 | Mansoul or The Riddle of the World |  |
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Book 1: The Muses Garden
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In summer season, after sickness past;
And fell, surprised my sense, into deep trance:
Wherein meseemed, much musing in my thought;
I cogitations heard, of many hearts;
That came and went, in MANTOWNS market-place,
Whereon I looked. And in my spirit I asked;
What were indeed right paths of a man's feet;
That lacking light, wont stumble in Worlds murk.
One called, and I beheld in looking up,
Of divine stature, Britains Foster-Muse!
With eyes of living light, as stars of God.
The same was she I saw, which erst me taught,
Mongst Colin's crew, to sound a tuneful reed,
On Alban's hills, amongst my herding feres.
Her blissful Voice, anew me bade to rise,
And follow forth.
Of divine stature, Britains Foster-Muse!
With eyes of living light, as stars of God.
The same was she I saw, which erst me taught,
Mongst Colin's crew, to sound a tuneful reed,
On Alban's hills, amongst my herding feres.
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And follow forth.
O'er uplands wide, o'er hills'
Uneven ranks, Her divine footsteps led.
Nor tarried She, nor once looked back, nor spake.
Last almost spent my spirits, in só long course;
When Sun gan, stooping low, withdraw His light;
And shepherd's star shine out with silver crest;
Her divine Presence faded from my seeing.
Uneven ranks, Her divine footsteps led.
Nor tarried She, nor once looked back, nor spake.
Last almost spent my spirits, in só long course;
When Sun gan, stooping low, withdraw His light;
And shepherd's star shine out with silver crest;
Her divine Presence faded from my seeing.
Approached the Sacred Hórror of Cóvert Night,
Without Beginning. In swift-wheeled cloud-chariot;
Standing erect, stern, veiled, that Mighty Goddess;
Drawn of swift-rushing steeds, that snort forth smoke:
Returneth now from Round Steep of Sea and Earth.
Which daily race She hath, to overtake
And whelm, Suns ebbing Tide, bestowed on us;
Of golden Light. She all-shadowing now o'er-rides:
Leaving behind Her, shrouded, cold, Earths dust;
Which nourisheth us.
Without Beginning. In swift-wheeled cloud-chariot;
Standing erect, stern, veiled, that Mighty Goddess;
Drawn of swift-rushing steeds, that snort forth smoke:
Returneth now from Round Steep of Sea and Earth.
Which daily race She hath, to overtake
And whelm, Suns ebbing Tide, bestowed on us;
Of golden Light. She all-shadowing now o'er-rides:
Leaving behind Her, shrouded, cold, Earths dust;
Which nourisheth us.
Waxed soon then the World dark:
Save that the Hand, which framed all things, hath set;
To shine eternally, in high ascending ranks;
Wheeling above in Heavens stupendous Bent:
Stars' infinite Watch, HIS Witness to all wights.
Had led mine Islands Muse me tó Worlds brinks;
That might likewise receive, recovered health;
My soul new strength.
Save that the Hand, which framed all things, hath set;
To shine eternally, in high ascending ranks;
Wheeling above in Heavens stupendous Bent:
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Had led mine Islands Muse me tó Worlds brinks;
That might likewise receive, recovered health;
My soul new strength.
Paling Heavens starry lamps:
I gazed, and saw an empty dewless coast;
That bitter only brackish herbs brings forth;
Which stiffened lies, in Summer drought, as bronze.
What rests, are lifeless dunes of drizzling sand.
I gazed, and saw an empty dewless coast;
That bitter only brackish herbs brings forth;
Which stiffened lies, in Summer drought, as bronze.
What rests, are lifeless dunes of drizzling sand.
And therein, blackened in the Sun, a wight;
A certain Mínimus walked, an ánchorite;
As ín high Presence of immortal Gods.
A certain Mínimus walked, an ánchorite;
As ín high Presence of immortal Gods.
In that Sun-stricken inhuman wasteful ground;
Which no man passeth through, nor way is found;
Nor shadow is, ín days heat, of any cloud;
A son of Peace, he sought with tears, Lifes Path.
If haply, aparted from Worlds hubbub, there:
His soul might hear, still, small, Celestial Voice.
Whence purged from blind illúsion of Earths flesh:
His Spirit might attain to heavenly vision;
Before his death.
Which no man passeth through, nor way is found;
Nor shadow is, ín days heat, of any cloud;
A son of Peace, he sought with tears, Lifes Path.
If haply, aparted from Worlds hubbub, there:
His soul might hear, still, small, Celestial Voice.
Whence purged from blind illúsion of Earths flesh:
His Spirit might attain to heavenly vision;
Before his death.
Forwandered that long night;
He, slow of limb and dull of sense, forwatched;
Beneath mute heavens, hath laid him down at last:
And on wild craig-stone, pillows now his head.
Methought I heard, whiles Minimus slumbers fast,
The Muses voice, saying, One my spirit henceforth
Should be with his.
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Beneath mute heavens, hath laid him down at last:
And on wild craig-stone, pillows now his head.
Methought I heard, whiles Minimus slumbers fast,
The Muses voice, saying, One my spirit henceforth
Should be with his.
Was later in my trance;
When Suns great eye flamed, Lamp of all the Earth,
With withering heat, o'er that sere idle dust:
I heard, hoarse murmuring tumult, as of Sea
Deeps long-maned wave-rows, beating boisterous;
And rushing billows, like to raging scour,
Of ravening wolves; wide whelming on sea-cliffs.
And creaking-winged mews' clamour, cleping loud,
O'er long fore-shore: and gazing thitherward viewed,
The uncóuth appearance óf Huge Wight, like-shaped;
But passing human nature manifold.
Whose substance was not flesh: but thence ascend,
Seemed like strange reeling steep ínfolding cloud.
When Suns great eye flamed, Lamp of all the Earth,
With withering heat, o'er that sere idle dust:
I heard, hoarse murmuring tumult, as of Sea
Deeps long-maned wave-rows, beating boisterous;
And rushing billows, like to raging scour,
Of ravening wolves; wide whelming on sea-cliffs.
And creaking-winged mews' clamour, cleping loud,
O'er long fore-shore: and gazing thitherward viewed,
The uncóuth appearance óf Huge Wight, like-shaped;
But passing human nature manifold.
Whose substance was not flesh: but thence ascend,
Seemed like strange reeling steep ínfolding cloud.
Of human souls such multitude He comprised;
As clustered blebs, some greater and some less:
We see in scudding floc, in day of storm,
Of glistering spume; on some tempestuous strand.
As clustered blebs, some greater and some less:
We see in scudding floc, in day of storm,
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With more than human voice, great Mansoul cried:
For This was He, and cited Heavenly Powers.
Might not winds breath, of áll the Earth suffice;
For mortals' sighs, of Worlds long ages past;
And that which now hath course.
For This was He, and cited Heavenly Powers.
Might not winds breath, of áll the Earth suffice;
For mortals' sighs, of Worlds long ages past;
And that which now hath course.
Beat thick my heart,
And me misgave, as still I wondering gazed;
When letting down his feet, as sea-fowl doth;
He seemed to light, on brow of yonder cliff:
Where standing, whilst wind-gusts spersed his main voice;
He impleaded heaven!
And me misgave, as still I wondering gazed;
When letting down his feet, as sea-fowl doth;
He seemed to light, on brow of yonder cliff:
Where standing, whilst wind-gusts spersed his main voice;
He impleaded heaven!
Days light in wilderness ceased;
Blind Night, without dew-fall, descends anon.
Then saw I, ón last twilight ray, down slide
Star-wain to Earth, from Mánsion of the Gods.
Whence, toucht to dim now confines of the World:
Stept Hertha forth, Earth-goddess, on Worlds mould;
Returned then, from an heavenly See She hath,
On mountain top; where with sky-dwelling Gods,
She Earth-Mother useth daily to converse.
(Of pearl that chariot seemed, She left on ground.)
Blind Night, without dew-fall, descends anon.
Then saw I, ón last twilight ray, down slide
Star-wain to Earth, from Mánsion of the Gods.
Whence, toucht to dim now confines of the World:
Stept Hertha forth, Earth-goddess, on Worlds mould;
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On mountain top; where with sky-dwelling Gods,
She Earth-Mother useth daily to converse.
(Of pearl that chariot seemed, She left on ground.)
Though Night Earth shrouds, about Hér there is light;
Save that veils Her majestic countenance such,
Wreathed vapouring mist, as shrouds oft an hills height.
Save that veils Her majestic countenance such,
Wreathed vapouring mist, as shrouds oft an hills height.
As Hertha incedes divine; from distaff pressed,
Twixt cubit and lithe venerable flank:
She outdraweth and spinneth much carded golden fleece.
And nimble-fingered, multipresent Goddess;
She eachwhére, (though úneath to be understood);
In so wide World, continually weaves thereof;
The seemly raiment, óf all living things.
Twixt cubit and lithe venerable flank:
She outdraweth and spinneth much carded golden fleece.
And nimble-fingered, multipresent Goddess;
She eachwhére, (though úneath to be understood);
In so wide World, continually weaves thereof;
The seemly raiment, óf all living things.
Immortal words, Her august lips divided,
Tongue of the Gods! Methought the sense in part,
As thus, amidst my trance, I understood.
When I bethink me óf my former births:
Whether they go on ground, or fly amidst
The winds of heaven, or ín my waters swim;
I endowed them each one ín their several kinds,
As might serve, tó fulfilling of their lives.
Tongue of the Gods! Methought the sense in part,
As thus, amidst my trance, I understood.
When I bethink me óf my former births:
Whether they go on ground, or fly amidst
The winds of heaven, or ín my waters swim;
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As might serve, tó fulfilling of their lives.
Last I, child of mine age, brought forth Mans kin;
Founded, like framed as theirs, his mortal being;
But more infirm than most: nor clothed his flesh,
With fur or feathers, fróm skies' crabbéd cold:
When winds blow out and Sun forsakes the Earth,
And rain beats on wood-leaves. In recompense
Whereof; I mind and speech, to his souls health,
Him gave.
Founded, like framed as theirs, his mortal being;
But more infirm than most: nor clothed his flesh,
With fur or feathers, fróm skies' crabbéd cold:
When winds blow out and Sun forsakes the Earth,
And rain beats on wood-leaves. In recompense
Whereof; I mind and speech, to his souls health,
Him gave.
Whence then Worlds bitter cries, that cease
Not in mine ears, of human souls undone.
What, ánd thy days be pain and few, O Man!
Sufficeth thee not, thy mind the Lordship hath;
O'er all that liveth and moveth upón Earths dust?
Ceiled with the Glory of Heavens Firmament.
Not in mine ears, of human souls undone.
What, ánd thy days be pain and few, O Man!
Sufficeth thee not, thy mind the Lordship hath;
O'er all that liveth and moveth upón Earths dust?
Ceiled with the Glory of Heavens Firmament.
As cloud before a morrows breath, removes.
I rose up, and impélled meseemed my steps;
Towards mountain-cleft, where He before had passed.
Strait which I presently have reached; whose crooked cliffs,
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In whose sand, prints were, óf passed thousand feet.
Great Mansoul multivoiced I heard beyond:
Bellowing, From living World, he would descend,
As was ordained, to souls beneath the Earth:
To énquire wisdom, of Worlds ages past.
And Hertha I heard, goddess grave-voiced, respond.
HERTHA
Therein hast thou, O Man, my sufferance.
And entrance shalt thou find, by my Caves mouth
Midst rocks, nigh hand; to them which once were flesh;
Whose thousand generations dead, laid up;
In thát great House of Darkness, rest beneath.
And entrance shalt thou find, by my Caves mouth
Midst rocks, nigh hand; to them which once were flesh;
Whose thousand generations dead, laid up;
In thát great House of Darkness, rest beneath.
And know, before thine hour, thou shalt not pass.
Fear not: those also in my Bosom sleep.
Moreover I, before thy living steps,
Amidst those storied deeps, will send my Voice.
Guide to thy feet and Guardian of thy life:
Till thou, in hour prefixt, from thence revert.
Fear not: those also in my Bosom sleep.
Moreover I, before thy living steps,
Amidst those storied deeps, will send my Voice.
Guide to thy feet and Guardian of thy life:
Till thou, in hour prefixt, from thence revert.
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The valley above, lies parted ín two heads.
In that, where led those footprints, Mansoul hoved.
My steps, compélled, in thís continued forth.
I reached ascending, soon, large cliff-crowned garth;
Which smiled embayéd all with greenness glad;
Where sliding water-brooks bubbled fróm white sand.
In that, where led those footprints, Mansoul hoved.
My steps, compélled, in thís continued forth.
I reached ascending, soon, large cliff-crowned garth;
Which smiled embayéd all with greenness glad;
Where sliding water-brooks bubbled fróm white sand.
There washed and worshipped Heaven, with lifted palms:
Discharged was óf her sometime weariness,
My mortal sense; old jarrings of blind flesh,
And souls ignoble fret; and healed those harms,
Which slay Mans rest, of sélf-consuming smart.
Discharged was óf her sometime weariness,
My mortal sense; old jarrings of blind flesh,
And souls ignoble fret; and healed those harms,
Which slay Mans rest, of sélf-consuming smart.
And having slaked thereat mine eager thirst;
I slumbered till a turtles' gentle flock,
That feared not yet Mans shape; folding from flight
Their rattling wings; lighted on vermeil feet;
Jetting, with mincing pace, their iris necks;
With crooling throat-bole; voice of peace and rest;
All round abóut me, at thát their drinking-place.
I slumbered till a turtles' gentle flock,
That feared not yet Mans shape; folding from flight
Their rattling wings; lighted on vermeil feet;
Jetting, with mincing pace, their iris necks;
With crooling throat-bole; voice of peace and rest;
All round abóut me, at thát their drinking-place.
Thence faring upward, towards that waters' source;
Which, full of sunbeams, gurgles from hid grot,
In ivy-emboweréd mossy steep above:
And sunk oft up, reneweth as oft her course;
In channels clear; surging from gilded sand:
I stayed, where pleasant grassy holms depart;
Those streaming waterbrooks, bórdered all along;
With daphne and wíllow-herb, loose-strife, laughing robin;
With woodbind garlanded and sweet eglantine,
And azure-hewed in creeky shallows still,
Forget-me-nóts lift our frail thoughts to heaven.
Which, full of sunbeams, gurgles from hid grot,
In ivy-emboweréd mossy steep above:
And sunk oft up, reneweth as oft her course;
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I stayed, where pleasant grassy holms depart;
Those streaming waterbrooks, bórdered all along;
With daphne and wíllow-herb, loose-strife, laughing robin;
With woodbind garlanded and sweet eglantine,
And azure-hewed in creeky shallows still,
Forget-me-nóts lift our frail thoughts to heaven.
Broods o'er those thymy eyots drowsy hum;
Bourdon of glistering bees, in mails of gold.
Labouring from sweet to sweet, in the long hours
Of sunny heat; they sound their shrill small clarions.
And hurl by booming dors, gross bee-fly kin;
Broad-girdled, diverse hewed, in théir long pelts:
That solitáry, whiles eves light endúreth,
In Summer skies, each becking clover-tuft haunt.
Bourdon of glistering bees, in mails of gold.
Labouring from sweet to sweet, in the long hours
Of sunny heat; they sound their shrill small clarions.
And hurl by booming dors, gross bee-fly kin;
Broad-girdled, diverse hewed, in théir long pelts:
That solitáry, whiles eves light endúreth,
In Summer skies, each becking clover-tuft haunt.
The Sister-Muses' garden, hence begins:
Which planted fór delight have théir own hands;
With laurel-rose, the long caved brinks beside,
In purple ranks, and midst clear pebble streams.
Which planted fór delight have théir own hands;
With laurel-rose, the long caved brinks beside,
In purple ranks, and midst clear pebble streams.
I ascending forth, came tó a deep swart pool,
Like liquid flint; which pártly a mirror sheen,
Is else a swimming nap of gracious lilies:
Whose buds and chalice-blosms, so purely white,
Be faeries' drinking-cups: o'er whose broad leaves,
Trip dainty water-fowl, on slender feet.
Like liquid flint; which pártly a mirror sheen,
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Whose buds and chalice-blosms, so purely white,
Be faeries' drinking-cups: o'er whose broad leaves,
Trip dainty water-fowl, on slender feet.
For faeries' gentle Nation wont to send
Thereto, a yearly solemn embassade;
In kirtles new and sheen. (Well be those shaped;
And stitcht of their deft hands, of the Spring leaves.)
Thereto, a yearly solemn embassade;
In kirtles new and sheen. (Well be those shaped;
And stitcht of their deft hands, of the Spring leaves.)
They, due obeissance to the Muses made;
With sidelong timid looks, do humbly entreat;
Embraced their divine knees: If any untaught
Or fay or heedless elf, by foot or voice;
Have, ín late Moons, únwittingly transgressed
Their sacred precincts, pardon. And renew
Their vows to observe the goddess-sisters hests.
With sidelong timid looks, do humbly entreat;
Embraced their divine knees: If any untaught
Or fay or heedless elf, by foot or voice;
Have, ín late Moons, únwittingly transgressed
Their sacred precincts, pardon. And renew
Their vows to observe the goddess-sisters hests.
The Muses set, of theír ambrosial fruits,
Before the little folk, náming them guests:
Ask of their wélfare and bid them rest and eat.
Before the little folk, náming them guests:
Ask of their wélfare and bid them rest and eat.
In bowers of roses wild, of cinnamon smell;
Whose long arms, ment with gentle eglantine;
Wounden with many a withwinds flowering trail;
Their hands have taught, to lend a sprinkled shade:
The Muses, wíth the glad-eyed Graces met;
Dight garlands and plight chaplets for their heads:
When those forwearied, wíth fond worldly wights'
Discourse; resort to this delicious place:
Where spring-tide ever smiles, and glad consent
Them greets of warbling birds, from áll green boughs:
And naught their sense offends, twixt sand and stars.
Whose long arms, ment with gentle eglantine;
Wounden with many a withwinds flowering trail;
Their hands have taught, to lend a sprinkled shade:
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Dight garlands and plight chaplets for their heads:
When those forwearied, wíth fond worldly wights'
Discourse; resort to this delicious place:
Where spring-tide ever smiles, and glad consent
Them greets of warbling birds, from áll green boughs:
And naught their sense offends, twixt sand and stars.
A little apart, whereas those streams run slow;
Are cabans green, shrouded in thicket place:
Of willow wands, wedded with drooping boughs
Of neighbour trees; and wattled of the wind.
And there a margent is, of whitest sand:
Whereas sequestered, ánd all veiled from view;
They bathe, whenso them lists, their gracious limbs.
Are cabans green, shrouded in thicket place:
Of willow wands, wedded with drooping boughs
Of neighbour trees; and wattled of the wind.
And there a margent is, of whitest sand:
Whereas sequestered, ánd all veiled from view;
They bathe, whenso them lists, their gracious limbs.
Over the wandering streams, lie open lawns
And laurel grove; and trees grow there beyond,
All other than today in World be found,
Whose plenteous boughs bear, blesséd of the Gods,
Immortal fruits and blossoms at one tide:
Whence fragrant flowry breath is wafted wide
Abroad, with sweetness óf the honey-comb.
And laurel grove; and trees grow there beyond,
All other than today in World be found,
Whose plenteous boughs bear, blesséd of the Gods,
Immortal fruits and blossoms at one tide:
Whence fragrant flowry breath is wafted wide
Abroad, with sweetness óf the honey-comb.
The Sisters thither, ín Sunsetting hours,
Wont to resort, whenas cool rising breath
Is whispering wide; and linked in lovely wise,
They bý those channels shire, in fere, dispace.
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Is whispering wide; and linked in lovely wise,
They bý those channels shire, in fere, dispace.
Where their soles tread, all flowers again unfold,
As to new Dawn; and amorous clip about
Their divine knees, whereso they hap to pass.
Pale asphodel, jacinth, goldilocks, yellow flags;
Perfect in beauty, as gems of trembling clay
And living gold.
As to new Dawn; and amorous clip about
Their divine knees, whereso they hap to pass.
Pale asphodel, jacinth, goldilocks, yellow flags;
Perfect in beauty, as gems of trembling clay
And living gold.
And sith, their wont it is,
Enranged all sitting ón the flowery grass;
(Smiles gather then each moment to their lips;
And blossom ás the flowers, and fade in bliss:)
That sacred golden ríng-lóckt Choir entreat;
Of deep sweet secret things of Heaven and Earth,
And therein cómmuning with divine insight;
They deathless lofty numbers meditate,
And songs weave of the Sun; which well attuned,
To harmony of the spheres, with heavenly voice;
Lifted from Earth, they íntone all in one.
Enranged all sitting ón the flowery grass;
(Smiles gather then each moment to their lips;
And blossom ás the flowers, and fade in bliss:)
That sacred golden ríng-lóckt Choir entreat;
Of deep sweet secret things of Heaven and Earth,
And therein cómmuning with divine insight;
They deathless lofty numbers meditate,
And songs weave of the Sun; which well attuned,
To harmony of the spheres, with heavenly voice;
Lifted from Earth, they íntone all in one.
Whereto bass rumour of the waters fall;
Makes ceaseless undersong; whose cataracts poise
Shakes misty cliffs above. Whence seemeth the World
In sunny hours, as with celestial veil,
Arrayed: and heard is, of the Muses' ears,
Divine Harp, not perceived of human sense;
When pass by unseen, footsteps of the Gods.
Makes ceaseless undersong; whose cataracts poise
Shakes misty cliffs above. Whence seemeth the World
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Arrayed: and heard is, of the Muses' ears,
Divine Harp, not perceived of human sense;
When pass by unseen, footsteps of the Gods.
Sisters divine! and when, gainst eve, they pause;
Those streaming wáter-brooks' hollow brinks beside.
Whére their wont is, after days heat, to rest:
They who list, reach back their gentle hands to taste;
Those dulcet clusters, óf the trellised vine;
Which hang there ruddy ripe, unto their lips.
Nor seld, they amóng them vie, in lighter mood;
Bathing therein, their gracious twínkling feet:
Who best can roundels weave ín the cool wave.
Those streaming wáter-brooks' hollow brinks beside.
Whére their wont is, after days heat, to rest:
They who list, reach back their gentle hands to taste;
Those dulcet clusters, óf the trellised vine;
Which hang there ruddy ripe, unto their lips.
Nor seld, they amóng them vie, in lighter mood;
Bathing therein, their gracious twínkling feet:
Who best can roundels weave ín the cool wave.
Yet otherwhiles, playing on silver wires;
Singing thereto, some mock, in quaint accord;
Seas hollow surges' fall on sullen strand;
And grave receding hum, in pebble-stone:
Or Dawns shrill medleyed babble of early birds;
And Summers breath, ín the bleak poplar leaves.
Singing thereto, some mock, in quaint accord;
Seas hollow surges' fall on sullen strand;
And grave receding hum, in pebble-stone:
Or Dawns shrill medleyed babble of early birds;
And Summers breath, ín the bleak poplar leaves.
The Sisters saw I not; a rainbow path
Saw I remained, aloft their sojourning place:
Whereby they lately were passed forth, to grace;
(Presence divine!) a shepherds marriage-feast.
Saw I remained, aloft their sojourning place:
Whereby they lately were passed forth, to grace;
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Whilst yet I in that Pleasance roamed and gazed:
Cool rumbling brook, sliding with liquid foot,
Twixt flowery banks; trembling like watery light:
I came to a fishpool, mirror of clear skies;
Where wont the Sisters tire their jacinth locks,
And broider in thick tress. Where feed their hands,
A finny, golden-scaléd, voiceless drove.
There angry at mine intruded stranger-foot;
Knee deep in comfrey, water-mints, flowering rush;
A ruffling swan, proud warden of that plot;
Stooped from his nest, and vehement breasts outforth.
Cool rumbling brook, sliding with liquid foot,
Twixt flowery banks; trembling like watery light:
I came to a fishpool, mirror of clear skies;
Where wont the Sisters tire their jacinth locks,
And broider in thick tress. Where feed their hands,
A finny, golden-scaléd, voiceless drove.
There angry at mine intruded stranger-foot;
Knee deep in comfrey, water-mints, flowering rush;
A ruffling swan, proud warden of that plot;
Stooped from his nest, and vehement breasts outforth.
Ascending fróm that streams glad garden-ground;
So fair to look upon, mine eyes discerned;
Neath yonder hanging óf the valleys hill;
Seven énranged, thrones shining against the Sun,
Of marble white. On them the Muses sit;
When tidings to them fróm the stars, be brought.
So fair to look upon, mine eyes discerned;
Neath yonder hanging óf the valleys hill;
Seven énranged, thrones shining against the Sun,
Of marble white. On them the Muses sit;
When tidings to them fróm the stars, be brought.
Reached thither, I beheld a sacred wood;
Environed round with antique únhewn stones:
Where none might enter, not initiate:
In Muses' heaven-derivéd intimate Art.
Environed round with antique únhewn stones:
Where none might enter, not initiate:
In Muses' heaven-derivéd intimate Art.
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Voice called me; and hastily a myrtle grove I passed:
And under cedars' perfumed sailing boughs;
Wherein were hanging nests of sacred-doves.
Soon, ín their midst, a Sanctuary I beheld;
Not haughty, nor yet lowly; whose open front,
Embellished was with fretted marble work.
And under cedars' perfumed sailing boughs;
Wherein were hanging nests of sacred-doves.
Soon, ín their midst, a Sanctuary I beheld;
Not haughty, nor yet lowly; whose open front,
Embellished was with fretted marble work.
Nor laid mens hands had courses of these walls:
But each stone drawn from craig-strewn mountain-ground;
Was raised in days of thé old Golden World;
Into its place, as to us delivered is:
By the all-prevailing Sun-Gods harmonies.
But each stone drawn from craig-strewn mountain-ground;
Was raised in days of thé old Golden World;
Into its place, as to us delivered is:
By the all-prevailing Sun-Gods harmonies.
Therein a glad-eyed priestess-maiden, clothed
In pure white line, on ever-burning hearth;
An hallowed flame betes, that gleaned sheaf ere was,
Of sunbeams; whiles yet ín Earth-World dwelled Gods.
Whence fuming incense doth embalm his brain;
Who, a Muses nourseling, can interpret face
Of skies, seas aspect, stars' cold influence;
And wind and woods' and floods' inanimate voice;
Lives creatures cries, in whom pulse ís and breath;
And metely endite thereof, in deathless verse.
Thereto the cónsecrated vestals hands,
In daily service, tine the golden lamps;
Pendent from gilded roof-tree óf the House:
Figuring, as stars in dark World, vates' light.
In pure white line, on ever-burning hearth;
An hallowed flame betes, that gleaned sheaf ere was,
Of sunbeams; whiles yet ín Earth-World dwelled Gods.
Whence fuming incense doth embalm his brain;
Who, a Muses nourseling, can interpret face
Of skies, seas aspect, stars' cold influence;
And wind and woods' and floods' inanimate voice;
Lives creatures cries, in whom pulse ís and breath;
19
Thereto the cónsecrated vestals hands,
In daily service, tine the golden lamps;
Pendent from gilded roof-tree óf the House:
Figuring, as stars in dark World, vates' light.
And midst the Sanctuary-court, a palm-stem rears,
Which tree-of-life is named, her peerless head.
Nor waxeth old, in Suns succeeding years,
The sacred plant; whose golden mammels bears
The maidens daily meat, ambrosial fruit.
Which tree-of-life is named, her peerless head.
Nor waxeth old, in Suns succeeding years,
The sacred plant; whose golden mammels bears
The maidens daily meat, ambrosial fruit.
And a broad-leaved fig flourisheth fast beside
The porch; whose wreathed wild roots, without the walls;
Drink, in their season, flinty nourishment;
Of seldom trickling torrents droughty bed:
Which flows when heavéns timely rains descend;
From eaves and dripping shelves of nígh craig-cliff.
The porch; whose wreathed wild roots, without the walls;
Drink, in their season, flinty nourishment;
Of seldom trickling torrents droughty bed:
Which flows when heavéns timely rains descend;
From eaves and dripping shelves of nígh craig-cliff.
Already I ware was of a Power divine,
Which hitherto had me led. Then like a dream,
Of Dawn with radiance crowned, the Muse of Britain;
Revealed was wholly unto my pensive vision;
In ivory stall enthroned, immortal bright,
Amidst the Temple-House.
Which hitherto had me led. Then like a dream,
Of Dawn with radiance crowned, the Muse of Britain;
Revealed was wholly unto my pensive vision;
In ivory stall enthroned, immortal bright,
20
Her pupils shone,
Neath twin bent brows, as Lydian bow conjoined;
As I upon them gazed, like living wells;
Of starry undying light and deathless gladness:
Whose subtle streams look, all-confounding forth,
That might in World offend. A fillet binds
Her bright ringed locks, with Britains pearls beset.
Neath twin bent brows, as Lydian bow conjoined;
As I upon them gazed, like living wells;
Of starry undying light and deathless gladness:
Whose subtle streams look, all-confounding forth,
That might in World offend. A fillet binds
Her bright ringed locks, with Britains pearls beset.
Her watchet vesture broidered is, high-girt;
(The bosom sheen upgathered ín large lap;
For Virgin-Mother is the foster Muse;)
With silver threads. That precious needle-work,
Figuring wind-kisst field flowers of thé White Isle;
Fell gracious stately-pleated to Her feet;
Hewed as sea-shells we see within appear.
Whereon were laced, with curious device
Of antique art, in purple leathern work;
Buskins, whose shining knops were Albans gold.
(The bosom sheen upgathered ín large lap;
For Virgin-Mother is the foster Muse;)
With silver threads. That precious needle-work,
Figuring wind-kisst field flowers of thé White Isle;
Fell gracious stately-pleated to Her feet;
Hewed as sea-shells we see within appear.
Whereon were laced, with curious device
Of antique art, in purple leathern work;
Buskins, whose shining knops were Albans gold.
I Her reverenced, ás uplandish wight behoved.
But lest I might offend, no word I spake.
Her lips, like roses budded, I beheld;
Like gate of pearls, the pale-rows of her teeth:
When opened She Her gracious lips to speak.
But lest I might offend, no word I spake.
Her lips, like roses budded, I beheld;
Like gate of pearls, the pale-rows of her teeth:
When opened She Her gracious lips to speak.
21
Being yet in life, that is so feeble spark,
Which hangeth on daily bread and mortal breath:
Durst thou, in frailty óf thy clayling flesh;
Descend with Mansoul, tó Dead Worlds beneath;
Thou an offspring of dead flesh, before thy death?
To fearful converse hold, with pulseless spirits:
That in dark Realm of souls forgotten, sleep:
Touching hid knowledge and more perfect paths?
Which hangeth on daily bread and mortal breath:
Durst thou, in frailty óf thy clayling flesh;
Descend with Mansoul, tó Dead Worlds beneath;
Thou an offspring of dead flesh, before thy death?
To fearful converse hold, with pulseless spirits:
That in dark Realm of souls forgotten, sleep:
Touching hid knowledge and more perfect paths?
Thereto, must thou all lively cheer forsake,
Thy trade of life, Worlds wonted fellowship:
To be sad guest of Hels tremendous House;
Where Time is not: hear rusty ádamant doors,
Of stone, clapt fearful to, behind thy back;
Bars drawn; and thou still to continue forth!
Thy trade of life, Worlds wonted fellowship:
To be sad guest of Hels tremendous House;
Where Time is not: hear rusty ádamant doors,
Of stone, clapt fearful to, behind thy back;
Bars drawn; and thou still to continue forth!
Know furthermore, is Hels Abysm unlíke,
Fantastic dream of any groundling wit.
Unhewn there sunless labyrinthine crypts,
And fearful bays, lie ever further forth:
Where, ín their thousand generations, sleep,
From all World's coasts, souls after their deserts;
Laid up, deep under deep; more than trees' leaves;
Might they be numbered, and Earths blades of grass.
Fantastic dream of any groundling wit.
Unhewn there sunless labyrinthine crypts,
And fearful bays, lie ever further forth:
22
From all World's coasts, souls after their deserts;
Laid up, deep under deep; more than trees' leaves;
Might they be numbered, and Earths blades of grass.
With bowed head, I responded, in my trance;
Nathless I jeopardy would what few days' life,
May yet to me remain, before I pass:
And might, even darkly, O Foster, I approach;
To that Chief One, of thé eternal mysteries;
Which hidden is from foundation of the Earth.
Nathless I jeopardy would what few days' life,
May yet to me remain, before I pass:
And might, even darkly, O Foster, I approach;
To that Chief One, of thé eternal mysteries;
Which hidden is from foundation of the Earth.
Seeing thát thy purpose deign and worthy is;
Thou hast my countenance, ín thine Enterprise:
But what soul hath returned, from Worlds beneath!
Thou hast my countenance, ín thine Enterprise:
But what soul hath returned, from Worlds beneath!
One of the precious gem-set ceiléd cups,
Laid up with vessel of the Temples service;
The priestess fetcht then, ás prescribed the Muse;
And, fróm a gold-lipped silver ewer, it filled:
And tó me from the altar, Her hand brought.
Laid up with vessel of the Temples service;
The priestess fetcht then, ás prescribed the Muse;
And, fróm a gold-lipped silver ewer, it filled:
And tó me from the altar, Her hand brought.
Drink! quoth the Muse: the sústenance óf this cup;
(From whence exhaled ambrosial sprinkling breath);
Shall save thy soul alive, in Pít of Death.
(From whence exhaled ambrosial sprinkling breath);
23
The Temple-maiden hád aforetime scruzed,
Nepenthe and clary and moly; herb kinds found only,
In covert place there midst, sequestered rocks;
A sovereign juice, and mingled in the cup.
Nepenthe and clary and moly; herb kinds found only,
In covert place there midst, sequestered rocks;
A sovereign juice, and mingled in the cup.
When had I tasted of that dívine sap;
I, in all my being, felt spring new quickening warmth;
Of virtue to redeem Mans soul from death.
Seemed lose its former poise this fleshly dross;
And spirit increase, in strength and hardiness:
To steadfastly affront, in Worlds beneath;
Whatso might there betide.
I, in all my being, felt spring new quickening warmth;
Of virtue to redeem Mans soul from death.
Seemed lose its former poise this fleshly dross;
And spirit increase, in strength and hardiness:
To steadfastly affront, in Worlds beneath;
Whatso might there betide.
Whilst reverent yet
I stood before the Muse, Her further speech
Attending with bowed head; and durst not gaze,
Too rashly on Stature above the human mould,
Unveiled; the vestal from the Treasury brought,
To me unwist, and hanged about my neck,
A gem-stone bright, which shining of itself,
Should light before our feet, in Únderworlds Voyage.
Nor least, She lady, in táking further thought,
Bestowed on mine unworth, the walking-staff
24
My steps.
Moreo'er, Her voice, melodious;
More dulcet thán was ever shepherds reed:
A croc of nard, set ón an aumbry shelf;
With incense ánd oil olive, for the wicks;
Me bade uptake; and tó anoint therewith,
The thrall, whereín my soul is pent, this flesh;
Come to dark ground of Hel-deeps first descent;
From living light, at dóor of dread Abyss.
And thereto do-on likewise, Her last gift;
(Which also brought the Temple-priestess forth):
Shroud-like swart Orphic garment, óf Worlds grave.
More dulcet thán was ever shepherds reed:
A croc of nard, set ón an aumbry shelf;
With incense ánd oil olive, for the wicks;
Me bade uptake; and tó anoint therewith,
The thrall, whereín my soul is pent, this flesh;
Come to dark ground of Hel-deeps first descent;
From living light, at dóor of dread Abyss.
And thereto do-on likewise, Her last gift;
(Which also brought the Temple-priestess forth):
Shroud-like swart Orphic garment, óf Worlds grave.
Yet, more than all, (Her divine afterthought;)
From certain ínmost secret sealed recess,
Made ín the marble walling of the House,
Unwist: the Muse committed to my trust,
With antique curious diligence, wrapped about,
With many silken cloths; that master-work,
Above all worth, which sómetime Merlin wrought;
With dwarves which served him, ín a bower of glass:
Strange mirror, which those Earth-folk burnished clear.
From certain ínmost secret sealed recess,
Made ín the marble walling of the House,
Unwist: the Muse committed to my trust,
With antique curious diligence, wrapped about,
With many silken cloths; that master-work,
Above all worth, which sómetime Merlin wrought;
With dwarves which served him, ín a bower of glass:
25
Therein, we might, the sacred Muse me taught:
It wrying deftly, áfter certain sort;
Shadowed discern, through mountains'-mass of rocks,
Derne image óf this Sun-kisst Upper Earth:
Our hope in Hel; to comfort of our hearts.
It wrying deftly, áfter certain sort;
Shadowed discern, through mountains'-mass of rocks,
Derne image óf this Sun-kisst Upper Earth:
Our hope in Hel; to comfort of our hearts.
But sovereign virtue óf the Muses' cup:
Already a vital change I might perceive
Within me wrought: whence I the space henceforth
Of many days should need no mortal bread.
Already a vital change I might perceive
Within me wrought: whence I the space henceforth
Of many days should need no mortal bread.
The priestess sithence, turning golden leaves;
Read from a chapter, ás prescribed the Muse;
Words of the Gods, which might not be rehearsed:
But past Hels voyage, from mind again should fade.
Of power to loose éven ádamantine bands:
And évoke forepassed spirits, which swoon in death.
Read from a chapter, ás prescribed the Muse;
Words of the Gods, which might not be rehearsed:
But past Hels voyage, from mind again should fade.
Of power to loose éven ádamantine bands:
And évoke forepassed spirits, which swoon in death.
The Muse yet spake, Remember ye, which seek
Hid things, with high intent, in Worlds beneath;
Must warily tread: ready aye, as ye pass forth,
To endúre, before-unknown, extremities.
Other before you, whom no fear might daunt;
With fervent great desire, the like have sought.
Of whom the most, deceived of their souls' hope;
Have perished midst blind hazard of Hel-paths;
Seeing hitherto none returned to living Earth.
Hid things, with high intent, in Worlds beneath;
Must warily tread: ready aye, as ye pass forth,
To endúre, before-unknown, extremities.
Other before you, whom no fear might daunt;
With fervent great desire, the like have sought.
26
Have perished midst blind hazard of Hel-paths;
Seeing hitherto none returned to living Earth.
From ivory see, that saying, the Muse uprose,
Bidding me sue; and Lady of heavenly birth,
She issued forth: and hastily thence we trace.
Bidding me sue; and Lady of heavenly birth,
She issued forth: and hastily thence we trace.
From that balsamic Paradise soon we pass:
Of harmonies full and silver trembling streams.
Whose sound breeds dreamless sleep, whose freshing brinks,
Be bordered all with amaranthine flowers
Of orient hews, so blissful to behold.
And there an orchard, whereof who shall taste,
Shall live eternally: where, (their hearts desire;)
Sounds to few chosen ears, the Muses' voice.
Of harmonies full and silver trembling streams.
Whose sound breeds dreamless sleep, whose freshing brinks,
Be bordered all with amaranthine flowers
Of orient hews, so blissful to behold.
And there an orchard, whereof who shall taste,
Shall live eternally: where, (their hearts desire;)
Sounds to few chosen ears, the Muses' voice.
And there more quick is found a breathing air
Than in the world without. A garden set,
Midst wildernéss of fórlorn sliding sand.
Which chequered, wreathed and weaved, in wild cross-paths,
Of thousand-fóoted Earth-ríding Spirits of Winds.
Than in the world without. A garden set,
Midst wildernéss of fórlorn sliding sand.
Which chequered, wreathed and weaved, in wild cross-paths,
Of thousand-fóoted Earth-ríding Spirits of Winds.
27
But entered cragged place, towards Valley-of-Death;
Cumbered with shapeless quarters óf swart rocks;
Where dívine footsteps might not further pass;
She stayed and spake:
Cumbered with shapeless quarters óf swart rocks;
Where dívine footsteps might not further pass;
She stayed and spake:
To Mansouls Underworlds voyage;
Know, (I hardly, óf the inéxorable Fates,
It yester have obtained, to whom I sought:)
Appointed is a month of the Suns days.
Know, (I hardly, óf the inéxorable Fates,
It yester have obtained, to whom I sought:)
Appointed is a month of the Suns days.
Whiles yonder New Moon fills Her horns, increase
Shall your souls' force beneath. What days She wanes;
They promise (so ye fail not in your faiths);
Home-coming safe, from thát dread Enterprise.
Shall your souls' force beneath. What days She wanes;
They promise (so ye fail not in your faiths);
Home-coming safe, from thát dread Enterprise.
Thus saying, She deigned breathe on me: and ín that seemed
The deathless Muses dívine foster spirit;
Like wafted sunbeams fróm some primrose bank.
With her last words yet sounding ín mine ears.
Celestial, ás a voice from holy stars;
Nourseling, farewell, the Gods thee speed and save!
Her divine presence faded from my seeing.
The deathless Muses dívine foster spirit;
Like wafted sunbeams fróm some primrose bank.
With her last words yet sounding ín mine ears.
Celestial, ás a voice from holy stars;
Nourseling, farewell, the Gods thee speed and save!
Her divine presence faded from my seeing.
28
'Gan, ás enforcedly, then my steps to trace;
Towards mountain-strait, where Mansoul lately passed:
Walled up to skies, where broods eternal Night,
O'er mournful steeps. Swart-leaved wood-shaw I pass;
Neath crumpled boughs, aye dripping baleful mist!
On sleep-compelling canker-worts beneath,
Black hellebore ánd rank-smelling déadly dwale,
Morel, with other more, I know not well:
The Furies' garden-knots; whose snaky locks
Be wrapped about my feeble knees and feet.
Towards mountain-strait, where Mansoul lately passed:
Walled up to skies, where broods eternal Night,
O'er mournful steeps. Swart-leaved wood-shaw I pass;
Neath crumpled boughs, aye dripping baleful mist!
On sleep-compelling canker-worts beneath,
Black hellebore ánd rank-smelling déadly dwale,
Morel, with other more, I know not well:
The Furies' garden-knots; whose snaky locks
Be wrapped about my feeble knees and feet.
And must I, a mortal wight, of few days' life;
Thy glory, O Sun, High Father óf days light;
And benign warmth, whence kindly life on earth;
For shadow of deadly Underworld, now forsake!
Thy glory, O Sun, High Father óf days light;
And benign warmth, whence kindly life on earth;
For shadow of deadly Underworld, now forsake!
Gaunt, hollow-eaved, with overhanging rocks,
Is that grim gap; as stiffened were blown seas
Great rampant folding wave, to sudden stone.
Ray it, of heavens wide cheerful light receives,
Uneath, when Worlds clear Summer-day it is;
And night-time only of some malignant star.
Is that grim gap; as stiffened were blown seas
Great rampant folding wave, to sudden stone.
Ray it, of heavens wide cheerful light receives,
Uneath, when Worlds clear Summer-day it is;
And night-time only of some malignant star.
Under that vault, gapes sullen salvage cave,
To Hertha dedicate; who is Goddess both
Of líving World, ánd dread Tartarus beneath.
One of whose glooming caves, in Earths West half,
Is this den in hid cliff, which far-down reacheth;
To Underworlds.
29
Of líving World, ánd dread Tartarus beneath.
One of whose glooming caves, in Earths West half,
Is this den in hid cliff, which far-down reacheth;
To Underworlds.
Awhile with foot suspent;
I stood irresolúte, át that caverns mouth;
Where Mansoul I beheld, already arrived!
Not such, indeed, as had I seen him erst:
Since thousand souls, too fearful for that Quest,
Hath Mansoul shed. Nor few had fleshly death,
In the mean season, 'spersed. In him the rest,
Be flowed together, tó one Manlike being.
I stood irresolúte, át that caverns mouth;
Where Mansoul I beheld, already arrived!
Not such, indeed, as had I seen him erst:
Since thousand souls, too fearful for that Quest,
Hath Mansoul shed. Nor few had fleshly death,
In the mean season, 'spersed. In him the rest,
Be flowed together, tó one Manlike being.
Calm is his port, his old complaining ceased;
As boisterous seas assuaged, late-frowning, face:
Whereon descended Angel is of Peace.
Seeing, this day, in proud humility, had Hertha Goddess;
To parley with Mansoul, Herself abased;
Gracing him, whom She taught, in this grim place;
Faith, Measure, Fortitude ánd Right-mindedness.
Tangled mongst stinking nettles, wicked herbs;
As boisterous seas assuaged, late-frowning, face:
Whereon descended Angel is of Peace.
Seeing, this day, in proud humility, had Hertha Goddess;
To parley with Mansoul, Herself abased;
Gracing him, whom She taught, in this grim place;
Faith, Measure, Fortitude ánd Right-mindedness.
30
My wounded feet; I them now wrested forth:
And Herthas vault, derne cave of living rock;
With Mansoul ánd with Minimus, have I passed.
| Mansoul or The Riddle of the World | |