,illu/ration3 ,cov] art                 
,illu/ration3 ,front end pap]s     ,,!  
,,h\nd ,,( ,,heav5   ,illu/ration       
,frontispiece3    ,:5 %e lit h] glimm]+ 
tap]s   ,r\nd ! day's dead sanctities   
,page #eb    ,illu/ration3 ,title page  
,,! ,,h\nd ,,( ,,heav5  ,by ,,francis   
,,?ompson     ,,) ,,illu/rations ,,by   
,,/ella ,,langdale     ,,new ,,york     
,,dodd1 ,,mead ,,& ,,company  #aibf     
,,copyright1 #aibb1  ,,by ,,dodd1 ,,mead
 ,,& ,,company1 ,,inc4   ,,pr9t$ ,,9 ,,!
 ,u4,s4,a4     ,,introduction  ,! ,rev4 
,m>k ,j4 ,mc,neal1 ,s4 ,j41 :o 0 "o ( ! 
successors ( ,lafcadio ,he>n 9 ! *air ( 
,engli% ,lit]ature at ! ,tokyo ,imp]ial 
,univ]sity1 9 an int]e/+ article rec\nts
 ! foll[+ incid5t ( 8 exp]i5ce 9 t      
in/itution4  ,i 0 seat$ on ! exam9+ bo>d
 ) ,pr(essor ,i*ikawa1 ! dean ( !       
,engli% dep>tm5t444 ,!re ent]$ ! room a 
/ud5t :om ,i recogniz$ z among ! be/ 9 !
 class1 a %>p "y *ap ) big ,mongolian   
eyes1 & "o :o _h nev] to my k giv5 any  
h9t ( ev5 a lean+ t[>d ,*ri/ianity4  ,i 

rememb]$1 h[ev]1 t 8 !sis submitt$ = a  
degree _h be5 a /udy ( ,francis         
,?ompson4  ,foll[+ ! usual cu/om1 ,i    
began to "q him ab\t 8 !sis4  ',:y did y
 *oose ,?ompson8'  ',well1 he is q a    
fam\s poet4'  ',:at k9d ( poet is he8'  
',we might call him a my/ic4'  ',is he a
 my/ic ( ! or?odox sort1 l ,cynewulf or 
,cra%aw2 or an unor?odox my/ic1 l ,blake
 or ,%elley8'  ',oh1 he's or?odox4'     
',well1 n[1 :at d y consid] 8 greate/   
production8'  ',:y1 ,i %\ld say ,! ,h\nd
 ( ,heav54  ',well1 :at on e>? does     
,?ompson mean by t ,h\nd8'  ',he means  
,god4'  ',b is n t a r irrev]5t way =   
,?ompson to be talk+ ab\t ,god1 call+   
,him a h\nd8  ,:at does he mean by      
comp>+ ,god to a h\nd8'  ',well1 he     
means ! pursuit ( ,god4'  ',oh1 ,i see1 
,?ompson is pursu+ ,god1 is he8'  ',oh1 
no4  ,he is r runn+ away f ,god4'       
',well1 !n1 ,god is pursu+ ,?ompson1 is 
t x8'  ',yes1 t's x4'  ,illu/ration3    
,titanic glooms ( *asmd fe>s  ,page #de 
',b1 see "h2 accord+ to ,?ompson's      

belief ,god is ev]y:]e1 isn't ,he8'     
',yes4'  ',well1 !n1 h[ c ,god be go+   
aft] ,?ompson8  ,is x a physical        
pursuit8'  ',no4  ,x is a moral         
pursuit4'  ',a moral pursuit6  ,:at's t8
  ,:at is ,god aft]8'  ',he is aft]     
,?ompson's love4'  ,& !n we1 ! ,jesuit &
 ! ,buddhi/1 began to foll[ ! w9d+s &   
turn+s ( t wondr\s poem1 ! mo/ my/ic &  
spiritual ?+ t has be5 writt5 s9ce ,/4  
,t]esa laid d[n h] p54  ,:at ! o!r memb]
 ( ! exam9+ bo>d ?\ght ( x all ,i nev]  
he>d4 ,b ,i ?9k ,i acquir$ a            
satisfactory answ] to t "q s (t5 put to 
me3 ,c ! ,japanese really grasp a       
spiritual tru?8  ,d !y really get at !  
mean+ ( ,*ri/ianity8  ,?is1 ( a race t  
has produc$ m m>tyrs ?an any o!r nation 
s9ce ! fall ( ,rome & t kept ! ,fai? =  
two c5turies )\t a visible symbol or    
docum5t6  ,! incid5t supplies matt] =   
o!r conclusions m g]mane to ! subject ( 
?is essay4  ,! late ,b]t ,le/on ,taylor1
 a j\rnali/ ^: j\rnalism _h a lit]>y    
facet ( critical brilliance1 once decl>$

 t he c\ld n p]ceive ! excell5ce (      
,francis ,?ompson's poetry4 ,:5 someone 
sugge/$ t x might be t he 0 n spiritual 
en\gh1 ! retort 0 laconic & cru%+1 ,or1 
p]haps1 n ecclesia/ical en\gh4  ,l mo/  
good retorts ,taylor's _h m wit ?an     
tru?4  ,he 0 obsess$ by ! notion1       
preval5t among a c]ta9 class ( lit]>y   
critics1 t ,francis ,?ompson's fame 0 ! 
artificially /imulat$ applause ( a      
,ca?olic cot]ie1 ^: en?usiasm c\ld h>dly
 be %>$ by read]s ) no p>ticul>         
curiosity ab\t ,ca?olic ideas or modes (
 religion4  ,x 0 probably ?is obsession 
:i* prompt$ t able critic1 ,mr4 ,h4 ,d4 
,traill1 to write to ,mr4 ,wilfrid      
,meynell :5 ! ,h\nd ( ,heav5 fir/       
appe>$3 ,i q agree ) y 9 ?9k+ him a     
rem>kable poet1 b1 if he is ev] to      
become o!r ?an a 'poet's poet' or       
'critic's poet'--if inde$ x is wor?     
anyone's ambition to be o!r ?an t--x w  
only be by work+ 9 a diff]5t mann]4  ,a 
'public' to appreciate ! ',h\nd (       
,heav5' is to me inconceivable4  ,mr4   

,william ,ar*]1 an exp]i5c$ judge (     
popul> likes1 0 ( ! same op9ion4  ,yet1 
,francis ,?ompson's biograph] tells u1 9
 ! ?ree ye>s aft] ,?ompson's dea? !     
sep>ate edition ( ! ',h\nd ( ,heav5'    
sold fifty ?\s& copies2 &1 ap>t f       
an?ologies1 _m m ?\s&s 7 sold ( ! books 
conta9+ x4  ,:5 ! ,h\nd ( ,heav5 is     
select$ = /udy1 & expla9$ 9 words ( "o  
syllable1 by a "y ,japanese /ud5t 9 !   
,tokyo ,imp]ial ,univ]sity almo/ ?irty  
ye>s aft] ! poem 0 publi%$1 "o c h>dly  
ma9ta9 t x calls = c]ta9 ecclesia/ical  
affiliations be=e x c be und]/ood &     
felt1 or t its public is necess>ily     
circumscrib$4  ,x mu/ be own$ inde$ t   
,francis ,?ompson 0 a puzzle to 8       
contempor>ies ( ! n9eties4  ,he paid !  
usual p5alty ( vault+ orig9ality4  ,!   
decade is fam\s = its bold exp]im5ts &  
%9+ successes 9 ! art ( poetry4  ,"o    
might expect t a public1 gr[n accu/om$  
to exquisitely wr\ght novelties & eag]  
to ext5d !m a welcome1 w\ld h be5       
preorda9$ to recognize & hail ! g5ius ( 

