THE 
 
 MARRIAGE 
 
 OF 
 
 TIM 
 
 
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 Ex Libris 
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 THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 MARRIAGE OF TIME. 
 
 A RHYMED STORY, 
 
 BY 
 
 AMBOFILIUS. 
 
 T I X S L E Y B R O T H E R S, 
 
 CATHERINE S T R E E T, S T R A N D, 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 i88 I. 
 
 [All ■Rights reserz'ed.']
 
 COLSTON AND SON, PlUNTf:KS, EDINBUKGH.
 
 
 P RO E M. 
 
 Walk in, fair Reader, and peruse my 
 
 lines ; 
 Be patient v/hen you light on what's 
 
 amiss, 
 And don't forget, when my poor Muse 
 
 declines 
 
 Facile consilia damtcs aliis. 
 
 1C59SS3
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 When I set out to join this expedition, 
 The age I Hved in had grown slow and prosy ; 
 So fearful slow indeed, I thought a mission 
 To stir up the world and make things rosy 
 Was laudable ; for, of all grave pursuits 
 That folks engage in to fill up their days. 
 There is nothing bears so few and little fruits 
 As each repeating what the other says. 
 
 In truth, Imagination looks like dead. 
 
 George Eliot's gone: where have we nowa head ?
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 For, look ; or listen ; What d'ye see or hear ? 
 Say, what is there to-day or writ or said 
 To cause a man to lauo^h or shed a tear ? 
 The times have changed since Shakespeare 
 
 charmed the age. 
 Where have we now a poet, whose great name 
 Shines forth upon the world's broad stage 
 Like the great William's of surpassing fame ? 
 
 Says one, ' I'll wager I can find his match ; 
 I'll bet, and lay a thousand pennies on.' 
 
 * Done ! ' says another, who is quick to catch 
 Advantage ; ' I know ! you mean Tennyson.' 
 
 ' Bah !' says a third ; ' is that the man you mean ? 
 He has ideas, and they are fine sometimes ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 But they are few and very far between. 
 Yet he's the Laureate of our fruitless times.' 
 
 ' Well, there's Browning : what do you think of 
 him?' 
 
 He is a poetic Wagner, so profound ; 
 So full of poor ideas to the brim, 
 That all who try to find his wit get drown'd. 
 Like the famed German of the Nibelung, 
 He can't or won't be simple ; which is it ? ' 
 Germans must be obscure ; their songs are sung 
 In a loose way, just like their breeches fit. 
 Bob Browning, though, //^5 bones in his longlines ; 
 You seem to see him twist and turn about; 
 And rub and polish, till it all so shines 
 That even he can't tell what it's about. 
 There are the Morrises, who rant and bawl ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 William, of Earthly Paradise, to wit ; 
 Who draws designs for papering your hall, 
 And in between makes rhymes that do not fit. 
 We've had of late some poems through nine 
 
 editions. 
 Which some one said were pleasing to the ladies ; 
 'Tis nothing but rdchatiffd inspirations. 
 Which he prenomens ' Epic of Hades.' 
 In poetry one surely ought to try 
 For some new theme ; to be so weak as 
 Always on Greek or Roman to rely, 
 Makes the poor reader feel he must reply, 
 O imitatores, servum pccus ! 
 
 Young Algernon deserves a place, of course ! 
 The name of Swinburne's something by itself. 
 His Pegasus is fleet, but rather coarse ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Some of his lines are better on the shelf. 
 Perhaps his sunrise songs should be perused 
 Before sunrise, when one is better able 
 To comprehend the sense. For when one's 
 
 snoozed, 
 One's clearer than fresh from the supper table. 
 Across the ' Straits ' they have a poet, 'tis true, 
 A Frenchman to the pith of his backbone — 
 There's no denying he's a genius too ; 
 Like a great pyramid he stands alone, 
 A very Jupiter in power. He flies 
 Across the realms of Fancy plucking flowers 
 Of language, whose rich perfume never dies ; 
 But for all time sheds fragrance in full showers. 
 To poets, we may say, wherever you go, 
 You will find the poems of Victor Hugo. 
 The greatest of Republics owns a son
 
 The Marriage of Tmie. 
 
 Whose songs will fill the world when he's long 
 
 dead ; 
 Of all those millions he's the only one 
 They have produced with a poetic head. 
 
 To go from poetry to sober prose, 
 
 What find we there to raise man's thoughts 
 
 from earth ? 
 Your daily 'leading articles ?' Heaven knows 
 How deused few of them are twopence worth ! 
 Your Quarterly and Edinburgh Reviews 
 (With articles on subjects worn to thread, 
 And not the smallest particle of news) 
 Are out of date, and long since should be dead. 
 Of magazines the country has enough 
 In all conscience ! What shall we do with more .-* 
 Those that appear are filled with such poor stuff!
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 (The authors think, of course ! it's learned lore) 
 We have curious evening papers, every day, 
 For little money and with much less news. 
 We've journals Liberal and organs Tory ; 
 Each wears its spectacles of red or blue, 
 And colours thus the little daily story 
 Of its politics, which often is not true. 
 The proletariat Echo leads the way ; 
 It's read by those who live in slums and mews. 
 Next, the pink Globe, like a dandy daughter, 
 The oldest of them all, but not the best, 
 Looks as if some tippler's brandy-and-water 
 Had been spilt beyond the tippler's vest. 
 For years we've had a paper called Pall Mall, 
 Whose editor much loved to overthrow 
 Opponents. But, poor man, himself he fell, 
 As cocks do sometimes when they overcrow.
 
 8 The MaTviage of Time. 
 
 He jumped up quickly and soon crow'd again, 
 Adhering pluckily to his old ways. 
 He stabbed his foes regardless of the pain 
 He gave. I doubt if the new stabber pays. 
 Who reads them ? That's the problem I can't 
 
 solve : 
 Chiefly the needy authors, I suppose ; 
 For, he who reads one would, I am sure, resolve 
 He would on no account repeat the dose. 
 
 We have some writers, though, right mighty men ! 
 
 There's Ruskin, who is rather curious-; 
 
 But he's done wonders with his facile pen ; 
 
 Of late his style is rather furious. 
 
 He writes on paintings, though he does not paint. 
 
 And finds effects the painters did not mean ; 
 
 And when you say he's wrong, he says he ain't ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 He'd say it in a minute to the Queen. 
 
 Of weekly organs there is one Spectator, 
 
 Like every orQfan, with its set of tunes. 
 
 He ' grinds ' on Saturday, this arch-dictator, 
 
 On Monday it's all forgot. If he impugns 
 
 The motives of the Saturday Reviler, 
 
 An altercation of six months ensues. 
 
 This, people like ; 'tis hardly, though, the style a 
 
 First-class journal its readers should amuse. 
 
 A so-called social organ's come to life ; 
 
 A worse abomination than the rest ; 
 
 They pry into the secrets of your wife. 
 
 And really are a most infernal pest. 
 
 Fors clavigera is very funny 
 
 Sometimes. He poses for a Solomon. 
 
 The Jewish king had more in him for the money, 
 
 Althouoh our Friend is not a hollow man.
 
 [O The Marriage of Time. 
 
 In science we have some quasi-\^2i^n^^ heads. 
 There's Huxley, who they say stands first, for 
 
 place. 
 He's fond of your plesiosaurlan beds 
 And descants well on every extinct race. 
 
 Then Owen comes with megatherium head ; 
 He won't believe in what he don't find out, 
 Which is not much to make a fuss about. 
 For him and Spenser to be in one bed, 
 When some kind friend had blown the candle out, 
 Would be the grandest fun. They are daggers 
 
 drawn. 
 Owen declares that Spenser is quite wrong 
 To say, when prehistoric man was born, 
 That he'd no legs and could not walk along. 
 Of all this tribe who revel in old bones,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 
 
 And have an Insig-ht into things gone by, 
 The diamond among these precious stones, 
 Is Darwin Charles. His penetrative eye 
 Has seen through more in his good spell of life 
 Than all the rest together have found out. 
 He says man's instinct takes the prettiest wife, 
 And pigs, like men, admire the finest snout. 
 Two idle navvies passing down Cornhill, 
 Saw in a shop Charles Darwin's photograph. 
 
 ' He says we've come from monkeys, I say, 
 
 Bill ; ' 
 ' No wonder ! ' says the other, with a laugh ; 
 ' Of all attempts at perfect human shape 
 That natural selection has turned out, 
 There's nothin' nearer the gorilla ape 
 Than that 'ere pictur ' (followed by a shout).
 
 1 2 The Ma7'riage of Time. 
 
 In painting, well ! we've some good men ; 
 
 but hush ! 
 They are very sensitive about applause ; 
 If you find fault with Millais or his brush, 
 He'll call you names and other things, because, 
 Like Leighton, Watts, and all the big R.A.s, 
 He is used to being;- lauded and adored. 
 He does not think that sometimes the hurrays 
 Come from admirers inwardly much bored. 
 The purity of art is, we much fear, 
 Being damaged by your Whistlers, and that lot ; 
 The age we live in is an age of beer, 
 And painters mostly paint to boil their pot. 
 A meretricious style of painted story 
 Is now de rzgzceztr, and by some admired ; 
 But work like that of Gustav Dor^ 
 Makes judges sigh and feel very tired.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 3 
 
 Another type of man this country owns, 
 
 A pupil of Rossetti, also good. 
 
 His name sounds not like Raffaelle, 'tis Burne 
 
 Jones ; 
 His reputation's high, though, and its stood 
 The test of critics, enemies, and friends. 
 This painter won't run with the common herd ; 
 He 's independent, and his way he wends 
 In silence ; waiting ; saying not a word. 
 
 In other walks where intellect's required, 
 Is the work better done ? for I'm afraid 
 The quality's gone off ; 'tis being hired 
 People think of, and still more of being paid. 
 The real truth of the position is, 
 Your great mobocracy is too well fed ; 
 Genius is work, and work diminishes
 
 1 4 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 When people eat too much and lie in bed. 
 What is it, then, in which this age excels, 
 If art and literature and music have declined ? 
 I think I hear the answer from your ' swells,' 
 Who've breakfasted at twelve and lunched 
 
 and dined. 
 'Tis brewing, babbling, boasting of big bets 
 Wagered with Tories born plutocratic ; 
 Who, with plundered pounds, fawn upon their 
 
 pets, 
 The ' hard-up ' landowners aristocratic. 
 We have a few, 'tis true, good men with heads, 
 Whose jaws, by Jove ! Dame Nature has well 
 
 greased, 
 Poor fellows ! For they're never in their beds 
 Until the cock has crow'd and Parnell's pleased 
 To hold his jaw. Statecraft's our modern art !
 
 The Marriage of Time. 15 
 
 Each shopman knows as much as Beaconsfield 
 About your poHtics, for which one grieves : 
 Your great snob mob can act too well that part, 
 As the great statesman we have named believes. 
 He thinks they're too much power allowed 
 
 to wield. 
 In these great times of travel what d'ye see 
 From morn till night, and all the long night 
 
 through ? 
 The horse of fire and steam speed tremblingly 
 With thousands o'er the iron road, a crew 
 Of Pleasure seekers : That's the modern god ! 
 Verbum sap. ; erat demonstrandum quod. 
 
 'Twas at the period when the iron road 
 Had spanned our earth and brought all nations 
 near,
 
 1 6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 That the Avenger Time was roused. He showed 
 
 To an observant eye, that wear and tear 
 
 On him, as on the rest of living things, 
 
 Had done its work, and half destroyed his wings. 
 
 * Confound my age ! Time always should be 
 
 young,' 
 He said, ' The verdure of the early spring 
 Should not surpass the freshness of Time's wing.' 
 
 With this reflection he turned round and sung, 
 To cheer himself, a favouritei^ancient song, 
 Which he had, many a thousand years ago, 
 Heard angels singing as they marched along. 
 He thought he saw them marching row and row 
 In legions, white and golden, reaching far 
 Into the heavens, each shining like a star.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 His memory brought him back the harmony 
 Of their accorded voices, as it fell 
 In dulcet strains and rose to fuller swell, 
 With solemn march of measured minstrelsy. 
 'Twas passing strange, he thought, that he 
 
 should feel 
 As mortals do, when their three score and ten 
 Of years have made them shrivelled, shrunken 
 
 men ; 
 ' For Time is surely something much more real,' 
 Said he, ' than just a mortal's life ; and then, 
 If I'm to mark the time for worlds unborn. 
 And show to cominsr ofenerations here, 
 That I am none the worse for being worn, 
 I am bound,' he said, ' to keep each little sphere 
 In her orbit ; for if Gravitation, 
 
 Following Time, relaxed her discipline, 
 
 V,
 
 1 8 The Marriage of Time, 
 
 And gave scant heed, what dire devastation 
 Might such poHcy entail. No ! I say ; 
 Old Time, like others, must, if he's to win 
 The good opinion of celestial powers, 
 Perform his duty ; and in such a way 
 That he will mark, not only all the hours, 
 But all the minutes, seconds, and much less 
 Of Time's divisions ; for your natural brains, 
 My earthly sons, have reached a subtleness 
 Through evolution's polish, that measures 
 In astronomy are like weightless grains. 
 Indefinite small, to suit the calculation. 
 The orbs below, as with great Heaven's nation. 
 Where purer virtues are, and greater treasures. 
 Must be in order and exact rotation.' 
 
 Proceeding with his grave soliloquy,
 
 The Marriage of Tivie. 1 9 
 
 Time smoothed his hoary locks and changed 
 
 his face. 
 ' Enough ! ' he said, ' of this cold, lonely life. 
 Enough \ enough ! Proclaimed be my decree 
 To nations, peoples, worlds throughout all space, 
 That Time, like men, must find himself a wife. 
 This life's dull monotone strikes cold on me. 
 From morn till nio^ht and nioht till morn 'tis one 
 Sad lonesome duty ; like the rolling sea 
 That shifts the sand ; when done to be undone. 
 Like restless billows rising but to fall : 
 Such is Time's work ; and that indeed is all.' 
 
 ' Bravo ! Probaium est ! ' in faltering tones 
 Slipt into speech, expressing my delight ; 
 But ere the words had left me, all my bones 
 Ricjht to the pith, were freezing hard with fright.
 
 20 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 * The gods ! what have I done ? ' I said within 
 Me. I'd no pluck to utter more applause — 
 I really wished my body was so thin 
 That, like a beam of light, I could his claws 
 Escape, by slipping through some little crack. 
 So little that he could not pull me back. 
 When dwindling life had got a little warm 
 By waiting till my fright had partly thawed, 
 I turned my head as slowly as a storm 
 Begins, when falling on the parched sward 
 The untethered droplets shed their wings and 
 
 fall, 
 In cooling moisture at the thunder's call. 
 I very gently turned, not drawing breath, 
 Till I the eye of Time could plainly see. 
 With fear I was so very near my death, 
 I muttered Miserere Do7nine.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 1 
 
 I strained to see, as if I looked through haze ; 
 Nothing seemed clear except the fearful fog- 
 That held its sway 'twixt Time and my fixed 
 
 gaze, 
 As objects seem to eyes bedimmed by grog. 
 ' Do speak ! Say something, kill me if you like,* 
 Scarce audibly I cried, to cause some change. 
 I felt I would much rather he should strike 
 My head off, than this way my mind derange. 
 There'snothing under Heav'nlikedead suspense, 
 Particularly in such company. 
 'Twas like a lion's cage, whose reddish fence 
 And teeth-marks tell their tale. Can he 
 Be such a monster ? Surely I think not. 
 He moved ; I shivered — ' Oh ! good, noble sir. 
 It's not my fault ; you make my eyes wink hot,' 
 I said, ' with looking for some sign from you.
 
 2 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Why did you sit so long and never stir ? 
 You should have spoken.' 
 
 ' What you say is true,' 
 Said Time with much deliberation ; ' but 
 I do assure you I was entertained 
 To that degree, my mouth was tightly shut. 
 Never did archer, who at centre aimed. 
 Get his intention home as I have done. 
 I know you well, my friend ; I know you well. 
 Perhaps in you I have found the very one 
 I want. But what you've heard you must not 
 tell.' 
 
 ' I will keep silence, sir, you may depend 
 But I much wish, if I might be so bold, 
 To beg of you to be my trusted friend,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 3 
 
 And tell me where I am — I feel so cold 
 
 In these great halls.' 
 
 ' Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ' 
 Lauehed Time. He said, ' You need not be 
 
 alarmed. 
 I cannot find you here your own papa ; 
 But though he's absent, you will not be 
 
 harmed.' 
 He looked much weather worn ; his flinty pate 
 Sat roucrh and ruc^cred on his shoulders broad. 
 He seemed inclined soon to be intimate, 
 As if I had touched a sympathetic chord. 
 He had two wings, from shoulders to the heels, 
 And a laree knife as emblem of his trade. 
 When he's in bed I wonder how he feels ? 
 I'll ask him soon ; but now I am afraid.
 
 24 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Such wings In bed are awkward; they might 
 
 crack. 
 I wonder what he'd do if he were wed ? 
 He could not anyhow sleep on his back ; 
 Perhaps he'd use them for a feather bed. 
 I saw no men, or I'd have said, * How, sirs. 
 Can 3^ou, good conscience I leave old Time 
 
 like this ? 
 The Avenofer's sittino- here minus trousers ; 
 Supposing /, for instance, were a Miss ! 
 In takin him a wife, that makes a pair, 
 What would she think if she could see him thus ? 
 He must at church wear something more 
 
 than hair, 
 Or the archbishops would make such a fuss.' 
 
 His dwelling-place was beautiful to see ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 25 
 
 It seemed to be of crystal, all in white. 
 The heavens all round were visible to me, 
 All full of stars and suns, a wondrous sight. 
 While gazing- at the many charming things 
 That filled this lofty hall of Time's abode, 
 Doors opened and there came with fluttering 
 
 wings 
 A troop of angels. Each one showed 
 That he or she, I could not tell the gender, 
 Had come express with some important news. 
 One gave a note, — Time said, * Who's the 
 
 sender ? ' 
 ' Please read,' the bearer said, with bows 
 
 profuse. 
 Meantime the angelic host had filled the place, 
 And many more of them could find no room. 
 I had never seen such beauty, and such grace.
 
 26 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Their faultless shapes shone 'neath a golden 
 
 bloom. 
 Some dark, some fair, all were erect and tall ; 
 The sign of perfect health dwelt in each eye ; 
 A matchless concourse in Time's crystal hall. 
 The Avenger looked at one or two ; the sly 
 Old fellow thought, I know, of his decree. 
 Perhaps he'd like to choose one then and there, 
 And cry out nupsus sum pulcherri77ie / 
 Some one I've found my loneliness to share. 
 The note was opened and the meaning read ; 
 The brows of Time went up as he read down. 
 * With pleasure, thank you — I will come,' he 
 
 said ; 
 Upon his forehead crept a little frown. 
 
 Retreating then the angelic host took wing, 
 
 t 
 
 Their faces smxiling like a sun-lit cloud.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 7 
 
 They gently marched, then all with instant -spring 
 Were poised on ether, and commenced aloud 
 To chant again the song which Time had heard 
 Thousands of years, and more perhaps, ago. 
 
 ' Listen,' he said ; ' remember every word ; 
 I love that heavenly song, it soothes me so.' 
 
 * Now, Father Time,' I said, ''tis evident 
 You've had enough of celebatic bliss ; 
 You too like change, and also merriment. 
 You cannot live without the blissful kiss 
 That sets man's blood alight and woman's too.' 
 
 * Ha ! ha ! you dog ! your fancy is well fed.' 
 Quoth he, ' You've hit the nail upon the head ; 
 You read Time's eyes with truth, — I see you do.'
 
