Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde
**The Project Gutenberg Etext of Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde**
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Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde
b Oscar Wilde
)ecember% 1//7 1Etext #11213
**The Project Gutenberg Etext of Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde**
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Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde
0t is thought that a selection from Oscar WildeRs earl $erses ma
be of interest to a large "ublic at "resent familiar onl #ith the
al#as "o"ular -=99=) O* ,E=)06G G=O9% also included in this
$olume( The "oems #ere first collected b their author #hen he #as
t#entBsex ears old% and though ne$er% until recentl% #ell
recei$ed b the critics% ha$e sur$i$ed the test of 606E editions(
,eaders #ill be able to ma&e for themsel$es the ob$ious and
stri&ing contrasts bet#een these first and last "hases of Oscar
WildeRs literar acti$it( The inter$ening "eriod #as de$oted
almost entirel to dramas% "rose% fiction% essas% and criticism(
,obert ,oss
,eform !lub%
="ril I% 1/11
!ontents
The -allad Of ,eading Gaol
=$e 0m"eratrix
To 8 Wife B With = !o" Of 8 Poems
8agdalen Wal&s
Theocritus B = +illanelle
Greece
Portia
*abien )ei *ranchi
Phedre
Sonnet On .earing The )ies 0rae Sung 0n The Sistine !ha"el
=$e 8aria Gratia Plena
9ibertatis Sacra *ames
,oses =nd ,ue
*rom RThe Garden Of ErosR
The .arlotRs .ouse
*rom RThe -urden Of 0tsR
*lo#er of 9o$e
6OTE
=t the end of the com"lete text #ill be found a shorter $ersion
based on the original draft of the "oem( This is included for the
benefit of reciters and their audiences #ho ha$e found the entire
"oem too long for declamation( 0 ha$e tried to ob$iate a
difficult% #ithout officiousl exercising the ungrateful
"rerogati$es of a literar executor% b falling bac& on a text
#hich re"resents the authorRs first scheme for a "oem B ne$er
intended of course for recitation(
,obert ,oss
Poem< The -allad Of ,eading Gaol
0n memoriam of !( T( W(
Sometimes troo"er of
The ,oal .orse Guards
Obiit .(8( Prison
,eading% -er&shire
Sul 7th% 1D/L
0
.e did not #ear his scarlet coat%
*or blood and #ine are red%
=nd blood and #ine #ere on his hands
When the found him #ith the dead%
The "oor dead #oman #hom he lo$ed%
=nd murdered in her bed(
.e #al&ed amongst the Trial 8en
0n a suit of shabb greT
= cric&et ca" #as on his head%
=nd his ste" seemed light and gaT
-ut 0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
With such a #istful ee
7"on that little tent of blue
Which "risoners call the s&%
=nd at e$er drifting cloud that #ent
With sails of sil$er b(
0 #al&ed% #ith other souls in "ain%
Within another ring%
=nd #as #ondering if the man had done
= great or little thing%
When a $oice behind me #his"ered lo#%
RT.=T *E99OWRS GOT TO SW06G(R
)ear !hrist' the $er "rison #alls
Suddenl seemed to reel%
=nd the s& abo$e m head became
9i&e a casHue of scorching steelT
=nd% though 0 #as a soul in "ain%
8 "ain 0 could not feel(
0 onl &ne# #hat hunted thought
Uuic&ened his ste"% and #h
.e loo&ed u"on the garish da
With such a #istful eeT
The man had &illed the thing he lo$ed%
=nd so he had to die(
Qet each man &ills the thing he lo$es%
- each let this be heard%
Some do it #ith a bitter loo&%
Some #ith a flattering #ord%
The co#ard does it #ith a &iss%
The bra$e man #ith a s#ord'
Some &ill their lo$e #hen the are oung%
=nd some #hen the are oldT
Some strangle #ith the hands of 9ust%
Some #ith the hands of Gold<
The &indest use a &nife% because
The dead so soon gro# cold(
Some lo$e too little% some too long%
Some sell% and others buT
Some do the deed #ith man tears%
=nd some #ithout a sigh<
*or each man &ills the thing he lo$es%
Qet each man does not die(
.e does not die a death of shame
On a da of dar& disgrace%
6or ha$e a noose about his nec&%
6or a cloth u"on his face%
6or dro" feet foremost through the floor
0nto an em"t s"ace(
.e does not sit #ith silent men
Who #atch him night and daT
Who #atch him #hen he tries to #ee"%
=nd #hen he tries to "raT
Who #atch him lest himself should rob
The "rison of its "re(
.e does not #a&e at da#n to see
)read figures throng his room%
The shi$ering !ha"lain robed in #hite%
The Sheriff stern #ith gloom%
=nd the Go$ernor all in shin blac&%
With the ello# face of )oom(
.e does not rise in "iteous haste
To "ut on con$ictBclothes%
While some coarseBmouthed )octor gloats%
and notes
Each ne# and ner$eBt#itched "ose%
*ingering a #atch #hose little tic&s
=re li&e horrible hammerBblo#s(
.e does not &no# that sic&ening thirst
That sands oneRs throat% before
The hangman #ith his gardenerRs glo$es
Sli"s through the "added door%
=nd binds one #ith three leathern thongs%
That the throat ma thirst no more(
.e does not bend his head to hear
The -urial Office read%
6or% #hile the terror of his soul
Tells him he is not dead%
!ross his o#n coffin% as he mo$es
0nto the hideous shed(
.e does not stare u"on the air
Through a little roof of glass<
.e does not "ra #ith li"s of cla
*or his agon to "assT
6or feel u"on his shuddering chee&
The &iss of !aia"has(
00
Six #ee&s our guardsman #al&ed the ard%
0n the suit of shabb gre<
.is cric&et ca" #as on his head%
=nd his ste" seemed light and ga%
-ut 0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
With such a #istful ee
7"on that little tent of blue
Which "risoners call the s&%
=nd at e$er #andering cloud that trailed
0ts ra$elled fleeces b(
.e did not #ring his hands% as do
Those #itless men #ho dare
To tr to rear the changeling .o"e
0n the ca$e of blac& )es"air<
.e onl loo&ed u"on the sun%
=nd dran& the morning air(
.e did not #ring his hands nor #ee"%
6or did he "ee& or "ine%
-ut he dran& the air as though it held
Some healthful anodneT
With o"en mouth he dran& the sun
=s though it had been #ine'
=nd 0 and all the souls in "ain%
Who tram"ed the other ring%
*orgot if #e oursel$es had done
= great or little thing%
=nd #atched #ith ga5e of dull ama5e
The man #ho had to s#ing(
=nd strange it #as to see him "ass
With a ste" so light and ga%
=nd strange it #as to see him loo&
So #istfull at the da%
=nd strange it #as to thin& that he
.ad such a debt to "a(
*or oa& and elm ha$e "leasant lea$es
That in the s"ringtime shoot<
-ut grim to see is the gallo#sBtree%
With its adderBbitten root%
=nd% green or dr% a man must die
-efore it bears its fruit'
The loftiest "lace is that seat of grace
*or #hich all #orldlings tr<
-ut #ho #ould stand in hem"en band
7"on a scaffold high%
=nd through a murdererRs collar ta&e
.is last loo& at the s&P
0t is s#eet to dance to $iolins
When 9o$e and 9ife are fair<
To dance to flutes% to dance to lutes
0s delicate and rare<
-ut it is not s#eet #ith nimble feet
To dance u"on the air'
So #ith curious ees and sic& surmise
We #atched him da b da%
=nd #ondered if each one of us
Would end the selfBsame #a%
*or none can tell to #hat red .ell
.is sightless soul ma stra(
=t last the dead man #al&ed no more
=mongst the Trial 8en%
=nd 0 &ne# that he #as standing u"
0n the blac& doc&Rs dreadful "en%
=nd that ne$er #ould 0 see his face
0n GodRs s#eet #orld again(
9i&e t#o doomed shi"s that "ass in storm
We had crossed each otherRs #a<
-ut #e made no sign% #e said no #ord%
We had no #ord to saT
*or #e did not meet in the hol night%
-ut in the shameful da(
= "rison #all #as round us both%
T#o outcast men #e #ere<
The #orld had thrust us from its heart%
=nd God from out .is care<
=nd the iron gin that #aits for Sin
.ad caught us in its snare(
000
0n )ebtorsR Qard the stones are hard%
=nd the dri""ing #all is high%
So it #as there he too& the air
-eneath the leaden s&%
=nd b each side a Warder #al&ed%
*or fear the man might die(
Or else he sat #ith those #ho #atched
.is anguish night and daT
Who #atched him #hen he rose to #ee"%
=nd #hen he crouched to "raT
Who #atched him lest himself should rob
Their scaffold of its "re(
The Go$ernor #as strong u"on
The ,egulations =ct<
The )octor said that )eath #as but
= scientific fact<
=nd t#ice a da the !ha"lain called%
=nd left a little tract(
=nd t#ice a da he smo&ed his "i"e%
=nd dran& his Huart of beer<
.is soul #as resolute% and held
6o hidingB"lace for fearT
.e often said that he #as glad
The hangmanRs hands #ere near(
-ut #h he said so strange a thing
6o Warder dared to as&<
*or he to #hom a #atcherRs doom
0s gi$en as his tas&%
8ust set a loc& u"on his li"s%
=nd ma&e his face a mas&(
Or else he might be mo$ed% and tr
To comfort or console<
=nd #hat should .uman Pit do
Pent u" in 8urderersR .oleP
What #ord of grace in such a "lace
!ould hel" a brotherRs soulP
With slouch and s#ing around the ring
We trod the *oolsR Parade'
We did not care< #e &ne# #e #ere
The )e$ilRs O#n -rigade<
=nd sha$en head and feet of lead
8a&e a merr masHuerade(
We tore the tarr ro"e to shreds
With blunt and bleeding nailsT
We rubbed the doors% and scrubbed the floors%
=nd cleaned the shining rails<
=nd% ran& b ran&% #e soa"ed the "lan&%
=nd clattered #ith the "ails(
We se#ed the sac&s% #e bro&e the stones%
We turned the dust drill<
We banged the tins% and ba#led the hmns%
=nd s#eated on the mill<
-ut in the heart of e$er man
Terror #as ling still(
So still it la that e$er da
!ra#led li&e a #eedBclogged #a$e<
=nd #e forgot the bitter lot
That #aits for fool and &na$e%
Till once% as #e tram"ed in from #or&%
We "assed an o"en gra$e(
With a#ning mouth the ello# hole
Ga"ed for a li$ing thingT
The $er mud cried out for blood
To the thirst as"halte ring<
=nd #e &ne# that ere one da#n gre# fair
Some "risoner had to s#ing(
,ight in #e #ent% #ith soul intent
On )eath and )read and )oom<
The hangman% #ith his little bag%
Went shuffling through the gloom<
=nd each man trembled as he cre"t
0nto his numbered tomb(
That night the em"t corridors
Were full of forms of *ear%
=nd u" and do#n the iron to#n
Stole feet #e could not hear%
=nd through the bars that hide the stars
White faces seemed to "eer(
.e la as one #ho lies and dreams
0n a "leasant meado#Bland%
The #atchers #atched him as he sle"t%
=nd could not understand
.o# one could slee" so s#eet a slee"
With a hangman close at hand(
-ut there is no slee" #hen men must #ee"
Who ne$er et ha$e #e"t<
So #e B the fool% the fraud% the &na$e B
That endless $igil &e"t%
=nd through each brain on hands of "ain
=notherRs terror cre"t(
=las' it is a fearful thing
To feel anotherRs guilt'
*or% right #ithin% the s#ord of Sin
Pierced to its "oisoned hilt%
=nd as molten lead #ere the tears #e shed
*or the blood #e had not s"ilt(
The Warders #ith their shoes of felt
!re"t b each "adloc&ed door%
=nd "ee"ed and sa#% #ith ees of a#e%
Gre figures on the floor%
=nd #ondered #h men &nelt to "ra
Who ne$er "raed before(
=ll through the night #e &nelt and "raed%
8ad mourners of a corse'
The troubled "lumes of midnight #ere
The "lumes u"on a hearse<
=nd bitter #ine u"on a s"onge
Was the sa$our of ,emorse(
The gre coc& cre#% the red coc& cre#%
-ut ne$er came the da<
=nd croo&ed sha"es of Terror crouched%
0n the corners #here #e la<
=nd each e$il s"rite that #al&s b night
-efore us seemed to "la(
The glided "ast% the glided fast%
9i&e tra$ellers through a mist<
The moc&ed the moon in a rigadoon
Of delicate turn and t#ist%
=nd #ith formal "ace and loathsome grace
The "hantoms &e"t their trst(
With mo" and mo#% #e sa# them go%
Slim shado#s hand in hand<
=bout% about% in ghostl rout
The trod a saraband<
=nd the damned grotesHues made arabesHues%
9i&e the #ind u"on the sand'
With the "irouettes of marionettes%
The tri""ed on "ointed tread<
-ut #ith flutes of *ear the filled the ear%
=s their grisl masHue the led%
=nd loud the sang% and long the sang%
*or the sang to #a&e the dead(
ROho'R the cried% RThe #orld is #ide%
-ut fettered limbs go lame'
=nd once% or t#ice% to thro# the dice
0s a gentlemanl game%
-ut he does not #in #ho "las #ith Sin
0n the secret .ouse of Shame(R
6o things of air these antics #ere%
That frolic&ed #ith such glee<
To men #hose li$es #ere held in g$es%
=nd #hose feet might not go free%
=h' #ounds of !hrist' the #ere li$ing things%
8ost terrible to see(
=round% around% the #alt5ed and #oundT
Some #heeled in smir&ing "airsT
With the mincing ste" of a demire"
Some sidled u" the stairs<
=nd #ith subtle sneer% and fa#ning leer%
Each hel"ed us at our "raers(
The morning #ind began to moan%
-ut still the night #ent on<
Through its giant loom the #eb of gloom
!re"t till each thread #as s"un<
=nd% as #e "raed% #e gre# afraid
Of the Sustice of the Sun(
The moaning #ind #ent #andering round
The #ee"ing "risonB#all<
Till li&e a #heel of turning steel
We felt the minutes cra#l<
O moaning #ind' #hat had #e done
To ha$e such a seneschalP
=t last 0 sa# the shado#ed bars%
9i&e a lattice #rought in lead%
8o$e right across the #hite#ashed #all
That faced m threeB"lan& bed%
=nd 0 &ne# that some#here in the #orld
GodRs dreadful da#n #as red(
=t six oRcloc& #e cleaned our cells%
=t se$en all #as still%
-ut the sough and s#ing of a might #ing
The "rison seemed to fill%
*or the 9ord of )eath #ith ic breath
.ad entered in to &ill(
.e did not "ass in "ur"le "om"%
6or ride a moonB#hite steed(
Three ards of cord and a sliding board
=re all the gallo#sR need<
So #ith ro"e of shame the .erald came
To do the secret deed(
We #ere as men #ho through a fen
Of filth dar&ness gro"e<
We did not dare to breathe a "raer%
Or to gi$e our anguish sco"e<
Something #as dead in each of us%
=nd #hat #as dead #as .o"e(
*or 8anRs grim Sustice goes its #a%
=nd #ill not s#er$e aside<
0t slas the #ea&% it slas the strong%
0t has a deadl stride<
With iron heel it slas the strong%
The monstrous "arricide'
We #aited for the stro&e of eight<
Each tongue #as thic& #ith thirst<
*or the stro&e of eight is the stro&e of *ate
That ma&es a man accursed%
=nd *ate #ill use a running noose
*or the best man and the #orst(
We had no other thing to do%
Sa$e to #ait for the sign to come<
So% li&e things of stone in a $alle lone%
Uuiet #e sat and dumb<
-ut each manRs heart beat thic& and Huic&%
9i&e a madman on a drum'
With sudden shoc& the "risonBcloc&
Smote on the shi$ering air%
=nd from all the gaol rose u" a #ail
Of im"otent des"air%
9i&e the sound that frightened marshes hear
*rom some le"er in his lair(
=nd as one sees most fearful things
0n the crstal of a dream%
We sa# the greas hem"en ro"e
.oo&ed to the blac&ened beam%
=nd heard the "raer the hangmanRs snare
Strangled into a scream(
=nd all the #oe that mo$ed him so
That he ga$e that bitter cr%
=nd the #ild regrets% and the blood s#eats%
6one &ne# so #ell as 0<
*or he #ho li$es more li$es than one
8ore deaths than one must die(
0+
There is no cha"el on the da
On #hich the hang a man<
The !ha"lainRs heart is far too sic&%
Or his face is far too #an%
Or there is that #ritten in his ees
Which none should loo& u"on(
So the &e"t us close till nigh on noon%
=nd then the rang the bell%
=nd the Warders #ith their jingling &es
O"ened each listening cell%
=nd do#n the iron stair #e tram"ed%
Each from his se"arate .ell(
Out into GodRs s#eet air #e #ent%
-ut not in #onted #a%
*or this manRs face #as #hite #ith fear%
=nd that manRs face #as gre%
=nd 0 ne$er sa# sad men #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
0 ne$er sa# sad men #ho loo&ed
With such a #istful ee
7"on that little tent of blue
We "risoners called the s&%
=nd at e$er careless cloud that "assed
0n ha"" freedom b(
-ut there #ere those amongst us all
Who #al&ed #ith do#ncast head%
=nd &ne# that% had each got his due%
The should ha$e died instead<
.e had but &illed a thing that li$ed%
Whilst the had &illed the dead(
*or he #ho sins a second time
Wa&es a dead soul to "ain%
=nd dra#s it from its s"otted shroud%
=nd ma&es it bleed again%
=nd ma&es it bleed great gouts of blood%
=nd ma&es it bleed in $ain'
9i&e a"e or clo#n% in monstrous garb
With croo&ed arro#s starred%
Silentl #e #ent round and round
The sli""er as"halte ardT
Silentl #e #ent round and round%
=nd no man s"o&e a #ord(
Silentl #e #ent round and round%
=nd through each hollo# mind
The 8emor of dreadful things
,ushed li&e a dreadful #ind%
=nd .orror stal&ed before each man%
=nd Terror cre"t behind(
The Warders strutted u" and do#n%
=nd &e"t their herd of brutes%
Their uniforms #ere s"ic& and s"an%
=nd the #ore their Sunda suits%
-ut #e &ne# the #or& the had been at%
- the Huic&lime on their boots(
*or #here a gra$e had o"ened #ide%
There #as no gra$e at all<
Onl a stretch of mud and sand
- the hideous "risonB#all%
=nd a little hea" of burning lime%
That the man should ha$e his "all(
*or he has a "all% this #retched man%
Such as fe# men can claim<
)ee" do#n belo# a "risonBard%
6a&ed for greater shame%
.e lies% #ith fetters on each foot%
Wra"t in a sheet of flame'
=nd all the #hile the burning lime
Eats flesh and bone a#a%
0t eats the brittle bone b night%
=nd the soft flesh b da%
0t eats the flesh and bone b turns%
-ut it eats the heart al#a(
*or three long ears the #ill not so#
Or root or seedling there<
*or three long ears the unblessed s"ot
Will sterile be and bare%
=nd loo& u"on the #ondering s&
With unre"roachful stare(
The thin& a murdererRs heart #ould taint
Each sim"le seed the so#(
0t is not true' GodRs &indl earth
0s &indlier than men &no#%
=nd the red rose #ould but blo# more red%
The #hite rose #hiter blo#(
Out of his mouth a red% red rose'
Out of his heart a #hite'
*or #ho can sa b #hat strange #a%
!hrist brings .is #ill to light%
Since the barren staff the "ilgrim bore
-loomed in the great Po"eRs sightP
-ut neither mil&B#hite rose nor red
8a bloom in "risonBairT
The shard% the "ebble% and the flint%
=re #hat the gi$e us there<
*or flo#ers ha$e been &no#n to heal
= common manRs des"air(
So ne$er #ill #ineBred rose or #hite%
Petal b "etal% fall
On that stretch of mud and sand that lies
- the hideous "risonB#all%
To tell the men #ho tram" the ard
That GodRs Son died for all(
Qet though the hideous "risonB#all
Still hems him round and round%
=nd a s"irit ma not #al& b night
That is #ith fetters bound%
=nd a s"irit ma but #ee" that lies
0n such unhol ground%
.e is at "eace B this #retched man B
=t "eace% or #ill be soon<
There is no thing to ma&e him mad%
6or does Terror #al& at noon%
*or the lam"less Earth in #hich he lies
.as neither Sun nor 8oon(
The hanged him as a beast is hanged<
The did not e$en toll
= reHuiem that might ha$e brought
,est to his startled soul%
-ut hurriedl the too& him out%
=nd hid him in a hole(
The stri""ed him of his can$as clothes%
=nd ga$e him to the flies<
The moc&ed the s#ollen "ur"le throat%
=nd the star& and staring ees<
=nd #ith laughter loud the hea"ed the shroud
0n #hich their con$ict lies(
The !ha"lain #ould not &neel to "ra
- his dishonoured gra$e<
6or mar& it #ith that blessed !ross
That !hrist for sinners ga$e%
-ecause the man #as one of those
Whom !hrist came do#n to sa$e(
Qet all is #ellT he has but "assed
To 9ifeRs a""ointed bourne<
=nd alien tears #ill fill for him
PitRs longBbro&en urn%
*or his mourners #ill be outcast men%
=nd outcasts al#as mourn
+
0 &no# not #hether 9a#s be right%
Or #hether 9a#s be #rongT
=ll that #e &no# #ho lie in gaol
0s that the #all is strongT
=nd that each da is li&e a ear%
= ear #hose das are long(
-ut this 0 &no#% that e$er 9a#
That men ha$e made for 8an%
Since first 8an too& his brotherRs life%
=nd the sad #orld began%
-ut stra#s the #heat and sa$es the chaff
With a most e$il fan(
This too 0 &no# B and #ise it #ere
0f each could &no# the same B
That e$er "rison that men build
0s built #ith bric&s of shame%
=nd bound #ith bars lest !hrist should see
.o# men their brothers maim(
With bars the blur the gracious moon%
=nd blind the goodl sun<
=nd the do #ell to hide their .ell%
*or in it things are done
That Son of God nor son of 8an
E$er should loo& u"on'
The $ilest deeds li&e "oison #eeds%
-loom #ell in "risonBairT
0t is onl #hat is good in 8an
That #astes and #ithers there<
Pale =nguish &ee"s the hea$ gate%
=nd the Warder is )es"air(
*or the star$e the little frightened child
Till it #ee"s both night and da<
=nd the scourge the #ea&% and flog the fool%
=nd gibe the old and gre%
=nd some gro# mad% and all gro# bad%
=nd none a #ord ma sa(
Each narro# cell in #hich #e d#ell
0s a foul and dar& latrine%
=nd the fetid breath of li$ing )eath
!ho&es u" each grated screen%
=nd all% but 9ust% is turned to dust
0n .umanitRs machine(
The brac&ish #ater that #e drin&
!ree"s #ith a loathsome slime%
=nd the bitter bread the #eigh in scales
0s full of chal& and lime%
=nd Slee" #ill not lie do#n% but #al&s
WildBeed% and cries to Time(
-ut though lean .unger and green Thirst
9i&e as" #ith adder fight%
We ha$e little care of "rison fare%
*or #hat chills and &ills outright
0s that e$er stone one lifts b da
-ecomes oneRs heart b night(
With midnight al#as in oneRs heart%
=nd t#ilight in oneRs cell%
We turn the cran&% or tear the ro"e%
Each in his se"arate .ell%
=nd the silence is more a#ful far
Than the sound of a bra5en bell(
=nd ne$er a human $oice comes near
To s"ea& a gentle #ord<
=nd the ee that #atches through the door
0s "itiless and hard<
=nd b all forgot% #e rot and rot%
With soul and bod marred(
=nd thus #e rust 9ifeRs iron chain
)egraded and alone<
=nd some men curse% and some men #ee"%
=nd some men ma&e no moan<
-ut GodRs eternal 9a#s are &ind
=nd brea& the heart of stone(
=nd e$er human heart that brea&s%
0n "risonBcell or ard%
0s as that bro&en box that ga$e
0ts treasure to the 9ord%
=nd filled the unclean le"erRs house
With the scent of costliest nard(
=h' ha"" the #hose hearts can brea&
=nd "eace of "ardon #in'
.o# else ma man ma&e straight his "lan
=nd cleanse his soul from SinP
.o# else but through a bro&en heart
8a 9ord !hrist enter inP
=nd he of the s#ollen "ur"le throat%
=nd the star& and staring ees%
Waits for the hol hands that too&
The Thief to ParadiseT
=nd a bro&en and a contrite heart
The 9ord #ill not des"ise(
The man in red #ho reads the 9a#
Ga$e him three #ee&s of life%
Three little #ee&s in #hich to heal
.is soul of his soulRs strife%
=nd cleanse from e$er blot of blood
The hand that held the &nife(
=nd #ith tears of blood he cleansed the hand%
The hand that held the steel<
*or onl blood can #i"e out blood%
=nd onl tears can heal<
=nd the crimson stain that #as of !ain
-ecame !hristRs sno#B#hite seal(
+0
0n ,eading gaol b ,eading to#n
There is a "it of shame%
=nd in it lies a #retched man
Eaten b teeth of flame%
0n a burning #indingBsheet he lies%
=nd his gra$e has got no name(
=nd there% till !hrist call forth the dead%
0n silence let him lie<
6o need to #aste the foolish tear%
Or hea$e the #ind sigh<
The man had &illed the thing he lo$ed%
=nd so he had to die(
=nd all men &ill the thing the lo$e%
- all let this be heard%
Some do it #ith a bitter loo&%
Some #ith a flattering #ord%
The co#ard does it #ith a &iss%
The bra$e man #ith a s#ord'
T.E -=99=) O* ,E=)06G G=O9
1= $ersion based on the original draft of the "oem3
0
.e did not #ear his scarlet coat%
*or blood and #ine are red%
=nd blood and #ine #ere on his hands