,?ompson4  ,b x 0 n s4  ,! e/heticism ( 
! n9eties1 = all its sweet & fragile    
fl[]s1 0 root$ 9 ! d>k passions ( !     
fle%4  ,its language 0 ! language ( dea?
 & despair & annihilation & ! ,epicurean
 ne$ ( exhau/+ ! h$oni/ic possibilities 
( life ere ! f9al engulf+ 9 d>kness &   
sil5ce4 ,:5 ! spee* ( ,?ompson1 lad5 )  
religion & spirituality & ,*ri/ian      
my/]y1 broke ) gold5 turbul5ce ^u ! _w (
 ! n9eties1 ! critics 7 aba%$ & knew n  
:at to ?9k ( x4 ,! effect 0 some:at l t 
produc$ by ,attwat]1 9 ,/ev5son's ,!    
,ebb-,tide1 :5 he began sudd5ly to      
disc\rse on ,div9e ,grace to ! amazem5t 
( ,h]rick & 8 crew ( sc\ndrels f ! /ol5 
,f>allone4  ,oh1 exclaim$ ! unspeakable 
,hui%1 :5 !y _h recov]$ brea?1 ,oh1 look
 'ere1 turn d[n ! lights at once1 & !   
,b& ( ',ope w oblige6  ,?is a9't a      
spiritual sance4  ,x _h some?+ ak9 to ! 
madness ( poor ,*ri/oph] ,sm>t :5 he    
fell into ! habit ( dropp+ on 8 knees & 
pray+ 9 ! cr[d$ ,london /reets4  ,!re 0 
incongruity1 v]g+ on ! indec5t1 9 ?is   

intrusion ( religion into art1 z if an  
ar*angel 7 to att5d an aft]noon tea 9   
,mayfair or an abs9! session 9 a        
,bohemian cafe4 ,x 01 9 ,dr4 ,johnson's 
phrase1 an unnecess>y deviation f !     
usual modes ( ! _w :i* /ruck ! _w dumb4 
,! poetry ( ,francis ,?ompson appe>$ 9  
?ree small volumes3 ,poems1 publi%$ 9   
#ahic2 ,si/] ,songs1 9 #ahie2 & ,new    
,poems1 9 #ahig4  ,! fir/ ( ^! volumes  
conta9$ ! ,h\nd ( ,heav52 ?\gh x /agg]$ 
review]s at l>ge1 !y yield$ dubi\s &    
c>efully measur$ praise & wait$ =       
developm5ts4  ,! pack 0 unlea%$ & !     
hue-&-cry rais$ on ! com+ ( ,si/] ,songs
 & ,new ,poems4  ,&rew ,lang & ,mr4     
,ar?ur ,symons l$ ! *orus ( disapproval4
  ,x is amus+ to read n[ t ,francis     
,?ompson's faults are fundam5tal4  ,?\gh
 he uses ! treasure ( ! ,temple1 he is n
 a religi\s poet4  ,! note ( a true     
spiritual passion nev] once s\nds 9 8   
book4  ,ano!r critic ( ! poet decl>es t 
no?+ c\ld be /rong] ?an 8 language1 no?+
 weak] ?an ! impression x leaves on !   

m9d4  ,x is l a diction>y ( obsolete    
,engli% suff]+ f a sev]e fit ( delirium 
trem5s4  ,a prom95t lit]>y p]iodical    
saw1 9 ! attempt to foi/ ,?ompson on !  
public z a g5u9e poet1 a sect>ian ef=t  
to und]m9e ! lit]>y press ( ,engl&4  ,9 
! c\rse ( a ye> ! sale ( ,si/] ,songs   
am\nt$ to #cdi copies4  ,! ,new ,poems  
f>$ worse2 its sale1 nev] l>ge1         
practically ceas$ a few ye>s aft] its   
appe>ance1 ?ree copies be+ sold dur+ !  
fir/ six mon?s ( #aijb4  ,illu/ration3  
,across ! m>g5t ( ! _w ,i fl$  ,page #dg
  ,& all ?is despite /rong              
recomm5dations f fa/idi\s qu>t]s4       
,george ,m]$i?'s recognition 0          
in/antane\s & unres]v$4 ,h5ley's 0      
accompani$ by repro(s4  ,mr4 ,ri*>d     
,le,gallienne 0 en?usia/ic4  ,mr4       
,william ,ar*] said to a fri5d1 ,?is is 
n "w :i* c possibly be popul> 9 ! wide  
s5se2 b x is "w t w be read & treasur$  
c5turies h5ce by ^? :o really c>e =     
poetry4  ,& he wrote to ,?ompson1 ,i    
assure y no conceivable reaction c wipe 

out or ov]lay su* "w z y\rs4  ,x is     
firm-bas$ on ! rock ( absolute beauty2 &
 ?is ,i say all ! m confid5tly because x
 does n happ5 to appeal to my own       
speculative1 or ev5 my own lit]>y1      
prejudices4  ,! mo/ extravagant admir] (
 all1 & ! "o :o w probably turn out to h
 come ne>] ! m>k ?an any ( ,francis     
,?ompson's contempor>ies1 0 ,mr4 ,j4 ,l4
 ,g>v91 ! well kn[n ,engli% lead]-writ] 
9 politics & lit]ature4  ,aft] !        
publication ( 8 second volume1 he wrote 
9 ! ,engli% ,bookman1 ,m>* #ahig1 :5 x  
became cle> t ! ',h\nd ( ,heav5' &      
',si/] ,songs' %\ld be read toge!r z a  
/rict lyrical sequ5ce1 !re 0 no long]   
any comp>ison possible except ! highe/1 
! inevitable comp>ison ) ev5            
,%akespe>e's ,sonnets4 ,! ,sonnets are !
 greate/ soliloquy 9 lit]ature4  ,!     
',h\nd ( ,heav5' & ',si/] ,songs' are ! 
second greate/2 & !re is no ?ird4  ,9   
ea* case x is r consci\sness imag$ 9 !  
magic mirror ( poetry ?an explicit      
autobiography4444  ,ev5 ) ! greate/     

pages ( ',si/] ,songs' s\nd+ 9 "o's e>s1
 "o is sometimes tempt$ to ?9k ! ',h\nd 
( ,heav5' ,mr4 ,?ompson's high-wat] m>k 
= unimag9able beauty & trem5d\s         
import--if we d damnably it]ate ,mr4    
,?ompson's trem5d\sness1 we _c help x1  
he ?ru/s ! ^w ^u u4  ,we d n ?9k we =get
 any ( ! spl5did ?+s ( an ,engli%       
an?ology :5 we say t ! ',h\nd ( ,heav5' 
seems to u1 on ! :ole1 ! mo/ wond]ful   
lyric 7if we consid] ',si/] ,songs' z a 
sequ5ce ( lyrics7 9 ! language4  ,x f+]s
 all ! /ops ( ! _s1 & we he> n[ a ?rill+
 & dolor\s note ( doom & n[ ! quir+ ( ! 
sph]es & n[ ! v pipes ( ,pan1 b "u all !
 /ill sad music ( humanity4  ,x is !    
return ( ! n9ete5? c5tury to ,?omas     
,kempis4444  ,! regal air1 ! prophetic  
ardors1 ! apocalyptic vision1 ,mr4      
,?ompson has !m all4  ,a r>]1 m int5se1 
m /rictly pr$e/9ate g5ius has nev] be5  
kn[n to poetry4  ,to _m ?is w seem !    
simple delirium ( ov]-emphasis4  ,!     
writ] signs = ^? o!rs1 n[ise a%am$1 :o  
range aft] ,%akespe>e's v ,sonnets !    

poetry ( a liv+ poet1 ,francis ,?ompson4
  ,we d n associate ,mr4 ,arnold ,b5nett
 ) any ( ! ideas 9 religion or lit]ature
 :i* suppli$ impulse to ,francis        
,?ompson4  ,x is a surprise ( ! fir/    
magnitude to f9d him c>ri$ away into !  
rapture ( prophecy by ! ,si/] ,songs4   
,i decl>e1 he says 9 an article appe>+ 9
 ,july1 #ahie1 t = ?ree days aft] ?is   
book appe>$ ,i read no?+ else4  ,i w5t  
ab\t repeat+ snat*es ( x--snat*es su*   
z--    ',! innoc5t moon1 t no?+ does b  
%9e1   ,moves all ! lab\r+ surges ( !   
_w4'  ,my belief is t ,francis ,?ompson 
has a ri*] natural g5ius1 a f9] poetical
 equipm5t1 ?an any poet save ,%akespe>e4
  ,%[ me ! div9e/ glories ( ,%elley &   
,keats1 ev5 ( ,t5nyson1 :o wrote !      
',lotus ,eat]s' & ! songs 9 !           
',pr9cess1' & ,i ?9k ,i c mat* !m all   
out ( ?is "o book1 ?is little book t c  
be b\ght at an ord9>y booksell]'s %op = 
an ord9>y prosaic cr[n4  ,i fe> t 9 ?us 
extoll+ ,francis ,?ompson's "w1 ,i am   
grossly outrag+ ! canons ( criticism4   

