LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
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ELSIE'S WEDDINO 
 
 ^THER J*OEMS 
 
 JASPER B A K N E T T C O W 13 1 N 
 
 --C^ 
 
 5-- 
 
 BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 D. S. HOLMES, PUBLISHER 
 
 388 BEDFORD AVENUE 
 1886 
 

 Cnpyritrht, 1886, by J. R. CoAvdin. 
 All ri<>hts reserved. 
 
Elsie's Wedding 
 Cupid in a Net 
 
 An English Morning . 
 
 The Mountain Lake 
 
 The Mountain Way 
 
 Voices of Winds 
 
 Scales 
 
 Eden- Blossom 
 
 The Bird in the Soul 
 
 First Night of Wooing 
 
 Priest and Nun 
 
 The Center of the Coil 
 
 The Realms of Sleep 
 
 Hurried Along 
 
 Milton 
 
 Ai^ril .... 
 
 Awake, O Soul 1 
 
 Rejoice, O Man ! . 
 
 The Country Boy's Carol 
 
 The Palace of Night 
 
 The Nation's Honored Dead 
 
 Punctuality 
 
 Moonlight on the Snow 
 
 PAGE 
 
 13 
 27 
 
 37 
 39 
 41 
 42 
 42 
 43 
 44 
 47 
 49 
 52 
 55 
 57 
 57 
 58 
 59 
 60 
 61 
 62 
 
 63 
 64 
 65 
 
 Sun-Burial. A Symphony 67 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Four daughters in our village home, 
 And Elsie youngest of the four, 
 Save one wee blossom lately come 
 To bask in sunshine at the door. 
 Our Elsie's education done, 
 She came back to us full of fun, 
 And sent her rippled laughters light 
 Around the house from morn till night. 
 No robin on the topmost limb, 
 No sparrow flirting through the air, 
 No restless redwing pert and trim. 
 No wild bee darting here and there— 
 None equalled, none, in field or tree, 
 Her careless flow of gayety. 
 
 And youthful Love, a wandering bee, 
 Found her among the flowers. She 
 Lived out-of-doors ; and loved to haunt 
 The noisy robin neighborhood, 
 13 
 
u 
 
 ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Or seek tlie distant hillside slant 
 
 Where thrushes found sweet solitude. 
 
 She knew all windings of the wood, 
 
 And had a chosen nook among 
 
 The poplars where the blackbirds played. 
 
 Their merry gossip well outsung 
 
 The tinkling, shimmering, white cascade 
 
 Flying along from shade to shade. 
 
 She trained the honeysuckle vine 
 
 To climb oui roof with graceful twine ; 
 
 The mammoth rose-bush by the well 
 
 Owes half its beauty to her spell 
 
 The tiny cottage on its pole. 
 
 Above the arbor perching sole, 
 
 Where all day long the martins cry, 
 
 Mounting, or coming from, the sky, 
 
 She made herself ; and ofttimes sat 
 
 Below it, hearkening their chat, 
 
 Or watched them in the topmost blue 
 
 Sail round and round, and pass from view. 
 
 The butterfly's uncertain flight. 
 
 Swift crinkling in the sunshine bright 
 
 Above her blossoms, pleased the eyes 
 
 Of Elsie ; wishing to be wise. 
 
 She followed oft the butterflies 
 
 To find out where they slept at night. 
 
 So youthful Love, a wandering bee. 
 Found her among the flowers. He 
 Took dainty notice that her eyes 
 

 Sn yauthful Ldve, a -wandErlng beE, 
 Found tLEP amang ths fln-ui/ers. 14 
 
1 6 ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Were like the pools in Paradise. 
 The long dark lashes, bent to peep, 
 Reflected in each dreamful deep. 
 The cunning watcher thought most rare 
 The fine gold of her shining hair, 
 From ideal brow to perfect neck, 
 Round classic ear, on satin cheek ; 
 And, doubtless, he became aware 
 What dew lay on the crimson lip. 
 If only bee were bold to sip ! 
 
 But how my fancies run away . 
 
 The child was not all dreams — nay, nay ! 
 
 Good common sense did with her dwell ; 
 
 In all her ways she pleased us well ; 
 
 And never more so than the night, 
 
 As, walking homeward through the vale, 
 
 The full moon bringing gems in sight 
 
 Along the meadows cr)'stal-bright, 
 
 She yielded to his tender tale, 
 
 And gave her heart to Arthur Dale. 
 
 Her choice filled us with deep delight. 
 
 Her elder sisters, half in play. 
 
 Showed just a little jealousy ; 
 
 But Elsie's spirit never shot 
 
 An arrow to that tender spot ! 
 
 And so the months were swift to go ; 
 W^ith their departure went the snow ; 
 From dripping roofs, from orchard tops 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Where chilly winds shook down bright droj)s, 
 Blue-robed apostles of the year 
 Preached of another springtime near. 
 
 As on the vine-clad porch we sat 
 
 One fragrant eve in early May, 
 
 The girls begnn a lively chat 
 
 Of Elsie's coming bridal day. 
 
 Father sat smoking his cigar 
 
 Just in the window ; like a star 
 
 The white brow of Viola gleamed, 
 
 The dark vine-leaves moon-photographed 
 
 Upon it ; Amy's soft eyes laughed ; 
 
 And Elsie's, deeper violet, beamed. 
 
 " My turn is next, whichever way 
 
 You read the names," cried Amy; "nay, 
 
 Viola, I shall married be 
 
 Before, like you, I 'm twenty-three ! " 
 
 Which said, she looked up banteringly. 
 
 "Oh, I 'm not in such haste to wed,' 
 
 Viola, with imperious head 
 
 And dainty tap of slipper, said ; 
 
 " Indeed, I might have married Ned 
 
 At seventeen — at eighteen, Fred ; 
 
 I 'm not unhappy, as you know. 
 
 Though Clarence wed a month ago." 
 
 "And left you high and dry. my dear," 
 
 Laughed father, hidden in the dark — 
 
 We only saw the moving spark 
 
 17 
 
IS ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Of his cigar — " some day, I fear, 
 
 You '11 cherish what the poet's pen 
 
 Wrote of the saddest might have been.'' 
 
 "Husband, you need not waggish be." 
 
 I ventured on Viola's part ; 
 
 "You were the fourth that courted me. 
 
 There 's time enough yet, never mind ; 
 
 Viola knows the genuine kind 
 
 Of man, and will not break her heari." 
 
 "See! there comes Arthur up the hill," 
 Chimed Amy, shaking out her dress. 
 And rising. Elsie's heart its thrill 
 Could safely to the dusk confess 
 By tingling cheek and step elate, 
 As, passing through the leaf-arched gate. 
 She met his dark eye's tenderness. 
 And let him take a kiss at will. 
 
 Within the porch that balmy night 
 Till late the spnngtime wooed our stay ; 
 The full moon shed her whitest light, 
 And tried to make us think 't was day. 
 Old songs — "Green grow the rashes. O," 
 Or quaint "John Anderson, my jo," 
 Or "Annie Laurie," rose between 
 The happy laughters sent to die 
 Out on the stillness rare and sweet. 
 On Elsie's brow the light serene 
 Of pt-rfect joy and hope was seen. 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 19 
 
 I looked on all witli gladdened eye — 
 No circle could be more complete. 
 
 Our orchard trees began to shed 
 
 Their scented snows ; the spring had fled. 
 
 June found us busy, morn till night ; 
 
 In all the rooms were scraps of white — 
 
 So many things to buy, to sew ! 
 
 The litter seemed to constant grow. 
 
 And Elsie, moving to and fro, 
 
 A restless and delighted sprite, 
 
 Examined this and hummed o'er that, 
 
 Or with a sudden impulse drew 
 
 Upon her lap the household cat. 
 
 And nearly hugged poor Tab in two. 
 
 Viola was in Paradise — 
 
 I let her purchase, plan, devise ; 
 
 And Amy's arms, jilump, soft and white. 
 
 Found in the kitchen great delight. 
 
 Their dimples making pretty show, 
 
 Half hidden \\\ the pans of dough. 
 
 From service Elsie half withdrew. 
 
 To keep Miss Moll, on mischief bent. 
 
 From making good her dire intent 
 
 Of tearing everything in view. 
 
 "Tan't I do sumfin, too.?" she jilead. 
 
 Her earnest eyes raised to my face. 
 
 " Yes, darling ; here 's a bit of thread, 
 
 A thimble, and a scrap of lace ; 
 
 Now make for Dollv somethin^^ nice." 
 
 I bent and kissed the rosebud twice. 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDIMG. 
 
 In two things Elsie had her way : 
 She made the mammoth weddin^: cake 
 (My girls knew how to clean and bake) ; 
 Arranged her own room to her heart. 
 And therein showed the nicest art. 
 Each fanciful arrangement made 
 Some harmony of light and shade 
 So delicate, I stood amazed 
 As through the curtained door I gnzed 
 When all was done. Her fleecy bed 
 Stood half in shadow, famtly red 
 From roses peeking through the blind ; 
 Neat mats tilled up the cosy nooks: 
 A table held her daintiest books, 
 One wall with covered volumes Imed ; 
 The silver clock now owned a shelf, 
 And talked in the corner to itself ; 
 The tidy on her rockmg-chair 
 Was new to me, all unaware 
 When she had made it; on the wall 
 Her girlish portrait,— stowed away 
 So many months,— in bright array 
 Now smiled serenely over all. 
 
 I felt my heart grow young again. 
 And all my girlhood came to me- 
 The time I said to home good-bye. 
 With one true heart to live and die, 
 And crossed the storm-tossed wintry se^ 
 But Elsie's bright, familiar smi! 
 
 ..... -.a. 
 e 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Would not go from us yet awhile ; 
 She seemed delighted to remain. 
 
 And how her spirits overflowed 
 
 As nearer drew the looked-for day ! 
 
 Caresses she on all bestowed 
 
 In such a reckless sort of way ! 
 
 Her voice grew strangely low and kind ; 
 
 The gracious soul within her eyes 
 
 Took on a tenderer blue than June; 
 
 Our soft rebukes she did not mind, 
 
 But, looking up in sweet surprise, 
 
 Kept humming still her quiet tune. 
 
 I could not meet her on the stair 
 
 Without her soft arm stealing round 
 
 My waist ; and oft, I know, I frowned. 
 
 And murmured, " What a child you are ! ' 
 
 But she would pull my forehead down 
 
 Among her tresses golden-brown, 
 
 And whisper, confidentially, 
 
 " I must kiss somebody, or I '11 die ! " 
 
 Then laugh, and from me lightly fly. 
 
 The daisies turned the meadows white : 
 
 The lilacs faded out of sight ; 
 
 The roses held high carnival 
 
 Far up our' sunny southern wall. 
 
 The oriole, to feed his brood. 
 
 Passed back and forth from field to wood 
 
 From wood to field the robin went. 
 
 On family matters deeply bent. 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 At last, all preparations done, 
 We icily sat and watched the sun 
 Sink through the quiet gates of day, 
 And one by one, above the land. 
 Strike all the clouds aflush, as they 
 Came under his transfiguring hand. 
 
 The woodlands found a blessed rest ; 
 No rude wind shook the robin's nesi ; 
 But, oh ! unwelcome from the height. 
 Along with shadows of the night 
 One shadow came, and came to stay — 
 We housed an unexpected guest. 
 
 The music in our home grew still ; 
 Meek on her bed our Elsie lay ; 
 Her being trembled and grew chill. 
 She drew my forehead softly down 
 Among her tresses golden-brown, 
 And stirred her lips in whispered speech. 
 Her fond affection's latest mark. 
 Her hand relaxed in Arthur's palm 
 Her face assumed a saintly calm — 
 We knew her frail immortal bark 
 Was safely launched beyond our reach. 
 
 Happy the bride the sun shines on. 
 
 Is a good adage. Golden light 
 
 Stole through the shutters folded light. 
 

 The DUE street cf the straggling town. 24 
 
24 ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 To greet the bride in white array, 
 As in the parlor still she lay 
 All unawakened by the dawn. 
 
 We dressed the bride. Viola brought 
 
 The wedding dress of lilies wrought, 
 
 And Amy placed, with tender care. 
 
 The orange blossoms in her hair. 
 
 White slippers on her helpless feet, 
 
 And Arthur's ring upon her hand, 
 
 No more was needed to complete 
 
 Her beauty, than the fragrance sweet 
 
 Of wild-flowers from the meadow-land. 
 
 She loved them so ! Young Love the bee 
 
 Had found her in the flow^ers. She 
 
 Loved wild-fiowers best — herself, poor child ! 
 
 At times, perhaps, a little wild. 
 
 The meekness of her unstained brow. 
 
 White with celestial purity, 
 
 Spake all her wildness over now. 
 
 The bell rang from the sunny hill, 
 Where perched the white kirk looking down 
 The one street of the straggling town , 
 And thence we bore her, calm and still, 
 Submissive to our every will. 
 The presence of the great Bridegroom 
 Was there to claim her as his own ; 
 Rare fragrance floated from the room. 
 Back through the open windows blown ; 
 Matron and maid their tokens brought 
 
ELSIE'S WEDDING. 
 
 Of flowers in homely emblems wrought. 
 They had so talked and looked ahead 
 To see their village beauty vved. 
 
 The preacher's voice, in measured tone, 
 Pronounced the solemn rites. Alone 
 Went Arthur to salute the bride. 
 The village folk all passed and gone ; 
 And he that was of her denied, 
 Yielding unto that Greater One, 
 Bent over her young loveliness 
 (The tender silence heard her name), 
 And all his love and holy vow 
 He took and sealed upon her brow 
 In one dear kiss. But, answerless, 
 Her being stirred ncjt into flame. 
 
 So Elsie went away from us 
 With her delightful nineteen years. 
 Viola's growing mischievous — 
 Perhaps, to clear her father's brow ; 
 At Amy's coaxing, gay caress, 
 I try a little cheerfulness ; 
 But all the house seems empty now — 
 Dear God, forgive these pressing tears ! 
 
 25 
 
eaPIB IN A NET. 
 
 Come hither, you delightful girls, 
 Maud, Milly and Susette ; 
 I \>e half a initid to sing to yoii 
 Of Cupid in a Net. 
 
 The stern old father tilled his farm 
 Beneath Virginia's blue, 
 And took a stately pride in all 
 His fertile acres grew. 
 
 His winsome, blue-eyed daughter. Rose, 
 With Lulu, dark of eye, 
 (An orphaned cousin) kept his home. 
 And courted on the sly. 
 
 No lovers were allowed to come 
 On father Greenwood's ground ; 
 And so, of course, they met the girls 
 When he was not around. 
 
CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 Both couples planned a night-escape. 
 And both the same night chose 
 All unbeknown to either pair, 
 Woe to Lulu and Rose ! 
 
 The sun was late in going down. 
 The moon was late to rise, 
 And drifted anchorless from cloud 
 To cloud through windy skies. 
 
 A ladder in the garden stood ; 
 All sweet arrangements made. 
 Both girls at different windows sat, 
 In traveling garb arrayed. 
 
CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 Had they but whispered of their plans 
 Unto each other, woes 
 Like these had never fallen at all 
 On cautious Lulu and Rose ! 
 
 29 
 
 Soon a dark fig-ure's soft approach 
 Beneath the orchard boughs 
 Told Rose her Percy had been true 
 To their acknowledg-ed vows. 
 
 The moon slipped in an inky cloud 
 Rose saw the ladder placed 
 At Lulu's sill — a shadow mount, 
 And clasp her cousin's waist ! 
 
30 
 
 CUPID IN A NET ' 
 
 Ah ! quickly then her feehngs changed ; 
 Her heart beat strange alarms, 
 As her false lover started off 
 With Lulu in his arms. 
 
 He bore her rapidly across 
 
 The pasture to the lane. 
 
 The carriage entered in great haste, 
 
 And plied the lash and rein. 
 
 No word was spoken on the way ; 
 The horse leaped in the thills. 
 And spattered mud along the fence 
 That zigzagged o'er the hills. 
 
 The village parson, roused from sleep, 
 Struck in the hall a light ; 
 The parties then met face to face — 
 It was an awkward plight ! 
 
 The maiden swooned, the lover paled, 
 The parson stood aghast ; 
 A servant with reviving salts 
 Brought Lulu round at last. 
 
 " I do presume you wish to wed," 
 Said then the holy man ; 
 " But something must be wrong just here 
 Pray tell me, if you can." 
 
CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 " I do not want to marry /tc'r ; 
 I 've brought the wrong girl," said 
 Poor Percy, as he wished the girl 
 That moment back in bed. 
 
 The dark-eyed Lulu bowed her curls, 
 And cried from very shame. 
 What way to get her back unseen 
 The question now became. 
 
 She tried to tell between her sobs. 
 As thence they journeyed on, 
 How she had played this trick on him 
 By thinking he were John. 
 
 Meantime. Rose went to Lulu's room 
 When off she saw them f^y, 
 To see if any missive left 
 Would clear this mystery. 
 
 No letter met her angry search ; 
 She leaned upon the sill, 
 And both her blue romantic eyes 
 With tears began to fill. 
 
 Soon a dark figure underneath 
 The orchard boughs drew nigh. 
 And made her signals from the dusk ; 
 She knew the reason why ! 
 
 31 
 
32 
 
 CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 She quickly saw her own mistake — 
 " Coincidence unknown ! 
 Dear Lulu must have fled to-night 
 With her own lover, John. 
 
 " My Percy must have been detained ' 
 Just then a fateful sound 
 Came from her father's sleeping-room 
 The lover, with a bound, 
 
 Dashed up the ladder after her ; 
 She sank within his arms, 
 Too much excited then to speak. 
 Or dream of misplaced charms. 
 
 He bore her rapidly across 
 
 The pasture to the lane, 
 
 The carriage entered in great haste. 
 
 And plied the lash and rein. 
 
 No word was spoken on the way ; 
 The horse leaped in the thills, 
 And spattered mud along the fence 
 That zigzagged o'er the hills. 
 
 The father on a fleet-foot steed, 
 A flying shadow, came 
 In hot pursuit, as if he were 
 Some hunter chasing game. 
 
CUPID IN A NET. 33 
 
 The moon behind a wall of cloud 
 Was safely stowed away, 
 But soon came out in full, and made 
 The road as white as day. 
 
 Rose turned her face — oh, horrid sight I 
 'T was John, not Percy, drove; 
 She grew too faint to scream, I wis. 
 Deluded thus by love. 
 
 John saw her crown of golden hair, 
 Her blue romantic eye. 
 And thought that he some phantom had 
 Instead of Lulu Bly. 
 
 He drew the rein, the carriage stopped ; 
 The clicking hoofs drew near; 
 An angry voice rang out across 
 The meadows, loud and clear; 
 
 " So you would slyly take from me 
 The dearest gem 1 own ! 
 How could you trust your honor. Rose. 
 With such a faithless clown ? " 
 
 •• Nay, John and I are not in love." 
 Sobbed Rose, " there 's some mistake ; 
 Do take me back again, papa, 
 Elsewise my heart will break." 
 
34 
 
 CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 " No, I don't want your girl." growled John, 
 And turned the horse around 
 In any but a pleasant mood. 
 The farmer stormed and frowned. 
 
 '• Don't want her, yet you courted her — 
 You 've ruined, then, my gal ! 
 You do not wish to marry her .'* 
 By Pluto !— John, you shall!" 
 
 He held a pistol at John's heart, 
 And made him swear to wed ; 
 Then toward the village parsonage 
 Was turned the horse's head. 
 
 The wildered parson, roused again. 
 Struck in the hall a Ught ; 
 And much he marveled at the scenes 
 Wrre taking place that night. 
 
 "There 's somewhat very queer in this" — 
 He smiled, and shook his head ; 
 " Not quite an hour ago was I 
 Awakened from my bed. 
 
 "A couple here met face to face ; 
 They seemed in dreadful plight ; 
 The wrong girl he had brought with him. 
 Somehow, in hurried flight. 
 
CUPID IM A NET. 35 
 
 " He hastened back with her as fast 
 As horse and carriage could, 
 The poor girl sobbing out aloud. 
 And he in sullen mood. 
 
 "So, now — here comes another pair" — 
 He searched the father's eye, 
 The couple scanned, as if he wished 
 To learn the reason why. 
 
 " Dear father, do forgive us. pray ; " 
 Rose clasped his neck above 
 " 'T was Lulu, father, past a doubt. 
 Came here with my own love. 
 
 " Why would you marry me to John, 
 When Prrcy is my choice?" 
 " And Lulu meant to fly with me," 
 Said John in basso voice. 
 
 The father's humor broke away ; 
 His face grew like the cloud 
 Just silvering then below the moor- 
 He laughed most hearty and loud. 
 
 '• A pretty comedy to play, 
 And you are well repaid. 
 Come, let us travel bnck again." 
 The old man grimly said. 
 
36 
 
 CUPID IN A NET. 
 
 So back again they traveled fast ; 
 The carriage went before. 
 And father Greenwood on his horse 
 Followed them to the door. 
 
 Another horse and carriage stood 
 Beside the farmhouse gate ; 
 And half-way u|3 the ladder stood 
 Young Percy, with the weight 
 
 Of Lulu in his aching arms, 
 He trying with his might 
 To get her safely in her nest 
 Beneath the pale moonlight. 
 
 " I would not take her in just yet," 
 Cried father Greerfwood gay ; 
 " I think you are not quite so sharp 
 As when you ran away. 
 
 " I hope you had a pleasant ride -, 
 We, too, have been to town. 
 And heard of your adventure there. 
 Come. Percy, fetch her down." 
 
 Poor Percy stood before his Rose 
 Awkward and ill at ease ; 
 Pale Lulu, at beholding John, 
 Sank down upon her knees. 
 
AN ENGLISH MORNING. 37 
 
 Soon explanations had dispelled 
 The muddle of that night ; 
 And in the porch all ate and laughed 
 Until the morning light. 
 
 Stern father Greenwood, overcome 
 By such unwonted cheer, 
 Promised an honest wedding feast ; 
 But they must wait— a year ! 
 
 So go now and enjoy yourselves, 
 Maud, Milly and Suseite ; 
 You 7/ not forget the lesson, dears. 
 Of Cupid in a Net. 
 
 AN ENGLISH M0RNING. 
 
 The skylark, from -his font of gleaming clouds. 
 
 Christened the new-born day with silver drops 
 
 Of song, and all the meadows laughed in dew. 
 
 The spider's wheel, hung on the jeweled grass. 
 
 Trembled in every spoke ; the shadyside 
 
 Was full of wordless fun ; and the fresh height 
 
 Presented to our eyes a landscape rare 
 
 Of variegated woods and valleys green — 
 
 Eastward the willow, beech, and elm, the chestnut south. 
 
 In snowy cones abounding, and the birch 
 
 Of leaning zebra-trunk. There close beside 
 
 The river lay transfixed and beautiful. 
 
 Reflecting, from its sheet of mirror-glass. 
 
 The shadow-play of many trembling leaves. 
 
Bright drops in the heavens hang gleaming 
 Nd hPEEzes the star-mirror break, 40 
 
THE MOaNTAIN UAKE. 
 
 I. 
 
 Little bird 
 Out in the jewel-bright weal her, 
 Come listen to me in the shadow ; 
 Thou butterfly, nymph of the meadow, 
 Hear nie a word ! 
 This vour play-place, l^y man unmolested, 
 Where no commerce the silence can break, 
 I have found ; and my spirit lies rested 
 By the side of your blue mountain lake. 
 
 Liitle dears ! 
 Well do you know the m.ost pleasant, 
 Most secret green nooks in this bower 
 Familiar each tree-top and flower; 
 Blithe pioneers, 
 
 39 
 
40 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN LAKE. 
 
 You go in the morning light early 
 A-wing over upland and brake, 
 New pleasures to find by the pearly. 
 Smooth edge of your beautiful lake. 
 
 III. 
 Sunny days 
 Come with their laughters to visit 
 These scenes of your innocent playing, 
 Where your gay life goes simply a-Maying 
 In flower-bright ways. 
 When your tired wings are folded for slumber 
 And the waning day leaves a red wake, 
 Still the sun-children dance a last number 
 In rings on the cloud-tinted lake. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Quiet nights 
 Reign in their brilliant high splendor, 
 Each mountain a sky-touching column 
 Of crystalline beauty, yet solemn. 
 O'er the sharp heights 
 Bright drops in the heavens hang gleaming 
 No breezes the star-mirror break ; 
 All night the white lilies lie dreaming, 
 Asleep on the silver-lit lake. 
 
 V. 
 
 Happy pair ! 
 Yours are the thousand gay olossoms, 
 The sunshine, the freedom to wander. 
 This valley's wild fruitage to squander. 
 
 All unaware 
 
THE MOUNTAIN WAT. 41 
 
 How long the white summits have guarded 
 This ancestral home you partake, 
 How for ages cold peaks have retarded 
 Man's steps to your glorified lake. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Human eyes 
 Never have opened in wonder 
 On half of the gorgeousness bidden 
 To glow in far solitudes, hidden 
 By the All-wise. 
 O'er this valley, though man saw it never, 
 For a bird's or a butterfly's sake 
 Grand pageants would pass, and forever 
 Transfigure the lone mountain lake. 
 
 rHE MOaNtAIN WAY. 
 
 O Life ! with thee we take the moui\tain way, 
 Romantic clouds aflush in palaced blue 
 Above our heads, while myriad drops of dew 
 Around our young feet twinkle as we stray. 
 Once o'er the golden walls and canons gray, 
 A sober calm invests us as we view 
 Our backward path ; then on to heights more true 
 We press through storm and darkness day by day. 
 
 The heavy thunder far below us dies, 
 
 Now lifted to the plane of wisdom's thought. 
 
 Between each pass to which our feet are t)rought. 
 
 Though distant mists half blind our mortal eyes. 
 
 Hints of the miglity scenery are caught. 
 
 And on the last height— an mfinite surprise. 
 
VOICES OF WINDS 
 
 Wild as the trumpet-like note of the swan 
 Blown down the full-flowing breast of the tide, 
 Voices of winds through the pillars of dawn 
 Wander sublimely aloft in their pride : 
 Harping their loneliness, wailing their sorrow, 
 Telling their grief on the cold mountain-side. 
 
 Glad as the revelsome sun-burst of gold 
 Pushed through the dark-hanging roof of the sea, 
 Voices of winds greet the mariner bold, 
 Bending his solemn, lone sail in their glee : 
 Sport of adversity, touched with bright glory, 
 What shall his strong spirit's destiny be ? 
 
 High as the lyrical grandeur of mood 
 
 Reached by the winds when their pinions increase, 
 
 Greater that Silence which falleth subdued, 
 
 Moving the jubilant tumult to cease : 
 
 Life of the mariner, song of the tempest, 
 
 Both at the shadowfall — sink into peace. 
 
 SCALES. 
 
 When gods instead of gods 
 
 Choose mortals for their company, 
 
 How unlike gods are they ! By many odds 
 
 The higher sink ; the lower, still unhigh. 
 
EDEN-BL0SSOM. 
 
 The tiny spirit of the child 
 
 Had passed beyond the sky, 
 
 Yet peacefully the white face smiled 
 
 On all that passed her by. 
 
 One placed a rosebud in her hand 
 
 At fall of even hour, 
 
 Which, when the morning woke the land. 
 
 Became a perfect flower. 
 
 The mourners gathered round to hear 
 Her rites of burial read ; 
 And, as the preacher o'er her bier 
 Deplored the early dead, 
 
 Tlie rose, as if by heavenly power 
 Sent to disperse the gloom. 
 All through the service of the hour 
 With fragrance filled the room. 
 
 The preacher paused ; and pointing, then. 
 He said, with trembling breath : 
 " No words of mine can e'er explain 
 Those mysteries — life and death 
 
 " 'T is strange, yet God hath willed it so 
 This morning's light was given. 
 A rose — to blossom here below ; 
 Your child — to bloom in Heaven." 
 
The bird in Yhe sent. 
 
 A BIRD is singing in my soul, 
 Softly, sweetly, in my soul, 
 Pouring forth a pleasant lay, 
 Singing to me every day. 
 
 When the rising sun is nigh 
 Under rifts of rosy sky ; 
 When the robin on the limb 
 Carols blithe his morning hymn ; 
 When the flowers in their beds 
 Shake the dewdrops off their heads. 
 Smiling on me as I stroll — 
 Then this little bird is singing. 
 Softly, sweetly, ever ringing 
 Silver music through my soul. 
 
 When the sun with slanting ray 
 
 Gilds the hills at close of day, 
 
 And the breeze hath died away ; 
 
 When I sit within my bower 
 
 Dreaming through the quiet hour. 
 
 Listening to the murmurs low 
 
 Of the oriole on the bough, 
 
 A calmness breathing o'er the whole — 
 
 Then this little bird is singing, 
 
 Softly, sweetly, ever ringing 
 
 Silver music through my soul. 
 
 When the ground is white with snow. 
 And the lordly tempests blow, 
 
THE BIRD IN THE SOUL. 
 
 And the forest ])inls are gone 
 Southward to more genial zone, 
 Still this little bird stays near me. 
 With its faithful song to cheer me. 
 
 Years may come, their sorrows bringing, 
 Tides may ebb and tides may flow, 
 Winter come and summer go ; 
 What care I how seasons roll, 
 While this little bird is singing 
 Softly, sweetly, in my soul ? 
 
 Carol, carol, little bird ; 
 Tenderer music ne'er was heard 
 Than thy mellow, gentle voice, 
 Making all my heart rejoice. 
 
 As down the quiet vale of life 
 
 I walk, nor mind the world's mad strife, 
 
 O let thy song hush to repose 
 
 Each sinful wish that passion knows • 
 
 And when, upon my pillow lying. 
 
 Friends will whisper I am dying. 
 
 And the plaintive night-wind, sighing. 
 
 Bears my spirit to its goal — 
 
 Let thy calm and peaceful note 
 
 In melodious echoes float 
 
 Softly, sweetly, through my soul. 
 
Rising, the white rose In her hair 
 
 I dared to ask. She pinned it to ma. 4g 
 
FIRSr NIGHr OF WOOINS. 
 
 It will be long ere I forget 
 
 That sweet first night I spent in wooing, 
 
 When blithely up the lighted street 
 
 I walked the pavements glazed with sleet, 
 
 Too eager for my heart's undoing 
 
 To mind the crowds, the fog, and wet. 
 
 I know my cheeks quite warmly burned 
 When in the dark 1 found her number, 
 A modest house before the square. 
 Waiting. I hummed a careless air 
 To soothe my heart-beats into slumber. 
 A light step, and the door-knob turned ! 
 
 She led me to a dainty room, 
 
 My hateful cheeks fast growing scarlet; 
 
 I heard a creaking door, and, lo, 
 
 Olivia's baby-brother Joe 
 
 Stood peeking in— the little varlet ! 
 
 Her cheeks confessed a tiny bloom, 
 
 As, taking coat, and gloves, and hat, 
 We soon grew quite at ease together 
 Half shaded from the cheerful light 
 Before the coal-fire burning bright. 
 And cosy-curtained from the weather. 
 I 'm sure we both enjoyed our chat. 
 
^8 FIRST NIGHT OF WOOINCJ. 
 
 As often as I dared to look 
 
 Upon each laughing, roguish feature ; 
 
 The violet eyes, the ripple-play 
 
 Of crimson lips, the break of day 
 
 In golden hair — the whole bright creature. 
 
 My faint heart half its hope forsook. 
 
 Had I but turned, I might have seen 
 The empty sofa waiting near her. 
 Our coming clierished courting-place. 
 Where face would closely bend to face 
 When souls had grown a little dearer ; 
 But, ah, the future's mystic screen ! 
 
 Of course, we talked of nothing then 
 Like love : the coming fair and supper, 
 The Sunday school, the parson's wife. 
 The books we liked, the aims of life. 
 All subjects very prim and proper. 
 An hour too soon the clock struck ten. 
 
 Rising, the white rose in her hair 
 
 I dared to ask. She pinned it to me ; 
 
 And, standing close before my sight. 
 
 The deft touch of her fingers light 
 
 Sent streaks of honey through and through mt 
 
 I longed to clasp her then and there ! 
 
PRIEST AND NUN. 49 
 
 No good-night kiss, no whispers hght. 
 
 As at the door we softly parted ; 
 
 A gentle press of hand, that 's all ; 
 
 A low request again to call ; 
 
 And down the darkened street I started, 
 
 The fog-bells tolling through the night. 
 
 What thought had I for damp or cold? 
 From that time forth my heart grew bolder. 
 Until I asked — oh, not a rose ! 
 But. hush— a breath— a stir of clothes— 
 My daughter 's peeking o'er my shoulder; 
 The minx ! / know her threads of gold. 
 
 PRIESr AND NdN. 
 
 They met in youth, but that was long ago ; 
 They met to love, but love turned into woe. 
 Unknown to each, forever torn asunder. 
 Each at religion's altar fled the blow. 
 
 He a grave priest became, she a pale nun, 
 Their hopes, their dreams, dead. The slow years crept 
 But memory kept sacred, dear and tender. 
 The early love so ardently begun. 
 
 All unknown each to other, far apart, 
 Love stirred within his silent tomb, the heart, 
 And knew his hour approaching to deliver 
 Unguilty victims from the cruel dart. 
 
50 
 
 PRIEST AND NUN. 
 
 The years crept on ; and, moving toward the dark, 
 Her face grew seraph-pure ; her lingering spark 
 Paled in Death's shadow — waited at his portal. 
 And for prophetic wing-beats seemed to hark. 
 
 The light winds kissed her coolly where she lay ; 
 An unknown hand left flowers in her way ; 
 And when she questioned whose, the nurse spake gently. 
 "The priest will come and visit you to-day." 
 
 An instant recognition when he came 
 Lightened each face ; both hearts leaped up in flame ! 
 She faintly smiled, and then, his warm hand taking. 
 Soft clasped it, breathing holily his name. 
 
 The barren vista stretched from day to day 
 
 So hopeless under canopy of gray. 
 
 Flowered in a moment. Oh ! her look was blessed. 
 
 Her earnest, last look, as she passed away. 
 
 Lying so peaceful, weak, and all forlorn. 
 
 Her eyes, wherein contented joy was born. 
 
 Still smiled on him, e'en though their loosened spirit 
 
 Was far upon its way to Eden's morn. 
 
 After such joy, what ark of flesh can hold 
 This jubilant essence? Earth.— too dull, too cold, — 
 No longer kept him. When his spirit mounted. 
 Gray sunset clouds turned suddenly to gold. 
 
TtLE restful tinkle of baptizing hBrds, 54 
 
The genTer of The eeiL. 
 
 Since all things lovely on the peaceful earth. 
 And glorious in the upper world of blue, 
 Change oft their pageant colors, bringing new. 
 Romantic forms before us, and sweet mirth 
 Is sent from leafy haunts 
 To charm and satisfy our fine artistic wants ; 
 
 Since hunger, thirst and comfort have been met 
 By a providing Hand, that day and night 
 Is planning for our senses new delight ; 
 Since all dumb creatures play, and have no fret 
 As the fair seasons roll- 
 Why art thou ever moved with vague unrest, O soul ? 
 
 More perfect rest will ne'er be shown to thee 
 Than that of twilight valleys lulled with song. 
 Or from the silvered shore, where all night long 
 The moonlight rocks the cradle of the sea. 
 That great calm on the deep 
 Superbly speaks when man's vain noises fall asleep. 
 
 The quiet magnitude of starlit skies 
 And holy pause of night-winds in the vale, 
 No movement save the silent meteor's trail ; 
 The distant calls and near-by low replies 
 Of Nature's watchmen — seem 
 To breathe a high repose beyond life's narrow dream. 
 
 52 
 
TliB dr E a TT i -Inviting song of -vjatEriall 
 Threading with skeins of light the 3v.-arihy 
 
 ?7ai:. 5$ 
 
54 
 
 THE CENTER OF THE COIL. 
 
 The mild content of summer on the hill ; 
 The restful tinkle of baptizmg- herds ; 
 The bell-like chorus of unnumbered birds ; 
 The graceful droop of willow-tops ; the still 
 Midsummer cloud, so white, 
 So drowsy that it stops and slowly melts from sight 
 
 The cricket's chirp along the flatland creeks , 
 The dream-inviting song of waterfall 
 Threading with skeins of light the swarthy wall ; 
 The greenwood pond brushed into silver streaks 
 By soft winds, half asleep, 
 Till, in their frame of leaves, the stippled waters creep- 
 
 Such sights and sounds of Nature grandly teach 
 A lesson of composure ; yet the soul. 
 Which hath its earthly joys, its high control 
 Of vast events, and kingdoms at its reach. 
 Moves on with restless eye 
 To find the royal seal of immortality. 
 
 This earth is but the center of our coil. 
 Whose ever-widening circles yet will touch 
 Undreamed-of stars. Our spirits are of such 
 Fine gossamer as needs a heavenly soil, 
 
 And God's bright smile of power. 
 To flourish and produce life's last and perfect llower. 
 
THE REALMS OF SLEEP. 
 
 Strange oversight in Nature's wondrous plan .' 
 All-perfect save in this,— and this the ch-ef. — 
 If there exist no bahn for our relief, 
 No answer to the yearning soul of man. 
 Who, then, will to his breast 
 Invite mankind, and dare to offer true soul-rest ? 
 
 O hark ! Above vast empires in decay ; 
 Above the hollow-moaning winds of doubt ; 
 Above earth's groans, and tears, and battle-shout 
 Above religion's pompous, long array ; 
 Sin's wild, tempestuous sea — 
 A solitary Voice comes out of Galilee. 
 
 The reaums of sleep. 
 
 The realms of Sleep lie dark and deep. 
 And none of us may go, 
 Save in our dreams, to catch faint gleams 
 Of all we long to know. 
 
 The phantom seas, movea by no breeze, 
 Eternal secrets keep ; 
 From weird rock walls no echo falls 
 To break thy spell, O Sleep ! 
 
56 
 
 THE REALMS OF SLEEP. 
 
 Sunk far below our crust of woe, 
 Vast empires all unknown, 
 Host after host, whose names are lost, 
 Through thy rude gates are gone. 
 
 Ambitions high, the dauntless eye, 
 Dark thoughts that fired the breast, 
 All hopes and fears, all joys and tears, 
 Lie hushed in perfect rest. 
 
 For aught we know, dead planets go 
 Through yon unmeasured deep, 
 With many a soul from zone to pole 
 Locked in the arms of Sleep. 
 
 Abysses old, rent, black, and cold. 
 Looked on by pitiless stars, 
 Shine ghastly white m desolate light. 
 And show their withered scars. 
 
 No fiery shocks upheave the rocks; 
 Age after age hath slipped 
 To death alone, yet never one 
 Unlocks the ancient crypt. 
 
 The trumpet's bray at break of day, 
 The Lord's voice, strong and deep, 
 Shall, when it falls, destroy thy halls, 
 And end thy reign, O Sleep ! 
 
HBRRIED ALONG. 
 
 Hurried along! hurried along! How soon 
 From dewy youth to life's unrestful noon ! — 
 Merged in the loud discussion and the fray, 
 Whose hard-won prizes fade with fading day. 
 
 Hurried along! hurried along! Our feet 
 
 Fly on, their journey ever incomplete; 
 
 Weighed and found wanting by the widening mind. 
 
 What hopes, what joys, what passions, left behind ! 
 
 Hurried along! hurried along! The tomb 
 May hide the broken remnants in its gloom ; 
 But, oh ! the soul, a-wing again, and strong, 
 With crowds of shining worlds is hurried along ! 
 
 MmroN. 
 
 Still up the mountain ! Ever we must climb 
 To see the Poet light his altar-fires 
 On starry summits of eternal rhyme. 
 Where congregate vast thoughts, and strong desires 
 Catch up the soul and bear it on sublime 
 Through heavens reddening at the birth of Grime, 
 And jarring to the infinite thunder-tread 
 Of godlike footsteps marching on to death. 
 
 In awed suspense we wait his trumpet-breath 
 Blown through the sunless regions of the dead ; 
 Or watch his quiet moon gild Eden bright. 
 Sudden, the culminating flash divine 
 Lights up his theme; and, carried to its height. 
 The closing thunder rumbles down the line. 
 
APRIL. 
 
 Flee the dim shadows of night ! — 
 Before the untrumpeted hosts of light 
 Coming from orient caves, 
 The silver rim of dawn breaks far in reddening waves ! 
 
 Indeed, I am a true and fervent Greek 
 To see the forms of gods in yonder streak 
 Of white cloud, and to hear the mellow din 
 Of bright Apollo's horses galloping in. 
 
 From early dawn till afternoon wears by 
 Far westward over clicking rails we fiy, 
 The thunders of the Nineteenth Century 
 Jarring the peaceful fields ; and, as I look 
 From the car-window past a stony brook, 
 And over gentle hillsides turning green, 
 A cloud the earth and sunlight comes between. 
 The skirts are dark, and trail along the mead ; 
 Of dazzling whiteness the bare breast and head ; 
 One gleaming arm and hand scatters brown showers. 
 Still a firm Greek, whom can it be, say I, 
 But April, nymph air-footed, hurrying by 
 To waken from their frosty dream the flowers ? 
 58 
 
AWAKE. seaL! 
 
 Awake, O drowsy soul, awake! 
 Thy deathful bands of darkness break. 
 And see what manner of high spirit 
 Dwells in thy flesh. Thou dost inherit 
 From the bright God a kindred spark 
 To light this world's unfriendly dark; 
 And deeds to bless thy fellow man 
 Are thine to do — none other can. 
 
 Awake, O drowsy soul, awake ! 
 To see what glories for thy sake 
 Arise and set, yet dwindle never. 
 Earth, sea and sky transfigured ever. 
 Thine arch, by day a flood of light, 
 Swarming with golden worlds by night 
 Thyself a world not born to die. 
 But traveling through eternity. 
 
 Awake, O drowsy soul, awake! 
 From custom, price, and market, break 
 Thinking all love but idle dreammg. 
 Blind but to selfish, narrow scheming. 
 Open thine eyes to wider day, 
 Thy foolish playthings cast away. 
 And add thy strength, ere it be gone. 
 To God's great Drama whirling on ! 
 
REdOIGE, MAN! 
 
 Rejoice, O man ! mourn not thy stat« 
 Count well thy days again, 
 The days of sunshine many and great- 
 Why count the days of rain ? 
 
 E'en though thy days of darkness be 
 Rememl)ered yet with pain, 
 The golden grains are left with thee ; 
 Thy chastening was not vain. 
 
 All Nature tells, we were not born 
 For laughter of the skies — 
 To walk abroad at gleeful morn 
 With dull and downcast eyes. 
 
 God is not all a solemn power 
 His unseen liveliness 
 Puts in our way, at every hour, 
 Hints plain as words express. 
 
 The squirrel's pert and saucy head 
 The robin's roguish eye — 
 Were these created by a dread 
 And laughless majesty ? 
 
 Humor and quirk so oft appear, 
 Our sins He hath so borne. 
 Sigh not in thy Creator's ear 
 That man was made to mourn I 
 60 
 
The gountry boy's garbl 
 
 ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL. 
 
 The grasshopper lides like a sailor 
 On the laughing green ripples of grass ; 
 His dress-coat was cut by a tailor ; 
 He whistles to me as I pass : 
 
 Chiirr, cJiicory chcc ! 
 
 All in the bright morning weather. 
 
 The spider, aloft in the bramlile, 
 Swings out on his silken trapeze ; 
 If touched, up his line he will scramble 
 As lively and light as you please. 
 
 Hauling in, hauling in. 
 
 Till hid in the leafy green weather. 
 
 The little brown head of Sir Redbreast 
 Comes bobbing along through the grass; 
 He pertly peeps up, as in dread lest 
 I harm his wee self as I pass. 
 
 Twee, iurrttp, iiuittlc ! 
 
 All in the dewy cool weather. 
 6i 
 
52 THE PALACE OF NIGHT. 
 
 Bob White is abroad in ihe meadow ; 
 The yellow-bird swings on a spray ; 
 Afraid of my long, coming shadow, 
 He airily gallops away. 
 
 Cut, cut, cut, kedackiit ! 
 
 Comes through the hay-scenied w'eaiher. 
 
 The axe of the woodman is bringing 
 An oak from the forest near by ; 
 The bell in the belfry is ringing ; 
 Away to the school I must hie — 
 
 O fidelity fie ! 
 
 Losing the sunny bright weather. 
 
 The PALiAGE OF NIGHT. 
 
 Fair Dian to her silver waist 
 
 Lies in the myriad-shining sea 
 
 The crystal crest of the smokeless peak 
 
 Gleams in the blue infinity ; 
 
 Up in the sky-roof, reaching far. 
 
 Sparkling white clusters hang in view • 
 
 The iceberg floats like a fallen star. 
 
 White in the under-blue ; 
 
 A trail of agate crosses the west ; 
 
 The northern lights dance proud ; 
 
 Away in the south lies a ball of snow- 
 
 The moonlight sleeps in the cloud. 
 
 Where the winds are lost in a world of calm, 
 Where all is so pure and bright, 
 O the human heart is a happy king 
 In the silver palace of Night ! 
 
THE NATION^S honored DEAD. 
 
 Go call the shining roll of all 
 
 Bright minds, from earliest time, 
 
 And see if any greater be. 
 
 Whose deeds are more sublime 
 
 Than theirs who lie beneath our sky. 
 
 Their works to perish never, 
 
 Their thoughts to dart from shore to shore 
 
 Forever and forever. 
 
 The high heroic dust may lie 
 
 Asleep by lUium's wave, 
 
 Or find where sacred pillars wind 
 
 A Roman's anthemed grave ; 
 
 But never man, since time began, 
 
 Hath left a crimson stam 
 
 More bright on Freedom's breast of white 
 
 Than that of Lincoln slain. 
 
 The hand of Grant, that could withstand 
 
 The onsets of the foe. 
 
 That freed his nation in her need. 
 
 And brought the mighty low; 
 
 The pure, the kind, the simple mind, 
 
 Though leader of the host — 
 
 A greater than this loyal man 
 
 What other land can boast } 
 
 The flame of Washington's bright name 
 Shall flash upon the scroll 
 While men command the glowing pen. 
 Or sway the listening soul. 
 63 
 
64 
 
 PUNCTUALITY. 
 
 For justice, truth, and liberty, 
 For calm, high valor known, 
 Among the silvered peaks of life 
 His figure stands — alone. 
 
 And, lo ! where stately rivers flow; 
 
 By blue Atlantic's wavt ; 
 
 In sight of rocky spires touched white 
 
 Far north, where lone winds rave ; 
 
 Or where the sleepy orange groves 
 
 Their golden limits set. 
 
 Lies pillowed now a star-bright host 
 
 Whose works are moving yet. 
 
 Ah ! must we walk above their dust, 
 
 And leave the vast design 
 
 Half done, and, like a clouded sun. 
 
 In their great presence shine } 
 
 No! Crush the last remaining wrong. 
 
 Till every sister state 
 
 Knows only just and equal law^s- 
 
 Where every man is great ! 
 
 PaNGTaAUirY. 
 
 Ahead of time is a waste of time. 'T were well 
 You aped the star, whose movements men foretell. 
 While here you wait, some duty, left afar. 
 Wonders and wonders where in the world you are 
 
^'Z.^^ 
 
 MOONLiSHr ON The snow. 
 
 A round red isle of sunset-spark 
 
 Floats off and beyond the moon, 
 
 Whose fleecy wheel in the deepening dark 
 
 Will be illumined soon. 
 
 The whitened farms will gleam with gems 
 
 In winter's dazzling show 
 
 There is no sight more radiant 
 
 Than the moonlight on the snow. 
 
 The far-off jewels of the sky 
 
 Will shiver in frosty blue ; 
 
 And the jingle of sleighbells flying by, 
 
 And the ringing laughters, too. 
 
 Will lightly rise o'er the hillside road. 
 
 To sink in the vale below ; 
 
 While glad eyes beam out brilliantly, 
 
 Like the moonlight on the snow. 
 
 The diamond dust so thickly sown 
 O'er meadow, and lake, and hill — 
 Oh ! nothing in this hard world is known 
 So spotless, meek, and still ! 
 I love to lie in its glistening wealth ; 
 1 could die with delight, I know. 
 Were my spirit pure and beautiful 
 As the moonlight on the snow. 
 65 
 
HearsBd In dark splendor, clnud-Enf nlden, 
 The dead Sun lies on the sea, at rest. B7 
 
SdN-BdRlAL. 
 
 A ^YMPHONY, 
 
 A mortal, watching an ocean sunset from the cliffs, imagines in the 
 cloud -forms a funeral pageant, and hears in the winds the voices 
 of assembling spirits. Contemplation, personified as the laureate, 
 suggests to him the likeness his own spirit bears to the fading 
 glories of the day. 
 
 Thk causeway lies tremblingly golden 
 Leading down to his pyre in the west. 
 Where, hearsed in dark splendor, cloud-enfolden, 
 The dead Sun lies on the sea, at rest. 
 
 Up through the shadow-world's bright-stained portals 
 Cometh his laureate, rise the immortals ; 
 Thronging up the ocean-aisles, where light shines low, 
 Past the rosy pillars of mountains aglow. 
 Hark, they come I 
 67 
 
58 SUN-BURIAL. 
 
 With measured rise and fall the flaring torches grow 
 The distant trumpets grieve in swelling notes of woe— 
 
 Hark, they come I 
 Solemnly, solemnly, the echoes die, the echoes die — 
 
 Hark, they come I 
 By land and sea. to glorify the evening sky, 
 The gemmed flotilla moves, the marching host draws 
 nigh— 
 
 Hark, they coiiie / 
 
 Bright forms in golden galleys anchor all 
 
 Around the dead Sun's crimson pall — 
 
 Many a dragon-prow pavilioned rare, 
 
 Many a pearl-tint sail furled from the air, 
 
 Down-slanting myriad oars, countless as wheat, 
 
 Soft doubled on the mirroring water-sheet — 
 
 Yea, Titan shadows of long vanished years 
 
 Uplift uncounted pennoned spears ; 
 
 Stands the Contemplant Spirit, laurel-crowned ; 
 
 The shepherded flocks of Memory 
 
 Deepen wide around 
 
 And high above the sunken luminous canopy 
 
 Where lieth the Sun in state, 
 
 Under the arch of the western gate. 
 
 One will the torch apply ; 
 
 And all the wide sullen sky 
 
 Clothing itself in rapid tints sublime. 
 
 Will light the darkened footsteps keeping time 
 
 To movements vast and slow. 
 
SUN-BURIAL. 69 
 
 Like (lark-clad nuns in cloisters singing. 
 
 Singing low. 
 Pass the Night Hours, chanting psalms*. 
 Folded meek their saintly palms 
 On each white and holy breast, 
 Expressive of their blessed rest, 
 And bringing 
 Peace, peace, over the wide unrestful deep ; 
 Peace, peace, and the golden calm of sleep. 
 
 HOURS OF THE FIRST WATCH. 
 
 Glitters cold the spray-light jostling o*er the sea ; 
 
 Lightly dance the Day Hours, madcap winds are free-' 
 
 But we still Night Hours breathe a deeper charm 
 
 O'er sea. o'er sky, o'er rocky steep. 
 
 The dayspring music fled. 
 
 When, like some master-spirit far ahead 
 
 Of all his time, one bold bright star 
 
 Gleams in the empty blue afar, 
 
 And, mindful of her darlings where they cling, 
 
 The lonely petrel dips a homeward wing 
 
 In crystal ridges of the wave-dark deep. 
 
 SPIRIT OF CONTEMPLAl ION. 
 {Speaking ) 
 Mortal, that standest on the naked height. 
 Sole watcher of the slow approach of Night, 
 All still, save ocean's waves calm-shaking after strife — 
 The grandeur of their great unrest 
 
-O SUN-BURIAL. 
 
 Is imaged in thy human breast 
 Heaving with immortality, and rife 
 With trembling hopes of thousand kinds. 
 Under the cliffs the wearied winds 
 Are singing themselves to sleep. 
 
 Unmindful if a storm be brewing on the deep ; 
 
 Even so thy heart may fold its wing secure — 
 Trustful, pure — 
 
 Yea, sing itself to sleep amid the storms of life. 
 
 HOURS OF THE MIDDLE WATCH. 
 
 ( Singing. ) 
 Encircled by a shade of rings 
 The spectral Moon o'erstares the land, 
 As 't were great Saturn nigh at hand 
 Foretelling dreadful things ; 
 The drifting cobweb of a cloud 
 Light tangled in a skein of stars ; 
 Next moment, when the gale is loud, 
 A heaven draped with somber bars ; 
 Wild winds that wreck the peace of Night, 
 And shake their furious music down 
 The uninhabited wastes of lonely shore, 
 Fleeing wildly from their own delight. 
 And shrieking fiendlike o'er 
 The sleep-deserted town : — 
 We be witnesses of sin 
 More innocent-seeming far than these — 
 Hujnan hearts asleep in deathful ease ; 
 Hence we be 
 
M B mo ry-f locks in mystic mEadoujs, 73 
 
72 
 
 SUN-BURIAL. 
 
 Slow to agree 
 Murder and Night are kin. 
 
 SPIRIT OF CONTEMPLATION. 
 
 {^Speakuig.^ 
 Mortal, in whose godlike breast 
 Stormy passions have their nest. 
 In still watches of the Night 
 Thou canst climb the mystic height 
 Thoughts that overlook the tops 
 
 Ofs immortality 
 
 Are born to thee, 
 And Life her mask half drops. 
 Would ye bear the wormy shroud. 
 The certain end. without repining .-' 
 
 To see its silver lini 
 
 ng- 
 
 HOURS OF THE LAST WATCH. 
 
 {Sitiging) 
 Romantic shapes of flying mist 
 Over the silver-crested wave 
 Darken and lighten as they list ; 
 The vivid stars are brave ! 
 Stemming the currents of the dark 
 While sliding cloud-racks pass away. 
 As they fain would wait to mark 
 Far o'er the ocean's rayless vacancv 
 The rosy touches of a dawn begun. 
 And resurrection of the rekindled Sun, 
 
SVN-BURIAL. 73 
 
 SPIRIT OF CONTEMPLATION. 
 {Speaking?) 
 Mortal ! mortal ! 
 All transfigured on the softened height; 
 Lost in the overflow of setting light. 
 While the fleecy Moon steps from her portal 
 Abroad in the fields of Night — 
 Dost thou not think, thus lonely on the shore, 
 Of many a fair hope set to rise no more? 
 
 Passing by, the Night Hours sing 
 Of the varied moods they bring, 
 Meantime the o'ershadowing sky 
 Changing in shape, and its glory beginning to die ; 
 Slow dieth the last faint psalm. 
 
 Life hath a sunset of her own 
 
 More solemn, ay, more grand ! — 
 A palace of rest where the breast makes never moan ; 
 Tieyond the gloom of the tomb a great white Hand 
 
 Lays on the wearied spirit balm. 
 
 {Addressing the shado7as.) 
 Downward let your banners slant. 
 All ye gods of shadow ! Chant, 
 Titan shadows, thronging shadows : 
 Land-locked shapes in jeweled cars ; 
 Memory-flocks in mystic meadows; 
 Bright forms in flaming galleys anchored all 
 Around the dead Sun's crimson pall— 
 
74 
 
 SUN-BURIAL. 
 
 Let your blended voices rise 
 Like organ-music to the skies. 
 While these glories pass away, 
 And the fair-garmented young Day 
 Departs a white spirit upward through the stars. 
 
 CHORUS OF IMMORTALS. 
 
 Thy golden links are broken, 
 
 Far scattered from the sea ; 
 
 Thy race is run, O Sun ! 
 
 Dark waters cover thee. 
 
 The Moon shall set her token, 
 
 A path of silver bright. 
 
 On the wave that is thy grave, 
 
 Sad from the voiceless height ; 
 
 The faery-sandaled winds will pass 
 
 Light whispering above the grass. 
 
 And run along the limpid sea 
 
 In search of thee ; 
 
 And the leaves all shake. 
 
 And the waves sob strange. 
 
 Till the new Day break 
 
 On the cold gray range. 
 
 Where now slow Darkness throws 
 
 Her curtain of repose 
 
 Over the calm, calm sea, 
 Over the wide, wide sea. 
 
 Jinis. 
 
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