Diplomatic Renderings

MS Facsimile

"Vanished" "She died -- this was the way she died."

She died -- this was the way she died.

And when her breath-- was done

Took up her simple wardrobe

And started for the sun.

Her little figure at the gate --

The Angels must have spied,

Since I could never find her

Upon the mortal side .

Or (attached on scrap as alternates to ll. 5-6)

"Bernardine" Angels, up the hight

Her trudging feet espied -

MS Facsimile

Autumn "The name - of it - is "Autumn"

The name - of it - is "Autumn"_~

The hue - of it - is Blood --

An Artery - upon the Hill -

A Vein - along the Road -

Great Globules - in the alleys -

And Oh ' the Shower of Stain --

When Winds - upset the Basin --

And⁺ spill the Scarlet Rain.

It sprinkles Bonnets - far below -

It⁺ gathers ruddy Pools -

Then - Eddies like a Rose - away-

⁺Upon Vermillion Wheels -

⁺tip - ⁺stands in -- makes vermillion.

⁺ And Leaves me with the Hills.

MS Facsimile

Saturday "From all the jails the boys and girls"

From all the Jails

the Boys and Girls

Ecstatically leap -

Beloved only

Afternoon

that Prison does'nt

keep -

They storm the Earth

And stun the Air,

A Mob of solid

Bliss -- Frowns

Alas - that ~~Dusk~~

should lie in wait

For such a ⁺~~Sweet~~

Foe

as this _

+ Bud _ Glee - Dawn -

Seene - New - Joy -

MS Facsimile

Heart's Ease "I'm the little 'Hearts' ease'!"

I'm the little "Hearts' ease"!

I dont care for pouting skies!

If the Butterfly delay

Can I therefore, stay away?

If the Coward Bumble Bee

In his chimney corner stay ,

I, must resoluter be !

Who'll apologize for me ?

Dear, old fashioned, little flower!

Eden is old fashioned, too!

Birds are antiquated fellows!

Heaven does not change her blue.

[page break]

Nor will I, the little Hearts' Ease -

Ever be induced to do!

MS Facsimile

Nature's Way "Were nature mortal lady"

There is no known extant autograph copy of this text. This representation is derived from Thomas H. Johnson's 1955 variorum treatment.

Were nature mortal lady

Who had so little time

To pack her trunk and order

The great exchange of clime --

How rapid, how momentous --

What exigencies were --

But nature will be ready

And have an hour to spare.

To make some trifle fairer

That was too fair before --

Enchanting by remaining,

And by departure more.

MS Facsimile

In September "September's"

September's

Baccalaureate

A combination

Of Crickets _~

Crows - and

Retrospects

And a dissembling

Breeze

That hints

Without assuming -

An Innuendo

Sear

That makes the

Heart put up its'

Fun -

[page break]

And turn

Philosopher.

MS Facsimile

My Little King "I met a king this afternoon!"

I met a king this afternoon!

He had not on a Crown indeed -

A little Palm leaf Hat was all,

And he was barefoot, I'm afraid!

But sure I am he Ermine wore

Beneath his faded Jacket's blue--

And sure I am, the crest he bore

Within that Jacket's pocket too!

For 'twas too stately for an Earl-

A Marquis would not go so grand!

'Twas possibly a Czar petite-

A Pope, or something of that kind!

If I must tell you , of a Horse

My speckled Monarch held the rein--

Doubtless, An Estimable Beast

But not at all disposed to run!

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And such a wagon! While I live

Dare I presume to see

Another such a vehicle

As then transported me!

Two other ragged Princes

His royal state partook!

Doubtless the first Excursion

These sovreigns Ever took!

I question of the Royal Coach

Round which the Footmen wait

Has the significance, on high,

Of this Barefoot Estate!