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427
I'll clutch -- and clutch --
Next -- One -- Might be the golden touch --
Could take it --
Diamonds -- Wait --
I'm diving -- just a little late --
But stars -- go slow -- for night --
I'll string you -- in fine Necklace --
Tiaras -- make -- of some --
Wear you on Hem --
Loop up a Countess -- with you --
Make -- a Diadem -- and mend my old One --
Count -- Hoard -- then lose --
And doubt that you are mine --
To have the joy of feeling it -- again --
I'll show you at the Court --
Bear you -- for Ornament
Where Women breathe --
That every sigh -- may lift you
Just as high -- as I --
And -- when I die --
In meek array -- display you --
Still to show -- how rich I go --
Lest Skies impeach a wealth so wonderful --
And banish me --
428Taking up the fair Ideal,
Just to cast her down
When a fracture -- we discover --
Or a splintered Crown --
Makes the Heavens portable --
And the Gods -- a lie --
Doubtless -- "Adam" -- scowled at Eden --
For his perjury!
Cherishing -- our pool Ideal --
Till in purer dress --
We behold her -- glorified --
Comforts -- search -- like this --
Till the broken creatures --
We adored -- for whole --
Stains -- all washed --
Transfigured -- mended --
Meet us -- with a smile --
429The Moon is distant from the Sea --
And yet, with Amber Hands --
She leads Him -- docile as a Boy --
Along appointed Sands --
He never misses a Degree --
Obedient to Her Eye
He comes just so far -- toward the Town --
Just so far -- goes away --
Oh, Signor, Thine, the Amber Hand --
And mine -- the distant Sea --
Obedient to the least command
Thine eye impose on me --
430It would never be Common -- more -- I said --
Difference -- had begun --
Many a bitterness -- had been --
But that old sort -- was done --
Or -- if it sometime -- showed -- as 'twill --
Upon the Downiest -- Morn --
Such bliss -- had I -- for all the years --
'Twould give an Easier -- pain --
I'd so much joy -- I told it -- Red --
Upon my simple Cheek --
I felt it publish -- in my Eye --
'Twas needless -- any speak --
I walked -- as wings -- my body bore --
The feet -- I former used --
Unnecessary -- now to me --
As boots -- would be -- to Birds --
I put my pleasure all abroad --
I dealth a word of Gold
To every Creature -- that I met --
And Dowered -- all the World --
When -- suddenly -- my Riches shrank --
A Goblin -- drank my Dew --
My Palaces -- dropped tenantless --
Myself -- was beggared -- too --
I clutched at sounds --
I groped at shapes --
I touched the tops of Films --
I felt the Wilderness roll back
Along my Golden lines --
The Sackcloth -- hangs upon the nail --
The Frock I used to wear --
But where my moment of Brocade --
My -- drop -- of India?
431Me -- come! My dazzled face
In such a shining place!
Me -- hear! My foreign Ear
The sounds of Welcome -- there!
The Saints forget
Our bashful feet --
My Holiday, shall be
That They -- remember me --
My Paradise -- the fame
That They -- pronounce my name --
432Do People moulder equally,
They bury, in the Grave?
I do believe a Species
As positively live
As I, who testify it
Deny that I -- am dead --
And fill my Lungs, for Witness --
From Tanks -- above my Head --
I say to you, said Jesus --
That there be standing here --
A Sort, that shall not taste of Death --
If Jesus was sincere --
I need no further Argue --
That statement of the Lord
Is not a controvertible --
He told me, Death was dead --
433Knows how to forget!
But could It teach it?
Easiest of Arts, they say
When one learn how
Dull Hearts have died
In the Acquisition
Sacrificed for Science
Is common, though, now --
I went to School
But was not wiser
Globe did not teach it
Nor Logarithm Show
"How to forget"!
Say -- some -- Philosopher!
Ah, to be erudite
Enough to know!
Is it in a Book?
So, I could buy it --
Is it like a Planet?
Telescopes would know --
If it be invention
It must have a Patent.
Rabbi of the Wise Book
Don't you know?
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