第2章

类别:其他 作者:Morgan Callaway字数:20511更新时间:19/01/03 14:06:53
WhileinthemainLanier’ssentence-constructionisgood,occasionallyhissentencesaretoolong,asin`MySprings’,`ToBayardTaylor’,and`Sunrise’,inwhichwehavesentenceslongerthantheopeningonein`ParadiseLost’,and,whatisofmoremoment,notsowellbalanced,andhenceaffordingfewerbreathingspaces。 Thatthisdetractsfromclearnessandeuphonyboth,everyreaderwilladmit。 Tocometothefiguresofspeech,onemustbestruckatoncewiththedelicacyandthevigorofLanier’simagination。Thepoet’sfancypersonifieswhatatfirstblushseemstousincapableofpersonification。 Thusatonetime*1*helikensmentoclover-leavesandtheCourse-of-thingstothebrowsingox,whichmakeswaywiththeclover-heads; whileatanotherheaddressesanoldredhillofGeorgiaas\"ThougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer。\"*2* LikeotherSouthernpoets,*3*Laniersometimesfailstocheckhisimagination,andinconsequenceleaveshisreaders\"bramble-tangledinabrilliantmaze,\" asinhisdescriptionofthestarsin`JuneDreams’*4* andinthe`PsalmoftheWest’。*5*WhileIdonotlikeamaze,brilliantthoughitbeandsweet,ImustsaythatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Onthewhole,however,Lanier’sfiguresstrikemeassingularlyfreshandhappy。 In`Sunrise’,forexample,thepoetspeaksofthemarshasfollows: \"Thetide’satfull:themarshwithfloodedstreamsGlimmersalimpidlabyrinthofdreams;\"*6* andoftheheavensreflectedinthemarshwaters: \"EachwindingcreekingraveentrancementliesArhapsodyofmorning-stars。TheskiesShinescantwithoneforkedgalaxy,—— Themarshbragsten:loopedonhisbreasttheylie。\"*7* Later,astheebb-tideflowsfrommarshtosea,weareparentheticallytreatedtothesetwolines: \"Runhome,littlestreams,Withyourlapfulsofstarsanddreams。\"*8* Finally,theheavenitselfisthuspictured: \"NowineachpettiestpersonalsphereofdewThesumm’dmornshinescompleteasintheblueBigdew-dropofallheaven;\"*9* besidewhichmustbehungthisexquisitepicture: \"Thedew-dropmornmayfallfromoffthepetalofthesky。\"*10* —— *1*In`Clover’。 *2*`Corn’,ll。185-187。 *3*SeeonthispointtheremarksofProfessorTrentinhisadmirablelifeof`Simms’(Boston,1892),p。149。 *4*`JuneDreams’,l。21ff。 *5*`PsalmoftheWest’,l。183ff。 *6*`Sunrise’,ll。80-81。 *7*Ibid。,ll。82-85。 *8*Ibid。,ll。114-115。 *9*Ibid。,ll。134-136。 *10*`TheShipofEarth’,l。5。 —— Astoversification,Lanierusesalmostallthetypesofverse——iambic,trochaic,blank,thesonnet,etc。——andwithaboutequalskill。 Threefeatures,however,speciallycharacterizehisverse: thecarefuldistributionofvowel-colorsandthefrequentuseofalliterationandofphoneticsyzygy,*1*bywhichlastismeantacombinationorsuccessionofidenticalorsimilarconsonants,whetherinitially,medially,orfinally,asforinstancethesuccessionofM’sinTennyson’s\"ThemoanofdovesinimmemorialelmsAndmurmuringofinnumerablebees。\" AllofthesephenomenaareillustratedinLanier’s`SongoftheChattahoochee’,whichhasoftenbeencomparedtoTennyson’s`TheBrook’,andwhichaloneprovestheauthoramasterinversification。Tobesure,Lanieroccasionallygivesusanimproperrhyme,as`thwart:heart’,*2*etc。,butsodoeseverypoet。 Nodoubt,too,hisloveofmusicsometimesledhim,not\"tostrainforformeffects\",buttoindulgetoomuchtherein,or,inthewordsofMr。Stedman,\"toessayinlanguagefeatsthatonlythegamutcanrenderpossible。\"*3*But,asProfessorKentadmirablyputsit,\"Lanierwasapoetaswellasanartist,andifattimeshisartistictemperamentseemedtoeclipsehispoeticthought,grantthattothepoetmindtheverymannerofexpressionmayindicatethethoughtthatliesbeneath,whiletothedullerearthethoughtmustcomeincompletedform。\"*4*Moreover,asweshallseelater,thisextraordinarymusicalendowmentgaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。 —— *1*See`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,p。306ff。 *2*`IntheFoam’,ll。6,8。See,too,Kent’s`StudyofLanier’sPoems’,whichgivesanexhaustivetreatmentofLanier’sversification。 *3*Stedman’s`PoetsofAmerica’,p。449。 *4*`Kent’,p。60。 —— Afterwhathasbeensaidthequalitiesofstylemaybebrieflyhandled。 Aswehavealreadyseen,Laniersometimesfailsinclearness,or,moreprecisely,insimplicity。Thiscomespartlyfrominfelicitoussentence-construction,partly,perhaps,fromLanier’sextraordinarymusicalendowment,butchiefly,Ithink,fromover-luxurianceofimagination。Butthisoccasionaldefecthasbeenundulyexaggerated。ThusMr。Gosse*1*declaresthatLanieris\"neversimple,nevereasy,neverinonesinglelyricnaturalandspontaneousformorethanonestanza,\"——astatementsoclearlyhyperbolicashardlytocallfornotice。Asamatteroffact,Lanierhaswrittennumerouspoemsthatofferlittleornodifficultytothereaderofaverageintelligence,as`LifeandSong’,`MySprings’,`TheSymphony’,`TheMocking-Bird’,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’,`TheWavingoftheCorn’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,`ABalladofTreesandtheMaster’,etc。Morethanthis,Lanierattimesmanifeststhesimplicitythatisgrantedonlytogeniusofthehighestorder:thusanEnglishcritic,*2* whobythewaydeclaresthatLanier’svolumehasmoreofgeniusthanallthepoemsofPoe,orLongfellow,orLowell(thehumorouspoemsexcepted),andwhoconsidersLanierthemostoriginalofallAmericanpoets,andmoreoriginalthananyEnglandhasproducedforthelastthirtyyears,saysthat\"nothingcanbemoreperfectthan—— `ThewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,’\"*3* linesin`MySprings’,andthat\"thetouchofwonderinthelasttwolines,`ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,Forwhenhefrowns,’tisthenyeshine,’*4* isassimpleandexquisiteasanytouchoftendernessinourliterature。