^gji:-al: ^"ite^^iriilL^ i*^"-i BECONO COPY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Chap. Cop/right No.. l^fr UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BESIDE STILL WATERS BESIDE STILL WATERS LISA A? FLETCHER NEW YORK A. D. F. RANDOLPH COMPANY 1899 29313 COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY A. D. F. RANDOIvPH COMPANY. -^-op.fco K6;CL:iveo. ■V ^ "Pn3-13i9 As oft beside a quiet shoal, The violet flower we find, So by still waters of the soul, The blossoms of the viind. Yet life hath set a silent seal. To springs of deepest thought, And words but only half reveal The blossotns that we sought. Press of M., W. & C. Penntpacker, "Seaside Torch Print." '"^^^.CJfft^rt CONTENTS VIOLETS I WORK ------ 2 BEAUTY 3 IN DREAMS, SWEET DREAMS - 4 AMONG THE TREES - - - - 6 A SHRINE 7 UNATTAINED 8 NATURE, MY TEACHER KIND - ID BABY MAY 1 3 MY MESSENGER - - - - 1 5 HEIGHTS OF FAITH - - - - 16 ALL IN PALE MIST IS THE WORLD 1 8 TO A ROSEBREASTED GROSBEAK - 1 9 TO O. T. M. - - - - - 20 THE RIVER OF PEACE - - - 21 A SEA SONG 22 MAYFLOWERS 24 I THINK OF THEE - - - 25 THE MUSIC OF NATURE - - - 26 UNDER THE ARC LIGHT - - 27 O MOUNTAINS - - - - - 29 AS UNTO HIM - . - - 20 O JUNE, SWEET JUNE - - "31 A CHRISTMAS ROBIN " " " 33 CONTENTS BOOKS 34 WHAT are; thk snowflakes - 36 BOB-0-LINCOLN - - - - -38 MICHAEL ANGEIvO - - - 39 SIyEKP 40 OCEAN SKIES - . - - 41 HIS QUEST 42 IN THE SKIES - - - - 44 THE HERMIT THRUSH - - - 45 AT love's behest - - - 46 SPRING FLOWERS - - - '47 EASTER MORN . . . - 48 TO A SUMMER CLOUD - - - 49 GOODBYE, SWEET YEAR, GOODBYE 50 I CANNOT UNDERSTAND - - - 51 IN life's SUNSET - - - - 53 MY MOCKING BIRD - - - "54 ALONE WITH THEE - - - 56 PRESCIENCE 57 GARDEN OR FIELD FLOWER - - 58 SNOW SHADOWS - - - - 60 THE WAKENING YEAR - - - 6 1 LITTLE FEET - - - - - 62 THOREAU 63 GROWTH 65 FERNS 66 LOVE ------- 68 CONTENTS DAY IS DONE - - - - 69 A PRISONED ANGEIv - - - "70 MOODS ------ 72 TWO WORI.DS - - - - - 73 DOUBT 74 BE nature's GUEST - - - 75 PASSING OF THE OLD YEAR - 76 IN RADIANT VISION - - - - 77 GIVE THE WORD OF COMFORT KINDLY 79 THE POET - - - - - 80 SONG OF THE ORIOLE - - - 8 1 DEAR LITTLE VIOLETS - - -83 STIR, STIR, O SOUL - - - 84 WORDSWORTH - - - - - 85 To THE MERRIMAC - - - 86 HOPE 88 A SUNSET ----- 89 HOW IT WOULD SEEM - - - 90 EVENING HYMN - - - - 9 1 HAREBELLS ----- 93 MOTHERHOOD - - . - 94 TO THE VEERY - - - - 96 GRIEF ------ 97 IMAGINATION - - - - - 98 THE HIGHER LIFE - - - lOO WHAT WERE THE SUNRISE - - lOI MY DEAREST LORD - - - 103 CONTENTS WISE IvlTTLE BIRDS - - - 104 FAITH 106 TO A FRIEND I07 SI.EIGH BELLS - - - - 108 RARE MOMENTS - - - - I09 LILY SHIPS IIO ONCE MORE Ill IN TIME OF DROUGHT - - - II3 WOODBINE 115 WATCH o'er HER TENDERLY - II6 THORNS - - - - - - 117 CHICKADEE, CHICKADEE - - II 8 OCTOBER 120 MUSIC 121 A GIFT OF CHRISTMAS ROSES - - 1 23 DEATH 124 SONG 125 AUTUMN 126 LOSS 127 A NOVEMBER DANDELION - - 1 29 1 DREAMED OR WAS IT LEGEND OLD - 130 IN THE WORLD — SHUT IN - - I31 IN WINTER 132 A PEACEFUL LIFE - - - 1 34 THE LOWLIEST FLOWER - - - 135 A SONG OF TRUST - - - 1 36 ALONE 137 CONTENTS WEAVE THEM TOGETHER - - 1 38 PAIN - 139 MALICE ------ 140 little friend in feathers - - i4i hark the angels' song - - 143 take heart, sweet soul - "145 only a little brown sparrow - 1 46 the old days, the sweet days - 1 47 o lift my thought - - - 1 49 fill the moments - - - " 151 a reverie 152 to the windflower - - "154 "beauty for ashes" - - 155 MY KING 156 UPWARD 157 SWEETLY A LINNET SANG AND LONG - 1 58 COMPENSATION - - - - 160 AT THE SET OF THE SUN - - 161 URPLE and blue in soft array, Over the meadows green of the May, Violets are kneeling as if to pray. A brook with the shining blue of the sky, Singeth its musical lullaby, While softly the Violets stir and sigh. And to the radiant mosses cling. And bits of daintiest color fling Over the grasses wavering. List as they whisper soft and slow, To the mother heart of earth below. Where all sweet blossoms spring and grow ! List to the bird in yonder tree, Pouring his heart out glad and free To the winsome Violets merrily! The while as the breezes softly blow. Light drifts of clouds their shadows throw Over the meadows to and fro. O little Violets dainty and fair ; One briefest hour O let me share. The spirit of your sweetness rare ! WORK WORK ORLD wide comforter of men, Thy name is work ! O, for the sad of spirit, when Through vapors murk Shines no softening ray of light. And even hope Seems touched with shadow and with blight,— Thy windows ope ! Ope outward to the rising sun, While thy slow calm, Doth steal until the day be done. With soothing balm. Steals o'er the throbbing heart of grief, Its ache to dull, And though the sunlight be but brief. The storm doth lull. O thou healer kind of woe Amid life's gray ! When thou dost meet the spirit's foe, Grief melts away ! BEAUTY BEAUTY EAUTY forever dwelleth deep within, Dependent not on years or less or more Her freshness still to keep, but o'er and o'er Ever from her own essence grace doth win To live perennial. So hath it been The centuries through, — the heart that once hath known Her sweetness, and hath claimed her for its own. Hath always of her treasures generous store. Though years steal on and mar the outward form. And through life's pulses creeps a wintry chill, Deathless she lingers, smiling for us still. Keeping the heart's pulsations ever warm. 'Tis hers to give the soul a deathless spring. And flowers that fade not in the blossom- ing IN DREJAMS, SWEET DREAMS IN DREAMS, SWEET DREAMS [HERE the breezes kiss the flowers, Shyly hiding in May bowers, And sway the tender grasses to and fro; Where the buttercups and daisies Wind about in endless mazes, There in dreams, sweet dreams, I love to go ! Where the brooklet as it glideth. Ever seaward slippeth, slideth. With the tinkle, silver tinkle of its song ; Where the willows drooping lowly Wave their slender branches slowly. There in dreams, sweet dreams, I linger long ! Where the restless tide of ocean Sets its white waves in commotion, And rushes to the golden shining shore ; Where the sea gull swiftly soareth, Or the cold gray rocks exploreth, There in dreams, sweet dreams, I flit once more ! . IN DREAMS, SWEKT DREAMS 5 Where the sunset glows the strongest, And the twilight lingers longest Adown the gold and crimson curtained west; Where the birds with sweetest singing Set the fields and woodlands ringing, There in dreams, sweet dreams, I wander blest ! Where the mountain peaks empurpled, By the rugged pines encircled. Lift far their crests unto the azure sky; Where the falling water dasheth, And the eagle proudly flasheth, There in dreams, sweet dreams, I love to fly! AMONG THE TREES AMONG THE TREES EAVES inwoven in tangled wreathes above, A green, green mist beneath a sky of blue, With here and there a blossom showing through. And clouds — whose softness emulates the dove — Drifting and throwing shadows as they move. Low, whispering winds which into new life woo Frail flowers of many a rainbow hue. And 'mid the tremulous branches songs of love. Fragrance exhaling through the windblown space Pervasive, yet elusive as a dream : Upon the tender leaves a golden gleam, And form and color traced with delicate grace ; And rippling down the vale a silver stream Whose music breathes enchantment through the place ! A SHRINE A SHRINE HAVE a shrine reared deep within a heart, And thither flit I oft away, When I would bid my grief de- part, And find the May. My shrine hath wealth which far exceedeth gold, No life apart from it have I, And when I would my thought unfold. Thither I fly. No joy or pain but finds an echo there, No tender word but finds its twin. And wins in finding grace more fair. For joy of kin. O shrine beloved ! forever sweet and dear, Life, breath, what were they missing thee! Only a desert dark and drear, A trackless sea ! UNATTAINED UNATTAINBD HE hills that seem the dearest Lie far away, The songs whose notes ring clearest Are not today. The blossoms that are fairest Hide from our sight, The beauty which is rarest Seeks not the light. The bird of sweetest singing Is hid and shy, The bugle-call is ringing, But far and high. The joy with promise surest May yet be chilled. The wish which seemeth purest Be not fulfilled. Ideals most we cherish Be uuattained, Hopes that are fondest, perish Ere they are gained. UNATTAINED Yet if the pure ideal We seek afar, Be ne'er to us the real, Only a star, — Still he who aye pursueth The noblest, best, The far peaks nearest vieweth Of his high quest ! lO NATURE, MY TEACHER KIND NATURE, MY TEACHER KIND ATURE hath been my teacher kind of old, And as more and more her wonders I behold, And she with clearer sight anoints mine eyes, I see how simplest things may hide a sweet surprise : How close her treasures lie about the feet, Forever growing fairer and more sweet, As her subtler mysteries one learns to read, And to near accustomed ways gives heed. I read with joy the mountain's misty sign, With joy list the breathings of the pine, While far within the April waiting woods, Where delicate ferns take off their winter hoods. The first shy blossoms of the early spring, Give ever to my spirit quickened wing, And happy songs of glad returning birds, Make music in my heart too sweet for words. NATURE, MY TEACHER KIND II Nor less for summer with its wealth of bloom, My soul for rapturous joy hath room, When fragrance with which spring flowers are rife Seems to creep into Nature's larger life. And from green meadows, or low inter- vales, The scent of new-mown hay deliciously exhales, And the fragrant water lily white and cool, Haunts the still stream, or limpid woodland pool. What time October's banners flame abroad, And the shy gentian creeps o'er the flower- less sod, — Flowerless save for the aster by the brook. Or tardy goldenrod in sheltered nook, When poet bluebirds in low warblings sing. And make one half believe it is the spring. Again I seek the peace of woodland ways. And breathe the beauty of autumnal days. And when winter wreathes all the earth in white, To seek the woods is still a dear delight. 12 NATURE, MY TEACHER KIND And watch the sunset's last departing gleam Flash along the windings of some frozen stream, While far above from some tall, leafless tree, Falls the bright music of the chickadee, And in the quiet of secluded dells. Snowbirds shake out their tiny, tinkling bells. Dear Mother Nature, forever let me be. Through all life's mazes, a follower of thee ! For something sweet hast thou for every mood, A medicine to do the spirit good, If but it learn to listen to thy voice, And in thy simplest treasures to rejoice, — Remembering that thou art still the same. When humans pass and only leave a name ! BABY MAY I 3 BABY MAY HINING eyes and silken curls, With a golden ray, Daintiest of all wee girls, Oh, that is Baby May ! Busy hands and busy feet All the livelong day, Kisses warm and soft and sweet, Oh, that is Baby May ! Witching voice and witching smile, Which win love alway, Something that doth hearts beguile, Oh, that is Baby May! Rosy mouth and dimpled cheek. Where the sunbeams stray, Tiny fingers clasping meek. Oh, that is Baby May ! Laughter sweet and gurgling clear In a silver spray, lyike low music to the ear, Oh, that is Baby May! 14 BABY MAY Winning ways, and wooing words Sweet as angels say, Songs which ripple like a bird's. Oh, that is Baby May! MY MESSENGKR 1 5 MY MESSENGER ' ' I even note the way of clouds If thitherward they go, — I love thee so." WATCH a lonely little cloud Go sailing, sailing o'er the blue ; Southward it takes its airy way, — My thought it thither follows too. O, fleecy cloud, so high, so far. So free to traverse realms of space ! — Wilt thou not catch me up to thee, That I may once more see his face ? He dwelleth by the river's side. Beyond yon mountain's purple rim, And if I may not flit with thee, Yet take this message sweet to him. Oh ! bear it in thy fleecy folds. Thy garment's folds so pure and white, And when the sunset fades and dims, Low lay it at his feet to-night ! 1 6 HEIGHTS OF FAITH HEIGHTS OF FAITH THE heavenly, heavenly Heights of Faith ! Where the pilgrim his burden leaves, And shadows of night, Seem halos of light, Encircling the spirit that grieves. O the heavenly, heavenly Heights of Faith ! Where fountains of love overflow, And a glory streams. From His radiant beams, Down into the valley below. O the heavenly, heavenly Heights of Faith ! Where sweet songs at evenfall rise, And waft on the air, The incense of prayer Far, far to the gold of His skies. O the heavenly, heavenly Heights of Faith ! Where Peace with its folding wing, Doth touch with its grace Pale Sorrow's sad face. And Hope's softest chimes ever ring. HEIGHTS OF FAITH 1 7 O the heavenly, heavenly Heights of Faith ! Where ever the spirit burns bright, Where flowers ever bloom. And light bursts the gloom, And heaven lies always in sight ! 1 8 Aivi. IN pale; mist is the world ALI. IN PALE MIST IS THE WORLD jLL in pale mist is the world, All in a garment of white, Snow drops which winter im- pearled. Fall from a shadowy height. O floated they out of the spring. Out of the sweets of the May, These pallid petals a-wing, Which fall in feathery spray ! O then it was white of the flowers, O now it is white of the frost, O then it was wooing of showers, O now the snowflakes are tost. All in a mist and a maze, All in a mystery of light. Stand the trees in a phantom of haze, Transfigured in beauty and might. O drifted, billowy flakes ! O winds which wintrily rise ! The winter her blossoms outshakes, From the pallor of storm bleached skies ! TO A ROSEBREASTED GROSBEAK 1 9 TO A ROSEBREASTED GROSBEAK IKE radiant blossoms in sweet quest, Of wings for airy flight, The rose tint rests upon thy breast. The lily's stainless white ! Of all bird-kind most rare and dear, Thou movest my spirit's deeps. The winged angel of the year, Whose joy lyove softly weeps. Touching thy harp of song so sweet. The heart forgets its grief. As the music falleth at my feet, Soft as a wind blown leaf. Many a song dost thou give me. Falling in silvery shower. Setting my spirit winging free Far, far beyond the hour. Nor word nor any waft of song Is mine thy praise to sing. For to fairer heights dost thou belong. And earth songs have no wing ! 20 TO O. T. M. TO O. T. M. HERE'ER in wood or field thy footstep strays, Thou wooest secrets of the shyest bird, And through the enchantment of thy word, He lives forever through unending Mays. A true interpreter of his ways. Thy spirit through love of him is stirred To con sweet stories hitherto unheard, Which from his leafy covert he betrays. With almost mystic grace 'tis given thee The winged children of the air to know. And most sweetly dost thou call them friends, And others lead to see as thou dost see, And follow whithersoever thou dost go, Until the birds' life with our own life blends ! THE RIVER OF PEACE 21 THE RIVER OF PEACE HE River of Peace 'twixt quiet banks, Flows gently to the mighty- sea, Through calm and storm its depths serene Seem breathing of eternity. And whoso seeks its peaceful shore, Or sails its waters pure and deep, Shall drink rich draughts of breaths divine. And be comforted though he weep ! 22 A SEA SONG A SEA SONG N the pebbly beach, Far, far from the reach Of human traffic and toil ; I list once more To the surging roar Of the waves in their wild turmoil. And daily I win When the tide comes in, Fresh pictures for memory's wall ; Or a stray bit of thought, From the white spray caught, As it tumbles adown to its fall. And softly each day, The breeze bears away Some lingering grief or pain ; Or the sea wind moans. And kisses the stones, While exulting I list the refrain, — And wander far o'er The wave-washed shore In search of a stray bit of moss ; Which borne on its breast A SEA SONG 23 From deep gardens of rest, Old ocean doth upward toss. Or pluck from the sand Of the shining strand, Bright pebbles of brown and gold ; Which tossed by the waves From watery caves, Mysterious tales unfold. Or watch a ship's sail, As it loometh pale. Above the horizon's rim ; Or the osprey rise From the sea to the skies. Or over the water skim. Through the rose-tint of dawn. The sea throbbeth on. Forever in the old-time way ; Through the golden light, And the shadows of night. It tosses its foamy spray. And I linger and seem, As one in a dream, And soar with the white gull's wing ; And my heart fills with song. And memories throng With the rushing waves as they sing ! 24 MAYFLOWERS MAYFI.OWERS AIR firstling flower, sweet is the hour, When from the leafy mold. Through pearls of dew, through gray and blue, And white of wintry cold, 'Neath April's wing thy life doth spring, Thy pearly buds unfold ! If of heaven's frown, snows weave a crown, Thy beauteous buds to hide, If winter lies in April skies. And storm winds rudely ride, Till sunshine sure, thy spirit pure, In loving faith doth bide ! I THINK OF THEE 25 I THINK OF THEE THINK of thee, O lyove ! when slowly creeps O'er purple hills, the golden light of day, I think of thee in sunset's parting ray. And in the midnight hush of starry deeps. Where the tender dew-pearled violet sleeps. And sweet spring blossoms breathe their life away. Where birds drop golden songs from spray to spray, And changing color all the landscape sweeps, I think of thee. When Autumn's splen- dors fall. Or crystal snowflakes fold the earth in white, When angel wings seem brooding over all, And heavenly music gives the spirit flight, Then, as in all life's pictures dark or bright, A thought of thee doth still my heart en- thrall ! 26 THE MUSIC OF NATURE THE MUSIC OF NATURE URMUR soft lullabys, whisper- ing breeze, Peal thy deep organ tones, winds in the trees, Lisp thy faint choruses, voices of night, lycap o'er thy chasms, brook seething white ! Chant thy loud anthems, storm driven sea, Hum thy heart's dreamfulness, honey bound bee, Pour forth thy love songs, bird on the wing. Ripple thy wavelets, blue lake of spring. Mingling sweet harmonies of earth and of air. Drifting her worship of praise and of prayer, Nature her minstrelsy wafteth abroad, Lifting the spirit upward to God. UNDER THE ARC LIGHT 27 UNDER THE ARC EIGHT ITH quickened step they home- ward go Over the pavements to and fro; Some with sighing, some with song, An ever moving, hurrying throng; — Jostling, pushing to left and right, Appearing and disappearing from sight, Hearts of gladness, hearts of grief, Passing as passeth the windblown leaf. Women with faces weary and wan. One glimpse and then forever gone; Women of leisure, wealth and ease. Seeking, mayhap, a whim to please; — Men in clothing costly and fine, Faces showing the marks of wine, And men of faces hard and stern With questionings how the bread to earn, — Men in tatters, women in rags. Sweet girl faces and loathsome hags, Boys with shouts of frolic gay. Blocking the overcrowded way; 28 UNDER THE ARC LIGHT Faces aglow with intellect, Believers of every faith and sect, All, all flash into the great white light, And as suddenly fade into the night. Ah ! what are the stories of these lives, These human hearts, these husbands, wives ? Could we turn the leaf and look within, Might we not pity some who sin. And turn with scorn from some away, Who outwardly lift hands to pray ? But they come, they come and they are gone, Forever sweeping and surging on ; Their lives unwritten save there above. Where One keeps record whose name is I^ove ! O MOUNTAINS ! 29 O MOUNTAINS ! MOUNTAINS of eternal peace, With beauty crowned and heavenly light, The spirit findeth glad release, Beholding thy majesty and might! Thy glory maketh life seem great, And gives it glimpses of its goal. As it riseth to a higher state In exaltations of the soul. The stars in silence from their height Above thy purple splendor brood, And bird and flower in beauty bright Watch at thy feet in field and wood. In mists of purple dawn and eve, In glowing tints of cloud and sun, When wandering winds around thee grieve, Thy strength and beauty mingle one. And evermore thy silent voice, — Until it doth the spirit thrill, — Breathes forth the message, " O rejoice In strength, and be in sorrow still !" 30 AS UNTO HIM AS UNTO HIM TAND not in the full glare and light Thine alms to do ; Do not thy high deed in man's sight His praise to woo. But as to Him who unto thee Hath given all, In the true spirit of humility Let thy deed fall. And angels upon heavenly scroll, There high above, Shall trace, to clothe with grace thy soul, Thy deeds of love ! O JUNK, SWEET JUNE! 3 1 O JUNE, SWEET JUNE! (for a wedding) JUNE, sweet June, the birds are singing, The name is lyove on thy ban- ners green, With music glad the woods are ringing, And nests are hidden the leaves be- tween ; O as thou hastest swiftly away, Drop one sweet song to live for aye ! O June, sweet June, the flowers are bloom- ing,— The name is Faith they have written where, Amid the grass or forest glooming, Always we find them here or there, — O as thou hastest so swiftly by, Drop one sweet flower which shall not die! O June, sweet June, both song and flower Shall linger long a beautiful dream. 32 O JUNE, SWEET JUNE ! When thou dost fold in one brief hour, Two lives in love and faith supreme. Sweet memories to the years belong, For all Love'' s days have flower and song ! A CHRISTMAS ROBIN 33 A CHRISTMAS ROBIN T was the week of Christmas and joy reigned, Or seemed to reign in every heart I knew. If in my own the gray o'ercast the blue Yet still a semblance of content it feigned, Lest hearts beloved should for its own be pained, And o'er their skies should fall the darker hue. Who would not give to love the season's due Though some sweet joy for self be unat- tained ! Ah, wait ! what was it flashed across the light ! A robin? What bird of spring would dare its flight Above these wintry snows? I do but dream ! And yet 'tis he, my summer bird of dawn, I feast him with mine eyes, a flash, a gleam, A light, a Christmas joy, and he is gone ! 34 BOOKS BOOKS N calm serene they wait for me, My silent, high-born friends. Breathing a pure fidelity, Which makes my grief amends. Time writes no wrinkles on their brow, Nor toucheth them with change, As were they once, so are they now, In spirit's flight and range. Homer, Virgil, and Chaucer quaint, Still touch their heavenly lyre, Petrarch maketh still love's plaint. And Dante's heart is fire, Shakespeare with his magic wand. And Wordsworth, Nature's bard, DeQuincey by weird fancies fanned, And Cowper sorrow-starred, — With spirits more, a host sublime, Which ere while walked the earth. Still touch the clouded heights of Time, Where deathless thoughts have birth. BOOKS 35 O books whose presence oft I seek, In all life's gold and gray ! A wondrous language dost thou speak, To cheer me on my way. To lead me to that inmost shrine, The sanctuary of the soul. And whisper messages divine, Of life's transcendent goal ! 36 WHAT ARE THE SNOWFLAKES ? WHAT ARE THE SNOWFLAKES ? ]RE they the spirits of beautiful birds, — Which sang erewhile their songs without words — Fluttering back to the home of their birth, To hide for a space the desolate earth ? Are they the wings of white thoughts of a heart, Which once upon earth sang sweetly apart, Mayhap by others unheard and unknown. Which now from the skies are hitherward blown ? Are they the flowers which were buried by love, Blooming immortally there above, Whose petals soft, falling out of the cloud. Weave for the earth a lily white shroud ? Are they the down of the angels' soft wings, — Lost in their paradise wanderings — Which from unseen spaces falling abroad. Delicately cover the dreary sod ? WHAT ARE THE SNOWFLAKES ? 37 Ah, these are but fancies, and only I know "There is nothing so pure as the beautiful snow, ' ' When it spreads its softness as if for a shield, O'er mountain and valley, and forest and field! 38 BOB-O-LINCOIvN BOB-0-I.INCOI.N WEET bird hovering over The grasses and clover, And daisies goldhearted and buttercups bright ; Whatever thy fare be, Thou seemest all care-free, As if thy wee heart knew but sweetness and light. Now o'er meadows besprinkling Thy musical tinkling. Thy tender wing brushing the silvery dew ; Nor skyward far sailing. Where low clouds are trailing. Winging thy way 'neath the infinite blue. O bright Bob-o-Iyincoln, Full sweet 'tis to think on Thy wonderful life so breezy and free ! In the feathery masses Of tremulous grasses, O is there a nest close hidden for thee? MICHAEL ANGELO 39 MICHAEI. ANGKLO HOU of the four-fold soul majes- tic, strong, Illumined by heavenly light within. Winging life's unsealed mountain peaks among, A beauty omnipotent to win, — From genius' altar fires 'twas given thee, A coal to gather thrice and once again, To give thee glorious ascendancy Above the measure of thy fellow men. Visions of unseen splendor thrilled thy soul, Till through light ethereal thou didst see, As writ upon a star-illumined scroll, The glory which set thy spirit free. O thine were afl&nities with the unseen. And shining down through centuries of time, Still burns thy spirit on two worlds between, As through thy works colossal man doth climb ! 40 SLEEP SLEEP lyEEP lulls the heart and puts to rest The weary cares of day, Earth's sweetest, dearest boon, and best, Wearing the smiles of May. "When Sleep steals on there falleth peace And calm from out His skies ; All life's unrest she maketh cease, And drieth tearful eyes. Who would not woo her gentle breath Upon the eyelids down, Alike forgetting life and death. Earth's sunshine or its frown ? OCEAN SKIES 4^ OCEAN SKIES ENDER waves that ripple across a sea-sky floor, Touching, touching, touching upon a silent shore, Mighty vessels bearing across the azure zone. Sailing, sailing, sailing for some port un- known. Tremulous gleams of color, where a white sail drifteth slow, Throbbing, throbbing, throbbing as the sun it sinketh low; Tiny skiffs and sail-boats what time the breezes die, Rocking, rocking, rocking where at anchor- age they lie. Sweet hopes that lie at anchor in the heart's becalmed seas. Waiting, waiting, waiting for a freshening breeze; Thoughts that go a-sailing along life's ocean sky, Sweeping, sweeping, sweeping its utmost boundary ! 42 HIS QUEST HIS QUEST N the broad highways of wisdom, In the wider fields of thought, Oft one weary long had lin- gered, Yet found not the boon he sought. Of the pre-historic ages. Of the far-off days of eld. He had studied, he had pondered. Yet his vision ne'er beheld. Once again afar he wandered. Wandered up and wandered down Through quaint far-off foreign cities, - Where gigantic mountains frown. Threaded lonely Alpine passes. Plucked the lowly edelweiss, Heard half sad the skylark's rapture Dropped to earth from Paradise. Till there dawned upon his spirit, — Like a bright Elysian gleam. Thrilling it with wondrous beauty, — The tender vision of his dream. HIS QUKST 43 All the high unrest and longing, All the questionings of soul, By Love's magic wand had vanished. Found was now his spirit's goal ! 44 IN THE SKIES IN THE SKIES HEN the cares of life are press- ing, I^ook away ! Look away ! Seek not here thy pain's re- dressing ; By the breath of heaven's caressing, Thou shalt find thy spirit's blessing, Far away ! Far away ! When in grief thy heart moan maketh, Look above ! Look above ! Light from out the shadows breaketh ; He thy pain and sorrow taketh, There is One who ne'er forsaketh, Far above ! Far above ! Shines the Star thy life's sure staying. In the skies ! In the skies ! All thy soul in light arraying, All thy heart's deep wounds allaying, — Thou shalt rise through pain and praying To the skies ! To the skies ! THK HERMIT THRUSH 45 THE HERMIT THRUSH PURITY, purity!" the thrush bird sings In his wild, sweet, haunting hymn. And the music trembles and echoes and rings Through the aisles of the forest dim. "O purity, purity !" he chanteth again From his heart's pure depths within, His life unloved, unnoticed of men, Though he near to heaven hath been. "O purity, purity!" Spirit of lyove, Through the tender heart of a bird, The mystical music of heaven above. Translated I have heard, I have heard! 46 AT IvOVE'S behest AT I^OVE'S BEHEST HERE most is love there most is pain; Who loveth most hath grief for guest, And joy sings in a minor strain At love's behest. SPRING FI^OWERS 47 SPRING FI.OWERS HE little trembling flowers, That o'er the wood and field, For this old world of ours. Such gentle sweetness yield,- Wait not the shining glory Of skies of gold and blue. To write the sweet old story Of faith and hope anew. While April skies are weeping Through clouds of mist and rain. Their promised tryst still keeping. They bloom for us again. Like tender thoughts of sweetness. Written by God's own hand. To crown the spring's completeness, They come a beauteous band. What flower of man's protection, What pampered hothouse gem, Wins such true heart-affection, As the wild flower on its stem ? EASTER MORN EASTER MORN* RAIIylNG a path of shining light, Athwart the shadowy sky, Two angels in glistening rai- ment bright, On soft, swift pinions fly Toward yon weird hill of Calvary, Beheld in distance dim. Their faces rapt in ecstasy, Their hearts athrill with Him. The gloom of darkness hath surceased, And melted into dawn. See yonder pale light in the east ! Lo! the glory stealeth on! Steals on with pure intensity The resurrection Beam, Unfolding the wondrous mystery Of the world's Light Supreme! ♦Suggested by Plockhorst's " The First faster Morn." TO A SUMMER CLOUD 49 TO A SUMMER CI.OUD BIylCATK rover, hovering over The scented clover and • grasses free, Blue skies veiling, pictures trailing. Breezes softly sailing thee. Color glowing, garments flowing. Shadows throwing over the lea. Silver glintings, sunlit tintings, Magical hintings of the sea. Beauty moulding, wings upholding. Angels folding their grace in thee, Pearly whiteness, airy lightness. Heavenly brightness thy vestures be ! 50 GOODBYE, SWEET YEAR, GOODBYE GOODBYE, SWEET YEAR, GOODBYE EOOKED abroad when the chill day was dying, And breathed a pensive sigh, A few late, hurried birds were flying Athwart the autumn sky. I looked at morn when sunrise cast its glory Over the woodland scene, And read nature's farewell story The fluttering leaves between. I gazed again when the sad day was dying. And breathed a deeper sigh. The latest bird was southward flying, — Goodbye, sweet year, goodbye ! I CANNOT UNDERSTAND 5 1 I CANNOT UNDERSTAND CANNOT understand this life of mine, The mystery of its changes day by day; I cannot see the hidden Hand divine, Which moves and guides the shifting scenes alway; Yet through the light of faith I dimly see. That all which He hath sent is best for me, I cannot understand the grief and pain, The sorrow and the anguish of the years ; I cannot see, alas, why falls the rain! And some must look at life through mists of tears; Yet well I know that He in whom I trust, In all His leadings must be wise and just. I cannot understand why so much joy Falls to the lot of some, while others weep; I cannot see why some without alloy. May drink of pleasure's draughts so full and deep ; Yet well I know that joy, too, hath its place, If He but deemeth best its smiling face. 52 I CANNOT UNDERSTAND I cannot understand the mystery of the love Which sets the way, or glad or sad, for each; I cannot see the One all other friends above. Who, wise and loving, all our need can reach ; Yet well I know in His bright realms of air. Him I shall see and all His mysteries share. 'in life's sunset 53 IN UFE'S SUNSET ( TO D. C. ) S one afar upon a mountainous steep, lyingeringly his weary footstep stays, Below into the valley's depths to gaze, Where alternating lights and shadows sweep O'er it as it dreamfully lies asleep, — So backward thou from thy far height of days. May view the windings of Time's devious ways, And life's green vales where thou didst smile or weep. To-day the glory of the mountains lies About thy sovereign soul in calms serene; Strong for the truth when Justice to thee cries, Thy spirit's light transfigureth the scene ; And so gently Time hath touched thee still arise Radiant dawns thy sunset skies between ! 54 MY MOCKING BIRD MY MOCKING BIRD Y beautiful mocking bird sits on his perch, And I love to think of his cage as a church, Where he preaches sweet sermons day unto day, Of light in the darkness, of gold in the gray. Sweet patience shines through the beau- teous eyes. And a wonderful story methinks in them lies, — Pictures of memory, the joy or the woe. Which were his, mayhap, in the long, long ago. This dear little friend of my life maketh part. And touches the deep, deep things of the heart, But who shall translate the mystical word. Which breathes from the spirit of one little bird! MY MOCKING BIRD 55 Sometimes his gaze seems resting afar, As if he were following the lead of a star, Or as if he were dreamingly striving to reach The magical language we humans call speech. then his thought slowly blossoms in song, Trembling and quivering sweetly along The musical chords ever throbbing within The beautiful breast, untainted of sin. At dawntide, at noontide, at set of the sun, Sermon and song both is he in one; 1 watch and listen that I lose not one strain Of the beauty and mystery of his life's refrain ! 56 ALONE WITH THEE ALONE WITH THEE lyONE with Thee when morn is breaking, And melts the shadows gray, When in the glow of glad awa- king. In beauty dawns the day. Alone with Thee when twilight creepeth On shadowy wings apace. When evening skies the starlight steepeth In tenderness and grace. Alone with Thee when silence falleth O'er all who smile or weep, When the low wind whispering calleth To the hour of calm and sleep. Alone with Thee in silent pleading, One quiet hour alone, — To ask Thy guidance and Thy leading, When the spirit maketh moan. Alone with Thee when skies are lowering. And sorrow fills the air. The sweetness of Thy grace imploring, Life's burdens all to bear ! PRESCIENCE 57 PRESCIENCE CLOUD came darkling down the air, — I could not tell whence my despair, Till over fathoms deep of sea, The mystery was revealed to me. A light broke shining on my way, — I could not tell from whence the ray, Till, sweet as morning song of bird, I^ove's message came with winged word. 58 GARDEN OR FIEI^D FLOWER GARDEN OR FIEIvD FI.OWER PI^UCKED a flower of the gar- den, I plucked a flower of the field, And questioned which most of sweetness, Unto my heart should yield. The flower of the garden faded. And left no joy behind, But the little withered field flower, Left a picture in my mind. For far in its home was the beauty Of birds and musical streams, Of pictures of woodland and meadow, And mountains misty as dreams. O wide were the skies that brooded Over its mossy bed, O pure was the breeze that kissed it, And drank the fragrance it shed. And again through my faded flow' ret, I behold the beautiful scene Of river and valley and forest, And purple mountains serene. GARDEN OR FIEIvD FLOWER 59 And once more I hear the singing, Through this wee blossom of mine, Of the brook with its haunting music. And the thrush with his song divine, O wilding watered of heaven! O'erwatched by the Father's eye, Thou yieldest a lingering sweetness, The garden flower doth but die ! 6o SNOW SHADOWS SNOW SHADOWS 'KR the white fields of the snow, Soft the purple shadows lie, Winds may come and winds may go, Whispered breezes pass them by,- Still like spirits of a dream, Shadows cast by ghostly sleep, Half unreal do they seem, Traced upon the pallid deep. Traced upon the wintry shroud. Which the heart of nature chills, Unreflected of the cloud. Which with glory sweeps the hills. Leafless vine and lofty tree, Obeying Phoebus' high command, Body forth the mystery, By their soft magician's wand. Fairy pictures wrought with skill, Winter's heritage of grace, Beauty's mission to fulfill, Pencilled for a fleeting space! THE WAKENING YEAR 6l THE WAKENING YEAR INMOST a sight it is to make one weep, For pure joy weep, when softly o'er the earth, The year awakeneth to a glad new birth From out its white and wintry folds of sleep. When pale-winged clouds sail over seas of blue, And bird songs float across the tender air, And, like meek nuns with folded hands in prayer. Shy, hidden blossoms the grassy ways bestrew. When from its long and frozen sleep set free, The noisy brooklet ripples down the glen. And leaping o'er some rocky steep in glee, lyaughs out and hurries on to haunts of men. Ah ! sweet forever shall the season be, Which brings these treasures of the spring again ! 62 I.ITTLE FEET LITTLE FEET THE music of little feet, Glad and sweet ! How they dance across the floor, O'er and o'er. Restless, active, all about, In and out. As by winsome fairies led, Soft the tread. Patter, patter everywhere, Here and there; Swiftly, joyously they go, To and fro. O the music ! who would miss The tender bliss Of tiny, toddling, dainty feet. Soft and fleet ! THOREAU 63 THOREAU ITH almost microscopic sight, Nature's secrets shy and rare, He read with vision clear and bright. Till homeliest objects blossomed fair. To him as rich one spot of earth, As to the eye untrained a mile, And richer thoughts for him had birth, Than for the wanderer to the Nile. In dear familiar ways of home, His quickened vision travelled far. What cared he for St. Peter's dome, When Nature set her door ajar ! The waters of lone Walden shone In splendor like a tropic sea. The mystery he had made his own Of flower and stately forest tree. 'Mid leafy halls of some dim wood, — His prima donna sweet a bird, — A music fitting every mood Wafted rapturously he heard. 64 THOREAU For him the bleakest day could lend A charm if but he walked abroad, Some shy wild thing he wooed for friend, And sought for treasures o'er the sod. Unvexed by trivial social claims, He never craved publicity, Unworldly were his spirit's aims, — His life a large simplicity. GROWTH 65 GROWTH [OST thou know the highest mis- sion Of each human soul ? Wherein lies the blest fruition Of heaven's golden goal? God appointed it ere ever Oped to earth thine eyes, Yet without striving shalt thou never Cleave vx'ith it the skies. How it beckoneth higher, higher. With its shining hand ! The spirit of the heaven-born fire Lies in its mystic wand. But ere ever thou hast bound it, Clasped it for thine own, With Hfe's thorns thou shalt have crowned it, And seeds eternal sown ! 66 FERNS FERNS N simple garb of woodland green, To clothe the lowly places, Or some shy flower mayhap to screen, The ferns unfold their laces. Some delicate and low and small. The home of violets tender. Some, waving high their banners tall. Sweet services to render. Some, children of the summer bright. When touched by fingers hoary. Change into spirits frail and white, And end their sweet told story. And other some on winter's breast, Through pathless woods and meadows, Still in their summer beauty drest. Trace lovely shapes and shadows. They fringe the borders of the brook. And river swiftly flowing. And many a shadowy, flowerless nook, Wins grace of their bestowing. FERNS 67 To barren ledges pale they cling, The soul to thrill with wonder, Or in lone crevices upspring, Where rocks are rent asunder. Like benedictions everywhere, We meet these graceful treasures, Alike their beauty all may share, Who heed life's simple pleasures! 68 LOVE LOVE all life's blessings which we deem most sweet, Love is the bright, perennial flower, Without whose breath in sun and shower, Our dearest joys would be but incomplete Our sorrows have no haven of retreat. Life's highest inspiration and power. Love bequeathes rich fragrance for its dower. And joys undying which the years repeat. Like some bright star within the skies of night, When clouded o'er they are with mist and rain. It buds and blooms with no reluctant light. Along life's darkling path of care and pain. Heaven-born, in paradise it blooms more bright, A flower which knows no earthly stain ! DAY IS DONE 69 DAY IS DONE AST falls the day, and twilight steals With shadowy wings apace, Far, far a chiming bell soft peals Across the glooming space. The throbbing heart of some wee bird. With warblings low is sweetly stirred ; The cricket chirps his joy of life. And far above all care and strife, The silent stars creep one by one, And softly whisper day is done. yo A PRISONED ANGEIv A PRISONED ANGEI. THERE are songs of the heart, I ween, Sweeter than any sung. Delicate gems which lie unseen The hidden things among. There are lives as fragrant as the May, B}^ the wide world unknown. Blooming in sweetness day by day, Yet hidden and alone. O there are thoughts, too deep for speech, In fathomless depths of love. Far buried where no eye may reach, Save the Seeing Eye above. And melodies in some lives there be, Which find nor word nor voice. Yet o'er which o'er the shining sea. The angels bright rejoice. O there are hearts who grief have known. Bereft of love's caress. Grieving for hours forever flown. Living to others bless. A PRISONED ANGEL 71 Unselfish, beautiful and sweet, By unseen spirits led, A path with cruel thorns replete, With bleeding feet they tread. There be in some two lives, I ween, Two separate lives in one, Which the soul hangs draperies between, The world's cold eye to shun. We see not the angel hidden there, — As we tread our earthlier way, — Which daily walks with us pure and fair, Prisoned within its clay ! 72 MOODS MOODS ESTERDAY the stream of thought ran swift, And flowed in ripples strong, And bore upon its downward drift Full many a happy song. Today it sluggish moves and slow, And clouds their shadows cast Far in its torpid depths below, As dark it slippeth past. Yesterday birds sang free as air, And flowers their fragrance shed Beneath soft skies, cloud flecked and fair, And leaves waved green o'erhead. Today there is nor bird nor flower, 'Twas but the light within, And earth is but a sheeted bower, For spring long since hath been. TWO WORIvDS 73 TWO WORIvDS HERE be two worlds of vast infinity, — The rolling earth which lies about the feet, In the round year glorious and complete, And with its enzoning splendors free, The high heaven's blue domed canopy. O lift the eyes above and they shall greet Such harmonies of form and color fleet, As shall thrill the soul with ecstasy. What gem with rarer, purer lustre gleams, Than drifting clouds of amethyst or gold, Touched with the silvery softness of the dove ! What radiance, what dazzling color streams Through those heavenly spaces manifold, In the beautiful cloudland world above ! 74 DOUBT DOUBT OVE hath wings and flies from far, Nor bolts nor prisons may it bar, One door, one only, shuts it out. The darkened, shadowed one of doubt. BK NATURE S GUEST 75 BE NATURE'S GUEST OUEDST cool thy brow, and ease thy breast Of care opprest ? Go seek some bright and gurg- ling stream, And idly fold thine hands and dream. And take thy rest ! Wouldst find thee hope in some sad hour, And quickened power? Go seek where fall no sunlit rays. And see how blooms in darksome ways Some lonely flower ! Wouldst fill thy soul with heavenly cheer, And breathe thee freer? Go seek the mountain's purple shrine, Where thrushes with their song divine Bring heaven anear ! 76 PASSING OF THE OI.D YEAR PASSING OF THE OI^D YEAR IME hath shut the Old Year out, Closed and barred his silent door; He hath turned his face about, To return again no more. Seemed he for us friend or foe, Gave he joy, or gave he pain, Like a phantom fading slow Goes he with his shadowy train. Shadowy train of breathing hours, Marshalled on the field of life ; Fair as are the springtime flowers, Or dark with conflict and with strife. Blame him not, the poor Old Year ! But think of him a teacher true. Through love and joy and falling tear Lifting to the clearer blue ! 1 IN RADIANT VISION 77 IN RADIANT VISION KTHOUGHT, in radiant vision, One weary, weary night, I saw the hosts Elysian, And heard their songs in light. O they were so near me, near me. It seemed as they would cheer me In their heavenly flight. O white their garments glistened, O sweet their songs, and lo ! As, rapt, my spirit listened. Hushed was its grief and woe. O the music drifting, drifting, All earth's sombre shadows lifting. To its throbbings slow. O saddened hearts and weary, Have you not heard them too ? When earthly skies grew dreary Have not they come to you ? Has not your grief been lifted, lifted, As the music slowly drifted Of angels down the blue ? 78 IN RADIANT VISION Yes ! with life below there blendeth The songs of Paradise, Our angel ones He sendeth Out of the silent skies. O they are often near us, near us, With yearnings deep to cheer us, And dry our tearful eyes ! GIVE THE WORD OF COMFORT 79 GIVE THE WORD OF COMFORT KINDI.Y jIVE the word of comfort kindly, To the wanderer o'er life's main, Groping darkly, sadly, blindly, 'Mid the shadows and the rain. Listen to his tale of sorrow, From thy heart some music borrow. Which hath echoed its refrain. When for thee a sweet hope slain, Touched the coming of each morrow With the burden of its pain. Speak in accents soft and tender To weary pilgrims of the way. Sweetest service seek to render. Scattering blossoms of the May. Give thyself with thy bestowing, lyCt others see thy heart's o'erflowing. Till with courage for the fray. They meet the cloudy hosts of gray, And in brighter sunshine sowing. Reap richer harvests of life's day ! 8o THE POET THE POET S if some angel called across the space Betwixt that higher and this lower place, And calling, calling, moved the soul that heard. Until it thrilled with music like a bird. So is the poet with his heart of fire Thrilled with the music of his heavenly lyre. The songs he sings he deems not all his own, When, like wafted breaths from worlds unknown, — Thrilling the soul with wonder deep and strange. That so it hath been granted such high range, — Harmonies which seem not all of earth, In some rapt moment have Elysian birth ! SONG OF THB ORIOLK 8 1 SONG OF THE ORIOI.E HEN the chilling winds abate, And the sweet May opes her gate, From the south the oriole late Cometh with his heart of fire, And joyous 'mid the sylvan choir. Strikes once more his golden lyre. Sometimes, mayhap, upon the wing His mellow notes he loves to fling Into the tender heart of spring. Sometimes close hid among the trees. Where soughs and sighs the whispering breeze, He sings his glowing heart to ease. And when the fields abroad are strewn With fragrant blossoms of the June, Still he cheerly flutes his tune. Could pretty, pendant nests be made. And dainty eggs therein be laid. Were there no happy song for aid ? 82 SONG OP THE ORIOLE The magic of the morn and eve In his lay he loves to weave, E'en though sometimes sadly grieve The over-brooding skies above, — For only sweetest song may prove, How dear, how beautiful is love i DEAR I^ITTLE VIOLETS 83 DEAR I.ITTI.E VIOLETS ( PARMA VIOIvETS) EAR little violets, drooping so lowly, Breathing the breath of all sweetest things ! Pure meditations tender and holy, Are stirred by the touch of your purple wings ! Sweet as the breath of the heart's adoration, Wafted like incense upward to Him, Humble, yet yielding a pure inspiration, Which illumines the soul when faith groweth dim. Dear little violets, folded the fairest. Whispering messages born of the May, Of all sweet flowerets daintiest, rarest, Crowning with brightness the shadowy day! 84 STIR, STIR, O SOUI. ! STIR, STIR, O SOUL! TIR, stir, O soul ! and stretch thy wing. Thy journey leadeth far, Hearest thou the message of the King? 'Tis high as yonder star, — Thy journey upward, heavenward lies, I^eave the plain and cleave the skies ! Up, up, O soul ! and cast behind The sordid things of earth, To higher visions be not blind. But heed the heavenly birth, — Thy journey upward, heavenward lies. Leave the plain and cleave the skies ! Rise, rise, O soul ! be not dismayed Should toilsome be thy flight, Angels on thy side arrayed, Shall be thy guiding light, — Thy journey upward, heavenward lies, Leave the plain and cleave the skies ! WORDSWORTH 85 WORDSWORTH N what fair fields celestial walks he now Who, as he trod the lowlier ways of earth, Found joy in e'en the humblest floweret's birth, And songs immortal where sweet waters flow. What crown have angels woven for the brow Of him, for whom transfigured stood re- vealed This world, what glory for him unsealed, Upon his tranced vision wafted slow ! Do birds divine in heavenliest strain Chant songs Elysian in that high estate ? And lark and nightingale in glad refrain, Still upon his lingering footsteps wait ? Would thou couldst tell, Oh, bard, thy highest gain. What makes thee there, than here, more glad and great ! 86 TO THE MERRIMAC TO THE MERRIMAC. BEAUTIFUIy, beautiful river, Mirroring on thy silver breast, Many a bright and radiant pic- ture. Many a tender dream of rest. Flowing onward through the forest, Flowing downward through the glen, Ever slipping, slipping seaward. Past the busy haunts of men. O beautiful, beautiful river, Crystal river of shining grace, Fashioning pictures in thy passage, Ever with progress keeping pace. Giving of thy heart's pure waters Generously ever day by day, Breathing the freedom of the mountains. As thou flowest on thy way. O beautiful, beautiful river. Breathing of Nature's heart the life, Beloved of bird and tree and blossom. Serene 'mid human care and strife, — TO THB MERRIMAC 87 O Hampshire hills were lone without thee, O Hampshire meadows fold their green, Soft loveliness more tender, For shining of thy silver sheen. O beautiful, beautiful river, While man but rises and decays Forever a haunting dream of beauty, — Thine own sweet waters be thy praise ! Flow on bright river, river flowing. And like a benediction sweet, The coming years crown with thy glory, As unborn centuries repeat ! HOPE HOPE HEARTS ! who sadly, silently grope Amid the shadows of some wintry night, Whose depths, alas, obscure the spirit's light, Wait thou and watch for the sweet angel Hope. Mayhap a strength is hers beyond thy scope. And that winging gloriously her flight. Soon she may crown thee with her shining bright. And glad new vistas for thy vision ope. 'Tis hers to give thy thought a golden wing. The slumbering buds of promise to awake, Till, like the wilding blossoms of the spring. From wintry soil the flowers of joy shall break, And most musically the soul shall sing. Forgetting all its sadness and its ache ! A SUNSET 89 A SUNSET OD'S finger touched the skies, and lo ! From the transcendent glory of His own, From the unseen splendors of His throne, Streams of dazzling radiance flow. To show us what that Height may be, One moment through the Golden Gates, The Unbeholden on our vision waits. And sets His lights celestial free ! mm 90 HOW IT WOULD SEEM HOW IT WOUI.D SEEM WONDER, little bird, flitting so free, Could I, too, fly far up in a tree, What I should see, and how it would seem, So high above valley and meadow and stream ! By so much only as spreading the wings. To sit under a canopy fairer than kings. And no weariness feel, and no terror withal, Of a crash through the branches, a tumble and fall ! And I wonder, too, — O little bird bright, How to you it would seem with no wings for flight ! With only two legs as heavy as lead. And nothing to lift you high overhead ! EVENING HYMN 91 EVENING HYMN Wllylv hide me in Thy shelter, when the light of day grows dim, And the deepening shades of twilight steal softly o'er the land ; Safely through the hours of midnight, I will wait the morning's hymn. For I know that Thou wilt keep me in the hollow of Thy hand ! I will hide me in Thy shelter, where Thou dost keep Thine own. Safe anchored in a hidden calm from life's unresting care; Though I walk with pain and sorrow amid the shadows lone, I know that Thou wilt help me my bur- dens all to bear. I will hide me in Thy shelter till the storms of life be past, And I shall hear Thy silent call far o'er the unknown strands ; 92 KVENING HYMN When this frail earthly life, slowly ebbing out at last, Finds glorious awakening among the angel bands ! HAREBELLS 93 HAREBELI.S WING, swing over the rocks, Delicate, airy bells ! Ring, ring for the fairy folks Who hide in yonder dells. Human ears can hear no sound, Yet the fairy people round, When the breezes softly play, Hear thy pealing far away. Swing, swing over gray stones, Violet tinted flower ! Ring, ring ! the pine tree moans Above thy summer bower. When they hear thy tender bell, Fairies know that all is well, O haste the passing breeze to woo, And ring thy bells across the dew ! 94 MOTHERHOOD MOTHERHOOD HE blossom the sweetest that bloomed in the May, And over my heart the daintiest lies, Came from the beautiful far away, Out of the glory, the light of His skies ; A tiny bud tender From the home of His splendor. Where never a flower bud withers and dies. The blossom the sweetest, which thrilleth my heart With tremulous joy too sweet for a word. Smiles with angels fair in a world apart. When the waft of an unseen wing is stirred. O heaven doth hold her. With purity fold her. And seraphic voices softly are heard. The blossom the sweetest that One ever gave. With rapturous kisses I fold to my breast, MOTHERHOOD 95 And the joy of heaven my ^spirit doth lave, For the fragile flower of Holy Ones blest. With tendrils soft twining, From the home of His shining, Life's May blossom sweetest He hath sent for my rest. 96 TO THE VEERY TO THE VEERY [S if from mountains golden, fair, Of some far ethereal clime. Thy soft reverberating chime Falls throbbing on the air. O bird divine ! thy song of songs Thrills all my being with the bliss Of the first rapturous, trembling kiss Of love upon life's wrongs ! A wandering angel from the skies Might sing like thee, no other could, wide through all the lonely wood Thy vesper songs arise. Of care and pain I take no note ; 1 only hear that song divine, I only know that heart of thine Is trembling and afloat. Sing on, sweet singer ! chant thy lay. And the wild pathos of its strain. All its purity and its pain. Shall linger with me day by day ! GRIEF 97 GRIEF RIEF with swift tumultuous sweep, O'erswept life's mystic keys, And crushed with woe a soul drank deep Of sorrow's bitter lees. lyove with rapture deep and strong, The mystic keys o'erswept, Thrilling the spirit so with song. It smiled where it had wept. 98 IMAGINATION IMAGINATION SWEET voice softly calling, As from some far-off deeps, A strain of music falling Upon a lieart that weeps. A fair and wondrous vision, Which only spirit sees, A breath of fields Elysian Whispering through the breeze. A star gleam in the gloaming, A song sung in the night, A thought through spaces roaming, Bathed in a rosy light. A strange and heavenly brightness, Shining through rifted clouds, A subtle sense of lightness. As of the angel crowds. A picture full of beauty. Changing with every breath, Brightening the path of duty, Triumphing over death. IMAGINATION 99 A world within created, A glory never seen, A joy which we have waited Behind life's shadowed screen ! lOO THE HIGHER IvIFE THE HIGHER LIFE F thou wouldst live the larger life, And find thy soul its wings, If thou wouldst rise above the strife. Where the spirit soars and sings, — O drink deep draughts of heavenly love From that pure crystal stream, Which flows afar from God above. In purity supreme. WHAT WERE THE SUNRISE WHAT WERE THE SUNRISE WITH- OUT THE SHADE? HAT were the sunrise without the shade ? What were the day without the night ? Over against the darkness is laid The tremulous brightness of the light ; Ah ! 'tis the dark makes welcome the day, We should tire of the light if we had it alway. What were the sunlight without the rain ? What were the calm without the storm ? After the shower the birds' sweet strain, After the clouds the sunshine warm ; Ah ! 'tis the shadow makes welcome the shine, We should tire of the sun were all the days fine. What were the blue skies without the gray ? What were the gold without the gloom ? After the winter cometh the May, After the snow the song and the bloom ; I02 WHAT WKRE THE SUNRISE Ah ! 'tis winter makes welcome the spring, We might weary of May if it never took wing. What were the joy without the pain ? What were the smile without the tear ? After grief's winter the Maytime again, After the anguish love's sunshine and cheer ; Ah ! in life's skies day follows the night. We might weary of joy if it 7iever took flight ! MY DKAREST I,ORD 103 MY DEAREST LORD ]Y dearest Lord, from whom all sweetness flows, Whose gentle hand along life's path alway, Doth ever lead me safely, day by day. With Thee alone is peacefulness and repose. E'en though I wander where the rough wind blows. Where all the skies are darkened by the gray, Still may I feel the balms of Thy sweet May, Safe folded in the calms Thy love bestows. Through sunshine and through storm Thy whispered peace. Like softest music drifting on the air, Soothes the tired spirit till its tumults cease. And heaven's own restfulness it doth share. O Thou, dear Lord, art of all peace the source Whereunto Thy children have recourse ! I04 O WISE LITTLE BIRDS O WISE I.ITTLE BIRDS WISE little birds, how know you when To take far o'erhead your jour- ney again, From the chill north winds and the frost and cold, To where warmer suns are drifting their gold? O what is the mystery tender and rare, Which leads and guides you, wee pilgrims of air, As hid in the folds of the nebulous night, You wing through the skies your far away flight ! Your voices of silver through midnight deep. As they tremble adown the airy-blue steep, I^ike a far off echo of fairyland seem, And thrill the heart like a delicate dream ! O light is your bark, and your rudder frail. So far through the fathomless skies to sail ! O'er the wide empyrean only led, By one wee pilot winging ahead ! O WISE LITTLE BIRDS I05 O wondrous forethought ! O wisdom un- guessed ! Folded deep in a tiny, wee breast, If the ways of thy life were unto me known, O mayhap then might I fathom mine own ! io6 FAITH FAITH AITH is a flower which opens in the dark, A song which skyward rises like the lark, A star which when the gold of daylight dies, Serenely rises in life's evening skies. Faith is a rock which shields us from despair, A wing which lifts above earth's pain and care, A light, a lamp which guides us all the way Through death's dark portals to eternal day! TO A FRIEND I07 TO A FRIEND HY love, beautiful as a star that guides A traveller o'er some desert drear, Gives to my life its kindliest cheer, And for its deep heart hungerings provides. Through all the changefulness of life's tides Thy sweet, brave spirit through the rounded year, Though shadows fall seems never to know fear, But in the light of hope alway abides. While toilsome many seem to find the way, I^ight as a wing thy touch of Mother Earth, Thy harp of life with every morning's birth Sounding sweet chords which echo through the gray. Like some bright bird from out the heart of May, Which maketh music 'mid the winter's dearth ! io8 SLEIGH BELLS SLEIGH BEIvIvS ITH a tingle and a tangle, All the sounds a seeming jangle, And a swinging backward, for- ward, to and fro ; On the frosty morning breaking, Clear their silvery notes outshaking. The sleigh bells are ringing o'er the snow. How they set the nerves a-thrilling ! Through the heart a joy distilling. Mingling music with the beauty of the day; As with slipping and with sliding. Swiftly, softly, smoothly gliding. With a song o'er the snow we drift away ! RARE MOMENTS 109 RARE MOMENTS OD sometimes sends rare mo- ments in our life, When we rise above these earthly ways forlorn, These struggling, toiling days of care and strife. And catch far glimpses of the golden morn. A few quick flashes o'er the troubled soul, A sudden gleam of hope where hope had flown, Then follows peace so sweet the far off goal Seems almost reached, and the worn pil- grim's crown. What words may half express these flights of joy. Which lift the soul as to a far off star ! These calms, these rests no after storms destroy, Which golden milestones make to heaven afar ! O, whenof such sweetseasons we are blessed, Less grievous seem life's turmoil and unrest ! no LII,Y SHIPS LII.Y SHIPS HEN fair Aurora softly wakes, And the morn in beaut}^ breaks, Lo ! like lily ships they seem, Beautiful as an angel's dream. Drifting with the breezes slow, With unfurled sails as pure as snow. The fairy fleet with beauty rife, Seems full of motion and of life. But at high noontide of day, Idly at anchorage they lay, And when the day sinks to its rest, Sleep folded on the water's breast. O lily ships, so pure and white, Out of the bosom of the night, Fresh with the water's silver spray, Thou sailest to the port of day ! Full welcome are the favoring gales Which waft again thy snowy sails ! Still sail thou on and touch and dip The water with thy fragrant lip ! ONCE more; III ONCE MORE NCE more the sweet spring draweth near, Once more the days are long, The sweetest time of all the year Of bird, and flower, and song ; Yet I a prisoner still must be. For so, dear Lord, it pleaseth Thee. Once more the breezes softly blow, Once more the violets bloom. And sweet arbutus, shy and low, Breathes forth its rare perfume ; Yet I content at home bide me If so, dear Eord, it pleaseth Thee. Once more the ferns their fronds unfold, Once more the brooklets free. In rippling music as of old Glide onward to the sea ; Thy world without is fair and sweet, My world, dear Lord, is at Thy feet. Once more the sweet- voiced birds are here, Once more on happy wing. Through sun and shade, and smile and tear, 112 ONCE MORE Of Spring- tide joys they sing ; Yet o'er the silent years I tread By Thee, dear I^ord, still softly led. Once more through songs that memories bring, Once more the spring I greet. The bluebird and the robin sing. And tales of love repeat ; Perhaps life's sweetest joys come late, And so, dear I^ord, I watch and wait ! IN TIME OF DROUGHT II 3 IN TIME OF DROUGHT ClyOUD in the east, let loose thy soft wing, And hither, O, hither, over the sea. Like a bird in its flight that hasteth to sing To its love, its love in the greenwood tree, O come, and thy magical music set free ! O spread thy wide pinions abroad to the breeze, Tarry, O, tarry not, but hasten thy flight ; The grasses, the flowers, the long patient trees. To cool their parched thirst, and heal them their blight. Are waiting to drink thy cool draughts to-night. Now with swift, steady strokes thou plow- est the sky, O nearer, still nearer art drawing apace. While the hot breathing winds with strength in their cry. 114 IN TIMK OP DROUGHT Touch thy dark wing with rich flowing grace, And sing thy victory swift in the race. Ah, now a soft hush ! The wind's voice is still ! O welcome, full welcome the gladsome refrain ! O'er field, and o'er forest, o'er valley and hill, And meadow and mountain, and city and plain. Falls the sweet murmur of the musical rain! WOODBINE 115 M. 1 WOODBINE iRAIIyING along the dusty way- sides, Climbing o'er mossgrown lichened walls, Knwreathing weather beaten fences, Running o'er logs by waterfalls ; Encircling gray and gnarled tree-trunks, Creeping along some boulder's side, Clambering over rocky ledges, Flinging color generous, wide ; Clinging to old deserted houses. Making bright some desolate place. Covering all unsightly objects With its beauty, warmth and grace. With the gray and dark and sombre Weaving in its crimson leaves. All abroad bright pictures painting, — Thus the woodbine beauty weaves ! Il6 WATCH O'KR HKR TKNDERI.Y WATCH O'ER HER TENDERIvY ATCH o'er her tenderly, stars of the night, Sing to her sweetly, birds in your flight. Murmur sweet messages, fairj^ bells blue, Whisper soft greetings, violets true ! Bend to her softly, lily buds white. Drift o'er her dreamfully, rose petals bright. Shine on her lovingly, fair silver moon, Eisp thy soft music, breezes of June ! Years they are drifting into the past, Eife's lights and shadows o'er them are cast, Time rings no changes love may not heal. Faithful forever its music doth peal ! THORNS 117 THORNS IS 1 O sweetest joy of life without its thorn, ' ' Sighed one. * ' Oft as the spirit plucks its prize, A hidden thorn it finds within it lies, Which showed not in the light of early morn, Within the leafy fold where it was born Beneath the brooding of the open skies." Ah, never grows the soul so wondrous wise, Howe'er so often of its sweet hopes shorn, It doth not yet expect to pluck some day. That flower of joy above all others fair. Whose soft and silken petals fadeless cling. And which, blossoming from the heart of May, Exhales exquisite fragrance on the air, Folding the spirit in perpetual spring ! Il8 CHICKADEE, CHICKADEE CHICKADEE, CHICKADEE IHICKADEE, chickadee ! Sing to thy lover, sing to me ! From yon leaf, deserted spray, Sing, O sing thy blithesome lay ! Over and over repeat it for me, " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" Chickadee, chickadee ! Sing thy song cheerly from vine and tree ! When the breeze stirs the chords of its lute, Not long can thy happy heart be mute. But brightly wafteth from tree to tree " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" Chickadee, chickadee ! Sing when the gales are blowing free ! For very joy of a restless wing, O that is the hour for thee to sing — When the gales are blowing wild and free ! " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" Chickadee, chickadee ! Out of thine overflowing glee, If the day be shade or the day be shine, Or if thou do but sparingly dine, CHICKADEE, CHICKADEE II 9 Thou singest, as thou knewest naught but glee, " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" Chickadee, chickadee ! Ah ! now thy song hath a minor key ! And like some tender bird of the spring Thy "Phebe" song I hear thee sing, Yet after one touch of the minor key, " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" Chickadee, chickadee ! Sing to thy lover, sing to me ! From yon leaf deserted spray. Sing, O sing thy blithesome lay ! Over and over repeat it to me, " Chickadee dee, chickadee dee !" I20 OCTOBER OCTOBER SIvANT of sunshine glimmering through the trees, Intensifying with its amber light, The radiant splendor burning bright, Which the spirit of October frees. Almost like the glory of celestial seas Glows the picture to the enravished sight. As the year, resplendent in her flight, Weaves the enchantment of her mysteries. As if wooing the spirit to her thrall, Its sadness and its sorrow to allay, Her latent forces summoneth she all, For one final victory o'er decay. One last grand struggle e'er her banners fall. And winter stern asserts his alpine sway ! MUSIC 121 MUSIC AFTED on waves of rapturous sound, Which rose and fell in har- monies divine, I dreamed that all my soul's desire was mine, From the rare flower of classic ground. To mysteries within the starry line. O radiantly the light of fancy fell, As from some far off heavenly beam, Till bathed in the glory of joy supreme, And inspiration of the magic spell. Gleamed pictures in the loveliness of a dream. Methought the mavis and the lark I heard, With Philomel who waits the evening's shade. To pour his rhapsodies from the glade, And that many another heavenly bird From far off leafy choirs my wish obeyed. 122 MUSIC Yea ! the unattainable seemed anear ! And like the healing of divine despair, Celestial music drifted on the air, Now far and faint, now ringing sweet and clear, Till earth seemed heaven' s own bliss to share. And wings of aspiration cleft the sky, Gilding life's duskiest clouds with light, Till from the illuminating height, Was born the song which forever shall not die, With wings immortal for its flight. These are but touches of the power that drew My spirit on and on, through farthest space, Clothing it with transcendent grace, Till heaven and earth seemed born anew, And fulfillment with desire kept pace. O power divine ! O joy intensified ! Outward and upward lifting far away The soul from its imprisonment of clay; — High hopes take form and color with thy tide. And love more dear than life hath endless day ! A GIFT OF CHRISTMAS ROSES 1 23 A GIFT OF CHRISTMAS ROSES SWEETNESS stealing on the air Of roses in my pathway strewn, A fragrance subtle, rich and rare, Eike flower breaths from the heart of June. A flush like dawn in morning skies. When birds sing sweet their songs of May, A joy so bright it glorifies The tempest in its wild affray. Sweet thoughts the delicate petals hold, Sweet hopes gold-tinted in life's gray. Sweet dreams of beauty which unfold The glory of the Christmas Day ! 124 DEATH DEATH DEATH, thou art a cruel thing ! Life's stern and unrelenting foe, Yet even thou, an angel's wing, Hidest beneath thy cloak of woe ! SONG 125 SONG HEN the birds are coming in springtime bright, When the birds are coming in airy flight, My heart is thrilled with a sweet delight, No more remembering winter's night. When the birds are singing their golden lays. When the birds are singing soft their praise. When they waft their songs the long sweet days. With rapturous joy my heart I raise. When the birds are silent and cease their cheer, When the birds are silent I drop a tear. For then I know the autumn is near, When leaf and flower are faded and sere. When the leaves are falling and scattered lie, When the leaves are falling I heave a sigh, For the sweet birds then for the southland fly, And with tender sorrow I say goodbye ! 126 AUTUMN AUTUMN N empty nest, a cold gray sky, Leaves falling fast, and faster still ; One lone bird on a tree top high, And deepening shadows on the hill. Brown grasses o'er the fields of green, From which the chirp of crickets rise, White frosty day dawns, sharp and keen, And trembling wind-harps in the skies. Chill autumn, with her icy hand, Sweeps ruthless over field and wood. Grass, flower and tree, at her command, Stand now a silent, stricken brood. But yet beyond the sheeted snow, And winds and storms of winter stern, Again the violets shall blow, And Nature wake to spring's return. LOSS 127 LOSS NCK a fair angel from the skies, Clothed in raiment white as snow, Left the heavenly paradise. And downward flew to earth below ; And in his hand he bore a cross With the one word upon it, " Loss." But on the reverse side was writ In characters of strange device — For him who could decipher it — ' ' In loss God doth his love disguise. The soul that trustful is in pain, Within its grieving findeth gain." Swiftly on his mission sped, The white-robed angel of the air. Touched a pure heart which oft had bled With crosses heaven bade it wear, — Alas ! the spirit rent and torn, O'erlooked the message to it borne. Yet sweetly, after, fell the grace For reading of the mystic lines, And lo ! heaven's glory in their place, 128 LOSS And peace which only faith e'er finds. O well for the heart when it doth bleed, With reversed side its cross to read ! A NOVEMBER DANDELION 1 29 A NOVEMBER DANDEIvION OT in the milder days of spring, Was given thee thy blossoming! When other flowerets bloomed in May, To find thy gold in Nature's gray, Patient thou didst wait alone, Till flowers had faded and birds had flown. Methinks no flower of all thy race. Was clothed upon with rarer grace. As some lost jewel in the night. Amid the darkness shines more bright, So shinest thou, where all is dull, A starry ray most beautiful. Surely thy little life may teach Lessons the human heart to reach, — That while other lives bloom full and fair, And sterile seems our own and bare, From the soil of patience late may spring, A flower of grolden blossoming^ ! 130 I DREAMED I DREAMED, OR WAS IT LEGEND OLD DREAMED, or was it legend old, That in the self same hour, When heaven receives into its fold A tiny human flower, — An angel, from the heavenly height, On shining, silent wing. Weeps softest tears which clothe in white The violet pale of spring. Pure as an infant's dying breath, Or tears in mothers' eyes. Of the spirit flowers it whispereth, Which blossom in His skies ! IN THE WORLD — SHUT IN 13I IN THE WORLD— SHUT IN P and down, to and fro, Everywhere the workers go; Toilers in the world's broad field, Work emblazoned on their shield, Forward pressing, high and low. Back and forth, restless feet Tramp, tramp in cold and heat, — Hearts grown eager for the time. Throbbing to the moments' chime, Pause not, rest not, work is sweet ! ^ ilfi ^ ^ ^ Halting pace in the race, lyike a prisoned bird to face Dawn of day and dark of night. Ever powerless for flight. Pinioned in a corner's space. Restless heart, restless brain, lyife's harp touched to minor strain, Hopes that mount, and thoughts that fly With the toilers passing by. Spirit victories over pain ! 132 IN WINTER IN WINTER ]ONE are all the songs of summer, Silent now the leafless choirs, And no more the drowsy mur- mur Of the bee my thought inspires. Gone are all the beauteous blossoms, Which exhaled so sweet a breath. One scarce would think such dainty bowers Could e'er feel the touch of death. Yet somewhere flowers are ever blooming, lycnding sweetness none may see ; Somewhere glad-voiced birds are singing, Singing, winging, glad and free ! Do the breezes from the southland. Sometimes catch a strain of song, Bear it upward to the northland. Where our hearts are waiting long ? Do the winds from climes more sunny. Sometimes touch with gentle wand. Some frail blossom of the tropics. And wing its fragrance to our land ? IN WINTER 133 And is it thus those joyous seasons, Which wrap the soul with sudden light, Bringing pictures of the summer Into the heart of winter white ? Or is it that a fairy spirit Lingers still of summer flown ? That they seem so strangely near us, Bird and blossom still our own ! 134 ^ PEACEFUL LIFE A PEACEFUL LIFE EEK not to flee the place God placed thee in, For where He wills is the true place for thee, If thou hadst thine own choice thou couldst not win A spot all restful where no rough winds be. Live thou thy life ; with patience sweeten it, Make rich the lives of others in thy walk, Strengthen thy soul with words of Holy Writ, And season with sweet charity thy talk. Above the earth incline thy thought to soar. In places heavenly sweet to find its strength. Thy mind instruct in wisdom more and more. So shalt thou have a peaceful life at length. THE LOWLIEST FLOWER 135 THE I.OWI.IEST FLOWER HE lowliest flower that droops to mother earth, The merest weed that sun- ward lifts its face, If closely studied with a loving eye, Seems clothed with harmony and grace. Yea, the poet and the artist soul it waits To set its long imprisoned beauty free. To touch with mystic light each leafy fold, And picture what others fail to see. Go forth and study well the exquisite tints. With which Nature crowns the humblest flower. And like a revelation glad and sweet, Its loveliness shall bless the hour ! 136 A SONG OF TRUST A SONG OF TRUST jATHER of mercy, Father of light, Out of hfe's mystery, out of its night. Out of its anguish, its pain and its loss. Out of the shadow which foldeth the cross, Out of the grief no human love heeds, Out of love's depths and infinite needs, — God of the darkness, God of the gray. Peacefully trusting Thee, trusting alway ! Father of mercy. Father of light. Out of life's victory, out of its might, Out of the sunshine drifting its gold, Out of the quiet the spirit doth fold, Out of the hope which sings like a bird. Out of the joy too sweet for a word, God of bestowing, God of the May, Gratefully praising Thee, praising alway ! ALONE 137 AI.ONE O W lonely is her life ? As lonely as the little flower I saw Afar upon the heights but y ester- morn. All round it was the forest's circling zone, Above it the dark pine's surging moan ; And though it bloomed without or speck or flaw, I^ovely and bright, it was a thing forlorn, Where no other flower face shone ! 138 WEAVE THEM TOGETHER WEAVE THEM TOGETHER EAVE them in your heart to- gether, Thoughts the sweetest all the day, Wait not for the pleasant weather, But weave the gold in with the gray, A thought no weightier than a feather May let the light in on your way. 'Tis not alone the sunlit hours, Which crown the soul with truest gain, 'Tis not when blessings fall in showers The heart may sing its sweetest strain; Ah, no, there are no fairer flowers, Than those which blossom in the rain ! PAIN 139 PAIN HEN pain doth press upon life's chords, Sometimes the soul hath rich rewards. 'Tis not when it hath most of ease, — Following the world and its decrees, — It wins enduring forms of growth. Ah, no! it must be rid of sloth. And the clogging rust which hath crept on, Through days too easeful past and gone. Pain with a chisel keen and fine, Sculptures more fair the inner shrine. The soul it fashions and recreates, And lifts it of its earthlier weights. Till, roused from pleasure's luring sleep, New aspirations o'er it sweep, And where only forms of earth had been, Carveth an angel deep within ! 140 MALICB MAIvICE lyOW, ye wintrj'- winds, O, blow Ye tempests wild and strong! Ye have not so keen a smart, As the wounds which pierce the heart From the winds of wrong. Ye sweep harmless as ye go, But the winds of malice sow Far abroad the subtle seeds Of a thousand stinging weeds, Which bear the fruit of woe ! LITTLK FRIEND IN FEATHERS I4I I.ITTI.K FRIEND IN FEATHERS ITTlyE friend in feathers dressed! With questions oft my heart is pressed, As wisdom not of man or books From thy gentle eye outlooks ! Wondrous deeps I trace therein, Intelligence I may not win, A hint of ages distant, past, Or of the future dim, forecast. Yet though strange lights within thine eyes Flash out at times some swift surprise. And all thy winsome life doth lend Grace to my own, and with it blend, — And I do love thee, sweet bird, well, And almost thy mysteries spell, Yet something vague still lies between Thy life and mine, obscure, unseen. O little known to human kind The workings of thy delicate mind ! And thou'rt as much a stranger to Our life, and what we think and do. 142 I.ITTLE FRIEND IN FEATHERS But when the centuries creeping on, Shall usher in the Golden Dawn, Perhaps 'twill be given us to see What to the other each may be ! HARK THE angels' SONG 143 HARK THE ANGELS' SONG • BEAUTIFUL and bright, In robes of purest light, Behold Him come ! From heavenly mansions high, From thrones beyond the sky. To earthly deserts dry To make His home. To heal the sons of men, And give them life again, More freely give ; To list earth's sad refrain, To cleanse it of its stain. To bear the cross of pain He came to live. Hark, hark the angels' song. Trembling the skies along At that glad hour ! List, list the harpings sweet. Which o'er and o'er repeat. Till earth and heaven meet I wondrous power ! 144 HARK THE ANGELS' SONG I^o, on the midnight air, Adown the shining stair Of starry light, With the glad peace it brings. Born on the centuries' wings, The song forever sings Amid earth's night ! TAKE HEART, SWEET SOUL ! 1 45 TAKE HEART, SWEET SOUL ! S the spring birds return once more, Take heart, sweet soul, for win- ter's o'er, And April swingeth wide her door ! As the flowers once more awake. Look up, sweet soul, and courage take ! Eo ! now the shadows for thee break ! As groweth green the grass and trees. Be glad, sweet soul, and take thine ease. For see ; the May thy spirit frees ! As earth laughs out in sun and showers, Rejoice, sweet soul, for now the hours Come laden from wood-scented bowers ! Thy days of sorrow now have end ; Behold, sweet soul, how love doth send The summer once more for thy friend ! No more remember winter long. But haste, sweet soul, with new, glad song. In heart renewed, and courage strong ! Wm mm 146 A LITTLE BROWN SPARROW ONIvY A LlTTlvE BROWN SPARROW T was only a little brown sparrow, Singing his old time lay, Familiar as blossoming flowers, Or the fading light of the day. Yet it echoed along the heart chords, Folded in mists of rain. Like the voice of a tender spirit, That would soothe and soften the pain. And it lingered and gave me courage, After the day was done, A prayer in the midnight silence, A praise with the morning sun. Alas, that the little musician, Cheery and happy and glad. Knew not that his song gave comfort To a spirit weary and sad ! Ah, many a time the singer, Winging his happy flight, Knows not his song lifts the spirit Into the sunshine and light ! THE OLD DAYS 1 47 THE OLD DAYS, THE SWEET DAYS HEN in the twilight lone I sit, And the shades of night steal on, Dear memories sometimes softly flit Of the years and days bygone. The old days, the sweet days when life was in its youth, Before Time's slow revealing of mingled joy and ruth. O full of promises most sweet Lay the future's mist)^ way, Luring the willing, untried feet From home and youth to stray. The old days, the-sweet days when life was in its youth, Before Time's slow revealing of mingled joy and ruth. Not then were seen those far off peaks, Which like barriers arise, What time high aspiration seeks Life's highest, purest prize, THE OLD DAYS In those days, the sweet days when life was in its youth, Before Time's slow revealing of mingled joy and ruth. O sad and sweet it is to muse, Sometimes e'en though in tears. Amid the fastly falling dews Of life's fuller, deeper years, Of the old days, the sweet days when life was in its youth. Before Time's slow revealing of mingled joy and ruth. O LIFT MY THOUGHT 149 O LIFT MY THOUGHT WHERE ANGELS DWELL LIFT my thought where angels dwell, And give me faith's pure wings of flight ; Let me hear, like some sweet bell, The song which triumphs o'er the night. O lift my thought where angels dwell, And clothe me in their garments white ; Each tumult and temptation quell. And strength vouchsafe to win the fight. O lift my thought where angels dwell. And give my vision clearer sight To see He doeth all things well — That behind the shadow hides the light. O lift my thought where angels dwell, Above earth's cankering care and blight, And every mist and doubt dispel, And crown the soul with strength and might. 150 O LIFT MY THOUGHT O lift my thought where angels dwell, And guide this erring life aright, Till it be lost beyond the swell Of earthly tides, on heaven's height ! FILIy THE MOMENTS 15I FILI. THE MOMENTS " I am to pass through this world but once. If, there- fore, there be any good that I can do, let me do it now." ILIy the moments one by one, With good deeds well and wise- ly done. What thou canst of good to-day Do it, and 'twill live for aye. Time's sickle mows the minutes down, Weave of them a golden crown. Bear in thy breast the bloom of youth, And in thy hand the staff of truth. En wreathe thy brow in flowers of hope, And souls in grief to thee shall ope. The dew of love wear in thy heart. And to erring ones thy strength impart. On mercy's errands speed thy feet. Glad each call for help to meet. With words of cheer thy speech employ, And others give the oil of joy. Be noble, give thou generously. And life shall ne'er unfruitful be. 152 A REVERIE A REVERIE HE twilight falls O'er silent walls, And old familiar places ; While sad and late I sit and wait For dear remembered faces. Through tender dreams, And misty gleams, The spirit yearns to fold them ; But vapors rise Athwart the skies, Alas ! Love may not hold them. O one by one. Beyond the sun, Beyond the shadows lonely; Out of life's day They passed away. And left a memory only. The violet blows. And sweet the rose, The bird hath still its singing ; A REVERIE 153 In beauty all The seasons fall, Their joy and sweetness winging. Yet nevermore, Dear as before. The heart of nature's gladness ; For still, O, still, There creeps a chill, The shadow of life's sadness ! 154 TO THE WINDFLOWER TO THE WINDFLOWER IFTER the frost and winter's rime, What teaches thee, sweet flow- er, the time. When from the darkness thou shouldst climb ? What gives thee hope there in the gloom, And faith to rise from out the tomb, What wooes thee into bud and bloom ? Is it of heaven some whispered breeze. Wandering through the wind-harp trees, That thy long fettered spirit frees ? A Power above must o'er thee brood. When tempests, which thou hast withstood. Uproot the giants of the wood, O flower that doth the storms outride, What strength doth e'en thy frailty hide. And what high lessons for man's pride ! p p "beauty for ashks" 155 "BEAUTY FOR ASHES" HERE be who from life's broken lyre, Long, long unstrung, Strike tenderer chords and higher, Than joy hath rung. There be who of the fettering pain, Which binds them fast, Fashion an ever brightening chain Of gems that last. Who pluck from ashes of dead hopes One glowing coal, Which amid the gloomings where it gropes, Enlights the soul ! 156 MY KING MY KING i ^ 1 1 E dwelleth not in royal halls, No earthly sceptre wieldeth he, Upon his brow there lies no crown In token of high majesty, — And yet, and yet 'tis true, I ween, That grandly royal is his mien ! No kingdom rules he far and broad, No subjects tremble at his power, No far off height of grandeur his, And worldly wealth is not his dower, — Yet, set with many a precious gem. He wears a kingly diadem ! Far hidden in the spirit's depths. And royal chambers of the mind, lyies the dominion that he rules. And noble deeds therein are shrined, — And love alone doth tribute pay, And own his sovereignty alway ! UPWARD 157 UPWARD S oft the woods with music ring Through tender teardrops of the May, So through falling tears the heart may sing, As, looking upward day by day. It learns to find a hint of spring Hidden behind the cloudy gray ; And gaining strength for higher wing Beholds at last a heavenly ray, Which helps it from above to fling A song across the shadowy way ! 158 SWEKTI^Y A LINNET SANG SWEKTI^Y A LINNET SANG AND LONG WEETLY a Linnet sang and long, His rippling ecstasy of song, Till skies of gray shone radiant long, •ipplir skies ( blue, With glints of shining gold shot through. what is the magic of thy lay, Sweet bird," I said, for it was May, And other minstrels, too, were there With sweet songs thrilling all the air. As if sorrow were forever dead Is the gladness of thy song," I said. And like music of a silvery stream, Or memory of a golden dream, — It wooes my spirit till it thrills With rapture, and are soothed its ills." As thus within my heart I spake, His song seemed me to answer make. 1 am an echo of the spring, It is for love my song I sing. SWEETLY A LINNET SANG 1 59 I warble it from my tiny breast, When hovering o'er my dainty nest. My ripples ring when skies are blue, When skies grow dark my song is true. For love and- music blend in one. When day begins, when day is done. ' ' And so in music's speech he said. Or so I it interpreted. And pondered much the rythmic word, When no more the song I heard. Ah, if love with us were never cold, E'en sombrous hours were tinged with gold, If love and song as sweetly blent. Light to the darkest day were lent ! l6o COMPENSATION COMPENSATION UR failure may be gain; Some wisdom gathered up, Some patience in life's cup, Drawn from tlie stress of pain. Our loss may be a wing, To urge the spirit's flight Into the realms of light, Where God's own angels sing. Our thorns may bloom to flowers ; Some sorrow we have worn. Some cross with meekness borne. Blossom in heavenly bowers. Our tears may jewels be, Set in a crown of love. In that pure realm above To shine eternally ! AT THE SET OP THE SUN l6l AT THE SET OF THE SUN T the set of the sun, When our work is done, With all its tangled web ; When the clouds drift low, And the stream runs slow, And life is at its ebb. As we near the goal, When the golden bowl Shall be broken at its fount ; With what soothing^thought Shall the hour be fraught. What precious most shall we count? Not the flame of the sword, Nor the wealth we have stored In perishable things of earth ; — Not the way we have trod With the intellect broad. Though that were of precious worth. Nor the gain we achieved Through hearts we have grieved. And left unhelped by the way; 1 62 AT THE SET OF THE SUN Nor the laurel of fame, When for worldly acclaim, We toiled in the heat and the fray. O not with these lies The peace of His skies. When life sinks low in the west ; But in the passing sweet thought Of the good we have wrought. The saddened lives we have blest. And the love we have won, And the love beckoning on From His islands far and dim ; Love out of the light. Shining into the night. The night which leadeth to Him, APR S 1899