Ezra Pound 2012 4

Classic Poetry Series
Ezra Pound
- poems -
Publication Date:
2012
Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive 2
Ezra Pound (30 October 1885 1 November 1972)
EzraWestonLoomisPoundwasanAmericanexpatriatepoetandcriticanda
majorfigureintheearlymodernistmovementinpoetry.Hebecameknown
forhisroleindevelopingImagism,which,inreactiontotheVictorianand
Georgianpoets,favoredtightlanguage,unadornedimagery,andastrong
correspondencebetweentheverbalandmusicalqualitiesoftheverseand
themooditexpressed.Hisbest-knownworksincludeRipostes(1912),Hugh
SelwynMauberley(1920),andhisunfinished120-sectionepic,TheCantos,
whichconsumedhismiddleandlatecareer,andwaspublishedbetween
1917and1969.
EarlyLife
PoundwasborninHailey,IdahoTerritory,theonlychildofHomerLoomis
Pound(18581942)andIsabelWeston(18601948).Bothparents'
ancestorshademigratedfromEnglandinthe17thcentury.Onhisfather's
side,JohnPound,aQuaker,sailedfromEnglandaround1650.His
grandfather,ThaddeusColemanPound(18321914),wasaretired
RepublicanCongressmanfornorth-westWisconsinwhohadmadeandlosta
fortuneinthelumberbusiness.HissonHomer,Pound'sfather,hadworked
forThaddeusuntilThaddeussecuredhimanappointmentasRegisterofthe
GovernmentLandOfficeinHailey.
Onhismother'ssidePoundwasdescendedfromWilliamWadsworth,a
PuritanwhoemigratedfromEnglandtoBostonontheLionin1632.The
WadsworthsmarriedintotheWestonsofNewYork,andHardingWestonand
MaryParkerproducedIsabelWeston,Pound'smother.Hardingapparently
spentmostofhislifewithoutwork,sohisbrother,EzraWestonandhiswife,
Frances,lookedafterMaryandIsabel.
IsabelwasunhappylivinginHailey,andwhenhersonwas18monthsold
sheleftwithhimtogobackEast.Homerfollowedthem,andin1889Homer
tookajobasanassayeratthePhiladelphiaMint.Thefamilymovedto417
WalnutStreetinJenkintown,Pennsylvania,theninJuly1893boughta
six-bedroomhouseat166FernbrookAvenueinthetownofWyncote,
Pennsylvania.
Education
Pound'searlyeducationtookplaceinaseriesofso-calleddameschools,
someofthemrunbyQuakers:MissElliott'sschoolinJenkintownin1892;
theMissesHeacock'sCheltenHillsschoolinWyncotein1893;andthe
FlorenceRidpathschoolfrom1894,whichbecametheWyncotePublicSchool
ayearlater.From1898until1900heattendedtheCheltenhamMilitary
Academy,wheretheboysworeCivilWar-styleuniforms,andweretaught
militarydrilling,howtoshoot,andtheimportanceofsubmittingtoauthority.
Poundwasclever,independent-minded,conceited,andunpopular.
Heknewearlyonthathewantedtobeapoet.Hisfirstpublicationwason7
November1896intheJenkintownTimes-Chronicle,alimerickaboutan
Americanpolitician,WilliamJenningsBryanbyE.L.Pound,Wyncote,Aged
11years:"TherewasayoungmanfromtheWest,/Hedidwhathecouldfor
whathethoughtbest."Hisfirsttripoverseascametwoyearslaterwhenhe
was13,athree-monthtourofEuropewithhismotherandAuntFrances,
whotookhimtoEngland,Belgium,Germany,Switzerland,andItaly.Hewas
admittedtotheUniversityofPennsylvania'sCollegeofLiberalArtsin1901at
theageof15:
Iresolvedthatat30Iwouldknowmoreaboutpoetrythananyman
living,thatIwouldknowwhatwasaccountedpoetryeverywhere,whatpart
ofpoetrywas"indestructible,"whatpartcouldnotbelostbytranslation
andscarcelylessimportantwhateffectswereobtainableinonelanguage
onlyandwereutterlyincapableofbeingtranslated.
InthissearchIlearnedmoreorlessofnineforeignlanguages,Iread
Orientalstuffintranslations,IfoughteveryUniversityregulationandevery
professorwhotriedtomakemelearnanythingexceptthis,orwhobothered
mewith"requirementsfordegrees."
HemetHildaDoolittleattheUniversityofPennsylvania.Shewasthe
daughteroftheprofessorofastronomy,andlaterbecameknownasthepoet
H.D.Doolittlewrotethatshefeltherlifewasirrevocablyintertwinedwith
Pound's;shefollowedhimtoEuropein1908,leavingherfamily,friends,and
countryforlittlebenefittoherself,andbecameinvolvedwithPoundin
developingthe"Imagisme"movementinLondon.Heaskedhertomarryhim
inthesummerof1907,thoughherfatherrefusedpermission,andwrote
severalpoemsforherbetween1905and1907,25ofwhichhehand-bound
andcalled"Hilda'sBook".Hewasseeingtwootherwomenatthesame
timeViolaBaxterandMaryMoorelaterdedicatingabookofpoetry,
Personae(1909),tothelatter.HeaskedMarytomarryhimthatsummer
too,butsheturnedhimdown
HisparentsandFrancesWestontookhimonanotherthree-monthEuropean
tourin1902,afterwhichhetransferredtoHamiltonCollegeinClinton,New
YorkpossiblybecauseofpoorgradeswherehestudiedtheProvenal
dialectwithWilliamPierceShephard,andOldEnglishwithJosephD.
Ibbotson.DavidMoodywritesthatitwasatHamiltonwithShephardthathe
readDante,andoutofthediscussionsemergedtheideaforalongpoemin
threepartsdealingwithemotion,instruction,andcontemplationwhich
plantedtheseedforTheCantos.HegraduatedwithaBPhilin1905,then
studiedRomancelanguagesunderHugoA.RennertattheUniversityof
Pennsylvania,obtaininghisMAinthespringof1906.HeregisteredasaPhD
studenttowriteathesisonthejestersinLopedeVega'splays,andwas
awardedaHarrisonfellowshipandatravelgrantof$500,whichheusedto
visitEuropeagain.HespentthreeweeksinMadridinvariouslibraries,
includingoneintheroyalpalace;hewasactuallystandingoutsidethepalace
duringtheattemptedassassinationon31May1906byanarchistsofKing
Alfonso,andleftthecountryforfearhewouldbeidentifiedwiththem.He
movedontoParis,spendingtwoweeksinlecturesattheSorbonne,followed
byaweekinLondon.
HereturnedtotheU.S.inJuly,andhisfirstessay,RaphaeliteLatin,was
publishedinBookNewsMonthlyinSeptember.In1907,attheuniversityhe
apparentlyannoyedFelixSchelling,theheadofEnglish,withsillyremarks
duringlectureswhichincludedinsistingthatGeorgeBernardShawwas
betterthanShakespeare,andtakingoutanenormoustinwatchandwinding
itwithslowprecisionandhisfellowshipwasnotrenewedattheendofthe
year.MoreoverSchellingtoldPoundhewaswastinghisowntimeandthatof
theinstitution;Poundabandonedhisdissertationandleftwithoutfinishing
hisdoctorate.
Teaching
Inthefallof1907hetookajobasateacherofRomancelanguagesat
WabashCollegeinCrawfordsville,Indiana,aconservativetownthathecalled
thesixthcircleofhell,withanequallyconservativecollegefromwhichhe
wasdismissedafterdeliberatelyprovokingthecollegeauthorities.Smoking
wasforbidden,sohewouldsmokecigarillosinhisofficedownthecorridor
fromthePresident's.Heannoyedhislandlordsbyentertainingfriends,
includingwomen,andwasforcedtomovefromonehouseafter"[t]wo
stewdentsfoundmesharingmymeagrerepastwithaladygent
impersonatorinmyprivutapartments,"ashetoldafriend.Hewas
eventuallycaughtinflagrante,althoughthedetailsremainunclearandhe
deniedanywrongdoing.Theincidentinvolvedastrandedchorusgirlto
whomheofferedteaandhisbedforthenightwhenshewascaughtina
snowstorm;whenshewasdiscoveredthenextmorningbythelandladies,
MissesIdaandBelleHall,hisinsistencethathehadsleptonthefloorwas
metwithdisbelief,andhewasaskedtoleavethecollege.Gladtobefreeof
theplaceheleftforEuropesoonafter.
London(1908-1920)
HereturnedtoEuropeinthespring,arrivinginGibraltarinAprilwith$80in
hispocket,butduringthenextfewmonthsearnedmoneyasaguideto
Americantourists.HesentpoemstoHarper'sMagazineandbeganwriting
fictionthathehopedhecouldsell,andbythesummerwasinVenice,living
overabakeryneartheSanViobridge.InJulyheself-publishedhisfirstbook
ofpoetry,the72-pageALumeSpento(WithTapersSpent),whichsold100
copiesatsixcentseach.TheLondonEveningStandardcalledit"wildand
hauntingstuff,absolutelypoetic,original,imaginative."Thetitlewasfrom
thethirdcantoofDante'sPurgatorio,alludingtoboththeexcommunicate
Manfred'sdeath,andtothatofhisfriend,thePhiladelphiaartistWilliam
BrookeSmith,whodiedofconsumptioninhis20s.
InAugusthemovedtoLondon,whereheendedupstayingalmost
continuouslyfor12years.HewantedtomeetW.B.Yeats,thegreatestliving
poetinPound'sview,andtheybecameclosefriends,althoughYeatswas
olderby20years.HehadsentYeatsacopyofALumeSpento,andYeats
hadrepliedthathefounditcharming.PoundtoldWilliamCarlosWilliams,a
friendfromuniversity:"London,deaholdLundon,istheplaceforpoesy."
EnglishpoetssuchasMauriceHewlett,RudyardKipling,andAlfredLord
TennysonhadmadeaparticularkindofVictorianversestirring,pompous,
andpropagandisticpopularwiththepublic.JamesKnappwritesthatPound
wantedtofocusontheindividualexperience,theparticular,theconcrete,
andrejectedtheideaofpoetryasversifiedmoralessay.
Arrivinginthecitywith3,herentedaroomat8DuchessStreetinthe
WestEnd,thenat48LanghamStreet,nearGreatTitchfieldStreet,justa
pennybus-ridefromtheBritishMuseum.Thehouse(seeright)satacrossan
alleyfromtheYorkshireGreypub,whichmadeanappearancedecadeslater
inthePisanCantos,"concerningthelandlady'sdoings/withalodger
unnamed/azwaznearGtTitchfieldSt.nextdoortothepub".
HepersuadedthebooksellerElkinMathewspublisherofYeats'sWind
AmongtheReedsandtheBookoftheRhymer'sClubtodisplayALume
Spento,andbyOctober1908hewasbeingdiscussedaroundtown.In
Decemberhepublishedasecondcollection,AQuinzaineforThisYule,and
afterthedeathofalecturerattheRegentStreetPolytechnichemanagedto
acquireapositionlecturingintheeveningsfromJanuarytoFebruary1909
on"TheDevelopmentofLiteratureinSouthernEurope".
HewouldspendhismorningsintheBritishMuseumReadingRoom,followed
bylunchattheViennaCafonOxfordStreet.FordMadoxForddescribed
him,apparentlytongue-in-cheek,as"approach[withthestepofadancer,
makingpasseswithacaneatanimaginaryopponent.Hewouldwear
trousersmadeofgreenbilliardcloth,apinkcoat,ablueshirt,atie
hand-paintedbyaJapanesefriend,animmensesombrero,aflamingbeard
cuttoapoint,andasingle,largeblueearring."
MeetingDorothyShakespear,Personae
HemetthenovelistOliviaShakespearYeats'sformerloverandthesubject
ofhisTheLoverMournsfortheLossofLoveataliterarysaloninJanuary
1909,andwasinvitedtoattendherTuesdaysalonswherehewasintroduced
toDorothy,Olivia'sdaughter,whobecamehiswifein1914.ThroughOlivia
ShakespearhewasintroducedtoYeats,theartistHenriGaudier-Brzeska,
WyndhamLewis,andtherestofLondon'sliterarycircle.Anotherpatronwas
theAmericanheiressMargaretLanierCravens(18811912),whoafter
knowinghimashorttimeofferedhimalargeannualsumtoallowhimto
focusonhiswork.Cravenskilledherselfin1912,probablybecausethe
pianistWalterRummel,longtheobjectofheraffection,marriedsomeone
else,butpossiblyalsobecauseshelearnedofPound'sengagementto
Dorothy.
InJune1909anothercollection,Personae,waspublishedbyMathews,his
firstpublicationtohaveanycommercialsuccess.ItwasreviewedbyThe
DailyTelegraphandtheTimesLiterarySupplementamongothers;theysaid
itwasfullofpassionandmagic.RupertBrookegaveanegativereviewin
TheCambridgeReview,complainingthatPoundhadfallenunderthe
influenceofWaltWhitmanbywritingin"unmetricalsprawlinglengths".In
Septemberanother27poemsappearedasExultations,dedicatedtoCarlos
TraceyChesterwhohadpublishedhisessayinBookNewsMonthlyin1906.
AroundthesametimehemovedintonewroomsatChurchWalk,off
KensingtonHighStreet,wherehelivedmostofthetimeuntil1914.[23]His
firstbookofliterarycriticism,TheSpiritofRomance,waspublishedin1910,
basedonhislecturesatthepolytechnic;othersincludedInstigations(1920),
Indiscretions(1923),"HowtoRead"(1931),TheABCofReading(1934),
MakeItNew(1934),PoliteEssays(1937),andGuidetoKulchur(1938).
InJune1910hereturnedtotheUnitedStatesforeightmonths,inpartto
persuadetheNewYorkPublicLibrary,thenbeingbuilt,tochangeitsdesign.
TheNewYorkTimeswrotethathealmostdailyvisitedthearchitects'offices
toshoutatthem.
HisessaysonAmericawerewrittenduringthisperiod,andwerecompiled
asPatriaMia,publishedin1950.HelovedNewYorkbutnolongerfeltat
homethere.Hefeltthecitywasthreatenedbycommercialismandvulgarity.
Hesufferedjaundicebutneverthelesspersuadedhisparentstofinancehis
passagebacktoEurope.Itwasnearly30yearsbeforehevisitedtheUnited
Statesagain.On22February1911hesailedfromNewYorkontheR.M.S.
Mauretania,arrivinginSouthamptonsixdayslater.Afterafewdaysin
London,hevisitedParisagain,whereheworkedonanewcollectionof
poetry,Canzoni(1911),pannedbytheWestminsterGazetteasa"medleyof
pretension",andspenttimewithMargaretCravens.Whenhereturnedto
LondoninAugust1911,A.R.Orage,editorofthesocialistjournalTheNew
Age,hiredhimtowriteaweeklycolumn,givinghimasteadierincome.
Imagism
HildaDoolittlearrivedinLondonfromPhiladelphiainMay1911withthepoet
FrancesGreggandGregg'smother;whentheyreturnedinSeptembershe
decidedtostayon.Poundintroducedhertohisfriends,includingthepoet
RichardAldington,whomshefellinlovewithandmarriedin1913.Before
then,thethreeofthemlivedinChurchWalkPoundatno.10,Doolittleat
no.6,andAldingtonatno.8andworkeddailyintheBritishMuseum
ReadingRoom.
AtthemuseumhealsometregularlywiththecuratorandpoetLaurence
Binyon,whointroducedhimtotheEastAsianartisticandliteraryconcepts
thatwouldbecomesovitaltotheimageryandtechniqueofhislaterpoetry.
Themuseum'svisitors'booksshowthatPoundwasoftentobefoundduring
1912and1913inthePrintRoomexaminingJapaneseNishiki-einscribed
withtraditionalJapanesewakaverse,a10thcenturygenreofpoetrywhose
economyandstrictconventionsundoubtedlycontributedtoImagist
techniquesofcomposition.
PoundwasatthattimeworkingonthepoemsthatbecameRipostes(1912),
tryingtomoveawayfromhisearlierwork,whichhewrotelaterhadreduced
FordMadoxFordin1911torollingonthefloorlaughingatPound'sstilted
language.Herealizedwithhistranslationworkthattheproblemlaynotin
hisknowledgeoftheotherlanguages,butinhisuseofEnglish:
WhatobfuscatedmewasnottheItalianbutthecrustofdeadEnglish,the
sedimentpresentinmyownavailablevocabulary...Youcan'tgoroundthis
sortofthing.Ittakessixoreightyearstogeteducatedinone'sart,and
anothertentogetridofthateducation.
NeithercananyonelearnEnglish,onecanonlylearnaseriesofEnglishes.
Rossettimadehisownlanguage.Ihadn'tin1910madealanguage,Idon't
meanalanguagetouse,butevenalanguagetothinkin.
Heunderstoodthattochangethestructureofyourlanguageistochange
thewayyouthinkandseetheworld.WhilelivingatChurchWalkin1912,
Pound,Aldington,andDoolittlestartedworkingonideasaboutlanguagethat
becametheImagismmovement.Theaimwasclarity:afightagainst
abstraction,romanticism,rhetoric,inversionofwordorder,andover-useof
adjectives.Poundlatersaidtheyagreedinthespringorearlysummerof
1912onthreeprinciples:
1.Directtreatmentofthe"thing"whethersubjectiveorobjective.
2.Touseabsolutelynowordthatdoesnotcontributetothepresentation.
3.Asregardingrhythm:tocomposeinthesequenceofthemusicalphrase,
notinsequenceofametronome.
Superfluouswords,particularlyadjectives,weretobeavoided,aswere
expressionslike"dimlandsofpeace,"whichhesaiddulledtheimageby
mixingtheabstractwiththeconcrete.Hewrotethatthenaturalobjectwas
alwaysthe"adequatesymbol."Poetsshould"goinfearofabstractions,"and
shouldnotre-tellinmediocreversewhathasalreadybeentoldingood
prose.AclassicexampleofthestyleisPound's"InaStationoftheMetro"
(1913),inspiredbyanexperienceontheParisUnderground."Igotoutofa
trainat,Ithink,LaConcorde,andinthejostleIsawabeautifulface,and
then,turningsuddenly,anotherandanother,andthenabeautifulchild's
face,andthenanotherbeautifulface.AllthatdayItriedtofindwordsfor
whatthismademefeel."
RipostesandTranslationWork
ItwasinRipostes,submittedtoSwift&CoinFebruary1912andpublished
bythemthatOctober,thatPoundmovedtowardmoreminimalistlanguage,
thoughKnappwritesthatitisanuncertainvolume,publishedwhenPound
hadonlybegunhismovetowardImagism;hisfirstuseoftheword
"Imagiste"wasinRipostes.
MichaelAlexanderwritesthatthepoemsshowagreaterconcentrationof
meaningandeconomyofrhythmthanhisearlierwork.Thecollection
includesfivepoemsbytheBritishpoetT.E.Hulme,killedinFlandersin1917
duringtheFirstWorldWartoPound'sgreatdistress.Italsoincludeshis
translationoftheeighth-centuryOldEnglishpoem"TheSeafarer",nota
literaltranslation,butapersonalinterpretationintendedforreaderswithno
OldEnglish,apoeminitsownright.
Itupsetscholars,asdidhisothertranslationsfromLatin,Italian,French,
andChinese,eitherbecauseoferrorsorbecausehelackedfamiliaritywith
theculturalcontext.Alexanderwritesthatinsomecircleshistranslations
madehimmoreunpopularthanthetreasoncharge,andthereactiontoThe
SeafarerwasarehearsalfortheresponsetoHomagetoSextusPropertiusin
1919.HistranslationfromtheItalianofSonnetsandballateofGuido
Cavalcantiwasalsopublishedin1912.
OfgreatimportancetoowashisworkonthepapersofErnestFenollosa
(18531908),anAmericanprofessorwhohadtaughtinJapan,andwhohad
startedtranslationsofJapanesepoetryandNohplays,withwhichPound
becamefascinated.PoundusedFenollosa'sworkasastartingpointforwhat
hecalledtheideogrammicmethod.FenollosahadstudiedChinesepoetry
underaJapanesescholar,andin1913hiswidow,MaryMcNeilFenollosa,
decidedtogivehisunpublishednotestoPoundafterseeinghiswork;she
saidshewaslookingforsomeonewhocaredaboutthepoetry,ratherthan
thephilology.
PoundknewnoChinesehimself,andwasworkingfromtheposthumous
notesofanAmericanwhohadstudiedChineseunderaJapaneseteacher.
Nevertheless,MichaelAlexanderwritesthattherearecompetentjudgesof
ChineseandEnglishpoetrywhoseePound'sworkasthebesttranslationsof
ChinesetoEnglishpoetryevermade,thoughscholarshavecomplainedthat
itcontainsmanymistakes,evenmorethanTheSeafarer.Theresult,the
collectionCathay(1915),isinAlexander'sviewthemostattractivevolume
ofPound'swork.Wai-limYipoftheChineseUniversityofHongKongwrites:
"OnecaneasilyexcommunicatePoundfromtheForbiddenCityofChinese
studies,butitseemsclearthatinhisdealingswithCathay,evenwhenheis
givenonlythebarestdetails,heisabletogetintothecentralconcernsof
theoriginalauthorbywhatwemayperhapscallakindofclairvoyance."
Marriage,BLAST
HewashiredinAugust1912byHarrietMonroeasaregularcontributorto
Poetry,andstartedsubmittingpoemsbyhimself,JamesJoyce,RobertFrost,
D.H.Lawrence,Yeats,H.D.,andAldington,aswellascollectingmaterialfor
a64-pageanthology,DesImagistes(1914),whichincludedJoyce's"IHear
anArmyChargingUpontheLand."TheImagistmovementbegantoattract
attentionfromcritics.InNovember1913YeatstookPoundtostaywithhim
inroomsherentedinStoneCottageinColeman'sHatch,Sussex,toactas
hissecretaryYeats'seyesightwasfailingandtheystayedtherefor10
weeks,readingandwriting,walkinginthewoods,andfencingforexercise.
Itwasthefirstofthreewinterstheyspenttheretogether,includingtwowith
DorothyaftersheandPoundweremarriedon20April1914.
Themarriageproceededdespiteinitialoppositionfromherparents,who
wereconcernedaboutPound'slackofincome.Hehadonlyhisearningsfrom
literarymagazines,particularlyPoetry,TheNewFreewoman,andTheEgoist,
andwasprobablyearningconsiderablylessthan300ayear.Dorothy's
incomewas50ofherownand150fromherfamily.Herparents
eventuallyconsented,perhapsoutoffearthatshewasgettingolderandno
othersuitorwasinsight.Pound'sconcessiontomarryinchurchhelped.
AfterwardsheandDorothymovedintoalargefamouslytriangularroom
withnobathroomat5HollandPlaceChambers,nearChurchWalk,withthe
newlywedHildaandRichardAldingtonlivingnextdoor.
PoundbeganwritingforWyndhamLewis'sliterarymagazineBLAST;onlytwo
issueseverappeared,thefirstinJune1914andthesecondayearlater.An
advertisementinTheEgoistsaiditwoulddiscuss"Cubism,Futurism,
ImagismeandallVitalFormsofModernArt."Poundtooktheopportunityto
extendthedefinitionofImagismetoart,namingitVorticism:"Theimageis
aradiantnodeorcluster;itis...aVORTEX,fromwhich,andthroughwhich,
andintowhich,ideasareconstantlyrushing."Wheninreactiontothe
magazine,LascellesAbercrombiecalledfortherejectionofImagismanda
returntothetraditionalismofWilliamWordsworth,Poundchallengedhimto
aduelonthebasisthat,"Stupiditycarriedbeyondacertainpointbecomesa
publicmenace."
Abercrombiesuggestedastheirchoiceofweaponunsoldcopiesoftheirown
books.ThepublicationofBLASTwascelebratedatadinnerattendedbyNew
EnglandpoetAmyLowell,whocametoLondontomeettheImagists,but
HildaandRichardwerealreadymovingawayfromPound'sunderstandingof
themovement,ashemovedclosertoWyndhamLewis'sideas.WhenLowell
agreedtofinanceananthologyofImagistpoets,Pound'sworkwasnot
included.HebegantocallImagisme"Amygism,"andinJuly1914declaredit
dead,askingonlythatthetermbepreserved,althoughLowelleventually
Anglicizedit.
FirstWorldWar,Disillusionment
Between1914and1916hehelpedtohaveJamesJoyce'sAPortraitofthe
ArtistasaYoungManserializedinTheEgoistthenpublishedinbookform,
andhepersuadedPoetrytopublishT.S.Eliot'sTheLoveSongofJ.Alfred
PrufrockinJune1915.ConradAikenwritesthathehadshownPrufrockto
everyconceivableeditorinEngland,butitwasdismissedascrazy.He
eventuallysentittoPoundwho,Aikenwrites,instantlysawthatitwasa
workofgeniusandsentittoPoetry."[Eliot]hasactuallytrainedhimselfAND
modernizedhimselfONHISOWN,"PoundwrotetoMonroeinOctober1914.
"Therestofthepromisingyounghavedoneoneortheotherbutneverboth.
Mostoftheswinehavedoneneither."
Afterthepublicationin1915ofCathay,Poundbegantospeakofworkingon
hislongpoem.HetoldafriendinAugust:"Itisahuge,Iwasgoingtosay,
gamble,butshan't,"andinSeptembertoldanotherthatitwasa
"cryselephantinepoemofimmeasurablelengthwhichwilloccupymeforthe
nextfourdecadesunlessitbecomesabore."Aboutayearlater,hehadthe
formofthefirstthreeattemptsatCantoI,publishedinPoetryinJanuary
1917.Hewasnowaregularcontributortothreeliterarymagazines.From
1917hewrotemusicreviewsforTheNewAgeunderthepennameWilliam
Atheling,andweeklypiecesforTheLittleReviewandTheEgoist.Thevolume
ofwritingexhaustedhim,andhebegantobelievehewaswastinghistime
withprose.
In1919hecollectedandpublishedhisessaysforTheLittleReviewintoa
volumecalledInstigations,andpublished"HomagetoSextusPropertius"in
Poetry."Homage"isnotastricttranslation;Moodydescribesitas"the
refractionofanancientpoetthroughamodernintelligence".HarrietMonroe,
editorofPoetry,publishedaletterfromaprofessorofLatin,W.G.Hale,
sayingthatPoundwas"incrediblyignorant"ofthelanguage,andalludedto
"aboutthree-scoreerrors"inHomage.HarrietdidnotpublishPound's
response,whichbegan"Cat-pissandporcupines!!"andcontinued,"Thething
isnomoreatranslationthanmy'Altaforte'isatranslation,orthan
Fitzgerald'sOmarisatranslation..."Butsheinterpretedhissilenceafter
thatashisresignationasforeigneditor.
HughSelwynMauberley
HughSelwynMauberleyaboutapoetwhoselife,likePound's,hasbecome
sterileandmeaninglesswaspublishedinJune1920,markinghisfarewellto
London.Hewasdisgustedbytheliveslostduringthewarandcouldnot
reconcilehimselfwithit.StephenAdamswritesthat,justasT.S.Eliot
deniedhewasPrufrock,soPounddeniedhewasMauberley,butthe
poemmadeupof18shortpoemsisneverthelessreadas
autobiographical.ItbeginswithasatiricalanalysisoftheLondonliterary
scene,thenturnstosocialcriticismandeconomics,andanattackonthe
causesofthewar,theword"usury"appearinginhisworkforthefirsttime.
ThecriticF.R.LeavissawitasPound'smajorachievement.
Thewarhadshatteredhisbeliefinmodernwesterncivilization.Hesawthe
Vorticistmovementasfinishedanddoubtedhisownfutureasapoet.Hehad
onlytheNewAgetowritefor,withothermagazinesignoringhissubmissions
ornotreviewinghiswork.Towardtheendof1920heandDorothydecided
theirtimeinLondonwasover,andresolvedtomovetoParis.A.R.Orage
wroteintheJanuary1921issueofTheNewAge:
Mr.PoundhasshakenthedustofLondonfromhisfeetwithnottoo
emphaticagestureofdisgust,but,atleast,withoutgratitudetothiscountry
....Mr.PoundhasbeenanexhilaratinginfluenceforcultureinEngland...
however,Mr.Pound...hasmademoreenemiesthanfriends.Muchofthe
Presshasbeendeliberatelyclosedbycabaltohim;hisbookshaveforsome
timebeenignoredorwrittendown;andhehimselfhasbeencompelledto
liveonmuchlessthanwouldsupportanavvy.
Paris(1921-24)
ThePoundssettledinParisinJanuary1921inaninexpensiveapartmentat
70bis,rueNotreDamedesChamps.HebecamefriendlywithMarcel
Duchamp,TristanTzara,FernandLgerandothersoftheDadaand
Surrealistmovements,aswellasBasilBunting,ErnestHemingway,andhis
wifeHadley.Hespentmostofhistimebuildingfurnitureforhisapartment
andbookshelvesforthebookstoreShakespeareandCompany,andin1921
hisPoems19181921waspublished.In1922Eliotsenthimthemanuscript
of"TheWasteLand",thenarrivedinParistoedititwithPound,who
blue-inkeditwithcommentslike"makeupyr.mind..."and"georgian."Eliot
wroteofit:"Ishouldliketothinkthatthemanuscript,withthesuppressed
passages,haddisappearedirrecoverably;yet,ontheotherhand,Ishould
wishthebluepencillingonittobepreservedasirrefutableevidenceof
Pound'scriticalgenius."
In1924PoundsecuredfundingforFordMadoxFord'stransatlanticreview
fromAmericanattorneyJohnQuinn,andinitwerepublishedworksby
Pound,Hemingway,andGertrudeStein,aswellasextractsfromJoyce's
FinnegansWake,beforethemoneyranoutin1925.Poundwrotemusic
reviewsforitthatwerelatercollectedintoAntheilandtheTreatiseon
Harmony.
HemingwayturnedtoPound,whohadgainedareputationas"anunofficial
ministerofculturewhoactedasmid-wifefornewliterarytalent",toblue-ink
hisshortstories.Although14yearsyoungerthanPound,thetwoforgeda
relationshipofmutualrespectandfriendship,livingonthesamestreetfora
time,andtouringItalytogetherin1923;asHemingwaybiographerJeffrey
Meyerswrites,"Theylikedeachotherpersonally,sharedthesameaesthetic
aims,andadmiredeachother'swork",withHemingwayassumingthestatus
ofpupiltoPound'steaching.PoundintroducedHemingwaytoLewis,Ford,
andJoyce,whileHemingwayinturntriedtoteachPoundtobox,butashe
toldSherwoodAnderson,"[Ezra]habituallyleadswithhischinandhasthe
generalgraceofacrayfishofcrawfish".
Poundwas36whenhemettheAmericanviolinistOlgaRudgeinParisinthe
fallof1922,beginningaloveaffairthatlasted50years.JohnTytellwrites
thatPoundhadalwaysfelttherewasalinkbetweenhiscreativityandhis
abilitytoseducewomen,somethingDorothyhadturnedablindeyetoover
theyears.HecomplainedshortlyafterarrivinginParisthathehadbeen
thereforthreemonthswithouthavingmanagedtofindamistress.Hewas
introducedtoOlga,then26,atamusicalsalonhostedbyAmericanheiress
NatalieBarneyinherhomeat20rueJacob,neartheBoulevard
Saint-Germain.
Thetwomovedindifferentsocialcircles:shewasthedaughterofawealthy
Youngstown,Ohiosteelfamily,livinginhermother'sParisianapartmenton
theRightBank,socializingwitharistocrats,whilehisfriendsweremostly
impoverishedwritersoftheLeftBank.Theyspentthefollowingsummerin
thesouthofFrance,whereheworkedwithGeorgeAntheiltoapplythe
conceptofVorticismtomusic,andmanagedtowritetwooperas,including
LeTestamentdeVillon.Healsowrotepiecesforsoloviolin,whichOlga
performed.
Italy(1924-45)
PoundswereunhappyinParis.Dorothywascomplainingaboutthewinters,
andPound'shealthwaspoor.HemingwaywrotethatPound"indulgedina
smallnervousbreakdownnecessitatingspendingtwodaysintheAm.
Hospital(AmericanHospital).Theydecidedtomovetoaquieterplace,and
choseRapallo,Italy,atownwithapopulationof15,000."Italyismyplace
forstartingthings,"hetoldafriend.OlgaRudgefollowedthemthere,
carryingPound'schild.Sheapparentlyhadnointerestinraisingachild,but
Tytellwritesthatshefelthavingonewouldkeepherconnectedtohim.She
gavebirthtoadaughter,Mary,on9July1925inBrixen,andthebabywas
handedovertoaGerman-speakingpeasantwomanwhoseownchildhad
died,andwhoagreedtoraiseMary(laterdeRachewiltz)for200lirea
month.
PoundtoldDorothyaboutthebirth,andinMarch1926afterreturningfrom
athree-monthvisittoEgyptsheannouncedthatshetoowaspregnant.She
andPoundleftRapalloforParisforthepremiereofLeTestamentdeVillon,
withoutmentioningthepregnancytoPound'sfriendsorparents,andon10
September1926HemingwaydrovehertotheAmericanHospitalofParisfor
thebirthofason,Omar.
InalettertohisparentsinOctoberPoundwrote,"nextgeneration(male)
arrived.BothD&itappeartobedoingwell."Dorothyhandedthebabyover
tohermother,Olivia,whoraisedhiminLondonuntilhewasoldenoughto
gotoboardingschool.WhenDorothywenttoEnglandeachsummertosee
Omar,PoundwouldspendthetimewithOlga,whosefatherhadboughther
ahouseinVenice.Thearrangementmeanthischildrenwereraisedvery
differently.MaryhadonepairofshoesandbooksaboutJesusandthesaints,
whileOmarwasraisedasanEnglishgentlemaninKensingtonbyhis
sophisticatedgrandmother.
In1925theliterarymagazineThisQuarterdedicateditsfirstissuetoPound,
includingtributesfromHemingwayandJoyce.PoundpublishedCantos
1719inthewintereditions.InMarch1927helaunchedhisownliterary
magazine,TheExile,butonlyfourissueswerepublished.Itdidwellinthe
firstyear,withcontributionsfromHemingway,E.E.Cummings,Basil
Bunting,Yeats,WilliamCarlosWilliamsandRobertMcAlmon.J.J.Wilhelm
arguesthatsomeoftheworstworkcamefromPoundhimselfintheformof
ramblingeditorialsaboutConfucianismandpraiseofLenin.Hecontinuedto
workonFenollosa'smanuscripts,andin1928wontheDialpoetryawardfor
histranslationofConfucius'spoemTaHio.ThatyearHomerandIsabel
visitedhiminRapallo.Theyhadnotseenhimsince1914,andbythen
HomerhadretiredsotheydecidedtomovetoRapallothemselves,takinga
smallhouse,VillaRaggio,onahillabovethetown.
TheCantos
ThebulkofPound'sworkonTheCantosbeganafterhismovetoItaly.Like
alltheothergreatepics,itisthestoryofgoodandevil,adescentintohell
andprogresstoparadise.Itshundredsofcharactersfallintothreegroups:
thosewhoenjoyhellandstaythere;thosewhoexperienceametamorphosis
andwanttoleave;andafewwholeadtheresttoparadisoterrestre.He
beganworkonitin1915,buttherewereseveralfalsestartsandhe
abandonedmostofhisearlierdrafts,beginningagainin1922.Thesubject
matterrangesfromOdysseus,Troy,Dionysus,Malatesta,Confucius,and
Napoleon,toJeffersonandMussolini,Chinesehistory,Pisa,andusury,
relyingonmemories,diaries,jokes,hymns,anecdotes,ideogrammic
translation,andupto15differentlanguages.AllenTate,whosupported
PoundfortheBollingenPrizeforthesectionsofTheCantosknownasthe
PisanCantos,writesthatthepoemisnotaboutanything,andhasno
beginning,middle,orend.HearguesthatPoundwasincapableofsustained
thoughtandwas"atthemercyofrandomflightsof'angelicinsight,'Icarian
self-indulgencesofprejudices."
Thefirstthreecantosnowknownastheur-CantosappearedinPoetryin
JuneAugust1917.TheMalatestaCantos(CantosVIII,IX,X,andXIofa
LongPoem)appearedinTheCriterioninJuly1923,andtwofurthercantos
werepublishedinthetransatlanticreviewinJanuary1924.Poundpublished
90copiesinParisin1925ADraftofXVI.CantosofEzraPoundforthe
BeginningofaPoemofsomeLengthnowfirstmadeintoaBook.[63]Itwas
followedbyADraftofXXXCantos(1930),ElevenNewCantosXXIXLI
(1934),TheFifthDecadeofCantos(1937),CantosLIILXXI(1940),The
PisanCantos(1948),writtenwhileincustodyinPisa,andSeventyCantos
(1950).Thefirstcompleteeditionwaspublishedin1964asTheCantos
(1109),followedbyDraftsandFragments:CantosCX-CXVII(1968).
TurntoFascism,SecondWorldWar
Poundcametobelieveduringthe1920sthatthecauseoftheFirstWorld
Warwasfinancecapitalism,whichhecalled"usury,"andthatthesolution
wasC.H.Douglas'sideaofsocialcredit,withfascismasthevehiclefor
reform;hehadmetDouglasinTheNewAgeofficesandhadbeenimpressed
byhisideas.
Hepresentedaseriesoflecturesoneconomics,andmadecontactwith
politiciansintheUnitedStatesabouteducation,interstatecommerceand
internationalaffairs.AlthoughHemingwayadvisedagainstit,on30January
1933PoundmetMussolinihimself.OlgaRudgehadplayedforMussoliniand
hadtoldhimaboutPound;PoundhadalreadysenthimacopyofCantos
XXX.DuringthemeetinghetriedtopresentMussoliniwithadigestofhis
economicideas,butTytellwritesthatMussolinibrushedthemaside,though
hecalledtheCantos"divertente"(entertaining).Themeetingwasrecorded
inCanto41:"'Maquesto'/saidtheboss,'divertente.'".PoundtoldDouglas
thathehad"nevermetanyonewhoseemedtoGETmyideassoquicklyas
theboss."
AnumberofPound'sbookswerepublishedinthe1930s,includingABCof
Economics(1933),ABCofReading(1934),SocialCredit:AnImpact(1935),
Jeffersonand/orMussolini(1936),andAGuidetoKulchur(1938).In1936
JamesLaughlinwhohadvisitedhiminRapalloin1933asa20-year-old
studentsetupNewDirectionsPublishing,andactedasPound'sagent,
findingpublicationstoaccepthisworkandwritingreviews.
WhenDorothy'smotherdiedinOctober1938inLondon,Dorothyasked
Poundtoorganizethefuneral,wherehemettheir12-year-oldsonOmarfor
thefirsttimeineightyears.HevisitedT.S.EliotandWyndhamLewis,who
producedanow-famousportraitofPoundreclining.InApril1939hesailed
forNewYork,believinghecouldstopAmericafrominvolvementinthe
SecondWorldWar,happytoanswerreporters'questionsaboutMussolini
whileheloungedonthedeckoftheshipinatweedjacket.Hetraveledto
Washington,D.C.wherehemetsenatorsandcongressmen.
Marysaidhediditoutofasenseofresponsibility,ratherthanmegalomania;
hewasofferednoencouragement,andleftdepressedandfrustrated.He
receivedanhonorarydoctoratefromHamiltonCollegeon12June,anda
weeklaterreturnedtoItaly.HebeganwritingantisemiticmaterialforItalian
newspapers,includingoneentitled"TheJews,DiseaseIncarnate."Hewrote
toJamesLaughlinthatRooseveltrepresentedJewry,andsignedtheletter
"HeilHitler."HestartedwritingforAction,anewspaperownedbytheBritish
fascist,SirOswaldMosley,arguingthattheThirdReichwasthe"natural
civilizerofRussia."AfterwarbrokeoutinSeptember1939,hebegana
furiousletter-writingcampaigntothepoliticianshehadpetitionedsix
monthsearlier,arguingthatthewarwastheresultofaninternational
bankingconspiracy,andthattheUnitedStatesshouldkeepoutofit.
RadioBroadcasts
Tytellwritesthatbythe1940snoAmericanorEnglishpoethadbeenso
activepoliticallysinceWilliamBlake.Poundhadwrittenoverathousand
lettersayearduringthepreviousdecade,andhadpresentedhisideasin
hundredsofarticles,aswellasinTheCantos.AccordingtoTytell,Pound's
fearwasaneconomicstructurethatdependedonthearmamentsindustry,
wheretheprofitmotivealonewouldgovernwarandpeace.Hestarted
readingGeorgeSantayana,andTheLawofCivilizationandDecaybyBrooks
Adams,findingconfirmationofthedangerofthecapitalistandusurer
becomingdominant.HewroteinTheJapanTimesthat"Democracyisnow
currentlydefinedinEuropeasa'countryrunbyJews,'"andtoldOswald
Mosley'snewspapertheEnglishwereaslaveracegovernedbythe
RothschildssinceWaterloo.
HebroadcastoverRomeRadio,thoughtheItaliangovernmentwasatfirst
reluctant,concernedhemightbeadoubleagent.Hetoldafriend:"Ittook
me,Ithinkitwas,TWOyears,insistenceandwranglingetc.,toGETHOLDof
theirmicrophone."Herecordedjustoverahundredbroadcasts,andtraveled
toRomeoneweekamonthtopre-recordthe10-minutebroadcasts,for
whichhewaspaidaround$17.ThebroadcastsrequiredtheItalian
government'sapprovalinadvancethoughheoftenchangedthetextinthe
studio.Thepoliticsapart,heneededthemoney.Tytellwritesthathisvoice
hadassumeda"rasping,buzzingqualitylikethesoundofahornetstuckina
jar."Hecontinuedtooccasionallybroadcast,andwritingunderpseudonyms
untilaboutApril1945,shortlybeforehisarrest.
ArrestforTreason
AfewweekslaterhereturnedsouthviaMilantoOlgaandDorothy.Theyhad
beenlivinginIsabel'sapartment,butitwassmallsotheydecidedtomovein
withOlgaatSant'Ambrogio.HisdaughterMary,then19,wassenttoGaisin
Switzerland,leavingPound,asshewrote,"pentupwithtwowomenwho
lovedhim,whomheloved,andwhocoldlyhatedeachother."Hewasin
RomewhentheAllieslandedinSicilyinJuly1943.Poundborrowedapairof
hikingbootsandaknapsackandleftthecity,havingfinallydecidedtotell
Maryabouthiswifeandson.Hetraveled450milesnorth,spendinganight
inanairraidshelterinBologna,andtakingatrainpartofthewaytoVerona.
Shealmostfailedtorecognizehimwhenhearrived,hewassodirtyand
tired.Hetoldhereverythingabouthisotherfamily;shelatersaidshefelt
morepitythananger.
HereturnedtoRapallo,whereon2May1945,fourdaysafterMussoliniwas
shot,armedpartisansarrivedatthehousewhilePoundwastherealone.He
stuffedacopyofConfuciusandaChinesedictionaryinhispocket,andwas
takentotheirHQinChiavari,althoughhewasreleasedshortlyafterwards.
HeandOlgagavethemselvesuptoanAmericanmilitarypostinthenearby
townofLavagna.
ItwasdecidedthatPoundshouldbetransportedtoU.S.CounterIntelligence
CorpsheadquartersinGenoa,wherehewasinterrogatedbyFrankL.
Amprin,theFBIagentassignedbyJ.EdgarHoovertogatherevidence
followingthe1943indictment.Poundaskedpermissiontosendacableto
PresidentTrumantooffertohelpnegotiatepeacewithJapan.Healsoasked
todeliverafinalbroadcastfromascriptcalled"AshesofEuropeCalling,"in
whichherecommendedpeacewithJapan,AmericanmanagementofItaly,
theestablishmentofaJewishstateinPalestine,andleniencytoward
Germany.HisrequestsweredeniedandthescriptforwardedtoHoover.
On8May,thedayGermanysurrendered,hetoldareporterfromthe
PhiladelphiaRecordwhohadmanagedtogetintothecompoundforan
interviewthatHitlerwas"aJeanned'Arc,asaint,"andthatMussoliniwasan
"imperfectcharacterwholosthishead."On24Mayhewastransferredtothe
UnitedStatesArmyDisciplinaryTrainingCenternorthofPisa,usedtohouse
militarypersonnelawaitingcourtmartial.Thetemporarycommanderplaced
himinoneofthecamp's"deathcells"aseriesofsix-by-six-footoutdoor
steelcageslitupallnightbyfloodlights.
Hewasleftforthreeweeksinisolationintheheat,deniedexercise,eyes
inflamedbydust,nobed,nobelt,noshoelaces,andnocommunicationwith
theguards,exceptforthechaplain.Aftertwoandahalfweekshebeganto
breakdownunderthestrain.RichardSieburthwritesthatherecordeditin
Canto80,whereOdysseusissavedfromdrowningbyLeucothea:"hast'ou
swuminaseaofairstrip/throughanaeonofnothingness,/whentheraft
brokeandthewaterswentoverme."Medicalstaffmovedhimoutofthe
cagethefollowingweek.On14and15Junehewasexaminedby
psychiatrists,oneofwhomfoundsymptomsofamentalbreakdown,andhe
wastransferredtohisownofficer'stentandallowedreadingmaterial.He
begantowrite,anddraftedwhatbecameknownasThePisanCantos;the
existenceofafewsheetsoftoiletpapershowingthebeginningofCanto
LXXXIVsuggestshestarteditwhileinthecage.
UnitedStates(1945-58)
HewastransferredtotheUnitedStateson15November,1945.Anescorting
officer'simpressionwasthat"heisanintellectual'crackpot'whoimagined
thathecouldcorrectalltheeconomicillsoftheworldandwhoresentedthe
factthatordinarymortalswerenotsufficientlyintelligenttounderstandhis
aimsandmotives."On25NovemberhewasarraignedinWashingtonD.C.
onchargesoftreason.Thechargesincludedbroadcastingfortheenemy,
attemptingtopersuadeAmericancitizenstounderminegovernmentsupport
ofthewar,andstrengtheningmoraleinItalyagainsttheUnitedStates.
HewasadmittedtoSt.ElizabethsHospital,whereinJune1946Dorothywas
declaredhislegalguardian.Hewasheldforatimeinthehospital'sprison
ward,Howard'sHall,knownasthe"hell-hole,"abuildingwithoutwindowsin
aroomwithathicksteeldoorandninepeepholes,whichallowedthe
psychiatriststoobservehimwhiletheytriedtoagreeonadiagnosis.Visitors
wereallowedonlyfor15minutesatatime,whileotherpatientswandered
aroundoutsidetheroomscreamingandfrothingatthemouth,accordingto
T.S.Eliot.
Pound'slawyer,JulienCornellwhoseeffortstohavehimdeclaredinsane
arecreditedwithhavingsavedhimfromlifeimprisonmentrequestedhis
releaseatabailhearinginJanuary1947.Thehospital'ssuperintendent,
WinfredOverholser,agreedinsteadtomovehimtothemorepleasant
surroundingsofChestnutWard,closetoOverholser'sprivatequarters,which
iswherehespentthenext12years.
ThehistorianStanleyKutlerwasgivenaccessinthe1980stomilitary
intelligenceandothergovernmentdocumentsaboutPound,includinghis
hospitalrecords.HewrotethatthepsychiatristsbelievedPoundhada
narcissisticpersonality,buttheyconsideredhimsane.Kutlersaidthat
OverholserprotectedPoundfromthecriminaljusticesystembecausehewas
fascinatedbyhim.
TytellarguesthatPoundwasinhiselementinChestnutWard.Hewasatlast
providedfor,andwasallowedtoread,write,andreceivevisitors,including
Dorothyforseveralhoursaday.Hetookoverasmallalcovewithwicker
chairsjustoutsidehisroom,andturneditintohisprivatelivingroom,where
heentertainedhisfriendsandimportantliteraryfigures.Hebeganworkon
histranslationofSophocles'sWomenofTrachisandElectra,andcontinued
workonTheCantos.Itreachedthepointwhereherefusedtodiscussany
attempttohavehimreleased.OlgaRudgevisitedhimtwice,oncein1952
andagainin1955,andwasunabletoconvincehimtobemoreassertive
abouthisrelease.Shewrotetoafriend:"E.P.has...batsinthebelfrybutit
strikesmethathehasfewernotmorethanbeforehisincarceration."
ThePisanCantos
Hispublisher,JamesLaughlin,hadCantos7484readyforpublicationin
1946underthetitleThePisanCantos,andevengavePoundanadvance
copy,buthehadhelditback,waitingforanappropriatetimetopublish.
TytellwritesthatinJune1948agroupofPound'sfriendsEliot,Cummings,
W.H.Auden,AllenTate,andJosephCornellmetLaughlintodiscusshowto
havehimreleased.AccordingtothepoetArchibaldMacLeish,themen
conceivedaplantohavePoundawardedthefirstBollingenPrize,anew
nationalpoetryawardjustannouncedbytheLibraryofCongress,with
$1,000prizemoneydonatedbytheMellonfamily.
Theawardscommitteeconsistedof15fellowsoftheLibraryofCongress,
includingseveralofPound'ssupporters,suchasEliot,Tate,ConradAiken,
AmyLowell,KatherineAnnePorter,andTheodoreSpencer.Theideawas
thattheJusticeDepartmentwouldbeplacedinanuntenablepositionif
Poundwonamajorawardandwasnotreleased.LaughlinpublishedThe
PisanCantoson30July1948,andthefollowingyeartheprizewentto
Pound.Thereweretwodissentingvoices,KatherineGarrisonChapin,the
wifeofFrancisBiddle,theAttorneyGeneralwhohadindictedPoundfor
treason,andKarlShapiro,whosaidthathecouldnotvoteforanantisemite
becausehewasJewishhimself.Pound'sresponsetothenewsoftheaward
was,"Nocommentfromthebughouse."
Therewasuproar.ThePittsburghPost-Gazettequotedcriticswhosaid
"poetry[cannot]convertwordsintomaggotsthateatathumandignityand
stillbegoodpoetry."RobertHillyer,aPulitzerPrizewinnerandpresidentof
thePoetrySocietyofAmerica,attackedthecommitteeinTheSaturday
ReviewofLiterature,tellingjournaliststhathe"neversawanythingto
admireinPound,notoneline."CongressmanJacobK.Javitsdemandedan
investigationintotheawardscommittee,andasaresultitwasthelasttime
theprizewasadministeredbytheLibraryofCongress.
Controversialfriendships,release
AlthoughPoundrepudiatedhisantisemitisminpublic,Tytellwritesthatin
privateitcontinued.Heoftenrefusedtotalktopsychiatristswith
Jewish-soundingnames,wouldrefertopeoplehedislikedasJews,andurged
hisvisitorstoreadtheProtocolsoftheEldersofZion(1903),aforgery
claimingtorepresentaJewishplanforworlddomination.Hestruckupa
friendshipduringthe1950swiththewriterEustaceMullins,believedtobe
associatedwiththeAryanLeagueofAmerica,whowroteabiographyof
Pound,ThisDifficultIndividual,EzraPound(1961).
Evenmoredamagingwashisfriendshipwithafar-rightactivistandmember
oftheKuKluxKlan,JohnKasper.KasperhadcometoadmirePoundduring
someliteratureclassesatuniversity,andafterhewrotetoPoundin1950the
twobecamefriends.KasperopenedabookstoreinGreenwichVillagein1953
called"MakeitNew,"reflectinghiscommitmenttoPound'sideas;it
specializedinfar-rightmaterial,includingNaziliterature,andPound'spoetry
andtranslationsweredisplayedinthewindow.Kasperandanotherfollower
ofPound's,DavidHorton,setupapublishingimprint,SquareDollarSeries,
whichPoundusedasavehicleforhistractsabouteconomicreform.Kasper
waseventuallyjailedforthe1957bombingoftheHattieCottonSchoolin
Nashville,targetedbecauseablackgirlhadregisteredasastudent.Wilhelm
writesthattherewerealotofperfectlyrespectablepeoplevisitingPound
too,suchastheclassicistJ.P.SullivanandthewriterGuyDavenport,butit
wastheassociationwithMullinsandKasperthatstoodout,anditdelayed
hisreleasefromStElizabeths.InaninterviewfortheParisReviewin1954,
whenaskedbyinterviewerGeorgePlimptonaboutPound'srelationshipwith
Kaspar,HemingwayrepliedthatPoundshouldbereleasedandKasparjailed.
Eliot'sfriendscontinuedtotrytosecurehisrelease.MacLeishwroteto
HemingwayinJune1957askinghimtowritealetteronPound'sbehalf.
HemingwaybelievedPoundwasunabletoabstainfromawkwardpolitical
statementsorfromfriendshipswithpeoplelikeKasper,buthesignedthe
lettersofsupportanyway,andpledged$1,500tobegiventoPoundwhenhe
wasreleased.ShortlyafterHemingwaywontheNobelPrizeinLiteraturein
1954,hetoldTimemagazinethat"thiswouldbeagoodyeartorelease
poets."
In1957severalpublicationsbegancampaigningforhisrelease.LeFigaro
publishedanappealentitled"TheLunaticatStElizabeths."TheNew
Republic,EsquireandTheNationfollowedsuit;TheNationarguedthat
Poundwasasickandviciousoldman,butthathehadrightstoo.In1958
MacLeishhiredThurmanArnold,aprestigiouslawyerwhoendedupcharging
nofee,tofileamotiontodismissthe1945indictment.Overholser,the
hospital'ssuperintendent,supportedtheapplicationwithanaffidavitsaying
Poundwaspermanentlyandincurablyinsane,andthatconfinementserved
notherapeuticpurpose.Themotionwasheardon18Aprilbythesamejudge
whohadcommittedhimtoStElizabeths.TheDepartmentofJusticedidnot
opposethemotion,andPoundwasfree.
Italy(1958-72)
PoundarrivedinNaplesinJuly,wherehewasphotographedgivingafascist
salutebythewaitingpress.Whenaskedbythepresswhenhehadbeen
releasedfromthementalhospital,hereplied:"Ineverwas.WhenIleftthe
hospitalIwasstillinAmerica,andallAmericaisaninsaneasylum."Heand
DorothywenttolivewithMaryatCastleBrunnenburgnearMeranointhe
ProvinceofSouthTyrol,wherehemethisgrandson,Walter,andhis
granddaughter,Patrizia,forthefirsttimethenreturnedtoRapallo,where
OlgaRudgewaswaitingtojointhem.Theywereaccompaniedbyateacher
Poundhadmetinhospital,MarcellaSpann,40yearsyoungerthanhewas,
whowasnowostensiblyactingashissecretary,collectingpoemsforan
anthology.Thefourwomensoonfellout,vyingforcontroloverhim;Canto
113alludedtoit:"Pride,jealousyandpossessiveness/3painsofhell."
PoundwasinlovewithMarcella,seeinginherhislastchanceforloveand
youth.HewroteaboutherinCantoCXIII:"Thelongflank,thefirmbreast/
andtoknowbeautyanddeathanddespair/Andtothinkthatwhathasbeen
shallbe,/flowing,everunstill."Dorothyhadusuallyignoredhisaffairs,but
sheusedherlegalpoweroverhisroyaltiestomakesureMarcellawasseen
off,sentbacktoAmerica.PoundwrotetoHemingway:"Oldmanhimtired."
ByDecember1959hehadfallenintoadepression,insistinghisworkwas
worthlessandTheCantoswerebotched.Ina1960interviewgiveninRome
toDonaldHallforParisReview,hesaid:"Youfindmeinfragments."Hall
wrotethatheseemedinan"abjectdespair,accidie,meaninglessness,
abulia,waste."Hepacedupanddownduringthethreedaysittookto
completetheinterview,neverfinishingasentence,burstingwithenergyone
minute,thensuddenlysagging,andatonepointseemedabouttocollapse.
Hallsaiditwasclearthathe"doubtedthevalueofeverythinghehaddonein
hislife."Thoseclosetohimthoughthewassufferingfromdementia,andin
thesummerof1960MaryplacedhiminaclinicnearMeranowhenhisweight
dropped.Hepickedupagain,butbythespringof1961hehadaurinary
infection.
Dorothyfeltunabletolookafterhim,sohewentthatsummertolivewith
OlgainRapallo,thenVenice;DorothymostlystayedinLondonafterthat
withOmar.Heattendedaneo-FascistMayDayparadein1962,buthis
healthcontinuedtodecline.Thenextyearhetoldaninterviewer,Grazia
Levi,"IspoileverythingItouch.Ihavealwaysblundered....AllmylifeI
believedIknewnothing,yes,knewnothing.Andsowordsbecamedevoidof
meaning."
WilliamCarlosWilliamsdiedin1963,followedtwoyearslaterbyT.S.Eliot.
PoundattendedEliot'sfuneralinLondonandtraveledtoDublintovisit
Yeats'swidow.AllenGinsbergvisitedhiminRapalloinOctober1967.He
describedhisworktoGinsbergas:"Amess...mywriting,stupidityand
ignoranceallthewaythrough,"andinthePensioneAlleSalutedaCici
restaurantinVenice,hetoldGinsberg,PeterRussell,andMichaelReck:"...
butmyworstmistakewasthestupidsuburbananti-Semiticprejudice,all
alongthatspoiledeverything...IfoundafterseventyyearsthatIwasnota
lunaticbutamoron...Ishouldhavebeenabletodobetter..."
HetraveledtoNewYorktwoyearslaterfortheopeningofanexhibitionthat
featuredhisblue-inkedversionofEliot'sTheWasteLand,andreceiveda
standingovationatHamiltonCollegewhenheaccompaniedLaughlinwho
wasreceivinganhonorarydoctorate.Shortlybeforehisdeathin1972itwas
proposedhebeawardedtheEmerson-ThoreauMedaloftheAmerican
AcademyofArtsandSciences,butafterastormofprotesttheacademy's
councilopposeditby13to9.ThesociologistDanielBell,whowasonthe
committee,arguedthatitwasimportanttodistinguishbetweenthosewho
explorehateandthosewhoapproveit.
Twoweeksbeforehis87thbirthdayhereadforagatheringoffriendsata
caf:"reUSURY/Iwasoutoffocus,takingasymptomforacause./The
causeisAVARICE."
Onhisbirthdayhewastooweaktoleavehisbedroomathishomeonthe
PiazzaSanMarco,andthefollowingnighthewasadmittedtotheCivil
HospitalofVenice,wherehediedinhissleepofanintestinalblockageon1
November,aged87,withOlgaathisside.Dorothywasunabletotravelto
thefuneral.Fourgondoliersdressedinblackrowedthebodytotheisland
cemetery,IsoladiSanMichele,wherehewasburiednearDiaghilevand
Stravinsky.DorothydiedinEnglandthefollowingyear.Olgadiedin1996
andwasburiednexttoPound.
Reception
OpinionvariesaboutthenatureofPound'swritingstyle.Criticsgenerally
agreethathewasastronglyricist,particularlyinhisearlywork.Scholars
suchasIraNadelseeevidenceofmodernisminhispoetrybeforehebegan
theCantos,andWitmeyerarguesthat,asearlyasRipostes,amodernstyle
isevident.Hisstyledrewonliteraturefromavarietyofdisciplines.Nadel
writesthathewantedhispoetrytorepresentan"objectivepresentationof
materialwhichhebelievedcouldstandonitsown,"withoutuseofsymbolism
orromanticism.TheChinesewritingsystemmostcloselymethisideals.He
usedChineseideogramstorepresent"thethinginpictures,"andfromNoh
theaterlearnedthatplotcouldbereplacedbyasingleimage.
NadelarguesthatimagismwastochangePound'spoetry.Heexplains,
"Imagismevolvedasareactionagainstabstraction...replacingVictorian
generalitieswiththeclarityinJapanesehaikuandancientGreeklyrics."
Imagism,toPound,wasaformofminimalism,asrepresentedbythe
two-linepoem"InaStationoftheMetro".However,minimalismdidn'tlend
itselftothewritingofanepicsuchastheCantos,andsoPoundturnedtothe
moredynamicstructureofwhatheconsideredVorticismfortheCantos.
Translations
InhisFenollosatranslations,unlikepreviousAmericantranslatorsofChinese
poetry,whotendedtoworkwithstrictmetricalandstanzaicpatterns,Pound
createdfreeversetranslations.Whetherthepoemsarevaluableas
translationscontinuestobeasourceofcontroversy.PoundscholarMingXie
explainsthattheuseoflanguageinPound'stranslationoftheOldEnglish
poem"TheSeafarer"isdeliberate,avoidingmerely"tryingtoassimilatethe
originalintocontemporarylanguage".AfterhisworkwithTheSeafarer,it
wasintheJapaneseNohplaysthathefoundananswertohissearchfor
anti-naturalistminimalismwhichoccurredjustpriortohisinitialworkwith
Fenellosa'spapers,leadingtothetranslationof14ChinesepoemsinCathay,
publishedin1915.
NeitherPoundnorFenollosaspokeorreadChineseproficiently,andPound
hasbeencriticizedforomittingoraddingsectionstohispoemswhichhave
nobasisintheoriginaltexts,thoughcriticsarguethatthefidelityofCathay
totheoriginalChineseisbesidethepoint.HughKenner,inachapter"The
InventionofChina"fromThePoundEra,contendsthatCathayshouldbe
readprimarilyasaworkaboutWorldWarI,notasanattemptataccurately
translatingancientEasternpoems.Therealachievementofthebook,Kenner
argues,isinhowitcombinesmeditationsonviolenceandfriendshipwithan
effortto"rethinkthenatureofanEnglishpoem".Theseostensible
translationsofancientEasterntexts,Kennerargues,areactually
experimentsinEnglishpoeticsandcompellingelegiesforawarringWest.
MichaelAlexanderwritesthat,asatranslator,Poundwasapioneerwitha
greatgiftoflanguageandanincisiveintelligence.Hehelpedpopularize
majorpoetssuchasGuidoCavalcantiandDuFuandbroughtProvenaland
ChinesepoetrytoEnglish-speakingaudiences.Herevivedinterestinthe
ConfucianclassicsandintroducedthewesttoclassicalJapanesepoetryand
drama.HetranslatedandchampionedGreek,LatinandAnglo-Saxon
classics,andhelpedkeepthemaliveatatimewhenclassicaleducationwas
indecline,andpoetsnolongerconsideredtranslationscentraltotheircraft.
Legacy
Hisownworkapart,hewasresponsibleforadvancingthecareersofsomeof
thebest-knownmodernistwritersoftheearly20thcentury.Inadditionto
Eliot,Joyce,Lewis,Frost,Williams,andHemingway,hebefriendedand
helpedMarianneMoore,LouisZukofsky,JacobEpstein,BasilBunting,E.E.
Cummings,MargaretAnderson,GeorgeOppen,andCharlesOlson.Hugh
WitemeyerarguesthattheImagistmovementwasthemostimportantin
20th-centuryEnglishlanguagepoetrybecausehardlyanyprominentpoetof
Pound'sgenerationandthetwogenerationsafterhimwasuntouchedbyit.
Asearlyas1917CarlSandburgwroteinPoetry:"Alltalkonmodernpoetry,
bypeoplewhoknow,endswithdragginginEzraPoundsomewhere.Hemay
benamedonlytobecursedaswantonandmocker,poseur,triflerand
vagrant.OrhemaybeclassedasfillinganichetodaylikethatofKeatsina
precedingepoch.Thepointis,hewillbementioned."
Beyondthis,hislegacyismixed.HughKennerwrotein1951thattherewas
nogreatcontemporarywriterlessreadthanPound,thoughheaddedthat
therewasalsonoonewhocouldappealthrough"sheerbeautyoflanguage"
topeoplewhowouldratherreadpoetsthantalkaboutthem.TheBritishpoet
PhilipLarkincriticizedhim,"forbeingliterary,whichtomeisthefoundation
ofhisfeebleness,thinkingthatpoetryismadeoutofpoetryandnotoutof
beingalive."
Hisantisemitismbecamecentraltoanevaluationofhispoetry,including
whetheritwasreadatall.WendyStallardFloryarguesthatthebest
approachtoTheCantosseparatingthepoetryfromtheantisemitismis
perceivedasapologetic.HerviewisthattheestablishmentofPoundas
"NationalMonster"and"designatedfascistintellectual"madehimastand-in
forthesilentmajorityinGermany,occupiedFranceandBelgium,aswellas
BritainandtheUnitedStateswho,sheargues,madetheHolocaustpossible
byaidingorstandingquietlyby.Theoutrageafterthetreasonchargewasso
deepthattheimaginedmethodofhisexecutiondominatedthediscussion.
ArthurMillerconsideredhimworsethanHitler:"Inhiswildestmomentsof
humanvilificationHitlerneverapproachedourEzra...heknewallAmerica's
weaknessesandheplayedthemasexpertlyasGoebbelseverdid".The
responsewentsofarastodenounceallmodernistsasfascists,anditwas
onlyinthe1980sthatcriticsbeganare-evaluation.ThecriticMacha
Rosenthalwrotethatitwas"asifallthebeautifulvitalityandallthebrilliant
rottennessofourheritageinitsluxuriantvarietywerebothatoncemade
manifest"inEzraPound.
Eserleri:
Bookspublishedinhislifetime
1908ALumeSpento.PrivatelyprintedbyA.Antonini,Venice,(poems).
1908AQuinzaineforThisYule.Pollock,London;andElkinMathews,
London,(poems).
1909Personae.ElkinMathews,London,(poems).
1909Exultations.ElkinMathews,London,(poems).
1910TheSpiritofRomance.Dent,London,(prose).
1910Provenca.Small,Maynard,Boston,(poems).
1911Canzoni.ElkinMathews,London,(poems)
1912TheSonnetsandBallateofGuidoCavalcantiSmall,Maynard,
Boston,(cheapereditiondestroyedbyfire,Swift&Co,London;translations)
1912Ripostes.S.Swift,London,(poems;firstannouncementofImagism)
1915Cathay.ElkinMathews,(poems;translations)
1916Gaudier-Brzeska.AMemoir.JohnLane,London,(prose).
1916CertainNoblePlaysofJapan:FromtheManuscriptsofErnest
Fenollosa,chosenandfinishedbyEzraPound,withanintroductionby
WilliamButlerYeats.
1916ErnestFenollosa,EzraPound:"Noh",or,Accomplishment:AStudy
oftheClassicalStageofJapan.Macmillan,London,
1916Lustra.ElkinMathews,London,(poems).
1917TwelveDialoguesofFontenelle,(translations)
1917LustraKnopf,NewYork.(poems).WithaversionofthefirstThree
Cantos(Poetry,vol.10,nos.3,June1917,4,July1917,5,August1917).
1918:PavannesandDivisions.Knopf,NewYork.prose
1918QuiaPauperAmavi.EgoistPress,London.poems
1919TheFourthCanto.OvidPress,London
1920HughSelwynMauberley.OvidPress,London.
1920Umbra.ElkinMathews,London,(poemsandtranslations)
1920InstigationsofEzraPound:TogetherwithanEssayontheChinese
WrittenCharacterasaMediumforPoetry,byErnestFenollosa.Boni&
Liveright,(prose).
1921Poems,19181921.Boni&Liveright,NewYork
1922RemydeGourmount:TheNaturalPhilosophyofLove.Boni&
Liveright,NewYork,(translation)
1923Indiscretions,or,UndRevuedesdeuxmondes.ThreeMountains
Press,Paris.
1924AntheilandtheTreatiseonHarmony.Paris,(essays).As:William
Atheling.
1925ADraftofXVICantos.ThreeMountainsPress,Paris.Thefirst
collectionofTheCantos.
1926Personae:TheCollectedPoemsofEzraPound.Boni&Liveright,New
York
1928ADraftoftheCantos1727.JohnRodker,London.
1928SelectedPoems,editedandwithanintroductionbyT.S.Eliot.Faber
&Gwyer,London
1928Confucius:TaHio:TheGreatLearning,newlyrenderedintothe
Americanlanguage.UniversityofWashingtonBookstore(GlennHughes),
(translation)
1930ADraftofXXXCantos.NancyCunard'sHoursPress,Paris.
1930ImaginaryLetters.BlackSunPress,Paris.Eightessaysfromthe
LittleReview,191718.
1931HowtoRead.Harmsworth,(essays)
1933ABCofEconomics.Faber,London,(essays)
1934ElevenNewCantos:XXXI-XLI.Farrer&Rinehart,NewYork,
(poems)
1934HomagetoSextusPropertius.Faber,London(poems)
1934ABCofReading.YaleUniversityPress,(essays)
1935AlfredVenison'sPoems:SocialCreditThemesbythePoetof
TitchfieldStreet.StanleyNott,PamphletsontheNewEconomics,No.9,
London,(essays)
1935Jeffersonand/orMussolini.StanleyNott,London,Liveright,1936
(essays)
1935MakeItNew.London,(essays)
1935SocialCredit.AnImpact.London,(essays).Repr.:PeterRussell,
MoneyPamphletsbyPound,no.5,London1951.
1936ErnestFenollosa:TheChineseWrittenCharacterasaMediumfor
Poetry.StanleyNott,London1936.AnArsPoeticaWithForewordandNotes
byEzraPound.
1937TheFifthDecadeofCantos.Farrer&Rinehart,NewYork,poems
1937PoliteEssays.Faber,London,(essays)
1937Confucius:DigestoftheAnalects,editedandpublishedbyGiovanni
Scheiwiller,(translations)
1938Culture.NewDirections.Newedition:GuidetoKulchur,New
Directions,1952
1939WhatIsMoneyFor?.GreaterBritainPublications,(essays).Money
PamphletsbyPound,no.3,PeterRussell,London
1940CantosLXII-LXXI.NewDirections,NewYork,(JohnAdamsCantos
6271).
1942CartadaVisitadiEzraPound.Edizionidilettered'oggi.Rome.
Englishtranslation,byJohnDrummond:AVisitingCard,MoneyPamphlets
byPound,no.4,PeterRussell,London1952,(essays).
1944L'America,Rooseveltelecausedellaguerrapresente.Casaeditrice
dellaedizionipopolari,Venice.Englishtranslation,byJohnDrummond:
America,RooseveltandtheCausesofthePresentWar,MoneyPamphletsby
Pound,no.6,PeterRussell,London1951
1944IntroduzioneallaNaturaEconomicadegliS.U.A..Casaeditricedella
edizionipopolari.Venice.EnglishtranslationAnIntroductiontotheEconomic
NatureoftheUnitedStates,byCarmineAmore.Repr.:PeterRussell,Money
PamphletsbyPound,London1950(essay)
1944Orientamini.Casaeditricedallaedizionipopolari.Venice(prose)
1944Oroetlavoro:allamemoriadiAurelioBaisi.Moderna,Rapallo.
Englishtranslation:GoldandWork,MoneyPamphletsbyPound,no.2,Peter
Russell,London1952(essays)
1948IfThisBeTreason.Siena:privatelyprintedforOlgaRudgebyTip
Nuova(originaldraftsofsixofPound'sRomeradiobroadcasts)
1948ThePisanCantos.NewDirections,(Cantos7484)
1948TheCantosofEzraPound(includesThePisanContos).New
Directions,poems
1949Elektra(startedin1949,firstperformed1987),aplaybyEzra
PoundandRuddFleming
1948ThePisanCantos.NewDirections,NewYork.
1950SeventyCantos.Faber,London.
1950PatriaMia.R.F.Seymour,Chicago[ReworkedNewAgearticles,
1912,'13(Orage)
1951Confucius:TheGreatDigest;TheUnwobblingPivot.NewDirections
(translation)
1951Confucius:Analects(John)Kaspar&(David)Horton,Square$
Series,NewYork,(translation)
1953HughKenner(ed.):TheTranslationsofEzraPound,NewDirections,
(translations)
1954TheClassicAnthologyDefinedbyConfucius.HarvardUniversity
Press(translations)
1954LavoroedUsura.All'insegnadelpesced'oro.Milan(essays)
1955Section:Rock-Drill,8595delosCantares.All'insegnadelpesce
d'oro,Milan,(poems)
1956Sophocles:TheWomenofTrachis.AVersionbyEzraPound.Neville
Spearman,London,(translation)
1957Brancusi.Milan(essay)
1959Thrones:96109delosCantares.NewDirections,(poems)
1960NoelStock(ed.):Impact:EssaysonIgnoranceandtheDeclineof
AmericanCivilization.HenriRegnery,Chicago
1968DraftsandFragments:CantosCX-CXVII.NewDirections,(poems)
Selectedposthumouspublications
1975WilliamLevy(ed.):CertainRadioSpeechesofEzraPound.Cold
TurkeyPress,Rotterdam
1976CollectedEarlyPoemsofEzraPound.NewDirections.
1977R.MurraySchafer(ed.):EzraPoundandMusic:TheComplete
Criticism.NewDirections,(essays).
1978LeonardW.Doob(ed.):'EzraPoundSpeaking':RadioSpeechesof
WorldWarII.GreenwoodPress(speeches)
1980HarrietZinnes(ed.):EzraPoundandtheVisualArts.NewDirections
(essays)
1991CharlotteWard(ed.):Pound'sTranslationsofArnautDaniel.
Garland,NewYork1991(translations)
1992RichardSieburth(ed.):AWalkingTourofSouthernFrance:Ezra
PoundAmongtheTroubadours.NewDirections,NewYork.
1996MariaLuisaArdizzone(ed.):MachineArtandOtherWritings:The
LostThoughtoftheItalianYears.DukeUniversityPress.(essays)
1997JackRoss:EzraPound'sFascistCantos(72&73)togetherwith
Rimbaud's'PoetsatSevenYearsOld'.PerdrixPress,Auckland(thetwoSalo
Cantoswerefirstpublishedinthenewspaper:MarinaRepubblicanainearly
1945;re-publishedin1973inaneditionof25;inCantoseditions
(untranslatedinItalian)since1986.
2002MassimoBacigalupo(ed.):Cantipostumi.Mondadori,Milan,
(Cantos)
2002MargaretFisher,EzraPound'sRadioOperas:TheBBCExperiments
19311933(MITPress)withthecompleteradioscriptbyPoundforthe1931
broadcastofLeTestament.
2003FirsteditionofCavalcanti,three-actopera(19311932).Robert
HughesandMargaretFisher:Calvacanti:APerspectiveonTheMusicofEzra
Pound(engravedmusicscoreofcompleteopera,SecondEveningArt
PublishingISBN978-0-9728859-0-4).AcompactdiskEgoScriptor
Cantilenae:TheMusicofEzraPoundwaspublishedin2003byOtherMinds;
OM1005-2,(music;2operas).
2005Firsteditionoftheunfinishedthirdopera,CollisOHeliconii(c.
1933):TheRecoveryofEzraPound'sThirdOperaCollisOHeliconii,Settings
ofPoemsbyCatullusandSappho,MargaretFisher(ed.),(engravedmusic
scoresoftwounfinishedariasandmusicalinterludes,SecondEveningArt
PublishingISBN978-0-9728859-3-5).
User-friendlyeditions
2003RichardSieburth(ed.):EzraPound,PoemsandTranslations.Library
ofAmerica.ISBN978-1-931082-41-9.
2004Firstedition,CompleteViolinWorksofEzraPound,RobertHughes,
ed.(engravedmusicscores,SecondEveningArtPublishingISBN
978-0-9728859-2-8).
2008Firsteditionsofthe1926and1933versionsofEzraPound'sopera
LeTestament.MargaretFisherandRobertHughes(eds.),(engravedmusic
scores,SecondEveningArtPublishingISBN978-0-9728859-4-2).
projected,2011:Firsteditionofthe1923LeTestamentdeVillon.
Facsimileofthe1923holographmusicscoreeditedbyGeorgeAntheil,with
audioCDofthecompleteopera.RobertHughesandMargaretFisher(eds.),
(SecondEveningArtPublishingISBN978-0-9728859-8-0).
[Greek]
Beinmeastheeternalmoods
ofthebleakwind,andnot
Astransientthingsare
gaietyofflowers.
Havemeinthestrongloneliness
ofsunlesscliffs
Andofgraywaters.
Letthegodsspeaksoftlyofus
Indayshereafter,
theshadowyflowersofOrcus
Rememberthee.
EzraPound
Phasellus Ille
1hispapier-mch,whichyousee,myfriends,
Saith'twastheworthiestofeditors.
Itsmindwasmadeupin'theseventies',
Norhathiteversincechangedthatconcoction.
Itworkstorepresentthatschoolofthought
Whichbroughtthehair-clothchairtosuchperfection,
NorwillthehorridthreatsofBernardShaw
Shakeupthestagnantpoolofitsconvictions;
Nay,shouldthedeathlessvoiceofalltheworld
Speakonceagainforitssolestimulation,
Twouldnotmoveitonejotfromlefttoright.
ComeBeautybarefootfromtheCyclades,
She'dfindamodelforSt.Anthony
Inthisthing'ssuredecorumandbehaviour.
EzraPound
A Ballad Of The Mulberry Road
Thesunrisesinsoutheastcornerofthings
TolookonthetallhouseoftheShin
FortheyhaveadaughternamedRafu,
(prettygirl)
Shemadethenameforherself:'GauzeVeil,'
Forshefeedsmulberriestosilkworms.
Shegetsthembythesouthwallofthetown.
Withgreenstringsshemakesthewarpofherbasket,
Shemakestheshoulder-strapsofherbasket
fromtheboughsofKatsura,
Andshepilesherhairupontheleftsideofherheadpiece.
Herearringsaremadeofpearl,
Herunderskirtisofgreenpattern-silk,
Heroverskirtisthesamesilkdyedinpurple,
AndwhenmengoingbylookonRafu
Theysetdowntheirburdens,
Theystandandtwirltheirmoustaches.
EzraPound
A Girl
Thetreehasenteredmyhands,
Thesaphasascendedmyarms,
Thetreehasgrowninmybreast-
Downward,
Thebranchesgrowoutofme,likearms.
Treeyouare,
Mossyouare,
Youarevioletswithwindabovethem.
Achild-sohigh-youare,
Andallthisisfollytotheworld.
EzraPound
A Pact
Imakeapactwithyou,WaltWhitman-
Ihavedetestedyoulongenough.
Icometoyouasagrownchild
Whohashadapig-headedfather;
Iamoldenoughnowtomakefriends.
Itwasyouthatbrokethenewwood,
Nowisatimeforcarving.
Wehaveonesapandoneroot-
Lettherebecommercebetweenus.
EzraPound
A Song Of The Degrees
I
RestmewithChinesecolours,
ForIthinktheglassisevil.
II
Thewindmovesabovethewheat-
Withasilvercrashing,
Athinwarofmetal.
Ihaveknownthegoldendisc,
Ihaveseenitmeltingaboveme.
Ihaveknownthestone-brightplace,
Thehallofclearcolours.
III
Oglasssubtlyevil,Oconfusionofcolours!
Olightboundandbentin,soulofthecaptive,
WhyamIwarned?WhyamIsentaway?
Whyisyourglitterfullofcuriousmistrust?
Oglasssubtleandcunning,Opowderygold!
Ofilamentsofamber,two-facediridescence!
EzraPound
A Villonaud: Ballad Of The Gibbet
SCENE:'Encebourdeloutenonsnostreestat.'
ItbeingrememberedthatthereweresixofuswithMasterVillon,when
thatexpectingpresentlylobehangedhewritaballadwhereofyeknow:
Frereshumainsquiapresnousvivez.'
Drinkyeaskoalforthegallowstree!
FrancoisandMargotandtheeandme,
Drinkwethecomradesmerrily
Thatsaidus,'Tillthen'forthegallowstree!
FatPierrewiththehookgauche-main,
ThomasLarron'Ear-the-less',
Tybaldeandthatarmouress
Whogavethispoignarditspremierstain
PinningtheGuisethathadbeenfain
Tomakehimamateofthe'HaulteNoblesse'
Andbadeherbeoutwithilladdress
Asafoolthatmockethhisdrue'sdisdeign.
Drinkweaskoalforthegallowstree!
DrinkwetoMarienneYdole,
Thathellbrennnothero'ercruelly.
Drinkwethelustyrobberstwain,
Blackisthepitcho'theirweddingdress,
Lipsshrunkbackforthewind'scaress
Aslipsshrinkbackwhenwefeelthestrain
Oflovethatlovethinhell'sdisdeign,
Andsensetheteeththroughthelipsthatpress
'Gainstourlipsforthesoul'sdistress
Thatstrivethtooursacrossthepain.
Drinkweskoaltothegallowstree!
ForJehanandRaouldeVallerie
Whoseframeshavethenightanditswindsinfee.
Maturin,Guillaume,Jacquesd'Allmain,
Culdoulackingacoattobless
Oneleanmoietyofhisnakedness
ThatplunderedSt.Hubertbacko'thefane:
Aie!theleanbaretreeiswidowedagain
ForMichaultleBorgnethatwouldconfess
In'faithandtroth'toatraitoress,
'Whichofhisbrothershadheslain?'
Butdrinkweskoaltothegallowstree!
FrancoisandMargotandtheeandme:
ThesethatwelovedshallGodloveless
Andsmitealwaysattheirfaibleness?
Skoal!!tothegallows!andthenpraywe:
Goddamnhishelloutspeedily
Andbringtheirsoulstohis'HaulteCitee'.
EzraPound
A Virginal
No,no!Gofromme.Ihaveleftherlately.
Iwillnotspoilmysheathwithlesserbrightness,
Formysurroundingairhathanewlightness;
Slightareherarms,yettheyhaveboundmestraitly
Andleftmecloakedaswithagauzeofaether;
Aswithsweetleaves;aswithsubtleclearness.
Oh,Ihavepickedupmagicinhernearness
Tosheathemehalfinhalfthethingsthatsheatheher.
No,no!Gofromme.Ihavestilltheflavour,
Softasspringwindthat'scomefrombirchenbowers.
Greencometheshoots,ayeAprilinthebranches,
Aswinter'swoundwithhersleighthandshestaunches,
Hathofthetreesalikenessofthesavour:
Aswhitetheirbark,sowhitethislady'shours.
EzraPound
Alba
Ascoolasthepalewetleaves
Toflily-of-the-valley
Shelaybesidemeinthedawn.
EzraPound
Albatre
Thisladyinthewhitebath-robewhichshecallsa
peignoir,
Is,forthetimebeing,themistressofmyfriend,
Andthedelicatewhitefeetofherlittlewhitedog
Arenotmoredelicatethansheis,
NorwouldGautierhimselfhavedespisedtheircontrasts
inwhiteness
Asshesitsinthegreatchair
Betweenthetwoindolentcandles.
EzraPound
Alfs Eighth Bit
Vexnotthouthebanker'smind
(Hiswhat?)withashowofsense,
Vexitnot,Willie,hismind,
Orpierceitspretence
Onthesuppositionthatitever
Wasother,orthatthischeerfulgiver
Willgive,savetotheblind.
Comenotanearthedark-browedsophist
Whoonthesowell-paidground
Willcheerfullytellyouafistisnofist,
Comenothere
With2and2making4inreason,
Knowestthounotthetruthisneverinseason
InthesequartersorFleetSt.?
Inhiseyethereisdeath,Imeanthebanker's,
Inhispursethereisdeceit,
Itishewhobuysgold-braidfortheswankers
AndgivesyouAustralianicedrabbits'meat
InplaceoftheroastbeefofBritain,
Andleavesyouaparkbenchtositon
IfyougitofftheEmbankment.
ThisisthekindoftoneandSolemnity
Thatusedtobeusedontheyoung,
Myoldmangotnoindemnity
Butheswaller'dhistongue.
Likeallhisclasswastoldtoholditinthosedays,
Tomindtheirpsandtheirqsandtheirways
An'bethankfulforoccasionalholidays.
Idon'tquiteseethejokeanymore,
Orwhyweshouldstandtoattention
Andlickthedirtoffthefloor
Inthehopeofhonourablemention
FromagreatemployerlikeSelfridge
Orabuyerofspaceinthepapers.
I'mgettingtoooldforsuchcapers.
EzraPound
Alfs Fifth Bit
Thepompsofbutchery,financialpower,
Told'emtodieinwar,andthentosave,
Thencuttheirsavingtothehalforlower;
Whenwillthissystemliedowninitsgrave?
ThepompsofFleetSt.,festeringyearonyear,
Hidtruthandlied,andliedandhidthefacts.
ThepimpsofWhitehallevermoreinfear,
Hidhealthstatistics,dodgedtheLabourActs.
Alldrewtheirpay,andasthepaygrewless,
Themoneyrottenandmorerottenyet,
Hidmorestatistics,morefearedtoconfess
C.3,C.4,'twerebettertoforget
Howmanyweakofmind,howmuchtuberculosis
Filledthebackalleysandthebacktobackhouses.
'Themedicalreportthisweekdiscloses...'
'Timeforthatquestion!'FrontBenchinterposes.
Timeforthatquestion?andthetimeisNOW.
Whoatetheprofits,andwholocked'emin
Theunsafesafe,whereinallrots,andnomancansayhow
Whatwasthenation's,nowbyNorman'skin
Isonedayblownuplarge,thenext,duckedin?
EzraPound
Alfs Fourth Bit
Rudyardthedudyard,
Rudyardthefalsemeasure,
Told'emthatglory
Ain'talwaysapleasure,
Butsaiditwuzgloriousnevertheless
Tolickthebootsofthebloke
Thatmakestheworstmess.
Keepupthegrandsystem
Don'ttellwhatyouknow,
Yourgrandadgottheroughedge.
Ain'titalwaysbeenso?
Yourownma'warn'tnobetter
ThantheDuchessofKaugh.
Mycousin'snamedBaldwin
An''elookslikeatofft
You'arktothesargent,
Anddon'treadnobooks;
GotoGodlikeasojer;
Whatcountsisthelooks.
EzraPound
Alfs Ninth Bit
Listen,mychildren,andyoushallhear
ThemidnightactivitiesofWhats-hisName,
Scarcelyageneralnowknowntofame
Cantellyouofthatfamousdayandyear.
WhenfeebleMr.Asquith,gettingold,
ThedestiniesofEnglandwerealmostsold
ToaWelshshifterwithanoglingeye,
AndWhats-his-nameattainednobility.
TheDashingRupertofthepulpingtrade,
Roughfromthevirginforestsinviolate,
ThusroseinAlbion,andtickledtheState
Andwhereheoncesetfoot,righttherehestayed.
Old'Erbwasdoting,sotherumourran,
AhdRupertrantherumourroundinwheels,
AndDavid'sharpletoutheart-rendingsqueals:
'Findusaharpist!!DAVIDistheman!!'
Davewasthemantoselltheshotandshell,
AndBasilwastheGreekthatrodearound
Onseaandland,withallconveniencefound
Tosell,tosell,tosell,that'sit,toSELL
Destroyers,bombsandspittingmitrailleuses.
HeusedtolunchwithBalfourinthosedays
Andifthepapersseldomsanghispraise,
ThesimpleBritonsneverknewhewas,
UntilanarstyGermantoldthemso.
Listen,mychildren,andyoushallhear
Ofthingsthathappenedverylongago,
Andscarcelyheedonewordofwhatyouhear.
Buryitall,buryitallwelldeep,
Andlettheblightersstartitalloveragain.
They'lltrickyouagainandagain,asyousleep;
Butyoushallknowthatthesewerethemen,
EzraPound
Alfs Second Bit
THENEO-COMMUNE
ManhoodofEngland,
DougthoftheShires,
WantRussiatosave'em
Andanswertheirprayers.
WantRussiatosave'em,
Lenintosave'em,Trotskytosave'em
(Andvaletstoshave'em)
TheyouthoftheShires!
DownthereinCambridge
Betweenauctionandplainbridge,
Romance,revolution1918!
Anideabetween'em
Isays!'aveyouseen'em?
TheflowerofCambridge,
TheyouthoftheShires?
EzraPound
Alfs Seventh Bit
DidI'earit'arfinadoze:
TheCo-opswasagoin'somewhere,
DidI'earitwhilepickin''ops;
Howtheybetterstarttakin'care,
Thatthepapersweregettin'together
Andthelargerstoreswerelikewise
Consideringsomethingthatwould,asyou
Mightsay,beasurprise
TotheCo-ops,aechoorsomethin'?
Theytellmethatbrandedgoods
Don'tgetadiscountlikeMr.Selfridge
Of25percent,ontheirads.,andthewoods
IswheretheCo-opsaregoin'to,
AndthatOxfordStreetsite
Isnotsuitedtoco-operation
Asortof'Arab'sdreaminthenight.
''Wehaveplenty,soletitbe.'
Theexampleoftheseconsumersinco-operation
Mightcausethoughtandbetherefore
AperiltoSelfridgeandthenation.
EzraPound
Alfs Sixth Bit
Letsomenewlyingass,
Whoknowsnotwhatisorwas,
Talkeconomics,
Payforhiswitlessnoise,
Getthekidnicenewtoys,
Callhim'professor'.
Liesfromthespecialist
Givet'oldonesanewertwist
Hardertountie.
Herecomesthehiredgang
Bloodoneachtiredfang
Coveredwithlip-stick.
'Oh,whatacharmingman,'
That'showthepressblurbran,
'ProfessorKsis.'
Nowtheycan'tfirehim.
NO!theywon'thirehim.
StillDr.S's
Nottiedtotheringaround,
Notquitesnowedunder.
Beingaphysicist
Theycan'tquitebribehim:
Oh,whatanoisetheymade
Thoseparliamentarians.
Ohwhatafusstheymade
Stirringthemarmalade
Theseparliamentarians
Neveranhonestword
Intheirdimhallswasheard
Formorethanadecade.
EzraPound
Alfs Tenth Bit
WIND
Scarceandthin,scarceandthin
Thegovernment'sexcuse,
Neveratallwilltheydo
Aughtoftheslightestuse.
Overthedyinghalf-witsblow,
Overtheempty-headed,andtheslow
Marchers,notgettingforwarder,
WhileRamsayMacDonaldsleeps,sleeps.
Festerandrot,festerandrot,
Andangleandtergiversate
Onethingamongallthingsyouwillnot
Do,thatis:think,beforeit'stoolate.
Electionwillnotcomeverysoon,
Andthosebornwithasilverspoon,
Willkeepitalittlelonger,
Untilthemindoftheoldnationgetsalittlestronger.
EzraPound
Alfs Third Bit
DOLETHEBELL!BELLTHEDOLE!
Whomcanthesedudsattack?
SoapySime?Slipp'ryMac?
Naughtbutashirtisthere
Suchasthefascistswear,
Neverthemaninside
Movinganation-wide
Disgustwithhokum.
Plentytorightof'em,
Plentytoleftof'em,
Yeh!Whatisleftof'em,
Boozy,uncertain.
Seehowtheytakeitall,.
DownthereinClerkenwall
Readin'th'pypers!
Syrupandsoothingdope,
Sure,theycanliveonhope,
Ain'tyehgotprecedent?
Tenyearsandtwelveyearsgone,
Tenmoreandnothingdone,
GODsaveBritannia!
EzraPound
Alfs Twelfth Bit
BALLADFORTHETIMES'SPECIALSILVERNUMBER
SeztheTimesasilverlining
Iswhathassetuspining,
Montague,Montague!
Intheseasonsadandweary
Whenourmindsareverybleary,
Montague,Montague!
ThereisSirHen.Deterding
Hisphrasesinterlarding,
Montague,Montague!
Withthethisandthatandwhat
Forputtingsilveronthespot,
Montague,Montague!
Justdropitintheslot
Anditwillsurelyboilthepot,
Montague,Montague!
Gold,ofcourse,issolidtoo,
Butsomesilversettostew
Mightdo,too.Montague!
Withalivelywood-pulpad.
Tocheerthebadandsad,
Montague,Montague!
EzraPound
Amities
I
Toone,onreturningcertainyearsafter
Youworethesamequitecorrectclothing,
Youtooknopleasureatallinmytriumphs,
Youhadthesameoldairofcondescension
Mingledwithacuriousfear
ThatI,myself,mighthaveenjoyedthem.
TeVoilel,monBourrienne,youalsoshallbeimmortal.
II
Toanother
Andwesaygood-byetoyoualso,
Foryouseemnevertohavediscovered
Thatyourrelationshipiswhollyparasitic;
Yettoourfeastsyoubringneither
Wit,norgoodspirits,northepleasingattitudes
Ofdiscipleship.
III
Butyou,bosamic,wekeepon,
Foryouweowearealdebt:
Inspiteofyourobviousflaws,
Youoncediscoveredamoderatechop-house.
IV
Istefuitvirincultus,
DeoLaus,quodestsepultus,
Vermeshabenteiusvultum
A-a-a-aA-men.
Egoautemjovialis
Gauderocontubernalis
Cumjocundafemina.
EzraPound
An Immorality
Singweforloveandidleness,
Naughtelseisworththehaving.
ThoughIhavebeeninmanyaland,
Thereisnaughtelseinliving.
AndIwouldratherhavemysweet,
Thoughrose-leavesdieofgrieving,
ThandohighdeedsinHungary
Topassallmen'sbelieving.
EzraPound
An Object
Thisthing,thathathacodeandnotacore,
Hathsetacquaintancewheremightbeaffections,
Andnothingnow
Disturbethhisreflections.
EzraPound
Ancient Music
Winterisicummenin,
LhudesingGoddamm.
Rainethdropandstainethslop,
Andhowthewinddothramm!
Sing:Goddamm.
Skiddethbusandsloppethus,
Anaguehathmyham.
Freezethriver,turnethliver,
Damnyou,sing:Goddamm.
Goddamm,Goddamm,'tiswhyIam,Goddamm,
So'gainstthewinter'sbalm.
Singgoddamm,damm,singGoddamm.
Singgoddamm,singgoddamm,DAMM.
EzraPound
Ancient Wisdom, Rather Cosmic
So-shudreamed,
Andhavingdreamedthathewasabird,abee,andabutterfly,
Hewasuncertainwhyheshouldtrytofeellikeanythingelse,
Hencehiscontentment.
EzraPound
Ancora
GoodGod!Theysayyouarerisqu,
Ocanzonetti!
WewhowentoutintothefourA.M.oftheworld
Composingouralbas,
Wewhoshookoffourdewwiththerabbits,
WewhohaveseenevenArtemisa-bindinghersandals,
Haveweeverheardthelike?
OmountainsofHellas!!
Gatheraboutme,OMuses!
WhenwesatuponthegranitebrinkinHelicon
Clothedinthetatteredsunlight,
Museswithdelicateshins,
OMuseswithdelectableknee-joints,
Whenwesplashedandweresplashedwith
ThelucidCastalianspray,
Hadweeversuchanepithetcastuponus!!
EzraPound
And the days are not full enough
Andthedaysarenotfullenough
Andthenightsarenotfullenough
Andlifeslipsbylikeafieldmouse
Notshakingthegrass
EzraPound
And Thus In Nineveh
Aye!Iamapoetanduponmytomb
Shallmaidensscatterroseleaves
Andmenmyrtles,erethenight
Slaysdaywithherdarksword.
'Lo!thisthingisnotmine
Northinetohinder,
Forthecustomisfullold,
AndhereinNinevehhaveIbeheld
Manyasingerpassandtakehisplace
Inthosedimhallswherenomantroubleth
Hissleeporsong.
Andmanyaonehathsunghissongs
Morecraftily,moresubtle-souledthanI;
Andmanyaonenowdothsurpass
Mywave-wornbeautywithhiswindofflowers,
YetamIpoet,anduponmytomb
Shallallmenscatterroseleaves
Erethenightslaylight
Withherbluesword.
Itisnot,Raana,thatmysongringshighest
Ormoresweetintonethanany,butthatI
AmhereaPoet,thatdothdrinkoflife
Aslessermendrinkwine.
EzraPound
Another Bit And An Offer
Iseebythemorningpapers
ThatAmerica'ssturdysons
Havestartedainvestigation
Ofthemakingofguns.
Themorningpapertellsme
Theyhaveaskedthesenatetoguess
WhetherMr.Dupontandthegun-sharks
Haveinfluencewiththepress.
Isitaloneinthetwilight
Aftermyworkisdone
Andwonderifmyday'sthreeandeight-pence
Wouldcountonthepriceofagun.
WasIstartedwrongasakiddie,
Andwouldmyoldmanhavebeensmarter
TosendmetoworkinVickers
Insteadofbeingacarter?
EzraPound
Apparuit
Goldenrosethehouse,intheportalIsaw
thee,amarvel,carveninsubtlestuff,a
portent.Lifedieddowninthelampandflickered,
caughtatthewonder.
Crimson,frostywithdew,therosesbendwhere
thouafar,movingintheglamoroussun,
drinkstinlifeofearth,oftheair,thetissue
goldenaboutthee.
Greentheways,thebreathofthefieldsisthinethere,
openliestheland,yetthesteelygoing
darklyhastthoudaredandthedreadedaether
partedbeforethee.
Swiftatcouragethouintheshellofgold,casting
a-loosethecloakofthebody,earnest
straight,thenshonethineorielandthestunnedlight
fadedaboutthee.
Halfthegravenshoulder,thethroataflashwith
strandsoflightinwovenaboutit,loveliest
ofallthings,frailalabaster,ahme!
swiftindeparting.
Clothedingoldishweft,delicatelyperfect,
goneaswind!Theclothofthemagicalhands!
Thouaslightthing,thouinaccessofcunning
dar'dsttoassumethis?
EzraPound
APRIL
Threespiritscametome
Anddrewmeapart
Towheretheoliveboughs
Laystrippedupontheground:
Palecarnagebeneathbrightmist.
EzraPound
Arides
ThebashfulArides
Hasmarriedanuglywife,
Hewasboredwithhismanneroflife,
Indifferentanddiscouragedhethoughthemightas
Welldothisasanythingelse.
Sayingwithinhisheart,Iamnousetomyself,
'Lether,ifshewantsme,takeme.'
Hewenttohisdoom.
EzraPound
(Greek title)
Beinmeastheeternalmoods
ofthebleakwind,and'not
Astransientthingsare
gaietyofflowers.
Havemeinthestrongloneliness
ofsunlesscliffs
Andofgreywaters.
Letthegodsspeaksoftlyofus
Indayshereafter,
TheshadowyflowersofOrcus
Rememberthee.
EzraPound
Au Jardin
Oyouawayhighthere,
youthatlean
Fromamberlatticesuponthecobaltnight,
Iambelowamidthepinetrees,
Amidthelittlepinetrees,hearme!
'Thejesterwalkedinthegarden.'
Didheso?
Well,there'snouseyourlovingme
Thatway,Lady;
ForI'venothingbutsongstogiveyou.
Iamsetwideupontheworld'sways
Tosaythatlifeis,someway,agaything,
Butyouneverstringtwodaysupononewire
Butthere'llcomesorrowofit.
AndIlovedaloveonce,
Overbeyondthemoonthere,
Ilovedaloveonce,
And,maybe,moretimes,
Butshedancedlikeapinkmothintheshrubbery.
Oh,Iknowyouwomenfromthe'otherfolk',
Andit'llallcomeright,
O'Sundays.
'Thejesterwalkedinthegarden.'
Didheso?
EzraPound
Au Salon
Hergrave,sweethaughtiness
Pleasethme,andinlikewise
Herquietironies.
Othersarebeautiful,nonemore,someless.
Isuppose,whenpoetrycomesdowntofacts,
Whenoursoulsarereturnedtothegods
Andthespherestheybelongin,
Hereintheevery-daywhereouracts
Riseupandjudgeus;
Isupposethereareafewdozenverities
Thatnoshiftofmoodcanshakefromus:
Oneplacewherewe'dratherhavetea
(Thusfarhathmodernitybroughtus)
'Tea'(Damnyou!)
Havetea,damntheCaesars,
Talkofthelatestsuccess,givewingtosomescandal,
Garbleanamewedetest,andforprejudice?
Setloosethewholeconsummatepack
tobaylikeSirRogerdeCoverley's
Thisourrewardforourworks,
siccrescitgloriamundi:
Somecircleofnotmorethanthree
thatweprefertoplayupto,
Somefewwhomwe'dratherplease
thanhearthewholeaegrumvulgus
Splittingitsbeeryjowl
a-meaowlingourpraises.
Somecertainpeculiarthings,
carilaresque,penates,
Somecertainaccustomedforms,
theabsoluteunimportant.
EzraPound
Ballad for Gloom
ForGod,ourGodisagallantfoe
Thatplayethbehindtheveil.
IhavelovedmyGodasachildatheart
Thatseekethdeepbosomsforrest,
IhavelovedmyGodasamaidtoman
Butlo,thisthingisbest:
ToloveyourGodasagallantfoethatplaysbehindtheveil;
TomeetyourGodasthenightwindsmeetbeyondArcturus'pale.
IhaveplayedwithGodforawoman,
IhavestakedwithmyGodfortruth,
IhavelosttomyGodasaman,clear-eyed
Hisdicebenotofruth.
ForIammadeasanakedblade,
Buthearyethisthinginsooth:
WholosethtoGodasmantoman
Shallwinattheturnofthegame.
Ihavedrawnmybladewherethelightningsmeet
Buttheendingisthesame:
WholosethtoGodastheswordbladeslose
Shallwinattheendofthegame.
ForGod,ourGodisagallantfoethatplayethbehindtheveil.
WhomGoddeignsnottooverthrowhathneedoftriplemail.
EzraPound
Ballad of the Goodly Fere
Ha'welostthegoodliestfereo'all
Forthepriestsandthegallowstree?
Ayeloverhewasofbrawnymen,
O'shipsandtheopensea.
Whentheycamewi'ahosttotakeOurMan
Hissmilewasgoodtosee,
"Firstletthesego!"quo'ourGoodlyFere,
"OrI'llseeyedamned,"sayshe.
Ayehesentusoutthroughthecrossedhighspears
Andthescornofhislaughrangfree,
"WhytookyenotmewhenIwalkedabout
Aloneinthetown?"sayshe.
Ohwedrankhis"Hale"inthegoodredwine
Whenwelastmadecompany,
NocaponpriestwastheGoodlyFere
Butamano'menwashe.
Iha'seenhimdriveahundredmen
Wi'abundleo'cordsswungfree,
Thattheytookthehighandholyhouse
Fortheirpawnandtreasury.
They'llno'gethima'inabookIthink
Thoughtheywriteitcunningly;
NomouseofthescrollswastheGoodlyFere
Butayelovedtheopensea.
Iftheythinktheyha'snaredourGoodlyFere
Theyarefoolstothelastdegree.
"I'llgotothefeast,"quo'ourGoodlyFere,
"ThoughIgotothegallowstree."
"Yeha'seenmehealthelameandblind,
Andwakethedead,"sayshe,
"Yeshallseeonethingtomasterall:
'Tishowabravemandiesonthetree."
AsonofGodwastheGoodlyFere
Thatbadeushisbrothersbe.
Iha'seenhimcowathousandmen.
Ihaveseenhimuponthetree.
Hecriednocrywhentheydravethenails
Andthebloodgushedhotandfree,
Thehoundsofthecrimsonskygavetongue
Butneveracrycriedhe.
Iha'seenhimcowathousandmen
Onthehillso'Galilee,
Theywhinedashewalkedoutcalmbetween,
Wi'hiseyeslikethegreyo'thesea,
Liketheseathatbrooksnovoyaging
Withthewindsunleashedandfree,
LiketheseathathecowedatGenseret
Wi'tweywordsspoke'suddently.
AmasterofmenwastheGoodlyFere,
Amateofthewindandsea,
Iftheythinktheyha'slainourGoodlyFere
Theyarefoolseternally.
Iha'seenhimeato'thehoney-comb
Sin'theynailedhimtothetree.
EzraPound
Ballatetta
Thelightbecamehergraceanddweltamong
Blindeyesandshadowsthatareformedasmen;
Lo,howthelightdothmeltusintosong:
Thebrokensunlightforahealmshebeareth
Whohathmyheartinjurisdiction.
Inwild-woodneverfawnnorfallowfareth
Sosilentlight;nogossamerisspun
Sodelicateassheis,whenthesun
Drivestheclearemeraldsfromthebendedgrasses
Lesttheyshouldparchtooswiftly,whereshepasses.
EzraPound
Before Sleep
Thelateralvibrationscaressme,
Theyleapandcaressme,
Theyworkpatheticallyinmyfavour,
Theyseekmyfinancialgood.
Sheofthespearstandspresent.
Thegodsoftheunderworldattendme,OAnnubis,
Thesearetheyofthycompany.
Withapatheticsolicitudetheyattendme;
Undulant,
Theirrealmisthelateralcourses.
Light!
Iamuptofollowthee,Pallas.
Upandoutoftheircaresses.
Youweregoneupasarocket,
Bendingyourpassagesfromrighttoleftandfromlefttoright
Intheflatprojectionofaspiral.
Thegodsofdruggedsleepattendme,
Wishingmewell;
Iamuptofollowthee,Pallas.
EzraPound
Black Slippers: Bellotti
Atthetablebeyondus
Withherlittlesuedeslippersoff,
Withherwhite-stocking'dfeet
Carefullykeptfromthefloorbyanapkin,
Sheconverses:
'Connaissez-vousOstende?'
ThegurglingItalianladyontheothersideofthe
restaurant
Replieswithacertainhauteur,
ButIawaitwithpatience,
ToseehowCelestinewillre-enterherslippers.
Shere-entersthemwithagroan.
EzraPound
Brennbaum
Thesky-likelimpideyes,
Thecircularinfant'sface,
Thestiffnessfromspatstocollar
Neverrelaxingintograce;
TheheavymemoriesofHoreb,Sinaiandthefortyyears,
Showedonlywhenthedaylightfell
Levelacrosstheface
OfBrennbaum'TheImpeccable'.
EzraPound
Cantico del Sole
ThethoughtofwhatAmericawouldbelike
IftheClassicshadawidecirculation
Troublesmysleep,
ThethoughtofwhatAmerica,
ThethoughtofwhatAmerica,ThethoughtofwhatAmericawouldbelike
IftheClassicshadawidecirculation
Troublesmysleep.
Nuncdimittis,nowlettestthouthyservant,
Nowlettestthouthyservant
Departinpeace.
ThethoughtofwhatAmericawouldbelike
IftheClassicshadawidecirculation...
Ohwell!
Ittroublesmysleep.
EzraPound
Canto 1
Andthenwentdowntotheship,
Setkeeltobreakers,forthonthegodlysea,and
Wesetupmastandsailonthatswartship,
Boresheepaboardher,andourbodiesalso
Heavywithweeping,andwindsfromsternward
Boreusonwardwithbellyingcanvas,
Crice'sthiscraft,thetrim-coifedgoddess.
Thensatweamidships,windjammingthetiller,
Thuswithstretchedsail,wewentoverseatillday'send.
Suntohisslumber,shadowso'eralltheocean,
Camewethentotheboundsofdeepestwater,
TotheKimmerianlands,andpeopledcities
Coveredwithclose-webbedmist,unpiercedever
Withglitterofsun-rays
Norwithstarsstretched,norlookingbackfromheaven
Swartestnightstretchedoverwretechedmenthere.
Theoceanflowingbackward,camewethentotheplace
AforesaidbyCirce.
Heredidtheyrites,PerimedesandEurylochus,
Anddrawingswordfrommyhip
Idugtheell-squarepitkin;
Pouredwelibationsuntoeachthedead,
Firstmeadandthensweetwine,watermixedwithwhiteflour
ThenprayedImanyaprayertothesicklydeath's-heads;
AssetinIthaca,sterilebullsofthebest
Forsacrifice,heapingthepyrewithgoods,
AsheeptoTiresiasonly,blackandabell-sheep.
Darkbloodflowedinthefosse,
SoulsoutofErebus,cadaverousdead,ofbrides
Ofyouthsandoftheoldwhohadbornemuch;
Soulsstainedwithrecenttears,girlstender,
Menmany,mauledwithbronzelanceheads,
Battlespoil,bearingyetdreoryarms,
Thesemanycrowdedaboutme;withshouting,
Palloruponme,criedtomymenformorebeasts;
Slaughteredtheherds,sheepslainofbronze;
Pouredointment,criedtothegods,
ToPlutothestrong,andpraisedProserpine;
Unsheathedthenarrowsword,
Isattokeepofftheimpetuousimpotentdead,
TillIshouldhearTiresias.
ButfirstElpenorcame,ourfriendElpenor,
Unburied,castonthewideearth,
LimbsthatweleftinthehouseofCirce,
Unwept,unwrappedinthesepulchre,sincetoilsurgedother.
Pitifulspirit.AndIcriedinhurriedspeech:
"Elpenor,howartthoucometothisdarkcoast?
"Cam'stthouafoot,outstrippingseamen?"
Andheinheavyspeech:
"Illfateandabundantwine.IsleptinCrice'single.
"Goingdownthelongladderunguarded,
"Ifellagainstthebuttress,
"Shatteredthenape-nerve,thesoulsoughtAvernus.
"Butthou,OKing,Ibidrememberme,unwept,unburied,
"Heapupminearms,betombbysea-bord,andinscribed:
"Amanofnofortune,andwithanametocome.
"Andsetmyoarup,thatIswungmidfellows."
AndAnticleacame,whomIbeatoff,andthenTiresiasTheban,
Holdinghisgoldenwand,knewme,andspokefirst:
"Asecondtime?why?manofillstar,
"Facingthesunlessdeadandthisjoylessregion?
"Standfromthefosse,leavememybloodybever
"Forsoothsay."
AndIsteppedback,
Andhestrongwiththeblood,saidthen:"Odysseus
"ShaltreturnthroughspitefulNeptune,overdarkseas,
"Loseallcompanions."ThenAnticleacame.
LiequietDivus.Imean,thatisAndreasDivus,
InofficinaWecheli,1538,outofHomer.
Andhesailed,bySirensandthenceoutwardsandaway
AnduntoCrice.
Venerandam,
IntheCretan'sphrase,withthegoldencrown,Aphrodite,
Cyprimunimentasortitaest,mirthful,oricalchi,withgolden
Girdleandbreatbands,thouwithdarkeyelids
BearingthegoldenboughofArgicidia.Sothat:
EzraPound
Canto 13
Kungwalked
bythedynastictemple
andintothecedargrove,
andthenoutbythelowerriver,
AndwithhimKhieuTchi
andTianthelowspeaking
And"weareunknown,"saidKung,
"Youwilltakeupcharioteering?
"Thenyouwillbecomeknown,
"OrperhapsIshouldtakeupcharioterring,orarchery?
"Orthepracticeofpublicspeaking?"
AndTseu-lousaid,"Iwouldputthedefencesinorder,"
AndKhieusaid,"IfIwerelordofaprovince
"Iwouldputitinbetterorderthanthisis."
AndTchisaid,"Iwouldpreferasmallmountaintemple,
"Withorderintheobservances,
withasuitableperformanceoftheritual,"
AndTiansaid,withhishandonthestringsofhislute
Thelowsoundscontinuing
afterhishandleftthestrings,
Andthesoundwentuplikesmoke,undertheleaves,
Andhelookedafterthesound:
"Theoldswimminghole,
"Andtheboysfloppingofftheplanks,
"Orsittingintheunderbrushplayingmandolins."
AndKungsmileduponallofthemequally.
AndThseng-siedesiredtoknow:
"Whichhadansweredcorrectly?"
AndKungsaid,"Theyhaveallansweredcorrectly,
"Thatistosay,eachinhisnature."
AndKungraisedhiscaneagainstYuanJang,
YuanJangbeinghiselder,
ForYuanJangsatbytheroadsidepretendingto
bereceivingwisdom.
AndKungsaid
"Youoldfool,comeoutofit,
"Getupanddosomethinguseful."
AndKungsaid
"Respectachild'sfaculties
"Fromthemomentitinhalestheclearair,
"Butamanoffiftywhoknowsnothng
Isworthyofnorespect."
And"Whentheprincehasgatheredabouthim
"Allthesavantsandartists,hisricheswillbefullyemployed."
AndKungsaid,andwroteontheboleaves:
Ifamanhavenotorderwithinhim
Hecannotspreadorderabouthim;
Andifamanhavenotorderwithinhim
Hisfamilywillnotactwithdueorder;
Andiftheprincehavenotorderwithinhim
Hecannotputorderinhisdominions.
AndKunggavethewords"order"
and"brotherlydeference"
Andsaidnothingofthe"lifeafterdeath."
Andhesaid
"Anyonecanruntoexcesses,
"Itiseasytoshootpastthemark,
"Itishardtostandfirminthemiddle."
Andtheysaid:Ifamancommitmurder
Shouldhisfatherprotecthim,andhidehim?
AndKungsaid:
Heshouldhidehim.
AndKunggavehisdaughtertoKong-Tchang
AlthoughKong-Tchangwasinprison.
AndhegavehisniecetoNan-Young
althoughNan-Youngwasoutofoffice.
AndKungsaid"Wanruledwithmoderation,
"InhisdaytheStatewaswellkept,
"AndevenIcanremember
"Adaywhenthehistoriansleftblanksintheirwritings,
"Imean,forthingstheydidn'tknow,
"Butthattimeseemstobepassing.
Adaywhenthehistoriansleftblanksintheirwritings,
Butthattimeseemstobepassing."
AndKungsaid,"Withoutcharacteryouwill
"beunabletoplayonthatinstrument
"OrtoexecutethemusicfitfortheOdes.
"Theblossomsoftheapricot
"blowfromtheeasttothewest,
"AndIhavetriedtokeepthemfromfalling."
EzraPound
Canto 49
Forthesevenlakes,andbynomantheseverses:
Rain;emptyriver;avoyage,
Firefromfrozencloud,heavyraininthetwilight
Underthecabinroofwasonelantern.
Thereedsareheavy;bent;
andthebamboosspeakasifweeping.
Autumnmoon;hillsriseaboutlakes
againstsunset
Eveningislikeacurtainofcloud,
ablurraboveripples;andthroughit
sharplongspikesofthecinnamon,
acoldtuneamidreeds.
Behindhillthemonk'sbell
borneonthewind.
SailpassedhereinApril;mayreturninOctober
Boatfadesinsilver;slowly;
Sunblazealoneontheriver.
Wherewineflagcatchesthesunset
Sparsechimneyssmokeinthecrosslight
Comesthensnowscurontheriver
Andaworldiscoveredwithjade
Smallboatfloatslikealanthorn,
Theflowingwaterclostsaswithcold.AndatSanYin
theyareapeopleofleisure.
Wildgeeseswooptothesand-bar,
Cloudsgatherabouttheholeofthewindow
Broadwater;geeselineoutwiththeautumn
Rooksclatteroverthefishermen'slanthorns,
Alightmovesonthenorthskyline;
wheretheyoungboysprodstonesforshrimp.
InseventeenhundredcameTsingtothesehilllakes.
AlightmovesontheSouthskyline.
Statebycreatingrichesshd.therebygetintodebt?
Thsiisinfamy;thisisGeryon.
ThiscanalgoesstilltoTenShi
Thoughtheoldkingbuiltitforpleasure
KEIMENRANKEI
KIUMANMANKEI
JITSUGETSUKOKWA
TANFUKUTANKAI
Sunup;work
sundown;torest
digwellanddrinkofthewater
digfield;eatofthegrain
Imperialpoweris?andtouswhatisit?
Thefourth;thedimensionofstillness.
Andthepoweroverwildbeasts.
EzraPound
Canto I
Wesetupmastandsailonthaswartship,
Heavywithweeping,sowindsfromsternward
Boreusoutonwardwithbellyingcanvas,
Circe'sthiscraft,thetrim-coifedgoddess.
Swartestnightstretchedoverwretchedmenthere.
AforesaidbyCirce.
Firstmeadandthensweetwine,watermixedwithwhiteflour.
ThenprayedImanyaprayertothesicklydeath's-head;
Ofyouthsandattheoldwhohadbornemuch;
Slaughteredtheheards,sheepslainofbronze;
Unwept,unwrappedinsepulchre,sincetoilsurgedother.
Cam'stthouafoot,outstrippingseamen?"
Andheinheavyspeech:
"Illfateandabundantwine.IsleptinCirce'single.
Goingdownthelongladderunguarded,
Ifellagainstthebuttress,
Shatteredthenape-nerve,thesoulsoughtAvernus.
Butthou,OKing,Ibidrememberme,unwept,unburied,
Heapupminearms,betombbysea-bord,andinscribed:
Amanofnofortune,andwithanametocome.
Andsetmyoarup,thatIswungmidfellows."
Facingthesunlessdeadandthisjoylessregion?
Standfromthefosse,leavememybloodybever
Forsoothsay."
AndIsteppedback,
Andhestongwiththeblood,saidthen:"Odysseus
ShaltreturnthroughspitefulNeptune,overdarkseas,
Loseallcompanions."AndthenAnticleacame.
Andhesailed,bySirensandthenceoutwardandaway
AnduntoCirce.
Venerandam,
IntheCreatan'sphrase,withthegoldencrown,Aphrodite,
Cyprimunimentasortitaest,mirthful,orichalchi,withgolden
Girdlesandbreastbands,thouwithdarkeyelids
BearingthegoldenboughofArgicida.Sothat:
EzraPound
Canto I: And Then Went Down to the Ship
Wesetupmastandsailonthatswartship,
Heavywithweeping,andwindsfromsternward
Boreusonwardwithbellyingcanvas,
Crice'sthiscraft,thetrim-coifedgoddess.
Swartestnightstretchedoverwretechedmenthere.
AforesaidbyCirce.
Firstmeadandthensweetwine,watermixedwithwhiteflour
ThenprayedImanyaprayertothesicklydeath's-heads;
Ofyouthsandoftheoldwhohadbornemuch;
Slaughteredtheherds,sheepslainofbronze;
Unwept,unwrappedinthesepulchre,sincetoilsurgedother.
"Cam'stthouafoot,outstrippingseamen?"
Andheinheavyspeech:
"Illfateandabundantwine.IsleptinCrice'single.
"Goingdownthelongladderunguarded,
"Ifellagainstthebuttress,
"Shatteredthenape-nerve,thesoulsoughtAvernus.
"Butthou,OKing,Ibidrememberme,unwept,unburied,
"Heapupminearms,betombbysea-bord,andinscribed:
"Amanofnofortune,andwithanametocome.
"Andsetmyoarup,thatIswungmidfellows."
"Facingthesunlessdeadandthisjoylessregion?
"Standfromthefosse,leavememybloodybever
"Forsoothsay."
AndIsteppedback,
Andhestrongwiththeblood,saidthen:"Odysseus
"ShaltreturnthroughspitefulNeptune,overdarkseas,
"Loseallcompanions."ThenAnticleacame.
Andhesailed,bySirensandthenceoutwardsandaway
AnduntoCrice.
Venerandam,
IntheCretan'sphrase,withthegoldencrown,Aphrodite,
Cyprimunimentasortitaest,mirthful,oricalchi,withgolden
Girdleandbreatbands,thouwithdarkeyelids
BearingthegoldenboughofArgicidia.Sothat:
EzraPound
Canto III
Another'sahalf-crackedfellowJohnHeydon,
Workerofmiracles,dealerinlevitation,
Inthoughtsuponpureform,inalchemy,
Seerofprettyvisions('servantofGodandsecretaryofnature');
Fullofplaintivecharm,likeBotticelli's,
Withhalf-transparentforms,lackingthevigorofgods.
ThusHeydon,inatrance,atBulverton,
Hadsuchasight:
Deckedallingreen,withsleevesofyellowsilk
Slittotheelbow,slashedwithvariouspurples.
Hereyesweregreenasglass,herfootwasleaf-like.
Shewasadornedwithchoicestemeralds,
Andpromisedhimthewayofholywisdom.
'Prettygreenbank,'beganthehalf-lostpoem.
Taketheoldway,sayImetJohnHeydon,
Soughtouttheplace,
Layonthebank,was'plungddeepinswevyn;'
AndsawthecompanyLayamon,Chaucer
Passeachinhisappropriaterobes;
Conversedwitheach,observedthevaryingfashion.
AndthencomesHeydon.
'IhaveseenJohnHeydon.'
LetushearJohnHeydon!
'Omniformis
Omnisintellectusest'thushebegins,byspoutinghalfofPsellus.
(Thencomesanote,myassiduouscommentator:
NotPsellusDeDaemonibus,butPorphyry'sChances,
Inthethirteenthchapter,that'everyintellectisomni-form.')
MagnificoLorenzousedthedodge,
SaysthathemetFicino
InsomeWordsworthian,false-pastoralmanner,
Andthattheywalkedalong,stoppedatawell-head,
Andhearddeepplatitudesaboutcontentment
Fromsomeoldcodgerwithanendlessbeard.
'Adaemonisnotaparticularintellect,
Butisasubstancedifferedfromintellect,'
BreaksinFicino,
'Placedinthelatitudeorlocusofsouls'
That'soutofProclus,takeyourpickofthem.
Valla,moreearthandsounderrhetoric
PrefacingpraisetohisPopeNicholas:
'Amanofparts,skilledinthesubtlestsciences;
Apatronofthearts,ofpoetry;andofafinediscernment.'
Thencomesacatalogue,hisjewelsofconversation.
No,you'venotreadyourElegantiae
Adullbook?shookthechurch.
Theprefaces,cutclearandhard:
'KnowthentheRomanspeech,asacrament,'
Spreadforthenations,eucharistofwisdom,
Breadoftheliberalarts.
Ha!SirBlancatz,
Sordellowouldhaveyourhearttogivetoalltheprinces;
Valla,theheartofRome,
Sustainingspeech,setoutbeforethepeople.
'NecbonusChristianusacbonus
Tullianus.'
Marius,DuBellay,weptforthebuildings,
BaldassarCastiglionesawRaphael
'Leadbackthesoulintoitsdead,wastedwelling,'
Corporelaniato;andLorenzoValla,
'Brokeninmiddlelife?benttosubmission?
TookafatlivingfromthePapacy'
(That'sinVillari,butBurckhardt'sstatementisdifferent)
'MorethantheRomancity,theRomanspeech'
(Holdsfastitspartamongtheever-living).
'NotbytheeaglesonlywasRomemeasured.'
'WherevertheRomanspeechwas,therewasRome,'
Whereverthespeechcrept,therewasmastery
Spokewiththelaw'svoicewhileyourGreek,logicians...
MoreGreeksthanone!Doughty's'divineHomeros'
Camebeforesophistry.Justinopolitan
UncataloguedAndreasDivus,
GavehiminLatin,1538inmyedition,therestuncertain,
Caughtuphiscadence,wordandsyllable:
'Downtotheshipswewent,setmastandsail,
Blackkeelandbeastsforbloodysacrifice,
Weepingwewent.'
I'vestrainedmyearfor-ensa,-ombra,and-ensa
Andcrackedmywitondelicatecanzoni
Here'sbutroughmeaning:
'Andthenwentdowntotheship,setkeeltobreakers,
Forthonthegodlysea;
Wesetupmastandsailontheswarthyship,
Sheepboreweaboardher,andourbodiesalso
Heavywithweeping.Andwindsfromsternward
Boreusoutonwardwithbellyingcanvas
Circe'sthiscraft,thetrim-coifedgoddess.
Thensatweamidships,windjammingthetiller.
Thuswithstretchedsail
Wewentoverseatillday'send:
Suntohisslumber,shadowso'eralltheocean.
TotheKimmerianlandsandpeopledcities
Coveredwithclose-webbedmist,unpiercdever
Withglitterofsun-rays,
Norwithstarsstretched,norlookingbackfromheaven,
Swartestnightstretchedoverwretchedmenthere.
Thitherweinthatship,unladedsheepthere,
Theoceanflowingbackward,camewethroughtotheplace
AforesaidbyCirce.
Idugtheell-squarepitkin,pouredwelibationsuntoeachthedead,
Firstmeadandthensweetwine,
Watermixedwithwhiteflour.
ThenprayedImanyaprayertothesicklydeath's-heads
AssetinIthaca,sterilebullsofthebest,
Forsacrifice,heapingthepyrewithgoods.
Sheep,toTiresiasonly,
Black,andabellsheep;
Darkbloodflowedinthefosse.
SoulsoutofErebus,cadaverousdead
Ofbrides,ofyouths,andofmanypassingold,
Virginstender,soulsstainedwithrecenttears,
Manymenmauledwithbronzelance-heads,
Battlespoil,bearingyetdrearyarms:
Thesemanycrowdedaboutme,
Withshouting,palloruponme,criedtomymenformorebeasts;
Slaughteredtheherdssheepslainofbronze,
ToPlutothestrong,andpraisedProserpine.
Unsheathedthenarrowsteel,
Isattokeepofftheimpetuous,impotentdead
Unburied,castonthewideearth
Unwept,unwrappedinsepulchre,sincetoilsurgedother,
PitifulspiritandIcriedinhurriedspeech:
'Elpenor,howartthoucometothisdarkcoast?
Cam'stthouafoot,outstrippingseamen?'Andheinheavyspeech:
'Illfateandabundantwine!IsleptinCirce'single,
Goingdownthelongladderunguarded,Ifellagainstthebuttress,
Shatteredthenape-nerve,thesoulsoughtAvernus.
Butthou,OKing,Ibidrememberme,unwept,unburied!
Heapupminearms,betombbythesea-board,andinscribed,
Amanofnofortuneandwithanametocome;
Andsetmyoarup,thatIswung'midfellows.'
Camethenanotherghost,whomIbeatoff,Anticlea,
AndthenTiresias,Theban,
Holdinghisgoldenwand,knewmeandspokefirst:
'Manofillhour,whycomeasecondtime,
Leavingthesunlight,facingthesunlessdeadandthisjoylessregion?
Standfromthefosse,moveback,leavememybloodybever,
AndIwillspeakyoutruespeeches.'
'AndIsteppedback,
Sheathingtheyellowsword.Darkbloodhedrankthen
Andspoke:'LustrousOdysseus,shalt
ReturnthroughspitefulNeptune,overdarkseas,
Loseallcompanions.'Foretoldmethewaysandthesigns.
CamethenAnticlea,towhomIanswered:
'Fatedrivesmeonthroughthesedeeps;IsoughtTiresias.'
ItoldhernewsofTroy,andthricehershadow
Fadedinmyembrace.
ThenhadInewsofmanyfadedwomen
Tyro,Alcmena,Chloris
Heardouttheirtalesbythatdarkfosse,andsailed
Bysirensandthenceoutwardandaway,
AnduntoCirceburiedElpenor'scorpse.'
Liequiet,Divus.
InOfficinaWechli,Paris,
M.D.threeX's,Eight,withAldusontheFrogs,
AndacertainCretan's
HymniDeorum:
(ThethinclearTuscanstuff
Giveswaybeforethefloridmellowphrase.)
TakewetheGoddess,Venus:
Venerandam,
Aureancoronamhabentem,pulchram,
Cyprimunimentasortitaest,maritime,
Lightonthefoam,breathedonbyzephyrs,
Andair-tendinghours.Mirthful,orichalci
,withgolden
Girdlesandbreastbands.
Thouwithdarkeye-lids,
BearingthegoldenboughofArgicida.
EzraPound
Canto XIII: Kung Walked
Kungwalked
bythedynastictemple
andintothecedargrove,
andthenoutbythelowerriver,
AndwithhimKhieuTchi
andTianthelowspeaking
And``weareunknown,"saidKung,
``Youwilltakeupcharioteering?
``Thenyouwillbecomeknown,
`ÒrperhapsIshouldtakeupcharioterring,orarchery?
`Òrthepracticeofpublicspeaking?''
AndTseu-lousaid,`Ìwouldputthedefencesinorder,''
AndKhieusaid,`ÌfIwerelordofaprovince
`Ìwouldputitinbetterorderthanthisis.''
AndTchisaid,`Ìwouldpreferasmallmountaintemple,
``Withorderintheobservances,
withasuitableperformanceoftheritual,''
AndTiansaid,withhishandonthestringsofhislute
Thelowsoundscontinuing
afterhishandleftthestrings,
Andthesoundwentuplikesmoke,undertheleaves,
Andhelookedafterthesound:
``Theoldswimminghole,
`Àndtheboysfloppingofftheplanks,
`Òrsittingintheunderbrushplayingmandolins.''
AndKungsmileduponallofthemequally.
AndThseng-siedesiredtoknow:
``Whichhadansweredcorrectly?''
AndKungsaid,``Theyhaveallansweredcorrectly,
``Thatistosay,eachinhisnature.''
AndKungraisedhiscaneagainstYuanJang,
YuanJangbeinghiselder,
ForYuanJangsatbytheroadsidepretendingto
bereceivingwisdom.
AndKungsaid
``Youoldfool,comeoutofit,
``Getupanddosomethinguseful.''
AndKungsaid
``Respectachild'sfaculties
``Fromthemomentitinhalestheclearair,
``Butamanoffiftywhoknowsnothng
Isworthyofnorespect.''
And"Whentheprincehasgatheredabouthim
`Àllthesavantsandartists,hisricheswillbefullyemployed.''
AndKungsaid,andwroteontheboleaves:
Ifamanhavenotorderwithinhim
Hecannotspreadorderabouthim;
Andifamanhavenotorderwithinhim
Hisfamilywillnotactwithdueorder;
Andiftheprincehavenotorderwithinhim
Hecannotputorderinhisdominions.
AndKunggavethewords`òrder''
and``brotherlydeference''
Andsaidnothingofthe``lifeafterdeath.''
Andhesaid
`Ànyonecanruntoexcesses,
`Ìtiseasytoshootpastthemark,
`Ìtishardtostandfirminthemiddle.''
Andtheysaid:Ifamancommitmurder
Shouldhisfatherprotecthim,andhidehim?
AndKungsaid:
Heshouldhidehim.
AndKunggavehisdaughtertoKong-Tchang
AlthoughKong-Tchangwasinprison.
AndhegavehisniecetoNan-Young
althoughNan-Youngwasoutofoffice.
AndKungsaid``Wanruledwithmoderation,
`ÌnhisdaytheStatewaswellkept,
`ÀndevenIcanremember
`Àdaywhenthehistoriansleftblanksintheirwritings,
`Ìmean,forthingstheydidn'tknow,
``Butthattimeseemstobepassing.
Adaywhenthehistoriansleftblanksintheirwritings,
Butthattimeseemstobepassing.''
AndKungsaid,``Withoutcharacteryouwill
``beunabletoplayonthatinstrument
`ÒrtoexecutethemusicfitfortheOdes.
``Theblossomsoftheapricot
``blowfromtheeasttothewest,
`ÀndIhavetriedtokeepthemfromfalling."
EzraPound
Canto XLIX: For the Seven Lakes
Forthesevenlakes,andbynomantheseverses:
Rain;emptyriver;avoyage,
Firefromfrozencloud,heavyraininthetwilight
Underthecabinroofwasonelantern.
Thereedsareheavy;bent;
andthebamboosspeakasifweeping.
Autumnmoon;hillsriseaboutlakes
againstsunset
Eveningislikeacurtainofcloud,
ablurraboveripples;andthroughit
sharplongspikesofthecinnamon,
acoldtuneamidreeds.
Behindhillthemonk'sbell
borneonthewind.
SailpassedhereinApril;mayreturninOctober
Boatfadesinsilver;slowly;
Sunblazealoneontheriver.
Wherewineflagcatchesthesunset
Sparsechimneyssmokeinthecrosslight
Comesthensnowscurontheriver
Andaworldiscoveredwithjade
Smallboatfloatslikealanthorn,
Theflowingwaterclostsaswithcold.AndatSanYin
theyareapeopleofleisure.
Wildgeeseswooptothesand-bar,
Cloudsgatherabouttheholeofthewindow
Broadwater;geeselineoutwiththeautumn
Rooksclatteroverthefishermen'slanthorns,
Alightmovesonthenorthskyline;
wheretheyoungboysprodstonesforshrimp.
InseventeenhundredcameTsingtothesehilllakes.
AlightmovesontheSouthskyline.
Statebycreatingrichesshd.therebygetintodebt?
Thisisinfamy;thisisGeryon.
ThiscanalgoesstilltoTenShi
Thoughtheoldkingbuiltitforpleasure
KEIMENRANKEI
KIUMANMANKEI
JITSUGETSUKOKWA
TANFUKUTANKAI
Sunup;work
sundown;torest
digwellanddrinkofthewater
digfield;eatofthegrain
Imperialpoweris?andtouswhatisit?
Thefourth;thedimensionofstillness.
Andthepoweroverwildbeasts.
EzraPound
Cantus Planus
Theblackpantherliesunderhisrosetree
Andthefawnscometosniffathissides:
Evoe,Evoe,EvoeBaccho,O
ZAGREUS,Zagreus,Zagreus,
Theblackpantherliesunderhisrosetree.
||Hesperadest.Hesper||adest.
Hesper||adest.
EzraPound
Causa
Ijointhesewordsforfourpeople,
Someothersmayoverhearthem,
Oworld,Iamsorryforyou,
Youdonotknowthesefourpeople.
EzraPound
Cino
ItalianCampagna1309,theopenroad
Bah!Ihavesungwomeninthreecities,
Butitisallthesame;
AndIwillsingofthesun.
Lips,words,andyousnarethem,
Dreams,words,andtheyareasjewels,
Strangespellsofolddeity,
Ravens,nights,allurement:
Andtheyarenot;
Havingbecomethesoulsofsong.
Eyes,dreams,lips,andthenightgoes.
Beingupontheroadoncemore,
Theyarenot.
Forgetfulintheirtowersofourtuneing
Onceforwind-runeing
Theydreamus-towardand
Sighing,say,``WouldCino,
PassionateCino,ofthewrinklingeyes,
GayCino,ofquicklaughter,
Cino,ofthedare,thejibe.
FrailCino,strongestofhistribe
Thattrampoldwaysbeneaththesun-light,
WouldCinooftheLuthwerehere!''
Once,twiceayear---
Vaguelythuswordthey:
``Cino?''`Òh,eh,CinoPolnesi
Thesingeris'tyoumean?''
`Àhyes,passedonceourway,
Asaucyfellow,but...
(Ohtheyareallonethesevagabonds),
Peste!'tishisownsongs?
Orsomeother'sthathesings?
But*you*,MyLord,howwithyourcity?''
Myyou``MyLord,''God'spity!
AndallIknewwereout,MyLord,you
WereLack-landCino,e'enasIam,
OSinistro.
Ihavesungwomeninthreecities.
Butitisallone.
Iwillsingofthesun.
...eh?...theymostlyhadgreyeyes,
Butitisallone,Iwillsingofthesun.
``'PolloPhoibee,oldtinpan,you
GlorytoZeus'aegis-day,
Shieldo'steel-blue,th'heaveno'erus
Hathforbossthylustregay!
'PolloPhoibee,toourway-fare
Makethylaughourwander-lied;
Bidthy'flugencebearawaycare.
Cloudandrain-tearspasstheyfleet!
Seekinge'erthenew-laidrast-way
Tothegardensofthesun...
***
Ihavesungwomeninthreecities
Butitisallone.
Iwillsingofthewhitebirds
Inthebluewatersofheaven,
Thecloudsthatarespraytoitssea."
EzraPound
Coda
OMysongs,
Whydoyoulooksoeagerlyandsocuriouslyinto
people'sfaces,
Willyoufindyourlostdeadamongthem?
EzraPound
Coitus
Thegildedphaloiofthecrocuses
arethrustingatthespringair.
Hereistherenaughtofdeadgods
Butaprocessionoffestival,
Aprocession,GiulioRomano,
Fitforyourspirittodwellin.
Dione,yournightsareuponus.
Thedewisupontheleaf.
Thenightaboutusisrestless.
EzraPound
Come To My Cantilations
Comemycantilations,
Letusdumpourhatredsintoonebunchandbedonewiththem,
Hotsun,clearwater,freshwind,
Letmebefreeofpavements,
Letmebefreeoftheprinters.
Letcomebeautifulpeople
Wearingrawsilkofgoodcolour,
Letcomethegracefulspeakers,
Letcomethereadyofwit,
Letcomethegayofmanner,theinsolentandtheexulting.
Wespeakofburnishedlakes,
Ofdryair,asclearasmetal.
EzraPound
Commission
Go,mysongs,tothelonelyandtheunsatisfied,
Goalsotothenerve-racked,gototheenslaved-by-convention,
Beartothemmycontemptfortheiroppressors.
Goasagreatwaveofcoolwater,
Bearmycontemptofoppressors.
Speakagainstunconsciousoppression,
Speakagainstthetyrannyoftheunimaginative,
Speakagainstbonds.
Gotothebourgeoisewhoisdyingofherennuis,
Gotothewomeninsuburbs.
Gotothehideouslywedded,
Gotothemwhosefailureisconcealed,
Gototheunluckilymated,
Gototheboughtwife,
Gotothewomanentailed.
Gotothosewhohavedelicatelust,
Gotothosewhosedelicatedesiresarethwarted,
Golikeablightuponthedulnessoftheworld;
Gowithyouredgeagainstthis,
Strengthenthesubtlecords,
Bringconfidenceuponthealgaeandthetentaclesofthesoul.
Goinafriendlymanner,
Gowithanopenspeech.
Beeagertofindnewevilsandnewgood,
Beagainstallformsofoppression.
Gotothosewhoarethickenedwithmiddleage,
Tothosewhohavelosttheirinterest.
Gototheadolescentwhoaresmotheredinfamily-
Ohhowhideousitis
Toseethreegenerationsofonehousegatheredtogether!
Itislikeanoldtreewithshoots,
Andwithsomebranchesrottedandfalling.
Gooutanddefyopinion,
Goagainstthisvegetablebondageoftheblood.
Beagainstallsortsofmortmain.
EzraPound
Dance Figure
FortheMarriageinCanaofGalilee
Dark-eyed,
Owomanofmydreams,
Ivorysandalled,
Thereisnoneliketheeamongthedancers,
Nonewithswiftfeet.
Ihavenotfoundtheeinthetents,
Inthebrokendarkness.
Ihavenotfoundtheeatthewell-head
Amongthewomenwithpitchers.
Thinearmsareasayoungsaplingunderthebark;
Thyfaceasariverwithlights.
Whiteasanalmondarethyshoulders;
Asnewalmondsstrippedfromthehusk.
Theyguardtheenotwitheunuchs;
Notwithbarsofcopper.
Giltturquoiseandsilverareintheplaceofthyrest.
Abrownrobe,withthreadsofgoldwovenin
patterns,hastthougatheredaboutthee,
ONathat-Ikanaie,'Tree-at-the-river'.
Asarilletamongthesedgearethyhandsuponme;
Thyfingersafrostedstream.
Thymaidensarewhitelikepebbles;
Theirmusicaboutthee!
Thereisnoneliketheeamongthedancers;
Nonewithswiftfeet.
EzraPound
Dans Un Omnibus De Londres
Lesyeuxd'unemorte
M'ontsalu,
Enchasssdansunvisagestupide
Donttouslesautrestraitstaientbanals,
Ilsm'ontsalu
Etalorsjevisbiendeschoses
Audedansdemammoire
Remuer,
S'veiller.
Jevisdescanardssurlebordd'unlacminuscule,
Aupr
sd'unpetitenfantgai,bossu.
Jevislescolonnesanciennesenctoc'
DuPareMonceau,
Etdeuxpetitesfillesgraciles,
Despatriciennes,
auxtoisonscouleurdelin,
Etdespigeonnes
Grasses
commedespoulardes.
Jevislepare,
Ettouslesgazonsdivers
Ounousavionsloudeschaises
Pourquatresous.
Jevislescygnesnoirs,
Japonais,
Leursailes
Teint
esdecouleursang-de-dragon,
Ettouteslesfleurs
D'Armenonville.
Lesyeuxd'unemorte
M'ontsalu.
EzraPound
De gypto
IevenI,amhewhoknoweththeroads
Throughthesky,andthewindthereofismybody.
IhavebeheldtheLadyofLife,
I,evenI,whoflywiththeswallows.
Greenandgrayisherraiment,
Trailingalongthewind.
I,evenI,amhewhoknoweththeroads
Manusanimampinxit,
Mypenisinmyhand
Towritetheacceptableword....
Mymouthtochantthepuresinging!
Whohaththemouthtoreceiveit,
ThesongoftheLotusofKumi?
Iamflamethatrisethinthesun,
I,evenI,whoflywiththeswallows.
Themoonisuponmyforehead,
Thewindsareundermylips.
Themoonisagreatpearlinthewatersofsapphire,
Cooltomyfingerstheflowingwaters.
EzraPound
Dieu! Qu'il La Fait
FROMCHARLESD'ORLEANS
God!thatmad'stherwellregardher,
Howsheissofairandbonny;
Forthegreatcharmsthatareuponher
Readyareallfolkstorewardher.
Whocouldparthimfromherborders
Whenspellsarealwayrenewedonher?
God!thatmad'stherwellregardher,
Howsheissofairandbonny.
Fromheretotheretothesea'sborder,
Damenordamselthere'snotany
Hathofperfectcharmssomany.
Thoughtsofherareofdream'sorder:
God!thatmad'stherwellregardher.
EzraPound
Dompna Pois De Me No'us Cal
FROMTHEPROVENCALOFENBERTRANSDEBORN
Lady,sinceyoucarenothingforme,
Andsinceyouhaveshutmeawayfromyou
Causelessly,
Iknownotwneretogoseeking,
Forcertainly
Iwillneveragaingather
Joysorich,andifIfindnotever
Aladywithlooksospeaking
Tomydesire,worthyourswhomIhavelost,
Illhavenootherloveatanycost.
AndsinceIcouldnotfindapeertoyou,
Neitheronesofair,norofsuchheart,
Soeagerandalert,
Norwithsuchart
Inattire,norsogay
Norwithgiftsobountifulandsotrue,
Iwillgoouta-searching,
Cullingfromeachafairtrait
Tomakemeaborrowedlady
TillIagainfindyouready.
BelsCembelins,Itakeofyouyourcolour,
Forit'syourown,andyourglance
Whereloveis,
AproudthingIdohere,
For,astocolourandeyes
Ishallhavemissednothingatall,
Havingyours.
IaskofMidonsAelis(ofMontfort)
Herstraightspeechfree-running,
Thatmyphantomlacknotincunning,
AtChalaisoftheViscountess,Iwould
Thatshegivemeoutright
Hertwohandsandherthroat,
SotakeImyroad
ToRochechouart,
Swift-foottomyLadyAnhes,
SeeingthatTristan'sladyIseutzhadnever
Suchgraceoflocks,Idoyetowit,
Thoughshe'dthefarfameforit.
OfAudiartatMalemort,
Thoughshewithafullheart
Wishmeill,
I'dhaveherformthat'slaced
Socunningly,
Withoutblemish,forherlove
Breaksnotnorturnsaside.
IofMiels-de-bendemand
Herstraightfreshbody,
Sheissosuppleandyoung,
Herrobescanbutdoherwrong.
Herwhiteteeth,oftheLadyFaidita
Iask,andthefinecourtesy
Shehathtowelcomeone,
Andsuchrepliesshelavishes
Withinhernest;
OfBelsMirals,therest,
Tallstatureandgaiety,
Tomaketheseavail
Sheknowethwell,betide
Nochangenorturningaside.
Ah,BelsSenher,Maent,atlast
Iasknaughtfromyou,
SavethatIhavesuchhungerfor
Thisphantom
AsI'veforyou,suchflame-lap,
AndyetI'drather
Askofyouthanholdanother,
Mayhap,rightcloseandkissed.
Ah,lady,whyhaveyoucast
Meout,knowingyouholdmesofast!
EzraPound
Donna Mi Prega
Becausealadyasksme,Iwouldtell
Ofanaffectthatcomesoftenandisfell
Andissooverweening;Lovebyname.
E'enitsdenierscannowhearthetruth,
Iforthenoncetothemthatknowitcall,
Havingnohopeatall
thatmanwhoisbaseinheart
Canbearhispartofwit
intothelightofit,
Andsavetheyknow'tarightfromnature'ssource
IhavenowilltoproveLove'scourse
orsay
Wherehetakesrest;whomakethhimtobe;
Orwhathisactivevirtuis,orwhathisforce;
Nay,norhisveryessenceorhismode;
Whathisplacation;whyheisinverb,
Orifamanhavemight
Toshowhimvisibletomen'ssight.
Inmemory'slocustakethhehisstatePlace
Formedthereinmannerasamistoflight
UponaduskthatiscomefromMarsandstays.
Loveiscreated,hathasensatename,
Hismodustakesfromsoul,fromhearthiswill;
Fromformseendothhestart,that,understood,
Takethinlatentintellect
Asinasubjectready
placeandabode,
Yetinthatplaceiteverisunstill,
Spreadingitsrays,ittendethneverdown
Byquality,butisitsowneffectunendingly
Nottodelight,butinanardourofthought
Thatthebaselikenessofitkindlethnot.
Itisnotvirtu,butperfection'ssource
Lyingwithinperfectionpostulate
Notbythereason,buttisfelt,Isay.
Beyondsalvation,holdethitsjudgingforce,
Maintainsintentionreason'speerandmate;
Poorindiscernment,beingthusweakness'friend,
Oftenhispowermeetethwithdeathintheend
Behewithstayed
orfromtruecourse
bewrayed
E'enthoughhemeetnotwithhateorvilleiny
Savethatperfectionfails,beitbutalittle;
Norcanmansayhehathhislifebychance
Orthathehathnotstablishedseigniory
Orlosethpower,e'enlosttomemory.
Hecomestobeandiswhenwill'ssogreat
Ittwistsitselffromoutallnaturalmeasure;
Leisuresadornmentputshethenneveron,
Neverthereafter,butmoveschangingstate,
Moveschangingcolour,ortolaughorweep
Orwriesthefacewithfearandlittlestays,
Yea,restethlittle
yetisfoundthemost
Wherefolkofworthbehost.
Andhisstrangepropertysetssighstomove
Andwillsmanlookintounformedspace
Rousingtherethirst
thatbreakethintoflame.
Nonecanimaginelove
thatknowsnotlove;
Lovedothnotmove,butdrawethalltohim;
Nordothheturn
forawhim
tofinddelight
Nortoseekout,surely,
greatknowledgeorslight.
Lookdrawnfromlike,
delightmakethcertaininseeming
Norcanincovertcower,
beautysonear,
Notyetwild-cruelasdarts,
Sohathmancraftfromfear
insuchhisdesire
Tofollowanoblespirit,
edge,thatis,andpointtothedart,
Thoughfromherfaceindiscernible;
He,caught,falleth
plumbthespikeofthetarge.
Whowellproceedeth,formnotseeth,
followinghisownemanation.
There,beyondcolour,essencesetapart,
Inmidstofdarknesslightlightgivethforth
Beyondallfalsity,worthyoffaith,alone
Thatinhimsolelyiscompassionborn.
Safemay'stthougomycanzonwhithertheepleaseth
Thouartsofairattiredthateverymanandeach
Shallpraisethyspeech
Sowehavesenseorglowwithreason'sfire,
Tostandwithother
hastthounodesire.
EzraPound
Dum Capitolium Scandet
Howmanywillcomeafterme
singingaswellasIsing,nonebetter;
Tellingtheheartoftheirtruth
asIhavetaughtthemtotellit;
Fruitofmyseed,
Omyunnameablechildren.
KnowthenthatIlovedyoufromafore-time,
Clearspeakers,nakedinthesun,untrammelled.
EzraPound
E.P. Ode Pour L'election De Son Sepulchre
Forthreeyears,outofkeywithhistime,
Hestrovetoresuscitatethedeadart
Ofpoetry;tomaintain"thesublime"
Intheoldsense.Wrongfromthestart--
No,hardly,butseeinghehadbeenborn
Inahalfsavagecountry,outofdate;
Bentresolutelyonwringingliliesfromtheacorn;
Capaneus;troutforfactitiousbait;
Idmengartoipanth,hosenitroie
Caughtintheunstoppedear;
Givingtherockssmalllee-way
Thechoppedseasheldhim,therefore,thatyear.
HistruePenelopewasFlaubert,
Hefishedbyobstinateisles;
ObservedtheeleganceofCirce'shair
Ratherthanthemottoesonsun-dials.
Unaffectedby"themarchofevents,"
Hepassedfrommen'smemoryinl'antrentuniesme
desoneage;thecasepresents
NoadjuncttotheMuses'diadem.
II
Theagedemandedanimage
Ofitsacceleratedgrimace,
Somethingforthemodernstage
Not,atanyrate,anAtticgrace;
Not,certainly,theobscurereveries
Oftheinwardgaze;
Bettermendacities
Thantheclassicsinparaphrase!
The"agedemanded"chieflyamouldinplaster,
Madewithnolossoftime,
Aprosekinema,not,notassuredly,alabaster
Orthe"sculpture"ofrhyme.
III
Thetea-rosetea-gown,etc.
SupplantsthemousselineofCos,
Thepianola"replaces"
Sappho'sbarbitos.
ChristfollowsDionysus,
Phallicandambrosial
Madewayformacerations;
CalibancastsoutAriel.
Allthingsareaflowing
SageHeracleitussay;
Butatawdrycheapness
Shalloutlastourdays.
EventheChristianbeauty
Defects--afterSamothrace;
Weseetokalon
Decreedinthemarketplace.
Faun'sfleshisnottous,
Northesaint'svision.
Wehavethepressforwafer;
Franchiseforcircumcision.
Allmen,inlaw,areequals.
FreeofPisistratus,
Wechooseaknaveoraneunuch
Toruleoverus.
ObrightApollo,
Tinandra,tinheroa,tinatheon,
Whatgod,manorhero
ShallIplaceatinwreathupon!
IV
Thesefoughtinanycase,
Andsomebelieving,
prodomo,inanycase...
Somequicktoarm,
someforadventure,
somefromfearofweakness,
somefromfearofcensure,
someforloveofslaughter,inimagination,
learninglater...
someinfear,learningloveofslaughter;
Diedsome,propatria,
non"dulce"not"etdecor"...
walkedeye-deepinhell
believingoldmen'slies,thenunbelieving
camehome,hometoalie,
hometomanydeceits,
hometooldliesandnewinfamy;
usuryage-oldandage-thick
andliarsinpublicplaces.
Daringasneverbefore,wastageasneverbefore.
Youngbloodandhighblood,
faircheeks,andfinebodies;
fortitudeasneverbefore
franknessasneverbefore,
disillusionsasnevertoldintheolddays,
hysterias,trenchconfessions,
laughteroutofdeadbellies.
V
Therediedamyriad,
Andofthebest,amongthem,
Foranoldbitchgoneintheteeth,
Forabotchedcivilization,
Charm,smilingatthegoodmouth,
Quickeyesgoneunderearth'slid,
Fortwogrossofbrokenstatues,
Forafewthousandbatteredbooks.
EzraPound
Envoi
Go,dumb-bornbook,
TellherthatsangmeoncethatsongofLawes:
Hadstthoubutsong
Asthouhastsubjectsknown,
Thenweretherecauseintheethatshouldcondone
Evenmyfaultsthatheavyuponmelie
Andbuildhergloriestheirlongevity.
Tellherthatsheds
Suchtreasureintheair,
Reckingnaughtelsebutthathergracesgive
Lifetothemoment,
Iwouldbidthemlive
Asrosesmight,inmagicamberlaid,
Redoverwroughtwithorangeandallmade
Onesubstanceandonecolour
Bravingtime.
Tellherthatgoes
Withsonguponherlips
Butsingsnotoutthesong,norknows
Themakerofit,someothermouth,
Maybeasfairashers,
Might,innewages,gainherworshippers,
WhenourtwodustswithWaller'sshallbelaid,
Siftingsonsiftingsinoblivion,
Tillchangehathbrokendown
AllthingssaveBeautyalone.
EzraPound
Epilogue
Ochansonsforegoing
Youwereasevendays'wonder.
Whenyoucameoutinthemagazines
YoucreatedconsiderablestirinChicago,
Andnowyouarestaleandwornout,
You'reaverydepletedfashion,
Ahoop-skirt,acalash,
Anhomely,transientantiquity.
Onlyemotionremains.
Youremotions?
Arethoseofamaitre-de-cafe.
EzraPound
Epitaph
Leucis,whointendedaGrandPassion,
Endswithawillingness-to-oblige.
EzraPound
Epitaphs
FuI
FuIlovedthehighcloudandthehill,
Alas,hediedofalcohol.
LiPo
AndLiPoalsodieddrunk.
Hetriedtoembraceamoon
IntheYellowRiver.
EzraPound
Erat Hora
Thankyou,whatevercomes.'Andthensheturned
And,astherayofsunonhangingflowers
Fadeswhenthewindhathliftedthemaside,
Wentswiftlyfromme.Nay,whatevercomes
Onehourwassunlitandthemosthighgods
Maynotmakeboastofanybetterthing
Thantohavewatchedthathourasitpassed.
EzraPound
Exiles Letter
ToSo-KinofRakuyo,ancientfriend,Chancellorof
Gen.
NowIrememberthatyoubuiltmeaspecialtavern
BythesouthsideofthebridgeatTen-Shin.
Withyellowgoldandwhitejewels,wepaidforsongs
andlaughter
Andweweredrunkformonthonmonth,forgettingthe
kingsandprinces.
Intelligentmencamedriftinginfromtheseaandfrom
thewestborder,
Andwiththem,andwithyouespecially
Therewasnothingatcrosspurpose,
Andtheymadenothingofsea-crossingorofmountain-
crossing,
Ifonlytheycouldbeofthatfellowship,
Andweallspokeoutourheartsandminds,andwithout
regret.
AndwhenIwassentofftoSouthWei,
smotheredinlaurelgroves,
AndyoutothenorthofRaku-hoku,
Tillwehadnothingbutthoughtsandmemoriesin
common.
Andthen,whenseparationhadcometoitsworst,
Wemet,andtravelledintoSen-Go,
Throughallthethirty-sixfoldsoftheturningand
twistingwaters,
Intoavalleyofthethousandbrightflowers,
Thatwasthefirstvalley;
Andintotenthousandvalleysfullofvoicesandpine-
winds.
Andwithsilverharnessandreinsofgold,
OutcametheEastofKanforemanandhiscompany.
AndtherecamealsotheTruemanofShi-yotomeet
me,
Playingonajewelledmouth-organ.
InthestoriedhousesofSan-Kotheygaveusmore
Senninmusic,
Manyinstruments,likethesoundofyoungphoenix
broods.
TheforemanofKanChu,drunk,danced
becausehislongsleeveswouldn'tkeepstill
Withthatmusicplaying,
AndI,wrappedinbrocade,wenttosleepwithmy
headonhislap,
Andmyspiritsohighitwasallovertheheavens,
Andbeforetheendofthedaywewerescatteredlike
stars,orrain.
IhadtobeofftoSo,farawayoverthewaters,
Youbacktoyourriver-bridge.
Andyourfather,whowasbraveasaleopard,
WasgovernorinHeiShu,andputdownthebarbarian
rabble.
AndoneMayhehadyousendforme,
despitethelongdistance.
Andwhatwithbrokenwheelsandsoon,Iwon'tsayit
wasn'thardgoing,
Overroadstwistedlikesheep'sguts.
AndIwasstillgoing,lateintheyear,
inthecuttingwindfromtheNorth,
Andthinkinghowlittleyoucaredforthecost,
andyoucaringenoughtopayit.
Andwhatareception:
Redjadecups,foodwellsetonabluejewelledtable,
AndIwasdrunk,andhadnothoughtofreturning.
Andyouwouldwalkoutwithmetothewesterncorner
ofthecastle,
Tothedynastictemple,withwateraboutitclearas
bluejade,
Withboatsfloating,andthesoundofmouth-organsand
drums,
Withrippleslikedragon-scales,goinggrassgreenonthe
water,
Pleasurelasting,withcourtezans,goingandcoming
withouthindrance,
Withthewillowflakesfallinglikesnow,
Andthevermilionedgirlsgettingdrunkaboutsunset,
Andthewater,ahundredfeetdeep,reflectinggreen
eyebrows
Eyebrowspaintedgreenareafinesightinyoung
moonlight,
Gracefullypainted
Andthegirlssingingbackateachother,
Dancingintransparentbrocade,
Andthewindliftingthesong,andinterruptingit,
Tossingitupundertheclouds.
Andallthiscomestoanend.
Andisnotagaintobemetwith.
Iwentuptothecourtforexamination,
TriedLayu'sluck,offeredtheChoyosong,
Andgotnopromotion,
andwentbacktotheEastMountains
White-headed.
Andonceagain,later,wemetattheSouthbridge-head.
Andthenthecrowdbrokeup,youwentnorthtoSan
palace,
AndifyouaskhowIregretthatparting:
ItisliketheflowersfallingatSpring'send
Confused,whirledinatangle.
Whatistheuseoftalking,andthereisnoendoftalking,
Thereisnoendofthingsintheheart.
Icallintheboy,
Havehimsitonhiskneeshere
Tosealthis,
Andsenditathousandmiles,thinking.
EzraPound
Ezra on the Strike
Wal,Thanksgivin'dobecomin'round.
Withthepriceofturkeysonthebound,
Andcoal,bygum!Thetwerejustfound,
Issurelygettin'cheaper.
Thewindswillsoonbegintohowl,
Andwinter,initsyearlygrowl,
Acrossthemeddersbegintoprowl,
AndJackFrostgettin'deeper.
Byshucks!Itseemstome,
ThatyouIorterbe
Thankful,thatourTedcouldsee
Awaytooperateit.
IseztoMandy,sure,sezI,
I'llbetthetairpatcho'rye
Thethe'llsquash'emby-and-by,
Andhedid,bycricket!
Nousetalkin',he'stheman-
Oneofthebesttheteverran,
Ferdidn'tIturnRepublican
Oneo'thefust?
I'lowedashowhe'dbeattherest,
ButoldSiPerkins,hehemmedandguessed,
Andsedashowitwuzn'tbest
Tomeddlewiththetrust.
EzraPound
Famam Librosque Cano
Yoursongs?
Oh!Thelittlemothers
Willsingtheminthetwilight,
Andwhenthenight
Shrinkeththekissofthedawn
Thatlovesandkills,
Whattimetheswallowfills
Herenote,thelittlerabbitfolk
Thatsomecallchildren,
Suchasareupandwide,
Willlaughyourversestoeachother,
Pullingontheirshoesfortheday'sbusiness,
Seriouschildbusinessthattheworld
Laughsat,andgrowsstale;
Suchisthetale
-Partofit-ofthysong-life.
Mine?
Abookisknownbythemthatread
Thatsame.Thypublicinmyscreed
Islisted.Well!Somescoreyearshence
Beholdmineaudience,
Aswehadseenhimyesterday.
Scrawny,be-spectacled,outatheels,
Suchanoneastheworldfeels
Asortofcurseagainstitsguzzling
Anditsage-lastingwallowforredgreed
Andyet;fullspeed
Thoughitshouldrunforitsowngetting,
Willturnasidetosneerat
'Causehehath
Nocoin,nowilltosnatchtheaftermath
OfMammon
Suchanoneaswomendrawawayfrom
Forthetobaccoashesscatteredonhiscoat
Andsithhisthroat
Show'srazor'sunfamiliarity
Andthreedays'beard;
Suchanonepickingaragged
Backlesscopyfromthestall,
Toocheapforcataloguing,
Loquitur,
'Ah-eh!thestrangerarename...
Ah-eh!Hemustberareifeven7havenot...
Andlostmid-page
Suchage
Ashispardonsthehabit,
Heanalysesformandthoughttosee
HowI'scapedimmortality.
EzraPound
Fan-Piece, For Her Imperial Lord
Ofanofwhitesilk,
clearasfrostonthegrass-blade,
Youalsoarelaidaside.
EzraPound
Fish And Shadow
Thesalmon-troutdriftsinthestream,
Thesoulofthesalmon-troutfloatsoverthestream
Likealittlewaferoflight.
Thesalmonmovesinthesun-shot,brightshallowsea....
Aslightastheshadowofthefish
thatfallsthroughthewater,
Shecameintothelargeroombythestair,
Yawningalittleshecamewiththesleepstilluponher.
'Iamjustfrombed.Thesleepisstillinmyeyes.
'Come.Ihavehadalongdream.'
AndI:Thatwood?
'Andtwospringshavepassedus.'
'Notsofar,no,notsofarnow,
Thereisaplacebutnooneelseknowsit
Afieldinavalley...
Qu'ieusuiavinen,
Ieulosai,'
Shemustspeakofthetime
OfArnautdeMareuil,Ithought,'qu'ieusuiavinen.
Lightastheshadowofthefish
Thatfallsthroughthepalegreenwater.
EzraPound
For E. McC
Gonewhileyourtasteswerekeentoyou,
Gonewherethegreywindscalltoyou,
Bythathighfencer,evenDeath,
Struckofthebladethatnomanparrieth;
Suchisyourfence,onesaith,
Onethathathknownyou.
Drewyouyourswordmostgallantly
Madeyouyourpassmostvaliantly
'Gainstthatgreyfencer,evenDeath.
Goneasagustofbreath
Faith!nomantarrieth,
Seilcortimanca,butitfailedtheenot!
'Nontifidar,itistheswordthatspeaks
Inme.
Thoutrusted'stinthyselfandmettheblade
'Thoutmaskorgauntlet,andartlaid
Asmemorablebrokenbladesthatbe
Keptasboldtrophiesofoldpageantry.
AsoldToledospasttheirdaysofwar
Arekeptmnemonicofthestrokestheybore,
Soartthouwithus,beinggoodtokeep
Inourheart'ssword-rack,thoughthysword-armsleep.
ENVOI
Struckofthebladethatnomanparrieth
Piercedofthepointthattouchethlastlyall,
'Gainstthatgreyfencer,evenDeath,
Beholdtheshield!Heshallnottaketheeall.
EzraPound
Francesca
Youcameinoutofthenight
Andtherewereflowersinyourhand,
Nowyouwillcomeoutofaconfusionofpeople,
Outofaturmoilofspeechaboutyou.
Iwhohaveseenyouamidtheprimalthings
Wasangrywhentheyspokeyourname
INordinaryplaces.
Iwouldthatthecoolwavesmightflowovermymind,
Andthattheworldshoulddryasadeadleaf,
Orasadandelionsee-podandbesweptaway,
SothatImightfindyouagain,
Alone.
EzraPound
Fratres Minores
Withmindsstillhoveringabovetheirtesticles
CertainpoetshereandinFrance
Stillsighoverestablishedandnaturalfact
LongsincefullydiscussedbyOvid.
Theyhowl.Theycomplainindelicateandexhaustedmetres
Thatthetwitchingofthreeabdominalnerves
IsincapableofproducingalastingNirvana.
EzraPound
from "Hugh Selwyn Mauberly"
Intheoldscene.Wrongfromthestart--
No,hardly,butseeinghehadbeenborn
Inahalf-savagecountry,outofdate;
Capaneus;troutforfactitiousbait;
[idmengartoipant,hoseniTroiei]
Unaffectedby"themarchofevents,"
Hepassedfrommen'smemoryinl'antrentuniesme
Desoneage;thecasepresents
EzraPound
Further Instructions
Come,mysongs,letusexpressourbaserpassions.
Letusexpressourenvyforthemanwithasteadyjobandnoworryaboutthefuture.
Youareveryidle,mysongs,
Ifearyouwillcometoabadend.
Youstandaboutthestreets,Youloiteratthecornersandbus-stops,
Youdonexttonothingatall.
Youdonotevenexpressourinnernobilitys,
Youwillcometoaverybadend.
AndI?Ihavegonehalf-cracked.
IhavetalkedtoyousomuchthatIalmostseeyouaboutme,
Insolentlittlebeasts!Shameless!Devoidofclothing!
Butyou,newestsongofthelot,
Youarenotoldenoughtohavedonemuchmischief.
IwillgetyouagreencoatoutofChina
Withdragonsworkeduponit.
Iwillgetyouthescarletsilktrousers
FromthestatueoftheinfantChristatSantaMariaNovella;
Lesttheysaywearelackingintaste,
Orthatthereisnocasteinthisfamily.
EzraPound
Gentildonna
Shepassedandleftnoquiverintheveins,whonow
Movingamongthetrees,andclinging
intheairshesevered,
Fanningthegrassshewalkedonthen,endures:
Greyoliveleavesbeneatharain-coldsky.
EzraPound
Grace Before Song
LordGodofheaventhatwithmercydight
Th'alternateprayerwheelofthenightandlight
Eternalhathtothee,andinwhosesight
Ourdaysasraindropsintheseasurgefall,
Asbrightwhitedropsuponaleadensea
Grantsomysongstothisgreyfolkmaybe:
Asdropsthatdreamandgleamandfallingcatchthesun
Evan'scentmirrorseveryopalone
Ofsuchhissplendorastheircompassis,
So,boldMySongs,seekyesuchdeathasthis.
EzraPound
Guido Invites You Thus
LappoIleavebehindandDantetoo,
Lo,Iwouldsailtheseaswiththeealone!
Talkmenolovetalk,nobought-cheapfiddlry,
Mineistheshipandthinethemerchandise,
Alltheblindearthknowsnotth'emprise
WheretothoucalledstandwheretoIcall.
Lo,Ihaveseentheeboundaboutwithdreams,
Lo,Ihaveknownthyheartanditsdesire;
Life,allofit,mysea,andallmen'sstreams
Arefusedinitasflamesofanaltarfire!
Lo,thouhastvoyagednot!Theshipismine.'
EzraPound
Heather
Theblackpanthertreadsatmyside,
Andabovemyfingers
Therefloatthepetal-likeflames.
Themilk-whitegirls
Unbendfromtheholly-trees,
Andtheirsnow-whiteleopard
Watchestofollowourtrace.
EzraPound
Her Monument, The Image Cut Thereon
FROMTHEITALIANOFLEOPARDI
Suchwastthou,
Whoartnow
Butburieddustandrustedskeleton.
Abovethebonesandmire,
Motionless,placedinvain,
Mutemirroroftheflightofspeedingyears,
Soleguardofgrief
Soleguardofmemory
Standeththisimageofthebeautysped.
Oglance,whenthouwaststillasthouartnow,
Howhastthousetthefire
A-trembleinmen'sveins;lipcurvedhigh
Tomindmeofsomeurnoffulldelight,
Othroatgirtroundofoldwithswiftdesire,
OpalmsofLove,thatinyourwontedways
Notoncebutmanyaday
Felthandsturnicea-sudden,touchingye,
Thatyewereonce!ofallthegraceyehad
Thatwhichremainethnow
Shameful,mostsad
Finds'neaththisrockfitmould,fitrestingplace!
Andstillwhenfaterecalleth,
Eventhatsemblancethatappearsamongstus
Isliketoheaven'smost'liveimagining.
All,allourlife'seternalmystery!
To-day,onhigh
Mounts,fromourmightythoughtsandfromthefount
Ofsenseuntellable,Beauty
Thatseemstobesomequiveringsplendourcast
Bytheimmortalnatureonthisquicksand,
Andbysurhumanfates
Giventomortalstate
Tobeasignandanhopemadesecure
Ofblissfulkingdomsandtheaureatespheres;
Andonthemorrow,bysomelightsometwist,
Shamefulinsight,abject,abominable
Allthisangelicaspectcanreturn
Andbebutwhatitwas
Withalltheadmirableconceptsthatmovedfromit
Sweptfromthemindwithitinitsdeparture.
Infinitethingsdesired,loftyvisions
'Gotondesirousthoughtsbynaturalvirtue,
Andthewiseconcord,whencethroughdeliciousseas
ThearcanespiritofthewholeMankind
Turnshardypilot...andifonewrongnote
Strikethetympanum,
Instantly
Thatparadiseishurledtonothingness.
Omortalnature,
Ifthouart
Frailandsovileinall,
Howcanstthoureachsohighwiththypoorsense;
Yetifthouart
Nobleinanypart
Howisthenoblestofthyspeechandthought
Solightlywrought
Ortosuchbaseoccasionlitandquenched?
EzraPound
Historion
Nomanhathdaredtowritethisthingasyet,
AndyetIknow,howthatthesoulsofallmengreat
Attimespassathroughus,
Andwearemeltedintothem,andarenot
Savereflexionsoftheirsouls.
ThusamIDanteforaspaceandam
OneFrancoisVillon,ballad-lordandthief,
OramsuchholyonesImaynotwrite
Lestblasphemybewritagainstmyname;
Thisforaninstantandtheflameisgone.
'Tisasinmidmostusthereglowsasphere
Translucent,moltengold,thatisthe"I"
Andintothissomeformprojectsitself:
Christus,orJohn,oreketheFlorentine;
Andastheclearspaceisnotifaform's
Imposedthereon,
Soceasewefromallbeingforthetime,
Andthese,theMastersoftheSoul,liveon.
EzraPound
Histrion
Nomanhathdaredtowritethisthingasyet,
AndyetIknow,howthatthesoulsofallmengreat
Attimespassathroughus,
Andwearemeltedintothem,andarenot
Savereflexionsoftheirsouls.
ThusamIDanteforaspaceandam
OneFrancoisVillon,ballad-lordandthief,
OramsuchholyonesImaynotwrite
Lestblasphemybewritagainstmyname;
Thisforaninstantandtheflameisgone.
'Tisasinmidmostusthereglowsasphere
Translucent,moltengold,thatisthe"I"
Andintothissomeformprojectsitself:
Christus,orJohn,oreketheFlorentine;
Andastheclearspaceisnotifaform's
Imposedthereon,
Soceasewefromallbeingforthetime,
Andthese,theMastersoftheSoul,liveon.
EzraPound
Homage To Quintus Septimus Florentis Christianus
I
(ExlibrisGraec)
Theodoruswillbepleasedatmydeath,
And.someoneelsewillbepleasedatthedeathofTheodoras,
Andyeteveryonespeaksevilofdeath.
II
ThisplaceistheCyprian'sforshehaseverthefancy
Tobelookingoutacrossthebrightsea,
Thereforethesailorsarecheered,andthewaves
Keepsmallwithreverence,beholdingherimage.
Anyte
III
Asadandgreatevilistheexpectationofdeath
Andtherearealsotheinaneexpensesofthefuneral;
Letusthereforeceasefrompityingthedead
Forafterdeaththerecomesnoothercalamity.
Palladas
IV
Troy
Whither,Ocity,areyourprofitsandyourgildedshrines,
Andyourbarbecuesofgreatoxen,
Andthetallwomenwalkingyourstreets,ingiltclothes,
Withtheirperfumesinlittlealabasterboxes?
Whereistheworkofyourhome-bornsculptors?
Time'stoothisintothelot,andwar'sandfate'stoo.
Envyhastakenyourall,
Saveyourdouthandyourstory.
AgathasScholasticus
V
Woman?Oh,womanisaconsummaterage,
butdead,orasleep,shepleases.
Takeher.Shehastwoexcellentseasons.
Palladas
VI
NicharcusuponPhidonhisdoctor
Phidonneitherpurgedme,nortouchedme,
ButIrememberedthenameofhisfevermedicineand
died.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - I
ShadesofCallimachus,CoanghostsofPhiletas
ItisinyourgroveIwouldwalk,
Iwhocomefirstfromtheclearfont
BringingtheGrecianorgiesintoItaly,
andthedanceintoItaly.
Whohathtaughtyousosubtleameasure,
inwhathallhaveyouheardit;
Whatfootbeatoutyourtime-bar,
whatwaterhasmellowedyourwhistles?
Out-weariersofApollowill,asweknow,continuetheir
Martiangeneralities,
Wehavekeptourerasersinorder.
Anew-fangledchariotfollowstheflower-hunghorses;
AyoungMusewithyounglovesclusteredabouther
ascendswithmeintotheaether,...
Andthereisnohigh-roadtotheMuses.
AnnalistswillcontinuetorecordRomanreputations,
CelebritiesfromtheTrans-CaucasuswillbelaudRomancelebrities
AndexpoundthedistentionsofEmpire,
Butforsomethingtoreadinnormalcircumstances?
Forafewpagesbroughtdownfromtheforkedhillunsullied?
Iaskawreathwhichwillnotcrushmyhead.
Andthereisnohurryaboutit;
Ishallhave,doubtless,aboomaftermyfuneral,
Seeingthatlongstandingincreasesallthings
regardlessofquality.
Andwhowouldhaveknownthetowers
pulleddownbyadeal-woodhorse;
OrofAchilleswithstayingwatersbySimois
OrofHectorspatteringwheel-rims,
OrofPolydmantus,byScamander,orHelenasand
Deiphoibos?
Theirdoor-yardswouldscarcelyknowthem,orParis.
SmalltalkOIlion,andOTroad
twicetakenbyOetiangods,
IfHomerhadnotstatedyourcase!
AndIalsoamongthelaternephewsofthiscity
shallhavemydog'sday,
Withnostoneuponmycontemptiblesepulchre;
MyvotecomingfromthetempleofPhoebusinLycia,atPatara,
Andinthemeantimemysongswilltravel,
Andthedevirginatedyoungladieswillenjoythem
whentheyhavegotoverthestrangeness,
ForOrpheustamedthewildbeasts
andhelduptheThreicianriver;
AndCitharaonshookuptherocksbyThebes
anddancedthemintoabulwarkathispleasure,
Andyou,OPolyphemus?DidharshGalateaalmost
Turntoyourdrippinghorses,becauseofatune,underAetna?
Wemustlookintothematter.
BacchusandApolloinfavourofit,
Therewillbeacrowdofyoungwomendoinghomagetomypalaver,
ThoughmyhouseisnotproppedupbyTaenarian
columnsfromLaconia(associatedwithNeptuneandCerberus),
Thoughitisnotstretchedupongildedbeams;
Myorchardsdonotlielevelandwide
astheforestsofPhaecia,
theluxuriousandIonian,
NoraremycavernsstuffedstiffwithaMarcianvintage,
MycellardoesnotdatefromNumaPompilius,
Norbristlewithwinejars,
Norisitequippedwithafrigidairepatent;
YetthecompanionsoftheMuses
willkeeptheircollectivenoseinmybooks,
Andwearywithhistoricaldata,theywillturntomydancetune.
Happywhoarementionedinmypamphlets,
thesongsshallbeafinetomb-stoneovertheirbeauty.
Butagainstthis?
Neitherexpensivepyramidsscrapingthestarsintheirroute,
NorhousesmodelleduponthatofJoveinEastElis,
NorthemonumentaleffigiesofMausolus,
areacompleteelucidationofdeath.
Flameburns,rainsinksintothecracks
Andtheyallgotorackruinbeneaththethudoftheyears.
Standsgeniusadeathlessadornment,
anamenottobewornoutwiththeyears.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - II
Ihadbeenseenintheshade,recumbentoncushionedHelicon,
ThewaterdrippingfromBellerophon'shorse,
Alba,yourkings,andtherealmyourfolk
haveconstructedwithsuchindustry
Shallbeyawnedoutonmylyrewithsuchindustry.
Mylittlemouthshallgobbleinsuchgreatfountains,
'WherefromfatherEnnius,sittingbeforeIcame,hathdrunk.'
IhadrehearsedtheCurianbrothers,andmaderemarks
ontheHoratianjavelin
(NearQ.H.Flaccus'book-stall).
'OfroyalAemilia,drawnonthememorialraft,
'OfthevictoriousdelayofFabius,andtheleft-handed
battleatCannae,
Oflaresfleeingthe'Romanseat'...
Ihadsungofallthese
AndofHannibal,
andofJoveprotectedbygeese.
AndPhoebuslookinguponmefromtheCastaliantree,
Saidthen'Youidiot!Whatareyoudoingwiththatwater:
Whohasorderedabookaboutheroes?
'Youneed,Propertius,notthink
'Aboutacquiringthatsortofareputation.
'Softfieldsmustbewornbysmallwheels,
'Yourpamphletswillbethrown,thrownoftenintoachair
'Whereagirlwaitsaloneforherlover;
'Whywrenchyourpageoutofitscourse?
'Nokeelwillsinkwithyourgenius
'Letanotheroarchurnthewater,
'Anotherwheel,thearena;mid-crowdisasbadasmid-sea.'
Hehadspoken,andpointedmeaplacewithhisplectrum:
Orgiesofvintages,anearthernimageofSilenus
Strengthenedwithrushes,TegaeanPan,
ThesmallbirdsoftheCythareanmother,
theirPunicfacesdyedintheGorgon'slake;
Ninegirls,fromasmanycountrysides
bearingherofferingsintheirunhardenedhands,
Suchmycohortandsetting.Andsheboundivytohisthyrsos;
Fittedsongtothestrings;
Rosestwinedinherhands.
Andoneamongthemlookedatmewithfaceoffended,
Calliope:
'Contentevertomovewithwhiteswans!
'Norwillthenoiseofhighhorsesleadyouevertobattle;
Norwillthepubliccrierseverhaveyourname;
intheirclassichorns,
'NorMarsshoutyouinthewoodatAeonium,
NorwhereRomeruinsGermanriches,
'NorwheretheRhineflowswithbarbarousblood,
andfloodcarrieswoundedSuevi.
'Obviouslycrownedloversatunknowndoors,
'Nightdogs,themarksofadrunkenscurry,
'Theseareyourimages,andfromyouthesorcerizingof
shut-inyoungladies,
'Thewoundingofausteremenbychicane.'
ThusMistressCalliope,
Dabblingherhandsinthefount,thusshe
StiffenedourfacewiththebackwashofPhiletastheCoan.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - III
Midnight,andalettercomestomefromourmistress:
TellingmetocometoTibur:
Atonce!!
'Brighttipsreachupfromtwintowers,
'Anienanspringwaterfallsintoflat-spreadpools.'
Whatistobedoneaboutit?
ShallIentrustmyselftoentangledshadows,
Whereboldhandsmaydoviolencetomyperson?
YetifIpostponemyobedience
becauseofthisrespectableterror,
Ishallbepreytolamentationsworsethananocturnalassailant.
AndIshallbeinthewrong,
itwilllastatwelvemonth,
Forherhandshavenokindnessme-ward,
Noristhereanyonetowhomloversarenotsacredatmidnight
AndintheViaSciro.
Ifanymanwouldbealover
hemaywalkontheScythiancoast,
Nobarbarismwouldgototheextentofdoinghimharm,
Themoonwillcarryhiscandle,
andthestarswillpointoutthestumbles,
Cupidwillcarrylightedtorchesbeforehim
andkeepmaddogsoffhisankles.
Thusallroadsareperfectlysafe
andatanyhour;
Whosoindecorousastoshedthepuregoreofasuitor?!
Cyprisishiscicerone.
Whatifundertakersfollowmytrack,
suchadeathisworthdying.
Shewouldbringfrankincenseandwreathstomytomb,
Shewouldsitlikeanornamentonmypyre.
aid,letnotmyboneslieinapubliclocation
Withcrowdstooassiduousintheircrossingofit;
Forthusaretombsofloversmostdesecrated.
Mayawoodyandsequesteredplacecovermewithitsfoliage
OrmayIinterbeneaththehummock
ofsomeasyetuncataloguedsand;
AtanyrateIshallnothav.emyepitaphinahighroad.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - IV
DIFFERENCEOFOPINIONWITH
LYGDAMUS
Tellmethetruthswhichyouhearofourconstantyounglady,
Lygdamus,
Andmaytheboughtyokeofamistressliewith
equitableweightonyourshoulders;
ForIamswelledupwithinanepleasurabilities
anddeceivedbyyourreference
TothingswhichyouthinkIwouldliketobelieve.
Nomessengershouldcomewhollyempty,
andaslaveshouldfearplausibilities;
Muchconversationisasgoodashavingahome.
Outwithit,tellittome,allofit,fromthebeginning,
Iguzzlewithoutstretchedears.
Thus?Sheweptintouncombedhair,
Andyousawit.
Vastwatersflowedfromhereyes?
You,youLygdamus
Sawherstretchedonherbed,
wasnoglimpseinamirror;
Nogawdsonhersnowyhands,noorfevrerie,
Sadgarmentdrapedonherslenderarms.
Herescritoireslayshutbythebed-feet.
Sadnesshungoverthehouse,andthedesolatedfemaleattendants
Weredesolatedbecauseshehadtoldthemherdreams.
Shewasveiledinthemidstofthatplace,
Dampwoollyhandkerchiefswerestuffedintoherundryableeyes,
Andaquerulousnoiserespondedtooursolicitousreprobations.
Forwhichthingsyouwillgetarewardfromme,Lygdamus?
Tosaymanythingsisequaltohavingahome.
Andtheotherwoman'hasnotenticedme
byherprettymanners,
'Shehascaughtmewithherbaceouspoison,
shetwiddlesthespikedwheelofarhombus,
'Shestewspuffedfrogs,snake'sbones,themoulted
'Shestewspuffedfrogs,snake'sbones,themoulted
feathersofscreechowls,
'Shebindsmewithravvlesofshrouds.
Blackspidersspininherbedl
'Letherloverssnoreatherinthemorning!
Maythegoutcrampupherfeet!
'Doeshelikemetosleepherealone,
Lygdamus?
'Willhesaynastythingsatmyfuneral?'
Andyouexpectmetobelievethis
aftertwelvemonthsofdiscomfort?
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - IX
1
Thetwistedrhombsceasedtheirclamourofaccompaniment;
Thescorchedlaurellayinthefire-dust;
Themoonstilldeclinedtodescendoutofheaven,
Buttheblackominousowlhootwasaudible.
Andoneraftbearsourfates
ontheveiledlaketowardsAvernus
SailsspreadonCeruleanwaters,Iwouldshedtearsfortwo;
Ishalllive,ifshecontinueinlife,
Ifshedies,Ishallgowithher.
GreatZeus,savethewoman,
orshewillsitbeforeyourfeetinaveil,andtell
outthelonglistofhertroubles.
2
PersephoneandDis,Dis,havemercyuponher,
Thereareenoughwomeninhell,
quiteenoughbeautifulwomen,
lope,andTyro,andPasiphae,andtheformalgirlsofAchaia,
AndoutofTroad,andfromtheCampania,
Deathhashistoothinthelot,
Avernuslustsforthelotofthem,
Beautyisnoteternal,nomanhasperennialfortune,
Slowfoot,orswiftfoot,deathdelaysbutforaseason.
Mylight,lightofmyeyes,
youareescapedfromgreatperil,
GobacktoGreatDian'sdancesbearingsuitablegifts,
Payupyourvowofnightwatches
toDiangoddessofvirgins,
Anduntomealsopaydebt:
Thetennightsofyourcompanyyouhavepromisedme.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - V
1
NowifeveritistimetocleanseHelicon;
toleadEmathianhorsesafield,
AndtonameoverthecensusofmychiefsintheRomancamp.
IfIhavenotthefaculty,'Thebareattemptwouldbepraise-worthy.'
'Inthethingsofsimilarmagnitude
themerewilltoactissufficient.'
TheprimitiveagessangVenus,
thelastsingsofatumult,
AndIalsowillsingwarwhenthismatterofagirlisexhausted.
Iwithmybeakhauledashorewouldproceedinamorestatelymanner,
MyMuseiseagertoinstructmeinanewgamut,orgambetto,
Up,upmysoul,fromyourlowlycantilation,
putonatimelyvigour.
OhaugustPierides!Nowforalarge-mouthedproduct.
Thus:
'TheEuphratesdeniesitsprotectiontotheParthianand
apologizesforCrassus,'
And'Itis,Ithink,Indiawhichnowgivesneckstoyourtriumph,'
Andsoforth,Augustus.'VirginArabiashakesinherinmostdwelling.'
Ifanylandshrinkintoadistantseacoast,
itisamerepostponementofyourdomination.
AndIshallfollowthecamp,Ishallbedulycelebrated
forsingingtheaffairsofyourcavalry.
Maythefateswatchovermyday.
2
YetyouaskonwhataccountIwritesomanylove-lyrics
Andwhencethissoftbookcomesintomymouth.
NeitherCalliopenorApollosungthesethingsintomyear,
Mygeniusisnomorethanagirl.
Ifshewithivoryfingersdriveatunethroughthelyre,
Welookattheprocess.
Howeasythemovingfingers;ifhairismussedonherforehead,
IfshegoesinagleamofCos,inaslitherofdyedstuff,
Thereisavolumeinthematter;ifhereyelidssinkintosleep,
Therearenewjobsfortheauthor;
Andifsheplayswithmewithhershirtoff,
WeshallconstructmanyIliads.
Andwhatevershedoesorsays
Weshallspinlongyarnsoutofnothing.
Thusmuchthefateshaveallottedme,andif,Maecenas,
Iwereabletoleadheroesintoarmour,Iwouldnot,
NeitherwouldIwarbleofTitans,norofOssa
spikedontoOlympus,
NorofcausewaysoverPelion,
NorofThebesinitsancientrespectability,
norofHomer'sreputationinPergamus,
NorofXerxes'two-barreledkingdom,norofRemusandhisroyalfamily,
NorofdignifiedCarthaginiancharacters,
NorofWelshminesandtheprofitMarushadoutofthem,
IshouldrememberCaesar'saffairs...
forabackground,
AlthoughCallimachusdidwithoutthem,
andwithoutTheseus,
Withoutaninferno,withoutAchillesattendedofgods,
WithoutIxion,andwithoutthesonsofMenoetiusand
theArgoandwithoutJove'sgraveandtheTitans.
AndmyventriclesdonotpalpitatetoCaesarialorerotundas,
NortothetuneofthePhrygianfathers.
Sailor,ofwinds;aplowman,concerninghisoxen;
Soldier,theenumerationofwounds;thesheep-feeder,ofewes;
We,inournarrowbed,turningasidefrombattles:
Eachmanwherehecan,wearingoutthedayinhismanner.
3
Itisnobletodieoflove,andhonourabletoremain
uncuckoldedforaseason.
Andshespeaksilloflightwomen,
andwillnotpraiseHomer
BecauseHelen'sconductis'unsuitable'.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - VI
When,when,andwheneverdeathclosesoureyelids,
MovingnakedoverAcheron
Upontheoneraft,victorandconqueredtogether,
MariusandJugurthatogether,
onetangleofshadows.
CaesarplotsagainstIndia,
TigrisandEuphratesshall,fromnowon,flowathisbidding,
TibetshallbefullofRomanpolicemen,
TheParthiansshallgetusedtoourstatuary
andacquireaRomanreligion;
OneraftontheveiledfloodofAcheron,
MariusandJugurthatogether.
Noratmyfuneraleitherwilltherebeanylongtrail,
bearingancestrallaresandimages;
Notrumpetsfilledwithmyemptiness,
NorshallitbeonanAtalicbed;
Theperfumedclothsshallbeabsent.
Asmallplebeianprocession.
Enough,enoughandinplenty
Therewillbethreebooksatmyobsequies
WhichItake,mynotunworthygift,toPersephone.
Youwillfollowthebarescarifiedbreast
Norwillyoubewearyofcallingmyname,nortooweary
Toplacethelastkissonmylips
WhentheSyrianonyxisbroken.
Hewhoisnowvacantdust
'Wasoncetheslaveofonepassion:'
Givethatmuchinscription
Deathwhytardilycome?'
You,sometimes,willlamentalostfriend,
Foritisacustom:
Thiscareforpastmen,
SinceAdoniswasgoredinIdalia,andtheCytharean
Rancryingwithout-spreadhair,
Invain,youcallbacktheshade,
Invain,Cynthia.Vaincalltounansweringshadow,
Smalltalkcomesfromsmallbones.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - VII
Mehappy,night,nightfullofbrightness;
Ohcouchmadehappybyinylongdelectations;
Howmanywordstalkedoutwithabundantcandles;
Struggleswhenthelightsweretakenaway;
Nowwithbaredbreastsshewrestledagainstme,
Tunicspreadindelay;
Andshethenopeningmyeyelidsfalleninsleep,
Herlipsuponthem;anditwashermouthsaying:
Sluggard!
Inhowmanyvariedembraces,ourchangingarms,
Herkisses,howmany,lingeringonmylips.
'TurnnotVenusintoablindedmotion,
Eyesaretheguidesoflove,
ParistookHelennakedcomingfromthebedofMenelaus,
Endymion'snakedbody,brightbaitforDiana,'
suchatleastisthestory.
Whileourfatestwinetogether,sateweoureyeswithlove;
Forlongnightcomesuponyou
andadaywhennodayreturns.
Letthegodslaychainsuponus
sothatnodayshallunbindthem.
Foolwhowouldsetatermtolove'smadness,
Forthesunshalldrivewithblackhorses,
earthshallbringwheatfrombarley,
Thefloodshallmovetowardthefountain
Ereloveknowmoderations,
Thefishshallswimindrystreams.
No,nowwhileitmaybe,letnotthefruitoflifecease.
Drywreathsdroptheirpetals,
theirstalksarewoveninbaskets,
To-daywetakethegreatbreathoflovers,
to-morrowfateshutsusin.
Thoughyougiveallyourkisses
yougivebutfew.
NorcanIshiftmypainstoother,
HerswillIbedead,
Ifsheconfersuchnightsuponme,
longismylife,longinyears,
Ifshegivememany,
GodamIforthetime.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - VIII
Jove,bemercifultothatunfortunatewoman
Oranornamentaldeathwillbeheldtoyourdebit,
Thetimeiscome,theairheavesintorridity,
Thedryearthpantsagainstthecanicularheat,
Butthisheatisnottherootofthematter:
Shedidnotrespectallthegods;
Suchderelictionshavedestroyedotheryoungladiesaforetime,
Andwhattheysworeinthecupboard
windandwavescatteredaway.
WasVenusexacerbatedbytheexistenceofacomparableequal?
Istheornamentalgoddessfullofenvy?
HaveyoucontemptedJuno'sPelasgiantemples,
HaveyoudeniedPallasgoodeyes?
Orisitmytonguethatwrongsyou
withperpetualascriptionofgraces?
Therecomes,itseems,andatanyrate
throughperils,(somany)andofavexedlife,
Thegentlerhourofanultimateday.
Iomooedthefirstyearswithavertedhead,
AndnowdrinksNilewaterlikeagod,
InoinheryoungdaysfledpellmelloutofThebes,
Andromedawasofferedtoasea-serpent
andrespectablymarriedtoPerseus,
Callisto,disguisedasabear,
wanderedthroughtheArcadianprairies
Whileablackveilwasoverherstars,
Whatifyourfatesareaccelerated,
yourquiethourputforward,
Youmayfindintermentpleasing,
Youwillsaythatyousuccumbedtoadangeridentical,
charminglyidentical,withSemele's,
Andbelieveit,andshealsowillbelieveit,
beingexpertfromexperience,
AndamidallthegloriedandstoriedbeautiesofMaeonia
Thereshallbenoneinabetterseat,not
onedenyingyourprestige,
Nowyoumaybearfate'sstrokeunperturbed,
OrJove,harshasheis,mayturnasideyourultimateday.
Oldlecher,letnotJunogetwindofthematter,
OrperhapsJunoherselfwillgounder,
Iftheyoungladyistaken?
Therewillbe,inanycase,astironOlympus.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - X
.Light,lightofmyeyes,atanexceedinglatehourIwaswandering,
Andintoxicated,
andnoservantwasleadingme,
Andaminutecrowdofsmallboyscamefromopposite,
Idonotknowwhatboys,
AndIamafraidofnumericalestimate,
Andsomeofthemshooklittletorches,
andothersheldontoarrows,
Andtherestlaidtheirchainsuponme,
andtheywerenaked,thelotofthem,
Andoneofthelotwasgiventolust.
'Thatincensedfemalehasconsignedhimtoourpleasure.'
Sospoke.Andthenoosewasovermyneck.
Andanothersaid'Gethimplumbinthemiddle!
'Shovealongthere,shovealong!'
Andanotherbrokeinuponthis:
'Hethinksthatwearenotgods,'
'Andshehasbeenwaitingforthescoundrel,
andinanewSidoniannightcap,
AndwithmorethanArabianodours,
Godknowswherehehasbeen.
Shecouldscarcelykeephereyesopen
enterthatmuchforhisbail.
Getalongnow!'
Wewerecomingneartothehouse,
andtheygaveanotheryanktomycloak,
Anditwasmorning,andIwantedtoseeifshewasaloneandresting,
AndCynthiawasaloneinherbed.
Iwasstupefied.
Ihadneverseenherlookingsobeautiful,
No,notwhenshewastunick'dinpurple.
Suchaspectwaspresentedtome,merecentlyemergedfrommyvisions,
Youwillobservethatpureformhasitsvalue.
Youareaveryearlyinspectorofmistresses.
DoyouthinkIhaveadoptedyourhabits?'
Therewereuponthebednosignsofavoluptuousencounter,
Nosignsofasecondincumbent.
Shecontinued:
'Noincubushascrushedhisbodyagainstme,
Thoughspiritsarecelebratedforadultery.
AndIamgoingtothetempleofVesta...'
andsoon.
SincethatdayIhavehadnopleasantnights.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - XI
1
Theharshactsofyourlevity!
Manyandmany.
Iamhunghere,ascare-crowforlovers.
2
Escape!Thereis,OIdiot,noescape,
FleeifyoulikeintoRanaus,
desirewillfollowyouthither,
ThoughyouheaveintotheairuponthegildedPegaseanback,
ThoughyouhadthefeatherysandalsofPerseus
Toliftyouupthroughsplitair,
ThehightracksofHermeswouldnotaffordyoushelter.
Amorstandsuponyou,Lovedrivesuponlovers,
aheavymassonfreenecks.
Itisoureyesyouflee,notthecity,
Youdonothing,youplotinaneschemesagainstme,
Languidlyyoustretchoutthesnare
withwhichIamalreadyfamiliar,
Andyetagain,andnewlyrumourstrikesonmyears.
Rumoursofyouthroughoutthecity,
andnogoodrumouramongthem.
'Youshouldnotbelievehostiletongues.
'Beautyisslander'scock-shy.
'Alllovelywomenhaveknownthis,'
'Yourgloryisnotoutblottedbyvenom,'
'Phoebusourwitness,yourhandsareunspotted.
AforeignloverbroughtdownHelen'skingdom
andshewasledback,livinghome;
TheCythareanbroughtlowbyMars'lechery
reignsinrespectableheavens,...
Oh,oh,andenoughofthis,
bydew-spreadcaverns,
TheMusesclingingtothemossyridges;
totheledgeoftherocks:
Zeus'cleverrapes,intheolddays,
combustedSemele's,ofIostrayed.
OhhowthebirdflewfromTrojanrafters,
Idahaslainwithashepherd,shehassleptbetweensheep.
Eventhere,noescape
NottheHyrcanianseaboard,notinseekingtheshoreofEos.
Allthingsareforgivenforonenightofyourgames....
ThoughyouwalkintheViaSacra,withapeacock'stailforafan.
EzraPound
Homage To Sextus Propertius - XII
Who,whowillbethenextmantoentrusthisgirltoafriend?
Loveinterfereswithfidelities;
Thegodshavebroughtshameontheirrelatives;
Eachmanwantsthepomegranateforhimself;
Amiableandharmoniouspeoplearepushedincontinentintoduels,
ATrojanandadulterouspersoncametoMenelausundertheritesofhospitium,
AndtherewasacaseinColchis,JasonandthatwomaninColchis;
Andbesides,Lynceus,
youweredrunk.
Couldyouenduresuchpromiscuity?
Shewasnotrenownedforfidelity;
Buttojabaknifeinmyvitals,tohavepassedonaswigofpoison,
Preferable,mydearboy,mydearLynceus,
Comrade,comradeofmylife,ofmypurse,ofmyperson;
Butinonebed,inonebedalone,mydearLynceus
Ideprecateyourattendance;
IwouldaskalikeboonofJove.
AndyouwriteofAchelous,whocontendedwithHercules,
YouwriteofAdrastus'horsesandthefuneralritesofAchenor,
AndyouwillnotleaveoffimitatingAeschylus.
ThoughyoumakeahashofAntimachus,
YouthinkyouaregoingtodoHomer.
Andstillagirlscornsthegods,
Ofalltheseyoungwomen
notonehasenquiredthecauseoftheworld,
Northemodusoflunareclipses
Norwhethertherebeanypatchleftofus
Afterwecrosstheinfernalripples,
norifthethunderfallfrompredestination;
Noranythingelseofimportance.
UpontheActianmarshesVirgilisPhoebus'chiefofpolice,
HecantabulateCaesar'sgreatships.
HethrillstoIlianarms,
HeshakestheTrojanweaponsofAeneas,
AndcastsstoresonLavinianbeaches.
Makeway,yeRomanauthors,
clearthestreet,yeGreeks,
ForamuchlargerIliadisonthecourseofconstruction
(andtoImperialorder)
Clearthestreets,OyeGreeks!
Andyoualsofollowhim'neathPhrygianpineshade:
ThyrsisandDaphnisuponwhittledreeds,
Andhowtensinscancorruptyoungmaidens;
Kidsforabribeandpressedudders,
Happysellingpoorlovesforcheapapples.
Tityrusmighthavesungthesamevixen;
CorydontemptedAlexis,
Headfarmersdolikewise,andlyingwearyamidtheiroats
TheygetpraisefromtolerantHamadryads.'
Goon,toAscraeus'prescription,theancient,respected,Wordsworthian:
Aflatfieldforrushes,grapesgrowontheslope.'
Andbeholdme,smallfortuneleftinmyhouse.
Me,whohadnogeneralforagrandfather!
Ishalltriumphamongyoungladiesofindeterminatecharacter,
Mytalentacclaimedintheirbanquets,
Ishallbehonouredwithyesterday'swreaths.
Andthegodstrikestothemarrow.
Likeatrainedandperformingtortoise,
Iwouldmakeverseinyourfashion,ifsheshouldcommandit,
Withherhusbandaskingaremissionofsentence,
Andeventhisinfamywouldnotattractnumerousreaders
Werethereaneruditeorviolentpassion,
Forthenoblenessofthepopulacebrooksnothingbelowitsownaltitude.
Onemusthaveresonance,resonanceandsonority...
likeagoose.
VarrosangJason'sexpedition,
Varro,ofhisgreatpassionLeucadia,
Thereissongintheparchment;Catullusthehighlyindecorous,
OfLesbia,knownaboveHelen;
AndinthedyedpagesofCalvus,
CalvusmourningQuintilia,
AndbutnowGallushadsungofLycoris.
Fair,fairestLycoris
ThewatersofStyxpouredoverthewound:
AndnowPropertiusofCynthia,takinghisstandamongthese.
EzraPound
Horae Beatae Inscripto
Howwillthisbeauty,whenIamfarhence,
Sweepbackuponmeandengulfmymind!
Howwillthesehours,whenwetwainaregray,
Turnedintheirsapphiretide,comefloodingo'erus!
EzraPound
Hugh Selwyn Mauberly (Part I)
"Vocataestusinumbram"
NemesianusEs.IV.
E.P.Odepourl'lectiondesonspulchre
Intheoldsense.Wrongfromthestart--
No,hardly,but,seeinghehadbeenborn
Inahalfsavagecountry,outofdate;
Capaneus;troutforfactitiousbait:
"Idmengartoipanth,oseniTroie
Unaffectedby"themarchofevents",
Hepassedfrommen'smemoryinl'antrentiesme
Desoneage;thecasepresents
II.
Theagedemandedanimage
Ofitsacceleratedgrimace,
Somethingforthemodernstage,
Not,atanyrate,anAtticgrace;
Not,notcertainly,theobscurereveries
Oftheinwardgaze;
Bettermendacities
Thantheclassicsinparaphrase!
The"agedemanded"chieflyamouldinplaster,
Madewithnolossoftime,
Aprosekinema,not,notassuredly,alabaster
Orthe"sculpture"ofrhyme.
III.
Thetea-rose,tea-gown,etc.
SupplantsthemousselineofCos,
Thepianola"replaces"
Sappho'sbarbitos.
ChristfollowsDionysus,
Phallicandambrosial
Madewayformacerations;
CalibancastsoutAriel.
Allthingsareaflowing,
SageHeracleitussays;
Butatawdrycheapness
Shallreignthroughoutourdays.
EventheChristianbeauty
Defects--afterSamothrace;
Weseetokalon
Decreedinthemarketplace.
Faun'sfleshisnottous,
Northesaint'svision.
Wehavethepressforwafer;
Franchiseforcircumcision.
Allmen,inlaw,areequals.
FreeofPeisistratus,
Wechooseaknaveoraneunuch
Toruleoverus.
AbrightApollo,
tinandra,tineroa,tinatheon,
Whatgod,man,orhero
ShallIplaceatinwreathupon?
IV.
Thesefought,inanycase,
andsomebelieving,prodomo,inanycase..
Somequicktoarm,
someforadventure,
somefromfearofweakness,
somefromfearofcensure,
someforloveofslaughter,inimagination,
learninglater...
someinfear,learningloveofslaughter;
Diedsomepropatria,nondulcenonetdecor"..
believinginoldmen'slies,thenunbelieving
hometomanydeceits,
Faircheeks,andfinebodies;
V.
Therediedamyriad,
Andofthebest,amongthem,
Foranoldbitchgoneintheteeth,
Forabotchedcivilization.
Charm,smilingatthegoodmouth,
Quickeyesgoneunderearth'slid,
Fortwogrossofbrokenstatues,
Forafewthousandbatteredbooks.
YeuxGlauques
Gladstonewasstillrespected,
WhenJohnRuskinproduced
"KingsTreasuries";Swinburne
AndRossettistillabused.
FtidBuchananlifteduphisvoice
Whenthatfaun'sheadofhers
Becameapastimefor
Paintersandadulterers.
TheBurne-Jonescartons
Havepreservedhereyes;
Still,attheTate,theyteach
Cophetuatorhapsodize;
Thinlikebrook-water,
Withavacantgaze.
TheEnglishRubaiyatwasstill-born
Inthosedays.
Thethin,cleargaze,thesame
Stilldartsoutfaun-likefromthehalf-ruin'dface,
Questingandpassive....
"Ah,poorJenny'scase"...
Bewilderedthataworld
Showsnosurprise
Atherlastmaquero's
Adulteries.
"SienaMiFe',DisfecemiMaremma"
Amongthepickledftusesandbottledbones,
Engagedinperfectingthecatalogue,
Ifoundthelastscionofthe
SenatorialfamiliesofStrasbourg,MonsieurVerog.
FortwohourshetalkedofGallifet;
OfDowson;oftheRhymers'Club;
ToldmehowJohnson(Lionel)died
Byfallingfromahighstoolinapub...
Butshowednotraceofalcohol
Attheautopsy,privatelyperformed--
Tissuepreserved--thepuremind
ArosetowardNewmanasthewhiskeywarmed.
Dowsonfoundharlotscheaperthanhotels;
Headlamforuplift;Imageimpartiallyimbued
WithrapturesforBacchus,TerpsichoreandtheChurch.
Sospoketheauthorof"TheDorianMood",
M.Verog,outofstepwiththedecade,
Detachedfromhiscontemporaries,
Neglectedbytheyoung,
Becauseofthesereveries.
Brennbaum.
Thesky-likelimpideyes,
Thecircularinfant'sface,
Thestiffnessfromspatstocollar
Neverrelaxingintograce;
TheheavymemoriesofHoreb,Sinaiandthefortyyears,
Showedonlywhenthedaylightfell
Levelacrosstheface
OfBrennbaum"TheImpeccable".
Mr.Nixon
Inthecreamgildedcabinofhissteamyacht
Mr.Nixonadvisedmekindly,toadvancewithfewer
Dangersofdelay."Consider
Carefullythereviewer.
"Iwasaspoorasyouare;
"WhenIbeganIgot,ofcourse,
"Advanceonroyalties,fiftyatfirst",saidMr.Nixon,
"Followme,andtakeacolumn,
"Evenifyouhavetoworkfree.
"Butterreviewers.Fromfiftytothreehundred
"Iroseineighteenmonths;
"ThehardestnutIhadtocrack
"WasDr.Dundas.
"Inevermentionedamanbutwiththeview
"Ofsellingmyownworks.
"Thetip'sagoodone,asforliterature
"Itgivesnomanasinecure."
Andnooneknows,atsightamasterpiece.
Andgiveupverse,myboy,
There'snothinginit."
***
LikewiseafriendofBloughram'sonceadvisedme:
Don'tkickagainstthepricks,
Acceptopinion.The"Nineties"triedyourgame
Anddied,there'snothinginit.
X.
Beneaththesaggingroof
Thestylisthastakenshelter,
Unpaid,uncelebrated,
Atlastfromtheworld'swelter
Naturereceiveshim,
Withaplacidanduneducatedmistress
Heexerciseshistalents
Andthesoilmeetshisdistress.
Thehavenfromsophisticationsandcontentions
Leaksthroughitsthatch;
Heofferssucculentcooking;
Thedoorhasacreakinglatch.
XI.
"ConservatrixofMilsien"
Habitsofmindandfeeling,
Possibly.ButinEaling
Withthemostbank-clerklyofEnglishmen?
No,"Milsian"isanexaggeration.
Noinstincthassurvivedinher
Olderthanthosehergrandmother
Toldherwouldfitherstation.
XII.
"Daphnewithherthighsinbark
Stretchestowardmeherleafyhands",--
Subjectively.Inthestuffed-satindrawing-room
IawaitTheLadyValentine'scommands,
Knowingmycoathasneverbeen
Ofpreciselythefashion
Tostimulate,inher,
Adurablepassion;
Doubtful,somewhat,ofthevalue
Ofwell-gownedapprobation
Ofliteraryeffort,
ButneverofTheLadyValentine'svocation:
Poetry,herborderofideas,
Theedge,uncertain,butameansofblending
Withotherstrata
Wherethelowerandhigherhaveending;
AhooktocatchtheLadyJane'sattention,
Amodulationtowardthetheatre,
Also,inthecaseofrevolution,
Apossiblefriendandcomforter.
***
Conduct,ontheotherhand,thesoul
"Whichthehighestcultureshavenourished"
ToFleetSt.where
Dr.Johnsonflourished;
Besidethisthoroughfare
Thesaleofhalf-hosehas
Longsincesupersededthecultivation
OfPierianroses.
EzraPound
Image From D'Orleans
Youngmenridinginthestreet
Inthebrightnewseason
Spurwithoutreason
Causingtheirsteedstoleap.
Andatthepacetheykeep
Theirhorses'armouredfeet
Strikesparksfromthecobbledstreet
Inthebrightnewseason.
EzraPound
Impressions Of Francois-Marie Arouet (De Voltaire)
I
PhyllidulaandtheSpoilsofGouvernet
Where,Lady,arethedays
Whenyoucouldgooutinahiredhansom
Withoutfootmenandequipments?
Anddineinasoggy,cheaprestaurant?
Phyllidulanow,withyourpowderedSwissfootman
Clankingthedoorshut,
andlying;
AndcarpetsfromSavonnier,andfromPersia,
Andyournewserviceatdinner,
AndplatesfromGermain,
AndcabinetsandchestsfromMartin(almostlacquer),
AndyourwhitevasesfromJapan,
Andthelustreofdiamonds,
Etcetera,etcetera,andetcetera?
II
ToMadameduChtelet
Ifyou'dhavemegoonlovingyou
Givemebackthetimeofthething.
Willyougivemedawnlightatevening?
Timehasdrivenmeoutfromthefineplaisaunces,
Theparkswiththeswardsalloverdew,
Andgrassgoingglassywiththelightonit,
Thegreenstretcheswhereloveisandthegrapes
Hanginyellow-whiteanddarkclustersreadyforpressing.
Andifnowwecan'tfitwithourtimeoflife
Thereisnotmuchbutitsevilleftus.
Lifegivesustwominutes,twoseasons
Onetobedullin;
Twodeathsandtostoplovingandbeinglovable,
Thatistherealdeath,
Theotherislittlebesideit.
Cryingafterthefolliesgonebyme,
Quiettalkingisallthatisleftus
Gentletalking,notlikethefirsttalking,lesslively;
Andtofollowafterfriendship,astheycallit,
Weepingthatwecanfollownaughtelse.
III
ToMadameLullin
You'llwonderthatanoldmanofeighty
Cangoonwritingyouverses....
Grassshowingunderthesnow,
Birdssinginglateintheyear!
AndTibulluscouldsayofhisdeath,inhisLatin:
'Delia,Iwouldlookonyou,dying.'
AndDeliaherselffadingout,
Forgettingevenherbeauty.
EzraPound
In a Station of the Metro
Theapparitionofthesefacesinthecrowd;
petalsonawet,blackbough.
EzraPound
IN DURANCE
(1907)
1amhomesickaftermineownkind,
OhIknowthattherearefolkaboutme,friendlyfaces,
ButIamhomesickaftermineownkind.
'Thesesellourpictures'!Ohwell,
Theyreachmenot,touchmesomeedgeorthat,
Butreachmenotandallmylife'sbecome
Oneflame,thatreachesnotbeyond
Myheart'sownhearth,
Orhidesamongtheashesthereforthee.
Thee'?Oh,'Thee'iswhocomethfirst
Outofmineownsoul-kin,
ForIamhomesickaftermineownkind
Andordinarypeopletouchmenot.
AndIamhomesick
Aftermineownkindthatknow,andfeel
Andhavesomebreathforbeautyandthearts.
Aye,Iamwistfulformykinofthespirit
Andhavenoneaboutmesaveintheshadows
Whencomethey,surgingofpower,'DAEMON,'
'QuasiKALOUN.'S.T.saysBeautyismostthat,a
'callingtothesoul'.
Wellthen,socallthey,theswirlersoutofthemistofmysoul,
Theythatcomemewards,bearingoldmagic.
Butforallthat,Iamhomesickaftermineownkind
AndwouldmeetkindredevenasIam,
Flesh-shroudedbearingthesecret.
'Alltheythatwithstrangesadness'
Havetheearthinmockery,andarekindtoall,
Myfellows,ayeIknowtheglory
Ofth'unboundedones,butye,thathide
AsIhidemostthewhile
Andburstforthtothewindowsonlywhilesorwhiles
Forlove,orhopeorbeautyorforpower,
Thensmoulder,withthelidshalfclosed
Andareuntouchedbyechoesoftheworld.
Ohye,myfellows:withtheseasbetweenussomebe,
Purpleandsapphireforthesilvershafts
Ofsunandsprayallshatteredatthebows;
Andsomethehillsholdoff,
Thelittlehillstoeastofus,thoughherewe
Havedampandplaintobeourshuttingin.
AndyetmysoulsingsUp!'andweareone.
Yeathou,andThou,andTHOU,andallmykin
Towhommybreastandarmsareeverwarm,
ForthatIloveyeasthewindthetrees
Thatholdstheirblossomsandtheirleavesincure
Andcallstheutmostsingingfromtheboughs
ThatHhouthim,savetheaspen,wereasdumb
Stillshade,andbadenowhisperspeakthebirdsofhow
'Beyond,beyond,beyond,therelies...'
EzraPound
In Exitum Cuiusdam
Onacertainone'sdeparture
Time'sbitterflood'!Oh,that'sallverywell,
Butwhere'stheoldfriendhasn'tfallenoff,
Orslackedhishand-gripwhenyoufirstgrippedfame?
Iknowyourcircleandcanfairlytell
Whatyouhavekeptandwhatyouveleftbehind:
Iknowmycircleandknowverywell
HowmanyfacesI'dhaveoutofmind.
EzraPound
In Tempore Senectutis
WhenIamold
Iwillnothaveyoulookapart
Fromme,intothecold,
Friendofmyheart,
Norbesadinyourremembrance
Ofthecareless,mad-heartsemblance
Thatthewindhathblownaway
WhenIamold.
WhenIamold
Andthewhitehotwonder-fire
Untotheworldseemcold,
Mysoul'sdesire
Knowyouthenthatalllife'sshower,
Therainoftheyears,thathour
Shallmakeblowforusoneflower,
Includingall,whenweareold.
WhenIamold
Ifyouremember
Anylovesavewhatisthen
Hearthlightuntolife'sDecember
Beyourjoyofpastsweetchalices
Toknowthennaughtbutthis
"Howmanywondersarelesssweet
ThanloveIbeartothee
WhenIamold."
EzraPound
In the Old Age of the Soul
Idonotchoosetodream;therecomethonme
Somestrangeoldlustfordeeds.
Astothenervelesshandofsomeoldwarrior
Thesword-hiltorthewar-wornwontedhelmet
Bringsmomentarylifeandlong-fledcunning,
Sotomysoulgrownold-
Grownoldwithmanyajousting,manyaforay,
Grownoldwithnamyahither-comingandhence-going-
Tillnowtheysendhimdreamsandnomoredeed;
Sodothheflameagainwithmightforaction,
Forgetfulofthecouncilofelders,
Forgetfulthatwhorulesdothnomorebattle,
Forgetfulthatsuchmightnomorecleavestohim
Sodothheflameagaintowardvaliantdoing.
EzraPound
Invern
Earth'swintercometh
AndIbeingpartofall
Andsiththespiritofallmovethinme
Imustneedsbearearth'swinter
Drawncoldandgreywithhours
Andjoyinginamomentarysun,
LoIamwitheredwithwaitingtillmyspringcometh!
Orcrouchcovetousofwarmth
O'erscant-loggedingleblaze,
MusttakecrampedjoyintomedLonginus
That,readIhimfirsttime
Thewoodsagleamwithsummer
Ormiddesirouswindsofspring,
Hadsetmesingingspheres
Ormadehearttowanderforthamongwarmroses
Orcurlingrassnextneathakindlymoon.
EzraPound
Ione, Dead the Long Year
Emptyaretheways,
Emptyarethewaysofthisland
Andtheflowers
Bendoverwithheavyheads.
Theybendinvain.
Emptyarethewaysofthisland
WhereIone
Walkedonce,andnowdoesnotwalk
Butseemslikeapersonjustgone.
EzraPound
It
Go,mysongs,seekyourpraisefromtheyoung
andfromtheintolerant,
Moveamongtheloversofperfectionalone.
SeekevertostandinthehardSophocleanlight
Andtakeyouwoundsfromitgladly.
EzraPound
La Fraisne
ForIwasagaunt,gravecouncillor
Beinginallthingswise,andveryold,
ButIhaveputasidethisfollyandthecold
Thatoldagewearethforacloak.
Iwasquitestrong-atleasttheysaidso-
Theyoungmenatthesword-play;
ButIhaveputasidethisfolly,beinggay
Inanotherfashionthatmoresuitethme.
Ihavecurled'midthebolesoftheashwood,
Ihavehiddenmyfacewheretheoak
Spreadhisleavesoverme,andtheyoke
OftheoldwaysofmenhaveIcastaside.
BythestillpoolofMar-nan-otha
HaveIfoundmeabride
Thatwasadog-woodtreesomesyne.
Shehathcalledmefrommineoldways
Shehathhushedmyrancourofcouncil,
Biddingmepraise
Naughtbutthewindthatfluttersintheleaves.
Shehathdrawnmefrommineoldways,
TillmensaythatIammad;
ButIhaveseenthesorrowofmen,andamglad,
ForIknowthatthewailingandbitternessareafolly.
AndI?Ihaveputasideallfollyandallgrief.
Iwrappedmytearsinanellumleaf
Andleftthemunderastone
AndnowmencallmemadbecauseIhavethrown
Allfollyfromme,puttingitaside
Toleavetheoldbarrenwaysofmen,
Becausemybride
Isapoolofthewood,and
ThoughallmensaythatIammad
ItisonlythatIamglad,
Veryglad,formybridehathtowardmeagreatlove
Thatissweeterthantheloveofwomen
Thatplagueandburnanddriveoneaway.
Aie-e!'TistruethatIamgay
Quitegay,forIhaveheralonehere
Andnomantroublethus.
OncewhenIwasamongtheyoungmen...
AndtheysaidIwasquitestrong,amongtheyoungmen.
Oncetherewasawoman...
...butIforget...shewas..
...Ihopeshewillnotcomeagain.
...Idonotremember..
Ithinkshehurtmeonce,but...
Thatwasverylongago.
Idonotliketorememberthingsanymore.
Ilikeonelittlebandofwindsthatblow
Intheashtreeshere:
Forwearequitealone
Here'midtheashtrees.
EzraPound
La Regina Avrillouse
Ladyofrichallure,
Queenofthespring'sembrace,
Yourarmsarelonglikeboughsofash,
Midlaugh-brokenstreams,spiritofrainunsure,
Breathofthepoppyflower,
Allthewoodthybower
Andthehillsthydwelling-place.
ThiswillInomoredream;
Warmisthyarm'sallure,
Warmisthegustofbreath
Thaterethylipsmeetmine
Kissethmycheekandsaith:
"Thisisthejoyofearth,
Hereisthewineofmirth
Drainyeonegobletsure,
Takeyethehoneycup
Thehoniedsongraiseup,
Drinkofthespring'sallure,
Aprilanddewandrain;
Brownoftheearthsingsure,
Cheeksandlipsandhair
Andsoftbreaththatkissethwhere
Thylipshavecomenotyettodrink."
Mossandthemoldofearth,
Thesebethycouchofmirth,
Longarmsthyboughsofshade
April-alluring,astheblade
Ofgrassdothcatchthedew
Andmakeitcrowntoholdthesun.
Bannerbeyou
Abovemyhead,
Glorytoallwolddisplay'd,
April-alluring,glory-bold.
EzraPound
Ladies
Agathas
FourandfortylovershadAgathasintheolddays,
Allofwhomsherefused;
Andnowsheturnstomeseekinglove,
Andherhairalsoisturning.
YoungLady
Ihavefedyourlarwithpoppies,
Ihaveadoredyouforthreefullyears;
Andnowyougrumblebecauseyourdressdoesnotfit
AndbecauseIhappentosayso.
LesbiaIlla
Memnon,Menmon,thatlady
Whousedtowalkaboutamongstus
Withsuchgraciousuncertainty,
Isnowwedded
ToaBritishhouseholder.
Lugete,Veneres!Lugete,Cupidinesque!
Passing
FlawlessasAphrodite,
Thoroughlybeautiful,
Brainless,
Thefaintodourofyourpatchouli,
Faint,almost,asthelinesofcrueltyaboutyourchin,
Assailsme,andconcernsmealmostaslittle.
EzraPound
Lament of the Frontier Guard
BytheNorthGate,thewindblowsfullofsand,
Lonelyfromthebeginningoftimeuntilnow!
Treesfall,thegrassgoesyellowwithautumn.
Iclimbthetowersandtowers
towatchoutthebarbarousland:
Desolatecastle,thesky,thewidedesert.
Thereisnowalllefttothisvillage.
Boneswhitewithathousandfrosts,
Highheaps,coveredwithtreesandgrass;
Whobroughtthistopass?
Whohasbroughttheflamingimperialanger?
Whohasbroughtthearmywithdrumsandwithkettle-drums?
Barbarouskings.
Agraciousspring,turnedtoblood-ravenousautumn,
Aturmoilofwars-men,spreadoverthemiddlekingdom,
Threehundredandsixtythousand,
Andsorrow,sorrowlikerain.
Sorrowtogo,andsorrow,sorrowreturning,
Desolate,desolatefields,
Andnochildrenofwarfareuponthem,
Nolongerthemenforoffenceanddefence.
Ah,howshallyouknowthedrearysorrowattheNorthGate,
WithRihoku'snameforgotten,
Andweguardsmenfedtothetigers.
ByRihaku.[LiPo?]
EzraPound
Langue D'Oc
Alba
Whenthenightingaletohismate
Singsday-longandnightlate
MyloveandIkeepstate
Inbower,
Inflower,
''Tillthewatchmanonthetower
Cry:
'Up!Thourascal,Rise,
Iseethewhite
Light
Andthenight
Flies:
I
Compleyntofagentlemanwhohasbeenwaitingoutsideforsometime
Oplasmatourandtruecelestiallight,
Lordpowerful,engirdledallwithmight,
Givemygood-fellowaidinfools'despite
Whostirsnotforththisnight,
Anddaycomeson.
'Sst!mygoodfellow,artawakeorsleeping?
Sleepthounomore.Iseethestarupleaping
Thathaththedawninkeeping,
Anddaycomeson!
'Hi!Harry,hearme,forIsingaright
Sleepnotthounow,Ihearthebirdinflight
Thatplainethofthegoingofthenight,
Anddaycomeson!
Comenow!Oldswenkin!Riseupfromthybed,
Iseethesignsuponthewelkinspread,
Ifthoucomenot,thecostbeonthyhead.
Anddaycomeson!
AndhereIamsincegoingdownofsun,
AndpraytoGodthatisSt.Mary'sson,
Tobringtheesafeback,mycompanion.
Anddaycomeson.
'Andthououtherebeneaththeporchofstone
Badestmetoseethatagoodwatchwasdone,
Andnowthou'ltnoneofme,andwilthavenone
Ofsongofmine.
(Bassvoicefrominside)
'Wait,mygoodfellow.ForsuchjoyItake
Withhervenustandnoblesttomymake
Toholdembraced,andwillnotherforsake
Foryammerofthecuckold,
Thoughdaybreak.'
(GirartBornello)
II
Avril
Whenthespringtimeissweet
Andthebirdsrepeat
Theirnewsongintheleaves.
Tismeet
Amangowherehewill.
Butfromwheremyheartisset
NomessageIget;
Myheartallwakesandgrieves;
Defeat
Orluck,Imusthavemyfill.
Ourlovecomesout
Likethebranchthatturnsabout
Onthetopofthehawthorne,
Withfrostandhailatnight
Suffersdespite
'Tillthesuncome,andthegreenleafonthebough.
Iremembertheyoungday
Whenwesetstrifeaway,
Andshegavemesuchgesning,
Herloveandherring:
GodgrantIdienotbyanyman'sstroke
'TillIhavemyhand'neathhercloak.
Icarenotfortheirclamour
Whohavecomebetweenmeandmycharmer,
ForIknowhowwordsrunloose,
Bigtalkandlittleuse.
Spoilersofpleasure,
Wetaketheirmeasure.
(GuilhemdePeitieu)
III
DescantonaThemebyCerclamon
Whenthesweetairgoesbitter,
Andthecoldbirdstwitter
Wheretheleaffallsfromthetwig,
Isoughandsing
thatLovegoesout
Leavingmenopowertoholdhim.
OfloveIhavenaught
Savetroubleandsadthought,
Andnothingisgrievous
asIdesirous,
Wantingonlywhat
Nomancangetorhasgot.
Withthenoblestthatstandsinmen'ssight,
Ifalltheworldbeindespite
Icarenotaglove.
Wheremyloveis,thereisaglitterofsun;
Godgivemelife,andletmycourserun
'TillIhaveherIlove
Toliewithandprove.
Idonotlive,norcureme,
Norfeelmyachegreatasitis,
Forlovewillgive
menorespite,
NordoIknowwhenIturnleftorright
norwhenIgoout.
Forinherisallmydelight
Andallthatcansaveme.
Ishakeandburnandquiver
Fromlove,awakeandinswevyn,
SuchfearIhaveshedeliver
menotfrompain,
Whoknownothowtoaskher;
Whocannot.
Twoyears,threeyearsIseek
AndthoughIfeartospeakout,
Stillshemustknowit.
Ifshewon'thavemenow,Deathismyportion,
WouldIhaddiedthatday
Icameintohersway.
God!Howsoftlythiskills!
Whenherlovelookstealsonme.
Killedmeshehas,Iknownothowitwas,
ForIwouldnotlookonawoman.
JoyIhavenone,ifshemakemenotmad
Orsetmequiet,orbidmechatter.
Goodisittomeifsheflout
Orturnmeinsideout,andabout.
Myilldothsheturnsweet.
Howswiftitis.
ForIamtraistandloose,
Iamtrue,oraliar,
Allvile,orallgentle,
Orshakingbetween,
asshedesire,
I,Cerclamon,sorryandglad,
Themanwhomlovehad
andhasever;
Alas!who'eritpleaseorpain,
Shecanmeretain.
Iamgonefromonejoy,
FromoneIlovedneversomuch,
Shebyonetouch
Reftmeaway;
Sodothbewilderme
Icannotsaymysay
normydesire,
Andwhenshelooksonme
Itseemstome
Iloseallwitandsense.
Thenoblestgirlsmenlove
'GainstherIprizenotasaglove
Wornandold.
Thoughthewholeworldrunrack
Andgodarkwithcloud,
Lightis
Whereshestands,
Andaclamourloud
inmyears.
IV
Vergier
Inorchardunderthehawthorne
Shehasherlovertillmorn,
Tillthetraistmancryouttowarn
ThemGodhowswiftthenight,
Anddaycomeson.
OPlasmatour,thatthouendnotthenight,
Nortakemybelovedfrommysight,
NorI,nortower-man,lookondaylight,
'ForeGod,Howswiftthenight,
Anddaycomeson.
'Lovelythouart,toholdmecloseandkisst,
Nowcrythebirdsout,inthemeadowmist,
Despitethecuckold,dothouasthoulist,
Soswiftlygoesthenight
Anddaycomeson.
Myprettyboy,makeweourplayagain
Hereintheorchardwherethebirdscomplain,
'Tillthetraistwatcherhissongunrein,
AhGod!Howswiftthenight
Anddaycomeson.'
Outofthewindthatblowsfromher,
Thatdancingandgentleisandtherebypleasanter,
HaveIdrunkadraught,sweeterthanscentofmyrrh.
AhGod!Howswiftthenight.
Anddaycomeson.'
Venustthelady,andnonelovelier,
Forhergreatbeauty,manymenlookonher,
Outofmylovewillherheartnotstir.
ByGod,howswiftthenight.
Anddaycomeson.
EzraPound
L'Art
Greenarsenicsmearedonanegg-whitecloth,
Crushedstrawberries!Come,letusfeastoureyes.
EzraPound
Leave-Taking Near Shoku
TheysaytheroadsofSansoaresteep,
Sheerasthemountains.
Thewallsriseinaman'sface,
Cloudsgrowoutofthehill
athishorse'sbridle.
SweettreesareonthepavedwayoftheShin,
Theirtrunksburstthroughthepaving,
Andfreshetsareburstingtheirice
inthemidstofShoku,aproudcity.
Men'sfatesarealreadyset,
Thereisnoneedofaskingdiviners.
EzraPound
Les Millwin
ThelittleMillwinsattendtheRussianBallet.
ThemauveandgreenishsoulsofthelittleMillwins
Wereseenlyingalongtheupperseats
Likesomanyunusedboas.
Theturbulentandundisciplinedhostofartstudents-
TherigorousdeputationfromSlade-
Wasbeforethem.
Witharmsexalted,withfore-arms
CrossedingreatfuturisticX's,theartstudents
Exulted,theybeheldthesplendoursofCleopatra
AndthelittleMillwinsbeheldthesethings;
Withtheirlargeandanaemiceyestheylookedoutupon
thisconfiguration.
Letusthereforementionthefact,
Foritseemstousworthyofrecord.
EzraPound
L'Homme Moyen Sensuel
TisofmycountrythatIwouldendite,
Inhopetosetsomemisconceptionsright.
Mycountry?Iloveitwell,andthosegoodfellows
Who,sincetheirwit'sunknown,escapethegallows.
Butyoustuffedcoatswho'reneithertepidnordistinctlyboreal,
Pimping,conceited,placid,editorial,
CouldIbutspeakas'twereinthe'Restoration'
Iwouldarticulateyourperdamnation.
ThisyearperforceImustwithcircumspection
ForMenckenstatessomewhere,inthisconnection:
Itisamoralnationweinfest.'
DespitesuchreinsandchecksI'lldomybest,
Anart!Youallrespectthearts,fromthatinfanttick
Who'snowtheeditorofTheAltantic,
FromComstock'sself,downtothemeanestresident,
Tillupagain,rightup,wereachthepresident,
Whoshowshistasteinhisambassadors:
Anovelist,apublisher,topayoldscores,
Anovelist,apublisherandapreacher,
That'ssenttoHolland,amostparticularfeature,
HenryVanDyke,whothinkstocharmtheMuseyoupackherin
Asortofstinkingdeliquescentsaccharine.
Theconstitutionofourland,OSocrates,
Wasmadetoincubatesuchmediocrities,
Theseandastateinbooksthat'sgrownperennial
AndantedatesthePhiladelphiacentennial.
StillI'drespectyoumoreifyoucouldbury
Mabie,andLymanAbbotandGeorgeWoodberry,
Formindssowhollyfoundeduponquotations
Arenotthebestofpulseforinfantnations.
Dulnessherself,thatabjectspirit,chortles
Toseeyourfortyself-baptizedimmortals,
Andholdshersideswhereswellinglaughtercracks'em
Beforethe6ArsPoetica'ofHiramMaxim.
Allonecansayofthisrefiningmedium
IscZut!Cinquelettres!'abanishedgallicidiom,
Theirdodderingignoranceiswaxedsonotable
'Tistimethatitwascappedwithsomethingquotable.
HereRadwaygrew,thefruitofpantosocracy,
Theveryfairestfloweroftheirgynocracy.
Radway?Myhero,foritwillbemoreinspiring
IfIsetforthabawdyplotlikeByron
ThanifItreatthenationasawhole.
Radwaygrewup.Theseforcesshapedhissoul;
These,andyetGod,andDr.Parkhurst'sgod,theN.Y.Journal
(WhichpayshimmoreperweekthanTheSupernal).
Theseandanothergodletofthatday,yourday
(Youfeedahenongrease,perhapsshe'lllay
Thesterileeggthatisstilleatable:
'ProlificNoyes'withoutputundefeatable).
Fromthesehe(Radway)learnt,fromprovostsandfromeditorsunyielding
AndinnocentofStendhal,Flaubert,MaupassantandFielding.
Theysettheirmind(it'sstillinthatcondition)
Maywerepeat;theCentennialExposition
AtPhiladelphia,1876?
Whatitknewthen,itknows,andthereitsticks.
Andyetanother,a'charmingman',sweetnature,'butwasGilder,
Demortuisverum,trulythemasterbuilder?
Fromthesehelearnt.Poe,Whitman,Whistler,men,theirrecognition
Wasgotabroad,whatbetterluckdoyouwish'em,
Whenwritingwellhasnotyetbeenforgiven
InBoston,toHenryJames,thegreatestwhomwe'veseenliving.
Andtimorousloveoftheinnocuous
BroughtfromGt.Britainanddumpeddowna'topofus,
Tillyoumaytakeyourchoice:tofeeltheedgeofsatireor
ReadBennettorsomeotherflaccidflatterer.
Despiteitall,despiteyourRedBloods,febrileconcupiscence
Whoseblubberingyowlsyoutakeforpassion'sessence;
Despiteitall,yourcompoundpredilection
Forignorance,itsgrowthanditsprotection
(Videthetariff),Iwillhangsimplefacts
Uponatale,tocombatothertracts,
'MessagetoGarcia,'Mosher'spropagandas
Thatarethenation'sbotts,collicksandglanders.
OrfromthefeatsofSumnercullit?Think,
CouldFreudorJung'unfathomsuchasink?
Myhero,Radway,Ihavenamed,intruth,
Someforcesamongthosewhich'formed'hisyouth:
Theseheavyweights,thesedodgersandthesepreachers,
Crusaders,lecturersandsecretlechers,
Whowroughtabouthis'soul'theirstaleinfection.
Thesearethehigh-brows,andtothiscollection
Thesocialitch,thealmost,allbut,notquite,fascinating,
Piquante,delicious,luscious,captivating:
Puffedsatin,andsilkstockings,wheretheknee
Clingstotheskirtinstrict(vide:'Vogue')propriety.
Threethousandchorusgirlsandallunkissed,
statesanssong,sanshome-grownwine,sansrealist!
'Tellmenotinmournfulwish-wash
Life'sasortofsugareddish-wash!'
Radwayhadreadthevariouseveningpapers
AndyearnedtoimitatetheWaldorfcapers
Asheldbeforehiminthatunsulliedmirror
Thedailypress,andmonthliesninecentsdearer.
Theyheldtheverymarrowoftheideals
Thatfedhisspirit;werehismentalmeals.
Also,he'dreadofChristianvirtuesin
ThatcantingragcalledEverybody'sMagazine,
Andheardaclergythattriesonmorewheezes
Thane'erwereheardofbyOurLordCh....J
Sohe'facedlife'withrathermixedintentions,
HehadattendedcountryChristianEndeavourConventions,
Whereonegetsmorechances
ThanSpanishladieshadinoldromances.
(Lethimrebukewhone'erhasknownthepurePlatonicgrapple,
Orhuggedtwogirlsatoncebehindachapel.)
Suchpracticesdilutedruralboredom
Thoughsomeapprovedofthem,andsomedeplored'em.
Suchwashewhenhegothismother'sletter
Andwouldnotthinkathingthatcouldupsether....
Yetsawanad.'To-night,THEHUDSONSAIL,
Withfortyqueens,andmusictoregale
Theselectcompany:beautiesyouallwouldknow
Byname,ifnamed.'Soitwasphrased,orrathersomewhatso
Ihavemislaidthead.',butnotethetouch,
Note,reader,notethesentimentaltouch:
Hismother'sbirthdaygift.(Howpitiful
Thatonlysentimentalstuffwillsell!)
YetRadwaywent.Acircumspectiousprig!
Andthenthatwomanlikeaguinea-pig
Accosted,that'stheword,accostedhim,
Thereontheamorouscalorslightlyfrostedhim.
(Iburn,Ifreeze,Isweat,saidthefairGreek,
Ispeakincontradictions,sotospeak.)
I'vetoldhistraining,hewasneverbashful,
Andhispocketsbyma'said,thatnightwithcashfull,
Theinvitationhadnoneedoffineaesthetic,
Nordiddisgustprovesuchastrongemetic
Thatwe,withMasefield'svein,inthenextsentence
RecordOdd'sblood!Ouch!Ouch!'aprayer,hisswiftrepentance.
No,no,theydanced.Themusicgrewmuchlouder
Asheinhaledthe'stillfumesofrice-powder.
Thentherecameothernights,cameslowbutcertain
Andweresuchnightsthatweshould'drawthecurtain'
Inwritingfictiononuncertainchances
Ofpublication;'Circumstances,'
AstheeditorofTheCenturysaysinprint,
'Compelacertainsilenceandrestraint.'
Stillwewillbringour'fictionasneartofact'as
TheSundayschoolbringsvirtuesintopractice.
Soonourherocouldmanageonceaweek,
Notthathispayhadrisen,andnoleak
Wasfoundinhisemployer'scash.Helearnedthelayofcheaperplaces,
AndthenRadwaybegantogothepaces:
Arosypath,asortofvernalingress,
AndTruthshouldherebecarefulofherthindress
Thoughmalesofseventy,whofeartruthsnakedharmus,
MustthinkTruthlooksastheydoinwoolpyjamas.
(Mycountry,I'vesaidyourmoralsandyourthoughtsarestaleones,
Butsurelytheworstofyourold-womenarethemaleones.)
Whypaintthesedays?Aninsuranceinspector
Forfiresandoddrisks,couldinthissector
Furnishmoredataforacompilation
ThanIcanfromthisdistantlandandstation,
UnlessperhapsIshouldhaverecourseto
Oneofthosefirm-facedinspectingwomen,who
FindprettyIrishgirlsinChineselaundries,
Upstairs,thethirdfloorup,andhavesuchquandaries
Astohowandwhyandwherebytheygotin
Andforwhatearthlyreasontheyremain....
Alas,eheu,onequestionthatsorelyvexes
Theserioussocialfolkisjustwhatsexis'.
Thoughitwill,ofcourse,passoffwithsocialscience
Inwhichtheirmentorsplacesuchwidereliance..
DeGourmontsaysthatfiftygruntsareallthatwillbeprized.
Oflangauge,bymenwhollysocialized,
Withsignsasmany,thatshallrepresent'em
Whenthoroughlysocializedprinterswanttoprint'em.
Asfreeofmobsaskings'?I'dhavemenfreeofthatinvidious,
Lurking,serpentine,amphibiousandinsidious
Powerthatcompels'em
Tobesomuchalikethateverydogthatsmells'em,
Thinksoneidentityis
Smearedo'erthelotinequalquantities.
Stillwelooktowardthedaywhenman,withunction,
Willlongonlytobeasocialfunction,
AndevenZeus'wildlightningfeartostrike
Lestitshouldfailtotreatallmenalike.
AndIcanhearanoldmansaying:Oh,therub!
IseethemsittingintheHarvardClub,
'Andrate'emupatjustsomuchperhead,
'TillIhaveviewedstrawhatsandtheirhabitualclothing
'Allthesamestyle,samecut,withperfectloathing.'
SoRadwaywalked,quiteliketheothermen,
Outintothecrepuscularhalf-light,nowandthen;
Sawwhatthecityoffered,castaneye
UponManhattan'sgorgeouspanoply,
ThefloodoflimbsuponEighthAvenue
TobeatPrague,Budapesth,ViennaorMoscow,
Suchanimalinvigoratingcarriage
Asnothingcanrestrainormuchdisparage....
Stillhewasnotgivenuptobruteenjoyment,
Ananxioussentimentwashisemployment,
Formemoryofthefirstwarmnightstillcastahazeo'er
ThemindofRadway,whene'erhefoundapairofpurplestaysor
Someotherquaintreminderoftheoccasion
Thatfirstmadehimbelieveinimmoralsuasion.
Atemperateman,athinpotationist,eachday
AsilenthunterofftheGreatWhiteWay,
HereadTheCenturyandthoughtitnice
Tobenottoowellknowninhauntsofvice
Theprominenthaunts,whereonemightrecognizehim,
Andinhisdailywalksdulycapsizehim.
Thusheeschewedthebrightred-walledcafesand
Wasneveroneofwhomonespeaksasbrazen'd'.
Somemenwillliveasprudesintheirownvillage
Andmakethetourabroadfortheirwildtillage
Iknewatouristagent,onewhoseartis
Torunsuchtours.Hecalls'em....houseparties.
ButRadwaywasapatriotwhosevenality
Waspurerinitsloveofonelocality,
Ahome-industriousworkertoperfection,
Asensationaljobberforprotection,
Especiallyonbooks,lestknowledgebreakin
Uponthenationalbrainsandset'emachin'.
'Tisananomalyinourlargelandoffreedom,
Youcannotgetcheapbooks,evenifyouneed'em.)
Radwaywasignorantasaneditor,
And,heavenly,holygods!Ican'tsaymore,
ThoughIknowone,averybasedetractor,
WhohasthephraseAsignorantasanactor,'
ButturntoRadway:thefirstnightontheriver,
Runningsoclosetohellitsendsashiver
DownRodyheaver'sprophylacticspine,
Letmereturntothisboldthemeofmine,
OfRadway.Oclaphandyemoralists!
AndmeditateupontheLord'sconquests.
WhenlastImethim,hewasapillarin
Anorganizationforthesuppressionofsin....
Notthathe'dchangedhistastes,noryethishabits,
(Suchchangesdon'toccurinmen,orrabbits).
Notthathewasasaint,norwastop-loftical
Inspiritualaspirations,buthefounditprofitable,
ForasBenFranklinsaid,withsuchurbanity:
'Nothingwillpaythee,friend,likeChristianity.'
AndinourdaythussaiththeEvangelist:
'Tentpreachin'isthekindthatpaysthebest.'
'Twasasabusinessassetpureansimple
ThatRadwayjoinedtheBaptistBroadwayTemple.
Ifindnomoralforaperoration,
Heistheprototypeofhalfthenation.
EzraPound
Liu Ch'e
Therustlingofthesilkisdiscontinued,
Dustdriftsoverthecourt-yard,
Thereisnosoundoffoot-fall,andtheleaves
Scurryintoheapsandliestill,
Andshetherejoiceroftheheartisbeneaththem:
Awetleafthatclingstothethreshold.
EzraPound
M. Pom-Pom
M.Pom-POMallaitenguerre
Pervenderecannoni
Monbeaugrandfrre
Nepeutplusvoir
Pervenderecannoni.
M.Pom-POMestausnat
Pervenderecannoni
Pourvendredescanons
Pourvendredescanons
Tosellthegoddamn'dfrogs
Afewmorecanon,
EzraPound
Marvoil
ApoorclerkI,'Arnauttheless'theycallme,
AndbecauseIhavesmallmindtosit
Daylong,longdaycoopedonastool
A-jumblingo'figuresforMaitreJacquesPolin,
Iha'takentoramblingtheSouthhere.
TheVicomteofBeziers'snotsuchabadlot.
Imaderimestohisladythisthreeyear:
Versandcanzone,tillthatdamn'dsonofAragon,
Alfonsothehalf-bald,tooktohanging
HishelmetatBeziers.
Thencamewhatmightcome,towit:threemenandonewoman,
BeziersoffatMont-Ausier,Iandhislady
SingingthestarsintheturretsofBeziers,
AndoneleanAragonesecursingtheseneschal
Totheendthatyousee,friends:
AragoncursinginAragon,BeziersbusyatBeziers
Boredtoaninchofextinction,
TiborsalltongueandtemperatMont-Ausier,
Me!inthisdamn'dinnofAvignon,
StringinglongversefortheBurlatz;
Allforonehalf-bald,knock-knee'dkingoftheAragonese,
Alfonso,Quattro,poke-nose.
AndifwhenIamdead
Theytakethetroubletotearoutthiswallhere,
They'11knowmoreofArnautofMarvoil
Thanhalfhiscanzonisayofhim.
AsforwillandtestamentIleavenone,
Savethis:VersandcanzonetotheCountessofBeziers
Inreturnforthefirstkissshegaveme.'
Mayhereyesandhercheekbefair
ToallmenexcepttheKingofAragon,
AndmayIcome'speedilytoBeziers
Whithermydesireandmydreamhaveprecededme.
Oholeinthewallhere!bethoumyjongleur
Asne'erhadIother,andwhenthewindblows,
SingthouthegraceoftheLadyofBeziers,
ForevenasthouarthollowbeforeIfilltheewiththisparchment,
Soismyhearthollowwhenshefillethnotmineeyes,
Andsoweremymindhollow,didshenotfillutterlymythought.
Wherefore,Oholeinthewallhere,
Whenthewindblowssighthouformysorrow
ThatIhavenottheCountessofBeziers
Closeinmyarmshere.
Evenasthoushaltsoonhavethisparchment.
Oholeinthewallhere,bethoumyjongleur,
Andthoughthousighestmysorrowinthewind,
Keepyetmysecretinthybreasthere;
EvenasIkeepherimageinmyhearthere.
EzraPound
Masks
Thesetalesofolddisguisings,aretheynot
Strangemythsofsoulsthatfoundthemselvesamong
Unwontedfolkthatspakeanhostiletongue,
Somesoulfromalltherestwho'dnotforgot
Thestar-spanacresofaformerlot
Whereboundlessmidthecloudshiscourseheswung,
Orcarnatewithhiselderbrotherssung
Ereballad-makerslispedofCamelot?
Oldsingershalf-forgetfuloftheirtunes,
Oldpainterscolor-blindcomebackoncemore,
Oldpoetsskill-lessinthewind-heartrunes,
Oldwizardslackingintheirwonder-lore:
Alltheythatwithstrangesadnessintheireyes
Ponderinsilenceo'erearth'squeyntdevyse?
EzraPound
Mauberley
I
Turnedfromthe'eau-forte
ParJaquemart'
Tothestraithead
OfMessalina:
'HistruePenelope
WasFlaubert,'
Andhistool
Theengraver's.
Firmness,
Notthefullsmile,
Hisart,butanart
Inprofile;
Colourless
PierFrancesca,
Pisanellolackingtheskill
ToforgeAchaia.
II
Forthreeyears,diabolusinthescale,
Hedrankambrosia,
Allpasses,ANANGKEprevails,
Cameend,atlast,tothatArcadia.
Hehadmovedamidherphantasmagoria,
Amidhergalaxies,
NUKTIS'AGALMA
Drifted...driftedprecipitate,
Askingtimetoberidof...
Ofhisbewilderment;todesignate
Hisnewfoundorchid....
Tobecertain...certain...
(Amidaerialflowers)...timeforarrangements-
Driftedon
Tothefinalestrangement;
Unableinthesuperveningblankness
TosiftTOAGATHONfromthechaff
Untilhefoundhissieve...
Ultimately,hisseismograph:
Giventhatishis'fundamentalpassion',
Thisurgetoconveytherelation
Ofeye-lidandcheek-bone
Byverbalmanifestations;
Topresenttheseries
Ofcuriousheadsinmedallion
Hehadpassed,inconscient,fullgaze,
Thewide-brandedirides
Andbotticellianspraysimplied
Intheirdiastasis;
Whichansethesis,notedayearlate,
Andweighed,revealedhisgreataffect,
(Orchid),mandate
OfEros,aretrospect.
Mouthsbitingemptyair,
Thestillstonedogs,
Caughtinmetamorphosis,were
Lefthimasepilogues.
EzraPound
Medallion
Luiniinporcelain!
Thegrandpiano
Uttersaprofane
Protestwithherclearsoprano.
Thesleekheademerges
Fromthegold-yellowfrock
AsAnadyomeneintheopening
PagesofReinach.
Honey-red,closingtheface-oval,
Abasket-workofbraidswhichseemasiftheywere
SpuninKingMinos'hall
Frommetal,orintractableamber;
Theface-ovalbeneaththeglaze,
Brightinitssuavebounding-line,as,
Beneathhalf-wattrays,
Theeyesturntopaz.
EzraPound
Meditatio
WhenIcarefullyconsiderthecurioushabitsofdogs
Iamcompelledtoconclude
Thatmanisthesuperioranimal.
WhenIconsiderthecurioushabitsofman
Iconfess,myfriend,Iampuzzled.
EzraPound
Mesmerism
Ayeyou'reamanthat!yeoldmesmerizer
Tyin'yourmeanin'inseventyswadelin's,
Onemustofneedsbeahang'dearlyriser
Tocatchyouatwormturning.HolyOdd'sbody-kins!
'Cat'si'thewaterbutt!'Thought'sinyourverse-barrel,
Tellusthisthingrather,thenwe'llbelieveyou,
You,MasterBobBrowning,spiteyourapparel
Jumptoyoursenseandgivepraiseaswe'dliefdo.
Youwheezeasahead-coldlong-tonsilledCalliope,
ButGod!whatasightyouha'goto'ourin'ards,
MadasahatterbutsurelynoMyope,
Broadasalloceanandleanin'man-kin'ards.
HeartthatwasbigasthebowelsofVesuvius,
Wordsthatwerewing'dashersparksineruption,
EagledandthunderedasJupiterPluvius,
Soundinyourwindpastallsignso'corruption.
Here'stoyou,OldHippety-Hopo'theaccents,
TruetotheTruth'ssakeandcraftydissector,
Yougrabbedatthegoldsure;hadnoneedtopackcents,
Intoyourversicles.
Clearsight'selector!
EzraPound
Middle-Aged
Tisbutavague,invariousdelight
Asgoldthatrainsaboutsomeburiedking.
Asthefineflakes,
Whentouristsfrolicking
Stamponhisrooforintheglazinglight
Tryphotographs,wolfdowntheiraleandcakes
Andstarttoinspectsomefurtherpyramid;
Asthefinedust,inthehidcell
Beneaththeirtransitorystepandmerriment,
Driftsthroughtheair,andthesarcophagus
Gainsyetanothercrust
Ofuselessrichesfortheoccupant,
SoI,thefiresthatlitoncedreams
Nowoverandspent,
Liedeadwithinfourwalls
Andsonowlove
Rainsdownandsoenrichessomestiffcase,
Andstrewsamindwithpreciousmetaphors,
Andsothespace
Ofmystillconsciousness
Isfullofgildedsnow,
Thewhich,nocathaseyesenough
Toseethebrightnessof.
EzraPound
Moeurs Contemporaines
I
Mr.Styrax1
Mr.HecatombStyrax,theownerofalargeestateandoflargemuscles,
A'blue'andaclimberofmountains,hasmarriedattheageof28,
Hebeingatthatageavirgin,
ThetermVirgo'beingmademaleinmediaevallatinity;
Hisineptitudes
Havedrivenhiswifefromonereligiousexcesstoanother.
Shehasabandonedthevicar
Forhewaslackinginvehemence;
Sheisnowthehigh-priestess
Ofamodernandethicalcult,
AndevennowMr.Styrax
Doesnotbelieveinasthetics.
2
Hisbrotherhastakentogipsies,
Buttheson-in-lawofMr.H.Styrax
Objectstoperfumedcigarettes.
IntheparlanceofNiccoloMachiavelli:
Thusthingsproceedintheircircle';
Andthustheempireismaintained.
II
Clara
Atsixteenshewasapotentialcelebrity
Withadistasteforcaresses.
Shenowwritestomefromaconvent;
Herlifeisobscureandtroubled;
Hersecondhusbandwillnotdivorceher;
Hermindis,asever,uncultivated,
Andnoissuepresentsitself.
Shedoesnotdesireherchildren,
Oranymorechildren.
Herambitionisvagueandindefinite,
Shewillneitherstayin,norcomeout.
III
Soire
Uponlearningthatthemotherwroteverses,
Andthatthefatherwroteverses,
Andthattheyoungestsonwasinapublisher'soffice,
Andthatthefriendoftheseconddaughterwasundergoinganovel,
TheyoungAmericanpilgrim
Exclaimed:
'Thisisadarn'dcleverbunch!'
IV
Sketch48b.11
Attheageof27
Itshomemailisstillopenedbyitsmaternalparent
Anditsofficemailmaybeopenedby
itsparentoftheoppositegender.
Itisanofficer,
andagentleman,
andanarchitect.
V
'Nodierraconte...'
1
A.tafriendofmywife'sthereisaphotograph,
Afaded,palebrownishphotograph,
Ofthetimeswhenthesleeveswerelarge,
Silk,stiffandlargeabovethelacertus,
Thatis,theupperarm,
Anddcollet'....
Itisalady,
Shesitsataharp,
Playing,
Andbyherleftfoot,inabasket,
Isaninfant,agedabout14months,
Theinfantbeamsattheparent,
Theparentre-beamsatitsoffspring.
Thebasketislinedwithsatin,
Thereisasatin-likebowontheharp.
2
Andinthehomeofthenovelist
Thereisasatin-likebowonanharp.
Youenterandpasshallafterhall,
Conservatoryfollowsconservatory,
Lilieslifttheirwhitesymbolicalcups,
Whencetheirsymbolicalpollenhasbeenexcerpted,
NearthemInoticedanharp
Andthebluesatinribbon,
Andthecopyof4HathaYoga'
Andtheneatpilesofunopened,unopeningbooks,
Andshespoketomeofthemonarch,
Andofthepurityofhersoul.
VI
Stele
Afteryearsofcontinence
hehurledhimselfintoaseaofsixwomen.
Now,quenchedasthebrandofMeleagar,
heliesbythepoluphloisboioussea-coast.
SISTEVIATOR
VII
IVecchii
Theywillcomenomore,
Theoldmenwithbeautifulmanners.
IItaitcommeuntoutpetitgaron
Withhisblousefullofapples
Andstickingoutallthewayround;
Blagueur!'Congliocchionestietardi,'
Andhesaid:
0h!Abelard!'asifthetopic
Weremuchtooabstruseforhiscomprehension,
Andhetalkedabout'theGreatMary',
Andsaid:Mr.Poundisshockedatmylevity.'
WhenitturnedouthemeantMrs.Ward.
AndtheotherwasratherlikemybustbyGaudier,
OrlikearealTexascolonel,
Hesaid:'Whyflaydeadhorses?
'TherewasonceamancalledVoltaire.'
AndhesaidtheyusedtocheerVerdi,
InRome,aftertheopera,
Andtheguardscouldn'tstopthem,
AndthatwasananagramforVittorio
EmanueleReD'Italia,
Andtheguardscouldn'tstopthem.
Oldmenwithbeautifulmanners,
SittingintheRowofamorning;
WalkingontheChelseaEmbankment.
VIII
Ritratto
Andshesaid:
'YourememberMr.Lowell,
'Hewasyourambassadorhere?'
AndIsaid:'ThatwasbeforeIarrived.'
Andshesaid:
'Hestompedintomybedroom.
(BythattimeshehadgotontoBrowning.)
'...stompedintomybedroom....
'Andsaid:'DoI,
''Iaskyou,DoI
''Caretoomuchforsocietydinners?'
'AndIwouldn'tsaythathedidn't.
'Shelleyusedtoliveinthishouse.'
Shewasaveryoldlady,
Ineversawheragain.
EzraPound
Monumentum Aere, Etc.
YousaythatItakeagooddealuponmyself;
ThatIstrutintherobesofassumption.
Inafewyearsnoonewillrememberthebuffo,
Noonewillrememberthetrivialpartsofme,
Thecomicdetailwillbeabsent.
Asforyou,youwillrotintheearth,
Anditisdoubtfulifevenyourmanurewillberich
enough
Tokeepgrass
Overyourgrave.
EzraPound
Mr. Housman's Message
Owoe,woe,
Peoplearebornanddie,
Wealsoshallbedeadprettysoon
Thereforeletusactasifwewere
deadalready.
Thebirdsitsonthehawthorntree
Buthediesalso,presently.
Someladsgethung,andsomegetshot.
Woefulisthishumanlot.
Woe!woe,etcetera....
Londonisawoefulplace,
Shropshireismuchpleasanter.
Thenletussmilealittlespace
Uponfondnature'smorbidgrace.
Oh,Woe,woe,woe,etcetera....
EzraPound
Mr. Nixon
Inthecreamgildedcabinofhissteamyacht
Mr.Nixonadvisedmekindly,toadvancewithfewer
Dangersofdelay.'Consider
Carefullythereviewer.
'Iwasaspoorasyouare;
'WhenIbeganIgot,ofcourse,
'Advanceonroyalties,fiftyatfirst,'saidMr.Nixon,
'Followme,andtakeacolumn,
'Evenifyouhavetoworkfree.
'Butterreviewers.Fromfiftytothreehundred
'Iroseineighteenmonths;
'ThehardestnutIhadtocrack
'WasDr.Dundas.
'Inevermentionedamanbutwiththeview
'Ofsellingmyownworks.
'Thetip'sagoodone,asforliterature
'Itgivesnomanasinecure.
'Andnooneknows,atsight,amasterpiece.
'Andgiveupverse,myboy,
'There'snothinginit.'
LikewiseafriendofBloughram'sonceadvisedme:
Don'tkickagainstthepricks,
Acceptopinion.The'Nineties'triedyourgame
Anddied,there'snothinginit.
X
Beneaththesaggingroof
Thestylisthastakenshelter,
Unpaid,uncelebrated,
Atlastfromtheworld'swelter
Naturereceiveshim;
Withaplacidanduneducatedmistress
Heexerciseshistalents
Andthesoilmeetshisdistress.
Thehavenfromsophisticationsandcontentions
Leaksthroughitsthatch;
Heofferssucculentcooking;
Thedoorhasacreakinglatch.
XI
ConservatrixofMilsien'
Habitsofmindandfeeling,
Possibly.ButinEaling
Withthemostbank-clerklyofEnglishmen?
No,'Milsian'isanexaggeration.
Noinstincthassurvivedinher
Olderthanthosehergrandmother
Toldherwouldfitherstation.
XII
Daphnewithherthighsinbark
Stretchestowardmeherleafyhands,'
Subjectively.Inthestuffed-satindrawing-room
IawaitTheLadyValentine'scommands,
Knowingmycoathasneverbeen
Ofpreciselythefashion
Tostimulate,inher,
Adurablepassion;
Doubtful,somewhat,ofthevalue
Ofwell-gownedapprobation
Ofliteraryeffort,
ButneverofTheLadyValentine'svocation:
Poetry,herborderofideas,
Theedge,uncertain,butameansofblending
Withotherstrata
Wherethelowerandhigherhaveending;
AhooktocatchtheLadyJane'sattention,
Amodulationtowardthetheatre,
Also,inthecaseofrevolution,
Apossiblefriendandcomforter.
Conduct,ontheotherhand,thesoul
Whichthehighestcultureshavenourished'
ToFleetSt.where
Dr.Johnsonflourished;
Besidethisthoroughfare
Thesaleofhalf-hosehas
Longsincesupersededthecultivation
OfPierianroses.
EzraPound
N. Y.
MyCity,mybeloved,mywhite!Ah,slender,
Listen!Listentome,andIwillbreatheintotheeasoul.
Delicatelyuponthereed,attendme!
NowdoIknowthatIammad,
Forhereareamillionpeoplesurlywithtraffic;
Thisisnomaid.
NeithercouldIplayuponanyreedifIhadone.
MyCity,mybeloved,
Thouartamaidwithnobreasts,
Thouartslenderasasilverreed.
Listentome,attendme!
AndIwillbreatheintotheeasoul,
Andthoushaltliveforever.
EzraPound
Na Audiart
Thoughthouwelldostwishmeill
Audiart,Audiart,
Wherethybodicelacesstart
Asivyfingersclutchingthrough
Itscrevices,
Audiart,Audiart,
Stately,tallandlovelytender
Whoshallrender
Audiart,Audiart,
Praisesmeetuntothyfashion?
Hereawordkiss!
PassIon
UntoLadyMiels-de-Ben,
Havingpraisedthygirdle'sscope
Howthestaysplybackfromit;
Ibreathnohope
Thatthoushouldst...
Naynowhit
Bespeakthyselfforanything.
Justawordinthypraise,girl,
Justfortheswirl
Thysatinsmakeuponthestair,
'Causeneveraflawwasthere
Wherethytorseandlimbsaremet
Thoughthouhateme,readitset
Inroseandgold.
Orwhentheminstrel,talehalftold,
Shallbursttoliltingatthepraise
'Audiart,Audiart'..
Bertrans,masterofhislays,
BertransofAultafortethypraise
Setsforth,andthoughthouhatemewell,
Yeathoughthouwishmeill,
Audiart,Audiart.
Thylovelinessisherewrittill,
Audiart,
Oh,tillthoucomeagain.
Andbeingbentandwrinkled,inaform
Thathathnoperfectlimning,whenthewarm
Youthdewiscold
Uponthyhands,andthyoldsoul
Scorninganew,wry'dcasement,
Churlishatseemedmisplacement,
Findstheearthasbitter
Asnowseemsitsweet,
Beingsoyoungandfair
Asthenonlyindreams,
Beingthenyoungandwry'd,
Brokenofancientpride,
Thoushaltthensoften,
Knowing,Iknownothow,
Thouwertonceshe
Audiart,Audiart
Forwhosefairnessoneforgave
Audiart,
Audiart
Quebe-mvolsmal.
EzraPound
National Song (E.C.)
ThereisnolandlikeEngland
Wherebanksrisedaybyday,
TherearenobankslikeEnglishbanks
Tomakethepeoplepay.
Thereisnosuchlandofcastles
WhereanEnglishmanisfree
Toreadhissmuttyliterature
Withmuffinsathistea.
Chorus:
FortheFrenchhavecomicpapers
NotthatniceBritonsread'em,
ButthebawdylittleBritons
Havebanksharkstobleed'em
Andtokeepaneyeontheirreadin'matter
Lesttheyshouldoverhearthedistressingchatter
Oftheneweconomicaltheories
Andaskinconvenientqueetfes.
EzraPound
Near Perigord
I
You'dhavemen'sheartsupfromthedust
Andtelltheirsecrets,MessireCino,
Rigktenough?ThenreadbetweenthelinesofUcSt.Circ,
Solvemetheriddle,foryouknowthetale.
Bertrans,EnBertrans,leftafinecanzone:
6Maent,Iloveyou,youhaveturnedmeout.
ThevoiceatMontfort,LadyAgnes'hair,
BelMiral'sstature,theviscountess'throat,
Setalltogether,arenotworthyofyou....'
Andallthewhileyousingoutthatcanzone,
ThinkyouthatMaentlivedatMontaignac,
OneatChalais,anotheratMalemort
HardoverBriveforeveryladyacastle,
Eachplacestrong.
Oh,isiteasyenough?
TairiranheldhallinMontaignac,
Hisbrother-in-lawwasalltherewasofpower
InPerigord,andthisgoodunion
Gobbledalltheland,andhelditlaterforsomehundredyears.
AndourEnBertranswasinAltafort,
Hubofthewheel,thestirrer-upofstrife,
AscaughtbyDanteinthelastwallowofhell
Theheadlesstrunk'thatmadeitsheadalamp',
Forseparationwroughtoutseparation,
Andhewhosetthestrifebetweenbrotherandbrother
AndhadhiswaywiththeoldEnglishking,,
Vicedinsuchtortureforthe'counterpass'.
Howwouldyoulive,withneighbourssetaboutyou
PoictiersandBrive,untakenRochecouart,
Spreadlikethefinger-tipsofonefrailhand;
Andyouonthatgreatmountainofapalm
Notaneatledge,notFoixbetweenitsstreams,
Butonehugebackhalf-coveredupwithpine,
Workedforandsnatchedfromthestring-purseofBorn
Thefourroundtowers,fourbrothersmostlyfools
Whatcouldhedobutplaythedesperatechess,
Andstiroldgrudges?
Pawnyourcastles,lords!
LettheJewspay.'
Andthegreatscene
(That,maybe,neverhappened!)
Beatenatlast,
Beforethehardoldking:
'Yourson,ah,sincehedied
''Mywitandwortharecobwebsbrushedaside
'Inthefullflareofgrief.Dowhatyouwill.'
Takethewholeman,andraveloutthestory.
HelovedthisladyincastleMontaignac?
Thecastleflankedhimhehadneedofit.
Youreadto-day,howlongtheoverlordsofPerigord,
TheTalleyrands,haveheldtheplace;itwasnotransientfiction.
AndMaentfailedhim?Orsawthroughthescheme?
Andallhisnet-likethoughtofnewalliance?
Chalaisishigh,a-levelwiththepoplars.
Itsloweststonesjustmeetthevalleytips
WherethelowDronneisfilledwithwater-lilies.
AndRochecouartcanmatchit,strongeryet,
Theveryspur'send,builtonsheerestcliff,
AndMalemortkeepsitscloseholdonBrive,
WhileBorn,hisownclosepurse,hisrabbitwarren,
Hissubterraneanchamberwithadozendoors,
A-bristlewithantennaetofeelroads,
TosniffthetrafficintoPerigord.
Andthathardphalanx,thatunbrokenline,
ThetengoodmilesfromtheretoMaent'scastle,
Allofhisflankhowcouldhedowithouther?
AndalltheroadtoCahors,toToulouse?
wouldhedowithouther?
Papiol,
GoforthrightsingingAnhes,Cembelins.
Thereisathroat;ah,therearetwowhitehands;
Thereisatrellisfullofearlyroses,
Andallmyheartisboundaboutwithlove.
WhereamIcomewithcompoundflatteries
Whatdoorsareopentofinecompliment?'
AndeveryonehalfjealousofMaent?
Hewrotethecatchtopittheirjealousies
Againsther;giveherprideinthem?
Takehisownspeech,makewhatyouwillofit
Andstilltheknot,thefirstknot,ofMaent?
Isitalovepoem?Didhesingofwar?
Isitanintriguetorunsubtlyout,
Bornofajongleur'stongue,freelytopass
Upandaboutandinandouttheland,
Markhimacraftsmanandastrategist?
(St.LeiderhaddoneasmuchasPolhonac,
Singingadifferentstave,ascloselyhidden.)
Oh,thereisprecedent,legaltradition,
Tosingonethingwhenyoursongmeansanother,
'Etalbirarablorbordon'
Foix'countknewthat.WhatisSirBertrans'singing?
Maent,Maent,andyetagainMaent,
Orwarandbrokenheaumesandpolitics?
II
Endfact.Tryfiction.Letussaywesee
EnBertrans,atower-roomatHautefort,
Sunset,theribbon-likeroadlies,inredcross-light,
SouthwardtowardMontaignac,andhebendsatatable
Scribbling,swearingbetweenhisteeth;byhislefthand
Lielittlestripsofparchmentcoveredover,
Scratchedanderasedwithalandochaisos.
Testinghislistofrhymes,aleanman?Bilious?
Witharedstragglingbeard?
Andthegreencat's-eyeliftstowardMontaignac.
Ortakehis'magnet'singersettingout,
DodginghiswaypastAubeterre,singingatChalais
Inthevaultedhall,
Or,byalichenedtreeatRochecouart
Aimlesslywatchingahawkabovethevalleys,
Waitinghisturninthemid-summerevening,
ThinkingofAelis,whomhelovedheartandsoul...
Tofindherhalfalone,Montfortaway,
Andabrown,placid,hatedwomanvisitingher,
Spoilinghisvisit,withayearbeforethenextone.
Littleenough?
Orcarryhimforward.'Gothroughallthecourts,
MyMagnet,'Bertranshadsaid.
WecametoVentadour
Inthemidlovecourt,hesingsoutthecanzon,
NoonehearssaveArrimonLucD'Esparo
Noonehearsaughtsavethegracioussoundofcompliments.
SirArrimoncountsonhisfingers,Montfort,
Rochecouart,Chalais,therest,thetactic,
Malemort,guessesbeneath,sendswrordtoCceur-de-Lion:
Thecompact,deBornsmokedout,treesfelled
Abouthiscastle,cattledrivenout!
Ornooneseesit,andEnBertransprospered?
Andtenyearsafter,ortwenty,asyouwill,
ArnautandRichardlodgebeneathChalus:
Thedullroundtowersencroachingonthefield,
Thetentstightdrawn,horsesattether
Furtherandoutofreach,thepurplenight,
Thecracklingofsmallfires,thebannerets,
Thelazyleopardsonthelargestbanner,
Straygleamsonhangingmail,anarmourer'storch-flare
Meltingonsteel.
Andinthequietestspace
Theyprobeoldscandals,saydeBornisdead;
Andwe'vethegossip(skippedsixhundredyears).
Richardshalldieto-morrowleavehimthere
TalkingoftrobarcluswithDaniel.
Andthe'bestcraftsman'singsouthisfriend'ssong,
Enviesitsvigour...anddeploresthetechnique,
Dispraiseshisownskill?That'sasyouwill.
Andtheydiscussthedeadman,
Plantagenetputstheriddle:'Didheloveher?'
AndArnautparries:'Didheloveyoursister?
True,hehaspraisedher,butinsomeopinion
Hewrotethatpraiseonlytoshowhehad
Thefavourofyourparty;hadbeenwellreceived.'
'Youknewtheman.'
Youknewtheman.'
'Iamanartist,youhavetriedbothmetiers.'
'Youwerebornnearhim.'
'Doweknowourfriends?'
'Saythathesawthecastles,saythathelovedMaent!'
'Saythathelovedher,doesitsolvetheriddle?'
Endthediscussion,Richardgoesoutnextday
Andgetsaquarrel-boltshotthroughhisvizard,
Pardonsthebowman,dies,,
Endsourdiscussion.Arnautends
Insacredodour'(that'sapocryphal!)
AndwecanleavethetalktillDantewrites:
SurelyIsaw,andstillbeforemyeyes
Goesonthatheadlesstrunk,thatbearsforlight
Itsownheadswinging,grippedbythedeadhair,
Andlikeaswinginglampthatsays,'Ahme!
Iseveredmen,myheadandheart
Yeseeheresevered,mylife'scounterpart.
OrtakeEnBertrans?
III
Bewilderingspring,andbytheAuvezere
Poppiesandday'seyesinthegreen6mail
Roseoverus;andweknewallthatstream,
Andourtwohorseshadtracedoutthevalleys;
Knewthelowfloodedlandssquaredoutwithpoplars,
Intheyoungdayswhenthedeepskybefriended.
Andgreatwingsbeataboveusinthetwilight,
Andthegreatwheelsinheaven
Boreustogether...surging...andapart...
Believingweshouldmeetwithlipsandhands,
High,highandsure...andthenthecounter-thrust:
Whydoyouloveme?Willyoualwaysloveme?
ButIamlikethegrass,Icannotloveyou.'
Or,Love,andIloveandloveyou,
Andhateyourmind,notyou,yoursoul,yourhands.'
Sotothislastestrangement,Tairiran!
Thereshut;upinhiscastle,Tairiran's,
Shewhohadnorearsnortonguesaveinherhands,
Goneah,goneuntouched,unreachable!
Shewhocouldneverlivesavethroughoneperson,
Shewhocouldneverspeaksavetooneperson,
Andalltherestofherashiftingchange,
Abrokenbundleofmirrors...!
EzraPound
Nicotine
HymntotheDope
Goddessofthemurmuringcourts,
Nicotine,myNicotine,
Houriofthemysticsports,
trailing-robedingabardine,
Glidingwherethebreathhathglided,
Hiddensylphoffilmyveils,
Truthbehindthedreamisveild
E'enasthouart,smilingever,evergliding,
Wraithofwraiths,dimlightsdividing
Purple,grey,andshadowgreen
Goddess,Dream-grace,Nicotine.
Goddessoftheshadow'slights,
Nicotine,myNicotine,
SomewouldsetoldEarthtorights,
ThouInonesuchween.
Veilsofshadeourdreamdividing,
Hourisdancing,intergliding,
Wraithofwraithsanddreamoffaces,
Silentguardianoftheoldunhallowedplaces,
Uttersymbolofalloldsweetdruidings,
Mem'ryofwitchedwoldandgreen,
Nicotine,myNicotine:
Neaththeshadowsofthyweaving
Dreamsthatneednoundeceiving,
Lovesthatlongerholdmenot,
DreamsIdreamnotanymore,
Fragranceofoldsweetforgottenplaces,
Smilesofdream-lit,flit-byfaces
AllasperfumeArab-sweet
Deckthehighroadtothyfeet
AswereGodiva'scomingfated
AndalltheApril'sblushbelated
Werelainbeforeher,carpeting
ThestonesofCoventrywithspring,
Sothoumymist-enwreathdqueen,
Nicotine,whiteNicotine,
Ridingengloriedintheyhair
Mak'stby-roadofourdreams
Thythorough-fare.
EzraPound
Night Litany
ODieu,purifieznoscceurs!
Purifieznoscoeurs!
Yeathelineshastthoulaiduntome
inpleasantplaces,
AndthebeautyofthisthyVenice
hastthoushownuntome
Untilisitslovelinessbecomeuntome
athingoftears.
OGod,whatgreatkindness
havewedoneintimespast
andforgottenit,
Thatthougivestthiswonderuntous,
OGodofwaters?
OGodofthenight,
Whatgreatsorrow
Comethuntous,
Thatthouthusrepayestus
Beforethetimeofitscoming?
OGodofsilence,
Purifieznoscurs,
Purifieznoscurs,
Forwehaveseen
Thegloryoftheshadowofthe
likenessofthinehandmaid,
Yea,thegloryoftheshadow
ofthyBeautyhathwalked
Upontheshadowofthewaters
InthisthyVenice.
Andbeforetheholiness
Oftheshadowofthyhandmaid
HaveIhiddenmineeyes,
OGodofwaters.
OGodofsilence,
Purifieznoscurs,
Purifieznoscurs,
OGodofwaters,
makecleanourheartswithinus,
ForIhaveseenthe
ShadowofthisthyVenice
Floatinguponthewaters,
Andthystars
Haveseenthisthing,outoftheirfarcourses
Havetheyseenthisthing,
OGodofwaters,
Evenasarethystars
Silentuntousintheirfar-coursing,
Evensoismineheart
becomesilentwithinme.
Purifieznoscurs,
OGodofthesilence,
Purifieznoscurs,
OGodofwaters.
EzraPound
Notes for Canto CXX
IhavetriedtowriteParadise
Donotmove
Letthewindspeak
thatisparadise.
LettheGodsforgivewhatI
havemade
LetthoseIlovetrytoforgive
whatIhavemade.
EzraPound
Of Jacopo Del Sellaio
Thismanknewoutthesecretwaysoflove,
Nomancouldpaintsuchthingswhodidnotknow.
Andnowshe'sgone,whowashisCyprian,
Andyouarehere,whoareTheIslestome.
Andhere'sthethingthatlaststhewholethingout:
Theeyesofthisdeadladyspeaktome.
EzraPound
Old Idea Of Choan By Rosoriu
I
ThenarrowstreetscutintothewidehighwayatChoan,
Darkoxen,whitehorses,
dragonthesevencoacheswithoutriders.
Thecoachesareperfumedwood,
Thejewelledchairisheldupatthecrossway,
Beforetheroyallodge:
Aglitterofgoldensaddles,awaitingtheprincess;
Theyeddybeforethegateofthebarons.
Thecanopyembroideredwithdragons
drinksinandcastsbackthesun.
Eveningcomes.
Thetrappingsareborderedwithmist.
Thehundredcordsofmistarespreadthrough
anddoublethetrees,
Nightbirds,andnightwomen,
Spreadouttheirsoundsthroughthegardens.
II
Birdswithflowerywing,hoveringbutterflies
crowdoverthethousandgates,
Treesthatglitterlikejade,
terracestingedwithsilver,
Theseedofamyriadhues,
Anet-workofarboursandpassagesandcoveredways,
Doubletowers,wingedroofs,
borderthenet-workofways:
Aplaceoffelicitousmeeting.
Riu'shousestandsoutonthesky,
withglitterofcolour
AsButeiofKanhadmadethehighgoldenlotus
togatherhisdews,
BeforeitanotherhousewhichIdonotknow:
Howshallweknowallthefriends
whomwemeetonstrangeroadways?
EzraPound
Ole Kate
WhenIwasonlyayoungster,
Sing:toodledoodledeootl
OleKatewouldgither'arfapint
Andwouldn't'giv'adamnhoot.
'Themstairs!themstairs,themgordamstairs
Willbethedeathofme/
Ineverheerdhersaynothin'
Aboutthepriv'legeofliberty.
She'dcomeasweatin'upwiththecoals
Ana-sloshin'roundwith'ermop,
Startin'inabout6a.m.
Anddidn'tseemnevertostop.
Shediedonthejobtheytellsme,
Fellplumpintoherpail.
NevergotproperlytankedasIsaw,
Andnevergottooktojail,
Justwentonasloshin'
Andtotin'upscuttlesofcoal,
Andkissin9hercatferdiversion,
Codresthersloshinsoul.
Gimmeakissy-cuddle'
She'dsaytohertibby-cat,
Butshenevermadenomention
Ofthishereproletariat.
EzraPound
On His Own Face In A Glass
Ostrangefacethereintheglass!
Oribaldcompany,Osaintlyhost,
Osorrow-sweptmyfool,
Whatanswer?Oyemyriad
Thatstrive?andplayandpass,
Jest,challenge,counterlie!
I?I?I?
Andye?
EzraPound
Ortus
HowhaveIlaboured?
HowhaveInotlaboured
Tobringhersoultobirth,
Togivetheseelementsanameandacentre!
Sheisbeautifulasthesunlight,andasfluid.
Shehasnoname,andnoplace.
HowhaveIlabouredtobringhersoulintoseparation;
Togiveheranameandherbeing!
Surelyyouareboundandentwined,
Youaremingledwiththeelementsunborn;
Ihavelovedastreamandashadow.
Ibeseechyouenteryourlife.
IbeseechyoulearntosayI
WhenIquestionyou;
Foryouarenopart,butawhole,
Noportion,butabeing.
EzraPound
Our Contemporaries
WhentheTaihaitianprincess
Heardthathehaddecided,
Sherushedoutintothesunlightandswarmedupa
cocoanutpalmtree,
Buthereturnedtothisisland
AndwroteninetyPetrarchansonnets.
EzraPound
Paganis, November 8
Suddenlydiscoveringintheeyesoftheverybeautiful
Normandecocotte
TheeyesoftheverylearnedBritishMuseumassistant.
EzraPound
Pan Is Dead
Panisdead.GreatPanisdead.
Ah!bowyourheads,yemaidensall,
Andweaveyehimhiscoronal.
'Thereisnosummerintheleaves,
Andwitheredarethesedges;
Howshallweweaveacoronal,
Orgatherfloralpledges?'
'ThatImaynotsay,Ladies.
Deathwaseverachurl.
ThatImaynotsay,Ladies.
Howshouldheshowareason,
ThathehastakenourLordaway
Uponsuchhollowseason?'
EzraPound
Paracelsus In Excelsis
Beingnolongerhuman,whyshouldI
Pretendhumanityordonthefrailattire?
MenhaveIknownandmen,butneverone
Wasgrownsofreeanessence,orbecome
SosimplyelementaswhatIam.
ThemistgoesfromthemirrorandIsee.
Behold!theworldofformsissweptbeneath-
Turmoilgrownvisiblebeneathourpeace,
Andwethataregrownformless,riseabove-
Fluidsintangiblethathavebeenmen,
Weseemasstatuesroundwhosehigh-risenbase
Someoverflowingriverisrunmad,
Inusalonetheelementofcalm.'
EzraPound
Phanopoeia
I
ROSEWHITE,YELLOW,SILVER
Theswirloflightfollowsmethroughthesquare,
Thesmokeofincense
Mountsfromthefourhornsofmybed-posts,
Thewater-jetofgoldlightbearsusupthroughtheceilings;
Lappedinthegold-colouredflameIdescendthroughthether.
Thesilverballformsinmyhand,
Itfallsandrollstoyourfeet.
II
SALTUS
Theswirlingspherehasopened
andyouarecaughtuptotheskies,
Youareenglobedinmysapphire.
Io!Io!
Youhaveperceivedthebladesoftheflame
Theflutterofsharp-edgedsandals.
Thefoldingandlappingbrightness
Hasheldintheairbeforeyou.
Youhaveperceivedtheleavesoftheflame.
III
CONCAVAVALLIS
Thewire-likebandsofcolourinvolutemountfrommyfingers;
Ihavewrappedthewindroundyourshoulders
Andthemoltenmetalofyourshoulders
bendsintotheturnofthewind,
AOI!
Thewhirlingtissueoflight
iswovenandgrowssolidbeneathus;
Thesea-clearsapphireofair,thesea-darkclarity,
stretchesbothsea-cliffandocean.
EzraPound
Phyllidula
Phyllidulaisscrawnybutamorous,
Thushavethegodsawardedher,
Thatinpleasureshereceivesmorethanshecangive;
Ifshedoesnotcountthisblessed
Letherchangeherreligion.
EzraPound
Piccadilly
Beautiful,tragicalfaces
Yethatwerewhole,andaresosunken;
And,Oyevile,yethatmighthavebeenloved,
Thataresosoddenanddrunken,
Whohathforgottenyou?
Owistful,fragilefaces,fewoutofmany!
Thecrass,thecoarse,thebrazen,
GodknowsIcannotpitythem,perhaps,asIshoulddo;
Butoh,yedelicate,wistfulfaces,
Whohathforgottenyou?
EzraPound
Piere Vidal Old
WhenIbutthinkuponthegreatdeaddays
Andturnmyminduponthatsplendidmadness,
Lo!Idocursemystrength
Andblamethesunhisgladness;
Forthattheoneisdead
Andtheredsunmocksmysadness.
Beholdme,Vidal,thatwasfooloffools!
SwiftasthekingwolfwasIandasstrong
Whentallstagsfledmethroughthealderbrakes,
Andeveryjongleurknewmeinhissong,
Andthehoundsfledandthedeerfled
Andnonefledoverlong.
Eventhegreypackknewmeandknewfear.
God!howtheswiftesthind'sbloodspurtedhot
Overthesharpenedteethandpurplinglips!
Hotwasthathind'sbloodyetitscorchedmenot
Asdidfirstscorn,thenlipsofthePenautier!
Ayeyearefools,ifyethinktimecanblot
FromPiereVidalsremembrancethatbluenight.
God!butthepurpleoftheskywasdeep!
Clear,deep,translucent,sothestarsmeseemed
Setdeepincrystal;andbecausemysleep
Rarevisitorcamenot,theSaintsIguerdon
ForthatrestlessnessPieresettokeep
Onemorefool'svigilwiththehollyhocks.
SwiftcametheLoba,asabranchthat'scaught,
Torn,greenandsilentintheswollenRhone,
Greenwashermantle,close,andwrought
Ofsomethinsilkstuffthat'sscarcestuffatall,
Butlikeamistwherethroughherwhiteformfought,
Andconquered!AhGod!conquered!
Silentmymatecameasthenightwasstill.
Speech?Words?Faugh!Whotalksofwordsandlove?!
Hotissuchloveandsilent,
Silentasfateis,andasstronguntil
Itfaintsintakingandingivingall.
Stark,keen,triumphant,tillitplaysatdeath.
God!shewaswhitethen,splendidassometomb
Highwroughtofmarble,andthepantingbreath
Ceasedutterly.Well,thenIwaited,drew,
Half-sheathed,thennakedfromitssaffronsheath
Drewfullthisdaggerthatdothtremblehere.
Justthenshewokeandmockedthelesskeenblade.
AhGod,theLoba!andmyonlymate!
Wastheresuchfleshmadeeverandunmade!
Godcursetheyearsthatturnsuchwomengrey!
BeholdhereVidal,thatwashunted,flayed,
Shamedandyetbowednotandthatwonatlast.
AndyetIcursethesunforhisredgladness,
Ithathaveknownstrath,garth,brake,dale,
Andeveryrun-awayofthewoodthroughthatgreat
madness,
Beholdmeshrivelledasanoldoak'strunk
Andmademen'smock'ryinmyrottensadness!
Nomanhathheardthegloryofmydays:
NomanhathdaredandwonhisdareasI:
Onenight,onebodyandoneweldingflame!
Whatdoyeown,yeniggards!thatcanbuy
Suchgloryoftheearth?Orwhowillwin
Suchbattle-guerdonwithhis'prowessehigh'?
Oagegonelax!Ostuntedfollowers,
Thatmaskatpassionsanddesiredesires,
Beholdmeshrivelled,andyourmockofmocks;
AndyetImockyoubythemightyfires
Thatburntmetothisash.
Ah!Cabaret!AhCabaret,thyhillsagain!
Takeyourhandsoffme!...[Sniffingtheair.
Ha!thisscentishot!
EzraPound
Planh For The Young English King
Ifallthegriefandwoeandbitterness,
Alldolour,illandeveryevilchance
Thatevercameuponthisgrievingworld
Weresettogethertheywouldseembutlight
AgainstthedeathoftheyoungEnglishKing.
WorthliethrivenandYouthdolorous,
Theworldovershadowed,soiledandovercast,
Voidofalljoyandfullofireandsadness.
Grievingandsadandfullofbitterness
Areleftinteentheliegemencourteous,
Thejoglarssuppleandthetroubadours.
O'ermuchhathta'enSirDeaththatdeadlywarrior
IntakingfromthemtheyoungEnglishKing,
Whomadethefreesthandseemcovetous.
'Las!Neverwasnorwillbeinthisworld
Thebalanceforthislossinireandsadness!
OskilfulDeathandfullofbitterness,
Wellmaystthouboastthatthouthebestchevalier
Thatanyfolke'erhad,hastfromustaken;
Sithnothingisthatuntoworthpertaineth
ButhaditslifeintheyoungEnglishKing
Andbetterwereit,shouldGodgranthispleasure,
Thatheshouldlivethanmanyalivingdastard
Thatdothbutwoundthegoodwithireandsadness.
Fromthisfaintworld,howfullofbitterness
Lovetakeshiswayandholdshisjoydeceitful
Sithnothingisbutturnethuntoanguish
Andeachto-dayVailslessthanyestere'en,
LeteachmanvisagethisyoungEnglishKing
Thatwasmostvaliant'midallworthiestmen!
Goneishisbodyfineandamorous,
Whencehavewegrief,discordanddeepestsadness.
Him,whomitpleasedforourgreatbitterness
Tocometoearthtodrawusfrommisventure,
Whodrankofdeathforoursalvacioun,
HimdoweprayastoaLordmostrighteous
Andhumbleeke,thattheyoungEnglishKing
Hepleasetopardon,astruepardonis,
Andbidgoinwithhonouredcompanions
Therewherethereisnogrief,norshallbesadness.
EzraPound
Poem
(AbbreviatedfromtheconversationwithMr.TEH.
OvertheflatslopeofStEloi
Awidewallofsandbags.
Night,
Inthesilencedesultorymen
Potteringoversmallfires,cleaningtheirmess-tins:
Toandfro,fromthelines,
MenwalkasonPiccadilly,
Makingpathsinthedark,
Throughscattereddeadhorses,
OveradeadBelgiansbody.
TheGermanshaverockets.TheEnglishhavenorockets,
Behindthelines,cannon,hidden,lyingbackmiles.
Beforetheline,chaos.
Mymindisacorridor.Themindsaboutmeare
corridors.
Nothingsuggestsitself.Thereisnothingtodobutkeepon.
EzraPound
Poem By The Bridge At Ten-Shin
Marchhascometothebridgehead,
Peachboughsandapricotboughshangoverathousand
gates,
Atmorningthereareflowerstocuttheheart,
Andeveningdrivesthemontheeastward-flowing
waters.
Petalsareonthegonewatersandonthegoing,
Andontheback-swirlingeddies,
Butto-day'smenarenotthemenoftheolddays,
Thoughtheyhanginthesamewayoverthebridge-rail.
Thesea'scolourmovesatthedawn
Andtheprincesstillstandinrows,aboutthethrone,
AndthemoonfallsovertheportalsofSei-go-yo,
Andclingstothewallsandthegate-top.
Withheadgearglitteringagainstthecloudandsun,
Thelordsgoforthfromthecourt,andintofarborders.
Theyrideupondragon-likehorses,
Uponhorseswithhead-trappingsofyellowmetal,
Andthestreetsmakewayfortheirpassage.
Haughtytheirpassing,
Haughtytheirstepsastheygointogreatbanquets,
Tohighhallsandcuriousfood,
Totheperfumedairandgirlsdancing,
Toclearflutesandclearsinging;
Tothedanceoftheseventycouples;
Tothemadchasethroughthegardens.
Nightanddayaregivenovertopleasure
Andtheythinkitwilllastathousandautumns,
Unwearyingautumns.
Forthemtheyellowdogshowlportentsinvain,
AndwhataretheycomparedtotheladyRiokushu,
Thatwascauseofhate!
WhoamongthemisamanlikeHan-rei
Whodepartedalonewithhismistress,
Withherhairunbound,andhehisownskiffsman!
EzraPound
Poetic Eggs
Iamagravepoetichen
Thatlayspoeticeggs
Andtoenhancemytemperament
Alittlequietbegs.
Wemaketheyolkphilosophy,
Truebeautythealbumen.
Andthengumonashellofform
Tomakethescreedsoundhuman.
EzraPound
Portrait d'une Femme
YourmindandyouareourSargassoSea,
Londonhassweptaboutyouthisscoreyears
Andbrightshipsleftyouthisorthatinfee:
Ideas,oldgossip,oddmentsofallthings,
Strangesparsofknowledgeanddimmedwaresofprice.
Greatmindshavesoughtyou--lackingsomeoneelse.
Youhavebeensecondalways.Tragical?
No.Youpreferredittotheusualthing:
Onedullman,dullinganduxorious,
Oneaveragemind--withonethoughtless,eachyear.
Oh,youarepatient,Ihaveseenyousit
Hours,wheresomethingmighthavefloatedup.
Andnowyoupayone.Yes,yourichlypay.
Youareapersonofsomeinterest,onecomestoyou
Andtakesstrangegainaway:
Trophiesfishedup;somecurioussuggestion;
Factthatleadsnowhere;andatalefortwo,
Pregnantwithmandrakes,orwithsomethingelse
Thatmightproveusefulandyetneverproves,
Thatneverfitsacornerorshowsuse,
Orfindsitshourupontheloomofdays:
Thetarnished,gaudy,wonderfuloldwork;
Idolsandambergrisandrareinlays,
Theseareyourriches,yourgreatstore;andyet
Forallthissea-hoardofdeciduousthings,
Strangewoodshalfsodden,andnewbrighterstuff:
Intheslowfloatofdifferinglightanddeep,
No!thereisnothing!Inthewholeandall,
Nothingthat'squiteyourown.
Yetthisisyou.
EzraPound
Post Mortem Conspectu
Abrown,fatbabesittinginthelotus,
Andyouweregladandlaughing
Withalaughternotofthisworld.
Itisgoodtosplashinthewater
Andlaughteristheendofallthings.
EzraPound
Praise Of Ysolt
InvainhaveIstriven,
toteachmyhearttobow;
InvainhaveIsaidtohim
'Therebemanysingersgreaterthanthou'.
Buthisanswercometh,aswindsandaslutany,
Asavaguecryinguponthenight
Thatleavethmenorest,sayingever,
'Song,asong.'
Theirechoesplayuponeachotherinthetwilight
Seekingeverasong.
Lo,Iamwornwithtravail
Andthewanderingofmanyroadshathmademyeyes
Asdarkredcirclesfilledwithdust.
Yetthereisatremblinguponmeinthetwilight,
Andlittleredelfwordscrying,Asong',
Littlegreyelfwordscryingforasong,
Littlebrownleafwordscrying,Asong',
Littlegreenleafwordscryingforasong.
Thewordsareasleaves,oldbrownleavesinthespringtime
Blowingtheyknownotwhither,seekingasong.
Whitewordsassnowflakesbuttheyarecold,
Mosswords,lipwords,wordsofslowstreams.
InvainhaveIstriven
toteachmysoultobow,
InvainhaveIpledwithhim:
'Therebegreatersoulsthanthou.'
Forinthemornofmyyearstherecameawoman
Asmoonlightcalling,
Asthemooncalleththetides,
'Song,asong.'
WhereforeImadeherasongandshewentfromme
Asthemoondothfromthesea,
Butstillcametheleafwords,littlebrownelfwords
Stying'Thesoulsendethus'.
'Asong,asong!'
AndinvainIcrieduntothemIhavenosong
ForsheIsangofhathgonefromme'.
Butmysoulsentawoman,awomanofthewonder-folk,
Awomanasfireuponthepinewoods
crying'Song,asong'.
Astheflamecriethuntothesap.
Mysongwasablazewithherandshewentfromme
Asflameleaveththeemberssowentsheuntonewforests'
Andthewordswerewithme
cryingever.'Song,asong'.
AndI'Ihavenosong',
Tillmysoulsentawomanasthesun:
Yeaasthesuncallethtotheseed,
Asthespringuponthebough
Soisshethatcometh,themotherofsongs,
Shethatholdeththewonderwordswithinhereyes
Thewords,littleelfwords
thatcalleveruntome,
'Song,asong'.
InvainhaveIstrivenwithmysoul
toteachmysoultobow.
Whatsoulboweth
whileinhisheartartthou?
EzraPound
Prayer For His Ladys Life
FROMPROPERTIUS,ELEGIAE,LIB.III,26
Hereletthyclemency,Persephone,holdfirm,
Dothou,Pluto,bringherenogreaterharshness.
SomanythousandbeautiesaregonedowntoAvernus,
Yemightletoneremainabovewithus.
Withyouislope,withyouthewhite-gleamingTyro,
WithyouisEuropaandtheshamelessPasiphae,
AndallthefairfromTroyandallfromAchaia,
Fromthesunderedrealms,ofThebesandofagedPriamus;
AndallthemaidensofRome,asmanyastheywere,
Theydiedandthegreedofyourflameconsumesthem.
Hereletthyclemency,Persephone,holdfirm.
Dothou,Pluto,bringherenogreaterharshness.
SomanythousandfairaregonedowntoAvernus,
Yemightletoneremainabovewithus.
EzraPound
Provincia Deserta
AtRochecoart,
Wherethehillspart
inthreeways,
Andthreevalleys,fullofwindingroads,
Forkouttosouthandnorth,
Thereisaplaceoftrees...graywithlichen.
Ihavewalkedthere
thinkingofolddays.
AtChalais
isapleachedarbour;
Oldpensionersandoldprotected\vomen
Havetherightthere
itischarity.
Ihavecreptoveroldrafters,
peeringdown
OvertheDronne,
overastreamfulloflilies.
Eastwardtheroadlies,
Aubeterreiseastward,
Withagarrulousoldmanattheinn.
Iknowtheroadsinthatplace:
Mareuiltothenorth-east,
LaTour,
TherearethreekeepsnearMareuil,
Andanoldwoman,
gladtohearArnaut,
Gladtolendonedryclothing.
Ihavewalked
intoPerigord,
Ihaveseenthetorch-flames,high-leaping,
Paintingthefrontofthatchurch;
Heard,underthedark,whirlinglaughter.
Ihavelookedbackoverthestream
andseenthehighbuilding,
Seenthelongminarets,thewhiteshafts.
IhavegoneinRibeyrac
andinSarlat,
Ihaveclimbedricketystairs,heardtalkofCroy,
WalkedoverEnBertran'soldlayout,
HaveseenNarbonne,andCahorsandChalus,
HaveseenExcideuil,carefullyfashioned.
Ihavesaid:
Heresuchaonewalked.
HereCceur-de-Lionwasslain.
'Herewasgoodsinging.
'Hereonemanhastenedhisstep.
'Hereonelaypanting.'
IhavelookedsouthfromHautefort,
thinkingofMontaignac,southward.
IhavelaininRocafixada,
levelwithsunset,
Haveseenthecoppercomedown
tingeingthemountains,
Ihaveseenthefields,pale,clearasanemerald,
Sharppeaks,highspurs,distantcastles.
Ihavesaid:Theoldroadshavelainhere.
'Menhavegonebysuchvalleys
Wherethegreathallswereclosertogether.'
IhaveseenFoixonitsrock,seenToulouse,and
Ariesgreatlyaltered,
Ihaveseentheruined'Dorata'.
Ihavesaid:
'Riquier!Guido.'
IhavethoughtofthesecondTroy,
SomelittleprizedplaceinAuvergnat:
Twomentossingacoin,onekeepingacastle,
Onesetonthehighwaytosing.
Hesangawoman,
Auvergnerosetothesong;
TheDauphinbackedhim.
'ThecastletoAustors!'
'Pieirekeptthesinging
Afairmanandapleasant.'
Hewonthelady,
Stoleherawayforhimself,keptheragainstarmedforce:
Soendsthatstory.
Thatageisgone;
PieiredeMaensacisgone.
Ihavewalkedovertheseroads;
Ihavethoughtofthemliving.
EzraPound
Quies
Thisisanotherofourancientloves.
Passandbesilent,Rullus,fortheday
Hathlackedasomethingsincethisladypassed;
Hathlackedasomething.'Twasbutmarginal.
EzraPound
Rome
OthounewcomerwhoseekstRomeinRome
AndfindstinRomenothingthoucanstcallRoman;
Archeswornoldandpalacesmadecommon
Romesnamealonewithinthesewallskeepshome.
Beholdhowprideandruincanbefall
Onewhohathsetthewholeworldneathherlaws,
All-conquering,nowconquered,because
SheisTimesprey,andTimeconquerethall.
RomethatartRomesonesolelastmonument,
RomethatalonehastconqueredRomethetown,
Tiberalone,transientandseawardbent,
RemainsofRome.Oworld,thouunconstantmime!
ThatwhichstandsfirmintheeTimebattersdown,
AndthatwhichfleetethdothoutrunswiftTime.
EzraPound
Safe And Sound
MynameisNuntyCormorant
Andmyfinanceissound,
IlendyouEnglishmenhotair
Atoneandthreethepound.
IlendyouEnglishmenhotair
AndIgetallthebeef
Whileyoustalwartsheepoffreedom
Areonthepoorrelief.
Wotoh!mybuxomhearties,
Whatain'tgotworknomore
Anddon'tknowwhatbugisa-bitin'
Tokeepyourfeelin'ssore,
Thereisblokesinautomobiles
Andtheirneckssunkintofur
Thatkeepongettin'usury
Tomake'emcosier.
Ireadthesefellersputsit
Mosttidilyaway
Andthenlendsouttheirprintedslips
Tokeepthewolfaway
Fromthevaultsandcombination
SafesinThreadandNeedlestreet.
Iwouldn't'avetheneedle
IfIhadmoregrubtoeat.
Ohtheneedleisyourportion,
Mysufferin'fellowmen,
TilltheKingshalltakethenotion
Toownhiscoinagain.
EzraPound
Salutation
Ogenerationofthethoroughlysmug
andthoroughlyuncomfortable,
Ihaveseenfishermenpicnickinginthesun,
Ihaveseenthemwithuntidyfamilies,
Ihaveseentheirsmilesfullofteeth
andheardungainlylaughter.
AndIamhappierthanyouare,
AndtheywerehappierthanIam;
Andthefishswiminthelake
anddonotevenownclothing.
EzraPound
Salutation The Second
Youwerepraised,mybooks,
becauseIhadjustcomefromthecountry;
Iwastwentyyearsbehindthetimes
soyoufoundanaudienceready.
Idonotdisownyou,
donotyoudisownyourprogeny.
Heretheystandwithoutquaintdevices,
Heretheyarewithnothingarchaicaboutthem.
Observetheirritationingeneral:
Isthistheysay,'thenonsense
thatweexpectofpoets?
'WhereisthePicturesque?'
Whereisthevertigoofemotion?'
No!hisfirstworkwasthebest.
'PoorDear!hehaslosthisillusions.
Go,littlenakedandimpudentsongs,
Gowithalightfoot!
(Orwithtwolightfeet,ifitpleaseyou!)
Goanddanceshamelessly!
Gowithanimpertinentfrolic!
Greetthegraveandthestodgy,
Salutethemwithyourthumbsatyournoses.
Hereareyourbellsandconfetti.
Go!rejuvenatethings!
Rejuvenateeven'TheSpectator.
Go!andmakecatcalls!
Danceandmakepeopleblush,
Dancethedanceofthephallus
andtellanecdotesofCybele!
SpeakoftheindecorousconductoftheGods!
(TellittoMr.Strachey)
Ruffletheskirtsofprudes,
speakoftheirkneesandankles.
But,aboveall,gotopracticalpeople
go!jangletheirdoor-bells!
Saythatyoudonowork
andthatyouwillliveforever.
EzraPound
Salutation The Third
Letusderidethesmugnessof'TheTimes':GUFFAW!
Somuchforthegaggedreviewers,
Itwillpaythemwhenthewormsarewrigglingintheir
vitals;
Thesearetheywhoobjectedtonewness,
Herearetheirtomb-stones.
Theysupportedthegagandthering:
AlittleBLACKBoxcontainsthem.
Soshallyoubealso,
Youslut-belliedobstructionist,
Youswornfoetofreespeechandgoodletters,
Youfungus,youcontinuousgangrene.
Come,letusonwiththenewdeal,
Letusbedonewithpandarsandjobbery,
Letusspituponthosewhopatthebig-belliesforprofit,
Letusgooutintheairabit.
OrperhapsIwilldieatthirty?
Perhapsyouwillhavethepleasureofdefilingmy
pauper'sgrave;
Iwishyoujoy,Iprofferyouallmyassistance.
Ithasbeenyourhabitforlong
todoawaywithgoodwriters,
Youeitherdrivethemmad,orelseyoublinkattheir
suicides,
Orelseyoucondonetheirdrugs,
andtalkofinsanityandgenius,
ButIwillnotgomadtopleaseyou,
Iwillnotflatteryouwithanearlydeath,
Oh,no,Iwillstickitout,
Feelyourhateswrigglingaboutmyfeet
Asapleasanttickle,
tobeobservedwithderision,
Thoughmanymovewithsuspicion,
Afraidtosaythattheyhateyou;
Thetasteofmyboot?
Hereisthetasteofmyboot,
Caressit,
lickofftheblacking.
EzraPound
Salvationists
I
Come,mysongs,letusspeakofperfection
Weshallgetourselvesratherdisliked.
II
Ahyes,mysongs,letusresurrect
TheveryexcellenttermRusticus.
Letusapplyitinallitsopprobrium
Tothosetowhomitapplies.
Andyoumaydeclinetomakethemimmortal,
Forweshallconsiderthemandtheirstate
Indelicate
Opulentsilence.
III
Come,mysongs,
Letustakearmsagainstthisseaofstupidities-
BeginningwithMumpodorus;
Andagainstthisseaofvulgarities
BeginningwithNimmim;
Andagainstthisseaofimbeciles
AlltheBulmenianliterati.
EzraPound
Satiemus
WhatifIknowthyspeecheswordbyword?
Andifthouknew'stIknewthemwouldstthouspeak?
WhatifIknowthyspeecheswordbyword,
Andallthetimethousayestthemo'erIsaid,
'Lo,onetherewaswhobentherfairbrighthead,
Sighingasthoudostthroughthegoldenspeech.'
Or,asourlaughtersmingleeachwitheach,
Ascrushedlipstaketheirrespitefitfully,
Whatifmythoughtswereturnedintheirmidreach
Whisperingamongthem,'Thefairdead
Mustknowsuchmoments,thinkingonthegrass;
Onhowwhitedogwoodsmurmuredoverhead
Inthebrightgladdays!'
Howifthelowdearsoundwithinthythroat
Hathasfaintlute-stringsinitsdimaccord
Dimtalesthatblindme,runningonebyone
Withtimestoldoveraswetellbyrote;
WhatifIknowthylaughterwordbyword
Norfindaughtnovelinthymerriment?
EzraPound
Sennin Poem By Kakuhaku
Theredandgreenkingfishers
flashbetweentheorchidsandclover,
Onebirdcastsitsgleamonanother.
Greenvineshangthroughthehighforest,
Theyweaveawholerooftothemountain,
Thelonemansitswithshutspeech,
Hepurrsandpatstheclearstrings.
Hethrowshisheartupthroughthesky,
Hebitesthroughtheflowerpistil
andbringsupafinefountain.
Thered-pine-treegodlooksathimandwonders.
Heridesthroughthepurplesmoketovisitthesennin,
Hetakes'FloatingHill'bythesleeve,
Heclapshishandonthebackofthegreatwatersennin.
Butyou,youdam'dcrowdofgnats,
Canyoueventelltheageofaturtle?
EzraPound
Separation On The River Kiang
Ko-JingoeswestfromKo-kaku-ro,
Thesmoke-flowersareblurredovertheriver.
Hislonesailblotsthefarsky.
AndnowIseeonlytheriver,
ThelongKiang,reachingheaven.
EzraPound
Sestina: Altaforte
Loquitur:EnBertransdeBorn.
DanteAlighieriputthismaninhellforthathewasa
stirrer-upofstrife.
Eccovi!
Judgeye!
HaveIdughimupagain?
Thesceneinathiscastle,Altaforte."Papiols"ishisjongleur.
"TheLeopard,"thedeviceofRichard(CurdeLion).
I
Damnitall!allthisourSouthstinkspeace.
Youwhoresondog,Papiols,come!Let'stomusic!
Ihavenolifesavewhentheswordsclash.
Butah!whenIseethestandardsgold,vair,purple,opposing
Andthebroadfieldsbeneaththemturncrimson,
ThenhowlImyheartnighmadwithrejoicing.
II
InhotsummerhaveIgreatrejoicing
Whenthetempestskilltheearth'sfoulpeace,
Andthelightningsfromblackheav'nflashcrimson,
Andthefiercethundersroarmetheirmusic
Andthewindsshriekthroughthecloudsmad,opposing,
AndthroughalltherivenskiesGod'sswordsclash.
III
Hellgrantsoonwehearagaintheswordsclash!
Andtheshrillneighsofdestriersinbattlerejoicing,
Spikedbreasttospikedbreastopposing!
Betteronehour'sstourthanayear'speace
Withfatboards,bawds,wineandfrailmusic!
Bah!there'snowineliketheblood'scrimson!
IV
AndIlovetoseethesunriseblood-crimson.
AndIwatchhisspearsthroughthedarkclash
Anditfillsallmyheartwithrejoicing
Andprieswidemymouthwithfastmusic
WhenIseehimsoscornanddefypeace,
Hislonemight'gainstalldarknessopposing.
V
Themanwhofearswarandsquatsopposing
Mywordsforstour,hathnobloodofcrimson
Butisfitonlytorotinwomanishpeace
Farfromwhereworth'swonandtheswordsclash
ForthedeathofsuchslutsIgorejoicing;
Yea,Ifillalltheairwithmymusic.
VI
Papiols,Papiols,tothemusic!
There'snosoundliketoswordsswordsopposing,
Nocrylikethebattle'srejoicing
Whenourelbowsandswordsdripthecrimson
Andourcharges'gainst"TheLeopard's"rushclash.
MayGoddamnforeverallwhocry"Peace!"
VII
Andletthemusicoftheswordsmakethemcrimson!
Hellgrantsoonwehearagaintheswordsclash!
Hellblotblackforalwaysthethought"Peace!"
EzraPound
Shop Girl
Foramomentsherestedagainstme
Likeaswallowhalfblowntothewall,
AndtheytalkofSwinburne'swomen,
AndtheshepherdessmeetingwithGuido.
AndtheharlotsofBaudelaire.
EzraPound
Silet
WhenIbeholdhowblack,immortalink
Dripsfrommydeathlesspen-ah,well-away!
WhyshouldwestopatallforwhatIthink?
ThereisenoughinwhatIchancetosay.
Itisenoughthatweoncecametogether;
Whatistheuseofsettingittorime?
Whenitisautumndowegetspringweather,
Orgathermayofharshnorthwindishtime?
Whatifthewindhaveturnedagainsttherain?
Timehasseenthis,andwillnotturnagain;
Andwhoarewe,whoknowthatlastintent,
Toplagueto-morrowwithatestament!
EzraPound
Simulacra
Whydoesthehorse-facedladyofjusttheunmentionableage
WalkdownLongacrerecitingSwinburnetoherself,inaudibly?
Whydoesthesmallchildinthesoiled-whiteimitationfurcoat
Crawlintheveryblackgutterbeneaththegrapestand?
WhydoesthereallyhandsomeyoungwomanapproachmeinSackvilleStreet
Undeterredbythemanifestageofmytrappings?
EzraPound
Society
Thefamilypositionwaswaning,
AndonthisaccountthelittleAurelia,
Whohadlaughedoneighteensummers,
NowbearsthepalsiedcontactofPhidippus.
EzraPound
Song
Winterisicummenin,
LhudesingGoddamm,
Rainethdropandstainethslop,
andhowthewinddothramm,
Sing:Goddamm.
Skiddethbusandsloppethus,
Anaguehathmyham.
Freezethriver,turnethliver,
Damnyou,sing:Goddamm.
Goddamm,Goddamm,'tiswhyIam,Goddamm,
So'gainstthewinter'sbalm.
Singgoddamm,damm,singGoddamm,
Singgoddamm,singgoddamm,DAMM.
EzraPound
Song in the Manner of Housman
Owoe,woe,
Peoplearebornanddie,
Wealsoshallbedeadprettysoon
Thereforeletusactasifwewere
deadalready.
Thebirdsitsonthehawthorntree
Buthediesalso,presently.
Someladsgethung,andsomegetshot.
Woefulisthishumanlot.
Woe!woe,etcetera....
Londonisawoefulplace,
Shropshireismuchpleasanter.
Thenletussmilealittlespace
Uponfondnature'smorbidgrace.
Oh,Woe,woe,woe,etcetera...
EzraPound
Song of the Bowmen of Shu
Hereweare,pickingthefirstfern-shoots
Andsaying:Whenshallwegetbacktoourcountry?
HerewearebecausewehavetheKen-ninforourfoemen,
WehavenocomfortbecauseoftheseMongols.
Wegrubthesoftfern-shoots,
Whenanyonesays"Return,"theothersarefullofsorrow.
Sorrowfulminds,sorrowisstrong,wearehungryandthirsty.
Ourdefenceisnotyetmadesure,noonecanlethisfriendreturn.
Wegrubtheoldfern-stalks.
Wesay:WillwebelettogobackinOctober?
Thereisnoeaseinroyalaffairs,wehavenocomfort.
Oursorrowisbitter,butwewouldnotreturntoourcountry.
Whatflowerhascomeintoblossom?
Whosechariot?TheGeneral's.
Horses,hishorseseven,aretired.Theywerestrong.
Wehavenorest,trheebattlesamonth.
Byheavn,hishorsesaretired.
Thegeneralsareonthem,thesoldiersarebythem.
Thehorsesarewelltrained,thegeneralshaveivoryarrowsand
quiversornamentedwithfish-skin.
Theenemyisswift,wemustbecareful.
Whenwesetout,thewillowsweredroopingwithspring,
Wecomebackinthesnow,
Wegoslowly,wearehungryandthirsty,
Ourmindisfullofsorrow,whowillknowofourgrief?
ByBunno,reputedly1100B.C.
EzraPound
Song Of The Six Hundred M.P.'S
Weare'eremettogether
inthismomentoushower,
Terlickth'bankers'dirtyboots
an'keeptheBankinpower.
Weare'eremettogether
tergrindthesameoldaxes
Andkeepthepeopleinitsplace
a'payin'usthetaxes.
Wearesixhundredbeefymen
(butmostlygasandsuet)
Aneveryyearwemeettolet
someotherfellerdoit.'
Iseetheir'igh'atsontheseats
an'themsprawlingonthebenches
AndthinksaboutaRowton'ouse
andalotofsmallstreetstenches.
'OBritain,muvverofparliaments,
'aveyouseenyerlarstsweetlitter?
Couldyehswapth'brainsoforlthislot
fer'arftapinto'bitter?'
Icouldn't,'shesez,an'Iainttried,
They'remeown,'sheseztome,
Asfootlin'alotaswaseverspawned
todefenddemocracy.'
EzraPound
South-Folk In Cold Country
TheDaihorseneighsagainstthebleakwindofEtsu,
ThebirdsofEtsuhavenoloveforEn,inthenorth,
Emotionisbornoutofhabit.
YesterdaywewentoutoftheWild-Goosegate,
To-dayfromtheDragon-Pen.
Surprised.Desertturmoil.Seasun.
Flyingsnowbewildersthebarbarianheaven.
Liceswarmlikeantsoverouraccoutrements.
Mindandspiritdriveonthefeatherybanners.
Hardfightgetsnoreward.
Loyaltyishardtoexplain.
WhowillbesorryforGeneralRishogu,
theswiftmoving,
Whosewhiteheadislostforthisprovince?
EzraPound
Speech For Psyche In The Golden Book Of Apuleius
Allnight,andasthewindliethamong
Thecypresstrees,helay,
Norheldmesaveasairthatbrushethbyone
Close,andasthepetalsofflowersinfalling
Waverandseemnotdrawntoearth,sohe
Seemedovermetohoverlightasleaves
Andclosermethanair,
Andmusicflowingthroughmeseemedtoopen
Mineeyesuponnewcolours.
Owinds,whatwindcanmatchtheweightofhim!
EzraPound
(Greek title)
Thysoul
Growndelicatewithsatieties,
Atthis.
OAtthis,
Ilongforthylips.
Ilongforthynarrowbreasts,
Thourestless,ungathered.
EzraPound
Statement of Being
Iamagravepoetichen
Thatlayspoeticeggs
Andtoenhancemytemperament
Alittlequietbegs.
Wemaketheyolkphilosophy,
Truebeautythealbumen.
Andthengumonashellofform
Tomakethescreedsoundhuman.
EzraPound
Sub Mare
Itis,andisnot,Iamsaneenough,
Sinceyouhavecomethisplacehashoveredroundme,
Thisfabricationbuiltofautumnroses,
Thenthere'sagoldishcolour,different.
Andonegropesinthesethingsasdelicate
Algreachupandout,beneath
Paleslowgreensurgingsoftheunderwave,
'Midthesethingsolderthanthenamestheyhave,
Thesethingsthatarefamiliearsofthegod.
EzraPound
Surgit Fama
Thereisatruceamongthegods,
KoreisseenintheNorth
Skirtingtheblue-graysea
Ingildedandrussetmantle.
Thecornhasagainit'smotherandshe,Leuconoe,
Thatfailedneverwomen,
Failsnottheearthnow.
ThetricksomeHermesishere;
Hemovesbehindme
Eagertocatchmywords,
Eagertospreadthemwithrumour;
Tosetuponthemhischange
Craftyandsubtle;
Toalterthemtohispurpose;
Butdothouspeaktrue,eventotheletter:
OncemoreinDelos,oncemoreisthealtara-quiver.
Oncemoreisthechantheard.
Oncemorearetheneverabandonedgardens
Fullofgossipandoldtales.
EzraPound
Taking Leave of a Friend
Bluemountainstothenorthofthewalls,
Whiteriverwindingaboutthem;
Herewemustmakeseparation
Andgooutthroughathousandmilesofdeadgrass.
Mindlikeafloatingwidecloud,
Sunsetlikethepartingofoldacquaintances
Whobowovertheirclaspedhandsatadistance.
Ourhorsesneightoeachothers
aswearedeparting.
EzraPound
Tame Cat
Itrestsmetobeamongbeautifulwomen
Whyshouldonealwayslieaboutsuchmatters?
Irepeat:
Itrestsmetoconversewithbeautifulwomen
Eventhoughwetalknothingbutnonsense,
Thepurringoftheinvisibleantennae
Isbothstimulatinganddelightful.
EzraPound
Tempora
Io!Io!Tamuz!
TheDryadstaiidsinmycourt-yard
Withplaintive,querulouscrying.
(Tamuz.Io!Tamuz!)
Oh,no,sheisnotcrying:'Tamuz.'
Shesays,'Maymypoemsbeprintedthisweek?
ThegodPanisafraidtoaskyou,
Maymypoemsbeprintedthisweek?'
EzraPound
Tenzone
Willpeopleacceptthem?
(i.e.thesesongs).
Asatimorouswenchfromacentaur
(oracenturion),
Alreadytheyflee,howlinginterror.
Willtheybetouchedwiththeverisimilitudes?
Theirvirginstupidityisuntemptable.
Ibegyou,myfriendlycritics,
Donotsetabouttoprocuremeanaudience.
Imatewithmyfreekinduponthecrags;
thehiddenrecesses
Haveheardtheechoofmyheels,
inthecoollight,
inthedarkness.
EzraPound
The Alchemist
ChantfortheTransmutationofMetals
SailofClaustra,Aelis,Azalais,
Asyoumoveamongthebrighttrees;
Asyourvoices,underthelarchesofParadise
Makeaclearsound,
SailofClaustra,Aelis,Azalais,
Raimona,Tibors,Berangere,
'Neaththedarkgleamofthesky;
Undernight,thepeacock-throated,
Bringthesaffron-colouredshell,
Bringtheredgoldofthemaple,
Bringthelightofthebirchtreeinautumn
Mirals,Cembelins,Audiarda,
Rememberthisfire.
Elain,Tireis,Alcmena
'Midthesilverrustlingofwheat,
Agradiva,Anhes,Ardenca,
Fromtheplum-colouredlake,instillness,
Fromthemoltendyesofthewater
Bringtheburnishednatureoffire;
Briseis,Lianor,Loica,
Fromthewideearthandtheolive,
Fromthepoplarsweepingtheiramber,
Bythebrightflameofthefishingtorch
Rememberthisfire.
Midonz,withthegoldofthesun,theleafofthepoplar,
bythelightoftheamber,
Midonz,daughterofthesun,shaftofthetree,silverof
theleaf,lightoftheyellowoftheamber,
Midonz,giftoftheGod,giftofthelight,giftofthe
amberofthesun,
Givelighttothemetal.
AnhesofRocacoart,Ardenca,Aemelis,
Fromthepowerofgrass,
Fromthewhite,aliveintheseed,
Fromtheheatofthebud,
Fromthecopper.oftheleafinautumn,
Fromthebronzeofthemaple,fromthesapinthe
bough;
Lianor,loanna,Loica,
Bythestirofthefin,
Bythetroutasleepinthegray-greenofwater;
Vanna,Mandetta,Viera,Alodetta,Picarda,Manuela
Fromtheredgleamofcopper,
Ysaut,Ydone,slightrustlingofleaves,
Vierna,Jocelynn,daringofspirits,
Bythemirrorofburnishedcopper,
OQueenofCypress,
OutofErebus,theflat-lyingbreadth,
Breaththatisstretchedoutbeneaththeworld:
OutofErebus,outoftheflatwasteofair,lyingbeneath
theworld;
Outofthebrownleaf-browncolourless
Bringtheimperceptiblecool.
Elain,Tireis,Alcmena,
Quietthismetal!
Letthemanesputofftheirterror,letthemputofftheir
aqueousbodieswithfire.
Letthemassumethemilk-whitebodiesofagate.
Letthemdrawtogetherthebonesofthemetal.
Selvaggia,Guiscarda,Mandetta,
Rainflakesofgoldonthewater
Azureandflakingsilverofwater,
Alcyon,Phaetona,Alcmena,
Pallorofsilver,palelustreofLatona,
Bythese,fromthemalevolenceofthedew
Guardthisalembic.
Elain,Tireis,Allodetta
Quietthismetal.
EzraPound
The Altar
Letusbuildhereanexquisitefriendship,
Theflame,theautumn,andthegreenroseoflove
Foughtouttheirstrifehere,'tisaplaceofwonder;
Wherethesehavebeen,meet'tis,thegroundisholy.
EzraPound
The Baby
Thebabynewtoearthandsky
Hasneveruntilnow
Untohimselfthequestionput
Oraskedusifthecow
Ishigherinthementalscale
Thanmenlikemeandyou,
Orifthecowrefrainsfromfood
Tillshefindsworktodo.
'Thebabynewtoearthandsky,'
AsTennysonhaswritten,
Justgoesaheadandsucksateat
Liketo-day'sgreatmeninBritain.
EzraPound
The Bath-Tub
Asabathtublinedwithwhiteporcelain,
Whenthehotwatergivesoutorgoestepid,
Soistheslowcoolingofourchivalrouspassion,
Omymuchpraisedbut-not-altogether-satisfactorylady.
EzraPound
The Beautiful Toilet
Blue,blueisthegrassabouttheriver
Andthewillowshaveoverfilledtheclosegarden.
Andwithin,themistress,inthemidmostofheryouth.
White,whiteofface,hesitates,passingthedoor.
Slender,sheputsforthaslenderhand;
Andshewasacourtezanintheolddays,
Andshehasmarriedasot,
Whonowgoesdrunkenlyout
Andleaveshertoomuchalone.
EzraPound
The Bellaires
ThegoodBellaires
Donotunderstandtheconductofthisworld'saffairs.
Infacttheyunderstoodthemsobadly
ThattheyhavehadtocrosstheChannel.
Ninelawyers,fourcounsels,fivejudgesandthree
proctorsoftheKing,
Togetherwiththerespectivewives,husbands,sisters
andheterogeneousconnectionsofthegoodBellaires,
Mettodiscusstheiraffairs;
ButthegoodBellaireshavesolittleunderstoodtheir
affairs
Thatnowthereisnooneatall
Whocanunderstandanyaffairoftheirs.Yet
Fourteenhuntersstilleatinthestablesof
ThegoodSquireBellaire;
Butthesemaynotsufferattainder,
FortheymaynotbelongtothegoodSquireBellaire
Buttohiswife.
Onthecontrary,iftheydonotbelongtohiswife,
Hewillplead
A'freedomfromattainder'
Fortwelvehorsesandalsofortwelveboarhounds
FromCharlestheFourth;
Andafurtherfreedomfortheremainder
Ofhorses,fromHenrytheFourth.
Butthejudges,
Beingfreeofmediaevalscholarship,
Willpaynoattentiontothis,
Andtherewillbeonlythemoreconfusion,
Replevin,estoppel,espavinandwhatnot.
Ninelawyers,fourcounsels,etc.,
Mettodiscusstheiraffairs,
Butthesoleresultwasbills
Fromlawyerstowhomnoonewasindebted,
Andeventhelawyers
Wereuncertainwhowassupposedtobeindebtedto
them.
WhereforethegoodSquireBellaire
ResidesnowatAgdeandBiaucaire,
ToCarcassonne,Pui,andAlais
Hefarethfromdaytoday,
Ortakestheseaair
BetweenMarseilles
AndBeziers.
AndforallthisIhaveconsiderableregret,
ForthegoodBellaires
Areverycharmingpeople.
EzraPound
The Charge Of The Bread Brigade
Halfaloaf,halfaloaf,
Halfaloaf?Urn-hum?
Downthroughthevaleofgloom
Slouchedthetenmillion,
Onwardth''ungryblokes,
Crackin'theirsmuttyjokes!
We'llsend'emmouchin''ome,
Damnthetenmillion!
Theregoesthenightbrigade,
Theygotnosteadytrade,
Severaloldso'jersknow
Montyhasblunder'd.
Theirsnottoreasonwhy,
Theirsbuttobuythepie,
Slouchingandmouching,
Lousytenmillion!
Plentytorightof'em,
Plentytoleftof'em,
Yes,wotisleftof'em,
Damnthetenmillion.
Stormedatbypressandall,
Howshallwedress'emall?
Gloomingandmouching!
See'emgoslouchingthere,
Withcowedandcrouchingair
Dunderingdullards!
Howthewholenationshook
WhileMilordBeaverbrook
Fed'emwithhogwash!
EzraPound
The City Of Choan
Thephoenixareatplayontheirterrace.
Thephoenixaregone,theriverHowsonalone.
Flowersandgrass
Coveroverthedarkpath
wherelaythedynastichouseoftheGo.
ThebrightclothsandbrightcapsofShin
Arenowthebaseofoldhills.
TheThreeMountainsfallthroughthefarheaven,
TheisleofWhiteHeron
splitsthetwostreamsapart.
Nowthehighcloudscoverthesun
AndIcannotseeChoanafar
AndIamsad.
EzraPound
The Cloak
Thoukeep'stthyrose-leaf
Tilltherose-timewillbeover,
Think'stthouthatDeathwillkissthee?
Think'stthouthattheDarkHouse
Willfindtheesuchalover
AsI?Willthenewrosesmissthee?
Prefermycloakuntothecloakofdust
'Neathwhichthelastyearlies,
Forthoushouldstmoremistrust
Timethanmyeyes.
EzraPound
The Coming Of War: Actaeon
AnimageofLethe,
andthefields
Fulloffaintlight
butgolden,
Graycliffs,
andbeneaththem
Asea
Harsherthangranite,
unstill,neverceasing;
Highforms
withthemovementofgods,
Perilousaspect;
Andonesaid:
'ThisisActaeon.'
Actaeonofgoldengreaves!
Overfairmeadows,
Overthecoolfaceofthatfield,
Unstill,evermoving
Hostsofanancientpeople,
Thesilentcortge.
EzraPound
The Condolence
Omyfellowsufferers,songsofmyyouth,
Alotofassespraiseyoubecauseyouare'virile',
We,you,I!Weare'RedBloods'!
Imagineit,myfellowsufferers
Ourmalenessliftsusoutoftheruck,
Who'dhaveforeseenit?
Omyfellowsufferers,wewentoutunderthetrees,
Wewereinespecialboredwithmalestupidity.
Wewentforthgatheringdelicatethoughts,
Ourfantastikondelightedtoserveus.
Wewerenotexasperatedwithwomen,
forthefemaleisductile.
Andnowyouhearwhatissaidtous:
Wearecomparedtothatsortofperson
Whowandersaboutannouncinghissex
Asifhehadjustdiscoveredit.
Letusleavethismatter,mysongs,
andreturntothatwhichconcernsus.
EzraPound
The Encounter
Allthewhiletheyweretalkingthenewmorality
Hereyesexploredme.
AndwhenIrosetogo
Herfingerswerelikethetissue
OfaJapanesepapernapkin.
EzraPound
The Eyes
RestMaster,forwebea-weary,weary
Andwouldfeelthefingersofthewind
Upontheselidsthatlieoverus
Soddenandlead-heavy.
Restbrother,forlo!thedawniswithout!
Theyellowflamepaleth
Andthewaxrunslow.
Freeus,forwithoutbegoodlycolours,
Greenofthewood-mossandflowercolours,
Andcoolnessbeneaththetrees.
Freeus,forweperish
Inthisever-flowingmonotony
Ofuglyprintmarks,black
Uponwhiteparchment.
Freeus,forthereisone
Whosesmilemoreavaileth
Thanalltheage-oldknowledgeofthybooks:
Andwewouldlookthereon.
EzraPound
The Fault of It
Somemayhaveblamedusthatweceasetospeak
Ofthingswespokeofinourversesearly,
Saying:alovelyvoiceissuchassuch;
Saying:thatlady'seyesweresadlastweek,
Whereintheworld'swholejoyisbornanddies;
Saying:shehaththiswayorthat,thismuch
Ofgrace,thiswayorthat,thismuch
Ofgrace,thislittlemisericorde;
Askusnofurtherword;
Ifwewereproud,thenproudtobesowise
Askusnomoreofallthethingsyeheard;
Wemaynotspeakofthem,theytouchusnearly.
EzraPound
The Faun
Ha!sir,Ihaveseenyousniffingandsnoozling
aboutamongmyflowers.
Andwhat,pray,doyouknowabout
horticulture,youcapriped?
'Come,Auster,comeApeliota,
Andseethefauninourgarden.
Butifyoumoveorspeak
Thisthingwillrunatyou
Andscareitselftospasms.'
EzraPound
The Flame
Tisnotagamethatplaysatmatesandmating,
Proveneknew;
'Tisnotagameofbarter,landsandhouses,
Proveneknew.
Wewhoarewisebeyondyourdreamofwisdom,
Drinkourimmortalmoments;we'passthrough'.
Wehavegoneforthbeyondyourbondsandborders,
Proveneknew;
AndallthetalesofOisinsaybutthis:
Thatmandothpassthenetofdaysandhours.
Wheretimeisshrivelleddowntotime'sseedcorn
WeoftheEver-living,inthatlight
Meetthroughourveilsandwhisper,andoflove.
Osmokeandshadowofadarklingworld,
These,andtherest,andalltherestweknew.
'Tisnotagamethatplaysatmatesandmating,
'Tisnotagameofbarter,landsandhouses,
'Tisnot4ofdaysandnights'andtroublingyears,
Ofcheeksgrownsunkenandgladhairgonegray;
Thereisthesubtlermusic,theclearlight
Wheretimeburnsbackaboutth'eternalembers.
Wearenotshutfromallthethousandheavens:
Lo,therearemanygodswhomwehaveseen,
Folkofunearthlyfashion,placessplendid,
Bulwarksofberylandofchrysoprase.
SapphireBenacus,inthymistsandthee
Natureherself'sturnedmetaphysical,
Whocanlookonthatblueandnotbelieve?
Thouhoodedopal,thoueternalpearl,
Othoudarksecretwithashimmeringfloor,
ThroughallthyvariousmoodIknowtheemine;
IfIhavemergedmysoul,orutterly
Amsolvedandboundin,throughaughthereonearth,
Therecanstthoufindme,Othouanxiousthou,
Whocallstaboutmygatesforsomelostme;
Isaymysoulflowedback,becametranslucent.
Searchnotmylips,OLove,letgomyhands,
Thisthingthatmovesasmanisnomoremortal.
Ifthouhastseenmyshadesanscharacter,
Ifthouhastseenthatmirrorofallmoments,
Thatglasstoallthingsthato'ershadowit,
Callnotthatmirrorme,forIhaveslipped
Yourgrasp,Ihaveeluded.
EzraPound
The Game Of Chess
Redknights,brownbishops,brightqueens,
Strikingtheboard,fallinginstrongL'sof
colour.
Reachingandstrikinginangles,
holdinglinesinonecolour.
Thisboardisalivewithlight;
thesepiecesarelivinginform,
Theirmovesbreakandreformthepattern:
luminousgreenfromtherooks,
ClashingwithX'sofqueens,
loopedwiththeknight-leaps.
Y'pawns,cleaving,embanking!
Whirl!Centripetal!Mate!Kingdowninthe
vortex,
Clash,leapingofbands,straightstripsofhard
colour,
Blockedlightsworkingin.Escapes.Renewalof
contest.
EzraPound
The Garden
Enrobedeparade.Samain
Likeaskeinofloosesilkblownagainstawall
ShewalksbytherailingofapathinKensingtonGardens,
Andsheisdyingpiece-meal
Tofasortofemotionalanaemia.
Androundaboutthereisarabble
Ofthefilthy,sturdy,unkillableinfantsoftheverypoor.
Theyshallinherittheearth.
Inheristheendofbreeding.
Herboredomisexquisiteandexcessive.
Shewouldlikesomeonetospeaktoher,
AndisalmostafraidthatI
Twillcommitthatindiscretion.
EzraPound
The Garrett
Come,letuspitythosewhoarebetteroffthanweare.
Come,myfriend,andremember
thattherichhavebutlersandnofriends,
Andwehavefriendsandnobutlers.
Come,letuspitythemarriedandtheunmarried.
Dawnenterswithlittlefeet
likeagildedPavlova
AndIamnearmydesire.
Norhaslifeinitaughtbetter
Thanthishourofclearcoolness
thehourofwakingtogether.
EzraPound
The Gypsy
Thatwasthetopofthewalk,whenhesaid:
'Haveyouseenanyothers,anyofourlot,
Withapesorbears?'
Abrownupstandingfellow
Notlikethehalf-castes,
uponthewetroadnearClermont.
Thewindcame,andtherain,
Andmistclottedaboutthetreesinthevalley,
AndIdthelongwaysbehindme,
grayAriesandBiaucaire,
Andhesaid,'Haveyouseenanyofourlot?'
I'dseenalotofhislot...
eversinceRhodez,
Comingdownfromthefair
ofSt.John,
Withcaravans,butneveranapeorabear.
EzraPound
The House Of Splendour
TisEvanoe's,
Ahousenotmadewithhands,
Butoutsomewherebeyondtheworldlyways
Hergoldisspread,above,around,inwoven;
Strangewaysandwallsarefashionedoutofit.
AndIhaveseenmyLadyinthesun,
Herhairwasspreadabout,asheafofwings,
Andredthesunlightwas,behinditall.
AndIhaveseenhertherewithinherhouse,
Withsixgreatsapphireshungalongthewall,
Low,panel-shaped,a-levelwithherknees,
Allherrobewaswovenofpalegold.
Therearetheremanyroomsandallofgold,
Ofwovenwallsdeeppatterned,ofemail,
Ofbeatenwork;andthroughtheclaretstone,
Settosomeweaving,comestheaureatelight.
HereamIcomeperforcemyloveofher,
Beholdmineadoration
Makethmeclear,andtherearepowersinthis
Which,playedonbythevirtuesofhersoul,
Breakdownthefour-squarewallsofstandingtime.
EzraPound
The Jewel Stairs' Grievance
Thejewelledstepsarealreadyquitewhitewithdew,
Itissolatethatthedewsoaksmygauzestockings,
AndIletdownthecrystalcurtain
Andwatchthemoonthroughtheclearautumn.
EzraPound
The Lake Isle
OGod,OVenus,OMercury,patronofthieves,
Givemeinduetime,Ibeseechyou,alittletobacco-shop,
Withthelittlebrightboxes
piledupneatlyupontheshelves
Andtheloosefragmentcavendish
andtheshag,
AndthebrightVirginia
looseunderthebrightglasscases,
Andapairofscales
nottoogreasy,
Andthevotaillesdroppinginforawordortwoinpassing,
Foraflipword,andtotidytheirhairabit.
OGod,OVenus,OMercury,patronofthieves,
Lendmealittletobacco-shop,
orinstallmeinanyprofession
Savethisdamn'dprofessionofwriting,
whereoneneedsone'sbrainsallthetime.
EzraPound
The Logical Conclusion
Whenearth'slastthesisiscopied
Fromthethesesthatwentbefore,
Whenideafromfacthasdeparted
Andbare-bonedfactletsshallbore,
Whenalljoyshallhavefledfromstudy
Andscholarshipreignsupreme;
Whentruthshall'baaa'onthehillcrests
Andnooneshalldaretodream;
Whenallthegoodpoemshavebeenburied
Withcommentannotedinfull
Andartshallbowdowninhomage
Toscholarship'szinc-platedbull,
Whenthereshallbenothingtoresearch
Butthenotesofannotednotes,
AndBaalam'sassshallinquire
Thepriceofimportedoats;
Thennooneshalltellhimtheanswer
Foreachshallknowtheonefact
Thatliesinthespecialass-ignment
Fromwhichheismakinghistract.
Sotheassshallsighuninstructed
Whileeachinhisseparatebook
Shallgrindfortheloveofgrinding
Andonlythedevilshalllook.
Againstthe'germanic'systemofgraduatestudyandinsanespecializationinthe
Inanities.
EzraPound
The Needle
Come,orthestellartidewillslipaway.
Eastwardavoidthehourofitsdecline,
Now!fortheneedletremblesinmysoul!
Herehavewehadthevantage,thegoodhour.
Herewehavehadourday,yourdayandmine.
Comenow,beforethispower
Thatbearsusup,shallturnagainstthepole.
Mocknotthefloodofstars,thething'stobe.
OLove,comenow,thislandturnsevilslowly.
Thewavesborein,soonwilltheybearaway.
Thetreasureisours,makewefastlandwithit.
Moveweandtakethetide,withitsnextfavour,
Abide
Undersomeneutralforce
Untilthiscourseturnethaside.
EzraPound
The New Cake Of Soap
Lo,howitgleamsandglistensinthesun
LikethecheekofaChesterton.
EzraPound
The Patterns
Erinnaisamodelparent,
Herchildrenhaveneverdiscoveredheradulteries.
Lalageisalsoamodelparent,
Heroffspringarefatandhappy.
EzraPound
The Picture
Theeyesofthisdeadladyspeaktome,
Forherewaslove,wasnottobedrownedout.
Andheredesire,nottobekissedaway.
Theeyesofthisdeadladyspeaktome.
EzraPound
The Plunge
Iwouldbathemyselfinstrangeness:
Thesecomfortsheapeduponme,smotherme!
Iburn,Iscaldsoforthenew,
Newfriends,newfaces,
Places!
Ohtobeoutofthis,
ThisthatisallIwanted
-savethenew.
Andyou,
Love,youthemuch,themoredesired!
DoInotloatheallwalls,streets,stones,
Allmire,mist,allfog,
Allwaysoftraffic?
You,Iwoldhaveflowovermelikewater,
Oh,butfaroutofthis!
Grass,andlowfields,andhills,
Andsun,
Oh,sunenough!
Out,andalone,amongsome
Alienpeople!
EzraPound
The Rest
Ohelplessfewinmycountry,remnantenslaved!
Artistsbrokenagainsther,
A-stray,lostinthevillages,
Mistrusted,spoken-against,
Loversofbeauty,starved,
Thwartedwithsystems,
Helplessagainstthecontrol;
Youwhocannotwearyourselvesout
Bypersistingtosuccesses,
Youwhocanonlyspeak,
Whocannotsteelyourselvesintoreiteration;
Youofthefinersense,
Brokenagainstfalseknowledge,
Youwhocanknowatfirsthand,
Hated,shutin,mistrusted:
Takethought:
Ihaveweatheredthestorm,
Ihavebeatenoutmyexile.
EzraPound
The Return
See,theyreturn;ah,seethetentative
Movements,andtheslowfeet,
Thetroubleinthepaceandtheuncertain
Wavering!
See,theyreturn,onebyone,
Withfear,ashalf-awakened;
Asifthesnowshouldhesitate
Andmurmurinthewind,
andhalfturnback;
Thesewerethe"Wing'd-with-Awe,"
Inviolable.
GodsoftheWingdshoe!
Withthemthesilverhounds,
sniffingthetraceofair!
Haie!Haie!
Theseweretheswifttoharry;
Thesethekeen-scented;
Thesewerethesoulsofblood.
Slowontheleash,
pallidtheleash-men!
EzraPound
The River Song
Thisboatisofshato-wood,anditsgunwalesarecut
magnolia,
Musicianswithjewelledflutesandwithpipesofgold
Fillfullthesidesinrows,andourwine
Isrichforathousandcups.
Wecarrysinginggirls,driftwiththedriftingwater,
YetSenninneeds
Ayellowstorkforacharger,andallourseamen
Wouldfollowthewhitegullsorridethem.
Kutsu'sprosesong
Hangswiththesunandmoon.
KingSo'sterracedpalace
isnowbutbarrenhill,
ButIdrawpenonthisbarge
Causingthefivepeakstotremble,
AndIhavejoyinthesewords
likethejoyofblueislands.
(Ifglorycouldlastforever
ThenthewatersofHanwouldflownorthward.)
AndIhavemopedintheEmperor'sgarden,awaitingan
order-to-write!
Ilookedatthedragon-pond,withitswillow-coloured
water
Justreflectingthesky'stinge,
Andheardthefive-scorenightingalesaimlesslysinging.
Theeasternwindbringsthegreencolourintotheisland
grassesatYei-shu,
ThepurplehouseandthecrimsonarefullofSpring
softness.
Southofthepondthewillow-tipsarehalf-blueand
bluer,
Theircordstangleinmist,againstthebrocade-like
palace.
Vine-stringsahundredfeetlonghangdownfrom
carvedrailings,
Andhighoverthewillows,thefinebirdssingtoeach
other,andlisten,
CryingKwan,Kuan,'fortheearlywind,andthefeel
ofit.
Thewindbundlesitselfintoabluishcloudandwanders
off.
Overathousandgates,overathousanddoorsarethe
soundsofspringsinging,
AndtheEmperorisatKo.
Fivecloudshangaloft,brightonthepurplesky,
Theimperialguardscomeforthfromthegoldenhouse
withtheirarmoura-gleaming.
TheEmperorinhisjewelledcargoesouttoinspecthis
flowers,
HegoesouttoHori,tolookatthewing-flappingstorks,
HereturnsbywayofSeirock,tohearthenew
nightingales,
ForthegardensatJo-runarefullofnewnightingales,
Theirsoundismixedinthisflute,
Theirvoiceisinthetwelvepipeshere.
EzraPound
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter
AfterLiPo
Whilemyhairwasstillcutstraight
acrossmyforehead
Iplayedatthefrontgate,pulling
flowers.
Youcamebyonbamboostilts,playing
horse,
Youwalkedaboutmyseat,playingwith
blueplums.
Andwewentonlivinginthevillageof
Chokan:
Twosmallpeople,withoutdislikeor
suspicion.
AtfourteenImarriedMyLordyou.
Ineverlaughed,beingbashful.
Loweringmyhead,Ilookedatthewall.
Calledto,athousandtimes,Inever
lookedback.
AtfifteenIstoppedscowling,
Idesiredmydusttobemingledwith
yours
Foreverandforeverandforever.
WhyshouldIclimbthelookout?
Atsixteenyoudeparted,
YouwentintofarKu-to-en,bytheriver
ofswirlingeddies,
Andyouhavebeengonefivemonths.
Themonkeysmakesorrowfulnoise
overhead.
Youdraggedyourfeetwhenyouwent
out,
Bythegatenow,themossisgrown,
thedifferentmosses,
Toodeeptoclearthemaway!
Theleavesfallearlythisautumn,in
wind.
Thepairedbutterfliesarealready
yellowwithAugust
OverthegrassintheWestgarden;
Theyhurtme.Igrowolder.
Ifyouarecomingdownthroughthe
narrowsoftheriverKiang,
Pleaseletmeknowbeforehand,
AndIwillcomeouttomeetyou
AsfarasCho-fu-sa.
TranslatedbyEzraPound
Anonymoussubmission.
EzraPound
The Seafarer
(FromtheearlyAnglo-Saxontext)
MayIformyownselfsong'struthreckon,
Journey'sjargon,howIinharshdays
Hardshipenduredoft.
Bitterbreast-careshaveIabided,
Knownonmykeelmanyacare'shold,
Anddiresea-surge,andthereIoftspent
Narrownightwatchnightheship'shead
Whileshetossedclosetocliffs.Coldlyafflicted,
Myfeetwerebyfrostbenumbed.
Chillitschainsare;chafingsighs
Hewmyheartroundandhungerbegot
Mere-wearymood.Lestmanknownot
Thatheondrylandloveliestliveth,
ListhowI,care-wretched,onice-coldsea,
Weatheredthewinter,wretchedoutcast
Deprivedofmykinsmen;
Hungwithhardice-flakes,wherehail-scurflew,
ThereIheardnaughtsavetheharshsea
Andice-coldwave,atwhilestheswancries,
Didformygamesthegannet'sclamour,
Sea-fowls,loudnesswasformelaughter,
Themews'singingallmymead-drink.
Storms,onthestone-cliffsbeaten,fellonthestern
Inicyfeathers;fullofttheeaglescreamed
Withsprayonhispinion.
Notanyprotector
Maymakemerrymanfaringneedy.
Thishelittlebelieves,whoayeinwinsomelife
Abides'midburgherssomeheavybusiness,
Wealthyandwine-flushed,howIwearyoft
Mustbideabovebrine.
Nearethnightshade,snowethfromnorth,
Frostfrozetheland,hailfellonearththen
Cornofthecoldest.Nathlessthereknockethnow
Theheart'sthoughtthatIonhighstreams
Thesalt-wavytumulttraversealone.
Moanethalwaymymind'slust
ThatIfareforth,thatIafarhence
Seekoutaforeignfastness.
Forthisthere'snomood-loftymanoverearth'smidst,
Notthoughhebegivenhisgood,butwillhaveinhisyouthgreed;
Norhisdeedtothedaring,norhiskingtothefaithful
Butshallhavehissorrowforsea-fare
Whateverhislordwill.
Hehathnotheartforharping,norinring-having
Norwinsomenesstowife,norworld'sdelight
Noranywhitelsesavethewave'sslash,
Yetlongingcomesuponhimtofareforthonthewater.
Bosquetakethblossom,comethbeautyofberries,
Fieldstofairness,landfaresbrisker,
Allthisadmonishethmaneagerofmood,
Theheartturnstotravelsothathethenthinks
Onflood-waystobefardeparting.
Cuckoocallethwithgloomycrying,
Hesingethsummerward,bodethsorrow,
Thebitterheart'sblood.Burgherknowsnot--
Hetheprosperousman--whatsomeperform
Wherewanderingthemwidestdraweth.
Sothatbutnowmyheartburstfrommybreast-lock,
Mymood'midthemere-flood,
Overthewhale'sacre,wouldwanderwide.
Onearth'ssheltercomethofttome,
Eagerandready,thecryinglone-flyer,
Whetsforthewhale-paththeheartirresistibly,
O'ertracksofocean;seeingthatanyhow
Mylorddeemstomethisdeadlife
Onloanandonland,Ibelievenot
Thatanyearth-wealeternalstandeth
Savetherebesomewhatcalamitous
That,ereaman'stidego,turnittotwain.
Diseaseoroldnessorsword-hate
Beatsoutthebreathfromdoom-grippedbody.
Andforthis,everyearlwhatever,forthosespeakingafter--
Laudoftheliving,boastethsomelastword,
Thathewillworkerehepassonward,
Frameonthefairearth'gainstfoeshismalice,
Daringado,...
Sothatallmenshallhonourhimafter
Andhislaudbeyondthemremain'midtheEnglish,
Aye,forever,alastinglife's-blast,
Delightmidthedoughty.
Dayslittledurable,
Andallarroganceofearthenriches,
TherecomenownokingsnorCsars
Norgold-givinglordslikethosegone.
Howe'erinmirthmostmagnified,
Whoe'erlivedinlifemostlordliest,
Drearallthisexcellence,delightsundurable!
Waneththewatch,buttheworldholdeth.
Tombhidethtrouble.Thebladeislayedlow.
Earthlygloryagethandseareth.
Nomanatallgoingtheearth'sgait,
Butagefaresagainsthim,hisfacepaleth,
Grey-hairedhegroaneth,knowsgonecompanions,
Lordlymenaretoeartho'ergiven,
Normayhethentheflesh-cover,whoselifeceaseth,
Noreatthesweetnorfeelthesorry,
Norstirhandnorthinkinmidheart,
Andthoughhestrewthegravewithgold,
Hisbornbrothers,theirburiedbodies
Beanunlikelytreasurehoard.
EzraPound
The Seeing Eye
Thesmalldogslookatthebigdogs;
Theyobserveunwieldydimensions
Andcuriousimperfectionsofodor.
Hereistheformalmalegroup:
Theyoungmenlookupontheirseniors,
Theyconsidertheelderlymind
Andobserveitsinexplicablecorrelations.
SaidTsin-Tsu:
Itisonlyinsmalldogsandtheyoung
Thatwefindminuteobservation
EzraPound
The Social Order
I
Thisgovernmentofficial
Whosewifeisseveralyearshissenior,
Hassuchacaressingair
Whenheshakeshandswithyoungladies.
II
(PompesFunbres)
Thisoldlady,
Whowasfcsooldthatshewasanatheist',
Isnowsurrounded
Bysixcandlesandacrucifix,
Whilethesecondwifeofanephew
Makeshaywiththethingsinherhouse.
Hertwocats
GobeforeherintoAvernus;
Asortofchloroformedsuttee,
Anditistobehopedthattheirspiritswillwalk
Withtheirtailsup,
Andwithaplaintive,gentlemewing,
Foritiscertainthatshehasleftonthisearth
Nosound
Saveasquabbleoffemaleconnections,
EzraPound
The Spring
CydonianSpringwithherattendanttrain,
Maelidsandwater-girls,
SteppingbeneathaboisterouswindfromThrace,
Throughoutthissylvanplace
Spreadsthebrighttips,
Andeveryvine-stockis
Cladinnewbrilliancies.
Andwilddesire
Fallslikeblacklightning.
bewilderedheart,
Thougheverybranchhavebackwhatlastyearlost,
She,whomovedhereamidthecyclamen,
Movesonlynowaclingingtenuousghost.
EzraPound
The Study In Aesthetics
Theverysmallchildreninpatchedclothing,
Beingsmittenwithanunusualwisdom,
Stoppedintheirplayasshepassedthem
Andcriedupfromtheircobbles:
Guarda!Ahi,guarda!Chbea!
Butthreeyearsafterthis
IheardtheyoungDante,whoselastnameIdonot
know--
Forthereare,inSirmione,twenty-eightyoungDantes
andthirty-fourCatulli;
Andtherehadbeenagreatcatchofsardines,
Andhiselders
Werepackingtheminthegreatwoodenboxes
ForthemarketinBrescia,andhe
Leaptabout,snatchingatthebrightfish
Andgettinginbothoftheirways;
Andinvaintheycommandedhimtostafermo!
Andwhentheywouldnotlethimarrange
Thefishintheboxes
Hestrokedthosewhichwerealreadyarranged,
Murmuringforhisownsatisfaction
Thisidenticalphrase:
Chbea
AndatthisIwasmildlyabashed.
EzraPound
The Summons
Icannotbowtowoothee
Withhoneywordsandflowerkisses
Andthedewofsweethalf-truths
Fallenonthegrassofoldquaintlove-tales
Ofbroidereddaysforedone.
Norinthemurmuroustwilight
MayIsitbelowthee,
Worshipinginwhispers
Tremulousasfar-heardbells.
AllthesethingshaveIknownonce
Andpassed
InthatgayyouthIhadbutyester-year.
Andthatisgone
Astheshadowofwind.
Nay,Icannotwootheethus;
ButasIameversweptupward
Tothecentreofalltruth
SomustIbeartheewithme
Raptintothisgreatinvolvingflame,
Callingeverfromthemidstthereof,
"Follow!Follow!"
Andinthegloryofourmeeting
Shallthepowerbereborn.
Andtogetherinthemidstofthispower
Mustwe,eachoutstrivingeach,
Cryeternally:
"Icome,gothouyetfurther."
Andagain,"Follow,"
Forwemaynottarry.
EzraPound
The Tea Shop
Thegirlintheteashop
Isnotsobeautifulasshewas,
TheAugusthaswornagainsther.
Shedoesnotgetupthestairssoeagerly;
Yes,shealsowillturnmiddle-aged,
Andtheglowofyouththatshespreadaboutus
Asshebroughtusourmuffins
Willbespreadaboutusnolonger.
Shealsowillturnmiddle-aged.
EzraPound
The Temperaments
Nineadulteries,12liaisons,64fornicationsand
somethingapproachingarape
Restnightlyuponthesoulofourdelicatefriend
Florialis,
Andyetthemanissoquietandreservedindemeanour
Thathepassesforbothbloodlessandsexless.
Bastidides,onthecontrary,whobothtalksandwrites
ofnothingsavecopulation,
Hasbecomethefatheroftwins,
Butheaccomplishedthisfeatatsomecost;
Hehadtobefourtimescuckold.
EzraPound
The Three Poets
Candidiahastakenanewlover
Andthreepoetsaregoneintomourning.
Thefirsthaswrittenalongelegyto'Chloris',
To'Chlorischasteandcold,'his'onlyChloris'.
Thesecondhaswrittenasonnet
uponthemutabilityofwoman,
AndthethirdwritesanepigramtoCandidia.
EzraPound
The Tomb At Akr aar
Iamthysoul,Nikoptis.Ihavewatched
Thesefivemillennia,andthydeadeyes
Movednot,noreveranswermydesire,
Andthylightlimbs,wherethroughIleaptaflame,
Burnnotwithmenoranysaffronthing.
See,thelightgrassspranguptopillowthee,
Andkissedtheewithamyriadgrassytongues;
Butnotthoume.
Ihavereadoutthegolduponthewall,
Andweariedoutmythoughtuponthesigns.
Andthereisnonewthinginallthisplace.
Ihavebeenkind.See,Ihaveleftthejarssealed,
Lestthoushouldstwakeandwhimperforthywine.
AndallthyrobesIhavekeptsmoothonthee.
Othouunmindful!HowshouldIforget!
-Eventherivermanydaysago,
Theriver?thouwastoveryoung.
AndthreesoulscameuponThee-
AndIcame.
AndIflowedinuponthee,beatthemoff;
1havebeenintimatewiththee,knownthyways.
HaveInottouchedthypalmsandfinger-tips,
Flowedin,andthroughtheeandaboutthyheels?
How'cameIin'?WasInottheeandThee?
Andnosuncomestorestmeinthisplace,
AndIamtornagainstthejaggeddark,
Andnolightbeatsuponme,andyousay
Noword,dayafterday.
Oh!Icouldgetmeout,despitethemarks
Andalltheircraftyworkuponthedoor,
Outthroughtheglass-greenfields....
Yetitisquiethere:
Idonotgo.
EzraPound
The Tree
Istoodstillandwasatreeamidthewood,
Knowingthetruthofthingsunseenbefore;
OfDaphneandthelaurelbow
Andthatgod-feastingcoupleold
thatgrewelm-oakamidthewold.
'Twasnotuntilthegodshadbeen
Kindlyentreated,andbeenbroughtwithin
Untothehearthoftheirheart'shome
Thattheymightdothiswonderthing;
NathlessIhavebeenatreeamidthewood
Andmanyanewthingunderstood
Thatwasrankfollytomyheadbefore.
EzraPound
The White Stag
Iha'seenthem'midthecloudsontheheather.
Lo!theypausenotforlovenorforsorrow,
Yettheireyesareastheeyesofamaidtoherlover,
Whenthewhitehartbreakshiscover
Andthewhitewindbreaksthemorn.
'Tisthewhitestag,Fame,we'rea-hunting,
Bidtheworld'shoundscometohorn!
EzraPound
These Fought in Any Case
Thesefoughtinanycase,
andsomebelieving
prodomo,inanycase.....
Diedsome,propatria,
believinginoldmen'slies,thenunbelieving
hometomanydeceits,
faircheeks,andfinebodies;
EzraPound
Threnos
INomoreforusthelittlesighing.
Nomorethewindsattwilighttroubleus.
Lothefairdead!
NomoredoIburn.
Nomoreforustheflutteringofwings
Thatwhirredintheairaboveus.
Lothefairdead!
Nomoredesireflayethme,
Nomoreforusthetrembling
Atthemeetingofhands.
Lothefairdead!
Nomoreforusthewineofthelips,
Nomoreforustheknowledge.
Lothefairdead!
Nomorethetorrent,
Nomoreforusthemeeting-place
(Lothefairdead!)
Tintagoel.
EzraPound
To Dives
WhoamItocondemnyou,ODives,
Iwhoamasmuchembittered
Withpoverty
Asyouarewithuselessriches?
EzraPound
To (Greek title)
Eveninmydreamsyouhavedeniedyourselftome
Andsentmeonlyyourhandmaids.
EzraPound
To Whistler, American
OntheloanexhibitofhispaintingsattheTateGallery.
Youalso,ourfirstgreat,
Hadtriedallways;
Testedandpriedandworkedinmanyfashions,
Andthismuchgivesmehearttoplaythegame.
Hereispartthat'sslight,andpartgonewrong,
Andmuchoflittlemoment,andsomefew
PerfectasDiirer!
'IntheStudio'andthesetwoportraits,ifIhadmychoice!
AndthenthesesketchesinthemoodofGreece?
Youhadyoursearches,youruncertainties,
Andthisisgoodtoknowforus,Imean,
WhobearthebruntofourAmerica
Andtrytowrenchherimpulseintoart.
Youwerenotalwayssure,notalwaysset
Tohidingnightortuning^symphonies';
Hadnotonestylefrombirth,buttriedandpried
Andstretchedandtamperedwiththemedia.
YouandAbeLincolnfromthatmassofdolts
Showusthere'schanceatleastofwinningthrough.
EzraPound
To-Em-Meps The Unmoving Cloud'
I
Thecloudshavegathered,andgathered,
andtherainfallsandfalls,
Theeightplyoftheheavens
areallfoldedintoonedarkness,
Andthewide,flatroadstretchesout.
IstopinmyroomtowardtheEast,quiet,quiet,
Ipatmynewcaskofwine.
Myfriendsareestranged,orfardistant,
Ibowmyheadandstandstill.
II
Rain,rain,andthecloudshavegathered,
Theeightplyoftheheavensaredarkness,
Theflatlandisturnedintoriver.
'Wine,wine,hereiswine!'
Idrinkbymyeasternwindow.
Ithinkoftalkingandman,
Andnoboat,nocarriage,approaches.
III
Thetreesinmyeast-lookinggarden
areburstingoutwithnewtwigs,
Theytrytostirnewaffection,
Andmensaythesunandmoonkeeponmoving
becausetheycan'tfindasoftseat.
Thebirdsfluttertorestinmytree,
andIthinkIhaveheardthemsaying,
'Itisnotthattherearenoothermen
Butwelikethisfellowthebest,
Buthoweverwelongtospeak
Hecannotknowofoursorrow.'
EzraPound
Translations And Adaptations From Heine
FROMDIEHEIMKEHR'
I
Isyourhate,then,ofsuchmeasure?
Doyou,truly,sodetestme?
ThroughalltheworldwillIcomplain
Ofhowyouhaveaddressedme.
Oyelipsthatareungrateful,
Hathitneveroncedistressedyou,
Thatyoucansaysuchawfulthings
Ofanyonewhoeverkissedyou?
II
Sothouhastforgottenfully
ThatIsolongheldthyheartwholly,
Thylittleheart,sosweetandfalseandsmall
Thatthere'snothingmoresweetorfalseatall.
Loveandlaythouhastforgottenfully,
Andmyheartworkedatthemunduly.
Iknownotiftheloveorifthelaywerebetterstuff,
ButIknownow,theybothweregoodenough.
III
Tellmewherethylovelyloveis,
Whomthouoncedidsingsosweetly,
Whenthefairyflamesenshrouded
Thee,andheldthyheartcompletely.
Alltheflamesaredeadandspednow
Andmyheartiscoldandsere;
Beholdthisbook,theurnofashes,
Tismytruelove'ssepulchre.
IV
IdreamtthatIwasGodHimself
Whomheavenlyjoyimmerses,
Andalltheangelssatabout
Andpraisedmyverses.
V
Themutilatedchoirboys
WhenIbegintosing
Complainabouttheawfulnoise
Andcallmyvoicetoothickathing.
Whenlighttheirvoicesliftthemup,
Brightnotesagainsttheear,
Throughtrillsandrunslikecrystal,
Ringdelicateandclear.
TheysingofLovethat'sgrowndesirous,
OfLove,andjoythatisLove'sinmostpart,
Andalltheladiesswimthroughtears
Towardsuchaworkofart.
VI
Thisdelightfulyoungman
Shouldnotlackforhonourers,
Hepropitiatesmewithoysters,
WithRhinewineandliqueurs.
Howhiscoatandpantsadornhim!
Yethistiesaremoreadorning,
Inthesehedailycomestoaskme:
'Areyoufeelingwellthismorning?'
Hespeaksofmyextendedfame,
Mywit,charm,definitions,
Andisdiligenttoserveme,
Isdetailedinhisprovisions.
Ineveningcompanyhesetshisface
Inmostspirituelpositions,
Anddeclaimsbeforetheladies
Mygod-likecompositions.
whatcomfortisitforme
Tofindhimsuch,whenthedaysbring
Nocomfort,atmytimeoflifewhen
Allgoodthingsgovanishing.
TRANSLATORTOTRANSLATED
OHarryHeine,cursesbe,
Ilivetoolatetosupwiththee!
Whocandemolishatsuchpolishedease
Philistia'spompandArt'spomposities!
VII
SONGFROM'DIEHARZREISE'
IamthePrincessIlza
InIlsensteinIfare,
Comewithmetothatcastle
Andwe'llbehappythere.
ThyheadwillIcoverover
Withmywaves'clarity
Tillthouforgetthysorrow,
woundedsorrowfully.
Thouwiltinmywhitearmsthen
Nay,onmybreastthoumust
Forgetandrestanddreamthere
Forthineoldlegend-lust.
Mylipsandmyheartarethinethere
Astheywerehisandmine.
His?WhythegoodKingHarry's,
Andheisdeadlangsyne.
Deadmenstayalwaydeadmen.
Lifeistheliveman'spart,
AndIamfairandgolden
Withjoybreathlessatheart.
Ifmyheartstaybelowthere,
Mycrystalhallsringclear
Tothedanceoflordsandladies
Inalltheirsplendidgear.
Thesilkentrainsgorustling,
Thespur-clinkssoundbetween,
Thedarkdwarfsblowandbowthere
Smallhornandviolin.
Yetshallmywhitearmsholdthee,
ThatboundKingHarryabout.
Ah,Icoveredhisearswiththem
Whenthetrumpetrangout.
VIII
NIGHTSONG
Andhaveyouthoroughlykissedmylips;
Therewasnoparticularhaste,
Andareyounotreadywhenevening'scome?
There'snoparticularhaste.
You'vegotthewholenightbeforeyou,
Heart's-all-beloved-my-own;
Inanuninterruptednightonecan
Getagooddealofkissingdone.
EzraPound
Ts'ai Chi'h
Thepetalsfallinthefountain,
theorange-colouredrose-leaves,
Theirochreclingstothestone.
EzraPound
Villanelle: The Psychological Hour
Ihadoverpreparedtheevent,
thatmuchwasominous.
Withmiddle-ageingcare
Ihadlaidoutjusttherightbooks.
Ihadalmostturneddownthepages.
Beautyissorareathing.
Sofewdrinkofmyfountain.
Somuchbarrenregret,
Somanyhourswasted!
AndnowIwatch,fromthewindow,
therain,thewanderingbusses.
"Theirlittlecosmosisshaken"-
theairisalivewiththatfact.
Intheirpartsofthecity
theyareplayedonbydiverseforces.
HowdoIknow?
Oh,Iknowwellenough.
Forthemthereissomethingafoot.
Asforme;
Ihadover-preparedtheevent-
Beautyissorareathing.
Sofewdrinkofmyfountain.
Twofriends:abreathoftheforest...
Friends?Arepeoplelessfriends
becauseonehasjust,atlast,foundthem?
Twicetheypromisedtocome.
"Betweenthenightandthemorning?"
Beautywoulddrinkofmymind.
Youthwouldawhileforget
myyouthisgonefromme.
(Speakup!Youhavedancedsostiffly?
Someoneadmiredyourworks,
Andsaidsofrankly.
"Didyoutalklikeafool,
Thefirstnight?
Thesecondevening?"
"Buttheypromisedagain:
'To-morrowattea-time'.")
Nowthethirddayishere-
nowordfromeither;
Nowordfromhernorhim,
Onlyanotherman'snote:
"DearPound,IamleavingEngland."
EzraPound
Villonaud for This Yule
TowardstheNoelthatmortesaison
(Christmaketheshepherds'homagedear!)
Thenwhenthegreywolveseverychone
Drinkofthewindstheirchillsmall-beer
Andlapo'thesnowsfood'sgueredon
Thenmakythmyhearthisyule-tidecheer
(Skoal!withthedregsiftheclearbegone!)
Wineingtheghostsofyester-year.
AskyewhatghostIdreamupon?
(Whatofthemagians'scentedgear?)
Theghostsofdeadloveseveryone
Thatmakethestarkwindsreekwithfear
Lestlovereturnwiththefoisonsun
Andslaythememoriesthatmecheer
(SuchasIdrinktominefashion)
Wherearethejoysmyhearthadwon?
(SaturnandMarstoZeusdrawnnear!)
Whereareathelipsminelayupon,
Aye!wherearetheglancesfeatandclear
Thatbademyhearthisvalordon?
Iskoaltotheeyesasgrey-blownmeer
(Whoknowswhosewasthatparagon?)
Prince:askmenotwhatIhavedone
NorwhatGodhaththatcanmecheer
Butyeaskfirstwherethewindsaregone
EzraPound
Women Before A Shop
Thegew-gawsoffalseamberandfalseturquoiseattractthem.
'Liketolikenature':theseagglutinousyellows!
EzraPound
Yeux Glauques
Gladstonewasstillrespected,
WhenJohnRuskinproduced
'King'sTreasuries';Swinburne
AndRossettistillabused.
FoetidBuchananlifteduphisvoice
Whenthatfaun'sheadofhers
Becameapastimefor
Paintersandadulterers.
TheBurne-Jonescartons
Havepreservedhereyes;
Still,attheTate,theyteach
Cophetuatorhapsodize;
Thinlikebrook-water,
Withavacantgaze.
TheEnglishRubaiyatwasstill-born
Inthosedays.
Thethin,cleargaze,thesame
Stilldartsoutfaun-likefromthehalf-ruin'dface,
Questingandpassive....
;Ah,poorJenny'scase'...
Bewilderedthataworld
Showsnosurprise
Atherlastmaquero's
Adulteries.
EzraPound

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