 28 The Mari'iage of Time. 
 
 ' You see, good Time, I've had experience ; 
 
 I have a wife and family at home. 
 
 I know love's passion is a wary sense ; 
 
 It froths up quickly into fearful foam.' 
 
 Time stretched his arms and opened wide his 
 
 mouth, 
 And gazed from east to west and north to south. 
 He blew his nose with a terrific snort, 
 No handkerchief could stand such a report. 
 
 ' Before to other matters we proceed, 
 
 Let me inquire,' said Time, ' if you're agreed, 
 
 Who is my worthy friend ? For I must own 
 
 I cannot guess how you came here alone.' 
 
 With this old Time pulled up each shaggy brow, , 
 
 And looked a little anxious to see how 
 
 His visitor would answer this request.
 
 The Marriage of Thne. 29 
 
 He tried meanwhile to look his pleasantest. 
 
 What he requested was no more than fair. 
 
 I looked about, and thought, and rubbed my 
 
 head, 
 Pushing my fingers through my unbrushed hair. 
 I stood up straight, and cleared my throat and 
 
 said, — 
 
 ' 'Tis passing strange, good Time ! I cannot 
 
 say : 
 All I know is, I fell asleep one day, 
 And woke in these great halls, bewildered much. 
 Don't hurt me, please, for I'm a frail thing.' 
 
 Time smiled, as strong men smile, and said, — 
 
 ' If such, 
 My worthy friend, is all you claim. Time's wing
 
 30 The Ma7'7'iage of Time. 
 
 Will shelter you, and he will see no harm 
 Falls on your person ; so composed be. 
 Let not your mortal fears feed on alarm. 
 Here all is peace ; Strife has no lodging here. 
 Order that's Nature's must in order be 
 For all time — so be you of good cheer.' 
 
 ' Much gratitude I feel for your kind words,' 
 I said. ' I've heard you wish that you were wed. 
 Some men and women oft, like whey and curds, 
 Don't mix well, especially when they're in bed.' 
 
 ' Made virhite ; you, my boy, are wed. 
 
 You are no stranger to a double bed,' 
 
 Said Time, high lifting his great hoary head, 
 
 And in his face developing much red ; 
 
 ' But, like most sated sires and blasd dames,
 
 The Alarriage of Time. 3 1 
 
 You think it wise to hold in check love's flames. 
 Senses threadbare, like worn vestments, keep 
 
 r 
 
 Scant heat in our frail frames; which, as they wane, 
 Slip one by one life's links till life's asleep. 
 And like Time's sand has measured its last erain.' 
 
 ' 'Tis true philosophy Time's mind unfolds,' 
 
 I said ; * but wisdom has a feeble growth 
 
 In concerns strictly matrimonial. 
 
 Like steeds unreined, love's fire its rio-ht 
 
 upholds, 
 U nfettered by laws ceremonial, 
 To kindle ardour in the veins of both.' 
 
 ' And you, fair sir, I see, can reason well,' 
 Said Time, — ' Pray let me know your honour's 
 name ;
 
 o 
 
 2 The Marriage of Time, 
 
 For if the number of my suite you swell, 
 I must, indeed, of you this favour claim.' 
 
 ' If that is all the toll I pay, why then, 
 Most certainly, good Time, I'll soon reveal 
 What I have had from birth as coo^nomen. 
 But one condition I must crave. I feel, 
 In joining Time's great suite, from there below 
 I must be hidden and incognito. 
 For think, great Time, how much the differ- 
 ence is 
 Between one mortal and so great a show 
 As your grand presence makes. The sciences, 
 I trow, will be by Heaven and earth forgot 
 While such a monster drama holds the scene. 
 My mother earth will shake. I know not what 
 Will be the consequence when you are seen
 
 The Alarriage of Time. 33 
 
 Joined to a fitting wife by marriage tie. 
 
 N e'er has so grand a sight filled human eye ; 
 
 Great hallelujahs sure will rend the sky.' 
 
 ' j\Iy worthy friend,' said Time, — ' you make 
 me laugh — 
 
 Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha ! You are full of chafi". 
 
 I feel right merry at the thought of this ! 
 Aces on asfes have I wandered on. 
 Through endless space, for countless centuries. 
 I've thought and dreamed about, and pon- 
 dered on 
 The fate that might be mine, if I were joined 
 To some fair partner, who my life would cheer. 
 Why really ! when I think what life might be 
 With its true ring, like sterling money coined, 
 
 It raises me to heights of ecstasy : 
 
 c
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Twould change to heaven my lonely dwelling 
 
 here.' 
 Time stood with outstretched feet and glowing 
 
 face, 
 And said, — ' There is but one of my great race ! 
 'Tis shameful there should be no little Times, 
 I the big bell and they the little chimes. 
 I should enjoy my days and morns and nights, 
 Like mortal men with their own wives and 
 
 sons. 
 My joy would then reach to celestial heights, 
 If I like men were blessed with little ones. 
 O Jupiter ! great Zeus ! rain down on me. 
 Your oldest servant and vour faithful friend, 
 Your mighty favours ; that my destiny 
 May be, in time to come, my path to wend 
 Towards great Creation's altar, where I may
 
 The Marriage oj Thne. 3 5 
 
 Receive my other half in perfect bliss, 
 And fold her to my bosom with a kiss.' 
 
 * A carmen triu7nphale would be sung,' 
 
 I said. ' All Nature would give voice and tune 
 To sv.-ell the sffeat accord ; while heaven was 
 
 hung 
 With blazing suns and many a silver moon.' 
 
 * Fair sir,' said Time, ' if my poor suit succeeds, 
 I'll visit your small globe, and on the range 
 
 Of Pelion's mountains crush the dewy weeds. 
 One foot on Ossa's heights would waken strange 
 Reflections in the minds of those hard by ; 
 They'd stand and lookand rubtheastonished eye. 
 From Alps to Haleakala, on your world, 
 Would be a morning fly. By Jove ! good sir,
 
 36 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 A planet could by my command be hurled 
 And crash its weight against the sister spheres. 
 Your Himalaya to its utmost spur 
 This riofht hand could uoroot. The mountain 
 
 spears 
 That pierce the snow-clad hills of Jura's chain, 
 And lift their lofty points to prick the sky, 
 If Time willed so, could not their place retain ; 
 But, in his iron grasp must lean and fall 
 To feed Destruction, and there scattered lie, 
 Like some great galleon shattered by a squall 
 
 11 ' 
 
 * Your power of speech reminds me of my home, 
 Where we have men of wondrous talking 
 
 powers ; 
 O'er the v/hole range of classic lore some roam 
 And sparkle in their talk like meteor showers.'
 
 The Marriage of Time. 3 7 
 
 * Ah ! Your home,' said Time ; ' that just 
 
 reminds me, 
 I have not yet been favoured with your name.' 
 
 ' True,' I said, *my promise, of course, binds me. 
 
 I will tell, hoping I incur no shame.' 
 
 Now the time comes at last for me to tell ; 
 
 Perhaps he finds me all at once a bore. 
 
 I wonder, when he hears, if he'll propel 
 
 Me from his erand abode, and slam the door. 
 
 I felt uneasy, that I must confess ; 
 
 One does not like to tell one's own affairs 
 
 To perfect strangers ; who can say or guess 
 
 What he may think of doing unawares '^. 
 
 I'm like most others from my faultful world ; 
 
 The record of my deeds is not pure white — 
 
 It can't be helped, the roll must be unfurl'd,
 
 38 TJie Marriage of Time. 
 
 And take its chance, whether half clean or quite. 
 
 * My name, good sir, is Ambofilius ; 
 My father is a minister of state. 
 He's often told me he felt bilious 
 
 When he had to take part in some debate.' 
 
 * You have debates to settle your affairs ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, yes ! Our Parliament means chiefly talk. 
 The greatest talkers get the largest shares 
 Of what is to be had. Their daily walk 
 And daily object and intention, is 
 To get their family and their best friends 
 The warmest corners. Then the pension is 
 Obtained for him who's prodigal and spends.' 
 
 * Does Government,' Time said, ' succeed like 
 
 that ? '
 
 The Mar7'iage of Time. 39 
 
 ' My father manages to live in style, 
 
 He has a very splendid habitat. 
 
 He earns his share, I think, without much guile.' 
 
 ' Who is the greatest talker you possess ? ' 
 
 * His name is Gladstone, of immense renown. 
 When he is talking you should see the press 
 To hear him from all quarters of the town.' 
 
 ' Say, Ambofilius, what is it he says } ' 
 
 ' He talks, sir, by the hour ; the shelves are full 
 Of his political yarns. He'll talk for days, 
 And if you contradict him, like a bull 
 Whose blood has been stirred up with some- 
 thinof red,
 
 40 The Alarriage of Time. 
 
 He'll aim a blow with oratory's horns, 
 
 And never leave you till he thinks you are dead : 
 
 Prick'd to the quick with his mendacious thorns.' 
 
 Time here o^ave evidence of beino^ tired, 
 
 And stretched hisarmsand leijs and looked at me. 
 
 The idea struck me that he now required 
 
 My absence perhaps ; but where was I to flee ? 
 
 I turned and looked about and shov/ed to him 
 
 That my position was anomalous. 
 
 If I had been a female seraphim, 
 
 He would, I think, have been most courteous. 
 
 Then looking at him with an air of dread 
 
 I said, ' I fear that I am in the way ? ' 
 
 ' Oh! no,' he quick replied, and shook his head, 
 'There is room for many more; now tell me, pray,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 4 1 
 
 If you agree to be Time's willing guest ? 
 You have come here by some deep laid design ; 
 You had better make your mind up here to rest, 
 And for the present blend your fate with mine.' 
 
 The orreat man rose and offered me his hand ; 
 Huge portals opened and a blaze of light, 
 Like the mid-day sun on a golden strand 
 Belting some inland sea, a wondrous sight, 
 Deluged the spacious hall with golden rays. 
 I saw no limit to the brilliant show. 
 Rising and falling endless sparkling sprays. 
 Crested ereat waves of fire in ceaseless flow. 
 We passed the threshold of the entrance door, 
 And seemed embarked upon a sea of light. 
 As far as ear could range a gentle roar 
 Of coruscating- cataracts, whose pour
 
 42 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 In fan-like spread of silver molten white, 
 Bathed with a dazzling shine the glowing floor. 
 The view that lay before us had no bounds 
 That mortal eye at least could then define. 
 As we moved on the fringes of faint sounds, 
 Played tenderly upon his ears and mine. 
 I strolled along ; my feet scarce seemed to touch ; 
 The mortal heaviness had lost its sense. 
 I felt the soothing of my nerves was such, 
 That Satisfaction claimed omnipotence. 
 Our course was lined with servitors, who held, 
 Some salvers, others goblets filled with wine ; 
 Some perfumes spread from glowing horns, 
 
 that smelled 
 Like rarest odour from rare columbine. 
 Large pendent vessels from an unseen height 
 Hung motionless, the march of time to mark ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 l" rom which at intervals took silent leave 
 Drops many hued, drops pink and blue and 
 
 white ; 
 While now and then, like those who deeply 
 
 grieve, 
 Was shed one larger drop in colour dark. 
 No word was spoken ; but my silent host, 
 His head deflected now and then, to show 
 What were his wants and what he thought 
 
 were mine. 
 Of all the things I saw, I wondered most 
 At the immense expanse. For row on row, 
 New beauties dawned in never-ending line. 
 Far-reaching hills were fringed with orange 
 
 flame ; 
 High builded temples, made of brilliant stars, 
 Showed on their tipmost top a fiery name ;
 
 44 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 * 
 
 One shone with Winding lustre. It was Mars. 
 Ascending an incHne, we left behind 
 The scene we first had entered from Time's home. 
 The Avenger's palace, with its crystal dome, 
 Stood out in grand relief. One saw defined 
 The crystal pillars and far vaulting spans, 
 Bridging from point to point as each reclined ; 
 Upholding their apportioned loads. No hands 
 Of mortal, but more sure and subtle brains 
 Had shed their power and felt the tiring strains 
 Such efforts must entail. We wandered on ; 
 A heavenly feeling of unmixed repose 
 Took captive all one's sense. Such glories shone, 
 One thought alone of joys and banished woes. 
 The summit reached, a panoramic view 
 Held vision fast, entranced with such a scene. 
 Majestic orbs of every size and hue
 
 The Marriage of Time. 45 
 
 Reflected all in each ; and in between 
 
 An azure vapour, tinted with the beams 
 
 Of one great golden sun, enclosed the whole. 
 
 ' Is this reality, or only dreams ? ' 
 I said, with lifted look. 
 
 * My friend, the roll 
 Of that low thunder that you hear afar,' 
 Said Time, ' is endless. 'Tis a planet's song. 
 Before you is creation ; every star 
 That holds its station, and its place among 
 Created orbs, is nearer now to you. 
 Your litde planet in its orbit turns 
 From century to century. The blue 
 Surrounding ether, as it slowly burns 
 With solar radiance, veils the sister spheres.
 
 46 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And makes them seem more distant than they 
 are.' 
 
 ' These wondrous beauties rouse my mortal 
 fears,' I said. 
 
 Ouoth Time, ' Fear not ! Time rules each star.' 
 
 I see no limit to Time's great domain. 
 If all my dreams of glory were in one, 
 And with imagination's might and main 
 Were added to, till splendour was outdone ; 
 All high conception that my mind has bred 
 Would, I believe, quite fail to picture more 
 Than this entrancincj scene. If I were led. 
 Through some fair angel's choice, to wander o'er 
 Heaven's majesty itself, I scarce believe
 
 The Marriage of Tivie. 47 
 
 My soul could wider spread with the delight 
 Which I now feel. I could from morn till eve, 
 Unrested in my soul or flesh, till night, 
 Here stand a gazing statue never tired. 
 What life must be, good Time, for you in this 
 Great palace, w^ith your fertile mind inspir'd 
 With such surroundings ! Sure 'tis perfect bliss, 
 Though you're alone. There is no time for care, 
 Nor for the thought that there is none to share 
 This glorious paradise.' 
 
 * My worthy friend, 
 I linger on your words ; they warm my heart. 
 Your mind right well, with good aesthetic bend 
 Of apt expression, outlines with sure art 
 The sense I entertain of my home charms. 
 But Time, as I have said, feels cold alone.*
 
 48 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 ' There's something wanting as you fold your 
 
 arms,' 
 I said, 'when evening fades, and then is gone.' 
 
 * 'Tis true ; your words embrace my constant 
 
 thought,' 
 Said Time. ' I'll marry ; I will change m.y life ; 
 Solution of this problem must be sought. 
 The question is, Who is to be my wife ? 
 You've feasted, Ambofilius, both your eyes 
 To such a filling point, that you must be 
 Content to leave the asteroidal skies 
 To their own councils, and, my friend, with me 
 Quit these bright elevated spots, and reach 
 A lower level where we may commune. 
 Before we leave, take sight at yonder beach, 
 There lies Time's vessel in my own lagoon.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 49 
 
 We will take ship and spread the ample sails, 
 And call great Boreas for his northern aid. 
 We'll sail to south, and if the south us fails, 
 We'll navicrate elsewhere ; for Time has said, 
 ' He'll search and find a wife ; it is to be ! 
 I here proclaim that this is my decree ! ' ' 
 
 I took a last, a lingering look around ; 
 My breath welled up within me, as one feels, 
 When out of silence buds and grows a sound. 
 Which spreads its fascinating fingers round 
 The sense of hearing, and quite gently steals 
 Its force from keen desire. I loosed a sieh. 
 And slow and timid, looking upon Time, 
 Let him perceive that I would say good-bye 
 To such a glorious, and, in truth, sublime 
 A place, with fond regret. He looked on me, 
 
 D
 
 50 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And with a slowly ripening smile, said, ' No, 
 We must depart. It is that you may see 
 And share with me the beauty of the show, 
 That I propose the vessel. Let us go.' 
 Time slowly went before and I behind, 
 Through groves of heavenly hues full scented 
 
 sweet, 
 We walk and speak not. Tendrils of a wind, 
 Soft v/ith its perfume freight, the senses greet ; 
 High soaring arches span the shelving way ; 
 Colours of varied tint, well toned to show 
 The changingshades, which mantle night and day, 
 Surround, and warm, and cheer us as we go. 
 At last the measured step with ceaseless tread 
 Devoured the distance, and the numerous crew 
 Of Time's great sailing vessel, which he said 
 Bent in the waters of his azure blue
 
 The Marriage of Time. 5 i 
 
 And still lagoon, were seen with hurrying steps ; 
 Some here, some there, quick moving to and fro. 
 The cordage and the sails in lazy heaps 
 Lay on the deck ; but one man speaking low 
 Gave this and that one order, and by slow 
 Degrees disorder left the ship, and we 
 The dulcet air of Time's domain caress'd ; 
 And saw the crouching sails, that were to be 
 The handmaids of ^olian force when press'd 
 By Boreas in his wakeful mood, blow out. 
 ' She moves, and we are off!' -the seamen shout. 
 The blazing suns, which threv^ their radiant glow 
 O'er Time's domain, now stretched their 
 
 piercing fire. 
 The ship's good prow seemed delving through 
 
 the flow 
 Of molten gold and silver. Reaching higher
 
 52 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Than the utmost range of dazzled vision. 
 Great spires of flame their growing points shot 
 
 out, 
 Circling round the ship with deft precision, 
 To light the captain's course as he steer'd out. 
 The shore of Time's domain grew slowly pale 
 As all the Boreades spent their power 
 In feeding full the hollow of each sail. 
 The sea rose up a crested azure tower 
 Each side the mighty prow as we sailed on ; 
 And far behind, in glowing, glistering show, 
 The sunder'd spray strives hard to fall upon 
 The Mother Sea, its home down there below. 
 Time stood upon the spacious deck and gazed, 
 As one who says farewell to those he knows. 
 His erand old head and both his arms he raised. 
 With that strong energy that one, who goes
 
 The Marriage of Time. 53 
 
 For ever from his home, will manifest. 
 He turned to me, and I could see his lip 
 Was not in his control ; but like tlie rest 
 Of his good nature, quivered like the ship. 
 An impulse stirr'd in me, but I refrained. 
 The soul itself when troubled 's like the sea, 
 Whose stately hue is whitened o'er, and stained 
 By chained emotion, struggling to get free. 
 At length the misty line that marked the shore, 
 A wordless epitaph to vanished joys. 
 Slid into nothing, and was seen no more, 
 Save in Memoria's glass, which nought destroys. 
 The farewell ended, and the sorrow drown'd 
 In thoughts miore cheerful, Time said, ' Now, 
 
 my friend, 
 Good Ambofilius, let us look around ; 
 Let our eyes search the ship from end to end.
 
 54 1^^^ Marriage of Time. 
 
 Call here Oceanus, the captain of the craft, 
 That he may show the working of the gear ; 
 And store our minds with all, from fore to aft, 
 Such details as will serve us while we're here.' 
 Oceanus, with swarthy look, came forth 
 And throuoh the hairs which armour clad his 
 
 face 
 Gave omen of a smile, as does the froth 
 Of teased water tossed to mark the place 
 Where underneath the real meaning lies. 
 
 ' All hail 1 Oceanus. All hail ! good friend ; 
 We mark our exit with auspicious skies.' 
 
 ' 'Tis true/ the captain said. * If Boreas lend 
 
 His stoutest ether wove into a gale, 
 
 We shall the mission of my noble sire achieve,
 
 The Marriage of Ti?ne. 5 5 
 
 Without or thought or danger that we fail 
 Aeain to reach the charmino^ shores we leave.' 
 
