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THE HIDDEN PLACES 
 
THE HIDDEN PLACES 
 AND OTHER POEMS 
 
 BY 
 
 ALE)A 
 CHANLER 
 EMMET 
 
 ROBERT GRIER COOKE 
 INC. NEW YORK, MCMVn 
 
LIBRARY of CONGRESS f 
 Twu Oo'jifcs Rvxeived ■ 
 
 JUL 9 \mr 3 
 
 OcDvr.'irht EPtry | 
 
 T S 5 r« f 
 
 Copyright, igoy 
 
 By Robert Grier Cooke, Inc. 
 
 New York 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Hidden Places i 
 
 Welcome the Years 3 
 
 The Message 4 
 
 Let Fall 5 
 
 Night 6 
 
 Simple Manhood 7 
 
 Peace to the Troubled Heart 8 
 
 Spring from Thy Fears, My Soul .... 9 
 
 The Angelus 10 
 
 I Wandered Happy 11 
 
 The Voices 12 
 
 Head Home 13 
 
 The Antiphonies 14 
 
 To the Hudson 15 
 
 On Japan's Treaty of Peace with Russia, 1905 . 16 
 
 To the United States 17 
 
 Grief .18 
 
 Birth 19 
 
 Repent 20 
 
 Spirit of Meekness 21 
 
 With Eyes Uplifted 22 
 
 Action 23 
 
 To Humanity 24 
 
 Progress 25 
 
 Nature Art Thou Not Aweary? 26 
 
 England 28 
 
 Love 29 
 
 vii 
 
PAGE 
 
 Un Coup de Cceur 30 
 
 "Ma Petite Rose'' ^ 
 
 A Song 33 
 
 Ode to the Forest Fairies 34 
 
 To A Snowstorm 36 
 
 The Hill Gods 37 
 
 Arethusa .39 
 
 May 41 
 
 Summer 42 
 
 A Lullaby 43 
 
 The Hermit Maid 44 
 
 Death 46 
 
 The Song of a Dead Leaf 47 
 
 A Love Lament 48 
 
 The Sail 49 
 
 A Vision 50 
 
 The Goblins 53 
 
 The Hidden Light 57 
 
 Death of the Goddess of Peace 59 
 
 An Allegory . . 61 
 
 To the Old Year 67 
 
 Another Day 68 
 
 On Eleanor's Wedding-day 69 
 
 Faith ........... 70 
 
 Ode to a Song Bird 71 
 
 As Heaven's Love 72 
 
 We Move in Danger 73 
 
 Intuition 74 
 
 Fair Church of Christ 75 
 
 The Parents 76 
 
 Waste 77 
 
 To the Maine Coast 78 
 
 Men and Their Shadows 79 
 
 To THE Firemen 80 
 
 To THE Tiger 81 
 
 Winter 82 
 
 viii 
 
PAGE 
 
 The Reflection 83 
 
 Live and Make No Compi^int 84 
 
 A Love Sonnet 85 
 
 To the Matrix Opal 86 
 
 Dawn 87 
 
 Night and Day 88 
 
 April 89 
 
 August 90 
 
 September 9i 
 
 October 92 
 
 Hail Soul of Earth 93 
 
 Sonnet to Faith 94 
 
 Ode to Elizabeth 95 
 
 Ode to Margaret 96 
 
 Christopher 97 
 
 Hester 98 
 
 Conrad 99 
 
 E. W. C 100 
 
 J. J. C loi 
 
 To M. L. C 102 
 
 To S. W 103 
 
 W. J. E. . . 104 
 
 J. C E 105 
 
 Rosalind 106 
 
 L. C 107 
 
 Laura 108 
 
THE HIDDEN PLACES 
 
THE HIDDEN PLACES 
 
 IN the hollows of the marches, 
 Where the water lilies grow, 
 Where the mocking loons are laughing, 
 Swimming idly to and fro, — 
 What swift message is there stirring 
 
 'Mid the grass and in the air? 
 'Tis the smile of unseen places. 
 For the Lord of Hosts is there. 
 
 In the green cool of the forest, 
 
 Where the thickest shadows fall,— 
 Where the beetles build their houses, 
 
 And the mating birds give call, — 
 What can mean that leafy whisper 
 
 That is spreading everywhere? 
 'Tis the speech of unseen places, 
 
 For the Lord of Hosts is there. 
 
 Where the tall green grasses cover 
 Nesting quail from sight of men. 
 
 Greeting lightest breeze with quiver,- 
 Catching shade from cloud, 'tis then 
 
That the breath as of an infant 
 Trembles faintly on the air, 
 
 'Tis the sigh of unseen places, 
 For the Lord of Hosts is there. 
 
 On the free breast of the waters. 
 
 Where the seagull's scream is heard,- 
 Where the deep sapphire heaven 
 
 Hovers like a brooding bird, — " 
 Comes majestic rhythm lifting 
 
 Joyous anthem far and near, 
 'Tis the song of unseen places, 
 
 For the Lord of Hosts is there. 
 
 5 
 
 In the cavern 'neath the ocean 
 
 In the mine beneath the hill. 
 Where are heard no human voices. 
 
 Where the mighty rocks lie still, — 
 What slow throb is that vibrating 
 
 In the dank, black darkness there? 
 Tis the pulse of hidden places, 
 
 For the Lord of Hosts is there. 
 
w 
 
 WELCOME THE YEARS 
 
 ELCOME the years that Hnk us to the skies, 
 Plucking their fruit, and eating as we go; 
 
 Wholesome there are, offending taste and eyes, 
 And luscious some, checking the blood's free 
 flow. 
 
 Anon, our paths uniting for a space 
 
 A friend approaching joins his course to ours, 
 
 Communing gladly as we walk apace— 
 We dimly heed the knell of passing hours. 
 
 Each soul the other wafts t'ward that great goal 
 Which, as a magnet, draws them to one end; 
 
 Where path unites with path, and soul with soul, 
 And streams no longer wayward courses wend. 
 
 Such meetings over, some their strength renew— 
 With head erect, they look beyond the years; 
 
 While others, mourning those whose steps withdrew, 
 With slackened pace their comfort seek in tears. 
 
 Con we one lesson ere we journey long 
 
 With life to be content, so we can learn. 
 
 Though bitter one day's fruit, its meat makes strong. 
 We from another's sting may wisdom earn. 
 
H 
 
 THE MESSAGE 
 
 AVE ye seen the lion tamed in his lair, 
 
 When the stroke of weakness falls upon his 
 head? 
 
 Have ye known the heart of man grow weak 
 and sear, 
 When the idol of his mind is lying dead? 
 
 Have ye seen an August flower wilt and fade 
 Under Heavens that are merciless and dry? 
 
 Have ye watched a woman's bloom as it decayed, 
 While her mellow voice has withered to a sigh? 
 
 Then come seek the hidden region of the soul, 
 Where the angels weave the virtues of the heart, 
 
 Where high heaven's tearless rivers ever roll, 
 Dear drink of living waters to impart. 
 
 Where all beasts of prey or burden may take rest. 
 Where all flowers gather bloom along its shores. 
 
 Nor suffer from the seasons more arrest; 
 
 Where his keeper each unswervingly adores. 
 
 And return ye to the wanderers of earth, 
 Bearing hope to heart of woman that is sad; 
 
 Sing to ear of humbled hero of his worth, 
 Tell the lion in his desert to be glad. 
 
L 
 
 LET FALL 
 
 ET fall, seek not to save thyself, but lose — 
 Pain deeper lies in fear than in a bruise," — 
 So wisdom speaks with kindly voice and grave, 
 As woman strives a straying child to save. 
 
 And what the clear response that comes at length? 
 The fearless smile, while turning in their strength, 
 They strike, as bidden, freely into space. 
 Nor care they longer cautious paths to trace. 
 
 Unconscious now of laws that guide or fell. 
 To one melodious chord their senses swell. 
 While to their ear comes ever distant call; 
 Until, at last, like drops with sudden fall 
 
 In ocean, they with joy regain their source, 
 And leave behind the child of slower course. 
 Who foothold seeking, to their safety cling, 
 Are checked in flight as bird of clipped wing. 
 
NIGHT 
 
 UPON the earth night's beauteous garment falls, 
 With gentle motion steadily descends; 
 Holding each crevice in embrace that calls 
 An incense sweet which, from the earth, ascends 
 In fairy forms, and with the verdure blends. 
 
 That purple web of star-rent texture rare 
 Now fallen low, there drops a mystic balm; 
 
 Alluring message quivers on the air. 
 
 Which offers careworn man a respite calm, 
 And draws from throat of nesting bird a Psalm. 
 
 To this sweet message some their senses bow, 
 And join with simple heart that harmony; 
 
 They gladly smooth from care a tired brow. 
 And sleep as infants, free from calumny, 
 Whose heart and conscience know no tyranny. 
 
 Not thus do pleasure-lovers greet the night. 
 With heart aflame defy they nature's powers. 
 
 Until the minutes, taking rapid flight, 
 
 Linking together, change themselves to hours; 
 And lo ! above them keen-eyed morning towers. 
 
 How varies heart of sage and waster here? 
 Their motives for rebellion differing. 
 
 With eye upon the night, the sage austere 
 
 Those charms would prove that earth are covering, 
 And while he gazes sees dawn quivering. 
 
 Who then wins night's deep secret, keenly sought? 
 The wakeful searchers, or the unbeguiled? 
 
 Stern knowledge can be found and dearly bought, 
 But wisdom holds her sanctuary mild 
 Within the simple heartbeat of a child. 
 
 6 
 
SIMPLE MANHOOD 
 
 SIMPLE manhood nobly wrought, 
 Slow of speech, by justice taught, 
 In whose mind no fear is known. 
 Competent to stand alone. 
 
 Many secrets women teach, 
 Often heaven do they reach ; 
 But their heartstrings weaker be, 
 Let them courage learn from thee. 
 
 Teach them justice to attain, 
 Though against their hearts it reign; 
 How to place their love apart 
 When they'd treasure earn of art. 
 Then on earth their souls shall seem 
 Love to blend with law supreme. 
 
PEACE TO THE TROUBLED HEART 
 
 PEACE to the troubled heart and brain, 
 Rest to the ever-questioning mind; 
 Hope to the slackened blood, as rain 
 To sluggish streams, and may the wind 
 Of soul renew its stagnant force, 
 Lending fresh freedom to its course. 
 
 Wherefore this aching weariness? 
 
 Surely some glory is its aim ! 
 Turn then thy thought from dreariness, 
 
 Erectly hold that trembling frame. 
 And know that, as a brooding dove. 
 Behind the darkness hovers love. 
 
SPRING FROM THY FEARS MY SOUL 
 
 SPRING from thy fears my soul and wing abroad. 
 Leaving all thought of dole, join festive board. 
 The Angels wait thy freedom to descry; 
 Though thou art late, thy wings may speed apply. 
 
 Firm standeth Heaven, nor do sin and pain 
 E'er strand a soul that sails Life's turbid main. 
 Though oft through paths unbidden we have trod 
 The winds of Heaven blow us home to God. 
 
THE ANGELUS 
 
 THE reapers through the meadows wend their way, 
 Behind the hills serenely falls the day. 
 The harvest moon mounts slowly in the sky, 
 And smiles benignly on the passers by. 
 The happy lovers lightly tread the grass, 
 Exchanging friendly greeting as they pass; 
 They move like shadows in the dusky light, 
 Along the open field, or in the sight 
 Of cheerful window framing comely face 
 Of mother, sitting in accustomed place. 
 The distant tower tolls a solemn bell, 
 And to the simple reapers hear it tell 
 How as the scythe swings, falls the mellow sheaf, 
 Like the young hours of life whose bloom is brief; 
 But over all earth's harvest far and wide, 
 Peace, and the light of starlit skies abide. 
 Each lad and lass inclines his youthful brow, 
 And sinks within the soul a solemn vow 
 To cherish from time's taint and sin's alloy. 
 The fair remembrance of his sacred joy. 
 Then list, ye mystic reapers ! Lend your ears ; 
 Sound on this curfew through approaching years. 
 
 10 
 
I WANDERED HAPPY 
 
 1 WANDERED happy in a spicy grove 
 That stood erect upon a rocky shore, 
 Where smiHng waves their snowy cobwebs wove, 
 And far above would white-winged sea gulls soar. 
 Then rose blue mountains o'er the silver mist 
 
 That hovered close upon the water's breast, 
 Which to the waves serenely seemed to list, 
 
 Then t'ward my mind swift message they addressed. 
 " Let thy soul freely rise with this new wind 
 
 That toucheth now this joyous, verdant isle. 
 Let all thy doubts and fears fall far behind 
 
 Thy skyward trail that angels should beguile. 
 Man was not meant a prisoner to dwell 
 
 Upon the earth with leaden care held down, 
 But freely should he rise, his love to tell. 
 In regions which the starry heavens crown, 
 And with the planets gain a glad renown." 
 
 II 
 
THE VOICES 
 
 VOICES whisper o'er the spreading years: 
 Their dear familiar accents blend with tears 
 That rise in sacred grief and fall in joy 
 For knowledge that ye dwell where none destroy 
 Your love for those on earth. In God's employ, 
 Ye bear your missals of angelic peace 
 To us who taste not yet your sweet release. 
 Where hides the secret of your gentle cries? 
 We neither hear nor see in common wise 
 Your mystic forms; but in the throat of bird 
 There throbs the power of the hidden word; 
 Or quivers in the leaf of yonder tree 
 That moves in gentle rhythm with the sea. 
 Yea, 'neath the language of our human writ 
 There lies a tongue of purer, keener wit. 
 That doth with bands of love the planets knit 
 In one fair maze; and to our human dowers 
 Unites the wisdom of the joyous flowers. 
 
 12 
 
HEAD HOME 
 
 RETURN, thou sorry wanderer, 
 Still burns thy limpid star, 
 Unfurl thy sail unto the night, 
 Though rent with many a scar, 
 'Twill catch the winds of Heaven still, 
 If thou but lend it to their will. 
 Head home ! 
 
 Return, thou foolish squanderer. 
 That casts thy bread afar. 
 God's garners still with love are bright. 
 Nor can the sinner mar 
 The Hght of Heaven's purity, 
 Or shake the soul's security. 
 Head home! 
 
 13 
 
THE ANTIPHONIES 
 
 ^ROM the heart of blackest darkness 
 Creeps a summons to the Light, 
 
 From the torrid glare of mid-day sinks 
 A call unto the night. 
 
 From the barren wintry forests 
 Spreads a yearning for the green, 
 
 Of fair June's resplendent verdure. 
 Or young April's tender sheen. 
 
 From the core of summer stillness 
 Comes demand for thunder peal; 
 
 While the roar of heavy waters, 
 Unto silence makes appeal. 
 
 From the heart of them in sorrow, 
 From the mind of them in pain, 
 
 Breaks a groan unto the Heavens 
 That would calm of Death attain. 
 
 And the answers, yea, the answers ! 
 
 Rise they slowly, fall they long! 
 But they come, yea, they are nearing. 
 
 And the love they bear is strong. 
 
 Light to Darkness, Sound to Silence, 
 Cool to Heat, for Sun the Moon, 
 
 While to call of joy or sorrow 
 Comes an answer late or soon. 
 
 Thou for whom man's voice is singing, 
 Swift t'ward whom his cries ascend. 
 
 We must seek thee, we must greet thee, 
 O our Answer, to the end. 
 14 
 
TO THE HUDSON 
 
 NOBLE River ! 
 That lav'st the outskirts of our fevered town ; 
 Bearing ever, 
 
 With grave leisure, welcome message down 
 The valleys from wide country fields and sky; 
 Ceasing never 
 
 Thy swift travel to the ocean, as fly 
 T'ward their covert. 
 
 The unerring birds. From their high thrones 
 Upon whose leaden breast mountains decree 
 Royal favor, 
 
 And bid thee bear their greeting to the sea- 
 Wilt thou sever 
 
 From out our midst all doubtful act that owns 
 Not guiding breath of Heaven, 
 And endeavor 
 The stagnant vapors of our lives to leaven? 
 
 15 
 
ON JAPAN'S TREATY OF PEACE WITH 
 RUSSIA, 1905 
 
 W 
 
 ELL done, Japan ! We sing thy praise to-day ; 
 For thou hast shown us how the mighty may 
 Yield to the vanquished generous return 
 For hostile act, and nations* homage earn. 
 
 Thou hast expressed a noble disregard 
 For worldly commendation or reward; 
 Nor hast thou trembled for thy future peace. 
 But in strong confidence thou dost release 
 
 Thy ,yanquished foe, relying on the aid 
 Of common right to which thy debt is paid. 
 Now stands thy debtor the eternal law, 
 To him that giveth shall be given more. 
 
 t6 
 
TO THE UNITED STATES 
 
 LIKE some vast furnace filled with fuel varied 
 Is our land. 
 Like heated runner that has seldom tarried 
 See her stand ! 
 With heaving breast, inflated nostril panting, 
 
 As midrace 
 A steed will pause and look ahead from slanting 
 
 Bank, with pace 
 Redoubled onward then he bounds with lightened tread. 
 Oh, may thy course grow straight as now 'tis swift ! 
 So shall the ages know thee for God's gift. 
 
 17 
 
I 
 
 GRIEF 
 
 N the lonely sombre watches of the heart, 
 
 When the very earth beneath us groweth sad; 
 When the sorrow laden airs their grief impart. 
 When the sun above us ceaseth to be glad — 
 
 When the stately trees their mourning branches wave, 
 As they quiver 'neath the touch of moaning breeze; 
 
 While the restless birds a haven seem to crave, 
 And the sluggish river windeth ill at ease, — 
 
 Then we drag our tired feet beneath the stars. 
 
 Where the pallid moon full tenderly looks down; 
 
 While the gleaming planets smiling through their tears, 
 With dim light press the brow as with a crown. 
 
 Now there comes to aching heart a touch of peace, 
 'Neath that weight of breathless sorrow life has 
 stirred. 
 Rise Angelic voices promising release. 
 
 While through shadows breaks the song of mating 
 bird. 
 
 i8 
 
BIRTH 
 
 WHAT joyful cry resounds among the stars, 
 And stops the tumult of our foolish wars? 
 What gleam of light from Heaven's purest 
 ray, 
 Floats down upon our darkened, hidden way? 
 What breath of vital air now stirs our blood ' 
 
 And fills our sordid minds with hope of good, 
 Thrilhng our very fibres with sweet mirth? 
 The cry, the gleam, the breath of human birth. 
 
 19 
 
T 
 
 REPENT 
 
 URN thee and see ! 
 
 Thus speaks the word " Repent." 
 Return, behold ! 
 
 And t'ward thy soul relent. 
 
 The day grows clear 
 
 Unto thy searching eye, 
 
 When mists of sloth 
 
 And doubt, thou brushest by. 
 
 Yea, reason on, 
 
 Ye servants of the mind; 
 But when ye turn 
 
 Your words shall fall behind- 
 
 Shall fall as dust 
 
 From off your winged feet. 
 And ye shall rise 
 
 The simple Truth to meet. 
 
SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS 
 
 SPIRIT of meekness whose ethereal beauty 
 Lends to its abode a sweetness rare, 
 And as with fairy wand gives charm to duty; 
 That mak'st all burdens easier to bear, — 
 
 Teach our proud hearts the value of thy graces, 
 
 On thy sweet strength to lean when most we'd gain; 
 
 Thy mien to watch as babes with upturned faces, 
 Till somewhat of thy virtue we attain. 
 
 21 
 
WITH EYES UPLIFTED 
 
 WITH eyes uplifed t'ward eternal spring, 
 What matter that the seasons mar our race, 
 Till like the gnarled oak with aspect grim, 
 'Mid children, seems to us an aged face? 
 Beneath the shade the tender saplings bud. 
 
 Their branches deck in fairest coloring. 
 While thus the children burst from babyhood, 
 
 And laughing chase the years as bird on wing. 
 And chasing find and gather, letting fall 
 
 What eagerly they grasp but cannot hold; 
 
 Until, at length, there comes to each the call, 
 
 " Return, the course is run, the day is old." 
 
 From out the face of beauty smiles the Soul, 
 
 The source of life which also is the end: 
 Whose energy projects us from the whole. 
 But to regain despite our erring trend. 
 
ACTION 
 
 THE heated vortex of the life of deed 
 Enfolds within its depth God's energy. 
 Why then decry the runners or their speed? 
 We neither run nor fight for effigy, 
 But blindly do outpour the ruddy wine 
 
 That gushes from our souls 'neath Heaven's mill, 
 Which grinds, we heard of old, exceeding fine. 
 Complain not then because the world's athrill 
 With restless life that hurries us afar. 
 
 But set thy sails and drift at Heaven's will, 
 Holding thy compass to the northern star. 
 Which points to final peace beyond Earth's war. 
 
 23 
 
TO HUMANITY 
 
 PAUSE in thy race, Humanity, 
 Look o'er the road thou travellest, 
 To that fair land from whence thou first stepped 
 forth. 
 Then onward gaze to distant misty shores. 
 Art moving quickly, are thy footsteps sure? 
 Breathe deep of that first purity 
 Thou knowest well, yet scatterest; 
 So careless art thou of thy maker's wrath. 
 Dost test His patience or His love, thou v/anton? 
 Both are invulnerable as are His laws. 
 He is thy pattern and He holds thy cure. 
 
 24 
 
PROGRESS 
 
 THOU, all that's bright and fresh throughout 
 mankind ! 
 Thou blast of sea and mountain winds com- 
 bined ! 
 Thou hurricane, tempestuous and vast. 
 That leaves behind its trail the touch of past 
 And future benefit and force, 
 Yet drags each new born treasure on its course. 
 Of worlds beyond and ages still unknown thou art 
 
 the breath, 
 And singest of the life that conquers death. 
 
 25 
 
NATURE ART THOU NOT AWEARY? 
 
 NATURE art thou not aweary 
 Of charming us at every turn? 
 The open field in frank display 
 Of tender green and grazing sheep, 
 Long hold the eye, until we yearn 
 For contrast. Woods, unobtrusive. 
 Stand the while awaiting our desire; 
 Wherein there flickers light and shade, 
 And in the grass darts some wild hare 
 A chase for cover, with his heart on fire. 
 While rustling leaves and song of bird 
 Hold us entranced, with sweet entanglement. 
 Still greet we further hint of charm. 
 New sound, now blends with breeze on tree. 
 Now leads away to fresh environment. 
 Seeming to the ear to whisper 
 " Here am I, not there." Thus on we follow, 
 Over bending twig and fern, through 
 The tangle of the bushes, till. 
 Alert with joy, from out some gloomy hollow 
 A brook breaks forth, with sheen transparent 
 And gay murmur, swiftly on its way. 
 Like silken thread, it weaves illusive 
 Course among the drinking fern 
 And bears anon a blossom blown astray. 
 Checkered with some bright sunbeam, now 
 The sight it dazzles, and again, between 
 High rocks it swells its silver tones 
 And still allures us on. At length, 
 
 26 
 
Full gladly 'gainst some grassy bank we lean 
 
 In sweet exhaustion. Where, with sounds 
 
 Of wind and water, feel of tender moss, 
 
 The smell of flowers, songs of bird, 
 
 The senses blend, and — Nature speaks; 
 
 " I am as when Fair Eden knew me ; Loss 
 
 Approaches never to my form. 
 
 Bring me fresh hearts, and gladly will I show 
 
 My mysteries. Follow lightly 
 
 Where I beckon, so shall ye wisdom know, 
 
 And thus glean Love." 
 
 27 
 
ENGLAND 
 
 WITH gentle marvel thou dost woo me, England, 
 From noble cliff-bound coast to verdant 
 
 inland. 
 With incense exquisite and pure praising thy 
 maker, 
 Thou, of his faithfulness most sure, art glad partaker. 
 
LOVE 
 
 WHAT means this stirring of the airs around 
 within me; this strange and pleasant quick- 
 ening of the night? Why shines the moon 
 more bright, the stars more lovely, while 
 thrills my heart with some new-born delight? All 
 my life seems poured into this hour, and more beyond, 
 forever more beyond. All light and might are caught 
 and held in a moment. I say, " Whence comest thou, 
 what art thou ? " Then broke the night into thy face 
 beloved, and I knew 'twas thee it meant and told 
 of, and I was content. Pray God the airs about thee 
 beat time to my poor form as well and swell its shape 
 to that my heart contains. 
 
 29 
 
UN COUP DE CGEUR 
 
 EONIDE se reposait 
 
 Paisiblement aupres d'un orme. 
 Le vent du crepuscule touchait 
 Legerement sa jolie forme. 
 
 A Tentourage les ombres profondes 
 Tremblaient tout silencieusement, 
 Caressant sa tete blonde 
 Qui contenait I'esprit content. 
 
 En volant, les heureux oiseaux 
 Allaient chercher sur la rive 
 Leur nourriture entre les roseaux 
 Ou passait I'eau a voix plaintive. 
 
 Soudainement un gros nuage 
 S'epargnait lugubrement. 
 La pluie tombait sur son visage, 
 Suivie par des hurlements 
 
 De tonnerre, lourdes et solennelles. 
 Leonide, tremblant et blanche, 
 Tachait courir. S'approchait d'elle 
 Un homme appuiant sur une branche. 
 
 " Belle demoiselle, ayez pitie 
 D'un chasseur blesse mortellement 
 Par un cruel coup d'acier 
 Au cceur plonge tout soudainement." 
 
 30 
 
Leonide, les yeux baisses, 
 Demandait a i'etrange souffrant 
 Quelle aide elle pourrait lui donner. 
 Et lui, sa jolie main prenant, 
 A ses levres I'ayant levee, 
 Repondait, " Par r'attendrissement 
 De cette voix, je suis sauve." 
 
 31 
 
"MA PETITE ROSE'^ 
 
 MA petite rose, 
 Mignonne eclose, 
 Rejouissant a part, 
 Veux-tu me plaire — 
 Veux-tu me faire 
 Cadeau de ton bel art? 
 Si non, je n' saurai oil trouver 
 Un pareil maitre d'amour, 
 Qui donne la joie 
 A qui que ce soit 
 Et travaille nuit et jour. 
 
 32 
 
B 
 
 A SONG 
 
 (She sings) 
 RING me posies. 
 
 Each rose is a moment, which Hnked to the 
 
 other 
 Forms a garland with which I shall capture my 
 lover. 
 Bring me posies. 
 
 My love is a star that dwelleth afar 
 For the spheres to behold: 
 But to me he brings posies from Paradise — 
 Bring me posies. 
 
 Why comes he not hither? 
 My garland will wither. 
 
 Bring me fresh posies from Paradise. 
 
 (He sings) 
 I come. 
 
 I trample the winds to gather their sweetness, 
 I mount on their backs to capture their fleetness. 
 I bring thee rare posies from Paradise. 
 
 33 
 
ODE TO THE FOREST FAIRIES 
 
 TRIP ye blithesome fairies nearer, 
 That we "see those dainty feet ; 
 Each than other forms seems fairer. 
 As with tiny hands ye beat 
 On those timbrels. 
 
 (Chorus) 
 Oh, ye symbols 
 
 Of life's airy joys, draw near; 
 Singing, " Dance the heart benimbles, 
 
 For the morrow take no care.'* 
 
 In the glades of leafy rafter. 
 Spread ye honey sweet repast; 
 
 In the glad green dells your laughter 
 Ripples like the brook, and fast 
 With it mingles. 
 
 (Chorus) 
 Oh, ye symbols 
 
 Of life's airy joys, draw near; 
 Singing, " dance the heart benimbles, 
 
 For the morrow take no care." 
 
 34 
 
When fair day, with hours drooping 
 Like rose petals, ere they fall, 
 
 Faintly smiles, come fairies grouping 
 Their sweet forms 'neath even's thrall 
 Sweet their jingles. 
 
 (Chorus) 
 Then ye symbols 
 
 Of life's airy joys, draw near; 
 Singing, " Dance the heart benimbles, 
 
 For the morrow take no care." 
 
 35 
 
TO A SNOWSTORM 
 
 SIFT ye flakes through leaden skies, 
 Sift ye ! 
 Drift ye snows in idle wise, 
 
 Drift ye ! 
 Lift, cold earth, thy frozen breast. 
 
 Lift thee! 
 Rift, ye frosts, with stubborn zest, 
 
 Rift ye ! 
 Whither wend ye icy winds, 
 
 Whither? 
 Hither bend your wayward minds 
 
 Hither ! 
 Prithee, bear my love apart. 
 
 Prithee ! 
 Sift ye Love through her maiden heart, 
 
 Sift ye ! 
 Thus shall wintry storms be past. 
 
 Winging 
 On Love's message hold them fast! 
 
 She comes springing! 
 
THE HILL GODS 
 
 JOY with the sun is dawning, 
 The Hill Gods clap their hands, 
 As merry dryads, laughing, 
 Run by the golden sands. 
 
 The silver birches glitter 
 
 Before the rising sun. 
 The twinkling leaves aquiver, 
 
 Strive a race to run. 
 
 Glad breezes freshly rising. 
 
 Cover the joyous sea. 
 And leaping waves are chasing 
 
 The nymphs full merrily. 
 
 While silver fishes springing 
 
 Upon the ocean's back, 
 String tiny purple bubbles 
 
 Along a foaming track. 
 
 The white seagulls are sweeping 
 
 Among the pearly clouds 
 That t'ward the hills are weaving 
 
 Their misty, formless shrouds. 
 
 The Hill Gods draw their quivers 
 
 Of steely arrows white; 
 Shrinks timid morning paling. 
 
 And shields her gentle light. 
 
 37 
 
Now muffled drums are sounding 
 From out the darkening sky; 
 
 Enters the sun full sadly 
 Within his palace high. 
 
 The spritely dryads seeking 
 Their homes in hollow tree, 
 
 Through leafy portals leaning 
 The weeping Storm Queen see. 
 
 Her sad-eyed maidens moaning, 
 Mount on the rising wind; 
 
 While guides their tragic lady 
 Her plunging horses blind. 
 
 At length the Hill Gods weary 
 Call for a truce from war; 
 
 Hiding their flashing arrows 
 They hail the sun afar. 
 
 The gladsome nymphs returning, 
 Challenge the smiling waves; 
 
 While the sun, all clouds dispersing, 
 His sparkling pathway paves. 
 
 To harp of golden sunbeams, 
 Chanting her ballads free, 
 
 Now gathers fair joy her tresses. 
 And laves them in the sea 
 
 38 
 
B 
 
 ARETHUSA 
 
 EHOLD, my form gleaming, 
 My golden locks streaming, 
 With foam hotly teeming, 
 Rock-imprisoned I lie. 
 
 Full woefully moaning, 
 My sins thus atoning, 
 With piteous groaning 
 Mounts the wind my loud cry 
 
 To this brook to relieve me, 
 That hastes to deceive me, 
 To grieve me and leave me, 
 Flowing carelessly by. 
 
 Fate loudly condemning, 
 The current scarce stemming 
 That fast my form's hemming 
 From shore, still hope I 
 
 That Pan, all availing, 
 Will hear my sad wailing 
 E'er, my free spirit failing, 
 I, as mortal, must die. 
 
 But the crystal stream creeping, 
 Arethusa fast steeping. 
 Her spirit is sweeping 
 From all form apart. 
 
 39 
 
\ 
 
 Her sorrows unending, 
 Their mournful ways~ wending, 
 Like a bell the airs rending, 
 Still tolls her sad heart. 
 
MAY 
 
 WITH swift swerve of her robes the young Spring 
 turned 
 And faced the smiling South: 
 " Embrace me, my sister ! My heart hath yearned 
 
 For the touch of thy honied mouth. 
 Press thy lips to my cheek in blessings mete, 
 
 Speak to me words of love; 
 For my heart is glad and my limbs are fleet 
 
 The joys of my lord to prove. 
 Then the fair South turned with an outstretched hand 
 
 And kissed the young Spring's cheek. 
 " Be thou queen," she said. " Over sea and land 
 
 Do thou conquer the mountain bleak. 
 Be thy days as sweet as the wild moss rose, 
 
 Thy nights as limpid pools ; 
 For the great god Pan late thy young heart chose, 
 
 To regale his mind in the cools 
 Of thy maiden breast with its scented sighs. 
 
 Thy locks of rainbow hue; 
 With the sound of thine early morning cries 
 
 To his love, which is always new. 
 
 41 
 
SUMMER 
 
 ABOVE the beauty of the earth and sky, 
 Descending like a gentle noonday rain, 
 Sweet Summer drops her veil of misty hue 
 In scented tincture steeped of violet blue. 
 She draws from out earth's deepest treasure hold, 
 Riches of vine and blossoms, fruit and grain; 
 Naught can resist her tender winning wiles; 
 Then o'er her fair accomplishment she smiles. 
 
 42 
 
A LULLABY 
 
 RAISE, raise, raise ye mighty nights and days 
 Your hymns of praise. 
 Rove, rove, rove ye winged winds above 
 With songs of love. 
 Lave, lave, lave thou laughing crystal wave 
 
 This rocky cave. 
 Keep, keep, keep my tender babe asleep 
 Lest he should weep. 
 
 43 
 
H 
 
 THE HERMIT MAID 
 
 ER mind suffused with quietude, 
 She walks beneath the stars; 
 
 Or chants in leafy solitude 
 Her tender, mystic bars. 
 
 The trees cast shade in plenitude 
 
 Upon her pathway lone; 
 The Earth rebounds with gratitude 
 
 Her lightest touch to own. 
 
 Wood hollows echo carefully 
 
 Her mellow, limpid tones; 
 Birds lend their chorus cheerfully, 
 
 The rose her thorn atones 
 
 By incense offered prayerfully 
 
 Upon the willing wind, 
 While smile her petals tearfully 
 
 'Mid nightly dewdrops kind. 
 
 The mountain stream runs warily 
 With solemn, warning sound, 
 
 While creep the black roots sparingly 
 That lie above the ground. 
 
 The timid hare runs fearlessly 
 
 To sport himself abroad, 
 And gentle fawns spring carelessly 
 
 To play in glad accord. 
 
 44 
 
Still moves the fair night dreamingly, 
 
 Until the silver Moon 
 The maiden's locks comb gleamingly, 
 
 And she in slumber swoon. 
 
 45 
 
DEATH 
 
 AN icy drop in the smoking cup, 
 Black cloud on noonday sky, 
 A colorless pool 'mid the sunlit fields 
 Whose still depth holds the eye; 
 Where sombre pines are sentinels; 
 Where fails the morning light; 
 Nearing that brink all living things 
 Are slackened in their flight 
 Along life's thronging thoroughfares; 
 And moving as in sleep, 
 Witless, approaching suddenly, 
 They pause to rest or weep. 
 O Death, thou shadow 'cross the sun, 
 Wise sister of the Night! 
 Swift are thy feet, meet is thy touch, 
 And still unchecked thy might. 
 
 46 
 
B 
 
 THE SONG OF A DEAD LEAF 
 
 LOW thou spring breeze, and bear me youth 
 
 again 
 
 A withered leaf still clinging to my tree, 
 What place have I mid buds bedecked with rain ? 
 Or scented flowers waving glad and free? 
 
 Mid those that crouch within the springing grass, 
 Like timid fawns that human eye would shun. 
 
 Which, falling softly neath the feet that pass, 
 Oft lie unseen, when their sweet course is run? 
 
 But from such meekness let me learn content, 
 I'll hie me where the bygone blossoms grow; 
 
 No longer idly here need strength be spent; 
 But, dropping on yon stream, I'll swiftly flow 
 
 To lands where no man's heart his fortune rues; 
 
 Where dwell no longer wintry cold and gloom, 
 Where spring and summer hold their lovely hues, 
 
 And naught of beauty ceases more to bloom. 
 
 47 
 
A LOVE LAMENT 
 
 THE lonely river winds toward the sea, 
 The night is black, the winds are sorrowing, 
 The mountains stand in dark severity 
 Above the forest coldly towering. 
 
 Hushed are the birds as in the still of death, 
 The heavy clouds hang chill and lowering, 
 
 The earth exhales a dank and dreary breath. 
 From which shrink flowers lowly cowering. 
 
 While I crouch helpless in my bed of woe, 
 
 Who, but an hour since with beauty flowering, 
 
 Did sing " How fair is love " with heart aglow, 
 Nor knew that I from Joy was only borrowing. 
 
 48 
 
THE SAIL 
 
 A SONG broke out of the glowing east, 
 The song of a sunlit sail. 
 It flashed with the foaming wave abreast 
 And sped with the winging gale. 
 Strong Ocean's heart leapt alert and high 
 'Gainst the breath of the running wind, 
 That swept and soared where the great wastes lie, 
 
 That hold the stars behind. 
 Wide the light of the eastern fire 
 Spreads o'er the tractless sea, 
 As the hearts of dauntless men aspire 
 
 Athwart eternity. 
 On sped the sail o'er the shining waves 
 
 As flits a loosened soul. 
 It sang of the joy that saves, that saves, 
 And sorang t'ward the western goal. 
 
 49 
 
A VISION 
 
 I SAW a country beautiful and wide, 
 Where all appeared to minister to pride. 
 Verdant it seemed and fruitful to the view 
 And never seemed there lack of bounties new. 
 Till wandering I tired, and reposed 
 My grateful limbs upon a knoll exposed 
 To aspect near and far so manifold 
 In beauty, that I wept, and thus foretold 
 The change that my new gaze would soon unfold. 
 For now mine eyes, bedimmed with lustrous mist, 
 Did further penetrate than I had wist, 
 And slowly to my mind there did appear 
 A heavy sorrow and a chilling fear. 
 Behind the verdant vine and luscious fruit 
 Was poison and corruption, pain acute 
 Throbbed in each movement of fair Nature's form. 
 Now forced by some power to conform 
 Unto a demon's will that did transform 
 Her to his likeness, till again I wept. 
 At length I from my heavy sorrow slept. 
 Then all was peace and silence for a space. 
 As rests some heated runner from his race, 
 Until from out the silence there arose 
 The sound of flowing water, my repose 
 Enhanced grew with gentle music made 
 By drop uniting drop in dusky glade 
 Of waving willows which my vision stayed. 
 Refreshed, I started further on my way. 
 With sad remembrance covered by new day; 
 
 50 
 
While ever did the flowing water, wrought 
 
 With Hght and shadow, on my mind brave thought 
 
 Bestow, and drew me onward t'ward its source 
 
 With swift alluring sylvan course. 
 
 At length, into a grotto, dark and deep, 
 
 It led me where the daylight ceased to keep - 
 
 Its tender vigil o'er my sight, and sleep 
 
 Returned to offer me repose. 
 
 Though a great stillness on my mind did close. 
 
 My body seemed in movement with the stream. 
 
 And 'neath my form its crystal shape did gleam. 
 
 While slowly and full tenderly it bore 
 
 Me on and outward to a misty shore. 
 
 Here saw I nought of verdure or of life, 
 
 Of vibrant beauty or of cruel strife. 
 
 But all seemed cold and with a stillness rife. 
 
 I wandered over rocks and deserts bare 
 
 Of weed or flower, tree or fruit, yet fair 
 
 Was this strange country to mine eye. 
 
 I walked with grave delight, " In search of what 
 
 and why ? " 
 At length my heart did ask ; and then appeared 
 A pool near to my feet, that uncompared 
 For stillness and for blackness seemed. I gazed. 
 And lo ! what I so quiet had appraised. 
 At its dark centre motion showed. I raised 
 My voice in joyful song, for here 
 Lay that stream's source I had held dear. 
 Then close it drew me as by magic spell. 
 And soon my very being it did quell 
 With power wonderful, vibration sweet. 
 Though I was for its blessing all unmeet, 
 Yet spoke that liquid tongue with mystic speech. 
 And much of wisdom's wonder did me teach, 
 While humbly I my eager heaft did reach 
 For its full blessing. Then came this command, 
 " Return the way thou camest to the land 
 
 51 
 
Of pain and beauty." Now in strength I fled 
 Full swiftly back the way the stream had led 
 Me on my search, and once again I trod, 
 'Mid verdant groves and hills, the tender sod 
 Of that fair land which richly had imbued 
 My mind with rapture. Now with joy renewed 
 I wept. Then came that demon forth, endued 
 No more with dreaded strength, and fell 
 Deathlike and helpless at my feet to tell 
 That I had found the magic secret. Now 
 Unto my will must he in sorrow bow. 
 " Yea, thou must die," I said, " and from thee born 
 Of this thy death shall rise an azure morn. 
 Ne'er to be darkened more by pain or scorn." 
 Then died the monster and rose Earth refreshed, 
 No longer in her shame lay she enmeshed ; 
 But at my feet there rose a tender child, 
 With eyes of azure blue that on me smiled. 
 
 52 
 
THE GOBLINS. 
 
 FORTH from their caves the merry goblins run, 
 With strange grimace and blinking at the sun, 
 Whose warm caress they do not comprehend. 
 But turn their tiny forms where trees defend 
 Their addled brains from harmful midday heat, 
 And there repose them on yon rocky seat. 
 
 Speaks one, " We hear a maiden lieth near 
 With none for her protection. Shall we dare 
 To steal her golden armlets and her pearls, 
 And pull with merry mischief at her curls ? " 
 
 Another frowned. " Friend, be not overbold ; 
 They say a maiden's heart doth magic hold 
 'Gainst harmful deed, so be she's innocent. 
 And thwarts all power breathing ill intent." 
 
 " Nay, let us venture," said a grinning third, 
 
 " We'll face such odds as those. By yonder bird. 
 
 Who told us where the sleeping maiden lies, 
 
 I swear we'll gain good sport, not rue her cries." 
 
 Then did he gather up his crooked limbs. 
 And hop and amble to entice the whims 
 Of those who, fearful, lagged a pace behind, 
 And soon he drew them to one common mind. 
 
 Now through the shadows of the open trees 
 And o'er the velvet moss they move as breeze; 
 
 53 
 
Alert and swift and full of merry wiles 
 
 And sprightly mischief that dull time beguiles. 
 
 At length they reach an open sunlit sward, 
 
 Where, near a brook, her lovely head toward 
 
 A spreading fir tree, lay the maid asleep. 
 
 And in her slumbers she did softly weep, 
 
 And murmur, " My beloved, faithful hound ! 
 
 The day hangs heavily. Had I but found 
 
 Thy welcome tracks ere I had wearied quite, 
 
 I should be now where I'll not be to-night. 
 
 Now may the saints defend my helpless life 
 
 From harmful happening, I've no heart for strife.' 
 
 Then crowd the goblins round her sleeping form, 
 As o'er a peaceful field descends a storm. 
 And soon her jewels they have stolen all. 
 Then wove they of light cobwebs a soft pall 
 And cast it o'er her limbs and face and hair, 
 And pinned it to the ground. Then in this snare 
 They left her for a while, soon to return. 
 With torches lit, her golden hair to burn. 
 
 But when they played about her gentle head, 
 
 The maid awoke, and to the goblins said, 
 
 " Ye wanton creatures, are ye not content 
 
 That ye my robes have torn, and me have pent 
 
 Beneath this veil — my jewels too are gone — 
 
 That ye my golden locks would now have shorn?" 
 
 Ah, woe is me ! Why comes not my good friend ! 
 
 He would unto your hearts such terror lend. 
 
 As would your silly minds set in a maze. 
 
 Then did the goblins wend their foolish ways 
 
 To meditate in impish wise a plan 
 
 For further mischief: but one stops to scan 
 
 54 
 
The forest, and he soon a hound descries, 
 That creeps upon his belly in snake wise. 
 
 Now all have sighted the intrepid hound, 
 And tremble lest by him they should be found. 
 " So, ho, ye vassals of high sport and glee, 
 And will ye not draw near, a guest to see ? " 
 
 So spake the hound in accents danger sweet, 
 And as he spoke, he stood upon his feet. 
 But, like all foolish seekers after sport. 
 Those goblins had no mind justice to court. 
 
 So now, with patient toil and thrifty skill. 
 The faithful hound undid their mischief, till 
 The maid was free to go upon her way, 
 In meek content, despoiled of display. 
 
 But she fair garlands gathered on the road. 
 
 And safe returned unharmed to her abode. 
 
 In fairer mien, with sweeter jewels clad, 
 
 Than when she forth had started — nor did sad 
 
 Regret for stolen treasures more employ 
 
 Her thoughtful mind or check her ardent joy. 
 
 And were those goblins wiser when the night 
 
 At length appeared and called them from their fright? 
 
 Nay, but they soon forgot their pleasure sweet. 
 
 And scampered home in vague concern, with feet 
 
 As swift as those that hither led them first. 
 
 And with such foolish hearts as fear might burst. 
 
 Nor did they e'er return to find their spoil, 
 
 Which, hidden, was ere long within the soil. 
 
 So is all gain of idle finders lost, 
 For they know nought of what life's treasures cost. 
 And though sometimes dear justice seems to tarry 
 He comes at length and homeward doth he carry 
 
 55 
 
The wounded pilgrim who has held his faith. 
 And to his grateful foundHng then he saith, 
 ** Fear not the foolish goblins of the mind, 
 They hold to nought of mischief that they find, 
 But scatter soon as dust before the wind. 
 
THE HIDDEN LIGHT 
 
 I DREAMED a dream. 
 All was obscurity and silence for a space; then 
 to mine ear came sound of voices calling, " We 
 stumble, we fall, we lose our way; oh, for a 
 guide to give us counsel ! " I hurried after, groping 
 amid trees. Before me now fluttered a woman's gar- 
 ments; now a man uttered an oath and struck at the 
 air with his staff. 
 
 At length we came to an open space of gentle char- 
 acter. A stream, scarce moving, divided us from a 
 tender sward whereon an old man sat. Behind him 
 rose a great oak tree, spreading its strong branches in 
 calm protection o'er his silver head. Methought he 
 was an hermit. His garb was rude, and there was 
 that in his mien which bespoke a life of solitude. 
 
 We gazed in silence; then the hermit spoke. Me- 
 thought his voice was as the breath of winter at even. 
 " What seek ye? " A maid in white apparel, who had 
 ever walked in advance of the company, made swift 
 answer. " We seek the hidden light. Methinks I see 
 it flickering ahead, but 'tis deceiving, oft I stumble in 
 the search." 
 
 Hermit. — Ah ! 'Tis the old tale. Think not, my 
 child, that the light ahead is that ye seek; 'tis but the 
 Will-o'-the-whisp, which is often seen in these parts. 
 'Twill, indeed, lead ye astray. 
 
 Maid. — How then. Father, may we learn to know the 
 real from the unreal, since we may not walk by day lest 
 we distinguish not the hidden light? 
 
 57 
 
Hermit. — When the stones turn to sod 'neath your 
 feet, and the earth renews your strength at each step, 
 when the air breathes dehght on your cheek and the 
 heavens become as the smile of God — then ye may 
 know that ye have found the hidden light, and ye may 
 take rest 'neath its charm. 
 
 Maid. — Father, surely thou hast found this light? 
 
 Hermit. — Yea, I dwell 'neath its caress, waiting for 
 the hour when the earth shall be withdrawn from me, 
 and my love shall be one with it forever. 
 
 Maid. — Father, may I remain near thee, and learn of 
 thee that the light is here? 
 
 Hermit. — Nay, my child, each of us must find it sep- 
 arately. Part from thy companions, part from me also. 
 The light unites us, but we must not unite ourselves. 
 
 The maid, sighing, bade farewell to her fellow trav- 
 ellers, and went on her way alone. At times she met 
 them, and oftenest the hermit crossed her path until 
 he became one with the light. Then she travelled 
 more easily, and at last she, too, became free to wait 
 'neath the Shadow for the Dawn. 
 
 58 
 
DEATH OF THE GODDESS OF SPACE 
 
 O 
 
 VER the clouds the goddess roams 
 Toward the golden West, 
 Mid chilly shrouds in their matchless domes 
 She halts at length to rest. 
 
 The stars appeared, and the night winds lulled 
 
 Her weary soul to sleep. 
 The planets heard where the rivers culled 
 
 The tears that the zephyrs weep. 
 
 The Ocean laughed, ere the night had waned, 
 For joy that the goddess slept ; 
 
 While her silver raft, with lightning stained, 
 Soft o'er the black hills crept. 
 
 The winds adrift, with a mighty peace, 
 
 Challenged the distant stars, 
 That widened a rift and formed a lease 
 
 With the nearing, swerveless years. 
 
 We'll pour our love through these misty veins, 
 
 And rain on the earth beneath. 
 Ho, ye winds that wove the purple stains 
 ' Of the earthly ways of Death 
 
 To a crimson pall of sorrow and woe, 
 
 Gather your scattered trails; 
 Come to our call and swift bestow 
 
 Your mournful, tongueless wails. 
 
 59 
 
We'll purge you, we'll urge you to kill your lies 
 And sing of the love of Heaven. 
 
 We'll race you, we'll trace you with silver eyes, 
 That aeons t'ward earth have driven, 
 
 Their matchless truth with patience mild 
 
 And tenderness eternal, 
 To win your ruth and your rovings wild 
 
 T'ward blackened wastes infernal. 
 
 Long, long we sang of the Maker's love 
 
 To distant human ears. 
 The heavens rang, but we ne'er could move 
 
 The sluggish earthen airs — 
 
 Now have we caught the Goddess dread. 
 
 And laid her in a tomb 
 Of white mists, wrought for her queenly bed. 
 
 That forms a mystic womb 
 
 Of power and light for the dawning age. 
 
 Now trample the withered past; 
 Begone dull Night with your storms that rage. 
 
 We bring you the day at last. 
 
 60 
 
AN ALLEGORY 
 
 BEHOLD a vision that mine eyes have seen 
 And may men truth from out this vision glean. 
 Awaking from sweet sleep with misty mind, 
 Methought I heard a message in the wind 
 Which said, " Awake and speed upon my wing 
 That I thine all impoverished soul may bring 
 To vision marvellous." 
 
 Straightway I sped, and swiftly, with my guide. 
 We crossed dim seas, where swelled a wondrous tide. 
 At length he left me on an airy isle 
 And bade me there remain and watch awhile. 
 At first nought met my eager gaze but mist, 
 And rolling waves that ever seemed to wist 
 Knowledge mysterious. 
 
 Then rose two noble mountains, fair and vast. 
 Upon them from the east and west were cast 
 Lights beautiful. Full from the west came rays 
 Like airy flights of ruddy wings that daze 
 The enthralled sight to blindness. From the east 
 Appeared a glow more wonderful, released 
 From mystic arteries. 
 
 It flowed a crystal stream of mellow light, 
 Which to my searching eyes did lend clear sight. 
 'Twas from the south upon these peaks I gazed, 
 And clearly now distinguished, though amazed 
 
 6i 
 
By sluggish sense, their fair proportions. Now 
 Full swift my guide returned, and on my brow 
 Breathed mystic rarities. 
 
 He said, " Fly westward with the ebbing tide, 
 That I may show thee what strange things betide 
 These mountains fair." And thus I sped in haste, 
 And ever marked their* beauty interlaced 
 With light and shadow, till at length I came 
 Full on the western side, where set in flame, 
 One peak stood glittering. 
 
 It seemed from out its summit to spout fire. 
 " This," said my guide, " is passionate desire 
 Toward Creation's planet, whence this glow 
 Arises." Lo, behind in deep shadow 
 Stood that fair peak mine eyes before beheld. 
 As side by side with this, which my mind felled, 
 To its depth shattering. 
 
 My guide sustained me. " Falter not, he said; 
 This light which dominates thy sight is dead 
 Compared to that which rises from the east. 
 As weak compared to it as is wild beast 
 Beneath the tamer's eye or hunter's knife. 
 'Tis death this breathes, the other bringeth life." 
 I, wondering, 
 
 Besought my guide to take me to the east. 
 And there arrived, my troubled terrors ceased. 
 Before me stood the snow-topped mountain pure, 
 Serene, majestic, gifted to allure 
 My laden soul to gladness. There behind 
 The western peak on fire stood. " Unwind, 
 With pondering 
 
 This mystic riddle." Said mine airy guide. 
 I answered, " I must look upon the side 
 
 62 
 
Where first I sighted these two mountains strange; 
 There may I ponder with a widened range." 
 Returning to the isle where first I stood, 
 I saw with strengthened vision, wiser mood, 
 Reflectingly 
 
 The deep communion these two mountains held 
 One with the other, and straightway beheld 
 A dread abortion on the western side 
 Of the fair snow-topped peak. My mind was tried 
 Unto its utmost strength to comprehend 
 This mystery. I prayed my guide to lend 
 Me aid befriendingly. 
 
 Then he replied, '' Behold the color lurid 
 Cast from Creation's fire, making sullied 
 The fairer surface of the eastern peak. 
 'Tis poison to its verdure, turning bleak 
 The tender soil and growth upon its bank; 
 With growth unwholesome making its roots rank 
 Unendingly." 
 
 Strange was it to behold the eastern slope 
 Of the mount opposite. Again to grope 
 For wisdom was my need, till I descried 
 Alone and without counsel from my guide 
 That it was bathed with soft reflected light 
 From eastern rays, descending in their might 
 Unswervingly, 
 
 Like white- winged doves from the high peak of snow; 
 And they an inward courage did bestow 
 Upon my weary mind. Then gentle sleep 
 Appeared, and hovered softly near to keep 
 My soul from searching further: thus bereft 
 Of thought and sight and faithful guide I left 
 In gratitude, 
 
 (>3 
 
My wondrous problem, and a calm repose 
 Untouched for sweetness swiftly did enclose 
 My very being to its depths. How long 
 I thus remained I know not. Then came strong 
 Reminder, and my senses woke to light, 
 As springs refreshed earth from cloak of night. 
 Beatitude 
 
 Was written in my heart — I knew not how, 
 But my guide came and read it on my brow. 
 " Now watch," he said, " and all will yet be well, 
 And thou the riddle of the years mayest spell." 
 The mountains in a mist enveloped seemed. 
 Their hiding had some purpose strange I deemed, 
 But suddenly 
 
 The mist removed. Now standing in clear light 
 I saw two figures on the mountain height. 
 Each on a separate summit stood, and gazed 
 Upon each other, gladdened and amazed 
 They seemed. Upon the western mount mid glare 
 Of fire stood a man. Upon the fair 
 Peak gleamingly 
 
 A woman clothed in white apparel smiled, 
 And all the heavens seemed by her beguiled 
 She faced the man amid desire's flame. 
 And he, with loud voice, did to her proclaim 
 His love and homage. She heeded not the light 
 Behind, above her, flooding her with might; 
 But dreamily 
 
 She outward held her snowy hand toward 
 The goodly form of Human Love. A sword 
 Flashed in the air between them, within reach 
 Of either man or woman, unto each 
 
 64 
 
Was given equal strength to hold and use 
 This sword, to honor, cherish or abuse 
 In liberty 
 
 Its mystic force. The woman's blinded eyes 
 Mistook the western fire for the wise. 
 Keen, stainless light of mystic love. The sword 
 She seized, and hurled it to her chosen lord. 
 He caught and brandished it with joyous shout; 
 Then did he turn his goodly form about 
 And fearlessly 
 
 He gazed, and full, upon the western glow. 
 Nor on the fair snow peak did more bestow 
 His blinded sight; but ever down the side 
 Of his stern mount which faced that peak, a tide 
 Of light there flowed from infinite desire 
 Which held in check the lurid western fire. 
 Adoringly, 
 
 Kneeling the woman watched with steadfast love. 
 At times he turned and smiled upon her. " Prove 
 She cried, " Thy power over worlds, and drive 
 The dust of ages from the skies. Deprive 
 The planets of their wonted course. Reserve 
 Your greater strength for distant years. Preserve 
 Warily 
 
 Your youth and beauty and your fervent pride, 
 Which is my treasure. Nought can me betide 
 But joy, whilst thou dost love thyself and me. 
 And we twain dwell together joyful, free." 
 So spake the woman, and the ages passed 
 Like hours, while I in silence watched. At last 
 Wearily, 
 
 She rose as though awaking from a dream, 
 
 And straightway turning faced the eastern beam. 
 
 65 
 
" Tis thou," she cried, "I should have worshiped! Cure 
 My foolish soul of that which did allure 
 It t'ward my erring but beloved mate. 
 That I may aid him, for it groweth late." 
 Full tenderly 
 
 Was she then purged of her leaden dross. 
 By fire white with purity. No loss 
 Was there of beauty or of youth, but gain 
 When her fair soul was cleansed of each stain. 
 Now slowly did her mate turn him toward 
 Her noble form, and hurling back the sword, 
 Cried woefully, 
 
 " My love, my guide, my comforter return, 
 Nor leave me in this flame alone to burn 
 My weary heart to ashes. Where art thou? 
 Behold I see thy stately form, but now 
 Thou turnest from me; take the sword and lead. 
 But leave me not." Thus did he sadly plead 
 Despairingly. 
 
 He fell upon the ground. Then hastily 
 She turned toward the north and lovingly 
 Now offered him the sword, but held the point. 
 " Approach, my love," she said. " Let me anoint 
 Thine eyes with purity, then let us flee 
 To northern spheres where dwell the mighty free 
 Eternally." 
 
 Now o'er the chasm, twixt the rocky peaks. 
 With fire in his gaze he boldly leaps. 
 The sword they hold, the mountains roll in one. 
 And on my sight a wondrous glory shone. 
 
 (£ 
 
TO THE OLD YEAR 
 
 DEAR year, now past into our God's safe keeping, 
 Thy blessing with us leave, but bear beyond 
 The idols of our hearts, and sweeping 
 All selfish passions far, rid us of bond. 
 High lift them as dead leaves from clinging branches, 
 
 In triumph bear them on the wings of time! 
 Till as the trees whose beauty Autumn blanches, 
 We, sternly true, stand, purged of selfish crime. 
 
 Like them that by cold blasts rudely deflowered. 
 Defying frost, face winds with pliant strength; 
 So grief has with new life our souls empowered; 
 Each quiver may we freely greet at length. 
 No longer vainly solace seeking here, 
 Cleansed now from dead adornments of this year. 
 
 67 
 
ANOTHER DAY 
 
 ANOTHER day breaks on our doubtful life, 
 The Master Hand not yet the way has blocked, 
 Nor have the skies their treasure houses 
 locked ; 
 But leave us still to free will and its strife, 
 And all the problems with which mind is rife; 
 And like a skiff, upon deep waters rocked, 
 That oft by waves against some crag is knocked, 
 Man's heart is tossed, or scarred as with a knife. 
 
 But though uncertain is our passage here, 
 
 Oft come there moments of such keen delight 
 As knows the eagle in his mighty flight ; 
 Among the clouds he travels without fear, 
 So, mounting high above our grief, we care 
 For naught but freedom and increase of light. 
 
 68 
 
ON ELEANOR'S WEDDING-DAY 
 
 SLOWLY the day unfurls her radiant wings, 
 Spreading her lovely pinions o'er the earth, 
 Which from embrace of night serenely springs 
 As forth from the unseen break souls at birth. 
 The heart of man with ardor new doth thrill. 
 
 Greeting the light with fervent hope of good, 
 He beareth with brave mind the chance of ill. 
 Nor over distant wrong doth longer brood. 
 E'en so dost thou, dear bride of this day's gift. 
 
 Spread thy sweet radiance o'er our gladdened sight; 
 Thou owest much that's fair to nature's thrift; 
 
 Thy smiling eyes beam on our hearts the light 
 Of winged joy, which o'er thy brow is shed 
 By hands unseen that here thy feet have led. 
 
 69 
 
FAITH 
 
 HIGH in the mystic heavens hangs the star 
 Of faith, whose beams unceasingly descend 
 Upon the troubled earth and it defend 
 From weak despair and from distracted grief ; 
 Forever lending man a sweet relief 
 From overcharged mind and heart at war 
 With Fate, that merciless holds sway afar. 
 Yea, bids us feed upon the thought of Love, 
 Which, as magician, lends creation grace. 
 And casts a gleam of promise o'er the earth. 
 Whose mighty web all beautiful doth prove 
 When seen in full expanse, so we may trace 
 God's power by the light of faith, nor rove 
 More, aimless, under stars of lesser worth. 
 
 70 
 
ODE TO A SONG BIRD 
 
 FLY on, sweet bird, and let me follow thee; 
 Show me this world as viewed upon the wing. 
 From such high scope no longer shall I see 
 Those trivial ills that to men torment bring. 
 Teach me the love which from thy throat flows free 
 
 Of sordid care, so high with thee I'll spring, 
 And learn the meaning of thy blithesome glee, 
 
 While with each heart beat to thy song I'll cling. 
 Fly on, then, in thy free simplicity ! 
 
 Thy sweet singing never grievings vary; 
 Who knowest naught of man's duplicity. 
 Yet in thy winging thou art ever wary. 
 Who with no fevered heart dost pleasure seek, 
 And ever shelter find'st when winds are bleak. 
 
 71 
 
AS HEAVEN'S LOVE 
 
 AS Heaven's Love our darkened souls behind, 
 So 'twixt the trees the setting sun sheds glow, 
 
 Nor doth its light with cruel force bestow; 
 
 But with the trees 'tis tenderly combined. 
 So fashions God His smile upon the mind, 
 Till these dull hearts, with painful steps and slow, 
 Into the fullness of His glory grow. 
 Lest with too sudden light our sight He blind. 
 Upon the mountain God's severer sign 
 Of justice dwells. His warning to impart, 
 But in the forest where the gentle vine 
 Creeps o'er the oak, He speaks to humble heart, 
 And lends to parched lip the precious wine 
 Of human intercourse with law Divine. 
 
 72 
 
WE MOVE IN DANGER 
 
 WE move in danger. Thickly the dread host 
 Of perils throngs about our helpless Hves, 
 And foolish they who of their safety boast. 
 Wise, rather, he who his soul daily shrives, 
 Who faithful, standing at appointed post, 
 To meet the hour's need humbly contrives ; 
 Nor asks the guides unseen to what strange coast 
 His lonely craft draws near, or when arrives. 
 For stand they close, those white-browed mystic guides, 
 Nor through their midst does jot of peril move 
 By them unsanctioned. Though his face he hides, 
 Their kindly Captain bares the sword of love, 
 He calm o'er broken seas of fate abides, 
 As hovers o'er a storm a quiet dove. 
 
 73 
 
INTUITION 
 
 AT her wise will let Nature fling her dart 
 Of fire through thy mind, and hinder not 
 By prudent calculation of thy lot 
 The operations of her magic art: 
 Nor guide the feet of love toward thy heart, 
 Who knoweth well where lies each hidden spot 
 Within his realm, nor heedeth foolish plot 
 That would to lesser gods his rights impart. 
 Not by a swift obedience to his call 
 Is destiny of man marred on the earth; 
 They oft a glad response to love recall 
 Who would their joys increase nor mar their worth. 
 But ever greater ills to them befall 
 Who homage pay to gods of lower birth. 
 
 74 
 
FAIR CHURCH OF CHRIST 
 
 FAIR Church of Christ, thou dost belie thine end 
 By foolish tongues that prate incessantly 
 Of lofty vengeance, which no love can bend, 
 In mind of God, throughout eternity. 
 Thou jugglest with the logic of his law, 
 Striving to fit it with erroneous sense 
 Of text misunderstood amid the store 
 Of wisdom gleaned from lips of Christ. Intense 
 Desire to promulgate his word begets 
 Misuse of terms and baneful obstinacy; 
 And oft the ardent man of God forgets 
 The all important need of accuracy 
 In law divine and human penetration 
 Of that high law, and its interpretation. 
 
 75 
 
THE PARENTS 
 
 YE wise and faithful parents in whose nest 
 Your fledglings lie in keen expectancy, 
 Whose tiny throats from clamor scarce take rest, 
 Whom hunger rules as man in infancy. 
 Within your hearts no erring love is known, 
 
 Content ye are in sheltering your young 
 So long they fledglings be, but like seed sown, 
 
 When strong of wing they to the winds are flung. 
 Nor cling ye more to rights of guidance. Swift 
 
 Ye turn another nest to fashion, singing 
 As cheerily the while as when your thrift 
 
 Careful to hungered young would food be bringing. 
 Their offspring grown, so may the parents cease 
 To govern, and yield freely their increase. 
 
 76 
 
WASTE 
 
 WHAT waste is there of pleasure on the earth ! 
 How many are the fruits that drop unseen, 
 Because by man unlooked for is their worth, 
 Whose narrow mind is to his eye a screen. 
 Oft to his gaze of bounty there is dearth, 
 
 And passing hungry where he food might glean, — 
 He rues a state forlorn, which, from his birth. 
 
 Has oft a fruitless search for pleasure been. 
 But some there are, whose hearts with life content. 
 
 Make earnest quest for hidden fragments rare; 
 On healing human ills, kindly intent. 
 
 They to the angels oft for aid repair. 
 The mind that seeks to help is seldom pent 
 In selfish wants, but heavenward is sent. 
 
 77 
 
TO THE MAINE COAST 
 
 DOST crave a draft of nectar from the Gods 
 To stir the cooling tenor of thy blood? 
 Then set thy face toward the northern wood, 
 Nor rest until thou treadst its mossy sods. 
 Then enter the deep forest ; keenly prods 
 The temper of the air, while stirring flood 
 Of beauty thy mind decks with magic mood. 
 Which is no more benumbed by earthen clods. 
 Now outward press toward the windy seas. 
 Scenting the salty essence of their spray; 
 Let thy feet wander far along the leas, 
 Where holds the sweet wild rose her gentle sway, 
 And lives in fair content her little day. 
 Thus may'st thou from the Gods wrench fresh decrees. 
 
 78 
 
MEN AND THEIR SHADOWS 
 
 MEN and their shadows move in company, 
 Man's life and death are walking hand in hand. 
 While treading earthly ways their bodies stand 
 A pace ahead, but when the spirit by 
 Unwonted fervor cuts the numbing tie 
 Of sense entanglement, as melts a band 
 Of iron 'neath some stress of heat unmanned 
 By such hot furnace, then their shadows He, 
 A mark ahead, as 'gainst a bank of mist 
 Some form will send its likeness on before. 
 So when Death's Angel speaks, the senses list 
 At first but dimly, then must needs obey 
 And pass reluctant into Heaven's ray. 
 Where blends all lesser light into the more. 
 
 79 
 
TO THE FIREMEN 
 
 HOU breed of heroes from a golden age 
 
 T. 
 Of romance and high chivalry divine; 
 New-born to succor men who now confine 
 Their keener ardors unto worldly sage 
 And counsel. Freely your blood flows savage 
 In strength, unmixed with the thinner wine 
 Of prudence or shrewd policy feline, 
 Yet lacking brutal thirsts for blood that rage 
 Within fierce, lower forms of beast or man. 
 To thee the homage of the age be paid. 
 At your brave feet, our meagre praise is laid, 
 Who dared not follow when the day began. 
 And ye your choice of simple courage made, 
 But are content to mark the road ye ran. 
 
 80 
 
TO THE TIGER 
 
 THOU monstrous beast that holds the world in 
 awe, 
 Whose supple limb is fearful masterpiece, 
 Thy powers through the ages ne'er decrease, 
 Nor halt the terrors of thy pronged paw, 
 Whose crafty blow thy prey drops dead before. 
 To thee hath Heaven given wondrous lease 
 Of voice that, but for stroke of death, would cease 
 Not ever to repeat its mighty roar. 
 How doth wise nature in thy form combine 
 A heart whose cruel thirst ne'er slaketh wine 
 Save blood of prey, with softest grace feline. 
 May we within that fierce breast mercy reach? 
 Who knows what latent love, what tender speech 
 Lurks there t'ward mate and young in shape divine? 
 
 8i 
 
WINTER 
 
 WITHIN the heart of Nature Winter lieth, 
 Like some rare thought not yet to be ex- 
 pressed. 
 None who her bounties praise e'er him de- 
 crieth, 
 Though they by his stern beauty be oppressed. 
 How dost thou still the heat of vain endeavor, 
 And freeze into pure substance vulgar love ! 
 None but the true can win thy lofty favor 
 Or learn the riches of thy mind to prove. 
 Though I far from thy presence dwell awhile, 
 Nor can now through thy crystal chambers rove, 
 Yet shall my heart prove staunch spite Summer's wile 
 Until I stand again beneath thy smile. 
 
 82 
 
THE REFLECTION 
 
 HOW well doth Nature imitate the soul! 
 With what a limpid mirror she reflects 
 Its subtle beauty ! Her keen eye detects 
 Each slightest movement, greeting it with toll 
 Of answering wind and wave, which ever roll 
 In truthful measure where her hand directs. 
 The sorrow-burdened heart how soon erects 
 Its mournful image in the plaintive dole 
 Of warbling birds. They in their turn console 
 The darkened mind from which their grief they stole. 
 Breezes that pass touch us like unfulfilled 
 Thoughts, which vanish skyward ere their perfect birth, 
 At whose looked-for approach the heart is thrilled. 
 Yet glean they in retreat a dearer worth. 
 
 83 
 
LIVE AND MAKE NO COMPLAINT 
 
 LIVE, and make no complaint ; complaint is death, 
 Taste, but avoid degeneracy; 
 Strain not when dying for prolonged breath, 
 Nor strive for knowledge; 'tis mere fallacy. 
 Search not for pleasure when she stands aloof, 
 
 For can'st thou tell when thou hast had thy fill? 
 So dost thou maim thy soul, and earn'st reproof, 
 In striving man to help 'gainst Heaven's will. 
 
 To what end then is Life if so we must 
 The heart forever check in its free play? 
 
 Must ever urge the will lest baneful crust 
 
 Creep o'er the eyes and blind their sight of Day? 
 
 All souls as infants grow, till they attain 
 
 Wisdom themselves to know, and freedom gain. 
 
 84 
 
A LOVE SONNET 
 
 THE Moon sheds forth her nectar on the Earth, 
 The stars assemble in fair galaxy; 
 Each homage pays, as to a Queen bends serf, 
 From whose white hands is dealt no tyranny. 
 The breast of Ocean heaves with passion sweet, 
 
 'Neath her caress sighing contentedly. 
 The winds pass gently by with happy feet. 
 
 Their salutations breathing tenderly. 
 And thou, my love, wilt turn those orbs awhile, 
 
 And flood my soul with purest harmony? 
 Outshine the moon with paler, fairer smile, 
 
 Bearing a touch of high divinity? 
 So shall the nectar which from moonlight flows 
 Seem thin to that rich wine thy look bestows. 
 
 85 
 
nr 
 
 TO THE MATRIX OPAL 
 
 HOU stone of complex beauty and device, 
 
 I Caught from the earth and sky at sunset hour. 
 
 How dost thou in rich mien the mind embower ! 
 
 Low in the worldly market is thy price, 
 Whose values rise and fall as drop its dice; 
 But precious is thy glowing human dower 
 That doth, with keener sight, the mind empower. 
 And dull content make pleasure in a trice. 
 I have a friend whom thou dost well portray. 
 Whose mind is warm and fair in coloring; 
 From whose keen soul springs flash of night and day. 
 And changes oft in the discovering. 
 Valued she is by all who know her worth 
 And ever to her friendships lends new birth. 
 
DAWN 
 
 ARISE ethereal Dawn and spread thy veil 
 Of mystic wonder o'er the earth who sleeps 
 As yet awaiting thy commands. The deeps 
 Spread joyous summons each to each, and hail 
 Thy sweet approach as that of maiden pale 
 With lustrous thought who o'er her beauty weeps. 
 Thou passest gently on, the darkness creeps 
 In silence from thy path, while on the trail 
 Of some wild beast the hunter's step is known. 
 Now Earth awakes and on thy form attends. 
 Her beauty follows thine and with it blends, 
 While Loves upon thy pathway grief bestow 
 Until thou diest — lo, late the hours atone 
 For thy sad absence in the sunset's glow. 
 
 87 
 
NIGHT AND DAY 
 
 WITH maiden blush Day pauses in her flight, 
 And hails the presence of her sombre love, 
 Whose grave apparel richly interwove 
 With gleaming stars, smiles on her glad- 
 dened sight, 
 With gaze of love that gloweth with the might 
 Of worlds and ages where they twain do rove. 
 In beauty fit they each to each, by Jove 
 Mated, born of Time and purposed for delight. 
 Their nuptial hour passed they spring again, 
 Each to his separate course, nor are delayed 
 By vain repinings for a last embrace; 
 Knowing that, as the sure hours wing, the face 
 Of the beloved returns once more to reign 
 In fresh attainment of strong love repaid. 
 
 88 
 
APRIL 
 
 ^^ I ^IS the season of sleep, Earth's pulse is slow. 
 I Unconscious she waits the moment of change 
 With limbs relaxed; her speech is strange, 
 Her voice, like the sleepers, is cold and low, 
 While the shadows of dreams flit across her brow. 
 What are the thoughts that enchant her sleep ? Range 
 Upon range they stand, as though to estrange 
 Her soul from freedom, and on her bestow 
 Some magic spell. She wakes, and lo ! the smile 
 Of maiden joy breaks o'er her pallid face. 
 She springs to life, yet grieves to leave awhile 
 Those tender dreams; while slowly she her pace 
 Increases, and with motion rich in grace 
 She onward walks the ages to beguile. 
 
 89 
 
AUGUST 
 
 LO Summer grows aweary of her loom, 
 Her silken thread runs haltingly and slow, 
 Her wondrous eyes drooping with languor; 
 gloom 
 Of promised sleep lies heavy on her brow. 
 Her golden web is woven end to end, 
 Its thread waits to be broken. Then will bend 
 The sickle of the harvest moon along 
 Ripe orchards and the golden corn — the while 
 Small crickets lend their cheerful busy song 
 That heralds Autumn's sway and so beguile 
 The nights that lie between them and his frost. 
 In silence earth prepares her bulwarks strong 
 To shield her handmaid from unwelcome cost 
 Of coming storms, lest jot of Summer's lost. 
 
 90 
 
SEPTEMBER 
 
 BENIGNLY Autumn smiles upon the earth. 
 His gaze a kind approval manifests, 
 And Summer's well-performed task arrests. 
 With gentle hand expressive of her worth. 
 Nor doth his keener touch bring sudden dearth 
 Of Summer's gentle charms; nor uses tests 
 Of stormy winds and rains or icy pests, 
 Foretelling advent of stern Winter's birth. 
 But holding all of good doth nature blend 
 Each season with the next, and their shapes bend 
 To one sweet harmony. For her fair soul, 
 Amid its movements rare that aspect lend 
 Of many parts, doth ever swift attend 
 To that high law which unifies the whole. 
 
 91 
 
OCTOBER 
 
 WELL launched is the Autumn on his way, 
 For Winter follows with no ugly haste, 
 Nor does fair Summer more prolong her stay 
 Than by a parting smile whereby we taste 
 Her queenly presence in the deepening glow 
 Of fruitful verdure upon bush and bough. 
 Since Autumn has the earth at his command 
 The winds and sun upon his word bestow 
 A swift attendance and lend willing hand 
 To lengthen his career — So unto man 
 Does each fresh season offer likeness fair 
 Of his soul's beauty for his eye to scan, 
 And learn withal of Nature's bounty rare 
 That taketh earth and man beneath her care. 
 
 92 
 
HAIL SOUL OF EARTH 
 
 HAIL Soul of Earth, come forth ! The hour is free 
 Of irksome light, and lo, the young night, filled 
 With breath of love, thy form approaches, stilled 
 By throb of hope. Let thy desires flee 
 To greet their sweet fulfilment. Night waits thee 
 With heart of limpid purity, distilled 
 From uncouth mortal passion, stormy-willed 
 Of lower purport, courting Death's decree. 
 In your far-winged souls Love soars as wind 
 Set free. Then rise sweet Earth and shed thy smiles 
 Upon Night's yearning gaze; and flee as hind 
 That its dear mate from out their lair beguiles 
 To sport in fearless joy; while garish day 
 In distant forests holds her potent sway. 
 
 93 
 
nr 
 
 SONNET TO FAITH 
 
 HOU strong and patient handmaid of our God, 
 ■ Whose gaze swerves not from His fair coun- 
 tenance, 
 But gathers from His smile thy sustenance. 
 How dost Thou guide out feet which, leaden shod, 
 Hardly without Thy help could homeward plod; 
 But ever are they lightened by a glance 
 At Thy heroic form, whose flaming lance 
 Became in Moses' grasp triumphant rod. 
 
 Nor do we know the fullness of Thy might. 
 Or when Thy penetrating eye may scan 
 The vast circumference of Heaven's plan; 
 At that glad hour shall our hungry sight 
 Be fed with knowledge absolute of right. 
 And Heaven's strength fall at the feet of man. 
 
 94 
 
ODE TO ELIZABETH 
 
 THOU lovely star whose crystal light 
 Sheds on my heart a keen delight, 
 Who tak'st the form of lithesome maid, 
 At whose sweet feet is homage paid, — 
 How didst thou gather from the skies 
 The azure beauty of thine eyes? 
 
 Thy smile didst thou from angel's glean, 
 
 From fire nymphs thy touch of spleen; 
 
 How often that expressive face 
 
 Blends blithesome charm with Heaven's grace ! 
 
 Thy heart much pity doth contain. 
 
 Fast fill those eyes at sight of pain. 
 
 Full young thou art, here have I set 
 Much praise that Future holdeth yet; 
 But ever daily thou bestowest 
 Joy upon me as thou growest. 
 
 95 
 
ODE TO MARGARET 
 
 M 
 
 ARGARET, the amber-haired, 
 Gentle flower, human born, 
 By wise virtue kindly reared. 
 Fit pure Heaven to adorn. 
 
 From whose eyes a mellow light, 
 As of moonbeam, shines on all; 
 
 Lending lustre to the night, 
 
 In whose voice lies tender thrall. 
 
 Hast thou from some magic art 
 Learnt the hours to beguile? 
 
 Fast to hold my willing heart, 
 And the world arrest the while? 
 
 96 
 
CHRISTOPHER 
 
 A PLANT of tender growth thou art, thou little man; 
 Who, though at all times loth cold hearts to scan, 
 Will face in thoughtful wise deep Nature's plan, 
 And list with widened eyes how some brave clan 
 Was killed for duty, nor from duty ran. 
 Thou lov'st this earth, yet often look'st beyond 
 To that more worth thy contemplation fond, 
 And ne'er dost thou forget one thou hast loved. 
 But guard'st with fervor sweet the friend thou'st proved. 
 
 97 
 
HESTER 
 
 I KNOW a little mother tender, sweet, 
 Whose loving heart beats time to happy feet; 
 That flutters o'er her young with matron's mien; 
 Nor lacks she ever for their care a keen 
 Intelligence, yet bides she all serene. 
 
 98 
 
CONRAD 
 
 HAST seen a fawn dart shyly from thy sight, 
 And hide him in the depth of forest green ? 
 Has some rare bird of quiet silver sheen 
 Flown swift away far from thine eager ken ? 
 I know a pair of eyes of steely gray 
 That flash betimes with light of heaven, then 
 Full swift withdraw the beauty of their gaze. 
 And their beholder leave in sweet amaze. 
 
 LOFa 
 
 99 
 
E. W. C. 
 
 HOW shall I pen thee, queen of nights and days, 
 That tak'st from both their fairer mystic rays ? 
 With flash and counterflash of light divine 
 Thy spirit springs in energy sublime, 
 And swiftly wings t'ward its eternal clime. 
 
 100 
 
J. J. c. 
 
 A PROPHET thou of no small heritage, 
 That walk'st with head erect upon the stage 
 Of mortal hours, bearing heart of sage 
 Within thy breast; yet flash those eyes aglow 
 With elfish humor or with human woe. 
 Keen speech thou hast for all that cross thy path; 
 Keen thoughts fresh burnished from the higher wrath 
 Of soul in strong combat, then flash of love 
 Doth check thine ardor and thy wisdom prove. 
 
 lOI 
 
TO M. L. C. 
 
 A NOBLE woman warrior thou, that hold'st high 
 banner in thy hand, 
 And walkest far abroad the land 
 When times are needy. 
 Thou warrest with small foes at home when times are 
 
 weedy ; 
 And many battles thou dost win 'gainst public sin. 
 But ever 'neath thine armored steel array 
 Lies heart of woman and a woman's way. 
 
 102 
 
TO S. W. 
 
 GENIAL as sun to earth is friend to friend. 
 Such friend wast thou to all whose mortal 
 
 trend 
 Did cross thy path, and swift didst thou attend 
 To each fresh need with ardent interest and quick heed. 
 A potent mind thou hadst to give to all, 
 The talent that could well befall 
 One human lot, 
 
 And often goodness found'st where others found not. 
 As rushing mighty stream, thy course pursuing, 
 Thou fedest on thy source thy strength renewing. 
 God's blessing on thy spirit, sweet and wonderful, 
 That shed upon our path its bounties beautiful. 
 
 103 
 
W. J. E. 
 
 YOUNG as is a child at play wast thou, 
 Sweet as some rare flower dropped from bough ; 
 Strong as gnarled oak of lofty pine, 
 Keen was thine eye and warm that heart of 
 thine. 
 Thou judgest not of men by written law, 
 Nor in thy worship didst thy God adore 
 
 By rote or rule; 
 But ever didst thou hold before aught else 
 
 The common weal. 
 Fresh was thy life and clear as crystal springs, 
 Though thou didst live to know what old age brings. 
 Many there were to love thee and to cherish, 
 But thou with honor didst thy children nourish. 
 
 104 
 
J. C. E. 
 
 MOTHER thou art to all who love or know thee, 
 To heroes and to simple men as well. 
 Kindly and wise, serene and wondrous lowly. 
 With calm regard that breaks all morbid 
 spell 
 In those who listen at thy feet to gather 
 
 The mellow harvest of thy mind and soul — 
 To learn the goodness of the perfect Father, 
 Who is thy pleasure and will be thy goal. 
 
 105 
 
ROSALIND 
 
 THOU piece of summer sky, 
 Thou breath of wind 
 That freshens with advancing day. 
 Fair RosaHnd. 
 How deep within thy lustrous soul doth lie 
 
 The love of beauty; 
 And dearer still to thy pure mind 
 
 Is simple duty. 
 Judgment thou hast of rarer cast than men, 
 A courage ne'er to be outrun. What then 
 Is there to add, sweet Rosalind? 
 
 io6 
 
L. C. 
 
 SHE passes as the petal of a rose 
 Blown sunward on an early morning breeze. 
 She scatters on her passage the repose 
 Which emanates from mind that is at ease. 
 
 She beareth words of wisdom to the wise. 
 
 The sorrowful regard her with content. 
 She permitteth to the curious surmise, 
 
 And none willingly she causes to lament. 
 
 107 
 
H 
 
 LAURA 
 
 EAVEN'S blessings on thee fall, 
 Laura fair, the crystal-eyed. 
 May nought in life thy mind appall. 
 Pure gold thy metal prove when tried. 
 
 An emblem is that snowy brow 
 Of purity thou dost bestow 
 
 Upon the earth, nor carest thou 
 
 For vain applause or puppet show. 
 
 Though nature hath thine head adorned 
 With shape and colors beautiful. 
 
 The Angels have thy mind forewarned 
 To keep thee strong and dutiful. 
 
 We for thy future have no fears, 
 
 Dear child, but dwell in confidence, 
 
 That if those noble eyes shed tears 
 'Twill seldom be from penitence. 
 
 io8 
 
JUL 9 1907 
 
I