,= ! man is alive1 he gets up ( a morn+ 
l common mortals1 n improbably he eats  
bacon = breakfa/2 & e critic ) an atom (
 discretion kn[s t a poet mu/ n be call$
 great until he is dead or v old4       
,well1 please y\rself :at y ?9k4  ,b1 9 
"t to come1 don't say ,i didn't tell y4 
,a :ole g5]ation ( m5 has pass$ away    
s9ce ^! words appe>$2 b !y d n seem to  
be s fanta/ic & :imsical n[ z !y seem$  
to be !n4  ,illu/ration3 ,i said to     
dawn3 ,be sudd5  ,page #dg  ,x c sc>cely
 be claim$ t ! prophecies ( ,m]$i?1 ,mr4
 ,g>v91 & ,mr4 ,arnold ,b5nett 7 ( ! k9d
 :i* ultimately assures ! ev5t4  ,!     
read+-_w dipp$ curi\sly into ! pages    
ab\t :i* !re 0 s mu* conflict ( op9ion2 
x 0 />tl$ & bewild]$ by a novel &       
difficult =m ( v]se2 & f9ally x agre$ ) 
! majority ( critics t x 0 mo/ly        
nons5se--too ,ca?olic to be ca?olic4  ,!
 poems sold badly1 ! ',h\nd ( ,heav5'   
f>+ be/4  ,x is a common m>k ( g5ius to 
be ahead ( its "t4  ,ev5 ,?ompson's     
coreligioni/s 7 cold4  ,inde$1 x may be 

said !y 7 ! colde/4  ,if ! g5]al        
read+-public ( ! n9eties suspect$       
,?ompson ( be+ a ,victorian reaction>y (
 ultra-montane m\ld1 ! ,ca?olic public  
fe>$ him = 8 art4  ,x 0 a wild unfett]$ 
?+ :i* took /range lib]ties ) ,ca?olic  
pieties & c\ld n be tru/$ to run 9 div9e
 grooves4  ,"o c af=d to ext5uate !     
attitude ( res]ve4  ,x 0 a p]iod :5     
brilliant het]odoxies & flaunt+ decad5ce
 7 9 ! air4  ,! fact is1 t critics &    
public deliv]$ ,?ompson ov] to !        
,ca?olics2 & ! ,ca?olics w\ld h no?+ to 
d ) him4  ,canon ,%eehan c\ld write (   
,?ompson 9 #ahih3  ,only two            
,ca?olics--lit]>y ,ca?olics--h notic$   
?is surpris+ g5ius--,cov5try ,patmore & 
,wilfrid ,meynell4  ,! va/ bulk ( our   
coreligioni/s h n ev5 he>d 8 "n1 al?\gh 
x is already bruit$ among/ ! ,immortals2
 & ! great ,ca?olic poet1 = ^: adv5t we 
h be5 /ra9+ our vision1 has pass$ b5ea? 
our eyes1 sung 8 immortal songs1 &      
vani%$4  ,?is 0 writt5 almo/ t5 ye>s    
be=e ,?ompson di$1 b aft] 8 resolve to  

write no m poetry4  ,x is easily )9 !   
probabilities t1 small z 0 ,?ompson's   
audi5ce dur+ 8 lifetime1 x w\ld h be5   
/ill small] b = ! extrane\s int]e/      
excit$ by ! /range /ory ( 8 life4  ,he 0
 born on ,decemb] #af1 #ahei1 9 ,pre/on1
 ,lanca%ire1 :5ce he w5t at ! age (     
elev5 to ,u%aw ,college1 a ,ca?olic     
bo>d+ s*ool = boys4  ,?is is ! college  
:]e ,lafcadio ,he>n receiv$ 8 education2
 he _h left ! s*ool a ye> or two be=e "y
 ,?ompson's arrival4 ,bo? boys 7 design$
 = ! prie/hood4  ,he>n lo/ 8 fai? !n or 
%ortly aft]w>ds3 ,?ompson's irregul>    
habits ( dreamy ab/raction r5d]$ him    
unfit = a sac]dotal c>e]4  ,:5 he _h    
complet$ 8 c\rse at college1 :]e he _h  
di/+ui%$ himself 9 ,engli% composition &
 atta9$ respectable /&+ 9 ! classics1 8 
fa!r1 a h>d-work+ physician1 ent]$ !    
lad1 n[ eighte51 z a /ud5t ( m$ic9e 9   
,ow5 ,college1 ,man*e/]4  ,! ,?ompson   
family _h mov$ f ,pre/on to             
,a%ton-"u-,lyne1 :]e proximity to       
,man*e/] made x possible = ! "y m$ical  

/ud5t to sp5d 8 nights at home4         
,francis 0 ( ! sil5t & secretive sort   
:]e he c\ld n hope to f9d intellig5t    
sympa?y4  ,?is1 & "s cl\dy compromise ) 
8 s5se ( filial dutifulness1 w p]haps   
expla9 :y he pass$ six ye>s z a /ud5t ( 
m$ic9e )\t any s]i\s purpose ( becom+ a 
physician & )\t in=m+ 8 fa!r ( 8        
dis9cl9ation4 ,?ree exam9ations & ?ree  
failures at int]vals ( a ye> 7 necess>y 
to conv9ce ! fa!r ( ! true /ate (       
affairs4  ,/]n measures 7 adopt$2 &1    
al?\gh ! consequ5ces 7 pitifully        
tragical1 x is h>d to blame ! fa!r (    
,francis4  ,h[ are we to discov] !      
extraord9>y seal 9 a case t requires    
special & extraord9>y treatm5t8         
,francis 0 tw5ty-f\r ye>s old ) no m    
idea ?an a *ild's ( h[ life is plann$ on
 practical l9es ( prosp]ity4  ,! s5ior  
,?ompson ?\ght x "t = him to le>n &     
issu$ ord]s to f9d employm5t ( "s       
remun]ative k9d4  ,accord+ly dur+ ! next
 two ye>s ,francis s]v$ indiff]5tly =   
brief p]iods z a cl]k 9 ! %op ( a mak] (

 surgical in/rum5ts & z a canvass] ( an 
encyclop$ia4  ,bo? exp]im5ts 9 ! art (  
mak+ a liv+ 7 failures1 increas+ pat]nal
 dissatisfaction4  ,! desp]ate "y man !n
 enli/$ 9 ! army1 & aft] a few weeks' ( 
drill+ 0 reject$ on ! score ( physical  
weakness4  ,illu/ration3    ,i knew h[ !
 cl\ds arise1   ,spumd ( ! wild         
sea-snort+s  ,page #ea  ,dur+ ^!        
%iftless & unhappy ye>s z a li/less     
m$ical /ud5t & lagg>d appr5tice ! poet's
 *ief solace 0 ! public libr>y (        
,man*e/]4  ,9 8 daily abs5ces f home 8  
mis]y sugge/$ ano!r solace ( a s9i/]    
k9d4  ,aft] a sev]e illness dur+ 8      
second ye> ( m$ic9e 8 "m1 says 8        
biograph]1 pres5t$ him ) a copy ( ,de   
,qu9cey's ,confessions ( an ,opium      
,eat]4  ,x is incr$ible t a helluo      
librorum1 l ,?ompson1 %\ld h rea*$ ! age
 ( tw5ty )\t ev] hav+ read a book :i* is
 "o ( ! fir/ to attract e bright        
s*ool-boy4  ,?is w\ld be p>ticul>ly true
 ( a s*ool-boy :o liv$ ne> ,man*e/]1 ,de
 ,qu9cey's own t[n4 ,b ! evid5ce seems  

to be aga9/ probabilities4  ,?ompson    
succumb$ completely to ! influ5ce ( !   
great g5ius ^: temp] & circum/ances (   
life 7 s+ul>ly l 8 own4  ,exp]im5ts 9   
laudanum 7 made & habits contract$ :i*  
acc5tuat$ a natural unfitness to wre/le 
) ! practical problems ( gett+ on &     
r5d]$ family int]c\rse dre>i] ?an ev]4  
,9 #ahhe1 :5 he 0 tw5ty-six ye>s old1   
,francis decid$ to leave home4  ,aft] a 
week 9 ,man*e/] he reque/$ & receiv$ f 8
 fa!r ! price ( a railway ticket =      
,london4  ,! trip to ! va/ & /range city
 mu/ h be5 made ) only ! vague/ ( plans 
= ! future4  ,! despair+ y\? seem$ to h 
no o!r purpose ?an to rid 8 fa!r ( 8    
vexati\s pres5ce4  ,!re 7 fri5ds 9      
,london1 on "o ( :om ,francis 0 direct$ 
to call = a weekly all[ance f home4  ,b 
a temp]am5tal reluctance kept ! "y man  
away f ^? :o c\ld help him1 & ev5 !     
weekly all[ance aft] a :ile came to be  
unclaim$4  ,! r\gh1 cyclonic =ces ( !   
huge city caught ?is helpless *ild ( a  
man's ye>s 9 ! full sw+ ( _! bl9d sweep 