When the found him #ith the dead%
The "oor dead #oman #hom he lo$ed%
=nd murdered in her bed(
.e #al&ed amongst the Trial 8en
0n a suit of shabb greT
= cric&et ca" #as on his head%
=nd his ste" seemed light and gaT
-ut 0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
With such a #istful ee
7"on that little tent of blue
Which "risoners call the s&%
=nd at e$er drifting cloud that #ent
With sails of sil$er b(
0 #al&ed% #ith other souls in "ain%
Within another ring%
=nd #as #ondering if the man had done
= great or little thing%
When a $oice behind me #his"ered lo#%
RT.=T *E99OWRS GOT TO SW06G(R
)ear !hrist' the $er "rison #alls
Suddenl seemed to reel%
=nd the s& abo$e m head became
9i&e a casHue of scorching steelT
=nd% though 0 #as a soul in "ain%
8 "ain 0 could not feel(
0 onl &ne# #hat hunted thought
Uuic&ened his ste"% and #h
.e loo&ed u"on the garish da
With such a #istful eeT
The man had &illed the thing he lo$ed%
=nd so he had to die(
Qet each man &ills the thing he lo$es%
- each let this be heard%
Some do it #ith a bitter loo&%
Some #ith a flattering #ord%
The co#ard does it #ith a &iss%
The bra$e man #ith a s#ord'
Some &ill their lo$e #hen the are oung%
=nd some #hen the are oldT
Some strangle #ith the hands of 9ust%
Some #ith the hands of Gold<
The &indest use a &nife% because
The dead so soon gro# cold(
Some lo$e too little% some too long%
Some sell% and others buT
Some do the deed #ith man tears%
=nd some #ithout a sigh<
*or each man &ills the thing he lo$es%
Qet each man does not die(
.e does not die a death of shame
On a da of dar& disgrace%
6or ha$e a noose about his nec&%
6or a cloth u"on his face%
6or dro" feet foremost through the floor
0nto an em"t s"ace(
.e does not #a&e at da#n to see
)read figures throng his room%
The shi$ering !ha"lain robed in #hite%
The Sheriff stern #ith gloom%
=nd the Go$ernor all in shin blac&%
With the ello# face of )oom(
.e does not rise in "iteous haste
To "ut on con$ictBclothes%
While some coarseBmouthed )octor gloats%
and notes
Each ne# and ner$eBt#itched "ose%
*ingering a #atch #hose little tic&s
=re li&e horrible hammerBblo#s(
.e does not &no# that sic&ening thirst
That sands oneRs throat% before
The hangman #ith his gardenerRs glo$es
Sli"s through the "added door%
=nd binds one #ith three leathern thongs%
That the throat ma thirst no more(
.e does not bend his head to hear
The -urial Office read%
6or% #hile the terror of his soul
Tells him he is not dead%
!ross his o#n coffin% as he mo$es
0nto the hideous shed(
.e does not stare u"on the air
Through a little roof of glass<
.e does not "ra #ith li"s of cla
*or his agon to "assT
6or feel u"on his shuddering chee&
The &iss of !aia"has(
00
Six #ee&s our guardsman #al&ed the ard%
0n the suit of shabb gre<
.is cric&et ca" #as on his head%
=nd his ste" seemed light and ga%
-ut 0 ne$er sa# a man #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
.e did not #ring his hands nor #ee"%
6or did he "ee& or "ine%
-ut he dran& the air as though it held
Some healthful anodneT
With o"en mouth he dran& the sun
=s though it had been #ine'
=nd 0 and all the souls in "ain%
Who tram"ed the other ring%
*orgot if #e oursel$es had done
= great or little thing%
=nd #atched #ith ga5e of dull ama5e
The man #ho had to s#ing(
So #ith curious ees and sic& surmise
We #atched him da b da%
=nd #ondered if each one of us
Would end the selfBsame #a%
*or none can tell to #hat red .ell
.is sightless soul ma stra(
=t last the dead man #al&ed no more
=mongst the Trial 8en%
=nd 0 &ne# that he #as standing u"
0n the blac& doc&Rs dreadful "en%
=nd that ne$er #ould 0 see his face
0n GodRs s#eet #orld again(
9i&e t#o doomed shi"s that "ass in storm
We had crossed each otherRs #a<
-ut #e made no sign% #e said no #ord%
We had no #ord to saT
*or #e did not meet in the hol night%
-ut in the shameful da(
= "rison #all #as round us both%
T#o outcast men #e #ere<
The #orld had thrust us from its heart%
=nd God from out .is care<
=nd the iron gin that #aits for Sin
.ad caught us in its snare(
000
0n )ebtorsR Qard the stones are hard%
=nd the dri""ing #all is high%
So it #as there he too& the air
-eneath the leaden s&%
=nd b each side a Warder #al&ed%
*or fear the man might die(
Or else he sat #ith those #ho #atched
.is anguish night and daT
Who #atched him #hen he rose to #ee"%
=nd #hen he crouched to "raT
Who #atched him lest himself should rob
Their scaffold of its "re(
=nd t#ice a da he smo&ed his "i"e%
=nd dran& his Huart of beer<
.is soul #as resolute% and held
6o hidingB"lace for fearT
.e often said that he #as glad
The hangmanRs hands #ere near(
-ut #h he said so strange a thing
6o Warder dared to as&<
*or he to #hom a #atcherRs doom
0s gi$en as his tas&%
8ust set a loc& u"on his li"s%
=nd ma&e his face a mas&(
With slouch and s#ing around the ring
We trod the *oolsR Parade'
We did not care< #e &ne# #e #ere
The )e$ilRs O#n -rigade<
=nd sha$en head and feet of lead
8a&e a merr masHuerade(
We tore the tarr ro"e to shreds
With blunt and bleeding nailsT
We rubbed the doors% and scrubbed the floors%
=nd cleaned the shining rails<
=nd% ran& b ran&% #e soa"ed the "lan&%
=nd clattered #ith the "ails(
We se#ed the sac&s% #e bro&e the stones%
We turned the dust drill<
We banged the tins% and ba#led the hmns%
=nd s#eated on the mill<
-ut in the heart of e$er man
Terror #as ling still(
So still it la that e$er da
!ra#led li&e a #eedBclogged #a$e<
=nd #e forgot the bitter lot
That #aits for fool and &na$e%
Till once% as #e tram"ed in from #or&%
We "assed an o"en gra$e(
,ight in #e #ent% #ith soul intent
On )eath and )read and )oom<
The hangman% #ith his little bag%
Went shuffling through the gloom<
=nd each man trembled as he cre"t
0nto his numbered tomb(
That night the em"t corridors
Were full of forms of *ear%
=nd u" and do#n the iron to#n
Stole feet #e could not hear%
=nd through the bars that hide the stars
White faces seemed to "eer(
-ut there is no slee" #hen men must #ee"
Who ne$er et ha$e #e"t<
So #e B the fool% the fraud% the &na$e B
That endless $igil &e"t%
=nd through each brain on hands of "ain
=notherRs terror cre"t(
=las' it is a fearful thing
To feel anotherRs guilt'
*or% right #ithin% the s#ord of Sin
Pierced to its "oisoned hilt%
=nd as molten lead #ere the tears #e shed
*or the blood #e had not s"ilt(
The Warders #ith their shoes of felt
!re"t b each "adloc&ed door%
=nd "ee"ed and sa#% #ith ees of a#e%
Gre figures on the floor%
=nd #ondered #h men &nelt to "ra
Who ne$er "raed before(
The morning #ind began to moan%
-ut still the night #ent on<
Through its giant loom the #eb of gloom
!re"t till each thread #as s"un<
=nd% as #e "raed% #e gre# afraid
Of the Sustice of the Sun(
=t last 0 sa# the shado#ed bars%
9i&e a lattice #rought in lead%
8o$e right across the #hite#ashed #all
That faced m threeB"lan& bed%
=nd 0 &ne# that some#here in the #orld
GodRs dreadful da#n #as red(
=t six oRcloc& #e cleaned our cells%
=t se$en all #as still%
-ut the sough and s#ing of a might #ing
The "rison seemed to fill%
*or the 9ord of )eath #ith ic breath
.ad entered in to &ill(
.e did not "ass in "ur"le "om"%
6or ride a moonB#hite steed(
Three ards of cord and a sliding board
=re all the gallo#sR need<
So #ith ro"e of shame the .erald came
To do the secret deed(
We #aited for the stro&e of eight<
Each tongue #as thic& #ith thirst<
*or the stro&e of eight is the stro&e of *ate
That ma&es a man accursed%
=nd *ate #ill use a running noose
*or the best man and the #orst(
We had no other thing to do%
Sa$e to #ait for the sign to come<
So% li&e things of stone in a $alle lone%
Uuiet #e sat and dumb<
-ut each manRs heart beat thic& and Huic&%
9i&e a madman on a drum'
With sudden shoc& the "risonBcloc&
Smote on the shi$ering air%
=nd from all the gaol rose u" a #ail
Of im"otent des"air%
9i&e the sound that frightened marshes hear
*rom some le"er in his lair(
=nd as one sees most fearful things
0n the crstal of a dream%
We sa# the greas hem"en ro"e
.oo&ed to the blac&ened beam%
=nd heard the "raer the hangmanRs snare
Strangled into a scream(
=nd all the #oe that mo$ed him so
That he ga$e that bitter cr%
=nd the #ild regrets% and the blood s#eats%
6one &ne# so #ell as 0<
*or he #ho li$es more li$es than one
8ore deaths than one must die(
0+
There is no cha"el on the da
On #hich the hang a man<
The !ha"lainRs heart is far too sic&%
Or his face is far too #an%
Or there is that #ritten in his ees
Which none should loo& u"on(
So the &e"t us close till nigh on noon%
=nd then the rang the bell%
=nd the Warders #ith their jingling &es
O"ened each listening cell%
=nd do#n the iron stair #e tram"ed%
Each from his se"arate .ell(
Out into GodRs s#eet air #e #ent%
-ut not in #onted #a%
*or this manRs face #as #hite #ith fear%
=nd that manRs face #as gre%
=nd 0 ne$er sa# sad men #ho loo&ed
So #istfull at the da(
0 ne$er sa# sad men #ho loo&ed
With such a #istful ee
7"on that little tent of blue
We "risoners called the s&%
=nd at e$er careless cloud that "assed
0n ha"" freedom b(
-ut there #ere those amongst us all
Who #al&ed #ith do#ncast head%
=nd &ne# that% had each got his due%
The should ha$e died instead<
.e had but &illed a thing that li$ed%
Whilst the had &illed the dead(
*or he #ho sins a second time
Wa&es a dead soul to "ain%
=nd dra#s it from its s"otted shroud%
=nd ma&es it bleed again%
=nd ma&es it bleed great gouts of blood%
=nd ma&es it bleed in $ain'
9i&e a"e or clo#n% in monstrous garb
With croo&ed arro#s starred%
Silentl #e #ent round and round
The sli""er as"halte ardT
Silentl #e #ent round and round%
=nd no man s"o&e a #ord(
Silentl #e #ent round and round%
=nd through each hollo# mind
The 8emor of dreadful things
,ushed li&e a dreadful #ind%
=nd .orror stal&ed before each man%
=nd Terror cre"t behind(
The Warders strutted u" and do#n%
=nd &e"t their herd of brutes%
Their uniforms #ere s"ic& and s"an%
=nd the #ore their Sunda suits%
-ut #e &ne# the #or& the had been at%
- the Huic&lime on their boots(
*or #here a gra$e had o"ened #ide%
There #as no gra$e at all<
Onl a stretch of mud and sand
- the hideous "risonB#all%
=nd a little hea" of burning lime%
That the man should ha$e his "all(
*or he has a "all% this #retched man%
Such as fe# men can claim<
)ee" do#n belo# a "risonBard%
6a&ed for greater shame%
.e lies% #ith fetters on each foot%
Wra"t in a sheet of flame'
*or three long ears the #ill not so#
Or root or seedling there<
*or three long ears the unblessed s"ot
Will sterile be and bare%
=nd loo& u"on the #ondering s&
With unre"roachful stare(
The thin& a murdererRs heart #ould taint
Each sim"le seed the so#(
0t is not true' GodRs &indl earth
0s &indlier than men &no#%
=nd the red rose #ould but blo# more red%
The #hite rose #hiter blo#(
Out of his mouth a red% red rose'
Out of his heart a #hite'
*or #ho can sa b #hat strange #a%
!hrist brings .is #ill to light%
Since the barren staff the "ilgrim bore
-loomed in the great Po"eRs sightP
-ut neither mil&B#hite rose nor red
8a bloom in "risonBairT
The shard% the "ebble% and the flint%
=re #hat the gi$e us there<
*or flo#ers ha$e been &no#n to heal
= common manRs des"air(
So ne$er #ill #ineBred rose or #hite%
Petal b "etal% fall
On that stretch of mud and sand that lies
- the hideous "risonB#all%
To tell the men #ho tram" the ard
That GodRs Son died for all(
.e is at "eace B this #retched man B
=t "eace% or #ill be soon<
There is no thing to ma&e him mad%
6or does Terror #al& at noon%
*or the lam"less Earth in #hich he lies
.as neither Sun nor 8oon(
The !ha"lain #ould not &neel to "ra
- his dishonoured gra$e<
6or mar& it #ith that blessed !ross
That !hrist for sinners ga$e%
-ecause the man #as one of those
Whom !hrist came do#n to sa$e(
Qet all is #ellT he has but "assed
To 9ifeRs a""ointed bourne<
=nd alien tears #ill fill for him
PitRs longBbro&en urn%
*or his mourners #ill be outcast men%
=nd outcasts al#as mourn(
Poem< =$e 0m"eratrix
Set in this storm 6orthern sea%
Uueen of these restless fields of tide%
England' #hat shall men sa of thee%
-efore #hose feet the #orlds di$ideP
The earth% a brittle globe of glass%
9ies in the hollo# of th hand%
=nd through its heart of crstal "ass%
9i&e shado#s through a t#ilight land%
The s"ears of crimsonBsuited #ar%
The long #hiteBcrested #a$es of fight%
=nd all the deadl fires #hich are
The torches of the lords of 6ight(
The ello# leo"ards% strained and lean%
The treacherous ,ussian &no#s so #ell%
With ga"ing blac&ened ja#s are seen
9ea" through the hail of screaming shell(
The strong seaBlion of EnglandRs #ars
.ath left his sa""hire ca$e of sea%
To battle #ith the storm that mars
The stars of EnglandRs chi$alr(
The bra5enBthroated clarion blo#s
=cross the PathanRs reed fen%
=nd the high stee"s of 0ndian sno#s
Sha&e to the tread of armed men(
=nd man an =fghan chief% #ho lies
-eneath his cool "omegranateBtrees%
!lutches his s#ord in fierce surmise
When on the mountainBside he sees
The fleetBfoot 8arri scout% #ho comes
To tell ho# he hath heard afar
The measured roll of English drums
-eat at the gates of Vandahar(
*or southern #ind and east #ind meet
Where% girt and cro#ned b s#ord and fire%
England #ith bare and blood feet
!limbs the stee" road of #ide em"ire(
O lonel .imalaan height%
Gre "illar of the 0ndian s&%
Where sa#Rst thou last in clanging flight
Our #inged dogs of +ictorP
The almondBgro$es of Samarcand%
-o&hara% #here red lilies blo#%
=nd Oxus% b #hose ello# sand
The gra$e #hiteBturbaned merchants go<
=nd on from thence to 0s"ahan%
The gilded garden of the sun%
Whence the long dust cara$an
-rings cedar #ood and $ermilionT
=nd that dread cit of !abool
Set at the mountainRs scar"ed feet%
Whose marble tan&s are e$er full
With #ater for the noonda heat<
Where through the narro# straight -a5aar
= little maid !ircassian
0s led% a "resent from the !5ar
7nto some old and bearded Vhan% B
.ere ha$e our #ild #arBeagles flo#n%
=nd fla""ed #ide #ings in fier fightT
-ut the sad do$e% that sits alone
0n England B she hath no delight(
0n $ain the laughing girl #ill lean
To greet her lo$e #ith lo$eBlit ees<
)o#n in some treacherous blac& ra$ine%
!lutching his flag% the dead bo lies(
=nd man a moon and sun #ill see
The lingering #istful children #ait
To climb u"on their fatherRs &neeT
=nd in each house made desolate
Pale #omen #ho ha$e lost their lord
Will &iss the relics of the slain B
Some tarnished e"aulette B some s#ord B
Poor tos to soothe such anguished "ain(
*or not in Huiet English fields
=re these% our brothers% lain to rest%
Where #e might dec& their bro&en shields
With all the flo#ers the dead lo$e best(
*or some are b the )elhi #alls%
=nd man in the =fghan land%
=nd man #here the Ganges falls
Through se$en mouths of shifting sand(
=nd some in ,ussian #aters lie%
=nd others in the seas #hich are
The "ortals to the East% or b
The #indBs#e"t heights of Trafalgar(
O #andering gra$es' O restless slee"'
O silence of the sunless da'
O still ra$ine' O storm dee"'
Gi$e u" our "re' Gi$e u" our "re'
=nd thou #hose #ounds are ne$er healed%
Whose #ear race is ne$er #on%
O !rom#ellRs England' must thou ield
*or e$er inch of ground a sonP
Go' cro#n #ith thorns th goldBcro#ned head%
!hange th glad song to song of "ainT
Wind and #ild #a$e ha$e got th dead%
=nd #ill not ield them bac& again(
Wa$e and #ild #ind and foreign shore
Possess the flo#er of English land B
9i"s that th li"s shall &iss no more%
.ands that shall ne$er clas" th hand(
What "rofit no# that #e ha$e bound
The #hole round #orld #ith nets of gold%
0f hidden in our heart is found
The care that gro#eth ne$er oldP
What "rofit that our galles ride%
PineBforestBli&e% on e$er mainP
,uin and #rec& are at our side%
Grim #arders of the .ouse of Pain(
Where are the bra$e% the strong% the fleetP
Where is our English chi$alrP
Wild grasses are their burialBsheet%
=nd sobbing #a$es their threnod(
O lo$ed ones ling far a#a%
What #ord of lo$e can dead li"s send'
O #asted dust' O senseless cla'
0s this the end' is this the end'
Peace% "eace' #e #rong the noble dead
To $ex their solemn slumber soT
Though childless% and #ith thornBcro#ned head%
7" the stee" road must England go%
Qet #hen this fier #eb is s"un%
.er #atchmen shall descr from far
The oung ,e"ublic li&e a sun
,ise from these crimson seas of #ar(
Poem< To 8 Wife B With = !o" Of 8 Poems
0 can #rite no statel "roem
=s a "relude to m laT
*rom a "oet to a "oem
0 #ould dare to sa(
*or if of these fallen "etals
One to ou seem fair%
9o$e #ill #aft it till it settles
On our hair(
=nd #hen #ind and #inter harden
=ll the lo$eless land%
0t #ill #his"er of the garden%
Qou #ill understand(
Poem< 8agdalen Wal&s
1=fter gaining the -er&ele Gold 8edal for Gree& at Trinit
!ollege% )ublin% in 1D72% Oscar Wilde "roceeded to Oxford% #here he
obtained a demshi" at 8agdalen !ollege( .e is the onl real "oet
on the boo&s of that institution(3
The little #hite clouds are racing o$er the s&%
=nd the fields are stre#n #ith the gold of the flo#er of 8arch%
The daffodil brea&s under foot% and the tasselled larch
S#as and s#ings as the thrush goes hurring b(
= delicate odour is borne on the #ings of the morning bree5e%
The odour of dee" #et grass% and of bro#n ne#Bfurro#ed earth%
The birds are singing for jo of the S"ringRs glad birth%
.o""ing from branch to branch on the roc&ing trees(
=nd all the #oods are ali$e #ith the murmur and sound of S"ring%
=nd the roseBbud brea&s into "in& on the climbing briar%
=nd the crocusBbed is a Hui$ering moon of fire
Girdled round #ith the belt of an amethst ring(
=nd the "lane to the "ineBtree is #his"ering some tale of lo$e
Till it rustles #ith laughter and tosses its mantle of green%
=nd the gloom of the #chBelmRs hollo# is lit #ith the iris sheen
Of the burnished rainbo# throat and the sil$er breast of a do$e(
See' the lar& starts u" from his bed in the meado# there%
-rea&ing the gossamer threads and the nets of de#%
=nd flashing ado#n the ri$er% a flame of blue'
The &ingfisher flies li&e an arro#% and #ounds the air(
Poem< Theocritus B = +illanelle
O singer of Perse"hone'
0n the dim meado#s desolate
)ost thou remember SicilP
Still through the i$ flits the bee
Where =marllis lies in stateT
O Singer of Perse"hone'
Simaetha calls on .ecate
=nd hears the #ild dogs at the gateT
)ost thou remember SicilP
Still b the light and laughing sea
Poor Pol"heme bemoans his fateT
O Singer of Perse"hone'
=nd still in boish ri$alr
Qoung )a"hnis challenges his mateT
)ost thou remember SicilP
Slim 9acon &ee"s a goat for thee%
*or thee the jocund she"herds #aitT
O Singer of Perse"hone'
)ost thou remember SicilP
Poem< Greece
The sea #as sa""hire coloured% and the s&
-urned li&e a heated o"al through the airT
We hoisted sailT the #ind #as blo#ing fair
*or the blue lands that to the east#ard lie(
*rom the stee" "ro# 0 mar&ed #ith Huic&ening ee
Ya&nthos% e$er oli$e gro$e and cree&%
0thacaRs cliff% 9caonRs sno# "ea&%
=nd all the flo#erBstre#n hills of =rcad(
The fla""ing of the sail against the mast%
The ri""le of the #ater on the side%
The ri""le of girlsR laughter at the stern%
The onl sounds<B #hen Rgan the West to burn%
=nd a red sun u"on the seas to ride%
0 stood u"on the soil of Greece at last'
V=T=VO9O(
Poem< Portia
>To Ellen Terr( Written at the 9ceum Theatre?
0 mar$el not -assanio #as so bold
To "eril all he had u"on the lead%
Or that "roud =ragon bent lo# his head
Or that 8oroccoRs fier heart gre# cold<
*or in that gorgeous dress of beaten gold
Which is more golden than the golden sun
6o #oman +eronese loo&ed u"on
Was half so fair as thou #hom 0 behold(
Qet fairer #hen #ith #isdom as our shield
The soberBsuited la#erRs go#n ou donned%
=nd #ould not let the la#s of +enice ield
=ntonioRs heart to that accursed Se# B
O Portia' ta&e m heart< it is th due<
0 thin& 0 #ill not Huarrel #ith the -ond(
Poem< *abien )ei *ranchi
>To m *riend .enr 0r$ing?
The silent room% the hea$ cree"ing shade%
The dead that tra$el fast% the o"ening door%
The murdered brother rising through the floor%
The ghostRs #hite fingers on th shoulders laid%
=nd then the lonel duel in the glade%
The bro&en s#ords% the stifled scream% the gore%
Th grand re$engeful ees #hen all is oRer% B
These things are #ell enough% B but thou #ert made
*or more august creation' fren5ied 9ear
Should at th bidding #ander on the heath
With the shrill fool to moc& him% ,omeo
*or thee should lure his lo$e% and des"erate fear
Pluc& ,ichardRs recreant dagger from its sheath B
Thou trum"et set for Sha&es"eareRs li"s to blo#'
Poem< Phedre
>To Sarah -ernhardt?
.o# $ain and dull this common #orld must seem
To such a One as thou% #ho shouldRst ha$e tal&ed
=t *lorence #ith 8irandola% or #al&ed
Through the cool oli$es of the =cademe<
Thou shouldRst ha$e gathered reeds from a green stream
*or GoatBfoot PanRs shrill "i"ing% and ha$e "laed
With the #hite girls in that Phaeacian glade
Where gra$e Odsseus #a&ened from his dream(
=h' surel once some urn of =ttic cla
.eld th #an dust% and thou hast come again
-ac& to this common #orld so dull and $ain%
*or thou #ert #ear of the sunless da%
The hea$ fields of scentless as"hodel%
The lo$eless li"s #ith #hich men &iss in .ell(
Poem< Sonnet On .earing The )ies 0rae Sung 0n The Sistine !ha"el
6a% 9ord% not thus' #hite lilies in the s"ring%
Sad oli$eBgro$es% or sil$erBbreasted do$e%
Teach me more clearl of Th life and lo$e
Than terrors of red flame and thundering(
The hillside $ines dear memories of Thee bring<
= bird at e$ening fling to its nest
Tells me of One #ho had no "lace of rest<
0 thin& it is of Thee the s"arro#s sing(
!ome rather on some autumn afternoon%
When red and bro#n are burnished on the lea$es%
=nd the fields echo to the gleanerRs song%
!ome #hen the s"lendid fulness of the moon
9oo&s do#n u"on the ro#s of golden shea$es%
=nd rea" Th har$est< #e ha$e #aited long(
Poem< =$e 8aria Gratia Plena
Was this .is coming' 0 had ho"ed to see
= scene of #ondrous glor% as #as told
Of some great God #ho in a rain of gold
-ro&e o"en bars and fell on )anae<
Or a dread $ision as #hen Semele
Sic&ening for lo$e and una""eased desire
Praed to see GodRs clear bod% and the fire
!aught her bro#n limbs and sle# her utterl<
With such glad dreams 0 sought this hol "lace%
=nd no# #ith #ondering ees and heart 0 stand
-efore this su"reme mster of 9o$e<
Some &neeling girl #ith "assionless "ale face%
=n angel #ith a lil in his hand%
=nd o$er both the #hite #ings of a )o$e(
*9O,E6!E(
Poem< 9ibertatis Sacra *ames
=lbeit nurtured in democrac%
=nd li&ing best that state re"ublican
Where e$er man is Vingli&e and no man
0s cro#ned abo$e his fello#s% et 0 see%
S"ite of this modern fret for 9ibert%
-etter the rule of One% #hom all obe%
Than to let clamorous demagogues betra
Our freedom #ith the &iss of anarch(
Wherefore 0 lo$e them not #hose hands "rofane
Plant the red flag u"on the "iledBu" street
*or no right cause% beneath #hose ignorant reign
=rts% !ulture% ,e$erence% .onour% all things fade%
Sa$e Treason and the dagger of her trade%
Or 8urder #ith his silent blood feet(
Poem< ,oses =nd ,ue
>To 9( 9(?
!ould #e dig u" this longBburied treasure%
Were it #orth the "leasure%
We ne$er could learn lo$eRs song%
We are "arted too long(
!ould the "assionate "ast that is fled
!all bac& its dead%
!ould #e li$e it all o$er again%
Were it #orth the "ain'
0 remember #e used to meet
- an i$ied seat%
=nd ou #arbled each "rett #ord
With the air of a birdT
=nd our $oice had a Hua$er in it%
Sust li&e a linnet%
=nd shoo&% as the blac&birdRs throat
With its last big noteT
=nd our ees% the #ere green and gre
9i&e an ="ril da%
-ut lit into amethst
When 0 stoo"ed and &issedT
=nd our mouth% it #ould ne$er smile
*or a long% long #hile%
Then it ri""led all o$er #ith laughter
*i$e minutes after(
Qou #ere al#as afraid of a sho#er%
Sust li&e a flo#er<
0 remember ou started and ran
When the rain began(
0 remember 0 ne$er could catch ou%
*or no one could match ou%
Qou had #onderful% luminous% fleet%
9ittle #ings to our feet(
0 remember our hair B did 0 tie itP
*or it al#as ran riot B
9i&e a tangled sunbeam of gold<
These things are old(
0 remember so #ell the room%
=nd the lilac bloom
That beat at the dri""ing "ane
0n the #arm Sune rainT
=nd the colour of our go#n%
0t #as amberBbro#n%
=nd t#o ello# satin bo#s
*rom our shoulders rose(
=nd the hand&erchief of *rench lace
Which ou held to our face B
.ad a small tear left a stainP
Or #as it the rainP
On our hand as it #a$ed adieu
There #ere $eins of blueT
0n our $oice as it said goodBbe
Was a "etulant cr%
RQou ha$e onl #asted our life(R
>=h% that #as the &nife'?
When 0 rushed through the garden gate
0t #as all too late(
!ould #e li$e it o$er again%
Were it #orth the "ain%
!ould the "assionate "ast that is fled
!all bac& its dead'
Well% if m heart must brea&%
)ear lo$e% for our sa&e%
0t #ill brea& in music% 0 &no#%
PoetsR hearts brea& so(
-ut strange that 0 #as not told
That the brain can hold
0n a tin i$or cell
GodRs hea$en and hell(
Poem< *rom RThe Garden Of ErosR
10n this "oem the author laments the gro#th of materialism in the
nineteenth centur( .e hails Veats and Shelle and some of the
"oets and artists #ho #ere his contem"oraries% although his
seniors% as the torchBbearers of the intellectual life( =mong
these are S#inburne% William 8orris% ,ossetti% and -runeBSones(3
6a% #hen Veats died the 8uses still had left
One sil$er $oice to sing his threnod% Z1[
-ut ah' too soon of it #e #ere bereft
When on that ri$en night and storm sea
Panthea claimed her singer as her o#n%
=nd sle# the mouth that "raised herT since #hich time #e #al&
alone%
Sa$e for that fier heart% that morning star ZA[
Of reBarisen England% #hose clear ee
Sa# from our tottering throne and #aste of #ar
The grand Gree& limbs of oung )emocrac
,ise mightil li&e .es"erus and bring
The great ,e"ublic' him at least th lo$e hath taught to sing%
=nd he hath been #ith thee at Thessal%
=nd seen #hite =talanta fleet of foot
0n "assionless and fierce $irginit
.unting the tus&ed boar% his honied lute
.ath "ierced the ca$ern of the hollo# hill%
=nd +enus laughs to &no# one &nee #ill bo# before her still(
=nd he hath &issed the li"s of Proser"ine%
=nd sung the GalilaeanRs reHuiem%
That #ounded forehead dashed #ith blood and #ine
.e hath discro#ned% the =ncient Gods in him
.a$e found their last% most ardent #orshi""er%
=nd the ne# Sign gro#s gre and dim before its conHueror(
S"irit of -eaut' tarr #ith us still%
0t is not Huenched the torch of "oes%
The star that shoo& abo$e the Eastern hill
.olds unassailed its argent armour
*rom all the gathering gloom and fretful fight B
O tarr #ith us still' for through the long and common night%
8orris% our s#eet and sim"le !haucerRs child%
)ear heritor of S"enserRs tuneful reed%
With soft and sl$an "i"e has oft beguiled
The #ear soul of man in troublous need%
=nd from the far and flo#erless fields of ice
.as brought fair flo#ers to ma&e an earthl "aradise(
We &no# them all% Gudrun the strong menRs bride%
=slaug and Olafson #e &no# them all%
.o# giant Grettir fought and Sigurd died%
=nd #hat enchantment held the &ing in thrall
When lonel -rnhild #restled #ith the "o#ers
That #ar against all "assion% ah' ho# oft through summer hours%
9ong listless summer hours #hen the noon
-eing enamoured of a damas& rose
*orgets to journe #est#ard% till the moon
The "ale usur"er of its tribute gro#s
*rom a thin sic&le to a sil$er shield
=nd chides its loitering car B ho# oft% in some cool grass field
*ar from the cric&etBground and nois eight%
=t -agle% #here the rustling bluebells come
=lmost before the blac&bird finds a mate
=nd o$ersta the s#allo#% and the hum
Of man murmuring bees flits through the lea$es%
.a$e 0 lain "oring on the dream tales his fanc #ea$es%
=nd through their unreal #oes and mimic "ain
We"t for mself% and so #as "urified%
=nd in their sim"le mirth gre# glad againT
*or as 0 sailed u"on that "ictured tide
The strength and s"lendour of the storm #as mine
Without the stormRs red ruin% for the singer is di$ineT
The little laugh of #ater falling do#n
0s not so musical% the clamm gold
!lose hoarded in the tin #axen to#n
.as less of s#eetness in it% and the old
.alfB#ithered reeds that #a$ed in =rcad
Touched b his li"s brea& forth again to fresher harmon(
S"irit of -eaut% tarr et a#hile'
=lthough the cheating merchants of the mart
With iron roads "rofane our lo$el isle%
=nd brea& on #hirling #heels the limbs of =rt%
=' though the cro#ded factories beget
The blind#orm 0gnorance that slas the soul% O tarr et'
*or One at least there is% B .e bears his name
*rom )ante and the sera"h Gabriel% ZC[ B
Whose double laurels burn #ith deathless flame
To light thine altarT .e Z2[ too lo$es thee #ell%
Who sa# old 8erlin lured in +i$ienRs snare%
=nd the #hite feet of angels coming do#n the golden stair%
9o$es thee so #ell% that all the World for him
= gorgeousBcoloured $estiture must #ear%
=nd Sorro# ta&e a "ur"le diadem%
Or else be no more Sorro#% and )es"air
Gild its o#n thorns% and Pain% li&e =don% be
E$en in anguish beautifulT B such is the em"er
Which Painters hold% and such the heritage
This gentle solemn S"irit doth "ossess%
-eing a better mirror of his age
0n all his "it% lo$e% and #eariness%
Than those #ho can but co" common things%
=nd lea$e the Soul un"ainted #ith its might Huestionings(
-ut the are fe#% and all romance has flo#n%
=nd men can "ro"hes about the sun%
=nd lecture on his arro#s B ho#% alone%
Through a #aste $oid the soulless atoms run%
.o# from each tree its #ee"ing nm"h has fled%
=nd that no more Rmid English reeds a 6aiad sho#s her head(
Poem< The .arlotRs .ouse
We caught the tread of dancing feet%
We loitered do#n the moonlit street%
=nd sto""ed beneath the harlotRs house(
0nside% abo$e the din and fra%
We heard the loud musicians "la
The RTreues 9iebes .er5R of Strauss(
9i&e strange mechanical grotesHues%
8a&ing fantastic arabesHues%
The shado#s raced across the blind(
We #atched the ghostl dancers s"in
To sound of horn and $iolin%
9i&e blac& lea$es #heeling in the #ind(
9i&e #ireB"ulled automatons%
Slim silhouetted s&eletons
Went sidling through the slo# Huadrille%
Then too& each other b the hand%
=nd danced a statel sarabandT
Their laughter echoed thin and shrill(
Sometimes a cloc&#or& "u""et "ressed
= "hantom lo$er to her breast%
Sometimes the seemed to tr to sing(
Sometimes a horrible marionette
!ame out% and smo&ed its cigarette
7"on the ste"s li&e a li$e thing(
Then% turning to m lo$e% 0 said%
RThe dead are dancing #ith the dead%
The dust is #hirling #ith the dust(R
-ut she B she heard the $iolin%
=nd left m side% and entered in<
9o$e "assed into the house of lust(
Then suddenl the tune #ent false%
The dancers #earied of the #alt5%
The shado#s ceased to #heel and #hirl(
=nd do#n the long and silent street%
The da#n% #ith sil$erBsandalled feet%
!re"t li&e a frightened girl(
Poem< *rom RThe -urden Of 0tsR
This English Thames is holier far than ,ome%
Those harebells li&e a sudden flush of sea
-rea&ing across the #oodland% #ith the foam
Of meado#Bs#eet and #hite anemone
To flec& their blue #a$es% B God is li&elier there
Than hidden in that crstalBhearted star the "ale mon&s bear'
Those $ioletBgleaming butterflies that ta&e
Qon cream lil for their "a$ilion
=re monsignores% and #here the rushes sha&e
= la5 "i&e lies bas&ing in the sun%
.is ees half shut% B he is some mitred old
-isho" in P=,T0-7S' loo& at those gaud scales all green and gold(
The #ind the restless "risoner of the trees
)oes #ell for Palaestrina% one #ould sa
The might masterRs hands #ere on the &es
Of the 8aria organ% #hich the "la
When earl on some sa""hire Easter morn
0n a high litter red as blood or sin the Po"e is borne
*rom his dar& .ouse out to the -alcon
=bo$e the bron5e gates and the cro#ded sHuare%
Whose $er fountains seem for ecstas
To toss their sil$er lances in the air%
=nd stretching out #ea& hands to East and West
0n $ain sends "eace to "eaceless lands% to restless nations rest(
0s not on lingering orange afterBglo#
That stas to $ex the moon more fair than all
,omeRs lordliest "ageants' strange% a ear ago
0 &nelt before some crimson !ardinal
Who bare the .ost across the EsHuiline%
=nd no# B those common "o""ies in the #heat seem t#ice as fine(
The blueBgreen beanfields onder% tremulous
With the last sho#er% s#eeter "erfume bring
Through this cool e$ening than the odorous
*lameBje#elled censers the oung deacons s#ing%
When the gre "riest unloc&s the curtained shrine%
=nd ma&es GodRs bod from the common fruit of corn and $ine(
Poor *ra Gio$anni ba#ling at the 8ass
Were out of tune no#% for a small bro#n bird
Sings o$erhead% and through the long cool grass
0 see that throbbing throat #hich once 0 heard
On starlit hills of flo#erBstarred =rcad%
Once #here the #hite and crescent sand of Salamis meets sea(
S#eet is the s#allo# t#ittering on the ea$es
=t dabrea&% #hen the mo#er #hets his scthe%
=nd stoc&Bdo$es murmur% and the mil&maid lea$es
.er little lonel bed% and carols blithe
To see the hea$Blo#ing cattle #ait
Stretching their huge and dri""ing mouths across the farmard gate(
=nd s#eet the ho"s u"on the Ventish leas%
=nd s#eet the #ind that lifts the ne#Bmo#n ha%
=nd s#eet the fretful s#arms of grumbling bees
That round and round the linden blossoms "laT
=nd s#eet the heifer breathing in the stall%
=nd the green bursting figs that hang u"on the redBbric& #all%
=nd s#eet to hear the cuc&oo moc& the s"ring
While the last $iolet loiters b the #ell%
=nd s#eet to hear the she"herd )a"hnis sing
The song of 9inus through a sunn dell
Of #arm =rcadia #here the corn is gold
=nd the slight litheBlimbed rea"ers dance about the #attled fold(
* * * * *
0t #as a dream% the glade is tenantless%
6o soft 0onian laughter mo$es the air%
The Thames cree"s on in sluggish leadenness%
=nd from the co"se left desolate and bare
*led is oung -acchus #ith his re$elr%
Qet still from 6uneham #ood there comes that thrilling melod
So sad% that one might thin& a human heart
-ra&e in each se"arate note% a Hualit
Which music sometimes has% being the =rt
Which is most nigh to tears and memorT
Poor mourning Philomel% #hat dost thou fearP
Th sister doth not haunt these fields% Pandion is not here%
.ere is no cruel 9ord #ith murderous blade%
6o #o$en #eb of blood heraldries%
-ut moss dells for ro$ing comrades made%
Warm $alles #here the tired student lies
With halfBshut boo&% and man a #inding #al&
Where rustic lo$ers stra at e$e in ha"" sim"le tal&(
The harmless rabbit gambols #ith its oung
=cross the tram"led to#ingB"ath% #here late
= troo" of laughing bos in jostling throng
!heered #ith their nois cries the racing eightT
The gossamer% #ith ra$elled sil$er threads%
Wor&s at its little loom% and from the dus& redBea$ed sheds
Of the lone *arm a flic&ering light shines out
Where the s#in&ed she"herd dri$es his bleating floc&
-ac& to their #attled shee"Bcotes% a faint shout
!omes from some Oxford boat at Sandford loc&%
=nd starts the moorBhen from the sedg rill%
=nd the dim lengthening shado#s flit li&e s#allo#s u" the hill(
The heron "asses home#ard to the mere%
The blue mist cree"s among the shi$ering trees%
Gold #orld b #orld the silent stars a""ear%
=nd li&e a blossom blo#n before the bree5e
= #hite moon drifts across the shimmering s&%
8ute arbitress of all th sad% th ra"turous threnod(
She does not heed thee% #herefore should she heed%
She &no#s Endmion is not far a#aT
RTis 0% Rtis 0% #hose soul is as the reed
Which has no message of its o#n to "la%
So "i"es anotherRs bidding% it is 0%
)rifting #ith e$er #ind on the #ide sea of miser(
=h' the bro#n bird has ceased< one exHuisite trill
=bout the sombre #oodland seems to cling
)ing in music% else the air is still%
So still that one might hear the batRs small #ing
Wander and #heel abo$e the "ines% or tell
Each tin de#Bdro" dri""ing from the bluebellRs brimming cell(
=nd far a#a across the lengthening #old%
=cross the #illo# flats and thic&ets bro#n%
8agdalenRs tall to#er ti""ed #ith tremulous gold
8ar&s the long .igh Street of the little to#n%
=nd #arns me to returnT 0 must not #ait%
.ar& ' Rt is the curfe# booming from the bell at !hrist !hurch
gate(
Poem< *lo#er of 9o$e
S#eet% 0 blame ou not% for mine the fault
#as% had 0 not been made of common cla
0 had climbed the higher heights unclimbed
et% seen the fuller air% the larger da(
*rom the #ildness of m #asted "assion 0 had
struc& a better% clearer song%
9it some lighter light of freer freedom% battled
#ith some .draBheaded #rong(
.ad m li"s been smitten into music b the
&isses that but made them bleed%
Qou had #al&ed #ith -ice and the angels on
that $erdant and enamelled mead(
0 had trod the road #hich )ante treading sa#
the suns of se$en circles shine%
=' "erchance had seen the hea$ens o"ening%
as the o"ened to the *lorentine(
=nd the might nations #ould ha$e cro#ned
me% #ho am cro#nless no# and #ithout name%
=nd some orient da#n had found me &neeling
on the threshold of the .ouse of *ame(
0 had sat #ithin that marble circle #here the
oldest bard is as the oung%
=nd the "i"e is e$er dro""ing hone% and the
lreRs strings are e$er strung(
Veats had lifted u" his hmeneal curls from out
the "o""Bseeded #ine%
With ambrosial mouth had &issed m forehead%
clas"ed the hand of noble lo$e in mine(
=nd at s"ringtide% #hen the a""leBblossoms
brush the burnished bosom of the do$e%
T#o oung lo$ers ling in an orchard #ould
ha$e read the stor of our lo$eT
Would ha$e read the legend of m "assion%
&no#n the bitter secret of m heart%
Vissed as #e ha$e &issed% but ne$er "arted as
#e t#o are fated no# to "art(
*or the crimson flo#er of our life is eaten b
the can&er#orm of truth%
=nd no hand can gather u" the fallen #ithered
"etals of the rose of outh(
Qet 0 am not sorr that 0 lo$ed ou B ah'
#hat else had 0 a bo to do% B
*or the hungr teeth of time de$our% and the
silentBfooted ears "ursue(
,udderless% #e drift ath#art a tem"est% and
#hen once the storm of outh is "ast%
Without lre% #ithout lute or chorus% )eath
the silent "ilot comes at last(
=nd #ithin the gra$e there is no "leasure%
for the blind#orm battens on the root%
=nd )esire shudders into ashes% and the tree
of Passion bears no fruit(
=h' #hat else had 0 to do but lo$e ouP
GodRs o#n mother #as less dear to me%
=nd less dear the !theraean rising li&e an
argent lil from the sea(
0 ha$e made m choice% ha$e li$ed m
"oems% and% though outh is gone in #asted das%
0 ha$e found the lo$erRs cro#n of mrtle better
than the "oetRs cro#n of bas(
*ootnotes<
Z1[ Shelle
ZA[ S#inburne
ZC[ ,ossetti
Z2[ -urneBSones
End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde