No More Learning

Inscribed to a dear Child:
in memory of golden summer hours
and whispers of a summer sea.

* * * * *

Girt with a boyish garb for boyish task,
Eager she wields her spade: yet loves as well
Rest on a friendly knee, intent to ask
The tale one loves to tell.

Rude scoffer of the seething outer strife,
Unmeet to read her pure and simple spright,
Deem, if thou wilt, such hours a waste of life,
Empty of all delight!

Chat on, sweet Maid, and rescue from annoy
Hearts that by wiser talk are unbeguiled;
Ah, happy he who owns that 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 that sunlit shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!




[Of the following poems, ECHOES, A GAME OF FIVES, the last three of the
FOUR RIDDLES, and FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET, are here published for the first
time. The others have all appeared before, as have also the illustrations
to THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK. ]




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

Y{E} 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

THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK, an Agony in Eight Fits:--

I. THE LANDING 134

II. THE BELLMAN'S SPEECH 142

III. THE BAKER'S TALE 148

IV. THE HUNTING 153

V. THE BEAVER'S LESSON 159

VI. THE BARRISTER'S DREAM 167

VII. THE BANKER'S FATE 173

VIII. THE VANISHING 177

SIZE AND TEARS 181

ATALANTA IN CAMDEN TOWN 186

THE LANG COORTIN' 190

FOUR RIDDLES 202

FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET 211




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.

[Illustration]

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