No More Learning

Ah, happy he who owns the tenderest joy,
The heart-love of a child!

Away, fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claims my wakeful nights, my busy days,
Albeit bright memories of the sunlit shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze.




CONTENTS

PAGE
PHANTASMAGORIA, in Seven Cantos:--
I. The Trystyng 1
II. Hys Fyve Rules 10
III. Scarmoges 18
IV. Hys Nouryture 26
V. Byckerment 34
VI. Dyscomfyture 44
VII. Sad Souvenaunce 53
ECHOES 58
A SEA DIRGE 59
YE CARPETTE KNYGHTE 64
HIAWATHA'S PHOTOGRAPHING 66
MELANCHOLETTA 78
A VALENTINE 84
THE THREE VOICES:--
The First Voice 87
The Second Voice 98
The Third Voice 109
TEMA CON VARIAZIONI 118
A GAME OF FIVES 120
POETA FIT, NON NASCITUR 123
SIZE AND TEARS 131
ATALANTA IN CAMDEN-TOWN 136
THE LANG COORTIN' 140
FOUR RIDDLES 152
FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET 163




PHANTASMAGORIA


CANTO I
The Trystyng


ONE winter night, at half-past nine,
Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy,
I had come home, too late to dine,
And supper, with cigars and wine,
Was waiting in the study.

There was a strangeness in the room,
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom--
_I_ took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.

But presently the Thing began
To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said "Come, come, my man!
That's a most inconsiderate plan.
Less noise there, if you please!
"

[Picture: The Thing standing by chair]

"I've caught a cold," the Thing replies,
"Out there upon the landing. "
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!

He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
"How came you here," I said, "and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don't shiver there! "

He said "I'd gladly tell you how,
And also tell you why;
But" (here he gave a little bow)
"You're in so bad a temper now,
You'd think it all a lie.

"And as to being in a fright,
Allow me to remark
That Ghosts have just as good a right
In every way, to fear the light,
As Men to fear the dark. "

"No plea," said I, "can well excuse
Such cowardice in you:
For Ghosts can visit when they choose,
Whereas we Humans ca'n't refuse
To grant the interview. "

He said "A flutter of alarm
Is not unnatural, is it?
I really feared you meant some harm:
But, now I see that you are calm,
Let me explain my visit.

"Houses are classed, I beg to state,
According to the number
Of Ghosts that they accommodate:
(The Tenant merely counts as _weight_,
With Coals and other lumber).

"This is a 'one-ghost' house, and you
When you arrived last summer,
May have remarked a Spectre who
Was doing all that Ghosts can do
To welcome the new-comer.

"In Villas this is always done--
However cheaply rented:
For, though of course there's less of fun
When there is only room for one,
Ghosts have to be contented.

"That Spectre left you on the Third--
Since then you've not been haunted:
For, as he never sent us word,
'Twas quite by accident we heard
That any one was wanted.