LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. i^ap.X-? @np5rig!|i '^n. Shelf .j-K*!--. — i^m UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Of this Large Paper edition Two Hundred copies have been pri?ited for sale. m /A.3.. POEMS. Poems BY HARRIET McEWEN KIMBALL aiam^hit Stiition 6^ NEW YORK ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH AND CO. 38 West Twenty -Third Strbet 1889 Copyright, i88q^ By Harriet McEwen Kimball. Saniijersitg ^Btess : John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. Part I. 5^0 mg JEotljer, THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH. CONTENTS. Page Prelude ix J3art I. As Thou Wilt 1 The Guest 2 The Unspoken Prayer 4 Praying in Spirit 5 All's Well , 7 " The Blessed Company of all Faithful People " ... 8 Security 12 My Knowledge 14 Holy Mysteries 16 The Christian Year 18 Jesus, my Refuge 25 The House of God 27 The Vision in the Chalice 34 The Divine Purpose 37 " Jesus, the Ladder of my Faith " 39 " The Communion of Saints " 41 Hymn for the Holy Communion 47 The Communion of the Sick 48 Interrupted Zeal 50 A Hymn of Adoration 53 iv CONTENTS. Page " Give us this Day our Daily Bread " 55 " Anima Christi " 57 His Rest 58 Advent Song of the Faithful 62 The Annunciation 64 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. The Nativity 69 " Christ is born of Blessed Mary " 75 " Ring, Sweet Bells of Christendom " 77 " Gloria in Excelsis " 80 " While all around the Happy Earth " 82 " The Sweetest Hymn that ever was sung " . . . . 84 Mary Mother 86 " Ended the Vigil of Ages " 87 " Peace and Good- will, Good-will and Peace "... 90 The Blessed Babe 93 A Christmas Meditation 96 LENT AND EASTER. Hymns for Lent : — L " From feasts that perish turned aside " . . . 101 IL " In the lone desert of my own despair " . . . 102 Hymns for Good Friday : — I. "Oh! see Him where he hangs " 103 II. " O sad, long-suffering Face " 104 Easter-even Violets 106 Easter Day 108 Easter Carols : — I. " Christ is risen ! Christ is risen ! " . . . . 110 II. " With flowers we crown His altar fair " . . . Ill The Resurrection 113 A Battle-Cry 116 The Ladder 117 CONTENTS. V Page " Thou art a Place to hide me in " 119 " I will never leave Thee, nor forsake Thee " . . . 120 Quicken Thou me 123 "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him " . . 124 " Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out " . 126 The Lowest Place 128 " Confess your Faults one to Another " 129 The Common Offering 132 A Hymn of Contrition 133 The Night- Watch 134 O Spotless Lamb ! 135 A Psalm of Weariness 138 When I Awake ^ 139 A Morning Hymn 141 Evening Hymn of Praise 142 A Night of Faith I44 The Divine Love 146 Apprehension 148 God's Silence 150 "It is I" '. ! 152 After the Storm 153 The Monk of La Trappe I54 My Petition I57 The Way of Thorns 160 The Blessed Task 162 Discouragement I64 My Field 167 His Peace 168 Omniscience 170 "No one taketh your Peace away " 172 In the Garden I74 The Two Cities 177 The Waning Year I80 Vale 183 vi CONTENTS. Part 11. Page The Flight of the Birds 187 Friends 188 The Lilacs 191 The River 192 The Doves 193 The Lingering October Weather 195 The Morning Chamber 197 In Spring-time 199 Hospitality 201 Two Men 203 My Namesake 204 Valentine to a Priest 206 The Singer 207 The Rose of Jericho 208 "Peace, Troubled Soul" 210 In Memoriam 212 The Home among the Hills 214 An Easter Incident 216 The Boy who carried the Cross 219 A Glimpse of Heaven 221 Song 222 White Azaleas 223 Summer-time 224 Sweet-Peas 225 Midsummer Morning 228 Day-Lilies 229 Heliotrope 232 Day-Dreaming . 233 Song 234 Incognita 235 CONTENTS. vii June Songs: — Page I. Caprice 236 II. Constancy 236 III. Petition 237 IV. Expectancy 238 Queen Nature 239 Love's Visitation 240 To a Sleeping Child 242 A Vigil 243 The Crickets 244 To the Blue Gentian 245 Nothing to do 247 The Coat 249 In Autumn 250 The Bell in the Tower 254 The Feast-time of the Year 256 Good-by 258 Bride and Saint 259 Rose and Thorn 260 Cradle Songs : — I. " Sleep, sweetest Babe, and dream " .... 261 II. " Sleep, little sunny head ! " 262 A Harvest Hymn 264 Abraham Lincoln 266 Woman (1862) 268 SONNETS. Inscribed to J. W. and C. H 273 A Woodland Hour 275 The Golden Wedding 276 " Save that there may be one love-garnering Breast" . 277 Prophecy 278 " He opened not His Mouth " 279 viii CONTENTS. J)art III. A Little Lesson 283 Eour 284 Love for Love 286 The Fairy's Dilemma 287 The Stuffed Bird 290 The Baby I love 292 Her own Little Room 294 Vive La Reine 297 The Fairy Taper 298 Knitting Song 300 The King's Surveyor 302 " If you were a Bee " 308 The Little Beggar 309 We do not Know 310 In the Dark 312 To my Godson 314 A Little Christmas Sermon 317 The Holy Child 320 JPrelutie* TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. But for thy gracious words, revered of men, Scarce had I ventured on from year to year To seek the great worlds much-engrossed ear With the small rhythmic whispers of my pen. And now to silence oft withdrawing ivhen Thy songs so full and sweet, so strong and clear, And those of others, nobly sung, I hear, I ask, Why do I aught hut listen ? Then Myself makes answer, Who hath given thee This voice within that thou art fain to still ? Though few and scarcely heard thy notes may be, Seek not, nor yet vnthhold. Trust makes amends For Trust that waits unquestioning God^s ivill, Hearing His words above the words of friends. POEMS. AS THOU WILT. T T is so sweet to live -■- My little life to-day, That I would never leave it, if I might forever stay ! — I sometimes say. I am so weary, Lord, I would lie down for aye, Could I but hear Thee speak the word ^' Thy sins are washed away ! " — I sometimes say. The better mood that lies These moods between midway, Comes softty, and I lift my eyes : " Lord, as Thou wilt ! " I pray, And would alway. THE GUEST. Behold, I stand at the door and knock : if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. — Rev. iii. 20. OPEECHLESS Sorrow sat with me; ^^ I was sighing wearily ; Lamp and fire were out ; the rain Wildly beat the window-pane. In the dark I heard a knock, And a hand was on the lock. One in waiting spake to me, Saying sweetly, "I am come to sup with thee." All my room was dark and damp ; " Sorrow," said I, " trim the lamp, Light the fire, and cheer thy face, Set the guest-chair in its place." And again I heard the knock ; In the dark I found the lock : " Enter, I have turned the key, — Enter, Stranger, Who art come to sup with me." 2 THE GUEST. Opening wide the door he came, But I could not speak his name ; In the guest-chair took his place, But I could not see his face. When my cheerful fire was beaming, When my little lamp was gleaming, And the feast was spread for three, Lo, my Master Was the Guest that supped with me ! THE UNSPOKEN PRAYER. T PONDERED how to shape my praj^er ; •^ I chose the words with pious care, Lest with my lips I should betray The wish my heart would hide away. The thing I craved I dared not ask ; Yetj like a face behind a mask, That wish looked up through every word, — And it was answered, though unheard ! 4 PEAYING m SPIEIT. But thou when thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret. — Matt. vi. 6. T NEED not leave tlie jostling world, ■^ Or wait till daily tasks are o'er, To fold my palms in secret prayer Within the close-shut closet door. There is a viewless cloistered room As high as heaven, as fair as day, Where, though my feet maj^ join the throng, My soul can enter in and pray. When I have banished wayward thoughts. Of sinful works the fruitful seed, When folly wins my ear no more. The closet door is shut indeed. No human step approaching breaks The blissful silence of the place ; No shadow steals across the light That falls from my Kedeemer's face. 5 PRAYING IN SPIRIT. And never through those crystal walls The clash of life can pierce its way ; Nor ever can a human ear Drink in the secret words I say. One hearkening even cannot know When I have crossed the threshold o'er ; For He alone who hears my prayer Has heard the shutting of the door. ALL'S WELL. HE day is ended. Ere I sink to sleep, My weary spirit seeks repose in Thine. Father ! forgive my trespasses, and keep This little life of mine. T With loving-kindness curtain Thou my bed, And cool in rest my burning pilgrim-feet ; Thy pardon be the pillow for my head ; So shall my sleep be sweet. At peace with all the world, dear Lord, and Thee, No fears my soul's unwavering faith can shake ; All 's well, w^iichever side the grave for me The morning light may break. 7 "THE BLESSED COMPANY OF ALL FAITHFUL PEOPLE." T) ETWEEN" the gray dawn and the golden day ^^^^ Methought low murmurs troubled all the land, — Disquietude and strife where should be peace, In the white tents of that sweet Prince of Peace Whose hosts encamp amidst '^a naughty world." As swelled the murmurs, under all I heard The sighing of the leaders, men of prayer. Steadfast in faith, though sometimes faint of voice. Worn with the heat and burden of the day, And the half-hearted zeal of many a rank ; And harsh above their sighings louder rose The sounds of party and opposing speech. And louder yet the petty-tongued complaints Of such as had not learned obedience. That first, last law for these rebellious hearts, Given of God and taught of Holy Church. Anon, and piercing all the clamor through, The Lord's own heralds blew their bugle-notes ; For He would set the faithful in array. Then sudden silence made a little space For the One Voice that fills the universe. And Christ's own roll-call swept the white camp through. 8 THE BLESSED COMPANY. 9 And lo ! the faithful noiseless moved as thought E-esponsive, yet unconscious of response, Their rapt eyes lifted to the shining morn, As seeing Him who is invisible. He named them, clan by clan. His chosen ones : The poor in spirit, and the souls that mourn. The meek, and those for righteousness athirst, The merciful, the pure in heart, the just, The valiant, the forbearing, named He thus. For every clan a benediction sweet. And sweeter promises of victory, thus : — Blessed are the poor, Jesus spake ; Poor in spirit for My sake ; Who seek the glory of this world no more, Nor gather riches that shall fly aw^ay ; Of the heavenly kingdom heirs are they. Blessed, Blessed they who mourn, He said ; Precious are the tears they shed, The ashes on the bowed head. All their sins confessed, They shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, AVho seek The Father's will in quietness and peace, Caring little for all things beside ; 10 THE BLESSED COMPANY OF They shall increase, And with the fulness of the earth be satisfied. Blessed they, He said, After righteousness an-hungered ; Blessed they whose thirst The pleasures of this world accurst Have not stilled ; With My bread Shall the famished be fed ; With My wine the parched lips be filled. Blessed, blessed they The merciful, whose ears Are swift to hear the crying of distress ; Soft as the rain in summer fall their tears ; Their place is found beside the fatherless. Yea, Blessed they To whom the outcast and the poor complain Not in vain ; Mercies numberless They hereafter shall obtain. Blessed are the pure in heart. He said, Whose feet the paths of holiness do tread. Whose looks are God-ward, and whose hands are clean ; Through glories manifold Shall they behold Him whom no e3^e hath seen. ALL FAITHFUL PEOPLE. 11 Blessed they who seek To turn all strife to peace, Whose words are as a covert to the weak, Who make the anger of the strong to cease j Children of God shall they Be called for aye. Blessed they who steadfast stand Through persecutions dread, Though on every hand The wicked hend the bow To lay them low ; Theirs the kingdom never vanquished. Blessed ye when men revile And persecute you falsely for My sake ; Ye who, walking without guile, With Me partake Shame and scorn awhile. Yea, rejoice. Ye who fly not from the arrows of the strong ; Be exceeding glad, for unto you is given Great reward in heaven ; Even now lift up your voice In victorious song ; For so persecuted they The prophets in their da}'- : Again rejoice. Then all the winds of heaven : Amen ! Amen ! SECUEITY. TPvEEP in the grass the trustful lark -^^^ Conceals its lowly nest, Where cruel eye may seldom mark Or cruel hand molest. At least approach of footsteps rude The little bird upsprings ; From solitude to solitude It soars on swiftest wings. Ear up the azure height it soars Beyond the reach of wrong, And from its modest breast outpours Its rapt, entrancing song. Thus dwells the pious soul secure. In meditation blest ; The foot of pride, ambition's lure, Scarce find the hidden nest. And wdien the tempter draweth near, His faintest footsteps heard, Swift on the wings of holy fear She soars as soars the bird. 12 SECURITY. 13 Free in the vast encircling sky Of God's protecting grace, She pours her matchless song on high Of thankfulness and praise. MY KNOWLEDGE. 'T^HOUGH men confront the Living God •*■ With wisdom than His word more wise, And leaving paths apostles trod Their own devise ; I would myself forsake and flee, Christ, the living Way, to Thee. I know not what the schools may teach. Nor yet how far from truth depart ; One lesson is within my reach, — The Truth Thou art. And learning this I learn each day To cast all other lore away. I cannot solve mysterious things That fill the schoolmen's thoughts with strife ; But oh, what peace this knowledge brings — Thou art the Life ! Hid in Thy everlasting deeps, The silent God His secret keeps. 14 31 Y KNOWLEDGE. 15 The Way, the Truth, the Life Thou art, This, this I know ; to this I cleave ; The sweet new language of my heart, " Lord, I believe." I have no doubts to bring to Thee ; My doubt has fled ; my faith is free. HOLY MYSTEEIES. TT W can it be — the sweet new birth -^ -^ Of water and the Spirit wrought, Bej'-ond the wisdom of the earth To understand or bring to nought I We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. How can it be — the Holy Ghost His seven-fold gifts on men bestows Through laying on of hands that boast No power the mystery to disclose ! We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. How can it be — the priestly prayer Of consecration duly said, And we the one Oblation share, And feed upon the Living Bread ! We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. How can it be — the precious Blood Once shed for man doth never fail, 16 HOLY MYSTERIES. 17 But flows a sacramental flood That contrite sinners shall avail ! We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. How can it be — from age to age, Since the great day of Pentecost, The Church abides, though heathen rage, The grace of Orders never lost ! We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. How can it be — goes forth the word Of holy Church, and twain are one : Type of Her union with Her Lord, Foreshadowed when the race begun ! We know not how ; We only bow And say. Amen, How can it be that wine and bread In death's dark hour shall life afford. Till with His unveiled Presence fed We are forever with the Lord ! We know not how ; We only bow And say, Amen. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. A DVENT : now begins the year, ^ Opening with holy fear. Haste, ye faithful, to prepare For the coming in the air Of the Lord with angels bright Thronging from the heavenly height ! He shall come our Judge to be ; Haste, ye faithful ; bow the knee ; Watch ye all, and watching pray : " Jesus, spare us in that Day ! " Christmas : time of exultation, Joy, and peace, and adoration, Telling how of old He came, Sinless Babe of Saving Name ; How the shepherds, angel-sent, Swift to Bethlehem's manger went, There to find the Child foretold By all Prophet-tongues of old ; Little King, no sceptre bearing. But the meanest shelter sharing ; 18 THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 19 Son of God, His glory hiding, And as Man with man abiding ; Son of Mary, lowly Maiden, With eternal honor laden ; Little Jesus, coming still To the hearts He fain would fill ; Finding with the meek a place To exalt them through His grace; While the angels, as of yore. Praises still on praises pour, And with " Merry Christmas " sweet Christians all good Christians greet. Circumcision' : showing forth Of obedience the worth, When the little Jesus, brought To the Rite commanded, taught All his children to obey, Following in the Church's way ; To be pure as He is pure. Seeking pleasures that endure. Epiphany : whose wondrous Star Led the Magi from afar, And the Christ revealed to them In the Babe of Bethlehem. Precious gold to Him they bring. Thus acknowledging their King ; 20 THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. Precious frankincense they pour For the God whom they adore ; Precious myrrh their love supplies For their Lord and Sacrifice. Every gift we can command Of loyal heart and loyal hand, Every deed that serves to show Heavenly love in love below, Jesus claims as tribute due, All good Christians, now from you. When Epiphany is spent, Sundays three, like heralds sent. Cry aloud the Fast of Lext. Septuagesima first, and second Sexagesima is reckoned ; Quinquagesima, the last ; Then comes in the solemn Fast, With Ash Wednesday'' s litanies. That from hearts repentant rise. Forty days at Jesus' feet Hide we now in blest retreat. At their close through Holy Week, We His way of sorrow seek, Entering first Jerusalem, While the throngs His progress hem, And with shouts of welcome press Zion's lowly King to bless, Scattering palms along His way THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 21 On that one triumphant Day. Though they shout, He weeps aloud O'er tlie self-deceiving crowd. Through that Week we see Him bear Anguish none can know or share ; On Good Friday follow Him Scourged and bruised in every limb, And with thorns in insult crowned. While the foes that Him surround Gibes and jeers incessant toss On the Altar of the Cross, We behold Him meekly die For the world's iniquity. Every Friday for His sake Let us here our station take, At His feet confession making. Self and sin abhorred forsaking. Easter-Even : Hour of rest ; Faith's sweet vigil calm and blest. In the tomb His Body lies, And His Soul in Paradise Waits the morn when He shall rise. Here we watch and watching ponder On the never-lessened wonder, How from Baptism we emerge On the new life's trembling verge, In His death the "old man" dead And the " new man " raised instead. 22 THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. Henceforth now be crucified All our anger, lust, and pride ; Every evil passion die, Mortified continually ! Easter-Day : The " day of days : " Radiance immortal plays Round the sepulchre whose door, Open now can close no more ! Stricken guard and broken seal To our longing eyes reveal What the glorious Angel saith Who unbarred that gate of death : '* He is risen ; do not fear ; Jesus is no longer here ; But in lowly Galilee Ye again your Lord shall see." Swift, with Alleluias sweet. Follow we His boly feet, Singing all the joyful wa}^ : " Christ the Lord has risen to-day ! " Precious Easter-Tide : Again Jesus walks the ways of men ; In a body glorified, Yet the very same that died. Pierced in hands, and feet, and side ; And we know in His own time We shall share that change sublime. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. 23 Forty days, most wondrous days ! He in word and act displays Sign and miracle, the keys Of His Kingdom's Mysteries. On the great Ascensiox Day, When those Forty Days are ended, With His holy hands extended, Leading forth His chosen, pressing To receive His final blessinsr, We behold Him pass away; In a cloud of glory rise. Vanishing from mortal eyes. Once again the Angels fair, Tidings wonderful declare ; He shall come again, they say, As 3'"e saw Him go away. While our hearts within us burn, With His chosen now we turn And obedient with them Go we to Jerusalem, There in expectation sweet To wait the Promised Paraclete, — The Holy Ghost, whose tongues of fire Shall illumine and inspire. Lo ! He comes on Whitsun-Day, The Holy Ghost for whom we pray, And on rushing, mighty wings, 24 THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. Gift of seven-fold gifts he brings, And His coming marks the birth Of the Holy Church on earth. Now our Jesus' mission ended, Be our triune praises blended To the Father and the Son And the Holy Ghost in One. Holy ! Holy ! Holy ! cry On the Feast of Trinity ; And till Advent comes again Alleluia be our strain ! JESUS, MY EEFUGE. TESTIS, my Refuge, to the secret places ^ Where Thou dost hide I flee. To learn Thy blessed Truth, from all the mazes Of human thought set free. Without denial and without refraining I must receive Thy word ; Not what Thou meanest after man's explaining. But what Thou sayest. Lord. Shut from the strife of tongues that yield con- fusion Quick grows the inward ear Thy sweet assurance, stripped of all delusion. In humble faith to hear. In mysteries beyond the dim perceiving Of Reason's clouded eyes, Thou dost reveal Thyself to souls believing, Too loving for disguise. 25 26 JESUS, 31 F REFUGE. And oh, how loving, dearest Lord, how tender Beyond all love Thou art When to Thy feet we cling in full surrender, With sorrow-broken heart ! Absolving, healing, strengthening, uniting, Through sacramental grace. And to communion closer yet inviting. Thou dost unveil Thy face. For faith alone low-kneeling in contrition The load of sin grows light ; To faith alone Thou dost vouchsafe that vision. And faith is almost sight. THE HOUSE OF GOD. THE Lord's own Temple ! in His Holy Name What reverent steps its very pavements claim ! Oh, enter softly ! He who here abides Erom mortal eyes His form, His glory hides ; Yet all around in all these fair designs His Name is written in mysterious lines, And everywhere the sacred symbols speak Of Him whom all may find who truly seek. Here human art attains its loftiest reach, Eternal truths to shadow forth and teach ; And beauty here in sweet constraint doth dwell, Where every color teaches truth as well ; And even the unlettered here may learn, Led by Devotion's hand at every turn. These steadfast stones the " living stones " declare Whereof is built a temple far more fair, Whose corner-stone is Christ ; whose piers un- seen. The same to-day as they have ever been, Are. Prophets and Apostles, — noble line. The Church's firm foundations to define ! 27 28 THE HOUSE OF GOD. Witliin these walls what peace! (Christ is our Peace !) What silence reigns where earthly noises cease ! Silence wherethrough we almost hear the sound Of angels thronging all the sacred ground. Here at the portal pause and reverent gaze : A holy order all the place displays. The triple length, the triple breadth and height Proclaim one mystery to the wondering sight, That, scaling pillar, arch, and window fair, Seeks the vast roof to find the One God there ; Then from that lofty height in awe descends To mark how majest}^ with mercy blends ; In nave and choir and transept arms stretched wide, Behold the symbol of the Crucified ; And in the kneeling throng, in mystery. His Body one with Him its Head on high. Sharing His Cross to share at last His Crown, — The Life He won for us through life laid down. See, many-hued and glorious the beams Of heavenly light that on the darkness streams, E-eveals the blazoned pane, and lends a glow To recess dim and shadowed aisle below ; An ever-shifting, never-changing flood. To touch our every sense, our every mood ; As the sweet Gospel answers every need And on our darkness pours the light indeed ! THE HOUSE OF GOD. 29 Here stands the Font, placed just within the door, To say to all who pass the threshold o'er : Ye who the Church of God would enter, know One only way our Saviour Christ did show — By holy baptism ; this the lowly gate For helpless infancy and man's estate ; For since God's grace alone can lead them in. Wisdom and age like babes must entrance win. Here stands the Font, and here the Heavenly Dove, Its depths to sanctify, on wings of love Hovers unseen. Beneath this cleansing wave Doth God regenerate whom He would save ; Through this fair tide He calleth all to pass Into His Kingdom ; this the sea of glass Before His altar-throne that far away Beyond the nave, the choir, in fair array. Within the rood-screen lifts its gleaming height, And floods the space around with sacred light. As the White Throne and He who sits thereon Fill Heaven with majesty above the sun. And like the rainbow round the Throne appear The changing colors of the Christian year As all the holy seasons come and go. And o'er the Altar hues symbolic throw : Violet when mourns the Church a penitent Through solemn fasts of Advent and of Lent, And all the lesser vigils that she keeps When o'er her sins for Jesus' sake she weeps ; Through Christmas-, Easter-, and Ascension-tide, 30 THE HOUSE OF GOD. And many a holy-day that falls beside, Symbol of purity, of joy, of light. Of victory and peace, white, — shining ivhite ; And red for Whitsun-tide, the hue of flame, — B,ed for the saints who martyrs too became ; While green, that tells of hope that cannot die. Greets the exultant gaze through Trinity. Once, only once, through all the changing year (Save for some burial hour) doth black appear ; As Jesus bore our sins upon the Tree, That Day the altar draped in woe we see. Elsewhere two colors changing not abound On frescoed walls and pictured saints surround. The blue of heavenly truth, the burning red Of holy ardor, — these the Church have led Through martyr fires and persecutions dread ; And all unclouded still the Truth doth shine. Still glows the ardor, fed by grace divine. Eastward the nave extending mutely saith : Lo, there He rose triumphant over death ; The Light of light, the Sun of Righteousness, Whom nations long in darkness hid confess. Thence He with all His angels shall descend In the Great Day when time itself shall end ! Ever through solemn fast and gladsome feast The Church expectant worships toward the east. In prayers and praises mingling joy and dread Of Him who comes to judge both quick and dead, Who doth a place beside His Throne prepare THE HOUSE OF GOD. 31 For her, His Bride, to be exalted there, And keeps with her meanwhile His awful tryst Beneath the shadow of the Eucharist. Within the nave the pulpit fair uprears, Whence the glad message whoso hearkens hears ; As from the stone forever rolled away The angel of the Resurrection Day Proclaimed the tidings of the Risen Lord, The crowning miracle that should afford No room for doubt, and for denial none, — Eternal life, eternal victory won. The steps from nave to choir that upward lead Teach us humility, and bid us heed How we regard the Heaven-appointed priest Who at the altar serves ; though he be least 'Mong men, he standeth in the Lord's own stead When in His Name he breaks the holy Bread, And with the Hidden Manna duly feeds The hungry flock that follows where he leads. Yea, in the Name and Person of the Lord He breaks the Bread and he proclaims the Word ; 'T is from his hand the stream Baptismal flows, Pardon he speaks and peace, Christ's peace, be- stows. Within the choir mark first the lectern stand, The stalls and prayer-desks ranged on either hand ; Here lies the Holy Book whose mysteries 32 THE HOUSE OF GOD. Are sealed to many a scholar great and wise, But to the children of the Kingdom yield The priceless treasures even on earth revealed. Fair and more fair behold the place appear As to the holiest our feet draw near ; Each least detail how beautiful to trace, And learn the moulding touch of Heavenly grace. See, too, how oft the varied cross we find, That pleads on every hand. Leave all behind. Three steps again ascending seem to say, Thus must the pilgrim mount the Heavenward way; By faith, hope, charity, — these three ; The last is first ; the chiefest, charity, Whose one supremest height He reached alone As Man who only could for man atone. As unto Christ both Priest and Sacrifice The earth's wide ends must turn their countless eyes, So on the altar all the temple waits ; Here vision centres, worship culminates. To this His shrine the Church adoring brings Her richest gifts, her choicest offerings ; Her tribute gold, her myrrh of penitence. And in her praise the precious frankincense. And ever on " the altar trimmed aright " She tends with loving care each typic light. The God, the Man, unceasing to proclaim. While the mid-cross declares His saving Name. THE HOUSE OF GOD. 33 House of God ! thy beauty half untold Is lost to many an eye that might behold, While many a tongue complains, This might be sold And given to the poor ; and men forget How like complaint by Christ Himself was met, And fail to mark how they who fairest make His temple, love His poor for Jesus' sake, In proof whereof they consecrate with care Their gifts to them upon His altar fair, That they with Him and He with them may share. Jesus, who hadst not where to lay Thy Head When Thou the pathways of Thy poor didst tread. Too mean for Thee the temples that we raise, Though echoing to centuries of praise ! THE VISION IN THE CHALICE. INSCRIBED TO H. E. H. HTHE priest before the Altar -'- Stood with uplifted eyes, His heart deep stirred within him, To offer the sacrifice. The morning's golden splendor Through the chancel window streamed Till like masses of precious jewels The radiant colors seemed. But around the central picture Of the Christ upon the Rood It shone like a wondrous halo As the priest upgazing stood. The prayer of consecration Began he low and clear, And at the mystic sentence Bowed down in holy fear ; Bowed lowly over the Paten, As he took in his hands the Bread ; And likewise the mystic sentence Over the Cup he said. 34 THE VISION IN THE CHALICE. 35 When lo ! in the golden Chalice, Distinct in the purple wine, He saw reflected the image Of the Crucified Form Divine. Filled with a sudden tremor, His eyes deep -fixed on the sight, Scarcely the prayer he followed Or knew if he said it aright. Trembling with adoration He lifted the Chalice high, As upholding the sacred Burden Between the earth and the sky. And still when the Chalice he lowered, Distinct in the purple wine, From the chancel windows reflected He saw the Imagre Divine. "O' Did he hear in the hush that followed The words of the Lord anew, Brought down by the Church through the ages, The mystical charge, " This do " ? Did he hear from the Holy of holies. The secret, eternal shrine, The Priest who is Priest forever Kenew the assurance divine ? — 36 THE VISION IN THE CHALICE. " Lo ! I am with you alway, Blessing the Cup that you bless ; Under the Bread you have broken My Presence proclaim and confess. " Lo ! I am with you alway, Mine own command to fulfil ; I am the Sacrifice offered, The Priest and the Victim still. " Lo ! I am with you alway, Feeding the flock that you feed, My Flesh the manna unfailing, My Blood the drink indeed." blessed, wondrous commission ! It seemed to the lowly priest Like a precious new revelation, As he shared with his flock that Feast. And ever enshrined in his bosom He treasures with holy awe The memory of the vision That veiled in the Chalice he saw \ THE DIVINE PUEPOSE. A S springs that feed our lives unseen "^^ And keep their daily pastures green, All-gracious Lord, Thy mercies flow ; Before we ask Thou dost bestow. And thus with gifts as well as grace Thou winnest us to seek Thy Face, And kneeling low Thy care to own, And make our dearest wishes known. No voice of prayer to Thee can rise, But swift as light Thy Love replies ; Not always what we ask, indeed, But, Most Kind ! what most we need. When we beseech the good that might, Because of self, some sweet hope blight. Some holy impulse turn astray, Thy tender purpose answers. Nay. For bread may nourish less than stone, If eaten thankless or alone ; And many a pure, desired thing Might prove a snare or hide a sting. 37 38 THE DIVINE PURPOSE. But Thou, Saviour pitiful, Who seest us so blind and dull, Constrainest us with mercies still To seek alone Thy Holy Will. Oh, soon or late how sweet to learn It is that Will for which we yearn, When yielding to its sway Divine We have no wish ajiart from Thine ! JESUS, THE LADDER OF MY FAITH." T ESUS, the ladder of my faith J Rests on the jasper walls of Heaven ; And through the veiling clouds I catch Faint visions of the mystic Seven. The glory of the rainhowed Throne Illumes those clouds like lambent flame, As once on earth Thy Love divine Burned through the robes of human shame. Thou art the same, gracious Lord, The same dear Christ that Thou wert then, And all the praises angels sing Delight Thee less than prayers of men. We have no tears Thou wilt not dry ; We have no wounds Thou wilt not heal ; No sorrows pierce our human hearts That Thou, dear Saviour, dost not feel. Thy pity like the dew distils, And Thy compassion like tlie light Our every morning overfills, And crowns with stars our every night. 39 40 "JESUS, THE LAD DEB OF MY FAITH:' Let not the world's rude conflict drown The charmed music of Thy voice That calls all weary ones to rest, And bids all mourning souls rejoice. "THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS." OCATTERED through the holy Year ^^ The Church's holy-days appear, Sacred to the chief among That innumerable throng Of the blessed saints of God Who the way of sorrows trod. Sword-like flame and flame-like sword, Kavening beast and blood outpoured, Persecutions manifold, More than page hath ever told, Eor the love of Christ they bore Who can suffer now no more, But at rest in Paradise Drink of endless victories. Parted from our sight are they. Yet a cloud of witnesses Do they watch us on the way Where our foes unnumbered press. One with us, their words of cheer Ever reach us struggling here ; One with us, their every name Puts our laggard strife to shame. While those names she still repeats Year by year, the Church entreats : 41 42 ''THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS." Fight as they, forsaking all ; Rack nor cross could them appall. Warfare or within, without, In their ears was victory's shout; Whatso treasure they possessed Dross became through Christ confessed ; Poverty was wealth, and pain Pledge of everlasting gain ; Bitterness was sweet to taste ; Torture slow was heavenly haste ; While their Captain glorious, Over all victorious. Fought with them, and in His strength Made them conquerors at length. Now, as then, the battle rages ; Christians still the Foe engages ; Though he colors change and name, Is that deadly Foe the same. Seven-fold the might he wields O'er the victim soul that yields ; But with seven-fold armor clad, Shall the true and valiant smite, And put the evil powers to flight ; While the tidings, swift and glad, Ring through all the realms of light Where the Church's grand procession From her holy ranks below Daily swelled in calm possession " TBE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.'' 43 Waits the final overthrow Of the fierce but doomed Foe. Not with open, loud assault Draws the Adversarj^ near ; Oft advancing seems to halt, Now through flatter}^ now through fear ; Under cover of the night Darkness makes he fair as light ; Now through pomp and now through pride Lures he many a soul aside ; Now through ease he whispereth, Every word a shaft of death ; Through the flesh unceasingly Do his secret arrows fly ; In the heart he refuge takes, And his strongest stronghold makes. Watch and pray, the Church entreats, And those chiefest names repeats Of the Army of the Lord, Us examples to afford. Watch and pray, the Church entreats ; Stand ye fast and be ye strong ; Imitate my glorious throng. They my firm foundations made, Christ Himself the corner-stone ; Ye as living stones are laid. Age by age and one by one, 44 " THE COMMUNION OF SAlNTSr Pledged the Faith to keep, thereon. Joined together each and all As a temple mystical, Let your holy unity Mirror each and each the whole. While the waves that round you roll Of unbelief and heresy Vainly my foundations try. Watch and pray, my children, saith Holy Church. Be true till death To the once-delivered Faith ; With each other one, and one With the hosts whose toil is done, All my faithful souls and true Who have passed beyond j^our sight ! Let their ardor quicken you As 3^e press toward realms of light, Where in Paradise they wait, While the angel-guarded gate Ceaseless swings, to usher in Souls redeemed from death and sin. Ever through that viewless door One unbroken throng they pour, — One unbroken, moving column Through that entrance sweet and solemn, Night and day, and day and night, From the shadow to the light ; From the cross that each lays down ''THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:' 45 To the ^' passionless renown/' E-obe of white, and palm, and crown. Night and day, and day and night, Countless souls in grand procession, One in Faith's sublime confession With the lesser ranks below Moving still against the Foe ; One in Hope no change can blight, Linked in mutual intercession ; One in Love's eternal might, Knit together each with all In His Body mystical ; One in Christ the Living Head, Of whose Life ye all partake, By whose grace ye all are fed And the one Communion make. Ye my little ones and lowly. Hid on earth in mean disguise. One with all my martyrs holy, Spotless robed in Paradise. Ye who in the thick of striving Fight my battles undismayed. By the proud world's proud contriving Of no reputation made. One with them, the virgin throng. Singing now the Lamb's New Song. Ye who suffer all temptation. Sin's assaults and tribulation. Overcoming all unseen, 46 " THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:' One with my Confessors brave Who have passed to realms serene, Where the palms of victory wave. There the first Apostles grand, Chiefest-crowned, a glorious band, There the angels bright that gather All the saints of God around, With the ever-blessed Mother Over all my hosts renowned, Welcome each and each the other As the tide of souls rolls in, And the songs anew begin That forever shall resound : Glory, honor, power, blessing, Wisdom, might, and praise unceasing To the King of kings addressing, Toward whose Kingdom still increasing Earth's remotest ends are pressing. HYMN FOR THE HOLY COMMUNION. A T this Thy banquet, Lord of all, '^ ^ May less than angel dare to sup ? The crumbs that from Thy Table fall Unworthy we to gather up. Yet, oh, too poor to turn away, Too glad to own Thy gracious claim. We stay because Thou bid'st us stay Despite our garb of want and shame ! Before Thine Altar kneeling low We bare our sinful hands to Thine ; O Holy Lord, Thy pity show And cleanse us with Thy touch Divine. Fill Thou these empty palms with food, The Bread Thou givest from above ; This cup with Thy most precious Blood, The wine of Thy atoning love. The hunger and the thirst we plead No meaner feast could satisf}^ ; Saviour, in our utter need Thou, Thou must feed us or we die. 47 THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK. INSCRIBED TO H. E. H. r\ PEIEST beloved ! a favored guest, ^— ' Bidden of thee, how oft I kneel Where some poor sufferer distressed Looks to thy hand to soothe and heal ! His sacramental coming there God's messenger of pain precedes, The shadowed chamber to prepare, And fit it for the Master's needs. " Arise and walk," thou dost not say, But thou the Bread of Life dost break To strengthen souls upon their way, Their thirst with Wine immortal slake. The humble table by the bed, Followed sometimes by djdng eyes, How often have I seen thee spread, And offer there the sacrifice. How often from thy reverent hands Received the Manna veiled from view ', Then by the sick one seen thee stand And feed him with that Manna true. 48 THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK. 49 How often when the gracious Cup From me has passed, have I beheld Thee lift the weary sufferer up To drink the hidden stream that welled ! How often have I seen the face Beneath thy blessing brighter grow When the poor soul received the peace Thou art commissioned to bestow ! And ever springs this thought of mine : Jesus, how gracious Thou to come Not only to Thy temple's shrine But even to the meanest home ! And who am I, that unto me Occasions fall that others miss ? But, Lord, my need is known to Thee ; Thy answer must be hid in this ! O priest beloved ! to Him I owe For these unwonted hours of grace Such love as deeds can never show ; Pray that my love may grow apace ! To follow on thy lowly rounds, Oh, pray that I may worthier be, And where Christ's suffering ones are found Still, for His sake, make room for me. INTEERUPTED ZEAL. According to the mind of God, our perfection does not depend upon our doing much. This was Martha's error which our Lord Jesus Christ rebuked. — Bouedaloue. T ORD, is my service at an end ? •^~^ I am so slow to comprehend ! Why comes this pause that seems to say Thou hast no work for me to-day ? Do I not hoard my time for Thee ? Do not my hand and heart agree To yield to Thee their best, their all ? Dear Lord, why hast Thou ceased to call ? There comes no beggar to my gate Eor whom my halved loaf doth wait 5 I know no creature suffering Eor cheer that haply I might bring. Where lies my load of precious care ? Whose are the tears that I might share ? Or whose the joy that I might make My equal joy for Thy sweet sake ? 50 INTERRUPTED ZEAL. 51 Tlie world is just as full of woe, Eor sin in hand with grief must go ; But now the world seems distant grown, And I unneeded and alone. Ah ! now Thou dost Thy will reveal To interrupt my restless zeal, That I in solitude may heed My own, my all-surpassing need. ^' Much serving " often hinders love, And care forgetfulness may prove ; The busy hand may cheat the heart That else might choose the better part. Who waits in holy idleness Can never learn to serve Thee less. But rather learns how poor, how vain. Is all he hath accounted gain. Strive as I may, my every toil Some lurking vanity will spoil ; Self-love doth ever enter in To steal what I for Thee may win. Then give me, Lord, no work to-day, But give what none can take away, — The portion evermore most sweet, To sit like Mary at Thy feet. 52 INTERRUPTED ZEAL. And quicken Thou my inward ear That I like her Thy Word may hear In inward silence that shall drown All voices other than Thine own. The soul that seeks no end but this The end of zeal can never miss, But even amidst her toil shall be In holy solitude with Thee. A HYMN OF ADORATION. JESUS, Jesus, Jesus, High and lowly Son ; Son of blessed Mary And of God in one ; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Hail, Son ! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Living Bread Divine, Feast for holy hunger. Be that hunger mine ; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Bread Divine ! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Fount forever filled. In Thy streams of mercy Shall my thirst be stilled. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Fount once filled ! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Spotless Lamb once slain, Yet for us unceasing Offered again j 53 54 A HYMN OF ADORATION. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Lamb once slain ! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Victim, Priest, and Lord ; Endless satisfaction Endlessly adored ; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Saviour, Lord ! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Name of names most sweet ; Tremble with thanksgiving, Tongue that may repeat — Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Name most sweet. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, God of God art Thou ; Low in adoration At Thy Name we bow ; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, God art Thou ! Eather, Son, and Spirit, Blessed Three in One Whose unending praises Never were begun ; Holy, Holy, Holy, Three in One ! "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BEEAD." /^NE longing fills my heart that else ^-^ With earthly cravings would o'erflow ; One pure desire within me dwells Amid desires I would forego ; One longing deep that day by day Sweeps every lesser wish away. It is not that I choose no more Between the shadow and the sun ; That vanities no longer lure ; That sweet and bitter are as one ? But that this longing day by day Sweeps every lesser wish away. If now I triumph, now I fail, Or now attain an inward peace, If now temptations sore assail, All things this longing but increase ; And oh ! this longing day by day All gains, all losses doth outweigh. 55 56 "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD:' It is for Thee, for Thee alone, Who art beyond all language dear; In life, in death, Thou only One Who stoopest low, who drawest near ; For Thee I hunger day by day, And pray the more the more I pray. Come, Daily Bread of gracious taste ; Sweet Manna endlessly supplied ; Thou hidden Joy that cannot waste ; Our Wayside Strength, however tried ; Come, Blessed Jesus, day by day, Lest we should faint beside the way ! Come, God and Saviour, to Thine own ; Revealed to Faith's anointed eyes, Make Thou Thy very Presence known Though veiled in holy mysteries ; And oh ! — the sum of all I pray — Sweep Thou at last the veil away ! "ANIMA CHRIST!." A PARAPHRASE. OOUL of Christ, unscathed by sin, ^^ Touch me; make me white within! Sacred Body, mangled, slain, Save me ; suffer not in vain ! Blood of Christ, my " drink indeed," Stay me ; on thy strength I feed ! Water from that riven side. Wash me ; wash me, cleansing tide ! Holy wounds, my entrance win ; Sweetest place to hide me in ! Broken heart, my fortress be When the foe oppresseth me ! When at last I yield my breath, Jesus, bid me rise from death ! With Thy saints, a countless throng, Let me sing the endless song ; Ever and forevermore Love and laud Thee and adore ! 57 HIS EEST. 'C^AIE, is the world wherein we dwell, -^ And day and night Crown miracle with miracle Of new delight ; Almost it seems A world of dreams. But, oh ! the World of worlds that lies This world outside, Whose splendors to these human eyes Are yet denied. And seer and saint Have failed to paint ! " Eye hath not seen," our tongues repeat, In rapt belief, When earth blooms fairest round our feet, And sin and grief Withhold their power Some little hour. 58 HIS REST. 59 But when the heart grows sick with pain, The burden sore, And all our labor seems in vain, And o'er and o'er The sin we fight Keturns with might ; When loss and sickness touch us close, And death draws near To take not us, perhaps, but those Than self more dear; When some swift blow Doth lay us low ; Or long discouragement or strife Doth wear away The ardor and the joy of life. Do what we may ; And many woes Our doubts disclose — Far more than glories unconceived Beyond the grave, His rest in whom we have believed Is what we crave : By night and day For rest we pray. 60 HIS REST, O blessed world ! we cry, uncrossed By grief or sin, How will these souls now tempted, tossed, Kejoice to win Those shores that shine With peace divine ! Jesus, most tried, most tempted One, Dear sinless Lord, What toil was Thine beneath the sun ! By scourge and cord. And bitter food. And cruel rood, That Heavenly Kest for us was bought ; And, oh ! that we Might count our light affliction nought In following Thee, And here below Its sweetness know ! That sweetness, dearest Lord, at least One hour may bring. When to Thy Presence in the Feast Divine we cling, And wondrously Commune with Thee ! HIS REST. 61 precious foretaste, Heaven brought near, Within our reach, When, though no glory doth appear Surpassing speech, The soul oppressed Finds here Thy Rest ! ADVENT SONG OF THE FAITHFUL. Tyy EAEY ? ISTay, not weary yet ; He will come. Promising, can He forget ? Oh, He will come ! Counting not the days or years, Wait we till our Lord appears. Everywhere we know is strife — He will come ! — Angry clash of life with life ; But He will come, — He whose kingdom is of peace ; Peace must conquer, hate must cease. Powers must tremble ; swords must fail He will come ; Then can hell itself prevail When He is come ? Darkness reigns, but He is Light — He who shall all darkness smite. 62 ADVENT SONG OF THE FAITHFUL. 63 In His love our lives we hide — He will come ; By His promises abide, For He will come. Our inheritance is sure ; Marvel ye that we endure ? Watch ye all beneath the sun — He will come ! — Winning what ye ne'er have won When He shall come; Better things than life hath brought, Greater things than time hath wrought. Life and time will fleet away ; He will come ; Then your nay must still be nay When He is come ; Till that day He intercedes ; Still as on His cross He pleads. Watch ! and if the hours seem long Till He come, Sing with us Faith's perfect song : "Lord Jesus, come ! " Sweet, oh, sweet the time if we Watching, faithful grow as He ! THE ANNUNCIATIOK (MARCH 25th.) r\ MAKY, Maid of Nazareth, ^-^ Who hearest with suspended breath The message mighty Gabriel Brings to thy lowly virgin cell ; In silence and in solitude Where saint nor seraph dare intrude, Thou, truest handmaid of the Lord, Dost hearken and receive the Word. Then swiftly, but with awe-winged feet. Thou goest forth from thy retreat To her whose salutation still * Thrills Hebron's vale from hill to hill. There first thy wonder turns to song That all the ages shall prolong Beyond the untold bounds of time, In its humility sublime. With God's supremest favor crowned, Pursuing still thy daily round Of simple duties simply done, Thou dost await the promised Son. 64 TH^ ANNUNCIATION. 65 Dear Mother of the Lord's own choice, He comes in whom thou dost "rejoice," — Thy Saviour and thy God, to be Eocked as thy Babe upon thy knee. O Mary, Maid of Nazareth, Not only hath Elizabeth Proclaimed thee "blessed;" from that day "All generations" "blessed" say. Yea, blessed as the instrument Of the Almighty's vast intent ; And blessed in the purity Wherewith His grace invested thee ; Blessed in meek obedience That bowed to His omnipotence ; Blessed in thy surrendered will ; In perfect faith more blessed still ; Blessed in thy humility That cast all earthly honors by — The lofty pride of David's line — To worship at thy Saviour's shrine. Blessed of all His creatures thou Whom with such grace He did endow That all thy earthly life was spent Like one unbroken sacrament. 66 THE ANNUNCIATION. Turn we, O Mary, from thy face To praise Him for that wondrous grace, And crave humility like thine Obedient to the Will Divine. The least in all Thy Kingdom, Lord, — It is Thy own. Thy very word ! — The least may do Thy will, and be Like her a follower of Thee. Too wonderful it seems, indeed ; Thy Mother all Thy saints doth lead ; Can such as we a place attain In the long splendor of that train ? CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. THE NATIVITY. BENEATH the dark expectant skies, while crowded Bethlehem slept, Their sleeping flocks in quiet fields the faithful shepherds kept, When round about them, suddenly, there shone a glorious light, And in the midst an Angel stood, majestical and bright. What mortal eye could look un dazed ! what mortal ear could hear The voice most sweet, most terrible in sweetness, without fear ! While on the wide Judean hills the reverent winds were stayed, Prostrate the humble shepherds fell, for they were sore afraid. " Fear not ; behold, I bring you joy ! " the Angel spake and smiled ; "To you this day in David's town is born the promised Child ; 69 70 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. A Saviour, even Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign — Ye in a manger lowly laid shall find the Babe Divine." And with the Angel, lo ! a host of shining ones was seen, Chanting, "All glory be to God, as it hath ever been ; Glory to God, on earth be peace, and unto men good-will," They sang, in splendor vanishing, and all grew dark and still. Amazed the shepherds heard, and rose and made with haste their way To where, within the stable walls, the world's Redeemer lay; Nor wider space nor fairer place had earth to spare for Him Whose Throne from everlasting burned, rayed round with seraphim. While softly raining out of heaven, in silver cadences Flowed down those sweet angelic strains pro- claiming joy and peace ; CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 71 Her rapture swelling into tears, the trembling Mother bent Above her Child, her Holy One, in awe and won- derment. And if a cloud of radiance filled the consecrated place, That cloud was darkness in her eyes, long-dwelling on His face ; Her tranced vision scarce withdrawn when the glad shepherds came, Beheld the Babe and glorified the One Eternal Name. And was the Word, indeed, made flesh ? Ever- lasting Lord ! Prince of Peace ! Mighty God, forevermore adored ! Who reckoning unreckoned bliss cast all His glory by "\Yhen from the prison-house of sin He heard the captive cry ! Love, that no created love can ever compre- hend, Outreaching life's dark uttermost, bounding the endless end ; 72 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. That condescended to the low from Height above all height, And bosomed in a blameless Babe brought into darkness light ! Wherever Christmas bells shall chime and Christ- mas cheer go round, Be grateful joy — not heedless mirth — in every dwelling found ; While Faith unveils her throbbing breast and closelier folds within The Holy Child whose sinlessness hath answered once for sin. The humblest home that He may find, the poorest heart of earth, Not meaner is than Bethlehem's stall made fair by Jesus' birth ; And light more marvellous shall stream into that house of clay. Abiding and abounding more unto the perfect day. Comfort to answer all desire and soothe the sharpest pain, A rest to weariness, and ease to such as do complain, CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 73 Bread to the hungry, and to them that thirst a living well, The Saviour with His neediest ones doth most delight to dwell. He houoreth not the place of pride, but seeketh lowly doors, And love, the sweet return of love, is all that He implores ; The love that waiting on His word doth evermore increase. And magnify in daily life the angels' song of peace. Wherever Christmas greetings flow and Christmas cheer goes round, Let charity in gracious deeds and gracious thoughts abound ; And Zion, garlanding her gates, put on her glad array, And celebrate with psalms of joy Emmanuel's natal day. Christ, Most High ! Incarnate God ! Meek Babe of Bethlehem ! To whom all angels cry aloud, Thy glory shadowing them, 74 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. Hear, through the praise of heaven, the praise of Thy redeemed earth Whose desert places yet shall sing for joy of Jesus' birth ! "CHRIST IS BORN OE BLESSED MARY." /^HRIST is born of Blessed Mary ! ^-^ Sing the wondrous Life begun ! Man Divine and God Incarnate ! Israel, lo ! thy Holy One ! Now fulfilled the Prophet's vision ! See the Child, the Lord of all, Stript, indeed, of Heavenly splendor, Choosing for His couch a stall. Hail, Messiah, Hail ! All Hail ! Thou, Israel's God and Saviour, Verily Thyself dost hide ; Clad in flesh, disguised in weakness, All Thou hast by earth supplied. Very God from everlasting As a helpless Babe revealed, Mary's breast Thy transient pillow, Mary's arms Thy only shield ! Hail, Emmanuel, Hail ! AU Hail ! 75 76 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. Wonderful the Seer proclaimed Thee, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace, King whose everlasting Kingdom Shall forevermore increase ! Yet no royal sign or title Could Thy boundless grace declare Like that Name of endless sweetness Thou for us alone dost bear. Jesus, Jesus, Hail ! All Hail ! Jesus ! — Saviour of His People ! Jesus ! — Shepherd of His Flock ! Well of Life, and Hidden Manna ; Wayside Strength, and Tower of Pock, Jesus, see Thy Church adoring Prostrate at Thine infant feet. Her Pedeemer's praise outpouring In that Name of Names most sweet ! Jesus, Jesus, Hail ! All Hail ! RING, SWEET BELLS OF CHKIS- TENDOM." "D ING, sweet bells of Christendom, •*'^ Everywhere the tidings tell How the Lord to earth did come — Ring and tell ! Swift to seek and save the lost, More than merciful He came ; Glad to pay life's bitter cost Jesus came. Prince of Peace, the Heavenly King, As a mortal babe disguised He appeared whom angels sing — Earth-disguised. Love Divine in human frame, Of the lowly lowliest He ; Stript of glory, in His shame Gloried He. Empty-handed from His birth, Gifts exceeding price He brought ; Treasures hidden not in earth Jesus brought. 77 78 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. To the blind, unclouded sight ; To the dumb, the voice of praise ; And to all in darkness, light — Joy and praise. To the poor, the Gospel's wealth ; To the rich, the spirit poor ; And to all His saving health — Kich and poor. To the heavy-laden, rest ; To the mourner, words of life ; And to all — the last and best — Endless life. In the perfect path He trod, Still His footprints mark the way ; Out to men and up to God Show the way. Out to men in love that breaks Bread of charity with all, And — thrice blessed then ! — forsakes Self for all. Up to God in deeds like prayers, In obedience to Him, And in faith — love's altar-stairs E-eared to Him. CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 79 Ring, sweet bells of Christendom, Far and near the tidings tell How the Lord to earth did come — E-ing and tell ! Join, good Christians, east and west, In Emmanuel's endless praise, And with deeds of mercy best Show His praise ! Still the Christmas angels sing : "Glory be to God Most High !" The eternal echoes ring : " God Most High ! " Lift your songs in unison : " Peace on earth, good-will to men ! " Mingle song and life in one Wide ^'Amenf "GLOEIA IN EXCELSIS." r^LOBIA in Excelsis ! Ring the children's voices ; Full of happy wonder Heart with heart rejoices ; For the Christ-Child comes to-day With the babes of earth to play ; Comes, the Son of Mary. Gloria in Excelsis ! Murmur tearful voices ; Yea, despite its sorrow Yet the earth rejoices ; For the Christ-Child's holy face Sweetest shines in saddest place ; Gracious Son of Mary ! Gloria in Excelsis ! Chime the thankful voices j Once a year the poor man At his hearth rejoices ; For the Christ-Child comes to throw E-ound that hearth a tender glow ; Lowly Son of Mary ! 80 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 81 Gloria in Excelsis ! Chant adoring voices ; Eound the sacred Altar Heaven with earth rejoices ; Men and angels carolling Crown the Christ-Child Lord and Kingj Crown the Son of Mary. Gloria in Excelsis ! Who but hears the voices ! Swayed by mirth so holy All that lives rejoices. Fast indeed the door must be That will open not to Thee, Jesus, Son of Mary ! "WHILE ALL AROUND THE HAPPY EAETH/' TO H. E. H. T 'X 7HILE all around the happy earth ^ ' The Christmas bells are pealing clear, And countless voices carol forth The tidings of the Christ-Child's birth, I know your heart is hushed to hear The choir of angels drawing near, As in the olden time descending To sing the song that knows no ending : ^'Gloria in Excelsis." The merry tumult of the time, The gifts poured out, the greetings sweet. The Christmas greens in fragrant prime, The happy haste, the vocal chime. As friend with friend together meet. The countless sounds of hearth and street, All in your thoughts unconscious blending Echo the song that knows no ending : " Gloria in Excelsis.''^ 82 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 83 So tonclied by all, yet undelaj^ed By mirth that swayeth to and fro, Through paths by meditation made More fair than fairest sylvan shade, I know to Bethlehem even now Straightway in holy haste you go. And o'er the Babe in worship bending You join the song that knows no ending: " Gloria in ExcelsisJ^ priest beloved ! where you lead Could your poor flock but follow on, We, too, should find the Lord indeed ; No longer would you vainly plead. But every soul to Him be won ; In every heart His reign begun ; And all our lives with your life blending Chime evermore the song unending : ^'Gloria in ExcelsisJ^ ''THE SWEETEST HYMN THAT EVER WAS SUNG.'' npHE sweetest hymn that ever was sung "■' Was the Hymn of the Christ-Child's birth, When that night of nights over Bethlehem hung, And angels came thronging to earth To herald the Christ-Child's birth. The brightest star that ever was seen Was the Star that led the way For the wise old kings to the cradle mean Where the Child Emmanuel lay, — The Star that showed them the way. Still sweetly echoes that sweetest Hymn Once sung in the ages afar, And over the wide earth altars gleam Enkindled by Bethlehem's Star That led the sages from far. And the Christ who came of old to His own As truly comes to them now, Where the faithful before His altar-throne With hearts believing bow, — Emmanuel^ then and now. 84 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 85. Son of Mary ! Love Divine ! Whom the old kings hailed as King, All praise be Thine, and the fairest shrine, And the costliest gifts we can bring To Thee, Eternity's King ! The tribute-gold, as it was of old. Poured out, dear Lord, at Thy feet. And the incense of worship that will not grow cold, And the myrrh of penitence meet. All cast with ourselves at Thy feet ! MARY MOTHER. IV /T ORE than royal Guest He lay iVX Where the gentle kine made way Eor the Christ-Child meek as they. Knelt the Magi round His bed, Bowed low each proudest head ; Mary Mother pondered. Gold and frankincense and myrrh They the wise and great confer ; Jesus mild looks up to her ! What her gift ? Than nothing less ! Oh that she might crown and bless Him whom kings shall King confess ! Pierced as with woes to come At His feet her soul lies dumb, Love, of all she hath, the sum ! Blessed among women, thou Who, exalted most, dost bow Lowliest among the low ! 86 « ENDED THE VIGIL OF AGES." TENDED the vigil of ages, -*— ' Ended the Prophets' line ; Forth from the womb of the Virgin Cometh the Babe Divine. Out of the highest Heaven Down to the wondering earth Choirs of angels descending Carol the Christ-Child's birth. One with the Father Eternal Human the Name that He bears ; Godhead and Manhood united Veiled in the Flesh that He wears. This is the King Immortal Nation by nation shall seek ; Never a child so majestic, Never a prince so meek. Clad in Humility's vesture. Peace as His sceptre of might, Monarchs approaching His presence Prostrate shall fall at the sight. 87 88 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. Innocence wears He as ermine. Poverty maketli His crown, Love is the throne of His glory, Mercy His matchless renown. Homeless and laid in a manger, Seeming earth's pity to crave, Kuleth He still creation. Helpless, is mighty to save. Blessed henceforth are the lowly Who of His lowliness learn ; Blessed who showeth His mercy, Keaping His mercy in turn. Blessed henceforth who forsaketh Kindred and lands for His sake, Counting no burden too grievous Jesus may call him to take. Even a cup of cold water Unto His little ones given He shall return to the giver Filled from the fountains of Heaven. Blessed the least in His Kingdom More than the Prophets of old Who in the Babe of the mans:er Saviour, Jehovah behold. CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS, 89 Fall at His feet, ye faithful, Worship the King of Kings ! Angels unnumbered adore Him Folding around you their wings. Sweeter and sweeter their carols Swelling with rapture arise ; Join in the joyful hosannas Circling the earth and the skies ! PEACE AND GOOD WILL, GOOD WILL AND PEACE." " pEACE and good will, good will and peace ! " •^ Year after year with sweet increase The heavenly carol swells : The holy tale of Jesu's birth In ever-widening circles earth With tongues unnumbered tells. Once more the vision glorified Appears with blessed Christmas-tide — The Virgin full of grace ; And in her arms the Child Divine, The God-Man born of David's line, New head of Adam's race. The very nature that we wear, His Godhead veiled, He stoops to share In great humility ; And angel legions round Him close And Heaven with boundless praise o'erflows That such a love could be. 90 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 91 But neither round His infant brow The crown of thorns (pre-woven now) Created eyes behold; Nor in those infant arms that reach In mute appeal, in lieu of speech, The cross those arms infold. Yet crown of thorns and holy rood (The tree of life, the mystic wood), His spotless sacrifice. His anguish and His triumph, all Are shadowed here in Bethlehem's stall Though hidden from our eyes. Here, too, begins His wondrous reign ; Confessors, martyrs, lead His train Of humble souls and pure ; Not of this world His Kingdom is j All others fade away, but His Forever shall endure. His sword is Truth, His armor Love ; His Spirit as a tender Dove Broods o'er this troubled life ; He pities, pardons, strengthens, feeds ; He binds the breaking heart that bleeds ; To peace transformeth strife. 92 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS Where'er the Marah waters spring Of want or wrong or suffering And men of Him entreat His cross all crimsoned with His blood He casts into the bitter flood And makes those waters sweet. "Peace and good will, good will and peace ! " What wonder that with glad increase The heavenly carol swells ; And on the story of His birth In ever-widening circles earth With wondering rapture dwells ! THE BLESSED BABE. n^HE Child, the Promised Child, is born -'- " Glad tidings " to a world forlorn ! Celestial choirs in bright array- Descend to hail His natal day. Oh, come and see the wondrous thing Whereof the Christmas angels sing — The Blessed Babe in Mary's arms, With all a babe's endearing charms. In unimagined splendors far Beyond remotest sun or star His throne uplifts, yet here He lies In Bethlehem's stall, in mean disguise. Angelic hosts that press unseen, The questioning kine with instinct keen, The wondering shepherds, all adore The mystery foretold of 3^ore. Here is the Virgin undefiled ; Here Israel's Holy One, the Child, Emmanuel, whom centuries Have watched for with prophetic eyes. 93 94 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. His Name is Wonderful, we read, The Counsellor in all our need, The Mighty God, the Father great, Created things to re-create. And more, if more were possible. The Prince of Peace His work shall tell Who comes to conquer every foe That human soul can ever know. Yea, more — the Name that Gabriel gave - He comes as Jesus, strong to save ; The matchless depth, the matchless height Of Love revealed to mortal sight. weary one, whatever thy name, penitent, whate'er thy shame, ardent soul, mourner sad, youth, O childhood, strong and glad, Art thou of high or low degree. He comes, this Blessed Babe, to thee ; Keceive Him, press Him to thy heart. And in this cold world take His part ! In this cold world that doth but play, Alas, at keeping Christmas Day ! Receive Him, press Him to thy heart. And He in turn will take thy part ! CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 95 In His unearthly kingdom share ; His laws obey ; His signet wear ; His Living Presence taste, and see How gracious Christ the Lord can be ! Henceforth temptation's arrows sore May wound but poison thee no more ; Nor griefs o'erwhelm, nor faith grow dim, Because thy heart enshrineth Him I A CHEISTMAS MEDITATIOK OO poor, so humble, in sucli solitude, ^^ Amid the lowing of the patient kine, So barely sheltered in the stable rude We find Thee, Babe Divine ; Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! Here born of Virgin Mother, spotless Maid, Who folds Thee to her rapt, adoring breast, Thou art content obscurely to be laid By the proud world unguessed ; Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! Though hosts seraphic gird Thy Throne on high No earthly throngs Thy Holy Birth attend ; No shouts of joy, though praises fill the sky, Earth's bitter silence rend ; O Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! As with the darkness of Thy natal night Thou veilest all the glory of Thy Eace ; Thou who art God of God, and Light of Light, The Fount of joy and grace ; O Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! 96 CHRISTMAS POEMS AND CAROLS. 97 This want, this loneliness, this manger bed That hint the story of Thy coming woe When Thou wilt have nowhere to lay Thy head, Thou wiliest even so ; O Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! And while our eyes a gathering shadow see — The shadow of Thy cross — upon Thee fall, Thine own are fixed upon our crown to be And nought can Thee appall ; Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! Oh that these tongues Thy love could fitly sing ! These hearts with praise (as Thine with anguish) break ! All that we have in worship would we bring For Thy dear glory's sake ; Jesu ! sweetest Jesu ! LENT AND EASTER. HYMNS FOR LENT. I. T^EOM feasts that perish turned aside •^ A little space, Oh, be the flesh indeed denied ; Our souls an-hungered satisfied With the sweet feast of grace ! Thou who didst fast so long, so sore, For our poor sake, — All pangs of earth's vast hunger bore, Ere Thou Thy precious Blood didst pour, Thy blessed Body break — Holy Jesu ! hear our cry, And give us strength For love of Thee to mortify The love of self till self shall die. And leave us Thine at length ! 101 V 102 LENT AND EASTER. II. In the lone desert of my own despair, Eobed in the sackcloth of unfriended grief, With tears no eyes of earthly love can share, My stricken soul implores of Heaven relief. The scorching sand beneath my naked feet And penitential ashes on my head, I hear a Voice that calls me, heavenly sweet, And the soft coming of a Stranger's tread. Low kneeling in abasement I can feel A hand of pitj^ gently seeking mine, A breath of tender mercy o'er me steal From Human lips whose language is Divine. " Arise ! " He saith, and lo ! His word doth raise ; " Be whole ! " He saith, and lo ! His word doth heal; Prostrate again I fall, but now in praise : " Lord, at Thy feet forever let me kneel." HYMNS FOE GOOD FEIDAY. /^H ! see Him where He hangs, ^-^ The world's one sacrifice ; No tongue of earth can tell His pangs, Who our Eedeemer dies. True God and truest ^lan, In one forever knit ; His anguish thought can never span, For it is infinite. In all the universe The central Figure He, As weeping centuries rehearse Time's crowning tragedy. Again the jflood of scorn, The scourge, the crown, the jeer, The sacred body nailed and torn, The taunts, the sponge, the spear. Again — depth, height Of Love that hath no name ! — The prayer for those who in His sight Could no compassion claim. 103 104 LENT AND EASTER. Again the rended rocks, The hearts of human stone. The darkness and the earthquake shocks, The graves of hope upthrown. At His dear feet again, His Cross in her embrace, The weeping Church, like Magdalen, Buries her stricken face. Again the streaming side, The broken heart, the cry ! Again, Jesus Crucified, The endless victory. n. SAD, long-suffering Face, How can I look and live ! pierced hands outstretched to save ! O Voice that cries " Forgive " ! "Forgive," though crowned with thorns, And mocked with many a jeer; " Forgive," though tortured by the nails And wounded by the spear. LENT AND EASTER. 105 crimson tide of love Outgushing from His side, Flow down and wash the guilty earth Where He is still denied ! In penitence my soul Takes up that cry, " Forgive ; " Flow down and wash away my sins, That I may look and live. EASTEK-EYEK VIOLETS. T7OR Easter Day, O Lilies white, -*- Your shrined splendors keep ! But while the sweet, sad, waning light Of Easter-Even fades, Amid the sacred shades Where Sorrow comes to weep, — Nor weeps in vain Since Hope is born of very Pain, (And Pain its pangs in joy forgets) — There breathe your balm, sweet Yiolets ! Dear twilight-flowers whose lovely hue, More tender than the tenderest blue Yet not as purple sad, appears Most like transformed tears. " A little while ! " ye seem to sigh ; " And yet a little while ! " ye say ; " The stone shall noiseless roll away : Unseen across the midnight sky Twilight and Daybreak run to meet ! Already angels throng the air, And twain descending kneel, Veiled in awe, at head and feet 106 LENT AND EASTER. 107 Of that new tomb whose broken seal The wondering Morning shall reveal, And ' He is risen ! ' declare. Sweet odors — sweeter than the sweet Of violets and lilies blent, The sweet of holy slumber spent — Stealing from vesture folded fair And fragrant with the Lord's own care, Wherein His Blessed Body lay Till break of day, Shall make most sweet the graves of those Who, entering into Paradise, Do sleep in Him who died and rose — In whom they, too, shall rise." EASTER DAY. T^AWN of dawns, the Easter Day -*-^ Far and wide in splendor breaks ; Darkest shadows flee away Where it breaks ! Veiled in its vernal light, Christ, the Light of Light, arose ; From the grave's unbroken night He arose. Though beneath the Cross He fell, Though upon the Cross He died, Led He captive Death and Hell When He died. Overcome, He overcame ; Conquered, more than Conqueror lives ; Crowned King with Heaven's acclaim Jesus lives ! Through the gates of sacrifice He, the Victim, Victor went ; Lo, His triumph lights the skies Since He went ! 108 LENT AND EASTER. 109 Darker than the night our sin, Silent as the toinb our life, Still His glory enters in — Light and life. " Rise and follow Me," He saith ; " Love as I have loved you. Else to life that I through death Won for you." Love that counts not sacrifice, Keeping nothing back from Him, — To such love must we arise, Following Him, As He laid His garments by With the bondage of the grave, Clothed in Love's own Majesty Left the grave, — Self, the earth's most earthy dress, Must we cast aside like Him, And putting on His righteousness Rise with Him. He hath rolled the stone away Through Redemption's might for us, — Dawn of dawns, the Easter Day Breaks for us ! EASTEE CAROLS. I. CHRIST is risen ! Christ is risen ! Conquered Death and all His foes ! Crucified and dead and buried, Very Man as Man He rose. Alleluia ! Alleluia ! He for us the Cross endured, And the bitter shame despising Life, immortal Life secured. Very God He stooped to suffer Keenest sorrows, sharpest pains ; Very Man enthroned in glory Now as King of Kings He reigns. Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Blessed they who follow on ; Who by rack or sword or prison Share the crown that He hath won. Blessed they the saints and martyrs Eoremost in the Church's van, Virgin souls of maid and matron, Babe and youth and hoary man. 110 LENT AND EASTER. Ill Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Blessed all the faithful throng, Strong in Him to fight and conquer Pressing still His way along. Lift the Cross to-day in triumph, Lift His wondrous symbol high ; Standard that hath led its legions On to holy victory ! Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Once of death and shame the sign, Now of glory never equalled See the Cross of Jesus shine ! Backward, forward, o'er the ages, How its rays unearthly stream ! From eternity its splendors To eternity shall gleam ! Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Lift the matchless symbol high With the Resurrection's glory Kindling earth and sea and sky ! II. With flowers we crown His altar fair. For Christ's own morning breaks, And earth of Easter-tide aware To song and bloom awakes. 112 LENT AND EASTER. CHORUS. The day of days is the Easter Day ; The Church puts on her white array ; For Christ hath filled the very tomb With Easter light and Easter bloom ! His love o'er loveliest things of earth Symbolic beauty throws ; The Resurrection shadows forth In every flower that blows. Chorus. The day of days, etc. These flowers their mission sweet fulfil And in their sweetness die ; But Easter hopes unfolding still Climb flower-like up the sky. Chorus. The day of days, etc. Easter Day that yet shall be, Whose splendors shall not fail ; Thy deathless bloom the Church shall see Beyond the rended veil ! CHORUS. The day of days is the Easter Day ; The Church puts on her white array; Eor Christ hath filled the very tomb With Easter light and Easter bloom ! THE EESUEEECTION. "VT'E who, clad in shining raiment, -*- Watch within the empty tomb Where the dear Lord's sacred Body Lay in death through yester's gloom, Tell us, guests from realms of glory, All the Kesurrection's story ! How the tide of life returning Flushed the pierced hands and feet ; How the Heart so lately broken Once again began to beat ; How the Head by thorns so wounded Victory's aureole surrounded ! Tell us, glorious one whose garment Gleameth whiter than the snow, And whose countenance as lightning Laid the watch, like dead men, low ; Mightiest one, from Heaven descended. Tell us how the tomb was rended ! 113 / 114 LENT AND EASTER. How the seal secure was broken Ere the dawning of the day ; How the solid earth was shaken When the stone was rolled away ; While the world unconscious slumbered And the hours of death were numbered. Tell — but oh, no tongue can utter What transcendeth speech and thought ! Passeth angels' comprehension How the miracle was wrought. He was dead ; and lo ! He liveth ; Yea, and Life Eternal giveth ! Forth He came ! the Human Body He for man the fallen wore, And the Human Soul united, Glorified forevermore ; That in wondrous re-creation Man might share His exaltation. While He fasted in the desert, Tempted long and sorely tried. Prayed in anguish in the Garden, On the Cross in anguish died. Watching with her Lord and weeping. Solemn fast the Church was keeping. LENT AND EASTER. 115 Feast of Feasts the Fast succeedeth ! Once again the strain is poured : Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Glory to the risen Lord ! Song of songs, in endless gladness Drowning pain and doubt and sadness. Alleluia ! " He is risen ! " " Risen indeed ! " the shouts resound. Holy greeting answers greeting ; Joy at last on earth is found. Shore to shore the salutations Bind as one redeemed nations. Alleluia ! Choirs of angels To the choirs of earth respond ; Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Kolleth seas and skies beyond. Heaven and earth at last shall sever, But the song shall peal forever ! A BATTLE-CRY. f~\ HOLY Cross whose sign in air ^-^ Can put to flight our ghostly foes ; holy Name, but breathed in prayer And hell is powerless to oppose ; However fierce may be the strife, Immortal gain our mortal loss ; By you we win Eternal Life, O holy Name, holy Cross ! And what are these our sharpest wounds ? Thy wounds, Lord, their balm supply ; Our woes Thy woe unmeasured drowns. And Thine shall be our victory ! priceless faith that dares the strife ! deathless hope that spurns the loss ! By you we win Eternal Life, holy Name, holy Cross ! 116 THE LADDER. TIj^AST and vigil, alms and prayer, -■- These tlie penitential stair Leading slowly day by day Up the toilsome heavenward way. Following these I thought to be Always near, dear Lord, to Thee; Now — alas ! Thou knowest all ; Fruitless strife and frequent fall ! Trust of self, or selfish aim, Toil unhallowed by Thy Name, Envy, pride, — oh, make me know What has laid Th}^ servant low ! By this same unchanging stair — Fast and vigil, alms and prayer — Following Thee Thy saints have passed To victorious peace at last. And this ladder I must scale ; Nought instead will me avail ; Every round I know I need. Though my feet thereon should bleed. 117 118 THE LADDER. None the less, dear Lord, I know, Worse than vain each step I go If Thou art not at my side To prevent, uphold, and guide. Take in Thine my trembling hand ; Give me grace and strength to stand ; Once again I will assay At Thy word the heavenward way. Oh for courage not to faint ! Oh for silence from complaint ! Oh for patience to forbear ; Love to conquer ; faith to dare ! Stay me, Lord, with holy fear ! Fill me. Lord, with holy cheer ! Humbly leaning on Thy strength May I gain the end at length. Nought I can do, or have done ; If I win 't is Thou hast won ; Putting all my trust in Thee Now my ladder's worth I see. "THOU AKT A PLACE TO HIDE ME m." T 7[ 7ITH0UT I hear the beating of the rain, ^ ^ The howling winds that tell the storm's increase ; covert sure that he who seeks may gain ! — Within abideth peace ! Without I hear the sound of feet that halt, And grope and stumble in the blinding light ; blessed faith that serveth in default Of what men call the light ! O rest, O wayside inn, where home is not For the poor pilgrim to that city fair Where strife shall cease and doubtings be forgot ! The Lamb, the Light is there ! 119 "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOE FOESAKE THEE." TT OW patient art Thou, dearest Lord, And how perverse am I ! Still day by day some other way To win me Thou dost try. Now under skies serenely bright Thou leadest me along, No cloud of ill my hopes to chill Or turn to sighs my song. And now Thou sufferest cruel storms, Misfortune's bitter blast, To lay me low that I may know Thy shelter o'er me cast. To-day companionships most sweet To every hour give wings. And morn and eve such visions weave As shadow Heavenly things. 120 "/ WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE.'' 121 The visions fade ; bereft, cast down, As in some desert waste Thou leavest me that unto Thee My lonely heart may haste. The awful consciousness of sin Thou makest me to feel, The sickness dread of heart and head That only Thou canst heal. Thou dost oppress me till I fall E/epentant at Thy feet, That on Thy breast I may find rest As undeserved as sweet. Again, to meditation's shade Thou lurest me aside, And truths wouldst teach beyond the reach Of any human guide, — Soft whispers of the Spirit's lore Whose wisdom saints attain ; But soon I say, " Some other day ! " And turn to what seems plain. How faithful art Thou, dearest Lord, But oh, how faithless I, That o'er and o'er and more and more Thy faithfulness I try ! 122 "/ WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE.'' Oh, were Thy sweet commandments writ In this inconstant heart, It could not be that I from Thee Should ever walk apart ! That I should leave the only Friend Who will not me forsake, But still doth plead, and plead, and plead. As one whose heart must break ! Strive with me still, O Love Supreme ; Supremest Patience, strive ! Thou hast restored the lost, dear Lord, Hast made the dead alive ; And nothing is impossible To Thy Almightiness Whose glory found its boundless bound In such divine redress. Thou sure must win me in the end To Thy eternal claim, Who didst create, regenerate, And call me by Thy Name. The day must come, the blessed day, When I updrawn shall be. And on the Cross count all things loss, And dying live to Thee ! QUICKER THOU ME. 'T^HE thorn is budding into life again, -'- The quickened vine puts out its tender shoots, The warm, warm sunshine and the cool, cool rain Feeding their hidden roots. Sweet Spirit, entering where no eye can see, E-each this poor heart in all its waiting need, And like the thorn and vine my life shall be When Thou its roots dost feed. 123 "THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TEUST IN HIM." /^ET by trials overborne, ^-^ Baffled where I strove to do, Not the way I would have gone Thou, dear Lord, hast led me through ; Yet, believing, I can say, It was best — this very way. And to-morrow can I doubt What Thou orderest will be best ? Darkness may be round about ; Eaith may meet its sorest test j But the past must lend a ray Of assurance for that day. Not in vain Thy grace has wrought Secretly, against my will. Bringing me to think this thought And to trust Thy mercy still ; Trusting, as I surely may, Just because of yesterda3\ 124 ''THOUGH HE SLAY ME:' 125 !N'ay, forgive me ! poor indeed Is the faith whose backward gaze Seeks for signs that it may plead In belialf of coming days, Strengthening timid hope to say, *' He was gracious yesterday." Ah, how little do we know Of Thy mercy's magnitude ! How our faith should burn and glow With the thought that Thou art good ! And in adoration say, " I will trust Him, though He slay." Once Thou didst bestow a sign That forever should suffice ; Showing forth the Love Divine In that one supreme device. Though all else should pass away, Faith shall find that sign its stay. Come, then, darkness, suffering, loss; Come temptation, sorrow, death ; By that sign, the holy Cross, Faith forever conquereth ; And foretasting Life can say, " I will trust Him, though He slay." "HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT." T T ERE, weary heart, at last thy wanderings •^ -^ cease ; Thy long, sad quest ; Nowhere beside is hope ; nowhere is peace ; Nowhere is rest. O slow to come to Him who called and called With proffers sweet ! While pride withheld thee and thy sin appalled He did entreat. What is thy shame, however great thy shame, When thou dost think That knowing all He loved thee all the same ; How couldst thou shrink! How couldst thou fear ! as if He could reject Who came to save ! To give thee spite of guilt and long neglect What thou didst crave — 126 ''UIM TEAT COMETH TO 31 Ey ±27 The sense of pardon filling all the soul Washed clean at last; The grace that follows with its sweet control ; The shame o'erpast ! To win thee sorrowing to His glad embrace How hath He striven ! Oh, hear His Voice — couldst thou but see His Face ! — Thou art forgiven ! THE LOWEST PLACE. "VT OT that I may be chiefest, Lord, ^ But that I may obey More closely Thy most sweet commands. Teach me to serve, I pray. Not that I may be honored more Who am indeed the least, I would the lowest place like one Grace-bidden to the feast ; But that Thy smile, my blessed Lord, Might reach that lowest place, And show me, though the last and least, The fulness of that grace. 128 "CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER." TT OW often, dearest Lord, ■'- -*■ Within the closet's hush, Do we confess our sins to Thee With tear or blush ! But when in word or deed Some brother we offend^ Though one sweet utterance would keep Our friend our friend, How, trampling on Thy grace, Pride will repentance foil. And from confession due to him Our hearts recoil ! '^ I cannot stoop to that," Self-love in secret cries ; The fear of man, not fear of sin. Before her eyes. 129 130 ''CONFESS YOUR FAULTS Oh, if our fear of man Were lost in love of Thee ; If Thy dear likeness we possessed In least degree ; The coldness we might meet, The poor vague sense of loss, The small contempt that often seems The sorest cross, The world's derision cast On acts of lowliness, — How would we brave them for Thy sake, To make redress ! The hour is near when earth No longer will appall ; But only words and deeds that hour Beyond recall. I would not leave undone The work Thou gavest me, Nor my transgressions unconfessed. Dear Lord, to Thee. But oh, that other test Of those who name Thy Name ; The bearing of that outward cross That Thou dost claim ! ONE TO another:' 131 Sweet Jesus, give me grace, And make me swift to say, ^'I own my fault, good neighbor mine; Forgive, I pray." And should my neighbor turn Away from me his face. Sufficient for my humbled soul Would be Thy grace. THE COMMON OFFERING. T T is not the deed we do, ''■ Though the deed be never so fair, But the love that the dear Lord looketh for, Hidden with holy care In the heart of the deed so fair. The love is the priceless thing. The treasure our treasure must hold, Or ever the Lord will take the gift, Or tell the worth of the gold (By the love that cannot be told). Behold us, the rich and the poor. Dear Lord, in Thy service drawn near ; One consecrateth a precious coin, One droppeth only a tear : Look, Master ; the love is here ! 132 A HYMN OF CONTEITION. OINCE for Thy lips were mingled, O my Lord, ^^ The vinegar and gall, Should I not say, Earth's sweet things be abhorred, And sweet Earth's bitter call ? Since Thou for me the cup of death didst drain, — Yea, my Lord, for me, — My cup of ills should I not take, as fain To share one draught with Thee ? O Victor-Victim, though the flesh afraid Sink trembling at Th}^ feet, Cast over it Thy pity's awful shade, And hear me Thee entreat ! Make Thou these tears of penitence and shame For sin and frailties all. More sharp than vinegar, more hot than flame, And bitterer than gall. Then, Lord, in every draught Thou wilt distil Thine own exceeding peace To sweeten all the cup earth's sorrows fill Till earth and sorrow cease. 133 THE NIGHT-WATCH. Q MEDITATION sweet, that makes ^^ The midnight watch an hour of rest, And brings, when fickle sleep forsakes, A holier calm to hearts opprest. Soft speaking as to one so near That, kneeling, we might kiss His feet, The Name above all names most dear Our erst complaining lips repeat. Our griefs that Christ alone can guess. Our doubts that Christ alone can know, Elow out to meet His tenderness, — In tearful confidences flow. Eor He who bore all sorrow, weighed, Nailed to His own, each lesser cross ; He knows the burden on us laid, The secret pain, the hidden loss. Touched with our woes, He lifteth up The humblest follower in His train ; He maketh sweet the bitter cup, And death itself is blessed gain. 134 THE NIGHT-WATCH. 135 Thus in the lonely night we learn To trust Him most as joys decrease, And when our need is sorest turn To hear His silence whisper, Peace ! O SPOTLESS LAMB! npHOUGH all I have is Thine "*- And Thine is all I am, How poor, how vile a gift is mine To Thee, Spotless Lamb ! » For all I have is dross, And guilt is all I am. And all I gain I count as loss, For Thee, Spotless Lamb ! What is my life but death — So dead in heart I am ! Oh for one living, living breath Like Thine, Spotless Lamb ! Descend, Thou Holy Dove, Brood o'er me as I am, That I may draw that breath of love — Thy love, Spotless Lamb ! For me Thy blood was shed, All worthless though I am ; In that pure stream from foot to head I '11 wash, Spotless Lamb ! 136 SPOTLESS LAMB! 137 Made clean in that dear tide Fit ev'n for Thee I am ; My heart of hearts thus purified Accept, Spotless Lamb ! And when beyond earth's sight With Thy redeemed I am, In realms whose one supernal light Thou art, Spotless Lamb, — When with Thy joy and peace Pure-clad and crowned I am, How shall I sing, nor ever cease. Thy love, Spotless Lamb ! A PSALM OFWEAEINESS. i^VEEBOENE by journeyings far ^^ Where no resting-places are, Lured by visions of repose That in fading mock my woes, Saviour ! may Thy presence be Unto me As the shadow cool and sweet Of a rock in desert heat. Shelter of the shelterless, Cover Thou my weariness ; With Thy peace, a tent most fair, Screen me from this earthly glare, And Thy consolations shed On my head, Sweeter than the balm of sleep When the eyes forget to weep. 138 WHEN I AWAKE. Ps. xvii. 15. WHEIsT I awake shall I Thine image bear, Thou Adored ? The image lost, in some pure Otherwhere Oh, shall it he restored ? Already stealeth o'er my trembling soul Some semblance sweet, — The wavering outline of the perfect whole Thy Touch shall yet complete ? When I awake shall I indeed cast by All earthly taint. And walk with Thee in white, Thy white, on high, As seraph walks and saint ? Through endless, blessed ages shall I know Thy Will alone ; Its all-pervading, perfect motions grow More than mine own mine own ? The glories that no vision can forestall With crystal gleam ; The peace, the rapture, and the holy thrall Of Love that reigns supreme ; 139 140 WHEN I AWAKE. The death of all that meaneth self and time ; The gain of Thee, My Lord, my God ! the victory sublime When only Thou shalt be, — Thou, all in all, — all in Thy fulness lost, And all, all found Dear beyond price, no aspiration crossed ; Thou, only Thou our bound ; — Shall I behold, receive, possess, attain All this and more To tell whereof all tongues M^ould strive in vain, In vain all language pour ? Shall the Great Vision that transcends our dreams At last unfold ? Thy Face, Thy Glory whence all glory streams Shall I indeed behold When I awake ? Oh can it ever be, All joys beside, That I shall gaze and gaze, my God, on Thee ? I shall be satisfied. A MOENIKG HYMK /~\ SWEET untrouHed morning, bring ^-^ Untroubled peace upon thy wing, And banish with the banished night The fears that cloud thy clearest light. Not more serene, if not more drear, Will be the morrow for our fear ; While Doubt, sad spendthrift ! throws away The golden coin of hope to-day. Oh for the faith that goes to meet The future with unshrinking feet, Kemembering that the sorest rod Blooms with the patient love of God ! Dear Lord, whose mercy veileth all That may our coming days befall, Still hide from us the things to be, But rest our troubled hearts in Thee ! 141 EVENING- HYMN OF PEAISE. O WEET Jesu ! through the hours of light, ^-^ Eor every deadly sin restrained, Eor dangers passed, for comfort gained, Praise, praise to Thy all-tender might. Amen. Sweet Jesu ! through the hours of night Thy watch of grace and mercy keep ; Thou slumberest not albeit we sleep ; Praise, praise to Thy all-tender might. Amen. Sweet Jesu ! though our sins affright And fill with shame our sorrowing breast, In Thee we pardon find and rest, Praise, praise to Thy all-tender might. Amen. Sweet Jesu ! when the world is bright, And when 't is dark, alike be near, Our stay of peace, our staff of cheer ; Praise, praise to Thy all-tender might. Amen. 142 EVENING HYMN OF PRAISE. 143 Sweet Jesu ! Thine by day and night, In joy or grief, in life or death, Pill Thou with praise our every breath, Praise, praise to Thy all-tender might. Amen. A NIGHT OF FAITH. T^ARK, utter dark; no faintest ray -*-^ To light the way Of sunset-gleam or coming day ! The vision aches with lack of sight, For depth and height Are one vast blank of baffling night. Oh that the soul might be at rest ; Might yield her quest, With the sole thought of God possessed ! That she might close her wearied eyes And blindfold-wise Walk on as under shining skies ; As seeing Him who is unseen ; And wait serene Though twofold night should intervene ! O touch of God ! miracle That none may tell ! Her eyes are closed and all is well. 144 A NIGHT OF FAITH. 145 Though twofold night doth round her press She knows no less He will not leave her comfortless. The desolate Cry on Calvary^s height, Its mid-day night, Her pledges are of coming light. THE DIVINE LOVE. r\ PATIENT God, whom men forsake, ^^ All-kind, all-gracious as Thou art, How soon our faithlessness would break A human heart ! How vast must be the Love so strong, Its yearning, oh, how fathomless, That sin prolonged should yet prolong Thy tenderness ! Though we may slight that Love with doubt, Thy paths of sweet commandment spurn, Thou wilt in no wise cast him out Who would return ! The uttermost Thy Love doth reach ; And oh the pathos of its cry All humbled to our human speech, — " Wliy will ye die ? " Were not Thy wide compassion more Than even all the powers of sin These feet would never find Thy Door, And enter in. 146 THE DIVINE LOVE. I47 We see Thee as the suffering Christ With Cross and Passion bowed down ; Earth's meanest things for Thee sufficed, And Sorrow's crown, If only famished souls might flee Life's husks for Love's Eternal Feast, And all might dwell in bliss with Thee — The very least ! " Lord, we repent ! Lord, we believe ! " And Thou acceptest even this ? And faithless wanderers wilt receive With heavenly kiss ? Love ! we sink from Thine embrace Thy feet to kiss forevermore ! The humblest is the fittest place When souls adore ! APPEEHENSION. "FAEAE- Lord, this day is so unlike ^^ The day I feared that it would be ! I wonder much, I said last night, What it will bring to me. What does it mean, — this haunting dread ? What added sorrows wait me more, And o'er my trembling spirit spread Their shadows thus before ? I seemed to stand upon a brink, Yet could not see the gulf below ; It dizzied me to try to think, As with some coming blow. Dear hands I saw on either side Keach out as for a final kiss ; And clasping each o'er each I cried, Not this one, Lord ; not this ! I cannot bear one parting more ; My heart is at the point to break ! As if Thou didst not know before. Dear Lord, to Thee I spake. 148 APPREHENSION. 