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THE WORKS OF
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
SWANSTON EDITION
VOLUME XIV
Of this SWANSTON EDITION in Twenty-five
Volumes of the Works of ROBERT LOUIS
STEVENSON Two Thousand and Sixty Copies
have been printed, of which only Two Thousand
Copies are for sale.
This is No. ............
THE WORKS OF
ROBERT LOUIS
STEVENSON
VOLUME FOURTEEN
LONDON: PUBLISHED BY CHATTO AND
WINDUS: IN ASSOCIATION WITH CASSELL
AND COMPANY LIMITED: WILLIAM
HEINEMANN: AND LONGMANS GREEN
AND COMPANY MDCCCCXII
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CONTENTS
A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES
PAGE I. Bed in SummerIn winter I get up at night 3 II. A Thought
It is very nice to think 3 III. At the Sea-side
When I was down beside the sea 4 IV. Young Night Thought
All night long, and every night 4 V. Whole Duty of Children
A child should always say what’s true 5 VI. Rain
The rain is raining all around 5 VII. Pirate Story
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing 5 VIII. Foreign Lands
Up into the cherry-tree 6 IX. Windy Nights
Whenever the moon and stars are set 7 X. Travel
I should like to rise and go 7 XI. Singing
Of speckled eggs the birdie sings 9 XII. Looking Forward
When I am grown to man’s estate 9 XIII. A Good Play
We built a ship upon the stairs 9 XIV. Where go the Boats?
Dark brown is the river 10 XV. Auntie’s Skirts
Whenever Auntie moves around 11 XVI. The Land of Counterpane
When I was sick and lay a-bed 11 XVII. The Land of Nod
From breakfast on all through the day 12 XVIII. My Shadow
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me 12 XIX. System
Every night my prayers I say 13 XX. A Good Boy
I woke before the morning, I was happy all the day
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href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@30659@[email protected]#page14" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">14 XXI. Escape at Bedtime
The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out 14 XXII. Marching Song
Bring the comb and play upon it 15 XXIII. The Cow
The friendly cow, all red and white 16 XXIV. Happy Thought
The world is so full of a number of things 16 XXV. The Wind
I saw you toss the kites on high 16 XXVI. Keepsake Mill
Over the borders, a sin without pardon 17 XXVII. Good and Bad Children
Children, you are very little 18 XXVIII. Foreign Children
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow 19 XXIX. The Sun’s Travels
The sun is not a-bed when I 20 XXX. The Lamplighter
My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky 20 XXXI. My Bed is a Boat
My bed is like a little boat 21 XXXII. The Moon
The moon has a face like the clock in the hall 22 XXXIII. The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing 22 XXXIV. Time to Rise
A birdie with a yellow bill 23 XXXV. Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel 23 XXXVI. Fairy Bread
Come up here, O dusty feet 24 XXXVII. From a Railway Carriage
Faster than fairies, faster than witches 24 XXXVIII. Winter-Time
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed 25 XXXIX. The Hayloft
Through all the pleasant meadow-side 26 XL. Farewell to the Farm
The coach is at the door at last 26 XLI. North-West Passage 27 1. Good Night
When the bright lamp is carried in 27 2. Shadow March
All round the house is the jet-black night 28 3. In Port
Last, to the chamber where I lie
The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out 14 XXII. Marching Song
Bring the comb and play upon it 15 XXIII. The Cow
The friendly cow, all red and white 16 XXIV. Happy Thought
The world is so full of a number of things 16 XXV. The Wind
I saw you toss the kites on high 16 XXVI. Keepsake Mill
Over the borders, a sin without pardon 17 XXVII. Good and Bad Children
Children, you are very little 18 XXVIII. Foreign Children
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow 19 XXIX. The Sun’s Travels
The sun is not a-bed when I 20 XXX. The Lamplighter
My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky 20 XXXI. My Bed is a Boat
My bed is like a little boat 21 XXXII. The Moon
The moon has a face like the clock in the hall 22 XXXIII. The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing 22 XXXIV. Time to Rise
A birdie with a yellow bill 23 XXXV. Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel 23 XXXVI. Fairy Bread
Come up here, O dusty feet 24 XXXVII. From a Railway Carriage
Faster than fairies, faster than witches 24 XXXVIII. Winter-Time
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed 25 XXXIX. The Hayloft
Through all the pleasant meadow-side 26 XL. Farewell to the Farm
The coach is at the door at last 26 XLI. North-West Passage 27 1. Good Night
When the bright lamp is carried in 27 2. Shadow March
All round the house is the jet-black night 28 3. In Port
Last, to the chamber where I lie
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tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">28
When children are playing alone on the green 31 II. My Ship and I
O it’s I that am the captain of a tidy little ship 32 III. My Kingdom
Down by a shining water well 32 IV. Picture-Books in Winter
Summer fading, winter comes 33 V. My Treasures
These nuts, that I keep in the back of the nest 34 VI. Block City
What are you able to build with your blocks 35 VII. The Land of Story-Books
At evening when the lamp is lit 36 VIII. Armies in the Fire
The lamps now glitter down the street 37 IX. The Little Land
When at home alone I sit 38
When the golden day is done 43 II. Nest Eggs
Birds all the sunny day 44 III. The Flowers
All the names I know from nurse 46 IV. Summer Sun
Great is the sun, and wide he goes 46 V. The Dumb Soldier
When the grass was closely mown 47 VI. Autumn Fires
In the other gardens 49 VII. The Gardener
The gardener does not love to talk 49 VIII. Historical Associations
Dear Uncle Jim, this garden ground 50
If two may read aright 55 II. To My Mother
You too, my mother, read my rhymes 55 III. To Auntie
Chief of our aunts—not only I 56 IV. To Minnie
The red room with the giant bed 56 V. To my Name-Child
Some day soon this rhyming volume, if you learn with proper speed 58 VI. To any Reader
As from the house your mother sees 59
THE CHILD ALONE
I. The Unseen PlaymateWhen children are playing alone on the green 31 II. My Ship and I
O it’s I that am the captain of a tidy little ship 32 III. My Kingdom
Down by a shining water well 32 IV. Picture-Books in Winter
Summer fading, winter comes 33 V. My Treasures
These nuts, that I keep in the back of the nest 34 VI. Block City
What are you able to build with your blocks 35 VII. The Land of Story-Books
At evening when the lamp is lit 36 VIII. Armies in the Fire
The lamps now glitter down the street 37 IX. The Little Land
When at home alone I sit 38
GARDEN DAYS
I. Night and DayWhen the golden day is done 43 II. Nest Eggs
Birds all the sunny day 44 III. The Flowers
All the names I know from nurse 46 IV. Summer Sun
Great is the sun, and wide he goes 46 V. The Dumb Soldier
When the grass was closely mown 47 VI. Autumn Fires
In the other gardens 49 VII. The Gardener
The gardener does not love to talk 49 VIII. Historical Associations
Dear Uncle Jim, this garden ground 50
ENVOYS
I. To Willie and HenriettaIf two may read aright 55 II. To My Mother
You too, my mother, read my rhymes 55 III. To Auntie
Chief of our aunts—not only I 56 IV. To Minnie
The red room with the giant bed 56 V. To my Name-Child
Some day soon this rhyming volume, if you learn with proper speed 58 VI. To any Reader
As from the house your mother sees 59
UNDERWOODS
BOOK I: IN ENGLISH
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I. Envoy
Go, little book, and wish to all 67 II. A Song of the Road
The gauger walked with willing foot 67 III. The Canoe Speaks
On the great streams the ships may go 68 IV.
It is the season now to go 70 V. The House Beautiful
A naked house, a naked moor 71 VI. A Visit From The Sea
Far from the loud sea beaches 72 VII. To a Gardener
Friend, in my mountain-side demesne 73 VIII. To Minnie
A picture-frame for you to fill 74 IX. To K. de M.
A lover of the moorland bare 74 X. To N. V. de G. S.
The unfathomable sea, and time, and tears 75 XI. To Will. H. Low
Youth now flees on feathered foot 76 XII. To Mrs. Will. H. Low
Even in the bluest noonday of July 77 XIII. To H. F. Brown
I sit and wait a pair of oars 78 XIV. To Andrew Lang
Dear Andrew, with the brindled hair 79 XV. Et tu in Arcadia vixisti (to r. a. m. s.)
In ancient tales, O friend, thy spirit dwelt 80 XVI. To W. E. Henley
The year runs through her phases; rain and sun 82 XVII. Henry James
Who comes to-night? We ope the doors in vain 83 XVIII. The Mirror Speaks
Where the bells peal far at sea 84 XIX. Katharine
We see you as we see a face 85 XX. To F. J. S.
I read, dear friend, in your dear face 85 XXI. Requiem
Under the wide and starry sky 86 XXII. The Celestial Surgeon
If I have faltered more or less 86 XXIII. Our Lady of the Snows
Out of the sun, out of the blast 87 XXIV.
Not yet, my soul, these friendly fields desert 89 XXV.
It is not yours, O mother, to complain
Go, little book, and wish to all 67 II. A Song of the Road
The gauger walked with willing foot 67 III. The Canoe Speaks
On the great streams the ships may go 68 IV.
It is the season now to go 70 V. The House Beautiful
A naked house, a naked moor 71 VI. A Visit From The Sea
Far from the loud sea beaches 72 VII. To a Gardener
Friend, in my mountain-side demesne 73 VIII. To Minnie
A picture-frame for you to fill 74 IX. To K. de M.
A lover of the moorland bare 74 X. To N. V. de G. S.
The unfathomable sea, and time, and tears 75 XI. To Will. H. Low
Youth now flees on feathered foot 76 XII. To Mrs. Will. H. Low
Even in the bluest noonday of July 77 XIII. To H. F. Brown
I sit and wait a pair of oars 78 XIV. To Andrew Lang
Dear Andrew, with the brindled hair 79 XV. Et tu in Arcadia vixisti (to r. a. m. s.)
In ancient tales, O friend, thy spirit dwelt 80 XVI. To W. E. Henley
The year runs through her phases; rain and sun 82 XVII. Henry James
Who comes to-night? We ope the doors in vain 83 XVIII. The Mirror Speaks
Where the bells peal far at sea 84 XIX. Katharine
We see you as we see a face 85 XX. To F. J. S.
I read, dear friend, in your dear face 85 XXI. Requiem
Under the wide and starry sky 86 XXII. The Celestial Surgeon
If I have faltered more or less 86 XXIII. Our Lady of the Snows
Out of the sun, out of the blast 87 XXIV.
Not yet, my soul, these friendly fields desert 89 XXV.
It is not yours, O mother, to complain
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class="tc2p">90 XXVI. The Sick Child
O mother, lay your hand on my brow 92 XXVII. In Memoriam F. A. S.
Yet, O stricken heart, remember, O remember 93 XXVIII. To my Father
Peace and her huge invasion to these shores 93 XXIX. In the States
With half a heart I wander here 94 XXX. A Portrait
I am a kind of farthing dip 95 XXXI.
Sing clearlier, Muse, or evermore be still 96 XXXII. A Camp
The bed was made, the room was fit 96 XXXIII. The Country of the Camisards
We travelled in the print of olden wars 96 XXXIV. Skerryvore
For love of lovely words, and for the sake 97 XXXV. Skerryvore: The Parallel
Here all is sunny, and when the truant gull 97 XXXVI.
My house, I say. But hark to the sunny doves 98 XXXVII.
My body which my dungeon is 98 XXXVIII.
Say not of me that weakly I declined 99
Far ’yont amang the years to be 105 II. Ille Terrarum
Frae nirly, nippin’, Eas’lan’ breeze 106 III.
When aince Aprile has fairly come 109 IV. A Mile an’ a Bittock
A mile an’ a bittock, a mile or twa 110 V. A Lowden Sabbath Morn
The clinkum-clank o’ Sabbath bells 111 VI. The Spaewife
O, I wad like to ken—to the beggar-wife says I 116 VII. The Blast—1875
It’s rainin’. Weet’s the gairden sod 116 VIII. The Counterblast—1886
My bonny man, the warld, it’s true 118 IX. The Counterblast Ironical
It’s strange that God should fash to frame 120 X. Their Laureate to an Academy Class Dinner Club
Dear Thamson class, whaure’er I gang 121 XI. Embro Hie Kirk
The Lord Himsel’ in former days
O mother, lay your hand on my brow 92 XXVII. In Memoriam F. A. S.
Yet, O stricken heart, remember, O remember 93 XXVIII. To my Father
Peace and her huge invasion to these shores 93 XXIX. In the States
With half a heart I wander here 94 XXX. A Portrait
I am a kind of farthing dip 95 XXXI.
Sing clearlier, Muse, or evermore be still 96 XXXII. A Camp
The bed was made, the room was fit 96 XXXIII. The Country of the Camisards
We travelled in the print of olden wars 96 XXXIV. Skerryvore
For love of lovely words, and for the sake 97 XXXV. Skerryvore: The Parallel
Here all is sunny, and when the truant gull 97 XXXVI.
My house, I say. But hark to the sunny doves 98 XXXVII.
My body which my dungeon is 98 XXXVIII.
Say not of me that weakly I declined 99
BOOK II: IN SCOTS
I. The Maker to PosterityFar ’yont amang the years to be 105 II. Ille Terrarum
Frae nirly, nippin’, Eas’lan’ breeze 106 III.
When aince Aprile has fairly come 109 IV. A Mile an’ a Bittock
A mile an’ a bittock, a mile or twa 110 V. A Lowden Sabbath Morn
The clinkum-clank o’ Sabbath bells 111 VI. The Spaewife
O, I wad like to ken—to the beggar-wife says I 116 VII. The Blast—1875
It’s rainin’. Weet’s the gairden sod 116 VIII. The Counterblast—1886
My bonny man, the warld, it’s true 118 IX. The Counterblast Ironical
It’s strange that God should fash to frame 120 X. Their Laureate to an Academy Class Dinner Club
Dear Thamson class, whaure’er I gang 121 XI. Embro Hie Kirk
The Lord Himsel’ in former days
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123 XII. The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad
In mony a foreign pairt I’ve been 125 XIII.
Late In the night in bed I lay 129 XIV. My Conscience!
Of a’ the ills that flesh can fear 131 XV. To Dr. John Brown
By Lyne and Tyne, by Thames and Tees 133 XVI.
It’s an owercome sooth for age an’ youth 135
Give to me the life I love 219 II. Youth and Love—I
Once only by the garden gate 220 III. Youth and Love—II
To the heart of youth the world is a highwayside 221 IV.
In mony a foreign pairt I’ve been 125 XIII.
Late In the night in bed I lay 129 XIV. My Conscience!
Of a’ the ills that flesh can fear 131 XV. To Dr. John Brown
By Lyne and Tyne, by Thames and Tees 133 XVI.
It’s an owercome sooth for age an’ youth 135
BALLADS
THE SONG OF RAHÉRO
A LEGEND OF TAHITI
I. The Slaying of Támatéa 139 II. The Venging Of Támatéa 148 III. Rahéro 159THE FEAST OF FAMINE
MARQUESAN MANNERS
I. The Priest’s Vigil 169 II. The Lovers 172 III. The Feast 176 IV. The Raid 182TICONDEROGA
A LEGEND OF THE WEST HIGHLANDS
I. The Saying of the Name 189 II. The Seeking of the Name 194 III. The Place of the Name 196HEATHER ALE
A GALLOWAY LEGEND
From the bonny bells of heather 201CHRISTMAS AT SEA
The sheets were frozen hard 207 Notes to The Song of Rahéro 211 Notes to The Feast of Famine 213 Notes to Ticonderoga 214 Note to Heather Ale 215SONGS OF TRAVEL
I. The VagabondGive to me the life I love 219 II. Youth and Love—I
Once only by the garden gate 220 III. Youth and Love—II
To the heart of youth the world is a highwayside 221 IV.
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In dreams, unhappy, I behold you stand 221 V.
She rested by the Broken Brook 222 VI.
The infinite shining heavens 222 VII.
Plain as the glistering planets shine 223 VIII.
To you, let snow and roses 224 IX.
Let Beauty awake in the morn from beautiful dreams 224 X.
I know not how it is with you 225 XI.
I will make you brooches and toys for your delight 225 XII. We have loved of Yore
Berried brake and reedy island 226 XIII. Mater Triumphans
Son of my woman’s body, you go, to the drum and fife 227 XIV.
Bright is the ring of words 227 XV.
In the highlands, in the country places 228 XVI.
Home no more home to me, whither must I wander 229 XVII. Winter
In rigorous hours, when down the iron lane 230 XVIII.
The stormy evening closes now in vain 230 XIX. To Dr. Hake
In the beloved hour that ushers day 231 XX. To ——
I knew thee strong and quiet like the hills 232 XXI.
The morning drum-call on my eager ear 233 XXII.
I have trod the upward and the downward slope 233 XXIII.
He hears with gladdened heart the thunder 233 XXIV.
Farewell, fair day and fading light 233 XXV. If this were Faith
God, if this were enough 234 XXVI. My Wife
Trusty, dusky, vivid, true 235 XXVII. To the Muse
Resign the rhapsody, the dream 236 XXVIII. To an Island Princess
Since long ago, a child at home 237 XXIX. To Kalakaua
The Silver Ship, my King—that was her name
In dreams, unhappy, I behold you stand 221 V.
She rested by the Broken Brook 222 VI.
The infinite shining heavens 222 VII.
Plain as the glistering planets shine 223 VIII.
To you, let snow and roses 224 IX.
Let Beauty awake in the morn from beautiful dreams 224 X.
I know not how it is with you 225 XI.
I will make you brooches and toys for your delight 225 XII. We have loved of Yore
Berried brake and reedy island 226 XIII. Mater Triumphans
Son of my woman’s body, you go, to the drum and fife 227 XIV.
Bright is the ring of words 227 XV.
In the highlands, in the country places 228 XVI.
Home no more home to me, whither must I wander 229 XVII. Winter
In rigorous hours, when down the iron lane 230 XVIII.
The stormy evening closes now in vain 230 XIX. To Dr. Hake
In the beloved hour that ushers day 231 XX. To ——
I knew thee strong and quiet like the hills 232 XXI.
The morning drum-call on my eager ear 233 XXII.
I have trod the upward and the downward slope 233 XXIII.
He hears with gladdened heart the thunder 233 XXIV.
Farewell, fair day and fading light 233 XXV. If this were Faith
God, if this were enough 234 XXVI. My Wife
Trusty, dusky, vivid, true 235 XXVII. To the Muse
Resign the rhapsody, the dream 236 XXVIII. To an Island Princess
Since long ago, a child at home 237 XXIX. To Kalakaua
The Silver Ship, my King—that was her name
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tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">238 XXX. To Princess Kaiulani
Forth from her land to mine she goes 239 XXXI. To Mother Maryanne
To see the infinite pity of this place 240 XXXII. In Memoriam E. H.
I knew a silver head was bright beyond compare 240 XXXIII. To my Wife
Long must elapse ere you behold again 241 XXXIV. To my old Familiars
Do you remember—can we e’er forget 242 XXXV.
The tropics vanish, and meseems that I 243 XXXVI. To S. C.
I heard the pulse of the besieging sea 244 XXXVII. The House of Tembinoka
Let us, who part like brothers, part like bards 245 XXXVIII. The Woodman
In all the grove, nor stream nor bird 249 XXXIX. Tropic Rain
As the single pang of the blow, when the metal is mingled well 254 XL. An End of Travel
Let now your soul in this substantial world 255 XLI.
We uncommiserate pass into the night 255 XLII.
Sing me a song of a lad that is gone 256 XLIII. To S. R. Crockett
Blows the wind to-day, and the sun and the rain are flying 257 XLIV. Evensong
The embers of the day are red 257
Blame me not that this epistle 261 II. Rondels
1. Far have you come, my lady, from the town
2. Nous n’irons plus au bois
3. Since I am sworn to live my life
4. Of his pitiable transformation 263 III. Epistle to Charles Baxter
Noo lyart leaves blaw ower the green 265 IV. The Susquehannah and the Delaware
Of where or how, I nothing know 267 V. Epistle to Albert Dew-Smith
Figure me to yourself, I pray 268 VI. Alcaics to Horatio F. Brown
Brave lads in olden musical centuries 270 VII. A Lytle Jape of Tusherie
The pleasant river gushes 272 VIII. To Virgil and Dora Williams
Here, from the forelands of the tideless sea
Forth from her land to mine she goes 239 XXXI. To Mother Maryanne
To see the infinite pity of this place 240 XXXII. In Memoriam E. H.
I knew a silver head was bright beyond compare 240 XXXIII. To my Wife
Long must elapse ere you behold again 241 XXXIV. To my old Familiars
Do you remember—can we e’er forget 242 XXXV.
The tropics vanish, and meseems that I 243 XXXVI. To S. C.
I heard the pulse of the besieging sea 244 XXXVII. The House of Tembinoka
Let us, who part like brothers, part like bards 245 XXXVIII. The Woodman
In all the grove, nor stream nor bird 249 XXXIX. Tropic Rain
As the single pang of the blow, when the metal is mingled well 254 XL. An End of Travel
Let now your soul in this substantial world 255 XLI.
We uncommiserate pass into the night 255 XLII.
Sing me a song of a lad that is gone 256 XLIII. To S. R. Crockett
Blows the wind to-day, and the sun and the rain are flying 257 XLIV. Evensong
The embers of the day are red 257
ADDITIONAL POEMS
I. A Familiar EpistleBlame me not that this epistle 261 II. Rondels
1. Far have you come, my lady, from the town
2. Nous n’irons plus au bois
3. Since I am sworn to live my life
4. Of his pitiable transformation 263 III. Epistle to Charles Baxter
Noo lyart leaves blaw ower the green 265 IV. The Susquehannah and the Delaware
Of where or how, I nothing know 267 V. Epistle to Albert Dew-Smith
Figure me to yourself, I pray 268 VI. Alcaics to Horatio F. Brown
Brave lads in olden musical centuries 270 VII. A Lytle Jape of Tusherie
The pleasant river gushes 272 VIII. To Virgil and Dora Williams
Here, from the forelands of the tideless sea
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tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">273 IX. Burlesque Sonnet
Thee, Mackintosh, artificer of light 273 X. The Fine Pacific Islands
The jolly English Yellowboy 274 XI. Auld Reekie
When chitterin’ cauld the day sall daw 275 XII. The Lesson of the Master
Adela, Adela, Adela Chart 276 XIII. The Consecration of Braille
I was a barren tree before 276 XIV. Song
Light foot and tight foot 277
Thee, Mackintosh, artificer of light 273 X. The Fine Pacific Islands
The jolly English Yellowboy 274 XI. Auld Reekie
When chitterin’ cauld the day sall daw 275 XII. The Lesson of the Master
Adela, Adela, Adela Chart 276 XIII. The Consecration of Braille
I was a barren tree before 276 XIV. Song
Light foot and tight foot 277