Where every bird is bold to go

And bees abashless play,

The foreigner before he knocks

Must thrust the tears away.

Poet:

Where I have lost, I softer tread —

I sow sweet flower from garden bed —

I pause above that vanished head

And mourn.


Whom I have lost, I pious guard

From accent harsh, or ruthless word —

Feeling as...

Poet:

Where Roses would not dare to go,

What Heart would risk the way —

And so I send my Crimson Scouts

To sound the Enemy —

Poet:

Where Ships of Purple — gently toss —

On Seas of Daffodil —

Fantastic Sailors — mingle —

And then — the Wharf is still!

Poet:

Where Thou art — that — is Home —

Cashmere — or Calvary — the same —

Degree — or Shame —

I scarce esteem Location's Name —

So I may Come —


What Thou dost — is Delight —

Bondage as Play — be sweet —...

Poet:

Whether my bark went down at sea,

Whether she met with gales,

Whether to isles enchanted

She bent her docile sails ;


By what mystic mooring...

Poet:

Whether they have forgotten

Or are forgetting now

Or never remembered —

Safer not to know —


Miseries of conjecture

Are a softer woe

Than a Fact of Iron

Hardened with I know —

Poet:

Which is best? Heaven —

Or only Heaven to come

With that old Codicil of Doubt?

I cannot help esteem


The "Bird within the Hand"

Superior to the one

The "Bush" may yield me

Or may not...

Poet:

Which is the best — the Moon or the Crescent?

Neither — said the Moon —

That is best which is not — Achieve it —

You efface the Sheen.


Not of detention is Fruition —

Shudder to attain.

Transport's...

Poet:

Which misses most,

The hand that tends,

Or heart so gently borne,

'Tis twice as heavy as it was

Because the hand is gone?


Which blesses most,

The lip that can,

Or that that went to sleep...

Poet: