P s fa«S!;.'^BEr?!g»BS?: Book_^JLis:J,k. Goi)yrightN«_(iO( COPYRIGHT DEPOSm ROSEMARY A Book of Verse BY EDITH ABERCROMBIE-MILLER J^ NEW YORK ROBERT GRIER COOKE, INC. 1908 Copyright 1908 by Robert Grier Cooke, Inc. jCjCg fLibriASYofCOi'ii-.in>.a.5; "1 ;wo Copies rietCfo. I f£B 24Jbi03 DEDICATED '^ TO THE MEMORY OF MARTHA ABERCROMBIE- MILLER. ^^ '■'■Rosemary— that's for remembrance." p5» —Shakespeare. ;, Long did your gentle smile give joy to us, 5 Your loving words oft eased our path through life, i Your patience placed in us new wakened trust In Peace that dwells beyond the hounds of strife; And now for all these gifts you freely gave To us, throughout the year, and day by day, {Light in themselves but help in matters grave) Full tribute of our love we gladly pay, And offer here in ever thankful mood This humble token of our gratitude. CONTENTS Dawn at Sea 9 In the Orchard 10 An April Day 11 Her Coming 1^ To My Love in a Garden 13 • — The Rose's Secret 14 Cupid Defeated 15 A Thief of the South 16 —" A Song of Happiness 17 Across the Sea 18 The Sea-Shell 19 The Path 21 The Quiet Way : 22 Sunset 23 Sunset Messengers 24 Compensation 25 Opportunity 26 Youth and Age 27 Sunset Memories 29 All Saints' Summer 31 A Thanksgiving 32 The Fire Hosts 33 The First Snow 34 Before the Fire 35 Tempest Tossed 37 To Sleep 38 The Wreck 39 ^— My Will and Testament 42 ROSEMARY DAWN AT SEA. The black robed Night enfolds with mystery The silent secrets of the mighty sea ; The rhythmic waves murmur a lullaby, While drowsy stars blink in a dark-domed sky. Night reigns, and silence somnolent and calm Has placed on earth, and sea, and sky, her charm, When lo ! her pall of sombre blackness dense Is lighted by a faint, dull radiance, — A shadowy ghost-light over sky and sea, Enshrouding all the world in mystery. 'Tis then, the first breath of the Dawn is heard; The wave-crests by the morning breeze are stirred ; And, as chimerian doubts and fears soon flee Before the onslaught of reality. So now the bands of radiant light, released By smiling Dawn within the waking East, Emboldened, splendid, break upon the Night, Who flies, her black robes trailing in her flight. With lingering fingers Dawn doth draw away The cloud hung curtains in the East, and Day Glides through, reflected in her radiancy Within the thousand mirrors of the sea. 7A^ THE ORCHARD. I saw you in the morning, Love; The grass was bathed with dew ; The slanting sunbeams from above Came trouping down to you. Within the orchard's gate you stood, A figure sweet and sHm, While clear bird voices in the wood Trilled forth their morning hymn. The morn was radiantly fair, Yet not so fair as thou With sunbeams tangling in your hair Beneath the apple bough. 10 AN APRIL DAY. 'Tis April, and a fickle sun Smiles on the world of budding green Where springtide flowers have just begun O'er dale and upland to be seen. The violet in her cap of blue Hides 'neath the autumn leaves of yore ; The butter-cup of golden hue Displays his tiny Midas store; And tender flowers of sweet, soft pink Make all the woodland seem to blush ; One longs now for the bob-o'-link, Or swelling music of the thrush. But all is still — A hawk wings high In sweeping circles o'er the trees, A voyageur twixt earth and sky He wheels in vagrant fantasies. Some crows flock by, — dark shadows thrown Clear-cut against the April sky; The paths with Autumn leaves are strewn, In withered, rustling heaps they lie. Among them though the flowers of Spring Have bloomed in violet, pink and gold, To show us that the fairest thing May spring from withered leaves and mold. O, changing, charming April day, I love you, and your flowers so fair. Your fickle sun, your skies of gray, The Springtide's sweetness everywhere! 11 HER COMING. She is coming over the hill Where the dew-drops jewel the grasses, And the dawn waked blossoms are all a-thrill Wherever her footstep passes. Her gown is as white as the clouds that float Up, up from the dawn's rose-splendor ; And the lark is swelling his throbbing throat A greeting of joy to send her. Ah, no wonder the morn is rosy-hued With a hint of the Springtide's laughter !— Through the glistening blossoms all bedewed, She is coming, — and Love comes after. She is coming over the hill In a riot of sun-beam glory; She has passed the road by the moss-grown mill With its stone arch, gray and hoary. The birds are bidding the world rejoice Where the wood is checkered with shadows^ And the brooklet ripples with silver voice As it journeys on through the meadows; Ah, I know why the bird songs rise so sweet, And life is throbbing and thrilling, And why Nature's heart has a warmer beat, She is come, — Summer's joys fulfilling ! 12 TO MY LOVE IN A GARDEN, Sweetheart, as you bend o'er the flowers The roses in envy blush, And the lily your fairness borrows, As your fingers its petals brush. The sun-beams that play in your tresses With a borrowed light depart. And the moss where your fair foot presses, Bears the imprint upon its heart. Sweetheart, would I were a flower In your garden awhile to grow, — Your tears for my summer's shower, Your smiles for my sunbeams' glow. And, perchance, if there I were growing. You might single me out from the rest With my flower heart brightly glowing, And place me upon your breast. 18 THE ROSE'S SECRET. Red rose, tell me your secret — Whisper it soft and low — Whence came that glorious crimson Making your petals glow? ''As the sky grew red to the eastward On the day that I was born My petals were dyed in its glory With the tints of the crimson dawn." But whence came your golden center, Close-guarded from mortal eye? ''A dancing sun-beam one morning Kissed me ere flashing by. Then nestled all day so gently Close to my throbbing heart That when night's shadows were falling We loved too well to part." 14 CVPID DEFEATED. I Cupid met her in the morning, Bhthe and merry-hearted he! As he shot a pointed arrow Long and loud he laughed with glee ; For she was a daintv' maiden From her prett>- little shoe To her crown of sun-kissed tresses, — Merr>', winsome, laughing too. II Cupid met her at the noon-tide, Hot and hea\'y-hearted he! Half his quiver was exhausted, — Still he smiled right pluckily ; For her mouth was red and rosy, Smooth her brow, and free from care. While her laugh held silver ripples, And she still was passing fair. HI Cupid meets her at the even. Drooping hangs each tired wing, — Empty- is his daintv* quiver, — To his lashes tear-drops cling. Sad, dejected, hea\T-hearted, Long he eyes her with a sigh, — Fair to gaze on still, — ^but Cupid OwTis defeat, and passes by. 15 A THIEF OF THE SOUTH. To Helen R. O maiden from the sunny South, With smiHng eyes and dimpled mouth, Your warm-hued tresses form a snare To capture sun-beams lurking there; Your eyes have stolen rays of light From star-beacon of the night; Your lips have robbed the roses red — I caught you, bending o'er their bed !- Your voice, — the notes so sweet and soft Once, some bird minstrel trilled aloft; The ripples in your laughter seem The stolen music of the stream, Yet unabashed, and free from grief, You move, — an unrepentant thief. And e'en now, laughing saucily, Have stolen my proud heart from me ! 16 A SONG OF HAPPINESS. O the world may be hard, and the way may be long, And life may be never so dreary, — But, hark ! from the woods comes a wild bird's song Tender and sweet and cheery. Then, what though the world wears a sombre hue With terrors and cares assailing? Look up! Look up to the skies of blue Where the little white clouds are sailing. The brooklet murmurs with silver voice, The breeze plays a dainty measure Through the beckoning tree-tops, — Then come! Rejoice In this world of beauty and pleasure I 17 ACROSS THE SEA. To M. A. M. Though far away, the Hnks of love Shall never break nor part; Spanning the waters, they shall prove A bridge from heart to heart. Around it memories sweet shall twine Their blossoms bright as gold, As ivy twines its clinging leaves Round rustic bridges old. And every flower that decks this bridge Between our hearts shall be A messenger of love to you From far across the sea. 18 THE SEA-SHELL. A dainty sea-shell was flung one day Far up on the golden sand, Beyond where the highest ripples play It was tossed by a wavelet's hand. I A passing youth smiled knowingly As he gazed on the shell flung high ; 'Thus," he exulted,— "may Life's broad sea ''Ever bear precious gifts to me!" — And he passed the sea-shell by. II An old man came, — his step was slow, And he wearily paused to rest; He saw the shell, and he muttered low, — "My fairest hopes of the long ago Are flung to one side as this shell ! Just so Were they tossed from my Life-wave's crest.' Ill A child came romping upon the sands, — A bonny blue-eyed boy, — He took the shell in his chubby hands, And merrily laughed with joy; For it sang in his ear strange songs of the sea Full of treasure-trove and of mystery, — This wonderful, new-found toy. 19 IV Then^ a maiden came, and she found the shell That was flung aside in play; She sighed as she raised it, *'0 swiftly tell News of the one whom I love so well, — Or my lover so far away." The shell sang a tale soft, soft in her ear Of a far-off sunny sea. She pressed her lips to the sea-shell clear, And whispered, "This for my love so dear Is the message I trust to thee !" Then wandered down on the wet black sands, Till the waves touched her feet with their foamy hands, And flung the shell far to sea. 20 rUE PATH. It runs from where the pine wood's trailing dress Of shrubs and beach grass Hes along the sand ; Where the low breezes^ filled with tenderness, Welcome the rippling wavelets to the land. It wanders through dim cooling aisles of green (The sun-baked beach and sea dim memories), While over-head the whispering branches lean Telling the secrets of the woods and trees. It leads to where the wood's green ranks unfold And with encircling arms close guard a field, Stored with the wifdflowers' wealth of green and gold. The gems the treasuries of summer yield. Then through the fields it leads to happiness, — 'Twas here we met upon a summer's day. When you appeared my wandering path to bless, And led my footsteps from Life's storm-tossed bay. Now hand in hand along the path we pass — The restless sea behind, the fields before — Until it leads us, through the dew-gemed grass To where a cottage stands with open door. 21 THE QUIET WAY. When, all alone, the wanderer on his way Passes along the quiet country roads. The flower faces smile a welcome gay. And birds trill greetings from their green abodes ; The friendly trees stretch beckoning arms of green ; The glowing sun gives of his golden light ; And generous Nature, smiling and serene Spreads forth her bounteous stores before his sight. But when alone upon the city streets, — Lost in the deafening murmur of their cry, — Strange are the faces that the traveller greets, — That, all unseeing gaze, and pass him by. When pushed or jostled by the hurrying crowd, That in their hast'ning spurn him as a stone, (Although his heart for friendship cries aloud), 'Tis then, indeed, the wanderer is alone. So would I seek the country's peaceful charm, The understanding of each silent thing; Where one is part of all the wondrous calm Far from the city's rack and rioting; Where Nature's welcome waits me; where her smile Of golden sunshine gladly bids me stay. And rest with her, — Thus for a space, a while To leave Life's treadmill for the quiet way. SUNSET. Red glows the sun within the silent West, — With Midas fingers sweeps the neighboring hills, And, lo! their sides in dull green erstwhile dressed His magic touch changed to a golden vest Laced with the silver of the flowing rills. He flings upon the bay, with lavish hand, A lane of gold that flows in endless stream A wondrous path of light from land to land, By ripples broken into disks of gold, As from a miser's chest pours wealth untold In countless coins that glint, and glow and gleam. 23 SUNSET MESSENGERS, Out of the sky's bright splendor, Up from the sunset West, Two rosy clouds came floating As the great sun sank to rest. Gray grew the evening shadows, Fainter the glow in the sky, And Nature was hushed to silence Watching the daylight die. But still o'er the heavens floating Are the clouds in their robes of light, That tell of the sun in his splendor Though he's now gone far from sight. And through the dark night's advancing They bring to our memory How great was the sun in his glory, How bright in his majesty. So, though 'through the Night's dark portals, We must, all of us sink to rest. Let the deeds which we leave behind us Tell their tale in our sunset West. 24 COMPENSATION. I cannot reach the heights that you attain — No power on earth can give that joy to me! — For though I bravely toil and daily strain Still must I fail — that end shall ever be. For you are as the mountain, crowned with snow, Which towers high in solemn majesty To lofty heights, from which to gaze below On hill, and valley, wood, and plain and sea. And I am but a placid bosomed lake, From w^hich, perchance, some streams flow to the sea, But Nature wills no effort I may make Shall ere attain the heights above for me. Th' encircling shores to me their greenness owe; For me the wild flowers on the border bloom; But, far above, the distant heights of snow Make the encirclinof forest seem a tomb. 't> 'Tis then to me this thought comes bitter-sweet, (For one soon learns a way when led by love) — Placidly lying here before your feet I may reflect the dazzling heights above! And in my cool, calm depths each lofty height Shall find a glorious perfect counterpart. Each mighty peak, the snow-crown dazzling white, Shall leave its image mirrored in my heart. 25 OPPORTUNITY. Hark to the flutter of the Wings of Time As down the ages in their flight they move! Great pinions, stretched from earth to the sublime Eternal mysteries of Heaven above, Bearing the marks of Joy, and Grief, and Love. Happy the man who hears their rustling low And dares to snatch a feather e'er they go ! 26 YOUTH AND AGE. As I went down to the World's great fair Many the people who passed me by, Till o'er the highway stretching there, Came a tall youth as the sun rose high. Young was his form and young his face — His years scarce numbered twenty-three — Yet he moved along at a snail's slow pace And his woful look was sad to see. He bore a great load upon his back, — A bulging burden marked, "Care and Doubt," And ever anon, from a rent in the pack. Little bundles of worry came tumbling out. "Fair Youth," I cried, "Why not drop your pack?" But he answered, "My friend, it is plain to see That you don't know this world! What's upon my back Is only what all should bear," quoth he. Then he wandered on at his slow snail's pace — This ancient youth with his aged air! I watched him go, till a merry face And a bright voice gave me a greeting fair — "Good-morrow friend. 'Tis a pleasant day" — And over the road's white highway came An old man marching upon his way, A little bent and a little lame. 27 But, O, though his locks were a silvery white, The look on his face was good to see! With his cheery laugh, and his smile so bright He was trudging along right merrily. "Good friend," said I, '' 'Tis a long hard way, — And whither your road?" He smiled at me. "I am just coming back from a pleasant stay In the land of Never Worry/' quoth he. ''O, the World is a pleasant place, my friend, Though the road is hard for many a mile, — Still Fm nearing now to my journey's end"; — And he went on his way with a nod and a smile. He left in my heart a warming glow. For better a young old age in truth. With its happy heart 'neath a crown of snow, Than the ancient airs of an aged youth. 28 SUNSET MEMORIES. The clock's pale face, upon the tower high Across the way where stone-capped roofs rise tall, Gives warning that the hours are speeding by As the first shadows of the evening fall. Above the city myriad smoke clouds rise The fiery breathing of the dragon Toil That darkens foully all the winter skies, And fills the air with soot, and grime and soil. Only the sunset glimmerings in the sky Tell me the world is still a place as fair As I had found it in those months gone by Far from the city's ceaseless toil and care. That rosy light now spreading in the West, Calls poignantly to mind those wondrous days When in bright tints the wooded landscape dressed. Shrouded its beauty in Autumnal haze. Twas then, with steady stroke the light canoe We urged upon the river's sunflecked tide, Rounding the points where shrubs and wild-flowers grew, And where at eve the shadows thickest hide. The trailing vines, the bright Autumnal flowers. Decking the cushioned banks in beauty rare ; All paid us tribute in the fleeting hours, And, O, the cool breath of the evening air ! 29 The sunset's glow a glorious radiance spread, A background made of wondrous cloth of gold, 'Gainst which the black wood laid its weary head As daylight died with half its tale untold. Night drew her draperies across the sky, And strewed her gems of light with lavish hand ; Silvered with moon-light ripples passed us by, As on we sailed through an enchanted land. Not all the myriad lights within the streets Can call again my fleeting thoughts to rest For ceaselessly the woodland's voice entreats Since that first glimmering in the smoke-dimmed West. 30 ALL SAINTS' S UMMER . 'Tis All Saints' Summer, when our hearts are turnings To memories of loved ones gone before, We may not wish them back, though eyes are yearning To see those well-loved forms we see no more. Through Time's long vista now we gaze, beholding How oft they set our erring steps aright, And led us, with their guardian love enfolding. Through the dim watches of the dark'ning night. The flowers of Joy and Peace were ever growing Throughout the fruitful summer of their lives. And pain and strife were slain before their showing, As naught of ill may live where goodness thrives. Good and sweet deeds through all their lives were blended — Whate'er their years their hearts grew never cold — Till, like the trees, the Summer of Life ended, They wear their well rewarded crowns of gold. 31 A THANKSGIVING. {From the Living Church, November, 1905.) For all 'tlie good days tliat are past and gone ; For good words spoken and for good deeds done ; For all the victories that I have won, I thank Thee, Lord. For all the blessings Thou hast showered on me ; For all Thy precious gifts by land or sea ; For all of Nature's wondrous majesty; I thank Thee, Lord. For health, for life, for strength to do my part : For friends, for kinsfolk of the blood and heart ; For ail accomplished in Life's daily mart I thank Thee, Lord. For shower and sunshine, breeze and calm and rain; For ever>' lesson taught by grief or pain; For every woe through which my life doth gain, I thank Thee, Lord. For every lesson Thou hast taught to me By which I come a few steps nearer Thee; With heart and soul I turn most thankfully To Thee, O Lord. S2 THE FIRE HOSTS, I sat and watched the fire's glow Rise in a thousand tongues of flame. A might}' host in gleaming row With pennants flashing far they came, And drove their bright darts at the cold, Which, if it might, would all enfold. As seas against a rocky wall Break hopelessly, and shattered go. In serried ranks the flame hosts fall, — Yet leap again with fien,- glow. Ere dying 'mid the embers gray As hopes that die at close of day. LOFa 33 THE FIRST SNOW. In whirling lines the soft wee snow-flakes dance, Each one a fairy jewel-flower of white; Forth from the sky, their home, they swift advance In silvered lines across the silent night. The stars set in the chilly wintry sky Sparkle and twinkle their farewell to these Unnumbered tiny stars that pass them by. Dancing and whirling in gay fantasies. Down to the earth in countless hordes they sweep And when the sun, aglow with morning light. Wakens the dawn rose-blushing from her sleep, The world shall be a wilderness of white. 34 BEFORE THE FIRE. How we used to sit by the fire's glow, You and I, dear Love, in the long ago ! While the flickering flames with their beacons red Caressed the gold of your curly head. I can see your child eyes, blue and clear^ Raised half in wonder and half in fear, As I pointed out in my boyish pride. The dragon that lurked in the fireside. And the goblin army that leapt and danced 'Mid the embers red as the fire-flames glanced ; Or else, as the flames shot ever higher, The fairy city with gilded spire. With dome, and with parapet aglow Where we journeyed oft in that long ago. Then soft as the fire-light glowed and fell Of what fairy wonders I used to tell, — What treasure-trove in the embers lay. Gems, gold, and jewels from far away, Stores from the Orient^ rubies rare, Jewels to twine in your silken hair — These, and more, would I swift invent Till your sweet lips parted in wonderment And you nodded your dear head, as though you knew That the whole of my fairy-tale was true. 35 II Think of that time in the far-away (Was it fifty years, or but yesterday?) That we sat one eve by the fire-Hght When the lamp burned low and the fire burned bright. Without are the driving flakes of snow But within is warmth and the fire's glow, And once again the fire-flames bright Make you a fairy crown of light. And once again your sweet eyes hold A wonder to hear of what I've told, And once again your sweet lips part As I tell you the sweetest of tales, dear heart, And you smile assent. Ah! the joy I knew When you found my tale to be good and true ! Ill It is still, dear Love, by the fire-light That we sit and dream ere we say, ''good-night"; As the red flames die and the fire burns low Do our thoughts fly back to the long ago Of the fairy city and the treasured store Which we see in the flickering flames no more? Do we think again of that winter's day When the fire hosts drove the cold away, And burnt with a high and ruddy glow Where now are the embers smoldering low? Do we dream with regret of those days gone by As we watch the fire-light flicker and die? Not so, dear Love, for to me and you The tales that were told have been ever true! 86 TEMPEST TOSSED. The storm raged high. My tempest driven soul Swept on^ a dereUct before the gale, A shattered barque, she sailed without a goal, While voices warning cried with no avail. Her sail of Courage hung in shredded strips ; Where at the prow bright Hope its light should shed Deep darkness lay. Most miserable of ships, She plunges wildly towards the rocks ahead! All will and strength and wish to save were gone (Long since within the tempest Faith had died!) The warning voices fainter grew. Alone She swept towards death. — When, lo ! a child's voice cried From out the darkness and the swirling foam. Only a child's hands reaching through the dark, But strength renewed, though tempest tossed, my barque Was guided safely home. 37 TO SLEEP. Sleep, blessed Sleep, Who soothes the saddest care, And dulls the deepest pain; Who bears awhile the rough cross of Despair Till morning comes again, And with new strength we take again our load To tread another day's march on the road. Sleep, gentlest Sleep, Who smoothes the wrinkled brow, And bids Time's hand to stay ; Who puts fresh bloom on cheeks that paled but now, And wipes hot tears away. Sleep, wondrous Sleep, a friend most tried, most true, Dear comforter, we nightly turn to you. 38 rUE WRECK. Two souls once met on a winter's night On the lee of an ice-bound shore, Where the frozen rocks rise chill and white, And the crusted breakers roar. The first soul questioned, ''What seek ye here In the chill of the winter's night? Why wander ye o'er this place so drear And far from the harbor light?" The second soul answered, "I wander long, Where the icy foam-steeds ride. To find one who did me a grievous wrong On the night when both of us died. '' 'Twas a night like this in the long ago — Or was it but yesterday ? — When our ship put out through the falling snow On its path o'er the troubled bay. *'0, the storm was high, and the night was dark, And the wind shrieked loud and free ! And ere morning broke our once trusted barque Was rent by the wolves of the sea. ■"He, to whom I had given my love and life Had never a thought for me ! Neglected, I prayed through the gathering strife. Till I died in the icy sea. 39 " 'Tis not that I died that I wander here Where the ice-bound breakers moan, — He failed me, he, whom I held so dear, And I went to my death alone. "I seek him over the crested waves. And along the rock-bound shore. Where we sank that night to our icy graves 'Mid the rending breakers' roar. "I cannot rest with my broken trust And my shattered faith in him ! Through the long night watches seek I must Till the stars at the dawn grow dim. *T pray as I roam I may find him yet Where his restless soul must stray, — He shall know me then though he could forget, For his soul must I seek and pray !" The first soul spake with a saddened moan — Or was it the voice of the gale? — "I wander too on my search alone. And wander without avail. "For I seek for the soul of one I love Through the ages that come and go ! I seek her, and pray to the God above To guide me and ease my^woe. 40 ''She died alone in the wintry sea^ — 'Twas no fault of mine, I swear^ For above all else was she first with me And I sought for her everywhere. "But through the storm and the raging night And the rending timbers moan She was borne afar from my side and sight, — And I sank to my death alone. **So ever I wander and seek her soul Through the storm, and the wind, and rain ; I may know no rest till I gain my goal And our souls are at peace again." Then whispered the other, "Lo ! I am she Whom ye seek through the waning night! And I trust again !" O'er the frozen sea Two souls sped into the light. 41 MY WILL AND TESTAMENT. (Lines suggested by a will published in the ''Times'') When on my Life the Evening Shadows fall And voices call me to the sunset West Although my store of gold and gain is small I go not empty-handed to my rest. Some things I leave, — ere my last breath is spent Thus shall I write : My Will and Testament. 1. To Children: Sunny Hours and Golden Days; The wealth of Summer field and Autumn wood; I leave the brooklet's song; the bird's sweet lays: — All Nature gave me in her bounteous mood. 2. To Lovers : I bequeath Life's Sweetest Joy (When gold-winged moments made a magic dream.) I leave them Hope, Trust, Love without alloy Veiled in the glory of the sunset's gleam. 3. To All Those Sick in Body, Mind or Heart: I leave thrice-blessed treasures won through tears, All Words that Cheer, all Thoughts that Soothe the Smart, And Faith and Patience for the coming years. 42 4. I leave the Old fair Dreams to meet their gaze — Life's battles bravely planned and bravely- fought — With Love and Tender Care to guard their days, And crown the good deeds of their lives well wrought. My last bequest : I leave all Sweet Content, And thus I close my Will and Testament. 43 FES 34 1908 ^/ /