第40章

Nospacetothedreadwrestlevowed，Nochamberinshadowofnight。

AttimesasthesteadierbreezeFlutter-huddledtheirtwigstoacrowd，ThebeamofthemwaftedmysightToleague-longsunuponseas：

ThegoldenpathwehadcrossedManyyears，tillherbirthlandswungRecoveredtosionfromlost，Alightinherfilialglance。

Andsweetwashervoicewiththetongue，ThespeechfultongueofherFrance，Soonatrippleaboutus，likerillsEverbusywithlittle：awayThroughherNormandy，downwherethemillsDotatlengthsarercourse，greyAsitsborderingpoplarsbentTogustsofftheplainsabove。

Oldstonechateauandfarms，Homeofherbirthandherlove!

Onthethreadofthepastureyoutrace，Bytherer，theirmilk，formiles，SpottedoncewiththeEnglishtent，Indaysofthetocsin’salarms，Totowerofthetallestofpiles，Thecountry’ssurveyorbreast-high。

Homeofherbirthandherlove!

Homeofadiligentrace；

Thrifty，deft-handedtoplyShuttleorneedle，andwooSuntotherootsofthepearFroggingeachmud-walledcot。

Theeldershadknownherinarms。

Therepluckedwethebluet，herhueOfthedeeperforget-me-not；

Wellweddingherripe-wheathair。

Isaw，unsighting：herheartIsaw，andthehomeofherloveThereprinted，mournfullyrent：

Herebbingadieu，heradieu，AndthestrideoftheShadowathwart。

ForoneofourAutumnsthere!……

StraightastheflightofadoveWewent，swiftwingingwewent。

Wetrodsolidground，webreathedair，Theheavenswereunbroken。Breakthey，Thewordoftheworldisadieu：

Herword：andthetorrentsareround，Thejawedwolf-watersofprey。

Westanduponisles，whostand：

AShadowbeforeus，andback，Aphantomthehabitedland。

WemaycrytotheSunderer，spareThatdearest!heloosenshispack。

Arrowswebreathe，notair。

ThememoriestenderlyboundTousareadriftingcrew，Amidgrey-gappedwatersforground。

Alonedowestand，eachone，TillrootlessastheywestrewThosedeepsofthecorse-likestareAtaforeignandstonysun。

EyeshadIbutforthesceneOfmycircle，whatneighbourlygrew。

IfhaplynofingerlayoutTothefiguresofdaysthathadbeen，Igatheredmyherb，andendured；

Myoldcloakwrappedmeabout。

Unfootedwasground-yblue，WhoserusticshrewdodouralluredInSpring’sfreshofmorning：unseenHerfavouritewood-sorrelbellAsyet，thoughtheleaves’greenfloorAwaitedtheirflower，thatwouldtellOfared-veinedmoistyestreen，Withitsdroopandthehuesitwore，WhenwetwostoodovernightOne，inthedarkvan-glowOnourhill-top，seeingbeneathOurhousehold’stwinkleoflightThroughspruce-boughs，gemofawreath。

Budding，theserce-tree，whiteAlmostaswhitebeam，threw，Fromtheunderofleafupright，FleckslikeashoweringsnowOntheflame-shapedjunipersgreen，Onthesombremoundsoftheyew。

LikesilverytapersbrightByasolemncathedralscreen，Theyglistenedtocloserew。

Turfforarooks’revelstripedPleasedthosedevourersastute。

ChoristerblackbirdandthrushTogetheroralternatepiped；

Afree-heartedharmonylarge，Withmeaningforman，forbrute，Whentheprimiteforcesarebrimmed。

LikefeatheringshitherandyonOfaerytree-twigsovermarge，Tothecombofthewinds，untrimmed，Theirmeasureisfoundinthevast。

Griefheardthem，andsteppedherwayon。

Shehasbutanarrowembrace。

Distrustfulofhearingshepassed。

TheypipedheryoungEarth’sBacchicrout；

Therace，andtheprizeoftherace；

Earth’slustiheadpressingtosprout。

Butsightholdsasobererspace。

ColourlessdogwoodlowCurledupatwistedroot，Nighyel