第2章

类别:其他 作者:Bret Harte字数:17310更新时间:19/01/04 15:19:00
See,wherethickvaporwreathesthebattle-line; ThereMercyfollowswithheroilandwine; OrwherebrownLaborwithitspeacefulcharmStiffensthesinewsoftheNation’sarm。 WhatnervesitshandstostrikeadeadlierblowAndhurlitslegionsontherebelfoe? Lo!foreachtownnewrisingo’erourStateSeethefoe’shamletwasteanddesolate,Whileeachnewfactoryliftsitschimneytall,LikeafreshmortartrainedonRichmond’swall。 Forthis,Obrothers,swingsthefruitfulvine,Spreadourbroadpastureswiththeircountlesskine: Forthiso’erheadthearchingvaultspringsclear,Sunlitandcloudlessforonehalftheyear; Forthisnosnowflake,e’ersolightlypressed,Chillsthewarmimpulseofourmother’sbreast。 Quicktoreply,frommeadowsbrownandsere,ShethrillsresponsivetoSpring’searliesttear; Breaksintoblossom,flingsherloveliestroseErethewhitecrocusmountsAtlanticsnows; AndtheexampleofherliberalcreedTeachesthelessonthatto-dayweheed。 Thusoursthelotwithpeaceful,generoushandTospreadourbountyo’erthesufferingland; AsthedeepcleftinMariposa’swallHurlsavastriversplinteringinitsfall,—— ThoughtheraptsoulwhostandsinawebelowSeesbutthearchingofthepromisedbow,Lo!thefarstreamletdrinksitsdewsunseen,Andthewholevalleywakesabrightergreen。 MISSBLANCHESAYS Andyouarethepoet,andsoyouwantSomething——whatisit?——atheme,afancy? SomethingorothertheMusewon’tgrantToyouroldpoeticalnecromancy; Why,onehalfyoupoets——youcan’tdeny—— Don’tknowtheMusewhenyouchancetomeether,ButsitinyouratticsandmopeandsighForafaineantgoddesstodropfromthesky,WhenfleshandbloodmaybestandingbyQuiteatyourservice,shouldyoubutgreether。 WhatifItoldyoumyownromance? Womenarepoets,ifyousotakethem,Onethirdpoet,——therestwhatchanceOfmanandmarriagemaychoosetomakethem。 Givemetenminutesbeforeyougo,—— Hereatthewindowwe’llsittogether,Watchingthecurrentsthatebbandflow; WatchingtheworldasitdriftsbelowUpthehotAvenue’sdustyglow: Isn’titpleasant,thisbrightJuneweather? Well,itwasafterthewarbrokeout,AndIwasaschoolgirlfreshfromParis; Papahadcontracts,androamedabout,AndI——didnothing——forIwasanheiress。 Pickedsomelint,nowIthink;perhapsKnittedsomestockings——adozennearly: Havelocksmadeforthesoldiers’caps; Stoodatfair-tablesandpeddledtrapsQuiteataprofit。The\"shoulder-straps\" ThoughtIwaspretty。Ah,thankyou!really? Stillitwasstupid。Rata-tat-tat! Thosewerethesoundsofthatbattlesummer,Tilltheearthseemedaparchmentroundandflat,Andeveryfootfallthetapofadrummer; AnddaybydaydowntheAvenuewentCavalry,infantry,alltogether,TillmypityingangelonedaysentMyfateintheshapeofaregiment,Thathalted,justasthedaywasspent,HereatourdoorinthebrightJuneweather。 Noneofyourdandywarriorsthey,—— MenfromtheWest,butwhereIknownot; Haggardandtravel-stained,wornandgray,Withneveraribbonorlaceorbow-knot: AndIopenedthewindow,and,leaningthere,Ifeltintheirpresencethefreewindsblowing。 Myneckandshouldersandarmswerebare,—— Ididnotdreamtheymightthinkmefair,ButIhadsomeflowersthatnightinmyhair,Andhere,onmybosom,aredroseglowing。 AndIlookedfromthewindowalongtheline,Dustyanddirtyandgrimandsolemn,Tillaneyelikeabayonetflashmetmine,Andadarkfaceshonefromthedarkeningcolumn,Andaquickflameleapedtomyeyesandhair,Tillcheeksandshouldersburnedalltogether,AndthenextIfoundmyselfstandingthereWithmyeyelidswetandmycheekslessfair,Andtherosefrommybosomtossedhighinair,Likeablood-dropfallingonplumeandfeather。 ThenIdrewbackquickly:therecameacheer,Arushoffigures,anoiseandtussle,Andthenitwasover,andhighandclearMyredrosebloomedonhisgun’sblackmuzzle。 Thenfarinthedarknessasharpvoicecried,Andslowlyandsteadily,alltogether,Shouldertoshoulderandsidetoside,Risingandfallingandswayingwide,Butbearingabovethemtherose,mypride,Theymarchedawayinthetwilightweather。 AndIleanedfrommywindowandwatchedmyroseTossedonthewavesofthesurgingcolumn,Warmedfromaboveinthesunsetglows,Bornefrombelowbyanimpulsesolemn。 ThenIshutthewindow。IheardnomoreOfmysoldierfriend,normyflowerneither,ButlivedmylifeasIdidbefore。 Ididnotgoasanursetothewar,—— Sickfolkstomeareadreadfulbore,—— SoIdidn’tgotothehospitaleither。 Yousmile,Opoet,andwhatdoyou? Youleanfromyourwindow,andwatchlife’scolumnTramplingandstrugglingthroughdustanddew,Filledwithitspurposesgraveandsolemn; Andanact,agesture,aface——whoknows?—— Touchesyourfancytothrillandhauntyou,AndyoupluckfromyourbosomtheversethatgrowsAnddownitflieslikemyred,redrose,Andyousitanddreamasawayitgoes,Andthinkthatyourdutyisdone,——nowdon’tyou? Iknowyouranswer。I’mnotyetthrough。 Lookatthisphotograph,——\"IntheTrenches\"! ThatdeadmaninthecoatofblueHoldsawitheredroseinhishand。ThatclenchesNothing!——exceptthatthesunpaintstrue,Andawomanissometimesprophetic-minded。 Andthat’smyromance。And,poet,youTakeitandmouldittosuityourview; AndwhoknowsbutyoumayfindittooCometoyourheartoncemore,asminedid。 ANARCTICVISION Wheretheshort-leggedEsquimauxWaddleintheiceandsnow,AndtheplayfulPolarbearNipsthehunterunaware; Wherebydaytheytracktheermine,Andbynightanothervermin,—— Segmentofthefrigidzone,WherethetemperaturealoneWarmsonSt。Elias’cone; Polardock,whereNatureslipsFromthewayshericyships; Landoffoxanddeerandsable,Shoreendofourwesterncable,—— LetthenewsthatflyinggoesThrillthroughallyourArcticfloes,AndreverberatetheboastFromthecliffsoffBeechey’scoast,Tillthetidings,circlingroundEverybayofNortonSound,Throwthevocaltide-wavebackTotheislesofKodiac。 LetthestatelyPolarbearsWaltzaroundthepoleinpairs,Andthewalrus,inhisglee,Barehistuskofivory; Whiletheboldsea-unicornCalmlytakesanextrahorn; AllyePolarskies,revealyourVeryrarestofparhelia; Tripit,allyemerrydancers,Intheairiestof\"Lancers;\" Slide,yesolemnglaciers,slide,Oneinchfarthertothetide,NorinrashprecipitationUpsetTyndall’scalculation。 Knowyounotwhatfateawaitsyou,Ortowhomthefuturematesyou? Allyeicebergs,makesalaam,—— YoubelongtoUncleSam! OnthespotwhereEugeneSueLedhiswretchedWanderingJew,StandsaformwhosefeaturesstrikeRussandEsquimauxalike。 HeitiswhomSkaldsofoldIntheirRunicrhymesforetold; Leanofflankandlankofjaw,SeetherealNorthernThor! SeetheawfulYankeeleeringJustacrosstheStraitsofBehring; Onthedriftedsnow,tooplain,Sinkshisfreshtobaccostain,Justbesidethedeepinden- TationofhisNumber10。 LeaningonhisicyhammerStandstheheroofthisdrama,Andabovethewild-duck’sclamor,Inhisownpeculiargrammar,Withitslinguisticdisguises,La!theArcticprologuerises: \"Wall,Ireckon’tain’tsobad,Seein’ez’twasalltheyhad。 True,theSpringsareratherlate,AndearlyFallspredominate; Buttheice-crop’sprettysure,Andtheairiskindo’pure; ’Tain’tsoverymeanatrade,Whenthelandisallsurveyed。 There’sarightsmartchanceforfur-chaseAllalongthisrecentpurchase,And,unlessthestoriesfail,Everyfishfromcodtowhale; Rocks,too;mebbequartz;let’ssee,—— ’Twouldbestrangeifthereshouldbe,—— SeemsI’veheerdsuchstoriestold; Eh!——why,blessus,——yes,it’sgold!\" WhiletheblowsarefallingthickFromhisCaliforniapick,YoumayrecognizetheThorOfthevisionthatIsaw,—— Freedfromlegendaryglamour,Seetherealmagician’shammer。 ST。THOMAS (AGEOGRAPHICALSURVEY,1868) VeryfairandfullofpromiseLaytheislandofSt。Thomas: Oceano’eritsreefsandbarsHiditselementalscars; GrovesofcocoanutandguavaGrewaboveitsfieldsoflava。 SothegemoftheAntilles—— \"IslesofEden,\"wherenoillis—— LikeagreatgreenturtleslumberedOntheseathatitencumbered。 ThensaidWilliamHenrySeward,Ashecasthiseyetoleeward,\"QuiteimportanttoourcommerceIsthisislandofSt。Thomas。\" SaidtheMountainranges,\"Thank’ee,ButwecannotstandtheYankeeO’erourscarsandfissuresporing,Inourveryvitalsboring,Inoursacredcavernsprying,Alloursecretproblemstrying,—— Digging,blasting,withdynamitMockingallourthunders!Damnit! Otherlandsmaybemorecivil; Bustourlavacrustifwewill!\" SaidtheSea,itswhiteteethgnashingThroughitscoral-reeflipsflashing,\"ShallIletthisschemingmortalShutwithstonemyshiningportal,Curbmytideandcheckmyplay,Fencewithwharvesmyshiningbay? RatherletmebedrawnoutInoneawfulwaterspout!\" Saidtheblack-browedHurricane,BroodingdowntheSpanishMain,\"ShallIseemyforces,zounds! Measuredbysquareinchandpounds,WithdetectivesatmybackWhenIdoubleonmytrack,Andmysecretpathsmadeclear,Publishedo’erthehemisphereToeachgaping,pryingcrew? ShallI?BlowmeifIdo!\" SotheMountainsshookandthundered,AndtheHurricanecamesweeping,AndthepeoplestaredandwonderedAstheSeacameonthemleaping: Each,accordingtohispromise,MadethingslivelyatSt。Thomas。 Tillonemorn,whenMr。SewardCasthisweathereyetoleeward,TherewasnotaninchofdrylandLefttomarkhisrecentisland。 Notaflagstafforasentry,Notawharforportofentry,—— Only——tocutmattersshorter—— JustapatchofmuddywaterIntheopenoceanlying,Andagullaboveitflying。 OFFSCARBOROUGH (SEPTEMBER,1779) I \"Haveacare!\"thebailiffscriedFromtheircockleshellthatlayOffthefrigate’syellowside,TossingonScarboroughBay,Whilethefortysailitconvoyedonabowlinestretchedaway。 \"Takeyourchicksbeneathyourwings,Andyourclawsandfeathersspread,Erethehawkuponthemsprings,—— ErearoundFlamboroughHeadSwoopsPaulJones,theYankeefalcon,withhisbeakandtalonsred。\" II Howwelaughed!——mymateandI,—— Onthe\"BonHommeRichard’s\"deck,AswesawthatconvoyflyLikeasnow-squall,tilleachfleckMeltedinthetwilightshadowsofthecoast-line,speckbyspeck; AndscufflingbacktoshoreTheScarboroughbailiffssped,Asthe\"Richard\"witharoarOfhercannonroundtheHead,Crossedherroyalyardsandsignaledtoherconsort:\"Chaseahead\" III ButthedevilseizeLandaisInthatconsortshipofFrance! Fortheshabby,lubberwayThatheworkedthe\"Alliance\" Intheoffing,——norabroadsidefiredsavetoourmischance!—— Whentumblingtothevan,Withhisbattle-lanternsset,RosetheburlyEnglishman’Gainstourhullasblackasjet,—— Rodetheyellow-sided\"Serapis,\"andallalonewemet! IV Allalone,thoughfaratseaHunghisconsort,roundingto; Allalone,thoughonourleeFoughtour\"Pallas,\"stanchandtrue! Forthefirstbroadsidearoundusbothasmokycircledrew: And,likechampionsinaring,Therewasclearedalittlespace—— Scarceacable’slengthtoswing—— Erewegrappledinembrace,Alltheworldshutoutaroundus,andweonlyfacetoface! V ThenawokeallhellbelowFromthatbroadside,doublycurst,ForourlongeighteensinrowLeapedthefirstdischargeandburst! Andondeckourmencamepouring,fearingtheirowngunstheworst。 Andasdumbwelay,till,throughSmokeandflameandbittercry,Hailedthe\"Serapis:\"\"HaveyouStruckyourcolors?\"Ourreply,\"Wehavenotyetbeguntofight!\"wentshoutingtothesky! VI RouxofBrest,oldfisher,layLikeaherringgaspinghere; BunkerofNantucketBay,Blownfromouttheport,droppedsheerHalfacable’slengthtoleeward;yetwefaintlyraisedacheerAswithhisownrighthandOurCommodoremadefastThefoeman’shead-gearandThe\"Richard’s\"mizzen-mast,Andinthatdeath-lockclingingheldustherefromfirsttolast! VII Yetthefoeman,gunongun,Throughthe\"Richard\"torearoad,Withhisgunners’rammersrunThroughourportsateveryload,Tillclearthebluebeyondusthroughouryawningtimbersshowed。 YetwithentrailstornweclungLiketheSpartantoourfox,AndondecknocowardtongueWailedtheenemy’shardknocks,Northatallbelowustrembledlikeawreckupontherocks。 VIII Thenathoughtroseinmybrain,AsthroughChannelmiststhesun。 FromourtopsafirelikerainDrovebelowdeckseveryoneOftheenemy’sship’scompanytohideorworkagun: AndthatthoughttookshapeasI Onthe\"Richard’s\"yardlayout,Thatamanmightdoanddie,IfthedoingbroughtaboutFreedomforhishomeandcountry,andhismessmates’cheeringshout! IX ThenIcreptoutinthedarkTillIhungabovethehatchOfthe\"Serapis,\"——amarkForhermarksmen!——withamatchAndahand-grenade,butlingeredjustamomentmoretosnatchOnelastlookatseaandsky! Atthelighthouseonthehill! Attheharvest-moononhigh! Andourpineflagflutteringstill! ThenturnedanddownheryawningthroatIlaunchedthatdevil’spill! X ThenablankwasallbetweenAstheflamesaroundmespun! HadIfiredthemagazine? Wasthevictorylostorwon? NorknewItillthefightwaso’erbuthalfmyworkwasdone: ForIlayamongthedeadInthecockpitofourfoe,Witharoarabovemyhead,—— Tillatramplingtoandfro,Andalanternshowedmymate’sface,andIknewwhatnowyouknow! CADETGREY CANTOI I Actfirst,scenefirst。Astudy。OfakindHalfcell,halfsalon,opulentyetgrave; Rarebooks,low-shelved,yetfarabovethemindOfcommonmantocompassortocrave; SomeslightreliefofpamphletsthatinclinedThesoulatfirsttotrifling,till,dismayedBytextandtitle,itdrewbackresigned,NorcaredwithlevitytovexashadeThattoitselfsuchperfectconcordmade。 II SomethoughtsliketheseperplexedthepatriotbrainOfJones,LawgivertotheCommonwealth,AsonthethresholdofthischastedomainHepausedexpectant,andlookedupinstealthTodarkenedcanvasesthatfrownedamain,Withstern-eyedPuritans,whofirstbeganTospreadtheirrootsinGeorgiusPrimus’reign,Nordroppedtillnow,obedienttosomeplan,Theircenturyfruit,——theperfectBostonman。 III SomewherewithinthatRussia-scentedgloomAvoicecatarrhalthrilledtheMember’sear: \"Briefisourbusiness,Jones。Lookroundthisroom! Regardyonportraits!Readtheirmeaningclear! ThesemuchproclaimMYstation。IpresumeYOUareourCongressman,beforewhosewitAndsoberjudgmentshalltheyouthappearWhoforWestPointisdeemedmostjustandfitToservehiscountryandtohonorit。 IV \"Suchismyson!Elsewhereperhaps’twerewiseTrialcompetitiveshouldguideyourchoice。 TherearesomepeopleIcanwellsurmiseThemselvesmustshowtheirmerits。History’svoiceSparesmethattrouble:alldesertthatliesInyonderancestorofQueenAnne’sday,OryongraveGovernor,isallmyboy’s,—— Revertstohim;entailed,asonemightsay; Inbrief,resultinWinthropAdamsGrey!\" V Heturnedandlaidhiswell-bredhand,andsmiled,Onthecroppedheadofonewhostoodbeside。 Ahme!insoothitwasnoruddychildNorbrawnyyouththatthrilledthefather’spride; ’TwasbutaMindthatsomehowhadbeguiledFromsoullessMatterprocessesthatservedForspeechandmotionanddigestionmild,Contentifallonemoralpurposenerved,Norreckedtherebyitsspineweresomewhatcurved。 VI Hewasscarceeighteen。YeterehewaseightHehaddespoiledtheclassics;muchheknewOfSanskrit;notthatheplacedundueweightOnthis,butthatithelpedhimwithHebrew,Hisfavoritetongue。Helearned,alas!toolate,Onecan’tbegintooearly,——wouldregretThatboyishwhimtoascertainthestateOfVenus’atmospheremadehimforgetThatphilologicgoalonwhichhissoulwasset。 VII Hetoohadtraveled;attheageoftenFoundParisempty,dullexceptforartAndaccent。\"Mabille\"withitsgloriesthenLessthanEgyptian\"Almees\"touchedaheartNothingifnotpureclassic。IfsomemenThoughthimaprig,itvexednothisconceit,Butmovedhispity,andofttimeshispen,Thebettertoinstructthem,throughsomesheetPublishedinBoston,andsigned\"BeaconStreet。\" VIII FrompremisessoplaintheblindcouldseeButonededuction,anditcamenextday。 \"Intimeslikethese,theverynameofG。 Speaksvolumes,\"wrotetheHonorableJ。 \"Inclosedpleasefindappointment。\"PresentlyCameareceptiontowhichHarvardlentFourteenprofessors,and,togiveesprit,TheLiberalClubsomeeighteenladiessent,FivethatspokeGreek,andthirteensentiment。 IX Fourpoetscamewholovedeachother’ssong,Andtwophilosophers,whothoughtthattheyWereinmostthingsimpracticalandwrong; Andtworeformers,eachinhisownwayPeculiar,——onewhohadwaxedstrongOnherbsandwater,andsuchsimplefare; Twoforeignlions,\"RamSee\"and\"ChyLong,\" Andseveralartistsclaimedattentionthere,Basedonthefacttheyhadbeensnubbedelsewhere。 X WiththisindorsementnothingnowremainedButcounsel,Godspeed,andsomecalmadieux; Nofoolishtearthefather’seyelashstained,AndWinthrop’scheekasguiltlessshoneofdew。 Aslightpublicity,suchasobtainedInclassicRome,thesefewlasthoursattended。 Thedayarrived,thetrainanddepotgained,Themayor’sownpresencethislastactcommendedThetrainmovedoffandherethefirstactended。 CANTOII I WhereWestPointcrouches,andwithliftedshieldTurnsthewholerivereastwardthroughthepass; Whosejuttingcrags,halfsilver,standrevealedLikebossybucklersofLeonidas; WherebuttressedlowagainstthestormsthatwieldTheirsummerlightningswherehereagletsswarm,ByFreedom’scradleNature’sselfhassteeledHerheart,likeWinkelried,andtothatstormOfleveledlancesbaresherbosomwarm。 II Butnotto-night。Theairandwoodsarestill,Thefaintestrustleinthetreesbelow,Thelowesttremorfromthemountainrill,CometotheearasbutthetrailingflowOfspiritrobesthatwalkunseenthehill; Themoonlowsailingo’ertheuplandfarm,ThemoonlowsailingwherethewatersfillThelozengelake,besidethebanksofbalm,Gleamslikeachevronontheriver’sarm。 III Allspacebreatheslanguor:fromthehilltophigh,WherePutnam’sbastioncrumblesinthepast,ToswooningdepthswheredrowsycannonlieAndwide-mouthedmortarsgapeinslumbersvast; Strokeuponstroke,thefaroarsglanceanddieOnthehushedbosomofthesleepingstream; Brightforonemomentdriftsawhitesailby,BrightforonemomentshowsabayonetgleamFaronthelevelplain,thenpassesasadream。 IV Softdownthelineofdarkenedbattlements,Brightoneachlatticeofthebarrackwalls,Wherethelowarchingsallyportindents,Seenthroughitsgloombeyond,themoonbeamfalls。 AllisreposesavewherethecampingtentsMockthewhitegravestonesfartheron,wheresoundNomorninggunsforreveille,norwhenceNodrum-beatcallsretreat,butstilliseverfoundWaitingandpresentoneachsentry’sround。 V Withinthecamptheylie,theyoung,thebrave,Halfknight,halfschoolboy,acolytesoffame,Pledgedtoonealtar,andperchanceonegrave; Bredtofearnothingbutreproachandblame,Asceticdandieso’erwhomvestalsrave,Clean-limbedyoungSpartans,disciplinedyoungelves,Taughttodestroy,thattheymaylivetosave,Studentsembattled,soldiersattheirshelves,Heroeswhoseconquestsareatfirstthemselves。 VI Withinthecamptheylie,indreamsarefreedFromthegrimdisciplinetheylearntolove; Indreamsnomorethesentry’schallengeheed,Indreamsafarbeyondtheirpicketsrove; OnetreadsoncemorethepinypathsthatleadTohisgreenmountainhome,andpausinghearsThecattlecall;onetreadsthetangledweedOfslipperyrocksbesideAtlanticpiers; Onesmilesinsleep,onewakenswetwithtears。 VII OnescentsthebreathofjasmineflowersthattwineThepillaredporchesofhisSouthernhome; OnehearsthecooofpigeonsinthepineOfWesternwoodswherehewaswonttoroam; OneseesthesunsetfirethedistantlineWherethelongprairiesweepsitslevelsdown; Onetreadsthesnow-peaks;onebylampsthatshineDownthebroadhighwaysofthesea-girttown; Andtwoaremissing,——CadetsGreyandBrown! VIII MuchasIgrievetochroniclethefact,Thatselfsametruantknownas\"CadetGrey\" Wastheyoungheroofourmoraltract,Shornofhistwofoldnamesonentrance-day。 \"Winthrop\"and\"Adams\"droppedinthatoneactOfmartialcurtness,andtheroll-callthinnedOfhisancestors,hewithyouthfultactIndulgenceclaimed,sinceWinthropnomoresinned,NorsaintedAdamswincedwhenhe,plainGrey,was\"skinned。\" IX Hehadknowntrialssincewesawhimlast,Bysheergoodluckhadjustescapedrejection,Notforhislearning,butthatitwascastInaspareframescarcefitfordrillinspection; Butwhenheope’dhislipsastreamsovastOfinformationfloodedeachprofessor,Theyquiteforgothiseyeglass,——somethingpastAllprecedent,——acceptingthetransgressor,Weakeyesandallofwhichhewaspossessor。 X E’enthefirstdayhetouchedablackboard’sspace—— Sothetraditionofhisglorylingers—— Twowiseprofessorsfainted,eachwithfaceWhiteasthechalkwithinhisrapidfingers: Alldayheciphered,atsuchfranticpace,HisformwashidinchalkprecipitationOfeveryproblem,tilltheysaidhiscaseCouldmeetfromthemnofairexaminationTillCongressmadeanewappropriation。 XI Famousinmolecules,hedemonstratedFromthemesshashtomanyalisteningclassful; Greatasabotanist,heseparatedThreekindsof\"Mentha\"inonejulep’sglassful; Highinastronomy,ithasbeenstatedHewasthefirstatWestPointtodiscoverMars’missingsatellites,andcalculatedTheirtruepositions,nottheheavensover,But’neaththewindowofMissKittyRover。 XII Indeed,IfearthisnoveltycelestialThatverynightwasvisibleandclear; Atleasttwoyouthsofaspectmostterrestrial,Andcladinuniform,wereloiteringnearAvilla’scasement,whereagentlevestalTooktheirimpatiencesomewhatpatiently,Knowingtheyouthsweresomewhatgreenand\"bestial\"—— (AcertainslangoftheAcademy,Ibegthereaderwon’trefertome)。 XIII Forwhentheyceasedtheirardentstrain,MissKittyGlowednotwithangernorakindredflame,Butratherflushedwithanoddsortofpity,Halfmatron’skindness,andhalfcoquette’sshame; Proudyetquiteblameful,whensheheardtheirdittyShegavehersoulpoeticalexpression,Andbeingclevertoo,asshewaspretty,Fromherhighcasementwarbledthisconfession,—— Halfprovocationandonehalfrepression:—— NOTYET Notyet,Ofriend,notyet!thepatientstarsLeanfromtheirlattices,contenttowait。 AllisillusiontillthemorningbarsSlipfromthelevelsoftheEasterngate。 Nightistooyoung,Ofriend!dayistoonear; Waitforthedaythatmakethallthingsclear。 Notyet,Ofriend,notyet! Notyet,Olove,notyet!allisnottrue,Allisnoteverasitseemethnow。 Soonshalltherivertakeanotherblue,Soondiesyonlightuponthemountainbrow。 Whatliethdark,Olove,brightdaywillfill; Waitforthymorning,beitgoodorill。 Notyet,Olove,notyet! XIV Thestrainwasfinished;softlyasthenightHervoicediedfromthewindow,yete’enthenFlutteredandfelllikewiseakerchiefwhite; Butthatnodoubtwasaccident,forwhenShesoughthercouchshedeemedherconductquiteBeyondthereachofscandalouscommenter,—— Washingherhandsofeithergallantwight,Knowingthemoralistmightcomplimenther,—— ThusvoicingSirenwiththewordsofMentor。 XV Shelittleknewtheyouthsbelow,whostraightDivedforherkerchief,andquiteoverlookedThepregnantmoralshewouldinculcate; NordreamedthelesshowlittleWinthropbrookedHerrighttodoubthissoul’smaturerstate。 Brown——whowasWestern,amiable,andnew—— Mighttakethemoralandaccepthisfate; Thewhichhedid,but,beingstrongertoo,Tookthewhitekerchief,also,ashisdue。 XVI Theydidnotquarrel,whichnodoubtseemedqueerTothosewhoknewnothowtheirfriendshipblended; Eachwasopposed,andeachtheother’speer,Yeteachtheotherinsomethingstranscended。 WhereBrownlackedculture,brains,——andoft,Ifear,Cashinhispocket,——Greyofcoursesuppliedhim; WhereGreylackedfrankness,force,andfaithsincere,Brownofhismanhoodsufferednonetochidehim,Butinhisfaultsstoodmanfullybesidehim。 XVII Inacademicwalksandstudiesgrave,Inthecampdrillandmartialoccupation,Theyhelpedeachother:butjusthereIcraveSpaceforthereader’sfullimagination,—— Thefactispatent,Greybecameaslave! Atool,afag,a\"pleb\"!Tostateitplainer,Allthatbluebloodandancestrye’ergaveCleanedguns,broughtwater!——was,infact,retainerToJones,whoseunclewasapaper-stainer! XVIII HowtheyborethisathomeIcannotsay: Ionlyknowsorunsthegossip’stale。 ItchancedonedaythatthepaternalGreyCametoWestPointthathehimselfmighthailThefutureheroinsomeproperwayConsistentwithhislineage。WithhimcameAjudge,apoet,andabravearrayOfauntsanduncles,bearingeachaname,Eyeglassandrespiratorwiththesame。 XIX \"Observe!\"quothGreytheeldertohisfriends,\"NotinthesegiddyyouthsatbaseballplayingYou’llnoticeWinthropAdams!GreaterendsThantheseabsorbHISleisure。NodoubtstrayingWithCaesar’sCommentaries,heattendsSomeRomancouncil。Letusask,however,Yongrimyurchin,whomysouloffendsBywheelingoffal,ifhewillendeavorTofind——What!heaven!Winthrop!Oh!no!never!\" XX Alas!tootrue!ThelastofalltheGreysWas\"doingpolicedetail,\"——ithadcomeTothis;invaintherarehistoricbaysThatcrownedthepicturedPuritansathome! Andyet’twascertainthatingrosserwaysOfhealthandphysiquehewasquiteimproving。 Straighterhestood,andhadachievedsomepraiseInotherexercise,muchmorebehoovingAsoldier’stastethanmerelydirtremoving。 XXI Buttoresume:welefttheyouthfulpair,Somestanzasback,beforealady’sbower; ’Tistobehopedtheywerenolongerthere,Forstarswerepointingtothemorninghour。 Theirescapadediscovered,ill’twouldfareWithourtwoheroes,derelictoforders; But,liketheghost,they\"scentthemorningair,\" Andbackagaintheystealacrosstheborders,Unseen,unheeded,bytheirmartialwarders。 XXII Theygottobedwithspeed:youngGreytodreamOfsomevaguefuturewithageneral’sstar,AndMistressKittybaskinginitsgleam; WhileBrown,contenttoworshipherafar,Dreamedhimselfdyingbysomelonelystream,HavingsnatchedKittyfromeighteenNezPerces,Tillafarbugle,withthemorningbeam,Inhisdullearitsfatefulsongrehearses,WhichWinthropAdamsafterputtoverses。 XXIII Sopassedthreeyearsoftheirnovitiate,ThefirstrealboyhoodGreyhadeverknown。 Hisyouthranclear,——notchokedlikehisCochituate,Incivicpipes,butfreeandpurealone; Yetknewrepression,couldhimselfhabituateTohavingmindandbodywellrubbeddown,Couldreadhimselfinothers,andcouldsituateThemselvesinhim,——except,Igrievetoown,Hecouldn’tseewhatKittysawinBrown! XXIV Atlastcamegraduation;BrownreceivedIntheOneHundredthCavalrycommission; Thenfrolic,flirting,parting,——whennonegrievedSaveBrown,wholovedouryoungAcademician。 AndGrey,whofelthisfriendwasstilldeceivedByMistressKitty,whowithotherbeautiesGracedtheoccasion,anditwasbelievedHadpromisedBrownthatwhenhecouldrecruithisPromisedcommand,she’dsharewithhimthoseduties。 XXV Howe’erthiswasIknownot;allIknow,ThenightwasJune’s,themoonrodehighandclear; \"’Twassuchanightasthis,\"threeyearsago,MissKittysangthesongthattwomighthear。 Thereisawalkwheretreeso’erarchinggrow,Toowideforone,notwideenoughforthree(Afactprecludinganypluralbeau),WhichquiteexplainedMissKitty’scompany,ButnotwhyGreythatfavoredoneshouldbe。 XXVI Thereisaspring,whoselimpidwatershideSomewherewithintheshadowsofthatpathCalledKosciusko’s。Theretwofiguresbide,—— GreyandMissKitty。SurelyNaturehathNofairermirrorforamight-bebrideThanthissamepoolthatcaughtourgentlebelleToitsdarkheartonemoment。AthersideGreybent。Asomethingtrembledo’erthewell,Bright,spherical——atear?Ahno!abuttonfell! XXVII \"Materialmindsmightthinkthatgravitation,\" QuothGrey,\"drewyonmetallicspheroiddown。 ThesoulpoeticviewsthesituationFraughtwithmoremeaning。WhenthygirlishcrownWasmirroredthere,therewasdisintegrationOfme,andallmyspiritmovedtoyou,Takingtheformofslowprecipitation!\" Butherecame\"Taps,\"astart,asmile,adieu! Ablush,asigh,andendofCantoII。 BUGLESONG Fadesthelight,AndafarGoethday,comethnight; AndastarLeadethall,SpeedethallTotheirrest! Love,good-night! MustthougoWhenthedayAndthelightNeedtheeso,—— Needethall,Heedethall,Thatisbest? CANTOIII I Wherethesunsinksthroughleaguesofaridsky,Wherethesundieso’erleaguesofaridplain,Wherethedeadbonesofwastedriverslie,Trailedfromtheirchannelsinyonmountainchain; WheredaybydaynaughttakestheweariedeyeButthelow-rimmingmountains,sharplybasedOnthedeadlevels,movingfarornigh,Asthesickvisionwanderso’erthewaste,Buteverdaybydayagainstthesunsettraced: II TheremovingthroughapoisonouscloudthatstingsWithdustofalkalithetramplingbandOfIndianponies,rideonduskywingsTheredmaraudersoftheWesternland; Heavywithspoil,theyseekthetrailthatbringsTheirflauntinglancestothatshelteredbankWherelietheirlodges;andtheriversingsForgetfuloftheplainbeyond,thatdrankItslifeblood,wherethewastedcaravansank。 III Theybroughtwiththemthethief’signoblespoil,Thebeggar’sdole,thegreedofchiffonnier,Thescumofcamps,theimplementsoftoilSnatchedfromdeadhands,torustasuselesshere; AlltheycouldrakeorgleanfromhutorsoilPiledtheirleanponies,withthejackdaw’sgreedForvacantglitter。ItwerescarceafoilToallthistinselthatonefeatheredreedBoreonitsbarbtwoscalpsthatfreshlybleed! IV Theybroughtwiththem,alas!awoundedfoe,Boundhandandfoot,yetnursedwithcruelcare,LestthatindeathhemightescapeonethroeTheyhaddecreedhislivingfleshshouldbear: Ayouthfulofficer,byonefoulblowOftreacherysurprised,yetfightingstillAmidhisambushedtrain,calmasthesnowAbovehim;hopeless,yetcontenttospillHisbloodwiththeirs,andfightingbuttokill。 V Hehadfoughtnobly,andinthatbriefspellHadwontheaweofthoserudebordermenWhogatheredroundhim,andbesidehimfellInloyalfaithandsilence,savethatwhenBysmokeembarrassed,andnearsightaswell,Hepausedtowipehiseyeglass,anddecideItsnearerfocus,therearoseayellOfapprobation,andBobBarkercried,\"Wadein,Dundreary!\"tossedhiscapand——died。 VI Theirsolesurvivornow!hiscaptorsbearHimallunconscious,andbesidethestreamLeavehimtorest;meantimethesquawsprepareThestakeforsacrifice:norwakesagleamOfpityinthoseFuries’eyesthatglareExpectantofthetorture;yetalwayHissteadfastspiritshinesandmocksthemthereWithpeacetheyknownot,tillatcloseofdayOnhisdulleartherethrillsawhispered\"Grey!\" VII Hestarts!Wasitatrick?HadangelskindTouchedwithcompassionsomeweakwoman’sbreast? Suchthingshe’dreadof!FaintlytohismindCamePocahontaspleadingforherguest。 Butthen,thisvoice,thoughsoft,wasstillinclinedTobaritone!AsquawinraggedgownStoodnearhim,frowninghatred。Washeblind? Whoseeyewasthisbeneaththatbeetlingfrown? Thefrownwaspainted,butthatwinkmeant——Brown! VIII \"Hush!foryourlifeandmine!thethongsarecut,\" Hewhispers;\"inyonthicketstandsmyhorse。 Onedash!——Ifollowclose,asiftoglutMyownrevenge,yetbartheothers’course。 Now!\"And’tisdone。Greyspeeds,Brownfollows;butEreyettheyreachtheshade,Grey,fainting,reels,YetnotbeforeBrown’scirclingarmscloseshutHisin,upliftinghim!AnonhefeelsAhorsebeneathhimbound,andhearstherattlingheels。 IX Thenroseayellofbaffledhate,andsprangHeadlongthesavagesinswiftpursuit; Thoughspeedthefugitives,theyhopetohangHotontheirheels,likewolves,withtirelessfoot。 Longisthechase;BrownhearswithinwardpangTheshort,hardpantingofhisgallantsteedBeneathitsdoubleburden;vainlyrangBothvoiceandspur。Theheavingflanksmaybleed,Yetcomesthesequelthattheystillmustheed! X Brownsawit——reinedhissteed;dismounting,stoodCalmandinflexible。\"Oldchap!youseeThereisbutONEescape。Youknowit?Good! ThereisONEmantotakeit。Youarehe。 Thehorsewon’tcarrydouble。Ifhecould,’Twouldbutprotractthisbother。Ishallstay: I’vebusinesswiththesedevils,theywithme; Iwilloccupythemtillyougetaway。 Hush!quicktime,forward。There!Godblessyou,Grey!\" XI Butashefinished,Greyslippedtohisfeet,Calmashisancestorsinvoiceandeye: \"YoudoforgetyourselfwhenyoucompeteWithhimwhoseRIGHTitistostayanddie: That’snotYOURduty。Pleaseregainyourseat; AndtakemyORDERS——sinceIrankyouhere!—— Mountandrejoinyourmen,andmydefeatReportatquarters。Takethisletter;ne’erGiveittoaughtbutHER,norletaughtinterfere。\" XII And,shamedandblushing,BrownthelettertookObedientlyandplaceditinhispocket; Then,drawingforthanother,said,\"IlookFordeathasyoudo,whereforetakethislocketAndletter。\"Herehiscomrade’shandheshookInsilence。\"Shouldwebothtogetherfall,Someotherman\"——buthereallspeechforsookHislips,asringingcheerilyo’erallHeheardafarhisowndearbugle-call! XIII ’Twashiscommandandsuccor,bute’enthenGreyfainted,withpoorBrown,whohadforgotHelikewisehadbeenwounded,andbothmenWerepickedupquiteunconsciousoftheirlot。 Longlaytheyinextremity,andwhenTheybothgrewstronger,andoncemoreexchangedOldvowsandmemories,onecommon\"den\" Inhospitalwastheirs,andfreetheyranged,Awaitingorders,butnomoreestranged。 XIV Andyet’twasstrange——norcanIendmytaleWithoutthismoral,tobefairandjust: TheyneversoughttoknowwhyeachdidfailThepromptfulfillmentoftheother’strust。 ItwassuggestedtheycouldnotavailThemselvesofeitherletter,sincetheywereDulydispatchedtotheiraddressbymailByCaptainX。,whoknewMissRoverfairNowmeantstoutMistressBloggsofBlankBlankSquare。 II。SPANISHIDYLSANDLEGENDS THEMIRACLEOFPADREJUNIPERO ThisisthetalethattheChronicleTellsofthewonderfulmiracleWroughtbythepiousPadreSerro,TheveryreverendJunipero。 Theheathenstoodonhisancientmound,LookingoverthedesertboundIntothedistant,hazySouth,Overthedustyandbroadchampaign,Where,withmanyagapingmouthAndfissure,crackedbytheferviddrouth,ForsevenmonthshadthewastedplainKnownnomoistureofdeworrain。 Thewellswereemptyandchokedwithsand; Therivershadperishedfromtheland; Onlythesea-fogstoandfroSlippedlikeghostsofthestreamsbelow。 Deepinitsbedlaytheriver’sbones,Bleachinginpebblesandmilk-whitestones,Andtrackedo’erthedesertfaintandfar,Itsribsshonebrightoneachsandybar。 ThustheystoodasthesunwentdownOverthefoot-hillsbareandbrown; ThustheylookedtotheSouth,wherefromThepale-facemedicine-manshouldcome,Notinangerorinstrife,Buttobring——soranthetale—— Thewelcomespringsofeternallife,Thelivingwatersthatshouldnotfail。 Saidone,\"HewillcomelikeManitou,Unseen,unheard,inthefallingdew。\" Saidanother,\"HewillcomefullsoonOutoftheround-facedwaterymoon。\" Andanothersaid,\"Heishere!\"andlo,Faltering,staggering,feebleandslow,Outfromthedesert’sblindingheatThePadredroppedattheheathen’sfeet。 TheystoodandgazedforalittlespaceDownonhispallidandcarewornface,AndasmileofscornwentroundthebandAstheytouchedalternatewithfootandhandThismortalwaif,thattheouterspaceOfdimmysteriousskyandsandFlungwithsolittleofChristiangraceDownontheirbarren,sterilestrand。 Saidonetohim:\"ItseemsthyGodIsaverypitifulkindofGod: HecouldnotshieldthineachingeyesFromtheblowingdesertsandsthatrise,NorturnasidefromthyoldgrayheadTheglitteringbladethatisbrandishedBythesunHesetintheheavenshigh; Hecouldnotmoistenthylipswhendry; Thedesertfireisinthybrain; Thylimbsarerackedwiththefever-pain。 IfthisbethegraceHeshoweththeeWhoartHisservant,whatmaywe,StrangetoHiswaysandHiscommands,SeekatHisunforgivinghands?\" \"Drinkbutthiscup,\"saidthePadre,straight,\"AndthoushaltknowwhosemercyboreTheseachinglimbstoyourheathendoor,Andpurgedmysoulofitsgrossestate。 DrinkinHisname,andthoushaltseeThehiddendepthsofthismystery。 Drink!\"andheheldthecup。OneblowFromtheheathendashedtothegroundbelowThesacredcupthatthePadrebore,AndthethirstysoildrankthepreciousstoreOfsacramentalandholywine,ThatemblemandconsecratedsignAndblessedsymbolofblooddivine。 Then,saysthelegend(andtheywhodoubtThesameashereticsbeaccurst),FromthedryandfeverishsoilleapedoutAlivingfountain;awell-springburstOverthedustyandbroadchampaign,Overthesandyandsterileplain,Tillthegraniteribsandthemilk-whitestonesThatlayinthevalley——thescatteredbones—— Movedintheriverandlivedagain! SuchwasthewonderfulmiracleWroughtbythecupofwinethatfellFromthehandsofthepiousPadreSerro,TheveryreverendJunipero。 THEWONDERFULSPRINGOFSANJOAQUIN Ofallthefountainsthatpoetssing,—— Crystal,thermal,ormineralspring,PoncedeLeon’sFountofYouth,Wellswithbottomsofdoubtfultruth,—— Inshort,ofallthespringsofTimeThateverwereflowinginfactorrhyme,Thateverweretasted,felt,orseen,TherewerenoneliketheSpringofSanJoaquin。 AnnoDominieighteen-seven,FatherDominguez(nowinheaven,—— Obiiteighteentwenty-seven) Foundthespring,andfoundit,too,Byhismule’smiraculouscastofashoe; Forhisbeast——adescendantofBalaam’sass—— Stoppedontheinstant,andwouldnotpass。 ThePadrethoughttheomengood,Andbenthislipstothetricklingflood; Then——astheChroniclesdeclare,Onthehonestfaithofatruebeliever—— Hischeeks,thoughwasted,lank,andbare,FilledlikeawitheredrussetpearInthevacuumofaglassreceiver,AndthesnowsthatseventywintersbringMeltedawayinthatmagicspring。 Such,atleast,wasthewondrousnewsThePadrebroughtintoSantaCruz。 TheChurch,ofcourse,haditsownviewsOfwhowereworthiesttouseThemagicspring;butthepriorclaimFelltotheaged,sick,andlame。 Farandwidethepeoplecame: SomefromthehealthfulAptosCreekHastenedtobringtheirhelplesssick; EventhefishersofrudeSoquelSuddenlyfoundtheywerefarfromwell; ThebrawnydwellersofSanLorenzoSaid,infact,theyhadneverbeenso; Andallwereailing,——strangetosay,—— FromPescaderotoMonterey。 Overthemountaintheypouredin,Withleathernbottlesandbagsofskin; ThroughthecanyonsamotleythrongTrotted,hobbled,andlimpedalong。 TheFathersgazedatthemovingsceneWithpiousjoyandwithsoulsserene; Andthen——aresultperhapsforeseen—— TheylaidouttheMissionofSanJoaquin。 NotintheeyesoffaithaloneThegoodeffectsofthewatershone; Butskinsgrewrosy,eyeswaxedclear,Ofroughvaqueroandmuleteer; Angularformswereroundedout,Limbsgrewsuppleandwaistsgrewstout; Andasforthegirls,——formilesaboutTheyhadnoequal!Tothisday,FromPescaderotoMonterey,You’llstillfindeyesinwhichareseenTheliquidgracesofSanJoaquin。 Thereisalimittohumanbliss,AndtheMissionofSanJoaquinhadthis; NonewentabroadtoroamorstayButtheyfellsickinthequeerestway,—— Asingularmaladiedupays,Withgastricsymptoms:sotheyspentTheirdaysinasensuouscontent,CaringlittleforthingsunseenBeyondtheirbowersoflivinggreen,BeyondthemountainsthatlaybetweenTheworldandtheMissionofSanJoaquin。