第22章

Goodspeedtothem!Myplaceishereorthere；

MyprideisthatamongthemIhaveplace：

AndthusIkeepthisinstrumentintune。

Twoflower-enfoldingcrystalvasessheIlovefillsdaily，mindfulbutofone：

Andclosebehindpalemornshe，likethesunPrimingourworldwithlight，pours，sweettosee，Clearwaterinthecup，andintomeTheimageofherself：andthatbeingdone，ChoiceofwhatbloomsroundherfairgardenrunInclimbersorincreepersorthetreeSherangeswithunerringfingersfine，ToharmonysodthatthroughsightIhear，IhaveherheavenlinesstofoldBeyondthesenses，wheresuchloveasmine，Suchgraceashers，shouldthestrangeFateswithholdTheirstarrymorefromherandme，unite。

EarthwasnotEarthbeforehersonsappeared，NorBeautyBeautyereyoungLovewasborn：

AndthouwhenIlayhiddenwastasmornAtcity-windows，touchingeyelidsbleared；

Tononebyherfreshwingednessendeared；

Unwelcomeuntorevellersoutworn。

IthelastechoesofDiana’shornInwoodlandheard，andsawtheecome，andcheered。

Nolongerwastthouthenmerelight，fairsoul!

Andmorethansimpledutymovedthyfeet。

Newcoloursroseinthee，fromfear，fromshame，Fromhope，effused：thoughnotlesspureascrollMaymenreadontheheartItaughttobeat：

Thatchangeinthee，ifnotthyself，Iclaim。

Richlabouristhestruggletobewise，Whilewemakesurethestrugglecannotcease。

ElsebetterwereitinsomebowerofpeaceSlothfultoswing，contendingwiththeflies。

YoupointatWisdomfedonloftyskies，AsmidbarbarianhordesasculpturedGreece：

Shefalls。Toleandshine，shegrowsherfleece，Isshorn，andrubswithfolliesandwithlies。

Sofollowingher，yourhewingmayattainTherighttospeakuntothemute，andshunThatslytemptationoftheilluminedbrain，Deleriesoracular，self-spun。

WhosweatsnotwiththeflockwillseekinvainToshedthewordswhichareripefruitofsun。

THESTATEOFAGE

Rubthouthybatteredlamp：norclaimnorbegHonoursfromaughtaboutthee。Lighttheyoung。

Thyframeisasadustymantlehung，Ogreyone!pendantonaloosenedpeg。

Thouartforthisourlifeanancientegg，Oratoughbird：thouhastarudderlesstongue，Turningdeadtrifles，likethecockofdung，Whichruns，Time’scontrasttothyhaltingleg。

Nature，itismostsure，nottheeadmires。

ButhastthouinthyseasonsetherfiresToburnfromSelftoSpiritthroughthelash，HonouredthesonsofEarthshallholdtheehigh：

Yea，tospreadlightwhenthyproudletterI

Dropsproneandvoidasanythoughtlessdash。

InProgressyouhavelittlefaith，sayyou：

Menwillmaintaindearinterests，wreakbasehates，Byforce，andgentlewomenchoosetheirmatesMostamorouslyfromthegildedfightingcrew：

ThehumanheartBellona’smadhallooWilleverfiretodicingwiththeFates。

’Nowatthistime，’saysHistory，’thosetwoStatesStoodreadytheirpastwrestlingtorenew。

Theysharpenedarmsandshowedthem，likethebrutesWhosehaunchesquer。ButayellowblightFellontheirwangharvests。TheydeferredThebloodysettlementoftheirdisputesTillGodshouldblessthembetter。’Theydidright。

AndnamingProgress，bothshallhavetheword。

Judgemildlythetaskedworld；anddisinclineTobrandit，foritbearsaheavypack。

Youhaveperchanceobservedtheinebriate’strackAtnightwhenhehasquittedtheinn-sign：

Heplaysdersionsonthehomewardline，Stillthatwaybentalbeithislegsareslack：

Ahedgemaytakehim，butheturnsnotback