PS 558 
 .V5 S6 
 Copy 1 
 
 
 TO V^tllU 
 
Fro^Virginia 
 
 ^To^Qe:orgia. 
 
 A Tribute: in Sonq, 
 
 By Virginia Women. 
 
 Published under the auspices of 
 
 The Virginia Department of Woman-Workers 
 
 Fob the Cotton States and International Exposition, 
 ATLANTA, 1895. 
 
 Edited by flARY STUART sniTH. 
 
 RICHMOND, VA.: 
 B. F. JOHNSON PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 1895. 
 
 j:- 
 
19788 ^Y/^^ 
 
 Coi'YKIUllT, lh".)5, BY 
 
 Mary Stuart Smith. 
 
NTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Board of Women Managers of the Cotton States and International 
 Exposition (to be held in Atlanta from September 18th to December 31st, 1895,) 
 have extended a cordial invitation to the women of Virginia to have an ex- 
 hibit in their Woman's Building. This invitation was presented to and 
 through the Governor of Virginia, who was desired to appoint a Board of 
 Managers and Committee of Ladies to superintend the proper representation of 
 the State. His Excellency Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall immediately ac- 
 ceded, on his own part, and proceeded to make these nominations, proving his 
 zeal in the cause by appointing the first meeting of the Board and Colonial 
 Committee to take place at the Executive Mansion, under his personal super- 
 vision. 
 
 The warm and hospitable reception of the ladies, and the hopeful enthu- 
 siasm shown in the proper representation of the Old Dominion by both Gov- 
 ernor and Mrs. O'Ferrall did much to inspire the members of the Committees 
 with the patriotic fervor needed to carry their arduous undertaking to a suc- 
 cessful conclusion. The Legislature was not in session ; State funds were not 
 therefore available. In view of this fact and the urgent necessity for money to 
 
 meet the demands that must be made upon the Treasuiy, each member of the 
 
 (3) 
 
several committees proposed to do something to raise money, aud to the im- 
 petus of such a felt necessity this Booklet owes its existence. 
 
 Poetiy is the natural medium of expression for the deep feelings of the 
 heart. This little vohune voices the true friendship betw(;en the sister States 
 of Georgia and Virginia which it is believed this Exposition will go far towards 
 strengthening and rendering perpetual. 
 
 It is due to the publishers to state that the terms on which this Booklet 
 appears, are such as to render the undertaking, on their part, too, a truly 
 patriotic one. 
 
 Coming, therefore, before the public under the auspices of the Governor of 
 our State and a set of ladies chosen bj- him to represent all sections of Vir- 
 ginia, we confidently commit the success of the little venture to the patriotic 
 
 everywhere. 
 
 The Editor. 
 
 ^4) 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 A Sonnet M. G. McClelland 27 
 
 j^ljggjit Florence J. Duke 39 
 
 X\ms Ella F. Mosby 13 
 
 Andenken Rosalie Rives . 28 
 
 Apple Blossoms Anne Fitzhugh Wilmer 36 
 
 Atlanta! '.Mary Stuart Smith 10 
 
 Back to the Old Home Lizzie Petit Cutler 40 
 
 Childhood ^l^ary Baches 38 
 
 Contentment Lena H. Tucker 24 
 
 Euthanasia Margaret J. Preston 47 
 
 Eve '^- Lucas 43 
 
 Evensong Leila O. Page 21 
 
 " Fear God and Work " Judith Page Jones 11 
 
 Henry Grady .... Mary Stuart Smith 19 
 
 How Will It Be? Annie Steger Winston 30 
 
 In Hollywood Oillie Cary 37 
 
 Our Nation s Faith Margaret J. Preston 7 
 
 Our Watchword Susan Archer Weiss 42 
 
 j^ggj; Mary Randolph Jones 31 
 
 Secrets Virginia Cabell Oardner 35 
 
 She Lay There in Her Bridal Robes, Letitia M. Burwell 38 
 
 Sidney Lanier Danske Dandridge . . 18 
 
 The Assumption of the Madonna . Henderson Dangerfleld 45 
 
 The Beautiful S. A. Brock Putnam 20 
 
 The Bells of Is Virginia Sheffey Hailer 15 
 
 The Unattainable Mary Page Bird 23 
 
 Tfugt Clara Bell Davis 34 
 
 To Death Amelie Rives 12 
 
 Unseen M. Sheffey Peters 16 
 
 Virginia s Greeting Marie Annie Henson 9 
 
 What is Poetry? Clara Bell Davis 84 
 
 (5) 
 
OUR NATION'S FAITH. 
 
 Oil God ! beneath whose folded hand 
 
 So long was hidden away 
 The secret of the wondrous land 
 
 We glory in to-day. 
 
 We thank Thee that with faith profound 
 
 Our sires their sails unfurled, 
 And claimed as henceforth hallowed ground 
 
 This unsuspected world. 
 
 That here they suffered, toiled and bled, 
 
 For leave to keep Thy laws ; 
 That here pure martyr-blood was shed 
 
 For freedom's holiest cause ; 
 
 That through what Christian men have done 
 
 By stress of conscience driven, 
 No other land beneath the sun 
 
 Owes half so much to Heaven ! 
 
 Now in the zenith of our fame 
 
 The nations come at call, 
 To learn the secret that we claim 
 
 Must hold the world in thrall. 
 
 (7) 
 
What is it ? Not our armaments 
 
 Ou ocean or on shore ; 
 Not vaunted freedom's proud pretence, 
 
 Not gold's uncounted store. 
 
 Our faith hath made us what we are, 
 Beneath these skies so broad, 
 
 From Southern cross to Northern star 
 Our people worship God ! 
 
 icJ''>'U2^^i^ 
 
 (8) 
 
VIRGINIA'S GREETING. 
 
 Hail Georgia ! Hail ! Virginia greeting gives 
 
 To thee, bright star of our beloved South, 
 
 On whose ascent with fondest pride she looks ! 
 
 To thee, a younger sister born of love, 
 
 Whose sons and daughters honor thy fair name ! 
 
 In every Southern heart will ring for aye. 
 
 The words thy statesmen's silvered tongues let fall 
 
 An echo to thy poets' lays is found 
 
 In every soul attuned to music sweet, 
 
 And Mem'ry sacred holds thy valiant sons 
 
 Who for their mother's honor shed their blood. 
 
 Proudly Virginia doth thy kinship claim, 
 For she to thee by tenderest ties is bound 
 And with exceeding joy their triumphs watch, 
 And now, before thee, in proud homage bows. 
 
 o. 
 
 ^S^-'i-^C-^ 
 
 r9) 
 
ATLANTA! 
 
 What vision this that strikes upon the eyes 
 
 As draw we near thy thronged and bustling mart! 
 See gorgeous palaces and turrets rise, 
 
 A Southern scene in which the world takes part. 
 Such wealth of grandeur, what a glad surjirise ; 
 
 Atlanta, thou a very Phoenix art . 
 Evokes thy loveliness emotions deep ; 
 
 With reverent awe instinctively we bow, 
 For, did not here war's cruel besom sweep? 
 
 But best of all, the crown that gilds thy brow 
 Skilled industry has wrought. Her magic wand 
 Has caused to bloom once more a ravaged land. 
 All hail, thou youthful city, brave and strong. 
 Prosperity be thine through ages long! 
 
 .-^^1^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 (10) 
 
"FEAR GOD AND WORK," 
 
 Dr. John A. Broadus closed his " Memorial of Gessner Harrison'- before the Society 
 of Alumni at the l^niversity of Virginia, July 2, 1873, with these words : "And let it be 
 the last words spoken to-day concerning Gessner Harrison, spoken as it were, in his 
 name to the professors and the students of the University he loved so well, 'Sirs, 
 Brothers, Fear (iod and Work.' " 
 
 "Fear God and Work" are words of gold, 
 Which will forever be enrolled, 
 As watch-words for our coming youth, 
 By one who grandly lived their truth. 
 
 "Fear God and Work" — this motto rare, 
 AVas born of virtue and of prayer, 
 Its matchless author lived it well, 
 And working, in the harness fell. 
 
 "Fear God and Work" — to rest he's lain, 
 But leaves behind this grand refrain ; 
 Let us take up the note sublime 
 And sound it till the end of time. 
 
 "Fear God and Work" — his silver tongue 
 Spoke priceless words to old and young, 
 And though he ne'er will speak again, 
 His blessed teachings still remain. 
 
 (11) 
 
TO DEATH. 
 
 O beautiful Beemest tliou Death, to me <razing and longing, 
 Nor harsh, nor severe as of old to the poets appearing. 
 But y«ung, ever 3'oung, and of holiest, tenderest bearing, 
 Thy smile like a lover's. 
 
 By the shore of a sea golden-gray with the wings of the twilight, 
 Thou waitest serene ; in the wind-sifted silver anear thee 
 Slow tracing the names of the weary for whom thou art waiting. 
 How' softly the}' vanish ! 
 
 How swiftly, how sweetly the gentle, cool ripples approaching 
 The names wash away, as thy kisses will wash from the spirits 
 The smart and the anguish of memory, tears and vain-longing 
 Thou savior from sorrow ! 
 
 / 
 
 
 ( 12) 
 
ALMS. 
 
 " I am an Alms of all." 
 
 Unpublished saying of R. W. Emerson. 
 
 Before Life's gateways, wide and splendid, 
 
 A happy beggar, do I stand ; 
 All things are royal gifts bestowing. 
 
 Unstinted, into outstretched hand. 
 
 For me, the skyey pageants moving ; 
 
 The sea rolls tribute to my feet ; 
 For my solacing, winged service. 
 
 Earth's lavish bloom and fragrance sweet. 
 
 All men are at my life-loom weaving, 
 Weaving the garment of my thought ; 
 
 The colors of their hope and dreaming 
 With shadowy threads of fear inwrought. 
 
 For me, the old Hellenic contest ; 
 
 The windy shout along the j^lain; 
 For me did Hamlet muse, and Arthur 
 
 In fairyland his crown retain. 
 
 (13) 
 
Receiving alms, myself am given, 
 All unto each, each unto all; 
 
 Tlie glittering drop of spray returning 
 Feeds the undving fountain's fall. 
 
 y^Tx;^^ 
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
THE BELLS OF IS. 
 
 [Chicago, 1893-1894.] 
 
 One year ago, lured by some subtle hand, 
 M}' sj)irit sought Atlantis, the renown'd, 
 And, as in radiant dreams, the lost \vas found ! 
 Her palaces, of god-like genius j^lann'd, 
 Weird, pallid, as by breath of wizard fann'd ; 
 Her founts of joy, with iris-arches crown'd ; 
 Her wondrous scenes, eyok'd from magic-ground, 
 Woo'd to her shrines vast throngs from every land. 
 O, Bells of Is, ye chime from yanish'd domes 
 "WTiose phantoms haunt the bkie lake and lagoon : 
 Ye bless, for aye, each pilgrim soul that roams 
 From Is, anointed by fair mem'ry's boon ; 
 Your melodies swell thro' unnumber'd homes, 
 And, to their rhythm, our wistful hearts attune ! 
 
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 (15) 
 
UNSEEN. 
 
 Where art thou, Chikl? The day is passing fair 
 And on the hills is sunshine like thy yellow hair ; 
 In bosky dell, the brooklets tinkling meet ; 
 They mock my search, like patt'rings of their feet. 
 
 Along familiar paths the jasmines bloom, 
 Their white stars shining on my lone heart's gloom ; 
 But though I search all fragrant beauteous ways 
 I find not where thy blithesome spirit stays. 
 
 From valleys deep to heights that heavenward rise, 
 I catch no glance from thy dear vanished eyes. 
 Thy footsteps whither trend ? O, Mystery ! 
 Unseen are waTl^s of Immortality. 
 
 Yet, Child, there is a land I know where thou 
 Dost wear a crown of light upon thy brow 
 More bright than is the sunshine on these hills; 
 Where music tends thy steps, sweet as the rill's. 
 
 ( 16) 
 
I am content, dear Child, since thou art glad — 
 Since thou, in peace, know'st not when I am sad. 
 Dwell in thy fair abode ! The time will be 
 "When I, gone hence, shall find and live with thee. 
 
 \My^j, 
 
 (17) 
 
SIDNEY LANIER. 
 
 Dear brother, thou who grandly did'st aspire 
 To holy beauty, yet did'st meek obey 
 The voice frora heaven that called thee 
 
 "Come up higher." 
 Thou who our listening hearts did'st greatly sway 
 With magic of thy flute-toned, artful lay : 
 When like thy master, thou was't "clean forespent," 
 Laid'st calmly down thy clear-voiced instrument. 
 How grandly now thy spirit, with no clod 
 
 Of frail and feeble flush to hold her back, 
 Will follow through eternity thy God 
 
 In his vast, glorious, and harmonious track! 
 
 (18) 
 
HENRY GRADY. 
 
 [For the Opening Day of the Atlanta Exposition, September 18, 1895.] 
 
 Ah ! wovild that Grady could be here to-day ! 
 
 His great, warm heart with ecstasy would bound 
 
 To see Atlanta thus with honor crowned. 
 For 'twas his eloquence that led the way 
 To scenes like this, where peace holds gentle sway. 
 
 Inspired by love to God and man, he found 
 
 Where lay the secret of a Union sound. 
 'Tis simply this : Like brothers love alway. 
 
 Love was the key-note of his fervent speech, 
 And manly energy the glad refrain 
 
 By which the orator was wont to teach 
 Men North and South how to be one again. 
 
 No more those thrilling words our ears may reach. 
 But thousands swear they shall not be in vain. 
 
 (19) 
 
THE BEAUTIFUL. 
 
 To Mrs. Joskphine Douglas. 
 
 I bad a dream one soft, sweet sumiuer night, 
 In wbicli, my soul, intoxicate with bliss. 
 
 Felt the strange rapture of the wild delight 
 That the young lover feels when the first kiss 
 
 Thrills on his lips from lips of her he loves. 
 
 Before me rose a form divinely bright. 
 
 The breath of roses filled the circling air, 
 And wantoned gently 'mid her shining liair. 
 
 Then woke to music in the darkling groves. 
 
 But more of her I cannot say. I had no thought- 
 
 I had no wish, but what had life in her ; 
 
 No passion stirred my heart, but holy fear 
 
 Lest I should lose what I so long had sought, 
 All Heaven's perfection in one being wrought. 
 
 J'. ^.^^Wl^.^ 
 
 <ifc-^-^^-^— 
 
 (20) 
 
EVENSONG. 
 
 A Translation. 
 
 I saw from the slojDe of the mountain, 
 The sun sink low in the West, 
 
 And the golden lights of evening 
 On forest and valley rest. 
 
 And peace enfolded the landscape 
 As the dew of Heaven fell, 
 
 And nature was soothed to slumber 
 By the chime of the curfew-bell. 
 
 I said to my heart, drink deeply 
 
 This universal Peace, 
 And with each child of nature 
 
 Let the cares of daylight cease. 
 
 Gently the nodding flowers 
 
 Their sleepy eyelids close, 
 And the restless wave of the brooklet, 
 
 With a drowsy murmur flows. 
 
 (21) 
 
Each weary Sylph is nestling 
 111 her soft and leafy bed, 
 
 And the dragon-fly on the bulrush 
 Lowers his crested head. 
 
 The golden beetles slumber 
 As their rose-leaf cradles rock, 
 
 And the shepherd to the sheepfold 
 Tenderly leads his flock. 
 
 To her nest in the dewy clover 
 The swift lark wings her flight, 
 
 In the hidden woodland valleys 
 Sleep stag and roe by night. 
 
 Who has for his own a cottage, 
 To its sweet repose has come, 
 
 And if in the land of the stranger, 
 It sends him a dream of Home. 
 
 But for me, a passionate longing 
 Possesses me, heart and mind, 
 
 I am weary, and fain would rest me, 
 And my home I cannot find. 
 
 o.^1a£(7^ 
 
THE UNATTAINABLE. 
 
 One night the heavens shone supremely grand, 
 A Httle child looked uj) and questioned why 
 He might not touch a bit of that bright sky, 
 
 Hold one fair star within his eager hand. 
 
 He could not count them, thicker than the sand 
 Along some endless waste of sea they lie, 
 And yet so far away, so very high 
 
 Beyond his reach ; he could not understand. 
 
 And as I listen to the childish longing 
 
 It finds a ready echo in my heart. 
 Dreams born of wild desire come madly thronging 
 
 In which I have no fleeting share nor part. 
 And like a little child I cannot see 
 Why so much brightness shines too high for me. 
 
 (23) 
 
CONTENTMENT. 
 An AllfxtOky. 
 
 T]ie master had walked in bis garden, 
 One beautiful summer morn ; 
 
 And he looked around on the flowers, 
 That the beds and bowers adorn. 
 
 But he saw with siu'prise and sorrow. 
 That the blossoms he tended with care, 
 
 Were pale and drooping and withered ; 
 "WTiile nothing but death reigned there. 
 
 He paused by a queenly rosebush, 
 " Sweet rose, can you tell me why 
 
 The flowers I love so fondly 
 All hang their heads and die?" 
 
 " Dear master, I bear only blossoms," 
 
 The sweet rosebush replied, 
 "No fruit, like the vine, I bring 3'ou, 
 
 So I drooped until I died." 
 
 C24) 
 
Then he went to the fragile lily, 
 
 To ask if she could tell. 
 Why death came to blight and wither 
 
 The flowers he loved so well. 
 
 " Oh, I am so useless and tender," 
 Said the lily, hanging her head, 
 
 "I cannot be bright like the roses, 
 
 So I thought I had better be dead." 
 
 Thus on through the garden he wandered. 
 Each flower had a ready excuse, 
 "Because I am not like another, 
 I am sure I can be of no use." 
 
 At last he espied, 'neath the bushes, 
 
 Where the sun could scarce find a place, 
 
 A dear little pansy ; 'twas hidden. 
 With a smile on its bright little face. 
 
 "Sweet flower," said the weary master, 
 As his lips to its leaves he pressed, 
 
 "Wliat mean 3'ou b}' smiling so brightly, 
 Why don't you die with the rest 1 " 
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
" Why, I cannot do much," said the flower, 
 "But I think I am right, am I not? 
 If you had wanted a rosebush, 
 You'd have planted it in this spot. 
 
 "But I thought you wanted a pansy, 
 So I just determined to be. 
 The very best little pansy 
 
 That the master ever did see." 
 
 C36) 
 
A SONNET. 
 
 " I love you " — ah ! 'tis but a little thing, — 
 
 A sentence short, three tiny words, — and still, 
 Not poet's art, nor yet musician's skill. 
 Such wondrous happiness can bring 
 As these. O mystery-breathing spell, 
 Come to this heart of mine, and tell 
 The stories garnered through the years, 
 The hope made manifest, the tears 
 Checked at thy whisper, tender, sweet. 
 Soft as the wood-dove's cooing, and complete 
 As life's fulfilment, or the grand dream 
 Of selfishness for love, God's master theme. 
 O soulful words, my spirit touch, and bring 
 The joy of life's celestial wakening. 
 
 (27) 
 
ANDENKEN. 
 
 [From the Germau of Matthisen.] 
 
 I think of tliee when the forest trees 
 Bend to the whisp'ring evening breeze, 
 When the song of the nightingale 
 Makes music in the wood and vale. 
 AVheu thinkest thou of me? 
 
 I think of thee by the woodbind spring, 
 Where the oaks their shadows fling ; 
 When the day and gloomy night 
 Mingle in the sad twilight. 
 When thinkest thou of me? 
 
 I think of thee with smiles and tears, 
 With trembling hopes and anxious fears ; 
 With longings for thy presence near 
 Thy voice to bless, thy smile to cheer. 
 How thinkest thou of me? 
 
 (28) 
 
O think of me until we meet, 
 Beyond the bier and winding sheet; 
 Until our hearts in the world above, 
 Are one forever in joy and love! 
 Thus only think I of thee ! 
 
 Cu^^ C^^^ 
 
 (29) 
 
HOW WILL IT BE"? 
 
 How will it be, I muse, when I shall cross 
 The sunless river ? Shall I bear with me 
 Aught of the vain sweet store of memory, 
 
 Or lose it all, and know not of my loss ? 
 
 Shall I remember, or let fall as dross, 
 The simple lore of garden and of lea — 
 What time the wild azalea lures the bee, 
 
 AMien jjurple violets nestle in the moss ? 
 
 Shall I remember then the ci'ocus gold, 
 
 The tender flush of flowering orchard trees. 
 The scent of hay fields, and of summer rain ? 
 
 Fain would I even broken baublet hold ; — 
 
 I were not I, were I bereft of these, 
 
 And born anew, unknowing joy or jiain. 
 
 U Iaaaajll. ^(jueu/f 7i(A^ i^k^ 
 
 (30) 
 
REST. 
 
 Night's blanket has been drawn o'er all the earth ; 
 
 The sentinel stars kee]^ silent watch o'erhead ; 
 ^\^lile soft-shod sleej) steals gently on her way 
 
 To hold her loving vigil by each bed. 
 
 Now with commanding voice, so clear and low, 
 Sleep charges dull-eyed Care to leave her i)rey — ■ 
 
 Then with a tender glance she softly kneels 
 To press a kiss and brush the tears away. 
 
 She tarries not to see each look of peace, 
 But hurries on, her mission to fulfil. 
 
 To bring some troubled soul the soothing draught 
 Of everlasting sleep so ca!m, so still. 
 
 See, Nature's gentle Nurse doth linger now 
 To softly stroke each tiny baby hand, 
 
 And bring again sweet smiles to quiv'ring lips 
 By crooning dreams of dewy Poppy-Land. 
 
 (31) 
 
The waning stars tlioir vigil cease to keep, 
 While Dawn arouses the reluctant Day, 
 
 And with the first faint flush of moon bids Sleep, 
 " Go gather up Night's blanket and away." 
 
 (32) 
 
SHE LAY THERE IN HER BRIDAL ROBES. 
 
 She lay there in her bridal robes, 
 
 So young, so fresh, so fair; 
 We scarce believed it could be death 
 
 That left its impress there. 
 
 She lay there in her bridal robes. 
 When just six months before — 
 
 A loTely bride, she stood beneath 
 Love's light and smiles — aglow. 
 
 She lay there in her bridal robes. 
 
 So young, so pure, so fair ; 
 The rose-tint still was on her lips. 
 
 The pale gold in her hair. 
 
 To Heaven her soul had jDassed from earth, 
 
 All free from jaain and care; 
 You'd never think of dreading death 
 
 Could you have seen her there. 
 
 OCeyCci 
 
 (33) 
 
WHAT IS POETRY? 
 
 A suggestion, like a boat, 
 That sets the mind afloat, 
 On the sea of thought. 
 
 TRUST. 
 
 In the darkness of the chamber 
 
 In sickness Languish I, 
 And hear the swallows twitter 
 
 Out on the sunset skv. 
 
 God sends these sounds to tell me. 
 In life's dark trials sore. 
 
 He reigns supreme above me 
 And joy will give once more. 
 
 ^^^>^^(^^^^£l2^.^^:^^ 
 
 (34) 
 
SECRETS. 
 
 Listen! In the summer gloaming 
 
 Comes a murmm-ing low, mysterious. 
 
 All the plumed and tasselled maize-stalks 
 Seem discussing matters serious. 
 
 Softly sighing satisfaction, 
 
 When the night breeze stirs among them, 
 Gravely whispering o'er the stories 
 
 That the gossip South-wind sings them. 
 
 " Bend your ear of corn down close, dear," 
 Rustles one with leaves a-quiver; 
 
 "I have something rare to tell you. 
 
 South-wind says — now, did you ever?" 
 
 So all night while we are sleeping, 
 
 Every cornstalk to his fellow 
 Whis]3ers thrilling cornfield secrets 
 
 In the August moonlight mellow. 
 
 Till at dawn the biggest cornstalk. 
 
 Standing green, and straight, and tall. 
 
 Shakes his five plump ears in triumph, 
 "jThave heard the most of aU!" 
 
 ^ (35) 
 
APPLE BLOSSOMS. 
 
 I 8tood beneath the boughs, and looking through, 
 Scarce bore the joy of blended blossoms spread 
 In rosy interlacement overhead, 
 
 All trembling toward a pale ecstatic blue : 
 
 Stood hushed, as if my intruding, shrinking tread 
 IMight part a group of angel children, led 
 
 By one sweet impulse up to turn each face. 
 In fragrance so the clusters low communed, 
 As flung for joy from victor souls attuned 
 
 To love divine, who breathe in Christ-lit space. 
 "Why grieve in life's low sodden grave, I thought. 
 
 Though long in larger likeness sown, while seen 
 
 Such sapphire skies with bud and bloom between, 
 If Eastertides for souls are slower wrought? 
 
 r36) 
 
IN HOLLYWOOD. 
 A Slumber Long. 
 
 O starry night-skies 
 
 With thousand night-eyes, 
 Loving watch keep o'er my laddie's bed : 
 
 Over his shimbers 
 
 In tenderest numbers, 
 Fair river chant : He is sleeping, not dead. 
 
 Softly the winds blow, 
 
 Silent the daisies grow, 
 On the great mother-heart, pillow thy head ; 
 
 Who heeds the sj)arrow's fall 
 
 And cares for lilies small, 
 He too will guard my own, sleej^ing not dead. 
 
 Sleeping, so sweetly — 
 
 Night jjasseth fleetly — 
 Rest thee, my love, till its shadows are fled, 
 
 Until the day break, — 
 
 And thou shalt awake. 
 Sweetheart, good-night ; thou art sleeping, not dead. 
 
 jfe-^. 
 
 (37) 
 
CHILDHOOD 
 
 Childhood, I love thy silvery tone 
 And gush of joy so wild and free, 
 
 That springeth from thy glad, warm heart, 
 To fill the earth with melody. 
 
 The carol of a bird in spring 
 
 Doth leave a strange and witching spell. 
 The budding of a tender flower 
 
 Doth long within the bosom dwell. 
 
 The butterfly we chase at noon. 
 
 All bright with Heaven's own coloring, 
 
 Is treasured long within the heart 
 Ere earth has soiled its golden wing. 
 
 My little friend, though time may change 
 Thy sunny smile and cloudless brow, 
 
 And check the glad, free notes that flow 
 From ou^t thy young, bright spirit now ; 
 
 Yet thou shalt ever bear to me 
 
 The same glad smile from which I part, 
 And gentle tones that sweetly tell 
 
 Thy springtime loveliness of heart. 
 
 (38) C 
 
ABSENT. 
 
 Nor stars of uiglit, 
 
 Nor ligbt of sun, 
 Nor all earth's bright array, 
 
 Can make me glad, 
 
 But only sad 
 When my dear love's away. 
 
 The flowers may bloom, 
 The birds may sing. 
 
 For all their sweetest song — 
 It is not May 
 When love's away, 
 
 And ah, the days — how long! 
 
 ^^^ C<L 
 
 (39 ) 
 
BACK TO THE OLD HOME. 
 
 Bright visions of my liappy youth, 
 "Why do ye rise to haunt me here? 
 
 Phiiiitoms of early love and truth, 
 Shed with me tear for tear. 
 
 Ye wild majestic mountain heights! 
 
 Robed in your veil of dreamy blue, 
 Eternal hills, enchanting' skies, 
 
 Time brings no changes unto you. 
 
 The lingering South wind's gentle song, 
 So sweet to other ears than mine, 
 
 Sounds like the dirge affection breathes, 
 Around its ruined shrine. 
 
 And all the landscape seems as fair 
 And sweet as in those bygone years. 
 
 But "home, sweet home," thy vanished light, 
 The dream of love alone endears. 
 
 (40) 
 
And happy ones are 'round me now, 
 They press me to be blithe and gay, 
 
 And I suppress the rising tears, 
 And strive to seem as glad as they. 
 
 They know not how these quiet paths, 
 ^Vhich they each rolling year have trod, 
 
 To me are avenues through which 
 Beloved ones have passed to God. 
 
 Oh ! happy smiles ! oh ! loving tones ! 
 
 Oh ! faces fair and pure and young, 
 I seem to hear in empty halls 
 
 The tales you told, the songs you sung. 
 
 I reach my hands out — all in vain ; 
 The loving hands that answered mine 
 "Have passed into the voiceless land 
 Beyond the hills divine." 
 
 -^^^^^ 
 
 (41 ^ 
 
OUR WATCHWORD. 
 
 Give U8 a name that will stand for aye 
 
 And ever a watchword be ; 
 A name that will strengthen the hearts of men 
 To the peerless deeds of a hero, when 
 
 He fain would faint and flee. 
 
 A name that will live as a magic spell 
 
 In every age and clime ; 
 Waking the soul to a purer birth 
 With a vision of high heroic worth 
 
 And of love and truth sublime. 
 
 Then, as from the heavens an ansAver came 
 
 Thrilling o'er laud and sea : 
 And, clear as the note of a bugle swells, 
 Sweet as the chiming of sabbath bells, 
 
 Echoed the name of Lee! 
 
 £is>c^ 
 
 (42) 
 
EVE. 
 
 Ah ! Mother Eve, with those sad eyes of thine, 
 
 Down through the ages dropping woeful tears ; 
 For all the glory of thy birth they pine. 
 Through mist of pain and sorrow do they shine, 
 Through strife of bitter years. 
 
 How fair thou art, of wondrous, comely grace : 
 
 How innocent, how tender is thy love : 
 What heavenly sweetness, in thy star-bright face. 
 Which Adam saw undimmed, for one brief space, 
 While Heaven smiled above. 
 
 Oh ! matchless pain, that o'er so fair a soul 
 
 Rebellious, curious passion thus should sway. 
 That hand of thine, outstretched to ruddy goal. 
 Has wrought all human woe, a bitter dole 
 Of sadness for to-day. 
 
 Thy children on the earth upbraid thee now — 
 
 Eve — meekly bending to the heavy rod ; 
 With lips all jDurified, with chastened brow. 
 With life made holy, for thy Maker's vow 
 
 That thou should'st be the mother of thy God. 
 
 (43 j 
 
"When heavenly gates shall open to our view, 
 
 ^\'ben from Earth's secret springs the shadow clears, 
 Among God's jewels (stars of radiant hue), 
 Angels shall show us, shining in the blue, 
 Sweet Eve's repentant tears. 
 
 (44) 
 
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE MADONNA. 
 
 I gazed on the painted Assumption 
 
 Till my soul was aglow with its gleam, 
 And I envied the power of the painter 
 
 To tint, in its beauty, a dream. 
 Yet, 'tis but a beautiful fancy. 
 
 For only to mothers is given 
 To see in a glorified vision 
 
 How Mary the Maid entered Heaven. 
 
 All softly and shyly she entered, 
 
 Unheeding the glow and the light, 
 Unheeding the throb of the music, 
 
 The songs of the seraphs in white ; 
 With eyes that saw only one Figure, 
 
 Amid all the throngs of the blest. 
 The Man who had hung upon Calvary, 
 
 The Baby who hung on her breast ; 
 
 (45) 
 
The Brow she had covered with kisses, 
 
 The Brow that the thorn-pricks had marred ; 
 The Feet whose first step she had guided, 
 
 The Feet that the nail thrust had scarred ; 
 The Hands that had caught at her garments, 
 
 The Hands that were pierced for our sin ; 
 Her well beloved Son and her Saviour. 
 
 So Mary the Mother came in. 
 
 I know, by my arms that are empty, 
 
 I know, by my eyes' blinding tears, 
 I know, by my heart's weary aching, 
 
 I know, by the slow dragging years, 
 I know, by my motherhood's gladness, 
 
 I know, by my motherhood's woe. 
 That this was the joy of her heaven. 
 
 Oh, Mother of mothers, I know. 
 
 ' 40 ) 
 
EUTHANASIA. 
 
 With the faces the dearest in sight, 
 With a kiss on the lips I love best, 
 
 To whisper a tender " Good-night," 
 And pass to my pillow of rest. 
 
 To kneel all my service complete, 
 All duties accomplished — and then 
 
 To finish my orisons sweet 
 
 With a trustful and joyous "Amen." 
 
 And softly, when slumber was deep, 
 Unwarned by a shadow before. 
 
 On a halcyon billow of sleep 
 
 To float to the Thitherward shore. 
 
 Without a farewell or a tear, 
 
 A sob or a flutter of breath ; 
 Unharmed by the phantom of fear, 
 
 To glide through the darkness of death. 
 
 (47) 
 
Just so would I choose to depart, 
 Just so let the summons be given : 
 
 A quiver — a pause of the heart. 
 A vision of Angels — then Heaven ! 
 
 (■cJ--»^ui^--i:^ 
 
 (48)