University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne

Complete edition with numerous illustrations
Hayne, Paul Hamilton (1830-1886)

collapse section 
[section]
  
[dedication]
collapse section 
YOUTHFUL POEMS.
  
THE WILL AND THE WING.
  
“THE LAUGHING HOURS BEFORE HER FEET.”
  
EVE OF THE BRIDAL.
  
MY FATHER.
  
SONG.
  
SONG.
  
BY THE GRAVE.
  
SONG OF THE NAIADS.
  
LETHE.
  
THE REALM OF REST.
  
THE ISLAND IN THE SOUTH.
  
ODE.
  
QUEEN GALENA, OR THE SULTANA BETRAYED.
  
THE POET'S TRUST IN HIS SORROW.
  
THE BROOK.
  
NATURE THE CONSOLER.
  
THE SOUL-CONFLICT.
  
THE PRESENTIMENT.
  
THE TWO SUMMERS.
  
LINES.
  
SONG.
  
ON A PORTRAIT.
  
THE SHADOW.
  
THE WINTER WINDS MAY WILDLY RAVE.
  
UNDER SENTENCE.
  
THE VILLAGE BEAUTY.
  
AFTER DEATH.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
  
OCTOBER.
  
LIFE AND DEATH.
  
SHELLEY.
  
POETS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
  
“NOW, WHILE THE REAR-GUARD.”
  
“PENT IN THIS COMMON SPHERE.”
  
“BETWEEN THE SUNKEN SUN AND THE NEW MOON.”
  
ANCIENT MYTHS.
  
O GOD! WHAT GLORIOUS SEASONS BLESS THY WORLD!
  
“ALONG THE PATH THY BLEEDING FEET.”
  
“TOO OFT THE POET IN ELABORATE VERSE.”
  
MOUNTAIN SONNETS.
  
COMPOSED IN AUTUMN.
  
GREAT POETS AND SMALL.
  
MY STUDY.
  
TO ------.
  
TO W. H. H.
  
LINES.
  
“AN IDLE POET DREAMING.”
collapse section 
DRAMATIC SKETCHES.
collapse section 
ANTONIO MELIDORI.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
collapse section 
ALLAN HERBERT.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
  
FROM THE CONSPIRATOR,
  
EXPERIENCE IN POVERTY.
  
THE TRUE PHILOSOPHY.
  
LOVE'S CAPRICES.
  
CREEDS.
  
THE UNIVERSALITY OF GRIEF.
  
THE PENITENT.
  
DRAMATIC FRAGMENT.
  
REWARD OF FICKLENESS.
  
A CHARACTER.
  
MORALS OF DESPERATION.
  
THE CONDEMNED.
  
ANTIPATHIES.
  
MISCONSTRUCTION.
collapse section 
POEMS OF THE WAR. 1861–1865.
  
MY MOTHER-LAND.
  
ODE.
  
CHARLESTON.
  
STUART.
  
BEYOND THE POTOMAC.
  
BEAUREGARD'S APPEAL.
collapse section 
THE SUBSTITUTE.
 1. 
PART I.
 2. 
PART II.
  
BATTLE OF CHARLESTON HARBOR,
  
CHARLESTON AT THE CLOSE OF 1863.
  
SCENE IN A COUNTRY HOSPITAL.
  
VICKSBURG.—A BALLAD.
  
THE LITTLE WHITE GLOVE.
  
STONEWALL JACKSON.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
 1. 
I. ON THE CHIVALRY OF THE PRESENT TIME.
 2. 
II. ELLIOTT IN FORT SUMTER.
  
OUR MARTYRS.
  
FORGOTTEN.
collapse section 
LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 1865–1872.
  
DAPHLES.
  
AËTHRA.
  
RENEWED.
  
KRISHNA AND HIS THREE HAND-MAIDENS.
  
UNDER THE PINE.
  
A DREAM OF THE SOUTH WINDS.
  
IN THE MIST.
  
A SUMMER MOOD.
  
MIDNIGHT.
  
THE BONNY BROWN HAND.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
  
THE COTTAGE ON THE HILL.
  
NOVEMBER.
  
SYLVAN MUSINGS.—IN MAY.
  
POETS.
  
SONNET.
  
THE PHANTOM BELLS.
  
THE LIFE-FOREST.
  
CLOUD FANTASIES.
  
SONNET.
  
SONNET.
  
FIRE-PICTURES.
  
AN ANNIVERSARY.
  
FROM THE WOODS.
  
DOLCE FAR NIENTE.
  
CAMBYSES AND THE MACROBIAN BOW.
  
BY THE AUTUMN SEA.
collapse section 
THE WIFE OF BRITTANY.
  
PROEM.
collapse section 
THE STORY.
 1. 
[PART I.]
 2. 
PART II.
 3. 
PART III.
  
[section]
  
THE RIVER.
collapse section 
THE STORY OF GLAUCUS THE THESSALIAN.
  
TO ---
  
THE STORY.
  
THE NEST.
  
NOT DEAD.
  
SONNET.
  
MARGUERITE.
  
APART.
collapse section 
THE LOTOS AND THE LILY.
  
THE LOTOS.
  
THE LILY.
  
WINDLESS RAIN.
  
“IN UTROQUE FIDELIS.”
  
NATURE, BETROTHED AND WEDDED.
  
CHLORIS.
  
FORTUNIO.
  
A FEUDAL PICTURE.
  
THE WARNING.
  
DRIFTING.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
  
LEIGH HUNT.
  
SOUL-ADVANCES.
  
CAROLINA.
  
SONNET.
  
ODE TO SLEEP.
  
SONG.
  
HOPES AND MEMORIES.
  
WIDDERIN'S RACE.
  
OCTOBER.
  
WILL.
  
HERE AND THERE.
  
WELCOME TO WINTER.
  
TO MY MOTHER.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
  
ILLEGITIMATE.
  
SONNET.
  
VERNAL PICTURES (WITHOUT AND WITHIN).
  
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LOVERS.
  
THE VENGEANCE OF THE GODDESS DIANA. .
  
THE SOLITARY LAKE.
  
THE VOICE IN THE PINES.
  
VISIT OF THE WRENS.
  
FOREST PICTURES.
  
GOLDEN DELL.
  
ASPECTS OF THE PINES.
  
MIDSUMMER IN THE SOUTH.
  
CLOUD-PICTURES.
  
SONNET.
  
IN THE PINE BARRENS.
  
SONNET.
  
THE WOODLAND PHASES.
  
AFTER THE TORNADO.
  
IN THE BOWER.
  
WHENCE?
  
SONNET.
  
VIOLETS.
  
BY THE GRAVE OF HENRY TIMROD.
  
SONNET.
  
ARIEL.
  
SONNET.
  
THE CLOUD-STAR.
  
SWEETHEART, GOOD-BYE!
  
SONNET.
  
FRIDA AND HER POET.
  
PREËXISTENCE.
  
SONNET.
  
A THOUSAND YEARS FROM NOW.
  
SONNET.
  
THUNDER AT MIDNIGHT.
  
ON THE DEATH OF CANON KINGSLEY.
  
WHEN ALL HAS BEEN SAID AND DONE.
  
THE VISION IN THE VALLEY.
  
THE ARCTIC VISITATION.
  
THE WIND OF ONSET.
  
THE VISIT OF MAHMOUD BEN SULEIM TO PARADISE.
  
MY DAUGHTER.
  
OUR “HUMMING-BIRD.”
collapse section 
LATER POEMS OF IMAGINATION, SENTIMENT, AND DESCRIPTION.
  
UNVEILED.
  
MUSCADINES.
  
IN A SPRING GARDEN.
  
IN DEGREE.
  
THE SKELETON WITNESS.
  
STORM-FRAGMENTS.
  
ABOVE THE STORM.
  
UNDERGROUND—A FANTASY.
  
THE DRYAD OF THE PINE.
  
WELCOME TO FROST.
  
THE PINE'S MYSTERY.
  
TO A BEE.
  
THE FIRST MOCKING-BIRD IN SPRING.
  
THE RED AND THE WHITE ROSE.
  
BEFORE THE MIRROR.
  
TWO EPOCHS.
  
WIND FROM THE EAST.
  
PEACH BLOOMS.
  
THE AWAKENING.
  
LOVE'S AUTUMN.
  
THE SPIREA.
  
COQUETTE.
  
SKATING.
  
THE WORLD WITHIN US.
  
FOREST QUIET.
  
THE MOCKING-BIRD.
  
A STORM IN THE DISTANCE.
  
THE VISION BY THE SEA.
  
THE VISIONARY FACE.
  
THE ROSE AND THORN.
  
THE RED LILY.
  
LAKE WINNIPISEOGEE.
  
LAKE MISTS.
  
THE INEVITABLE CALM.
  
THE DEAD LOOK.
  
JETSAM.
  
FAMELESS GRAVES.
  
WINTER ROSE.
  
TRISTRAM OF THE WOOD.
  
HINTS OF SPRING.
  
THE HAWK.
  
OVER THE WATERS.
  
THE TRUE HEAVEN.
  
THE BREEZES OF JUNE.
  
A MOUNTAIN FANCY.
  
ABSENCE AND LOVE.
  
THE FALLEN PINE-CONE.
  
STERN TRUTHS TRANSFIGURED.
  
DISTANCE.
  
HORIZONS.
  
IN THE GRAY OF THE EVENING.
  
THE VISION AT TWILIGHT.
  
AN HOUR TOO LATE.
  
“TOO LOW AND YET TOO HIGH!”
  
THE LORDSHIP OF CORFU.
  
TALLULAH FALLS.
  
DIVIDED.
  
THE MEADOW BROOK.
  
THE VALLEY OF ANOSTAN.
  
TWO SONGS.
collapse section 
SONNETS.
 1. 
I. FRESHNESS OF POETIC PERCEPTION.
 2. 
II. LAOCOON.
 3. 
III. AT LAST.
 4. 
IV. A PHANTOM IN THE CLOUDS.
 5. 
V. JAPONICAS.
 6. 
VI. THE USURPER.
 7. 
VII. DECEMBER SONNET.
 8. 
VIII. A COMPARISON.
 9. 
IX. FATE, OR GOD?
 10. 
X. SONNET.
 11. 
XI. EARTH ODORS—AFTER RAIN.
 12. 
XII. SONNET.
 13. 
XIII. POVERTY.
 14. 
XIV. WASTE.
 15. 
XV. A MORNING AFTER STORM.
 16. 
XVI. DEAD LOVES.
 17. 
XVII. NATURE AT EASE.
 18. 
XVIII. THE CNYDIAN ORACLE.
 19. 
XIX. THE HYACINTH.
 20. 
XX. THE WOOD FAR INLAND.
 21. 
[XXI. A moment since his breath dissolved in air]
 22. 
XXII. MAGNOLIA GARDENS.
 23. 
XXIII. ENGLAND.
 24. 
XXIV. DISAPPOINTMENT.
 25. 
XXV. THE LAST OF THE ROSES.
 26. 
XXVI. THE AXE AND PINE.
 27. 
XXVII. BETROTHAL NIGHT.
 28. 
XXVIII. “THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA.”
 29. 
XXIX. TWO PICTURES.
 30. 
XXX. THE MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
 31. 
XXXI. NIGHT-WINDS IN WINTER.
 32. 
XXXII. TO THE QUERULOUS POETS.
 33. 
XXXIII. IN THE PORCH.
 34. 
XXXIV. THE PHANTOM—SONG.
 35. 
XXXV. SMALL GRIEFS AND GREAT.
 36. 
XXXVI. THE SHALLOW HEART!
 37. 
XXXVII. THE STORMY NIGHT.
collapse section 
PERSONAL SONNETS.
 1. 
I. TO HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.
 2. 
II. TO GEORGE H. BOKER.
 3. 
III. TO ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE.
 4. 
IV. TO EDGAR FAWCETT.
 5. 
V. CARLYLE.
 6. 
VI. TO JEAN INGELOW.
 7. 
VII. TO M. I. P.
  
MACDONALD'S RAID.—A. D. 1780.
  
THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.
  
THE HANGING OF BLACK CUDJO.
  
CHARLESTON RETAKEN.
  
TO THE AUTHOR OF “THE VICTORIAN POETS.”
  
HERA.
  
BELOW AND ABOVE.
  
THE WOODLAND GRAVE.
  
A CHARACTER.
  
LYRIC OF ACTION.
  
BY A GRAVE.
  
SEVERANCE.
  
TWO GRAVES.
  
THE WORLD.
  
THE MAY SKY.
  
A LYRICAL PICTURE.
  
LAMIA UNVEILED.
  
RACHEL.
  
THE SNOW-MESSENGERS.
  
TO ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
  
THE ENCHANTED MIRROR.
  
THE IMPRISONED SEA-WINDS.
  
BLANCHE AND NELL.
  
THE DARK.
  
IN THE STUDIO.
  
WASHINGTON!
  
IN AMBUSH.
  
SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE STATES OF THE NORTH.
  
THE STRICKEN SOUTH TO THE NORTH.
  
THE RETURN OF PEACE.
  
YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL LYRIC.
  
ON THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS IN RUSSIA.
  
ASSASSINATION.
  
ENGLAND.
  
TO LONGFELLOW.
  
“PHILIP MY KING.”
  
A PLEA FOR THE GRAY.
  
UNION OF BLUE AND GRAY.
  
THE KING OF THE PLOW.
collapse section 
IN MEMORIAM.
 1. 
I. LONGFELLOW DEAD.
 2. 
II. ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
 3. 
III. DEAN STANLEY.
 4. 
IV. HIRAM H. BENNER.
 5. 
V. W. GILMORE SIMMS.
 6. 
VI. DICKENS.
 7. 
VII. TO BAYARD TAYLOR BEYOND US.
 8. 
VIII. BAYARD TAYLOR (UPON DEATH).
 9. 
IX. RICHARD H. DANA, SEN.
 10. 
X. BRYANT DEAD!
 11. 
XI. THE POLE OF DEATH.
 12. 
XII. THE DEATH OF HOOD.
collapse section 
MEDITATIVE AND RELIGIOUS.
 1. 
I. CHRIST ON EARTH.
 2. 
II. HARVEST-HOME.
 3. 
III. RECONCILIATION.
 4. 
IV. A VERNAL HYMN.
 5. 
V. CHRISTIAN EXALTATION.
 6. 
VI. SOLITUDE; IN YOUTH AND AGE.
 7. 
VII. DENIAL.
 8. 
VIII. LESSON OF SUBMISSION.
 9. 
IX. THE SUPREME HOUR.
 10. 
X. A CHRISTMAS LYRIC.
 11. 
XI. THE PILGRIM.
 12. 
XII. PENUEL.
 13. 
XIII. PATIENCE.
 14. 
XIV. THE LATTER PEACE.
 15. 
XV. GAUTAMA.
 16. 
XVI. CHRIST.
 17. 
XVII. A WINTER HYMN.
 18. 
XVIII. THE THREE URNS.
 19. 
XIX. ON THE DECLINE OF FAITH.
 20. 
XX. THE ULTIMATE TRUST.
 21. 
XXI. “A LITTLE WHILE I FAIN WOULD LINGER YET.”
 22. 
XXII. TWILIGHT MONOLOGUE.
 23. 
XXIII. THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
 24. 
XXIV. FINIS.
 25. 
XXV. THE SHADOWS ON THE WALL.
 26. 
XXVI. CONSUMMATUM EST.
 27. 
XXVII. THE BROKEN CHORDS.
 28. 
XXVIII. THE RIFT WITHIN THE LUTE.
 29. 
XXIX. IN HARBOR.
 30. 
XXX. FORECASTINGS.
 31. 
XXXI. APPEAL TO NATURE OF THE SOLITARY HEART.
collapse section 
FOUR POEMS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
 1. 
I. TO THE POET WHITTIER. ON HIS 70th BIRTHDAY.
 2. 
II. TO O. W. HOLMES, ON HIS BIRTHDAY.
 3. 
III. TO EMERSON.
 4. 
IV. TO HON. R. G. H.
collapse section 
HUMOROUS POEMS.
  
VALERIE'S CONFESSION.
  
A MEETING OF THE BIRDS.
  
A BACHELOR-BOOKWORM'S COMPLAINT OF THE LATE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
  
COQUETTE AND HER LOVER.
  
SENEX TO HIS FRIEND.
  
THE OBSERVANT “ELDEST” SPEAKS.
  
LUCIFER'S DEPUTY.
collapse section 
POEMS FOR CHILDREN.
  
LITTLE NELLIE IN THE PRISON.
  
THE CHILDREN.
  
WILL AND I.
  
JAMIE AND HIS MOTHER—IN THE TROPICS.
  
THE THREE COPECKS.
collapse section 
THE REASON WHY.
  
[section]
  
LATER.
  
LATER STILL.
  
THE SILKEN SHOE.
  
THE BLACK DESTRIER.
  
THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BOB BONNYFACE.
  
KISS ME, KATIE!
  
CAGED.
  
LITTLE LOTTIE'S GRIEVANCE.
  
A NEW VERSION OF WHY THE ROBIN'S BREAST IS RED.
  
THE LITTLE SAINT.
  
A NEW PHILOSOPHY; OR, STAR SHOWERS EXPLAINED.
  
BABY'S FIRST WORD.
  
THE CHAMELEON.
  
FLYING FURZE.
  
THE NEW SISTER.
  
HOP, SKIP, AND JUMP: A QUEER TRIO PERSONIFIED.
  
DANCING.
  
MOTES.
  
THE GROUND SQUIRREL.
  
ARTIE'S “AMEN.”
  
THREE PORTRAITS OF BOYS.
  
BIRDS.
  
THE DEAD CHILD AND THE MOCKING-BIRD.
  
THE LITTLE GRAND DUCHESS.
  
ROLY POLY.
  
THE IMPRISONED INNOCENTS.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
next section

XXII.
TWILIGHT MONOLOGUE.

Can it be that the glory of manhood has passed,
That its purpose, its passion, its might,
Have all paled with the fervor that fed them at last,
As the twilight comes down with the night?
Can it be I have lived, dreamed, and labored in vain—
That above me, unconquered and bright,
The proud goal I had aimed at is taunting my pain,
As the twilight comes down with the night?
Can it be that my hopes, which seemed noble and fair,
Were predestined to mildew and blight?
Ah! sad disenchantment! that bids me beware
Of a twilight which heralds the night!
The glad days, the brave years that were lusty and long—
How they fade on vague memory's sight!
And their joys are like echoes of jubilant song,
As the twilight comes down with the night!
All the past is o'ershadowed, the present is dim,
And could earth's fairest future requite
The worn spirit that swoons, the racked senses that swim,
In this dread of the twilight and night?
There is dew on my raiment; the sea winds wail low,
As lost birds, wafted wave-ward in flight,
334

And all Nature grows cold, as my heart in its woe,
At the advent of twilight and night!
From the realm of dead sunset scarce darkened as yet—
Over hills mist-enshrouded and white,
A deep sigh of ineffable, mournful regret,
Seems exhaled 'twixt the twilight and night!
O! thou genius of art! I have worshipped and blessed;
O! thou soul of all beauty and light!
Lift me up in thine arms, give me warmth from thy breast,
Ere the twilight be merged in the night!
Let me draw from thy bosom miraculous breath,
And for once, on song's uppermost height,
I may chant to the nations such music in death
As shall mock at the twilight and night!
previous section Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
next section