& play$ sad tricks ) him4  ,9 a p]iod   
ext5d+ ov] ne>ly ?ree ye>s ,francis     
,?ompson l$ ! life ( a vagrant 9 !      
/reets & alleys4  ,he made "o or two    
brave essays at regul> "w ( ! mo/       
commonplace "*1 b )\t success4 ,! worn  
copies ( ,aes*ylus & ,blake 9 ! pockets 
( ?is ragg$ & gaunt r\/ab\t conta9$ no  
useful h9ts = ! difficulties ( ! peculi>
 situation2 its h>%ness c\ld be         
transmut$ into tempor>y & bless$        
oblivion by a drug :5ev] ! means =      
pur*ase c\ld be acquir$4  ,! ,guildhall 
,libr>y 0 mu* frequ5t$ until %abb9ess 0 
exclud$ by ! policeman4  ,?is outca/    
poet1 approa*+ ?irty ye>s ( age1 0 at   
v>i\s times a bootblack1 a newsboy1 a   
v5dor ( mat*es1 a nocturnal d5iz5 (     
:>ves & l\ng] on ! b5*es ( city-p>ks4   
,8 c\gh-rack$ frame 0 ! expos$ t>get (  
cold & ra9 & w9ds4  ,he became us$ to   
hung]4 ,at "o "t a six-p5ce1 = hold+ a  
horse1 0 8 only e>n+s = a week4  ,x 0   
:ile he 0 aimlessly roam+ ! /reets "o   
night almo/ deliri\s f />vation t a     

prosp]\s %oe-m]*ant1 b5evol5tly engag$ 9
 religi\s rescue-"w1 came across        
,?ompson1 &1 /ruck by ! incongruity ( 8 
g5tle spee*1 induc$ him to accept       
employm5t 9 8 %op4  ,b "o _c all[       
bus9ess to suff] on acc\nt ( an         
invet]ate blund]]1 ev5 ?\gh ! blund]]   
we> w+s & has ende>$ himself to !       
family4  ,mr4 ,mc,master1 k9dly         
,anglican lay-mission>y1 :o des]ves     
grateful remembrance = recogniz+ &      
tempor>ily help+ m]it "u ! mo/ deceptive
 disguise1 0 oblig$ mu* aga9/ 8         
incl9ation to dismiss ,francis & to all[
 him to fall back into ! pit ( squalor &
 vagabondage4  ,b ! few mon?s ( reprieve
 _h suppli$ ,?ompson ) ! impulse to     
write4  ,%ortly aft] he 0 dropp$ f !    
,mc,master e/abli%m5t ,mr4 ,wilfrid     
,meynell1 ! editor ( ,m]ry ,engl&1 a    
,ca?olic magaz9e1 receiv$ ! foll[+      
lett]3 ,feb4 #bcrd1 '#hg--;,de>         
,sir1--,9 enclos+ ! accompany+ article =
 y\r inspection1 ,i mu/ ask p>don = !   
soil$ /ate ( ! manuscript4  ,x is due1 n

 to slov5l9ess1 b to ! /range places &  
circum/ances "u :i* x has be5 writt54   
,= me1 no less ?an ,p>olles1 ! dirty    
nurse exp]i5ce has some?+ f\l$4  ,i     
enclose /amp$ envelope = a reply1 s9ce  
,i d n desire ! return ( ! manuscript1  
reg>d+ y\r judgm5t ( its wor?lessness z 
q f9al4  ,i c h>dly expect t :]e my     
prose fails my v]se w succe$4           
,nev]!less1 on ! pr9ciple ( ',yet w ,i  
try ! la/1' ,i h add$ a few specim5s (  
x1 ) ! (f *ance t "o may be less poor   
?an ! re/4 ,apologiz+ v s9c]ely = any   
intrusion on y\r valuable "t1 ,i rema9  
y\rs ) little hope1  ,francis ,?ompson4 
,k9dly address y\r rejection to ! ,*>+  
,cross ,po/ ,(fice4   ,illu/ration3     
,nak$ ,i wait ,?y love's uplift$ /roke6 
44444 smitt5 me to my knee2   ,i am     
def5celess utt]ly   ,page #ee   ,!      
unpromis+ aspect ( ! manuscript1 ?us    
introduc$1 0 ! occasion ( editorial     
neglect = "s mon?s4  ,:5 at la/ ,mr4    
,meynell gave x 8 att5tion he 0         
electrifi$ into action4  ,he wrote to ! 

address giv5 by ,?ompson4  ,! lett] 0   
return$ f ! dead-lett] (fice aft] _m    
days4  ,!n he publi%$ "o ( ! poems      
m5tion$ 9 ! lett]1 ,! ,passion ( ,m>y1 9
 ! hope t ! au?or w\ld disclose 8       
:]eab\ts4  ,! plan succe$$ & br\ght a   
lett] f ,?ompson ) a new address4  ,mr4 
,meynell tri$ to waylay him at ! new    
address1 a *emi/'s %op 9 ,drury ,lane1 b
 ) *>act]i/ic %iftlessness ! poet =got  
to call !re = possible lett]s4  ,b !    
sell] ( drugs f9ally e/abli%$           
communications betwe5 ! editor & ! poet1
 & "o day1 m ?an a ye> aft] ,?ompson's  
fir/ lit]>y v5ture _h be5 s5t1 he visit$
 ! (fice ( ,m]ry ,engl&4  ,mr4 ,ev]>d   
,meynell1 ! poet's biograph]1 ?us       
describes ! entrance ( ! poet into 8    
fa!r's sanctum4  ,my fa!r 0 told t ,mr4 
,?ompson wi%$ to see him4  ',%[ him up1'
 he said1 & 0 left alone4  ,!n ! door   
op5$1 & a /range h& 0 ?ru/ 94  ,! door  
clos$1 b ,?ompson _h n ent]$4  ,aga9 x  
op5$1 aga9 x %ut4  ,at ! ?ird attempt a 
waif ( a man came 94 ,no su* figure _h  

be5 look$ =2 m ragg$ & unkempt ?an !    
av]age begg>1 ) no %irt b5ea? 8 coat &  
b>e feet 9 brok5 %oes1 he f\nd my fa!r  
at a loss = words4  ',y mu/ h _h access 
to _m books :5 y wrote t essay1' 0 :at  
he said4 ',t1' said ,?ompson1 8 %yness  
at once replac$ by an ac]bity t aft]w>ds
 became "o ( ! mo/ famili> ( 8          
nev]-to-be-res5t$ mann]isms1 't is      
precisely :]e ! essay fails4  ,i _h no  
books by me at ! "t save ,aes*ylus &    
,blake4' ,!re 0 little to be done = him 
at t int]view save ! extraction ( a     
promise to call aga94  ,he made none ( !
 confid5ces *>act]i/ic ( a man seek+    
sympa?y & alms4  ,he 0 secretive & ) no 
eag]ness = plans = 8 b5efit1 & refus$ ! 
(f] ( a small weekly sum t w\ld enable  
him to sleep 9 a b$ & sit at a table4   
,by pati5ce & delicately (f]$ k9dnesses 
,mr4 & ,mrs4 ,meynell at l5g? won !     
difficult privilege ( help+ ! %y1 n]v\s1
 high-/rung _s w&]+ 9 pa91 hung] & exile
 amid ! indec5cies ( extreme p5ury 9 a  
great city4  ,!y 7 help$ by ! fri5dly   

sympa?y & c>e ( ,premon/rat5sian &      
,franciscan monks4 ,?ompson _h s\nd$1 & 
become famili> )1 ! dep?s ( social      
degradation 9 all its ext]nal aspects ( 
sordidness4  ,! mo/ extraord9>y "p ( 8  
s+ul> exp]i5ce is t he af=ds a /rik+    
in/ance ( ! triumph ( s\l & m9d ov]     
beleagu]+ circum/ance4  ,! nightm>e ( 8 
environm5t fail$ to subdue him4 ,he     
pres]v$ 8 spiritual s5sitiv5ess1 &      
lit]>y ideals ( a mo/ exalt$ k9d1 ?r\gh 
! mo/ depress+ & demoraliz+ exp]i5ces4  
,! foll[+ passage 9 t fir/ essay (f]$ to
 ,mr4 ,meynell1 entitl$ ,paganism3 ,old 
& ,new1 a v9dication ( ,*ri/ian ov]     
pagan ideals 9 art1 %[s ! ri*1 colorful 
tone ( m9d ( "o :o c\ld walk un/a9$     
among ! _w's impurities4  ,br+ back !n1 
,i say1 9 conclusion1 ev5 ! be/ age (   
,paganism1 & y smite beauty on ! *eek4  
,b y _c br+ back ! be/ age ( ,paganism1 
! age :5 ,paganism 0 a fai?4  ,none w   
aga9 behold ,apollo 9 ! =efront ( !     
morn+1 or see ,aphrodite 9 ! upp] air   
loose ! long lu/re ( h] gold5 locks4  ,b

 y may br+ back--dii av]tant om5--!     
,paganism ( ! days ( ,pl9y1 & ,/atius1 &
 ,juv5al2 ( mu* philosophy1 & little    
belief2 ( sup]b villas & sup]b ta/e2 (  
banquets = ! palate 9 ! %ape ( cook]y1 &
 banquets = ! eye 9 ! %ape ( art2 (     
poetry s++ dead songs on dead !mes ) !  
mo/ poli%$ & arti/ic vocalisation2 (    
ev]y?+ mo/ poli%$1 f ! mann]s to ! m>ble
 floors2 ( vice c>efully dra9$ out (    
sight1 & l>ge f\nta9s ( virtue spr++ 9 !
 op5 air2--9 "o ^w1 a mo/ %9+ ,paganism 
inde$--z putresc5ce also %9es4  ,unlike 
,george ,giss+ & s _m o!rs :o _h to wade
 to celebrity ?r\gh sl\ghs ( bitt]      
de/itution1 ,francis ,?ompson felt no   
incl9ation to capitalize 8 exp]t k (    
back /reets & alleys = pr(it & ! morbid 
ent]ta9m5t ( ! curi\s4  ,8 s+le fail+ 9 
yield+ to ! attraction ( an insidi\s    
drug seem$ to be impot5t to affect 8    
high admirations & 8 cle> p]ceptions 9 !
 regions ( honor & religion4            
,illu/ration3    ,yea1 faile? n[ ev5    
dream   ,! dream]  ,page #ee  ,x is     

surely "o ( ! lit]>y glories ( a        
di/+ui%$ family t ,mr4 & ,mrs4 ,meynell 
succe$$ 9 help+ ,?ompson to emancipate  
himself f ! enslavem5t ( a tyrannic     
habit4  ,8 poetic g5ius began to fl[] 9 
! new lib]ty4  ,= ! next t5 ye>s int]e/ 
9 8 poetry & lit]>y fri5ds &            
connections1 few & select1 made 8 life  
comp>atively happy4  ,b he ma9ta9$ a    
l>ge measure ( indep5d5ce to ! la/4  ,t 
he 0 nev] ungrateful to ^? :o befri5d$  
him1 8 poems are ample pro(4  ,b 9      
,london he always _h 8 own lodg+s 9 a   
*eap b respectable qu>t] ( ! city4  ,8  
unpunctual & preoccupi$ mann] sometimes 
creat$ small di/resses = 8 devot$ fri5ds
 to relieve4  ,dur+ ! la/ t5 ye>s ( 8   
life he wrote little poetry4  ,8        
vitality1 nev] vigor\s1 0 ebb+ & unequal
 to ! dem&s ( inspir$ v]se4  ,b dur+ ^! 
ye>s ( decl9e he wrote mu* gold5 prose4 
,he 0 a regul> & highly valu$           
contributor to ! ,academy1 ! ,a!naeum1 !
 ,nation1 & ! ,daily ,*ronicle4  ,"o c  
h>dly fail to be impress$ by ! m]e      

indu/ry ( a writ] ( reput$ slack habits 
( "w4  ,! publi%$ volume ( 8 select$    
essays is lit]>y criticism1 z le>n$ &   
allusive z ,mat!w ,arnold's1 & z nicely 
pois$1 ) ! advantage ( be+ pois$ 9 m    
r>ifi$ heights ?an ,arnold's w+s c\ld   
hope to scale4  ,9 ?is book is 8 classic
 & mo/ wond]ful essay on ,%elley1 writt5
 be=e 8 /r5g? began to flag1 9 :i* prose
 seems to be c>ri$ (f its feet1 z x 71 9
 a v /orm ( poetic impulse4  ,! publi%$ 
essays are n a ti! ( ,?ompson's writ+s =
 ! press4  ,moreov]1 we h a /udy (      
,bless$ ,john de la ,salle1 a little    
volume on ,heal? & ,hol9ess1 & a l>ge   
,life ( ,/4 ,ignatius ,loyola1 none ( !m
 sugge/+ ev5 remotely ! plantigrade     
writ+ ( ! me*anical hack4  ,dur+ ! la/  
ye> ( 8 life1 :5 consumption _h almo/   
completely und]m9$ resi/ance1 8 old     
habit reass]t$ its empire4 ,b x 0 n =   
long1 & c h>dly be said to h ha/5$ !    
end1 :i* came on ,novemb] #ac1 #aijg1 9 
! ,hospital ( ,/4 ,john & ,/4 ,elizabe?4
  ,he 0 buri$ 9 ,/4 ,m>y's ,cemet]y1    

,k5sal ,gre51 & on 8 c(f9 7 roses f     
,george ,m]$i?'s g>d51 ) !              
poet-noveli/'s message3 ,a true poet1 "o
 ( ! small b&4  ,! ,h\nd ( ,heav5 has   
be5 call$ ! greate/ ode 9 ! ,engli%     
language4  ,su* 0 ! contempor>y v]dict (
 "s ( ! mo/ respect$ critics ( ! "t1 & !
 conviction ( its ju/ness deep5s ) !    
pass+ ( ye>s4  ,recall ! writ]s ( great 
odes1 ,milton1 ,dryd51 ,pope1 ,gray1    
,coll9s1 ,wordswor?1 ,keats1 ,%elley1   
,col]idge1--! be/ !y h done w n out/>e !
 ,h\nd ( ,heav54  ,:]e %all we f9d its  
equal = exaltation ( mood t kn[s no     
fatigue f ! fir/ ^w to ! la/8  ,! motion
 ( angelic ho/s mu/ be l ! movem5t ( ?is
 ode1 comb9+ 9 "s m>vell\s & my/]i\s way
 ! swiftness ( lightn+ ) ! /ately       
progress ( a pageant :ite ) ! bl9d+ :ite
 light ( an awful ,pres5ce4  ,! note (  
mod]nness is ! quality :i* is mo/ likely
 to mislead u 9 =eca/+ favorably !      
durability ( contempor>y poetry1 appeal+
 z x does to s _m p]sonal issues        
irrelevant to ! /&>ds ( immortal art4   

,?is is precisely ! note :i* is lea/    
conspicu\s 9 ! ,h\nd ( ,heav54  ,! poem 
might h be5 writt5 9 ! days (           
,%akespe>e1 or1 9 a diff]5t spee*1 by   
,dante or ,cald]on4  ,! ,rev4 ,francis  
,p4 ,le,buffe1 ,s4 ,j41 has writt5 an   
int]e/+ book on ! ,h\nd ( ,heav51 po9t+ 
out ! analogy betwe5 ! poem & ! psalms (
 ,david2 & ano!r ,jesuit1 ! late ,rev4  
,j4 ,f4 ,x4 ,o',connor1 9 a publi%$     
,/udy ( ! poem1 says t 9 x ,francis     
,?ompson seems to s+1 9 v]se1 ! ?\ght ( 
,/4 ,ignatius 9 ! spiritual ex]cises1--!
 ?\ght ( ,/4 ,paul 9 ! t5d]1 insi/5t    
love ( ,*ri/ = ! s\l1 & ! ye>n+ ( ,*ri/ 
= t s\l :i* ev] runs aft] creatures1    
till ! love ( ,*ri/ wak5s 9 x a love (  
its ,god1 :i* dims & dead5s all love (  
creatures except ?r\gh love = ,him4     
,?is 0 ! love ( ,/4 ,paul1 ( ,/4        
,ignatius1 ( ,/4 ,/anislaus1 ( ,/4      
,francis ( ,assi/1 ( ,/4 ,cl>e1 ( ,/4   
,t]esa4  ,illu/ration3    ,! hid        
battlem5ts ( ,et]nity3   ,^? %ak5 mi/s a
 space unsettle1 !n   ,r\nd !           

