FOR JEAN VERDENAL, 1889-1915 MORT AUX DARDENELLES #OR PUOI LA QUANTITATE COMPRENDER DELL'AMOR CH'A TE MI SCALDA, QUANDO DISMENTO NOSTRA VANITATE, TRATTANDO L'OMBRE COME COSA SALDA.#

THE LOVE SONG OF J& ALFRED PRUFROCK ((#S'IO CREDESSI CHE MIA RIPOSTA FOSSE A PERSONA CHE MAI TORNASSE AL MONDO, QUESTA FIAMMA STARIA SENZA PI*U SCOSSE. MA PER CI*O CHE GIAMMAI DI QUESTO FONDO NON TORN*O VIVO ALCUN, S'I'ODO IL VERO, SENZA TEMA D'INFAMIA TI RISPONDO.#)) LET US GO THEN, YOU AND I, WHEN THE EVENING IS SPREAD OUT AGAINST THE SKY LIKE A PATIENT ETHERISED UPON A TABLE; LET US GO, THROUGH CERTAIN HALF-DESERTED STREETS, THE MUTTERING RETREATS OF RESTLESS NIGHTS IN ONE-NIGHT CHEAP HOTELS AND SAWDUST RESTAURANTS WITH OYSTER-SHELLS: STREETS THAT FOLLOW LIKE A TEDIOUS ARGUMENT OF INSIDIOUS INTENT TO LEAD YOU TO AN OVERWHELMING QUESTION ... OH, DO NOT ASK, %WHAT IS IT?% LET US GO AND MAKE OUR VISIT. IN THE ROOM THE WOMEN COME AND GO TALKING OF MICHELANGELO. THE YELLOW FOG THAT RUBS ITS BACK UPON THE WINDOW-PANES, THE YELLOW SMOKE THAT RUBS ITS MUZZLE ON THE WINDOW-PANES, LICKED ITS TONGUE INTO THE CORNERS OF THE EVENING, LINGERED UPON THE POOLS THAT STAND IN DRAINS, LET FALL UPON ITS BACK THE SOOT THAT FALLS FROM CHIMNEYS, SLIPPED BY THE TERRACE, MADE A SUDDEN LEAP, AND SEEING THAT IT WAS A SOFT OCTOBER NIGHT, CURLED ONCE ABOUT THE HOUSE, AND FELL ASLEEP. AND INDEED THERE WILL BE TIME FOR THE YELLOW SMOKE THAT SLIDES ALONG THE STREET RUBBING ITS BACK UPON THE WINDOW-PANES; THERE WILL BE TIME, THERE WILL BE TIME TO PREPARE A FACE TO MEET THE FACES THAT YOU MEET; THERE WILL BE TIME TO MURDER AND CREATE, AND TIME FOR ALL THE WORKS AND DAYS OF HANDS THAT LIFT AND DROP A QUESTION ON YOUR PLATE; TIME FOR YOU AND TIME FOR ME, AND TIME YET FOR A HUNDRED INDECISIONS, AND FOR A HUNDRED VISIONS AND REVISIONS, BEFORE THE TAKING OF A TOAST AND TEA. IN THE ROOM THE WOMEN COME AND GO TALKING OF MICHELANGELO. AND INDEED THERE WILL BE TIME TO WONDER, %DO I DARE?% AND, %DO I DARE?% TIME TO TURN BACK AND DESCEND THE STAIR, WITH A BALD SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HAIR- (THEY WILL SAY: %HOW HIS HAIR IS GROWING THIN!%) MY MORNING COAT, MY COLLAR MOUNTING FIRMLY TO THE CHIN, MY NECKTIE RICH AND MODEST, BUT ASSERTED BY A SIMPLE PIN- (THEY WILL SAY: %BUT HOW HIS ARMS AND LEGS ARE THIN!%) DO I DARE DISTURB THE UNIVERSE? IN A MINUTE THERE IS TIME FOR DECISIONS AND REVISIONS WHICH A MINUTE WILL REVERSE. FOR I HAVE KNOWN THEM ALL ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- HAVE KNOWN THE EVENINGS, MORNINGS, AFTERNOONS, I HAVE MEASURED OUT MY LIFE WITH COFFEE SPOONS; I KNOW THE VOICES DYING WITH A DYING FALL BENEATH THE MUSIC FROM A FARTHER ROOM. SO HOW SHOULD I PRESUME? AND I HAVE KNOWN THE EYES ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- THE EYES THAT FIX YOU IN A FORMULATED PHRASE, AND WHEN I AM FORMULATED, SPRAWLING ON A PIN, WHEN I AM PINNED AND WRIGGLING ON THE WALL, THEN HOW SHOULD I BEGIN TO SPIT OUT ALL THE BUTT-ENDS OF MY DAYS AND WAYS? AND HOW SHOULD I PRESUME? AND I HAVE KNOWN THE ARMS ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- ARMS THAT ARE BRACELETED AND WHITE AND BARE (BUT IN THE LAMPLIGHT, DOWNED WITH LIGHT BROWN HAIR!) IS IT PERFUME FROM A DRESS THAT MAKES ME SO DIGRESS? ARMS THAT LIE ALONG A TABLE, OR WRAP ABOUT A SHAWL. AND SHOULD I THEN PRESUME? AND HOW SHOULD I BEGIN? ..... SHALL I SAY, I HAVE GONE AT DUSK THROUGH NARROW STREETS AND WATCHED THE SMOKE THAT RISES FROM THE PIPES OF LONELY MEN IN SHIRT-SLEEVES, LEANING OUT OF WINDOWS? ... I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PAIR OF RAGGED CLAWS SCUTTLING ACROSS THE FLOORS OF SILENT SEAS. ..... AND THE AFTERNOON, THE EVENING, SLEEPS SO PEACEFULLY! SMOOTHED BY LONG FINGERS, ASLEEP ... TIRED ... OR IT MALINGERS, STRETCHED ON THE FLOOR, HERE BESIDE YOU AND ME. SHOULD I, AFTER TEA AND CAKES AND ICES, HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FORCE THE MOMENT TO ITS CRISIS? BUT THOUGH I HAVE WEPT AND FASTED, WEPT AND PRAYED, THOUGH I HAVE SEEN MY HEAD (GROWN SLIGHTLY BALD) BROUGHT IN UPON A PLATTER, I AM NO PROPHET- AND HERE'S NO GREAT MATTER; I HAVE SEEN THE MOMENT OF MY GREATNESS FLICKER, AND I HAVE SEEN THE ETERNAL FOOTMAN HOLD MY COAT, AND SNICKER, AND IN SHORT, I WAS AFRAID. AND WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH IT, AFTER ALL, AFTER THE CUPS, THE MARMALADE, THE TEA, AMONG THE PORCELAIN, AMONG SOME TALK OF YOU AND ME, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE, TO HAVE BITTEN OFF THE MATTER WITH A SMILE, TO HAVE SQUEEZED THE UNIVERSE INTO A BALL TO ROLL IT TOWARDS SOME OVERWHELMING QUESTION, TO SAY: %I AM LAZARUS, COME FROM THE DEAD, COME BACK TO TELL YOU ALL, I SHALL TELL YOU ALL%- IF ONE, SETTLING A PILLOW BY HER HEAD, SHOULD SAY: %THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT AT ALL. THAT IS NOT IT, AT ALL.% AND WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH IT, AFTER ALL, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE, AFTER THE SUNSETS AND THE DOORYARDS AND THE SPRINKLED STREETS, AFTER THE NOVELS, AFTER THE TEACUPS, AFTER THE SKIRTS THAT TRAIL ALONG T+ HE FLOOR- AND THIS, AND SO MUCH MORE?- IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY JUST WHAT I MEAN! BUT AS IF A MAGIC LANTERN THREW THE NERVES IN PATTERNS ON A SCREEN: WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE IF ONE, SETTLING A PILLOW OR THROWING OFF A SHAWL, AND TURNING TOWARD THE WINDOW, SHOULD SAY: %THAT IS NOT IT AT ALL, THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT, AT ALL.% ..... NO! I AM NOT PRINCE HAMLET, NOR WAS MEANT TO BE; AM AN ATTENDANT LORD, ONE THAT WILL DO TO SWELL A PROGRESS, START A SCENE OR TWO, ADVISE THE PRINCE; NO DOUBT, AN EASY TOOL, DEFERENTIAL, GLAD TO BE OF USE, POLITIC, CAUTIOUS, AND METICULOUS; FULL OF HIGH SENTENCE, BUT A BIT OBTUSE; AT TIMES, INDEED, ALMOST RIDICULOUS- ALMOST, AT TIMES, THE FOOL. I GROW OLD ... I GROW OLD ... I SHALL WEAR THE BOTTOMS OF MY TROUSERS ROLLED. SHALL I PART MY HAIR BEHIND? DO I DARE TO EAT A PEACH? I SHALL WEAR WHITE FLANNEL TROUSERS, AND WALK UPON THE BEACH. I HAVE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING, EACH TO EACH. I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY WILL SING TO ME. I HAVE SEEN THEM RIDING SEAWARD ON THE WAVES COMBING THE WHITE HAIR OF THE WAVES BLOWN BACK WHEN THE WIND BLOWS THE WATER WHITE AND BLACK. WE HAVE LINGERED IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE SEA BY SEA-GIRLS WREATHED WITH SEAWEED RED AND BROWN TILL HUMAN VOICES WAKE US, AND WE DROWN.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ((#THOU HAST COMMITTED- FORNICATION: BUT THAT WAS IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, AND BESIDES, THE WENCH IS DEAD.# THE JEW OF MALTA.)) AMONG THE SMOKE AND FOG OF A DECEMBER AFTERNOON YOU HAVE THE SCENE ARRANGE ITSELF- AS IT WILL SEEM TO DO- WITH %I HAVE SAVED THIS AFTERNOON FOR YOU%; AND FOUR WAX CANDLES IN THE DARKENED ROOM, FOUR RINGS OF LIGHT UPON THE CEILING OVERHEAD, AN ATMOSPHERE OF JULIET'S TOMB PREPARED FOR ALL THE THINGS TO BE SAID, OR LEFT UNSAID. WE HAVE BEEN, LET US SAY, TO HEAR THE LATEST POLE TRANSMIT THE PRELUDES, THROUGH HIS HAIR AND FINGER-TIPS. %SO INTIMATE, THIS CHOPIN, THAT I THINK HIS SOUL SHOULD BE RESURRECTED ONLY AMONG FRIENDS SOME TWO OR THREE, WHO WILL NOT TOUCH THE BLOOM THAT IS RUBBED AND QUESTIONED IN THE CONCERT ROOM.% -AND SO THE CONVERSATION SLIPS AMONG VELLEITIES AND CAREFULLY CAUGHT REGRETS THROUGH ATTENUATED TONES OF VIOLINS MINGLED WITH REMOTE CORNETS AND BEGINS. %YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO ME, MY FRIENDS, AND HOW, HOW RARE AND STRANGE IT IS, TO FIND IN A LIFE COMPOSED SO MUCH, SO MUCH OF ODDS AND ENDS, (FOR INDEED I DO NOT LOVE IT ... YOU KNEW? YOU ARE NOT BLIND! HOW KEEN YOU ARE!) TO FIND A FRIEND WHO HAS THESE QUALITIES, WHO HAS, AND GIVES THOSE QUALITIES UPON WHICH FRIENDSHIP LIVES. HOW MUCH IT MEANS THAT I SAY THIS TO YOU- WITHOUT THESE FRIENDSHIPS- LIFE, WHAT #CAUCHEMAR!%# AMONG THE WINDINGS OF THE VIOLINS AND THE ARIETTES OF CRACKED CORNETS INSIDE MY BRAIN A DULL TOM-TOM BEGINS ABSURDLY HAMMERING A PRELUDE OF ITS OWN, CAPRICIOUS MONOTONE THAT IS AT LEAST ONE DEFINITE %FALSE NOTE.% -LET US TAKE THE AIR, IN A TOBACCO TRANCE, ADMIRE THE MONUMENTS, DISCUSS THE LATE EVENTS, CORRECT OUR WATCHES BY THE PUBLIC CLOCKS. THEN SIT FOR HALF AN HOUR AND DRINK OUR BOCKS. NOW THAT LILACS ARE IN BLOOM SHE HAS A BOWL OF LILACS IN HER ROOM AND TWISTS ONE IN HER FINGERS WHILE SHE TALKS. %AH, MY FRIEND, YOU DO NOT KNOW, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIFE IS, YOU WHO HOLD IT IN YOUR HANDS%; (SLOWLY TWISTING THE LILAC STALKS) %YOU LET IT FLOW FROM YOU, YOU LET IT FLOW, AND YOUTH IS CRUEL, AND HAS NO REMORSE AND SMILES AT SITUATIONS WHICH IT CANNOT SEE.% I SMILE, OF COURSE, AND GO ON DRINKING TEA. %YET WITH THESE APRIL SUNSETS, THAT SOMEHOW RECALL MY BURIED LIFE, AND PARIS IN THE SPRING, I FEEL IMMEASURABLY AT PEACE, AND FIND THE WORLD TO BE WONDERFUL AND YOUTHFUL, AFTER ALL.% THE VOICE RETURNS LIKE THE INSISTENT OUT-OF-TUNE OF A BROKEN VIOLIN ON AN AUGUST AFTERNOON: %I AM ALWAYS SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND MY FEELINGS, ALWAYS SURE THAT YOU FEEL, SURE THAT ACROSS THE GULF YOU REACH YOUR HAND. YOU ARE INVULNERABLE, YOU HAVE NO ACHILLES' HEEL. YOU WILL GO ON, AND WHEN YOU HAVE PREVAILED YOU CAN SAY: AT THIS POINT MANY A ONE HAS FAILED. BUT WHAT HAVE I, BUT WHAT HAVE I, MY FRIEND, TO GIVE YOU, WHAT CAN YOU RECEIVE FROM ME? ONLY THE FRIENDSHIP AND THE SYMPATHY OF ONE ABOUT TO REACH HER JOURNEY'S END. I SHALL SIT HERE, SERVING TEA TO FRIENDS. ...% I TAKE MY HAT: HOW CAN I MAKE A COWARDLY AMENDS FOR WHAT SHE HAS SAID TO ME? YOU WILL SEE ME ANY MORNING IN THE PARK READING THE COMICS AND THE SPORTING PAGE. PARTICULARLY I REMARK AN ENGLISH COUNTESS GOES UPON THE STAGE. A GREEK WAS MURDERED AT A POLISH DANCE, ANOTHER BANK DEFAULTER HAS CONFESSED. I KEEP MY COUNTENANCE, I REMAIN SELF-POSSESSED EXCEPT WHEN A STREET-PIANO, MECHANICAL AND TIRED REITERATES SOME WORN-OUT COMMON SONG WITH THE SMELL OF HYACINTHS ACROSS THE GARDEN RECALLING THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DESIRED. ARE THESE IDEAS RIGHT OR WRONG? THE OCTOBER NIGHT COMES DOWN: RETURNING AS BEFORE EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT SENSATION OF BEING ILL AT EASE I MOUNT THE STAIRS AND TURN THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND FEEL AS IF I HAD MOUNTED ON MY HANDS AND KNEES. %AND SO YOU ARE GOING ABROAD; AND WHEN DO YOU RETURN? BUT THAT'S A USELESS QUESTION. YOU HARDLY KNOW WHEN YOU ARE COMING BACK, YOU WILL FIND SO MUCH TO LEARN.% MY SMILE FALLS HEAVILY AMONG THE BRIC-*A-BRAC. %PERHAPS YOU CAN WRITE TO ME.% MY SELF-POSSESSION FLARES UP FOR A SECOND; #THIS# IS AS I HAD RECKONED. %I HAVE BEEN WONDERING FREQUENTLY OF LATE (BUT OUR BEGINNINGS NEVER KNOW OUR ENDS!) WHY WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED INTO FRIENDS.% I FEEL LIKE ONE WHO SMILES, AND TURNING SHALL REMARK SUDDENLY, HIS EXPRESSION IN A GLASS, MY SELF-POSSESSION GUTTERS; WE ARE REALLY IN THE DARK. %FOR EVERYBODY SAID SO, ALL OUR FRIENDS, THEY ALL WERE SURE OUR FEELINGS WOULD RELATE SO CLOSELY! I MYSELF CAN HARDLY UNDERSTAND. WE MUST LEAVE IT NOW TO FATE. YOU WILL WRITE, AT ANY RATE. PERHAPS IT IS NOT TOO LATE. I SHALL SIT HERE, SERVING TEA TO FRIENDS.% AND I MUST BORROW EVERY CHANGING SHAPE TO FIND EXPRESSION ... DANCE, DANCE LIKE A DANCING BEAR, CRY LIKE A PARROT, CHATTER LIKE AN APE. LET US TAKE THE AIR, IN A TOBACCO TRANCE- WELL! AND WHAT IF SHE SHOULD DIE SOME AFTERNOON, AFTERNOON GREY AND SMOKY, EVENING YELLOW AND ROSE; SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE ME SITTING PEN IN HAND WITH THE SMOKE COMING DOWN ABOVE THE HOUSETOPS; DOUBTFUL, FOR A WHILE NOT KNOWING WHAT TO FEEL OR IF I UNDERSTAND OR WHETHER WISE OR FOOLISH, TARDY OR TOO SOON ... WOULD SHE NOT HAVE THE ADVANTAGE, AFTER ALL? THIS MUSIC IS SUCCESSFUL WITH A %DYING FALL% NOW THAT WE TALK OF DYING- AND SHOULD I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SMILE?

PRELUDES THE WINTER EVENING SETTLES DOWN WITH SMELL OF STEAKS IN PASSAGEWAYS. SIX O'CLOCK. THE BURNT-OUT ENDS OF SMOKY DAYS. AND NOW A GUSTY SHOWER WRAPS THE GRIMY SCRAPS OF WITHERED LEAVES ABOUT YOUR FEET AND NEWSPAPERS FROM VACANT LOTS; THE SHOWERS BEAT ON BROKEN BLINDS AND CHIMNEY-POTS, AND AT THE CORNER OF THE STREET A LONELY CAB-HORSE STEAMS AND STAMPS. AND THEN THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS. THE MORNING COMES TO CONSCIOUSNESS OF FAINT STALE SMELLS OF BEER FROM THE SAWDUST-TRAMPLED STREET WITH ALL ITS MUDDY FEET THAT PRESS TO EARLY COFFEE-STANDS. WITH THE OTHER MASQUERADES THAT TIME RESUMES, ONE THINKS OF ALL THE HANDS THAT ARE RAISING DINGY SHADES IN A THOUSAND FURNISHED ROOMS. YOU TOSSED A BLANKET FROM THE BED, YOU LAY UPON YOUR BACK, AND WAITED; YOU DOZED, AND WATCHED THE NIGHT REVEALING THE THOUSAND SORDID IMAGES OF WHICH YOUR SOUL WAS CONSTITUTED; THEY FLICKERED AGAINST THE CEILING. AND WHEN ALL THE WORLD CAME BACK AND THE LIGHT CREPT UP BETWEEN THE SHUTTERS AND YOU HEARD THE SPARROWS IN THE GUTTERS, YOU HAD SUCH A VISION OF THE STREET AS THE STREET HARDLY UNDERSTANDS; SITTING ALONG THE BED'S EDGE, WHERE YOU CURLED THE PAPERS FROM YOUR HAIR, OR CLASPED THE YELLOW SOLES OF FEET IN THE PALMS OF BOTH SOILED HANDS. HIS SOUL STRETCHED TIGHT ACROSS THE SKIES THAT FADE BEHIND A CITY BLOCK, OR TRAMPLED BY INSISTENT FEET AT FOUR AND FIVE AND SIX O'CLOCK; AND SHORT SQUARE FINGERS STUFFING PIPES, AND EVENING NEWSPAPERS, AND EYES ASSURED OF CERTAIN CERTAINTIES, THE CONSCIENCE OF A BLACKENED STREET IMPATIENT TO ASSUME THE WORLD. I AM MOVED BY FANCIES THAT ARE CURLED AROUND THESE IMAGES, AND CLING: THE NOTION OF SOME INFINITELY GENTLE INFINITELY SUFFERING THING. WIPE YOUR HAND ACROSS YOUR MOUTH, AND LAUGH; THE WORLDS REVOLVE LIKE ANCIENT WOMEN GATHERING FUEL IN VACANT LOTS.

RHAPSODY ON A WINDY NIGHT TWELVE O'CLOCK. ALONG THE REACHES OF THE STREET HELD IN A LUNAR SYNTHESIS, WHISPERING LUNAR INCANTATIONS DISSOLVE THE FLOORS OF MEMORY AND ALL ITS CLEAR RELATIONS, ITS DIVISIONS AND PRECISIONS. EVERY STREET LAMP THAT I PASS BEATS LIKE A FATALISTIC DRUM, AND THROUGH THE SPACES OF THE DARK MIDNIGHT SHAKES THE MEMORY AS A MADMAN SHAKES A DEAD GERANIUM. HALF-PAST ONE, THE STREET-LAMP SPUTTERED, THE STREET-LAMP MUTTERED, THE STREET-LAMP SAID, %REGARD THAT WOMAN WHO HESITATES TOWARD YOU IN THE LIGHT OF THE DOOR WHICH OPENS ON HER LIKE A GRIN. YOU SEE THE BORDER OF HER DRESS IS TORN AND STAINED WITH SAND, AND YOU SEE THE CORNER OF HER EYE TWISTS LIKE A CROOKED PIN.% THE MEMORY THROWS UP HIGH AND DRY A CROWD OF TWISTED THINGS; A TWISTED BRANCH UPON THE BEACH EATEN SMOOTH, AND POLISHED AS IF THE WORLD GAVE UP THE SECRET OF ITS SKELETON, STIFF AND WHITE. A BROKEN SPRING IN A FACTORY YARD, RUST THAT CLINGS TO THE FORM THAT THE STRENGTH HAS LEFT HARD AND CURLED AND READY TO SNAP. HALF-PAST TWO, THE STREET-LAMP SAID, %REMARK THE CAT WHICH FLATTENS ITSELF IN THE GUTTER, SLIPS OUT ITS TONGUE AND DEVOURS A MORSEL OF RANCID BUTTER.% SO THE HAND OF THE CHILD, AUTOMATIC, SLIPPED OUT AND POCKETED A TOY THAT WAS RUNNING ALONG THE QUAY. I COULD SEE NOTHING BEHIND THAT CHILD'S EYE. I HAVE SEEN EYES IN THE STREET TRYING TO PEER THROUGH LIGHTED SHUTTERS, AND A CRAB ONE AFTERNOON IN A POOL, AN OLD CRAB WITH BARNACLES ON HIS BACK, GRIPPED THE END OF A STICK WHICH I HELD HIM. HALF-PAST THREE, THE LAMP SPUTTERED, THE LAMP MUTTERED IN THE DARK. THE LAMP HUMMED: %REGARD THE MOON, LA LUNE NE GARDE AUCUNE RANCUNE, SHE WINKS A FEEBLE EYE, SHE SMILES INTO CORNERS. SHE SMOOTHS THE HAIR OF THE GRASS. THE MOON HAS LOST HER MEMORY. A WASHED-OUT SMALLPOX CRACKS HER FACE, HER HAND TWISTS A PAPER ROSE, THAT SMELLS OF DUST AND EAU DE COLOGNE, SHE IS ALONE WITH ALL THE OLD NOCTURNAL SMELLS THAT CROSS AND CROSS ACROSS HER BRAIN.% THE REMINISCENCE COMES OF SUNLESS DRY GERANIUMS AND DUST IN CREVICES, SMELLS OF CHESTNUTS IN THE STREETS, AND FEMALE SMELLS IN SHUTTERED ROOMS, AND CIGARETTES IN CORRIDORS AND COCKTAIL SMELLS IN BARS. THE LAMP SAID, %FOUR O'CLOCK, HERE IS THE NUMBER ON THE DOOR. MEMORY! YOU HAVE THE KEY, THE LITTLE LAMP SPREADS A RING ON THE STAIR. MOUNT. THE BED IS OPEN; THE TOOTH-BRUSH HANGS ON THE WALL, PUT YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR, SLEEP, PREPARE FOR LIFE.% THE LAST TWIST OF THE KNIFE.

MORNING AT THE WINDOW THEY ARE RATTLING BREAKFAST PLATES IN BASEMENT KITCHENS, AND ALONG THE TRAMPLED EDGES OF THE STREET I AM AWARE OF THE DAMP SOULS OF HOUSEMAIDS SPROUTING DESPONDENTLY AT AREA GATES. THE BROWN WAVES OF FOG TOSS UP TO ME TWISTED FACES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STREET, AND TEAR FROM A PASSER-BY WITH MUDDY SKIRTS AN AIMLESS SMILE THAT HOVERS IN THE AIR AND VANISHES ALONG THE LEVEL OF THE ROOFS.

THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT# THE READERS OF THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT# SWAY IN THE WIND LIKE A FIELD OF RIPE CORN. WHEN EVENING QUICKENS FAINTLY IN THE STREET, WAKENING THE APPETITES OF LIFE IN SOME AND TO OTHERS BRINGING THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT#, I MOUNT THE STEPS AND RING THE BELL, TURNING WEARILY, AS ONE WOULD TURN TO NOD GOOD-BYE TO LA ROCHEFOUCAULD, IF THE STREET WERE TIME AND HE AT THE END OF THE STREET, AND I SAY, %COUSIN HARRIET, HERE IS THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT#.%

AUNT HELEN MISS HELEN SLINGSBY WAS MY MAIDEN AUNT, AND LIVED IN A SMALL HOUSE NEAR A FASHIONABLE SQUARE CARED FOR BY SERVANTS TO THE NUMBER OF FOUR. NOW WHEN SHE DIED THERE WAS SILENCE IN HEAVEN AND SILENCE AT HER END OF THE STREET. THE SHUTTERS WERE DRAWN AND THE UNDERTAKER WIPED HIS FEET- HE WAS AWARE THAT THIS SORT OF THING HAD OCCURRED BEFORE. THE DOGS WERE HANDSOMELY PROVIDED FOR, BUT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PARROT DIED TOO. THE DRESDEN CLOCK CONTINUED TICKING ON THE MANTELPIECE, AND THE FOOTMAN SAT UPON THE DINING-TABLE HOLDING THE SECOND HOUSEMAID ON HIS KNEES- WHO HAD ALWAYS BEEN SO CAREFUL WHILE HER MISTRESS LIVED.

COUSIN NANCY MISS NANCY ELLICOTT STRODE ACROSS THE HILLS AND BROKE THEM, RODE ACROSS THE HILLS AND BROKE THEM- THE BARREN NEW ENGLAND HILLS- RIDING TO HOUNDS OVER THE COW-PASTURE. MISS NANCY ELLICOTT SMOKED AND DANCED ALL THE MODERN DANCES; AND HER AUNTS WERE NOT QUITE SURE HOW THEY FELT ABOUT IT, BUT THEY KNEW THAT IT WAS MODERN. UPON THE GLAZEN SHELVES KEPT WATCH MATTHEW AND WALDO, GUARDIANS OF THE FAITH, THE ARMY OF UNALTERABLE LAW.

MR& APOLLINAX ((;6W T3HS KAIN1OTHTOS. *HR1AKLEIS, T3HS PARADOCOLO1IAS. E=UM1HXANOS 4ANQRWPOS. LUCIAN)) WHEN MR& APOLLINAX VISITED THE UNITED STATES HIS LAUGHTER TINKLED AMONG THE TEACUPS. I THOUGHT OF FRAGILION, THAT SHY FIGURE AMONG THE BIRCH-TREES, AND OF PRIAPUS IN THE SHRUBBERY GAPING AT THE LADY IN THE SWING. IN THE PALACE OF MRS& PHLACCUS, AT PROFESSOR CHANNING-CHEETAH'S HE LAUGHED LIKE AN IRRESPONSIBLE FOETUS. HIS LAUGHTER WAS SUBMARINE AND PROFOUND LIKE THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA'S HIDDEN UNDER CORAL ISLANDS WHERE WORRIED BODIES OF DROWNED MEN DRIFT DOWN IN THE GREEN SILENCE, DROPPING FROM FINGERS OF SURF. I LOOKED FOR THE HEAD OF MR& APOLLINAX ROLLING UNDER A CHAIR OR GRINNING OVER A SCREEN WITH SEAWEED IN ITS HAIR. I HEARD THE BEAT OF CENTAUR'S HOOFS OVER THE HARD TURF AS HIS DRY AND PASSIONATE TALK DEVOURED THE AFTERNOON. %HE IS A CHARMING MAN%- %BUT AFTER ALL WHAT DID HE MEAN?%- %HIS POINTED EARS. ... HE MUST BE UNBALANCED.%- %THERE WAS SOMETHING HE SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE CHALLENGED.% OF DOWAGER MRS& PHLACCUS, AND PROFESSOR AND MRS& CHEETAH I REMEMBER A SLICE OF LEMON, AND A BITTEN MACAROON.

HYSTERIA AS SHE LAUGHED I WAS AWARE OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN HER LAUGHTER AND BEING PART OF IT, UNTIL HER TEETH WERE ONLY ACCIDENTAL STARS WITH A TALENT FOR SQUAD-DRILL. I WAS DRAWN IN BY SHORT GASPS, INHALED AT EACH MOMENTARY RECOVERY, LOST FINALLY IN THE DARK CAVERNS OF HER THROAT, BRUISED BY THE RIPPLE OF UNSEEN MUSCLES. AN ELDERLY WAITER WITH TREMBLING HANDS WAS HURRIEDLY SPREADING A PINK AND WHITE CHECKED CLOTH OVER THE RUSTY GREEN IRON TABLE, SAYING: %IF THE LADY AND GENTLEMAN WISH TO TAKE THEIR TEA IN THE GARDEN, IF THE LADY AND GENTLEMAN WISH TO TAKE THEIR TEA IN THE GARDEN ...% I DECIDED THAT IF THE SHAKING OF HER BREASTS COULD BE STOPPED, SOME OF THE FRAGMENTS OF THE AFTERNOON MIGHT BE COLLECTED, AND I CONCENTRATED MY ATTENTION WITH CAREFUL SUBTLETY TO THIS END.

CONVERSATION GALANTE I OBSERVE: %OUR SENTIMENTAL FRIEND THE MOON! OR POSSIBLY (FANTASTIC, I CONFESS) IT MAY BE PRESTER JOHN'S BALLOON OR AN OLD BATTERED LANTERN HUNG ALOFT TO LIGHT POOR TRAVELLERS TO THEIR DISTRESS.% SHE THEN: %HOW YOU DIGRESS!% AND I THEN: %SOMEONE FRAMES UPON THE KEYS THAT EXQUISITE NOCTURNE, WITH WHICH WE EXPLAIN THE NIGHT AND MOONSHINE; MUSIC WHICH WE SEIZE TO BODY FORTH OUR OWN VACUITY.% SHE THEN: %DOES THIS REFER TO ME?% %OH NO, IT IS I WHO AM INANE.% %YOU, MADAM, ARE THE ETERNAL HUMORIST, THE ETERNAL ENEMY OF THE ABSOLUTE, GIVING OUR VAGRANT MOODS THE SLIGHTEST TWIST! WITH YOUR AIR INDIFFERENT AND IMPERIOUS AT A STROKE OUR MAD POETICS TO CONFUTE-% AND- %ARE WE THEN SO SERIOUS?%

LA FIGLIA CHE PIANGE ((#O QUAM TE MEMOREM VIRGO# ...)) STAND ON THE HIGHEST PAVEMENT OF THE STAIR- LEAN ON A GARDEN URN- WEAVE, WEAVE THE SUNLIGHT IN YOUR HAIR- CLASP YOUR FLOWERS TO YOU WITH A PAINED SURPRISE- FLING THEM TO THE GROUND AND TURN WITH A FUGITIVE RESENTMENT IN YOUR EYES: BUT WEAVE, WEAVE THE SUNLIGHT IN YOUR HAIR. SO I WOULD HAVE HAD HIM LEAVE, SO I WOULD HAVE HAD HER STAND AND GRIEVE, SO HE WOULD HAVE LEFT AS THE SOUL LEAVES THE BODY TORN AND BRUISED, AS THE MIND DESERTS THE BODY IT HAS USED. I SHOULD FIND SOME WAY INCOMPARABLY LIGHT AND DEFT, SOME WAY WE BOTH SHOULD UNDERSTAND, SIMPLE AND FAITHLESS AS A SMILE AND SHAKE OF THE HAND. SHE TURNED AWAY, BUT WITH THE AUTUMN WEATHER COMPELLED MY IMAGINATION MANY DAYS, MANY DAYS AND MANY HOURS: HER HAIR OVER HER ARMS AND HER ARMS FULL OF FLOWERS. AND I WONDER HOW THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOGETHER! I SHOULD HAVE LOST A GESTURE AND A POSE. SOMETIMES THESE COGITATIONS STILL AMAZE THE TROUBLED MIDNIGHT AND THE MOON'S REPOSE.

JOURNEY OF THE MAGI %A COLD COMING WE HAD OF IT, JUST THE WORST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR A JOURNEY, AND SUCH A LONG JOURNEY: THE WAYS DEEP AND THE WEATHER SHARP, THE VERY DEAD OF WINTER.% AND THE CAMELS GALLED, SORE-FOOTED, REFRACTORY, LYING DOWN IN THE MELTING SNOW. THERE WERE TIMES WE REGRETTED THE SUMMER PALACES ON SLOPES, THE TERRACES, AND THE SILKEN GIRLS BRINGING SHERBET. THEN THE CAMEL MEN CURSING AND GRUMBLING AND RUNNING AWAY, AND WANTING THEIR LIQUOR AND WOMEN, AND THE NIGHT-FIRES GOING OUT, AND THE LACK OF SHELTERS, AND THE CITIES HOSTILE AND THE TOWNS UNFRIENDLY AND THE VILLAGES DIRTY AND CHARGING HIGH PRICES: A HARD TIME WE HAD OF IT. AT THE END WE PREFERRED TO TRAVEL ALL NIGHT, SLEEPING IN SNATCHES, WITH THE VOICES SINGING IN OUR EARS, SAYING THAT THIS WAS ALL FOLLY. THEN AT DAWN WE CAME DOWN TO A TEMPERATE VALLEY, WET, BELOW THE SNOW LINE, SMELLING OF VEGETATION, WITH A RUNNING STREAM AND A WATER-MILL BEATING THE DARKNESS, AND THREE TREES ON THE LOW SKY. AND AN OLD WHITE HORSE GALLOPED AWAY IN THE MEADOW. THEN WE CAME TO A TAVERN WITH VINE-LEAVES OVER THE LINTEL, SIX HANDS AT AN OPEN DOOR DICING FOR PIECES OF SILVER, AND FEET KICKING THE EMPTY WINE-SKINS. BUT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION, AND SO WE CONTINUED AND ARRIVED AT EVENING, NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON FINDING THE PLACE; IT WAS (YOU MAY SAY) SATISFACTORY. ALL THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO, I REMEMBER, AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN, BUT SET DOWN THIS SET DOWN THIS: WERE WE LED ALL THAT WAY FOR BIRTH OR DEATH? THERE WAS A BIRTH, CERTAINLY, WE HAD EVIDENCE AND NO DOUBT. I HAD SEEN BIRTH AND DEATH, BUT HAD THOUGHT THEY WERE DIFFERENT; THIS BIRTH WAS HARD AND BITTER AGONY FOR US, LIKE DEATH, OUR DEATH. WE RETURNED TO OUR PLACES, THESE KINGDOMS, BUT NO LONGER AT EASE HERE, IN THE OLD DISPENSATION, WITH AN ALIEN PEOPLE CLUTCHING THEIR GODS. I SHOULD BE GLAD OF ANOTHER DEATH.

A SONG FOR SIMEON LORD, THE ROMAN HYACINTHS ARE BLOOMING IN BOWLS AND THE WINTER SUN CREEPS BY THE SNOW HILLS; THE STUBBORN SEASON HAS MADE STAND. MY LIFE IS LIGHT, WAITING FOR THE DEATH WIND, LIKE A FEATHER ON THE BACK OF MY HAND. DUST IN SUNLIGHT AND MEMORY IN CORNERS WAIT FOR THE WIND THAT CHILLS TOWARDS THE DEAD LAND. GRANT US THY PEACE. I HAVE WALKED MANY YEARS IN THIS CITY, KEPT FAITH AND FAST, PROVIDED FOR THE POOR, HAVE GIVEN AND TAKEN HONOUR AND EASE. THERE WENT NEVER ANY REJECTED FROM MY DOOR. WHO SHALL REMEMBER MY HOUSE, WHERE SHALL LIVE MY CHILDREN'S CHILDREN WHEN THE TIME OF SORROW IS COME? THEY WILL TAKE TO THE GOAT'S PATH, AND THE FOX'S HOME, FLEEING FROM THE FOREIGN FACES AND THE FOREIGN SWORDS. BEFORE THE TIME OF CORDS AND SCOURGES AND LAMENTATION GRANT US THY PEACE. BEFORE THE STATIONS OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESOLATION, BEFORE THE CERTAIN HOUR OF MATERNAL SORROW, NOW AT THIS BIRTH SEASON OF DECEASE, LET THE INFANT, THE STILL UNSPEAKING AND UNSPOKEN WORD, GRANT ISRAEL'S CONSOLATION TO ONE WHO HAS EIGHTY YEARS AND NO TO-MORROW. ACCORDING TO THY WORD. THEY SHALL PRAISE THEE AND SUFFER IN EVERY GENERATION WITH GLORY AND DERISION, LIGHT UPON LIGHT, MOUNTING THE SAINTS' STAIR. NOT FOR ME THE MARTYRDOM, THE ECSTASY OF THOUGHT AND PRAYER, NOT FOR ME THE ULTIMATE VISION. GRANT ME THY PEACE. (AND A SWORD SHALL PIERCE THY HEART, THINE ALSO). I AM TIRED WITH MY OWN LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THOSE AFTER ME, I AM DYING IN MY OWN DEATH AND THE DEATHS OF THOSE AFTER ME. LET THY SERVANT DEPART, HAVING SEEN THY SALVATION.

ANIMULA %ISSUES FROM THE HAND OF GOD, THE SIMPLE SOUL% TO A FLAT WORLD OF CHANGING LIGHTS AND NOISE, TO LIGHT, DARK, DRY OR DAMP, CHILLY OR WARM; MOVING BETWEEN THE LEGS OF TABLES AND OF CHAIRS, RISING OR FALLING, GRASPING AT KISSES AND TOYS, ADVANCING BOLDLY, SUDDEN TO TAKE ALARM, RETREATING TO THE CORNER OF ARM AND KNEE, EAGER TO BE REASSURED, TAKING PLEASURE IN THE FRAGRANT BRILLIANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, PLEASURE IN THE WIND, THE SUNLIGHT AND THE SEA; STUDIES THE SUNLIT PATTERN ON THE FLOOR AND RUNNING STAGS AROUND A SILVER TRAY; CONFOUNDS THE ACTUAL AND THE FANCIFUL, CONTENT WITH PLAYING-CARDS AND KINGS AND QUEENS, WHAT THE FAIRIES DO AND WHAT THE SERVANTS SAY. THE HEAVY BURDEN OF THE GROWING SOUL PERPLEXES AND OFFENDS MORE, DAY BY DAY; WEEK BY WEEK, OFFENDS AND PERPLEXES MORE WITH THE IMPERATIVES OF %IS AND SEEMS% AND MAY AND MAY NOT, DESIRE AND CONTROL. THE PAIN OF LIVING AND THE DRUG OF DREAMS CURL UP THE SMALL SOUL IN THE WINDOW SEAT BEHIND THE #ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA.# ISSUES FROM THE HAND OF TIME THE SIMPLE SOUL IRRESOLUTE AND SELFISH, MISSHAPEN, LAME, UNABLE TO FARE FORWARD OR RETREAT, FEARING THE WARM REALITY, THE OFFERED GOOD, DENYING THE IMPORTUNITY OF THE BLOOD, SHADOW OF ITS OWN SHADOWS, SPECTRE IN ITS OWN GLOOM, LEAVING DISORDERED PAPERS IN A DUSTY ROOM; LIVING FIRST IN THE SILENCE AFTER THE VIATICUM. PRAY FOR GUITERRIEZ, AVID OF SPEED AND POWER, FOR BOUDIN, BLOWN TO PIECES, FOR THIS ONE WHO MADE A GREAT FORTUNE, AND THAT ONE WHO WENT HIS OWN WAY. PRAY FOR FLORET, BY THE BOARHOUND SLAIN BETWEEN THE YEW TREES, PRAY FOR US NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR BIRTH.

MARINA ((#QUIS HIC LOCUS, QUAE REGIO, QUAE MUNDI PLAGA?#)) WHAT SEAS WHAT SHORES WHAT GREY ROCKS AND WHAT ISLANDS WHAT WATER LAPPING THE BOW AND SCENT OF PINE AND THE WOODTHRUSH SINGING THROUGH THE FOG WHAT IMAGES RETURN O MY DAUGHTER. THOSE WHO SHARPEN THE TOOTH OF THE DOG, MEANING DEATH THOSE WHO GLITTER WITH THE GLORY OF THE HUMMINGBIRD, MEANING DEATH THOSE WHO SIT IN THE STY OF CONTENTMENT, MEANING DEATH THOSE WHO SUFFER THE ECSTASY OF THE ANIMALS, MEANING DEATH ARE BECOME UNSUBSTANTIAL, REDUCED BY A WIND, A BREATH OF PINE, AND THE WOODSONG FOG BY THIS GRACE DISSOLVED IN PLACE WHAT IS THIS FACE, LESS CLEAR AND CLEARER THE PULSE IN THE ARM, LESS STRONG AND STRONGER- GIVEN OR LENT? MORE DISTANT THAN STARS AND NEARER THAN THE EYE WHISPERS AND SMALL LAUGHTER BETWEEN LEAVES AND HURRYING FEET UNDER SLEEP, WHERE ALL THE WATERS MEET. BOWSPRIT CRACKED WITH ICE AND PAINT CRACKED WITH HEAT. I MADE THIS, I HAVE FORGOTTEN AND REMEMBER. THE RIGGING WEAK AND THE CANVAS ROTTEN BETWEEN ONE JUNE AND ANOTHER SEPTEMBER. MADE THIS UNKNOWING, HALF CONSCIOUS, UNKNOWN, MY OWN. THE GARBOARD STRAKE LEAKS, THE SEAMS NEED CAULKING. THIS FORM, THIS FACE, THIS LIFE LIVING TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF TIME BEYOND ME; LET ME RESIGN MY LIFE FOR THIS LIFE, MY SPEECH FOR THAT UNSPOKEN, THE AWAKENED, LIPS PARTED, THE HOPE, THE NEW SHIPS. WHAT SEAS WHAT SHORES WHAT GRANITE ISLANDS TOWARDS MY TIMBERS AND WOODTHRUSH CALLING THROUGH THE FOG MY DAUGHTER.

THE CULTIVATION OF CHRISTMAS TREES THERE ARE SEVERAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHRISTMAS, SOME OF WHICH WE MAY DISREGARD: THE SOCIAL, THE TORPID, THE PATENTLY COMMERCIAL, THE ROWDY (THE PUBS BEING OPEN TILL MIDNIGHT), AND THE CHILDISH- WHICH IS NOT THAT OF THE CHILD FOR WHOM THE CANDLE IS A STAR, AND THE GILDED ANGEL SPREADING ITS WINGS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE TREE IS NOT ONLY A DECORATION, BUT AN ANGEL. THE CHILD WONDERS AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE: LET HIM CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT OF WONDER AT THE FEAST AS AN EVENT NOT ACCEPTED AS A PRETEXT; SO THAT THE GLITTERING RAPTURE, THE AMAZEMENT OF THE FIRST-REMEMBERED CHRISTMAS TREE, SO THAT THE SURPRISES, DELIGHT IN NEW POSSESSIONS (EACH ONE WITH ITS PECULIAR AND EXCITING SMELL), THE EXPECTATION OF THE GOOSE OR TURKEY AND THE EXPECTED AWE ON ITS APPEARANCE, SO THAT THE REVERENCE AND THE GAIETY MAY NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN LATER EXPERIENCE, IN THE BORED HABITUATION, THE FATIGUE, THE TEDIUM, THE AWARENESS OF DEATH, THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF FAILURE, OR IN THE PIETY OF THE CONVERT WHICH MAY BE TAINTED WITH A SELF-CONCEIT DISPLEASING TO GOD AND DISRESPECTFUL TO THE CHILDREN (AND HERE I REMEMBER ALSO WITH GRATITUDE ST& LUCY, HER CAROL, AND HER CROWN OF FIRE): SO THAT BEFORE THE END, THE EIGHTIETH CHRISTMAS (BY %EIGHTIETH% MEANING WHICHEVER IS THE LAST) THE ACCUMULATED MEMORIES OF ANNUAL EMOTION MAY BE CONCENTRATED INTO A GREAT JOY WHICH SHALL BE ALSO A GREAT FEAR, AS ON THE OCCASION WHEN FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL: BECAUSE THE BEGINNING SHALL REMIND US OF THE END AND THE FIRST COMING OF THE SECOND COMING. BECAUSE I DO NOT HOPE TO TURN AGAIN BECAUSE I DO NOT HOPE BECAUSE I DO NOT HOPE TO TURN DESIRING THIS MAN'S GIFT AND THAT MAN'S SCOPE I NO LONGER STRIVE TO STRIVE TOWARDS SUCH THINGS (WHY SHOULD THE AG*ED EAGLE STRETCH ITS WINGS?) WHY SHOULD I MOURN THE VANISHED POWER OF THE USUAL REIGN? BECAUSE I DO NOT HOPE TO KNOW AGAIN THE INFIRM GLORY OF THE POSITIVE HOUR BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK BECAUSE I KNOW I SHALL NOT KNOW THE ONE VERITABLE TRANSITORY POWER BECAUSE I CANNOT DRINK THERE, WHERE TREES FLOWER, AND SPRINGS FLOW, FOR THERE IS NOTHING AGAIN BECAUSE I KNOW THAT TIME IS ALWAYS TIME AND PLACE IS ALWAYS AND ONLY PLACE AND WHAT IS ACTUAL IS ACTUAL ONLY FOR ONE TIME AND ONLY FOR ONE PLACE I REJOICE THAT THINGS ARE AS THEY ARE AND I RENOUNCE THE BLESS*ED FACE AND RENOUNCE THE VOICE BECAUSE I CANNOT HOPE TO TURN AGAIN CONSEQUENTLY I REJOICE, HAVING TO CONSTRUCT SOMETHING UPON WHICH TO REJOICE AND PRAY TO GOD TO HAVE MERCY UPON US AND I PRAY THAT I MAY FORGET THESE MATTERS THAT WITH MYSELF I TOO MUCH DISCUSS TOO MUCH EXPLAIN BECAUSE I DO NOT HOPE TO TURN AGAIN LET THESE WORDS ANSWER FOR WHAT IS DONE, NOT TO BE DONE AGAIN MAY THE JUDGEMENT NOT BE TOO HEAVY UPON US BECAUSE THESE WINGS ARE NO LONGER WINGS TO FLY BUT MERELY VANS TO BEAT THE AIR THE AIR WHICH IS NOW THOROUGHLY SMALL AND DRY SMALLER AND DRYER THAN THE WILL TEACH US TO CARE AND NOT TO CARE TEACH US TO SIT STILL. PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH PRAY FOR US NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. LADY, THREE WHITE LEOPARDS SAT UNDER A JUNIPER-TREE IN THE COOL OF THE DAY, HAVING FED TO SATIETY ON MY LEGS MY HEART MY LIVER AND THAT WHICH HAD BEEN CONTAINED IN THE HOLLOW ROUND OF MY SKULL. AND GOD SAID SHALL THESE BONES LIVE? SHALL THESE BONES LIVE? AND THAT WHICH HAD BEEN CONTAINED IN THE BONES (WHICH WERE ALREADY DRY) SAID CHIRPING: BECAUSE OF THE GOODNESS OF THIS LADY AND BECAUSE OF HER LOVELINESS, AND BECAUSE SHE HONOURS THE VIRGIN IN MEDITATION, WE SHINE WITH BRIGHTNESS. AND I WHO AM HERE DISSEMBLED PROFFER MY DEEDS TO OBLIVION, AND MY LOVE TO THE POSTERITY OF THE DESERT AND THE FRUIT OF THE GOURD. IT IS THIS WHICH RECOVERS MY GUTS THE STRINGS OF MY EYES AND THE INDIGESTIBLE PORTIONS WHICH THE LEOPARDS REJECT. THE LADY IS WITHDRAWN IN A WHITE GOWN, TO CONTEMPLATION, IN A WHITE GOWN. LET THE WHITENESS OF BONES ATONE TO FORGETFULNESS. THERE IS NO LIFE IN THEM. AS I AM FORGOTTEN AND WOULD BE FORGOTTEN, SO I WOULD FORGET THUS DEVOTED, CONCENTRATED IN PURPOSE. AND GOD SAID PROPHESY TO THE WIND, TO THE WIND ONLY FOR ONLY THE WIND WILL LISTEN. AND THE BONES SANG CHIRPING WITH THE BURDEN OF THE GRASSHOPPER, SAYING LADY OF SILENCES CALM AND DISTRESSED TORN AND MOST WHOLE ROSE OF MEMORY ROSE OF FORGETFULNESS EXHAUSTED AND LIFE-GIVING WORRIED REPOSEFUL THE SINGLE ROSE IS NOW THE GARDEN WHERE ALL LOVES END TERMINATE TORMENT OF LOVE UNSATISFIED THE GREATER TORMENT OF LOVE SATISFIED END OF THE ENDLESS JOURNEY TO NO END CONCLUSION OF ALL THAT IS INCONCLUSIBLE SPEECH WITHOUT WORD AND WORD OF NO SPEECH GRACE TO THE MOTHER FOR THE GARDEN WHERE ALL LOVE ENDS. UNDER A JUNIPER-TREE THE BONES SANG, SCATTERED AND SHINING WE ARE GLAD TO BE SCATTERED, WE DID LITTLE GOOD TO EACH OTHER, UNDER A TREE IN THE COOL OF THE DAY, WITH THE BLESSING OF SAND, FORGETTING THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER, UNITED IN THE QUIET OF THE DESERT. THIS IS THE LAND WHICH YE SHALL DIVIDE BY LOT. AND NEITHER DIVISION NOR UNITY MATTERS. THIS IS THE LAND. WE HAVE OUR INHERITANCE. AT THE FIRST TURNING OF THE SECOND STAIR I TURNED AND SAW BELOW THE SAME SHAPE TWISTED ON THE BANISTER UNDER THE VAPOUR IN THE FETID AIR STRUGGLING WITH THE DEVIL OF THE STAIRS WHO WEARS THE DECEITFUL FACE OF HOPE AND OF DESPAIR. AT THE SECOND TURNING OF THE SECOND STAIR I LEFT THEM TWISTING, TURNING BELOW; THERE WERE NO MORE FACES AND THE STAIR WAS DARK, DAMP, JAGG*ED, LIKE AN OLD MAN'S MOUTH DRIVELLING, BEYOND REPAIR, OR THE TOOTHED GULLET OF AN AG*ED SHARK. AT THE FIRST TURNING OF THE THIRD STAIR WAS A SLOTTED WINDOW BELLIED LIKE THE FIG'S FRUIT AND BEYOND THE HAWTHORN BLOSSOM AND A PASTURE SCENE THE BROADBACKED FIGURE DREST IN BLUE AND GREEN ENCHANTED THE MAYTIME WITH AN ANTIQUE FLUTE. BLOWN HAIR IS SWEET, BROWN HAIR OVER THE MOUTH BLOWN, LILAC AND BROWN HAIR; DISTRACTION, MUSIC OF THE FLUTE, STOPS AND STEPS OF THE MIND OVER THE TH IRD STAIR, FADING, FADING; STRENGTH BEYOND HOPE AND DESPAIR CLIMBING THE THIRD STAIR. LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY BUT SPEAK THE WORD ONLY. WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE VIOLET AND THE VIOLET WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE VARIOUS RANKS OF VARIED GREEN GOING IN WHITE AND BLUE, IN MARY'S COLOUR, TALKING OF TRIVIAL THINGS IN IGNORANCE AND IN KNOWLEDGE OF ETERNAL DOLOUR WHO MOVED AMONG THE OTHERS AS THEY WALKED, WHO THEN MADE STRONG THE FOUNTAINS AND MADE FRESH THE SPRINGS MADE COOL THE DRY ROCK AND MADE FIRM THE SAND IN BLUE OF LARKSPUR, BLUE OF MARY'S COLOUR, SOVEGNA VOS HERE ARE THE YEARS THAT WALK BETWEEN, BEARING AWAY THE FIDDLES AND THE FLUTES, RESTORING ONE WHO MOVES IN THE TIME BETWEEN SLEEP AND WAKING, WEARING WHITE LIGHT FOLDED, SHEATHED ABOUT HER, FOLDED. THE NEW YEARS WALK, RESTORING THROUGH A BRIGHT CLOUD OF TEARS, THE YEARS, RESTORING WITH A NEW VERSE THE ANCIENT RHYME. REDEEM THE TIME. REDEEM THE UNREAD VISION IN THE HIGHER DREAM WHILE JEWELLED UNICORNS DRAW BY THE GILDED HEARSE. THE SILENT SISTER VEILED IN WHITE AND BLUE BETWEEN THE YEWS, BEHIND THE GARDEN GOD, WHOSE FLUTE IS BREATHLESS, BENT HER HEAD AND SIGNED BUT SPOKE NO WORD BUT THE FOUNTAIN SPRANG UP AND THE BIRD SANG DOWN REDEEM THE TIME, REDEEM THE DREAM THE TOKEN OF THE WORD UNHEARD, UNSPOKEN TILL THE WIND SHAKE A THOUSAND WHISPERS FROM THE YEW AND AFTER THIS OUR EXILE IF THE LOST WORD IS LOST, IF THE SPENT WORD IS SPENT IF THE UNHEARD, UNSPOKEN WORD IS UNSPOKEN, UNHEARD; STILL IS THE UNSPOKEN WORD, THE WORD UNHEARD, THE WORD WITHOUT A WORD, THE WORD WITHIN THE WORLD AND FOR THE WORLD; AND THE LIGHT SHONE IN DARKNESS AND AGAINST THE WORD THE UNSTILLED WORLD STILL WHIRLED ABOUT THE CENTRE OF THE SILENT WORD. O MY PEOPLE, WHAT HAVE I DONE UNTO THEE. WHERE SHALL THE WORD BE FOUND, WHERE WILL THE WORD RESOUND? NOT HERE, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SILENCE NOT ON THE SEA OR ON THE ISLANDS, NOT ON THE MAINLAND, IN THE DESERT OR THE RAIN LAND, FOR THOSE WHO WALK IN DARKNESS BOTH IN THE DAY TIME AND IN THE NIGHT TIME THE RIGHT TIME AND THE RIGHT PLACE ARE NOT HERE NO PLACE OF GRACE FOR THOSE WHO AVOID THE FACE NO TIME TO REJOICE FOR THOSE WHO WALK AMONG NOISE AND DENY THE VOICE WILL THE VEILED SISTER PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WALK IN DARKNESS, WHO CHOSE THEE AND OPPOSE THEE, THOSE WHO ARE TORN ON THE HORN BETWEEN SEASON AND SEASON, TIME AND TIME, BETWEEN HOUR AND HOUR, WORD AND WORD, POWER AND POWER, THOSE WHO WAIT IN DARKNESS? WILL THE VEILED SISTER PRAY FOR CHILDREN AT THE GATE WHO WILL NOT GO AWAY AND CANNOT PRAY: PRAY FOR THOSE WHO CHOSE AND OPPOSE O MY PEOPLE, WHAT HAVE I DONE UNTO THEE. WILL THE VEILED SISTER BETWEEN THE SLENDER YEW TREES PRAY FOR THOSE WHO OFFEND HER AND ARE TERRIFIED AND CANNOT SURRENDER AND AFFIRM BEFORE THE WORLD AND DENY BETWEEN THE ROCKS IN THE LAST DESERT BETWEEN THE LAST BLUE ROCKS THE DESERT IN THE GARDEN THE GARDEN IN THE DESERT OF DROUTH, SPITTING FROM THE MOUTH THE WITHERED APPLE-SEED. O MY PEOPLE. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT HOPE TO TURN AGAIN ALTHOUGH I DO NOT HOPE ALTHOUGH I DO NOT HOPE TO TURN WAVERING BETWEEN THE PROFIT AND THE LOSS IN THIS BRIEF TRANSIT WHERE THE DREAMS CROSS THE DREAMCROSSED TWILIGHT BETWEEN BIRTH AND DYING (BLESS ME FATHER) THOUGH I DO NOT WISH TO WISH THESE THINGS FROM THE WIDE WINDOW TOWARDS THE GRANITE SHORE THE WHITE SAILS STILL FLY SEAWARD, SEAWARD FLYING UNBROKEN WINGS AND THE LOST HEART STIFFENS AND REJOICES IN THE LOST LILAC AND THE LOST SEA VOICES AND THE WEAK SPIRIT QUICKENS TO REBEL FOR THE BENT GOLDEN-ROD AND THE LOST SEA SMELL QUICKENS TO RECOVER THE CRY OF QUAIL AND THE WHIRLING PLOVER AND THE BLIND EYE CREATES THE EMPTY FORMS BETWEEN THE IVORY GATES AND SMELL RENEWS THE SALT SAVOUR OF THE SANDY EARTH THIS IS THE TIME OF TENSION BETWEEN DYING AND BIRTH THE PLACE OF SOLITUDE WHERE THREE DREAMS CROSS BETWEEN BLUE ROCKS BUT WHEN THE VOICES SHAKEN FROM THE YEW-TREE DRIFT AWAY LET THE OTHER YEW BE SHAKEN AND REPLY. BLESS*ED SISTER, HOLY MOTHER, SPIRIT OF THE FOUNTAIN, SPIRIT OF THE GARD EN, SUFFER US NOT TO MOCK OURSELVES WITH FALSEHOOD TEACH US TO CARE AND NOT TO CARE TEACH US TO SIT STILL EVEN AMONG THESE ROCKS, OUR PEACE IN HIS WILL AND EVEN AMONG THESE ROCKS SISTER, MOTHER AND SPIRIT OF THE RIVER, SPIRIT OF THE SEA, SUFFER ME NOT TO BE SEPARATED AND LET MY CRY COME UNTO THEE.

BURNT NORTON ((;TO3U L1OGON D' =E1ONTOS CUNO3U Z1WOUSIN O*I POLLO1I *WS =ID1IAN 4EXONTES FR1ONHSIN.; #I. P& 77. FR& 2.# ;*OD2OS 4ANW K1ATW M1IA KA2I *WUT1H.; #I. P& 89. FR& 60.# DIELS: #DIE FRAGMENTE DER VORSOKRATIKER# (HERAKLEITOS) )) TIME PRESENT AND TIME PAST ARE BOTH PERHAPS PRESENT IN TIME FUTURE, AND TIME FUTURE CONTAINED IN TIME PAST. IF ALL TIME IS ETERNALLY PRESENT ALL TIME IS UNREDEEMABLE. WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IS AN ABSTRACTION REMAINING A PERPETUAL POSSIBILITY ONLY IN A WORLD OF SPECULATION. WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AND WHAT HAS BEEN POINT TO ONE END, WHICH IS ALWAYS PRESENT. FOOTFALLS ECHO IN THE MEMORY DOWN THE PASSAGE WHICH WE DID NOT TAKE TOWARDS THE DOOR WE NEVER OPENED INTO THE ROSE-GARDEN. MY WORDS ECHO THUS, IN YOUR MIND. BUT TO WHAT PURPOSE DISTURBING THE DUST ON A BOWL OF ROSE-LEAVES I DO NOT KNOW. OTHER ECHOES INHABIT THE GARDEN. SHALL WE FOLLOW? QUICK, SAID THE BIRD, FIND THEM, FIND THEM, ROUND THE CORNER. THROUGH THE FIRST GATE, INTO OUR FIRST WORLD, SHALL WE FOLLOW THE DECEPTION OF THE THRUSH? INTO OUR FIRST WORLD. THERE THEY WERE, DIGNIFIED, INVISIBLE, MOVING WITHOUT PRESSURE, OVER THE DEAD LEAVES, IN THE AUTUMN HEAT, THROUGH THE VIBRANT AIR, AND THE BIRD CALLED, IN RESPONSE TO THE UNHEARD MUSIC HIDDEN IN THE SHRUBBERY, AND THE UNSEEN EYEBEAM CROSSED, FOR THE ROSES HAD THE LOOK OF FLOWERS THAT ARE LOOKED AT. THERE THEY WERE AS OUR GUESTS, ACCEPTED AND ACCEPTING. SO WE MOVED, AND THEY, IN A FORMAL PATTERN, ALONG THE EMPTY ALLEY, INTO THE BOX CIRCLE, TO LOOK DOWN INTO THE DRAINED POOL. DRY THE POOL, DRY CONCRETE, BROWN EDGED, AND THE POOL WAS FILLED WITH WATER OUT OF SUNLIGHT, AND THE LOTOS ROSE, QUIETLY, QUIETLY, THE SURFACE GLITTERED OUT OF HEART OF LIGHT, AND THEY WERE BEHIND US, REFLECTED IN THE POOL. THEN A CLOUD PASSED, AND THE POOL WAS EMPTY. GO, SAID THE BIRD, FOR THE LEAVES WERE FULL OF CHILDREN, HIDDEN EXCITEDLY, CONTAINING LAUGHTER. GO, GO, GO, SAID THE BIRD: HUMAN KIND CANNOT BEAR VERY MUCH REALITY. TIME PAST AND TIME FUTURE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AND WHAT HAS BEEN POINT TO ONE END, WHICH IS ALWAYS PRESENT. GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES IN THE MUD CLOT THE BEDDED AXLE-TREE. THE TRILLING WIRE IN THE BLOOD SINGS BELOW INVETERATE SCARS APPEASING LONG FORGOTTEN WARS. THE DANCE ALONG THE ARTERY THE CIRCULATION OF THE LYMPH ARE FIGURED IN THE DRIFT OF STARS ASCEND TO SUMMER IN THE TREE WE MOVE ABOVE THE MOVING TREE IN LIGHT UPON THE FIGURED LEAF AND HEAR UPON THE SODDEN FLOOR BELOW, THE BOARHOUND AND THE BOAR PURSUE THEIR PATTERN AS BEFORE BUT RECONCILED AMONG THE STARS. AT THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD. NEITHER FLESH NOR FLESHLESS; NEITHER FROM NOR TOWARDS; AT THE STILL POINT, THERE THE DANCE IS, BUT NEITHER ARREST NOR MOVEMENT. AND DO NOT CALL IT FIXITY, WHERE PAST AND FUTURE ARE GATHERED. NEITHER MOVEMENT FROM NOR TOWARDS, NEITHER ASCENT NOR DECLINE. EXCEPT FOR THE POINT, THE STILL POINT, THERE WOULD BE NO DANCE, AND THERE IS ONLY THE DANCE. I CAN ONLY SAY, #THERE# WE HAVE BEEN: BUT I CANNOT SAY WHERE. AND I CANNOT SAY, HOW LONG, FOR THAT IS TO PLACE IT IN TIME. THE INNER FREEDOM FROM THE PRACTICAL DESIRE, THE RELEASE FROM ACTION AND SUFFERING, RELEASE FROM THE INNER AND THE OUTER COMPULSION, YET SURROUNDED BY A GRACE OF SENSE, A WHITE LIGHT STILL AND MOVING, #ERHEBUNG# WITHOUT MOTION, CONCENTRATION WITHOUT ELIMINATION, BOTH A NEW WORLD AND THE OLD MADE EXPLICIT, UNDERSTOOD IN THE COMPLETION OF ITS PARTIAL ECSTASY, THE RESOLUTION OF ITS PARTIAL HORROR. YET THE ENCHAINMENT OF PAST AND FUTURE WOVEN IN THE WEAKNESS OF THE CHANGING BODY, PROTECTS MANKIND FROM HEAVEN AND DAMNATION WHICH FLESH CANNOT ENDURE. TIME PAST AND TIME FUTURE ALLOW BUT A LITTLE CONSCIOUSNESS. TO BE CONSCIOUS IS NOT TO BE IN TIME BUT ONLY IN TIME CAN THE MOMENT IN THE ROSE-GARDEN, THE MOMENT IN THE ARBOUR WHERE THE RAIN BEAT, THE MOMENT IN THE DRAUGHTY CHURCH AT SMOKEFALL BE REMEMBERED; INVOLVED WITH PAST AND FUTURE. ONLY THROUGH TIME TIME IS CONQUERED. HERE IS A PLACE OF DISAFFECTION TIME BEFORE AND TIME AFTER IN A DIM LIGHT: NEITHER DAYLIGHT INVESTING FORM WITH LUCID STILLNESS TURNING SHADOW INTO TRANSIENT BEAUTY WITH SLOW ROTATION SUGGESTING PERMANENCE NOR DARKNESS TO PURIFY THE SOUL EMPTYING THE SENSUAL WITH DEPRIVATION CLEANSING AFFECTION FROM THE TEMPORAL. NEITHER PLENITUDE NOR VACANCY. ONLY A FLICKER OVER THE STRAINED TIME-RIDDEN FACES DISTRACTED FROM DISTRACTION BY DISTRACTION FILLED WITH FANCIES AND EMPTY OF MEANING TUMID APATHY WITH NO CONCENTRATION MEN AND BITS OF PAPER, WHIRLED BY THE COLD WIND THAT BLOWS BEFORE AND AFTER TIME, WIND IN AND OUT OF UNWHOLESOME LUNGS TIME BEFORE AND TIME AFTER. ERUCTATION OF UNHEALTHY SOULS INTO THE FADED AIR, THE TORPID DRIVEN ON THE WIND THAT SWEEPS THE GLOOMY HILLS OF LONDON, HAMPSTEAD AND CLERKENWELL, CAMPDEN AND PUTNEY, HIGHGATE, PRIMROSE AND LUDGATE. NOT HERE NOT HERE THE DARKNESS, IN THIS TWITTERING WORLD. DESCEND LOWER, DESCEND ONLY INTO THE WORLD OF PERPETUAL SOLITUDE, WORLD NOT WORLD, BUT THAT WHICH IS NOT WORLD, INTERNAL DARKNESS, DEPRIVATION AND DESTITUTION OF ALL PROPERTY, DESICCATION OF THE WORLD OF SENSE, EVACUATION OF THE WORLD OF FANCY, INOPERANCY OF THE WORLD OF SPIRIT; THIS IS THE ONE WAY, AND THE OTHER IS THE SAME, NOT IN MOVEMENT BUT ABSTENTION FROM MOVEMENT; WHILE THE WORLD MOVES IN APPETENCY, ON ITS METALLED WAYS OF TIME PAST AND TIME FUTURE. TIME AND THE BELL HAVE BURIED THE DAY, THE BLACK CLOUD CARRIES THE SUN AWAY. WILL THE SUNFLOWER TURN TO US, WILL THE CLEMATIS STRAY DOWN, BEND TO US; TENDRIL AND SPRAY CLUTCH AND CLING? CHILL FINGERS OF YEW BE CURLED DOWN ON US? AFTER THE KINGFISHER'S WING HAS ANSWERED LIGHT TO LIGHT, AND IS SILENT, THE LIGHT IS STILL AT THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD. WORDS MOVE, MUSIC MOVES ONLY IN TIME; BUT THAT WHICH IS ONLY LIVING CAN ONLY DIE. WORDS, AFTER SPEECH, REACH INTO THE SILENCE. ONLY BY THE FORM, THE PATTERN, CAN WORDS OR MUSIC REACH THE STILLNESS, AS A CHINESE JAR STILL MOVES PERPETUALLY IN ITS STILLNESS. NOT THE STILLNESS OF THE VIOLIN, WHILE THE NOTE LASTS, NOT THAT ONLY, BUT THE CO-EXISTENCE, OR SAY THAT THE END PRECEDES THE BEGINNING, AND THE END AND THE BEGINNING WERE ALWAYS THERE BEFORE THE BEGINNING AND AFTER THE END. AND ALL IS ALWAYS NOW. WORDS STRAIN, CRACK AND SOMETIMES BREAK, UNDER THE BURDEN, UNDER THE TENSION, SLIP, SLIDE, PERISH, DECAY WITH IMPRECISION, WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, WILL NOT STAY STILL. SHRIEKING VOICES SCOLDING, MOCKING, OR MERELY CHATTERING, ALWAYS ASSAIL THEM. THE WORD IN THE DESERT IS MOST ATTACKED BY VOICES OF TEMPTATION, THE CRYING SHADOW IN THE FUNERAL DANCE, THE LOUD LAMENT OF THE DISCONSOLATE CHIMERA. THE DETAIL OF THE PATTERN IS MOVEMENT, AS IN THE FIGURE OF THE TEN STAIRS. DESIRE ITSELF IS MOVEMENT NOT IN ITSELF DESIRABLE; LOVE IS ITSELF UNMOVING, ONLY THE CAUSE AND END OF MOVEMENT, TIMELESS, AND UNDESIRING EXCEPT IN THE ASPECT OF TIME CAUGHT IN THE FORM OF LIMITATION BETWEEN UN-BEING AND BEING. SUDDEN IN A SHAFT OF SUNLIGHT EVEN WHILE THE DUST MOVES THERE RISES THE HIDDEN LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN IN THE FOLIAGE QUICK NOW, HERE, NOW, ALWAYS- RIDICULOUS THE WASTE SAD TIME STRETCHING BEFORE AND AFTER.

