Class 
 
 Book 
 
 Copyright^ . 
 
 COPS-RIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
tTLora U ransmuta 
 
 A CALENDAR OF TRANSLATIONS 
 
 MARIA BOWEN 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 SHERMAN, FRENCH £ COMPANY 
 
 1913 
 
?ti&02o 
 
 ,B 7 
 
 Copyright, 1913 
 Sherman, Frexch & Company 
 
 ©CI.A358764 
 
d 
 
 <3 
 
 7r TO 
 
 E. A. G. 
 These translations were begun to occupy 
 hours of convalescence, and continued 
 because words insisted on coming to 
 fit into versions of favorite poems. 
 No one knows better than the trans- 
 lator all their shortcomings, but even a 
 booh of pressed flowers may give some 
 idea of the beauty of the living originals. 
 You encouraged the first attempts; 
 will you accept these, and judge them 
 as leniently as you judged the others? 
 
TABLE OF AUTHORS 
 
 LATIN: 
 
 Anonymous 172, 173, 192 
 
 St. Ambrose 178 
 
 St. Bernard 22 
 
 St. Bona ventura 59, 151 
 
 Catullus 86 
 
 Claudian i. . 52 
 
 St. Gregory , 23 
 
 Hadrian 131 
 
 Horace 90, 91, 113 
 
 Johnson, S i. . 171 
 
 Juvenal 26, 98 
 
 X Kempis i. . . 21, 54 
 
 Lucretius , 74, 85, 86, 89 
 
 Martial 9, 87, 93, 107 
 
 110, 113, 119, 123, 129, 134, 144, 158, 
 172, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 187 
 
 Milton 183, 184 
 
 N^evius i 90 
 
 Ovid 3, 29, 30, 65, 105 
 
 119, 138, 162, 167 
 Plautus 52 
 
 POLITIAN i 131 
 
 Pope Leo XIII 75 
 
Prudentius 158 
 
 Roman Breviary, passim. 
 
 Terence k 118 
 
 Virgil 60, 115, 117, 125, 
 
 127, 130, 132, 147, 148, 151, 152, 165, 
 
 183, 185 
 
 Warton 172 
 
 Zenodotus i 98 
 
 ITALIAN: 
 
 Chiabrera 64, 109 
 
 Dante 21 
 
 Machiavelli i 141 
 
 Metastasio 1 
 
 Petrarch 152 
 
 Sacchetti ; 41 
 
 Sannazaro 18 
 
 Strozzi 91, 97, 105, 166 
 
 Tasso t 68, 69, 70, 71, 
 
 100, 129, 141 
 
 SPANISH: 
 
 Anonymous 78, 161, 193, 194 
 
 Lista, Alberto 92 
 
 Proverbs 17 
 
 Rita, Lopez de, 160 
 
 FRENCH: 
 
 Beranger ,. . . . 190 
 
 Berat 115 
 
 Etienne 125 
 
 Florian 70 
 
 Froissart i 94 
 
Gouffe, Armand 25, 142 
 
 Hugo, Victor 65 
 
 Musset, Alfred de 110, 127, 143, 
 
 146, 156 
 
 d'Orleans, Charles 95 
 
 Planard, E. de Ill 
 
 Ronsard 12, 27 
 
 Segur ( 43 
 
 Taille, Jean de la 40, 41 
 
 GERMAN: 
 
 Agricola, J 102 
 
 Anonymous 92, 155 
 
 Arndt 139 
 
 Arnim 19 
 
 Bechstein 58 
 
 Fallersleben, H. von i. . 159 
 
 Fouque 17 
 
 Geibel 124 
 
 Gleim 48 
 
 Goethe v 21, 22, 30, 48, 
 
 53, 60, 80, 98, 103, 112, 122, 123, 133, 
 143, 145, 150, 164, 191, 194, 195 
 
 Gotz 79 
 
 Hebel 13, 76, 89 
 
 Heine , 11, 61, 96, 109, 
 
 126, 133, 144, 146, 147, 182, 188 
 
 Herder 19, 185, 189 
 
 kosegarten 44 
 
 Krummacher , 28 
 
 LOEBEN 117 
 
 Luther 1, 23, 60, 101, 137, 
 
 141, 142, 160, 165, 190, 191, 193 
 
Maltitz, A. von , 10 
 
 Meissner, A 101 
 
 Mosen 72 
 
 Neumann , 20 
 
 Ruckert 96, 157 
 
 ScHEFER, L 2 
 
 Schiller , 3, 9, 118, 185 
 
 Schlegel, A. W 134, 140 
 
 Schopenhauer 153 
 
 Seume 54 
 
 Spitta, Karl 50, 148 
 
 Tanner 119 
 
 Tieck 116 
 
 TlEDGE 52 
 
 Trinius 51, 67 
 
 Uhland 22, 47, 59, 74 
 
 Voss i 73 
 
 FOLK-SONGS: , 29, 97, 124, 133 
 
 CHAUCER: 15, 55, 62, 63, 80, 
 
 149, 163, 174, 181 
 
FLORA TRANSMUTA 
 
January 1 
 
 Without this Love, 
 What would become of all the spheres that move, 
 The earth, the sea? By its own torch's flare 
 The stars are colored ; light and order fair 
 It ministers to them ; in peace maintains 
 The elements' discordance ; hill and plains 
 It joins, and with eternal circling sweep, 
 Which seems but chance, and yet is wisdom deep, 
 It forms, unforms, and then renews the world. 
 
 Metastasio. 
 
 January 2 
 
 When Dr. Martin Luther saw the cattle going 
 to pasture, he said : " There go our preachers, 
 the milk-carriers, butter-carriers, cheese-carri- 
 ers, wool-carriers, who preach to us daily belief 
 in God, that we should trust in Him as our 
 Father, should trust that He cares for us and 
 will feed us." 
 
 January 3 
 
 COURAGE 
 
 heart, cease thy despairing, 
 
 Fling off thy heavy yoke ! 
 Thou hast so much been bearing, 
 
 Canst bear alike this stroke. 
 
 1 
 
jFIora Crangmuta 
 
 Put on thy shining armor, 
 
 My heart, be free and brave ! 
 Much harder work and warmer 
 
 Than love-songs must thou crave. 
 And though thy breast is bleeding, 
 
 Still onward go and fight ! 
 Thou know'st how sweet exceeding 
 
 The swan sings in death's night. 
 
 Geibee. 
 
 January 4 
 
 ENEMIES 
 
 When thou dost find that thou hast enemies, 
 Then be thou glad, for all are not yet good. 
 Although thou needst not boast, be not ashamed 
 That thou hast enemies — who has them not 
 Nor can bear with them, of no friend is worthy. 
 
 January 5 
 
 But be thou truest friend to every foe, 
 And cease not still to give them words and looks, 
 Example, silence, and long-suffering patience, 
 And self-restraint, to thee most heavy burden ! 
 The good man is of highest praise most worthy 
 Who can win back the foolish to good ways. 
 
 L. Schefer. 
 
JFlora Cransmiua 3 
 
 January 6 
 
 Wouldst thou know thyself, watch how others 
 
 are acting — 
 Wouldst thou understand others, look in thine 
 
 own deep heart. 
 
 Schiller. 
 
 January 7 
 
 MIDAS 
 
 Silenus, staggering with years and wine, 
 The Phrygian peasants held in bondage fine 
 Of woven garlands, and to Midas brought, 
 Their King, whom Orpheus and Eumolpus 
 
 taught 
 The Bacchic rites ; and he, soon as he knew 
 His old companion 'midst the jovial crew, 
 Straightway commanded feasts should still 
 
 renew 
 Through twice five days, and nights in order 
 
 due. 
 
 January 8 
 
 And now the eleventh morn had forced to yield 
 The starry host, when to the Lydian field 
 The King came joyful, and Silenus brought 
 Back to his youthful pupil, who had sought 
 Him long, and now in gratitude decreed 
 The grant of any boon desired as meed. 
 
jFlora Crattsmuta 
 
 He says, with choice as vain as it is bold: 
 " Cause that whate'er I touch be turned to 
 
 gold ! " 
 Bacchus assents to the beseeching King, 
 Grieved that he should not ask a better thing. 
 
 January 9 
 
 Midas departs all joyful, and he tries, 
 Scarcely believing, if the promise lies. 
 A green branch from an ilex-tree he breaks ; 
 Golden it grows as it his touch forsakes. 
 He lifts a little stone from off the ground; 
 Its color tinged with gold is straightway found. 
 The clods themselves before his potent touch 
 Become pure lumps of gold; his power is such 
 That ears of corn all gorgeous to behold 
 Are seen when he has plucked them. 
 
 January 10 
 
 If he hold 
 An apple from the tree, you would have told 
 Yourself the Hesperides had given the fruit; 
 And if his fingers touch the doors, they shoot 
 Bright radiance forth, and glitter far and near. 
 E'en when he wished in water flowing clear 
 To lave his hands, the water would appear 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 Fit to deceive fair Danae. His mind 
 An end to golden joys can scarcely find. 
 Attendants come to spread his ample board, 
 Piled up with food, with bread and all things 
 stored. 
 
 January 11 
 
 Then when the gifts of Ceres felt his hand, 
 Stiffened with gold before him did they stand; 
 And when he tried to bite them, in good sooth, 
 Hard metal pressed against his eager tooth. 
 Did he mix wine with water, fusile gold 
 Flowed through his mouth, congealing fast to 
 
 cold. 
 Astonished at this novelty of ill, 
 And rich and poor at once, his granted will 
 He fain would flee from, and his former love 
 Can now nought else but utter hatred move. 
 
 January 12 
 
 His hunger no abundance now relieves ; 
 
 His throat burns, and just torments he receives. 
 
 To heaven his arms all shining does he raise ; 
 
 " Pardon, Lenaeus ! I have sinned," he says ; 
 
 " Have pity, and the specious gift remove." 
 
 Mild Bacchus, looking gracious from above, 
 
 Restores the one whom conscience did reprove. 
 
6 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 " That thou mayst from the hated gold be freed, 
 Go," says he, " to the stream near Sardis' mead. 
 Along the bank betake thy way, and mount 
 Until thou comest to the river's fount, 
 Then plunge thy head where most the bubbles 
 
 strike, 
 And cleanse thy body and thy crime alike." 
 
 January 13 
 
 The King obeys. The golden powers fall 
 From off his body, tingeing stream and all. 
 E'en at the present time, the fields are pale, 
 The wet clods gleaming with the golden hail. 
 Now, hating wealth, he cared for wood and field, 
 And for the god whom mountain caverns shield. 
 But he remained still heavy in his mind, 
 His stupid thoughts still harmful did he find. 
 
 January 14 
 
 All lofty stands great Tmolus, gazing wide, 
 Upon the sea, with steep, ascending side. 
 Here Sardis, there Hypaepa stands beside. 
 Here for the Nymphs Pan makes his shepherd 
 
 songs, 
 On the waxed reed that to the god belongs. 
 And as he dared to place his lays before 
 Apollo's, Tmolus' judgment they implore. 
 
jFJora Cransmuta 
 
 The judge takes seat upon his mountain 
 
 crowned 
 With trees he clears away: his locks are bound 
 With a green oak-wreath, acorns hanging round. 
 
 January 15 
 
 Looking upon the shepherd god, he said: 
 
 " The judge is ready." Then Pan raised his 
 
 head, 
 And set his lip against the pipe and blew, 
 And pleased King Midas with the sound so new. 
 Midas by chance was there. Then Tmolus' 
 
 face 
 He turned to Phoebus, and his woods apace 
 Turned also. His fair head with laurel 
 
 crowned, 
 His T}a-ian mantle sweeping o'er the ground, 
 Apollo held his lyre with gems inlaid 
 And ivory, the while his right hand swayed 
 The moving plectrum, and his pose betrayed 
 The artist in his power. 
 
 January 16 
 
 Then the sweet strings 
 He strikes, and, captured as he sings, 
 Tmolus commands the Pan-pipes to submit 
 Unto the cithara, as is most fit. 
 
8 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 This judgment pleases all except the King; 
 Midas alone calls it an unjust thing. 
 The Delian suffers not, in wrathful storm, 
 Such stolid ears to keep their human form. 
 He draws them out in length and fills with hairs, 
 And makes them movable, and so impairs 
 One part alone, in vengeance to bestow 
 Long asses' ears, that slowly moving go. 
 
 January 17 
 
 Midas indeed conceals them all he can, 
 And veils his loaded temples with the span 
 Of purple turban, but the servant, who 
 Was wont to cut his locks, had seen and knew. 
 He, when he does not dare to publish plain 
 What he has seen, nor silent can remain, 
 Goes off and digs a hole within the ground, 
 And whispers into it what he has found; 
 Then covers with the earth he threw away, 
 And satisfied and silent, goes his way. 
 
 January 18 
 
 A growth of trembling reeds began to rise, 
 And soon as it had ripened to full size, 
 It did betray its planter; for when soft 
 The south wind blows, full many a time and oft, 
 The buried words it whispers, and betrays 
 The master's secret, and his ears' disgrace. 
 Ovid. Me'tamorphoses XI, 85-193. 
 
iTIora Cransmuta 9 
 
 January 19 
 
 Into the ocean wide Youth sails with a hun- 
 dred masts. 
 
 Back to the harbor glides, in his boat, Old Age 
 at last. 
 
 Schiller. 
 
 January 20 
 
 The winter brings thee wreaths, O Cassar, for 
 
 thy throne, 
 The roses once belonged to spring, but now they 
 
 are thine own. 
 
 This wild asparagus shall be 
 As pleasant, my friend, to thee, 
 As that most tender thorn 
 Ravenna's shore has born. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 January 21 
 
 COURAGE 
 
 Courage has still and quiet bearing, 
 As still as patience and as strong; 
 
 No helm or sword it needs to carry. 
 It rushes not in victory's throng- 
 
io jHora Cransmuta 
 
 Courage the bride has at the altar, 
 
 With eyes cast down and hands in fold ; 
 
 Courage the mother has who standeth 
 Beside her husband lying cold. 
 
 The laurel wreath repays the battle, 
 
 Rewards but cool courageous heart; 
 The deepest sorrow faints in silence, 
 
 No blood comes from the deepest smart. 
 He is the knight, he is the soldier, 
 
 Who in the conflict falls and dies ; 
 He who complains not is true warrior, 
 
 He hero is who never sighs. 
 
 A. von Maltitz. 
 
 January 22 
 
 If you need doctors, take these three as best : 
 A cheerful mind, moderate food, and rest. 
 
 Maxim of School of Health at Salerno. 
 
 January 23 
 
 Often you ask, O Priscus, what I'd do, 
 If I grew rich, and of a sudden too. 
 Whom do you think his future waj^s can see? 
 Were you a lion, what sort would you be? 
 
 Martial. 
 
jHora Cransmuta 11 
 
 January 24? 
 
 EVENING 
 
 We sat in the fisherman's cottage, 
 And looked out over the sea; 
 
 The evening clouds were coming 
 And rising mistily. 
 
 The lights within the lighthouse 
 
 Were kindled one by one, 
 And in the furthest distance 
 
 We saw a ship alone. 
 
 We spoke of storm and shipwreck, 
 
 Of how the sailor lives, 
 And 'tween the sky and water, 
 
 'Twixt joy and anguish strives. 
 
 We spoke of distant coastlands, 
 Of the South and of the North, 
 
 And of the outland customs 
 That foreigners bring forth. 
 
 January 25 
 
 Of Ganges' light and fragrance, 
 Where trees gigantic tower, 
 
 And handsome, quiet natives 
 Kneel to the lotus flower; 
 
12 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 Of Lapland's dirty people, 
 
 Low-browed, wide-mouthed, and small, 
 How round the fire they bake their fish, 
 
 And scream and gabble all. 
 
 The maidens listened earnest 
 
 Till silence came at last; 
 The ship we saw no longer, 
 
 The night grew dark so fast. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 January 26 
 
 When you are very old, at eve, by candlelight, 
 
 Sitting beside the fire, spinning and winding 
 
 thread, 
 You will croon my verses o'er, and in wonder 
 
 will have said 
 Ronsard sang thus of me when my beauty was 
 
 so bright. 
 Then there will be no maid who (hearing you 
 
 repeat 
 Such words), however tired and falling half 
 
 asleep 
 Will not at Ronsard's name start up and wake- 
 ful keep, 
 Ronsard who crowned your head with immortal 
 
 praises sweet. 
 I shall be under ground, and, a thin and wan- 
 
 d'ring guest, 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 13 
 
 Among the laurelled shades I shall take my 
 
 well-earned rest; 
 While you crouch o'er the fire, a woman old 
 
 and gray, 
 Regretting all my love and all your bitter scorn. 
 Oh ! trust me, live to-day, and wait not for the 
 
 morn ; 
 Gather, while yet you can, the roses in your 
 
 way. 
 
 RoNSARD. 
 
 January 27 
 
 THE BOY IN THE STRAWBERRY-BED 
 
 A child ran off into the wood 
 
 One Sunday afternoon ; 
 A place he found where red and good 
 
 Wild strawberries grew, and soon 
 He picks and eats all he can eat, 
 And thinks : " This is my evening treat." 
 
 A rustling comes among the leaves ; 
 
 A lovely Boy appears. 
 He wears a coat like silverdust, 
 
 A golden wand he bears. 
 He shines like sunlight on the snow; 
 Nought like it all one's life can show. 
 
14 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 January 28 
 
 Then speaks the Boy: " What eat you there? 
 
 With you I will go shares ! " 
 " Nothing," the little chap replies, 
 
 And lifts no cap, but stares. 
 Then says the Boy: "Thou eastest nought? 
 Rude child, then shall it profit nought." 
 
 The Boy is gone, and all the trees 
 
 Stand wrapt in fragrance rare, 
 A lovely Angel flies thereout, 
 
 Up into the blue air; 
 The child stands gazing as at bay, 
 Then rubs his head, and runs away. 
 
 January 29 
 
 Since then, no happiness he has 
 In eating berries more; 
 
 I never have seen such a sight, 
 They please not as before. 
 
 He may eat handfuls at his will, 
 
 And yet his hunger is not still. 
 
 What lesson do I find in this 
 For every child? One must 
 
 Be friendly to each stranger-man, 
 With word and greeting just, 
 
JFIora Crart0muta 15 
 
 And lift his cap at the right time, 
 Or shame will follow on the crime. 
 
 Hebel. 
 
 January 30 
 
 CHANTICLEER 
 
 A widow poor, somewhat advanced in age, 
 Was whilom dwelling in a small cottage, 
 Beside a grove, and standing in a dale. 
 This widow, whom I tell of in my tale, 
 Since that same day that she was last a wife, 
 In patience led a full simple life. 
 For little was her chattel and her rent: 
 By husbandry of such as God her sent, 
 She found herself, and eke her daughters two. 
 Three large good sows she had, three and no mo : 
 Three cows, and eke a sheep that she called Mall. 
 Full sooty was her bower and her hall, 
 In which full many a slender meal she eat ; 
 Of piquant sauce she knew not, never a bit. 
 No dainty morsel passed through her throat; 
 Her diet was according to her cot. 
 Repletion did never make her sick; 
 Attempered diet was all her physic, 
 And exercise, and heart's good suffisance. 
 The gout did never hinder her from dance, 
 Nor did quick apoplexy hurt her head. 
 
16 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 January 31 
 
 No wine she drank, neither the white nor red: 
 Her board was served most with white and black, 
 Milk and brown bread, in which she found no 
 
 lack, 
 Singed bacon, and sometimes an egg or twain; 
 For she was, as it were, a dairymaid. 
 
 A yard she had, enclosed all about 
 With sticks, and with a dry ditch too without, 
 In which she had a cock called Chanticleer. 
 In all the land his crowing had no peer — 
 His voice was merrier than the merry orgon 
 On high mass days that in the church go on. 
 Full surer was his crowing in his lodge 
 Than is a clock, or any abbey orloge. 
 By nature he knew each ascension 
 Of the equinoctial in that same town ; 
 For when degrees fifteen were quite ascended, 
 Then crew he that it might not be amended. 
 
 His comb was redder than the fine coral, 
 Embattled as it were a castle wall. 
 His bill was black, and as the jet it shows; 
 Like azure were his legs and eke his toes ; 
 His nails were whiter than the lily flower, 
 And like the burned gold was his color. 
 
 Chaucer. Nun's Priest's Tale. 
 
jFIora Cran0muta 17 
 
 February 1 
 
 See that what you tie so fast, 
 You can untie at the last. 
 
 Spanish Proverb. 
 
 February 2 
 
 Dress a monkey in silk, and as fine as you will, 
 He is but a poor little monkey still. 
 
 Spanish Proverb. 
 
 February 3 
 
 The world belongs, or soon or late, 
 To him whose patience still can wait. 
 
 Sicilian. 
 
 February 4 
 
 Not all who go to church can say 
 They go for nothing but to pray. 
 
 Sicilian. 
 
 February 5 
 
 COMFORT 
 
 If all things come to meet thee, 
 
 And days were always fair, 
 If God took nothing from thee, 
 
 And gave no load to bear, 
 
is jFIota Crattsmuta 
 
 How would it be when dying, 
 
 O child of man, for thee? 
 Thou wouldst be wildly crying, 
 
 So dear the world would be. 
 
 Now one by one is falling 
 
 From thee each dearest band, 
 And cheerful canst thou journey, 
 
 Led heavenward by death's hand. 
 Thy fear is burst asunder, 
 
 Hope can her wings unfold ; — 
 This word is often spoken, 
 
 Yet none too often told. 
 
 Fouque. 
 
 February 6 
 
 CARTHAGE 
 
 Here fell the fortresses of conquered Carthage, 
 And all its towers lie ruined on the shore ; 
 Ah ! how much fear did that fierce city once 
 Bring to the fields of Latium and Laurentum ! 
 Now it is scarcely recognized, and hardly 
 Preserves its name and its far-scattered rem- 
 nants ; 
 Involved in its own ruins there it lies. 
 And should we then, unhappy race, lament, 
 When our poor body languishes through age, 
 Whilst every hour cities and kingdoms fall? 
 
 Sannazaro. 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 19 
 
 February 7 
 
 Man has three friends in this world; how do 
 they behave towards him in the hour of death, 
 when God calls him before the judgment-seat? 
 Money, his great friend, leaves him first, and 
 does not go with him at all. His friends and 
 relations go with him to the entrance of the 
 grave, and then return to their homes. The 
 third, whom in his lifetime he often forgot, is 
 the number of his good works. These alone 
 follow him to the throne of his Judge; nay, 
 they go before him, bear him witness and obtain 
 for him pardon and mercy. 
 
 Herder. 
 
 February 8 
 
 LOFTINESS 
 
 Lofty lily, lofty lily! 
 
 None so proud as you in place ; 
 
 Resting in your quiet grace, 
 Lofty lily, lofty lily ! 
 
 Glad I gaze upon your face. 
 
 Lofty cedar, lofty cedar ! 
 
 None are lonelier in their pride, 
 Yet the eagle by your side, 
 
 Lofty cedar, lofty cedar ! 
 In securest nest can bide. 
 
20 jFlota Crawsmuta 
 
 Lofty cloudbanks, lofty cloudbanks 
 Move above you proud and slow, 
 Sending down their lightnings' glow, 
 
 Lofty cloudbanks, lofty cloudbanks 
 Laying proudest forests low. 
 
 Lofty fire-flames, lofty fire-flames ! 
 Countless lilies at your source, 
 Countless forests feel your force, 
 
 Lofty fire-flames, lofty fire-flames ! 
 Whither goes your proudest course ? 
 
 Arnim. 
 
 February 9 
 
 Two little chambers has the heart, 
 
 And there within 
 Sorrow and joy each dwell apart. 
 
 If joy should ever wake in one, 
 
 Then slumbers still 
 Sorrow within its chamber lone. 
 
 O joy, take greatest care, and learn 
 
 To whisper low, 
 That sorrow wake not in its turn! 
 
 Neumann. 
 
Jflota Cransmuta 21 
 
 February 10 
 
 It is the hour when traveller's heart, 
 Turns with a homeward swell, 
 
 It is the hour when pilgrims start 
 To hear the distant bell ; 
 
 The bell that sadly seems to mourn 
 
 The day that dies without return. 
 
 Dante. 
 
 February 11 
 
 The flowers, that here are sent thee, 
 Greet thee a hundred times ! 
 
 Full often have I bent me, 
 Indeed a hundred times, 
 
 And kissed them all so gently 
 A hundred thousand times ! 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 February IS 
 
 Be humble in God's sight, 
 
 His grace thou shalt obtain; 
 
 In simple things delight, 
 
 And great shall be thy gain. 
 
 Thomas a Kempis. 
 
22 jFlora Ctansmuta 
 
 February 13 
 
 Hail, holy Cross, our only hope eternal. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 February 14 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD 
 
 You came and went, and left but little trace, 
 A fleeting guest within this earthly place ; 
 From whence, and whither? only this we know: 
 Out of God's hand, again to Him you go. 
 
 Uhland. 
 
 February 15 
 
 Pure delight and perfect sweetness 
 
 Is the love of Christ our Lord, 
 Its possessor has completeness, 
 
 Strengthened by his Master's word. 
 Earthly things he makes his climbing stair, 
 Things celestial are his only care. 
 
 St. Bernard. 
 
 February 16 
 
 Let me remember the hour and the day, and the 
 smallest occasion. 
 Ah, who does not recall gladly the days that 
 are past ! 
 
jFIota Cransimuta 23 
 
 All the sweet thronging pressure of hours joy- 
 ous and crowded, 
 Ah, who prizes enough treasure that hastens 
 to fly! 
 Small it appears at the time, but oh ! not small 
 to the heart -beat ; 
 Love and Art can alike render the smallest 
 thing great. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 February 17 
 
 Whilst his child yet lay very ill, Dr. Martin 
 Luther said : " She is very dear to me ; but, dear 
 God, since it is Thy will to take her away, I shall 
 rejoice to know she is with Thee." And while 
 she lay in bed, he said to her : " Madalina, lit- 
 tle daughter, thou stayest here right willingly 
 with thy father, and thou goest also willingly to 
 thy Father on high ! " She answered : " Yes, 
 dearest Father, as God wills." Then said her 
 father : " Ah, dear child, the spirit is willing, 
 but the flesh is weak ! " And turning round, he 
 added : " She is indeed very dear to me. If 
 the flesh is so strong, what must the spirit be? " 
 
 February 18 
 
 Drive the enemy away, 
 
 Give us peace both night and day. 
 
 Gregory the Great. .« 
 
24 iflora Cransmuta 
 
 February 19 
 
 Nail us, too, upon the Cross, 
 Where for us Thou suffered loss. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 February 20 
 
 The Lord of all commands us to be brave and 
 
 to believe, 
 And he who suffers to the end, a crown shall he 
 
 receive. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 February 21 
 
 PRAYER 
 
 Lord, whom deep in heart I love, be with me ! 
 In good and evil fortune be Thou with me ;. 
 In summer heat when manhood's cheek is brown, 
 As in youth's time of roses, be Thou with me; 
 Keep me from joy's excess and overflow, 
 And when I most despair of self, be with me. 
 Give of Thy Spirit to my song, to cleanse it, 
 And that no discord ever sound, be with me. 
 Thy blessing is as dew ; myself I'm nothing, 
 That I may dare the highest, be Thou with me. 
 O Thou my comfort, strength, and truest sun- 
 
 light, 
 Until the end of all my days be with me ! 
 
 Geibex-. 
 
JFIota Cransmuta 
 
 February 22 
 
 THE END OF DAY 
 
 The end of day 
 Freshens the plants and all their powers 
 As troubadour so gay, 
 I would my homage pay, 
 And sing the newest flowers 
 At end of day. 
 
 The end of day 
 Brings village pleasures in its train; 
 See how the shepherds gay 
 Dance and sing time away : 
 After hard work, one loves amain 
 The end of day. 
 
 The end of day 
 Brings back to lovers mystery and shade- 
 When Phoebus dulls his ray, 
 Venus takes up her sway, 
 And feasts with Mars are made 
 At end of day. 
 
 February 23 
 
 The end of day 
 Brings peace to every wildwood bird; 
 Hidden in leaves away, 
 
26 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 They fear no beak of prey, 
 And wait unseen, unheard, 
 The end of day. 
 
 The end of day 
 Often may see me into slumber fall ; 
 When death takes me away, 
 All softly I shall say: 
 'Tis only, after all, 
 The end of day. 
 
 Armand Gouffe. 
 
 February 24 
 
 WINTER SONG 
 
 How quiet art thou resting 
 In white and snowy vesting, 
 
 O 1 mother-land of ours ! 
 
 Where is the spring-time's singing, 
 The joys of summer's bringing, 
 
 And thy festal robe of flowers? 
 
 The Father, high in heaven, 
 For thee this dress has woven; 
 
 He sleeps not day nor night. 
 Then sleep thou, nor be dreary, 
 The Father wakes the weary 
 
 To newer strength and newer light. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 27 
 
 Soon will the spring-time hover, 
 
 And thou thy youth recover, 
 And life and wonder rare. 
 
 Its breath sweeps down upon thee; 
 
 Then, earth, arise, and sun thee, 
 With flowery wreath in hair. 
 
 Krummacher. 
 
 February 25 
 
 TO RUFUS 
 
 ON THE NUPTIALS OF PUDENS AND 
 CLAUDIA PEREGRINA 
 
 Rufus, Claudia Peregrina weds 
 
 My Pudens. Hymen, make thy torches 
 shine ! 
 So mingle rarest cinnamon and nard, 
 
 So blends sweet Thesean with the Massic 
 wine; 
 No better joined is elm with tender vine, 
 
 No more loves lotus water, myrtle shore. 
 May concord pure watch ever o'er their line, 
 
 And Venus smile upon them more and more. 
 May Claudia love him still when he is old, 
 And still seem young to him when many years 
 are told. 
 
 Martial. 
 
28 JFlora Cransmuta 
 
 February 26 
 
 Praestabat castas humilis fortuna Latinas, 
 Casulaa, somnique breves, et vellere tusco 
 Vexatae durasque manus, et proximus urbis 
 Annibal, et stantes Collina in turre mariti. 
 
 Juvenal. 
 
 Ce que fit la beaute des Romaines antiques 
 C'etaient leurs humbles toits, leurs vertus 
 
 domestiques, 
 Leurs doigts que l'apre laine avait faits noirs 
 
 et durs, 
 Leurs courts sommeils, leur calme, Annibal 
 
 pres des murs, 
 Et leurs maris debout sur la porte Colline. 
 
 Victor Hugo^ — L'Annee Terrible. 
 
 In lowly fortune the pure Latin matrons 
 Excelled, in modest homes, and brief repose ; 
 Their hands were roughened by the wool they 
 
 carded, 
 While Hannibal drew ever near the city, 
 And on the Colline tower their husbands 
 
 watched for him. 
 
jflora Cransmuta 29 
 
 February 27 
 
 END OF ELEGY ON TIBULLUS 
 
 If we have aught beside a shade and name, 
 
 Tibullus in Elysium shall remain. 
 
 There thou shalt meet him, with fresh ivy 
 
 crowned, 
 Catullus, by thy Calvus' arm enwound. 
 Thou too, O Gallus, spendthrift of thy blood, 
 True to thy friend, although misunderstood, 
 These shall be thy companions, worshipped 
 
 one. 
 Thy pious songs are ended now and done, 
 In quiet urn may thy bones safely rest ; 
 And earth lie lightty on thine ashes blest. 
 
 Ovid. 
 
 February 28 
 
 FOLK-SONG 
 
 O were I a wild falcon, 
 
 I would spread my wings so wide, 
 And never stoop me earthward 
 
 Till my Lord's house I descried. 
 And there with my strong pinions 
 
 I would beat at my darling's door, 
 Till bolt and bar flew open, 
 
 And my darling stood before. 
 
30 jHota Crangmuta 
 
 February 29 
 
 A GOOD PASSAGE 
 
 The clouds have departed, 
 
 The heaven is clearer, 
 And iEolus loosens 
 
 His tightly-drawn band. 
 The wind whistles shrill 
 
 And the skipper is busy; 
 Swift, swifter still 
 
 We move through the water, 
 The distance draws nearer; 
 
 I see the fair land ! 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 March 1 
 
 PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA 
 
 Now iEolus the raging winds confines, 
 And the bright morning star in heaven shines, 
 When Perseus, binding on his winged shoes, 
 From the wet grass brushes away the dews, 
 And having girded on his crooked sword, 
 Sprang from the ground, and through the 
 
 heaven soared. 
 Unnumbered nations far he leaves below, 
 And flies to Cepheus' fields, now fields of 
 
 woe — 
 Where the young daughter, for her mother's 
 
 boast, 
 
jflora Ccansmuta 31 
 
 Bound to the rocks where raging waters 
 
 tossed — 
 The son of Abas sees. At first he thought 
 The maid a work in Parian marble wrought, 
 Till, drawing nearer, Perseus then perceives 
 The rushing tears, salt as the foaming seas, 
 Flow down her mournful cheeks, and a light 
 
 breeze 
 Wave her long locks. Entranced he gazed, 
 His wings forgot to move, he stood amazed. 
 
 March % 
 
 At last he said: " O worthy, not of these, 
 But of such chains alone as join and please 
 Fond lovers — open to me, I implore, 
 Thy name, thy country's name, and further- 
 more, 
 Why thou dost bear these fetters ? " She at 
 
 first 
 Is silent, nor to look at him she durst ; 
 Her modest face she vainly sought to hide 
 With both her hands, but those poor hands 
 
 were tied. 
 All that she could, her eyes with tearful 
 
 stream 
 She filled. But, at his prayer, lest she should 
 
 seem 
 To cover up some crime, she would redeem 
 
32 jHora Ctansmuta 
 
 Her name, and tells it plain, her land and 
 
 coast, 
 And how her mother's beauty made her boast. 
 
 March 3 
 
 She had not finished, when a mighty wave 
 Broke into thunder, and a monster gave 
 Himself to view, high-towering o'er the sea, 
 And seeming to possess it utterly. 
 The maiden shrieks, and, hastening to her 
 
 cry, 
 Her sire and mother come, in misery, 
 Her mother justly. But no aid is sent, 
 Nought except floods of tears and loud 
 
 lament. 
 Then speaks the stranger : " Time enough 
 
 have you 
 For tears ; the time is short for work to do. 
 If ye would know me, I am son of Jove, 
 Perseus, whom Danae, showered from above 
 With gold, brought forth ; who conquered 
 
 snaky-haired 
 Medusa, who with borrowed wings has dared 
 Through air to pass. — A son to be pre- 
 ferred. 
 To add desert to this, I struggle hard. 
 May the gods favor ! This alone I ask, 
 This maiden to be mine, when I have done 
 my task." 
 
jHora Cransmuta 33 
 
 March 4? 
 
 They grant him this, — for who would 
 
 doubt ? — empower, 
 Pray, promise all their kingdom as a dower. 
 Behold, the dragon, as a ship from shore, 
 Cuts through the waters with its prow before, 
 Driven by sweating arms in youthful pride, — 
 So he comes on, the sea disparting wide. 
 He was as near as Balearic sling 
 Can send its lead that flies with whirling 
 
 spring, — 
 When suddenly the youth, spurning the 
 
 ground, 
 Soared to the clouds, casting his shadow 
 
 round 
 Upon the sea, in which the monster raged. 
 Then, — as the bird of Jove, who sees en- 
 gaged 
 A dragon, sunning all his livid back 
 Within a field, swoops down, and makes attack 
 Behind his neck, so that no turn avails, 
 And fixes all his talons in the scales, — 
 
 March 5 
 
 Thus headlong sent through air with swiftest 
 
 flight, 
 The son of Inachus descended light, 
 And striking the beast's shoulder from the 
 
 right, 
 
34 JFIora Crangmuta 
 
 Buried his sword up to its handle's height. 
 Stung by the wound, the dragon rises now 
 On high, and now dives down and deep below, 
 Turning at bay like to a raging boar, 
 Whom crowds of dogs surround with barking 
 
 roar. 
 Perseus evades his bites with swiftest wings, 
 And where he sees advantage, there he 
 
 springs ; 
 On back beset with shells, or sides, or tail 
 Ending like fish, his blows descend like hail. 
 
 March 6 
 
 The monster belches waves of foam and 
 
 blood. 
 Now Perseus' dripping wings no more are 
 
 good 
 For any aid, nor dares he trust to-day 
 His winged shoes, all soaking with the spray. 
 He saw the pile of rocks that stands above 
 The quiet waves, is covered when they move. 
 Struggling to this, and holding by one hand 
 Its jagged points, taking his watchful stand, 
 His sword at the beast's vitals aiming true, 
 Three and four times he drove it through 
 
 and through. 
 Applause and clamor fill the shore, and rise 
 To reach the upper region of the skies. 
 
jFIora Cransmuta 35 
 
 March 7 
 
 Cassiope, and father Cepheus too, 
 Rejoice, and call him son as is his due, 
 Their house's present aid and saviour true. 
 Then, set at liberty, her chains undone, 
 The maid approached, cause and reward in 
 
 one 
 Of all his labor, and, herself, she laved 
 With water drawn, the weary hands that 
 
 saved. 
 Medusa's head, to shield it from the sand, 
 She lays on bed of leaves and twigs that stand 
 Beneath the waters, growing there at hand. 
 The fresh-cut branches, where the sap had 
 
 passed, 
 Received the monster's power, and, harden- 
 ing fast, 
 Into each leaf a novel rigor cast. 
 The Sea-Nymphs come, to try this wondrous 
 
 game 
 With many boughs, and laugh to touch the 
 
 same, 
 And scatter all the seeds abroad again. 
 E'en now our corals the same nature own, 
 Drawing their hardness from the air alone, 
 Pliant beneath the waves ; above them, stone. 
 
36 jflora Crattsmuta 
 
 March 8 
 
 To the three Gods Perseus makes haste to 
 
 raise 
 Three altars on the turf, where fire may 
 
 blaze ; 
 The left to Mercury, the right to thee, 
 O warrior Maid ! the midmost of the three 
 To Jove his father. And he offers now 
 A bullock to the wing-foot god, a cow 
 Unto Minerva, and a lordly bull 
 To him who over all the gods holds rule. 
 Then he bears off Andromeda, no thought 
 Of dowry mingling with the prize he sought. 
 
 March 9 
 
 Hymen and Love shake both their torches 
 bright, 
 
 The fires are filled with odors as with light, 
 
 And garlands hang from all the roof's great 
 height. 
 
 The lyre and flute, and song, with sweet con- 
 sent 
 
 Sound everywhere, the cause and argument 
 
 Of happy minds ; the doors, thrown open 
 wide, 
 
 The golden halls within no longer hide ; 
 
 And all the nobles, dressed in rich attire, 
 
jFIora Cransmuta 37 
 
 Throng to the banquet of their King and 
 
 sire. 
 When they had cheered their minds, and 
 
 taken part 
 In feast, and wine from generous Bacchus' 
 
 heart, 
 The son of Abas asks if he may know 
 All of the race and worship they can show. 
 Lyncides answers him, narrating then 
 The manners and the customs of the men. 
 
 March 10 
 
 " And now," he said, " O strongest one, I 
 
 pray 
 Tell us, O Perseus, in what wondrous way 
 And with what arts thou didst at length at- 
 tain 
 The snaky-locked Medusa head to gain." 
 Agenor's great descendant made reply, 
 And tells how under Atlas cold and high 
 A certain place in safe retreat doth lie, 
 Where the Phorcydas, sisters grim, remain, 
 And have one eye to use between the twain ; 
 This did he take by stealth as they exchanged ; 
 And then through devious, hidden ways he 
 ranged, 
 
38 jfiota Ctangmma 
 
 Through forests rough, o'er rocky steeps he 
 
 passed, 
 And reached the Gorgon's dreadful home at 
 
 last. 
 
 March 11 
 
 There did he see on fields and pathways 
 
 strewn 
 Those whom Medusa saw and turned to stone, 
 Of men and beasts the image manifold. 
 Yet he went on, and still did he make bold 
 To scan the dreadful beauty of her face, 
 Reflected in his shining shield's embrace; 
 And while asleep with all her snakes she lay, 
 Her head he severed, and escaped away. 
 He adds the story of the winged horse, 
 Sprung from the blood that issued from her 
 
 corse, 
 And how he flew o'er land and watery deep, 
 And touched the stars with his wide pinions' 
 
 sweep. 
 
 Ovid. Metamorphoses iv. 663-789. 
 
 March 12 
 
 Flesh from flesh He liberated, 
 Not to lose whom He created. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
jFIora Crangmuta 39 
 
 March 13 
 
 All thy saints shall nourish like the lilies, 
 As the balsam's odors shall they be. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 March 14 
 
 O Christ, O truest Charity, 
 Protect us from our enemy, 
 Receive us in our agony. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 March 15 
 
 At the fiery sun's decline, 
 
 O eternal Light divine, 
 
 Pour into these hearts of thine 
 
 Love and strength like richest wine. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 March 16 
 
 O Good Shepherd, bread of heaven, 
 
 Look with pity on our woe; 
 Feed us, guide us, stand beside us, 
 
 Make Thy Kingdom reign below. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
40 jflora Crattsmuta 
 
 March 17 
 
 IN PRAISE OF THE ROSE 
 
 Some love a flower of azure hue, 
 
 Some, another color true ; 
 
 One may choose the lily white, 
 
 One the rich carnation red, 
 Some may blazon their delight 
 
 In fragrant odors wide outspread. 
 But I, above each flower that blows, 
 Would choose the sweetness of the rose. 
 
 I love to sing of this fair flower, 
 Its crimson tint and all its dower. 
 
 Venus, and Aurora too, 
 
 Chose its beauty to adorn 
 
 All their graces, and its name 
 
 By the one I love is born. 
 I love, above each flower that blows, 
 To sing the honor of the rose. 
 
 March 18 
 
 The rose is queen of all the race 
 Of flowers, in odor and in grace, 
 For she surpasses every one, 
 
 And should not, like a common flower, 
 Fade at the setting of the sun, 
 
 But flourish with unceasing power; 
 Above each lovely flower that blows, 
 I sing the honor of the rose. 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 41 
 
 She forbids not to any wight 
 Her perfume or her beauty bright. 
 But if one should be indiscreet, 
 
 Then comes her little pointed spear, 
 To give each roughness answer meet, 
 And show none may approach too near. 
 Above each lovely flower that blows, 
 I sing the honor of the rose. 
 
 Jean de la Taille. 
 
 March 19 
 
 THE SIGN OF THE MARGUERITE 
 
 In April when sweet Love is born, 
 I entered his garden gay one morn, 
 And there a small and lovely flower 
 
 Pleased me more than all beside. 
 It was not the white Virgin's Bower, 
 
 The pink nor the rose nor the lily in 
 pride : 
 It was the Marguerite so fair, 
 In my heart it is always written there. 
 
 Its petals had started to unfold, 
 And show its hidden heart of gold; 
 Most perfect is it and has no peer, 
 And longer lasts with its dainty tint 
 
42 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Than lily or violet sweet and clear, 
 
 Than rose that blushes without stint; 
 Forever written on each heart-beat, 
 Above all flowers, is the Marguerite. 
 
 March 20 
 
 Others may praise the colors bright 
 Of flowers that die that very night, 
 As of the tender rose 'tis true 
 
 In one month only can it bloom: 
 But my little flower of modest hue 
 
 Will never fade nor give place to gloom. 
 In my heart is always written sweet 
 Above all flowers the Marguerite. 
 
 Please God that I at last one day 
 May kiss it my fill and have my way. 
 Let kindest love grant me this grace 
 
 That in good time I may pluck this 
 flower, 
 This little flower with rosy face, 
 
 That grows the lovelier every hour ! 
 In my heart would be always written sweet 
 Above all flowers the Marguerite. 
 
 Jean de la Taikle. 
 
JFiora Cransmuta 43 
 
 March 21 
 
 THE FAREWELL 
 
 Alas! the trumpet calls you from my arms! 
 The hosts array, and danger has its charms. 
 Go then, and conquer,— 'tis a man's proud 
 
 lot,— 
 Follow your fate ; but ah ! forget me not. 
 
 To duty and to love alike be true, 
 When honor calls you, seize the laurel due : 
 For glory seek, a glory without spot, 
 Shun cruel death ; but oh ! forget me not. 
 
 March 22 
 
 In peace I tremble even as in war; 
 What shall I do, so fierce my sufferings are! 
 So many beauties are there ! well I wot 
 How you will please them ; but forget me not. 
 
 Yes, onward go upon your conquering way; 
 The gods of love and battle with you stay. 
 Keep all your sweet, intoxicating lot, 
 Be always happy; but forget me not. 
 
 Segur. 
 
44 jHora Cransmwa 
 
 March 23 
 
 THE LOAF OF ST. J0D6CUS. 
 
 To prove his servant's pure integrity, 
 The Lord came once to St. Jodocus' door 
 In poorest guise and begged a piece of bread. 
 
 " Give," said Jodocus, " give it to him, 
 Steward ! " 
 
 " Sir," said the Steward, " but one loaf is 
 left us: 
 
 What shall we eat — you and the dog and I ? " 
 
 " Give it," the Abbot said, " the Lord pro- 
 vided." 
 
 The Steward took his knife and careful 
 
 measured, 
 Then cut the loaf of bread with great exact- 
 ness 
 Into four equal pieces, giving one 
 Unto the beggar, saying none too friendly: 
 " One piece for thee, and one for each of 
 
 us!" 
 Jodocus smiled, and the beggar-man departed. 
 
