^ V Class _ Book._l7^ CoipgMI?. CDEmiGHT DEPOSm MASTER AND LACKEY And Other Poems BY CHARLES R. HART BOSTON RICHARD G. BADGER THE GORHAM PRESS Copyright, 1921, by Charlea R. Hart All Rights Reserved OEC 18 i92' ^^-h^ MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Thk Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. a. ©£1A631572 TO MY MOTHER FOREWORD When many hundreds labor day and night To torture nations with ideals of fright, Can I have hopes that I shall win the palm, I who have nothing but ideals of calm? When countless poets sing of toil and strife And the deceptions of our mortal life, Should I aspire to win success today, I whose sole gospel is delight and play? Am I not mad, attempting to beguile This sad and thoughtful people with a smile ? Today, when all the peoples hurrying go. Before me shall the Nation's step be slow? And yet with such loud ravings at the door There should be nothing to astound men more Than to behold my poems: see I'm gay, I smile at errors I have thrown away! Foreword My only message to humanity Is to remove the centuries' debris, To let once more aspiring nations scan The features of earth's greatest wonder, Man! CONTENTS Page Laughter 1 1 Interlude 12 Fable 13 Master and Lackey 14 Two Knights in Loveland 62 King Sorrow 81 A Fable 109 Bluebeard no Afterword 112 MASTER AND LACKEY Laughter LAUGHTER Why were the truest types of greatness seen In times when men were godlike and serene, When Plato taught the riches of the mind, When Homer sang so well, though he was blind ? Why is it ? Search ye poets, search ye, ye scribes, Ye preachers, wnth your senseless diatribes! Is it the food they eat, the drink they quaff That makes men great? No, it is just their laugh. So, were I a reformer, I should climb Through Heaven, through all Nature, through all Time, Until there was no being low or high Who knew not how to laugh as well as I. II Master and Lackey INTERLUDE It is the custom in our northern land That ere he starts to sing the bard should stand Before his door and ring a noisy gong, Calling men in to hear him sing a song. There, where there is no treading of men's feet, Where there is just a memory of the street, The poet dares a truer tale to tell, And poetry's herself again as well. I'll think that you have come inside the door; I hear the noises of the crowd no more; I wait for one more hearer to come in, Favor's her name: she's come? Then I'll begin. 12 Fable FABLE There was a horse who would not venture through The barn door, for each time the others went He noticed that straightway the air was rent With the loud ringing of their iron hoofs Upon the floor. Said he: ''This will not do! Enough of walls and roofs! No longer to a place I'll cling Where, by the sound of hoofs upon the floor, By that and nothing more, The neighbors round about Cry to each other, though not looking out: ^ There goes another horse, the clumsy thmg! No, all my life henceforth I'll pass Silently treading on the grass. My hoofs I'll cover over With daisies, buttercups and clover. Men shall perceive me by the eye Or else not know when I pass by." So in the meadows all the summer days Contently men saw our rebel graze. Alas, where ploughmen used to go The winter came and cast the seeds of snow! Back to the once scorned stable The poor horse went as well as he was able. 13 MASTER AND LACKEY PROLOGUE A master and his lackey fled away From earth. The fact is strange, for, as you know, Masters at any moment come and go But lackies wait until their dying day. Howbeit, sirs, master and lackey went Together; one was found who would consent To separation from his darling earth: The lackey was rewarded with much mirth. If you are not corrupted by the words Of modern poets, if you love the birds, Then come: let Fancy saw the prison bars Of earth and let you out among the stars. H Master and Lackey DEPARTURE Lackey — Master, I should have thought these clouds, this sun, These brooks and winds going their tune- ful ways, Were cause enough to make all beings glad; But then I chanced to turn and look at you. Do you know your face is sad? Master Of course it is. For all day I was toiling at my book. How can their looks be anything but sad Who wish to write about the human heart? Lackey — ^Which heart? the heart that beats here in the breast, Or that which makes mannikins dance and play? Master — I mean this beating heart. Lackey. Once, my dear master, I met a man who wrote about the heart And he was very cheerful. Master. But not I : My wish is to be terribly sincere. Lackey — You have too grim a look to be sincere. Sincere men smile. Master. I say sincere men frown. 15 Master and Lackey Lackey — Do they do nothing else than frown, xny master? Master — Sometimes they weep, sometimes they shout and curse. But there are no occasions when they smile. Lackey — What are sincere men so sincere about? Master— About the truth. Lackey. What is the truth, my master? Master — Something that makes you shudder when you hear it, It casts such gloom on the astounded world ; Something that makes the speaker lose his voice, And he must either whisper truth or shout it. Lackey — Where should I look for truth and find her, sir? Master — The surest place to find the truth, my man. Is on some battlefield. In peaceful times Go to the parliaments of nation, yes. Or to the churches — you will find her there. But wheresoever she may be, the truth Is always just the same, a timid thing; She's shrinking in a corner, some brave man Defends her from the world. i6 Master and Lackey Lackey. How fortunate That truth is not like sunshine or the air, Widespread and free through all the uni- verse ! For if it were so common, master dear. How could one well defend her? Master. Even so: There's reason in your speech. Lackey. But tell me master. Where can one gain a knowledge of the heart ? In which of all these stars? Master. The farthest one. Lackey — Why, master, should you say the farthest star? Master — Knowledge is always far away, and then Long generations lived which knew the heart In yonder star; men study at their tombs. Lackey — Are none acquainted with the heart at home? Master — This is a science learned beyond the seas; The human heart is never know at home. If you desire to know the human heart, Go ask some foreigner about it. Lackey. Please, How is that, sir? Master. To know the human heart You must have lived beneath a cloudy sky, 17 Master and Lackey Not underneath this canopy of blue. You must have suffered: who can live at ease And know the human heart? But when you suffer, do not suffer as our neighbors do, Quietly, unobtrusively, O no! You must be violent; the violent Alone can have a knowledge of the heart. Search out a land where men are violent ; In peaceful countries hearts are never known. How I despise you for your peacefulness, My countrymen! Lackey. And yet you live among them. Master — I'd live no longer with my countrymen; 1 should abandon this too peaceful star, Did I not have my cloud. But, tell me, Lackey, Where is my cloud ? Lackey. What cloud, dear master, tell me? Master — The little cloud I bade you hold in leash, My little, individual, golden cloud. The only cloud in all this atmosphere! Lackey — I had forgotten it. Master. You let it go, My only consolation, my companion! I bore it in my left hand or my right In all my journeys, it was my protection Against the evils of the dazzling sun- light. i8 Master and Lackey Lackey. Master- I warned you not to let it float away, For once a cloud is gone 'twill not re- turn. I am afraid to live without a cloud. Unkind fates which deprive me of a cloud, What would ye do with me? You'd think, dear master, They wished that should live in the broad daylight, pityful intelligence of lackies, To think the fates could have such low designs ! 1 cannot live without some mistiness. This is a warning and a prodigy: I have been too contented with one cloud, I should have lived surrounded with a thousand. I'll go away, I know too well the dangers That lands are rife with under cloudless skies. Lackey — (Aside). He might be tempted to be natural, Perhaps some day he would not be grotesque, He might cease to be irritated! Lackey, I'm going to the fatherland of clouds This very day. Where is that country, sir? There in that farthest star, in the abode of truth. Master. Lackey. Master- 19 Master and Lackey Lackey. I'm going with you. Master. If you wish, Though what's a lackey good for, if he does not Bear on his wrist a gold cloud like a fal- con? I wonder when the ancient strife began Between the master and his serving man? Was it the day the master had to wait Because his lackey was so slow of gait ? How could he well be anything but slow? Often he turned ere he resolved to go. He wished to keep a picture in his brain Which not all Heaven's clouds and mists should stain. AUTHORITY Lackey — Dear master, here's the nearest spot on earth To Heaven and you have your foot upon it: How fortunate I'm here! Master. How fortunate? You tell me when your master stands at last 20 Master and Lackey Close to the stars he's fortunate to have One who is just a lackey for companion? What insolence! Lackey. Indeed 'tis fortunate. Master — Have I then need of you to step out boldly Into these beautiful and golden clouds? Lackey— No, master. Master. Have I need of you to turn My face in most unspeakable disdain From yon low earth that's only fit for lackies ? Lackey — No, master. Master. Do I need you to fill up Each moment the gold goblet of my brain With aspirations, boundless aspirations? Lackey — No, master. You can do these things alone, I know that you can do them. You're a wonder For filling up the goblet of your brain With aspirations and for always turning Your face from earth and stepping boldly out Into the beautiful and golden clouds. Master — ^Will you then tell me what I need you for? Lackey — Yes, But first tell me, what is Heaven like? Say, in what harbor will you cast your anchor? 21 Master and Lackey Master — Wherever it may please me. Gracious, man! When one sets out for Heaven, he des- pises Compass and chart. His goal is Heaven, Heaven! It matters not what port he touches at; There are no coasts whereon he may be wrecked, The whole land is a harbor. Lackey. Tell me, master, Where did you find your map of heaven? Master. Lackey, I found it where a master finds all things, Whereof he may have need, within his mind. Lackey — It does not seem the same that I was shown. I've had a talk with the geographers. Master — I tell you, lackey, no geographers Can guide you to that land. You need no guide. To reach the Heavenly land beyond the stars. Lay out your course past Venus or past Mars; What does it matter? Lackey. They insist it matters Greatly. Master. I say it does not. 22 Master and Lackey Lackey. You'll believe me. If I display a permit, duly signed, To travel on a road that's practicable Up to the shining gates of Paradise. I have obtained it at the office yonder, A passport for a master and his lackey. Master — It is a forgery. Lackey. They signed it with Pens all of gold that had a Heavenly lustre. See here the signature, consul of Heaven. Master — I'll submit to a passport on the earth, Not on the way to Heaven. Lackey. There are guardsmen Who will demand to see it 'mid the stars. Master — Let them demand it: they'll have none from me. Lackey — They'll lock you up upon some distant star. Master — 'Twould be romantic, just what I desire! Lackey — So be it, master. Let us then go forth. We will begin our travels in the sky On any route you please. {Aside). The guardsmen soon Will set us in the straight and narrow road, And then, O the complaining I shall hear Because the road passes a certain star And not another. {Aloud). Come, good master, come! Master — See, he has stepped before me into Heaven! 23 Master and Lackey You lackey, turn there! Come and fol- low me! Here lies the road! hACKEY— {Aside). Aye, there it lies indeed, And I avoided it to make him choose it. The lackey questioned: *'In that distant place, What will the nature be of Time and Space?" To which the master, with that way of his Men love, said: ''Something other than it is. 'Tor all things that have worth and dignity Are jealous lest the eye of man should see. There's nothing which attends without disguise This mighty masquerade beneath the skies." TASTE Master — I love the waves that break upon these shores. For here the waters of the firmament Make, as they roll, the music of the spheres. Lackey — It is good music, sir. Master. There's none below That equals it. Lackey. With this sound ringing round me 24 Master and Lackey And charming all my senses, still I seem To hear far off the notes of a guitar, And I am happy as I hear them, sir. Master — This music drowns all others. Lackey. How is it I hear that far off earthly music still ? Master — Because a lackey has imperfect ears And when he hears these sounds ineffable Still minds the earthly music of a day. Lackey — It seems that I have more capacious ears Than you, my master. Master. There is a magician Who touches mortal ears and they are changed. Her name is Taste. Those whom her touch has favored Must live forever by Eternal seas. Who when he hears the stars singing to- gether Would care to hear mere earthly chor- uses? A moment there is silence, then one star Is singing all alone, then two and then A hundred chant together. Heavenly music Is sometimes loud and sometimes soft and low, And yet the very softest notes of it Deafen you to the music of the earth. Listen! another symphony begins. If that might be in this Eternity 25 Master and Lackey Where all has been foreseen and foreor- dained You'd say that some musician impro- vised, You'd say that he discovered every note And to the next looked, as we hearers do, As to a revelation. Lackey. Sit you down. Master — The music pauses for an instant: list! What silence! You must know these silences Are portions of the music. Lackey. O there are No silences for me: far, far away I hear once more the notes of a guitar, And what is strange, to my uncultured ear, It seems a part of this same symphony. Master — 'Tis well then that the silences are rare. Or all too often earth's discordant notes Might gain from you unmerited ap- plause. One day, as they approached a certain star, A sprite was seen who shouted from afar: "Hail master, hail thou king and guide of men!" 'Twas at the lackey he was gazing then. the menagerie Lackey — Master I have been looking at those trees As long a time as some poor creatures live 26 Master and Lackey That haunt the fallen leaves upon the ground. Will you believe it, I've not seen a bird In all that time? Master. Of course you have seen none. Lackey — What is that sw^aying on the topmost bough ? Is it a bird, sir? Say it is a bird. Master — 'Tis just a sprite. Lackey. Alas, such restful shadows And not a bird to nestle in the shade! O master, what is that that's scurrying Under the trees? Master. It is another sprite. Lackey — Alas, I hoped it was a beast: I would See other things than leaves to cast a shadow And look on other sights of dappled beauty Than bits of sunny ground — I see an eagle Soaring among the clouds! Master. You see a sprite. Lackey — And what was that which plunged into the lake As we approached ? Master. A sprite. Lackey. O master, master ! No love-sick woman that adored you, sir, Has ever looked upon you as I shall Henceforth. I'll glue my eyes upon you, sir, 27 Master and Lackey As on Heaven's wonder, for you are a man And you've a touch of earth. Master. I am a spirit. Lackey — Alas, I thought that you were still a man! Where shall I gaze now and be satisfied ? Heaven be praised! here is this lake be- side me: I'll look there at myself, I still am earthy. Master — Yes, so you are. Lackey. How I admire myself! To think I am the representative Of that great thing called Man! All hail, mankind! It is not egotism to admire The only remnant of the race: 'tis duty To admire what is left of something noble. may I never go so far afield, May I not ever be so long away. That I forget thy customs, pleasant earth. That I become wholly unlike a man. Let me, o'er whatsoever mirror I may bend, Still find the likeness which I find today, Or else destroy all mirrors save that one 1 still shall love to gaze on, memory; Then I shall tell the angels up above That in my palmy days I was a man. Thou splendid fellow ! come reach me thy fingers 28 Master and Lackey Just to the water's surface: There, I clasp them. Master — You are embracing shadows. Lackey. I resemble My master. Master. Come, your cuff is dripping. Lackey. He Says his whole sleeve is dripping: this is nothing. Master — Behold a breeze has come to break your mirror. It is a sign of Heaven's disapproval. Lackey — O how I wish I had been vain of old ! I should have come provided with a mir- ror. What hours I should have spent admir- ing man! O master, tell me I am comely. Master. You Are just a lackey. Lackey. I'm humanity, Today, begging your pardon. Master. Bravo, then! Mankind is well personified in lackies. Lackey — O then you were a lackey once. Master. I never Was a mere man. Lackey. I have a sudden hope. Tell me what is the season of the year ? Tell me it's winter, master? Master. It is summer. 29 Master and Lackey Lackey — Then no spring zephyrs will bring back the birds! Sir, you have made me very melancholy. Master — The sprites are songsters. Lackey. I don't like their voices! Arc there no beasts to run along the ground ? Master — There are the sprites. Lackey. Master, I am alarmed. Come, let us calculate. How far, my master, Would you suppose the nearest brindled cow? Master — Some million miles! Lackey. O this is terrible! How far the nearest rabbit? Master. Millions too. Lackey — O master! and the nearest roaring lion? Master — He must be the same distance. Lackey. O my master. What a long way to be from animals! Master — Where would you be? beneath the lion's paw? Lackey — Rather than here. It's terrible I say. We cannot travel so far from the beasts, The guileless and the kind, ingenuous beasts, And not be far astray. O let us hasten. Somewhere where there are beasts, though we should find Only a poodle dog I should be happy. 30 Master and Lackey I never was so fond of poodle dogs As now. I think I could support this journey If at my side there ran a poodle dog, Something to say "Here, doggie" to. In- stead All I can say is "Come, thou lovely sprite!" A spineless thing which is too well-be- haved And needs the rod to cure him of obedi- ence. Come, half a dozen sprites, and take a licking. Master — O impious language! You are still a slave. Lackey — O master, you would not behold me die. Master — Why not? I always wished that you might die: 'Tis the best thing that one can wish for lackies. There's then the hope that they may turn to spirits. Lackey — Then I'll not die, if I must be a spirit. No, you have frightened me back into life. I feared that I should die without a dog, But while there's life there's hope of see- ing dogs And being dead I'd never see them more. No, I elect to live. I shall take courage, 31 Master and Lackey I will support the fearful loneliness That comes upon me when I think I am A million miles from any dog or cow. It may be that the Lord is merciful, Perhaps there's a menagerie above. I know where I shall spend my Sundays then, Looking at birds and beasts I once was fond of. End of the Menagerie When he beheld with his astonished eyes An angel flitting starlike in the skies The lackey said; "To be a bird is best, For what's the good of wings without a nest?'* LOVE-LETTERS Lackey — Master, your eyes have grown so big you'd think That you are seeing visions. Master. So I am. Lackey — Here's a root which will cure you. Master. Cast it from you, For that must be a bitter, harmful root Which cures from seeing visions. Lackey. I consume One every day and still my face is ruddy. Master — No matter, for I have an antidote: I think your root would be innocuous And I should still see visions. Lackey. I believe it. 32 Master and Lackey Master — Now go away. Dig roots if so you wish, Since that's a fit employment for a lackey. I shall stay here upon this promontory While far and wide the planets cast the shadow^s, Which on the earth are cast by fleeting clouds. Lackey — What will you do there, sir? Master. I'll write a letter. Lackey — This is no time for writing letters, sir: You're seeing visions. Master. 'Tis the time to write. I'm seeing visions, therefore I must write. Lackey — I'll write a letter too. Master. If you've a thought That's worthy penning, write it; I care not. Lackey — Of course I have or shall have in a moment : I'll bite this root a bit. Master. O lackey, lackey! Lackey — {After a moment). My letter's written, sir. Master. Mine's just begun. Lackey — Read mine, perhaps 'twill aid you. Master. I'll not read it. I read the poets and philosophers Before I write a letter — nothing more. Lackey — Yes, so your correspondents have remark- ed. 33 Master and Lackey I wish you'd read my letter. Master. Read it to me. What did you find to say? Lackey. What did I find? What could I find? There's but one formula Used by the honest lovers of the world: '*I love you and I hope you love me, dear." Master — Is that all? Lackey. What is there to add, except The ordinary postscript, oft omitted: "If you don't love me, I'll not love you, dear"? Master — O that is sacrilege ! Lackey. 'Tis honest love. Master — You'd better cast your letter in the fire For posting ; you will find no angels here To carry such a missive. Lackey. Here are twenty Clamoring for the honor ! Master. They're mistaken; Let me enlighten them. Lackey. It is too late, You'll not o'ertake them now. See how it glows Borne starlike in their hands across the skies, The honest letter of an honest lover! Master — I pray you, watch the angels crowd around me 34 Master and Lackey When I have finished mine. See, here's one now. Lackey — Look out, he's reaching for your pen! Master. There always Were angels reaching for my pen and often I let them write for me. Lackey. May I behold What you have written ere it is too late, Before your letter has been spoiled by angels ? Master. Yes, if you wish Lackey. I'll keep away from angels, They might corrupt my style. O, O, O, O! Master — What is the matter? Lackey. See what you have written! I think an angel held your pen already. No mortal could have had such thoughts as these. Master — I never cease to study day and night How one may write love-letters like an angel. Lackey — 'Tis evident. But you'll not mail this, sir. Master — Why not ? Lackey — The postman is a good, kind man ; I would not have him partner to such deeds. I have ideals, I would believe the truth Is fostered by the post. 35 Master and Lackey Master. What are you saying? think how many lies are circulating Each morning in the post! Lackey. Here are no falsehoods. No letter ever was more purposeful And more sincere. Master. There lies the trouble, sir. Your letter is too full of purposes. There's some one groaning for the lack of them Because you piled too many in one letter. Know, there is not so much sincerity In all the world that one may justly hold So great a wealth of it. Restore, restore To all the men you stole them from, un- thinking. The treasures which are theirs. Then shall each man With his due portion of sincerity Live happy in the world. O why con- spire With any maiden just because she's fair To pile up purposes a hundred deep? A few will be enough. Master. You've taken away My inspiration. Lackey. Honesty has done so, Since you restore the wealth that is not yours. Does not that lend you inspiration, sir? 1 think it is the time to be inspired 36 Master and Lackey When you have just accomplished some- thing honest. Master — 'Tis true, but tell me, lackey. I can't write So brief a note as yours. What shall I do To make this present letter true and honest ? Can it be done? Lackey. I think it can be done. Yes, master, I am sure it can be done. Replace *'forevers" with ''until tomor- row," Instead of "steadfast" write the word "well-meaning," For "your devoted" substitute "your hopeful." I think your letter will be honest yet, As true as it may be and speak of love. "In yonder star which one can scarcely see," The master said, "lie Health and Verity." The lackey answered: "Master, are they there? I had imagined they were everywhere." AFFINITIES Master — Here I have lain the whole night through and slept Only those moments when all things are drowsy, The fading stars, the unawakened morn. 37 Master and Lackey Lackey — The sun has had the time, after the chal- lenge Of his first beams, to gird himself a bit: He will be coming now, O happy sun ! Master — O why reproach the sun with being happy? The sun has too unlimited a sway To be long happy, he is always rising Upon some place where people are un- happy. Lackey — Who is unhappy here ? Master. You ask me that. You who beheld a woman scorn my love ! Lackey — Do you then love her so? Master. How does it happen That, when I tell my fellows of my love, All ask me this: ''Do you then love her so?" Lackey — How should we know? Master. You've but to look at me. Lackey — No, master, there is something more to do; I look at you and ask the question still. Master — O what is this that's shown upon the face, If not the heart? Lackey. I think it is the heart. Master — Then my look's all devotion, candor, love. Lackey — No, sir, not if what's shown there is the heart. 38 Master and Lackey Master — Behold the sun! Night and the moon retreating Seem elsewhere like a host proudly ad- vancing. Sun, illume this garden where I lost her, Light up each corner as though there were hidden The faults which have displeased her: I'll uproot them. Lackey — I'd not disturb this garden: it is fair. Master — No garden's fair that has displeased a woman, No character is fair that has displeased one, 1 will uproot my faults and in their place I'll plant flowers of her choosing. Lackey. Tell me, master. Do you then love her so ? Master. Again that question. Of course I do. Lackey. And would you marry her? Master — Of course I would. Lackey. And should she marry you? "Of course she should," is that your an- swer, master? Master — I know not if she loves me. Lackey. Nor do I. But should she marry you, that is the question. Master — I know not. 39 Master afid Lackey Lackey. Here's a thing which must be known. Master — How should one know it? Lackey. I will tell you, master. You say you love her? Master. Yes. Lackey. How do you love her? Master — Heavens! I told you when I said: "I love her." Lackey — We say so many things saying "I love her" I think we should be careful when we say it. But, master, I am curious today. Tell me your age please. Master. Thirty. Lackey. What is hers? Master — Twenty. Lackey. Good. Now inform me: do you love With love that's fitting in a man of thirty? Master — Of course I do. Your questions now are answered. Lackey — I merely have begun to ask them, master. ' He who is teaching reason to a lover Has always just begun. Is it the love Which men of thirty feel for girls of twenty When they are well inspired? Master. I said, I love her. Lackey — Yes, but here lies the danger. Once I knew 40 Master and Lackey A man who loved a maid of twenty sum- mers With a most beautiful and true affection, But 'twas a love befitting brides of thirty. It proved the maid's undoing. Let all lovers Be mindful of the loved one's age. Master. 'Tis true. But when I think she has but twenty summers I find I love her with befitting love. I think you must be done with question- ing. Lackey— O no! there's still the question: does she love you With love that's proper to a girl of twenty For a bridegroom whose winters num- ber thirty? Master — How should I know? Lackey. 'Tis something you must know. Suppose she dreamed that you were only twenty, Suppose that she imagined you were forty, Suppose she thought you any age but that Which is the true one? O, I'm tremb- ling, sir. At the mere thought of it ! Master. Rise, golden Sun! Illume this lackey's brain. Teach him to solve 41 Master and Lackey True subtleties in love but never these Imaginary ones. Lackey. I still have others For you to solve. But look! there is a woman Walking in yonder garden. Master. It is she! Behold her there, the woman who has scorned me ! You ask what sort of love is in my soul? It is the sort of love that lovers feel When at a woman's feet. But I shall win her. When I have won her you'll observe, I trust, There's no importance in a lover's age, Since Time is lost in love's Eternity. Lackey — Not only women love to hide their age: Suitors conceal it also when they woo. "Shall I not talk of Greatness?" one day said The lackey to his master as they fled Across the firmament before some fear The master, not the lackey, saw appear. "To hear you talk of it I'd be enchanted. You've never done so yet," the master panted. To which the lackey answered: "I began To talk of greatness when I talked of man." 42 Master and Lackey DECORUM Master — Must I then warn you once again, O lackey, To keep a calm and reverent demeanor? Can you not walk with greater dignity? I think you have forgotten that this is A promenade across Eternity. Lackey — May I no longer turn a somersault? Master — I think the demon had a fertile brain Who first imagined trials for mankind. The worst of trials is a vulgar lackey Who thinks that he may turn a somer- sault When on a journey to the court of Heaven! Remember we are in the retinue Of all great men: the ages are the suite Of all the great men who have gone be- fore. Lackey — I thought it lawful to turn somersaults When, see ! the very stars are doing it. It makes their flames leap up with bright- er glow Each time they turn a sudden somer- sault. 't is the contagion of their playfulness, The joviality of the bright stars, That made me do it. Master. Watch those on ahead. Mark well if St. Augustine may be seen 43 Master and Lackey Making his stately way: search well to find Impressive figures, St. Bernard, Beethov- en, And Michael Angelo. All these have suffered Great sorrows and they meditate upon them As solemnly they go. Upon their gait Model your own, and since you are a lackey With trifling woes that lend no air of pain. Meditate on the sorrows of great men. Go borrow griefs if you have not your own, It is no matter how you come by it Provided you shall have a look of woe. Lackey — I pray you, master, send me back to school. How shall I ever learn decorum here? See! the whole band is turning somer- saults. What shall I do? Master. This is the rearguard only. Look farther on to ages when great men Through a whole lifetime were not known to smile. Those, lackey, were the great, heroic times. Lackey — You say that they were never known to smile ? 44 Master and Lackey Master — Sometimes they smiled but with such looks of pain You felt they never should be asked to smile Since smiling, caused them such great suffering. Lackey — (Who has climbed a tree). How far, think you, I ought to see, O master, Perched here upon this tree of inspira- tion? Master — Were you your master you would see so far You'd never talk again of the horizon, At least this one which binds our mortal sight. Lackey — I'm but a lackey, yet I see a thing That would astound you greatly. Master. What is that? Lackey — Why, there's an angel standing at the head Of the vast column: he has just alight- ed And he is dancing. Those who lead the way Are dancing now. Look, others imitate them. Master — What is that wa5rward angel thinking of? Come down, come down, you should not see such things 45 Master and Lackey Lackey- Master. Lackey- Master- Lackey. Master. Lackey. When mounted on the tree of inspir- ation. -And now the impulse is communicated From rank to rank, soon no one will be left Who is not gaily dancing. I shall not. I shall not be susceptible to frenzy. -{Descending). The madness is upon me, I must dance, -'t is true, the souls of all the dead are dancing. I alone screen them from humanity And upon me the fate of man depends Lest they learn the actions of the dead And know what revelries take place in Heaven. If I am calm they'll think the dead arc calm. O let me still maintain my dignity, Merciful God ! Here are the souls of the dead Forming a ring around you, master. O Abomination ! See they make him dance! Yes it is true the dead are dancing, men, O men and stars, come let us dance in tune! I would recount the lackey's strange mistake 46 Master and Lackey He told himself: "A compass I will make;" And thought that he could make a guide of worth On which the needle pointed back to earth! PATRIOTISM Master — Until the new tide shall set in to Heaven Here will I rest. They chafe impatiently A long, long time, you know, these Heav- enly waves Until that tide when sun and moon to- gether Shall draw the waves along. Lackey. I hear them chafing. Master — Now we are here I'd be no more re- minded That there's a firmament where planets turn. I would forget they are revolving there; I wish henceforth to concentrate my thought On this sole planet. Lackey. Why is that, my master? I thought the other stars were beautiful. Master — You see you may find beauty anywhere And like all things that one finds any- where 't is of but little value. Lackey. There were men Of kindly hearts on every star we passed Who proved that all the stars are hos- pitable. 47 Master and Lackey Master — Why will you talk of hospitality And beauty? Think of purpose, of big things ! Lackey — But master, why do any undertake A journey in the skies? Think y^n it is To see things our as yet unopened lids Hid from us at our birth and nothing more? Master — You do not need to travel, in my quest, For I am searching for a mystery. Lackey — Why are you looking for a mystery? Master — What, pray, should any man be looking for If not a mystery? Lackey. Please tell me, master; What is a mystery? Master. A mystery Is that which is peculiar to each star; It is the only still uncommon thing. Lackey — I thought that reason also was uncom- mon, Master — If you will not believe in mystery, Be still. I feel the frenzy coming on : Behold the phantoms which my will evokes ! Lackey — Who is that yonder? Master. That's the genius, sir, Of this great planet. Can you think of aught More wonderful than that? Lackey. I can indeed. 48 Master and Lackey Suppose the genius of the Universe Rose up before us! But you'll not evoke her In periods of frenzy: she's too calm, Too beautiful and yet magnificent Ever to come when minds are in disorder. I've often seen her as I walked along From star to star, yet it was not a vision ; It was with waking eyes. Master. What should I do If I should cease to look for mysteries Upon this planet ? Lackey. What I'm doing, master. Master — What's that ? You have the air of doing nothing. Lackey — I give my life to reminiscences. Strange, since I made that journey through the stars All things seem made for waking mem- ories ; One thing reminds me always of another, Or, rather, seems to be that self-same thing. I'd lose my way if I should go again, All things are so alike. If you, my master, Should make with me a far-off ren- dezvous, Though you described it ever so exactly I might turn up in Mars and you be waiting 49 Master and Lackey In Venus, sir. Master. O ruler of the Heavens, Think of the risk I took! Lackey. What was the danger? Master — Suppose that like you I had walked among The stars and lost my faith in mystery! Lackey — Be thankful that you made the journey, sir, And are, today, unchanged by what 5^ou saw ! Master — Indeed I'm thankful. Lackey. Yet you would suppose That after all a journey's goal is change. Master — Not at all. As I went I cried defiance To the false stars which clamored to be known. That is the reason why we walk abroad. To be unmoved by all the things we see And talk about the mystery at home. Lackey — Let's go again. Perhaps you'll love the stars And cease to talk about the mystery. Master — Never. That would be treason. I'll not stir From this enlightened planet any more, But serve the mystery until I die. Lackey — I think that you might take a holiday. Perhaps the mystery's a genial soul And children could evoke her just as well. 50 Master and Lackey The master said: '*We have forsaken all That rolls in sight of our terrestrial ball." The lackey answered: "How can such things be? Shall man abandon then his memory?" DOMINATION Master — I wish to live in the star round which the world moves. Lackey — That's a star no man can live upon: It is the sun. Master. You think it is the sun Because you are a lackey, but I tell you The centre of the world is this same star Where we now make our home. Lackey. Have you a measure To prove it is? Pace a star's nightly journey Each way from here and though you still meet stars That seem to crowd about our planet's skirts You have proved nothing : you must pace so far On every side that it will seem your goal Is Old Age and Decay and Dissolution; The distance will be written in your face, Recorded in deep furrows on your brow. No man can well return with ruddy looks 51 Master and Lackey Who proves where is the centre of the world. Master — Not by my aimless pacing through the stars Shall I prove this the centre; rather, lackey, I shall stir up such turbulence in Heaven That men will know the centre by the storms That come from it — only the core of things Could be the centre of such violence. Lackey — Although the seat of government be changed Must the new centre be so far away? Why make the New so distant from the Old? Master — The change must be apparent to the world. If the new centre were not far away, Men might believe the universe revolv- ed As it has always done, about the sun. Lackey — I think there is another reason, master. You wish to hear the rushing of the stars, Hurrying to new stations in your train. Master — Precisely, man: you have imagination. Lackey — How do you know that in their distant realms Some stars may not be found indifferent? 52 Master and Lackey When men should speak of the indiffer- ence Of distant, mighty stars you would be angry; And then, besides there is an edge of things That never has been crossed even by stars. Master — It is because the stars are timorous; They're waiting for my hosts to go be- fore. rU conquer all, even the Emptiness Of outer spaces. Lackey. Do you think the sun Will readily obey ? Master Unless the Light Becomes my vassal there shall be no light In all the world. This is the age when kings Are being fast dethroned. Shall this old tyrant, The oldest potentate in all the world, Be still allowed to rule? It is high time That he too should be humbled in the dust. Lackey — Are you determined then to be a king? Master — I and the fates are of one mind in this. Lackey — I hope the sun will peacefully submit: I would not live to see my master slay The aged and the venerable Light. 53 Master and Lackey The master asked the lackey: "Is it right To look for treasures in the broad daylight? No, let us set to digging in the glade With something which we will not call a spade." He was prepared to dig if there was need To where there are so many mouths to feed In China. But just then, O! strange to tell. From a tree rising near the treasure fell. HEAVEN Lackey — The night has come, the time for sleepi- ness. And I must sleep. Master. You show a lackey's mind. I am not sleepy though the silent night Says we must be contented with her stars If we still wish for pleasure from our eyes; And though this may be the accustomed time For slumber in the world where mortals sleep, I say this is the realm of wakefulness: We are in Heaven. Lackey. Little did I think That my first impulse, coming to these shores, 54 Master and Lackey Would be to sleep ! There were those in the world Who said that here is the Eternal Sleep. I thought them wrong. Master. Of course they were: here Heaven Revokes forever her decree of sleep. Lackey — I wish to sleep: Good master, let me sleep. Master — Awake. Lackey — O come and tell me at the dawn To waken. Master. You are still enslaved to error. Here is no dawn and here no twilight is, Here is no change. Lackey. O blessed Change! it brought us Slumber. Master. If you could rid your mind of sleep, Full soon should this obsession of the night Leave you as well ; you'd understand there's nothing To cloud or alter the eternal day That reigns in Heaven. Lackey. I was fond of Night, She always kept her promise of the Dav. O let me think that I can fall asleep And then each morning still recover Heaven At the first dimming of the stars. Master. No. Heaven Is ever in our sight. 55 Master and Lackey Lackey. Alas, alas! This place is what I always thought it was And my worst fears are being realized! Master — Do you not see the light returning now? Lackey — It has the semblance of an earthly dawn ; Perhaps all is not lost. Master. Do you behold Temples ? Lackey. I see a circus tent appearing. Master — You are perverse: here are no circus tents. Lackey — ^And, yonder, master, is a cosy inn. It must be time for breakfast. Master. Look for temples. Lackey — I see one, sir. Master. You ought to see ten thousand. Lackey — There'd be no place for inns and circus tents If that were true. Master — Of course there is no place. Here shall rise only temples. Lackey. Do you not Behold these barns, these houses as I do? Master — If I behold them I reproach myself For having such unseemly thoughts of Heaven. I'm going to the temple. Lackey. I'll go with you, And later we shall breakfast at the inn. Master — Once we have passed the temple doors we never S6 Master and Lackey Shall come away unless, indeed, it be To visit other temples. Lackey. O there is A crowd of people coming from the church And in their faces shines a ruddy glow And they are crying: "Now our prayers are said. Let us go wander all day in the fields." Master — I'll stop them. Lackey. Step aside with me, my master, Or they might sweep you with them far away From the church doors. Master. Such conduct here in Heaven ! I knew the Lord was tolerant on earth, I thought he was intolerant in Heaven. Will He not blast them with His thun- derbolt ? Lackey — O hear yon lover as he passes, saying: "I prayed the Lord of Heaven earnestly To grant me Julia's love : she is so fair." Master — What sacrilege! A lover here in Heaven ! How can this be sir? Lackey. List ! He has not finished. ''This garland will I bear to Venus' shrine And all the altars of the gods shall burn That ought to burn when men's hearts are on fire. 57 Master and Lackey I hope to win her love before tonight That I may live contentedly in Heaven." Master — Where is the thunderbolt? Lackey. There is a halo About the lover's head. Master. None but the saints Should wear them. Lackey. Evidently things have changed In Heaven. Master. These are aberrations, lackey. Lackey — Let us then sleep and dream that they are true. Master — I did not come to Heaven's court to sleep. The mind reposes here and not the body. My mind is now reposing. In one thought Of greatness I shall wrap me like a cloak. I am prepared now for more fair sensa- tions Than I have ever known. Lackey. I shall be sleepy If I sit thus for long. Master. I have found matter To occupy my spirit through long ages: I'm thinking of Eternity. Lackey. I'm thinking Of dishes, circus riders, games and dances. I do my best to ponder on one thing; This cursed habit of variety 58 Master and Lackey Will not let go its hold. O tell me, mas- ter, That I may go to sleep, 't is the one way To have the right demeanor here in Heaven. I'm too alert for such a place as this. We thought the slumbers sweet which brought oblivion Of petty things which mortal men call woes, But what were they beside this fairest slumber Which brings to me forgjetfulness of Heaven ? Good night, dear master. Master. Do not fall asleep! Suppose that following your bad example The Master like his Lackey fell asleep? Lackey — It would not matter: we might both awake And find this Heaven nought but a bad dream. Soon there was nothing to be heard or seen, 't was such a silence as may coming between Two sudden takings of a planet's breath When it has had a close escape from death. 't was such an emptiness as might be found If God should sink into a peace profound 59 Master and Lackey And there were no more pictures in His mind. "It is the Heavens which salute mankind." The lackey said. And soon the Dark was gone, Driven to flight by the far sweeping dawn, And an awed whisper through the silence ran As in its turn each planet bowed to man. 60 Master and Lackey EPILOGUE Perhaps you ask where these wayfarers are Today? Are they still sleeping in some star Whose only care is to turn noiselessly That their long sleep may sweet and dreamless be? For one of them I cannot say. Who dares To guess along what roads the master fares? As for the lackey, he's of noble birth, He found some way of getting back to earth. 6i TWO KNIGHTS IN LOVELAND PROLOGUE Two knights are traveling across the plain; The meadows have been newly washed with rain; And there are eyes that look for fantasy, And there is talk of joy and harmony. Scene I An Inn, Strongheart — Faithful companion, lay your whip aside. Remove your spurs, your buskins now unlace, Let the proud feathers on your riding cap. Instead of pirouetting in the wind. Over the table's edge here in this room / Excite a kitten's curiosity. I Our horses now shall in the stable rest And if, when galloping across the land, They feel an impulse to turn other ways Than we would have them go who hold the reins We'll know it is not for some vague alarm But for the food that waits them in the stalls. 62 Two K flights in Loveland Faintheart— Good friend, I will believe this is the end Though had you said it is not yet attained I'd have believed jou just as readily. As I had need of you to find the way, So have I need of you to know the goal. Strongheart — What's this? You do not recog- nize the sign Which tells me that our journey's end is here? 't is true that you must read it in your- self— For you might stand bewildered at cross- roads Unless the heart within you intimates Which of two highways is the one to choose. Faintheart — I always was bewildered at cross- roads. If there are crossroads in this land, my friend, I'm certain to be fearfully perplexed. Remind me why it is we come, my friend. Strongheart — Have you forgotten how, one moon ago, A fearful ennui fell upon our souls? We were unhappy dwelling in a land Where all men's acts took from the ants their model Or perhaps from the beehive, God knows which ! 63 Master and Lackey Perhaps such ennui we should not have known Had there not come a rumor that there lay Somewhere on the remainder of that path The sun pursued after he left our realm A land whose people knew another sway, Loveland the land was called and Love its queen. There is a legend that long, long ago Our kingdom too was governed by this queen But war and revolution drove her out. Which seems a strange thing, for the rumor said That ruled by such a noble potentate The people in the land knew happiness And joys beyond the measure of our own. They say the revolution in our land Was captained by the women, not the men. You know our women folk are Amazons And they are known sometimes to punish men If they should offer them unthinkingly Attentions which here, men say, women prize. Faintheart — I think it was dislike of being pun- ished 64 Two Knights in Lov eland That made me come with you. I have been punished So often just because I wished to show A woman little marks of courtesy, Innocent little marks of courtesy. I know I'm going to be happy here. Strongheart — 't was then that ennui fell upon our souls, And in our hearts we blamed our coun- trymen For losing such a monarch and we wish- ed. Day and night, we might come to see this realm. Behold today our enterprise achieved : We are in Loveland, where is Love, the queen ? {Enter the Innkeeper). Innkeeper — The Queen of Love, masters, awaits without. Learning of your arrival in the realm She orders that the law should be observ- ed, Either the last hour of the twenty-four To go upon your w^y or else to pledge Allegiance to the Queen and be forever Her subjects. Strongheart. We will stay. O let us go To tell her with what loyalty, what zeal We enter in her service. 65 Master and Lackey {Enter the Queen and attendants). The Queen — O pilgrims from afar, 1 hear ye come From that rebellious province to the east That scorned my sway. What purpose brings you here I know not, but unless it be the will To serve me, then the day has dawned already Which you must see die far from my frontiers. Strongheart — Queen, we would pledge allegiance to your name And by our actions would do penitence For all our unenlightened countrymen. Queen — There was a time when Loveland was the world : My kingdom's usages were life itself, And if there was a convert to the faith It was the innocent and newborn child, Who learned with speech to recognize my sway. Alas, the time has come when men full- grown Should need conversion! Hah, ye have done well To come, I never should have sought you out. Among the beasts I'd make a proselyte Rather than in your tribe: rest ye secure. 66 Two Knights in Loveland I laugh when provinces like yours rebel And my indifference is your defence. But you are penitent. Stand forth, ye two Who would be knights of love. Within my hand I hold a gift as rich as does that hand That plucks the stars at dawn and holds them clasped Until it sets them back again at even. I can not give my gift lightly away. But if the disposition you reveal That with a knightly character accords, Then I accept with joy your services. You, sir, come show your aptness. Take your bonnet. Salute these ladies. {Strongheart takes his bonnet and makes a sweeping bow to the ladies). Queen. {Aside). Ah, the noble knight! {Aloud), 't was a becoming salutation, sir. One saw your arm that swept the air would sweep These women quite away did they not shrink And cower at your gaze. And you, his friend, Salute these ladies. 67 Master and Lackey {Faintheart makes an awkward, deprecating bow). Queen. {Aside). O the paltry knave! The deprecating, miserable knave! You'd think he was a eunuch with a fan Putting you all to sleep. {To the ladies). Why do you this, You poor misguided wretch ? to do them good? Tell the whole pack of them to drown themselves : 't is thus the Queen of Love feels for her sex. Learn this: the purpose of man's court- esy Is to display a shapely leg, an eye That flashes when there's thunder in his voice. I fear you have too much to learn to make A lover this side death, still you may try. You'd make a splendid lover up in Heaven, — My poor man, this is earth, these are not angels But women. They're not leaning out from Heaven To talk with you, you know; no collo- quy Is interrupted there when they begin 68 Tzuo Knights in Loveland To shower attentions on you. O poor man, We'll need the rod that measures dis- tances From star to star to calculate aright Your ignorance. I'd not say of a man, "This man can be no lover," never, never. I therefore bid you and your comrade here To go this day upon a pilgriamge. Count for me all the smiles, like signal fires. That may be lit within my borders: you Must light them. When your pilgrim- age is done, Come back to me. I judge a lover best When he's returning from a pilgrimage Made in the springtime in the land of Love. I leave you, O fine creature, in the care Of your good genius, and your friend as well. Abandoned to the mercy of his own I think I should too greatly pity him. Enough. The Queen of Love has other cares : God speed you, sirs, upon your pilgrim- age. End of Scene I 69 Master atid Lackey Interlude The time is Spring, straightway we dream of hours That have as many petals as the flowers In Paradise, the sweetest, the most rare: One by one fall the petals, need we care? Scene II An Inn. (Faintheart enters, followed by the innkeeper). Faintheart — First, tell me, are there any women here? Innkeeper — None, sir. Faintheart. Not even a poor kitchen maid Who makes a sly pretence of poverty Just to display her riches at a table Where a poor weary man seeks rest from w^omen ? Innkeeper — Not even a kitchen maid. Faintheart. Housekeepers neither Who tress white reverend locks upon their brows And lo ! it is the last snow ere the spring Which soon you shall see budding in their hearts? Innkeeper — There are no housekeepers either. Faintheart. Not a woman! Not even, sir, the picture of a woman, An article of woman's dress, not even A book that tells of women, nothing, nothing : 70 Two Knights i?i Lovelaiid That is what I desire, not even, sir, The possibility within your brain That in a moment you should talk of women. Innkeeper — By gad, I feel inclined to talk of women : Who does not at all hours? Faintheart. I'll go away. O let not this be falsely called an inn And to the other comforts for your guests Add this, deliverance from the thought of Woman. Innkeeper — Are you not he who went on pilgrim- age? Faintheart — I am. Where else then could a man have gone. Who looks like me save on a pilgrimage To women's hearts? They say Jerusa- lem Was a long ways to go in the dark ages, A long and perilous quest, but this is farther And there are fiercer Saracens around A woman's heart than those who long ago Guarded the sepulchre. Innkeeper. Where's your companion? Faintheart — I know not. I was taken prisoner, And, that my captors might take more delight, 71 Master and Lackey I was each day transferred from prison to prison In different women's hearts, but I es- caped, And that is why I'm here and why I ask If there are any women in the inn. Innkeeper — There are none here, but look with- out, my friend. The Queen of Love is standing at the door With all her court. Faintheart. Kind Gods, have pity on me. {Enter the Queen of Love with her Attendants). Queen — This is the day assigned and he is here. My friend, you are the last page of the book That's written on your life, I see so clearly The ending and the ending is disaster. What, a whole month in this our land of love And you maintain the barbarous custom still And dare to walk abroad without a woman ? What can this mean? Faintheart — I was made prisoner. Queen — A prisoner ! There's not a woman's heart 72 Tivo Knights in Loveland Ample enough to keep men prisoners For long. Faintheart. You see that I am free. Queen. You should Have laid the castle level with the ground Where you v^ere captive, but you fled away, Leaving it there to hold new prisoners. To see there shall be no new prisoners Within a woman's heart, once he is free. Should be a man's ambition. O you child, You pityful, incorrigible child! You should have left one castle standing still And cried out proudly to the whole world : "Here Where once I was in prison I am king." What did you tell the women, tell me this, Trying to woo them? Faintheart. Here's my answer. Lady. I thought that you might ask and for de- fence I took a clerk one day, when I went wooing. That he might note down all the words I said. Here is a copy of my plea : you'll wonder That one who put so much heart, kind- ness, goodness 73 Master a?id Lackey Into his wooing failed to win a maid. Will you not read, your grace? Queen. Read it yourself. Faintheart — 't is thus 1 would begin: "O lovely maiden, I understand why there are stars in Heaven, They come each night to see you." Queen. The beginning Is good, but pray continue. Faintheart. "If you knew The stars were looking at you, would you look At me, your humble servant? I'll not tell you That they are looking." Queen. Error, error, error! You should have said: "If there are stars in Heaven You shall not see them, lady, for I'll rise Magnificent between you and the star?, And, woman, you shall only look on me." Faintheart — How, lady, should I say such words as those ? Instead I told her: "You would not in- quire Where the sun may be found or where the stars. So certainly as they are in the skies, So certainly I shall be at your side. 74 Two Kniffhts in Loveland I am the province which, when there's rebellion, Shall never rise, the aid, which, if there's need. Shall never fail. I am yours, yours for- ever." Queen — ^What, not leave one doubt in a woman's mind? What, not the riches of a single doubt ? Poor man, the love is singularly poor That is not furbished and replete with doubts. This man has gone forth sewing certi- tudes In the springtide of Love's first pilgrim- age. Poor man, I think you need read nothing more. Faintheart — O lady, I am very miserable! Queen — You have no business to be miserable. Only a woman should know misery. But what's the use of telling you your faults ? You'll never learn to cure them. Stand aside. For I see your companion at the door. {Strongheart appears at the door). Queen — Enter, my lord, and bring your lady with »'s 75 you: Fm sure there's room for one. Alaster and Lackey Strongheart. For one, dear lady! I need room for a hundred. Queen. For a hundred! Doubtless some damsels whom the man has rescued. Show them in, sir. {The ladies enter). Now tell me of the deeds Accomplished in your lover's pilgrimage. Strongheart — You gave as many days and nights as Heaven Takes to refurbish and remake a moon. There was not one passed in anxiety Lest I should fail in this my enterprise, And the last day took pattern from the first. Behold the trophies of my prowess, Queen : Have I done well? {to the ladies) Hud- dle together, you; I shall have gentle words for you anon, But be obedient now. You know I love you. The proof is I should kill the man who came To take from me the least admired of you. Queen — ^You mean these are your wives. Strongheart. If men call wives Women they have subdued and won't re- linquish. 76 Two Knights in Loveland Queen — {Aside). I fear this lover has misunder- stood No less than did the other. {Aloud). My good man, You have misunderstood. There's but one wife Alloted to a man. Strongheart. Yes, so they told me, Those women there, but when I came to choose, They said perhaps a hundred could be mine. Queen — You have sinned, sir, and your compan- ion, too. Strongheart — How sinned? I loved them all, I won them all. The sin would be to love and not to win. Queen — You have sinned, sir. Here are the laws of the realm I carry with me lest I should forget. Admiring sinners, what's accounted sin. You must be punished. {Aside). What a lover, though! I think 't is well that provinces rebel: Lovers like these are seldom found at home. Ah, this was my ideal of a knight! In the beginning I created man Carefully, thoughtfully, my darling crea- ture. But womankind I fashioned in the rough 77 Master and Lackey And left to man the task to finish her. Alas, he chose the wrong ingredients, He made a creature ready to rebel. My carelessness has cost me half the world And now for fear the other half revolt I see myself in this sad hour condemned To punish my most favored servitors. I am compelled each day to compromise, To be contented with a lessened sway Lest I no longer should hold sway at all. I am the shadow of my former self. (Aloud), But listen to my sentence, one and all — (Aside). Before the world I have to be severe. — (Aloud). Against this man who has transgressed our laws. This man who would possess a hundred wives. Go, lock him in a cell called Matrimony Where, as a guard, a woman night and day Shall watch his every act as cats watch mice. From such a sentence there is no re- prieve. He shall not leave that cell until he die. Or if it happens that the guardian dies And he escapes for want of vigilance A man like him can easily be found And a new woman set to watch the cell. 78 Two Knights in Loveland Strongheart — Ah me, for the fair liberty I lose! Why did I ever leave the Amazons? Mercy, O Queen, I'll be content with ten, With six, with five, with three, nay, Queen, with two! Queen — There is no pity. Carry him away. {Addressing Faintheart). You, sir, because you could not win a woman Shall wander like a beggar through the world And wish on stormy days and freezing nights That you might be arrested and locked up. As thieves contrive to find a needed shel- ter. There shall be no one found to lock you up — I sentence you to wander till you die. 79 Master and Lackey Epilogue Two knights ride slowly on into a land Of unknown terrors at the Queen's command. They ponder as they go, and who shall say They are disgruntled to have come that way? When they have read me, some will turn away To poets who have kinder things to say Of love, to honeyed words, to sweet emotion That knows no other language than devotion. To poets with the happy faculty Of being serious untiringly, To bards more worthy of their high tradition; They have such splendid talents for omission. Some will so turn and others will remain, Cry: "Here's a heart and with the heart a brain! He must have loved, for, see! he likes to play; He must have thought, with such wise things to say." 80 KING SORROW Prelude King Sorrow risks his crown in Happyland, For there are woes quite able to withstand All cheer and live in lasting martyrdom, And there are other sorrows that succumb. 8i Master and Lackey KING SORROW Scene I The scene is a meadoiv near a castle. Meek — I've told you that this is a summer land, A tuneful land ; shall I say more, my master ? What could I tell you more, save that it is The very sort of land you would desire To find beneath a sky befitting gladness? Have you not wished for fields that should accord With gladsome skies? Well, here they lie before you Yet though the land lies in one mood un- changing It is not in a trance; it glows with beauty. With freedom, aspiration and desire, Perpetuated each in that best moment When we most wish that they should be prolonged, 't is joy which you would not mistake for sorrow, 't is summer at so delicate a point That subtle thinkers argue with each other How one should rightly name the season here; 82 Kinff Sorrow Some call it springtime, some would call it summer. To end their doubts they have the cal- endar For whom such things are settled in such ways ; We, to make sure, look to the sunny skies Through openings between the round, green boughs (Fissures too narrow for the month of May) While if we would be sure what month it is We've but to listen to the bobolink Who, once 't is mid July, has other work Than singing, he must change his coat of buff. Master, here is the haven of your rest. Here is the quiet and the still retreat Where you'll forget you have a ministry Or leave your work to other ministers. King Sorrow — Faithful companion, how can I for- get? I have not ministered for twenty years To care and grief and woe in my domain With hopes that on a summer holiday I, somehow, may obtain forgetfulness. Nay, rather I prefer not to forget. How can a man live in forgetfulness Of sorrow? I must with remembered griefs 83 Master and Lackey Refresh my sympathies lest they grow dull. for some sight to make me think of home! In all this valley every one is gay And I've not even heard an infant cry. Meek — O happy respite for a wearied man! King Sorrow — I fear this gaiety will tire me more. Meek — But, my good master, you must try to rest. King Sorrow — "Rest, rest"! And how find rest, I pray you, here In unfamiliar scenes? My mind requires Each day some aspect of reality, Some trouble to refresh it. You know well We live in a sad, melancholy world, That only certain of us in the breach Retard each day the great Tormentor's march. Then how shall I be absent from the fray? 1 tell you. Meek, this landscape is un- real: You'd say there's nought but sunshine in the world. And staying here I might believe 't was so. Give me the town. Think what the city is — Ten thousand doorsteps to ten thousand woes, 84 King Sorrow Ten thousand homesteads of ten thous- and griefs, And if the thoroughfares are all alike, Alike then with the drab look of dis- tress. I cannot loiter here, or, if I do, Then must I visit every humble roof. Each hovel, hut and dwelling of the poor, Until I ferret out some misery. I'll prove this gaiety is just illusion. Or, being true, flee from it like the plague. Meek — O then, dear master, you. are doomed to flee. King Sorrow — Nonsense! There's trouble hid- den everywhere. {Here people begin to pass by at intervals). Can you not see these peasants as they toil Are bowed beneath their woes? I know they are, It takes a trained eye to distinguish grief. Heigh, yonder ploughman struggling with your plow, Alas that you should toil such weary hours ! Ploughman — I follow now the pleasant paths ot labor And I shall follow other paths anon. 8s Master and Lackey King Sorrow — Heigh, cartman, hurrying along to town, Alas you should be caught in such a whirl ! Cartman — I'm happy hurrying along to town And happily, full soon, I'll hurry home, Forever happy on my changing round. King Sorrow — Grandmother, what a pity you should walk! Grandmother — I have a carriage but I love to walk. Walking, nobody dreams that I am old. King Sorrow — Unhappy schoolgirl with the brok- en toy! Schoolgirl — A moment's work and it is whole again. King Sorrow — I think they must pretend such un- concern Or else it is the bright, deceitful day Transfusing them with its unnatural joy. Meek — They've a like language on a cloudy day. King Sorrow — I call such language hypocritical Or, if they are so happy, should they be? They'd not be happy if they knew the world. Alas, it is the fruit of ignorance. Ignorance gross and wilful. What they need Is an apostle to enlighten them. Meek — Master, let us go on to greet our hosts, The King of Gladness. What strange fantasy, 86 King Sorrow That he should have a castle for his dwelling, He who is king of merriment and song! Yet castle never was more beautiful Than his: perhaps all instruments of war, If here transferred, would take on love- liness. Yon rise the castle walls. By shady bowers Here on this sunny afternoon I brought you That when into these pasty res we emerg- ed The light might seem the burst of a new day: Then w^ould you own these castle walls are fair. Along the way the river was our guide: Sometimes it frisked ahead, and now and then It turned about to see if we kept pace, Like a stray dog that will befriend a man. Look, like a drawbridge huge, the castle's shadow Has been let down to join the flowery fields. Come let us at its utm.ost edge repose: The King of Gladness will behold us there 87 Master and Lackey And come to talk with us in this fair meadow. King Sorrow — I see a figure coming toward us now. I think I ought to know if 't is a king, Being a king myself. Meek. Is it the king? King Sorrow — Of such a land as this he may be king. Grief would have bowed him down be- fore his time, Had he been king of sorrows as I am. Meek — There are glad maidens in his retinue. King Sorrow — They should not form the follow- ing of a king. Meek — Master, I'll haste to tell him who you are. King Sorrow — Yes, hasten. It is time, for I be- lieve He does not know there is a land of sor- row And that it has a king. {Alone). I know not why, I have a feeling that there's danger here. I know not what a sorrow has to dread Environed by such gladness: just the same, Someone's in danger. It is not myself. I know that I am steadfast like a king. To learn that here upon my far frontiers There lies this little realm of happiness Frightens me not. I have redoubtable hosts King Sorrow To keep my wide domains secure for sorrow. And yet there is a menace in the air. Is it because I am so sensitive I'm apprehensive of another's woes? It is to be expected when he suffers A life time with his fellows that the king Should suffer, though he should be leagues away. Alas, my people, you are suffering And here I am, your king, your guilty king, Somehow persuaded, quite against my will. To pass an afternoon in the broad sun- light. Meek — {Returning with the King of Gladness), I'd not be called a traitor to my master Yet I deliver him into your hands. King of Gladness — You shall be called the sav iour of your fellows. You'll place upon his head a fairer crown, And he will stand more upright while he bears it. Meek — This is my master, sir, the King of Sor- rows. Gladness — I am the King of Gladness. King Sorrow. Two are meeting Who never heard before of one another, I must suppose. 89 Master and Lackey Gladness. I knew that you were ruling And always wished to know you. King of Sorrow. King Sorrow — I some times have held converse with the kings Of Darkness and of Hell: I did not know There was another king in all the earth, Not knowing there were other lands to govern. Gladness — My kingdom is an ancient realm, though small. King Sorrow — I hope you sit secure upon your throne — Such mighty kingdoms crowd you on each side. King of Gladness — I think I have good cause to be secure, I've lived so long in full security. King Sorrow — I know not what the realms of grief may do When they hear joy dwells close to their frontiers. Gladness — I know full well. Sorrow. You mean they will do nothing. As those are wont who view foes with disdain. Gladness — Perhaps that is my meaning. But I leave you To something still more royal than the king— 90 King Sorroiu This quiet evening air. It will beguile you A moment till I have returned : there are Affairs of state that call me. Tell me, king. Would you believe the King of Glad- ness troubled By care of state? In realms where glad- ness rules There ought to be no cares, you say. 't is true. And yet the very day you visit us It is the fates' will that I should become Like one of those old kings with work to do Which legends tell about. Sorrow. I'm such a king. Those are not legends which recount my deeds ; Each story told is true. Gladness. Your kingdom is So far away that even stories told Of living kings of sorrow seem like leg- ends. But howsoe'er it be, today I labor. I hope that men shall say of me to- morrow : "Never has Gladness done such deeds as those He did the day he met Sorrow, his broth- er." 91 Master and Lackey King Sorrow — What is your purpose? Gladness. 't is a thing so vast I'd have to crowd a kingdom in this space To give an illustration. Realms must lend Their kings to me. I'd give such chang- ed kings back To such changed kingdoms I alone should know That they belong together. {The king of Gladness leaves his guests). King Sorrow. Master Meek, I see the king of Gladness may be proud. What is his project? Has he told you, Meek? Meek — You'd say it was to send his daughter to you, A lovely princess. Do you see her com- ing? You would believe an opening in a tree, Not in yon castle walls, was made for her That she might enter in or leave at will Her dwelling, she, a dryad. King Sorrow. Can this be? Her eyes have never held a look of sad- ness, 92 King Sorrow Yet they are beautiful, they have not wept Yet they are clear and bright! O think, those cheeks Were never wet with tears and never shall be, And if a man should ever kiss those lips They would not open to breathe forth a sigh Because he ceased to kiss them: she straightway Would find some other pleasure! Meek. She is fair, My master. King Sorrow. I'll not look at her again, I am too willing to believe it true. Meek — ^What, master? King Sorrow. That a woman may be fair Here in this land of summer and of joy. I shall be steadfast, for I am the king, A king, alas, that dares not turn his eyes And may be king and master of his soul Only with eyes averted from a woman. Meek — Look on her, King. King Sorrow. I'll only look upon her When I shall be a blurred thing to her eyes Blinded with tears. Meek. Then look upon her, king. 93 Master and Lackey King Sorrow — What do you mean? Meek. Behold the princess weeping! End of Scene I. 94 King Sorrow Interlude O King of Sorrow, now's a time for care, A woman's shedding tears and she is fair: If you believe your kingdom still may need you, Beware then where a woman's tears may lead you. > Scene II Scene — Before the castle as in the preceding. The King and Meek are conversing. King — Yes, I will tell 3'ou all. I had despaired Of finding in the bounds of this domain One heart whose regular and normal beat Was ever interrupted save for joy. I told myself that sensibility Is proven by our tears and not by smiles, Then without doubt they are unfeeling cattle. But as my judgment was to be pro- nounced And the whole family as one condemned. All suddenly the daughter of the house Burst into tears, its honor was redeemed. I was not one to let a woman weep, I paid the homage due to one who grieves. Then tried to learn the reason of her tears, 95 Master and Lackey But she had fled. I searched and found her soon. There in a grove that in the noonday sun Tucks all its shadows underneath its boughs As a hen shields her brood, I found her sitting. I came upon her weeping 'neath a willow That bent like her its sorrow stricken brow. Can you imagine Sorrow, servant Meek, Within a setting more adorable? Long I entreated her to tell me why She wept; her woe was inarticulate; Her grief could find no voice. I was amazed At such a show of sorrow. I have seen Women who wept since ever I was born But I had never seen one weep like this. And still she wept and night time had come on And I had spent, the first time in my life. All my stored wealth of pity fruitlessly. We came home through the darkness and I said Farewell (a thing unheard of) to a friend Before together we had said farewell To sorrow. All the night I thought of her. 96 King Sorrow "Here is a sorrow that is infinite," I thought, and then the notion grew apace That I, trained all my life by lesser griefs, Might well devote the rest of it to watch, To study and at last to cure this woe, Greater than all the rest. Aye, 't is so great It may well need a lifetime for its cure. I saw the sequel was no more nor less Than marriage, but my scruples passed away. If against marriage I rebelled till now It was for fear a woman's grief was hollow ; I wished a grief unbounded like a god's. No danger here of waking up some day To find her melancholy gone forever. Her sorrow will attract me like the pole And I'll be faithful to a grief like hers. Meek — And have you told her, Master, of your purpose ? King Sorrow — I told her, having won the king's consent, And she agreed to be my wife with tears. Meek— O, Master, aren't you happy that you came? You may have cause to thank your ser- vant Meek. And is it true that for your lady's sake ! >^'^ 97 Master and Lackey You'll stay forever in the Happy Val- ley? King Sorrow — The whole world's sorrow is as nought to hers; Shall I abandon it for lesser woes? My kingdom well may spare me for a while. Who would have thought to find the fairest altar Of sorrow in the midst of Happiness? (The Princess enters). Meek — Here is your lady, Master, and she smiles. King Sorrow — O there are times when I can make her smile. Poor suffering soul, with courage still to smile, Though with the impulse and desire to weep! Venus, I think, was born from women's tears ; ('t was this they called the sea) and when they flow, Her chalice seems to glide from tear to tear As though from wave to wave! Be not afraid. Smile still! Be sure that I shall under- stand ! I know the undercurrent is distress. 98 King Sorrow Your joy is just a heroine's disguise, And to the end I'll be your comforter. Princess — O will he never cease to pity me? Strange consequence of an imprudent wish! My fairy godmother, when I was born, Promised if ever I had need of her, She would fulfill the first prayer that I made. And so I prayed that she should make me sad Just for one day — no other way there is Than magic to make men unhappy here. I hoped to win his pity with my tears, And with his pity win of course his love. By Heaven, if I won his love I know not, It is so certain that his pity's won. For now the charm is broken and I am Once more my true carefree and happy self, He thinks my happiness is but a feint, And still persists, alas! in pitying me. O could I only think of some device To make him see me as I truly am! O King, behold the smile upon my face. King Sorrow — I'll own the imitation's masterly. Princess — Look deep into my laughing eyes, O King. King Sorrow — Sorrow has never known more fair disguise. Princess — Do you not see me leap and dance, O King? 99 Master and Lackey King Sorrow — Enough! I am persauded of your skill, And now I beg you be yourself once more. Princess — I am myself. King Sorrow — No, you are in a trance. This humor soon will pass and you will be My melancholy princess once again. Princess — I'll not. King Sorrow — But even if your words were true And you are gay, you'll be unhappy soon. Princess — I'll never be unhappy anymore. King Sorrow — No man is certain of his mood to- morrow. Princess — Excepting those who dwell in Happy Valley. If in despite of habit, climate, laws. One of us is o'ershadowed by a cloud, 't is dissipated by the second day And never may return a second time. King Sorrow — You'll never once shed tears until you die? Princess — I'll never once shed tears until I die. King Sorrow — You are deceiving me. Princess. No, I am truthful. King Sorrow — (Aside). O what a loving hus- band here is wasted! So I have won myself an Amazon, I whose dream had been an unhappy wife Whom I should cherish, shelter from life's woes ICO King Sorrow And sometimes render happy by my love ! I am a man of honor and 't is true, 't was my mistake to think her woe im- mortal. It should not have deceived my practiced eyes. She'll be my wife, and I'll be true to her. Thank Heaven, I possess a kingdom still Where still my sympathies may be re- freshed. I'll go and visit it from time to time. He who at home cannot relieve some woe To search it out into the world must go. Princess — Poor King, I think my words have made you sad. Look up, poor King, and let me comfort you. King Sorrow — O never once attempt to pity me! I feel like Samson in Delilah's arms And to be pitied shears my strength away. Princess — Then I will go away. Here at your side I fear that I should want to pity you. I'll be returning soon. Indeed if I Returned as soon as is a sorrow's ending After a woe's beginning in this realm, I'd not be long away. For you I'll wait A little longer. lOI Master and Lackey (Exit the princess). King Sorrow. See what I have done By this alliance with the house of Glad- ness! I might have known there was no union with it. Another proof that grieving kings should mate With maidens of the royal blood of Sor- row! Meek — Good Lord, dear Master, in all Happy Valley There's not a soul unhappy save yourself ! King Sorrow — Are you then leagued with her to pity me? Unhappy Meek, that you should come to this, My servant tried and true, to whom I taught But this one maxim, never pity me! O holy Sorrow, I have been betrayed ! What, shall a masquerader in thy name, A woman shedding false fictitious tears, Seduce the King of Sorrow from thy faith? No, I must go to see thy votaries. Yonder my worth is recognized at least And I am known to be thy minister There every day the orphans flock to me, The widows, and the halt, the maimed, the blind, 1 02 Kinff Sorrow And seem contented only with my tears, As though my tears were all that they required. They know my tears are as the royal seal Upon their troubles, making them au- thentic, And opening wide my treasures to their needs. Such are my subjects: I'll away to them. Thank God, there's still employment for the King Even though here Pity's superfluous. (Enter the King of Gladness). King Gladness — I am the bearer of good news to you, O King: we shall be brothers from this day. Your kingdom, like a diamond from the mine. Polished anew with an unwonted glow Shall shine in the same setting with my own, Twin jewels henceforth in the Happy Valley! But let me tell you in less flowery words All that has happened. In the city streets, When you so suddenly had disappeared. There was awhile a hue and cry for you 103 Master and Lackey Then as your absence was each day pro- longed And there came word that you were here my guest, The entire city suddenly resolved To follow on its benefactor's tracks. It seemed they could not live away from you ; They wished to live exalted at your side Or bear you back in triumph to your throne. It was a sad and sorry spectacle To see that long procession of the poor Go weeping from the town. Soon they had left The city far behind ; like a mill-wheel They seemed to tread the mighty cloud of dust That turned unendingly beneath their feet. At length the pilgrims reached this land's frontier, Still weeping, but no sooner had they crossed. Than lo! by the contagion of the air, Each one was seized; their mourning turned to joy. And they began to wonder whence they came, And what the reason was that made them come, 104 Kinff Sorrow But all were sure their goal had now been reached. There was nobody left who could recall Their benefactor — they forgot their woes And with their woes your mercies were forgotten, Or if they were recalled accounted dreams, Since losing sorrow they had lost the key To understanding pity. Thus they paus- ed, Happily in the fields they pitched their tents, And never wish to go away again. And you, O king, you too shall stay for- ever. Now we shall be two kings in happy val- ley. Would all the kings were here! But I must go To let my daughter know of this event. King Sorrow — ^There must be still grief in the countryside ; I'm going to the provinces to govern. King Gladness — Useless: the country will obey the town. King Sorrow — I wish that I had never come away. I wish I had a kingdom still to warn Never to make a pilgrimage to Gladness. Henceforward I am but a king in name; What need is there of kings for happy people ? 105 Master and Lackey Good-bye forevermore to old romance, The world is growing gay and common- place. Alas! I feel that I have need of pity. King, pray tell your daughter when you see her That poor King Sorrow needs her at his side. 1 think that she will understand my words. {Exit King Gladness). King Sorrow — Thank Heaven that my memory is clear ; I shall find pleasure in remembered woes, A pleasure to my subjects now denied. Dear Meek, I pray you let me sleep, I am So weary and so lonely and the day Has brought such changes with it. Meek. Sleep, my master. {Enter the Princess with Weeping Maggie). Princess — I'd not be cruel in my victory, And seek to make less bitter his defeat. He's been so long accustomed to dis- tress I think to make him happy by degrees Would be the surest way, and so I choose The only person in all Happy Valley Who wears the semblance of Unhappi- ness, 1 06 King Sorrow To be the king's companion for a while. From morn to even Weeping Maggie cries, But hers are sobs that need not cause alarm, 't is her peculiarity to cry, As it might be another's, sir, to smile, But she is really happy in her heart. She'll be a fit companion for the King. I leave her with your master, sir. {Exit the Princess). King Sorrow — ( Waking ) . O horror I dreamed there were no more tears in the world. There being nothing left to weep about. I wished to comfort and men laughed at me, And asked what the expression was I used. And when I wept, myself, for sheer des- pair, They seemed to be dumbfounded at the sight Till someone said he'd seen a circus clown Who could make water gush out of his eyes. Then all the city came to see me weep And still I wept, and everybody strove To imitate me but they strove in vain. 107 Master and Lackey At last they carried me to the police And had me taken into custody, As one afflicted with a strange disease Which in my person must be smothered out. There in a cell I languished when I woke, Annoyed by glances from the passers-by, But if what I have dreamed is true and tears Are a clown's antics puzzling all the world, O take me back into my cell again! {Weeping Maggie is heard sobbing). Meek. Listen! King Sorrow. I seem to hear a woman sob ! O let me see her that I may be sure! Then I was only dreaming? O thank God! POSTLUDE Let us not leave him to a fate so sad; Have we not time enough for being glad? Let us then sometimes go and weep for him, Poor monarch with his eyes from tears grown dim! io8 A Fable A FABLE A sin one day fell down a well: Just how it happened, who can tell? It irritated its possessor, He looked in vain for its successor. Said he: '*An ornament like this Is something which my friends will miss. Without a sin in my lapel They'll say I've never been in hell. No doubt, I'll have to fish it out; My sin I cannot live without." And so he fished, his friends fished too. Said they: *'The work is vain we do. Search as we will no sin is there"; Nor could they find it anywhere. Whereupon to his consternation They said it was imagination: Into a well could he let fall A sin he'd never had at all ? But he, although they called him dunce, Swore he had had a failing once. They said: "To see is to believe." Our hapless friend began to grieve, And in a little while he died Without his sin, his former pride. 109 Bluebeard BLUEBEARD Bluebeard one day killed all his wives, A matter of some hundred lives. Said he: "To h — vrith cutting throats And silencing their pretty notes! I'll have but one wife after this, And that shall be my height of bliss." So Bluebeard went in quest of one From rising sun to setting sun. Alas, alas, for all things human! Poor Bluebeard couldn't find the woman. Dozens of them he found to kill But none to live with, calm and still. So in his castle all alone He dreamed of women he had known, And round the circle of his brain They passed, a long funeral train. no A Prayer A PRAYER thou who dost inspire men with thy mirth, Thou gentle, kindly and forgiving earth, Thou who hast taught me to be glad and play, Let me be just to the great Far Away. Forbid that I should people other spheres With formless wraiths and cruel doubts and fears, Forbid that taught by thee to covet light 1 should plunge the Beyond in clouds and night. Let me not dream of any Being there Who does not smile, finding creation fair, For if he cannot laugh he must be blind. And if he cannot smile he is unkind. No, let me think of nothing, far and wide, Which thou couldst not have carried in thy side. Earth, kindly mother, who hast fostered me. Mother of joy, mother of purity. . Ill Afterword AFTERWORD Because the music which I sing is gay Will men believe that I have put away Sorrow and Grief and that I am serene With the great Calm of those who have not seen? And when in time I'll tell of tragic forms Which I have seen walking amid the storms, Shall then a voice be found to say of me: "He has abandoned his serenity"? I care not what they say, or now or then : Be this my lot and portion among men, To have built up, when all around was Night, A temple to thy praise, O Joy and Light, 112 liiiiiei. "'o 015 8976195