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obedient slave!

       What! shall the Poet that which Nature gave,

       The highest right, supreme Humanity,

       Forfeit so wantonly, to swell your treasure?

       Whence o’er the heart his empire free?

       The elements of Life how conquers he?

       Is’t not his heart’s accord, urged outward far and dim,

       To wind the world in unison with him?

       When on the spindle, spun to endless distance,

       By Nature’s listless hand the thread is twirled,

       And the discordant tones of all existence

       In sullen jangle are together hurled,

       Who, then, the changeless orders of creation

       Divides, and kindles into rhythmic dance?

       Who brings the One to join the general ordination,

       Where it may throb in grandest consonance?

       Who bids the storm to passion stir the bosom?

       In brooding souls the sunset burn above?

       Who scatters every fairest April blossom

       Along the shining path of Love?

       Who braids the noteless leaves to crowns, requiting

       Desert with fame, in Action’s every field?

       Who makes Olympus sure, the Gods uniting?

       The might of Man, as in the Bard revealed.

      MERRY–ANDREW

      So, these fine forces, in conjunction,

       Propel the high poetic function,

       As in a love-adventure they might play!

       You meet by accident; you feel, you stay,

       And by degrees your heart is tangled;

       Bliss grows apace, and then its course is jangled;

       You’re ravished quite, then comes a touch of woe,

       And there’s a neat romance, completed ere you know!

       Let us, then, such a drama give!

       Grasp the exhaustless life that all men live!

       Each shares therein, though few may comprehend:

       Where’er you touch, there’s interest without end.

       In motley pictures little light,

       Much error, and of truth a glimmering mite,

       Thus the best beverage is supplied,

       Whence all the world is cheered and edified.

       Then, at your play, behold the fairest flower

       Of youth collect, to hear the revelation!

       Each tender soul, with sentimental power,

       Sucks melancholy food from your creation;

       And now in this, now that, the leaven works.

       For each beholds what in his bosom lurks.

       They still are moved at once to weeping or to laughter,

       Still wonder at your flights, enjoy the show they see:

       A mind, once formed, is never suited after;

       One yet in growth will ever grateful be.

      POET

      Then give me back that time of pleasures,

       While yet in joyous growth I sang —

       When, like a fount, the crowding measures

       Uninterrupted gushed and sprang!

       Then bright mist veiled the world before me,

       In opening buds a marvel woke,

       As I the thousand blossoms broke,

       Which every valley richly bore me!

       I nothing had, and yet enough for youth —

       Joy in Illusion, ardent thirst for Truth.

       Give, unrestrained, the old emotion,

       The bliss that touched the verge of pain,

       The strength of Hate, Love’s deep devotion —

       O, give me back my youth again!

      MERRY ANDREW

      Youth, good my friend, you certainly require

       When foes in combat sorely press you;

       When lovely maids, in fond desire,

       Hang on your bosom and caress you;

       When from the hard-won goal the wreath

       Beckons afar, the race awaiting;

       When, after dancing out your breath,

       You pass the night in dissipating:—

       But that familiar harp with soul

       To play — with grace and bold expression,

       And towards a self-erected goal

       To walk with many a sweet digression —

       This, aged Sirs, belongs to you,

       And we no less revere you for that reason:

       Age childish makes, they say, but ’tis not true;

       We’re only genuine children still, in Age’s season!

      MANAGER

      The words you’ve bandied are sufficient;

       ’Tis deeds that I prefer to see:

       In compliments you’re both proficient,

       But might, the while, more useful be.

       What need to talk of Inspiration?

       ’Tis no companion of Delay.

       If Poetry be your vocation,

       Let Poetry your will obey!

       Full well you know what here is wanting;

       The crowd for strongest drink is panting,

       And such, forthwith, I’d have you brew.

       What’s left undone to-day, To-morrow will not do.

       Waste not a day in vain digression:

       With resolute, courageous trust

       Seize every possible impression,

       And make it firmly your possession;

       You’ll then work on, because you must.

       Upon our German stage, you know it,

       Each tries his hand at what he will;

       So, take of traps and scenes your fill,

       And all you find, be sure to show it!

       Use both the great and lesser heavenly light —

       Squander the stars in any number,

       Beasts, birds, trees, rocks, and all such lumber,

       Fire, water, darkness, Day and Night!

       Thus, in our booth’s contracted sphere,

       The circle of Creation will appear,

       And move, as we deliberately impel,

       From Heaven, across the World, to Hell!

      PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN

       Table

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