 It was not long e'er in yet poorer guise 
 Again the Lord returned and begged for 
 bread. 
 
iflora Cransmuta 45 
 
 " Give," said Jodocus, " give the man my 
 
 share ! 
 The Lord provides." And so the Steward 
 
 gave it. 
 
 In a short while appeared, and yet more 
 
 hungry, 
 For the third time, our Lord, and begged for 
 
 bread. 
 " Give," said Jodocus, " give him now thy 
 
 share ! 
 The Lord provides." And so the Steward 
 
 gave it. 
 
 March 24 
 
 Again a while, and lame, blind, wretched, 
 
 For the fourth time the Lord implored for 
 
 bread. 
 Jodocus said : " Give him the dog's small 
 
 portion I 
 The Lord who feeds the ravens will provide." 
 
 The Steward gave the last piece to the 
 
 beggar. 
 He went ; and a clear voice spoke out of 
 
 heaven : 
 " Great is thy faith, and true disciple art 
 
 thou, — 
 As thou believest, be it done to thee." 
 
46 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 And as the Steward looked from the narrow 
 
 window, 
 Lo ! four small ships came sailing to the 
 
 shore, 
 With bread and fruit and oil and wine full 
 
 laden. 
 
 The Steward hasted joyful to the strand. 
 No man he found, but in the stead thereof, 
 He saw a white flag waving, as he neared it, 
 Whereon in golden letters flamed these words : 
 
 " Four ships He sends who feeds the raven's 
 hunger, 
 
 Unto the Abbot who four times has fed Him : 
 
 One for himself, one each for dog and Stew- 
 ard; 
 
 The fourth is for the Sender's own poor 
 kindred. 
 
 KoSEGARTEN. 
 
 March 25 
 
 A meadow and a group of girls 
 Picking flowers to deck their curls; 
 Swift they wander to and fro, 
 And they gather as they go; 
 Here are violets, Oh, see; 
 
JFIora Crangm uta 47 
 
 What is that? A fleur-de-lis! 
 Others lovelier, one, two, three. 
 There the roses further be, 
 O me, how the thorns do prick! 
 Some one come and help me quick. 
 U, u, Oh, what jumps so there? 
 A great black cricket, I declare! 
 Here, come here, come one and all, 
 Climbing on the bank we fall; 
 Where is she? She is not here — 
 Yes, I am! Well, come then, dear; 
 Here are mushrooms not a few, 
 Further on is wild thyme too. 
 
 Franco Sacchetti. 
 
 March 26 
 
 FAREWELL 
 
 Fare thee well, fare thee well, my love, 
 
 To-day I must leave thee, 
 Just a kiss, just a kiss give, 
 
 I will ne'er deceive thee. 
 But one flower, but one flower break 
 
 From all thy tree may carry! 
 Not a fruit, not a fruit to take 
 
 Can I longer tarry. 
 
 Uhland. 
 
48 jFIora Cransmuta 
 
 March 27 
 
 MAXIMS 
 
 To all hypocrisy 
 
 Be a stout enemy ; 
 
 In all men's eyes we must at last show clear 
 
 What in God's sight we now appear. 
 
 Nothing in words and much in deed, 
 Brings work to end with quickest speed. 
 
 Lament no more, I counsel give 
 To the unhappiest that live. 
 Bad fortune turns to good, if only we 
 Through the bad fortune better be. 
 
 Gleim. 
 
 March 28 
 
 THE READING-BOOK 
 
 Wonderful the Book of Love is, 
 More than all. With care I've read it: 
 Fewest leaves are given to joy, 
 But quite half the book is sorrow. 
 Separation makes a section. 
 Meeting's but a little chapter, 
 Fragmentary. Grief fills volumes, 
 Lengthened out with explanations, 
 Measureless, without an end. 
 
jFIora Cransmuta 49 
 
 O Nisami ! — } r et at finish 
 Thou hast found the only clue, 
 Never to be loosened, never: 
 If thou losest self in loving, 
 Loving brings it back to thee. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 March 29 
 
 The winged messenger of day 
 Tells us that light is near, 
 
 Incites our hearts and minds to pray, 
 For Christ recalls us here. 
 
 Rise up and leave your bed, He says, 
 
 Put off your stupor ill, 
 Be pure, be sober, and upright, 
 
 Watch, for I come at will. 
 
 Weeping we answer when He calls, 
 The Shepherd to His sheep ; 
 
 Our supplication so intense 
 Forbids our hearts to sleep. 
 
 O Christ, Thou rousest us from sleep, 
 Breakest the chains of night, 
 
 Dissolvest bonds of our old sins, 
 And bringest us new light. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
50 jHora Cratt0muta 
 
 March 30 
 
 THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE 
 
 A gentle angel moveth 
 
 Throughout this sinful earth; 
 All worldly want to comfort 
 
 The Lord has sent him forth. 
 Peace lies within his glances 
 
 With mildest, softest flame ; 
 O follow on his footsteps, 
 
 For Patience is his name. 
 
 With faithful hand he leads thee 
 
 Through every worldly fear, 
 And tells thee, all so tender, 
 
 That better times are near. 
 When thou art fast despairing 
 
 He still is great of heart; 
 He helps thy cross to carry, 
 
 And smoothes the roughest part. 
 
 March 31 
 
 He changes bitter sorrow 
 
 Into a milder grief, 
 And lulls, in quiet meekness, 
 
 The stormy heart to sleep. 
 He makes the darkest daytime 
 
 Slowly, but surely, light ; 
 And healeth every sorrow, 
 
 Although not swift his might. 
 
JFIota Cransmuta 51 
 
 Thy tears he never chideth 
 
 When he would comfort thee, 
 He blameth not thy longing, 
 
 But makes it quiet be. 
 And when, with wildest murmur, 
 
 Thou askest: " Why, O why? " 
 He points, with steady finger, 
 
 All smiling to the sky. 
 
 He has for every question 
 
 No answer for thy fear; 
 His word is always : Suffer ! 
 
 Thy resting-place is near. 
 So goes he on beside thee, 
 
 And little does he say ; 
 He thinks on the fair future, 
 
 On the goal so great and gay. 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 April 1 
 
 Winter ! behold the green ! 
 
 Dost know the news it's bringing? 
 Now must thou quit the scene, 
 
 The snowdrop bells are ringing! 
 
 Trinius. 
 
52 jFIora Cransmttta 
 
 April 2 
 
 Love is rich in bitter and in sweet for all. 
 A little taste of honey, and a barrelful of gall. 
 
 Pl.au tus. 
 
 April 3 
 
 IN PRAISE OF SERENA, WIFE OF 
 STILICON 
 
 Wherever through the grasses you may go, 
 Roses have risen, and white lilies grow. 
 
 Claudian. 
 
 April 4 
 
 Joy that is shared is doubled joy, 
 But sorrow shared grows less by half. 
 
 Tiedge. 
 
 April 5 
 
 From overflowing hearts let praises sound; 
 Awake ! all harmonies, beneath, around. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 April 6 
 
 In the morning praise the Lord, 
 And at night our thanks record. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
JFIora Cransmuta 53 
 
 April 7 
 
 He who seeks the Saviour high, 
 Lifts his glances to the sky — 
 He is granted there to see 
 Sign of glorious liberty. 
 
 Roman Breviary, 
 
 April 8 
 
 Tongue and mind and sense and vigor, 
 Let them praise in every part; 
 
 Charity with burning ardor, 
 Let it kindle every heart. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 April 9 
 
 EASTER SONG OF THE ANGELS 
 
 Christ is arisen ! 
 
 Joy to the mortal race, 
 Whom all earth's perishing, 
 Creeping, and cherishing 
 
 Needs may imprison. 
 
 Christ is arisen! 
 
 Blest are the loving, 
 
 Who through much moving, 
 
 Healing, behooving 
 
 Trials have risen. 
 
54 jflota Cransmuta 
 
 Christ is arisen ! 
 
 Out of destroying grave ! 
 Break from your prison, 
 
 Joyous and brave. 
 Praise Him in word and deed, 
 Show love to all in need, 
 Give all your brethren food, 
 Publish glad tidings goiod, 
 Promise true joy indeed; 
 Still is the Master here, 
 Still is He near. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 April 10 
 
 Labor is little, 
 
 And short is our life, 
 Great our reward 
 
 Of rest after strife. 
 
 Thomas a Kempis. 
 
 April 11 
 
 Song and evil ne'er together dwell, 
 Where thou hearest singing, all is well. 
 
 Peace with singing still belongs, 
 Wicked people have no songs. 
 
 Seume. 
 
Jflora Crangmuta 55 
 
 April 12 
 
 To confirm a heart sincere 
 Faith alone suffices here. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 April, 13 
 
 HOW REASON DEFINES LOVE 
 
 Love there is in sundry wise, 
 As I shall here to thee devise — 
 
 For some love lawful is and good, 
 I mean not that which makes thee wood, 
 And bringeth thee in many a fit, 
 And taketh from thee all thy wit, 
 It is so marvellous and quaint, — 
 With such love be no more acquaint. 
 
 Love of friendship also there is, 
 Which maketh no man do amiss, 
 Of will so knitted betwixt two, 
 That 'twill not break for weal nor woe, 
 True of meaning, devoid of sloth, 
 For wit is nothing without truth : 
 So that the one dare all his thought 
 Say to his friend and spare nought. 
 
 April 14? 
 
 A good man burnetii in his thought 
 For shame when that he asketh ought, 
 
56 jFIota Ctan0mitta 
 
 He hath great thought and dreadeth aye 
 
 With much unrest, when he shall pray 
 
 His friend, lest he refused be, 
 
 Till he prove his stability. 
 
 But when that he hath found [some] one 
 
 That trusty is, and true as stone, 
 
 And essayed him at all, 
 
 And found him steadfast as a wall, 
 
 And of his friendship be certain, — 
 
 He shall him show both joy and pain, 
 
 And all that he dare think or say, 
 
 Without shame, as he well may, 
 
 For how should he ashamed be, 
 
 Of such one as I [have] told thee? 
 
 April, 15 
 
 When he knew his [friend's] secret thought 
 [A] third shall know thereof right nought, 
 For two is better [far] than three 
 In every counsel and secrecy: 
 Reproof he dreadeth never a dele 
 [If] he hath set his wordes well, 
 For every wise man, out of dread, 
 Can keep his tongue till he see need -— 
 And fools cannot hold their tongue ; 
 A fool's bell is soon rung; 
 Yet shall a true friend do more 
 To help his fellow of his sore, 
 
jflora Cransmuta 
 
 And succor him when he hath need, 
 In all that he may do indeed, 
 Gladder [when] that he him pleaseth, 
 Than his fellow that he easeth — 
 
 April 16 
 
 Another love also there is, 
 That is contrary unto this, 
 [Whose] desire is so constrained 
 That it is but will feigned ; 
 Away from truth it doth so vary 
 That to good love it is contrary ; 
 For it maimeth in many wise 
 [Feeble] hearts with covetise; 
 All in winning and in profite 
 Such love setteth its delight: 
 This love so hangeth in balance 
 That if it lose its hope, perchance, 
 Of lucre, that it is set upon, 
 It will fail, and be quenched anon; 
 For no man may be amorous, 
 Nor in his living virtuous, 
 [If] he love more in [his] mood, 
 Men for himself than for their good: 
 For love that profit doth abide 
 Is false, and lasts not any tide. 
 
 Chaucer. Romaunt of the Rose. 
 
58 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 April 17 
 
 CROSSNESS 
 
 So cross, so cross am I! 
 Because I'm cross, that is why. 
 Sun shines too bright and clear; 
 Birds sing too shrill and near, 
 Wine is too sour and queer, 
 Too bitter is the beer, 
 Honey too cloying! 
 I am cross utterly, 
 Because I'm cross, that is why. 
 Yonder is music gay, 
 Yonder they dance and play, 
 Throw up their hats in glee, 
 How that displeases me ! 
 Much more than I can say, 
 It is not to my mind, 
 Because I'm so cross, I find, 
 So cross am I to-day ! 
 
 April 18 
 
 Where'er I go or stay, 
 I see my shadow play ; 
 And if the sky is gray, 
 Bad is this other way, 
 O, how annoying! 
 Winter's too cold for me, 
 Spring comes too suddenly, 
 
JHota Ccangmuta 59 
 
 Summer is much too warm, 
 Autumn brings such a swarm, 
 Flies buzzing through the air, 
 Flies and gnats everywhere, 
 
 how that troubles me! 
 Provokes me bitterly ! 
 
 How that my heart can sting! 
 All wrong is everything ! — 
 
 1 am cross utterly, 
 Because nought pleases me, 
 Because I'm cross as cross can be, 
 So cross, so cross am I ! 
 
 L. Bechstein. 
 April 19 
 
 When thou art at work or sleepest, 
 When thou laughest, when thou weepest, 
 
 Full of grief or joyful art; 
 When thou comest, when thou goest, 
 And in pain or pleasure growest, 
 Keep the cross within thy heart. 
 
 St. Bonaventura. 
 April 20 
 
 HOME-COMING 
 O break not, bridge, thou tremblest sore. 
 O fall not, rock, thou threat'nest more, 
 World, disappear not ; sky, pass not away, 
 Before I reach my dearest one, and stay. 
 
 Uhland. 
 
60 jflora Crangmuta 
 
 April 21 
 
 A talent shapes itself in quiet stillness, 
 A character grows best in the world's great 
 stream. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 April 22 
 
 " In this humble dwelling 
 Lodged once," Evander said, " the great Al- 
 
 cides ; 
 This was his palace. And if thou wilt lodge 
 
 here, 
 Dare, O my guest, to hold wealth in disdain; 
 Show thyself worthy of the God, and come not 
 With a harsh scorn into this poor estate." 
 
 iENEID, VIII, 362. 
 
 April 23 
 
 Many people are not worthy to do one single 
 good work; and, truly, it is a great thing for 
 a man to be worthy of doing one good work. 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
jHora Crangmuta 6i 
 
 April 24 
 
 SPRING GREETING 
 
 Lightly, brightly through my brain 
 
 Lovely chimes are ringing; 
 Ring, song of spring, again, 
 
 Into distance flinging. 
 
 Ring once more, and reach the door 
 
 Where violets are meeting; 
 If you see a rosebud there, 
 
 Say I send her greeting. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 April 25 
 
 There in old time stood a castle 
 Full of joy and war array; 
 
 Stately lords and dames and pages 
 In the torch-dance moved away. 
 
 Then the castle and the people 
 Did a bad enchantress curse; 
 
 Only walls are now remaining, 
 
 Where the owls their cries rehearse. 
 
 Yet my blessed aunt has told me: 
 " If, perchance, the one right word 
 
 In the right hour of the night-time, 
 In the right place is but heard, 
 
62 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Then the ruins change with quickness 
 Once again to castle bright, 
 
 And again with mirth are dancing 
 Many a lady, many a knight." 
 
 Heine. 
 
 April 26 
 
 TO HIS LADY 
 
 Fairest of fair and goodliest alive, 
 My secret heart to you I plain and shrive, 
 Requiring of your grace in my complaint, 
 Or to be healed, or martyred as a saint, 
 For by my truth, I swear, and by this book, 
 Ye may both heal and slay me by a look. 
 
 Go forth, my own true heart most innocent, 
 
 And with great humblesse do thine observance, 
 
 And to thy lady on thy knees present 
 
 Thy service new, and think how great pleasance 
 
 It is to live under the obeisance 
 
 Of her that may, with looks most kind and soft, 
 
 Give thee the bliss that thou desirest oft. 
 
 April 27 
 
 Be diligent, awake, obey, and dread, 
 Be not too wild in all thy countenance, 
 
 But meek and glad, and this thy nature feed 
 To do each thing that may give her pleasance, 
 
jftora Cransmuta 63 
 
 Wlicn thou shalt sleep, have aye in remem- 
 brance 
 Her image true, which may with looks so soft 
 Give thee the bliss that thou desirest oft. 
 
 And if so be that thou her name should find 
 Written in book, or else upon the wall, 
 
 Look that thou make, as servant true and kind, 
 Thine obeisance, as she were there withal; 
 Feigning in love is breeding of a fall 
 
 From the grace of her whose looks so kind and 
 soft 
 
 May give the bliss that thou desirest oft. 
 
 Chaucer. (Dream.) 
 
 April 28 
 
 THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF 
 
 Indeed, my child, quoth she, this is the truth ; 
 
 For knights should ever be persevering 
 To seek their honor without feint or sloth, 
 
 From well to better in all manner thing; 
 In sign of which with leaves for aye lasting 
 
 They are rewarded after their degree, 
 
 With living green which may not withered be. 
 
 April 29 
 
 But aye it keeps its beauty fresh and green, 
 For there is not a storm may them deface, 
 
64 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Nor hail nor snow, rough wind nor frosts so 
 keen, 
 
 Because they have this property and grace. 
 And for the flower, within a little space 
 
 Will all be lost, so simple of nature 
 It is, that it no grievance may endure, 
 
 And every storm will blow it soon away. 
 
 Chaucer. 
 
 April 30 
 
 THE RIVER 
 
 The simple-hearted shepherd, 
 
 On the snowy mountain-side 
 Grown bent and hoary-headed, 
 
 His wonder cannot hide, 
 When he gazes mute and wistful 
 
 On the shadowy little spring 
 Of the Padus, as he listens 
 
 While a traveller will sing 
 All its praises, how the Adda 
 
 And Ticino it receives, 
 How it hastens proud and ample 
 
 To the sea, and how it leaves 
 Foam and thunder on its course, 
 And is given the crown of force. 
 
 Chiabrera. 
 
JHora Ctan0muta 65 
 
 May 1 
 
 SONG 
 
 Is there a soft green lawn 
 
 Where heaven its dew may shed, 
 Where every day and dawn 
 
 Some new flower lifts its head, 
 Where one in handfuls may 
 Pluck daisy and clover. gay, 
 There would I make the way 
 
 For thy dear foot to tread ! 
 ****** 
 Is there a dream of love, 
 
 All perfumed with the rose, 
 Where every day may move 
 
 Some sweet thing to disclose, 
 A dream that God may bless, 
 Where soul to soul may press, 
 Oh! I'd make that the nest 
 
 Where thy heart should repose ! 
 
 Victor Hugo. 
 
 May 2 
 
 ARION 
 
 What sea knows not Arion, or what land? 
 His song made even running waters stand. 
 Often a wolf that chased a lamb would stay 
 Held by his voice, or lamb fell easy prey. 
 
66 jHora Crangmuta 
 
 Oft did the dogs and hares together lie, 
 And stag and lion listening stood close by ; 
 The chattering crow and owl allayed their 
 
 strife, 
 The dove and eagle led harmonious life. 
 Cynthia herself was by thy strains deceived, 
 Wondrous Arion, so that she believed 
 It was Apollo's voice her ears received. 
 Arion's name filled the Sicilian land, 
 And captured even the Ausonian strand. 
 
 May 3 
 
 From thence returning home, Arion came, 
 The ship all filled with riches he had gained. 
 Perhaps the winds and waters made thee fear, 
 Unhappy one; but safer far, we hear, 
 The sea was than the ship, alas ! 'tis clear. 
 For lo ! the pilot stood with unsheathed sword, 
 And all the crew were armed with one ac- 
 cord. 
 "What means this sword? O pilot, guide 
 
 thy ship ! 
 These are not arms that fit thy fingers' grip," 
 Arion cries in fear, yet hastes to say: 
 " I ask not for my life, but only pray 
 For leave to take my lyre, and sing one lay." 
 They give consent, and smile at such delay. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 67 
 
 May 4 
 
 He takes his crown, suited for Phoebus' hair, 
 His pall, twice tinged with Tyrian dye, to 
 
 wear ; 
 His lyre, struck by his hand, returned its 
 
 sound, 
 In mournful numbers floating far around, 
 Like dying swan pierced by an arrow wound. 
 Then all adorned he leaps into the waves, 
 The water dashing o'er the ship he leaves. 
 Lo ! faithful more than all, or so they say, 
 A dolphin placed his curved back in the way, 
 Arion rides secure, and sings his pay, 
 Smoothing the waters with his cithara. 
 The gods behold the pious deed, and raise 
 The dolphin to the stars, and grant them 
 
 grace 
 To welcome a new comrade to his place. 
 
 Ovid. Fastorum, Lib. II, 83-118. 
 
 May 5 
 
 SNOWDROPS 
 
 Far off I hear a sound 
 Like silver bells a-ringing; 
 
 Time has fulfilled his round, 
 
 And Spring her feast is bringing. 
 
 Trinius. 
 
68 jflora Ctansmuta 
 
 May 6 
 
 One alone was counted worthy 
 
 To become a sacrifice, 
 To prepare a port of refuge 
 
 For the world that shipwrecked lies. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May 7 
 
 Lead us to light, where Thou inhabitest. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May 8 
 
 Fountain of bliss, pour forth for all Thy 
 creatures. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May 9 
 
 Great joys are joined to solemn, sacred feast; 
 Deep-hearted praises never yet have ceased. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May 10 
 
 DESCENT OF GABRIEL 
 
 When Gabriel heard the task upon him laid, — 
 That the dim mortal sense be not confounded, 
 
 He for his earthly visit ready made, 
 His form invisible with air surrounded: 
 
Jflota Cranjsmuta 69 
 
 A human aspect, human limbs he made, 
 But of celestial majesty compounded: 
 He took the age just between youth and boy, 
 And dressed his golden locks with rays of heav- 
 enly joy. 
 
 Tasso. 
 
 May 11 
 
 RINALDO'S MORNING-PRAYER 
 
 Rinaldo climbed away from human sight, 
 And, on the mount, first bending reverently, 
 
 Lifted his thought high above every height, 
 And fixed his eyes upon the eastern sky. 
 
 " My former life," he prayed, " dark as this 
 night, 
 Behold, O Lord my God, with clemency ; 
 
 Pity my faults, and on me rain thy grace, 
 
 That a new heart in me may take its place." 
 
 Tasso. 
 
 May 12 
 
 MUSIC IN THE WOOD 
 
 He wandered on, and heard a sound meantime 
 That sweetly spread itself within the grove: 
 
 He hears a brook whose little wavelets chime, 
 Beside the whispering wind, and leaves that 
 move; 
 
70 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 With these the plaintive lays of swans keep 
 time, 
 And nightingales lament them of their love ; 
 Organs and lutes, and human voice in song: 
 Such and so many sounds to one sound did 
 belong. 
 
 Tasso. 
 
 May 13 
 
 How I love to see the swallows 
 At my window, every year, 
 Come to bring me joyful tidings 
 
 That sweet spring is drawing near ! 
 The same nest, they whisper softly, 
 
 Will again the same love see; 
 It is only faithful lovers 
 
 Can announce good days to thee. 
 
 Florian. 
 
 May 14 
 
 MORNING IN CAMP 
 
 The dawn was still delaying immature 
 Within the east the breaking of the day, 
 
 Not yet did earth the ploughshare hard endure, 
 Not yet the shepherds to the fields made way. 
 
jFIota Cran0muta 71 
 
 Among the branches the birds stayed secure, 
 
 No bark or horn yet scared their sleep away. 
 When all at once the morning trumpet's call 
 Sounded to arms ! and echoes answered all. 
 
 Tasso. Ger., Lib. XI, 19. 
 
 May 15 
 
 There is no need of death, 
 
 To tame a noble heart, 
 
 But only love and faith. 
 
 Glory, and fame beside, 
 
 Are not so hard a task, 
 
 When following a dear guide. 
 
 Love is the better part, 
 
 And all that man would ask; 
 
 And seeking love, one oft may find 
 
 Immortal glory close behind. 
 
 Third Chorus in Tasso's Aminta. 
 
 May 16 
 
 O Love, what death dost loosen, thou dost bind ; 
 
 Thou art the friend of peace as he of war; 
 A glorious, triumphant reign is thine, 
 
 And while thou joinest souls without a jar, 
 Thou mak'st this earth so like to> heaven above, 
 
 Thou dost not scorn to dwell here, not afar. 
 No wrath or rage abides ; each human mind 
 
 Thou renderest placid, and all hate internal 
 
72 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Thou dost expel from hearts made soft and kind ; 
 
 And with thy power supernal 
 Dost make of mortal things a circling globe 
 eternal. 
 
 Fourth Chorus in Tasso's Aminta. 
 
 May 17 
 
 LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING 
 
 Within my garden smiles 
 Full many a flower glad: 
 
 Of all that there beguiles, 
 Love-lies-bleeding 
 Makes me sad. 
 
 Wherever mine eye turns, 
 The scarlet flower is there; 
 
 In glowing color burns 
 Love-lies-bleeding 
 Everywhere. 
 
 My pretty neighbors stand 
 And gaze with envious air, 
 
 And whisper: " Close at hand 
 Love-lies-bleeding 
 Is fair!" 
 
JFIora Cransmuta 73 
 
 I need not watch nor wait, 
 It grows the whole day long; 
 
 Who has in garden space 
 Love-lies-bleeding 
 Planted so strong? 
 
 Mosen. 
 
 May 18 
 
 CHANGE 
 
 Bright, through cloudy screen, 
 Dawns our life of change. 
 
 Hopeful and serene 
 
 Through it let us range. 
 
 For a passage only 
 
 Was this life so lonely 
 Given us to exchange. 
 
 If a bright day shine, 
 
 Joy in its full tide. 
 Do the clouds decline? 
 
 Patient still abide. 
 Nought is blameless, small or great, 
 E'en the hardest fate 
 
 Has its better side. 
 
 Fair and darksome weather 
 
 Refresh us from above; 
 Both are mixed together 
 
 By God's wisest love : 
 
74 Jflora Cransmuta 
 
 That our mind and heart 
 Bravely skyward start, 
 From the dust upgather. 
 
 Voss. 
 
 May 19 
 
 SHEPHERD'S HYMN 
 
 This is the Lord's own day. 
 One distant bell I hear, 
 Then stillness far and near; 
 
 On the wide plain alone I stay. 
 
 In prayer I bend my knee. 
 
 O sweet fear ! gentle sound ! 
 
 As if a hundred round 
 All knelt and prayed with me. 
 
 No cloud in heaven can stay ; 
 
 Its solemn depths divide 
 
 As if they opened wide. 
 This is the Lord's own day. 
 
 Uhland. 
 
 May 20 
 
 THE SEASONS 
 
 Spring comes, and Venus ; Zephyr shakes his 
 
 wings 
 Before her footsteps, and fair Flora flings 
 Colors and odors that o'erflow all things. 
 
JFlora Cransmuta 
 
 75 
 
 Next is the time for heat and dusty corn, 
 And yearly winds that from the north are born. 
 Autumn approaches, Bacchus and his train, 
 And other winds and tempests come again ; 
 Volturnus thundering on high is heard, 
 And Auster strong with all his lightning stirred. 
 At length the winter brings us back the snow 
 And numbing stiffness, while the storm-winds 
 
 blow, 
 And Algus makes teeth chatter here below. 
 
 Lucretius. 
 
 May 21 
 
 NAZARETH 
 
 August and holy Nazareth, 
 
 Upon thy hillside lying, 
 How art thou blest with greatest guest, 
 
 Aloof from sin and crying! 
 
 The sun that rules the day, 
 
 And roams the wide world over, 
 
 No fairer sight from morn till night 
 Can here on earth discover. 
 
 The Church's chosen nest, 
 
 The end of all our sighing, — 
 
 From heavenly coasts the angel hosts 
 Around thee still are flying. 
 
76 jTlora Cransmuta 
 
 Behold the Holy Child, 
 
 His Father's wish fulfilling! 
 And by his side his Mother mild, 
 Maternal joy instilling. 
 
 May 22 
 
 St. Joseph is at hand, 
 
 His work is ever present, 
 Joined to his spouse by thousand ties 
 
 Of tender care incessant. 
 
 From each of these in turn 
 
 A tide of love outflowing 
 The Child surrounds and he abounds 
 
 In gifts of love's bestowing. 
 
 O may that love divine 
 
 Bind us in bond forgiving 
 With peaceful sway, and take away 
 
 All bitterness from living. 
 
 From the Latin of Pope Leo XIII. 
 
 May 23 
 
 THE WATCHMAN 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell ! 
 
 'Tis ten o'clock ; and all is well. 
 
 Now 'tis time for prayer and bed; 
 Let him whose conscience nought has said 
 Sleep soft and sound! In heaven's height 
 An Eye still watches all the night. 
 
Jflota Cransmuta 77 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell! 
 
 'Tis eleven o'clock, and all is well. 
 They who toil and labor yet, 
 They who at card-tables sweat, 
 Let them now their reckoning keep, 
 It is high time for them to sleep. 
 
 May M 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell! 
 
 'Tis twelve o'clock, and all is well. 
 If, in all this deep midnight, 
 Any wake in grief and fright, — 
 May God grant a rest from pain, 
 And make them glad and sound again. 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell! 
 
 'Tis one o'clock, and all is well. 
 If, with Satan's counsel strong, 
 Thieves on dark ways creep along, 
 Let them go home, for Heaven sees all; 
 Judgment, alas ! on them will fall. 
 
 May 25 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell! 
 
 'Tis two o'clock, and all is well. 
 If any, now, before the morn, 
 With gnawing care is racked and torn, — 
 Poor soul, give up thy anguish sore, 
 God cares, what hast thou need of, more ? 
 
78 jFlora Crattsmuta 
 
 Listen, all, to what I tell! 
 
 'Tis three o'clock, and all is well. 
 The night is passing fast away ; 
 He who in peace awakes this day, 
 Let him thank God with joyful mind, 
 Go to his work, be good and kind. 
 
 Hebel. 
 
 May 26 
 
 O Bride of happy fortune, 
 With every joy endowed, 
 
 Full of all grace of wifehood, 
 Lovely amidst the crowd, 
 
 With Christ the Lord united, — 
 We sing thy praise aloud. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May n 
 
 His townsmen asked Democritus one day 
 What was nobility, and he replied: 
 
 " For beasts it does in strength of body stay 
 For men, in purity of habits tried." 
 
 From the Spanish. 
 
JFIora Cransmuta 79 
 
 May 28 
 
 LIFE 
 
 Time flies onward like the brook, 
 Like the cloud flies onward time, 
 
 Fools with sadness on it look ; 
 But the wise, who for to-day 
 Live, and not for morrow stay, 
 Though time hasten like the wind, 
 Can its wings of swiftness bind ; 
 
 If our earthly road be short, 
 
 If it lead us soon to port, 
 
 Let us, while it swift uncloses, 
 Strew it o'er with roses ! 
 
 Gotz. 
 
 May 29 
 
 O holy Paul, most excellent, great Doctor, 
 Instruct us in each wise and righteous way, 
 
 And bear our souls with thee on high to heaven, 
 Now while our faith through veil discerns the 
 
 day, 
 And Charity instead of sun must stay. 
 So may eternal glory, honor, joy 
 Be to the Three in One, without alloy. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
so iFIora Cransmuta 
 
 May 30 
 
 Light eternal, light most blessed, 
 Dawned upon the golden day, 
 
 Day which crowned the Prince- Apostles, 
 Opening to the stars a way 
 
 Free to all repentant sinners 
 
 Who forsake their sins and pray. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 May 31 
 
 A CALM 
 
 Stillness rules o'er all the water, 
 
 Motionless lies all the sea, 
 At the level smoothness round him 
 
 Looks the sailor anxiously. 
 Not a breeze from any quarter, 
 
 Deathlike stillness everywhere ! 
 And throughout the endless distance 
 
 Not the smallest ripple there. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 June 1 
 
 THE SQUIRE'S TALE 
 
 At Sarra, in the land of Tartary, 
 
 There dwelt a king that warred against Russie 
 
 Through which there died full many a doughty 
 
jHora Cran0muta 8i 
 
 This noble king was called Cambuscan, 
 Who in his time was of so great renown, 
 That there was nowhere in no region 
 So excellent a lord in everything. 
 
 This noble king, this Tartar Cambuscan, 
 Had two fair sons by Elfeta his wife, 
 Of which the eldest was named Algarsife, 
 The other son was called Camballo. 
 
 A daughter had this worthy king also, 
 That youngest was, and called Canace: 
 But for to tell you all of her beauty, 
 It is not in my tongue nor my knowing, 
 I dare not undertake so high a thing — 
 
 And so befell, that when this Cambuscan 
 Hath twenty winters borne his diadem, 
 As he was wont from year to year I deem, 
 He let the feast of his nativity 
 Be cried throughout all Sarra his city. 
 ****** 
 
 Full lusty was the weather and benign, 
 For which the birds, against the bright sunshine, 
 For the fresh season and the younge green, 
 Full loud did sing all their affection. 
 
 This Cambuscan, of which I have you told, 
 In royal vestments sat on his dais, 
 With diadem, full high in his palace. 
 
82 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 June % 
 
 And so befell that after the third course, 
 While that this king sat thus in his array, 
 Hearing his minstrels' instruments that play 
 Before him at his board deliciously, — 
 In at the great hall door all suddenly 
 There came a knight upon a steed of brass, 
 And in his hand a broad mirror of glass ; 
 Upon his thumb he had a golden ring, 
 And by his side a naked sword hanging: 
 And up he rideth to the highest board. 
 
 In all the hall there was not spoke a word, 
 For marvel of this knight ; him to behold 
 Full busily they wait both young and old. 
 
 This stranger knight that came thus suddenly 
 All armed save his head and full richly, 
 Saluteth king and queen and lordships all 
 By order, as they sat there in the hall, 
 With so high reverence and observance, 
 As well in speech as in his countenance, 
 That Gawain with his old-world courtesy, 
 Though he were come again out of faery, 
 Could not amend him with a single word. 
 
 June 3 
 
 He said: The King of Araby and Ind, 
 My liege and lord, upon this solemn day 
 Saluteth you as he best can and may, 
 And sendeth you, in honor of your feast. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 83 
 
 By me, that am all ready at your hest, 
 
 This steed of brass, that easily and well 
 
 Can in the space of a day natural 
 
 (That is to say, in four and twenty hours) 
 
 Whercso you list, in drought or else in showers, 
 
 Carry your body into every place 
 
 To which your heart so willeth for to pace, 
 
 Without a harm to you, through foul or fair, 
 
 Or if you list to fly as high in the air 
 
 As doth an eagle when he wills to soar, 
 
 This same good steed shall bear you evermore 
 
 Without a harm, till yo\i be where you list, 
 
 (Although you sleep upon his back or rest) 
 
 And turn again, with twisting of a pin. 
 
 He that it wrought, he knew full many a gin, 
 
 He waited many a constellation, 
 
 Before he did this operation, 
 
 And knew full many a seal and many a bond. 
 
 June 4 
 
 This mirror also, that I hold in hand, 
 Hath such a might, that men may in it see, 
 When there shall fall any adversity 
 Unto your reign, or to yourself also, 
 And openly, who is your friend or foe. 
 And besides all, if any lady bright 
 Hath set her heart on any manner wight, 
 If he be false, she shall his treason see, 
 And his new love, and all his subtlety 
 
84 jflora Crangmuta 
 
 So openly that there shall nothing hide. 
 
 Wherefore against this lusty summertide, 
 This mirror and this ring, that ye may see, 
 He hath sent to my lady Canace, 
 Your all-excelling daughter that is here. 
 
 June 5 
 
 The virtue of this ring if ye will hear 
 Is this, that if she pleases it to wear 
 Upon her thumb, or in her purse it bear, 
 There is no bird that flieth under heaven 
 That she shall not well understand his steven 
 And know his meaning openly and plain, 
 And answer him in his language again : 
 And every grass that groweth upon root 
 She shall eke know, and whom it will do boot, 
 Although his wounds were never so deep and 
 
 wide. 
 This naked sword, which hangeth at my side, 
 Such virtue hath that what man that it smite, 
 Throughout his armor it will carve and bite, 
 Were it as thick as is a branched oak : 
 And what man that is wounded with the stroke 
 Shall never be whole, till that you please of grace 
 To stroke him with the flat in that same place. 
 This is the very truth without a gloss, 
 It faileth not, while it is in your hold. 
 
 And when this knight hath thus his tale all 
 
 told, 
 
jFIota Ctansmuta 85 
 
 He rideth out of hall, and did alight : 
 
 His wondrous steed, which shone all sunny 
 
 bright, 
 Stood in the court as still as any stone. 
 This knight is to his chamber led anon, 
 And is unarmed, and to the meat is set. 
 
 Chaucer. 
 
 June 6 
 
 Open your gates, ye heavens above, receive Him ! 
 He comes, triumphant over death and sin. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 June 7 
 
 The Cross is medicine of life, 
 Safety in danger, peace in strife. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 June 8 
 
 As little children tremble and take fright 
 At all things in the dark, so we in light ; 
 And yet in no way greater are our fears 
 Than the dark terrors of their childish years. 
 
 Lucretius. 
 
86 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 June 9 
 
 The dove's soft plumage, lying round its neck 
 And on its head, varies with every sunbeam. 
 For now it shows as red as any ruby, 
 And now it changes with the changing moment, 
 And seems to mingle emeralds with the blue. 
 
 Lucretius. 
 
 June 10 
 
 As a great oak on Taurus' height extending 
 Its arms, or pine with oozing gum and cones, 
 
 When the fierce whirlwind, all its force expend- 
 ing* 
 Tears it from out the ground with roots and 
 stones : 
 
 Prone it descends, and drags adown all things 
 both small and great: 
 
 So fall the mighty ones of earth, and none can 
 stay their fate. 
 
 Catullus. 
 
 June 11 
 
 The oak is strong that spreads its arms on Tau- 
 rus' summit high, 
 
 And the great pine with oozing bark and cones 
 against the sky ; 
 
 But let some conquering whirlwind come, borne 
 onward in its wrath, 
 
JFIota Cran0muta 87 
 
 It tears them up with all their roots, and sweeps 
 
 them from its path; 
 Prone do they fall, and downward drag all 
 
 growth both far and near: 
 So fall the mighty ones of earth, no more we see 
 
 them here. 
 
 Catullus (Second Version). 
 
 June 12 
 
 ON THE GARDENS OF JULIUS 
 MARTIAL 
 
 The few, small acres of my Julius Martial 
 
 More blest than all the Hesperid gardens fair, 
 Lie on the Mount Janiculan extended. 
 
 Wide grottoes hang along the hillsides there, 
 And on the top, with gentle swell ascending, 
 
 One breathes a milder and serener air ; 
 E'en when the valley-lands are veiled and misty, 
 
 The sun shines with peculiar brightness there. 
 The slender towers of the lofty villa 
 
 Rise gently to the pure and starry air. 
 
 Hence one can see the seven hills triumphant, 
 And estimate the length and breadth of Rome, 
 
 The Alban Mount and Tuscan, and cool places 
 That lie beyond the city heat and foam, 
 
 Fidenae old, Rubra the small, and further, 
 Anna Perenna's apple-orchard home. 
 
88 jflora Ctansmuta 
 
 June IS 
 
 From hence the traveller on the Way Flaminian, 
 
 Or the Salarian, plainly can be seen, 
 With silent chariot, and no wheel molesting 
 
 Our soft and gentle dreams breaks in between ; 
 Nor are they broken by the cries of sailors 
 
 Nor porters' clamor, though so near are seen 
 The Mulvian Bridge, and all the ships that 
 swiftly 
 
 Pass over sacred Tiber's waters green. 
 
 This lovely farm, or rather house we'll call it, 
 
 Still further is commended by its lord; 
 So hospitable and so free its welcome 
 
 That thou wouldst think it was thine own 
 award, 
 Or deem it home of pious King Alcinous, 
 
 Or what Molorchus lately could afford. 
 You who think these but things of small impor- 
 tance, 
 Go conquer cool Praeneste's meadows all 
 With hundred ploughs, or give the slopes of 
 Setia 
 To but one colonist his own to call. 
 To be preferred to these, in my opinion, 
 Are Julius Martial's acres few and small. 
 
 Martial. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 89 
 
 June 14 
 
 Old things recede, and all things are made new, 
 Hearts, voices, deeds, are renovated all. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 June 15 
 
 Heart, my heart, be not so shaken, 
 
 Strong and brave, endure thy fate ; 
 
 For another spring, though late, 
 Brings thee back what winter's taken. 
 Much, is yet for thee remaining, 
 
 And the world is still so fair ! 
 
 Heart, my heart, all that is there 
 Mayst thou love, thyself maintaining. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 June 16 
 
 Supernal Author of mankind, 
 Thou Who hast all things designed, 
 Earth brings forth at Whose behest 
 Race of reptile and wild beast, 
 Bodies of strange creatures vast 
 Through the tract of ages past, 
 To prepare for man at last: — 
 Give us grace in Thy employ, 
 Give reward of endless joy; 
 
90 jflora Crangmuta 
 
 O 1 repel all base desire 
 That can urge with stealthy fire, 
 Either thought or act inspire ; 
 Make our warring strife to cease, 
 Closer draw the bonds of peace. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 June 17 
 
 O marvel ! infant Love that scarce is born, 
 Already spreads his wings abroad and flies: 
 
 All armed he triumphs, laughing us to scorn, 
 And grows before our eyes. 
 
 N.EVITJS. 
 
 June 18 
 
 Anna mine, sweet Anna, ever 
 New and brighter, yet the same, 
 
 Sweetness more and more I gather, 
 Only saying thy dear name. 
 
 Everywhere I try and prove, 
 
 Neither here on earth can move, 
 
 Or in harmony above, 
 
 One sole thing of sweeter frame. 
 
 Heaven and earth but one thing say, 
 
 And my heart says that alway. 
 
 Strozzi. 
 
jHora Cransmuta 91 
 
 June 19 
 
 Our talk is not of others' house or race, 
 
 Nor if the dancing hare danced well or ill, 
 No, but of things that more ourselves may grace, 
 
 Concern us more, and which 'tis evil still 
 If we know not: is man made truly blest 
 By riches or by honor? what is best 
 To start a friendship, profit or the right? 
 And what the nature is of good and what its 
 height. 
 
 Horace. 
 
 June 20 
 
 The mighty ocean awaits us now : 
 
 Let us go far off to the happy isles, 
 
 To the blessed shores where the harvest smiles, 
 
 Where the soil, unploughed, rich abundance 
 
 pours, 
 Where the vine unpruned hangs its clustered 
 
 flowers, 
 Where the olive always ripe is found, 
 And the tender fig adorns its bough. 
 Wild honey drops from the ilex round, 
 And with silver foot the limpid rill 
 Descends from mountain and lofty hill. 
 
 Horace, Epod. 16. 
 through Italian translation. 
 
92 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 June 21 
 
 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Friendship divine, from heavenly elevation, 
 Down to the earth that begs for thee descend- 
 ing, 
 And for its wounds in kindest love extending 
 
 The peaceful balsam of soft consolation, — 
 Glory of us poor mortals, 
 
 All hail! thou dost remove from human living 
 Full half of all its evils ; 
 
 And of its good, a kind refreshment giving, 
 Thou art the only part that in full measure 
 Renewest all our quickly-passing pleasure. 
 
 Don Alberto Lista. 
 
 June 22 
 
 LOVE 
 
 Tell me, my heart, my burning heart, 
 What is this word called love? 
 
 — It is two souls and but one thought, 
 Two hearts in one that move. 
 
 Tell me from whence this love may come? 
 
 — It comes because it grows ! 
 But tell me why love flies away? 
 
 — 'Tis not love if it goes ! 
 
Jflora Cran0muta 93 
 
 June 23 
 
 Tell me what is the truest love? 
 
 — What in another joys. 
 
 And what's the most unconquered love? 
 
 — What makes the smallest noise. 
 
 How is it that its riches grow? 
 
 — In giving all away. 
 
 And how does all its ardor speak? 
 It loves — it does not say. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 June 24 
 
 TO JUVENAL 
 
 Whilst thou perhaps, O Juvenal, dost wander 
 
 Within the clamorous Suburra street, 
 Or climbest up the hill of Queen Diana, 
 
 Or on each Coelian mount fatigue thy feet ; 
 While at the threshold of the rich and great 
 
 Thy toga gives all breeze that thou canst 
 meet ; — 
 Me Bilbilis receives, and makes a rustic 
 
 Once more, Decembers many passing by, 
 Bilbilis, proud of all its gold and iron, 
 
 And here, with pleasant labor, lazily 
 I cultivate Botrodes and Platea, 
 
 Rough names that suit the Celtiberian sky. 
 
94 JFloca Cransmuta 
 
 June 25 
 
 Long sleep and sound is mine, and often lasting 
 
 Until the third hour of the morning break, — 
 You see that now at last I quite repay me 
 
 For thrice ten years I had to watch and wake. 
 A toga is unknown here, robes are taken 
 
 From off the nearest place, some broken chair ; 
 And when I rise, a splendid fire awaits me, 
 
 Built from dry branches that my oaks can 
 spare. 
 The farmer's wife crowns this with many an 
 olla, 
 
 And her good husband watches over all, 
 Gives to the boys their tasks, and asks permis- 
 sion 
 
 To cut for them their length of locks that fall. 
 Thus would I live, while all my days pass by, 
 
 And thus, O Juvenal, here would I die. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 June 26 
 
 RONDO 
 
 Return, dear ; too long is thy stay : 
 It brings me but sorrow and pain. 
 I need thee each hour of the day. 
 Return, dear ; too long thy delay : 
 
jflora Cransmuta 95 
 
 There is no one on whom I can stay, 
 None will help till thou comest again. 
 Return, dear, too long thy delay; 
 It brings me but sorrow and pain. 
 
 Froissart. 
 
 June 27 
 
 TRIOLETS 
 
 Good it is to gaze upon her, 
 She's so gracious, kind, and fair ! 
 For the gifts and graces in her, 
 All her praises do declare. 
 
 Who can weary looking on her? 
 Still her beauty grows more rare; 
 ! how good to gaze upon her, 
 She's so gracious and so fair! 
 
 Here on land and over ocean, 
 Lady bright or damsel rare, 
 Know I none so perfect fair — 
 'Tis a dream to think upon her: 
 O! how good to gaze upon her! 
 
 Charles d'Orleans. 
 
jflora Ctansmuta 
 
 June 28 
 
 SONG MATERIAL 
 
 On my darling's pretty eyes 
 
 I write Canzonettas; 
 On her mouth curved Cupidwise 
 
 I write gay Terzinas ; 
 On her cheek where the dimple lies 
 
 I write splendid Stanzas ; 
 And if my darling had a heart, 
 
 A pretty Sonnet should play its part. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 June £9 
 
 LOVE 
 
 Love held the world safe in its arm, 
 The child lay there all still and warm. 
 But ah! the child fled soon away, 
 And Love looked on in sad dismay ; 
 Childhood's so rich in innocence, 
 And worldly wisdom poor in sense: 
 Nothing but thoughts in endless strife, 
 Like swarm of bees outflown from hive ; 
 pitying Love, descend and come, 
 And take thy child back to its home. 
 
 Ruckert. 
 
JFIora Cransmuta 97 
 
 June 30 
 
 Lovely flower, thou dost remind me 
 
 Of my lady's blushing face, 
 In like fetters thou dost bind me 
 
 When I look upon thy grace. 
 For her beauteous smile, 
 
 Her serene regard, 
 Blindly all the while 
 
 I gaze and gaze so hard. 
 But the morning flies, 
 Dear rose, and storms arise, 
 Storms that will destroy, 
 With thee, my life and joy. 
 
 Strozzi. 
 
 July 1 
 
 Sprinkle me, Lord, with hyssop, 
 All my sins to wipe away, 
 
 Wash me in Thy sacred fountain, 
 Cleanse this soul, I humbly pray. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 July 2 
 
 ITALIAN FOLK-SONG 
 
 My Nani dear walks in the field, 
 Before his steps the grasses yield, 
 They bow their heads and reverence make ; 
 Their hearts love long for patience's sake. 
 
98 jHora Crattsmtita 
 
 July 3 
 
 ON A BAS-RELIEF OF CUPID SET OVER 
 A FOUNTAIN 
 
 In vain, O sculptor, dost thou carve 
 
 Love's form above this fountain-place: 
 
 For all its waters, gushing forth, 
 The flames of Love cannot efface. 
 
 Zenodotus. 
 
 July 4 
 
 AN OLD COURTIER 
 
 Old Crispus never swam against the stream, 
 Nor was he one to speak his mind, nor deem 
 That he must hang his life on truth. Not he. 
 Thus in base safety did he live to see 
 Full man}' a winter, until came at last 
 His eightieth solstice, and with that he passed. 
 
 Believe it basest crime to choose 
 
 Breath before honor, and to lose 
 
 For this poor life, the things for which we live. 
 
 Juvenal. 
 
 July 5 
 
 TREASURE-TROVE 
 
 Into the woodland 
 I strolled one day; 
 
 Nothing I sought there 
 But idle play. 
 
July 6 
 
 jFIora Cran0muta 99 
 
 I saw in the shadow 
 
 A sweet flower He, 
 Like a star of brightness 
 
 Its opened eye. 
 
 I wished to pluck it, 
 
 But gently it said: 
 " I shall wither away 
 
 All broken and dead ! " 
 
 With its tender rootlets 
 
 I dug it out, 
 And bore to my garden 
 
 And little house. 
 
 Again I set it 
 
 In quiet place, 
 And now it branches 
 
 And flowers apace. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 THE BEE 
 
 In the shadow of a lime-tree 
 Silvia sat, with Phillis fair; 
 
 I was with them and I'll tell you, 
 If you can a moment spare, 
 
 What I saw ; for on a sudden 
 
 There came flying through the air 
 
ioo jFIora Cransmuta 
 
 One of Sylvia's bees that hunted 
 
 Through the flowery meadows there, 
 Seeking honey ; and on Phillis, 
 
 On her cheek with blushes rare, 
 Settling, — seeming to declare 
 
 It was redder than the roses, — 
 Stung poor Phillis unaware. 
 
 Then we brushed and drove him from her, 
 And she wept in sad despair. 
 
 " Do not cry," said gentle Sylvia, 
 " I can take away the sore." 
 
 So she murmured mystic verses, 
 Words I never heard before, 
 
 On the wound her kisses pressing. 
 Wonderful to tell! no more 
 
 Phillis wept, for pain departed. 
 Either 'twas the magic lore 
 
 Of the wondrous charm, or, rather, 
 Those sweet lips that I adore. 
 
 Tasso. 
 
 July 7 
 
 Who believes in Christ must suffer indeed; 
 Suffering prays for help in need, 
 Prayer asks to be comforted, 
 Comfort thanks the Lord who bled, 
 Thankfulness then will teach another, 
 Tries his best and converts his brother, 
 
Jflota Ctangmut a 101 
 
 Promises comfort and strength without meas- 
 ure; 
 
 Who follows this course as his greatest treas- 
 ure, 
 
 He runs the right way ever and aye, 
 
 Till he reaches blessedness on high. 
 
 Luther. Latin Verses on the Right use of 
 the Psalms. 
 
 July 8 
 
 EVENING BY THE SEA 
 
 O sea in evening-glow! 
 
 Beside thy quiet shore, 
 After long days of woe, 
 
 I feel a child once more. 
 
 My heart forgets the aim 
 
 It sought so wearily, 
 And every groan is changed 
 
 To softened melody. 
 
 Only a gentle sigh 
 
 Still glides throughout the mind, 
 As on the quiet sea 
 
 One white sail we may find. 
 
 Alfred Meissner 
 
102 jFlota Cransmuta 
 
 July 9 
 
 Who shall be Master? 
 
 Who can invent. 
 Who shall be Journeyman? 
 
 Who works with content. 
 Who shall be Scholar? 
 
 Every one at his bent. 
 
 Johannes Agricola 
 
 July 10 
 
 Maker of men, who orderest all things well, 
 Behold thy creatures who from right have 
 strayed ; 
 O guide us back, our wrong desires repel, 
 In mercy break the chains our guilt has 
 made; 
 And in their stead let gifts of grace distil, 
 And bonds of peace hold each to other still. 
 
 Roman Breviary 
 
 July 11 
 
 Celestial city of the blest, 
 
 Vision of peace and joy and rest, 
 
 Thy gates of pearl are open wide, 
 
 Open to all on every side; 
 
 But narrow path and steepest way 
 
 Leads from our darkness to thy day. 
 
 Roman Breviary 
 
jflora Cransmuta 103 
 
 July 12 
 
 Cowardly thinking, 
 Wavering, sinking, 
 Womanish crying, 
 Despairing and sighing 
 Ward off no evil, 
 Leave thee a slave ! 
 
 Against hostile might 
 Valiant to fight, 
 Yielding thee never, 
 But full of force ever, 
 This brings a blessing, 
 The Gods help the brave. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 July 13 
 
 ON VIRGIL'S BIRTHDAY 
 
 O Ides of May, ye saw Mercurius born, 
 The Ides of August hears Diana's horn, 
 October's Ides has Maro consecrated; 
 Keep the two first, both this and that in turn. 
 Ye who great Maro's birth have celebrated. 
 
 Martial. 
 
104 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 July 14 
 
 THE PHOENIX 
 
 "Tis said that only the Arabian bird, 
 The phoenix, can regenerate itself — 
 It does not feed on herbs or seeded corn, 
 But on the tears of incense does it live, 
 And on all sweet and aromatic juices: 
 And when its life has filled five centuries, 
 Or to an oaktop or the very summit 
 Of some tall, tremulous palm it takes its flight, 
 With beak and claws to fabricate its nest. 
 Then on the same it piles full many a layer 
 Of cassia, nard, and cinnamon, and myrrh; 
 And lying down on the constructed pyre, 
 It is consumed, and dies amidst the odors. 
 Then, so the story goes, the new-born phoenix, 
 That it may be preserved to equal age, 
 Springs up renewed from the maternal ashes ; 
 And when it has acquired sufficient strength 
 To bear the weight, it gently separates 
 From off the tree its nest, both tomb and cradle, 
 And flying through the air to Egypt's shores, 
 It piously transports it, and at threshold 
 Of the bright temple of Hyperion hangs it. 
 
 Ovid. Translated into Italian by Bondi. 
 
jFIora Ctanamuta 105 
 
 July 15 
 
 MADRIGAL 
 
 Cool and tranquil lay the fountain, 
 
 Love's own fount, he showed one day, 
 While the woods and hills were burning 
 
 In the noontide's dazzling ray. 
 I, who longed for shade and coolness, 
 
 Swiftly ran, but dared not stay ; 
 Such sweet beauty lay around it, 
 
 I would not disturb its sway — 
 But I lingered, gazing fondly, 
 
 Standing on the shady bank, 
 All intent to hear the murmur 
 
 -As the bubbles rose and sank. 
 Sweet refreshment for my anguish ! 
 
 Now no longer hard to bear 
 Passion seemed, nor death, nor longing — 
 
 All ye icy clouds, beware! 
 Hence, all dark and gloomy weather! 
 
 That this water bright and fair, 
 With the shadows that surround it — 
 
 No less dear beyond compare, — 
 Joy and gladsomeness may bring, 
 Till the woods and meadows sing. 
 
 G. Steozzi. 
 
106 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 July 16 
 
 MAY MORNING 
 
 How radiant shineth 
 Fair Nature to-day! 
 
 With laughing meadows 
 And sunbeams gay ! 
 
 From every twig 
 
 The flowers outrush, 
 
 And a hundred voices 
 From every bush, 
 
 And joy and rapture 
 
 From every breast. 
 earth, O sunlight ! 
 
 How happy and blest ! 
 
 O love, loving! 
 
 So golden-bright! 
 Like clouds of morning 
 
 On yonder height. 
 
 Thou crownest the fields 
 With blessing and mirth, 
 
 With flower-fragrance 
 Thou fillest the earth. 
 
 O maiden, dear maiden, 
 
 How love I thee ! 
 How shining thine eyes are ! 
 
 How lovest thou me ! 
 
jTIota Cransmuta 107 
 
 So does the lark love 
 
 Song and the air, 
 So do the flowers love 
 
 Heaven's dewdrops fair, 
 
 As I give thee all 
 
 My heart's full dower, 
 And thou givest me joy, 
 
 And youth, and power 
 
 For newer songs, 
 
 And for dancing feet. 
 May love and blessing 
 
 For thee still meet! 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 July 17 
 
 To earthly bodies cometh heavenly strength, 
 And only after battle, peace at length. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 July 18 
 
 Through pathways chosen for us lead our feet; 
 Smooth ways or rough, Thou knowest what is 
 meet. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
108 jflora Crattsmuta 
 
 July 19 
 
 This, the work of our salvation, 
 
 When we all were stained with crime, 
 
 God accomplished through the Saviour, 
 In the plenitude of time. 
 
 On the Cross the Lamb is lifted, 
 
 Immolated for our sake, 
 By our sins nailed there and wounded, 
 
 Death most bitter to partake. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 July 20 
 
 COLUMBUS 
 
 The soul not chosen for a lofty fate 
 
 Neglects magnanimous and mighty tasks, 
 But a great heart great labors only asks, 
 
 Fatigue rejoices it, however great. 
 
 Nor does the frail restraint of vulgar fame 
 
 Hold back the course of spirit pure as flame. 
 
 Thus for long time did basest ways o'erwhelm, 
 When Europe proudly scorned a noble hope ; 
 People and King despised with equal scope 
 The naked sailor promising a realm; 
 But where the waves of unknown oceans roll, 
 He urged the unconquered prow to his own 
 goal. 
 
jflora Crangmuta 109 
 
 July 21 
 
 And as a man hastes homeward out of breath, 
 So he set all his sails upon his mast, 
 Rushed through the sea, sustained its tem- 
 pests' blast, 
 Conquered the crude imaginings of death ; 
 Then when the battle of the ocean passed, 
 Looked on the wondrous fabled land at last. 
 
 Then from his hollow ship swift to alight, 
 He prints his footstep firm on the new world, 
 While through the air as quickly is unfurled 
 The banner of the Cross, heaven's sign so 
 
 bright ; 
 And kneeling low, he gives example due, 
 Adoring it with all his vessel's crew. 
 
 Chiabeera. 
 
 July 28 
 
 LONGING 
 
 A pine-tree standeth lonely 
 
 In the North on a barren height. 
 
 It slumbers, while the snowstorms 
 Envelop it in white. 
 
 It dreams of a fair palm-tree, 
 
 Far off in Eastern land, 
 That still and lonely mourneth 
 
 On its burning rocky strand. 
 
 Heine. 
 
no jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 July 23 
 
 A ROSY WREATH 
 
 O fragrant crown, whether thy roses come 
 From Paestum, or from Tiber's fields, or 
 where 
 
 The Tuscan land is rosy with thy bloom; — 
 Whether the peasant in some garden fair 
 Of far Praeneste plucks thee, or in rare 
 
 Campanian land thou art the chief est prize; — 
 
 To make thee loveliest in Sabinus' eyes, 
 
 Tell him thou com'st from my Nomentan 
 home. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 July M 
 
 SONG 
 
 Darling, go see if the rose 
 
 That this morning comes to disclose 
 
 Its crimson robe to the sun, 
 Will not lose at the twilight hour 
 All the folds of its rosy dower, 
 
 And its color, like yours alone. 
 Alas ! for how little space, 
 Darling, it keeps its place! 
 
 Its beauty must fade and leave. 
 
Jflota Cransmuta 111 
 
 O Nature is cruel, be sure, 
 Since such lovely flowers may endure 
 Only from morn till eve. 
 
 Then, darling, list to my word: 
 While yet you blossom abroad 
 
 In beauty and freshness gay, 
 Rejoice, rejoice in your youth! 
 Old age cometh fast, in truth, 
 
 Like the rose, to take it away. 
 
 Ronsaed. 
 
 July 25 
 
 FIVE THINGS 
 
 What shortens time for me? 
 
 Activity. 
 What makes it longer than one can guess? 
 
 Laziness. 
 What brings one into trouble? 
 
 Waiting for double. 
 How is victory sought? 
 
 By no long thought. 
 How is honor decreed? 
 
 By taking good heed. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
11 2 JFlora Ctangmuta 
 
 July 26 
 
 BOAT-SONG 
 
 " O boatman ! " cries Lisette, 
 
 " I would cross the ferry there ; 
 But alas ! I am too poor 
 
 To pay you any fare." 
 Colin gives answer due: 
 " Come all the same, my dove, 
 And swift may the boat go 
 That carries my love." 
 
 " I return," says Lisette, 
 
 " To my father's own land ; " 
 " Do you think," Colin cries, 
 
 " He would give me your hand ? " 
 The maiden makes answer: 
 
 " That one can but prove ; 
 And swift may the boat go 
 
 That carries my love." 
 
 And now after marriage, 
 
 At work in his boat, 
 Colin still is the best 
 
 Of all husbands afloat. 
 And always he sings, 
 
 Other songs all above: 
 " Oh, swift may the boat go 
 
 That carries my love." 
 
 E. de Planaud. 
 
JFIota Cran0muta 113 
 
 July 27 
 
 FORTUNIO'S SONG 
 
 Think not I will breathe 
 
 The sweet name I adore, 
 For an empire I would not, 
 
 Though you should implore. 
 
 In the dance we will sing, 
 And keep time with our feet, 
 
 That I love her and she 
 Is as fair as the wheat. 
 
 I do all that her fancy 
 
 Would have me to do, 
 If she wishes my life, 
 
 I would give it her too. 
 
 I will bear all the ills 
 
 Of a passion unknown, 
 With heart torn and bleeding, 
 
 Until my last groan. 
 
 But too much do I love 
 
 To dare speak or proclaim; 
 
 I will die for my dear one, 
 And not breathe her name. 
 
 Alfred de Musset. 
 
114 jflora Ctansmuta 
 
 July 28 
 
 Upright of life and free from stain of evil, 
 One needs not Moorish javelin nor crossbow, 
 Nor quiver heavy with envenomed arrows, 
 Fuscus, dear comrade, 
 
 Whether the way lies through the stormy 
 Syrtes, 
 Or through the most inhospitable country 
 Caucasus, or where flows the wondrous, fabled 
 River Hydaspes. 
 For a fierce wolf within the Sabine forest, 
 While I was singing of Lalage, and straying 
 Far beyond bounds, unguarded, free and care- 
 less, — 
 Fled from my footstep : 
 
 Such monster neither proud and warlike 
 Daunias 
 Keeps in its sides all thick with winter oak-trees, 
 Nor does the land of Juba bear, the arid 
 Nurse of the lions. 
 
 Place me where now upon the barren deserts 
 No tree is ever cooled by summer breezes, 
 Within that zone where cloudy and ill weather 
 The sky sends downward: 
 
 Place me wherever the fierce sun burns nearest, 
 Within a land denied to mortal dwellings, 
 Still will I sing my Lalage sweet-smiling, 
 Sweetly discoursing. 
 
 Horace. I, 22. 
 
jFlota Crawsmuta 115 
 
 July 29 
 
 POLYPHEMUS TO GALATEA 
 
 Galatea, hither come : what pleasure canst dis- 
 cover 
 
 Within the waves, while here on land the smiling 
 spring will hover? 
 
 Beside the brooks the earth pours forth its 
 flowers of varied hue, 
 
 And the white poplar leans its head the hill- 
 side cave to view; 
 
 The grapevine weaves its tendrils soft, and 
 winds them o'er and o'er; 
 
 O hither come; leave the wild waves to beat 
 upon the shore. 
 
 Virgil. Bucolics IX, 39. 
 
 July 30 
 
 CONFIDENCE 
 
 As far as earth extends her zone 
 
 The fruit of love shines bright, 
 And every heart obtains its own, 
 
 If it but seeks aright. 
 Let all thy careful sorrows go, 
 
 The heavens are ever blue ; 
 Pleasure and pain change to and fro, 
 
 Trust in the good and true. 
 
 Tieck. 
 
116 jTIora Ctansmuta 
 
 July 31 
 
 MY NORMANDY 
 
 When hope again springs fresh and bright, 
 
 And winter flies from us afar; 
 And o'er our France with sky so light, 
 
 The sunbeams soft and warmer are ; 
 When nature once again is green, 
 
 When swallows back to us return, 
 Once more I'll see my Normandy, 
 
 It is the land where I was born. 
 
 I've seen Helvetia's alpine fields, 
 
 Her chalets and her glaciers rare ; 
 I've seen Italian skies and shields, 
 
 And gondolas in Venice fair; 
 Each country bright and lovely seems, 
 
 But still I say: No place or bourne 
 Is fairer than my Normandy, 
 
 It is the place where I was born. 
 
 There is a time in every life 
 
 When fancies die and have an end, 
 A time when soul can cease its strife, 
 
 And needs remembrance as a friend; 
 When my poor muse, grown chill and cold, 
 
 Turns all my love-songs into scorn, 
 I will go see my Normandy, 
 
 It is the land where I was born. 
 
 F. Berat. 
 
jFlora Ctan$muta 117 
 
 August 1 
 
 CLOUDS 
 
 Tender little cloudlets hover 
 
 High in heaven here and there, 
 
 Brightest life and easy labor, 
 Unknown meanings they declare. 
 
 On these white and moving cloudlets 
 Strikes at eve a sunbeam fair, 
 
 And the sun spins with its distaff 
 Golden webs throughout the air. 
 
 So within thine own sweet heaven, 
 Love and goal of all my life, 
 
 Floats a cloudy veil and turmoil 
 
 Made of thoughts and motions rife. 
 
 With thy soft and radiant glances 
 Thou dost order what is there, 
 
 All to snare unhappy mortals, 
 Making golden nets and rare. 
 
 Lceben. 
 
 August 2 
 
 JETNA 
 
 The waving fires of Mtna how often have we 
 
 seen, 
 The Cyclops' broken furnaces and ragged cliffs 
 
 between ! 
 
118 jFlora Ctansmuta 
 
 Great balls of flame burst glowing forth, and 
 
 lava's liquid stream, 
 Till all the fields are covered wide, and beds 
 
 of ashes seem; 
 Far-off Germania hears the sound of battle in 
 
 the sky, 
 And tremble with unwonted fear the Alpine 
 
 mountains high. 
 
 Virgil. Georgics I, 471-475. 
 
 August 3 
 
 I know the mind of womankind: 
 
 What you wish, they will not have it; 
 
 What you wish not, all the more they crave it. 
 
 Terence. 
 
 August 4 
 
 Out of life two ways are opened for thee : 
 To the Ideal leading, and to Death. 
 
 Choose the first before Fate comes and drives 
 thee 
 On the second swift and out of breath. 
 
 Schiller. 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 119 
 
 August 5 
 
 TALK OF THE WAVES 
 
 Hear one wave say to another : 
 "Oh, how quick we pass, my brother ! " 
 Hear the answer back again : 
 "Shortest life means shortest pain ! " 
 
 R. Tanner. 
 
 August 6 
 
 PROCESSION IN HONOR OF JUNO 
 
 Since in Falerian orchardlands was born 
 My wife, I've seen the walls by sieges torn 
 In proud Camillus' conquest ; and 'tis there 
 The priests in Juno's name their feast prepare 
 With famous games and bulls from pastures 
 
 fair. 
 Great is the gain if one delays to know 
 The rite, though steep the pathway from below. 
 Here is a grove, ancient and dark with trees, 
 Its very look tells you a god dwells there. 
 Within it stands, for incense and for prayer, 
 An old-time altar, without art to please. 
 Here when the pipe begins its solemn song, 
 The annual pomp comes on o'er carpets strewn 
 
 along. 
 The snowy heifers slow are led among 
 The people's plaudits, and the bullocks tread 
 Not now with threatening fronts, creating dread. 
 
120 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 August 7 
 
 Then lesser victims, swine from humble stye, 
 And the herd's leader, with horns curving high ; 
 A kid, sole object of great Juno's hate, 
 Said to have found her in the deep woods late, 
 And thus disclosed her flight and changed her 
 
 fate. 
 Now is the culprit shot at by the boys, 
 And given as prize, received with joyful noise. 
 To meet the goddess, young and timid girls 
 Run through the ways, strewing their robes in 
 
 whirls. 
 The maidens' locks are held by gems and gold, 
 Their jewelled sandals shine through falling 
 
 fold; 
 Veiled in the Grecian manner, robed in white, 
 They bear the sacred vessels to the height. 
 The golden pomp the people all admire, 
 Juno herself follows the sacred fire. 
 
 The rite is Greek. When Agamemnon died, 
 Halesus left his blood-stained country-side, 
 And, after wandering over sea and land, 
 Founded this city with propitious hand; 
 Junonian worship here he taught his race, 
 May it bring me, and all his people, grace ! 
 
 Ovid. Amorum Liber III, Elegia XIII. 
 
jTlota Ctangmuta 121 
 
 August 8 
 
 TO HIS BOOK 
 
 To whom wilt be a gift, my little book? 
 Make haste to choose a patron ; round thee look, 
 Lest they should carry thee to kitchen black, 
 Where tunny-fish need damp papyrus-back, 
 Or horns for salt or pepper shalt thou make. 
 Ah! to Faustinus wisely dost thou take 
 Thy way. Now cedar-perfumed shalt thou go, 
 And wear a double crown about thy brow, 
 In painted roller-ends thou shalt rejoice, 
 Thy cover shall be all of purple choice, 
 Thy index proud red-lettered shall appear: 
 With this kind friend, no Critic shalt thou fear. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 August 9 
 
 You who would seek sure ease from hardest bur- 
 dens, — 
 Whether your own guilt stings your anxious 
 breast, 
 Or pain cling to you as a closest comrade, — 
 Come, bear an easy yoke and take your rest. 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
122 jflora C*an$muta 
 
 August 10 
 
 EVENING HYMN 
 
 On smooth-gliding wheel the sun 
 Makes the day to darkness run; 
 So with silent step and fast 
 Life draws near its goal at last. 
 
 Christ, who, nailed upon the cross, 
 Stretched thine arms to all the lost, 
 Make us love the cross, and then, 
 When thy voice is heard again, 
 Give us grace that when we die, 
 We in thine embrace may lie. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 August 11 
 
 WANDERER'S NIGHT-SONG 
 
 Thou who art in highest heaven, 
 
 Who canst still our every grief, 
 And to one in doubled sorrow 
 
 Sendest doubly-kind relief, — 
 I am weary of this struggle! 
 
 Why is all this joy and smart? 
 Sweetest peace and sweetest quiet, 
 
 Come, O come to my poor heart ! 
 
 Goethe. 
 
jTIota Cransmuta 123 
 
 August 12 
 
 Joyful 
 
 And sorrowful, 
 
 Thoughtful again; 
 
 Trembling, 
 
 Dissembling, 
 
 In quivering pain ; 
 Heaven-high rejoicing, 
 
 Cast down from above, 
 Happy alone 
 
 Is the heart that can love. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 August 13 
 
 The bread of angels is made food for men. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 August 14 
 
 BOAT SONG 
 
 Ocean so bright and fair, 
 Shore so beloved 
 Drive all his troubles 
 From heart of the sailor. 
 Come to my little bark, 
 Swift as a swallow, 
 Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. 
 
124 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 August 15 
 
 ON THE GARDENS OF MARCELLA, HIS 
 WIFE 
 
 These groves, this fountain, and this shady 
 vine, 
 
 This stream in channel flowing ever clear ; 
 These beds of roses yielding not the palm 
 
 To those of Paestum that bloom twice a year ; 
 This vegetable garden, bright and green 
 
 In January, which no frost can bite; 
 This well-stocked eel-pond, and this snowy 
 tower, 
 
 Full of its pretty pigeons just as white; 
 All these are my wife's gifts, at my return, 
 
 After an absence of seven lustres long: 
 This little kingdom and this empire small 
 
 Marcella gave, to her it did belong. 
 And now, if King Alcinous should make known 
 
 His wish to grant me all his fair domain, 
 I can make answer : " I prefer my own." 
 
 Martial. 
 
 August 16 
 
 By the Word did water change its nature, 
 Reddening into wine at His command. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
JFIota Cran0muta 125 
 
 August 17 
 
 CAMILLA 
 
 Last to the standard fair Camilla came, 
 A warrior maid, of Volscian race and name, 
 Leading a troop of horse and youthful bands : 
 No expert she with distaff's twisted strands, 
 But war she loved, and perils hard to meet, 
 And to outstrip the winds with winged feet. 
 Over the bending wheatfields could she fly, 
 And never harm one blade beneath the sky; 
 Or on the sea, above its swelling flood 
 Dry-soled could pass, and make her footing 
 
 good. 
 Her all the youths, from house and field poured 
 
 forth, 
 Her all the mothers watch, with open mouth ; 
 They mark, as swift she passes out of sight, 
 How a King's purple veils her shoulders slight, 
 How golden circlets wreathe her hair, and light 
 A Lycian quiver hangs, pointed with myrtle 
 
 bright. 
 
 Virgil. JEneid VII, 805. 
 
 August 18 
 
 Death is the cool and quiet night, 
 Life is the day so sultry bright. 
 'Tis twilight now, and I sleepy grow, 
 The day has made me weary so! 
 
126 Jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Over my bed there rises a tree, 
 And in it a nightingale sings to me ; 
 He sings of love and nought beside, 
 I hear it even in dreaming-tide. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 August 19 
 
 THE DAWN OF DAY 
 
 The dawn of day 
 To all our woods gives back their fresh array ; 
 Flora is lovelier coming back to stay ; 
 The birds resume their joyous lay: 
 All things to celebrate assay 
 
 The dawn of day. 
 
 At dawn of day 
 Desire and fancy spring more bright and gay ; 
 The troubadour of May 
 Sings of his love when night comes clad in 
 
 gray: 
 But better, I dare say, 
 At dawn of day. 
 
 The dawn of day 
 Sometimes, alas ! brings sadness and dismay. 
 For night-time slips away, 
 And loving hearts delay, 
 When forced to break away 
 At dawn of day. 
 
 Etienne. 
 
Jflora Crangmuta 127 
 
 August 20 
 
 So does the limpid Meander among the Phrygian 
 rivers 
 
 Play, and with lapse ambiguous onward it flows 
 and backward ; 
 
 Meeting itself, it looks on the coming course of 
 its waters, 
 
 And now to its fountain source, now to the ocean 
 reverting, 
 
 It leads its uncertain waves in endless and ser- 
 pentine motion. 
 
 Ovid. Metamorphoses VIII, 163. 
 
 August 21 
 
 THE ARMOR 
 
 Venus, fair goddess, came through airy clouds, 
 Bringing her gifts ; and when in a far valley 
 She saw her son alone by a cool river, 
 She placed herself before, and thus addressed 
 
 him: 
 " Behold the gifts I promised, my son ! 
 By Vulcan's art perfected ; hesitate not 
 To challenge soon proud Turnus and his 
 
 people." 
 She ceased, and sought her son's embrace, and 
 
 left him, 
 Placing the radiant armor 'neath an oak. 
 He, joyful in the gifts, and in such honor, 
 
128 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 Cannot be satisfied, but still examines 
 Each separate piece, and turns within his hands 
 The flashing helmet, dreadful with its crest, 
 The fatal sword, the cuirass stiff with brass, 
 As terrible and great as purple cloud 
 Struck by the sunrays, glowing from afar; 
 Then the light greaves of gold and of electrum, 
 The spear, and shield, hardest to be described. 
 Virgil. vEneid VIII, 608, et seq. 
 
 August 22 
 
 LIKE TO LIKE 
 
 A flower's little bell 
 
 Came out of the ground, 
 All early to blossom, 
 
 And fair to be found. 
 By came a bee, 
 
 And sipped its sweet, 
 Surely these for each other 
 
 Were made to meet. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 August 23 
 
 O heavenly Justice ! slow to fall, but then 
 So much the heavier on evil men. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
Jflora Cratt0muta 129 
 
 August 24 
 
 When thou dost look, my star, 
 On the heavenly spheres afar, 
 I would I were the skies, 
 That thou mightst turn the blaze 
 Of all thy brightest rays 
 On me, and I might gaze 
 Upon thy thousand beauties with 
 a thousand eyes. 
 
 Plato. Translated by Tasso. 
 
 August 25 
 
 Happy and blest is he who can know the causes 
 
 of all things, 
 And every mortal fear and fate that cannot be 
 
 hindered 
 Under his feet has placed, and the noise of 
 
 Acheron greedy ! 
 Fortunate too is he, who has known the gods 
 
 of the country, 
 Pan, and Silvanus old, and the sister Nymphs 
 
 in their kindness ! 
 Neither popular power, nor even the royal 
 
 purple 
 Can move his soul, nor discord of faithless, 
 
 quarreling brethren ; 
 
130 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 Nor the Dacian descending in wrath from dis- 
 tant rebellious Ister ; 
 No, nor Roman affairs, and the kingdom falling 
 
 to ruin; 
 He needs not grieve for the poor, nor does he 
 
 envy the rich man. 
 Fruits that the branches offer, and crops that 
 
 come from the meadows 
 Almost at their own will, he gathers ; nor laws 
 
 hard as iron, 
 Nor all the forum's madness, nor the people's 
 
 records affect him. 
 Others may fret the shallow bays and rivers 
 
 with galleys, 
 Others may rush into battle, and enter palace 
 
 and temple. 
 
 Virgil. 
 
 August 26 
 
 THE EMPEROR HADRIAN TO HIS SOUL 
 
 Little soul of mine, 
 Hovering light and fine, 
 Body's comrade, body's guest, 
 In what places shalt thou rest? 
 When all pallid, rigid, stripped, 
 Thou no more shalt jest. 
 
jFlota Ctansmuta i3i 
 
 August 27 
 
 THE POET AND HIS MUSE 
 
 How dark the valley grows! 
 I thought a veiled form rose 
 Through the misty night of May. 
 I saw it float and pass 
 Above the flowery grass; 
 Strange revery ! and alas! 
 Now it has vanished away. 
 
 Why does my heart beat fast? 
 What is this fear that has passed 
 
 And turned my soul to a stone? 
 Does some one knock at my door? 
 Why does the lamp no more 
 
 Die down, but leap at my groan? 
 Heaven ! how can I tremble so ? 
 Who is there? Who calls me? No. 
 It is but the clock's dull blow ; 
 
 I am poor and alone. 
 
 Is it thy voice's call, 
 
 O my Muse, is it thou indeed? 
 The immortal flower of all, 
 
 The only friend at need, 
 Who loves me and takes my part ! 
 
132 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 Yes, it is thou, my sweet, 
 I hear the rush of thy feet, 
 And I feel, in the night so deep, 
 Thy golden garment's sweep 
 And thy light overflow my heart. 
 
 De Musset. 
 
 August 28 
 
 Happy the man, and likest to the gods, 
 Whom glory, shining with consuming fire, 
 Solicits not, nor luxury's false joy, 
 But he permits his quiet days to pass 
 In tranquil silence of a harmless life. 
 
 Poeitian. 
 
 August 29 
 
 Thou art most like a flower, 
 So lovely, pure, and fair; 
 
 I gaze on thee, and sadness 
 Steals o'er me unaware. 
 
 I would that I could bless thee, 
 That God would thee secure; 
 
 I pray that He will keep thee 
 As lovely, fair, and pure. 
 
 Heine. 
 
jflora Cransmuta 133 
 
 August 30 
 
 ITALIAN FOLK-SONG 
 
 O rose of roses, O rose of beauty, 
 For thee I sleep not day or night, 
 
 To think of thee is all my duty, 
 Return to thee, my one delight. 
 
 My best delight, to turn to thee, 
 
 Ever, dear love, thy face to see. 
 
 August 31 
 
 TO JULIUS MARTIAL 
 
 The things that make the happy life, 
 
 O dearest Martial, these are they : 
 A competence not won by strife, 
 
 But left to us by will to-day ; 
 A quiet mind, a healthy frame, 
 
 A fruitful field, a constant hearth; 
 No law-suit, rarely robes of state, 
 
 Prudent simplicity and mirth. 
 Friends that are equal, kinsmen kind, 
 
 A simple table without art; 
 A sober night, no cares to bind, 
 
 Sleep that makes short the shadowy part 
 A heart content, that never tires, 
 Nor fears thy last day nor desires. 
 
 Martial. 
 
134 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 September 1 
 
 THE SWAN AND THE EAGLE 
 
 Swan: 
 On the quiet waters is my dwelling, 
 Where I move in circles smooth, outswelling 
 Still to vanish, while they mirror ever 
 Curving neck and whitest form. 
 
 Eagle : 
 I nest in cliffs and rocky ledges, 
 I rush through clouds and whirlwind edges, 
 Trusting to strong wings that never 
 Flag in hunt or fight or storm. 
 
 September 2 
 
 Swan: 
 By Apollo's gracious nod invited, 
 In pure streams of song I bathe delighted ; 
 Nestled at his feet, whene'er his singing 
 Floats and falls through Tempe's lovely 
 vale. 
 
 Eagle : 
 
 By the throne of Jove, I sit, all brightening ; 
 
 When he nods to me, I bring his lightning; 
 
 Then I sink in sleep, and cease my winging, 
 
 On his staff whose terrors never fail. 
 
jFlora Cransmttta 135 
 
 September 3 
 
 Swan : 
 Godlike strength and might surround and 
 
 bind me, — 
 Into Leda's arms I gladly wind me ; 
 Tender hands with soft caress and clasping 
 Stroke my plumage spreading all abroad. 
 
 Eagle : 
 Like a bolt from the ether I started, 
 Ganymede from his comrades I parted ; 
 I bore him in talons' safe grasping, 
 And on high to Olympus I soared. 
 
 September 4 
 
 Swan : 
 
 With foreboding gaze I watch the distance, 
 
 Mark the stars and all their soft insistence ; 
 
 And within me stirs a secret longing 
 
 For a heavenly home in heavenly land. 
 
 Eagle : 
 
 I stretch my pinions, full of rapture, 
 As if I would the sunbeams capture ; 
 With the immortal race belonging, 
 
 I turn with scorn from earthly strand. 
 
136 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 September 5 
 
 Swan: 
 
 Gentle lives a gentle death betoken; 
 When the golden cord of life is broken, 
 Tongue is loosed, and music's consecration 
 Falls upon the holy, blessed time. 
 
 Eagle : 
 
 Death's torch is youth's gladdest renewing ; 
 As a phoenix, its courses pursuing, 
 The soul flies with joyous elation 
 To greet its true heavenly clime. 
 
 A. W. Schxegel,. 
 
 September 6 
 
 Music is one of the best and most beautiful 
 gifts of God. ... It is one of the best arts. 
 The notes give life to the words. They drive 
 away the spirit of heaviness, as one sees in King 
 Saul. . . . Music is the best refreshment for 
 troubled men, since it quickens the heart, and 
 makes it once more at peace with itself. 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
jHora Craosmuta 137 
 
 September 7 
 
 Thee before the end of day, 
 Maker of all things, we pray, 
 Guard us by thy clemency, 
 Keep us in thy custody. 
 
 Let all dreams recede afar, 
 Phantoms dark of nightly war, 
 Keep our enemy in thrall, 
 Keep our bodies pure from all. 
 
 Help us, Father, Holy One, 
 With Thine own companion Son, 
 With the Spirit Paraclete 
 Reigning through the ages fleet. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 September 8 
 
 Let us praise the holy Angels, 
 Guardians of men are they, 
 
 Whom the Father sent from heaven, 
 Fragile nature's help and stay, 
 
 That we should not yield to evil, 
 Nor to passion fall a prey. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
138 jflora Crangmuta 
 
 September 9' 
 
 . . . The farmer opens the earth with his 
 
 crooked plough and his harrow. 
 This is his yearly toil; by this his country and 
 
 children 
 Calm he maintains, his bullocks too and his 
 
 oxen. 
 Rest has he none, for either the harvest loads him 
 
 with apples, 
 Or with the herd's increase; or the sheaves of 
 
 bountiful Ceres 
 Fill the furrows with wheat, and crowd his barns 
 
 unto bursting. 
 When winter arrives, Sicyonian berries he 
 
 bruises ; 
 Joyful the swine return from their acorns ; and 
 
 arbutus ripens ; 
 Autumn gives various fruit, and then is time for 
 
 the vintage 
 High on the sunny rocks to grow and ripen in 
 
 mildness : 
 All this while his children dear hang round him 
 
 for kisses ; 
 His home is purity's dwelling; his cows have 
 
 heaviest udders : 
 His kids on the pleasant grass delight to contend 
 
 with each other. 
 
 Virgil. Georgics II, 490-526. 
 
iFIora Ctansmuta 139 
 
 September 10 
 
 THE STARS 
 
 The Sun, it made a circle true 
 
 The World around; 
 The little Stars said : " We will go with you 
 
 The World around " ; 
 But the Sun it scolded them : " Stay without, 
 I shall burn your golden eyes all out, 
 
 In my fiery race round the World." 
 
 So the little Stars went to the Lady Moon, 
 
 In the night ; 
 And they said : " O queen of the clouds so 
 soon 
 
 In the night, 
 Let us travel with you, for your gentle ray 
 Never will burn our eyes away." 
 
 So she made them her comrades at night. 
 
 Now welcome, Stars and dear Lady Moon 
 
 In the night! 
 You know what the heart desires for a boon 
 
 In the night ; 
 Come and kindle your heavenly fires on high, 
 That I may rejoice with you, even I, 
 
 In the friendly joy of the night. 
 
 Aundt. 
 
140 jFlora Crangmuta 
 
 September 11 
 
 THE DOVES 
 
 In the myrtles' shadow green 
 Mate with truest mate is seen; 
 Here we flutter, and exchange 
 Many kisses long; 
 
 Search and stray, 
 
 Coo and play, 
 
 Yearn and range, 
 
 Joy in wishes strong. 
 
 Drawing Venus' car we fly, 
 Pressing each to other nigh, 
 All our feathers blue and soft 
 Sunbeams edge like swords. 
 
 When she smiles, 
 
 How it beguiles ! 
 
 Come to us oft, 
 
 Best of rewards ! 
 
 Turn all storms and clouds away, 
 Goddess dear and kind, we pray ; 
 In their modest, joyful frame 
 Keep thy pair of doves. 
 
 Keep us together 
 
 Through the fair weather; 
 
 Then in thine altar-flame 
 
 Offer our loves. 
 
 A. W. ScHLEGEL. 
 
JFIora Cransmuta 141 
 
 September 12 
 
 Three kinds there are of human minds : the one 
 Can understand of its own self apart; 
 The second can but understand the sum 
 Of what another person may impart; 
 The third nor understands by self alone, 
 Nor by another's demonstration shown. 
 
 Machiavelu. 
 
 September 13 
 
 THE OLD SHEPHERD 
 
 To others poverty is vile, but dear 
 To me, so that I make no quest 
 
 For any treasure, and ambitions rare 
 
 Have never place within my quiet breast. 
 
 I quench my thirst only with water clear, 
 In which I fear not poison foul may rest: 
 
 And this small flock and orchard can dispense 
 
 All food I need for table or for sense. 
 
 Tasso. 
 
 September 14 
 
 Suffer in silence and endure, 
 Let thy need call on God alway, 
 In God despair not, but be sure 
 Good fortune will come any day. 
 
 Luther. 
 
142 jHora Cran0mttta 
 
 September 15 
 
 In sorrow joy, 
 
 In gladness sorrow, 
 
 Glad in the Lord, 
 
 Sad for ourselves each morrow. 
 
 Luther. 
 
 September 16 
 
 THE RAIN 
 
 The rain, the rain has come at length! 
 
 The thirsty vines are drinking, 
 The stems and branches draw new strength, 
 
 With drops the leaves are winking. 
 The praise of water let us sing, 
 For water is of life the king. 
 
 We could not have the purple grape 
 
 Without the help of water ; 
 In vintage-time our thirst we'll slake, 
 
 And please the wife and daughter. 
 The lads and lasses dance and sing, 
 As piles of grapes come tumbling in 
 From baskets loaded to the brim, 
 
 And all is mirth and laughter. 
 
 After Armand Gottffe. 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 143 
 
 September 17 
 
 SONG 
 
 While once I passed the meadow through, 
 
 At eve I saw, beside the way, 
 A flower all trembling wet with dew, 
 
 A pale wild rose upon the spray. 
 A bud was opening in its stead, 
 
 All green and fresh it balanced there; 
 I saw the new flower open spread ; 
 The youngest seemed the loveliest head: 
 
 A man for newest things will care. 
 
 While once I sauntered through the vale, 
 A bird was singing in the height ; 
 
 His little brood, in storm and hail, 
 
 Had all been swept away that night. 
 
 And yet he sang in morning glow; 
 O muse of mine, weep thou no more: 
 Who loses all, has God in store, 
 
 Has God on high, and hope below. 
 
 De Musset. 
 
 September 18 
 
 A REMINDER 
 
 Why forever search and wander? 
 
 Look! the Good you seek is here. 
 Learn to grasp at Fortune quickly ; 
 
 Fortune ever standeth near. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
144 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 September 19 
 
 TO MAXIMUS 
 
 One house thou hast on the Esquiline, one on the 
 hill of Diana, 
 A third one rises on high on the Patrician 
 Way; 
 From this side thou lookest on Cybele's temple, 
 from that side on Vesta's, 
 Here on the modern abode of Jupiter, there 
 on the old. 
 Tell me where I shall find thee, and in what place 
 I shall seek thee? 
 He who lives everywhere, ah ! Maximus, no- 
 where he lives. 
 
 Martial,. 
 
 September &0 
 
 PARTING 
 
 When two friends must be parted, 
 
 To each a hand they lend, 
 And then begins a sighing 
 
 And weeping without end. 
 
 But we have made no weeping, 
 
 We sighed not Ah ! nor Oh ! 
 The tears and sobs came after, 
 
 With anguish and with woe. 
 
 Heine. 
 
jHora Cransmuta 145 
 
 September 21 
 
 SERENADE 
 
 O! lend from thy soft pillow 
 A dreaming ear, no more ! 
 With my guitar's soft playing 
 Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 
 
 With my guitar's soft playing 
 The starry host that soar 
 Bless old eternal feelings; 
 Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 
 
 The old eternal feelings 
 Lift me on high to soar, 
 Out of this earthly whirlpool ; 
 Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 
 
 From every earthly whirlpool 
 Thou drawest me more and more, 
 Driv'st me to outer darkness ; 
 Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 
 
 Banished to outer darkness, 
 Thou hear'st me in dream, no more. 
 Oh ! on thy soft white pillow 
 Sleep on! what wilt thou more? 
 
 Goethe. 
 
146 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 September &2 
 
 COLOGNE 
 
 In the beautiful Rhine river 
 Stands mirrored all alone, 
 
 With its stately old Cathedral, 
 The holy town Cologne. 
 
 Within the great Cathedral, 
 
 On golden leather there, 
 Is painted a wondrous picture, 
 
 On my poor life it shines fair. 
 
 A wreath of flowers and angels 
 Clings round our Lady dear; 
 
 Her lips and cheeks and eyelids 
 Are like my sweetheart's here. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 September 23 
 
 THE LOTUS 
 
 The lotus-flower is troubled 
 
 By the burning sunbeams bright; 
 With head bent down and dreaming 
 
 She waiteth for the night. 
 The moon, he is her lover, 
 
 To wake her with his rays, 
 For him she unveils gladly 
 
 Her fairest flower-face. 
 
jFlora Ctan0muta 147 
 
 She blushes and glows and glitters 
 
 And gazes up on high ; 
 She weeps and shivers and trembles 
 
 With loving ecstasy. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 September 24 
 
 SONG 
 
 Ninon, Ninon, why dost thy life despise? 
 
 Time flieth fast and day succeeds to day. 
 The rose of eve to-morrow faded lies. 
 
 How canst thou live o'er whom love has no 
 
 What matter if the day end or begin? 
 When with another life within 
 
 Our heart-beats move? 
 Rosebuds, unfold. If death take you away, 
 Life is but sleep, and love its dream, we say, 
 
 We live indeed only but when we love. 
 
 De Musset. 
 
 September. 25 
 
 Soldiers of the court celestial, 
 Lights of all the world are these, 
 All the blessed martyrs, changing 
 Earthly pain for heavenly peace. 
 
 Fourth or Fifth Century. 
 
148 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 September 26 
 
 THE SONG OF TROILUS 
 
 If no love is, O God! what feel I so? 
 
 And if love is, what thing and which is he? 
 
 If love be good, from whence may come my woe? 
 If it be bad, wondrous it seems to me 
 That every torment and adversity 
 That comes of him I should most savory 
 
 think, 
 For aye thirst I the more, each time I drink. 
 
 And if that at mine own desire I burn, 
 
 From whence then comes my wailing and my 
 plaint ? 
 
 If harm so please me, wherefore plain I then? 
 I know not, nor why, wearied not, I faint. 
 O lively death, O sweetest harm so quaint, 
 How is there in my heart such store of thee, 
 But if that I consent that so it be? 
 
 And if that I consent, I wrongfully 
 
 Complain indeed: thus carried to and fro, 
 All rudderless within a boat am I 
 
 Amidst the sea, betwixt two winds that blow, 
 And in contrary stand forevermo. 
 Alas ! what is this wondrous malady ? 
 For heat of cold, for cold of heat I die. 
 Chaucer, translated from 
 Petrarch's 102nd Sonnet. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 149 
 
 September 27 
 
 Look not out into the distant future,, 
 
 Take what lies at hand, and do thy best ; 
 
 Thou must sow, if thou wouldst reap the harvest, 
 Only busy hands know how to rest. 
 
 Karl Spitta. 
 
 September 28 
 
 His flesh and blood He gave us, 
 
 His fellowship in birth, 
 His precious death to save us, 
 
 Himself in heaven and earth. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 September 29 
 
 Easy is the descent to Avernus, O son of An- 
 
 chises, 
 Night and day wide open the gates of Plutus 
 
 are standing; 
 But to recall the foot, and once more to ascend 
 
 to the ether. 
 This is labor and toil. A few, beloved of 
 
 justice, 
 Of Zeus, or raised on high by the might of 
 
 excellent virtue, 
 A few have succeeded. 
 
 Virgil. ^Eneid VI, 126-129. 
 
150 jFlora Crangmuta 
 
 September 30 
 
 NIGHT 
 
 It was deep night, and wearied ones were lying 
 In placid sleep o'er all the earth; the sighing 
 Of sylvan woods, and the fierce waters' crying 
 Lay quiet all, while the stars rolled above 
 In middle courses, and no breath did move 
 In any field ; the flocks, and painted birds, 
 And all that live in lakes, and all that herds 
 In rough and thorny place, were softly soothing 
 Hearts that forgot their labors, and were 
 
 smoothing 
 All cares away in silent sleep and night. 
 
 Virgil. ^Eneid IV, 522-528. 
 Through Caro's Italian Translation. 
 
 October 1 
 
 NEARNESS 
 
 I think of thee, when the full sunbeams' bright- 
 ness 
 
 Streams on the sea ; 
 I think of thee, when the moon's tender whiteness 
 
 The brook sends back to me. 
 
 I see thy face, when in the far-off distance 
 
 The mists arise ; 
 In the deep night, when on the narrow pathway 
 
 The timid traveller hies. 
 
Jflora Ctansmuta 151 
 
 I hear thy voice when, with a hollow murmur, 
 
 The wave breaks on the shore ; 
 In the deep forest I go oft to listen 
 
 When all is still once more. 
 
 I am with thee, though widest distance sever; 
 
 Still thou art near! 
 The sun is sinking, soon the stars will kindle. 
 
 O wert thou here ! 
 
 Goethe to Liu. 
 
 October 2 
 
 Not all is taken from our earthly side, 
 For love still lives and grief; now 'tis denied 
 Such sweetness to behold, but though bereft, 
 To weep and to remember it is left. 
 
 Petrarch. 
 
 October 3 
 
 The king of rivers, 
 The great Eridanus, his' bed o'erflowing, 
 Tore up the forests in his angry course, 
 And dragged away with him both herds and 
 stalls. 
 
 Virgil. Georgics I, 481. 
 
152 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 October 4 
 
 A GIFT OF FLOWERS 
 
 Behold, for you the forest Nymphs bring bas- 
 kets full of lilies : 
 
 For you the fountain Naiads pull bright yellow 
 daffodillies, 
 
 Pale violets and poppies tall, and for your pleas- 
 ure meet 
 
 The snowy-white narcissus flower with anise 
 breathing sweet: 
 
 Then with sweet herbs encircling all, they gather 
 and enfold 
 
 Soft hyacinth, of many bells, with saffron mari- 
 gold. 
 
 Virgil. Eclogue II, 45-50. 
 
 October 5 
 
 The Cross is health for every creature, 
 
 Brightest light and truest fire, 
 All the hope of all the faithful, 
 
 All their solace and desire. 
 'Tis of paradise the portal, 
 Where the saints rejoice immortal, 
 
 They who conquered in the fight ; 
 Medicine for all the living, 
 By its strength and virtue giving 
 
 Wondrous gifts of healing might. 
 
 St. Bonaventura. 
 
Jflora Ctansmuta 153 
 
 October 6 
 
 THE MADONNA DI SAN SISTO 
 
 She bears Him to the world, and full of horror 
 He gazes on the chaos of its crime, 
 On the mad raging of its stormy passion, 
 Its acts of folly and its waste of time, 
 The pangs unceasing of its sorrow-torment, 
 And all its agony of woe sublime ; 
 With grief He looks : and yet His eyes are beam- 
 ing 
 With peaceful triumph in His love redeeming. 
 
 Schopenhauer. 
 
 October 7 
 
 Jesu, who the prayer of mortals 
 
 Lovest to receive, 
 Lo, we come as suppliants asking 
 
 Thee to help us and relieve. 
 
 If the chains of sin have bound us, 
 
 Quickly us restore; 
 From their dreadful weight and pressure 
 
 Save us, we implore. 
 
 If the false, deceiving image 
 
 Of this world that we deplore, 
 Draw us to forget our heaven, — 
 
 Save us, we implore. 
 
154 jflota Cransmuta 
 
 If an adverse fate hang o'er us, 
 
 Threatening mind and body sore, — 
 
 Send us quiet, peaceful seasons, 
 Save us, we implore. 
 
 Save Thy children, ever crying 
 
 In the instant fear of death, 
 With Thy help may we be victors, 
 
 Gain the last reward of faith. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 October 8 
 
 Use ever truth and honesty 
 
 Throughout thine earthly day, 
 
 And turn aside no finger's breadth 
 From God's appointed way. 
 
 Then in green meadow smooth and plain 
 Thou shalt draw peaceful breath; 
 
 Then shalt thou without fear or pain 
 Look in the face of death. 
 
 Then shall thy sickle and thy plough 
 
 Work easily and fine; 
 While all contented singest thou 
 
 With water as with wine. 
 
Jflora Cransmutet 155 
 
 October 9 
 
 For villains, all is hard to bear, 
 
 Let them do what they will; 
 Crime drives them swiftly to and fro, 
 
 Nor leaves them ever still. 
 
 The springtime never smiles for them. 
 
 The corn-field smiles in vain; 
 On craft and fraud is all their car*., 
 
 Their wish is only gain. 
 
 The wind that moves a single leaf 
 
 Sends terror to their hearts, 
 And after all this dream of life 
 
 No rest the grave imparts. 
 
 Then use thou truth and honesty 
 Throughout thine earthly day, 
 
 And turn aside no finger's breadth 
 From God's appointed way. 
 
 Thy children then will bless thy grave, 
 
 And weep with sorrow there, 
 And from their tears all fragrant flowers 
 
 Will blossom to the air. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
156 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 October 10 
 
 HATE AND LOVE 
 
 Oh! surely hate is sin, 
 
 And we shiver with terror deep, 
 When its viper form within 
 
 Uncoils from out its sleep. 
 Then hear me, powers above, 
 
 Be witness of my vow: 
 By the azure eyes I love, 
 
 By the blue sky o'er my brow; 
 By that star of pearly sheen 
 
 Whom we call by Venus' name, 
 When we see its brilliance keen 
 
 On the horizon flame; 
 By Nature's grandeur and might, 
 
 By the good Creator's power, 
 By the pure and tranquil light 
 
 That guides the traveller's hour, 
 By every herb and plant, 
 
 By forest and meadow green, 
 By the endless stream of life, 
 
 By the universe unseen, — 
 I banish thee from my mind, 
 
 Thou remnant of mad love, 
 Of dark, mysterious kind, — 
 
 Thou shalt sleep, no more to move! 
 ****** 
 
 And now, O dreamer fair! 
 
 Dear Muse, return to my arms ! 
 
jHora Cransmuta 157 
 
 Sing me some joyous air, 
 
 As when first I felt thy charms ; 
 Already the dewy lawn 
 
 Sends fragrance to greet the day ; 
 Come, wake my love to the dawn, 
 
 To pluck the flowers gay. 
 See immortal Nature stir 
 
 And rise from the veils of night ; 
 We will be reborn with her 
 
 In the first soft ray of light. 
 
 De Musset. 
 
 October 11 
 
 THREE PAIRS 
 
 Thou hast two ears, and but one mouth: 
 
 Dost thou complain? 
 Many the things that thou must hear, 
 
 And little say again. 
 
 Thou hast two eyes and but one mouth ; 
 
 Make this thy part : 
 Much must thou see and much keep close 
 
 And still in heart. 
 
 Thou hast two hands and but one mouth ; 
 
 Learn in completing: 
 Two hast thou there to work with, and 
 
 But one for eating. 
 
 RiJCKERT. 
 
158 jflota Ctansmuta 
 
 October 12 
 
 Glorious King of all the Martyrs, 
 Of Confessors Crown and Prize, 
 
 Bend to us an ear propitious, 
 Hear our humble litanies. 
 
 KB 13 
 
 LULLABY 
 
 The ears of corn are bending, 
 They hang their heavy head, 
 
 The tired flowers are sending 
 All round a look of dread. 
 
 Now come the evening breezes, 
 As still as angels' sweep ; 
 
 The gentle wind, it pleases 
 The corn and flowers to sleep. 
 
 My tired little flow'ret, 
 
 Thou liest in thy nest, 
 And heavy as the com-blades, 
 
 Thy little head would rest. 
 
 The evening airs upspringing, 
 From heaven they softly sweep, 
 
 Around the cradle singing 
 My little child to sleep. 
 
 Hoffmann von Fallersleben. 
 
jflora Cransmttta 159 
 
 October 14 
 
 TO POSTHUMUS 
 
 Tomorrow thou wilt live, thou sayst, always 
 tomorrow. 
 O Posthumus, declare when comes this 
 promised day? 
 Where is it, and how far? where shall we look 
 to find it? 
 Does it in Parthian land, or Armenian, hide 
 away ? 
 Truly this same tomorrow has Priam's years 
 or Nestor's ; 
 Tell me, I beg, how much for tomorrow shall 
 we pay? 
 Tomorrow thou wilt live? To-day's too late, 
 Posthumus ! 
 The wisest man is he who has lived yester- 
 day. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 October 15 
 
 Who knoweth aught, should silent let it sleep ; 
 
 Who is well-off, he should not change ; 
 
 Who owneth aught, should hold it fast and 
 
 keep; 
 Misfortune strikes at shortest range. 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
160 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 October 16 
 
 Make our hearts to burn and glow, 
 Gazing on Thy life below. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 October 17 
 
 STORM 
 
 Autumn and wind and rain 
 
 Are howling and storming wild; 
 
 Where can she find a shelter? 
 My poor little frightened child ! 
 
 I see her lean at her window, 
 Alone and still and white; 
 
 Her eyes are full of tear-drops, 
 She looks out into the night. 
 
 Heine. 
 
 October 18 
 
 PLEASURE 
 
 Forth from every pleasure springing, 
 Thorns are born that pain are bringing : 
 
 As a restless bee, at play, 
 In whomever tastes his honey 
 Plants his cruel sting and bloody 
 
 To heart's core, and flies away. 
 
 Boetius. Translated by Lopez de Reta. 
 
jHora Cransmuta 161 
 
 October 19 
 
 Fulfilled are all the psalms of faithful David, 
 
 The prophets' holy words are all fulfilled. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 October 20 
 
 TO JULIUS MARTIAL 
 
 Dear Martial, if with thee I could enjoy my 
 
 days, 
 And safe dispose our time in calm and leisure 
 
 ways, 
 Living, for each alike, the true and only life ; 
 We would ignore the halls and houses of the 
 
 great, 
 Nor tedious business rites, nor lawsuits full of 
 
 strife, 
 Would know, nor would we mind proud images 
 
 of state ; 
 But walks and books and talk should be our 
 
 constant care, 
 The campus and the shade, the baths and 
 
 porches there; 
 These should have all our thoughts. But now, 
 
 alas ! we see 
 Our good days fly away, and swiftly cease to be, 
 They perish all, and yet are counted to our cost. 
 When one knows how to live, why should 
 
 time be lost? 
 
 Martial. 
 
162 jFIora Crattsmuta 
 
 October 21 
 
 There is a lake, not far from the walls of the 
 
 city of Enna, 
 Pergus by name, and deep ; than this not even 
 
 Cayster. 
 Hears more songs of swans on its smooth and 
 
 full-flowing waters. 
 Surrounding every side, a wood is crown to the 
 
 water, 
 Keeping off Phoebus' rays with its leafage as 
 
 with a veiling. 
 Coolness the branches give, the ground gives 
 
 various flowers. 
 Here is perpetual spring. And here Proserpine 
 
 playing, 
 Gathers now violet buds, and now the whitest 
 
 of lilies, 
 And while, with girlish zeal she fills her dress 
 
 and her basket, 
 Striving here to excel, in gathering, all her 
 
 companions, 
 Almost at once is she seen and beloved and 
 
 kidnapped by Pluto, 
 So does his passion flame. 
 
 October 22 
 
 All sadly the terrified goddess 
 Calls on her mother and friends, most often of 
 •all on her mother ; 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 163 
 
 And since her dress is torn away and down 
 
 from the border, 
 The flowers, with such care collected, fall away 
 
 in disorder ; — 
 These too, lost and gone, awaken her grief and 
 
 her anguish. 
 The robber whirls her on in his car, and urges 
 
 his horses, 
 Calling each by his name, and shaking over 
 
 their shoulders 
 The reins he holds in his grasp, obscure and 
 
 colored like iron ; 
 Past the lakes of the Palici, deep and smelling 
 
 of sulphur, 
 Swift he is borne, a land where craters glow 
 
 and boil upward, 
 And he arrives at last where the people coming 
 
 from Corinth 
 Between unequal harbors have built the walls of 
 
 their city. 
 
 Ovid. 
 
 October 23 
 
 Children dear, 
 
 Listen and hear 
 
 God's word so clear, 
 And all your elders' warnings and commands. 
 This brings you blessings in all times and lands. 
 
 Maetin Luther. 
 
164 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 October 24 
 
 GOOD COUNSEL 
 
 Fly from the crowd, and dwell with truthfulness, 
 Suffice to thine own good, though it be small ; 
 
 For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness, 
 The crowd hath envy; wealth, deceit o'er all; 
 
 Savour no more than thee behoove shall; 
 
 Rede well thyself, that canst another rede, 
 
 And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 
 
 Trouble thee not each crooked to redress 
 In trust of her that tumeth as a ball, 
 
 Great rest remains in little business ; 
 Beware also to spurn against a nail, 
 Strive not as doth a pitcher with a wall, 
 
 Judge thine own self that judgest others' deed, 
 
 And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 
 
 October 25 
 
 That thee is sent take in obedience. 
 
 The wrestling of this world asketh a fall; 
 Here is no home, here is but wilderness ; 
 
 Forth, pilgrim ! forth, beast, out of thy stall ! 
 
 Look up on high, and thank thy God for all! 
 Leave thy desires, and let thy spirit thee lead, 
 And truth thee shall deliver, there is no drede. 
 
 Chaucer. 
 
Jflora Cransmuta 165 
 
 October 26 
 
 On all the mountains 
 
 Is rest above, 
 
 In all trees and fountains 
 
 No breath can move; 
 
 The biro's are quite still in the woodlands. 
 
 Wait, only wait, 
 
 Thy rest will not be late. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 October 27 
 
 VULCAN 
 
 "Away with all," he says, "leave what you have 
 
 begun ; 
 Cyclops of JEtna, turn your minds to this alone. 
 Arms for the brave we need, now is the time 
 
 for strength, 
 For quick and rapid hands, and master's skill 
 
 at length. 
 Throw off all slow delay." 
 
 ^neid VIII, 439. 
 
 October 28 
 
 Only give me love and grace, 
 
 Rich I am and ask no more ; 
 Let my earnest prayer find place, 
 
 Bend an ear when I implore. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
166 jHota Cransmuta 
 
 October 29 
 
 MADRIGAL 
 
 Weeping, once thou gav'st a kiss; 
 
 Laughing, didst deny it. 
 So from grief thou broughtest bliss, 
 
 And from joy, disquiet. 
 Joy was born from woe and tears, 
 
 Grief from smiles : O lovers ! 
 Sad 3'our fate that always fears, 
 
 Fears and hopes discovers. 
 
 Strozzi. 
 
 October 30 
 
 SESTINA 
 
 In thy difficulties never 
 Coward be, but brave and strong of heart; 
 
 And in prosperous hours ever, 
 When thy fortune blows from favoring part, 
 
 Reef, with careful, steady mind, 
 
 Sails that swell with every wind. 
 
 From the Spanish. 
 October 31 
 
 O Sion, praise the Saviour, 
 Our shepherd and our guide, 
 
 In hymns and songs His deeds rehearse, 
 And spread His praises wide. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
jHora Cransmuta 167 
 
 November 1 
 
 ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE 
 
 Through spaces vast goes Hymen on his way, 
 Wrapt in his crocus cloak, his mantle gay, 
 To the Cicones' borders turning south, 
 Invoked in vain by Orpheus' tuneful mouth. 
 He came indeed, but not with wonted word, 
 Nor joyful face, nor was good omen heard; 
 Even the torch he held hissed tearful smoke, 
 No motion could its clearer flame evoke. 
 The end was worse than all ; for while the bride 
 Walked with her Naiad troop in happy pride, 
 A serpent bit her heel, and lo! she died. 
 
 November % 
 
 When that the Thracian bard had mourned her 
 
 long 
 In upper air, the shades must hear his song, 
 And by the gate Tsenarian he dared 
 Down to the Styx to pass, and there prepared 
 To see the shadowy people, and the queen 
 Persephone, and the sad realms between. 
 
 November 3 
 
 Striking the chords in answer to his song, 
 Thus does he say : " O gods, to whom belong 
 The lands that far below the earth are placed, 
 To whom must fall each mortal frame de- 
 faced, — 
 
168 jflora Cransmuta 
 
 If I may speak, and you will let me tell 
 A tale that has no windings false to swell, — 
 Hear me declare I have not come so far 
 That I might see dark Tartarus, nor make war 
 On the three-headed beast with snaky jaws. 
 No, my dear wife is the one only cause 
 Of all my journey, whom a viper stung 
 Upon her foot, and ended life so young. 
 
 November 4 
 
 I strove to suffer and endure. In vain. 
 Love conquered. He o'er upper worlds doth 
 
 reign, 
 And even here his power is known, if true 
 The tale of theft, Love has joined also you. 
 
 by these places full of dread and fear, 
 By chaos vast, by silence ruling here, 
 
 1 pray, implore you, pity this my state, 
 Re-weave Eurydice's untimely fate. 
 
 November 5 
 
 All things are owed to you, for lo ! we come 
 Sooner or later hastening to this home. 
 All life tends to this last abiding-place, 
 Your realms, the longest for the human race. 
 She too, when measure just her years compile, 
 Shall be your own. I ask her but a while, 
 A little while ; and if the fates deny 
 This gift, I'll not return; we both will die." 
 
jFIora Cransmuta 169 
 
 November 6 
 
 For him, while thus he sang, and touched his 
 
 lyre, 
 The bloodless shades lamented midst their fire. 
 No more poor Tantalus essayed to steal 
 The flying water, and Ixion's wheel 
 Stood still, the greedy vultures ceased to tear 
 Their human food, the Danaids' urns were bare, 
 The stone of Sisyphus became his chair. 
 For the first time did tears of pity fall 
 From the Eumenides ; the queen of all 
 Could not the prayer of Orpheus more with- 
 stand. 
 
 November 7 
 
 They call Eurydice. Among the band 
 
 Of latest shades she walked with footsteps slow. 
 
 With her a stern condition they bestow 
 
 On Orpheus, for he may not turn his eyes 
 
 Until Avernus far behind him lies, 
 
 Or else the gift is but an empty prize. 
 
 They undertake the way in silence mute, 
 
 A way obscure and steep, as black as soot. 
 
 November 8 
 
 And now they've come within a distance small 
 From the earth's edge ; when, fearing lest she fall, 
 And eager to behold, her lover turned 
 
170 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 His eyes. At once, all backward spurned, 
 Stretching her arms, desirous to embrace 
 And be embraced, nothing except a space 
 Of empty air, unhappy, she received; 
 But for her second death she is not grieved, 
 Nor can she blame her husband's eagerness; 
 How could she wish that he should love her less ? 
 Her last farewell she said, and scarcely caught 
 His ear, and to her former place is brought. 
 
