Sonnets

Sidney

to

Lanier

Sonnets
Clifford

Edited,

New

Sidney Lanier
Lyrics

Other

And

by

to

Introduction,

an

Howard

Edward

York

Lanier

Anderson

with

B.

W.

by

Huebsch

Griggs

1915

Copyright,
B.

W.

Printed

1915,

by

HUEBSCH

in

U.

S.

A.

Table

Contents

of

PAGE

INTRODUCTION

SONNETS
I.

II.

LANIER

SIDNEY

TO

"Since

III.

"Thou

art

IV.

"Since

thou

"Thou

magic

V.

"When

VI.

in

"Never

VII.

"What

OTHER

LYRICS

of

blaze

of

forget
that

to

wintry
voice

Forest

the

Great

Artist

Philomel

The
To

20

flute"
.

eyes"

night"
true

21
.

of

22
23

sound"

24

31

Life

33
35

O'Clock

Tea

36

Happiest
Mrs.

Men

28

Elixirs
in

Benvenuto

The

Prince"

19

29

Wilhelmein
Five

is

life"

27

American

Death

silver

honor-giving

Reserve

Hymn

of

cares

thy subject

the

one

thy

any

25

Love's

The

breather

the

can

and

King,

art

18
.

with

17
.

fields"

noble

right

plagued

not

wonder

VIII.

of

tiller

gentle

"

below'

above,

'increment

hath

corn

"My

15

Vinnie

37

Ream

Hoxie

Cellini
Behind

38
39

the

Books

330396

40

PAQB

Metric

Genesis

41

Transformation

Edgar

Allan

Keats

and

The

His

To

42

Greatest

Silent

Poet

Poe

4,3

Fanny
of

B.

44

These

Is

Love

Flute

46

Dying

Young

47

Acknowledgment
The

Western

45

48

Gate

49
.

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

"GoD

us

gave

He

let

scoffer
in the

choose

us

has

indicatingthe deeper significance

it
"

to

bond

friendship:

the

is the
the

love
the

that

found
that

old

the Lanier

feeling
in

brothers

and

boyhood

through
much

of

and

the

to

"

the
in

that

of the

tenderness

woman's

that
of

refinement

Intimately together

early college days, they fought

time

in

suffered

captivity,

wrecked,

but

close

amid

broke

while

Clifford

the horrors

Sidney's
[9]

of

the

association.

war,

Sidney
was

ship

that

period

of Point

Lookout

fortunately escaped

imprisonment,

Lanier

fine, chivalrous

splendid losing fight

the

Such

the best blood

was

appreciation.

the

prison, that

Sidney

in

then

literary expression

with

with

man

affection:
wonderful.

developing

touched
the

crowns

spiritual re

fine

follow.

Southland,

manhood,

the

and

its finest

the

is added

and

rare

When,

of blood

family

of Clifford

sonnets

In

when

the

union

love

bond

deep

lationshipcrowns

was

modern

spirtualrelationshipfreely chosen.

of

Lord

the

the

friends,"

our

however,

deed

thank

relatives; we

our

health

and

of

perhaps

caused

his

keeping

faith

brothers

had

and

death.

sadly early

their

with
in

that

the

cause,

generosity

ideals

South

New

patriots,

lost

spirit that

of

cept the larger American

building the

dear

that

common

magnanimity

Devoted

of view

them

made

cooperate in

and

part of the

is

ac

new

nation.

Younger
his
the

bitter

time

some

the

"What
men

have

painful
daily
courage

life.

to

gives
of

say

It

to

Clifford, in

that

his

duty

less

was

attractive
for

necessary

material

the

shoulder

cheerfullyaccepted it,that

the

fuller

freedom.