EAST COKER IN MY BEGINNING IS MY END. IN SUCCESSION HOUSES RISE AND FALL, CRUMBLE, ARE EXTENDED, ARE REMOVED, DESTROYED, RESTORED, OR IN THEIR PLACE IS AN OPEN FIELD, OR A FACTORY, OR A BY-PASS. OLD STONE TO NEW BUILDING, OLD TIMBER TO NEW FIRES, OLD FIRES TO ASHES, AND ASHES TO THE EARTH WHICH IS ALREADY FLESH, FUR AND FAECES, BONE OF MAN AND BEAST, CORNSTALK AND LEAF. HOUSES LIVE AND DIE: THERE IS A TIME FOR BUILDING AND A TIME FOR LIVING AND FOR GENERATION AND A TIME FOR THE WIND TO BREAK THE LOOSENED PANE AND TO SHAKE THE WAINSCOT WHERE THE FIELD-MOUSE TROTS AND TO SHAKE THE TATTERED ARRAS WOVEN WITH A SILENT MOTTO. IN MY BEGINNING IS MY END. NOW THE LIGHT FALLS ACROSS THE OPEN FIELD, LEAVING THE DEEP LANE SHUTTERED WITH BRANCHES, DARK IN THE AFTERNOON, WHERE YOU LEAN AGAINST A BANK WHILE A VAN PASSES, AND THE DEEP LANE INSISTS ON THE DIRECTION INTO THE VILLAGE, IN THE ELECTRIC HEAT HYPNOTISED. IN A WARM HAZE THE SULTRY LIGHT IS ABSORBED, NOT REFRACTED, BY GREY STONE. THE DAHLIAS SLEEP IN THE EMPTY SILENCE. WAIT FOR THE EARLY OWL. IN THAT OPEN FIELD IF YOU DO NOT COME TOO CLOSE, IF YOU DO NOT COME TOO CLOSE, ON A SUMMER MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR THE MUSIC OF THE WEAK PIPE AND THE LITTLE DRUM AND SEE THEM DANCING AROUND THE BONFIRE THE ASSOCIATION OF MAN AND WOMAN IN DAUNSINGE, SIGNIFYING MATRIMONIE- A DIGNIFIED AND COMMODIOUS SACRAMENT. TWO AND TWO, NECESSARYE CONIUNCTION, HOLDING ECHE OTHER BY THE HAND OR THE ARM WHICHE BETOKENETH CONCORDE. ROUND AND ROUND THE FIRE LEAPING THROUGH THE FLAMES, OR JOINED IN CIRCLES, RUSTICALLY SOLEMN OR IN RUSTIC LAUGHTER LIFTING HEAVY FEET IN CLUMSY SHOES, EARTH FEET, LOAM FEET, LIFTED IN COUNTRY MIRTH MIRTH OF THOSE LONG SINCE UNDER EARTH NOURISHING THE CORN. KEEPING TIME, KEEPING THE RHYTHM IN THEIR DANCING AS IN THEIR LIVING IN THE LIVING SEASONS THE TIME OF THE SEASONS AND THE CONSTELLATIONS THE TIME OF MILKING AND THE TIME OF HARVEST THE TIME OF THE COUPLING OF MAN AND WOMAN AND THAT OF BEASTS. FEET RISING AND FALLING. EATING AND DRINKING. DUNG AND DEATH. DAWN POINTS, AND ANOTHER DAY PREPARES FOR HEAT AND SILENCE. OUT AT SEA THE DAWN WIND WRINKLES AND SLIDES. I AM HERE OR THERE, OR ELSEWHERE. IN MY BEGINNING. WHAT IS THE LATE NOVEMBER DOING WITH THE DISTURBANCE OF THE SPRING AND CREATURES OF THE SUMMER HEAT, AND SNOWDROPS WRITHING UNDER FEET AND HOLLYHOCKS THAT AIM TOO HIGH RED INTO GREY AND TUMBLE DOWN LATE ROSES FILLED WITH EARLY SNOW? THUNDER ROLLED BY THE ROLLING STARS SIMULATES TRIUMPHAL CARS DEPLOYED IN CONSTELLATED WARS SCORPION FIGHTS AGAINST THE SUN UNTIL THE SUN AND MOON GO DOWN COMETS WEEP AND LEONIDS FLY HUNT THE HEAVENS AND THE PLAINS WHIRLED IN A VORTEX THAT SHALL BRING THE WORLD TO THAT DESTRUCTIVE FIRE WHICH BURNS BEFORE THE ICE-CAP REIGNS. THAT WAS A WAY OF PUTTING IT- NOT VERY SATISFACTORY: A PERIPHRASTIC STUDY IN A WORN-OUT POETICAL FASHION, LEAVING ONE STILL WITH THE INTOLERABLE WRESTLE WITH WORDS AND MEANINGS. THE POETRY DOES NOT MATTER IT WAS NOT (TO START AGAIN) WHAT ONE HAD EXPECTED. WHAT WAS TO BE THE VALUE OF THE LONG LOOKED FORWARD TO, LONG HOPED FOR CALM, THE AUTUMNAL SERENITY AND THE WISDOM OF AGE? HAD THEY DECEIVED US, OR DECEIVED THEMSELVES, THE QUIET-VOICED ELDERS, BEQUEATHING US MERELY A RECEIPT FOR DECEIT? THE SERENITY ONLY A DELIBERATE HEBETUDE, THE WISDOM ONLY THE KNOWLEDGE OF DEAD SECRETS USELESS IN THE DARKNESS INTO WHICH THEY PEERED OR FROM WHICH THEY TURNED THEIR EYES. THERE IS, IT SEEMS TO US, AT BEST, ONLY A LIMITED VALUE IN THE KNOWLEDGE DERIVED FROM EXPERIENCE. THE KNOWLEDGE IMPOSES A PATTERN, AND FALSIFIES, FOR THE PATTERN IS NEW IN EVERY MOMENT AND EVERY MOMENT IS A NEW AND SHOCKING VALUATION OF ALL WE HAVE BEEN. WE ARE ONLY UNDECEIVED OF THAT WHICH, DECEIVING, COULD NO LONGER HARM. IN THE MIDDLE, NOT ONLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAY BUT ALL THE WAY, IN A DARK WOOD, IN A BRAMBLE, ON THE EDGE OF A GRIMPEN, WHERE IS NO SECURE FOOTHOLD, AND MENACED BY MONSTERS, FANCY LIGHTS, RISKING ENCHANTMENT. DO NOT LET ME HEAR OF THE WISDOM OF OLD MEN, BUT RATHER OF THEIR FOLLY, THEIR FEAR OF FEAR AND FRENZY, THEIR FEAR OF POSSESSION, OF BELONGING TO ANOTHER, OR TO OTHERS, OR TO GOD. THE ONLY WISDOM WE CAN HOPE TO ACQUIRE IS THE WISDOM OF HUMILITY: HUMILITY IS ENDLESS. THE HOUSES ARE ALL GONE UNDER THE SEA. THE DANCERS ARE ALL GONE UNDER THE HILL. O DARK DARK DARK. THEY ALL GO INTO THE DARK, THE VACANT INTERSTELLAR SPACES, THE VACANT INTO THE VACANT, THE CAPTAINS, MERCHANT BANKERS, EMINENT MEN OF LETTERS, THE GENEROUS PATRONS OF ART, THE STATESMEN AND THE RULERS, DISTINGUISHED CIVIL SERVANTS, CHAIRMEN OF MANY COMMITTEES, INDUSTRIAL LORDS AND PETTY CONTRACTORS, ALL GO INTO THE DARK, AND DARK THE SUN AND MOON, AND THE ALMANACH DE GOTHA AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE GAZETTE, THE DIRECTORY OF DIRECTORS, AND COLD THE SENSE AND LOST THE MOTIVE OF ACTION. AND WE ALL GO WITH THEM, INTO THE SILENT FUNERAL, NOBODY'S FUNERAL, FOR THERE IS NO ONE TO BURY. I SAID TO MY SOUL, BE STILL, AND LET THE DARK COME UPON YOU WHICH SHALL BE THE DARKNESS OF GOD. AS, IN A THEATRE, THE LIGHTS ARE EXTINGUISHED, FOR THE SCENE TO BE CHANGED WITH A HOLLOW RUMBLE OF WINGS, WITH A MOVEMENT OF DARKNESS ON DARKNESS, AND WE KNOW THAT THE HILLS AND THE TREES, THE DISTANT PANORAMA AND THE BOLD IMPOSING FA^CADE ARE ALL BEING ROLLED AWAY- OR AS, WHEN AN UNDERGROUND TRAIN, IN THE TUBE, STOPS TOO LONG BETWEEN ST ATIONS AND THE CONVERSATION RISES AND SLOWLY FADES INTO SILENCE AND YOU SEE BEHIND EVERY FACE THE MENTAL EMPTINESS DEEPEN LEAVING ONLY THE GROWING TERROR OF NOTHING TO THINK ABOUT; OR WHEN, UNDER ETHER, THE MIND IS CONSCIOUS BUT CONSCIOUS OF NOTHING- I SAID TO MY SOUL, BE STILL, AND WAIT WITHOUT HOPE FOR HOPE WOULD BE HOPE FOR THE WRONG THING; WAIT WITHOUT LOVE FOR LOVE WOULD BE LOVE OF THE WRONG THING; THERE IS YET FAITH BUT THE FAITH AND LOVE AND THE HOPE ARE ALL IN THE WAITING. WAIT WITHOUT THOUGHT, FOR YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THOUGHT: SO THE DARKNESS SHALL BE THE LIGHT, AND THE STILLNESS THE DANCING. WHISPER OF RUNNING STREAMS, AND WINTER LIGHTNING. THE WILD THYME UNSEEN AND THE WILD STRAWBERRY, THE LAUGHTER IN THE GARDEN, ECHOED ECSTASY NOT LOST, BUT REQUIRING, POINTING TO THE AGONY OF DEATH AND BIRTH. YOU SAY I AM REPEATING SOMETHING I HAVE SAID BEFORE. I SHALL SAY IT AGAIN. SHALL I SAY IT AGAIN? IN ORDER TO ARRIVE THERE, TO ARRIVE WHERE YOU ARE, TO GET FROM WHERE YOU ARE NOT, YOU MUST GO BY A WAY WHEREIN THERE IS NO ECSTASY. IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW YOU MUST GO BY A WAY WHICH IS THE WAY OF IGNORANCE. IN ORDER TO POSSESS WHAT YOU DO NOT POSSESS YOU MUST GO BY THE WAY OF DISPOSSESSION. IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT WHAT YOU ARE NOT YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE WAY IN WHICH YOU ARE NOT. AND WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW IS THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW AND WHAT YOU OWN IS WHAT YOU DO NOT OWN AND WHERE YOU ARE IS WHERE YOU ARE NOT. THE WOUNDED SURGEON PLIES THE STEEL THAT QUESTIONS THE DISTEMPERED PART; BENEATH THE BLEEDING HANDS WE FEEL THE SHARP COMPASSION OF THE HEALER'S ART RESOLVING THE ENIGMA OF THE FEVER CHART. OUR ONLY HEALTH IS THE DISEASE IF WE OBEY THE DYING NURSE WHOSE CONSTANT CARE IS NOT TO PLEASE BUT TO REMIND OF OUR, AND ADAM'S CURSE, AND THAT, TO BE RESTORED, OUR SICKNESS MUST GROW WORSE. THE WHOLE EARTH IS OUR HOSPITAL ENDOWED BY THE RUINED MILLIONAIRE, WHEREIN, IF WE DO WELL, WE SHALL DIE OF THE ABSOLUTE PATERNAL CARE THAT WILL NOT LEAVE US, BUT PREVENTS US EVERYWHERE. THE CHILL ASCENDS FROM FEET TO KNEES, THE FEVER SINGS IN MENTAL WIRES. IF TO BE WARMED, THEN I MUST FREEZE AND QUAKE IN FRIGID PURGATORIAL FIRES OF WHICH THE FLAME IS ROSES, AND THE SMOKE IS BRIARS. THE DRIPPING BLOOD OUR ONLY DRINK, THE BLOODY FLESH OUR ONLY FOOD: IN SPITE OF WHICH WE LIKE TO THINK THAT WE ARE SOUND, SUBSTANTIAL FLESH AND BLOOD- AGAIN, IN SPITE OF THAT, WE CALL THIS FRIDAY GOOD. SO HERE I AM, IN THE MIDDLE WAY, HAVING HAD TWENTY YEARS- TWENTY YEARS LARGELY WASTED, THE YEARS OF #L'ENTRE DEUX GUERRES-# TRYING TO LEARN TO USE WORDS, AND EVERY ATTEMPT IS A WHOLLY NEW START, AND A DIFFERENT KIND OF FAILURE BECAUSE ONE HAS ONLY LEARNT TO GET THE BETTER OF WORDS FOR THE THING ONE NO LONGER HAS TO SAY, OR THE WAY IN WHICH ONE IS NO LONGER DISPOSED TO SAY IT. AND SO EACH VENTURE IS A NEW BEGINNING, A RAID ON THE INARTICULATE WITH SHABBY EQUIPMENT ALWAYS DETERIORATING IN THE GENERAL MESS OF IMPRECISION OF FEELING, UNDISCIPLINED SQUADS OF EMOTION. AND WHAT THERE IS TO CONQUER BY STRENGTH AND SUBMISSION, HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCOVERED ONCE OR TWICE, OR SEVERAL TIMES, BY MEN WHOM ONE CANNOT HOPE TO EMULATE- BUT THERE IS NO COMPETITION- THERE IS ONLY THE FIGHT TO RECOVER WHAT HAS BEEN LOST AND FOUND AND LOST AGAIN AND AGAIN: AND NOW, UNDER CONDITIONS THAT SEEM UNPROPITIOUS. BUT PERHAPS NEITHER GAIN NOR LOSS. FOR US, THERE IS ONLY THE TRYING. THE REST IS NOT OUR BUSINESS. HOME IS WHERE ONE STARTS FROM. AS WE GROW OLDER THE WORLD BECOMES STRANGER, THE PATTERN MORE COMPLICATED OF DEAD AND LIVING. NOT THE INTENSE MOMENT ISOLATED, WITH NO BEFORE AND AFTER, BUT A LIFETIME BURNING IN EVERY MOMENT AND NOT THE LIFETIME OF ONE MAN ONLY BUT OF OLD STONES THAT CANNOT BE DECIPHERED. THERE IS A TIME FOR THE EVENING UNDER STARLIGHT, A TIME FOR THE EVENING UNDER LAMPLIGHT (THE EVENING WITH THE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM). LOVE IS MOST NEARLY ITSELF WHEN HERE AND NOW CEASE TO MATTER. OLD MEN OUGHT TO BE EXPLORERS HERE AND THERE DOES NOT MATTER WE MUST BE STILL AND STILL MOVING INTO ANOTHER INTENSITY FOR A FURTHER UNION, A DEEPER COMMUNION THROUGH THE DARK COLD AND THE EMPTY DESOLATION, THE WAVE CRY, THE WIND CRY, THE VAST WATERS OF THE PETREL AND THE PORPOISE. IN MY END IS MY BEGINNING.

THE DRY SALVAGES ((THE DRY SALVAGES- PRESUMABLY #LES TROIS SAUVAGES-# IS A SMALL GROUP OF ROCKS, WITH A BEACON, OFF THE N&E& COAST OF CAPE ANN, MASSACHUSETTS. #SALVAGES# IS PRONOUNCED TO RHYME WITH #ASSUAGES. GROANER:# A WHISTLING BUOY.)) I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT GODS; BUT I THINK THAT THE RIVER IS A STRONG BROWN GOD- SULLEN, UNTAMED AND INTRACTABLE, PATIENT TO SOME DEGREE, AT FIRST RECOGNISED AS A FRONTIER; USEFUL, UNTRUSTWORTHY, AS A CONVEYOR OF COMMERCE; THEN ONLY A PROBLEM CONFRONTING THE BUILDER OF BRIDGES. THE PROBLEM ONCE SOLVED, THE BROWN GOD IS ALMOST FORGOTTEN BY THE DWELLERS IN CITIES- EVER, HOWEVER, IMPLACABLE, KEEPING HIS SEASONS AND RAGES, DESTROYER, REMINDER OF WHAT MEN CHOOSE TO FORGET. UNHONOURED, UNPROPITIATED BY WORSHIPPERS OF THE MACHINE, BUT WAITING, WATCHING AND WAITING. HIS RHYTHM WAS PRESENT IN THE NURSERY BEDROOM, IN THE RANK AILANTHUS OF THE APRIL DOORYARD, IN THE SMELL OF GRAPES ON THE AUTUMN TABLE, AND THE EVENING CIRCLE IN THE WINTER GASLIGHT. THE RIVER IS WITHIN US, THE SEA IS ALL ABOUT US; THE SEA IS THE LAND'S EDGE ALSO, THE GRANITE INTO WHICH IT REACHES, THE BEACHES WHERE IT TOSSES ITS HINTS OF EARLIER AND OTHER CREATION: THE STARFISH, THE HORSESHOE CRAB, THE WHALE'S BACKBONE; THE POOLS WHERE IT OFFERS TO OUR CURIOSITY THE MORE DELICATE ALGAE AND THE SEA ANEMONE. IT TOSSES UP OUR LOSSES, THE TORN SEINE, THE SHATTERED LOBSTERPOT, THE BROKEN OAR AND THE GEAR OF FOREIGN DEAD MEN. THE SEA HAS MANY VOICES, MANY GODS AND MANY VOICES. THE SALT IS ON THE BRIAR ROSE, THE FOG IS IN THE FIR TREES. THE SEA HOWL AND THE SEA YELP, ARE DIFFERENT VOICES OFTEN TOGETHER HEARD: THE WHINE IN THE RIGGING, THE MENACE AND CARESS OF WAVE THAT BREAKS ON WATER, THE DISTANT ROTE IN THE GRANITE TEETH, AND THE WAILING WARNING FROM THE APPROACHING HEADLAND ARE ALL SEA VOICES, AND THE HEAVING GROANER ROUNDED HOMEWARDS, AND THE SEAGULL: AND UNDER THE OPPRESSION OF THE SILENT FOG THE TOLLING BELL MEASURES TIME NOT OUR TIME, RUNG BY THE UNHURRIED GROUND SWELL, A TIME OLDER THAN THE TIME OF CHRONOMETERS, OLDER THAN TIME COUNTED BY ANXIOUS WORRIED WOMEN LYING AWAKE, CALCULATING THE FUTURE, TRYING TO UNWEAVE, UNWIND, UNRAVEL AND PIECE TOGETHER THE PAST AND THE FUTURE, BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN, WHEN THE PAST IS ALL DECEPTION, THE FUTURE FUTURELESS, BEFORE THE MORNING WATCH WHEN TIME STOPS AND TIME IS NEVER ENDING; AND THE GROUND SWELL, THAT IS AND WAS FROM THE BEGINNING, CLANGS THE BELL. WHERE IS THERE AN END OF IT, THE SOUNDLESS WAILING, THE SILENT WITHERING OF AUTUMN FLOWERS DROPPING THEIR PETALS AND REMAINING MOTIONLESS; WHERE IS THERE AN END TO THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE, THE PRAYER OF THE BONE ON THE BEACH, THE UNPRAYABLE PRAYER AT THE CALAMITOUS ANNUNCIATION? THERE IS NO END, BUT ADDITION: THE TRAILING CONSEQUENCE OF FURTHER DAYS AND HOURS, WHILE EMOTION TAKES TO ITSELF THE EMOTIONLESS YEARS OF LIVING AMONG THE BREAKAGE OF WHAT WAS BELIEVED IN AS THE MOST RELIABLE- AND THEREFORE THE FITTEST FOR RENUNCIATION. THERE IS THE FINAL ADDITION, THE FAILING PRIDE OR RESENTMENT AT FAILING POWERS, THE UNATTACHED DEVOTION WHICH MIGHT PASS FOR DEVOTIONLESS, IN A DRIFTING BOAT WITH A SLOW LEAKAGE, THE SILENT LISTENING TO THE UNDENIABLE CLAMOUR OF THE BELL OF THE LAST ANNUNCIATION. WHERE IS THE END OF THEM, THE FISHERMEN SAILING INTO THE WIND'S TAIL, WHERE THE FOG COWERS? WE CANNOT THINK OF A TIME THAT IS OCEANLESS OR OF AN OCEAN NOT LITTERED WITH WASTAGE OR OF A FUTURE THAT IS NOT LIABLE LIKE THE PAST, TO HAVE NO DESTINATION. WE HAVE TO THINK OF THEM AS FOREVER BAILING, SETTING AND HAULING, WHILE THE NORTH EAST LOWERS OVER SHALLOW BANKS UNCHANGING AND EROSIONLESS OR DRAWING THEIR MONEY, DRYING SAILS AT DOCKAGE; NOT AS MAKING A TRIP THAT WILL BE UNPAYABLE FOR A HAUL THAT WILL NOT BEAR EXAMINATION. THERE IS NO END OF IT, THE VOICELESS WAILING, NO END TO THE WITHERING OF WITHERED FLOWERS, TO THE MOVEMENT OF PAIN THAT IS PAINLESS AND MOTIONLESS, TO THE DRIFT OF THE SEA AND THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE, THE BONE'S PRAYER TO DEATH ITS GOD. ONLY THE HARDLY, BARELY PRAYABLE PRAYER OF THE ONE ANNUNCIATION. IT SEEMS, AS ONE BECOMES OLDER, THAT THE PAST HAS ANOTHER PATTERN, AND CEASES TO BE A MERE SEQUENCE- OR EVEN DEVELOPMENT: THE LATTER A PARTIAL FALLACY ENCOURAGED BY SUPERFICIAL NOTIONS OF EVOLUTION, WHICH BECOMES, IN THE POPULAR MIND, A MEANS OF DISOWNING THE PAST. THE MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS- NOT THE SENSE OF WELL-BEING, FRUITION, FULFILMENT, SECURITY OR AFFECTION, OR EVEN A VERY GOOD DINNER, BUT THE SUDDEN ILLUMINATION- WE HAD THE EXPERIENCE BUT MISSED THE MEANING, AND APPROACH TO THE MEANING RESTORES THE EXPERIENCE IN A DIFFERENT FORM, BEYOND ANY MEANING WE CAN ASSIGN TO HAPPINESS. I HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT THE PAST EXPERIENCE REVIVED IN THE MEANING IS NOT THE EXPERIENCE OF ONE LIFE ONLY BUT OF MANY GENERATIONS- NOT FORGETTING SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY QUITE INEFFABLE: THE BACKWARD LOOK BEHIND THE ASSURANCE OF RECORDED HISTORY, THE BACKWARD HALF-LOOK OVER THE SHOULDER, TOWARDS THE PRIMITIVE TERROR. NOW, WE COME TO DISCOVER THAT THE MOMENTS OF AGONY (WHETHER, OR NOT, DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDING, HAVING HOPED FOR THE WRONG THINGS OR DREADED THE WRONG THINGS, IS NOT IN QUESTION) ARE LIKEWISE PERMANENT WITH SUCH PERMANENCE AS TIME HAS. WE APPRECIATE THIS BETTER IN THE AGONY OF OTHERS, NEARLY EXPERIENCED, INVOLVING OURSELVES, THAN IN OUR OWN. FOR OUR OWN PAST IS COVERED BY THE CURRENTS OF ACTION, BUT THE TORMENT OF OTHERS REMAINS AN EXPERIENCE UNQUALIFIED, UNWORN BY SUBSEQUENT ATTRITION. PEOPLE CHANGE, AND SMILE: BUT THE AGONY ABIDES. TIME THE DESTROYER IS TIME THE PRESERVER, LIKE THE RIVER WITH ITS CARGO OF DEAD NEGROES, COWS AND CHICKEN COOPS, THE BITTER APPLE AND THE BITE IN THE APPLE. AND THE RAGGED ROCK IN THE RESTLESS WATERS, WAVES WASH OVER IT, FOGS CONCEAL IT; ON A HALCYON DAY IT IS MERELY A MONUMENT, IN NAVIGABLE WEATHER IT IS ALWAYS A SEAMARK TO LAY A COURSE BY: BUT IN THE SOMBRE SEASON OR THE SUDDEN FURY, IS WHAT IT ALWAYS WAS. I SOMETIMES WONDER IF THAT IS WHAT KRISHNA MEANT- AMONG OTHER THINGS- OR ONE WAY OF PUTTING THE SAME THING: THAT THE FUTURE IS A FADED SONG, A ROYAL ROSE OR A LAVENDER SPRAY OF WISTFUL REGRET FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET HERE TO REGRET, PRESSED BETWEEN YELLOW LEAVES OF A BOOK THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OPENED. AND THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN, THE WAY FORWARD IS THE WAY BACK. YOU CANNOT FACE IT STEADILY, BUT THIS THING IS SURE, THAT TIME IS NO HEALER: THE PATIENT IS NO LONGER HERE. WHEN THE TRAIN STARTS, AND THE PASSENGERS ARE SETTLED TO FRUIT, PERIODICALS AND BUSINESS LETTERS (AND THOSE WHO SAW THEM OFF HAVE LEFT THE PLATFORM) THEIR FACES RELAX FROM GRIEF INTO RELIEF, TO THE SLEEPY RHYTHM OF A HUNDRED HOURS. FARE FORWARD, TRAVELLERS! NOT ESCAPING FROM THE PAST INTO DIFFERENT LIVES, OR INTO ANY FUTURE; YOU ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO LEFT THAT STATION OR WHO WILL ARRIVE AT ANY TERMINUS, WHILE THE NARROWING RAILS SLIDE TOGETHER BEHIND YOU; AND ON THE DECK OF THE DRUMMING LINER WATCHING THE FURROW THAT WIDENS BEHIND YOU, YOU SHALL NOT THINK %THE PAST IS FINISHED% OR %THE FUTURE IS BEFORE US%. AT NIGHTFALL, IN THE RIGGING AND THE AERIAL, IS A VOICE DESCANTING (THOUGH NOT TO THE EAR, THE MURMURING SHELL OF TIME, AND NOT IN ANY LANGUAGE) %FARE FORWARD, YOU WHO THINK THAT YOU ARE VOYAGING; YOU ARE NOT THOSE WHO SAW THE HARBOUR RECEDING, OR THOSE WHO WILL DISEMBARK. HERE BETWEEN THE HITHER AND THE FARTHER SHORE WHILE TIME IS WITHDRAWN, CONSIDER THE FUTURE AND THE PAST WITH AN EQUAL MIND. AT THE MOMENT WHICH IS NOT OF ACTION OR INACTION YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS: %%ON WHATEVER SPHERE OF BEING THE MIND OF A MAN MAY BE INTENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH%%- THAT IS THE ONE ACTION (AND THE TIME OF DEATH IS EVERY MOMENT) WHICH SHALL FRUCTIFY IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS: AND DO NOT THINK OF THE FRUIT OF ACTION. FARE FORWARD. O VOYAGERS, O SEAMEN, YOU WHO COME TO PORT, AND YOU WHOSE BODIES WILL SUFFER THE TRIAL AND JUDGEMENT OF THE SEA, OR WHATEVER EVENT, THIS IS YOUR REAL DESTINATION.% SO KRISHNA, AS WHEN HE ADMONISHED ARJUNA ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. NOT FARE WELL, BUT FARE FORWARD, VOYAGERS. LADY, WHOSE SHRINE STANDS ON THE PROMONTORY, PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE IN SHIPS, THOSE WHOSE BUSINESS HAS TO DO WITH FISH, AND THOSE CONCERNED WITH EVERY LAWFUL TRAFFIC AND THOSE WHO CONDUCT THEM. REPEAT A PRAYER ALSO ON BEHALF OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SEEN THEIR SONS OR HUSBANDS SETTING FORTH, AND NOT RETURNING: FIGLIA DEL TUO FIGLIO, QUEEN OF HEAVEN. ALSO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WERE IN SHIPS, AND ENDED THEIR VOYAGE ON THE SAND, IN THE SEA'S LIPS OR IN THE DARK THROAT WHICH WILL NOT REJECT THEM OR WHEREVER CANNOT REACH THEM THE SOUND OF THE SEA BELL'S PERPETUAL ANGELUS. TO COMMUNICATE WITH MARS, CONVERSE WITH SPIRITS, TO REPORT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE SEA MONSTER, DESCRIBE THE HOROSCOPE, HARUSPICATE OR SCRY, OBSERVE DISEASE IN SIGNATURES, EVOKE BIOGRAPHY FROM THE WRINKLES OF THE PALM AND TRAGEDY FROM FINGERS; RELEASE OMENS BY SORTILEGE, OR TEA LEAVES, RIDDLE THE INEVITABLE WITH PLAYING CARDS, FIDDLE WITH PENTAGRAMS OR BARBITURIC ACIDS, OR DISSECT THE RECURRENT IMAGE INTO PRE-CONSCIOUS TERRORS- TO EXPLORE THE WOMB, OR TOMB, OR DREAMS; ALL THESE ARE USUAL PASTIMES AND DRUGS, AND FEATURES OF THE PRESS: AND ALWAYS WILL BE, SOME OF THEM ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS DISTRESS OF NATIONS AND PERPLEXITY WHETHER ON THE SHORES OF ASIA, OR IN THE EDGWARE ROAD. MEN'S CURIOSITY SEARCHES PAST AND FUTURE AND CLINGS TO THAT DIMENSION. BUT TO APPREHEND THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF THE TIMELESS WITH TIME, IS AN OCCUPATION FOR THE SAINT- NO OCCUPATION EITHER, BUT SOMETHING GIVEN AND TAKEN, IN A LIFETIME'S DEATH IN LOVE, ARDOUR AND SELFLESSNESS AND SELF-SURRENDER. FOR MOST OF US, THERE IS ONLY THE UNATTENDED MOMENT, THE MOMENT IN AND OUT OF TIME, THE DISTRACTION FIT, LOST IN A SHAFT OF SUNLIGHT, THE WILD THYME UNSEEN, OR THE WINTER LIGHTNING OR THE WATERFALL, OR MUSIC HEARD SO DEEPLY THAT IT IS NOT HEARD AT ALL, BUT YOU ARE THE MUSIC WHILE THE MUSIC LASTS. THESE ARE ONLY HINTS AND GUESSES, HINTS FOLLOWED BY GUESSES; AND THE REST IS PRAYER, OBSERVANCE, DISCIPLINE, THOUGHT AND ACTION. THE HINT HALF GUESSED, THE GIFT HALF UNDERSTOOD, IS INCARNATION. HERE THE IMPOSSIBLE UNION OF SPHERES OF EXISTENCE IS ACTUAL, HERE THE PAST AND FUTURE ARE CONQUERED, AND RECONCILED, WHERE ACTION WERE OTHERWISE MOVEMENT OF THAT WHICH IS ONLY MOVED AND HAS IN IT NO SOURCE OF MOVEMENT- DRIVEN BY DAEMONIC, CHTHONIC POWERS. AND RIGHT ACTION IS FREEDOM FROM PAST AND FUTURE ALSO. FOR MOST OF US, THIS IS THE AIM NEVER HERE TO BE REALISED; WHO ARE ONLY UNDEFEATED BECAUSE WE HAVE GONE ON TRYING; WE, CONTENT AT THE LAST IF OUR TEMPORAL REVERSION NOURISH (NOT TOO FAR FROM THE YEW-TREE) THE LIFE OF SIGNIFICANT SOIL.