\" IfranklyadmitthatseveralofLanier’sbestpoems,as`Corn’,`TheMarshesofGlynn’,and`Sunrise’,arenotsimple; butthesamethingistrueofMilton’s`ParadiseLost’andofBrowning’s`TheRingandtheBook’,andyetthisfactdoesnotexcludethesetwoworksfromthelistofgreatpoems。Mr。Gosse,however,declaresthat`Corn’,`Sunrise’,and`TheMarshesofGlynn’\"simulatepoeticexpressionwithextraordinaryskill。Butoftherealthing,ofthegenuinetraditionalarticle,notatrace\"!Whatdothesepoemsshow,then? Mr。Gosseanswers:\"Ifindapainfuleffort,astrainandrage,themostprominentqualitiesineverythinghewrote;\"whichstrikesmeasthereverseofthefacts。Inoneofhisletters*5*toJudgeBleckley,Lanierwrotethissentence:\"Myheadandmyheartarebothsofullofpoemswhichthedreadfulstruggleforbreaddoesnotgivemetimetoputonpaper,thatIamoftendriventoheadacheandheartache,purelyforwantofanhourortwotoholdapen。\"If,then,hecommittedanerror(andIamfarfromconsideringhimfaultless),itwasnotthathebeatandspurredonPegasus,butthathefailedtoreinhimin。Still,IrepeatthatIprefertheembarrassmentofrichestotheembarrassmentofpoverty。Finally,justasMiltontellsusthatthemusicofthespheresisnottobeheardbythegross,unpurgedear,soIbelievethatmanyintelligentearsandeyesareatfirsttoogrosstohearandseewhatLanierputsbeforethem,whereasabitofpatientlisteningandlookingrevealsdelightshithertoundreamedof。 —— *1*See`Bibliography’。 *2*`TheSpectator’(London);see`Bibliography’。 *3*`MySprings’,ll。49-50。 *4*`MySprings’,ll。55-56。 *5*Itistobehopedthattheselettersmayyetbepublished。 IquotefromonedatedNovember15,1874。 —— Ifnotalwayssimple,Lanierisoftenforcibleintheextreme,asin`TheSymphony’,`TheRevengeofHamish’,`Remonstrance’,and`Sunrise’。 Ofcourse,itisopentoanyonetoseeinthesepoemsthe\"rage\" attributedtoLanierbyMr。Gosse,butIprefertoconsideritdivinewrathinallbutthelast,andinitwonderunutterable,whichyetissoutteredthatearsbecomeeyes。Ialludetothestanzas*describingthebreakofdawnandtherisingofthesun。 —— *`Sunrise’,ll。86-152。 —— Ofthepoet’smarvelouseuphony,`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’ speaksclearlyenough。Aswehaveseeninourtreatmentofversification,itishereaquestionnotoftoolittlebutoftoomuch。 But,despiteanoccasionaltoogreatyieldingtohispassionformusic,hisextraordinaryendowmentinthisdirectiongaveLanierauniquepositionamongEnglishpoets。IquoteagainfromProfessorKent:* \"Butifhissenseofbeautymadehimapeerofourgreatpoets,itwastheheavenlygiftofmusicthatdistinguishedhimfromthem。 Milton,itistrue,whomhemostresemblesinthisrespect,hadaknowledgeofmusic,butnotthesamepassionforit。Milton’smusicwasmorearecreation,anaccompanimentofreverie;Lanier’swasafieryzeal; ayearninglove,achosenandadequateformofexpressionofhissoul’sdeepestfeeling。Combinedwiththispassionformusicwashistechnicalknowledgeoftheart,andthesecombinedformedatoncethefoundationandtheframeworkofhispoetry。Heseemsliterallytohavesunghispoems;theyareessentiallymusical,tuneful,andmelodious。 Surchargedwithmusic,heoverflowsinmellifluousnumbers。Here,then,Lanierstandsoutdifferentiatedinthechoirofpoets,andherewefindthatdistinctivequalitywhichistheveryflavorofhiswriting。\" —— *P。62。 —— WhilemostofLanier’spoemsareinaseriousstrain,severaldisclosenomeansenseofhumor。Irefertohisdialectpoems,suchas`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’,`UncleJim’sBaptistRevivalHymn’,and`ThePowerofPrayer’,especiallythelast,writteninconjunctionwithhisbrother,Mr。CliffordLanier。 Therearepassagesinthepoemsnolesspatheticthanthepoet’slife。 Indiscussinghisloveofnaturewehaveseenthathewasapantheistinthebestsenseoftheterm。Sodelicatewashissensibilitythatwedonotwonderwhenwehearhimdeclaring,\"AndIamonewithallthekinsmenthingsThate’ermyFatherfathered,\"* asayingasfelicitousastheRoman’s\"Iamaman,and,therefore,nothinghumanisstrangertome。\"Thetendernessofthe`BalladofTreesandtheMaster’musttouchallreaders。 Fewpassagesaremorepathetic,Ithink,thanthat,in`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,tellingofthepoet’sstruggleforbreadandfame,while\"hisworshipfulsweetwifesatstill,afar,withinthevillagewhenceshesenthimforth,waitingallconfidentandproudandcalm。\" And,ifthereoccursthereinaplaintivetone,letusrememberthatitistheonlytimethathecomplainedofhislot,andthatherereallyhehasmoreinmindhisdearerself,hiswife,andthatcalmsucceededtounrestjustasitdoesinthispassage: \"`Whycanwepoetsdreamusbeauty,so,Butcannotdreamusbread?Why,now,canI Make,aye,createthisfervidthrobbingJuneOutofthechill,chillmatterofmysoul,Yetcannotmakeapoorestpenny-loafOutofthissamechillmatter,no,notoneForMary,thoughshestarveduponmybreast?’ Andthenhefelluponhiscouch,andsobbed,And,late,justwhenhisheartleanedo’erTheveryedgeofbreaking,faintofall,Godsenthimsleep。\"** —— *`AFloridaSunday’,ll。102-103。 **`JuneDreamsinJanuary’,ll。68-78。 —— V。Lanier’sTheoryofPoetryItisnowtimetosayawordaboutLanier’stheoryofart,especiallytheartofpoetry。Hisviewsupontheformalsideofpoetryhavealreadybeennoticedintheconsiderationofhis`ScienceofEnglishVerse’,andhencereceivenofurthercommenthere。 ThatLanierkeenlyappreciatedtheresponsibilityrestingupontheartist,appearsfrom`Individuality’,wherehetellsus,\"Awfulisartbecause’tisfree,\"*1* and,\"Eachartist——giftofterror!——ownshiswill。\"*2* Butheacceptstheresponsibilityreverentlyandconfidently: \"Iworkinfreedomwild,Butwork,asplaysalittlechild,SureoftheFather,Self,andLove,alone。\"*3* —— *1*`Individuality’,l。62。 *2*`Individuality’,l。76。 *3*`Individuality’,ll。89-91。 —— Again,theprovinceofpoetryispointedout,asin`Clover’: \"Theartist’smarketistheheartofman; Theartist’sprice,somelittlegoodofman;\"*1* andin`TheBee’: \"Wiltask,`Whatprofite’erapoetbrings?’ HebearethstarrystuffabouthiswingsTopollentheeandstingtheefertile。\"*2* In`Corn’,*3*too,the\"tallcorn-captain\"\"typesthepoet-soulsublime。\" —— *1*`Clover’,ll。126-127。 *2*`TheBee’,ll。40-42。 *3*`Corn’,l。52ff。 —— ButitisinhisproseworksthatLanierhastreatedthemattermostatlength,andtotheseIturn。Inthefirstplace,heinsiststhattobeanartistonemustknowagreatdeal,astatementthatwouldappearsuperfluousbutforitsfrequentoverlookingbywould-beartists。Henceheisrightinwarningyoungwriters: \"Youneednotdreamofwinningtheattentionofsoberpeoplewithyourpoetryunlessthatpoetryandyoursoulbehinditareinformedandsaturatedwithatleastthelargestfinalconceptionsofcurrentscience。\"* ThatLanierstrovetofollowthisprecept,wehaveabundantevidenceinhislifeandinhisworks;andIthinkthat,ifwerememberhisenvironments,wemustwonderatthevastness,theaccuracy,andthevarietyofhisknowledge。Asadditionallyillustrativeofthelast,ImayaddthatLanierinventedsomeimprovementsfortheflute,andmadeadiscoveryinthephysicsofmusicthattheProfessorofPhysicsintheUniversityofVirginiathoughtconsiderable。** —— *`Gates’,p。29。 **See`West’,p。23。 —— Inthesecondplace,Lanierthinksthatapoet’sknowledgeofhisartshouldbescientific。Itwasthisthatledhimtowrite`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,themottoofwhichis,\"Butthebestconceptionscannotbe,savewherescienceandgeniusare。\" In`TheEnglishNovel’hedeclaresthat\"notasingleversewaseverwrittenbyinstinctalonesincetheworldbegan,\"* andfortifieshisstatementbyBenJonson’stributetoShakespeare,—— \"Foragoodpoet’smadeaswellasborn,Andsuchwertthou。\" ButLanierclearlysawthatnoformallawsandnoamountofscientificknowledgecouldalonemakeapoet,asappearsfromthemottoabovequoted,fromtheclosingchapterof`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’,whichtellsusthattheeducatedloveofbeautyistheartist’sonlylaw,andfromthisothermotto,fromSirPhilipSidney:\"APoet,noindustriecanmake,ifhisowneGeniusbeenotcarrieduntoit。\" —— *`TheEnglishNovel’,p。33。 —— Inthethirdplace,Lanierholdsthatamoralintentiononthepartofanartistdoesnotinterferewiththenaturalnessorintrinsicbeautyofhiswork;thatinartthecontrollingconsiderationisrathermoralthanartisticbeauty;butthatmoralbeautyandartisticbeauty,sofarfrombeingdistinctoropposed,areconvergentandmutuallyhelpful。 Thisthesisheupholdsinthefollowingeloquentandcogentpassage: \"Permitmetorecalltoyouinthefirstplacethattherequirementhasbeenfromtimeimmemorialthatwhereverthereiscontestasbetweenartisticandmoralbeauty,unlessthemoralsideprevail,allislost。Letanysculptorhewusoutthemostravishingcombinationoftendercurvesandsphericsoftnessthateverstoodforwoman; yetiftheliphaveacertainfulnessthathintsoftheflesh,ifthebrowbeinsincere,ifintheminutestparticularthephysicalbeautysuggestamoralugliness,thatsculptor——unlesshebeportrayingamoraluglinessforamoralpurpose——mayaswellgiveoverhismarbleforpaving-stones。Time,whosejudgmentsareinexorablymoral,willnotaccepthiswork。Forindeedwemaysaythathewhohasnotyetperceivedhowartisticbeautyandmoralbeautyareconvergentlineswhichrunbackintoacommonidealorigin,andwhothereforeisnotafirewithmoralbeautyjustaswithartisticbeauty——thathe,inshort,whohasnotcometothatstageofquietandeternalfrenzyinwhichthebeautyofholinessandtheholinessofbeautymeanonething,burnasonefire,shineasonelight,withinhim;heisnotyetthegreatartist。\"*BycopiousquotationsLanierthenshowsthat\"manyfineandbeautifulsoulsappearafterawhiletoloseallsenseofdistinctionbetweentheseterms,Beauty,Truth,Love,Wisdom,Goodness,andthelike,\"andconcludesthus:\"Andifthisbetrue,cannotonesaywithauthoritytotheyoungartist,——whetherworkinginstone,incolor,intones,orincharacter-formsofthenovel: sofarfromdreadingthatyourmoralpurposewillinterferewithyourbeautifulcreation,goforwardintheclearconvictionthatunlessyouaresuffused——soulandbody,onemightsay—— withthatmoralpurposewhichfindsitslargestexpressioninlove——thatis,theloveofallthingsintheirproperrelation—— unlessyouaresuffusedwiththislove,donotdaretomeddlewithbeauty; unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,donotmeddlewithlove; unlessyouaresuffusedwithtruth,donotdaretomeddlewithgoodness;—— inaword,unlessyouaresuffusedwithbeauty,truth,wisdom,goodness,ANDlove,abandonthehopethattheageswillacceptyouasanartist。\"** —— *`TheEnglishNovel’,p。272f。 **`TheEnglishNovel’,p。280。Ofthenumerousdiscussionsofthisthesis,thestudentshouldconsultatleastthosebyMatthewArnold(`Preface’tohiseditionof`Wordsworth’sPoems’),JohnRuskin(`StonesofVenice’,vol。iii。,chap。iv。),andVictorHugo(`WilliamShakespeare’,BookVI。)。 —— VI。ConclusionMiltonhassomewheresaidthatinordertobeagreatpoetonemusthimselfbeatruepoem,adictumnonethelesstrustworthybecauseofitsinapplicabilitytoitsauthoralongwithseveralothergreatpoets。NowofallEnglishpoets,IknowofnonethatcamenearerbeingatruepoemthandidLanier。 Hewasasspotlessas\"theLadyofChrist’s\",andinfinitelymorelovable。 Indeed,heseemstometohaverealizedtheidealofhisownknightlyHorn,whohopesthatsomedaymenwillbe\"maidsinpurity\"。* Iwillnotrecallhisgentleyetheroiclifeamiddrawbacksalmostunparalleled;foritisevensadderthanitisbeautiful。 Itismydeliberatejudgmentthat,while,asthepoetsaysinhis`LifeandSong’,nosingerhaseverwhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Laniercamesonearitthatwemayfairlysay,intheclosinglinesofthepoem,\"Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand。\" And,formypart,Iamasgratefulforhisnobleprivatelifeasforhisdistinguishedpublicwork。 —— *`TheSymphony’,l。302。 —— AndyetIwillnotclosewiththispictureoftheman;formypurposeisrathertopresentthepoet。Hamperedthoughhewasbyfewnessofyears,byfeeblenessofbody,byshortnessofbread,and,mostofallperhaps,byover-luxurianceofimagination,Lanierwasyet,tomymind,indisputablyagreatpoet。ForintechniquehewasakintoTennyson;* intheloveofbeautyandinlyricsweetness,toKeatsandShelley; intheloveofnature,toWordsworth;andinspirituality,toRuskin,thegistofwhoseteachingisthatwearesoulstemporarilyhavingbodies; toMilton,\"God-giftedorgan-voiceofEngland\";andtoBrowning,\"subtlestassertorofthesoulinsong\"。Tobesure,Lanier’sgeniusisnotequaltothatofanyoneofthepoetsmentioned,butIventuretobelievethatitisofthesameorder,and,therefore,deservingoflastingremembrance。 —— *Mr。Thayerputsitstronger:\"AsamasterofmelodiousmetreonlyTennyson,andhenotoften,hasequalledLanier。\"Mr。F。F。Browne,Editorof`TheDial’(Chicago),comparesthetwopoetsinanotheraspect: \"`TheSymphony’ofLaniermayrecallsomepartsof`Maud’; buttheyoungerpoet’streatmentisasmuchhisownastheelder’sishisown。ThecomparisonofLanierwithTennysonwill,indeed,onlydeepentheimpressionofhisoriginality,whichishismoststrikingquality。ItmaybedoubtedifanyEnglishpoetofourtime,exceptTennyson,hascasthisworkinanamplermould,orwroughtwithmoreoffreedom,orstampedhisproductwiththeimpressofastrongerpersonality。Histhought,hisstand-point,hisexpression,hisform,histreatment,arehisalone;andthroughthemallhejustifieshisrighttothetitleofpoet。\" —— PoemsLifeandSongIflifewerecaughtbyaclarionet,[1] Andawildheart,throbbinginthereed,Shouldthrillitsjoyandtrillitsfret,Andutteritsheartineverydeed,ThenwouldthisbreathingclarionetTypewhatthepoetfainwouldbe; Fornoneo’thesingerseveryetHaswhollylivedhisminstrelsy,Orclearlysunghistrue,truethought,Orutterlybodiedforthhislife,Oroutoflifeandsonghaswrought[11] Theperfectoneofmanandwife; Orlivedandsung,thatLifeandSongMighteachexpresstheother’sall,CarelessiflifeorartwerelongSincebothwereone,tostandorfall: Sothatthewonderstruckthecrowd,Whoshouteditabouttheland: `Hissongwasonlylivingaloud,Hiswork,asingingwithhishand!’ ____ 1868。 Notes:LifeandSong`LifeandSong’isthefifthofaseriesofsevenpoemspublishedunderthegeneralheadingof`Street-cries’,withthetwostanzasfollowingasanintroduction: \"OftseemstheTimeamarket-townWheremanymerchant-spiritsmeetWhoupanddownandupanddownCryoutalongthestreet\"Theirneeds,aswares;oneTHUS,oneSO: Tillallthewaysarefullofsound: ——Butstillcomerain,andsun,andsnow,Andstilltheworldgoesround。\" Theremainingnumbersoftheseriesare:1。`Remonstrance’,giveninthisvolume;2。`TheShipofEarth’;3。`HowLoveLookedforHell’; 4。`Tyranny’;6。`ToRichardWagner’;7。`ASongofLove’。 IcanthinkofnomorehelpfulcommentonthesubjectofourpoemthanthissentencefromMilton’s`ApologyforSmectymnuus’,alreadyalludedtointhe`Introduction’(p。liv[PartVI]): \"Andlongitwasnotafter,whenIwasconfirmedinthisopinion,thathewhowouldnotbefrustrateofhishopetowritewellhereafterinlaudablethings,oughthimselftobeatruepoem;thatis,acompositionandpatternofthebestandhonorablestthings; notpresumingtosinghighpraisesofheroicmenorfamouscities,unlesshehaveinhimselftheexperienceandthepracticeofallthatwhichispraiseworthy。\" Lines19-20。IhavebeenpleasedtodiscoverthattheapplicationIhavemadeofthispoem,especiallyoftheselines(see`Introduction’,p。liv[PartVI]),islikewisemadebymoststudentsofLanier’slife,andthatMrs。Lanierhaschosenthesetwolinesforinscriptiononthemonumenttobeerectedtohismemory。 Onthereversesideofthestone,Imayadd,aretobeputthesewords: \"HethatdwellethinlovedwellethinGod\"(IJohniv。16)。 Jones’sPrivateArgymentThatairsameJones,whichlivedinJones,[1] Hehadthispintabouthim: He’dswearwithahundredsighsandgroans,ThatfarmersMUSTstopgittin’loans,Andgitalongwithout’em: Thatbankers,warehousemen,andsichWasfatt’nin’ontheplanter,AndTennessywasrotten-richA-raisin’meatandcorn,allwhichDraw’dmoneytoAtlanta: Andtheonlything(saysJones)todo[11] Is,eatnomeatthat’sboughten: BUTTEARUPEVERYI,O,U,ANDPLANTALLCORNANDSWEARFORTRUE TOQUITA-RAISIN’COTTON! ThusspoutedJones(wharfolkscouldhear,——AtCourtandothergatherin’s),Andthuskep’spoutin’manyayear,Proclaimin’loudlyfarandnearSichfiddlesticksandblatherin’s。 But,oneall-firedsweatin’day,[21] IthappenedIwashoein’ Mylowercorn-field,whichitlay’LongsidetheroadthatrunsmywayWharIcanseewhat’sgoin’。 Anda’tertwelveo’clockhadcomeIfeltakinderfaggin’,Andlaidmyselfun’neathaplumToletmydinnersettlesum,When’longcomeJones’swaggin,AndJoneswassettin’init,SO:[31] A-readin’ofapaper。 Hismuleswasgoin’powerfulslow,FurhehadtiedthelinesontoThestapleofthescraper。 