Clifford, under
situation

the

relative

to

in the world

won

of

sense

to

to

date

of

letter

of

June

Clifford's

life

four:
thirty-

you

think

family

have

father

age

gifted than

accept the

Clifford

and

23rd, 1878,

less

avocation, his longings for

as

and

of the

Sidney might
their

only

reconstruction,

business

one

problem,

at

of

literarycareer,
of

and

years

put aside,

sphere

of

two

brother, it seemed

marvelous

to

was

by

of

you

repress

as

brings

to

sacrifices.

your
a

hero, who

aspirations for
[10]

other

the distinction
me

an

do

has

almost

indeed
had

the

distinction,

with

the

view

tion

that

what

(for

borne

of

could
and

you

circumstances

I have

hard

vocation.

genial

been

environed

deal

with) I

in

your

continued

the

But

only possible,first

was

helped

to

luctantly acquiesced

fact

succeeding
change.
in the

I have

midst

of

of
there

Though

Clifford

avocation

of

times
who
thetic
them

sister

he

stood
as

that

hope

bring

every

about

fear

that

had

behind
to

in the

you

have

had

bring
tender

regret, the sacrifice

continued

not

him, and

to

wed

bravely.

the

his

heroic

output

to

call for

his
tears

help

aspirations
"

to

brother

[11]

the

with

eyes

letters.

were

calls
as

To

ill-

many

the

to

in the

worthy.

struggles

there
difficulties,

she

muse,

significantand

was

Lanier's

material

when

might

letters

Sidney
and

of

and

gladly

health

dependent

to

work

brave

your

moments

were

remained

In

were

you

repining."

made

was

re

uncon

without

been

not

with

have

that

somehow

be

must

...

moments

If

would

year

the

in

second,

no

acquiescence

aid

thereby rendering important

relatives, and,

of

idea

the

on

the

well

be

not

On

others.

benefiting

one

brother
so

pa

reads

these

ap-

peals,

made

sponse

was

the

laurel

ble

the

is due

the

given,

but

the

the

is these

sonnets,

time, with
the

in

of

that

of

sonnets

for

but

to

The
from
lished

are,

and

it

was

voicing,
love.

It

were

strengthen

pity

our

faith

lyrics following
little volume

privately

in

these

should
for

death.
with

Shakespearian

few

they

cycle
as

these
live

not

beauty's sake,

in love.
sonnets

Apollo
1902.

York

New

unmatched
and

only

not

first

weighted
a

Brief

for

as

the

Lanier's

and

that

of

us

well

for

the

in

times

at

as

having appeared

one

Clifford

have

larger circle,

the

brother

poetry

one

friendship.
it

which

printed

beautiful,

quality, reminding
songs

as

here

are

direct,

thought, they

of

him

after

shortly

Sincere,

in

trans

was

sonnet,

the

exceptions;

two

possi

kept lovingly by SidneyLanier,

Independent

Times,

spirit

prose,

highly by

sake,

sent, it

was

accompanying

an

power

valued

of

some

make

helped

re

song.

only by
by

Thus

glad.

who

one

help

not

reluctantly, the

and

material

beyond

love's

the

full-crowned

figured,

and

swift

always

When

if

confidently,

and

are

selected

Keats,

pub

Chiefly personal

in

in

character, delicate

pression of thought
the
and

sonnets

as

character

generous,

music,

and

mood,

memorial
of

gifted,fine

sincere

and

EDWARD

[13]

nature's

true

ex

they belong
the

expressing
of

one

always

"

spirit

gentlemen,

Clifford

HOWARD

with

Lanier.

GRIGGS.

SONNETS
TO

SIDNEY
LANIER

SINCE

hath

corn

"increment

Extracteth

life from

Disdaining

naught

And

yearning

So

Discover

whence

its

which,

Its

strength imparted

Thou

and

germ

subtlest

all

by

aid

hath

come;

part,

or

some.

it hath

of

Earth's

or

grow,

art

other

or

is

rain,

golden grain

stem

or

Heaven

of

glow

to

the

tell the

not

canst

The

root

and

sun

larger growth

To

or

its

by

never

and

which

for

ever

thou

canst

wind

by

below;"

above,

each

"

warm-clasping

mould.
Then
In

thee

rest

tuneful

doubtful

True

poets

(February

editor

tions

in

cated

by

is

certain

the

worth

1875.

To

the

call

thy

for

meed
of

sonnets

"

for

few

[17]

gain

sun

and

help,

verbal

changes

author.

than

more

by "help"

responsible
of

far

is the

merit
grow

20,

thy gospel

content:

numbers

This

The

well

in

received

or

most

teach

gold.
:

rain.
today.)

metrical
instances

correc

indi

II

MY

gentle

tiller of

tuneful

Thou

Of

the

thy

Thy

full

of

false

gleaning
of

shepherding

harvest

Can

with

thy

of the

Foul

noisome

Fair

luscious

melodies

gain

weeds
maize

divine,
is born

its wealth

that

doth
doth

hast

Thou

for

gold
compare?
accursed

this soul's

garner

heart !
(March

greed

poet's corn,

16, 1875).

[18]

mould,

garden

bear.

with

Music's

art

all the

world's

great

speed thy husbandry

Then

of

of fickle treasured

real

reed,

oaten

satisfying,rich, benign

opulence

What

the

mines

Thy spiritualtilth,whereof
A

fields,

capricious yields

in the

delvers

swarthy

Is

shepherd

far above

How

right noble

"

Ill

THOU

art

Infesting worries
For

thou

And

win

with

plagued

not

of this

pipe

canst

the love

of

to

of

cares

any

earthly sense

contending strife,

peace,

chafing malcontents
song:

Thou

good.

If

of all foes

assail, intent

cares

fine

And

troop

That
Their

alarums

they

ere

of

No

hate

Of

harmony

(March

can

with
and

thee

such

all

thy

array,

cares

live,thou

are

in

[19]

gone,

flightaway.

gracious King

high imagining!

17, 1875.)

wood,

melting tone,

thrown

weapons
thee

wrong,

in

call in such

muster,

stings,their

do

vassals

like armies

thy

unto

thy

to

Thy spirit's
powers,
Beat

"

By wise, benignant largesseof thy

makest

life

IV

SINCE

thou

To

thee

do

the

I but
To

and

bound

thy subject Prince,

love

by

and

pact,

simplestloyalty evince

can

What

King,

homage

thee

pay

How

art

of

dues
ever

thee

render

be,

counted

cannot

and

fancy

good

thy

due?
be

cannot

act.

paid.

Infinity,acquit by quittance true,

Is

only by

infinitude

friends

Thus

in strangest

loyalty and

My
This

to

one

What
But
Each

one

would

fain

war

would

enmity

forever

love

pay,

'tis no

defrayed.

that

to

are

strive,

increase

the

kill,the other

would

of Ghibelline

and

aid his foe

[20]

met

debt,
revive

Guelph

"

against himself.

silver

the

flute,

time

her

"

lute,

enchanted

of

and

lusty

rhyme

deepest

Sill!
iii

mysteries.

VI

in the

WHEN

fame

Thy

thou

That

fill our

Wilt

thou

The

thee

forget the

sweet

past with
from

erase

careless

copies

Or

those

that

Or

those

unfading

The

honor-giving

raised

hath

Wilt

of

blaze

to

that

full page,

boyhood

wrote

Sanctions

of
of

low

love

tender

light?
thy heart,

splotched thereon,
with

fairer

art,

later lists,whereon

its roll of brothers'

Infractions

confederacies
a

perilous companionship

Inscribed

dizzy height,

such

childhood

eyes

of

war

courtesies

"

self-defending law,
selfless chivalries?

and

All

in my

credit,thou

All

that's

thy due,

art

sure

is all thou

[22]

to

set;

wilt

forget.

