按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
of the summer that has ceased to change visibly。 The poetry of mere
day and of late summer becomes perceptible to mature eyes that have
long ceased to be sated； have taken leave of weariness； and cannot
now find anything in nature too familiar； eyes which have； indeed；
lost sight of the further awe of midsummer daybreak； and no longer
see so much of the past in April twilight as they saw when they had
no past； but which look freshly at the dailiness of green summer； of
early afternoon； of every sky of any form that comes to pass； and of
the darkened elms。
Not unbeloved is this serious tree； the elm； with its leaf sitting
close； unthrilled。 Its stature gives it a dark gold head when it
looks alone to a late sun。 But if one could go by all the woods；
across all the old forests that are now meadowlands set with trees；
and could walk a county gathering trees of a single kind in the
mind； as one walks a garden collecting flowers of a single kind in
the hand； would not the harvest be a harvest of poplars？ A
veritable passion for poplars is a most intelligible passion。 The
eyes do gather them； far and near； on a whole day's journey。 Not
one is unperceived； even though great timber should be passed； and
hill…sides dense and deep with trees。 The fancy makes a poplar day
of it。 Immediately the country looks alive with signals； for the
poplars everywhere reply to the glance。 The woods may be all
various； but the poplars are separate。
All their many kinds （and aspens； their kin； must be counted with
them） shake themselves perpetually free of the motionless forest。
It is easy to gather them。 Glances sent into the far distance pay
them a flash of recognition of their gentle flashes； and as you
journey you are suddenly aware of them close by。 Light and the
breezes are as quick as the eyes of a poplar…lover to find the
willing tree that dances to be seen。
No lurking for them； no reluctance。 One could never make for
oneself an oak day so well。 The oaks would wait to be found； and
many would be missed from the gathering。 But the poplars are alert
enough for a traveller by express； they have an alarum aloft； and do
not sleep。 From within some little grove of other trees a single
poplar makes a slight sign； or a long row of poplars suddenly sweep
the wind。 They are salient everywhere； and full of replies。 They
are as fresh as streams。
It is difficult to realize a drought where there are many poplars。
And yet their green is not rich； the coolest have a colour much
mingled with a cloud…grey。 It does but need fresh and simple eyes
to recognize their unfaded life。 When the other trees grow dark and
keep still； the poplar and the aspen do not darkenor hardlyand
the deepest summer will not find a day in which they do not keep
awake。 No waters are so vigilant； even where a lake is bare to the
wind。
When Keats said of his Dian that she fastened up her hair 〃with
fingers cool as aspen leaves；〃 he knew the coolest thing in the
world。 It is a coolness of colour； as well as of a leaf which the
breeze takes on both sidesthe greenish and the greyish。 The
poplar green has no glows； no gold； it is an austere colour； as
little rich as the colour of willows； and less silvery than theirs。
The sun can hardly gild it； but he can shine between。 Poplars and
aspens let the sun through with the wind。 You may have the sky
sprinkled through them in high midsummer； when all the woods are
close。
Sending your fancy poplar…gathering； then； you ensnare wild trees；
beating with life。 No fisher's net ever took such glancing fishes；
nor did the net of a constellation's shape ever enclose more
vibrating Pleiades。
WELLS
The world at present is inclined to make sorry mysteries or
unattractive secrets of the methods and supplies of the fresh and
perennial means of life。 A very dull secret is made of water； for
example； and the plumber sets his seal upon the floods whereby we
live。 They are covered； they are carried； they are hushed； from the
spring to the tap； and when their voices are released at last in the
London scullery； why； it can hardly be said that the song is
eloquent of the natural source of waters； whether earthly or
heavenly。 There is not one of the circumstances of this capture of
streamsthe company； the water…rate； and the restthat is not a
sign of the ill…luck of modern devices in regard to style。 For
style implies a candour and simplicity of means； an action； a
gesture； as it were； in the doing of small things； it is the
ignorance of secret ways； whereas the finish of modern life and its
neatness seem to be secured by a system of little shufflings and
surprises。
Dress； among other things； is furnished throughout with such
fittings； they form its very construction。 Style does not exist in
modern arrayings； for all their prettiness and precision； and for
all the successeswhich are not to be deniedof their outer part；
the happy little swagger that simulates style is but another sign of
its absence； being prepared by mere dodges and dexterities beneath；
and the triumph and success of the present art of raiment〃fit〃
itselfis but the result of a masked and lurking labour and device。
The masters of fine manners； moreover； seem to be always aware of
the beauty that comes of pausing slightly upon the smaller and
slighter actions； such as meaner men are apt to hurry out of the
way。 In a word； the workman； with his finish and accomplishment； is
the dexterous provider of contemporary things； and the ready； well…
appointed； and decorated life of all towns is now altogether in his
hands； whereas the artist craftsman of other times made a
manifestation of his means。 The first hides the streams； under
stress and pressure； in paltry pipes which we all must make haste to
call upon the earth to cover； and the second lifted up the arches of
the aqueduct。
The search of easy ways to live is not always or everywhere the way
to ugliness； but in some countries； at some dates； it is the sure
way。 In all countries； and at all dates； extreme finish compassed
by hidden means must needs； from the beginning； prepare the
abolition of dignity。 This is easy to understand； but it is less
easy to explain the ill…fortune that presses upon the expert
workman； in search of easy ways to live； all the ill…favoured
materials； makes them cheap for him； makes them serviceable and
effectual； urges him to use them； seal them； and inter them； turning
the trim and dull completeness out to the view of the daily world。
It is an added mischance。 Nor； on the other hand； is it easy to
explain the beautiful good luck attending the simpler devices which
are； after all； only less expert ways of labour。 In those happy
conditions； neither from the material； suggesting to the workman；
nor from the workman looking askance at his unhandsome material；
comes a first proposal to pour in cement and make fast the