 November 9 
 
 All stupefied with grief stood Orpheus there, 
 Like him who saw the dreadful bristling hair 
 Of the three-headed dog, and, changed by fear, 
 In shape a stony image did appear. 
 Or like to thee, Olenos, strong to share 
 Lethe a' s crime of boasting she was fair; 
 Two loving hearts, and now two shapes of stone 
 On Ida's misty mountain standing lone. 
 Orpheus implores the ferryman in vain, 
 No second passage can his prayers obtain; 
 Seven days he sat uncared-for on the shore, 
 While groans and tears were all his food and 
 
 store, 
 Then blaming gods of Erebus and fate, 
 Aloof and proud in all their cruel state, 
 Back to high Rhodope he turned his feet, 
 And Harmon beaten by the northwinds' sleet. 
 Ovid. Metamorphoses X, 1-77. 
 
jFIora Cransmuta 171 
 
 November 10 
 
 Come and hear my counsel given ! 
 Use your youth bestowed by heaven. 
 With the hours wiser grow : 
 On the dial-plate of time 
 Ever moves the pointer slow ; 
 Thou must rise or sink below, 
 Win or lose, be slave or free, 
 Hammer or the anvil be. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
 November 11 
 
 No page more grateful to the Muses seems 
 Than that which mingles grave with merry 
 themes, 
 To recreate the wearied mind 
 With useful nonsense well combined. 
 
 Samuel Johnson. 
 
 November 12 
 
 From the rising of the sun 
 To the ends of all the earth, 
 
 Sing the praises of the King, 
 Praise the glories of His birth. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
172 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 November 13 
 
 UNDER THE ROSE 
 
 The rose, the flower of Venus' dower, 
 
 She gave her little son ; 
 Love with this bribe, his thefts to hide, 
 
 The god of silence won. 
 So now above his friendly board 
 
 The host suspends a rose, 
 To warn each guest that secret rest 
 
 What talk beneath it flows. 
 
 Latin Epigram. 
 
 November 14 
 
 ON CINNA 
 
 They tell me that Cinna writes verses against 
 
 me, but no, 
 He writes not, for nobody reads what Cinna 
 
 has labored to show. 
 
 Thou sayest it is nothing, whatever thou hast 
 
 sought ; 
 If nought thou askest, Cinna, then I deny thee 
 
 nought. 
 
 Martial. 
 
ifiora Cransmuta 173 
 
 November 15 
 
 Come, Sleep, O come ! although thou art 
 Sure image of the death we dread, 
 
 Yet I desire with all my heart 
 To have thee consort of my bed. 
 
 O hither come, and to depart 
 
 Be slow, for lifeless thus to lie 
 
 'Tis sweet to live, thus without death to die. 
 
 T. Warton. 
 
 November 16 
 
 Come away, soul of mine, leave thy bed of 
 slumber, 
 
 Languor, torpor, vanity, drive away their num- 
 ber; 
 
 Make thine inmost heart to show love and meet 
 behavior, 
 
 Thinking on the wondrous deeds of thy gentle 
 Saviour. 
 
 Unknown Latin Author. 
 
 November 17 
 
 Thou who dwellest midst the lilies, 
 Circled by a choir of virgins, 
 
 Bridegroom decked with every glory, 
 Here thy suppliants pray to thee. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
174 jHora Cransmuta 
 
 November 18 
 
 THE DAISY 
 
 When that the month of May 
 Is come, and that I hear the birdes sing, 
 And that the flowers at last begin to spring, 
 Farewell my book and my devotion. 
 
 Now have I also this condition 
 That out of all the flowers in the mead 
 Then love I most those flowers white and red 
 Such as men callen daisies in our town ; 
 
 November 19' 
 
 To them I have such great affection, 
 As I said erst, when comes at last the May, 
 That in my bed there dawneth me no day, 
 But I am up, and walking in the mead 
 To see this flower against the sun outspread, 
 When it ariseth early by the morrow; 
 That blissful sight softeneth all my sorrow, 
 So glad am I, when that I have presence 
 Of it, to do it fullest reverence, 
 
 November 20 
 
 As she that is of all the perfect flower, 
 Fulfilled of all virtue and honor, 
 And ever alike fair and fresh of hue, 
 And ever I love it, ever alike new, 
 And ever shall, until my heart may die; 
 
jHora Cransmuta 175 
 
 Though I swear not, in this I will not lie. 
 My busy spirit, that thirsteth alway new 
 To see this flower so young, so fresh of hue, 
 Constrained me with such greedy desire, 
 That in my heart I feel even yet the fire, 
 That made me rise before that it were day, 
 
 November 21 
 
 And this was now the first morrow of May, 
 
 With reverent heart and glad devotion 
 
 For to be at the resurrection 
 
 Of this one flower, when that it should unclose, 
 
 Against the sun, that rose as red as rose, 
 
 That in the breast was of the beast that day 
 
 That Agenores daughter led away : 
 
 And down on knees anon I right me set, 
 
 And as I could, this fresh flower did I greet, 
 
 Kneeling alway, till it unclosed was, 
 
 Upon the small and soft and sweetest grass, 
 
 That was with flowers sweet embroidered all. 
 
 November 22 
 
 Forgotten had the earth its poor estate 
 
 Of winter, that it naked made and mate, 
 
 And with his sword of cold so sorely grieved; 
 
 Now had the temperate sun all that re-leaved 
 
 That naked was, and newly again clad. 
 
 And the small birds, of the fresh season glad, 
 
176 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 That from the net and from the trap have 
 
 strayed, 
 Of the fierce fowler, that them sore affrayed 
 In winter, and destroyed had their brood, — 
 In his despite thought that it did them good 
 
 November 23 
 
 To sing of him and in their song despise 
 The bad, foul churl, that for his covetise 
 Had them betrayed with his sophistry — 
 This was their song : " The fowler we defy 
 And all his craft " : and some sang high and 
 
 clear 
 Their lays of love that j oy it was to hear, 
 In worshipping and praising of their mate, 
 And for the new and blissful summer's sake. 
 Upon the branches, full of blossoms soft, 
 In their delight they turned them full oft, 
 And sang : " O blessed be Saint Valentine, 
 For on his day I choose you to be mine, 
 Without repentance, mine own hearte sweet." 
 
 Chaucer. 
 Legend of Good Women. 
 
 November £4* 
 
 P^ETUS AND ARRIA 
 
 When to her Partus Arria gave the sword, 
 Which she had drawn from out her pure 
 heart's core, 
 
jFiora Cransmuta 177 
 
 It hurts me not," she said, " believe my word ; 
 But what thou doest, that will hurt me 
 sore." 
 
 Martial. 
 
 November 25 
 
 O holiest Lord, who rulest o'er the world, 
 
 Hearken to these our praises from below; 
 The morning comes with healing wings un- 
 furled, 
 Night's shadows flee, and light begins to 
 glow. 
 May light eternal rise upon our heart, 
 And sanctifying peace its joy impart. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 November 26 
 
 O fountain pure of love immortal, 
 
 O stream of waters always new, 
 O flame that softens the hard-hearted, 
 
 O charity forever true ! 
 Hide us within Thy heart, Lord Jesu, 
 
 That there we may for aye remain, 
 Enjoy Thy grace in rich outflowing, 
 
 To heavenly happiness attain. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
178 jFIota Ctansmuta 
 
 November 27 
 
 MORNING HYMN 
 
 Splendor of the Father's glory, 
 Bringing light from light away, 
 
 Light of light, and fount of brightness, 
 Day illuminating day, 
 
 O true Sun, look down upon us, 
 Shining from thine endless store, 
 
 And the radiance of thy Spirit 
 Into all our senses pour. 
 
 St. Ambrose. 
 
 November 28 
 
 TO SEVERUS 
 
 Small are the gifts my garden can send thee for 
 
 thy drouth, 
 Eggs for thy throat, Severus, and apples for 
 
 thy mouth. 
 
 If I had Libyan game-birds, they should be 
 
 thine, my friend ; 
 Such as I have I give thee, my barnyard fowls 
 
 I send. 
 
 Martial. 
 
Jflora Crangmuta 179 
 
 November 29 
 
 Still the flames of angry strife, 
 
 Take away the hurtful heat ; 
 To our bodies health and life, 
 
 To our hearts give peace most sweet. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
 November 30 
 
 Receive this small umbrella, a present from a 
 friend, 
 In burning summer days 'twill shield from too 
 much sun; 
 And if the wind should blow, again its help 'twill 
 lend, 
 It can answer for a veil, and serve both ends 
 in one. 
 
 Martiae. 
 
 December 1 
 
 ON HIS RUSTICATION 
 
 Asked what I do, in country life delaying 
 Far from the town,— I answer in a word : 
 
 I pray the gods at daybreak, then I visit 
 My fields, review my servants, and award 
 
 To each his just amount of fitting labor. 
 
 I read then, call on Phoebus, tease the Muse 
 
180 Jflota Ctangmuta 
 
 Then oil and rub my body, and most willing, 
 Constrain it mild palestral toil to use. 
 
 With joyful mind, free from the money-lender, 
 I dine, drink, sing, play, bathe, and sup, and 
 rest; 
 
 And while my little lamp consumes its oil, 
 I write these lucubrations with great zest. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 December 2 
 
 MOUNT VESUVIUS 
 
 This is Vesuvius, once all green with shady vine: 
 Here best and noblest grapes pressed down the 
 
 vats with wine. 
 This height great Bacchus loved more than his 
 
 Nyssa's hill: 
 Here lately Satyrs led their choral dance at will. 
 Here was fair Venus' home, than Sparta held 
 
 more dear; 
 This place the famous name of Hercules made 
 
 clear. 
 Now flames lay all things low, sad ashes cover 
 
 o'er: 
 The gods on high decreed its power should grow 
 
 no more. 
 
 Martial. 
 
jFIora Crawsmuta i8i 
 
 December 3 
 
 CLAUDIA 
 
 Claudia Rufina on wild British shore 
 
 Was born, and yet how Latian is her mind ! 
 How beautiful her form ! Italian dames 
 
 Believe her Roman, Athens of her kind. 
 Gods, who have granted to this holy pair 
 
 Children, and hope of grandsons yet to come, 
 Be still propitious, ever let her share 
 
 With her one husband, her three sons, and 
 home. 
 
 Martial. 
 
 December 4 
 
 PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN 
 
 Thou maid and mother, daughter of thy son, 
 
 Thou well of mercy, sinful soules' cure, 
 In whom that God of bounty chose to won ; 
 
 Thou humble and high o'er every creature, 
 Thou who dost so ennoble our nature, 
 That no disdain the Maker had of kind 
 His Son in blood and flesh to clothe and wind ; 
 
 Now help, thou meek and blissful fairest maid, 
 Me, banished wretch, in this desert of gall; 
 
 Think on the Canaanite, on her who said 
 
 That dogs oft eat some of the crumbes small 
 That from their Lordes' table down may fall ; 
 
182 jFlora Crangmuta 
 
 And though that I, unworthy son of Eve, 
 Be sinful, yet accept ye my belief. 
 
 December 5 
 
 And for that faith is dead till it may work, 
 So for to work give me both wit and space, 
 
 That I be quit from place most dark and mirk, 
 O thou that art so fair and full of grace, 
 Be thou mine advocate in that high place, 
 
 Where as without an end is sung Hosanna, 
 
 Thou Christes' mother, daughter dear of Anna; 
 
 And with thy light my soul in prison light, 
 
 That troubled is by the contagion 
 Of my body, and also by the weight 
 Of earthly love and false affection : 
 O haven of refuge, O salvation 
 Of them that are in sorrow and distress, 
 Now help, for to my work I will me dress. 
 Chaucer. 
 Second Nun's Tale. 
 
 December 6 
 
 The Lord returns to earth 
 And with Him everything, 
 
 The flowers have their new birth 
 The birds rejoice and sing. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 183 
 
 December 7 
 
 THE DOVE 
 
 As frightened dove that flutters from the cave 
 Where its sweet nest and home deep hidden 
 
 lie, 
 With noise of beating pinions flies on high, 
 But soon in quiet air forgets its dread, 
 And cuts its liquid way with moveless wings out- 
 spread : 
 So Pristis' galley the last space has won ; 
 He strikes the waves, his impulse bears him on. 
 
 Virgil. ^Eneid V, 213-219. 
 
 December 8 
 
 TO LEONORA 
 
 O credulous Naples, who dost vainly say 
 Thy Siren has departed, and the bright 
 Parthenope has left her home of light, 
 
 And given her body to the fire away ! 
 
 No, for she lives, and only change has made 
 Of Posilippo's hoarsely murmuring shore 
 For Tiber's gentle waters, evermore 
 
 Adorned with favoring laurels and sweet shade. 
 
 Here happy with her song both gods and men 
 are made. 
 
 From Milton's Latin. 
 
184 jFlora Cransmuta 
 
 December 9 
 
 TO LEONORA SINGING IN ROME 
 
 For each and every man an angel bright 
 
 His own, his guardian, stoops from heavenly 
 
 height, 
 And leaves the ranks of hosts ethereal there, 
 To wander through this dim and misty air. 
 What wonder, then, if honor still more great, 
 O Leonora, is thy happy fate? 
 Through thee and through thy voice the present 
 
 God 
 Breathes power and harmony, thou art a rod 
 By which He guides and teaches mortal hearts 
 To lay aside their sensual, fleshly parts. 
 For if our God is everywhere infused, 
 Through thee alone He speaks, thy tongue alone 
 
 is loosed. 
 
 Paraphrase from the Latin of Milton. 
 
 December 10 
 
 No one can reckon what it costs God to give 
 nourishment even to the birds alone, who need 
 almost nothing. But I hold that it costs more 
 to maintain the sparrows for one year than the 
 King of France has for his income. What can 
 one say then of the rest? 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
JFlora Crangmuta 185 
 
 December 11 
 
 There was a King of Yvetot 
 
 Little known in story, 
 Rising late, retiring soon, 
 
 Sleeping without glory, 
 Crowned by Jeanneton his maid 
 
 With a simple cap of cotton braid, 
 So they said. 
 Oh! Oh! Oh! Rat-tat-tat! 
 What a good little king was that ! 
 
 He eat four hearty meals a day 
 Within his thatch-roofed palace, 
 
 And on mule-back, step by step, 
 Round his kingdom sallies. 
 
 Simple and glad, he thinks no ill, 
 
 He has no guard, nor needs one still, 
 Save a dog at will. 
 
 Oh! Oh! Oh! Rat-tat-tat! 
 
 What a good little king was that ! 
 
 Beranger. 
 
 December IS 
 
 THE LARK 
 
 We greet thee well, O heavenly herald, 
 Sweet Spring's forerunner, dear singing com- 
 rade; 
 A thousand greetings, O lark beloved! 
 Thou teachest twice, both song and living. 
 
186 jFIora Cransmuta 
 
 Thou friend of industry and morning, 
 Awak'ning meadow, field, and herdsman; 
 Thou drivest sleep from opening eyelids ; 
 For the early lark sings glad reveilles. 
 
 Thou strengthenest hands that grasp the 
 
 ploughshare, 
 Thou settest the note for the hymn of morning, 
 Awake and sing, my heart so j oyf ul, 
 Awake and sing, my heart so thankful. 
 
 December IS 
 
 And every creature, bride of sunlight, 
 Awakes refreshed from drowsy slumber; 
 The steadfast trees all hear in wonder 
 The heavenly song, and renew their verdure. 
 
 The twigs shoot forth, the buds unfold them, 
 The leaves slip out from cradling cover, 
 The young birds stir in their nest of shelter, 
 And doubtful try their little voices. 
 
 Then thou, brave lark, good courage bringest, 
 At earliest glance of youthful springtide, 
 High over envious care uplifted, 
 Beyond our vision, yet not our hearing. 
 
 Ardent thou wingest thy way to heaven, 
 Then modestly down to earth thou sinkest; 
 Timidly nestling deep in the grasses, 
 Again to heaven uprising joyful. 
 
jflora Crangmuta 187 
 
 December 14 
 
 For this, lark, so good and modest, 
 Lifted above all pride and hindrance, 
 Thou cheerful friend of godly labor, 
 For this, heaven gave in reward and payment 
 
 Thy lovely song, brave and unwearied, 
 Thy voice of joy through all the springtide. 
 Even Philomel, the bird of rapture, 
 Must by thy longer song be conquered. 
 
 For alas ! the notes of love and longing 
 In Philomela's song die quickly ; 
 But devotion's hymn, so strong and joyful, 
 The hymn of labor, has longer tenure. 
 
 Herder. 
 
 December 15 
 
 TO A FRIEND 
 
 Enclosed in a wicker cover, this flask, for snowy 
 refreshment, 
 This in the season of Saturn shall be my gift 
 to thee; 
 If thou complainest that I have sent in the 
 month of December 
 A gift fit only for summer, then send in re- 
 turn to me 
 The thinnest and lightest of togas, and I'll 
 take it willingly. 
 
 Martial. 
 
188 jFlora Ctansmuta 
 
 December 16 
 
 MOUNTAIN IDYL 
 
 Quiet stays the moon without doors 
 Far behind the green fir-tree, 
 
 And within the room, our lamplight 
 Flickers dim and faint to see. 
 
 But my two blue stars of lovelight 
 Beaming shine with clearest ray, 
 
 And her rosy cheeks are glowing, 
 Whilst I hear the maiden say : 
 
 " Little people, tricksy goblins, 
 Steal our bread and all our store ; 
 
 In the chest it lies at evening, 
 In the morning there's no more. 
 
 " Little people from our milk-pan 
 Drink the cream with eager zest; 
 
 Then they leave the dish uncovered; 
 And the cat laps up the rest. 
 
 " And our cat's a witch, I'm certain, 
 For she steals in stormy hour 
 
 Over to the haunted mountain, 
 To the old and crumbling tower." 
 
jFlora Cransmuta 189 
 
 December 17 
 
 THE BUTTERFLY 
 
 Lovely, airy thing on high, 
 
 Butterfly ! 
 Over flowers fluttering, 
 On but dew and honey feeding, 
 
 Flower thyself, a flying leaf, — 
 Whose can be the rosy finger 
 
 Has empurpled all thy sheaf? 
 
 Was't a Fairy who thy robe 
 
 So bestrewed. 
 Formed thee out of morning fragrance, 
 Made thee only live in dayglance? 
 
 Little soul, thy tiny heart 
 Beats so fast beneath my finger, 
 
 Feels a deathful smart. 
 
 Fly, O little soul, and be 
 
 Gay and free, 
 Sign to me what I may grow, 
 When this earth's dark wormy show 
 
 E'en like thee a zephyr is, 
 And in fragrant dew and honey 
 
 Every flower may kiss ! 
 
 Herder. 
 
190 jHora Ctangmuta 
 
 December 18 
 
 A youth in Einsiedeln was troubled by evil 
 thoughts and wicked desires. He went to an 
 old man for counsel, and asked what to do. The 
 old father answered : " Thou canst not hinder 
 the birds from flying to and fro in the air, but 
 thou canst certainly keep them from making 
 a nest upon thine head or in thine heart." 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
 December 19 
 
 THE ABODE OF THE GODS 
 
 Where the gods reign, there are abodes of quiet 
 That no winds shake, nor clouds asperse with 
 
 showers, 
 Nor the white-falling snow, by frost congealed, 
 Injures in aught, but ever cloudless ether 
 Covers, and smiles with light diffus'd and wide. 
 
 Lucretius. 
 
 December 20 
 
 Who ne'er his bread with tears has eat, 
 Who never through the midnight hours 
 
 Upon his bed in sorrow sat, 
 
 He knows you not, ye heavenly powers. 
 
 Goethe. 
 
jTIora Cransmuta 191 
 
 December 21 
 
 TWO WAYS TO VIRTUE AND 
 STRENGTH 
 
 Two are the ways by which man struggles up- 
 ward to virtue ; 
 Closed should one of them be, open the other 
 will lie. 
 The fortunate wins by action, the sufferer wins 
 by patience, 
 Happy that man will be, whose fortune con- 
 tributeth both. 
 
 Schiller. 
 
 December 22 
 
 ashes of my fathers ! bear me witness 
 That in your sacred cause I was not daunted 
 By arms nor by the host of all the Greeks : 
 And if fate had decreed that I should fall, 
 
 1 should have earned my death by my own deeds. 
 
 ^Enexd II, 481. 
 
 December 23 
 
 Holy mystery effulgent 
 
 In the blessed Cross doth reign, 
 
 Death destroyed by life triumphant, 
 Life, by death, brought back again. 
 
 Roman Breviary. 
 
192 JFIora Cransmuta 
 
 December £4j 
 
 OLD FRENCH NOEL 
 
 All among the shepherds lowly, 
 With the cattle, Christ the holy 
 In the fields has willed His birth ; 
 Not among the splendors glorious 
 Of the greatest Kings victorious, — 
 He, the King of all the earth. 
 
 December 25 
 
 In a cradle is lying, 
 
 An infant, and sighing, 
 The Word that all things has spoken ; 
 
 The earth's Sun is freezing, 
 
 His bright flame is ceasing; 
 O what may all this betoken? 
 
 What has down-driven 
 
 God to a cavern? 
 O this is love's doing and leaven! 
 
 Farewell, stars of light, 
 
 Hail caves of dark night, 
 A stable now is my heaven ! 
 
 Unknown Latin Author. 
 
jFIora Cran0muta 193 
 
 December 26 
 
 The people of Antdorf had caused a beautiful 
 tapestry to be made for the Emperor Charles, 
 and on it was worked a representation of the 
 Battle of Pavia, in which the King of France 
 had been taken prisoner. But the Emperor 
 would not receive it, because he did not wish 
 that any one should think he could rejoice in 
 the misfortune and misery of another. 
 
 Martin Luther. 
 
 December 27 
 
 THE MARTYRS 
 
 Earthly terrors they have conquered, 
 Pains of body they despised, 
 
 Holy death they gave in barter 
 For the blessed life they prized. 
 
 Fourth or Fifth Century. 
 
 December 28 
 
 Five things are difficult: to know thyself, 
 To keep a secret, injuries to pardon, 
 To spend time well, and (free from love of self) 
 To do thy duty with no hope of guerdon. 
 
 From the Spanish. 
 
194 jHora Crangmtita 
 
 December 29 
 
 ASSONANCES 
 
 True riches is not gold, nor does possession 
 
 bring it: 
 But he who has no fears, he is both rich and 
 
 happy. 
 Greater will be thy joy, if in so many dangers, 
 Envy pursue thee not, but oblivion dwell with 
 
 thee. 
 
 From the Spanish. 
 
 December 30 
 
 HOLY INNOCENTS 
 
 Hail, ye little martyred flowers ! 
 
 On the threshold of your life, 
 Whom the bloody sword devours, 
 
 Rosebuds with the wind at strife. 
 
 First to give your breath away, 
 Tender flock of slaughtered lambs, 
 
 'Neath the altar-stone you play 
 With your own crowns and palms. 
 
 Pritdentius. 
 
jHota Ctangmuta 195 
 
 December 31 
 
 SONG 
 
 Long have I the battle waged, 
 
 Now I cease to strive, 
 When the old man is destroyed, 
 
 Starts the new alive. 
 And if thou shouldst have it not, 
 
 This great death and birth, 
 Art thou but a weary guest 
 
 On this darksome earth. 
 
 Goethe. (The last verse he wrote.) 
 
DEC 19 1913 
 
UBBARY OF CWg[jgS> •