149 And then I slept, the sleep of fear, And waked in sad bewilderment ; The day, the dreaded day, was here ; What trial would be sent ? Up to the zenith rose the sun, And now I watch its bright decline ; The hours have passed me one by one ; No added griefs are mine ! Still must I feel the piercing sword Of what hath been or yet may be ; But from that nameless terror. Lord, At least I am set free. And slowly, slowly, yet how sure, Eeturns the restful consciousness That in Thy care I am secure, And chastening. Thou dost bless. Not more than I can bear I know Thou, dearest Lord, on me wilt lay. And I can learn of Thee to go Unf earing on my way. GOD'S SILENCE. r^ OD'S Silence ! Holiest speech that is ^-^ Is but a dew-fall out of this ; And human Love's own tongues of bliss But broken language caught from His. Why should we question, though our cry — " Lord, hear me — answer, or I die ! " — Seems echoed from an empty sky ? He hears — He answers, utterly. " Lord, answer ! " And with shuddering breath, As those already doomed to death, We wait for Him who rescueth The very bird that perisheth. sword of doubt, two-edged with pain. That cuts the quivering heart in twain ! As if His Love could ever wane ! As if our cry could be in vain ! His Silence ! once, indeed, it brake With Lovers great stress, when He did take A mortal guise for Love's sweet sake, And spake as never mortal spake. 150 GOD'S SILENCE. 151 Siuce He his own Divine did blend With Human in that Saviour-Friend, That we enough might comprehend His Love to trust Him to the end ; And guided by His perfect care, Find all dark places everywhere Wind upward, a celestial stair To Love's own heights divinely fair ; He must forever bless ; and aye, At the dear break of Heaven's sweet day, Wipe all earth's bitter tears away, And give us more than heart can pray ! Oh, should He speak, and could we guess That Tongue of Infinite Tenderness, His Silence still would more express His Love's unspeakable excess ! ^aT IS I." " TT is so hard!" I said, -'- And sat within and told my troubles o'er; A hand fell softly on my bowed head, Yet no one passed my door. " A fancy ! " then I said ; "But oh ! to feel that touch forevermore! Methinks, indeed, I could be comforted ! " And sorrowed as before. " No other heart can know ! " Brake out my grief again with bitter cry ; " And God is far — so far my faith lets go Her hold on Heaven to die ! " Then some one stooped low. His heart full-throbbing, as with tears, close by : " Lord ! is it Thou so moved by my woe ? " He answered, *^ It is I." 152 AFTEE THE STOEM. A LL night in the pauses of sleep I heard "^ ^ The moan of the snow-wind and the sea Like the wail of Thy sorrowing children, God, Who cry unto Thee. But in silence and heauty the morning broke, O'erfl owing creation the glad light streamed, And earth stood shining and white as the souls Of the blessed redeemed. glorious marvel in darkness wrought ! With smiles of promise the blue sky bent As if to whisper to all who mourn Love's hidden intent. 153 o THE MONK OF LA TEAPPE. H what abounding grace ! Of one we read Whose piteous wound in lieu of speech did bleed (As if even Nature's self for him would plead); Who mid his silent brethren silent went Two weary years on prayer and labor bent, Unmindful of his misery so he still Shaped every deed and thought to God's dear will; Nor heeded he his bed of knotted straw Whose vigils sore the Master only saw ; Nor looked forward to the ashen heap Whereon the dying brethren fell on sleep (Acquainting them or ere they joined the dead With the poor kindred dust whereto they sped) ; Nor fastings long, nor penance he relaxed ; Nor less the body for the body taxed ; Nor changed a whit the posture, or the face That shone with calm while grew his woe apace. Vain, vain the body's strife to turn aside The purpose of the spirit sanctified ! In snatch of wretched sleep his chastened will 154 THE MONK OF LA TRAPPE. 155 Restrained the groan, overcame the anguish, still ; And if perchance tliat sleep his lips unsealed. Their words of peace his sharpest pangs concealed. But when the oozing blood for him complained, And half-betrayed his woe the raiment stained, The quick-eyed abbot bade the surgeon speed Whose skilful hand might serve his piteous need. Compassionate the sufferer they bound, While wept the mute attendants standing round As the bared back disclosed the blackening wound. "Thus bind him fast!" the surgeon whispered low; "Not else might he endure the mortal woe !" While they through tears beheld the fearful sight The poor monk raised a face of saintly light ; " Not of myself," he said, " but God is here To hold me that I neither shrink nor fear." Then even as Death's own shadow in the cell On him, on all, the wonted silence fell ; Only a dripping on the floor of brick As the sharp knife swift pierced to the quick : No shudder felt, no moan repressed, betrayed The spirit fainting or the flesh afraid. " holy father, he must speak or die ! Command these lips to utter forth their cry ! " Implored the surgeon, with a whitening cheek. " Speak, my brother, speak ! I bid thee speak ! " With streaming eyes the pitying abbot said. As it were his own quivering flesh that bled ! 156 THE MONK OF LA TRAPPE, The aslien lips almost a smile entranced, And from the eye unearthl}^ rapture glanced, As his uj)lifted face like Stephen's glowed, And from his tongue a heavenly utterance flowed : "My Lord! my Lord! that Thou shouldst raise me up, And suffer me to taste Thy measureless cup Of agony, and in some poor degree Learn how all-measureless Thy Love must be ! wondrous riches by the poorest gained ! O heights no rapture ever yet attained ! depths beyond all human thought to reach ! Love passing knowledge as it passeth speech ! That I should see the glory of Thy Face While yet vile clay in this despised place ! all-transcending Love ! matchless grace ! Thrice-blest this tongue that may forego its spell Not of these pangs but of that Love to tell ! " Even as he spake back in their arms he fell, And Death's own radiance filled the narrow cell ! MY PETITION. /^FT when I pray that God will bless ^-^ My friends most dear, Will make their trials something less, Or crown their lives with happiness, From year to year ; Soon as my fond petitions rise, The thought will come That the dear Lord alone is wise, And He ordaineth sacrifice As life's true sum. Whichever way our path may lead There looms the Cross, No less to beckon than to plead ; The while it covers human need. Demanding loss. '^ If thou wilt enter life, resign Thy life," it saith ; " A soldier of the King Divine, The martyr's spirit should be thine. If not his death. 157 158 MY PETITION. " What thou possessest, count it loss ; It will not last ; The wealth of this world yield as dross ; Hold blessings humbly ; but the cross — The cross hold fast ! " !N^ot less of trial then, not more Of happiness I crave, as I have craved before, For those I pray for o'er and o'er, And fain would bless. But now my fond petitions rise : From things of time. Lord Jesus, turn away their eyes, That they may see in sacrifice A joy sublime. Not sacrifice of strength or ease Or wealth alone ; But what so far exceedeth these — The self so eager self to please, And seek its own. For Thy sweet sake in them fulfil This sacrifice, And make them strong to serve Thee still, Yea, Lord, through good report and ill, Whate'er the price. MY PETITION. 159 Give what Thou wilt, or take away ; Be this their crown, Their earthly life from daj^ to day In will, if not in deed, to lay Victorious down. THE WAY OF THOENS. npHEE-E is but one true way ; Ko other choice be mine ; Lord, every path must lead astray Save only Thine. A straight and narrow road Hedged in with thorns indeed, And every thorn most like a goad To bid me heed. They wound my human pride, They rend my selfishness. And when I seek to turn aside. How sharp they press ! On every hand I hear Alluring tongues of time. And oft they win my outward ear Like silver chime. They call : " That way forsake ; A needless strife is thine ; A thousand paths our feet may take And find divine." 160 THE WAY OF THORNS. 161 But have ye seen the end ? I trembh'ng answer back : He knoweth all, my Lord and Friend, Who points this track. Here His Apostles trod ; Here martyrs won their crown ; Here every saint for love of God The world laid down. His own most blessed feet This narrow pathway wore, And pangs no anguish can repeat For us He bore. All sorrow, shame, and scorn, Death, very death He knew ; From every thorn a sharper thorn His pity drew. A way of strife indeed. But every step I go That pity to repentance leads And keeps me low. Because the way is His, And victory is sure. And faith is more than present bliss, I can endure. THE BLESSED TASK. T SAID : Sweet Master, hear me pray ; -*" Eor love of Thee the boon I ask ; Give me to do for Thee each day Some simple, lowly, blessed task. And listening long wdth hope elate I only heard Him whisper. Wait. The days went by but nothing brought Beyond the wonted round of care. And I was vexed with anxious thought. And found the waiting hard to bear ; But when I sighed, In vain I pray, I heard Him gently answer, Nay ! So praying still and waiting on, And pondering what that waiting meant. This knowledge sweet at last I won — And oh the depth of my content ! — My blessed task for every day Is humbly, gladly to obey. 162 THE BLESSED TASK. 163 And thougli I daily, hourly fail To bring my task to Him complete, And must with constant tears bewail My failures at my Master's feet, No other service would I ask Than this my blessed, blessed task. DISCOUEAGEMENT. T ORD, when I strive to serve Thee most, ■*~^ Yet toil in vain ; When I can see but labor lost, Instead of gain ; When plans fall out another way From what seems best, And failure comes though I obey Thy clear behest ; When hopes whereon I dare to lean Thou dost deny ; When Thou forbiddest me to glean The fields hard by ; When fairest prospects opening wide Before mine eyes. Thou wallest in on every side. And mountains rise That faith seems powerless to remove, — Then, dearest Lord, Draw near to me, draw near and prove Thy written Word ! 164 DISCO URA GEMENT. 1 ^^ That Thou in all things dost ordain Thy children's good ; That joy shall be the fruit of pain When understood, I know, and yet (0 slow of heart !) But half believe ; And when I fail in secret smart, And fret, and grieve. Fill me with faith's divine content In Thee, Lord, And make me willing to be spent Without reward ! Yea, Lord, without one smallest gain. Though sought alone For others' good, by toil and pain, Not for mine own. And when my failures cast me down, Make me to rest, Not in the thought of any crown, But on Thy breast. The weary sea-bird goes to sleep On tossing waves. Untroubled by the storm, the deep, In trust that saves. IQQ DIS CO URAGEMENT. It is the hollow of Thy hand That shapes its nest ; So, though I may not understand, Make me to rest. MY FIELD. T WILL not wrong thee, To-day, -*■ With idle longing for To-morrow ; But patient plough my field and sow The seed of faith in every furrow. Enough for me the loving light That melts the cloud's repellent edges ; The still unfolding, bud by bud. Of God's most sweet and holy pledges. I breathe His breath ; my life is His ; The hand He nerves knows no defrauding; The Lord will make this joyless waste Wave with the wheat of His rewarding. Of His rewarding ! Yes ; and yet Not mine a single blade or kernel ; The seed is His ; the quickening His ; The care unchanging and eternal. His, too, the harvest song shall be When He who blessed the barren furrow Shall thrust His shining sickle in And reap my little field To-morrow. 167 HIS PEACE. T^ 7HEN day and its cares are over '^ ' I draw my chamber blind, And under the night's sweet cover All manner of comfort find. Like doves to their windows flying My thoughts from their daily quest At the call of my heart replying Keturn to their nightly rest. And folding them all together I hide them away from sight, Their wanderings hither and thither Eorgot in the quiet of night. One, only one thought remaineth ; It is born not of nature but grace, And upward the flight it taketh Beyond the limits of space : He only who changes never. Can choose for my soul the best ; Can quicken and crown the endeavor, - He only can give me rest. 168 HIS PEACE. 169 How mighty He is, I remember ; How measureless is His Love ; And how in the heart's hushed chamber His Peace may abide as a dove. OMNISCIENCE. npHE door is shut and yet Thou enterest in, -■■ Without or lifting latch or loosening bar ! Friends who have known me best and longest win No entrance here ; but only stand afar Oblivious of the hiding places deep Where I myself unconsciously do keep. Thou enterest in, Lord, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, yet unseen ; Thy patient eyes upon me ever bent ; No faintest mist hung piteously between To veil my thoughts or my infirmities From those all-searching and long-suffering eyes. As I am seen could I but gaze on Thee Awful in majesty and royal might, Yet as a lamb in love's simplicity. And as a spotless lamb of matchless white. So kingly yet so lowly ! — could I see. What, my Saviour, would become of me ! 170 OMNISCIENCE. 171 This, this I know ; no word of self-excuse For any fault of mine my tongue could frame ; Nay, more ; for very shame I should refuse The shield, if there could be a shield from blame ; And all the love that human breast can know Would at Thy feet lay me forever low ! "NO ONE TAKETH YOUE PEACE AWAY." 'T^HE long week's close : how sweet and clear •^ The curfew greets the tired world's ear ! " In sleep by night and in rest by day, Peace be yours ! " it seems to say. Then folds the world its countless hands ; Unheeded slide the drowsy sands, This last sweet night of the rounded seven Ealling noiselessly out of heaven. In depths of more celestial blue The sacred morn unfolds anew, As if to yield to the weary breast Balm of beauty as well as rest. How hushed ! the silence-quickened ear Turned heavenward can almost hear The white cloud trail, and the arrow of light Earthward speeding in golden flight. 172 ""NO ONE TAKETH YOUR PEACE AWAY:' 173 And over all. compassionate, A tender Presence seems to wait, Beyond tlie cloud, bej^ond the light, Beckoning upward from height to height. " In sleep by night and in rest by day, May peace be yours," did the curfew say ? " I, only, can give jou peace ! " replies A Voice that thrilleth the boundless skies. Lord Jesus, turn us from the noise Of endless strivings and empty joys, To find forever Thy one true peace, Best from sorrow, from sin release ! Then will each morn of the week-day year The Lord's Day morning mirror clear ; And every night will the curfew say, " No one taketh your peace away." IN THE GARDEN. T N this still garden in the cool of day I often meditate : — Should He who walked in Eden come this way And consecrate This place of bloom with Presence passing fair And robes that make more sweet this summer air ! Anon a Voice far off yet near I catch, And question, — Comes He now ? The virgin lilies that for Him keep watch Do lowly bow, And the meek grasses lowlier yet to greet His soft approach and reverent kiss His feet. But as for me who cannot see Him pass Yet fain would feel Him near, I bow me lowlier even than the grass, In love and fear ; Far lowlier than the lilies on their stem, And through them press to touch His garment's hem ! 174 IN THE GARDEN. 175 More softly blows the summer wind to lift His mantle's sacred fold ; Through all the place sweet sighs and odors drift Like bliss half-told ; And in the fading west a single star Trembles with rapture watching Him afar ! And oh, that I should see that star remote Yet His near Glory miss Wherein the sun itself and stars do float As motes, I wis ! But since no man that Glory could abide, How should I dare lament the sight denied ! Dark, hushed and dark, the garden round me grows. The folded flowers more sweet ; I hearken long to hear Him where He goes With noiseless feet, Till the familiar place seems sad and strange. And Eden to Gethsemane doth change. Through heavy silence falls the heavy dew Like sweat of sorrow wrung, As if the bitter cup were filled anew O'er which He hung, Whose Love all love transcending overcame, For us endured the Cross, despised the shame ! 176 IN THE GARDEN. Albeit against that Presence passing by These mortal eyes are sealed, I see this Other, like Him, standing nigh^ To faith revealed : At His dear feet on consecrated sod I cry like one of old : " My Lord — my God ! " THE TWO CITIES. /^N the dusky shores of evening stretched in ^-^ shining peace it lies, City built of clouds and sunshine, wonder of the western skies ! While I watch and long for pinions thitherward to take my flight, Slowly the aerial City fades and vanishes from sight. Kuby dome and silver temple, circling wall of amethyst, Fall in silence leaving only purple ruin hung with mist. Darkness gathers eastward, westward ; stronger waxeth my desire Reaching through celestial spaces glittering as with rain of fire, To the City set in jasper having twelve founda- tions fair, Flashing from their jewelled splendor every color soft and rare. 177 178 THE TWO CITIES. Twelve in number are its gateways, numbered by the Seer of old ; Every gate a pearl most lustrous, and its streets are paved with gold. In the midst in dazzling whiteness lightens the Eternal Throne ; From it flows the Living water; round it gleams an emerald zone. Luscious fruits and balmy odors, healing leaves and cooling shade, Either side the Life-tree sheddeth by sweet storms of music swayed. O thou grand untempled City seen by John in visions bright, Glory-flooded, needing neither sun by day nor moon by night ; Filled forever and forever by the shining light of Him Who redeemed the world and sitteth throned between the Seraphim ! Through thy lovely gates the nations of the saved in triumph stream. Chanting praise above all praises, love of love their holy theme. THE TWO CITIES. 179 They no more shall thirst or hunger, they no more with heat shall faint ; Christ for tears will give them gladness, blissful rest for sore complaint. Blessed they who do His bidding, cries the Angel day and night ; They shall find abundant entrance j they shall walk with Him in white. THE WANING YEAE. npHE year is waning, waning ; ■"■ I feel its close draw near ; A murmur of complaining In all earth's sounds I hear, That saith, The year is waning; And sighs, waning year ! All garnered is its glory, Its fulness and its might ; The ghostly fields lie hoary Seen in the early light ; The threads of summer's story Are lost to touch and sight. But memories grow dearer When falls the latest leaf ; And many things grow clearer To eyes made dim by grief ; And hidden things seem nearer Because the days are brief. 180 THE WANING YEAR. 181 The wealth we must surrender Of leafage, bloom, and light, Keveals the larger splendor And grandeur of the night 5 And worship that we render Seems more in God's own sight. The heavens laid bare above us In majesty untold, Show forth how He doth love us, And would our lives infold ; How the dear Lord would have us Look up to Him more bold ; With simple, childlike boldness, That fears without a fear ; Nor stands far off in coldness. But draws unquestioning near A glad, forgetful boldness, That saith. Thy child is here I Oh, as the years go by us, As year by year they wane, And many trials try us, And everything is vain, If God doth not deny us How can our hearts complain ! 182 THE WANING YEAR. The fields will fade around us, Our beauty go away ; The darkness will surround us, But, oh ! we need not stray ; And nothing shall confound us Who look to Him alway. The year is waning, waning ; I feel its close draw near ; And through the earth's complaining One blessed Voice I hear. happy, peaceful waning ! How sweet the waning year ! VALE. r^ OOD-NIGHT, Earth ! the nights are grow- ^-^ ing long ; The days are brief ; Life hath one solemn burden for its song : " As fades the leaf.'' Good-night, poor World ! if thou art full of sin Why so am I ! In this proud heart to judge would I begin, Nor self pass by. Good-night, my foe ! not all the wrong was thine ; My share I own ; Forgive ! — we, human, know one word Divine ; The sun goes down. Good-night, good friend ! though poor my gifts to thee I will not fret ; The richer thou whose bounty is so free, And sweet my debt. 183 184 VALE. No longer to revenge nor to repay I strive or seek ; Empty I came, must empty go away, — Empty and weak. As one who wakes no more to smile or weep Another day, So would I lay me humbly down to sleep And humbly say : Dear Lord, who hadst not where to lay Thy head, As poor were I Did not Thy mercy make for me a bed Whereon to die. Pakt II. ^0 mg pieces;, JEANIE, MARY, AND EDITH. THE PLIGHT OF THE BIRDS. WISE little birds, how do ye know The way to go, o Southward and northward, to and fro ? Ear np in the ether piped they : " We but obey One who calleth us far away. " He calleth and calleth year by year, Now there, now here ; Ever He maketh the way appear." Dear little birds ! He calleth me Who calleth ye : Would that I might as trusting be ! 187 FKIENDS. TO CARA. '"pHERE is only the river between us, dear, •*- And we can come and go, And though you are there and I am here I am filled with content, for I know You are moving brightly about the house Busy with many a task, And often alone in your fair sweet room In the morning light or the evening gloom You think of me, You pray for me, And, oh, what more can I ask ! Daily, indeed, I wish you were here, And when I am doubtful or vexed I long for your counsels calm and clear, But I do the thing that lies next. And He who is more than any friend Makes everything easy and straight. And it is not so hard as I feared to go In the way untried, and as long as I know You think of me And you pray for me, Eor everything else I can wait. 188 FRIENDS. 189 Some day I shall go to her, I say, Or she will come over to me ; In a little space I shall see her face, This very day it may be. So I will not mind the things unkind, The bitter that might be sweet, But strive with a better, braver heart To fight the good fight and bear my part, While she thinks of me And prays for me, And very soon we shall meet. Sometimes I ponder how it will be When you drift to some home afar ; And sometimes how when you are gone Where the saints and angels are. When another river shall flow between That never can be recrossed ; But still I say, whatever betide. Though earth may part us or death divide, She will think of me, She will pray for me ; My friend can never be lost. For friendship to live must be to love. To remember must be to pray. So living or dying your prayers must be mine And mine must be yours alway. 190 FRIENDS. And, oh, in the light of Paradise, Most faithful of friends, most dear, Unhindered by weakness or doubt, and wise With the wisdom that sees not with earthly eyes, It surely must be You will pray for me As you could not pray for me here ! THE LILACS. T_T E AV Y with fragrance and with dew, I see them in the moonlight pale, — The lilac-plumes that, two and two, Nod to the wind's low wail. Purple and white, I see them wave, — Purple for valor, white for truth ; And far away I see a grave Where lies the flower of youth ! 191 THE RIVER. A BOVE the winding River's brink •^ ^ The tall trees wave their branches green ; Their cool brown roots, washed bare and clean, .Reach down through cooler depths to drink. " Behold, how heavenly is my task," Methinks the River murmurs low " As God bestoweth, I bestow ; To be like Him is all I ask." River, thou and I are one In sweet desire to serve and be ; Yet every day I grieve to see How all my deeds do self ward run ! 192 THE DOVES. pRETTY doves, so blithely ranging Up and down the street ; Glossy throats all bright hues changing, Little scarlet feet. Pretty doves ! among the daisies They should coo and flit ! All these toilsome, noisy places Seem for them unfit. Yet amidst our human plodding They must love to be ; With their little heads a-nodding, Busier than we. Close to hoof and Avheel they hover, Glancing right and left. Sure some treasure to discover ; Eapid, shy, and deft. Friendliest of feathered creatures, In their timid guise ; Wisdom's little silent teachers, Praying us be wise. 193 194 THE DOVES. Fluttering at footsteps careless. Danger swift to flee, Lowly, trusting, faithful, fearless, Oh that such were we ! In the world and yet not of it, E-eady to take wing, — By this lesson could we profit It were everything ! THE LINGEEING OCTOBEE WEATHEE. TO MRS. H. E. H. T~AO you recall our pleasant walk, ^-"^ The last, dear friend, we took together, Our leisurely pace, our quiet talk, The lingering October weather ? How still the world was ! Not a breath To lift a leaf or float a feather ; A hush of happiness, not death, That lingering October weather. While like some frolic creature tied , By sweet content's unconscious tether, Your little one walked close beside That lingering October weather. The lazy crows above our head Went slowly sailing through the ether; The dry leaves rustled at our tread That lingering October weather. We followed up the winding road Where shore and river kissed each other, And Nature's peace our hearts o'erflowed That lingering October weather. 