ThemulestheystoppedaboutarodFromme,andwenttofeedin’ ’Longsidetheroad,uponthesod,ButJones(whichhehadtuckatod) Notknowin’,kepta-readin’。 Andpresentlysayshe:\"Hit’strue;[41] ThatClisby’sheadislevel。 Thar’sonethingfarmersallmustdo,Tokeepthemselvesfromgoin’tewBankruptcyandthedevil! \"Morecorn!morecorn!MUSTplantlessground,AndMUSTN’Teatwhat’sboughten! Nextyearthey’lldoit:reasonin’ssound: (And,cottonwillfetch’boutadollarapound),THARFORE,I’LLplantALLcotton!\" ____ Macon,Ga。,1870。 Notes:Jones’sPrivateArgymentThethemesofthispoem,therelativeclaimsofcornandcottonupontheattentionofthefarmerandthedisastrousresultsofspeculation,aretreatedindirectlyin`Thar’sMoreintheManThanTharIsintheLand’,anddirectlyandwithconsummateartin`Corn’。 1。\"ThatairsameJones\"appearsin`Thar’sMore’,etc。,writtenin1869,inwhichwearetold: \"Andhelivedprettymuchbygittin’ofloans,Andhismuleswasnuthin’butskinandbones,Andhishogswasflatashiscorn-breadpones,Andhehad’boutathousandacreso’land。\" HesellshisfarmtoBrownatadollarandfiftycentsanacreandgoestoTexas。Brownimprovesthefarm,and,afterfiveyears,issittingdowntoabigdinnerwhenJonesisdiscoveredstandingoutbythefence,withoutwagonormules,\"furhehadleftTexasafootandcumtoGeorgytoseeifhecouldn’tgitsomeemployment。\" BrowninvitesJonesintodinner,butcannotrefrainfromtheinference-drawingthatnamesthepoem。——\"WhichlivedinJones,\" \"whichJonesisacountyofredhillsandstones\"(`Thar’sMore’,etc。) incentralGeorgia。 13。Readersof`DavidCopperfield’willrecallMicawber’sfrequentuseof`I-O-U-’s’。 47。\"Clisby’shead\"referstoMr。JosephClisby,theneditoroftheMacon(Ga。)`TelegraphandMessenger’,whohadwritteneditorialsfavoringtheplantingofmorecorn。 CornTo-daythewoodsaretremblingthroughandthrough[1] Withshimmeringforms,thatflashbeforemyview,Thenmeltingreenasdawn-starsmeltinblue。 TheleavesthatwaveagainstmycheekcaressLikewomen’shands;theembracingboughsexpressAsubtletyofmightytenderness; Thecopse-depthsintolittlenoisesstart,Thatsoundanonlikebeatingsofaheart,Anonliketalk’twixtlipsnotfarapart。 Thebeechdreamsbalm,asadreamerhumsasong; Throughthatvaguewafture,expirationsstrong[11] ThrobfromyounghickoriesbreathingdeepandlongWithstressandurgenceboldofprisonedspringAndecstasyofburgeoning。 Now,sincethedew-plashedroadofmornisdry,ForthventureodorsofmorequalityAndheavenliergiving。LikeJove’slocksawry,LongmuscadinesRich-wreathethespaciousforeheadsofgreatpines,Andbreatheambrosialpassionfromtheirvines。 Ipraywithmosses,ferns,andflowersshy[21] ThathidelikegentlenunsfromhumaneyeToliftadoringperfumestothesky。 Ihearfaintbridal-sighsofbrownandgreenDyingtosilenthintsofkisseskeenAsfarlightsfringeintoapleasantsheen。 Istartatfragmentarywhispers,blownFromundertalksofleafysoulsunknown,Vaguepurportssweet,ofinarticulatetone。 Dreamingofgods,men,nuns,andbrides,betweenOldcompaniesofoaksthatinwardlean[31] TojointheirradiantamplitudesofgreenIslowlymove,withranginglooksthatpassUpfromthemattedmiraclesofgrassIntoyonveinedcomplexofspaceWhereskyandleafageinterlaceSoclose,theheavenofblueisseenInwovenwithaheavenofgreen。 Iwandertothezigzag-corneredfenceWheresassafras,intrenchedinbramblesdense,Contestswithstolidvehemence[41] Themarchofculture,settinglimbandthornAspikesagainstthearmyofthecorn。 There,whileIpause,myfieldward-faringeyesTakeharvests,wherethestatelycorn-ranksrise,OfinwarddignitiesAndlargebenignitiesandinsightswise,Gracesandmodestmajesties。 Thus,withouttheft,Ireapanother’sfield; Thus,withouttilth,Ihouseawondrousyield,Andheapmyheartwithquintuplecropsconcealed。[51] Look,outoflineonetallcorn-captainstandsAdvancedbeyondtheforemostofhisbands,AndwaveshisbladesupontheveryedgeAndhottestthicketofthebattlinghedge。 Thoulustrousstalk,thatne’ermaystwalknortalk,Stillshaltthoutypethepoet-soulsublimeThatleadsthevanwardofhistimidtimeAndsingsupcowardswithcommandingrhyme—— Soulcalm,likethee,yetfain,likethee,togrowBydoubleincrement,above,below;[61] Soulhomely,asthouart,yetrichingracelikethee,TeachingtheyeomenselflesschivalryThatmovesingentlecurvesofcourtesy; Soulfilledlikethylongveinswithsweetnesstense,ByeverygodlikesenseTransmutedfromthefourwildelements。 Drawntohighplans,Thoulift’stmorestaturethanamortalman’s,YeteverpiercestdownwardinthemouldAndkeepesthold[71] UponthereverendandsteadfastearthThatgavetheebirth; Yea,standestsmilinginthyfuturegrave,Sereneandbrave,WithunremittingbreathInhalinglifefromdeath,Thineepitaphwritfairinfruitageeloquent,Thyselfthymonument。 Aspoetsshould,Thouhastbuiltupthyhardihood[81] Withuniversalfood,DrawninselectproportionfairFromhonestmouldandvagabondair; Fromdarknessofthedreadfulnight,Andjoyfullight; Fromantiqueashes,whosedepartedflameIntheehasfinerlifeandlongerfame; Fromwoundsandbalms,Fromstormsandcalms,Frompotsherdsanddrybones[91] Andruin-stones。 IntothyvigoroussubstancethouhastwroughtWhate’erthehandofCircumstancehathbrought; Yea,intocoolsolacinggreenhastspunWhiteradiancehotfromoutthesun。 SothoudostmutuallyleavenStrengthofearthwithgraceofheaven; SothoudostmarrynewandoldIntoaoneofhighermould; Sothoudostreconcilethehotandcold,[101] Thedarkandbright,Andmanyaheart-perplexingopposite,Andso,Akinbybloodtohighandlow,Fitlythouplayestoutthypoet’spart,Richlyexpendingthymuch-bruisedheartInequalcaretonourishlordinhallOrbeastinstall: Thoutook’stfromallthatthoumightstgivetoall。 Osteadfastdwellerontheselfsamespot[111] Wherethouwastborn,thatstillrepinestnot—— Typeofthehome-fondheart,thehappylot!—— DeeplythymildcontentrebukesthelandWhoseflimsyhomes,builtontheshiftingsandOftrade,foreverriseandfallWithalternationwhimsical,Enduringscarceaday,ThensweptawayByswiftengulfmentsofincalculabletidesWhereoncapriciousCommercerides。[121] Look,thousubstantialspiritofcontent! Acrossthislittlevale,thycontinent,Towhere,beyondthemoulderingmill,YonolddesertedGeorgianhillBarestothesunhispiteousagedcrestAndseamybreast,Byrestless-heartedchildrenlefttolieUntendedtherebeneaththeheedlesssky,Asbarbarousfolkexposetheiroldtodie。 Uponthatgenerous-roundingside,[131] WithgulliesscarifiedWherekeenNeglecthislashhathplied,DweltoneIknewofold,whoplayedattoil,AndgavetocoquetteCottonsoulandsoil。 Scorningtheslowrewardofpatientgrain,Hesowedhisheartwithhopesofswiftergain,Thensathimdownandwaitedfortherain。 Hesailedinborrowedshipsofusury—— AfoolishJasononatreacheroussea,SeekingtheFleeceandfindingmisery。[141] Lulledbysmooth-ripplingloans,inidletranceHelay,contentthatunthriftCircumstanceShouldploughforhimthestonyfieldofChance。 Yea,gatheringcropswhoseworthnomanmighttell,HestakedhislifeongamesofBuy-and-Sell,Andturnedeachfieldintoagambler’shell。 Aye,aseachyearbegan,Myfarmertotheneighboringcityran; PassedwithamournfulanxiousfaceIntothebanker’sinnerplace;[151] Parleyed,excused,pleadedforlongergrace; Railedatthedrought,theworm,therust,thegrass; Protestedne’eragain’twouldcometopass; Withmanyan`oh’and`if’and`butalas’ Parriedorswallowedsearchingquestionsrude,AndkissedthedusttosoftenDives’smood。 Atlast,smallloansbypledgesgreatrenewed,Heissuessmilingfromthefataldoor,AndbuyswithlavishhandhisyearlystoreTillhissmallborrowingswillyieldnomore。[161] Aye,aseachyeardeclined,Withbitterheartandever-broodingmindHemournedhisfateunkind。 Indust,inrain,withmightandmain,Henursedhiscotton,cursedhisgrain,Frettedfornewsthatmadehimfretagain,SnatchedateachtelegramofFutureSale,AndthrilledwithBulls’orBears’alternatewail—— Inhopeorfearalikeforeverpale。 Andthusfromyeartoyear,throughhopeandfear,[171] Withmanyacurseandmanyasecrettear,Strivinginvainhiscloudofdebttoclear,AtlastHewoketofindhisfoolishdreamingpast,Andallhisbest-of-lifetheeasypreyOfsquanderingscampsandquacksthatlinedhiswayWithvilearray,Fromrascalstatesmandowntopettyknave; Himself,atbest,forallhisbraggingbrave,Agamester’scatspawandabanker’sslave。[181] Then,wornandgray,andsickwithdeepunrest,HefledawayintotheobliviousWest,Unmourned,unblest。 Oldhill!oldhill!thougashedandhairyLearWhomthedivineCordeliaoftheyear,E’enpityingSpring,willvainlystrivetocheer—— King,thatnosubjectmannorbeastmayown,Discrowned,undaughteredandalone—— YetshallthegreatGodturnthyfate,Andbringtheebackintothymonarchstate[191] Andmajestyimmaculate。 Lo,throughhotwaveringsoftheAugustmorn,ThougivestfromthyvastysidesforlornVisionsofgoldentreasuriesofcorn—— RipelargesselingeringforsomebolderheartThatmanfullyshalltakethypart,Andtendthee,Anddefendthee,Withantiquesinewandwithmodernart。 ____ Sunnyside,Ga。,August,1874。 Notes:CornAsstatedelsewhere(`Introduction’,p。xvii[PartI]),`Corn’wasthefirstofLanier’spoemstoattractgeneralattention; forthisreasonaswellasforitsabsolutemeritthepoemdeservescarefulstudy。 InthefirstofhisletterstotheHon。LoganE。Bleckley,Chief-justiceofGeorgia,datedOctober9,1874,Laniertellsushowhecametowrite`Corn’:\"IencloseMS。ofapoeminwhichIhaveendeavoredtocarrysomeveryprosaicmattersuptoaloftierplane。IhavebeenstruckwithalarminseeingthenumbersofdesertedoldhomesteadsandgulliedhillsintheoldercountiesofGeorgia:and,thoughtheyaredreadfullycommonplace,Ihavethoughttheyaresurelymournfulenoughtobepoetic。\" Intheintroductorynoteto`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’ Ihaveincidentallystatedthethemeof`Corn’。Insteadofaddingamoredetailedstatementofmyownhere,IgiveJudgeBleckley’sanalysisofthepoem,whichoccursinhisreplytotheabove-mentionedletter。 Aftergivingvariousminutecriticism(forLanierhadrequestedhisunreservedjudgment),JudgeBleckleycontinues: \"Now,forthegeneralimpressionwhichyourOdehasmadeuponme。 Itpresentsfourpictures;threeofthemlandscapesandoneaportrait。 Youpaintthewoods,acorn-field,andaworn-outhill。 Theseareyourlandscapes。Andyourportraitisthelikenessofananxious,unthriftycotton-planterwhoalwaysspendshiscropbeforehehasmadeit,borrowsonheavyinteresttocarryhimselfoverfromyeartoyear,wearsouthisland,meetsatlastwithutterruin,andmigratestotheWest。 Yoursecondlandscapeisturnedintoavegetableperson,andyougiveitsportraitwithmanytouchesofmarvelandmysteryinvegetablelife。YourthirdlandscapetakesforaninstanttheformandtragicstateofKingLear;youthusmakeitseizeonoursympathiesasifitwerearealperson,andyouthenrestoreittotheinanimate,andcontemplateitspossiblebeneficenceinthedistantfuture。\" Acomparisonofthefirstdraftof`Corn’,assentJudgeBleckley,withthefinalformshowsthatLaniermademanyminutechangesinthepoem,especiallyintheearlierpart。Stillthisearlierdraftagreessubstantiallywiththelater,andwassofineinconceptionandexecutionastocallforththiscommendationofJudgeBleckley,which,despitetheshortcomingsof`Corn’,maywithgreaterjusticebeappliedtothepoeminitspresentform:\"AsanartistyouseemtobeItalianinthefirsttwopictures,andDutchorFlemishinthelattertwo。 InyourItalianveinyoupaintwiththeutmostdelicacyandfinish。 Thedrawingisscrupulouslycorrectandthecolorsoftandharmonious。 WhenyoupaintinDutchorFlemishyouareclearandstrong,butsometimeshard。Thereislessidealizationandmoreoftherealisticelement——yourSOLIDSpredominateoveryourfluids。\" Asalreadystated,Lanierhastwootherpoemsthatindirectlytreatthethemeof`Corn’,namely,`Thar’sMoreintheMan’and`Jones’sPrivateArgyment’。 Moreover,hehas`TheWavingoftheCorn’,which,thoughcharming,isneithersoelaboratenorartisticas`Corn’。 Amongpoemsoncornbyotherwritersmaybementionedthefollowing: 1。Whittier’s`TheCorn-song’(before1872),apoemofpraiseandthanksgivingattheendof`TheHuskers’,whichtellsofthegatheringofthecornandofthe\"corn-husking\",knownintheSouthasthe\"corn-shucking\"。 2。Woolson’s(ConstanceF。)`CornFields’,adescriptionofOhiofields,in`Harper’sMonthly’,45,444,Aug。,1872。 3。Thompson’s(Maurice)`DroppingCorn’(1877),adaintylovelyric,in`Poems’(Boston,1892),p。78。 4。Cromwell’s(S。C。)`Corn-shuckingSong’,adialectpoem,in`Harper’,69,807,Oct。,1884。 5。Coleman’s(C。W。)`Corn’,in`TheAtlanticMonthly’,70,228,Aug。,1892,which,sinceitconsistsofbutfourlinesandismorelikeLanier’spoemthanaretheothers,maybequoted: \"DrawnupinserriedranksacrossthefieldsThat,aswegaze,seemevertoincrease,Withtasseledflagsandsun-emblazonedshields,Thegloriousarmyofearth’sperfectpeace。\" 6。Hayne’s(W。H。)`AmidtheCorn’,acharmingaccountofthedenizensofthecorn-fields,inhis`SylvanLyrics’(NewYork,1893),p。12。 7。Dumas’s(W。T。)`Corn-shucking’and`TheLastEarofCorn’,bothlife-likepicturesofplantationlife,inhis`TheGoldenDayandMiscellaneousPoems’(Phila。,1893)。 Otherinterestingarticlesare:`Mondamin,ortheOriginofIndianCorn’,in`TheSouthernLiteraryMessenger’(Richmond,Va。),29,12-13,July,1859; `AGeorgiaCorn-shucking’,byD。C。Barrow,Jr。,in`TheCenturyMagazine’ (NewYork),2,873-878,Oct。,1882;and`OldAmericanCustoms:ACorn-party’,anaccountofacorn-huskinginNewYork,in`TheSaturdayReview’(London),66,237-238,Aug。25,1888。 4-9。See`Introduction’,p。xxxii[PartIII],andcompare`TheSymphony’,ll。183-190。 18。PaulHamiltonHayne,whoseloveofnaturerivalsLanier’s,hasaninterestingpoementitled`Muscadines’(`Poems’,Boston,1882,pp。222-224)。 21。Compare`TheSymphony’,l。117ff。 57。See`Introduction’,p。l[PartV]。 125。Inherintroductorynoteto`Corn’Mrs。Lanierthuslocalizesthepoem: \"His`fieldward-faringeyestookharvest’`amongthestatelycorn-ranks,’ inaportionofmiddleGeorgiasixtymilestothenorthofMacon。 ItisahightractofcountryfromwhichonelooksacrossthelowerreachestothedistantBlueRidgeMountains,whosewholesomebreath,allunobstructed,hereblendswiththewoods-odorsofthebeech,thehickory,andthemuscadine:apartofarangerecalledelsewherebyMr。Lanieras`thatamplestretchofgeneroussoil,wheretheAppalachianruggednessescalmthemselvesintopleasanthillsbeforedyingquiteawayintothesea-boardlevels’——where`amancanfindsuchtemperancesofheavenandearth——enoughofstrugglewithnaturetodrawoutmanhood,withenoughofbountytosanctionthestruggle—— thatamoreexquisiteco-adaptationofallblessedcircumstancesforman’slifeneednotbesought。’\" 140。See`Jason’inanyDictionaryofMythology。* —— *Gayley’s`TheClassicMythsinEnglishLiterature’(Boston,Ginn&Co。) isanexcellentbook。 —— 157。`Dives’:SeeAppendixtoWebster’s`InternationalDictionary’。 168。`FutureSale’——saleforfuturedelivery。 185-6。SeeShakespeare’s`KingLear’。 MySpringsIntheheartoftheHillsofLife,Iknow[1] TwospringsthatwithunbrokenflowForeverpourtheirlucentstreamsIntomysoul’sfarLakeofDreams。 Notlargerthantwoeyes,theylieBeneaththemany-changingskyAndmirroralloflifeandtime,——Sereneanddaintypantomime。 Shotthroughwithlightsofstarsanddawns,Andshadowedsweetbyfernsandfawns,——Thusheavenandearthtogethervie[11] Theirshiningdepthstosanctify。 AlwayswhenthelargeFormofLoveIshidbystormsthatrageabove,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeLoveinhisveryverity。 AlwayswhenFaithwithstiflingstressOfgriefhathdiedinbitterness,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAFaiththatsmilesimmortally。 AlwayswhenCharityandHope,[21] Indarknessbounden,feeblygrope,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeALightthatsetsmycaptivesfree。 Always,whenArtonperversewingFlieswhereIcannothearhimsing,IgazeinmytwospringsandseeAcharmthatbringshimbacktome。 WhenLaborfaints,andGloryfails,AndcoyRewardinsighsexhales,Igazeinmytwospringsandsee[31] Attainmentfullandheavenly。 OLove,OWife,thineeyesarethey,——MyspringsfromoutwhoseshininggrayIssuethesweetcelestialstreamsThatfeedmylife’sbrightLakeofDreams。 Ovalandlargeandpassion-pureAndgrayandwiseandhonor-sure; Softasadyingviolet-breathYetcalmlyunafraidofdeath; Thronged,liketwodove-cotesofgraydoves,[41] Withwife’sandmother’sandpoor-folk’sloves,Andhome-lovesandhighglory-lovesAndscience-lovesandstory-loves,AndlovesforallthatGodandmanInartandnaturemakeorplan,Andlady-lovesforspiderylaceAndbroideriesandsupplegraceAnddiamondsandthewholesweetroundOflittlesthatlargelifecompound,AndlovesforGodandGod’sbaretruth,[51] AndlovesforMagdalenandRuth,Deareyes,deareyesandrarecomplete—— Beingheavenly-sweetandearthly-sweet,——ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine,ForwhenHefrowns,’tisthenyeshine! ____ Baltimore,1874。 Notes:MySpringsFormyappreciationofthistributetothepoet’swifesee`Introduction’,p。