Project Gutenberg's The New Joan and Other Poems, by Katherine Hale This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: The New Joan and Other Poems Author: Katherine Hale Release Date: September 8, 2020 [EBook #63154] Language: English *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEW JOAN AND OTHER POEMS *** Produced by Al Haines THE NEW JOAN AND OTHER POEMS BY KATHERINE HALE _Author of "Gnu Knitting", "The White Comrade", Etc._ McCLELLAND, GOODCHILD & STEWART, PUBLISHERS :: :: :: TORONTO COPYRIGHT, CANADA, 1917 BY McCLELLAND, GOODCHILD & STEWART, LIMITED TORONTO PRINTED IN CANADA CONTENTS THE NEW JOAN The Vision I. The Child II. The Law III. The Kitchen IV. The Land V. The Battlefield VI. The World CHRISTMAS SONG LONDON THE MOTHER A SPRING DAY JUNE, 1917 These are chiefly songs of women's work, but there is a Christmas song for soldiers. The music of life is stilled to-day. Only the bugle note is heard. To the men in the trenches it means action, organized and perfected; to us at home it repeats the call. These songs are bound in crimson for that is the colour of courage; and in gold which signifies the strength and the joy of life which is work. THE NEW JOAN THE VISION A soldier's soul returns the centuries down-- Radiance again! Love's gleaming mystic mate, She who was burned for witchcraft and for state In the old market-place of Rouen town. To-day I met her spirit on the Earth, And felt a joyous light dark spaces fill; I knew this troubled planet called her still Upon the wheel of reincarnate birth. "Behold a legion of all-souls," she said, "Who ride again for country and for King, And with them, as the ardent sun with spring, See the enchanted ones that life calls dead." "Woman and man, renewing faith's old tryst, Breast, shuddering, the deeps of this last war, And high above them gleams the stranger-star, Silver in blood-red skies--the grail of Christ." "O you who see a vision in the night, And you who ride high-hearted, woman-man, I call you by the name of The New Joan." So passed she, clad in armour, clad in light. I THE CHILD Give me a new soul, God of all things free, Help me to dream the golden dream of youth, Till gazing deep into the eyes of Truth The dream returns in life that is to be. With Thee I breathe a fire most strange and bright, Rosy as dawning, jubilant as day, A light eternal on the time-worn way, A morning note to stir the agèd night. To sing the song of flower-time again It is to deck with joy an ancient door,-- A fresh rose, cosmic of each rose before, To link with wonder in the endless chain. And as they play mid stars or 'neath the sun I ask a song for children everywhere, A gleam that dances with them unaware Since God, and they, and joy, are wholly One. II THE LAW If Law be given my hand to make I pray Thee, Lord, that I may break The old Law, resolute and hard And fickle as a chance-thrown card. And ere I lay me down to sleep I pray Thee, Lord, new Law to keep, Great statutes made of Love and Pain, Beauty of Sorrow born again. For I would find out Truth, my Lord, The soul behind the naked word, And at the bourne where life began I would inquire the law for man. Perhaps a Voice may answer me That until man in woman be, Woman in man, the two in one, The latter days have not begun. The woman-will of man a part, The more-of-man in woman's heart, From that great marriage pure of flaw May spring the Everlasting Law. III THE KITCHEN "_Whoever makes a thing more bright He is an angel of all light_" So I, with every skill I can, Return to use of pot and pan. Retrieve must I the ages' waste, And learn that what the years call 'Taste,' Is Hunger's sated brother, Sin. Lo, I shall dwell where Truths begin. A kingdom enter, ancient, dear, Where red Fire lives, and Plenties are, Where Order summoned back to me Makes Labor sing, makes Beauty free. So shall I take the golden wheat And make me loaves for men to eat; For I am Joan, whose pure desire Still keeps aflame the household fire. IV THE LAND I am back on the land of my fathers, And I tread it with double-soled boots, I hoe it with hands that are toil-worn Wearing joyful and picturesque suits. I am clad, head to foot, in dull khaki That echoes my good mother--Earth, And I'm glad that my profile is "boyish," That my "song" is a whistle of mirth. I can cut and convey to my cabin These logs that I need for the fire, And I hail the concern of each slacker Who is ribald anent my attire. I am doing his bit, though he lingers. I am Joan--and not Peter Pan. Yet the vision that glows through my working Is the love that I bear to one man. V THE BATTLEFIELD* *This poem first appeared as "Grey-Knitting." Something sings gently through the din of battle, Something spreads very softly rim on rim And every soldier hears, at times, a murmur Tender, incessant,--dim. A tiny click of little wooden needles, Elfin amid the gianthood of war; Whispers of women, tireless and patient, Who weave the web afar. Whispers of women, tireless and patient, "This is our heart's love," it would seem to say, "Wrought with the ancient tools of our vocation, Weave we the web of love from day to day." And so each soldier, laughing, fighting,--dying Under the alien skies, in his great hour, May listen, in death's prescience all-enfolding, And hear a fairy sound bloom like a flower-- I like to think that soldiers, gaily dying For the white Christ on fields with shame sown deep, May hear the tender song of women's needles, As they fall fast asleep. VI THE WORLD It is a new world that my feet must tread, New, though the hurrying ages call it old, While fields that yesterday were cloth-of-gold Are all dissolving, like a film half-fled. The wondrous 'stage' of life, its mimic joys; The deft accomplishment, the bubble fame; Statecraft bedecked as a career, a name; Art as a servitor that wealth employs-- These were the worlds our mothers counted new, These were the ways we still had kept our own, Until Eternal Law from His high throne Melted our world in sudden fire, and dew. And now through mists of dew, through leaping flame We ride again upon an ancient quest, That we may bring Love home, no longer guest But Love Triumphant, ever to remain. See the bright banner a new Day outflings; It shall be ours to hold it high and white. Again a Voice! And out of dawning light The deathless soul of Joan through us sings. _Spirit of Life, radiant and glad and free, Come, as of old, be born again of me. Through me recover that which man has lost, Mine was the making, mine the precious cost. Out of my body come the sons of men, Into my keeping give their souls again, And let me make this world God's little room Wherein Love's splendours live again and bloom._ CHRISTMAS SONG _To You--Beloved--in the Trenches_ Christmas! Is it merry? "Smokes and bully-beef!" Not one blood-red berry Not one holly-leaf. Stockings filled with pleasure That a day destroys-- Boxes crammed with treasure Ah! Trench-children's toys! "Things" that in the passing Bring a ray of light, "Joy!" with death amassing All this Christmas night. "Stories!" Yes! and "Laughter!" And the heart held high; Silence following after And the soul's still cry. Yet another feast day In the mud of France-- "Hearts," we can at least say, "Onward goes the dance." "There is no cessation To this small affair, On with war's vocation In the hell-fire's flare." * * * * It is true as spoken With the one word more: We have found a token By hell's open door. Through Death's crimson gateway We have seen a sign That has made this Birthday Still a night divine. Through the first sweet silence, Darkness, close and near, Has disarmed hell's violence-- Night has whispered clear. "Though all Earth be broken Two things live above, These--God's ancient token-- Quiet stars--and Love. "Stars for life's last reaping, Stars in heaven's bright dome, Love for your safe keeping Love to lead you home." LONDON _A Canadian soldier, returned to "Blighty" speaks_ The day we came to London! Oh, how strange To see the City-of-the-World like this! Our dreams had been of London. Not 'the sights' But that young London that young hearts explore; The Music Halls, the roads, the sleepy Inns, Where old Romance is felt anew each day. This was to be our London. Thus we came: We came as cattle come, when packed too tight In some barbaric car of ancient mould; We came not driven with whips, nor massed in crowds, But driven by bitter pain and almost dead From faintness of our wounds. We came From siege and rapine, plunder and hell-fire, From thunders never ceasing, from swift death, From screams and cries, and parting gasp of souls, And from supremest vision given to man. This way we came to London. Oh, my friends, We touched white cliffs upon a summer day, Pain-blinded, minds befogged, we rode along That ancient-traversed way of all the world. And, slowly, as the evening shadows fell We reached old Paddington. Were driven out In shabby cabs, through misty, half-lit ways, Into a great wide Place, from whence small streets Wondered zig-zag with no apparent plan, _Yet knew we were at home._ I still can feel The cab stop for a moment, and a face Peer in the open window. 'Twas a mask Set in a flowered hat. With awful eyes She stared, and asked, and answered in a flash: "Ah, well! You're nearly dead, poor dears, but I-- I, who am here forever, come again." And then we drifted on, and soft grey walls Held us a moment to dissolve in mist. Once at a turn I saw the Abbey rise And once the outstretched arms of giant trees. Sometimes a light, but always murmurous noise Not so much hoof-beat, motor-hum or cry, As vibrancy of voices, far and near, A myriad-mingled sound of many men. This, and a strange new vision of the heart, A love just dawning, an age-old surprise, A sudden turning to those splendid arms That are forever open. Thus we came Broken by war, home to her splendid arms. THE MOTHER My son sails high His ocean, azure air: He in the shining sky-- And swift Death everywhere. His ardent youth Explores a strange new sea As if even Death, forsooth, Were rare good company. And my dear heart, Each moment that you fly Is a dull eon apart In my soul's agony. This autumn wind Treacherous, hungry,--chill, Those laughing wings may find And rend, and still. The earth-force, strong, Ready to lure your bark, May hum a homing-song And draw you to the dark. O golden Fire, Whose course is never run, Outshine all dark desire And keep my son. A SPRING DAY O, March, he is a loud-foot lad, Nor pipes as April can, But this green day he brings again, An olive-branch to man. His emerald hours are promises Set in the snow-white days; And slowly moves Earth's miracle Along the hidden ways. As peace is paler than red war, The crocus than the rose, So Life comes whispering up the land A word that whitely glows. And not in azure Arcady Or where great battles ring, Is felt the everlasting hope That is the heart of Spring; But in the spirit of the race That holds a vision clear, And plucks the flower of fadeless dream, Through soldier as through seer. JUNE, 1917 The road runs green again, my friend, That yesterday lay white, And shadows deep as violets Are washed away in light. For northward mounts the eagle sun, And Spring in silver sheen Has set some blood-red flowers aflame Along the road grown green. The bugle's note, the robin's note, A trio make with June, And laughing Life, and ardent Death, They will be wedding soon. But O, the splendor of the way! And O, the magic sheen That hath enmeshed God's flower-of-love Along the road of green! Warwick Bro's & Rutter, Limited, Printers and Bookbinders, Toronto, Canada. End of Project Gutenberg's The New Joan and Other Poems, by Katherine Hale *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEW JOAN AND OTHER POEMS *** ***** This file should be named 63154-8.txt or 63154-8.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/1/5/63154/ Produced by Al Haines Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. START: FULL LICENSE THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg-tm License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided that * You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." * You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm works. * You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. * You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact For additional contact information: Dr. Gregory B. Newby Chief Executive and Director [email protected] Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.