The Project Gutenberg eBook of Enough rope: poems

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Enough rope: poems

Author: Dorothy Parker

Release date: June 20, 2022 [eBook #68353]

Language: English

Original publication: United States: Boni & Liveright

Credits: Laura Natal Rodrigues (Images generously made available by Hathi Trust Digital Library.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENOUGH ROPE: POEMS ***

ENOUGH ROPE

Poems by

DOROTHY PARKER

NEW YORK

BONI & LIVERIGHT

1926

Copyright, 1926, by

BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

All Rights of Reproduction Reserved

First printing, December, 1926

Second printing, January, 1927

Third printing, February, 1927

Fourth printing, March, 1927

Fifth printing, April, 1927

Sixth printing, May, 1927

Seventh printing, July, 1927

Eighth printing, September, 1927

Ninth printing, October, 1927

Tenth printing, December, 1927

Eleventh printing, February, 1928

Twelfth printing, April, 1928

Thirteenth printing, July, 1928

To

ELINOR WYLIE

The verses in this book were first printed in Life, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The New York World.

CONTENTS

PART ONE

THRENODY

THE SMALL HOURS

THE FALSE FRIENDS

THE TRIFLER

A VERY SHORT SONG

A WELL-WORN STORY

CONVALESCENT

THE DARK GIRL'S RHYME

EPITAPH

LIGHT OF LOVE

WAIL

THE SATIN DRESS

SOMEBODY'S SONG

ANECDOTE

BRAGGART

EPITAPH FOR A DARLING LADY

TO A MUCH TOO UNFORTUNATE LADY

PATHS

HEARTHSIDE

THE NEW LOVE

RAINY NIGHT

FOR A SAD LADY

RECURRENCE

STORY OF MRS. W—

THE DRAMATISTS

AUGUST

THE WHITE LADY

I KNOW I HAVE BEEN HAPPIEST

TESTAMENT

"I SHALL COME BACK"

CONDOLENCE

THE IMMORTALS

A PORTRAIT

PART TWO

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST

CHANT FOR DARK HOURS

UNFORTUNATE COINCIDENCE

VERSE REPORTING LATE ARRIVAL AT A CONCLUSION

INVENTORY

NOW AT LIBERTY

COMMENT

PLEA

PATTERN

DE PROFUNDIS

THEY PART

BALLADE OF A GREAT WEARINESS

RÉSUMÉ

RENUNCIATION

DAY-DREAMS

THE VETERAN

PROPHETIC SOUL

VERSE FOR A CERTAIN DOG

FOLK TUNE

GODSPEED

SONG OF PERFECT PROPRIETY

SOCIAL NOTE

ONE PERFECT ROSE

BALLADE AT THIRTY-FIVE

THE THIN EDGE

SPRING SONG

LOVE SONG

INDIAN SUMMER

PHILOSOPHY

FOR AN UNKNOWN LADY

THE LEAL

FINIS

WORDS OF COMFORT TO BE SCRATCHED ON A MIRROR

MEN

NEWS ITEM

SONG OF ONE OF THE GIRLS

LULLABY

FAUT DE MIEUX

ROUNDEL

A CERTAIN LADY

OBSERVATION

SYMPTOM RECITAL

FIGHTING WORDS

RONDEAU REDOUBLÉ

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

THE CHOICE

BALLADE OF BIG PLANS

GENERAL REVIEW OF THE SEX SITUATION

INSCRIPTION FOR THE CEILING OF A BEDROOM

PICTURES IN THE SMOKE

BIOGRAPHIES

NOCTURNE

INTERVIEW

SONG IN A MINOR KEY

EXPERIENCE

NEITHER BLOODY NOR BOWED

THE BURNED CHILD

PART ONE

Threnody

Lilacs blossom just as sweet

Now my heart is shattered.

If I bowled it down the street,

Who's to say it mattered?

If there's one that rode away

What would I be missing?

Lips that taste of tears, they say,

Are the best for kissing.

Eyes that watch the morning star

Seem a little brighter;

Arms held out to darkness are

Usually whiter.

Shall I bar the strolling guest,

Bind my brow with willow,

When, they say, the empty breast

Is the softer pillow?

That a heart falls tinkling down,

Never think it ceases.

Every likely lad in town

Gathers up the pieces.

If there's one gone whistling by

Would I let it grieve me?

Let him wonder if I lie;

Let him half believe me.

The Small Hours

No more my little song comes back;

And now of nights I lay

My head on down, to watch the black

And wait the unfailing gray.

Oh, sad are winter nights, and slow;

And sad's a song that's dumb;

And sad it is to lie and know

Another dawn will come.

The False Friends

They laid their hands upon my head,

They stroked my cheek and brow;

And time could heal a hurt, they said,

And time could dim a vow.

And they were pitiful and mild

Who whispered to me then,

"The heart that breaks in April, child,

Will mend in May again."

Oh, many a mended heart they knew,

So old they were, and wise.

And little did they have to do

To come to me with lies!

Who flings me silly talk of May

Shall meet a bitter soul;

For June was nearly spent away

Before my heart was whole.

The Trifler

Death's the lover that I'd be taking;

Wild and fickle and fierce is he.

Small's his care if my heart be breaking—

Gay young Death would have none of me.

Hear them clack of my haste to greet him!

No one other my mouth had kissed.

I had dressed me in silk to meet him—

False young Death would not hold the tryst.

Slow's the blood that was quick and stormy,

Smooth and cold is the bridal bed;

I must wait till he whistles for me—

Proud young Death would not turn his head.

I must wait till my breast is wilted,

I must wait till my back is bowed,

I must rock in the corner, jilted,—

Death went galloping down the road.

Gone's my heart with a trifling rover.

Fine he was in the game he played—

Kissed, and promised, and threw me over,

And rode away with a prettier maid.

A Very Short Song

Once when I was young and true,

Someone left me sad—

Broke my brittle heart in two;

And that is very bad.

Love is for unlucky folk,

Love is but a curse.

Once there was a heart I broke;

And that, I think, is worse.

A Well-Worn Story

In April, in April,

My one love came along,

And I ran the slope of my high hill

To follow a thread of song.

His eyes were hard as porphyry

With looking on cruel lands;

His voice went slipping over me

Like terrible silver hands.

Together we trod the secret lane

And walked the muttering town.

I wore my heart like a wet, red stain

On the breast of a velvet gown.

In April, in April,

My love went whistling by,

And I stumbled here to my high hill

Along the way of a lie.

Now what should I do in this place

But sit and count the chimes,

And splash cold water on my face

And spoil a page with rhymes?

Convalescent

How shall I wail, that wasn't meant for weeping?

Love has run and left me, oh, what then?

Dream, then, I must, who never can be sleeping;

What if I should meet Love, once again?

What if I met him, walking on the highway?

Let him see how lightly I should care.

He'd travel his way, I would follow my way;

Hum a little song, and pass him there.

What if at night, beneath a sky of ashes,

He should seek my doorstep, pale with need?

There could he lie, and dry would be my lashes;

Let him stop his noise, and let me read.

Oh, but I'm gay, that's better off without him;

Would he'd come and see me, laughing here.

Lord! Don't I know I'd have my arms about him,

Crying to him, "Oh, come in, my dear!"

The Dark Girl's Rhyme

Who was there had seen us

Wouldn't bid him run?

Heavy lay between us

All our sires had done.

There he was, a-springing

Of a pious race—

Setting hags a-swinging

In a market-place;

Sowing turnips over

Where the poppies lay;

Looking past the clover,

Adding up the hay;

Shouting through the Spring song,

Clumping down the sod;

Toadying, in sing-song,

To a crabbèd god.

There I was, that came of

Folk of mud and flame—

I that had my name of

Them without a name.

Up and down a mountain

Streeled my silly stock;

Passing by a fountain,

Wringing at a rock;

Devil-gotten sinners,

Throwing back their heads;

Fiddling for their dinners,

Kissing for their beds.

Not a one had seen us

Wouldn't help him flee.

Angry ran between us

Blood of him and me.

How shall I be mating

Who have looked above—

Living for a hating,

Dying of a love?

Epitaph

The first time I died, I walked my ways;

I followed the file of limping days.

I held me tall, with my head flung up,

But I dared not look on the new moon's cup.

I dared not look on the sweet young rain,

And between my ribs was a gleaming pain.

The next time I died, they laid me deep.

They spoke worn words to hallow my sleep.

They tossed me petals, they wreathed me fern,

They weighted me down with a marble urn.

And I lie here warm, and I lie here dry,

And watch the worms slip by, slip by.

Light of Love

Joy stayed with me a night—

Young and free and fair—

And in the morning light

He left me there.

Then Sorrow came to stay,

And lay upon my breast;

He walked with me in the day,

And knew me best.

I'll never be a bride,

Nor yet celibate,

So I'm living now with Pride—

A cold bedmate.

He must not hear nor see,

Nor could he forgive

That Sorrow still visits me

Each day I live.

Wail

Love has gone a-rocketing.

That is not the worst;

I could do without the thing,

And not be the first.

Joy has gone the way it came.

That is nothing new;

I could get along the same,—

Many people do.

Dig for me the narrow bed,

Now I am bereft.

All my pretty hates are dead,

And what have I left?

The Satin Dress

Needle, needle, dip and dart,

Thrusting up and down,

Where's the man could ease a heart

Like a satin gown?

See the stitches curve and crawl

Round the cunning seams—

Patterns thin and sweet and small

As a lady's dreams.

Wantons go in bright brocades;

Brides in organdie;

Gingham's for the plighted maid;

Satin's for the free!

Wool's to line a miser's chest;

Crape's to calm the old;

Velvet hides an empty breast;

Satin's for the bold!

Lawn is for a bishop's yoke;

Linen's for a nun;

Satin is for wiser folk—

Would the dress were done!

Satin glows in candle-light—

Satin's for the proud!

They will say who watch at night,

"What a fine shroud!"

Somebody's Song

This is what I vow;

He shall have my heart to keep;

Sweetly will we stir and sleep,

All the years, as now.

Swift the measured sands may run;

Love like this is never done;

He and I are welded one:

This is what I vow.

This is what I pray:

Keep him by me tenderly;

Keep him sweet in pride of me,

Ever and a day;

Keep me from the old distress;

Let me, for our happiness,

Be the one to love the less:

This is what I pray.

This is what I know:

Lovers' oaths are thin as rain;

Love's a harbinger of pain—

Would it were not so!

Ever is my heart a-thirst,

Ever is my love accurst;

He is neither last nor first—

This is what I know.

Anecdote

So silent I when Love was by

He yawned, and turned away;

But Sorrow clings to my apron-strings,

I have so much to say.

Braggart

The days will rally, wreathing

Their crazy tarantelle;

And you must go on breathing,

But I'll be safe in hell.

Like January weather,

The years will bite and smart,

And pull your bones together

To wrap your chattering heart.

The pretty stuff you're made of

Will crack and crease and dry.

The thing you are afraid of

Will look from every eye.

You will go faltering after

The bright, imperious line,

And split your throat on laughter,

And burn your eyes with brine.

You will be frail and musty

With peering, furtive head,

Whilst I am young and lusty

Among the roaring dead.

Epitaph for a Darling Lady

All her hours were yellow sands,

Blown in foolish whorls and tassels;

Slipping warmly through her hands;

Patted into little castles.

Shiny day on shiny day

Tumble in a rainbow clutter,

As she flipped them all away,

Sent them spinning down the gutter.

Leave for her a red young rose,

Go your way, and save your pity;

She is happy, for she knows

That her dust is very pretty.

To a Much Too Unfortunate Lady

He will love you presently

If you be the way you be.

Send your heart a-skittering,

He will stoop, and lift the thing.

Be your dreams as thread, to tease

Into patterns he shall please.

Let him see your passion is

Ever tenderer than his....

Go and bless your star above,

Thus are you, and thus is Love.

He will leave you white with woe,

If you go the way you go.

If your dreams were thread to weave,

He will pluck them from his sleeve.

If your heart had come to rest,

He will flick it from his breast.

Tender though the love he bore,

You had loved a little more....

Lady, go and curse your star,

Thus Love is, and thus you are.

Paths

I shall tread, another year,

Ways I walked with Grief,

Past the dry, ungarnered ear

And the brittle leaf.

I shall stand, a year apart,

Wondering, and shy,

Thinking, "Here she broke her heart;

Here she pled to die."

I shall hear the pheasants call,

And the raucous geese;

Down these ways, another Fall,

I shall walk with Peace.

But the pretty path I trod

Hand-in-hand with Love,—

Underfoot, the nascent sod,

Brave young boughs above,

And the stripes of ribbon grass

By the curling way,—

I shall never dare to pass

To my dying day.

