.' s; ;'■; :■',''•'''.'' sswIHlisMss v® tyortteU Httittcrattg Babrarg Stlfatu, %tm 1 art Jacob Gould Sehunaan Cornell University Library PR9298.M15V8 Voices and undertones in song and poem, 3 1924 013 514 785 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013514785 •f hrfhn. VOICES AND UNDERTONES VOICES AND UNDERTONES IN SONG AND POEM william p. Mckenzie B. A., Author of "A Song of Trust" "All this time and all times wait the words of true poems- the words of true poems do not simply please." NEW YORK: EQUITY PUBLISHING CO. 9 West 14TH St. TORONTO : HART & COMPANY /£. OCR Copyright, i88g BV William P. McKenzie. All rights reserved TO CORINNA A Woman of the Age. CONTENTS APOLOGIA PAGE 14 SPOKEN IN HIS NAME " What if the poet can not build at all" . . 16 " In His N ame " 17 How Brother Lawrence Walked with God I. A Conversation . . . . .18 II. A Letter ..... 22 " Whom We Call the Dead " . 24 An Astronomer's View . . 24 Bear Thine Own Fruit . . . .31 The City of God ..... 32 My Past . . . . . . .36 Sorrow ...... 36 An Expostulator Overheard . . . -37 "The rivers hasten" . . . 41 Gifts in Sleep ...... 42 Living ...... 42 The Cripple ...... 43 Evil . . . . . 46 A Song of the Dawning ... .47 9 io CONTENTS UNDERTONES PAGE- " While bird-song makes the wild-wood echoes ring '' . 52 A Voice Reading . 53 His First Tourney Remembered . . .54 Song of Sir Folko . . . . 55 Gabrielle . . . ■ ■ 5& A Confession . . . ■ ■ 57 Sunrise . . . . . • -59 Expostulation ..... 60- A Story in Three Voices I. In a Parlor .... 61 11. In a Cell ..... 63. "The bells they ring" . . . .65 " I sing by the waves of the glancing sea" . 66 "Moan, moan, moan'' , . . .67 in. In a Boudoir .... 6& The Songs of Two 1. Heard at Sunset .... 71 II. The Answer at Dawn . . . .71 A Nocturne ...... 72 A Woman of the Age .... 73 By the Sounding Shore .... 77 Half-Thoughts ...... 77 Valse Premiere . . . 78- Baby Elinor The Mother Sings . , , -79' The Poet's Reverie .... 75 Lullaby Song . . , . .81 St. Anthony's Victory ... 82 CONTENTS FRIENDSHIP I CELEBRATE "There comes a legend Jrom the Persian land" . S6 " I Have a Friend " .... 87 Memories . . .... 87 Au Revoir .... .88 Fame ..... .89 ' ' Up to the Light, Together "... 89 Waiting ....... 90 Inflowing Tide . ... 91 Springing Water ..... 91 Knightly Inspiration .... 92 A Farewell . ... 93 SPEECH OF A LOVER " In olden time a precious instrument" . . 96 Dementia Amantis . ... 97 Hope Victorious . • 9& Divinity of Love . . -99 Love in Death . . -99 At Moonrise . I0 ° Among the Red Clover . . 101 A Crown ... • • io2 Love's Dilemma . ... 103 I Love Thee, Sweet • 104 Arabic Love-Song .... 10+ A Lowland Song ..... 105. Unworthiness . • ■ I0 ^' New Zealand Imitation .... 106 Sair to Bide I( >7 12 CONTENTS PAGE Song ...... 108 Moonlight . . . ■ ■ .109 Love's Baptism . . . . ■ II0 The Moon-Lover . . . • m Longing . . ■ • • ■ II2 NATURE-SPEECH "Call not the poet idle, though he spend" . . 114 Swannanoa . . ■ • "5 Rain . .116 Calm ... . 117 The Sleepless Sea . .118 A Song of the Sea . . . 118 October Wind 119 In the West ... 121 Sea Breeze .... 122 The Treasures of the Snow . 123 Under an Oak . . 125 Snow in April . . . 126 The Victor Sea ... . 127 River Hopewell . ... 128 The Homeless Sea LOVE-LETTERS 129 "' T love the sounding of thy name in Greek " . 132 Letter i. Doubt . . 133 Letter ii. Hope .... 139 Letter hi. Assurance .... 145 Letter iv. Absence . . 151 POST SCRIPTUM . .... 157 APOLOGIA Glad tidings of relief the lame may bring To some beleaguered city, and the blind From midnight ambuscade the path may find j On high the bird may sail with measured wing And yet no song ecstatic downward fling ; What rhythmic law the rushing breeze can bind i With flight as eager (critic yet be kind) The song that gushes from the heart T sing. J hasten with good-will though I be halt, And visions I have seen if T be blind ; The voice may quaver, call it not the fault Of perfect music singing in the mind ; I do my highest, this my song commend To all who have a Lover or a Friend. 14 SPOKEN IN HIS NAME What if the poet can not build at all With quarried granite cut to plummet's line, And heart from heart by logic-walls define — He needeth not to prove the words that fall Like seed to earth, for life must these forth-call To endless resurrection, for a sign Of truth revealed; so may the living vine Clothe yet with green the crumbling prostrate walL As lily-buds unfold, so not by toil, Or builder's clamor doth he manifest Eternal truth ; he yieldeth God the soil Of trust and love, — His seed and sun the. rest ; Sweep down his flowers if you will, but know . They die for you, for others they will grow. "IN HIS NAME" a king's son loquitur. My people, brethren of God's Son Who trod the narrow way of shame For love of us, nor death would shun If so be He might make us one With God, I love you " In His Name." My friend, shut-in, who cannot sing Of joy, for grief doth lay its claim, And pain doth visit, wearying, He sympathizes, and I bring A face of sunshine, " In His Name." And you whose manhood hath been sold To drunkenness, and lust that came From lower nature, may unfold The white flower yet, so I out-hold A hand to lift you, " In His Name." Nor you by guile of man misled, Whom gentle sisters hold to shame, Do I condemn, droop not your head, You fought with hunger, they are fed , My heart is sorry, "In His Name." 17 i8 VOICES AND UNDERTONES I loathe the very thought of sin, Yet not the vilest dare defame ; For daily conquests he may win, To higher living enter in Than I who help him " In His Name." But you self-righteous Pharisee, Thrusting aside the blind and lame, And closing heaven with your key, Who natter self despising me, I scorn your judgment "In His Name." The little children once He blessed When to His knees they wondering came.; To be like you I think were best, With love to every one confessed, I love you, love you "In His Name." HOW BROTHER LAWRENCE* WALKED WITH GOD I. A CONVERSATION I've walked as in His presence since the day When first I saw His Wisdom and His Power — Eighteen I was ; I stood before a tree Stripped of its leaves by winter's ruthless hand, And thought how flower and leaf would be re- newed, And fruit would ripen through the care of One •Nicholas Herman of Loraine, who became a Lay-Brother among; the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in 1666. BROTHER LAWRENCE 19 "Who is the Wise ; and lo ! I was cut loose From all the world, and filled with love for Him. •Oh, I have ripened in that sun of Love ! I shall be garnered soon, who am four-score, And I shall see His face whom I have known. But you — is it a soul-sincere desire "To serve Him too that brings you thus to me ? Then I will not be wearied howso-oft "You question ; but if otherwise, come not, .For I must seek to do His work alone. The boisterous soldier-life was mine awhile, "Then awkward footman was I to his grace ; -At last lay-brother 'mong the Carmelites, — I thought that I should smart for all my faults -Of clumsy finger and slow-moving sense, Make life and joy a sacrifice to God ; I thought of penance, He hath given peace, My cup of life is over-filled with good. You so would live ? Then tread the way of faith ; Not fast and prayers, but life of faithfulness ; More than belief in God, fidelity. TVIake love of God the end, for that do all, If it be only lifting up a straw ; Be it your business to delight in God. •Of little value do I count the act Of understanding when with will compared : Better is heart to do than head to know ; Your power divine is love to do His will. Be frank and simple asking Him to help In all affairs of life as they may come. They sent me once to Burgundy for wine ; "The task unwelcome for I was not apt 20 VOICES AND UNDERTONES At making bargains, and besides am lame — I was about His business, so I said, Uneasiness was gone, and all came well. To kitchen work they gave me fifteen years My nature was averse ; but I could plan The things required, and how I was to do, Then be set free to speak to God in prayer The while my hands were busy in His work. When business of the hour is finished well Then thanks are due unto the present God ; If otherwise, ask pardon, be set right again, Rise from the fall ; you cannot lose His love. 'Tis thus you learn wherein your weakness is And boldness gain to seek, and find His strength* More than sufficient for the present need. Of penance did you ask ? I bid you none ; I do confess my faults to God, nor plead Against Him to excuse. What exercise Or pain of body teaches love to God ? Go straight to Him by exercise of love Continually ; this is the shortest way. The troubled mind doth only heed the faith That God is present, and to be content In doing all things purely for His sake ; Let Him be pleased whatever else may come. I say not either join the brotherhood : It needeth not set times and discipline For true devotion ; in your busy life You can be nearer Him than when retired For silent hour by some superior set ; For then will come the fight with' wandering- thought. BROTHER LAWRENCE 2 X,et outward business not divert from God, So shall a fresh remembrance of His love Invest the soul each hour, and so inflame The heart with answering love that life is joy. For duty then take never anxious thought, Before your need, as in a mirror clear, •God will reveal the way to do His will. You fear you may be damned ? So once did I Four years I suffered in an agony ; But then I thought : Only for love of God I came among these brethren, and have sought Only for Him to act ; so must I do Whatever comes, if I be lost or saved, The love of God must ever be my end, — Then came my life to perfect liberty. I cannot claim desert, I place my sins 'Twixt me and God as if to tell Him so ; But yet He blesses me abundantly, Because He pities with a Father's heart. No power of mine could e'er efface a sin ; I do expect, without anxiety, Their cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ, While I with 'loving heart do follow Him. The end of life ? What else than this, In spirit and in truth to worship God, For this will be man's joy eternally. To truth-enlightened eyes how vile the self, Ill-humored, sick, so tempted of the wrong ; By pain and labor, by temptation sore, It is made humble, and looks up to God Strength of the weak, and end of all desire. The soul with highest aspiration filled 22 VOICES AND UNDERTONES So to be perfect as the Father is, That soul is most dependent on His grace. If you believe, all things are possible ; Less difficult unto your hopeful mind, And easier yet if you have heart of love ; But let the three be joined and you have found? The way most excellent that leads to God. And so with tranquil spirit walk therein, His Presence shall be with you like the sun. II. A LETTER I am in pain that you do suffer still; Yet it doth sweeten pain and grief to know They're proofs of love ; 'tis God permits The suffering to purify the soul, To draw the spirit to His Father-heart. Take courage, offer all you are to Him, And even in infirmities adore ; Ask not deliv'rance, but for strength to bear, For love of Him, so long as He shall please, All pains that He shall please. How good it is With God to suffer, howsoever great The suffering be, receiving it in love ! If we could only know how much He loves Who knoweth best what things our need requires,. We should be pleased with all that came from Him, Bitter or sweet ; afflictions be they sore, Are not unbearable save when we guess Their purpose wrongly, and see not the Hand. I know if one could hourly realize His present Love it would alleviate BROTHER LAWRENCE 23 All bodily disease. As your case is, Why not leave off the human remedies And utterly to God resign yourself ? Maybe He waits your perfect trust in Him Ere He may cure. 'Twill not be tempting Him ; Your maladies increase despite your care, And your physicians have been valueless, Yourself abandon therefore in His hands ; Be comforted expecting all from Him. If pain remain, then love will make it sweet ; With joy and courage suffer for His sake, Knowing your Father's love is infinite. Beseech Him humbly then, as if a child, To make you to His holy will conformed. Our greatest joy is this, our highest good, To love Him equally whate'er He send. And thus, as knowledge cometh, must you love ; To know God, then, let your employment be. Seek Him by faith alone, He is within ; No elsewhere seek, but cast out all besides That would possess the heart. The change is wrought While we aspire, if we on our part do But what we can ; so let us live and die As in His Presence. He will not forsake Till we forsake ; oh, fear to leave Him then ! Let us be always with Him ! Pray for me As I to Him for you do pray. Adieu. This favor from His mercy is, I hope To see His face within a few days now.* Yours in the Lord. •Two days later taken ill he died within the week. 24 VOICES AND UNDERTONES "WHOM WE CALL THE DEAD" Those other living whom we call the dead, Whose soul in mortal body had its dawn, And quickened it to beauty, have they gone To wandering loneliness 'mong shadows dread ? From earthly house decayed hath each one fled A straying spirit, organless, and wan ? Nay not unclothed is he, but clothed upon, From body new-create his light is shed. And lo ! our Brother-Friend awaiting stands, Who life and incorruption brought to light, To bring us to our house not made with hands, And in His presence there shall be no night ; Who, who can fear to cease this faltering breath And be at home with God ? And this is death ! AN ASTRONOMER'S VIEW Prove you immortal, and you will believe ? In what believe, — in the eternal God? Nay Julian, downy-bearded, 'twere not well ; Yourself must prove all things and hold the good, Yourself must turn from flux and ebb and change To changeless realm of the eternal Truth ! But I will tell you, Julian, how I know Eternal life. Does mother-love need proof? Is life discovered by the scalpel's point ? AN ASTRONOMER'S VIEW 25 If one should doubt, will prove by algebra Or syllogism show him life and love ? As I know these I know the steadfast rock That rises 'mid the pulsing waves of time. Afar from city's fret and strife began My sojourn on the earth ; I loved the birds That gave me daily welcome ; felt akin To every blossom, and half-timidly Would list the sighing of the pine-trees tall. A something dwelt in all, I could not tell ; Its whisper fainted past me now and then, And forth my soul would leap to catch a word. Then syllables came to me in the roll Of music down the dim cathedral aisles ; I saw in marble wrought by sculptor's hand A word ; and seemed to hear unuttered thought Where colors from the pictured canvas glowed. I felt a presence somehow in them all. As if I'd known it long ago somewhere ; Nor thought to call this God, to whom I prayed At morn and eve, for He dwelt high in heaven. Wild Nature loved I best, she whispered so Of something always better than was known That made me glad ; and patiently I sought With prying glass and needle-point to find How life could be : why red blood flowed in man And green blood in the leaf. I found not this, But crucible and test and scale revealed How few the matters Nature hath in store Wherewith to give her thought appearances, To build a flower or star, the earth or man ; And thousand forms, though less than eye can see, 26 VOICES AND UNDERTONES I found all beautiful ; nay more, could trace Life's energy in flawless moving speck, — A hundred times I laid the scalpel down, And bowed my head, o'erwhelmed with, " God is here," As when a child I lay and watched the stars, And thrilled with wonder thinking, "God is there." Then turned I from the miracles of life, In leaf and insect, monad and in man, Whereby our world in mystery is clothed. I found the earth upon its course was hurled A score of miles each click of pendulum, Through cold of outer space where mercury Were ten times frozen ; yet hath store of heat (Else life were not) held by the mantling air, That miserlike doth grasp its reach of rays From lavish sun that pour, widespread and free. Through potency whereof the lofty trees Are lifted into being ; yea, and we From field and orchard have our need supplied. I wonder not that they the sun adored Who had not known he was a millionth one 'Mong orbs that circle in the universe Wherein the miracle of power is wrought. My mind was baffled by immensity, Stupendous distances, and height and depth So vast, one shrinks with tremor of a fear ; But yet the soul is greater than all these, — With joy expectant of discovery I knew my right to search the deepest things. I've marked the sun's corona at eclipse, Whose pearly light trails forth unnumbered miles AN ASTRONOMER'S VIEW 27 Outward from glory of the chromosphere, Where heave and toss the rose and crimson fires. I've measured at the photosphere the heat, And hold if earth itself should therein fall 'Twould burst to vapor like a flake of snow. And then his light, — you've been with me I think Where moaning blast the rigid iron doth fuse. How dazzling was the pour ! Yet it would be As mud to milk if it should fall In some converter, spitting molten steel From dragon mouth whose breath is blinding flame. Than this what brighter can the sense forebode ? But were the sun of molten steel his light Five thousand times is brighter now than then ; Yet can I think the time when like the moon He shall have shrunk with cold, his radiance spent, More easily than think I shall not be. At midnight, when we turn from blazing sun, And nearer light no more conceals the stars, How steadfast gleam the lights from those vast orbs That numberless the encircling heavens fill ; And yet our sweeping telescopes have known That there be myriads the eye sees not. Nor even here is end ; the camera Doth gaze at eye-piece, and such feeble rays As have no recognition from the eye In hours do print upon its retina The images of stars beyond our ken. My hand lies on your shoulder, — if we were As sun from earth apart, the nearest star, 2S VOICES AND UNDERTONES Say Sirius, is four-score miles away ; What of the faint-seen stars, — and those beyond ? Imagination fails, like jaded horse, The spur not felt, only the weariness, Ere one can comprehend the uncounted years And vastness of the star-sown universe. Yet these must be to God as fleeting mist ! To man they seem eternal, sick of loss And earthly change, but in millenniums They wax and wane, the systems shine and die ; Like wreathed mist that gathers to a cloud, Holds glory of the sun, is blown by wind Or melts away in the untroubled air. As cloud replaces cloud, so universe, For time doth have succession endlessly ; But I who am a spirit stand apart, I am not held in realm of time and change. My body is of dust like star and sun ; The same I would not be if these were not ; Yet were they not myself I still would know. The spirit of a man is born a king, Disdaining bondage of the earthly things ; And while it seeketh truth can recognize Its kingliness, forget mortality, And in the search be timeless, infinite, So everywhere must find God immanent, Who is in all, through all, and over all. Thus finding Him, I yield myself by faith To all His influence ; as little child Grows fatherlike because he trusts, so I ; And knowing God I know eternal life. You called it, Julian, everlasting life, — It is not life for endless years I mean, AN ASTRONOMER'S VIEW 29 But life eternal, that which now abides Imperishably 'neath the show of things. The living spring may languish in the heat That earlier had bubbled forth in strength, But with the seasons cometh never change To mountain brow that towers above the cloud ; So endless years, and lives that flow and ebb Are clouds that vanish to Eternal Life. The years add naught and nothing take away, This realm of the Eternal underlies All that hath been, is now, all that shall be. Here Time is naught, and Right is everything : Can Justice have dependence on the years, Or Truth be altered by the season's change, — God's power grow feeble like a waning star, Or I who know Him fade from memory? I will not prophesy of those who choose The dust of this one speck among the worlds To the Eternal God, who dwells in all ; But One hath said they build on river sand, And in the time of wind and rain, the flood Must sweep away their hope to nothingness. His words, my Julian, it were well to hear ; For there be two revealings of one God, Man born of God, the universe create, — His Love revealed in one, His Power in one ; And while you quest the universe in space, Forget you not the universe in time Where stars appearing have been souls of men. Fear not to search through all, for God is there. But stars have not one glory, neither truths ; Some are relate to time, they glow and fade, 30 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Each generation hath discoveries, Yet Truth remains eternal. Thus He spake Who was in Son of Man the Son of God ; And so, 'mong many brethren, as first-born He standeth forth, the Witness of the truth : — " T speak the words of spirit and of life, The truth I tell you which I heard from God, And verily I say, who heareth me And doth believe on Him that sent me hath Eternal life!" Mark you, doth enter now ! And they who live in that eternal realm Are witnesses of God, by truth inspired. He hath more witness than a single book Which some do wrangle is the only light ; For every son of man who dwells in God Becomes a light, and warms the world with love. Yet pass not by the Book ; it will inspire, Yea is eternal for it speaketh truth. If inspiration were not otherwhere You well might doubt to find it here alone ; But if you search the deep philosophies, The wisdom of the teachers, lowly' song Of bard, ecstatic vision of the seer, And having known of inspiration thus, Turn to the Book, white light of fuller truth Will make your candle-lights grow yellow-dim. What school to follow ? Blindly turn to none ; The right of judgment yours, your duty then To judge ; not all is food the schools would give. Not truth I offer, better is the search ; The bird learns not to hang her swaying nest, BEAR THINE OWN FRUIT 31 Nor bee to build the chambers in the comb, For in their sphere God maketh them to know ; But man his mathematic skill doth gain By search and toil, then measureth the heavens ; Through hunger seeketh he the bread of life. Each in its order perfect, rose and bee, Perfect the bird to know the season's change, But man is born to work his upward way To God by seeking the eternal things. But what's our sojourn worth, if life be shrunk To limit of the things that pass away, — Unless we grow, as seed outgrows the earth And enters realm of sun and balmy air ? So may we enter the eternal realm, Not creatures of the tide that die at ebb Of years, but who imperishably dwell In Truth and Love, enshrining life of God. BEAR THINE OWN FRUIT Once a peach tree gazed despondent At the sky-aspiring pine, Languid grew with useless wishing, "Would such towering strength were mine The pine exulted in the sunshine, Tossed glad tassels to the wind ; But the peach tree found no gladness, Drooped with longing, and repined. In the Autumn when the vinters Gathered fruitage of the vine, 32 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Still the unhappy peach was wishing, "Would such clustered fruit were mine !' And the sunlight brought no gladness, Only discontent and pain, Since the power that others joyed in Spite his wish he could not gain. In the garden walked the Master ; "Why thus drooping tree of mine ? Though ambitious for the hill-top Thou art here by my design. Now I prune thy useless branches, Lack of power no more bemoan, Every fruit thou canst not yield me, Be content to bear thine own !" Spring returned, and now life glowing Blossomed out in rosy fire, All through summertide he waited Happy in his one desire ; Till the glad sunlight was prisoned, And the dawns were crimsoning All his golden spheric fruitage ; Then he gave it like a king. THE CITY OF GOD My body fell aweary with the strife My questing soul did urge with longings fain, Seeking in flight to break the earthy chain ; To God I cried for life, for higher life. THE CITY OF GOD 33. Down o'er mine eyes the veils of rose-flesh fell ; The saying last they looked upon did run, "God is the life of all, and God is one," So on the words my dreaming thought did dwell- Like folded robe my body lay unstirred, And forth I fled as if with rustling wings, By music thrilled that every planet sings ; And I have known what ear hath never heard. I sped 'mong orbs that wheeled in faint blue light,. I know not how, save that my wings were prayer. And my desire did launch me as through air, Until a glory dawned upon my sight : — A wall more white than moonbeams on the snow ; Within, there seemed a heart of throbbing light Than sun at cloudless noon more dazzling bright ; Beneath, a rainbow's iridescent glow. My course the spirit swerved till overhead The city stood ; dull red of jasper's glow Did hide the glory, and descended so As if a crimson plain around me spread. Faces of pain beside me scarce were seen, When sapphire shadow made a twilight blue, Whence faces calm looked forth ; then bright- ness grew, Chalcedony's dim whiteness, pure-serene. Methought I traversed then an emerald plain, With faces full of hope and rest ; but lo, A change came swift, and in sardonyx glow White pureness mingled with the red of pain. 34 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Now grew the light like jasper purified, As blood-red sard the dawn of blessedness ; Each face such love triumphant did confess, — "Here heaven is begun in love," I cried. But straightway higher yet the spirit willed, Where golden flushed the green of chrysolite, And pale blue beryl like the sky was bright, And topaz shone with sunlike rapture filled ; Where found each other in the chrysoprase Azure and flame, — and so the faces shone As if 'mid peace eternal dawn were known Of God's exultant joy, that held their gaze. Higher I rose to greet the purple glow, — Words fail, as water-drops to build a tower ; The jacinth told of royal Love and Power Past understanding, yet I felt and know. With pulsing waves I felt the purple thrilled To gleams ineffable of amethyst ; The faces near like dying men who list The music of the heavens, rapture-filled. A moment more, my dazzled eyes grew dim, Unending high uprose the wall of white ; I gazed, the myriad stones so flashing bright Were flitting cherubs, white-robed seraphim. So rhythmic-musical they moved, methought To catch the strain ; but hearing died in sight, For one came nigh so spotless robed in white, With face so calm, all else my sense forgot. THE CITY OF GOD 35 With folded hands she came, and downcast eyes ; Where had I known the same child-happy grace ? She gazed ; I knew ; then radiant grew the face, And ours was joy of souls that recognize. Moments — or ages — passed ; " Declare," I said, "The mystery of colors, how I came Up to the light through first the jasper flame And last where amethyst its glory shed." "" Behold then how the rainbow pulses beat From violet, etherial, intense, More slow at last to red, as if with sense Of earthly presence that the waves defeat ; " So pulseth ever love to all from God, And while from earthly love he turns man knows Of suffering, but love in pureness grows To ecstasy, that burns out from the clod. "The city hath foundations, and above The perfect light is throbbing from the throne ; Man dwells on earth to lay each precious stone Of his foundation, till he build to Love." We passed the gate, the peace did hold my heart, A boundless tide of joy my being filled ; Harmonious grown with light, my spirit thrilled, .I was as great as all, and yet a part. Now faint and far the strains of joy forth-broke ; " God is our life, and we who love are one — " Fading her voice, a darkness had begun : O Death, O Loss, O Bondage ! — I awoke. 36 VOICES AND UNDERTONES MY PAST I stood before a portal vast Wherein I knew there lay my past, And Memory swung it wide, aghast, Whenas I bade her let me to my palace-room. I thought of robes of honor fair, Garments of praise and jewels rare Worn by my good deeds living there ; But lo ! I shuddered, for I stood as in a tomb. The robes decayed with wet and mould, Like cerements did my deeds enfold, And tarnish lay upon the gold, Within the void I was the only living thing ! With newborn shame my face was flushed, Forth to life's day again I rushed, My loud-voiced pride forever hushed ; And from my boasted past myself is all I bring. SORROW So long he walked a desert bleak and bare No added grief'could rouse him to surprise ;: And one was with him in unseemly guise. Yet gentle-voiced, who led him from despair ; He knew her mantle hid a face most fair, He felt the veiled glory of her eyes, And in the luxury of glad surmise Forgot his weariness and all his care. AN EXPOSTULATOR OVERHEARD 37 At length uprose a portal dark before, — "I lead thee to the truth ; its joy is thine ;" Then light burst forth whenas she swung the door, And so celestially her face did shine His heart was thrilled, and then he turned to go Joyward reluctant, for he loved her so. AN EXPOSTULATOR OVERHEARD Hither and forth by night and morn Fly the shuttles in Nature's loom ; From God the spirit of life is born, But yet they weave, in a hidden room, A robe the life to adorn. And lo, when spirit and form. unite, The soul of a man before Him stands ; "Born of a woman," to human sight, But yet as a gift from the Father's hands Have come both the life and light. You mourn that the bodily powers abate ? 'Tis a sign the spirit is nearing a birth, For this life in the flesh can be but a state ; It is well with the soul, — what 's the body worth ? Speak thus ; and reiterate ! An apocalypse will come, you will see ; Why should the hope of it bring you dismay ? I glory the rather in that which shall be, 38 VOICES AND UNDERTONES When the dross and the slag shall be cleft away From the indivisible me. But what is this ''me" that men argue about — Who of them all knows what is in man ? Yet a scheme they define, and the hesitant flout, Who thinketh God hath not so narrow a plan, — They have settled the question, no doubt ! They seek to discern but the trace of a sin, Its genus and species they gravely discuss ; And then with entomologist pin They prick me fast to their card, and thus I'm classed with iniquitous kin. It is true I am crusted with wrong that I hate, But the law that I love how can they see ? This love will increase, and the error abate, Till the crust shall vanish ; and what will it be, That entity ultimate ? So, after all, 'tis a larger task To settle the question of me and mine ; From God seek the answer ; of man do not ask, What is the "me" he cannot define, For the person he knows is a mask ; Behind, undivided, the being, the whole Whose limit or power is never proclaimed ; Through Time it is one of the spheres that roll. Your vapors may be described and named, But you cannot define a soul. From God it came, invisible fire ; He alone sees through and around the sphere, AN EXPOSTULATOR OVERHEARD 39. And that which shall come of my pregnant desire ; To man's dim vision how can it appear, The thing to which I aspire ? Yet, there 's one who can see, for a friend I greet Who s a prophet and more in his thought of goodwill, He knows that my soul shall the self defeat, Till Love from centre to limit shall thrill And in God I. become complete. Of Him is the soul, a heavenly spark ; The Spirit breathes that it shine more bright, To evidence Him 'mid the world's gross dark, By Love's warm glow, and by Faith's pure light — But ah, how we miss the mark ! We all seek a best ; but snares are set. Who are they that despise the fallen one's plight ?' He is learning through evil what good is ; and yet He would cease to do ill, and joy in the right, If he knew but their alphabet. Though he striye more in failing than they to suc- ceed, Yet his fall, or a slip, they name it a sin, — But the striving at last to glory will lead ; Uncrowned of the world, by his love he may win God's crown of life for his meed. They condemn for one error who never have tried To aim their own lives at the noblest mark ; And the seeker condemn with arrogant pride Because with their little measure, and arc, He can not be satisfied. 4 o VOICES AND UNDERTONES But, if love for the Father his heart possess, And love for his brother be shown in his deed, And they still condemn for the more or the less Of doctrine they find in his variant creed, Hate they not without cause ? Confess ! The King's design — they know it so well ! — Is to gather a courtier here and there, Who amid palatial joys may dwell In light ; while blackness of all despair For the multitude in hell. They are His courtiers, so they say ; And proudly from the touch they shrink ■Of the sinner who walks the same highway ; Accursed of God is he, they think, But themselves in favor alway. A king there was who sought the best For him who was saddest and most in need ; And the few he chose were to help the rest By loving word, and by helpful deed, That the kingdom might be blessed- Is the King of all less wise than he ? He chooseth not a narrow sect ; But so all people his love may see, From every tongue there are some select Who channels of love shall be. They are not the elect, with the satisfied air, And the frown of contempt for the poor and the weak, But they who have bowed in Gethsemane-prayer ; AN EXPOSTULATOR OVERHEARD 41 And though, from the world, bread only they seek, The scorn-hurtled stone is their share. By the load they have borne, by the languor and pain, They learn to be one with the great human heart ; Dethroning ambition, they open a fane For the Spirit of God ; and of true life a part For humanity dying they gain. And thus they lay down their lives for their friends, For all they count friends of their help who have need. Their love makes for enemies' hatred amends ; And abode with the Father-love will be their meed, When on earth all their love-labor ends. So, 'tis best to defer. What is there to show To man the hidden springs of the heart ? God knows where the fountains of true love flow ; We'll discern, I am sure, when the shadows depart, More of God's sons than we know. The rivers hasten to their ocean rest, — As to their channels tributaries run, So men, from north and south and east and west, Shall come to peace, by brother-love made one. 42 VOICES AND UNDERTONES GIFTS IN SLEEP Thy building thou wouldst have all men extol, But it is God alone can edify,* — With endless skill thine art thou mayest ply, With peering eyes search ancient law and scroll, And mete thyself of sleep a meagre dole, Rising to toil at dawn with deep-drawn sigh, Taking so late thy rest, but not thereby Comes growth and life's enlargement to thy soul. Why do thy wakeful burning eyes refuse The balm and healing of His nightly dews ? For growth and strength what need to pray and weep When it is thine if thou wilt only choose ? Rest in His love, no weary vigil keep, " He giveth unto His beloved in sleep ! " LIVING 'Tis wasteful building castles in the air, And of what good may hap to make surmise ; Think thou in thine own life what can be fair, And so to have it let thy heart devise. Wealth be for thee in narrowing of need ; And as a gift from God thy Father's hand * Note the derivation of this word, and compare Psalm cxxvii. THE CRIPPLE 43 Take thou all good that comes, not as thy meed, So thou His perfect peace shalt understand. Thine art be thy reward ; seek thou no name, Lest, like Icarus flying to the sun, Thy waxen wings of temporary fame Shall melt away and life be all undone. Make thine ideal sacred, follow thou, And for her sake do never less than best ; With gold and gem she will not crown thy brow But with twined olive-leaves of calm and rest. Not for mere wages of thy work to seek, But rather wages of true life to choose, — fcThis is the better part man may bespeak And so have gain wherein he seems to lose. THE CRIPPLE Oh yes, I get tired of the heat, of counting the flies on the wall, For the fields are green outside, I can see through the open door ; The children shout at their play and I'd like to answer their call, But here I am just as happy, why Mother, I think, far more ! 44 VOICES AND UNDERTONES If I were to run and play would I talk so much with God ? Do you know, He sits beside me, just as Father used to do, — You went last night where he lies, are the flowers come up in the sod ? Was it not good of "our Father" that He should have left us you ? You make my brow so cool when you wipe the drops away, And then when you turn the pillow it feels so fresh to my head ; With your fingers smoothing my hair, — O Mother, you must not say, "Poor boy, I pity you, dear ; I would bear the pain instead." Put your head low down, on my breast, (I'd rather not look in her eyes) Why, don't you remember saying that I was the son of a King ? It 's the people who make mistakes, who have fallen and will not rise, You know we must pity them ; but I have of joy to sing. 'Twould be worse than lost in the desert, I think, if I had not known, But now in a beautiful room of his palace He makes me dwell ; And I feel the love so near, yet as if but the half were shown, Like Jem with a book to read who has only learned to spell. THE CRIPPLE 45 From the others he takes me away to make me His very own ; Perhaps, don't you think . . . when you pity. . .'tis as if the King could do wrong ? It is hard enough to bear, but he leaves me never alone, What is the text — you know it — the one about "night" and a "song" ? He seems so tender at night; you know I have you all the day ; He has promised me strength when I languish, so I ask Him to make my bed, For sometimes I think it is hard, and I wish the night were away, Then I seem to be lifted a moment to rest in His arms instead. You think of the weight at my foot when you wake with the pulley's creak, And I hear your dear voice calling, "You are not at rest, my boy ;" My heart would like to explain, but it 's not the time to speak, I say, "I am not asleep," but I mean, "awake for joy." For the Shepherd comes so near that I feel his arms enfold ; He whispers about "Our Father," and how He has loved the sheep, — [told ? Oh, love of the heavenly Father, how can it ever be When He speaks so clear, O Mother, 'twould be sacrilege to sleep ! 46 VOICES AND UNDERTONES EVIL As senseless as the brine-soaked log That night and day, through shine and fog, Hears not the endless dialogue Between the moaning ocean and the spirit breeze, So is the man who cannot hear The sighs and prayers that like a mere The human soul unto God's ear Doth raise, the while He answers back in har- monies. "The good is weak and evil strong, Feast well to-day, we die ere long," Thus doth he sing his hopeless song Who findeth not God's fire within the human clay ; He knoweth not at His behest That good may come in shadow dressed, And men call evil what is best, — For stings are good which drive from darkness to the day. Of good there is no mine or thine, The source of all is the Divine, Who worketh not by undesign ; The wrong our self createth He for good can sway ; And where our sin is growing rife By evil, like a pruning knife, 'Tis death He severeth, not life, And fruitful branches gain by withered cut away. A SONG OF THE DAWNING 47 A SONG OF THE DAWNING Men, my brothers, noble-hearted, ye who are, have been, shall be, Ye who hate the thought ignoble, ye whose com- rades are the free, Greeting send I o'er the ages, holding to you joy- ous hands, For redemption draweth nearer from all adver- sary-bands, And the message of glad-tidings bringeth peace to all the lands. Lo, an army is advancing, not with beat of throb- bing drum, Not with banners proudly waving do the happy myriads come, But their hearts athrob with loving, eyes with love that shine sincere ; And they sing aloud in anthem that the rule of peace is here, Swords are beaten into ploughshares, into pruning- haoks the spear. War is over and forgotten, relic of a savage age, Man hath learned to help his brother, not to slay him in his rage ; And the loving hearts that taught him, mother, sister, daughter, wife, Saved him from his lust and avarice, never falter- ed in the strife, Enter with him the millennium, into newness of true life. 48 VOICES AND UNDERTONES O ye saviours of the world, slain by sword, or held in chains, Ye of whom earth was not worthy, yet from whom her highest gains, Ye who were the Lord's anointed, fruit of travail ye shall see ; What and if ye bore the torture, Truth is born of agony, And behold, the morning breaketh of the day ye said would be ! Even now the light-spires dazzle and the note of Hope is heard, Man is learning God's new language, building let- ters to a word ; And the counsels men have darkened come like jewels flashing bright As he trusts the voice within him and the Spirit gives him sight ; And the promise nears fulfilment that the world shall see the light. Then the hell of creed-born hatreds shall no long- er fume and smoke, Nor the wolfish-eyed self-seeker hide him with religion's cloak ; For to men shall come the kingdom, and within their hearts shall be Love enthroned for God the Father, and for all men charity ; — So the light-filled drops together are a wide exul- tant sea. A SONG OF THE DAWNING 49. Then the tumult of the teachers shall have, heard God's " Peace be still," For that men shall know of doctrine as they do the Father's will, As for righteousness they labor, setting heaven's- kingdom first ; And the mothers shall be honored who the hero- men have nursed, Shall not know of man as tyrant nor by slavery be cursed. Let us help emancipation and the time of mercy,, when, 'Mong the rulers in our councils shall be mothers of us men, — Open harem and zenana ; where the shadows over- brood Woman held plaything or captive, teach that God sends equal good, Equal freedom, equal honor, by the right of Human- hood. First, redemption of the body, lest the truth be held in scorn ; Every soul its earthly birthright, to be well and nobly born, — Then like Queens shall be the daughters, and the- sons to Heroes grow. Limbs be fair, and joints be supple, highest thought the faces know, And the white flame of the spirit in a holy temple glow. ;5o VOICES AND UNDERTONES Ye who hold each man a brother, for the brother- love of Christ, Who with clear-eyed Purity do keep in heart a daily tryst, Let me grasp the hand fraternal, one in love and service we ; Now, as in a mirror darkly, face to face we yet shall see ; Fellow-workers with the Father, let us fellow- helpers be ! UNDERTONES While bird- song makes the wild-wood echoes ring r None but the poet hear eth, .low, the cry Of some- pathetic voice, that may not vie To swell the song, but undertone doth sing j And when from rocky cavern echoing The chorus of the waves doth swell and die, Their dirge and pcean, song of mirth and sigh? In perfect chord he hear eth marrying. ' Tis his to know what meanings interblend With words and cadence of the song of life j The heart of man he knoweth as a friend, Good in his wildness, kindness in his strife, — Vaster than ocean's moaning, he hath known Within one human soul the undertone. A VOICE READING Winter was moaning,. 'gainst the pane was sifted Dust of the snow, and welcome was the fire ; Then blazed the sunlight o'er the snowfields drifted, Dimmed on the hearth the leaping name's desire. Flowers by the window in his beams were glowing, Crimson the cactus 'neath the fronded palm, Sparse-leaved hibiscus stars of red flame showing; White shone the lily, happy in her calm. Entered a lady, children trooping after, Gathered them birdlike, blossoms made the nest; Gladder the room with sound of merry laughter, Even the flame purred, happiness confest. "Sintram" the tale (by kind old German Fouque) How love and faith the clouds of sin dispel, — Level as a prairie, here and there a bouquet, Love of Sir Folko, love of Gabrielle. Ah, subtle voice, whose melody was filling Joy-rich the room, like song of waking bird, Lo, all his being answered to your thrilling, Trembled as lute when singer's voice is heard. 53 54 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Dreaming he heard of spear on armor clashing, Charged forth exultant, mingled with the fight, Proud in the forefront swift his brand was flashing, Gift of the queen who made him her true knight. Hair coiled of golden crowned her with a glory, Queen by divine right, all men homage paid ; He but an esquire, 'twas like fairy story When by her hand the accolade was laid. HIS FIRST TOURNEY REMEMBERED A knight new-made, with untried blade, — The heralds gave the word ; The Queen was there, 'mid faces fair, But mist mine eyesight blurred. With fear, I entered slowly, I bowed before her lowly, I felt her presence holy, Courage anew theti thrilled me ; I dared to look, She smiled. My heart that had been wild with love, Yea oft had been beguiled with love, Became the heart of a child, with love As pure as crystal brook. Then vanished fear, my sight grew clear, A strong arm swung my brand ; She gave the prize, she hath heaven-blue eyes, My lips have touched her hand. What knight, though he be hoary, Gained ever greater glory ? More famous who, in story ? A VOICE READING 55. While wonder of it filled me Flowed forth delight In song ; His good sword rights the wrong, for love, His pure heart brims with song, for loi>e, Who 'mid the loyal throng, for love, Is the pure Queen's trusted knight. Sudden, like sleeper from a dream, he started, Listened the words and cadence of the voice, Heard of Montfaucon, ever loyal-hearted, Loving so purely, angels might rejoice. Straightway he dreamed the lover's holy passion,. Gabrielle visioned with the inner sight, Sought, in his mood, some lover-song to fashion, Sung to his lady by the blameless knight. SONG OF SIR FOLKO What were the fight worth, If thou wert not caring i What were thy knight worth If thou wert not sharing, With heart throbbing eager, his noble emprise ? He is braver than ten, through the love in thine eyes I What would be fame worth, If thou wert not caring ? What were my name worth If thou wert not sharing The glory without thee I ne'er would desire ? T but utter and do what thou dost inspire. 5 6 VOICES AND UNDERTONES What were the strife worth, If thou wert not caring ? What would be life worth If thou wert not sharing, My Sunlight, my Love- Queen, its every delight ? ' Twas dark ere thy dawning, now evermore bright / Singing, his heart was for the moment gladdened ; What if such pleading should be not in vain ? But, like the cold wind, came the truth that sad- dened, — Firm-pressed the pale lips, silent with their pain. Yet in his heart the dulcet name was rhyming, Seemed as of right belonging to the voice ; While from the village came a slow bell's chiming, Joined with the tone that made each pulse re- joice. GABRIELLE ' Tis the sound of a silver-toned bell : Gabrielle, — And a gladness the chime doth foretell, Gabrielle ; As music that thrilled once, floats back to the mind, And tells of a joy yet to grasp, yet to find. So thy name seems to come on the wind, Gabrielle / I find in its musical swell, Gabrielle, A charm evil passions to quell, Gabrielle ; A VOICE READING 57 When I utter thy name all the might is destroyed Of the gibbering shapes in the dark that annoyed, And they flit back again to the void, Gabrielle / Thy name holds my heart by a spell, Gabrielle, In my life the sweet music shall dwell, Gabrielle ; As one with a vision celestial in sight, The vision of love hath redoubled my might, And my eyes mirror heavenly light, Gabrielle / What if on earth his love be unrequited, He die forgot, nor know the fond caress, Quote not the world, that so the life is blighted ; God's gift of love doth ever come to bless ! Subtle its fire, the passions low have perished, Opened to heaven, holy is the fane ; She who hath entered, purity hath cherished, Go if she must, can memory be slain ? A CONFESSION My soul ivas turbulent and strong, Like river-flood that roars along Befouled with all its victories ; What was a shame, I counted praise, — Thou knewest not those evil days, Gabrielle .' For thou hadst power such peace to make, As if the stream became a lake 58 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Wherein the foulness fell from sight. Till through and through might gleam the light ; With thee my soul doth walk in white, Gabrielle / Within my heart thou mayest look, Naught from thee hides, in farthest nook ; One mirrored there thou mayest see To whom obedient I must be, — For thy commands are worthy thee, Gabrielle 1 Childlike you crave to have the story ended, Hold fast my fingers lest I close the book, — How can I tell of love and pain that blended Under the surface, where no eyes may look ? Yet it is mine to magnify Love's glory, Make all the world to fall in love with Love ; Hear then my song, your ending of the story, — Endless for them, whose life is from above. "Truthfully," wrote she ; And thus began the bond, For naught in truth could he But "Faithfully" respond. " In thee I put my trust — " Her head upon his breast ; " Thy love is my heart's rest, If I fail, heaven must !" SUNRISE 59 She kissed him on the brow, And.madehim her true knight ; Then flashed his sword in light, And Heaven heard the vow : "No power can e'er divide My maiden from my side ; No enemy can mar, My good sword reacheth far ; King Death can not dispart, For we are pure in heart, And God for endless life Hath made us man and wife !" Thus heaven on earth they gain, Since "True and Loving" she ; Immortal are the twain, For "Alwavs Faithful " he. SUNRISE Dim-gray is the sky ere the morning-dawn, Ere the flower of day unfold ; The starry gleams of the night are gone, And the morning wind blows cold. But whence yon gleam of joy that came To the earth that looked wan and old ? Lo, a flower-heart of burning flame, And petals of shining gold ! 60 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Asleep, asleep, was a maiden's heart, In a star-lit dream she lay, Till hands in the silence drew apart The veil of the cloud wreaths gray ; A joyous start, a throb, a thrill, Then she awoke straightway — In her glorified life is no darkness or ill Since burst into bloom the day. EXPOSTULATION Callest it "duty," So wilt not come ? Fading is beauty, Lips will grow dumb. Youth comes but one time, Joy in it, Dear ; Now is thy sun-time, Blossoms are here. Spring smiles in gladness, Why, Love, delay Till in dim sadness Thou seekest lost May ? "To Spring-woods hasting Showers may drip ?" Youth hath for wasting Warmth at the lip ! A STORY IN THREE VOICES 61 Braving the showers Fear thou no chill ; Sunlight and flowers Follow " I will." Prudence cold-hearted Shivering at fire, Would keep us parted, Quench out desire. Then, be together, Head bowed with head — Autumn's chill weather, Youth's passion dead. Grand-dame hath kindness, Wise for the past ; Wiser is blindness, Love first and last ! A STORY IN THREE VOICES I. IN A PARLOR One's bad luck comes like a turn in the tide ; At the archery meet, when a point would do, My luck to lose the prize for our side ; I was sure of a centre at least when I drew, But, how could I make a wide ? And then, that lover I thought to win, My luck to make just as bad a miss ; 62 VOICES AND UNDERTONES The spice of the game is the taste of sin — In a madhouse you said ? I thought not of this ; How dreadful a place to be in ! It is gay to hold in your hand a heart ; He trusted me, had no other way. Loved her ? I Ve seen a teardrop start When I told that she spoke of him once in a day, While the cold fates held them apart. She was taken over the sea to forget ; No. word to him, but my pen was free. He taught me his love, — 'twere a prize to get ; Why send such rare gold across the sea ? Let her find more there, and yet . . . He met my friend in his courteous way ; Why, grown attentive, so soon, 'twas plain ! Was merely kind, but easy to say, The parting past, had outgrown the pain ; Men always can do that way. What if to die of their love they swore, And if in a year tbey were wed, what sin ? I had no mind for the three or four So fair-cheeked apples, some worm within ; But this, that was sound to the core — She first, — but what if the first be lost — Better the second may be i' the end ; Of her vagrant joys does he count the cost, What will he say to some wondering friend She may greet with her hair all tossed ? A STORY IN THREE VOICES 63 But I wrote a hint more plain than was need Of my friend and him, and the way of men, Which her mother saw, let her vainly plead — The husband is not what he might be, when The pride of the house you read. His grief was wild as a tempest gust, But then the sooner to overblow ; A year would I wait, I thought, if I must — Insane you said ? How could I know Such prick were a deadly thrust ? The best will mistake — there 's a knock at the door ! O the gorgeous flowers ! And a note ! Just think : "My dear one — loving you more and more — " A boat will do if your proud ship sink ; But I used to count him a bore. 'Tis Hamlet to-night ; dear me, he has deigned To ask us both — you 're tired, are you not ? You would not care to see madness feigned ! Well, I — such a shock my poor nerves have got— Really need to be entertained ! II. IN A CELL They know I must open my windows wide For the song of birds and the scent of the trees. I starve for the light that I see outside ; Could that be a wild-beast's voice that cried ? 'Tis well I am fenced by the bars from these. 64 VOICES AND UNDERTONES In the sunset glow I sat — last night — And my heart to God in a rapture went ; A letter, they laid it down in my sight, Let me add its wealth to my soul's delight — Maybe she has written to give consent ! But what ? I am " fickle as well as vain — " My friend tells whom I am trying to wed — She is glad that "now there will be no pain," For soon by one come of ancient strain From the altar steps will my Love be led — Quick, from the window leap, for there They will do a crime in a holy name ! Out in the churchyard the guests prepare, So still they stand, so white they stare, Do they guess how this is a deed of shame ? O life-long link to a corpse that ties, For the white flame of God escaped long since — My pure one thus to the foul for a prize, They are ghouls to delight in the sacrifice — "Love, honor, obey — " did I see her wince ? Loud, loud, "I forbid !" But he turns with a sneer, Away from the throng he has dragged her hand ; Ho, follow and slay me that devilish leer ! She is mine, never his ; by the gods, do you hear? Like silent fools do the white guests stand ! A STORY IN THREE VOICES 65. I ran — how was it, a blow, or a fall ? weathercock brain that the wild thoughts twirl ! Why this is the church ; but where are they all ?' Ho, sexton, need you a louder call ? What more than myself 'gainst the door to hurl ! 'Twas enough to make any true man rave, They had made a cage, but it lacked a bar, And this my friend in her letter gave ; So they made my queen of the world a slave — 1 could climb, to save her, from star to star ! You will never again do so foul a thing ; I have twisted to death that fair false throat, As the huntsman the neck of his bird doth wring Ere it rustle away on a broken wing — Could my fall so tear into shreds my coat ? Did I think to kill ? Nay, it is not mine ; Vengeance belongeth, O God, to thee ; Pardon thy child in thy love divine — Oh, there is my Love, and her garments shine !. She sails in a cloud, from over the sea. The bells they ring, Ding-dong, dong-ding ; The bells they clash in a joyful chime ! Her dear hands cling, And my heart doth sing j Let the world be glad for our wedding-time t 66 VOICES AND UNDERTONES The slow bells toll, God rest her soul ! Weep tears, all the earth ; let the ocean moan ! Oh, the bitter dole, Death take the whole, ' Tis a worse than death if T live alone ! Let me forth to her grave, just there, outside ; Too early is ringing that morning chime, Ere the girls bring flowers that she loved, my Bride, In their bloom again my face I would hide, And thank God there, for our happy time. How have, they bolted this oaken door — The window there, but how will I climb ? This table somehow is fast to the floor ; Burst you, twist you, one wrenching more — ■ O breath of the world at morning time ! Bless God for the light, and his gift of eyes ; For the green field's peace, and the dawn's red spears ; For the diamond sea under cloudless skies, Like an opal under the night it lies — 'Tis the roar of the sea that sounds in mine ears. / sing by the waves of the glancing sea A song of joy for the love I know ; A morning song by the sunlit sea, To the plash of the waves, as they ebb and flow. A STORY IN THREE VOICES 67 The waves were strong and their hearts ivere bold Last night, when the shrieking wind did Mow ; They thought my life was a prey to hold — But, what of the sea and its undertow ! I smile, and sing by the loud sea-shore My song of joy for the love I know. My deathless song by the loud sea-shore, For my loving never can ebb and flow ; The sea will be gone like a drop sun-dried, And the rocks in their sea-green cabn below Will melt in the fire when the earth hath died ; But T never can change, I have loved thee so ! Up from the sea flies a bat-winged shape With cold hawk-eyes of the cruel heart ; That yell again ? — from the beak agape — There 's the twang of a bow — is there no escape ? O letter blood- dabbled that feathered the dart ! Moan, moan, moan, Far out in the night, O Sea ! Mourn thy grief to a thousand shores, Wrestle with fate whe?i the tempest roars- Yet thou art a babe to me. Thy night will pass ; in the sunlight thou Wilt prattle again in glee ; Forever my trembling lips must moan, So old my life with a grief is grown, Thou art only a babe, O Sea ! 68 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Mine eyes are like deserts of crusted brine, In the glare of the thought that flames in me ' r Burst, skull, give birth — this world is mine, Its ocean has deeper voice than thine ; In thy cool wave dabble my hands, O Sea ! How cold my hands, and my head is a flame — Ah, cold with grasping the steely bars ! Tear, twist me their strength from the cut-stone frame, Wrench with might of a score who are dreading a shame — - O God, for the peace of the patient stars ! Leap down, for there on the couch she lies — Her hand to my cheek, let me kiss it again ; The veils have fallen o'er Juliet's eyes, In this Capulets' vault where the daylight dies, And sound-shadows come of the tread of men- Open thy door into life, sweet Death, To the love fulfilled that our hearts desired ! All things for good He fashioneth — More air ! but what do I need of breath ? Let me sleep, by her side — O God — so tired ! III. IN A BOUDOIR I will not go down ; my guests have gone ; You may say, with truth, I am indisposed — I '11 do for his game if they 're short of a pawn, For the rest must suffer with tense lips closed ;: Let them revel there till the break of dawn ! A STORY IN THREE VOICES 69 That is naught for them of a line so proud ? He has given me place ? Others envy me ? Is it much to be first in a hated crowd, When I love the woods, and the royal sea? O bridal veil, had you been my shroud ! For my best you chose ? For your own self, too, But best of brazen, and gold to be had ; When he learns of it all, what, what will he do ! For a day or two, you suppose, he '11 be sad ; But Mother, what if, in the end, he be true ? My husband comes of an ancient race, And he boasts of his wife to the guests that meet ? Yes, proud of his purchase that 's fair in the face — He has fouled the life that I held so sweet, O Death, how I loathe his every embrace ! Last night I crouched by the stair and heard Something he said about neck and limb, And then a whisper, I caught no word, But the coarse laugh broke — a curse be on him And the gaudy cage where he snared the bird ! The splendor you share, but the pain is mine, The heart that fails, and the trembling lip — Yet you say : Be brilliant ! He bids me not pine — If his horse should lag there s the sting of the whip, So I whom he bought, in his house must "shine" ! 7 o VOICES AND UNDERTONES A paper sent ? Let me see who are dead ; Happy are they — bad news, I fear, This paragraph marked with a cross of red : "A saddest case — in a bright career — 111 news had come, and — out of his head—" merciful God, he was true, so true — False wretch that I am ! Read that, I say ; 1 have lost my all — is there gain to you ? Did you gamble for this ? Leave me ! Quick, obey ! Your daughter? Yes, but a woman, too ! Quick, fasten the door, — be alowe, or I shriek And rouse that fiend from his stupor of wine — pictured lips, forgive ! Oh, speak ! Cruel, hard, O God, is this law of Thine, So much to suffer for once to be weak ! 1 remember once that we walked the sands, And a rose-gray veil joined heaven and sea — This pain in my breast, like a dart ; O hands, Could you hold him there for a moment 'twould be The one physician my hurt demands ! On my knees, till I feel that my grief is cast On the Burden-Bearer ; he bade me go, My Lover — can he forgive the past ? 'Tis his face, so near, in a heavenly glow ! In the light — my Love — together — at last ! THE SONGS OF TWO 7 r THE SONGS OF TWO I. HEARD AT SUNSET The sun's red light streams over the sea, On his path of glory my love sails on — My love sails on, and over the sea To the brave heart far where the sun will dawn, Who can dim the sun with his love for me. O red Sun, look to me over the sea, If only my love burnt as cold as thou ! As cold as thou flaming over the sea — Men call thee a fire, and worshipers bow, But cold as a stone to the love-flame in me. II. THE ANSWER AT DAWN O Messenger-Sun from over the sea, Who hast looked on the face of my love for me, On the face of my love who is over the sea, And yet, knowest naught of our life to be — For thou wilt shrink to a cinder cold, Like the white ghost-moon that flits on high, Ere a page or two of the life unfold Which we win by our loving, she and I. O glittering Sun in thy glory of gold, Proudly thy red cloud-mantle sway, Thy red cloud pierced by glory of gold — Love's glory shall dazzle thine fading away ! For the white flame leaps in one heart for me, And my pure love flames to her over the sea ; As thine to the dead moon our glory shall be, Which we win by our loving, I and she ! 72 VOICES AND UNDERTONES A NOCTURNE NO. VI, BY CHOPIN Struggle and fight and torture-pain, Yearnings intense of fevered brain, Anguish of love, foreboding fear, The aching eye that hath no tear — Like a star from its orbit hurled away, My soul hath no anchor, path or stay, But is filled with surging of wild unrest, With a motley legion of thoughts I detest ; From these shall I never have surcease ? Is there no peace ? The captive held by clanking chains Hath hope while spark of life remains ; And even I, in my bondage dread, Erewhile had hope, but the light is rled ; In a horror of darkness I grope and grope, Where is there hope ? ■Out of the depths I blindly cry ; If there be a God, he will let me die. But, lo, I hear, and it stills my pain, My prayer sounds back with a soothing strain ! With hope I pray, and the strain grows strong, Sounding forth like a triumph song ; I reach the heights of heaven above, — There must be Love ! Though I fall again, though in hell I lie, I shall rise forthwith, I will not die ! A WOMAN OF THE AGE 73 Spectral fear hath been driven away, I shall rise to Love, since for love I pray ; The yearning of heart shall be all fulfilled. But, as a child whose grief is stilled Convulsive sobs on the mother's breast, From the midst of hopefulness and rest I hear the after-sob of pain, — One minor strain. A WOMAN OF THE AGE The one whom I love, is she "fair," you said ? As the lily pure, as the queenly rose ; She doth the world of women surpass As these are fair to the trodden grass. "Like every lover ?" Ah well, who knows, I shall speak unlike, ere my lips be dead. How could they sing what mine eyes can see, Fairer than dreamers of dreams e'er guessed ! "That is my dream ?" But nay, I know ; A century long does the aloe grow, Years of the leaf, but the flower is best — She is the bloom of the age-grown tree. That Venus — there, by the window ledge ; Marble is better than bronze, I know, No sharp-cut lines of the shadow-edge, But a melting into the light, as though The radiance without were the inward glow. 74 VOICES AND UNDERTONES With greater than skill hath the artist wrought, The torso lives, but the face like a stone ; Unrivalled the form, but what of her thought ? Yet the marble thrills ; — what if you were shown The blush of the red life dawning through ! 'Twas a perfect leaf that Phidias knew ; But the flower ? You would blind your eyes from the sight Of its rose-mist life thrilling petals white ! There, in the shade of the curtain-fold At your left, a living face looks out ; Thought brims to word, see, the red lips pout ; Wrought by a Master — they call him Old, But young was his art when he wrought, no doubt. Stand here, and look at the oval face With the prayer-oped lips and the brow smooth- white ; The nobler man in yourself you trace As into your soul shines its holy light. Note you, no wonder the sculptor thought : "Here must be womanhood at the flower, " Or the Master spake as his quick hand wrought : " Beauty can never have higher dower ;" A spirit of dreams would she be to them — You, if you saw once my lady's grace, With her Venus form and Madonna face, Would stoop with your lips to her garment's hem ! You as a worshiper thus would kneel ; But what can I, who have loved her so ? A WOMAN OF THE AGE 75 From their settled course my senses wheel, As if the planets should clash and reel, When even the touch of her hand I know. They praised the leaf, when 'twas leaf and thorns ; But she is the flower of the age-grown tree — You would pluck the flower? But the quick thought warns : Venus may love you when Psyche scorns ; The battle is bitter, I say, for me. "Not one of our line but was strong in the fight ?" Hand me that toy of their days of strife, That with the handle of malachite ; To the red heart oft hath it flashed its light, And won the game when they played for life. Let here be a man ! and here ! and here — See, 'tis deep as the hilt in the close-grained wood ; Thus could I do — why start you in fear ? To save one maid from a shameful tear, For the sake of my Love and her womanhood '. The might of ten could I dare withstand ; But, look at that sword two-handed there — As this of mine to your taper hand, Find a brawny arm for that mighty brand, And nerve his heart with a wild despair. Bar then his path with a hundred spears — See you the flash of the whirling steel ? They fall like grain that the reaper shears, Clear through, blood-spattered, his way appears ; There by the brook see the hero kneel. 76 VOICES AND UNDERTONES What of such battle of flesh and blood, That your cheeks thrill red and your bright eyes stare ? One wards the thrust, gives a crash for a thud, One falls, to crumble back into — mud ! With grass instead of his wavy hair. You move a pawn in some idle game, What is that to an empire's war ? So the fight with a hundred that yielded fame, Is naught to the bitter fight I name — What can I, you wonder, be fighting for ? The princes of darkness have hemmed me in, The life to the spirit their hosts oppose ; — They seek to stab my soul with a sin, Come with angel-smile, or with leer and grin, But I fight to the death — 'tis for Life — God knows ! What if I spake of the warm white breast More fair than the Greek in his dreaming knew ; Of the face more grand than Italy's best, ■Child-sweet, man-strong, in its placid rest, Did I tell of the eyes whence the soul looked through ? Were she of the leaf, from the fight I were free, Needing only to love as a man can do ; But the eyes have opened their depths to me, She is the flower — as a god must I be, Must love her as man, and as angel, too. BY THE SOUNDING SHORE 77 BY THE SOUNDING SHORE I stand again by the sounding shore And the dashing waves my lot deplore ; For they flow and flow to my weary brain, And cleanse away the throbbing pain. O cool and clear, O plashing wave, My fevered heart in thy coolness lave ! Till I am care-free as a child once more By the sounding shore. Peace, that dwells in the silent skies, Quell me the tumults of mind that rise ; Possess my soul with thy harmony, Till jangle of strife shall no longer be ; Calm the struggle and yearning wild, Till I feel again, as a little child, 1 am known to the watchful angel-eyes In the silent skies. HALF-THOUGHTS An eager child whose life four bare walls bound, Whose outlook is a blank and cheerless street Where seldom do the silent passers meet, Heareth afar the thrilling martial sound Of music, and his pulses beat With every drum-throb, and his heart is crowned With joy, expectant the parade will greet His eyes ; but soon in distance all is drowned. 78 VOICES AND UNDERTONES Thus do melodious half-thoughts loom afar, — As, when cloud-garments trail the level sea, We dimly trace the lines of mast and spar Of ghostlike vessel, lost so silently In mist again we scarce believe the bar Of cloud was raised to let the vision be. VALSE PREMIERE The faces around in the room grow dim To the two who are swayed by the melody's whim, Alone, as if swung to the earth's farthest rim. In a dream of contentment they turn and glide, Impulse to each movement so inter-tied The throbbing of music alone is their guide. No breaking or jar in the rythmical beat, The harmony rules e'en their wayward feet ; Their hearts are in tune with its influence sweet. 'Tis a life that is lived in a little space, — The unit of life in which two have a place, Together who move with harmonious grace But some bound together for freedom are fain, They move not as one, but with jarring and strain, In discord with its music, they make life a pain. The world is with harmonies thrilled through and through, But the hearts thrilled together responsive, so few, How happy his lot, who is one of such two ! BABY ELINOR 79 BABY ELINOR "Come, O Sleep, from Chio's isle, Take my little one awhile — " — Greek Folk-Song. THE MOTHER SINGS : Come hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle, My wakeful babe canst thou beguile ? Let rose of dawn be on the cheek, On sweet lips parted as to speak, But bring a twilight o'er these eyes As bright and blue as summer skies j Then swing the cradle to and fro Till all the winged shadows go, Like drowsy flower my baby sivay Until her laughter hails the day. Come hither, Sleep, fro?n Chio's isle, Take thou my little one awhile, And twine soft fabric of the night O'er merry eyes that glance too bright j Make silent thou the laughter sound But leave the smile, a?td dimple round, And rock my baby on thy breast Like wee bird swaying in the nest ; At morning bring her fresh as day, Then on a sunbeam fly away. THE POET'S REVERIE O little blessed child, Sent from the " Mother-God " 80 VOICES AND UNDERTONES To earthly mother mild, — Thine be Messiah-life, Thy spirit undefiled ! May loving thought and pure, Of lover and of friend, Each budding wish allure To blossom unto God, Whose loving doth endure ! A thought of God thou art, And words unuttered sing Their music to my heart, When by thy couch I kneel, Dwelling with God apart. A Woman thou s'halt be ; A man am I, sweet babe, My life dies out with me ; But thou shalt set impress On lives to come through thee. A twig this life of mine, Fruit-clustered, yet to fall From never-dying vine, Wherein thou art a part Through womanhood divine. No curse thou needest mourn ; The circlet of our life God on his hand hath worn, Where true men's lives like gems By womanhood are borne. BAB.Y ELINOR 81 The gold is Woman true, The gold doth never fail ; The gems, alas, too few ! But know, by such as thou Man is create anew. Be true, dear, to thy name, Bring " light " from God to men ; Show how His love hath claim, Until in hearts estranged Gloweth Love's answering flame. LULLABY-SONG Where does my sweetheart Baby go While the cradle is swinging her to and fro, — While Mother is singing a lullaby In a voice like none other, so sweet and low ? Lullaby Baby, lullaby dear ! Yield thee to slumber, Mother is near ; Far on Sleep's ocean fear not to go, God is around thee, loving thee so ! Does she fly away to the home of Night, When eyelids droop over blue eyes bright ? Does she seek the place where the dreams are- born, Clad in her dreaming-dress of white 1 Her cradle sways like a fairy boat On the gentle Slumber river afloat, That bears on its bosom a baby fleet, As the sunbeam many a shining mote. .82 VOICES AND UNDERTONES So swiftly the babies are sweeping along As if a breeze in the sail blew strong, Yet no waves beat, for it is not the wind But the crooning of many a mother-sot^, Down Slumber river their course they keep, Until they come to the sea of Sleep ; And the mermaids tell them of wonderful things, For they are the dreams that arise from the ST. ANTHONY'S VICTORY Have I not obeyed when I sold my lands ? And the poor were rich, for a day at least ; Now they are tilled by grasping hands, And the poor still beg while these owners feast, — I haunting the rocks 'mong the Egypt sands. The young maids once would smile to my face ; Now it is haggard and hollow-eyed ; •Can I not forget their supple grace, When my wine is the drip from the cave's dim side, And my feast a crust in a gruesome place ? Happy, you death's head grinning there, Of eyes that offend have you been bereft ; I see a face in its cloud of hair — This cross of wood in its rocky cleft I have set, to be saved from the tempter's snare. 'ST. ANTHONY'S VICTORY 83 Yet the voice was sweet as a singing bird, And the red lips warm to my hollow cheek, Soft was the breast that the faint breath stirred — Who come, in the light of that sunset streak ? God grant of the saint they have never heard. The one than my dreams ever imaged more fair, Her silver zone girds a scarf of blue ; A twilight veil doth the other wear, But I see the flush of the rose glint through, And pearls and gold bind her night-black hair. Did I hear a voice ; was it "Anthony" ? 'Twas my name ! But why are they come to seek ? I must shrink in my cave from that sunset ray ; How the red lips curve when the name they speak, — But quick, let me fall on my face to pray ! "Why have I wasted my youthful years ? — " "Her lap is more soft than the rocky floor — " ■"Her bosom and arms will rest me from fears — " Their laughter, I hear it more and more Like the gurgle of water in drowning ears. I am pierced with the dart of the bright eyes' glance, Brighter still as the cave grows dim ; In a shimmer of light my closed eyes dance ; I am held ! O languor of arm and limb — Awake, O Soul, from thy shameful trance ! 84 VOICES AND UNDERTONES There is the sign of the One who died, — • Free me, ye serpent arms that twine ! Help me, power of the Crucified, Shall the fiend have greater strength than Thine f Struggle, ye limbs that his charms have tied ! Agonize more ; I can touch the cross — Fiends ! that in bodies of beauty dwell, Is my soul for your hands in sport to toss ? 1 clutch ; but they drag me down to hell ; It has crashed ! Help, God, — or Thine the loss ! How chill is the floor, but why should I start ? It is not the red dawn, but the sun's last beams — Ah, the tempter was nigh, deceiving my heart — I thank thee, O God, that even in dreams I turn to thy strength, and my helper thou art ! FRIENDSHIP I CELEBRATE There comes a legend from the Persian land, That roses, at the gateway of the day, From Paradise out-trailing, bloom alway ; And thence the breezes come, a viewless band, Bearing the fragrance with a lavish hand ; And once to every life, or sad or gay, They bring the golden odor lovingly — Then seemeth he in Paradise to stand. Alone one day T sat, with grief outworn, When absent friends in memory came nigh, And lo, the fragrance to my life was borne, At thought of many loves that could not die. He that in Friendship 's truth doth realize Eternal love, foretasteth Paradise. "I HAVE A FRIEND" The. weary traveler in a desert land, 'Gainst whom by full-orbed sun from heavenly seat, Are launched his quivering shafts of yellow heat, And scorching breath is blown from desert sand,. Doth madly long beneath the palms to stand, Where kiss of waters cool, his lips may greet ;. But, often tempted by the mirage fleet, He wanders on, where shadeless wastes expand. Thus wearily I journeyed, many a year, Athirst for ever, by mirage beguiled ; But now no more the sand-choked well I fear, The living spring, whose waters undefiled Can quench my life-long thirst, I know at last — I have a friend ; the desert days are past. MEMORIES No portrait of my guardian Friend have I, By skillful artist hand on canvas lined ; Such counterfeit mine eyes need not to find. Of her sweet face, to bring the vision nigh ; 37 88 VOICES AND UNDERTONES For as rich jewels in golden casket lie, Bright mem'ries safely dwell within my mind ; And when mine eyelids close, and I am blind To things of earth, the clasps wide open fly. And then thy radiant face upon me beams, With kindness and with chastity alight ; Blue eyes, more pure than clearest mountain streams, Shine clear with innocence, like diamonds bright ; Precious and fair the visions that I see, When thought looks back on memories of thee. AU REVOIR The brightness from the day seems all to fade, Since far from thee, O Friend, I now must go ; The happy days late past, are whelmed in woe That rises like a tide, and storms have laid In ruin all my hopes ; yet, undismayed I face all grief, no wave can overflow One steadfast hope, whence others grow, We meet again, — on this my heart is stayed. The might of faith can make the weakest strong, And faith of mine doth join me to that strength ; All things are possible, to me belong All hope, and trust, and joy, until at length Faith hath reward, I know not how or when, — This one thing only, we shall meet again. FAME FAME Of worldly fame I dreamed, in by-gone days, What time I lay upon the tented field, And s-leep, by weary marching gained, had sealed Mine eyes ; and in my dream, like one in maze, I stood on high, and heard the hum of praise, Where silk and jewels gleamed, while joy- bells pealed, Yet in my heart there lay a woe concealed, For no eyes turned to mine with true love's gaze. But now I envy not a warrior's fame, Though he be victor in a thousand fields ; For, once o'erthrown, the world forgets his name, And Beauty her sweet smile no longer yields, — For in thine eyes I see eternal love, And I am famed all earthly fames above. "UP TO THE LIGHT, TOGETHER" We walk beneath the brooding trees, The rain that fell hath slain the breeze, Silence incarnate seems the dark ; When dim, afar, we see a spark Of light, that eager branches seize To make their green leaves gleam like amber. Glad at the sight, With hearts as bright, " Up to the light," we clamber. go VOICES AND UNDERTONES So Truth hath set her lamp on high ; The multitude have passed her by ; What though we leave the pleasant vale, And friends our wild resolve bewail, We must climb to the truth or die ! Naught care I for bleak mountain weather. For snow and rime, If we may climb Through space, through time, " together !" WAITING As one benighted on the plains, for dawn Doth wait, and long on homeward way to press, Nor yet through low-hung mist the way can guess, For veil of dark o'er stars and moon is drawn ; Thus minutes of the hour roll slowly on, Like waves that on the shore break purpose- less ; The joy that was, my heart will not confess, For all is dreary dark while thou art gone. And yet as patient as the sun I '11 be, That every day his heavenly race renews, Trusting his fair moon's love-lit face to see ; For when the meeting-times do come I lose The pain, my gladness dims mine eyes with tears And days of joy repay for waiting years. INFLOWING TIDE 91 INFLOWING TIDE I Crossed the bridge that spanned a river wide, Where vacant flats, beneath the smoky day, Stretched wide and far, in mire the brown weeds lay, And outward with the stream fair hope did glide ; But ere I passed again, the flowing tide, From moon-stirred ocean, up the long blue bay, Between the slime-green piers poured lavishly, And all the wide blank wastes were satisfied. Thus void my heart — a desolate expanse, Doubt-strewn and sad, of hopeful joy deplete. Till happiness upwelled at thy first glance, — Yea, Friend, 'twas rapture thy dear self to greet ; And though we work for Good in ways apart, Joy tides at every meeting to my heart. SPRINGING WATER Down to the bay, 'mong trees, and grasses rank, The springs in silver brooks their wealth outpour, And fiercest thirst is slaked from bounteous store ; Inward the high-tide rushed, then slowly sank, And bright streams trickled down the sloping bank, Whereof I stooped to drink, and could no more. g 2 VOICES AND UNDERTONES For brackish oozed they from the brine-soak- ed shore — But up the hills I climbed, then deeply drank. Where tides of life beat high, for love I sought, And oft I stooped to taste deceptive rills That only pangs of greater longing brought ; But nearer God, among the silent hills I sought, and found the fount of friendship pure, Whose sparkling stream the weary heart can cure. KNIGHTLY INSPIRATION He reined, and gazed upon the castle-towers, The bravest knight in all the land was he, Who now fared home from years of victory ; And lo ! the Princess, flitting 'mong her flowers, Him saw and gaily led through fairy bowers, Till thrilled with joy, he thought right mer- rily : Into her palace now she bringeth me, And love shall claim my life's remaining hours. But she : Go forth again true-hearted knight, Weak ones there are for thy right hand to save ; Let thought of me be impulse in the fight, So all may know, as I, how thou art brave — And though of love she yield no larger dower, His life was lived in that exultant hour. A FAREWELL A FAREWELL 93 And so the time has come, my dear, The dreaded time has come When we must sever, you and I, You to old friends must say goodbye, And I goodbye to you ; And yet my lips are dumb, my dear, Alas, my lips are dumb, Though heart with loving thought is full, The agony of loss doth rule, I know not what to do. The white flowers on your breast, my dear, The white flowers on your breast, Could speak, I know, my thoughts to you ; I brought them gemmed with May-day dew, They must have heard my prayer. With flowers your hair is dressed, my dear, With apple-buds 'tis dressed ; Bright blossoms in j'our hand I see, And friends about, but you to me Are the sweetest blossom there. Your friends are saying goodbye, my dear, Your friends all say goodbye ; I wonder if they mean the prayer, If aught but love has brought them there, If they 're sad as I to-day. And now alone stand I, my dear, And now alone stand I ; 94 VOICES AND UNDERTONES I see your fluttering signal white, Your smiling face and blossoms bright, — So soon they fade away ! And you have gone away, my dear, Ah, you have gone away, — Away to the land of all delight, Where all the year is sunshine bright, Away to the happy West ; You, the queen of May, my dear, My queen of May to-day, Are gone to rule where palm trees grow, Where the cactus blooms, and roses blow,- Thy reign with peace be blessed ! SPEECH OF A LOVER Ifi olden time a precious instrument Did hang unused within a palace gay. No hand had skill the golden strings to play ; What time men tried, the discords ever blent With notes of joy ; and so they came and went. But when the wind among the strings would stray And rousefaint, heavenly strains, the king would say . One cometh yet to play, whom God hath meant. A maiden came, star-eyed a?id snowy-armed ; Her dainty hands, like wind-blown lilies glide Among the strings, and every heart is charmed — Yet pensive she, alone dissatisfied. Such golden harp hath Love, — the poet 's brain ; How sweet he singeth, charming her in vain ! DEMENTIA AMANTIS One whom I love, wh» loves me not, Doth daily pass me by, At sight of her my foolish heart Maketh such glad outcry, If she gave love, for overjoy, I fear me I should die. A chain of love hath bound me fast, Each hour doth forge a link — Were she beyond the gulf of hell, And I, upon the brink, My soul through hell would go to her, Nor otherwise could think ! O fair round wrist, a sculptor's dream, And poise of taper hand, O eyes that gain, by simple look, More than a king's command, O cloud of floating raven hair, — By these am I unmanned ? Nay ! not by these ; by these and more Goodness with grace combined, A merry heart that doeth good, As light, so purfi^a mind ; A gentle hand, whose touch is like Caresses of the wind. 97 .98 VOICES AND UNDERTONES And though I know she loves me not, I have not any choice, Her faintest smile can make my heart So wildly to rejoice ; And I would traverse heaven and earth To list her thrilling voice. HOPE VICTORIOUS Is it only a dream I am dreaming ? Can it be 'tis the real and true ? Do I follow a false light that 's gleaming, Or a guiding star come into view ? Is there one, with heart tender to know me, With a faith that is clearer than sight ? Is there one, who hath wisdom to show me How my path may lead up to the light ? For the moment that wild hope is thrilling, With an archangel's might I am strong ; But a doubt comes, like fog with its chilling, How to me can such joy e'er belong ? Yet with patience serene I am waiting, Till the light may' shine clear from above ; Not a hope for the future abating, For " there never is unreturned love !" DIVINITY OF LOVE 99 DIVINITY OF LOVE Behold ! a calm-voiced prophet saith : " Where Love is, there is God !" Though treading flower-bespangled sod, Among the stars the lover wandereth ; For him no more is time, or space, or death. A seer spake in the Orient : " God only doth not change !" So, not the lover, though he range With grief the earth, till flesh and blood be spent ; Unbarriered then, his soul with God is blent. And when thou hear'st the poet say, " My Love, thou art divine ; Immortal I through love of mine !" This is celestial truth, not rhapsody ;