LITTLE GIDDING MIDWINTER SPRING IS ITS OWN SEASON SEMPITERNAL THOUGH SODDEN TOWARDS SUNDOWN, SUSPENDED IN TIME, BETWEEN POLE AND TROPIC. WHEN THE SHORT DAY IS BRIGHTEST, WITH FROST AND FIRE, THE BRIEF SUN FLAMES THE ICE, ON POND AND DITCHES, IN WINDLESS COLD THAT IS THE HEART'S HEAT, REFLECTING IN A WATERY MIRROR A GLARE THAT IS BLINDNESS IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON. AND GLOW MORE INTENSE THAN BLAZE OF BRANCH, OR BRAZIER, STIRS THE DUMB SPIRIT: NO WIND, BUT PENTECOSTAL FIRE IN THE DARK TIME OF THE YEAR. BETWEEN MELTING AND FREEZING THE SOUL'S SAP QUIVERS. THERE IS NO EARTH SMELL OR SMELL OF LIVING THING. THIS IS THE SPRING TIME BUT NOT IN TIME'S COVENANT. NOW THE HEDGEROW IS BLANCHED FOR AN HOUR WITH TRANSITORY BLOSSOM OF SNOW, A BLOOM MORE SUDDEN THAN THAT OF SUMMER, NEITHER BUDDING NOR FADING, NOT IN THE SCHEME OF GENERATION. WHERE IS THE SUMMER, THE UNIMAGINABLE ZERO SUMMER? IF YOU CAME THIS WAY, TAKING THE ROUTE YOU WOULD BE LIKELY TO TAKE FROM THE PLACE YOU WOULD BE LIKELY TO COME FROM, IF YOU CAME THIS WAY IN MAY TIME, YOU WOULD FIND THE HEDGES WHITE AGAIN, IN MAY, WITH VOLUPTUARY SWEETNESS. IT WOULD BE THE SAME AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY, IF YOU CAME AT NIGHT LIKE A BROKEN KING, IF YOU CAME BY DAY NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU CAME FOR, IT WOULD BE THE SAME, WHEN YOU LEAVE THE ROUGH ROAD AND TURN BEHIND THE PIG-STY TO THE DULL FA^CADE AND THE TOMBSTONE. AND WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU CAME FOR IS ONLY A SHELL, A HUSK OF MEANING FROM WHICH THE PURPOSE BREAKS ONLY WHEN IT IS FULFILLED IF AT ALL. EITHER YOU HAD NO PURPOSE OR THE PURPOSE IS BEYOND THE END YOU FIGURED AND IS ALTERED IN FULFILMENT. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES WHICH ALSO ARE THE WORLD'S END, SOME AT THE SEA JAWS, OR OVER A DARK LAKE, IN A DESERT OR A CITY- BUT THIS IS THE NEAREST, IN PLACE AND TIME, NOW AND IN ENGLAND. IF YOU CAME THIS WAY, TAKING ANY ROUTE, STARTING FROM ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME OR AT ANY SEASON, IT WOULD ALWAYS BE THE SAME: YOU WOULD HAVE TO PUT OFF SENSE AND NOTION. YOU ARE NOT HERE TO VERIFY, INSTRUCT YOURSELF, OR INFORM CURIOSITY OR CARRY REPORT. YOU ARE HERE TO KNEEL WHERE PRAYER HAS BEEN VALID. AND PRAYER IS MORE THAN AN ORDER OF WORDS, THE CONSCIOUS OCCUPATION OF THE PRAYING MIND, OR THE SOUND OF THE VOICE PRAYING. AND WHAT THE DEAD HAD NO SPEECH FOR, WHEN LIVING, THEY CAN TELL YOU, BEING DEAD: THE COMMUNICATION OF THE DEAD IS TONGUED WITH FIRE BEYOND THE LANGUAGE OF THE LIVING. HERE, THE INTERSECTION OF THE TIMELESS MOMENT IS ENGLAND AND NOWHERE. NEVER AND ALWAYS. ASH ON AN OLD MAN'S SLEEVE IS ALL THE ASH THE BURNT ROSES LEAVE. DUST IN THE AIR SUSPENDED MARKS THE PLACE WHERE A STORY ENDED. DUST INBREATHED WAS A HOUSE- THE WALL, THE WAINSCOT AND THE MOUSE. THE DEATH OF HOPE AND DESPAIR, THIS IS THE DEATH OF AIR. THERE ARE FLOOD AND DROUTH OVER THE EYES AND IN THE MOUTH, DEAD WATER AND DEAD SAND CONTENDING FOR THE UPPER HAND. THE PARCHED EVISCERATE SOIL GAPES AT THE VANITY OF TOIL, LAUGHS WITHOUT MIRTH. THIS IS THE DEATH OF EARTH. WATER AND FIRE SUCCEED THE TOWN, THE PASTURE AND THE WEED. WATER AND FIRE DERIDE THE SACRIFICE THAT WE DENIED. WATER AND FIRE SHALL ROT THE MARRED FOUNDATIONS WE FORGOT, OF SANCTUARY AND CHOIR. THIS IS THE DEATH OF WATER AND FIRE. IN THE UNCERTAIN HOUR BEFORE THE MORNING NEAR THE ENDING OF INTERMINABLE NIGHT AT THE RECURRENT END OF THE UNENDING AFTER THE DARK DOVE WITH THE FLICKERING TONGUE HAD PASSED BELOW THE HORIZON OF HIS HOMING WHILE THE DEAD LEAVES STILL RATTLED ON LIKE TIN OVER THE ASPHALT WHERE NO OTHER SOUND WAS BETWEEN THREE DISTRICTS WHENCE THE SMOKE AROSE I MET ONE WALKING, LOITERING AND HURRIED AS IF BLOWN TOWARDS ME LIKE THE METAL LEAVES BEFORE THE URBAN DAWN WIND UNRESISTING. AND AS I FIXED UPON THE DOWN-TURNED FACE THAT POINTED SCRUTINY WITH WHICH WE CHALLENGE THE FIRST-MET STRANGER IN THE WANING DUSK I CAUGHT THE SUDDEN LOOK OF SOME DEAD MASTER WHOM I HAD KNOWN, FORGOTTEN, HALF RECALLED BOTH ONE AND MANY; IN THE BROWN BAKED FEATURES THE EYES OF A FAMILIAR COMPOUND GHOST BOTH INTIMATE AND UNIDENTIFIABLE. SO I ASSUMED A DOUBLE PART, AND CRIED AND HEARD ANOTHER'S VOICE CRY: %WHAT! ARE #YOU# HERE?% ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT. I WAS STILL THE SAME, KNOWING MYSELF YET BEING SOMEONE OTHER- AND HE A FACE STILL FORMING; YET THE WORDS SUFFICED TO COMPEL THE RECOGNITION THEY PRECEDED. AND SO, COMPLIANT TO THE COMMON WIND, TOO STRANGE TO EACH OTHER FOR MISUNDERSTANDING, IN CONCORD AT THIS INTERSECTION TIME OF MEETING NOWHERE, NO BEFORE AND AFTER, WE TROD THE PAVEMENT IN A DEAD PATROL. I SAID: %THE WONDER THAT I FEEL IS EASY, YET EASE IS CAUSE OF WONDER. THEREFORE SPEAK: I MAY NOT COMPREHEND, MAY NOT REMEMBER.% AND HE: %I AM NOT EAGER TO REHEARSE MY THOUGHTS AND THEORY WHICH YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN. THESE THINGS HAVE SERVED THEIR PURPOSE: LET THEM BE. SO WITH YOUR OWN, AND PRAY THEY BE FORGIVEN BY OTHERS, AS I PRAY YOU TO FORGIVE BOTH BAD AND GOOD. LAST SEASON'S FRUIT IS EATEN AND THE FULLFED BEAST SHALL KICK THE EMPTY PAIL. FOR LAST YEAR'S WORDS BELONG TO LAST YEAR'S LANGUAGE AND NEXT YEAR'S WORDS AWAIT ANOTHER VOICE. BUT, AS THE PASSAGE NOW PRESENTS NO HINDRANCE TO THE SPIRIT UNAPPEASED AND PEREGRINE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS BECOME MUCH LIKE EACH OTHER, SO I FIND WORDS I NEVER THOUGHT TO SPEAK IN STREETS I NEVER THOUGHT I SHOULD REVISIT WHEN I LEFT MY BODY ON A DISTANT SHORE. SINCE OUR CONCERN WAS SPEECH, AND SPEECH IMPELLED US TO PURIFY THE DIALECT OF THE TRIBE AND URGE THE MIND TO AFTERSIGHT AND FORESIGHT, LET ME DISCLOSE THE GIFTS RESERVED FOR AGE TO SET A CROWN UPON YOUR LIFETIME'S EFFORT. FIRST, THE COLD FRICTION OF EXPIRING SENSE WITHOUT ENCHANTMENT, OFFERING NO PROMISE BUT BITTER TASTELESSNESS OF SHADOW FRUIT AS BODY AND SOUL BEGIN TO FALL ASUNDER. SECOND, THE CONSCIOUS IMPOTENCE OF RAGE AT HUMAN FOLLY, AND THE LACERATION OF LAUGHTER AT WHAT CEASES TO AMUSE. AND LAST, THE RENDING PAIN OF RE-ENACTMENT OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE, AND BEEN; THE SHAME OF MOTIVES LATE REVEALED, AND THE AWARENESS OF THINGS ILL DONE AND DONE TO OTHERS' HARM WHICH ONCE YOU TOOK FOR EXERCISE OF VIRTUE. THEN FOOLS' APPROVAL STINGS, AND HONOUR STAINS. FROM WRONG TO WRONG THE EXASPERATED SPIRIT PROCEEDS, UNLESS RESTORED BY THAT REFINING FIRE WHERE YOU MUST MOVE IN MEASURE, LIKE A DANCER.% THE DAY WAS BREAKING. IN THE DISFIGURED STREET HE LEFT ME, WITH A KIND OF VALEDICTION, AND FADED ON THE BLOWING OF THE HORN. THERE ARE THREE CONDITIONS WHICH OFTEN LOOK ALIKE YET DIFFER COMPLETELY, FLOURISH IN THE SAME HEDGEROW: ATTACHMENT TO SELF AND TO THINGS AND TO PERSONS, DETACHMENT FROM SELF AND FROM THINGS AND FROM PERSONS; AND, GROWING BETWEEN THEM, I NDIFFERENCE WHICH RESEMBLES THE OTHERS AS DEATH RESEMBLES LIFE, BEING BETWEEN TWO LIVES- UNFLOWERING, BETWEEN THE LIVE AND THE DEAD NETTLE. THIS IS THE USE OF MEMORY: FOR LIBERATION- NOT LESS OF LOVE BUT EXPANDING OF LOVE BEYOND DESIRE, AND SO LIBERATION FROM THE FUTURE AS WELL AS THE PAST. THUS, LOVE OF A COUNTRY BEGINS AS ATTACHMENT TO OUR OWN FIELD OF ACTION AND COMES TO FIND THAT ACTION OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE THOUGH NEVER INDIFFERENT. HISTORY MAY BE SERVITUDE, HISTORY MAY BE FREEDOM. SEE, NOW THEY VANISH, THE FACES AND PLACES, WITH THE SELF WHICH, AS IT COULD, LOVED THEM, TO BECOME RENEWED, TRANSFIGURED, IN ANOTHER PATTERN. SIN IS BEHOVELY, BUT ALL SHALL BE WELL, AND ALL MANNER OF THING SHALL BE WELL. IF I THINK, AGAIN, OF THIS PLACE, AND OF PEOPLE, NOT WHOLLY COMMENDABLE, OF NO IMMEDIATE KIN OR KINDNESS, BUT SOME OF PECULIAR GENIUS, ALL TOUCHED BY A COMMON GENIUS, UNITED IN THE STRIFE WHICH DIVIDED THEM; IF I THINK OF A KING AT NIGHTFALL, OF THREE MEN, AND MORE, ON THE SCAFFOLD AND A FEW WHO DIED FORGOTTEN IN OTHER PLACES, HERE AND ABROAD, AND OF ONE WHO DIED BLIND AND QUIET, WHY SHOULD WE CELEBRATE THESE DEAD MEN MORE THAN THE DYING? IT IS NOT TO RING THE BELL BACKWARD NOR IS IT AN INCANTATION TO SUMMON THE SPECTRE OF A ROSE. WE CANNOT REVIVE OLD FACTIONS WE CANNOT RESTORE OLD POLICIES OR FOLLOW AN ANTIQUE DRUM. THESE MEN, AND THOSE WHO OPPOSED THEM AND THOSE WHOM THEY OPPOSED ACCEPT THE CONSTITUTION OF SILENCE AND ARE FOLDED IN A SINGLE PARTY. WHATEVER WE INHERIT FROM THE FORTUNATE WE HAVE TAKEN FROM THE DEFEATED WHAT THEY HAD TO LEAVE US- A SYMBOL: A SYMBOL PERFECTED IN DEATH. AND ALL SHALL BE WELL AND ALL MANNER OF THING SHALL BE WELL BY THE PURIFICATION OF THE MOTIVE IN THE GROUND OF OUR BESEECHING. THE DOVE DESCENDING BREAKS THE AIR WITH FLAME OF INCANDESCENT TERROR OF WHICH THE TONGUES DECLARE THE ONE DISCHARGE FROM SIN AND ERROR. THE ONLY HOPE, OR ELSE DESPAIR LIES IN THE CHOICE OF PYRE OR PYRE- TO BE REDEEMED FROM FIRE BY FIRE. WHO THEN DEVISED THE TORMENT? LOVE. LOVE IS THE UNFAMILIAR NAME BEHIND THE HANDS THAT WOVE THE INTOLERABLE SHIRT OF FLAME WHICH HUMAN POWER CANNOT REMOVE. WE ONLY LIVE, ONLY SUSPIRE CONSUMED BY EITHER FIRE OR FIRE. WHAT WE CALL THE BEGINNING IS OFTEN THE END AND TO MAKE AN END IS TO MAKE A BEGINNING. THE END IS WHERE WE START FROM. AND EVERY PHRASE AND SENTENCE THAT IS RIGHT (WHERE EVERY WORD IS AT HOME, TAKING ITS PLACE TO SUPPORT THE OTHERS, THE WORD NEITHER DIFFIDENT NOR OSTENTATIOUS, AN EASY COMMERCE OF THE OLD AND THE NEW, THE COMMON WORD EXACT WITHOUT VULGARITY, THE FORMAL WORD PRECISE BUT NOT PEDANTIC, THE COMPLETE CONSORT DANCING TOGETHER) EVERY PHRASE AND EVERY SENTENCE IS AN END AND A BEGINNING, EVERY POEM AN EPITAPH. AND ANY ACTION IS A STEP TO THE BLOCK, TO THE FIRE, DOWN THE SEA'S THROAT OR TO AN ILLEGIBLE STONE: AND THAT IS WHERE WE START. WE DIE WITH THE DYING: SEE, THEY DEPART, AND WE GO WITH THEM. WE ARE BORN WITH THE DEAD: SEE, THEY RETURN, AND BRING US WITH THEM. THE MOMENT OF THE ROSE AND THE MOMENT OF THE YEW-TREE ARE OF EQUAL DURATION. A PEOPLE WITHOUT HISTORY IS NOT REDEEMED FROM TIME, FOR HISTORY IS A PATTERN OF TIMELESS MOMENTS. SO, WHILE THE LIGHT FAILS ON A WINTER'S AFTERNOON, IN A SECLUDED CHAPEL HISTORY IS NOW AND ENGLAND. WITH THE DRAWING OF THIS LOVE AND THE VOICE OF THIS CALLING WE SHALL NOT CEASE FROM EXPLORATION AND THE END OF ALL OUR EXPLORING WILL BE TO ARRIVE WHERE WE STARTED AND KNOW THE PLACE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THROUGH THE UNKNOWN, REMEMBERED GATE WHEN THE LAST OF EARTH LEFT TO DISCOVER IS THAT WHICH WAS THE BEGINNING; AT THE SOURCE OF THE LONGEST RIVER THE VOICE OF THE HIDDEN WATERFALL AND THE CHILDREN IN THE APPLE-TREE NOT KNOWN, BECAUSE NOT LOOKED FOR BUT HEARD, HALF-HEARD, IN THE STILLNESS BETWEEN TWO WAVES OF THE SEA. QUICK NOW, HERE, NOW, ALWAYS- A CONDITION OF COMPLETE SIMPLICITY (COSTING NOT LESS THAN EVERYTHING) AND ALL SHALL BE WELL AND ALL MANNER OF THING SHALL BE WELL WHEN THE TONGUES OF FLAME ARE IN-FOLDED INTO THE CROWNED KNOT OF FIRE AND THE FIRE AND THE ROSE ARE ONE. ((#MISTAH KURTZ- HE DEAD.#))

THE HOLLOW MEN ((#A PENNY FOR THE OLD GUY#)) WE ARE THE HOLLOW MEN WE ARE THE STUFFED MEN LEANING TOGETHER HEADPIECE FILLED WITH STRAW. ALAS! OUR DRIED VOICES, WHEN WE WHISPER TOGETHER ARE QUIET AND MEANINGLESS AS WIND IN DRY GRASS OR RATS' FEET OVER BROKEN GLASS IN OUR DRY CELLAR SHAPE WITHOUT FORM, SHADE WITHOUT COLOUR, PARALYSED FORCE, GESTURE WITHOUT MOTION; THOSE WHO HAVE CROSSED WITH DIRECT EYES, TO DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM REMEMBER US- IF AT ALL- NOT AS LOST VIOLENT SOULS, BUT ONLY AS THE HOLLOW MEN THE STUFFED MEN. EYES I DARE NOT MEET IN DREAMS IN DEATH'S DREAM KINGDOM THESE DO NOT APPEAR: THERE, THE EYES ARE SUNLIGHT ON A BROKEN COLUMN THERE, IS A TREE SWINGING AND VOICES ARE IN THE WIND'S SINGING MORE DISTANT AND MORE SOLEMN THAN A FADING STAR. LET ME BE NO NEARER IN DEATH'S DREAM KINGDOM LET ME ALSO WEAR SUCH DELIBERATE DISGUISES RAT'S COAT, CROWSKIN, CROSSED STAVES IN A FIELD BEHAVING AS THE WIND BEHAVES NO NEARER- NOT THAT FINAL MEETING IN THE TWILIGHT KINGDOM THIS IS THE DEAD LAND THIS IS CACTUS LAND HERE THE STONE IMAGES ARE RAISED, HERE THEY RECEIVE THE SUPPLICATION OF A DEAD MAN'S HAND UNDER THE TWINKLE OF A FADING STAR. IS IT LIKE THIS IN DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM WAKING ALONE AT THE HOUR WHEN WE ARE TREMBLING WITH TENDERNESS LIPS THAT WOULD KISS FORM PRAYERS TO BROKEN STONE. THE EYES ARE NOT HERE THERE ARE NO EYES HERE IN THIS VALLEY OF DYING STARS IN THIS HOLLOW VALLEY THIS BROKEN JAW OF OUR LOST KINGDOMS IN THIS LAST OF MEETING PLACES WE GROPE TOGETHER AND AVOID SPEECH GATHERED ON THIS BEACH OF THE TUMID RIVER SIGHTLESS, UNLESS THE EYES REAPPEAR AS THE PERPETUAL STAR MULTIFOLIATE ROSE OF DEATH'S TWILIGHT KINGDOM THE HOPE ONLY OF EMPTY MEN. #HERE WE GO ROUND THE PRICKLY PEAR PRICKLY PEAR PRICKLY PEAR HERE WE GO ROUND THE PRICKLY PEAR AT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.# BETWEEN THE IDEA AND THE REALITY BETWEEN THE MOTION AND THE ACT FALLS THE SHADOW #FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM# BETWEEN THE CONCEPTION AND THE CREATION BETWEEN THE EMOTION AND THE RESPONSE FALLS THE SHADOW #LIFE IS VERY LONG# BETWEEN THE DESIRE AND THE SPASM BETWEEN THE POTENCY AND THE EXISTENCE BETWEEN THE ESSENCE AND THE DESCENT FALLS THE SHADOW #FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM# FOR THINE IS LIFE IS FOR THINE IS THE #THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS NOT WITH A BANG BUT A WHIMPER.#

EYES THAT LAST I SAW IN TEARS EYES THAT LAST I SAW IN TEARS THROUGH DIVISION HERE IN DEATH'S DREAM KINGDOM THE GOLDEN VISION REAPPEARS I SEE THE EYES BUT NOT THE TEARS THIS IS MY AFFLICTION THIS IS MY AFFLICTION EYES I SHALL NOT SEE AGAIN EYES OF DECISION EYES I SHALL NOT SEE UNLESS AT THE DOOR OF DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM WHERE, AS IN THIS, THE EYES OUTLAST A LITTLE WHILE A LITTLE WHILE OUTLAST THE TEARS AND HOLD US IN DERISION.

THE WIND SPRANG UP AT FOUR O'CLOCK THE WIND SPRANG UP AT FOUR O'CLOCK THE WIND SPRANG UP AND BROKE THE BELLS SWINGING BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH HERE, IN DEATH'S DREAM KINGDOM THE WAKING ECHO OF CONFUSING STRIFE IS IT A DREAM OR SOMETHING ELSE WHEN THE SURFACE OF THE BLACKENED RIVER IS A FACE THAT SWEATS WITH TEARS? I SAW ACROSS THE BLACKENED RIVER THE CAMP FIRE SHAKE WITH ALIEN SPEARS. HERE, ACROSS DEATH'S OTHER RIVER THE TARTAR HORSEMEN SHAKE THEIR SPEARS.

FIVE-FINGER EXERCISES THE SONGSTERS OF THE AIR REPAIR TO THE GREEN FIELDS OF RUSSELL SQUARE. BENEATH THE TREES THERE IS NO EASE FOR THE DULL BRAIN, THE SHARP DESIRES AND THE QUICK EYES OF WOOLLY BEAR. THERE IS NO RELIEF BUT IN GRIEF. O WHEN WILL THE CREAKING HEART CEASE? WHEN WILL THE BROKEN CHAIR GIVE EASE? WHY WILL THE SUMMER DAY DELAY? #WHEN# WILL TIME FLOW AWAY? IN A BROWN FIELD STOOD A TREE AND THE TREE WAS CROOKT AND DRY. IN A BLACK SKY, FROM A GREEN CLOUD NATURAL FORCES SHRIEK'D ALOUD, SCREAMED, RATTLED, MUTTERED ENDLESSLY. LITTLE DOG WAS SAFE AND WARM UNDER A CRETONNE EIDERDOWN, YET THE FIELD WAS CRACKED AND BROWN AND THE TREE WAS CRAMPED AND DRY. POLLICLE DOGS AND CATS ALL MUST JELLICLE CATS AND DOGS ALL MUST LIKE UNDERTAKERS, COME TO DUST. HERE A LITTLE DOG I PAUSE HEAVING UP MY PRIOR PAWS, PAUSE, AND SLEEP ENDLESSLY. THE LONG LIGHT SHAKES ACROSS THE LAKE, THE FORCES OF THE MORNING QUAKE, THE DAWN IS SLANT ACROSS THE LAWN, HERE IS NO EFT OR MORTAL SNAKE BUT ONLY SLUGGISH DUCK AND DRAKE. I HAVE SEEN THE MORNING SHINE, I HAVE HAD THE BREAD AND WINE, LET THE FEATHERED MORTALS TAKE THAT WHICH IS THEIR MORTAL DUE, PINCHING BREAD AND FINGER TOO, EASIER HAD THAN SQUIRMING WORM; FOR I KNOW, AND SO SHOULD YOU THAT SOON THE ENQUIRING WORM SHALL TRY OUR WELL-PRESERVED COMPLACENCY. HOW DELIGHTFUL TO MEET MR. HODGSON! (EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW #HIM#)- WITH HIS MUSICAL SOUND AND HIS BASKERVILLE HOUND WHICH, JUST AT A WORD FROM HIS MASTER WILL FOLLOW YOU FASTER AND FASTER AND TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB. HOW DELIGHTFUL TO MEET MR. HODGSON! WHO IS WORSHIPPED BY ALL WAITRESSES (THEY REGARD HIM AS SOMETHING APART) WHILE ON HIS PALATE FINE HE PRESSES THE JUICE OF THE GOOSEBERRY TART. HOW DELIGHTFUL TO MEET MR. HODGSON! (EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW #HIM#). HE HAS 999 CANARIES AND ROUND HIS HEAD FINCHES AND FAIRIES IN JUBILANT RAPTURE SKIM. HOW DELIGHTFUL TO MEET MR. HODGSON! (EVERYONE WANTS TO MEET #HIM#). HOW UNPLEASANT TO MEET MR& ELIOT! WITH HIS FEATURES OF CLERICAL CUT, AND HIS BROW SO GRIM AND HIS MOUTH SO PRIM AND HIS CONVERSATION, SO NICELY RESTRICTED TO WHAT PRECISELY AND IF AND PERHAPS AND BUT. HOW UNPLEASANT TO MEET MR& ELIOT! WITH A BOBTAIL CUR IN A COAT OF FUR AND A PORPENTINE CAT AND A WOPSICAL HAT: HOW UNPLEASANT TO MEET MR& ELIOT! (WHETHER HIS MOUTH BE OPEN OR SHUT).

LANDSCAPES CHILDREN'S VOICES IN THE ORCHARD BETWEEN THE BLOSSOM- AND THE FRUIT-TIME: GOLDEN HEAD, CRIMSON HEAD, BETWEEN THE GREEN TIP AND THE ROOT. BLACK WING, BROWN WING, HOVER OVER; TWENTY YEARS AND THE SPRING IS OVER; TO-DAY GRIEVES, TO-MORROW GRIEVES, COVER ME OVER, LIGHT-IN-LEAVES; GOLDEN HEAD, BLACK WING, CLING, SWING, SPRING, SING, SWING UP INTO THE APPLE-TREE. RED RIVER, RED RIVER, SLOW FLOW HEAT IS SILENCE NO WILL IS STILL AS A RIVER STILL. WILL HEAT MOVE ONLY THROUGH THE MOCKING-BIRD HEARD ONCE? STILL HILLS WAIT. GATES WAIT. PURPLE TREES, WHITE TREES, WAIT, WAIT, DELAY, DECAY. LIVING, LIVING, NEVER MOVING. EVER MOVING IRON THOUGHTS CAME WITH ME AND GO WITH ME: RED RIVER, RIVER, RIVER. DO NOT SUDDENLY BREAK THE BRANCH, OR HOPE TO FIND THE WHITE HART BEHIND THE WHITE WELL. GLANCE ASIDE, NOT FOR LANCE, DO NOT SPELL OLD ENCHANTMENTS. LET THEM SLEEP. %GENTLY DIP, BUT NOT TOO DEEP%, LIFT YOUR EYES WHERE THE ROADS DIP AND WHERE THE ROADS RISE SEEK ONLY THERE WHERE THE GREY LIGHT MEETS THE GREEN AIR THE HERMIT'S CHAPEL, THE PILGRIM'S PRAYER. HERE THE CROW STARVES, HERE THE PATIENT STAG BREEDS FOR THE RIFLE. BETWEEN THE SOFT MOOR AND THE SOFT SKY, SCARCELY ROOM TO LEAP OR SOAR. SUBSTANCE CRUMBLES, IN THE THIN AIR MOON COLD OR MOON HOT. THE ROAD WINDS IN LISTLESSNESS OF ANCIENT WAR, LANGOUR OF BROKEN STEEL, CLAMOUR OF CONFUSED WRONG, APT IN SILENCE. MEMORY IS STRONG BEYOND THE BONE. PRIDE SNAPPED, SHADOW OF PRIDE IS LONG, IN THE LONG PASS NO CONCURRENCE OF BONE. O QUICK QUICK QUICK, QUICK HEAR THE SONG-SPARROW, SWAMP-SPARROW, FOX-SPARROW, VESPER-SPARROW AT DAWN AND DUSK. FOLLOW THE DANCE OF THE GOLDFINCH AT NOON. LEAVE TO CHANCE THE BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, THE SHY ONE. HAIL WITH SHRILL WHISTLE THE NOTE OF THE QUAIL, THE BOB-WHITE DODGING BY BAY-BUSH. FOLLOW THE FEET OF THE WALKER, THE WATER-THRUSH. FOLLOW THE FLIGHT OF THE DANCING ARROW, THE PURPLE MARTIN. GREET IN SILENCE THE BULLBAT. ALL ARE DELECTABLE. SWEET SWEET SWEET BUT RESIGN THIS LAND AT THE END, RESIGN IT TO ITS TRUE OWNER, THE TOUGH ONE, THE SEA-GULL. THE PALAVER IS FINISHED.

LINES FOR AN OLD MAN THE TIGER IN THE TIGER-PIT IS NOT MORE IRRITABLE THAN I. THE WHIPPING TAIL IS NOT MORE STILL THAN WHEN I SMELL THE ENEMY WRITHING IN THE ESSENTIAL BLOOD OR DANGLING FROM THE FRIENDLY TREE. WHEN I LAY BARE THE TOOTH OF WIT THE HISSING OVER THE ARCH*ED TONGUE IS MORE AFFECTIONATE THAN HATE, MORE BITTER THAN THE LOVE OF YOUTH, AND INACCESSIBLE BY THE YOUNG. REFLECTED FROM MY GOLDEN EYE THE DULLARD KNOWS THAT HE IS MAD. TELL ME IF I AM NOT GLAD!

DEFENSE OF THE ISLANDS ((#DEFENSE OF THE ISLANDS# CANNOT PRETEND TO BE VERSE, BUT ITS DATE- JUST AFTER THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK- AND OCCASION HAVE FOR ME A SIGNIFICANCE WHICH MAKES ME WISH TO PRESERVE IT. MCKNIGHT KAUFFER WAS THEN WORKING FOR THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. AT HIS REQUEST I WROTE THESE LINES TO ACCOMPANY AN EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK OF PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATING THE WAR EFFORT OF BRITAIN. THEY WERE SUBSEQUENTLY PUBLISHED IN #BRITAIN AT WAR# (THE MU- SEUM OF MODERN ART, NEW YORK, 1941). I NOW DEDICATE THEM TO THE MEMORY OF EDWARD MCKNIGHT KAUFFER.)) LET THESE MEMORIALS OF BUILT STONE- MUSIC'S ENDURING INSTRUMENT, OF MANY CENTURIES OF PATIENT CULTIVATION OF THE EARTH, OF ENGLISH VERSE BE JOINED WITH THE MEMORY OF THIS DEFENSE OF THE ISLANDS AND THE MEMORY OF THOSE APPOINTED TO THE GREY SHIPS- BATTLESHIP, MERCHANTMAN, TRAWLER- CONTRIBUTING THEIR SHARE TO THE AGES' PAVEMENT OF BRITISH BONE ON THE SEA FLOOR AND OF THOSE WHO, IN MAN'S NEWEST FORM OF GAMBLE WITH DEATH, FIGHT THE POWER OF DARKNESS IN AIR AND FIRE AND OF THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED THEIR FOREBEARS TO FLANDERS AND FRANCE, THOSE UNDEFEATED IN DE- FEAT, UNALTERABLE IN TRIUMPH, CHANGING NOTHING OF THEIR ANCESTORS' WAYS BUT THE WEAPONS AND THOSE AGAIN FOR WHOM THE PATHS OF GLORY ARE THE LANES AND THE STREETS OF BRITAIN: TO SAY, TO THE PAST AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF OUR KIN AND OF OUR SPEECH, THAT WE TOOK UP OUR POSITIONS, IN OBEDIENCE TO INSTRUCTIONS.

A NOTE ON WAR POETRY ((#A NOTE ON WAR POETRY# WAS WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF MISS STORM JAMESON, TO BE INCLUDED IN A BOOK ENTITLED #LONDON CALLING# (HARPER BROTHERS, NEW YORK, 1942).)) NOT THE EXPRESSION OF COLLECTIVE EMOTION IMPERFECTLY REFLECTED IN THE DAILY PAPERS. WHERE IS THE POINT AT WHICH THE MERELY INDIVIDUAL EXPLOSION BREAKS IN THE PATH OF AN ACTION MERELY TYPICAL TO CREATE THE UNIVERSAL, ORIGINATE A SYMBOL OUT OF THE IMPACT? THIS IS A MEETING ON WHICH WE ATTEND OF FORCES BEYOND CONTROL BY EXPERIMENT- OF NATURE AND THE SPIRIT. MOSTLY THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE IS TOO LARGE, OR TOO SMALL. OUR EMOTIONS ARE ONLY %INCIDENTS% IN THE EFFORT TO KEEP DAY AND NIGHT TOGETHER. IT SEEMS JUST POSSIBLE THAT A POEM MIGHT HAPPEN TO A VERY YOUNG MAN: BUT A POEM IS NOT POETRY- THAT IS A LIFE. WAR IS NOT A LIFE: IT IS A SITUATION, ONE WHICH MAY NEITHER BE IGNORED NOR ACCEPTED, A PROBLEM TO BE MET WITH AMBUSH AND STRATAGEM, ENVELOPED OR SCATTERED. THE ENDURING IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TRANSIENT, NEITHER ONE FOR THE OTHER. BUT THE ABSTRACT CONCEPTION OF PRIVATE EXPERIENCE AT ITS GREATEST INTENSITY BECOMING UNIVERSAL, WHICH WE CALL %POETRY%, MAY BE AFFIRMED IN VERSE.

TO THE INDIANS WHO DIED IN AFRICA ((#TO THE INDIANS WHO DIED IN AFRICA# WAS WRITTEN AT THE RE- QUEST OF MISS CORNELIA SORABJI FOR #QUEEN MARY'S BOOK FOR INDIA# (HARRAP & CO. LTD., 1943). I DEDICATE IT NOW TO BONAMY DOBREE, BECAUSE HE LIKED IT AND URGED ME TO PRESERVE IT.)) A MAN'S DESTINATION IS HIS OWN VILLAGE, HIS OWN FIRE, AND HIS WIFE'S COOKING; TO SIT IN FRONT OF HIS OWN DOOR AT SUNSET AND SEE HIS GRANDSON, AND HIS NEIGHBOUR'S GRANDSON PLAYING IN THE DUST TOGETHER. SCARRED BUT SECURE, HE HAS MANY MEMORIES WHICH RETURN AT THE HOUR OF CONVERSATION, (THE WARM OR THE COOL HOUR, ACCORDING TO THE CLIMATE) OF FOREIGN MEN, WHO FOUGHT IN FOREIGN PLACES, FOREIGN TO EACH OTHER. A MAN'S DESTINATION IS NOT HIS DESTINY, EVERY COUNTRY IS HOME TO ONE MAN AND EXILE TO ANOTHER. WHERE A MAN DIES BRAVELY AT ONE WITH HIS DESTINY, THAT SOIL IS HIS. LET HIS VILLAGE REMEMBER. THIS WAS NOT YOUR LAND, OR OURS: BUT A VILLAGE IN THE MIDLANDS, AND ONE IN THE FIVE RIVERS, MAY HAVE THE SAME GRAVEYARD. LET THOSE WHO GO HOME TELL THE SAME STORY OF YOU: OF ACTION WITH A COMMON PURPOSE, ACTION NONE THE LESS FRUITFUL IF NEITHER YOU NOR WE KNOW, UNTIL THE MOMENT AFTER DEATH, WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF ACTION.

TO WALTER DE LA MARE ((#TO WALTER DE LA MARE# WAS WRITTEN FOR INCLUSION IN #TRIBUTE TO WALTER DE LA MARE# (FABER & FABER LTD., 1948), A BOOK PRESENTED TO HIM ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY.)) THE CHILDREN WHO EXPLORED THE BROOK AND FOUND A DESERT ISLAND WITH A SANDY COVE (A HIDING PLACE, BUT VERY DANGEROUS GROUND, FOR HERE THE WATER BUFFALO MAY ROVE, THE KINKAJOU, THE MANGABEY, ABOUND IN THE DARK JUNGLE OF A MANGO GROVE, AND SHADOWY LEMURS GLIDE FROM TREE TO TREE- THE GUARDIANS OF SOME LONG-LOST TREASURE-TROVE) RECOUNT THEIR EXPLOITS AT THE NURSERY TEA AND WHEN THE LAMPS ARE LIT AND CURTAINS DRAWN DEMAND SOME POETRY, PLEASE. WHOSE SHALL IT BE, AT NOT QUITE TIME FOR BED? ... OR WHEN THE LAWN IS PRESSED BY UNSEEN FEET, AND GHOSTS RETURN GENTLY AT TWILIGHT, GENTLY GO AT DAWN, THE SAD INTANGIBLE WHO GRIEVE AND YEARN; WHEN THE FAMILIAR SCENE IS SUDDENLY STRANGE OR THE WELL KNOWN IS WHAT WE HAVE YET TO LEARN, AND TWO WORLDS MEET, AND INTERSECT, AND CHANGE; WHEN CATS ARE MADDENED IN THE MOONLIGHT DANCE, DOGS COWER, FLITTER BATS, AND OWLS RANGE AT WITCHES' SABBATH OF THE MAIDEN AUNTS; WHEN THE NOCTURNAL TRAVELLER CAN AROUSE NO SLEEPER BY HIS CALL; OR WHEN BY CHANCE AN EMPTY FACE PEERS FROM AN EMPTY HOUSE; BY WHOM, AND BY WHAT MEANS, WAS THIS DESIGNED? THE WHISPERED INCANTATION WHICH ALLOWS FREE PASSAGE TO THE PHANTOMS OF THE MIND? BY YOU; BY THOSE DECEPTIVE CADENCES WHEREWITH THE COMMON MEASURE IS REFINED; BY CONSCIOUS ART PRACTISED WITH NATURAL EASE; BY THE DELICATE, INVISIBLE WEB YOU WOVE- THE INEXPLICABLE MYSTERY OF SOUND.

A DEDICATION TO MY WIFE TO WHOM I OWE THE LEAPING DELIGHT THAT QUICKENS MY SENSES IN OUR WAKINGTIME AND THE RHYTHM THAT GOVERNS THE REPOSE OF OUR SLEEPINGTIME, THE BREATHING IN UNISON OF LOVERS WHOSE BODIES SMELL OF EACH OTHER WHO THINK THE SAME THOUGHTS WITHOUT NEED OF SPEECH AND BABBLE THE SAME SPEECH WITHOUT NEED OF MEANING. NO PEEVISH WINTER WIND SHALL CHILL NO SULLEN TROPIC SUN SHALL WITHER THE ROSES IN THE ROSE-GARDEN WHICH IS OURS AND OURS ONLY BUT THIS DEDICATION IS FOR OTHERS TO READ: THESE ARE PRIVATE WORDS ADDRESSED TO YOU IN PUBLIC.

GERONTION ((#THOU HAST NOR YOUTH NOR AGE BUT AS IT WERE AN AFTER DINNER SLEEP DREAMING OF BOTH.#)) HERE I AM, AN OLD MAN IN A DRY MONTH, BEING READ TO BY A BOY, WAITING FOR RAIN. I WAS NEITHER AT THE HOT GATES NOR FOUGHT IN THE WARM RAIN NOR KNEE DEEP IN THE SALT MARSH, HEAVING A CUTLASS, BITTEN BY FLIES, FOUGHT. MY HOUSE IS A DECAYED HOUSE, AND THE JEW SQUATS ON THE WINDOW SILL, THE OWNER, SPAWNED IN SOME ESTAMINET OF ANTWERP, BLISTERED IN BRUSSELS, PATCHED AND PEELED IN LONDON. THE GOAT COUGHS AT NIGHT IN THE FIELD OVERHEAD; ROCKS, MOSS, STONECROP, IRON, MERDS. THE WOMAN KEEPS THE KITCHEN, MAKES TEA, SNEEZES AT EVENING, POKING THE PEEVISH GUTTER. I AN OLD MAN, A DULL HEAD AMONG WINDY SPACES. SIGNS ARE TAKEN FOR WONDERS. %WE WOULD SEE A SIGN!% THE WORD WITHIN A WORD, UNABLE TO SPEAK A WORD, SWADDLED WITH DARKNESS. IN THE JUVESCENCE OF THE YEAR CAME CHRIST THE TIGER IN DEPRAVED MAY, DOGWOOD AND CHESTNUT, FLOWERING JUDAS, TO BE EATEN, TO BE DIVIDED, TO BE DRUNK AMONG WHISPERS; BY MR& SILVERO WITH CARESSING HANDS, AT LIMOGES WHO WALKED ALL NIGHT IN THE NEXT ROOM; BY HAKAGAWA, BOWING AMONG THE TITIANS; BY MADAME DE TORNQUIST, IN THE DARK ROOM SHIFTING THE CANDLES; FR\AULEIN VON KULP WHO TURNED IN THE HALL, ONE HAND ON THE DOOR. VACANT SHUTTLES WEAVE THE WIND. I HAVE NO GHOSTS, AN OLD MAN IN A DRAUGHTY HOUSE UNDER A WINDY KNOB. AFTER SUCH KNOWLEDGE, WHAT FORGIVENESS? THINK NOW HISTORY HAS MANY CUNNING PASSAGES, CONTRIVED CORRIDORS AND ISSUES, DECEIVES WITH WHISPERING AMBITIONS, GUIDES US BY VANITIES. THINK NOW SHE GIVES WHEN OUR ATTENTION IS DISTRACTED AND WHAT SHE GIVES, GIVES WITH SUCH SUPPLE CONFUSIONS THAT THE GIVING FAMISHES THE CRAVING. GIVES TOO LATE WHAT'S NOT BELIEVED IN, OR IS STILL BELIEVED, IN MEMORY ONLY, RECONSIDERED PASSION. GIVES TOO SOON INTO WEAK HANDS, WHAT'S THOUGHT CAN BE DISPENSED WITH TILL THE REFUSAL PROPAGATES A FEAR. THINK NEITHER FEAR NOR COURAGE SAVES US. UNNATURAL VICES ARE FATHERED BY OUR HEROISM. VIRTUES ARE FORCED UPON US BY OUR IMPUDENT CRIMES. THESE TEARS ARE SHAKEN FROM THE WRATH-BEARING TREE. THE TIGER SPRINGS IN THE NEW YEAR. US HE DEVOURS. THINK AT LAST WE HAVE NOT REACHED CONCLUSION, WHEN I STIFFEN IN A RENTED HOUSE. THINK AT LAST I HAVE NOT MADE THIS SHOW PURPOSELESSLY AND IT IS NOT BY ANY CONCITATION OF THE BACKWARD DEVILS. I WOULD MEET YOU UPON THIS HONESTLY. I THAT WAS NEAR YOUR HEART WAS REMOVED THEREFROM TO LOSE BEAUTY IN TERROR, TERROR IN INQUISITION. I HAVE LOST MY PASSION: WHY SHOULD I NEED TO KEEP IT SINCE WHAT IS KEPT MUST BE ADULTERATED? I HAVE LOST MY SIGHT, SMELL, HEARING, TASTE AND TOUCH: HOW SHOULD I USE THEM FOR YOUR CLOSER CONTACT? THESE WITH A THOUSAND SMALL DELIBERATIONS PROTRACT THE PROFIT OF THEIR CHILLED DELIRIUM, EXCITE THE MEMBRANE, WHEN THE SENSE HAS COOLED, WITH PUNGENT SAUCES, MULTIPLY VARIETY IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS. WHAT WILL THE SPIDER DO, SUSPEND ITS OPERATIONS, WILL THE WEEVIL DELAY? DE BAILHACHE, FRESCA, MRS& CAMMEL, WHIRLED BEYOND THE CIRCUIT OF THE SHUDDERING BEAR IN FRACTURED ATOMS. GULL AGAINST THE WIND, IN THE WINDY STRAITS OF BELLE ISLE, OR RUNNING ON THE HORN. WHITE FEATHERS IN THE SNOW, THE GULF CLAIMS, AND AN OLD MAN DRIVEN BY THE TRADES TO A SLEEPY CORNER. TENANTS OF THE HOUSE, THOUGHTS OF A DRY BRAIN IN A DRY SEASON.

BURBANK WITH A BAEDEKER: BLEISTEIN WITH A CIGAR ((#TRA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LAIRE- NIL NISI DIVINUM STABILE EST; CAETERA FUMUS- THE GONDOLA STOPPED, THE OLD PALACE WAS THERE, HOW CHARMING ITS GREY AND PINK- GOATS AND MONKEYS, WITH SUCH HAIR TOO!- SO THE COUNTESS PASSED ON UNTIL SHE CAME THROUGH THE LITTLE PARK, WHERE NIOBE PRESENTED HER WITH A CABINET, AND SO DEPARTED.#)) BURBANK CROSSED A LITTLE BRIDGE DESCENDING AT A SMALL HOTEL; PRINCESS VOLUPINE ARRIVED, THEY WERE TOGETHER, AND HE FELL. DEFUNCTIVE MUSIC UNDER SEA PASSED SEAWARD WITH THE PASSING BELL SLOWLY: THE GOD HERCULES HAD LEFT HIM, THAT HAD LOVED HIM WELL. THE HORSES, UNDER THE AXLETREE BEAT UP THE DAWN FROM ISTRIA WITH EVEN FEET. HER SHUTTERED BARGE BURNED ON THE WATER ALL THE DAY. BUT THIS OR SUCH WAS BLEISTEIN'S WAY: A SAGGY BENDING OF THE KNEES AND ELBOWS, WITH THE PALMS TURNED OUT, CHICAGO SEMITE VIENNESE. A LUSTRELESS PROTRUSIVE EYE STARES FROM THE PROTOZOIC SLIME AT A PERSPECTIVE OF CANALETTO. THE SMOKY CANDLE END OF TIME DECLINES. ON THE RIALTO ONCE. THE RATS ARE UNDERNEATH THE PILES. THE JEW IS UNDERNEATH THE LOT. MONEY IN FURS. THE BOATMAN SMILES, PRINCESS VOLUPINE EXTENDS A MEAGRE, BLUE-NAILED, PHTHISIC HAND TO CLIMB THE WATERSTAIR. LIGHTS, LIGHTS, SHE ENTERTAINS SIR FERDINAND KLEIN. WHO CLIPPED THE LION'S WINGS AND FLEA'D HIS RUMP AND PARED HIS CLAWS? THOUGHT BURBANK, MEDITATING ON TIME'S RUINS, AND THE SEVEN LAWS.

SWEENEY ERECT ((#AND THE TREES ABOUT ME, LET THEM BE DRY AND LEAFLESS; LET THE ROCKS GROAN WITH CONTINUAL SURGES; AND BEHIND ME MAKE ALL A DESOLATION. LOOK, LOOK, WENCHES!#)) PAINT ME A CAVERNOUS WASTE SHORE CAST IN THE UNSTILLED CYCLADES, PAINT ME THE BOLD ANFRACTUOUS ROCKS FACED BY THE SNARLED AND YELPING SEAS. DISPLAY ME AEOLUS ABOVE REVIEWING THE INSURGENT GALES WHICH TANGLE ARIADNE'S HAIR AND SWELL WITH HASTE THE PERJURED SAILS. MORNING STIRS THE FEET AND HANDS (NAUSICAA AND POLYPHEME). GESTURE OF ORANG-OUTANG RISES FROM THE SHEETS IN STEAM. THIS WITHERED ROOT OF KNOTS OF HAIR SLITTED BELOW AND GASHED WITH EYES, THIS OVAL O CROPPED OUT WITH TEETH: THE SICKLE MOTION FROM THE THIGHS JACKKNIFES UPWARD AT THE KNEES THEN STRAIGHTENS OUT FROM HEEL TO HIP PUSHING THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BED AND CLAWING AT THE PILLOW SLIP. SWEENEY ADDRESSED FULL LENGTH TO SHAVE BROADBOTTOMED, PINK FROM NAPE TO BASE, KNOWS THE FEMALE TEMPERAMENT AND WIPES THE SUDS AROUND HIS FACE. (THE LENGTHENED SHADOW OF A MAN IS HISTORY, SAID EMERSON WHO HAD NOT SEEN THE SILHOUETTE OF SWEENEY STRADDLED IN THE SUN.) TESTS THE RAZOR ON HIS LEG WAITING UNTIL THE SHRIEK SUBSIDES. THE EPILEPTIC ON THE BED CURVES BACKWARD, CLUTCHING AT HER SIDES. THE LADIES OF THE CORRIDOR FIND THEMSELVES INVOLVED, DISGRACED, CALL WITNESS TO THEIR PRINCIPLES AND DEPRECATE THE LACK OF TASTE OBSERVING THAT HYSTERIA MIGHT EASILY BE MISUNDERSTOOD; MRS& TURNER INTIMATES IT DOES THE HOUSE NO SORT OF GOOD. BUT DORIS, TOWELLED FROM THE BATH, ENTERS PADDING ON BROAD FEET, BRINGING SAL VOLATILE AND A GLASS OF BRANDY NEAT.

A COOKING EGG ((#EN L'AN TRENTIESME DE MON AAGE QUE TOUTES MES HONTES J'AY BEUES# ...)) PIPIT SATE UPRIGHT IN HER CHAIR SOME DISTANCE FROM WHERE I WAS SITTING; #VIEWS OF OXFORD COLLEGES# LAY ON THE TABLE, WITH THE KNITTING. DAGUERREOTYPES AND SILHOUETTES, HER GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GREAT AUNTS, SUPPORTED ON THE MANTELPIECE AN #INVITATION TO THE DANCE.# ..... I SHALL NOT WANT HONOUR IN HEAVEN FOR I SHALL MEET SIR PHILIP SIDNEY AND HAVE TALK WITH CORIOLANUS AND OTHER HEROES OF THAT KIDNEY. I SHALL NOT WANT CAPITAL IN HEAVEN FOR I SHALL MEET SIR ALFRED MOND. WE TWO SHALL LIE TOGETHER, LAPT IN A FIVE PER CENT& EXCHEQUER BOND. I SHALL NOT WANT SOCIETY IN HEAVEN, LUCRETIA BORGIA SHALL BE MY BRIDE; HER ANECDOTES WILL BE MORE AMUSING THAN PIPIT'S EXPERIENCE COULD PROVIDE. I SHALL NOT WANT PIPIT IN HEAVEN: MADAME BLAVATSKY WILL INSTRUCT ME IN THE SEVEN SACRED TRANCES; PICCARDA DE DONATI WILL CONDUCT ME. ..... BUT WHERE IS THE PENNY WORLD I BOUGHT TO EAT WITH PIPIT BEHIND THE SCREEN? THE RED-EYED SCAVENGERS ARE CREEPING FROM KENTISH TOWN AND GOLDER'S GREEN; WHERE ARE THE EAGLES AND THE TRUMPETS? BURIED BENEATH SOME SNOW-DEEP ALPS. OVER BUTTERED SCONES AND CRUMPETS WEEPING, WEEPING MULTITUDES DROOP IN A HUNDRED A&B&C&'S.

LE DIRECTEUR MALHEUR *A LA MALHEUREUSE TAMISE QUI COULE SI PRE*S DU SPECTATEUR. LE DIRECTEUR CONSERVATEUR DU SPECTATEUR EMPESTE LA BRISE. LES ACTIONNAIRES R=EACTIONNAIRES DU SPECTATEUR CONSERVATEUR BRAS DESSUS BRAS DESSOUS FONT DES TOURS *A PAS DE LOUP. DANS UN =EGOUT UNE PETITE FILLE EN GUENILLES CAMARDE REGARDE LE DIRECTEUR DU SPECTATEUR CONSERVATEUR ET CRE*VE D'AMOUR.

M=ELANGE ADULTE*RE DE TOUT EN AM=ERIQUE, PROFESSEUR; EN ANGLETERRE, JOURNALISTE; C'EST *A GRANDS PAS ET EN SUEUR QUE VOUS SUIVREZ *A PEINE MA PISTE. EN YORKSHIRE, CONF=ERENCIER; *A LONDRES, UN PEU BANQUIER. VOUS ME PAIEREZ BIEN LA T@ETE. C'EST *A PARIS QUE JE ME COIFFE CASQUE NOIR DE JEMENFOUTISTE. EN ALLEMAGNE, PHILOSOPHE SUREXCIT=E PAR EMPORHEBEN AU GRAND AIR DE BERGSTEIGLEBEN: J'ERRE TOUJOURS DE-CI DE-L*A *A DIVERS COUPS DE TRA L*A L*A DE DAMAS JUSQU' *A OMAHA. JE C=EL=EBRAI MON JOUR DE F@ETE DANS UNE OASIS D'AFRIQUE V@ETU D'UNE PEAU DE GIRAFE. ON MONTRERA MON C=ENOTAPHE AUX C@OTES BR@ULANTES DE MOZAMBIQUE.

LUNE DE MIEL ILS ONT VU LES PAYS-BAS, ILS RENTRENT *A TERRE HAUTE; MAIS UNE NUIT D'=ET=E, LES VOICI *A RAVENNE, *A L'AISE ENTRE DEUX DRAPS, CHEZ DEUX CENTAINES DE PUNAISES; LA SUEUR AESTIVALE, ET UNE FORTE ODEUR DE CHIENNE. ILS RESTENT SUR LE DOS =ECARTANT LES GENOUX DE QUATRE JAMBES MOLLES TOUT GONFL=EES DE MORSURES. ON REL*EVE LE DRAP POUR MIEUX =EGRATIGNER. MOINS D'UNE LIEUE D'ICI EST SAINT APOLLINAIRE EN CLASSE, BASILIQUE CONNUE DES AMATEURS DE CHAPITAUX D'ACANTHE QUE TOURNOIE LE VENT. ILS VONT PRENDRE LE TRAIN DE HUIT HEURES PROLONGER LEURS MIS*ERES DE PADOUE *A MILAN O*U SE TROUVENT LA C*ENE, ET UN RESTAURANT PAS CHER. LUI PENSE AUX POURBOIRES, ET R=EDIGE SON BILAN. ILS AURONT VU LA SUISSE ET TRAVERS=E LA FRANCE. ET SAINT APOLLINAIRE, RAIDE ET ASC=ETIQUE, VIEILLE USINE D=ESAFFECT=EE DE DIEU, TIENT ENCORE DANS SES PIERRES =ECROULANTES LA FORME PR=ECISE DE BYZANCE.

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS ((#SIMILITER ET OMNES REVEREANTUR DIACONOS, UT MANDATUM DATUM JESU CHRISTI; ET EPISCOPUM, UT JESUM CHRISTUM TUM, EXISTENTEM FILIUM PATRIS; PRESBYTEROS AUTEM, UT CONCILIUM DEI ET CONJUNCTIONEM APOSTOLORUM. SINE HIS ECCLESIA NON VOCATUR; DE QUIBUS SUADEO VOS SIC HABEO.# S& IGNATII AD TRALLIANOS. AND WHEN THIS EPISTLE IS READ AMONG YOU, CAUSE THAT IT BE READ ALSO IN THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS.)) THE BROAD-BACKED HIPPOPOTAMUS RESTS ON HIS BELLY IN THE MUD; ALTHOUGH HE SEEMS SO FIRM TO US HE IS MERELY FLESH AND BLOOD. FLESH AND BLOOD IS WEAK AND FRAIL, SUSCEPTIBLE TO NERVOUS SHOCK; WHILE THE TRUE CHURCH CAN NEVER FAIL FOR IT IS BASED UPON A ROCK. THE HIPPO'S FEEBLE STEPS MAY ERR IN COMPASSING MATERIAL ENDS, WHILE THE TRUE CHURCH NEED NEVER STIR TO GATHER IN ITS DIVIDENDS. THE 'POTAMUS CAN NEVER REACH THE MANGO ON THE MANGO-TREE; BUT FRUITS OF POMEGRANATE AND PEACH REFRESH THE CHURCH FROM OVER SEA. AT MATING TIME THE HIPPO'S VOICE BETRAYS INFLEXIONS HOARSE AND ODD, BUT EVERY WEEK WE HEAR REJOICE THE CHURCH, AT BEING ONE WITH GOD. THE HIPPOPOTAMUS'S DAY IS PASSED IN SLEEP; AT NIGHT HE HUNTS; GOD WORKS IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY- THE CHURCH CAN SLEEP AND FEED AT ONCE. I SAW THE 'POTAMUS TAKE WING ASCENDING FROM THE DAMP SAVANNAS, AND QUIRING ANGELS ROUND HIM SING THE PRAISE OF GOD, IN LOUD HOSANNAS. BLOOD OF THE LAMB SHALL WASH HIM CLEAN AND HIM SHALL HEAVENLY ARMS ENFOLD, AMONG THE SAINTS HE SHALL BE SEEN PERFORMING ON A HARP OF GOLD. HE SHALL BE WASHED AS WHITE AS SNOW, BY ALL THE MARTYR'D VIRGINS KIST, WHILE THE TRUE CHURCH REMAINS BELOW WRAPT IN THE OLD MIASMAL MIST.

DANS LE RESTAURANT LE GAR^CON D=ELABR=E QUI N'A RIEN *A FAIRE QUE DE SE GRATTER LES DOIGTS ET SE PENCHER SUR MON =EPAULE: %DANS MON PAYS IL FERA TEMPS PLUVIEUX, DU VENT, DU GRAND SOLEIL, ET DE LA PLUIE; C'EST CE QU'ON APPELLE LE JOUR DE LESSIVE DES GUEUX.% (BAVARD, BAVEUX, *A LA CROUPE ARRONDIE, JE TE PRIE, AU MOINS, NE BAVE PAS DANS LA SOUPE). %LES SAULES TREMP=ES, ET DES BOURGEONS SUR LES RONCES- C'EST L*A, DANS UNE AVERSE, QU'ON S'ABRITE. J'AVAIS SEPT ANS, ELLE =ETAIT PLUS PETITE. ELL=E =ETAIT TOUTE MOUILL=EE, JE LUI AI DONN=E DES PRIMEV*ERES.% LES TACHES DE SON GILET MONTENT AU CHIFFRE DE TRENTE-HUIT. %JE LA CHATOUILLAIS, POUR LA FAIRE RIRE. J'=EPROUVAIS UN INSTANT DE PUISSANCE ET DE D=ELIRE.% MAIS ALORS, VIEUX LUBRIQUE, *A CET @AGE ... %MONSIEUR, LE FAIT EST DUR. IL EST VENU, NOUS PELOTER, UN GROS CHIEN; MOI J'AVAIS PEUR, JE L'AI QUITT=EE *A MI-CHEMIN. C'EST DOMMAGE.% MAIS ALORS, TU AS TON VAUTOUR! VA T'EN TE D=ECROTTER LES RIDES DU VISAGE; TIENS, MA FOURCHETTE, D=ECRASSE-TOI LE CR@ANE. DE QUEL DROIT PAYES-TU DES EXP=ERIENCES COMME MOI? TIENS, VOIL*A DIX SOUS, POUR LA SALLE-DE-BAINS. PHL=EBAS, LE PH=ENICIEN, PENDANT QUINZE JOURS NOY=E, OUBLIAIT LES CRIS DES MOUETTES ET LA HOULE DE CORNOUAILLE, ET LES PROFITS ET LES PERTES, ET LA CARGAISON D'=ETAIN: UN COURANT DE SOUS-MER L'EMPORTA TR*ES LOIN, LE REPASSANT AUX =ETAPES DE SA VIE ANT=ERIEURE. FIGUREZ-VOUS DONC, C'=ETAIT UN SORT P=ENIBLE; CEPENDANT, CE FUT JADIS UN BEL HOMME, DE HAUTE TAILLE.

WHISPERS OF IMMORTALITY WEBSTER WAS MUCH POSSESSED BY DEATH AND SAW THE SKULL BENEATH THE SKIN; AND BREASTLESS CREATURES UNDER GROUND LEANED BACKWARD WITH A LIPLESS GRIN. DAFFODIL BULBS INSTEAD OF BALLS STARED FROM THE SOCKETS OF THE EYES! HE KNEW THAT THOUGHT CLINGS ROUND DEAD LIMBS TIGHTENING ITS LUSTS AND LUXURIES. DONNE, I SUPPOSE, WAS SUCH ANOTHER WHO FOUND NO SUBSTITUTE FOR SENSE, TO SEIZE AND CLUTCH AND PENETRATE; EXPERT BEYOND EXPERIENCE, HE KNEW THE ANGUISH OF THE MARROW THE AGUE OF THE SKELETON; NO CONTACT POSSIBLE TO FLESH ALLAYED THE FEVER OF THE BONE. ..... GRISHKIN IS NICE: HER RUSSIAN EYE IS UNDERLINED FOR EMPHASIS; UNCORSETED, HER FRIENDLY BUST GIVES PROMISE OF PNEUMATIC BLISS. THE COUCHED BRAZILIAN JAGUAR COMPELS THE SCAMPERING MARMOSET WITH SUBTLE EFFLUENCE OF CAT; GRISHKIN HAS A MAISONNETTE; THE SLEEK BRAZILIAN JAGUAR DOES NOT IN ITS ABOREAL GLOOM DISTIL SO RANK A FELINE SMELL AS GRISHKIN IN A DRAWING-ROOM. AND EVEN THE ABSTRACT ENTITIES CIRCUMAMBULATE HER CHARM; BUT OUR LOT CRAWLS BETWEEN DRY RIBS TO KEEP OUR METAPHYSICS WARM.

MR& ELIOT'S SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE ((#LOOK, LOOK, MASTER, HERE COMES TWO RELIGIOUS CATERPILLARS.# THE JEW OF MALTA.)) POLYPHILOPROGENITIVE THE SAPIENT SUTLERS OF THE LORD DRIFT ACROSS THE WINDOW-PANES. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD. SUPERFETATION OF ;T2O 4EN;, AND AT THE MENSUAL TURN OF TIME PRODUCED ENERVATE ORIGEN. A PAINTER OF THE UMBRIAN SCHOOL DESIGNED UPON A GESSO GROUND THE NIMBUS OF THE BAPTIZED GOD. THE WILDERNESS IS CRACKED AND BROWNED BUT THROUGH THE WATER PALE AND THIN STILL SHINE THE UNOFFENDING FEET AND THERE ABOVE THE PAINTER SET THE FATHER AND THE PARACLETE. ..... THE SABLE PRESBYTERS APPROACH THE AVENUE OF PENITENCE; THE YOUNG ARE RED AND PUSTULAR CLUTCHING PIACULATIVE PENCE. UNDER THE PENITENTIAL GATES SUSTAINED BY STARING SERAPHIM WHERE THE SOULS OF THE DEVOUT BURN INVISIBLE AND DIM. ALONG THE GARDEN-WALL THE BEES WITH HAIRY BELLIES PASS BETWEEN THE STAMINATE AND PISTILLATE, BLEST OFFICE OF THE EPICENE. SWEENEY SHIFTS FROM HAM TO HAM STIRRING THE WATER IN HIS BATH. THE MASTERS OF THE SUBTLE SCHOOLS ARE CONTROVERSIAL, POLYMATH.

SWEENEY AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES ((;4WMOI, P1EPLHGMAI KAIR1IAN PLHG2HN 4ESW;.)) APENECK SWEENEY SPREADS HIS KNEES LETTING HIS ARMS HANG DOWN TO LAUGH, THE ZEBRA STRIPES ALONG HIS JAW SWELLING TO MACULATE GIRAFFE. THE CIRCLES OF THE STORMY MOON SLIDE WESTWARD TOWARD THE RIVER PLATE, DEATH AND THE RAVEN DRIFT ABOVE AND SWEENEY GUARDS THE HORN*ED GATE. GLOOMY ORION AND THE DOG ARE VEILED; AND HUSHED THE SHRUNKEN SEAS; THE PERSON IN THE SPANISH CAPE TRIES TO SIT ON SWEENEY'S KNEES SLIPS AND PULLS THE TABLE CLOTH OVERTURNS A COFFEE-CUP, REORGANISED UPON THE FLOOR SHE YAWNS AND DRAWS A STOCKING UP; THE SILENT MAN IN MOCHA BROWN SPRAWLS AT THE WINDOW-SILL AND GAPES; THE WAITER BRINGS IN ORANGES BANANAS FIGS AND HOTHOUSE GRAPES; THE SILENT VERTEBRATE IN BROWN CONTRACTS AND CONCENTRATES, WITHDRAWS; RACHEL #N=EE# RABINOVITCH TEARS AT THE GRAPES WITH MURDEROUS PAWS; SHE AND THE LADY IN THE CAPE ARE SUSPECT, THOUGHT TO BE IN LEAGUE; THEREFORE THE MAN WITH HEAVY EYES DECLINES THE GAMBIT, SHOWS FATIGUE, LEAVES THE ROOM AND REAPPEARS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, LEANING IN, BRANCHES OF WISTARIA CIRCUMSCRIBE A GOLDEN GRIN; THE HOST WITH SOMEONE INDISTINCT CONVERSES AT THE DOOR APART, THE NIGHTINGALES ARE SINGING NEAR THE CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART, AND SANG WITHIN THE BLOODY WOOD WHEN AGAMEMNON CRIED ALOUD AND LET THEIR LIQUID SIFTINGS FALL TO STAIN THE STIFF DISHONOURED SHROUD.

FOR JEAN VERDENAL, 1889-1915 MORT AUX DARDENELLES #OR PUOI LA QUANTITATE COMPRENDER DELL'AMOR CH'A TE MI SCALDA, QUANDO DISMENTO NOSTRA VANITATE, TRATTANDO L'OMBRE COME COSA SALDA.#

THE LOVE SONG OF J& ALFRED PRUFROCK ((#S'IO CREDESSI CHE MIA RIPOSTA FOSSE A PERSONA CHE MAI TORNASSE AL MONDO, QUESTA FIAMMA STARIA SENZA PI*U SCOSSE. MA PER CI*O CHE GIAMMAI DI QUESTO FONDO NON TORN*O VIVO ALCUN, S'I'ODO IL VERO, SENZA TEMA D'INFAMIA TI RISPONDO.#)) LET US GO THEN, YOU AND I, WHEN THE EVENING IS SPREAD OUT AGAINST THE SKY LIKE A PATIENT ETHERISED UPON A TABLE; LET US GO, THROUGH CERTAIN HALF-DESERTED STREETS, THE MUTTERING RETREATS OF RESTLESS NIGHTS IN ONE-NIGHT CHEAP HOTELS AND SAWDUST RESTAURANTS WITH OYSTER-SHELLS: STREETS THAT FOLLOW LIKE A TEDIOUS ARGUMENT OF INSIDIOUS INTENT TO LEAD YOU TO AN OVERWHELMING QUESTION ... OH, DO NOT ASK, %WHAT IS IT?% LET US GO AND MAKE OUR VISIT. IN THE ROOM THE WOMEN COME AND GO TALKING OF MICHELANGELO. THE YELLOW FOG THAT RUBS ITS BACK UPON THE WINDOW-PANES, THE YELLOW SMOKE THAT RUBS ITS MUZZLE ON THE WINDOW-PANES, LICKED ITS TONGUE INTO THE CORNERS OF THE EVENING, LINGERED UPON THE POOLS THAT STAND IN DRAINS, LET FALL UPON ITS BACK THE SOOT THAT FALLS FROM CHIMNEYS, SLIPPED BY THE TERRACE, MADE A SUDDEN LEAP, AND SEEING THAT IT WAS A SOFT OCTOBER NIGHT, CURLED ONCE ABOUT THE HOUSE, AND FELL ASLEEP. AND INDEED THERE WILL BE TIME FOR THE YELLOW SMOKE THAT SLIDES ALONG THE STREET RUBBING ITS BACK UPON THE WINDOW-PANES; THERE WILL BE TIME, THERE WILL BE TIME TO PREPARE A FACE TO MEET THE FACES THAT YOU MEET; THERE WILL BE TIME TO MURDER AND CREATE, AND TIME FOR ALL THE WORKS AND DAYS OF HANDS THAT LIFT AND DROP A QUESTION ON YOUR PLATE; TIME FOR YOU AND TIME FOR ME, AND TIME YET FOR A HUNDRED INDECISIONS, AND FOR A HUNDRED VISIONS AND REVISIONS, BEFORE THE TAKING OF A TOAST AND TEA. IN THE ROOM THE WOMEN COME AND GO TALKING OF MICHELANGELO. AND INDEED THERE WILL BE TIME TO WONDER, %DO I DARE?% AND, %DO I DARE?% TIME TO TURN BACK AND DESCEND THE STAIR, WITH A BALD SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HAIR- (THEY WILL SAY: %HOW HIS HAIR IS GROWING THIN!%) MY MORNING COAT, MY COLLAR MOUNTING FIRMLY TO THE CHIN, MY NECKTIE RICH AND MODEST, BUT ASSERTED BY A SIMPLE PIN- (THEY WILL SAY: %BUT HOW HIS ARMS AND LEGS ARE THIN!%) DO I DARE DISTURB THE UNIVERSE? IN A MINUTE THERE IS TIME FOR DECISIONS AND REVISIONS WHICH A MINUTE WILL REVERSE. FOR I HAVE KNOWN THEM ALL ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- HAVE KNOWN THE EVENINGS, MORNINGS, AFTERNOONS, I HAVE MEASURED OUT MY LIFE WITH COFFEE SPOONS; I KNOW THE VOICES DYING WITH A DYING FALL BENEATH THE MUSIC FROM A FARTHER ROOM. SO HOW SHOULD I PRESUME? AND I HAVE KNOWN THE EYES ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- THE EYES THAT FIX YOU IN A FORMULATED PHRASE, AND WHEN I AM FORMULATED, SPRAWLING ON A PIN, WHEN I AM PINNED AND WRIGGLING ON THE WALL, THEN HOW SHOULD I BEGIN TO SPIT OUT ALL THE BUTT-ENDS OF MY DAYS AND WAYS? AND HOW SHOULD I PRESUME? AND I HAVE KNOWN THE ARMS ALREADY, KNOWN THEM ALL- ARMS THAT ARE BRACELETED AND WHITE AND BARE (BUT IN THE LAMPLIGHT, DOWNED WITH LIGHT BROWN HAIR!) IS IT PERFUME FROM A DRESS THAT MAKES ME SO DIGRESS? ARMS THAT LIE ALONG A TABLE, OR WRAP ABOUT A SHAWL. AND SHOULD I THEN PRESUME? AND HOW SHOULD I BEGIN? ..... SHALL I SAY, I HAVE GONE AT DUSK THROUGH NARROW STREETS AND WATCHED THE SMOKE THAT RISES FROM THE PIPES OF LONELY MEN IN SHIRT-SLEEVES, LEANING OUT OF WINDOWS? ... I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PAIR OF RAGGED CLAWS SCUTTLING ACROSS THE FLOORS OF SILENT SEAS. ..... AND THE AFTERNOON, THE EVENING, SLEEPS SO PEACEFULLY! SMOOTHED BY LONG FINGERS, ASLEEP ... TIRED ... OR IT MALINGERS, STRETCHED ON THE FLOOR, HERE BESIDE YOU AND ME. SHOULD I, AFTER TEA AND CAKES AND ICES, HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FORCE THE MOMENT TO ITS CRISIS? BUT THOUGH I HAVE WEPT AND FASTED, WEPT AND PRAYED, THOUGH I HAVE SEEN MY HEAD (GROWN SLIGHTLY BALD) BROUGHT IN UPON A PLATTER, I AM NO PROPHET- AND HERE'S NO GREAT MATTER; I HAVE SEEN THE MOMENT OF MY GREATNESS FLICKER, AND I HAVE SEEN THE ETERNAL FOOTMAN HOLD MY COAT, AND SNICKER, AND IN SHORT, I WAS AFRAID. AND WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH IT, AFTER ALL, AFTER THE CUPS, THE MARMALADE, THE TEA, AMONG THE PORCELAIN, AMONG SOME TALK OF YOU AND ME, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE, TO HAVE BITTEN OFF THE MATTER WITH A SMILE, TO HAVE SQUEEZED THE UNIVERSE INTO A BALL TO ROLL IT TOWARDS SOME OVERWHELMING QUESTION, TO SAY: %I AM LAZARUS, COME FROM THE DEAD, COME BACK TO TELL YOU ALL, I SHALL TELL YOU ALL%- IF ONE, SETTLING A PILLOW BY HER HEAD, SHOULD SAY: %THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT AT ALL. THAT IS NOT IT, AT ALL.% AND WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH IT, AFTER ALL, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE, AFTER THE SUNSETS AND THE DOORYARDS AND THE SPRINKLED STREETS, AFTER THE NOVELS, AFTER THE TEACUPS, AFTER THE SKIRTS THAT TRAIL ALONG T+ HE FLOOR- AND THIS, AND SO MUCH MORE?- IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY JUST WHAT I MEAN! BUT AS IF A MAGIC LANTERN THREW THE NERVES IN PATTERNS ON A SCREEN: WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WORTH WHILE IF ONE, SETTLING A PILLOW OR THROWING OFF A SHAWL, AND TURNING TOWARD THE WINDOW, SHOULD SAY: %THAT IS NOT IT AT ALL, THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT, AT ALL.% ..... NO! I AM NOT PRINCE HAMLET, NOR WAS MEANT TO BE; AM AN ATTENDANT LORD, ONE THAT WILL DO TO SWELL A PROGRESS, START A SCENE OR TWO, ADVISE THE PRINCE; NO DOUBT, AN EASY TOOL, DEFERENTIAL, GLAD TO BE OF USE, POLITIC, CAUTIOUS, AND METICULOUS; FULL OF HIGH SENTENCE, BUT A BIT OBTUSE; AT TIMES, INDEED, ALMOST RIDICULOUS- ALMOST, AT TIMES, THE FOOL. I GROW OLD ... I GROW OLD ... I SHALL WEAR THE BOTTOMS OF MY TROUSERS ROLLED. SHALL I PART MY HAIR BEHIND? DO I DARE TO EAT A PEACH? I SHALL WEAR WHITE FLANNEL TROUSERS, AND WALK UPON THE BEACH. I HAVE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING, EACH TO EACH. I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY WILL SING TO ME. I HAVE SEEN THEM RIDING SEAWARD ON THE WAVES COMBING THE WHITE HAIR OF THE WAVES BLOWN BACK WHEN THE WIND BLOWS THE WATER WHITE AND BLACK. WE HAVE LINGERED IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE SEA BY SEA-GIRLS WREATHED WITH SEAWEED RED AND BROWN TILL HUMAN VOICES WAKE US, AND WE DROWN.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ((#THOU HAST COMMITTED- FORNICATION: BUT THAT WAS IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, AND BESIDES, THE WENCH IS DEAD.# THE JEW OF MALTA.)) AMONG THE SMOKE AND FOG OF A DECEMBER AFTERNOON YOU HAVE THE SCENE ARRANGE ITSELF- AS IT WILL SEEM TO DO- WITH %I HAVE SAVED THIS AFTERNOON FOR YOU%; AND FOUR WAX CANDLES IN THE DARKENED ROOM, FOUR RINGS OF LIGHT UPON THE CEILING OVERHEAD, AN ATMOSPHERE OF JULIET'S TOMB PREPARED FOR ALL THE THINGS TO BE SAID, OR LEFT UNSAID. WE HAVE BEEN, LET US SAY, TO HEAR THE LATEST POLE TRANSMIT THE PRELUDES, THROUGH HIS HAIR AND FINGER-TIPS. %SO INTIMATE, THIS CHOPIN, THAT I THINK HIS SOUL SHOULD BE RESURRECTED ONLY AMONG FRIENDS SOME TWO OR THREE, WHO WILL NOT TOUCH THE BLOOM THAT IS RUBBED AND QUESTIONED IN THE CONCERT ROOM.% -AND SO THE CONVERSATION SLIPS AMONG VELLEITIES AND CAREFULLY CAUGHT REGRETS THROUGH ATTENUATED TONES OF VIOLINS MINGLED WITH REMOTE CORNETS AND BEGINS. %YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO ME, MY FRIENDS, AND HOW, HOW RARE AND STRANGE IT IS, TO FIND IN A LIFE COMPOSED SO MUCH, SO MUCH OF ODDS AND ENDS, (FOR INDEED I DO NOT LOVE IT ... YOU KNEW? YOU ARE NOT BLIND! HOW KEEN YOU ARE!) TO FIND A FRIEND WHO HAS THESE QUALITIES, WHO HAS, AND GIVES THOSE QUALITIES UPON WHICH FRIENDSHIP LIVES. HOW MUCH IT MEANS THAT I SAY THIS TO YOU- WITHOUT THESE FRIENDSHIPS- LIFE, WHAT #CAUCHEMAR!%# AMONG THE WINDINGS OF THE VIOLINS AND THE ARIETTES OF CRACKED CORNETS INSIDE MY BRAIN A DULL TOM-TOM BEGINS ABSURDLY HAMMERING A PRELUDE OF ITS OWN, CAPRICIOUS MONOTONE THAT IS AT LEAST ONE DEFINITE %FALSE NOTE.% -LET US TAKE THE AIR, IN A TOBACCO TRANCE, ADMIRE THE MONUMENTS, DISCUSS THE LATE EVENTS, CORRECT OUR WATCHES BY THE PUBLIC CLOCKS. THEN SIT FOR HALF AN HOUR AND DRINK OUR BOCKS. NOW THAT LILACS ARE IN BLOOM SHE HAS A BOWL OF LILACS IN HER ROOM AND TWISTS ONE IN HER FINGERS WHILE SHE TALKS. %AH, MY FRIEND, YOU DO NOT KNOW, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIFE IS, YOU WHO HOLD IT IN YOUR HANDS%; (SLOWLY TWISTING THE LILAC STALKS) %YOU LET IT FLOW FROM YOU, YOU LET IT FLOW, AND YOUTH IS CRUEL, AND HAS NO REMORSE AND SMILES AT SITUATIONS WHICH IT CANNOT SEE.% I SMILE, OF COURSE, AND GO ON DRINKING TEA. %YET WITH THESE APRIL SUNSETS, THAT SOMEHOW RECALL MY BURIED LIFE, AND PARIS IN THE SPRING, I FEEL IMMEASURABLY AT PEACE, AND FIND THE WORLD TO BE WONDERFUL AND YOUTHFUL, AFTER ALL.% THE VOICE RETURNS LIKE THE INSISTENT OUT-OF-TUNE OF A BROKEN VIOLIN ON AN AUGUST AFTERNOON: %I AM ALWAYS SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND MY FEELINGS, ALWAYS SURE THAT YOU FEEL, SURE THAT ACROSS THE GULF YOU REACH YOUR HAND. YOU ARE INVULNERABLE, YOU HAVE NO ACHILLES' HEEL. YOU WILL GO ON, AND WHEN YOU HAVE PREVAILED YOU CAN SAY: AT THIS POINT MANY A ONE HAS FAILED. BUT WHAT HAVE I, BUT WHAT HAVE I, MY FRIEND, TO GIVE YOU, WHAT CAN YOU RECEIVE FROM ME? ONLY THE FRIENDSHIP AND THE SYMPATHY OF ONE ABOUT TO REACH HER JOURNEY'S END. I SHALL SIT HERE, SERVING TEA TO FRIENDS. ...% I TAKE MY HAT: HOW CAN I MAKE A COWARDLY AMENDS FOR WHAT SHE HAS SAID TO ME? YOU WILL SEE ME ANY MORNING IN THE PARK READING THE COMICS AND THE SPORTING PAGE. PARTICULARLY I REMARK AN ENGLISH COUNTESS GOES UPON THE STAGE. A GREEK WAS MURDERED AT A POLISH DANCE, ANOTHER BANK DEFAULTER HAS CONFESSED. I KEEP MY COUNTENANCE, I REMAIN SELF-POSSESSED EXCEPT WHEN A STREET-PIANO, MECHANICAL AND TIRED REITERATES SOME WORN-OUT COMMON SONG WITH THE SMELL OF HYACINTHS ACROSS THE GARDEN RECALLING THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DESIRED. ARE THESE IDEAS RIGHT OR WRONG? THE OCTOBER NIGHT COMES DOWN: RETURNING AS BEFORE EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT SENSATION OF BEING ILL AT EASE I MOUNT THE STAIRS AND TURN THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND FEEL AS IF I HAD MOUNTED ON MY HANDS AND KNEES. %AND SO YOU ARE GOING ABROAD; AND WHEN DO YOU RETURN? BUT THAT'S A USELESS QUESTION. YOU HARDLY KNOW WHEN YOU ARE COMING BACK, YOU WILL FIND SO MUCH TO LEARN.% MY SMILE FALLS HEAVILY AMONG THE BRIC-*A-BRAC. %PERHAPS YOU CAN WRITE TO ME.% MY SELF-POSSESSION FLARES UP FOR A SECOND; #THIS# IS AS I HAD RECKONED. %I HAVE BEEN WONDERING FREQUENTLY OF LATE (BUT OUR BEGINNINGS NEVER KNOW OUR ENDS!) WHY WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED INTO FRIENDS.% I FEEL LIKE ONE WHO SMILES, AND TURNING SHALL REMARK SUDDENLY, HIS EXPRESSION IN A GLASS, MY SELF-POSSESSION GUTTERS; WE ARE REALLY IN THE DARK. %FOR EVERYBODY SAID SO, ALL OUR FRIENDS, THEY ALL WERE SURE OUR FEELINGS WOULD RELATE SO CLOSELY! I MYSELF CAN HARDLY UNDERSTAND. WE MUST LEAVE IT NOW TO FATE. YOU WILL WRITE, AT ANY RATE. PERHAPS IT IS NOT TOO LATE. I SHALL SIT HERE, SERVING TEA TO FRIENDS.% AND I MUST BORROW EVERY CHANGING SHAPE TO FIND EXPRESSION ... DANCE, DANCE LIKE A DANCING BEAR, CRY LIKE A PARROT, CHATTER LIKE AN APE. LET US TAKE THE AIR, IN A TOBACCO TRANCE- WELL! AND WHAT IF SHE SHOULD DIE SOME AFTERNOON, AFTERNOON GREY AND SMOKY, EVENING YELLOW AND ROSE; SHOULD DIE AND LEAVE ME SITTING PEN IN HAND WITH THE SMOKE COMING DOWN ABOVE THE HOUSETOPS; DOUBTFUL, FOR A WHILE NOT KNOWING WHAT TO FEEL OR IF I UNDERSTAND OR WHETHER WISE OR FOOLISH, TARDY OR TOO SOON ... WOULD SHE NOT HAVE THE ADVANTAGE, AFTER ALL? THIS MUSIC IS SUCCESSFUL WITH A %DYING FALL% NOW THAT WE TALK OF DYING- AND SHOULD I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SMILE?

PRELUDES THE WINTER EVENING SETTLES DOWN WITH SMELL OF STEAKS IN PASSAGEWAYS. SIX O'CLOCK. THE BURNT-OUT ENDS OF SMOKY DAYS. AND NOW A GUSTY SHOWER WRAPS THE GRIMY SCRAPS OF WITHERED LEAVES ABOUT YOUR FEET AND NEWSPAPERS FROM VACANT LOTS; THE SHOWERS BEAT ON BROKEN BLINDS AND CHIMNEY-POTS, AND AT THE CORNER OF THE STREET A LONELY CAB-HORSE STEAMS AND STAMPS. AND THEN THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS. THE MORNING COMES TO CONSCIOUSNESS OF FAINT STALE SMELLS OF BEER FROM THE SAWDUST-TRAMPLED STREET WITH ALL ITS MUDDY FEET THAT PRESS TO EARLY COFFEE-STANDS. WITH THE OTHER MASQUERADES THAT TIME RESUMES, ONE THINKS OF ALL THE HANDS THAT ARE RAISING DINGY SHADES IN A THOUSAND FURNISHED ROOMS. YOU TOSSED A BLANKET FROM THE BED, YOU LAY UPON YOUR BACK, AND WAITED; YOU DOZED, AND WATCHED THE NIGHT REVEALING THE THOUSAND SORDID IMAGES OF WHICH YOUR SOUL WAS CONSTITUTED; THEY FLICKERED AGAINST THE CEILING. AND WHEN ALL THE WORLD CAME BACK AND THE LIGHT CREPT UP BETWEEN THE SHUTTERS AND YOU HEARD THE SPARROWS IN THE GUTTERS, YOU HAD SUCH A VISION OF THE STREET AS THE STREET HARDLY UNDERSTANDS; SITTING ALONG THE BED'S EDGE, WHERE YOU CURLED THE PAPERS FROM YOUR HAIR, OR CLASPED THE YELLOW SOLES OF FEET IN THE PALMS OF BOTH SOILED HANDS. HIS SOUL STRETCHED TIGHT ACROSS THE SKIES THAT FADE BEHIND A CITY BLOCK, OR TRAMPLED BY INSISTENT FEET AT FOUR AND FIVE AND SIX O'CLOCK; AND SHORT SQUARE FINGERS STUFFING PIPES, AND EVENING NEWSPAPERS, AND EYES ASSURED OF CERTAIN CERTAINTIES, THE CONSCIENCE OF A BLACKENED STREET IMPATIENT TO ASSUME THE WORLD. I AM MOVED BY FANCIES THAT ARE CURLED AROUND THESE IMAGES, AND CLING: THE NOTION OF SOME INFINITELY GENTLE INFINITELY SUFFERING THING. WIPE YOUR HAND ACROSS YOUR MOUTH, AND LAUGH; THE WORLDS REVOLVE LIKE ANCIENT WOMEN GATHERING FUEL IN VACANT LOTS.

RHAPSODY ON A WINDY NIGHT TWELVE O'CLOCK. ALONG THE REACHES OF THE STREET HELD IN A LUNAR SYNTHESIS, WHISPERING LUNAR INCANTATIONS DISSOLVE THE FLOORS OF MEMORY AND ALL ITS CLEAR RELATIONS, ITS DIVISIONS AND PRECISIONS. EVERY STREET LAMP THAT I PASS BEATS LIKE A FATALISTIC DRUM, AND THROUGH THE SPACES OF THE DARK MIDNIGHT SHAKES THE MEMORY AS A MADMAN SHAKES A DEAD GERANIUM. HALF-PAST ONE, THE STREET-LAMP SPUTTERED, THE STREET-LAMP MUTTERED, THE STREET-LAMP SAID, %REGARD THAT WOMAN WHO HESITATES TOWARD YOU IN THE LIGHT OF THE DOOR WHICH OPENS ON HER LIKE A GRIN. YOU SEE THE BORDER OF HER DRESS IS TORN AND STAINED WITH SAND, AND YOU SEE THE CORNER OF HER EYE TWISTS LIKE A CROOKED PIN.% THE MEMORY THROWS UP HIGH AND DRY A CROWD OF TWISTED THINGS; A TWISTED BRANCH UPON THE BEACH EATEN SMOOTH, AND POLISHED AS IF THE WORLD GAVE UP THE SECRET OF ITS SKELETON, STIFF AND WHITE. A BROKEN SPRING IN A FACTORY YARD, RUST THAT CLINGS TO THE FORM THAT THE STRENGTH HAS LEFT HARD AND CURLED AND READY TO SNAP. HALF-PAST TWO, THE STREET-LAMP SAID, %REMARK THE CAT WHICH FLATTENS ITSELF IN THE GUTTER, SLIPS OUT ITS TONGUE AND DEVOURS A MORSEL OF RANCID BUTTER.% SO THE HAND OF THE CHILD, AUTOMATIC, SLIPPED OUT AND POCKETED A TOY THAT WAS RUNNING ALONG THE QUAY. I COULD SEE NOTHING BEHIND THAT CHILD'S EYE. I HAVE SEEN EYES IN THE STREET TRYING TO PEER THROUGH LIGHTED SHUTTERS, AND A CRAB ONE AFTERNOON IN A POOL, AN OLD CRAB WITH BARNACLES ON HIS BACK, GRIPPED THE END OF A STICK WHICH I HELD HIM. HALF-PAST THREE, THE LAMP SPUTTERED, THE LAMP MUTTERED IN THE DARK. THE LAMP HUMMED: %REGARD THE MOON, LA LUNE NE GARDE AUCUNE RANCUNE, SHE WINKS A FEEBLE EYE, SHE SMILES INTO CORNERS. SHE SMOOTHS THE HAIR OF THE GRASS. THE MOON HAS LOST HER MEMORY. A WASHED-OUT SMALLPOX CRACKS HER FACE, HER HAND TWISTS A PAPER ROSE, THAT SMELLS OF DUST AND EAU DE COLOGNE, SHE IS ALONE WITH ALL THE OLD NOCTURNAL SMELLS THAT CROSS AND CROSS ACROSS HER BRAIN.% THE REMINISCENCE COMES OF SUNLESS DRY GERANIUMS AND DUST IN CREVICES, SMELLS OF CHESTNUTS IN THE STREETS, AND FEMALE SMELLS IN SHUTTERED ROOMS, AND CIGARETTES IN CORRIDORS AND COCKTAIL SMELLS IN BARS. THE LAMP SAID, %FOUR O'CLOCK, HERE IS THE NUMBER ON THE DOOR. MEMORY! YOU HAVE THE KEY, THE LITTLE LAMP SPREADS A RING ON THE STAIR. MOUNT. THE BED IS OPEN; THE TOOTH-BRUSH HANGS ON THE WALL, PUT YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR, SLEEP, PREPARE FOR LIFE.% THE LAST TWIST OF THE KNIFE.

MORNING AT THE WINDOW THEY ARE RATTLING BREAKFAST PLATES IN BASEMENT KITCHENS, AND ALONG THE TRAMPLED EDGES OF THE STREET I AM AWARE OF THE DAMP SOULS OF HOUSEMAIDS SPROUTING DESPONDENTLY AT AREA GATES. THE BROWN WAVES OF FOG TOSS UP TO ME TWISTED FACES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STREET, AND TEAR FROM A PASSER-BY WITH MUDDY SKIRTS AN AIMLESS SMILE THAT HOVERS IN THE AIR AND VANISHES ALONG THE LEVEL OF THE ROOFS.

THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT# THE READERS OF THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT# SWAY IN THE WIND LIKE A FIELD OF RIPE CORN. WHEN EVENING QUICKENS FAINTLY IN THE STREET, WAKENING THE APPETITES OF LIFE IN SOME AND TO OTHERS BRINGING THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT#, I MOUNT THE STEPS AND RING THE BELL, TURNING WEARILY, AS ONE WOULD TURN TO NOD GOOD-BYE TO LA ROCHEFOUCAULD, IF THE STREET WERE TIME AND HE AT THE END OF THE STREET, AND I SAY, %COUSIN HARRIET, HERE IS THE #BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT#.%

AUNT HELEN MISS HELEN SLINGSBY WAS MY MAIDEN AUNT, AND LIVED IN A SMALL HOUSE NEAR A FASHIONABLE SQUARE CARED FOR BY SERVANTS TO THE NUMBER OF FOUR. NOW WHEN SHE DIED THERE WAS SILENCE IN HEAVEN AND SILENCE AT HER END OF THE STREET. THE SHUTTERS WERE DRAWN AND THE UNDERTAKER WIPED HIS FEET- HE WAS AWARE THAT THIS SORT OF THING HAD OCCURRED BEFORE. THE DOGS WERE HANDSOMELY PROVIDED FOR, BUT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PARROT DIED TOO. THE DRESDEN CLOCK CONTINUED TICKING ON THE MANTELPIECE, AND THE FOOTMAN SAT UPON THE DINING-TABLE HOLDING THE SECOND HOUSEMAID ON HIS KNEES- WHO HAD ALWAYS BEEN SO CAREFUL WHILE HER MISTRESS LIVED.

COUSIN NANCY MISS NANCY ELLICOTT STRODE ACROSS THE HILLS AND BROKE THEM, RODE ACROSS THE HILLS AND BROKE THEM- THE BARREN NEW ENGLAND HILLS- RIDING TO HOUNDS OVER THE COW-PASTURE. MISS NANCY ELLICOTT SMOKED AND DANCED ALL THE MODERN DANCES; AND HER AUNTS WERE NOT QUITE SURE HOW THEY FELT ABOUT IT, BUT THEY KNEW THAT IT WAS MODERN. UPON THE GLAZEN SHELVES KEPT WATCH MATTHEW AND WALDO, GUARDIANS OF THE FAITH, THE ARMY OF UNALTERABLE LAW.

MR& APOLLINAX ((;6W T3HS KAIN1OTHTOS. *HR1AKLEIS, T3HS PARADOCOLO1IAS. E=UM1HXANOS 4ANQRWPOS. LUCIAN)) WHEN MR& APOLLINAX VISITED THE UNITED STATES HIS LAUGHTER TINKLED AMONG THE TEACUPS. I THOUGHT OF FRAGILION, THAT SHY FIGURE AMONG THE BIRCH-TREES, AND OF PRIAPUS IN THE SHRUBBERY GAPING AT THE LADY IN THE SWING. IN THE PALACE OF MRS& PHLACCUS, AT PROFESSOR CHANNING-CHEETAH'S HE LAUGHED LIKE AN IRRESPONSIBLE FOETUS. HIS LAUGHTER WAS SUBMARINE AND PROFOUND LIKE THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA'S HIDDEN UNDER CORAL ISLANDS WHERE WORRIED BODIES OF DROWNED MEN DRIFT DOWN IN THE GREEN SILENCE, DROPPING FROM FINGERS OF SURF. I LOOKED FOR THE HEAD OF MR& APOLLINAX ROLLING UNDER A CHAIR OR GRINNING OVER A SCREEN WITH SEAWEED IN ITS HAIR. I HEARD THE BEAT OF CENTAUR'S HOOFS OVER THE HARD TURF AS HIS DRY AND PASSIONATE TALK DEVOURED THE AFTERNOON. %HE IS A CHARMING MAN%- %BUT AFTER ALL WHAT DID HE MEAN?%- %HIS POINTED EARS. ... HE MUST BE UNBALANCED.%- %THERE WAS SOMETHING HE SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE CHALLENGED.% OF DOWAGER MRS& PHLACCUS, AND PROFESSOR AND MRS& CHEETAH I REMEMBER A SLICE OF LEMON, AND A BITTEN MACAROON.

HYSTERIA AS SHE LAUGHED I WAS AWARE OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN HER LAUGHTER AND BEING PART OF IT, UNTIL HER TEETH WERE ONLY ACCIDENTAL STARS WITH A TALENT FOR SQUAD-DRILL. I WAS DRAWN IN BY SHORT GASPS, INHALED AT EACH MOMENTARY RECOVERY, LOST FINALLY IN THE DARK CAVERNS OF HER THROAT, BRUISED BY THE RIPPLE OF UNSEEN MUSCLES. AN ELDERLY WAITER WITH TREMBLING HANDS WAS HURRIEDLY SPREADING A PINK AND WHITE CHECKED CLOTH OVER THE RUSTY GREEN IRON TABLE, SAYING: %IF THE LADY AND GENTLEMAN WISH TO TAKE THEIR TEA IN THE GARDEN, IF THE LADY AND GENTLEMAN WISH TO TAKE THEIR TEA IN THE GARDEN ...% I DECIDED THAT IF THE SHAKING OF HER BREASTS COULD BE STOPPED, SOME OF THE FRAGMENTS OF THE AFTERNOON MIGHT BE COLLECTED, AND I CONCENTRATED MY ATTENTION WITH CAREFUL SUBTLETY TO THIS END.

CONVERSATION GALANTE I OBSERVE: %OUR SENTIMENTAL FRIEND THE MOON! OR POSSIBLY (FANTASTIC, I CONFESS) IT MAY BE PRESTER JOHN'S BALLOON OR AN OLD BATTERED LANTERN HUNG ALOFT TO LIGHT POOR TRAVELLERS TO THEIR DISTRESS.% SHE THEN: %HOW YOU DIGRESS!% AND I THEN: %SOMEONE FRAMES UPON THE KEYS THAT EXQUISITE NOCTURNE, WITH WHICH WE EXPLAIN THE NIGHT AND MOONSHINE; MUSIC WHICH WE SEIZE TO BODY FORTH OUR OWN VACUITY.% SHE THEN: %DOES THIS REFER TO ME?% %OH NO, IT IS I WHO AM INANE.% %YOU, MADAM, ARE THE ETERNAL HUMORIST, THE ETERNAL ENEMY OF THE ABSOLUTE, GIVING OUR VAGRANT MOODS THE SLIGHTEST TWIST! WITH YOUR AIR INDIFFERENT AND IMPERIOUS AT A STROKE OUR MAD POETICS TO CONFUTE-% AND- %ARE WE THEN SO SERIOUS?%

LA FIGLIA CHE PIANGE ((#O QUAM TE MEMOREM VIRGO# ...)) STAND ON THE HIGHEST PAVEMENT OF THE STAIR- LEAN ON A GARDEN URN- WEAVE, WEAVE THE SUNLIGHT IN YOUR HAIR- CLASP YOUR FLOWERS TO YOU WITH A PAINED SURPRISE- FLING THEM TO THE GROUND AND TURN WITH A FUGITIVE RESENTMENT IN YOUR EYES: BUT WEAVE, WEAVE THE SUNLIGHT IN YOUR HAIR. SO I WOULD HAVE HAD HIM LEAVE, SO I WOULD HAVE HAD HER STAND AND GRIEVE, SO HE WOULD HAVE LEFT AS THE SOUL LEAVES THE BODY TORN AND BRUISED, AS THE MIND DESERTS THE BODY IT HAS USED. I SHOULD FIND SOME WAY INCOMPARABLY LIGHT AND DEFT, SOME WAY WE BOTH SHOULD UNDERSTAND, SIMPLE AND FAITHLESS AS A SMILE AND SHAKE OF THE HAND. SHE TURNED AWAY, BUT WITH THE AUTUMN WEATHER COMPELLED MY IMAGINATION MANY DAYS, MANY DAYS AND MANY HOURS: HER HAIR OVER HER ARMS AND HER ARMS FULL OF FLOWERS. AND I WONDER HOW THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOGETHER! I SHOULD HAVE LOST A GESTURE AND A POSE. SOMETIMES THESE COGITATIONS STILL AMAZE THE TROUBLED MIDNIGHT AND THE MOON'S REPOSE. THE EAGLE SOARS IN THE SUMMIT OF HEAVEN, THE HUNTER WITH HIS DOGS PURSUES HIS CIRCUIT. O PERPETUAL REVOLUTION OF CONFIGURED STARS, O PERPETUAL RECURRENCE OF DETERMINED SEASONS, O WORLD OF SPRING AND AUTUMN, BIRTH AND DYING! THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF IDEA AND ACTION, ENDLESS INVENTION, ENDLESS EXPERIMENT, BRINGS KNOWLEDGE OF MOTION, BUT NOT OF STILLNESS; KNOWLEDGE OF SPEECH, BUT NOT OF SILENCE; KNOWLEDGE OF WORDS, AND IGNORANCE OF THE WORD. ALL OUR KNOWLEDGE BRINGS US NEARER TO OUR IGNORANCE, ALL OUR IGNORANCE BRINGS US NEARER TO DEATH, BUT NEARNESS TO DEATH NO NEARER TO GOD. WHERE IS THE LIFE WE HAVE LOST IN LIVING? WHERE IS THE WISDOM WE HAVE LOST IN KNOWLEDGE? WHERE IS THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE LOST IN INFORMATION? THE CYCLES OF HEAVEN IN TWENTY CENTURIES BRING US FARTHER FROM GOD AND NEARER TO THE DUST. I JOURNEYED TO LONDON, TO THE TIMEKEPT CITY, WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS, WITH FOREIGN FLOTATIONS. THERE I WAS TOLD: WE HAVE TOO MANY CHURCHES, AND TOO FEW CHOP-HOUSES. THERE I WAS TOLD: LET THE VICARS RETIRE. MEN DO NOT NEED THE CHURCH IN THE PLACE WHERE THEY WORK, BUT WHERE THEY SPEND THEIR SUNDAYS. IN THE CITY, WE NEED NO BELLS: LET THEM WAKEN THE SUBURBS. I JOURNEYED TO THE SUBURBS, AND THERE I WAS TOLD: WE TOIL FOR SIX DAYS, ON THE SEVENTH WE MUST MOTOR TO HINDHEAD, OR MAIDENHEAD. IF THE WEATHER IS FOUL WE STAY AT HOME AND READ THE PAPERS. IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, THERE I WAS TOLD OF ECONOMIC LAWS. IN THE PLEASANT COUNTRYSIDE, THERE IT SEEMED THAT THE COUNTRY NOW IS ONLY FIT FOR PICNICS. AND THE CHURCH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WANTED IN COUNTRY OR IN SUBURB; AND IN THE TOWN ONLY FOR IMPORTANT WEDDINGS. (CHORUS LEADER:( SILENCE! AND PRESERVE RESPECTFUL DISTANCE. FOR I PERCEIVE APPROACHING THE ROCK. WHO WILL PERHAPS ANSWER OUR DOUBTINGS. THE ROCK. THE WATCHER. THE STRANGER. HE WHO HAS SEEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHO SEES WHAT IS TO HAPPEN. THE WITNESS. THE CRITIC. THE STRANGER. THE GOD-SHAKEN, IN WHOM IS THE TRUTH INBORN. (#ENTER THE# ROCK, #LED BY A# BOY:( (THE ROCK:( THE LOT OF MAN IS CEASELESS LABOUR, OR CEASELESS IDLENESS, WHICH IS STILL HARDER, OR IRREGULAR LABOUR, WHICH IS NOT PLEASANT. I HAVE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE, AND I KNOW THAT IT IS HARD TO BE REALLY USEFUL, RESIGNING THE THINGS THAT MEN COUNT FOR HAPPINESS, SEEKING THE GOOD DEEDS THAT LEAD TO OBSCURITY, ACCEPTING WITH EQUAL FACE THOSE THAT BRING IGNOMINY, THE APPLAUSE OF ALL OR THE LOVE OF NONE. ALL MEN ARE READY TO INVEST THEIR MONEY BUT MOST EXPECT DIVIDENDS. I SAY TO YOU: #MAKE PERFECT YOUR WILL.# I SAY: TAKE NO THOUGHT OF THE HARVEST, BUT ONLY OF PROPER SOWING. THE WORLD TURNS AND THE WORLD CHANGES, BUT ONE THING DOES NOT CHANGE. IN ALL OF MY YEARS, ONE THING DOES NOT CHANGE. HOWEVER YOU DISGUISE IT, THIS THING DOES NOT CHANGE: THE PERPETUAL STRUGGLE OF GOOD AND EVIL. FORGETFUL, YOU NEGLECT YOUR SHRINES AND CHURCHES; THE MEN YOU ARE IN THESE TIMES DERIDE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE OF GOOD, YOU FIND EXPLANATIONS TO SATISFY THE RATIONAL AND ENLIGHTENED MIND. SECOND, YOU NEGLECT AND BELITTLE THE DESERT. THE DESERT IS NOT REMOTE IN SOUTHERN TROPICS, THE DESERT IS NOT ONLY AROUND THE CORNER, THE DESERT IS SQUEEZED IN THE TUBE-TRAIN NEXT TO YOU, THE DESERT IS IN THE HEART OF YOUR BROTHER. THE GOOD MAN IS THE BUILDER, IF HE BUILD WHAT IS GOOD. I WILL SHOW YOU THE THINGS THAT ARE NOW BEING DONE, AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE LONG AGO DONE, THAT YOU MAY TAKE HEART. MAKE PERFECT YOUR WILL. LET ME SHOW YOU THE WORK OF THE HUMBLE. LISTEN. (#THE LIGHTS FADE; IN THE SEMI-DARKNESS THE VOICES OF# WORKMEN #ARE HEARD CHANTING.#( #IN THE VACANT PLACES WE WILL BUILD WITH NEW BRICKS THERE ARE HANDS AND MACHINES AND CLAY FOR NEW BRICK AND LIME FOR NEW MORTAR WHERE THE BRICKS ARE FALLEN WE WILL BUILD WITH NEW STONE WHERE THE BEAMS ARE ROTTEN WE WILL BUILD WITH NEW TIMBERS WHERE THE WORD IS UNSPOKEN WE WILL BUILD WITH NEW SPEECH THERE IS WORK TOGETHER A CHURCH FOR ALL AND A JOB FOR EACH EVERY MAN TO HIS WORK.# (#NOW A GROUP OF# WORKMEN #IS SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE DIM SKY. FROM FARTHER AWAY, THEY ARE ANSWERED BY VOICES OF THE# UNEMPLOYED.( #NO MAN HAS HIRED US WITH POCKETED HANDS AND LOWERED FACES WE STAND ABOUT IN OPEN PLACES AND SHIVER IN UNLIT ROOMS. ONLY THE WIND MOVES OVER EMPTY FIELDS, UNTILLED WHERE THE PLOUGH RESTS, AT AN ANGLE TO THE FURROW. IN THIS LAND THERE SHALL BE ONE CIGARETTE TO TWO MEN, TO TWO WOMEN ONE HALF PINT OF BITTER ALE. IN THIS LAND NO MAN HAS HIRED US. OUR LIFE IS UNWELCOME, OUR DEATH UNMENTIONED IN %THE TIMES%.# (#CHANT OF# WORKMEN #AGAIN.#( #THE RIVER FLOWS, THE SEASONS TURN THE SPARROW AND STARLING HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE. IF MEN DO NOT BUILD HOW SHALL THEY LIVE? WHEN THE FIELD IS TILLED AND THE WHEAT IS BREAD THEY SHALL NOT DIE IN A SHORTENED BED AND A NARROW SHEET. IN THIS STREET THERE IS NO BEGINNING, NO MOVEMENT, NO PEACE AND NO END BUT NOISE WITHOUT SPEECH, FOOD WITHOUT TASTE. WITHOUT DELAY, WITHOUT HASTE WE WOULD BUILD THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THIS STREET. WE BUILD THE MEANING: A CHURCH FOR ALL AND A JOB FOR EACH EACH MAN TO HIS WORK.# THUS YOUR FATHERS WERE MADE FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SAINTS, OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, BEING BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. BUT YOU, HAVE YOU BUILT WELL, THAT YOU NOW SIT HELPLESS IN A RUINED HOUS E? WHERE MANY ARE BORN TO IDLENESS, TO FRITTERED LIVES AND SQUALID DEATHS, EMBITTERED SCORN IN HONEYLESS HIVES, AND THOSE WHO WOULD BUILD AND RESTORE TURN OUT THE PALMS OF THEIR HANDS, OR LOOK IN VAIN TOWARDS FOREIGN LANDS FOR ALMS TO BE MORE OR THE URN TO BE FILLED. YOUR BUILDING NOT FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER, YOU SIT ASHAMED AND WONDER WHET HER AND HOW YOU MAY BE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD IN THE S PIRIT, THE SPIRIT WHICH MOVED ON THE FACE OF THE WATERS LIKE A LANTERN S ET ON THE BACK OF A TORTOISE. AND SOME SAY: %HOW CAN WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOUR? FOR LOVE MUST BE MADE REAL IN ACT, AS DESIRE UNITES WITH DESIRED; WE HAVE ONLY OUR LABOUR TO GIVE AND OUR LABOUR IS NOT REQUIRED. WE WAIT ON CORNERS, WITH NOTHING TO BRING BUT THE SONGS WE CAN SING WHIC H NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR SUNG; WAITING TO BE FLUNG IN THE END, ON A HEAP LESS USEFUL THAN DUNG%. YOU, HAVE YOU BUILT WELL, HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE CORNERSTONE? TALKING OF RIGHT RELATIONS OF MEN, BUT NOT OF RELATIONS OF MEN TO GOD. %OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN%; YES, BUT THAT IS THE MODEL AND TYPE FOR YOUR CITIZENSHIP UPON EARTH. WHEN YOUR FATHERS FIXED THE PLACE OF GOD, AND SETTLED ALL THE INCONVENIENT SAINTS, APOSTLES, MARTYRS, IN A KIND OF WHIPSNADE, THEN THEY COULD SET ABOUT IMPERIAL EXPANSION ACCOMPANIED BY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. EXPORTING IRON, COAL AND COTTON GOODS AND INTELLECTUAL ENLIGHTENMENT AND EVERYTHING, INCLUDING CAPITAL AND SEVERAL VERSIONS OF THE WORD OF GOD: THE BRITISH RACE ASSURED OF A MISSION PERFORMED IT, BUT LEFT MUCH AT HOME UNSURE. OF ALL THAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST, YOU EAT THE FRUIT, EITHER ROTTEN OR RI PE. AND THE CHURCH MUST BE FOREVER BUILDING, AND ALWAYS DECAYING, AND ALWAYS BEING RESTORED. FOR EVERY ILL DEED IN THE PAST WE SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE: FOR SLOTH, FOR AVARICE, GLUTTONY, NEGLECT OF THE WORD OF GOD, FOR PRIDE, FOR LECHERY, TREACHERY, FOR EVERY ACT OF SIN. AND OF ALL THAT WAS DONE THAT WAS GOOD, YOU HAVE THE INHERITANCE. FOR GOOD AND ILL DEEDS BELONG TO A MAN ALONE, WHEN HE STANDS ALONE ON TH E OTHER SIDE OF DEATH, BUT HERE UPON EARTH YOU HAVE THE REWARD OF THE GOOD AND ILL THAT WAS DON E BY THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE YOU. AND ALL THAT IS ILL YOU MAY REPAIR IF YOU WALK TOGETHER IN HUMBLE REPENT ANCE, EXPIATING THE SINS OF YOUR FATHERS; AND ALL THAT WAS GOOD YOU MUST FIGHT TO KEEP WITH HEARTS AS DEVOTED AS T HOSE OF YOUR FATHERS WHO FOUGHT TO GAIN IT. THE CHURCH MUST BE FOREVER BUILDING, FOR IT IS FOREVER DECAYING WITHIN A ND ATTACKED FROM WITHOUT; FOR THIS IS THE LAW OF LIFE; AND YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT WHILE THERE IS T IME OF PROSPERITY THE PEOPLE WILL NEGLECT THE TEMPLE, AND IN TIME OF ADVERSITY THEY WILL D ECRY IT. WHAT LIFE HAVE YOU IF YOU HAVE NOT LIFE TOGETHER? THERE IS NO LIFE THAT IS NOT IN COMMUNITY, AND NO COMMUNITY NOT LIVED IN PRAISE OF GOD. EVEN THE ANCHORITE WHO MEDITATES ALONE, FOR WHOM THE DAYS AND NIGHTS REPEAT THE PRAISE OF GOD, PRAYS FOR THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST INCARNATE. AND NOW YOU LIVE DISPERSED ON RIBBON ROADS, AND NO MAN KNOWS OR CARES WHO IS HIS NEIGHBOUR UNLESS HIS NEIGHBOUR MAKES TOO MUCH DISTURBANCE, BUT ALL DASH TO AND FRO IN MOTOR CARS, FAMILIAR WITH THE ROADS AND SETTLED NOWHERE. NOR DOES THE FAMILY EVEN MOVE ABOUT TOGETHER, BUT EVERY SON WOULD HAVE HIS MOTOR CYCLE, AND DAUGHTERS RIDE AWAY ON CASUAL PILLIONS. MUCH TO CAST DOWN, MUCH TO BUILD, MUCH TO RESTORE; LET THE WORK NOT DELAY, TIME AND THE ARM NOT WASTE; LET THE CLAY BE DUG FROM THE PIT, LET THE SAW CUT THE STONE, LET THE FIRE NOT BE QUENCHED IN THE FORGE. THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME, SAYING: O MISERABLE CITIES OF DESIGNING MEN, O WRETCHED GENERATION OF ENLIGHTENED MEN, BETRAYED IN THE MAZES OF YOUR INGENUITIES, SOLD BY THE PROCEEDS OF YOUR PROPER INVENTIONS: I HAVE GIVEN YOU HANDS WHICH YOU TURN FROM WORSHIP, I HAVE GIVEN YOU SPEECH, FOR ENDLESS PALAVER, I HAVE GIVEN YOU MY LAW, AND YOU SET UP COMMISSIONS, I HAVE GIVEN YOU LIPS, TO EXPRESS FRIENDLY SENTIMENTS, I HAVE GIVEN YOU HEARTS, FOR RECIPROCAL DISTRUST. I HAVE GIVEN YOU POWER OF CHOICE, AND YOU ONLY ALTERNATE BETWEEN FUTILE SPECULATION AND UNCONSIDERED ACTION. MANY ARE ENGAGED IN WRITING BOOKS AND PRINTING THEM, MANY DESIRE TO SEE THEIR NAMES IN PRINT, MANY READ NOTHING BUT THE RACE REPORTS. MUCH IS YOUR READING, BUT NOT THE WORD OF GOD, MUCH IS YOUR BUILDING, BUT NOT THE HOUSE OF GOD. WILL YOU BUILD ME A HOUSE OF PLASTER, WITH CORRUGATED ROOFING, TO BE FILLED WITH A LITTER OF SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS? (1ST MALE VOICE:( A CRY FROM THE EAST: WHAT SHALL BE DONE TO THE SHORE OF SMOKY SHIPS? WILL YOU LEAVE MY PEOPLE FORGETFUL AND FORGOTTEN TO IDLENESS, LABOUR, AND DELIRIOUS STUPOR? THERE SHALL BE LEFT THE BROKEN CHIMNEY, THE PEELED HULL, A PILE OF RUSTY IRON, IN A STREET OF SCATTERED BRICK WHERE THE GOAT CLIMBS, WHERE MY WORD IS UNSPOKEN. (2ND MALE VOICE:( A CRY FROM THE NORTH, FROM THE WEST AND FROM THE SOUTH WHENCE THOUSANDS TRAVEL DAILY TO THE TIMEKEPT CITY; WHERE MY WORD IS UNSPOKEN, IN THE LAND OF LOBELIAS AND TENNIS FLANNELS THE RABBIT SHALL BURROW AND THE THORN REVISIT, THE NETTLE SHALL FLOURISH ON THE GRAVEL COURT, AND THE WIND SHALL SAY: %HERE WERE DECENT GODLESS PEOPLE: THEIR ONLY MONUMENT THE ASPHALT ROAD AND A THOUSAND LOST GOLF BALLS%. (CHORUS:( WE BUILD IN VAIN UNLESS THE LORD BUILD WITH US. CAN YOU KEEP THE CITY THAT THE LORD KEEPS NOT WITH YOU? A THOUSAND POLICEMEN DIRECTING THE TRAFFIC CANNOT TELL YOU WHY YOU COME OR WHERE YOU GO. A COLONY OF CAVIES OR A HORDE OF ACTIVE MARMOTS BUILD BETTER THAN THEY THAT BUILD WITHOUT THE LORD. SHALL WE LIFT UP OUR FEET AMONG PERPETUAL RUINS? I HAVE LOVED THE BEAUTY OF THY HOUSE, THE PEACE OF THY SANCTUARY, I HAVE SWEPT THE FLOORS AND GARNISHED THE ALTARS. WHERE THERE IS NO TEMPLE THERE SHALL BE NO HOMES, THOUGH YOU HAVE SHELTERS AND INSTITUTIONS, PRECARIOUS LODGINGS WHILE THE RENT IS PAID, SUBSIDING BASEMENTS WHERE THE RAT BREEDS OR SANITARY DWELLINGS WITH NUMBERED DOORS OR A HOUSE A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S; WHEN THE STRANGER SAYS: %WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS CITY? DO YOU HUDDLE CLOSE TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU LOVE EACH OTHER?% WHAT WILL YOU ANSWER? %WE ALL DWELL TOGETHER TO MAKE MONEY FROM EACH OTHER%? OR %THIS IS A COMMUNITY%? AND THE STRANGER WILL DEPART AND RETURN TO THE DESERT. O MY SOUL, BE PREPARED FOR THE COMING OF THE STRANGER, BE PREPARED FOR HIM WHO KNOWS HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS. O WEARINESS OF MEN WHO TURN FROM GOD TO THE GRANDEUR OF YOUR MIND AND THE GLORY OF YOUR ACTION, TO ARTS AND INVENTIONS AND DARING ENTERPRISES, TO SCHEMES OF HUMAN GREATNESS THOROUGHLY DISCREDITED, BINDING THE EARTH AND THE WATER TO YOUR SERVICE, EXPLOITING THE SEAS AND DEVELOPING THE MOUNTAINS, DIVIDING THE STARS INTO COMMON AND PREFERRED, ENGAGED IN DEVISING THE PERFECT REFRIGERATOR, ENGAGED IN WORKING OUT A RATIONAL MORALITY, ENGAGED IN PRINTING AS MANY BOOKS AS POSSIBLE, PLOTTING OF HAPPINESS AND FLINGING EMPTY BOTTLES, TURNING FROM YOUR VACANCY TO FEVERED ENTHUSIASM FOR NATION OR RACE OR WHAT YOU CALL HUMANITY; THOUGH YOU FORGET THE WAY TO THE TEMPLE, THERE IS ONE WHO REMEMBERS THE WAY TO YOUR DOOR: LIFE YOU MAY EVADE, BUT DEATH YOU SHALL NOT. YOU SHALL NOT DENY THE STRANGER. THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD BUILD THE TEMPLE, AND THOSE WHO PREFER THAT THE TEMPLE SHOULD NOT BE BUILT. IN THE DAYS OF NEHEMIAH THE PROPHET THERE WAS NO EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL RULE. IN SHUSHAN THE PALACE, IN THE MONTH NISAN, HE SERVED THE WINE TO THE KING ARTAXERXES, AND HE GRIEVED FOR THE BROKEN CITY, JERUSALEM; AND THE KING GAVE HIM LEAVE TO DEPART THAT HE MIGHT REBUILD THE CITY. SO HE WENT, WITH A FEW, TO JERUSALEM, AND THERE, BY THE DRAGON'S WELL, BY THE DUNG GATE, BY THE FOUNTAIN GATE, BY THE KING'S POOL, JERUSALEM LAY WASTE, CONSUMED WITH FIRE; NO PLACE FOR A BEAST TO PASS. THERE WERE ENEMIES WITHOUT TO DESTROY HIM, AND SPIES AND SELF-SEEKERS WITHIN, WHEN HE AND HIS MEN LAID THEIR HANDS TO REBUILDING THE WALL. SO THEY BUILT AS MEN MUST BUILD WITH THE SWORD IN ONE HAND AND THE TROWEL IN THE OTHER. O LORD, DELIVER ME FROM THE MAN OF EXCELLENT INTENTION AND IMPURE HEART:+ FOR THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED. SANBALLAT THE HORONITE AND TOBIAH THE AMMONITE AND GESHEM THE ARABIAN: W+ ERE DOUBTLESS MEN OF PUBLIC SPIRIT AND ZEAL. PRESERVE ME FROM THE ENEMY WHO HAS SOMETHING TO GAIN: AND FROM THE FRIEN+ D WHO HAS SOMETHING TO LOSE. REMEMBERING THE WORDS OF NEHEMIAH THE PROPHET: %THE TROWEL IN HAND, AND+ THE GUN RATHER LOOSE IN THE HOLSTER.% THOSE WHO SIT IN A HOUSE OF WHICH THE USE IS FORGOTTEN: ARE LIKE SNAKES+ THAT LIE ON MOULDERING STAIRS, CONTENT IN THE SUNLIGHT. AND THE OTHERS RUN ABOUT LIKE DOGS, FULL OF ENTERPRISE, SNIFFING AND BAR+ KING: THEY SAY, %THIS HOUSE IS A NEST OF SERPENTS, LET US DESTROY IT, AND HAVE DONE WITH THESE ABOMINATIONS, THE TURPITUDES OF THE CHRISTIANS.+ % AND THESE ARE NOT JUSTIFIED, NOR THE OTHERS. AND THEY WRITE INNUMERABLE BOOKS; BEING TOO VAIN AND DISTRACTED FOR SILE+ NCE: SEEKING EVERY ONE AFTER HIS OWN ELEVATION, AND DODGING HIS EMPTINESS. IF HUMILITY AND PURITY BE NOT IN THE HEART, THEY ARE NOT IN THE HOME: AN+ D IF THEY ARE NOT IN THE HOME, THEY ARE NOT IN THE CITY. THE MAN WHO HAS BUILDED DURING THE DAY WOULD RETURN TO HIS HEARTH AT NIG+ HTFALL: TO BE BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF SILENCE, AND DOZE BEFORE HE SLEEPS. BUT WE ARE ENCOMPASSED WITH SNAKES AND DOGS: THEREFORE SOME MUST LABOUR,+ AND OTHERS MUST HOLD THE SPEARS. IT IS HARD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN PERSECUTION, AND WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN, TO BELIEVE THESE TALES OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION. IT IS HARD FOR THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR A BANK TO DOUBT THE SECURITY OF THEIR MONEY. IT IS HARD FOR THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR A POLICE STATION TO BELIEVE IN THE TRIUMPH OF VIOLENCE. DO YOU THINK THAT THE FAITH HAS CONQUERED THE WORLD AND THAT LIONS NO LONGER NEED KEEPERS? DO YOU NEED TO BE TOLD THAT WHATEVER HAS BEEN, CAN STILL BE? DO YOU NEED TO BE TOLD THAT EVEN SUCH MODEST ATTAINMENTS AS YOU CAN BOAST IN THE WAY OF POLITE SOCIETY WILL HARDLY SURVIVE THE FAITH TO WHICH THEY OWE THEIR SIGNIFICANCE? MEN! POLISH YOUR TEETH ON RISING AND RETIRING; WOMEN! POLISH YOUR FINGERNAILS: YOU POLISH THE TOOTH OF THE DOG AND THE TALON OF THE CAT. WHY SHOULD MEN LOVE THE CHURCH? WHY SHOULD THEY LOVE HER LAWS? SHE TELLS THEM OF LIFE AND DEATH, AND OF ALL THAT THEY WOULD FORGET. SHE IS TENDER WHERE THEY WOULD BE HARD, AND HARD WHERE THEY LIKE TO BE S OFT. SHE TELLS THEM OF EVIL AND SIN, AND OTHER UNPLEASANT FACTS. THEY CONSTANTLY TRY TO ESCAPE FROM THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE AND WITHIN BY DREAMING OF SYSTEMS SO PERFECT THAT NO ONE WILL NEED TO BE GOOD. BUT THE MAN THAT IS WILL SHADOW THE MAN THAT PRETENDS TO BE. AND THE SON OF MAN WAS NOT CRUCIFIED ONCE FOR ALL, THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS NOT SHED ONCE FOR ALL, THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS NOT GIVEN ONCE FOR ALL: BUT THE SON OF MAN IS CRUCIFIED ALWAYS AND THERE SHALL BE MARTYRS AND SAINTS. AND IF BLOOD OF MARTYRS IS TO FLOW ON THE STEPS WE MUST FIRST BUILD THE STEPS; AND IF THE TEMPLE IS TO BE CAST DOWN WE MUST FIRST BUILD THE TEMPLE. IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE WORLD. WASTE AND VOID. WASTE AND VOID.+ AND DARKNESS WAS UPON THE FACE OF THE DEEP. AND WHEN THERE WERE MEN, IN THEIR VARIOUS WAYS, THEY STRUGGLED IN TORMEN+ T TOWARDS GOD BLINDLY AND VAINLY, FOR MAN IS A VAIN THING, AND MAN WITHOUT GOD IS A SE+ ED UPON THE WIND: DRIVEN THIS WAY AND THAT, AND FINDING NO PLACE OF LODG+ EMENT AND GERMINATION. THEY FOLLOWED THE LIGHT AND THE SHADOW, AND THE LIGHT LED THEM FORWARD T+ O LIGHT AND THE SHADOW LED THEM TO DARKNESS, WORSHIPPING SNAKES OR TREES, WORSHIPPING DEVILS RATHER THAN NOTHING: CRY+ ING FOR LIFE BEYOND LIFE, FOR ECSTASY NOT OF THE FLESH. WASTE AND VOID. WASTE AND VOID. AND DARKNESS ON THE FACE OF THE DEEP. AND THE SPIRIT MOVED UPON THE FACE OF THE WATER. AND MEN WHO TURNED TOWARDS THE LIGHT AND WERE KNOWN OF THE LIGHT INVENTED THE HIGHER RELIGIONS; AND THE HIGHER RELIGIONS WERE GOOD AND LED MEN FROM LIGHT TO LIGHT, TO KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. BUT THEIR LIGHT WAS EVER SURROUNDED AND SHOT WITH DARKNESS. AS THE AIR OF TEMPERATE SEAS IS PIERCED BY THE STILL DEAD BREATH OF THE+ ARCTIC CURRENT; AND THEY CAME TO AN END, A DEAD END STIRRED WITH A FLICKER OF LIFE, AND THEY CAME TO THE WITHERED ANCIENT LOOK OF A CHILD THAT HAS DIED OF S TARVATION. PRAYER WHEELS, WORSHIP OF THE DEAD, DENIAL OF THIS WORLD, AFFIRMATION OF+ RITES WITH FORGOTTEN MEANINGS IN THE RESTLESS WIND-WHIPPED SAND, OR THE HILLS WHERE THE WIND WILL NOT+ LET THE SNOW REST. WASTE AND VOID. WASTE AND VOID. AND DARKNESS ON THE FACE OF THE DEEP. THEN CAME, AT A PREDETERMINED MOMENT, A MOMENT IN TIME AND OF TIME, A MOMENT NOT OUT OF TIME, BUT IN TIME, IN WHAT WE CALL HISTORY: TRANSECT+ ING, BISECTING THE WORLD OF TIME, A MOMENT IN TIME BUT NOT LIKE A MOMENT+ OF TIME, A MOMENT IN TIME BUT TIME WAS MADE THROUGH THAT MOMENT: FOR WITHOUT THE + MEANING THERE IS NO TIME, AND THAT MOMENT OF TIME GAVE THE MEANING. THEN IT SEEMED AS IF MEN MUST PROCEED FROM LIGHT TO LIGHT, IN THE LIGHT + OF THE WORD, THROUGH THE PASSION AND SACRIFICE SAVED IN SPITE OF THEIR NEGATIVE BEING; BESTIAL AS ALWAYS BEFORE, CARNAL, SELF-SEEKING AS ALWAYS BEFORE, SELFISH + AND PURBLIND AS EVER BEFORE, YET ALWAYS STRUGGLING, ALWAYS REAFFIRMING, ALWAYS RESUMING THEIR MARCH O+ N THE WAY THAT WAS LIT BY THE LIGHT; OFTEN HALTING, LOITERING, STRAYING, DELAYING, RETURNING, YET FOLLOWING N+ O OTHER WAY. BUT IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE: + THOUGH WE KNOW NOT JUST WHEN, OR WHY, OR HOW, OR WHERE. MEN HAVE LEFT GOD NOT FOR OTHER GODS, THEY SAY, BUT FOR NO GOD; AND THIS + HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THAT MEN BOTH DENY GODS AND WORSHIP GODS, PROFESSING FIRST REASON, AND THEN MONEY, AND POWER, AND WHAT THEY CALL LIFE, OR RACE, OR DIALECTIC. THE CHURCH DISOWNED, THE TOWER OVERTHROWN, THE BELLS UPTURNED, WHAT HAVE + WE TO DO BUT STAND WITH EMPTY HANDS AND PALMS TURNED UPWARDS IN AN AGE WHICH ADVANCES PROGRESSIVELY BACKWARDS? (VOICE OF THE UNEMPLOYED (#AFAR OFF#):( #IN THIS LAND THERE SHALL BE ONE CIGARETTE TO TWO MEN, TO TWO WOMEN ONE HALF PINT OF BITTER ALE. ...# (CHORUS:( WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY, DOES THE WHOLE WORLD STRAY IN HIGH-POWERED CARS ON A BY-PASS WAY? (VOICE OF THE UNEMPLOYED (#MORE FAINTLY#):( #IN THIS LAND NO MAN HAS HIRED US. ...# (CHORUS:( WASTE AND VOID. WASTE AND VOID. AND DARKNESS ON THE FACE OF THE DEEP. HAS THE CHURCH FAILED MANKIND, OR HAS MANKIND FAILED THE CHURCH? WHEN THE CHURCH IS NO LONGER REGARDED, NOT EVEN OPPOSED, AND MEN HAVE FO RGOTTEN ALL GODS EXCEPT USURY, LUST AND POWER. O FATHER WE WELCOME YOUR WORDS, AND WE WILL TAKE HEART FOR THE FUTURE, REMEMBERING THE PAST. THE HEATHEN ARE COME INTO THINE INHERITANCE, AND THY TEMPLE HAVE THEY DEFILED. WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM? HE HAS TRODDEN THE WINE-PRESS ALONE. THERE CAME ONE WHO SPOKE OF THE SHAME OF JERUSALEM AND THE HOLY PLACES DEFILED; PETER THE HERMIT, SCOURGING WITH WORDS. AND AMONG HIS HEARERS WERE A FEW GOOD MEN, MANY WHO WERE EVIL, AND MOST WHO WERE NEITHER. LIKE ALL MEN IN ALL PLACES, SOME WENT FROM LOVE OF GLORY, SOME WENT WHO WERE RESTLESS AND CURIOUS, SOME WERE RAPACIOUS AND LUSTFUL. MANY LEFT THEIR BODIES TO THE KITES OF SYRIA OR SEA-STREWN ALONG THE ROUTES; MANY LEFT THEIR SOULS IN SYRIA, LIVING ON, SUNKEN IN MORAL CORRUPTION; MANY CAME BACK WELL BROKEN, DISEASED AND BEGGARED, FINDING A STRANGER AT THE DOOR IN POSSESSION: CAME HOME CRACKED BY THE SUN OF THE EAST AND THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS IN SYRIA. BUT OUR KING DID WELL AT ACRE. AND IN SPITE OF ALL THE DISHONOUR, THE BROKEN STANDARDS, THE BROKEN LIVES, THE BROKEN FAITH IN ONE PLACE OR ANOTHER, THERE WAS SOMETHING LEFT THAT WAS MORE THAN THE TALES OF OLD MEN ON WINTER EVENINGS. ONLY THE FAITH COULD HAVE DONE WHAT WAS GOOD OF IT; WHOLE FAITH OF A FEW, PART FAITH OF MANY. NOT AVARICE, LECHERY, TREACHERY, ENVY, SLOTH, GLUTTONY, JEALOUSY, PRIDE: IT WAS NOT THESE THAT MADE THE CRUSADES, BUT THESE THAT UNMADE THEM. REMEMBER THE FAITH THAT TOOK MEN FROM HOME AT THE CALL OF A WANDERING PREACHER. OUR AGE IS AN AGE OF MODERATE VIRTUE AND OF MODERATE VICE WHEN MEN WILL NOT LAY DOWN THE CROSS BECAUSE THEY WILL NEVER ASSUME IT. YET NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, NOTHING, TO MEN OF FAITH AND CONVICTION. LET US THEREFORE MAKE PERFECT OUR WILL. O GOD, HELP US. SON OF MAN, BEHOLD WITH THINE EYES, AND HEAR WITH THINE EARS AND SET THINE HEART UPON ALL THAT I SHOW THEE. WHO IS THIS THAT HAS SAID: THE HOUSE OF GOD IS A HOUSE OF SORROW; WE MUST WALK IN BLACK AND GO SADLY, WITH LONGDRAWN FACES, WE MUST GO BETWEEN EMPTY WALLS, QUAVERING LOWLY, WHISPERING FAINTLY, AMONG A FEW FLICKERING SCATTERED LIGHTS? THEY WOULD PUT UPON GOD THEIR OWN SORROW, THE GRIEF THEY SHOULD FEEL FOR THEIR SINS AND FAULTS AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY OCCASIONS. YET THEY WALK IN THE STREET PROUDNECKED, LIKE THOROUGHBREDS READY FOR RA CES, ADORNING THEMSELVES, AND BUSY IN THE MARKET, THE FORUM, AND ALL OTHER SECULAR MEETINGS. THINKING GOOD OF THEMSELVES, READY FOR ANY FESTIVITY, DOING THEMSELVES VERY WELL. LET US MOURN IN A PRIVATE CHAMBER, LEARNING THE WAY OF PENITENCE. AND THEN LET US LEARN THE JOYFUL COMMUNION OF SAINTS. THE SOUL OF MAN MUST QUICKEN TO CREATION. OUT OF THE FORMLESS STONE, WHEN THE ARTIST UNITED HIMSELF WITH STONE, SPRING ALWAYS NEW FORMS OF LIFE, FROM THE SOUL OF MAN THAT IS JOINED TO THE SOUL OF STONE; OUT OF THE MEANINGLESS PRACTICAL SHAPES OF ALL THAT IS LIVING OR LIFELES S JOINED WITH THE ARTIST'S EYE, NEW LIFE, NEW FORM, NEW COLOUR. OUT OF THE SEA OF SOUND THE LIFE OF MUSIC, OUT OF THE SLIMY MUD OF WORDS, OUT OF THE SLEET AND HAIL OF VERBAL IMPRE CISIONS, APPROXIMATE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, WORDS THAT HAVE TAKEN THE PLACE OF TH OUGHTS AND FEELINGS, THERE SPRING THE PERFECT ORDER OF SPEECH, AND THE BEAUTY OF INCANTATION. LORD, SHALL WE NOT BRING THESE GIFTS TO YOUR SERVICE? SHALL WE NOT BRING TO YOUR SERVICE ALL OUR POWERS FOR LIFE, FOR DIGNITY, GRACE AND ORDER, AND INTELLECTUAL PLEASURES OF THE SENSES? THE LORD WHO CREATED MUST WISH US TO CREATE AND EMPLOY OUR CREATION AGAIN IN HIS SERVICE WHICH IS ALREADY HIS SERVICE IN CREATING. FOR MAN IS JOINED SPIRIT AND BODY, AND THEREFORE MUST SERVE AS SPIRIT AND BODY. VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, TWO WORLDS MEET IN MAN; VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE MUST MEET IN HIS TEMPLE; YOU MUST NOT DENY THE BODY. NOW YOU SHALL SEE THE TEMPLE COMPLETED: AFTER MUCH STRIVING, AFTER MANY OBSTACLES; FOR THE WORK OF CREATION IS NEVER WITHOUT TRAVAIL; THE FORMED STONE, THE VISIBLE CRUCIFIX, THE DRESSED ALTAR, THE LIFTING LIGHT, LIGHT LIGHT THE VISIBLE REMINDER OF INVISIBLE LIGHT. YOU HAVE SEEN THE HOUSE BUILT, YOU HAVE SEEN IT ADORNED BY ONE WHO CAME IN THE NIGHT, IT IS NOW DEDICATED TO GOD. IT IS NOW A VISIBLE CHURCH, ONE MORE LIGHT SET ON A HILL IN A WORLD CONFUSED AND DARK AND DISTURBED BY PORTENTS OF FEAR. AND WHAT SHALL WE SAY OF THE FUTURE? IS ONE CHURCH ALL WE CAN BUILD? OR SHALL THE VISIBLE CHURCH GO ON TO CONQUER THE WORLD? THE GREAT SNAKE LIES EVER HALF AWAKE, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT OF THE WO RLD, CURLED IN FOLDS OF HIMSELF UNTIL HE AWAKENS IN HUNGER AND MOVING HIS HEAD TO RI GHT AND TO LEFT PREPARES FOR HIS HOUR TO DEVOUR. BUT THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY IS A PIT TOO DEEP FOR MORTAL EYES TO PLUMB. COME YE OUT FROM AMONG THOSE WHO PRIZE THE SERPENT'S GOLDEN EYES, THE WORSHIPPERS, SELF-GIVEN SACRIFICE OF THE SNAKE. TAKE YOUR WAY AND BE YE SEPARATE. BE NOT TOO CURIOUS OF GOOD AND EVIL; SEEK NOT TO COUNT THE FUTURE WAVES OF TIME; BUT BE YE SATISFIED THAT YOU HAVE LIGHT ENOUGH TO TAKE YOUR STEP AND FIND YOUR FOOTHOLD. O LIGHT INVISIBLE, WE PRAISE THEE! TOO BRIGHT FOR MORTAL VISION. O GREATER LIGHT, WE PRAISE THEE FOR THE LESS; THE EASTERN LIGHT OUR SPIRES TOUCH AT MORNING, THE LIGHT THAT SLANTS UPON OUR WESTERN DOORS AT EVENING, THE TWILIGHT OVER STAGNANT POOLS AT BATFLIGHT, MOON LIGHT AND STAR LIGHT, OWL AND MOTH LIGHT, GLOW-WORM GLOWLIGHT ON A GRASSBLADE. O LIGHT INVISIBLE, WE WORSHIP THEE! WE THANK THEE FOR THE LIGHTS THAT WE HAVE KINDLED, THE LIGHT OF ALTAR AND OF SANCTUARY; SMALL LIGHTS OF THOSE WHO MEDITATE AT MIDNIGHT AND LIGHTS DIRECTED THROUGH THE COLOURED PANES OF WINDOWS AND LIGHT REFLECTED FROM THE POLISHED STONE, THE GILDED CARVEN WOOD, THE COLOURED FRESCO. OUR GAZE IS SUBMARINE, OUR EYES LOOK UPWARD AND SEE THE LIGHT THAT FRACTURES THROUGH UNQUIET WATER. WE SEE THE LIGHT BUT SEE NOT WHENCE IT COMES. O LIGHT INVISIBLE, WE GLORIFY THEE! IN OUR RHYTHM OF EARTHLY LIFE WE TIRE OF LIGHT. WE ARE GLAD WHEN THE DAY ENDS, WHEN THE PLAY ENDS; AND ECSTASY IS TOO MUCH PAIN. WE ARE CHILDREN QUICKLY TIRED: CHILDREN WHO ARE UP IN THE NIGHT AND FALL ASLEEP AS THE ROCKET IS FIRED; AND THE DAY IS LONG FOR WORK OR PLAY. WE TIRE OF DISTRACTION OR CONCENTRATION, WE SLEEP AND ARE GLAD TO SLEEP, CONTROLLED BY THE RHYTHM OF BLOOD AND THE DAY AND THE NIGHT AND THE SEAS ONS. AND WE MUST EXTINGUISH THE CANDLE, PUT OUT THE LIGHT AND RELIGHT IT; FOREVER MUST QUENCH, FOREVER RELIGHT THE FLAME. THEREFORE WE THANK THEE FOR OUR LITTLE LIGHT, THAT IS DAPPLED WITH SHADO W. WE THANK THEE WHO HAST MOVED US TO BUILDING, TO FINDING, TO FORMING AT T HE ENDS OF OUR FINGERS AND BEAMS OF OUR EYES. AND WHEN WE HAVE BUILT AN ALTAR TO THE INVISIBLE LIGHT, WE MAY SET THERE ON THE LITTLE LIGHTS FOR WHICH OUR BODILY VISION IS MADE. AND WE THANK THEE THAT DARKNESS REMINDS US OF LIGHT. O LIGHT INVISIBLE, WE GIVE THEE THANKS FOR THY GREAT GLORY!

SWEENEY AGONISTES ((FRAGMENTS OF AN ARISTOPHANIC MELODRAMA (ORESTES:( #YOU DON'T SEE THEM, YOU DON'T- BUT I SEE THEM: THEY ARE HUNTING ME DOWN, I MUST MOVE ON.# CHOEPHOROI. #HENCE THE SOUL CANNOT BE POSSESSED OF THE DIVINE UNION, UNTIL IT HAS DIVESTED ITSELF OF THE LOVE OF CREATED BEINGS.# ST& JOHN OF THE CROSS.)) (((DUSTY. DORIS.()) HOW ABOUT PEREIRA? WHAT ABOUT PEREIRA? I DON'T CARE. YOU DON'T CARE! WHO PAYS THE RENT? YES HE PAYS THE RENT WELL SOME MEN DON'T AND SOME MEN DO SOME MEN DON'T AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN HAVE PEREIRA WHAT ABOUT PEREIRA? HE'S NO GENTLEMAN, PEREIRA: YOU CAN'T TRUST HIM! WELL THAT'S TRUE. HE'S NO GENTLEMAN IF YOU CAN'T TRUST HIM AND #IF# YOU CAN'T TRUST HIM- THEN YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO. NO IT WOULDN'T DO TO BE TOO NICE TO PEREIRA. NOW SAM'S A GENTLEMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH. I LIKE SAM #I# LIKE SAM YES AND SAM'S A NICE BOY TOO. HE'S A FUNNY FELLOW HE #IS# A FUNNY FELLOW HE'S LIKE A FELLOW ONCE I KNEW. #HE# COULD MAKE YOU LAUGH. SAM CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH: SAM'S ALL RIGHT BUT PEREIRA WON'T DO. WE CAN'T HAVE PEREIRA WELL WHAT YOU GOING TO DO? TING A LING LING TING A LING LING THAT'S PEREIRA YES THAT'S PEREIRA WELL WHAT YOU GOING TO DO? TING A LING LING TING A LING LING THAT'S PEREIRA WELL CAN'T YOU STOP THAT HORRIBLE NOISE? PICK UP THE RECEIVER WHAT'LL I SAY! SAY WHAT YOU LIKE: SAY I'M ILL, SAY I BROKE MY LEG ON THE STAIRS SAY WE'VE HAD A FIRE HELLO HELLO ARE YOU THERE? YES THIS IS MISS DORRANCE'S #FLAT#- OH MR& PEREIRA IS THAT YOU? HOW DO YOU DO! OH I'M #SO# SORRY. I #AM# SO SORRY BUT DORIS CAME HOME WITH A TERRIBLE CHILL NO, JUST A CHILL OH I #THINK# IT'S ONLY A CHILL YES INDEED I HOPE SO TOO- WELL I #HOPE# WE SHAN'T HAVE TO CALL A DOCTOR DORIS JUST HATES HAVING A DOCTOR SHE SAYS WILL YOU RING UP ON MONDAY SHE HOPES TO BE ALL RIGHT ON MONDAY I SAY DO YOU MIND IF I RING OFF NOW SHE'S GOT HER FEET IN MUSTARD AND WATER I SAID I'M GIVING HER MUSTARD AND WATER ALL RIGHT, MONDAY YOU'LL PHONE THROUGH. YES I'LL TELL HER. GOOD BYE. GOOOOOD BYE. I'M SURE, THAT'S VERY KIND OF #YOU.# AH-H-H NOW I'M GOING TO CUT THE CARDS FOR TO-NIGHT. OH GUESS WHAT THE FIRST IS FIRST IS. WHAT IS? THE KING OF CLUBS THAT'S PEREIRA IT MIGHT BE SWEENEY IT'S PEREIRA IT MIGHT #JUST# AS WELL BE SWEENEY WELL ANYWAY IT'S VERY QUEER. HERE'S THE FOUR OF DIAMONDS, WHAT'S THAT MEAN? #READING#):( %A SMALL SUM OF MONEY, OR A PRESENT OF WEARING APPAREL, OR A PARTY%. THAT'S QUEER TOO. HERE'S THE THREE. WHAT'S THAT MEAN? %NEWS OF AN ABSENT FRIEND%.- PEREIRA! THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!- MRS& PORTER! OR IT MIGHT BE YOU OR IT MIGHT BE YOU WE'RE ALL HEARTS. YOU CAN'T BE SURE. IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT COMES NEXT. YOU'VE GOT TO #THINK# WHEN YOU READ THE CARDS, IT'S NOT A THING THAT ANYONE CAN DO. YES I KNOW YOU'VE A TOUCH WITH THE CARDS WHAT COMES NEXT? WHAT COMES NEXT. IT'S THE SIX. %A QUARREL. AN ESTRANGEMENT. SEPARATION OF FRIENDS%. HERE'S THE TWO OF SPADES. THE #TWO OF SPADES!# THAT'S THE COFFIN!! THAT'S THE COFFIN? OH GOOD HEAVENS WHAT'LL I DO? JUST BEFORE A PARTY TOO! WELL IT NEEDN'T BE YOURS, IT MAY MEAN A FRIEND. NO IT'S MINE. I'M SURE IT'S MINE. I DREAMT OF WEDDINGS ALL LAST NIGHT. YES IT'S MINE. I KNOW IT'S MINE. OH GOOD HEAVENS WHAT'LL I DO. WELL I'M NOT GOING TO DRAW ANY MORE, YOU CUT FOR LUCK. YOU CUT FOR LUCK. IT MIGHT BREAK THE SPELL. YOU CUT FOR LUCK. THE KNAVE OF SPADES. THAT'LL BE SNOW OR IT MIGHT BE SWARTS OR IT MIGHT BE SNOW IT'S A FUNNY THING HOW I DRAW COURT CARDS- THERE'S A LOT IN THE WAY YOU PICK THEM UP THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT IN THE WAY YOU FEEL SOMETIMES THEY'LL TELL YOU NOTHING AT ALL YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK THEM YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW IT'S NO USE ASKING THEM TOO MUCH IT'S NO USE ASKING MORE THAN ONCE SOMETIMES THEY'RE NO USE AT ALL. I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT COFFIN. WELL I NEVER! WHAT DID I TELL YOU? WASN'T I SAYING I ALWAYS DRAW COURT CARDS? THE KNAVE OF HEARTS! ((#WHISTLE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW.#)) WELL I #NEVER# WHAT A CO#IN#CIDENCE! CARDS ARE QUEER! ((#WHISTLE AGAIN.#)) IS THAT SAM? OF COURSE IT'S SAM! OF COURSE, THE KNAVE OF HEARTS #IS# SAM! ((#LEANING OUT OF THE WINDOW#)) HELLO SAM! HELLO DEAR HOW MANY'S UP THERE? NOBODY'S UP HERE HOW MANY'S DOWN THERE? FOUR OF US HERE. WAIT TILL I PUT THE CAR ROUND THE CORNER WE'LL BE RIGHT UP ALL RIGHT, COME UP. ((#TO# DORIS)) CARDS ARE QUEER. I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT COFFIN. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK ((DORIS. DUSTY. WAUCHOPE. HORSFALL. KLIPSTEIN. KRUMPACKER.)) HELLO DORIS! HELLO DUSTY! HOW DO YOU DO! HOW COME? HOW COME? WILL YOU PERMIT ME- I THINK YOU GIRLS BOTH KNOW CAPTAIN HORSFALL- WE WANT YOU TO MEET TWO FRIENDS OF OURS, AMERICAN GENTLEMEN HERE ON BUSINESS. MEET MR& KLIPSTEIN. MEET MR& KRUMPACKER. HOW DO YOU DO HOW DO YOU DO I'M VERY PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE EXTREMELY PLEASED TO BECOME ACQUAINTED SAM- I SHOULD SAY LOOT SAM WAUCHOPE OF THE CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE- THE LOOT HAS TOLD US A LOT ABOUT YOU. WE WERE ALL IN THE WAR TOGETHER KLIP AND ME AND THE CAP AND SAM. YES WE DID OUR BIT, AS YOU FOLKS SAY, I'LL TELL THE WORLD WE GOT THE HUN ON THE RUN WHAT ABOUT THAT POKER GAME? EH WHAT SAM? WHAT ABOUT THAT POKER GAME IN BORDEAUX. YES MISS DORRANCE YOU GET SAM TO TELL ABOUT THAT POKER GAME IN BORDEAUX. DO YOU KNOW LONDON WELL, MR& KRUMPACKER? NO WE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE WE HIT THIS TOWN LAST NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I CERTAINLY HOPE IT WON'T BE THE LAST TIME. YOU LIKE LONDON, MR& KLIPSTEIN? DO WE LIKE LONDON? DO WE LIKE LONDON! DO WE LIKE LONDON!! EH WHAT KLIP? SAY, MISS- ER- UH- LONDON'S SWELL. WE LIKE LONDON FINE. PERFECTLY SLICK. WHY DON'T YOU COME AND LIVE HERE THEN? WELL, NO, MISS- ER- YOU HAVEN'T QUITE GOT IT YES LONDON'S A LITTLE TOO GAY FOR US DON'T THINK I MEAN ANYTHING #COARSE-# BUT I'M AFRAID WE COULDN'T STAND THE PACE. WHAT ABOUT IT KLIP? YOU SAID IT, KRUM. LONDON'S A SLICK PLACE, LONDON'S A SWELL PLACE, LONDON'S A FINE PLACE TO COME ON A VISIT- SPECIALLY WHEN YOU GOT A REAL LIVE BRITISHER A GUY LIKE SAM TO SHOW YOU AROUND. SAM OF COURSE IS AT #HOME# IN LONDON, AND HE'S PROMISED TO SHOW US AROUND. ((SWEENEY. WAUCHOPE. HORSFALL. KLIPSTEIN. KRUMPACKER. SWARTS. SNOW. DORIS. DUSTY.)) I'LL CARRY YOU OFF TO A CANNIBAL ISLE. YOU'LL BE THE CANNIBAL! YOU'LL BE THE MISSIONARY! YOU'LL BE MY LITTLE SEVEN STONE MISSIONARY! I'LL GOBBLE YOU UP. I'LL BE THE CANNIBAL. YOU'LL CARRY ME OFF? TO A CANNIBAL ISLE? I'LL BE THE CANNIBAL. I'LL BE THE MISSIONARY. I'LL CONVERT YOU! I'LL CONVERT #YOU!# INTO A STEW. A NICE LITTLE, WHITE LITTLE, MISSIONARY STEW. YOU WOULDN'T EAT ME! YES I'D EAT YOU! IN A NICE LITTLE, WHITE LITTLE, SOFT LITTLE, TENDER LITTLE, JUICY LITTLE, RIGHT LITTLE, MISSIONARY STEW. YOU SEE THIS EGG YOU SEE THIS EGG WELL THAT'S LIFE ON A CROCODILE ISLE. THERE'S NO TELEPHONES THERE'S NO GRAMOPHONES THERE'S NO MOTOR CARS NO TWO-SEATERS, NO SIX-SEATERS, NO CITRO\EN, NO ROLLS-ROYCE. NOTHING TO EAT BUT THE FRUIT AS IT GROWS. NOTHING TO SEE BUT THE PALMTREES ONE WAY AND THE SEA THE OTHER WAY, NOTHING TO HEAR BUT THE SOUND OF THE SURF. NOTHING AT ALL BUT THREE THINGS WHAT THINGS? BIRTH, AND COPULATION, AND DEATH. THAT'S ALL, THAT'S ALL, THAT'S ALL, THAT'S ALL, BIRTH, AND COPULATION, AND DEATH. I'D BE BORED. YOU'D BE BORED. BIRTH, AND COPULATION AND DEATH. I'D BE BORED. YOU'D BE BORED. BIRTH, AND COPULATION, AND DEATH. THAT'S ALL THE FACTS WHEN YOU COME TO BRASS TACKS: BIRTH, AND COPULATION AND DEATH. I'VE BEEN BORN, AND ONCE IS ENOUGH. YOU DONT REMEMBER, BUT I REMEMBER, ONCE IS ENOUGH. ((SONG BY WAUCHOPE AND HORSFALL SWARTS AS TAMBO. SNOW AS BONES)) #UNDER THE BAMBOO BAMBOO BAMBOO UNDER THE BAMBOO TREE TWO LIVE AS ONE ONE LIVE AS TWO TWO LIVE AS THREE UNDER THE BAM UNDER THE BOO UNDER THE BAMBOO TREE. WHERE THE BREADFRUIT FALL AND THE PENGUIN CALL AND THE SOUND IS THE SOUND OF THE SEA UNDER THE BAM UNDER THE BOO UNDER THE BAMBOO TREE WHERE THE GAUGUIN MAIDS IN THE BANYAN SHADES WEAR PALMLEAF DRAPERY UNDER THE BAM UNDER THE BOO UNDER THE BAMBOO TREE. TELL ME IN WHAT PART OF THE WOOD DO YOU WANT TO FLIRT WITH ME? UNDER THE BREADFRUIT, BANYAN, PALMLEAF OR UNDER THE BAMBOO TREE? ANY OLD TREE WILL DO FOR ME ANY OLD WOOD IS JUST AS GOOD ANY OLD ISLE IS JUST MY STYLE ANY FRESH EGG ANY FRESH EGG AND THE SOUND OF THE CORAL SEA.# I DONT LIKE EGGS; I NEVER LIKED EGGS; AND I DONT LIKE LIFE ON YOUR CROCODILE ISLE. ((SONG BY KLIPSTEIN AND KRUMPACKER SNOW AND SWARTS AS BEFORE)) #MY LITTLE ISLAND GIRL MY LITTLE ISLAND GIRL I'M GOING TO STAY WITH YOU AND WE WON'T WORRY WHAT TO DO WE WON'T HAVE TO CATCH ANY TRAINS AND WE WON'T GO HOME WHEN IT RAINS WE'LL GATHER HIBISCUS FLOWERS FOR IT WON'T BE MINUTES BUT HOURS FOR IT WON'T BE HOURS BUT YEARS AND THE MORNING AND THE EVENING AND NOONTIME AND NIGHT DIMINUENDO MORNING EVENING NOONTIME NIGHT# THAT'S NOT LIFE, THAT'S NO LIFE WHY I'D JUST AS SOON BE DEAD. THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS. JUST IS WHAT IS? WHAT'S THAT LIFE IS? LIFE IS DEATH. I KNEW A MAN ONCE DID A GIRL IN- OH MR& SWEENEY, PLEASE DONT TALK, I CUT THE CARDS BEFORE YOU CAME AND I DREW THE COFFIN #YOU# DREW THE COFFIN? I DREW THE COFFIN VERY LAST CARD. I DONT CARE FOR SUCH CONVERSATION A WOMAN RUNS A TERRIBLE RISK. LET MR& SWEENEY CONTINUE HIS STORY. I ASSURE YOU, SIR, WE ARE VERY INTER#ES#TED. I KNEW A MAN ONCE DID A GIRL IN ANY MAN MIGHT DO A GIRL IN ANY MAN HAS TO, NEEDS TO, WANTS TO ONCE IN A LIFETIME, DO A GIRL IN. WELL HE KEPT HER THERE IN A BATH WITH A GALLON OF LYSOL IN A BATH THESE FELLOWS ALWAYS GET PINCHED IN THE END. EXCUSE ME, THEY DONT ALL GET PINCHED IN THE END. WHAT ABOUT THEM BONES ON EPSOM HEATH? I SEEN THAT IN THE PAPERS YOU SEEN IT IN THE PAPERS THEY #DONT# ALL GET PINCHED IN THE END. A WOMAN RUNS A TERRIBLE RISK. LET MR& SWEENEY CONTINUE HIS STORY. THIS ONE DIDN'T GET PINCHED IN THE END BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY TOO. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOBODY CAME AND NOBODY WENT BUT HE TOOK IN THE MILK AND HE PAID THE RENT. WHAT DID HE DO? ALL THAT TIME, WHAT DID HE DO? WHAT DID HE DO! WHAT DID HE DO? THAT DONT APPLY. TALK TO LIVE MEN ABOUT WHAT THEY DO. HE USED TO COME AND SEE ME SOMETIMES I'D GIVE HIM A DRINK AND CHEER HIM UP. CHEER HIM UP? CHEER HIM UP? WELL HERE AGAIN THAT DONT APPLY BUT I'VE GOTTA USE WORDS WHEN I TALK TO YOU. BUT HERE'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WAS ALIVE AND THE GIRL WAS DEAD HE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE GIRL WAS ALIVE AND HE WAS DEAD HE DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY BOTH WERE ALIVE OR BOTH WERE DEAD IF HE WAS ALIVE THEN THE MILKMAN WASN'T AND THE RENT-COLLECTOR WASN'T AND IF THEY WERE ALIVE THEN HE WAS DEAD. THERE WASN'T ANY JOINT THERE WASN'T ANY JOINT FOR WHEN YOU'RE ALONE WHEN YOU'RE ALONE LIKE HE WAS ALONE YOU'RE EITHER OR NEITHER I TELL YOU AGAIN IT DONT APPLY DEATH OR LIFE OR LIFE OR DEATH DEATH IS LIFE AND LIFE IS DEATH I GOTTA USE WORDS WHEN I TALK TO YOU BUT IF YOU UNDERSTAND OR IF YOU DONT THAT'S NOTHING TO ME AND NOTHING TO YOU WE ALL GOTTA DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO WE'RE GONA SIT HERE AND DRINK THIS BOOZE WE'RE GONA SIT HERE AND HAVE A TUNE WE'RE GONA STAY AND WE'RE GONA GO AND SOMEBODY'S GOTTA PAY THE RENT I KNOW WHO BUT THAT'S NOTHING TO ME AND NOTHING TO YOU. CORIOLAN ((I.)) STONE, BRONZE, STONE, STEEL, STONE, OAKLEAVES, HORSES' HEELS OVER THE PAVING. AND THE FLAGS. AND THE TRUMPETS. AND SO MANY EAGLES. HOW MANY? COUNT THEM. AND SUCH A PRESS OF PEOPLE. WE HARDLY KNEW OURSELVES THAT DAY, OR KNEW THE CITY. THIS IS THE WAY TO THE TEMPLE, AND WE SO MANY CROWDING THE WAY. SO MANY WAITING, HOW MANY WAITING? WHAT DID IT MATTER, ON SUCH A DAY? ARE THEY COMING? NO, NOT YET. YOU CAN SEE SOME EAGLES. AND HEAR THE TRUM+ PETS. HERE THEY COME. IS HE COMING? THE NATURAL WAKEFUL LIFE OF OUR EGO IS A PERCEIVING. WE CAN WAIT WITH OUR STOOLS AND OUR SAUSAGES. WHAT COMES FIRST? CAN YOU SEE? TELL US. IT IS 5,800,000 RIFLES AND CARBINES, 102,000 MACHINE GUNS, 28,000 TRENCH MORTARS, 53,000 FIELD AND HEAVY GUNS, I CANNOT TELL HOW MANY PROJECTILES, MINES AND FUSES, 13,000 AEROPLANES, 24,000 AEROPLANE ENGINES, 50,000 AMMUNITION WAGGONS, NOW 55,000 ARMY WAGGONS, 11,000 FIELD KITCHENS, 1,150 FIELD BAKERIES. WHAT A TIME THAT TOOK. WILL IT BE HE NOW? NO, THOSE ARE THE GOLF CLUB CAPTAINS, THESE THE SCOUTS, AND NOW THE #SOCI=ET=E GYMNASTIQUE DE POISSY# AND NOW COME THE MAYOR AND THE LIVERYMEN. LOOK THERE HE IS NOW, LOOK: THERE IS NO INTERROGATION IN HIS EYES OR IN THE HANDS, QUIET OVER THE HORSE'S NECK, AND THE EYES WATCHFUL, WAITING, PERCEIVING, INDIFFERENT. O HIDDEN UNDER THE DOVE'S WING, HIDDEN IN THE TURTLE'S BREAST, UNDER THE PALMTREE AT NOON, UNDER THE RUNNING WATER AT THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD. O HIDDEN. NOW THEY GO UP TO THE TEMPLE. THEN THE SACRIFICE. NOW COME THE VIRGINS BEARING URNS, URNS CONTAINING DUST DUST DUST OF DUST, AND NOW STONE, BRONZE, STONE, STEEL, STONE, OAKLEAVES, HORSES' HEELS OVER THE PAVING. THAT IS ALL WE COULD SEE. BUT HOW MANY EAGLES! AND HOW MANY TRUMPETS! (AND EASTER DAY, WE DIDN'T GET TO THE COUNTRY, SO WE TOOK YOUNG CYRIL TO CHURCH. AND THEY RANG A BELL AND HE SAID RIGHT OUT LOUD, #CRUMPETS.#) DON'T THROW AWAY THAT SAUSAGE, IT'LL COME IN HANDY. HE'S ARTFUL. PLEASE, WILL YOU GIVE US A LIGHT? LIGHT LIGHT #ET LES SOLDATS FAISAIENT LA HAIE? ILS LA FAISAIENT.# CRY WHAT SHALL I CRY? ALL FLESH IS GRASS: COMPREHENDING THE COMPANIONS OF THE BATH, THE KNIGHTS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, THE CAVAL+ IERS, O CAVALIERS! OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR, THE ORDER OF THE BLACK EAGLE (1ST AND 2ND CLASS), AND THE ORDER OF THE RISING SUN. CRY CRY WHAT SHALL I CRY? THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO FORM THE COMMITTEES: THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS, THE STANDING COMMITTEES, SELECT COMMITTEES AN+ D SUB-COMMITTEES. ONE SECRETARY WILL DO FOR SEVERAL COMMITTEES. WHAT SHALL I CRY? ARTHUR EDWARD CYRIL PARKER IS APPOINTED TELEPHONE OPERATOR AT A SALARY OF ONE POUND TEN A WEEK RISING BY ANNUAL INCREMENTS OF FIVE SHILLINGS TO TWO POUNDS TEN A WEEK; WITH A BONUS OF THIRTY SHILLINGS AT CHRISTMAS AND ONE WEEK'S LEAVE A YEAR. A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO NOMINATE A COMMISSION OF ENGINEERS TO CONSIDER THE WATER SUPPLY. A COMMISSION IS APPOINTED FOR PUBLIC WORKS, CHIEFLY THE QUESTION OF REBUILDING THE FORTIFICATIONS. A COMMISSION IS APPOINTED TO CONFER WITH A VOLSCIAN COMMISSION ABOUT PERPETUAL PEACE: THE FLETCHERS AND JAVELIN-MAKERS AND SMITHS HAVE APPOINTED A JOINT COMMITTEE TO PROTEST AGAINST THE REDUCTION OF ORD+ ERS. MEANWHILE THE GUARDS SHAKE DICE ON THE MARCHES AND THE FROGS (O MANTUAN) CROAK IN THE MARSHES. FIREFLIES FLARE AGAINST THE FAINT SHEET LIGHTNING WHAT SHALL I CRY? MOTHER MOTHER HERE IS THE ROW OF FAMILY PORTRAITS, DINGY BUSTS, ALL LOOKING REMARKABLY+ ROMAN, REMARKABLY LIKE EACH OTHER, LIT UP SUCCESSIVELY BY THE FLARE OF A SWEATY TORCHBEARER, YAWNING. O HIDDEN UNDER THE ... HIDDEN UNDER THE ... WHERE THE DOVE'S FOOT RESTED+ AND LOCKED FOR A MOMENT, A STILL MOMENT, REPOSE OF NOON, SET UNDER THE UPPER BRANCHES OF NOON'S W+ IDEST TREE UNDER THE BREAST FEATHER STIRRED BY THE SMALL WIND AFTER NOON THERE THE CYCLAMEN SPREADS ITS WINGS, THERE THE CLEMATIS DROOPS OVER THE + LINTEL O MOTHER (NOT AMONG THESE BUSTS, ALL CORRECTLY INSCRIBED) I A TIRED HEAD AMONG THESE HEADS NECKS STRONG TO BEAR THEM NOSES STRONG TO BREAK THE WIND MOTHER MAY WE NOT BE SOME TIME, ALMOST NOW, TOGETHER, IF THE MACTATIONS, IMMOLATIONS, OBLATIONS, IMPETRATIONS, ARE NOW OBSERVED MAY WE NOT BE O HIDDEN HIDDEN IN THE STILLNESS OF NOON, IN THE SILENT CROAKING NIGHT. COME WITH THE SWEEP OF THE LITTLE BAT'S WING, WITH THE SMALL FLARE OF TH+ E FIREFLY OR LIGHTNING BUG, %RISING AND FALLING, CROWNED WITH DUST%, THE SMALL CREATURES, THE SMALL CREATURES CHIRP THINLY THROUGH THE DUST, THROUGH THE NIGHT. O MOTHER WHAT SHALL I CRY? WE DEMAND A COMMITTEE, A REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE, A COMMITTEE OF INVEST+ IGATION RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN **** ((%NAM SIBYLLAM QUIDEM CUMIS EGO IPSE OCULIS MEIS VIDI IN AMPULLA PENDERE, ET CUM ILLI PUERI DICERENT: ;S1IBULLA T1I Q1ELEIS;; RESPONDEBAT ILLA: ;= APOQANE3IN Q1ELW;.% FOR EZRA POUND #IL MIGLIOR FABBRO.#))

((I.)) THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD APRIL IS THE CRUELLEST MONTH, BREEDING LILACS OUT OF THE DEAD LAND, MIXING MEMORY AND DESIRE, STIRRING DULL ROOTS WITH SPRING RAIN. WINTER KEPT US WARM, COVERING EARTH IN FORGETFUL SNOW, FEEDING A LITTLE LIFE WITH DRIED TUBERS. SUMMER SURPRISED US, COMING OVER THE STARNBERGERSEE WITH A SHOWER OF RAIN; WE STOPPED IN THE COLONNADE, AND WENT ON IN SUNLIGHT, INTO THE HOFGARTEN, AND DRANK COFFEE, AND TALKED FOR AN HOUR. BIN GAR KEINE RUSSIN, STAMM' AUS LITAUEN, ECHT DEUTSCH. AND WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, STAYING AT THE ARCH-DUKE'S, MY COUSIN'S, HE TOOK ME OUT ON A SLED, AND I WAS FRIGHTENED. HE SAID, MARIE, MARIE, HOLD ON TIGHT. AND DOWN WE WENT. IN THE MOUNTAINS, THERE YOU FEEL FREE. I READ, MUCH OF THE NIGHT, AND GO SOUTH IN THE WINTER. WHAT ARE THE ROOTS THAT CLUTCH, WHAT BRANCHES GROW OUT OF THIS STONY RUBBISH? SON OF MAN, YOU CANNOT SAY, OR GUESS, FOR YOU KNOW ONLY A HEAP OF BROKEN IMAGES, WHERE THE SUN BEATS, AND THE DEAD TREE GIVES NO SHELTER, THE CRICKET NO RELIEF, AND THE DRY STONE NO SOUND OF WATER. ONLY THERE IS SHADOW UNDER THIS RED ROCK, (COME IN UNDER THE SHADOW OF THIS RED ROCK), AND I WILL SHOW YOU SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM EITHER YOUR SHADOW AT MORNING STRIDING BEHIND YOU OR YOUR SHADOW AT EVENING RISING TO MEET YOU; I WILL SHOW YOU FEAR IN A HANDFUL OF DUST. #FRISCH WEHT DER WIND DER HEIMAT ZU MEIN IRISCH KIND, WO WEILEST DU?# %YOU GAVE ME HYACINTHS FIRST A YEAR AGO; %THEY CALLED ME THE HYACINTH GIRL.% -YET WHEN WE CAME BACK, LATE, FROM THE HYACINTH GARDEN, YOUR ARMS FULL, AND YOUR HAIR WET, I COULD NOT SPEAK, AND MY EYES FAILED, I WAS NEITHER LIVING NOR DEAD, AND I KNEW NOTHING, LOOKING INTO THE HEART OF LIGHT, THE SILENCE. #OED' UND LEER DAS MEER.# MADAME SOSOSTRIS, FAMOUS CLAIRVOYANTE, HAD A BAD COLD, NEVERTHELESS IS KNOWN TO BE THE WISEST WOMAN IN EUROPE, WITH A WICKED PACK OF CARDS. HERE, SAID SHE, IS YOUR CARD, THE DROWNED PHOENICIAN SAILOR, (THOSE ARE PEARLS THAT WERE HIS EYES. LOOK!) HERE IS BELLADONNA, THE LADY OF THE ROCKS, THE LADY OF SITUATIONS. HERE IS THE MAN WITH THREE STAVES, AND HERE THE WHEEL, AND HERE IS THE ONE-EYED MERCHANT, AND THIS CARD, WHICH IS BLANK, IS SOMETHING HE CARRIES ON HIS BACK, WHICH I AM FORBIDDEN TO SEE. I DO NOT FIND THE HANGED MAN. FEAR DEATH BY WATER. I SEE CROWDS OF PEOPLE, WALKING ROUND IN A RING. THANK YOU. IF YOU SEE DEAR MRS& EQUITONE, TELL HER I BRING THE HOROSCOPE MYSELF: ONE MUST BE SO CAREFUL THESE DAYS. UNREAL CITY. UNDER THE BROWN FOG OF A WINTER DAWN, A CROWD FLOWED OVER LONDON BRIDGE, SO MANY, I HAD NOT THOUGHT DEATH HAD UNDONE SO MANY. SIGHS, SHORT AND INFREQUENT, WERE EXHALED, AND EACH MAN FIXED HIS EYES BEFORE HIS FEET. FLOWED UP THE HILL AND DOWN KING WILLIAM STREET, TO WHERE SAINT MARY WOOLNOTH KEPT THE HOURS WITH A DEAD SOUND ON THE FINAL STROKE OF NINE. THERE I SAW ONE I KNEW, AND STOPPED HIM, CRYING: %STETSON! %YOU WHO WERE WITH ME IN THE SHIPS AT MYLAE! %THAT CORPSE YOU PLANTED LAST YEAR IN YOUR GARDEN, %HAS IT BEGUN TO SPROUT? WILL IT BLOOM THIS YEAR? %OR HAS THE SUDDEN FROST DISTURBED ITS BED? %O KEEP THE DOG FAR HENCE, THAT'S FRIEND TO MEN, %OR WITH HIS NAILS HE'LL DIG IT UP AGAIN! %YOU! HYPOCRITE LECTEUR!- MON SEMBLABLE,- MON FR*ERE!%

((II.)) A GAME OF CHESS THE CHAIR SHE SAT IN, LIKE A BURNISHED THRONE, GLOWED ON THE MARBLE, WHERE THE GLASS HELD UP BY STANDARDS WROUGHT WITH FRUITED VINES FROM WHICH A GOLDEN CUPIDON PEEPED OUT (ANOTHER HID HIS EYES BEHIND HIS WING) DOUBLED THE FLAMES OF SEVENBRANCHED CANDELABRA REFLECTING LIGHT UPON THE TABLE AS THE GLITTER OF HER JEWELS ROSE TO MEET IT, FROM SATIN CASES POURED IN RICH PROFUSION. IN VIALS OF IVORY AND COLOURED GLASS UNSTOPPERED, LURKED HER STRANGE SYNTHETIC PERFUMES, UNGUENT, POWDERED, OR LIQUID- TROUBLED, CONFUSED AND DROWNED THE SENSE IN ODOURS; STIRRED BY THE AIR THAT FRESHENED FROM THE WINDOW, THESE ASCENDED IN FATTENING THE PROLONGED CANDLE-FLAMES, FLUNG THEIR SMOKE INTO THE LAQUEARIA, STIRRING THE PATTERN ON THE COFFERED CEILING. HUGE SEA-WOOD FED WITH COPPER BURNED GREEN AND ORANGE, FRAMED BY THE COLOURED STONE, IN WHICH SAD LIGHT A CARV*ED DOLPHIN SWAM. ABOVE THE ANTIQUE MANTEL WAS DISPLAYED AS THOUGH A WINDOW GAVE UPON THE SYLVAN SCENE THE CHANGE OF PHILOMEL, BY THE BARBAROUS KING SO RUDELY FORCED; YET THERE THE NIGHTINGALE FILLED ALL THE DESERT WITH INVIOLABLE VOICE AND STILL SHE CRIED, AND STILL THE WORLD PURSUES, %JUG JUG% TO DIRTY EARS. AND OTHER WITHERED STUMPS OF TIME WERE TOLD UPON THE WALLS; STARING FORMS LEANED OUT, LEANING, HUSHING THE ROOM ENCLOSED. FOOTSTEPS SHUFFLED ON THE STAIR. UNDER THE FIRELIGHT, UNDER THE BRUSH, HER HAIR SPREAD OUT IN FIERY POINTS GLOWED INTO WORDS, THEN WOULD BE SAVAGELY STILL. %MY NERVES ARE BAD TO-NIGHT. YES, BAD. STAY WITH ME. %SPEAK TO ME. WHY DO YOU NEVER SPEAK. SPEAK. %WHAT ARE YOU THINKING OF? WHAT THINKING? WHAT? %I NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING. THINK.% I THINK WE ARE IN RATS' ALLEY WHERE THE DEAD MEN LOST THEIR BONES. %WHAT IS THAT NOISE?% THE WIND UNDER THE DOOR. %WHAT IS THAT NOISE NOW? WHAT IS THE WIND DOING?% NOTHING AGAIN NOTHING. %D0 %YOU KNOW NOTHING? DO YOU SEE NOTHING? DO YOU REMEMBER %NOTHING?% I REMEMBER THOSE ARE PEARLS THAT WERE HIS EYES. %ARE YOU ALIVE, OR NOT? IS THERE NOTHING IN YOUR HEAD?% BUT O O O O THAT SHAKESPEHERIAN RAG- IT'S SO ELEGANT SO INTELLIGENT %WHAT SHALL I DO NOW? WHAT SHALL I DO?% %I SHALL RUSH OUT AS I AM, AND WALK THE STREET %WITH MY HAIR DOWN, SO. WHAT SHALL WE DO TOMORROW? %WHAT SHALL WE EVER DO?% THE HOT WATER AT TEN. AND IF IT RAINS, A CLOSED CAR AT FOUR. AND WE SHALL PLAY A GAME OF CHESS, PRESSING LIDLESS EYES AND WAITING FOR A KNOCK UPON THE DOOR. WHEN LIL'S HUSBAND GOT DEMOBBED, I SAID- I DIDN'T MINCE MY WORDS, I SAID TO HER MYSELF, HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME NOW ALBERT'S COMING BACK, MAKE YOURSELF A BIT SMART. HE'LL WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU DONE WITH THAT MONEY HE GAVE YOU TO GET YOURSELF SOME TEETH. HE DID, I WAS THERE. YOU HAVE THEM ALL OUT, LIL, AND GET A NICE SET, HE SAID, I SWEAR, I CAN'T BEAR TO LOOK AT YOU. AND NO MORE CAN'T I, I SAID, AND THINK OF POOR ALBERT, HE'S BEEN IN THE ARMY FOUR YEARS, HE WANTS A GOOD TIME, AND IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT HIM, THERE'S OTHERS WILL, I SAID. OH IS THERE, SHE SAID. SOMETHING O' THAT, I SAID. THEN I'LL KNOW WHO TO THANK, SHE SAID, AND GIVE ME A STRAIGHT LOOK. HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN GET ON WITH IT, I SAID. OTHERS CAN PICK AND CHOOSE IF YOU CAN'T. BUT IF ALBERT MAKES OFF, IT WON'T BE FOR LACK OF TELLING. YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED, I SAID, TO LOOK SO ANTIQUE. (AND HER ONLY THIRTY-ONE.) I CAN'T HELP IT, SHE SAID, PULLING A LONG FACE, IT'S THEM PILLS I TOOK, TO BRING IT OFF, SHE SAID. (SHE'S HAD FIVE ALREADY, AND NEARLY DIED OF YOUNG GEORGE.) THE CHEMIST SAID IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN THE SAME. YOU #ARE# A PROPER FOOL, I SAID. WELL, IF ALBERT WON'T LEAVE YOU ALONE, THERE IT IS, I SAID, WHAT YOU GET MARRIED FOR IF YOU DON'T WANT CHILDREN? HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME WELL, THAT SUNDAY ALBERT WAS HOME, THEY HAD A HOT GAMMON, AND THEY ASKED ME IN TO DINNER, TO GET THE BEAUTY OF IT HOT- HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME GOONIGHT BILL. GOONIGHT LOU. GOONIGHT MAY. GOONIGHT. TA TA. GOONIGHT. GOONIGHT. GOOD NIGHT, LADIES, GOOD NIGHT, SWEET LADIES, GOOD NIGHT, GOOD NIGHT.

((III.)) THE FIRE SERMON THE RIVER'S TENT IS BROKEN; THE LAST FINGERS OF LEAF CLUTCH AND SINK INTO THE WET BANK. THE WIND CROSSES THE BROWN LAND, UNHEARD. THE NYMPHS ARE DEPARTED. SWEET THAMES, RUN SOFTLY, TILL I END MY SONG. THE RIVER BEARS NO EMPTY BOTTLES, SANDWICH PAPERS, SILK HANDKERCHIEFS, CARDBOARD BOXES, CIGARETTE ENDS OR OTHER TESTIMONY OF SUMMER NIGHTS. THE NYMPHS ARE DEPARTED. AND THEIR FRIENDS, THE LOITERING HEIRS OF CITY DIRECTORS; DEPARTED, HAVE LEFT NO ADDRESSES. BY THE WATERS OF LEMAN I SAT DOWN AND WEPT ... SWEET THAMES, RUN SOFTLY TILL I END MY SONG, SWEET THAMES, RUN SOFTLY, FOR I SPEAK NOT LOUD OR LONG. BUT AT MY BACK IN A COLD BLAST I HEAR THE RATTLE OF THE BONES, AND CHUCKLE SPREAD FROM EAR TO EAR. A RAT CREPT SOFTLY THROUGH THE VEGETATION DRAGGING ITS SLIMY BELLY ON THE BANK WHILE I WAS FISHING IN THE DULL CANAL ON A WINTER EVENING ROUND BEHIND THE GASHOUSE MUSING UPON THE KING MY BROTHER'S WRECK AND ON THE KING MY FATHER'S DEATH BEFORE HIM. WHITE BODIES NAKED ON THE LOW DAMP GROUND AND BONES CAST IN A LITTLE LOW DRY GARRET, RATTLED BY THE RAT'S FOOT ONLY, YEAR TO YEAR. BUT AT MY BACK FROM TIME TO TIME I HEAR THE SOUND OF HORNS AND MOTORS, WHICH SHALL BRING SWEENEY TO MRS& PORTER IN THE SPRING. O THE MOON SHONE BRIGHT ON MRS& PORTER AND ON HER DAUGHTER THEY WASH THEIR FEET IN SODA WATER #ET O CES VOIX D'ENFANTS, CHANTANT DANS LA COUPOLE!# TWIT TWIT TWIT JUG JUG JUG JUG JUG JUG SO RUDELY FORC'D. TEREU UNREAL CITY UNDER THE BROWN FOG OF A WINTER NOON MR& EUGENIDES, THE SMYRNA MERCHANT UNSHAVEN, WITH A POCKET FULL OF CURRANTS C&I&F& LONDON: DOCUMENTS AT SIGHT, ASKED ME IN DEMOTIC FRENCH TO LUNCHEON AT THE CANNON STREET HOTEL FOLLOWED BY A WEEKEND AT THE METROPOLE. AT THE VIOLET HOUR, WHEN THE EYES AND BACK TURN UPWARD FROM THE DESK, WHEN THE HUMAN ENGINE WAITS LIKE A TAXI THROBBING WAITING, I TIRESIAS, THOUGH BLIND, THROBBING BETWEEN TWO LIVES, OLD MAN WITH WRINKLED FEMALE BREASTS, CAN SEE AT THE VIOLET HOUR, THE EVENING HOUR THAT STRIVES HOMEWARD, AND BRINGS THE SAILOR HOME FROM SEA, THE TYPIST HOME AT TEATIME, CLEARS HER BREAKFAST, LIGHTS HER STOVE, AND LAYS OUT FOOD IN TINS. OUT OF THE WINDOW PERILOUSLY SPREAD HER DRYING COMBINATIONS TOUCHED BY THE SUN'S LAST RAYS, ON THE DIVAN ARE PILED (AT NIGHT HER BED) STOCKINGS, SLIPPERS, CAMISOLES, AND STAYS. I TIRESIAS, OLD MAN WITH WRINKLED DUGS PERCEIVED THE SCENE, AND FORETOLD THE REST- I TOO AWAITED THE EXPECTED GUEST. HE, THE YOUNG MAN CARBUNCULAR, ARRIVES, A SMALL HOUSE AGENT'S CLERK, WITH ONE BOLD STARE, ONE OF THE LOW ON WHOM ASSURANCE SITS AS A SILK HAT ON A BRADFORD MILLIONAIRE. THE TIME IS NOW PROPITIOUS, AS HE GUESSES, THE MEAL IS ENDED, SHE IS BORED AND TIRED, ENDEAVOURS TO ENGAGE HER IN CARESSES WHICH STILL ARE UNREPROVED, IF UNDESIRED. FLUSHED AND DECIDED, HE ASSAULTS AT ONCE; EXPLORING HANDS ENCOUNTER NO DEFENCE; HIS VANITY REQUIRES NO RESPONSE, AND MAKES A WELCOME OF INDIFFERENCE. (AND I TIRESIAS HAVE FORESUFFERED ALL ENACTED ON THIS SAME DIVAN OR BED; I WHO HAVE SAT BY THEBES BELOW THE WALL AND WALKED AMONG THE LOWEST OF THE DEAD.) BESTOWS ONE FINAL PATRONISING KISS, AND GROPES HIS WAY, FINDING THE STAIRS UNLIT ... SHE TURNS AND LOOKS A MOMENT IN THE GLASS, HARDLY AWARE OF HER DEPARTED LOVER; HER BRAIN ALLOWS ONE HALF-FORMED THOUGHT TO PASS: %WELL NOW THAT'S DONE: AND I'M GLAD IT'S OVER.% WHEN LOVELY WOMAN STOOPS TO FOLLY AND PACES ABOUT HER ROOM AGAIN, ALONE, SHE SMOOTHES HER HAIR WITH AUTOMATIC HAND, AND PUTS A RECORD ON THE GRAMOPHONE. %THIS MUSIC CREPT BY ME UPON THE WATERS% AND ALONG THE STRAND, UP QUEEN VICTORIA STREET. O CITY CITY, I CAN SOMETIMES HEAR BESIDE A PUBLIC BAR IN LOWER THAMES STREET, THE PLEASANT WHINING OF A MANDOLINE AND A CLATTER AND A CHATTER FROM WITHIN WHERE FISHMEN LOUNGE AT NOON: WHERE THE WALLS OF MAGNUS MARTYR HOLD INEXPLICABLE SPLENDOUR OF IONIAN WHITE AND GOLD. THE RIVER SWEATS OIL AND TAR THE BARGES DRIFT WITH THE TURNING TIDE RED SAILS WIDE TO LEEWARD, SWING ON THE HEAVY SPAR. THE BARGES WASH DRIFTING LOGS DOWN GREENWICH REACH PAST THE ISLE OF DOGS. WEIALALA LEIA WALLALA LEIALALA ELIZABETH AND LEICESTER BEATING OARS THE STERN WAS FORMED A GILDED SHELL RED AND GOLD THE BRISK SWELL RIPPLED BOTH SHORES SOUTHWEST WIND CARRIED DOWN STREAM THE PEAL OF BELLS WHITE TOWERS WEIALALA LEIA WALLALA LEIALALA %TRAMS AND DUSTY TREES. HIGHBURY BORE ME. RICHMOND AND KEW UNDID ME. BY RICHMOND I RAISED MY KNEES SUPINE ON THE FLOOR OF A NARROW CANOE.% %MY FEET ARE AT MOORGATE, AND MY HEART UNDER MY FEET. AFTER THE EVENT HE WEPT. HE PROMISED %%A NEW START.%% I MADE NO COMMENT. WHAT SHOULD I RESENT?% %ON MARGATE SANDS. I CAN CONNECT NOTHING WITH NOTHING. THE BROKEN FINGERNAILS OF DIRTY HANDS. MY PEOPLE HUMBLE PEOPLE WHO EXPECT NOTHING.% LA LA TO CARTHAGE THEN I CAME BURNING BURNING BURNING BURNING O LORD THOU PLUCKEST ME OUT O LORD THOU PLUCKEST BURNING

((IV.)) DEATH BY WATER PHLEBAS THE PHOENICIAN, A FORTNIGHT DEAD, FORGOT THE CRY OF GULLS, AND THE DEEP SEA SWELL AND THE PROFIT AND LOSS. A CURRENT UNDER SEA PICKED HIS BONES IN WHISPERS. AS HE ROSE AND FELL HE PASSED THE STAGES OF HIS AGE AND YOUTH ENTERING THE WHIRLPOOL. GENTILE OR JEW O YOU WHO TURN THE WHEEL AND LOOK TO WINDWARD, CONSIDER PHLEBAS, WHO WAS ONCE HANDSOME AND TALL AS YOU.

((V.)) WHAT THE THUNDER SAID AFTER THE TORCHLIGHT RED ON SWEATY FACES AFTER THE FROSTY SILENCE IN THE GARDENS AFTER THE AGONY IN STONY PLACES THE SHOUTING AND THE CRYING PRISON AND PALACE AND REVERBERATION OF THUNDER OF SPRING OVER DISTANT MOUNTAINS HE WHO WAS LIVING IS NOW DEAD WE WHO WERE LIVING ARE NOW DYING WITH A LITTLE PATIENCE HERE IS NO WATER BUT ONLY ROCK ROCK AND NO WATER AND THE SANDY ROAD THE ROAD WINDING ABOVE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS WHICH ARE MOUNTAINS OF ROCK WITHOUT WATER IF THERE WERE WATER WE SHOULD STOP AND DRINK AMONGST THE ROCK ONE CANNOT STOP OR THINK SWEAT IS DRY AND FEET ARE IN THE SAND IF THERE WERE ONLY WATER AMONGST THE ROCK DEAD MOUNTAIN MOUTH OF CARIOUS TEETH THAT CANNOT SPIT HERE ONE CAN NEITHER STAND NOR LIE NOR SIT THERE IS NOT EVEN SILENCE IN THE MOUNTAINS BUT DRY STERILE THUNDER WITHOUT RAIN THERE IS NOT EVEN SOLITUDE IN THE MOUNTAINS BUT RED SULLEN FACES SNEER AND SNARL FROM DOORS OF MUDCRACKED HOUSES IF THERE WERE WATER AND NO ROCK IF THERE WERE ROCK AND ALSO WATER AND WATER A SPRING A POOL AMONG THE ROCK IF THERE WERE THE SOUND OF WATER ONLY NOT THE CICADA AND DRY GRASS SINGING BUT SOUND OF WATER OVER A ROCK WHERE THE HERMIT-THRUSH SINGS IN THE PINE TREES DRIP DROP DRIP DROP DROP DROP DROP BUT THERE IS NO WATER WHO IS THE THIRD WHO WALKS ALWAYS BESIDE YOU? WHEN I COUNT, THERE ARE ONLY YOU AND I TOGETHER BUT WHEN I LOOK AHEAD UP THE WHITE ROAD THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER ONE WALKING BESIDE YOU GLIDING WRAPT IN A BROWN MANTLE, HOODED I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER A MAN OR A WOMAN -BUT WHO IS THAT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU? WHAT IS THAT SOUND HIGH IN THE AIR MURMUR OF MATERNAL LAMENTATION WHO ARE THOSE HOODED HORDES SWARMING OVER ENDLESS PLAINS, STUMBLING IN CRACKED EARTH RINGED BY THE FLAT HORIZON ONLY WHAT IS THE CITY OVER THE MOUNTAINS CRACKS AND REFORMS AND BURSTS IN THE VIOLET AIR FALLING TOWERS JERUSALEM ATHENS ALEXANDRIA VIENNA LONDON UNREAL A WOMAN DREW HER LONG BLACK HAIR OUT TIGHT AND FIDDLED WHISPER MUSIC ON THOSE STRINGS AND BATS WITH BABY FACES IN THE VIOLET LIGHT WHISTLED, AND BEAT THEIR WINGS AND CRAWLED HEAD DOWNWARD DOWN A BLACKENED WALL AND UPSIDE DOWN IN AIR WERE TOWERS TOLLING REMINISCENT BELLS, THAT KEPT THE HOURS AND VOICES SINGING OUT OF EMPTY CISTERNS AND EXHAUSTED WELLS IN THIS DECAYED HOLE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS IN THE FAINT MOONLIGHT, THE GRASS IS SINGING OVER THE TUMBLED GRAVES, ABOUT THE CHAPEL THERE IS THE EMPTY CHAPEL, ONLY THE WIND'S HOME. IT HAS NO WINDOWS, AND THE DOOR SWINGS, DRY BONES CAN HARM NO ONE. ONLY A COCK STOOD ON THE ROOFTREE CO CO RICO CO CO RICO IN A FLASH OF LIGHTNING. THEN A DAMP GUST BRINGING RAIN GANGA WAS SUNKEN, AND THE LIMP LEAVES WAITED FOR RAIN, WHILE THE BLACK CLOUDS GATHERED FAR DISTANT, OVER HIMAVANT. THE JUNGLE CROUCHED, HUMPED IN SILENCE. THEN SPOKE THE THUNDER DA #DATTA:# WHAT HAVE WE GIVEN? MY FRIEND, BLOOD SHAKING MY HEART THE AWFUL DARING OF A MOMENT'S SURRENDER WHICH AN AGE OF PRUDENCE CAN NEVER RETRACT BY THIS, AND THIS ONLY, WE HAVE EXISTED WHICH IS NOT TO BE FOUND IN OUR OBITUARIES OR IN MEMORIES DRAPED BY THE BENEFICENT SPIDER OR UNDER SEALS BROKEN BY THE LEAN SOLICITOR IN OUR EMPTY ROOMS DA #DAYADHVAM:# I HAVE HEARD THE KEY TURN IN THE DOOR ONCE AND TURN ONCE ONLY WE THINK OF THE KEY, EACH IN HIS PRISON THINKING OF THE KEY, EACH CONFIRMS A PRISON ONLY AT NIGHTFALL, AETHEREAL RUMOURS REVIVE FOR A MOMENT A BROKEN CORIOLANUS DA #DAMYATA:# THE BOAT RESPONDED GAILY, TO THE HAND EXPERT WITH SAIL AND OAR THE SEA WAS CALM, YOUR HEART WOULD HAVE RESPONDED GAILY, WHEN INVITED, BEATING OBEDIENT TO CONTROLLING HANDS I SAT UPON THE SHORE FISHING, WITH THE ARID PLAIN BEHIND ME SHALL I AT LEAST SET MY LANDS IN ORDER? LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN FALLING DOWN FALLING DOWN #POI S'ASCOSE NEL FOCO CHE GLI AFFINA QUANDO FIAM UTI CHELIDON#- O SWALLOW SWALLOW #LE PRINCE D'AQUITAINE *A LA TOUR ABOLIE# THESE FRAGMENTS I HAVE SHORED AGAINST MY RUINS WHY THEN ILE FIT YOU. HIERONYMO'S MAD AGAINE. DATTA. DAYADHVAM. DAMYATA. SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH