[Poems by Trowbridge in] A masque of poets Including Guy Vernon, a novelette in verse |
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| 2. | PART II.
HOMEWARD VOYAGE. |
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 | [Poems by Trowbridge in] A masque of poets |  |
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2. PART II.
HOMEWARD VOYAGE.
I.
Know ye the land?—and so forth. Cuba seems
The later western Eden of our planet.
What wafted incense from the gate of dreams,
What heavenly zephyrs hover o'er and fan it!
With groves of orange, mango, and pomegranate,
And flowering forests through whose wealth of blooms,
Like living fires, dart birds of gorgeous plumes.
The later western Eden of our planet.
What wafted incense from the gate of dreams,
What heavenly zephyrs hover o'er and fan it!
With groves of orange, mango, and pomegranate,
And flowering forests through whose wealth of blooms,
Like living fires, dart birds of gorgeous plumes.
There by still bays the tall flamingo stands;
The sunrise flame of whose reflected form
Crimsons the glassy wave and glistening sands.
There, large and luminous, throughout the warm,
Soft summer eves myriads of fireflies swarm;
Like the bright spirits of departed flowers
Nightly revisiting their native bowers.
The sunrise flame of whose reflected form
Crimsons the glassy wave and glistening sands.
There, large and luminous, throughout the warm,
Soft summer eves myriads of fireflies swarm;
Like the bright spirits of departed flowers
Nightly revisiting their native bowers.
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Its own rich, varying world the isle enfolds;
Where glowing Nature seems most prodigal
Of life and beauty; where the eye beholds
Orchards that blossom while their ripe fruits fall;
Mountains, refulgent vales; and, curved round all,
From some palm-crested summit seen afar,
The gleaming ocean's steel-bright scimitar.
Where glowing Nature seems most prodigal
Of life and beauty; where the eye beholds
Orchards that blossom while their ripe fruits fall;
Mountains, refulgent vales; and, curved round all,
From some palm-crested summit seen afar,
The gleaming ocean's steel-bright scimitar.
II.
All which to Lorne was an intoxication,
That fed his passion while it soothed his pain.
Round aromatic jungle and plantation,
Gardens of shaded coffee, seas of cane
Sweeping their billowy verdure through the plain,
He breathed the flame of indolent desire,
And carried in his heart those eyes of fire.
That fed his passion while it soothed his pain.
Round aromatic jungle and plantation,
Gardens of shaded coffee, seas of cane
Sweeping their billowy verdure through the plain,
He breathed the flame of indolent desire,
And carried in his heart those eyes of fire.
She was unhappy! in the look she gave him
Deep sorrow made impassioned, sad appeal.
So love conspired with pity to enslave him,
And the sweet hope that still her heart might feel
The heavenly hurt which only he could heal!
Until at last this new infatuation
Became an irresistible temptation.
Deep sorrow made impassioned, sad appeal.
So love conspired with pity to enslave him,
And the sweet hope that still her heart might feel
The heavenly hurt which only he could heal!
Until at last this new infatuation
Became an irresistible temptation.
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Back to the city, with a wretched sense
Of his own guilty weakness, in a tremor
Of passionate haste and torturing suspense,
To meet her, flew the miserable dreamer;—
But saw, just coming into port, a steamer,
At whose proud peak the Yankee ensign waved;
While something seemed to whisper, “You are saved!
Of his own guilty weakness, in a tremor
Of passionate haste and torturing suspense,
To meet her, flew the miserable dreamer;—
But saw, just coming into port, a steamer,
At whose proud peak the Yankee ensign waved;
While something seemed to whisper, “You are saved!
“Fly! fly!” it said: “there is no middle course!
Your coming cannot help, but only harm her.
Rally your manhood's enervated force,
Put on determination's burnished armor!
Sin is the lovely snake, the deadly charmer;
The tempted soul, the bird that round it hovers;
Flight, the sole safety for sore-tempted lovers!”
Your coming cannot help, but only harm her.
Rally your manhood's enervated force,
Put on determination's burnished armor!
Sin is the lovely snake, the deadly charmer;
The tempted soul, the bird that round it hovers;
Flight, the sole safety for sore-tempted lovers!”
All which was seconded by sober reason,
Making his duty in the matter clear:
'Twas late in February, and the season
So dangerous to the northern blood was near;
The best hotels were bad and very dear:
So Prudence, joined with Virtue, bade him leave her,
Avoid expense, temptation, and the fever.
Making his duty in the matter clear:
'Twas late in February, and the season
So dangerous to the northern blood was near;
The best hotels were bad and very dear:
So Prudence, joined with Virtue, bade him leave her,
Avoid expense, temptation, and the fever.
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Subtler considerations, too, assisted,
No doubt, to make him do as he was bidden;
For conduct is a complex cord, that 's twisted
Of many a strand of motive, seen or hidden,
And sometimes with the weightiest purpose slid in,
And covered perfectly from tip to tip,—
The belly that gives vengeance to the whip.
No doubt, to make him do as he was bidden;
For conduct is a complex cord, that 's twisted
Of many a strand of motive, seen or hidden,
And sometimes with the weightiest purpose slid in,
And covered perfectly from tip to tip,—
The belly that gives vengeance to the whip.
With Lorne, this may have been deep-wounded pride
And love's despite: “She shall not say I sought her!”
And so, his passport claimed, “Farewell,” he cried,
“Queen of the Isles, Spain's ill-adopted daughter!
Farewell your plumy palms and blue sea-water!
Your toiling slaves and idle señoritas,
Paseos, chain-gangs, bull-fights, and mosquitoes!”
And love's despite: “She shall not say I sought her!”
And so, his passport claimed, “Farewell,” he cried,
“Queen of the Isles, Spain's ill-adopted daughter!
Farewell your plumy palms and blue sea-water!
Your toiling slaves and idle señoritas,
Paseos, chain-gangs, bull-fights, and mosquitoes!”
III.
'Twas really when the steamer sailed next day,
That Lorne, on board her, breathed his last farewell;
When from the port with countless streamers gay,
By frowning bastion and tall citadel
They passed, and took the grand Atlantic swell
And freshening sea-breeze, which are always found
Exhilarating to the homeward-bound.
That Lorne, on board her, breathed his last farewell;
When from the port with countless streamers gay,
By frowning bastion and tall citadel
They passed, and took the grand Atlantic swell
And freshening sea-breeze, which are always found
Exhilarating to the homeward-bound.
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He paced the deck, and puffed his cigarito,
'Mid oranges in many a fragrant pile
(Barrels of oranges, stacked crates of ditto),
And watched the gorgeous sunset's golden smile
Fade on the lovely, fast-receding isle,
Then the soft, purple-pinioned twilight sweep
The dark-green land and iridescent deep.
'Mid oranges in many a fragrant pile
(Barrels of oranges, stacked crates of ditto),
And watched the gorgeous sunset's golden smile
Fade on the lovely, fast-receding isle,
Then the soft, purple-pinioned twilight sweep
The dark-green land and iridescent deep.
Castles and villas, hills and plumy palms,
Vanished, to live for ever in his view
Enring'd in rosy equinoctial calms.
The burnished waves wore many a wondrous hue;
Stars twinkled in the deep eternal blue;
And on the horizon of the sea, behold
The Southern Cross, with nails of burning gold!
Vanished, to live for ever in his view
Enring'd in rosy equinoctial calms.
The burnished waves wore many a wondrous hue;
Stars twinkled in the deep eternal blue;
And on the horizon of the sea, behold
The Southern Cross, with nails of burning gold!
IV.
The waves, the heavens, the soothing, bland sea air,
The beauty and the life, within him stirred
Depths of delicious longing, sweet despair;
And gazing landward till his vision blurred,
He breathed farewell to her. But now was heard,
Passing along the lower deck and upper,
A welcome call; and he went down to supper.
The beauty and the life, within him stirred
Depths of delicious longing, sweet despair;
And gazing landward till his vision blurred,
He breathed farewell to her. But now was heard,
Passing along the lower deck and upper,
A welcome call; and he went down to supper.
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With excellent appetite, if one must know it,
Which at the long, well-lighted cabin table,
Crowded with hungry passengers, our poet
Was solacing as well as he was able,
When, glancing round the clattering, chattering Babel,
He paused, aghast,—a slice of tongue half swallowed,—
Seeing the Fate which, flying, he had followed!
Which at the long, well-lighted cabin table,
Crowded with hungry passengers, our poet
Was solacing as well as he was able,
When, glancing round the clattering, chattering Babel,
He paused, aghast,—a slice of tongue half swallowed,—
Seeing the Fate which, flying, he had followed!
Florinda! pale but lovely still; enrapt in
The delicate discussion of cold chicken,
And some engaging topic with the Captain.
Just then, amid loud talk and teacups clicking,
Over the wing she happened to be picking
She looked—and there was Lorne, quite dazed and pallid,
Staring at her across a dish of salad.
The delicate discussion of cold chicken,
And some engaging topic with the Captain.
Just then, amid loud talk and teacups clicking,
Over the wing she happened to be picking
She looked—and there was Lorne, quite dazed and pallid,
Staring at her across a dish of salad.
He was a sort of picturesque Adonis,
With eyebrows of the true Adonis curve;
Eyes all expression; brown hair waved upon his
Broad, graceful brow; fine nostrils, full of nerve;
And something in the pure face that might serve
To make you like what still you might condemn in it,
And left him beautiful, but not effeminate.
With eyebrows of the true Adonis curve;
Eyes all expression; brown hair waved upon his
Broad, graceful brow; fine nostrils, full of nerve;
And something in the pure face that might serve
To make you like what still you might condemn in it,
And left him beautiful, but not effeminate.
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Their eyes met for a moment; and the lady's
Flashed on him, with a sudden dilatation,
Such grateful, radiant, sweet surprise as made his
Whole being tremble with deep agitation,—
Gave his quick spirits a singular elation,
And mantled his white forehead with a flush
Which deepened to a quite decided blush.
Flashed on him, with a sudden dilatation,
Such grateful, radiant, sweet surprise as made his
Whole being tremble with deep agitation,—
Gave his quick spirits a singular elation,
And mantled his white forehead with a flush
Which deepened to a quite decided blush.
She did not blush (men often blush, somehow,
When women don't): those eyes divinely bright,
Beneath the beaming crescent of her brow,—
Venus's glow beside Diana's light
(I trust my classic metaphors are right),—
Shone lustrously upon him, while his gaze
Sank modestly before their melting rays.
When women don't): those eyes divinely bright,
Beneath the beaming crescent of her brow,—
Venus's glow beside Diana's light
(I trust my classic metaphors are right),—
Shone lustrously upon him, while his gaze
Sank modestly before their melting rays.
V.
Ere long she rose; and, pausing just to turn on
Poor Lorne a parting look, away she swept.
Where, all the while (he marvelled),—where was Vernon?
Sea-sick, perhaps, and so his room he kept.
Lorne's thoughts were flame: he sought the air, and stept
Up the steep stairs as light of heart and proud
As if he had been climbing on a cloud.
Poor Lorne a parting look, away she swept.
Where, all the while (he marvelled),—where was Vernon?
Sea-sick, perhaps, and so his room he kept.
Lorne's thoughts were flame: he sought the air, and stept
Up the steep stairs as light of heart and proud
As if he had been climbing on a cloud.
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Now in the night he found a deeper charm;
And to and fro he passed with pensive pace,—
When, lo, Florinda on the Captain's arm!
He knew her by her shape of perfect grace,
Then by the moonlit beauty of her face,
And soft, low accents, as they passed him by,
And found a seat beneath the open sky.
And to and fro he passed with pensive pace,—
When, lo, Florinda on the Captain's arm!
He knew her by her shape of perfect grace,
Then by the moonlit beauty of her face,
And soft, low accents, as they passed him by,
And found a seat beneath the open sky.
They passed—but what was that his ears had heard?
Vernon not with her—gone to his plantation!
Never before had simple, spoken word
Struck all his heartstrings into such vibration.
But four months married, and a separation!
And she so pale! could there have been a quarrel?
He queried, with an interest quite immoral.
Vernon not with her—gone to his plantation!
Never before had simple, spoken word
Struck all his heartstrings into such vibration.
But four months married, and a separation!
And she so pale! could there have been a quarrel?
He queried, with an interest quite immoral.
Now here were they, old lovers! For a minute
He questioned his poor flattered conscience, whether
The hand of Providence might not be in it.
That they should thus be voyaging together
In the luxurious, lulling, lovely weather,
Just after he so virtuously had shunned her,
Appears indeed a matter of some wonder.
He questioned his poor flattered conscience, whether
The hand of Providence might not be in it.
That they should thus be voyaging together
In the luxurious, lulling, lovely weather,
Just after he so virtuously had shunned her,
Appears indeed a matter of some wonder.
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What was the Voice that hurried him abroad,
He deemed his better angel's? Providence
Seems after all a sort of two-edged sword,—
Now the direct, miraculous defence
Of piety and helpless innocence;
Then, suddenly reversed, it seems no less
To shape the ways of sin and wickedness.
He deemed his better angel's? Providence
Seems after all a sort of two-edged sword,—
Now the direct, miraculous defence
Of piety and helpless innocence;
Then, suddenly reversed, it seems no less
To shape the ways of sin and wickedness.
Could we but know when life's true light is given!
Are there attendant powers of good and evil,
One Influence, rightly deemed the Will of Heaven,
And one which we—in phrase not quite so civil—
Succinctly term temptation of the Devil?
And both so like! Would some one, who has seen them,
Might teach us to discriminate between them!
Are there attendant powers of good and evil,
One Influence, rightly deemed the Will of Heaven,
And one which we—in phrase not quite so civil—
Succinctly term temptation of the Devil?
And both so like! Would some one, who has seen them,
Might teach us to discriminate between them!
Here, things are so astonishingly mixed,
And morals still so little understood,
It takes a saint indeed to choose betwixt
The bad that 's pleasant and the bitter good,
Always with perfect faith and certitude!
Evil, perhaps, being nothing more nor less
Than good in disproportion, or excess.
And morals still so little understood,
It takes a saint indeed to choose betwixt
The bad that 's pleasant and the bitter good,
Always with perfect faith and certitude!
Evil, perhaps, being nothing more nor less
Than good in disproportion, or excess.
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Impartial nature fosters and upholds them
By the same equal laws, and it may be
The same great brooding power of Love enfolds them,
With the vast patience of eternity!
The beams of Life are laid in Harmony;
In whose triumphal, everlasting glory
Discord shall be resolved.—But to our story.
By the same equal laws, and it may be
The same great brooding power of Love enfolds them,
With the vast patience of eternity!
The beams of Life are laid in Harmony;
In whose triumphal, everlasting glory
Discord shall be resolved.—But to our story.
VI.
Lorne meant to show a dignified reserve
By walking at a cool, respectful distance;
But towards Florinda still his feet would swerve,
Drawn by a power beyond him, whose persistence
Found in him little and still less resistance,
Till, starting with the Captain from their place,
The lady met him almost face to face.
By walking at a cool, respectful distance;
But towards Florinda still his feet would swerve,
Drawn by a power beyond him, whose persistence
Found in him little and still less resistance,
Till, starting with the Captain from their place,
The lady met him almost face to face.
Pure accident, of course. She bowed—quite slowly,
As if her eyes might possibly deceive her.
With proudly meek, magnificently lowly
Obeisance, under his uplifted beaver,
He passed aside as if inclined to leave her.
Regardless of his coldness or his scorn,
She cried, “Why, truly! it is—Robert Lorne!”
As if her eyes might possibly deceive her.
With proudly meek, magnificently lowly
Obeisance, under his uplifted beaver,
He passed aside as if inclined to leave her.
Regardless of his coldness or his scorn,
She cried, “Why, truly! it is—Robert Lorne!”
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Which he acknowledged, with another bend
And civil show of passing. She detained him;
And introduced the Captain to her “friend;”
And still with silvery eloquence enchained him,
And with a charming petulance arraigned him
For visiting the Cuban capital
Without so much as giving her a call!
And civil show of passing. She detained him;
And introduced the Captain to her “friend;”
And still with silvery eloquence enchained him,
And with a charming petulance arraigned him
For visiting the Cuban capital
Without so much as giving her a call!
“My husband would have been right glad to meet you!
You came to Cuba—tell me when and how!”
“Excuse me,” said the Captain,—“let me seat you,”—
Placing a pair of camp-stools:—“I 've just now
Some duties which will take me to the bow.”
And, seeing Robert and Florinda seated,
That guileless instrument of fate retreated.
You came to Cuba—tell me when and how!”
“Excuse me,” said the Captain,—“let me seat you,”—
Placing a pair of camp-stools:—“I 've just now
Some duties which will take me to the bow.”
And, seeing Robert and Florinda seated,
That guileless instrument of fate retreated.
They took their places mutely, without protest,
And sat as if they had been carved in stone.
For hearts estranged, as you perhaps have noticed,
When brought together and thus left alone,
Cannot so easily resume the tone
Of light society, which often covers
The aching wounds of parted friends and lovers.
And sat as if they had been carved in stone.
For hearts estranged, as you perhaps have noticed,
When brought together and thus left alone,
Cannot so easily resume the tone
Of light society, which often covers
The aching wounds of parted friends and lovers.
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He who from his late Cuban trip had come
Back to the town to seek her in such haste,
Now in her presence sat constrained and dumb;
And he who fondly many a time had placed
A lover's arm about that lovely waist,
Was strangely now become, while sitting by her,
A man of outward ice and inward fire.
Back to the town to seek her in such haste,
Now in her presence sat constrained and dumb;
And he who fondly many a time had placed
A lover's arm about that lovely waist,
Was strangely now become, while sitting by her,
A man of outward ice and inward fire.
The lady was the first to speak, of course.
“You hate me, Robert!”—accents quick and low.
He answered in a voice repressed and hoarse:
“What reason have I?”—“O, you shunned me so!
But, Robert, there are things you do not know!
Can't we be friends? I need a friend! O Rob!”—
Here she was interrupted by a sob.
“You hate me, Robert!”—accents quick and low.
He answered in a voice repressed and hoarse:
“What reason have I?”—“O, you shunned me so!
But, Robert, there are things you do not know!
Can't we be friends? I need a friend! O Rob!”—
Here she was interrupted by a sob.
Then hardly could he master the impassioned,
Wild words that forced his lips: “Have you forgot—
Florinda!” But he checked himself, and fashioned
In the firm moulds of prudent speech his thought,
And told how he from first to last had sought
Her happiness: “And so,” he vowed, “you still
Shall have my whole life's service, if you will.”
Wild words that forced his lips: “Have you forgot—
Florinda!” But he checked himself, and fashioned
In the firm moulds of prudent speech his thought,
And told how he from first to last had sought
Her happiness: “And so,” he vowed, “you still
Shall have my whole life's service, if you will.”
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They talked; and words brought kind alleviation
Of pain to both, and in new friendship bound them;
And the sweet sense of reconciliation
Diffused an atmosphere of bliss around them;
Till quite too soon the Captain came and found them;
And, happy in her late lost friend's recapture,
Florinda left him to his new-found rapture.
Of pain to both, and in new friendship bound them;
And the sweet sense of reconciliation
Diffused an atmosphere of bliss around them;
Till quite too soon the Captain came and found them;
And, happy in her late lost friend's recapture,
Florinda left him to his new-found rapture.
VII.
A golden shallop on the rim of Ocean,
The new moon poised, a slowly sinking crescent.
With throbbing heart and steady heaving motion,
Strove the strong ship: the deep was phosphorescent,
And on through fiery billows of liquescent,
Immingled meteors, rolling them asunder,
She kept her course through all that night of wonder.
The new moon poised, a slowly sinking crescent.
With throbbing heart and steady heaving motion,
Strove the strong ship: the deep was phosphorescent,
And on through fiery billows of liquescent,
Immingled meteors, rolling them asunder,
She kept her course through all that night of wonder.
O dear, inconstant Seraph of Repose!
Wing to the homes of woe thy downy flight;
Visit the couch of wretchedness, and close
The aching sense that wearies of the night!
But when immortal Freshness and Delight
Sail with the enraptured soul the glorious deep,
What have we then to do with thee, O Sleep?
Wing to the homes of woe thy downy flight;
Visit the couch of wretchedness, and close
The aching sense that wearies of the night!
But when immortal Freshness and Delight
Sail with the enraptured soul the glorious deep,
What have we then to do with thee, O Sleep?
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Remembering all her words, her looks, her sighs,
Lorne vowed: “I will not wrong her; Heaven! I swear
For her sake endless love and sacrifice!
Just to be near her, and to breathe the air
She blesses with the fragrance of her hair,—
To shiver at the rustle of her dress,—
Is more than other mortals' happiness!”
Lorne vowed: “I will not wrong her; Heaven! I swear
For her sake endless love and sacrifice!
Just to be near her, and to breathe the air
She blesses with the fragrance of her hair,—
To shiver at the rustle of her dress,—
Is more than other mortals' happiness!”
He would not change his lot for any other.
She need not love him: he would only ask
To be a little dearer than a brother!
No richer blessing, no diviner task,
Than to defend and comfort her, to bask
A little in her presence, and so feed
At those bright beams his heart's eternal need.
She need not love him: he would only ask
To be a little dearer than a brother!
No richer blessing, no diviner task,
Than to defend and comfort her, to bask
A little in her presence, and so feed
At those bright beams his heart's eternal need.
Love lights all men and women; and all things
In youth and loveliness to love invoke us;
And beauty is a burning-glass that brings
The soft, diffusive sunshine to a focus,—
Whose rays, it may be said, sometimes provoke us
To kindle and consume with sweet desire,
While yet the glass feels nothing of the fire.
In youth and loveliness to love invoke us;
And beauty is a burning-glass that brings
The soft, diffusive sunshine to a focus,—
Whose rays, it may be said, sometimes provoke us
To kindle and consume with sweet desire,
While yet the glass feels nothing of the fire.
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If she be cold, so much the worse for her!
To be beloved is much; but far above
All that the whole world's worship can confer
Of outward blessing, is the heart's own love,—
Even that poor passion which adores a glove
Or lady's slipper,—though one 's apt to find
Small solace in it, if she 's too unkind.
To be beloved is much; but far above
All that the whole world's worship can confer
Of outward blessing, is the heart's own love,—
Even that poor passion which adores a glove
Or lady's slipper,—though one 's apt to find
Small solace in it, if she 's too unkind.
VIII.
Of all the wonders I have heard or read of,
In these Centennial days and years of wonder,—
From this which tells us what the stars are made of,
To that which over hemispheres and under
The seas that hold the continents asunder
Speeds our swift thought,—of all, from first to latest,
The mighty Ocean steamship is the greatest.
In these Centennial days and years of wonder,—
From this which tells us what the stars are made of,
To that which over hemispheres and under
The seas that hold the continents asunder
Speeds our swift thought,—of all, from first to latest,
The mighty Ocean steamship is the greatest.
To favoring gales it opens snow-white wings,
But takes all gales with laughter; it salutes
Strange lands and climates in its course, and brings
To northern shores full-ripened tropic fruits;
A Titan, that to power and speed transmutes
Its daily ration of huge tons of coal,
And seems almost to be endowed with soul.
But takes all gales with laughter; it salutes
Strange lands and climates in its course, and brings
To northern shores full-ripened tropic fruits;
A Titan, that to power and speed transmutes
Its daily ration of huge tons of coal,
And seems almost to be endowed with soul.
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When I behold this little peopled world,
Large as an asteroid, in the nether blue,
Its flashing wheels, proud decks, and flags unfurled;
Then fancy that ancestral savage who
First pushed from shore with paddle and canoe,—
I'm forced to the Darwinian conclusion
That here 's a masterpiece of evolution.
Large as an asteroid, in the nether blue,
Its flashing wheels, proud decks, and flags unfurled;
Then fancy that ancestral savage who
First pushed from shore with paddle and canoe,—
I'm forced to the Darwinian conclusion
That here 's a masterpiece of evolution.
From the first skiff of sutured skins or bark
To the three-decker with its thundering guns,—
From Jason's classic junk, or Noah's ark,
To the grand steamship of five thousand tons,—
The thing developed: just as Man was once—
Well, not a monkey; that he never was—
But something less, evolved through Nature's laws.
To the three-decker with its thundering guns,—
From Jason's classic junk, or Noah's ark,
To the grand steamship of five thousand tons,—
The thing developed: just as Man was once—
Well, not a monkey; that he never was—
But something less, evolved through Nature's laws.
Allah il Allah! great is Evolution,
And Darwin eminently is its Prophet!
Out of primeval chaos and confusion
It massed the nebulous orb, and fashioned of it
The sun and planets; one whereof it saw fit
To finish off with most attractive features,
And make the abode of curious living creatures.
And Darwin eminently is its Prophet!
Out of primeval chaos and confusion
It massed the nebulous orb, and fashioned of it
The sun and planets; one whereof it saw fit
To finish off with most attractive features,
And make the abode of curious living creatures.
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All which I do most potently believe,
Taking large stock in Natural Selection.
But, gentlemen, I cannot quite conceive—
Since centuries of plotting and reflection
Have brought to pass the steamboat's last perfection—
What power, without intelligence or plan,
Evolved the wonders of the World and Man.
Taking large stock in Natural Selection.
But, gentlemen, I cannot quite conceive—
Since centuries of plotting and reflection
Have brought to pass the steamboat's last perfection—
What power, without intelligence or plan,
Evolved the wonders of the World and Man.
Not from without, 'tis true, with toil and din,
Laboriously, the World was built or moulded:
By its own law, divinely, from within,
No doubt, the incubated egg unfolded
To the fledged miracle we now behold it.
Is thought evolved? then thought, I dare affirm,
Impregnated the primal cosmic germ.
Laboriously, the World was built or moulded:
By its own law, divinely, from within,
No doubt, the incubated egg unfolded
To the fledged miracle we now behold it.
Is thought evolved? then thought, I dare affirm,
Impregnated the primal cosmic germ.
Your gospel is a worthy contribution,
Far as it goes; I thank you: yet I find,
Scanning the puppet-show of Evolution,
A vast unoutlined Presence moves behind
The wavering screen that hides the Will and Mind;
And shows, according as you take your stand,
More or less certain glimpses of a Hand.
Far as it goes; I thank you: yet I find,
Scanning the puppet-show of Evolution,
A vast unoutlined Presence moves behind
The wavering screen that hides the Will and Mind;
And shows, according as you take your stand,
More or less certain glimpses of a Hand.
217
IX.
Trailing far back upon the blue Atlantic
Its smoky banner; through the warm Gulf Stream
Rolling its white wake; with the slow, gigantic
One arm of its for-ever-beckoning beam;
Panting, with heart of fire and breath of steam,
The strong ship kept—as I set out to say—
Its steady northward course day after day.
Its smoky banner; through the warm Gulf Stream
Rolling its white wake; with the slow, gigantic
One arm of its for-ever-beckoning beam;
Panting, with heart of fire and breath of steam,
The strong ship kept—as I set out to say—
Its steady northward course day after day.
The passengers, beneath the welcome shade
Of awnings over all the vessel spread,
Fanned by the sea-breeze which their own speed made,
Lounged half asleep, smoked, walked, and talked, and read,
Or watched the flocking gulls that came and fled,—
Now circled close in quest of food, then fought,
Far back, about some morsel one had caught.
Of awnings over all the vessel spread,
Fanned by the sea-breeze which their own speed made,
Lounged half asleep, smoked, walked, and talked, and read,
Or watched the flocking gulls that came and fled,—
Now circled close in quest of food, then fought,
Far back, about some morsel one had caught.
Two days of calm; when all the sea seemed one
Vast fluctuating field of satin sheen,
Rolling and undulating in the sun,
With evanescent gloss of gold and green:
No land at last, not even a sail was seen,
Nor any steadfast thing to rest the eyes on,
Within the circle of the sea's horizon.
Vast fluctuating field of satin sheen,
Rolling and undulating in the sun,
With evanescent gloss of gold and green:
No land at last, not even a sail was seen,
Nor any steadfast thing to rest the eyes on,
Within the circle of the sea's horizon.
218
The bird of love, in days so truly halcyon,
Upon the billows well might build her nest!
And then the nights! when flashed the moon's bright falchion
Across old Ocean's palpitating breast;—
When, watching, lingering later than the rest,
Our lover-friends, forgetting all prudential
Considerations, grew quite confidential.
Upon the billows well might build her nest!
And then the nights! when flashed the moon's bright falchion
Across old Ocean's palpitating breast;—
When, watching, lingering later than the rest,
Our lover-friends, forgetting all prudential
Considerations, grew quite confidential.
He, rapt, devoted, with no thought of wronging
Vernon or her: she, free from ill intent,
Needing the counsels of a friend, and longing
For sympathy,—if that be innocent,—
Confessed the dreadful, sudden, sad event,
Which, falling so mysteriously, bereft her
Almost of reason when her husband left her.
Vernon or her: she, free from ill intent,
Needing the counsels of a friend, and longing
For sympathy,—if that be innocent,—
Confessed the dreadful, sudden, sad event,
Which, falling so mysteriously, bereft her
Almost of reason when her husband left her.
“We were so happy! I was just beginning
To learn how dear he was!”—Lorne's spirits fell.
“O, do you think I 've any chance of winning
His love again?”—Poor Robert could not tell.
“I 've still one friend, thank Heaven!”—That pleased him well.
“I 've never seen a happy moment since,
And never shall again!”—which made him wince.
To learn how dear he was!”—Lorne's spirits fell.
“O, do you think I 've any chance of winning
His love again?”—Poor Robert could not tell.
“I 've still one friend, thank Heaven!”—That pleased him well.
“I 've never seen a happy moment since,
And never shall again!”—which made him wince.
219
“What do you think—what could have been the trouble?”
Revolving his conjectures, Lorne let fall,—
“The bursting of a speculative bubble.”
“I shall be happy yet, if that is all,
And he is left me!”—Somehow this was gall.
“But oh, we never shall be reunited,
I know!”—at which the villain was delighted.
Revolving his conjectures, Lorne let fall,—
“The bursting of a speculative bubble.”
“I shall be happy yet, if that is all,
And he is left me!”—Somehow this was gall.
“But oh, we never shall be reunited,
I know!”—at which the villain was delighted.
“He may be—I'm afraid—” she hesitated:
“That is, I hope, I trust it isn't true!”
“Some men get jealous,” Robert intimated.
“Jealous, I mean; and—how absurd!—of you.
Oh dear, we must not sit here as we do,
And talk together!—Rob, it isn't right!”
But still they talked together, day and night.
“That is, I hope, I trust it isn't true!”
“Some men get jealous,” Robert intimated.
“Jealous, I mean; and—how absurd!—of you.
Oh dear, we must not sit here as we do,
And talk together!—Rob, it isn't right!”
But still they talked together, day and night.
And Robert wished (as many on like occasion
Wish as devoutly) that the voyage might never
On earth arrive at any termination,
But to the havens of bliss fare on for ever!
Dreading the end, which all too soon would sever
This highly satisfactory arrangement,
And bring perhaps, with parting, fresh estrangement.
Wish as devoutly) that the voyage might never
On earth arrive at any termination,
But to the havens of bliss fare on for ever!
Dreading the end, which all too soon would sever
This highly satisfactory arrangement,
And bring perhaps, with parting, fresh estrangement.
220
X.
On the third morning something seemed the matter as
Lorne went on deck: the winds were piping madly;
The ship was toiling somewhere off Cape Hatteras,
Breasting the waves and spray, and pitching badly;
Few faces seen, and those looked blue, and sadly
Dispirited: with the rising of the seas,
The mercury 'd sunk, some twenty-five degrees.
Lorne went on deck: the winds were piping madly;
The ship was toiling somewhere off Cape Hatteras,
Breasting the waves and spray, and pitching badly;
Few faces seen, and those looked blue, and sadly
Dispirited: with the rising of the seas,
The mercury 'd sunk, some twenty-five degrees.
The call to breakfast—that sweet note of warning
To hungry passengers—was something few heard,
And fewer still obeyed, that dismal morning.
Here with his steaks came staggering up a steward;
There—as they gave a sudden lurch to leeward—
A pale wretch, crawling in with some ability,
Shot out again with singular agility.
To hungry passengers—was something few heard,
And fewer still obeyed, that dismal morning.
Here with his steaks came staggering up a steward;
There—as they gave a sudden lurch to leeward—
A pale wretch, crawling in with some ability,
Shot out again with singular agility.
The dishes rattled and the coffee spilled,
And over all, instead of general mirth,
A ghastly gloom the dreary cabin filled:
No ladies seen,—the saddest thing on earth
To Lorne; who, losing heart, back to his berth
Groped wretchedly, at length, and laid himself
Quietly on that dormitory shelf.
And over all, instead of general mirth,
A ghastly gloom the dreary cabin filled:
No ladies seen,—the saddest thing on earth
To Lorne; who, losing heart, back to his berth
Groped wretchedly, at length, and laid himself
Quietly on that dormitory shelf.
221
Of all things unromantic and accursed,
To interrupt a pretty love affair,
Sea-sickness is the meanest and the worst!
That is a woe devotion cannot share;
Nor can one be expected much to care
Whether the hungry heart shall feed or famish,
When at each roll the stomach's growing qualmish.
To interrupt a pretty love affair,
Sea-sickness is the meanest and the worst!
That is a woe devotion cannot share;
Nor can one be expected much to care
Whether the hungry heart shall feed or famish,
When at each roll the stomach's growing qualmish.
For six-and-thirty hours the gale continued,
And some weak souls on board had fears of sinking;
But still triumphantly the iron-sinewed,
Grim Titan faced the billows without blinking.
Lorne kept his berth, and passed the time in thinking,
In sending now and then to make inquiry
For some one's health, and scribbling in his diary.
And some weak souls on board had fears of sinking;
But still triumphantly the iron-sinewed,
Grim Titan faced the billows without blinking.
Lorne kept his berth, and passed the time in thinking,
In sending now and then to make inquiry
For some one's health, and scribbling in his diary.
Five days from port, at midday, they made entry
Into Manhattan bay: the wind was bracing,
The storm had lulled, the skies were bleak and wintry,
And strange appeared the leafless trees, the lacing
Of snows on roof and shore, so soon replacing,
To eyes filled with the south, the glorious calms,
The fruits and foliage of the land of palms.
Into Manhattan bay: the wind was bracing,
The storm had lulled, the skies were bleak and wintry,
And strange appeared the leafless trees, the lacing
Of snows on roof and shore, so soon replacing,
To eyes filled with the south, the glorious calms,
The fruits and foliage of the land of palms.
222
The passengers, now muffled to the ears,
Watched the slow steamer gliding to the dock,
The tugs, the lighters, and the ship-lined piers,
The river ice in many a mottled block,
And on a drifting mass the latest flock
Of gulls, just lighted, heading all one way,
Towards the cold wind that beat the ruffled bay.
Watched the slow steamer gliding to the dock,
The tugs, the lighters, and the ship-lined piers,
The river ice in many a mottled block,
And on a drifting mass the latest flock
Of gulls, just lighted, heading all one way,
Towards the cold wind that beat the ruffled bay.
Lorne lingered near Florinda, dull and dreamy:
“And so we part!” he said. “But not for long,”
She answered sweetly. “You will come and see me—
To-morrow—soon—I know you will be strong,
And not do any thing that might seem wrong!
When one has friends, one wishes to be near them;
But folks will talk so,—'tis a shame to hear them!
“And so we part!” he said. “But not for long,”
She answered sweetly. “You will come and see me—
To-morrow—soon—I know you will be strong,
And not do any thing that might seem wrong!
When one has friends, one wishes to be near them;
But folks will talk so,—'tis a shame to hear them!
“I shall be watched now, quoted, and reported.
I 'd have my independence if I could!
But, really, Rob, a woman can't afford it,—
To have her motives all misunderstood!
So now I'm sure you will be very good,
And not extend your courtesies too far,
But always seem—well, just the friend you are!”
I 'd have my independence if I could!
But, really, Rob, a woman can't afford it,—
To have her motives all misunderstood!
So now I'm sure you will be very good,
And not extend your courtesies too far,
But always seem—well, just the friend you are!”
223
Lorne was not happy: outwardly heroical,
He helped her to a coach: she smiled: he bowed;
Then, with despair at heart, stood stern and stoical
Amidst the beckoning, hauling, bawling crowd
Of hackmen (so unreasonably loud!)
And watched the rattling vehicle that carried her
Back to her Brooklyn home, where Vernon married her.
He helped her to a coach: she smiled: he bowed;
Then, with despair at heart, stood stern and stoical
Amidst the beckoning, hauling, bawling crowd
Of hackmen (so unreasonably loud!)
And watched the rattling vehicle that carried her
Back to her Brooklyn home, where Vernon married her.
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