half-glimps$ turrets sl[ly wa% aga9     
,page #ef  ,! neologisms & ar*aic words 
employ$ 9 ! poem seem to be a legitimate
 & in/9ctive ef=t ( ! poet's inspiration
 to so> above ! limitations ( "t & to   
lib]ate itself f ! transi5t accretions (
 a liv+1 & !re=e con/antly *ang+1 mode (
 spee*4  ,he /rove aft] an enfran*isem5t
 ( utt]ance1 devoid ( /ratify+          
peculi>ities1 assignable to no age or   
epo*1 & und]/ood ( all4  ,a s\l-%ak+    
?\ght1 preval5t ?r\gh\t ,*ri/5dom1 0    
felt imag9atively by a highly end[$     
poet1 &1 l impetu\s volcanic fires t fl+
 heav5w>d mighty fragm5ts & b\ld]s (    
m\nta9 9 _! r$ release1 f\nd magnific5t 
expression 9 elem5tal gr&eurs (         
language1 %ot ?r\gh ) ! wild lights (   
hidd5 flames & transc5d+ all pett9ess ( 
calculat$ artifice & fugitive fa%ion4   
,! dom9at+ idea 9 ! ,h\nd ( ,heav5 is s 
famili>1 s--"o might say--innate1 t x is
 almo/ impud5t to und]take to expla9 x4 
,ev5 9 ! cases ( p]sons to :om ! read+ (
 poetry is an uncultivat$ & difficult   

art1 !re is an in/antane\s leap (       
recognition z ! ?\ght em]ges f ! cl\dy  
glories ( ! poem4 ,/ill1 mod]n popul>   
sy/ems ( philosophy are s dehumaniz+ 9  
_! t5d5cies1 & s productive ( :at may be
 call$ second>y & artificially plant$   
in/9cts1 t x is p]haps n entirely       
useless to attempt to elucidate !       
obvi\s4  ,! heav5s1 says ,hazlitt1 h    
gone f>!r (f & become a/ronomical4  ,!  
home-l conception ( ! univ]se 9 m$iaeval
 times1 :5 dy+ 0 l go+ out ( "o room    
into ano!r1 & man ent]ta9$ a neighborly 
feel+ = ! angels1 has a t5d5cy to       
disappe> z sci5ce unfolds m & m new     
inf9ities ( "t & space1 new inf9ities ( 
worlds & =ms ( life4  ,! curi\s notion  
has crept 91 t man mu/ s9k l[] into     
insignificance ) e new discov]y ( !     
va/ness & huge design ( creation4  ,god 
w\ld seem to h ov]-rea*$ ,himself 9     
disclos+ ,8 p[] & maje/y1 /unn+ &       
ov]:elm+ ! intellect & he>t ) ! cru%+   
weight ( ! evid5ces ( ,8 ,inf9ity4  ,we 
h mod]n ?9k]s reg>d+ ,*ri/ian notions ( 

! ,godhead z impossible to a m9d        
acqua9t$ ) ! p>alyz+ revelations (      
sci5tific k4 ,! late ,john ,fiske us$ to
 d]ide :at he call$ ! an?romorphism ( ! 
,*ri/ian idea ( ,god1 z ( a v5]able1    
:ite-be>d$ man4  ,& ^! philosoph]s deem 
x m rev]5t to d5y any p]sonal           
relation%ip betwe5 ,god & man = ! reason
 t ,god is too great to be int]e/$ 9    
man1 & man too little to be an object ( 
int]e/4  ,be=e indicat+ ! ess5tial error
 ( ?is attitude1 x is necess>y to /ate1 
m]ely = ! sake ( hi/orical accuracy1 t !
 ,*ri/ian conception ( ! ,godhead1 z    
express$ by ,/4 ,?omas ,aqu9as1 ,dante1 
,lessius1 & a ho/ ( ,*ri/ian writ]s1 has
 nev] be5 approa*$ 9 its sublime        
sugge/ions ( ,inf9ite & ,et]nal p[] &   
glory by any mod]n philosoph]4  ,9 !    
second & ?ird ,lectures ( ,c>d9al       
,newman's1 ,scope & ,nature ( ,univ]sity
 ,education1 !re is an outl9e ( !       
,*ri/ian tea*+ ( ! nature ( ,god :i*1 9 
pa9/ak+ accuracy ( ?\ght & %e] gr&eur ( 
conception1 has no c\nt]p>t 9 mod]n     

lit]ature4  ,let u always rememb] t     
telescope & microscope 9 all ! range (  
_! discov]ies h n uncov]$ ! exi/5ce (   
any?+ great] ?an man himself4  ,! mo/   
massive /> ( ! ,milky ,way is n s       
wond]ful z ! smalle/ human *ild4        
,moreov] man's pres5t ent\rage (        
illimitable space & c\ntless circl+ suns
 & planets _c be said to h co/ an       
omnipot5t ,god m tr\ble1 s to speak1 ?an
 a univ]se a million times small]4  ,!  
prodigality ( ! ,creator reveals ,8     
endless res\rces2 if ! vision ( sid]eal 
abysses & flam+ globes intimidates me & 
makes me cynical ab\t my unimportance1  
is x n because ,i h lo/ ! high          
consci\sness ( a spiritual be+ & =gott5 
! unplumb$ *asms :i* sep>ate matt] f    
m9d8  ,illu/ration3    ,:e!r man's he>t 
or life x be :i* yields   ,!e h>ve/1 mu/
 ,?y h>ve/ fields   ,be dung$ ) rott5   
dea?8  ,page #eg  ,9 ,francis ,?ompson's
 ,ca?olic philosophy1 :i* mu/ be        
p>tially und]/ood if ! read] is to get  
at ! he>t ( ! ,h\nd ( ,heav51 ! trem5d\s

 manife/ations ( ,god's attributes ( p[]
 prep>e u to expect equally trem5d\s    
manife/ations ( ,8 attributes ( love4   
,! m prodigal ,god is discov]$ to be 9  
lavi% exp5ditures ( omnipot5ce 9 !      
mat]ial univ]se1 ! m al]t ! s\l becomes 
to look = & to detect ov]:elm+ surprises
 ( ,div9e ,love4  ,h5ce1 to ,?ompson !re
 0 no?+ irrational 9 ! special          
revelation ( ,god to man1 9 ,8          
,inc>nation1 ,8 dea? on ! cross1 & ,8   
sacram5tal life 9 ! ,*ur*4  ,! ,div9e   
en]gy ( ,god's love1 z display$ 9 !     
sup]natural revelation ( ,himself1 seems
 to be ev5 va/] & m int5se ?an ! ,div9e 
en]gy ( creation display$ 9 ! revelation
 ( nature4  ,e new revelation ( ,god's  
p[] & wisdom :i* sci5ce unfolds s]ves   
only to re/ore a balance 9 our m9d      
betwe5 ,god's p[] & ,god's love4  ,! m  
a/ronomical ! heav5s become1 ! clos] !y 
br+ ,god to u4  ,ano!r conception ( ,god
 to be kept 9 m9d1 if we are to grasp ! 
mean+ ( ! ,h\nd ( ,heav51 is ! omnisci5t
 "*1 ! inf9ite p]fection1 ( ,god's k4   