Hearthside

Half across the world from me

Lie the lands I'll never see—

I, whose longing lives and dies

Where a ship has sailed away;

I, that never close my eyes

But to look upon Cathay.

Things I may not know nor tell

Wait, where older waters swell;

Ways that flowered at Sappho's tread,

Winds that sighed in Homer's strings,

Vibrant with the singing dead,

Golden with the dust of wings.

Under deeper skies than mine,

Quiet valleys dip and shine.

Where their tender grasses heal

Ancient scars of trench and tomb

I shall never walk; nor kneel

Where the bones of poets bloom.

If I seek a lovelier part,

Where I travel goes my heart;

Where I stray my thought must go;

With me wanders my desire.

Best to sit and watch the snow,

Turn the lock, and poke the fire.

The New Love

If it shine or if it rain,

Little will I care or know.

Days, like drops upon a pane,

Slip, and join, and go.

At my door's another lad;

Here's his flower in my hair.

If he see me pale and sad,

Will he see me fair?

I sit looking at the floor.

Little will I think or say

If he seek another door;

Even if he stay.

Rainy Night

Ghosts of all my lovely sins,

Who attend too well my pillow,

Gay the wanton rain begins;

Hide the limp and tearful willow,

Turn aside your eyes and ears,

Trail away your robes of sorrow.

You shall have my further years,—

You shall walk with me to-morrow.

I am sister to the rain;

Fey and sudden and unholy,

Petulant at the windowpane,

Quickly lost, remembered slowly.

I have lived with shades, a shade;

I am hung with graveyard flowers.

Let me be to-night arrayed

In the silver of the showers.

Every fragile thing shall rust;

When another April passes

I may be a furry dust,

Sifting through the brittle grasses.

All sweet sins shall be forgot

Who will live to tell their siring?

Hear me now, nor let me rot

Wistful still, and still aspiring.

Ghosts of dear temptations, heed;

I am frail, be you forgiving.

See you not that I have need

To be living with the living?

Sail, to-night, the Styx's breast;

Glide among the dim processions

Of the exquisite unblest.

Spirits of my shared transgressions.

Roam with young Persephone,

Plucking poppies for your slumber...

With the morrow, there shall be

One more wraith among your number.

For a Sad Lady

And let her loves, when she is dead,

Write this above her bones:

"No more she lives to give us bread

Who asked her only stones."

Recurrence

We shall have our little day.

Take my hand and travel still

Round and round the little way,

Up and down the little hill.

It is good to love again;

Scan the renovated skies,

Dip and drive the idling pen,

Sweetly tint the paling lies.

Trace the dripping, piercèd heart,

Speak the fair, insistent verse,

Vow to God, and slip apart,

Little better, little worse.

Would we need not know before

How shall end this prettiness;

One of us must love the more,

One of us shall love the less.

Thus it is, and so it goes;

We shall have our day, my dear.

Where, unwilling, dies the rose

Buds the new, another year.

Story of Mrs. W——

My garden blossoms pink and white,

A place of decorous murmuring

Where I am safe from August night

And cannot feel the knife of spring.

And I may walk the pretty place

Before the curtsying hollyhocks

And laundered daisies, round of face—

Good little girls, in party frocks.

My trees are amiably arrayed

In pattern on the dappled sky,

And I may sit in filtered shade

And watch the tidy years go by.

And I may amble pleasantly

And hear my neighbors list their bones

And click my tongue in sympathy,

And count the cracks in paving stones.

My door is grave in oaken strength,

The cool of linen calms my bed,

And there at night I stretch my length

And envy no one but the dead.

The Dramatists

A string of shiny days we had,

A spotless sky, a yellow sun;

And neither you nor I was sad

When that was through and done.

But when, one day, a boy comes by

And pleads me with your happiest vow,

"There was a lad I knew—" I'll sigh;

"I do not know him now."

And when another girl shall pass

And speak a little name I said,

Then you will say "There was a lass—

I wonder is she dead."

And each of us will sigh, and start

A-talking of a faded year,

And lay a hand above a heart,

And dry a pretty tear.

August

When my eyes are weeds,

And my lips are petals, spinning

Down the wind that has beginning

Where the crumpled beeches start

In a fringe of salty reeds;

When my arms are elder-bushes,

And the rangy lilac pushes

Upward, upward through my heart;

Summer, do your worst!

Light your tinsel moon, and call on

Your performing stars to fall on

Headlong through your paper sky;

Nevermore shall I be cursed

By a flushed and amorous slattern,

With her dusty laces' pattern

Trailing, as she straggles by.

The White Lady

I cannot rest, I cannot rest

In strait and shiny wood,

My woven hands upon my breast—

The dead are all so good!

The earth is cool across their eyes;

They lie there quietly.

But I am neither old nor wise,

They do not welcome me.

Where never I walked alone before

I wander in the weeds;

And people scream and bar the door,

And rattle at their beads.

We cannot rest, we never rest

Within a narrow bed

Who still must love the living best—

Who hate the drowsy dead!

I Know I Have Been Happiest

I know I have been happiest at your side;

But what is done, is done, and all's to be.

And small the good, to linger dolefully,—

Gaily it lived, and gallantly it died.

I will not make you songs of hearts denied,

And you, being man, would have no tears of me,

And should I offer you fidelity,

You'd be, I think, a little terrified.

Yet this the need of woman, this her curse:

To range her little gifts, and give, and give,

Because the throb of giving's sweet to bear.

To you, who never begged me vows or verse,

My gift shall be my absence, while I live;

But after that, my dear, I cannot swear.

Testament

Oh, let it be a night a lyric rain

And singing breezes, when my bell is tolled.

I have so loved the rain that I would hold

Last in my ears its friendly, dim refrain.

I shall lie cool and quiet, who have lain

Fevered, and watched the book of day unfold.

Death will not see me flinch; the heart is bold

That pain has made incapable of pain.

Kinder the busy worms than ever love;

It will be peace to lie there, empty-eyed,

My bed made secret by the leveling showers,

My breast replenishing the weeds above.

And you will say of me, "Then has she died?

Perhaps I should have sent a spray of flowers."

"I Shall Come Back"

I shall come back without fanfaronade

Of wailing wind and graveyard panoply;

But, trembling, slip from cool Eternity—

A mild and most bewildered little shade.

I shall not make sepulchral midnight raid,

But softly come where I had longed to be

In April twilight's unsung melody,

And I, not you, shall be the one afraid.

Strange, that from lovely dreamings of the dead

I shall come back to you, who hurt me most.

You may not feel my hand upon your head,

I'll be so new and inexpert a ghost.

Perhaps you will not know that I am near,—

And that will break my ghostly heart, my dear.

Condolence

They hurried here, as soon as you had died,

Their faces damp with haste and sympathy,

And pressed my hand in theirs, and smoothed my knee,

And clicked their tongues, and watched me, mournful-eyed.

Gently they told me of that Other Side—

How, even then, you waited there for me,

And what ecstatic meeting ours would be.

Moved by the lovely tale, they broke, and cried.

And when I smiled, they told me I was brave,

And they rejoiced that I was comforted,

And left, to tell of all the help they gave.

But I had smiled to think how you, the dead,

So curiously preoccupied and grave,

Would laugh, could you have heard the things they said.

The Immortals

If you should sail for Trebizond, or die,

Or cry another name in your first sleep,

Or see me board a train, and fail to sigh,

Appropriately, I'd clutch my breast and weep.

And you, if I should wander through the door,

Or sin, or seek a nunnery, or save

My lips and give my cheek, would tread the floor

And aptly mention poison and the grave.

Therefore the mooning world is gratified,

Quoting how prettily we sigh and swear;

And you and I, correctly side by side,

Shall live as lovers when our bones are bare;

And though we lie forever enemies,

Shall rank with Abélard and Héloïse.

A Portrait

Because my love is quick to come and go—

A little here, and then a little there—

What use are any words of mine to swear

My heart is stubborn, and my spirit slow

Of weathering the drip and drive of woe?

What is my oath, when you have but to bare

My little, easy loves; and I can dare

Only to shrug, and answer, "They are so"?

You do not know how heavy a heart it is

That hangs about my neck—a clumsy stone

Cut with a birth, a death, a bridal-day.

Each time I love, I find it still my own,

Who take it, now to that lad, now to this,

Seeking to give the wretched thing away.

PART TWO

Portrait of the Artist

Oh, lead me to a quiet cell

Where never footfall rankles,

And bar the window passing well,

And gyve my wrists and ankles.

Oh, wrap my eyes with linen fair,

With hempen cord go bind me,

And, of your mercy, leave me there,

Nor tell them where to find me.

Oh, lock the portal as you go,

And see its bolts be double....

Come back in half an hour or so,

And I will be in trouble.

Chant for Dark Hours

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Book shop.

(Lady, make your mind up, and wait your life away.)

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Crap game.

(He said he'd come at moonrise, and here's another day!)

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Bar-room.

(Wait about, and hang about, and that's the way it goes.)

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Woman.

(Heaven never send me another one of those!)

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Golf course.

(Read a book, and sew a seam, and slumber if you can.)

Some men, some men

Cannot pass a

Haberdasher's.

(All your life you wait around for some damn man!)

Unfortunate Coincidence

By the time you swear you're his,

Shivering and sighing,

And he vows his passion is

Infinite, undying—

Lady, make a note of this:

One of you is lying.

Verse Reporting Late Arrival at a Conclusion

Consider a lady gone reckless in love,

In novels and plays:

You watch her proceed in a drapery of

A roseate haze.

Acclaimed as a riot, a wow, and a scream,

She flies with her beau to les Alpes Maritimes,

And moves in a mist of a mutual dream

The rest of her days.

In life, if you'll listen to one who has been

Observant of such,

A lady in love is more frequently in

Decidedly Dutch.

The thorn, so to say, is revealed by the rose.

The best that she gets is a sock in the nose.

These authors and playwrights, I'm forced to suppose,

Don't get around much.

Inventory

Four be the things I am wiser to know:

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Four be the things I'd been better without:

Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:

Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.

Three be the things I shall have till I die:

Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

Now at Liberty

Little white love, your way you've taken;

Now I am left alone, alone.

Little white love, my heart's forsaken.

(Whom shall I get by telephone?)

Well do I know there's no returning;

Once you go out, it's done, it's done.

All of my days are gray with yearning.

(Nevertheless, a girl needs fun.)

Little white love, perplexed and weary,

Sadly your banner fluttered down.

Sullen the days, and dreary, dreary.

(Which of the boys is still in town?)

Radiant and sure, you came a-flying;

Puzzled, you left on lagging feet.

Slow in my breast, my heart is dying.

(Nevertheless, a girl must eat.)

Little white love, I hailed you gladly;

Now I must wave you out of sight.

Ah, but you used me badly, badly.

(Who'd like to take me out to-night?)

All of the blundering words I've spoken,

Little white love, forgive, forgive.

Once you went out, my heart fell, broken.

(Nevertheless, a girl must live.)

Comment

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

A medley of extemporanea;

And love is a thing that can never go wrong;

And I am Marie of Roumania.

Plea

Secrets, you said, would hold us two apart;

You'd have me know of you your least transgression

And so the intimate places of your heart,

Kneeling, you bared to me, as in confession.

Softly you told of loves that went before,—

Of clinging arms, of kisses gladly given;

Luxuriously clean of heart once more,

You rose up, then, and stood before me, shriven.

When this, my day of happiness, is through,

And love, that bloomed so fair, turns brown and brittle,

There is a thing that I shall ask of you—

I, who have given so much, and asked so little.

Some day, when there's another in my stead;

Again you'll feel the need of absolution,

And you will go to her, and bow your head,

And offer her your past, as contribution.

When with your list of loves you overcome her,

For Heaven's sake, keep this one secret from her!

Pattern

Leave me to my lonely pillow.

Go, and take your silly posies;

Who has vowed to wear the willow

Looks a fool, tricked out in roses.

Who are you, my lad, to ease me?

Leave your pretty words unspoken.

Tinkling echoes little please me,

Now my heart is freshly broken.

Over young are you to guide me,

And your blood is slow and sleeping.

If you must, then sit beside me....

Tell me, why have I been weeping?

De Profundis

Oh, is it, then, Utopian

To hope that I may meet a man

Who'll not relate, in accents suave,

The tales of girls he used to have?

They Part

And if, my friend, you'd have it end,

There's naught to hear or tell.

But need you try to black my eye

In wishing me farewell?

Though I admit an edgèd wit

In woe is warranted.

May I be frank? ... Such words as "——"

Are better left unsaid.

There's rosemary for you and me;

But is it usual, dear.