195 196 TEE LINGERING OCTOBER WEATHER. Against the background of the pines The birch and maple leaned together; A flame ran through the blackberry vines That lingering October weather. Fair vistas opened either side, Of hill or stream, or both together ; But one the hush on wood and tide That lingering October weather. The distant mountain seemed a cloud Or like a melting opal rather, With such a gracious light endowed, That lingering October weather. I looked upon your happy face ; I watched you as we walked together ; I thought : She fills so fair a place ! That lingering October weather. With dancing eyes in swift surprise You stooped a wilding rose to gather ; A rose, the pet of summer skies, Still blooming through October weather ! I thought how like the rose you were ! Though youth and summer fly together, !N"o frost, I said, will visit her. But lingering October weather. THE MOEXING CHAMBER. npHIS flower-like chamber, delicately walled, -*- Of softest tints, low ceiled, wide and fair. Where pensive meditations seem installed Like cloistered nuns long-motionless in prayer; This lovely chamber, looking south and east Across green seas of rippling foliage dense, Whose waiting windows catch the first and least Soft glimmer from that heavenly chamber whence The sun rejoicing cometh ; this sweet room, While folded yet in slumbers incomplete The whole fair house beside lies wrapt in gloom ; This morning chamber, high above the street, Day's silent glory floods and overflows With golden calm that crowns the night's repose. n. High noon ! and fuller floods of sunshine pour Into this shining chamber till it seems — The very hidden rafters, secret beams — To swim in splendor ! I but cross the floor 197 198 THE MORNING CHAMBER. And I forget 't is Winter, keen as clear. To the swift eyes of mine imagining Wide stand the windows, and the breath of Spring, Sweet courier of the violets, is here. I half resolve to hie me out and see How like a tiny army they possess The earth — the violets, with their loveliness, When, of a sudden, breaks my reverie ! But the warm flood fills all the chamber yet. And ere it ebbs I ivill again forget ! III. Fair as the peace that like a river flows. Across the room the cloudless moonlight streams ; Recess and corner dusk its hallowing beams Suffuse with mist-like glimmer of repose. So hushed this chamber, and so rapt this tide Of visible calm, that blessed visions rise Of the Great City of Peace beyond the skies, Of crystal waters that perpetual glide From out the Throne, swift light descending light Forever and forever, with a sound Of inconceivable music music-drowned In rain of benediction from the might And majesty of One enthroned above, — The Light of Light, whose Name of Names is Love ! IN SPEING-TIME. A LL rosy-white the orchard shows, •^^ All blossom-sweet the west wind blows, And sights and scents together bring To yearning hearts the joy of Spring. Through sunny vapors streams the sun, And lights and showers blend in one ; The fragrant rain through fragrance falls And grape-vines bud on sheltering walls. Out-warbling from his generous throat, The golden robin's golden note Calls to the lily and the rose Still greenly hid in leafy close. Hills capped with silence, as with snow, Catch laughter faint of brooks below ; With starry dandelions gay The meadows mimic night by day. Dim-cloistered in the odorous wood, A shadow-loving sisterhood, The wild flowers that the sun forswear Are pale as pious nuns with prayer. 199 200 IN SPRING-TIME. Like one refreshed by balmy sleep, Her inmost bosom warm and deep A-throb with beauty yet unborn, Earth breathes away the blissful morn. From sunny nooks that dream of bloom To where gray moss o'ergrows the tomb, Floats everywhere that precious breath — The Life that ever conquers Death. This is the joy of Spring, indeed ; The witness glad to Word and Creed ; The lovely Parable of Earth That pointeth to Immortal Birth ! HOSPITALITY. TO MRS. H. E. H. SWEET friend, whose hospitality Pervades your house like summer air, And at whose board I ever find A welcome marvellously kind Erom all the dear ones gathered there ; How often when I take my place One thought of swift regret will come, That to your circle I can bring In glad return no precious thing To swell your pleasure's happy sum j Nothing but simple loving rhymes For some occasion like to-day, When any one, however dull, Some common flowers of thought might cull And weave them in a birthday lay. And this is all I bring you now, A song of little worth, indeed. Whose end a version poor will prove Of one true poem that I love — A poem that I daily read — 201 202 HOSPITALITY. Of manhood high, and womanhood Its equal match in loveliness ; Of girlhood ripening hour by hour As simply as a wayside flower That knows and knows not heaven's caress Of childhood gay as butterflies That frolic as they lightly roam ; Of babyhood, whose dimpled hand Holds all the house in dear command, — The poem of your own sweet home ! TWO MEN. T OSSES on losses, fast they came ; ■■— ' Men said : " There 's left him but his name ; But that is free from blot or blame." Despairing, bowed with care and dread, As if he heard, he raised his head ; " Thank God, I have my name ! " he said. II. A palace ; gilded ease and glare ; Loud jests and laughter ; banquets rare ; Dark hints of foul beneath the fair. At daybreak, on a sleepless bed, He moaned and turned his fevered head ; " I 've all things but a name ! " he said. 203 MY NAMESAKE. TIj^EOM silvery clouds the silvery showers -*- Fell o'er the earth ; Stole softly forth the faint, sweet flowers Of April birth. An April babe my namesake came One April day ; Just claimed on earth her place, her name, And fled away. A few soft sighings of the breath And it was spent ; Too frail for life, too sweet for death, She came and went. So brief a stay, so swift a flight. Could scarce be felt ; Thus snowflakes falling light as light Touch earth and melt. If verily she hath been here We hardly know ; The frailest blossoms of the year Her days outgrow. 204 MY NAMESAKE. 205 Sweet month of soft unsorrowing sighs And fragrant breath ; Of tender, showery, brooding skies ; Of life, not death ; Her faint sweet memory entomb In violets, The pathos of whose faint perfume Breathes no regrets ! How strange to enter Paradise, As she to-day, With not one tear in those sweet eyes To wipe away ! VALENTINE TO A PEIEST. (h. e. h.) A LL ministries of love are thine, •^^^ Of human love and love Divine ; With wife of more than maiden charms, And children sheltered in thy arms, And cure of souls in that vast fold Whose millions never can be told, Thou verily art made acquaint, Beloved priest, with this day's Saint — Saint Valentine ! 206 THE SINGER. OHE sits and sings in the room below, ^ A tender ballad of love and woe Wedded to music plaintive and slow. And who would dream that her heart is gay, While she singeth so sad a lay — Seeming to pour her soul away ? Why not ? She doeth her heart no wrong ; Lips joy-laden the whole day long Well can afford to sorrow in song ! So keep her, Heaven ! nor let her know Other sighings than those that flow, Rhythmic, through ballads of love and woe. 207 THE EOSE OF JERICHO. TO E. J. P. "\/0U love a legend. Here is one : -*" When Joseph warned in dreams by night Took Mary and her Blessed Son And they to Egypt made their flight, As through the desert wild they went By angels led and undismayed, A flower sprang np of sweetest scent Where'er the Virgin's steps were stayed. 'T is fabled that this flower since then Blooms only on some feast-day high, And chiefly when comes round again The Feast of Christ's Nativity. Be this sweet legend true or no, 'T is true that Mary went that way, And true the Rose of Jericho Blooms in my thoughts this Christmas Day. 208 THE ROSE OF JERICHO. 209 And in the fragrant flower I find, My darling child, a lesson true ; A sermon and a song enshrined That I in love unfold for you. When through life's desert places led By holy angels unaware, Intent on mercy's deeds you tread And make God's needy ones your care. If in your arms the Christ Child dear You carry wheresoe'er you go, In every place earth's wilds to cheer Will spring the Eose of Jericho. "PEACE, TEOUBLED SOUL." SWEET grows the world to-day and fair, Seen througli the Spring-time's lovely sheen — A tender mist of golden-green That veils the earth and fills the air. And lightly, softly blows the breeze, With blossom-odors interblent, And interwoven with their scent The murmurous hum of golden bees. And mingling with their braided balm, A voice of dreamy sweetness near Half sings, half sighs, in plaintive cheer, A strain that linketh calm with calm. On Nature's heart mine own I rest ; " Peace, troubled soul," she soft entreats : " Peace, troubled soul," the voice repeats. In the low psalm that suits me best. 210 ''PEACE, TROUBLED SOUL:' 211 And through the mist of faith I see A vision fair of One who stands And stretches out His pierced hands, Saying, " My peace I give to thee." IN MEMOEIAM. (A. B. M. entered into rest, Oct. 8, 1883.) T WATCH them passing to and fro, A little band of maidens fair ; I count each sweet familiar face, But one I look for is not there. How strange it seems her face to miss With bloom of youth and health aglow : So strong, so glad her hold on life, Who would have dreamed she first would go Amidst this group of happy girls Her bright, responsive, buoyant ways Winged every task, and seemed to add . New sunshine to the sunniest days. Thus sped the gay, unconscious hours, Yet oft within the sacred fane Their voices mingled in the chant, And it was hers that led the strain. 212 IN MEMORIAM. 213 And in her wanderings ere she died She dreamed herself in church once more, And said Our Father and the Creed, Then sang the Gloria o'er and o'er. Sweeter than fabled song of bird That drifting with the tide expires, Those failing notes her watchers heard — The hymn of God's celestial choirs. So singing down the tide of time Death came to her in sweet disguise, And so her bright young soul passed on Melodious into Paradise. Still in the one Communion vast. The Church at rest beyond the veil, She sings with you, little band, The Glorias that shall never fail. THE HOME AMONG THE HILLS. "|V /TIDWAY between these towering hills ■^' -*" One lonely human dwelling ; The circling acres, culture swept, Its little history telling ! On either hand the meadow land Makes fair the mountain spaces With golden reach of buttercups And silver drift of daisies. Behind, the massive forest wall ; Before, the river running ; And close about the little cot The signs of human cunning : The signs so homely and so sweet That draw us to each other. And make the daily life of man Familiar to his brother. We know the hand at early morn That cottage hearth-fire kindling ; We watched the dropping of this corn ; We wait its purple spindling ! 214 TEE HOME AMONG THE HILLS. 215 A part have we in all the toils Of these our mountain neighbors ; A portion in the precious gain Heaven winnows from their labors. We taste their trials, share their feasts, And with a passing wonder We linger even while we go, Their choice, their lot to ponder. Amid the grandeur and the gloom On every hand abiding, A flower of human blossoming This little home is hiding. ^o What tender wind of Providence The small seed hither drifted Where yet these shadows vast may fall On village spires uplifted ? Less awful seem those hills august, Less lone the valley's glooming, Since in this wilderness the rose Of human life is blooming ! AN EASTEE INCIDENT. T N moonlight the world was sleeping, ■^ As it slept on that night of old When the wonderful angel descended And the stone from the sepulchre rolled ; The vigil of Easter was ended, The hour of midnight tolled. In one of the countless chambers Where slumber held its sway, Dreaming perhaps of Easter A tranquil sleeper lay, When the whisper of wings beside her Wafted her dreams away. Is it a bird ? she wondered, Lifting her startled head As she heard the delicate flitting Circle around her bed, And anon against the casement The sweep of those wings outspread. 216 AN EASTER INCIDENT. 217 It was not the palpitant flutter Of some poor terrified thing That beateth the bars of its prison, And bruiseth its tender wing, But an eager, exultant motion. Glad as the pulse of spring. The flash of a thought, and the listener Had lighted her lamp anew, And wide on the shadowy chamber Its fullest radiance threw ; When straightway toward its shining The beautiful visitant flew. A moth, a marvel of measure From tip to tip of its wings. Painted in colors resplendent — Lightest and fairest of things ; Type of the Kesurrection, The angel's own message it brings ! Did the angel himself, descending And passing through hamlet and town To waken once more the faithful, Their sorrow with joy to crown, Touch with finger transcendent That tiniest cradle brown ? 218 AN EASTER INCIDENT. There lay the chrysalis empty, Frail shell of the past, outworn ; Here was the living creature Exulting in beauty new-horn, And trembling as if to utter The truth of the Easter morn ! THE BOY WHO CAERIED THE CEOSS. (W. A. D. W. entered into rest July 13, 1883, aged 14 years.) TTENCEFOETH I shall always see him ■'--'■ As he looked when he led the way For the children marching churchward Upon some festal day ; As I saw him that first fair Easter In the light of the " day of days,^' When they entered God's gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. He was born to be a leader, I thought, as he led that throng, Unconscious of self and comely. Modest and noble and strong. Princely in stature and bearing And steadfast of hand and eye, He carried the Church's standard, The Cross of Jesus, on high. 219 220 THE BOY WHO CARRIED THE CROSS. On his fair, unsullied forehead Once signed with that sign of grace, I could almost see its glory Lighting his lovely face. First and foremost by virtue Of all that youth could claim, He was first and foremost also In a life that knew no blame. So brilliant his future's promise Fame must be his portion, we said ; But the crown of Christian triumph Already ennobled his head. Unselfish, beloved and ardent Whether in labor or play, He carried his dear Lord's honor Wherever he wended his way. And if he had lived to gather The laurels of all the earth, And all the winds of heaven Had wafted to men his worth ; If he had lived, and dying Been mourned as a nation's loss, I still should have seen but this vision Of the boy who carried the Cross. A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. npHE clouds are breaking — radiant scene ! •^ Blue, blue as only heaven is blue ; The heaven that Heaven itself smiles through Unfolds its depths serene. Oh fair as Hope the rainbow gleams The tempest's angry frown above, But lovely as the Face of Love Yon revelation seems I 221 SOKG. 'T^O-MOEEOW has trouble to lend ■*■ To all who lack to-day ; Go, borrow it — borrow, griefless heart, An thou with thy peace wilt pay ! To-morrow has trouble to lend. An endless, endless store ; But I have as much as heart can hold — Why should I borrow more ! 222 WHITE AZALEAS. AZALEAS — whitest of white! White as the drifted snow Fresh-fallen out of the night, Before the coming glow Tinges the morning light ; When the light is like the snow, White, And the silence is like the light ; Light, and silence, and snow, All — white! White ! not a hint Of the creamy tint A rose will hold. The whitest rose, in its inmost fold ; Not a possible blush ; White as an embodied hush ; A very rapture of white ; A wedlock of silence and light. White, white as the wonder undefiled Of Eve just wakened in Paradise ; Nay, white as the angel of a child That looks into God's own eyes ! 223 SUMMER-TIME. O UMMER'S breath has kissed the lovely bloom ^^ From the apple-trees : Out of flower-cups, dripping with perfume, Sip the honey-bees. Where the vines are strung with roses red Dart the humming-birds ; Winds, like lovers, in the boughs overhead Whisper tender words. Clover-crested are the waves of grass Where the little feet Frolic, deep in coolness, as I pass From the sunny street. When at eve o'er field and fen and brake Misty curtains fall. Fire-flies, in their meteor dances, make Nightly carnival. 224 SWEET-PEAS. O WEET-PEAS ! Sweet-Peas ! ^^ The very sweetest of all sweet things ! Airily poised, like butterfly wings, On the slender stem. And now they brood in a still delight ; And anon, as the light wind touches them, They tremble and flutter, as feigning flight, In coyness — not affright. And lest they fly. The tricksy Zephyr passes by With a little moan of make-believe, And pretends to die Among the cherry-trees ! They only smile — they will not grieve. The gay and shy Sweet-Peas ! Sweet-Peas ! Sweet-Peas I The very sweetest of all sweet things ! Perfect pink and perfect white ; Exhaling a perfume so rare, so pure, It ceaseth never to allure, Nor faileth ever to satisfy ; 225 226 S WEET-PEAS. Like a breath of immortality, Like a hint of youth unspent for aye ; Of love — Ah, well-a-day ! Say, ye sweetest of all sweet things, Sweet-Peas, What are jq likest ? — what like ye ? The dream of Beauty, the wonder that clings To snowy-lidded Innocence — These mystic nebulae (Souls of flowers to be). Lightly drifted hence. And mingling straightway they became Visible in pink and white. In dainty-delicate forms like these, And gat themselves a name ; Dew-christened in laver of morning light, " Sweet-Peas ! " Sweet-Peas ! Sweet-Peas ! Here is a handful for her to wear Who is sweet like them, and more stately-fair. Lie, nosegay of blushes, mid snows of lace. And match the bloom of her maiden face When cometh her own sweetheart to share The posy modest and debonair. Whose dear bestowal shall bring him ease And sweet assurances. Dispelling sweet anxieties, Sweet-Peas ! SWEET-FEAS. 227 And will ye have a sweetheart too, Sweet-Peas, Sweet-Peas ? Then here 's Zephyr come hack to woo, If you please ! Nay, hut Zephyr is a flirt ! Make again your winged threat Till in very truth he fret — What 's the hurt ? — And die among the cherry-trees For love of you, Sweet-Peas ! MIDSUMMER MORNING. TAAY rises veiled in amber mists ^-^ That swathe the hill and shroud the plain ; And in the breathless air, unstirred, The trees are dripping as with rain. Like tents along the emerald sward Pitched by the fairies of the night, In the wet grass ephemeral webs Are scattered, gleaming silver white. Dew-drenched the flowers ; the heavy vines Hang from the wall, or trail the ground ; And lifeless seems the garden-place. So lately filled with murmurous sound. But slowly, slowly lifts the mist — From heaven's blue face it curls away ; And through the trembling, glistening leaves The glorious sunbeams flame and play ! 228 DAY-LILIES. O SUMMER day, Delay! delay! One waving of thy brooding wing, One stirring of thy hazy wing, And noontide light and heat Will find my dewy shadow-lair, And burn the coolness from the grasses That swathe my feet In rank and billowy masses ; And to this claustral twilight bring The sun's profanest glare. O summer day. Delay ! delay ! Let naked hill and bare brown field Parch in thy torrid ray. So this dim nook be unrevealed, Where I, Deliciously concealed, Among the lilies lie. The delicate Day-lilies ! The white and wonderful lilies ! My dark green haunt so still is 229f 230 I>^ Y-LILIES. The wildest birdling dare not sing, Nor insect beat a gossamer wing, Nor zephyr lift the lightest thing, Here, where the lustrous lilies, The clear, resplendent lilies, Pour out their heavenly-sweet perfume, And with their snowiness. In clusters chaste, illume This dusk recess. Soft-footed Silence, royal nun ! In this thy humid, emerald cell Forever dwell ! These flowers supernal ever shine, Pure-flamed, before thy virgin shrine ! Here, one by one, Tell o'er thy glistering, roral beads, — A rosary strung on tangled weeds And blades and stems that intertwist. The breath of lilies be thy prayers, Sweet-odored, wafted unawares Up through the morning's lucent airs And evening's pallid mist ! The glittering stars shall o'er thee pass, Deep-pillowed in the heavy grass ; These broad, smooth lily-leaves shall be A glossy coverlet for thee, Thy prayers and penance done, royal nun ! DAY-LILIES. 231 By day or night, In dark or light, Thy fragrant shrine shall be the same ; These slender tapers lambent still, Nor blazing sun, nor mildew chill, Shall quench their alabaster flame. A gleam, as of a crystal wand ! And Day peers in with curious face 5 The jealous sunshine, stealing round. Doth warily chase The cool, dank shadows on the ground ; The cloister-walls no longer stand ; A garish glory fills the space, And lights the lush grass, loose and long ; And startled by the wild bird's song, Soft-footed Silence flees apace ; But still serene the lilies shine. Pure-flamed, before her ruined shrine ! HELIOTROPE. C WEETEST, sweetest Heliotrope ! ^^ In the sunset's dying splendor, In the trance of twilight tender, All my senses I surrender To the subtle spells that bind me : The dim air swimmeth in my sight With visions vague of soft delight ; Sliadowy hands with endless chain Of purple-clustered bloom enwind me ; Garlands drenched in dreamy rain Of perfume passionate as sorrow And sad as Love's to-morrow ! Bewildering music fills mine ears — Faint laughter and commingling tears — Flowing like delicious pain Through my drowsy brain. Bosomed in the blissful gloom IMeseems I sink on slumberous slope Buried deep in purple bloom, Sweetest, sweetest Heliotrope ! 232 DAY-DEEAMING. HOW better am I Than a butterfly ? Here, as the noiseless hours go by, Hour by hour, I cling to my fancy's half-blown flower ; Over its sweetness I brood and brood, And scarcely stir though sounds intrude That would trouble and fret another mood Less divine Than mine ! Wlio cares for the bees ! I will take my ease, Dream and dream as long as I please ; Hour by hour With love-wings fanning my sweet, sweet flower ! Gather your honey and hoard your gold Through spring and summer, and hive through cold! I will cling to my flower till it is mould, Breathe one sigh And die ! 233 SOKG. npHE wind blows out of the west, -*■ The wind is merry and free ; It brings fair weather for us, love, Fair weather for thee and me. The sun shines out of the east, And dances over the sea ; The world 's aglitter for us, love, Aglitter for thee and me. And now the world 's a-dusk. The nest unstirred on the tree ; The fair moon hangs at its full, love, And shineth for thee and me. 234 INCOGNITA. T 7EILED in verse, who knows ' Whether I smile or weep ? Slippered in fancies, who can tell What measure of step I keep ? Lift the veil, dear Love ! To thee I will show my face ; Hark, and thine ear shall surely hear My heart's inaudible pace ! 235 JUNE SONGS. I. CAPRICE. n^HE rose is dead in my Lady's bower ; •^ The love is dead in my Lady's heart ! The rose was only a summer flower, Born to die in a summer hour — To yield its life to the passionate shower That tore its radiant leaves apart. The rose-tree will blossom again, I know, But what care I for to-morrow's flower ? Some idle wind will capriciously blow ; The rain's wild feet will trample it ; oh, Pluck it who will ! for myself I go And leave the rose in my Lady's bower ! II. CONSTANCY. I RIFLED a leaf from the heart of a rose : — Believe ! believe ! Though love comes lightly, not lightly it goes ; 236 JUNE SONGS. 237 It steals through our veins and our .youth's white flower Blossoms in crimson from that hour ; Life of our life, it cannot deceive ! I love thee, I love thee, believe ! Oh, fancies are fitful as breezes that blow — Believe ! believe ! They come to us lightly, more lightly they go ; Diviner than duty, and stronger than will, Love, the sweet mystery, rules me still j Tyranny tender, it cannot deceive ; I love thee, I love thee, believe ! III. PETITION. Only the roses will hear ; Dear, Only the roses will see ! This once — just this ! Ah, the roses I wis They envy me ! Here is a half -blown spray ; Say This shall Love's anadem be ! A rose-strung wreath For thy brow, and beneath A rose for me ! 238 JUNE SONGS. IV. EXPECTANCY. Summer, rain me a rain of rose-leaves ; Only on rose-leaves she shall tread ! Summer, rain me a rain of rose-leaves Over the banquet Love hath spread. Never Orient feast so splendid. Viands so costly, wines so rare ; Never showers of bloom descended Veiling a princess half so fair ! Summer, make her a couch of roses. Pillows of rose-leaves lightly prest; Odors sweet when my Love reposes Dreamily drifting round her rest ! Come, Beloved, the feast awaits thee : Cruelly traitor moments flee ! Is it sorrow or joy belates thee ? Heedest thou aught unshared by me ! Coming I O rapture more than mortal ! Softly the gates of bliss unclose ; Silence, guarding the sacred portal. Wears in her breast the symbol rose ! QUEEN NATUEE. THIS is her palace azure-domed and fair Where lavish Nature feasts the royal Year And Cleopatra-like dissolves the pearls Of winter in the amber cup of spring. 239 LOVE'S VISITATION. T T 7'AS ever yet the world so fair ! ^ ^ The long, sweet day ! the tender night ! A fragrant thrill pervades the air — Spring's ever newly waked delight. It floods the azure realm above ; It quickens all the sod below ; It is the very soul of Love, And song and bloom its overflow. No living thing unconscious named But knows the depth of this delight. And filled with joy and unashamed Leaves joy to fashion joy aright. The bluebird's note is all his own ; The thrush one matchless song repeats ; And murmurs Love translates alone Hint how the brooding dove-heart beats. At eve the stars grow dim with dreams ; At morn the wandering waysides blush ; More sweet the brook's low babble seems. Wed with the woodland's happy hush. 240 LOVE'S VISITATION. 241 Beneath the sapphire-gleaming arch Like mated swans the white clouds sail ; And consciously yon lovely larch Lets down her swaying vernal veil. And picturing scenes where lance and spur For Love their utmost valor spent, Lo ! in the fields a golden stir — The dandelions' tournament. As on the wings of old romance The pageant of the fields shall pass ; Where now the golden flowers glance Pale phantoms float across the grass. But each returning Spring of time Love — Love shall still be born anew ; The spirit of an heavenly clime Crown earth with bridal bloom and dew. TO A SLEEPING CHILD. lyj OT thus, joyous child, repose ^ ^ With crossed hands on thy baby breast ; Pathetic attitude of those Who wake not, stir not from their rest ! With dimpled arm thy head surround, Like as a bird with bonny wing ; Sure as a bird at morn to bound From this thy nest and, birdlike, sing ! 242 A VIGIL. T^AEK shore, and desolate sky ^^ Unquickened by a star ; Sad sea where wandering sails are lost In night afar ! No human presence sweet, Nor other sound beside Save that to silence near akin — The ebbing tide. Only a lonely wreck High on the lonely beach, Whose hopelessness defies at last The breaker's reach. Earth that keeps no watch, O Heaven that lights no star, He is who cares for every sail. Each broken spar ! 243 THE CEICKETS. "piPE, little minstrels of the waning year, In gentle concert pipe ! Pipe the warm noons ; the mellow harvest near ; The apples dropping ripe ; The tempered sunshine and the softened shade ; The trill of lonely bird ; The sweet sad hnsh on Nature's gladness laid; The sounds through silence heard ! Pipe tenderly the passing of the year ; The summer's brief reprieve ; The dry husk rustling round the yellow ear ; The chill of dawn and eve ! Pipe the untroubled trouble of the year ; Pipe low the painless pain ; Pipe your unceasing melancholy cheer ; The year is in the wane ! 244 TO THE BLUE GENTIAN. T TNFOLD, O fairest Flower, and share ^^ The benediction of this air That softly floweth everywhere, And blesseth most the things most fair ! Twice welcome flowers when flowers grow few ; Thrice welcome, thou, of heavenly hue — The rarest, tenderest shade of blue That Earth's dear bosom ever knew ! The golden-rod resigns his plume, And all frail beauty seeks a tomb. Bequeathing thee more ample room Wherein to set thy fairer bloom. Unfold, thy gentle right to claim, O Flower of softest tint and name ! Thy bashfulness delays like shame. Yet lovelier makes thy lovely fame. To exile only half resigned, Her locks with violet-memories twined, Departing Summer turns to find How fair a thing she leaves behind. 245 246 TO THE BLUE GENTIAN. And since the Summer henceward flies, Thou, darling of these lonely skies, The dearer art to human eyes, Unfolding as a sweet surprise ! NOTHING TO DO. A STEIP of snowiest linen "^^*- Half broidered and stamped in blue, And the gleam of a threadless needle Piercing the pattern through : The needle is ready, yet the sweet little lady Sits sighing for something to do. Heaped on the table beside her Blossoms of every hue ; Delicate, odorous roses — The rarest that ever grew : The vase stands ready while the sweet little lady Sits wishing for something to do. Half hid under flowers a volume In daintiest gold and blue, Just parted, as if it would open At " The Miller's Daughter " for you : The book lies ready, yet the sweet little lady Sits sighing for something to do. 247 248 NOTHING TO DO. A silent harp in the corner, And melodies old and new Scattered in pretty disorder — Songs of the false and the true : The harp stands ready — still the sweet little lady Sits longing for something to do. A sudden wind-sweep and flutter — The door wide open blew ; A step in the hall, and swiftly, Like a bird, to the threshold she flew : Blushing, already the sweet little lady Forgets she has nothing to do ! THE COAT. TV T EECUEIUS wove a coat ^^^ Of the finest thread of wit ; "Wear it," he said to his jesting friends, " You whom the coat may fit." Now he to whose lot it fell Sore envied all the rest, For strange to say it gave the least ease To him whom it fitted best. 249 T IK AUTUMN. ^HE cool, bright days, The cahn, bright days, With their liberal-hearted noons ! The clear, still nights, The restful nights. With their greatening harvest-moons ; And the ghostly rustle of withered corn Plucked of its ivory ears and shorn Of the floating fringes that tossed and swayed When the ripening summer zephyr played Through the ranks that shone in the summer morn — The beautiful corn ! The golden days ! the golden days ! Warm with sunshine and dreamy with haze ; Warm with the sunshine and cool with the breeze ! Like troops of tropical butterflies Clouds of leaves from the gorgeous trees Flutter and fall, And cover the earth with splendid dyes Matching the marvels of sunset skies. 250 IN AUTUMN. 251 Swell beyond swell the hills uplift — The hills serene ; Slope beyond slope they ebb away Into the distance azure-gray ; And over them all, Through veils of amethyst vaguely seen Magical lights incessantly shift, Moved by the wonder hands of Day — Over the hills serene ! No ripple breaks The lucid lakes Up from whose margins the gay banks climb — Into whose deeps the shadows descend Like sunken gardens in their prime, Whose softly-pictured terraces end In emerald grottos where Naiads dream While the unstirred rushes over them stream. From the woodbine draping the cottage thatch The wandering winds as they pass, Tenderly, one by one, detach Leaves of crimson that flame in the sun : One by one. Slowly downward they waver, and twirl. And alight on the trampled grass. Day by day the vine-leaves curl Kevealing the heavily hanging grapes In tempting clusters of rarest shapes, That out of the heart of summer grew ; 252 IN AUTUMN. Dusky-purple and amber- white, Warmed in the nooning and cooled in the night, Mingled of honey, and sunlight, and dew. The breeze through the orchard-alley sweeps, And russet-brown leaves in dusty heaps Eddy and whirl ; And russet-brown apples, and rosy-cheeked, Tall from the ruddy half-rifled bough, Strewing the grassy patch With its footpath trail below. Where the bare-headed, sunburnt farmer's girl Gathers the fairest and leaves the rest For the gold-brown bee in his honey quest. And the zealous ants that busily swarm Over the bruises mellow and warm ; While chicks full feathered and yellow-beaked E-oam in the sunshine and leisurely scratch For the helpless worm withdrawing its coil Lazily into the loosened soil. Streaming in at the wide barn door Warm lies the sun on the well-worn floor Scattered with wisps of straw and grain From the generous wain. Heaped high as the rafters the sweet-smelling hay O'erhangs the bursting loft, And a breath from the orchard croft Stirs the loosened spears, and they drop away Noiselessly-soft ! IN AUTUMN. 253 The mellow days ! the mellow days ! The brown seed ripens and bursts the pod ; The brown seed ripens, the stem decays, The black root rotting under the sod. The lattice o'er-straggled by faded vines Leans to its fall, And here and there by the garden wall And beside the late-neglected walks, Amid blackened weeds and mouldering stalks Where the fly in his mail of emerald shines, Flowers of garish beauty bloom Like torches that flare at the mouth of a tomb. Phantom of summer, silver fair, Peacefully restless through the air With the unseen currents that softly flow Drifts the thistle-down to and fro. The yellow days ! the yellow days ! Fields of stubble and naked ways ! The year's last gold On the uttermost bough Flutters mournfully now ! The sumach that burned like the bush of old Is almost stripped of its fire ; And trampled out by the rains that beat The sodden paths with their million feet The last bright hues expire ! THE BELL IN THE TOWEE. T HEAE the bell in the high church-tower ■^ Striking the hour ; The hushed Night hearkens like one who stands In sudden awe with uplifted hands. A Spirit up in the tower doth dwell, And when the bell Peals out the hours with a measured chime, I hear him turning the sands of time. He says : " Life dieth with every breath ; " Whispers of death : " It is the fall of the flower of earth ; The promise-seed of immortal birth. J? He speaks to the striving world below : " Why do ye so ? Will all the treasure that hand can hold Buy sweeter sleep in the churchyard mould ? " Behold one God over great and small Judgeth ye all ; Ask Him for grace in the morning light, And pray for pardon and peace at night." 254 THE BELL IN THE TOWER. 255 Oh, while I listen my whole soul bows, Paying her vows, And folly fleetli with sinful fear As those clear bell-strokes fall on my ear. For not more solemn the holy chimes In other times That help the faithful to pray aright, And put the spirits of air to flight. And ever, ever would I be near Daily to hear, Daily and nightly, in work or rest, The voice that pierces and soothes my breast. THE FEAST-TIME OF THE YEAE. npHIS is the feast-time of the year ■*- When hearts grow warm and home more dear; When Autumn's crimson torch expires To flash again in winter fires ; And they who tracked October's flight Through woods with gorgeous hues bedight. In charmed circle sit and praise The goodly log's triumphant blaze. This is the feast-time of the year When Plenty pours her wine of cheer, And even humble boards may spare To poorer poor a kindly share ; While bursting barns and granaries know A richer, fuller overflow. And they who dwell in golden ease Bless without toil yet toil to please. This is the feast-time of the year : The blessed Advent draweth near. 256 THE FEAST-TIME OF THE YEAR. 25/ Let rich and poor together break The bread of love for Christ's sweet sake, Against the time when rich and poor Must ope for Him a common door, Who comes a Guest 3^et makes a feast, And bids the greatest and the least. GOOD-BY. "DID me Good-By! No sweeter salutation ^^^ Can friendship claim j Nor yet can any language, any nation A sweeter frame. It is not final ; it forebodes no sorrow As some declare Who born to fretting are so prone to borrow To-morrow's share. " Good-by " is but a prayer, a benediction From lips sincere ; And breathed by thine it brings a sweet conviction That God will liear. " Good-by ! " Yes, " God be with you ; " prayer and blessing In simplest phrase ; Alike our need and His dear care confessing In all our ways. However rare or frequent be our meeting, However nigh The last long parting or the endless greeting, Bid me Good-By ! 258 BRIDE AND SAINT. npHEY should be silver bells that ring, ■■" Lovely one, for thy wedding ; Silver bells the bells should be That ring for thee. They should be bells of purest gold, Sweet saint, for thy passing tolled ; Golden bells the bells should be That toll for thee. 259 EOSE AND THOEN. T HEAED Philosophy sigh, -*■ " No rose is without its thorn ; " And Faith made sweet reply, " Of thorns are the roses born ! " 260 CEADLE SONGS. (written for MRS. H. E. H.) I. SLEEP, sweetest babe, and dream In the red firelight's gleam ; The storm clouds fill the sky. Thou canst not dream of harm, Soothed by the mother-charm, A tender lullaby. Sleep ! Though the wild wind blows And drifts the blinding snows, All feathery soft they lie. The rhythm of the sleet Reaches thy hushed retreat, A gentle lullaby. Close to thy mother's side Sleep, warm and satisfied. How sweet thy baby sigh ! Dear dove ! the storm is o'er ; The waves lisp on the shore A ceaseless lullaby. 261 262 CRADLE SONGS. Sleep ! Earth no more is drear Since that sweet Babe was here Whose angels thronged the sky. Sleep ! Only mothers know That night of long ago When Mary, bending low, Sang Jesu's lullaby. II. Sleep, little sunny head ! The morning hours have sped ; The noonday sun climbs high. The Summer breezes sweet Winnow the waving wheat, A murmuring lullaby. Sleep, little cradled head ! Sleep in thy wee white bed While mother watches nigh. The rustling Summer rain Whispers a soft refrain, A soothing lullaby. Sleep ! Wake and sleep again ! No longer croons the rain ; The sun drops down the sky. Sleep, sleep, and sleeping hear The angels fluting near — Celestial lullaby. CRADLE SONGS. 263 Sleep, nested like a dove, Babe on the breast of love ! The mild moon rideth high ; The whole world sleeps but one Whose watch is never done. Whose waking heart sings on Love's endless lullaby. A HARVEST HYMN. WRITTEN FOR THE AMESBURY AND SALISBURY AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION, SEPT. 17, 18G0. /^ HAPPY day returned once more ^-^ With golden plenty still replete ; As though she never gave before Earth pours her treasures at our feet. And ne'er did ruddier fruit fulfil The rosy prophecies of May ; Ne'er did the rugged lands we till Yield sweeter corn or flowers more gay. Not one among the many here Who prune the tree or plough the soil, But has some share in Nature's cheer, Some liberal recompense for toil. Yet none his choicest stores may boast Of flowers or fruit or garnered grain, Eor labor of his hands were lost Unblest by heaven's refreshing rain. 264 A HARVEST IIYMX. 265 Oh thanks to God whose love abides And scatters bounties everywhere Who in the heart of Nature hides The germ of His unfailing care ! More rich than Autumn's robe of leaves Should be the garments of our praise, And ampler than her ample sheaves The charities that crown our days. More fragrant than the meadow's breath The incense of our souls should rise Prom life's rude altars wreathed by Faith With borrowed bloom from Paradise. Oh, clearly then could we behold In flowers that fade and fruits that fall Sweet hints which earthly gifts infold Of treasure stored in Heaven for all. ABRAHAM LINCOL:Nr. 1865. "D EST, rest for liim whose noble work is done ; "^ For him who led us gently unaware Till we were readier to do and dare For Freedom, and her hundred fields were won. His march is ended where his march began : More sweet his sleep for toil and sacrifice And that rare wisdom whose beginning lies In fear of God and charity for man : And sweetest for the tender faith that grew More strong in trial, and through doubt more clear, Seeing in clouds and darkness One appear In whose dread name the Nation's sword he drew. Rest, rest for him ; and rest for us to-day Whose sorrow shook the land from east to west When slain by Treason, on the Nation's breast Her martyr breathed his steadfast soul away. 266 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 267 fervent heart ! cool and patient head ! shoulders broad to bear all others' blame ! Mercy disguised herself beneath his name, And Justice through his lips like Pity plead. His truth could snare the wiliest of the earth ; His wit outweigh the ponderous debate ; By sneers unvexed, in triumph unelate, He stood our chief in place, our chief in worth. Behold, kingdoms of the world, behold, O mighty powers beyond the swelling wave. How fast as rain on his untitled grave The tears of millions mingle with the mould ! Such love a prince might crave, such homage seek ; The people's love that clothed him like a king, The grateful trust those hands were swift to bring Whose broken fetters of deliverance speak. Four years ago unknown — to-day how dear ! Four years that tried him with a century's strain. While Treason led his wretched hosts in vain And turned Assassin when his doom was near. Four little years whose space a thought may span ; A niche in Time's vast hall where he doth stand. To win applause in ever}^ age and land, "The noblest work of God — an honest man." WOMAN. 1862. A S though no shade of human wrong fell darkly "^^^ on their beauty, And all men walked in brotherhood the shining ways of duty, The blessed summer days glide by in calm and sweet succession ; God writes on Nature's palace-walls no curse against oppression. The strong man arms him for the fight ; he hears the bugle calling ; And while between the patriot-shouts her tears have time for falling, Pale woman plies the threaded steel nor shapes her lips to singing, But still with every stitch she draws the pearls of prayer is stringing. She thinks of those whose wounds are fresh ; of those in death-sleep lying, Whose brows of 3''outh and manhood won their brightest crowns in dying ; 268 WOMAN. 269 She thinks of others brave and true hid in the smoke of battle, Where bayonets gleam and cannon roar and bullets hiss and rattle. She shudders while the words of fate along the wires are chasing, Or trembling waits the hurried line some comrade may be tracing ; Her heart grows faint ; she lifts her hands in an- guished imploration : " God save my soldier ! " first she prays, and then, " God save the nation ! " And when she moans, " The very thought of loss doth overcome me ! " Crying, " If it be possible, oh let this cup pass from me ! " God chides her not if, choked with sobs, she adds to her petition But brokenly Christ's after-words of meekness and submission. He saw her pale with victory in the dark hour of trial, When Self lay slain, and sorrowing Love was fettered with denial ; 270 WOMAN. And the Divine One who alone can clearly read the human, Traces the Hero's autograph though tear-hlots of the Woman. SONNETS. IKSCEIBED TO J. W. AXD C. H. O HUT in by clustering roofs and clustering trees, ^^ Though not far off our blue bright river pours Its full swift volume 'twixt the gracious shores, How do I long on golden days like these For the wide vision of the crested seas Where the fleet swallow circles, dips, and soars ; Where flash the gull's white wings, the fisher's oars, And sails that shift and darken in the breeze ! Where the white surf along the glistening beach, And on the black rocks streaming from the spray, Tosses incessant far as eye can reach, And ceaseless murmurs most melodious pour. Swelling anon, anon to die away. While the sweet pines make answer evermore. II. There stands j^our cottage, peeping from the wood And facing all the splendors of the sea, On that dear spot where I to-day would be j Above, below, azure of sky and flood ; 273 274 INSCRIBED TO J. W. AND C. H. Boundless seclusion, boundless solitude ; And in the midst what social feast for me To choice of speech or silence bidden free. While winds and waves rock every varying mood ! Through doors and windows wide, through all the house, What breeze-blown odors sweep of spice and balm, Hemlock and pine, cedar and wilding rose, And miles away the scent of meadow mows ! Exhaustless sweetness ; inexpressible calm j The lapsing water murmuring, Kepose ! A WOODLAND HOUK. n^HE stillness of the year in sweet decline ! -■- (Precious of all things silence in its turn !) 'T is like the loving rest for which we yearn When summer hopes no longer bloom and shine. In the soft shadow of this changeless pine The maple boughs have almost ceased to burn. How brown the brake ! yet this so delicate fern Is at its greenest. Feathery fair and fine It waves and floats these mossy trunks between — These trunks that veil the axeman's cruel scars ; (There are some lives that no misfortune mars ! ) Sweet day ! Against yon background dusky green That slender birch in the fair distance seen Shows like a twinkling cloud of yellow stars. 275 THE GOLDEN WEDDING. JOINED each to each for better or for worse, How have their fifty years of wedlock fled ; Time's shadows turned to silver on each head That now we crown with laurel-wreath of verse ! Not for good deeds that loud tongues might rehearse And trumpet east and west for men's acclaim — Those deeds of love too numberless to name That all these years in silentness immerse ; Nay, not for anything possessed or done We crown them with the honor doubly due, But in our grateful joy, because the Hand Which wrought the mystery of twain made one, Upon this Golden Feast shows forth anew How fair that state may be, in Eden planned. 276 "SAVE THAT THEEE MAY BE ONE LOVE-GAENEEING BREAST." OAVE that there may be one love-garnering ^^ breast Will hold us unforgotten when we die, From all the paths that most familiar lie We shall be missed but few brief days at best. Noteless as noiseless pass we to our rest ; Slip from the ear and tongue as from the eye. Earth knows no break, no change to signify Absence or loss ; and Time and Nature, lest In our behalf remonstrant they appear, Make stealthy haste to blur and cover o'er The stone's laborious lettering before The yielding mound that settles year by year Is levelled, and the place — our last place here — That knew us once knows us indeed no more. 277 PEOPHECY. '"PHE glittering darkness of the perfect night -'- An hour before the break of perfect morn, When from her slowly-lessening, beauteous horn The brilliant moon pours forth a splendid light : So glows the radiance of inspired sight, Steadfast, serene, by weariness unworn And clear of every human doubt forlorn, Keeping Eaith's vigil on imperial height — While sleeps the world below, unconscious, prone, Drunken with things of self and slothful time — Until Fulfilment's flood, like morning's prime. Through wondrous gates of Promise widely thrown Kolls in majestical from zone to zone And merges Prophecy in Light sublime. 278 "HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH." TT ACH counts his lot most grievous ; his distress -■--' Sorer than other's ; each is prone to harp Upon his many trials (though he carp At his poor neighbor's fretting none the less) ; For all his wrongs there seemeth small redress ; No other's ills were ever quite so sharp ; Misfortunes all his plans do thwart and warp ; No loss his loss can match ; no sorrows press Like his ! Ah ! eighteen hundred years ago The pangs and penalties of all mankind Through all the groaning centuries behind And all the wrestling centuries to come One Man endured, bound thrice ten years with woe, Yet from the Manger to the Cross was dumb ! 279 Part III. JEANNETTE FRANCES AND CHARLES EMERSON. A LITTLE LESSON. T OOK up, dear child, to the happy stars ■*-^ That glitter in heavenly spaces ; No discord their lovely order mars. None covet their neighbors' places ; Yet some flash out on the wide, dark night, And some just shimmer with faint, sweet light. It matters little so each but shine With all the strength it can gather ; The gleam of the least is a gift divine, Not mighty but precious rather ; No star its fellow-stars envies or shames, And the dear Lord calleth them all by their names. 283 FOUR. T7OUR in one home and each its chief est -*- blessing, Each the darling centre of fondness and delight ; Four in one heart and each the whole possessing; Mystery of love, love only reads aright ! Each little head enhaloed with affection; Each little face the sweetest when it smiles ; Each claiming first and tenderest protection ; Each as the others comforts and beguiles. Grouped round his knees or to his shoulders clinging, Nestling in his arms or climbing up his chair. Brimming o'er with laughter, dancing, leaping, singing, Thus the happy father names his darlings fair : 284 FOUR. 285 Sallie is " my daughter " (my boundless pride and pleasure) ; Kittie is ^' my child '^ (my offspring and my crown) ; Louie is "my girl" (my sweetest one, my treasure) ; Ethel is "my baby" (the love that love weighs down). Four in one home and each its chiefest blessing ; Each the precious centre of the household sphere ; Four in one heart and each the whole possessing ; Mystery of love that love alone makes clear ! LOVE FOR LOVE. /^H the old moon will rise not yet ; ^-^ 'T is a wearj, weary old moon And late, late up ; but we will not fret, The new moon will shine for us soon. And "where is the new moon," pet ? '^ And where does the old moon go ? " They never are parted, they never met. But each from the other they grow. In her bosom the old moon yet The new moon shelters and warms, And the fair young moon — she will not forget But rise with the old in her arms ! 286 1 THE FAIEY^S DILEMMA. A LMOST time for the ball of the last summer -^ night, Said a fairy, crimping her hair, And my elfin wardrobe is in such a plight I really have nothing to wear ; I really am quite in despair I My buttercup satin is far from new And I do not like the tint ; I have worn it twice alreadj^, too, And to wear it again would hint That I must needs pinch and stint. I wish that my wind-flower dress were fresh ; How pretty that used to be ! So dainty a color ; so dainty a mesh ; And vastly well suited to me, With pearls from the spray of the sea ! My brier-rose silk is slightly defaced And I could not match it at all. For the season is past ; it needs a new waist ; I might wear my gossamer shawl, The weather is so like the fall. 287 288 THE FAIRY'S DILEMMA. And tins reminds me I surely must get A new fringed gentian this year, And a hoar-frost point — so costly ! Yet I really must have it, 'tis clear; Yes, let it be never so dear ! Oh there is my water-lily gown Imported from Slumber Bay, With the golden tassels all up and down ; But that will be soon passee ; I think I will lay it away. My violet — violet 's quite gone out ; It will rage I 've no doubt next year. Oh what shall I get ! and now that the drought Has made fairy fabrics so dear ! Well, I must not dawdle here. My thistle-down phaeton stands at the gate And I must go out for a drive ; I would go to shop if it were not late ; Bless me ! 't is almost five By the four-o'clock, as I 'm alive ! I have it — I have it ! regardless of cost I will send to the Silver Cascade For a gown of that rainbow — pure sun-spinning, crossed With the choicest colors made. And warranted never to fade ! THE FAIRY'S DILEMMA. 289 I will fringe it with mist ! What an exquisite dress ! Most magical thing in air ! And here comes the Humming Bird Fairy Express ; I will hail it and speak it fair, For I must have something to wear. THE STUFFED BIED. /^UT through the window you wish it would fly, ^-^ And then come back to you by and by ; Kuffle its feathers and flutter its wings, And sing such a song as the bobolink sings ? Its plumage is splendid, and yet you are tired Of the treasure at first so greatly admired. Perched motionless, though with a semblance of flight, On the self-same twig from morning till night ? And birds are so restloss, so eager, so wise, So rapid the glance of their bright little eyes ! How they tremble, and quiver, and flutter, and dart, As if they were nothing but wings and a heart ! Why, verily, if it were left me to choose. This tropical beauty I 'd willingly lose If suddenly, swiftly, one rapturous thrill This bright little throat with a song-burst would fill. 290 THE STUFFED BIRD. 291 And these glad wings all quickened and eager for flight Would flash through the window and soar out of sight. I think not a sigh from my dearie or me Would wish back the captive that life had set free. 'T is the absence of life where life has once stirred That makes this poor bird so unlike a bird That even its splendor, a weariness grown, Enchants us no longer with charms of its own. So lifeless it is that one must needs strive To so much as believe it was ever alive. Ah, see what a contrast ! — look, dearie, and see That little brown bird in the evergreen tree, With no beauty to boast of, and one little note Like a musical throb in its live little throat ! Incessant it flits through the branches, and now Darts outward and up to the loftiest bough In the joy of mere being to carol and swing ! Why, that is a creature, but this is a thing I THE BABY I LOVE. npHIS is the baby I love ! -*- The baby that cannot talk ; The baby that cannot walk ; The baby that just begins to creep ; The baby that 's cuddled and rocked to sleep ; Oh, this is the baby I love ! This is the baby I love ! The baby that 's never cross ; The baby papa can toss ; The baby that crows when held aloft ; The baby that 's rosy and round and soft ! Oh, this is the baby I love ! * This is the baby I love ! The baby that laughs when I peep To see is it still asleep ; The baby that coos and frowns and blinks "When left alone — as it sometimes thinks ; Oh, this is the baby I love ! 292 THE BABY I LOVE. 293 This is the baby I love ! The baby that lies on my knee And dimples and smiles at me While I strip it, and bathe it, and kiss it — oh ! — Till with bathing and kissing 't is all aglow ; Yes, this is the baby I love ! This is the baby I love ! The baby all freshly dressed ; That waking is never at rest ; That plucks at my collar and pulls my hair Till I look like a witch, but I do not care ; Oh, this is the baby I love ! This is the baby I love ! The baby that understands ; And dances with feet and hands And a sweet little whinnying eager cry For the nice warm breakfast that waits it close by ; Oh, this is the baby I love ! This is the baby I love ! The baby that tries to talk ; The baby that longs to walk ; And oh ! its mamma will wake some day To find that her baby has — run away 1 My baby — the baby I love ! HER OWN LITTLE EOOM. T T ERE is my own little room ; •^ -^ Fair as a lily in bloom — That is what mother dear said. Just see how lovely it looks ! Here are my desk and books, Here is my own little bed. This is my sewing-chair ; That is my work-box there, Everything I shall use ; Thimble and scissors and thread, Stocking-ball — darning I dread ! Emery, needles to choose. Soon as I learned to sew, Mend my own linen, you know. Take all the care for my own. Dusting and making my bed, Mother always has said, " Sister shall room all alone." 294 HER OWN LITTLE ROOM. 295 Not that the children may Not be allowed here to play Sometimes when they are good ; But when I 'm reading, you know, Komping and shouting they go ; Then I want solitude. Here I shall often sit, (Mother can read and knit !) Resting my book on this shelf. Here my birdie will swing Bight overhead, the dear thing, Singing away to himself. Pictures ? O yes, I forget ! This is " S. Margaret,'* — None of them costly, but dear - This is " Aurora " and this — This is " The Playmate's Kiss," And " Jesus and Mary " here. Here in the winter time I shall have ivies to climb ; And my Hermosa rose, All through the winter in bloom, How it will brighten my room ! I shall forget that it snows. 296 BER OWN LITTLE ROOM. This prett}^ student-lamp 's mine ; I may sit up until nine, But I shall join mother dear Till I come up for the night, So I my candle shall light Unless she sits with me here. Sometimes my friends will come in ; Very soon I shall begin Asking them duly to come. Here I mean to " receive ; " Oh, you may laugh, but believe ! For this is my home in my home ! "VIVE LA EETNE." T T 7ITH tlie robin for poet-laureate, ^ ' And the may flowers for her train, And her innocence for her robe of state, The baby began her reign. The pretty head with its curly crown Knows nothing of royal woes ; For love is softer than eider-down. And yieldeth her sweet repose. There are loyal and loving hearts alone In the wee one's fair domain ; And they make the robin's song their own, Tor he singeth, " Vive la Reine ! " 297 THE FAIEY TAPEK. A BOVE me all the stars of night "^^^ Thick clustering make the darkness bright ; And in the darkling grass below Shines out with swift, responsive glow A tiny, steadfast, lucid ray, Anon as swiftly dies away. Again it comes ; again it goes ; And still with equal lustre glows. Now I bethink me 't is the light Of some sweet fairy of the night ; A taper-flame of emerald hue Put out by silver showers of dew ! But oh the invisible hands that bear The fairy candlestick in air, — To see them strike the fairy light And lift the flame in mortal sight, To guide her hastening lover true The forest of the grasses through ! Fall faster yet an fall you must. Small dew that lays the fairy dust ! Oft as you quench her lovely light This little lady of the night 298 THE FAIRY TAPER. 299 Will still renew the gem-like flame That hour by hour will burn the same ; While lover fond and lady true Defy the darkness and the dew ! " AVho told you ? " (whispered in my ear.) A little Glow-worm told me, dear ! KNITTING SONG. OTITCH by stitcli and row on row, ^-^ This is the way the stocking must grow. Clickety, clickety, day by day The slender, glittering needles say. Hush-a-bye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. Pearl and plain and plain and pearl, Be it for boy or be it for girl ; Two and two is a neat device ; Learn to shift the thread in a trice. Hush-a-bye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. Inch by inch the long leg grows, Straight and narrow for fitting close ; A very poor leg, is the saying well known. That cannot shape a sock of its own. Hush-a-bye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. 300 KNITTING SONG. 301 Count the stitches and halve them now, And one half set in a single row, And back and forth outside and in Knit the heel on the single pin. Hush-a-hye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. Knit it long and narrow midway To round it ; and bind it off, as we say ; Take up the loops on either side And add a few more to make it wide. Hush-a-bye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. Now each side narrow or slip and bind, To shape the instep, as you will find ; Then knit straight on till you near the toe ; This is the way the foot must grow. Hush-a-bye, Baby, Grandmother sings ; Hither and thither the cradle swings. Then narrow once more and narrow away, Toeing it off, as knitters say. There is a stocking fit for an heir ! Now knit the mate for he must have a pair ! Hush-a-bye, Baby ; when you are grown Your feet may be worthy to climb to a throne ! THE KING'S SUEVEYOE. f~^ OME, little one, this is " our time/' you know ; ^-^ Too late to read and too late to sew, Yet too early the evening lamp to light, — It is not day and it is not night. The fresh stick crackles and blazes and sings, And the shadows wave round us like dusky wings ; On the ivory key-board flame-fingers play, — It is not night and it is not day. While you perch on my knee in the twilight time, I tell you the tale — I chant you the rhyme : Now here is a story you have not heard, — It is true ; I give it you word for word. Once on a time in this quaint old town Whose brown roofs are slow to tumble down, While turrets and spires are slower yet To fill their places and banish regret, — Once on a time in the neighborhood fair Of the stateliest mansion in Haymarket Square, On the rocks where a church has since been reared, The shanty of Shepherd Ham appeared. 302 THE KING'S SURVEYOR. 303 The King's Surveyor once was he ; In the forest on man}^ a noble tree, Ere the Eed Coats the conquering Colonists met, The royal arrow he loftily set. But when he could serve his King no more, And his silver lace was a thing of yore, He opened a stable — the proud old Tory — And fed his pride on his former glory. Now close was he as the bark to the tree, And the older he grew the worse grew he j The rickety coach and the unshod brute Soon brought his stalls into disrepute. One by one and day by day Shepherd's patrons fell away ; But his lank-ribbed horses, as odd as himself, He would not part with for love or pelf. A queer old man he was indeed ! In the Portsmouth " Eambles " you may read How he dwelt for j^ears in his hut alone, Old saddles and trappings round him strewn ; Old sleighs, old coaches, old chaises beside. Wherein even ghosts would not risk them to ride ; And around his shanty far and near Wheels and axles and useless gear. 304 THE KING'S SURVEYOR. William his name ; yet low and higli Called him " Shepherd/' — I know not why, Unless it may be he was wont to keep His flock of horses as shepherds their sheep. His long beard sweeping the faded vest Carelessly buttoned across his breast, In his clumsy boots and corduroys, Teased and courted by all the boys, The old man went on his daily rounds, Rich in importance though poor in pounds, Peeling old honors about him cling. And praying persistently, " God save the King ! " Under and over him horse-skins spread, The old man slept on his comfortless bed, Unvexed by the raid of rats in his den So his worm-eaten treasures were safe from men. The moth and the mouse they lacked no food, But well-nigh deserted his stables stood, For the crib was empty, the rack was bare, And the beast would starve that waited there. So up and down, up and down. Shepherd's horses roamed the town. From morn till noon and from noon till night, Pausing wherever they found a bite. THE KING'S SURVEYOR. 305 Yet a kindly care old Shepherd showed For the creatures he pastured on the road ; In gathering storms he sought his flock From Frenchman's Lane to Puddle Dock. As he drove his shaggy herd before From Wibird's Hill to Christian Shore, Merrily would the town's folk say : " The careful Shepherd is coming this way ! " Now the boys — well, boys will be boys, you know ; And sixty or seventy years ago They were ripe for mischief and ready for play As the rogues who run from the rod to-day. And if one of those lads, overflowing with fun, In Broad Street, or Jaffrey, or Islington, Spied one of those horses of Shepherd Ham, How could he leave him to browse like a lamb ! Some little trick with the burr-tangled tail Switching the poor beast's flanks like a flail ; No evil he meant, but all he could do He could not help playing a prank or two. One morning, while slumber seemed yet to drown The first faint hum of the drowsy town, And Nature herself in her mist-spun cap Indulged in an innocent morning nap. 306 THE KING'S SURVEYOR. Some workmen, beguiling their early walk With simple, cheery, jovial talk, Went up Church Hill where St. John's cloth stand Looking out o'er the water and in o'er the land. They had wrought on the belfry long days before, And were come to take up their toil once more. And the staging whereby they reached that height They lifted at morning and lowered at night. Midway up the hillside a boisterous shout From the trio of honest throats rang out, For lo ! the staging swung high in air. And — "What in the world is that up there ! " Surely it is — but can it be ? — An old horse gazing out to sea ; With sleepy eyes and listless ears, As if he had gazed and gazed for years ! Did he follow some dim receding sail ? It is not recorded in the tale ; But I '11 venture to add the workmen swore No horse ever stood so near heaven before. When the village had fairly opened its eyes, Fancy the merriment and surprise That followed its wake as the story flew round How the ancient horse on the staging was found ! THE KING'S SURVEYOR, 307 But at noon when the urchins broke from school, And tossing their caps snapped their fingers at rule, Of all the bright eyes in the crowd not one Betrayed the author of last night's fun ! "IF YOU WERE A BEE.'* T F you were a bee, if you were a bee, -*" What flower would you love best ? If you were a bird, a blithe little bird, Where would you build your nest ? The heart of a rose and the hawthorn close, Are these the places you 'd seek ? But Mother's warm breast is Baby's dear nest. Baby's sweet rose is her cheek. When blossoms turn pale and honey-cups fail And nests grow cold with the year, More warm grows the breast, and the cheek you have prest Dearer and yet more dear. 308 THE LITTLE BEGGAE. A LL that you ask is one kiss, Petite ; Just one wee kiss, and no more ? Did ever a beggar half so sweet Stand begging at any door For so foolish a thing before ! Kiss you once and you '11 go away ? But I know better than this ; If I kiss you once you are sure to stay, And there the mischief is In giving you one wee kiss. Once in my arms and you cannot go, Sweet beggar turned captive sweet ! For I shall kiss you and kiss you so That you will begin to entreat, " Please put me down on my feet ! " You are not afraid ? Then come, my Pet I Away with my book and my pen ! Here goes ! — Enough ? Not yet, not yet ! There ! — give me back kisses ten, And then — come a-begging again ! 309 WE DO NOT KNOW. T^EAE. child, dear child, we do not know "*-^ Why sorrows come and pleasures go, Why oft we fail when most we try, But God knows why And we shall all know by and by. We do not know, we cannot tell, But oh the Father knoweth well Why one is rich and one is fair, One sick with care, And this world's poor are everywhere. We walk in darkness but He sees And shows us gently by degrees And step by step the hidden way, If we but pray, " Lord, make me follow Thee alway." We must be patient till the end And leave to Him the way we wend ; For never here our eyes can see The plan that He In mercy plans for you and me. 310 WE DO NOT KXOW. 311 Our best is ill, our worst perhaps His pity counts a lesser lapse ; But every sin is very black And turns us back Erom duty's straight and shining track. Sweet is the fear that will not dare Forget His law or spurn His care, And sweeter still the love that saith With every breath, " Lord, make me faithful unto death." |. l i » I »l I M t^ IN THE DARK. T KNOW it is dark, my darling, ^ And fearful the darkness seems, But shut your eyes ! in a moment The night will be bright with dreams ; Or better, you '11 sleep so sound all night It will seem but a moment till morning light. There is only one kind of darkness That need to trouble us, dear ; Only the night of temptation. And then we must all of us fear. But even then if we are but brave There is One who is ever at hand to save. We have only to ask Him to help us, And He will shield us from harm ; Only to whisper, " Jesus ; " His Name is a holy charm ; " Jesus, save me," we need but say And the night of temptation will flee away. 312 IN THE DARK. 313 " How can He be always near us, Near all of us, everywhere ? " Ah, that is beyond our knowing, But there is no bound to His care ; And dear as the whole big world in His sight Is the little child He bids Good-night. TO MY GODSON, C. E. H. (Sexagesima, 1886.) A YEAR ago I received you, dear child, ■^ -^ From the waters of Baptism ; on your brow The sign of the Kingdom undefiled, — The sign that the angels see there now. It was then that the bond between us was made — Godson and godmother, you and I ; When the precious burden on me was laid That you will lift from me by and by. Yes, that was only a year ago By the Church's reckoning, little one ; One of these days my boy will know What godmother means and what godson. I almost trembled to take you that day, Half lost in the long, fair robes that you wore ; How tiny you looked, and how helpless you lay. While your downy head in my palm I upbore. 314 TO MY GODSON, C. E. H. 315 But already, my boy, you are running about On those adventurous little feet, Midst the circle of sisters who laugh and shout At your baby frolics and lispings sweet. The mirth that is masked in a rueful look How swiftly you answer with gleeful eyes ! How you fling down the bauble and seize the book, Discerning without discerning the prize ! Yesterday's favors you claim to-day ; And oh, with what artless stratagem, Eluding all tactics, you make your way, O'ermatching the wit that your progress would hem. But already, too, you are learning, I know, The tender restraint, the loving control Of the sweetest home in the world ; and oh, The blessing henceforward to body and soul ! My dear little godson, my beautiful boy, On this, the day of your mystical birth, I will not give you a fragile toy — I cannot give you a gift of worth. So I clasp you close to my heart, and pray That the sign the angels see there now, God's priceless gift to you, day by day Brighter and brighter may burn on your brow. 316 TO MY GODSON, C. E. H. Brighter and brighter, as year by j^ear You are taught to follow His blessed will, Kept in his steadfast love and fear, Fighting and overcoming still. Brighter and brighter, as boyhood speeds, And youth and manhood pass awaj'", And the shining path of obedience leads On to the light of the perfect day. A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SERMON. r^ HILDREN dear, I heard ye say : ^-^ " Morrows, haste and haste away ; Bring the merry Christmas Day ! " Blithest Carol, sweetest Chime, Hearts that dance to peal and rhyme. Welcome in the happy time ! " Starry Tree, shine out anew, Glittering as with golden dew, Gay with fruits of every hue ! " This is what ye said, I trow : Little children, hearken now Ere ye pluck the freighted hough ; Ponder what the Carols mean ; What the Chime rung out between. What the laden Evergreen. " Glory be to God Most High ! " Sang His angels in the sky When the Lord to men drew nigh. 317 318 ^ LITTLE CHRISTMAS SERMON. " Peace on eartli — good will and peace ; Love shall reign, and wrong shall cease j He is born, — the Prince of Peace ! '^ Just for love of us He came, Took His sweetly tender Name — Jesus! stooped to our shame. " I will save you,'' — thus He said ; " I am Life ; your life is dead ; I will give you life instead ! " Little children, closest pressed To the loving Saviour's breast. Surely ye must love Him best ! This is love, — to do His will ; Speaking truth ; forsaking ill ; Bearing and forbearing still ; Battling selfishness within (Where He only sees the sin) Till through Him at last ye win ; Sorrowing over evil wrought — Open deed or secret thought ; Straightway doing as ye ought ; A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SERMON. 319 Blessing all for His dear sake, As His blessing ye i^artake ; Happier; thus, His world to make. This is love ; a service light, Dojie with all your little might: None shall fail to do it right. Let your little hearts reply To the angels in the sky : " Love shall reign eternally ! " God is love forevermore ; Love we Him, and Him adore In the Christ-Child born of yore." Let your lives ring out His praise Like a chime His finger sways : Sweet as carols be your days. Beautiful with holiness. Let your daily deeds confess In whose Name ye seek to bless. This is what the Carols mean ; What the Chime rung clear between ; What the bounteous Evergreen. THE HOLY CHILD. A KE you thinking, dear child, '^^^ Of Jesus the Lord when He was a Child, And blessed Mary the Mother mild With heart love-troubled and eyes intent So tenderly watched Him as He went, Beyond all innocence innocent. On holy and unguessed errands bent ? Are you dreaming, dear child. Of the heavenly mien of that Wonderful Child ; The look He wore when He spake or smiled ; The healing balm of His touch and tear ; The sweet voice, marvel to every ear, That drew all the children far and near (Because it was Love's and love is dear) ? Are you longing, dear child, To be like the Lord when He was a Child ? E-emember : the Christ-Boy undefiled, So meek and lowly, so reverent, Yet filling the wise with wonderment. And crowned with all favor as He went, Was, first and last, obedient. 320 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 117 840 8