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f- COPYRlCilT DEPOSES LYRICS AND SONNETS BY DOROTHY WHIPPLE pi 1912- 1914 PRIVATELY PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS 1914 -.A35^^ ^"^^'^..Oc COPYRIGHT, I9I4, BY DOROTHY WHIPPLE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DEC -4 1914 ©CI.A3878^^'i 4^0 / DEDICATED TO MY MOTHER CONTENTS To MY Mother i To MY Father 2 To MY Mother 3 Dawn 4 The Evening Prayer .... 5 The Soul of the Daffodils ... 6 What is? 7 A Woman 8 Sapientia, Donum Dei .... 9 To MY Father 10 A Valentine 11 Betty's Little Sister . . . .12 The Sculptor's Dream . . . .13 Summer 14 Fall Fires 15 Thanks for Beautiful Music . .16 Evening 17 Inspiration 18 A Wedding Anniversary . . .19 In Solitude 20 V CONTENTS Love Me 21 Pain I 22 Pain II 23 Shadows 24 Peace 25 Beloved, I have met and have communed 26 The Appeal to the Great Spirit . . 27 Echo 29 Homer 30 Alone 31 A Loved Spot 32 Music of the Spheres . . . . 34 Tides 35 Song 36 Imagination 37 Aspiration 38 Desire 39 Song 40 The Rainbow Bridge . . . .41 A Tear 42 Suffering 43 One by One 44 To 45 The Bird's Nest 46 vi CONTENTS Grief 47 Dreams 48 A Morning Prayer . . . .50 A Song 52 The Dawn of a Soul . . . .53 Hope 54 Memory 55 Death 56 To . . . . . . .57 To Grandmother 58 Lincoln 59 The Statesman 60 Thoughts 61 Change 62 Absent? 64 Serenade 65 Contemplation 66 Sonnet to Rome 67 A Prayer 68 FAIRIES AND CHILDREN Fairyland 71 Rose-Dreams 73 The Frog 74 vii CONTENTS Dolly's Picnic 75 The Naughty Buttercup . 77 The Duck and the Turkey 78 When I Woke Up . 79 Sparks 8o The Chicken . 8i A Waking Child . 82 Rosebud Cradle . 83 Fancy 84 A Question . 85 The Maiden . 86 Visions . 88 The Mother's Visio N . 89 A SEQUENCE OF SONNETS Beloved, when I dream upon the day . 93 I LOOK INTO THINE EYES, DEAR HEART, AND SEE 94 Beloved, this one eve hath been for me 95 Fair evening star, thou sawest all my BLISS 96 o my beloved, as i slept last night . 97 Ah, tell me, was this bliss all one fond DREAM? 98 CONTENTS A WHISPER IN THE PINE TREES FAR AWAy! 99 MY BELOVED, THIS BLEST DAY IS DONE 100 1 THANK THEE FOR THY LETTER THAT TO ME lOI Beloved, as I watched the sun last NIGHT 102 Dearest, the tender hand of Memory 103 Ah, Love, what if the world had ended THERE 104 Dear one, I feel our lives have grown apart 105 Forgive me, O my friend, I pray thee, do 106 Bright spirit of the star-kissed, dusky NIGHT 107 What though my lips would utter one FOND word 108 I COULD NOT SPEAK LAST NIGHT MY LOVE TO THEE 109 Beloved, wilt thou come to me this night i 10 Ah, me, I WISH I HAD THE STRENGTH TO DO III Yet, DEAR, I CANNOT BEAR TO THINK OF THEE 112 Dear Friend, I come to thee for one LAST WORD 113 ix CONTENTS So THOU ART GONE — NOR DO I MOURN ALONE 114 Dear by-gone days that make sweet echoes rise ii5 i dare not take it from between the LEAVES 116 LYRICS AND SONNETS TO MY MOTHER I LISTENED to the music of the night, Its mystic cadences of sound that rose; I saw the lilies' drooping petals close. And, Dear Heart, there in radiant delight I thought of thee, and wondered if I might Speak the next day in eloquent echoes Of such sweet strains to thee, or love with those Deep silent powers of the soft starlight. I thought, if when the petals of my life were furled, By breaths of silent, pregnant thought, the world So pleasing distant, how dream-sweet 't would be To find within my heart a wish for thee ; A birthday prayer that should expression find In one love-fragrant kiss borne on hope's wind. TO MY FATHER Oh, my beloved, is there nothing I Can do to prove my endless love for thee? Nothing I might say or think that would be Full adequate to thank thee for the high And manifold gifts of soul wrought by Thy hand, of character thou hast giv'n me? Thy life is like the ocean waves, and we. Whom God hath favored so and thus brought nigh. Quiver in golden happiness each time We feel a freshening wave come surging in. Father, how slight each petty care doth seem Lost in the vastness of thy love sublime. The wave withdraws so then within We see love's golden sands of light agleam. TO MY MOTHER Mother, the hours I spend apart from thee Serve only to intensify the bUss I feel when thou art near. I acquiesce; This separation God hath meted me In his great wisdom, knowing that to be Apart, yet ever bound by our last kiss Together, is the surest bond. And this. Too, is the supreme test of loyalty And love. True love that like the ocean wave Is ever curling up to kiss the beach. Bright love that like the first fair star above Suggests a glimpse of some new world, and paves A star-path 'cross the sky by which we reach The land of our heart's desire, O my love. DAWN Whispering winds from far away — Listen, soft voices at break of day! The ocean lies like a child asleep, Wonderful, wide, mysterious, deep The morning star is lost to view. In the rosebud sky, like a drop of dew ; The lily has opened her petals white. And breathed farewell to the dusky night. THE EVENING PRAYER A SENSE of holiness and peace, Of restfulness and sweet release, As if the bonds that kept us here In worry, pain, and constant fear. Fell away and left the mind Placid, open, while the wind Of holy inspiration blew, And fanned,' till life flamed forth anew. Soft melodious strains arise, In sacred cadence to the skies; Hymns of praise are sweetly chanted, Answers to our prayers are granted. And like flowers to the sun Our hearts open one by one To let God's great and holy love Pour down on them, from Heav'n above; What a sense of strength and power Thrills us in this blessM hour! THE SOUL OF THE DAFFODILS A GROUP of slender birches Whispering in the breeze, A host of golden daffodils That dream of the leafy trees. A soft, sweet breath of summer And shimmering fireflies That glide through the trembling birch leaves When a golden daffodil dies. Perhaps they're the souls of the flow'rs That dreamed of the trees above : Perhaps the leaves are their heaven And they're shining on there in love. WHAT IS? What is the heart? A mystery of love and bliss, A fragrant garden of the kiss, Warmed by the breeze of happiness. And what is love? An exultation of the soul, A dream that must include the whole, The binding link from pole to pole. What is a kiss? A blossom of the heart's desire, A dream to which we all aspire. The essence of a heart on fire. A WOMAN Her heart is as deep as the ocean, Her spirit as bright as the foam, Her laughter 's Hke rippUng waters, Her words the life of the home. Her fond eye forever is glowing And is filled with a holy light; We feel a deep, divine something Existing beyond our sight. She is tender, loving, and thoughtful, Nor ever assumes command, Knowing her infinite power lies In guiding those close at hand. SAPIENTIA, DONUM DEI When I consider what it means to know And also ponder on the thoughts that men, Great noble souls, have left the world, and when I follow up the tracks of time that show How all were journeying toward the golden glow Of knowledge, and realize that the gain Derived was great and infinite, I fain Could wish that all the world might freely go And take as freely of each precious thought That like a magic mixture changes life. With narrow views to outlooks over time Broad and uplifting. 'T is as if life, taught To stop a moment before the great strife. Leaped forth a hero, into the sublime. TO MY FATHER What Valentine shall I give to thee That will prove my love and constancy? Words are but honeycombs of the heart, And, dearest, I would my honey impart To thee. Not in vain words, but in the thought, The nectar that each day hath brought. Take it all and let it be A Valentine, my love, to thee. A wish from my heart's inner shrine Breathed, my beloved, into thine. 10 A VALENTINE Last night as I lay dreaming Of a valentine wish for thee, A tiny golden star-beam Came floating down to me. It trembled o'er my heart, dear, Then rose and flew away; Tell me, did you see a heart With golden wings to-day? II BETTY'S LITTLE SISTER It seemed like yesterday She lay there breathing soft and low- Like lilies when the warm winds blow. Now she has gone away. Over the sea of sleep, Into the purple shades of night, She journeyed from our weeping sight; Death's slumber is so deep. How sweet her baby smile. The warm pink lips that drew apart ; An angel taught her that sweet art And called to her the while. We must not be thus sad ; The valley of death's shadow passed, Her soul will be with God at last In purest soul robes clad. 12 THE SCULPTOR'S DREAM Day after day the sculptor's mind grew tired While toiling through the dimness of his tears Upon the dear, fond dream of many years. He saw the vision that his heart desired Of that pure soul to which his own aspired And once had loved, with love that so endears The being who creates it that when fears Long buried are unearthed, the heart once in- spired Sinks slowly in wild throbs of perfect pain, Leaving the world a pleasing afterglow. So with the sculptor, on the morn they found Him lying at the pure white feet again Of her he loved, — his own creation, though Not God's. And yet her lips were made for sound. 13 SUMMER Take me where soft breezes blow, Where the sweetest flov/ers grow, Where the tiger lily sways Lazily on summer days, Where the poppy, flaming red. Raises her luxuriant head, Where the purple clover bends With the honey-bee, and lends All the sweetness of her flower To his nature-given power. Let me lift my weary eyes To be strengthened by the skies Blue and distant, far away. They will bend so near one day. 14 FALL FIRES Summer is gone. The last bright autumn leaves Cling trembling to the naked boughs and bare ; It seems as if the beautiful and fair, The wild, fresh, natural life were dead. The trees Stand shivering in the keen autumnal breeze, While from the glowing fall-fire altars, there Below them, curling like mist clouds in the air, Rises the incense of burning leaves. These Were hopes. Ah, mortal soul, hast thou not, too. Had hours when fall fires smouldered in thy heart? When thou didst place upon the altar where The incense rose thy hopes and prayed anew To God for strength. Didst thou not feel fresh, rare New hope-leaves of spring inspiration start? 15 THANKS FOR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC Dear friend, we would express our thanks to thee For those most memorable and perfect hours That thou hast given us, with thy great pow'rs Of true production, of such melody That one must feel uplifted so to be Within its reach. Our hearts respond like flow'rs. Such melodies to them are sun and show'rs By which they may exist in purity. The garden of our dreams is fostered, too, By the sublime and perfect strains of song That echo sweetly and still are heard long After the music dies. Our thanks to thee We would might vibrate in thy memory, As in our souls thy music e'er will do. i6 EVENING A THOUSAND voices of the night Chanting to the waning Hght; The soft mists tremble o'er the lake And golden fireflies awake. A thousand voices blend in prayer, And float upon the eager air, Moonbeams falling on the world, Bear dream spirits dew impearled. 17 INSPIRATION Blow, breath of morning, blow In upon this dawn of snow; In upon the mists that keep All the world in silent sleep. Blow, gentle wind, until I can feel that wondrous thrill ; Till the sun shines forth anew, From the heavy mist of dew. Blow, breath of learning, blow Till the mind be all aglow. Till the mists be swept away And leave to dawn a perfect day. i8 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Ten years — two souls in contact day by day, The while life's petals drew themselves apart Revealed love's dewdrop cradled in the heart. What is there left for mortal man to say? God's angels are so near they seem to stay The faltering tongue that would impart Some words of blessing. Ah, thrice blest art Thou, dear souls! God's gifts pass not away, But fostered in the soul-shrine, sanctified By sweet pure thoughts, they grow each passing hour. Ennobled by the ever-present perfect power Of love, and God, indeed, hath glorified Thy lives — with children who each year express The fullness of thy souls, thy happiness. 19 IN SOLITUDE What is solitude? A chord struck by an angel hand, An echo from life's unknown strand, A dream-crowned moment God hath planned, And perfect peace. What is a thought? A God-suggested ray of light, Expression of the soul's insight, A miracle of rare delight, And child of solitude. What is a dream? A vision of what may not be, The mingling of reality Within the cup of mystery. The elixir of love. 20 LOVE ME Love me in the morning; love me, dear, at night When the moon shines on us in our supreme de- light. Speak and say you love me, whisper soft and low; Tell the birds that warble and the winds that blow; So I '11 hear you speaking wherever I may be And feel the thrill your presence brings ever unto me. I want to feel your arms, dear, holding me above AH the smallness of this life, lifting me to love. I want to feel your lips, dear, pressed close to mine, — Forget the world and everything except that I am thine. 21 PAIN I O God, I thank Thee for my hours of pain, The hours that bring thy being near to me, The hours when through my tears I seem to see My Saviour standing by. I search in vain, Or rather fail to search at all in joy. I fain Would suffer much so to be brought to Thee In deep repentance and humility. To feel the blessing of thy love again. To reap the rich rewards of quiet thought. To know the blessings of an answered prayer, To hearken for thy voice, take what thou hast taught And make it truly mine. To feel all care Fold itself like some fair flower and caught In to the bosom of the night sleep there. 22 PAIN II Such blessings are the children of our pain. And yet how hard it seems to bear the grief. How soon we kneel and pray for sweet relief, How soon God turns the dark to light again, And we ourselves, adrift upon the main Of selfish joy, forget the sweet belief We knew, forget the hours of thought — in brief, Forget all that was best. And what the gain? We toss about upon this sea of bliss A little while, only to find, at last. The storm has drifted us near an abyss But e'er we sink, we turn to God and cast Our weary beings, soul and body — this Is heaven — on God until the storm is past. 23 SHADOWS A SUNBEAM gliding from the sky Saw a shadowy dell close by, And longed to look within. Trembling with expectancy The sunbeam quivered near to see, But found no shadow there. A soul of love and spirit-light Searched for the shadow of life one night Under the soft moonbeams. Beautiful soul, didst thou not find That life's dark shadows, sin entwined, Vanished before thy purity? 24 PEACE Like stately clouds in the summer sky, Dear, dreamy memories come floating by ; We hear voices calling from far away, Sweet and low like the winds at play. Soft, warm rays from the setting sun Smile on the day that 's almost done; Comes a whisper from the lips of thought And a miracle of love is wrought. Soft, golden moonbeams all the night Bring us visions of deep delight; By angel songs, we find at dawn God's peace within our souls is born. 25 Beloved, I have met and have communed With those great souls who are endeared to thee, Whom thou hast known in those sweet hours when free From all the pettiness of life, thy soul festooned With flow'rs of hope and love, thy senses tuned To echo through the vast eternity. Thou spok'st with them of wonders still to be. Dear one, my very being is consumed With fear on thinking of what might have been. A throng of butterflies around one's head Could hide God's smiling heavens from the eyes; I pray that nothing now may come between The love I bear for those great souls long dead Who watched for accomplishments' great sunrise Glow on the pinnacle of perfection. 26 THE APPEAL TO THE GREAT SPIRIT Who brought thee here, O spirit of the wild, Surrounded by these glistening walls of white. Strange setting that must fain invite A moment's thought, that thou, a lonely child Of Nature, shouldst be here amidst the streams Of city passers? Even as I gaze at thee there seems To rise the golden mist of morning from the lake. I see the quivering birch leaves trembling shake, A startled deer that flees the arrow's sting, A camp-fire's gleam with dusky-faced ring, A swift canoe that shoots the rapid's foam. And dark-eyed maidens seem to watch and roam About thee in the moon of love. Beyond Thy utmost vision restful hills have donned Their soft, suggestive shades of misty spring. The very air about thee seems to sing With sounds of promise, hope, and life. What wonder that the hurried world's wild strife Seems lost on gazing at thy face upturned. Each for himself may take what is discerned. 27 THE APPEAL TO THE GREAT SPIRIT Ah, yes, — I thank whoever placed thee here, Appealing to the Spirit we hold so dear. 'T is well that we ourselves should search the skies And from them learn that Spirit's mysteries. ECHO An angel grieved in Heaven last night. Yet morning rose in shades of light. The glory of soft, dawn-kissed skies Was but an echo of angels' sighs. A heart was trembling in its pain Like meadow flow'rs before the rain. Two soft lips parted in a smile Echoing her grief the while. 20 HOMER Oh, winged words that hover in the skies Of noblest achievement day by day, Great minds are weaving networks that shall bear away Such sweet- voiced, soaring words as their own prize ; So, great poet of the mystic, sightless eyes, Within the confines of thy mind there lay With snowy wings at rest, no more a prey To slandering tongues, beautiful words and wise. Oh, father poet, who didst beg thy bread, Wand'ring from home to home, to-day, instead Of scanty crusts, men give the best they own. Their time and thought to thee, and what is known Of thy great works. How true it is indeed, That prophets lack all honor where they plead. 30 ALONE Alone, yet all my thoughts are floating out to thee, Like white gulls soaring near the purple sea; Alone, and yet I feel thy hand in mine, And gazing into space my eyes meet thine; Alone with God's fair angels bending near Whispering of thee, my love, I hold so dear, Thy voice is in the gentle evening breeze That like a dream-thought shimmers through the trees ; And in the silence of the evening calm I feel a soft melodious strain, a charm Singing itself into my soul of bliss, It is the golden cadence of thy kiss. 31 A LOVED SPOT Ah, my friend, we will not stay here; This is sacred ground, And the holy spirit, Memory, Still is hovering 'round. Not to-day nor yet to-morrow, — For my heart leaps up in flame When I go there and behold it Changed, yet ever more the same. Hear the water softly flowing. It was thus the day we stood Gazing with our eyes on fire At the cool depths of the wood. See the sunbeams on the water — How they dance with fairy glee. Ah, they danced within my own soul When my loved one was with me. Listen how the breeze is sighing. But I cannot bear to hear 32 A LOVED SPOT For the words it is repeating Bring but anguish and a tear. Yet I think it has been whispering Day by day our last good-bye, And my soul — I love it ! love it ! Shall I stop to wonder why? Burning pain and ardent longing, Soaring on the wings of prayer, Rise unto the height of Heaven, Find me peace and comfort there. MUSIC OF THE SPHERES Sometimes I dream of music far away, I think it is faint echoes from the dead, Whose souls create soft music overhead; Strange music of the spheres, we mortals say, Because we do not hear it in the day. But only when the stars have pleased to shed Their mystic glory round. Our souls are led On moonbeams guided by the lips that pray, On through the valley of death's deep shade Unto the land for which they long have prayed - Only a moment, for sleep is not death — And while we inhale this earthly breath Only the rare dreams of Paradise Before our fleeting sleep-fancy may rise. 34 TIDES My heart is even now at its flood tide; The pulsing waves of my most perfect bUss hide The little fragments lying on the beach And bury them beyond thy utmost reach. They wash past traces from the telltale sand And lay my hope upon the visible strand. Perhaps the fossils treasured in my soul Revealed as the chafing waters roll Back into the mystic heart of time Will seem to thee the forms of thoughtless crime. Perhaps the little shells that scattered lie Upon my heart, unknowing thou 'It pass by. They are, I wiss, but broken fragments, dear, Pink-tinted shells that hold a trembling tear. How couldst thou call them pearls, my own dear one? Yet they are fairer far 'neath love's warm sun. But still I fear lest the calm ebb shall be Empty and displeasing, O my love, to thee. Life is swayed by the swirling tides of chance And swept by the waves of restless circumstance. 35 SONG Ah, Love, thou art strong and quiet Like the sea when the day is done. I fear the storm of thy anger, But my love and fear are as one. Fear? Do we think of the flower As fearing the strong, fresh wind That sways her in perfect power? Ah, no, for she feels he is kind. We cannot think of a moonbeam As fearing the troubled sea, She lies for hours on his bosom. Ah, Love, I cannot fear thee. 36 IMAGINATION What shall I call thee, Sorceress of the heart? Lovely angel and dark demon combined, With powers of good and evil entwined. Thou two-faced Janus! who canst well impart Fair dreams of love, and in our beings start The fire of ambition. The frail mind Gives audience to thy pageants, till we find Enjoyment in the good, nor know apart, As played upon thy stage, the false and true. But, oh, that thy great precepts ended here; That jealousies, given birth by thee, few And fewer grew ; that friends we held so dear By trick of thine would not be lost. Endue Us, then, with brightest hope, not anxious fear. 37 ASPIRATION All *s over, all the pain and sickening grief; The struggle, too, is o'er, and I am weak. My God, it is thy wondrous love I seek, I know that it alone can bring relief. And yet how dare I hope — mine unbelief Hath been so great, I dare not speak To Thee, coming from the highest, coldest peak, Of jealousy. Ah, God, I would as lief That I were dead. I called not on Thee then But now, death-weak and in my pain, when All is over and the night is dark. I listen through the long hopeless hours ; hark ! A star voice, and it softly says to me, " Poor soul, thy God is even now near thee." 38 DESIRE My soul's dream like a summer cloud came by, Floating in dull suspense 'midst the deep blue, The ether of my life. God only knew. A prayer was wafted to Him on a sigh From out a broken heart, and He, thereby, Realized the rare soul-dream. I little knew That 't was God's sanction made the dream come true. I only felt my heart's desire nigh, And all my being trembled with delight. The world seemed far away, a sphere of light Glowing and filled with every rainbow shade. With dizzy streaks that swirl and gleam and fade ; Then came a sudden grief and cleft the sphere. My soul's dream vanished, and was gathered in a tear. 39 SONG The spray from the waves in our heart leaps high And forms a tear in the trembling eye. The love of our soul leaps up, I wiss, And falls in a rainbow spray — a kiss. 4.0 THE RAINBOW BRIDGE I WAS thinking of a birthday wish That I might send to thee, A rainbow that should touch thy heart And bridge it o'er for me. I thought how sweet a thing 't would be To have our love combine To create a lovely rainbow — All thy dear love and mine. And then each day when the hours Seemed long, and trying, too. Our hearts could cross our rainbow bridge And love as hearts must do. And whenever they made the journey The precious jar of gold Would be at the end of the rainbow With blessings all untold 41 A TEAR O MY soul, when falls the night, Take thy tender, dear delight. Let the angel Memory Hover gently over thee. Let God's spirit kiss thy face, Dim through tears and dim through space; Kiss the lips that seem to smile. Sweet, my soul, dream on the while. Morning wakes us, soul of fear; God gives sanction to a tear Falling, and the sunrise far Takes it to the morning star. 42 SUFFERING Deep silence of the thoughtful, mystic night! Ah, God, I heard a low, sad voice crying — It was the last strange call. Some one is dying, And this is Christmas Eve. Starlight, Moonbeams, gather all your rays, and bright With glory flash into this heart sighing And moaning. Ah, God, who is it dying? Alone in the depths of life's somber light. Child of the world, with nature close to thee Canst thou not feel the pulsing arm of pain Crushing weak human souls ; they strive in vain Against its cruel clutch — canst thou not see Day after day the toilers come and go, Watching through self-denial's eyes thy pomp and show? 43 ONE BY ONE One by one the soft, golden leaves Fall in the sunlight from the trees. And one by one my thoughts float by Like rainbow bubbles to the sky. One by one fond memories rise And visions charm my dreaming eyes. One by one old friends draw near — Friends I love and hold so dear. One by one Heaven imparts Perfect blessings to our hearts. 44 TO God, I thank thee for a new-found friend Whom Thou in thy great goodness didst send To me. One more true soul that I can trust, One more dear life that I may watch, and must, By the great laws of friendship, serve and love. Dear Lord, thy fairest gift from Heaven above 1 humbly receive, render Thee a prayer Of thanks and gratitude for Thy fond care That brought our lives together, and then, too, That Thou wilt teach me ever to be true, Trusting, helpful, loving, sincere, and strong. That this new friendship may be deep and long. 45 THE BIRD'S NEST I FOUND a little bird's nest 'neath a tree. Would it seem strange if I should tell thee how That little nest seemed like my life, now Empty of four delicate joys to me So dear? And do you ask what they may be? Well, first, God's holy love full sweet enow, And then the blessing of home life, and thou, Love, near. Ah, great and pure my love for thee! And then there was such perfect peace and rest. Now they are gone. I cannot think 't was best. And yet the breeze of spring is breathing low, A certain tender happiness I know Is mine. Memory is a gentle bird. She came And, oh, her breast is warm, — though not the same. 46 GRIEF Ah, Grief, since first thou curled thyself within The confines of my soul and careless brought The tender edges round thee till they wrought A chrysalis, I have felt a new strange life begin, A life of pain and struggling with sin ; A life that seems to grapple with all thought Of peace and love, as if the soul were caught And held by some strange power that entered in. It seems I cannot teach my heart to love This unknown form of grief or bear such pain ; But, O my soul, be patient yet awhile, — The butterfly that floats and soars above The torn and empty chrysalis, will gain New power and strength from heavenward flights the while. 47 DREAMS A HOPE that we must sacrifice, A dream of forgotten tragedies, A death-pale face before our eyes, And this is pain. A whisper from the far away, Fond visions of another day; A yearning of the heart to pray. And this is longing. A moment when all worries cease, A scene of restfulness and peace, Of isolation and release. And this is prayer. A love thought flashing through the heart, A dream in which, dear one, thou art The radiant and perfect part, And this is hope. 48 DREAMS A vacillating memory, A dream of past and still to be, A breath of the eternity, And this is life. A MORNING PRAYER That to-day may be spent In the presence of thy great, perfect calm, That Thou wilt lead me ever, and guide me from all harm, That Thou wilt make me loving in everything I do. Help me to be loyal, thoughtful, strong, and true. Help me to do for every one that which best I may. To make some lives the happier as lived from day to day. Grant me an understanding of all that I would know. Let me see what best to keep and what best to let go. Help me to be loyal to each precious friend Whom Thou in thy great mercy unto me didst send. In Jesus' name I ask it, and that I may learn to pray 50 A MORNING PRAYER With all my heart and soul in the truest, holiest way, O Christ, our Intercessor, intercede for me. Cleanse me of my many sins and set my spirit free. A SONG When my eyelids close, Love, Come thou unto me Like a soft, white rose. Love, Wet with purity. And gently on my lips, Love, Press thy saving kiss, E'er the darkness leads me Into death's abyss. 52 THE DAWN OF A SOUL O BREATH of morning, fan to life The sleeping powers in me. O golden sunrise, flood my eye That I may ever see Thy glorious light before me And feel the wondrous thrill That broke on me when thy splendor First rose o'er the distant hill. O spirit of my pine tree. Enter into me, Make me strong and trustful. Make me glad and free. O God, who caused the morning To dawn from depths of night, Take Thou my soul and teach it To rise and create light. 53 HOPE Fair bubble In the ether of delight Still floating in our dream of happiness ! How beauteous are the rainbow tints of bliss That surge within the mystic sphere, now light, Now full and lustrous, as our hope grows bright With the joy of expectation. Ah, this Is the fatal moment — a fairy's kiss Perhaps too lovingly imparted and night Ensues. The distant vista of our dreams Vanishes into the empty air. Sad And unlovely seems the world, yet see, Where the bubble fell a new hope gleams ! Breathe upon it, lonely soul, and be glad; 'T is thus we hope for all eternity. 54 MEMORY I THOUGHT the germ of joy was dead in me; But some fair angel, knowing how I prize The golden dreams to which Mem'ry giveth rise, Breathed into my sad soul a melody So sweetly chanted that I seemed to see A glimpse of the dim past before my eyes And visions of a future Paradise. How vain and foolish, yet how radiantly Sublime! Sweet, dreamy-eyed Oblivion, Thy hand was on my brow of fevered pain, And thou didst ever entertain The garish present that I might commune With those true souls I love to dream upon ; They meet me sometimes now in starlit hours Among the soft moonbeams and fragrant flow'rs. 55 DEATH Death, great and powerful! all life must die. Whatever feels that wondrous thrill must know Thy touch, O Death, endure thy cruel blow That ever is inflicted. We would ask why? There is no answer, only, "all must die." Yet what is death that we should here below In pain and horror fear its powers so? The grave is but a gateway to the sky! Thus let us look upon the death of hope; We suffer keenly while we bury each Fond wish, and then in darkness seem to grope. For a sad time, life is drifted beyond reach Of all that's good, and lets the dark envelope Till some new dawn of hope shall fill the breach. 56 TO Dear soul, thy earthly strife is o'er, Nor pain or wrong can harm thee more ; Our grief would almost seem to be Unbearable, but happily When the cloud of bitter grief Shall pass away, the sweet relief Of perfect trust in God will bring Thanks for such a blessed thing As Christian death. This earthly life. With all its trials, pain, and strife. Is but a step by which we rise To God, to Christ, and Paradise. 57 TO GRANDMOTHER Her soul I know is in heaven, but her presence is very near; The light of her perfect life is forever shining clear ; I feel, as I gaze at midnight up to those worlds beyond, That I see her face in the starlight, the look so calm and fond. And when at eve I am praying, God opens the golden gate, And I see her, a beautiful angel whom we have lost of late. In the peaceful and thoughtful hours I hear her speak to me Of Paradise, of Heaven and all its mystery. I can faintly remember her with us, the dear, strong, kind face Filled with the soul's animation of holiness and grace. And now, as I call upon her in the realms above, I see her made more holy by God's most perfect love. 58 LINCOLN Great soul, we would commune with thee, Render our thanks, and strive to be Inspired by the thought of all That bade thee answer the great call Which came to thee in words of light Dawning from slavery's darkest night. Our country's voice will never be Silent in her praise of thee For the work that thou hast done In making this great country one. And thou, great master in the strife, For the supreme cause gav'st thy life, Ever selfless that we might be Confirmed in strength and liberty. And to-day we would renew The thanks that truly are thy due. 59 THE STATESMAN Great as the ocean he must be and strong, With depths that swallow up the foam of chance, Thought waves that lash the shore of circum- stance. He must have power to divert all wrong, To work unceasingly and labor long. In short, give all his life to see advance Great works beneath his enterprising glance. To him the love of Nature must belong, The vision of the greatest and the best, Deep woods and lofty mountains, — so the rest Of life in measuring to that perfect height Must stand the test or vanish in the light Of higher worth. And his ideal shall be Made living by the breath of liberty. 60 THOUGHTS A HOST of golden fireflies That shimmer through the trees, How bright their little lights show Against the cool, dark leaves! Perhaps they're thoughts the great tree Dreamed over all the day, But were only given expression After the light died away. 'T is thus with many a mortal: In the darkest hours of all The inquisitive world that is watching Sees a light in the soul's dark hall. 6i CHANGE Is that her baby shoe? It must, indeed, have been full long ago She wore it. Look at the little toe Rubbed and worn, Scratched and torn. She wore it — that is true. She never will again. That little shoe with which she kicked the chair Because she fell on it, is lying there, Watching her feet Lead her to meet A new and greater pain. Was that her baby smile? Ah, it was long ago that she smiled so! Before she had to suffer and to know Of life and love — When Heaven above Was blissfully near the while. 62 CHANGE She does not smile so now. There is a new, sad sweetness bom of pain. Ah, no! I ask not for the baby smile again — We do not sigh For the butterfly Who leaves the cocoon on the bough. ABSENT? It is an inspiration, dear, to feel That thou art near me every night and day In thought, although thou may'st be far away In person. 'T is my joy to break the seal Of the subconscious mind and then appeal To thy keen senses, while I softly pray To God, the great transmitter, that He may Forever keep this bond of nature real, Intense, and vivid, so I may commune With thee, beloved, and with spirits bright Keep the instruments of the soul in tune To operate in silence through the night. I count it as a priceless, precious boon And from it breathe the essence of delight. 64 SERENADE Mellow moonlight on the sea; Golden, tender thoughts of thee. Starlight, starlight, far away. Smile upon my love, I pray. Dreams of bliss and dreams of pain Kiss her longing soul again. Memory, of the dreamy eyes, Speak of my lost Paradise. 65 CONTEMPLATION What was I in the other life? What shall I be? And must we always have the strife? Ah, wait and see! The past and future, God, are thine. So let it be. The golden present that is mine, Go carefully. In the vast and great hereafter All hatred dies ; Love is crowned in all her glory By self-sacrifice. 66 SONNET TO ROME Majestic City of the distant past, Now is thy fire of glory burning low, Smouldering 't is true, and yet we know Only too well that from such sparks at last And from the full and time-rich splendor cast Upon the world by thee, we feel a glow Which makes us recognize how much we owe To thy great example. Thou art the mast Of every ship of state that sets its sail To ride upon development's wide sea. And in thy mighty ruins we may learn How discipline and firm, just law entail Upon the struggling nations liberty That mingles with obedience high and stern. 67 A PRAYER A PRAYER for my loved one — what shall it be? That she may have a life of happiness, Love, and perfect peace? Ah, no, for this Is vain and foolish. Tell me, what if we Were happy always — no suffering — Ah, me! What an unsightly pool of stagnant bliss We 'd be, no influx — no wild wind to hiss And lash the waters into foam. For thee, O best belovM, I will make this prayer: — That thou shalt have thy share of pain. But, O my love, that God will give thee power Silently to suffer and Christ-like bear It all. To love — to trust — and thus to know And meet him face to face in each dark hour. 68 FAIRIES AND CHILDREN FAIRYLAND Where is the land of fairies? I would I might go there to-night And play with the beautiful spirits Till the rosy morning light. When I reached the rainbow gateway I would ask for the dreamland queen, She would come from a dusky shadow In robes of shimmer and sheen. She would stand a moment before me, Then stretch out her soft white hand. And twining her arms about me Would lead me to fairyland. At first my eyes would be dazzled By the wondrous opal light, And my heart would throb like a sunbeam And quiver in glory bright. Before me upon his throne. With the moonlight in his eyes, 71 FAIRYLAND I would see the king of sleep-land, And his fairies the "drowsy sighs." And then we should hear faint music, Like raindrops that fall from the eaves And mingle with the murmur Of telltale whispering leaves. The fairies sing so sweetly. At nights when the moon is high, Some folks who are listening, Call it the song of the sky. Their wings are like mists of the morning. With colors of every hue, Their eyes are like little diamonds. Or delicate drops of dew. They dance like the breath of evening, In circles beneath the trees; In truth, I have heard some that say "Oh, feel the soft evening breeze." They sail on the golden moonbeams, And glide on the starlit sea; How wonderful are the fairies. And how perfect their lives must be! ROSE-DREAMS I USED to think this little stream Came 'way from Fairyland Because, as I watched the shadows Float on the golden sand, I thought I saw strange elfin shapes That smiled and threw a kiss. Then, gurgling, hurried down the brook To the sea of mystic bliss. Then once I saw a rose leaf Come floating down the stream Bearing a tiny elf sprite. The spirit of a dream. That night I dreamed of sunbeams And roses of delight. I saw the little fairy, too. That radiant, dream-kissed night. 73 THE FROG There was a lovely, big, green frog, Who lived in a sparkling brook. Each evening when our Mary passed She stopped to have a look. One night she saw a great big stone Where her froggie used to sit, And Mary thought that her green frog Must surely be under it. Gently she lifted the stranger stone, And there to her surprise A little man all dressed in green Stood before her eyes. He looked so much like froggie That at last she dared to speak. But that small man all dressed in green Did n't even squeak. At last (he seemed so very still) She let the big stone fall. Her own green frog glided out And he was n't a man at all! 74 DOLLY'S PICNIC Dolly had a picnic out on the lawn to-day, She asked the neighbors' dolUes all to come and play, But one poor, ragged little one did n't have a dress, She stood outside the garden gate and wept in her distress. Her cheeks were pale and dirty, she only had one eye, I felt so badly for her it almost made me cry. Then all at once I saw a doll dressed in silk and lace. With golden curls of lovely hair so soft about her face. She was a very pretty doll, with bright blue, smil- ing eyes, That saw the little poor one and she heard her longing sighs. In all her lovely silk and lace she climbed the garden gate. And brought the ragged stranger in as her own little mate. 75 DOLLY'S PICNIC Only the dollies* angel can know what a perfect day The little raggety doll had and the love she bore away. THE NAUGHTY BUTTERCUP The buttercup was dreaming all last night, She ate too much before she went to bed, A "skeeter" bumped her little golden head Because he could n't see by the starlight. She woke this morning cross as she could be, Sweet daisy said, " Good-morning, Buttercup. " The naughty flower turned her petals up And hurt the daisy's feelings awfully. 77 THE DUCK AND THE TURKEY The duck and the turkey had a squabble As to who knew best how to gobble. The duck said, "Quack, quack, Dear old Turk, you are slack, And you Ve not an aristocratic wabble." "Gobble, gobble," said the turkey in reply, "You cannot strut as beautifully as I, With my delicate long feet I can walk just as neat As the dainty girl who just passed us by." "Quack, quack," said the little duck once more, "This argument was started I am sure On the subject of our gobbles. Not of our different hobbles. Let me prove mine with this grain upon the floor." 78 WHEN I WOKE UP Feet are funny things, are n*t they? - Walking, walking, all the day. I wonder what they think at night When mother dear puts out the light. Once when I was fast asleep I felt one of my bad feet creep Softly over to the edge, It nearly tumbled o'er the ledge. It jumped so hard before it fell I woke, but could n't seem to tell Where it was. "Oh, dear!" I said, ** To-morrow I must stay in bed; I cannot walk without my leg. I'll have to get a wooden peg." Well, luckily, when I awoke My foot was there and not a spoke. I was as glad as I could be That my own foot was still with me. 79 SPARKS What do you see in the fire? Look at the golden flame And see the enchanted castle, The fortress without a name. A fair^^ lives in the castle, Singing day and night, Beautiful songs of sorrow And songs of rare delight. She is called the fain.' of dreamland ; And see, a tiny spark Has flown far up the chimney. And is lost in the realms of the dark. Do you think the spark is lost, dear? Oh, no, 't is a dream for thee. And to-night you will learn a secret Taught by the dream fair^^ And be told of the beautiful dream sparks That the star fairies bring each night, They nestle into thy heart's depths And twinkle till morning's light. 80 THE CHICKEN I WONDER why the chicken Is so funny when she drinks. She takes the water in her bill, Then never stops and thinks, But puts her head away 'way back And holds it there until The water has all run away Down her small red hill. A WAKING CHILD Dear child, I watched thee in thy sleep but now And felt some strange and holy presence nigh, As if thy guardian angel, passing by, Paused for one moment to kiss thy fair brow. I almost thought I saw her gently bow And let her wings in quiet splendor lie About thee, precious one, so that thy sigh Of blissful baby joy would seem enow To rustle the soft down. Ah, God was near Guarding thy peaceful sleep. Thy wide, blue eyes On opening gazed at me, fresh with dew Of fair, Elysian flow'rs and that mild, clear Look of innocent question showed surprise As though beholding something wholly new. 82 ROSEBUD CRADLE My soul slept in a rosebud all last night. I felt it float away like a dream thought And gazing after, I beheld it caught And folded in the blossom out of sight, For hours it lay a-quiver with delight Against the velvet petals wondrous wrought. Nor once until the glad fresh day dawned sought To leave its bower. Then with the first warm light Of morning, when the petals drew apart, A dawn-kissed breath was wafted back to me; Only a fragrance then, now come to be A soul of rose-shades and dream-laden thoughts. Exultantly thrilling with the honey rose-draughts. Ah, my poor soul, go thou and sleep each night Within a flow'r, — God keeps His flow'rs of light. 83 FANCY Fond realm of fancy where our dreams come true, 'T is pleasant wand'ring in the mystic light Of thy cool groves. Many the coveted sights We see, many the wondrous deeds we do, When hope is whispering of a radiant, new Wish. Far distant in the dim blue shades of night Rises the peak of realization's height. The dreams that reach it, sad to say, are few. They hover 'round like sea gulls in the air, Uttering soft, languid cries until they die. Leaving a rainbow hope — a trembling sigh — Within the heart from which they came. Such fair Yet sad mementoes we may take away And foster till we dream another day. 84 A QUESTION "Mother, what makes the rose so pink With the sparkling tear in her eye?" "Listen, dearest, and you shall know, How one mystic day gone by, "A tender, loving evening breeze Kissed her and went his way, The rose blushed pink and a sparkling tear Filled her soul from that day." 85 THE MAIDEN She was a flower in herself, A dainty little woodland elf, With every charm that Nature lends To those who fain would be her friends. When she drew near, one seemed to see Each lovely flower perfectly Reproduced, and music sweet Swayed the motions of her feet. The wild rose lent its dainty pink To her fair, soft cheeks, I think. And the buttercup turned its chalice of gold Upon her beautiful hair, I 'm told. The cardinal flower kissed her lips, And fondled her dainty finger tips. The pine tree breathed its spirit wild Into the heart of the lovely child. The little fawn with dreamy eyes Gazed on her in rapt surprise ; Her deep brown eyes gave back the look As lovely as the one she took. As full of innocent love and light, 86 THE MAIDEN Of dreamy beauty and delight. The lily with its purity Steeped her soul of a surety And heaven bent to be close by And guard her virgin purity. VISIONS Half buried in the mystic realm of thought She lay, the while bright visions came and went; Fair dreams on whose fulfillment deep intent Fluttered and quivered, like gay fairies caught In snares of something low and common wrought. From such fair dreams great strength to her was sent To soar on the wings of disappointment; For often, when her wildest fancy led Her to dwell on things which might not be, She felt an overpowering hand restrain, And angel voices whispering, which said, "Dear child, these dazzling dreams are not for thee. Thine rather is the sweetness of borne pain." 88 THE MOTHER'S VISION Peace, perfect peace, for this is Christmas Day, Love, holy love, sweet tender thoughts of Thee, Dear Christ, and of thy loved ones. See The walls are bright with holly, and away Over the fields of snow are souls that pray For all this Christmas Eve most lovingly. I see an angel standing 'neath a tree, That takes the semblance of a cross. And stay, She holds a spray of holly in her hand ; She smiles and we are left to understand The rest. What mean those ragged leaves of thorn And drops of scarlet? When our Lord was born An angel laid upon the mother's breast. This emblem of His anguish and her test. 89 A SEQUENCE OF SONNETS Beloved, when I dream upon the day, That dear and sacred day when I met thee And felt thy overwhelming purity Sink deep into my soul and wash away Each petty stain upon my life, I pray To God since then that thou, dear one, may'st be Forever near to guide and strengthen me In all fine ways that holy friendship may. Perhaps I never knew until that hour What manifold sweet charms true friendships lend; But now God knows I recognize that pow'r And render fervent thanks for my dear friend In whom I find a precious, priceless dower Of love, and feel all joys of Heaven blend. 93 I LOOK into thine eyes, dear heart, and see Such sacred holy depths of love that ere My longing heart has fully grown aware From hidden coals long latent within me I feel a warmth and glow. Thy purity, Dear, would seem to flood my being; I care Not what becomes of me, and so I dare, Still gazing fondly in thine eyes, to be All that God and thou couldst ask. I move, dear, In a sweet dream of pure delight and bliss, Feeling, my own beloved, thee, so near And the fond touch of thy inspiring kiss Healing each wound and calming every fear And bringing a heaven of happiness! 94 Beloved, this one eve hath been for me So full, so perfect, so sublimely sweet I hardly feel these empty words are mete To thank God for the hours I spent with thee. 'T was a breath from the vast eternity Touching my longing soul like music fleet. , And these sacred echoes I hear repeat Themselves o'er and o'er, while I seem to see The same stars of wonder that met my eyes And feel the same warm breeze that touched my face — A breath from the heavens that brought to me A blessing, a fair dream of paradise ! The leaves were a-tremble about the place, O dear one, as my heart was before thee. 95 Fair evening star, thou sawest all my bliss; I watched thy mystic light that quivered o'er Us as we trembling — op'd love's golden door; For, my belovM, 't was thy perfect kiss That proved the magic key and made of this Drear world a paradise, while evermore The angels of deep adoration pour Into my longing soul true happiness. Ah, God was good to us who gave such love Its birth within the mortal soul's confine; 'T is like a fragile chrysalis that holds Until one magic hour a grub. Above Our heads we next behold the butterfly. And God the wondrous mystery unfolds. 96 MY beloved, as I slept last night 1 felt a gentle hand pressed over mine. Knowing that angels have a touch divine, I trembled lest this visitation might Be that of death. I thought I felt my sight Grow dim, — a voice called from another clime. I thought it, too, was death's — but it was thine. And all my soul was bathed in golden light. The voice of love and death seem oft the same, Perhaps because God's spirit prompts them both ; A sigh escaped my lips of trembling bliss And wove itself into thine own dear name. God's lovely radiant angel, as if loath To leave, smiled down and left a bright star-kiss. 97 Ah, tell me, was this bliss all one fond dream? Or, sweetheart, didst thou really come to me Last night and take my hand full tenderly In thine, and when I would withdraw it, deem It all too soon? — Ah, me, such visions seem So real — I feel the pressure still and see Thine eyes that held my gaze so lovingly Like the soft mystic light of a moonbeam. my beloved, thou art strong and true; 1 love thee with a love that cannot die; I love thee as the flowers love the sun And turn to it for strength in all they do. I love thee as our Lord hath taught me, aye. He bade me love thee e'en when life is done. 98 A WHISPER in the pine trees far away! They are calling, O my love, unto thee. A heaving in the bosom of the sea! Soft breezes sighing at the break of day! Full well I know what these soft breezes say. A soul-breath fresh from tender memory And golden thoughts of radiant love wafts free From thought-sealed lips which cannot seem to say E'en three short words, " I love thee." Strange it seems When all my heart is overflowed with bliss And rainbow dreams of perfect happiness, That I must let the silence of my heart Strive to speak for me and thus impart To thee my love with all its tender dreams. 99 MY belovM, this blest day is done; The evening shadows steal upon the world, The waters that have chafed all day lie curled And sleep like white rose petals 'neath the sun, Who lays his ruddy fingers, one by one. Upon the placid surface. My thoughts are furled Like close-kept parchments while night, star-im- pearled. And rich in mystery, is just begun. It seems as if the leaves of Mem'ry fell Apart, as 't were by magic, while I pray To God that He will grant me such a day Again. Ah, Hope, thou hast I know full well, Climbed far too high, on Realization's height, Thy radiant colors vanish from my sight. 100 I THANK thee for thy letter that to me Was welcome as the gentle, heaven-sent rain And seemed much like it, as it touched the plain Of my existence, arid and empty. All noblest thoughts and feelings came to be So stirred within my soul, that they would fain Move upward from the barren soil and drain The precious drops of inspiration. See, A rainbow trembles over all my life. It touches the sweet shore of memory And arches to the land of mystic dreams, Such blissful dreams as beautiful and rife Will fill the chalice of the life to be. O precious show'r, with thy rainbow gleams! lOI Beloved, as I watched the sun last night Quiver with dazzling glory in the sky Before it sank, two birds came floating by And on a sudden vanished in their flight. Lost in the dazzling splendor of the light. Dearest, I thought of thee and wondered why Thou cam'st just then before my inward eye, Suggested by this unaccustomed sight. Then all at once I thought how often I Have felt the dark forms of my pain and woe, That fluttered 'round my heart, float toward the sun Of thine existence, and thus borne on high Vanish within the overpowering glow Of perfect light. Such is thy pow'r, dear one. 102 Dearest, the tender hand of Memory- Hath traced upon my heart in lines of gold The record of one perfect hour. I hold It richest of all hours spent with thee, And render thanks for what it meant to me. But words are vain, 't is better left untold, For often with a word our dreams are sold. Sometimes to-day I think that I can see The dusky shadows gliding all around And hear the ever-sighing, mystic sound Of pine trees whispering. Thy voice, dear, seems Still speaking to me ever soft and low, I hear the echoes everywhere I go And mingle thee in all my perfect dreams. 103 Ah, Love, what if the world had ended there, One moment past, what time my happiness Seemed perfect and complete. Dear heart, thy kiss Still warm upon my lips had been the prayer To calm my soul before I died. O rare And sacred hour, like a vision this, Trembling one moment o'er our souls of bliss, Then vanishing into the empty air. But yet thou wouldst not say 't was lost. Ah, no, For heaven 's but a mirror of this life Reflecting all of our most perfect hours And magnifying them. Ah, loved one, so I had not minded if this earth's sore strife Had ended then with thee among the flowers. 104 Dear one, I feel our lives have grown apart: The current of success hath borne thee far And left me struggling here lest I should mar Even in some slight way thy perfect art, Thy great redeeming powers of good. Depart, Then, from me — I beg thee go — while thy star Of genius burns so bright, lest by a scar That I might leave upon thy life, thy heart. Whose love hath been so sweet, would turn and hate My very being. I cannot bear that thought. Better to keep the precious mem'ry fate Hath meted me; the joys my love hath brought In days gone by. Bear all and patient wait. This much have weary years of suff 'ring taught. 105 Forgive me, O my friend, I pray thee, do. I love thee truly and for thee would fain Do all within my power, so to gain Thy full forgiveness. Tell me, is it true, Dost thou believe I turned from thee and knew The while thou wished to speak? Alas, this pain Is deep, unbearable! I dare not think again How all this came to pass. How came the blue Of heaven flecked with clouds, how came the rose To have her cruel thorns, God only knows. And when I wonder how our great love came To be betrayed, my loved one; 't is the same, God only knows, and waits for us to see The strange development of mystery. 1 06 Bright spirit of the star-kissed, dusky night, I loved the vision that thou gavest me To dream upon until my eyes could see, My love, my heart's desire. Oh, the sight Was danger-sweet, and all my strange delight Trembling like a living flame leaped free From weak life confines to a vast eternity Of dream-love and a world of spirit-light. Dearest, I dreamed that thou forgav'st me all And took my hand full tenderly in thine Promising to forget, love me again As once thou didst. I thought I heard thee call - I dared not answer lest the soft dream-shine Should vanish and my soul be steeped in pain. 107 What though my lips would utter one fond word, — Thou would'st not understand my love, I fear; Thou dost not know the cause of this bright tear That like a flower of the springtime stirred First within my soul's far depths, then o'erheard A voice and struggled up. And, thou wert near. Perhaps it was thy soul-breath whispering. Dear, I fear me that is what my heart inferred. Why must I love thee? God alone can say; He made us, and He knows the woman way To love in silence born of deep despair, And learn in blessed hope her cross to bear ; Ah, love, thy perfect strength could bear it well, Wouldst thou still take it for me if I fell? io8 I COULD not speak last night my love to thee; There were unnumbered things I wished to say. My guardian angel, smiling, whispered, "Nay, Let the silence of thy woman love be Echoed from thy heart's fond ecstasy." It seemed so strange. I could not but obey. Time cast the golden sands so fast away Before I knew it thou wert gone from me, And all my soul was leaping into flame. A voice said softly, ''Life will be the same No more." My eyes were hot with tears last night, Silver tears of trouble, golden of delight. I love thee, dear one, yet I tremble so. What does the future hold? Ah, who can know? 109 Beloved, wilt thou come to me this night, — My heart is throbbing in the throes of pain, — And wilt thou lay thy hand on mine again? I shall be well, and oh, what rare delight! There comes upon my quiv'ring soul's insight A vision of the Master on the plain, And that poor sufT'ring woman who would fain Touch but his sacred garment and be right And whole again. I think God gave to thee A tiny spark of Christlike sympathy. Thank Him, beloved, for thy strength and pow*r To help a grief-crushed soul in a dark hour. Come to me, then, my love, the evening shadows fall. And soon the dusky night will cover all. no Ah, me, I wish I had the strength to do What really in my soul I know is best : Crush mem'ry like a trait'rous thing, then test My aching heart and if it still beat true Or longed for that dear heart that I well knew The while I must not love, take the behest Of rigid conscience — But you know the rest. Stern conscience ever asks of us what few Can bear to do. Tear up the flower of Love And in its place watch growing day by day Frail Resignation. See the loved one smile Or tears within those eyes. O God above, Who mad'st man's frail mortality, I pray To Thee who knowest I must love the while. Ill Yet, dear, I cannot bear to think of thee, The friend whom I have truly loved so long, As passing from my life like a sweet song First chanted in our love's fond ecstasy. I find I live in deep expectancy Of those glad hours when a wondrous throng Of angels sing. And sweetest of the songs among Are those which in their beauty bring to me Soft echoes of the dear days long gone by. Painted by Mem'ry's hand I seem to see. Beloved, in my visions drawing nigh Thy perfect form; and voices speak of thee To say that thou art still the friend whom I Once loved but learned at last to send from me. 112 Dear Friend, I come to thee for one last word, One fond farewell before I close the door Between our helpless lives forevermore. I cannot say but that my heart is stirred By strange, sad longings, and when first I heard The voice of right echoing from that far shore Of honor, I was helpless and forebore To do that very deed my soul preferred. But now I stand before thee strong to say My last farewell, and only ask of thee That thou wilt forgive all, so that I may Look back upon this blessed dream and see The rainbow of forgiveness while I pray In deep repentance and sincerity. "3 So thou art gone — nor do I mourn alone, All Nature 's piteously calling thee ; In the wild moaning of the purple sea I hear thy name. Each tree is making moan In a low, wild, and cruel, heartfelt tone. I stand again on that familiar lea And feel, dear heart, thy presence near to me, And so rejoice with every pleasure flown Except thy blessed memory. 'T is mine Own joy to stand here silent, dreaming so Upon that life I loved and to entwine Around the pillars of my heart aglow Memories that will soothe, being divine. And coming fresh from God above, I know. 114 Dear by-gone days that make sweet echoes rise Like incense from the altar of the heart! When thought upon, each precious one apart, What bliss it is to see that which still lies In each dear day, the rainbow of its skies! How precious seem the days in which thou art, my beloved, and what vital part Thou dost assume! How much thy name im- plies ! 1 love to dream upon those sunsets best Whose soft and sacred light would seem to blend With the stillness of our two souls. And blessed By some great unknown power, O my friend, Before our weary spirits went to rest, Kneeling, we felt our prayers of thanks ascend. "5 I DARE not take it from between the leaves Of yon small book — 't would crumble in my hand Like a shattered sunbeam — you understand, It was so long ago. How time deceives The heart until it tremblingly believes All was a dream. And yet to-day I stand, My whole heart reaching back to vision-land To revel in the dream-light it receives. Dear faded flower, hast thou held the kiss Breathed in thy golden chalice and the bliss Since lost? If so, ah, give them back to me — Give back the hopes, give back the memory; A shining sunbeam I enfolded, too, Is that a tear? 'T is not a drop of dew. ilUilUiiiiimii