To hire a man, and fill a van

By way of souvenir?

Ballade of a Great Weariness

There's little to have but the things I had,

There's little to bear but the things I bore.

There's nothing to carry and naught to add,

And glory to Heaven, I paid the score.

There's little to do but I did before,

There's little to learn but the things I know;

And this is the sum of a lasting lore:

Scratch a lover, and find a foe.

And couldn't it be I was young and mad

If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore?

There's many to claw at a heart unclad,

And little the wonder it ripped and tore.

There's one that'll join in their push and roar,

With stories to jabber, and stones to throw;

He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore—

Scratch a lover, and find a foe.

So little I'll offer to you, my lad;

It's little in loving I set my store.

There's many a maid would be flushed and glad,

And better you'll knock at a kindlier door.

I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor—

Forever, forever I'm done with woe—

And happen I'll whistle about my chore,

"Scratch a lover and find a foe."

L'ENVOI:

Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more!

Be off and away with your strut and show.

The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core—

Scratch a lover, and find a foe!

Résumé

Razors pain you;

Rivers are damp;

Acids stain you;

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful;

Nooses give;

Gas smells awful;

You might as well live.

Renunciation

Chloe's hair, no doubt, was brighter;

Lydia's mouth more sweetly sad;

Hebe's arms were rather whiter;

Languorous-lidded Helen had

Eyes more blue than e'er the sky was

Lalage's was subtler stuff;

Still, you used to think that I was

Fair enough.

Now you're casting yearning glances

At the pale Penelope;

Cutting in on Claudia's dances;

Taking Iris out to tea.

Iole you find warm-hearted;

Zoë's cheek is far from rough,—

Don't you think it's time we parted? ...

Fair enough!

Day-Dreams

We'd build a little bungalow,

If you and I were one,

And carefully we'd plan it, so

We'd get the morning sun.

I'd rise each day at rosy dawn

And bustle gaily down;

In evening's cool, you'd spray the lawn

When you came back from town.

A little cook-book I should buy,

Your dishes I'd prepare;

And though they came out black and dry,

I know you wouldn't care.

How valiantly I'd strive to learn,

Assured you'd not complain!

And if my finger I should burn,

You'd kiss away the pain.

I'd buy a little scrubbing-brush

And beautify the floors;

I'd warble gaily as a thrush

About my little chores.

But though I'd cook and sew and scrub,

A higher life I'd find;

I'd join a little women's club

And cultivate my mind.

If you and I were one, my dear,

A model life we'd lead.

We'd travel on, from year to year,

At no increase of speed.

Ah, clear to me the vision of

The things that we should do!

And so I think it best, my love,

To string along as two.

The Veteran

When I was young and bold and strong,

Oh, right was right, and wrong was wrong!

My plume on high, my flag unfurled,

I rode away to right the world.

"Come out, you dogs, and fight!" said I,

And wept there was but once to die.

But I am old; and good and bad

Are woven in a crazy plaid.

I sit and say, "The world is so;

And he is wise who lets it go.

A battle lost, a battle won—

The difference is small, my son."

Inertia rides and riddles me;

The which is called Philosophy.

Prophetic Soul

Because your eyes are slant and slow,

Because your hair is sweet to touch,

My heart is high again; but oh,

I doubt if this will get me much.

Verse for a Certain Dog

Such glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,

Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.

All-innocent are you, and yet all-wise.

(For heaven's sake, stop worrying that shoe!)

You look about, and all you see is fair;

This mighty globe was made for you alone.

Of all the thunderous ages, you're the heir.

(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;

High in young pride you hold your noble head;

Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days.

(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)

Lancelike your courage, gleaming swift and strong,

Yours the white rapture of a wingèd soul,

Yours is a spirit like a May-day song.

(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

"Whatever is, is good," your gracious creed.

You wear your joy of living like a crown.

Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.

(Drop it, I tell you—put that kitten down!)

You are God's kindliest gift of all,—a friend.

Your shining loyalty unflecked by doubt,

You ask but leave to follow to the end.

(Couldn't you wait until I took you out?)

Folk Tune

Other lads, their ways are daring:

Other lads, they're not afraid;

Other lads, they show they're caring;

Other lads—they know a maid.

Wiser Jock than ever you were,

Will's with gayer spirit blest,

Robin's kindlier and truer,—

Why should I love you the best?

Other lads, their eyes are bolder.

Young they are, and strong and slim,

Ned is straight and broad of shoulder,

Donald has a way with him.

David stands a head above you,

Dick's as brave as Lancelot,—

Why, ah why, then, should I love you?

Naturally, I do not.

Godspeed

Oh, seek, my love, your newer way;

I'll not be left in sorrow.

So long as I have yesterday,

Go take your damned to-morrow!

Song of Perfect Propriety

Oh, I should like to ride the seas,

A roaring buccaneer;

A cutlass banging at my knees,

A dirk behind my ear.

And when my captives' chains would clank

I'd howl with glee and drink,

And then fling out the quivering plank

And watch the beggars sink.

I'd like to straddle gory decks,

And dig in laden sands,

And know the feel of throbbing necks

Between my knotted hands.

Oh, I should like to strut and curse

Among my blackguard crew ...

But I am writing little verse,

As little ladies do.

Oh, I should like to dance and laugh

And pose and preen and sway,

And rip the hearts of men in half,

And toss the bits away.

I'd like to view the reeling years

Through unastonished eyes,

And dip my finger-tips in tears,

And give my smiles for sighs.

I'd stroll beyond the ancient bounds,

And tap at fastened gates,

And hear the prettiest of sounds,—

The clink of shattered fates.

My slaves I'd like to bind with thongs

That cut and burn and chill....

But I am writing little songs,

As little ladies will.

Social Note

Lady, lady, should you meet

One whose ways are all discreet,

One who murmurs that his wife

Is the lodestar of his life,

One who keeps assuring you

That he never was untrue,

Never loved another one ...

Lady, lady, better run!

One Perfect Rose

A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet—

One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;

"My fragile leaves," it said, "his heart enclose."

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it's always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.

Ballade at Thirty-five

This, no song of an ingénue,

This, no ballad of innocence;

This, the rhyme of a lady who

Followed ever her natural bents.

This, a solo of sapience,

This, a chantey of sophistry,

This, the sum of experiments,—

I loved them until they loved me.

Decked in garments of sable hue,

Daubed with ashes of myriad Lents,

Wearing shower bouquets of rue,

Walk I ever in penitence.