 ' My heart is warmed with your brave words,' 
 
 said Time. 
 ' Let Boreas and his satellites blow forth ; 
 For we may have the east or western clime 
 To visit ; needs may be the south or north.' 
 So saying, with his eyes Time beckoned me. 
 Oceanus before us both went down 
 To see that all was order, and that we 
 Were wanting nothing that might bring a 
 
 frown 
 Upon our foreheads, ' This, good sire, for you,' 
 The captain said, while showing Time the way 
 To his appointed quarters, which the crew 
 Had dress'd with trophies ; quite a bright array.
 
 5 6 -ihe Marriage of Time. 
 
 ' Good AmbofiHus, you will please lodge here,' 
 Oceanus with pleasing smile then said. 
 I looked about in case I might feel queer 
 To see in what direction was the bed. 
 He saw me look, and broke into a laugh, 
 As men with sea-brined bowels often do 
 At pale-faced landsmen ; but I took his chaff 
 Good humouredly, by myself laughing too. 
 Our quarters fixed, and other things arranged, 
 Oceanus gave orders here and there, 
 To his purveyors of the food and drink, 
 That they should give due heed to the ship's fare, 
 And see the daily menu duly changed. 
 * For,' said Oceanus, ' I'm proud to think 
 That here, on board, provision 's amply made 
 For every want ; eat, drink, don't be afraid ! ' 
 These comforts looked to and the cabins seen,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 5 7 
 
 The state room next called for a close survey. 
 Oceanus and Time sat down ; between 
 Them so invited I took chair, and they 
 The one and then the other, wished to hear 
 (Encouraged so to speak by being two) 
 Of the affairs of my forsaken sphere. 
 
 * Good friends,' I said, ' 'tis really strange that 
 
 you 
 Should feel an interest in my little earth. 
 To such omniscients there is nothing new ; 
 And what I know, to you is little worth.' 
 The captain slapt his knees and gently grinned. 
 Old Time looked on the floor and then at me. 
 I looked at both and felt the sea and wind 
 Were undermining my stability. 
 Oceanus lit up his pipe and said, —
 
 58 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 * My friend, let's hear about your greatest men. 
 
 I'm very curious.' He scratched his head. 
 
 ' Say how you're ruled ; tell of your laws, and 
 
 then 
 Dilate upon your customs and pursuits ; 
 What your best people eat and drink, and when 
 They gather in their harvests and their fruits.' 
 I must confess I was not very able 
 To tell them what they wished so much to know. 
 The servants now began to lay the table, 
 Which made me feel 'twas nearly time to go. 
 I tasted something strange upon my tongue, 
 And thought, indeed ! if I'm not very quick 
 I shall be late for dinner, for they've rung 
 The second bell, and I feel very sick. 
 I waited and kept waiting, as one does, 
 Pretending that I was in perfect trim.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 59 
 
 Each moment I felt iller from the buzz 
 
 Of filling the tureens up to the brim 
 
 With soup, the smell of which was by itself 
 
 Enough to make me sick when on the land. 
 
 I put one hand upon the nearest shelf 
 
 To help me up, but found I could not stand. 
 
 ' Now, Ambofilius, keep your pecker up,' 
 With cheery tones came from Oceanus. 
 ' I'll wager you will like a wrecker sup, 
 And soon in eating head the three of us.' 
 
 Time felt for me, and said in lower tones, 
 
 ' My good companion looks a little pale ; 
 
 Hold up, my friend ! she rolls, you'll break 
 
 some bones — 
 Here, waiter, fetch the gentlem.an some ale.'
 
 6o The Marriaf^e of Time. 
 
 The servant brought the beer up from the hold, 
 
 And stood to draw the cork between his knees; 
 
 I felt I was much worse and getting cold. 
 
 My stomach gave a very awkward squeeze. 
 
 At length the crisis came and I ran out, 
 
 Or rolled or tumbled, for I don't know which. 
 
 And was attended by some stupid lout, 
 
 Who somehow let me daub myself with pitch. 
 
 With that deliverance over I returned, 
 
 And this time steady walked upon my feet. 
 
 Oceanus laughed loud and said, ' You've earned 
 Indeed your dinner now ; come, let us eat.' 
 Such things for eating as are served at sea 
 First decked the board. Imprisoned oily fish 
 In pungent vinegar were served to me. 
 I looked and smelled and gently passed the dish,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 6 1 
 
 Preferrinof something rather less delicious ; 
 Something hard and dry, a captain's biscuit 
 Suited best, and, being more nutritious, 
 Consoled me for the fish. I would not risk it. 
 Big bottles, brown and green, appeared anon. 
 Oceanus could do his share of that. 
 His Q-lass was filled and its contents were 
 
 gone, 
 Before I'd time to see what he was at. 
 The dinner done, and all the things removed, 
 They called on me to talk of home affairs. 
 Now that my inside was a little soothed, 
 I thought I might avoid going down the stairs 
 To lie down in my berth. So I began : 
 * Good sirs, you do me honour thus to wish 
 That I should things of my own world recount. 
 I assure you 'twill not be a savory dish.'
 
 62 The Marriage of Tiine. 
 
 ' Oh ! never mind,' said Time, ' I know the fount 
 From which your tale will flow is good enough, 
 I've heard my friend describe such things before, 
 So Ambofilius now proceed.' 
 
 A puff 
 Of wind here canted up the floor, 
 Which sent both Time and me in search of that 
 Which most resembles what they call a plane. 
 I vowed I could not without somethinof flat 
 To stand upon, begin. She rolled again. 
 
 ' In my small world, good sirs, we've Parliament 
 In two divisions, peers and common men. 
 The commons every now and then are sent 
 To be exchanged for newer blood, and then 
 If what we call a good majority
 
 The Marriage of Time. 6 
 
 ■^ 
 
 Backs up the Tories and turns out the Whigs, 
 
 The Tory chief claims his priority 
 
 And takes the reins of power with his colleagues.' 
 
 * You have a Oueen, I think ? ' said Time, 
 
 * Oh ! yes,' 
 I said ; ' the best of monarchs, pure and true ; 
 The greatest potentate on earth ; no less 
 Is her position.' 
 
 * Indeed, and then are you,' 
 Said Time, * a people much renowned for work ?' 
 
 ' In some respects my nation takes the lead. 
 We've many nations, German, French, and Turk, 
 Russian, Spanish, Italian, Dane, and Swede;
 
 64 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 We've Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, Pole, 
 Fin, Yankee, Tartar, Irishman, and Greek.' 
 
 ' You've aborigines as black as coal ? ' 
 Oceanus inquiringly remarked. 
 
 ' I'll speak 
 Of them in turn ; you must give me a minute.' 
 
 ' Your nigger,' said Oceanus, * is sleek : 
 To get the body whiter you should skin it.' 
 
 I thought the captain showed unusual cheek. 
 Time gave Oceanus a nudge and said, — 
 
 ' Now, Ambofilius, pray proceed and tell 
 Us how the people of your earth are fed ; 
 The things they eat and drink, etcetera.'
 
 The I\Iarriage of Time. 65 
 
 ♦ Well, 
 I've said we have a Oueen ; she heads the State. 
 The Prince of Wales comes next with his 
 
 Princess ; 
 Princes, Princesses, dukes both small and great, 
 With their inheritances more or less. 
 We've lords and ladies, peers with coronets. 
 Some simple misters who these honours give, 
 And barons by the gross and baronets, 
 Scarce one of whom know^s how the others live. 
 They live in houses and go out to walk, 
 In day-time eat, and in the night they sleep. 
 Much time is wasted in the smallest talk, 
 And those who waste it most the longest weep. 
 Each nation has a town its capital, 
 Where mostly flock the money-making folks ; 
 But thousands live without a rap at all.
 
 66 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And think their cleverness the best of jokes. 
 We've men who, Hke my father, guide the State, 
 And when they're out translate Thucydides. 
 Like other hives we've drones who vegetate, 
 Preferring of all things decided ease.' 
 
 ' Much eating and much work don't coincide,' 
 Oceanus remarked, for he knew well 
 ' The harder worked, the quicker go Inside 
 The worker's meals; so that you' need not 
 tell.' 
 
 ' Oceanus,' said Time, ' should write a book. 
 Philosophy, indeed, is his strong point' 
 Oceanus felt flattered, and his look, 
 Appreciative movement In the joint 
 Of his capacious jaw, displayed.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 67 
 
 * Well, then,' 
 I said, ' we've iron things that run by steam,' 
 Which made Oceanus sit up and stare. 
 ' We've ships that move against the strongest 
 
 stream.' 
 At which Oceanus began to glare. 
 
 * We've guns which at one shot would sink this 
 
 ship 
 And many more besides, if they were there.' 
 Oceanus then bit his under lip, 
 And on their ends commenced to stand his hair. 
 
 * We put one wire all round our little earth, 
 
 And touch a handle when we w^ant to talk. 
 In seconds only words traverse its girth.' 
 
 The astonished captain here got up to walk. 
 
 ' Our people live by millions in the cities ; 
 
 By nature they are homocentricous.
 
 68 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The rich man sometimes him with nothing 
 
 pities, 
 If he himself is very ventricous. 
 And then we've ships, feet thick with iron for war, 
 And a smaller sort which, built for speed, goes 
 (At this the captain dropped his lower jaw) 
 Twenty miles an hour with her torpedoes.' 
 
 * Torpedoes ! ' said Oceanus. ' What's that ? ' 
 
 ' The mightiest thing,' I answered, * for a fight. 
 
 A torpedo no bigger than my hat 
 
 Would sink this ship, if filled with dynamite.' 
 
 Oceanus was very friendly now. 
 
 He came quite close and wondered who I was. 
 
 He made me now and then a gracious bow, 
 
 And said he'd like to know my name, because
 
 The Marriage of Time. 69 
 
 If he should chance some day to steer that way 
 He'd pay a call and see these useful things. 
 
 ' Well, what have you got more ? ' said Time ; 
 
 * come, say, 
 What you have told us keener interest brings.' 
 
 I told Oceanus my name, and said. 
 
 If he should drop his anchor near my shore 
 
 I'd do my best to see that he was fed, 
 
 And that he had enough to drink and more. 
 
 He grinned, and thought that after what he'd 
 
 heard 
 Of things so wonderful in other ways, 
 That he w^ould surely take me at my word, 
 And when he came he'd have some jolly 
 
 days.
 
 70 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 ' We've seasons four on our revolving orb. 
 
 In spring the virtues of the earth are seen 
 
 To mount th' expanding stem, and thus absorb 
 
 The richness of the soil, whose vigorous green 
 
 Foretells abundance for the flocks and herds. 
 
 The second quarter sees great Helios grow 
 
 Less feeble in his rays, as on he girds 
 
 His gathering strength to shed a warmer glow. 
 
 Aurora In her golden summer time 
 
 Bids him good speed each morning as he drives 
 
 His blazing chariot in the year's full prime, 
 
 To ripen all our fruits and cheer our lives. 
 
 His journey travelled o'er the heaven's great arc, 
 
 His steeds with blood-red nostrils tint the west 
 
 With deepening flame, slow yielding to the dark 
 
 Of Erebus, the harbinger of rest. 
 
 The ripened corn and root crops laid in store.
 
 The Mari'iage of Time. 7 1 
 
 Dianus holds his court for shorter hours ; 
 While rising Hesperus, scarce seen before, 
 Unfolds his light, the first of heaven's pale flowers. 
 The leaf now falls and active Nature rests. 
 Bleak winds and frosts hold undisputed sway. 
 Dismantled trees reveal vacated nests, 
 And winter sits enthroned amidst decay.' 
 
 ' You've men of science and ^reat learning too,' 
 Said Time. 
 
 •' Indeed, Vv'e've many,' I replied 
 'From morn till night in search of somethingnew. 
 It makes me think of home,' and then I sighed. 
 
 ' Don't be cast down,' said Time, ' you'll shortly 
 see,
 
 72 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 I hope, some sights that will your thoughts 
 
 engage. 
 Where is the ship, Oceanus ? ' 
 
 ' I'll see,' 
 He said, and rose with visage looking sage. 
 
 ' Let's follow him,' said Time, * and get some air, 
 My limbs are stiff with listening to you talk.' 
 
 A rolling ship and a precipitate stair 
 Made climbing needful, for I could not walk. 
 With some endeavour we were on the deck, 
 And found the sea was high with foaming waves ; 
 Of land I could not see a siagle speck ; 
 The furrowed ocean looked like new - made 
 graves.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 73 
 
 Time turned himself about and changed his face, 
 And seemed more grave and walked about alone. 
 This way and that he much increased his pace, 
 And now and then I thought I heard a groan. 
 Oceanus drew down the corners of his mouth, 
 And lifted up the hair that browed his eyes. 
 
 ' Don't face the wind, but turn yourself to south !' 
 The captain loudly cried as out it flies. 
 
 ' Ah, now I'm better, thank the stars for that ; 
 Your oily fish, Oceanus, was bad.' 
 
 The captain gave his abdomen a pat 
 
 And said, ' Oh no, the best that's to be had.' 
 
 ' Well ! then, your wine was bad, there's some- 
 thing wrong,'
 
 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Said Time. He felt ashamed to be like me. 
 
 I looked away and laughed both loud and long 
 
 At the dethronement of this deity. 
 
 So far Oceanus had not been told 
 
 Of Time's great project. And so now he 
 
 thought 
 He'd better tell before the vessel roll'd 
 Much worse. Perchance, indeed, we mieht 
 
 be caught 
 In some great storm ; who knows what Boreas 
 Might take it in his head some day to do. 
 Perhaps a stronger blow in store he has : 
 Great yEolus himself might say to you : 
 Since gentlemen you've placed your faith in me 
 Without arrangement for my being paid ; 
 I'll still my winds and make the calmest sea, 
 And where are you without -^olian aid 1
 
 The Marriage of Time. 75 
 
 These thoughts sprung up and yielded in 
 
 Time's mind 
 Some other thoughts that made him think it well 
 
 O 
 
 To broach his scheme, that they might better find 
 The heroine of the story he should tell. 
 Recovered from the shock he had received, 
 Time, with apologetic look, came up 
 To where we had amusedly perceived 
 The Avenger taste the mortal's bitter cup. 
 Time seemed to think, with us, that the design 
 Of human bowels was faulty, as regards 
 Their sailing qualities ; that some benign 
 God should haul in the slack superfluous yards. 
 Both Time and I were now in better trim ; 
 Less hot inside and cooler on the skin. 
 He eyed the captain and Oceanus eyed him, 
 As people do when neither can begin.
 
 76 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Time felt more steady and now stood erect. 
 
 Oceanus and I were looking out, 
 
 As people do who are trying to detect 
 
 Small objects on the water, when a shout 
 
 Stung our attention, and on looking round. 
 
 We saw the sailors rushing to the side. 
 
 Out of the water came a foreign sound, 
 
 From an unknown mouth that opened wide. 
 
 A sailor, better furnished than the rest 
 
 Inside his head, pushed through the eager throng 
 
 To shout a welcome to this novel guest. 
 
 A hawser overboard was trailed along 
 
 That he might take a hold and be hauled up. 
 
 Some sails are furled which makes the ship 
 
 sail slow. 
 He nearer comes and now has quite crawled up, 
 'Tis great Poseidon ; all are bowing low.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 77 
 
 Oceanus and Time stepped from the crowd 
 And welcomed the great ruler of the seas. 
 Oceanus knew him well, and said aloud, 
 * A hearty welcome,' and then upon his knees 
 He seized his hand, and plunged it In his beard 
 To seal their friendship with a friendly kiss. 
 He walked back facing him, as if he feared 
 The consequences, should he act amiss. 
 Time stretched his limbs as far as they would 
 
 reach, 
 As cocks and dogs do when a rival's seen ; 
 Like Ajax and Ulysses when they each 
 Descried the other and, with threatening mien 
 And stealthy pose, like panthers mad to eat, 
 Struck deadly blows to gain Achilles' shield 
 Poseidon and old Time did not so meet ; 
 Their contest left a much less bloody field.
 
 78 The Marriage of Tijne. 
 
 Oceanus spread out his brawny arms, 
 
 The ri^ht towards Poseidon, the left towards 
 
 Time, 
 Thus introducing them, with rarest charms 
 Of manner, which he thought were quite 
 
 subhme. 
 Remaining each on his own chosen ground, 
 They both salute, erect and dignified. 
 The sailors open mouthed all stand around, 
 Discovering what each gesture signified. 
 Two gods on one deck is a grand occasion ; 
 So thought Oceanus, who showed that he 
 Would try, with courteous pressure and per- 
 suasion, 
 To keep a while such august company. 
 A speechless period having been consumed, 
 All tried to find out what Poseidon's eye meant ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 79 
 
 We very naturally of course presumed 
 His mission was for something with his trident. 
 So far his Highness had not said a word ; 
 Amphibious creatures have not much to say.' 
 Perhaps under water talking is not heard ; 
 The mouth at least can't open the same way. 
 Time thought Poseidon's visit somewhat strange, 
 And by his forehead showed he was perplexed. 
 He feared this incident might quite derange 
 The plans he had matured, and looked quite 
 
 vexed. 
 At length Poseidon spoke. He said that he 
 Had come to give a warning to the ship. 
 A tempest, bringing much calamity, 
 Had broken loose and soon would quite outstrip 
 The fleetest vessel urged by ^olian might. 
 ' I warn Oceanus and give to him
 
 8o The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Full time/ Poseidon said, ' before the night 
 Can lend still more confusion.' Here his grim, 
 Storm-sculptured countenance looked black and 
 
 drear, 
 And Time a little shrunk his massive form. 
 Oceanus looked round and thought he'd steer 
 For shelter from the fury of the storm. 
 The sailors stood aghast with awe and fear, 
 Feeling, as if in darkness, with their hands. 
 Then all approached until they were quite near 
 And stood around in eager little bands. 
 
 Time now was sorry that he had not told 
 
 Oceanus the object of this cruise. 
 
 If he had known he might have been so bold 
 
 As to communicate that piece of news. 
 
 Time made a hurried step and thought he'd speak
 
 The Marriage of Time, 8 1 
 
 With Poseidon. 'Twas useless to delay. 
 How much is lost that might be gain'd by weak 
 Minds, courageless to speak what they should say. 
 Poseidon eyed the Avenger, and perceived 
 Some care had coiled itself about his brain ; 
 He thought he'd better wait and see relieved 
 This agitation, ere he spoke again. 
 At last Time's hesitation gathered strength 
 Enough to push the doubts from his mind's 
 
 course, 
 And, binding effort's armour on, his length 
 To its full height he strained, and from its source 
 His boldest courao^e roused for this event. 
 As he approached, Oceanus and I 
 Made place for his antaean stride, which lent 
 To his appearance force and dignity. 
 Poseidon's trident with resounding clang
 
 82 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Employed the hollow ship to speak for him, 
 
 As o'er the deck its thundering accent rang, 
 
 And made her shake from keel to topmost rim. 
 
 Arrived at decent distance from the god, 
 
 Whose favour 'twas his object to secure, 
 
 He smiled and gave a friendly nod, 
 
 Which Poseidon returned with mien demure. 
 
 Oceanus gave orders to his men 
 
 That the two deities should not be pressed, 
 
 And they accordingly retired, and then 
 
 Time measuredly Poseidon thus addressed : 
 
 * O great Poseidon ! ruler of the sea ; 
 Creator and controller of the storm ; 
 Grant now your gracious aid to these and me. 
 And let your heart be moved with soft and warm 
 Affection towards the cause I shall disclose.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 83 
 
 The potent voice of warning we have heard 
 Unseats our better sense ; and in us grovv^s 
 Such feehngs of alarm, that I no word 
 Can procreate sufficient to explain 
 The length and breadth and depth of the dismay 
 Which rests its weis:ht on us. Let not disdain 
 Coerce your kindly feelings ; that I pray. 
 Most noble Poseidon, whose boundless realm, 
 Your power and majesty so high enthrones, 
 Let your great genius direct the helm, 
 And steer our fortunes into peaceful zones.' 
 
 Poseidon let his countenance disclose 
 
 That Time had reached and somewhat touched 
 
 his heart. 
 Yet in some lines 'twas seen (by him who knows 
 To read a face) doubt played a part.
 
 84 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Poseidon changed his attitude and said 
 
 * Most noble ! puissant Time ; I must declare, 
 Surprise In me expands at your dread. 
 
 Why, surely ! potent Time commands the air ? 
 One single nod from your all powerful head, 
 I should have thouo^ht. could make the sea 
 
 quite calm ? 
 The foulest weather would give place to fair, 
 If you decreed its forces should disarm.' 
 
 * Poseidon utters truth, I don't deny, 
 Regarding me ; but my first care must be 
 The good protection of this company. 
 'Tis that disturbs me, Poseidon. Just see, 
 
 I pray, that your great chariot wheels be roll'd 
 From your Euboean palace In the sea.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 85 
 
 And let your horses' hoofs and manes of gold 
 Stop this tempestuous calamity.' 
 
 * My horses and my chariot are not here ; 
 I was abroad, alone, when, sighting you,' 
 Poseidon said ; ' and then, I do much fear 
 It is too late to stay my fighting crew. 
 When once embarked, to rouse a stormy sea, 
 These demi-gods will not give in till they 
 Have drunk deep of the storm, and merrily 
 Their ravenous eyes full feasted on their prey.' 
 
 At this, Oceanus sprang up and cried, 
 
 * I'm sure he's going to drown the lot of us !' 
 
 He rushed away, with eyes distended wide, 
 Cursing Poseidon and his 'n-oru/aos.
 
 86 The Marriage of Timt 
 
 Time thought 'twas best for them to go below, 
 And begged Poseidon for his company. 
 He called Oceanus and bade him show 
 The sea king down with fitting courtesy. 
 
 Some days had now run out, and we were far 
 Blown out to ocean by th' untiring wind. 
 The billows surged around, each bending spar 
 Its music in a chorus left behind. 
 The seamen so far had been well composed, 
 Nought fearing and nought caring, for they all, 
 Like sailors who engage themselves, supposed 
 Sometimes the blow would ripen to a squall. 
 But the coming of Poseidon made a change ; 
 For now the anxious men stand mouth to mouth, 
 In hot discussion as they interchange 
 A cataract of words. Some looking south.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 87 
 
 Some north, some west, some east, with 
 
 tortured stare, 
 Pinch up their eyes' hard lids to point the sight, 
 And pierce the distance, and discover where 
 Poseidon's giant storm would take its flight. 
 While this disturbing scene went on above, 
 Time, down below, was using all his art. 
 Assisted by his new felt power of love, 
 To gain a corner in Poseidon's heart. 
 Oceanus was told at once that he 
 Had better go on deck and watch the sea. 
 To Poseidon it was no certainty 
 When it would come, or where it now might be. 
 The state saloon on board Time's worthy craft 
 Held him and Poseidon alone ; and they 
 Were seated talking, just abaft 
 The mizzen-mast, which stepped about mid way
 
 88 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 In the saloon, gave them a rallying point — • 
 
 As posts and pillars do wherever placed. 
 
 The Avenger fidgeted and worked each joint — 
 
 As people do who have no time to waste. 
 
 He used selected words to fit the ear 
 
 And find acceptance with the ocean king. 
 
 As he went on he warmed and came so near, 
 
 That Poseidon was rather wondering 
 
 What ailed his new - made friend, whose 
 
 eagerness 
 Seemed urged along with some strong motive 
 
 force. 
 In fact, he wondered at the meagreness 
 And importunity of his discourse. 
 
 * Now we are alone, Poseidon, let me say, 
 My being here is for a purpose set.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 89 
 
 I'm on a voyage of great discovery, 
 And seriously your aid require. Now let 
 Me for a moment have your friendly ear ; 
 The words I have to say are short and few. 
 Time's precious ; that I know.' 
 
 'And I much fear,' 
 Poseidon interposed, * your stalwart crew 
 Must quickly make their good ship fit to war 
 Against the playful gambols of the seas 
 And travelling winds. So, say on good friend, for 
 We soon must stir and not sit here at ease.' 
 
 ' Good ! Well, my story, long and short Is this : 
 I'm looking for a wife.' 
 
 ' A wife, indeed ! '
 
 90 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Poseidon said, and bulged his body out, 
 
 As male things do when thoughts of union 
 
 breed 
 Desire in them and make its branches sprout. 
 
 • Yes,' Time said, much relieved ; * that is my 
 
 wish, 
 And now, Poseidon, let me have your best 
 Endeavours to restrain this coming gale. 
 To you a storm is play ; but for the rest — ' 
 
 Poseidon turned and cried, ' Take in all sail ! ' 
 
 Oceanus came running down the stairs, 
 And said, ' The air is thick with growing gloom ; 
 The waves are rising and right ill it fares 
 With those who are unprepared.' A boom
 
 The Marriage of Time. 9 1 
 
 Here swinging with the rising wind got loose, 
 And with a thundering crash smashed in the 
 
 poop. 
 Oceanus, unnerved, hurled his abuse 
 To right and left, till one excited group, 
 O'erwrought with mingled work and fear, 
 
 rushed aft. 
 Loud swearing, they would no more work the 
 
 ship. 
 Poseidon heard the oaths, at which he laughed, 
 And told Oceanus to use his whip. 
 The storm came on. Poseidon told the crew 
 'Twas now too late to keep its fury down 
 And bade the captain try to heave her to. 
 The angry water seemed with rage to boil. 
 And spat with vicious energy its foam. 
 Each side and all around with strong recoil
 
 92 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The jealous waters seemed, as from their home, 
 
 To be intent upon the ejectment 
 
 Of this intruder. Poised as for a breath, 
 
 On one still portion of the element 
 
 She hesitates, like some one nearing death. 
 
 But then, as if with gathered strength and 
 
 weight. 
 Accorded to her by the angry sea, 
 She falls a prey in all her length, and straight 
 Into the yawning gulf, which seems to be 
 Designedly prepared, she plunges deep, 
 As if to mock at Fate by such a leap. 
 The friendly air embosomed 'tween her decks. 
 Now plays its part and gives a buoyancy, 
 Which out-manceuvres and completely checks 
 ^olian wrath, which would destroy and see 
 Apparently, straight sunder riven in twain
 
 The Marriage of Time. 9j 
 
 This noble craft. Although the storm is young, 
 Its power unfolds with all its might and main, 
 As if from Time his purpose should be wrung. 
 Time and Poseidon now were on the scene. 
 The ocean king concerned to penetrate 
 And get his comprehension in between 
 The thoughts which Time had used to change 
 
 his fate, 
 With eyes on the Avenger he declared, 
 That Reason had been strangled by his friend. 
 Poseidon wondered how he could have dared 
 To plan this expedition, and to send 
 So many people on so strange a cruise. 
 
 ' Keep down your waters and you may depend,' 
 Said Time, ' it is to be ! If you refuse, 
 Perhaps it then will be ! And if my power
 
 94 'The Marriage of Time, 
 
 Extends to wielding sway o'er ocean's king, 
 What then will be your lot ? Perhaps the hour 
 For your dethronement will be heard to ring 
 Throughout all seas and space.' 
 
 Poseidon scowled, 
 And raised aloft his trident with a shout, 
 Which brought the Oceanides, who yelled and 
 
 howled 
 And dived and plunged and rushed all round 
 
 about, 
 
 ' If Time dare war with me !' Poseidon said, 
 * Bring out your weapons and unloose your 
 
 power ; 
 I'll wage, if you're determined to be wed, 
 Your path of love shall not be smooth one hour.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 9 5 
 
 Great /Eolas and all his satellites 
 Will join Poseidon, and their linked might, 
 Who never in their greatest battle fights 
 Have lost the day, will bring on you this 
 
 night 
 Such fell destruction, as your darkest dreams 
 Ne'er pictured to Imagination's eye.' 
 
 Thus, with a crash that rove the deck in 
 
 seams, 
 He dashed it down, and then again on high 
 He raised his trident, and with withering force 
 Swift dealt a blow, that sounded through the 
 
 storm. 
 And vied with his own voice, which, gruffly 
 
 hoarse. 
 Had lost with shouting all its tone and form.
 
 96 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Poseidon's angry threats resentment raised 
 In all the breasts of Time's devoted crew ; 
 Who one and all were silently amazed 
 At what Poseidon had the face to do. 
 Slow gathering round, Oceanus stood first, 
 They heard with wonder all he had to say. 
 He fearing, fortified himself and curst ; 
 In front the trident, he behind at bay. 
 
 * Such actions and such deeds,' in measured 
 
 phrase 
 Spoke Time, ' are unbecoming such as you. 
 For gods to launch in such a wanton craze 
 Is poor example to my worthy crew. 
 What grave offence have they or I, my friend, 
 Advanced to Poseidon while here on board, 
 That he should in such fiendish fashion rend
 
 The Marriage of Time. 97 
 
 Our good seaworthy deck, and thus afford 
 To us, who are a gentle, peaceful race, 
 Strong reason to resent such dastard deed ? ' 
 The captain stooped as if he would embrace 
 And make this haughty bullying Hector bleed. 
 Oceanus and all the men looked fierce 
 And, as Time raised his hand, they one and all 
 Fell on Poseidon, who with deadly pierce 
 Drove through his trident, and with desperate 
 
 fall 
 Fell men and god a tangled struggling heap. 
 Believing that the storm was born of him, 
 They seized and raised him, and with bounding 
 
 leap 
 Capsized him in the sea. 'There let him swim!' 
 They cried, and shouting, rushed far up the ropes 
 To see the eruption of his fullest wrath. 
 
 G
 
 98 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The ship plunged on ; and down the steepest 
 
 slopes 
 Poseidon with great fury and much froth 
 Pursued. Meanwhile, he Pluto pra^^ed and 
 
 Zeus 
 To urge on Pluvius and the other powers, 
 That Time and ship and crew might to the 
 
 deuse 
 Be quick transported. Now for many hours 
 The storm had raged, and Time and all his men, 
 From captain to the smallest serf engaged, 
 Had had their fill of its great power, and then, 
 Through sharing in the sea fight they had waged. 
 Were weary and cast down with great fatigue. 
 Time prayed hard for some help from yEolus, 
 And ere the ship had run a further league 
 Against the storm, and right in front of us
 
 The Marriage of Time. 99 
 
 There burst upon the whirHng wind a light 
 Strangre forked, and shooting^ like Qrreat tongfues 
 
 of fire. 
 Around by contrast looked like blackest night. 
 Poseidon close in front his chariot drove. 
 The gilded manes and hoofs, and gilded tire 
 Of his fleet wheels, as with high speed they rove 
 Deep furrows in the wave, were shining bright ; 
 And Poseidon himself, with fury filled, 
 First crossed and then recrossed the vessel's 
 
 prow, 
 Designing her destruction ; for he willed 
 That Time should bend his knee to him, and 
 
 now. 
 While prosecuting thus his fell intent, 
 Poseidon saw Time raise high both his arms 
 And gaze at that great light with v«^onderment.
 
 lOO The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The Ocean King, now harbouring alarms, 
 
 Bethought him Time was succoured by a friend. 
 
 The light enlarged, the fiery tongues spread out 
 
 And the great tempest slowly neared its end. 
 
 Time's crew were speechless, and they stared 
 about 
 
 Dumbfounded at so marvellous a change ; 
 
 While Poseidon, whose anger was becalmed 
 At once by what he saw, kept out of range, 
 Not knowing how these comers might be armed. 
 With slow unfolding waves of whitest light 
 Came forth a maiden fair, of heavenly form, 
 Whose radiance shone against the outer night 
 Like brilliant lightning in the blackest storm. 
 Time clasped his hands and looked upon that 
 
 face, 
 Around whose brow was writ Eternity,
 
 The Marriage of Time. loi 
 
 Here Ambofilius came with quickened pace 
 And casting off his taciturnity 
 Spoke thus to him : 
 
 ' Behold there ! potent Time, 
 The saviour of our Hves ! An angel fair 
 Stands on the heaven-lit clouds, a form 
 
 sublime. 
 Which fills my soul with rapture. I declare I 
 In Time's domain the fairest of the fair, 
 Whose every limb is perfect and complete, 
 Could not with this angelic form compare ; 
 So matchless pure, so gentle, and so sweet.' 
 
 So saying he stood still ; and all the rest. 
 Intent upon that apparition rare, 
 To see if it should further manifest
 
 C3 
 
 1 02 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 New wonders, motionless were standing there. 
 
 The storm was gone, and Erebus had drawn 
 
 In closer folds the mantle of the night. 
 
 Exiled Diana and Aurora's dawn 
 
 Now hand in hand restored the banished lio-ht. 
 
 The stately vessel and its element 
 
 In peace reposed, while baffled Poseidon, 
 
 Completely foiled in his abject intent, 
 
 Disturbs the calm as he retreats alone. 
 
 The golden gates of Phoebus are set wide, 
 
 And passing through the solar tide renews 
 
 The faded warmth, until at eventide 
 
 The ebb of Helios brings coolino- dews. 
 
 o o 
 
 Such strange emotions novv^ awoke in Time 
 That he was lost entirely to himself 
 And stood on his toe-tips, as if to climb
 
 The Marriage of Time. 103 
 
 /-' 
 
 The air and reach that heavenly angel elf. 
 Approaching slowly with extended hands 
 -\nd head uplifted with transfixed gaze, 
 He speechless wonders if she understands 
 That he's entranced and pleads that he may 
 
 raise 
 Himself up there, v/here she in glory shrined 
 Implants in him a passion so profound, 
 That to aught else around his eyes are blind ; 
 Nor is his mind disturbed by touch or sound. 
 While looking thus he seemed to give a start, 
 As if a message from her gentle voice 
 Had breathed into the centre of his heart 
 And said, * You are the lover of my choice.' 
 Then /Eolus appears vv^ith jaded mien 
 Through efforts to control his strujjcrllnf^ winds. 
 Eternity commands, and he is seen
 
 I04 The Mar7'iage of Time. 
 
 Descending-, as he cautiously unbinds 
 
 His element. Approaching Time, he said : 
 
 * Most noble Time, my mission is to you. 
 Eternity requites your love and prays 
 That, if need be with some ^olian aid, 
 You for a time part from your noble crew 
 And join Eternity.' He further said, — 
 
 * My potent element, at your command, 
 Is part unloosed, and ready to convey 
 
 Your puissant self, that you may claim the hand 
 Of the Eternal Queen. I'll lead the way.' 
 
 Much agitation stirred the Avenger's breast. 
 So wondrous was the chano-e that had been 
 
 wrought 
 In his apparent destiny. At best
 
 The Marriage of lime. 105 
 
 His first endeavour would, he fully thought, 
 
 Bring nothing but despondency and grief; 
 
 And even till within a short time since 
 
 He feared and entertained a strong belief 
 
 The vessel would be lost. It might convince 
 
 Indeed, one wielding greater power than he, 
 
 That the designs of anger'd Poseidon, 
 
 To sink the ship beneath the raging sea 
 
 And leave Time battling with the storm alone, 
 
 Would end in harmony with his desire. 
 
 But, happily another fate was his. 
 
 A ereater than Poseidon in his ire, 
 
 The fairest of great Heaven's deities 
 
 Had in the moment of their dire distress 
 
 Appeared in glory on the troubled scene, 
 
 Reducing Poseidon to nothingness. 
 
 She in unequalled splendour, Nature's Queen,
 
 io6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Like the most potent of all god-like powers, 
 Without a show of force apparent, wields 
 That subtle hidden strens^th before which 
 
 cowers 
 The courage of the bravest, whose will yields 
 But to a ruthless foe omnipotent. 
 These thoughts, like quickened seeds in heated 
 
 soil, 
 Responded to his sense of full content ; 
 Which, since the banishment of that turmoil 
 Whose flowering climax was Poseidon's rage. 
 Had to his mind restored some confidence. 
 His leading impulse now was to engage 
 His soul entire with all the incidents 
 Surrounding the changed course of his career. 
 He turned to ^olus and said, ' Good friend ! 
 Pray lead the way ; ' and, with a mighty cheer
 
 The Marriage of Time. 107 
 
 From those who thronged the ship from end to 
 
 end, 
 Ascended slow with dignity and grace 
 Both Time and /Eolus. Upon that scene 
 Then fell a soundless calm. Each eager face 
 Keen searching for what next was to be seen. 
 Slow rising, Time came near his new-found love; 
 But, as he came she calmly moved away, 
 And all the light around her and above 
 Seemed gently dying like a closing day. 
 Time followed, somewhat doubting in his mind 
 If what he saw was real or but a dream. 
 As distance grew 'twixt him and those behind, 
 His eyes watched closer the retreating beam 
 Which showed him where Eternity had gone. 
 At length it brightened, like a dew-decked 
 
 flower,
 
 io8 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Which rising Phoebus rests his rays upon 
 
 To gild it while it lives its little hour ; 
 
 And expanding slow, as children grow to men, 
 
 It widened to an avenue of light. 
 
 With long watching Time fell wondering, when 
 
 There visited his eye a nev/-born sight. 
 
 Just where the avenue of light begun, 
 
 A smiling fairy group stood clad in white 
 
 To welcome him. More prominently one 
 
 Stood forth to offer welcome to the guest ; 
 
 With dimpled smiles and music in her voice, 
 
 She bade Time enter. Then with all the rest 
 
 This captain of the band bade him make choice 
 
 Of many seats upon a radiant cloud. 
 
 Which, when he'd chosen, they pushed tenderly 
 
 With their sweet voices as they sung aloud. 
 
 The eyes of Time were much engaged to see
 
 The Marriage of Time. 109 
 
 What unknown marvels might be here revealed. 
 
 He thought the mansions of Eternity 
 
 Would equal the great power which she could 
 
 wield. 
 As they sped on through endless change of 
 
 scene, 
 Nor tree nor flower came in his range of sight. 
 In all the boundless space was nothing green, 
 But shining crystal forms and warm pure light. 
 Some time had passed and his fair chaperones 
 Had filled his ears with choicest of their song, 
 W"hen Time felt rather aching in his bones 
 And thought the way most lovely, but full long. 
 At this conjunction of two sets of thoughts, 
 Which seemed their seeds to sow in those 
 
 around, 
 Some new arrivals with their brig-ht cohorts 
 
 o
 
 I lO The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Came up behind their pioneering sound. 
 Now rose the chorus of Time's body-guard 
 To mellowed harmony, a well-tuned choir, 
 Who joining those they met without retard, 
 Still grander chords are heard as they mount 
 
 higher. 
 No trumpet sound nor blast with metal's ring 
 Swelled fuller that proud music which he heard ; 
 But all came from the throat, as angels sing, 
 Nor was there needed for support one single 
 
 word. 
 Slow chanpfinof as a tribute stream whose hue 
 Scarce tints the parent flood with varying dye, 
 Around them crept, almost unseen it grew, 
 A light that changed the colours to the eye. 
 A perfect legion of attendants now 
 Gave Time their company. They looked on him
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 r 
 
 As something ver)^ strange, and wondered how 
 He came to look so very worn and grim. 
 Poor Time's experience on board the ship 
 Did not clean his dress, but rather soiled it. 
 He thought he'd better just delay the trip 
 While he performed the needful toilet. 
 So thinking, Time called forth his kindest smile 
 To tune the humour of his nearest friend ; 
 And as he asked the favour, all the while 
 His soul's sun shone its brightest to the end. 
 Perceiving quick the drift of his intent, 
 A talk ensued to find the best solutions, 
 Which caused no little burst of merriment ; 
 They never thought that Time required ablu- 
 tions. 
 His mission was a serious one ; he must, 
 He no doubt wisely thought, look quite his best,
 
 1 1 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And try and hide the centuries of rust 
 Which could not be concealed by coat and vest. 
 As we have said before, poor Time was bare, 
 At least in a sense ; there were some feathers 
 In his wings, but he'd not molted, and the hair 
 Showed contact with the stormiest of weathers. 
 In these great regions of Eternity 
 There were no signs of birth or of decay. 
 Time dwelt on this, and thought about 
 
 paternity 
 With something of a feeling of dismay. 
 All that was there would there for ever be ; 
 What came, came perfect for Eternity. 
 There were no growing things, and he could see 
 No indications of maternity. 
 His feelings at these thoughts were rather 
 
 harried ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 3 
 
 His countenance was twisted with some doubt. 
 * What is the use,' he said, * of being married ? ' 
 And then most eloquently looked about. 
 His fair companions seemed to understand 
 A little something of what troubled him, 
 Although they knew not that he sought the hand 
 Of their great Queen and peerless Seraphim. 
 However, being thus far on the road 
 'Twas useless turning back because of doubts. 
 A spot where he could wash himself they 
 
 showed, 
 And he retired to where high water-spouts 
 Were ever growing like large crystal trees. 
 Whose spring and autumn-time, like twins 
 
 together, 
 
 Saw leaves just born, yet dropping with the 
 
 breeze, 
 
 II
 
 1 1 4 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Nor life nor death depending on the weather. 
 When well prepared, Time joined the company, 
 Who waited quite respectfully close by. 
 The expression of their faces showed that he 
 Now filled their eyes much more agreeably. 
 Before resuming his appointed place. 
 He interchanged ideas for a while. 
 To see if any were inclined to trace 
 From their remembrance the mode and style 
 Of living which Eternity maintained. 
 They yielded little to the questions put, 
 Which made him think they were much better 
 
 brained 
 Then ordinary folks. Then his right foot 
 He planted firm and filled his gaping seat, 
 When on they sped enveloped with new song, 
 Till all the ears were startled with a bleat
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 5 
 
 From one with better eyes, who saw among 
 The intermingled objects on before 
 The paradise Eternity enjoyed. 
 New vigour now incited all the corps, 
 Whose voices sounded pure and unalloyed. 
 Time raised himself as high as he could sit. 
 To close survey the objects coming near 
 And see Eternity's domain, if it 
 Resembled what he thought it would appear. 
 Small distant specks developed as they near'd 
 Into fresh hosts to form a new escort, 
 And the far-reaching outlines had a weird 
 And necromantic look, which gave, in short, 
 The mind of the spectator the idea 
 Some palace of unique design was there. 
 Dissolving slow, from indistinct to clear, 
 Now could be seen a shining lofty stair
 
 1 1 6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 With brilliant pillar'd arches just before. 
 Time's leading guide informed him it was there 
 Eternity received. A massive door 
 Of sparkling crystal flanked with angel guards 
 Close fixed his eye, as nearer still they come. 
 Loud songs of welcome from the choicest bards 
 Thickened the air with undulating hum ; 
 And now and then a louder wave of sound 
 Tutors the ear part way to the intent 
 Of him who had composed. Soon with a bound 
 The failing sense required, to show what's meant, 
 Dispelled confusion, and the gist was clear. 
 Far reaching, straight before and left and right, 
 Such scenes and sounds to ravish eye and ear 
 Time at his best had never known. The sight 
 Now perfected in its details was such, 
 That his punctiliousness got out of joint ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 7 
 
 And some who watched him thought that he 
 
 was much 
 In danger of forgetting, that the point 
 Especially demanding his concern, 
 Was his reception by Eternity. 
 He thought of this on feeling his cheeks burn, 
 Remembering, no doubt, that he could learn 
 Particulars at leisure, by-and-by. 
 The crystal door now slowly opened wide, 
 And moving like a burning lava stream 
 There came a stately column, which Time eyed 
 As a waked sleeper stares fresh from a dream. 
 A staid ambassador moved at its head 
 Commissioned by Eternity to give 
 A hearty welcome to her guest. He said, — 
 
 ' Most generous, noble Time, — All who here live
 
 1 1 8 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Kneel at your feet and bid you be at home ; 
 Each one in your obedient servant's train 
 To the lowest. And should you care to roam 
 Hereafter through Eternity's domain, 
 To paint upon your memory its sights, 
 'Twill be a joy if you their aid retain ; 
 The thouo;ht of it their choicest of delicrhts.' 
 
 In presence of so reverend a sire 
 Time held himself with fitting dignity, 
 And with slow inclination (he was higher) 
 His head he bended low, that it might be 
 The measure of respect Time wished to 
 
 show. 
 The ambassador saluted reverently, 
 And all behind, like waving corn, bent low 
 To pay due homage to Time's dignity.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 9 
 
 ' Good Sire ! ' said Time, * you really honour me 
 Above what I could hope to have received ; 
 To be so kindly greeted, is to be 
 Of every embarrassment relieved.' 
 
 These courtesies exchanged they all retired, 
 Excepting just a few who stayed behind 
 To keep him company, for he required 
 In such a place some help to steer his mind. 
 This grand procession opened and there came 
 Another grander still, accompanied 
 By music that might very rightly claim 
 Perfection's warranty. 'Twas varied 
 With such high skill and mathematic tune, 
 As if the harmony, like Nature's play 
 Upon the charmed air, were deftly strewn 
 By some controlling superhuman sway.
 
 1 20 The Mar7'iage of Time. 
 
 Time stood surrounded by his first escort, 
 And either side large groups of his new friends. 
 The figure he had longed for had not caught 
 His eye, which searched the columns to their 
 
 ends. 
 This one he thought must have her in its train, 
 And close he scrutinized with slow-drawn breath. 
 He looked until his eyes rebelled with pain : 
 * Does she repent ? ' he thought ; she lingereth. 
 A higher still exalted messenger, 
 With bearing of a yet more finished type 
 Made low obeisance to the Avenger, 
 As indication that their plans were ripe. 
 With courteous gesture and inviting phrase 
 He said, * Eternity is now prepared 
 To give reception to her guest, and prays 
 That Time may further ceremonies be spared.'
 
 The Marriage of Time, 1 2 1 
 
 So saying, he half turned him round, and showed 
 The way that Time should take. With lifted 
 
 hand 
 And finger pointed to the shortest road, 
 He smiled and moved, and Time and the whole 
 
 band. 
 Like a tide breaking from its poised slack 
 And moving with unanimous consent, 
 Eternity's innumerable court marched back, 
 Preceded by the guest for whom they went. 
 The veritable climax now in reach, 
 With moments only between him and her, 
 Seemed to deprive Time of the power of speech, 
 And change the outline of his usual manner. 
 He bent with thought and then stood quite erect, 
 Wearing a smile as he would smile on her ; 
 Then pensive seemed as though he would elect
 
 1 2 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 His best appearance, so that he might stir 
 
 And rouse Eternity to feel for him 
 
 No less than she professed when he was seen 
 
 In a more tragic light, which yet was dim, 
 
 And gave romantic features to the scene. 
 
 At length they reached the top of the long stairs, 
 
 And passed some distance through the crystal 
 
 door 
 (A long procession when they walked in pairs), 
 Until all stood upon one crystal floor. 
 This was the lady's largest banquet-hall, 
 Where a repast in princely style was served ; 
 Each one took place until from wall to wall 
 The room was filled. Time felt somewhat 
 
 unnerved 
 At such preparing, for he rightly thought 
 The whole of the arrangements were for him.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 2 3 
 
 He wondered where from all these things were 
 
 brought ; 
 Things that would satisfy the daintiest whim. 
 One mighty light shone from the ceiling top, 
 Whose rays all atoms pierced, however far. 
 And made each shine like one congealing drop, 
 A firmament with every speck a star. 
 In these exalted regions it appears 
 The human sense entirely has survived ; 
 They eat and drink, and, more than that, one 
 
 hears 
 The cfirls are husbanded and the lovers wived. 
 Eternity, however, would not be 
 Endurable with babies cutting gums ; 
 * Nous avons changez tout cela ' entirely ! 
 No multiplying there in little sums. 
 So with the other produce and the wine.
 
 124 T^<^ Marriage of Time. 
 
 To have to plough and hoe and reap and grind, 
 And wash your clothes and hang them on the 
 
 line, 
 Is not employment of the highest kind. 
 The things required to tickle human sense 
 Were brought from somewhere — never mind 
 
 the place ; 
 Or whether they were paid in roubles, francs, 
 
 or pence, 
 Or whether, when they ate them, they said grace. 
 Such things with deities are not observed. 
 They only eat the kernels from the nuts. 
 They're cracked by unseen powers, and then 
 
 are served 
 By, as compared with them, mere Liliputs. 
 A fountain in the centre of the room 
 Yielded a sparkling wine in ceaseless flow,
 
 The Marriage of Ti77ie. 125 
 
 Which spread upon the air a vinous bloom, 
 
 Reminding one of where the vine trees grow. 
 
 Cool crystal goblets stood in numbers round 
 
 The fountain's ^6.^^, inviting thirsty souls 
 
 To come and drink, and listen to the sound 
 
 Of splashing wines high foaming in the bowls. 
 
 A breathless stillness now reigned in the hall ; 
 
 Such quiet as there is in empty space. 
 
 Some waiting ended by a gentle fall 
 
 Upon the waveless air, which they could trace 
 
 As the beginning of a distant sound 
 
 Of many persons moving on the floor. 
 
 It slowly waxed in volume, and the ground 
 
 Made sympathetic movement, like the shore 
 
 Yields to the restless breakers in their race 
 
 To gain the finite limit of the sea. 
 
 A herald now comes on with quicker pace
 
 1 2 6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 To tell the coming of Eternity, 
 And as he speaks the sound of treading feet 
 Wells up between the buzz of busy talk. 
 Time gave a start, as though he meant to meet 
 His love, and fondly greet her while they walk. 
 He hesitates. The herald nearinof where 
 Time had by invitation fixed his place, 
 Persuaded him politely to repair 
 To a position where his noble face 
 Could by the whole assembly best be seen. 
 A lofty opening in one wall contained 
 Eternity's bright throne, where she, as queen, 
 Held her great court and always entertained. 
 On one side was another throne designed, 
 Which had a look of newness in its build. 
 The sculptured crystal round it brightly shined; 
 But no one yet its ample seat had filled.
 
 TJie Marriage of Time. i 2 7 
 
 Time took a place beside the second throne 
 And watched the grand procession fiHng by. 
 At last Eternity appear'd ; she walked alone. 
 Time warmed from head to foot. Her smiling eye 
 And perfect beauty grasped his every sense ; 
 And as one link holds fast the prisoner chained, 
 So beauty's link in strength was so intense 
 His eyes were chained; yet, he his best 
 
 refrained 
 From showing to the company around, 
 How deep that face had wrought upon his soul 
 Its mark indelible. Indeed, he found. 
 On searching through and through the endless 
 
 roll 
 Of his experience, there was no sign, 
 Which centuries between could not erase, 
 That he had felt an impress so divine
 
 128 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 On his whole being. So sat Amaze 
 Full pictured in the countenance of Time. 
 Eternity on her side, Time on his, 
 Made courteous recognition, as the prime 
 Introduction to all ceremonies. 
 Her chief attendants aided her to rise 
 And take her place upon the centre throne ; 
 While others, pointing with their smiling eyes. 
 Invited Time, who raised himself alone. 
 Thus, this august assembly was complete, 
 And that locked silence which so far had ruled, 
 Yielded its unseen bars to strains of sweet 
 Refreshing harmony, which soothed and cooled 
 The warm excitement caused by this event. 
 The feast was served, the foaming wine imbibed; 
 The lover's cup went round, the air was rent 
 With merriment which cannot be described.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 129 
 
 The singers who sung first with their instructor 
 
 Sung well in tune when they had had fio wine ; 
 
 Bacchus perhaps is not a good conductor 
 
 Inoculated fresh from his best vine. 
 
 At length, as on the planets down below, 
 
 An exodus to cooler air took place. 
 
 In twos and twos where licrhts were burninor low 
 
 They wandered ; touching sometimes face with 
 
 face. 
 The banquet hall being empty, saving two, 
 Time felt, presumably as lovers do 
 When they perceive the time has come to woo, 
 He must begin ; but how he scarcely knew. 
 In his position he must not be shy, 
 Supposing he felt modest ; so he rose 
 And in a gende voice and tenderly, 
 But with some confidence as one who knows
 
 1 30 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 His suit is part accepted, he then said, — 
 
 ' Eternity ! my power of speech is gone. 
 
 Like a frail flower whose tender bloom is shed 
 
 By the sun's scorching heat, that falls upon 
 
 And unopposed steals its feeble life, 
 
 The flower of my poor speech before the gaze 
 
 Of your refulgent beauty, shuns the strife 
 
 And sinks to impotence before its withering 
 
 rays.' 
 Then clasping close his hands upon his breast 
 And leaning forward with slight bended head, 
 He seemed to lose the power to say the rest ; 
 But, gaining courage, he revived and said, — 
 * Eternity ! I would that I could say — 
 What in me lies. It is an endless train 
 Of nourished hopes and fears, that on me prey :
 
 The Marriage of Thne. 1 3 1 
 
 Hopes, like the new-born flowers in summer rain, 
 Full blooming even now, yet of frail life, 
 Until you ratify your plighted love. 
 Eternity ! say you will be my wife ? ' 
 So saying, he moved nearer to her throne 
 And watched her eyes, whose glances fixed 
 
 above, 
 Seemed searching for a reason to postpone 
 Responding to Time's vehement appeal. 
 Becoming modesty her manner clothed. 
 Which strengthened his desire, and made him 
 
 feel 
 He could not rest until they were betrothed. 
 She spoke not, but he saw her tender frame 
 Like chords of music when the sound steals 
 
 forth. 
 Emotion in her trembled like a flame.
 
 132 The May'viage of Time. 
 
 Which made him rise, and his right hand hold 
 
 forth, 
 Exclaiming in high key, yet dulcet tones, 
 • Celestial angel ! say you will be mine ? ' 
 Her hand responded, and in semi-tones 
 Of that peculiar sweetness feminine, 
 Which gives to life a thrill of exquisite 
 Sensation, worth a thousand years without, 
 (By which Time's nature, oh ! so like Is it 
 In all, was by Eternity drawn out), 
 The music of her heart awoke his ear 
 And banished from his soul its chill reserve ; 
 DIsm.issed for ever all his doubt and fear 
 And gave him her for ay to love and serve. 
 Eternity stepped gently from her throne 
 And on her lips received a lingering seal 
 To this great compact.
 
 The Alarriage of Time. i 3 3 
 
 ' Never more alone ! ' 
 Time loud exclaimed. ' My life will now be real,' 
 So saying, he looked down and smiled on her 
 A smile born of the fullest happiness, 
 Which would on him for evermore confer 
 The highest of delights and blissfulness. 
 This episode w^ell ended, both walked out 
 And weaved their voices in between the rest 
 Of those which bloomed with melody and song. 
 The eyes of some who met them showed they 
 
 guessed 
 That love's sweet drama was not very long. 
 The closer friends Eternity retained 
 Read, in the two being joined, what had occurred. 
 And came with feelings warm and unrestrained 
 To wish her every joy. The news so stirred 
 The sentiments of all in her domain,
 
 134 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 That ere great Time and she ha'd wandered far, 
 Great cheering rose, and rose, and rose again, 
 Until the air, with the repeated jar 
 Of cheer defeating cheer, was so upheaved, 
 That like Poseidon and ^olian fitrht, 
 Which worked the ocean into black and white, 
 It shook and trembled like a damsel erieved 
 By some deep lover's sorrow unrelieved. 
 Before the shouts had spent their utmost sound 
 The other lovers' sighs were no more breathed ; 
 But an immense excited throng came round 
 And with their lifted wings Time's forehead 
 
 wreathed. 
 Her fondest friends Eternity upraised 
 And singing bore her to ethereal heights. 
 Time would not leave her. He still fondly gazed, 
 And spreading too his ample wings, the flights
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 35 
 
 They flew he followed, until coming near 
 
 The banquet-hall, where fresh repasts were 
 
 spread, 
 They both descended midst a mighty cheer 
 
 Of welcome, tears of fullest joy being shed. 
 
 The temper of the banqueters had changed ; 
 
 Nor Time nor his beloved were they the same. 
 
 The Avenger was himself and not estranged 
 
 As when he came. He called his love by name. 
 
 And said it in a way that showed so well 
 
 That his poor heart had found a resting place. 
 
 He seemed to speak with all and try to tell 
 
 How happy now he was ; how he'd found grace. 
 
 The thrones were empty, and they sat among 
 
 The merry revellers who drank their health ; 
 
 Time stood the centre of a lively throng 
 
 Inflated by his new acquired wealth.
 
 136 The Ma7'riage of Twie. 
 
 ' My worthy friends,' he said, ' I will propose 
 A toast, the proudest of my lengthened life.' 
 He raised his bowl on high, while pressing close, 
 They flocked around him and his future wife. 
 The company entire, like autumn winds 
 Stripping their vestments from the shivering trees, 
 Rose like an angry storm, whose power unwinds 
 And grows into a gale by quick degrees. 
 A thousand tankards sprang abgve their heads. 
 To float upon a sea of wine-born cheers, 
 Which ript the air and seemed to leave in shreds 
 The mouths that shouted, till the eyes dropt tears. 
 Songs to Anchises and winged Eros filled 
 The wine-clad air with joyous strains of mirth. 
 Eternity passed here and there, and many 
 
 spilled 
 What they would drink, in trying to give birth
 
 The Marriage of Time. 137 
 
 To long word compliments in praise of her. 
 The male surroundinfjs of her Qri"aceful court 
 Sang bacchanalian songs, and tried to stir 
 Time's nature till it was so deeply wrought 
 And moved to its profoundest depths, that he, 
 In stentor tones, raised up his time-worn voice 
 And made the banquet-hall with melody 
 Resound. These songs of revelry so choice 
 At leng^th wore out entire their orio-ins. 
 And one and all exhausted sobered down. 
 Time seeing this, and that the hairy chins 
 Of older men, with wider spread renown, 
 Were shelved upon their hands to rest the head, 
 He parleyed with Eternity and said, — 
 
 ' My noble friends ! Eternity commands 
 Me to stand forth and unreserved declare
 
 138 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Her deepest gratitude. At your kind hands 
 We have received attention, we both share, 
 So far surpassing our highest thought. 
 That for Eternity and me I say 
 We are truly grateful. Those who brought 
 Me with such care along the charming way, 
 Which leads direct to this enchanted spot. 
 Will feel, I hope, that what I do not say 
 E'en measures more my gratitude than what 
 My poor untutored eloquence declares.' 
 
 With this, Time spread his hands and thanked 
 
 them all, 
 And the assembly, as they came, In pairs 
 Filed out, leaving two only in the hall. 
 Eternity and Time, now better known 
 Each to the other ; she like a creeper
 
 The Marriage of Time. 139 
 
 Made her beginnings, as she might have grown 
 Had she been ivy, and he her keeper 
 The soHd oak. She laid her slender arms 
 In leaning loveliness and on him pressed. 
 He, warm reception gave her matchless charms 
 And kissed her, fondly pillowed on his breast. 
 Two halves of Nature seekinQf long to meet 
 Each in the other, like Phoebus in the flower 
 Of some fair rose, by touching kindled heat 
 And gave to life its highest, fiercest power. 
 Her eyes and his in one sensation mixed, 
 And for a moment they were lost in sense ; 
 She, as the ivy round the oak, was fixed 
 In his herculean yet loving arms, whence 
 A disentanglement no favour found 
 In him or her. At length, like Nature's rose 
 Whose leaves are falling on the parent ground,
 
 140 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Their love had partly bloomed. The deepest 
 
 throes 
 Of love's immeasurable heav'nly bliss 
 Were yet unfathom'd, and to her unknown. 
 The bloom was only gone, the virgin kiss ; 
 Love's flower was in the bud, not yet full grown. 
 Time sighed and fondly looked on her again, — 
 ' My darling angel ! we must part a while,' 
 Said he, and rising with a gentle strain 
 He raised her hand and kissed it with a smile. 
 
 * Eternity ! the laws of heaven demand, 
 That man and woman must submit to be, 
 According to the laws of every land, 
 Together joined with fitting ceremony : 
 We must be married. I will to my home 
 With my good friends who wait in yonder ship.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 141 
 
 Stay here a while, sweet love, and while you 
 
 roam 
 In this divine domain, I'll make my trip, 
 And have prepared a vast and splendid show, 
 Of which the head shall be my angel queen ; 
 A marriage-show Eternity ! We'll go 
 Through 'space infinite. Never has there been 
 Of all the pageants since creation dawned 
 Procession like to this I shall prepare ! ' 
 Again he fondled her and sofdy fawned 
 Upon her, smoothing with his hand her hair. 
 
 ' Good Time, my life is changed,' she said, and 
 
 sighed ; 
 ' Your cominghas brought something dear to me.' 
 Her tender feelings melted and she cried, 
 And looked upon him with simplicity.
 
 142 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 ' The time we are parted, love, will be so brief,' 
 He said, in a half plaintive, whining tone ; 
 ' While I am gone my life will all be grief. 
 My heart will feed on hope while I'm alone, 
 When sweet Diana comes in her white gown 
 To bid Dame Chaos raise her dusky veil, 
 I'll wake, and bid her weave a lovely crown 
 Of Phoebus' choicest rays, and I'll not fail, 
 My pretty queen, to have it in due time 
 To sit enthroned upon your maiden brow, 
 To throw before its gleam, when we shall climb 
 The gilded heights of heaven, a shining prow 
 To our great marriage train. Now we must part. 
 Eternity, call out your noble court 
 And let me say adieu before I start. 
 They are so kind, your friends ; I feel, in short, 
 As if I'd lived here many joyful years.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 143 
 
 I've been so happy these few merry days, 
 And now as the dread hour for parting nears 
 INIy soul burns dim ; in mourning are its rays.' 
 
 * Dear Time,' she said, ' what is to be, must be,' 
 And, calling her attendant, bade her tell 
 The members of her court to come and see 
 Time go, and take affectionate farewell. 
 Eternity's great suite spread o'er the plain, 
 And Time's escort, who brought him to his love, 
 Made ready to escort him back again. 
 His chariot cloud descended from above. 
 And he in his best language thanked them all. 
 
 ' My friends,' he said, * my noble sires and 
 
 dames ! 
 It's usual when one can use you all,
 
 1 44 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And be familiar with your Christian names, 
 
 To say good-bye and take a friendly leave 
 
 Before I go and part from you a while. 
 
 I do not hide from you how much I grieve. 
 
 My heart is sad, and yet it is futile 
 
 To water useless thoughts with wasted tears, 
 
 And grieve o'er pleasures that have run to seed. 
 
 To sow enjoyment's seed to me appears 
 
 Rather a wiser toil. Our time, indeed, 
 
 Is always better spent in looking straight 
 
 Into the future, where our life to come 
 
 Must be ploughed up and sown ; e'en then our 
 
 fate 
 Will much depend on how we reap. Welcome ! 
 You said to me so kindly when I came ; 
 To you, my friends, I bid a fond farewell. 
 Eternity now soon will take my name.'
 
 The Mar7'iage of Tifue. 145 
 
 At this there rose a shout and frantic yell 
 Of endless cheers, which rent the startled air. 
 Repeated oft, and gathering greater strength, 
 Such joyous sounds before were never there. 
 Throuohout the breadth of her domain and 
 
 length 
 Ran messengers to tell the happy news ; 
 And 'mid excitement never more intense 
 All honor'd them with compliments profuse. 
 
 • At last,' said Time, ' my friends, farewell ! I 
 
 hence. 
 Indeed, must go. Eternity, good-bye 
 Once more, good-bye. A little while, my love ; 
 Only a little while, Eternity ! ' 
 The loving fingers parted, and above 
 His chariot cloud sailed steadily away. 
 
 K
 
 146 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The music of sweet voices filled the air, 
 And as his eyes looked fondly on the grey 
 Cold mist that shrined his love, he thought of 
 
 their 
 Great happiness which he should now prepare. 
 The crentle elves who formed Time's charmino^ 
 
 suite 
 Were all well known to him, and seemed to 
 
 share 
 In his delight, and think it quite a treat 
 To follow in his train, and see him safe 
 Returned on board among his waiting crew ; 
 Who must, Time thought, have now begun to 
 
 chafe. 
 And like all other wights want something new. 
 So on they sped, until at length they reach 
 The same old spot where they all met before.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 147 
 
 Time's gratitude o'erflowed. He hoped that 
 
 each 
 Would join Eternity, when to his shore 
 She came. * Farewell, my friends,' he said, 
 
 ' good-bye ! ' 
 And disappeared with rapid downward flight, 
 As from a mountain's summit in the sky 
 An eaMe races with themornino^llp-ht. 
 His soul renewed, his whole vitality 
 Responded to his newborn joy in life, 
 As those must feel who immortality 
 Receive to compensate for deadly strife 
 And years of pain and trouble here below. 
 Descending from the paradise on high, 
 Time soon perceived the restless, shifting glow 
 Which moving waters picture from the sky. 
 No ship was seen, no crew, no signs of life :
 
 148 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Time traversed leagues and leagues, 'twas all 
 
 the same. 
 He thought with anguish of his future wife, 
 And trembled like a reed throughout his frame. 
 * Oceanus ! ' he called, but called in vain. 
 The waters answered not, nor sight nor sound. 
 He strained his eyes till straining gave them 
 
 pain, 
 Until he feared he surely must be drown'd. 
 Time's power was great, but not so great that he 
 Omnipotent could be. Where was his crew ? . 
 Poseidon had perhaps enraged the sea 
 And clean destroyed them all, because he knew 
 Time would return and might their aid require. 
 These thoughts ran through his agitated mind 
 When something caught his eye. A speck of 
 fire
 
 The Mm'riage of Time. 149 
 
 Seen far away ; the lantern of some kind 
 And succouring friend perhaps in search of him. 
 It grew and muItipHed full many times, 
 And like a comet swiftly seemed to skim 
 Across the sea. Like iron on flint, sometimes 
 It struck a shower of sparks, which lighted far 
 The water and the heavens with crlowinof fire. 
 It hurried on ; it was a golden car ; 
 He saw Poseidon and the golden tyre, 
 And mane and hoof that he had seen before. 
 He looked enraged as if he did pursue 
 Some enemy he hotly hated and would kill. 
 As he approached the power he wielded grew ; 
 The trident grew, and seemed Time's mind to fill 
 With some suspicion that Poseidon meant 
 To take revenge. Time now perceived his eye 
 Fixed straif/ht on him. He saw his full intent
 
 1 50 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And raised himself while Poseidon rushed by. 
 ' The cursed of all cursed on this sea ! ' 
 Cried Poseidon, with features puffed with ire, 
 And rein'd his chariot round that he might see 
 Where Time had flown. The burning brilliant 
 
 fire 
 Which Poseidon created with his speed 
 Half blinded him. Time was, however, there. 
 And calmly waited, taking little heed 
 Of this great burst of anger, till the glare 
 Of light had disappeared. At length he spoke, 
 And asked Poseidon if he'd seen the ship. 
 Poseidon heaved with rage as if he'd choke. 
 He curs'd and swore and bit his under lip, 
 And challenged the Avenger to a fight. 
 ' Your ship is smashed,' he said ; ' your crew are 
 
 drowned,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 5 1 
 
 And I will have revenge ! It is my right ! ' 
 Time hearing this flew gently round and round, 
 And watching seized a portion of the car. 
 Poseidon raised his trident for a blow 
 But missed his aim. So heavy was the jar 
 That he upset himself, when Time let go, 
 And seizino- Poseidon well round the waist 
 A deadly struggle brought out all their strength. 
 The chariot moved ; the horses in their haste 
 To gather speed fell their full sprawling length 
 Upon the boiling sea. Both fiercely tugged, 
 Urged by Poseidon to drag on the car. 
 With biting grip the deities both hugged ; 
 They seemed to be about upon a par. 
 Poseidon wrenched and pulled and dragged 
 
 and tore, 
 And slashed his trident in the surging sea.
 
 1 5 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The more Time pinched, the more Poseidon 
 swore. 
 
 ' Tell where my ship is, and I'll let you be,' 
 Said Time, as well as he could speak between 
 Spasmodic efforts to take in the air. 
 
 • Let go ! ' Poseidon howled. ' You hurt my 
 
 spleen ! ' 
 And turning quick he seized Time by the hair. 
 
 ' Let go ! you villain ! ' Time roared in his turn, 
 And shook Poseidon till he could not speak. 
 Their blood waxed hotter, and each tried to spurn. 
 With all his might the other, when a leak 
 Sprang in the car, and both these heroes stood 
 Waste deep in water fighting to the death.
 
 The Marridg-e of Time. 1 53 
 
 Poseidon kicked and slashed, and thought he 
 
 should 
 Make Time give in at last for want of breath ; 
 But the Avenwr held his ocean kino- 
 With such uncompromising, steady grip, 
 His arms around him like an iron ring 
 The more he kicked were less inclined to slip. 
 At last Time spoke inside his angry soul, 
 Stirred by fears of a coming tragic end, 
 And muttered with a gruff and rumbling roll 
 A thick set oath that he would shortly rend 
 In shivering shreds this monster of the deep. 
 
 * Wilt cease thy throbbing throes ! ' Time yelled. 
 
 * NO ! ' roared Poseidon, as with raving leap 
 He made a frantic effort ; but Time held 
 llim with such fixed and unrelaxine clutch
 
 154 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 That like two trees as saplings inter-grown 
 They quivering stood. Said Time, ' By Jove ! 
 
 Is such 
 This devil's damnable design ! I own 
 If his intent is loss of him or me, 
 Then my past centuries of spended power 
 And all the flower of my best energy 
 Shall be revived and centred in this hour/ 
 So saying, with gigantic heave he tore 
 Poseidon from his grip upon the car. 
 And hurled him howling on the chariot floor. 
 
 ' Hell's flame-points paint with rankling, fester- 
 ing scar 
 Your cursed ugliness/ said Time, who seized 
 The heated trident of his humbled foe, 
 And smashed it with one blow, and thus appeas'd
 
 The Marriage of Time. 155 
 
 His. deep volcanic wrath. Time then, with slow 
 Close- watching look, the crushed Poseidon ey'd, 
 Who panting lay with scowling, fiendish stare, 
 And might for aught the other cared have 
 
 died. 
 The mast-high bright and piercing flare 
 Which Poseidon's great car stirred in the sea 
 Fell on the eyeballs of Oceanus, 
 Who had for days with great anxiety 
 The ocean searched. Directions various 
 He had pursued without or rest or sleep. 
 Time saw the ship as it was changing tack. 
 The brilliant glare reflected from the deep 
 i'^ell on the spreading sails, which threw it back. 
 Time raised himself and gave a mighty shout, 
 When Poseidon rose too ; but he was done. 
 If not before, his master he'd found out.
 
 1 56 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 He'd fought with Time, and Time the fight 
 
 had won. 
 Each kept a watch upon the other's eye, 
 The index of the living thoughts within. 
 Time told Oceanus to keep the ship close by, 
 And have his quarters fit to take him in. 
 
 ' Now, then, Poseidon, shall we part as friends 
 Or foes ? I am of those who are fond of peace ; 
 But, Time's determination never bends 
 Where there's injustice. Let ill-feeling cease,' 
 
 Poseidon drew the anger from his face 
 
 And loosed the floes of rage which Time had 
 
 froze 
 Around his shrunken soul. His earn'd disgrace 
 Weighed heavily, like grief on one who knows
 
 The Marriage of Ti7ne. 1 5 7 
 
 The weight is wages for the work he's done ; ' 
 But Justice made her voice heard in his heart. 
 
 ' We've fought,' said Poseidon, ' and you have 
 
 won : 
 I know it was my fault. Before we part 
 I beg you, puissant Time and all your crew, 
 To wash your memories in this virgin sea ; 
 Forget the past. Let not the minds of you 
 And your brave comrades think the worse 
 
 of me 
 For letting my strong nature rule my will.' 
 
 Then each the other's hand with friendly grasp 
 Enclosed, while all the ship's crew, standino- still, 
 Close watched till each relaxed his tightened 
 clasp.
 
 158 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 * Farewell,' said Time, ' I hope when next we 
 
 meet 
 Each may the other serve with friendly aid.' 
 
 Poseidon bowed and Time made his retreat. 
 Full satisfied to seek the cooler shade 
 On board his ship. The unfurled sails out- 
 spread 
 And forward on her path the ship proceeds ; 
 Poseidon baled his car and drove ahead, 
 Thus ending peacefully these tragic deeds. 
 Oceanus and Ambofilius came, 
 The sailors also, open-mouth'd and ey'd, 
 Surrounded Time and whispered loud his 
 
 name. 
 ' Where has Time been ! ' they then with 
 wonder cried.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 159 
 
 * We all have feared that Time had been de- 
 stroyed,' 
 Oceanus exclaimed, as he embraced 
 The proffered hand Time gave him, everjoyed 
 To find what he had searched for in such 
 
 haste. 
 Then Time narrated all he'd done and seen. 
 He spoke of all the wonders there on high. 
 
 He said, * My friends, one day you'll see my 
 
 queen ; 
 You'll see my bride, my wife, Eternity ! ' 
 
 At mention of this name his figure shook. 
 The crew all raised their arms and cheered and 
 
 cheered, 
 Moved to the demonstration by his pleased look.
 
 1 60 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Time asked Oceanus where now he steered. 
 ' Put the ship straight for home, my worthy friend,' 
 Said Time. ' Spread out at once your largest 
 
 sails 
 And let this voyage quickly near its end. 
 The work I shall administer entails 
 The funding of much thought, and measurement 
 Of divers things momentous to my plans. 
 I hope good Ambofilius is content ? ' 
 Said Time, as he embraced and shook his hands. 
 
 I said, ' Indeed, we've had an anxious time.' 
 
 Within myself I did not feel content, 
 
 And thought in fact 'twas something like a 
 
 crime 
 That he should leave me when to Heaven he 
 
 went.
 
 The Marriage of Ti7ne. 1 6 1 
 
 When asked about these things, I plainly told 
 His majesty I did not like the way 
 He had retired and left me in the cold. 
 I wished to hear what he had got to say. 
 
 * Good Ambofilius, come with me below ; 
 
 I much regret the tedious time you've had. 
 
 I must confess, when I was called to go 
 
 With ^olus, I was so nearly mad 
 
 And smitten with a frenzy of delight 
 
 That, like a startled wave upon the shore, 
 
 Or a bright star that's quenched in the night, 
 
 My memory simply died, and I no more 
 
 Held in my head the reins, but of one sense. 
 
 That sense, good Ambofilius, you know well ; 
 
 To me it was a stranger then ; not now ! 
 
 My worthy friend, there is no parallel 
 
 L
 
 i62 l^he Marriage of Time, 
 
 Throuohout the reo-jons where Inheritance 
 
 o o 
 
 Has given to all the senses power to grow, 
 
 Between that one of love and any other. 
 
 It is a flame no power In heaven can smother.' 
 
 * I saw the flame burn bright, good Time, In you. 
 Your face was radiant when that form appeared ; 
 And as one saw her with a clearer vie.w, 
 The hearts of all on board were lost. I feared, 
 Indeed, I might myself have lost all sense, 
 So bright and lovely was that angel face.' 
 
 Time smiled, and said, ' I had full recompense 
 In visiting her heavenly dwelling-place.' 
 
 The ship sailed on and we were straightway 
 bound
 
 The Marriage of Thite. 1 6 
 
 3 
 
 For Time's domain, when one fine sunny morn 
 Oceanus asked Time what he had found, 
 Thus manifesting that desire inborn 
 Which marks the race. The ship's crew 
 
 gathered round, 
 And Time, the greatest hero they had known, 
 By virtue of his latest great exploit, 
 Seemed to stand higher, as if he felt he'd 
 
 grown 
 In stature since his clever and adroit 
 Ascent to heaven, and subsequent defeat 
 Of one whom all admired for his prowess. 
 
 ' My worthy friends,' said Time, ' I will repeat 
 Of what I saw, some things. You cannot guess, 
 Nor could the finest poet's finest lines 
 Portray the perfect splendour of the scenes.
 
 1 64 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 When coming near the point of heaven's 
 
 confines, 
 A tempered frame of clouds the beauty screens. 
 I near the hallowed entrance filled with fear, 
 Tho' all seemed peaceful in its glory there. 
 As I approached the fairy forms appear 
 Of angels floating in the buoyant air. 
 Perceiving me, the sounds of perfect song 
 Unfold their balanced parts and fill the ear 
 With such enthralling, captivating, strong, 
 And sense-encharming coil, that, save a tear 
 Which burst from my enraptured spell-bound 
 
 soul, 
 I was entranced.' 
 
 ' So wonderful, good sire ! ' 
 Oceanus remarked ; * pray, do proceed,
 
 The Jllarriage of Tivie. 165 
 
 And tell us all you saw ; we beg the whole, 
 
 If you will satisfy a keen desire 
 
 Which animates us all on board, indeed ! ' 
 
 So hearing, with pursed mouth and knitted brow, 
 
 Time leaned his massive form against the mast, 
 
 And thus related at his leisure how 
 
 He reached Eternity's domain at last. 
 
 ' My worthy friends,' said Time, ' you saw me 
 
 leave. 
 The noble yEolus gave friendly aid, 
 And I must tell you that I sadly grieve 
 (For fighting does all fighters much degrade) 
 For my encounters with Poseidon's might. 
 We gave no cause of quarrel ; that you know. 
 'Twas he begun ! 'Twas he desired the fight 1 
 He fought ; and when you came was glad to go.'
 
 1 66 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 At this a thundering cheer went up aloft, 
 And eyes on eyes with satisfaction fed. 
 Time smiled with much delisrht also and couched 
 To clear his throat for what he had not said. 
 
 * I said before, the music there was grand. 
 You've seen, my friends, great Helios in full burn, 
 When he looks straight at you ; but you can't 
 
 stand, 
 And with your little eyes outstare his stern, 
 Creating, penetrating, warming light ? 
 From your imaginations sweep the dust 
 And picture Erebos's darkest night. 
 Think further, and remove the g-ather'd rust 
 
 I. ' o 
 
 Which your dull life gives your intelligence. 
 Think of the brightest moon that sits the 
 heavens,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 167 
 
 With ten times brighter glow, yet with intense, 
 Not overpowering warmth and light, which 
 
 leavens 
 The heat and power that Helios might dispense 
 If he had reached full age and strength and light. 
 Those regions up above seem never cold. 
 I saw no rain ; I felt no chill}' night ; 
 I saw no pained young, no suffering old. 
 The life up there seemed full of joy and mirth. 
 I saw them always laughing ; not a cry 
 Of heart-sore weeping ever found its birth 
 In that fair land, where no one lives to die. 
 The morninor and the evenino^ seemed to be 
 Like man and wife below, conjoined in one. 
 A measured warmth, with light enough to see, 
 Accompanied the evening as the morning had 
 
 begun.
 
 1 68 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 A friendly feeling reigned, no enemies 
 Made discord ; but the harmony maintained 
 Bloomed in perennial amenities, 
 Like sweetest perfume for all time sustained. 
 The road we traversed when I first set out 
 . Was like a picture, where all things are 
 
 made 
 Of choicest form and kind. I looked about 
 But saw no traces in the deepest shade 
 Of dawning death or lingering decay. 
 All things looked bright and fresh and clean 
 
 and new. 
 Equality in life as in the endless day, 
 Expelled degrees, to make each one of you, 
 When your turn comes, as high in heaven's 
 
 domain 
 As the imperial Csesar of the sphere
 
 \ 
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 69 
 
 In which my friend hopes to enjoy again 
 The pleasures he does not discover here.' 
 
 Time looked at Ambofilius as he spoke, 
 And theireyeshelda converse dress'd with smiles. 
 Time's friend remembered well when he awoke 
 And found himself in his great hall erewhiles. 
 
 I said, ' I hope, good sire, as time goes on, 
 The same kind friend who brought me to your 
 
 hall, 
 Whoever is the estimable person, 
 Will not forget that he is bound to call 
 And rid you of your guest in proper time.' 
 
 ' Fear not, my friend,' said Time, ' rest well 
 assured
 
 1 70 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 That when you've had enough of this dull clime, 
 You'll be reclaimed and not at all injured.' 
 With this Time then resumed his narrative. 
 * We passed through lands of crystal purity ; 
 The eye deep revelled in the changing scene. 
 All things enjoyed a fixed maturity, 
 As if from the beginning they had been 
 Perfection finished for all time to last. 
 The angel elves who charmed me by the way 
 Were fashioned like to you ; but each was cast 
 In such a perfect mould, in such refined array. 
 That the delighted eye grew dim to see 
 Such matchless beauty in society. 
 My friends, you weary with the things I tell }' 
 
 A rustling of desire ran through the crowd 
 As Time said this. His words were like a spell.
 
 The Marriage of Time. i 7 1 
 
 He saw it, and felt naturally proud. 
 The theme to him was like the sun in heaven, 
 It warmed, it cheered, it gave his soul a life, 
 Which nothing else in his career had given. 
 He raised his hands sometimes and said, ' My 
 
 wife ! ' 
 In accents which like thunder spoke within ; 
 But not a sound came from his love-sick breast. 
 He thus discoursed and would again begin. 
 When one man cried, and then cried all the rest, 
 •The land! The land ! Our native shore again !' 
 
 The scene now changed, the gathering dispersed. 
 All order disappeared, none could restrain 
 Their eagerness to disembark the first. 
 All crowded in the ship's capacious bows 
 To gaze upon the throng that lined the shore.
 
 1 7 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 They knew Time's coming home would surely 
 
 rouse 
 Greater enthusiasm than they had seen before. 
 Oceanus his orders loudly roared, 
 To get attention from his underlings. 
 He knew full well that such a scene aboard 
 Is what so often some big blunder brings. 
 I thought, I am coming back to this bright spot, 
 But what my future is I've no idea; 
 'Twas useless asking Time if he knew what 
 Was to become of me. He'd say, my dear, 
 Have patience and enjoy your little hour, 
 The future will reveal what is your fate. 
 I should reply, my dear, if I'd the power, 
 I should prefer at once to emigrate. 
 These gorgeous paradises don't suit me ; 
 I feel acutely my position here.
 
 The Mar7'iage of Time. i 73 
 
 If this is what they call equality, 
 
 I'd rather in my v/orld be made a peer. 
 
 The sight along the shore was very grand ; 
 
 Time's suite entire had come to welcome him. 
 
 Some stood, some sat upon the sand. 
 
 And others waded out who could not swim. 
 
 The sailors signalled with their lifted hands, 
 
 And like a cluster of dressed summer trees 
 
 The captain hung his masts with flags and 
 
 bands 
 Of tapering streamers, which by small degrees 
 Waved into nothing, like the green ribb'd sea 
 As distance makes each wave a smaller size. 
 Time overjoyed that he successfully 
 Had found a wife, cast up his grateful eyes 
 As if he looked upon a higher power, 
 Expressing many thanks for his success.
 
 I 74 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 He came upon the shore ; it was the hour 
 Of full mid-day. Great Helios in his dress, 
 A million miles of flame, sent fiery darts 
 O'er corruscatino" sea and o^litterina- sand, 
 And each of Time's great retinue upstarts 
 At his approach ; the nearest kissed his hand. 
 All circled round him in a surofinof mass 
 Like water whirling in a punctured pool. 
 They came so close the Avenger could not pass, 
 And felt the opposite of very cool. 
 Time told Oceanus to come on shore 
 And let his people follow close behind. 
 He went with Am.bofiHus on before, 
 And as they walk and talk and gently wind 
 About and through up hill and down the dale, 
 Time said, 'My friend, I must now quick prepare, 
 And you must help me, for I cannot fail
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 75 
 
 To have all things arranged in such a rare 
 And perfect style as never in this land 
 Was seen before. I shall call up the gods 
 And ask the greatest powers that be, to band 
 Together for my show, and I'll lay odds 
 The marriage of Eternity with me 
 Shall bring more eyes in line than an eclipse, 
 When Luna and s^reat Helios chance to be 
 So near that he can snatch with his thick lips 
 A passing kiss.' So saying he turned round 
 And halted on the summit of a hill. 
 ' Good Ambofilius, you know this ground ? ' 
 
 ' Indeed, I do,' I said ; 'its beauties still 
 Hold me entranced as when I saw them first' 
 
 Time said, ' Send on my people ; let them go
 
 1 76 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Before into my halls and slake their thirst, 
 While I from here prepare for my great show 
 By calling on the gods. Stand by my side.' 
 
 Then with majestic mien and stately pose, 
 With head erect and mantled in his pride, 
 One hand he hipped, the other up he throws, 
 And speaking with a voice tuned by his love, 
 He calls upon his brother gods above. 
 
 ' Up, Boreas I distend your northern ears ! 
 Blow out the trumpets of your frigid zone 
 And wake creation ; for 'tis many years, 
 I'll wager, since you heard, and you will own, 
 When you have heard it in befitting rhyme, 
 'Tis strange what I shall tell. Wake ! Boreas, 
 wake !
 
 The Afarria(^e of Tune. i 77 
 
 And gather for this once from every clime 
 Your sleeping- winds, and let them for my sake 
 Pay homage, for 'tis I who call, old Time. 
 Send out your messengers to east and south, 
 Tell west to blow and ope' your northern mouth. 
 Let circling storms bear on their winged wings 
 The joyful news, that all may join my suite.' 
 
 ' What is the joyful news that good Time 
 
 brings ? ' 
 Said Boreas, as he lighted on his feet. 
 
 ' The news, my worthy friend ! just hearken you. 
 I've been to heaven ! the glorious paradise ; 
 I've had real angels in my retinue ; 
 I've seen, my worthy friend, with my own eyes 
 Such wonders, Boreas, as to you or me 
 
 M
 
 I 78 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Are wonders of perfection's perfect type. 
 I took my friends and sailed across the sea 
 To find a wife. My plans are nearly ripe 
 To bring- my marriage to the joyful end.' 
 
 ' A wife ! ' said Boreas ; ' Have you found a wife ? ' 
 
 ' Ay ! have I ! ' cried he, with an upward bend 
 Of his eyebrows, which showed his lengthened 
 
 life 
 Had gained in strength since he was last at 
 
 home, 
 Which made him think 'twas good sometimes to 
 
 roam. 
 • I want the gods of our fraternity 
 To lend their presence to adorn my suite. 
 My love, the sweet, the pure Eternity,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 79 
 
 Will journey to a spot where we shall meet. 
 Now, Boreas,' said Time, ' will you assist, 
 And ask the brother gods to my great feast ? 
 Don't take refusal ; mind, you must insist 
 That all, the most exalted and the least, 
 Do me this honour. Now, Boreas, hear 
 What further I shall say. The gods must come. 
 Then next the goddesses must all appear. 
 You should bid Jupiter a good welcome ; 
 Ask Mars and Bacchus, Mercury and Sol. 
 My friend Poseidon, and the low Hades 
 For this event perhaps you may enrol, 
 Together with Hephaestus, if you please. 
 Eternity, I'm sure, will Venus choose 
 For her surpassing loveliness and grace ; 
 At least, 'tis my belief; for he who woos 
 \^alues perhaps the most a pretty face.
 
 1 80 The Mari'iage of Time. 
 
 Another queenly consort is Juno. 
 
 Her rank among the goddesses is high ; 
 
 She's female Jupiter in heaven, you know, 
 
 And keeps her sex in order generally. 
 
 Give these a call good Boreas ; let each 
 
 Hear from you, polished phrase in copious 
 
 showers, 
 In your best colours, like a painted speech. 
 
 Bid them all come in lanjruafre's best flowers. 
 
 Aurora and Diana should come next ; 
 
 We must of course have these to light the way. 
 
 If they are not first, I hope they'll not be vexed ; 
 
 Not being in front will not affect their ray. 
 
 Then for domestic comfort we should take 
 
 The gentle Hestia of the hearth and fire ; 
 
 She would be useful if we wished to bake 
 
 Our bread at home. Then Leto would aspire
 
 The Mari'iage of Time. i S i 
 
 To take her place not very far behind. 
 The mother of Apollo must be placed 
 As near as possible where she's inclined. 
 In this, good Boreas, you'll try and suit her taste. 
 Eternity, I think, would like some one 
 Of fibrous will to counsel her and serve her ; 
 A sort of warrior without a gun. 
 We'll send an invitation to Minerva. 
 And, Ambofilius, there's a dame for you. 
 She knows your earth, her feet have kissed its 
 floor.' 
 
 ' Perhaps she'll take me back,' I said. ' Oh ! do, 
 Pray, ask her when she can, if I'm a bore.' 
 
 ' She's goddess of your green meats and your 
 berries,
 
 1 82 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And decks her head with poppies aruP^bright corn; 
 In Greece she's Demeter, in Rome she's Ceres, 
 She will my suite most charmingly adorn. 
 I don't know when she last went to your earth 
 Just ask her, Boreas, when she is going again. 
 'Tis not unlikely she might think it worth 
 Her while to take you back for some rich gain.' 
 
 * Rich gain, indeed ! ' I said. ' I shall not pay : 
 A goddess surely needs no such reward. 
 I'll be protector ; she can show the way, 
 That's all the payment that I can afford.' 
 
 Time smiledand said, ' Protector ! ' I smiled too. 
 ' She needs no helmsman when she goes, my 
 
 friend. 
 If either is to guard, she'll watch o'er you,
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 8 
 
 J 
 
 And see you safely to your journey's end. 
 Now, Boreas, are our noble guests complete ; 
 Who is there more to make our list replete ? 
 Great /Eolus, of course, must find a place, 
 And if we take with us the big heroes, 
 Why should we not the smaller ones embrace ? 
 There's Aphrodite's son, the wing'd Eros ; 
 Then there's the great Apollo, god of song — 
 And Circe, Helios' daughter, with her arts. 
 The Muses we must have to swell the throng 
 And give a balance to the various parts.' 
 
 ' Besides the men of courage there are shy men,' 
 Remarked Boreas, * who no doubt will follow. 
 What say you to the handsome youth called 
 
 Hymen, 
 Bearing his bridal torch, son of Apollo .-* *
 
 1 84 The Marriage of Ti7ne. 
 
 ' Follow, indeed ! this boy must go in front ! 
 The god of weddings, like the chased deer, 
 Must head the chasers and lead on the hunt,' 
 Said Time. 'See that his fiery torch burns clear. 
 While on your round, good Boreas, think of more. 
 There's threefold Hebe to close up the ranks.' 
 
 • 
 
 ' If Morpheus comes,' I said, 'perhaps he'll snore, 
 And that would not incur your honour's thanks.' 
 
 ' The son of sleep, my worthy friend, must be 
 The last of all,' said Time. ' He can preside 
 At drawing of the curtain, and just see 
 That both of us are well tucked up inside.' 
 
 ' Well, then, if you achieve too much success, 
 You had better have the doctress Nemesis.'
 
 The Marriage of Tiine. 185 
 
 * That's not a bad idea,' said Time. ' Oh! yes, 
 We'll have her with us on the premises.' 
 
 With this, as far as Boreas was concerned. 
 The conference closed. 'Now Boreas, good-bye,' 
 Said Time. ' When you have finished you'll 
 
 have earned 
 The gratitude of yours faithfully.' 
 
 So Time and Ambofilius turned about 
 
 To near his home, when filling both their eyes 
 
 There came a brilliant pageant spreading out 
 
 Of his attendants, meaning to surprise 
 
 Their worshipped master with some choicer gifts. 
 
 The size of his success was now made known, 
 
 And one and all, as when some joy uplifts 
 
 In sudden bound the passive heart, had shown
 
 1 86 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Fresh-kindled eagerness to share with him 
 The pleasure he had captured for his heart. 
 So as Time turned he heard a joyful hymn 
 Spread out its harmony as all took part. 
 The fairy maidens of his household came, 
 Each nursing fondly in her shapely arms 
 The offspring of a thought born of his fame ; 
 Which, as they neared, they bore in open 
 
 palms, 
 Smiling a prayer that he would kindly take 
 This tribute of their gratitude to him. 
 He took from all and said, for each one's sake 
 With pleasure he received, and to its brim 
 His heart responding filled with his best thanks. 
 Then mingling with the groups he spoke with all, 
 Nor failing in attention to all ranks. 
 Gave heed to every individual.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 8 7 
 
 Dispersing slowly, some this way some that, 
 The company broke up, and Time retired. 
 
 * Come, Ambofilius, let us have a chat, 
 
 And see if our ideas can be inspired,' 
 
 He said. * Eternity now thinks of me, 
 
 And wonders if the cunning of my mind, 
 
 With shuttle of device, weaves secretly 
 
 The plans I promised she in time should find 
 
 A fabric perfect for the critic's eye. 
 
 My embassy, whose chief is Boreas, 
 
 Is on the wing to summon hastily 
 
 My leading guests, and for this glorious 
 
 Occasion I must really find for you 
 
 A noble part. Say, Ambofilius ! 
 
 If I bid you elect out of the few 
 
 Best places, be not so punctilious
 
 1 88 The Marj-iage of Ti?fte. 
 
 As to choose the least. Let me fix for you 
 A place with ^olus. He is the power 
 Who dominates the winds. With him the view 
 Would be immense and grand, as on a tower 
 You stood upon your earth sky high, to see 
 A flight of comets race ten million miles. 
 
 ' I fear,' I said, ' god ^olus would be 
 Indignant to be charged with one who styles 
 Himself a denizen from Pluto's world.' 
 
 ' I'll manage that/ said Time ; ' you go with 
 
 him. 
 Mind only, when his bound-up power's uncurled, 
 And you through endless space begin to skim, 
 You pay attention to the god's commands. 
 You are not provided with a pair of wings,
 
 The Marriage of Ti7ne. 189 
 
 And so must keep in mind that he with hands 
 Is only sate from falHng when he chngs.' 
 
 * From faUing ! thank you,' I remarked with awe, 
 ' Could I hold on in one of his typhoons ? 
 My senses would disperse ; each clutching claw 
 W^ould merofe its nature in nebulae of \\\sA\ 
 swoons.' 
 
 ' That would indeed be a catastrophe, 
 The like of which we cannot contemplate,' 
 Said Time. ' We must from such disasters be 
 Too well protected, sir, at any rate. 
 With /Eolus you'll have a foremost post 
 W^ell in the van, from which your searching eye 
 Can see the most distinguished of the host, 
 As they come sweeping through the blazing sky.
 
 1 90 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Time entered now with pensive look his home, 
 And thought, were he a scribe of facile pen, 
 He'd write an Iliad, and fill a tome 
 With deities and angels and real men. 
 
 ' My friend,' he said, ' sharp turning on his heel, 
 I feel inspired with what I've seen and done. 
 When I unlock my memory, I feel 
 Such bursting forth, like Helios' blazing sun, 
 Of endless calendars of rarest siq-hts 
 And panoramas of celestial deeds, 
 That, like your famous Homer, it delights 
 Me to loose out my brain, and while it bleeds 
 With heated images, dream in the past. 
 Can it be real, that I have found a wife ? 
 The thought of it is more than too divine. 
 I sometimes fear that I might lose my life
 
 The ]\la7'riage of Time. 191 
 
 Before Eternity is really mine. 
 Oh, Ambofilius ! had you been with me 
 Up there in those bright regions far away ; 
 With me to know, to feel, to hear, to see 
 That it was true ; all true. That you could say 
 In words that I could hear and know were true, 
 That all those wonders were no fever'd dream, 
 My soul would then find rest.' 
 
 ' To be with you, 
 When you were lost to us in that bright beam 
 Of heavenly light,' I said, ' was my desire. 
 I've never ceased to think of all you've said 
 About those heavenly regions in the skies.' 
 
 ' 'Tis now too late,' said Time. ' When we are 
 wed,
 
 192 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And gather flowers from our memories, 
 Perchance we shall be able to retrace 
 In company the paths which I have seen. 
 Eternity's all powerful to transplace 
 From lower to the higher realms, I ween.' 
 
 ' Not such as I,' I said, ' dare ask her aid ; 
 Those regions are for men who've ceased to toil, 
 And have been ransomed to a higher grade ; 
 Who've slipp'd the mortal's chain, and cast its 
 
 coil. 
 Between my fixed destiny, and there, 
 I see a gulf impassable to me 
 While I am mortal and know human care. 
 No, Time. I'm not fit for Eternity.' 
 
 ' Vour judgment's wise, like all creation's laws ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 193 
 
 Your speech is purified in Reason's fire,' 
 
 He said. * 'Tis true, there must be some such 
 
 pause ; 
 Perhaps 'tis needed as a purifier.' 
 
 The same great hall that held us both before 
 Now closed around us with its coolinof shades. 
 Just like a ship that's launched from the shore. 
 Time laid him down by slowly following- 
 grades. 
 He hailed a servitor, and bid him seek 
 Oceanus, and tell him to come in. 
 The captain came that we all three might speak 
 Of the great project — when it should begin. 
 
 Time said, ' Now, Ambofilius, let us hear 
 How weddings are conducted on your earth.' 
 
 N
 
 1 94 The Marriage of 1 ims. 
 
 * With pleasure,' I replied ; ' but I much fear 
 For you to know our ways is not much 
 
 worth.' 
 
 * Indeed, my friend,' he said, * I wish to know ! 
 Wherever in this universe we live 
 
 The wisest of the wise can always learn. 
 In some things we must take, in others give ; 
 Each of us can the other help in turn. 
 O ratio veritatis simplex est' 
 
 ' Marriage,' I said, ' with us, begins man's 
 
 serious life. 
 The course he then pursues will be the test, 
 And gauge his fitness to possess a wife. 
 Unmarried men, beyond a certain age. 
 Resemble tossing ships upon the sea
 
 The Mari'ia^e of Time. 195 
 
 In search of shelter and sure anchoraee ; 
 They are not happy, if they seem to be.' 
 
 ' There's something human, then, in me,' said 
 
 Time. 
 ' For centuries my nature's had a thirst, 
 That fed upon me as a culprit's crime 
 Assails his mind, till it is near to burst. 
 A something in me grew that had no room. 
 My soul was like a heated caged plant. 
 That sucked its mother earth to make the bloom, 
 And fretted in its heart with fevered pant 
 To find the liberty that was denied. 
 'Tis thus that I've been prison'd and bereft 
 Of that for which my soul has vainly cried, 
 Like the frail lichen in the rock's dark cleft. 
 I've wandered upand down and throughall space,
 
 ig6 The Marriage of Tivtc. 
 
 Just as a man whose brain has lost its root ; 
 
 Nothing I heard or saw gave me solace. 
 
 Like a track'd deer the hunter sought to 
 
 shoot, 
 I've rushed about pursuing and pursued 
 To find a something that was nowhere found, 
 And followed as by panther for his food, 
 Stealthily nearing without show or sound.* 
 
 * What followed you ? ' Oceanus inquired. 
 
 * V\^\\^X. followed me, Oceanus ! A thirst ! 
 Like that would be if Helios, triple fired, 
 Dried up the waters in Poseidon's seas, 
 And left the fishes as by plague accursed 
 
 In their last plunging throe, scorched, murdered, 
 dead ! '
 
 The Marriage of Time. 197 
 
 ' The deepest thirst Creation feels or sees 
 Is the devouring thirst of love,' I said. 
 
 ' What Ambofilius says,' said Time, is true. 
 
 ' Where blood is born to fill created veins 
 The blood breeds love. Its richly purple blue 
 No power below or up in heaven restrains, 
 When male and female ripening fire the germs, 
 Which in them tremble, like a nervous hand, 
 Or noon-warm rosebuds fighting with the 
 
 worms, 
 Which eat the choicest shoots as they expand. 
 No, sirs, indeed, there's nothing even in heaven 
 Like that ereat sense. It moves the deities ! 
 On globes like that from which my friend is 
 
 driven
 
 igS The Marriage of Time. 
 
 It shakes great empires, and to me it is, 
 
 As I have said before, a new-born life. 
 
 My home in fact is now a Httle heaven. 
 
 Like one victorious in a deadly strife, 
 
 I rest content with that for which I've striven.' 
 
 ' Well, now/ said Time, ' let my good people 
 
 come. 
 We must have all things ready for the day 
 When fair Eternity will meet us. Some 
 Can give their ear to what I have to say 
 Inside this hall ; but if no place is found 
 For all, then some must stay without and hear. 
 Give orders that my servitors go quickly round, 
 Oceanus, and bid our friends come here. 
 While they are gone, pray, Ambofilius, say
 
 The Marriage of Time. 199 
 
 What are the customs in your much-loved land 
 When kings prepare a royal wedding-day ? ' 
 
 ' A great procession leaves the palace, and 
 Moves slow with stately march to music's sound. 
 A church, whose top is mantled in the clouds 
 Throws wide its doors, and spreading to the 
 
 ground 
 Stream draperies of gold. Excited crowds 
 Of loyal subjects line the course and cheer ; 
 W^hile in the great cathedral may be seen 
 Archbishops, bishops, canons ; standing near 
 Are minor priests, the chapter, and the dean ; 
 Statesmen and heroes, writers, poets, wits ; 
 All who claim much renown, both young and old. 
 The church is full, the organ plays. There sits 
 The king, emblazoned with his jewelled gold.
 
 200 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 High raised upon a shining starry throne, 
 His head is crowned ; his countenance is grave; 
 In all the world there's no one more alone. 
 He's free ; but 'tis the freedom of a slave.' 
 
 'A king a slave!' said Time; 'how can that be? 
 He is the last of all to be enslaved.' 
 
 ' Not bound with chains,' I said; 'yet he's not 
 
 free. 
 Upon the face of kings is deep engraved 
 The linked lines which have enchained their 
 
 soul. 
 Like other mortals born to wealth and power, 
 They love to rule those whom they can control, 
 While life in them spins out its little hour.
 
 The Marriage of Tiine. 201 
 
 A rumbling in the distance, like a storm, 
 Heralds the coming of the future queen. 
 Line after line, in military form, 
 Young, tall, and stalwart soldiers may be seen. 
 High raised in air the trumpet mouths declare 
 To him, who pale and patient sits and waits, 
 That she who fills his heart with loving care 
 Speeds on, and is without the church's gates. 
 Now louder music moves the quivering air, 
 And deep and full in measured time unrolls. 
 Ten thousand eyes converge on her and stare, 
 While brilliant banners, high on lifted poles, 
 Bend like the weeds that float upon the sea. 
 A surging cheer salutes her as she lights 
 Upon the soil of God's divinity. 
 The battle-field of man's religious fights. 
 A line of chosen courtiers now precedes
 
 202 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The lady's body-guard, whose gleaming dress, 
 Like brilliant flowers in frames of dusky weeds. 
 Lights up the mass of human nothingness. 
 The church is entered and the royal pair 
 Make vows to live in lasting continence. 
 A nation's praises rend the sacred air 
 As both in one are merged in permanence. 
 Rich gifts and wishes flow from every hand, 
 And all the world keeps festive holiday. 
 Loud allelujahs ring throughout the land 
 And lend magnificence to the display.' 
 
 My words thus ended ; and Time gently rose 
 And stroked his beard and looked about the 
 ground. 
 
 ' That Is your finest pageant, I suppose ? '
 
 The Marriage of Time. 20 
 
 J 
 
 Oceanus remarked, as he turned round. 
 ''Tis well,' said Time; 'my friend has truly told. 
 What can be done with pageants must depend 
 Upon your means. I f they are rich and manifold 
 Processions once begun need never end. 
 My worthy friend knows well that on his sphere 
 The space and means are on a smaller scale. 
 My show will fill the skies ; the front and rear 
 Will look like fleets upon a sea, ten thousand sail.' 
 
 Time's servitors had now arrived in force, 
 And the Avenger rose and with loud voice 
 Bade all who could come in. He said, the source 
 Of his great plans should partly be their choice. 
 
 ' Oceanus, bring up your sailor men. 
 They've faced the dangers of the mighty deep
 
 204 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And we will see if they are paler when 
 They navigate the air with fiightstrong leap.* 
 
 Oceanus stood up and said, * Good sir ! 
 My men, I'll wager, follow your lead. 
 In front of Poseidon not one would stir 
 When he was mad with rage and made them 
 bleed.' 
 
 The multitude overflowed beyond the door. 
 And as Time rose the people's voices died 
 Down into nothing, as when rain will pour, 
 Then quickly stop, as if the heavens had dried. 
 
 * My friends,' he said, ' you are, I know, aware 
 That my lone life is coming to its end. 
 My vow has left the seed and in the air.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 205 
 
 Like growing trees, its branches quick ascend. 
 
 My life begun when all things took their rise. 
 
 When first Diana spread her little arms 
 
 And met Aurora with her opening eyes 
 
 My own career begun. The graceful charms 
 
 Of these fair twins my homage soon enthralled ; 
 
 Prudence so far has ruled my destiny. 
 
 But there's a time when each of us is called 
 
 By something, which like an epiphany, 
 
 His livingf soul close haunts with orrowinQf- 
 
 sense 
 Of some enslaved unsatisfied desire. 
 'Twas this that burned in me when I sailed 
 
 hence. 
 Like an ungovernable raging fire. 
 It must have grown and spread for centuries, 
 Till such quintessence my soul so enslaved
 
 2o6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 That I pursued ideal effigies 
 
 Which my hot blood on my hot brain engraved. 
 
 My tortured soul at length its bondage burst, 
 
 And spread its wings to find a happier life. 
 
 If my poor fortune ended in the worst, 
 
 I still should only be without a wife. 
 
 I took a Hector's courage and set out; 
 
 My shibboleth was '' Jacta alea est!^ 
 
 Oceanus spreads sail, the sailors shout. 
 
 And full of hopes I steer out to the west. 
 
 My friends, the rest is like a story told ; 
 
 A tale of wonder and high-brain'd romance, 
 
 Which I shall ne'er forget though I be old 
 
 By more than I am now, by twice, perchance.' 
 
 Time's hearers had sat mute as people dead, 
 So earnest were they listening to each thought ;
 
 The Marriage of Time. 207 
 
 That nothing might conflict with what he said, 
 Or hinder them from gaining what they sought. 
 
 Resumins: his discourse, Time said, ' Well, now ! 
 The time, my friends, is near when we shall meet 
 The fair Eternity, and my great vow 
 Will also near its end and be complete.' 
 
 At this the whole assembly, like a gale 
 Of new-born wind beam-ending some great ship, 
 Rose up, as if a fleet had spread each sail, 
 And shouted one and all a great hip ! hip ! 
 Hip ! hip ! hip ! hip ! hurrah ! And then, again 
 They shouted hip ! hip ! hip ! hip ! hip ! hurrah ! 
 With all their lungs and force and might and 
 
 main. 
 Till echoes echoed echoes wide and far.
 
 2o8 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The crowd then broke and mingled, and the roar 
 
 Of their full voices heated in debate, 
 
 To those outside, resembled the great pour 
 
 Of some swift cataract precipitate 
 
 Down plunging many streams in headlong 
 
 bound. 
 Time spoke with all ; but with a chosen few 
 Discussed the plans minutely, till they found 
 The object of this long-sought interview. 
 The gathering ended and they all dispersed, 
 The place of each appointed, and the day 
 When all should reassemble and be versed 
 Well in his role for Time's great wedding day. 
 
 The morning of the day selected dawned. 
 And Time, and all his suite, came forth prepared 
 All gaily decked and marshalled on the laund
 
 The Marriage of Time. 209 
 
 Of his domain. They sliowed that Time had 
 
 cared 
 
 For the minutest wants of all his friends, 
 
 And perfect order reigned throughout his suite. 
 
 Like some great general a nation sends 
 
 To foreign lands with their commands, to treat 
 
 For peace or war as circumstances need, 
 
 Time close surveyed each one, that he might see 
 
 How far they were prepared for act and deed 
 
 Like that this day must end triumphantly. 
 
 While all were standing Hke an army drilled 
 
 To keep in perfect line prepared to fight. 
 
 The air changed colour and all round was filled 
 
 With darkness gently veiling o'er the light. 
 
 Beside Time stood his glass with running sand. 
 
 Which held his watchful eye as it ran out. 
 
 At length the grains were ended and his hand 
 
 o
 
 2 1 o The Marriao-e of Time. 
 
 Quick raised aloft showed all the whereabout 
 Of the descending host that blacked the sky. 
 To meet the leading gods Time spread his wings 
 And with him took a glance from every eye, 
 As subjects watch the movements of their kings. 
 The deities and their great suites came near, 
 Creating quite an artificial wind, 
 And making all the heavens around appear 
 As if their trains extended miles behind. 
 Then ^olus and Boreas and their suite 
 And all the Boreades lent their aid, 
 And raised Time's followers from their feet 
 Up level with the rest by gentle grade. 
 The gods and goddesses of highest rank 
 Now moved into the van of Time's great host, 
 And some came up behind till every blank 
 Was filled and each at his appointed post.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 1 1 
 
 Then all was ready, and the hero of the day 
 Some distance on before took up his place, 
 And with a blast that shook the whole array, 
 And thundered forth their coming throughout 
 
 space, 
 This mighty pageant pierced the trembling air. 
 The planets with their suns lit up the way 
 With treble flare ; the penetrating glare 
 Resembling all suns united for that day. 
 Diana and Aurora, close to Time, 
 Had burnished up their brightness to its best, 
 Which made the rays of Helios look like rime 
 Of dazzling silver, as they danced upon each 
 
 breast. 
 Poseidon rode a cloud with winged steeds, 
 And made his trident breed electric lio-ht : 
 His prancing horses filled with eolden beads
 
 2 1 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 The heavens around Hke bright stars in the 
 
 night. 
 Dame Chaos in her sombre evening gown 
 Lent contrast to the corruscating glow 
 Of scintillating sparks, as they came down 
 From the commotion in its onward flow. 
 Apollo, with his glittering lyre, was heard 
 Above the roar of the displaced air 
 Attuning his great choir, whose every word 
 Like choral thunder sounded everywhere. 
 To represent the Muses was Melpomene, 
 Whose traoric solos charmed the ears of all. 
 Urania came to personate astronomy ; 
 Polymnia, Thalia, Clio, and the tall 
 Erato stiffening Time's old ears to catch 
 The love-strains she spun from her fruitful 
 
 brain.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 1 
 
 J 
 
 The naughty poetess must even hatch 
 
 A little Cupid to enrich the strain. 
 
 Epic and lyric writing there must be 
 
 To make fit records of this great event. 
 
 Calliope epic, lyric Euterpe, 
 
 And there we have the Olympian contingent. 
 
 Great Zeus was there, and looking very studious, 
 
 As if he thought Time's scheme might interfere 
 
 With his position. He called Pluvius, 
 
 And asked that god if he had aught to fear. 
 
 While Pluvius and the King of Heaven thus 
 
 spoke, 
 A blast from Boreas filled the air around. 
 The mighty host, as if from sleep awoke, 
 Seemed lifted by the thunder of the sound. 
 Straight out in front, as far as eye could reach,
 
 2 1 4 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 A silvery dawn came creeping thro' the mist. 
 All eyes were strained to see, the ears of each 
 Were bended to the sound by lifted wrist. 
 Great silver beams and golden-coloured bars, 
 Like shining rays from Helios in the morn, 
 Spread through the heavens. Great star- 
 decked golden cars, 
 By troops of winged gleaming angels drawn, 
 Came into view, refulgent with the quickening 
 
 light ; 
 As if creation's suns had met to be, 
 Of all the features in that wondrous sight, 
 The one most pleasing to Eternity. 
 
 Time's soul now leaped within him, and he said 
 
 In silent speech, * The angel of my life ! 
 
 She comes ! she really comes ! The fearful dread
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 1 5 
 
 That she might not perhaps become my wife 
 Slow drags its awful weight from off my brain, 
 As my eyes reap this harvest for my soul.' 
 
 His eyes kept fixed upon the golden plain 
 Which looked like gleaming rivers as they roll 
 Straight out from many suns in one great 
 
 stream. 
 Time raised his hands and said aloud to me, — 
 
 * Oh ! Ambofilius, I know now 'tis no dream ; 
 I see her coming ! Fair Eternity ! ' 
 
 The van of her great train now clearer shone 
 Against the brilliant heavens, distinctly seen. 
 Far up above the rest she sat upon 
 A crystal throne, a matchless heavenly queen.
 
 2 1 6 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 All round her was a nimbus of fair forms ; 
 
 Great flights of angels soared above her head, 
 
 And far behind in endless, countless swarms 
 
 The train of her angelic followers spread. 
 
 The willing ears of all detect afar 
 
 The stronger sounds of murmuring harmony, 
 
 Which, as each second, like a falling star, 
 
 Throws down its life, breathes their antiphony 
 
 To purify and bathe the nuptial air 
 
 In which these mighty hosts shall celebrate 
 
 that day. 
 The union of this high-born heavenly pair. 
 
 The heavens all round are now ablaze and gay 
 With stars in clusters, moons and suns in 
 
 pairs. 
 The vault above is striped with dazzling hues.
 
 The Marriage of Time. 2 1 7 
 
 Whose sparkling radiance every object shares, 
 While all around are wide enchanting views. 
 
 The hosts now halt, and in extended rows, 
 The gods ^nd goddesses in front, the rest be- 
 hind. 
 Like mountain ranges tipped with silver snows, 
 Peak after living peak aloft enshrined 
 In amber purity of sun's full ray. 
 Eternity's great suite in equal line 
 Then bounds the plain, dividing each array, 
 To which the tiers in gentle slope decline. 
 The leading personages on each side 
 Now leave their friends, and in the open meet 
 For salutation, and that they may guide 
 In their due course the functions of each suite. 
 Apollo's son the handsome Hymen sings
 
 2 1 8 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Alone, a strain as signal to the choirs, 
 Who poised aloft upon their outstretched wings 
 O'erarch with harmony the living spires. 
 Beneath is raised a dual nuptial throne, 
 With altar flanked by chosen cherubims. 
 All being ready, Time comes forth alone, 
 His advent heralded by martial hymns. 
 Then sweeter strains float on the golden air, 
 And shielded by a favoured few is seen 
 The fairer half of this illustrious pair, 
 Eternity, the chaste celestial queen. 
 Then Helios and his kin stir up their fires, 
 And all the minor lights shed stronger rays ; 
 Resounding harmonies from all the choirs 
 With thunder stream to heaven in fullest praise 
 As they are joined by solemn marriage tie. 
 The potent ^Eolus and Boreas blow
 
 The Marriage of Time. 1 1 9 
 
 Their tempered winds to spread throughout the 
 
 sky 
 The allehijahs, as in force they grow. 
 The gods and goddesses with choicest gifts 
 Crowd round Eternity ; and happy Time 
 In unfeigned ecstasies his hands upHfts, 
 Moved by a sense of joy in him subHme. 
 Great Jupiter loud thunders throughout space 
 And rolls far off his massive monotone, 
 Sounding as if the planets in a race 
 Struck each the other till one ran alone. 
 To vary the full glow of Helios' light, 
 And match the thunder of great Zeus's lungs, 
 God Fulminator sent with peerless flight 
 His lightning through the heavens with shoot- 
 ing tongues. 
 Then Pluvius, to cool down the burning sky
 
 2 20 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 And let his gentle rain the sunbeams kiss, 
 
 The water frees, o'erarching splendidly 
 
 With coloured bows these realms of perfect bliss. 
 
 Minerva, with Poseidon hand in hand, 
 
 Congratulate with smiles the married pair ; 
 
 While Venus and fair Juno with their band 
 
 Of followers their homage deep declare. 
 
 Time now assists Eternity to rise 
 
 And take the throne intended for his bride, 
 
 While he the other proudly occupies 
 
 Sweet smiling on his consort by his side. 
 
 The great united hosts then change their place, 
 
 And marshal all their strength before the thrones. 
 
 The gods in front with Time are face to face, 
 
 A peerless gathering he frankly owns. 
 
 The King of Heaven great Jupiter and Zeus,
 
 The Marriage of Tz?ne. 2 2 i 
 
 When silence held full undisputed sway, 
 Rose up ; and that he might on them produce 
 Impression deep, close bordering on dismay, 
 He let his thunder roar loud peal on peal 
 Till all the air was heaving like a sea 
 Cast from a storm's embrace, and made to reel 
 Like the carouser from his revelry. 
 Then with proud mien and elevated head 
 In measured phrase, deliberate, he said, — 
 
 * Eternity, great Time, the gods, and men ! 
 The heavens bear witness that the deed is 
 
 done. 
 Two mighty powers are joined, and you. 
 
 Hymen, 
 Should make your torch like Helios' brightest 
 
 sun
 
 22 2 The Marriage of Time. 
 
 Shed its clear lustre through infinite space. 
 Let god Pluto his largest planet spare 
 And there it fix, that every coming race 
 May see it burn, and know that it was there 
 On that illustrious spot where you now 
 
 stand. 
 And where this great assembly looks on me, 
 That she in marriage gave to Time her hand, 
 The beauteous goddess, chaste Eternity ! 
 This grand event, my noble sires and dames, 
 Illumes creation's history with a sun 
 Which lights for ever, on its roll, the names 
 Of Time and of Eternity in one. 
 In great Creation's name I raise my voice, 
 For you and me, to wish them happiness ; 
 Inspire your choirs, Apollo, and rejoice 
 In hymns and songs of heavenly loveliness ;
 
 TIu Marriage of Time. 111 
 
 ~-o 
 
 So swell your chant that all in heaven may 
 
 hear, 
 And their best choirs in fullest song employ. 
 Now shake the universe with one ereat 
 
 cheer, 
 And wish our wedded friends much joy.' 
 
 THE END. 
 
 COLSTON AM) SON, IRINIKKS, KDIMtt'KClI.
 
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