《Collected poems》

INTRODUCTION23

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS54

POEMS 1869-187957

ⅠDEDICATION：My first gift and my last，to you59

Ⅱ Last night，I lingered long without60

Ⅲ AFTER READING ＇ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA＇：As when the hunt by holt and field60

Ⅳ SPRING-SONG：The air was full of sun and birds61

Ⅴ As Love and Hope together61

Ⅵ DUDDINGSTON：With caws and chirrupings，the woods62

Ⅶ The relic taken，what avails the shrine？63

Ⅷ All things on earth and sea64

Ⅸ I sit up here at midnight64

Ⅹ I am a hunchback，yellow faced－65

Ⅺ DEATH：We are as maidens one and all66

Ⅻ A little before me，and hark!67

ⅩⅢ EPISTLE TO CHARLES BAXTER：Reaped grain should fill the reaper＇s grange68

ⅩⅣ CONSOLATION：Though he，that ever kind and true71

ⅩⅤ TO SYDNEY：Not thine where marble-still and white72

ⅩⅥ O dull，cold northern sky74

ⅩⅦ Swallows travel to and fro75

ⅩⅧ Let Love go，if go she will．76

ⅩⅨ I am like one that for long days had sate77

ⅩⅩ The roadside lined with ragweed，the sharp hills78

ⅩⅪ Not undelightful，friend，our rustic ease78

ⅩⅫ As Daniel，burd-alone，in that far land79

ⅩⅩⅢ THE LIGHT-KEEPER：The brilliant kernel of the night79

ⅩⅩⅣ My brain swims empty and light82

ⅩⅩⅤ THE CRUEL MISTRESS：Here let me rest，here nurse the uneasy qualm83

ⅩⅩⅥ STORM：The narrow lanes are vacant and wet84

ⅩⅩⅦ STORMY NIGHTS：I cry out war to those who spend their utmost86

ⅩⅩⅧ SONG AT DAWN：I see the dawn creep round the world89

ⅩⅩⅨ NOUS N＇IRONS PLUS AUX BOIS：We＇ll walk the woods no more90

ⅩⅩⅩ In Autumn when the woods are red90

ⅩⅩⅪ Love is the very heart of Spring91

ⅩⅩⅫ I who all the winter through92

ⅩⅩⅩⅢ Here you rest among the vallies，maiden known to but a few92

ⅩⅩⅩⅣ There where the land of love93

ⅩⅩⅩⅤ Love－what is love？A great and aching heart93

ⅩⅩⅩⅥ Death，to the dead for evermore94

ⅩⅩⅩⅦ I saw red evening through the rain95

ⅩⅩⅩⅧ THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS：Three yellow slaves were set to swing95

ⅩⅩⅩⅨ As one who having wandered all night long97

ⅩL PRAISE AND PRAYER：I have been well，I have been ill98

ⅩLⅠ JOHN CAVALIER：These are your hills，John Cavalier．98

ⅩLⅡ THE IRON STEED：In our black stable by the sea100

ⅩLⅢ Of where or how，I nothing know100

PIECES IN LALLAN101

ⅠTO THE COMMISSIONERS OF NORTHERN LIGHTS：I send to you，commissioners101

Ⅱ TO MESDAMES ZASSETSKY AND GARSCHINE：The wind may blaw the lee-lang way102

Ⅲ TO CHARLES BAXTER：Noo lyart leaves blaw ower the green104

Ⅳ TO THE SAME：An＇ Johnie＇s deid．The mair＇s the pity!106

UNDERWOODS109

BOOK Ⅰ： IN ENGLISH111

ⅠENVOY：Go，little book，and wish to all111

Ⅱ A SONG OF THE ROAD：The gauger walked with willing foot111

Ⅲ THE CANOE SPEAKS：On the great streams the ships may go112

Ⅳ It is the season now to go113

Ⅴ THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL：A naked house，a naked moor115

Ⅵ A VISIT FROM THE SEA：Far from the loud sea beaches116

Ⅶ TO A GARDENER：Friend，in my mountain-side demesne117

Ⅷ TO MINNIE WITH A HAND-GLASS：A picture-frame for you to fill118

Ⅸ TO K．DE M．：A lover of the moorland bare118

Ⅹ TO N．V．DE G．S．：The unfathomable sea，and time，and tears119

Ⅺ TO WILL H．LOW：Youth now flees on feathered foot120

Ⅻ TO MRS WILL H．LOW：Even in the bluest noonday of July121

ⅩⅢ TO H．F．BROWN：I sit and wait a pair of oars122

ⅩⅣ TO ANDREW LANG：Dear Andrew，with the brindled hair123

ⅩⅤ ET TU IN ARCADIA VIXISTI：In ancient tales，O friend，thy spirit dwelt124

ⅩⅥ TO W．E．HENLEY：The year runs through her phases；rain and sun126

ⅩⅦ HENRY JAMES：Who comes to-night？We ope the doors in vain．128

ⅩⅤⅢ THE MIRROR SPEAKS：Where the bells peal far at sea128

ⅩⅨ KATHARINE：We see you as we see a face129

ⅩⅩ TO F．J．S．：I read，dear friend，in your dear face130

ⅩⅪ REQUIEM：Under the wide and starry sky130

ⅩⅫ THE CELESTIAL SURGEON：If I have faltered more or less131

ⅩⅩⅢ OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS：Out of the sun，out of the blast131

ⅩⅩⅣ Not yet，my soul，these friendly fields desert134

ⅩⅩⅤ It is not yours，O mother，to complain135

ⅩⅩⅥ THE SICK CHILD：O mother，lay your hand on my brow!136

ⅩⅩⅦ IN MEMORIAM F．A．S．：Yet，O stricken heart，remember，O remember137

ⅩⅩⅧ TO MY FATHER：Peace and her huge invasion to these shores138

ⅩⅩⅨ IN THE STATES：With half a heart I wander here139

ⅩⅩⅩ A PORTRAIT：I am a kind of farthing dip140

ⅩⅩⅪ Sing clearlier，Muse，or evermore be still141

ⅩⅩⅫ A CAMP：The bed was made，the room was fit141

ⅩⅩⅩⅢ THE COUNTRY OF THE CAMISARDS：We travelled in the print of olden wars141

ⅩⅩⅩⅣ SKERRYVORE：For love of lovely words，and for the sake142

ⅩⅩⅩⅤ SKERRYVORE：THE PARALLEL：Here all is sunny，and when the truant gull142

ⅩⅩⅩⅥ My house，I say．But hark to the sunny doves142

ⅩⅩⅩⅦ My body which my dungeon is143

ⅩⅩⅩⅤⅢ Say not of me that weakly I declined144

BOOK Ⅱ：IN SCOTS145

ⅠTHE MAKER TO POSTERITY：Far ＇yont amang the years to be145

Ⅱ ILLE TERRARUM：Frace nirly，nippin＇，Eas＇lan＇ breeze147

Ⅲ When aince Aprile has fairly come149

Ⅳ A MILE AN＇ A BITTOCK：A mile an＇ a bittock，a mile or twa150

Ⅴ A LOWDEN SABBATH MORN：The clinkum-clank o＇ Sabbath bells151

Ⅵ THE SPAEWIFE：O，I wad like to ken－to the beggar-wife says I－156

Ⅶ THE BLAST－1875：It＇s rainin＇．Weet＇s the gairden sod157

Ⅷ THE COUNTERBLAST－1886：My bonny man，the warld，it＇s true158

Ⅸ THE COUNTERBLAST IRONICAL：It＇s strange that God should fash to frame161

Ⅹ THEIR LAUREATE TO AN ACADEMY CLASS DINNER CLUB：Dear Thamson class，whaure＇er I gang162

Ⅺ EMBRO HIE KIRK：The Lord Himsel＇ in former days164

Ⅻ THE SCOTMAN＇S PRETURN FROM ABROAD：In mony a foreign pairt I＇ve been167

ⅩⅢ Late in the nicht in bed I lay170

ⅩⅣ MY CONSCIENCE!：Of a＇ the ills that flesh can fear173

ⅩⅤ TO DOCTOR JOHN BROWN：By Lyne and Tyne，by Thames and Tees174

ⅩⅥ It＇s an owercome sooth for age an＇ youth177

BALLADS181

THE SONG OF RAHERO181

THE FEAST OF FAMINE209

TICONDEROGA227

HEATHER ALE236

CHRISTMAS AT SEA239

SONGS OF TRAVEL245

ⅠTHE VAGABOND：Give to me the life I love245

Ⅱ YOUTH AND LOVE－Ⅰ：Once only by the garden gate246

Ⅲ YOUTH AND LOVE－Ⅱ：To the heart of youth the world is a highway-side．247

Ⅳ In dreams，unhappy，I behold you stand247

Ⅴ She rested by the Broken Brook248

Ⅵ The infinite shining heavens248

Ⅶ MADRIGAL：Plain as the glistering planets shine249

Ⅷ To you，let snow and roses250

Ⅸ Let Beauty awake in the morn from beautiful dreams250

Ⅹ I know not how it is with you－251

Ⅺ I will make you brooches and toys for your delight251

Ⅻ WE HAVE LOVED OF YORE：Berried brake and reedy island252

ⅩⅢ DITTY：The cock shall crow253

ⅩⅣ MATER TRIUMPHANS：Son of my woman＇s body，you go，to the drum and fife253

ⅩⅤ Bright is the ring of words254

ⅩⅥ In the highlands，in the country places255

ⅩⅦ TO THE TUNE OF WANDERING WILLIE：Home no more home to me，whither must I wander？256

ⅩⅧ WINTER：In rigorous hours，when down the iron lane257

ⅩⅨ The stormy evening closes now in vain257

ⅩⅩ TO DR HAKE：In the belovèd hour that ushers day258

ⅩⅪ TO SIDNEY COLVIN：I knew thee strong and quiet like the hills258

ⅩⅫ The morning drum-call on my eager ear259

ⅩⅩⅢ I have trod the upward and the downward slope260

ⅩⅩⅣ He hears with gladdened heart the thunder260

ⅩⅩⅤ Farewell，fair day and fading light!260

ⅩⅩⅥ IF THIS WERE FAITH：God，if this were enough261

ⅩⅩⅦ MY WIFE：Trusty，dusky，vivid，true262

ⅩⅩⅧ TO THE MUSE：Resign the rhapsody，the dream263

ⅩⅩⅨ TO AN ISLAND PRINCESS：Since long ago，a child at home264

ⅩⅩⅩ TO KALAKAUA：The Silver Ship，my King－that was her name265

ⅩⅩⅪ TO PRINCESS KAIULANI：Forth from her land to mine she goes266

ⅩⅩⅫ TO MOTHER MARYANNE：To see the infinite pity of this place266

ⅩⅩⅩⅢ IN MEMORIAM E．H．：I knew a silver head was bright beyond compare267

ⅩⅩⅩⅣ TO MY WIFE：Long must elapse ere you behold again267

ⅩⅩⅩⅤ TO MY OLD FAMILIARS：Do you remember－can we e＇er forget？－268

ⅩⅩⅩⅥ The tropics vanish，and meseems that I270

ⅩⅩⅩⅦ TO S．C．：I heard the pulse of the besieging sea271

ⅩⅩⅩⅧ THE HOUSE OF TEMBINOKA272

ⅩⅩⅩⅨ THE WOODMAN：In all the grove，nor stream nor bird276

ⅩL TROPIC RAIN：As the single pang of the blow，when the metal is mingled well280

ⅩLⅠ AN END OF TRAVEL：Let now your soul in this substantial world281

ⅩLⅡ We uncommiserate pass into the night282

ⅩLⅢ THE LAST SIGHT：Once more I saw him．In the lofty room282

ⅩLⅣ Sing me a song of a lad that is gone282

ⅩLⅤ TO S．R．CROCKETT：Blows the wind today，and the sun and the rain are flying283

ⅩLⅥ EVENSONG：The embers of the day are red284

POEMS 1880-1894285

ⅠALCAICS TO H．F．BROWN：Brave lads in olden musical centuries287

Ⅱ TALES OF ARABIA：Yes，friend，I own these tales of Arabia288

Ⅲ Still I love to rhyme，and still more，rhyming，to wander289

Ⅳ Flower god，god of the spring，beautiful，bountiful289

Ⅴ HORACE，BOOK Ⅱ，ODE Ⅲ：Where the pine and the shivering poplar290

Ⅵ LINES FOR H．F．BROWN：Yes，I remember，and still remember wailing291

ⅦTRANSLATIONS FROM MARTIAL292

EPITAPHIUM EROTII292

Here lies Erotion，whom at six years old292

Mother and sire，to you do I commend292

DE EROTIO PUELLA293

This girl was sweeter than the song of swans293

IN MAXIMUM293

Wouldst thou be free？I think it not，indeed293

DE COENATIONE MICAE294

Look round：You see a little supper room294

AD OLUM294

Call me not rebel，though in what I sing294

AD QUINTILIANUM294

O chief director of the growing race294

AD PISCATOREM295

For these are sacred fishes all295

DE HORTIS JULII MARTIALIS295

My Martial owns a garden，famed to please295

AD MARTIALEM296

God knows，my Martial，if we two could be296

AN IMITATION，PINDARIS CAUSA297

Lo，in thy green enclosure here297

AD NEPOTEM297

O Nepos，twice my neighbour (since at home297

DE M．ANTONIO298

Now Antonius，in a smiling age298

IN LUPUM298

Beyond the gates，you gave a farm to till298

IN CHARIDEMUM299

You Charidemus，who my cradle swung299

DE LIGURRA300

You fare，Ligurra－above all，you long－300

ⅧAs in their flight the birds of song300

Ⅸ TO MRS MACMORLAND：Im Schnee der Alpen－so it runs301

Ⅹ Come，my beloved，hear from me302

Ⅺ Since years ago for evermore303

Ⅻ Far over seas an island is304

ⅩⅢ If I could arise and travel away304

ⅩⅣ Now bare to the beholder＇s eye305

ⅩⅤ Men are Heaven＇s piers；they evermore306

ⅩⅥ Fixed is the doom；and to the last of years307

ⅩⅦ So live，so love，so use that fragile hour308

ⅩⅧ TO MRS E．F．STRICKLAND：The freedom and the joy of days308

ⅩⅨ FOR RICHMOND＇S GARDEN WALL：When Thomas set this tablet here309

ⅩⅩ TO FREDERICK LOCKER：Not roses to the rose，I trow309

ⅩⅪ TO MASTER ANDREW LANG：You，that are much a fisher in the pool310

ⅩⅫ Fair Isle at Sea－thy lovely name311

ⅩⅩⅢTHE FAMILY311

Ⅰ High as my heart!－the quip be mine311

Ⅱ Man，child or woman，none from her313

Ⅲ About my fields，in the broad sun315

Ⅳ Tall as a guardsman，pale as the east at dawn315

Ⅴ What glory for a boy of ten316

Ⅵ The old lady (so they say) but I316

Ⅶ I meanwhile in the populous house apart317

Ⅷ These rings，O my beloved pair319

ⅩⅩⅣ Light foot and tight foot319

ⅩⅩⅤ TO THE STORMY PETREL：Ever perilous320

ⅩⅩⅥ I，whom Apollo sometime visited320

ⅩⅩⅦ As with heaped bees at hiving time321

DEDICATIONS AND POEMS FROM BOOKS321

ⅠTO THE HESITATING PURCHASER：If sailor tales to sailor tunes321

Ⅱ PIRATE DITTY：Fifteen men on the Dead Man＇s Chest－322

Ⅲ THE SONG OF THE SWORD OF ALAN：This is the song of the sword of Alan322

Ⅳ TO VIRGIL AND DORA WILLIAMS：Here，from the forelands of the tideless sea323

Ⅴ TO NELLY SANCHEZ：Go，little book－the ancient phrase324

Ⅵ TO H．C．BUNNER：You know the way to Arcady325

Ⅶ TO KATHARINE DE MATTOS：Bells upon the city are ringing in the night326

Ⅷ TO MY WIFE：I saw rain falling and the rainbow drawn326

LIGHT VERSE329

ⅠFor laughing I very much vote329

Ⅱ Here he comes，big with Statistics329

Ⅲ TO CHARLES BAXTER：Blame me not that this epistle330

Ⅳ NE SIT ANCILLAE TIBI AMOR PUDORI：There＇s just a twinkle in your eye332

Ⅴ POEM FOR A CLASS RE-UNION：Whether we like it，or don＇t333

Ⅵ BROWNING：Browning makes the verses335

Ⅶ ON AN INLAND VOYAGE：Who would think，herein to look335

Ⅷ DEDICATION：To her，for I must still regard her336

Ⅸ ON SOME GHOSTLY COMPANIONS AT A SPA：That was an evil day when I337

Ⅹ BRASHEANNA：We found him first as in the dells of May338

Ⅺ TO A．G．DEW-SMITH：Figure me to yourself，I pray－341

Ⅻ Long time I lay in little ease343

ⅩⅢ My wife and I，in our romantic cot344

ⅩⅣ At morning on the garden seat345

ⅩⅤ Last night we had a thunderstorm in style．346

ⅩⅥ TO TIME：God of the business man，to thee346

ⅩⅦ FRAGMENT：Thou strainest through the mountain fern347

ⅩⅧ BURLESQUE SONNET：Thee，Mackintosh，artificer of light347

ⅩⅨRHYMES TO HENLEY348

Ⅰ O Henley，in my hours of ease348

Ⅱ Dear Henley，with a pig＇s snout on348

Ⅲ My indefatigable pen350

Ⅳ I had companions，I had friends350

Ⅴ All men are rot：but there are two－350

Ⅵ When I was sick and safe in gaol350

Ⅶ My letters fail，I learn with grief，to please351

Ⅷ We dwell in these melodious days351

ⅨTRIOLETS351

1 Si je l＇aime，ce Montépin351

2 Ce que j＇adore chez Xavier352

3 Les romans sont pas mal lichés352

ⅩA LYTLE JAPE OF TUSHERIE：352

The pleasant river gushes352

ⅩⅩEPITAPHS353

Ⅰ Here lies a man who never did353

Ⅱ The angler rose，he took his rod．354

Ⅲ ON HIMSELF：He may have been this and that354

Ⅳ ON HIMSELF AT THE PIANO：Where is now the Père Martini？354

ⅩⅪ THE FINE PACIFIC ISLANDS：The jolly English Yellowboy355

ⅩⅫ TO HENRY JAMES：Adela，Adela，Adela Chart356

ⅩⅩⅢ ATHOLE BROSE：Willie an＇ I cam doun by Blair357

POEMS FOR CHILDREN A CHILD＇S GARDEN OF VERSES361

TO ALISON CUNNINGHAM：For the long nights you lay awake361

ⅠBED IN SUMMER：In winter I get up at night362

Ⅱ A THOUGHT：It is very nice to think362

Ⅲ AT THE SEASIDE：When I was down beside the sea362

Ⅳ YOUNG NIGHT THOUGHT：All night long and every night363

Ⅴ WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN：A child should always say what＇s true363

Ⅵ RAIN：The rain is raining all around364

Ⅶ PIRATE STORY：Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing364

Ⅷ FOREIGN LANDS：Up into the cherry tree365

Ⅸ WINDY NIGHTS：Whenever the moon and stars are set366

Ⅹ TRAVEL：I should like to rise and go366

Ⅺ SINGING：Of speckled eggs the birdie sings368

Ⅻ LOOKING FORWARD：When I am grown to man＇s estate368

ⅩⅢ A GOOD PLAY：We built a ship upon the stairs368

ⅩⅣ WHERE GO THE BOATS？：Dark brown is the river369

ⅩⅤ AUNTIE＇S SKIRTS：Whenever Auntie moves around370

ⅩⅥ THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE：When I was sick and lay a-bed370

ⅩⅦ THE LAND OF NOD：From breakfast on through all the day371

ⅩⅧ MY SHADOW：I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me371

ⅩⅨ SYSTEM：Every night my prayers I say372

ⅩⅩ A GOOD BOY：I woke before the morning，I was happy all the day373

ⅩⅪ ESCAPE AT BEDTIME：The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out373

ⅩⅫ MARCHING SONG：Bring the comb and play upon it!374

ⅩⅩⅢ THE COW：The friendly cow all red and white375

ⅩⅩⅣ HAPPY THOUGHT：The world is so full of a number of things375

ⅩⅩⅤ THE WIND：I saw you toss the kites on high376

ⅩⅩⅥ KEEPSAKE MILL：Over the borders，a sin without pardon376

ⅩⅩⅦ GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN：Children，you are very little377

ⅩⅩⅤⅢ FOREIGN CHILDREN：Little Indian，Sioux or Crow378