Oft I roam, as my heart repents,

Through God's acre of memory,

Marking stones, in my reverence,

"I loved them until they loved me."

Pictures pass me in long review,—

Marching columns of dead events.

I was tender, and, often, true;

Ever a prey to coincidence.

Always knew I the consequence;

Always saw what the end would be.

We're as Nature has made us—hence

I loved them until they loved me.

L'ENVOI:

Princes, never I'd give offense,

Won't you think of me tenderly?

Here's my strength and my weakness, gents,—

I loved them until they loved me.

The Thin Edge

With you, my heart is quiet here,

And all my thoughts are cool as rain.

I sit and let the shifting year

Go by before the window-pane,

And reach my hand to yours, my dear ...

I wonder what it's like in Spain.

Spring Song

(in the expected manner)

Enter April, laughingly,

Blossoms in her tumbled hair,

High of heart, and fancy-free—

When was maiden half so fair?

Bright her eyes with easy tears,

Wanton-sweet, her smiles for men.

"Winter's gone," she cries, "and here's

Spring again."

When we loved, 'twas April, too;

Madcap April—urged us on.

Just as she did, so did you—

Sighed, and smiled, and then were gone.

How she plied her pretty arts,

How she laughed and sparkled then!

April, make love in our hearts

Spring again!

Love Song

My own dear love, he is strong and bold

And he cares not what comes after.

His words ring sweet as a chime of gold,

And his eyes are lit with laughter.

He is jubilant as a flag unfurled—

Oh, a girl, she'd not forget him.

My own dear love, he is all my world,—

And I wish I'd never met him.

My love, he's mad, and my love, he's fleet,

And a wild young wood-thing bore him!

The ways are fair to his roaming feet,

And the skies are sunlit for him.

As sharply sweet to my heart he seems

As the fragrance of acacia.

My own dear love, he is all my dreams,—

And I wish he were in Asia.

My love runs by like a day in June,

And he makes no friends of sorrows.

He'll tread his galloping rigadoon

In the pathway of the morrows.

He'll live his days where the sunbeams start,

Nor could storm or wind uproot him.

My own dear love, he is all my heart,—

And I wish somebody'd shoot him.

Indian Summer

In youth, it was a way I had

To do my best to please,

And change, with every passing lad,

To suit his theories.

But now I know the things I know,

And do the things I do;

And if you do not like me so,

To hell, my love, with you!

Philosophy

If I should labor through daylight and dark,

Consecrate, valorous, serious, true,

Then on the world I may blazon my mark;

And what if I don't, and what if I do?

For an Unknown Lady

Lady, if you'd slumber sound,

Keep your eyes upon the ground.

If you'd toss and turn at night,

Slip your glances left and right.

Would the mornings find you gay,

Never give your heart away.

Would they find you pale and sad,

Fling it to a whistling lad.

Ah, but when his pleadings burn,

Will you let my words return?

Will you lock your pretty lips,

And deny your finger-tips,

Veil away your tender eyes,

Just because some words were wise?

If he whistles low and clear

When the insistent moon is near

And the secret stars are known,—

Will your heart be still your own

Just because some words were true? ...

Lady, I was told them, too!

The Leal

The friends I made have slipped and strayed,

And who's the one that cares?

A trifling lot and best forgot—

And that's my tale, and theirs.

Then if my friendships break and bend,

There's little need to cry

The while I know that every foe

Is faithful till I die.

Finis

Now it's over, and now it's done;

Why does everything look the same?

Just as bright, the unheeding sun,—

Can't it see that the parting came?

People hurry and work and swear,

Laugh and grumble and die and wed,

Ponder what they will eat and wear,—

Don't they know that our love is dead?

Just as busy, the crowded street;

Cars and wagons go rolling on,

Children chuckle, and lovers meet,—

Don't they know that our love is gone?

No one pauses to pay a tear;

None walks slow, for the love that's through,—

I might mention, my recent dear,

I've reverted to normal, too.

Words of Comfort to be Scratched on a Mirror

Helen of Troy had a wandering glance;

Sappho's restriction was only the sky;

Ninon was ever the chatter of France;

But oh, what a good girl am I!

Men

They hail you as their morning star

Because you are the way you are.

If you return the sentiment,

They'll try to make you different;

And once they have you, safe and sound,

They want to change you all around.

Your moods and ways they put a curse on;

They'd make of you another person.

They cannot let you go your gait;

They influence and educate.

They'd alter all that they admired.

They make me sick, they make me tired.

News Item

Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses.

Song of One of the Girls

Here in my heart I am Helen;

I'm Aspasia and Hero, at least.

I'm Judith, and Jael, and Madame de Staël;

I'm Salomé, moon of the East.

Here in my soul I am Sappho;

Lady Hamilton am I, as well.

In me Récamier vies with Kitty O'Shea,

With Dido, and Eve, and poor Nell.

I'm of the glamorous ladies

At whose beckoning history shook.

But you are a man, and see only my pan,

So I stay at home with a book.

Lullaby

Sleep, pretty lady, the night is enfolding you,

Drift, and so lightly, on crystalline streams.

Wrapped in its perfumes, the darkness is holding you;

Starlight bespangles the way of your dreams.

Chorus the nightingales, wistfully amorous;

Blessedly quiet, the blare of the day.

All the sweet hours may your visions be glamorous,—

Sleep, pretty lady, as long as you may.

Sleep, pretty lady, the night shall be still for you;

Silvered and silent, it watches your rest.

Each little breeze, in its eagerness, will for you

Murmur the melodies ancient and blest.

So in the midnight does happiness capture us;

Morning is dim with another day's tears.

Give yourself sweetly to images rapturous,—

Sleep, pretty lady, a couple of years.

Sleep, pretty lady, the world awaits day with you;

Girlish and golden, the slender young moon.

Grant the fond darkness its mystical way with you,

Morning returns to us ever too soon.

Roses unfold, in their loveliness, all for you;

Blossom the lilies for hope of your glance.

When you're awake, all the men go and fall for you,—

Sleep, pretty lady, and give me a chance.

Faut de Mieux

Travel, trouble, music, art,

A kiss, a frock, a rhyme,—

I never said they feed my heart,

But still they pass my time.

Roundel

She's passing fair; but so demure is she

So quiet is her gown, so smooth her hair,

That few there are who note her and agree

She's passing fair.

Yet when was ever beauty held more rare

Than simple heart and maiden modesty?