,god sees ea* ( u z fully & completely z
 if !re 7 no "o else & no?+ else to see 
except u4  ,practically speak+1 ,god    
gives ea* "o ( u ,8 undivid$ att5tion4  
,& ?r\gh ?is spaci\s *annel ( ,8 ,div9e 
& exclusive att5tion p\r ! ocean-tides (
 ,8 love4  ,! weak s\l is afraid ( !    
t]rible excess ( ,div9e ,love4  ,x tries
 to elude x2 b ,love meets x at e       
cross-road & by-pa?1 d[n :i* x w\ld run 
& hide itself1 & g5tly turns x back4    
,francis ,?ompson1 9 an int]pretation ( 
,a ,n>r[ ,vessel1 has left u 9 prose a  
description ( human weakness &          
wilfulness reluctant ( its true bliss4  
,! foll[+ passage is an excell5t        
comm5t>y on ! ,h\nd ( ,heav54 ,?\gh     
,god1 he says1 asks ( ! s\l b to love   
,him :at x may1 & is ready to give an   
increas$ love = a poor little1 ! s\l    
feels t ?is inf9ite love dem&s naturally
 its :ole self1 t if x beg9 to love ,god
 x may n /op %ort ( all x has to yield4 
,x is tr\bl$1 ev5 if x did g a brief    
way1 on ! upw>d pa?2 x fe>s & recoils f 

! :ole great surr5d]1 ! con/ant ef=t    
beyond itself :i* is s5sibly laid on x4 
,x falls back ) reliev$ cont5tm5t on "s 
human love1 a love on its own plane1 :]e
 some:at %ort ( total surr5d] may g to  
requital1 :]e no upw>d ef=t is ne$ful4  
,& x ends by giv+ = ! meane/1 ! mo/     
unsuffic+ & half-he>t$ return1 t utt]   
self-surr5d] & self-effacem5t :i* x d5i$
 to ,god4  ,ev5 7h[ r>ely7 if ! return  
be su* z mortal may r5d]1 h[ empty &    
unsatiat$ x leaves ! s\l4  ,"o always is
 less g5]\s to love ?an ! o!r4  ,god    
walks morn+1 noon & eve 9 ! g>d5 ( !    
s\l1 call+ x to a happ9ess :i* affrights
 x4  ,& ! timid & self-seek+ s\l /rives 
to hide itself "u ! />s1 "u ! cl\ds (   
heav51 "u human love1 "u ! di/ractions (
 "w & pleasure & /udy1 (f]s itself z a  
wi/ful s]vitor to *ild & man & nature1  
if !y w b af=d x a refuge f ! p]si/5t & 
g5tle acc5ts ( pursuivant ,love4  ,b all
 ?+s are 9 league ) ,god1 ,:o made &    
rules !m4  ,!y _c conspire aga9/ ,him4  
,!y betray ! refugee4  ,he turns 9      

abject surr5d]1 & is a/oni%$ to f9d !   
re/ & happ9ess t he que/$ = s wildly4   
,! ,div9e ?w>t+s :i* _h h>ass$ ! s\l    
become a t5d] my/]y ( ,inf9ite ,love =c+
 itself ^u an unwor?y & unwill+         
creature4 ,someone has said t e life is 
a romance ( ,div9e ,love4  ,! ,h\nd (   
,heav5 is a v]sion ( t romance :i*      
smites ! s\l into an humble mood (      
ackn[l$gm5t & p5it5ce4  ,,james ,j4     
,,daly1 ,s4 ,j4     ,,( ,,! ,,h\nd ,,(  
,,heav5  ,francis ,?ompson1 born 9      
,pre/on 9 #ahei1 sp5t ! great] "p ( 8   
mature life 9 ,london :]e he di$ 9      
#aijg4  ,he 0 educat$ at ,u%aw ,college 
ne> ,durham1 & aft]w>ds w5t to ,ow5s    
,college1 ,man*e/]1 to qualify z a      
doctor4  ,b 8 gift z prescrib] & heal]  
lay else:]e ?an 9 ! consult+-room4  ,he 
walk$ to ,london 9 se>* ( a liv+1 f9d+1 
inde$1 a prolong$ ne> approa* to dea? 9 
its /reets2 until at l5g? 8 lit]>y p[]s 
7 discov]$ by himself & by o!rs1 & he   
began1 9 8 lat] tw5ties1 an outp\r+ (   
v]se :i* endur$ = a half-decade (       

ye>s--8 ,poems1 8 ,si/] ,songs1 & 8 ,new
 ,poems4  ,! ,h\nd ( ,heav5 m>k$ !      
return ( ! n9ete5? c5tury to ,?omas     
,kempis4  ,! great poetry ( x transc5d$1
 9 itself & 9 its influ5ce1 all         
conv5tions2 s t x won ! love ( a        
,ca?olic ,my/ic l ,cov5try ,patmore2 0  
includ$ by ,dean ,bee*+ 9 8 ,lyra ,sacra
 among its old] high compe]s2 & gave new
 he>t to q ano!r mann] ( man1 ,edw>d    
,burne-,jones4  ,w4 ,m4    ,illu/ration 
,,illu/rations   ,:5 %e lit h] glimm]+  
tap]s 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   ,frontispiece 
,titanic glooms ( *asm$ fe>s  ,across ! 
m>g5t ( ! _w ,i fl$  ,i said to dawn3   
,be sudd5  ,i knew h[ ! cl\ds arise     
,nak$ ,i wait ,?y love's uplift$ /roke6 
,yea1 faile? n[ ev5 dream  ,! hid       
battlem5ts ( ,et]nity  ,:e!r man's he>t 
or life x be :i* yields  ,i fl$ ,him1   
d[n ! labyr9?9e ways  ,le/1 hav+ ,him1  
,i mu/ h naught beside  ,?und]-driv51   
,!y clang$ ,8 *>iot  ,9 h] w9d-wall$    
palace  ,i %ook ! pill>+ h\rs  ,& n[ my 
he>t is z a brok5 f\nt  ,t ,voice is    

r\nd me l a bur/+ sea     ,illu/ration3 
,i fl$ ,him1 d[n ! labyr9?9e ways   ,(  
my own m9d    ,,! ,,h\nd ,,( ,,heav5    
,i fl$ ,him1 d[n ! nights & d[n ! days2 
,i fl$ ,him1 d[n ! ar*es ( ! ye>s2   ,i 
fl$ ,him1 d[n ! labyr9?9e ways     ,( my
 own m9d2 & 9 ! mi/ ( te>s   ,i hid f   
,him1 & "u runn+ laught]4         ,up   
vi/a$ hopes1 ,i sp$2         ,& %ot1    
precipitat$1   ,ad[n ,titanic glooms (  
*asmd fe>s1     ,f ^? /rong ,feet t     
foll[$1 foll[$ aft]4         ,b )       
unhurry+ *ase1         ,& unp]turbd     
pace1       ,delib]ate spe$1 maje/ic    
in/ancy1         ,!y beat--& a ,voice   
beat         ,m in/ant ?an ! ,feet--    
,all ?+s betray !e1 :o betraye/ ,me4    
,illu/ration          ,i plead$1 out    
law-wise1   ,by _m a he>t$ casem5t1     
curta9$ r$1     ,trellis$ ) int]tw9+    
*>ities   7,=1 ?\gh ,i knew ,8 love ,:o 
foll[d1         ,yet 0 ,i sore adread   
,le/1 hav+ ,him1 ,i mu/ h naught        
beside72   ,b1 if "o little casem5t p>t$
 wide1     ,! gu/ ( ,8 approa* w\ld cla%

 x to4     ,fe> wi/ n to evade z ,love  
wi/ to pursue4   ,across ! m>g5t ( ! _w 
,i fl$1     ,& tr\bl$ ! gold gateways ( 
! />s1     ,smit+ = %elt] on _! clangd  
b>s2         ,frett$ to dulcet j>s   ,& 
silv]n *att] ! pale ports o' ! moon4    
,i said to dawn3 ,be sudd52 to eve3 ,be 
soon--     ,) ?y "y skyey blossoms heap 
me ov]         ,f ?is trem5d\s ,lov]6   
,float ?y vague veil ab\t me1 le/ ,he   
see6     ,i tempt$ all ,8 s]vitors1 b to
 f9d   ,my own betrayal 9 _! con/ancy1  
,9 fai? to ,him _! fickl5ess to me1     
,_! traitor\s tru5ess1 & _! loyal       
deceit4   ,to all swift ?+s = swiftness 
did ,i sue2     ,clung to ! :i/l+ mane (
 e w9d4         ,b :e!r !y swept1       
smoo?ly fleet1       ,! long savannahs (
 ! blue2           ,or :e!r1            
,?und]-driv51       ,!y clang$ ,8 *>iot 
'?w>t a heav5   ,pla%y ) fly+ lightn+s  
r\nd ! spurn o' _! feet3--     ,fe> wi/ 
n to evade z ,love wi/ to pursue4       
,/ill ) unhurry+ *ase1           ,&     
unp]turbd pace1   ,delib]ate spe$1      

maje/ic in/ancy1           ,came on !   
foll[+ ,feet1           ,& a ,voice     
above _! beat--   ,naught %elt]s !e1 :o 
wilt n %elt] ,me4   ,illu/ration3       
,?und]-driv51   ,!y clang$ ,8 *>iot     
'?w>t a heav5   ,pla%y ) fly+ lightn+s  
r\nd ! spurn o' _! feet   ,illu/ration  
,i s\ght no m t aft] :i* ,i /ray$       
,9 face ( man or maid2       ,b /ill )9 
! little *ildr5's eyes     ,seems       
some?+1 some?+ t replies1   ,!y at lea/ 
are = me1 surely = me6   ,i turn$ me to 
!m v wi/fully2   ,b j z _! "y eyes grew 
sudd5 fair       ,) dawn+ answ]s !re1   
,_! angel pluck$ !m f me by ! hair4     
,illu/ration3 ,9 h] w9d-wall$ palace    
,come !n1 ye o!r *ildr51                
,nature's--%>e     ,) me 7said ,i7 y\r  
delicate fell[%ip2     ,let me greet y  
lip to lip1     ,let me tw9e ) y        
c>esses1         ,wanton+     ,) our    
,lady-,"m's vagrant tresses1            
,banquet+     ,) h] 9 h] w9d-wall$      
palace1     ,und]nea? h] azur$ das1     
,quaff+1 z y\r ta9tless way is1         

,f a *alice   ,luc5t-weep+ out ( !      
dayspr+4         ,s x 0 done2   ,i 9 _! 
delicate fell[%ip 0 "o--   ,drew ! bolt 
( ,nature's secrecies4         ,i knew  
all ! swift import+s         ,on !      
wilful face ( skies2         ,i knew h[ 
! cl\ds arise1         ,spumd ( ! wild  
sea-snort+s2           ,all t's born or 
dies       ,rose & droop$ )2 made !m    
%ap]s   ,( m9e own moods1 or wailful or 
div9e--         ,) !m joy$ & 0 b]eav54  
,i 0 heavy ) ! ev51     ,:5 %e lit h]   
glimm]+ tap]s       ,r\nd ! day's dead  
sanctities4       ,i laugh$ 9 ! morn+'s 
eyes4   ,i triumph$ & ,i sadd5$ ) all   
wea!r1       ,heav5 & ,i wept toge!r1   
,& its sweet te>s 7 salt ) mortal m9e2  
,aga9/ ! r$ ?rob ( its sunset-he>t      
,i laid my own to beat1           ,& %>e
 comm+l+ heat2   ,b n by t1 by t1 0 eas$
 my human sm>t4   ,9 va9 my te>s 7 wet  
on ,heav5's grey *eek4   ,= ah6 we "k n 
:at ea* o!r says1         ,^! ?+s & ,i2 
9 s\nd ,i speak--   ,_! s\nd is b _!    
/ir1 !y speak by sil5ces4   ,nature1    

poor /epdame1 _c slake by dr\?2         
,let h]1 if %e w\ld owe me1   ,drop yon 
blue bosom-veil ( sky1 & %[ me          
,! brea/s o' h] t5d]ness3   ,nev] did   
any milk ( h]s once bless           ,my 
?ir/+ m\?4         ,nigh & nigh draws ! 
*ase1           ,) unp]turbd pace1      
,delib]ate spe$1 maje/ic in/ancy1       
,& pa/ ^? noisd ,feet           ,a      
,voice comes yet m fleet--         ,lo6 
naught cont5ts !e1 :o cont5t'/ n ,me4   
,illu/ration   ,illu/ration3    ,i %ook 
! pill>+ h\rs   ,& pull$ my life ^u me  
,nak$ ,i wait ,?y love's uplift$ /roke6 
,my h>ness piece by piece ,?\ ha/ hewn f
 me1           ,& smitt5 me to my knee2 
,i am def5celess utt]ly4           ,i   
slept1 me?9ks1 & woke1   ,&1 sl[ly gaz+1
 f9d me /ripp$ 9 sleep4   ,9 ! ra%      
lu/ihead ( my "y p[]s1           ,i %ook
 ! pill>+ h\rs   ,& pull$ my life ^u me2
 grim$ ) sme>s1   ,i /& amid ! du/ o' ! 
m\nd$ ye>s--   ,my mangl$ y\? lies dead 
b5ea? ! heap4   ,my days h crackl$ &    
gone up 9 smoke1   ,h puff$ & bur/ z    

sun-/>ts on a /ream4       ,yea1 faile? 
n[ ev5 dream   ,! dream]1 & ! lute !    
lutani/2   ,ev5 ! l9k$ fantasies1 9 ^:  
blossomy twi/   ,i swung ! e>? a tr9ket 
at my wri/1   ,are yield+2 cords ( all  
too weak acc\nt   ,= e>?1 ) heavy griefs
 s ov]pluss$4         ,ah6 is ,?y love  
inde$   ,a we$1 albeit an am>an?9e we$1 
,suff]+ no fl[]s except its own to m\nt8
           ,ah6 mu/--           ,design]
 inf9ite6--   ,ah6 mu/ ,?\ *> ! wood ere
 ,?\ can/ limn ) x8   ,my fre%ness sp5t 
its wav]+ %[] i' ! du/2   ,& n[ my he>t 
is z a brok5 f\nt1   ,:]e9 te>-dripp+s  
/agnate1 spilt d[n ev]           ,f !   
dank ?\ghts t %iv]   ,^u ! sighful      
bran*es ( my m9d4           ,su* is2 :at
 is to be8   ,! pulp s bitt]1 h[ %all   
ta/e ! r9d8   ,i dimly guess :at ,"t 9  
mi/s conf\nds2   ,yet ev] & anon a      
trumpet s\nds   ,f ! hid battlem5ts (   
,et]nity3   ,^? %ak5 mi/s a space       
unsettle1 !n   ,r\nd ! half-glimpsd     
turrets sl[ly wa% aga92           ,b n  
ere ,him :o summone?           ,i fir/ h

 se51 enw\nd   ,& n[ my he>t is z a     
brok5 f\nt1   ,:]e9 te>-dripp+s /agnate1
 spilt d[n ev]   ,f ! dank ?\ghts t %iv]
   ,) gloom+ robes purpureal1           
cypress-cr[n$2   ,8 "n ,i "k1 & :at 8   
trumpet sai?4   ,:e!r man's he>t or life
 x be :i* yields           ,!e h>ve/1   
mu/ ,?y h>ve/ fields           ,be dung$
 ) rott5 dea?8   ,illu/ration3    ,& n[ 
my he>t is z a brok5 f\nt1   ,:]e9      
te>-dripp+s /agnate1 spilt d[n ev]   ,f 
! dank ?\ghts t %iv]     ,illu/ration   
,n[ ( t long pursuit   ,comes on at h& !
 bruit2   ,t ,voice is r\nd me l a bur/+
 sea3           ,& is ?y e>? s m>r$1    
,%att]$ 9 %>d on %>d8     ,lo1 all ?+s  
fly !e1 = ?\ flie/ ,me6         ,/range1
 pite\s1 futile ?+1   ,:]e=e %\ld any   
set !e love ap>t8   ,see+ none b ,i     
makes mu* ( naught 7,he said71   ,&     
human love ne$s human m]it+3         ,h[
 ha/ ?\ m]it$--   ,( all man's clott$   
clay ! d+ie/ clot8         ,alack1 ?\   
kn[e/ n   ,h[ little wor?y ( any love ?\
 art6   ,:om wilt ?\ f9d to love ignoble

 !e1         ,save ,me1 save only ,me8  
,all :i* ,i took f !e ,i did b take1    
,n = ?y h>ms1   ,b j t ?\ might'/ seek x
 9 ,my arms4         ,all :i* ?y *ild's 
mi/ake   ,fancies z lo/1 ,i h /or$ = !e 
at home3         ,rise1 clasp ,my h&1 & 
come4           ,halts by me t footfall3
           ,is my gloom1 aft] all1      
,%ade ( ,8 h&1 out/ret*$ c>ess+ly8      
,ah1 fonde/1 bl9de/1 weake/1            
,i am ,he ,:om ?\ seeke/6   ,?\ drave/  
love f !e1 :o drave/ ,me4               
,illu/ration3 ,t ,voice is r\nd me l a  
bur/+ sea     ,illu/ration              
,illu/ration3 ,back end pap]s