Phantasmagoria And Other Poems Part 13

The Uncle gravely nods, and wisely winks.

It _may_ mean much, but how is one to know?

He opens his mouth-yet out of it, methinks, No words of wisdom flow.

II

EMPRESS of Art, for thee I twine This wreath with all too slender skill.

Forgive my Muse each halting line, And for the deed accept the will!

O day of tears! Whence comes this spectre grim, Parting, like Death's cold river, souls that love?

Is not he bound to thee, as thou to him, By vows, unwhispered here, yet heard above?

And still it lives, that keen and heavenward flame, Lives in his eye, and trembles in his tone: And these wild words of fury but proclaim A heart that beats for thee, for thee alone!

But all is lost: that mighty mind o'erthrown, Like sweet bells jangled, piteous sight to see!

"Doubt that the stars are fire," so runs his moan, "Doubt Truth herself, but not my love for thee!"

A sadder vision yet: thine aged sire Shaming his h.o.a.ry locks with treacherous wile!

And dost thou now doubt Truth to be a liar?

And wilt thou die, that hast forgot to smile?

Nay, get thee hence! Leave all thy winsome ways And the faint fragrance of thy scattered flowers: In holy silence wait the appointed days, And weep away the leaden-footed hours.

III.

THE air is bright with hues of light And rich with laughter and with singing: Young hearts beat high in ecstasy, And banners wave, and bells are ringing: But silence falls with fading day, And there's an end to mirth and play.

Ah, well-a-day

Rest your old bones, ye wrinkled crones!

The kettle sings, the firelight dances.

Deep be it quaffed, the magic draught That fills the soul with golden fancies!

For Youth and Pleasance will not stay, And ye are withered, worn, and gray.

Ah, well-a-day!

O fair cold face! O form of grace, For human pa.s.sion madly yearning!

O weary air of dumb despair, From marble won, to marble turning!

"Leave us not thus!" we fondly pray.

"We cannot let thee pa.s.s away!"

Ah, well-a-day!

IV.

MY First is singular at best: More plural is my Second: My Third is far the pluralest- So plural-plural, I protest It scarcely can be reckoned!

My First is followed by a bird: My Second by believers In magic art: my simple Third Follows, too often, hopes absurd And plausible deceivers.

My First to get at wisdom tries- A failure melancholy!

My Second men revered as wise: My Third from heights of wisdom flies To depths of frantic folly.

My First is ageing day by day: My Second's age is ended: My Third enjoys an age, they say, That never seems to fade away, Through centuries extended.

My Whole? I need a poet's pen To paint her myriad phases: The monarch, and the slave, of men- A mountain-summit, and a den Of dark and deadly mazes-

A flashing light-a fleeting shade- Beginning, end, and middle Of all that human art hath made Or wit devised! Go, seek _her_ aid, If you would read my riddle!

FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET

[Affectionately dedicated to all "original researchers" who pant for "endowment."]

BLOW, blow your trumpets till they crack, Ye little men of little souls!

And bid them huddle at your back- Gold-sucking leeches, shoals on shoals!

Fill all the air with hungry wails- "Reward us, ere we think or write!

Without your Gold mere Knowledge fails To sate the swinish appet.i.te!"

And, where great Plato paced serene, Or Newton paused with wistful eye, Rush to the chace with hoofs unclean And Babel-clamour of the sty

Be yours the pay: be theirs the praise: We will not rob them of their due, Nor vex the ghosts of other days By naming them along with you.

They sought and found undying fame: They toiled not for reward nor thanks: Their cheeks are hot with honest shame For you, the modern mountebanks!

Who preach of Justice-plead with tears That Love and Mercy should abound- While marking with complacent ears The moaning of some tortured hound:

Who prate of Wisdom-nay, forbear, Lest Wisdom turn on you in wrath, Trampling, with heel that will not spare, The vermin that beset her path!

Go, throng each other's drawing-rooms, Ye idols of a petty clique: Strut your brief hour in borrowed plumes, And make your penny-trumpets squeak.

[Picture: Go, throng each other's drawing-rooms]

Deck your dull talk with pilfered shreds Of learning from a n.o.bler time, And oil each other's little heads With mutual Flattery's golden slime:

And when the topmost height ye gain, And stand in Glory's ether clear, And grasp the prize of all your pain- So many hundred pounds a year-

Then let Fame's banner be unfurled!

Sing Paeans for a victory won!