What fostered charms with virtue could compare?

Alas, no lover ever stops to see;

The best that she is offered is the air.

Yet—if the passing mark is minus

D—

She's passing fair.

A Certain Lady

Oh, I can smile for you, and tilt my head,

And drink your rushing words with eager lips,

And paint my mouth for you a fragrant red,

And trace your brows with tutored finger-tips.

When you rehearse your list of loves to me,

Oh, I can laugh and marvel, rapturous-eyed.

And you laugh back, nor can you ever see

The thousand little deaths my heart has died.

And you believe, so well I know my part,

That I am gay as morning, light as snow,

And all the straining things within my heart

You'll never know.

Oh, I can laugh and listen, when we meet,

And you bring tales of fresh adventurings,—

Of ladies delicately indiscreet,

Of lingering hands, and gently whispered things.

And you are pleased with me, and strive anew

To sing me sagas of your late delights.

Thus do you want me—marveling, gay, and true,

Nor do you see my staring eyes of nights.

And when, in search of novelty, you stray,

Oh, I can kiss you blithely as you go....

And what goes on, my love, while you're away,

You'll never know.

Observation

If I don't drive around the park,

I'm pretty sure to make my mark.

If I'm in bed each night by ten,

I may get back my looks again,

If I abstain from fun and such,

I'll probably amount to much,

But I shall stay the way I am,

Because I do not give a damn.

Symptom Recital

I do not like my state of mind;

I'm bitter, querulous, unkind.

I hate my legs, I hate my hands,

I do not yearn for lovelier lands.

I dread the dawn's recurrent light;

I hate to go to bed at night.

I snoot at simple, earnest folk.

I cannot take the gentlest joke.

I find no peace in paint or type.

My world is but a lot of tripe.

I'm disillusioned, empty-breasted.

For what I think, I'd be arrested.

I am not sick, I am not well.

My quondam dreams are shot to hell.

My soul is crushed, my spirit sore;

I do not like me any more.

I cavil, quarrel, grumble, grouse.

I ponder on the narrow house.

I shudder at the thought of men....

I'm due to fall in love again.

Fighting Words

Say my love is easy had,

Say I'm bitten raw with pride,

Say I am too often sad,—

Still behold me at your side.

Say I'm neither brave nor young,

Say I woo and coddle care,

Say the devil touched my tongue,—

Still you have my heart to wear.

But say my verses do not scan,

And I get me another man!

Rondeau Redoublé

(and scarcely worth the trouble, at that)

The same to me are sombre days and gay.

Though joyous dawns the rosy morn, and bright,

Because my dearest love is gone away

Within my heart is melancholy night.

My heart beats low in loneliness, despite

That riotous Summer holds the earth in sway.

In cerements my spirit is bedight;

The same to me are sombre days and gay.

Though breezes in the rippling grasses play,

And waves dash high and far in glorious might,

I thrill no longer to the sparkling day,

Though joyous dawns the rosy morn, and bright.

Ungraceful seems to me the swallow's flight;

As well might Heaven's blue be sullen gray;

My soul discerns no beauty in their sight

Because my dearest love is gone away.

Let roses fling afar their crimson spray,

And virgin daisies splash the fields with white,

Let bloom the poppy hotly as it may,

Within my heart is melancholy night.

And this, oh love, my pitiable plight

Whenever from my circling arms you stray;

This little world of mine has lost its light....

I hope to God, my dear, that you can say

The same to me.

Autobiography

Oh, both my shoes are shiny new,

And pristine is my hat;

My dress is 1922....

My life is all like that.

The Choice

He'd have given me rolling lands,

Houses of marble, and billowing farms,

Pearls, to trickle between my hands,

Smoldering rubies, to circle my arms.

You—you'd only a lilting song,

Only a melody, happy and high,

You were sudden and swift and strong,—

ever a thought for another had I.

He'd have given me laces rare,

Dresses that glimmered with frosty sheen,

Shining ribbons to wrap my hair,

Horses to draw me, as fine as a queen.

You—you'd only to whistle low,

Gaily I followed wherever you led.

I took you, and I let him go,—

Somebody ought to examine my head!

Ballade of Big Plans

She loved him. He knew it. And love was a game that two

could play at.—"Julia Cane," p. 280.

Once the orioles sang in chorus,

Once the skies were a cloudless blue.

Spring bore blossoms expressly for us,

Stars lined up to spell "Y-O-U."

All the world wore a golden hue,

Life was a thing to be bold and gay at;

Love was the only game I knew,

And love is a game that two can play at.

Now the heavens are scowling o'er us,

Now the blossoms are pale and few.

Love was a rose with thorns that tore us,

Love was a ship without a crew.

Love is untender, and love is untrue,

Love is a moon for a dog to bay at,

Love is the Lady-That's-Known-as-Lou,

And love is a game that two can play at.

Recollections can only bore us;

Now it's over, and now it's through.

Our day is dead as a dinosaurus.

Other the paths that you pursue.

What is the girl in the case to do?

What is she going to spend her day at?

Fun demands, at a minimum, two—

And love is a game that two can play at.

L'ENVOI:

Prince, I'm packing away the rue.

I'll give them something to shout "Hooray" at.

I've got somebody else in view:

And love is a game that two can play at.

General Review of the Sex Situation

Woman wants monogamy;

Man delights in novelty.

Love is woman's moon and sun;

Man has other forms of fun.

Woman lives but in her lord;

Count to ten, and man is bored.

With this the gist and sum of it,

What earthly good can come of it?

Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom

Daily dawns another day;

I must up, to make my way.

Though I dress and drink and eat,

Move my fingers and my feet,

Learn a little, here and there,

Weep and laugh and sweat and swear,

Hear a song, or watch a stage,

Leave some words upon a page,

Claim a foe, or hail a friend—

Bed awaits me at the end.

Though I go in pride and strength,

I'll come back to bed at length.

Though I walk in blinded woe,

Back to bed I'm bound to go.

High my heart, or bowed my head,

All my days but lead to bed.

Up, and out, and on; and then

Ever back to bed again,

Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall—

I'm a fool to rise at all!

Pictures in the Smoke

Oh, gallant was the first love, and glittering and fine;

The second love was water, in a clear white cup;

The third love was his, and the fourth was mine;

And after that, I always get them all mixed up.

Biographies

1

Now this is the story of Lucy Brown,

A glittering jewel in virtue's crown.

From earliest youth, she aspired to please.

