Стихи и эссе

Or would I not have failed had I believed in Grace?'

16. The Hero

Не parried every question that they hurled:
'What did the Emperor tell you?' 'Not to push'
'What is the greatest wonder of the world?'
'The bare man Nothing in the Beggar's Bush.'

Some muttered, 'He is cagey for effect.
A hero owes a duty to his fame.
He looks too like a grocer for respect.'
Soon they slipped back into his Christian name.

The only difference that could be seen
From those who'd never risked their lives at all
Was his delight in details and routine.

For he was always glad to mow the grass,
Pour liquids from large bottles into small,
Or look at clouds through bits of colored glass.

17. Adventure

Others had swerved off to the left before,
But only under protest from outside,
Embittered robbers outlawed by the Law,
Lepers in terror of the terrified.

Now no one else accused these of a crime;
They did not look ill: old friends, overcome,
Stared as they rolled away from talk and time
Like marbles out into the blank and dumb.

The crowd clung all the closer to convention
Sunshine and horses, for the sane know why
The even numbers should ignore the odd:

The Nameless is what no free people mention;
Successful men know better than to try
To see the face of their Absconded God.

18. The Adventurers

Spinning upon their central thirst like tops,
They went the Negative Way toward the Dry;
Be empty caves beneath an empty sky
They emptied out their memories like a slop

Which made a foul marsh as they dried to death,
Where monsters bred who forced them to forget
The lovelies their consent avoided; yet
Still praising the Absurd with their last breath.

They seeded out into their miracles:
The images of each grotesque temptation
Became some painter's happiest inspiration;

And barren wives and burning virgins came
To drink the pure cold water of their wells,
And wish for beaux and children in their name.

19. The Waters

Poet, oracle and wit
Like unsuccessful anglers by