VII

NEVER
Of

can

soul

As

To

me

And

weak

Didst

cheer

With

helpful

the

on

firm

of

ever

my
arm

thy

giving

trying

nature

Of

helpful love,

No

night,no

brave

drooping

aid

way

soul's
forces

array,
on

hopeful-ringing voice,

and

night despaired,and
last bade

bright,

complaints continually made.

leader

Till

and

himself, and

faltered

who

march:

weary

through triumphal arch,

hero

resolute

Thou,

At

and

panoplied, serene

conquering

Walked

wintry night

one

cold

endless

seeming

Thy

forget

and
love's

dark, and

psean-singingmorn
our

souls

rejoice.

gratitude
dawn

[23]

hath

arises
no

"

surprises!

VIII
Antonio.

word

His

"

Sebastian.

hath

He

"

is

than

more

Its

measures

For

Music

And

thou

walls

wonder

When

its
then

On

these

With
In

Thy

mart;

thou
flute and

faithful
life

"

dost

worshipest

verse

thou

all music

"

verse.

higher
a

thy

"

for dear

song

[24]

mould:

temple
penance

make
told

Religion's sake.

tellest o'er
is

lavisheth

art, of

thou

tone.

rehearse

it doth

thus, thou

sound,

of

ravisheth,

spiritsof thy

subtle

the

of

music

Creative

Art

Tempest.

deftly thrown;

Architect

thy

too.

city round,

harmonies

thine

rounds

Wherein

Theban

that

own

Amphion,
He

Master

art

What

For

where

fittingthere

harp.

The

is true

voice

thy

that

wonder

houses

Shakespeare,

"

WHAT

miraculous

wall, and

the

raised

the

hymn

thy

creed

in deed.

OTHER
LYRICS

RESERVE

LOVE'S

Wilhelmein

To

To

Her

whose

has

approval

laurel

(Love's

yielding

reserve

welcome

most

my

the

to

Thou

self of

the

art

lures

of

said:

poet, raptured, gazing wifeward,

THE

"

this volume.

I offer

Art)

been

ever

comrade

steadfast

and

lovely

my

"

feet

dainty

With

perfect rhyme

to

is in lines

Thy figure shapen

From

Beauty

sight;

my

of

light

glory-crowned head;

to

lithe

those

upward

arms,

spread,
A

pulsing couplet

And

o'er

Tender
If

as

verse

bosom

words

by

thou
Dear

could

in

drape
music

the

had

now

If Love
If

thy

form

body

wert

less than

love

of

thee

white,

vestured.
warmth

his heart

wifely
might

right;

the vestments

graphic
what

rhythm

of sun,
would

vestaled

yield

to

hide,

nun,

Art's

fond

pride,
And,
Thou

dressed

should'st

in

poet'sbreath,

be wife

and

[27]

poem

these

veils aside,

merged

in

one.

TO

HYMN

WATERY

the

And
Till

these

And

folds

He

seas

GREAT

THE

hearts

their

of

their

utter

of

rapture

in

ARTIST

of cloud,

vesture

shells

He

multiple

music

bursts

the

speech

molds,
aloud,
clod

that

of the

Lord

He

holds.

For

dumbness
Star

Day

is not

spaces

and

breathes

to

of the

work

far feel the breath

the

of His

flute.

night, night fugues

all

abroad,

far-streaming star-beams

Where

His

lute.

[28]

are

stringsof

AH

sweet

our

"

Whose

church

yon

glitteringpoint

His

thus

pinnacle,
into

quivers

song,

voice!
faith

church's

Now

to

seem

Nor

flower
is the

Gone
The

of

highest top

From

bird,

mocking

many-tongued

The

The

PHILOMEL

AMERICAN

THE

zeal of

Blazing

to

love

blossom

in
in sound.

odor, but

nor

day, passed

with

Sunday-school

in

children's

its Sabbath

in children's

bright the

kindle

fades

Now

and

farthest

dreams

forms:
eyes,

isles,
this

summer

night,
yields their

And

fane

to

loveliness

of

song.

Balm-breathing harmony,
What

tenderness

The

air is all ethereal;

The

moonlight,

The

fragrant

And

is thine

dewy

trees

lawns

affection's

soft
are

lie

sweetest

smile;

Beauty's ministers,

tearfullyadream.

[29]

flute,

Sweet, bird-blown
Thou

weavest

lore in

and

poesy

Religion, history and

Withheld

by

song,

the

with

maiden

Indian

An

hate

tribal

"

wheat.

and

Wild-flowers

one

from

of Ruth,

heart

joy

and

love,

pining faithfully,

And

Might
Now

utter

such

is.

Anon,

plaint as

antique Miriam's

Some

thine

triumph

swells

rising,crescent, cymbal-clashing notes,

In

Joyous, outringing

alabaster

An

as

Upon

the

These

drops

These

pendent boughs

Out

of

thou

Love

dew

grim shadow,

Moonlight
Thy

of

of

of bells.

nard

of Music's

box

feet

peal

shatterest.

fragrant

are

benedictions

Love

come;

forgiveness beams

heavenly throatings whisper

Undying

its sweet;

blessing hands;

seem

like Christ's

with

faith, supernal,

eternal.

[30]

to

the

soul

ELIXIRS

FOREST

strength with

INHALING
Soft

blown

I stroll where
And

The

annual

Here
And
Yon
Of

Here

winds

Far

And

For
Each
A

say

life.

o'er covert

road

hath

dominates
distant

hill is

mastering
I

from

glade,

the

world

throned

turbulence

not

whomso'er

that
can

from

above.

of men,

the

meek

Woodland

the

woods

glen.
still:

are

overhear,

speaketh, and
hid

thrall

I seek

rest

of the

think

of love ;

mighty

blueness

quiet

shade.

conquered all,

mildly importune

music

death

and

lightand

of

greenery

runlet

way,

slope,by varying strife,

Faun-voices

Where

death

of

the

mastery,

find

crimson

resurrection

rhyme

upward
For

mountain

autumn's

Summer's

Smooth
On

the

across

breath

every

carnal

[31]

each
ear.

hill
"

The

With

of

messages

tender

To

has

these

amid

healing

leafy

distillations

Upborne

elfin

learn
That

Flows
Man's

the

upon

as

through
soul

"

breeds

Ganymedes
is kin

juices from

the veins

doth

of trade,

"

upheld palms

thought

grace,

made,

pour,

balms

magic

greenwood
how

sore

hath

battle-fields

from

Wood

wise,

anguish

thrust

mild

into wounds

Of

an

contumely's

I walk

clings

questionings,

to

staunch

If I would

Away

vast,

for restless subtleties.

Repose

That

steadfast

oak-root, mantle

the

answer

mystery

that

moss

warm

Some

And

history;

dim, leaf-shadowed

the

from

Sent

Or

their

myriad winged things float past,

And

All

hint

rocks

dumb

of

feel the

[32]

to prayer,

earth's

sod,

spirit,where
touch

of

God,

DEATH

culminating

The
A

soft wind

The

sunshine

Blithe

God's

If

expressed

had

And

been

Some

finer

is ecstasy.

heavenly

from

through
miracled

Apollo's strings were

not

September
With

As

And

more

of all

sounds

lost all accents

reached

taste,

air

"

tense

everywhere

murmurs

Ascending through
Had

this

thrills of faint-heard

if the

laced,

suit

mortal

does

fruit

cloud-filters

to

than

sense

sky,

it manifest

might give life, as

It

and

in earth

makes

winnowed

Had

thrillingzest,

with

thought to-day

wine

dawning,

its

blows

all around,

And

west

night expressed.

e'er maternal

As

at

moon

from

perfect day

morning,

in the

eight o'clock

'Tis

LIFE

IN

the

past days,

the

save

instruments,

scale
of

of time,

praise,

height of perfect rhyme.