She never fell down and dirtied her knees;

She put all her pennies in savings banks;

She never omitted her "please" and "thanks";

She swallowed her spinach without a squawk;

And patiently listened to Teacher's talk;

She thoughtfully stepped over worms and ants;

And earnestly watered the potted plants;

She didn't dismember expensive toys;

And never would play with the little boys.

And when to young womanhood Lucy came

Her mode of behavior was just the same.

She always was safe in her home at dark;

And never went riding around the park;

She wouldn't put powder upon her nose;

And petticoats sheltered her spotless hose;

She knew how to market and mend and sweep;

By quarter-past ten, she was sound asleep;

In presence of elders, she held her tongue—

The way that they did when the world was young.

And people remarked, in benign accord,

"You'll see that she gathers her just reward."

Observe, their predictions were more than fair.

She married an affluent millionaire

So gallant and handsome and wise and gay,

And rated in Bradstreet at Double A.

And she lived with him happily all her life,

And made him a perfectly elegant wife.

2

Now Marigold Jones, from her babyhood,

Was bad as the model Miss Brown was good.

She stuck out her tongue at her grieving nurse;

She frequently rifled her Grandma's purse;

She banged on the table and broke the plates;

She jeered at the passing inebriates;

And tore all her dresses and ripped her socks;

And shattered the windows with fair-sized rocks;

The words on the fences she'd memorize;

She blackened her dear little brother's eyes;

And cut off her sister's abundant curls;

And never would play with the little girls.

And when she grew up—as is hardly strange—

Her manner of life underwent no change

But faithfully followed her childhood plan.

And once there was talk of a married man!

She sauntered in public in draperies

Affording no secrecy to her knees;

She constantly uttered what was not true;

She flirted and petted, or what have you;

And, tendered advice by her kind Mamma,

Her answer, I shudder to state, was "Blah!"

And people remarked, in sepulchral tones,

"You'll see what becomes of Marigold Jones."

Observe, their predictions were more than fair.

She married an affluent millionaire

So gallant and handsome and wise and gay,

And rated in Bradstreet at Double A.

And she lived with him happily all her life,

And made him a perfectly elegant wife.

Nocturne

Always I knew that it could not last

(Gathering clouds, and the snowflakes flying),

Now it is part of the golden past;

(Darkening skies, and the night-wind sighing)

It is but cowardice to pretend.

Cover with ashes our love's cold crater,—

Always I've known that it had to end

Sooner or later.

Always I knew it would come like this

(Pattering rain, and the grasses springing),

Sweeter to you is a new love's kiss

(Flickering sunshine, and young birds singing).

Gone are the raptures that once we knew,

Now you are finding a new joy greater,—

Well, I'll be doing the same thing, too,

Sooner or later.

Interview

The ladies men admire, I've heard,

Would shudder at a wicked word.

Their candle gives a single light;

They'd rather stay at home at night.

They do not keep awake till three,

Nor read erotic poetry.

They never sanction the impure,

Nor recognize an overture.

They shrink from powders and from paints ...

So far, I've had no complaints.

Song in a Minor Key

There's a place I know where the birds swing low,

And wayward vines go roaming,

Where the lilacs nod, and a marble god

Is pale, in scented gloaming.

And at sunset there comes a lady fair

Whose eyes are deep with yearning.

By an old, old gate does the lady wait

Her own true love's returning.

But the days go by, and the lilacs die,

And trembling birds seek cover;

Yet the lady stands, with her long white hands

Held out to greet her lover.

And it's there she'll stay till the shadowy day

A monument they grave her.

She will always wait by the same old gate,—

The gate her true love gave her.

Experience

Some men break your heart in two,

Some men fawn and flatter,

Some men never look at you;

And that cleans up the matter.

Neither Bloody Nor Bowed

They say of me, and so they should,

It's doubtful if I come to good.

I see acquaintances and friends

Accumulating dividends,

And making enviable names

In science, art, and parlor games.

But I, despite expert advice,

Keep doing things I think are nice,

And though to good I never come—

Inseparable my nose and thumb!

The Burned Child

Love has had his way with me.

This my heart is torn and maimed

Since he took his play with me.

Cruel well the bow-boy aimed,

Shot, and saw the feathered shaft

Dripping bright and bitter red.

He that shrugged his wings and laughed—

Better had he left me dead.

Sweet, why do you plead me, then,

Who have bled so sore of that?

Could I bear it once again? ...

Drop a hat, dear, drop a hat!

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENOUGH ROPE: POEMS ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™

Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

ENOUGH ROPE

Poems by

DOROTHY PARKER

BONI & LIVERIGHT

CONTENTS

PART ONE

Threnody

The Small Hours

The False Friends

The Trifler

A Very Short Song

A Well-Worn Story

Convalescent

The Dark Girl's Rhyme

Epitaph

Light of Love

Wail

The Satin Dress

Somebody's Song

Anecdote

Braggart

Epitaph for a Darling Lady

To a Much Too Unfortunate Lady

Paths

Hearthside

The New Love

Rainy Night

For a Sad Lady

Recurrence

Story of Mrs. W——

The Dramatists

August

The White Lady

I Know I Have Been Happiest

Testament

"I Shall Come Back"

Condolence

The Immortals

A Portrait

PART TWO

Portrait of the Artist

Chant for Dark Hours

Unfortunate Coincidence

Verse Reporting Late Arrival at a Conclusion

Inventory

Now at Liberty

Comment

Plea

Pattern

De Profundis

They Part

Ballade of a Great Weariness

Résumé

Renunciation

Day-Dreams

The Veteran

Prophetic Soul

Verse for a Certain Dog

Folk Tune

Godspeed

Song of Perfect Propriety

Social Note

One Perfect Rose

Ballade at Thirty-five

The Thin Edge

Spring Song (in the expected manner)

Love Song

Indian Summer

Philosophy

For an Unknown Lady

The Leal

Finis

Words of Comfort to be Scratched on a Mirror

Men

News Item

Song of One of the Girls

Lullaby

Faut de Mieux

Roundel

A Certain Lady

Observation

Symptom Recital

Fighting Words

Rondeau Redoublé (and scarcely worth the trouble, at that)

Autobiography

The Choice

Ballade of Big Plans

General Review of the Sex Situation

Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom

Pictures in the Smoke

Biographies

Nocturne

Interview

Song in a Minor Key

Experience

Neither Bloody Nor Bowed

The Burned Child

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE