!Thou

ForwhosepaththeAtlantic'slevelpowers

Cleavethemselvesintochasms,whilefar

below

Thesea-bloomsandtheoozywoodswhich

wear

Thesaplessfoliageoftheocean,know

Thyvoice,andsuddenlygrowgraywithfear,

Andtrembleanddespoilthemselves:oh,hear!

IV

IfIwereadeadleafthoumightestbear;

IfIwereaswiftcloudtoflywiththee;

Awavetopantbeneaththypower,andshare

Theimpulseofthystrength,onlylessfreeThanthou,Ouncontrollable!Ifeven

Iwereasinmyboyhood,andcouldbe

ThecomradeofthywanderingsoverHeaven,

Asthen,whentooutstripthyskieyspeed

Scarceseemedavision;Iwouldne'erhave

striven

Asthuswiththeeinprayerinmysoreneed.

Oh,liftmeasawave,aleaf,acloud!

Ifalluponthethornsoflife!Ibleed!

Aheavyweightofhourshaschainedand

bowed

Onetoolikethee:tameless,andswift,and

proud.

V

Makemethylyre,evenastheforestis:

Whatifmyleavesarefallinglikeitsown!

Thetumultofthymightyharmonies

Willtakefrombothadeep,autumnaltone,

Sweetthoughinsadness.Bethou,Spirit

Ⅲ

Thouwhodidstwakenfromhissummer

dreams

fierce,

Myspirit!Bethoume,impetuousone!

my

Drivedeadthoughtsovertheuniverse

Likewitheredleavestoquickenanewbirth!

And,bytheincantationofthisverse,

Scatter,asfromanunextinguishedhearth

Ashesandsparks,mywordsamongmankind!

Bethroughmylipstounawakenedearth

Thetrumpetofaprophecy!OWind,

IfWintercomes,canSpringbefarbehind?

OnFirstLookingintoChapman'sHomer

JohnKeats(1795-1821)

MuchhaveItravell'dintherealmsofgold,

Andmanygoodlystatesandkingdomsseen;

RoundmanywesternislandshaveIbeen

WhichbardsinfealtytoApollohold.

OftofonewideexpansehadIbeentold

Thatdeep-brow'dHomerruledashis

demesne;

YetdidIneverbreatheitspureserene

TillIheardChapmanspeakoutloudandbold:

ThenfeltIlikesomewatcheroftheskies

Whenanewplanetswimsintohisken;

OrlikestoutCortezwhenwitheagleeyes

Hestar'datthePacific-andallhismen

Look'dateachotherwithawildsurmise-

Silent,uponapeakinDarien.

APsalmofLife

HenryWadsworthLongfellow

TELLmenot,inmournfulnumbers,

Lifeisbutanemptydream!—

Forthesoulisdeadthatslumbers,

Andthingsarenotwhattheyseem

Lifeisreal!Lifeisearnest!

Andt