There's a certain Slant of light, 1
Winter Afternoons－
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes－
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us－5
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are－
None may teach it－Any－9
'Tis the Seal Despair－
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air－
When it comes, the Landscape listens－13
Shadows－hold their breath－
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death－
Winter Afternoons－
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes－
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us－5
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are－
None may teach it－Any－9
'Tis the Seal Despair－
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air－
When it comes, the Landscape listens－13
Shadows－hold their breath－
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death－
(F.320/J.258)
[1] Slant of light:: fire of gunshots for unrighteous purpose.
[4] cathedral tunes:: sound of gunshots like knells for seals.
[6] find no scar:: people don't see scar in their fur coats.
[10] seal:: an animal valuable for its skin and oil, a sea-calf.
[13] it comes:: the killing comes.
[15-16] Distance, look, Death:: the scene of the massacre of seals.
European and American ships are constantly employed in high northern latitudes to procure the oil and skins of seals ... When the boats arrive the sealers immediately commence their work of destruction by attacking the animals with clubs, or, if they take to the water, shooting them from boats with a rifle. ... Where the Seals are very numerous the sealers stop not to flay those they have killed, but set off to another ice-field to kill more, merely leaving one man behind to take off the skins and fat. ─ Frank Leslie's New York Journal (1856)
Sydney burst out, 'It was a cruel and cowardly act, sir,' referring to the killing the young seal. ─ Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes (1860)