[33]

mime-bird

The
On

sings,outspreads

Unruffling by
And

The
Now

of

he

wings

"

crystal Source
This

From
That

comfort

aught

or

o'er

it holds.

yonder head

stroke

one

"

liltingvoice

the

in my

not

He

folds

lies dead.

perfect thought,

of

heart

bleeding Nature,
death's

to tree ;

tree

melody

whirs

his foe

wings

airy swings,

grass

close

Unsprings
His

his

his carol's

by
lake

from

curves

wavy

his

parable-fraught:

ill,but

[34]

distil

Wisdom's

will!

WILHELMEIN

sadness

PATIENT

That

melts

Now

dark,

shadow

Portrait

to tenderness
now

bright, as

Shy dimples

in the

As

rises from

Soft
As

One
To
The
To

folds
if

kiss

escaped

fair hand
the

grasp
rose

keep

in

is
me

thrown
rose,

in the

the

dew-drop

and

come

brimming

lies

go

heart;

hair; lips half apart

and

left them

aside

down-fallen

from

that

[35]

so;

in careless

passing sweet, yet

longer

eyes,

place;

sunny

that

cheeks

of lustrous

the

within

brightening

laughter

lovely face

in the

in her
lacks
sweeter

gesture
vesture

it grace
face.

"

(On

haply

LIFE'S

tasted

We've
'Tis

If

Presenting

sweeter

e'er

Love's
Life
Whose

the

now

duo

boiling urn

soothing
tenders

youth's
the

"

some

fellowship extends

Spiceful

as

in
a

of island

bowers;

May

life continue, Sweet,

glorious chat

o'er

too

hot.

silvern

draught

divine.

lives, Dear,
cheer.

sweetness

thy

for you

charm

and

lures
endures.

me,

deep-drawn, fragrant

[36]

pot;

mine, thine,

daily

leaf, thy

fruit

One

our

Orient

Like

fete,

the

cool

life

makes

Infusing, steeping love

Thy

brewed

was

its wine, unlike

tenderness

me,

tea;
a

many

and

you

tete-a-tete.

would

curd

for

afternoon

of cozy

blithe

Urn)

Tea

Dear,

my

come,

just this stage

To

TEA

O'CLOCK

FIVE

tea!

HAPPIEST

THE

IF

the

now

Seeking
To

Of

him

crown

To

the

him

the

happiness

the

of

Master

happiest

board,

garlands, and

to

to

whose

quaff

"

should

earth?
Who

Nay,

garners

nay,

joy

the

from

[37]

happiest

joys

hand

gourd

joy-brimmed, silver, carven

it be?

His, rich in pleasures gathered from

Of

stand,

should

life's festal

at

with

King

feast

all

parts

is he

of others'

hearts.

TO

On

MRS.

VINNIE

Leaving

Montgomery,

honor

FAME,

and

For

those

who

One

name

is

Another

ehapleted

festooned

prints

the

And
To

us

writes

in

you

bind

And
To
For

all the
us

she

of

braids

soldier

of

with

strives

to

deeds;

world

rhymes

she
our

[38]

of creeds.
"

friend.

pain,

our

grief

our

speaks
souls

camps,

creed

soothe

tenderness

thought.

triplechain

all else

above

rhyme,

stamps

of cruel

yourself with

recollection
would

blooms

loveliest

wrought;

or

sung

with

rude

her

moss

Sculptor, poet,
Thus

live in time

have

mailed

16, 1888

forgets his frowning

Love

Forgiving

December

with

o'er

image

an

HOXIE

remembrance

worthily

Essaying fame,
And

REAM

in

with

amend

shapes
her

own

of

"

Art;
heart

BENVENUTO

THOU,

As

poet,

time's

body

Born
To

seek

where
in

warm

Thou

art
come

Like

fallen

They

miss

And
Thine

who

leave

fresh

the

sun

his

flower-dipped

angels

shut

Elysium

by

out

coin's

glory, straitlymissed,

darts,
cold

sad

true

loss,

gain;