xxxv[PartIII]。Mr。Lanier’sestimateisgiveninaletterofMarch,1874,quotedinMrs。Lanier’sintroductorynote: \"Ofcourse,sinceIhavewrittenittoprintIcannotmakeitsuchas_I_desireinartisticdesign:fortheformsofto-dayrequireacertaintrimsmugnessandclean-shavenproprietyinthefaceanddressofapoem,andImustwinahearingbyconforminginsomedegreetothesetyrannies,withaviewtooverturningtheminthefuture。Writtenso,itisnotnearlysobeautifulasIwouldhaveit;andIthereforehaveanotherstillinmyheart,whichIwillsomedaywriteformyself。\" Othertributestohiswifeare:`InAbsence’,`Acknowledgment’,`LausMariae’,`SpecialPleading’,`EveningSong’,`ThouandI’,`OneinTwo’,and`TwoinOne’;whilesheisreferredtoin`TheHardTimesinElfland’and`JuneDreamsinJanuary’。 Itwillbeinterestingtocompare`MySprings’withotherpoemsontheeyes。 Amongthemostnoteworthy*maybecitedShakespeare’s\"Andthoseeyes,thebreakofday,Lightsthatdomisleadthemorn;\" Lodge’s\"Hereyesaresapphiressetinsnow,Resemblingheavenbyeverywink; TheGodsdofearwhenastheyglow,AndIdotremblewhenIthink,Heighho,wouldsheweremine!\" Jonson’s\"DrinktomeonlywiththineeyesAndIwillpledgewithmine,\"etc。; Herrick’s\"Sweet,benotproudofthosetwoeyesWhichstarlikesparkleintheirskies;\" ThomasStanley’s\"Ohturnawaythosecrueleyes,Thestarsofmyundoing; OrdeathinsuchabrightdisguiseMaytemptasecondwooing;\" Byron’s\"Shewalksinbeauty,likethenight,Ofcloudlessclimesandstarryskies; Andallthat’sbestofdarkandbrightMeetinheraspectandhereyes; ThusmellowedtothattenderlightWhichheaventogaudydaydenies;\" H。Coleridge’s\"Sheisnotfairtooutwardview,Asmanymaidensbe; HerlovelinessIneverknewUntilshesmiledonme。 OthenIsawhereyewasbright,Awelloflove,aspringoflight。 \"Butnowherlooksarecoyandcold,Tominetheyne’erreply,AndyetIceasenottobeholdThelove-lightinhereye: HerveryfrownsarefairerfarThansmilesofothermaidensare;\" andWordsworth’s\"Hereyesarestarsoftwilightfair。\" —— *ThesemaybefoundeitherinGosse’s`EnglishLyrics’(D。Appleton&Co。,NewYork)orinPalgrave’s`GoldenTreasuryofSongsandLyrics’ (Macmillan&Co。,NewYork)。 —— 49-50。See`Introduction’,p。xlv[PartIV]。 52。ThereisinearlyEnglishliteratureamostinterestingplayentitled`MaryMagdalene’:seePollard’s`EnglishMiraclePlays’(NewYork),whereextractsaregiven。 55-56。See`Introduction’,p。xlvi[PartIV]。 TheSymphony\"OTrade!OTrade!wouldthouwertdead![1] TheTimeneedsheart——’tistiredofhead: We’reallforlove,\"theviolinssaid。 \"OfwhatavailtherigoroustaleOfbillforcoinandboxforbale? Grantthee,OTrade!thineuttermosthope: Levelredgoldwithbluesky-slope,Andbaseitdeepasdevilsgrope: Whenall’sdone,whathastthouwonOftheonlysweetthat’sunderthesun? Ay,canstthoubuyasinglesigh[11] Oftruelove’sleast,leastecstasy?\" Then,withabridegroom’sheart-beatstrembling,AllthemightierstringsassemblingRangedthemontheviolins’sideAswhenthebridegroomleadsthebride,And,heartinvoice,togethercried: \"Yea,whatavailtheendlesstaleOfgainbycunningandplusbysale? Lookuptheland,lookdowntheland,Thepoor,thepoor,thepoor,theystand[21] WedgedbythepressingofTrade’shandAgainstaninward-openingdoorThatpressuretightensevermore: Theysighamonstrousfoul-airsighFortheoutsideleaguesofliberty,WhereArt,sweetlark,translatestheskyIntoaheavenlymelody。 `Eachday,allday’(thesepoorfolkssay),`Inthesameoldyear-long,drear-longway,Weweaveinthemillsandheaveinthekilns,[31] Wesievemine-meshesunderthehills,AndthievemuchgoldfromtheDevil’sbanktills,Torelieve,OGod,whatmannerofills?—— Thebeasts,theyhunger,andeat,anddie; Andsodowe,andtheworld’sasty; Hush,fellow-swine:whynuzzleandcry? \"Swinehoodhathnoremedy\" Saymanymen,andhastenby,Clampingthenoseandblinkingtheeye。 Butwhosaidonce,inthelordlytone,[41] \"ManshallnotlivebybreadaloneButallthatcomethfromtheThrone?\" HathGodsaidso? ButTradesaith\"No\": Andthekilnsandthecurt-tonguedmillssay\"Go: There’splentythatcan,ifyoucan’t:weknow。 Moveout,ifyouthinkyou’reunderpaid。 Thepoorareprolific;we’renotafraid; Tradeistrade。\"’\" Thereatthispassionateprotesting[51] Meeklychanged,andsoftenedtillItsanktosadrequestingAndsuggestingsadderstill: \"Andoh,ifmenmightsometimeseeHowpiteous-falsethepoordecreeThattradenomorethantrademustbe! Doesbusinessmean,\"Die,you——live,I\"? Then`Tradeistrade’butsingsalie: ’Tisonlywargrownmiserly。 Ifbusinessisbattle,nameitso:[61] War-crimeslesswillshameitso,Andwidowslesswillblameitso。 Alas,forthepoortohavesomepartInyonsweetlivinglandsofArt,Makesproblemnotforhead,butheart。 VainlymightPlato’sbrainrevolveit: Plainlytheheartofachildcouldsolveit。\" Andthen,aswhenfromwordsthatseembutrudeWepasstosilentpainthatsitsabroodBackinourheart’sgreatdarkandsolitude,[71] SosankthestringstogentlethrobbingOflongchordschange-markedwithsobbing—— Motherlysobbing,notdistinctlierheardThanhalfwing-openingsofthesleepingbird,Somedreamofdangertoheryounghathstirred。 Thenstirringanddemurringceased,andlo! Everyleastrippleofthestrings’song-flowDiedtoalevelwitheachlevelbowAndmadeagreatchordtranquil-surfacedso,Asabrookbeneathhiscurvingbankdothgo[81] TolingerinthesacreddarkandgreenWheremanyboughsthestillpooloverleanAndmanyleavesmakeshadowwiththeirsheen。 ButpresentlyAvelvetflute-notefelldownpleasantlyUponthebosomofthatharmony,Andsailedandsailedincessantly,Asifapetalfromawild-roseblownHadfluttereddownuponthatpooloftoneAndboatwisedroppedo’theconvexside[91]