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Alfred Lord Tennyson

Selected Poems
Poems and extracts selected from the Poetical Works of 1899 (in the public domain With notes and a brief introduction! This is a free ebook! "t may be shared# copied or reproduced for any non$commercial purpose! To do%nload this ebook free in epub or mobi format# please &isit 'mma Laybourn(s %ebsite at) http)**%%%!me+amousebooks!com*tennysonpoems!html

List of Contents
Introduction From Juvenilia The ,raken -ariana Son+ . The /%l Son+ (A spirit haunts the year(s last hours 0osalind From The Lady of Shalott, and other poems The Lady of Shalott /enone (extracts Lady 1lara 2ere de 2ere (extracts The -ay 3ueen (extracts 4e% 5ear(s '&e 1onclusion The Lotos$'aters 1horic Son+ A 6ream of 7air Women (extract From English Idyls and other poems -orte d(Arthur (extracts 8lysses Tithonus Locksley 9all (extract :odi&a (extract The 6aydream) the Sleepin+ Palace (extracts Amphion Sir :alahad (extract The 'a+le ;reak# ;reak# ;reak From Enoch Arden, and other poems 'noch Arden (extracts Aylmer(s 7ield (extracts The Princess; a Medley (extracts) includin+) S%eet and Lo% The Splendour 7alls on 1astle Walls Tears# "dle Tears 4o% Sleeps the 1rimson Petal# no% the White Miscellaneous poems: /de on the 6eath of the 6uke of Wellin+ton (extract The 1har+e of the Li+ht ;ri+ade (extract The 9i+her Pantheism

9endecasyllabics In Memoriam A ! ! (extracts) Maud: a Monodrama (extracts) Idylls of the "in# In T$el%e &oo's: (extracts) The 1omin+ of Arthur :areth and Lynette The -arria+e of :eraint :eraint and 'nid ;alin and ;alan -erlin and 2i&ien Lancelot and 'laine The 9oly :rail Pelleas and 'ttare The Last Tournament :uine&ere The Passin+ of Arthur From Ballads and other poems 0i<pah The 0e&en+e) A ;allad of the 7leet (extracts The 2illa+e Wife= or# the 'ntail (extract 1olumbus (extract From Tiresias, and other poems To '! 7it<+erald Tiresias (extract The 7li+ht (extracts From Demeter, and other poems The Pro+ress of Sprin+ (extract -erlin and the :leam (extracts Crossin# the &ar 4ote on the compiler

Introduction Alfred Tennyson %as born in Lincolnshire# 'n+land# in 18>9! The son of a rector# he %as educated at home and at Trinity 1olle+e# 1ambrid+e! 9e published his first &olume of &erse in 18?@# a+ed 1@! Tennyson +re% up in a time of political and social uphea&al# and suffered early personal tra+edy! 9is father# an alcoholic# died in 18A1= his close friend# Arthur 9allam# died t%o years later at the a+e of ??# inspirin+ the +reat lon+ poem In Memoriam! Tennyson himself suffered from melancholia and did not marry until 18B># partly because of money %orries# but possibly also because he feared passin+ on the unstable temperament of his forbears! 9is second &olume of poetry came out in 18A?= in 18C? Tennyson published a re&ised selection of his pre&ious %ork alon+ %ith some ne% poems! The Princess follo%ed in 18C@ and In Memoriam in 18B>! 9is %ork recei&ed increasin+ acclaim until by 18B> he %as re+arded as 'n+land(s pre$eminent poet# and %as appointed Poet Laureate in succession to Words%orth! 4o% li&in+ on the "sle of Wi+ht# Tennyson continued to %rite poetry and dramas) notably Maud (18BB # Enoch Arden (18DC and his retellin+ of the Arthurian cycle# Idylls of the King, published at inter&als bet%een 18B9 and 188B! 9e %as much admired by 3ueen 2ictoria# and %as created first ;aron Tennyson in 188C! /n his death he %as buried in Westminster Abbey! 7or his subEect matter# Tennyson dre% on classical myth# (particularly 9omer# Arthurian le+ends and history! The maEority of his %orks are set in a context of either the le+endary or the more recent past! '&en %hen tacklin+ a contemporary issue $ the education of %omen in The Princess $ he chose to do so usin+ a medie&al context! Tennyson influenced the Pre$0aphaelite poets and painters not only in his choice of subEect but also in the &i&id# strikin+ and close detail of his descriptions of nature! 9e freFuently used landscape and nature to illustrate a state of mind! Some of his %orks sho% a preoccupation %ith mental instability and the fear of madness# %hile others are imbued %ith ima+es of sleep and near$sleep states= apathy# dro%siness# and dream! Tennyson combined a fine ear for the musicality of %ords %ith +reat technical mastery! 9is best %orks# In Memoriam, Maud, The Lotos-Eaters and Ulysses are %idely thou+ht to be amon+st the +reatest poems in the 'n+lish lan+ua+e! Concernin# this selection "n this selection# poems are reproduced from the Poetical Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson (-acmillan and 1o# London# 1899= reprint of 19>C! The poems are +rouped and presented in as they are in that &olume! This is an approximate# but not a strict# chronolo+ical order) Enoch Arden# for example# %as a later poem than this order %ould indicate! The lon+est poems# and some shorter %orks# are represented by extracts desi+ned to +i&e a fla&our of the %hole! "n these cases# omissions of text are sho%n by a triple asterisk# thus) G G G ;rief explanatory notes on the poems( subEects are included %ith some %orks! The choice of poems# introduction and notes are by 'mma Laybourn (?>1A !

From Juvenilia The "ra'en ;elo% the thunders of the upper deep= 7ar# far beneath in the abysmal sea# 9is ancient# dreamless# unin&aded sleep The ,raken sleepeth) faintest sunli+hts flee About his shado%y sides) abo&e him s%ell 9u+e spon+es of millennial +ro%th and hei+ht= And far a%ay into the sickly li+ht# 7rom many a %ondrous +rot and secret cell 8nnumber(d and enormous polypi Winno% %ith +iant arms the slumberin+ +reen! There hath he lain for a+es and %ill lie ;attenin+ upon hu+e sea$%orms in his sleep# 8ntil the latter fire shall hear the deep= Then once by man and an+els to be seen# "n roarin+ he shall rise and on the surface die! otes The ,raken %as a mythical sea$monster said to appear off the coast of 4or%ay# and described by 'rik Pontoppidan in A atural !istory of or"ay (1@BB ! Mariana H-ariana in the moated +ran+e!( Measure for Measure# With blackest moss the flo%er$plots Were thickly crusted# one and all) The rusted nails fell from the knots That held the pear to the +able$%all! The broken sheds look(d sad and stran+e) 8nlifted %as the clinkin+ latch= Weeded and %orn the ancient thatch 8pon the lonely moated +ran+e! She only said# H-y life is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( 9er tears fell %ith the de%s at e&en= 9er tears fell ere the de%s %ere dried= She could not look on the s%eet hea&en# 'ither at morn or e&entide! After the flittin+ of the bats# When thickest dark did trance the sky# She dre% her casement$curtain by#

And +lanced ath%art the +loomin+ flats! She only said# HThe ni+ht is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( 8pon the middle of the ni+ht# Wakin+ she heard the ni+ht$fo%l cro%) The cock sun+ out an hour ere li+ht) 7rom the dark fen the oxen(s lo% 1ame to her) %ithout hope of chan+e# "n sleep she seemed to %alk forlorn# Till cold %inds %oke the +ray$eyed morn About the lonely moated +ran+e! She only said# HThe day is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( About a stone$cast from the %all A sluice %ith blacken(d %aters slept# And o(er it many# round and small# The cluster(d marish$mosses crept! 9ard by a poplar shook al%ay# All sil&er$+reen %ith +narled bark) 7or lea+ues no other tree did mark The le&el %aste# the roundin+ +ray! She only said# H-y life is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( And e&er %hen the moon %as lo%# And the shrill %inds %ere up and a%ay# "n the %hite curtain# to and fro# She sa% the +usty shado% s%ay! ;ut %hen the moon %as &ery lo%# And %ild %inds bound %ithin their cell# The shado% of the poplar fell 8pon her bed# across her bro%! She only said# HThe ni+ht is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( All day %ithin the dreamy house# The doors upon their hin+es creak(d= The blue fly sun+ in the pane= the mouse ;ehind the moulderin+ %ainscot shriek(d# /r from the cre&ice peered about!

/ld faces +limmer(d thro( the doors# /ld footsteps trod the upper floors# /ld &oices called her from %ithout! She only said# H-y life is dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She said# H" am a%eary# a%eary# " %ould that " %ere deadI( The sparro%(s chirrup on the roof# The slo% clock tickin+# and the sound Which to the %ooin+ %ind aloof The poplar made# did all confound 9er sense= but most she loathed the hour When the thick$moted sunbeam lay Ath%art the chambers# and the day Was slopin+ to%ard his %estern bo%er! Then# said she# H" am &ery dreary# 9e cometh not#( she said= She %ept# H" am a%eary# a%eary# /h :od# that " %ere deadI( otes "n Shakespeare(s play Measure for Measure, -ariana %as once betrothed to the 6uke(s deputy An+elo# %ho then spurned her because she had no do%ry! An+elo tries to blackmail the heroine "sabella into sleepin+ %ith him# but -ariana (at the 6uke(s insti+ation secretly takes "sabella(s place in his bed! At the play(s end# An+elo(s hypocrisy is unmasked and he is sentenced to death# until -ariana pleads for his life and marries him! "t is ar+uable %hether this constitutes a happy endin+! The poem sho%s -ariana in mournin+ after An+elo has broken his betrothal &o%s! Shakespeare has the 6uke say) HThe maid %ill " frame and make fit for the attempt!!! " %ill presently to Saint Luke(s= there# at the moated +ran+e# resides this deEected -ariana!( A companion poem by Tennyson# Mariana in the $outh, (not included in this selection employs a similar tone to Mariana but in a different settin+# and to less effect! (on# ) The *$l " When cats run home and li+ht is come# And de% is cold upon the +round# And the far$off stream is dumb# And the %hirrin+ sail +oes round# And the %hirrin+ sail +oes round= Alone and %armin+ his fi&e %its# The %hite o%l in the belfry sits!

"" When merry milkmaids click the latch# And rarely smells the ne%$mo%n hay# And the cock hath sun+ beneath the thatch T%ice or thrice his roundelay# T%ice or thrice his roundelay= Alone and %armin+ his fi&e %its# The %hite o%l in the belfry sits! (on# " A spirit haunts the year(s last hours 6%ellin+ amid these yello%in+ bo%ers) To himself he talks= 7or at e&entide# listenin+ earnestly# At his %ork you may hear him sob and si+h "n the %alks= 'arth%ard he bo%eth the hea&y stalks /f the moulderin+ flo%ers) 9ea&ily han+s the broad sunflo%er /&er its +ra&e i( the earth so chilly= 9ea&ily han+s the hollyhock# 9ea&ily han+s the ti+er$lily! "" The air is damp# and hush(d# and close# As a sick man(s room %hen he taketh repose An hour before death= -y &ery heart faints and my %hole soul +rie&es At the moist rich smell of the rottin+ lea&es# And the breath /f the fadin+ ed+es of box beneath# And the year(s last rose! 9ea&ily han+s the broad sunflo%er /&er its +ra&e i( the earth so chilly= 9ea&ily han+s the hollyhock# 9ea&ily han+s the ti+er$lily! +osalind " -y 0osalind# my 0osalind# -y frolic falcon# %ith bri+ht eyes# Whose free deli+ht# from any hei+ht of rapid fli+ht# Stoops at all +ame that %in+ the skies# -y 0osalind# my 0osalind# -y bri+ht$eyed# %ild$eyed falcon# %hither#

1areless both of %ind and %eather# Whither fly ye# %hat +ame spy ye# 8p or do%n the streamin+ %indJ "" The Fuick lark(s closest$carolled strains# The shado% rushin+ up the sea# The li+htnin+ flash at%een the rains# The sunli+ht dri&in+ do%n the lea# The leapin+ stream# the &ery %ind# That %ill not stay# upon his %ay# To stoop the co%slip to the plains# "s not so clear and bold and free As you# my falcon 0osalind! 5ou care not for another(s pains# ;ecause you are the soul of Eoy# ;ri+ht metal all %ithout alloy! Life shoots and +lances thro( your &eins# And flashes off a thousand %ays# Thro( lips and eyes in subtle rays! 5our ha%k$eyes are keen and bri+ht# ,een %ith triumph# %atchin+ still To pierce me thro( %ith pointed li+ht= ;ut oftentimes they flash and +litter Like sunshine on a dancin+ rill# And your %ords are seemin+$bitter# Sharp and fe%# but seemin+$bitter 7rom excess of s%ift deli+ht! """ 1ome do%n# come do%n# my 0osalind# -y +ay youn+ ha%k# my 0osalind) Too lon+ you keep the upper skies= Too lon+ you roam and %heel at %ill= ;ut %e must hood your random eyes# That care not %hom they kill# And your cheek# %hose brilliant hue "s so sparklin+$fresh to &ie%# Some red heath$flo%er in the de%# Touch(d %ith sunrise! We must bind And keep you fast# my 0osalind# 7ast# fast# my %ild$eyed 0osalind# And clip your %in+s# and make you lo&e) When %e ha&e lured you from abo&e# And that deli+ht of frolic fli+ht# by day or ni+ht# 7rom 4orth to South# We(ll bind you fast in silken cords# And kiss a%ay the bitter %ords 7rom off your rosy mouth!

otes /ne of a series of early poems addressed to %omen by name# each subEect bein+ marked by only one or t%o characteristics) spiritual Adeline# s%eet pale -ar+aret# serene# imperial 'leanore and bold# fierce ,ate!

From The Lady of Shalott and other poems The Lady of (halott Part " /n either side the ri&er lie Lon+ fields of barley and of rye# That clothe the %old and meet the sky= And thro( the field the road runs by To many$to%ered 1amelot= And up and do%n the people +o# :a<in+ %here the lilies blo% 0ound an island there belo%# The island of Shalott! Willo%s %hiten# aspens Fui&er# Little bree<es dusk and shi&er Thro( the %a&e that runs for e&er ;y the island in the ri&er 7lo%in+ do%n to 1amelot! 7our +ray %alls# and four +ray to%ers# /&erlook a space of flo%ers# And the silent isle imbo%ers The Lady of Shalott! ;y the mar+in# %illo%$&eil(d# Slide the hea&y bar+es trail(d ;y slo% horses= and unhail(d The shallop flitteth silken$sail(d Skimmin+ do%n to 1amelot) ;ut %ho hath seen her %a&e her handJ /r at the casement seen her standJ /r is she kno%n in all the land# The Lady of ShalottJ /nly reapers# reapin+ early "n amon+ the bearded barley# 9ear a son+ that echoes cheerly 7rom the ri&er %indin+ clearly# 6o%n to to%er(d 1amelot= And by the moon the reaper %eary# 7ilin+ shea&es in uplands airy# Listenin+# %hispers HTis the fairy Lady of Shalott!(

Part "" There she %ea&es by ni+ht and day A ma+ic %eb %ith colours +ay! She has heard a %hisper say# A curse is on her if she stay To look do%n on 1amelot! She kno%s not %hat the curse may be# And so she %ea&eth steadily# And little other care hath she# The Lady of Shalott! And mo&in+ thro( a mirror clear That han+s before her all the year# Shado%s of the %orld appear! There she sees the hi+h%ay near Windin+ do%n to 1amelot) There the ri&er eddy %hirls# And there the surly &illa+e$churls# And the red cloaks of market +irls# Pass on%ard from Shalott! Sometimes a troop of damsels +lad# An abbot on an amblin+ pad# Sometimes a surly shepherd$lad# /r lon+$hair(d pa+e in crimson clad# :oes by to to%er(d 1amelot= And sometimes thro( the mirror blue The kni+hts come ridin+ t%o and t%o) She hath no loyal kni+ht and true# The Lady of Shalott! ;ut in her %eb she still deli+hts To %ea&e the mirror(s ma+ic si+hts# 7or often thro( the silent ni+hts A funeral# %ith plumes and li+hts And music# %ent to 1amelot) /r %hen the moon %as o&erhead# 1ame t%o youn+ lo&ers lately %ed= H" am half sick of shado%s#( said The Lady of Shalott! Part """ A bo%$shot from her bo%er$ea&es# 9e rode bet%een the barley$shea&es# The sun came da<<lin+ thro( the lea&es# And flamed upon the bra<en +rea&es /f bold Sir Lancelot! A red$cross kni+ht for e&er kneel(d

To a lady in his shield# That sparkled on the yello% field# ;eside remote Shalott! The +emmy bridle +litter(d free# Like to some bunch of stars %e see 9un+ in the +olden :alaxy! The bridle bells ran+ merrily As he rode do%n to 1amelot= And from his bla<on(d baldric slun+ A mi+hty sil&er bu+le hun+# And as he rode his armour run+# ;eside remote Shalott! All in the blue unclouded %eather Thick$Ee%ell(d shone the saddle$leather# The helmet and the helmet$feather ;urn(d like one burnin+ flame to+ether# As he rode do%n to 1amelot! As often thro( the purple ni+ht# ;elo% the starry clusters bri+ht# Some bearded meteor# trailin+ li+ht# -o&es o&er still Shalott! 9is broad clear bro% in sunli+ht +lo%(d= /n burnish(d hoo&es his %ar$horse trode= 7rom underneath his helmet flo%(d 9is coal$black curls as on he rode# As he rode do%n to 1amelot! 7rom the bank and from the ri&er 9e flash(d into the crystal mirror# HTirra lirra#( by the ri&er San+ Sir Lancelot! She left the %eb# she left the loom# She made three paces thro( the room# She sa% the %ater$lily bloom# She sa% the helmet and the plume# She look(d do%n to 1amelot! /ut fle% the %eb and floated %ide= The mirror crack(d from side to side= HThe curse is come upon me#( cried The Lady of Shalott! Part "2 "n the stormy east$%ind strainin+# The pale yello% %oods %ere %anin+# The broad stream in his banks complainin+# 9ea&ily the lo% sky rainin+

/&er to%er(d 1amelot= 6o%n she came and found a boat ;eneath a %illo% left afloat# And round about the pro% she %rote The Lady of $halott# And do%n the ri&er(s dim expanse Like some bold seer in a trance# Seein+ all his o%n mischance. With a +lassy countenance 6id she look to 1amelot! And at the closin+ of the day She loosed the chain# and do%n she lay= The broad stream bore her far a%ay# The Lady of Shalott! Lyin+# robed in sno%y %hite That loosely fle% to left and ri+ht. The lea&es upon her fallin+ li+ht. Thro( the noises of the ni+ht She floated do%n to 1amelot) And as the boat$head %ound alon+ The %illo%y hills and fields amon+# They heard her sin+in+ her last son+# The Lady of Shalott! 9eard a carol# mournful# holy# 1hanted loudly# chanted lo%ly# Till her blood %as fro<en slo%ly# And her eyes %ere darken(d %holly# Turn(d to to%er(d 1amelot! 7or ere she reach(d upon the tide The first house by the %ater$side# Sin+in+ in her son+ she died# The Lady of Shalott! 8nder to%er and balcony# ;y +arden$%all and +allery# A +leamin+ shape she floated by# 6ead$pale bet%een the houses hi+h# Silent into 1amelot! /ut upon the %harfs they came# ,ni+ht and bur+her# lord and dame# And round the pro% they read her name# The Lady of $halott# Who is thisJ and %hat is hereJ And in the li+hted palace near 6ied the sound of royal cheer= And they cross(d themsel&es for fear#

All the kni+hts at 1amelot) ;ut Lancelot mused a little space= 9e said# HShe has a lo&ely face= :od in his mercy lend her +race# The Lady of Shalott!( otes The Lady of $halott is %idely supposed to be an adaptation of the story of The 7air -aid of Astolet in Arthurian le+end# as described in Thomas -alory(s Morte d%Arthur &'ook (), cha*ter (+,! "n -alory# 'laine persuades Lancelot to carry her token at the Eousts# and nurses him back to health %hen he is %ounded! She falls in lo&e %ith him# but her lo&e is not returned! When he lea&es# she refuses to eat# sleep or drink! /n her death# her corpse is placed in a boat %hich is ro%ed do%n the ri&er Thames and disco&ered by ,in+ Arthur# %ho orders her burial! "n -alory(s account there is no mention of a curse# a mirror or a loom! Tennyson addressed the same subEect at much +reater len+th# and %ith a closer adherence to -alory(s story# in his later Idylls of the King- Lancelot and Elaine# *enone (extracts) There lies a &ale in "da# lo&elier Than all the &alleys of "onian hills! The s%immin+ &apour slopes ath%art the +len# Puts forth an arm# and creeps from pine to pine# And loiters# slo%ly dra%n! /n either hand The la%ns and meado%$led+es mid%ay do%n 9an+ rich in flo%ers# and far belo% them roars The lon+ brook fallin+ thro( the clo&(n ra&ine "n cataract after cataract to the sea! ;ehind the &alley topmost :ar+arus Stands up and takes the mornin+= but in front The +or+es# openin+ %ide apart# re&eal Troas and "lion(s column(d citadel# The cro%n of Troas! 9ither came at noon -ournful /enone# %anderin+ forlorn /f Paris# once her playmate on the hills! 9er cheek had lost the rose# and round her neck 7loated her hair or seem(d to float in rest! She# leanin+ on a fra+ment t%ined %ith &ine# San+ to the stillness# till the mountain$shade Sloped do%n%ard to her seat from the upper cliff! H/ mother "da# many$fountained "da# 6ear mother "da# harken ere " die! 7or no% the noonday Fuiet holds the hill) The +rasshopper is silent in the +rass)

The li<ard# %ith his shado% on the stone# 0ests like a shado%# and the %inds are dead! The purple flo%er droops) the +olden bee "s lily$cradled) " alone a%ake! -y eyes are full of tears# my heart of lo&e# -y heart is breakin+# and my eyes are dim# And " am all a%eary of my life!( GGG H/ mother# hear me yet before " die! They came# they cut a%ay my tallest pines# -y tall dark pines# that plumed the cra++y led+e 9i+h o&er the blue +or+e# and all bet%een The sno%y peak and sno%$%hite cataract 7oster(d the callo% ea+let . from beneath Whose thick mysterious bou+hs in the dark morn The panther(s roar came muffled# %hile " sat Lo% in the &alley! 4e&er# ne&er more Shall lone /enone see the mornin+ mist S%eep thro( them= ne&er see them o&er$laid With narro% moonlit slips of sil&er cloud# ;et%een the loud stream and the tremblin+ stars! GGG / mother# hear me yet before " die! 9ear me# / earth! " %ill not die alone# for fiery thou+hts 6o shape themsel&es %ithin me# more and more# Whereof " catch the issue# as " hear 6ead sounds at ni+ht come from the inmost hills# Like footsteps upon %ool! " dimly see -y far$off doubtful purpose# as a mother 1onEectures of the features of her child 're it is born) her childI . a shudder comes Across me) ne&er child be born of me# 8nblest# to &ex me %ith his father(s eyesI H/ mother# hear me yet before " die! 9ear me# / earth! " %ill not die alone# Lest their shrill happy lau+hter come to me Walkin+ the cold and starless road of 6eath 8ncomforted# lea&in+ my ancient lo&e With the :reek %oman! " %ill rise and +o 6o%n into Troy# and ere the stars come forth Talk %ith the %ild 1assandra# for she says A fire dances before her# and a sound 0in+s e&er in her ears of armed men! What this may be " kno% not# but " kno% That# %heresoe(er " am by ni+ht and day#

All earth and air seem only burnin+ fire!( otes /enone %as# in :reek le+end# a mountain nymph and the first %ife of Paris of Troy! When Paris abandoned her for 9elen# she predicted the TroEan War! Tennyson also used her as the subEect of his late poem The .eath of /enone (not included in this selection ! Lady Clara ,ere de ,ere (extracts) Lady 1lara 2ere de 2ere# /f me you shall not %in reno%n) 5ou thou+ht to break a country heart 7or pastime# ere you %ent to to%n! At me you smiled# but unbe+uiled " sa% the snare# and " retired) The dau+hter of a hundred 'arls# 5ou are not one to be desired! GGG Lady 1lara 2ere de 2ere# Some meeker pupil you must find# 7or %ere you Fueen of all that is " could not stoop to such a mind! 5ou sou+ht to pro&e ho% " could lo&e# And my disdain is my reply! The lion on your old stone +ates "s not more cold to you than "! Lady 1lara 2ere de 2ere# 5ou put stran+e memories in my head! 4ot thrice your branchin+ limes ha&e blo%n Since " beheld youn+ Laurence dead! /h your s%eet eyes# your lo% replies) A +reat enchantress you may be= ;ut there %as that across his throat Which you had hardly cared to see! GGG Lady 1lara 2ere de 2ere# There stands a spectre in your hall) The +uilt of blood is at your door) 5ou chan+ed a %holesome heart to +all! 5ou held your course %ithout remorse# To make him trust his modest %orth# And# last# you fixed a &acant stare# And sle% him %ith your noble birth!

Trust me# 1lara 2ere de 2ere# 7rom yon blue hea&ens abo&e us bent The +ardener Adam and his %ife Smile at the claims of lon+ descent! 9o%e(er it be# it seems to me# (Tis only noble to be +ood! ,ind hearts are more than coronets# And simple faith than 4orman blood! The May -ueen (extracts) 5ou must %ake and call me early# call me early# mother dear= Tomorro% %ill be the happiest time of all the +lad 4e%$year= /f all the +lad 4e%$year# mother# the maddest# merriest day= 7or "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay# mother# "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay! GGG The honeysuckle round the porch has %o&(n its %a&y bo%ers# And by the meado%$trenches blo% the faint s%eet cuckoo$flo%ers= And the %ild marsh$mari+old shines like fire in s%amps and hollo%s +ray# And "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay# mother# "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay! The ni+ht$%inds come and +o# mother# upon the meado%$+rass# And the happy stars abo&e them seem to bri+hten as they pass= There %ill not be a drop of rain the %hole of the li&elon+ day# And "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay# mother# "(m to be 3ueen o( the -ay! GGG .e$ /ear0s 1%e "f you(re %akin+ call me early# call me early# mother dear# 7or " %ould see the sun rise upon the +lad 4e%$year! "t is the last 4e%$5ear that " shall e&er see# Then you may lay me lo% i( the mould and think no more of me! GGG When the flo%ers come a+ain# mother# beneath the %anin+ li+ht 5ou(ll ne&er see me more in the lon+ +ray fields at ni+ht= When from the dry dark %old the summer airs blo% cool /n the oat$+rass and the s%ord$+rass# and the bulrush in the pool! 5ou(ll bury me# my mother# Eust beneath the ha%thorn shade# And you(ll come sometimes and see me %here " am lo%ly laid! " shall not for+et you# mother# " shall hear you %hen you pass# With your feet abo&e my head in the lon+ and pleasant +rass!

GGG Conclusion " thou+ht to pass a%ay before# and yet ali&e " am= And in the fields all round " hear the bleatin+ of the lamb! 9o% sadly# " remember# rose the mornin+ of the yearI To die before the sno%drop came# and no% the &iolet(s here! GGG "t seem(d so hard at first# mother# to lea&e the blessed sun# And no% it seems as hard to stay# and yet 9is %ill be doneI ;ut still " think it can(t be lon+ before " find release# And that +ood man# the cler+yman# has told me %ords of peace! The Lotos21aters H1oura+eI( he said# and pointed to%ard the land# HThis mountin+ %a&e %ill roll us shore%ard soon!( "n the afternoon they came unto a land "n %hich it seemed al%ays afternoon! All round the coast the lan+uid air did s%oon# ;reathin+ like one that hath a %eary dream! 7ull$faced abo&e the &alley stood the moon= And like a do%n%ard smoke# the slender stream Alon+ the cliff to fall and pause and fall did seem! A land of streamsI some# like a do%n%ard smoke# Slo%$droppin+ &eils of thinnest la%n# did +o= And some thro( %a&erin+ li+hts and shado%s broke# 0ollin+ a slumbrous sheet of foam belo%! They sa% the +leamin+ ri&er sea%ard flo% 7rom the inner land) far off# three mountain$tops# Three silent pinnacles of a+ed sno%# Stood sunset$flush(d) and# de%(d %ith sho%ery drops# 8p$clomb the shado%y pine abo&e the %o&en copse! The charmed sunset lin+er(d lo% ado%n "n the red West) thro( mountain clefts the dale Was seen far inland# and the yello% do%n ;order(d %ith palm# and many a %indin+ &ale And meado%# set %ith slender +alin+ale= A land %here all thin+s al%ays seem(d the sameI And round about the keel %ith faces pale# 6ark faces pale a+ainst that rosy flame# The mild$eyed melancholy Lotos$eaters came! ;ranches they bore of that enchanted stem# Laden %ith flo%er and fruit# %hereof they +a&e

To each# but %hoso did recei&e of them# And taste# to him the +ushin+ of the %a&e 7ar far a%ay did seem to mourn and ra&e /n alien shores= and if his fello% spake# 9is &oice %as thin# as &oices from the +ra&e= And deep$asleep he seem(d# yet all a%ake# And music in his ears his beatin+ heart did make! They sat them do%n upon the yello% sand# ;et%een the sun and moon upon the shore= And s%eet it %as to dream of 7atherland# /f child# and %ife# and sla&e= but e&ermore -ost %eary seem(d the sea# %eary the oar# Weary the %anderin+ fields of barren foam! Then some one said# HWe %ill return no more=( And all at once they san+# H/ur island home "s far beyond the %a&e= %e %ill no lon+er roam!( Choric (on# " There is s%eet music here that softer falls Than petals from blo%n roses on the +rass# /r ni+ht$de%s on still %aters bet%een %alls /f shado%y +ranite# in a +leamin+ pass= -usic that +entlier on the spirit lies# Than tir(d eyelids upon tir(d eyes= -usic that brin+s s%eet sleep do%n from the blissful skies! 9ere are cool mosses deep# And thro( the moss the i&ies creep# And in the stream the lon+$lea&ed flo%ers %eep# And from the cra++y led+e the poppy han+s in sleep! "" Why are %e %ei+h(d upon %ith hea&iness# And utterly consumed %ith sharp distress# While all thin+s else ha&e rest from %earinessJ All thin+s ha&e rest) %hy should %e toil alone# We only toil# %ho are the first of thin+s# And make perpetual moan# Still from one sorro% to another thro%n) 4or e&er fold our %in+s# And cease from %anderin+s# 4or steep our bro%s in slumber(s holy balm= 4or harken %hat the inner spirit sin+s# HThere is no Eoy but calmI( Why should %e only toil# the roof and cro%n of thin+sJ

""" LoI in the middle of the %ood# The folded leaf is %oo(d from out the bud With %inds upon the branch# and there :ro%s +reen and broad# and takes no care# Sun$steep(d at noon# and in the moon 4i+htly de%$fed= and turnin+ yello% 7alls# and floats ado%n the air! LoI s%eeten(d %ith the summer li+ht# The full$Euiced apple# %axin+ o&er$mello%# 6rops in a silent autumn ni+ht! All its allotted len+th of days The flo%er ripens in its place# 0ipens and fades# and falls# and hath no toil# 7ast$rooted in the fruitful soil! "2 9ateful is the dark$blue sky# 2aulted o(er the dark$blue sea! 6eath is the end of life= ah# %hy Should life all labour beJ Let us alone! Time dri&eth on%ard fast# And in a little %hile our lips are dumb! Let us alone! What is it that %ill lastJ All thin+s are taken from us# and become Portions and parcels of the dreadful Past! Let us alone! What pleasure can %e ha&e To %ar %ith e&ilJ "s there any peace "n e&er climbin+ up the climbin+ %a&eJ All thin+s ha&e rest# and ripen to%ard the +ra&e "n silence= ripen# fall and cease) :i&e us lon+ rest or death# dark death# or dreamful ease! 2 9o% s%eet it %ere# hearin+ the do%n%ard stream# With half$shut eyes e&er to seem 7allin+ asleep in a half$dreamI To dream and dream# like yonder amber li+ht# Which %ill not lea&e the myrrh$bush on the hei+ht= To hear each other(s %hisper(d speech= 'atin+ the Lotos day by day# To %atch the crispin+ ripples on the beach# And tender cur&in+ lines of creamy spray= To lend our hearts and spirits %holly To the influence of mild$minded melancholy= To muse and brood and li&e a+ain in memory# With those old faces of our infancy 9eap(d o&er %ith a mound of +rass# T%o handfuls of %hite dust# shut in an urn of brassI

2" 6ear is the memory of our %edded li&es# And dear the last embraces of our %i&es And their %arm tears) but all hath suffer(d chan+e) 7or surely no% our household hearths are cold# /ur sons inherit us) our looks are stran+e) And %e should come like +hosts to trouble Eoy! /r else the island princes o&er$bold 9a&e eat our substance# and the minstrel sin+s ;efore them of the ten years( %ar in Troy# And our +reat deeds# as half$for+otten thin+s! "s there confusion in the little isleJ Let %hat is broken so remain! The :ods are hard to reconcile) (Tis hard to settle order once a+ain! There is confusion %orse than death# Trouble on trouble# pain on pain# Lon+ labour unto a+ed breath# Sore task to hearts %orn out by many %ars And eyes +ro%n dim %ith +a<in+ on the pilot$stars! 2"" ;ut# propt on beds of amaranth and moly# 9o% s%eet (%hile %arm airs lull us# blo%in+ lo%ly With half$dropt eyelid still# ;eneath a hea&en dark and holy# To %atch the lon+ bri+ht ri&er dra%in+ slo%ly 9is %aters from the purple hill. To hear the de%y echoes callin+ 7rom ca&e to ca&e thro( the thick$t%ined &ine. To %atch the emerald$colour(d %ater fallin+ Thro( many a %o&(n acanthus$%reath di&ineI /nly to hear and see the far$off sparklin+ brine# /nly to hear %ere s%eet# stretch(d out beneath the pine! 2""" The Lotos blooms belo% the barren peak) The Lotos blo%s by e&ery %indin+ creek) All day the %ind breathes lo% %ith mello%er tone) Thro( e&ery hollo% ca&e and alley lone 0ound and round the spicy do%ns the yello% Lotos$dust is blo%n! We ha&e had enou+h of action# and of motion %e# 0oll(d to starboard# roll(d to larboard# %hen the sur+e %as seethin+ free# Where the %allo%in+ monster spouted his foam$fountains in the sea! Let us s%ear an oath# and keep it %ith an eFual mind# "n the hollo% Lotos$land to li&e and lie reclined /n the hills like :ods to+ether# careless of mankind! 7or they lie beside their nectar# and the bolts are hurl(d 7ar belo% them in the &alleys# and the clouds are li+htly curl(d 0ound their +olden houses# +irdled %ith the +leamin+ %orld)

Where they smile in secret# lookin+ o&er %asted lands# ;li+ht and famine# pla+ue and earthFuake# roarin+ deeps and fiery sands# 1lan+in+ fi+hts# and flamin+ to%ns# and sinkin+ ships# and prayin+ hands! ;ut they smile# they find a music centred in a doleful son+ Steamin+ up# a lamentation and an ancient tale of %ron+# Like a tale of little meanin+ tho( the %ords are stron+= 1hanted from an ill$used race of men that clea&e the soil# So% the seed# and reap the har&est %ith endurin+ toil# Storin+ yearly little dues of %heat# and %ine and oil= Till they perish and they suffer . some# (tis %hisper(d . do%n in hell Suffer endless an+uish# others in 'lysian &alleys d%ell# 0estin+ %eary limbs at last on beds of asphodel! Surely# surely# slumber is more s%eet than toil# the shore Than labour in the deep mid$ocean# %ind and %a&e and oar= /# rest ye# brother mariners# %e %ill not %ander more! otes The poem is based on an episode in 9omer(s /dyssey# (;ook 9 # %here /dysseus relates) H/n the tenth day %e made the country of the Lotus$eaters# a race that li&e on &e+etable foods!!! " sent some of my follo%ers inland to find out %hat sort of human bein+s mi+ht be there!!! it %as not lon+ before they %ere in touch %ith the Lotus$ eaters! 4o% it ne&er entered the heads of these nati&es to kill my friends= %hat they did %as to +i&e them some lotus to taste# and as soon as each had eaten the honeyed fruit of the plant# all thou+hts of reportin+ to us or escapin+ %ere banished from his mind! All they no% %ished for %as to stay %here they %ere %ith the Lotus$eaters# to bro%se on the lotus and to for+et that they had a home to return to! " had to use force to brin+ them back to the ships# and they %ept on the %ay!!!( (translation by '2 0ieu# Pen+uin ;ooks# 19CD !

A 3ream of Fair 4omen (extract) !!!At last methou+ht that " had %ander(d far "n an old %ood) fresh$%ash(d in coolest de% The maiden splendours of the mornin+ star Shook in the stedfast blue! 'normous elm$tree$boles did stoop and lean 8pon the dusky brush%ood underneath Their broad cur&ed branches# fled+ed %ith clearest +reen# 4e% from its silken sheath! The dim red morn had died# her Eourney done# And %ith dead lips smiled at the t%ili+ht plain# 9alf$fall(n across the threshold of the sun# 4e&er to rise a+ain!

There %as no motion in the dumb dead air# 4ot any son+ of bird or sound of rill= :ross darkness of the inner sepulchre "s not so deadly still As that %ide forest! :ro%ths of Easmine turn(d Their humid arms festoonin+ tree to tree# And at the root thro( lush +reen +rasses burn(d The red anemone! " kne% the flo%ers# " kne% the lea&es# " kne% The tearful +limmer of the lan+uid da%n /n those lon+# rank# dark %ood$%alks drench(d in de%# Leadin+ from la%n to la%n! The smell of &iolets# hidden in the +reen# Pour(d back into my empty soul and frame The times %hen " remember to ha&e been Koyful and free from blame! And from %ithin me a clear under$tone Thrill(d thro( mine ears in that unblissful clime# HPass freely thro() the %ood is all thine o%n# 8ntil the end of time!( At len+th " sa% a lady %ithin call# Stiller than chisell(d marble# standin+ there= A dau+hter of the +ods# di&inely tall# And most di&inely fair! 9er lo&eliness %ith shame and %ith surprise 7ro<e my s%ift speech) she turnin+ on my face The star$like sorro%s of immortal eyes# Spoke slo%ly in her place! H" had +reat beauty) ask thou not my name) 4o one can be more %ise than destiny! -any dre% s%ords and died! Where(er " came " brou+ht calamity!!!( otes "n the complete poem# the narrator# after readin+ 1haucer(s Legend of 0ood Women, dreams of 9elen of Troy (in this extract # "phi+enia# 1leopatra and other famous %omen of history!

From English Idyls and other poems Morte d0Arthur (extracts) So all day lon+ the noise of battle roll(d Amon+ the mountains by the %inter sea= 8ntil ,in+ ArthurLs table# man by man# 9ad fallen in Lyonnesse about their Lord# ,in+ Arthur) then# because his %ound %as deep# The bold Sir ;edi&ere uplifted him# Sir ;edi&ere# the last of all his kni+hts# And bore him to a chapel ni+h the field# A broken chancel %ith a broken cross# That stood on a dark strait of barren land! /n one side lay the /cean# and on one Lay a +reat %ater# and the moon %as full! GGG Then sa% they ho% there ho&e a dusky bar+e# 6ark as a funeral scarf from stem to stern# ;eneath them= and descendin+ they %ere %are That all the decks %ere dense %ith stately forms ;lack$stoled# black$hooded# like a dream . by these Three 3ueens %ith cro%ns of +old . and from them rose A cry that shi&er(d to the tin+lin+ stars# And# as it %ere one &oice an a+ony /f lamentation# like a %ind# that shrills All ni+ht in a %aste land# %here no one comes# /r hath come# since the makin+ of the %orld! Then murmur(d Arthur# HPlace me in the bar+e#( And to the bar+e they came! There those three 3ueens Put forth their hands# and took the ,in+# and %ept! otes Tennyson re%orked this le+end in his Idylls of the King- The Passing of Arthur! -alory(s ori+inal is in ;ook ?1 of Le Morte d%Arthur# 5lysses "t little profits that an idle kin+# ;y this still hearth# amon+ these barren cra+s# -atch(d %ith an a+ed %ife# " mete and dole 8neFual la%s unto a sa&a+e race# That hoard# and sleep# and feed# and kno% not me! " cannot rest from tra&el) " %ill drink Life to the lees) all times " ha&e enEoy(d

:reatly# ha&e suffer(d +reatly# both %ith those That lo&ed me# and alone= on shore# and %hen Thro( scuddin+ drifts the rainy 9yades 2ext the dim sea) " am become a name= 7or al%ays roamin+ %ith a hun+ry heart -uch ha&e " seen and kno%n= cities of men And manners# climates# councils# +o&ernments# -yself not least# but honour(d of them all= And drunk deli+ht of battle %ith my peers# 7ar on the rin+in+ plains of %indy Troy! " am a part of all that " ha&e met= 5et all experience is an arch %herethro( :leams that untra&ell(d %orld# %hose mar+in fades 7or e&er and for e&er %hen " mo&e! 9o% dull it is to pause# to make an end# To rust unburnish(d# not to shine in useI As tho( to breathe %ere life! Life piled on life Were all too little# and of one to me Little remains) but e&ery hour is sa&ed 7rom that eternal silence# somethin+ more# A brin+er of ne% thin+s= and &ile it %ere 7or some three suns to store and hoard myself# And this +ray spirit yearnin+ in desire To follo% kno%led+e like a sinkin+ star# ;eyond the utmost bound of human thou+ht! This is my son# mine o%n Telemachus# To %hom " lea&e the sceptre and the isle. Well$lo&ed of me# discernin+ to fulfil This labour# by slo% prudence to make mild A ru++ed people# and thro( soft de+rees Subdue them to the useful and the +ood! -ost blameless is he# centred in the sphere /f common duties# decent not to fail "n offices of tenderness# and pay -eet adoration to my household +ods# When " am +one! 9e %orks his %ork# " mine! There lies the port= the &essel puffs her sail) There +loom the dark# broad seas! -y mariners# Souls that ha&e toil(d# and %rou+ht# and thou+ht %ith me. That e&er %ith a frolic %elcome took The thunder and the sunshine# and opposed 7ree hearts# free foreheads . you and " are old= /ld a+e hath yet his honour and his toil= 6eath closes all) but somethin+ ere the end# Some %ork of noble note# may yet be done# 4ot unbecomin+ men that stro&e %ith :ods! The li+hts be+in to t%inkle from the rocks) The lon+ day %anes) the slo% moon climbs) the deep

-oans round %ith many &oices! 1ome# my friends# (Tis not too late to seek a ne%er %orld! Push off# and sittin+ %ell in order smite The soundin+ furro%s= for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset# and the baths /f all the %estern stars# until " die! "t may be that the +ulfs %ill %ash us do%n) "t may be %e shall touch the 9appy "sles# And see the +reat Achilles# %hom %e kne%! Tho much is taken# much abides= and tho( We are not no% that stren+th %hich in old days -o&ed earth and hea&en= that %hich %e are# %e are= /ne eFual temper of heroic hearts# -ade %eak by time and fate# but stron+ in %ill To stri&e# to seek# to find# and not to yield! otes 8lysses is the 0oman name for /dysseus) the poem is set after the end of 9omer(s /dyssey# %hen /dysseus is settled back in his homeland of "thaca after his t%enty years( absence! Althou+h 9omer does not mention further &oya+es# it is thou+ht that Tennyson also dre% on 6ante(s "nferno# in %hich 8lisse# or 8lysses# exhorts his men to seek Hexperience of the unpeopled %orld beyond the sun!( !yades) in :reek mytholo+y# the fi&e dau+hters of the Titan Atlas %ho %ere turned into stars= their name means HThe 0ainers!( !a**y Isles) the 'lysian 7ields# or 7ortunate "sles# %ere in :reek mytholo+y %here the ri+hteous and heroic d%elt after death! Tithonus The %oods decay# the %oods decay and fall# The &apours %eep their burthen to the +round# -an comes and tills the field and lies beneath# And after many a summer dies the s%an! -e only cruel immortality 1onsumes) " %ither slo%ly in thine arms# 9ere at the Fuiet limit of the %orld# A %hite$hair(d shado% roamin+ like a dream The e&er$silent spaces of the 'ast# 7ar$folded mists# and +leamin+ halls of morn! AlasI for this +ray shado%# once a man. So +lorious in his beauty and thy choice# Who madest him thy chosen# that he seem(d To his +reat heart none other than a :odI " ask(d thee# H:i&e me immortality!( Then didst thou +rant mine askin+ %ith a smile# Like %ealthy men %ho care not ho% they +i&e! ;ut thy stron+ 9ours indi+nant %ork(d their %ills#

And beat me do%n and marr(d and %asted me# And tho( they could not end me# left me maim(d To d%ell in presence of immortal youth# "mmortal a+e beside immortal youth# And all " %as# in ashes! 1an thy lo&e# Thy beauty# make amends# tho( e&en no%# 1lose o&er us# the sil&er star# thy +uide# Shines in those tremulous eyes that fill %ith tears To hear meJ Let me +o) take back thy +ift) Why should a man desire in any %ay To &ary from the kindly race of men /r pass beyond the +oal of ordinance Where all should pause# as is most meet for allJ A soft air fans the cloud apart= there comes A +limpse of that dark %orld %here " %as born! /nce more the old mysterious +limmer steals 7rom thy pure bro%s# and from thy shoulders pure# And bosom beatin+ %ith a heart rene%(d! Thy cheek be+ins to redden thro( the +loom# Thy s%eet eyes bri+hten slo%ly close to mine# 're yet they blind the stars# and the %ild team Which lo&e thee# yearnin+ for thy yoke# arise# And shake the darkness from their loosen(d manes# And beat the t%ili+ht into flakes of fire! LoI e&er thus thou +ro%est beautiful "n silence# then before thine ans%er +i&en 6epartest# and thy tears are on my cheek! Why %ilt thou e&er scare me %ith thy tears# And make me tremble lest a sayin+ learnt# "n days far$off# on that dark earth# be true HThe :ods themsel&es cannot recall their +ifts!( Ay meI ay meI %ith %hat another heart "n days far$off# and %ith %hat other eyes " used to %atch . if " be he that %atch(d. The lucid outline formin+ round thee= sa% The dim curls kindle into sunny rin+s= 1han+ed %ith thy mystic chan+e# and felt my blood :lo% %ith the +lo% that slo%ly crimson(d all Thy presence and thy portals# %hile " lay# -outh# forehead# eyelids# +ro%in+ de%y$%arm With kisses balmier than half$openin+ buds /f April# and could hear the lips that kiss(d Whisperin+ " kne% not %hat of %ild and s%eet# Like that stran+e son+ " heard Apollo sin+# While "lion like a mist rose into to%ers!

5et hold me not for e&er in thine 'ast) 9o% can my nature lon+er mix %ith thineJ 1oldly thy rosy shado%s bathe me# cold Are all thy li+hts# and cold my %rinkled feet 8pon thy +limmerin+ thresholds# %hen the steam 7loats up from those dim fields about the homes /f happy men that ha&e the po%er to die# And +rassy barro%s of the happier dead! 0elease me# and restore me to the +round= Thou seMst all thin+s# thou %ilt see my +ra&e) Thou %ilt rene% thy beauty morn by morn= " earth in earth for+et these empty courts# And thee returnin+ on thy sil&er %heels! otes "n :reek le+end# Tithonus %as the son of Laomedon# ,in+ of Troy! The +oddess of the da%n# 'os (or Aurora fell in lo&e %ith him and asked Neus to +rant him eternal life! 9o%e&er# she did not ask for him to be +i&en eternal youth= so he %as doomed to e&er$lastin+ old a+e! Loc'sley !all (extract) 1omrades# lea&e me here a little# %hile as yet (tis early morn) Lea&e me here# and %hen you %ant me# sound upon the bu+le$horn! (Tis the place# and all around it# as of old# the curle%s call# 6reary +leams about the moorland flyin+ o&er Locksley 9all= Locksley 9all# that in the distance o&erlooks the sandy tracts# And the hollo% ocean$rid+es roarin+ into cataracts! -any a ni+ht from yonder i&ied casement# ere " %ent to rest# 6id " look on +reat /rion slopin+ slo%ly to the West! -any a ni+ht " sa% the Pleiads# risin+ thro( the mello% shade# :litter like a s%arm of fire$flies tan+led in a sil&er braid! 9ere about the beach " %ander(d# nourishin+ a youth sublime With the fairy tales of science# and the lon+ result of Time= When the centuries behind me like a fruitful land reposed= When " clun+ to all the present for the promise that it closed) When " dipt into the future far as human eye could see= Sa% the 2ision of the %orld and all the %onder that %ould be! . "n the Sprin+ a fuller crimson comes upon the robinLs breast= "n the Sprin+ the %anton lap%in+ +ets himself another crest=

"n the Sprin+ a li&elier iris chan+es on the burnish(d do&e= "n the Sprin+ a youn+ man(s fancy li+htly turns to thou+hts of lo&e! GGG otes "n the full poem# the narrator is lo&ed by his cousin Amy %ho then marries another! The poem ends %ith his resol&e to bid Ha lon+ fare%ell to Locksley 9all!( Tennyson later %rote a seFuel# Locksley !all $i1ty 2ears after#

6odi%a (extract) !!!Then fled she to her inmost bo%er# and there 8nclasp(d the %edded ea+les of her belt# The +rim 'arl(s +ift= but e&er at a breath She lin+er(d# lookin+ like a summer moon 9alf$dipt in cloud) anon she shook her head# And sho%er(d the rippled rin+lets to her knee= 8nclad herself in haste= ado%n the stair Stole on= and# like a creepin+ sunbeam# slid 7rom pillar unto pillar# until she reach(d The +ate%ay= there she found her palfrey trapt "n purple bla<on(d %ith armorial +old! Then she rode forth# clothed on %ith chastity) The deep air listen(d round her as she rode# And all the lo% %ind hardly breathed for fear! The little %ide$mouth(d heads upon the spout 9ad cunnin+ eyes to see) the barkin+ cur -ade her cheek flame= her palfrey(s foot$fall shot Li+ht horrors thro( her pulses= the blind %alls Were full of chinks and holes= and o&erhead 7antastic +ables# cro%din+# stared) but she 4ot less thro( all bore up# till# last# she sa% The %hite$flo%er(d elder$thicket from the field# :leam thro( the :othic arch%ay in the %all! otes The story +oes that in the 11th century an An+lo$Saxon noble%oman# Lady :odi&a# asked her husband# the 'arl of -ercia# to free the 'n+lish to%n of 1o&entry from hea&y tolls! 9e announced that he %ould do so if she %ould ride naked throu+h the to%n! To his surprise# she did so# co&ered only by her lon+ hair! Althou+h Lady :odi&a %as undoubtedly an historical fi+ure# the truth of this le+end is unclear!

The 3aydream: The (leepin# Palace (extracts) !!!Soft lustre bathes the ran+e of urns /n e&ery slantin+ terrace$la%n! The fountain to his place returns 6eep in the +arden lake %ithdra%n! 9ere droops the banner on the to%er# /n the hall$hearths the festal fires# The peacock in his laurel bo%er# The parrot in his +ilded %ires! 0oof$hauntin+ martins %arm their e++s) "n these# in those the life is stay(d! The mantles from the +olden pe+s 6roop sleepily= no sound is made# 4ot e&en of a +nat that sin+s! -ore like a picture seemeth all Than those old portraits of old kin+s# That %atch the sleepers from the %all! GGG All round a hed+e upshoots# and sho%s At distance like a little %ood= Thorns# i&ies# %oodbine# mistletoes# And +rapes %ith bunches red as blood= All creepin+ plants# a %all of +reen 1lose$matted# bur and brake and briar# And +limpsin+ o&er these# Eust seen# 9i+h up# the topmost palace spire! Amphion -y father left a park to me# ;ut it is %ild and barren# A +arden too %ith scarce a tree# And %aster than a %arren= 5et say the nei+hbours %hen they call# "t is not bad but +ood land# And in it is the +erm of all That +ro%s %ithin the %oodland! / had " li&ed %hen son+ %as +reat "n days of old Amphion# And ta(en my fiddle to the +ate# 4or cared for seed or scionI And had " li&ed %hen son+ %as +reat# And le+s of trees %ere limber# And ta(en my fiddle to the +ate# And fiddled in the timberI

(Tis said he had a tuneful ton+ue# Such happy intonation# Where&er he sat do%n and sun+ 9e left a small plantation= Where&er in a lonely +ro&e 9e set up his forlorn pipes# The +outy oak be+an to mo&e# And flounder into hornpipes! The mountain stirr(d its bushy cro%n# And# as tradition teaches# 5oun+ ashes pirouetted do%n 1oFuettin+ %ith youn+ beeches= And briony$&ine and i&y$%reath 0an for%ard to his rhymin+# And from the &alleys underneath 1ame little copses climbin+! The linden broke her ranks and rent The %oodbine %reaths that bind her# And do%n the middle# bu<<I she %ent With all her bees behind her= The poplars# in lon+ order due# With cypress promenaded# The shock$head %illo%s t%o and t%o ;y ri&ers +allopaded! 1ame %et$shod alder from the %a&e# 1ame ye%s# a dismal coterie= 'ach pluck(d his one foot from the +ra&e# Poussettin+ %ith a sloe$tree= /ld elms came breakin+ from the &ine# The &ine stream(d out to follo%# And# s%eatin+ rosin# plump(d the pine 7rom many a cloudy hollo%! And %asn(t it a si+ht to see# When# ere his son+ %as ended# Like some +reat landslip# tree by tree# The country$side descended= And shepherds from the mountain$ea&es Look(d do%n# half$pleased# half$fri+hten(d# As dash(d about the drunken lea&es The random sunshine li+hten(dI /# 4ature first %as fresh to men# And %anton %ithout measure= So youthful and so flexile then# 5ou mo&ed her at your pleasure!

T%an+ out# my fiddleI shake the t%i+sI And make her dance attendance= ;lo%# flute# and stir the stiff$set spri+s# And scirrhous roots and tendons! (Tis &ainI in such a brassy a+e " could not mo&e a thistle= The &ery sparro%s in the hed+e Scarce ans%er to my %histle= /r at the most# %hen three$parts$sick With strummin+ and %ith scrapin+# A Eackass heeha%s from the rick# The passi&e oxen +apin+! ;ut %hat is that " hearJ a sound Like sleepy counsel pleadin+= / LordI .(tis in my nei+hbour(s +round# The modern -uses readin+! They read ;otanic Treatises# And Works on :ardenin+ thro( there# And -ethods of transplantin+ trees To look as if they +re% there! The %ither(d -issesI ho% they prose /(er books of tra&ell(d seamen# And sho% you slips of all that +ro%s 7rom 'n+land to 2an 6iemen! They read in arbours clipt and cut# And alleys# faded places# ;y sFuares of tropic summer shut And %arm(d in crystal cases! ;ut these# tho( fed %ith careful dirt# Are neither +reen nor sappy= 9alf$conscious of the +arden$sFuirt# The spindlin+s look unhappy! ;etter to me the meanest %eed That blo%s upon its mountain# The &ilest herb that runs to seed ;eside its nati&e fountain! And " must %ork thro( months of toil# And years of culti&ation# 8pon my proper patch of soil To +ro% my o%n plantation! "(ll take the sho%ers as they fall# " %ill not &ex my bosom) 'nou+h if at the end of all A little +arden blossom!

otes "n :reek myth Amphion# a son of Neus# %as tau+ht by the +od 9ermes to play music! When he and his brother built the city of Thebes# the sound of his lyre caused the stones to mo&e into place by themsel&es! (ir 6alahad (extract) -y +ood blade car&es the casFues of men# -y tou+h lance thrusteth sure# -y stren+th is as the stren+th of ten ;ecause my heart is pure! The shatterin+ trumpet shrilleth hi+h# The hard brands shi&er on the steel# The splinter(d spear$shafts crack and fly# The horse and rider reel) They reel# they roll in clan+in+ lists# And %hen the tide of combat stands# Perfume and flo%ers fall in sho%ers# That li+htly rain from ladies( hands! The 1a#le 9e clasps the cra+ %ith crooked hands= 1lose to the sun in lonely lands# 0in+(d %ith the a<ure %orld# he stands! The %rinkled sea beneath him cra%ls= 9e %atches from his mountain %alls# And like a thunderbolt he falls! &rea'7 &rea'7 &rea' ;reak# break# break# /n thy cold +ray stones# / SeaI And " %ould that my ton+ue could utter The thou+hts that arise in me! / %ell for the fisherman(s boy# That he shouts %ith his sister at playI / %ell for the sailor lad# That he sin+s in his boat on the bayI And the stately ships +o on To their ha&en under the hill= ;ut / for the touch of a &anish(d hand# And the sound of a &oice that is stillI

;reak# break# break# At the foot of thy cra+s# / SeaI ;ut the tender +race of a day that is dead Will ne&er come back to me!

From Enoch Arden, and other poems 1noch Arden (extracts) Lon+ lines of cliff breakin+ ha&e left a chasm= And in the chasm are foam and yello% sands= ;eyond# red roofs about a narro% %harf "n cluster= then a moulder(d church= and hi+her A lon+ street climbs to one tall$to%er(d mill= And hi+h in hea&en behind it a +ray do%n With 6anish barro%s= and a ha<el%ood# ;y autumn nutters haunted# flourishes :reen in a cuplike hollo% of the do%n! 9ere on this beach a hundred years a+o# Three children of three houses# Annie Lee# The prettiest little damsel in the port# And Philip 0ay the miller(s only son# And 'noch Arden# a rou+h sailor(s lad -ade orphan by a %inter ship%reck# play(d Amon+ the %aste and lumber of the shore# 9ard coils of corda+e# s%arthy fishin+$nets# Anchors of rusty fluke# and boats updra%n# And built their castles of dissol&in+ sand To %atch them o&erflo%(d# or follo%in+ up And flyin+ the %hite breaker# daily left The little footprint daily %ash(d a%ay! GGG Then# on a +olden autumn e&entide# The youn+er people makin+ holiday# With ba+ and sack and basket# +reat and small# Went nuttin+ to the ha<els! Philip stay(d (9is father lyin+ sick and needin+ him An hour behind= but as he climb(d the hill# Kust %here the prone ed+e of the %ood be+an To feather to%ard the hollo%# sa% the pair# 'noch and Annie# sittin+ hand$in$hand# 9is lar+e +ray eyes and %eather$beaten face All$kindled by a still and sacred fire# That burn(d as on an altar! Philip look(d# And in their eyes and faces read his doom= Then# as their faces dre% to+ether# +roan(d# And slipt aside# and like a %ounded life 1rept do%n into the hollo%s of the %ood= There# %hile the rest %ere loud in merrymakin+# 9ad his dark hour unseen# and rose and past ;earin+ a lifelon+ hun+er in his heart! GGG

(Enoch marries Annie and they ha3e three children# Then "ork 4ecomes scarce and times are hard, so Enoch acce*ts the *ost of 4oats"ain on a 4oat 4ound for 5hina#, ;ut %hen the last of those last moments came# HAnnie# my +irl# cheer up# be comforted# Look to the babes# and till " come a+ain# ,eep e&erythin+ shipshape# for " must +o! And fear no more for me= or if you fear 1ast all your cares on :od= that anchor holds! "s 9e not yonder in those uttermost Parts of the mornin+J if " flee to these 1an " +o from 9imJ and the sea is 9is# The sea is 9is) 9e made it!( 'noch rose# 1ast his stron+ arms about his droopin+ %ife# And kiss(d his %onder$stricken little ones= ;ut for the third# sickly one# %ho slept After a ni+ht of fe&erous %akefulness# When Annie %ould ha&e raised him 'noch said HWake him not= let him sleep= ho% should this child 0emember thisJ( and kiss(d him in his cot! ;ut Annie from her baby(s forehead clipt A tiny curl# and +a&e it) this he kept Thro( all his future= but no% hastily cau+ht 9is bundle# %a&ed his hand# and %ent his %ay! She %hen the day# that 'noch mention(d# came# ;orro%(d a +lass# but all in &ain) perhaps She could not fix the +lass to suit her eye= Perhaps her eye %as dim# hand tremulous= She sa% him not) and %hile he stood on deck Wa&in+# the moment and the &essel past! GGG (After a "hile, Annie is *oor and grie3ing, her third child ha3ing died# Phili* is no" rich, and offers to su**ort her remaining t"o children#, Then Philip put the boy and +irl to school# And bou+ht them needful books# and e&ery%ay# Like one %ho does his duty by his o%n# -ade himself theirs= and tho( for AnnieLs sake# 7earin+ the la<y +ossip of the port# 9e oft denied his heart his dearest %ish# And seldom crost her threshold# yet he sent :ifts by the children# +arden$herbs and fruit# The late and early roses from his %all# /r conies from the do%n# and no% and then# With some pretext of fineness in the meal To sa&e the offence of charitable# flour

7rom his tall mill that %histled on the %aste! ;ut Philip did not fathom Annie(s mind) Scarce could the %oman %hen he came upon her# /ut of full heart and boundless +ratitude Li+ht on a broken %ord to thank him %ith! ;ut Philip %as her children(s all$in$all= 7rom distant corners of the street they ran To +reet his hearty %elcome heartily= Lords of his house and of his mill %ere they= Worried his passi&e ear %ith petty %ron+s /r pleasures# hun+ upon him# play(d %ith him And call(d him 7ather Philip! Philip +ain(d As 'noch lost= for 'noch seem(d to them 8ncertain as a &ision or a dream# 7aint as a fi+ure seen in early da%n 6o%n at the far end of an a&enue# :oin+ %e kno% not %here) and so ten years# Since 'noch left his hearth and nati&e land# 7led for%ard# and no ne%s of 'noch came! GGG &Assuming Enoch must 4e dead after ten years% a4sence,, Phili* asks Annie to marry him# $he asks him to "ait for one more year#, At last one ni+ht it chanced That Annie could not sleep# but earnestly Pray(d for a si+n Hmy 'noch is he +oneJ( Then compass(d round by the blind %all of ni+ht ;rook(d not the expectant terror of her heart# Started from bed# and struck herself a li+ht# Then desperately sei<ed the holy ;ook# Suddenly set it %ide to find a si+n# Suddenly put her fin+er on the text# H8nder the palm$tree!( That %as nothin+ to her) 4o meanin+ there) she closed the ;ook and slept) When loI her 'noch sittin+ on a hei+ht# 8nder a palm$tree# o&er him the Sun) H9e is +one#( she thou+ht# Hhe is happy# he is sin+in+ 9osanna in the hi+hest) yonder shines The Sun of 0i+hteousness# and these be palms Whereof the happy people stro%in+ cried O9osanna in the hi+hestIP( 9ere she %oke# 0esol&ed# sent for him and said %ildly to him HThere is no reason %hy %e should not %ed!( HThen for :od(s sake#( he ans%er(d# Hboth our sakes# So you %ill %ed me# let it be at once!( So these %ere %ed and merrily ran+ the bells# -errily ran+ the bells and they %ere %ed!

;ut ne&er merrily beat AnnieLs heart! A footstep seem(d to fall beside her path# She kne% not %hence= a %hisper in her ear# She kne% not %hat= nor lo&ed she to be left Alone at home# nor &entured out alone! What ail(d her then# that ere she enter(d# often 9er hand d%elt lin+erin+ly on the latch# 7earin+ to enter) Philip thou+ht he kne%) Such doubts and fears %ere common to her state# ;ein+ %ith child) but %hen her child %as born# Then her ne% child %as as herself rene%(d# Then the ne% mother came about her heart# Then her +ood Philip %as her all$in$all# And that mysterious instinct %holly died! GGG (What of Enoch6 /n the 3oyage home, a storm 4roke u* his 4oat7 Enoch and t"o other sailors "ere shi*-"recked on a lonely isle#, There in a sea%ard$+a<in+ mountain$+or+e They built# and thatch(d %ith lea&es of palm# a hut# 9alf hut# half nati&e ca&ern! So the three# Set in this 'den of all plenteousness# 6%elt %ith eternal summer# ill$content! 7or one# the youn+est# hardly more than boy# 9urt in that ni+ht of sudden ruin and %reck# Lay lin+erin+ out a fi&e$years( death$in$life! They could not lea&e him! After he %as +one# The t%o remainin+ found a fallen stem= And 'noch(s comrade# careless of himself# 7ire$hollo%in+ this in "ndian fashion# fell Sun$stricken# and that other li&ed alone! "n those t%o deaths he read :od(s %arnin+ H%ait!( The mountain %ooded to the peak# the la%ns And %indin+ +lades hi+h up like %ays to 9ea&en# The slender coco(s droopin+ cro%n of plumes# The li+htnin+ flash of insect and of bird# The lustre of the lon+ con&ol&uluses That coil(d around the stately stems# and ran '&(n to the limit of the land# the +lo%s And +lories of the broad belt of the %orld# All these he sa%= but %hat he fain had seen 9e could not see# the kindly human face# 4or e&er hear a kindly &oice# but heard The myriad shriek of %heelin+ ocean$fo%l# The lea+ue$lon+ roller thunderin+ on the reef# The mo&in+ %hisper of hu+e trees that branch(d And blossom(d in the <enith# or the s%eep

/f some precipitous ri&ulet to the %a&e# As do%n the shore he ran+ed# or all day lon+ Sat often in the sea%ard$+a<in+ +or+e# A ship%reck(d sailor# %aitin+ for a sail) 4o sail from day to day# but e&ery day The sunrise broken into scarlet shafts Amon+ the palms and ferns and precipices= The bla<e upon the %aters to the east= The bla<e upon his island o&erhead= The bla<e upon the %aters to the %est= Then the +reat stars that +lobed themsel&es in 9ea&en# The hollo%er$bello%in+ ocean# and a+ain The scarlet shafts of sunrise . but no sail! GGG &2ears *ass- then at last a shi* sto*s at the island to find "ater, and carries Enoch home# 'ack in the 3illage, and unrecognised, he hears the story of his "ife%s ne" marriage# 8isiting her house, he looks through the "indo"#, 4o% %hen the dead man come to life beheld 9is %ife his %ife no more# and sa% the babe 9ers# yet not his# upon the father(s knee# And all the %armth# the peace# the happiness# And his o%n children tall and beautiful# And him# that other# rei+nin+ in his place# Lord of his ri+hts and of his children(s lo&e#. Then he# tho( -iriam Lane had told him all# ;ecause thin+s seen are mi+htier than thin+s heard# Sta++er(d and shook# holdin+ the branch# and fear(d To send abroad a shrill and terrible cry# Which in one moment# like the blast of doom# Would shatter all the happiness of the hearth! 9e therefore turnin+ softly like a thief# Lest the harsh shin+le should +rate underfoot# And feelin+ all alon+ the +arden$%all# Lest he should s%oon and tumble and be found# 1rept to the +ate# and open(d it# and closed# As li+htly as a sick man(s chamber$door# ;ehind him# and came out upon the %aste! GGG &Enoch stays in the neigh4ourhood, 4ut "ithout re3ealing his identity#, 9e %as not all unhappy! 9is resol&e 8pbore him# and firm faith# and e&ermore Prayer from a li&in+ source %ithin the %ill# And beatin+ up thro( all the bitter %orld# Like fountains of s%eet %ater in the sea# ,ept him a li&in+ soul! HThis miller(s %ife(

9e said to -iriam Hthat you told me of# 9as she no fear that her first husband li&esJ( HAy ay# poor soul( said -iriam# Hfear eno%I "f you could tell her you had seen him dead# Why# that %ould be her comfort=( and he thou+ht HAfter the Lord has call(d me she shall kno%# " %ait 9is time#( and 'noch set himself# Scornin+ an alms# to %ork %hereby to li&e! Almost to all thin+s could he turn his hand! 1ooper he %as and carpenter# and %rou+ht To make the boatmen fishin+$nets# or help(d At ladin+ and unladin+ the tall barks# That brou+ht the stinted commerce of those days= Thus earn(d a scanty li&in+ for himself!!! GGG &9alling ill, Enoch asks the "ido" Miriam Lane to tell his story after his death#, Then the third ni+ht after this# While 'noch slumber(d motionless and pale# And -iriam %atch(d and do<ed at inter&als# There came so loud a callin+ of the sea# That all the houses in the ha&en ran+! 9e %oke# he rose# he spread his arms abroad 1ryin+ %ith a loud &oice HA sailI a sailI " am sa&ed=( and so fell back and spoke no more! So past the stron+ heroic soul a%ay! And %hen they buried him the little port 9ad seldom seen a costlier funeral! otes The subEect matter %as su++ested to Tennyson by Thomas Woolner# the Pre$ 0aphaelite poet and sculptor= but does not appear to be based on a true story! Aylmer0s Field 89:; (extract) A land of hops and poppy$min+led corn# Little about it stirrin+ sa&e a brookI A sleepy land# %here under the same %heel The same old rut %ould deepen year by year= Where almost all the &illa+e had one name= Where Aylmer follo%ed Aylmer at the 9all And A&erill A&erill at the 0ectory Thrice o&er= so that 0ectory and 9all# ;ound in an immemorial intimacy# Were open to each other= tho( to dream That Lo&e could bind them closer %ell had made The hoar head of the ;aronet bristle up

With horror# %orse than he had heard his priest Preach an in&erted scripture# sons of men 6au+hters of :od= so sleepy %as the land! GGG &Leolin A3erill falls in lo3e "ith Edith Aylmer, A %hisper half re&eal(d her to herself! 7or out beyond her lod+es# %here the brook 2ocal# %ith here and there a silence# ran ;y sallo%y rims# arose the labourers( homes# A freFuent haunt of 'dith# on lo% knolls That dimplin+ died into each other# huts At random scatter(d# each a nest in bloom! 9er art# her hand# her counsel all had %rou+ht About them) here %as one that# summer$blanch(d# Was parcel$bearded %ith the tra&eller(s$Eoy "n Autumn# parcel i&y$clad= and here The %arm$blue breathin+s of a hidden hearth ;roke from a bo%er of &ine and honeysuckle) /ne look(d all rosetree# and another %ore A close$set robe of Easmine so%n %ith stars) This had a rosy sea of +illyflo%ers About it= this# a milky$%ay on earth# Like &isions in the 4orthern dreamer(s hea&ens# A lily$a&enue climbin+ to the doors= /ne# almost to the martin$haunted ea&es A summer burial deep in hollyhocks= 'ach# its o%n charm= and 'dith(s e&ery%here= And 'dith e&er &isitant %ith him!!! GGG &!o"e3er, the match is for4idden 4y her father $ir Aylmer# Edith, *ining, dies of a fe3er7 Leolin, 4anished, sta4s himself to death7 A3erill senior *reaches a long, *oetic sermon, Edith%s mother dies and her father goes mad#, And %hen he felt the silence of his house About him# and the chan+e and not the chan+e# And those fix(d eyes of painted ancestors Starin+ for e&er from their +ilded %alls /n him their last descendent# his o%n head ;e+an to droop# to fall= the man became "mbecile= his one %ord %as Hdesolate=( 6ead for t%o years before his death %as he= ;ut %hen the second 1hristmas came# escaped 9is keepers# and the silence %hich he felt# To find a deeper in the narro% +loom ;y %ife and child= nor %anted at his end The dark retinue re&erencin+ death At +olden thresholds= nor from tender hearts#

And those %ho sorro%(d o(er a &anished race# Pity# the &iolet on the tyrant(s +ra&e! Then the +reat 9all %as %holly broken do%n# And the broad %oodland parcelled into farms= And %here the t%o contri&ed their dau+hter(s +ood# Lies the ha%k(s cast# the mole has made his run# The hed+eho+ underneath the plantain bores# The rabbit fondles his o%n harmless face# The slo%$%orm creeps# and the thin %easel there 7ollo%s the mouse# and all is open field!

The Princess: a medley (extracts) (The *oet 3isits $ir Walter 8i3ian, his sister Lilia and family at his ancient house 4y the ruins of an a44ey# Lilia *layfully "ra*s her scarf around a statue of a knight-, !!!;ut %hile they talk(d# abo&e their heads " sa% The feudal %arrior lady$clad= %hich brou+ht -y book to mind) and openin+ this " read /f old Sir 0alph a pa+e or t%o that ran+ With tilt and tourney= then the tale of her That dro&e her foes %ith slau+hter from her %alls# And much " praised her nobleness# and HWhere#( Asked Walter# pattin+ Lilia(s head (she lay ;eside him Hli&es there such a %oman no%J( 3uick ans%er(d Lilia HThere are thousands no% Such %omen# but con&ention beats them do%n) "t is but brin+in+ up= no more than that) 5ou men ha&e done it) ho% " hate you allI Ah# %ere " somethin+ +reatI " %ish " %ere Some mi+hty poetess# " %ould shame you then# That lo&e to keep us childrenI / " %ish That " %ere some +reat princess# " %ould build 7ar off from men a colle+e like a man(s# And " %ould teach them all that men are tau+ht= We are t%ice as FuickI( And here she shook aside The hand that played the patron %ith her curls! GGG HTake Lilia# then# for heroine#( clamoured he# HAnd make her some +reat Princess# six feet hi+h# :rand# epic# homicidal= and be you The Prince to %in herI( HThen follo% me# the Prince#( " ans%er(d# Heach be hero in his turnI Se&en and yet one# like shado%s in a dream!. 9eroic seems our Princess as reFuired. ;ut somethin+ made to suit %ith Time and place# A :othic ruin and a :recian house# A talk of colle+e and of ladies( ri+hts# A feudal kni+ht in silken masFuerade# And# yonder# shrieks and stran+e experiments 7or %hich the +ood Sir 0alph had burnt them all. This "ere a medleyI %e should ha&e him back Who told the OWinter(s taleP to do it for us! 4o matter) %e %ill say %hate&er comes! And let the ladies sin+ us# if they %ill# 7rom time to time# some ballad or a son+

To +i&e us breathin+$space!( So " be+an# And the rest follo%(d) and the %omen san+ ;et%een the rou+her &oices of the men# Like linnets in the pauses of the %ind) And here " +i&e the story and the son+s! " A prince " %as# blue$eyed# and fair in face# /f temper amorous# as the first of -ay# With len+ths of yello% rin+let# like a +irl# 7or on my cradle shone the 4orthern star! There li&ed an ancient le+end in our house! Some sorcerer# %hom a far$off +randsire burnt ;ecause he cast no shado%# had foretold# 6yin+# that none of all our blood should kno% The shado% from the substance# and that one Should come to fi+ht %ith shado%s and to fall! 7or so# my mother said# the story ran! And# truly# %akin+ dreams %ere# more or less# An old and stran+e affection of the house! -yself too had %eird sei<ures# 9ea&en kno%s %hat) /n a sudden in the midst of men and day# And %hile " %alk(d and talk(d as heretofore# " seem(d to mo&e amon+ a %orld of +hosts# And feel myself the shado% of a dream! /ur +reat court$:alen poised his +ilt$head cane# And pa%ed his beard# and mutter(d Hcatalepsy(! -y mother pityin+ made a thousand prayers= -y mother %as as mild as any saint# 9alf$canoni<ed by all that look(d on her# So +racious %as her tact and tenderness) ;ut my +ood father thou+ht a kin+ a kin+= 9e cared not for the affection of the house= 9e held his sceptre like a pedant(s %and To lash offence# and %ith lon+ arms and hands 0each(d out# and pick(d offenders from the mass 7or Eud+ment! 4o% it chanced that " had been# While life %as yet in bud and blade# betroth(d To one# a nei+hbourin+ Princess) she to me Was proxy$%edded %ith a bootless calf At ei+ht years old= and still from time to time 1ame murmurs of her beauty from the South# And of her brethren# youths of puissance= And still " %ore her picture by my heart# And one dark tress= and all around them both S%eet thou+hts %ould s%arm as bees about their Fueen!

GGG &When gro"n, the Princess Ida 3o"s she "ill not marry# With his friends, 5yril and 9lorian, the *oet:*rince narrator rides out to find her# !e learns that she has founded a Uni3ersity for "omen, "ith Lady 'lanche and Lady Psyche as tutors# The men dress u* as "omen and are admitted#, At break of day the 1olle+e Portress came) She brou+ht us Academic silks# in hue The lilac# %ith a silken hood to each# And <oned %ith +old= and no% %hen these %ere on# And %e as rich as moths from dusk cocoons# She# curtseyin+ her obeisance# let us kno% The Princess "da %aited) out %e paced# " first# and follo%in+ thro( the porch that san+ All round %ith laurel# issued in a court 1ompact of lucid marbles# boss(d %ith len+ths /f classic frie<e# %ith ample a%nin+s +ay ;et%ixt the pillars# and %ith +reat urns of flo%ers! The -uses and the :races# +roup(d in threes# 'nrin+(d a billo%in+ fountain in the midst= And here and there on lattice ed+es lay /r book or lute= but hastily %e past# And up a fli+ht of stairs into the hall! There at a board by tome and paper sat# With t%o tame leopards couch(d beside her throne# All beauty compass(d in a female form# The Princess= liker to the inhabitant /f some clear planet close upon the Sun# Than our manLs earth= such eyes %ere in her head# And so much +race and po%er# breathin+ do%n 7rom o&er her arch(d bro%s# %ith e&ery turn Li&(d thro( her to the tips of her lon+ hands# And to her feet! GGG !!!then an officer 0ose up# and read the statutes# such as these) 4ot for three years to correspond %ith home) 4ot for three years to cross the liberties= 4ot for three years to speak %ith any men= And many more# %hich hastily subscribed# We enter(d on the boards) and H4o%#( she cried# H5e are +reen %ood# see ye %arp not!!! !!!/ lift your natures up) 'mbrace our aims) %ork out your freedom! :irls# ,no%led+e is no% no more a fountain seal(d) 6rink deep# until the habits of the sla&e#

The sins of emptiness# +ossip and spite And slander# die! ;etter not be at all Than not be noble! Lea&e us) you may +o) Today the Lady Psyche %ill haran+ue The fresh arri&als of the %eek before= 7or they press in from all the pro&inces# And fill the hi&e!( She spoke# and bo%in+ %a&ed 6ismissal) back a+ain %e crost the court To Lady Psyche(s) as %e enter(d in# There sat alon+ the forms# like mornin+ do&es That sun their milky bosoms on the thatch# A patient ran+e of pupils= she herself 'rect behind a desk of satin$%ood# A Fuick brunette# %ell$moulded# falcon$eyed# And on the hither side# or so she look(d# /f t%enty summers! GGG At last a solemn +race 1oncluded# and %e sou+ht the +ardens) there /ne %alked recitin+ by herself# and one "n this hand held a &olume as to read# And smoothed a petted peacock do%n %ith that) Some to a lo% son+ oar(d a shallop by# /r under arches of the marble brid+e 9un+# shado%(d from the heat) some hid and sou+ht "n the oran+e thickets) others tost a ball Abo&e the fountain$Eets# and back a+ain With lau+hter) others lay about the la%ns# /f the older sort# and murmured that their -ay Was passin+) %hat %as learnin+ unto themJ They %ish(d to marry= they could rule a house= -en hated learned %omen) but %e three Sat muffled like the 7ates= and often came -elissa hittin+ all %e sa% %ith shafts /f +entle satire# kin to charity# That harm(d not) then day droopt= the chapel bells 1all(d us) %e left the %alks= %e mixt %ith those Six hundred maidens clad in purest %hite# ;efore t%o streams of li+ht from %all to %all# While the +reat or+an almost burst his pipes# :roanin+ for po%er# and rollin+ thro( the court A lon+ melodious thunder to the sound /f solemn psalms# and sil&er litanies# The %ork of "da# to call do%n from 9ea&en A blessin+ on her labours for the %orld!

S%eet and lo%# s%eet and lo%# Wind of the %estern sea# Lo%# lo%# breathe and blo%# Wind of the %estern seaI /&er the rollin+ %aters +o# 1ome from the dyin+ moon# and blo%# ;lo% him a+ain to me= While my little one# %hile my pretty one# sleeps! Sleep and rest# sleep and rest# 7ather %ill come to thee soon= 0est# rest# on mother(s breast# 7ather %ill come to thee soon= 7ather %ill come to his babe in the nest# Sil&er sails all out of the %est 8nder the sil&er moon) Sleep# my little one# sleep# my pretty one# sleep! GGG &Lady Psyche is 9lorian%s sister7 4ut although they are unmasked 4y her, the three men hide their identities from the *rincess# The narrator lets the Princess think he is a lady from his o"n court, "ho kno"s the man she is 4etrothed to#, Then summoned to the porch %e %ent! She stood Amon+ her maidens# hi+her by the head# 9er back a+ainst a pillar# her foot on one /f those tame leopards! ,ittenlike he rolled And pa%ed about her sandal! " dre% near= " +a<ed! /n a sudden my stran+e sei<ure came 8pon me# the %eird &ision of our house) The Princess "da seemed a hollo% sho%# 9er +ay$furred cats a painted fantasy# 9er colle+e and her maidens# empty masks# And " myself the shado% of a dream# 7or all thin+s %ere and %ere not! 5et " felt -y heart beat thick %ith passion and %ith a%e= Then from my breast the in&oluntary si+h ;rake# as she smote me %ith the li+ht of eyes That lent my knee desire to kneel# and shook -y pulses# till to horse %e +ot# and so Went forth in lon+ retinue follo%in+ up The ri&er as it narro%ed to the hills! GGG &!e s*eaks to Princess Ida of her 4etrothed, "hom she says she does not intend to marry, " stammered that " kne% him . could ha&e %ish(d. H/ur kin+ expects . %as there no precontractJ There is no truer$hearted . ah# you seem

All he prefi+ured# and he could not see The bird of passa+e flyin+ south but lon+(d To follo%) surely# if your 9i+hness keep 5our purport# you %ill shock him e&(n to death# /r baser courses# children of despair!( HPoor boy#( she said# Hcan he not read . no booksJ 3uoit# tennis# ball . no +amesJ nor deals in that Which men deli+ht in# martial exerciseJ To nurse a blind ideal like a +irl# -ethinks he seems no better than a +irl= As +irls %ere once# as %e ourself ha&e been) We had our dreams= perhaps he mixt %ith them) We touch on our dead self# nor shun to do it# ;ein+ other . since %e learnt our meanin+ here# To lift the %oman(s fall(n di&inity 8pon an e&en pedestal %ith man!( GGG &The Princess and her follo"ers tra3el u* into the hills#, !!!up %e came to %here the ri&er sloped To plun+e in cataract# shatterin+ on black blocks A breadth of thunder! /(er it shook the %oods# And danced the colour# and# belo%# stuck out The bones of some &ast bulk that li&ed and roar(d ;efore man %as! She +a<ed a%hile and said# HAs these rude bones to us# are %e to her That %ill be!( H6are %e dream of that#( " ask(d# HWhich %rou+ht us# as the %orkman and his %ork# That practice bettersJ( H9o%#( she cried# Hyou lo&e The metaphysicsI read and earn our pri<e# A +olden brooch) beneath an emerald plane Sits 6iotima# teachin+ him that died /f hemlock= our de&ice= %rou+ht to the life= She rapt upon her subEect# he on her) 7or there are schools for all!( HAnd yet( " said H-ethinks " ha&e not found amon+ them all /ne anatomic!( H4ay# %e thou+ht of that#( She ans%er(d# Hbut it pleased us not) in truth We shudder but to dream our maids should ape Those monstrous males that car&e the li&in+ hound# And cram him %ith the fra+ments of the +ra&e# /r in the dark dissol&in+ human heart# And holy secrets of this microcosm!( &.iotima "as an ancient 0reek female *hiloso*her and tutor of $ocrates, ;him that died of hemlock<# Anatomic means concerning the study of anatomy# The grou* continues to tra3el through the hills#,

GGG !!!then# climbin+# 1yril kept With Psyche# %ith -elissa 7lorian# " With mine affianced! -any a little hand :lanced like a touch of sunshine on the rocks# -any a li+ht foot shone like a Ee%el set "n the dark cra+) and then %e turn(d# %e %ound About the cliffs# the copses# out and in# 9ammerin+ and clinkin+# chatterin+ stony names /f shale and hornblende# ra+ and trap and tuff# Amy+daloid and trachyte# till the Sun :re% broader to%ard his death and fell# and all The rosy hei+hts came out abo&e the la%ns! "2 The splendour falls on castle %alls And sno%y summits old in story) The lon+ li+ht shakes across the lakes# And the %ild cataract leaps in +lory! ;lo%# bu+le# blo%# set the %ild echoes flyin+# ;lo%# bu+le= ans%er# echoes# dyin+# dyin+# dyin+! / hark# / hearI ho% thin and clear# And thinner# clearer# farther +oin+I / s%eet and far from cliff and scar The horns of 'lfland faintly blo%in+I ;lo%# let us hear the purple +lens replyin+) ;lo%# bu+le= ans%er# echoes# dyin+# dyin+# dyin+! / lo&e# they die in yon rich sky# They faint on hill or field or ri&er) /ur echoes roll from soul to soul# And +ro% for e&er and for e&er! ;lo%# bu+le# blo%# set the %ild echoes flyin+# And ans%er# echoes# ans%er# dyin+# dyin+# dyin+! HThere sinks the nebulous star %e call the Sun# "f that hypothesis of theirs be sound( Said "da= Hlet us do%n and rest=( and %e 6o%n from the lean and %rinkled precipices# ;y e&ery coppice$feather(d chasm and cleft# 6ropt throu+h the ambrosial +loom to %here belo% 4o bi++er than a +lo%$%orm shone the tent Lamp$lit from the inner! /nce she lean(d on me# 6escendin+= once or t%ice she lent her hand# And blissful palpitations in the blood# Stirrin+ a sudden transport rose and fell!

;ut %hen %e planted le&el feet# and dipt ;eneath the satin dome and enter(d in# There leanin+ deep in broider(d do%n %e sank /ur elbo%s) on a tripod in the midst A fra+rant flame rose# and before us +lo%(d 7ruit# blossom# &iand# amber %ine# and +old! Then she# HLet some one sin+ to us) li+htlier mo&e The minutes fled+ed %ith music)( and a maid# /f those beside her# smote her harp# and san+! HTears# idle tears# " kno% not %hat they mean# Tears from the depth of some di&ine despair 0ise in the heart# and +ather to the eyes# "n lookin+ on the happy Autumn$fields# And thinkin+ of the days that are no more! H7resh as the first beam +litterin+ on a sail# That brin+s our friends up from the under%orld# Sad as the last %hich reddens o&er one That sinks %ith all %e lo&e belo% the &er+e= So sad# so fresh# the days that are no more! HAh# sad and stran+e as in dark summer da%ns The earliest pipe of half$a%aken(d birds To dyin+ ears# %hen unto dyin+ eyes The casement slo%ly +ro%s a +limmerin+ sFuare= So sad# so stran+e# the days that are no more! H6ear as remembered kisses after death# And s%eet as those by hopeless fancy fei+n(d /n lips that are for others= deep as lo&e# 6eep as first lo&e# and %ild %ith all re+ret= / 6eath in Life# the days that are no more!( She ended %ith such passion that the tear# She san+ of# shook and fell# an errin+ pearl Lost in her bosom) but %ith some disdain Ans%ered the Princess# H"f indeed there haunt About the moulder(d lod+es of the Past So s%eet a &oice and &a+ue# fatal to men# Well needs it %e should cram our ears %ith %ool And so pace by) but thine are fancies hatched "n silken$folded idleness!!! GGG

&The narrator sa3es Ida "hen she falls in the ri3er, 4ut his identity is no" re3ealed# The angry Princess is deciding =udgment on him "hen t"o letters are deli3ered to her#, She %hirled them on to me# as %ho should say 0ead# and " read . t%o letters . one her sire(s! H7air dau+hter# %hen %e sent the Prince your %ay# We kne% not your un+racious la%s# %hich learnt# We# conscious of %hat temper you are built# 1ame all in haste to hinder %ron+# but fell "nto his father(s hands# %ho has this ni+ht# 5ou lyin+ close upon his territory# Slipt round and in the dark in&ested you# And here he keeps me hosta+e for his son!( The second %as my fatherLs runnin+ thus) H5ou ha&e our son) touch not a hair of his head) 0ender him up unscathed) +i&e him your hand) 1lea&e to your contract) tho( indeed %e hear 5ou hold the %oman is the better man= A rampant heresy# such as if it spread Would make all %omen kick a+ainst their Lords Throu+h all the %orld# and %hich mi+ht %ell deser&e That %e this ni+ht should pluck your palace do%n= And %e %ill do it# unless you send us back /ur son# on the instant# %hole!( GGG (The narrator is sent a"ay 4y the Princess and finds his "ay to his father, "ho is ready to "age "ar, And rou+hly spake -y father# HTut# you kno% them not# the +irls! ;oy# %hen " hear you prate " almost think That idiot le+end credible! Look you# SirI -an is the hunter= %oman is his +ame) The sleek and shinin+ creatures of the chase# We hunt them for the beauty of their skins= They lo&e us for it# and %e ride them do%n! Wheedlin+ and sidin+ %ith themI /utI for shameI ;oy# there(s no rose that(s half so dear to them As he that does the thin+ they dare not do# ;reathin+ and soundin+ beauteous battle# comes With the air of the trumpet round him# and leaps in Amon+ the %omen# snares them by the score 7latter(d and fluster(d# %ins# thou+h dash(d %ith death 9e reddens %hat he kisses) thus " %on 5our mother# a +ood mother# a +ood %ife# Worth %innin+= but this firebrand . +entleness

To such as herI if 1yril spake her true# To catch a dra+on in a cherry net# To trip a ti+ress %ith a +ossamer Were %isdom to it!( GGG &They go to "ar# The narrator 3o"s to fight on the Princess%s 4ehalf, 4ut in com4at meets the huge "arrior Arac, ;ut that lar+e$moulded man# 9is &isa+e all a+rin as at a %ake# -ade at me thro( the press# and# sta++erin+ back With stroke on stroke the horse and horseman# came As comes a pillar of electric cloud# 7layin+ the roofs and suckin+ up the drains# And shado%in+ do%n the champai+n till it strikes /n a %ood# and takes# and breaks# and cracks# and splits# And t%ists the +rain %ith such a roar that 'arth 0eels# and the herdsmen cry= for e&erythin+ :a&e %ay before him) only 7lorian# he That lo&ed me closer than his o%n ri+ht eye# Thrust in bet%een= but Arac rode him do%n) And 1yril seein+ it# push(d a+ainst the Prince# With Psyche(s colour round his helmet# tou+h# Stron+# supple# sine%$corded# apt at arms= ;ut tou+her# hea&ier# stron+er# he that smote And thre% him) last " spurr(d= " felt my &eins Stretch %ith fierce heat= a moment hand to hand# And s%ord to s%ord# and horse to horse %e hun+# Till " struck out and shouted= the blade +lanced# " did but shear a feather# and dream and truth 7lo%ed from me= darkness closed me= and " fell! GGG (Ida and her girls 4ecome nurses to tend the "ounded, ;ut sadness on the soul of "da fell# And hatred of her %eakness# blent %ith shame! /ld studies fail(d= seldom she spoke) but oft 1lomb to the roofs# and +a<ed alone for hours /n that disastrous lea+uer# s%arms of men 6arkenin+ her female field) &oid %as her use# And she as one that climbs a peak to +a<e /(er land and main# and sees a +reat black cloud 6ra+ in%ard from the deeps# a %all of ni+ht# ;lot out the slope of sea from &er+e to shore# And suck the blindin+ splendour from the sand# And Fuenchin+ lake by lake and tarn by tarn 'xpun+e the %orld) so fared she +a<in+ there= So blacken(d all her %orld in secret# blank

And %aste it seem(d and &ain= till do%n she came# And found fair peace once more amon+ the sick! And t%ili+ht da%n(d= and morn by morn the lark Shot up and shrill(d in flickerin+ +yres# but " Lay silent in the muffled ca+e of life) And t%ili+ht +loom(d= and broader$+ro%n the bo%ers 6re% the +reat ni+ht into themsel&es# and 9ea&en# Star after Star# arose and fell= but "# 6eeper than those %eird doubts could reach me# lay 3uite sundered from the mo&in+ 8ni&erse# 4or kne% %hat eye %as on me# nor the hand That nursed me# more than infants in their sleep! GGG 6eep in the ni+ht " %oke) she# near me# held A &olume of the Poets of her land) There to herself# all in lo% tones# she read! H4o% sleeps the crimson petal# no% the %hite= 4or %a&es the cypress in the palace %alk= 4or %inks the +old fin in the porphyry font) The fire$fly %akens) %ake thou %ith me! 4o% droops the milk%hite peacock like a +host# And like a +host she +limmers on to me! 4o% lies the 'arth all 6anaM to the stars# And all thy heart lies open unto me! 4o% lies the silent meteor on# and lea&es A shinin+ furro%# as thy thou+hts in me! 4o% folds the lily all her s%eetness up# And slips into the bosom of the lake) So fold thyself# my dearest# thou# and slip "nto my bosom and be lost in me!( GGG &The *rincess admits to lo3ing the narrator, and castigates herself for former foolishness, H;lame not thyself too much#( " said# Hnor blame Too much the sons of men and barbarous la%s= These %ere the rou+h %ays of the %orld till no%! 9enceforth thou hast a helper# me# that kno% The %oman(s cause is man(s) they rise or sink To+ether# d%arf(d or +odlike# bond or free) 7or she that out of Lethe scales %ith man

The shinin+ steps of 4ature# shares %ith man 9is ni+hts# his days# mo&es %ith him to one +oal# Stays all the fair youn+ planet in her hands. "f she be small# sli+ht$natured# miserable# 9o% shall men +ro%J but %ork no more aloneI /ur place is much) as far as in us lies We t%o %ill ser&e them both in aidin+ her. Will clear a%ay the parasitic forms That seem to keep her up but dra+ her do%n. Will lea&e her space to bur+eon out of all Within her . let her make herself her o%n To +i&e or keep# to li&e and learn and be All that not harms distincti&e %omanhood! 7or %oman is not unde&elopt man# ;ut di&erse) could %e make her as the man# S%eet Lo&e %ere slain) his dearest bond is this# 4ot like to like# but like in difference! 5et in the lon+ years liker must they +ro%= The man be more of %oman# she of man= 9e +ain in s%eetness and in moral hei+ht# 4or lose the %restlin+ the%s that thro% the %orld= She mental breadth# nor fail in child%ard care# 4or lose the childlike in the lar+er mind= Till at the last she set herself to man# Like perfect music unto noble %ords= And so these t%ain# upon the skirts of Time# Sit side by side# full$summ(d in all their po%ers# 6ispensin+ har&est# so%in+ the To$be# Self$re&erent each and re&erencin+ each# 6istinct in indi&idualities# ;ut like each other e&en as those %ho lo&e! GGG :i&(n back to life# to life indeed# thro( thee# "ndeed " lo&e) the ne% day comes# the li+ht 6earer for ni+ht# as dearer thou for faults Li&ed o&er) lift thine eyes= my doubts are dead# -y hauntin+ sense of hollo% sho%s) the chan+e# This truthful chan+e in thee has kill(d it! 6ear# Look up# and let thy nature strike on mine# Like yonder mornin+ on the blind half$%orld= Approach and fear not= breathe upon my bro%s= "n that fine air " tremble# all the past -elts mist$like into this bri+ht hour# and this "s morn to more# and all the rich to$come 0eels# as the +olden Autumn %oodland reels Ath%art the smoke of burnin+ %eeds! 7or+i&e me# " %aste my heart in si+ns) let be! -y bride# -y %ife# my life! / %e %ill %alk this %orld# 5oked in all exercise of noble end#

And so throu+h those dark +ates across the %ild That no man kno%s! "ndeed " lo&e thee) come# 5ield thyself up) my hopes and thine are one) Accomplish thou my manhood and thyself= Lay thy s%eet hands in mine and trust to me!( Notes The poem %as used by :ilbert and Sulli&an as the basis for their comic opera OPrincess "daP (188C # %hich satirised feminism!

iscellaneous poems *de on the 3eath of the 3u'e of 4ellin#ton (extract) " ;ury the :reat 6uke With an empire(s lamentation# Let us bury the :reat 6uke To the noise of the mournin+ of a mi+hty nation# -ournin+ %hen their leaders fall# Warriors carry the %arrior(s pall# And sorro% darkens hamlet and hall! "" Where shall %e lay the man %hom %e deploreJ 9ere# in streamin+ London(s central roar! Let the sound of those he %rou+ht for# And the feet of those he fou+ht for# 'cho round his bones for e&ermore! """ Lead out the pa+eant) sad and slo%# As fits an uni&ersal %oe# Let the lon+ lon+ procession +o# And let the sorro%in+ cro%d about it +ro%# And let the mournful martial music blo%= The last +reat 'n+lishman is lo%! The Char#e of the Li#ht &ri#ade " 9alf a lea+ue# half a lea+ue# 9alf a lea+ue on%ard# All in the &alley of 6eath 0ode the six hundred! H7or%ard# the Li+ht ;ri+adeI 1har+e for the +unsI( he said! "nto the &alley of 6eath 0ode the six hundred! "" H7or%ard# the Li+ht ;ri+adeI( Was there a man dismay(dJ 4ot tho( the soldier kne% Someone had blunder(d! Their(s not to make reply# Their(s not to reason %hy# Their(s but to do and die=

"nto the &alley of 6eath 0ode the six hundred! """ 1annon to ri+ht of them# 1annon to left of them# 1annon in front of them 2olley(d and thunder(d= Storm(d at %ith shot and shell# ;oldly they rode and %ell# "nto the Ea%s of 6eath# "nto the mouth of 9ell 0ode the six hundred! "2 7lash(d all their sabres bare# 7lash(d as they turn(d in air Sabrin+ the +unners there# 1har+in+ an army# %hile All the %orld %onder(d) Plun+ed in the battery$smoke 0i+ht thro( the line they broke= 1ossack and 0ussian 0eel(d from the sabre$stroke Shatter(d and sunder(d# Then they rode back# but not 4ot the six hundred! 2 1annon to ri+ht of them# 1annon to left of them# 1annon behind them 2olley(d and thunder(d= Storm(d at %ith shot and shell# While horse and hero fell# They that had fou+ht so %ell 1ame thro( the Ea%s of 6eath# ;ack from the mouth of 9ell# All that %as left of them# Left of six hundred! 2" When can their +lory fadeJ / the %ild char+e they madeI All the %orld %onder(d! 9onour the char+e they madeI 9onour the Li+ht ;ri+ade# 4oble six hundredI

otes Written in 18BC durin+ the 1rimean War to mark the disastrous char+e at ;alacla&a# %hen the Li+ht ;ri+ade of the ;ritish Army %ere %ron+ly ordered to attack a 0ussian artillery battery and suffered dreadful casualties! "n 189># a %ax cylinder recordin+ %as made of Tennyson recitin+ the poem! This remarkable# if some%hat indistinct# recordin+ can be heard online at %%%!poetryarchi&e!or+ The !i#her Pantheism The sun# the moon# the stars# the seas# the hills and the plains. Are not these# / Soul# the 2ision of 9im %ho rei+nsJ "s not the 2ision 9e# tho( 9e be not that %hich 9e seemsJ 6reams are true %hile they last# and do %e not li&e in dreamsJ 'arth# these solid stars# this %ei+ht of body and limb# Are they not si+n and symbol of thy di&ision from 9imJ 6ark is the %orld to thee= thyself art the reason %hy# 7or is 9e not all but that %hich has po%er to feel H" am "(J :lory about thee# %ithout thee= and thou fulfillest thy doom# -akin+ 9im broken +leams# and a stifled splendour and +loom! Speak to 9im# thou# for 9e hears# and Spirit %ith Spirit can meet. 1loser is 9e than breathin+# and nearer than hands and feet! :od is la%# say the %ise= / soul# and let us reEoice# 7or if 9e thunder by la% the thunder is yet 9is &oice! La% is :od# say some= no :od at all# says the fool= 7or all %e ha&e po%er to see is a strai+ht staff bent in a pool= And the ear of man cannot hear# and the eye of man cannot see= ;ut if %e could see and hear# this 2ision . %ere it not 9eJ Notes Pantheism) the doctrine that :od is in e&erythin+ and e&erythin+ is :od! !endecasylla<ics / you chorus of indolent re&ie%ers# "rresponsible# indolent re&ie%ers# Look# " come to the test# a tiny poem All composed in a metre of 1atullus# All in Fuantity# careful of my motion# Like the skater on ice that hardly bears him#

Lest " fall una%ares before the people# Wakin+ lau+hter in indolent re&ie%ers! Should " flounder a%hile %ithout a tumble Thro( this metrification of 1atullus# They should speak to me not %ithout a %elcome# All that chorus of indolent re&ie%ers! 9ard# hard# hard it is# only not to tumble# So fantastical is the dainty metre! Wherefore sli+ht me not %holly# nor belie&e me Too presumptuous# indolent re&ie%ers! / blatant -a+a<ines# re+ard me rather. Since " blush to belaud myself a moment. As some rare little rose# a piece of inmost 9orticultural art# or half$coFuette$like -aiden# not to be +reeted unbeni+nly! otes A hendecasyllabic is a &erse line of ele&en syllables# %ith the fourth# fifth# se&enth and ninth syllables unaccented! "t %as used by the 0oman poet 1atullus (c 8C ;1 to BC ;1!

In Memoriam A ! ! (extracts) " Stron+ Son of :od# immortal Lo&e# Whom %e# that ha&e not seen thy face# ;y faith# and faith alone# embrace# ;elie&in+ %here %e cannot pro&e= Thine are these orbs of li+ht and shade= Thou madest Life in man and brute= Thou madest 6eath= and lo# thy foot "s on the skull %hich thou hast made! Thou %ilt not lea&e us in the dust) Thou madest man# he kno%s not %hy# 9e thinks he %as not made to die= And thou hast made him) thou art Eust! GGG "2 To sleep " +i&e my po%ers a%ay= -y %ill is bondsman to the dark= " sit %ithin a helmless bark# And %ith my heart " muse and say) / heart# ho% fares it %ith thee no%# That thou should(st fail from thy desire# Who scarcely darest to inFuire# HWhat is it makes me beat so lo%J( Somethin+ it is %hich thou hast lost# Some pleasure from thine early years! ;reak# thou deep &ase of chillin+ tears# That +rief hath shaken into frostI Such clouds of nameless trouble cross All ni+ht belo% the darken(d eyes= With mornin+ %akes the %ill# and cries# HThou shalt not be the fool of loss!( GGG 2"" 6ark house# by %hich once more " stand 9ere in the lon+ unlo&ely street# 6oors# %here my heart %as used to beat So Fuickly# %aitin+ for a hand#

A hand that can be clasp(d no more. ;ehold me# for " cannot sleep# And like a +uilty thin+ " creep At earliest mornin+ to the door! 9e is not here= but far a%ay The noise of life be+ins a+ain# And +hastly thro( the dri<<lin+ rain /n the bald street breaks the blank day! GGG Q " hear the noise about thy keel= " hear the bell struck in the ni+ht) " see the cabin$%indo% bri+ht= " see the sailor at the %heel! Thou brin+st the sailor to his %ife# And tra&ell(d men from forei+n lands= And letters unto tremblin+ hands= And# thy dark frei+ht# a &anish(d life! GGG Q2 To$ni+ht the %inds be+in to rise And roar from yonder droppin+ day) The last red leaf is %hirl(d a%ay# The rooks are blo%n about the skies= The forest crack(d# the %aters curl(d# The cattle huddled on the lea= And %ildly dash(d on to%er and tree The sunbeam strikes alon+ the %orld) And but for fancies# %hich a&er That all thy motions +ently pass Ath%art a plane of molten +lass# " scarce could brook the strain and stir That makes the barren branches loud= And but for fear it is not so# The %ild unrest that li&es in %oe Would dote and pore on yonder cloud That rises up%ard al%ays hi+her# And on%ard dra+s a labourin+ breast# And topples round the dreary %est# A loomin+ bastion frin+ed %ith fire!

GGG QQ The lesser +riefs that may be said# That breathe a thousand tender &o%s# Are but as ser&ants in a house Where lies a master ne%ly dead= Who speak their feelin+ as it is# And %eep the fulness from the mind) H"t %ill be hard#( they say# Hto find Another ser&ice such as this!( -y li+hter moods are like to these# That out of %ords a comfort %in= ;ut there are other +riefs %ithin# And tears that at their fountain free<e= 7or by the hearth the children sit 1old in that atmosphere of 6eath# And scarce endure to dra% the breath# /r like to noiseless phantoms flit) ;ut open con&erse is there none# So much the &ital spirits sink To see the &acant chair# and think# H9o% +oodI ho% kindI and he is +one!( GGG QQ"" The path by %hich %e t%ain did +o# Which led by tracts that pleased us %ell# Thro( four s%eet years arose and fell# 7rom flo%er to flo%er# from sno% to sno%) And %e %ith sin+in+ cheer(d the %ay# And# cro%n(d %ith all the season lent# 7rom April on to April %ent# And +lad at heart from -ay to -ay) ;ut %here the path %e %alk(d be+an To slant the fifth autumnal slope# As %e descended follo%in+ 9ope# There sat the Shado% fear(d of man= Who broke our fair companionship# And spread his mantle dark and cold#

And %rapt thee formless in the fold# And dull(d the murmur on thy lip# And bore thee %here " could not see 4or follo%# tho( " %alk in haste# And think# that some%here in the %aste The Shado% sits and %aits for me! GGG QQ2"" The time dra%s near the birth of 1hrist) The moon is hid= the ni+ht is still= The 1hristmas bells from hill to hill Ans%er each other in the mist! 7our &oices of four hamlets round# 7rom far and near# on mead and moor# S%ell out and fail# as if a door Were shut bet%een me and the sound) 'ach &oice four chan+es on the %ind# That no% dilate# and no% decrease# Peace and +ood%ill# +ood%ill and peace# Peace and +ood%ill# to all mankind! This year " slept and %oke %ith pain# " almost %ish(d no more to %ake# And that my hold on life %ould break ;efore " heard those bells a+ain) ;ut they my troubled spirit rule# 7or they controll(d me %hen a boy= They brin+ me sorro% touched %ith Eoy# The merry merry bells of 5ule! GGG QQQ2 5et if some &oice that man could trust Should murmur from the narro% house# HThe cheeks drop in= the body bo%s -an dies) nor is there hope in dust!( -i+ht " not sayJ H5et e&en here# ;ut for one hour# / Lo&e# " stri&e To keep so s%eet a thin+ ali&e)( ;ut " should turn mine ears and hear

The moanin+s of the homeless sea# The sound of streams that s%ift or slo% 6ra% do%n Aeonian hills# and so% The dust of continents to be!!! GGG QL" Thy spirit ere our fatal loss 6id e&er rise from hi+h to hi+her= As mounts the hea&en%ard altar$fire# As flies the li+hter throu+h the +ross! ;ut thou art turn(d to somethin+ stran+e# And " ha&e lost the links that bound Thy chan+es= here upon the +round# 4o more partaker of thy chan+e! 6eep follyI yet that this could be. That " could %in+ my %ill %ith mi+ht To leap the +rades of life and li+ht# And flash at once# my friend# to thee! 7or tho( my nature rarely yields To that &a+ue fear implied in death= 4o% shudders at the +uilt beneath# The ho%lin+s from for+otten fields= 5et oft %hen sundo%n skirts the moor An inner trouble " behold# A spectral doubt %hich makes me cold# That " shall be thy mate no more# Tho( follo%in+ %ith an up%ard mind The %onders that ha&e come to thee# Thro( all the secular to$be# ;ut e&ermore a life behind! GGG QL2 The baby ne% to earth and sky# What time his tender palm is prest A+ainst the circle of the breast# 9as ne&er thou+ht that Hthis is ")( ;ut as he +ro%s he +athers much# And learns the use of H"#( and Hme#( And finds H" am not %hat " see# And other than the thin+s " touch!(

So rounds he to a separate mind 7rom %hence clear memory may be+in# As thro( the frame that binds him in 9is isolation +ro%s defined! This use may lie in blood and breath# Which else %ere fruitless of their due# 9ad man to learn himself ane% ;eyond the second birth of 6eath! GGG L ;e near me %hen my li+ht is lo%# When the blood creeps# and the ner&es prick And tin+le= and the heart is sick# And all the %heels of ;ein+ slo%! ;e near me %hen the sensuous frame "s rack(d %ith pan+s that conFuer trust= And Time# a maniac scatterin+ dust# And life# a fury slin+in+ flame! ;e near me %hen my faith is dry# And men the flies of latter sprin+# That lay their e++s# and stin+ and sin+ And %ea&e their pretty cells and die! ;e near me %hen " fade a%ay# To point the term of human strife# And on the lo% dark &er+e of life The t%ili+ht of eternal day! GGG L2"" Peace= come a%ay) the son+ of %oe "s after all an earthly son+) Peace= come a%ay) %e do him %ron+ To sin+ so %ildly) let us +o! 1ome= let us +o) your cheeks are pale= ;ut half my life " lea&e behind) -ethinks my friend is richly shrined= ;ut " shall pass= my %ork %ill fail! 5et in these ears# till hearin+ dies# /ne set slo% bell %ill seem to toll

The passin+ of the s%eetest soul That e&er look(d %ith human eyes! GGG LQ2"" When on my bed the moonli+ht falls# " kno% that in thy place of rest ;y that broad %ater of the %est# There comes a +lory on the %alls) Thy marble bri+ht in dark appears# As slo%ly steals a sil&er flame Alon+ the letters of thy name# And o(er the number of thy years! The mystic +lory s%ims a%ay= 7rom off my bed the moonli+ht dies= And closin+ ea&es of %earied eyes " sleep till dusk is dipt in +ray) And then " kno% the mist is dra%n A lucid &eil from coast to coast# And in the dark church like a +host Thy tablet +limmers to the da%n! GGG LQQ""" So many %orlds# so much to do# So little done# such thin+s to be# 9o% kno% " %hat had need of thee# 7or thou %ert stron+ as thou %ert trueJ The flame is Fuenched that " foresa%# The head hath miss(d an earthly %reath) " curse not nature# no# nor death= 7or nothin+ is that errs from la%! We pass= the path that each man trod "s dim# or %ill be dim# %ith %eeds) What fame is left for human deeds "n endless a+eJ "t rests %ith :od! / hollo% %raith of dyin+ fame# 7ade %holly# %hile the sold exults# And self$infolds the lar+e results /f force that %ould ha&e for+ed a name! GGG

LQQQ""" 6ip do%n upon the northern shore# / s%eet ne%$year delayin+ lon+= Thou doest expectant nature %ron+= 6elayin+ lon+# delay no more! What stays thee from the clouded noons# Thy s%eetness from its proper placeJ 1an trouble li&e %ith April days# /r sadness in the summer moonsJ ;rin+ orchis# brin+ the fox+lo&e spire# The little speed%ell(s darlin+ blue# 6eep tulips dash(d %ith fiery de%# Laburnums# droppin+$%ells of fire! / thou ne%$year# delayin+ lon+# 6elayest the sorro% in my blood# That lon+s to burst a fro<en bud And flood a fresher throat %ith son+! GGG LQQQ2 This truth came borne %ith bier and pall# " felt it# %hen " sorro%(d most# (Tis better to ha&e lo&ed and lost# Than ne&er to ha&e lo&ed at all. / true in %ord# and tried in deed# 6emandin+# so to brin+ relief To this %hich is our common +rief# What kind of life is that " lead= And %hether trust in thin+s abo&e ;e dimm(d of sorro%# or sustain(d= And %hether lo&e for him ha&e drain(d -y capabilities of lo&e= 5our %ords ha&e &irtue such as dra%s A faithful ans%er from the breast# Thro( li+ht reproaches# half exprest And loyal unto kindly la%s! -y blood an e&en tenor kept# Till on mine ear this messa+e falls# That in 2ienna(s fatal %alls :od(s fin+er touch(d him# and he slept!

GGG ;ut Summer on the steamin+ floods# And Sprin+ that s%ells the narro% brooks# And Autumn# %ith a noise of rooks# That +ather in the %anin+ %oods# And e&ery pulse of %ind and %a&e 0ecalls# in chan+e of li+ht or +loom# -y old affection of the tomb# And my prime passion in the +ra&e) -y old affection of the tomb# A part of stillness# yearns to speak) HArise# and +et thee forth and seek A friendship for the years to come! H" %atch thee from the Fuiet shore= Thy spirit up to mine can reach= ;ut in dear %ords of human speech We t%o communicate no more!( GGG LQQQ2" S%eet after sho%ers# ambrosial air# That rollest from the +or+eous +loom /f e&enin+ o&er brake and bloom And meado%# slo%ly breathin+ bare The round of space# and rapt belo% Thro( all the de%y$tassell(d %ood# And shado%in+ do%n the horned flood "n ripples# fan my bro% and blo% The fe&er from my cheek# and si+h The full ne% life that feeds thy breath Throu+hout my frame# till 6oubt and 6eath# "ll brethren# let the fancy fly 7rom belt to belt of crimson seas /n lea+ues of odour streamin+ far# To %here in yonder orient star A hundred spirits %hisper HPeace!( LQQQ2"" " past beside the re&erend %alls "n %hich of old " %ore the +o%n=

" ro&ed at random thro( the to%n# And sa% the tumult of the halls= And heard once more in colle+e fanes The storm their hi+h$built or+ans make# And thunder$music# rollin+# shake The prophet bla<on(d on the panes= And cau+ht once more the distant shout# The measured pulse of racin+ oars Amon+ the %illo%s= paced the shores /f many a brid+e# and all about The same +ray flats a+ain# and felt The same# but not the same= and last 8p that lon+ %alk of limes " past To see the rooms in %hich he d%elt! GGG Q12 ;y ni+ht %e lin+er(d on the la%n# 7or underfoot the herb %as dry= And +enial %armth= and o(er the sky The sil&ery ha<e of summer dra%n= And calm that let the tapers burn 8n%a&erin+) not a cricket chirr(d) The brook alone far$off %as heard# And on the board the flutterin+ urn) And bats %ent round in fra+rant skies# And %heel(d or lit the filmy shapes That haunt the dusk# %ith ermine capes And %oolly breasts and beaded eyes= While no% %e san+ old son+s that peal(d 7rom knoll to knoll# %here# couch(d at ease# The %hite kine +limmer(d# and the trees Laid their dark arms about the field! ;ut %hen those others# one by one# Withdre% themsel&es from me and ni+ht# And in the house li+ht after li+ht Went out# and " %as all alone# A hun+er sei<ed my heart= " read /f that +lad year %hich once had been# "n those fall(n lea&es %hich kept their +reen# The noble letters of the dead)

And stran+ely on the silence broke The silent$speakin+ %ords# and stran+e Was lo&e(s dumb cry defyin+ chan+e To test his %orth= and stran+ely spoke The faith# the &i+our# bold to d%ell /n doubts that dri&e the co%ard back# And keen thro( %ordy snares to track Su++estion to her inmost cell! So %ord by %ord# and line by line# The dead man touch(d me from the past# And all at once it seem(d at last The li&in+ soul %as flash(d on mine! GGG Q12"" -y lo&e has talk(d %ith rocks and trees= 9e finds on misty mountain$+round 9is o%n &ast shado% +lory$cro%n(d= 9e sees himself in all he sees! T%o partners of a married life. " look(d on these and thou+ht of thee "n &astness and in mystery# And of my spirit as a %ife! These t%o . they d%elt %ith eye on eye# Their hearts of old ha&e beat in tune# Their meetin+s made 6ecember Kune# And e&ery partin+ %as to die! GGG Q1"Q 0isest thou thus# dim da%n# a+ain# So loud %ith &oices of the birds# So thick %ith lo%in+s of the herds# 6ay# %hen " lost the flo%er of men= Who tremblest thro( thy darklin+ red /n yon s%oll(n brook that bubbles fast ;y meado%s breathin+ of the past# And %oodlands holy to the dead= Who murmurest in the folia+ed ea&es A son+ that sli+hts the comin+ care#

And Autumn layin+ here and there A fiery fin+er on the lea&es= Who %akenest %ith thy balmy breath To myriads on the +enial earth# -emories of bridal# or of birth# And unto myriads more# of death! / %heresoe&er those may be# ;et%ixt the slumber of the poles# Today they count as kindred souls= They kno% me not# but mourn %ith me! GGG 1" 8n%atched# the +arden bou+h shall s%ay# The tender blossom flutter do%n# 8nlo&ed# that beech %ill +ather bro%n# This maple burn itself a%ay= 8nlo&ed# the sun$flo%er# shinin+ fair# 0ay round %ith flames her disk of seed# And many a rose$carnation feed With summer spice the hummin+ air! GGG 1"2 0in+ out# %ild bells# to the %ild sky# The flyin+ cloud# the frosty li+ht) The year is dyin+ in the ni+ht= 0in+ out# %ild bells# and let him die! 0in+ out the old# rin+ in the ne%# 0in+# happy bells# across the sno%) The year is +oin+# let him +o= 0in+ out the false# rin+ in the true! 0in+ out the +rief that saps the mind# 7or those that here %e see no more= 0in+ out the feud of rich and poor# 0in+ in redress to all mankind! GGG 1Q2 4o% fades the last lon+ streak of sno%# 4o% bur+eons e&ery ma<e of Fuick

About the flo%erin+ sFuares# and thick ;y ashen roots the &iolets blo%! 4o% rin+s the %oodland loud and lon+# The distance takes a lo&elier hue# And dro%n(d in yonder li&in+ blue The lark becomes a si+htless son+! 4o% dance the li+hts on la%n and lea# The flocks are %hiter do%n the &ale# And milkier e&ery milky sail /n %indin+ stream or distant sea= Where no% the seame% pipes# or di&es "n yonder +reenin+ +leam# and fly The happy birds# that chan+e their sky To build and brood= that li&e their li&es 7rom land to land= and in my breast Sprin+ %akens too= and my re+ret ;ecomes an April &iolet# And buds and blossoms like the rest! GGG 1Q2"" / days and hours# your %ork is this To hold me from my proper place# A little %hile from his embrace# 7or fuller +ain of after bliss) That out of distance mi+ht ensue 6esire of nearness doubly s%eet= And unto meetin+ %hen %e meet# 6eli+ht a hundredfold accrue# 7or e&ery +rain of sand that runs# And e&ery span of shade that steals# And e&ery kiss of toothed %heels# And all the courses of the suns! GGG 1QQ""" There rolls the deep %here +re% the tree! / earth# %hat chan+es hast thou seenI There %here the lon+ street roars# hath been The stillness of the central sea!

The hills are shado%s# and they flo% 7rom form to form# and nothin+ stands= They melt like mist# the solid lands# The clouds they shape themsel&es and +o! ;ut in my spirit %ill " d%ell# And dream my dream# and hold it true= 7or tho( my lips may breathe adieu# " cannot think the thin+ fare%ell! GGG 1QQQ Thy &oice is on the rollin+ air= " hear thee %here the %aters run= Thou standest in the risin+ sun# And in the settin+ thou art fair! Who art thou thenJ " cannot +uess= ;ut tho( " seem in star and flo%er To feel thee some diffusi&e po%er# " do not therefore lo&e thee less) -y lo&e in&ol&es the lo&e before= -y lo&e is &aster passion no%= Tho( mix(d %ith :od and 4ature thou# " seem to lo&e thee more and more! 7ar off thou art# but e&er ni+h= " ha&e thee still# and " reEoice= " prosper# circled %ith thy &oice= " shall not lose thee tho( " die! .otes Written in memory of Arthur 9enry 9allam (1811 . 18AA # %hom Tennyson met at Trinity 1olle+e! A promisin+ scholar# poet and critic# 9allam became a close friend and %as also en+a+ed to Tennyson(s sister at the time of his sudden death in 2ienna! Tennyson %rote sections of the poem o&er many subseFuent years until it %as finally published in 18B>!

Maud; a Monodrama (extracts) Part I I "! " hate the dreadful hollo% behind the little %ood# "ts lips in the field abo&e are dabbled %ith blood$red heath# The red$ribb(d led+es drip %ith a silent horror of blood# And 'cho there# %hate&er is ask(d her# ans%ers H6eath!( ""! 7or there in the +hastly pit lon+ since a body %as found# 9is %ho had +i&en me life . / fatherI / :odI %as it %ellJ. -an+led# and flatten(d# and crush(d# and dinted into the +round) There yet lies the rock that fell %ith him %hen he fell! """! 6id he flin+ himself do%nJ %ho kno%sJ for a &ast speculation had fail(d# And e&er he mutter(d and madden(d# and e&er %ann(d %ith despair# And out he %alk(d %hen the %ind like a broken %orldin+ %ail(d# And the flyin+ +old of the ruin(d %oodlands dro&e throL the air! "2! " remember the time# for the roots of my hair %ere stirr(d ;y a shuffled step# by a dead %ei+ht trail(d# by a %hisper(d fri+ht# And my pulses closed their +ates %ith a shock on my heart as " heard The shrill$ed+ed shriek of a mother di&ide the shudderin+ ni+ht! 2 2illainy some%hereI %hoseJ /ne says# %e are &illains all! 4ot he) his honest fame should at least by me be maintained# ;ut that old man# no% lord of the broad estate and the 9all# 6ropt off +or+ed from a scheme that had left us flaccid and drain(d! GGG Q"2! WhatI am " ra+in+ alone as my father ra+ed in his moodJ -ust I too creep to the hollo% and dash myself do%n and die 0ather than hold by the la% that " made# ne&ermore to brood /n a horror of shatter(d limbs and a %retched s%indler(s lieJ Q2! Would there be sorro% for meJ there %as lo3e in the passionate shriek# Lo&e for the silent thin+ that had made false haste to the +ra&e. Wrapt in a cloak# as " sa% him# and thou+ht he %ould rise and speak And ra&e at the lie and the liar# ah :od# as he used to ra&e! Q2"! " am sick of the 9all and the hill# " am sick of the moor and the main! Why should " stayJ can a s%eeter chance e&er come to me hereJ

/# ha&in+ the ner&es of motion as %ell as the ner&es of pain# Were it not %ise if " fled from the place and the pit and the fearJ Q2""! Workmen up at the 9allI . they are comin+ back from abroad= The dark old place %ill be +ilt by the touch of a millionaire) " ha&e heard# " kno% not %hence# of the sin+ular beauty of -aud= " play(d %ith the +irl %hen a child= she promised then to be fair! Q2"""! -aud %ith her &enturous climbin+s and tumbles and childish escapes# -aud the deli+ht of the &illa+e# the rin+in+ Eoy of the 9all# -aud %ith her s%eet purse$mouth %hen my father dan+led the +rapes# -aud the belo&ed of my mother# the moon$faced darlin+ of all#. Q"Q! What is she no%J -y dreams are bad! She may brin+ me a curse! 4o# there is fatter +ame on the moor= she %ill let me alone! Thanks# for the fiend best kno%s %hether %oman or man be the %orse! " %ill bury myself in myself# and the 6e&il may pipe to his o%n! GGG II Lon+ ha&e " si+h(d for a calm) :od +rant " may find it at lastI "t %ill ne&er be broken by -aud# she has neither sa&our nor salt# ;ut a cold and clear$cut face# as " found %hen her carria+e past# Perfectly beautiful) let it be +ranted her) %here is the faultJ All that " sa% (for her eyes %ere do%ncast# not to be seen 7aultily faultless# icily re+ular# splendidly null# 6ead perfection# no more= nothin+ more# if it had not been 7or a chance of tra&el# a paleness# an hour(s defect of the rose# /r an underlip# you may call it a little too ripe# too full# /r the least little delicate aFuiline cur&e in a sensiti&e nose# 7rom %hich " escaped heart$free# %ith the least little touch of spleen! GGG I, """ When ha&e " bo%(d to her father# the %rinkled head of the raceJ " met to$day %ith her brother# but not to her brother " bo%(d) " bo%(d to his lady$sister as she rode by on the moor= ;ut the fire of a foolish pride flash(d o&er her beautiful face! / child# you %ron+ your beauty# belie&e it# in bein+ so proud= 5our father has %ealth %ell$+otten# and " am nameless and poor! GGG

"Q! ;e mine a philosopher(s life in the Fuiet %oodland %ays# Where if " cannot be +ay let a passionless peace be my lot# 7ar$off from the clamour of liars belied in the hubbub of lies= 7rom the lon+$neck(d +eese of the %orld that are e&er hissin+ dispraise ;ecause their natures are little# and# %hether he heed it or not# Where each man %alks %ith his head in a cloud of poisonous flies! Q! And most of all %ould " flee from the cruel madness of lo&e# The honey of poison$flo%ers and all the measureless ill! Ah -aud# you milk%hite fa%n# you are all unmeet for a %ife! 5our mother is mute in her +ra&e as her ima+e in marble abo&e= 5our father is e&er in London# you %ander about at your %ill= 5ou ha&e but fed on the roses and lain in the lilies of life! , "! A &oice by the cedar tree "n the meado% under the 9allI She is sin+in+ an air that is kno%n to me# A passionate ballad +allant and +ay# A martial son+ like a trumpet(s callI Sin+in+ alone in the mornin+ of life# "n the happy mornin+ of life and of -ay# Sin+in+ of men that in battle array# 0eady in heart and ready in hand# -arch %ith banner and bu+le and fife To the death# for their nati&e land! ""! -aud %ith her exFuisite face# And %ild &oice pealin+ up to the sunny sky# And feet like sunny +ems on an 'n+lish +reen# -aud in the li+ht of her youth and her +race# Sin+in+ of 6eath# and of 9onour that cannot die# Till " %ell could %eep for a time so sordid and mean# And myself so lan+uid and base! """ Silence# beautiful &oiceI ;e still# for you only trouble the mind With a Eoy in %hich " cannot reEoice# A +lory " shall not find! StillI " %ill hear you no more# 7or your s%eetness hardly lea&es me a choice ;ut to mo&e to the meado% and fall before 9er feet on the meado% +rass# and adore#

4ot her# %ho is neither courtly nor kind# 4ot her# not her# but a &oice! ,I "! -ornin+ arises stormy and pale# 4o sun# but a %annish +lare "n fold upon fold of hueless cloud# And the budded peaks of the %ood are bo%(d 1au+ht and cuff(d by the +ale) " had fancied it %ould be fair! ""! Whom but -aud should " meet Last ni+ht# %hen the sunset burn(d /n the blossom(d +able$ends At the head of the &illa+e street# Whom but -aud should " meetJ And she touch(d my hand %ith a smile so s%eet# She made me di&ine amends 7or a courtesy not return(d! """! And thus a delicate spark /f +lo%in+ and +ro%in+ li+ht Thro( the li&elon+ hours of the dark ,ept itself %arm in the heart of my dreams# 0eady to burst in a colour(d flame= Till at last %hen the mornin+ came "n a cloud# it faded# and seems ;ut an ashen$+ray deli+ht! "2! What if %ith her sunny hair# And smile as sunny as cold# She meant to %ea&e me a snare /f some coFuettish deceit# 1leopatra$like as of old To entan+le me %hen %e met# To ha&e her lion roll in a silken net And fa%n at a &ictorLs feet! GGG 2"""! Perhaps the smile and tender tone 1ame out of her pityin+ %omanhood# 7or am " not# am " not# here alone So many a summer since she died# -y mother# %ho %as so +entle and +oodJ

Li&in+ alone in an empty house# 9ere half$hid in the +leamin+ %ood# Where " hear the dead at midday moan# And the shriekin+ rush of the %ainscot mouse# And my o%n sad name in corners cried# When the shi&er of dancin+ lea&es is thro%n About its echoin+ chambers %ide# Till a morbid hate and horror ha&e +ro%n /f a %orld in %hich " ha&e hardly mixt# And a morbid eatin+ lichen fixt /n a heart half$turn(d to stone! "Q / heart of stone# are you flesh# and cau+ht ;y that you s%ore to %ithstandJ 7or %hat %as it else %ithin me %rou+ht ;ut# " fear# the ne% stron+ %ine of lo&e# That made my ton+ue so stammer and trip When " sa% the treasured splendour# her hand# 1ome slidin+ out of her sacred +lo&e# And the sunli+ht broke from her lipJ Q " ha&e play(d %ith her %hen a child= She remembers it no% %hen %e meet! Ah %ell# %ell# %ell# " may be be+uiled ;y some coFuettish deceit! 5et# if she %ere not a cheat# "f -aud %ere all that she seem(d# And if her smile had all that " dream(d# Then the %orld %ere not so bitter ;ut a smile could make it s%eet! GGG ,III She came to the &illa+e church# And sat by a pillar alone= An an+el %atchin+ an urn Wept o&er her# car&ed in stone= And once# but once# she lifted her eyes# And suddenly# s%eetly# stran+ely blush(d To find they %ere met by my o%n= And suddenly# s%eetly# my heart beat stron+er And thicker# until " heard no lon+er The sno%y$banded# dilettante# 6elicate$handed priest intone= And thou+ht# is it pride# and mused and si+h(d H4o surely# no% it cannot be pride!(

GGG = " Sick# am " sick of a Eealous dreadJ Was not one of the t%o at her side This ne%$made lord# %hose splendour plucks The sla&ish hat from the &illa+er(s headJ Whose old +randfather has lately died# :one to a blacker pit# for %hom :rimy nakedness dra++in+ his trucks And layin+ his trams in a poison(d +loom Wrou+ht# till he crept from a +utted mine -aster of half a ser&ile shire# And left his coal all turn(d into +old To a +randson# first of his noble line# 0ich in the +race all %omen desire# Stron+ in the po%er that all men adore# And simper and set their &oices lo%er# And soften as if to a +irl# and hold A%e$stricken breaths at a %ork di&ine# Seein+ his +e%+a% castle shine# 4e% as his title# built last year# There amid perky larches and pine# And o&er the sullen$purple moor (Look at it prickin+ a cockney ear!

=I "! / let the solid +round 4ot fail beneath my feet ;efore my life has found What some ha&e found so s%eet= Then let come %hat come may# What matter if " +o mad# " shall ha&e had my day! ""! Let the s%eet hea&ens endure# 4ot close and darken abo&e me ;efore " am Fuite Fuite sure That there is one to lo&e me= Then let come %hat come may To a life that has been so sad# " shall ha&e had my day!

=II "! ;irds in the hi+h 9all$+arden When t%ili+ht %as fallin+# -aud# -aud# -aud# -aud# They %ere cryin+ and callin+! ""! Where %as -audJ in our %ood= And "# %ho else# %as %ith her# :atherin+ %oodland lilies# -yriads blo% to+ether! """! ;irds in our %ood san+ 0in+in+ thro( the &alleys# -aud is here# here# here "n amon+ the lilies! "2! " kiss(d her slender hand# She took the kiss sedately= -aud is not se&enteen# ;ut she is tall and stately! 2! " to cry out on pride Who ha&e %on her fa&ourI / -aud %ere sure of 9ea&en "f lo%liness could sa&e her! 2"! " kno% the %ay she %ent 9ome %ith her maiden posy# 7or her feet ha&e touch(d the meado%s And left the daisies rosy! 2""! ;irds in the hi+h 9all$+arden Were cryin+ and callin+ to her# Where is -aud# -aud# -audJ /ne is come to %oo her! 2"""! Look# a horse at the door# And little ,in+ 1harley snarlin+# :o back# my lord# across the moor# 5ou are not her darlin+!

GGG =I, """! The fancy flatter(d my mind# And a+ain seem(d o&erbold= 4o% " thou+ht that she cared for me# 4o% " thou+ht she %as kind /nly because she %as cold! "2! " heard no sound %here " stood ;ut the ri&ulet on from the la%n 0unnin+ do%n to my o%n dark %ood= /r the &oice of the lon+ sea$%a&e as it s%ell(d 4o% and then in the dim$+ray da%n= ;ut " look(d# and round# all round the house " beheld The death$%hite curtain dra%n= 7elt a horror o&er me creep# Prickle my skin and catch my breath# ,ne% that the death$%hite curtain meant but sleep# 5et " shudder(d and thou+ht like a fool of the sleep of death! =, So dark a mind %ithin me d%ells# And " make myself such e&il cheer# That if I be dear to some one else# Then some one else may ha&e much to fear= ;ut if I be dear to some one else# Then " should be to myself more dear! Shall " not take care of all that " think# 5ea e&(n of %retched meat and drink# "f " be dear# "f " be dear to some one else! =,II :o not# happy day# 7rom the shinin+ fields# :o not# happy day# Till the maiden yields! 0osy is the West# 0osy is the South# 0oses are her cheeks# And a rose her mouth When the happy 5es 7alters from her lips#

Pass and blush the ne%s /&er +lo%in+ ships= /&er blo%in+ seas# /&er seas at rest# Pass the happy ne%s# ;lush it thro( the West= Till the red man dance ;y his red cedar$tree# And the red man(s babe Leap# beyond the sea! ;lush from West to 'ast# ;lush from 'ast to West# Till the West is 'ast# ;lush it thro( the West! 0osy is the West# 0osy is the South# 0oses are her cheeks# And a rose her mouth! =,III "! " ha&e led her home# my lo&e# my only friend! There is none like her# none! And ne&er yet so %armly ran my blood And s%eetly# on and on 1almin+ itself to the lon+$%ish(d$for end# 7ull to the banks# close on the promised +ood! ""! 4one like her# none! Kust no% the dry$ton+ued laurels( patterin+ talk Seem(d her li+ht foot alon+ the +arden %alk# And shook my heart to think she comes once more= ;ut e&en then " heard her close the door# The +ates of 9ea&en are closed# and she is +one! """! There is none like her# none! 4or %ill be %hen our summers ha&e deceased! /# art thou si+hin+ for Lebanon "n the lon+ bree<e that streams to thy delicious 'ast# Si+hin+ for Lebanon# 6ark cedar# tho( thy limbs ha&e here increased# 8pon a pastoral slope as fair# And lookin+ to the South# and fed With honey(d rain and delicate air# And haunted by the starry head /f her %hose +entle %ill has chan+ed my fate#

And made my life a perfumed altar$flame= And o&er %hom thy darkness must ha&e spread With such deli+ht as theirs of old# thy +reat 7orefathers of the thornless +arden# there Shado%in+ the sno%$limb(d '&e from %hom she came! GGG =I= "! 9er brother is comin+ back to$ni+ht# ;reakin+ up my dream of deli+ht! "" -y dreamJ do " dream of blissJ " ha&e %alk(d a%ake %ith Truth! / %hen did a mornin+ shine So rich in atonement as this 7or my dark$da%nin+ youth# 6arken(d %atchin+ a mother decline And that dead man at her heart and mine) 7or %ho %as left to %atch her but "J 5et so did " let my freshness die! """! " trust that " did not talk To +entle -aud in our %alk (7or often in lonely %anderin+s " ha&e cursed him e&en to lifeless thin+s ;ut " trust that " did not talk# 4ot touch on her fatherLs sin) " am sure " did but speak /f my motherLs faded cheek When it slo%ly +re% so thin# That " felt she %as slo%ly dyin+ 2ext %ith la%yers and harass(d %ith debt) 7or ho% often " cau+ht her %ith eyes all %et# Shakin+ her head at her son and si+hin+ A %orld of trouble %ithinI GGG "Q 7or# -aud# so tender and true# As lon+ as my life endures " feel " shall o%e you a debt# That " ne&er can hope to pay= And if e&er " should for+et That " o%e this debt to you And for your s%eet sake to yours= / then# %hat then shall " sayJ.

"f e&er " should for+et# -ay :od make me more %retched Than e&er " ha&e been yetI Q! So no% " ha&e s%orn to bury All this dead body of hate# " feel so free and so clear ;y the loss of that dead %ei+ht# That " should +ro% li+ht$headed# " fear# 7antastically merry= ;ut that her brother comes# like a bli+ht /n my fresh hope# to the 9all to$ni+ht! GGG ==II "! 1ome into the +arden# -aud# 7or the black bat# ni+ht# has flo%n# 1ome into the +arden# -aud# " am here at the +ate alone= And the %oodbine spices are %afted abroad# And the musk of the rose is blo%n! ""! 7or a bree<e of mornin+ mo&es# And the planet of Lo&e is on hi+h# ;e+innin+ to faint in the li+ht that she lo&es /n a bed of daffodil sky# To faint in the li+ht of the sun she lo&es# To faint in his li+ht# and to die! """! All ni+ht ha&e the roses heard The flute# &iolin# bassoon= All ni+ht has the casement Eessamine stirr(d To the dancers dancin+ in tune= Till a silence fell %ith the %akin+ bird# And a hush %ith the settin+ moon! GGG Q! There has fallen a splendid tear 7rom the passion$flo%er at the +ate! She is comin+# my do&e# my dear= She is comin+# my life# my fate= The red rose cries# HShe is near# she is near=( And the %hite rose %eeps# HShe is late=( The larkspur listens# H" hear# " hear=(

And the lily %hispers# H" %ait!( Q"! She is comin+# my o%n# my s%eet= Were it e&er so airy a tread# -y heart %ould hear her and beat# Were it earth in an earthy bed= -y dust %ould hear her and beat# 9ad " lain for a century dead= Would start and tremble under her feet# And blossom in purple and red! PA+T II I "! HThe fault %as mine# the fault %as mine(. Why am " sittin+ here so stunn(d and still# Pluckin+ the harmless %ild$flo%er on the hillJ. "t is this +uilty handI. And there rises e&er a passionate cry 7rom underneath in the darkenin+ land. What is it# that has been doneJ / da%n of 'den bri+ht o&er earth and sky# The fires of 9ell brake out of thy risin+ sun# The fires of 9ell and of 9ate= 7or she# s%eet soul# had hardly spoken a %ord# When her brother ran in his ra+e to the +ate# 9e came %ith the babe$faced lord= 9eap(d on her terms of dis+race# And %hile she %ept# and " stro&e to be cool# 9e fiercely +a&e me the lie# Till " %ith as fierce an an+er spoke# And he struck me# madman# o&er the face# Struck me before the lan+uid fool# Who %as +apin+ and +rinnin+ by) Struck for himself an e&il stroke= Wrou+ht for his house an irredeemable %oe= 7or front to front in an hour %e stood# And a million horrible bello%in+ echoes broke 7rom the red$ribb(d hollo% behind the %ood# And thunder(d up into 9ea&en the 1hristless code# That must ha&e life for a blo%! '&er and e&er afresh they seem(d to +ro%! Was it he lay there %ith a fadin+ eyeJ HThe fault %as mine#( he %hisper(d# HflyI( Then +lided out of the Eoyous %ood The +hastly Wraith of one that " kno%= And there ran+ on a sudden a passionate cry#

A cry for a brother(s blood) "t %ill rin+ in my heart and my ears# till " die# till " die! GGG II "! See %hat a lo&ely shell# Small and pure as a pearl# Lyin+ close to my foot# 7rail# but a %ork di&ine# -ade so fairily %ell With delicate spire and %horl# 9o% exFuisitely minute# A miracle of desi+nI ""! What is itJ a learned man 1ould +i&e it a clumsy name! Let him name it %ho can# The beauty %ould be the same! """! The tiny cell is forlorn# 2oid of the little li&in+ %ill That made it stir on the shore! 6id he stand at the diamond door /f his house in a rainbo% frillJ 6id he push# %hen he %as uncurl(d# A +olden foot or a fairy horn Thro( his dim %ater$%orldJ "2! Sli+ht# to he crush(d %ith a tap /f my fin+er$nail on the sand# Small# but a %ork di&ine# 7rail# but of force to %ithstand# 5ear upon year# the shock /f cataract seas that snap The three decker(s oaken spine Ath%art the led+es of rock# 9ere on the ;reton strandI 2! ;reton# not ;riton= here Like a ship%reck(d man on a coast /f ancient fable and fear. Pla+ued %ith a flittin+ to and fro# A disease# a hard mechanic +host That ne&er came from on hi+h

4or e&er arose from belo%# ;ut only mo&es %ith the mo&in+ eye# 7lyin+ alon+ the land and the main. Why should it look like -audJ Am " to be o&era%ed ;y %hat " cannot but kno% "s a Eu++le born of the brainJ 2"! ;ack from the ;reton coast# Sick of a nameless fear# ;ack to the dark sea$line Lookin+# thinkin+ of all " ha&e lost= An old son+ &exes my ear= ;ut that of Lamech is mine! 2""! 7or years# a measureless ill# 7or years# for e&er# to part. ;ut she# she %ould lo&e me still= And as lon+# / :od# as she 9a&e a +rain of lo&e for me# So lon+# no doubt# no doubt# Shall " nurse in my dark heart# 9o%e&er %eary# a spark of %ill 4ot to be trampled out! 2"""! Stran+e# that the mind# %hen frau+ht With a passion so intense /ne %ould think that it %ell -i+ht dro%n all life in the eye#. That it should# by bein+ so o&er%rou+ht# Suddenly strike on a sharper sense 7or a shell# or a flo%er# little thin+s Which else %ould ha&e been past byI And no% " remember# "# When he lay dyin+ there# " noticed one of his many rin+s (7or he had many# poor %orm and thou+ht "t is his mother(s hair! "Q! Who kno%s if he be deadJ Whether " need ha&e fledJ Am " +uilty of bloodJ 9o%e&er this may be# 1omfort her# comfort her# all thin+s +ood# While " am o&er the seaI Let me and my passionate lo&e +o by#

;ut speak to her all thin+s holy and hi+h# Whate&er happen to meI -e and my harmful lo&e +o by= ;ut come to her %akin+# find her asleep# Po%ers of the hei+ht# Po%ers of the deep# And comfort her tho( " die! III 1oura+e# poor heart of stoneI " %ill not ask thee %hy Thou canst not understand That thou art left for e&er alone) 1oura+e# poor stupid heart of stone!. /r if " ask thee %hy# 1are not thou to reply) She is but dead# and the time is at hand When thou shalt more than die! I, "! / that (t%ere possible After lon+ +rief and pain To find the arms of my true lo&e 0ound me once a+ainI ""! When " %as %ont to meet her "n the silent %oody places ;y the home that +a&e me birth# We stood tranced in lon+ embraces -ixt %ith kisses s%eeter s%eeter Than anythin+ on earth! GGG 2"! (Tis a mornin+ pure and s%eet# And a de%y splendour falls /n the little flo%er that clin+s To the turrets and the %alls= (Tis a mornin+ pure and s%eet# And the li+ht and shado% fleet= She is %alkin+ in the meado%# And the %oodland echo rin+s= "n a moment %e shall meet= She is sin+in+ in the meado% And the ri&ulet at her feet 0ipples on in li+ht and shado% To the ballad that she sin+s!

2""! 6o " hear her sin+ as of old# -y bird %ith the shinin+ head# -y o%n do&e %ith the tender eyeJ ;ut there rin+s on a sudden a passionate cry# There is some one dyin+ or dead# And a sullen thunder is roll(d= 7or a tumult shakes the city# And " %ake# my dream is fled= "n the shudderin+ da%n# behold# Without kno%led+e# %ithout pity# ;y the curtains of my bed That abidin+ phantom cold! GGG , " 6ead# lon+ dead# Lon+ deadI And my heart is a handful of dust# And the %heels +o o&er my head# And my bones are shaken %ith pain# 7or into a shallo% +ra&e they are thrust# /nly a yard beneath the street# And the hoofs of the horses beat# beat# The hoofs of the horses beat# ;eat into my scalp and my brain# With ne&er an end to the stream of passin+ feet# 6ri&in+# hurryin+# marryin+# buryin+# 1lamour and rumble# and rin+in+ and clatter# And here beneath it is all as bad# 7or " thou+ht the dead had peace# but it is not so= To ha&e no peace in the +ra&e# is that not sadJ ;ut up and do%n and to and fro# '&er about me the dead men +o= And then to hear a dead man chatter "s enou+h to dri&e one mad! GGG 2"""! ;ut " kno% %here a +arden +ro%s# 7airer than au+ht in the %orld beside# All made up of the lily and rose That blo% by ni+ht# %hen the season is +ood# To the sound of dancin+ music and flutes) "t is only flo%ers# they had no fruits# And " almost fear they are not roses# but blood= 7or the keeper %as one# so full of pride#

9e linkt a dead man there to a spectral bride= 7or he# if he had not been a Sultan of brutes# Would he ha&e that hole in his sideJ "Q ;ut %hat %ill the old man sayJ 9e laid a cruel snare in a pit To catch a friend of mine one stormy day= 5et no% " could e&en %eep to think of it= 7or %hat %ill the old man say When he comes to the second corpse in the pitJ Q 7riend# to be struck by the public foe# Then to strike him and lay him lo%# That %ere a public merit# far# Whate&er the 3uaker holds# from sin= ;ut the red life spilt for a pri&ate blo%. " s%ear to you# la%ful and la%less %ar Are scarcely e&en akin! Q" / me# %hy ha&e they not buried me deep enou+hJ "s it kind to ha&e made me a +ra&e so rou+h# -e# that %as ne&er a Fuiet sleeperJ -aybe still " am but half$dead= Then " cannot be %holly dumb= " %ill cry to the steps abo&e my head And somebody# surely# some kind heart %ill come To bury me# bury me 6eeper# e&er so little deeper! PA+T III ,I "! -y life has crept so lon+ on a broken %in+ Thro( cells of madness# haunts of horror and fear# That " come to be +rateful at last for a little thin+) -y mood is chan+ed# for it fell at a time of year When the face of ni+ht is fair on the de%y do%ns# And the shinin+ daffodil dies# and the 1harioteer And starry :emini han+ like +lorious cro%ns /&er /rion(s +ra&e lo% do%n in the %est# That like a silent li+htnin+ under the stars She seem(d to di&ide in a dream from a band of the blest# And spoke of a hope for the %orld in the comin+ %ars. HAnd in that hope# dear soul# let trouble ha&e rest# ,no%in+ " tarry for thee#( and pointed to -ars

As he +lo%(d like a ruddy shield on the LionLs breast! GGG """! And as months ran on and rumour of battle +re%# H"t is time# it is time# / passionate heart#( said " (7or " clea&ed to a cause that " felt to be pure and true # H"t is time# / passionate heart and morbid eye# That old hysterical mock$disease should die!( And " stood on a +iant deck and mix(d my breath With a loyal people shoutin+ a battle cry# Till " sa% the dreary phantom arise and fly 7ar into the 4orth# and battle# and seas of death! GGG 2! Let it flame or fade# and the %ar roll do%n like a %ind# We ha&e pro&ed %e ha&e hearts in a cause# %e are noble still# And myself ha&e a%aked# as it seems# to the better mind= "t is better to fi+ht for the +ood than to rail at the ill= " ha&e felt %ith my nati&e land# " am one %ith my kind# " embrace the purpose of :od# and the doom assi+n(d!

From Idylls of the !ing" in t#elve $oo%s (extracts) The Comin# of Arthur Leodo+ran# the ,in+ of 1ameliard# 9ad one fair dau+hter# and none other child= And she %as the fairest of all flesh on earth# :uine&ere# and in her his one deli+ht! 7or many a petty kin+ ere Arthur came 0uled in this isle# and e&er %a+in+ %ar 'ach upon other# %asted all the land= And still from time to time the heathen host S%armed o&erseas# and harried %hat %as left! And so there +re% +reat tracts of %ilderness# Wherein the beast %as e&er more and more# ;ut man %as less and less# till Arthur came! GGG And Arthur yet had done no deed of arms# ;ut heard the call# and came) and :uine&ere Stood by the castle %alls to %atch him pass= ;ut since he neither %ore on helm or shield The +olden symbol of his kin+lihood# ;ut rode a simple kni+ht amon+ his kni+hts# And many of these in richer arms than he# She sa% him not# or mark(d not# if she sa%# /ne amon+ many# tho( his face %as bare! ;ut Arthur# lookin+ do%n%ard as he past# 7elt the li+ht of her eyes into his life Smite on the sudden# yet rode on# and pitch(d 9is tents beside the forest! Then he dra&e The heathen= after# sle% the beast# and fell(d The forest# lettin+ in the sun# and made ;road path%ays for the hunter and the kni+ht And so return(d! GGG &Arthur asks for 0uine3ere%s hand in marriage7 4ut her father is dou4tful of his "orthiness# >ueen 'ellicent of /rkney tells him of Arthur%s 4irth and his gathering of knights# $he says-, Then the ,in+ in lo% deep tones# And simple %ords of +reat authority# ;ound them by so strait &o%s to his o%n self# That %hen they rose# kni+hted from kneelin+# some Were pale as at the passin+ of a +host# Some flush(d# and others da<ed# as one %ho %akes 9alf$blinded at the comin+ of a li+ht!

H;ut %hen he spake and cheer(d his Table 0ound With lar+e# di&ine# and comfortable %ords# ;eyond my ton+ue to tell thee . " beheld 7rom eye to eye throu+h all their /rder flash A momentary likeness of the ,in+) And ere it left their faces# thro( the cross And those around it and the 1rucified# 6o%n from the casement o&er Arthur# smote 7lame$colour# &ert and a<ure# in three rays# /ne fallin+ upon each of three fair Fueens# Who stood in silence near his throne# the friends /f Arthur# +a<in+ on him# tall# %ith bri+ht S%eet faces# %ho %ill help him at his need! HAnd there " sa% ma+e -erlin# %hose &ast %it And hundred %inters are but as the hands /f loyal &assals toilin+ for their lie+e! HAnd near him stood the Lady of the Lake# Who kno%s a subtler ma+ic than his o%n. 1lothed in %hite samite# mystic# %onderful! She +a&e the ,in+ his hu+e cross$hilted s%ord# Whereby to dri&e the heathen out) a mist /f incense curl(d about her# and her face Wellni+h %as hidden in the minster +loom= ;ut there %as heard amon+ the holy hymns A &oice as of the %aters# for she d%ells 6o%n in a deep= calm# %hatsoe&er storms -ay shake the %orld# and %hen the surface rolls# 9ath po%er to %alk the %aters like our Lord! HThere like%ise " beheld 'xcalibur ;efore him at his cro%nin+ borne# the s%ord That rose from out the bosom of the lake# And Arthur ro%(d across and took it . rich With Ee%els# elfin 8rim# on the hilt# ;e%ilderin+ heart and eye . the blade so bri+ht That men are blinded by it . on one side# :ra&en in the oldest ton+ue of all this %orld# OTake me#P but turn the blade and ye shall see# And %ritten in the speech ye speak yourself# O1ast me a%ayIP And sad %as Arthur(s face Takin+ it# but old -erlin counselled him# OTake thou and strikeI the time to cast a%ay "s yet far$off!P So this +reat brand the kin+ Took# and by this %ill beat his foemen do%n!( GGG She spake and ,in+ Leodo+ran reEoiced#

;ut musin+# Shall " ans%er yea or nayJ( 6oubted# and dro%sed# nodded and slept# and sa%# 6reamin+# a slope of land that e&er +re%# 7ield after field# up to a hei+ht# the peak 9a<e$hidden# and thereon a phantom kin+# 4o% loomin+# and no% lost= and on the slope The s%ord rose# the hind fell# the herd %as dri&en# 7ire +limpsed= and all the land from roof and rick# "n drifts of smoke before a rollin+ %ind# Stream(d to the peak# and min+led %ith the ha<e And made it thicker= %hile the phantom kin+ Sent out at times a &oice= and here or there Stood one %ho pointed to%ard the &oice# the rest Sle% on and burnt# cryin+# H4o kin+ of ours# 4o son of 8ther# and no kin+ of ours=( Till %ith a %ink his dream %as chan+ed# the ha<e 6escended# and the solid earth became As nothin+# but the ,in+ stood out in hea&en# 1ro%n(d! And Leodo+ran a%oke# and sent 8lfius# and ;rastias and ;edi&ere# ;ack to the court of Arthur ans%erin+ yea! GGG 6areth and Lynette The last tall son of Lot and ;ellicent# And tallest# :areth# in a sho%erful sprin+ Stared at the spate! A slender$shafted Pine Lost footin+# fell# and so %as %hirl(d a%ay! H9o% he %ent do%n#( said :areth# Has a false kni+ht /r e&il kin+ before my lance if lance Were mine to use . / senseless cataract# ;earin+ all do%n in thy precipitancy. And yet thou art but s%ollen %ith cold sno%s And mine is li&in+ blood) thou dost 9is %ill# The -aker(s# and not kno%est# and " that kno%# 9a&e stren+th and %it# in my +ood mother(s hall Lin+er %ith &acillatin+ obedience# Prison(d# and kept and coax(d and %histled to. Since the +ood mother holds me still a childI :ood mother is bad mother unto meI A %orse %ere better= yet no %orse %ould "! 9ea&en yield her for it# but in me put force To %eary her ears %ith one continuous prayer# 8ntil she let me fly disca+ed to s%eep "n e&er$hi+herin+ ea+le$circles up To the +reat Sun of :lory# and thence s%oop 6o%n upon all thin+s base# and dash them dead# A kni+ht of Arthur# %orkin+ out his %ill#

To cleanse the %orld! Why# :a%ain# %hen he came With -odred hither in the summertime# Ask(d me to tilt %ith him# the pro&en kni+ht! -odred for %ant of %orthier %as the Eud+e! Then " so shook him in the saddle# he said# OThou hast half pre&ailed a+ainst me#P said so.he. Tho( -odred bitin+ his thin lips %as mute# 7or he is al%ay sullen) %hat care "J( GGG &0areth%s *rotecti3e mother is reluctant to let him 4ecome a knight# $he tells him he may go to Arthur%s court, 4ut only if disguised as a ser3ant# Although she thinks this "ill dissuade him, it does not# !e arri3es at the court and sees other knights entering, Then came in hall the messen+er of -ark# A name of e&il sa&our in the land# The 1ornish kin+! "n either hand he bore What da<<led all# and shone far$off as shines A field of charlock in the sudden sun ;et%een t%o sho%ers# a cloth of palest +old# Which do%n he laid before the throne# and knelt# 6eli&erin+# that his lord# the &assal kin+# Was e&(n upon his %ay to 1amelot= 7or ha&in+ heard that Arthur of his +race 9ad made his +oodly cousin# Tristram# kni+ht# And# for himself %as of the +reater state# ;ein+ a kin+# he trusted his lie+e$lord Would yield him this lar+e honour all the more= So pray(d him %ell to accept this cloth of +old# "n token of true heart and fealty! Then Arthur cried to rend the cloth# to rend "n pieces# and so cast it on the hearth! An oak$tree smoulder(d there! HThe +oodly kni+htI WhatI shall the shield of -ark stand amon+ theseJ( 7or# mid%ay do%n the side of that lon+ hall A stately pile#. %hereof alon+ the front# Some bla<on(d# some but car&en# and some blank# There ran a treble ran+e of stony shields#. 0ose# and hi+h$archin+ o&erbro%(d the hearth! And under e&ery shield a kni+ht %as named) 7or this %as Arthur(s custom in his hall= When some +ood kni+ht had done one noble deed# 9is arms %ere car&en only= but if t%ain 9is arms %ere bla<on(d also= but if none# The shield %as blank and bare %ithout a si+n Sa&in+ the name beneath= and :areth sa% The shield of :a%ain bla<on(d rich and bri+ht# And -odred(s blank as death= and Arthur cried To rend the cloth and cast it on the hearth!

H-ore like are %e to rea&e him of his cro%n Than make him kni+ht because men call him kin+! The kin+s %e found# ye kno% %e stay(d their hands 7rom %ar amon+ themsel&es# but left them kin+s= /f %hom %ere any bounteous# merciful# Truth$speakin+# bra&e# +ood li&ers# them %e enroll(d Amon+ us# and they sit %ithin our hall! ;ut as -ark hath tarnish(d the +reat name of kin+# As -ark %ould sully the lo% state of churl) And# seein+ he hath sent us cloth of +old# 0eturn# and meet# and hold him from our eyes# Lest %e should lap him up in cloth of lead# Silenced for e&er . cra&en . a man of plots# 1raft# poisonous counsels# %ayside ambushin+s. 4o fault of thine) let ,ay the seneschal Look to thy %ants# and send thee satisfied. Accursed# %ho strikes nor lets the hand be seenI( And many another suppliant cryin+ came With noise of ra&a+e %rou+ht by beast and man# And e&ermore a kni+ht %ould ride a%ay! Last# :areth leanin+ both hands hea&ily 6o%n on the shoulders of the t%ain# his men# Approach(d bet%een them to%ard the ,in+# and ask(d# HA boon# Sir ,in+ (his &oice %as all ashamed # 7or see ye not ho% %eak and hun+er%orn " seem . leanin+ on theseJ +rant me to ser&e 7or meat and drink amon+ thy kitchen$kna&es A t%el&emonth and a day# nor seek my name! 9ereafter " %ill fi+ht!( GGG &Lynette comes to the court seeking hel* for her sister# $he "ants Lancelot to ride "ith her, 4ut is disgusted at 0areth%s =oining her instead#, HWhat doest thou# scullion# in my fello%shipJ 6eem(st thou that " accept thee au+ht the more /r lo&e thee better# that by some de&ice 7ull co%ardly# or by mere unhappiness# Thou hast o&erthro%n and slain thy master . thouI. 6ish$%asher and broach$turner# loonI . to me Thou smellest all of kitchen as before!( H6amsel#( Sir :areth ans%ered +ently# Hsay Whate(er ye %ill# but %hatsoe(er ye say# " lea&e not till " finish this fair Fuest# /r die therefore!(

HAy# %ilt thou finish itJ S%eet lord# ho% like a noble kni+ht he talksI The listenin+ ro+ue hath cau+ht the manner of it! ;ut# kna&e# anon thou shalt be met %ith# kna&e# And then by such a one that thou for all The kitchen bre%is that %as e&er supt Shalt not once dare to look him in the face!( H" shall assay#( said :areth %ith a smile That madden(d her# and a%ay she flash(d a+ain 6o%n the lon+ a&enues of a boundless %ood# And :areth follo%in+ %as a+ain bekna&ed! HSir ,itchen$kna&e# " ha&e miss(d the only %ay Where Arthur(s men are set alon+ the %ood= The %ood is ni+h as full of thie&es as lea&es) "f both be slain# " am rid of thee= but yet# Sir Scullion# canst thou use that spit of thineJ 7i+ht# an thou canst) " ha&e miss(d the only %ay!( So till the dusk that follo%(d e&enson+ 0ode on the t%o# re&iler and re&iled= Then after one lon+ slope %as mounted# sa%# ;o%l$shaped# throu+h tops of many thousand pines A +loomy$+laded hollo% slo%ly sink To %est%ard . in the deeps %hereof a mere# 0ound as the red eye of an 'a+le$o%l# 8nder the half$dead sunset +lared= and shouts Ascended# and there brake a ser&in+man 7lyin+ from out of the black %ood# and cryin+# HThey ha&e bound my lord to cast him in the mere!( GGG &0areth rescues the lord, and after other 3aliant acts faces three 4rothers in 4attle, And :areth hearin+ e&er stron+lier smote# And he%(d +reat pieces of his armour off him# ;ut lash(d in &ain a+ainst the hardened skin# And could not %holly brin+ him under# more Than loud South%esterns# rollin+ rid+e on rid+e# The buoy that rides at sea# and dips and sprin+s 7or e&er= till at len+th Sir :areth(s brand 1lashed his# and brake it utterly to the hilt! H" ha&e thee no%=( but forth that other spran+# And# all unkni+htlike# %rithed his %iry arms Around him# till he felt# despite his mail# Stran+led# but strainin+ e(en his uttermost 1ast# and so hurl(d him headlon+ o(er the brid+e 6o%n to the ri&er# sink or s%im# and cried# HLead# and " follo%!(

;ut the damsel said# H" lead no lon+er= ride thou at my side= Thou art the kin+liest of all kitchen$kna&es!( GGG The Marria#e of 6eraint The bra&e :eraint# a kni+ht of Arthur(s court# A tributary prince of 6e&on# one /f that +reat /rder of the Table 0ound# 9ad married 'nid# 5niol(s only child# And lo&ed her# as he lo&ed the li+ht of 9ea&en! And as the li+ht of 9ea&en &aries# no% At sunrise# no% at sunset# no% by ni+ht With moon and tremblin+ stars# so lo&ed :eraint To make her beauty &ary day by day# "n crimsons and in purples and in +ems! And 'nid# but to please her husband(s eye# Who first had found and lo&ed her in a state /f broken fortunes# daily fronted him "n some fresh splendour= and the 3ueen herself# :rateful to Prince :eraint for ser&ice done# Lo&ed her# and often %ith her o%n %hite hands Array(d and deck(d her# as the lo&eliest# 4ext after her o%n self# in all the court! And 'nid lo&ed the 3ueen# and %ith true heart Adored her# as the stateliest and the best And lo&eliest of all %omen upon earth! And seein+ them so tender and so close# Lon+ in their common lo&e reEoiced :eraint! ;ut %hen a rumour rose about the 3ueen# Touchin+ her +uilty lo&e for Lancelot# Tho( yet there li&ed no proof# nor yet %as heard The %orld(s loud %hisper breakin+ into storm# 4ot less :eraint belie&ed it= and there fell A horror on him# lest his +entle %ife# Thro( that +reat tenderness for :uine&ere# 9ad suffer(d# or should suffer any taint "n nature!!! GGG &0eraint remo3es Enid from the court, and forgets his knightly duties to the King, to Enid%s distress, And day by day she thou+ht to tell :eraint# ;ut could not out of bashful delicacy= While he that %atch(d her sadden# %as the more Suspicious that her nature had a taint!

At last# it chanced that on a summer morn (They sleepin+ each by either the ne% sun ;eat thro( the blindless casement of the room# And heated the stron+ %arrior in his dreams= Who# mo&in+# cast the co&erlet aside# And bared the knotted column of his throat# The massi&e sFuare of his heroic breast# And arms on %hich the standin+ muscle sloped# As slopes a %ild brook o(er a little stone# 0unnin+ too &ehemently to break upon it! And 'nid %oke and sat beside the couch# Admirin+ him# and thou+ht %ithin herself# Was e&er man so +randly made as heJ Then# like a shado%# past the people(s talk And accusation of uxoriousness Across her mind# and bo%in+ o&er him# Lo% to her o%n heart piteously she said) H/ noble breast and all$puissant arms# Am " the cause# " the poor cause that men 0eproach you# sayin+ all your force is +oneJ " am the cause# because " dare not speak And tell him %hat " think and %hat they say! And yet " hate that he should lin+er here= " cannot lo&e my lord and not his name! 7ar liefer had " +ird his harness on him# And ride %ith him to battle and stand by# And %atch his mi+htful hand strikin+ +reat blo%s At caitiffs and at %ron+ers of the %orld! 7ar better %ere " laid in the dark earth# 4ot hearin+ any more his noble &oice# 4ot to be folded more in these dear arms# And darken(d from the hi+h li+ht in his eyes# Than that my lord thro( me should suffer shame! Am " so bold# and could " so stand by# And see my dear lord %ounded in the strife# And maybe pierced to death before mine eyes# And yet not dare to tell him %hat " think# And ho% men slur him# sayin+ all his force "s melted into mere effeminacyJ / me# " fear that " am no true %ife!( 9alf in%ardly# half audibly she spoke# And the stron+ passion in her made her %eep True tears upon his broad and naked breast# And these a%oke him# and by +reat mischance 9e heard but fra+ments of her later %ords# And that she fear(d she %as not a true %ife! And then he thou+ht# H"n spite of all my care#

7or all my pains# poor man# for all my pains# She is not faithful to me# and " see her Weepin+ for some +ay kni+ht in Arthur(s hall!( &0eraint asks Enid to ride "ith him into the "ilderness, "earing her *oorest dress, the one "hich she had "orn "hen they first met# Enid remem4ers ho" he had also asked her to "ear it on her first arri3al at 5amelot-, 4o% thrice that mornin+ :uine&ere had climb(d The +iant to%er# from %hose hi+h crest# they say# -en sa% the +oodly hills of Somerset# And %hite sails flyin+ on the yello% sea= ;ut not to +oodly hill or yello% sea Look(d the fair 3ueen# but up the &ale of 8sk# ;y the flat meado%# till she sa% them come= And then descendin+ met them at the +ates# 'mbraced her %ith all %elcome as a friend# And did her honour as the Prince(s bride# And clothed her for her bridals like the sun= And all that %eek %as old 1aerleon +ay# 7or by the hands of 6ubric# the hi+h saint# They t%ain %ere %edded %ith all ceremony! And this %as on the last year(s Whitsuntide! ;ut 'nid e&er kept the faded silk# 0ememberin+ ho% first he came on her# 6rest in that dress# and ho% he lo&ed her in it# And all her foolish fears about the dress# And all his Eourney to%ard her# as himself 9ad told her# and their comin+ to the court! And no% this mornin+ %hen he said to her# HPut on your %orst and meanest dress#( she found And took it# and array(d herself therein! 6eraint and 1nid !!!That mornin+# %hen they both had +ot to horse# Perhaps because he lo&ed her passionately# And felt that tempest broodin+ round his heart# Which# if he spoke at all# %ould break perforce 8pon a head so dear in thunder# said) H4ot at my side! " char+e thee ride before# '&er a +ood %ay on before= and this " char+e thee# on thy duty as a %ife# Whate&er happens# not to speak to me# 4o# not a %ordI( and 'nid %as a+hast= And forth they rode# but scarce three paces on# When cryin+ out# H'ffeminate as " am#

" %ill not fi+ht my %ay %ith +ilded arms# All shall be iron=( he loosed a mi+hty purse# 9un+ at his belt# and hurl(d it to%ard the sFuire! So the last si+ht that 'nid had of home Was all the marble threshold flashin+# stro%n With +old and scatter(d coina+e# and the sFuire 1hafin+ his shoulder) then he cried a+ain# HTo the %ildsI( and 'nid leadin+ do%n the tracks Thro( %hich he bad her lead him on# they past The marches# and by bandit$haunted holds# :ray s%amps and pools# %aste places of the hern# And %ildernesses# perilous paths# they rode) 0ound %as their pace at first# but slacken(d soon) A stran+er meetin+ them had surely thou+ht They rode so slo%ly and they look(d so pale# That each had suffer(d some exceedin+ %ron+! 7or he %as e&er sayin+ to himself# H/ " that %asted time to tend upon her# To compass her %ith s%eet obser&ances# To dress her beautifully and keep her true(. And there he broke the sentence in his heart Abruptly# as a man upon his ton+ue -ay break it# %hen his passion masters him! And she %as e&er prayin+ the s%eet hea&ens To sa&e her dear lord %hole from any %ound! GGG &Enid sees 4andits lying in "ait and goes 4ack to tell 0eraint# Angry "ith her, he slays them# They come to a to"n ruled 4y Earl Limours, "ho used to "oo Enid 4efore she met 0eraint# Limours s*eaks to her-, H'nid# the pilot star of my lone life# 'nid# my early and my only lo&e# 'nid# the loss of %hom hath turn(d me %ild. What chance is thisJ ho% is it " see you hereJ 5e are in my po%er at last# are in my po%er! 5et fear me not) " call mine o%n self %ild# ;ut keep a touch of s%eet ci&ility 9ere in the heart of %aste and %ilderness! " thou+ht# but that your father came bet%een# "n former days you sa% me fa&ourably! And if it %ere so do not keep it back) -ake me a little happier) let me kno% it) /%e you me nothin+ for a life half$lostJ 5ea# yea# the %hole dear debt of all you are! And# 'nid# you and he# " see %ith Eoy# 5e sit apart# you do not speak to him# 5ou come %ith no attendance# pa+e or maid# To ser&e you . doth he lo&e you as of oldJ 7or# call it lo&ers( Fuarrels# yet " kno%

Tho( men may bicker %ith the thin+s they lo&e# They %ould not make them lau+hable in all eyes# 4ot %hile they lo&ed them= and your %retched dress# A %retched insult on you# dumbly speaks 5our story# that this man lo&es you no more!( GGG &Enid tells 0eraint, "ho lea3es the *lace "ith her, 4ut still distrusts her# Limours follo"s and is defeated 4y 0eraint in com4at#, ;ut as a man to %hom a dreadful loss 7alls in a far land and he kno%s it not# ;ut comin+ back he learns it# and the loss So pains him that he sickens ni+h to death= So fared it %ith :eraint# %ho bein+ prick(d "n combat %ith the follo%er of Limours# ;led underneath his armour secretly# And so rode on# nor told his +entle %ife What ail(d him# hardly kno%in+ it himself# Till his eye darken(d and his helmet %a++(d= And at a sudden s%er&in+ of the road# Tho( happily do%n on a bank of +rass# The Prince# %ithout a %ord# from his horse fell! And 'nid heard the clashin+ of his fall# Suddenly came# and at his side all pale 6ismountin+# loosed the fastenin+s of his arms# 4or let her true hand falter# nor blue eye -oisten# till she had li+hted on his %ound# And tearin+ off her &eil of faded silk 9ad bared her forehead to the blisterin+ sun# And s%athed the hurt that drain(d her dear lord(s life! Then after all %as done that hand could do# She rested# and her desolation came 8pon her# and she %ept beside the %ay! GGG &Earl .oorm gi3es them shelter in his hall#, So for lon+ hours sat 'nid by her lord# There in the naked hall# proppin+ his head# And chafin+ his pale hands# and callin+ to him! Till at the last he %aken(d from his s%oon# And found his o%n dear bride proppin+ his head# And chafin+ his faint hands# and callin+ to him= And felt the %arm tears fallin+ on his face= And said to his o%n heart# HShe %eeps for me)( And yet lay still# and fei+n(d himself as dead# That he mi+ht pro&e her to the uttermost# And say to his o%n heart# HShe %eeps for me!(

;ut in the fallin+ afternoon return(d The hu+e 'arl 6oorm %ith plunder to the hall! 9is lusty spearmen follo%(d him %ith noise) 'ach hurlin+ do%n a heap of thin+s that ran+ A+ainst his pa&ement# cast his lance aside# And doff(d his helm) and then there flutter(d in# 9alf$bold# half$fri+hted# %ith dilated eyes# A tribe of %omen# dress(d in many hues# And min+led %ith the spearmen) and 'arl 6oorm Struck %ith a knife(s haft hard a+ainst the board# And call(d for flesh and %ine to feed his spears! And men brou+ht in %hole ho+s and Fuarter bee&es# And all the hall %as dim %ith steam of flesh) And none spake %ord# but all sat do%n at once# And ate %ith tumult in the naked hall# 7eedin+ like horses %hen you hear them feed= Till 'nid shrank far back into herself# To shun the %ild %ays of the la%less tribe! ;ut %hen 'arl 6oorm had eaten all he %ould# 9e roll(d his eyes about the hall# and found A damsel droopin+ in a corner of it! Then he remember(d her# and ho% she %ept= And out of her there came a po%er upon him= And risin+ on the sudden he said# H'atI " ne&er yet beheld a thin+ so pale! :od(s curse# it makes me mad to see you %eep! 'atI Look yourself! :ood luck had your +ood man# 7or %ere " dead %ho is it %ould %eep for meJ S%eet lady# ne&er since " first dre% breath 9a&e " beheld a lily like yourself! And so there li&ed some colour in your cheek# There is not one amon+ my +entle%omen Were fit to %ear your slipper for a +lo&e! ;ut listen to me# and by me be ruled# And " %ill do the thin+ " ha&e not done# 7or ye shall share my earldom %ith me# +irl# And %e %ill li&e like t%o birds in one nest# And " %ill fetch you fora+e from all fields# 7or " compel all creatures to my %ill!( GGG &Earl .oorm tries to force Enid to eat, 4ut she refuses# !e strikes her and she cries out#, This heard :eraint# and +raspin+ at his s%ord# ("t lay beside him in the hollo% shield # -ade but a sin+le bound# and %ith a s%eep of it Shore thro( the s%arthy neck# and like a ball The russet$bearded head rolled on the floor!

So died 'arl 6oorm by him he counted dead! And all the men and %omen in the hall 0ose %hen they sa% the dead man rise# and fled 5ellin+ as from a spectre# and the t%o Were left alone to+ether# and he said) H'nid# " ha&e used you %orse than that dead man= 6one you more %ron+) %e both ha&e under+one That trouble %hich has left me thrice your o%n) 9encefor%ard " %ill rather die than doubt! And here " lay this penance on myself# 4ot# tho( mine o%n ears heard you yestermorn. 5ou thou+ht me sleepin+# but " heard you say# " heard you say# that you %ere no true %ife) " s%ear " %ill not ask your meanin+ in it) " do belie&e yourself a+ainst yourself# And %ill hencefor%ard rather die than doubt!( &?eunited, they return to 5amelot#, &alin and &alan Pellam the ,in+# %ho held and lost %ith Lot "n that first %ar# and had his realm restored ;ut render(d tributary# failed of late To send his tribute= %herefore Arthur called 9is treasurer# one of many years# and spake# H:o thou %ith him and him and brin+ it to us# Lest %e should set one truer on his throne! -an(s %ord is :od in man!( 9is ;aron said HWe +o but harken) there be t%o stran+e kni+hts Who sit near 1amelot at a fountain$side# A mile beneath the forest# challen+in+ And o&erthro%in+ e&ery kni+ht %ho comes! Wilt thou " undertake them as %e pass# And send them to theeJ( Arthur lau+h(d upon him! H/ld friend# too old to be so youn+# depart# 6elay not thou for au+ht# but let them sit# 8ntil they find a lustier than themsel&es!( So these departed! 'arly# one fair da%n# The li+ht$%in+(d spirit of his youth return(d /n ArthurLs heart= he arm(d himself and %ent# So comin+ to the fountain$side beheld ;alin and ;alan sittin+ statuelike# ;rethren# to ri+ht and left the sprin+# that do%n# 7rom underneath a plume of lady$fern#

San+# and the sand danced at the bottom of it! And on the ri+ht of ;alin ;alin(s horse Was fast beside an alder# on the left /f ;alan ;alan(s near a poplartree! H7air Sirs#( said Arthur# H%herefore sit ye hereJ( ;alin and ;alan ans%er(d H7or the sake /f +lory= %e be mi+htier men than all "n Arthur(s court= that also ha&e %e pro&ed= 7or %hatsoe&er kni+ht a+ainst us came /r " or he ha&e easily o&erthro%n!( H" too#( said Arthur# Ham of Arthur(s hall# ;ut rather pro&en in his Paynim %ars Than famous Eousts= but see# or pro&en or not# Whether me like%ise ye can o&erthro%!( And Arthur li+htly smote the brethren do%n# And li+htly so returned# and no man kne%! GGG &'alin tells Arthur he "as e1iled for striking a ser3ant, 4ut Arthur "elcomes the 4rothers 4ack into his court# 'alan goes on a @uest to hunt a demon of the "oods# 'alin sees Lancelot and 0uine3ere meeting as if lo3ers, and in a gloomy fit he lea3es the court too# !e meets the treacherous 8i3ien, "ho maddens him "ith talk of 0uine3ere%s faithlessness-, She lied %ith ease= but horror$stricken he# 0ememberin+ that dark bo%er at 1amelot# ;reathed in a dismal %hisper H"t is truth!( Sunnily she smiled HAnd e&en in this lone %ood# S%eet lord# ye do ri+ht %ell to %hisper this! 7ools prate# and perish traitors! Woods ha&e ton+ues# As %alls ha&e ears) but thou shalt +o %ith me# And %e %ill speak at first exceedin+ lo%! -eet is it the +ood ,in+ be not decei&ed! See no%# " set thee hi+h on &anta+e +round# 7rom %hence to %atch the time# and ea+le$like Stoop at thy %ill on Lancelot and the 3ueen!( She ceased= his e&il spirit upon him leapt# 9e +round his teeth to+ether# spran+ %ith a yell# Tore from the branch# and cast on earth# the shield# 6ro&e his mail(d heel ath%art the royal cro%n# Stampt all into defacement# hurl(d it from him Amon+ the forest %eeds# and cursed the tale# The told$of# and the teller! That %eird yell# 8nearthlier than all shriek of bird or beast# Thrill(d thro( the %oods= and ;alan lurkin+ there (9is Fuest %as unaccomplish(d heard and thou+ht HThe scream of that Wood$de&il " came to FuellI(

Then nearin+ HLoI he hath slain some brother$kni+ht# And tramples on the +oodly shield to sho% 9is loathin+ of our /rder and the 3ueen! -y Fuest# meseems# is here! /r de&il or man :uard thou thine head!( Sir ;alin spake not %ord# ;ut snatch(d a sudden buckler from the SFuire# And &aulted on his horse# and so they crash(d "n onset# and ,in+ Pellam(s holy spear# 0eputed to be red %ith sinless blood# 0edden(d at once %ith sinful# for the point Across the maiden shield of ;alan prick(d The hauberk to the flesh= and ;alin(s horse Was %earied to the death# and# %hen they clash(d# 0ollin+ back upon ;alin# crush(d the man "n%ard# and either fell# and s%oon(d a%ay! GGG ;ut %hen their foreheads felt the coolin+ air# ;alin first %oke# and seein+ that true face# 7amiliar up from cradle$time! so %an# 1ra%l(d slo%ly %ith lo% moans to %here he lay# And on his dyin+ brother cast himself 6yin+= and he lifted faint eyes= he felt /ne near him= all at once they found the %orld# Starin+ %ild$%ide= then %ith a childlike %ail And dra%in+ do%n the dim disastrous bro% That o(er him hun+# he kiss(d it# moan(d and spake= H/ ;alin# ;alin# " that fain had died To sa&e thy life# ha&e brou+ht thee to thy death! Why had ye not the shield " kne%J and %hy Trampled ye thus on that %hich bare the 1ro%nJ( Then ;alin told him brokenly# and in +asps# All that had chanced# and ;alan moan(d a+ain! H;rother# " d%elt a day in Pellam(s hall) This :arlon mock(d me# but " heeded not! And one said O'at in peaceI a liar is he# And hates thee for the tributeIP this +ood kni+ht Told me# that t%ice a %anton damsel came# And sou+ht for :arlon at the castle$+ates# Whom Pellam dro&e a%ay %ith holy heat! " %ell belie&e this damsel# and the one Who stood beside thee e&en no%# the same! OShe d%ells amon+ the %oodsP he said Oand meets And dallies %ith him in the -outh of 9ell!P 7oul are their li&es= foul are their lips= they lied! Pure as our o%n true -other is our 3ueen!(

H/ brother( ans%er(d ;alin H%oe is meI -y madness all thy life has been thy doom# Thy curse# and darken(d all thy day= and no% The ni+ht has come! " scarce can see thee no%! :oodni+htI for %e shall ne&er bid a+ain :oodmorro% . 6ark my doom %as here# and dark "t %ill be there! " see thee no% no more! " %ould not mine a+ain should darken thine# :oodni+ht# true brother!( ;alan ans%ered lo% H:oodni+ht# true brother hereI +oodmorro% thereI We t%o %ere born to+ether# and %e die To+ether by one doom)( and %hile he spoke 1losed his death$dro%sin+ eyes# and slept the sleep With ;alin# either lock(d in either(s arm! Merlin and ,i%ian A storm %as comin+# but the %inds %ere still# And in the %ild %oods of ;roceliande# ;efore an oak# so hollo%# hu+e and old "t look(d a to%er of i&ied mason%ork# At -erlin(s feet the %ily 2i&ien lay! 7or he that al%ays bare in bitter +rud+e The sli+hts of Arthur and his Table# -ark The 1ornish ,in+# had heard a %anderin+ &oice# A minstrel of 1aerlon by stron+ storm ;lo%n into shelter at Tinta+il# say That out of naked kni+htlike purity Sir Lancelot %orshipt no unmarried +irl ;ut the +reat 3ueen herself# fou+ht in her name# S%are by her . &o%s like theirs# that hi+h in hea&en Lo&e most# but neither marry# nor are +i&en "n marria+e# an+els of our Lord(s report! 9e ceased# and then . for 2i&ien s%eetly said (She sat beside the banFuet nearest -ark # HAnd is the fair example follo%ed# Sir# "n ArthurLs householdJ( . ans%ered innocently) HAy# by some fe% . ay# truly . youths that hold "t more beseems the perfect &ir+in kni+ht To %orship %oman as true %ife beyond All hopes of +ainin+# than as maiden +irl! They place their pride in Lancelot and the 3ueen! So passionate for an utter purity ;eyond the limit of their bond# are these#

7or Arthur bound them not to sin+leness! ;ra&e hearts and cleanI and yet . :od +uide them . youn+!( Then -ark %as half in heart to hurl his cup Strai+ht at the speaker# but forbore) he rose To lea&e the hall# and# 2i&ien follo%in+ him# Turn(d to her) H9ere are snakes %ithin the +rass= And you methinks# / 2i&ien# sa&e ye fear The monkish manhood# and the mask of pure Worn by this court# can stir them till they stin+!( GGG &8i3ian goes to the court, to so" malicious rumours a4out 0uine3ere and Lancelot7 and then seeks to seduce Merlin#, And after that# she set herself to +ain 9im# the most famous man of all those times# -erlin# %ho kne% the ran+e of all their arts# 9ad built the ,in+ his ha&ens# ships# and halls# Was also ;ard# and kne% the starry hea&ens= The people call(d him Wi<ard= %hom at first She play(d about %ith sli+ht and spri+htly talk# And &i&id smiles# and faintly$&enom(d points /f slander# +lancin+ here and +ra<in+ there= And yieldin+ to his kindlier moods# the Seer Would %atch her at her petulance# and play# '&(n %hen they seem(d unlo&eable# and lau+h As those that %atch a kitten= thus he +re% Tolerant of %hat he half disdain(d# and she# Percei&in+ that she %as but half disdain(d# ;e+an to break her sports %ith +ra&er fits# Turn red or pale# %ould often %hen they met Si+h fully# or all$silent +a<e upon him With such a fixt de&otion# that the old man# Tho( doubtful# felt the flattery# and at times Would flatter his o%n %ish in a+e for lo&e# And half belie&e her true) for thus at times 9e %a&er(d= but that other clun+ to him# 7ixt in her %ill# and so the seasons %ent! Then fell on -erlin a +reat melancholy= 9e %alk(d %ith dreams and darkness# and he found A doom that e&er poised itself to fall# An e&er$moanin+ battle in the mist# World$%ar of dyin+ flesh a+ainst the life# 6eath in all life and lyin+ in all lo&e# The meanest ha&in+ po%er upon the hi+hest# And the hi+h purpose broken by the %orm! So lea&in+ ArthurLs court he +ain(d the beach=

There found a little boat# and stept into it= And 2i&ien follo%(d# but he mark(d her not! She took the helm and he the sail= the boat 6ra&e %ith a sudden %ind across the deeps# And touchin+ ;reton sands# they disembark(d! And then she follo%(d -erlin all the %ay# '&(n to the %ild %oods of ;roceliande! 7or -erlin once had told her of a charm# The %hich if any %rou+ht on anyone With %o&en paces and %ith %a&in+ arms# The man so %rou+ht on e&er seem(d to lie 1losed in the four %alls of a hollo% to%er# 7rom %hich %as no escape for e&ermore= And none could find that man for e&ermore# 4or could he see but him %ho %rou+ht the charm 1omin+ and +oin+# and he lay as dead And lost to life and use and name and fame! And 2i&ien e&er sou+ht to %ork the charm 8pon the +reat 'nchanter of the Time# As fancyin+ that her +lory %ould be +reat Accordin+ to his +reatness %hom she Fuenched! There lay she all her len+th and kiss(d his feet# As if in deepest re&erence and in lo&e! A t%ist of +old %as round her hair= a robe /f samite %ithout price# that more exprest Than hid her# clun+ about her lissome limbs# "n colour like the satin$shinin+ palm /n sallo%s in the %indy +leams of -arch) And %hile she kiss(d them# cryin+# HTrample me# 6ear feet# that " ha&e follo%(d thro( the %orld# And " %ill pay you %orship= tread me do%n And " %ill kiss you for it=( he %as mute) So dark a forethou+ht rolled about his brain# As on a dull day in an /cean ca&e The blind %a&e feelin+ round his lon+ sea$hall "n silence) %herefore# %hen she lifted up A face of sad appeal# and spake and said# H/ -erlin# do ye lo&e meJ( and a+ain# H/ -erlin# do ye lo&e meJ( and once more# H:reat -aster# do ye lo&e meJ( he %as mute! GGG &At last Merlin "earies of 8i3ien and she 3o"s to lea3e, saying-, H;ut ere " lea&e thee let me s%ear once more That if " schemed a+ainst thy peace in this# -ay yon Eust hea&en# that darkens o(er me# send /ne flash# that# missin+ all thin+s else# may make -y schemin+ brain a cinder# if " lie!(

Scarce had she ceased# %hen out of hea&en a bolt (7or no% the storm %as close abo&e them struck# 7urro%in+ a +iant oak# and Ea&elinin+ With darted spikes and splinters of the %ood The dark earth round! 9e raised his eyes and sa% The tree that shone %hite$listed thro( the +loom! ;ut 2i&ien# fearin+ hea&en had heard her oath# And da<<led by the li&id$flickerin+ fork# And deafen(d %ith the stammerin+ cracks and claps That follo%(d# flyin+ back and cryin+ out# H/ -erlin# tho( you do not lo&e me# sa&e# 5et sa&e meI( clun+ to him and hu++(d him close= And called him dear protector in her fri+ht# 4or yet for+ot her practice in her fri+ht# ;ut %rou+ht upon his mood and hu++(d him close! The pale blood of the %i<ard at her touch Took +ayer colours# like an opal %arm(d! She blamed herself for tellin+ hearsay tales) She shook from fear# and for her fault she %ept /f petulancy= she call(d him lord and lie+e# 9er seer# her bard# her sil&er star of e&e# 9er :od# her -erlin# the one passionate lo&e /f her %hole life= and e&er o&erhead ;ello%(d the tempest# and the rotten branch Snapt in the rushin+ of the ri&er$rain Abo&e them= and in chan+e of +lare and +loom 9er eyes and neck +litterin+ %ent and came= Till no% the storm# its burst of passion spent# -oanin+ and callin+ out of other lands# 9ad left the ra&a+ed %oodland yet once more To peace= and %hat should not ha&e been had been# 7or -erlin# o&ertalk(d and o&er%orn# 9ad yielded# told her all the charm# and slept! Then# in one moment# she put forth the charm /f %o&en paces and of %a&in+ hands# And in the hollo% oak he lay as dead# And lost to life and use and name and fame! Then cryin+ H" ha&e made his +lory mine#( And shriekin+ out H/ foolI( the harlot leapt Ado%n the forest# and the thicket closed ;ehind her# and the forest echo(d Hfool!( Lancelot and 1laine 'laine the fair# 'laine the lo&eable# 'laine# the lily maid of Astolat#

9i+h in her chamber up a to%er to the east :uarded the sacred shield of Lancelot= Which first she placed %here the mornin+(s earliest ray -i+ht strike it# and a%ake her %ith the +leam= Then fearin+ rust or soilure fashion(d for it A case of silk# and braided thereupon All the de&ices bla<on(d on the shield "n their o%n tinct# and added# of her %it# A border fantasy of branch and flo%er# And yello%$throated nestlin+ in the nest! 4or rested thus content# but day by day# Lea&in+ her household and +ood father# climb(d That eastern to%er# and enterin+ barr(d her door# Stript off the case# and read the naked shield# 4o% +uess(d a hidden meanin+ in his arms# 4o% made a pretty history to herself /f e&ery dint a s%ord had beaten in it# And e&ery scratch a lance had made upon it# 1onEecturin+ %hen and %here) this cut is fresh= That ten years back= this dealt him at 1aerlyle= That at 1aerleon= this at 1amelot) And ah :od(s mercy# %hat a stroke %as thereI And here a thrust that mi+ht ha&e kill(d# but :od ;roke the stron+ lance# and roll(d his enemy do%n# And sa&ed him) so she li&ed in fantasy! GGG &The tale is told of ho" Elaine came 4y Lancelot%s shield7 "hen he 3isited her father%s castle, she fell in lo3e "ith and in3ited him to "ear her token in the tournament7 in return she ke*t his shield#, 9e spoke and ceased) the lily maid 'laine# Won by the mello% &oice before she look(d# Lifted her eyes# and read his lineaments! The +reat and +uilty lo&e he bare the 3ueen# "n battle %ith the lo&e he bare his lord# 9ad marr(d his face# and mark(d it ere his time! Another sinnin+ on such hei+hts %ith one# The flo%er of all the %est and all the %orld# 9ad been the sleeker for it) but in him 9is mood %as often like a fiend# and rose And dro&e him into %astes and solitudes 7or a+ony# %ho %as yet a li&in+ soul! -arr(d as he %as# he seem(d the +oodliest man That e&er amon+ ladies ate in hall# And noblest# %hen she lifted up her eyes! 9o%e&er marr(d# of more than t%ice her years# Seam(d %ith an ancient s%ordcut on the cheek# And bruised and bron<ed# she lifted up her eyes And lo&ed him# %ith that lo&e %hich %as her doom!

GGG &Elaine%s lo3e is not returned# !o"e3er, "hen Lancelot is "ounded in the lists, she comes to succour him in a ca3e "here he lies#, Then rose 'laine and +lided thro( the fields# And past beneath the %eirdly$sculptured +ates 7ar up the dim rich city to her kin= There bode the ni+ht) but %oke %ith da%n# and past 6o%n thro( the dim rich city to the fields# Thence to the ca&e) so day by day she past "n either t%ili+ht +host$like to and fro :lidin+# and e&ery day she tended him# And like%ise many a ni+ht) and Lancelot Would# tho( he called his %ound a little hurt Whereof he should be Fuickly %hole# at times ;rain$fe&erous in his heat and a+ony# seem 8ncourteous# e&en he) but the meek maid S%eetly forbore him e&er# bein+ to him -eeker than any child to a rou+h nurse# -ilder than any mother to a sick child# And ne&er %oman yet# since man(s first fall# 6id kindlier unto man# but her deep lo&e 8pbore her= till the hermit# skilled in all The simples and the science of that time# Told him that her fine care had sa&ed his life! And the sick man for+ot her simple blush# Would call her friend and sister# s%eet 'laine# Would listen for her comin+ and re+ret 9er partin+ step# and held her tenderly# And lo&ed her %ith all lo&e except the lo&e /f man and %oman %hen they lo&e their best# 1losest and s%eetest# and had died the death "n any kni+htly fashion for her sake! And perad&enture had he seen her first She mi+ht ha&e made this and that other %orld Another %orld for the sick man= but no% The shackles of an old lo&e straiten(d him# 9is honour rooted in dishonour stood# And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true! GGG &Lancelot gently refuses her lo3e 4efore he de*arts# Elaine *ines a"ay, telling her father she "ill die#, She +re% so cheerful that they deem(d her death Was rather in the fantasy than the blood! ;ut ten slo% mornin+s past# and on the ele&enth 9er father laid the letter in her hand# And closed the hand upon it# and she died!

So that day there %as dole in Astolat! ;ut %hen the next sun brake from under+round# Then# those t%o brethren slo%ly %ith bent bro%s Accompanyin+# the sad chariot$bier Past like a shado% thro( the field# that shone 7ull$summer# to that stream %hereon the bar+e# Pall(d all its len+th in blackest samite# lay! There sat the lifelon+ creature of the house# Loyal# the dumb old ser&itor# on deck# Winkin+ his eyes# and t%isted all his face! So those t%o brethren from the chariot took And on the black decks laid her in her bed# Set in her hand a lily# o(er her hun+ The silken case %ith braided bla<onin+s# And kiss(d her Fuiet bro%s# and sayin+ to her HSister# fare%ell for e&er#( and a+ain H7are%ell# s%eet sister#( parted all in tears! Then rose the dumb old ser&itor# and the dead# /ar(d by the dumb# %ent up%ard %ith the flood. "n her ri+ht hand the lily# in her left The letter . all her bri+ht hair streamin+ do%n. And all the co&erlid %as cloth of +old 6ra%n to her %aist# and she herself in %hite All but her face# and that clear$featured face Was lo&ely# for she did not seem as dead# ;ut fast asleep# and lay as tho( she smiled! GGG &The 4arge containing Elaine%s 4ody sails *ast 5amelot# !er letter is read- it declares her lo3e for Lancelot# Arthur orders that she 4e 4uried "ith due honour, telling Lancelot-, HLancelot# my Lancelot# thou in %hom " ha&e -ost Eoy and most affiance# for " kno% What thou hast been in battle by my side# And many a time ha&e %atch(d thee at the tilt Strike do%n the lusty and lon+ practised kni+ht# And let the youn+er and unskill(d +o by To %in his honour and to make his name# And lo&ed thy courtesies and thee# a man -ade to be lo&ed= but no% " %ould to :od# Seein+ the homeless trouble in thine eyes# Thou couldst ha&e lo&ed this maiden# shaped# it seems# ;y :od for thee alone# and from her face# "f one may Eud+e the li&in+ by the dead# 6elicately pure and mar&ellously fair# Who mi+ht ha&e brou+ht thee# no% a lonely man Wifeless and heirless# noble issue# sons ;orn to the +lory of thine name and fame#

-y kni+ht# the +reat Sir Lancelot of the Lake!( Then ans%er(d Lancelot# H7air she %as# my ,in+# Pure# as you e&er %ish your kni+hts to be! To doubt her fairness %ere to %ant an eye# To doubt her pureness %ere to %ant a heart. 5ea# to be lo&ed# if %hat is %orthy lo&e 1ould bind him# but free lo&e %ill not be bound!( The !oly 6rail &$ir Perci3ayle, a knight of the ?ound Ta4le, 4ecomes a monk# In discussion "ith another monk, Am4rosius, he descri4es ho" his sister, a nun, had a 3ision of the !oly 0rail A the cu* from "hich Besus drank at the Last $u**er, "hich "as re*utedly 4rought to England 4y Bose*h of Arimathea#, H7or on a day she sent to speak %ith me! And %hen she came to speak# behold her eyes ;eyond my kno%in+ of them# beautiful# ;eyond all kno%in+ of them# %onderful# ;eautiful in the li+ht of holiness! And O/ my brother Perci&ale#P she said# OS%eet brother# " ha&e seen the 9oly :rail) 7or# %aked at dead of ni+ht# " heard a sound As of a sil&er horn from o(er the hills ;lo%n# and " thou+ht# H"t is not ArthurLs use To hunt by moonli+ht=( and the slender sound As from a distance beyond distance +re% 1omin+ upon me . / ne&er harp nor horn# 4or au+ht %e blo% %ith breath# or touch %ith hand# Was like that music as it came= and then Stream(d thro( my cell a cold and sil&er beam# And do%n the lon+ beam stole the 9oly :rail# 0ose$red %ith beatin+s in it# as if ali&e# Till all the %hite %alls of my cell %ere dyed With rosy colours leapin+ on the %all= And then the music faded# and the :rail Past# and the beam decay(d# and from the %alls The rosy Fui&erin+s died into the ni+ht! So no% the 9oly Thin+ is here a+ain Amon+ us# brother# fast thou too and pray# And tell thy brother kni+hts to fast and pray# That so perchance the &ision may be seen ;y thee and those# and all the %orld be heal(d!P GGG &Perci3ayle goes on to relate ho" many of Arthur%s knights 3o"ed to ride out to seek the !oly 0rail# Perci3ayle "as one of them#,

HAnd " %as lifted up in heart# and thou+ht /f all my late$sho%n pro%ess in the lists# 9o% my stron+ lance had beaten do%n the kni+hts# So many and famous names= and ne&er yet 9ad hea&en appear(d so blue# nor earth so +reen# 7or all my blood danced in me# and " kne% That " should li+ht upon the 9oly :rail! HThereafter# the dark %arnin+ of our ,in+# That most of us %ould follo% %anderin+ fires# 1ame like a dri&in+ +loom across my mind! Then e&ery e&il %ord " had spoken once# And e&ery e&il thou+ht " had thou+ht of old# And e&ery e&il deed " e&er did# A%oke and cried# OThis 3uest is not for thee!P And liftin+ up mine eyes# " found myself Alone# and in a land of sand and thorns# And " %as thirsty e&en unto death= And "# too# cried# OThis 3uest is not for thee!P HAnd on " rode# and %hen " thou+ht my thirst Would slay me# sa% deep la%ns# and then a brook# With one sharp rapid# %here the crispin+ %hite Play(d e&er back upon the slopin+ %a&e# And took both ear and eye= and o(er the brook Were apple$trees# and apples by the brook 7allen# and on the la%ns! O" %ill rest here#P " said# O" am not %orthy of the 3uest=P ;ut e&en %hile " drank the brook# and ate The +oodly apples# all these thin+s at once 7ell into dust# and " %as left alone# And thirstin+# in a land of sand and thorns! HAnd then behold a %oman at a door Spinnin+= and fair the house %hereby she sat# And kind the %oman(s eyes and innocent# And all her bearin+ +racious= and she rose /penin+ her arms to meet me# as %ho should say# O0est here=P but %hen " touch(d her# loI she# too# 7ell into dust and nothin+# and the house ;ecame no better than a broken shed# And in it a dead babe= and also this 7ell into dust# and " %as left alone!( GGG &Perci3ayle tells ho" he and 0alahad came to a cha*el, "here 0alahad sa" the !oly 0rail7 4ut Perci3ayle did not, until they rode on again-, HThere rose a hill that none but man could climb# Scarr(d %ith a hundred %intry %ater$courses.

Storm at the top# and %hen %e +ain(d it# storm 0ound us and death= for e&ery moment +lanced 9is sil&er arms and +loom(d) so Fuick and thick The li+htnin+s here and there to left and ri+ht Struck# till the dry old trunks about us# dead# 5ea# rotten %ith a hundred years of death# Spran+ into fire) and at the base %e found /n either hand# as far as eye could see# A +reat black s%amp and of an e&il smell# Part black# part %hiten(d %ith the bones of men# 4ot to be crost# sa&e that some ancient kin+ 9ad built a %ay# %here# link(d %ith many a brid+e# A thousand piers ran into the +reat Sea! And :alahad fled alon+ them brid+e by brid+e# And e&ery brid+e as Fuickly as he crost Spran+ into fire and &anish(d# tho( " yearned To follo%= and thrice abo&e him all the hea&ens /pen(d and bla<ed %ith thunder such as seem(d Shoutin+s of all the sons of :od) and first At once " sa% him far on the +reat Sea# "n sil&er$shinin+ armour starry$clear= And o(er his head the 9oly 2essel hun+ 1lothed in %hite samite or a luminous cloud! And %ith exceedin+ s%iftness ran the boat# "f boat it %ere . " sa% not %hence it came! And %hen the hea&ens open(d and bla<ed a+ain 0oarin+# " sa% him like a sil&er star. And had he set the sail# or had the boat ;ecome a li&in+ creature clad %ith %in+sJ And o(er his head the 9oly 2essel hun+ 0edder than any rose# a Eoy to me# 7or no% " kne% the &eil had been %ithdra%n!( GGG &Perci3ayle tells Am4rosius that many knights failed to return to 5amelot from their @uest# /f those that did, $ir 'ors also "as granted a 3ision of the 0rail7 Lancelot, though, "as not# Perci3ayle relates Lancelot%s account of ho" he set sail in des*air-, H O" burst the chain# " spran+ into the boat! Se&en days " dro&e alon+ the dreary deep# And %ith me dro&e the moon and all the stars= And the %ind fell# and on the se&enth ni+ht " heard the shin+le +rindin+ in the sur+e# And felt the boat shock earth# and lookin+ up# ;ehold# the enchanted to%ers of 1arbonek# A castle like a rock upon a rock# With chasm$like portals open to the sea# And steps that met the breakerI there %as none Stood near it but a lion on each side That kept the entry# and the moon %as full!

Then from the boat " leapt# and up the stairs! There dre% my s%ord! With sudden$flarin+ manes Those t%o +reat beasts rose upri+ht like a man# 'ach +ript a shoulder# and " stood bet%een= And# %hen " %ould ha&e smitten them# heard a &oice# H6oubt not# +o for%ard= if thou doubt# the beasts Will tear thee piecemeal!( Then %ith &iolence The s%ord %as dashed from out my hand# and fell! And up into the soundin+ hall " past= ;ut nothin+ in the soundin+ hall " sa%# 4o bench nor table# paintin+ on the %all /r shield of kni+ht= only the rounded moon Thro( the tall oriel on the rollin+ sea! ;ut al%ays in the Fuiet house " heard# 1lear as a lark# hi+h o(er me as a lark# A s%eet &oice sin+in+ in the topmost to%er To the east%ard) up " climb(d a thousand steps With pain) as in a dream " seem(d to climb 7or e&er) at the last " reach(d a door# A li+ht %as in the crannies# and " heard# H:lory and Eoy and honour to our Lord And to the 9oly 2essel of the :rail!( Then in my madness " essay(d the door= "t +a&e= and thro( a stormy +lare# a heat As from a se&entimes$heated furnace# "# ;lasted and burnt# and blinded as " %as# With such a fierceness that " s%oon(d a%ay. /# yet methou+ht " sa% the 9oly :rail# All pall(d in crimson samite# and around :reat an+els# a%ful shapes# and %in+s and eyes! And but for all my madness and my sin# And then my s%oonin+# " had s%orn " sa% That %hich " sa%= but %hat " sa% %as &eil(d And co&er(d= and this 3uest %as not for me!P GGG &9inally, Perci3ayle relates Arthur%s ans"er to his knights after they told their tales#, H OAnd spake " not too truly# / my kni+htsJ Was " too dark a prophet %hen " said To those %ho %ent upon the 9oly 3uest# That most of them %ould follo% %anderin+ fires# Lost in the Fua+mireJ . lost to me and +one# And left me +a<in+ at a barren board# And a lean /rder . scarce returned a tithe. And out of those to %hom the &ision came -y +reatest hardly %ill belie&e he sa%= Another hath beheld it afar off# And lea&in+ human %ron+s to ri+ht themsel&es# 1ares but to pass into the silent life!

And one hath had the &ision face to face# And no% his chair desires him here in &ain# 9o%e&er they may cro%n him other%here! H OAnd some amon+ you held# that if the ,in+ 9ad seen the si+ht he %ould ha&e s%orn the &o%) 4ot easily# seein+ that the ,in+ must +uard That %hich he rules# and is but as the hind To %hom a space of land is +i&en to plo%! Who may not %ander from the allotted field ;efore his %ork be done= but# bein+ done# Let &isions of the ni+ht or of the day 1ome# as they %ill= and many a time they come# 8ntil this earth he %alks on seems not earth# This li+ht that strikes his eyeball is not li+ht# This air that smites his forehead is not air ;ut &ision . yea# his &ery hand and foot. "n moments %hen he feels he cannot die# And kno%s himself no &ision to himself# 4or the hi+h :od a &ision# nor that /ne Who rose a+ain) ye ha&e seen %hat ye ha&e seen!P HSo spake the ,in+) " kne% not all he meant!( Pelleas and 1ttarre ,in+ Arthur made ne% kni+hts to fill the +ap Left by the 9oly 3uest= and as he sat "n hall at old 1aerleon# the hi+h doors Were softly sunder(d# and throu+h these a youth# Pelleas# and the s%eet smell of the fields Past# and the sunshine came alon+ %ith him! H-ake me thy kni+ht# because " kno%# Sir ,in+# All that belon+s to kni+hthood# and " lo&e!( Such %as his cry) for ha&in+ heard the ,in+ 9ad let proclaim a tournament . the pri<e A +olden circlet and a kni+htly s%ord# 7ull fain had Pelleas for his lady %on The +olden circlet# for himself the s%ord) And there %ere those %ho kne% him near the ,in+# And promised for him) and Arthur made him kni+ht! GGG &Pelleas 3o"s to "in the lo3e of Ettare in a tournament# .es*ite his courage, she s*urns him#, ;ut after# %hen her damsels# and herself# And those three kni+hts all set their faces home#

Sir Pelleas follo%(d! She that sa% him cried# H6amsels . and yet " should be shamed to say it . " cannot bide Sir ;aby! ,eep him back Amon+ yoursel&es! Would rather that %e had Some rou+h old kni+ht %ho kne% the %orldly %ay# Albeit +ri<<lier than a bear# to ride And Eest %ith) take him to you# keep him off# And pamper him %ith papmeat# if ye %ill# /ld milky fables of the %olf and sheep# Such as the %holesome mothers tell their boys! 4ay# should ye try him %ith a merry one To find his mettle# +ood) and if he fly us# Small matterI let him!( This her damsels heard# And mindful of her small and cruel hand# They# closin+ round him thro( the Eourney home# Acted her hest# and al%ays from her side 0estrain(d him %ith all manner of de&ice# So that he could not come to speech %ith her! And %hen she +ain(d her castle# upspran+ the brid+e# 6o%n ran+ the +rate of iron thro( the +roo&e# And he %as left alone in open field! HThese be the %ays of ladies#( Pelleas thou+ht# HTo those %ho lo&e them# trials of our faith! 5ea# let her pro&e me to the uttermost# 7or loyal to the uttermost am "!( So made his moan= and darkness fallin+# sou+ht A priory not far off# there lod+ed# but rose With mornin+ e&ery day# and# moist or dry# 7ull$arm(d upon his char+er all day lon+ Sat by the %alls# and no one open(d to him! GGG Ettare, des*ising Pelleas, sets her knights on him7 although Pelleas defeats them, they 4ind him and 4ring him to her# And Pelleas ans%ered# HLady# for indeed " lo&ed you and " deem(d you beautiful# " cannot brook to see your beauty marr(d Throu+h e&il spite) and if ye lo&e me not# " cannot bear to dream you so fors%orn) " had liefer ye %ere %orthy of my lo&e# Than to be lo&ed a+ain of you . fare%ell= And tho( ye kill my hope# not yet my lo&e# 2ex not yourself) ye %ill not see me more!( While thus he spake# she +a<ed upon the man /f princely bearin+# tho( in bonds# and thou+ht# HWhy ha&e " pushed him from meJ this man lo&es# "f lo&e there be) yet him " lo&ed not! WhyJ

" deem(d him foolJ yea# soJ or that in him A somethin+ . %as it nobler than myselfJ Seem(d my reproachJ 9e is not of my kind! 9e could not lo&e me# did he kno% me %ell! 4ay# let him +o . and Fuickly!L And her kni+hts Lau+h(d not# but thrust him bounden out of door! !e is rescued 4y 0a"ain, "ho, suggests that he should *retend he has killed Pelleas to soften Ettare%s heart# Mean"hile Pelleas roams outside, "aiting, dou4tfully#,# HA rose# but one# none other rose had "# A rose# one rose# and this %as %ondrous fair# /ne rose# a rose that +ladden(d earth and sky# /ne rose# my rose# that s%eeten(d all mine air. " cared not for the thorns= the thorns %ere there! H/ne rose# a rose to +ather by and by# /ne rose# a rose# to +ather and to %ear# 4o rose but one . %hat other rose had "J /ne rose# my rose= a rose that %ill not die#. 9e dies %ho lo&es it# . if the %orm be there!( This tender rhyme# and e&ermore the doubt# HWhy lin+ers :a%ain %ith his +olden ne%sJ( So shook him that he could not rest# but rode 're midni+ht to her %alls# and bound his horse 9ard by the +ates! Wide open %ere the +ates# And no %atch kept= and in thro( these he past# And heard but his o%n steps# and his o%n heart ;eatin+# for nothin+ mo&ed but his o%n self# And his o%n shado%! Then he crost the court# And spied not any li+ht in hall or bo%er# ;ut sa% the postern portal also %ide 5a%nin+= and up a slope of +arden# all /f roses %hite and red# and brambles mixt And o&er+ro%in+ them# %ent on# and found# 9ere too# all hush(d belo% the mello% moon# Sa&e that one ri&ulet from a tiny ca&e 1ame li+htenin+ do%n%ard# and so spilt itself Amon+ the roses# and %as lost a+ain! Then %as he %are of three pa&ilions rear(d Abo&e the bushes# +ilden$peakt) in one# 0ed after re&el# droned her lurdane kni+hts Slumberin+# and their three sFuires across their feet) "n one# their malice on the placid lip 7ro<(n by s%eet sleep# four of her damsels lay) And in the third# the circlet of the Eousts ;ound on her bro%# %ere :a%ain and 'ttarre!

;ack# as a hand that pushes thro( the leaf To find a nest and feels a snake# he dre%) ;ack# as a co%ard slinks from %hat he fears To cope %ith# or a traitor pro&en# or hound ;eaten# did Pelleas in an utter shame 1reep %ith his shado% thro( the court a+ain# 7in+erin+ at his s%ord$handle until he stood There on the castle$brid+e once more# and thou+ht# H" %ill +o back# and slay them %here they lie!( And so %ent back# and seein+ them yet in sleep Said# H5e# that so dishallo% the holy sleep# 5our sleep is death#( and dre% the s%ord# and thou+ht# HWhatI slay a sleepin+ kni+htJ the ,in+ hath bound And s%orn me to this brotherhood=( a+ain# HAlas that e&er a kni+ht should be so false!( Then turn(d# and so return(d# and +roanin+ laid The naked s%ord ath%art their naked throats# There left it# and them sleepin+= and she lay# The circlet of her tourney round her bro%s# And the s%ord of the tourney across her throat! Maddened 4y shame and grief, Pelleas returns to the court, "here he accuses Lancelot and 0uine3ere of sin# ;ut Pelleas lifted up an eye so fierce She Fuail(d= and he# hissin+ H" ha&e no s%ord#( Spran+ from the door into the dark! The 3ueen Look(d hard upon her lo&er# he on her= And each foresa% the dolorous day to be) And all talk died# as in a +ro&e all son+ ;eneath the shado% of some bird of prey= Then a lon+ silence came upon the hall# And -odred thou+ht# HThe time is hard at hand!( The Last Tournament &A tournament is held in honour of a dead child, ;ut %hen the mornin+ of a tournament# ;y these in earnest those in mockery call(d The Tournament of the 6ead "nnocence# ;rake %ith a %et %ind blo%in+# Lancelot# 0ound %hose sick head all ni+ht# like birds of prey# The %ords of Arthur flyin+ shriek(d# arose# And do%n a street%ay hun+ %ith folds of pure White samite# and by fountains runnin+ %ine# Where children sat in %hite %ith cups of +old# -o&ed to the lists# and there# %ith slo% sad steps

Ascendin+# filled his double$dra+on(d chair! 9e +lanced and sa% the stately +alleries# 6ame# damsel# each thro( %orship of their 3ueen White$robed in honour of the stainless child# And some %ith scatter(d Ee%els# like a bank /f maiden sno% min+led %ith sparks of fire! 9e look(d but once# and &ail(d his eyes a+ain! The sudden trumpet sounded as in a dream To ears but half$a%aked# then one lo% roll /f Autumn thunder# and the Eousts be+an) And e&er the %ind ble%# and yello%in+ leaf And +loom and +leam# and sho%er and shorn plume Went do%n it! Si+hin+ %eariedly# as one Who sits and +a<es on a faded fire# When all the +oodlier +uests are past a%ay# Sat their +reat umpire# lookin+ o(er the lists! 9e sa% the la%s that ruled the tournament ;roken# but spake not= once# a kni+ht cast do%n ;efore his throne of arbitration cursed The dead babe and the follies of the ,in+= And once the laces of a helmet crack(d# And sho%(d him# like a &ermin in its hole# -odred# a narro% face) anon he heard The &oice that billo%(d round the barriers roar An ocean$soundin+ %elcome to one kni+ht# ;ut ne%ly$enter(d# taller than the rest# And armour(d all in forest +reen# %hereon There tript a hundred tiny sil&er deer# And %earin+ but a holly$spray for crest# With e&er$scatterin+ berries# and on shield A spear# a harp# a bu+le . Tristram . late 7rom o&erseas in ;rittany return(d# And marria+e %ith a princess of that realm# "solt the White . Sir Tristram of the Woods. Whom Lancelot kne%# had held sometime %ith pain 9is o%n a+ainst him# and no% yearn(d to shake The burthen off his heart in one full shock With Tristram e(en to death) his stron+ hands +ript And dinted the +ilt dra+ons ri+ht and left# 8ntil he +roan(d for %rath . so many of those# That %are their ladies( colours on the casFue# 6re% from before Sir Tristram to the bounds# And there %ith +ibes and flickerin+ mockeries Stood# %hile he mutter(d# H1ra&en crestsI / shameI What faith ha&e these in %hom they s%are to lo&eJ The +lory of our 0ound Table is no more!( GGG

&Tristram "ins the tournament and is *resented "ith ru4ies "hich "ere found "ith the dead child#, And little 6a+onet on the morro% morn# 9i+h o&er all the yello%in+ Autumn$tide# 6anced like a %ither(d leaf before the hall! Then Tristram sayin+# HWhy skip ye so# Sir 7oolJ( Wheel(d round on either heel# 6a+onet replied# H;elike for lack of %iser company= /r bein+ fool# and seein+ too much %it -akes the %orld rotten# %hy# belike " skip To kno% myself the %isest kni+ht of all!( HAy# fool#( said Tristram# Hbut (tis eatin+ dry To dance %ithout a catch# a roundelay To dance to!( Then he t%an+led on his harp# And %hile he t%an+led little 6a+onet stood 3uiet as any %ater$sodden lo+ Stay(d in the %anderin+ %arble of a brook= ;ut %hen the t%an+lin+ ended# skipt a+ain= And bein+ asked# HWhy skipt ye not# Sir 7oolJ( -ade ans%er# H" had liefer t%enty years Skip to the broken music of my brains Than any broken music thou canst make!( Then Tristram# %aitin+ for the Fuip to come# H:ood no%# %hat music ha&e " broken# foolJ( And little 6a+onet# skippin+# HArthur# the ,in+(s= 7or %hen thou playest that air %ith 3ueen "solt# Thou makest broken music %ith thy bride# 9er daintier namesake do%n in ;rittany. And so thou breakest ArthurLs music too!( &Although he is married to Isolt the White of 'rittany, Tristram is in lo3e "ith another Isolt, the "ife of King Mark of 5orn"all, to "hom he no" returns#, 6o%n in a casement sat# A lo% sea$sunset +loryin+ round her hair And +lossy$throated +race# "solt the 3ueen! And %hen she heard the feet of Tristram +rind The spirin+ stone that scaled about her to%er# 7lush(d# started# met him at the doors# and there ;elted his body %ith her %hite embrace# 1ryin+ aloud# H4ot -ark . not -ark# my soulI The footstep flutter(d me at first) not he) 1atlike thro( his o%n castle steals my -ark# ;ut %arrior$%ise thou stridest throu+h his halls Who hates thee# as " him . e(en to the death! -y soul# " felt my hatred for my -ark 3uicken %ithin me# and kne% that thou %ert ni+h!( To %hom Sir Tristram smilin+# H" am here! Let be thy -ark# seein+ he is not thine!(

And dra%in+ some%hat back%ard she replied# H1an he be %ron+ed %ho is not e(en his o%n# ;ut sa&e for dread of thee had beaten me# Scratch(d# bitten# blinded# marr(d me someho% . -arkJ What ri+hts are his that dare not strike for themJ 4ot lift a hand . not# tho( he found me thusI ;ut harkenI ha&e ye met himJ hence he %ent Today for three days( huntin+ . as he said. And so returns belike %ithin an hour! -ark(s %ay# my soulI . but eat not thou %ith -ark# ;ecause he hates thee e&en more than fears= 4or drink) and %hen thou passest any %ood 1lose &i<or# lest an arro% from the bush Should lea&e me all alone %ith -ark and hell! -y :od# the measure of my hate for -ark "s as the measure of my lo&e for thee!( GGG 9e that %hile she spake# -indful of %hat he brou+ht to adorn her %ith# The Ee%els# had let one fin+er li+htly touch The %arm %hite apple of her throat# replied# HPress this a little closer# s%eet# until. 1ome# " am hun+er(d and half$an+er(d . meat# Wine# %ine . and " %ill lo&e thee to the death# And out beyond into the dream to come!( So then# %hen both %ere brou+ht to full accord# She rose# and set before him all he %ill(d= And after these had comforted the blood With meats and %ines# and satiated their hearts. 4o% talkin+ of their %oodland paradise# The deer# the de%s# the fern# the founts# the la%ns= 4o% mockin+ at the much un+ainliness# And cra&en shifts# and lon+ crane le+s of -ark. Then Tristram lau+hin+ cau+ht the harp# and san+) HAy# ay# / ay . the %inds that bend the brierI A star in hea&en# a star %ithin the mereI Ay# ay# / ay . a star %as my desire# And one %as far apart# and one %as near) Ay# ay# / ay . the %inds that bo% the +rassI And one %as %ater and one star %as fire# And one %ill e&er shine and one %ill pass! Ay# ay# / ay . the %inds that mo&e the mere!( Then in the li+ht(s last +limmer Tristram sho%(d And s%un+ the ruby carcanet! She cried#

HThe collar of some /rder# %hich our ,in+ 9ath ne%ly founded# all for thee# my soul# 7or thee# to yield thee +race beyond thy peers!L H4ot so# my 3ueen#( he said# Hbut the red fruit :ro%n on a ma+ic oak$tree in mid$hea&en# And %on by Tristram as a tourney$pri<e# And hither brou+ht by Tristram for his last Lo&e$offerin+ and peace$offerin+ unto thee!( 9e spoke# he turn(d# then# flin+in+ round her neck# 1laspt it# and cried# HThine /rder# / my 3ueenI( ;ut# %hile he bo%(d to kiss the Ee%ell(d throat# /ut of the dark# Eust as the lips had touch(d# ;ehind him rose a shado% and a shriek. H-ark(s %ay#( said -ark# and clo&e him thro( the brain! That ni+ht came Arthur home# and %hile he climb(d# All in a death$dumb autumn$drippin+ +loom# The stair%ay to the hall# and look(d and sa% The +reat 3ueen(s bo%er %as dark# . about his feet A &oice clun+ sobbin+ till he Fuestion(d it# HWhat art thouJ( and the &oice about his feet Sent up an ans%er# sobbin+# H" am thy fool# And " shall ne&er make thee smile a+ain!( 6uine%ere 3ueen :uine&ere had fled the court# and sat There in the holy house at Almesbury Weepin+# none %ith her sa&e a little maid# A no&ice) one lo% li+ht bet%ixt them burn(d ;lurr(d by the creepin+ mist# for all abroad# ;eneath a moon unseen albeit at full# The %hite mist# like a face$cloth to the face# 1lun+ to the dead earth# and the land %as still! 7or hither had she fled# her cause of fli+ht Sir -odred= he that like a subtle beast Lay couchant %ith his eyes upon the throne# 0eady to sprin+# %aitin+ a chance) for this 9e chill(d the popular praises of the ,in+ With silent smiles of slo% dispara+ement= And tamper(d %ith the Lords of the White 9orse# 9eathen# the brood by 9en+ist left= and sou+ht To make disruption in the Table 0ound /f Arthur# and to splinter it into feuds Ser&in+ his traitorous end= and all his aims Were sharpen(d by stron+ hate for Lancelot!

GGG The story is told of ho" 0uine3ere "as disgraced, 4ecause she and Lancelot "ould not lea3e each other, !!!she said# H/ Lancelot# +et thee hence to thine o%n land# 7or if thou tarry %e shall meet a+ain# And if %e meet a+ain# some e&il chance Will make the smoulderin+ scandal break and bla<e ;efore the people# and our lord the ,in+!( And Lancelot e&er promised# but remain(d# And still they met and met! A+ain she said# H/ Lancelot# if thou lo&e me +et thee hence!( And then they %ere a+reed upon a ni+ht (When the +ood ,in+ should not be there to meet And part for e&er! 2i&ien# lurkin+# heard! She told Sir -odred! Passion$pale they met And +reeted! 9ands in hands# and eye to eye# Lo% on the border of her couch they sat Stammerin+ and starin+! "t %as their last hour# A madness of fare%ells! And -odred brou+ht 9is creatures to the basement of the to%er 7or testimony= and cryin+ %ith full &oice HTraitor# come out# ye are trapt at last#( aroused Lancelot# %ho rushin+ out%ard lionlike Leapt on him# and hurl(d him headlon+# and he fell Stunn(d# and his creatures took and bare him off# And all %as still) then she# HThe end is come# And " am shamed for e&er=( and he said# H-ine be the shame= mine %as the sin) but rise# And fly to my stron+ castle o&erseas) There %ill " hide thee# till my life shall end# There hold thee %ith my life a+ainst the %orld!( She ans%er(d# HLancelot# %ilt thou hold me soJ 4ay# friend# for %e ha&e taken our fare%ells! Would :od that thou couldst hide me from myselfI -ine is the shame# for " %as %ife# and thou 8n%edded) yet rise no%# and let us fly# 7or " %ill dra% me into sanctuary# And bide my doom!( GGG There rode an armed %arrior to the doors! A murmurin+ %hisper thro( the nunnery ran# Then on a sudden a cry# HThe ,in+!( She sat Stiff$stricken# listenin+= but %hen armed feet Thro( the lon+ +allery from the outer doors

0an+ comin+# prone from off her seat she fell# And +ro&ell(d %ith her face a+ainst the floor) There %ith her milk%hite arms and shado%y hair She made her face a darkness from the ,in+) And in the darkness heard his armed feet Pause by her= then came silence# then a &oice# -onotonous and hollo% like a :host(s 6enouncin+ Eud+ment# but tho( chan+ed# the ,in+(s) HLiest thou here so lo%# the child of one " honour(d# happy# dead before thy shameJ Well is it that no child is born of thee! The children born of thee are s%ord and fire# 0ed ruin# and the breakin+ up of la%s# The craft of kindred and the :odless hosts /f heathen s%armin+ o(er the 4orthern Sea= Whom "# %hile yet Sir Lancelot# my ri+ht arm# The mi+htiest of my kni+hts# abode %ith me# 9a&e e&ery%here about this land of 1hrist "n t%el&e +reat battles ruinin+ o&erthro%n! And kno%est thou no% from %hence " come . from him# 7rom %a+in+ bitter %ar %ith him) and he# That did not shun to smite me in %orse %ay# 9ad yet that +race of courtesy in him left# 9e spared to lift his hand a+ainst the ,in+ Who made him kni+ht) but many a kni+ht %as slain= And many more# and all his kith and kin 1la&e to him# and abode in his o%n land! And many more %hen -odred raised re&olt# 7or+etful of their troth and fealty# cla&e To -odred# and a remnant stays %ith me! And of this remnant %ill " lea&e a part# True men %ho lo&e me still# for %hom " li&e# To +uard thee in the %ild hour comin+ on# Lest but a hair of this lo% head be harm(d! 7ear not) thou shalt be +uarded till my death! 9o%beit " kno%# if ancient prophecies 9a&e err(d not# that " march to meet my doom! Thou hast not made my life so s%eet to me# That " the ,in+ should +reatly care to li&e= 7or thou hast spoilt the purpose of my life! ;ear %ith me for the last time %hile " sho%# '&(n for thy sake# the sin %hich thou hast sinn(d! 7or %hen the 0oman left us# and their la% 0elax(d its hold upon us# and the %ays Were fill(d %ith rapine# here and there a deed /f pro%ess done redress(d a random %ron+! ;ut " %as first of all the kin+s %ho dre% The kni+hthood$errant of this realm and all The realms to+ether under me# their 9ead#

"n that fair /rder of my Table 0ound# A +lorious company# the flo%er of men# To ser&e as model for the mi+hty %orld# And be the fair be+innin+ of a time! " made them lay their hands in mine and s%ear To re&erence the ,in+# as if he %ere Their conscience# and their conscience as their ,in+# To break the heathen and uphold the 1hrist# To ride abroad redressin+ human %ron+s# To speak no slander# no# nor listen to it# To honour his o%n %ord as if his :od(s# To lead s%eet li&es in purest chastity# To lo&e one maiden only# clea&e to her# And %orship her by years of noble deeds# 8ntil they %on her= for indeed " kne% /f no more subtle master under hea&en Than is the maiden passion for a maid# 4ot only to keep do%n the base in man# ;ut teach hi+h thou+ht# and amiable %ords And courtliness# and the desire of fame# And lo&e of truth# and all that makes a man! And all this thro&e before " %edded thee# ;elie&in+# Olo mine helpmate# one to feel -y purpose and reEoicin+ in my Eoy!P Then came thy shameful sin %ith Lancelot= Then came the sin of Tristram and "solt= Then others# follo%in+ these my mi+htiest kni+hts# And dra%in+ foul ensample from fair names# Sinn(d also# till the loathsome opposite /f all my heart had destined did obtain# And all thro( theeI so that this life of mine " +uard as :od(s hi+h +ift from scathe and %ron+# 4ot +reatly care to lose= but rather think 9o% sad it %ere for Arthur# should he li&e# To sit once more %ithin his lonely hall# And miss the %onted number of my kni+hts# And miss to hear hi+h talk of noble deeds As in the +olden days before thy sin! 7or %hich of us# %ho mi+ht be left# could speak /f the pure heart# nor seem to +lance at theeJ And in thy bo%ers of 1amelot or of 8sk Thy shado% still %ould +lide from room to room# And " should e&ermore be &ext %ith thee "n han+in+ robe or &acant ornament# /r +hostly footfall echoin+ on the stair! 7or think not# tho( thou %ouldst not lo&e thy lord# Thy lord hast %holly lost his lo&e for thee!( GGG

Then# listenin+ till those armed steps %ere +one# 0ose the pale 3ueen# and in her an+uish found The casement) Hperad&enture#( so she thou+ht# H"f " mi+ht see his face# and not be seen!( And lo# he sat on horseback at the doorI And near him the sad nuns %ith each a li+ht Stood# and he +a&e them char+e about the 3ueen# To +uard and foster her for e&ermore! And %hile he spake to these his helm %as lo%er(d# To %hich for crest the +olden dra+on clun+ /f ;ritain= so she did not see the face# Which then %as as an an+el(s# but she sa%# Wet %ith the mists and smitten by the li+hts# The 6ra+on of the +reat Pendra+onship ;la<e# makin+ all the ni+ht a steam of fire! And e&en then he turn(d= and more and more The moony &apour rollin+ round the ,in+# Who seem(d the phantom of a :iant in it# 'n%ound him fold by fold# and made him +ray And +rayer# till himself became as mist ;efore her# mo&in+ +hostlike to his doom! Then she stretch(d out her arms and cried aloud H/h ArthurI( there her &oice brake suddenly# Then . as a stream that spoutin+ from a cliff 7ails in mid air# but +atherin+ at the base 0e$makes itself# and flashes do%n the &ale. Went on in passionate utterance) H:one . my lordI :one thro( my sin to slay and to be slainI And he for+a&e me# and " could not speak! 7are%ellJ " should ha&e ans%er(d his fare%ell! 9is mercy choked me! :one# my lord the ,in+# -y o%n true lordI ho% dare " call him mineJ The shado% of another clea&es to me# And makes me one pollution) he# the ,in+# 1all(d me polluted) shall " kill myselfJ What help in thatJ " cannot kill my sin# "f soul be soul= nor can " kill my shame= 4o# nor by li&in+ can " li&e it do%n! The days %ill +ro% to %eeks# the %eeks to months The months %ill add themsel&es and make the years# The years %ill roll into the centuries# And mine %ill e&er be a name of scorn!( &0uine3ere remains in the con3ent, "here she later 4ecomes A44ess and dies#,

The Passin# of Arthur &Arthur goes to 4attle "ith Modred and his follo"ers, Then spake ,in+ Arthur to Sir ;edi&ere) H7ar other is this battle in the %est Whereto %e mo&e# than %hen %e stro&e in youth# And brake the petty kin+s# and fou+ht %ith 0ome# /r thrust the heathen from the 0oman %all# And shook him thro( the north! "ll doom is mine To %ar a+ainst my people and my kni+hts! The kin+ %ho fi+hts his people fi+hts himself! And they my kni+hts# %ho lo&ed me once# the stroke That strikes them dead is as my death to me! 5et let us hence# and find or feel a %ay Thro( this blind ha<e# %hich e&er since " sa% /ne lyin+ in the dust at Almesbury# 9ath folded in the passes of the %orld!( Then rose the ,in+ and mo&ed his host by ni+ht# And e&er push(d Sir -odred# lea+ue by lea+ue# ;ack to the sunset bound of Lyonnesse. A land of old uphea&en from the abyss ;y fire# to sink into the abyss a+ain= Where fra+ments of for+otten peoples d%elt# And the lon+ mountains ended in a coast /f e&er$shiftin+ sand# and far a%ay The phantom circle of a moanin+ sea! There the pursuer could pursue no more# And he that fled no further fly the ,in+= And there# that day %hen the +reat li+ht of hea&en ;urn(d at his lo%est in the rollin+ year# /n the %aste sand by the %aste sea they closed! 4or e&er yet had Arthur fou+ht a fi+ht Like this last# dim# %eird battle of the %est! A death%hite mist slept o&er sand and sea) Whereof the chill# to him %ho breathed it# dre% 6o%n %ith his blood# till all his heart %as cold With formless fear= and e&(n on Arthur fell 1onfusion# since he sa% not %hom he fou+ht! 7or friend and foe %ere shado%s in the mist# And friend sle% friend not kno%in+ %hom he sle%= And some had &isions out of +olden youth# And some beheld the faces of old +hosts Look in upon the battle= and in the mist Was many a noble deed# many a base# And chance and craft and stren+th in sin+le fi+hts# And e&er and anon %ith host to host Shocks# and the splinterin+ spear# the hard mail he%n# Shield$breakin+s# and the clash of brands# the crash

/f battleaxes on shatter(d helms# and shrieks After the 1hrist# of those %ho fallin+ do%n Look(d up for hea&en# and only sa% the mist= And shouts of heathen and the traitor kni+hts# /aths# insults# filth# and monstrous blasphemies# S%eat# %rithin+s# an+uish# labourin+ of the lun+s "n that close mist# and cryin+s for the li+ht# -oans of the dyin+# and &oices of the dead! Last# as by some one deathbed after %ail /f sufferin+# silence follo%s# or thro( death /r deathlike s%oon# thus o&er all that shore# Sa&e for some %hisper of the seethin+ seas# A dead hush fell= but %hen the dolorous day :re% drearier to%ard t%ili+ht fallin+# came A bitter %ind# clear from the 4orth# and ble% The mist aside# and %ith that %ind the tide 0ose# and the pale ,in+ +lanced across the field /f battle) but no man %as mo&in+ there= 4or any cry of 1hristian heard thereon# 4or yet of heathen= only the %an %a&e ;rake in amon+ dead faces# to and fro S%ayin+ the helpless hands# and up and do%n Tumblin+ the hollo% helmets of the fallen# And shi&er(d brands that once had fou+ht %ith 0ome# And rollin+ far alon+ the +loomy shores The &oice of days of old and days to be! &Modred, "ho has sur3i3ed the 4attle, strikes King Arthur and is slain 4y him# $ir 'edi3ere carries the "ounded King to a near4y cha*el# Arthur asks him to thro" his s"ord, E1cali4ur, into the lake, 4ut 'edi3ere, thinking this a "aste, does not o4ey# !e hides the s"ord instead##, Then spoke ,in+ Arthur# breathin+ hea&ily) HWhat is it thou hast seenJ or %hat hast heardJ( And ans%er made the bold Sir ;edi&ere) H" heard the %ater lappin+ on the cra+# And the lon+ ripple %ashin+ in the reeds!( To %hom replied ,in+ Arthur# much in %rath) HAh# miserable and unkind# untrue# 8nkni+htly# traitor$heartedI Woe is meI Authority for+ets a dyin+ kin+# Laid %ido%(d of the po%er in his eye That bo%(d the %ill! " see thee %hat thou art# 7or thou# the latest$left of all my kni+hts# "n %hom should meet the offices of all# Thou %ouldst betray me for the precious hilt= 'ither from lust of +old# or like a +irl

2aluin+ the +iddy pleasure of the eyes! 5et# for a man may fail in duty t%ice# And the third time may prosper# +et thee hence) ;ut# if thou spare to flin+ 'xcalibur# " %ill arise and slay thee %ith my hands!( Then Fuickly rose Sir ;edi&ere# and ran# And# leapin+ do%n the rid+es li+htly# plun+ed Amon+ the bulrush beds# and clutch(d the s%ord# And stron+ly %heel(d and thre% it! The +reat brand -ade li+htnin+s in the splendour of the moon# And flashin+ round and round# and %hirl(d in an arch# Shot like a streamer of the northern morn# Seen %here the mo&in+ isles of %inter shock ;y ni+ht# %ith noises of the 4orthern Sea! So flash(d and fell the brand 'xcalibur) ;ut ere he dipt the surface# rose an arm 1lothed in %hite samite# mystic# %onderful# And cau+ht him by the hilt# and brandish(d him Three times# and dre% him under in the mere! And li+htly %ent the other to the ,in+! &$atisfied that 'edi3ere has done his "ill, the King asks him to hel* him "alk to the edge of the lake# ;ut# as he %alk(d# ,in+ Arthur panted hard# Like one that feels a ni+htmare on his bed When all the house is mute! So si+h(d the ,in+# -utterin+ and murmurin+ at his ear# H3uick# FuickI " fear it is too late# and " shall die!( ;ut the other s%iftly strode from rid+e to rid+e# 1lothed %ith his breath# and lookin+# as he %alk(d# Lar+er than human on the fro<en hills! 9e heard the deep behind him# and a cry ;efore! 9is o%n thou+ht dro&e him like a +oad! 6ry clash(d his harness in the icy ca&es And barren chasms# and all to left and ri+ht The bare black cliff clan+(d round him# as he based 9is feet on Euts of slippery cra+ that ran+ Sharp$smitten %ith the dint of armed heels. And on a sudden# loI the le&el lake# And the lon+ +lories of the %inter moon! Then sa% they ho% there ho&e a dusky bar+e# 6ark as a funeral scarf from stem to stern# ;eneath them= and descendin+ they %ere %are That all the decks %ere dense %ith stately forms# ;lack$stoled# black$hooded# like a dream . by these Three 3ueens %ith cro%ns of +old) and from them rose A cry that shi&er(d to the tin+lin+ stars#

And# as it %ere one &oice# an a+ony /f lamentation# like a %ind that shrills All ni+ht in a %aste land# %here no one comes# /r hath come# since the makin+ of the %orld! Then murmur(d Arthur# HPlace me in the bar+e!( So to the bar+e they came! There those three 3ueens Put forth their hands# and took the ,in+# and %ept! GGG And slo%ly ans%er(d Arthur from the bar+e) HThe old order chan+eth# yieldin+ place to ne%# And :od fulfils himself in many %ays# Lest one +ood custom should corrupt the %orld! 1omfort thyself) %hat comfort is in meJ " ha&e li&ed my life# and that %hich " ha&e done -ay 9e %ithin himself make pureI but thou# "f thou shouldst ne&er see my face a+ain# Pray for my soul! -ore thin+s are %rou+ht by prayer Than this %orld dreams of! Wherefore# let thy &oice 0ise like a fountain for me ni+ht and day! 7or %hat are men better than sheep or +oats That nourish a blind life %ithin the brain# "f# kno%in+ :od# they lift not hands of prayer ;oth for themsel&es and those %ho call them friendJ 7or so the %hole round earth is e&ery %ay ;ound by +old chains about the feet of :od! ;ut no% fare%ell! " am +oin+ a lon+ %ay With these thou seest . if indeed " +o (7or all my mind is clouded %ith a doubt . To the island$&alley of A&ilion= Where falls not hail# or rain# or any sno%# 4or e&er %ind blo%s loudly= but it lies 6eep$meado%(d# happy# fair %ith orchard la%ns And bo%ery hollo%s cro%n(d %ith summer sea# Where " %ill heal me of my +rie&ous %ound!L So said he# and the bar+e %ith oar and sail -o&ed from the brink# like some full$breasted s%an That# flutin+ a %ild carol ere her death# 0uffles her pure cold plume# and takes the flood With s%arthy %ebs! Lon+ stood Sir ;edi&ere 0e&ol&in+ many memories# till the hull Look(d one black dot a+ainst the &er+e of da%n# And on the mere the %ailin+ died a%ay! ;ut %hen that moan had past for e&ermore# The stillness of the dead %orld(s %inter da%n Ama<ed him# and he +roan(d# HThe ,in+ is +one!(

And there%ithal came on him the %eird rhyme# H7rom the +reat deep to the +reat deep he +oes!( Whereat he slo%ly turn(d and slo%ly clomb The last hard footstep of that iron cra+= Thence mark(d the black hull mo&in+ yet# and cried# H9e passes to be ,in+ amon+ the dead# And after healin+ of his +rie&ous %ound 9e comes a+ain= but . if he come no more. / me# be yon dark 3ueens in yon black boat# Who shriek(d and %ail(d# the three %hereat %e +a<ed /n that hi+h day# %hen# clothed %ith li&in+ li+ht# They stood before his throne in silence# friends /f Arthur# %ho should help him at his needJ( Then from the da%n it seem(d there came# but faint As from beyond the limit of the %orld# Like the last echo born of a +reat cry# Sounds# as if some fair city %ere one &oice Around a kin+ returnin+ from his %ars! Thereat once more he mo&ed about# and clomb '&(n to the hi+hest he could climb# and sa%# Strainin+ his eyes beneath an arch of hand# /r thou+ht he sa%# the speck that bare the ,in+# 6o%n that lon+ %ater openin+ on the deep Some%here far off# pass on and on# and +o 7rom less to less and &anish into li+ht! And the ne% sun rose brin+in+ the ne% year!

From: Ballads and other poems +i>pah " Wailin+# %ailin+# %ailin+# the %ind o&er land and sea. And Willy(s &oice in the %ind# H/ mother# come out to me!( Why should he call me to$ni+ht# %hen he kno%s that " cannot +oJ 7or the do%ns are as bri+ht as day# and the full moon stares at the sno%! "" We should be seen# my dear= they %ould spy us out of the to%n! The loud black ni+hts for us# and the storm rushin+ o&er the do%n# When " cannot see my o%n hand# but am led by the creak of the chain# And +ro&el and +rope for my son till " find myself drench(d %ith the rain! """ Anythin+ fallen a+ainJ nay . %hat %as there left to fallJ " ha&e taken them home# " ha&e number(d the bones# " ha&e hidden them all! What am " sayin+J and %hat are youJ do you come as a spyJ 7allsJ %hat fallsJ %ho kno%sJ As the tree falls so must it lie! "2 Who let her inJ ho% lon+ has she beenJ you . %hat ha&e you heardJ Why did you sit so FuietJ you ne&er ha&e spoken a %ord! / . to pray %ith me . yes . a lady . none of their spies. ;ut the ni+ht has crept into my heart# and be+un to darken my eyes! 2 Ah . you# that ha&e li&ed so soft# %hat should you kno% of the ni+ht# The blast and the burnin+ shame and the bitter frost and the fri+htJ " ha&e done it# %hile you %ere asleep . you %ere only made for the day! " ha&e +ather(d my baby to+ether . and no% you may +o your %ay! 2" 4ay . for it(s kind of you# -adam# to sit by an old dyin+ %ife! ;ut say nothin+ hard of my boy# " ha&e only an hour of life! " kiss(d my boy in the prison# before he %ent out to die! HThey dared me to do it#( he said# and he ne&er has told me a lie! " %hipt him for robbin+ an orchard once %hen he %as but a child. HThe farmer dared me to do it#( he said= he %as al%ays so %ild. And idle . and couldn(t be idle . my Willy . he ne&er could rest! The ,in+ should ha&e made him a soldier# he %ould ha&e been one of his best! 2"" ;ut he li&ed %ith a lot of %ild mates# and they ne&er %ould let him be +ood= They s%ore that he dare not rob the mail# and he s%ore that he %ould= And he took no life# but he took one purse# and %hen all %as done 9e flun+ it amon+ his fello%s . "(ll none of it# said my son!

2""" " came into court to the Kud+e and the la%yers! " told them my tale# :od(s o%n truth . but they kill(d him# they kill(d him for robbin+ the mail! They han+(d him in chains for a sho% . %e had al%ays borne a +ood name. To be han+(d for a thief . and then put a%ay . isn(t that enou+h shameJ 6ust to dust . lo% do%n . let us hideI but they set him so hi+h That all the ships of the %orld could stare at him# passin+ by! :od (ill pardon the hell$black ra&en and horrible fo%ls of the air# ;ut not the black heart of the la%yer %ho kill(d him and han+(d him there! "Q And the Eailer forced me a%ay! " had bid him my last +oodbye= They had fasten(d the door of his cell# H/ motherI( " heard him cry! " couldn(t +et back tho( " tried# he had somethin+ further to say# And no% " ne&er shall kno% it! The Eailer forced me a%ay! Q Then since " couldn(t but hear that cry of my boy that %as dead# They sei<(d me and shut me up) they fasten(d me do%n on my bed! H-other# / motherI( . he call(d in the dark to me year after year. They beat me for that# they beat me . you kno% that " couldn(t but hear= And then at the last they found " had +ro%n so stupid and still They let me abroad a+ain . but the creatures had %orked their %ill! Q" 7lesh of my flesh %as +one# but bone of my bone %as left. " stole them all from the la%yers . and you# %ill you call it a theftJ. -y baby# the bones that had suck(d me# the bones that had lau+h(d and had cried. TheirsJ / noI they are mine . not theirs . they had mo&(d in my side! Q"" 6o you think " %as scared by the bonesJ " kiss(d (em# " buried (em all. " can(t di+ deep# " am old . in the ni+ht by the churchyard %all! -y Willy (ill rise up %hole %hen the trumpet of Eud+ment (ill sound# ;ut " char+e you ne&er to say that " laid him in holy +round! Q""" They %ould scratch him up . they %ould han+ him a+ain on the cursed tree! SinJ / yes . %e are sinners# " kno% . let all that be# And read me a ;ible &erse of the Lord(s +ood %ill to%ard men. H7ull of compassion and mercy# the Lord( . let me hear it a+ain= H7ull of compassion and mercy . lon+$sufferin+!( 5es# / yesI 7or the la%yer is born but to murder . the Sa&iour li&es but to bless! !e(ll ne&er put on the black cap except for the %orst of the %orst# And the first may be last . " ha&e heard it in church . and the last may be first! Sufferin+ . / lon+$sufferin+ . yes# as the Lord must kno%# 5ear after year in the mist and the %ind and the sho%er and the sno%! Q"2 9eard# ha&e youJ %hatJ they ha&e told you he ne&er repented his sin!

9o% do they kno% itJ are they his motherJ are you of his kinJ 9eardI ha&e you e&er heard# %hen the storm on the do%ns be+an# The %ind that (ill %ail like a child and the sea that (ill moan like a manJ Q2 'lection# 'lection and 0eprobation . it(s all &ery %ell! ;ut " +o to$ni+ht to my boy# and " shall not find him in 9ell! 7or " cared so much for my boy that the Lord has look(d into my care# And 9e means me "(m sure to be happy %ith Willy# " kno% not %here! Q2" And if he be lost . but to sa&e my soul# that is all your desire) 6o you think that " care for my soul if my boy be +one to the fireJ " ha&e been %ith :od in the dark . +o# +o# you may lea&e me alone. 5ou ne&er ha&e borne a child . you are Eust as hard as a stone! Q2"" -adam# " be+ your pardonI " think that you mean to be kind# ;ut " cannot hear %hat you say for my Willy(s &oice in the %ind. The sno% and the sky so bri+ht . he used but to call in the dark# And he calls to me no% from the church and not from the +ibbet . for harkI 4ay . you can hear it yourself . it is comin+ . shakin+ the %alls. Willy . the moon(s in a cloud . :ood$ni+ht! " am +oin+! 9e calls! otes This dramatic monolo+ue is thou+ht to ha&e been inspired by the true story of a youn+ man %ho %as han+ed for robbery in Sussex in 1@9A# and %hose bones %ere collected from the +ibbet and buried by his mother! "n the /ld Testament# 0i<pah %as a %oman %ho %atched o&er the bodies of her sons after their execution# to pre&ent their bein+ eaten by birds and beasts of carrion! (Samuel ;ook ? The +e%en#e: a &allad of the Fleet (extracts) " At 7lores in the A<ores Sir 0ichard :ren&ille lay# And a pinnace# like a flutter(d bird# came flyin+ from far a%ay= HSpanish ships of %ar at seaI %e ha&e si+hted fifty$threeI( Then s%are Lord Thomas 9o%ard) H(7ore :od " am no co%ard= ;ut " cannot meet them here# for my ships are out of +ear# And the half my men are sick! " must fly# but follo% Fuick! We are six ships of the line= can %e fi+ht %ith fifty$threeJ( "" Then spake Sir 0ichard :ren&ille) H" kno% you are no co%ard= 5ou fly them for a moment to fi+ht %ith them a+ain! ;ut "(&e ninety men and more that are lyin+ sick ashore! " should count myself the co%ard if " left them# my Lord 9o%ard# To these "nFuisition do+s and the de&ildoms of Spain!(

GGG "Q And the sun %ent do%n# and the stars came out far o&er the summer sea# ;ut ne&er a moment ceased the fi+ht of the one and the fifty$three! Ship after ship# the %hole ni+ht lon+# their hi+h$built +alleons came# Ship after ship# the %hole ni+ht lon+# %ith her battle$thunder and flame= Ship after ship# the %hole ni+ht lon+# dre% back %ith her dead and her shame! 7or some %ere sunk and many %ere shatter(d# and so could fi+ht us no more. :od of battles# %as e&er a battle like this in the %orld beforeJ Q 7or he said# H7i+ht onI fi+ht onI( Tho( his &essel %as all but a %reck= And it chanced that# %hen half of the short summer ni+ht %as +one# With a +risly %ound to be drest he had left the deck# ;ut a bullet struck him that %as dressin+ it suddenly dead# And himself he %as %ounded a+ain in the side and the head# And he said# H7i+ht onI fi+ht onI( GGG Q""" And the stately Spanish men to their fla+ship bore him then# Where they laid him by the mast# old Sir 0ichard cau+ht at last# And they praised him to his face %ith their courtly forei+n +race= ;ut he rose upon their decks# and he cried) H" ha&e fou+ht for 3ueen and 7aith like a &aliant man and true= " ha&e only done my duty as a man is bound to do) With a Eoyful spirit " Sir 0ichard :ren&ille dieI( And he fell upon their decks# and he died! otes Sir 0ichard :ren&ille (1BC? . 1B91 %as an 'n+lish sea$captain %ho died at the ;attle of 7lores# after refusin+ to surrender to the Spanish! The ,illa#e 4ife; or7 the 1ntail (extract) " (/use$keeper sent tha my lass# fur 4e% SFuire coom(d last ni+ht! ;utter an( he++s . yis . yis! "(ll +oR %i( tha back) all ri+ht= ;utter " %arrants be prime# an( " %arrants the he++s be as %ell# 9afe a pint o( milk runs out %hen ya breRks the shell! ""! Sit thysen do%n fur a bit) he& a +lass o( co%slip %ineI " liked the o%d SFuire an( (is +ells as tha% they %as +ells o( mine# 7ur then %e %as all es one# the SFuire an( (is darters an( me# 9all but -iss Annie# the heldest# " ni&er not took to she) ;ut 4elly# the last of the cletch# " liked (er the fust on (em all# 7ur hoffens %e talkt o( my darter es died o( the fe&er at fall)

An( " tho%t (t%ur the %ill o( the Lord# but -iss Annie she said it %ur draRins# 7ur she hedn(t na% coomfut in (er# an( arn(d na% thanks fur (er paRins! 'hI thebbe all %i( the Lord my childer# " han(t +otten noneI Sa ne% sFuire(s coom(d %i( (is taRil in (is (and# an( o%d SFuire(s +one! otes Tennyson %rote a number of dialect poems# of %hich this extract is included as an example! The dialect %as that of Lincolnshire# in the east of 'n+land# %here he +re% up! Colum<us (extract) &In his old age, the e1*lorer 5olum4us recalls his 3oyages, !!!Still for all that# my lord# " lyin+ here bedridden and alone# 1ast off# put by# scouted by court and kin+. The first disco&erer star&es . his follo%ers# all 7lo%er into fortune . our %orldLs %ay . and "# Without a roof that " can call mine o%n# With scarce a coin to buy a meal %ithal# And seein+ %hat a door for scoundrel scum " open(d to the West# thro( %hich the lust# 2illany# &iolence# a&arice# of your Spain Pour(d in on all those happy naked isles. Their kindly nati&e princes slain or sla&ed# Their %i&es and children Spanish concubines# Their innocent hospitalities Fuench(d in blood# Some dead of hun+er# some beneath the scour+e# Some o&er$labour(d# some by their o%n hands#. 5ea# the dear mothers# cra<in+ 4ature# kill Their babies at the breast for hate of Spain. Ah :od# the harmless people %hom %e found "n 9ispaniola(s island$ParadiseI Who took us for the &ery :ods from 9ea&en# And %e ha&e sent them &ery fiends from 9ell= And " myself# myself not blameless# " 1ould sometimes %ish " had ne&er led the %ay!

From: Tiresias and other poems To 1 Fit>#erald /ld 7it<# %ho from your suburb +ran+e# Where once " tarried for a %hile# :lance at the %heelin+ /rb of chan+e# And +reet it %ith a kindly smile= Whom yet " see as there you sit ;eneath your shelterin+ +arden$tree# And %atch your do&es about you flit# And plant on shoulder# hand# and knee# /r on your head their rosy feet# As if they kne% your diet spares Whate&er mo&ed in that full sheet Let do%n to Peter at his prayers= Who li&e on milk and meal and +rass= And once for ten lon+ %eeks " tried 5our table of Pytha+oras# And seem(d at first Ha thin+ enskied( (As Shakespeare has it airy$li+ht To float abo&e the %ays of men# Then fell from that half$spiritual hei+ht 1hill(d# till " tasted flesh a+ain /ne ni+ht %hen earth %as %inter$black# And all the hea&ens flash(d in frost= And on me# half$asleep# came back That %holesome heat the blood had lost# And set me climbin+ icy capes And +laciers# o&er %hich there roll(d To meet me lon+$arm(d &ines %ith +rapes /f 'shcol hu+eness= for the cold Without# and %armth %ithin me# %rou+ht To mould the dream= but none can say That Lenten fare makes Lenten thou+ht# Who reads your +olden 'astern lay# Than %hich " kno% no &ersion done "n 'n+lish more di&inely %ell= A planet eFual to the sun Which cast it# that lar+e infidel 5our /mar= and your /mar dre% 7ull$handed plaudits from our best "n modern letters# and from t%o# /ld friends out&aluin+ all the rest# T%o &oices heard on earth no more= ;ut %e old friends are still ali&e# And " am nearin+ se&enty$four# While you ha&e touch(d at se&enty$fi&e# And so " send a birthday line

/f +reetin+= and my son# %ho dipt "n some for+otten book of mine With sallo% scraps of manuscript# And datin+ many a year a+o# 9as hit on this# %hich you %ill take -y 7it<# and %elcome# as " kno%# Less for its o%n than for the sake /f one recallin+ +racious times# When# in our youn+er London days# 5ou found some merit in my rhymes# And " more pleasure in your praise! otes Tennyson(s friend 'd%ard 7it<:erald %as a %riter and translator best kno%n for his lyrical translation of the 1?th century Persian %ork# The ?u4aiyat of /mar Khayyam# Tiresias (extract) " %ish " %ere as in the years of old# While yet the blessed dayli+ht made itself 0uddy thro( both the roofs of si+ht# and %oke These eyes# no% dull# but then so keen to seek The meanin+s ambush(d under all they sa%# The fli+ht of birds# the flame of sacrifice# What omens may foreshado% fate to man And %oman# and the secret of the :ods! -y son# the :ods# despite of human prayer# Are slo%er to for+i&e than human kin+s! The +reat :od Ares burns in an+er still A+ainst the +uiltless heirs of him from Tyre /ur 1admus# out of %hom thou art# %ho found ;eside the sprin+s of 6irce# smote# and still(d Thro( all its folds the multitudinous beast The dra+on# %hich our tremblin+ fathers call(d The :odLs o%n son! A tale# that told to me# When but thine a+e# by a+e as %inter$%hite As mine is no%# ama<ed# but made me yearn 7or lar+er +limpses of that more than man Which rolls the hea&ens# and lifts# and lays the deep# 5et lo&es and hates %ith mortal hates and lo&es# And mo&es unseen amon+ the %ays of men! Then# in my %anderin+s all the lands that lie SubEected to the 9eliconian rid+e 9a&e heard this footstep fall# altho( my %ont Was more to scale the hi+hest of the hei+hts With some stran+e hope to see the nearer :od! /ne naked peak . the sister of the sun Would climb from out the dark# and lin+er there

To sil&er all the &alleys %ith her shafts. There once# but lon+ a+o# fi&e$fold thy term /f years# " lay= the %inds %ere dead for heat= The noonday cra+ made the hand burn= and sick 7or shado% . not one bush %as near . " rose 7ollo%in+ a torrent till its myriad falls 7ound silence in the hollo%s underneath! There in a secret oli&e$+lade " sa% Pallas Athene climbin+ from the bath "n an+er= yet one +litterin+ foot disturb(d The lucid %ell= one sno%y knee %as prest A+ainst the mar+in flo%ers= a dreadful li+ht 1ame from her +olden hair# her +olden helm And all her +olden armour on the +rass# And from her &ir+in breast# and &ir+in eyes 0emainin+ fixt on mine# till mine +re% dark 7or e&er# and " heard a &oice that said H9enceforth be blind# for thou hast seen too much# And speak the truth that no man may belie&e!( otes There %ere se&eral &ersions of the ancient :reek myth of Tiresias) on the one on %hich Tennyson dre%# Tiresias# blinded by Athene for +limpsin+ her naked# %as also +i&en the +ift of foresi+ht! Tiresias %as used as a character in :reek tra+edies about Theban history by Sophocles and 'uripedes# althou+h his role &aried from play to play! The Fli#ht (extracts) "! Are you sleepin+J ha&e you for+ottenJ do not sleep# my sister dearI 9o% can you sleepJ the mornin+ brin+s the day " hate and fear= The cock has cro%(d already once# he cro%s before his time= A%akeI the creepin+ +limmer steals# the hills are %hite %ith rime! ""! Ah# clasp me in your arms# sister# ah# fold me to your breastI Ah# let me %eep my fill once more# and cry myself to restI To restJ to rest and %ake no more %ere better rest for me# Than to %aken e&ery mornin+ to that face " loathe to see) GGG 2! 1ome# speak a little comfortI all ni+ht " pray(d %ith tears# And yet no comfort came to me# and no% the morn appears# When he %ill tear me from your side# %ho bou+ht me for his sla&e) This father pays his debt %ith me# and %eds me to my +ra&e!

2"! What father# this or mine# %as he# %ho# on that summer day When " had fall(n from off the cra+ %e clamber(d up in play# 7ound# fear(d me dead# and +roan(d# and took and kiss(d me# and a+ain 9e kiss(d me= and " lo&ed him then= he %as my father then! 2""! 4o father no%# the tyrant &assal of a tyrant &iceI The :odless Kephtha &o%s his child!!! to one cast of the dice! These ancient %oods# this 9all at last %ill +o . perhaps ha&e +one# 'xcept his o%n meek dau+hter yield her life# heart# soul to one. 2"""! To one %ho kno%s " scorn him! / the formal mockin+ bo%# The cruel smile# the courtly phrase that masks his malice no%. ;ut often in the sidelon+ eyes a +leam of all thin+s ill. "t is not Lo&e but 9ate that %eds a bride a+ainst her %ill= "Q! 9ate# that %ould pluck from this true breast the locket that " %ear# The precious crystal into %hich " braided 'd%in(s hairI The lo&e that keeps this heart ali&e beats on it ni+ht and day. /ne +olden curl# his +olden +ift# before he past a%ay! Q! 9e left us %eepin+ in the %oods= his boat %as on the sand= 9o% slo%ly do%n the rocks he %ent# ho% loth to Fuit the landI And all my life %as darken(d# as " sa% the %hite sail run# And darken# up that lane of li+ht into the settin+ sun! GGG QQ""! 5ou %ill not lea&e me thus in +rief to %ander forth forlorn= We ne&er chan+ed a bitter %ord# not once since %e %ere born= /ur dyin+ mother Eoin(d our hands= she kne% this father %ell= She bid its lo&e# like souls in 9ea&en# and no% " fly from 9ell# QQ"""! And you %ith me= and %e shall li+ht upon some lonely shore# Some lod+e %ithin the %aste sea$dunes# and hear the %aters roar# And see the ships from out the West +o dippin+ thro( the foam# And sunshine on that sail at last %hich brin+s our 'd%in home! QQ"2! ;ut look# the mornin+ +ro%s apace# and li+hts the old church$to%er# And li+hts the clockI the hand points fi&e . / me . it strikes the hour. " bide no more# " meet my fate# %hate&er ills betideI Arise# my o%n true sister# come forthI the %orld is %ide!

From: Demeter and other poems The Pro#ress of (prin# (extract) " The +roundflame of the crocus breaks the mould# 7air Sprin+ slides hither o(er the Southern sea# Wa&ers on her thin stem the sno%drop cold That trembles not to kisses of the bee) 1ome Sprin+# for no% from all the drippin+ ea&es The spear of ice has %ept itself a%ay# And hour by hour unfoldin+ %oodbine lea&es /(er his uncertain shado% droops the day! She comesI The loosen(d ri&ulets run= The frost$bead melts upon her +olden hair= 9er mantle# slo%ly +reenin+ in the Sun# 4o% %raps her close# no% archin+ lea&es her bare To breaths of balmier air= "" 8p leaps the lark# +one %ild to %elcome her# About her +lance the tits# and shriek the Eays# ;efore her skims the Eubilant %oodpecker# The linnet(s bosom blushes at her +a<e# While round her bro%s a %oodland cul&er flits# Watchin+ her lar+e li+ht eyes and +racious looks# And in her open palm a halcyon sits Patient . the secret splendour of the brooks! 1ome# Sprin+I She comes on %aste and %ood# /n farm and field) but enter also here# 6iffuse thyself at %ill thro( all my blood# And# tho( thy &iolet sicken into sere# Lod+e %ith me all the yearI Merlin and the 6leam (extracts) "! / youn+ -ariner# 5ou from the ha&en 8nder the sea$cliff# 5ou that are %atchin+ The +ray -a+ician With eyes of %onder# I am -erlin# And I am dyin+# I am -erlin Who follo% The :leam!

""! -i+hty the Wi<ard Who found me at sunrise Sleepin+# and %oke me And learn(d me -a+icI :reat the -aster# And s%eet the -a+ic# When o&er the &alley# "n early summers# /&er the mountain# /n human faces# And all around me# -o&in+ to melody# 7loated The :leam! GGG 2""! 1louds and darkness 1losed upon 1amelot= Arthur had &anish(d " kne% not %hither# The kin+ %ho lo&ed me# And cannot die= 7or out of the darkness Silent and slo%ly The :leam# that had %aned to a %intry +limmer /n icy fallo% And faded forest# 6re% to the &alley 4amed of the shado%# And slo%ly bri+htenin+ /ut of the +limmer# And slo%ly mo&in+ a+ain to a melody 5earnin+ly tender# 7ell on the shado%# 4o lon+er a shado%# ;ut clothed %ith The :leam! GGG "Q! 4ot of the sunli+ht# 4ot of the moonli+ht# 4ot of the starli+htI / youn+ -ariner# 6o%n to the ha&en# 1all your companions# Launch your &essel# And cro%d your can&as#

And# ere it &anishes /&er the mar+in# After it# follo% it# 7ollo% The :leam! Crossin# the <ar Sunset and e&enin+ star# And one clear call for meI And may there be no moanin+ of the bar# When " put out to sea# ;ut such a tide as mo&in+ seems asleep# Too full for sound and foam# When that %hich dre% from out the boundless deep Turns a+ain home! T%ili+ht and e&enin+ bell# And after that the darkI And may there be no sadness of fare%ell# When " embark= 7or tho( from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far# " hope to see my Pilot face to face When " ha&e crost the bar!

4ote on the compiler 'mma Laybourn(s Fualifications for this task are) ;A 'n+lish (Li&erpool 8ni& P:1' (-anchester 1oll 9' -A Librarianship (Sheffield 8ni& and a lo&e of Tennyson! 'mma(s %ebsite is at %%%!me+amousebooks!com! 9o%e&er# it has nothin+ to do %ith Tennyson! "t contains free children(s online stories# ebooks and printable pu<<les!

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