Heaven's

gate

toss,

redoubles

art, Christ-touched, had

[39]

and

waters

and

from

marts;

new

souls'

fortune

to

gold

old,

streams

type of bankrupt
close

arts

and

of

ventures

flowing Arno

so

of such

in bronze

the

the

Who

forms

rare

cunning, bold,

parts,

lover

fervid

of them

ever

of many

man

most

forth

Epitome
And

craftsman

sculptor, bravo,

Musician,

Thy

CELLINI

been

pain:
immaculate

THE

MEN

cabined

FROM

THE

BEHIND

walls

of

BOOKS

close-ranged, dusty

shelves,
Whereon
In
And

the

effigiesof great thoughts

print, mine

inner

the

find

treasury

Shakspeare's, while
With

queen

With

dreaming

Or

plunge

To

gaze

Endymion
On

in her

poets

nut

wee

from

pale

the

stars

car;

star

science

Keats'

on

of

Wordsworth's,

know

to

star,

delves

dear

soul

And

humble
with

brave

workers,

each

study

singers,feel

[40]

"

Beauty's sky;
roll;

tender

flow

eret's eye:
With

"

elves

Milton's, hearing heavenly battles

Through

selves

inmost

plumbing

this

'mong

their

range

caverns

beyond

of

bar

the

break

visioning midsummer

Titania

in

would

sense

are

moss

and

the breath

clod,
of God.

METRIC

GENESIS

THE

poet brings not

something

He

breathes

into

out

dream:

of

Lo!

naught
Adam

"

"

Thought!
Dumb
And

lonesome

rhythm

Whence

Speech,

God
Eden

"

thought
Eve

does

for want

discloses

"

set

is,with

as

of music
he

his seal upon

Eve

[41]

and

Adam

weeps,

sleeps.
the

pair
"

there.

TRANSFORMATION

THE
Christ

humblest

changed

Star-like
And

comes

life that
the
Love

lives may

common

from

water

out

the

be

into

wine.

magic East,

Life, an-hungered, finds his fast

[42]

divine:

feast.

EDGAR

DREAMING
And
He
And

mad
found

ALLAN

along
that

the

sea's

POE

haunted

shore

^Eolian

song

the shell of

beauty

deemed

its sheen

fondly

[43]

"

of time,
to

sing,

rhythmic rhyme
a

livingthing.

"

A
His

beheld

STAR

own

Out-burned
The

clear

FANNY

AND

KEATS

beams

an

image
robed

his fire and

earth-rill

in
in

spring

"

heavenly vesturing.

faded

purled

[44]

on

from

the

sky:

indifferently.

the

WE

know

We

only

The

garment's

of

of music's

rustle

it

as

soul

"

the

lute;

wings

"

shaping clings

whether

low

flute

trumpet's large,world-full, resounding bruit

That

to

summons

hear

the

organ's

But

from

the

holiest

Maybe

host

we

cherish

Forgetful
Whereof

Love,
Remains

an

far-drawn

angel

these

how

frame

kings.

murmurings,

unaware.

vanish
their

into

air,

winning mysteries.

angelicfriend-guestof

[45]

prophecies,

and

alone, in music, life and

the

of

state

all is mute:

Holy

knowledge, tongues

they
love

the

enchant

We

We

heart

very

the beat

hear

the bodied

About
Or

not

LOVE

IS

THESE

OF

GREATEST

THE

art,
the heart.

subtle

And

plan

with

Sunshine,
Whose
E'en

bruised

Some
Its

banner

Such
A

This

violet of love
for

wave

do

alternates

star,

comet,

comfort

I hear

it

Death

is not

the

murmuring

Main,

I take

fort,

God.

and

whole

vast

planet

found.

from

star

life that's

[46]

round

clod

and

his silent flute

from

port.

will fain

the

fleck

death, but

Rain,

of life to

Brotherhood

lost, is

would

prow

of Hatred's

the parapet

on

sound,

wavering

one

bears

throbbing

pain:

love, is Music.

of

tides of

are

and

deftly wound;

of patterns

heart

and

silences

of measured

web

In

joyousness

life is tinct with

EACH

1881

Sidney Lanier,

To

FLUTE

SILENT

HIS

"

"

brieflymute.

TO

Lanier

Sidney

like

MUCH
Or

sunniest

Of

mock-bird

As

if

Or

some

For

his

of

all ;

meditation,"

"

hushed

so

thy

rhyme
love's

seeking

beauty

and

Too

short,

ah, sadly

short,

thy

For

work,

for

"

his

falter,

ear,

'Tis

time

will.

for

days

for

prayer,

trill,

his

in

Did

mime

death-still,

then

answer

whispered

the

like

now

rill,

climb

bravely

trilling gaily,
mate-bird's

holy

that

trees

of

crag

god

crystal

mountain-springing

some

burgeoning

The

YOUNG

DYING

POET

song,

far-envoyaging

thought!
Ah

Thy
Thou

High

me

!
soul

time

no

nor

well

couldst
hints

caught.

knew
but
of

for

righting

apathy

had

strength
man's

trill,
music's

as

thou

heaven,

didst

thy

wrong,

wrought.
limp
soul

along,
had

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

All

To

As

in

Since

one

Sidney

Love

planet-mocking globe

one

glow

lucent

May

Who

clear

the

Lanier

of

f ull-spanned

of

stroke

dew
of blue

arc

Time's

star-guiding

bell

Unending
Since

Then
A

came

God,

Of

happiness

let

fervent

and

one

world

or

of

all the

round

of

light from
of

stars

murmured

tell:

may

woe

word

just

me

grateful tenderness.

[48]

word

heard:

morning
from

one

express

THE

GOLD

in the

Gold
Dusk

noon

wanes

pales

The

day;

the

aureole

like the

creak
And

old

at

voices

noon;

croon;

age's

on

the

upon

brow.

cottage fire

of chill desire.

heart

limbs, with

shine

'tis twilightnow.

the

Fitful, the flame

Burns

silver

morn;

after

And

GATE

WESTERN

ache, like

timbers

worn-out

the

scarce

smoke

the

climb

may

chimney

peak.
Dim

sounds

Come

that

of uproar
the

through

the

makes

Present

window;

fonder

Memory

shakes
Old
All

sides to
brave

laughter and

delightsof youth give

Grandchildren
A

sadness

Creeps

hearts

old

in

with

not

romp

to
to

way

the

glee

songs

fears.
of

yore.

felt before

never

the

mind.

The

hand

clasps

strong.
New

tears.

sing

not

Clear
Of
And

that

as

with

candid
sweet

the

old
truth

youth,
forsooth

[49]

song

"

not

as

As

the

sheen

limpid, twinkling

the

of

Romance

well,
Or

sweetheart-gospelslovers

As

truest

As

loveliest
From

And
And

Love's

O'er
Like

life's

yonder

birds

smooth

Gold

their

in the

Gold

after

Whereof

afterglow:

that

silver

of

In

circles

sard

Without

decline
old

Age

at

For

that

eve

puts

portals is

new

This

little

The

planetary

life

round

at rest

at

"

noon;

lightsbeam,
merely

may

are

no

in yon

term

dream

gleam.

nor

bound

await

beyond

scene

grain of

nest,

life around,

moveth

ever

shine

youth

Pearl, amber, lucent

slow,

darkling West.

yon

soft

new

the heart

the

almost

flightinto

noon;

drift

seek

wings

morn;

blow.

roses

the clouds

sun

grow

angels dwell

with

drowsy-moving

So

home-blisses

uncankered

now

sleepy

fell

ever

where

of heaven

Cometh

marriage bell,

child-bloom

gardens

joys

On

of the

chime

tell,

was

sweet

of God's

[50]

the
:

new

gate.
how

grand

land!